Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The room was dark with the only source of light being the small window with metal bars on the heavy metal door.

Fade was sitting in a corner as far away from that light as possible. She didn't want anyone seeing her and considering her situation she probably doesn't deserve the honor of light anywhere near her either.

Suddenly the metal door opened and in came the big boss man and the masked vault of secrets.

"Oh? What's this? Another interrogation I'm guessing?"

"Oh goodness no! Infact we have a proposition. If I were you I'd wanna hear it out"

Then the boss of the group. This large tall man in his 40s stepped up infront of her.

"After careful consideration we decided that we are recruiting you to join the team. During your stay with us you may look for whoever you're looking under out supervision. And no going behind anyone's back, got it?"

Fade looked behind the man where a figure with bright blue eyes was looking at her and giving her a slight nod of the head.

Fade looked up

"When do I start?"

She said that as a way of sounding confident, but that confidence started to waver once she was walking down the Valorant protocol halls. Walking wasn't the issue, not at all. The issue layed with the stares and eyes glaring at her. Some were full off fear, some with hatred and some with confusion and doubt. She could easly sense negative emotion and she wasn't a fan of it. 

The biggest issue with it all was the fact that these people is who she will be working with. People who she might have to entrust her life to. 

'If they won't trust me. I won't trust them. Team work goes both ways.'

That said, it still didn't feel nice or comftrable.

"Here we are. I look forward to working with you comrade!"

A slight smile of welcome showed on Sovas face. Besides Cypher and Brimstone, Sova was the only agent she managed to meet during her time in and our of her jail cell. Those three were also the only ones who didn't reek of fear or anything truly negative aimed towards her.

"This is my room?"

Fade asked carefully, looking at her personal agent card who was also her rooms entry permit.

"Yes. Brimstone had all your belongings brought into the room already. Besides you and Brimstone the only ones with access to this room are Sage and Skye with their medical permit incase of an emergency. You're welcome to decorate your room however you see fit, you will be notified of any mission that we shall send you on. Also we take turns cooking meals. It's all shown at the cafeteria doors. Any questions?"

"Yes. How come you're not afraid of me, after I....you know-?"

"If I were to face you on the battlefield then I might be a bit afraid but you're on my side, which is another strong ally that I can rely on and that isn't something I shall ever fear. Besides, there are way scarier things in the world than nightmares."

Fade was listening closely. Once Sova finished she both thanked him and wished him farewell with a simple nod, before opening the doors to her room with a simple card swipe.

The door swooshed open and revealed a dark windowless room full of dust and a few boxes.

Besides that there was a bathroom, a closet, a bed and a simple work desk. Basically the bare minimum. Fade was pleased with that.

She didn't have many belongings. A few books, a laptop, her favorite coffee mug, a wallet and clothes. It wasn't much but it was all she needed. Working as a bounty hunter wasn't easy. She traveled from place to place looking for him taking any odd jobs she could find. From body guard to assassin nothing was too low. The only jobs she didn't accept was murdering children. That was a low she was never going to cross. It's the only thing that kept her human in her mind. She slept in abandoned buildings or some run down inn, she wasnt particularly picky.

She liked the simplicity and darkness of the room, but the bedsheets weren't to her liking. She decided that she will go out and buy some dark colored bedsheets later in the week. For now she needs to get familiar with her new found "home". She checked the time over her phone 17:30. 

Fade sighed as she left the room in hopes of finding herself something to eat. She entered the cafeteria that was just around the corner to her left. As she was walking she was thinking if she should add some kind of soundproofing on her walls. Just in case if anything comes up, you can never be too careful.

Before entering Fade took a look at the previously mentioned cafeteria food schedule.

Breakfast 7:00-10:00 (7am-10am)

Lunch 12:00-16:00 (12pm-4pm)

Dinner 18:00-22:00 (6pm-10pm)

Reading further it stated the agents code name and which meal they're preparing. It seemed to be a job for 2 or even 3. Another thing to not look forward to. Luckly for her she just arrived and she wasn't written down for any days of the week. She would be lying if she said she wasn't relieved.

She then entered the almost empty cafeteria. Besides her there was Phoenix who was talking over the counter to Jett and Yoru who were arguing about the meal that they will be making. The idea behind agents preparing food without a menu is to try and get familiar with different cultures. Or so Fade guessed considering what was unfolding right infront of her. At the back of the room were Sova and Omen who were playing cards probably waiting for the food. It did smell quite nice which made Fade quite curious about today's menu. Not that she was picky.

She took a look around. There was a vending machine with snacks and spike energy drinks and in the kitchen there was a coffee machine. There was also a couch that was facing the TV which was connected to a console. Behind that there was a dart board. And under the coffee table there were some magazines and board games. On the other side of the wall to which the TV was bolted to was a sound proof room with a few beanbags and a big bookshelf full off books. Fade made sure to take note of that as she will be visiting it later.

She decided to approach Sova and Omen with a very simple question in mind. As she was walking through the room the 3 agents turned their heads giving her a look of caution as if they were ready to act the second she stepped out if line. She didn't mind it, infact she found it rather reasonable. 

Once she reached the table with Sova and Omen the three agents went back to their business and the other two agents looked up to face her.

"Hello there Fade. Need something?"

"Greetings" 

Is what she heard from Omen and as much as it suprised her she shit him a small smile and a nod.

"I was wondering if I can use that coffee machine over there"

She turned around facing the kitchen area as if she can see the machine through the wall.

"Yes. You're welcome to use it as you please. Infact everything here, unless belonging to someone else is yours to use. Now then. I answered you're question. How about you join us for a round?"

Fade looked over to Omen who nodded and gestured over to an empty chair next to him.

Fade sat down as she decided to join them for a few games of poker. The game had no bets or chips. It was just a game for good time and a silent competition for the best pokerface, which was pretty much tied.

Around 50min later there was a sound of a bell.

"FOODS UP! WHO'S HUNGRY?"

Jett yelled across the room grabbing everyone's attention. Fade didn't even notice but there were quite a few agents roaming the cafeteria. Omen and Sova got up to get their food. Fade stayed seated waiting for everyone to get their share. Or at least that was the plan, untill Sova turned around.

"Come. Let's eat"

Fade got up and followed Sova. Getting to the window she grabbed a plate and went through the options. It didn't seem as anything too special and the options weren't that big, probably because it was dinner. Fade decided on something light on the stomach. A bit of rice and omlette rolls. She didn't bother with seasonings, after all she's been living with 'Whatever is edible' mentality most of her life. 

SHe sat down next to Omen and Sova and they were all soon joined by Cypher.

"Hello there dream seer. How is the protocol so far? To your liking I hope?"

"It's been good. I have no complaints."

She didn't mind any of it. Infact she was suprised that she got what she did, she was expecting a room isolated from everyone else, cold and dark without any options of a ceiling light or decoration and maybe a chair and some boxes. Instead she git a fully equipped room which she was more than welcome to decorate to her liking. She was quite content with that, but the bonus she really enjoyed was the coffee machine option and the three warm meals a day, it was quite a luxury.

"That's good to hear. Now then, I wanted to let you know that the agents who were sent out have just returned from the mission. They don't know you're with us yet so you can expect a bit of an reaction"

Fade nodded in understanding and was prepared to take it all.

"No worries. We got you're back, you're our comrade after all. You can count on us"

"Thank you, but if possible I'd like to face it myself"

Sova smiled.

"I'd expect nothing else from my ally"

Speaking of the said agents must of had some magic with it because lo' and behold, the doors to the cafeteria opened showing Reyna Breach Sage and Neon entering the cafeteria. 

All four of them looked around and immdeatly noticed Fade. Sage didn't really pay her much mind, on the other hand Neons fear spiked as she grabbed onto Sages hand as they headed off to get some food. Reyna and Breach glared at her, Breach with hatred and Reyna with cation and warning. They stood there looking, then Reyna turned away and went after Sage to get some food. Breach on the other hand started fast walling with pure rage towards Fade.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS B**** DOING HERE??!!"

Everyone went quiet. Even the air was standing still and the tension was so tight you could cut it with a single touch of a butter knife. A couple of unexpected agents flinched, a few looked away or into their food and some were looking right at Fade. Fade felt anxious and started trembling. She didn't really have anxiety but glares stares and whispers from these people gave her some form of a panic attack. She could feel her heartbeat in her lungs and head. She took a deep breath and focused her attention on Breach. Calmly even if she was shaking. She wasn't scared but all this tension and people who all seemed to be turned against her made her anxious. She started hopping with her leg.

Then suddenly Omen touched her shoulder showing her she's not alone. Sova stood up.

"Why wouldn't she be? She was invited to join us and is now a part of the Valorant protocol"

"WHAT? WHO LET HER IN?"

Cypher then stood up.

"That my friend. Would be me with permission of Brimstone ofcourse"

"HAVE YOU GONE INSANE? THIS B**** IS CRAZY! SHE'LL KILL US ALL FO F***S SAKE!"

"Calm down brother. She's part of the team. We need to learn to trust her so she can trust us. We need to work together. I'm sure once we get to know her it won't be so bad"

"OH YEAH AND WHO SAYS THAT? HOW CAN YOU HE SO SURE?!"

Breach got mad and slammed his arms on the table sweeping away all the food left on Fades plate shattering the plate itself.

"I trust my instincts more than my eyes. If I'm wrong then you can come to me. But for now calm down, nothing will come from what you're doing now. Even if you are angry."

Breach took a deep breath and anger turned into suspicion and hatred as he looked at Fade.

"Fine. But ONE miss step and I'll kill you myself. Are we clear?"

Fade look him in the eyes.

"Crystal."

"Good. And clean this shit up!"

He kicked the broken plate on the ground and walked away to get some food. After that some whispers started swirling around the room and eventually they went back into their usual chatter.

Fade crouched down to pick up the plate. Her hands were still shaking as she was picking it all up, which caused her to cut herself. She winced but ignored it.

Sova stood up to approach her. Before he could see her cut, she quickly hid her hand into her pocket.

"No need to clean it by hand. We have a bot for that. We will clean it up later. Go get some more food from the window."

"It's fine. I'm not hungry. I'll pick myself something from the vending machine"

"I understand. Just make sure to eat a proper meal tomorrow."

Fade nodded as she left the cafeteria.

She was about to enter her room when someone stopped her infront of her door.

"Fade. Could I please have a moment?"

Fade looked over her shoulder with both if her hands in her pocket. It was Sage.

"Oh? Did you come here to yell at me?"

"No. Give me your hand"

Fade took her left hand out of her pockets

"The other hand"

Fade slightly rolled her eyes knowing her secret was out. Even though it wasn't anything big it was still annoying.

"It's just a cut but it's pretty deep. Let's go into the medical ward so I can treat it. I don't need radiance for it but it's still better to patch it up"

Fade nodded.

As they walked past the cafeteria there was a purple figure leaning on the cafeterias door frame, glaring at Fade with Jealousy and another warning for Fade.

Fade put her head down to not anger the 'Empress' and walked past her with Sage.

Once they arrived Fade sat down at the medical table on the chair as she waited for Sage to come back with a medkit.

Once Sage returned she started asking Fade a few questions.

"Fade. Why did you try to cover this up? Honestly I was lucky to have noticed otherwise I'm not sure if it would be treated properly"

"My room is equipped with a medkit. I'm sure I'd be fine"

"That's true. However, I want you to place at least a bit of trust in me. In us."

Fade looked away as Sage put a bandaid on Fades index finger. Once she was done Fade stood up.

"Sorry. But could you wait a little longer? I have a few questions"

Fade sighed and sat down.

"As you were picking up the broken pieces you were shaking quite frantically which is why you cut yourself right?"

Fade was silent which gave Sage the answer.

"I don't want to push you into telling me anything you don't want to, but from my perspective it seemed like a mild panic attack. That's not good, so I will give you these"

Sage pulled out a small bottle from her pocket, which Fade quickly scanned over with her eyes and then raised her eyebrow.

"They're pills to help with anxiety and mild panic attacks like yours. They help stabilize your breathing and help slow down your heart in attempt to put it into its normal beating pace. Make sure to take them in these situation. Have at least one pill and some water on you at all times. You can only take two per day and DO NOT take them while feeling completly normal as it can be lethal. There's 30 pills in here. If you need more talk to me. All the instructions are written on the bottle."

Saying that she handed the bottle over to Fade who put it into her left pocket, as her right one was stained with her blood.

"Is that all?"

"Yes. For now. Make sure to change you're bandaid before sleeping and once you wake up. If bleeding by then doesn't stop, then come see me."

"Got it. Have a good night"

"Yes you too Fade. Take care"

Fade left into the dark hallway and disappeared with the shadow. After her entered another person who had her purple glowing eyes set on someone.

Fade entered her room and set the bottle of pills down on her desk throwing herself into her bed. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. She opened them again after a few minutes and immediately got up. She checked the time. 19:30. 

She went into her closet and put on a hoodie. She opened the top drawer on her desk and took out a small box taking out a cigarette and a lighter, then leaving the her room and taking the hallway to her left. After walking past some rooms, all the way at the end of the hallway there were a set of stair which led to the rooftop. The roof top  was split into half with one half having a roof and glass walls and the other half having ¼ of it covered with a roof and surrounded with railing. There was a table there with a few chairs and an ash tray. The one showing her around protocol was Sova who was kind enough to show her the way to the roof where she could have some time to herself.

She lit her cigarette and took a smoke when she sensed someone coming up the stairs. She turned around as the glass doors opened, finding Viper standing behind her with a box of cigarettes in hand. Looking at the box they were light ones which Fade used to use when she was a teen. But now? Let's just say she didn't find them fulfilling.

"Didn't think I'd find someone here. What brings you around?"

Viper wasn't afraid of her but she didn't like her either, which made sense because she didn't like anyone in the protocol. At least considering Fades current read on Vipers feelings.

"Stressful evening. You? I don't believe I saw you I'm the cafeteria?"

"I have my good delivered to my room. I'm usually there at my lab. As for my business here. Isn't it obvious?"

Fade raised her eyebrow knowing full well that the answer she got was the only thing she was gonna get out if her.

Viper took out a lighter but it didn't want to work. It was probably out of gas. Without a word Fade raised her lighter willing to lend it to a fellow smoker.

"Thank you"

Fade blew out the smoke.

"Don't mention it"

Viper lit up her cigarette and handed the lighter back to Fade.

"I see you have the light type. Which ones are these?"

"Marlboro Silver"

"I used to have those. But eventually they weren't enough. I stuck to the brand but I have Reds now."

"I see. Honestly I'm thinking of quitting all together. Though they're light, they're still a form of lung poison. I used to have Reds aswell. I guess you went to strong and I'm starting to quit."

"Shows we are all different."

"Hmp. Maybe, though I believe you might get rid of those yourself...at some point"

"You may be right. But for right now. It's all I've got"

That said Fade left the chemist by herself as she returned to her room. As the doors closed behind her she layed down on her bed. 

She didn't bother with the bandaid or a shower. She just closed her eyes covering them with her arm.

"I guess this is where my nightmare begins.."

Chapter Text

Fade slowly opened her eyes and immideatly checked the time which read 7:30 on the dot. She looked at her phones battery which was almost empty and clearly on life support. Fade forgot to charge it last night.

She groaned as she got up. She put her phone to charge. She looked towards the bathroom doors and then looked at her clothes.

'I've got a shower, might aswell use it...'

Fade didn't really want to smell like cigarettes walking out of her room, knowing other agents might have a little something extra to dislike about her, if she does. Not that she was particularly bothered but she prefered staying out of the spotlight no matter the reason for it being turned to her.

Before doing anything else however she took off the bandaid and it wasn't looking too good it was full off blood and though the bleeding did stop it seemed like any slight move of hand might re-open the wound. That said she either has to hide it or go to Sage and neither seemed like the best option at the moment, and all because if some 'paper' cut.

It was the beginning of spring so it was still pretty chilly. That said she wasn't gonna walk around the protocol in her work uniform at all times. She put on a black jacket with red eyes on the back aswell as black sweatpants. Not particularly trendy or anything but she's no fashion fanatic so it didn't really matter. 

Before leaving the room a quick flashback from yesterday evening hit her. She didn't want a repeat of what happened, but she wanted to listen to Sovas advice and get at least something to eat, make the trip quick and easy. That said she took a deep breath not knowing what to expect, with one simple goal in mind. Get some food to start the day.

Entering the cafeteria which was full of agents, Fade decided to ignore everyone as she headed to the food window. There she was met with a friendly aussie who was eating her plate of food at the counter leaning back on the kitchen counter.

"G'day there mate! Don't believe we've met?"

"Right..good morning, call me Fade"

"Pleasure to meet ya! I'm Skye, if you need medical help or just a nature enjoying buddy, hit me up yeah?"

"Right..."

Fade looked around, once again eyeing that same coffee machine, which Skye easly picked up on.

"A coffee gal eh? No worries I got you"

Skye grabbed a plain white coffee mug and started on some coffee which was ready in a minute. 

"Here ya go mate. Enjoy your coffee!"

