The Darkest Knight

Part II: the Claws of Talon

Chapter 23: Power and Betrayal

It was impossible.

"Nathaniel, this isn't the time-"

"I'm not kidding." The man frowned and shook his head, stepping back. "Lena, its-"

"Okay Winston, come on out ya git. Hah ha, very funny!" She clapped, rolling her eyes and glancing at the trees.

Nothing moved save the rain falling from the sky.

She gulped.

Then stared at Nate.

Ten…. Ten years…. How was that even possible? And… how was she even in a physical form?

It was impossible with the accelerator! Winston and dozens of others had tried and failed!

What had that sword done to her?

"I know it's hard to hear…" Nate's voice shook her and her attention returned to the present.

Or was it the future?

"But it's true Lena. You've been gone ten years. No one's seen or heard from you, and trust me, we looked."

Her breath came with shakes and she crushed her fingers into fists, trying to conceal the shaking of her hands.

It was like being lost all over.

Lost in that endless stream of time. Except, she wasn't phasing in and out of existence…

She was physically here, manifested in the future entirely.

She was stuck.

"How did-"

Kcreeeeee!

A screech pierced the air and the two spun on their heels towards the wall of trees behind them; Lena crunching low in order to prepare for a dodge and her friend raising his hand cannon once more.

"Questions later. Run now." Nate stated, instantly turning again and breaking out into a full on sprint.

She blinked, in a moment of confusion.

She'd never seen him run from a fight, not with that kind of fear in his eyes.

What on earth was going on?

"Lena, let's go!" He roared from somewhere in the trees and as several screeches echoed out from the opposite direction she took off.

Heavy breaths left her lips as she ran.

One foot in front of the other, one foot over a fallen branch, leaves crumbling beneath her shoes as she went.

She ducked under leaves and low branches, her feet leaping over debris and rocks, and landing in the small yet visible path made by Nate's heavier attire.

"Keep going! We're almost there!" She heard Nate call from somewhere in front of her.

She shook her head and continued, her legs beginning to ache, and her mind still trying to grasp just exactly was going on.

The screeches behind her didn't help her thought process.

Suddenly the trees stopped, and a clearing opened revealing a helicopter.

It was painted black, rusted on the tail end slightly, and had cracks in the windows.

But more importantly, in front of it stood both McCree, the man's clothing still the same yet dirtier and far more torn than it ever had been- and his hat was missing- and to his immediate right was Jack Morrison.

"Lena, down!"

It was Jack's voice, and the months of training under him forced a reaction; she threw herself to the ground.

Bullets raced over her, and she looked back to see three more of the creatures leaping from tree to tree, then instantly hiding behind the trunks as the bullets flew at them.

Her eyes went wide. They were intelligent.

"Let's go!" She heard Nate yell again.

She scrambled to her feet, more than willing to have her confusion wait, and dashed over to the helicopter.

She dove inside just as McCree let off another few shots with his peacekeeper and Jack hopped into the pilot's seat.

When he had moved she didn't know, but it was Nate that caught her attention.

He not so gently pushed her further into the helicopter, "strap in!", then maned the 50 Cal. on the helicopters side.

Rat tatat at tat!

Bullets swept into the tree lines, two small trees snapping and falling with a thunderous groan.

She covered her ears as the shooting continued, and only then did the helicopter finally start to lift off.

The rotary blades however were near silent, and she looked around in confusion as the ground began to grow distant.

The gunfire slowly died the higher they got, and she followed Nate's eyes as he looked down at the trees with a snarl.

Below black shapes, a least three dozen ran around their previous landing zone, their movements jagged and angry.

Had there really been that many following them through the woods?

How has she not known? She was Overwatch agent for crying out loud! She should've sensed the danger!

"They're ugly pieces of work ain't they?"

She looked back at McCree his shit eating grin plastered into his face.

She smiled back, "definitely," then looked back out as the turned and sped off towards a distant mountain range, "what are they?"

It was Nate who answered her.

"They don't have a name. At least, not officially. We call them Spawn though, thought it was a cool reference at the time," he sighed and sat back, releasing his death grip of the 50 Cal.

"How-"

"Talon." McCree hissed, his grin gone and replaced with disdain and a frown.

Her eyes went wide, "what! How!"

"It actually wasn't just Talon."

She looked back at Nate.

"It was us too. And the moon base. And the fucking UN, damn idiots." Nate growled.

She noticed the way his fists curled.

"What-"

"New York went first." He interrupted, "then Chicago. Then Seoul. Then half of the Asiactic continent by the time we realized what was happening. These things, infect people. Transmission is through bite or blood."

