Summary =
One-Shot AU, Second Chance Series Part 7. Erza is determined to find out more about the woman who saved her. More so, she has every intention of finding her. (Erza's POV with a bit of Makarov and Natsu.)
NOTES =
As the 7th part of the Second Chance series, the Scarlet Angel follows Flame Empress & Flame and Claw. It can be read individually, but it plays off a few months after part 5 and 6, and the letter mentioned at the end of part 5 plays an important role. Other than that, Erza is turning fifteen on April 7th X780, and also passes the S-Class Trials later on in the year, similar to canon, however I will be diverting on some things as we'll likely be seeing more of Irene now that Erza is actively keeping an eye out for her.
DISCLAIMER
I do not own the story or characters, only my mentality.
The Scarlet Angel
May 9th, X780
"You should get some rest."
With a sigh she sets down her notes, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "There has to be something."
Master pats her arm and jumps onto the table, plopping himself down without spilling a drop of his ale. "I'm sure there is, but the true question is whether you're ready for what you'll find."
I.B.
A mysterious woman with scarlet hair and powerful magic. Yet, no apparent history. Her activity starts about fourteen years ago, but she has no guild affiliation and no citizenship.
According to sightings, she heads an all-female team of three, her party including the information brokers Heine Lunasea and Juliet Sun. Relatively young to the business, the two are like night and day, hardly ever agreeing save apparently on one matter: both defer to the scarlet haired woman, following orders without question.
To the people across Fiore and some of the surrounding countries, the only name for her is the Scarlet Angel.
From what Master has heard from the Magic Council, and from what Erza has learned in her search, the Scarlet Angel appears, takes down the enemy, then vanishes. She keeps to herself, only venturing out to finish her apparent self-set tasks, not caring for glory or reward. Though she has held conversations, they tended to be about the crisis at hand or as a means to gather information. Nothing about herself. Anything requiring extended human interaction seems mainly seen to by her party members.
Yet, for some reason, she personally brought Erza home. And though Erza is hesitant to claim it a certainty, she is sure that the Scarlet Angel is also the one who saved her back at the Tower of Heaven. Not only that, but in all these years the closest anyone has come to her true identity is the note she left for Erza.
"I just want to know why." She's frustrated, has been frustrated for months. Who is this woman? Why does she continuously save her? What is the connection?
"Sometimes, people don't want to be found."
That much is obvious from her lack of information, but Erza has no intention of giving up. "She's hunting demons, right? So we can expect her to show up at the next sighting."
Master Makarov sighs heavily, but Erza ignores him, instead turning to study the map of Fiore.
She knows of a few locations where demons have appeared, like Mira and Gray's hometowns and the forest where she was sent for her quest. But how to predict their next appearance? How many demons did the Dark Wizard release into the world?
A plate sliding across the table distracts her. It's a slice cake, almost buried under strawberries.
"The Scarlet Angel is a case that has waited for fifteen years. It can wait a while longer."
Although she itches to further her search, she really can't ignore a perfectly good slice of strawberry cake when it's right in front of her. "Thank you, Master."
May 16th, X780
Dear Erza
In the face of death, you did not waver. May this armour, forged from the demon's heart and befitting of a Flame Empress, protect you throughout your life's battles and give you the strength to continue smiling despite the fires that blaze about you.
I.B.
How many times has she read this note by now? Surely it must be at least a dozen. She's analysed it from start to finish and can't find anything to hint at what I.B. stands for. The only thing that really stands out is the comment about her continuing to smile. A stranger wouldn't say that, would they?
It's been so long since she escaped the Tower of Heaven. The conversation they had isn't clear anymore, but she remembers that the woman knew her name. She remembers being saved, about being told to come to Fairy Tail and being left to make her own way to the boats because the Scarlet Angel would not accompany her further.
She hadn't told anyone about the woman who saved her, hadn't even made mention of the Tower until she felt safe enough to tell Master, and only him. It was a surprise when he told the Magic Council and they investigated. Jellal had convinced the others to stay, apparently having heard the Voice of Zeref tell him to continue reconstruction of the Tower.
At the time, she couldn't believe he would do something like that. Not after everything that they had been through. Still. She's glad that it's over, that the friends she made there received a chance to find their own homes, just like she did.
Another thing to thank the Scarlet Angel for.
Without her, Erza would have never made it off that island. She might not even have had the courage to stand up to her own memories and tell Master about the horrors that the cultists had put them through.
Simply expressing her gratitude by living happily and holding high the guild name feels inadequate. Something more is needed. So Erza is going to find the Scarlet Angel and she's going to thank her properly, no matter how long it takes her.
"Erza?"
Startled, she leaps out of her chair, sending it falling to the ground. She almost hits Natsu in her surprise.
"Woah! Just me! You okay? You looked all serious and spaced out."
His eyes shine with genuine concern and Erza can't help but relax and smile in reassurance. "I'm fine, just thinking about something. So how did the lead go?"
He huffs, plopping down across from her as Erza picks up her chair to sit back down. "Cold, that's what."
Patting his arm, Happy takes over the conversation. "It seems that whenever there's a dragon sighting, the rumours all disappear just as quickly as they sprung up!"
"Give it some time, I'm sure you'll find him."
"It doesn't seem like it." He looks so dejected.
"Well, I can relate to that at least." The Scarlet Angel isn't easy to find either.
At that Natsu jumps up, the fire back in his eyes. "Oh yeah, you're trying to find that woman who looked like you, right? Did you ask Master?"
"I did. Apparently she doesn't belong to any guild, and no one knows her name. It's like she just came out of nowhere."
"You said she's strong, didn't you? You should invite her to the guild! I could fight her!"
"Natsu!" Happy reprimands, tired. "You can't just fight everyone!"
"Sure I can!"
Erza watches them bicker as she smooths out the note. She really can't imagine being anywhere other than Fairy Tail.
"Hey, Natsu! I just got an idea!"
"Careful, Happy. It hurts to think."
"Only for you! But seriously, that witch lady sent Erza's armour, right? What if you use your super strong sniffer to catch her scent?"
"Hey, yeah! Good idea, buddy!"
Raising a brow, Erza shrugs, summoning her armour. "Worth a try, I guess. Re-Quip!" It's incredibly awkward being sniffed at, but she tolerates it.
"Well?" Happy seems almost as eager for a response as she is.
"Hm. I mostly just smell Erza. And a lot of burning rock."
"Oh."
Sighing she changes back into her normal armour. "Thank you for trying."
"Wait a minute." Sniffing the air, Natsu suddenly turns back to her, pointing at the letter. "What's that?"
"A note I got with the armour. Why?"
"It's strange. There are two scents on it, but both smell kind of like you."
"Two scents?" That doesn't make sense. Natsu said before that every person only has one scent. Why does she have two?
"The stronger one is definitely yours, but this other one..." Grabbing the note, Natsu brings it up to his nose and inhales sharply, only to start coughing. "Nope! That's just a lot of ink!"
Laughing, she takes away the note. "It's fine, Natsu. Don't worry about it."
"Sorry, Erza."
"Hey, we might be out of leads now, but we'll both succeed. We're members of Fairy Tail, after all."
Grinning back, Natsu shares a first-bump with her. "And Fairy Tail is Number One!"
Read and review, I love hearing your opinion. It might just convince me to bring out Part 8 sooner ;)
Until next time.
- L.L.