Titania and The Hunter Chapter 72: Face Yourself x ɟʅǝsɹno ǝɔɐꓞ, a Naruto + Fairy Tail Crossover fanfic

Titania and The Hunter

Chapter 72: Face Yourself x ɟʅǝsɹno⅄ ǝɔɐꓞ

And we're back very soon! To be honest I was thinking about several ways to do this chapter. Wondering if I should adds bits of Mystogan running around or the fight with Faust. But in the end I knew-

This chapter needed to focus on two fights. And the people engaging in them.

########Hunter########

"Say cheese!"

"Mom~, come on!"

"Just one more! This is an important day!"

"Honey-"

"I won't hear it! Our boy graduated from the academy so young, and we will have a commemorative photo! Now say cheese!"

"Cheese."

Despite their protests, Naruto and Minato both smiled as Kushina got up by her son's side and grinned widely as the camera flashed. The image captured both parents proudly standing beside their son after he had graduated from the academy at the early age of 6.

"Ah, my baby!" Kushina gushed as she dropped down and tightly hugged her lightly protesting son, "My baby graduated early! Ah, he's a genius!" She turned to some of the passing villagers, "Hey, my baby boy's a genius!"

"M-Mom-"

"Haha, my baby graduated! Can you believe it?!"

"Kushina, you're a little too excited." Minato was quickly by his wife's side and offered her a paper bag to breathe into before she started hyperventilating. The redhead immediately took it and started taking deep, shuddering breaths to try and calm herself down. As she stood by the side and tried to calm down, Minato knelt at Naruto's level and smiled at his son, "You did it, Naruto. I'm so proud of you."

Naruto blushed at the praise, "It was no big deal." He had spent so long studying and training with his mom and dad when he found the time from his duties as Hokage to assist him. The whiskered child couldn't help but look down at his diploma, certifying that he graduated from his village's ninja academy at such a young age before he grinned, "I'm glad you guys could make it."

"Are you kidding?!" His mother gawked in indignation before joining their side, "There is nowhere I would want to be more than right here celebrating your achievement with you!" She grinned before her eyes widened, "Oh, we need to tell Rin, Kakashi, and Obito too! We can all go out and celebrate your graduation together! You're going to be working with them from now on so it only seems right."

Minato chuckled, "Hey Kushina, I can't make that. I have to go back to my duties at the Hokage's office, remember?"

"Yeah? So?" Kushina shrugged, "We can still go out and celebrate."

Minato looked struck by her words, "Y-You'd celebrate without me! H-How come?!"

"I know you can make a clone to cover some of the work, Minato." Kushina slyly whispered before smirking, "C'mon, our son only graduates once~. Live a little~."

Naruto had to think the strangest part of hearing his mom try to tempt the leader of their village was the fact it seemed to be working. Minato grumbled and closed his eyes before they snapped open, "Oh, I almost forgot! Naruto," He looked down at him, "I bought you some presents for this occasion."

"You did?!"

"Yep! Water, plastic, and inflated balloons!"

…

"Dad, you suck at giving presents."

"You'll need them. And this too." Minato retrieved a scroll and held it out to his son, "Because I'm trusting you with an advanced technique in honor of your graduation."

Naruto took the scroll and pulled it open. As he read the description and instructions on it, he gasped, "Are you serious?!"

"Oh yeah." Minato grinned and patted his head, "Congratulations son, I'm so proud of you for-"

Minato suddenly stopped and looked back in time for several masked ninjas to land kneeling behind him. Anbu by the looks of them. He stood up, "What is it?"

"Hokage-sama, we're sorry to interrupt your celebration but a grave matter is occurring with the other villages."

Naruto looked up at his parents and their dire expressions.

"It seems that war was declared on Konohagakure."

########Hunter########

"RASENGAN!"

Namikaze dug the spiraling orb Jutsu into Uzumaki's chest while he was still open. The blond Fairy's eyes widened in shock and pain as a terrible grinding sensation started to dig into his sternum. He felt his feet lift off the ground and spit fly out of his mouth as he let out a cry of pain-

Before a massive blast sent him flying through the forest, spinning like a top as the vortex carried him for meters through the trees. The black blade in his hand slipped out as he was launched back and Namikaze fell on his butt as he watched his counterpart get sent flying into the darkness.

After taking a moment to catch his breath and after hearing Uzumaki's bodily crashing finally come to an end, he looked down at his right hand. He lifted his left hand into view, focusing and trying to conjure the same power and control in his palm to create another Jutsu. But his chakra failed to mold itself, let alone form finely enough to create his father's complex technique. He sighed, "Well no change on that part. At least I still remember how to do it. Been so damn long since I tried."

He picked himself up and started walking down the furrow he had created through the ground and forest. Following the path of shattered and toppled trees, Namikaze started to speak, "Your observation was right. A long time ago, before Jellal disappeared, he found out about the abilities I could use through chakra. It was a marvel to imagine that in this world where magic is constrained to operation through items and Lacrima, a human could naturally use abilities like mine. Not through magic but through channeling and controlling chakra. An ability I guess he recognized that you could use as well."

Namikaze slowed to a stop and stared at the end of the furrow. A pile of broken trees and bark lay underneath the unconscious Uzumaki. A smoking grind pattern on his chest and a line of blood rolling down his chin while his head hung limply to the side. The scarred blond shook his head, "There is so much I wanted to ask you if I had a chance."

He started to weave hand signs together, "Your last name? How you came to be in your guild? I-I mean you can't help but want to ask another version of yourself how they came to be. There's so much running through my mind that I just needed to know. Unfortunately…" He curled his hand as bolts of blue lightning started to form out of his palm, "We had the misfortunate of opposing each other for what we believed in."

He stood over Uzumaki's unconscious body and raised his hand to strike, "I'm sorry."

His electric hand swiped down to claw into his chest but stopped just a millimeter before making contact. Namikaze hissed in pain as the grip around his wrist tightened so hard that he imagined his bones and joints were creaking under the force. He looked down at his counterpart-

In time to see his razor-focused blue and brown eyes glare back up at him.

"That. Fucking. Hurt!"

########Titania########

"Erza! If you're done over there, then please bring over your basket!"

"Coming Mother!" The little redhead called back as she gathered up the veggies and tossed them into her basket. With a little grunt, the child raised the basket over her head and ran it back to her home. When she spotted her mother she called out, "Mother, here you go!"

"Thank you, dear." Her mother thanked her with a warm smile. She took the box from Erza, her long braided scarlet hair bouncing at her side as she set the box on top of another and looked at everything inside, "Did you pick this all yourself?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Heh, you're so great, Erza. You'll make quite the little farmer someday."

Erza beamed a smile of joy at her mother's praise. She then turned and looked back at the fields that lay across their farm, "Mother, I saw magical machines that automatically pulled the harvest and furrowed the fields when we traveled by the city. Why don't we use a machine like that?"

Her mother smiled sadly and gently patted her head, "Oh sweetie, I've wondered the same thing for a long time. This job would be a lot easier if we had a machine like that. Most jobs would benefit from being able to use magic more freely."

"Then why can't they?"

"Because King Faust and the Royal Army are restricting the usage of magic all across Edolas." Her mother looked up at one of the flying islands that floated in view of their farm. With an exhausted sigh she shook her head, "One day this world will lose all of its magic, and when that happens, we don't know what we'll do after that."

Erza looked up at her mother, "Are we going to lose the magic soon, Mother?"

"Oh no, dear." She knelt by her daughter and pointed to the islands, "Those floating islands signal the amount of magic we still have in the world. When I was your age, they were even higher than they are now. But constant and unrestricted use of magic has caused our source to wane over the years. And even though the Royal Army is restricting various magics around the world, the magic they're using in capitals and cities isn't making it any easier."

Erza hummed and continued to stare up at the sky. After a moment she smiled and looked up at her mom, "Mother!" She looked down at her, "One day I want to give everyone in the world the chance to use magic! And I want to make sure we can enjoy it for as long as possible!"

Her mother smiled and gently ran a hand through her hair, "You are so kind, Erza. Never lose that kindness, no matter what you might face in your life."

Erza just smiled and accepted her mother's affection while looking up at the sky and the rocks. She enjoyed the sight of the creatures flying and the clouds gathering. It looks like a large cluster of them was swirling around overhead.

Erza's eyes widened, "What's that?"

Her mother looked up, "Oh, what a strange cloud formation?"

"No! No! That! Something came out of the clouds!"

Somehow Erza had spotted the small dot falling from the clouds and careening toward the ground. Erza suddenly started running in the direction of the falling object, ignoring her mother's warning as she ran between the crops and towards the forest.

A giant bird swooped in and nabbed the thing midair, probably planning to eat it. Before for some reason it cawed in pain and released its catch back towards the forest. Erza charged in as quickly as her little legs could take her and into the large trees. She looked around, seeing a path of disheveled leaves and broken branches rain down from the treetops. Following its path, the little redhead found a cornucopia of large glowing mushrooms along the trees. And the ident inside the largest one that had bounced off the thing that hit it.