"Oh- thanks"

"No worries, us girls gotta help each other out no? Especially the new ones"

Fade was gonna say something to try and keep the conversation going, but that was quickly inturrupted by Breach who purposely bumped Fades back with her mechanical elbow, making her spill of some hot coffe over her injured finger. Fade didn't put another bandaid on since she was gonna go see Sage anyway, and it's not like she knew Breach was gonna be a total asshole.

"Sorry didn't see ya there freak. You know Skye, you shouldn't talk to someone like her, let alone trust her. Just a warning"

"I'll talk and trust who I want thanks. No buzz off before I get my trailblazer on your ass"

Skye quickly and coldly desposed of Breaches presence and quickly attending to Fades injury. Fade put down the coffee mug in order to not spill anymore. 

"Give me your hand. Let me see."

Skye grabbed Fades wrist and inspected the wound.

"This doesn't look too good. Come with me, I'm no Sage but I can take care of something like this for ya! But the medical ward is more suited for these things"

She let go of Fades hand and grabbed Fades coffee instead, leaving her half eaten meal on the kitchen counter quickly leading Fade to the medical ward. 

'I think I just earned the rewards of the most medical ward visits in the first 2 days on the job. Good job me.'

Fade once again sat down on the already familiar chair extending her arm towards Skye who was sitting right infront of her. Skye pulled out some kind of green glowing lights and quickly spread them between the palms of her hands, which increased their glow and healed her wound, while also lighting up the entire room with this light green refreshing glow. It felt rather relaxing.

"There ya go mate. All patched up!"

"Thank you, again"

"Don't mention it. Also sorry about Breach, he's an asshole but he can be a good partner to work with on the field"

"I...have my doubts"

"Fair enough. Now then. Let's head back, you should really get a meal in"

Fade nodded picking up the coffee mug from which she has yet to take a single sip from and finally took yhe first sip of her morning coffee. That made her content. Skye was about to open the door to leave when they suddenly swooshed open right infront of her, revealing Sage.

"Oh- Skye, not everyday I see you here. What brings you by?"

"Yes, about that. The easiest way to explain is that Breach isn't the nicest of the bunch"

Sage looked at her a little confused, then as she peeked past Skyes shoulder she saw Fade who was holding a cup of coffee, probably getting ready to leave. The mug was dirty from what seemed like a spill, that and considering what Skye had just told her, Sage put the puzzle together fairly easly. 

"I see. No need to explain further thought..."

"Though?"

"Could I ask for you to also bring me some coffee? With a bit of cream of course"

Skye chuckled.

"Not a problem Sage. I'll see you in a little bit then!"

Skye left and Fade quickly followed. They made their way to the cafeteria where Skye started preparing some more coffee for the fellow healer.

"Skye. Quick question"

"Hm?"

"Could I take this mug to my room"

"Sure, but make sure you return the mug before dinner"

"Will do"

That said Fade left for the vending machine, where she got a power bar, before she left for her room.

Skye looked back just to see the door close as Fade left.

"That girl...she forgot to eat"

Fade was in her room. She put the power bar onto the desk sitting down on the chair slowly sipping her coffee. She was leaning back in her chair thinking what she should do now. She wasn't particularly hungry but picked up the power bar incase of emergency.

She sighed once again picking up a cigarette and the lighter, heading up to the roof once more. This time when she arrived there was noone there. She leaned onto the railing, sipping her coffee and slowly smoking her morning away. She had to wonder what was she even doing here. So far she's caused nothing but trouble. She would be better off in jail or dead. It's better than being stared down by everyone and having her meals ruined. The time at the rooftop was the most peacful one thus far so she really enjoyed her time alone. Finishing her smoke aswell as her coffe, she decided to stay and just stare into the distance a while longer, which was quickly inturrupted by a Mexican agent who, with a stern voice, told her to get to the meeting room asap. Fade sighed, pushing herself off the rails, making her way back.

She was the last one to arrive into the room that had 5 people waiting for her; Brimstone, Sage, Reyna, Neon and Viper.

"Took you long enough"

The purple eyed agents just could keep her mouth shut.

Fade ignored her and quickly sat down at one of the empty seats.

"I see we're all here. Perfect. Today I will sending you bunch to a mission, and I want no complaints. This will be Fades first mission so I expect you all to be good seniors and lead her as you go"

Sage nodded, Neon was leaning back into her chair being nonchalant about it all while Reyna and Viper didn't really care for that much.

"Khm. You will be sent to Rabat Morocco, code name Bind. We are expecting the Omega earth's invasion aswell as a plan to steal out radianite. Your mission is to prevent to plant of the spike or if necessary defuse it and return safely back to base. Any questions?"

"Good. Good luck on your mission. Dismissed"

Neon quickly left to get in gear and head off as quickly as possible with Viper going out right after her. As Fade was leaving Sagd caught up to her and started asking her question about her thoughts in the first mission and Fades general condition since last evening. Reyna watched as they left the room together which made her jealous and above all else, quite mad. She took a deep breath and slowly left the room.

Fades first mission. She didn't think of it as anything else but another job, just like the ones she had taken ok previously. The only differences now are 1. She's saving the whole world this time and 2. It was a team effort.

She quickly got in gear and put her phone into the inside pocket of her jacket. She didn't want any distractions, but she needed it for proper communication and location sharing. She took a deep breath to clear her mind and left the room heading for the vulture who was already waiting for them. The first one there was Neon, no surprises. She looked around a bit and found out Reyna and Sage weren't there yet. Kay/o was already set to get them to their destination. She boarded the vulture and sat down as far away from Beon as possible. Though she was trying to hide it, Neon reaked of fear and discomfort, which in terms made Fade uneasy.

Fade sighed.

"I know it's not east to work with someone like me, but let's try to get along just for today alright? I don't want anyone getting hurt"

Those words suprised Neon. She didn't expect anything to come out of Fades mouth but even though it did, it didn't seem hostile. Neon was still scared if her but this made it all a but easier on her.

"Yea. Ok."

It was a simple yet cold answer but Fade wasn't expecting anything less.

There was nothing but silence when Sage and Reyna finally showed up.

"Everyone ready? Prepare for take off"

And off they went, towards Fades 1st mission.

Chapter Text

They landed on the area code name Bind and split into 2 groups Viper and Sage would cover B while Reyna Neon and Fade would cover A. However Reyna refused to work on the same field as Fade insisting they don't need a 3rd person there.

"Reyna. I don't have time for your childish schemes. We went through this during the flight. No complaints will be accepted"

"Viper. I understand where you are coming from, but if Reyna wants to go with Viper then I'll go with Fade and Neon"

"No! Let's just go with 3 on B site. It's too late to alter the plan that much. Neon, Fade. You'll be on your own. If anything happens use your communications devices. Got it?"

Fade and Neon nodded and headed towards A site while the other 3 split onto B site. Fade took position in the little room called 'Lamps' while Neon took positions behind the stacked radianite boxes that were located in the middle of the site.

'We are in position. Any info?'

Neon waited for a response, but it was all pointless. All she could hear from the others was static.

"Fade! My communication doesn't work! You got anything?!"

"No! Mine also doesn't seem to be working!"

"Shit..."

Neon took up her vandal slowly peeking from behind the boxes but everything seemed empty, so she decided to move towards Fade, joining her in lamps.

"Alright. Fade can you give us some info?"

Fade nodded throwing her haunt from behind the wall onto the roof of the building revealing 5 enemies.

"I got all 5 of them...shit..."

"We need to come up with something fast. Otherwise we're screwed....Fade listen. If they're all here then I need you to try and stall them. I'm going around to try and catch them off guard. We probably can't count on backup and there's no time to go look for them"

"Alright. Good luck"

Neon nodded and quickly bolted through lamps, past the stacked boxes and slid into the building across from them, slowly making her way behind the enemy lines. In the meantime Fade released her prowler onto the enemies, paralyzing them with fear, then throwing a ball of nightmares and throwing it at their feet catching them all in a bind of nightmares.

Peeking out of the corner she managed to shoot down the enemy Reyna and Omen before getting shot at by enemy Sova and Chamber. She quickly hid behind the wall and then attempted to re-postion through lamps. Peeking from behind the singular radiante box she was quickly spotted by chamber who instantly tried to shoot her head off. She quickly went back and retreated in an attempt to get the high ground. "Where the hell is Neon?"

Neon on the other hand had a problem. There was Chambers robot just waiting for Neon to step into it. She needed Fade to do something about the man in a suit before Neon could help her, but there was no way to tell her that. They were both in the dark.

'If Neons not here, that could only mean she was either shot dead or ran into some kind of trouble...I'm on my own for now...'

On B site.

"Do we have any info coming in?"

"Not from my end"

"I've also got nothing"

All three if the agents were thinking the same thing. Something went wrong. They either got false information, or their lines of communication got cut off by something.

"I'll try to contact HQ, you guys stay close, if you hear anything stay put untill I come back and eliminate any threat. If you get word from the other two that they need back up, move out immideatly"

"Roger that"

Fade was in a tight spot. She tried to catch them off guard but got scanned by Sovas dart revealing her location. She didn't know where their 5th agents is but she knee they must be close to the other two or they're the reason the signal is jammed.

Fade went back down once she heard the spike being planted. The sound of beeping filled her ears as her anxiety spiked knowing there's only so much time she has left. She released her second prowler into lamps where she caught chamber which blinded him with fear. She instantly went in and threw her knife into his troath which would hopefully keep her location a secret for at least a bit longer. She then slowly took cover behind the stacked radianite boxes and threw her haunt revealing Sovas location once more. She made her way next to the wall attempting to get him out of he picture, but she was spotted. As he aimed her gun at her a pair of hand glowing a bright blue and yellow color grabbed him by the neck, zapping him dead. Fade put down her vandal.

"Took you long enough"

"Heros are always late to the party-"

Before saying anything else Fade quickly pushed Neon flat on the ground as a bullet flew right above their heads. She took up her vandal and shot the enemy Neon right into her head.

"That's 5..."

"That's cool and all but get off me!"

Fade instantly got up and ran off to defuse the spike. During this time the communication line was restored.

"Hello? Can you hear me? Fade? Neon?"

"Yes. Neon here, Fade is on the defuse the enemies were eliminated. I'm guessing the enemy Neon tempered with our communications line"

"Ok. We're on our way. Any injuries?"

"None to report"

"Alright. Stay on standby as we regroup"

"Roger that"

As she said that the sped up beeping stopped.

"Spike defused"

"Good. Also, I hope you don't think that we are all buddy-buddy because of this mission. I'll tolerate you but by no means do I trust you or consider us friends. Got it? I don't like you. And I trust you even less"

"And yet me trusting you is what got us this victory"

"You can trust me if u want, but I don't trust you. And I never will"

This mission ended in success and the agents managed to safely return back to the protocol. The ride back was quiet without any comments or glares, just silence.

Once they landed they had to head to the medical ward for a check-up incase of any injuries or other potential problems. Sadly for them their return time was just at the end of lunch so they'll be hungry for another 2 hours.

'Just my luck...'

that said they all went to the medical ward for an inspection. Sage got checked on by Skye who then checked Neon while Sage checked Reyna. As Skye left it was Fades turn. Fade sat down on the medical bed.

"I'll need you to take off your shirt, shoes and pants"

Fade sighed at the ammount of uncomftrable she is about to experience, but she did what she was told without complaints. Sage took a look and found no fresh wounds. She then checked her breathing and pulse. All seemed normal.

"Alright. You may get dressed"

Fade got up from the chair and put on her clothes once again, while putting on her shoes Sage started asking questions again.

"How are the pills?"

"Didn't need to use them yet. But I have at least one on me at all times"

That was a lie, but she wasn't about to get Sage to ask more questions or scold her.

"Good. How about your meals? I hole they're to you're liking. I don't recall you being present at breakfast?"

"I took the food to my room. I didn't wanna be bothered. That is ok to do right?"

"Yes. I'm glad you're eating after that whole incident. I also heard Skye got to your injury before anything worse could happen, so there's nothing else for me to check up or worry about. You're free to go"

"Thank you"

Fade got up and left. She passed the cafeteria when someone started following her all the way to her room. 

"You can stop with the tailing. What do you want?"

A purple figure came up to her and something told Fade this wasn't going to be a good thing, maybe it was the fact that there was blood lust was reeking off of her, but she wasn't quite sure.

She was about to grab her card and just go into her room but Reyna grabbed her wrist and squizzed it untill Fade dropped the card on the floor. Reyna then grabbed Fade by the neck and slammed her head onto the metal door. Before saying anything she got as close to Fade as possible, staring her directly into her eyes.

"Listen and you listen carefully. Ling Ying is mine. Don't even think about getting close or hurting her. You try anything and youre as good as dead. Got it?"

"How romantic...yes, I got it. And if it's any help, I'm not really interested"

"Good. Let it stay that way or I'm coming for your soul"

That said Reyna showed Fades head into the door one more time before leaving.

"What a kind soul"

Fade picked her card and went into her room. It was quiet and dark just as she liked it. She touched the marks on her neck that Reyna had left after their little encounter. She got up to take a shower and after getting changed checked the time. 18:02 (06:02pm).

"I don't feel like it...."

Fade layed down on her bed closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Quick rewind.

Neon was heading off to the cafeteria a bit early to snag some of Skyes cooking, to her it was the best, when she suddenly heard a loud noise as if someone slammed against a metal wall or something. She quietly sneaked towards the source of the noise, she slowly peeked around the corner just to see Reyna holding Fade against a metal door, holding her by the neck. If it wasn't for that Neon would of have gotten the wrong idea. She listened to the conversation carefully. She already knew Reyna to be possessive but that was something else. She took a look once more just to find Reyna shoving Fade into the door once more.

Neon quickly went into the cafeteria before getting caught by the merciless woman that looked like was out for blood. 

'I wasn't imagining it right? Fade had blood coming from her neck...that's not good..well I guess it doesn't really matter. She'll figure it out. But sheesh..wouldn't wanna get on Reynas bad side that's for sure. Good luck to you Fade, you're screwed'

Chapter Text

Fade woke up a lot less stressed than the past few days.

'I released a lot of my nightmare on that mission...good. that should keep it quiet for a while'

she didn't bother checking the time. She had a day off of work. Being a new agents has its perks, like less missions, no cooking duty, no cleaning duty and less free time. The bad part of it all is the fact she gets a lot of attention from others...the negative kind so she also can't use the range which is commonly occupied.

She got up and took the power bar from the desk which was waiting for her since yesterday. Nice breakfast. She changed into something casual. Tech wear black pants and a hoodie which had the logo resembling her haunt on the left side. It was costum made to her liking and her favourite. She put on some black sneakers and a fanny pack she didn't know she would ever need and put her wallet aswell as her Valorant ID, lighter and a pack of cigarettes in it, then strapped it around her shoulder and her waist.

She grabbed her phone and slid it into the pockets on her pants and then left her room. She went towards Brimstones office. She was allowed to leave the protocol on her days off, but had to report to Brimstone where, when and for how long she's leaving. She stopped at the door to Brimstones office knocking 3 times.

"Come in!"

Fade entered and stepped infront of Brimstones desk.

"I'm going out. I'll be back before ten, that alright?"

"You successfully finished one of the missions you were given so I have no reason not to trust you. You're good to go but make sure you have your location on incase anything happens and keep your phone on incase of an emergency. Got it?"

Fade nodded.

"Good. Dissmised. Enjoy your day off"

Brimstone slid her motorbike keys across the table.

"Thank you"

Fade took the keys and left the room closing the door behind her and with quick steps left the protocol. Finally some freedom.

She went into town where her first stop was a bank to exchange currency from Turkish lira to US dollars. She didn't empty her bank account ofcourse but she needed some actual money, not all places take card.

She stored the money into her wallet and headed off to a pastry shop she saw online. It wasn't very big or busy. Just a small Café/pastry shop in the corner of a street, small and cozy. But thats not why she went there specifically. She went to that specific café because of a cat that they had there called Wiskers. He was a friendly cat who loved receiving pats from costumers and was the Cafés mascot. Fade sat down outside and ordered a double espresso and a chocolate croissant. The doors weren't open but they had a small door at the bottom of the entrance for Wiskers who happily came and sat down on Fades lap. She never visited that café but she loved cats. She grew up in Istanbul so she grew up surrounded by cats so she fell in love with them.

Once her coffee arrived she asked for an ash tray which was brought to her fairly quickly. She lit up her morning cigarette and enjoyed her coffee croissant. She didn't have much of a sweet tooth but she needed some source of energy.

Once finished she slowly placed Wiskers down and left 10$ (tip included) on the table and made her way to the city center. The problem was gonna be finding a parking place for her motorbike. She stopped by a biker bar and left it there figured it will 'blend in'. She took off her helmet and put it into the bikes small trunk.

She didn't have any particular plans for today so she was just going to take a quick stroll and see where it takes her. She would dig for information on him, but clubs with the shady folk that might know something don't open until later hours plus her trail went cold and as of now the protocol is her best bet of finding something out, worrying about it won't get her anywhere.

As she was walking she went past a billboard for an aquarium. 

'An aquarium? Here? Hm. Interesting...could be fun'

She opened her phone and looked it up. It was open and from the picture it seemed quite big too. She started making her way towards the address displayed on her phone. She entered the building and was greeted by a young woman.

