Chapter Text
Makarov woke up, lying down on the ground in an unfamiliar place. Sitting up, he rubbed the back of his neck, glancing around. Mavis was still on the ground, passed out from the spell. By her side was likely August, looking to be in his early twenties now with blond hair across his head and the beard vanished from sight. His staff was by his side, loosely resting on the ground. “It’s gone.” Zeref’s voice stopped his examination of the others, before Makarov could even glance to see their surroundings. “I…I can’t feel magic at all. Makarov…what did you do?”
“I took us to a world, far away from our own.” Zeref stared at him, his eyes widening. “I know there are things that are lost by doing this. Natsu has family in Earthland; I could not tear him away from that, despite what you wanted. Yet, he still has his life.” Zeref nodded, glancing over at the others. “To get you here, I knew it would be difficult. You would be expecting me to hunt you down at some point in time…so—“
“You used Law and let me believe it had ended your life.” Zeref watched him, taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes. “When I saw that…for a moment, I think I nearly gave up on the war. I saw the toll it would take…but then I realized I could undo it all, if I won.” He took a slow breath, closing his eyes. “I can still feel it now, that drive…I know it is possible. All of those sacrifices, and nothing to come of it?” Zeref held out his hand in front of him, smiling darkly at his palm. “Only I am capable of bringing them back, Makarov. If you think this will stop me—“
“Would you just take a moment and think like an adult for a change?” Zeref blinked at him in surprise, while Makarov snorted and shook his head. “Honestly, you’re more troublesome than the brats at the guild these days. You said it yourself; there’s no magic to be found here. So, whatever spell you had planned, it isn’t one you can use now.”
“This world…has no magic?” Zeref’s eyes were wide, staring at Makarov.
“Exactly.” Makarov sat down on the ground, letting out a huff. “And I didn’t plan for a way back either, so we’re stuck in this place too.”
“There is no magic…” Zeref’s voice trailed off, staring at his hand. “It didn’t seem possible. The headaches, the haze in my mind…I assumed it vanished due to having truly perfected the art of forgetting the value of life.” His eyes flickered towards Makarov. “But that wasn’t the case, was it? It was too sudden…and looking back now, it is difficult to associate myself with that person.”
“Already?” Makarov frowned. “You never struck me as the sort to regret your past so quickly.”
“It isn’t regret.” Zeref paused, looking away. “More accurately, it simply feels…distant. Shock pushed back my anger, and with that faded, things are…confusing, to say the least.” His hand lifted, rubbing at his forehead. “Right now, it feels like a dream. The war…what I wanted. I still cannot say there are many I care for…but the force driving me not to care is gone.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not too long. Perhaps an hour at most.” That explained why he had been able to let go of his anger so quickly. Makarov had expected to need to talk to him for a much longer before he reached this point. “It gave me time to think…though I suppose those contemplations were focused on returning to my plans for Neo Eclipse.” His gaze flickered around, focusing on their surroundings. “We have nothing here, and we know nothing about this world. I suspect it will be a struggle, but we’ll manage.” His wandering gaze ended up focusing on Mavis and August. “If…if you are concerned, my feelings for Mavis have faded, you know. She was the first that I found that might have been able to survive being near me…and I think desperation drove me to cling to her as a result.”
“I was not too concerned, considering she spoke of being uncertain of how to cope with your dark side.” Zeref nodded, smiling faintly.
“You left all of it…sacrificed so much to bring me here.” He shook his head, glancing over at Makarov. “Why? I still cannot understand why you do so much…give so much to those around you.”
“Because, despite everything you have done, and how much you tried to push me away, I still did not forget you.” He looked over at Zeref, locking eyes with the man. “You still are the only person I’ve loved, Zeref. I’ve made friends, created a family with Fairy Tail, but none of them could manage to make me move on past you.”
Slowly getting up, Makarov walked towards him. Zeref stiffened, but remained still on the ground. Makarov sat by his side, reaching over and grabbing his hand, yet even then he did not relax. “I…do not think I will be used to this any time soon.” Makarov nodded, letting the man pull back slightly. “It…I’m used to avoiding contact, when my thoughts are like this. Clear. Concise.” He glanced at the others. “Mavis may know a bit of what I speak of in that regard…I do not imagine you were cursed long enough to truly experience what it was.”
“No, I suspect not.”
“August…why did he wish to come?”
“For the same reason he wanted me to find you in the first place.” Zeref’s brow furrowed, glancing at the man in confusion.
“And I suppose that is also why he wished for a chance to…live for some time longer.” Makarov nodded. “It seems as if that replicated Fairy Heart did manage to get some decent usefulness after all. I cannot imagine being content in such an unfamiliar place…alone again. I likely would have sought out death right away.”
“Old age will take you away soon enough, Zeref.” Makarov stared at him, watching as Zeref slowly smiled at that.
