WARNING: The following story is a work of fiction and by no means is true of any sort and contains graphic violence, profanity, torture and gunplay. Reader description is advised for mature audiences ONLY.
Ever since the world was introduced to The Outlaw, mainly Crystal City, the crime rate has reduced by a massive number to the point where members of the CCPD have not had to go out in fear or be afraid to report for patrol. Criminals no longer run the streets, and now they find they are the ones looking over their shoulder to ensure they are not being followed by the masked gun slinger. Installing fear and intimidation into them has made the city more safe at night; in fact, more residents have been able to enjoy night walks through areas they originally stayed away from because of criminal and gang activity. The Outlaw, Nighthawk, and Overwatch have kept the city safe for the past year, and on a night like any other, Michael watches from his perch along with Roy. It is quiet and peaceful on this night, the black paint smearing across Michael's eyes as he removes his mask and hat.
Roy Wheeler: I don't ever recall it being this quiet.
Roy hands Michael a small cup of coffee.
Michael Monroe: We've damn near run every criminal off to the point where we are now just playing security.
Michael takes a sip of his coffee. The two men have worked countless hours, even sleepless nights, to ensure the city remains safe, and ever since Michael revealed his alter ego to the world, it's taken a toll on not only his sleeping but also his body and mental health.
Michael Monroe: Do you remember about seven years ago when we were over in Baghdad and almost every night you and I were always on guard duty?
Roy laughs as he remembers and knows where Michael is going with this conversation.
Roy Wheeler: Just like old times.
Michael Monroe: Except we are not dodging missiles and bullets. At least not lately. Instead, we just get beautiful lights and see people out later than they used to.
Roy Wheeler: Man, who would have thought this would happen? I mean, a year ago today, nobody would even dare be out this late. Gangs ran the streets, and drug lords were around every corner. Now look. It's like the city has been reborn, you know.
Michael Monroe: In a way, it has been. A fresh start. Starting over.
Roy Wheeler: Because of you, man.
Michael Monroe: No, no. Because of us. You, Clint, and I did this.
Roy Wheeler: But you took the stand. You are the one who stood against Roman and all his bullshit. You just brought us in.
Michael Monroe: I still refuse to take all the credit. We did it together, and we will continue to do it together.
Roy Wheeler: To the end of times.
Michael Monroe: To the end of times.
The two clink their cups together as a toast to their vow. A call then comes in of two officers in distress, one down and the other pinned. Two male suspects have fired upon them. Michael and Roy mask up, and Roy leaps down from the building, then opens up his wing suit to display hawk-like metallic wings as he flies towards the location given to them by Clint.
Michael Monroe: Show off.
He then jumps from the building and deploys his parachute. Once on the ground, he climbs into his waiting car and speeds off in the same direction. A police helicopter flies overhead and spots the outlaw in pursuit.
Police pilot: Outlaw in pursuit
The Outlaw roars through the streets of Crystal City as Nighthawk flies ahead of him when he spots the two officers. Nighthawk switches his goggles to x-ray vision and counts a total of eight tangos inside.
Nighthawk: I've got eight tangos inside. Two officers are pinned down, and one is injured. Calling it in.
Clint Gallows: Already on it.
The Outlaw approaches the compound and parks his car to barricade the two officers as he climbs out.
The Outlaw: Let me see.
He checks the injured officer and sees he's been shot in the shoulder, stomach, and arm.
The Outlaw: I have a pulse. Vitals are rapid. Keep pressure. Have you called in backup?
Officer: On the way.
The Outlaw: Stay here and keep pressure on the wound. Hang in there.
Nighthawk flies into the compound through the window and instantly takes down two tangos. The outlaw kicks the doors in to find a group of six armed men inside.
The Outlaw: Good evening, fellas.
He tosses a flashbang that blinds them, and he begins to disarm and manhandle the men with ease as Nighthawk does the same upstairs. A total of fifteen armed men are inside, but they are all dispatched and disarmed just as backup arrives. The Outlaw and Nighthawk manage to deal with the men as they are all detained and escorted off the property by the police. David arrives and greets them both.
Commissioner David Oswalt: Another day at the office for you boys
He shakes both their hands as the outlaw gives him what they were guarding so closely.
Commissioner David Oswalt: So, this is what they didn't want us to find.
The Outlaw: It's a new drug. Has Galloway's fingerprints all over it.
Commissioner David Oswalt: Are we sure it was Galloway?
Nighthawk: If there is one thing I have learned since taking this job, it is that Galloway had eyes and ears everywhere. These men definitely work for him.
The Outlaw: It seems he is still pulling the strings behind bars.
Commissioner David Oswalt: I'll get this over to Dr. Banks at the lab and have her run some tests on it. Find out what we are up against. Great job today, and thank you for helping my men tonight.
The Outlaw: Always
Returning to the HQ, Michael and Roy change out of their suits and store them away as Michael cleans all the black paint off his face.
Clint Gallows: Even when locked up, Galloway still has an iron fist over the city.
Roy Wheeler: Not as much as he used to. People still do his dirty work, but for the most part,
Michael Monroe: The point is, what else is he doing despite being locked away?
Yuri Baranov: Working with Sasha
All three men are startled to find Yuri above them as he leaps down and removes his helmet.
Roy Wheeler: You sure have a way of making an entrance.
Yuri Baranov: They don't call me Shadow Hunter for nothing.
Michael Monroe: It's good to see you, Yuri.
Yuri Baranov: As well as you, Monroe.
Roy Wheeler: Look, we know Roy does not have Kessler anymore. But who does he have as an outsider to handle his business?
Michael Monroe: That is something that will remain a mystery until tomorrow. I am heading home because I am exhausted, and hopefully I will get some
Roy Wheeler: You haven't proposed yet?
Michael Monroe: When the time is right.
Roy Wheeler: Now is as good a time as anything.
Michael Monroe: I don't think she's ready just yet. Ever since she had that run-in with her ex, she's been a bit rattled, and I'm trying to just be there and protect her.
Roy Wheeler: Best of luck, man. Tell her we said hello.
Michael Monroe: See you guys tomorrow.
Clint Gallows: I give him a week.
Roy Wheeler: I give it a day.
Yuri Baranov: A month.