Shadow's Overwatch Blog

Day 5 Listening

Theme (a) Story Theme (b) memories

Words: 608

SFW (Angst/Happy Ending)

It had been a few weeks since Shadow went on his first date with Widow and the two of them have gotten really close now. So close that he even got her to stay with him. Of course this was dangerous for both of them because of the organizations they work for, regardless, they manage to keep a steady relationship. One rainy night Shadow was in bed until a nightmare rocked his night. He quickly sat up grabbing his necklace and drawing silent heavy breaths. He turned to look at amelie still sleeping soundly. Eyes closed as he watched her chest slowly rise and fall. Shadow got out of bed and walked outside his balcony to watch as the rain fell from the dark sky above.

“Are you alright ma cheri?” Shadow turned his head, “Yeah. I-I’m fine. Just go back to sleep sweetheart.” Widow walked toward him and wrapped her arms around him putting her head on his chest. “Is it your fallen comrades?” Shadow placed his hand on her head and tipped his head down. “You never talked about them. Why?” he looked back up to watch as the rain fell, “It’s all in the past now.” “Please cheri. I don’t want to see you hurting like this anymore.” Shadow closed his eyes for a brief moment listening to the raindrops on the balcony.

“It was years back when I was still a young bright recruit in Overwatch. I was sent to a Talon base for a snatch and grab. It was nothing new to me, I laid on top of a rooftop watching as my team breached the walls and raced to find the target. A major Talon Lieutenant involved with recent terror attacks in California. All was going well until I was informed that  it was a trap but as soon as I hear my team radio, there was a massive explosion from the building my team was in. I radioed headquarters for immediate extraction but they were going to be another 20 minutes. I saw my squad firing from the burning rubble desperately trying to survive the Talon onslaught. I picked off as many agents as I could until I was out of ammo, my knives were dulled, and my hands were bruised and cut up. 3 of my men were killed and the other 2 were medically discharged.” “You were close weren’t you?” Shadow’s eyed watered “Yes, they were with me ever since I  was recruited. Kicks was even there when I was still in the military. Now they’re gone.”

Widow hugged him tighter squeezing him “I’m sorry if I don’t know how to say this but, you showed me how to love again. My heart is slowly returning to what it was before. The brainwashing is fading away. Even my skin is turning back to normal. All of this because you cared for me, held me, even risked your own life for me. I’m still getting used to this but, I think I am beginning to feel empathy I think it is called. Will, I-I-I love you. I want you to know how much I really care about you. I will always be here for you mon amour.”

Day 1 Theme (a) First meeting & Theme (b) First Date

SFW (Slightly Suggestive)

Word count approx (2470)

After several months on tour across the world, Shadow can now take his 3 week leave and catch some peace and quiet from all the bloodshed and pain he had to endure during those months. As he stepped out of the drop ship several other agents that flew with him rushed out to the terminal to meet their friends and loved ones. Pharah was standing waiting patiently for her mother to come out and see her. Reinhardt tapped him asking if he may pass, of course Shadow stepped aside and let him through “Ahahaha my friends what's with all this standing around, it has been so long!” his voice echoed throughout the base. The rest soon followed leaving him and Jack to be the last two. “Where will you go for the next few weeks?” Jack asked as he was about to step off. “France. I have a favor to do for a friend. What about you sir?” he replied. “A soldier's work never ends, you should know that. I’ll probably be here on base doing paperwork… You don’t have to call me sir anymore those days are over.” Shadow shook his hand before grabbing his bags and headed for his plane. “Get some rest Will you’ve earned it.” Shadow turned but, jack was already gone. “Yes sir”  he muttered to himself. The next drop ship to France landed on the landing pad and a line of agents began forming. Shadow saw a few other agents board including a few who were on tour with him. Shadow took his seat and closed his eyes and awaited yet another flight to his destination.

