Chapter 30 - Heart of the Family
Fairy Tail, 22 year ago
Mordred stared at Makarov with an annoyed expression edged onto her face. In front of her was Makarov and a baby inside of a small basket. Mordred took a few deep breaths and tried to comprehend what Makarov was asking of her.
"This is your grandson? A kid that Ivan threw away like the scumbag he already proved to be?" Mordred asked.
Makarov sighed, there was no beating around the bush. While there was still a small tinge within him that still loved his son as a father should. Makarov was old and couldn't forgive his own child for the actions he took that earned his expulsion. What made this ironic is that Mordred was the one to find Ivan and beat him within an inch of his life.
Kind of ironic as when Mordred first joined a couple of years ago. It took her awhile to adjust to the new setting and slowly open up. She was still hostile and bitter after she left Camelot so she had a hard time trust anyone except Makarov. However, until recent days, Mordred wanted to implement a style similar to natural selection. Where she promised to beat Makarov one day and let the strongest make the rules. She more or less kept the same mindset despite mellowing out a bit.
Funny enough, Makarov at least agreed with a couple minor ideas. Like making a second floor for S Class wizards who can only access that space for S Class missions which were dangerous on their own. But that's a story for another time.
"Yes Mordred, this is my grandchild. The son abandoned by my own son." Makarov confirmed.
"And you want me to look after him? What's wrong with you? You're barely pushing sixty and you drink like you're still 30!" Mordred asked.
As Mordred raised her voice, the baby started to stir in his bed.
"Mordred, I'm not asking you to adopt the boy. Despite your tomboyish attitude. You're the only mature one in this guild." Makarov said, trying to reason with her.
"Old man, I may respect you but I'm not going to be your babysitter." Mordred said sternly.
Mordred didn't want to look like a bitch and say she hated babies. She was not too fond of children, at least in terms of being the one to watch over them. The young woman mostly looked after herself and wasn't exactly trained to handle a small defenseless child. Mordred was not expert but when she looked down at the boy. She saw a frail child that could barely function on their own.
"Mordred, I just need you to watch him for a week. The other guild masters and I are meeting out of town and you know how important it is." Makarov said as Mordred sighed.
"Can't you ask the old woman?" Mordred asked, referring to Porlyusica.
"You know how she is." Makarov said.
Porlyusica does not like humans according to herself. That and she hates having too many people at her hut and given her old age, she probably can't handle a baby outside of checking for their health.
"Are you serious?" Mordred asked.
"I am, Mordred I know its a lot to ask but its only temporary. I can compensate you as much as you want within reason." Makarov replied.
Mordred groaned as she saw there was no point in arguing. She could only hope the week would pass and that the baby would be quiet for most of the time.
"Fine, it's on you if something happens." she said.
Makarov sighed but gave her a smile.
"You will do good. He might even like you." Makarov said.
"Whatever, what's the kid's name anyways?" Mordred asked.
"Laxus, he's Laxus Dreyar." Makarov said before giving Mordred the bag she needed.
A few minutes after Makarov left the guild to go to the meeting. Mordred sat there on the bar stool with Laxus still laying inside of his basket. He was wide awake and just curiously looking around and stretching his hands as Mordred sighed.
"Laxus huh?" Mordred asked.
She then stood up, lifted the baby bag over her shoulder and gently picked up the basket. Mordred then walked out of the guild and went to her room in Fairy Hills.
"I guess we're the kids no one wanted. Some pair we are." Mordred said.
Laxus began to make sounds of discomfort before beginning to cry much to Mordred's annoyance.
"No, no, no! Not right now!" Mordred exclaimed as she ran to her room.
It was the beginning of an annoying journey filled with strife and challenges. However, for Mordred, when the week passes, she would refuse to stop raising Laxus.
Present Day
Mordred's right eye twitched in annoyance as she lifted Lucina by the gruff of her shirt. She was clearly annoyed by the claim that this random woman made.
"Listen here, I don't have any siblings and to top it all off. We don't look alike." Mordred said.
"Well, technically we're not sisters by blood." Lucina said which only frustrated Mordred.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Mordred asked, sounding irate.
"After my birth father passed away from health complications." Lucina answered, her voice sounding more soft. "Given how I was born. I was taken in by King Arthur." she said.
Mordred's eyes narrowed as she felt more pissed for a moment. Her mind briefly flashed to the years she wasted in Camelot. To the days before she left that kingdom when she looked up at the king she admired. Remembering that apathetic look on Artoria Pendragon's face when she dismissed her presence.
"I was fine being in your shadow but you never once turned and look me in the eye. Why won't you acknowledge me?"
