Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

Exploration brought them deeper into the odd forest. Zeref didn't speak much throughout the trip, letting the Fairy Tail wizards at least attempt to pretend he was not here. After all, he was certain that would be preferable to them all. With the exception of Natsu, he wasn't all that fond of them either, so he supposed the feeling was mutual. The only reason Zeref kept them near was to remind himself of why he needed to return, but even that might not have been enough of a reason to agree to work with them. They were irritating, and Natsu seemed to get distracted far too easily. Lucy did little but complain about how far they had walked, and the heat was making them all sweat and grow dehydrated. Eventually, they would need to find some form of resources, though Zeref had no idea how to go about accomplishing such a thing.

Perhaps in his youth, he may have been able to assist in such matters. Immortality removed his need to be capable of survival, however. Now, he was feeling oddly useless as they traveled, trying to consider what could possibly return them home. Thus far, all he could hope for was some lingering form of magic in this world that had been preserved. The likelihood of finding such a thing was nearly nonexistent, which made Zeref feel even more confident that they would not be leaving this place with ease.

"Stop trying to chase down every animal we see, Natsu! We don't have any way to hunt them, and there's no way I'm going to try eating something alive!" Lucy's complaints came again, after Natsu tried yet again to capture one of the odd frogs dancing around the ground.

"But he looked so tasty!"

"Bright colors like that usually mean poison, Natsu." Levy sighed, shaking her head. "This really isn't helping us at all, either."

"I still haven't recognized a thing! Are we really trapped in a place without any kind of people?"

That was unlikely, which made Zeref frown as he moved his gaze away from Lucy. Just where were they then? This forest could not expand an entire realm, but it seemed dense and lively, making him wonder if perhaps this place was more rural than their home. In fact, the building they were passing even seemed to be made of tree trunks and vines, dark green in color to match the surroundings.

At that thought, Zeref froze, looking over towards the building. It really was a house, or some form of shelter for a living being. A sign hung over a wooden door, with a familiar name and logo that Zeref did not expect to encounter here. "How strange." He spoke to himself, tilting his head as he studied the place. Did an entirely different version of the guild exist here? He couldn't help but wonder what else was the same.

Behind him, Levy caught his comment and stopped, looking towards him with a scowl. "And you…you've been doing this every five minutes! Why can't you just keep walking forward like a normal person? Last time, you wanted to just look at some flowers. The time before that, you stopped because you thought you saw a bird. Are you seriously that easily distracted?"

While he couldn't reveal it to them, Zeref had simply been enjoying seeing living things nearby that would not perish. The bird had been just a moment of intrigue, due to the oddness of the species that he had never seen before. However, the foliage he stopped to view were more so tests to confirm that his curse truly was gone. He could touch the leaves and petals, and nothing would die. Oddly, he hadn't been able to stop himself from enjoying such small things as a result.

Turning towards Levy, Zeref shrugged. "I see no reason in rushing forward. After all, what would I have to gain from such a rash and impulsive way of living?"

"Getting back home, idiot!" Levy shook her head, letting out a sigh. "Honestly, I came here to do all the work myself, didn't I? You guys are hopeless."

"Come on, Levy…you don't really mean that, right?" Lucy looked hurt, biting her lip at the girl's words. "I mean, we've only just started trying to figure out where we are. It's not our fault if we can't recognize anything…" She trailed off, her gaze spotting the guild hall behind Zeref. Her eyes widened, letting out a sharp gasp. "That guild hall…it can't be. Natsu, is that really Fairy Tail?"

Looking up, the dragon slayer blinked in surprise before grinning. "No way! It's that place with other me in it! Plus, scary Lucy's there too!"

"Stop calling her that!" Lucy glared at him, shaking her head before focusing on the guild hall again. "Levy…I think I know where we're at now, though. That guild hall…it's the Fairy Tail from Edolas, the world Mystogan was from."

"Edolas…you mean the place that you guys said tried to steal our world's magic?"

Lucy and Natsu nodded, while Zeref frowned. If such a thing were even possible, it would require its own mechanism to operate and link with another world. "Does the device they utilized for stealing our magic still exist?"

