Lilac took pride in the color of her hair. It was a thing that ran in the family. Her parents had even named her after it. Rune would often comment on her hair, even though he usually went on about how lonely it was without his sister, the little brat. Purple was her favorite color, but she liked anything really, except for one thing. Red. She hated it so much. It was the color of the fire that had destroyed her home, the color of the blood that had splattered on the floor when her parents were killed.
So when she saw the scarlet haired woman, she knew this was an enemy she had to face.
Her parents had told her that she was the vessel of the sword of justice, a weapon that destroyed only evil. Justice would always prevail, so victory could only be hers. After all, red was evil, and that would never change.
Erza reequipped her Heaven's Wheel Armor and summoned a large amount of swords into the air, sending them flying at Lilac. With a swipe of her sword, Lilac slashed at the incoming swords without missing a beat, shouting, "It's no use! Your attacks won't affect me."
Erza paused her attack, landing back on the ground. She studied her opponent with an acknowledging nod and said, "Hmm, you're not bad. What's your name?"
"You have no need for my name, evil doer. Prepare to feel justice's judgment!" Lilac shouted, charging at Erza with two hands on her sword.
"Very well then. I will earn a right to learn your name," Erza calmly replied, reequipping with Lightning Empress Armor before blocking her attack and striking back.
The two continued to clash swords, neither gaining on the other. They charged at each other, slashing and stabbing only to be blocked by the other and attacked back. Erza continuously changed her armor, but Lilac parried her blows all the same. Soon, the alley was filled with nothing but the clashing sound of swords and roars of determination, each trying to find an opening to take advantage of.
Suddenly, Lilac saw a weakness through Erza's attacks. Just as Erza lifted her sword to deliver another blow, Lilac shouted, "Too slow!" and stabbed her sword right through her stomach.
Erza let out a gasp as Lilac withdrew her sword, prepared to see the evil blood start to flow from the cut.
Only there was no cut.
"No! That's impossible!" Lilac shouted, staring in shock at the place she had just stabbed. Even Erza seemed surprised that she hadn't been harmed at all. Lilac hissed, "What are you? All evil can be cut down by my sword. What have you done to escape judgment?"
Erza stared back at Lilac before transforming back into her normal attire. She drew out a plain sword and held it out in front of her, pointing it right at Lilac. She said, "Evil changes from person to person. I don't know how you might define evil, but I don't believe that any person can be truly evil. You may be the justice you say you are, but to me, you are just another enemy threatening Fairy Tail. As long as it is to protect my friends and family, I will cut down all who dare to harm Fairy Tail, whether they be justice or evil."
Lilac took a step back, aghast. All her life, people had grown up beside her, corrupt, greedy, selfish. Throughout her time in Grim Reaper, she had cut down countless of people, corrupt mayors who imposed harsh taxes, indulged in government money, and ignored their people. She'd dealt with thieves who stole from the people, dark guilds who plotted evil deeds, just so that she could bring peace to the innocent people. No one was without evil. It was just some people who deserved crueler punishment than others.
But here, the red haired woman before was bright, too bright. She could see nothing but a desire to protect her home, her friends, her family. Perhaps there were other emotions drifting about in her head, but that desire seemed to outshine the rest, prioritizing it over the others.
She could see no evil.
Lilac let her sword drop to the ground. Her head lowered, she said, "This is your win. I have no right to impose judgment on you."
Erza was taken aback, but she quickly recovered from her shock. She stalked over to her opponent and declared, "Keep your head up! This battle isn't over yet! You have only lost when you give up!"
Lilac lifted her head, staring at Erza in surprise. Lilac asked, "But what do I have to fight for? You are no evil. I don't need to judge you."
"Then fight! Fight for the sake of winning, if not for your beliefs and your friend. Do you not want victory?" Erza demanded, getting into a fighting stance.
Her words brought a new light into Lilac's eyes. For the first time in her life, she did not hate red. It had brought her new hope, new reason to fight. For once, she did not just exist to obliterate evil. She no longer needed reason to fight. She wanted to win.
She let herself smile as she raised her sword. She declared, "Very well, red haired one. I will fight you to your heart's content. We shall see who is the better of us!"
She ran at Erza and slashed at her from the right. Erza parried the blow and struck back, aiming at her legs. Lilac leaped over her attack and jabbed her sword at Erza's chest. Erza ducked at the last second and brought her sword right up at Lilac's chin, only to have her blow blocked as she was knocked backwards. Back and forth the two of them struck, swords clanging, echoing through the alley. Only this time, both were more determined than last, their faces set with concrete determination as they tried to best the other in the even match.
Suddenly, Erza saw an opening and drove her sword at the opponent's neck, halting so that the blade rested on her collarbone. But just at the same time, Lilac had rushed forward until her sword stopped just a millimeter from dislocating Erza's head.
The two stared at each other, panting for breath, neither lowering their sword. Just as quickly, the moment of tension passed and both broke into a grin, dropping their swords to the ground, where they vanished in a shower of sparkles. Clasping the other's hands, Lilac said, "A well matched swordfight, red haired one. Worthy enough to know my name. You have taught me the true spirit of a warrior."
"I feel the same. You've proven to be a worthy opponent of Fairy Tail," Erza replied, shaking her hand.
"It's my honor that you think that, but I no longer wish to be your opponent. You have shown me what justice truly is. I would like to fight alongside you if I can, for I realize Grim Reaper has been causing unnecessary trouble for you," Lilac replied.
Erza looked at her in confusion and asked, "What do you mean? Weren't you here to raid the town?"
"That's only the cover of the story," Lilac said, her face turning serious. "You give off the air of being Layna Nightmare's friend. Perhaps she's told you of her brother, Rune?"
Erza's eyes narrowed. She had indeed her many a story from Layna about her brother, both good and bad ones, as if Layna herself still couldn't decide what she thought of him. All she knew was that Layna was right to leave the guild, for plundering innocent townspeople of their goods was an unforgivable act.
"Rune is a capable leader most times, but I know better than to think that Rune wanted to plunder the rich town of Magnolia. He wants to make things up with his sister. The two of them read each other too well. Rune left those tents up, knowing that Layna would know it was a distraction. He knew Layna would send most people there anyways so they could have their encounter in peace. Rune will do everything he can to get Layna back, even if it destroys the guild. That's why I wish to cooperate with you," Lilac explained, looking over at the town. "Most people in the guild are loyal to Rune. I only joined the guild so I could bring justice upon evil doers. Instinct tells me that someone needs to bring Rune to his senses. You have given me hope that someone in Fairy Tail might have that power. Can you help?"
Erza followed Lilac's gaze. Her comrades were out there, fighting for their home. She wondered what Layna was thinking at this moment. Without thinking, Erza knew Layna wouldn't win unless she finally conquered her past.
She gave Lilac a smile and said, "Then welcome to the fight, friend."
A/N: Sorry, the chapter was going one way and then it spiraled down another. I get bored and this is what happens…
Next chapter will either be on Juvia if I'm determined enough or a flashback if I get bored or run out of ideas. I promise I'll get back to Juvia soon enough! I've neglected her for a long while.
I guess I'll start reading more books that have fighting scenes, but recently I've been reading more about cancer and school related stuff. No fighting scenes there… O_o
Happy school and work everyone! Just randomly saw some balloons in the sky (don't know why I said that…)