She frowned, "so what a zombie apocalypse?"

"No." He snapped, his eyes growing hard, "this is real. Super soldier serum gone wrong. Everything fucked up. They're fast, intelligent and have leaders."

"And they ain't nice to humans." McCree sighed, "animals are fine, even intelligent bastards like Winston. Nah, it's just us and the Omnics they don't like."

"Tch," Nate chuckled darkly, "should've seen the Omnics supremacists that came up when this started. That was funny."

It obviously wasn't, but she didn't prod, and let the men continue their explanation.

"Then the things developed. Somehow, they can infect AI. No idea how, one bite, and the AI completely shuts down. Anything more intelligent than a car engine is basically useless." Nate laughed, "now that was a wake up call."

McCree nodded, and she glanced between the two as they grew quiet.

She gulped and looked back to the horizon.

Ten years. And apparently there was a plague of apocalyptic proportions… great.

Still, it left her wondering how much had survived, they seemed to know a lot about the creatures, but with minds like Winston and Angela around that only made sense.

She looked at McCree, "what's the status of the rest of the UN? Or Russia? I'm assuming we have some strongholds?"

"Ha!" Nate laughed, "UN? Russia? Lena, I don't think you get it."

She tilted her head to the side in question.

He didn't reply and instead she felt the metal hand of McCree turn her back around.

"Lena, there is no UN. No Russia. Ya wanna know how many people are left?" He asked with a frown.

She didn't.

Honest to God, she didn't.

But he continued anyway.

"Two hundred and fifty three."

Hana Song ducked behind one of the smaller museum displays. She covered her ears as alarms blared and the red lights flashed every second, wondering just how it went wrong?

Of course she realistically knew how. Or more accurately, who was responsible.

She glared at the retreating back of the Hispanic, her predatory smile still fresh in Hanas mind as she walked right out of the room like nothing was happening.

More than likely it was all apart of this… test, or whatever the hell she was in.

She looked around the display as people began to push and shove towards the exits, voices mixing with the alarm to create a symphony of chaos.

A vibration in her pocket.

A simple text from Kolden; Alarms are going off across the building. What's the plan?

With grit teeth she noticed four security guards now pushing into the room, their eyes scanning the whole area, while two more ushered people out.

Another text, from Marques; Get out. Try another day.

She had seconds to decide what to do.

Her plan was not ready for this, but with a security scare like this, the museum would be far better equipped the next time.

A third message. Ava; But what if no other chance? We must try!

She looked up at the room as the last of the visitors we're filing out.

There were four security guards still, each looking around, though not investigating yet.

But there was only one of her.

And she had lost Marques and Claire in the crowd.

Great.

Was it worth it? She still had her disguise. So did her friends. Everything was still in position.

She grit her teeth. Screw it.

The message to the others was a quick type; plans a go.

It took about ten seconds, and then the alarms died, the lights red as dawn, still stayed on.

Fortunately it was rough for anyone to see, well anything for that fact.

Now she just-

"Hey, man! Why the long faces! This is like… prime party time!"

Wide eyes locked on Marques, who strut back into the room with swaying arms and a presence screaming of drunken foolishness.

Still, he was sticking with her.

And it made her heart soar. Doubly so when Claire walked into the room after him.

Her friend swung his arms up in the air, a bottle of god knows what hanging from one hand. Claire expertly giggled and swayed forward, careful to lean on Marques for support. It would've been hilarious if her part wasn't to steal the sword right from under four guards noses.

One guard moved forward, "Sā, watashi wa anata ni saru yō ni tanomanakereba narimasen."

His eyes were narrowed at her friends, and the way his hand clenched onto the baton at his hip left her feeling more than just a tad uneasy.

Marques however, kept playing his part. A stupid grin found its way onto his face and he waved the guard off, "man, I ain't got no idea what you're saying! Speak some american for me!"

The guards eyes only narrowed further, and with a hiss two more stepped up next to him, "American, I am asking you to leave. Now."

Multiple hands readied on batons.

A flicker of worry crossed her friends face, Claire still giggling madly, and for a moment Hana had no idea what to do. The whole point of having the two seem like drunken lovers was to have them fight and have the original security guards from the room escort them out…

At least, that was the original plan.

Now, the guards were anxious, and their caution was starting to create a rather tense room for her and her friends.

If they didn't take the bait then-

Wham!

Her eyes widened as Marques' fist flew into the nearest guard, Claire expertly flying off him and jamming a fist into another gut, before twisting and locking the man in a chokehold.

