Chapter II: First confrontations

Canterlot, Capital of Equestria

Gabriel, Celestia, and the rest of the guards marched through the streets of the pristine capital of Equestria, the armored warrior towering over the rest of the guards and earning curious and fearful looks from the populace, before they immediately were at ease once they saw Celestia with them. They made their way to the castle on the other side, it's pearl-white towers gleaming in the light of the rising sun.

“Unfortunately, Mister Angelos, you are as of yet unable to join the Royal Guard, because you are not an Equestrian citizen, as far as we are aware. So, if you wish to become a Guard, you must become a member of Equestrian society. Of course, I am certain I can pull a few strings so you won't have to take any citizenship tests that other foreigners do.”

“I do hope that this will be a fast process. I want to get to work as soon as I am able.” Gabriel nodded, and Celestia eyed him, before returning her gaze to the city.

“Speaking of, Mister Angelos, why do you wish to join the military so badly? I hate to be suspicious, but you seem… almost fanatically determined to join the Royal Guard. Why is that?” Celestia asked, not turning to look at him. “Granted, your armor is something of a giveaway, but you look like a battle hardened warrior. I doubt you would give up your previous loyalties.”

“I…” Gabriel paused, as if to think about it. “I… don't know, your highness. Whenever I look at you, I have the almost undeniable urge to kneel and pledge my fealty to you, as if you are the one true goddess, or ruler of mankind.”

Celestia looked at him questionably, but sighed. “In that case, we will have to have some of our mages perform some scans of your mind. Even though I doubt it, there is the possibility that you could be a sleeper agent, possibly sent by the Changelings. Is that alright with you?”

Gabriel nodded. “Yes, your majesty. But… what are Changelings?” He asked, confused. “Are they some sort of… xeno?”

“Xeno? You mean alien?” Celestia asked, and with a confirming nod from Gabriel, she shook her head. “No, they are human, like us. The Changelings are a terrorist group who have plagued Equestria for decades. They practice forbidden Magic, such as mimic spells, and have used that to infiltrate dozens of towns, guard camps, and more. We have yet to pinpoint the location of their base of operations, and thus have been unable to defeat them to this day.”

“I see. Very well, let us go to complete this examination.” Gabriel nodded. The group changed course, heading for a tower on the edge of the castle. As they reached the gates, Celestia’s guards moved away, replaced by four new guards, who followed them into the castle.

“Please, Mister Angelos, take a seat. The examination will begin momentarily.” The mage, known as Silver Touch, stated. Gabriel could not see much from under his hood, but he did notice how frail the man’s arms were. It almost looked as if Gabriel could break his arm just by poking it. The warrior noticed Celestia sitting in the room, observing them as she sipped quietly on a cup of coffee.

“I’d rather not, sir. I'm afraid my armor might be too much for your seats, so I would recommend leaving me to stand.” Gabriel stated blandly. For some reason, Gabriel felt uneasy around this man. He couldn't state the reason why, but his every instinct told the warrior that he should either strike him down, or be extremely cautious around him.

“Ah. Yes, how thoughtful of you. Now, this will only take a moment…” Silver assured Gabriel, light emerging from the man’s forehead and hands. “Mind Reading spells are quite difficult to perform and, in some cities, forbidden to use by the Mage Halls.”

“I'm again sorry for this, Gabriel. I doubt you are a Changeling Spy, but it isn't every day that a warrior bends down on one knee and swears loyalty to me on first contact.” Celestia apologized, though Gabriel waved her off.

“You need not apologize, your highness. ‘A suspicious mind is a healthy mind’, after all.” Celestia nodded towards Silver Touch, and the mage began his work.

Gabriel felt something in the back of his mind in an instant. He felt as though something… foreign, was attempting to enter his thoughts, to worm its way inside. The Intruder was almost instantly repelled, and Gabriel heard Silver Touch cry out in surprise and pain, collapsing into the floor.

“Silver Touch, what is wrong?!” Celestia asked, looking between the fallen robed mage and the armored warrior.

“I… his mind… I've never even heard of such a thing!” Silver gasped, clutching his head. “His mind… it's almost as if there's a wall, standing between me and his brain, repelling all attempts to enter!”

“An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded…” Gabriel muttered. “I believe it might be possible that, in whatever life I led before my memories vanished, I was trained to resist attacks upon my own mind.”

“I see… so you are resistant to invasions of the mind?” Celestia examined Gabriel in a new light.

“P-Princess, if I may.” Silver Touch staggered to his feet, clutching his head. “I doubt even your magic, as powerful as it may be, is strong enough to break through this man’s mental defenses. He must have trained years, if not decades, to hone his mind in such a manner. It's highly unlikely that he is being mind controlled in any way.”

