A/N: About the title, please don't mind. I just thought it sounded pretty cool, but if you really want to know, just ask me via e-mail 'cause the answer's gonna be pretty long.

Also, the angels mentioned here are all real, but I made up the appearances and personalities to suit Gundam Wing. Please don't sue me for their usage.:(

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine. Bandai, Sunrise, and other people and/or companies I don't know own it. I am not making money off this, I am merely doing this for fun.

You'll understand why this first part has no one in the GW cast. Yet. At least I hope you do.

Here goes my second attempt at a 1x2… happy reading: )

-Rei:)

Descent Into Dissonance

Prologue – Falling Out of Heaven's Graces

The Archangel Uriel smiled to himself as he walked alongside its four other close friends, all in the same standing of Archangel, second lowest rank as an Angel next to the actual Angels. Heaven was such a naturally beautiful place, he mused, with soft, fluffy clouds underneath bare feet and the radiance of the sun quietly welcoming the entrance of a new day. It was where they glimpsed man's activity below them, gauging to see if there was need for intervention. Life was peaceful and generally uneventful, with the several ranks of angels watching over their wards diligently and obeying without question God's many wills for the betterment of mankind. It was as far as one could get from the chaotic atmosphere on earth, where mortals waged endless wars and blood was shed needlessly. He sighed in wordless gratitude for his existence as an Archangel and not a human being and stole a glance at his equally contemplative friends.

Reputed to be God's invincible champion, Michael was a silent, cold Archangel with shoulder length raven hair and deep cobalt eyes, armed with two flaming swords ready to fight demons the Devil used as its blind followers. The unofficial leader of their little group, he was the one with the final say in things. He also happened to be very possessive, a quality soon discovered by his acquaintances. Uriel had been Michael's long-time companion, and with the arrival of the other Archangels in their small two-person circle, did not take too kindly to his having to 'share' Uriel's time with the others, though grudgingly he had more or less taken to tolerating having Uriel 'stolen from under his nose'. It still did not stop the Archangel from being fiercely protective, however. Right now, Uriel noticed, Michael was frowning pensively, and he tried his best to suppress a giggle at the all-too-familiar sight.

Then there was Raphael. As he was one of the quieter ones, he rarely spoke and when he did, the meaning was usually hidden behind one of his mysterious riddles. Golden-haired and emerald eyed, he also had an intimate relationship with one of the other archangels, Gabriel. Uriel trusted Raphael implicitly, although he couldn't say that he completely understood why. Somehow, Raphael gave off the impression of being strong even under the mask of nonchalance, which drew the rest of the group to him.

Next to Raphael was Gabriel, of course. With fine platinum hair and blue eyes sparkling with vitality, he was the human embodiment of a "true angel". Cheerful and outgoing, he was placed with the unfortunate role of mediator when things roughened up in Heaven, where life was not without its dose of bad days for its inhabitants. Gabriel was also very sociable, a trait which Uriel himself possessed. These often led to long, thoughtful conversations regarding anything and everything. And as Uriel studied the people he was with, he admitted that it was rather an enjoyable experience to talk to Gabriel, like the two of them had all the time in the world.

Saliel was the latest to join. With a solemn look in those bottomless black pools, which were his eyes, the dark-haired Archangel took the mission of achieving the justice and equality that God hoped to instill into the people on earth most seriously. He engaged in debates concerning as to how justice might be meted out continuously on earth constantly, which made him Uriel's primary target for teasing, often making fun of his name by shortening it to 'Sali'.

And Uriel? He knew that he was probably noisiest among them, always laughing and talking, light-hearted and optimistic, ready to play jokes and pull pranks anytime. He was regarded as shallow and vain, the least competent of the Archangels, at least until he switched to another personality, one that comprehended completely what was to be done and wasted no time getting what it wanted. He was cruel then, and void of emotion. But he didn't like to be that in normal circumstances, so again he put up the façade that always smiled and was innocently happy.

Others of their class often wondered how such a diverse group of five could get along so perfectly all the time. How stoic Michael could stand the company of the jokester Uriel. How Saliel could tolerate being with Michael, who was as hard headed as he was, and just as stubborn. How Raphael could actually listen to the various ramblings of the overly-chipper Gabriel. How they could function normally, period.

They didn't, actually. But it worked for them, somehow. Their differences made up for the weaknesses and strengths each of the individual Archangel characterized. They worked as a team to harness their abilities.

Because God didn't make them perfect, despite being his holy creations…

Because they were mere Archangels who had to make do with what they had, and not Seraphim, who were more infinitely powerful than they…

Because they knew they couldn't, and they wouldn't last on their own. There were too many they couldn't trust, too many who were suspicious in their eyes. Too many who would jump at the chance of their vulnerability.

