Chapter 52: Knightmare.

Ezra Scarlet lived to protect the weak. But there were times when she was confused with the behaviour of those whom she deemed as weaklings. For example, this female knight who was groveling in front of her in a pitiful state.

"C-can y-you hit me one more time?"

She didn't know why but all of a sudden, Ezra Scarlet felt really dirty.

"How are you enjoying this?"

Though it had been close to a year since the gate opened, allowing the people of her world and several others to interact with the citizens of Japan, she had quickly realized why only the best of the best were allowed to travel into the other side so to speak. It's because, inadvertently one would come across creatures like this, such vile and dirty and filthy monsters. And to make matters worse, she was a knight. This in itself said a lot about the denizens of this dangerous world. She had to be extra careful from now on. After all as from this recent encounter, she had come to realize that appearances can be rather deceiving.

"What are you doing to Lalatina?"

"Don't call me that, Hikigaya." The female knight in the yellow armour complained.

What on earth! Ezra hadn't heard him approach from the back. This Hikigaya person must have been extra cautious. She didn't like it at all. He looked dangerous and threatening enough, dark hair, dark eyes. Though there was something about him that unsettled her a little bit. Then she realized what it was and she frowned.

"You are slouching. Correct your posture."

He looked at her, unimpressed. "You are not my mother. I can slouch all I want."

How dare he, how dare he. This Hikigaya paying no heed to her words. If this was Natsu or Gray, they would have been cowering in fear, grabbing onto each other and hugging for protection. But no, this person had the gall to face her alone. He had the misfortune of not knowing her, not knowing what she could possibly do to him. Well no matter, this problem could be easily remedied.

Ezra Scarlet lifted her sword.

Hikigaya lifted an eyebrow. "Okay. You are psychotic."

"I'm an S-Class Mage." Ezra replied.

"I'm not saying you can't be both." He snapped. "But think this through for a second. Are you really going to cut me down because of my bad posture? How is that remotely helpful, whatever your name is."

She smiled a feral grin. "My name is Ezra Scarlet. And this sword is not meant for you."

It happened a bit quicker than she anticipated.

The smaller woman with the blonde hair in the red leather jacket pounced on her from her hiding spot in the tree branches up above. She came at her like a feral beast, a berserker, armed with a sword of her own. Blade met blade and the glint of her armor shined in the bright morning light in the fierce heat of battle. Both of them were exchanging blows, parrying swords, slashing and cutting, engaged in an evaluative combat. This little woman was well trained, not a weakling and especially not suffering from whatever problem that plagued the groveling knight, Lalatina. But then a strange thought came to her mind.

"Are you this Lalatina's younger sister?"

"Fuck no." The little woman said as she missed her slice. "I'm Mordred Pendragon, the true heir of-"

"You know Mo-chan, if you always introduce yourself while always namedropping your father who happens to be a woman, well, it's gonna raise some questions in the future when people learn about how you don't really get along with your father…who happens to be a woman."

"Screw you, Hachiman!" Mordred Pendragon said. "You just messed up my introduction. I wanted it to be really cool."

"Just because you are hanging out with Soul now, doesn't mean you have to talk like him." Hachiman said. "Saying the word 'cool' after every other sentence doesn't make stuff sound any cooler."

Ezra Scarlet gritted her teeth and parried another wayward blow, before striking down a bit close to home. It did nothing else but anger her opponent, but that was what she wanted to do in the first place. The little girl was really no match for her, but even then this looked like an engaging battle and she was getting tired of the interruptions and useless chit chat.

"Never let your attention drift off from the enemy." Ezra said. "Don't talk to your friend. He will get you killed. Talk to me, with your sword!"

Mordred frowned. "That was a dumb line. Definitely not cool."

Hachiman sighed. "I need to set her up with some better friends."

"I can be her friend." Darkness spoke up.

"Shut up Lalatina." Hachiman said. Then he spoke to the two engaged in battle. "Hey, Red, why are you fighting in the first place? I know Darkness can be bad-"

Mordred chuckled. "You are afraid of the dark? What are you a kid?"

Ezra Scarlet blushed. "I am not afraid of the dark." This time she missed a strike which almost cut of a tuft of her hair. Mordred smiled and went to the offensive. Okay, perhaps, she was a bit of a worthy opponent. It didn't help that Hachiman Hikigaya was there for moral support and playing head games with her. Despite herself she rose to the bait.

"I'm not afraid of the dark you mongrel." Ezra shouted.

Hachiman rubbed his forehead. "I was talking about the masochistic knight over here. She goes by Darkness even though her real name is Lala- Ouch, cut that out. I'm a normal guy, I bruise easily."

"Then don't call me by that other name, Hachiman." Darkness blushed and pouted, embarrassed.

"Fine." Hachiman said. Then he resumed talking to the more reasonable looking woman in the knight costume. "Hey Red, how about we talk this out."

"My name is not Red. It's Scarlet. Ezra Scarlet."

"Fine. Ezra Scarlet. There, I said it." Then to himself, he mumbled. "Sounds like a made up name, though all names are made up. Huh, who cares." Then out loud for the others to hear. "Okay, can you two now cut it out with the fighting. It's Monday. People are in a foul mood as it is. If you guys don't stop, the chances of a bar room brawls sans the bar room will likely break out on the grounds and I will be called to the counseling office for no reason."

