Crystalline Universe: Team Fortress 2/ Overwatch

*Around a month after the fight against the Valentine brothers

Mike pushed aside the golden hair on his cheek aside and inserted the piece of red cybernetic inside his face. His eyes stared at the mirror, at himself. For a moment, he thought he saw Sniper in his reflection but just as some symptoms of PTSD started to kick in, he managed to keep his calm and regain his mind.

[Mike] - "Only the weaks are haunted by their past and I am no coward running from his fears. To conquer one's fear is one's greatest triumph. "

Mike carefully fixed his hair and put on his hat. But just as he was observing himself again in the mirror, he felt a voice calling from beside him.

[Mike] - "Kadyn... Huh! It seems you don't fully understand what power you hold in your ability. And here you are again, activating it without even noticing. "

Somewhere else, Kady was having a good time with her friend; Divine Maiden and Azur. But as Mike's cold stare passed from him to her, Kady suddenly felt a chill in her back.

[Mike] - "While I'm here executing my plan, you are there, innocently enjoying your life while ignoring what is truly happening under the mask of lies. "

Kady felt nauseous, she didn't understand where the voices came from and neither who they were from. She slowly stood up, excused herself and headed toward the bathroom where she washed her face with cold water.

[Mike] - "I've seen it all. The betrayal, the happiness and the lies. Enjoy this lavish lifestyle while you can because when the judgement day will arrive, it doesn't distinguish between people. "

[Kady] - "Who are you? "

[Mike] - "I am the future, I am the voice of all, I am the true emperor. You will be the last of my old memories and your death shall be the last piece to complete the real... me. "

[Kady] - "Why me? Who are you to me? "

[Mike] - "Don't be so ignorant! This is a fate you cannot escape from! "

[Kady] - "I feel like I've seen you somewhere... who are you? "

Mike was getting more and more agitated as Kady kept asking him for identity. Mike didn't know what happened behind the scene, he only knew that she betrayed him. But none of it matters now since he no longer needs her. Mike's heart has died a long time ago and now, only the madness of his hunger for power remains inside his mind, relentlessly driving him forward toward his ultimate goal of absolute reign over the world.

Mike's green eyes stared through the telepathic connection at Kady, who stared back at him. But to her shock, what she saw in those eyes were not answers but terrors. The lost feelings and questions she had were only answered by a look of twisted horrors and hatred.

[Vanier] - "My lord, it's time. "

Mike pulled himself out of the connection and arranged his suit before exiting the room with Vanier. On the other side, Kady rolled into a ball in a corner of the bathroom while crying with pain and fear. She didn't understand why she felt so hurt by the words of that mysterious stranger whose eyes she didn't recognize but is somehow familiar with and whose words she didn't know the meaning of but are somehow reaching into her heart. She needs to know the truth.

*Somewhere in a hotel

[Mergiann] - "Happy Birthday, Azur. "

Azur was surprised to find Mergiann unexpectedly offering her a gift like this. This was the first time after all those years Azur received something from her teammate.

Azur observed Mergiann's smile and no matter how you look at it, it was a joyful and kind expression from deep within her heart. It didn't feel forced, it is how friends would act toward each other.

[Azur] - "Oh... thank you... I didn't expect it. "

[Mergiann] - "We are good, right? I'm just doing what a friend should do. "

Azur also let out a smile as she heard those words.

[Darlynn] - "Here, Azur, I also got one for you. "

[Karson] - "Me too, here. "

[Azur] - "You guys... "

Azur joyfully hugged the 3 of them together.

[Azur] - "We'll conquer the tallest mountains and the deepest parts of the oceans. We'll dream on and never let anything separate us. "

[Mergiann] - "Pretty damn inspirational words coming from you, huh? "

[Azur] - "Ain't I right? "

[Karson] - "Heh! Bet you are, mate. "

[Mergiann] - "Take good care of my ruby, Azur. It also means a lot to me. "

[Azur] - "Okie! "

[Karson] - "And our gifts as well! "

[Azur] - "Of course! I'll cherish them for the rest of my life. "

Azur quickly stored the boxes inside her backpack by the side of the couch and went back to join her friends.

The night was fun and after much drinking and playing around, Azur, Darlynn and Mergiann all went to sleep except for Karson. After Mergiann fell completely asleep, Karson moved to the hotel chamber's corridor where he saw a control panel with a clock display. Karson used his finger to change the climatization of the room but before he could reach climate control, he stumbled upon the calendar.

His fingers were trembling and he stopped moving but after swallowing his saliva, he pressed on the calendar. Silently, he counted the days and soon, his finger stopped. His face slowly became pale as he realized the fate that awaits him in the next few days.

[Karson] - "2 days... I have only 2 days left. "

Karson felt a chill in his spine as he realized that something was watching him. He turned back to find nothing behind him but he knew it; death is watching him from the shadows.

[Karson] - "My time's already up, huh? 2 days... is all I have left. "

[Ellie] - "I expect you to accept your fate when your time comes. If you try to run, I will show you no mercy. "

[Karson] - "What? "

Karson looked around him once again but still found no one. When he looked back at the calendar, it switched back to time again... more precisely, the timer option.

The next day, Karson woke up in an alley behind the bar with both of his pockets empty. But he couldn't care less about his wallet and with the last of his strength, he made his way back to the hotel.

*Somewhere in one of Talon's base of operation

The wall showed a big crater as if it was hit with something powerful and heavy. There were the cries of a beast whose screams rumbled the room. Mazzatello smashed the wall once more with his fist in anger and again and again...

