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Chapter 7 - Judgement: Arc 1, Chapter 7 - Messages From The Sun

Michael was face-to-face with a very unfamiliar ceiling. He saw above him what seemed like a clear, starry sky, as if he were within the cosmos itself. He started to pull himself up, feeling none of the fatigue that had previously plagued him before he fell unconscious. As he turned down, he saw the same sky below him, almost as if he was flying through space. Michael looked around, astounded by the wondrous sights that he was seeing.

"...Where am I?" He said. He grazed his hand across the "ground" that he stood on, and it felt smooth, unnaturally so, despite the fact that it looked like he was floating. He tried running around a bit but found no end to the "ground". He looked at himself, and he appeared to be wearing some clothes that, despite him never having worn them before, felt quite comfortable. He had some basic red shoes, black khaki pants, a black shirt, and a white over-shirt that had a red gradient as it got to the edges of the shirt. 

Just as he got acclimated to his new surroundings, he noticed bright, white cracks in what appeared to be the walls of the galaxy. Upon noticing them, they seemed to pop up everywhere, and, after a few seconds, would crack open, revealing an infinite, white void above him. From the white descended several grey, root-like pillars, which, upon touching the "ground" of space, began to turn a shade of red. Michael tried to grab for his sword but found no sword in his possession. As he looked up at the light, he noticed a human-like shape descending down, radiating pure red light. As it touched down to the ground, it noticed Michael standing in a fighting stance. 

It spoke, saying, "Ah, no need to be alarmed, give me one moment." It's voice seemed like a collage of vaguely male voices, as if It was trying to decide on one. In a moment, a giant fire erupted out of it, the heat making Michael flinch. As the fire died down, a man, looking to be around Michael's age, emerged from it. The man had olive skin, with black hair that had spiky bangs that ended a bit above his eyes, with slightly more contained hair around the sides and top of his head, with his hair having red tips as well, quickly becoming red near the end of his hair. He had a large red coat that could easily be described, and probably was, as a wizard's robe. On the robe, in golden lettering, were several runes, of which only a few were understandable by Michael. The robe descended down to his knees, and one could discern some baggy black pants, matched by his black, leather shoes.

It spoke again, with one voice, having apparently settled on one, "My name is Al. I come here to just speak to you for a bit, if you would offer me your time. Trust me that your current body is safe, this is essentially a dream for you. Do you have any questions before we talk?"

Michael replied, starting to lower his guard, "I have a couple. What are you?"

Al replied, "An angel, perhaps. I'm not one of great importance, if that's what you're wondering."

Michael asked, "Another one, what's with my clothes? And yours, for that matter."

Al said, "I don't have anything for your clothes, but I chose mine. Why are you asking?"

Michael replied, "Nothing, I was just wondering if you wore that willingly or were forced to."

Al scoffed, saying, "This is the latest fashion in your world! Not anything like that garb you're wearing. Now, may I start while we still have time?"

Michael found himself thinking that he probably wouldn't have tried on something like what he was wearing beforehand, but he slowly became accustomed to his outfit. And, as he wondered how old Al really was, he nodded that he could start talking.

Al spoke, saying, "We need your help with an issue that we mutually share. Do you know of the criminal that is referred to as "The Doctor"?

Michael spoke, exhausted, "Yeah, I know him. Why?"

Al continued, saying, "We can give you his current location."

Michael inquired, "What's in it for you? It sounds like you don't get anything out of this? If you're an angel or whatever, why don't you fight him?"

Al said, slightly annoyed, "There's not a being that walks the earth that is one of us. We have a long-standing rule not to interfere with such things unless drastic action was required. If that happened, we would be asking far more of you. We gain enough from what will happen in the end, it just may take a bit to get there. Also, are you not the slightest bit startled that you're speaking to an angel?"

Michael replied, "Not really. I thought some higher power existed and made peace with that thought a long time ago." 

Al wondered if this human is a little interesting.

Michael then asked, "So, are we done here? How will I get the location?"

Al says, "I can put it into your mind. I recommend you act fast, however; it will only be good for 48 hours. After then, I cannot predict their movements."

Al then says, "Since we have come to a conclusion to this talk, I will depart now."

Al starts to levitate away, a gust of wind following his ascent. As he is nearing the exit, he hears Michael exclaim a question.

Michael says, "Can I keep my outfit?"

Al tilts his head, confused, but says, "Sure, why not?"

As Al continued to fly away, Michael felt his vision begin to fade, losing consciousness again.

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Michael was face-to-face with a relatively familiar ceiling. He saw above him the roof of his room in the barracks. As he tried to open his eyes more, he felt like his muscles were burning, and, as he turned to his side, he saw various medical equipment, although now detached from him, on the table. He also saw Joseph, who seemed to be sleeping in a chair, in the room. Outside, he heard rain and thunder striking down on the ground. As he lay, he started shaking when he remembered his... dream. It was like he had been holding all of the tension from that encounter until this moment. Trying to see if it really happened, he thought of The Doctor's location, and instantly, he was able to see a glimpse of The Doctor, standing on the bow of a ship, near an island offshore from the country.

Michael spoke, his voice sounding a bit hoarse, "Are you up, Joseph?"

Joseph said, most likely still asleep, "Yeah... just five more minutes... Mom..."

Michael groaned and slowly started to crawl out of his bed, making sure to tiptoe out of his room, and as he walked away, on his desk was a new, almost unnaturally unworn, outfit. 

Michael stumbled down the hallway, up to Roy's door. He knocked, and Roy came out, rubbing his eyes, as he had some shorts and a t-shirt on.

Roy said, "You're up at 5 in the morning? Can you wake up at a better time?"

Michael groaned, "There is no better time. Do you think the station is open?"

Roy replied, "No, since it's, as I stated, 5 in the morning, and they're still rebuilding. There might be someone on call though—"

Michael cut Roy off, saying, "I'll go call, then."

Roy asked, "What are you doing?"

Michael turned back and glared, saying, "I think I know where The Doctor is."

Roy shook his head and said, "There's no way that we could get anyone on this, they're still rebuilding the station, plus there's some conflict in the south. It'd be easier to just do it ourselves."

Michael says, "We could do it ourselves..."

Roy replied, "No way, we couldn't take on that guy with us two, and who knows how many reinforcements he'll have. We'll just have to wait, man."

Michael spoke, "I think I know a way to beat him."

Roy asked, "Are you sure?

Michael said, "Sure enough to burn him away."

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