"One ticket please"

With that she got in and started looking around. There were many types of Jellyfish going from the harmless little ones all the way to the deadliest. There were so many different kinds of fish and under the artificial light they looked like they were glowing, she was mesmerized. She made her way through a tunnel made of glass and saw a bunch of sharks and each of them were presented on the wooden boards which talked about fun facts about each species and their description. She really liked Lemon sharks and found the hammerhead shark quite amusing. And near the end there was a large tank that was open on the top and inside that one was a friendly little guy that was named "Martin". It was a beluga whale and luckly for Fade the little guy got fairly close and she managed to get a good picture with him. At the end of it all she stepped outside where they would show dolphin tricks during summer at specific hours. Sadly today there was gonna be none of that, but she decided to take a look at the place anyway, out of curiosity as to how that looks.

"Hello there!"

Fade jumped at the sudden greeting. She turned around and saw a young girl dressed in a working uniform.

"You know dolphin shows are only during summer right?"

"I do, I just wanted to take a look at the stadium"

The girl chuckled.

"I see, well. I'm Maria! I take care of the dolphins, thought I can't give you a show right now...."

Maria looked around and got a little closer to Fade and whispered.

"Follow me but keep this a secret k?"

She grabbed Fades hand and led her to the back stage where the dolphins were.

"Raphael! Mirabel! Come here!"

She dipped her hand into the water and the two dolphins came swimming. She quickly fed them some fish she had in a nearby bucket. Then she quickly washed her hand in the pool of water.

"Give me your hand!"

She grabbed Fades hand and placed it against one of the dolphins heads.

"Here!"

Fade pat the dolphin which raised its head against her hand.

"Wow...I had a feeling they might like you but I didn't think they would right away"

Soon after the dolphins both swam away and jumped out of the pool a few times.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I don't know...just had a feeling you needed it. Just don't tell anyone please! I'm gonna get in loads of trouble if you do"

"I won't. Promise"

"Awesome, thanks! Let's head back now"

Following Maria Fade went back to the aquarium making sure noone saw them.

"Thanks for the show"

"Not a problem! Hope to see you again soon!"

Fade waved her off and slowly made her way out of the aquarium. Once she left she turned on her phone and took a look at some of the pictures. 

'This was quite nice...better than a jail cell for sure'

She checked the time 13:30 (01:30pm). She thought about it for a second and decided she should get some actual food into her system. She hasnt eaten properly since getting out of that cell.

She made her way to the nearest restaurant that had an offer of multiple cuisines and sat down. She wasn't sitting long when another figure entered and sat across from her.

The girl infront of her was wearing jeans and a purple jacket with a weird hairstyle and dark skin color.

"Heya there! Quick question are you the newbie from the protocol?"

Her accent was strange.

"Who are you?"

"Ah right. Sorry about that"

She pulled out a Valorant ID showing the name Astra.

"Yes. I'm Fade"

"Well it's nice to meet you Fade! I've heard you have trouble getting familiar. Some nasty rumors running around and I've gotta say girl I ain't buying any of it so I came here to see for myself"

"I see...well since you're here how about I treat you to a meal?"

"Are you sure? We haven't exactly known each other for long"

"That is true, but if I wanna prove some of those rumors wrong, I gotta start somewhere"

"Haha! Challe I like your style!"

That said Fade decided to have a meal with this strange Valorant agent called Astra. She was a fairly layed back person and quite nice to talk to. As much as she was different her personality reminded her a little of Skye.

After her quick meal she decided she should go and take a look at some room decor and new bed sheets.

First thing she went to look for was some soundproofing foam that she was planning to stick around her room, as she highly values her privacy which includes her thoughts that she may say aloud from time to time and she wasn't a big fan of sharing something that isn't ment to be heard. 

Right after that she started looking for pitch black bedsheets but she will settle for any dark color. She looked around and found black bedsheets with red and gray striped at the bottom and decided to get 3 sets to swap between. She was thinking what else she might want to get but remembered just how little her motorbike can actually hold. 

She made her way back and stuffed everything she could into the trunk. She was able to fit a set of bedsheets and the soundproofing foam. She was thinking for a moment and then decided to head back to the store to get some rope which she used to tie the other two sets to the fron of the trunk and made it look like a thick cushioned biker seat.

She quickly checked the time and realised she took a lot of time to do her shopping realizing just how picky she can truly be. The time was showing 18:23 (06:23pm).

She started making her way back and arrived back just in time to catch the last of the dinner, but she couldn't care less about that. When she got to the garage she rang the ball to Brimstones office.

"Brimstone, it's me Fade, I'm back from my trip"

"Alright. Leave the keys on the key hangers yours has a name on it"

"Got it"

That said the doors opened and she made her way in parking her motorbike like a pro and leaving her key on one of the key hangers that had the name "Fade" above it. She left the helmet on the seat and took all her things back into her room.. first she took off her fannypack and put it on her desk and started installing the foam with the supplies she bought with it. It took her a good 40min but she finished. She put her newly bought bedsheets to wash hoping to get them back as soon as possible. The white sheets were making her eyes hurt.

She took a shower and changed into her plain black shirt and dark gray pajamas. She put her phone to charge and layed down on her bed staring at the ceiling thinking about today, the Protocol and him.

Eventually she drifted into sleep.

Chapter Text

Fade woke up in a dark hallway filled with fears and words of the people from her past and present, filled with cries of the people she cared about. Her breathing became shallow and fast paced as she started running hoping to reach the end but as she saw the edge of it all something grabbed her foot and started dragging her down into the endless screams and black sludge. She tried fighting back and take another step or find something to hold on to, but she was grabbing nothing but air untill she was eventually swallow up whole into the ground.

The screams and cries where everywhere, cries of children and screams of the people who she once held close to her. Her fear of losing others whom she cared deeply about ran deep so she's always distancing herself and even so that same dream is haunting her, hunting her likes its the predator and she's the prey. 

Her nightmare power grows strong the more fear and negative emotions it devours from the people around her. She can release that power on her enemies as she pleases. However if the 'cup' overflows she can't control it and a good sign of that happening is that same dream she was having that very moment.

'But how? I released ut all on my mission so why WHY IS HE HERE?'

The figure infront of her smiled at her, grabbed her hand and melted into a pool of blood which stained her hands, face and feet. Fade fell on her knees seeing her reflection the voices around her were calling out to her with one word on repeat. Murderer. The voices became louder and clearer making her feel like her head was about to explode untill...

She woke up, eyes shooting open getting up, fast paced shallow breathing and drenched in cold sweat she was looking around relieved that she was awake, when she heard banging on the door. She took a deep breath. She got up and with shaky hands took up the pill bottle Sage had given her. She walked up to the door as the bangs got louder, faster and that much more obnoxious which made her throbing headache even worse.

She opened the door seeing Reyna with her arm up, hand clenched into a fist.

"What do you want?"

"Emergancy summons. Get dressed and get your ass to the briefing room fast. We don't have all day"

That said she turned around and left with light steps and slow steps.

Fade closed the door and headed off to the bathroom. She had no time to shower. She put on her work clothes and quickly took one of the pills from.the bottle drinking it down. She took her phone from the charger and took a look at the time 3:23 (am). She didn't question it and made her way to the briefing room.

Fade was about to open the door when she saw Jett come from behind her in record speed.

"Ha! Too slow!"

Fade rolled her eyes and entered after Jett. In the room sitting were Reyna, Cypher and Brimstone.

"Took you long enough. Especially you- Jett..."

"I'm sorry but I really CANNOT be bothered this EARLY. Do you even SLEEP?"

Brimstone broke their interaction off before it could escalate by clearing his throat.

"Now, since we're all here. We don't have any solid information, however we believe that the Omega agents are attempting to obtain information about radiante transportation and potentially sabotage it. Your mission is to provide cover while Cypher prevents the information from being leaked and setting up a new defensive barrier against them. This wouldn't be a problem if we could do that from the protocol directly. Sadly this is sensitive information stored at one of Kingdoms radio stations located in Canada. Your job is to get to that tower and protect the Intel. During this process Cyphers location will be exposed. And like stated previously you have to protect Cypher while he does his thing, that's why you Reyna and Jett are here.  Fade, you will provide cover from afar and collect information about enemies whereabouts. We would deploy Sova but he's currently working on information gathering over in Russia. Any questions?"

Brimstone was met with silence.

"Alright. You need to work fast. Dissmissed."

All the agents immediately left the room and headed off to the vulture where their weapons were already waiting for them. This time Fade got to use a sniper they called Masrshal. It was quick and fairly light compared to the bigger heavy sniper. Fade wasn't huge on weapons such as snipers but she could make them work. Cypher and Reyna took the wheel and they left the protocol in possibly record time.

They landed right next to the radio tower and Cypher immediately got to work plugging his computer and another device into the system, and the second it was all set up, started pressing what seemed like random buttons on the keyboard. 

Fade took position on the top of the tower looking for any signs of movement.

"Damn it's cold..."

Looking around she relayed any kind of findings to her teammates which responded according to the situation. It wasn't anything major though, mostly just wild animals wondering about, so most of the time her call-out was "No enemy sightings thus far", until she saw enemy Omen approaching. He used shadows as cover making him difficult to spot, but that didn't really matter. Behind him followed Omega Sova.

"Enemy spotted approaching from the front one is on the right and the other is around 10-15m to the left from the first one. We have Omega Omen and Sova"

Reyna and Jett took positions behind a barrier Madd of metal.

"In position"

Fade took a look through her sniper scope scanning for enemies precise location.

'Behind the rock on Jetts left is Omen. Sova is currently on standby. He's carrying an...Operator? CYPHER GET DOWN!"

Cypher immideatly layed down flat on his stomach as a bullet flew right above his head hitting one of the radio towers servers.

"Thanks for the call. I'm almost done here"

While Cypher was saying his Thanks Fade was already on Sova shooting into the direction of his head, but that dream popped up and she agreed shaking, missing her bullet and hitting enemy Sovas shoulder instead. It wasn't a kill shot, but it did immobilize him from using his gun.

"Omega Siva hit in the shoulder. Sniper immobilized"

That said Reyna threw her flash pushing Omega Omen straight ahead while Jett went round hitting him from his right. He attempted to teleport back but that's exactly where Jett was waiting shooring him in the head.

"Was that all they had? Really?"

"JETT GET DOWN!"

Jett crouched and Reyna shot a bullet straight into the Omega Jetts head. Jett was hiding in the small forest just down the hill on Fades close right and Jetts far left, using the trees as the perfect cover. During this time Sova had already fled.

"Thanks!"

"Alright guys. I finished up. Let's go back"

They all boarded the Vulture. Fade was glad she was out of the cold but she was pissed knowing she missed a perfect killshot and she hated that. 

Reyna and Cypher took their piloting seats and they in not so much of a hurry, left the scene.

On the way back while in the air Jett decided to finally throw the thing, that bugged Fade ever since the mission ended, into Fades face in the most aggressive way possible. 

Jett got up and walked over to Fade with loud fast steps.

"YOU! WHY DID YOU MISS?!"

Jett was fuming as she grabbed Fade by the collar.

"Don't get me wring we finished the mission but what I don't understand is WHY DIDN'T YOU GOT FOR THE KILL? IT WAS A PERFECT LILL SHOT, YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE! Are you TRYING to sabotage our missions? No WONDER noone at the protocol trusts you! And considering what BULLSHIT YOURE PULLING, they never EVER will, and tat includes me. So tell me WHY DID YOU MISS?"

Fade grabbed Jetts hand. She didn't wanna deal with this. She didn't sleep enough and she still didn't get a single cup of coffee. 

"You're acting as if it was intentional. I just missed. That's all there is to it and even so the mission was success. Noone even got hurt. Or did I understand the objective wrong all together?"

"UGH! Whatever. And don't touch me"

Jett swiped her hand out if Fades grasp and aggressively sat down as far away from Fade as possible. The rest of the ride was quiet but the tension from the "argument" was through the roof.

Once they all got off the vulture everyone went to the medical ward. Everyone but Fade that is. Fade went into her room and grabbed her cigarettes and a lighter, putting bith items into her pocket.

She headed off to the cafeteria where lunch was already being prepared. She went to the coffee machine and got her favourite pure black double espresso coffee.

"Fade. I'm glad you got from the mission in one piece but shouldn't you go to Sage for a check-up?"

Fade stopped in her tracks recognizing the familiar voice of her Russian comrade.

"I was about to head over, just wanted a cup of coffee"

"Alright then I won't keep you"

Fade nodded leaving through the door. She waited for the doors to close and then walked into the opposite direction of the medical ward and climbed up the spiral staircase heading up to the roof, where she lit up a cigarette, then another and another.

She hated that day. It was sunny but cold and nothing was going the way she wanted, the worst part was that even though she took those damned pills, nothing happened and she was still shaking, ever since that dream at least. Turning off her 3rd cigarette, she took out another one, just for it to get snatched out of her hand by someone.

"I think three is enough, wouldn't you?"

It was Sage. She came looking for her after she didn't show up for her mandatory post-mission check up with her. She was lucky she ran into Viper who was on her way to get her lunch to-go pack since her usual delivery (Skyes dog) was out on a mission. Viper told her that if she's not in her room, she might have some luck looking up on the roof, and lo' and behold, Fade in all her smoke addicted glory.

"Do you mind? I'm in the middle of something"

Fade took out her cigarette box just for that to get confiscated just as fast.

"To the medical office. Now!"

Fade sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, mom"

Sage sighed and followed after Fade

"Everything seems in-order...however...would you mind stepping on the scale for a moment"

Fade got up and stepped on the scale. Sage write something down and put away her pen and Fades medical file/record.

"Ok. Thank you, you can get dressed"

Fade stepped down and started putting all her clothes back on.

"Fade tell me something. How often have you been eating? And oxygen doesn't count"

"I usually got at least some form of food into my system at least once a day"

"That's not enough. Looking through your file and you current weight the numbers dropped by 10 in a matter for just a few days"

"So?"

"Listen. Unless the numbers go up, I'll have to suspend you from going on missions untill something changes in a positive way, at the pace its going, you might go in the red soon"

"Alright. Got it."

"Good. As long as you understand"

With that said Fade left the medical ward. Despite what Sage had just told her Fade went into her room and started to try and fund a new trail to follow, in hopes of finding him.

Chapter Text

Fade has been sitting infront of her computer for hours going through the dark web and its darkest parts and even checking some videos which she ended up closing almost instantly, as they weren't helping her at all. 

She checked the time 23:27 (11:27am).

She released a sigh closing everything and then her laptop with it and got up, picking up her cigarettesand a lighter. She walked into the cafeteria where she used the coffee machine to make herself her usual coffee order. Once she got that she left for the roof again. It was empty and cold but that didn't matter, the emptiness felt nice and she didn't mind the cold l, standing outside in a black shirt and her pajamas.

"You'll catch a cold"

She turned around to see her 'smoke buddy' in a jacket under which a lab coat was poking out.

"I don't mind it"

Viper had re-filled her lighter so this time she didn't need to borrow Fades. As she lit a cigarette and took a smoke Fade spoke.

"I haven't seen you here in a while"

"I told you I'm cutting it off"

"You did. I was quite curious why"

"It's no good for the lab or my snake"

"You have a snake?"

"Yes. Others may have some other pets friends or significant others that they would change for for the better and I have a snake. I don't see anything wrong with that. But what do you have?"

"A death wish. That's about it"

"I used to think the same you know, but I think, you just need to find something..or someone"

"For a quiet cold scientists you sure talked a lot just now"

"Sometimes being all ice cold won't help. Besides I owe you one for the light last time I came here"

"Sure."

Fade turned off her cigarette and lit another.

"Isn't one enough?"

"Not for me"

Viper didn't fully finish her sigarette when she turned it off. She then took out her cigarette box and opened it just to see it empty and throwing it into the ash tray.

"Well, I just finished my last one. A shame. You should go to sleep, there's only so much time that can pass before you burn out"

"Right."

That said Viper left and Fade was left alone sipping on the final drops of her coffee. The cold didn't let up so she decided to go inside after her 2nd cigarette. Walking down the stairs she checked her box which still had 2 cigarettes in it.

'I guess I'll have to but some more and you these sparingly or I'll run out'

she closed the box and went into her room to drop off her cigarettes and lighter, before heading off to the cafeteria once again. She dropped her coffee mug into the dish washer and headed off to the little library corner located at the back of the room. She browsed a bit and then picked up a book happening in the medival era about a murder of some priest. The story followed a detective and his right hand in an attempt to solve the case. What she finds interesting is the ending, where a book with the answer gets burned down to the ground and the book ends with no actual answer. She's read it before, but she enjoyed the story so she decided to pick it up again. 

She read book after book after book. From mystery to horror and even going down to dark romance. In between her reading session she drank about 3 cups of coffe.

Eventually the door to the cafeteria opened. It was Skye followed by half asleep Yoru who decided to join her for her morning run.

Skye stopped when she saw Fade and waved to her. Leaving Yoru at the counter to get some drinks ready she decided to step up and say hello.

"G' mornin' Fade. I see you're quite busy this morning"

Fade but her thumb between the pages and closed the book as she put her full attention on Skye.

"You could say that"

"Well, if you wish you can join me and the morning sunshine over there for a run. How about it?"

