Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

As Levy was leaving, Zeref was also moving forward with his own plans. Saying goodbye to her, however, had been interesting, to say the least. They'd had an understanding of sorts for that moment. He'd seen that she was realizing his limits, and she'd given him one last offer…and time to contemplate what she desired from him. Yet, he refused to go through with it. If she wished for his future self to be by her side, he had more than enough reasons to grant such a request. Natsu wished for it as well, and it would be a swifter end to his own suffering, rather than forcing himself to live through whatever torment had been required to change so drastically.

With that in mind, Zeref found himself in an odd meeting with a former guild master. Makarov remained in Alvarez, though it was not quite as isolated as before. Zeref had visited often, trying to direct his spell and provide advice on how likely it would be to succeed. On occasion, his future self would have commentary as well, though he was usually quiet and rarely spoke out. If Zeref didn't know any better, he'd almost guess that his future self was almost conflicted, about whether or not to actually allow this to happen. Yet, his emotions did not matter; that Zeref was not the one currently living, and Zeref right now wished to eliminate his existence through any means necessary.

"This will not be a reversible spell, once cast." Makarov glanced at him, frowning. "Are you certain you wish to proceed?"

He'd had time, at least some, to contemplate if he'd prefer to see if he could come to let go of his fears, and care for Levy. Yet, even in that last moment of connection…while he'd seen the potential, it had done little beyond terrify him. His mind had raced to consider her as little more than a useful individual to keep by his side, for the sake of Alvarez. So, with such a reaction, he knew that letting go would not only take time, but be virtually impossible. "It is not something I consider as dangerous as you, Makarov."

The elderly man scoffed. "You are having me essentially kill you."

"Hardly. I will still be alive. Just…different." He paused, seeing Makarov only shake his head. "Think of it more as…accelerating my development. Right now, I'm logical and care for no one. However, in the future, I have the potential to change. All you are doing is bringing about that change immediately, rather than gradually. Really, it is doing us both a favor, eliminating the torture of the wait to arrive at that point."

"And your future self will uphold our agreement?"

I never wished to resume the war anyway. Harming Levy is hardly something I'd consider. Zeref shook his head, sighing. "He values your guild members too much, it seems, to relent on our agreement."

"Good." Makarov turned towards him. "Strangely, I think I might miss you, though. My guild is gone, and I did so with one goal in mind—to protect them from what was to come. Now that the threat is gone, I find that we've spoken more than I anticipated."

"I am no one to miss, Makarov." Zeref stared at him, frowning. He tilted his head, slowly starting to smile instead. "You know what I am called here, correct?" The elderly man nodded. "And just what is a spriggan, Master of Fairy Tail?"

"I haven't the time to consider the origin of names. I spent my time worrying over a guild and a future war."

"An ugly fairy." Makarov blinked, staring at him. "That is all I am…a horrid creature that really doesn't belong. Yet, perhaps with some magic…perhaps I can transform into something more. That, Makarov, is what this spell may bring about."

"Well, I did make a deal with you, for our peace." Makarov rose to his feet, turning towards Zeref. Months of work had led to this point and while the spell might be inaccurate, Zeref had checked it thoroughly to ensure it was as correct as it could be. All that was left to do now was test it, and see what came about as a result. Maybe he'd swap places, or maybe he wouldn't. Either way, something would shift, and Zeref would not remain the same.

The elderly man moved, preparing to start the spell. Wait. Zeref blinked, glancing over at him. "Hold on one moment." He frowned, tilting his head. The curse may reject the spell you are attempting. I'd like to…ensure no such risk occurs, given what you are doing.

"Are you…informing me of how to eliminate it then?"

I will be eliminating it by explaining a few key details to you, actually. But…it will not be pleasant to hear, and if you fail to accept the truth…it will not work. Zeref looked down, frowning. After a pause, he nodded. Know that this comes from your future self, who already gained this knowledge and endured the guilt that it brought. It is true, and it will free you…yet it will cause you more despair than you can imagine. This curse…was not given to us by a god. There was a pause, while Zeref glanced up. We cursed ourselves…utilizing subconscious magic inspired by our own guilt and the stories we'd heard. In essence…the curse doesn't exist, but reacts because we believe it will.

