Watchpoint Gibraltar 0530 hrs:

Yn's POV:

It was early enough in the morning that I wouldn't bother anyone. I am more than glad to be back in the loving embrace of friends, but I couldn't help but shake the feeling of what had happened to me in Rome. First, the incident on the ship; now, a weird shadow woman following me tells me I was going to be her "Centurion."

My fists land hard against the bad, these last few days have been extraordinary. I've been seeing it in small bits but realizing that I'm getting a lot stronger than I originally was. It's not just my strength to, speed, reflexes everything. My other hand slams into the bag causing a sizable dent into it.

Yn: What the hell is going on with me?

??: You are awakening.

I jump at the voice, I quickly spin around and see the woman again. She was standing in a dark corner looking at me.

Yn: You again? What do you want with me?

??: I only want you to become what you were destined to be?

The figure then began moving towards me.

??: I am not here to hurt you or mislead you. You are not my puppet and I am not your master.

What!

Yn: You can read minds now?

??: We are of one entity my shadow. I know every thought that flies through your mind... Such as your attraction to the dear doctor.

My face begins to heat up.

Yn: What! No!

??: You do not have to lie to me... She will be good to you my shadow, all in good time.

She then turns and walks back towards the shadow.

Yn: Wait! Can you at least tell me your name?

She stops and looks over her shoulder.

??: You may call me... Nox.

She smiles before walking back into the shadows.

Yn: Nox... Great that's just great.

I raise my leg and strike towards the bag in anger. The bag flies off the chain and bounces off the wall... Seems I have gotten stronger.

??: So you're the one making all this noise?

I glance over my shoulder, standing at the entrance of the gym is Pharah. She was in a black sports tank top and black gym shorts.

Yn: So I'm not the only one who decided to get up early.

Pharah: I'm always up early to train...

She then looks over and sees the now-destroyed sandbag standing behind me.

Pharah: You sure that Talon didn't experiment on you?

Yn: That's not funny Phar.

Pharah: I'm just teasing Yn... You should have seen this place when you were gone.

There was a small frown when those words left her lips.

Pharah: Everyone was scrambling to find you, pouring through tons of data and footage to pick up a little bit of a trail... Angela had it the worst. She barely slept, she damn near worked herself to death trying to find you.

Angela? She was that worried about me?

Yn: I...

Pharah: I know, I managed to get her under control before that could happen... She really seems to care about you.

Pharah then walks over to me.

Pharah: You really have left your mark on all of us Yn... I... We... Are just glad to have you back.

I smile when I hear the soldier studded.

Yn: Was that a shudder and happiness I heard Phar?

A small blush falls onto her face. I could tell she was trying her best not to punch me.

Pharah: Alright حمار. I see if you have time to talk, you have time to work. Just don't come crying afterward.

She then walks over towards the weight wrack, I laugh and shake my head.

Yn: Let's see what you got...

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Rome (Italian Republic) 0700 hrs:

Amiele was sitting in her chair. She knew what was coming next, but she did not like it. She glanced over and saw Sombra sitting next to her. At the end of the table was Moria. They had all been summoned to give their reports on the "shadow" case.

The screen flashes on revealing several other Talon members.

??: Is everyone here.

Moria: We are...

??: Good... So can any of you tell me why I had to see an alert across the Italian Peninsula for one man... Who you lost.

Sombra snickers and Amelie bites her teeth to see her laughing at her failer.

Amelie: He was... Difficult.

Sombra: Ahh. Was the Fantasma to difficult for you Araña?

Amelie shoots her a hard glare.

??: Enough! Doctor, what did you learn from our recent subject?

Moria stands up from her chair, bringing up a holo projection of data and samples she had taken from Yn's blood.

Moria: It is similar to our Reaper friend here but... His DNA is slowly being rewritten. His genetic map is a complete mess.

She showed a chart from when Yn was in captivity to now.

Moria: In just a short amount of time it has completely changed. His body is becoming something... More than the average human.

She brings up the gun camera from the gunship. It shows Yn being shot before falling off the building at running it off like it was nothing.

Moria: As you can see...

??: Hmm... Not many men can survive your attempts Amiele.

Amiele: It won't happen again Monsieur.

??: See to it that it doesn't. Where are we with this predicament?

