~O~

Ordinary World

Norma was surprised to see Olivia there at her doorstep.

"Ah! Mija, what a surprise to see you." she said. "I didn't think you'd come back here so soon."

"Well, I need to talk to you," Olivia told her, features grave. "Natalie's been gone for three days and they're going to stop searching for her."

"What?" Norma gasped, incredulous. "What happened to her? Why has she been gone?"

Olivia walked passed her, entering the trailer before she sighed, running a hand through her hair. Norma looked at her, troubled before she noticed Olivia pacing.

"She fell," Olivia finally said, "We were doing a job and she let herself go so I could get out of there. Now, I KNOW she's not dead! She's NOT."

Norma watched her for the longest time before walking up and putting her arms around her. Olivia made a startled noise and started to recoil.

"Estas loca! What are you doing, vieja?"

"I'm hugging you."

Olivia groaned with dismay, struggling in her arms for a moment. "UGH, stop it," she protested, "You're so embarrassing. I don't need a hug, I need to find Nat!"

She squirmed for a few moments before finally relaxing, her features twisting when she thought of Natalie. This was stupid. This wasn't fair. This was what she earned for finally caring about another person other than herself. This was her reward.

She finally stopped squirming.

O

Natalie wandered into the courtyard that morning, looking for Zenyatta.

She had been there for three days, making some progress, according to the Omnic. She did, in fact, feel lighter for this new revelation and certainly better physically. After her fall, she was so sure that was the end. But these Omnics had cared for her and taken her in.

Natalie rubbed her eye and blinked a few times. It was hard to see without her monocle; she'd lost it in the fall, of course. The two changes in vision bothered her a little as well. Still, she'd have to grow used to it until she returned to Talon.

She took a seat on the steps and held up her wrist, tapping the watch so that it could play Elvis Presley's "Step On My Blue Suede Shoes". She smiled and shut her eyes, tapping her foot to the music. She was relaxed with the memories of dancing to the music with her mother. Even Olivia had danced with her a few times after some convincing that "American music wasn't so bad".

Her song attracted Banzan and Amanthi as they walked by, talking together. They made curious sounds and stopped, staring at Natalie sitting there, oblivious to their presence. Eventually, Zenyatta could make out the sound of the music and joined in. Two more also heard the music and watched Natalie.

It wasn't until after a moment that Natalie sensed the stares, rising. She looked back, eyes widening in embarrassment before she quickly shut off the music.

"I'm sorry." she said, "I didn't mean to wake anyone."

Banzan walked up to her and gestured to the device on her wrist. He tapped it once and the music resumed. He sighed with pleasure and Amanthi joined him as they began to dance in the courtyard below. Natalie watched them incredulously as several other Omnics joined in; their dances involved grand sweeps of their hands in circles, shifting of their legs and orbs dancing around their heads.

"What...are they doing?" she wondered.

"Understanding you. If you wish to know someone, walk in their shoes...or hover." Zenyatta explained, with a warm chuckle, "They are just spiritual advisers looking to enjoy themselves. Why don't you dance with them? Enjoy the music and the company."

Natalie laughed a little, embarrassed. "I'm a terrible dancer, really."

"So is Dairo. But that never stops him."

Zenyatta indicated the Omnic in the corner, who was dancing in a very sloppy manner. But he was enjoying himself and laughing. Natalie smiled at the sight. He really did seem to be having fun.

So, she walked over to them and began to dance; her same, ridiculous steps that she had done when she'd danced with her mother. It didn't draw the attention from the Omnics around her as she had expected. Instead, all of them were laughing with pleasure, engaging her with ridiculous steps as well.

It was a good feeling that came to her, then. The idea that she could be happy with Omnics, feel such peace was refreshing.

O

"I have to go back."

Zenyatta nodded his head once, watching as Natalie sat across from him at the table, taking a sip of the tea he'd offered her. He knew that she had to return to her old life to the woman she cared for. He knew her place was never permanent there.

"I understand." he replied.

Natalie looked at him with concern for a moment. "What about this...thing controlling the Omnics?" she asked. "What will that mean for all of you?"

Zenyatta sighed softly. "This foe...it's nothing we've seen before, as it's been here long before us." he explained.