His question seemed to surprise them, interrupting their musings on where they arrived. "Uh…I dunno. I think Mystogan said something about destroying it…" Natsu shrugged, moving past Zeref and towards the hall. "Either way, I think we might as well say hi while we're here. Maybe these guys can help us get back."

"Right…but Natsu, aren't you forgetting something?" Lucy glanced back towards Zeref, biting her lip. "Imagine what they'd think if we brought Zeref inside. I mean, I imagine he has the same kind of reputation here as he does at home…"

"Plus, he'll probably destroy the place since he's still set on his stupid war." Natsu glared at him, shaking his head. "I'm guessing he's already trying to imagine where the Edolas version of Fairy Heart is."

"If such a thing existed, I likely would be. After all, an unlimited source of magic would be quite useful to us at the moment, considering our situation." Zeref spoke calmly, but he only received glares in response. He still failed to see why they asked for his assistance if they could not put aside their differences long enough to actually form a plan of some kind. "Regardless, I have no purpose in dealing with a magicless guild. Visit if you wish, I shall remain here. It does seem quite…peaceful, and I think it might be nice to rest for a moment."

Shaking her head, Levy moved past him with a huff. "Well, that's settled. Sorry Zeref, but we just can't trust you." She gave him a sympathetic smile before moving forward. "Either way, I'm excited to meet these guys you told me about before! Didn't you say Gray actually wears layers here?"

"Yeah, and Cana won't touch a drop of alcohol! It's so weird…"

Lucy's and Levy's voices faded away as they walked towards the guild hall. Eventually, Natsu turned to follow them, giving Zeref one last warning. "Don't do anything stupid, alright? Maybe you think we're brothers, but the things you've done…you've got a long way to go if you think I'll ever think of you as my family, Zeref. Stay away from this Fairy Tail too, or else we'll start having some major problems."

His words only left an odd ache in Zeref's chest, but the black wizard was used to such feelings. Zeref knew he would not be able to have a family in his current life. That was the purpose of wanting to change it, after all. So, he closed his eyes, leaning back onto the ground with a sigh. Lifting his arm, Zeref rested the back of his hand on his forehead to block out the sunlight beating down on his face. Wearing black in a place as brightly lit as this did get uncomfortable, and oddly, Zeref's own resilience to such things seemed to be lessened without access to his curse. Still, that lack of resilience made him smile, knowing that it meant he might actually be able to die in this world.

Zeref lost track of time, not paying attention to his surroundings. Footsteps came near the guild, likely a member returning from a job as most wizards did. He idly wondered what kind of work wizards did when they lacked magic, but his thoughts were interrupted by a breathless voice nearby. "Zeref…you're alive. You're…you're alive."

Most people that said such things sounded terrified, but this one was different. Zeref sat up, frowning at the way the voice trembled, as if too joyous to remain calm and steady. When he spotted the tear-stained stricken expression of the boy in front of him, Zeref blinked in surprise. "Zeref…" Natsu repeated his name, but now that Zeref looked closer, he could see it wasn't quite the Natsu he knew. The red jacket was far different from the black vest he had seen the dragon slayer wearing before, and Zeref simply could not picture the Natsu he knew looking so…sensitive.

Before Zeref could even consider what to say in response, the boy rushed forward. "Brother…it really is you. I can't believe it…I thought I saw…" Arms were thrown around Zeref's neck, despite his startled yelp when this odd version of Natsu clung to him tightly. "But you're here. You're here…and I'm not going to let you go again. Please forgive me for not finding you sooner…don't be mad…don't leave me again…" He shook, clinging to Zeref even tighter as he sobbed. Zeref couldn't decide what to think of the reaction, but he had the odd feeling that he wouldn't be able to separate this boy from him any time soon.

Awkwardly, Zeref sat back up and simply leaned back, accepting his fate to be hugged by this version of Natsu. From his words, it was safe to assume that the version of himself in this world had perished. Based on appearance and Natsu's odd comment of 'other me' from before, Zeref slowly realized that there were copies of everyone from Earthland somewhere in this realm. This was his brother's other version, and oddly, Zeref couldn't help but smile faintly as the boy embraced him. This brother wanted him around and valued his presence. Then again, this brother was still gravely mistaken about a key detail.