Sombra: We can assume that he has gone back to the Watchpoint. We have agents in the country ready to act on your word.

??: At no attempt will we assault it, we have too much at stake right now for us to be brought into the spotlight... I want you to draw him out... Hurt him where it hurts.

Sombra knew what he was talking about... She really did not like where this was leading.

Sombra: Yes sir...

??: How are we looking, Max?

Max: Our operations in Brazil and mainland China are going well. With a few more handshakes our influence will spread.

??: And what about your exploit inside Vishkar Sanjay?

Sanjay: Progress is slow but nothing that I can overcome.

??: At least one of you is competent... I can not stress enough the importance of these operations. Moria says this "Yn" is important to our plans so I want him back... Do not fail me or do not come back at all.

Sombra and Amelie nod before standing up from their chairs and leaving. Moria's eyes fall upon the French assassin before the door closes behind her.

??: You feel she is slipping.

Moria: Well if she is I can always "work" out the kinks in that.

??: Good. You will have your specimen doctor, but you better deliver on your promises.

Moria: Of course... Akande.

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Lisbon (Portugal) 1230 hrs :

Yn: Are you sure about all this?

Yn looks out towards the main market. Lena had the "great" idea of trying to go see one of the many festivals that was happening across Europe for the end of Fall and the arrival of Winter.

Angela: You must realx more Freund. This is a perfect time to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Yn: As much as I want to do that I'm more worried about Talon. They snagged me once while were out in public. What's stopping them from doing it again?

Pharah: This time we'll be on guard. Plus Lisbon's security has drastically increased than anything on Gibraltar.

Yn: I understand that bu--

Lena blips over and hushes Yn.

Lena: Easy love, just enjoy yourselves...

Yn: ...

Yn slowly nods before looking out towards the market.





Yn: What exactly is this again?

Lena: Its the Serra da Estrela. It basically marks the beginning of Winter here in Portugal. Every year vendors come out and bake delicious foods for the whole town to join! Come on!

Lena grabs onto Emily's arm the two walk down the hill toward the open market. Yn shrugs and begins to walk after them, with Angela close to his side. Ever since he had gotten back Angela had been by him like a hawk with its dinner. Yn didn't mind it... Actually, he really enjoyed it.

Yn: Still weird...

Angela: What is it?

Yn: Me being here in Europe. I've never been outside the US before and now here I am. On a completely different Earth on the other side of the planet.

Angela lets out a giggle.

Angela: Well then I hope I can show the rest of my beautiful continent. I'm really sure you would enjoy Zürich.

Yn: Is that where you're from?

Angela: Yes. Oh, you would love it, the food is some of the best in the world.

Yn: I heard the chocolate is nice... Seems to me you have a sweet tooth doc.

Angela blushes before taking Yn's arm.

Angela: Ganz du.

Yn chuckles as the two walk towards the massive open market. Dozens of smells fill the ghost's nose. Yn sees dozens of dishes and drinks being prepared and sold to hungry customers. Pasteis de Nata, Bolinhos de Bacalhau, Francesinha and dozens more.

Angela gently pulls him over towards one of the vendors. Yn sees a dozen or so Bifana's freshly baked and ready to eat. Angela pulls out her purse and slides a few Euros over towards the vendor. The Vendor grabs a glass of Vinho Verde and a Bifana and gently hands it to them.

Vendor: Obrigado, menina.

Angela then hands the sandwich over to Yn. Yn gently takes it from here and takes a bite. The salted pork was some of the best he's ever had.

Yn: This is amazing.

Angela: I'm glad you're enjoying yourself...

She gently squeezes his arm before taking a sip of her wine.

Yn: Angela Zigler around my arm... Who would have thought?

Yn looks out towards the crowd. Dozens of people from the town and all across the world had come here to celebrate... It was good... To good.

Nox: Be on guard my Centurion.

Yn hears the dark voice of Nox again, he looks and sees her standing in the crowd.

Nox: Some seem to hurt those you love... Be on guard.

Before Yn could get another word out Nox disappears into smoke.

Angela: Is everything alright Yn?

Yn shakes his head before looking back at Angela.

Yn: Huh? Yeah, I'm alright... Just dozed off I guess.

Angela: Alright... Come on let's go find Lena.

Angela drags him along trying to find the Brit. Yn kept his eyes to the crowd after Nox's warning.

