One year. One year since I fell into the Overwatch hole. I've seen ship wars, fan art of...questionable means, some of the dumbest arguments on Tumblr on so many factors I've ever read yet I stand here knowing that the community is one of the brighter highlights of my life.
Among Heroes was my first attempt on really trying. First time OCs, first time expansion of characters without straying too far, actual research on locations and medical studies for realism. What I considered many times to be a waste has grown into this love I think for the game, its lore, its people. My story is one of thousands yet I stand with attention from hundreds that enjoy my work, that enjoy what I bring.
I've always been jealous of OC stories and especially the really popular ones. They deserve it most definitely and are on a level I will reach in the future with more time, but I tip my hat to them. Each one of those stories drew much of my skill to grow as an author and here I am one year later. The work has evolved with me and now I stand with others.
I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for reading my story that started off as a little hobby to kill time. Thank you for helping me craft the story to something sharper, you know who you are and who helped me plan this. Thank you for all the feedback I live off your feedback to know I'm not writing for a silent space, I write for people. Especially thank you to all those who take the time and just like it. Honestly I've considered giving up my story many times. I love my characters now, I love the world they live in, I love writing the most intense scenes to simple conversations.
Again just...thank you for everything and I hope by next year this story will be complete and I will have left you, my audience, the great feeling of completion. I'm not giving up on Among Heroes. It will be completed and that is a promise. One I wish badly to keep, but if not...I rather think not.
Now enjoy children while we continue our journey with our heroes.
0-0-0-0-0
The guard watched as the prisoner puked on the floor. The bits of his last wheel was there as Gideon sauntered around the chair. "Not bad Burr. The new strain of my nanites would be attacking pain receptors, but you have quite the will."
Burr, with tears streaking his cheeks, breathed painfully. Every breath was a labor to achieve despite it being the only pleasure he's felt since being captured. Gideon grabbed a chunk of Burr's hair and pulled it back to make Burr face him.
"What do you see every time you ingest the chemicals? Do you see the family you created dead on the floor? Every scrap of achievement with Overwatch squandered by me? Or your greatest failure lying dead by your hand?"
"..." Burr moved his eyes to the side before Gideon slapped him. "Talk to me. Give me something."
"They'll come for me." Burr grumbled. Gideon's eyebrow perked at that. "Overwatch doesn't need me to function and if you think you can destroy what I revived then you got another thing coming."
"So you still cling on to hope. How? Reviewing Talon's footage on Noah, he derived of hope of being rescued. The only reason he survived madness was because of Sombra. You have nothing."
Burr's eyes lulled again before Gideon smacked him again. "You have nothing. Winston has been captured, Jack Morrison lies in my custody. The great leaders of Overwatch are all under my thumb. How do believe Overwatch can stop me?"
"Overwatch...is better than you think. Plus with me here, Noah's coming and I assure you. He'll do a better job rescuing me than I ever did for him."
Gideon noticed the shine in his eyes when Burr mentioned him. His lips curved slightly upward.
"Noah. He's the reason you still have hope." Burr didn't answer back before Gideon pulled out a new syringe. Its contents glowed dully in the shadows as Gideon pressed the needle into his neck. Burr screamed again as the contents poured in.
Slowly...the pain stopped. Burr could feel every bruise and cut no longer throb in pain. Gideon gave a satisfied smirk before watching the wounds close. "Feeling alright? I want to test something, but I need you at full health first."
"You must've gone crazy." Burr mumbled before Gideon pulled out a gun. Before Burr could respond, Burr beat him with the butt of the pistol. The feeling that left was replaced with heavy handed pain. Gideon pointed the barrel against Burr's leg and fired one round.
"GAAH DAMN IT!" Burr screeched as he could smell his burnt flesh. He breathed heavily as Gideon stepped back. "WHAT THE FUCK!"
"Just watch." Burr looked down and saw the bullet wound. His muscles began spazzing and soon he could see the bullet be pushed out. He gasped at the development as Gideon clapped slowly.
"Impressive right? You see I've always been interested in the advances Overwatch has made in medical silence with a particular Angela Ziegler that I kept my eye out for. She reminds me a lot of Katrina. You see that same fire in her eyes and that genius that runs through it."
"So?"
"So such genius must be up to something. I recently came across some problems with how to deal with heavy hitters like your organization harbors and I wanted to know what we can do to service. Current nanobots are able to accelerate human healing ten fold, but this will make them obsolete. However this is still nothing compared to what the doctor has done. She is wasting her talents in that motley crew." Gideon explained.
"Arranging to take her when I sent her to your damn ball."
He nodded before the chuckling softly. "Yes well it was suppose to be that way plus the capture or death of Fareeha Amari would've been an excellent bonus. But it seems I didn't account the dead to stop me."
Burr let out one arrogant smirk. "Serves you right." Gideon shook his head in disbelief.
"Still the bounty I have on his head should make his involvement all for naught." Burr's eye widened.
"You sent a bounty?!" Gideon's smirk widened at the fear in his eyes.
"Eight million. Not intimidating enough to ward off all assassin and modest enough for me to call it chump change. Still I have mind of one person that can take care of him. Hell even more if he's able kill other agents, I'm thinking Widowmaker as a bonus to his pay."
"You try to kill him I swear I'll do-"
"Nothing. You can do nothing here under my eye. This is my kingdom, my domain. You, Talon, and even the U.N. cannot stop me here. This is my game and everyone will play by rules."
Burr gritted his teeth. "Well your enjoy your kingdom while it lasts. The strongest and smartest people on this planet have their sights on this place and are coming for you." Gideon laughed.