"Now!" Marques roared as the other two standing guards rushed him, batons drawn and prepared for a fight.

She cursed under her breath and lunged out from behind her cover.

Not like they had much choice now; she just hoped Kolden had knocked out the cameras already.

Red light having washed over the room actually gave her an advantage; it bathed her in dark color as she rushed in from the guards side, and despite that she was moving, their reaction was slow, and only one turned in time to see her.

They swung haphazardly at her with their baton, a move she easily sidestepped and appropriately thanked with a single knee to the groin. It wasn't fair, but they didn't have time for fair.

The man's eyes went wide and he fell forward, before a hard elbow to the back of his head sent him crashing to the floor with less grace than a rampaging elephant high on steroids.

She turned to find Marques having incapacitated both the first guard and the second, Claire holding a satisfied grin on her face as the last guard in her arms slumped into unconsciousness.

Well… It could've gone worse…

Ignoring her very own middle finger to fate, she spun and quickly studied the case holding the sword.

If she was correct, it was bullet proof, and completely built for avoiding thiefs such as herself.

However, Hana Song was no ordinary thief.

She reached into her pocket, drawing a simple circular device. It shined with silver, yet its contents would make quick work of the glass itself.

The device was filled with Dicyanoacetylene, a chemical compound that in a normal state was completely liquid and near harmless. However when successfully exposed to oxygen… well, the results were explosive. And hot. Very hot.

Despite people's beliefs, the black market in Japan was rather abundant with illegal chemicals, both synthesized and natural. Nothing too dangerous like uranium of course, but this chemical? Easy to aquire for someone with money, and though she didn't flaunt it, Hana Song had money. It only took three days for Ava's friend to get enough for two devices.

"That you're secret break in?" Marques asked from somewhere behind her.

"Yup," she huffed, "though you may want to stand back."

The device stuck easily enough to the surface of the glass, and she took at least a dozen steps back as it activated.

Normally, in sufficient quantities, Dicyanoacetylene would have simply annihilated the whole display. But in an amount similar to that of a small pill, it gave an audible 'pop' accompanied buy a brilliant blue flash in the air.

The front half of the case shattered, the momentary heat far hotter than it could handle and the small explosive reaction easily breaking the weakened glass.

She grinned as Marques huffed, "impressive."

A few steps and the sword was in her hands.

Phase one of their plan complete.

Now onto phase two.

"Claire is-"

"Freeze!"

The trios eyes shot up the second floor, noticing a single guard aiming a pistol at them and talking into his shoulder, or more importantly a radio. Not an earpiece. A radio. And without a proper jammer…

"Oh shit."

She could always count of Marques to state the obvious.

"Run!" She cried, pivoting on the spot and dashing into the hallway beyond.

The hall itself was cleared out, the civilians having more than likely evacuated during the first round of alarms. Not necessarily part of their plan but a blessing nonetheless. No random people to get in the way.

Just them and the guards

Great.

"So what's the plan glorious Captain?" Marques called out from somewhere behind her, footsteps echoing through the halls as she twisted to redirect her momentum and sprinted down a portion of the museum dedicated to Japan's native animals.

She huffed, as the telltale thump-thump from her heart only increased, "just keep running!"

In all honesty, though she had been prepared to run from the start, it wasn't supposed to be this crazy.

There were supposed to be no guards to see her after the distraction phase, and Kolden was supposed to shut down cameras to keep her out of the spotlight.

Then once she had the sword, he was supposed to activate the fire alarms forcing every entrance open, and they would've been home free! They were even supposed to use the new engine to help with their getaway!

But of course, that women showed up.

The woman from the UN. A Talon agent.

Yet, for some reason, despite her annoyance and frustration with her, Hana couldn't feel afraid of her.

Like, the woman had zero hostile intent towards her.

The real question though.

Was why?

Her mind kicked into overdrive as she almost ran into a wall, throwing her hands out to catch herself before hitting said wall then pushing off and redirecting her momentum towards the next hallway.

It was a good thing they had studied the museum's layout.

They were close now. She could tell by the fact they left the native species section and were now running through a portion dedicated to World war two.

She nimbly skipped past a large atomic bomb model, and spared a glance back to both her friends.

They were fine, only a few feet behind her.

She turned again, louder footsteps echoing from further behind, signaling the approaching guards.

The sword weighed heavy in her hands, the very guilt from her soul leaking into the metal even as she pushed on.

She couldn't falter now.

Hopefully the guards were stupid and left the front doors open for them.