“Really? Well, I suppose that this option is out the window then…” Celestia sighed. “I guess we will have to rely on our faith in your loyalty, Gabriel.” She stepped forward, looking up at him. “You will be looked at with suspicion and distrust at first, but through deeds and acts of valour, you may just earn my trust, and the trust of my guardsmen. Do you accept this?” She asked, looking him dead in the eye.

“Yes, your majesty. I, Gabriel Angelos, swear undying loyalty to you and to Equestria. Though viewed with suspicion by my peers, I shall persevere to earn their trust, and to serve this nation well.” Gabriel declared, kneeling before her. “For only in death, does my duty end.”

“I wouldn't try to get you killed, Angelos. Equestria has its fair share of enemies and allies, and we need every able-bodied soldier who is willing to serve.” Celestia replied, helping Gabriel to stand. “Once you are an official Equestrian citizen, you will report to the Guard Barracks in the morning, as soon as possible. You may reside in the castle until them. Dismissed.” Gabriel saluted smashing his fist against his chest plating, where his heart would be, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Many months later

Gabriel took a seat in his quarters, generously donated to him by the Princess after a successful seven months of serving with the Guard. He grabbed a book and quill, one he had found himself using quite often as of late, and began to write.

Year 1001 of Celestia’s Reign,

It has been many months since I first mysteriously arrived, and my time in the Royal Guard has been fruitful. When I first arrived at the barracks, I was mostly looked upon with suspicion, awe, and even jealousy. I remember it well. The day I met my squadron, the 15th Royal Company. Of the entire Royal Guard, there are currently 20 Companies of guardsmen, with five to ten soldiers in each company...

The door to the barracks door burst open, causing the soldiers inside to promptly freak out, before standing at attention as their commanding officer stepped inside, his stern eyes looking at each soldier with cold determination.

“Alright Initiates! The replacement for Initiate Pyre Flare has arrived!” The Seargant barked, before turning to the doorway. “Initiate Angelos, please step forward!” The guards looked to the doorway with mixed expressions, but soon all found their lower jaws attempting to reach the floor as a mountain of armor lowered itself to step inside, before realizing that his massive shoulder pauldrons were incapable of squeezing through the doorway.

There was a slightly irritated grunt, and the massive suit backed away, before trying to shimmy its way inside. This time, it worked, and the armor towered over the other guards, and they finally realized the human head sitting between the enormous shoulder pauldrons, a buzzcut as white as snow donning the top of the enormous man’s head. Scar tissue covered up the place where his right eye would be, while his left eye sized up each of the guardsmen in an instant, his turquoise glare almost piercing into their souls. The towering figure’s armor shone in the candlelight, his bulky red armor decorated with gold highlights, a depiction of a cross with a skull in the center on his left shoulder pauldron, while the image of a black raven, with a teardrop of blood in the center. Gripped somewhat tightly in his hand was a large, gold-plated warhammer, it's decorations unusually detailed for a blunt weapon such as it.

“Initiates, this is Gabriel Angelos. Ignoring his…” The sergeant trailed off, gesturing towards the superheavy plating the warrior wore. “...armor, he is to be assigned to your Company, effective immediately. Any questions?”

One of the men raised his hand. “Yes, Initiate Armor?” The Sergeant asked.

“Sergeant, we were the Company that found him, with Celestia. That was only a few days ago, so how did he join without going through basic training?” The blue-haired soldier asked, eyeing Gabriel with suspicion.

“We put him through the usual exercises and tests, but…” the Sergeant looked at Gabriel. “He completed them so easily, Celestia decided to grant him initiate rank immediately.”

“I may have had exceptional circumstances regarding my recruitment, but please, treat me no differently than you would another of your Company.” Gabriel interrupted, bowing slightly.

“With that said, Initiates, we will begin training at 0500 tomorrow morning. In Nomine Celestia.” The Sergeant saluted, and the other guards returned the salute, before he exited the barracks, leaving Gabriel and the others in an uncomfortable silence.

From that day, I slowly earned the trust, and even friendship, of the other members of the 15th. Through the occasional Griff Tribal raids, we have already begun to form a bond that only fellow warriors could possibly share. We are brothers in more than name or blood bond. Yet, even now, my fellow Initiate, Shining Armor, continues to suspect me of a treason I could never hope to imagine. Yet even so, I admire his tenacity. Blessed is the mind too small for doubt, but a suspicious mind is a healthy one. I hope to

Gabriel’s writings were interrupted by a frantic knocking on his door. “Initiate Gabriel, report to the Throne Room immediately! Briefing begins in fifteen minutes!” Came the voice on the other side of the oversized wooden door, built specifically for Gabriel’s impressive height. The sound of feet began shuffling away from the door, signaling the messengers departure.