"That's the spirit. Fighting till your last breath is an honorable way to go on. Now…" A metallic tendril erupted from the ground and primed itself. Gideon pulled out one more syringe and injected a new batch of nanites into his bloodstream. Burr's eyes flashed terror before losing color. His body went limp as a tiny voice was heard at the back of his head.
"Keep trying to hold onto that." The tendril wrapped itself around Burr and pulled him away. The door opened and Gideon found the guard watching. He glared at guard before walking off.
"Moonlark."
-Yes.-
"Prepare the new battle suit and the new pet. I believe our new employee will love the tri-weave armor and weapons I've crafted for him. And set course for Japan. You and Aryt should be there to provide backup."
-Backup? Sir, with all due respect we are more than capable of holding our own.-
"Oh is that why despite the training we've put you through to literally surpass Widowmaker you still lost and only Aryt was able to complete his task."
-I…-
"Yeah. You both have shown how incompetent you are when it comes to Bastian and his allies. The only reason you remain in the game now is as a distraction. Maybe Aryt I should give more respect since he was able to complete one of his tasks I assigned. You on the other hand had your ass handed to you by Sombra, Noah, and Widowmaker."
Moonlark stood in her office with her pride shattered before her. "I...I understand. Let me prove myself though."
-Prove yourself by following my orders and you know, possibly defeat an Overwatch agent. The perfect world we want to accomplish will not be held back by liabilities. Especially a liability we've poured numerous resources to ensure that they weren't a complete waste of time. Is that understood?-
"Transparently." Moonlark answered back with no emotion.
-Good. Prove your worth. Prove that you're a legacy worthy of your parents.- The communicator cut off as Angel slammed it on the desk. She looked at the stoic faces that remained as the only reminder that she had parents. Her fist clenched before cracking the desk with strength.
"Bastian, our business isn't finished. I'll kill you and if not Aryt will." Angel solemnly swore. "Your death will make our lives so much easier."
0-0-0-0-0
Angela placed more of Fareeha's blood on the dish and examined it through her microscope. She grabbed a beaker with the new strand of nanobots and dropped two small drops in the blood.
The microscope caught the action going down and see watched the nanites in the blood slowly shut down. The nanobots broke down. "Shit."
"How goes the progress Ziegler?" A voice behind her said. She turned to see Ana walking in with a pot of tea. "Poor I'm guessing."
"These are very well crafted nanites. If Winston or Mei Ling was here the progress would be faster. But Burr's allowed Mei Ling to travel again and I have no idea where she is."
"Alaska." Ana responded. "I contacted her already and she should return in the next two days. But besides her and Winston what have you discovered?"
Angela let out a groan as she tried to rack up her thoughts. "They function much like the nanobots I used to save Gabriel's life. And in that I'm able to isolate the nanites from the blood stream. However what I've programmed to shut down Reaper's cells is only a temporary solution. Isolating what's in Fareeha's blood should be a good enough solution, but if the solution were to come down she's most likely to succumb under what happened before."
Ana clenched her teeth. "Damn it. I see how Burr could hate such a man, but this is unforgivable. Anyways we'll keep a close eye monitoring her and the injections of the nanobots should be…?"
"Twice today, one per week.. For the beginning of the day and the end. And unlike medicine the effects will not dull over time. The nanobots will keep them isolated." Ana nodded before looking over Angela's desk. Papers were sprawled all on the desk. A blueprint was seen though. She put a finger on top of that and Angela noticed.
"New design of the response suit?"
The doctor didn't answer for a second before sighing. "After the battle to save from Talon, Burr approached me and checked on well being. We talked about new improvements to our arsenal and I decided maybe if things were different Noah wouldn't have...disappeared. This is new "Valkyrie" mode should allow my suit to more responsive to combat and if I manage, I'll be able to maintain flight."
Ana whistled at the claim as she looked over the blueprints. "You've been working on this for two years. And from when we lost Noah." Angela nodded before examining any other
"You care a lot for him." Angela felt her cheeks turn slightly red. "As does Fareeha."
"I understand Ana if this is a problem, it's just, um…"
"I won't judge. It's not my place to do so." Ana stated with an understanding look. "He cares for you and Fareeha with just as much intensity. So don't worry."
0-0-0-0-0
Symmetra subconsciously clutched her side as Sombra led her through the crowds. A little bit of recovery and now the two were taking some time trying to escape. She carried little suspicions about the Sombra after helping her recover though she's seen her as a part of Overwatch's roster. Especially since Gideon was so inclined of finding all of Burr's allies.
"Keep moving. We can't expect everyone to assume you're dead." Sombra said sternly.
"I'll keep following you." Sombra looked like she had extra weight to her shoulders. Before leaving Symmetra heard a bit of yelling and choking down a sob. Afterwards Sombra seemed more inclined to leave.
"Good. My translocators charge would last several days, but with how things are moving I need to get you out soon."
Symmetra adjusted the cloth over her face as they moved forward. "And how long will that take?" Sombra looked at the bright screens above them and counted down. A few seconds later Symmetra's photo was on the screen with a wanted sign.
"What?"
"I spied on Gideon through a new lense. He doesn't accept your friend's story that they killed you. So right now we got to get you out of here before anyone else realizes that you're here. And if you listen to me, you won't get killed."
"I'll listen."
"Be a nice change of pace." Sombra grumbled before feeling the weight again. Symmetra stared at her before the hacker grabbed her arm and led her away. "Any questions?"
"When will I meet Burr and the others? I trust you informed them of my forced choice." Sombra's eyes widened slightly before pulling out her phone. "You did inform them, have you not?"