[Scuoiamento] - "Stop it, Mazzatello! "

[Mazzatello] - "I failed! I failed them all! I FAILED AS A LEADER! "

In the hallway, 2 XX soldiers walked around in guard duty.

[Soldier 1] - "So you know, he was like screaming and stuff... it was comedic, you should have seen it. I can never get over it, this will stick with me for the rest of my life... "

[Soldier 2] (in whispers) - "Omg... will he shut the f.u.c.k up? "

The wall suddenly gave away from Mazzatello's punch and the giant piece of metal flew out of its frame, squashing one of the soldiers under it.

[Soldier 2] - "Holy mother of- "

[Mazzatello] - "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? "

[Soldier 2] (in a nervous voice) - "Oh nothing, sir, have a damn nice day! This is probably none of my business and I'll be on my way never to speak of this. "

The second soldier circled around his dead fellow and ran as fast as he can through the hall without looking back.

[Scuoiamento] - "Mazzatello, the death of our teammates is your fault, it's them! "

Mazzatello kneeled down and stared at the dusty floor with his grey cold eyes.

[Mazzatello] - "I don't understand... I don't understand why lord Sniper refused to allow me permission to go kill those little rats running inside our association. "

[Scuoiamento] - "He must have his reasons. "

[Mazzatello] - "Leave me now, Scuoiamento, I need some time alone. "

[Scuoiamento] - "Don't think about it too much. We'll find out a way later to deal with them. "

[Scuoiamento] - "Now, now, what do you want? "

Later...

Inside the dark grim room sat the nervous mystery man in a black coat with across the table, Sniper. Scuoiamento stood by the side as a witness while the conversation went on.

[agent A] - "You promised me that you won't send assassins after them! "

[Sniper] - "My subordinates disobeyed my orders to remain inside the association, there was no possibility for me to stop them. "

[agent A] - "It's impossible! Why would they go after them? They did nothing! "

[Sniper] - "Your allies are the closest thing that can lead them to Mike. Since Mike killed Lapidazione, it's only natural you guys become their first clue on finding Mike. "

[agent A] - "But... "

[Sniper] - "You should feel honoured that I would spend my precious time to discuss with a low crook like you. Many important men and women d.e.s.i.r.ed to speak with me but I turned them all down. Every second you waste of me here is a second you wasted of my patience. "

[agent A] - "I understand... that will be all, my lord. "

[Sniper] - "If I have an order for you, you shall obey it to the letter or they will become ashes before you can even say goodbye. I'm someone who doesn't appreciate traitors and to traitors, Mike will be my finest example. Running in the streets, afraid and broken, that's what will happen to traitors. "

[agent A] - "Have you no intention of sparing him? "

[Sniper] - "Death would be mercy for him but he deserves none. He shall suffer until he takes his own life. I want to see that c.o.c.kroach die while he screams in hellish pain. "

Scuoiamento showed Sniper her watch and told him it is time for this conversation to end.

[Sniper] - "Time is running, my friend. Remember, remember, what misery awaits the traitors. "

Agent Adventurer saluted Sniper and bowed in front of him before he headed out of the room. After that the doors were slammed shut, the man smashed his fists against the floor in despair. He knew it won't be long until the truths get revealed.

*In front of the hotel

Azur, Karson, Darlynn and Mergiann all stood to say goodbye to Carl.

[Azur] - "Have a safe trip, Carl. I hope you find the truth about the death of your other crewmates. "

[Carl-E] - "And you, I wish you good luck on whatever quest you are on. "

[Azur] - "To end this war and to find my sister. "

[Carl-E] (in a nervous tone) - "Oh, yeah, that... sorry I forgot. "

Karson and the rest stood forward and each of them, by turn, shook hand with the tank commander.

[Karson] - "Oy, mate, stay safe. I don't even how we could've survived if it wasn't for you. "

[Carl-E] - "It's nothing, friend, the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e is mine. "

[Darlynn] - "Merci pour tout, mon ami, j'espère qu'on te reverra. " (Thank you for everything, friend, I hope we will see you again.)

[Carl-E] - "Estis, tu parles bien français! " (Shit, you speak good french!)

[Mergiann] (in whispers) - "Hey, come back sometime for Azur. *giggle* She told me you are kinda her type yesterday night. "

Carl blushed and eased off the tension with a few nervous laughs before heading toward his camping car.

[Carl-E] - "Thank you guys for your help! I wish you all the best of luck as well! "

Azur suddenly rushed to him and hugged him in her arms with a heart-warming smile on her face.

[Azur] - "Thank you for giving me a chance to reinvent myself. "

There was a moment of silence before Carl came to his senses and hugged her back.

[Carl-E] - "And you too... for making me realize that nothing is impossible. Sometimes, even the smallest of spark can grow and shine brighter than the light of the day. "

[Azur] - "When will I see you again? "

[Carl-E] - "It is unlikely I'll see you again... "

[Azur] - "Look! "

As Carl turned his head around to check what Azur was pointing, Azur gently gave a quick kiss on his cheek and run away.

[Azur] - "That's why you will come back one day. "

Carl slowly touched his cheek with his scarred hand and with a bright smile, he stared back at Azur.

[Carl-E] - "Alright then, it can't be helped. I promise I will... one day. "

With that, Carl boarded his camping car and drove away into the distance. After waiting until they could no longer see Carl's vehicle, Karson finally stepped forward in front of his team.

[Karson] - "So? You guys wanna enjoy life a little by going somewhere? "

[Mergiann] - "Lead the way then! "

To be continued... Next Chapter: [The found lost moments]