Her Champion
Author`s note: Thank you all for the support you guys are great. I am sorry for the typos as some of you find them annoying and I understand. They annoy me too when I read through this as well. But it`s something that my brain is telling me to do and I don`t really have any good word editor, so its a lot harder to improve without that.
Sometimes I wish I was born in the UK or the USA...
Meh. Whatever...
I hope you enjoy chapter 3.
Talk to ya all at the end.
Chapter 3
The Princess vs a Dragon
Have you ever wondered what death looked like? Well if you thought about a red-haired female knight, with brown eyes filled with so much anger that if they land upon someone they will be dead in an instant. Her cold metal boots, impact hard against the stone floor as she marches forward. The frown never leaving her face.
Kagura told her what happened when she woke up. She told her about Natsu`s judgment, how her mother pronounced him as a slave and a gladiator, and how he was going to fight in the arena today.
Erza was really pissed at her mother for that. She wanted nothing more than to go to her mother and give her a piece of her mind. However as she came to the throne room, she took a deep breath before letting it back out.
She can`t let her anger cloud her judgment, for she was the strongest warrior here and she will stand proud with her head held high. She entered the throne room and saw her mother looking down on her. She slowly approached her mother, her eyes never letting her out of their sight.
"That is close enough Erza" Irene`s voice sounded through the room. Erza instantly stopped moving in the center of the room.
"Now then... I presume Kagura told you everything." Irene said
"Yes. She told me about your decision about his punishment." Erza said in a displeased tone, her arms coming together to be crossed over her chest "However... I am most displeased with your decision. Dear mother..."
Irene frown at the tone her daughter was using with her. She thought Erza would understand what this could mean for their kingdom, but apparently she was still much too young to understand.
"Erza... You have to understand that"
"UNDERSTAND!" Erza shouted at Irene making the queen`s eyes open wide in shock "HE KNOCKED ME OUT COLD! NOT ONCE BUT TWICE NOW... AND YOU`RE TELLING ME TO UNDERSTAND! UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTHER" Erza`s voice echoed through the hall. She couldn`t hold it in anymore.
In less than 2 days. She was sent flying twice, embarrassed, humiliated and disrespected. And now her mother was telling her that she was the one who needed to understand. No, she will make sure that he got what was coming to him. They both knew what the penalty for trying to run away from their kingdom and she will be damned if she lets her mother...
"SLAP"
...
Erza`s hand went to her cheek. A stinging sensation went through it as she looked back at the one who caused it. Her mother just slapped her...
Her...
"Don`t you ever... EVER... talk when I am talking..." Irene with a glare as she walked back to her throne and set down while letting out a sigh.
"Now then... Erza, you must understand that this decision is the best possible one. A man like him is not born every day, so imagine what he could do for us when we bend him to our will. He is our slave, after all, so he will have to obey us from now on."
"And if he doesn't?" Erza said not thrusting her mother`s words
"Then there are more ways to make a man bow down to woman," Irene said with a smile making Erza`s eyebrow rise. However before she could question her mother about the matter, she saw a guard walk to the queen`s side with a metal box in her hands.
Irene took the box from her guard, giving the girl a quick thank you before looking inside. A smile grew on her face as she closed the box and set it in the small table by her throne.
"Now then let`s discuss important stuff" Erza raised her eyebrow at that "You will soon be 18 meaning that you will be old enough to choose your husband."
Erza knew this was coming. It was true that at 18 years of age, Alvarez woman would go and chose their husband out of any male in the kingdom. They did not care if they were fine with it or against it when a woman chooses you to be her man you have no choice in that matter.
Erza`s eyes narrowed in disgust by just the thought of a man touching her. She did not need any of those weaklings, they would only ruin her image and status in her kingdom. Not to mention all men are pigs, dogs, and worms. They should all just stay in the dirt where they belong.
"I don`t need nor do I want a husband mother," Erza said her frown deepening on her face
"Oh... Are you saying you like woman Erza?" Irene asked her daughter with a raised eyebrow
"NOT IN THAT WAY!" Erza shouted her cheeks red in embarrassment
Irene smiled at her daughter's red face "Then why not get a husband. I do want some grandchildren before I die you know"
"No man is worthy enough to have me," Erza said simply, making her mother sigh with her hand on her forehead.
"Fine dear... Whatever you say. There will be a Nobel meeting tomorrow in the morning, don`t be late on it." Erza nodded at the queen "That is all... You are dismissed."