What looked to be…an unconscious blond boy? With whiskers?

"Erza!" Her mother called out as she quickly followed her into the forest and found her, "You can't just run into the forest alone! It's dangerous to…w-what?"

"Mother, it's a boy!" She said as she quickly looked him over, "I think he's hurt!"

########Titania########

"HA!"

The identical redheads charged at each other and crossed blades in an explosive shockwave of power. They immediately turned their weapons back on each other and attacked, stepping in and retreating whenever it was necessary while exchanging blows with their counterpart. Every stray swing and slash that was parried or riposted seemed to slice apart the ruins and stones around them. With one last clash, they knocked each other back-

Knightwalker spun her spear around and lunged forward as it shifted, "Gravity Core!"

Scarlet immediately changed into her Heavenly Wheel and slashed at the incoming attack, "Pentagram!"

The powerful exchange of attacks canceled each other out and left both redheads open. Knightwalker immediately took the initiative, shifting her spear again into a flaming and freezing spear instead, "Blue Crimson!"

Scarlet leaped back to avoid the contrasting attacks from landing, her wings spreading out behind her as she lifted off and started to fly. Knightwalker persisted, spinning her spears around and sending waves of ice and fire toward the Fairy Queen.

Scarlet flew back and weaved through the air, narrowly avoiding her opponent's attacks. As she flew across the island, she used the trees and ruins atop it to block the path of Knightwalker's attack. Flashes of fire rushed through the ruins as waves of ice covered the nature that grew up and spread through it. All the while Scarlet flew and dove and avoided her counterpart's attacks while spiking spare blades her way.

Knightwalker's assault had to stop as she swatted away and destroyed all the blades being spiked in her direction. And in that moment of reprieve, Scarlet swooped down and prepared to attack her again. Kngihtwalker's spears fused in a shine of light, "Silfarion!"

Scarlet glowed and appeared in a giant, bulky armor, "Adamantine Armor!"

As the Fairy Hunter disappeared in a burst of speed and slashed at her doppelgänger, the Fairy Queen's armor weathered the storm of attacks coming from all directions. Scarlet's weight and mass made her drop straight toward the ground and cause a crater to form when she slammed into the island.

Knightwalker landed on a ruin and crouched atop a column as she stared at the dust cloud that had been kicked up. As she stared at it intensely, her grip tightened on the shaft of her Ten Commandments until her glove started to creak under the stress.

The wind finally blew the dust away and revealed Scarlet standing in the center in a new set of armor. She raised her head to look up at her counterpart as her scarlet hair billowed out of the way of her eyes.

The identical pair were staring daggers at each other waiting for the chance to attack.

They dashed at each other and crossed weapons once again.

########Hunter########

Smoke…a-and ash. The taste of something terrible in his mouth. It felt like such a monumental effort just to breathe. What had hit him? Something had hit him, hadn't it?

It was a big explosion he had been caught up in. This instant it happened his reflexes kicked into gear, helping him brace himself and avoid any rubble that came flying his way. He hadn't avoided everything, and from the pain in his head and body, he took the brunt of something while he dodged.

And now he…he wasn't sure where he was. He opened his eyes and saw a blurry image rush by.

"-ruto!"

"Sta- -h us!"

The voices pierced through the groggy haze in his mind and he tried to focus. He could see a yellow blur and a red blur around him as the surroundings rushed around in an unclear mess. Were-were they running? Were these the trees and forests by Konoha?

"How'd the- -et so close?!"

"I'm no- -pel them back!"

Were they running? Running away? No, they were proud ninjas and even the Hokage of Konohagakure. They wouldn't run. So then they were probably getting some space to strategize and consider their next move. And considering he was injured and couldn't stand…they were probably figuring out where they could stash him safely to focus on the fight.

He felt a sharp spike of pain as he was lying on the ground. The floor? He was somewhere where they wouldn't have to worry about his safety. He must have let out some kind of noise because the two hazes seemed to hesitate and crowd around him. His eyes slowly opened and closed, hearing the muffles of them speaking but not quite recognizing the words.

He felt a soft hand rub his cheek and another gently tussle his hair. And just as quickly they were gone. He wanted them back so badly but he looked up and saw the two colors make their way away and back to the village. To fulfill their duties as the proud ninjas of the village.

He had overheard his father many times talking about the tensions with other villages. How the Third Great Ninja War had never been resolved but merely mellowed out. However, there were always rising tensions and problems discerning borders between the countries. In the end, things steadily ramped up over a long period. His father deduced that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes but could never find proof of it. And now it led to this…

An invasion and attack on Konoha. A sudden rush of enemy forces charged into the village to overwhelm them. And dropping giant summons and tailed monsters into the heart of the village to attack it.

As Naruto tried to focus and lift himself, his eyes fluttered open and close. And each time they did he lost more of his sense of time. Sometimes it felt like only an instant between times when he closed his eyes…and sometimes it felt like an eternity.

He saw flames rise from the village. Giant shadows loom over the buildings and attack each other. The ground seemed to tremble every few moments as beams and blasts flew off in every direction.

Naruto wasn't sure how long it had been when he opened his eyes again and found himself carried in the giant hands of the nine-tailed fox. He groaned, "M-Mom?"

"Kushina took a hard hit, kid. We both did. Fuck! It's hard to move when you're missing tails and a fucking leg!"

"D-Dad?" He muttered, "What about Dad?" Kyūbi didn't answer as he continued to run through the forest, "What-"

"He fought for his village. Did what he thought was right. We needed to focus on getting you out of here."

"N-No!" Naruto called out, "I can't leave. My parents-"

"Want you out of here!" Kyūbislid to a stop and growled as shadows started coming their way. Multiple giant monsters the same size as him, "That was their last request, kid. To get you out of here alive."

"B-But-"

"No arguing." Kyūbi prepared to fight them off and protect him before a bright light started to shine around the area.

Naruto could only see giant swirling clouds forming around a light in the sky. And he felt a strange, weak tug while under that light.

"This world's gone to shit." Kyūbi grunted, "And there's nothing left here to fight for. Konoha…your parents…I promised I'd keep you alive and safe kid…" He looked out at the other tailed beasts surrounding them, "And I can't do that here."

Naruto felt like he was being lifted and raised toward the sky. Closer to the light…

"I hope you find peace and safety…somewhere other than here…"

The light was blinding…and then it was dark…

And when he opened his eyes again…and saw flashes of red hair-

"MOM!"

"OW!"

He shot up in surprise and slammed his forehead into an unfamiliar redhead girl that was hovering over him while he slept. He groaned and rubbed his head, "W-Wha-"

"Hey!" The girl cried out while rubbing her head, "You didn't need to shoot up like that! That hurt! Mother! The boy is awake!"

As Naruto looked around in confusion at the small home he now found himself in, a taller and older woman with similar scarlet hair emerged from the kitchen in an apron. She smiled in relief, "Good, you're finally awake. You've been asleep for days. Your injuries were so bad we needed to call a doctor to come to check on you."

Naruto looked around in utter confusion, "W-Where are my mom and dad?"

"Sorry, but you were the only one we found."

"What about Konoha?! What happened to the Hokage?!"

Both mother and daughter looked at each other in confusion, "Hokage?"

"Konoha?"

Naruto's panic and dread started to reach a breaking point and he pulled himself out of the bed. He tumbled to the floor and the duo looked ready to help him up but he quickly got to his feet. The young boy pushed through the pain and rushed through the door to get outside.

And saw a vast land, under a different sky, with a new sun and moon, with islands floating high in the air.

"You fell from the sky. Through a cloud with light building up inside it. And you fell not too far away from our farm." The little girl said as she stopped behind him, "You're in Edolas. We've never heard of a Konoha or Hokage before."

He fell to his knees and sobbed silently as he tried to understand what was happening. But no matter how long he tried to figure it out, he couldn't comprehend what was around him. All he knew…all he could tell…

Was that it wasn't a dream. And neither were the things he remembered before he fell asleep. His parents and village were gone. And now he was…

Naruto could only weep quietly as he hung his head.

########Hunter########

Uzumaki's grip nearly shattered Namikaze's wrist as he pulled on his counterpart to stand back up. Despite reaching his feet the blond Fairy nearly buckled over and clutched the ground wound on his chest, "Son of a bitch!" He hissed, "Ahh, that stings!"

"Let go!" Namikaze's foot swung up and forced Uzumaki to lean back to avoid a strike on the chin. The Royal Army soldier turned on his foot, bringing his knee down on the Fairy's arm and weakening his grip enough to pull himself out. Once he was free he jumped back to gain some distance and rubbed his wrist, "Your grip is ridiculous."

"Yeah well, that technique hurts way too much." The S-Class Mage tried to catch his breath before frowning at his double, "What the hell was that attack anyway?"

"The Rasengan. Our father's jutsu, remember?"