The heavily armored warrior let out a small sigh, before standing from his desk, cleaning the quill and placing it to the side as he grabbed Godsplitter from its place next to him, and opened the door to his quarters and exited.

“I thank you all for coming, Sergeant Cliff and the Initiates of the Fifteenth, Thirteenth, and Third Companies.” Princess Celestia began, standing up from her ornate gold throne as the soldiers in front of her bowed, Gabriel still clearly towering over even the tallest of the Guard. “I have ordered you all here for a special mission, of which I have been made aware of only recently.”

“We only need your word, Princess.” Sergeant Cliff stated, her voice echoing in the silence of the Grand Hall. The sergeant was seemingly middle-aged, with long dark blue hair falling to her side, masking half of her face. A scar ran down the revealed side of her face, just under her gray eye. “What are your orders?”

“According to recent reports, someone in the outskirts of Vanhoover has taken to impersonating me.” Celestia sighed, folding her arms. “While normally this could be handled by the local militia, this imposter has immense magical prowess, and has gone on something of a rampage. The Vanhoover militia has humbly requested the assistance of the Royal Guard after several attempts to capture the imposter.” There was a round of chuckles that spread through the ranks of the bowing guards, though Gabriel remained silent. “Your mission is to detain the impostor and bring her here for questioning and a trial, but if you believe her to be a threat to Equestria, then you have the authority to eliminate her at once.” She gestured towards Sergeant Cliff with one of her long, delicate hands. “Sergeant Cliff Ryder of the First Company shall be leading you on this mission, while your Sergeants shall remain to train new initiates until you return.”

“With duty and honor, your highness.” Sergeant Cliff nodded, before turning to the rest of the Initiates. “All right, Initiates. Ready your equipment and arrive at the train station at 1300. Dismissed.” The three Companies stood as one, nodding towards Sergeant Cliff, and bowing their heads one more time towards Celestia, before exiting the Grand Hall, some examining the window murals as they passed by them.

Once they had all left, Celestia sighed, a frown donning her near-perfect features. “How many do you think we will lose?” She asked Sergeant Cliff, who turned to look at her.

“Honestly, your highness?” She asked, a mournful look in her eyes. “Aside from the giant, given the reports, I'd expect almost all of the Fifteenth to perish.”

“They are young, and have only ever dealt with Griff Tribals. They are woefully unprepared for a magic caster, especially if they share a power comparable to my own.” Celestia sighed. “If the rest of the Companies were available, I would have deployed them instead…”

“The First Company is not due back from their mission for another month, and the rest of the Companies are all deployed elsewhere in Equestria.” Sergeant Cliff looked Celestia in the eyes. “Are you certain you cannot accompany us? This would be an easy battle if you were to join us.”

“Alas, dear Ryder, I cannot. As ruler of Equestria, I have to remain near Canterlot. I must govern the Capitol, while the Guard are the extensions of my will. I was only able to leave Canterlot to investigate that ruined village because it was near the city.” Celestia explained. At Cliff’s look, she sighed. “However, I can provide you with this.” She handed the sergeant a bright blue crystal, which shined with latent energy. “If the battle is too costly, use this. It will gift you, or whoever wields it, a portion of my power, sealed away long ago.”

“I thank you for this gift, your highness.” Cliff muttered, bowing slightly as she took the crystal, storing it in her backpack. “Why was it sealed?”

“Because, my dear.” Celestia sighed, sadness evident in her eyes. “No one person should wield the power to destroy the world.”

“Alright, Initiates! This impersonator that dares to mock the name of our Princess is an Aurian. Because of this, Princess Celestia has seen fit to deploy the Third Company, and to make sure that things go well, has tasked me, Sergeant of the First Company, to lead you!” The Sergeant growled as the last of the Guards trickled into the square. “During the trip to Vanhoover, I will select squad leaders to lead each search party. Each search party will consist of one Guard from each company!”

Once Sergeant Cliff had finished giving orders, the rest of the Royal Guard boarded the train, Gabriel stepping inside last, and taking his seat next to Initiate Armor, resulting in breaking the armrest between two chairs as his massive form forced him to take up two seats.

“So, Brother Armor… I hate to ask you, but I am still not entirely informed on Magic Users. If you would be so kind, please inform me of this topic.” Gabriel asked, looking down upon the pale man next to him.

“I still don’t trust you, Angelos.” Shining stated, looking up at him with suspicion clear in his eyes. “But, considering your constant support in our Company, I feel it would be rude not to inform you.”

