Personal Headcanon that Zeref would be a total dorkwad if he grew up with Natsu. Beware for the rebellious teenager in this chapter, going through his goth phase. I just feel like if he didn't grow up with a curse that killed anyone or thing he loved, he'd be a pretty bratty yet dorky guy, I guess? Like, cool and caring towards his brother, but around others HE's the annoying one.
The events are slightly different in this chapter! Or more like, they happen in a different fashion/for a different reason. (But I didn't go and write a totally new plot…)
Zeref will have sorta similar-ish magic to Mavis, but his is more advanced and aggressive, because of his age. I feel like his body would be able to withstand different levels of magic.
Port Town Hargeon
"Wow! There sure are a lot of people here, don't you think, Zeref-nii? Woah! Look, look! A fisherman!" The pink-haired boy gripped his older brother's arm tightly, pointing out every person who passed. (Although, the people just ignored him.)
"Indeed, Natsu. I don't think I've ever seen this many people gathered together in one place. A fisherman, huh? I bet he's good at catching fish." Zeref replied,his own excitement betraying his cool demeanor. He could act as calm as he'd like, but, in the end, he was just as intrigued as his little brother.
"So you, uh, guys really haven't been off of the island before. That's sorta odd." Yury stated as they walked behind the brothers, Precht and Warrod following close. The coastal city was bursting and bustling with people, but the three treasure hunters were quite used to it.
"Doesn't seem that odd to me." Zeref had discovered, through their trip to Hargeon from Tenrou, that Yury was a man who easily annoyed him. It was odd, but just a simple sentence from the blond haired man really ticked him off.
Precht seemed to narrow his eyes at the boy's statement, which did not go unnoticed by his companion.
"Oi, what's wrong, Precht?" Warrod asked, and Precht began to walk away.
"We go on a mission and only bring back a pair of brats, random and unreliable at that. I'm going to gain some info on Blue Skull. Find an inn." Warrod attempted to speak, but was stopped by Zeref.
"I'll accompany you. Natsu, stay with Yury and Warrod." Although he didn't like Yury, Zeref trusted both him and Warrod to watch over his little brother.
"E-Eh? That's no fair, Zeref-nii!"
The black haired male had already turned, waving a hand to dismiss his little brother's statement. Precht said nothing, and continued to walk forward.
"Just be careful...That guy is kinda weird…"
"Not much of a talker, are you." Zeref attempted to make conversation with the older man multiple times, but was met with silence each time he tried. "Grumpy old man,maybe? You seem like the type. The guy that sits inside all day, drinking his tea and making comments about younger people...Perfect fit!"
Nothing. Precht said nothing, except turn his head, totally ignoring Zeref. Said boy sighed, realizing that he wouldn't be able to get the man to crack. So they walked in silence, and headed towards one of the small bars that were scattered across Hargeon.
After what felt like eternity, they reached the pub, and opened the doors to be met with hollars of the drunk and utter wasted. Zeref scrunched his nose in disgust, and Precht held the same dull expression. Together they walked towards the barkeeper, who wiped the bar with a bored face. Short and blunt, Precht asked the man if he knew of anything or anyone related to Blue Skull.
"Blue Skull, eh? You don't hear much about that guild around these parts."
"Do you have any information?" Precht was clearly annoyed, and Zeref almost laughed. Perhaps his chatter earlier had provoked the man, somewhat.
"No. Look somewhere else."
"I would have at least thought that their name would spread around…"
"With so many new mage guilds popping up, it's hard to keep up. Want something to drink, kid?"
"Nope. As stated previously, we need some information." Zeref found himself irritated by the man, as well. He held the same atmosphere as Yury, in a way.
"If that's so, then guy, you and this brat need to get out. If you ain't going to buy anything, leave." The bartender, Precht, and Zeref had gained the attention of the rest of the bar's inhabitants, who laughed drunkenly at every comment made.
"You heard him, kid. We're going somewhere else."
"Hey there, wait a moment." Precht had begun to walk towards the door to the bar, but turned to see Zeref giving the bartender a smirk. "You see, we never actually said that Blue Skull is a mage's guild. And you would think, that with all of the guilds, mage, merchant, and industrial alike, it would take some knowledge for you to know that it was a mage's guild. Seems a bit odd, since you said you don't know anything, wouldn't you agree? So I take it you know of them, somewhat?"