"What?"

"What, did he not create the jutsu in your world?"

"You…we had a dad?"

Namikaze stopped rubbing his wrist and looked up at his counterpart in surprise. His mouth thinned into a straight line, "The Kyūbi helped transport me to this world through the Anima. How did you end up in your world?"

"Kurama."

"What?"

"His name isn't Kyūbi…it was Kurama." His hand rested over his stomach, "He told me that was his real name."

…

A moment of pause came between the identical blonds as they looked at each other. In the heat of the battle, they focused on their missions and what they had to do. But right now it was truly starting to hit them…

This was another version of them. Someone so similar yet so different. Whose only physical changes were different colored eyes or scars along the face. And yet whose histories differed so much that it was mind-boggling trying to comprehend.

"There is…so much I want to ask. So much I want to talk with you about."

"I'm sure you have the same questions I do."

…

"But…"

"Yeah…"

They immediately dropped back into fighting stances.

Whatever they were curious about or wanted to know didn't matter in the end. They both had something more important to see through right now.

With a roar, both men charged at each other and struck.

########Titania########

"Lily, are you sure it's alright to fly like this? If it makes you tired I could have come out on a Legion."

"We don't yet know the legitimacy of this claim, do we, Prince? I know you wanted to investigate it yourself so that not too much attention would be drawn to this matter, but we were only able to convince the king because I promised to guard you. I'm quite alright coming out here with you."

"Well yes," The little blue-haired prince looked over the back he sat on as the Exceed flew them through the sky, "But are you okay with me sitting on you? Aren't I heavy?"

"Heh, I'm quite alright carrying your weight and more, My Prince."

"Well, you are built like a boulder so I shouldn't be too surprised." The young prince chuckled before looking down from their view in the sky, "I think that's it."

They spotted a farm from high overhead and Pantherlily steadily descended until they reached the ground. Jellal carefully jumped off the Exceed's back as his wings vanished behind him and the Exceed followed him up to the farmhouse. As they approached they saw a little red-haired girl about Jellal's age sitting on the porch. As she was busy sorting through the produce they farmed, she looked up at them curiously, "Who are you guys?"

"Hi, we received a call from Irene Knightwalker that there was someone here of interest." The young boy then introduced themselves, "This is Pantherlily, and I am Prince Jellal of Edolas."

"You're a prince?" The girl asked, "You don't look like a prince. The princes in the stories are always tall and handsome and older. But you're scrawny and a kid."

"W-Well I'll grow up to be those things." He petulantly said, "And you're a kid too!"

She seemed suspicious of the two new arrivals even as the tall Exceed chuckled at their exchange. She called out, "Mother, some kid calling himself the prince is here!"

Moments later her mother emerged, drying her hands and smiling pleasantly at the duo, "Ah, My Prince, I'm glad to see you. I hope my daughter hasn't been hassling you too much."

"He's a Prince?!" The little redhead quickly stood up and bowed her head respectfully with her mother, "Sorry I called you scrawny and a kid!"

"It's alright." Jellal smiled up at the older woman, "It's nice to finally meet you, Lady Irene. Father's labs and research teams have sorely missed your brilliance among their numbers."

She chuckled, "I have long since moved past that part in my life, Jellal-sama. Now I am content combing the fields of the country with my daughter." Her hand gently settled on her girl's head and carefully rubbed her hair. Her expression became more focused as she looked to her noble visitors, "The matter I addressed in my letter…he's inside."

Erza followed her mother as Jellal and Pantherlily did as well. They walked down the hall and stood by the spare room that housed their unwanted guest. The door opened and they looked inside-

To find the blond boy sitting on the ceiling with the same picture he had been staring at for days since his arrival.

The whiskered boy looked down at the mother-daughter pair, as well as the stunned two newcomers that joined them. Storing his picture back in his scroll, he hid it in a seal on his arm and then released his chakra grip on the ceiling. He dropped back to the ground and asked with a dour expression, "Who are these guys?"

"H-How-" Pantherlily stuttered, "You were just up on the ceiling!"

"And you stored a picture on a scroll and then the scroll in your arm." Jellal looked intrigued as he looked at the blond boy, "How did you do that?"

"I have chakra. I heard you have magic tools you use in this world so I'm sure that's not a term you're familiar with."

"But it's an energy you conjure from inside yourself, is it not?" Jellal rubbed his chin, "Fascinating."

"Who are you anyway?"

"He's the Prince of Edolas!" Erza quickly piped up, "I didn't know either because he's so scrawny but it's true!"

"Oh, a Prince?" The young visitor looked Jellal over, "Sorry if I'm not showing the right response or respect that's expected of a royal. I don't know your customs or-"

"No, it's fine." Jellal quickly spoke up, "You came here from another world, right? Through a hole in the sky and clouds? That's what we heard, correct?" The blue-haired prince paused before stating, "I think the reason you are here…is because of a project my father and his team were working on."

His eyes widened, "What?"

"My father, the king of Edolas, has been striving to find a way to prolong the longevity of our magic source. My whole family has for as long as we can remember. One of those methods involves absorbing magic from other worlds. Through a portal from our world to theirs. The Anima." Jellal admitted, "I believe that is what brought you here."

"You guys brought me here?!" He asked anxiously while looking between the Prince and his guard, "Then can you get me back?"

Jellal's conflicted expression didn't inspire much hope, "It should be possible…but I'm not sure how plausible it will be."

"W-What does that mean?"

"We use the Anima to absorb the ambient magical energy in the atmosphere of other worlds. We've got some but…honestly, the amount is so minuscule that we can barely break even. We have to take from multiple worlds continuously. So much so that we haven't monitored or logged the coordinates of the other worlds we absorb from. Some of them don't even have ambient magical energy for us to absorb. And I believe one of them might have been your world. The only reason we know you were here was because it was a different reaction to the regular magical power we process through the Anima."

Naruto stumbled back and sat on his bed, "You can't get me home?"

"No, because I said I'll try." Jellal stepped forward as the blond boy hung his head, "It was our eagerness to draw in magic that caused you to come here. So I have to help you find a way home."

"Don't bother." Naruto mumbled as he shook his head, "Even if I did get home, I don't think I have a home to go to. My village, a-and my parents. They were already…"

Jellal was left speechless and he looked back at Pantherlily in surprise. The tall Exceed's expression was pinched before he stepped forward and knelt by Naruto's post on the bed. Even then he still had to look down as the crestfallen boy looked up at him, "Even when your home is gone…and there isn't a place to go back to…I promise you that it's not the end of the world. It might not seem like it right now…but you can find another place to call home. Another place to feel comfortable and safe."

Lily's words hung in the air for a moment before Naruto lowered his head again. The Exceed looked back to his charge and sullenly shook his head-

Until Erza stepped up from the side and slapped Naruto across the head. He yelped and held his head in shock as everyone else watched in silence as she spoke, "What is wrong with you? You're getting a chance to find the answer for yourself! And all you can do is sit there and mope?"

"What answer am I looking for? I already know my family is gone. There's nothing else I can do-"

"They'd want you to keep trying, right?" Erza pouted at him, "My mother would be upset if she left me alone and I didn't do anything. If I simply sat, moping about the memory of her, and waiting for nothing to change, I know I would be disappointing her. And if your parents saw you just sit alone and be sad in a room by yourself, don't you think they'd be sad too?"

"…"

"Your Highness," Erza looked back at Jellal, "If you're going to take him anywhere, I think you need to take me along. I'll make sure he acts properly. Eats his food. Dresses himself. The basic stuff expected of a human."

"W-What?!" Naruto indignantly squawked, "I don't need your help doing those things!"

"Yes, you do." Erza argued, "I've been doing that pretty much the whole time you've been here."

"T-That was just because I was upset!"

"And you're not going to be upset anymore?" When Naruto opened his mouth and struggled to answer, Erza nodded, "Then it's decided. I guess I'll still need to be your caretaker."

"I don't need a babysitter!"

"You do."

Lily leaned in towards Irene, "Quite the little firecracker you have there."

She sighed with a hand to her cheek, "Uh, more like a fire starter honestly. I hope His Highness doesn't think them too rowdy to deal with now."

Lily looked down at his young charge and the growing excitement on his face as he saw kids his age argue and bark at each other at the prospect of coming to his castle.

"I wouldn't worry."

########Titania########

The Ten Commandments swung down and into the stone, pinning both swords in Scarlet's hands down to the rock. And when she looked up, it was in time to see Knightwalker spin around the polearm of her weapon and kick for her face.

Scarlet released her sword and jumped back to avoid the kick to her face. The moment she had the distance she summoned more swords and charged back in.

Knightwalker swung her spear and sent the two blades she pinned flying at her doppelgänger. Scarlet quickly knocked them out of the air and then rushed in with both swords raised over her head. She brought them down on the polearm of the spear and the shockwave of their clash spread over the entire area.

