As the aircraft entered hypersonic speed, the team gathered near the conference table to discuss their game plan. ATHENA provided a bird's eye view of Dorado and an old fortress overlooking the town by the name of Castillo. Jesse began the discussion.

"As y'all can see, this place is kinda cramped with a lot of folks on the streets, especially when that festival hits. Even now people are already crowdin' Dorado to prepare for the fiesta. I don't wanna put any civilians in danger, which is why it's damn crucial to prevent bullets from flying during D-day."

"Sounds like you have a plan luv." Lena grinned.

"I do. Our mission's focus ain't gonna be at Dorado. Instead, we're gonna hit Castillo, Los Muertos' crib. The area's off limits to civies, so weapons free. Shame, they got a mighty fine bar right there."

"The one you were drinking stupid at last Christmas?" Angela crooked an eyebrow.

"Yep, ran into Olivia too., he mumbled.

"Oooooh, playin' with fire there Jesse." Lena smirked.

"Who's Olivia?" Edward asked.

"Olivia Calomar. You probably know her as Sombra." Angela told him, causing his lips to form a nasty grin.

"I told ya, it was a one-night stand. We fucked and that's it."

"I'm surprised she hadn't filmed the whole thing and uploaded to some porn site or something." Edward chuckled.

"She did. Top browsed for roleplay category."

The entire ship burst into laughter for some time before gradually calming down.

"Back to the matter at hand, what is your entry plan?" Genji inquired. "Old or not, Castillo is still a fortress. In addition, the spy satellite suggested there is at least one armored combat mech on site, so barging in through the front door should be considered as a last resort."

"Infiltration could work. You, me, and Lena could wipe out the sentries in a flash and take over the place without a soul knowing we were there in the first place. Then we open the door from inside, that's when Edward and Angela will join." Jesse suggested.

But Edward have an alternative. "Let’s say if I can lend us some extra firepower, what do you say?"

"Go on." Jesse crooked an eyebrow, a hint of doubt visible on his face.

"An acquaintance of mine, Antonio Gutierrez, is commissioner of Dorado's police force. He's an Overwatch sympathizer and a fierce opponent to Los Muertos. I could convince him to lend us some extra firepower," Edward suggested.

"The police are going to arrive eventually, and we do not want to be there when they do. What makes you think your friend will be any different?" Genji inquired.

"Besides, I don't want to put more lives on the line." Jesse added.

"Don't you worry about it. Antonio is one of those people who still believe in our cause. That means instant-arrest is out of the way. Besides, we will be sharing a mutual advantage here. We help them with their work and they help ours. The difference is, we'll be there with less cloak and dagger aura. I know I sound so naive and I admit, I prefer Jesse's strategy. But like it or not, Overwatch fell because we lost the world's trust, and if we want to regain that trust...clandestine missions are not the way."

"Okay kid, your tongue's made of silver you know that? Talk to this guy and bring us all the Mexican firepower you can get plus some public trust while you're at it. But if that doesn't work, we'll do it my way. That clear?"

"As day, Jesse. Objections anybody?" Edward asked, but the rest shook their heads.

Suddenly Genji drew his wakizashi blade and dashed forward towards the crusader in a flash of green. Before anybody could react the cyborg had caught something invisible behind him, pinning it to the ground with his weapon held tightly against it.

"You're good." the unseen apparition spoke before de-cloaking. It was none other than Lightning Spear, who had sneaked aboard the ship. "Not anypony can just discover me like that."

"What is your purpose here? And do speak the truth, I'd hate to kill you." Genji asked as he pressed his blade harder against Lightning's neck, slightly digging its sharp edge into the pony's electric yellow coat.

"Luna told me she couldn't help, but she didn't say she won't be sending any with you." Lightning calmly answered. "Now can you please get off of me?"

"Before he does, what's up with the sneakin'? Could've just asked nicely." Jesse crossed his arms.

"Please, you would've said no anyway, and Luna is not a mare who will take no for an answer in situations like these. Besides, I wanna see for myself if I can sneak past you and all of your tech here and it seems I got my answer already. Is that good enough for you?"

"He is telling the truth," Genji said as he sheathed his wakizashi into its horizontally positioned scabbard on his lower back and helped the stallion on his feet.

"I’m very sorry." Lightning sighed and bowed his head. "For this, and not being entirely honest to you."

"What do you mean?" Angela inquired.

"You see, I'm not just a regular adventuring stallion, and those three mares are...how should I put this...very, very important ponies in Equestria." Lightning began his explanation. "In truth, I am a captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard and along with Fizzlepop, my job is to protect Luna and my cousin as they are both Princesses of the realm during this quest."

"Huh, should've figured it out by your suits of armor and weapons. Too high quality for civilian use." Edward remarked.