Mordred's face was filled with despair as rage slowly settled in. Her grief taking over her mind that day but Artoria responded with silence as she walked away. Giving Mordred the impression that she does not care for the feelings and thoughts of others. Mordred let out all her rage and let the king she once praised as the epitome of perfection know how she felt.
"I will destroy everything you worked for, Arthuuuur!"
Mordred flinched as she remembered the enormous hate she felt and despite hating everyone and everything. Feeling only the desire to destroy whatever came to her line of sight. One man had told her that she had the power of choice to do as she pleased. He didn't say it in a way to condescend her. No, he said it because Mordred had the right to decide her own fate.
So even if some called it treachery or cowardice. Mordred never regretted leaving the kingdom and finding a home in Fairy Tail.
"Mordred." Gildarts called out, using her full name.
Even before her death, he barely knew Mordred's backstory. All Mordred said was that she was a knight and ranted on about feeling alone and unwanted. It took many years just for her to admit that much and a few more details. Still, looking at her right, he could see Makarov's adopted daughter was having a hard time controlling her own feelings.
But then Mordred snapped out of it and let Lucina go.
"So the Great King Arthur took in an orphan. At least you have a roof over your head." Mordred said before turning around.
"Sister?" Lucina asked.
"I'm not your sister. Just leave me alone and go back to Camelot." Mordred said.
Lucina didn't know what to think of with Mordred's reaction. It didn't take a mind reader to tell that Mordred was angry but pushed off any rage she felt. Then again, her eagerness didn't exactly give Mordred a quick detailed explanation to understand why she was here. However, it looked like it would be more difficult to communicate with Mordred.
And even if Lucina decided to give up and head home, it wasn't going to be easy.
"Wait, even if you don't accept me. I still want to help." she said.
"You aren't exactly skilled." Mordred said.
"It was an unfair battle! I was disoriented and you were a Knight of the Roundtable, so the odds were against me!" Lucina tried to argue but Mordred shook her head.
"Hey Mordred, I don't mean to butt in but didn't she mention Laxus?" Gildarts spoke up.
Mordred's eyes widened as she almost missed that. She was too distracted by Lucina's appearance and story that she forgot about the part with Laxus. So she turned back to her alleged step sister.
"Where's my son?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, he literally dropped me off." Lucina answered as she gestured to the crater.
Mordred sighed, "Well now I gotta teach him to not be throwing girls."
Gildarts laughed, "You should see Naruto. Mirajane secretly had her eye on him since day one and I think Erza wants him too."
"Don't remind me." Mordred said, remembering her earlier account with ERza.
"Ooh and the princess too!" Gildarts added.
"I don't wanna hear it! If a girl wants my son, they can try and win his heart. It's not my business." Mordred said, looking away at the end.
Gildarts stopped joking around and started to imagine how Mordred felt. From waking up as a corpse and finding out nearly 20 years have passed to realizing she couldn't be there for her boys. Mordred probably thought that she had little say in the lives of her boys when they were grown men who don't need a mother anymore.
"Mo-chan, listen. The two-"
He was then cut off by Mordred stabbing the ground with Clarent.
"But if some girl wants to get hitched with my youngest! They have another thing coming if they don't request my approval!" Mordred exclaimed.
Gildarts began laughing again while Lucina sweat dropped. The latter not realizing that random outbursts like this was part of being a Fairy Tail wizard. Unfortunately, the banter wouldn't be followed by drinks or "friendly" roughhousing. As Mordred's instincts kicked in and she subconsciously started tapping her magic into her eyes.
Resulting in her eyes turning red with black tomoe which immediately startled Lucina and got Gidlarts confused.
"What the heck? Mo-chan, is that part of your weird undead powers?" Gildarts asked.
"Her what?" Lucina asked, clearly confused.
There would be no time for explanations of any kind as Mordred started taking a few steps forward. Her new ability started to disorient her as she saw a signature that looked similar to magic heading her way. What made it odd is that there was a second one that was dim.
"Hey, I think I see two people. One's coming and the other is... gone. What?" Mordred asked, sounding confused.
"What do you see?" Lucina asked, sounding curious.
"Besides someone trying to attack us." Mordred answered before looking at her companions. "I thought I saw someone pretending to be me."
Before they question Mordred in regards to the latter. The woman raised her helmet and began to rapidly swing in the air as a whole wave of paper projectiles nearly hit her.
Lucina quickly picked up her sword and jumped back as Mordred continued to fight off the projectiles. When a woman with purple hair and an undead appearance similar to Mordred's appeared.
"Crap, she must be like the fish guy that Sieg talked about." Mordred said.
Gildarts didn't need to hear more and threw a punch towards the woman. Barely missing and hitting the ground with enough force to cause the whole beach to shake. He then looked back towards the woman who was behind him and started launching a wave of paper planes.
Which Mordred blocked with her sword strikes after jumping in front of Gildarts.
