The Trembling Mirajane: I...I!!!

Deep within the forest, Mirajane dashed with Elfman slung over her shoulder and Lisanna tucked under her arm. As the path finally appeared ahead, a glimmer of hope flickered across her face, urging her to quicken her pace.

Suddenly, a radiant golden light shone.

Gaal descended from the sky, transformed into Erza Scarlet's Requip Magic (The Knight), wielding a Holy Sword that gleamed with a golden light. He blocked Mirajane's path, his light golden eyes exuding an aura of authority as he gazed at her.

Seeing the figure descend from above, Mirajane was struck with astonishment.

"Angel?" 

A wave of panic surged in her heart, and all strength seemed to drain from her body. How could there be an angel? Does this mean I'm truly a demon?

Despite her previous resilience, the sight of an angel poised to judge her shattered the defenses she'd built to comfort herself. 

Mirajane felt her entire body go limp as she dropped to the ground. Thud. Elfman and Lisanna landed beside her. Lisanna and Elfman sat up, rubbing their heads in confusion. 

"Mirajane?" 

Looking up, both of them froze, wide-eyed.

"An...Angel!" 

Confused, they questioned why an angel had appeared. Although stories always claimed angels showed up where demons lurked, Mirajane hadn't done anything wrong.

So why would an angel want to destroy her?

Without wasting another moment, Lisanna rushed to stand in front of Mirajane, defiantly shielding her.

"Mirajane, run! I'll hold him off!"

Elfman's face showed a hint of fear, but he quickly joined Lisanna to defend their sister.

"Exactly! Mirajane, hurry!"

Mirajane, however, just gave a bitter smile, shaking her head as tears glistened in her eyes.

"It's...no longer necessary. Perhaps dying like this is for the best." 

The appearance of the angel had utterly crushed Mirajane's psychological barrier. Even in the original world of Fairy Tail, after spending so much time with the guild, she couldn't fully accept her demonic arm, despite Makarov telling her it was just magic.

Now, having been chased out of the village by the townsfolk, she encountered an angel shortly thereafter. A sense of relief washed over Mirajane's mind as she stood, turning toward the angelic Gaal.

"Go ahead and do it." 

Lisanna and Elfman protected Mirajane anxiously, glaring at Gaal with a mix of fear and hatred.

Gaal's expression showed a hint of helplessness—this wasn't going according to plan at all. Wasn't there supposed to be a fight back instead of resigning to fate?

On a tall tree nearby, Gengar fiddled with a Magic Camera, scratching its head while watching the three siblings below. This didn't align with the stories either—where was the transformation into a demon for an epic battle against the angel?

Still, the show had to go on. Gaal slowly descended, his wings fluttering, and pure feathers drifted down.

"Quite the manipulative demon. Release those two children." 

Lisanna shouted in defiance as she blocked Mirajane from Gaal's view.

"There's been no manipulation! Mirajane isn't a demon! She saved the whole village! Does the angel not even understand right from wrong?!"

Elfman nodded in agreement, supporting her argument. Gaal snorted, his presence exuding an oppressive Magic Power that made the three kids feel an overwhelming pressure descend upon them.

With a soft thud, Lisanna fell to the ground, immediately followed by Elfman.

Mirajane struggled to lift her head, looking at Gaal.

"You… They're just kids. Stop it! I'm the one you want to kill!" 

Gaal let a slight mischievous smile play at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh? What if I want to kill them all?" 

The words left their mouths, and the three of their eyes widened in disbelief. Mirajane's face filled with shock, struggling under the weight of Magic Power.

"Aren't you an angel?! How can an angel...?"

Shrugging indifferently, Gaal walked forward lazily, twirling the Holy Sword nonchalantly and adding, "There are many types of angels. I'm a punitive angel, tasked only with eradicating demons. There's no witness here, anyway, should I accidentally take out two kids while vanquishing a demon, the gods will forgive me. After all, it's all for eradicating the demon. And if they have grievances, they should blame the demon instead."

Gaal's words filled the three children with fear. Lisanna felt her world collapse—what kind of angel was this!?

Mirajane had been possessed by a demon to save the village chief, and yet this angel casually wanted to kill children.

Lisanna attempted to rise and protest, but the oppressive power pinned her down, leaving her immobile.

As Gaal moved closer, focusing his gaze on Elfman and Lisanna, Mirajane's face showed signs of angry desperation.

"Stop right there! Don't you dare harm them!!!"

Gaal paused his steps, casting a glance over Elfman and Lisanna, before speaking with amusement.

"So, you three are siblings? All with the same hair color, no wonder you protect this demon. However… This ends here. Under my pressure, you can't even move. What can you possibly stop?"

Gaal approached Lisanna, taunting Mirajane with mockery.

"I'm going to kill her now. How will you curse me? Will you rely on the demon inside you or this cowardly little boy here?"

Gaal waved the Holy Sword before Elfman, terrifying him into closing his eyes. The fear was evident, but as Gaal's words reached Elfman's ears, he was filled with anger, desperately trying to summon the courage to fight back.

Yet, seeing the shining Holy Sword brought only weakness.

Gaal raised an eyebrow—it wasn't stimulating enough. Although these were children, he couldn't be too cruel.

But his provocation was fake, whereas the future's surprises were unknown. If someday they occurred, they would be real, and if Elfman only awoke under such circumstances, it would be too late.

Gaal moved the Holy Sword from Elfman's sight to hover above Lisanna's head, quietly withdrawing some of the Magic Power bearing down on Elfman, looking back at Mirajane tauntingly.

"Alright, it's time to send you all off. It will be quick."

With that, he slowly lowered the Holy Sword.