"...we should get out here first." Sombra said as she glanced at her screen. Symmetra could see many notifications with the ID: Noah. "Can't risk such a call in Gideon's territory. Plus as of this moment we won't be meeting Burr, we'll be meeting Ana Amari."
"What happened?"
"Your boss." Sombra replied as she put the phone away. Symmetra saw several Vishkar guards patrolling the streets. Symmetra put her head down and followed Sombra's feet as the two moved non suspiciously in front of the guards. Symmetra saw their uniforms. They weren't the normal security detail. No, these were their hunters. They wore stronger armor and their weapons were more lethal. Gideon really thinks she's still in the city.
"Heard what happened?"
"Na, what happened?"
"New bounty on an Overwatch agent. Eight million in American currency." She saw Sombra stop in her tracks.
"You think he'll send us after him?"
"Possibly. No way the guy wants to give up eight million to some punk. We could scrape him off next time we move out. If we convince him maybe it'd be a nice bonus pay." Sombra sucked in a breath before her gloves started glowing.
The hunters heard a beep on their phones and checked. "Look at that. Symmetra's taking shelter in one of the deserted alleys. We can cut her off there." They turned and ran towards Sombra. Symmetra wanted to question her before the hacker pressed another button and a sharp ringing could be heard.
The hunters screamed in pain as they grabbed their ear comms. "The hell's wrong with these things!"
Sombra smirked before taking out a baton and smacking them with two quick strikes to the head. The two fell over as Symmetra watched in awe. Sombra gave herself a pat on the back before grabbing Symmetra's arm.
"You are quite good."
"As good when I need to be. I need to get you out." Symmetra saw Sombra glance at her phone and saw the worry increase in her brow.
"Shit. What the hell are you doing in Japan?" Sombra whispered before pulling Symmetra with her.
"Is there a problem?"
'Currently the only person I feel any sense of loyalty is in Japan and in Yakuza territory while having a fucking bounty on his head.' Sombra thought before dragging Symmetra even more. "Seriously keep up the pace or we're both going to die here."
"Right." Symmetra muttered as she felt Sombra's strong grip on her arm. The two disappeared into the crowd once more as no one saw the engineer and the hacker throughout the place.
0-0-0-0-0
"Ow." Noah groaned as his eyes opened. A few orbs were floating above him and pouring golden energy into him.
"Ah, you're recovering quite nicely." Zenyatta said. McCree moved above him and placed his sheathed blade on him. "You were quite lucky we were close by."
"Real lucky. What the hell happened there?" Noah sat up and rubbed his wounds. The stab wound in his shoulder healed to a certain degree, but the soreness was still there. Noah patted it softly as Zenyatta gave him a thoughtful stare.
"Fucking yakuza I think. Otherwise I don't know who knew I was a target."
"Yeah that barely narrows it. Right now we're in Shimada territory, but we need to get ready for Hanzo. For now I'll scout ahead and check on the place."
"No, I can help." Jesse put a hand on Noah's shoulder and slowly pushed him down on the bed.
He shook his head with concern. "Nah, with you wounded you'll slow me down and possibly attract more assassins. For now just recover with Zenyatta and plan how things will go down once we meet the target."
Noah wasn't against that. Maybe a little time to recover and reflect will make things better down the road. McCree put a bottle next to the desk and winked at Noah. "If the bottle's empty I understand, but still try to keep some for me."
"I'm not an alcoholic." Noah replied. McCree shook his head as he opened the door. "At least I hope I wasn't."
"You can hold your liquor." McCree smirked before closing the door. Zenyatta nodded with that as Noah pulled out the broken phone from his pocket. Zenyatta glanced at it as Noah's look of frustration make small appearances.
"Does Sombra still bother you?"
"What?"
"Sombra. The woman you lived with for years. Does your argument still bother her?"
"How did you-"
"Ms. Amari has informed me of what may possibly bother you. Perhaps while we wait for McCree to return we can perhaps put this issue to rest." Noah stared at the omnic before pulling his legs up.
Noah looked at the omnic who's been nothing, but kind to him. Friendship and trust were commodities he could grant him. "Am...weak or helpless Zenyatta?"
"You are not as far as I'm concerned. You seem quite capable for someone from just while ago was a simple mechanic. Yet I will not lie, your current state especially with what Burr has described to me is weaker than who you were before."
"Are you saying I am?"
"You are different. Though the old you still shines through in times of danger, the one you are now still carries the weight of a civilian. A capable one, but not as capable as you once were."
Zenyatta watched Noah's eyes look at his hands. "I'm trying my best to be like myself again. But Sombra doesn't get it. Weeks ago I wasn't me. I was her roommate, not an Overwatch agent. I bet she looks at me like I'm that patient at the hospital that needed help to the bathroom. The normal guy that she could boss around. Someone that can't comprehend what she does."
Noah took a moment to breath. "People like Angela and Fareeha look at me and I could see they know what I can do. They believe in me! Sombra doesn't."
"Her concern for your wellbeing stands as an...error?"
"Yes! No. I mean maybe."
"Ms. Amari told me the argument was on the bounty on your hand. That you could not bare to stand by while everyone else fights."
"Yeah I can't do that plus I can handle myself."
"Is that what you call your earlier state when you knocked on the door." Noah stopped and Zenyatta hummed at the silence. "I am not questioning your ability, but I am wondering if that is what you call capable in your opinion."
"I...I guess it could've been better." Noah stated.
"Does it make sense of her concern then?" Zenyatta pressed on. Noah took a moment of reflection.