"These paper planes are sharper than knives!" Mordred exclaimed.
Lucina decided to jump into the fray and quickly thrusted her swords towards the mystery woman. Missing at every turn before delivering a blow her shoulder, only for it to turn into paper.
"What?" Lucina asked before being sliced up with the paper.
"Kid!" Gildarts shouted as grabbed Lucina and pulled her aside.
Gildarts then avoided the rest of the projectiles before landing a blow on the woman. Only to watch as several sheets of paper bursted into smaller fragments of paper that hit the ground. Doing little to not real damage on the woman as she was able to transform at will.
"Damn, here I thought I could hit her with my magic." he said.
Gildarts' hoped that unlike Laxus and Juvia who can turn into their elements. That the woman could still be hit mid transformation due to being a tangible object like paper. However, that didn't seem like a good case as he saw the fragments forcefully return.
However, Mordred noticed something as the woman continued to attack.
"Her magic isn't passive. She needs to do it at will." Mordred said.
"And? What does that mean?" Gildarts asked, clearly confused.
"It means she can still take a hit if we hit hard enough!" Mordred yelled as she swinged at the woman.
Once again, her opponent was about to burst into sheets of paper again. Only to take damage and skid across the sand as Mordred's sword developed a black hue. Which surprised Lucina as she didn't know about Clarent's second function.
"Did her sword change forms?" Lucina asked Gidlarts who chuckled.
"Nope, Mo-chan just knows a technique that lets her brawl against tricky wizards. Especially the ones that like to go tangible." Gildarts said.
Meanwhile, in the background, Zetsu watched the fight unfold and felt annoyed upon seeing Mordred landing a blow.
"It doesn't matter. Konan can keep coming back up until we say otherwise." he said before looking back.
Looking at the body of Kushina Uzumaki which slowly reverted back to dust. A disappointing sight to Kaguya's creation and a lot of time wasted.
"How the technique failed is beyond me." Zetsu said before sinking into the forest foliage.
Back with the group
Everyone continued their fight with Hades who released all of his power after removing his eyepatch. With Laxus here and Naruto having a better idea at what they were working with. They had a better chance to overwhelm Hades and end this invasion once and for all.
"Heavy hitters come first." Naruto said.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu shouted.
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!" Laxus shouted.
"Ice Make: Arrows!" Gray yelled.
All three unleashed their attacks at once from different angles hoping to contain Hades. Who in turn respond by escaping Natsu's fire but got hit on the side by Laxus' lightning. Gray's ice arrows were about to hit him when Hades was suddenly trapped inside of what looked like a venus fly trap which caused the ice arrows to bounce off.
"What the heck?" Gray asked.
"He can manipulate plants as well?" Erza asked.
Naruto scanned the room and saw the figure in the background that was supporting Hades. He grabbed Erza and pulled her to the side with him.
"Continue with your attack, Erza and I will hit him from another angle." he said.
"Where are we going?" Erza asked only to be dragged away.
Natsu and the others didn't question and continued their attack on the plant. With Wendy coming close to support the vanguard of their group.
"Power of the stout arms that tears the heaven, Arms!" she casted, granting the three more strength.
"I'm fired up again! Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" Natsu shouted, striking the plant barrier.
The plant exploded like a firework before revealing Hades with damaged clothes who summoned another magic chain and grabbed Natsu with it. Hades then slammed Natsu towards Laxus who tried to rush towards Hades.
"Watch out!" Wendy cried out only for the two dragon slayers to crash into each other.
Hades then turned his attention towards Wendy and began firing magic bullets at her.
"Ice Make: Wall!" Gray shouted, generating a thick wall to block the magic bullets.
Only for the wall to shatter as Hades punched through it then grabbed Gray by the face and slammed him onto the floor. Gray struggled to rip Hades' hand away from him only to be slammed down again before being tossed aside. Allowing Hades to target Wendy again only for Capricorn to suddenly appear and deliver a swift kick to the side of his head, sending him flying back.
"To strike a child, let alone a lady, violates the rules of being a gentleman." Capricorn said as he adjusted his sunglasses.
"Thanks Lucy." Wendy said gratefully as the older girl gave her a thumbs up.
As for Hades, he quickly got up only to be barraged by Laxus' and Natsu's combined attacks. Which he countered with another plant shielding his body so he could recover.
"That stupid thing is getting on my nerves!" Natsu yelled as he burned the barrier away.
Only to be surprised by a pair of giant purple magic circles that formed purple rays that transformed into giant magic bullets. Given the sheer size of it, the two dragon slayers tried to counter the attack rather than try to avoid it.
"Fire Dragon..."
"Lightning Dragon..."
"ROAR!"