Mirajane's Rage overtook her, emotions spiraling out of control.

"Stop it!!!"

Dark Magic Power flowed through her, gradually transforming her into a demon.

Mirajane wanted to act but was crushed beneath Gaal's overwhelming Magic Power. She couldn't move at all. Even having transformed, she was too inexperienced.

Under Gaal's deliberate suppression, all she could do was watch helplessly as the Holy Sword descended.

Until the Holy Sword was just three centimeters from Lisanna's head.

"Lisanna!!!"

Elfman felt an inexplicable surge of strength within and shouted, feeling free from the Magic Power's grip.

He rushed at Gaal, colliding with him and sending Gaal flying several meters while dropping the Holy Sword, feigning shock.

"What?!" 

In that moment, Elfman felt boundless strength, fiercely clutching Gaal's waist and boldly proclaiming,

"I'm not a coward, I'm a man who protects his sister's! Mirajane, get Lisanna out of here! I'll hold him off!"

Gaal pretended to be angry, feigning rage.

"Brat! Want to die?!"

He tried to pry Elfman off, but Elfman clung with determination.

"Even if I die! I won't let you harm Mirajane and Lisanna!"

Boom!

A loud noise erupted behind Elfman as Mirajane fully embraced Satan Soul, her gaze cold and demeanor icy.

"Enough Elfman, You've proven you're a man. Leave it to me now, I'll personally take care of this angel."

Elfman's attention snapped back to Mirajane, struck dumb.

"Mirajane?"

His grip on Gaal loosened involuntarily as he stood dazedly still, but quickly coming to his senses, he dashed to assist Lisanna.

Lacking any trace of cowardice, aware his current strength was meager but resolved to one day protect his sisters—he would never again retreat.

Gaal dusted himself off, picked up the Holy Sword, and looked at the fully demonic Mirajane. The figure slightly differed from the original narrative, presumably due to her young age.

Mirajane stared blankly at Gaal, her voice demanding.

"Deceptive angel, you almost fooled me. You let Elfman hit you so easily. Do you think you can withstand my punch?"

Mirajane raised her right hand, swinging it to her right side. Black-purple Magic Power surged forward, crashing deep into the forest, obliterating many trees until a loud explosion shook the earth, and a mushroom cloud rose.

Gaal gazed at the cloud, nodding approvingly.

"Impressive Magic Power. What now, not resisting the demon anymore? Accepted this despised power?"

Mirajane glared at Gaal, allowing a hint of disdain in her eyes.

"Compared to this detested force, I loathe you, reeking of nauseating aura. If I can use it to vanquish you, protect Elfman and Lisanna, I'd willingly be a demon. So... Ready to face your demise? Angel!"

As Mirajane stomped, she vanished instantly.

The next second, she appeared before Gaal, her fist crashing down on him.

Thud—

With a dull thud, Mirajane showed surprise, her pupils contracting.

"How's that possible?"

Gaal stood unscathed, a translucent shield thwarting her attack.

Mirajane attempted to retreat, but found herself unable to move.

Calm and composed, Gaal spoke coolly, peering at the immobilized Mirajane.

"Did it cross your mind? I'm merely...toying with you all?"

Staring at Gaal's sinister grin, Mirajane's heart sank, her tone icy.

"You rotten...!!!"

She realized Gaal wasn't joking.

That restraint preventing her from rescuing Lisanna was clearly his doing—she'd thought she'd broken free, only to discover it was his amusement.

Biting her lip, Mirajane fixed her gaze on Gaal. Afar, Elfman and Lisanna wanted to help but retreated at Mirajane's command.

Raising a finger, Gaal sent a golden light dancing from his hand, directing it at Mirajane's forehead.

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon..."

Dazzling golden light ignited the forest as desperate cries echoed.

"Mirajane!!!" 

As the golden light faded.

Thud.

Mirajane collapsed, now reverted from her transformation, as Gaal finally spoke.

"Seal."

---

As night fell within the forest, a fire burned brightly on a spacious clearing. Dry branches crackled and popped, with nearly cooked rabbits roasting above. Elfman sat nearby, drooling at the scent.

Gaal poked at the fire with a stick, occasionally adding logs, while Lisanna tended to Mirajane, gently feeding her water with a lotus leaf.

After finishing, Lisanna turned to Gaal,

"Big Brother Gaal, when will Mirajane wake up?"

Upon hearing, Elfman also focused on Gaal.

Gaal smiled reassuringly.

"Very soon."

Lisanna pouted her cheeks.

"You said it'd be soon this afternoon." 

Elfman nodded firmly, confirming her words.

Gaal shrugged, laughing,

"It really is any moment now. See?"

Lisanna and Elfman glanced over, noticing Mirajane's fingers moving slightly. Their faces lit up as they rushed to her side expectantly.

Mirajane's brows furrowed slightly before slowly opening her eyes, gradually focusing on the figures of her siblings.

"Elfman? Lisanna?"

She suddenly jolted upright, frantically feeling them,

"Didn't I die? Are you dead too?! What is this sensation..." 

Mirajane raised her head, spotting Gaal by the fire, clad in dark magician robes.

Gaal met her gaze, greeting her casually.

"Hey, you're awake?"

Mirajane stared at Gaal, feeling a sense of familiarity. Slowly, the memory of daytime's angel fused with Gaal's face, inciting rage.

"You're that angel?!!!" 

She tried to charge him, but felt a wave of weakness, forcing her to remain grounded.

Her eyes fell on her hands—soft and untouched.

Could it be?

With trembling hands, Mirajane lifted her slender right arm into the light—revealing the pale skin under the firelight.

"My arm...it's restored?"