"Yes. It makes sense, but I think it's more than that to her. She says she doesn't want to lose me. I understand that as well, however my friends are fighting a powerful enemy. I can't sit here and be a burden to them. I could see them babying me when I was reintroduced to them. I felt pathetic and Sombra's words might as well confirm it."
"She loves you and dreads the trials you would face." Zenyatta concluded. Noah's eyes darted to the Omnic before he continued.
"You two are both correct and in the wrong. These types of arguments are ones where no wins or loses. It is about your viewpoints and compromise that comes from it. You are loyal to your allies and will do anything to help them. Sombra, from what I gather, is one that rarely lets anyone in. How would she feel if one of the only people in her life that she allowed herself vulnerable to threw their life away and she did nothing?"
"Destroyed."
"It doesn't matter if you were Sebastian one day or Noah the next. She cares too much for you and would be willing to do anything to save that."
Noah took a moment to think it over before putting his hands over his face. "Oh God I'm a dick."
"Acceptance is a fine step to take." Noah flipped off the omnic as Zenyatta chuckled. "Perhaps next time when we see her, a compromise shall happen."
The agent flipped over and smothered his face in a pillow.
0-0-0-0-0
Fareeha ingested the newest batch of nanobots in a small pill and sighed as she brought up a cup of water. Angela trusted her enough to take them while she worked. The soldier put the cup down after a sips and sat in her bed. Every since the news struck, Fareeha has stayed in her spot. While the other agents rested peacefully only one seemed to approach her. Hana.
The soldier could see the bruising on the twenty one year old's neck. Two years ago, this girl was a brash nineteen year old that Fareeha was happy to call her friend and ally. Plus despite her immaturity, the two were soldiers. Capable women that could handle God AIs and massive omnics that could level cities.
The Korean was playing on her phone as she sat next to Fareeha. Lucio wasn't visiting her since Ana needed him for more intel on St. Martinique. She watched Hana continuously blow up small monsters on the screen before Fareeha clenched her bedsheets. Why didn't she avoid Fareeha like the plague?
"I...how could I do this?" Fareeha asked. Hana put a hand on the soldier's shoulder and tried speaking. "G...is...a...dick."
"G?" Fareeha asked. Hana pulled up an image of Vishkar. "Oh. Yeah he is." Hana looked at Fareeha before texting something. Fareeha's phone rang and she looked at.
H: Tough night?
F: Depends. How much does everyone hate me?
H: No one hates u. Jamie's just butt hurt that you got him again.
F: I could've killed you.
H: I get it, but in this job it's just an occupational hazard. You know i bet your bf would be a better help ;
F: Bf?
H: Yeah Noah. Your boyfriend.
F: Boyfriend?!
H: Heck ya, nothing like some lovin to get you out of your stump. I can tell that you and him are just loving this whole dance. It's just sweet to 3 that in your eyes
F: You can't be serious. We're just friends.
H: ...bs
F: Hana!
H: Hey you said the same thing before me and lucio became an item and I reacted with some dignity!
F: He likes Angela.
H: ooh love rival.
F: We were talking about how I almost betrayed everyone I know and loved :(
H: well now we're talking about something of greater importance. Just be glad this stuff isn't on the internet and that there's no fan base. if there was, then we face a force more powerful than your fists. The Internet and the everlasting war of shipping.
F: We cannot seriously be doing this.
H: if you wanted an in depth talk then I clearly should've pointed you at Zenyatta plus we could use some levity for once in our lives. I get the feeling that things have been really heavy. wouldn't kill us to do so.
F: ...what do we need to do?
H: Excellent! this is exactly what we need. we need to establish new grounds on your budding relationship for your sanity and the betting pool.
F: Betting pool?
H: heck yeah. To be honest we were on pharmercy for sometime then noah came and sunk that ship. so now it's on if you hook up with him or not.
F: This cannot be happening.
H: OH it is happening girl ;D
Fareeha chuckled softly as Hana bumped shoulders with her. For a brief second the entire ordeal wasn't present in her mind and it was just another day in the medical wing. Widowmaker watched them from her bed and saw their smiles. It was odd to see that especially now.
The assassin turned to her own possessions and saw that Burr's phone was left on her desk. On missions it was just his communicator needed. She reached for the phone and typed in the password. It was his birthday, go figure.
She opened his gallery and saw multiple videos and photos of everyone in Overwatch. A time where things were for the better. Even when Noah was gone Burr still carried a smile, tired as it was. Her eyes moved past the one from two years ago and further into the past.
Now there were pictures of the sites he's visited. One where he and Genji were at a ramen shop. Another where Burr and Hana took a selfie, still battle damaged. He claims Angela was a little frustrated at how reckless they were at that mission. Then she finds one with Noah.
The two were clinking drinks together as a cake was right in front of them. Happy 21st Birthday it read. The relationship between those two is sibling like. And closer than anything Améile could hope to achieve anytime soon.
"There's been little time." She said out before quieting herself. The cold feeling of loneliness was returning and despite what remains of her condition the feeling was much stronger than anything before. At times like these, Widowmaker missed the times being unable to feel. It made life so much easier.
The assassin gently put down the phone and laid back into her bed. The injuries inflicted upon he should be healed up by tomorrow with the doctor's help. After that she's going to hunt down and kill every last thing that stands in her way.
0-0-0-0-0
Hours have passed and soon it was late afternoon. Zenyatta finished healing Noah and now the two were waiting for McCree's return. The gunslinger gave hourly updates and his latest one states that the complex has a stronger security detail this year. In fact it gets stronger and stronger each year with the yearly visit from Hanzo.
"McCree hasn't called in yet." Noah said.