Precht said nothing, and gave Zeref a dull look. He didn't show it, but he was impressed by the kid's observation. He watched as the bartender, who looked rather uncomfortable, try to explain his actions, but not before he felt a looming presence over his back. In one swift motion, he kicked the oncoming attackers behind him, and pulled Zeref out of the way.
"Care to explain?"
The bartender gulped, and called out to the drunken men behind Precht and Zeref. (Who didn't look that tipsy anymore…)
"There's just two of 'em! Take them out!"
They all attacked at once, but Precht pulled out a hidden knife of sorts, and launched it at the men. A chain connected it back to a handle that hid within his sleeve, and in no time at all, Precht had taken out all of the attackers. Zeref stood next to him, looking on in awe. Precht was strong, no doubt about that.
"I am one who dances with blades… And I do so at my leisure."
The bartender cursed out Precht, but an evil grin made its way upon his face. He yanked on a rope of sorts next to him, and a magic circle appeared around both Zeref and Precht.
"You don't got what it takes to take on a real mage…" The man said, his wicked expression still being held. His shirt shifted a bit, revealing a mark that made Zeref's blood run cold.
"That's...Blue Skull's emblem! This guy must be a member!" Precht was about to step out of the circle, but was stopped by the words of the bartender.
"Woah there! I'd be careful if I were you. Take one step outside of that circle, and your insides will decorate the walls. You see…" The man began to pour a drink. "Blue Skull is a dark guild. So, legal jobs don't exactly come our way. So, we need someone to take care of strangers and gather intel, with their ear to the ground. That person happens to be me."
"So basically, you're an underling" Precht stated, and the man smirked.
"Damn straight! AH! I mean, fuck off you bastard!"
Zeref let out a low whistle, a smile on his face.
"Damn. Precht's pulling out the cat claws." He said, a small smile on his lips. "Now then, you're pretty irritating! Ever met a guy named Yury? Well, you'd get along."
"Oi, kid, what are you playing at?" Precht narrowed his eyes at Zeref's behavior, a bit angry at the fact he was acting so childishly in such a situation.
"You see, even if this circle was the real deal, we could easily get out."
"Real deal-What the hell you talking about?" The bartender tightened his grip on his glass, becoming angrier than Precht.
Zeref chuckled a bit darkly in response, raising his hands into the air.
"I should mention, I'm actually a mage too. I studied for seven years, so I it's only reasonable that I have some skill. Now then…"
Zeref lifted his hands higher up into the air, and his hair began to float around his head.
"Spirit Guards." Beings that seemed to be composed of light itself began to erupt from the ground behind the man, holding the bartender's arms back and yanking on the rope, disabling the magic circle. Precht, the bartender, and the drunks all looked on in shock. Zeref's grin grew wider, as he prepared for yet another spell.
"Come forth, from the stairs of Heaven, fly thee down, Holy Guardian Beast!"
The bright outline of an animal, if it was even right to call it that, appeared over Zeref and Precht. It let out a deep snarl that shook the ground, causing all the men in the room to practically pee their pants.
"Heavenly Wolf!" The beast fully materialized over Zeref, tendrils of light dancing around it.
"Now, tell me, where is Blue Skull's hideout? Speak now…"
"O-Of course!" The man trembled in fear, afraid for his very life.
Zeref felt a smirk find its way upon his lips, and with a wave of his hand, the wolf and figures disappeared.
"I don't think we'll have a problem, then."
"An illusion? So that giant wolf and those things were just a bluff?" Precht was finally speaking to Zeref, who held a small, triumphant smirk.
"Were you even listening, idiot? The wolf, yes. But those Spirit Guards were the real deal. I know a few other spells, but I'm most trained in illusion magic." Zeref began to grin, excited for what was to come. "With your blades, and my magic, we'll definitely get the Tenrou Jade back."
Zeref ran forward, passed a small girl who looked all too young to be walking through Hargeon alone. However, he payed her no mind.
"We have located the enemy! A town west of here, Magnolia! We must inform the others immediately"
Precht smacked Zeref on the head.
