So after being frustrated about the recent animated short’s lack of lore progression, I decided to just rewrite the script myself, to show how you can tell the same story about Hana, while also moving the overall lore of Overwatch forward. This is what we need from a new animated short.
FADE IN
INT. TELEVISION PROGRAM
We are shown an introduction to D.Va as being a superstar and national hero. The host talks about D.Va and the MEKA Squad getting into a big fight with the Gwishin a week ago, taking a few hits but pulling off another victory.
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INT. MEKA BASE - SOUTH KOREA - EVENING
Pharah is watching the program, relaxing without her armor on.
PHARAH
laughing
Hey Hana, shouldn’t you be out signing autographs or something?
D.Va is working on her Mech. She ignores the taunting question.
Pharah turns around and talks directly to D.Va.
PHARAH
All this glitz and glamour, I don’t know how you put up with all that stuff.
D.VA
It’s overrated. This…this is where the magic happens! You know, like in the old days with Overwatch. What I wouldn’t give to have been a part of that!
Pharah picks up a soda can.
PHARAH
Heh, Overwatch… Ever since Winston send out that message, we haven’t been doing anything but sit on our…
…As Pharah opens the soda can, it plays a sound cue with D.Va’s voice over, interrupting her last word. Pharah looks at the soda can with disdain, as she turns around and puts it down on the console.
PHARAH
looks at the screen
I thought I would have done something more by now. Besides recruiting new troops, and helping you with your security system.
The program plays loud amateur footage of the MEKA Squad in action, as they fight the Gwishin.
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EXT. FLASHBACK - EVENING
D.Va is fighting a giant Gwishin, together with the MEKA Squad.
we hear rain falling down, a beeping alarm turns on in D.Va’s mech, and the sound of gunfire, as rockets flies past and explodes in the distance
D.MON
Overclocked!
OVERLORD
I can’t evade!
D.MON
I’m hit!
We see despair and fear in D.Va’s eyes.
the roaring sound of the giant Gwishin drowns out all other sounds
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INT. MEKA BASE - SOUTH KOREA - EVENING
We see the same despair and fear in D.Va eyes, as when she was fighting the Gwishin.
Pharah turns off the program.
PHARAH
Hana? Are you okay?
D.VA
We barely won last time. The enemy is out there, adapting, and getting stronger. The rest of the squad, the whole country…they’re all counting on me! The last time I was the only one standing. If I make a mistake and the Gwishin get through us…we lose. Everything.
PHARAH
I could have helped you, you know. I could have taken the flight from Canada a week ago.
D.Va scoffs as she smiles at Pharah.
D.VA
I need to finish the tests.
D.Va takes off her cap and jacket, and goes into her Mech. Pharah walks in front of the mech.
PHARAH
Stop putting it all on yourself!
D.Va ignores Pharah.
PHARAH
Hana, it’s okay to ask for help.
D.VA
I got this. Really.
PHARAH
Ugh, children.
Pharah turns to look at the monitor.
PHARAH
Comms says we’re in the clear, but…
A red dot shows up on the radar, moving closer to the centre.
PHARAH
That can’t be right. It’s too soon!
A red alert goes off in the MEKA base.
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EXT. MEKA BASE - SOUTH KOREA - EVENING
We see twelve smaller Gwishin fly towards the MEKA Base and the shore of the city. The three leading Gwishin each fire a volley of rockets at the MEKA Base.
D.Va jumps down to the exit ramp of the MEKA Base, and sees the rockets flying towards the base.
D.VA
D.Va engaging!
D.Va starts the rocket boosters on her mech and flies out to face the Gwishin.
PHARAH
Wait, there’s too many! You can’t do it alone!
D.VA
Activating defence matrix.
D.Va stops the rockets with defence matrix. She takes down three Gwishin with her own rockets, and chases down the rest. Two of the Gwishin starts chasing after D.Va, forcing her to beak away from the chase. A Gwishin shoots off one of the arms on D.Va’s mech.
PHARAH
radio transmission
You’re wounded! Get to cover and wait for reinforcements!