As both women pushed and struggled to beat the other in physical strength, their eyes met and they stared at their mirror image.

"We won't stop." Knightwalker grumbled through gritted teeth, "Our dream is not one we can simply abandon after one failure."

"And we won't stop fighting." Scarlet returned, "As long as you put my guild and friends in danger then I will never lay down my sword. I'd suggest dropping your weapon and accepting that but…"

"Right." Knightwalker nodded, understanding her point, "We wouldn't be Erza-"

"If we weren't stubborn and hardheaded."

With that realization, it became clear that there was only one way to end this.

Complete and total defeat.

"Million Suns."

Knightwalker's spear shined brightly. So bright that Scarlet was nearly blinded in its proximity. Her eyes quickly shut themselves and she tried to shield herself from the brilliant light.

And couldn't see Knightwalker reel her spear back and attack while she was open.

########Hunter########

Naruto touched the seal on his arm and his scroll popped out of a puff of smoke.

The lab rats all gasped and started to jot down data as they watched, "Absolutely fascinating!"

"Remarkable!"

"Do you think we could replicate the effect with Lacrima?"

Jellal chuckled as he and Erza watched from the side with Boro and Faust. He leaned in towards the redhead, "He's quite popular."

Erza nodded, "Yes but after you've seen him do it a few times it loses its surprise factor. He'll have to show them more of his wall-sticking to get them intrigued."

"The whole thing is amazing beyond belief, child." Boro stated with a chuckle, "A human with an internal power source separate from magic. Like an Exceed but akin to us. It's mind-boggling to believe there are others like him covering a whole new world."

"One without magic. I suppose they made due." Faust said with a grumble before he turned and walked away, "However we are still faced with the problem of our scarcity of magic."

"Father, I would also try to find Naruto's home world so that we may return him to where he came from." Jellal spoke up, "I gave my word as the Prince that I would do everything in my power to try and get him home."

"…"

"Father?"

"This may not have been the plan…but being able to bring people to our world with Anima…" Faust whispered, "There may still be hope for us yet."

########Hunter########

Namikaze kicked off Uzumaki's foot as it came swinging in from below. He went sailing back through the air and landed on the side of a tree before remaining there with his chakra. The Oración Seis leader looked up and quickly jumped aside as a bright blast of magic decimated the spot where he once stood.

"Dammit!" Uzumaki cursed as he continued to throw a barrage of punches with his Armor magic that sailed through the air and felled the trees in its path, "Shit!" He yelled as he threw his punches even faster, "Stop dodging!"

"And let you hit me?! No chance!" Namikaze barked back as he leaped through the air as trees started falling behind him. His hands blurred together in a series of hand signs before he took a deep breath, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A giant ball of fire rushed out of his mouth and enveloped everything below. Uzumaki had to quickly jump aside and land in a tree as he saw the sea of flames settle and spread through the forest, "What the fuck?! Do you spit fire?! Are you trying to give Natsu a run for his money?!"

"Never got to learn more of the advanced jutsu before I came here. But what I did learn matches with my chakra nature pretty well." His hands blurred with signs again before he launched his right hand forward covered in electricity, "Lightning Style: Thunderclap Arrow!"

Uzumaki jumped aside and avoided the bolt aiming right for his head and through the tree. He landed on the ground and smirked, "That's pretty cool, but compared to another lightning bastard I know, you're coming up pretty short. And if it's blowing things out of your mouth…" He took a deep breath before he blew out a sharp blast of wind, "Tempest Wave!"

Namikaze's eyes widened and he jumped off the tree as the rush of wind cut through the top. He landed on the ground against the light of the flames he raised and stared at his counterpart in confusion, "Was that your chakra? Was that a jutsu? How did you do it without hand signs?"

"I practice molding and forming it without them."

"B-But I've never seen that before!"

"Yeah, Hashi-Ji said he always thought it was restrictive to think that only hand signs were the way to control chakra."

"Who the hell is Hashi-Ji?!" Namikaze seethed and quickly caught his breath, "Talking with you is infuriating." His hand signs flowed in an instant and his chest swelled again, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Several smaller fireballs curved through the air and slammed against Uzumaki much faster than the giant fireball from earlier. Namikaze remained on guard as he stared at the raging fires that consumed his doppelgänger.

The fire suddenly intensified and swirled around before shooting forward in a blazing pillar. Namikaze quickly jumped aside and watched the burning pillar sear through everything in its path. He looked back toward the source of the fire and saw the flames coalesce around a white-hot saber in Uzumaki's hands.

"Pretty cool that you spit fire," He swung his dragon sword down at his side with a smirk, "But I bet you can't make flames like this! Blazing Dragon Tail!" With a slash, he sent a wave of flames at his counterpart who quickly had to jump and flip away. Before he landed Uzumaki immediately sent more and more flaming slashes at his opponent to catch him off guard.

Namikaze couldn't evade for much longer and had to retreat through the downed trees and burning forest. Uzumaki reigned back the flames on his dragon sword before running ahead to give chase, "If you think running away will end this fight then you've made a huge-"

The bright shine of something in the darkness along with the crackle of electricity caused him to pause. And as his eyes widened he raised his dragon sword to defend himself while buffing his arms with Armor-

In time for a blur to rush through the flames and unleash a dozen blinding slashes.

His dragon sword shattered into pieces in an instant.

And even though his magic guarded against the worst of it, Uzumaki still felt numerous shallow cuts open along his arms.

He hissed and looked back to see his doppelgänger slowly turn back to face him. His right hand was covered in lighting and molded to form an edge like a blade.

The other hand held Uzumaki's black sword that he had dropped while getting blown away by that spiral jutsu.

He narrowed his eyes at the soldier, "That's mine."

He shrugged to the Fairy Mage, "Then you should have held onto it."

########Titania########

Erza was surprised at how comfortable she had gotten walking among the halls of the castle after so many years. When she first arrived as just a child she was awestruck at the majesty of the giant spire and its stunning view. But now that she was a young woman, she viewed the castle much like a second home. She had spent so much time here purveying the walls, training with the soldiers, and speaking with the people of the Royal Army that the castle had much the same charm to her as the farm did when she went to visit.

Her mother seemed reluctant to her choice in joining the Royal Army. But even though she didn't quite approve she did accept Erza's choice and wished her the best of luck as she stayed in the castle. Both she and Naruto had taken up positions of apprenticeship under Pantherlily and learned the ropes of what it took to be a soldier.

Naruto had prior training from his village and quickly made an impression with his abilities. Erza lacked that prior training, but something deep inside her refused to stand aside and let him get better and leave her in the dust. And soon she was setting records and accomplishments as well.

Pantherlily said they had the potential to lead the Royal Army better than it had ever been led before. Erza suggested to Naruto that they compete to see who should earn that honor, and he seemed excited to see it through as well.

She wasn't sure at what point it had happened over the years, but he seemed to accept that this place could be his new home. She still found him staring at that old picture of him and his family now and then, but it wasn't in desperate longing or depression anymore. He seemed to just miss his parents…as anyone would after losing a loved one. But he also seemed to accept that Edolas could be a place to live now. A world he could call his own and be happy with others in.

For some reason that made her chest feel a little lighter.

As she walked along, she spotted a head of blue hair standing at a railing and looking out over the city. She immediately stood at attention, "Good evening, Your Highness. A pleasure to see you again." She waited for a response but didn't get one. She looked over and saw him still staring out into space, "Your Highness?" When she noticed the pensive expression on his face she approached, "Jellal?"

"Huh?" That seemed to draw him out of his thoughts as he stepped away from the rail, "Oh, hello Erza. Are you done with your training today?"

She saluted, "Pantherlily has up stepped away for the evening for scouting of the city. Your Highness, is something the matter?"

"You could tell?" Jellal tried to smile but it didn't quite reach the rest of his face, "I think… I think I just realized that my father may be trying to do something. Something he says is for the good of the nation…but I can't help but think it will be a terrible burden to place upon all the people of the world."

"Your Highness?"

Jellal thought deeply for a moment before looking to Erza, "Erza, will you always look after this land? I know things always seem dire in Edolas, but I believe all of us can make it through this. It isn't magic that is important or must be preserved…but the people. That's what I've always believed."

"O-Of course I will, Your Highness!"

"Good," Jellal smiled and nodded before stepping away, "I wish you luck on your outing. I'll be sure to greet you three again on your arrival."

Erza wasn't certain what was on his mind as he left, but she felt like she had joined a conversation partway through. Before she could ask him to elaborate on what was concerning him, she had to meet Naruto and Lily for their training. And by the time they arrived back in the castle the next morning…

It was to the terrible news that Jellal had gone missing…and was presumed dead.

########Titania########

Even though she had been temporarily blinded, Scarlet's fighting instincts warned her to raise her sword. And as she guarded her face she felt the full force of Knightwalker's spear thrust against her steel.