The drop ship slowly descended down to the landing pad and Shadow could already see the Eiffel Tower from his window. He grabbed his bags and proceeded to the terminal to find numerous other agents wandering around. Shadow walked outside to find a sea of cars building up on the roads. He walked toward the Private Overwatch cars instead of waiting for a cab. Shadow placed his right hand on the driver window, “Access granted bienvenue en France [1] Shadow”. He loaded his bags and drove off to the private hotel.

*At the hotel*  As soon as he got there the place was lit up like Time’s Square. He parked the car and grabbed his bags to check in. “Bonjour, je voudrais une chambre.[2]” The woman behind the counter looked at him and asked “Votre nom [3]?”

“William Nightingale” as he pulled out his ID. She smiled and handed him his key “Merci et j'espère que vous apprécierez votre séjour [4]” He took the key and proceeded to his room. He opened the door and walked in and slowly shut the door behind him. The room was luxurious floor made of marble, couches made of white leather, a black glass dining table sat at the center of the room, 55 inch plasma screen TV, and full kitchen. He turned and walked to the bedroom to set down his bags and glance over at the balcony. The view was breathtaking the Eiffel tower in perfect view with the rest of the beautiful city landscape surrounding him. Shadow reaches into his bag to get a fresh set of clothes along with  silver cross and a dog tag and places them on the night stand. “Might as well take a shower before I head out” he muttered. As the steam cleared up he wipes the mirror to reveal the scar that run across his right eye on his face and begins to get dressed. A midnight blue collared shirt, silver vest, midnight blue slacks, and black oxfords. He grabs the cross and dog tag and puts them in his vest pocket before heading out back to the car. “Off to Les Valides I go” as he starts the car and dashes off.

*At the cemetery*

As shadow closes the door a sense of sadness rolls over him, his heart slowly beats as the wind slowly breezes by his face. He walks around in search of the grave for his fallen comrade. Pual de Sant 1998-2024. Shadow kneels down and pulls out the silver cross and his tag. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. If only I was faster…” He rested his head on top of the gravestone then stood up and saluted. “Reste en paix ma vieille amie [5]” Shadow checked his watch to see time it is. “Hmm 10:00 o’clock in the evening already.” He decided to take a trip to the bar and catch a drink before heading back.