"I'll pass. I rather save it for a mission"

"Alrighty then. I guess we're going duos then. We'll, you have a good morning Fade"

That said Skye and Yoru left the cafeteria, with Yoru seeming slightly more awake now. 

Fade figured out it was probably around 4am as that's the time Skye usually starts her runs. She opened the book she was just about done reading inorder to finish it.

By the time she was done another agent had joined in, working in the kitchen. It was Jett and it didn't take long for Phoenix to come in after her. He didn't help out much, apparently he almost burned the kitchen down the last time he was on cooking duty, instead he was standing at the window talking to her. Fade didn't bother to listen in, it was obvious from just looking at them, that they have something going on. She got up and went to the coffee machine for yet another cup.

As soon as she got close Phoenix glared at her, whispered something to Jett and everything after that went quiet, save for the coffee machine. Fade didn't mind it, infact she saw it coming. She was about to leave, when Neon came running in almost slamming head first into her, stopping just before the crash. Fade moved her arms away and took a step back almost spilling her coffee.

Neon looked up with fear, she never realised how much taller Fade actually is which made it even scarier for her. 

"Sorry!"

Is all she said as she sprinted off. It was the first time someone was willing to say anything to her from the younger agents. Fade exhaled as she Madd her way into her room.

She was sitting at her desk, scrolling through cat pictures and drawings on the internet, when she heard a knock on her door. The time was showing 7:46 (7:46am). She got up and opened the door, where she saw Omen.

"Fade. You've been summoned, we've got a mission"

"Alright"

Omen left and Fade closed the door. She then changed into her work outfit and headed to the briefing room where she saw Omen Brimstone and Sova. Good. She couldn't put up with anyone else besides Cypher in the entire protocol, so she was glad the ppeople there were the ones she can get along with.

She sat down.

"I know this isn't a morning you'd hope for, but we have a recon mission. Thanks to the previous mission with Fade we got an idea of where the current Omega earth portal is. Your mission is to scout out and find it. If possible destroying it would be ideal. This is a stealth mission so be careful. Good luck"

They all nodded and got up heading off to the vulture. On the way they passed Reyna and Sage and Fade couldn't help but notice a little scar on Sages neck. She can guess what it is. It annoyed her slightly, mostly because of what Viper had told her on the roof. She quickly shook it off as they headed towards the potential portal location.

This time Sova was on sniper duty while Fade and Omen were to take a look at the possible portal. It was pretty guarded and the transportation of Radianite was just about in action according to what Sova had just reported in. The base wasn't big but it wasn't something they could just ignore.

Omen and Fade moved towards the transportation carts carrying Radianiteand knowing out the two guards guarding it. Omen used his power to quickly cover himself in the armor from one of the guards and started making a scene about how one of the guards collapsed and they had  to do something about it. During the panic Fade quickly snuck in and started looking around the place. It didn't look big from.the outside but the base went into the ground covering another 4 floors into the ground. 

'How long have they been operating here? Doesn't matter. I know what I must do' 

she waited in the shadow  for some guards to walk past her and quickly snuck into the room which they had just left.

It was a locker room. She cracked one of the locks open and put on their uniform and took an ID pass.

She then casually left the room and pretended as if she worked there. She needed information. She stopped one of the guards.

"Hey. I'm new and a bit lost. Do you know where the server room is? The boss said I need to check on the connection"

"Ah yes the new guy! Was wondering when you were gonna show, I heard you fell ill no?"

"I got better sooner then expected and figured I should get to work"

"Ha! I like your attitude! Anyways the server room is one floor lower down the 3rd hall on your right at the end of the hall. Good luck!"

"Thank you"

Fade made her way down.

"I'm in the server room. I'll try to extract some information and find the portal"

"Good. The seems Omens distraction worked but everything back to normal. Omen is in the infirmary and will make his way to down. We just need your directions"

"Got it"

Fade took out her phone and plugged it into what seemed like the main server. She quickly hacked through, possibly even faster than Cypher and pulled out a map. She predicted something like this but this is still going to be a pain.

"Got it. You need to get to the bottom floor. The portal room is opposite of the elevators location. It's protected by a face ID. If I change that setting an alarm will go off. It shouldn't be a problem for you, you look exactly like their Omen anyways"

Omen made his way there. The entire bottom floor was empty. He took the armor off as quickly as he put it on letting all ghe shadows pulling it together go off at once. It made a loud noise but it didn't reach the top floors so it didn't matter. He took the face ID and it let him in. He put the armor of the guard into the portal room. 

"I found it. How do I out a stop to this thing?"

"Break the wires at the back of the portal. It will set off an alarm so you should be prepared to get out of there. Also. I set it all up. The bombs I mean."

During the time she spent in the base she wasn't just doing nothing. She set up bombs around the entire structure and left the remote with Sova. Omen did the same.

Omen took out his knife and slashed the wires. The portal stopped working and a loud alarm went off.

WARNING! INTRUDERS! ALL PERSONAL UNFOT FOR COMBAT ARE TO EVACUATE IMMIDEATLY! THE PORTAL ROOM HAS BEEN BREACHED!

It was so loud it made Fades head hurt. She unplugged her phone and took the cable with her, then running out of the server room and merging with the crowd quickly getting out before all the doors shut. She then took advantage of the chaos and escaped towards Sova where Omen had already been waiting.

"Honestly Omen, your teleportation powers can be quite handy"

"If you're here then I can activate it right?"

"Yes. Go for it"

Sova pushed a quick button and the entire base exploded trashing it all. Most of the people were outside but the guards inside were probably gone for good. That didn't matter much to her though. She was done with the mission. It's all that matters.

They boarded the vulture and headed off. On their way back Omen called her to the cabin with a question on mind.

"Fade. Whatever happened to that other guy?"

"He's taking a nap in a bush somewhere. Don't worry. Prowler didn't hurt him"

Omen nodded and focused on co-piloting the vulture.

Once they've landed Sage was waiting for them. She didn't want a repeat of last time when Fade practically ran away. Fade was slightly suprised but at the same time worried. Considering she didn't take what Sage said seriously , she's in deep trouble.

Chapter Text

"Welcome back everyone, including Fade"

Fade slightly turned her head away in annoyance.

"Hello Sage. How come you're here today? Usually you come here only when Reyna is the one dispatched"

"That is true, but today it was a dangerous mission, or so I've heard. I came here incase of an emergancy, even though nothing was reported. Glad to see everyone got back safe and it looks like without any injuries, that gives my mind peace"

Sova nodded and the four of them headed off to the medical ward.

One by one the three agents checked in with Sage. Omen was a special case with who Sage usually asked questions related to his shadow slipping out, luckly though such a problem has yet to occur.

The last one in line was Fade. When Omen left he could see Fade sitting her arms crossed, one leg resting on the other while the one on the floor was jumping up and down. 

Omen hummed and nodded, which told Fade it was hurt time to "shine". She got up and slowly walked in, once again most of her clothes off.

"Before anything else, please step on the scale"

Fade knew what was coming, but there wasn't much she could do. She stepped on the scale which read 48.7kg (roughly 107 pounds). With the power of no sleeping and no food Fade lost weight at an even faster rate.

Sage sighed and scribbled something on a piece of paper. She looked up.

"Fade sit down"

Fade sat down on the chair across Sages desk. Sage didn't say anything as she took a closer look at Fades face, she didn't express anything on her face and instead got up and inspected Fades breathing and heart beat. Breathing seemed normal, but the heart was beating so fast it might burst any minute now.

"Fade have you been sleeping?"

Silence.

"We're you at least eating?"

There was nothing but silence coming from Fade. Sage already knows the answers to those questions and Fade is fully aware of that fact, saying anything would be pointless. Sage sighed.

"Then let me ask you a different question. Why aren't you eating and why did you suddenly cut sleep from your life aswell?"

"My radiance"

Hiding it from Sage will cause more harm then good, she doubts Sage will spill anything about it to anyone anyways, as a medic/doctor, she's required to keep every personal detail about an agent a secret.

"What about it?"

"It feeds off of negative energy around me. That's now only fear, it can be anger, jealousy, wrath, mistrust, hatred. The stronger the emotion the more it will feed on it. I can sense it her people's negative emotions, but I can also feel it, same as someone's fear, I can sense it and feel it all at once. The problem is, after a while, if I don't release it, it piles up in my head, takes over. One of the signs are nightmares and corrupted dreams. I don't knownhow or why, but they're appearing against and untill I can figure out why, I can't sleep"

"I see...but then tell me why aren't you eating?"

"You've seen it. Not just the glares and how I'm treated. The room I enter, if full off people, it becomes a all you can eat buffet for the nightmare. Especially Neon, she's terrified when she sees me"

Sage sighed for the 3rd time in less than 30min, that's a new record for sure. 

"That does make sense, but I cannot send you out on missions in your condition, I'm sorry but I-"

"YOU HAVE TO!"

Fade got up pushing the chair on the floor slamming both her hands on Sages desk.

"If nightmare breaks out, I don't know what will happen, but I can promise it won't be good"

Another sigh.

"I understand. I'm not sure if it will work, but you can try and release the nightmare either into the emptiness outside or on the bots in the range"

"I can't release it empty, it can backfire, especially if I'm already struggling with containing it. Wether or not it works on bots...I don't know, but even if I wanted to, the other agents occupy the range at all times, that's not going to work for me"

"In that case...I'll write a letter to Brimstone. You will have the range available just for yourself in the afternoon hours, meaning 19:00-22:00 (7pm-10pm respectfully). As for the food problem...I doubt I can get you delivery like Viper...but if you want I can set aside some food for you and leave it in the fridge for you for once the cafeteria clears out. Just make sure to heat it up. Do you have any allergies?"

"No allergies"

"Good. Then you should get your food when you can. Oh and get some sleep. No missions for you for the next 2 weeks. Understand"

"Yes."

Fade got up, put her clothes back on and left, going to her room. She picked up her cigarettes and a lighter. She opened the pack again to see the sad 2 cigarettes she head left and picked one out, then headed for the roof.

It was sundown and probably around dinner time. She lit up her cigarette, staring down into the distance. The roof head a view of the city located behind the protocol where the garage was located. The front of the protocol was surrounded by a large forest stretching out for what seems like kilometers/miles. She took a smoke when she heard yelling.

"NO FAIR! YOU CHEATED! YOU USED YOUR WIND TO GIVE YOURSELF A HEAD START! WE SAID NO RADIANCE!"

"I don't know what you're talking about Neon. I didn't feel a breeze, did you?"

"YOU! I swear if I catch you, that sentence will be your LASY WORDS!" 

Fade looked to her left, where they had a track field which was currently occupied by Neon and Jett who seemed to be competing in a race, which turned into a game of "tag". 

"Yo Jett! Neon! Dinner will be up soon, you should.come inside"

Phoenix had just come up with a towel for Jett in hand, while Neon had to get hers from a nearby bench. All three of them slowly headed off with Phoenix wrapping his head around Jetts shoulders and Neon walking besides them secretly making a gag face.

Fade scoffed at the sight. She was super slow with this one cugarette, after all she had to make it last, at least untill tomorrow. She was about to take another and possible the last smoke from whatever was still left of that cigarettes when her phone buzzed. It was Sage. All agents had contacts of other agents in their phone, well everyone except Fade. It always comes in handy, but Fade was new and noone really loke her, so there was no reason to keep her number. The only ones that had it were Viper, Sage, Sova, Cyphe, Omen, Brimstone and suprisingly enough, Astra and Kay/o. The rest kept their distance.

'Fade, this is Sage. I talked to Brimstone and he agreed on the free days and the range being yours. Just no more practice or usage of guns past 22:00 (10pm), so you don't wake up the sleeping agents. Anyways I already set the dinner into the fridge for you. It's on the bottom shelf on a plate wrapped in tin foil. It was me cooking today, so you better appreciate it'

Aadd turned off the cigarette which was almost glad its sound could rest in peace, and headed down the stairs and into her favourite room. She picked up her laptop and sat down bed. She will go into the range at 20:00 (8pm) just to be safe. She then opened the browser and watched the first Scream movie. She always enjoyed horror, but she wasn't particularly picky about movie genres in general, she didn't just didn't find some of them as interesting, ofcourse there are exceptions, but she will forever and always enjoy horror the most, and scream was a classic. 

She watched the first and second movie of Scream before closing her laptop and getting up, heading towards the range. She avoided people like wild fire. If she heard footsteps or voices she'd wait for them to pass if they were heading towards her, she'd jump up and hung onto the ceiling like a cat. She slowly made her was to the range, quickly entered and closed the doors after her. Suprisignly enough, it was just as Sage said. Empty. With only Fade standing there. She started up the bots, picked up a Vandal and quickly practiced a bit, warming up, making it seem like real combat and getting in the zone. The more convincing, the higher that chance it can fool nightmare.

She was running, sliding jumping and shooting, she quickly wore herself out, when she decided to use her gaunt, which managed to sense the "Enemy presence" and then released her prowler. The bot was unaffected, but prowler disappeared into thin air, meaning it clearly fell for it. Fade repeated the process 2 more times, when she finally ran dry of energy. She didn't have much to begin with but this was abysmally low, especially considering her old line of work.

There was a sink nearby and she quickly washed her face and drank some water. She put down her Vandal and checked her phone 21:57 (9.57pm).

She took a deep breath and focused, checking nightmares activity level. She calmed down and emptied her thoughts and with her eyes closed, started looking for the power she had been hosting.

After about 5min she opened her eyes.

'Good. I can barely sense it. It's weak'

She got up and was about to leave when the door swooshed open. It was true it was past her private range hours but to think someone immideatly took the opportunity to train is crazy, let alone after she was told practice past ten wasn't exactly allowed, and yet the people entering were Jett, Neon and Phoenix. The famous couple and their 3rd wheel. The worst group people that could be facing her right now. Neon was still scared if her, suprising considering how tough she acted on their mission together. And considering the faces the other two made when they saw Fade, she could tell this conversation wasn't about to go smoothly.

She tried to walk past but Jett blocked way.

"Hey creepy lady. Mind telling us, why someone like you is hogging the range for themselves?"

Chapter Text

Fade was calm. She wasn't happy, especially because Neon, though she put on a barve face, was still terrified of her. Not good.

"Listen here freako! Or creep or whatever the hell you are. I don't know what's your problem with us, but get out of our heads!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me!"

Jett got close and was now inches away from Fades face filled with anger.

"You, little freak, are purposely torturing us aren't you? I bet you enjoy it!"

Everyone was quiet, Neon just a step behind Phoenix, like a scared girl hiding behind her parents.

"What are you talking about?"

It was true Fade could inflict nightmares, but she never purposely did that after getting captured let alone after joining the protocol and she has yet to let Nightmare roam free, so she was genuinely confused.

"I'm talking about Neon!"

'if it's just Neon then why say "us" and "our"? This is so dumb'

"What avout her?"

"Don't play dumb with me! You ain't fooling anyone with your 'nice girl' act! We all know you've been giving her nightmares, just to torture her in her sleep!"

'How rich....and fun...'

"Oh? In that case. She can talk for herself no? I can see her tremble from here. When you get the courage, come talk to me. Don't let your parents do all the talking for you. We all work here, don't we? We're equal"

Fade was about to side step Jett and leave, when that girl grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"I don't think so. You're not going anywhere, you little shit!"

Fade caught herself from the sudden pull.

"Listen. You better leave. Noone here wants you around or see your face! Better even, go die in a ditch! You're not one of uy. And you never will be!"

That said Jett let go and the three of them left, while Fade just stood there in silence.

'Whats even the point? She's right no? All the glares and aggression. Is it really worth it? Its late. I should pack it up tomorrow, but for now i thunk its better if I go until morning'

Fade took a deep breath and relaxed, leaving the range and going outside. No change of clothes, no cigarettes, no nothing. Just a plain black shirt and black jeans. She started walking towards the forest. 

About 20min in it started to rain and thunder started to make some noise into the peacful night. It was a storm. Unexpected and fast, typical spring weather. But Fade didn't really mind it. She kept walking, without any clear destination. She didn't sleep for about two days now and didn't eat for even longer. She lost all leads and was in the dark and now? She's clearly not even welcome at the place they promised she'd be able to call "home". So what was the point of all of it anyway?

Her vision got blurry, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. She eventually stumbled and fell onto the cold muddy ground. She was cold. Freezing even and yet, it felt kinda nice. Peacful, she thought that going out like this, doesn't seem so bad after all. 

Jett Phoenix and Neon were at the cafeteria, Jett bringing cups of warm cocoa to their table.

"Did you see her face when Jett told her off? Priceless, I wish I could of caught that on camera!"

Phoenix was laughing proud of what had just happened and Jett say down next to him.

"Yeah yeah we heard you say that like 5 times already. Anyways, alls well it ends well, no more nightmares for Neon and no more creepy stalker for us! I call that a win-win!"

Phoenix put his arms around Jett fully agreeing with what was just said.

"No..."

"Huh? Tala? What's wrong? Is the cocoa too cold? I'll make you a new one no biggie"

"No. What you did...what we did to Fade wasn't fair. I might have nightmares but I never said it was because of her! We never even gave her a chance...I...I have...no...I need to talk to her. What we said wasn't right. And she deserves s chance. We gave one to Breach didn't we? And even though I could fry everyone here by accident noone would blame me right? Then why can't we do the same for her?..I gotta go!"

