Angel In Disguise

Chapter 1: Saved With Mercy

Sunlight streamed through the open windows of the infirmary, stretching across to touch the patients with warmth.  A warm breeze wafted into the room, rippling the curtains into waves of silk.

Dr. Angela Ziegler slipped into the folds of her lab coat, pulling her smooth blonde hair into a messy bun.  She adjusted her pin, reading Angela Ziegler, MD, Medic and First Responder. As she opened the door to the pristine Swiss Hospital, she glanced to Genji Shimada, who was recently admitted and under her personal care.

He was admitted after a fight for the power of the Shimada clan with his brother Hanzo, who had almost killed him.  He was presumed dead. Dr. Ziegler and the forces of Overwatch saved him, and took him back to the hospital.  He was in terrible condition, with his limbs bloody and severed due to slashes of a sword.  Their only option to save him was to rebuild his body through cyberization, turning him into a cyborg.  Overwatch would only resort to this if he would become a human weapon for the organization.  Dr. Ziegler felt as though she had to save him first, convincing him to join afterwards.

"Where, where am I?" he stuttered, slowly rising from the hospital sheet. "Hello Mr. Shimada" Angela responded "I am Dr. Angela Ziegler, and you are here because you were severely injured due to a violent confrontation with your brother Hanzo."  she explained professionally.  "That's the last thing I remember" he recalled. "Where is Hanzo?" "Do not worry, we are far away from him." she assured.

Genji stretched his arms, yawning. He looked down at his hands to see what looked like the hands of a robot, metallic with wires peeking out.

"What- what happened? What happened to me?" he cried, examining himself.

"Mr. Shimada"

"Just call me Genji"

"Okay. Genji, when we arrived, you were severely wounded, and most of your limbs were severed.  If we didn't save you soon, you would die. Overwatch, a global peace keeping force who I am associated with made the decision to save you, because you could be a potential asset.  With the help of my team of doctors and nurses, we recreated your body and saved you."

"What have I become?" he contemplated, looking at what was left of his humanity.  "With time Genji you will come to accept yourself.  Overwatch can guide you, and help you make the best of your new abilities." she comforted, putting her hand on his aluminum shoulder.  "Thank you for being so comforting," he responded "but, I need a little time to comprehend all of this." "Of course. If you need anything, just let me know." she added, walking away.

What have I become?  I am now a monster, and no one could ever love me.. not even Dr. Ziegler.  As beautiful and accepting as she is, she could never love someone half man, half machine.  She will only see the helpless side of me, and not the tranquil man I was before.

Genji looked down at his arms, one metal, one raw flesh.  He truly felt divided into two beings, one crafted for size, and another scarred from the wrath of his brother.  He was deformed from the man he once was, due to Hanzo. Could he ever forgive his brother?

A few hours later, after time of contemplation, Dr. Ziegler came back to check on him. "Hello Dr. Ziegler" he chimed softly.  "Hello Mr. Shimada-I mean Genji" she corrected. "Your vitals seem normal, and everything looks okay.  We will rehabilitate you in the next few months, and you will be just like your old self."

He sighed, "I will never be my old self again. Not me, with this abomination of a body." "Genji, don't say that. You will realize that even though life has changed, you are lucky to be alive. You could make a difference helping Overwatch." She walked away to give him some more privacy.

Genji looked around him, his sword on the table beside him.  Angela was only trying to comfort him, and he pushed her away.  "What have I done?" he asked himself, reflecting on his actions.  He continued to think about that for the rest of the day, and drifted off to sleep.