"Yes. It is quite worrisome considering where we are." Zenyatta replied. The two shared a glance before Noah put on his cap. His brown coat was soaked in blood, so he grabbed a black short length coat. Noah also strapped his gun and blade to his side. The grappling hook from Winston was placed in one of the inner coat pockets.
The two walked out only Noah pulled up Sombra's neck scarf to hide his face. Any would be assassins would gladly make more attempts if they knew his face. Better to look threatening than obvious. Noah looked at Zenyatta's communicator as they walked through the busy streets.
On any other day Noah would be ecstatic to enjoy the was one of the few places he ever wanted to travel to and now here he was. Unfortunately when a possible megalomaniac kidnaps a few of the greatest agents of the field, one of which is your best friend, one tends to be a little sidetracked on trying to get them back.
"This strike you as odd, Zenyatta?"
"What do you mean?" The omnic asked. Noah was checking over the latest messages. "McCree's silence is bothersome. Are you thinking something happened?"
"Definitely." The two continuously walked on before stopping at what looks like a castle. The afternoon light soon became darkness and the city lights were the only thing from complete darkness. "This is the Shimada residence?"
"Genji has shown me his home before through images. It is as magnificent as I predicted." Noah looked at the last message McCree sent.
-Looking over the place and watching security patterns. Keep in touch.-
"We can call with these right?"
"They project a holographic screen if you prefer." Zenyatta answered. Noah hummed a little interest before calling McCree. For a few seconds nothing answered them. That continued before Zenyatta heard a familiar ring from the other side of the wall.
Noah didn't notice Zenyatta floating closer to the wall before hearing voices on the other side.
"Move scrap heap!" Noah put down the communicator and saw a guard on top. They were armed and was pointing their rifle right at Zenyatta. "And say keep moving."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! There's no need for that!" Noah said as he moved next to Zenyatta. "My friend just likes your place."
"He can enjoy the view elsewhere." The guard stated. Noah held his hands in surrender as Zenyatta didn't move. "Now get out of here!"
The Omnic didn't move before looking at Noah. "McCree's communicator is behind these walls. He may have been captured."
Noah looked at the guard then the wall before muttering. "Shit." He turned Zenyatta around and pulled out his blade. "Throw it behind the guard." Zenyatta held the blade in his hand before nodding.
"Don't you two listen?" The guard said frustrated. Zenyatta turned around and threw the blade. Its edge barely sliced the guard before it hit the top of the roof. "You're dead!"
Noah snapped his fingers and appeared above the guard. He landed right on top of the gun and landed a solid blow on the man's face. The guard went limp as he entered a state of unconsciousness.
"Did you win?"
"Yeah." Noah said before looking over the guard room. He found a couple of switches and pressed a few. The doors opened and Zenyatta cautiously floated through. Numerous voices was heard as other guards were curious on why the door was opening. Noah ran to the edge and found Zenyatta hiding in some of the corners.
-Is everything alright?-
-First tower respond!-
Noah just awkwardly moved back to the door and opened it. He saw several guards there standing across the doorway. They stared at each other for a second before one yelled: "Intruder!"
"Crap!" Noah ran into the guard tower as bullets were being sprayed. He exited through the other end. Zenyatta watched him from the distance before hearing something else. A guard and the whistle of an arrow.
"Ah come on! I'm a tourist! I'm lost!" Noah shouted but no one bothered listening. One guard managed to find Noah and threw the first punch. He dodged it and countered with a knee. Zenyatta watched the guards chase after Noah that he slipped into one of the many rooms.
"We must hurry." Zenyatta said to himself. The omnic floated past several more guards as he tried finding the missing owner of the communicator they found.
"Is it Hanzo?" Zenyatta perked up a bit and saw two guards near a door. It had a small window with bars in it.
"No. Some punk and his Omnic found their way into the facility. Hanzo hasn't appeared yet." Zenyatta turned and saw Noah continue to be chased around the towers. He gave a small hum of apprehension before floating towards the guards.
"Who are you?!" One shouted.
"My apologies. I am here to find a friend of mine. He wore a western hat."
The guards looked at each other while slowly reaching for their weapons. "We haven't seen him." The omnic saw a hand reach from outside the door and grab one of the guards. The guard shouted in surprise before his head slammed into the bars, knocking him out.
"Bastard!" The second shouted before Zenyatta fired an orb and knocked the man out.
"Zenny in here!" McCree shouted. Zenyatta moved to the door and picked up the keys. He unlocked the door and McCree walked out with a small limp. He was slightly scratched up and his black eye looked to be darker.
"How was your evening McCree?"
The gunslinger gave a half smile before looking at the table next to them. It held his peacekeeper and bullet belt. He buckled them down as he explained. "I went in to study their routine patterns. Turns out they're a little more paranoid when Westerns with guns appear at their doorstep."
"Well we are here and Noah has delightfully volunteered to be our distraction."
"Hopefully all this noise won't scare our target away." McCree said as he jogged out. He looked out and saw several guards bearing down on a tower with rifles pointed. He saw Noah in near the window and waved.
Noah didn't really acknowledge his friend's freedom as he was currently dealing with the guard. They continuously shouted out in japanese and english for him to give up, but that wasn't really an option. He looked around and saw one figure in the distance climbing over the wall.
"Ah crap they're trying to flank me." He looked at the main body trying to push in, but he didn't want to deal with them. Reaching into his coat pocket, Noah pulled out the grappling hook and aimed at the roof. The hook broke through the glass and latched on. The mechanism pulled noah out of the tower and over the roof.
