//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: The Exiled Angel 
// by Bigshot232 
//------------------------------//


Prologue 



Raguel, his head hung low stood in the centre of a circular room. All around him sat 11 thrones, decorated in gold and silvery patterns, varying in different heights stretching high above the angel in the middle of the room. In each throne sat a figure expect for one, their eyes locked with Raguel far below with a mixture of disgust, sadness and anger. 

On the lowest throne sat a thin angelic woman. Raising her head away from Raguel and surveying the rest of the angels, she checked their individual expressions before speaking. "Is it true he has broken the creed of the order?"

"Indeed he has," spoke an angel to her right. His seat was the 4th highest amongst the thrones within the room. "I felt the use of his power the moment he entered the mortal realm, his energy was unmistakable."

The room lay silent for a few moments as the air began to thicken, Raguel's gaze never leaving the floor. A metallic clang came from the highest throne, drawing the attention of the room to the elderly whom sat upon it. "Then his actions must be judged, Jeremiel?" 

An angel to his right straightened his posture before answering, "Yes Lord Micheal," withdrawing a scroll from the side of his throne. He inspected the contents thoroughly before closing it again, facing down towards Raguel. 

"Raguel, Archangel of Justice, you have been summoned here today for the defilement of the creed for which the order has sworn to adhere to since the day of creation. Do you deny this?"

The Angel simply nodded before ushering "I do not deny anything."

"Have you or have you not directly interfered with a mortal life?" 

"I have"

"Have you or have you not been seen by the mortals"

"I have"

"And have you or have you not..." there was a slight pause for effect before continuing, "Taken a life of a mortal, with your own hands?"

Raguel clenched his fists while trying to swallow a lump in his throat. Slowly he raised his head, eyes tightly shut before he was facing the angel seated in the highest throne. "I have."

"Raguel, you have broken 3 of our sacred rules. Prepare to be judged"

Suddenly most of the angels rose to their feet shouting to be heard amongst the others while Jeremiel took his seat. 

"You heard what he said, he has broken the rules of the creed in ways no one of his rank should commit"

"Agreed, his heinous act has made it clear he is unfit of the position of his predecessor"

"I say rip his wings off and throw him from the heavens, let the chaotic legion claim his soul from his corpse"

"Neigh, send him to the pits of tartarus, death is too easy for such defiance"

"Agreed, he should suffer for bringing this filth into our sanctum" 

The arguments were becoming louder and more incoherent as most of the angels bellowed their views and what should be done with Raguel. Michael sat on his throne overseeing the others below. His left arm rest on the arm of his chair, his chin resting on a clenched first. Hearing the coxing of the angel on his left, one of three that had remained seated during the charade, whispered into Michael’s ear. 

"Forgive me your highness, but I believe Raguel should be merely striped of his rank"

Titling his head so Michael was now facing the hushing angel, he raised his hand so it now covered his mouth with a few fingers, "Do tell Uriel, why do you think he still holds purpose" 

"He may have broken our rules, but he shows great commitment than the others before him, perhaps we should send him to be trained and let another take his place" 

"I think not" 

Both Uriel and Michael turned to see the new voice in their short little conversation. Upon seeing the speaker Michael was slightly surprised but didn't show any signs on his face. "Why Raphael, what do you propose?"

"He has broken our creed, we can not simply take away his rank and let him remain in the order,” Raphael began to scratch the top of his head, "to allow him to stay would make a mockery of what we strive for" 

Michael began to speak again, "But Raphael, I know of your friendship with Raguel, what Uriel proposes would allow him to stay."

"But I know him, he cares for the mortals too much. He often speaks of wanting to do more to help them, and not remain trapped within the confides of the sanctum"

Uriel now joined in with his hand cupped around his chin, "The only way for Raguel to assist in such a manner is for him to be mortal," he deadpanned.

Raphael paused for a moment. "In a sense, yes"

Catching on to what was being implied, Uriel began to protest. "You know it can't be done. We cannot remove his wings or he'll die. And with them, he'll remain connected to this place, immortal on the plain. It just can not be done."

Raphael began to fiddle with his fingers looking down at his friend, who in turn was once again hanging his head in shame. Michael took note of the angel’s hand movements sensing an idea present in the angels mind. "Please Raphael, do share what is on your mind?" 

Uriel, taken by surprise, began to look back and fore between his lord and fellow angel, his breath held as he awaited the response. Raising his head to meet Michael’s eyes, he spoke in a hushed voice so that only Uriel and Michael could hear. 