"Stop that racket, fool."
"What the heck, Precht?"
The girl looked down at her feet, a crestfallen expression displayed on her face.
Magnolia, huh? I guess it's fate for me to go there...
"Zeref-nii, how much longer? This is taking forever." Natsu hung off of his brother's arm, a bored expression plastered on his face.
"Indeed. Magnolia is pretty far away." Zeref replied calmly. He was back with his brother, which meant back to the cool and calm guy who wasn't provoked easily.
"I don't see why we have to do this." Yury grumbled, walking behind the brothers with his other two companions.
"Well, you are an idiot. It makes sense." Zeref gave Yury a look, tilting his head back slightly.
"Why you little-!" He ran forward, but Zeref stepped out of the way to examine their location.
"We should camp here for the night."
"Ooh, do you think there are any poison bugs or snakes, Zeref-nii?"
"I don't know."
"I hope so! Those are so cool!"
Yury was still irritated from Zeref's behavior, but with a sigh, stepped up.
"I'mma go look for stuff to use for firewood!" He ran off cheerful, and Zeref glared at him as he went.
"I'll hunt some animals." Precht was short and sweet, and turned and walked away stoically.
"I'm gonna find some edible plants!" Warrod lifted his arms, showing off his muscles, and cheered as he headed into the forest.
Big surprise. Warrod looks like a tree himself, and Precht also seems to fit the "psycho animal killer" type.
"Then I guess I'll stay here and watch camp. Natsu-" Zeref turned to face his little brother, but the idiot had already run off, a large stick in his hands.
"I'll go fish, Zeref-nii!"
"But you can't fish for your life! Be careful!"
Zeref sighed as his spaz of a little brother ran off, before sitting on a tree stump near the clearing where they would settle. If anyone were to come and sneak up on him, they were toast for sure.
"And well, even though I told him not to, Warrod freaking went and moved the stone statue."
"Quit joking around, idiot! You're the one who moved it! I was yelling at you to stop!"
After everyone returned from their tasks, a fire had been set up, and the three treasure hunters began telling stories of past expeditions.
"I doubt that you were anything less, Yury. I'm with Warrod on this one." Yury shouted in protest, but was ignored by the black-haired teenager. "So what happened next?"
"A huge stone fell down into the small passageway." It was Precht who spoke up, still as dull and collected as ever.
"I was pretty damn sure that we weren't gonna make it out of there, at least alive!" Yury laughed, and Warrod smacked him on the back of the head.
"And it would have been your fault, idiot!"
"Treasure hunting seems like a dangerous hobby."
"You betcha, but the profit is worth it, one hundred percent. The Tenrou Jade is an S-Class, secret treasure. If we managed to get our hands on that puppy, we'll have enough money to live the rest of our lives without a care in the world."
Zeref smirked at Yury, who mirrored the expression.
"Remember that the Jade is my island's treasure. Until we get it back we're allies, but after that…I just wanted to remind you."
"Oh? And what's gonna happen?"
"We'll discuss that matter once we get the Tenrou Jade back."
For a second there was silence, but then Warrod broke the thickness that had fallen upon the group.
"Kid, you've never been off of the island before, have you? Just heads up, you shouldn't really be so trusting of people. We're actually-"
"Nah, I can trust you. I can feel it. And besides, I could take you guys down in seconds! Maybe not Precht though…" Zeref gave a small, cocky smile, but his expression became startled as he looked around. "Where did Natsu go? Is he upset that he didn't catch anything? That buffoon… I'll go look for him."
"Oi, wait!" Warrod called out to Zeref, but the boy had already run deep into the forest. Warrod sighed, and turned to his companions.
"Crazy kid. He's interesting though. I like him." Precht said, surprising Warrod and Yury.
"Hey, why don't we just give the Tenrou Jade to Zeref?"
"I've already lost interest in the thing."
"Woah, woah woah!" Yury screamed, interrupting the conversation. "Don't give me that crap! And you call yourselves treasure hunters! I ain't giving up. We're gonna claim the Tenrou Jade, even if we have to beat Zeref to the punch."
Warrod sighed, a small smile on his face.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
The small pink-haired boy sulked in front of the pond, clutching his legs to his chest, staring at the water. Fireflies flew around him, dancing through the air and lighting up the atmosphere.