Erza turned her back to Irene and went out of the throne room. Irene let out a tired sigh, she gently rubbed the back of her neck trying to ease out the stiffness in it.
"No man is worthy ha?..." Irene`s eyes pulled out a small letter from her coat, her hand running of the wax stamp recognizing it. "We will see about that my dear daughter..."
About 30 minutes later:
(Imagine a colosseum from "The Gladiator" movie as we talk about this and all other areas. I know its a lazy writing and I am a lazy scumbag. But please have some mercy on me. Don`t be like Erza pls. Thank you.)
Erza has finally arrived at the arena, a place all too familiar to her. She had many battles inside of it, both for taking and making titles. She was probably the only woman that saw this place as more than a place to watch blood, sweat, and tears were spilled.
To her, this was home...
She walked through the stone halls before coming to the door that leads to the main balcony, where she knew who she will find there. Pushing both doors open, she walked over to the single giant chair surrounded by 6 male slaves. Two that were standing were lightly swinging a giant features up and down, creating a makeshift wind to blow in their facing direction. The other two were holding a platter of grapes and a jug of wine, while the last two were massaging both legs of the one who was occupying the chair.
All of the slaves wore a roman servant clothing instead of rags, meaning they were owned by someone. Erza paid them no mind as she walked around the chair to stand in front of the person in the chair.
Her white platinum hair tied into a ponytail, she wore a light purple roman dress with white boots that went to her knees. Her face was one of bless as her slaves give her all of the attention. Her eyes closed as she was enjoying herself.
This was Mirajane. The demon of Alvarez.
She is the one who organizes the battles in the arena. She took this job in the hope of raising enough money to help her family. Soon she got really into it and became one of the ruthless women to ever be known to Alvarez. Why you ask? Because she shows no mercy to anyone who steps into her arena.
One time when a male gladiator was about the beat another that she betting on. She told her guard to shot him with an arrow to secure her money income. After she "saved" her gladiator, the poor guy praised her for her beauty and generosity. Only to later become cat food, as Mira told her guards to release the lions. Her smile never leaving her face as she watched the lions devour the poor guy.
She had no mercy for the weak.
Her eyes opened when she sensed a presence in front of her. Her dark blue eyes locking with a pair of brown ones. She smiled at Erza before pointing her thumbs back, making all 6 men leave the two females alone.
"Ah, it's nice to see you again Erza," Mira said, crossing one leg over the other "Want some wine?"
Erza shook her head in a no, to which Mira just shugged her shoulders. She snapped her fingers and a servant poured her some wine into a golden cup, from which she took a sip from afterwords.
"It's nice to see you too Mira. How is Lisanna?" Erza asked
Mira looks down at the floor, her face showing her the sadness as a single tear slipped from her eye. Lisanna was her twin sister, they had a younger brother Elfman who was with them ever since their parents died. About two years ago Elfman died from a terrible sickness that could not be cured, his death hit both white-haired sisters hard. Lisanna more than Mira. Mira shook her head to clear her thoughts as her smile came back to her face.
"She is doing better. She is really taking this warden business really well" Mira said while taking another sip from her cup.
You see. Lisanna was working as a warden for the gladiators, she was in charge of getting the gladiators out to the arena. Sometimes when they wouldn`t get out, so she has to use some force to let them know that she meant business. Erza nodded before turning her back to Mira and came to rest her arms on the stone fence of the balcony. There were many people in the arena, about 50.000 people came to see what she was here to see.
As in reading her mind, Mira decided to ask her "What did you come to see Erza?" Erza turned her gaze from the crowd back to Mira. Her eyes bearly keeping in her rage from bursting out as she answered.
"For the pink-haired pig"
Mira brought her hand to her chin and looked to be in thought. She then snapped her fingers as her eyes opened wide.
"Ah yes... I remember Lisanna telling me something about the new meat have a pink-hair. However, I was not planning to call for him until I got bored." Mira said as her eyebrow raised in question "Why you want to see that one specifically?"
"I want to watch him bleed and scream in pain" Mira smiled at the sound of that. If there was one thing she loved more then her business, that was screaming in pain and bleeding like a stuffed pig. She called for one of her slaves to go tell her sister the news.
"Well, your majesty... Ask and you shall receive"
Arena dungeon:
Lisanna has seen many male`s come and die here. She was in charge of bringing them out to their death. However, never in her life has she seen a male with pink hair. She stood in front of his cell looking at him through the bars. Studying him as he looked to be asleep.
