One of the most precious gifts that God gave

is innocence

A fortnight before Christmas, the execution of Saint Allen Walker began its turn. Although the skies were painted pink and purple as the sun set upon the mountain horizon, the citizens of Allen's territory felt no peace or happiness. Gone was the air of tranquility that was usually around the houses, replaced by the foreboding sense of doom as they watched helplessly. Their very patron saint was about to be killed for a crime that he did not commit, but there was nothing that anyone can do.

The people were not the only ones who argued to defend the little angel that was mercilessly sentenced to death. The Black Order tried their hand in convincing the angels, be it by words or strong actions. But their hard efforts were for naught. As Allen ascended the execution altar with all the grace of an angel that he was, the demons fought back tirelessly, filled with worry for the angel that had made a place in their clan.

"Are you really going to watch Allen die?!" they fought against the angels' hardened shields.

Sheril pushed right back with fury in his normally cold eyes, "you think we wanted this?" His noble heart yearned to save Allen from his misery, but his duty as a Judgement Knight demanded retribution. He wasn't the only angel to feel torn between their sense of responsibility and their love for an angelic brother. The other angels wanted nothing to do with Allen's execution, but their hearts screamed for Allen's safety.

Allen ignored all the commotion around him as he took the last step before the altar. Timcampy was vibrating fearfully around his wrist, but Allen could do nothing to comfort his beautiful gift. He gazed wistfully at the darkening sky and watched the moon slowly appearing mysteriously at its heavenly throne, his face revealed nothing but blank emotions. As Allen knelt down before the blade that was to take his mortal life away, he whispered softly before letting a single tear escape his eyes, "Patris, quanto magis vultis pati,"

Allen felt that he had suffered enough, but it would seem that Father had different plans for him. He breathed a heavy sigh as he heard the blade singing its mournful tune, fully accepting whatever fate that Father was about to give him in a few moments. Just as the blade was about to descend, a booming voice pierced the noisy sky,

"STOP!"

Both angel and demon landed from the long flight with a dramatic thump, landing directly onto the stage with their wings outstretched and tired bodies. Saint Tyki Mikk was out of breath, but still had the energy to glare at the masked executioner with chastising anger. Lavi also glared at everyone who had surrounded the scene as his wings touched Allen for security measures. Everyone had stopped their shouting; shock overcame their sense of urgency as the newcomers patiently waited for everyone to settle down.

Without taking his eyes off the masked human, Tyki tossed a brown bag onto the ground below. It was heavy, no doubt about it, and the first thought that the humans had was treasure or some sort of bribe to release Allen. But when one of the altar boys bravely came forward to open the round bag, he shouted in panic and threw the bag away from him as if the item was burning his skin. The bag's content was dropped out for all to see.

Allen's breath hitched as he laid eyes on Lavi's unattached head.

"W-Wha-"Allen's mouth or mind couldn't find the words to describe what he was seeing. The dead head of his best friend was laid on the ground all so carelessly, the usual red hair was strained with black blood and his one good eye was opened to reveal stun surprise. He was partially confused, instinctually curling his white wings as protection against this monstrosity. He felt Lavi –the live one- coming closer, the Demon Lord's black wings touching his naked arms soothingly as if knowing that the angel was in bewilderment.

Lulubell pipped out with a light melodious voice, "Glamour magic?"

Tyki proclaimed for all to hear as he pointed accusingly at the dead body part of the supposedly dead Demon Lord like it was an abomination, disgust clearly evident in his rich voice, "this demon glamoured himself to look like Lavi and attacked Lala. He's the perpetrator!"

"But how can that be?! If it's glamour magic, then we should be able to see through it!" Jasdero peeped forward to look closely at the unmoving head, growling beneath his breath as he smelt the awful scent of demon.

The one who answered was none other than the demon mage herself, experienced as she was in the ways of demon magic, "this must be a high-level spell… It doesn't last long and if you know about it, it's easy to identify the fake. But to do this certain kind of forbidden spell, and to cast the spell onto another person, the caster must be Hell-strong!"

Tyki rolled his eyes as he brought Allen back up to his feet, "It doesn't matter. Allen and Lavi are innocent. There shall be no deaths today!" He promptly hugged his dearest brother with all his might, "I was so worried about you, little shounen," he confessed, revelling on the living scent of his angelic brethren.

Komui nudged Lavi's shoulders as they watched the two angels embraced each other, "let me guess: it was Malcolm,"

Lavi didn't take his eye off his best friend as he crossed his arms and rumbled lowly, "no doubt about it. When we came across this lowly demon looking like me, the magic had Malcolm's fingerprints all over it. That damn bastard, he'll pay for this,"

But Lavi didn't have time to mope about this development when he saw the little angel running towards him with open arms and teary eyes, "LAVI!"

Enveloped by the dreamy scent of peppermint and fresh mountain water, Lavi hugged the shorter male as his wings covered them both to give them a bit of privacy. Blocked by the wings' darkness, Lavi allowed his hardened face to break into a relieved smile when he saw Allen looking at him with such a concerned expression. The angel cupped his face with cold but pleasing hands as he spoke gravely, "I thought you were going to die!"