Wouldn't that be great!

They passed through the darker section of the museum with only heavy pants and thundering footsteps, and found themselves in the more modern section of the museum.

Which to Hana's great relief, was simply called the front.

Glass windows allowed the cloudy skies to hover ominously above them, and the flashing red lights only added the adrenaline coursing through her.

Her eyes landed on the front doors; the set of glass double doors that held the barrier between the museum and the outside.

They were gated now, and five guards stood in front.

"Shit," Claire huffed from behind as the group began to slow.

Of course she had hoped that no one would be there to stop them, she had planned for the equipment shut down and the distraction to he enough.

But she was Hana Song. She had dealt with Talon agents, kidnapping, and a literal firefight for the fate of the United Nations.

If there was anything she knew now; it was that a backup plan was always good to have.

She reached into her pocket once more, swiping the secondary device from her pants and launching it straight at the guards.

It hit the glass behind them with a thud, and exactly like with the glass case protecting the sword, the device detonated.

The difference however…

Well this had more of her new favorite chemical in it.

A massive flash of blue and white, heat momentarily washing over her face, and she took a glance to see how the gate itself had blown apart and the glass doors were completely gone.

The guards were a mix of men limping away with scowls or groaning several feet away in obvious pain.

It was just enough.

Words were said behind her, Claire's voice rising in excitement and Marques saying something she assumed was sheer delight.

Now all they needed was Julian to be there with the car.

Then they'd be home free.

Her feet pounded on tiles floor, the thud echoing in her ears as angry shouts raced after her.

Fingers tightened around the swords sheath, her heart thundering in her ears.

Glass crunched under foot as she and her friends rushed through what was the front doors and into the rain beyond.

Lightning flashed above, rain pounding against the concrete steps before them, the sidewalk and street beyond beckoning to her with calls of freedom and answers.

Movement to her left and right, and instinct screamed at her.

"Hana!"

She dove.

Now, as she dove through the air, eyes wet from rain

and mind suddenly clear as the full extent of what she was doing hit her, Hana Song noticed two things.

The first was that she was diving down the front steps of the museum, about ten steps in total, head first just to avoid a few guards.

The second was how stupid she was for not paying attention to her surroundings and how easily avoided this all could've been.

But well, hindsight always made people feel stupid.

She hit the pavement at the bottom of the steps, her shoulder screaming in pain as she hit and pushed herself end over end using her momentum, though one could simply relate it to watching a newborn giraffe stumble about then proceed to fall flat on its face.

A hilarious event, though circumstances only had Hana spitting out water from the puddle she landed in before pushing herself to her feet with wide eyes. The sword laid next to her and she swiped it up-

"Hana!"

She spun on her heel.

Above the steps, stood four- no six, guards, pistols and batons drawn as two threw marques to the ground and another held a struggling Claire in a tight embrace.

The others?

Well, they were simply rushing down the steps to her.

What was she supposed to do? Their whole plan… it went out the window with that woman's interference! It would've been fine! They could've done it!

It wasn't fair.

No matter what she did, someone was always a step ahead of her. Someone always beat her to the punch. The omnics beat her once and it cost her dearly. Talon beat her last year and almost broke her. Her own demons beat her and cost her her original team two years prior. And now, that damn bitch, cost her this team.

Was she cursed?

Was there some divine being out to simply watch her suffer?

Was it fate that she was meant to fail over and over and lose?

Squealing tires broke her thoughts and she glanced behind her as a van, large and imposing with dark colors, slid to a halt directly behind her. But she knew it wasn't Julian. He was in a car. Not a van.

The side door flew open, and out flew out a familiar figure in white.

The assassin from Korea.

He dove forward into the four security guards rushing towards them with reckless abandon. Despite that however, it wasn't a fight at all. It was simply utter domination.

A broken leg on one, a shattered chest on a second, and two more unconscious men later and Hana found herself staring at the man as he turned to her.

He said nothing and instead a voice picked up from behind her.

"Impressive, I had assumed the guards would've caught you earlier. They are trained men after all, but the time for introductions is later. Come, and I'll tell you everything you want to know nina. After all, friends remember each other Hana Song."

Remember who your friends are.

She looked back at the woman from the UN, the woman's eyes narrowed with a slight grin despite the rain pattering against and into the vehicle.

"Why-"

"I told you nina, all will be known soon, but you have to choose Song."

She knew where this was going, she turned back to the museum.

Marques and Claire were on the ground, a dozen more security guards barely rushing out the buildings newest opening. Claire was screaming something, and Marques eyes were directly on her.