Michael gazed at Uriel as they sat at a secluded spot near the south of Heaven, one that had quickly become their favorite. Something was bothering his friend, he realized belatedly, observing Uriel's troubled face. They'd all been unnaturally hushed up while they were strolling aimlessly around, and it gnawed at his mind. Uriel wasn't one to hold back words, even at his own expense. So why was he acting strange? He tapped his companion's shoulder. Surprised, Uriel flinched turned abruptly and saw it was only Michael who was touching him.

"Oh, it's you…" He managed a weak smile. The black-haired Archangel frowned back. What was wrong? He voiced the thought out loud, but Uriel waved it away.

"I was just thinking about stuff, you know…" Then he fell silent again. His blue-eyed friend prodded him again, this time harder.

"Ow! What the…? What?" Michael shot him a glare and he shut up.

"What stuff?" Uriel shifted uncomfortably.

"Just… about the five of us." Just as he was about to ask exactly what stuff about the five of them the silver-haired Archangel was thinking about, a shadow loomed over them.

"Michael." A flat voice intoned. The two of them looked up. It was Riguel a good distance off from them, another Archangel who had been, like the rest of them, mentioned in man's Holy Bible.

"Riguel." He stood up, stared down the smaller angel as best as could be possibly done with about a 5 meter separation, and returned the name evenly despite his annoyance at being interrupted. Who was Riguel to interfere with one of his more private moments with Uriel? He subjected the other Archangel to one of his most intense death glares and used his height to his advantage, hoping to scare him away so he could go back to where he was a minute earlier with Uriel. In response, the petite Archangel began squirming in discomfort, and Michael knew he'd earned himself a small victory. However, it was short lived when his seeming adversary cleared his throat, determined to say whatever he was supposed to despite the tiny sliver of fear that lurked after being Michael's recipient of a glare.

"I don't like how you hogged the scene last time when we were out battling with the demons." He stated bluntly. The taller Archangel raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Well, too bad." Riguel grit his teeth. This wasn't going the way he'd hoped.

"What I'm saying is, Archangel Michael, Champion of God…" He said pointedly, "I need you to butt out of my turf and go find something else to do." Michael's smirk widened imperceptibly.

"What if I don't?" Riguel's eyes flashed and before he knew it, he had his bow in his hands and an arrow fitted, ready to release and hit Michael if he so much as said another word. In answer, his foe summoned his twin blades and stood ready in a threatening stance. Angered further by Michael's continued opposition and throwing his sense of control to the winds, he let go of the shaft and watched it fly towards the sword-bearing Archangel.

Michael would die. That he was sure of. He never missed his shots. His arrow would be too fast for him to dislodge it.

A smile of victory graced his lips. It would be over in a matter of seconds.

Even as he saw the arrow reach closer to its destination, though, he hadn't counted on anyone else taking that shot meant for him. And that was where he'd made his mistake.

Because Uriel had seen it too, dumbstruck, screamed his objection through five earsplitting, consecutive octaves, stood up and threw the offending Archangel down just in time to receive the death Riguel had meant for the other. He sank to the ground slowly, clutching tightly at Michael's garments as dark crimson stains blossomed on his own. Blood seeped from his chest where the arrow had struck. Michael yanked the weapon out and threw it to a corner, aloofness gone, and hugged his friend tightly in spite of their awkward crouching position, almost bruising in his touch.

"Uriel… you can't leave me…" He pleaded desperately, searching for signs of life in those beautiful violet eyes that smiled for him. Tucked a loose strand of silvery hair, willing him to still live. To be with him for as long as eternity would allow them to. To show him another of his breathtaking grins and let him hear the bright, carefree laughter from those lips again.

No sound.

Michael paled visibly, and his breathing was becoming erratic. "No," he whispered, suddenly frightened. "You can't leave me… Uriel…. Uriel…" He was chanting his name, hoping to coax a response.

Still nothing.

He put his ear to Uriel's chest, where a heart, the heart God had given all angels to feel and love, should have been beating.

He heard only silence.

And with this final discovery, a tear slid down the Archangel's eye. He buried his face in his dead friend's shoulder, sobbing noiselessly.

Riguel started wailing in anguish over his careless mistake, face covered by his hands. Those same hands that had killed Uriel. He hadn't meant to eliminate sweet, innocent Uriel…

Not him…

Certainly not him…!

A low hiss effectively halted his train of thought.

"Riguel…" He involuntarily shuddered and refused to meet Michael's eyes. Strong fingers forced his head up, and he came face to face with his rival Archangel. He went cold at the sight.

Michael's normally distant eyes had hardened beyond recognition, and he had the hungry, crazed look of a wild animal set on the loose, lips curved into a feral smile. His sword was in one hand.

"Banish me from the south of Heaven,
Lead me to man's infernal haven,
Send me to find my half's lost soul,
Help me to gain what fate once stole."

A cut-off cry escaped the south of Heaven, and blood spilled for the second time that day.