Gajeel Redfoxhad always loved the colour blue. He knew the particular shade didn't suit him, black and dark grey were the only colours that really fit for Kurogane Gajeel, the S class monster that personified Phantom Lord's malicious ideals. Yet it wasn't always so. In the first place, he'd only joined a guild like phantom for one reason. Or rather, one person in particular.
Truth be told, he had been scavenging for some metal in a scrap yard in the rain, when he'd spotted her. She was probably the saddest sight he'd ever seen in his short life and he couldn't help but tentatively approach her. The rain woman, that was what he called her despite her being barely six years old at the time. The first thing he noticed was that she was blue. Everything about her, her eyes, hair, personality. He couldn't help it back then, Juvia Locksear instantly became his best friend and companion he'd always needed. They both had their demons, even at their young age. Juvia, he was surprised to learn, despite her gloomy exterior, could hold her own in a fight. The rain woman was formidable foe and always had his back. Gajeel could trust Juvia, she really was an open book and could not possibly bring herself to harbour harsh thoughts like Metallicana and the others did. Still, life was particularly hard on the two orphaned mages and Gajeel knew they had to join a guild eventually or risk starvation. They vowed to become the most powerful team.
At first, they considered the famous Fairy Tail but later decided it was best to seek a guild closer to home. Gajeel still hoped Metallicana would reappear at someday and Juvia was nervous about venturing towards an unknown guild. Phantom was the most logical choice in comparison, being nearby. The day the two joined they were made to fight against experienced mages set on beating them until they were literally black and blue, so that the master could judge their potential. Gajeel didn't even have to lift a finger, little Juvia had it under control. The bluenette water mage had defeated two thirds of the guild before Aria got a hold of her. Gajeel snapped in anger at the sound of the girls scream, and realising that Juvia was bleeding heavily he promptly lost control. Ultimately the two still lost, despite their talent and unision raid, but at least the master was impressed with their skills.
However Phantom Lord wasn't the best place to grow up in, and inevitably he and Juvia drifted apart. He grew to hate Metallicana and resent the world. Juvia became more depressed than ever and by her teens it was clear the poor girl was borderline insane. Gajeel was quite concerned for Juvia but his 'new persona' couldn't afford a weakness like a friend. However Juvia was more like a sister, so he watched over her from a distance hoping no one would notice.
However the master did, and wasted no time using his weakness against him. Gajeel was forced to carry out his every horrible whim. Yet, he didn't regret it. He would do anything for the only person on Earthland he thought of as family. Juvia never knew of his ordeals, although Gajeel suspected she may be in a similar situation. Soon he learnt to enjoy his malicious deeds, truly becoming the Kurogane Gajeel. Juvia grew serious, her cold gaze hiding her despair. The rain woman lived up to her name, clouding phantom in miserable storms. They were the perfect villains for the nightmare that was phantom.
Until one night he was ordered to attack a dainty little fairy, Levy McGarden. He couldn't help it, he had to do it, but the sight of her blue hair reminded him of his own compassion the day he saw Juvia for the very first time. The girl fought him desperately, protecting the two weaker mages she considered her brothers. Just as he had once done, the day he and Juvia joined phantom. She was talented but untrained and inevitably lost easily against a dragon slayer. He knew it was a definate sin when pinned her fragile body to a tree between the two weaklings. He smirked when he realised she was still concious, loving the tanacuty that the little mage displayed. She'd certainly been an interesting mission and he couldn't deny she'd made him remember a part of him he'd long since abandoned. The blue haired maiden would forever remind him of the innocent boy he once was, just looking out for his best friend in a cruel world.
Perhaps, if faith had been kinder, he and Juvia would have been her allies. However condemned to phantom, they without doubt had no chance at such a life. None deserved his arrogant ways nor Juvia's eternal misery forced upon them. Sure, they'd been cute kids but this was an adults world where games became wars and friends became pawns. They were warriors, he and Juvia, and as two of Phantom's infamous elite, the pair would fight with the same ferocity that the cruelest of soldiers were expected to have on the battlefield. Remorse and whimsical sentiments be damned, they'd be loyal to Phantom and Jose until their pride was torn down with the guild itself.
Levy McGarden had attained purity that he could never regain or deserve. She reminded him of the kind of mage he could have been and he knew the minute that Juvia and he were made to fight against Fairy Tail they would lose. They no longer had the strength of their childhood bond, while for a guild like Fairy Tail friendship was their strongest characteristic. Still he knew he would fight as hard as he could and wear the mask of the arrogant monster, Kurogane Gajeel one last time. He's pride wouldn't let him give up so easily. Phantom's demise was inevitable but should she survive the battle, Juvia perhaps could make her own path and find the happiness he, despite his efforts, could never cater for.
Perhaps Gajeel would even attempt to seek out his own redemption. His sins would probably never be truly forgiven but he was willing to try. Thankfully, a blue haired fairy had brought him back to his senses and he was going to do everything he could to make it up to her.
After all these years of being Kurogane Gajeel, one thing had never changed since his childhood days.
His favourite colour was still blue and always would be.