That…no. Zeref was frozen, his eyes wide. He….he'd cursed himself? Killed so many? Willingly? Something was…shaking in him. He just…couldn't take this. Why would his future self want to live through this? To suffer through and live on? Whatever the answer was, Zeref wanted no part in it. He looked at Makarov, his eyes wide and wild. "Do it…please, just…end this now." He didn't deserve to exist, at all. Not…not with the things he'd done. Perhaps he should just kill them both, now that it was an option. Was…was it an option? He turned, contemplating it for a moment. Yet, he'd considered it too late.

A magic circle had formed behind him, and really, Zeref should have realized it was coming. After all, he'd told the man to use the spell. Yet, it still came as a surprise. Something burning, seared into him. His mind was targeted, and for that moment, Zeref would almost say he felt bliss. His thoughts were emptied of everything, clear of any knowledge or awareness of himself…or what he'd done. He smiled with that blankness, only for a greater shift to lurch through him. His thoughts faded and gradually, memories swam around. Two minds merged into one and slowly Zeref shifted, disoriented and gradually opening his eyes.

He frowned, realizing he was staring at the ceiling. Had he fallen? He wasn't certain, but that did seem likely. Yet, thoughts were gradually filling his mind. The spell…it had worked. Zeref recalled utilizing his prototype variation of a time travel spell, recklessly throwing himself into the past to seek out Dimaria and stop the unstable rift. He'd thought he'd be able to find Levy as well, but to his shock, he'd been trapped. Not only that, but it seemed as if Levy had somehow managed to get the same idea, and had been in the past as well. Things had gotten hectic from there, dealing with his past self.

"Emperor Spriggan? Are you alright?"

A familiar voice had him glancing to his side, frowning. "Master Makarov." He blinked, slowly flexing his fingers. He'd been away from his actual body for too long. It felt strange, in some ways. Yet, it was still his own. Part of Zeref didn't know if it was easy to adjust to due to his immortality or not; it wasn't as if he'd returned to a body far younger than his own, not really. "Just give me a moment. Spells like this can be…disorienting, to say the least. I'm impressed that Levy and the others handled themselves so well."

The guild master seemed to hesitate, moving to speak but then closing his mouth. The man remained silent, watching as Zeref slowly sat up, rolling his head and cracking his neck slightly. "Did…was the spell correct?"

"As far as I can tell, yes." He smiled at the man, nodding his head. "Thank you, for your assistance. It…likely, it was not easy, to be in such a situation." He paused, his smile fading. "And with it…there is also the matter of explaining it to Levy. Before, he said too much, to not leave her with suspicions of what he wished to do. As much as I had hoped to avoid pushing her through even more…I do not think I have another option but to explain the mistake with my own spell now."

"She's a good person, Zeref." Makarov narrowed his eyes at the black wizard. "You better not lie to her."

"I assure you, of the many things I may be, a liar is not one of them." He paused, turning away. "That…that is one trait that I manage to preserve, regardless of how cruel I may become. Honesty is far more beneficial, in nearly all situations." He paused, smiling faintly. "And trusting, as I'm starting to see…might prove to be valuable as well, in terms of making friends."

The elderly man raised his eyebrows. "Making friends? Well, that's not something I expected to hear from you. Last I heard, all you wanted was a way to get more power and end your curse."

"And I have no curse, and have no need of power." Zeref shrugged. "I just wish for a peaceful life…and in my memories, at least, Levy was the one helping me see how to follow that path, and live a more pleasant life." He had others, too, helping him. Natsu was closer to him than before, and…Igneel. He had to bring the dragon back again and go to hatch Dragneel as well. Yet, it wasn't something that needed to be rushed either. "As for making friends…I think I'd prefer a far different start to our relationship now than we had before." Zeref slowly rose to his feet, smiling and holding out his hand. "As you know, I am Zeref, Emperor of Alvarez. I'd like…to speak with you, about ensuring we remain allies in the future. I have reason to be interested in working with a few of your wizards, after all. There is a…particular job, that will be offered, concerning an object I'm quite interested in."