*At the bar*

E BAR, FOUR SEASONS GEORGE V a place where Shadow and his comrades shared a number of drinks together whenever they were in Paris.As Shadow walked in, he can hear the sound of voices echoing throughout the establishment the scent of fine wine and liquor engulfed the room. He found a empty bar stool and took a seat. “Oi’ William bonjuor!” Shadow looked up to see his old friend and smiled “Bonjour Noe! How have you been?” “Good business as usual. Where are the rest of the boys? Or are all them on leave elsewhere.” Shadow looked down at the bar table And pulled out a photograph of him and his squadron, “Kicks, Hunter, and Pual are dead. Jesse, and Bishop have been medically discharged. I’m all that's left.” Noe set down the glass he was cleaning and reached for the photograph, “I’m sorry Will I know how close you guys were, they were all truly the bravest men I know.” “Thanks Noe they would’ve wanted me to celebrate, to live on for them, to tell their story.” Noe pinned the photo on the wall along with several others. “So William the usual? Old fashioned? Old Overholt rye?” “That would be much appreciated thanks.” “Of course Will” he smiled and turned to mix his drink. Shadow looked down at his watch again and then looked up to find his drink right in front of him. He picked it up and took a sip of his drink and then set it down wiping his lips. “Well, Well, Well, look who do we have here?” Shadow turned to his right  to find Widowmaker sitting right next to him holding a wine glass in her hand. Her yellow cat like eyes trained on his and a smug look on her face. “If it isn’t the Shadow himself.” He looked to his left to find Sombra holding a glass of tequila with the same look. “If you do not mind I’d like to finish my drink and take this outside. You can do whatever you so please then. Widow gave a light chuckle before setting her wine glass on the table and grew closer to him. “You are afraid are you not?” Shadow took another sip of his drink and set it down “No, I’m not. I’m actually surprised Talon would send for their best assassin to kill me now while I’m on leave.” he replied. “Hm tell me, do you really think I was hired to kill you now? And if I did don’t you think you’d be dead already?” She was right if she wanted to she could’ve killed him before he even got close to the bar. Plus why would she need another agent to help her? She’s Talon’s top assassin for a reason. “Oye I still can’t get anything on him, his phone is dark, I can’t even get past the first firewall.” Sombra broke in. “That’s because I already know who you are and I rigged mine to a whole new frequency” Sombra raised an eyebrow.  “Yes and I am well aware of who you are, ma dame. Amelie Lacroix, or now known as Widowmaker. You were kidnapped by Talon brainwashed and enhanced to become their top assassin. Your first assignment was to kill your husband Gerard Lacroix from there you were sent to kill Mondatta, Ana Amari, and you, Sombra and Reaper were both sent to try and assassinate Katya Volskaya, and now I dare ask, what do you want from me?” Widow rimmed the top of her wine glass. “Hmm it seems that your superiors provide you with a heavy amount of details about me but what about her?” as she pointed to Sombra. “Hmph …. Or Sombra is it that most call you now?” just as Shadow said her actual name she eyes widened as she looked as she was about to draw her gun but, widow ordered not to. “Calmate senorita I won’t speak of it again. Now where was I? right, sombra you were an orphan in Mexico trying to live in life hacking your way up until you were picked up by the Los Muertos gang and you hacking spree went viral from Lumerico to Volskaya Industries. At some point you were picked up by Talon due to your impressive hacking skills. Unfortunately I do not recall any other information but, that’s all I need to know anyways.” Both looked at each other in astonishment. “And so I politely ask, if you are not here to kill me what are you here for?” Widow moved her right leg and rested it on Shadows stool “Well you certainly know all about us, however we can not get anything from you. Even my companion can not find anything about you and you’ve certainly piqued her interest quite a bit. So why don’t you come with us on a stroll. Paris is lovely this time of year you know?” Widow drew nearer to Shadows face.“Well ma cheri?” she gave him a wink and sat back. Shadow downed the rest of his drink. As he got up he left a few bills under his glass. Sombra hopped off her stool wondering what was going to happen. Shadow lent a hand to Widow to which she took and got off her stool. “Apres vous. [6]”

*Outside*

Well this is something Shadow didn’t see coming. He was actually having a stroll with two Talon agents. Especially the cold blooded assassin Widowmaker. “So um-” “William or Will if you want.” “Will how is it that you know my actual name?” Sombra asked. William smiled “A man can’t tell you all of his secrets.” Sombra gave him a teasing shove on his shoulder. “Sombra why don’t you ask him something else, this is your chance to actually get to know him.” Sombra sighed before asking, “Ugh fine, how did you lock your phone to how it is now?” Widow rolled her eyes in embarrassment. “What you said to ask him something else?” Shadow took out his phone “Don’t worry it’s fine. Well you see. I changed the diagnostics of my phone and any of my electronics to filter out any unknown sources hence it blacks out on you.” Sombra waved her hand at her face “Dios mio it is hard to find people who can hide like that. I like it.” “Well Ms Lacroix?” “Hmmm? Wait did you just call me-” “I don’t like to call people by their call signs unless they prefer it or just don’t want me to call them by their real name. Something wrong with that?” Widow looked away “N-No I just didn’t think I would hear that name again. So what did you do before you joined, them…?” Shadow pulls out a rifle bullet out of his pocket “I hunted a lot so much that I have trophies all over my home. Bears, Wolves, Elk, whatever was game. I just feel like my life revolves around me and a sniper rifle. It’s just a part of me now. I can’t escape it so I embrace it.” “What about your hacking and programming where did that come from?” sombra piped in, “It’s just something I taught myself. Ever since the Omnic crisis I changed my electronics to prevent hacks.” “So I heard you’ve killed many Talon agents before have you not?” He looked at his rifle round before finally replying, “Yes, yes I have. My rifle, my knives, my bare hands, even my uniform. They’re all stained with blood of the many that I’ve killed. I think about those I’ve murdered and if I have any regrets for it.” when William said that widow’s heart stopped for a brief moment. “I know you’re still thinking about him. That no matter how much brainwashing they do to you ,somewhere in the back of your mind you still care for Gerard. You can deny it all you want because of it but in the end you truly do care... I’m not going to go anymore further than that since I know if I do I’ll be dead right where I stand now.” Sombra took a few steps back in fear that he could be right. Widow stood hands on the railing with her head down and her eyes closed. A single tear shed from her right eye, slowly streaking across her blue face. Shadow reached for his handkerchief to wipe her face. “If I die now by your hands, I don’t care, all I care is that I’ve finally brought peace to you and that’s all that matters to me now.” Widow wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Her cold blue lips locked with his warm ones, Shadow wrapped his right arm around her waist and slowly dipped her beneath the dark moonlight night, the cold breeze flowing past their faces. “You do not care if my body is cold?” Shadow smiled and swept her off the floor. “No I don’t because I want you to feel mine so I can finally bring warmth to yours...That and I’m from Alaska so I’m used to the cold” he chuckled. Shadow set widow down and she held him as tight as she could. “So um what about me?” Sombra bit her lip. Widow gave her the finger to come so she did. This whole time they were walking, Widow had led them all to the Eiffel Tower and they all embraced each other's company underneath the dark moonlight sky on one of the most romantic places on Earth.