"Is it a God Program?"

"No. God Programs are functional A.I. systems that control only a limited number of Omnics within a certain range. With the chaos we have heard it spread, it is clearly stronger than anything we've anticipated." Zenyatta took a sip of the oil he has sitting in front of him.

"I'll find out." Natalie promised him. "We will stop this."

"With your group of extremists?" Zenyatta sounded sad, even as he said that.

Natalie sighed, but said nothing. "I know what you're trying to say, but I have her. If there's anyone who can find out, it's Sombra."

Zenyatta nodded his head once. "Perhaps."

He rose from his place and Natalie did the same. He made his way to a closet and opened the door, gathering a fur cloak and setting it onto her shoulders. Natalie appreciated the gesture and watched as he gathered a few things in his arms before walking out of the room. She followed him.

"The way down the mountain can only be done by horse," he explained, "Banzan will take you to the village below where you can find suitable transport."

"Thank you. For everything you've done."

Natalie held out one hand and Zenyatta went to take it, but she pulled him into an embrace and he was startled at first, but chuckled softly and returned it.

"You're going to be fine, Natalie," he promised her, still holding the woman in his arms, "I know everyone gave up on you, but you can still turn yourself around and be that person you used to be. I have faith in you."

Natalie laughed a little, taken by the comment. She looked down at the stables and made her way there with Zenyatta following. Banzan and Grace were there as well, discussing something before Amanthi eventually joined. While the two began to dress the horse for her, Amanthi and Natalie were watching.

"So, you're returning, then?" Amanthi asked.

"Yes. I have someone waiting for me," Natalie told her.

Amanthi sighed quietly. "Yes, that must be wonderful. I once had someone before I became a monk here of the Shambali." she explained, "But it's true what they say about putting your heart where it isn't meant to be. The one I loved betrayed me. Such was my flaw. I grew to love human women. Most of my fellow Omnics mocked me for such feeling."

Natalie furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry."

"Well...you understand humans and their fickle nature," Amanthi glanced briefly at her. "Forgive me, I didn't intent to bore you with my life."

"No, it's alright." Natalie watched Grace at work, smiled a little and looked at the Omnic again. "But...maybe talk to Grace. I think she's got her heart right where it needs to be."

"Hm? The stable girl?" Amanthi glanced at Grace, watching her brush the horse. "Oh..." Her tone was light with curiosity. "I see."

Natalie winked at her before making her way into the stable. Grace lowered herself a little, crossed her hands in front of her so that Natalie could step on them and lift herself onto the horse. It shifted restlessly as she did and Grace laughed as Natalie struggled to hold the reins.

"Don't worry," she said, "Banzan will help you."

The larger Omnic gave a small nod of his head. "He's a bit nervous, but he'll do fine with me." he assured Natalie. "Just hold onto him and I'll take the reins."

Natalie laughed nervously, but nodded her head and patted the horse's thick neck. "Dit gaan goed, my vriend. We will be as one, won't we?"

Zenyatta looked up at Natalie now. "Ek wens jou sterkte toe."

Natalie smiled. "And to you, my friend. Thank you for everything."

Amanthi watched as they departed the stable. Zenyatta was also going elsewhere and joined Genji for a talk. When they were out of earshot, she turned her attention to Grace, who had begun shoveling hay into the feeding troughs for the horses.

"Grace?" she questioned.

The woman jumped, her cheeks reddening. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ears and smiled nervously up at the Omnic.

"Yes?" she said. "I'm sorry, I have a lot of work to do."

"Well...perhaps we could...talk?" Amanthi offered.

Grace smiled now, suddenly shy. She lowered her eyes, nodding. "Okay."

O

The trip down the mountain was absolutely frigid.

Natalie was grateful for the fur cloak that Zenyatta had offered her; she held herself tightly, keeping her hands close to her chest as she struggled for warmth. Banzan was holding the reins of the horse and walking them down the broken stone path. She cupped her hands close to her mouth, shuddering and blowing into them.

She looked down at her hands - the mismatched way about them made her stop and think about what Zenyatta had said. The moment she had reconnected with her memories shocked her senses clear; she had wandered astray, but Olivia had been the calming breeze in all of it. Even so, Natalie had tried to suppress these feelings so that it wouldn't burden her.