"Why didn't you tell us before luv? That recovery room's a hardly fitting accommodation for a group of royal emissaries." Lena took a knee to meet him at eye level.

"Safety precautions, Lena. We know humans are not exactly the most peaceful species and there are also fear of the unknown, the understandable, and the uncontrollable which we all share in common. But, seeing that you've treated us nicely instead of strapping us at dissection tables and cutting us open like toads have reminded us that a rotten apple does not spoil the whole bunch. And there's also the fact that our teleportation magic, which should have brought us to the closest location of the Spark, did not work as intended as we don't sense the artifact anywhere back at the base. Either a malfunction happened...or was it something else that sent us to you? Perhaps the will of a higher power? Or maybe destiny? I guess we'll never know. What matters now is that our paths have crossed, and the best course of action would be to help each other out. Just don't expect us to blow up a planet or something like that. So, friends?" Lightning offered his right hoof.

"Wow, you sure you're a cap'in there partner? You sound hella like a diplomat to me." Jesse smirked and shook Lightning's offered limb which the latter felt to be rather awkward as they usually bump it together but went with it nevertheless. Maybe it's a human custom. "Friends."

"Oh no no no. Being a diplomat is too much politics." Lightning shuddered. "But enough with the rhetorical statements. By now I’m sure all of you are wondering if I am qualified enough for this mission of yours. Aside from telekinesis and restoration spells, you've seen my Chameleon spell which virtually renders me invisible, but I assure you there's more to it than that."

"Now this I've got to see!" Angela perked up.

"Still a nerd Angie?" Edward patted her shoulder.

"Shhhh!"

"Hey hey! Just don't trash the ship will ya?! Or you're going swimming at the North Atlantic!" Ray yelled from the cockpit.

"I won't!" Lightning hollered. "He's got a point though, it's not safe to use my other abilities here. So, I'll demonstrate the shield dome."

"Wait wait, I think it's best for us to move to the basketball ring. More space there, nothing precious to damage," Angela suggested.

After they moved to the intended spot, they gave Lightning some space and gave the green light. His horn glowed with a yellow light and in a blink of the eye, a translucent shimmering yellow sphere enclosed him.

"A simple, yet powerful energy barrier. I can expand the size at will should it be necessary, but that will require more magic and concentration. Now don't be shy, gimme your best shot!"

As fast as lightning, Genji threw threeshurikens simultaneously towards the unicorn only for the throwing weapons to clatter to the floor upon impacting the energy barrier. Seeing the futility of his first attack he quickly flicked six moreshurikens, resulting the same as his previous attack.

"C'mon G, you can do better than that," Jesse taunted.

A nasty grin formed underneath Genji's mask. He brandished hiswakizashionce more and dashed towards the translucent barrier trying to penetrate it with a close-range attack. However, as his blade made contact with the dome he felt as if he had sliced into something very malleable and he was thrown back towards the recreation table. The cyborg manipulated the momentum into a couple of back-flips and lunged towards Lightning again, but this time he brandished hiskatanaand shouted his signature phrase.

"Ryūjin no ken wo kurae!"

A green dragon seemingly made of pure energy danced around his blade and Genji struck Lightning's shield with one of his most devastating attacks. Thekiimbuedkatanawent through his shield like knife through butter and stopped mere inches from Lightning's throat, leaving the captain with a look of unfazed astonishment on his face.

"*ahem* I-impressive, I do not know humans can use magic as well!" Lightning stammered. "Your magic is very powerful Genji."

Genji crooked an eyebrow underneath his mask. "This is not magic. It is calledki, a vital force that forms every living thing which can be harnessed to perform incredible feats provided one knows the way."

"Huh, sounds like magic to me." Lightning smirked. "Perhaps thiskiis not so different than magic? Your last attack emitted a lot of magical energy you know."

"I shall not accept nor deny your claim for now," Genji spoke. "After seeing the feats you did...it seems I still have much to learn." He bowed, which Lightning returned.

"Your shield's not perfect, nothin' is. But magic steel out there is pretty rare. The main threats would be these." Jesse flashed his Peacemaker revolver before pointing at Lena's twin rapid-fire Pulse Pistols and Angela's Caduceus Blaster. "If your barrier can hold out against these, then you're comin' with us."

"Bring it on!" Lightning puffed his chest and once again conjured his shield dome.

Jesse fired a round directly in front of Lightning's face but as Genji'sshurikens before, the bullet fell deformed to the ground.

"Nice, but that's a warnin' shot. Now ready up I'm bout ta fan the hammer." Jesse smirked. Lightning had no idea what that meant but something in him urged to maintain a very steady barrier. The cowboy leveled his gun to hip level and jerked the hammer repeatedly, emptying the remaining five rounds into the energy dome. This time cracks formed on the dome's surface.