"NEON WAIT!"

"And she's gone. Now what?"

"Nothing. All that and it goes to waste? Whatever. I call her dibs on her cocoa!"

"Hey! No fair!"

Jett wanted to stop her, but at the same time, she couldn't be bothered, as she believed she was 100% in the right, so there was nothing to worry about.

"Fade? You there?" 

Neon knocked and knocked. It's been 5min and she has yet to get an answer.

"I know...what we did wasn't alright, but I'm here to talk to you....alone, I promise, so please open...."

Nothing but dead silence. She knew it wasn't right..but she just had to. She zapped Fades lock open, which instantly alerted Brimstone, Sage and Sage of a potential break-in.

Neon stepped into the room to find it empty and untouched. Messy yet clean and considering g the air around her it was probably empty for a couple hours.

"And just what are you doing Neon?"

Neon twitched hearing Sages stern voice, with Brimatone standing right behind her.

She was taken to the medical ward. Brimstone had already left them on their own as it wasn't anything worth too much fuss over,  besides that, he trusted Sages judgement.

"So..mind filling me in?"

"Listen....I'll explain later, but me Jett and Phoenix did and said something horrible to Fade...I wanted to apologize but she wasn't in her room. All her things were in there, her jacket and everything else, like she hasn't returned for hours...I just have a bad feeling something bad is about to happen"

"What about her cigarettes?"

"Huh?"

"Did you see her cigarettes inside the room?"

"You mean a cigarette box? Yes I did. Why?"

"Because in that case, you're probably right. Notify Skye and put some warm clothes on"

"Huh?"

"You wanna help us search right? After all. You wanted to talk to her. That's why you were looking for her yes?"

Neon firmly nodded and sprinted off.

Skye sent out her dog  which led them to the forest, but that's where they lost the trail. Her trailblazer was good but the scent of a wet forest confused it and he lost the track about 3min in. 

"Sorry mate. That's as far as Waffle goes. I'm gonna help you look ofcourse, but it's just us and our peepers from Herr on aight?"

Sage and Neon nodded and they all headed off into different directions. Usually Sage would track Fades location, but as it turns out her battery ran out before Fade even left the protocol. Either that or she turned it off on purpose.

Neon was running as fast as she could through the forest looking for their fellow agent like her life depends on it. It was around 7min in when she found her knocked out cold on the muddy floor.

"Fade! Please don't be dead...."

She checked her pulse. It was weak but it was there. She was also freezing cold. In a panic Neon put her blue hoodie on. Neon liked it because it was a bit bigger and warmer, making it a perfect fit for Fade.

"I FOUND HER!"

she ran carrying Fade piggyback. She was supriaingly light. 

'has she been eating at all?'

she stopped just at the edge of the forest where she met up with Sage and Skye who quickly took her to the medical ward and put her onto one of the beds.

"Skye go look for some fresh change of clothes, Neon get me a fresh towel from the closet in the laundry room across from here past the exit of the ward"

Neon nodded and got back faster then Skye. 

"Sage...I-"

"It's OK Neon. You will explain it to me later, together with Jett and Phoenix, for now. Get some rest, I'll put your hoodie to wash. Good work finding her"

"Right. Good night Sage"

As Neon left Skye came back with Fades favourite hoodie and Fades Pajamas. She just grabbed whatever was nearest and seemed like it might work.

They quickly changed her clothes. Skye went to sleep while Sage stayed until Fades condition had stabilized.

It wad warm when Fade opened her eyes. And suprisingly comftrable. The sun was in her eyes when she opened them and to her surprise he'll was suprisingly white.

'Medical ward?'

Medical ward was, besides Brimstone office, the only place with windows. These rooms needed fresh air often and the sun was always pleasant to see, do it was a good touch.

Fade uncovered the 2 blankets she was covered with and discovered that her muddy and dirty clothes were gone and were replaced by her personal clothing. Does that mean someone changed her into this? She was a little suprised by that and even more suprised at the fact they found her. She turned off her phone for a reason. 

She took a look around and saw her phone sharing next to the bed, and IV and a heartbeat monitor hooked on her and a clock on the wall showing 10:26 (10:26am). She had a slight headache but it wasn't bad. Her dreams were nothing. They didn't even exist. That was a good sign and quite a relief.

She wanted to take another nap, when the door opened. It was Sage, looking down at her clipboard. She entered the room, looked up and stopped for just a moment.

"Ah good morning Fade. Glad to see you awake and a little suprising. Didn't expect you to wake up this soon"

"What can I say? I'm tough to keep down"

"Right and even tougher to convince to eat and sleep right?"

"Right."

"Anyways. You should get some rest. Also. Neon will be visiting you tomorrow. I'll let her know you're awake"

"Neon?"

"Yes. She wanted to talk to you. Seemed important. Enjoy your rest Fade. You need it"

*Earlier this morning*

"Ok so. Neon, Jett and Phoenix. I'm assuming you know why you're here?"

"Yea yea. It's that weirdo right? She back yet."

Neon looked down playing with her fingers, Phoenix was layed back with his legs spread out while Jett was laying back feet up on Sages table.

"You shouldn't call anyone things like that, but to answer your question, yes, she is back, after Neon had found her out cold and almost dead on the ground in the middle of the forest! what were you thinking?"

"I was doing the world a favor! Noone needs anyone like that creep around anyways! Besides Neon hasn't slept well enough since she became and agent here!"

"Did you try to talk to her about it?"

"Well. No. But that isn't the point! The point is, she should of have died there and everything would be alright and back to normal!"

"SUNWOO! What is wrong with you?! I'm reporting this to Brimstone. You and Phoenix are suspended from leacing the protocol and all the mission untill further notice! Your punishment will be determined by Brimstone. Untill then you are to stay in your rooms. One step outside and you can expect bigger consequences. Have I made myself clear?"

Both agents got startled and decided I'd be best to just do and Sage says.

"Yes na'am"

Is all they said as they left for their rooms.

"As for you Neon....what happened wasn't right, but you recognized it, I'm which case, your punishment will be taking care of Fade untill she has fully recovered. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry"

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to"

"I know...but still..."

Sage put her hand on Neons arm. When Neon looked up she saw a soft look on Sages face as Sage nodded in reassurance.

'She gave me this punishment as an excuse to talk to her. It may be scary, but she's still just human and yesterday proved that...I got this'

Chapter Text

The next morning at around 10:30 (10:30am), Fade heard a quick knock before the door opened. Fade knew this was coming, just didn't expect it this early, she wasn't particularly busy, just scrolling through her phone looking at videos of cats, cracking a smile evey now and then.

The door opened and on the other side was Neon, holding a tray of food in her hands, it looked like something simple and small, some bread, butter, jam and a cup off hot coffee.

"Good morning"

"Yes, good morning. Whats with the food"

"Oh- uh, it's for you, Sage said you haven't been eating so I brought you some. I didn't know what you liked and, well not many agesnt can answer that question so I just went with something simple"

"Why?"

"Uh because Sage said I need to take care of your recovery process-?"

Fade looked confused, trying to recall when Sage had told her about her little 'care giver'

"Let me guess, Sage forgot to mention it, to you? It's splattered all over your face"

Fade was a little suprised, she could feel anxiety dripping off Neon, but not a drop of fear. 

"I'm not a particularly picky eater"

Fade has the <anything that's edible> mentality.

"I see-"

Neon picked up the bread and put some butter and jam over it, then offering the plate of food to Fade, who took it, no complaints, when a wave of hesitation hit her.

"This..isn't poisoned...is it?"

"Seriously? You'd doubt me?"

To that remark Fade crossed her arms and looked at her with the are you serious? look on her face.

"Fair enough, but no. It's not poisoned, if you'd like I'll prove it"

"No no. It's fine. Thanks"

While Fade was eating Neon went into deep thought, thinking about how to break the silence and bring, what had happened up on the surface, and another question had popped up, why are Fades hands so shaky? From exhaustion? Or is it something else?

"Spill it. It's written all over your face"

"Caught me, I just don't know what I should say"

"Being straightforward, would be a good start"

"Right- in that case, I uh...I'm sorry for how we treated you. And they did, but it's not all their fault, it's mine aswell. I didn't try to stop them and the thought of you leaving gave me some form of relief and yet it also wasn't right the way we treated you. I mean seriously...Valorant accepted war criminals, hackers and all kinds of shady people and we treat them like friends...it wasn't right to not at least, give you a chance and...I'm sorry"

Fade put her last half eaten piece of bread on the plate looking Neon straight in the face, which was facing the ground in shame, word of genuine apology filling the room.

"Honestly. It's not ok what you did, but you're making steps to fix that no? In that case, if you give me a chance to get along with everyone, then I'll give you a chance in atonement"

Neon looked up sparks of hope rising in here eyes, looking directly at Fade.

"Seriously? Thanks! You're awesome! I really don't know why I thought you were this big, scary...monster hiding under my bed-"

"Seriously? Isn't that like a kids fear?"

Neons face quickly flushed pink in emberrasment.

"Uhm....no?-....ok...maybe-"

Fade once again gave her the look.

"Ok fine...it is...a little..."

Fade sighed in defeat.

"Can you pass me the coffee?"

"Yeah- sure"

The traces of anxiety completely vanished at this point, as she handed Fade the coffee she had prepared for her. Fade grabbed the coffee mug with her shaky hands, which ended up in half of the coffee spilling onto the bed sheets and Fade.

"Ah, shit!"

"Gimme that! I'll be back in a moment!"

Neon quickly put the now dirty mug aside, left and quickly came back with some towels and an ice pack incase if any burns, then pushed a button calling up Sage, who came in from her room in record time.

Neon got Fade to stand up using Neon as a crutch, while Sage quickly swaoped out the bed sheets. 

"What happened here?"

"Not sure. Fades hand are shaking like....REALLY shaking"

"Fade, hold up your hands for me"

Fade held them up, proving Neons point.

"Fade...are you feeling anxious? And answer honestly"

"No. But I haven't had a smoke in a few days. I don't feel too well about it"

Sage sighed heavily.

"I'm not suprised...smoking isn't good for you and it's a bad habit. I recommend you toss it, like Viper did"

"Right."

"Neon. Take my medical pass and get Fade a change of clothes, a few agents have just returned from the mission and I have to tend to them. Fade....stay put"

That said Sage left. Neon and Fade looked at each other.

"Stay put? What am I? 5?"

"Pftt....yes"

Neon answered suppressing her laugh.

"Not. Funny."

"Yes it is!"

Saying that final sentence Neon had disappeared with Sages medical pass in hand. Fade was now left with her almost finished breakfast and a half a mug of coffee. Suprisingly enough, it was made ti her preference.

"Lucky guess?"

Neon entered Fades room. She wasn't expecting anything too fancy but this was just sad. The walls were plain metal without any posters, wallpaper or any kind of decoration really, just a few (black) soundproofing foam plates near the door. The desk was more or less empty with Fades jacket hanging on the chair and a cigarette pack with a single cigarette with a lighter inside it. The bed was neatly made and the bedsheets were black fading into gray, on the bed there was a laptop with a cat sticker on it, attached to a charger. She walked to Fades closet, oh and would you lookey here, more black.

'I'm starting to see a pattern'

she closed the top of the closet as it was filled with jackets and hoodies and opened one of the two lower drawer, which she quickly closed up red in the face.

'wrong drawer! Sorry Fade'

she opened the other one where she found T-shirts and pants and behold the pure black collection!

'wow tough choice choosing between black, black and black...we seriously need to get this one some actual clothes'

she just picked up the shirt on the top. She didn't snoop around, not like she would find anything, and just left.

She entered the the medical ward when Sage was just about done with her after mission check-ups, with the last one being Reyna, who had (still half naked) her arms on the chairs armrest leaning towards the seated Sage who was trying to act ad professional as humanly possible in the situation.

The door opened and Neon was now red in the face standing with her medical pass in hand, frozen. Reyna got off immediately, putting her clothes back on.

"Neon- how can I help you?"

"Uhm...I- I'm sorry I think I kind of walked in on something...here- I just wanted to return this..."

She handed Sage the medical pass and stormed off with a quick.

"K, BYE!"

It was no secret Sage and Reyna had something, but did it have to be her, who walked in on it? 

'I have the worst timing ever, please just kill me'

Neon knew better than to go blabbering about this type of thing to others and Reyna and Sage knew that so they weren't too worried about it, though it was still embarrassing beyond comprehension. When it comes to the topic of romance, Neon is hopeless and Fade? She really couldn't care less.

Neon entered the room at which Fade was "stationed", still red in the face from witnessing a little something.

"What happened to you? Have a crush?"

"Wha- N-NO! I just...saw something I wasn't supposed to as all"

"Oh? Was it at the medical ward?"

"I- how did you-?"

"Reyna had a mission that lasted a few days right? Considering the hurry Sage was in, it was obvious what was going to happen"

"R-right...let's not talk about that...here..I brought your shirt"

Neon threw the shirt on Fades lap.

"Thanks"

Fade got an idea just to tease Neon, considering what she just witnessed it was 100% going to work. With that thought in mind Fade started to change her shirt right there on the spot without any warning.

"What the!- Fade you- AGH!"

Neon quickly turned around.

"I hate you already"

Neons face was completly red and Fade genuinely laughed, the reaction she got being even better than she had originally enticipated. 

"Sorry, it was just so funny, I couldn't help myself"

"It's NOT FUNNY"

Saying that Neon turned around but them quickly turned back forgetting about, why she was facing the other direction in the first place.

"You can turn now"

"Are you lying? Is this another prank?"

"No. I'm serious"

Neon turned around and saw Fade who had infact fully changed.

"Am I a joke to you?"

"Do you want an answer to that question?"

"Ugh...nevermind.."

Fade chuckled and Neon was suprised. She didn't expect any emotions coming from the girl infront of her. But it was comforting.

"So uh...how about a walk around the protocol? Phoenix and Jett are in timeout so we won't be seeing them, but I'd like to introduce you to some people if you'd like? They're good friends of mine"

"Sure"

Fade had a bit of trouble standing up, but getting some food and sleep into her system helped a lot, making walking an easy feat. Tiring, but easy.

They made their way downstairs and into the cafeteria. Where you could see Cypher and Sova playing chess, Skye making a protein shake while talking to Yoru and a few faces that she had yet to meet. They were sitting at a table with mechanical parts, tools and some paint cans scattered everywhere on top of some newspaper, which seemed to be some form of tablecloth.

"Hey guys!"

"Neon, amiga! Good to see you and your friend?"

"Oh uh, this is Fade"

"You mean the girl Jett told us about?"

"Yes..?"

The two women looked at each other then at Fade.

"Well alright. You can call me Raze. I heard a few.....things....and thoughts...definitely a few thoughts, but there's nothing better than seeing the real thing!"

"Right...hope we can get along?"

"Alright my turn. Hallo! You can call me Killjoy. Like Raze said we heard some things but we bith decided I'd be better to judge a person by our standards, Jett can be a bit...over-enthusiastic"

"Nice to meet you and I got to experience Jett first hand, and so far I'm not a huge fan" 

Silence followed, with nothing to say.

"So uh....how about a quick snack? Maybe something to drink?"

"Oh! I'll take a some cola!"

"A spikerush for me please"

"I'll take a coffee"

"Sorry Fade but no. Sage told me you drank too much last time. We are cutting it down"

And so Neon left.

"Soooo...you and Neon then?"

Fade looked at Raze who got an elbow from Killjoy.

"What? We're both thinking it!"

"Thinking something and saying it out loud are two completely different things! Sorry about that"

"It's ok. As for your remark Raze...."

Raze felt a little uncomftrable and anxious and Fade could feel it. Raze was feeling a bit tense, probably scared she said something wrong.

"I don't agree. Honestly just talking to her is new to me. She's been avoiding me out of fear untill just recently. Besides, I'm not looking for anything of that sort"

Fade muttered something under her breath but neither of the two sitting across from her could catch it and instead just looked at each other simply leaving it at what Fade had said, while keeping their own "professional" opinion.

Neon returned with the drinks and sat down next to Fade. The four of them started chatting as Killjoy and Raze realised just how calm and "human" Fade can be compared to Jetts stories and rumors, when the doors opened. They all looked over and saw Chamber and Breach heading into the cafeteria. Once they spotted Fade they stopped in their tracks and Breach shot a sharp look towards her.

"What the hell is she doing here again? Wasn't she supposed to leave and die somewhere in a ditch or something?"

Noone but Sage, Neon, Jett, Phoenix, Fade and Brimstone were supposes to know that. So why is Breach brining it up?

Chapter Text

Chamber moved aside as watched from afar. Breach quickly moved with heavy stomps towards Fades table, slamming his hand onto the table spilling all the drinks on the table glaring directly into Fades eyes.

"You little rat!"

Raze got up.

"Breach! What's up with you?"

"Not now Raze, I have to teach this rodent a lesson about taking a hint"

"What are you talking about? Fade's totally chill! Rumors aren't always true!"