"You'll be fine once you reach the village," Banzan explained, "They have an inn and I can find some suitable alcohol for you to take on your trip. It will warm you up."

Natalie was silent, watching the Omnic for a moment. She opened her mouth, hesitated once more before she spoke; she wanted to know. "Banzan, why did you save me out there?"

"You needed help."

"But you knew who I was. What I was."

"I did." Banzan paused, glanced back at her. "But I knew that despite everything, you needed to be saved. This world already denies us kindness. We must be above it if we are to make any difference."

Natalie considered his words. It was true.

Her mind went to Olivia again and she felt herself worrying for her. Did she think she was dead? Did she spend time looking for her? Natalie had known she might not have survived the drop. But she did it to help her. To keep her safe and see her alive. She deserved it more than Natalie did.

The sight of smoke in the distance drew Natalie's attention and she noticed they were arriving at a small village. The people were dressed warmly for the weather and paid no mind to the sight of the two. Banzan indicated a nearby ship - that was their destination.

"This ship will take you where you need to go." Banzan explained. "It's used sometimes by Zenyatta when he's traveled the world."

Natalie stepped down fron the horse, stopped and turned to Banzan. She smiled up at him. "Thank you." she said. "For everything."

He nodded his head once. "Your welcome."

"I will find a way." Natalie promised him. "Whatever's been happening to the Omnics. I will find a way to help them. We will."

Banzan sighed softly. He took the reins of the horse. "You mean, the help of Talon." When she didn't answer, he turned to go, but paused and looked back at her. "Zenyatta was right to take a chance on you, Natalie. But you must understand something. Talon will help no one but themselves. Whatever you can do, I can only pray that you have the strength to do it alone, because they will not do it for you."

It definitely gave Natalie something to think about.

She had a feeling she would be alone in that.

Natalie stepped into the ship, eyes studying every detail; it was smaller than the drop ships of Talon, but comfortable enough for her to move around freely. She took a seat behind the main console, looking down at a monitor as it immediately lit up with various data and information.

Then, a mechanical voice filled the air - distinctly feminine. "Good afternoon. I am Karma. I am programmed to take you anywhere you need to go."

Natalie smiled a little. "Hello. Karma. I'd like to go to Rialto."

"Of course. Scanning now..."

Natalie looked up, surprised when a ray of blue light began to flash over her. It swept her up and down once. Then twice before vanishing. Karma's cheerful voice filled the air.

"Natalie Krige. Age. Thirty two." Karma listed the simple information regarding Natalie. "Oh... I am detecting abrasion damage to your right cornea. It has reduced your vision by twenty percent compared to that of your left eye."

Natalie sighed, shrugging and taking a seat in the chair. "Yes. I have scars. From an accident a long time ago."

"Oh. I see." Karma replied. "Shall we be off?"

"Yes, do you have a soldering tool? I'd like to work on my arm a little."

"There are tools and resuscitation equipment necessary for travel above you in the compartments." Karma explained, "Zenyatta insisted on having them in his travels. Help yourself!"

Natalie smiled now. "Thank you."

The engines roared to life and Natalie took a seat, sighing as she removed her coat and set it on the chair. She reached into the compartment and found a few tools necessary to work on her arm. She found a defibrillator and murmured thoughtfully, setting it aside for the moment.

O

During the trip, it was quiet in the ship as Natalie worked on soldering her arm. Karma had been quiet as well and it was only a moment before she inquired curiously.

"Would you like music?" she asked.

Natalie glanced up briefly before smiling thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind. Any classical American songs?"

"Oh, yes." Karma sounded pleased. "How partial are you to Fleetwood Mac?"

"Never heard of them. I'm more of an Elvis fan."

"Would you like to hear a song?"

Natalie saw no harm in it, so she nodded and the air was immediately filled with a pleasant beat. Natalie made a contented sound and began to tap her foot in time to it while she worked.

And it all comes down to you

Well, you know that it does, well

Lightning strikes maybe once, maybe twice

Oh and it lights up the night

And you see you're a gypsy

You see you're a gypsy…

Natalie glanced up at the console with a thoughtful note. "Who sings this?"