"Shit!" It occurred to him as well that the grappling hook was one of his tools that required reacquaintance with. The force pulled him over the roof and sent him landing on the wood floor. He landed hard and groaned as the pain really hit his back hard.
Noah slowly got up with labored breaths before feeling a hand grasp the scruff of his jacket. The figure slammed him against the wall and tried punching him in the face. Noah ducked as it broke through the wood. He didn't wait a second before launching an uppercut. It caught his opponent off guard and made him stumble back.
He took note of his appearance when the moonlight hit him. Spiked sides of his head, traditional garb, and a very noticeable dragon tattoo that covered his left arm and pectoral.
"Hanzo?"
"How do you know my name?" The archer asked angrily. Noah dropped his stance and raised his hands up in peace.
"Whoa, look I've been looking for you."
"Yet another one of you appears. Tell your masters that they will not have me!" He kicked Noah in the chest and sent him flying. Noah hit the wall hard and slid down slowly.
"Ow." He grunted. Hanzo picked up his bow and aimed at him. Noah reached for his blade and tossed it aside. The arrow flew from the bow and traveled through the air to kill Noah. A bright flash of light had shone and Noah appeared on different side of the room holding his blade.
"What?"
Noah picked the blade up by the tip and threw it across the room. Hanzo caught the blade by its metal and saw Noah vanish. He reappeared again and tackled Hanzo. The two fell to the ground as Noah grabbed his weapon. The archer was not amused and swept kick Noah off his feet.
He rolled up and fired more arrows. Noah rolled away from each one before moving behind cover.
"Your tricks are new, but will not stop me." Noah shook his head and pulled his grappling hook. He fired the hook and wrapped it around the bow. He yanked hard and Hanzo came towards him. He punched the Shimada in the face hard before moving his arm underneath his and tossing him over the shoulder.
"I'm not here for whatever reason you think! Look we can talk about this." Hanzo didn't listen and returned an uppercut. Noah moved out of the way, but Hanzo's fist grazed his cheek and crossed his first scar on his cheek.
The archer pulled up his bow with a new arrow, but Noah pulled his pistol out and aimed it. Both weapons were aimed between the eyes of their enemy.
As their stand offcontinued, they didn't realize two things. The guard that was chasing noah laid beaten on the ground with McCree and Zenyatta making their way and second two more shadowy figures watched the standstill from a distance.
"Are you seeing this Gideon?"
-Yes. I see it.-
Gideon smiled as he walked down the hall and turned the screens on. "Moonlark, Aryt how goes the hunt?"
-Easy so far, but...we see them.-
"Release the pet." Moonlark and Aryt nodded before releasing a latch on the crate. Solid red lines illuminated in the dark.
-And when should we expect your second guest?- Moonlark asked.
"Relax and enjoy the show. Look why don't you two get your aggression with me and lay it on Bastian. I mean it's not like killing him will change what you want for the better."
Aryt and Moonlark watched their pet leap into the air and begin to move toward the group below. Noah and Hanzo held their glare as their weapons didn't drop.
"Look we can solve this minimal bloodshed." Noah didn't let the gun shake at all with the barrel pointed down the archer's head.
"You haven't proven yourself exactly trustworthy." The arrow didn't shift at all as it beared down on Noah's head. McCree and Zenyatta came in battle ready as Hanzo noticed them.
Zenyatta gave a pleasant wave. "Hanzo, what a pleasure to see you."
"Where's my brother? This man has made claims that I can't trust."
Noah rolled his eyes. "Would I lie? Especially with a fucking arrow pointed at me." McCree shook his head and aimed his revolver at Hanzo.
"Look here pal, we recently lost your brother on a mission. With no body found yet we believe that he's been kidnapped and now we kind of need you to help fill out our ranks to help find him."
"You can trust both their words. Our enemy was able to your brother and Burr."
Hanzo's eyes narrowed. "The fool has been captured as well?"
"Watch it." Noah growled. Hanzo scoffed at Noah and slowly lowered the bow and arrow. "Will you help us or not?"
"My journey cannot-" The Shimada heard something whistling in the air and pushed Noah back. McCree caught Noah in his arms as several shurikens embedded themselves into the wooden panel.
"Come out!" Hanzo demanded. Noah and everyone else tensed up when they saw the red light in the shadows. One mechanical step after another, the figure walked into the light to reveal Genji Shimada.
The cyborg stood perfectly still facing the group as Hanzo scowled. "You said he was kidnapped."
"Well yeah, that's what happened." Noah said.
"Then why is he standing before us." Hanzo growled. "You better have a good explanation for this!"
"Obviously he wanted to come here and see you. After all you were such a good brother." Noah snarked back. Hanzo nearly turned on them when Jesse whistled.
"Now is not the time for this! You two, this isn't the Genji we know!" Genji tilted his head before running right at them.
McCree fired several rounds to which Genji deflected. The ninja jumped up and swung down. The gunslinger dodged the strike and fired one more round into Genji's shoulder. The cyborg didn't flinch and turned his attention to Noah and Hanzo.
Hanzo caught the first strike as Noah pulled out his blade and jumped in. Genji unsheathed his short sword and caught it. Sparks flew as the two tried holding Genji down. McCree went to help before several bullets almost hit his feet. He looked up to see Aryt and Moonlark falling from the sky and landing behind Genji. Aryt kicked Noah away as Moonlark fired at Hanzo.
The japanese man cursed as he rolled over with the Overwatch members. Genji stood still again as Moonlark and Aryt flanked to his side.
"Show time boy! Get the omnic and your brother." Genji nodded before charging at Hanzo. Zenyatta got into his battle stance as Noah and McCree faced the others. Aryt tackled Noah and the two broke into a another room. Moonlark jumped onto a roof and took out her rifle. McCree dove behind cover to hide from her sight.