“I…yes, I suppose it will.” August gradually began to sit up at that, frowning and looking around.
“Where have you brought us?”
“A world called Edolas.” August nodded, not seeming concerned for more details.
August glanced over at Zeref, frowning for a moment. “Are you alright? I knew Makarov was planning something, and I’m sorry for not speaking sooner — however, I had no details.”
“It is fine, August.” Zeref shook his head, glancing over at Makarov who was still by his side. The Black Wizard’s smile widened faintly, nodding at him before turning back towards his general. “As it stands…I believe the war is ending. To the others, it will feel as if I’ve died…and they’ll retreat soon enough.”
“And Mirajane will be taking over the guild for me, with Fairy Tail regrouping and preparing to move on as normal.” Makarov smiled at that. “I made sure they were prepared for this, before I finished all of this.”
Yawning, Mavis seemed to sit up as well, stretching and blinking at them. “We’re here! Wow, it’s almost as colorful as Tenrou Island!” She jumped up, glancing around with wide eyes. “Oh! Hi Zeref! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Hello, Mavis.” He nodded at her, taking a deep breath. “I…I am sorry for…” He trailed off, looking away.
“Don’t worry about it.” Mavis shrugged, glancing around. “We came here for a fresh start, to get away from the curse and make a new life. So…why not start as friends?”
She held out her hand towards him, which Zeref gradually took to shake. “Yes…I suppose that would be nice.” He glanced over at Makarov after he pulled his hand back. After a moment, he slowly reached over, grabbing his hand again and holding it inside of his own. “August…would you be opposed to that shift? I know we’ve been working on…military matters for some time, but…” He trailed off.
“That would be a welcome change…Zeref.” He spoke the man’s name rather than his title, with some hesitation. Makarov glanced at him, narrowing his eyes however.
“And is that all you have to say now, August?” The man turned towards him, frowning faintly. “I’ve kept your secret for over sixty years! By now, you have to be ready to share it. You don’t have any excuses not to now.”
“I’ve kept a secret from Zeref for sixty years. Is that not reason enough to be wary of sharing it?”
“I…will not be angry, August.” Zeref met his gaze, his grip tightening on Makarov’s hand. “This is a change we’ll all be adjusting to. My past…is difficult, and I understand that it makes things difficult to share with me. Yet…I’d like us to be open with each other. To share what we know willingly, and move into this life together…as friends.”
Makarov grinned at him, seeing Zeref was having difficulty speaking like that anyway. He wasn’t used to having friends at all. “Very well.” He glanced over at Mavis, who was still wandering around the little forest they were in, examining the plants nearby. “You may wish to sit down for this, Mavis.” She blinked at him, before shrugging and sitting on the ground next to Zeref, crossing her legs and leaning forward. “There is no easy way to put this…so I suppose I shall be direct instead.” He glanced over at Zeref, meeting his gaze. “I am your son.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Quite possible, when you consider my mother’s state after I was conceived.” Zeref stiffened at that, glancing over at Mavis. The girl was staring at August with wide eyes, her mouth open at the news. “Precht’s spells interfered and delayed my birth…yet it still happened nonetheless. My own magic developed in the process, and without a safe avenue to unleash itself…it seemed to tap into my mother’s memories. That is the only reason I am aware of who’s child I am…and why I’ve followed after you for so long.”
“You’re…my son?” Mavis stared at him, rising to her feet. Without warning, she launched herself at the man, pulling him into a tight hug. “I don’t know what else to do for you…if I should say sorry, or ask about your life…or just start talking about myself. I don’t…I just want to know you.”
August smiled faintly at her, patting her back. “Whatever seems right to you is acceptable to me.” She sniffled, pulling back and nodding. “For now, it seems as if we should be moving to find shelter. We do need a home in this world, and a way to survive.”
“Yes…I suppose we do.” Zeref still seemed stunned, slowly rising to his feet and pulling Makarov up with him. “August…I think this is a good opportunity for all of us, then. I…” He looked at a loss for words, glancing over towards Makarov.
“I think Zeref is trying to say he’s looking forward to getting to know you.” The former black wizard smiled weakly, while Makarov patted his shoulder. He still flinched slightly at the contact, but Makarov knew he would work past it eventually. “After all, we’ve got both of your parents here, and it seems like I’m a part of this little group as well.”
“Given what I overheard before the war, I suspect you will be family soon enough regardless.”
Zeref’s eyes went wide, while Makarov laughed at his words. Mavis giggled, patting his arm and walking with him by his side. Sure, they had plenty of things to work out. Yet, Makarov had a feeling they’d be managing just fine. They’d find work, and they’d stay together throughout this move to another world. Things were in place to move on just fine back home, with the war ending and Fairy Tail living on with its new master. Makarov finally managed to bring Zeref around to remembering what was important, and this time, it seemed like the man would not be forgetting again anytime soon.