“I thank you, Brother Armor.” Gabriel nodded. The gold-plated soldier sighed, before looking up at Angelos.

“The first thing you should know, Angelos, is that everyone in this world can use magic. There are three types of magic users.” He began, counting them off one by one. “A large majority of the populace have a strong affinity to earth-based magic, though they apparently cannot master any offensive spells. In fact, only the third, and much more rare type of magic user can utilize offensive and defensive magic. We call them ‘Terrans’. The second type, Avians, use Flight-related magic to soar through the skies, and can even walk on clouds as if they are solid. Their home city, Cloudsdale, is entirely made out of clouds.”

“So, a small percent of the Equestrian population cannot use offensive or defensive magic?” Gabriel asked. “What magic do they use if not those?”

“The Terrans can make the ground more fertile, and are experts at growing crops and other plants.” Shining explained, looking somewhat bored. “Avians move clouds, can use existing clouds to make rain clouds, and generally manage the weather.”

“Ah… I see.” Gabriel nodded, attaining a new appreciation for non-offensive or defensive magic. “And what of the third class?”

“Aurians, such as myself and the entire Third Company, excel at most magic fields. We can levitate, generate defensive force fields, shoot pure magic, and any other form of elemental magic.” Initiate Armor explained, his patience slowly running out. “I personally excel at defensive magic.”

“I thank you for this information, Brother Armor. With this, I shall be somewhat more prepared to face off against, and defeat, our enemy.” Gabriel said with honest gratitude, extending his hand towards his fellow Initiate. Shining Armor hesitated, before pulling out his own, shaking Gabriel’s hand. “At least, I won't take a random lightning bolt to the face.”

“Initiate Armor!” Sergeant Cliff called, walking down the train car. “I'm putting you in command of search party 8.”

“Y-yes ma’am!” Shining saluted the Sergeant, before she turned to Angelos.

“Initiate Angelos, you will be assigned to my personal search party. As the Fifteenth’s strongest Initiate, you will serve me best from your Company.” Sergeant Cliff said, looking up at the massive warrior. “Is that understood?”

“Yes, Sergeant. The Emper- I mean, the Princess Protects.” Gabriel corrected himself, smashing his armored fist against his chestplate. The Sergeant nodded contently, before shouting orders to the guards behind them. Once she had passed out of hearing range, Shining Armor looked up at Gabriel.

“You have no idea of the honor you have just been given, do you?” He asked.

“Being assigned as the commanding officer’s honor guard is quite the honor.” Gabriel shrugged.

Initiate Armor shook his head. “No, Angelos! She's the Sergeant of the First Company! To be handpicked by her is practically being promoted to Sergeant in any other Company!”

“I'm sorry if I don't follow. How is it that big of a deal that she is from the First?” Gabriel asked, confused as his single eye looked down at Initiate Armor.

“Whenever a Company is completed, the next one immediately begins, unless a replacement order is issued. The First Company is entirely made up of the best guards in Canterlot. That's why it's such a big deal!” Shining explained, waving his hands in the air sporadically.

“I see. They are proud Warriors among the Guard, and to be chosen by them is to be one of the greater of honors!” Gabriel beamed, before closing his eye, muttering what Shining Armor assumed to be some sort of prayer. “We are united in purity of purpose… brothers in more than any name or blood bond. We are the Royal Guard of Equestria, we are the gleaming blade in Her fist, the shield that protects Her people. Never shall we falter in our duty not just to Equestria, but to each other.”

Shining stared at him. “What was that? Some sort of Battle prayer?” Gabriel opened his eye to look at the Guard, his eye full of determination.

“Yes, Brother Armor. All Space Marines pray to the-” Gabriel paused, his eye suddenly murky with confusion. “Wait, Space Marines? What… where did that…?”

“Perhaps it was some of your memories kicking in?” Shining asked, a suspicious look on his face once again. “Or you’re covering for your blunder…”

“No, Brother Armor… it felt like a memory… yet, it wasn't familiar…” Gabriel replied, waving him off.

“What, like a vision?” Shining asked, his eyes glancing between the seats.

“Possibly.”

“Alright Initiates! If you find a trail or anything, your Aurian must use a flare spell! The rest of the search parties will form up on your location, but do not, I repeat, do not attempt to engage. In Nomine Celestia!” Sergeant Cliff declared, and the other guards bashed the flats of their swords against their chestplate, repeating the phrase, before dispersing into their assigned search groups into the forest surrounding the nearby town.

“So, how goes your Company, uh…” One of the guard's asked his teammate from the Third, who glanced at the one who had spoken.