Sighing, Zeref patted the boy's hair like he had done so long ago, before his own brother died in the first place. Those times were long gone, but he still missed the days when Natsu needed him by his side. Pushing him back, Zeref's dark eyes met Natsu's, seeing the boy almost cringe in fear of being reprimanded or abandoned. "I am sorry, but I am not the brother you were hoping to see, Natsu. Perhaps I am Zeref…but I am not from this world."

"But…but that…then Zeref really is…" The boy sniffled, tears falling even faster.

It had been so long since Zeref attempted to comfort anyone, but the sorrow in Edo-Natsu was a suffering Zeref knew too well. He would not let the boy endure it alone. Reaching forward, he squeezed Edo-Natsu's shoulder, a pained smile on his face as he nodded. "Based on your previous words, I'd assume him to be dead. Odd…I suppose it is fitting that he found such a fate when I was incapable of such a thing."

There was an odd silence between them, while Natsu's head dropped to his chest and his shoulders drooped. He remained crouched on the ground, his legs folded beneath him as his shoulders shook. "It's not fair…why does he have to be gone? Why did he have to…to leave me?" He looked up, something desperate lingering in his eyes. "You're still Zeref! Why can't…aren't you still my brother?"

An odd pang rushed through Zeref, a longing he couldn't quite name. He was still Natsu's brother, yet his Natsu would never cry over him like this. His brother would celebrate in his death, and find peace in knowing Zeref was gone. The thought made him feel hollow, wishing to change it for anything. "If you knew…if you knew anything about me, you would not have such a wish." Really, no one would.

"But I do know you!" Edo-Natsu looked insistent now, moving closer with a determined look on his face. "You're Zeref, so you've gotta be brilliant with magic. You're patient, and a bit indecisive, but you always try to put others before yourself…you always…always did everything to keep me happy. And I…I never even once thanked you for it…never deserved it at all…I'm a terrible brother! I'm sorry…sorry I failed to live up to your expectations…"

Sighing, Zeref shook his head. "As I was not the one doing such things on your behalf, I cannot comprehend how you think I'm disappointed in you." Edo-Natsu blinked, biting his lip and apologizing again. The sight made Zeref smile faintly, uncertain of if it was irritating or endearing to have any version of his brother still wishing for him to sacrifice on his behalf. "And as for your assessment…I suppose it is accurate enough. Yet, I still cannot bring myself to believe you desire my company. Not even my own companions wish to have me around. I bring about destruction everywhere I go and all who know me fall into despair and most often perish quickly."

Looking up, Natsu's expression hardened and he reached forward, gripping Zeref's shoulders tightly. "Then please…let's help each other. I've missed my brother so much…and I know it is awful of me to take you away from the Natsu you know…but I need him back. I've always felt so weak since he's left, like nothing could possibly go right for me. So please…please, don't leave me again, Zeref. Don't let me lose my brother again…not when I have a chance to get him back."

From anyone else, the tears and pleading would have only angered Zeref. It showed weakness, and it made him feel sick to have to deal with the emotions of others. He could not comprehend how to make anyone's mood improve, and it was often annoying to observe others in such a state. Yet, Natsu was crying for him. Natsu's desire was the same as his had always been, a simple wish to have his brother back. Would it truly be so bad to grant his request? Glancing towards the guild hall, he frowned. He could still visualize his brother's glare with ease, the way the Natsu he knew had felt the need to warn him from doing anything destructive in this world. Yet, Edo-Natsu looked at him like he was the greatest thing in the world. No one, not even Mavis, saw him as a person that was deserving of love. Zeref himself knew he did not, yet he still wanted his brother, his family, back. In this world, maybe he could have such things. His curse could not reach him, and Natsu was not only alive, but clearly still viewing him as family.

Meeting Edo-Natsu's stricken expression again, Zeref could see the boy's eyes trying to plead with him to agree. Everything about this boy seemed to ask him to stay, to linger in this world that his companions had wanted so badly to leave. What point was there in Neo Eclipse if he could simply make a different Natsu the life he wanted for his Natsu? They were both his brother, in an odd way. So, hesitantly, Zeref reached over and touched Edo-Natsu's arm, his thin fingers gently pulling the boy back in for another hug. "Very well. I suppose you are still my brother…and perhaps the only person left that still values my life."