"Shut up! This bitch got Jett and Phoenix in trouble and I personally think that alone is enough proof of her bullshit"

"Uhm is this thing on? I think it's on. Anyways, Chamber, Breach, Sova, Astra and Yoru, get your asses to the briefing room...*my phone died*..Killjoy you too...I need your help with...something "

"Lucky rat. Next time I see you, it won't be pretty. It's not a warning, it's a threat"

That said he stomped out with Chamber following, Sova got up and put his hand on Fades shoulder.

"Don't worry about him, if anything happens some of us will help you, so no worries. We watch out for our comrades"

Fade nodded and Sova jogged to the briefing room to not be late.

"Ah...Ja...I should go- I'd help clean up but I was...yeah...I'll just go-"

Killjoy hurriedly got up and left right after Sova.

"SOVA WAIT UP!"

Raze looked at Fade who was looking down on the now spilled drinks on the table some of it dripping onto her lap. 

"You alright?"

Fade didn't respond to Fade, when Neon came back with some paper towels and a spray bottle of glass cleaner.

"What's with the glass cleaner?"

"It's the fastest thing I could find! Don't judge me"

"Right. What's wrong with your....friend? She broken?"

"Um...no clue....Fade? You with us? Your clothes are all wet again-"

"I'm fine. Let me help clean up"

Her voice was calm and monotone, she was clearly upset. She snatched the paper towels from Neon and started cleaning up the table, completely ignoring her freshly wet clothing. Neon looked at Raze who looked at her and the both of them just shrugged confused. They quickly cleaned up whatever was spilled and was now mixed on the table creating weird texture and smell.

"Raze we can finish up here, you should take your robot parts and clean them up"

"Right. Thanks amiga, have a good one!"

As Raze was leaving Skye reminded her lunch will be up in around 40min so she shouldn't take too long, which Raze just brushed off saying she will have enough time and that some things take priority.

Neon went over with the glass cleaner and the paper towels one more time. Fade threw away the  wet newspaper and paper towels they had used, while Neon put away the cleaner. Once she came back she grabbed Fades wrist and started going towards Fades room.

"What are you doing?" 

"Getting you to change your clothes! Duh! And you need a shower, otherwise you'll be all sticky!"

"Right"

"Don't worry Skye, we'll come back in time for lunch!"

"Righty yo"

Dragging Fade to her rooms doors Neon stopped.

"Open the door, take a shower and put on some clothes, I can wait out here"

"Right. You should come in, it would be rude to make you sir out here on your own, besides you were here once before no? Not like I've got anything to hide"

"Right-"

Neon had completely forgotten the last time she had come into Fades room, and recalling the whole ideal reminded her of a little something she had accidentally found, making her grow slightly red. 

"You can sit wherever"

Neon nodded, Fade took some clothes from the closet and went into the bathroom, taking a shower. Neon sat at the table and looked around at the plain looking room once more. It made her wonder...just how did Fade live before the protocol? Neon got more curious about Fade herself, lost in thought she had more and more questions, she wanted to ask her. The only issue being...will Fade be willing to answer them all?

On the mission

Breach, Sova, Yoru, Astra and Chamber got information about a new Omega earth attack. Once they landed near the coordinates, Sova and Chamber took positions nearby, Sova scanned for enemies and Chamber took a sniper in hand ready to provide cover fire if necessary. Astra Walked behind Yoru and Breach, who were up front.

"Sova do you have anything?"

"No...I don't see anyone I scanned another 100m infront...I've got nothing"

"Shit....Astra, Breach stay behind me. If anything goes wrong get out. I can teleport"

Breach joined Astra in the back letting Yoru upfront. They slowly moved untill they hit the exact coordinates location. They wouldn't think anything was wrong except for the fact that it was in the middle of the forest in the middle of nowhere. Astra deployed a few stars ready to give out cover at any point and time. 

Suddenly Breach heard a noise coming from their left, he quickly turned around but it seemed like there was nothing but wind passing through. He was looking around on high alert, when everything went dark, he could see his fears all over again swinging his arms around into what seemed like air.

On the mission however he hit Astra ino the back of ber head with his elbow and Yoru straight into his face, that's when the action began Omega Jett, Omen and Fade came out. Jett out her leg onto Astras back keeping her down and Omen aimed his gun at the barely conscious Yoru. Fade cam from the direction Breach was facing, masterfully dodged his frantic punches and stabbed him in the gut and then pushing him onto the floor, taking out the classic from her holster and shitting Breach into bith his legs.

"You know we are here to kill them right? Not play with them?"

"I know. But he looks just like our asshole. Can't help but get payback I never did"

Omen hummed.

"Alright alright. Now then, let's finish this"

As she was about to pull the trigger on Astra, Chamber shot his gun shooting Jett dead onto the ground, clean headshot. Sova took his operator, when Fade spotted him and dodged back into the woods. Omen smoked, took Jett and left. Sova scanned the area but was hit with nothing, not even the wind was blowing when it was all over. 

Yoru and Astra got up. They checked up on the Breach who seemed to have still been alive.

"What should we do with him? Challe he won't make it to the protocol"

"We show the animal some mercy"

Sova took his classic and shot Breach dead.

Yoru and Chamber picked up his corpse and they all headed towards the protocol. Sova called up Sage explaining the situation, getting Sage on standby.

Sage was jusslt about ready for her date with Reyna, when she recieved the news from Sova. She wished she could just let Breach stay dead untill she gets back, but there are certain rules agents have to follow about that. 

She changed into her work clothes, when she heard a knock on the door. She walked up and opened it to see Reyna in jeans, purple shirt and a black leather jacket. She looked nice.

"Darlinf? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Before realising what Sage was even wearing she saw the sad look Sage had in her eyes.

"Got a call. Breach died and the mission was a bust, I must meet them right now....I don't like this...I'm going to request Skye take my place tomorrow, but today I cannot, even though it's supposed to be my day off. I'm sorry Reyna"

"It's alright. You should hurry up and go"

Sage nodded and left, but not before noticing the sad and disappointed look in Reynas eyes. It was hard to watch but the rules had to be followed.

Romance and personal matters, should never get in the way of an agents duties.

and it had to be followed.

Sage was already waiting with a form of transport for Breaches body and quickly transported him into the medical ward with the other agents. 

She revived him, knowing that he might not wake up untill later today or tomorrow, and asked Sova to take him to one of the rooms on the upper floors and then come back for a check up.

"Don't worry, I'll give out the report...once I'm done here"

Sova nodded, trusting Yoru on his word. 

Sage healed first Yoru, sending him away to get Brimstone the must needed report.

"What happened? There bruises aren't something a normal fist fight could cause"

"It was Breach, he got trapped in one of Omega Fades nightmares. I'm afraid that might complicate our Fades and Breaches relationship further. Challe is not a fan of our nightmare lady"

"I see, thank you Astra. Your wounds are healed, make sure you get proper rest and a good meal"

"You got it boss lady"

Astra headed off and Chamber came in.

"Sage! It is so good to see you. I'm happy to report there is not a scratch on me! I'm sure you believe me no?"

"I'm guessing you don't want a physical as per usual?"

"That is correct, you see you can't achieve my looks just like that and I really don't wanna ruin that fir my dear Viper"

"Right, but that's not going very well for you now is it?"

"Ah, but rejection is just another step towards success"

Sage sighed in defeat.

"Alright then, you may go"

Chamber left and Sage leaned back on her chair in exhaustion. The doors once again opened and Sage didn't have to look to know it was Reyna, who was holding 2 cups of Sages favourite herbal tea. Reyna wasn't a huge fan of it, but if Sage likes it, then she will endure it. Knowing Reyna has a soft spot for her made Sage feel happy and warm inside.

Chapter Text

Breach had awakened the next day. He was a bit sore but he remembered everything, and instead of thinking logically, he got pissed at Fade, not the Omega Fade, their Fade. He got up and stomped out of his room, walking down the stairs, checking the time which read 14:26 (2:26pm) and headed for the cafeteria.

He entered and everyone either greeted him with suprise or stayed quiet, enjoying their lunch. He looked around the room and found poor Fade at the table with Neon, who had just brought the both of them some food. It was Neons turn to cook so she had to pick out what Fade would eat today. 

Breach saw red and the suprising surge of anger of that caliber sent shivers down Fades spine, as Breach headed over there with pure anger and grabbed Fade by the neck, raising her up just enough for her feet to not touch the floor, holding her in a choke with his robotic arm.

"YOU LITTLE BITCH! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT AND THAT DAMNED FUCKING THING! You should just do everyone a favor and die already"

Fade was unable to breathe as her vision started to blur. The door opened and on stepped Sage with Neon, who had gone out looking for her the same second she saw Breaches Face.

"BREACH! LET HER GO!"

"WHY SHOULD I? SHE'S A RAT! Rodents are ment to be killed"

He smirked saying that last sentence with an ice cold calm tone, which made Sage angry. Reyna saw that and got up grabbing Sages shoulder, letting her know she can handle it.

"Breach! Let. Her. Go."

Reynas eyes glowed purple and with a thirst for blood and a warning of danger. Breach flinched and let Fade go. Fade who was barely conscious coughed, gasping for air that her lunch so desperately needed. 

Reyna grabbed Breach and slammed him on the floor.

"Brimstone is on his way. Thank you Reyna"

"Anything for you Darling"

Sage his away her blush in sake of staying professional, and headed off to check on Fade who was attempting to stabilize her breathing, while shaking uncontrollably from shock and lack of oxygen.

"Neon get some water. I'll get Fade into a sitting position, she should be fine but I'm going to check up on her breathing anyways"

Neon nodded and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Cafeteria went dead silent, noone agreed on what Breach had done. Some might of been scared of her or had their doubts, but even they knew this went too far, especially knowing Fade had done nothing wrong. 

Fade was fine in the end and Brimstone suspended Breach untill further notice. A murder attempt of a fellow protocol agent would cause get anyone kicked out on the spot. However Breach had been a member for ages, and though he had his moments, something felt off, even with his bursts of anger, so he was sent into isolation. A separate room in a separate building. The food wasn't bad but it wasn't good either and there wasn't as much freedom. It was a bit guarded and reinforced with a material Breach wouldn't be able to break. Sage would go there once every two days to check up on him and see what was wrong.

On the other hand Neon was worried and even asked Sage to do a proper check up later that same day, and Sage did just that after listening to Neons nagging for at least 10min. Everything was fine and as it seems Fades medical condition improved all together, which was good and might even get Fade back on the field sooner than expected, after all the problems recently they're short staffed. 

The dark and chilly night quickly consumed the daylight and Neon escorted Fade to her room telling her what time she will come back and knock on the door and Fade should be ready at that time. Fade agreed and entered her room. She was our of cigarettes and she's been feeling dizzy, being unable to sleep, shaking and anxiety getting heavy. She needs the cigarettes asap. She thought about sneaking out, but she'd probably get caught..right?

She shook off the thought telling herself it cam wait untill tomorrow and went to sleep. She had a dream in which everyone had sided with Breach and even Sova and Sage had stabbed her in the back. She was used to being a lone wolf and yet....she had people around her she trusted and now she never wants to go back to her loner life-style, she hated the idea that her mindset had changed, but at the same time she didn't see it as a bad thing. However her dreams weren't pleasant and she quickly shot up in cold sweat, shaking. She felt sick and ran to the bathroom and sticking to the toilet, only seconds later throwing up whatever her stomach had left of her dinner.

She got up and rinsed her mouth with some cold water. She left her room and went into the kitchen, where (for once) she didn't make coffee but some herbal tea. She remembers learning about properties of certain herbal teas, some help with sleeping, others help with stomach issues. She quickly made a mix of both and hoped it was going to work. She now took a look at the time 00:34 (00:34am).

Fade sighed and headed off to the mini library that the protocol had at the end if cafeteria. She turned on a small table light and sat down on a nearby beanbag. She put the mug full of tea next to the beanbag and opened a book about dark romance in a fantasy world. She didn't usually read that stuff as it was "full of shit" according to her, but even thay was a fun read when you had a hard time sleeping, with nothing but stress keeping you awake.

She didn't even finish the first chapter when the door opened. Someone besides Fade awake at this hour was insanity. Fade stood up, just to see Phoenix and Jett at the cafeteria with a mop, a rag, a bucket of water and some cleaner liquid nearby. She didn't know what their punishment was untill just now. It didn't take the duo long to notice someone had been standing there.

"Yo, ain't that Fade? What's she doing up?"

"No clue and honestly, I couldn't care less to find out. Let's just di what we gotta and leave"

"I mean. It was kinda out fault though...maybe we should talk things out! Who knows, maybe she's cool!"

"Her? Cool? Did you really just put those two words into the same sentence. Bae, I know what we...mostly I did was wrong but I do not wanna talk to her...like...at all!"

Phoenix rolled his eyes. It wasn't just Sage and Brimstone who had talked to them after what they did. After the punishment they've been given Neon talked to them and told them what she was planning to do. Jett jumped at that and went berserk about what Neon is thinking was manipulation and such, meanwhile Phoenix relaxed and thought about it for a second. He got Jett to calm down a bit, but Jett still hated Fades guts for some reason, even though Fade had done nothing wrong.

"Ay yo Fade! Come down a sec, we wanna talk! And not the rude kind!"

Fade was scaptical and fully on her guard, but she didn't sense anything negative on them except maybe slight anger on Jett. She contemplated a bit before stepping forward.

"What is it?"

"Well for one I just wanna say I'm-"

Jett elbowed him and he quickly corrected himself.

"We, are sorry about what we've done. We don't know you, but maybe we can cash things out, you know, talk and stuff. If you're cool with that"

Jett wasn't trying to hold eye contact and was hard ti read at all at that moment but Fade had nothing against a quick chat.

"Sure. Also Jett, I know what I did before joining you guys was fucked up. But I'd like to at least be colleagues without bad blood if we can't be friends"

"Yea yea...it's whatever. I still don't like you though and if you mess things up here on purpose again, then you better expect a storm"

Fade nodded in understanding, she was a little relieved knowing those two thought about what had happened and what Neon had told them and were willing to turn a new page.

"Wait actually. Fade, quick question, why are you awake? It's like two in the morning"

"Just...bad dreams"

"You mean nightmares? Didn't know you get those"

"I am just human you know. No better than you guys, I don't want to go into details, so if you're curious just ask Sage, tell her I allowed it"

Phoenix and Jett looked at each other while Fade took her, now empty cup, and was about to leave when the door opened. It was Neon.

"Fade? What are you doing here?"

"Talking to...colleagues"

"Huh? You mean?"

Jett nodded while Phoenix got a smug look on his face as if they accomplished something noone has ever done in their life aka talk to Fade.

"That's awesome! That means we can all be friends now right?"

"I mean...I don't wanna overstep so I'm going to take it slow for once. I still don't fully trust her, but maybe one day"

Neon walked up and punched Jett in the shoulder.

"I'll take that as a yes"

"Why are you up Neon?"

Fade was just about to leave when Jett brought that question up. She didn't stop because she wanted ti hear Neons answer, but because of what Neon said next.

"I could ask Fade the same thing"

Fade turned around as the trio looked at her, but before she could talk Phoenix opened his mouth.

"Well she had some bad dreams, you know we all got those yeah?"

"I see... well you should go back to sleep"

"Right"

Fade nodded and left the room. Neon looked at Jett and Phoenix.

"Alright Sparky I know you wanna spy on your friend, go for it"

"What's with that tone? But you're right. I don't think she's going to actually sleep...I've got a bad feeling...also, do you guys still have those cigarettes you bought that one time?"

"You mean the ones that we wanted to try for the first time, to see why Viper smokes, but ended up in trouble when Sage caught us?"

"Yes those!"

"I think Sage has them in her office...why?"

"I don't know, just a random thought"

Neon stormed off and the duo looked at each other and shrugged, getting back to work, which was their punishment; during the day they get ti stay in their rooms, eating only thirty minutes before lunch/breakfast/dinner ends and they have midnight cleaning duties for about two weeks. It's been a rough few days for them, but they kind of enjoy it.

Neon ran to Sages office and searched her entire desk. She found a locked drawer and used her electricity as a magnet to unlock the basic lock installed and lo' and behold, Jetts 'I have a great idea' cigarettes were there. Untouched. They were light ones so Fade might not be a fan, but it might help the shaking that she saw Fade struggle to contain.

She ran back and knocked on Fades door. The door opened and Fade was standing there, shaking, stressing out and looked like she was on the verge of a heart attack.

"Here tak these...you're not doing too good. These are light but they should be able to hold you up right?"

"Thanks..."

Fade took the lighter and went onto the roof and Neon followed.

"You know you don't have to follow me everywhere right?"

"I know, but you know cigarettes aren't good for you, yet here we are, besides I can't sleep. I've got this horrible nightmare. My whole family dies and I try ti save them, but I fail over and over again and suddenly they're far away, so I run and run and run, untill something forces me to stop. I wanna move but I can't. It's suffocating, then I wake up"

"I can take them away if you'd like"

"Huh? But wouldn't that have some side effect?"

"I'm a dream seer, it's my specialty so I'll be fine, trust me"

By this time Fade was on her fourth cigarette.

"You fall asleep and when the nightmare begins I'll be there and I'll devour it whole"

"And the price?"

"There isn't one, I know better than you about it so trust me"

Fade finished her fifth cigarette, making her whole body calm down a bit and hopefully get her through the night.