Makarov stared at him, before slowly smiling and letting out a laugh. Zeref blinked, yet the elderly man just shook his head, patting Zeref's back. "Oh, you're definitely going to fit with them just fine!" The man grinned, pulling away. "I see what he meant, by accelerating your shift. Yet, that does not mean you do not have a ways to go. There's no need for any sort of formal alliance at all between us. Fairy Tail isn't a guild right now, after all, and even if it was, that'd just mean more paperwork to file and I'm tired of doing all of that stuff. If you want to go on a job with my wizards, don't bother asking me about it. Just go on and do it."

"I…think I'm starting to see why your guild is known for being destructive and reckless."

"Well, they'll never learn if they aren't allowed make mistakes."

Zeref paused, before slowly nodding. "Perhaps not, I suppose." Yet…there was something else that needed fixing. Levy was gone, working on solving Zeref's own problems. He'd created that time rift, with Eclipse. So, it was his responsibility to ensure it was fully handled. "Would…would you like a ride back to your home? I believe I need to be in Fiore for something for the time being."

"And what might that be?"

"I…need to find August." Zeref looked away, frowning. "The situation Levy is handling is the result of my own spell, created long ago. She does not need to be the one dealing with it, not when my own mistakes led to this conflict."

"Well, you're welcome to try and take over, but I doubt she'll just let you steal her task that easily."

Chuckling, Zeref shook his head. "No, I do not believe she will either." He smiled at the guild master, seeing him blink in surprise. "She is quite stubborn, isn't she? How do you think she managed to get through to my past self and let her live in Vistarion already? I assure you, I was not an easy man to deal with. It took her influence, and experiencing an existence without the curse, to change so drastically and so suddenly."

"Well, I haven't seen much of it, but what little I see is a pleasant surprise." Makarov nodded, smiling faintly at him. "You'll do well for her, I think. While I can never say I'll approve of your past, your knowledge will challenge her, and you seem to respect her desire to challenge herself as well. So long as you do not stop her from gaining the strength she desires, I will not stop you, from assisting her."

"Thank you." Zeref nodded, tilting his head. "Though, I do not think you have the authority to ban me from seeing her anyway. It isn't as if you are her parent."

The elderly man snorted. "You want to get into technicalities now? We made agreements for a truce to a war that never started to begin with."

"Oh…I suppose it would seem that way to you." Zeref shrugged. "The terms are far more agreeable than they were in my past, at least. So, I suppose I will not argue with you on the matter either." Zeref paused again, while Makarov shook his head. "Again…would you like to return home to rebuild your guild? Levy…misses it, I believe. And given what she's gone through, I'd like to offer her the reassurance that when she returns…she still has both futures available to her, should she want either of them."

"Both futures…ah, I see." Makarov glanced at him, nodding. "I suppose you truly do care for her, offering her such a thing. I'll go back with you, but promise me you'll take care of her."

"Are…she has the option to return to Fairy Tail, correct? She did not mean to—"

"I will not turn her away, should she want that." Makarov turned towards him, a strange glint in his eyes. "But I want your promise that you will take care of her. After all, Fairy Tail wizards are known and encouraged to follow their hearts. Levy's heart, from the moment I first saw her here, I knew that it no longer belonged with our guild. The guilt she feels…I cannot help her move past that. However, here, she can move towards a bright future, even if it is not with the family that will always be there for her, should she wish to return."

Zeref didn't know. Would she return with him? As much as he wanted to hope for it, he couldn't be certain. Still, he knew that if she did, he would be overjoyed and ensure she wasn't pushed into the matter instantly, like she likely had been before. "I will. Regardless of which path she chooses…I will always care for her, in whatever way I can."

"Good." Makarov smiled, walking towards the door. "Then let's get a move on, shall we? I'm tired of this place, and I want to rest in my old home for a change. Alvarez really needs to learn a thing or two about hospitality, you know." Zeref smiled, nodding and walking out with the old man. Starting out peacefully like this…it was strange, but it was a new beginning. Even if Levy returned to Fairy Tail, Zeref now had an ally who might just let him visit her on occasion as well, which was more than he'd ever been able to hope for in his past.

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