"What?! How did you-"

Scarlet's hand whipped out and grabbed Knightwalker's wrist before she could gain some distance, "I'm sure you're not used to prey that fights back. But I'm more than familiar with handling fools and dirty tactics." She brought the hilt of her sword up and slammed the pommel into Knightwalker's jaw, disorienting her for a moment before kicking her away. She glowed bright and appeared in her Lightning Empress Armor with her spear in hand. With a mighty roar she lunged forward and slammed the tip of her spear into Knightwalker's chest, "And I deal with fools like that the same way!"

"GAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Knightwalker screeched as lightning rushed through every inch of her body before she was sent flying back and crashing into the ground.

Lightning sparked off Scarlet's spear as she stood strong and pointed her weapon at her beaten counterpart, "You won't defeat me. It doesn't matter what tricks or desperate maneuvers you resort to!" Her eyes slowly opened as her vision returned and she glared at the smoke cloud Knightwalker rested in, "It is my duty as a Fairy Tail member to protect and watch out for my guild! And to stop anyone that would try to hurt them! And I refuse to fail or fall while I'm protecting what I love!"

…

"So you expect me to give up on what I love? Are you expecting me to fail or fall while I'm protecting what matters the most to me?"

A shadow stood up from the ground and appeared in the dust cloud. The shine of her spear broke through as her voice dropped low and growled, "What do you know of desperation? Of fighting and clawing for even one damn solution to a problem that seems never-ending and suffocating?"

The light of the spear faded away…into a twisted and jagged weapon.

Scarlet's eyes widened when the dust burst apart as Knightwalker lunged straight toward her. She raised her weapon in defense-

Only for her spear to be shredded to pieces in an instant.

Quickly followed by her armor that was peeled away with bits of flesh and blood.

Scarlet's mouth opened in silent pain before she stared up at her doppelgänger.

Knightwalker's eyes were wreathed in anger and hatred. And the spear in her hand had turned black, jagged, and almost fully twisted by the blade. The blade shined under the sun as she growled out, "Sacrifar. I was warned that the damages this spear could do to a user with prolonged exposure to it could be damning, but considering what's at stake…" She raised it, "What sacrifice wouldn't I make?"

Ruins and trees were blown apart from the ferocity of their battle. More explosions and toppling structures littered the body of the floating island. Cracks even started to appear along the side of its body.

Knightwalker held the bloody and bruised Scarlet up by her neck. Even as the pain from using Sacrifar caused her muscles and veins to bulge in her arm, she said, "Nothing. Will stop us. From achieving eternal magic."

########Hunter########

Naruto sat in his chambers and let his mind drift.

It was a beautiful service broadcast to everyone in the world after the first anniversary of his death. Many people were heartbroken at the news. The kind and beloved young prince was gone and people were still left to mourn his passing.

But for Naruto…one of his dearest friends was gone from his life.

All the years spent with Jellal and Erza getting accustomed to this new world helped him overcome the worst pain he had ever experienced.

The kindness of taking him in. Showing him around Edolas. Finding a purpose and place to call home.

Naruto realized…he would never be able to pay him back for that kindness.

With a knocking on his door, Naruto sat up from his bed, "It's open."

The door slowly swung open to reveal Boro…

And King Faust.

"Your Majesty!" Naruto immediately stood to attention, "I'm sorry for not getting the door! If I knew it was you-"

"At ease, Namikaze. There's nothing to apologize for." Faust stepped in, his stave clicking against the floor before he reached the bed and sat down. As he patted the space by his side and Boro closed the door, Naruto sat down next to the king, "It's been a year now since he vanished."

Naruto solemnly nodded, "Yeah, I still can't believe he's gone."

"It's tragic to think that with him gone…I have no heir. The Edolas royal line ends…with me. And with it our dream for more magic for everyone as well."

Naruto looked up at Faust, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But your dream of eternal magic is a dream we all share. One that will persist on even after we're gone."

"But our methods to prolong the magic supply are becoming less and less effective." Faust rested his chin on his stave, "The longer we wait, the worst it becomes. We need to find a solution."

"We need alternatives." Boro spoke up, "If magic is a waning resource then we need a different source of power. One people can draw on and use for themselves as the magic starts to fail us."

Naruto looked between Boro and Faust quizzically. But as the pieces started to click in, he looked down at his hands and back up, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry but my chakra isn't enough to replace magic for the world. And the other people of the world can't use that kind of energy."

"Yet." Boro stipulated, "The possibilities are still yet untapped because all we have done is…touch the surface of what your energy could accomplish. We need a more thorough examination. Harder work. And we need your help."

Naruto looked to Faust, who simply closed his eyes and sighed before looking at him, "We need your help, Namikaze. Will you let us try and learn more about your chakra?"

This was quite a big ask. He wasn't sure what it entailed to research his chakra so they could find a way to use it.

But if he did help…maybe he could start repaying the debt to Edolas for taking him in and letting him call it home.

Naruto's eyes became focused with resolve as he nodded, "Of course."

########Hunter########

"Rumbling Earth!"

Uzumaki slammed his cleaver down and sent a tidal wave of broken rock out. A wave that was immediately shredded apart by a black sword and a lightning hand. Namikaze rushed through the destruction and charged at his alternate self with killer intent.

Uzumaki jumped aside and avoided his direct path as he summoned his water sword in hand and thrust it forward, "Raging Stream!"

Namikaze jumped over the pressurized stream of water coming out of his blade and even stepped on it to lunge across and cover the distance. The blond Fairy swung out with his dragon swords and watched them get reduced to scraps by Namikaze's blades.

The identical blonds were immediately facing each other and launching attacks at each other. Uzumaki released punches of solid magic at Namikaze who used the flat of the black blade to block against them. The sword swung out and Uzumaki leaned back to avoid it before he had to jerk aside to avoid the lighting blade that tried to cleave into his chest.

The blond Fairy was forced on the back foot as his doppelgänger gave chase and swung his blades with lethal proficiency. The glint of the black blade and the crackle of the electricity followed each other without reprieve or even a moment's hesitation. Uzumaki knew if he hesitated or slipped up then that would be the end.

But still-

He lunged forward and caught the black blade between his palms, "Requip!" His strongest sword returned into his separate magical space and Namikaze was so stunned by his sudden loss of weapon he was left open for a powerful punch under the ribs from the S-Class Mage, "HA!"

"GAH!" Namikaze grunted and flinched before immediately pushing the pain down and roaring with a jab of his hand. The whiskered Fairy slipped by his lightning hand and grabbed his wrist before he had to guard against the left hand that followed, "You bastard!"

"Is there a reason you aren't using this lightning ability over both hands?" Uzumaki asked as Namikaze narrowed his eyes, "Can you not do it with both?"

"Shut up!" He kicked off the Fairy's chest and out of his grasp before weaving more hands signs, "Clone Jutsu!"

"What?!" He looked up in shock as two more versions of Namikaze popped into existence. Uzumaki clicked his teeth and raised his guard as all three versions of Namikaze dropped down on him with lightning hands, "Bring it on you sonuva-"

Only for all three of them to pop and fade away before even reaching him.

Uzumaki's eyes widened in realization and he quickly twisted around-

In time for Namikaze's lightning-coated hand to thrust forward and dig into his shoulder, just barely missing his heart.

"AHHHH!"

"I'm sorry about your people and your guild," Namikaze said as he struggled to push his hand further in while Uzumaki gripped his arm through the pain. Even so, the scarred soldier gritted his teeth and persisted, "But for the sake of Edolas they are just one last sacrifice to make!"

########Titania########

"Try and close your hand."

"G-Grgh, a-ah!"

"Stop!" Erza quickly demanded as he stopped trying to make a fist with his left hand. With a hiss, his fingers started uncurling around the bandages that covered his forearm up to his palm. She looked down at his bandaged hand, "I can't believe you let this happen."

"I didn't think it would turn out like this, Erza."

"You can barely move your hand!"

"That's just because the pain is fresh. I can still feel it and it'll be working again in no time."

"Can you even use chakra in this hand anymore?"

Naruto didn't answer…turning his head away in silence instead of looking at her.

Erza's mouth tightened in a frown before she shook her head, "You can't do this again. You can't agree to this experiment."

"The next round of testing will be tomorrow."

"You can't use your damn hand, Naruto! At this rate, you'll be crippled trying to let them examine and extract parts of your chakra network! You need to-"

"I can't!" Naruto barked back, silencing the redhead's panicked order. He stared down at his bandaged hand and gently squeezed it, "This is how I can help the kingdom. How I can help it survive even after he is gone."

…

Erza marched away and ignored Naruto's calls to her. She charged down the hall with purpose and intent. With her pulse growing faster and her breathing becoming sharper, she stormed into the throne room. She spotted Faust on his throne and Boro discussing something with him close by, "Knightwalker, what-"

"You have to stop the experiments!"

Bork looked surprised by her declaration, "The process has only just begun. It will take quite a bit of time before sound results start to appear from the testing-"

"You almost disabled his left hand! What's going to happen if you continue like this?!"