"He is kinda cute," she thought, blush already at her cheeks. Although she was not as nice and as naive as she was before her brother`s death. She was still trying to make everyone who she considered a friend happy. She didn`t know what it was but her heart was telling her that the boy sitting in the cell was trustworthy and a kind soul.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a man she recognized as one of her sister's slaves walked over to her and whispered into her ear. She nodded at him and sent him away. She then took keys that were hanging from her waist and opened the door. The sound of a door opening woke Natsu up, he watched Lisanna walk over to him and unlock the cuffs that were on him.
Lisanna thought that he would try to fight back or escape as many others have, she had her right hand on the dagger that was hidden behind her back in case that happens. She was surprised when he just looked at her before gesturing with his hand to lead the way. After a short pause, she took the lead and walked him to the arena door.
When the door was pulled up for him to enter the colosseum. He ripped the leather muffler from his face and throw it at the side. He took a deep breath into his lungs, before looking at Lisanna who was standing to the side.
"Thank you for not using that," he said while pointing at the dagger "I guess not everyone is as bad as out there" after that he walked out to the colosseum.
In Lisanna`s mind, there were two thoughts going through it. First, how did he knew she had a dagger behind her? She was hiding it very carefully and made sure it was out of his sight the whole time.
And second...
How did he know Erza was here?
In the arena:
Natsu had to cover his eyes with his hand as his eye stung from the brightness of the sun. He made his way out to the center, all while people inside the arena were shouting insults and throwing random stuff at him.
"HEY WATCH IT!" He shouted at the crowd because someone throws a brick at him making him doge it.
When he arrived at the center he looked around, scanning the crowd for certain someone. When his eyes fell onto the balcony above the arena, he saw Erza glaring death at him. He just smiled at her and waved his hand, chuckling when her expression got even angrier than before.
"THUMP"
"THUMP"
A loud footsteps were heard coming from in front of him making him look across. There was a man making his way slowly to him. He looked to be in his 40 years of age, with slightly gray-brown hair, his gray eyes looking at Natsu. He stood at 7 feet tall and was heavily muscular for a man that size. He wore no shirt and no shoes, the only thing he was wearing was a pair of black pants. In his right hand, a great sword swung with every step he took.
When the man was standing in front of Natsu, he smashed his sword into the ground creating a large dust of sand to form and the crowd to cheer.
Natsu smirked at the giant, cracking his knuckles as he got into his stance.
"I am sorry for this," the man said in a deep and raspy voice.
"No hard feelings man," Natsu said back to him.
The giant let out a battle cry before pulling his sword up above his head and slamming it down to where Natsu was standing making more sand fly around. Erza smirked at the scene thinking that it was over. Mira yawned in boredom as she hold her cup up for a refile.
"Really Erza? That was all he had to offer... What a waste. He had such a nice body too" Mira said as she took another sip from her dring. Erza glared at her from the corner of her eyes before quickly looking back to the center. The cloud of sand was beginning to clear.
When it cleared there stood a giant holding his sword with both hands, his arms were shaking as if he was struggling against something that was holding him down. The cloud vanished.
And there stood Natsu.
Completely fine without a scratch on him. His smirk still presented on his face, but what got everyone shocked was that he was holding onto the great swords with both hands underneath the blade.
At this Mira spit out the wine that she was drinking and cough a little bit before running to the railing as if to see if her eyes were not deceiving her. Lisanna, who was looking at the fight through the bars of the door Natsu walked through. She also had her eyes opened wide in shock not believing what she was seeing.
Erza also had her mouth opened and her eyes wide. She did not expect this... How can a man stop an attack like that... With HIS BARE HANDS OF ALL THINGS. She snapped out of her shock state and gritted her teeth together in anger. She refused to believe it.
Natsu throws the sword back at the giant making him stumble on his feet duo to the power of the throw. He then charged forward and punched a bigger man in a knee. The giant dropped down to one knee and tried to retaliate by taking another swing at Natsu. Natsu ducked under the swing and used bot his legs to lunch himself towards the giant's jaw. His head hit its mark with a loud "CRACK" and the giant fell down onto his back.
Knocked out by a headbutt to the chin.
...
Natsu looked around the arena, before scratching his chin. Wasn`t something supposed to happen? Natsu continued to look at the crowd, who all had a look of shock with their mouths wide open. One woman broke from her shock first and raised her hands before clapping them together.