His lips moved, but she couldn't hear it.

She only heard the woman's voice.

"Are you willing to stay and be powerless once more Hana Song? Or will you finally grab your destiny with your own hands?"

Her mind raced as everything turned in slow motion. Itt was like the movies almost, but the sheer panic in her blood was sickening and she could barely breathe as thoughts ran through her mind faster than even light itself could move.

Nate diving in to save her from the impostors. Genji in the library.

"I-"

"Will you be weak and vulnerable again?"

Barrels. A man. A talon guard and excruciating pain as needles found her skin.

"Or will you embrace your strength and learn the truth? Remember who saved you at the UN."

The woman. Her. The woman who had simply spared her, even when she could've killed her. No, when she should've killed her. Why would a Talon agent save her?

Why?

"Decide Song."

The guards were getting close, the man in white was now with her at the vehicle.

Her eyes locked onto Marques's.

To her friend.

They had said to trust each other. To be a team.

But had they really been?

They doubted her at every turn, they hated anything to do with her in the past year.

But they trusted her. She knew that.

Should she simply let them be caught just to find out whatever it was this woman spoke of? So she could feel in control again? So she wasn't weak ever again?

They trusted her.

They'd forgive her.

She shut her eyes, rain rushing past her ear and the wind howling in defiance of her choice.

She threw herself back into the van and her voice broke.

"Drive."

"So, what you're saying, is that in your… realm, everything, the entire universe for all you know is literally consumed by an entity known as the darkness. And apart of that darkness is a time jumping race of robots called the Vex?"

"Don't forget the creatures of literal darkness incarnate," II huffed, twirling my knife in my off hand with practiced boredom.

The scientist huffed, nostrils flaring in annoyance, "obviously, how could I forget."

"My worry is that you knew! And didn't tell us!" Mei, the normally sweet and shy girl, hissed at Winston with her eyes narrowed.

A voice, soft and yet grating to my ears, addressed us over the rooms speakers, "I have to agree with her, Winston. You deliberately kept this from us. It could've endangered us."

How Angela Ziegler stared down both me and a five hundred pound gorilla from across the globe and with her face on naught but a monitor was beyond me.

Nonetheless, I shrugged, "in his defense, he didn't actually know about the darkness. Him and Lena only knew about me being from another realm basically."

"The point stands Nathaniel."

Mei sighed from her seat next to Winston, rubbing her temples as she replied, "you told me we weren't keeping secrets. Jack and Gabriel brought us down because of secrets, and you promised we wouldn't do that again!"

Mercy's glare only hardened and the tension in the room swirled like a hurricane fused with the wrath of a woman scorned.

Truly a joyful place to be.

I'd hate to be you right now.

Thanks asshole.

And of course there was my ever pleasant Ghost.

Ass.

Winston sighed, rubbing his eyes after he slid his glasses off, "I'm not saying I didn't make mistake, I did. But we have more important issues."

Both women sighed and I rolled my eyes, "thank you."

"So," the gorilla huffed as he replaced his glasses on his nose, "this Vex, can you understand their technology."

I frowned and gave a 'fifty-fifty' twirl of my hand, "Dig can understand some of it like their gateways, which are basically large teleporters, and their weapons. Other stuff is beyond even him, we had an entire division back home dedicated to learning their shit. Never got to far though."

"Do you think these.. Vex would be here?" Mei looked at me with obvious concern, wringing her hands together.

I hesitated looking to the roof as I thought of the best answer, "I would love to say no, but… well, the Nexus."

Winston visibly perked at the terrorist groups name.

"The Nexus are a terrorist group obviously," I caught my knife mid air and shook my head, "but it's hard to ignore the fact they're an Omnic group- a sentient robot group- with the same name as one of the Vex's war machines."

"Similar names don't mean anything Nathaniel," Angela raised an eyebrow.

I nodded, "I know, but it's unnerving. Hell, why do you think I was so adamant about chasing them down and finding out more?"

With a shake of my head and sheathed my knife and stood up, "you have to understand, if the Vex are here, in your world, then that means the darkness is either here or it's coming. And trust me, you don't want that. Our world's already dead because of it and that's with an army of Guardians to defend it."

"So what then," Mei asked, her voice lacking it's icy chill from before, "we ignore Lena and search for these Vex?"

I rolled my eyes, "no, but if we find Vex technology it'll make finding her easier."

"You said they can travel through time as well?" Winston abruptly asked.

