Hey everyone, I'm back with the second chapter! I had a lot of fun writing this, so I hope you all will enjoy it.
I have some reviews I would like to respond to:
Lorgar Aurelian: I appreciate your comments and if you'll allow me I'd like to respond to points individually. In response to your first point, I plan on using flashbacks to help fit Ivan in pre-canon like I did here. Secondly, you are right on that remark. Ivan as of the present is the more selfish one of the two, as he is getting stronger just for revenge instead of trying to protect others like Erza is. The reason why Ivan didn't seem hopeless when he joined the soulless wolves is that he wants to use them to get stronger, he only sees them as a tool for his revenge and nothing more. In regards to your fourth point, Ivan's magic is "Requip: the executioner" giving him access to weapons such as scythes, halberds and axes. Basically, while Erza represents the more glorious aspects of medieval weaponry, Ivan takes on the more brutal aspects. Lastly, I'll probably show Erza's sadness of Ivan leaving her in various flashbacks throughout the story. I hope this answers your questions, and many thanks for bringing up those points.
LyHy: I hope this chapter helps clarify the relationship between Erza and Ivan. My deepest apologies for any confusion that you may have.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, I only own MY OCs.
Enjoy chapter 2 everyone!
A lone hooded figure stands before the ruins of a once mighty statue. All around him small fires burn, as people lay dead on the paths. The only color left in these ruins are some of the flowers that some managed to avoid being burned to ashes despite all the fires around them.
A scarlet-haired knight walks up to the figure, sword at the ready. "Are you the one everyone calls the Crimson Hunter?"
"So, what if I am? What does that have to do with you? Titania."
"I'm here with orders from the magic council to capture you and bring you in for trial, resistance will be met by force." With that last remark Erza pointed her sword towards the figure in an almost threatening stance. The figure by this point has now removed his cloak allowing his short Red hair to flow freely with the wind. This caused Erza to step back and widen her eyes a little at the realization as to who this man might be.
"I never would have figured you to be the council's lap dog Erza. Then again your Pathetic sense of justice always did get in your way of seeing things in another's perspective." Ivan then turned around allowing himself to get a good look at his sister.
"Despite the circumstances, it's nice to see you again Erza." He said with a false smile.
"Ivan… it can't be… how could you do something like this?"
(X765 Rosemary Village)
Two figures are walking out of their house towards a spot by the local river. In their arms lie two children not even a year in age. Both of their hair is the same shade of red, in most cases the two of them could be passed off as identical twins.
"despite how young these two are, it seems to me that these two share a bond even greater than I could ever imagine."
"You're right, not matter how hard we try. We just can't seem to separate the two of them. Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing, these two are going to do a lot together in the future I'm sure of it." The two adults would continue to converse with each other and enjoy the scenery for a few hours before deciding to head back to the village.
At that moment, unknown to everyone present. A permanent and powerful sensory link was forged between the two children, binding them in more ways than one can imagine. A white circle on the girl's forehead and a black circle on the boy's.
(X768 Rosemary Village)
"For some reason I seem to always know where to find you Ivan." A young Erza said sweetly to her a boy about her age.
"Well It's not like I'm trying to hide from you or anything Erza." Ivan says with a smile on his face. The two of them have been rather close to each other as far as they could remember, and somehow, they always knew where the other one was and what they were feeling.
"You're just jealous that I'm a better seeker than you!" Erza states almost teasingly.
"you're not even close to my level, you're just lucky that's all."
"Whatever, so what's going on? You always come here when you think about stuff." Erza was on all fours right next to Ivan. She had an inquisitive look to her, one of general curiosity.
"I was just wondering what life is like outside of the village. Wondering if there is any chance we can go on adventures like we say we will." Ivan flashed her a small smile.
"I know for sure there are!" Erza proclaimed with a fervent passion. "There are going to be so many adventures, that we won't have enough books to write them all down!" While both of them were considered energetic by their peers, Erza was by far the most active of the two. As she would always find ways to mess with her brother, and everyone else in the village for that matter. But despite both of their antics, both of them were loyal to everyone in the village, and to each other.
"Oh, by the way, I came by here to tell you that Simon has a baby sister! And she's one of the cutest things I have ever seen! Come with me You have to see her!" Afterwards Erza began to drag Ivan back towards Rosemary Village in order for him to see Kagura.
After a brief conversation with an overprotective Simon, the twins were able to hold a baby Kagura in their arms. As Erza mentioned earlier, Ivan did find the child rather adorable. Except when she tried to cling onto his clothes and not let go. Causing everyone present to have a slight chuckle at Ivan's uneasiness.
(X768 Rosemary Village, The next day)
All of the kids around Rosemary were playing a game of keep away, and currently Everyone playing had to keep the object, in this case a ball "borrowed" from one of the neighbor's houses away from Erza. Who currently was not very pleased with the current situation, was desperate to try and win the current round.
The game continued on for a while before everyone present decided to call it over and head back to their homes. The only two people who haven't left yet were Erza and Ivan. Both of them were sitting on the ground, not wanting to get up at all.
"Hey Ivan can you promise me something?" Erza asked.
"Of course, what you do want Erza?"
"If I make a promise to you to never leave your side and always be there to support you, will you do the same for me?" Erza asked. Knowing how close the two of them are, a promise like this would be expected at some point.