"It was a regrettable mistake, but one we shall learn from. From now on when we test with him-"

"He's the only person doing this test! If any more mistakes happen on levels like that he'll become paralyzed or even killed! We can't make him do it-"

"We can and we will." Faust interrupted. The room went quiet as his stern and commanding voice spoke, "Namikaze offered to take this role to help us discover an alternate power and we cannot waste it. With our reserve of magic still dwindling we need all the help we can get. Namikaze is a soldier…this is the kind of sacrifice expected of one for the sake of the kingdom."

Erza wanted to yell and scream in opposition. To tell them to find some other alternative energy if the magic was so scarce. But even if she did she knew it would never convince these people. They were so focused on having power, and as long as their magic supply grew smaller-

"I'll spare more magic."

Faust scoffed, "One soldier no longer using magic will not help the cause-"

"I'll find the people who use magic illegally and stop them."

Faust and Boro held their tongues as Erza walked forward with fire in her eyes, "There are still Dark Guilds roaming all over the world using magic beyond our restrictions, right? I'll hunt them down and stop them. Are black markets still selling massive amounts of Lacrima? I'll bring the hammer down on them. I'll stop the reckless use of magic…and keep our magic supply going for as long as I can…as long as you stop testing on Naruto."

"You are a soldier. It should be your duty regardless."

"I am a soldier. And my duty is to this kingdom. But if you let Naruto go…my sole purpose will be towards prolonging our use of magic. And isn't that more important than testing with the energy we may never be able to use?"

Her question hung in the air tensely. Boro looked to the king as Faust quietly contemplated her offer. After a moment he closed his eyes and hummed, "I hope you know what this means, Knightwalker. From now on…you will be the judge, jury, and executioner that the people of Edolas will always fear."

Somewhere deep in the back of her mind, she remembered her promise to her mother to one day supply magic to everybody. She thought she could keep that promise going even if she worked in the army…

But now she realized there were some things more important than a dream.

"I do."

########Titania########

Scarlet gagged and gasped as the hand around her neck squeezed so tightly she could hardly even breathe. Knightwalker looked up darkly at her beaten counterpart and prepared to land the finishing blow, "You can never understand how far I am willing to go, or what I am willing to do, to see this dream through to the end!"

Knightwalker went to skewer her on the end of Sacrifar, but Scarlet's body shined at the last moment as she adorned another armor. The Second Commander tried to shield her eyes but quickly had to raise her weapon in defense as something giant came swinging her way. The redhead soldier suddenly felt herself get lifted and blown off her feet as she went sailing towards the ruins. She flipped through the air and skidded to a gradual halt before looking up at the Fairy Queen.

Scarlet adorned her Purgatory Armor, black and darkened metals formed into a resilient armor with protrusions and spikes across her entire body. She lifted the heavy spiked mace and held it out towards Knightwalker with a dangerous glint in her eyes, "Of course, I understand how hard you would fight for what you cherish." Her long hair swayed with a rush of wind and revealed her mismatched eyes, "I'm you."

Knightwalker's short hair shifted as well as her breathing started to come out in short and angry bursts. She gritted her teeth so tightly she almost felt something snap until her foot dug into the ground-

"SCARLET!"

"KNIGHTWALKER!"

The identical duo charged at each other in their fury and traded blows. Neither seemed to even bother being skilled or careful in their exchange. Instead, they only seemed focused on hitting the other one as hard and as fast as they could. Sacrifar and the mace swung around each other at blinding speeds, aiming for their opponent instead to try and end the fight as soon as possible.

Scarlet felt her armor chip away and the blade of the spear score cuts against her.

Knightwalker felt like her entire body was shaken by each blow of the spiked mace she tanked.

Blow after blow was exchanged at blistering speeds. Blood flew and marred the ground around them. The island buckled and stressed under their intensity to the point that the cracks deepened and grew even further. And not once did either woman stop their roar of battle as they pushed each other to the brink.

The dust finally settled and both redheads were exhausted beyond comprehension. Scarlet's Purgatory Armor was in tatters and pieces with lacerations and blood seeping through the exposed flesh. Knigthwalker's battle attire was ripped and shredded to reveal darkened and bruised skin while Sacrifar was merely a chipped mess of its former self.

"I…I-I don't think I have much left to give in this fight."

"N-No, neither do I."

Both of them remained silent, struggling to catch their breath after their brief confessions.

"If it's not your guild…then it'll just be another one." Scarlet looked up as Knightwalker lifted her head and stood up, broken and battered body ignored as she spoke, "And if we can't form them with the Exceed anymore, then we'll just resort to nabbing more and more places from your world until we can come to a conclusion." Knightwalker stood defiantly, "Until everyone in this world can have magic…until I know he is safe…I won't stop."

"Yes, I know you won't." Scarlet stood up as well, her Purgatory Armor peeling off as she stood up as pieces of her mace fell to her feet, "Because I feel the same. Until I know my guild is safe…until I'm sure the people I love can live without being in fear…I won't stop fighting either."

Sacrifar glowed in Knightwalker's hand and was quickly replaced by a brilliant spear of dazzling white, blue, and gold, "This is Saint Spear, Ravelt. The ultimate form of the Ten Commandments and my trump card."

Scarlet's body glowed until she was instead adorned in pink and white armor, with fairy wings stretching out over her form. She swung her winged sword down, "Armadura Fairy, the armor named after my guild, and the strongest I have in my set."

They both lowered their stances and raised their weapons, "This next hit-"

"Will be our last."

…

Both women charged at each other and yelled before making their strike.

A light and grand explosion overwhelmed them. A shockwave and dust cloud raised out in every direction. And the island they fought on finally hit its breaking point.

########Hunter########

Things had changed wildly over the last few years. For some reason, the experimenting on chakra came to a complete halt with no warning. And Erza suddenly became a woman possessed with hunting down illegal magic.

He had a feeling the two must have been connected.

But as time went on and Erza became more renowned for her effective hunting of Dark Guilds, her name spread far and wide. Her accomplishments earned her the spot of Second Commander in the Royal Army. To most this was a sign of respect and accomplishment.

But to him, it felt like a target on her back when she went out to crush Dark Guilds. And so he decided to join her, following her out on expeditions and guild crushing to secure the illegal Lacrima they collected.

Until they found the big game…Fairy Tail. Years of following and cornering had finally led them to this day.

Naruto challenged the leader of the Dark Guild and allowed Erza to pursue the other members. He believed he could handle holding back an old man almost in his eighties.

But as he doubled over and spat up blood filling his mouth, he started to realize he might have bitten off more than he could chew.

"What's wrong, boy?" Makarov spoke up and mocked the blond, "I thought you were going to handle me?"

"Keep talking, old man."

His blade switched to a gun and fired several shots in quick succession. Makarov jumped and slid aside as the gravity shots tore through the trees and forest. Naruto charged forward and jumped, firing a few more shots before his gun shifted into a blade. He swung down on Makarov-

Only for the old man's cape to lunge up and catch his wrist before he could swing fully. As Naruto was caught in place, Makarov chambered his fist and punched the whiskered teen in the chest. Naruto gagged and tried to pull back, failing to escape as Makarov prepared to punch again-

"HAAA!" Naruto's right hand crackled with lightning as he swiped up and slashed Makarov from abdomen to chest. The old Fairy hissed and tossed Naruto back as he clutched the wound that marked his body. As blood started dribbling out of the cut, he looked at the blond soldier, "What was that? That - that wasn't magic, was it?"

Naruto didn't answer, picking himself up and raising his sword. He was preparing to engage with the master again-

Until a bright light shined in the sky and cast a shadow over the forest. Both he and Makarov looked up as several flaming projectiles arched through the air and fell back down toward them.

The mortars. They fired sooner than expected. Or maybe he had taken longer to finish this fight than anticipated.

He couldn't escape the blast in time. Not out of the range of the explosions.

Naruto closed his eyes instead. The distant memories of his mother and father rushing off into battle came back to mind after so long.

The explosions sounded off and Naruto felt his entire body shake and knock around as he hit the ground. The explosions sounded off over and over again as the attack never seemed to end.

Until it finally did.

When Naruto opened his eyes again he saw flames and scorched trees as far as the eye could see. Blood started to drip into his vision and when he touched his face he felt several distinct cuts. And beside some burns and small injuries he was completely fine after the bombardment. Was it a miracle?

The pained groaning and wheezing answered that for him.

He picked himself up and looked to see the injured and bloody body of Makarov covering part of him. The old master coughed up blood and groaned before he rolled on his back. Naruto picked himself up and quickly went to the dying old man's side.

"Why? Why did you shield me?"

Makarov opened an eye, "Why did you close your eyes?"

"What?"

"Why did you close your eyes as the bombs fell? Why didn't you try to protect yourself?"

"T-There was no escaping from their yield."

"Then why did you just stand there knowing what would happen?"

