My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 12 - Erza, A Warrior

"Rachael?"

"Hello, Jellal. I'm glad you've been playing this game. Welcome to the Boss level."

Jellal blinked for a while, not uttering a word. "R-Rachael, why are you doing this?" He said, taking a step towards the desk.

"YOU KNOW WHY I'M DOING THIS!" She screamed, slamming her fist against the table which was loud enough to wake Erza up. She stirred and groaned in pain as she attempted to move her arms and legs.

"Erza!" Jellal called, spinning around quickly. She opened her eyes and blinked to get her eyes to adjust to the setting she was in. "What?" She mumbled to herself, confused. How did she get here? Unfortunately, the last thing she remembered was talking to Rachael at the lake. "Jellal?" She looked at him then her eyes went to Rachael.

"Hello, Erza." Rachael greeted, her face expressionless.

"So I guess I was right." Erza said, yanking on her cuffs.

"Right about what exactly?"

"I had my suspicions about you. You seemed like a good person, but something didn't add up."

"And what would that be?"

"The fact that you never used magic in a fight even though you're a wizard and the fact that you never talked about what magic you used. I mean, I guess it would've been acceptable to not use magic if people at least knew what magic you used. Why hide what magic you use? I could never wrap my head around it."

"Sharp as always, Titania."

Jellal stood there stunned and secretly feeling stupid for not noticing. He never really thought about that. He just assumed that Rachael wasn't comfortable sharing that information because they brought up bad memories. Boy, was he wrong! He couldn't have been more wrong. He took a deep breath and stepped towards Erza when Rick intervened.

"Don't go near her, Jellal." He warned.

"Why not?" Jellal asked.

"She's not your problem."

"What do y-"

"I'm afraid my big brother's right." Rachael interrupted. "You shouldn't be worried about her."

Jellal just stared -- no, actually more like glared -- at Rachael. Could you blame him? "What do you want?" He asked, his voice shaky.

Rachael locked eyes with Jellal then smiled. "You'll find out when this is all over." She said. Then she snapped her fingers and, just like that, her and Erza were gone.

"Erza!" Jellal called, panicking. "Where'd they go?" He stomped over to Rick, grabbed him by the collar, and pinned him against the wall. "Where'd they go?" He repeated very slowly and threatening.

_______________________

"Jellal?" Erza looked around, but couldn't find him. Only Rachael. "Where are we?" Erza asked.

"None of your concern." Rachael replied. "I brought us here so we could . . . talk."

"Talk? I have a feeling you want to do more than talk."

"Very true." Rachael laughed. "But we will talk."

"I have no problem with talking, but I assume you want to fight as well. Am I correct?"

"My, my. You truly are wise beyond belief, aren't you?"

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Erza scoffed.

"I see. Very well." Rachael sighed. "Yes, I do want to fight you."

"You'll have to remove these cuffs first."

"I'm aware. I do want a fair fight between us."

"I look forward to cutting you down." Erza proclaimed. She had no doubt that she would win. Erza always won.

"As do I." Rachael smiled as she went to unlock Erza's cuffs.

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"We had to split you two up." Rick stated. "You two won't go all out in each other's presence. You're each other's weakness. Therefore, we split you up."

Jellal released Rick and stepped back. "So you expect us to fight?"

"Not us." Rick hinted, "Her. And she will lose."

Jellal chuckled at the idiocy of what he just heard. Erza? Lose? "You two fools think that Erza will lose to the likes of you." It amused him that such a thought even crossed their minds. Jellal didn't need to worry. He had full confidence that Erza would win. She always wins. She was strong and courageous. A true warrior.