"Of course, I will. I wouldn't do anything else for you!" Ivan said with a smile on face. The two kids then walked back home recounting the days activities as well as various plans for the future.
(X784 Solaria Ruins, Present Time)
"I grew stronger Erza, to defeat Jellal. Just like I said I would. Listen sis, with the two of us working together on this, we can take down Jellal and free everyone trapped in that prison. I know this is why to two of us have gotten as strong as we are Erza. This will be the revenge that the both of us have dreamed of. Don't deny it please, for everyone trapped there." Erza was on the verge of crying, as the person she looked up to and respected the most. had fallen to the point of killing innocent people just for the sake of revenge.
"How could you do this Ivan? What about that promise we made when we were kids? Does that not mean anything to you?"
"Erza, that promise means more to me than you realize. Believe it or not, I'm still here for you. Despite what you may think, I've never left your side. In fact, you could say that I've always been right here" Ivan said pointing towards Erza's heart. "Even though we may have taken different paths in life and though I personally don't like the path you've chosen for yourself. I'll still be there to support you. Never forget that."
"I don't know if I can believe that… because of what I saw. The Ivan I know and care about wouldn't even consider doing something like this."
"You still think he can be saved, don't you? Even after how he betrayed us without a second thought? Let me just say that some people can't be saved Erza."
"I don't think so, I know I can get through to the Jellal we were friends with. I haven't given up on him like you have Ivan."
"Then it seems we're at an impasse then. Allow me to show you the error of your thoughts." With that last statement, the tension in the air began to build as the two siblings stared at each other. Daring the other one to make the first move.
"REQUIP!" Both of them chant, initiating the fight that neither of them wants to have.
"Heaven's Wheel!"
"King's Law!"
While Erza Dawns her signature Heaven's wheel, Ivan is wearing something completely different. The suit of armor is black in color with a gold crown in the center of the breast plate. No other features are unique except for the helmet, which bears three small spikes on the top in a triangle formation. His weapon is a medium sized halberd with a spike at the top of the weapon.
"why are you doing this Erza, you and I both know that neither of us wants to do this" Ivan askes as they clash.
"as much as I don't want to do this, my job is to bring you in. So that's what I'm going to do."
(x770, Rosemary Village, 1 month before raid)
"Erza, what's going on? Where are we going?" a confused Ivan asks. Erza decided to drag him along to explore the world outside of Rosemary village.
"I don't know, we're going exploring, aren't we?" Erza said smiling in response.
"We'll probably get in trouble for it, but why not! Let's go Erza!" the twins were smiling and laughing at their antics knowing Ivan's response to be true when they returned.
(X784 Solaria Ruins, Present Time)
The clash between siblings has been going on for a half hour, and neither one was planning on backing down. Scythes clashing against swords, Maces against hammers. Both combatants requiping into various armors at their disposal to try and gain an advantage over the other. Each attacking at speeds untraceable by the standard eye. If they were in a populated city, the amount needed to repair the damage would be in the millions. Erza was in her Black wing Armor, while Ivan wore his executioner's wright Armor. It is a simple iron breastplate with sheets of leather covering various areas not covered by the breastplate. There is no helmet, instead there is only a leather cowl, allowing only portions of Ivan's scarred face to be shown. His weapon is now a great scythe, with a black steel blade and a jade snathe.
As the battle continues onward the sounds of a thunderstorm can be heard in the distance. The rain is starting to fall as the twins continue to fight. Until Ivan decides to call it, considering the fight would have gotten them nowhere.
"What's the point of continuing this pathetic farce? All we're doing is wasting each other's time" Both Ivan and Erza we panting from exhaustion. The skill that Ivan had with his weapons surprised her, as up until this point she could only consider a few to be her equal in terms of skill. Despite her disdain for his choice in weapons, Erza couldn't help but think that he was quite effective with them.
"To think, that even now you are still my equal." Ivan said while struggling to maintain a sense of balance.
"you are right about that, we may never decide who among us is stronger. And that is something that I hope never changes" Erza replied in the same condition Ivan was in.
"why would you say that? The world is different from your fantasies, it's survival of the fittest out here. And despite your accomplishments, you wouldn't last a day in the hell I grew up in. so I'll ask again, why don't you want to find out which one of us is stronger?"
"Because, I still… care for you Ivan." Erza replied weakly. "Despite our differing paths, I never gave up hope that you would find a light in your heart. Even now after seeing the lengths you'll go to for revenge, I still will never give up on you. I made a promise to you and I'll never back down on it."
"Whatever, this fight is getting us nowhere. You were sent here to capture me correct?" Ivan said while leaning on the rubble of a destroyed home.
"I was, however given our current situation, I don't think I'll be able to."
"I'll make you a deal Erza, if you can beat me at the tower I'll turn myself in. If not, then your guild won't know what's coming for them." Ivan was limping as he attempted to walk away from the ruins.
"The abandoned building in the Agarian plains, that's the guildhall of the Soulless Wolves. If Fairy Tail seeks to destroy them, I won't be in the way. They are of no further use to me." With one last glance at his sister, Ivan left Erza behind. Training to get stronger to eventually defeat the one man who took what family he had away from them.
"you still have your heart after all Ivan, I can still feel your love for others." Erza said to herself watching her brother walk away. The sounds of thunder drawing ever closer.
In case any of you are wondering, the snathe is what the handle of a scythe is called. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, feel free to leave a review and I'll see you all in the next chapter!