Aryt and Noah rolled across the floor until they stopped near a wall. Noah got up and pulled out his gun. With his reflexes, Aryt pushed Noah's arm up and formed a tight grip around his wrist. Noah grunted at the effort and slammed Aryt against the wall. The two kept their grips on each before Aryt slammed Noah on the largest bit of furniture.
He didn't waste a second drawing out his knife and plunging down. Noah rolled out of the way and kept his blade up on him. The two circled around each other as one waited to do the first strike.
Noah took a few test stabs and Aryt sidestepped each one. Finally Noah took a hard swipe as Aryt ducked underneath that and tried returning the strike. Their arms hit each other as the two were trying to lay the first blow. Noah and Aryt charged and locked arms with the edges of their weapons grazing each other.
"This isn't personal!"
"I get the feeling it's a little personal." Noah responded. Aryt sprung up his knee and landed solidly on Noah's gut. The agent gasped as Aryt kicked him away. Noah landed on his back and dropped his blade. Aryt went to make a move, but Noah pulled out his gun and fired wildly at the assassin.
Aryt dove behind cover as Noah exhausted the clip. He looked at gn when no more bullets fired out and dove away. He looked out the window and saw the rest of the battle. He could see where the cyborg was and how he was doing against his blood and teacher.
Genji kept swinging his sword with each one barely grazing Hanzo. The archer gained many cuts from his brother and tried defending himself better. Zenyatta sent his orbs to take on his student. Each one was deflected.
"Genji, stop!" Hanzo cried out. He didn't and kicked Hanzo to the side. The archer crashed into the wall and almost passed out from the pain. Genji went in for the kill, but Zenyatta grabbed his student and threw him across the room.
"Not doing too well, huh?" Hanzo turned to see McCree with his back pressed up against the wall. "I'm dealing with a sniper. How bout a switch, darling?"
"Don't call me that, but of course." McCree turned and saw the glint of the scope Moonlark was using. His eyes looked around for anyone else and saw Noah holding Aryt back. He would help him, but right now that sniper was going to cause some trouble.
McCree watched Moonlark and raised his hand to signal Hanzo. The archer was ready, but kept an eye on his brother. "Now!" Hanzo released an arrow and it did the trick.
Moonlark soon lost her rifle to an arrow that made it fly over the edge of the roof and into the streets below. She cursed silently and moved into the shadows. McCree flung over to where Hanzo once was and aimed at Genji. His dead eye locked onto his friend's limbs and fired.
Genji deflected most, but one hit his left shoulder. The arm hung uselessly as the bullet jammed the meeting plates and damaged the nerves in it. McCree gave himself a salute as he heard more gunshots.
Aryt's knife clashed with Noah's gun. The man was growing frustrated at how long it was taking. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."
He punched Noah in the face and sent the man sprawling to the ground. Noah spat out some blood and groaned as he tried getting up. Aryt kicked him in the side and pushed him down.
"There's no use dragging this on. Especially with someone that looks so weak." Then something in Noah just snapped as Aryt raised his knife. He could feel renewed strength come to him.
"I'm stronger now. Much stronger." Noah whispered. He stood up and blocked the next strike. His opponent's eyes widened before Noah grabbed his wrist and threw him to the wall.
Aryt could barely figure out what when Noah pulled out his grappling hook. He hooked it on an old beam and pulled down hard. The old beam went down, but just before it did Moonlark appeared out of nowhere and saved Aryt. The two rolled out of the room as Noah panted.
He chased after them and picked up his fallen blade. He rushed over a bridge to where McCree was when someone tackled him. The two fell into the lake below and Noah felt hands over his throat. The icy water surrounded them both as the low light showed Moonlark holding him down.
She let one hand go and started beating on him. Each blow pushed more air out and Noah couldn't keep up. He pulled his grappling hook out and fired at the bridge. The hook latched on and pulled Noah and Moonlark out of the water.
The two landed on the bridge. Noah scrambled to his feet and kicked Moonlark down. The assassin coughed out as Noah ran off.
"Get back here!" Moonlark shout. He didn't listen and joined everyone else. McCree saw him and smiled.
"Glad you can join us partner!" The gunslinger pushed the two of them out the way as several shurikens flew past them. "Shit. Zenyatta's trying to stop him."
Hanzo and Zenyatta tried working together, but Genji proved to be too much even with their team up. He kicked Hanzo away and slashed at Zenyatta. The omnic caught his blade and held it still.
"Is this the student I've helped try to prove wasn't a weapon? What happened?"
Genji didn't respond and tried moving the blade down. It didn't budge.
"You are better than this."
Hanzo got up and saw Genji pushed harder. He reached into his quiver and found one more. Zenyatta was pushed away as Genji turned to see his brother. His arm began to glow blue as he aimed it at his brother.
"Ryū ga waga teki wo kurau!" Noah, McCree, and Zenyatta bore witness to twin dragons flying through the air. The roared with power as they bore down on Genji. Genji was not deterred.
His sword glowed green and he finally spoke for the first time since the battle started.
"Ryujin no ken wo kurae!" A single dragon broke free and faced its peers. Noah stood still before his head started hurting. More images. A desert, a desolate town, his mother, and so much desperation. McCree held him down as Genji took the dragons and swung them around.
Hanzo was stunned to see that as Genji redirected them at Hanzo. Green and blue covered the archer before running through him. Hanzo grunted hard as he could the dragons weaken his body as they ran their course. He fell to his knees as Genji sheathed his sword.