"Cracking but holding, Lena...Angie you're up." Jesse retreated to the recreational table and sat down at one side of the couch.

"Stay still luv."

"Not going anywhere."

Like Jesse, the two fired testing shots first before emptying their clips on his shield. By then, heavy cracks were already visible as if the shield was ready to fail at any second and Lightning himself was panting and sweating heavily. He collapsed to the ground and his yellow translucent energy dome dissipated.

"Lightning, are you okay?!" Angela rushed towards him in order to tend to whatever was wrong, but Lightning raised his right hoof.

"I'm fine, just exhausted that's all...my shield never absorbed so much damage at such rapid rate before."

Edward picked him up and set him down on the recreational table's cushioned wall-fixed seating.

"I guess you passed the test my friend. Welcome aboard." The crusader patted Lightning's shoulder strongly. "ATHENA, how long 'till deployment?"

"Approximately one hour and five minutes from now," the AI replied.

"Thank you ATHENA!"

"You're most welcome."

"Well we still have some time left, get some rest Lightning. We'll wake you up later."

With a thankful nod, the unicorn closed his eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.

"Incoming transmission from H.Q." ATHENA announced.

"Patch them through." Jesse ordered.

The hologram globe changed into Reinhardt sitting in the command center, pressing an ice pack to the left side of his face and underneath a large bruise could be seen.

"So what's up old man? New intel?" Jesse folded his arms.

Reinhardt presented a decapitated gray robotic cockroach on his hand.

"Talon bugging device outfitted with stealth tech." he told him. "If Twilight hadn't found this, we will have a lot more damage to deal with on our hands. We are currently sweeping the base for more of these bugs, do the same with the ship."

"Goddamnit, must've deployed after the attack. I bet Talon knows about our new friends already."

Reinhardt nodded. "You can assume so. From this point forward I think we will be meeting each other more and more frequently. Luna told me that Lightning is with you now?"

"He is very capable, tested that ourselves. By the way, what's up with your face?"

"Uncle, you are the one tasked with the beating, not getting beaten yourself." Edward chuckled.

"Ah it's nothing, another sparring hazard with Brigitte. You should try and spar with her when you have the chance. My age is starting to catch up with me." The senior crusader chuckled.

"Ah shush, you're doing great," Brigitte's voice echoed on the background.

"Against someone who bested Reinhardt? Of course! I'd spar with you anytime Brigitte."

"I'll take you up on it." the armorer walked up to the camera with a wink. "One more thing, papa's hands are still full with the repairs, so try to keep the armor in one piece okay?"

"I'll try."

"Stay safe guys." With that, she cut off the transmission.

After setting down by the rocky cliffs at Dorado's outskirts, Edward and Lightning immediately headed to the city's police department in order to rendezvous with Commissioner Antonio Gutierrez whom Edward had previously contacted. Due to the Orca's stealth technology and integrated active camouflage the ship was practically undetectable by both radar and visual instruments.

Also, the ship was free from bugging devices.

While the rest of the team stayed behind at the ship, the two teleported to a dark alley adjacent to the department which to their luck was empty. While teleportation is Lightning's forte, for Edward that was his first time to experience such an event, and thus he was experiencing quite the vertigo and nausea.

"Don't worry about it. First timer's side effects. Should wear off in a few seconds." Just as he said that, the crusader emptied his stomach on the brick pavement. He reached inside his black leather jacket for an orange pill bottle and consumed a couple to dole out the effects.

"Buck, a shame I came here unequipped. I have some medicine in my satchel for this situation."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. But since you brought it up, I will have a word with the rest so you can have your equipment back. You will be coming with us every now and then anyway."

"Appreciate it, now let us get underway. I will stick to the rooftops and shadow you with teleportation and Chameleon. Once you're done we can return to the ship."

With that, Lightning once again cloaked himself and Edward made his way to the police department. The streets were bustling with a lot of people wearing colorful clothes, balconies were decorated with blooming flowers, flags and banners flew on the city's skies, decorative lighting were set up here and there, and market stands were brimming with an assortment of goodies ranging from clothes to consumables. Despite the cheery atmosphere, this didn't help Edward much as he needed to get to the department ASAP. After slowly squeezing through the crowds, he arrived at his destination and walked through the automatic glass sliding doors. He immediately headed to the receptionist table which was adjacent to the doors.

"Edward Berg meeting with Commissioner Gutierrez."

"Take a left, up the stairs, on the left end," said the receptionist lady with a bored tone, her large spectacles and tired eyes reminded him of his first grade math teacher back then.

"Gracias, have a good day." Edward smiled before taking the given directions.

