Chapter III: The Fake Sun

Gabriel slowly opened his eye, the light of the sun blinding him momentarily as his sight compensated. He felt much lighter, before realizing that his armor had somehow been removed, leaving his bare and scarred body protected only by a white blanket covering him.

“Where… am I?” he croaked, lifting his right arm to try to stand. He immediately noticed that, unlike his left arm, his right ended at his broad shoulder, instead replaced with a metal arm that flexed its fingers at Gabriel’s command, pipes and motors shifting with every move. He realized he should be surprised by the fact that he had a metal arm, but the massive soldier felt as if he had always known of it. He grabbed a metal handle next to him to get up, crushing it in his grip and bending it downwards as he got up, pushing the covers to the side. Implanted into his limbs and body were dozens of metal circles, almost like some sort of connector that dug into his skin. His right leg was also made of metal, except more bulky and armored. This too was of no surprise to Gabriel, and he got up from the bed, carefully examining his surroundings.

In front of him was a mirror, which displayed Gabriel’s face to him, which, while still burned in most places, had seemed to have healed completely, and he now sported a slightly dark tan across his face. His left eye was still gone, and his hair was singed, the buzzcut singed and almost completely black with soot.

The room was a pearly white, with a tray of food next to his bed, and an oversized hospital gown laid on top of a chair. A window to the left of the mirror let the sun bring light into the room, not that Gabriel needed it. Gabriel moved over and put on the hospital gown, finding it custom-tailored to fit him.

Once it was on, the door on the other side of the room opened, and a nurse stepped inside, carrying a clipboard and some water in her hands. She looked up and screamed in surprise, before catching the cup of water before it could spill all over the floor.

“M-mister Angelos! I had no idea you were awake!” She cried, shrinking slightly before the massive and ripped warrior standing in the room.

“I only just woke up.” Gabriel nodded, before glancing outside. “Where are we?”

“O-oh! Y-you're in the Royal Canterlot Hospital! Your company brought you in a week ago, with severe third degree burns.” She explained. “I need to go tell the Captain and the others that you're alive. E-excuse me.” She placed the cup of water on the table, next to the untouched plate of food before backing out of the room, closing the door behind her. Gabriel sighed, sitting back down onto the bed, which bent underneath his weight, before taking a piece of bread from the table, scarfing it down before drinking the water, emptying the glass in one gulp. And then he waited.

A half hour later, the door opened once again, this time revealing Princess Celestia, two mages, and Sergeant Cliff as the group walked in. Gabriel, upon seeing the Princess, instantly jumped off of the bed, kneeling before her.

“Princess, you humble me with your visit.” Gabriel said, head low.

“Rise, Gabriel. I might start to feel uncomfortable with a giant bowing before me all the time.” Celestia said, and Gabriel rose back to his feet, nodding.

“Of course, Princess. Forgive me for making you uncomfortable.” the warrior apologized, before looking at her. “So what grants me the honor of such a visit, your Highness?”

“A week ago, you and the remains of the three companies sent returned, saying that you were unable to accomplish your objective. During the battle, according to Sergeant Cliff, you almost gave your life to protect your Sergeant and the remaining guards… or so we thought.” She motioned for the two mages, who stepped forward.

“Mister Angelos, when you arrived at this hospital, your head had been severely burned. The hospital had attempted to return to treat you, but found no medicine was needed.” The left large began.

“Your body was already healing at an astonishing rate, Initiate Angelos.” The other Mage stated. “When we heard of this, we assumed that you had some form of advanced healing magic… but what we found was most… unusual.”

“Unusual how?” Gabriel asked, looking at the two.

“Well, upon initial magic scans of your body, we discovered what appeared to be a flexible metal sheet underneath your skin.” The first mage replied. “We then used a stronger spell to look into your body beyond the metal, and… we discovered that your body is almost unlike anything in biological history!” He grinned. “You have many organs that have never been discovered until now, but not only do you have a second heart, you also have an extra lung! There are so many biological mysteries inside you that the Head Mage formally requested containing you for biological study-” He was then interrupted by a wave from Celestia.