We see Pharah’s hands, now with armor on them, as they grabs her helmet from a desk.
D.VA
The Gwishin are too fast, they won’t make it in time!
PHARAH
radio transmission
They’re still heading for the city!
D.Va looks to her side and sees the other Gwishin heading closer towards the city. D.Va is filled with determination.
D.VA
I’m on it.
D.Va makes a quick u-turn and takes out the two Gwishin chasing her, by shooting one so it crashes into the other. She then chases after the remaining seven Gwishin, slowly closing the distance to them.
D.Va
Come on, almost…
A Gwishin turns around and crashes into D.Va, holding on to her mech with its arms. It breaks off the other arm of D.Va’s mech, as an alarm goes off. D.Va looks at her dashboard that’s blinking red, and then looks at the city in the distance.
D.Va
Pharah. I…I need your help.
In the same moment we see Pharah hovering in front of the Gwishin, facing them as they fly straight towards her.
PHARAH
Remember your training, and we’ll get through this just fine.
Pharah fires off a rocket barrage, and takes down three Gwishin in a big explosion, as the remaining three Gwishin flies past her, along with the Gwishin still attached to D.Va. Pharah flies after them with a big burst of her jet pack.
D.VA
I can’t get this thing off me.
PHARAH
radio transmission
Your reactor is getting unstable.
D.VA
My reactor…You can overload it if you shot it!
We see Pharah flying a distance behind D.Va.
PHARAH
What?! You’ll die!
D.VA
If we don’t do this, thousand of people will die.
PHARAH
radio transmission
This is crazy…
D.Va slowly flies closer to the three Gwishin in front of her.
D.VA
Get ready!
Pharah takes aim with her rocket launcher.
D.Va grabs her pistol from inside the mech, and shots the Gwishin holding on to her mech. The Gwishin moves further away from D.Va, slightly loosening its grip. Suddenly a green light blinks on the console and a message says “EJECT”. D.Va smiles mockingly at the Gwishin still holding on to her mech.
D.VA
I’ll see you at the finish line!
Pharah looks up in amazement with her mouth wide open, as she sees D.Va doing a backflip while ejecting from her mech, and continuing to fire at the Gwishin with her pistol. Pharah resumes her aim and fires a rocket at D.Va’s mech. We follow the rocket as it gets close and close to the mech, until it finally hits and a huge explosion takes out all the remaining Gwishin. The explosion knocks out D.Va, as she falls faster down towards the water…
…D.Va’s opens her eyes, looking down at her reflection in the waves, as she flies very fast over the water. D.Va looks up and sees Pharah’s face looking ahead with determination, while she’s holding on to her. D.Va passes out…
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INT. HOSPITAL
…D.Va’s opens her eyes, and sees lights flashing from sealing lamps. She’s lying on a stretcher. Pharah is walking along side her without her helmet on, a doctor is walking on the other side. D.Va passes out…
…D.Va’s opens her eyes, she sees two doctors standing over her. One has defibrillators in his hands. D.Va passes out…
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INT. TELEVISION PROGRAM
HOST
The city is still in shock, after the recent surprise attack. Incredibly, thanks to D.Va, no one was injured. She stopped the Gwishin single-handedly, and authorities confirmed, she emerged without a scratch. She’s currently enjoying some time off to celebrate her victory.
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INT. MEKA BASE - SOUTH KOREA - DAY
D.Va is a bit bruised up and has a broken leg, while working on building a new mech.
PHARAH
You would think they’d at least mentioned the fact that I was there.
D.VA
Glitz and glamour, hu?
laughs
Pharah smiles. She’s standing with her luggage at the door.
D.VA
So where did Winston send you off to now?
PHARAH
To Giza, my home. Hoping to find an old man…If he’s still alive.
Pharah grabs her luggage, opens the door and is about to walk out.
D.VA
Pharah?
Pharah turns to look over her shoulder.
D.VA
Thank you.
PHARAH
smiles
What are friends for?
D.Va smiles back. Pharah turns around and walks out the door, closing it behind her.
FADE TO BLACK