“Bright Lance.” He introduced. “As for the Third, things have been incredibly boring. I'm just ready for some actual action for once.”

“The name’s Grand Oblation. Thirteenth Company.” The first speaker replied, sighing. “We had just come back from another Griff Raid. You'd think the Griffonians would learn to stop sending their ‘non-affiliated tribals’ to Equestria. We know it's them, so if they want a war with Equestria, then they should just do it already.”

“Wait wait wait, back up.” Bright Lance interrupted, waving his hand in front of him. “Your name is Grand Oblation? As in, a sacrifice to a religious figure?”

“My parents were Tartaran Worshippers, believe it or not. They thought that sacrificing their firstborn would appease Tirek’Orkasha or whatever the name was, so they actually named me ‘Grand Sacrifice’.” Grand Oblation groaned, shaking his head.

“How'd you get out of that?” Bright asked. “Also, please, call me Lance.”

“Well Lance, the Royal Guard had been observing my family for years, under Celestia’s order. So, when they got a tip about their plans, they arrested them before they could actually kill me. I was then raised by a member of the Guard.”

“Wow… you must have had one hell of a upbringing.” Lance said, looking at him in awe.

“Nah, I was far too young to remember all that. My adoptive father told me when I was sixteen.” Grand shrugged, before noticing something. “Hey, didn't we have a third member to this group?”

“You’re right… where did that fifteenth brat go?” Lance asked, looking around. “And… why is it so hot?” He turned just as Grand was swallowed in a torrent of bright red flames.

“Sergeant, a signal flare!” One of the guards called. Gabriel hadn't gotten the time to learn his name, nor had he been able to learn any of the others. Sergeant Cliff had been pressing them to find the impostor, but they had yet to find her.

“Good! Third Company, send a delayed flare thirty five meters from the original signal. We’ll have our squads reconvene there!” Sergeant Cliff ordered, and the Third Company soldier nodded, before releasing a small burst of light from his hand, which fizzled out as it flew. Soon enough, however, a burst of green light erupted in the assigned spot over the forest.

“Sergeant, the forest… it's burning!” The Guard from the Thirteenth Company pointed out. True to his word, the forest had indeed begun to burn to ash, white hot flames licking up the barks of trees near where the original flare had erupted above.

“It's to be expected, and honestly I thought she'd have burned away the forest by now…” Cliff muttered.

“She, sir?” Gabriel asked, looking to her.

“If the target is an imposter of Princess Celestia, it's obvious that she'd be a female.” Cliff deadpanned, staring at Gabriel curiously.

“Forgive me, sir. My mind has been oddly… distracted as of late.” Gabriel sighed.

“It's understandable. This isn't exactly a Griff Raid. Keep your mind focused though.” Cliff said as the group rushed for the dying signal.

“Why is it growing so damn hot?!”

“Oh, that would be me, little worms.” A new voice called out from above them, female and full of a confident arrogance that, for some reason, sent chills down their spines. “I thought I had exterminated all of you parasites, but I guess I must have missed a spot.” The group turned to see a tall woman hovering above them, long white wings extending out to her sides, wreathed in flames. In fact, her very hair was on fire, a fiery inferno billowing on a nonexistent wind while a long horn extended from her forehead. The contact of her tanned skin and flaming hair was separated by a golden tiara covering her ears, with a single red gem in the center. The rest of her clothing was more akin to a orange-red two piece swimsuit, with a symbol of the sun just underneath her chest. Orange-red knee-high boots adorned her legs, while elbow-long gloves of the same coloration were wrapped snugly around her hands.

“So, you are the impersonator of our Princess.” Sergeant Cliff growled, drawing her sword. “You are under arrest for arson, destruction of Equestrian territory, and the murder of guardsmen. Surrender now, and you may stand trial!”

“Really. You really think that, not only am I going to surrender to you, but you really think that flimsy little thing is going to help you?” The imposter asked, her horn glowing bright red. “Here, I'll show you how futile your struggle is.” The sword was illuminated in a similar glow, and was suddenly flung out from Cliff’s hands, flying straight towards the woman’s heart. But before it could impale her, the blade glowed red, before melting entirely to slag, dripping to the ground below her, and starting a fire. “Rejoice, mortals! You can rest easy, for your suffering is at an end! I, Daybreaker, shall bring you a blazing Destruction!”

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait, had a lot of writer's block running through me. Summer has made me lazy. Plus, I've been traveling for the past two weeks to my new home in Seattle! Anyways, hope you enjoyed!

And so, Gabriel's first nemesis appears! The mighty Daybreaker!

The reasons for this will all be explained in time...

But that time will have to wait for later. But yes, she's a Displaced, like Gabriel.