"CLAP"
"CLAP"
"CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP"
"WOOOOOO" The crowed clapped for Natsu as he smiled at them. He gave the crowd a wave before the crowd started to chant "PINKY, PINKY" to which a thick mark formed on his forehead.
"Quiet down, Quiet down..." Mira told the cheerful crowd.
Her gaze meets Natsu`s while he looked back at her with a frown. "What is your name?"
Natsu surprised by this question answered her "Natsu Dragneel"
"Natsu... GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR NATSU!" Mira shouted to the crowd to which they followed her command "I must say Natsu... You are stronger then you look. Not even 10 men could do, what you have just done. You have peaked my attention." Mira said with a scary smile on her face making a shiver go down Natsu`s spine.
"You did good... Now kill him" Mira said simply as Natsu`s eyes opened wide. He looked down at the man, then back at Mira who was lightly tapping her finger against her biceps where her arms were crossed over her chest. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
"You want me to kill him?" Natsu asked not believing what he heard
"Yes," Mira said getting annoyed by Natsu`s hesitation.
"No..." Natsu said surprising everyone in the arena.
"No?" Mira thought as she watched Natsu`s determined and angry face. No one has dared to defy her in years. Not even her own siblings have ever talked back to her. And this slave... This worn that was lower than her, had the guts to say something back to her.
Well, since he has them... Why not spill them.
Mira smiled as that idea went through her mind, her gaze fell back onto Natsu before giving him a smirk. "Well Natsu... if you won`t kill him so that you may live another day, then you can both die screaming alongside each other."
Mira snapped her fingers, signaling to her slaves to pull the chains. The sound of a door being pulled open could be heard as 6 doors opened at the same time
"ROAR" 6 Lions came out of each door. Looking really hungry, they start to circle around Natsu and a giant who was still knocked out. The crowd was cheering again, only this time for Natsu`s blood to be spilled.
Erza now had another smirk on her face. She thought that this would be it for that pink-haired Barberian. Her smirk only widens as the lions charged at Natsu, oh she was so ready to hear the man that embarrassed her scream.
However, the lions stopped mid charge. Everyone expect Natsu was confused by this, why did they suddenly stop. They heard what sounded like whining before all 6 lions sprinted back through the doors they came from, trembling in fear as they laid in their cages.
...
Arena was silent once more.
"So... was that all you had?" Natsu asked while rubbing the back of his head.
"Uhh..." Mira was speechless as was Lisanna who was now even more curious about the pink-haired boy. Both sisters did not know what to think, they watched many men enter into the arena. Some were good, some were bad. But this one... This one was different then any other they have ever seen.
"SLAM" A armored fist slammed onto the balcony railing, breaking it in process. She jumped off the balcony and onto the arena floor. Landed few feet away from Natsu, they stared at each other for god knows how long before they begin to make a circle one another. Not even caring that the guards were taking the giant out of the arena.
"What`s up red... Came for another K.O. from me?" Natsu asked with a smug look on his face
Erza stopped circling making him stop as well. She holds out her hands to her side as the yellow light appeared out of nowhere. Natsu`s eyes opened wide, he watched as two swords appeared in each of her hands.
"Magic?" He whispered the question more to himself than to his opponent, who got into her stance. The crowd cheering even louder than before, all-knowing that Princess Erza was going to slaughter him.
Mira set back in her chair, ready to enjoy the show. Lisanna turned her back to the fight and proceeded to walk away. Thinking that Natsu has already lost. After all, she knew no one could beat the princess.
"You have embarrassed me and my kingdom for the last time." Erza said venom dripping from her words "I will cut you down right here and now"
Natsu only chuckled at her before giving her a "bring it" sign with his hand "You can try"
Erza wasted no time after that charging at Natsu with tremendous speed. She slashed, swung and cleaved at him but all of her attacks were either dodged or blocked like that time in the throne room. When her next double slash was blocked, he took a closer look at his arm and saw what was stopping her from cutting him.
"Are those... scales?" she jumped back creating some distance between the two. She was panting slightly from her strikes, while Natsu was still smirking at her and appeared to not have broken a sweat since the begun.
Gritting her teeth in frustration, she looked back Natsu`s arms and she saw that they looked normal. She blinked a few times before focusing her gaze on his arms again trying to see if there were really scales on them of some kind.
There were none.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Her warcry made everyone in the arena shut up, as her eyes burned with fury "WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT HERE HUH? HOW CAN YOU BLOCK MY SWORD`S WITH YOU BARE HANDS?"
