This is my first ever fanfiction in general. So, please forgive me for the inconsistent measures taken to it. I'm experimenting with how I write it but now, I have a clear idea of how I will. The pairing will be LucyxErza but don't expect pure romance or fluff. Just two people trying to live in a world, where they and their friends struggle to live in a dark society.
I'm re-writing the first few chapters including the prologue, so it fits in the arc of the respective timeline. It won't affect the current arcs that are being. The story does follow the manga/anime, but with my own twists. Not every arc will be included or be put in the correct timeline as it is shown in the anime/manga.
Also, forgive me if some of the ideas are unoriginal. I'll try my best to make it better.
But that's enough for now. Enjoy!
The beautiful night sky hung over the lively festival. An Unprecedented amount of people rush towards the street, with beaming smiles on their faces. The aromas of eccentric foods fill the air. Children buy toys and masks for the occasion, and for friends. Adults call upon loved ones to hold hands and cherish the night.
Luminescent crystals flood the town. The light of the stars shine on the mesmerizing moon gems; different colors representing the five core emotions: fear, sadness, joy, anger, disgust. The music dances around and around with the night wind, both battling for dominance like a tornado. The ecstatic atmosphere moves with the people in a frail light. Words begin to wave into the existing night sky as announcements from the mayor heightens the cheery city further. Soon, people start to buy smaller crystals for the ending of the festival.
Rackets of music can be felt within the Earth. Through a simple crowd, a blonde child tries her best to tug on a scarlet-haired girl towards a clear opening. She pushes past people as graciously as possible in hopes not to dampen anyone's mood. She huffs in exasperation while hauling her friend. The scarlet-haired child stares at her friend with curious eyes. She would rather stay back at the inn than go on a wild goose chase. They make it to the clearing as a plethora of people populate the area.
Smiling, the blonde turns to her friend. "Okay. Now, we just have to wait for the fireworks. So please, just smile a little bit." she says. The scarlet-haired girl gazes away from her.
"I don't want to be here. There are too many people. I'm scared." murmurs the scarlet-haired girl. Being surrounded by an abound of people is starting to give her anxiety. She likes the decorations and the pretty crystals in the town, but being around people scares her heart. Too many uncertain scenarios, good or bad. Nervously she looks at the ground to try to calm down but it is futile.
The blond grasps the scarlet's hand and holds it. "I know you're scared, but trust me. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise you will love the fireworks." she reassures. She smells some hotdogs and sees a stand close by. She grins and turns to her friend. "Wanna get some food?" she offers. The scarlet-haired girl nods slowly before being fluttered away by her friend. The blonde excitedly orders for them and waits with stars in her eyes for them. Her friend ponders weirdly at her.
"Here you go, kids. Enjoy the food!" the boy at the stand says brightly. After paying and thanking them, the two girls make it back to the clearing. They find an even better spot near the railings and speed to take the spots. They quietly nibble their food while the blond leaps with excitement.
"How can you be so excited about fireworks?" asks the scarlet-haired girl. She watches her friend stare at the sky proudly. Over the two weeks, they have spent together, she has always noticed the cheery aura around the blond. It confuses her how someone could be so content about everything.
"You only live once, so outta' make it count." the blonde replies without taking her eyes off the sky.
Suddenly the scarlet exclaims, "Don't you miss your mother? I thought you said you wanted to find her. What happened to that!" As soon as the words come out of her mouth, her eyes go wide in astonishment. She did not mean any of those words, but of her frustration, she falters it out. "I'm sorry I-"
"It's fine." the blonde answers a little coldly. She sighs, glancing at her friend. "I do miss her. She gave me a home and my life. But if I become too focused on trying to find her, I'll lose focus on my surroundings." Her face softens, and she blankly beams at her friend. "Life is something you don't throw away the moment you find it. You respect and cherish it until your last dying breath. Remember that." The scarlet looks at her in shock with tears swelling in her eyes. She nods happily, respecting and cherishing the words of her friend.
They start to wait for a few more minutes before the disaster strikes. In a matter of seconds, they were pushed against each other. A large cluster of people flood the free space in a small time span. Struggling to notice anything, the blonde grasps the scarlet's hand quickly and pushes through the crowd. Just barely seeing the railings, both girls manage to find a tiny space for themselves. The scarlet gasps for air while the blond watches carefully. "I'm fine." The scarlet wheezes out.
"Fine looks normal. You look like you're 'bout to pass out." The blonde retorts. The last thing she needs on her list is an unconscious friend. "We can go back to the inn if you want." She offers.
The scarlet looks at her friend warily. "No, please. I wanna see the fireworks." She whispers shyly. The blond looks at her and sighs.
"Hmm, fine. But if you feel worse, then we'll go back." The scarlet agrees swiftly.
The mayor suddenly announces, "Ladies and gentlemen! Children and teens! Welcome to Crystal Town's annual Crystal Nightlight's Festival!" Approvals and applauses roar over the area. Both girls have to cover their ears from the abrupt noise. "Now, the fireworks will begin at any moment, so please calm down and wait for the fireworks!"
In an instant, the first crystals are shot up into the sky. The energy radiating off them is soothing and bright. The first gems collide, creating an elegant ray of colors in the dull night sky. As more of them hit the sky, the scarlet looks completely at peace. She feels a sense of calamity and safety. Something about the colors and the energy feels right for her. Through her one visible eye, there is a certain color of life. Her mouth turns upward slowly. Each moment she looks at the bright flickers of color makes her feel happy. She grips the railings tightly as she stares ahead in comfort.
The blonde rarely looks at the fireworks. The way the scarlet glimpses at the fireworks with pure joy, creates a sense of pride in her. She had no intention of watching the fireworks in the first place but came to see the scarlet smile. She just met the scarlet, but they had a strong connection with each other. She never pitied the scarlet for the troubling past but hoped to help her cope with it.
"It..it looks amazing!" The scarlet blubbers out. Her guarded composure is gone with the wind. "The way the crystals hit the others and explode. Just..woah!" The blonde chuckles wholeheartedly at her friend. The scarlet is in a different zone than reality.
"Told ya'. It's even better with friends." These words seem to click for the scarlet. She never had a friend outside the place she escaped from. She keeps mumbling the words on repeat. The blond places a hand on her shoulder and asks, "Hey, you okay?"
The scarlet looks at her with an unreadable expression. "You're not going to leave me right?" The blonde is taken aback in shock. "I lost my friends because of the tower. I don't want to lose you." These seemed so desperate almost like a cry of help.
"I'm not I promise. Besides, you just have to remember your friend even if they're not there in person." The blond stares directly into the scarlet's eye. "I promise that we'll be together forever. You'll protect me and I'll protect you too. We'll do a lot of things. For now, let's just watch the fireworks." Crying, the scarlet plunges into the blond's arms.
"Thank you." No other words needed to be spoken. A promise between the two is enough to be said. the blonde stiffens from the immediate contact. For her, it had been months since anyone had been affectionate to her. She is rather awkward to social cues for the most part but knows enough to keep quiet. She awkwardly wraps her arms around the scarlet. Even though the blond feels a sense of slight discomfort, she enjoys the hug and returns it back.
They enjoy the rest of the night with bright smiles on their faces. Both of them find a sense of joy in a long time.