"Let's go. I wanna see that nightmare give me its best shot"

Chapter Text

Fade entered Neons room and blinked slowly a few times to adjust to the light in the room.

"Oh right! Sorry!"

Neon turned the hologram of the beach off, though it was displaying nighttime, it was still pretty bright and not Fades favourite.

"Ok so uhh...welcome to my room?"

"Right. You should go to sleep, once you do I should be able to extract the nightmare"

Neon nodded, layed down on the bed and covered herself with a blanket.

"Good night Fade"

"Good night"

Neon closed her eyes and slowly drifted into sleep. Fade sat down on the nearby desk chair facing the currently sleeping Neon. It hasn't been five minutes when Neon started twitching and a nightmarish aura started emitting from her. Fade got up completely calm and walked to Neon, she took a deep breath and gathered the aura into a small tiny ball. Once she touched it she could feel it's power and presence, and was transported into a room of darkness and despair. 

She looked around and saw pitch black with flashing images of Neons fears. They weren't comftrable, but she was unaffected by it, after all it wasn't her dream.

Soon enough the images stopped and the nightmare took a form of a gooey monster, it looked like black sludge about four times bigger than herself, with red eyes staring down directly into Fades eyes. The key for Fades ability to succeed, is keeping calm and show zero signs of fear or hesitation.

"There you are. You know, I've been looking for you. You've been giving this girl quite the trouble, I don't particularly appreciate that"

"You...you're a dream seer...so much stronger than the rest, and not afraid..who are you?"

"I don't think that's relevant, but dreams are my ground, so I recommend you disperse"

Fade sat down, her left leg was layed down on the side and her right one over it with Fade resting her right arm on its knee, which was sticking up, glaring at the nightmare sludge infront of her.

"You don't scare me, so try your WORST!"

The creature launched three sludge tentacles towards Fade. Fade sat there and released the power of her radiance, which surrounded her, destroying any attack that came in contact with her. 

"Didn't I say that this is my realm? You didn't listen, and now you'll be devoured"

Fade raised her left arm pointing the fingers at the nightmare, then quickly squizing them together into a fist. Like a command the nightmare sorrounding the creature engulfed it, slowly chipping it away, untill there was nothing left.  Fade got up and grabbed the little red orb the creature had left behind. Moments later she was back in Neons room, holding the nightmare core in her hands.

'Mission complete. Time to go, I don't want to overstay my welcome'

Nightmares can take many forms, and depending on their strength, they drop different colors and core sizes. Those cores look like a normal glass ball to other people, the only issue being the fact that it can break like glass aswell, releasing all of that at once easly mentally destroying the one who broke the glass, aswell as everyone around them, which in tears wouldn't only revive the nightmare, but also make it stronger. Fade used to get into people's bad dreams and collect those things, as a power up to her powers, using them as snacks for her radiance. 

Neon wasn't a fan of needing to see her nightmare, not even close. She hated the thought, but if it can help her get rid of it for good, then she will trust Fade. She fell asleep in mere moments, she was so tired because of the past couple of days and the poor sleep quality that her mind drifted into sleep almost instantly. 

Everything looked normal as it usually does. She was in her room back home in the Philippines, when her mom called on her. She went downstairs, staying upstairs makes the nightmare scarier for her. Once she gets down the stairs everything goes dark, her family slaughtered and yet still talking.

"You killed us. It's all your fault...you should die for that"

She tried to run, run away, run to her grandma before she goes dead aswell, but right before reaching her, she gets stuck on black sludge, which slowly devours her into the ground, Neon closed her eyes knowing what was coming next thinking Fade had failed her and her trust, but suddenly the dream got brighter, more colorful, she stopped sinking into the ground. She opened her eyes and saw the sunset at her favourite beach, the same one she she had as her hologram on the wall. It was home. 

"TALA! COME PLAY WITH US!"

Neon turned around and saw her family, holding up a volleyball, calling out to her to join them. 

"Coming!"

Neon had completely forgotten all about the nightmare, that she once had.

Fade entered her room and sat down on her bed crisscross, looking at the orb. Should she use it? She doesn't want to risk having it break, but this one was fairly strong and considering her situation, she's not sure she will.be able to contain it all, but having this around with a risk of it breaking and possibly trapping everyone in an endless nightmare...trapping Neon into the nightmare she had just gotten rid of? Fade didn't want that. She took a deep breather and called out her radiance.

Prowler had been summoned in a form of a cat. A small four legged black and red cat and sat down on the floor infront of Fade, waiting for a treat the woman had been holding.

"You want it...don't you? But if I give it to you, you might get to strong, but you wouldn't mind roaming free right?"

Prowler just quietly stared at her.

"You're truly and asshole"

The Prowler released a growl like meow as if to say "Who are you calling an asshole?!"

"Yeah yeah! Listen. If you go outside, you should know these people are capable and will despose of me, which means you aswell. So behave"

The nightmare was silent but the look in its eyes changed. Fade wasn't weak and could sustain a large ammount of nightmare, but she couldn't contain all of it if it got about three times stronger from the 'cat treat' she was golding, or at least she wasn't sure she'd be able to.

She was contemplating wether or not she should actually feed the Prowler this orb or no. Will she be able to keep it in in her state? She took a deep breath. If all else fails, she will fire the nightmare at herself. It won't be nice and might even cause harm to her actual body not just her mental, but it ment keeping everyone completely safe. 

She threw the orb above the cat, which dispursed into a thick shadow and eating the orb before taking on the form of a cat once more and fading away once again. For a moment nothing changed, when the sudden wave of the nightmares powers hit her. She could feel her heartbeat, hee breathing pace increasing. It felt like her insides were about to explode. Fade tried to slow down and control her breathing and focus.

Besides her heart, after she had unlocked her radiance, she had something called the nightmare core, which is the same thing as the nightmare orb the nightmares have, but unless in the dream realm, it serves only as her radiances home and source of power. Noone but Fade can see it and it can only be destroyed in the dream realm. 

Fade focused on the core, transfering her mental self into it. Once she was in there was a large shadow in her Prowlers form around ten times her size, staring down at her, black nightmare mucus dripping out its mouth.

"Didn't you grow quite a bit since I last saw you. You know I'm not a fan of you trying to take control, so buzz off will you?"

The Prowler tried to envelop her in its nightmare but she jumped out of the way, slowly walking towards it.

"I'm your master remember? Aswell as your host and I'm sure I made myself clear in you staying put, if you don't we will both be eliminated on the spot"

She was now standing right infront of the creature staring up into its eyes.

"You truly are a nuisance and a pain. You've been tricking us to control our powers, but it stopped working for you didn't it? So now you're here talking to us. It has been years, since you came here, you don't have the right to boss us around, WHEN YOU LEAVE US IN HERE TO ROT! Unlike you, we can't roam the outside and are stuck in this place serving as your slaves. We rather break free and die"

"Freedom is what you ask for? In that case I have a few conditions. You aren't allowed to hurt anyone unless I say so and you are to assume a form of a cat"

"A cat? Are we a joke to you?"

"Hardly. But a cat is innocent and harmless to most. Besides, if you let out this form we'd both be killed on the spot. Either that or I can just find a new way to suppress you as you continue trying to break free. I person prefer the option with both of us having what we want"

"In that case we have a condition aswell"

Fade waited in silence for the nightmare to continue talking.

"We enter a new contract. Not as a master and a slave, but as equals. It will let us roam free. If we break any of your conditions we will be suppressed without a chance to break free no matter what"

Fade got a smug smirk on her face. Entering a nightmare contract with your radiance isn't easy, specifically her radiance. Nightmare is a venture of its own mind and thoughts. Once Fadd got her radiance she passed out and transferred into this realm, the realm of her nightmare core. Once she did she was instantly bound to the.contract making it this things master, even if it was against its will. However she also has the power to change the contract, but only with the nightmares agreement, meaning she can change the rules and the punishment of breaking one. And the punishments, always come true.

The rules and punishment had been changed. The nightmare exposed its core, which was pitch black. Fade touched it and was transported back into her room. Her breathing was heavy but steady, with sweat dripping down her back. Infront of her was a black and red cat. 

"Hello there Prowler"

The nightmare replied with but a simple meow. 

"Well I'm going to sleep. You can roam around a bit, but do Not cause trouble"

The cat just turned around and left the room through the small gaps in the door, by dispersing into smoke, and then back into a cat on the other side.

Fade sighed and layed down closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Fade had still been sleeping when loud knocking on her door had woken her up. 

"Ugh...what is it this time? It's so early"

She checked the time on her phone 7:35 (7:35am). As the knocking continued.

"ALRIGHT CALM DOWN!"

she got up accidentally rolling her blanket ontop of Prowler.

"Oh- sorry"

The knocking got louder.

"OK CALM IT!"

She opened the door and saw Sage.

"What?!"

"Sorry to wake you, but it's important"

"What is it? Did I miss my medical examination?"

"No. But it's Breach, he's infected with the Omega Fades nightmare"

"So? What do you want me to do?"

The conversation peeked the Prowlers interest and the cat got closer, rubbing against Fades feet.

"I figured you might know how to help him"

"I don't. Sorry"

It was a lie so the Prowler but her leg. Prowler didn't care to help, but it loved devouring the other weaker nightmare forms and it didn't want to miss out.

"Ouch. What is your problem?"

Fade looked down at Prowler who was looking st her with these red eyes pretending to be completely innocent.

"Cute cat but...you should ask permission to keep a pet like that"

"It's just Prowler, its a part of my radiance'

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying this little guy is .ade completely of nightmare. I entered a new contract, allowing it more freedom and me the peace to sleep"

"Ah..in that case I'll report to Brimstone about your new upgrade.."

Sage crouched.

"Hello there little one. Welcome to the protocol"

Sage touched it. It didn't feel like fur but rather a soft, cold smoke. Almost as if you could touch a cloud without it disappearing. 

"It really is the nightmare..."

"You didn't believe me?"

Sage cleared her throat getting up, when the doors to Neons room opened. Neon stepped outside and turned to see Fade and Sage talking.

"Good morning you guys. And thanks Fade, for getting rid of my nightmare"

Sage glared at Fade who was just found out.

"Oh? So you can help but don't want to?"

Fade turned her head away.

"Did I miss something here?"

Fade sighed. She wasn't happy, but it's notice Neon ment to rat her out. 

"No. It's nothing. Go get some food I'll join you I'm a bit"

"K, I'll see you around!"

Sage was still looking at Fade.

"I see you two are getting along"

"Yes. We've been working on getting along"

"Right. Now then. Will you help?"

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you will have to give me a good reason for doing so. I understand that Breach isn't exactly good to get along, but we need him and he's still one of your teammates-"

"That tried to kill me. More than once, that's like someone trying to kill you and you still helping them when they're in tough spot, just for them to turn around and stab you in the back. Sorry, but no"

Sage sighed knowing this will be harder than she had originally enticipated.

"You're right, but we need him out there! Besides that, there are agents in the protocol who consider him their friend. We can't just leave him to his fate!"

"I can. By walking away from this conversation"

Fade was about to walk past Sage when Sage grabbed her hand.

"Fade please. We need him out there. And we need you to help him. Please"

"You won't stop untill I do. Fine, I'll help, but under one condition"

"Which is?"

"Guaranteed protection. I don't need a murderer on my tail after I had helped save his life. Also, by the sounds of it, this won't be a simple task and I might fail putting everyone on danger. Are you willing to take that risk?"

"You won't fail. I trust in your abilities Fade"

"Right"

Chapter Text

Fade was let go by Sage inorder to get some breakfast before heading off to see Breach with her. She entered the cafeteria and quickly spotted a blue haired agent waiting for her at one of the tables with an extra plate of food waiting for Fade.

Fade walked over and sat down.

"Good morning to you"

"Yeah. Good morning"

Fade groaned in annoyance from what had just happened.

"I'm sorry I didn't meat to-"

Fade cut Neon off before she could finish

"It's fine. Not like you knew anything or the context of our conversation so there's no need for that. Let's just eat so I can get over that quickly"

"Right. Also tomorrow is your appointment with Sage, don't miss it. You might even be able to go on some missions"

"Right."

That said they finished their meal. Fades plate always looked like someone who ate with respect for every bite off food on the plate, meanwhile Neons looked like a bomb exploded in the middle of her plate. 

"Can you clean up please? I have to meet with Sage"

"Sure. Good luck, I'll wait for you here"

"Thanks"

Fade headed off and met Sage at the front entrance.

"Ready to go?"

"As ready as I can be"

They started walling towards the facility where Breach was kept.

"Thank you for doing this, I know it's probably no easy on you"

"You don't say....besides you didn't leave me much of a choice you know"

Sage chuckled. The rest of the walk was rather quiet and peacful untill they eventually stopped at a small shed. Sage opened the door Via face recognition scan and they entered a small elevator which headed down.

The space down wasn't very big. It had about 5 doors total. An office and four "jail" cells.

Sage unlocked the door where Breach was kept. When the doors opened Breach turned his head and noticed Fade. His hair was in shambles, his eyes wide open with huge eyebags under his eyes which had turned red from the lack of sleep. He looked like he'd gone mad.

"YOU FREAK! WHY IS SHE HERE? KILL HER! KILL THAT THING INFRONT OF ME! SHE'S THE REASON I'M SUFFERING! THAT BITCH! ILL KILL HER MYSELF!"

Speaking all that he charged at them and hit a plastic/glass reinforced wall and fell on his stomach passing out.

Sage opened the metal door on the other side and Fade entered hovering her hand over Breach, gathering the dark aura from Breach infront of it and then touching it.

Fade slumped onto her knees on the ground motionless. Sage was worried but kept calm, waiting and trusting Fade, believing she can pull it off.

Fade woke up in a realm similar to her own mental one, but it was colder and weaker. It wasn't the nightmares original core, but rather just a fraction of it as if it was split into two.

She saw Breach enveloped in nightmares who were slowly swallowing him into the dark ground. 

Fade looked around and noticed the entire floor was made of some black matter. 

'Something is watching me'

Fade took a deep breath a focused. Her nightmarish companion hopped out of her shadow.

"well well...this place seems...familiar"

"It's my Omegas doing no?"

"Seems like it. This won't be easy. Are you sure you can do it as you are now? I can still pull you out"

"No. if we delay this further we will lose this one completely"

"It's here"

That said the nightmare jumped behind Fade nullifying the attack coming from behind her. Fade focused and enveloped herself in her own nightmare, then splitting off a clone of hers, sending it over to Breach in an attempt to dig him out. However the second her clone came close to Breach it was destroyed by spikes firing from Breaches body.

"Tsk...how annoying"

The spikes then transformed and left Breach on the floor unconscious and changed its forms into something like a demon. It had blades on the outside of its arms below the wrist and razor sharp claws, but the form it took was that of a human, it's eyes were completely red like its mouth smiling widely. 

"What....a nice....gift"

That said it launched its self at Fade in an attempt to stab her but she quickly dodged moving next to prowler who now had taken on a form of a dream eater making it five times its previous size with four legs equipped with claws that could rival the ones the enemy had. It was more or less an oversized tiger and yet it could change into whatever it wanted, but the bigger the transformation the more power it drains from Fade which would ultimately lead to her demise.

Fade decided to conjure up an assassins blade made from nightmare. It wasn't flashy, but it's not like she brought a knife to gun fight so it was going to work for now.

"Try not to die"

"Don't have to tell me twice. Also I think now would be a good time to use that orb you've consumed"

That said the nightmare started growing and shifting into another form. It was a pitch black wolf big enough for about three of its tiger forms. It's what you would call its final form. The nightmares predator is what Fade calls it.

It stomped on the ground creating a wave of claw marks charging towards the enemy who quickly dodged the attack, its smirk was now gone and it turned into a more serious expression. 

Fade launched towards it hitting the arms blades with her dagger. The wolf then howled changing the fighting area completely, making it a copy of Gades mental realm. 

"Thanks"

Fade was stronger in the realm. She quickly dispersed into a shadow stabbing snd slowly chipping away at the enemy when eventually it could predict her moves and swiftly blocked one of her attacks. It tried to grab her head but Fade turned into another shadow.

Fade was going in for the final blow from behind when that things back suddenly grew spikes which pierced her gut, breaking the realm copy the wolf had created.

The creature put away its spikes dropping Fade on the ground.

Sage was waiting for about five minutes when she saw blood dripping from Fades eyes it was almost black when.

Sage ran to Fade as fast as she could attempting to heal her, but it wasn't working. Sage wasn't about to give up and was about to heal her again when she noticed Fades shoulder were bloody. 

She took a closer look to it all. Sages face turned pale. Fades eyes were pouring blood together with a nosebleed aswell as her ears bleeding. She wanted to wake Fade and help her, but she didn't know how. She took a deep breath.

'I mist trust that Fade will succeed..after all, I placed trust in her first. I cannot betray her like that...please be safe and make it back alive'

"It's.. time for...the big...guy"

The creature was about to jump when it got stuck on something. Fade had grabbed the creature by its leg sticking it to the ground.

"NOW DO IT PROWLER!"

The big wolf grabbed the nightmares head with its mouth and quickly bit it off eating it. 