"Because I said I'd stop your guild. That I'd stop you." Naruto said, "Even if it cost me my life." The memory of his parents running back to Konoha lingered, "That's what it means to devote yourself to a cause. Even laying your life down-"

"No, you damn fool!" Makarov yelled at him, grabbing his collar and startling him as he glared directly into his eyes, "That is not what it means to fight for something! It is a possibility - not an expectation! What you should strive to do is see the job through to the end! Make sure you can see everyone happy when it's all over!"

"B-But I-"

"But you don't understand that you and the kingdom have already failed in that regard." Makarov coughed and struggled to breathe as he looked up at the sky, "What about my children? What about everyone else outside of the kingdom's reach? Why do we all have to sacrifice magic just so the king and his people can horde it? Don't we deserve to be happy too? Don't our lives matter as well?"

Naruto was left silent as the old man in his arms started to take his final belabored breaths. He looked around the forest, seeing the flames and destruction his side had caused just trying to hunt them down. And suddenly all the raids and hunting and fighting fell into a new perspective.

His parents didn't run to fight for Konoha because it was expected of them. They did it because they loved the village. They wanted to see everyone else that lived there be safe and sound as well, even if they didn't make it out in the end.

And what did he do? He twisted that thought as some kind of standard for duty. For sacrifice.

All this time he fought…trying to honor what Jellal and the king gave him. And yet he turned his back on the rest of the people. The ones they should have protected just as dearly.

"They do." Naruto whispered, looking down as Makarov's breathing slowed, "They'll be protected. They'll be safe. I promise."

…

"Hmm," Makarov grunted as his eyes slowly lidded over, "I'll hold you to it."

He passed in his arms, and Naruto wasn't sure how long he sat there holding him.

"Namikaze!" Pantherlily called out to him as he descended through the smoke and burnt trees. He landed a few meters away and slowly approached, "Is that him?" Naruto solemnly nodded, "Did you…"

He looked up at his superior and even Lily went silent at his expression. The First Commander was about to help his friend to his feet before his ears perked up at the sound of something.

"Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"I…there's something over there."

########Hunter########

Uzumaki gritted his teeth and tightly gripped the hand digging into his shoulder as it shocked him. Namikaze pushed down, trying to cut through his counterpart's chest with gritted teeth, "I'm sorry but we have to do this. For the sake of everyone in this world then we have to see this through!"

"Grgh," Uzumaki struggled against the numbing pain of Namikaze's electric hand before he reached out and grabbed his shirt. He mashed his teeth and looked up at his scar-faced doppelgänger, "Y'know, you'd be so much more difficult to fight…if you weren't so wish-washy and half-assed!"

Wind and magic suddenly gathered around his fist and solidified before he punched forward, digging his fist into the Oración Seis master's chest and blowing him off his feet. Namikaze gagged and hit the ground rolling before finally coming to a halt. He coughed and clutched his chest before looking up at his alternate self, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Uzumaki nursed the gouge in his shoulder and hissed as he stood back up, "I always thought I'd be a pretty tough guy to fight. Everyone is always telling me I'm so damn stubborn, and even Erza says I pretty much never fall over. I do. So many times. But for the sake of my guild and friends, I refuse to stay down or stop fighting. I'll push on and through anything to help them. I was sure you would too," Uzumaki frowned at his other self, "But you're pretty damn hesitant for someone so determined to change the world."

Namikaze scowled, "You think that even after my fingers dug into your shoulder?"

"Oh, you're a good fighter, no denying that." Uzumaki shrugged, "But you're a liar too. You're lying to the people. You're lying to your friends. You're lying to yourself. You're so focused on your lies and convincing yourself you're doing the right thing that you can barely see anything through to the end." Uzumaki shook his head, "If you of all people can't put your everything into what you're doing…then you need to stop."

Namikaze stared at his alternate self in shocked silence. His eyes slowly narrowed in a deep, resentful glare that overflowed with anger. His hand tensed and lightning started to build up over it again in a ferocious rush. The scarred blond roared, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING?! OF COURSE, I HESITATE AND STRUGGLE, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYONE IN EDOLAS THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN!" The lightning grew in intensity and power and he lowered his stance, "DON'T YOU TELL ME TO STOP! DON'T YOU TELL ME TO JUST GIVE UP!"

"WELL IF ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS KEEP DELUDING YOURSELF," Uzumaki swung his arms out and channeled wind and magic, "THEN I'LL JUST HAVE TO BEAT SOME SENSE INTO YOU UNTIL YOU STOP!"

"YOU BASTARD!"

"COME ON!"

Namikaze dashed forward, his arms sticking out behind him as he rushed at the Fairy Mage in a blind rage. With a guttural roar he jumped off the ground and lunged at Uzumaki, the blond Fairy dodged aside as the soldier's hands became a blur of light and carved through the tree behind him.

Uzumaki yelled as well, jumping in and starting to throw punches that released a burst of magic and wind with every strike. Namikaze weaved around them, deftly avoiding his attacks and the extra space they released when launched. Avoiding the crushing magic blows and the cutting wind, his hands wrapped around his counterpart's arm and twisted to toss him over his shoulder.

As Uzumaki was tossed through the sky, Namikaze rushed at him and prepared to skewer him-

"Void Storm Step!"

Uzumaki released a burst of wind to jump off of that slammed into Namikaze and sent him flying back. As Uzumaki soared through the air, he twisted around and righted himself as he fell back down to the ground. As he fell, his wind and Armor gathered around his hand, "Here comes the next one, Namikaze!"

The blond soldier clicked his tongue and raised his hand. Another spiraling orb of chakra formed in his palm. He hefted the Rasengan up and roared, "Bring it on, Uzumaki!"

The identical Naruto pair roared and slammed into each other with their attacks as the forest around them was blown away.

########Titania########

"How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine."

"You look like you can't stand." Erza looked over his bandages and the wraps around his face. They would surely scar once they healed over. She gave a faint smile and reached down to take his hand, "You helped stop the greatest criminal among the Dark Guilds. I know it wasn't without sacrifice…but people will always admire you for what you've done. His Majesty is even talking about giving you a promotion." She smiled, "Maybe we'll be able to work together more often, huh?"

…

"Erza…" He lowered his gaze, "Should we keep doing this?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Hunting down Dark Guilds…is it necessary?"

"Yes, of course, it is."

"But the magic tools they use - the magic they consume - it's a drop in the bucket!"

"But those drops pile up. They need to be stopped so that as much magic can last as possible."

"But…" Naruto shook his head, "We don't need to do that."

Of course they had to. As long as they worked to stop the extraordinary use of magic, then the supply would last longer. And they wouldn't have to start working on alternative sources.

They wouldn't have to experiment on him anymore.

Between letting him become the guinea pig for the next tests of consumable energy or hunting down Dark Guilds…

Erza stood up and Naruto looked up at her, "I will hunt down every Dark Guild in Edolas. Without exception. Until no one uses magic outside of what the Royal Army sanctions."

…

Not another word was said between them. Wordlessly they felt something settle between them.

Erza turned and walked out of the room.

Naruto made no effort to reach out to her.

And just like that…a strain to do what they felt was right marred the connection between them.

########Titania########

The island started to break and fall apart as its structural integrity was ruined. The giant cloud of dust at the center of its destruction blew away and the two figures at the center panted for air.

Scarlet and Knightwalker were both bloody and injured from the result of their confrontation. And worse of all-

"M-My Ravelt." Knightwalker stuttered as her spear broke apart in her hands, "Impossible."

"Dammit," Scarlet cursed as the broken pieces of her armor faded away in the light, "My magic. I don't have anything left."

Both redheads were left to stand upon the breaking pieces of the island as they hurtled back toward the ground. As the foundation they stood on collapsed and dropped out of the air, both women looked at each other-

And Knightwalker felt her anger rise.

"It doesn't matter!" She dashed across the falling island and leaped across the gorges, catching Scarlet off guard as she kicked her across the face, "I have to put you down now!"

"You fool!" Scarlet grabbed her legs and pulled her in before slamming her into the ground, "You still want to fight even now!"

"Of course!" Knightwalker's knee swung up and slammed into the Fairy Queen's chin to knock her head back. The Fairy Hunter quickly picked herself up and tackled her doppelgänger, "None of this will mean anything if you still stand in the way!"

########Hunter########

In the smoke cloud of their collision, Uzumaki and Namikaze were brutally trading blows. Despite their exhaustion and the injuries that covered their bodies, they focused solely on the effort of beating each other.

Uzumaki felt the punch strike his cheek and rattle his brain but gritted his teeth and struck back, "You bastard!"

"That's right! I'm a bastard!" Namikaze growled through the fist in his sternum, "We've already come this far! We've no choice but to see it through to the end!"

"Doubling down isn't the right choice!"

"Backing out and stopping is unacceptable!"

"You coward-"

Namikaze grabbed him by the collar and started repeatedly punching him in the face, "This was the answer! The solution to all our problems and strife!"