"Natsu! There you are." The boy looked back to see his older brother, a worried expression on his face.
"Zeref-nii!"
"Are you alright? Why did you run off? Are you upset because you didn't catch anything?"
"No, I was just a little tired." The boy's grip became tighter as his older brother sat down next to him."
"That's understandable. It can be scary to go to new places."
"Zeref-nii, do you remember that day? When Tenrou Island burned…" Natsu muttered, looking off to the side.
"Yes I do. Why are you bringing this up now?"
"Zeref-nii, I almost died, remember? I remember when I woke up, and you were so sad and everyone was gone… And I didn't want anything like that to ever happen again! But out here, it's hard to be close to you. It's scary…It's hard to protect you, Zeref-nii."
"Oh Natsu…" Zeref sighed, a small smile on his lips. "I'm your older brother. It's my job to protect you, you know? And just having you with me is all I want."
"But it's not what I want! I want to be able to keep you safe; I don't care if I'm younger than you! So please Zeref-nii…Teach me magic! Blue Skull, and even those treasure guys scare me a little bit…So please!"
Zeref was incredibly startled by his little brother's declaration, but gave a small laugh.
"Natsu, thank you. I guess you are old enough to begin to learn some magic…"
"Hell yeah!" Natsu stood up, and jumped in the air. "Let's get started with training!"
However, before the boy could do anything else, he tripped on his own shoe and rolled straight into the small pond in front of the brothers. Zeref began to laugh fully, clutching his stomach.
"How about we take a bath, first?"
Natsu, who stood gloomy in the water, stripped out of his clothes, as did his brother. The water was warm and reminded them both of their home, on Tenrou. The two brothers immediately engaged in a splash fight.
"Zeref-nii, I think I know where we can find some fairies!" Natsu said as he splashed his older brother with water.
"Is that so? Then tell me, where?" Zeref said, pausing to listen to his little brother.
Natsu pointed to his chest, a grin on his face.
"Right here. In our hearts!"
Zeref smiled down on his brother, a warm and comforting feeling filling his own heart.
"Yeah!"
"Finally here!" Natsu cheered, running ahead of the group. In the distant horizon was the place they had been traveling to for the last couple of days; Magnolia.
"Woah!" Yury yelled, annoying Zeref who stood next to him.
"Our first priority is to collect intel. Is that understood?" Precht was just as serious as ever, and Zeref waved a hand, dismissing his thoughts.
"Yes, yes, but I must get a look at the Kardia Cathedral."
"Ah, but isn't that just a big ol' church, Zeref-nii? So boring!"
"It certainly isn't boring, Natsu."
"Kardia Cathedral is one of Fiore's three greatest churches. A very long time ago, the Angel Saint Mikardi-"
Precht, who had been informing the black-haired teenager of the place he so wished to see, was interrupted by Yury.
"Hey…Over there…."
The entire group froze and gasped at the sight in front of them. Most of Magnolia's buildings had been destroyed, and even the Cathedral had been partly-damaged. But it was what hovered above the great building that shocked everyone.
"This is…" Zeref gulped, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Blue Skull's dragon."
With its skeletal body wrapped around the Kardia Cathedral, the large dragon worried both of the brothers and the treasure hunters, because, in a way, the large beast represented the struggle they would face, and the strength of the enemy they so desired to defeat.
And that's the end of chapter four! This is actually Fairy Tail Zero Chapters 4 and 5 together. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I thank everyone who read, reviewed, favorited, and followed this story! It gives me so much motivation when I know there are people who appreciate my work.
I hope everyone approves of Zeref's magic. Despite the fact that him and Mavis trained for the same amount of years, because Zeref is older I just think that his body would be able to withstand more, if that make's sense.
I had fun writing this chapter, because I feel like Zeref would be really snarky when Natsu wasn't around. (He wants to set a good example and be that cool older brother, you know?) I also feel like Zeref would be annoyed by Yury a bit. Ah, but that's just how I perceive him.
I hope you all continue to read and enjoy this story, and I thank you all for reading my writing! Mavis and Zeref shall meet soon...
Reviews are welcome!
~K