"Stevie Nicks." Karma answered. "When I was still an Omnic, I used to enjoy American music as well. I had a human friend who loved her."

"Oh. Wait..." Natalie tilted her head. "Wat bedoel jy?"

"My body was destroyed during the Omnic Crisis." Karma explained, "I was trying to save my friend from an explosion and I...couldn't be saved. So she devised a plan to save my mind and she placed it into her ship. This was the result."

Natalie furrowed her brow. "I'm so sorry."

"Mmm, it's alright." Karma replied, "I do get lonely sometimes, but it's nice when Zenyatta comes down from the monastery to talk to me. He's a good one. He told me about you as well."

"Ah." Natalie laughed a little, uncertain about just what Zenyatta had told her. She didn't ask, but resumed the work on her hand.

"What are you doing with that defibrillator, if you don't mind me asking?" It seemed Karma would not discuss the matter of Natalie and her history, and instead, was curious about Natalie soldering parts together on her hand.

"Well..." Natalie straightened where she sat a little. "Since my taser staff was lost in the fall, I thought I'd get a little creative." She smiled with pride and raised her hand, discharging a few snaps of electricity in her palm to emphasize her point.

"Oh my. So the infamous Toymaker of Talon lives up to her name." Karma chuckled.

Natalie's smile thinned and she lowered her hand.

"He says you're good - a friend to our kind," Karma continued, softer and hesitantly. "He has faith in you. He believes you will see the light."

Natalie sighed quietly through her nose. She said nothing, but her heart clenched tightly at the words from the machine.

"We will be arriving at your destination shortly, but I must warn you, I will need to land us away from the city."

Natalie looked troubled. "Why?"

"You were gone for a few days." Karma's voice was soft again, unsettled. "Things have changed after the incident in Numbani. The humans are afraid. Talks of a new Omnic Crisis is in the air. There have been so many deaths to Omnic kind thus far."

Natalie looked horrified.

O

The ship landed in a junkyard.

Natalie hesitantly stepped outside and Karma's voice piped up from the ship. "Natalie? Good luck."

She gave her a weak smile and a nod in return before walking out into the junkyard. She looked around, then made out the sounds of terrified cries. Frowning, she ducked behind an overturned car and peered through the broken glass, noticing three Omnics kneeling with their hands behind their heads and two human men armed with rifles standing behind them. One of them had a replacement leg.

"Please, we didn't do anything wrong!" one of the Omnics cried.

"Doesn't matter." the human said, with a malicious smile. "We heard about Numbani. You're a threat, plain and simple and our job is to round all of you up."

"No!" another Omnic pleaded.

The third had been oddly silent, staring at the wall. When he noticed Natalie, he reacted with a small grunt of surprise. She brought her finger to her lips, gesturing for him to stay silent. He nodded his head once.

"So, are you going to make this more fun for us?" the man with the replacement leg sneered.

Natalie crept up behind him and slapped the palm of her hand against his back. A charge of electricity surged through him and he shook uncontrollably with several loud, agonized cries. His friend turned, watching in shock as the man collapsed before he raised his gun to Natalie.

She grabbed it with a fierce snarl, twisting the muzzle with her metal hand enough that he was horrified, watching the sight of the weapon buckle in her grip. The Omnics watched as they fought one another; blows were exchanged before Natalie had the upper hand, wrapping her metal arm around his throat.

They thrashed around, Natalie refusing to release him. She pursed her lips with effort, looking away as she fought to keep her arm closed around his neck. In a swift jerk, she snapped it and he collapsed limply to the ground.

The Omnics continued to kneel there, stunned to silence. Natalie looked down at the men and then helped the Omnics stand.

"Are you okay?" she asked them.

One of the Omnics nodded. "Thank you. But why did you help us?"

"Because you needed it." Natalie said, frowning. "Now, tell me, what's been going on?"

"Ever since the attack in Numbani, humans have grown paranoid about our kind," the quiet Omnic had finally said, "Of course, this has never been anything new, but after that incident, Omnics have been dying."

"And my friend!" the last Omnic spoke now. He looked at Natalie, desperation in his voice. "He's hiding away in that warehouse!" He pointed toward a nearby building. "One of the humans went inside. He's unarmed. He's going to kill him!"