########Titania########

"We can save our world!" Knightwalker yelled, "No more hunting! No more fighting! We can finally achieve our greatest goal with this chance!"

"But you're stealing my friends! My family! The people I love!" Scarlet yelled back, taking the kick to her ribs before lunging in and head-butting her counterpart, "Do you not understand that?!"

"I do!" Knightwalker grabbed her by the hair and punched her in the nose, "But I don't care!"

########Hunter########

"We've been desperate! We've been afraid! We've despaired at the idea of losing magic!" Namikaze conjured lighting and cut along Uzumaki's chest with his hand, "But this is the answer to it! Even at the sacrifice of innocents - for the good of Edolas that's something we have to accept!"

"People I love and care for! They should be sacrificed just because you don't want to lose magic?!"

"Everyone in my world needs magic! We need this!"

########Titania########

"I promised I would get magic for everyone! I promised I would save this world! And I promised I would make sure he was safe and never threatened again!"

########Hunter########

"I love this world! I love this kingdom! And I would sacrifice whatever I had to help everyone in it! To see a world where we can all be safe and happy on the other side is what I have strived after for years!"

########Titania########

Knightwalker raised her fist, "THIS IS SOMETHING-"

########Hunter########

"-I HAVE TO DO!" He roared as he punched his other self in the face.

########Titania########

But her fist only met a palm that tightly gripped it and dragged it down-

########Hunter########

-so he was forced to see his counterpart's angry and pitiable glare.

########Titania########

Scarlet raised her fist, "You idiot. YOU CAN'T DO IT-"

########Hunter########

"-ALL BY YOURSELF!" He punched Namikaze and sent him stumbling back in pain.

########Titania########

Knightwalker almost felt her jaw break from the punch as Scarlet followed up and landed body blows, "You compromised yourself! You fell further and further away from what you intended to be! All for the sake of power! And so you could protect him!"

"Of course!" Knightwalker tried to fight back but could only weather Scarlet's ferocious onslaught, "I had to!

"Did you ever ask if that was what he wanted?!"

"No! Because he would refuse! That fool is never concerned for his safety!"

"Then you should have reached out! Told him that! Trusted in him to help carry this burden! That was your problem, Erza! You bared this weight all by yourself! Closed yourself off to deal with it your way! If you had worked with others, then you could have found another way!"

"If I didn't find more magic, they would have taken him and his chakra! If that happened-"

"Then you should have found another way! You never considered an alternative! Helping him escape! Standing your ground in opposition to what you so strongly refuse! And most importantly - that if magic has made you this desperate and afraid, then maybe you shouldn't have it!"

"How dare you!" Knightwalker grabbed Scarlet's hands and wrestled her back, "That's easy for you to say! You have magic so you'll never understand the plight of Edolas! If we lost magic - if we lost what we have held onto for so long-"

"Then you'd still be here!" Scarlet roared back through the breaking island and rushing winds. Knightwalker felt the pressure consume her as Scarlet got up in her face and yelled, "It would be hard! So much more difficult than anything else you've faced! But you would have each other! You could make it through together!"

Knightwalker tried to argue and fight back but Scarlet pressed on, "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, ERZA! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ALL ALONE!"

Scarlet's desperate cry echoed out around them before the island finally crashed into the ground.

########Hunter########

"It's you that had to save the people! It's you that has to save the world! It's you that has to save everyone!" Uzumaki shook his head in shame as Namikaze wiped his bloody chin, "You idiot. This was too big of an endeavor for you to handle yourself. When you realized the mistakes you were making, you should have stopped, not dug in your heels and pressed on."

"What do you know? I had to do this!" Namikaze pounded his chest, "This world gave me everything after I lost my home! My family! I owe it so much! And every person in this world deserves to live happily too! If I can pay them back with my efforts, then-"

"You idiot!" Uzumaki roared, "That's your problem! Do you think you have to pay them back like this?! You think kindness is some balance that has to be evened out?!" The blond Fairy shook his head, "You be kind to others to pay them back! Not twist and turn and betray yourself to make up for it!"

Namikaze scowled, "The kindness wasn't enough. Not in the face of a global crisis."

"Then you do what you can…as yourself. But fighting for a goal you can't stomach…using methods you can't condone…wrestling with where you stand…is not the way to do it."

…

Namikaze narrowed his eyes and straightened his hand like a blade. The lighting chakra building over his hand reached a critical point and started to shoot out with its intensity.

Uzumaki simply chambered his arm as the wind started to gather and concentrate around his fist. A small vortex started to form at his side as he prepared to meet his other self in battle.

With one last desperate roar, the two blonds charged and met each other, their wind and lightning-coated hands collided in a bright and destructive explosion that consumed them both.

########Titania########

At the center of the crater the crashed island had created, the two exhausted redheads lay on their backs. They both stared up at the sky, unable to move even a single muscle after their battle.

"I…I can't keep going."

"Neither can I. I suppose this is the end."

…

"You," Scarlet looked across from her as Knightwalker spoke, "You make it sound so easy. Lose magic? And come together? You don't think it's that simple, do you?"

"No," Scarlet chuckled, "But it might not be as hard as we think. We do tend to overcomplicate things, you and I."

"Heh," Knightwalker laid back and scoffed, "Yeah…I suppose so."

########Hunter########

"Ugh," Uzumaki groaned as he pulled himself out of a pile of trees he had been sent flying into after the result of their exchange. The pins and needles and pain of the attack rocked his body as he slowly tried to stand up, "Shit, that hurts like hell."

"At least you can move." He looked over and saw Namikaze sitting against a giant boulder he had crashed into. The other whiskered blond didn't even make a move as he laughed, "I should have known better than to attack headfirst like that. My lightning attribute is weak against the wind, and of course, that's what you had to use."

"It is?"

"You didn't know that?"

"N-No I did! I-I recall hearing that when I was learning about chakra-"

"Stop, you're embarrassing yourself." Namikaze spoke up, "The point is you can move and I can't. So I guess you win. Although considering you can barely move at that-"

"Hold on." Uzumaki summoned his sky sword and carefully channeled what magic he could spare into it. The glow was faint but he did feel some of the pain start to subside. Once enough of it was gone he gingerly picked himself up, "There we go."

"Well, that's just cheating." Namikaze remarked as Uzumaki walked up to him, "How did you know anyway?"

"Know what?"

"That I was lying about things. No one else could tell but you. How?"

"People say you killed Fairy Tail's master, right?" Uzumaki asked, "Well that's how I knew. I knew that was a lie."

"It is, but how did you know?"

"Because I don't care where you're from or how you might be different than me," Uzumaki shook his head, "I refuse to believe there's any version of me that would take pride and gloat about killing someone. Even if you had to…you wouldn't pat yourself on the back for it."

The way he said that…made it clear he spoke from experience. But instead of prying, Namikaze struggled to lift his hand and press it to his arm. When he did, a scroll popped out of the seal and fell into his hand. He looked up at the curious Uzumaki and nodded toward it.

The blond Fairy knelt and picked up the scroll before unfurling it. As he read the instructions and illustrations he deducted, "Are these the steps to learn that jutsu you used?"

"That's right. That is the last thing I have of father's from our world. Well, that…and go further." Uzumaki read on and opened more of the scroll before he found another seal. With a nod from Namikaze, he touched the seal and channeled some chakra. And when he did, a worn-out picture appeared in the air.

He nabbed it and stared at it deeply. A picture of a young whiskered boy, a proud blond man, and a smiling redhead in front of a school.

"Are these-"

"Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Our mother and father." Namikaze answered, "I'm guessing from the look on your face you never knew them. Well, that's what they looked like. I wish I could offer you that picture but that's the only one I have and I refuse to let it go. So memorize-"

The scroll and picture shined in a glow for a moment before identical copies of them appeared just above them. Uzumaki snatched the ones he made with Copy and nodded before dematerializing them to look at later.

Namikaze blinked, "What was that?"

"I made a copy of them for myself."

"I didn't give my consent for you to do that."

"Yeah, but I'm you so do I need my consent?" Uzumaki joked with a smile as he furled the scroll back up and handed them over.

"Gah, you're a dick." Namikaze took the picture and scroll back carefully. And after he did he felt a sword press against his chest as it started to glow. Slowly he felt some of his worst pain subside, "Why are you doing that?"

"Because there's still stuff to do." Uzumaki said with a faint smile, "Plus, I'd like to talk with you a bit more."

########Hunter########

Done

The story of Knightwalker and Namikaze. Hopefully I made the parallels between this pair and our pair pretty clear. How they were still as strong and tenacious as our couple…but how much weaker they were for fighting alone and for things they couldn't full commit to.

I think this is the chapter I've been thinking about the most in this arc. For every arc of every story, I always have at least one chapter in mind as the lynchpin that I need to focus on the most. And this time around this is the one.

I hope you all enjoyed it! I should be back soon in celebration of the anniversary! Hope to see you all then!

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Thank You and Bye