"Holy shit." Noah said in a hushed voice.
"I wholeheartedly agree." McCree responded. Zenyatta didn't answer, but the three snapped back to the fight when the younger Shimada drew his sword again. Noah fired his grappling hook and it wrapped itself around his wrist.
The cyborg looked at his hand and saw Noah holding on to it. He pulled hard and pulled Noah towards him. McCree took aim and fired at one of Genji's legs. Zenyatta moved an orb to the other. Genji fell to his knees as Noah managed to gain some last second control and hit the cyborg in the face with his feet.
Noah felt his body move in a fluid motion as he grabbed Genji by the neck and slammed him into the ground hard. Genji grunted hard before Noah pulled down his gauntlets and threw one solid punch that knocked the cyborg out.
"Nice work!" Noah panted as he held Genji. He gently laid his friend on the ground and faced Hanzo who was still on his knees.
He walked over to Hanzo and held out his hand. "Come with us and we can help." Hanzo looked at Noah's hand before weighing his options.
"You'd be dead if it wasn't for me." Noah said. Hanzo's face twisted to something unrecognizable. "At least come and help your brother. It could be your second chance."
McCree and Zenyatta made their way. The cowboy picked up Genji and held him on his shoulder. Hanzo looked at everyone around him.
"I do owe you." Hanzo said begrudgingly. "I will join until my brother is back to who he was."
"It's a start. Though you'll have to talk to the lady first." McCree said. Hanzo turned his gaze toward him before accepting Noah's hand.
"This will only be temporary." Hanzo said. Everyone gave a sigh of relief before hearing the roar of a helicopter. Bright lights filled the area as they saw Moonlark and Aryt standing on the bridge. Noah and Hanzo were the fastest and ran after them.
Before the two could reach the assassins, several bullets hit near their feet. They looked up as a rope dropped in a lean armoured figure. They wore a tactical helmet and visor that cover their entire face. The armor was a fusion of futuristic armor and tactical soldier garb. Its chest bore the insignia of Vishkar.
"Well, well, well. Hanzo Shimada and Noah Bastian." The voice was put through a voice modulator. It was demanding and robotic. "An unlikely pair if I ever seen one."
McCree ran up next to them with Zenyatta held back holding Genji. "Who the hell are you?"
"A babysitter. Don't I'm not here to fight. Yet. I just came to check the competition." Hanzo lifted up his bow as Noah and McCree aimed their pistols. "And I'm impressed."
He turned to Noah and even with a mask, everyone knew they carried a smirk. "I especially look forward to why Gideon wants you dead."
"I fucked up his face." Noah replied. Aryt and Moonlark held each other up as the new challenger shook his head and turned their back on them. "So you think you can just leave?"
"Yes. I do. Keep Genji, he was boring anyways." He took another step before Noah fired a warning shot. The figure stopped in his tracks and faced Noah. No one could guess, but Noah found himself on the floor with a foot on his chest.
McCree and Hanzo made their moves, but the enemy pulled two pistols on them. "Oh I'm gonna have fun with you. And kill you when it's best."
They withdrew their weapons and grappled up. Moonlark and Aryt were teleported on board as the speakers turned on.
"I'll give you this. When you tell Amari and the others, tell them I'm Indominus." The helicopter flew off as Noah groaned. McCree helped him up and looked at the sky.
"Where the hell did he come from?"
"It doesn't matter. I just chalk it up to another guy who wants my head." Noah gave an exasperated sigh. Hanzo didn't say anything as did Zenyatta. They both just carried a cold feeling in their chest at how their first introduction was.
*Next Time
"We need to talk." Noah said.
"Clearly Indominus is the newest player in this crazy little game of ours Burr. I'd love to see how he'd kill Noah." Gideon gloated as Burr was still on his knees.
Fareeha took in deep breaths as she punched the bags harder than before. 'I'm going to be better. I will be better! Nothing will stop me!'
0-0-0-0-0
Boom! Shimada bros chapter there! Tough chapter to write with so many characters, but I did it while introducing the newest character. I am so happy to finally get him out there. He is the final OC in this chapter that I want to introduce. And the chapters I have planned for him to have with the heroes are going to be awesome! So great ready for this.
Also again happy one year anniversary to those who've been with us for the past year. I thought some trivia would nice, so for some to know what could've been.
Did you know I intended this arc to end on a Civil War battle? More specifically I intended on the Overwatch crew being brainwashed and it would be up to a small fraction of the team to free them. This would consist of Noah, Sombra, Widowmaker, and Torbjorn. And once that half of the team was revived it would all end in Hero vs. Hero scenario. This proved too difficult for me and thus scrapped.
Did you know the original climax of the story? I intended on ending this with a church battle with Burr, Noah, and Tracer vs. Widowmaker and Reaper. This was in one of the earlier drafts of my story that I wanted to keep but couldn't. I made Widowmaker a good guy and Reaper is currently being held up. So yeah. Idea scrapped.
Noah and Burr vs. Space Apes? Oh hell yeah this was one of more outrageous ideas that I had. When the Lunar Space station caught my attention I was working on Space Apes vs. the OCs. Yet this prove to problematic with getting to space and how to survive. One of my biggest regrets to not explore that idea, but hey maybe one day it'll be a non canon story or some shit like that.
The original ending? The current ending is being drafted and changed with each chapter so I can keep the changes consistent. However I did have one deleted ending. I had Noah quit Overwatch after dealing with one of bigger threats with Talon. It actually involved him meeting Sombra in the bar. They were going to be the ending couple, but now it's just ambiguous with that bit. Hopefully the new ending will better than what I thought up of.