"Fine, but I would have won the fight." Mordred told Ezra.

Ezra crossed her arms. "You show spirit, young one."

"Don't talk like an old woman. You are what, about his age or something." Mordred said pointing towards Hachiman Hikigaya.

Ezra Scarlet gave the man another look. Huh, he looked older but perhaps that was how he carried himself and his general disposition that gave that sort of impression. Now that she got a good look he seems to be around her own age.

"Okay, now that you two had your fun, it's time to return to the main campus." Hachiman mumbled. "I am starving."

Ezra's stomach grumbled. She blushed as the others looked at her. But she would be damned if she let them see her in this weakened state.

"Darkness, why is your stomach grumbling." Ezra turned and said to the masochistic knight.

"Oh~" Darkness moaned out. "Ezra Scarlet, you are such a fiend. I'm beginning to like your form of humiliation."

Mordred Pendragon moved closer to Hachiman and almost held his hand. She then turned to Ezra and said. "Just for the record, me and her -" She pointed a finger at Darkness. "-we are not related in any way. I mean I hate my father, but if it's to clear up this sort of misunderstanding, I will say it a hundred times over. I'm related to Artoria Pendragon."

Ezra nodded her head. "Understood."

"But Mo-chan, we are kind of related." Darkness spoke up. "We are both knights, who have endured such harsh suffering at the hands of cruel and -"

"Shut the fuck up, Darkness."

Hachiman decided to do something before another fight broke out. He decided to make some small talk. "Oh, by the way Darkness, I heard from Kazuma that you are recently dating someone. How is that like?"

Darkness blushed. "Oh Hachiman. It's a wonderful experience. I wish I had met him sooner."

Hachiman had a gut feeling and didn't ask anything else, especially the name of this person whom she might be dating. Mordred was curious because she really wanted to know more about how messed up this guy was who was going out with her and she wanted to tell Edward and Soul about the latest gossip, but she followed Hachiman's example and changed the topic.

Mordred lightly punched Hachiman in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" Hachiman winced.

"I dropped my ice cream earlier when I was protecting you, ya jerk." Mordred said.

"I think we have established the fact that Ezra wasn't gonna kill me."

"We did?" Mordred asked skeptically.

Hachiman nodded. "She probably sensed you or something. I don't know how her powers work. She is a mage and a good one at that. And as you saw from your battle she is good with a sword."

Mordred glowered which led to Hachiman quickly amending his sentence. "And you are spectacular with a sword as well, Mochi. I mean, you are a heroic spirit and the true heir to the throne of Atlantis."

"Camelot." Mordred Pendragon bit out. "It's Camelot."

Hachiman chuckled nervously. He then turned to Ezra for help, but that was of no help at all. He would never understand how people bond over fights, especially one as those which are so powerful and dangerous, almost a matter of life and death, taking place between a magus and a heroic spirit, but that's just what happened.

It looks like Ezra Scarlet wasn't on his side. "You wretched man! You made this woman drop her ice cream! How could you do such a horrible thing? You should have held onto it for your dear life and never let go. Do you know what ice cream means for a young woman? Do you?" Then more threateningly, she started chanting. "What flavour was it? What flavour was it?"

Okay, she was clearly psychotic, Hachiman thought. He had one more chance, but by now he was grasping for straws. Still, it was better than nothing.

"D-Darkness? A little help."

But Darkness was standing a bit far away. There was a man with her. He had short, light brown hair and red-brown eyes, an almost childlike innocent face. And he was wearing the uniform of the recently reinstated Shinsengumi.

And Darkness was looking at him with honest to god heart in her eyes.

"Okita Sougo-sama, can you wait for a bit." Darkness gulped and licked her lips. "My friend, Hachiman is in need of me."

Okita Sougo smiled a cruel smile. "Tsk, tsk, Darkness." He said while gently slapping her cheeks. "It seems to me that you have forgotten what I taught you on our first date. Well no matter, I'm free now." He looked at Hachiman and while keeping eye contact he turned the masochistic knight away from him. "Let's leave your friend to his little double date."

And with that they left. The bastard even winked at him as he walked away. Hachiman didn't know him all that well, but he got a feeling that he would really come to hate that guy. But for now he had more pressing matters.

How do you deal with an angry Ezra Scarlet?

You don't.

Later he would find out that a slice of strawberry short cake would have saved him. And they say women liked flowers. Clearly they have never met the likes of her.

A/N: It's been a while since I posted a chapter. Hope this one is better than the Chop Suey one. Let me know what you think?

Here are the options for the next chapter:

Option 1: Shouko Nishimiya (A Silent Voice)

Option 2: Kaori Miyazono (Your Lie in April)

Option 3: Ai Hayasaka (Love is War)

Option 4: Rio Futaba (Rascals)

Option 5: Anastasia Romanova (Fate)

Please pick any of the above or suggest a character in the review.

Hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter.

Leave lots and lots of reviews, follow and fave.

Won't betray your dreams.

Trivia: Darkness (Konosuba) and Okito Sougo (Gintama) are in a relationship.

Mordred Pendragon's friends are: Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist), Soul Evans (Soul Eater) and Mashiro Shiina