There was a flash of light and Dig appeared next to me, twirling as he entered the conversation, "to an extent. If they had full control over time they should've been able to wipe us out way easier, but they haven't so we're not entirely sure what their capabilities are."

The scientist 'hmmed' loudly, gently running his chin as he then added, "if their technology can actively access time then it may be possible for me to interface a chronal accelerator with it. Same concept as with Lena, it would allow is full control over the very time stream."

"You want one us to literally jump through time to find Lena?" I asked, my eyes going wide.

"No," the gorilla shook his head, "that'd be an impossible task. What we can do is try and track her own temporal signature."

"Her chronal disassociation." Angela added her eyes going wide as the pieces clicked.

"And that's what her accelerator keeps in check right?" I asked.

He nodded, "if her accelerator was damaged it's possible we can track her dissociation. And if not, then her accelerator should be easy enough."

I shrugged, "hell if I know, I've never tracked anything through time before."

"Then we can agree that finding Lena is our top priority?" Angela asked.

I wanted to say yes as the others adamantly agreed, honestly I did, but… the Nexus. It was too connected for my own comfort.

If the darkness appeared here, it'd destroy everything.

I was one Guardian. I wouldn't be able to protect them all.

And of course…

You were my friend…

Damn my bleeding heart.

"I don't think focusing on Lena should be our only priority," my voice was soft as I slowly surveyed each person's reaction.

Mei was the visibly most confused, and Angela's dislike of me only seemed to grow.

Winston however, was simple, silent and steady.

"What do you mean?" His voice too held no emotion and for a moment I was vaguely reminded of Zavala before he'd exploded and thrown Cayde out of the Vanguard's headquarters.

Fun times.

"Okay hear me out," I put my hands out in a display of non violence, "Lena is definitely one of our top priorities. As is this whole mess in Oasis. But we can't ignore Hana either."

Their eyes settled on me and I rolled mine for dramatic effect, "has anyone even identified the group that's been targeting her?"

Silence was the answer and I continued, "yeah I figured, and yet we let her just hop over to Japan in search of whatever or whoever wants her dead."

"Genji's currently-"

"Yes yes, but Genji's one man. Hell, I couldn't even keep her safe alone. She shouldn't be alone."

"Weren't you the one who offered her up as bait?" Angela's eyes narrowed at me.

I frowned and crossed my arms, "yeah, but it doesn't mean we leave her out to dry."

The woman pursed her lips, "Nathaniel, I think-" her voice trailed off as she looked down, "I have to go. I'm late for the conference. Please keep me updated."

Her screen flickered off and I sighed. Of course, the conference, how could I forget?

"He does bring up a good point, Winston."

I glanced over at Mei as she rubbed her neck, "she gets it."

"But who can we send?" The scientist huffed, "I want to help her, but we lack agents Nate. Reinhardts off investigating China's rumors of a Omnic Cult, Mei and I are searching for Lena, Angela and yourself are busy with Oasis, and McCree hasn't been heard from in days."

"We have people here!"

"We have technicians, and trainers. A few guards even! Fifteen people, none of which have any extraordinary capabilities to help protect Hana from such a group."

I sighed, "okay you have a point but, Angela is more than capable of dealing with the mess in Oasis on her own. Plus, with my ship, I can do multiple things at a time.

The gorilla narrowed his eyes, "well, you're not wrong. Problem is, can we afford it? If Talon makes a move in Oasis, can we afford to wait for you and hope Angela can hold them off long enough to wait for reinforcements?"

"She can take care of herself. She doesn't need me holding her hand."

"Nat-"

"Actually, he may be on to something."

Two sets of eyes turned to the only woman in the room as she coughed awkwardly before continuing, "if Nathaniel could drop me off with Angela, I know a few scientists who may be able to help with Lena's problem, and an old friend of ours who may be able to help with Oasis. "

"Who are you thinking of?"

"Well, Vishkar and Helix."

My feet landed on the familiar carpet of my hotel room, the cool air sucking the warmth from my muscles as my armor disappeared.

"Any word on Lena?"

Blonde hair and creamy skin captured my vision, which sounds like the start of one of Dig's more risque movies, but I simply sighed and turned away from Overwatch's famous Doctor Ziegler and threw myself on the nearest bed.

"Nothing yet. Though we have a few theories now. How was the conference? "

She sighed," dull, though it was expected. The Zika-Koi virus is spreading through the slums fast but they have it contained for now. "

" That's good. And how about our favorite Talon firebender kid?" My eyes shot over to her and I watched as she bit her lip in worry before shaking her head and continuing whatever it was she was doing on her tablet.