(So yes this is quite long I know. I’m not the best writer but this is my first story drabble so feel free to give me some pointers and what not. I really would appreciate the feedback. If you have any questions about my OC just look at my blog you’ll be sure to find him. Thank you and I hope you enjoy! -Shadow)

Translations

Welcome to France

Hello I would like a room

Your Name?

Thank you and I hope you enjoy your stay

Rest in peace my old friend

Name: William ‘Shadow’ Nightingale 

General Information: -DoB: 11/05/2016 -Age: 60 -Height: 6'2" -Weight : 192 lbs -Hair color: Silver -Eye color: Gray -ISJF -Zodiac: Scorpio -Place of birth: Anchorage, Alaska, USA -Nationality: American -Sexuality: Straight -Current Residence: San Antonio, Texas, USA -Occupation: Sniper (Formerly). Overwatch (Formerly). Farmer (Currently)

 Weapons: Two weapons of choice; The Silent Death (Sniper Rifle) and throwing knives (2 modes of fire similar to Genji) 

 1st ability: Firework; Shadow’s sniper rifle fires a large round stunning and damaging the hero it impacts and launches Shadow backward {10 second cooldown}

2nd ability: Ghost; Shadow pops a small smoke cloud giving him a brief moment to try and escape his assailant (s) {8 second cooldown}

Ultimate: One Shot; Shadow loads 6 shots into his rifle. Every shot is a one shot kill and can pierce through anything. Note: One bullet can’t pierce through multiple enemies.(Zenyatta ultimate, Lucios ultimate, Reinhardts shield, and D'vas defense matrix). Audio cue, Friendly: Get Down Enemy: Targets Confirmed

 Lore: 