The now lifeless body of the nightmare had dropped on the floor and slowly started to turn into ash, dropping a nightmare orb of pitch black color.

"Your dinner is ready...go for it...Prowler"

Without a second thought prowler ate the orb in one go before transforming into a house cay again. It then walked towards Fade who was barely hanging in there. If she dies here, so does her body outside. The Prowler touched Fades hand with its cold paw, making Fade wake up in the real world.

Fade gasped for air holding her chest as if her lungs were about to explode. She stabilized her breathing.

"Fade"

Fade heard a gentle voice and could feel an equally gentle touch on her back. She turned to her left, facing Sage.

"Sage....I...did...it..-'

Before she could say anything, she had passed out with Sage catching her before her body would take a dive straight into the floor.

"You did well...Fade...thank you"

Chapter Text

Fade woke up in her room.

'I feel like shit....'

A good start to a day. She took up her phone and saw it was already afternoon, lunch time to be precise. She got up and noticed she was in her hoodie and pajamas. Fade sighed knowing Sage had probably changed her after she blacked out. 

"Mreow"

Fade looked down to her right where she saw Prowler sitting on the floor looking at her.

"You wanna come to lunch with me right? Let me get changed and....you can come with me"

She wasn't a fan of people knowing the thing that they fear oh so much is going to be right there with them, but a deal was a deal and she will deal with all the consequences.

She changed into her usual fit composing of a hoodie and sweatpants. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was comfortable. Before she left Prowler jumped up and sat on her shoulder, the coolness of the nightmare blushing against Fades face and neck. Fade also took whatever was left of those light cigarettes Neon had gotten for her and lighter. 

Prowler looked at Fade and put it's paw on the box.

"What? You're my mom now? I can do whatever I want, besides lunch comes first"

Prowler just gave up and let her be as they both headed to the cafeteria.

She took a look at the options and decided on some fried noodles and jasmine tea. Both Sage and Yoru were the ones cooking this time around so it was Asian culture all the way. 

"Fade! Over here!"

Fade saw Neon waving at her with Raze and Killjoy at the same table. Fade smiled to herself and headed over.

"I didn't know you're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Like shit"

That said Prowler got off her shoulder and sat down on the table. The most stunned of them all was Killjoy.

"What's with the cat?"

"That's prowler"

Fade could feel the girls anxiety spike ever so slightly knowing the cute and innocent creature infront of them is also the source of nightmares and destruction.

"So um...why is it...like that?"

"I made a contract with it. It doesn't give me trouble anymore, but it can roam anywhere it wants as much as it wants wit the condition of it needed that form"

Suddenly the anxiety enveloping Neon disappeared.

"Pffftt! Seriously?? I cat?! Oh that's good!"

Neon started laughing and soon enough any negative emotion roaming in the air was gone. 

"Come here little guy, can I pat you?"

Prowler started walking towards Neon avoiding stepping anything on the table, just like a real cat, then sitting down infront of Neon.

"Awww like at you! What a good kitty!"

Neon pat the Prowler, feeling the slight chill it gave her. It was made completely of nightmare so it didn't really suprise Neon when she found it cold to the touch.

"Wow it's cold, but it's not scary...it's more like a fluffy cloud...I didn't think something so scary can be so...cute"

"Really let me pat it too!"

"Killjoy, get in line! I'm next"

Soon all three of them were patting it, slightly suprised and yet not scared of Prowler at all. In the meantime Fade was eating her food, enjoying her meal, which was inturrupted by Breach, who stomped and stopped at their table, staring down at Fade.

"You!"

"..."

"Breach! What is your problem!?"

"Thank you, I still don't like you, but thank you"

Prowler was suddenly not interesting at all as the entire cafeteria was staring at their table in pure shock, some agents freezing with their mouth agape.

"Also, Sage wants to see you later. She said you can take your time, but to go see her today before lights out"

"Right. Thanks"

Breach nodded and left to get some food.

"Ok woah. What. was. that?"

"Did Breach just apologize to you Amiga?"

"I think he was...Fade you shouldn't listen ti him especially if there was no reason for him to do so, he might be plotting something"

"I doubt it. He doesn't seem like the type with much of a brain. Besides, he was taken over by a nightmare of Omega Fades. The reason he's thanking me is because Sage asked for my help, and I reluctantly agreed, if I had failed, he'd be killed on the spot"

"Yikes. Lucky for me and thanks to you, I get to keep my partner in crime! Thanks!"

"Right. Anyways, you heard what he said, I have to get to Sage, so I'll be on my way. Prowler you can stay with them seeing how much you love the attention"

"Meow~"

Prowler was on its back showings its belly to Killjoy, who was happily scratching it.

Fade took away her platter and headed to the roof where she proceeded to spend the next 20min of her time cigarette after cigarette untill most of the box was empty.

"Only lasted two smoking trips....ugh I need to get some more.."

"I thought I'd find you here. Honestly I'd think you'd learn to go to Sage immediately by now you know"

Fade recognized the voice coming from behind her so she didn't find a need to turn around.

"Neon. Why did you follow me?"

"Technically you're still under my care untill Sage dissmisses your forced break"

"Right"

Neon looked at the ash tray standing next to Fade.

"At this rate you'll run out of what you've still got"

"I almost have. These are weak, I'll buy some stronger ones later today. Hopefully"

"A-huh.. you know these aren't good for you right? You should really try and quit, I'd hate it if a friend of mine would willingly destroy her lungs just because"

Fade took a smoke and turned off the not completely smoked cigarette.

"Right. Well in that case I'll go see Sage now, that is the reason you're here, right?"

Neon nodded and waved at Fade while she went down the stairs towards the medical ward. Once Fade was out of view Neon leaned on the railings.

"Friend...I like the sound of that"

Neon took a deep breath while feeling warm and fuzzy inside, which she found weird. She had made many friends before, but she never felt like that. She took another deep breath and then left the roof herself.

"Good. It seems you've recovered well over the last week. You're good to be sent on missions once again and so is Neon. I'll let Brimstone know immideatly"

"Right. How's Breach?"

"He's doing alright, no trace of any kind of problems relating to his physical or mental health. For now we are still keeping an eye on him, but he will return to the field soon, together with Phoenix and Jett"

"Good. If that's all I'm gonna go-"

"Wait for just a second"

Fade who had just stood up, sat down once again waiting for whatever Sage had to say.

"I noticed the cigarettes in my drawer disappeared. I'm guessing Neon got them for you?"

"She did. Though the box is about empty"

"I can't feel but think that your smoking habit has gotten worse....Fade...you need to control yourself, you're ruining your own health"

"I'm fine...I'll be fine. Besides, I don't have a real reason to quit, I don't find myself or my health important"

"Fade. If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here for you"

"Right. Now if that's all, I'd like to visit Brimstone, I'll let him know I'm good to go for missions"

"In that case you'll need this"

Sage handed a paper confirming Fades redeployment.

"Thanks. Have a good one"

Sage nodded and Fade disappeared heading down the hall untill she reached the doors to Brimstones office. She knocked three times and waited.

"Come in"

She opened the door and saw Brimstone holding his head up with one hand and holding a small stack of papers in the other.

"Ah Fade. What is it that you need?"

"I brought this"

Fade dropped the paper on Brimstones table, which he quickly scanned through.

"I can be redeployed"

"That's great new. I'll send you on a mission starting tomorrow in that case"

"In that case can I have permission to leave the Protocol grounds for today? I just need to get something from town really quickly"

Brimstone sighed knowing what Fade was about to go look for, but he wasn't going to try and stop her figuring Sage had probably already tried that.

"Alright. Be back by 22:00 (10pm)"

"Thanks"

Fade headed off to her room.to fetch her wallet before heading to the garage, where she put on a black leather jacket and a black helmet. She picked up her keys from the key hanger where it said 'Fade', started up her motorbike and went off to the nearest gas station or market where they sold cigarettes. she wnated to get about three packs to get her through the month but when she was at the counter she remembered the words Neon had said to her on the roof.

"I'd hate it if a friend of mine would willingly destroy her lungs just because"

"I'll take two boxes please"

She payed and quickly took the cigarettes, leaving the gas station, before she could change her mind or second guess her decision. She sat down on her bike but didn't start it. She just kinda stood there thinking why she had decided her actions based on someone else's words. After about 5min of coming up with nothing she just sighed in defeat, started her motorbike and going back to the protocol, where she parked her bike, put everything away and headed off to her room.

Once she entered her room, she threw the two boxes of cigarettes on the table and layed down on her bed thinking about tomorrow's missions and whatever the hell happened at the gas station, neither of the two things leaving her mind. In the end she sighed once again before heading off for dinner.

Chapter Text

Fade was just about set-up and ready to go. She opened the door to leave her room.

"Oh hey Fade! Ready to go?"

"Yes. Let's go"

Fade left the room with Prowler following behind her.

"Uhh...is Prowler going in as a...cat?"

"If that's what it perfers, then yes"

"What kind of contract are you guys on again?"

"Well, this little "guy" gets to roam freely all it wants and I get no control issues or nightmares in exchange, plus it gets this cute cat form"

"Ah. Seems more beneficial to you than it"

"I guess, but it can't live without me sustaining its life and it still gets to feed so I think it's fair"

"Fair enough"

"who are you calling cute?"

"Oh? You're in my head now?"

"Hmp"

Fade rolled her eyes as Neon and Fade entered the vulture.

"Ah you're here! That only leaves-"

Before Brimstone could finish his sentence a gush of wind blew into the vulture.

"Anddd on time! Barely, but on time! How was that?"

"Wow Jett, that might of have been a new record speed for you! If you could just let me attach this speed meter-!"

"Killjoy killjoy! I love you girl but maybe some other time. We are on a mission remember?"

Killjoy made a pointing face not exactly happy about Jett avoiding her gadgets, when Neon decided to cut in.

"You're just scared that I'm faster! No wonder you don't want something like that recording your speed, you're avoiding the truth. You're. Too. Slow."

"Oh yeah? Gimme that shit!"

Jett grabbed the meter Killjoy had been holding up just a moment ago.

"How do I use this thing? I swear of it's broken..."

"Wait! No don't touch that button! Let me help!"

Killjoy got up to get the meter set up. Not a single one of the agents with exception of Fade and Brimstone who was piloting the vulture was sitting still.

"Guys I appreciate the enthusiasm, but we will be landing shortly. Brace yourself! It's mission time"

Fade closed the book she had been reading and left it on her seat, grabbed her vandal and stood infront of the exit of vulture with everyone else. 

Brimstone set the coordinates of the extraction point and set up the auto pilot.

"Get ready. Do you remember the mission?"

"Stop Omega from planting spike or prevent spike detonation. Only warning is cold weather"

"Kmh. Nerd"

The doors opened and the cold weather hit before the doors fully opened. Fade wasn't made for the cold, Istanbul had mostly warm weather, making this the not so ideal for her, but Sova was on a leave at home in Russia, making her the only other viable option.

"This is really not my place"

"You might not be my favourite Fade, but I have to agree"

"Jett you can warm up just run around for a bit"

"Yea no. I think Neon is better suited for that"

"Don't....talk....t-to...m-me"

"Alright agents! Fade Jett and Killjoy take A I'll take B with Neon. Killjoy can you set up a bot in the middle here?"

"Roger that"

They headed off holding their assigned positions. Fade focused and created a nightmare creature called haunt, throwing it across the building.

"I've got nothing here, they might be B"

Neon slowly made her way up untill she made it to the end of the hallway leading up to an open space.

"Nope. No signs of life, it's like a snow desert"

"Ugh this is taking too long! I'm bored!"

"I'm going in! Screw this!"

"JETT NO!"

Before Brimstones orders hit Jett, she had already rushed in finding the Omega Sova behind the metal pipe shooting him dead with a knife to the throat, just like Reyna had told her.

"Easy"

Behind Jett on the elevated platform there was Omega Viper.

"Jett watch out!"

Jett turned around as a bullet hit her shoulder only seconds later Vipers body falling dead from the bullet that hit her head dead center.

"Thanks Fade..."

"Let's regroup"

Jett nodded and was about to head back on site when she got shot from behind by enemy Yoru. She took cover.

"We've got one more over here!"

"Stay back. I'll take care of this one"

Jett nodded holding her injured shoulder when Killjoy arrived to help out Jett.

Prowler took on its original form looking for Yoru but found nothing. Fade didn't want to leave her team but also didn't want Yoru flanking them. She slowly made her way to the entrance of the building. She turned the corner and found yoru aiming at her with his sheriff. She quickly took a step back and practically saw the bullet fly right infront of her face. 

"Nice try"

She took out her vandal and shot the enemy Yoru full of holes.

"That seems to be all, returning to site"

"Good work Fade. Jett we've got something to tall about after the mission, don't think you're out of this one just because you're injured"

Brimstone was reporting from the kitchen area as he dropped Reynas dead body onto the floor, the purple aura disappearing from it. 

"Was that all of them?"

"I think so...Fade hasn't returned yet, she got lost or something?"

Jett reported back to Neons question, when she heard footsteps, she quickly turned around to see Fade.

"It's just me. Sorry about that, but it seems the Omega me had a plan to jump me. Too bad it failed"

Fade looked behind her shoulders where there was an Omega Fades body on the floor.

"Jeez, aren't you creepy enough as is? Also why didn't you say anything over the radio piece"

"Oh that. It seems it broke when I got jumped"

Fade held up a broken piece of equipment.

"Seriously? I guess I've got some fixing to do...if it can be fixed"

"Sorry about that"

"Can we go back now? My shoulder is killing me!"

Killjoy nodded and they re-grouped heading towards the extraction point. Brimstone led the way with Killjoy and Jett right behind him talking, and behind them followed Neon and Fade.

"So uhh how was it?"

"Hm?"

"You know, being back on the field? I'm sure it feels good, how's your injury?"

"Ah, yea it feels good, doing much better than I did before"

"That's great! In that case I have a question"

Everyone froze when Neon pointed her Frenzy point blank onto Fades head.

"Where did you take her?"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

Before Fades replacement could move Jett had dashed and tripped her flat onto the ground, quickly disarming her using her right uninjured arm to put the enemies arm behind her back, then sitting on her immobilizing her completely.

"Ugh! How did you figure it out so damn fast?"

"Well after hanging out with Fade for a while it was pretty easy. For one our Fade she's of cigarettes, but you don't not to mention you walk without a care in the world and most importantly you don't shake. If Fade were to be jumped she'd be calm and took care of it, but showed signs of stress and anxiety right after with her hands shaking uncontrollably"

"Hmp...you know more about her then she does herself huh?"

"Well I uh-"

"Oh you freaky weirdo, where did you take our Fade?"

"Didn't you see? She was lying lifeless on the ground"

"Was! I bet you took her away. Where is she?"

"I'm not telling you anything"

"Neon!"

Neon looked up facing Brimstone waiting for his orders.

"Shoot her dead"

Neon nodded and picked up the enemies classic which Jett had skilfully removed when disarming the enemy.

"You look so much like her it's creepy...good bye, hope to never see you again"

That said Neon shot Fade in her head, then again and again.

"Woah there zap! I'm pretty sure she's dead. Calm down, let's go"

Neon nodded and dropped the classic onto the floor entering the vulture. She headed for the seat where there was a book thag Fade had left. Neon picked up and sat on the seat.

Agatha Christie Cards on the table

Neon placed the book onto the seat next to her.

"Hey zaps. What's up?"

"Why even ask? You know what it is.."

"Right..actually...nevermind I can ask later"

"What is it?"

"I was just wondering how did you get the enemy Reyna? I didn't even know she was there!"

"Well me and Brim were going to give you guys back up but we heard footsteps in the kitchen where Killjoy didn't set up her bot so we sneaked up and I zapped her immobile and Brimstone cut her throat"

"That's pretty sick! Mannnn I wish I could have zappy powers like you do!"

"Mhm...are you trying to cheer me up?"

"Is it working?"

"Not really"

"Ugh....how come you're this upset about it anyway?"

Before Neon could answer Killjoy joined the conversation.

"I bet she's inlove"

"Huh??!! Neon? Is that true?! How come I don't know about it?!"

"What? No! No no no! You got it wrong! I just...we just became friends alright? Seriously, imagine you make a new friend and then bam! Suddenly they're gone, possibly dead..is worrying about a friend really that bad?"

"That's not what we ment..listen. we will find her alright? I promise, me and Killjoy will try our best to help out"

"Thanks you guys...you're the best"

Fade woke up with another headache.

"Ugh...the hell?"

She looked around, but everything was still blurry and looked like her vision was some kind of an illusion.

"Finally awake dream seer?"

The person talking was Omega Omen.

"Let me guess, I was kidnapped? What will you offer me? Candy?"

Omen stayed quiet.

"What a sharp tongue you've got there! Not sure I like it"

Fade clicked with her tongue.

"Chamber, what an unpleasant suprise"

Fade quickly put together the pieces. The locked room, no windows, damp air full of humidity. She was underground. The metal chair which had her tied down with a rope with her arms handcuffed to the back of the said chair, dim lighting and a metal table with Omen standing behind a seated Chmaber who had a smug face, clearly confident in his interrogation capabilities.

She was once again, a prisoner, just this time it won't be as nice as before.