Hey Everyone, I'm back with chapter 3! Few things I would like to address before we get started with the chapter. First is that I'm running a poll on my profile, it's about if I should take down Rise of Ancient Powers to rewrite it after I finish its prequel. Second, if you wondering where the next chapter of either Legends of the Atherial or A Phoenix Rising are. I have them in the works, and they should be good to go hopefully soon. Allow me some time to get them how I would like them. I really appreciate your patience.
I've also got a few one-shots in the works that I think you all might enjoy, little hint on one of them. "Etherious Erza". I hope you all will enjoy it once it's out.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, I only own MY OCs.
So I've said everything I need to say so far, Enjoy everyone!
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.
(X784 Magnolia town)
The train back to magnolia was a silent one for Erza, as she replayed the event that had occurred in the village ruins in her mind. Her arriving to see the remains, then meeting and fighting her twin brother.
"Out of everyone the crimson hunter could have been, why did it have to be him?" Erza said to herself, knowing that the master would want to know what happened when she returned to the guildhall. 'I guess he really has gotten stronger, hasn't he? Then again, I've also gotten stronger since then. What more must I do to put him back on the right path?' She thought. Ever since that split eight years ago, Erza had not heard once from Ivan. Which worried her more than anyone could guess. As even though deep down she knew he was alive, she couldn't tell if he was alright or not and that is what scared her.
(X770 R-system)
"So, what are your names?" a bluenette called Jellal was asking everyone. They had all just bed assigned their cells within their prison and would begin their work as slaves soon. As everyone in the cell introduced themselves to their companions, Erza and Ivan remained silent and sitting close together not wanting to leave each other's company.
"What about you two, what are your names?" Jellal asked the twins.
"Well, I'm Erza and he's Ivan." Erza replied rather timidly.
"are you just Erza and Ivan? Do you all have any last names?"
"We can't remember, I'm sorry…" Ivan said trying to calm himself and Erza down from the shock of what happened.
"Well that's kind of sad" Jellal walked towards the twins "I like the hair color you both have, it's a nice shade of scarlet. I think I've got it! we'll call you Erza and Ivan Scarlet!"
(X784 unknown village, present time)
'If my information is correct, then this village completely worships Zeref. So much so that they'll even give their lives in his honor. I think it's time I put their belief in him to the test.' Ivan said to himself as he approached the village gates. Requiping a great axe into his hands and clad in his warrior's spirit armor, he set to work slaughtering everyone on the village. First, he started burning the huts, then cutting down everyone who tried to flee from him. The guards stood and fought, but any resistance they provided only served to fuel Ivan's anger.
No one outside of the village ever heard the screams or horror that occurred that day. Nor would anyone see the brutality of what happened for quite some time. But the signs were still laid that Ivan was there, signs of the what used to be.
(X784 Magnolia, Fairy Tail)
Erza walks into the guild hall and takes a seat with the rest of team Natsu. Her face is somber after her most recent encounter, and everyone in the guild immediately took notice.
"Hey Erza, is everything alright?" Natsu asked rather curiously.
"Everything is fine Natsu, there is nothing you need to concern yourself with." In an almost monotone voice, Erza unintentionally conveyed that something was wrong. Makarov instantly took notice of this and motioned for Erza to come into his office.
"Tell me Erza, what's wrong? Does it have to do with the mission I sent you on?"
"It has everything to do with that mission master, do you remember when I joined Fairy Tail that I wanted to get stronger for someone?" Erza simply replied
"Yes, I believe you said it was for your brother. Tell me what does this have to do with your current situation?" Makarov asked.
"Because I found him again, on that mission. Worst of all…" Erza broke down in tears, although desperate to hold them back. "He was the target." Erza had to force the last sentence out, as the tears left her unable to speak clearly. Covering her eyes with her hands, whatever defenses she had left were gone as she let herself be vulnerable to her own emotions. Unknowingly strengthening the link between brother and sister.
(x784 Unknown Ruins)
'Why am I feeling sad all of a sudden? Where is this remorse coming from? If I'm going to beat Jellal and get my revenge, I can't be feeling remorseful!' unwillingly Ivan broke down in tears, his motions were almost exactly like Erza's were. crying for reasons unknown to him.
(X784 Fairy Tail)
"I see, so you're scared for his sake. Despite his dark path, you somehow manage to see a light that burns within him? I'm proud of you Erza, not many people would be able to look past the crimes someone like him would commit. If anything, I feel that you will be the one most capable in bringing him back to the right path. That's my new assignment for you Erza, I would like to guide Ivan towards the path of redemption." Makarov said to Erza, who had just gotten over her tears and had a newfound sense of determination to bring her brother back to the right path.
"Of course, master. I owe it to both you and him. So, I won't fail this, you have my word." With that Erza left the office to regroup with the rest of her team. Only to find out that they were going on a vacation to the Akane Resort. Which is something she needed after what had happened to her.
(X775 R system, Tower of Heaven)
Ivan had just been thrown back into his cell after enduring a 2-hour torture session. This session had done a number on him as the session left him with poor vision in his left eye. Finding whatever strength, he had left, he crawled his way over to Erza and laid his head on her shoulder.
"I don't know what we did to deserve this Erza. Will this ever stop?" he asked weakly
"neither do I Ivan, neither do I… But I do know that we all will be getting out of here soon, I'm sure of it." Erza replied desperately trying to lift Ivan's spirits.
(X784 Unknown Ruins, present day)
Ivan was looking over the ruins of the village of Zeref worshipers that he just destroyed. His head hung low as memories of his life in the tower come flowing back to him. 'All of this death and destruction, it reminds me of a song I would sing back in that prison. I think I can remember the words to it.' He thought to himself.
"All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces. Bright and early for their daily races going nowhere, going nowhere. Their tears are filling up their glasses no expression, no expression. Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow. No tomorrow, no tomorrow.
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad. The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take. When people run in circles it's a very very Mad world, mad world.
Children waiting for the day, they feel good Happy birthday, happy birthday. Made to feel the way that every child should. Sit and listen, sit and listen. Went to school and I was very nervous. No one knew me, no one knew me. Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson. Look right through me, look right through me.
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take. When people run in circles it's a very very Mad world, mad world. Enlarge your world Mad world"
As he finished singing, the memories that he had buried long ago started to resurface. Haunting memories of the torture he experienced replayed in his mind.
(X784 Magnolia)
As Erza began to make preparations for her vacation, a strong feeling of remorse started to take over. One unlike anything she had experienced at the tower. She could hear a voice singing, a voice belonging to Ivan.
"I recognize that song, it was the last song he sang before we started planning our escape from that tower. I wonder what caused him to bring that song back?" Sometime later she walked outside and unconsciously stared in Ivan's direction.
"When I beat you at the tower Ivan, rest assured I will do everything in my power to bring you back to me." With that Erza went to catch up with the others who were probably waiting for her at the guildhall.
So, what did you all think? Emotions were running wild while I was writing this one that's for sure.
The song used in this chapter was "mad world" by Gary Jules. I just felt it fit with the theme of that particular scene.
Feel free to leave a review and I'll see you all in the next chapter!