"We exile him" 

"Why would you say such a thing" 

"Because it would be perfect. Our sanctums powers will carry him till he is out of reach. He will be detached from the order and become mortal. We can send him to an inhabited world where he will not be heard from, and he can continue the work he seeks to accomplish"

Michael sat back in his chair contemplating his decision. Death and torture were not to his liking, especially one of their own, not after what he has sacrificed for the mortals and the order. But he couldn't truly allow him to stay, as he too would be defiling the creed. Exile to a distant world, a world untouched by angels and the legion could also be hazardous. 

He looked backed at Uriel, "What do you think?" 

The angel closed his eyes and begun rubbing his temple," I am unsure, I simply know that to lose one such as he would be a grave lose, he holds a great power within him. 

"In exile, he can always be called upon when needed," Raphael spoke pointing a finger towards Uriel. 

Michael leaned over to Uriel placing a hand on top of his, "I trust your judgement old friend." 

There was silence between the three angels for a few moments, the arguments below continuing with great ferocity as an angel with black wings and a deep red halo flew about the room yelling something distasteful regarding a mountain, a vulture and chains. 

Making his decision, Uriel looked to Michael. Holding his gaze before speaking with finality, "... very well."

Michael, fully leaning back into his chair, raised his hand before speaking. "SILENCE," his voice amplified, filling the circular room. 

The angels ceased their bickering turning towards their leader, eager to hear his verdict over the present situation. 

"I have heard many proposals as to the situation at hand and have come to my decision. If any wish to speak their 'final' words to the Archangel of justice then do so now," empathizing the word final.  

Silence loomed over the room once again as the collective angels looked to and fro from each other and to Raguel seeing if one of them would say their piece. When it was adamant that no one would speak, Micheal lowered his head towards the angel in question. 

"And do you Raguel, Archangel of justice wish to speak before you are sentenced?" 

Again, silence reared its head, the room awaiting any response. Again it became obvious that he would not speak. Michael turned to the other angels, "You may now leave." 

He raised he's sword slightly before letting it fall back to the floor beside his throne. As the clang radiated from the blade as it made contact, all the angels disappeared except for Michael and Raguel. 

The room now empty, Michael descended from his throne, stretching his majestic wings as he lowered himself in front of Raguel. With sword in hand he raised the edge of the blade above Raguel's head, spearing the halo through its ring before extracting it away from his person. His halo, once aglow in a golden light, faded, showing simply a thin golden ring in its place. As Michael plucked the ring from his sword, it disappeared in his hand like dust in the wind. 

"Kneel Raguel" 

Without hesitation, the angel kneeled before his lord awaiting his verdict. 

"I have considered my decision greatly as to deal with the situation you have caused. And I have decided..." 

Michael raised his sword and rested it on the side of Raguel's neck. The coldness of the weapon sending shivers down the angel's spine. He took the chance to look up to see his lord’s face one more time before the inevitable happened. 

"To banish you from this sanctum" 

Banishment. That was it, he knew he was going to Tartarus. He was going to be tortured for his crimes, feeling all along that was what he deserved. It was all for the best, only Satan would do what he had done to... him. 

Lowering his sword to his side, he spoke again, "you will be sent far from here, beyond the realm of the guardians." 

Now this surprised the angel. He looked into the eyes of Michael, furrowing his brows. Finding his words he spoke all he could think of, "w... why?" 

Michael merely smiled, "You shall be cut off from the sanctum, unable to use its powers. You shall never lay eyes here again." 

He looked to his sword again, changing the position of his hands on the blade so it was now pointing towards the floor. "Hold fast angel of justice, and goodbye" 

Ragual attempted to speak further but Micheal's blade struck the ground, enveloping the angel in a pillar of light. The angels wing flung open, acting upon a will that was not their own and shot towards the ceiling. In a blink of an eye, the pillar vanished along with the angel. The old angel looked upwards to the point where Ragual last occupied before closing his eyes. 

"May you find peace..."


*  *  *


Creak*

"Hello dear s... oh my apologies, am I interrupting?" 

"No my dear, just catching up on my reading"

"Oh my, is that a report"

"Why yes it is"

"So what have her friends learnt, I so enjoy her reports from her studies" 

giggle*

"Ha ha, Is it that bad?" 

"It's from Applejack, and quiet a strange one at that."

"Oh do tell, please?" 

"Well alright. It was regarding her visit a few days ago, she was trying... to..."

"..."

"..."

"S... Sister? Are you feeling alright?"

"..."

"Sister?" 

"Did... did you feel something?"

"Well no, what do you mean?"

"I'm not sure, like a chill perhaps?"

"Honestly sister, was that all? Your window is wind open, I'm surprised you hadn't noticed earlier"

"..."

"Your highness"

"Yes Corporal?"

"The Night Court is coming into session."

"Thank you Corporal, I will be down momentarily."

"Yes Ma'am"

"Let me just close this window... there... Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight" 

...

Creak*

...

"That feeling... did i imagine it?"