The unconscious man at Natalie's feet stirred with a groan. She glared down at him before stomping on his head with her heel. She looked up at the worried Omnic and then, to the warehouse.

"Don't worry. I'll find him for you." she assured him.

"You're crazy going in there by yourself!"

Natalie chuckled now. "I know."

O

She was quiet, holding her breath as she made her way through the warehouse.

The Omnics had told her the name of their friend - Enzo. He was blind and relied solely on sound around him to "see". He was nervous and easily frightened. Natalie would most likely have a difficult time trying to calm him when she found him.

"Alright, Enzo..." she whispered, to herself, "Where are you?"

She passed a nearby office, but ducked out of sight when she heard footsteps. She hid behind a scrapped car and noticed a man passing by a conveyor belt, armed with a rifle and looking around. He seemed tense, angry and certainly willing to shoot any Omnic in sight.

She could easily kill him, even without her toys. But the goal was to find Enzo first. She didn't want to risk his life any more than necessary.

Natalie crept her way into the office nearby, stepped into a hallway and looked up sharply at the sound of a whimper in a nearby conference room. She stepped into it, then ducked, narrowly missing the swing of a piece of metal near her face.

Enzo was standing there - an Omnic in a black coat and cargo pants with no optics, wielding the metal piece over his head. Several angry, frightened sounds escaped him.

"I won't go out without a fight!" he snarled.

"Wait, I'm a friend!" Natalie whispered, fiercely. "I won't hurt you."

Enzo lowered the metal piece slightly, confusion in his voice. "Wait, what? Who are you?"

"Your friends are outside hiding," Natalie explained, dropping her voice so the man hunting him wouldn't hear, "Come on. Let's get you to them before he finds you."

"I already have." The man stepped into the room with a sinister smile on his face, gun pointed at the Omnic at her side. "You really think I didn't hear you out there? Toymaker?"

Natalie raised her arm in front of Enzo and calmly regarded him. She thought about Zenyatta's words and thought about what it meant to do good again. She really wanted to give that a chance.

"They're dead, you know." she told him. "But you don't have to be next. You can go home to your family. This doesn't have to get ugly. You can leave the Omnics alone."

The man scowled, jerking the gun toward her. "No. Omnics are threatening us. Threatening humans. And you're seriously going to stand there and fight for them? They're not even fucking alive!"

"Let us leave and we will cause you no further trouble." Natalie was trying to be civil. But her patience was being tested and she thinned her lips.

"Vaffanculo." The man set his jaw, loaded the weapon with the fullest intent to use it. "I have no problems killing these things and their sympathizers if I have to! I know what's happened in Numbani! It will not happen here!" He hissed out his next word in Italian.

Natalie sighed, hung her shoulders. "I tried to be civil with you, I really did. Out of respect for the one who tried to help me see the light." she whispered, her voice shaking out of her. "But I see that there is no convincing you. Stom moroon." Her metal fist clenched tightly. "You get what you deserve."

He squeezed the trigger, but Natalie backhanded his weapon arm, feeling a surge of strength she'd never felt before. The sound of the weapon echoed in her ear, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.

She was afraid.

The sound stole the breath from her lungs, but she was fueled with a rush of adrenaline; Enzo was frantically pacing behind them, swinging the metal piece blindly in an effort to help her as she fought with the armed man. She grabbed his wrist that held the gun, her metal hands crushing the bones.

He screamed in pain, punched her in the mouth with his free hand. The weapon clattered to the floor and she jerked from the force of the punch, snarling with effort as her mouth shined with blood. Her metal leg kicked him in the abdomen, drawing a sharp cry from him and he doubled over.

It gave Natalie the perfect chance to throw her weight into him, knocking him to the floor so that she could shove her knee into his throat. He struggled and kicked his legs out and she watched him coldly as he tried hard to breathe. It was much more difficult to do this without her toys to finish it quickly.

But it was done when he slowly ceased his struggles and went limp beneath her.

Enzo was still shaking behind her, holding that metal piece in his hands. He dropped it with a gasp and Natalie wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, hissing sharply in pain before she rose. She reached out and took his hand.

"Come on. Let's go."