A moment later he arrived at a simple looking wooden door with a glass pane fixed to it and on its surface was writtenComisario de Policía. Despite his little to no knowledge in Spanish he was pretty sure that meant 'Police Commissioner' in English. Before he could knock, a large silhouette appeared behind the glass pane and opened the door for him.

"Aaayy It's been too long niño!" Antonio said while giving his friend a strong bear hug which Edward returned. "Come in, come in!"

Edward thanked him and the two took their seats.

"So, how are things Antonio? I hope all is good."

"Aside from those Los Muertosperroscausing trouble every now and then all is good. You?"

"Living the dream, my friend," Edward said as he slid his Overwatch badge on Antonio's table, which caused the latter's eyes to widen.

"This calls for a celebration! We should drink to this!" the commissioner quickly dove under his table and fished out a bottle of Mexican wine, one hundred years old.

"Ooooh, that is an exquisite drink my friend. But I have to painfully reject your offer, I am on duty."

Antonio's playfulness was replaced by a serious look "Oh? And I assume you need my help?"

"You are not wrong but allow me to straighten this out. We both need each other's help right now."

"Go on."

"You see, our recent...recruits informed us that recently Talon has been backing up Los Muertos operations in Dorado and Castillo. Both of us do not wish to see bullets flying on your streets during Festival de la Luz tomorrow so we intend to strike their headquarters soon, crippling their leadership. We need your men's firepower. If this mission succeeds, you will get a commendation and we do not see more innocent blood on the streets."

"That makes sense, my men have reported a sudden increase of their numbers and possession of advanced weaponry recently. Alas, I cannot grant your request."

"May I ask why?"

"Our forces are already stretched thin as it is, we simply do not have enough numbers to oppose them, let alone commencing a frontal assault. However, I won't leave you empty handed. I have a squad of undercover agents there ready to strike at a moment's notice. In addition, I shall disavow any Overwatch activity should any ‘questions’ arise. We will make it look like a gang war or coup just happened from within. There are six of my men there stationed at the fortress' courtyard. I shall notify them to make the necessary preparations by mixing the guards' drinks with their own drugs. When will you attack?"

"1700 hours. How can I thank you my friend?"

"Simple. Kill every single one of those bastards."

"Meet me at the alley Lightning, we have all we need," Edward said as he left the police station, putting on his black AI interface sunglasses to shield his eyes from the afternoon sun.

"Copy."

As he strolled through the crowded streets once again, a scent Edward knew very well filled his nostrils--baked goods. As he helped his parents run their worldwide bakery franchise especially in the baking department, this was nothing unusual for him, a daily treat to his nose and stomach. Frankly he was quite hungry, but unfortunately he did not come prepared with the accepted currency in Mexico so he tore himself from his hungry cravings.

"STOP! THIEF!" A young girl's voice tore through the crowd. Her voice was followed by a cacophony of angry grunts, no doubt from the people around.

Edward glanced over his shoulder and saw a lanky man with a Mohawk cut running through the crowd. Chasing the man was a young girl at her early teenage years with an angry look plastered on her face. He couldn't believe that nobody around was willing to lend a hand. Either they were too busy or simply did not care.

He positioned himself and waited for the perfect opportunity to take this thief down. As the escaping pickpocket got in front of him Edward simply extended his right leg and the criminal crashed to the ground face first, clearly not expecting the sudden movement. The pursuing girl arrived shortly after, with a mixed expression of relieve and worry.

"Nice," Lightning's voice spoke in Edward's ears. "How is he?"

The crusader flipped the man on his back and placed his hand on the pickpocket's neck to ensure his pulse was still there, and to his relief it was. Aside from his bruised visage and bleeding lips he was at prime condition. Once again, he was shocked how little the people had paid any attention to the fiasco, some just took a quick glance while others did not seem to even acknowledge his and the man's existence.

"Unconscious, but still breathing." He then noticed a fat blue coin purse on the ground, presumably belonging to the girl. He picked it up and handed it over to her before notifying Antonio about the pickpocket. Not long after, two police officers arrived on scene and took him away.

"Um, t-thank you mister," the girl stammered.

Edward took a knee to meet the girl at eye level. "Be more careful next time. Where is your home kid?"

"It's just around the corner, at Panadería Las Nieblas bakery," the girl gleefully said.

"May I walk you home?" Edward offered as he felt responsible for the girl's safety to which she accepted. Besides, the team will not mind the short delay, especially when it concerns the well-being of a child.

"Jesse, I'm taking a short detour. I have to walk a girl home. I'll explain everything later," he informed his friend.

"Copy that."

Author's Note

As usual, thanks a lot to XIII Hearts for being such an awesome editor .