“I declined his request, since you are a legal citizen of Equestria.” Celestia stated, giving the mage a small glare. “However, as our mages examined you, they learned that the majority of your organs aren't natural. We believe they are implants.”

“That is probably correct, your Highness.” Gabriel nodded, glancing at Sergeant Cliff. “So, what is to happen to me now? Will I be interrogated, kept for study, or even executed?”

“Nothing of the sort, my dear Angelos.” Celestia said, slightly appalled. “Firstly, for commemoration of your actions to save your fellow guard, I am granting you the rank of Sergeant, and placing you in command of the Third Company, which will be remade using the guards of your original company.” Gabriel started to bow once again, before remembering her words, and instead slamming his fist against his chest.

“I thank you for this honor, your highness.” Gabriel said proudly, a sharp determination in his eyes. “I will not let you down. Now, where is my armor?”

“Your armor was removed using magic so the doctors could better treat you, Sergeant. Currently, it is being examined by some of our best scientific minds, as it clearly isn't run on magic.” Celestia explained. “Once you are fully healed, you will return to your duties… after you complete your training as a Sergeant.”

“Of course, your Highness.” Gabriel nodded.

“Well, that was all we were here for… I shall notify the desk that you are almost ready to leave.” Celestia said, before exiting the room, followed quickly by the two mages, who were busily scribbling things down.

“My thanks, Gabriel.” Sergeant Cliff said, speaking up for the first time. “If it hadn't been for you and that man… we wouldn't have survived.”

“That man? I do not recall…” Gabriel said curiously, his eye squinting.

“Once you fell, defending us, a large man wearing an ornate cloak appeared, using impressive magic that I hadn't even heard of to drive away Daybreaker. I'll let your Company fill you in on the details.” She said, before walking away.

Gabriel sat back onto the bed after closing the door, recollecting the events from a week ago…

One week ago

The Space Marine ran out of the way of a torrent of flames erupting from Daybreaker’s hand, the flames scorching the small cape on his back, but doing very little else as one of the less lucky Guards cried out in agony, the flames flowing into his armor almost like they had a mind of their own, and burning the poor man inside of his armor.

“The game isn't fun if all you vermin do is run!” The maniacal Daybreaker cackled, releasing another burst of flames and catching another guard. “Come now, We thought you were supposed to defend your country? This feels like We’re being ignored…” She leapt up into the air, generating a massive ball of fire up above her. “We know! Let's draw out the rodents with a scorched earth policy!”

It took Gabriel a split-second to realize what she meant, and turned to the main group of guards, who had taken up a defensive line. “Get clear!” He warned, and the guards barely got out of range as Daybreaker threw the ball down, the flames impacting the earth and spreading out across the ground, the wave of flames consuming several guards who had not heard his warning, and their cries of pain were muted by the roars of the fire, and the cackles of Daybreaker.

“Aww, looks like some of the rodents were cooked! I guess they won't be playing anymore…” Daybreaker said, floating down to the now-blackened earth, a trio of fireballs circling the air above her raised hand. “But what about the rest?”

“Third Company, attack!” Sergeant Cliff roared, and the guards she had specified raised their glowing hands, before firing a tirade of magical projectiles, only for them to fade away or even be consumed by Daybreaker’s own flames, which had risen to meet the challenge. “All non-Aurians, form ranks and defend our mages! In Nomine Celestia!” The guards reorganized, the Third Company pulling backwards as the other companies formed up in front of them, shields raised as they desperately tried to hold back the flames.

“Oh, what's this? You actually have a commander?” Daybreaker cackled. “Too bad, this little formation won't help you at all!” She raised her hand again, flames forming around it, before launching the spinning ball right into the ranks of the Third Company, the ball of fire transforming into a spiraling tornado of flames that reached upwards into the sky, burning almost everyone within to ashes. “I guess you just aren't strong enough!” She said as she began to float upwards.