Lavi chuckled softly as he grasped Allen's small wrists, holding the angel's hands in place, "that should be my line," he kissed Allen's cool forehead to silence the angel, "I'll be fine,"

Allen shook himself free of the Demon Lord's grasp, but not escaping his clutches entirely. The uneasiness was still in Allen as he voiced out, "but even Lulubelldidn't know about this level of spell! Lulubell herself, Lavi! What if the next time it happens, something bad happens?"

This time, Lavi was the one who cupped the angel's frantic face. He held the shaky angel close and leaned his forehead against Allen's as he smiled gently in total contrast of his demonic self. Only Allen had the power to stir such weak emotions from deep inside him, Lavi figured out.

"Even if I die now, I'll die happy-"

Lavi also figured out that he didn't care about appearances anymore. To him, Allen was worth showing the said weak emotions. Allen always was.

"-Because I met you,"

Lavi felt Allen's exhaled breath as he inched closer; the angel's very scent was like a siren to him that he could no longer deny. He felt the feather-light touch of Allen's lips before they were pushed apart by a strong Rhode. Lavi lifted his arms in exasperation, "oh, come on!"

But Rhode was looking at everywhere but Lavi. Her eyes were widened with undisclosed panic as her breath came in short gasps, "My.. Child.. He's-"she looked all around as if looking for answers for her strange question.

Like ripples of water, the angels' eyes turned distant as their wings quickly hardened at an invisible threat. They turned their heads from left to right, searching for something and listening for nothing. Allen too was enraptured as he felt his angelic soul crying, tugging him to somewhere close by, "My child…" He quickly broadened his senses and the sudden realisation hit the angel in an instant, "My child; HE'S GONE!"

The angels looked distraught as Allen was. Without an explanation, the angels took to the sky like a released arrow and fled away from the scene. Lavi was looking more distressed at Allen's quick mood change. Father Bak came running with an alarmed tone that defied his usual flamboyant style, "The children are missing! I can't find them!"

Lavi didn't hide his growing growl this time. He opened his sharpened wings as he heard Kanda cursed out loud, "This was all just a stupid distraction!"

Lavi commanded his demon clan as he summoned his armour to the ready, his demonic voice already bellowing out with the entire wrath that he had, "kcalB redrO! oT raW!"

Quite a distance away from Allen's territory, the angels landed at the empty valley covered in luscious green grass. The children were huddled together in a group as they shivered against the bitingly, cold night wind. One by one, the angels confronted their loved ones with paternal care.

"My dear child," Allen softly murmured as he covered the small child with his wings. The angel held the human tightly, but was confused as to why was the children were located so far away from their homes without adult supervision. Then, his mind reeled back in horror when he saw his child's eyes covered with actual demon magic!

Allen was going to warn the others when a malicious voice called out, "TOO EASY!"

A giant demonic seal appeared on the ground below all of them and before Allen could take a step away, a sharp paralysing spell ran across his whole body. Along with the other angels, Allen screamed in pain as bolts of lightning caused all of them to drop to the ground. They were thoroughly trapped and were harshly tortured by the magic seal. Allen could feel his very spirit being ripped apart as he let out a whining cry. Allen couldn't keep his eyes open, lest feel his wings. He felt the urge to fly away from danger, but couldn't bear leaving these defenceless children behind. Nature begged the angels to flee for their lives, but duty ordered them to stay for the children.

"Your weakness will be your undoing!" Malcolm's taunts came closer. Allen could practically feel the Demon Lord's evil presence. He tried to lift himself up, but another jolt of lightning forced him to stick to the ground. The angels' struggles were in vain as they heard the jeers of the trapper, "Why don't you just fly away?! Leave the children behind! They mean nothing!"

"HEY!"

That was Malcolm's only warning before a slicing sword came to cut his right arm. The Demon Lord dodged the surprise attack and came face to face with an angered swordsman demon. Kanda took a stand before Malcolm, his sword at the ready.

Then Lavi landed alongside Kanda with his full powers, his black wings broad and wide to portray true dominance. The Demon Lord's bottled-green eye turned blood-red as he glared at Malcolm. Behind Lavi, Lenalee and Bookman were already dispersing the magic seal. But as soon as Malcolm's trapping spell disintegrated, the angels took their children and flew away without a single word. Malcolm was filled with rage at the turn of events, but was held back by the enemy who always stood in his way resiliently.

"You'll pay for this, Lavi!"

Lavi didn't even look back to see the angels flying away, fully trusting on Allen to find safety. After all, his attention cannot be spared from the frenzied Demon Lord that was before him. Lavi barked right back at Malcolm with his hammer unsheathed and his huge wings sharpened, "BRING IT, MALCOLM!"

Oooh yeah, the plot just dropped its beat, people! Who's ready for Lavi to kickass? Whoots! I adapted the angel/children part from the movie, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, I can imagine angels falling into a trap just to save children. The story is about to get serious, guys, so I do hope you'll enjoy the ride! Again, your loving comments and opinions are greatly treasured. I love every single one of them as much as Allen loves every single one of his 'children' haha Have a wonderful day! =D