(During Overwatch) Born and raised in Alaska, William 'Shadow’ Nightingale became a master sharpshooter hunting Wolves, bears, elk and much more. At the age of 18 he left his civilian life to train as a sniper in the US military in a few short months he became the top military sniper with a few rivaling his skill including Egypts finest Ana Amari. William was approached by the US government for their soldier enhancement program however, he decided against it due to his pride and his belief that the best use shear skill and do not require any enhancements. On the other hand he accepted an anti aging process enabling to keep his young look without sacrificing any performance. Of course Overwatch noticed him and Ana Amari but in the end it was Ana who was chosen to be a part of Overwatch’s Strike Team however, William joined Overwatch to take part in the battles during the Omnic Crisis. While William believed that it pure skill and training that made him a better marksman than Ana due to Ana’s biotic eye, both believed in lethal methods in terms of sharpshooting and came to respect her and asked her to train him from time to time. Despite him not being a part of the original strike team, he was constantly being sent on joint operations with the strike team. He took up the call sign of 'Shadow’ due to his numerous kills without the enemy even knowing he was there and disappearing seemingly into darkness. His final mission before the fall of Overwatch was a capture operation on a major Talon lieutenant. His role was a typical recon support sniper nothing that he couldn’t handle. All was going well until his team radioed in that it was a trap. As soon as word traveled there was a massive explosion from the building. Talon operatives began to swarm the building but Shadow picked them off one by one as he heard gunshots from the burning building. He radioed HQ for immediate extraction but the team was going to be late. For the next 20 minutes Shadow picked off as many Talon operatives until his rifle ran dry, his knives were all blunt and until his hands were bloodied and bruised. In the end 3 members of his team were killed and the other 2 were severely wounded.

 (Helix Securities) After the fall of Overwatch he was offered a job at Helix Securities back in his home state Alaska. Of course he did not see as much action as he did in Overwatch, Shadow’s roles were just to be on patrol or on guard duty outside the walls of the base he was assigned to. On one stormy night, a thick blizzard blew in from the North covering the base. Shadow was about to finish his patrol and radioed to clear his section when there was no response. When he realized there was intruders in the communications room he dashed back to find a mess of Talon operatives scattered looking for the RnD building. Of course they wouldn’t find it since it was half a mile away, but they were already dragging bodies to interrogate. He drew his rifle and aimed at the furthest target but as he was about to fire they executed the prisoners in a firing squad. Enraged he repositioned and aimed at the line of agents who executed the prisoners. In one shot his bullet pierced through all 7 agents heads. Despite the extremely low visibility due to the storm he went around and one by one picked off every Talon agent. As those bodies fell on the icy floor Shadow walked to his fellow comrades and removed their tags. An inspection team came a few days after the storm cleared. All they came back to was several rifles pinned in the ground with helmets and the tags of the men and women who served on the base. As they walked into the control room there was a letter that read “If you are reading this the base was ambushed by Talon agents. All intel on who they were and where they came from disclosed in the file. I am the soul survivor of the base. Please bury the dead and give their families my condolences. I am Captain William Nightingale callsign Shadow and I respectfully retire from Helix Securities. I thank you for offering me a job in your company. -Cpt William Nightingale” 

 (Life after OW and HS) Shadow left both organizations and decided to move to Texas to live his life as a farmer. His old friend pulled a few strings for him and got him a decent plot of land in which he settled in nicely. Every morning he goes out to feed his animals and goes out hunting for game to ensure his aim never falters and to keep him active. Even as a farmer he is renown for crops and his trophies he’s collected. He built 4 gravestones behind his house in memory of his fallen squad mates and for the members of the Helix Securities faculty members that he served with. His rifle hangs on a wall along with other memories from his time in Overwatch and Helix. With all the news regarding the word in peril Shadow has been reluctant on rejoining Overwatch but, until then only time will tell when he will sling his rifle over his shoulder and take the fight to the enemy. 

 Personality: Cool, calm, collected, strong silent type, the typical sniper personality he tends to be reserved and aloof until others open up to him. Despite all of this he is a true gentleman, kind, selfless with a heart of gold and a charming personality which very few know about. Funny enough nobody really knows anything else about him other than his skill at hunting which many could gather. He is still elusive and typically never talks about his past.

 Hobbies: Shadow loves to be outdoors. As a sniper hunting is his favorite past time, but when he doesn’t have a rifle slung over his shoulder he’s still always outside; camping, relaxing outdoors or having a casual stroll. Not really an indoors person but he would typically go to restaurants, cafes and upon occasion bars to have a drink to relieve stress. Can surprisingly make a really good cup of coffee and tea with natural leaves since he goes outside often.