A/N: Trying to avoid any more confusion by just saying that this hierarchy isn't strictly based on Catholic views, or religious views in general, but it's a mix of my own perception of Greek gods and religious ideas. The gods have these angels who serve them and they come in that hierarchy of 9 Choirs of angels that is known within the Catholic society.

Sorry this took me a while to post up! Got caught up in midterms and school work.

Rumors did rapidly spread, and once the news reached his ears, no way did Pit believe his rivaling captain had been taken into custody. A high ranking soldier such as him couldn't possibly have disobeyed the Heaven's rules. No way. It was a mistake. Storming his way over to Palutena's Temple, he listed out the different possibilities that could have led to this outcome. Pit demanded an answer from the council how they allowed this; especially how Palutena allowed this.

The Goddess often spent time with the two; she being the one who watched over them the most when growing up. She was a motherly figure whom all angels loved, although her Seraphs kept a close eye on those who tried to get close to her.

Seraphs, guardians of the gods whose powers transcend those of most normal angels. Considered a god's lapdog, they never left their side and always whispered their snarky opinions to their leader's ears. Their six wings were able to make even the toughest warrior of the Powers to feel inferior. When younger, Pit strived to be sectioned as one, but as he learned more about their conceited dispositions, he had grown to dislike them. This opinion of his can never be spoken out though, for there were regularly chatty angels who report even the lightest of insults to the high council. Funny right? The idea of angelic spies lurking around to tattle of the blasphemous sins of their own kind. That was why Pit had to take Dark Pit's situation over to Palutena.

"Lady Palutena!" Pit bolted into the woman's throne room only to have spears be pointed at him. "Seriously?"

The green haired goddess gave a small laugh, "You know they're only doing their job. Away my loyal guards, it's Captain Pit, let him pass." Obediently did the two seraphs back off to reposition themselves as Pit gave a low growl before jogging over to the goddess.

"You're here concerning Dark Pit aren't you?"

"Yeah. Wait, if you knew what I was about to ask then don't you also know that he's innocent?"

"Innocent? No Pit. I wish, but there are some things I cannot change," shaking her head, she gave him a sorrowful look. "At first I thought like you, that perhaps it was silly musings of troublesome angels, or even so a fraud trying to dirty his name, but I talked to him myself and Dark Pit admitted to it." His sudden deepening frown caused the goddess to look away. She knew how much Pit didn't want this to be true, not only because Dark was his friend, but the fact that he had to do his 'other' job.

"If you really want answers, I was the wrong person to go to. You should talk to-"

"Dark himself. Yeah. I am. I have to."

—xx—

"Kill me now."

The blade quivered in the young Captain's hand. This task was impossible. What kind of punishment was this for him when he hadn't even committed a crime? He was to watch his so called 'twin' suffer before him and because of him. Touching those pure white wings, Pit gently ran his thumb across feathers as he set his blade between skin and bone. His pulse hastened; Dark Pit's skin was cold; it already felt as if he was lifeless. He didn't understand why there was no reaction from his victim. Wasn't he scared? Did he really accept this as his fate? The large crowd of angels waited in the stands in anticipation. The captain took his time building up the climax of this event.

Pit glanced over to the familiar goddess; hoping she'd scream a halting incentive. But she didn't.

"What're you waiting for? It's now or never. Just be quick about it Pit. I'll live."

Stop. Just be quiet for a second would you? I need to think. Pull yourself together Pit. You can do this. It's part of being a Power. Your job. You're a captain. Dark is strong. Trust him when he says he'll pull through. One quick slice is all it takes. One…Quick…

Teeth clenched together as nails dug into white feathers. Though tempted to close his eyes, the Captain knew only doing so would result in even more pain. His hand lifted up the given sword and with a short scream came slashing down to rid the darker angel of his wing. Heavenly metal sliced through skin but rarely into bone. Dark Pit kept quiet, but the amount of pain he felt was evident on his face. His wings were strong, both knew that fact, but Pit didn't expect for it to be strong enough for a holy sword not to bypass in one attack. Or was it that his lack of motivation caused his laceration to be weak? His hesitation caused Dark Pit to holler at him, "Keep going dammit!"

There was a hack, and another, and another. Palutena averted her eyes from the ghastly scene before her; spectators vocalized their raging emotions of either amusement or disagreement. It was like a Roman gladiator arena. Predator and prey, the crowd, wealthy nobles that watched for their own personal muse.

Pit's face was sullied in blood, his toga and armor included. He stepped back at the sole massacre he committed to one wing. What was this? Dread? Regret? He refused to accept reality. This was all just a dream wasn't it? He was sleeping and everything was just a nightmare. Dark Pit's defiance was false. The stench of iron in the air was false. The pooling crimson red on white marble tiles was false. Everything was a lie. Especially the way Dark Pit's hand reached over to his back to touch at the peeling flesh. They trailed down to feel the nub which protruded out from his back; what ever was the remnants of his left wing. The jagged bone seeped out more of its red marrow. A surge of disgust and the food he ate previously urged to release from Pit's stomach. This made him feel sick. He couldn't do it anymore. One was enough. The second wasn't an option.

"I can't… No more…"

When metal met marble, and when sandals began to step in red, Palutena knew the trouble both angels would be in so she warped herself to the execution ground to hold her precious captain back from reuniting with his friend.

"Lady Palutena what're you doing?"

"Stop yourself right now Pit. Your actions will call over the other gods. You have to finish what you started."

"I'm not going to!" Pit snatched himself away from the goddess. "If you think you can get me to cut off Dark's other wing then you're wrong!" He glanced over at the other, who, all this time, kept silent. The brooding pain was ever so excruciating but Dark Pit refused to verbalize his hurt. It would've made him seem weak. It'd show his rebellion would've been for nothing if he couldn't handle the pain. So he held it back; concealed the urge to let those tears flow from his face. No, he never wanted this but had he a chance? He couldn't stand being chained and trapped in a realm he refused to call home. His only hope now was to believe that the human world was a better place to reside.

From the sky came down Keres. Notorious for being goddesses of death and doom, Keres were part of the Dominion branch of angels. They regulated and chose the fates of notorious traitors; Pit and Dark Pit now part of category. Clothed in flowing red garments, they were held together by contrasting black sashes. Veils' concealed their angelic faces; black eyes only to be seen. They had a superior air to them; a daunting stench of death trailing their every move.

"What is the-"

"Meaning of all this-"

"Commotion?"

"Just a simple mishap, it'll be fixed immediately." Palutena glanced at the two, hoping either one would know their place and not speak up.

"The gods have taken note of-"

"Commander Dark Pit and Captain Pit's-"

"Insubordination to our rules."

"Both will be-"

"Punished if Commander Dark Pit's-"

"Execution is not executed."

The three Keres turned to face the brunette angel, their piercing eyes demanding answers. Though intimidate by their aura, Pit shook his head nonetheless. "Im sorry. I can't do it…I-I know it's my job but seeing Dark in pain like this, it makes me feel sick."

"Excuses are futile."

"If you refuse then-"

"You must accept consequences."

"A wing for a wing."

Before Pit could even register their remarks, a surge of heat flowed through his back as long black nails dug into his clothes and skin to clench at his bone. Searing pain filled his right shoulder blade, he felt a disjointing of bone to bone as warm blood leaked out. Only was there a ringing in his ears. Pit wasn't able to hear the screams of his beloved goddess, but he did see the horrified look on her face. Dark Pit had also looked up to witness the sight before him, and as the world around Pit flowed in slow motion, he tried to read the words coming out from friend's lips but failed to do so.