Her voice was soft as she spoke, "He's malnourished, and has scarring that indicates experimentation."

"Or tortue."

She flinched, "or that. However, it's odd, his genome is… its like nothing I've ever seen. Its mutated and transformed, almost an entire five percent different from a normal humans."

I raised an eyebrow, "isn't mutation normal though?"

"Yes but not to that extent," She sighed and moved over to her own bed before sitting and saying, "whatever Talon did, it's a crime against humanity."

I nodded, "well, as of now it's your mission to figure out what Talon's doing experimenting on people. Winston's gonna put me on Lena and Hana duty. Mei's gonna join you here in a few days."

She smiled, "not that I mind Mei, but why is he sending you? "

"Take a wild guess. "

"Because of this darkness and Vex?"

"Got it in one. He figures since I'm the current 'expert'" I raised my hands with fake quotations, "I should head out and try to find a lead, either to Nexus or Lena. And me searching the globe will make me available to help out Hana and anyone else."

She nodded, "I see. Well, make sure you find Lena."

"Noted," I huffed and sat up, "and how's the kid? Or the other kid I guess."

A small smile graced her lips, "Effi truly is a genius. Brilliant beyond words I'll admit, and we're lucky she's a kind girl and Talon hasn't gone after her. I think she's too high profile for them. After how Hana's kidnappign went I'm sure they're being more careful about how they choose their targets."

"So her and Hana were special I guess, but what about the fire kid? He anyone special?"

She huffed and glanced at me from behind golden locks of hair, "he's a no one Nathaniel. He has no home, no records almost anyway. I even got in touch with a friend and MI6 and nothing. Talon was smart to choose someone who wouldn't be missed."

I frowned, "smart for them at least. Just proves they're assholes."

"Very, but," she sighed and ran hand through her hair before continuing, "all it means is that they could've taken dozens of no one's like him off the streets. Who knows how long they've been experimenting."

I shook my head.

"It's obvious from Hana's own experience that Talking is looking into something. Something to do with blood and genomes." The woman growled and set her tablet down.

"Have you spoken to Hana?"

I blinked, "uh not in a while why?"

She frowned and furrowed her brow thought, "we need to figure out the connection between the boy and her. Why them? What was the reason for taking their blood?"

"Hmm" I pursed my lips, "well, I'll be swinging by Japan in two days or so, so I can ask her then. Winston has Genji keeping an eye on her while her teams does… well whatever their plan is, and the plan is for me to swing by on my way towards Russia just to check in."

"Russia?"

I shrugged, "one of the other research outposts. Went dark around the time Mei's did. Want to make sure it's not another mystical sword."

She nodded again.

With nothing else to say I turned my eyes to the TV, grabbing the remote off the nightstand and powering it up.

Nothing caught my eye on the first few channels and as I surfed for something to catch my attention, Angela's voice once more drew me to look at her.

"He told me who was experimenting on him."

The conversation from the warehouse, from the first day of meeting the little firebender, replayed in my mind.

"Some red haired lady? Molly something?"

"Moira." The words were cold and hallow, enough so that I instantly turned to fully look at her.

Her hands were clenched around the tablet, white knuckled and her breath came in short breaths.

"You know her?" I asked, my voice carefully soft.

"I did. She worked for Overwatch once. Genetic experimentation was her… passion." Venom laced the words and she looked back at me.

"Whatever it is Moira's done to these children… we cannot let her continue Nathaniel."

"We won't."

She smiled sadly, the anger burning in her eyes.

"Good. Otherwise… I fear what monsters she may create."

Genji looked down at the scene below him, the rain and wind rattling against his metal body.

It was… saddening to see what had happened. Winston had wanted him to protect the girl and so he kept an eye on her from a distance now.

It was sheer luck he had found them before their little heist. The meeting with his… brother, had gone longer than expected.

And it was unfortunate that her friends were caught, but he couldn't help them without risking Overwatch's good name.

Still…

Even his cold heart frowned at the sight.

Hana Song had been a light to many. She was strong and smart, and a woman that fought demons and came back.

But the cracks were showing.

And just like how he'd ask his brother to pick a side in the coming war, she'd chosen a side.

He just hoped her side didn't stand against his.

He didn't want…

He didn't…

It would be hard to put his blade through her chest.

With a sigh he twisted his head and heard the click of his comm link activating.

"Winston. We have a problem."

Brown eyes stared at the simple glass before them. Golden brown liquid swirled harmlessly inside, beckoning him forth with its ever pleasant scent.