Angela: May I ask you a question?

Yn: You can ask me anything Doc.

Angela: So I know you said where your world our world is... Fictional... But I wanted to ask you... How... How does the world view us?

Yn: To be honest... Good. Your tales kinda bring hope to the world. Hoping we can achieve the technological advances to our world... And bring hope back to a world that has a lot of bad going on... Your tale really got me. No matter what you went through you were always there to help people... I respected that...

Anegla's cheeks flushed a darker red.

Angela: Besides the game is there anything else we are a part of?

Yn: Well there's a few books about you guys, some shorts... And... other things..

Angela: Other things?

Yn cleared his throat.

Yn: Uh... Let's just say there's a lot of... Drawings...

It took Angela a few moments to click on what he was saying... Her eyes went wide.

Angela: Oh...

Yn: Yeah...

Angela: So like-

Yn: Everyone one and anyone...

Angela: ... How much have you seen?

Yn: For the safety of my well-being I'm not answering that...

Angela's grip tightens on his arm.

Angela: Spielen Sie Ihre Karten richtig aus und Sie werden es vielleicht sehen.

Angela looks over to see Lena, she was giving Emily a stuffed Reindeer from one of the vendors.

Yn: Looks like they're having fun.

Angela: Shall we join them?

Angela looks up at him with a soft smile.

Yn: Lead the way, angel.

Angela smiles even more before moving with Yn over towards the group. Lena smiles as she sees the two walking over towards them.

Lena: Seems you two are having fun.

Angela blushes more and plays with her hair trying to not look so flush about her situation. Lena lets out a laugh.

Lena: I'm just teasing love. You two look adorable together.

Pharah then walks over with a plate of Pica Pau.

Pharah: Come on, the carols are about to start.

The group starts heading over towards the main part of the plaza. Pharah gazes down to see Angela holding his arm. Yn glances and sees her expression full of... Jealousy? She doesn't say anything as they walk over to the stage. The band gets together and begins to play.

Choir: A neve pode esperar eu esqueci minhas luvas

Limpo meu nariz, calço minhas botas novas

Meu coração se aquece quando penso no inverno

Ponho minhas mãos nas luvas do meu pai

Eu corro para onde as correntezas se aprofundam.

Angela leaned her head onto his shoulder enjoying the music, Yn couldn't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

Choir: Bela adormecida me derruba de cara fechada

Eu ouço uma voz "Você precisa aprender a andar

Com suas próprias pernas porque eu não vou estar sempre por perto".

??: Shadow...

Yn's eyes snap from the choir and look over, in the far side of the crowd he could see a man... His face was coverd. He slowly began moving away from a rusted out old car... He didn't like this.

Yn: Ange could you give me a sec. I'll be right back.

Angela looks up at him confused.

Angela: Everything alright?

Yn: Yeah. Just need to take a leak is all.

Angela: Well alright... Hurry back Weltraummann.

Angela gently lets go of his arm and Yn gently pushes through the crowd. His eyes scanned for the man who had disappeared.

Choir: Ele dizQuando você vai se decidir. Quando você vai se amar tanto quanto eu te amo. Quando você vai se decidir. Porque as coisas vão mudar tão rápidoTodos os cavalos brancos ainda estão adormecidos Eu te digo que sempre vo.

Yn finally manages to push through the crowd, he quickly walks over to the car that the man had been standing out. It was nothing more than a busted-down Sudan... What the fuck was going on?

Choir: Você diz que as coisas mudam, minha querida

Garotos são descobertos enquanto o inverno derreteFlores competem pelo solAnos passam e eu ainda estou aqui à esperaMurchando no lugar de algum boneco de neve Espelho, espel.

Black trials began leaving the car and pouring towards the crowd, no one else could see them because everyone would then be freaking out. Yn's eyes snapped towards the stage. He saw the trail lead right under the stage...

Choir: Patinando em volta da verdade, quem sou eu. Mas eu sei, pai, que o gelo está ficando fino. Quando você vai se decidir. Quando você vai se amar tanto quanto eu te amo. Quando você vai se decidir. Porque as coisas vão mudar tã.

Yn eyes then snap towards Angela. She and the rest of the team were enjoying themselves oblivious to the danger.

Yn: ANGELA?!?!?

But nothing but smoke and fire filled their ears....

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