Natsu smiled at Erza`s angry outburst as he just decided to play her for a fool and shugged his shoulder`s "Who knows... Maybe it`s because that my skin is too strong you can`t cut it or maybe you just suck as a swordswoman"
"Twitch"
"Twitch"
Erza`s eye was twitching. Herr grip on her swords tighten and her shoulders raised. Her face showed nothing but pure rage, making the crowed shake in fear. She requipped her two swords and summoned a spear. She got down into a charging position, her spear pointing at Natsu.
"Fine... Don`t tell me... But now I will make sure. That you never go back to wherever you came from. I will make sure your parents never see your face again."
...
Silence rang through the arena once more.
"Oi oi... Isn`t that a little cold Erza?" Mira thought in worry about what her princess just said, Mira knew Erza cared about those dear to her, however, she never saw how Erza acts when she is fighting someone. Especially against someone who can hold his own against her, Mira just hopes Erza will not do something she will regret.
Erza charged Natsu with her spear. She was getting closer by the second. Natsu did not move at all, his hair was covering his eyes as he just stood there. Erza smirked thinking she has won, her spear hit Natsu dead on the impact send a shock wave through the arena, shocking everyone in it.
"BREAK..."
Erza`s smirk fell as she felt the spear in her hand's break at the head. She looked at where the spear hit Natsu on the stomack and saw no blood or pierced skin.
Only scales...
She looked up into his face and saw two onyx orbs staring daggers at her. A sense of danger came over her making her raise the rest of her spear up to block the punch from the enraged boy.
The rest of the spear broke in two as she flew through the air from the force of his punch. She did a backflip in the air as she landed on her feet. Her gut was telling her to run but her pride was too big if she loses now, half of her kingdom will know that she got beaten by a man.
She could not let this pink-haired punk ruin her image and status. She will not let him. She was going to charge in again with another weapon but stopped when she saw him suck the air in his lungs.
She was confused at what he was doing but her instincts told her it was no good. She quickly requipped her two shields as she brought them together in front of her. Just in time to block the attack from Natsu.
"FIRE DRAGON`S ROAR!" a wave of fire was launched at Erza which was blocked by her shields. However, the heat from the fire still hurt her, her arms trembled while she was trying to keep her hold on the two shields.
When the fire finally died down, her shields shattered to pieces as her legs give up on her. It was hard for her to breath while her armor was slightly black and some parts melted from the heat of the flames. She could not move at all as her brown eyes looked up at Natsu`s.
Fear once again invaded her body as he pulled his fist back and ignited it, looking to end this with one final blow. The crowd was also beginning to panic not just because a male knew magic, but also for their princess's safety.
"STOP HIM" Mira ordered her slaves as they tried to get closer to Natsu but the heat he was emitting was too much for them.
Erza closed her eyes and waited for the punch to come.
But it never did...
She looked back at Natsu and saw him now behind her walking back towards the dungeons. When he arrived at the door he had to shake the guard from his shock in order to put a pair of cuffs on him. Natsu looked back at Erza one more time before disappearing behind the steel doors.
Erza did not know what to make of this... She ran a hand over her face as she got up on shaky feet. Walking over to the center of the ring, she waited for a few seconds before raising her fist up into the air.
The crowd cheered again for their princess's victory, although some of the audience members did not. They were still thinking about that fire attack. Meanwhile, Mira was taking in the sight of her beat-up friend thinking silently to herself.
"Looks like you finally found your match Erza... Question is. Will you be able to take him before I do." Mira smiled her evil smile, she later told her slave to prepare a bed for the princess in the infirmary.
Erza put her arm down, feeling more tiered then ever. She begins to walk to the door, she knew that will lead her to the infirmary. But stopped only to look back at the door Natsu went out through.
She felt her heartbeat increase, as well as a warm feeling, went through her core. "What is this feeling... It's so warm..." She shook her head clear of those thoughts while she slowly made her way to the arena`s infirmary.
Author`s note: okay this was hella rushed. And I am sorry because of that I just really wanted to get this chapter out since I don`t really like to write fighting scenes. So I know there is not a lot of meaningful things happening and I know that it's probably my worst chapter for now. But I still hope you enjoyed a little part of it. And I hope you guys have a great day.
Also, I am opened to suggestions on one-shots or mini-stories.
You can PM your suggestions and I will see what can I do.
That is all for now.
See ya.