"Thank you…" Edo-Natsu sobbed, pressing his head closer to Zeref's shoulder. He seemed to resume his clinging to Zeref's form, which Zeref no longer objected to. Instead, he simply remained in place, letting Edo-Natsu unleash the grief and sorrow that had been hidden within him for so long. "I finally have you back, Brother. You're finally here…"

Closing his eyes, Zeref took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "Yes…I am." He rather liked this world, even if he knew nothing about it. "And I cannot think of a single reason to leave. Natsu…I've missed being a family." Oddly, despite having longed for this to happen for so long, Zeref could not think of what to say or do. However, Edo-Natsu seemed to smile brightly at that, pulling back and rising to his feet.

"Then we've got a lot of making up to do!" He seemed cheerful, putting a smile on his face as he held out his hand. "I was planning on hanging out at the guild after my last job, but I think I'd much rather get to know you again. Well…this other you, anyway." He paused, biting his lip. "You…you really don't mind, right? That I'm…not the Natsu you know."

"It is hardly any different than me not being the Zeref you know." Zeref smiled, shaking his head and glancing up at the sky. "Besides…my Natsu will not miss me at all. In fact, I think he will be pleased to find that I am gone. I have caused him far too much strife, I think, in my attempts to fix my mistakes."

"So…does that mean yes?"

Nodding, Zeref smiled towards Natsu and began following him away from the guild hall. "Indeed it does. Though, I suppose this will only last until you too see how awful I truly am."

"But…I know you could never be that bad! I'd never hate you, no matter what you do, Zeref. That's what being brothers is all about, right?"

Meeting Edo-Natsu's gaze, Zeref smiled darkly. "Ah, but could you forgive me for murder?"

"You'd only do that if you had no other choice, so of course I would!"

Startled, Zeref tried pressing on. "Creating monsters?"

"Ha, like you could even do that."

"Making you a monster?"

"That only means you made me stronger, and were trying to keep me safe."

Pausing, Zeref tilted his head, amazed at how this Natsu managed to think through these things. "Killed your family?"

"Well, that would be the same as killing your family so…I think you'd feel just as bad about that one as I would."

"Started a war with your guild?"

"Fairy Tail would stop you, duh. Then you'd come back to your senses and we'd go back to normal!"

There had to be something, just one thing he had done that this Natsu couldn't forgive. "Abandoned you? For the majority of your life…until you were grown and had forgotten I even existed." Zeref hung his head, feeling like that piece was oddly close to his heart.

Meeting his gaze, Edo-Natsu's smile faltered, looking away himself. "Well…I can't say I'd know for certain on that one. I mean, I can't imagine ever forgetting about you. After all, you started Fairy Tail just to stop me from being lonely when Mom and Dad died…and you've always been by my side ever since. At least, until that Fairy Hunt when everything went wrong…"

Startled, Zeref felt his pulse stutter slightly. He couldn't think of anything more without delving into specific events. How did this Natsu just move on past it all? Still, part of Zeref didn't want to question it. He didn't want to force this Natsu to despise him, because right now, he needed someone to care for him. He wanted desperately to find anyone who could say he wasn't a monster for what he had done, and here was someone in his own family doing so. "Natsu…" Tears threatened to fall from his own eyes, which Zeref quickly blinked away. "Thank you."

Zeref didn't explain what it was for, but Edo-Natsu didn't press for answers. Instead, the boy seemed to lead him towards a city, not far from the guild. Eventually, he was led into a home belonging to his brother, and for the first time in centuries, Zeref looked inside of a building and truly felt like he was at home. Here, he could have a life to enjoy. Here, he had a brother that would always accept him no matter what he did. For that, Zeref was slowly beginning to realize he'd sacrifice everything he'd ever known just for the chance to gain some small sliver of what he'd lost so long ago.

So, I've hardly written the Edolas versions of characters...Edo-Natsu might be a bit OOC, however, I will be explaining a bit more on his history and what happened to Edo-Zeref later on in the story. For now, I just thought it'd be interesting to explore a change like this for Zeref. I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to review and tell me what you think!