“For the Princess!” Gabriel roared, smashing Godsplitter into the only thing he could reach. Her left leg took the blow from the side, immediately breaking and, had she not turned at his voice, would have been torn off entirely.

“Agh! You miserable worm!” Daybreaker roared, flames forming the image of a clawed gauntlet around her arm as she raised it into the air. “Burn!” She swiped at him, the flames reforming into a wall of fire that billowed around him, the unexpected attack sending Gabriel reeling. “You might be a fun toy to play with… but I suppose I should first deal with the rest of your miserable group!” She raised her hand once again, and sent a ball of flame directed entirely at the guards attempting to march forward.

“No!” Gabriel roared, and his eyesight suddenly changed, the area turning gray in his eyes as what looked like targeting reticules appeared in his eyesight. The world erupted into bright colors for an instant, begging to tear Gabriel’s mind to parts had he stayed for long, before his eyesight returned to normal in front of the ball of flames, and he thrust Godsplitter in a downward stroke, smashing the ball of flame. It erupted upon contact, white hot fires washing across his armor, and burning his face, but the warrior stood strong, embracing the flames until they eventually burned out, and his surprisingly still untouched eye looked upon Daybreaker, glaring as he marched forward.

Oh please!” She taunted to the armored warrior as her leg was enveloped in green magic. “Something as slow as you could never hope to defeat me! I admit, that hammer of yours did surprise me, but I, Daybreaker, shall not be brought low by a single blow!” She cackled, raising her hands to the sky. “I hope you’re flame-proof, because I think global warming is here a few centuries early!” Her horn glowed a dark red, and a billowing ball of flames erupted from her outstretched hands, before she launched it straight towards Gabriel, who stabbed the pommel of his hammer into the ground, and held his ground, the flames wrapping around his form like a very warm blanket.

Gabriel grit his teeth, bracing through the flames that surrounded him as he marched forward, his vision turning gold, and he felt the soft yet painful kiss of the flames fade from his flesh, and he stepped forward once more. “My Emperor… let your might guard… those righteous warriors who face the enemies of man…” He growled, the flames somehow having enough mass to try to push him backwards. However, their attempts were in vain as Gabriel continued to move closer, hefting Godsplitter in his hands. “Protect us… from harm…” He was now inches away from Daybreaker, and had surprised himself at how quickly he had gotten to this point, and raised his hammer high . “So that… we may war… in your name!” He roared, swinging the mighty hammer down and onto Daybreaker, who had instinctively raised her arms to counter the blow, and the flames faded away.

“Aaaagh!” Daybreaker cried, the sound of bones breaking a sweet sound in Gabriel’s ears as she leapt away from another of Gabriel’s swings, the green light returning to her arms. “You little worm! I shall make you suffer in the flames of Tartarus for even daring to wound me!” She raised her now healed hands once again, and a truly massive ball of fire rose from her hair, dwarfing the ball from earlier by three sizes.

Gabriel looked upon this next attack and growled, knowing that he couldn't stop it. If he himself took the blow, then only he would likely die. He raised his hammer, roaring in challenge to her. “It is better to die for the Princess than to live for yourself!” He said, and soon his vision was filled with the blazing flames of hell.

The present

“It appears that my body… is much more sturdy than what I had expected…” Gabriel muttered, looking at his mechanical hand. “And this… somehow, I know that it wasn't Princess Celestia or any of her servants that made this…” He sighed, flipping off of his bed. “It is best to train for now… but I will try to think on this later…”

Author's Note

Terribly sorry that this took so long! (And was kinda half-assed) I recently moved, and was very tired, and blah blah blah you don't care about that stuff.

I hope you enjoyed regardless! This was the first tie-in with my other story in this universe, Welcome to Heaven, Kick Everyone Out and I hope you enjoyed!