And yet, Hanzo Shimada couldn't bring himself to drink his favorite drink.

It was… concerning.

It's time to pick a side.

His brothers words haunted him. And that was aside from the fact that his brother, after all these years, was still alive and not only bested him in combat.

But he spared him.

Genji. The Sparrow and his little brother.

Had spared the monster that was Hanzo Shimada.

How had his brother had the strength to not take his revenge? What path had he found that could keep him from embracing the darkness that had consumed his entire family?

With a frown he pushed the glass away from him, the bartender glaring at him. Before whisking the glass away.

Of course the man said nothing, and Hanzo was glad for it. He might have broken the man's arm if he had.

A sigh escaped the criminals lips and he pushed off the bar top, standing tall and stretching as he turned to look outside.

It was a common thing in Japan for there to be outside bars, adn alas it took him only a handful of steps to reenter the cold rains embrace.

He narrowed his eyes at the sky, wondering if the gods cared enough for his meager existence to grant him the small blessing of simply stopping the rain.

Of course a few seconds past and the rain continued, which in turn sent another sigh out of Hanzo's mouth before he determined that the gods for all intensive purposes, were dicks.

He stuffed his hands into his jeans and started down the nearest alley way.

Maybe finding some other criminals to beat down would help him clear his mind.

Amongst the rains pitter patter and the thunder from above, his footsteps echoed out through the hall.

Cars zoomed by on the streets, but as she turned the corner and dove deeper into the darker parts of modern civilization, he heard something strange.

Footsteps.

Behind him.

He pivoted on his heel, drawing his bow and notching an arrow all in one motion.

His brow furrowed.

"Who are you?"

Two people stood before him, one smaller and covered in a heavy cloak. The other, a man, a red visor covering his face.

"Hanzo Shimada. Have you heard of Talon?"

"I asked you… who is your contact?"

Fingers delicately caressed a cheek covered in tears and blood.

A purple blade tore through flesh and bone, and the man screamed, his eyes tearing and his lips babbling as he tried to speak.

The finger on his face didn't help.

"i- I- I swear I don't know! They were just dressed in black and gave us money to find the boy! Th- They didn't give us their name! I swear!"

The woman in front of him sighed before getting to her feet, beautiful maroon hair and razor sharp eyes rolling as another purple blade formed in her hand.

It shined like the sun, glowing with obvious power before it flew forward and ended the man's cries.

His head fell to the ground.

She looked around.

Bodies littered the floor, six or seven in various shapes of dismemberment.

She kicked a severed leg away from her, heels clicking against the floor as she walked towards the exit.

N'Tuk stood by the side, the boy shaking slightly and his eyes wide.

"Did they all deserve-"

"Yes. Anyone who works with with them deserves death. We will not stand for regimes any longer."

A body moved, hands on the ground as the barely conscious man pulled himself towards the back door.

Ah.

She missed one. Pity.

"Yes yes, but… are you sure? If Overwatch finds the bodies-"

"Let them."

A blade flew and stopped the man in his tracks. His body slumped lifeless.

"Our Knight is in the city. And they'll deal with Overwatch while we deal with our old friends."

"And we're going after them why?"

The woman grinned, amber eyes narrowing.

"Every Queen needs an army."

A/N

I'm not dead! Had to rewrite this a few times and lost my notes regarding this chapter and the two after it so took my longer to get that back together. Doesn't excuse the time but we'll, being a teacher is exhausting.

Anyway, we have Hana being rude, Nate having more of exposition, and developments for Lena and Genji.

Hana, so if you remember the past few chapters, has been having issues. She's been making questionable calls and when confronted by her team of Nate, snaps. This chapter kinds brings everything to the climax for her. She's been having flashback the last few chapters and from what I know about survivors, it makes sense they wouldn't want to be powerless. Which is exactly where Hanas arc took her here. She made a choice thats a dick move just so she would feel in control over her own fate. A dick move, but considering what she's gone through, understandable.

Nate, well exposition. Enough said. Though he is obviously feeling guilty of Hana.

Lena… Well yeah the future sucks. But it's all connected. The next four chapters will reveal how.

We're almost done with this arc. Then arc three, which will be the Heartbreaker hopefully. Arc four is being rewritten so we'll see if it stays. I may combined those two, still about 20+ chapters for those two, but arc two is almost over.

Again sorry for being Mia for almost three months. If yall like my work check out my other fics. Another Destiny crossover like this and a RWBYxFateStayNight crossover.

Thanks as always. Questions, feel free to PM me.

Review and follow!

God bless!

-Metal4k