The Hunter | Overwatch

The Crucible Before Battle

The Next Day, 3:47 P.M.

The low hum of energy vibrated through the air as Shaun stood in Overwatch’s reinforced training facility. The sleek, futuristic weapon in his hands felt heavier than its actual weight, a reminder of the responsibility that came with it. Jack stood across from him, arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes focused on every small movement Shaun made. The others were scattered around the training room: Reinhardt Wilhelm towering near the doorway with his massive arms folded, Torbjörn Lindholm busy tinkering with a mini-turret on the floor, and Mina Liao observing from behind a control panel with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

The gun in Shaun’s hands was unlike anything he’d ever used before. Its sleek design pulsed with the same energy that coursed through his veins, and the visible energy core near the barrel throbbed in sync with his heartbeat. Soft blue light pulsed from the circuits that snaked along its surface. It was both beautiful and terrifying, a weapon not of bullets but of raw energy—his energy.

Jack’s voice cut through the tension in the room like a knife. “Take a breath, Shaun. Focus. Don’t rush it.”

Shaun exhaled slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. The energy inside him felt volatile, simmering beneath the surface, always ready to explode. He hated it—the constant pressure of keeping it in check. The weapon was supposed to help control it, to channel the chaotic force into something useful, but he wasn’t sure he could trust it.

“Look at me,” Jack said, his voice firm but not unkind. “You’re treating it like a bomb. Let it work with you, not against you.”

Jack’s calm authority was reassuring, but Shaun still felt the pressure. He glanced down at the glowing weapon in his hands, then out toward the training dummies. They hovered in the air, protected by energy shields that would absorb even the most powerful blasts. Jack had set them up to test his control, not his power. It was a distinction Shaun was beginning to understand.

The first few attempts were rough. Every time Shaun tried to focus his energy through the weapon, the power surged out in wild, uncontrolled bursts. One blast knocked a drone sideways, sending it spiraling across the room, and another nearly overloaded the gun’s core, causing a temporary power outage that left the room in darkness for a few seconds.

A deep, booming laugh echoed across the room as the lights flickered back on.

“Don’t worry, my friend!” Reinhardt’s voice rang out as he stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow over Shaun. “Control takes time! When I first wielded my hammer, I could barely keep it from knocking me off my feet!”

Shaun couldn’t help but crack a small smile, despite his frustration. Reinhardt’s larger-than-life presence had that effect—his laughter infectious, his optimism impossible to ignore. For a moment, Shaun felt like maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t completely out of his depth.

“Reinhardt’s right,” Liao interjected from her station. “But you need to be more deliberate. You’re relying too much on raw power. Your energy is unique, Shaun. It’s not about brute force. It’s about balance.”

She tapped a few keys on her console, resetting the drones that had been thrown off course. Her analytical mind was always at work, dissecting his every move. “You’re trying to control the gun like a traditional weapon, but it’s designed to work with your abilities, not just amplify them.”

Torbjörn grunted from his position, barely looking up from his turret. “You’re gripping it too tight, kid. Relax. Let it breathe, or you’re just going to fry the circuits.”

Shaun sighed and looked down at the weapon again. The energy core glowed steadily, and he realized he had been holding it like it was about to explode at any second. He loosened his grip slightly and took a deep breath.

He raised the gun again, this time more focused, more deliberate. He could feel the energy in his body, simmering beneath the surface, but instead of forcing it out, he let it flow naturally through the weapon. The circuits pulsed with light, and when he fired, the energy beam was controlled and precise. It hit the target dead center, disintegrating the drone on impact.

A cheer erupted from Reinhardt. “Ha! Now that’s more like it!”

Even Jack allowed a small, approving nod. “Good. Much better.”

Shaun exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. But before he could savor the small victory, Jack stepped forward, his expression as stern as ever.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You’ve made progress, but control is only part of the equation. You need to maintain focus, even when things go wrong. Out in the field, you won’t have the luxury of second chances.”

Shaun nodded, the weight of Jack’s words settling on his shoulders. This was just the beginning.

---

As the training session wrapped up, Shaun finally met Reinhardt, Torbjörn, and Liao more formally. They had been around, but now it felt different—like they were becoming a part of something bigger. Shaun had already met Jack, Reyes, and Ana, but the trio of legends added a new dynamic to the team.

Reinhardt, ever the optimist, clapped Shaun on the back so hard it nearly knocked him off his feet. “Welcome to the family, Shaun! We’ll make a warrior out of you yet!”

Torbjörn, ever gruff but somehow endearing, glanced at the gun Shaun still held. “Just don’t blow anything up. We’ve already got enough repairs to deal with.”

Liao, her curiosity never waning, looked at Shaun’s energy signature as if it were a fascinating puzzle waiting to be solved. “Your energy control is improving, but I’d like to study it more closely. We could learn a lot from it.”

Shaun gave a polite nod, unsure of how to respond. It was still surreal being among legends, and he wasn’t sure he belonged. But the warmth they extended was genuine, and he could feel the bonds beginning to form.

Ana, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, finally spoke. “The real test, Shaun, is in the field. Training’s one thing. When it’s life or death, that’s when you’ll prove yourself.”

Her words lingered in the air as the team began to disperse. Shaun had made progress today, but Ana was right—the real test was still ahead.

---

Later that evening, Shaun found himself in the armory, surrounded by weapons of every shape and size. He stood beside Jack, who offered quiet guidance as Shaun made his choices for the upcoming mission to Canada. There were many impressive options, but Shaun’s eyes kept returning to the weapon in his hands—the energy rifle he had trained with.

“You sure about this?” Jack asked, his tone even. “You’ve got plenty of choices here.”

Shaun nodded. “This feels right. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but… this gun, it’s like it’s made for me.”

Jack gave him a long look, then nodded in approval. “Alright. But remember, no weapon can replace discipline. You’re in control, not the gun.”

Shaun smiled slightly. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Jack’s expression softened, just a little. “Tomorrow, we’re heading out. You’ve come a long way, Shaun, but stay close to the team. Don’t try to prove anything. Just do your job.”

Shaun swallowed, feeling the gravity of what was to come. “I’ll be ready.”

As Jack turned to leave, Shaun looked down at the weapon in his hands, the energy core pulsing softly. For the first time, he felt a sense of control over the chaotic power inside him. Maybe he was ready for the mission after all.