Even with their combined might, a large explosion went off on the ship causing the whole thing to shake and break apart. Resulting in everyone hanging on for their lives as the impact started to send them flying away.
Gray created an ice sword and stabbed the deck to hang on while Lucy used her custom whip to grab onto poll while holding onto Wendy. All three held on as they waited for the impact of the attacks to end. Only to witness another explosion from right under the deck where Hades stood.
"What is that!?" Lucy asked.
The bright light from the explosion revealed Naruto and Erza in the air with a large monster that looked like a huge fusion of Zetsu clones. All of them growling and trying to swipe at the two.
"That thing is scary! Was it hiding under the deck!?" Wendy asked fearfully.
As for Naruto and Erza, the two were trying to kill the Zetsu chimera and with every strike.
Hades himself started to feel a tad disoriented and felt like there was this thread he was connected to being severed. He didn't think much of it and instead focused on everyone else including Natsu who was still standing while Laxus looked like he was about to collapse.
"It's over! Grimoire Ray!" Hades shouted, pointing his magic bullet at Laxus.
"Laxus!" everyone shouted.
For a man who moves fast, Laxus could look at the world as if it moved slow. He took in his surroundings and wondered if he could have handled things better. For the self proclaimed strongest wizard in Fairy Tail (despite being excommunicated), Laxus couldn't remember what it was like to take this much of a beating. Before fighting his little brother woke up from his coma and stopped his stupid stunt that is.
'Heh, I called him a parasite. What right do I have to call myself a brother?' Laxus wondered.
As the magic bullet came closer to Laxus. The lightning mage punched the deck with enough force and unleashed a wave of lightning around Hades. Sending it straight to Natsu who was shocked, but not hurt. Instead, he could see the fire dragon slayer slowly absorbing it and with little difficulty due to doing a similar process earlier today with the flames of Amaterasu.
'I guess I'll leave it up to you Natsu. You too Sieg.' Laxus thought as he closed his eyes for a moment.
Laxus took a deep breath, not caring what was going on. He just wanted to catch his breath and clear his mind without caring what went on around him. Regardless of how hurt he's going to be, Laxus really needed to push away the stress. To think clearly and think about what's going to happen next. At the same time, he found himself thinking about recent days.
From growing up as a sweet boy to being an arrogant brat that would grow up to be a bastard that put his family and guild's lives on the line for his ego. As Laxus found himself stuck thinking about the past. He could briefly see the back of Mordred's head with her staring away from him.
'I'm sorry mom. I let you down.' Laxus thought before feeling a slight pull. 'What's that?'
"Bansho Ten'in!"
The pull suddenly felt like a giant fishing hook grabbed Laxus by the waist and pulled him back. Where in a mere moment, Hades' Grimoire Ray obliterated the part of the deck where he stood on.
"What the!? Sieg!?" Laxus asked.
"Laxus, learn to pay attention!" Naruto shouted.
Laxus didn't have time to form a reply as Natsu created a new combination technique with his lightning. One that generated enough energy to make even the Zetsu chimera scream out in pain.
"I bet you're the one that's been helping Hades, you overgrown weed! You're going down first, Lightning Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu roared.
The Zetsu chimera tried to defend itself with a giant wall of plants. Only for Erza to Requip into her flight armor and use her speed to cut the plants down. Resulting in Natsu's amplified attack to harm the chimera, causing it to scream out in pain and drop most of its defenses.
"It's weaker now that it's exposed!" Erza shouted.
"Okay, time out! Where did that thing even come from!?" Lucy asked, clearly disturbed by the chimera's appearance.
Flashback, a few minutes ago
Happy's group managed to find what they thought was a heart under the airship deck. However, while that wasn't what it was, it didn't terrify Happy or Carla any less. What didn't help was the fact that they were also spotted by an army of Grimoire Heart dark mages who surrounded Panther Lily.
"This isn't good! There's a scary plant monster thing and we got a million henchmen surrounding us!" Happy cried out.
"It would help if you two knew how to fight!" Panther Lily yelled after swiping through another wave of dark mages.
Panther Lily, being the only capable fighter, was already running on fumes as his fighting form required a lot of magic. Which was running low and wouldn't last with the seemingly endless wave of dark mages.
"So much for finding this new sword." Panther Lily said before blocking a spell and slashing at another dark mage.
"Give me back my Musica Sword! I paid a fortune for it!" the original owner of Panther Lily's sword shouted.
Before Panther Lily could attack him again, the ceiling caved and revealed Erza and Naruto. Seeing them, Panther Lily jumped away and shielded his fellow Exceeds from the following attack.
"Bansho Ten'in!" Naruto shouted, pulling all of the dark mages in close.
"Purgatory Armor!" Erza shouted before pulling out her giant mace.
Erza then slammed down the mace, allowing for the impact to crush the incoming mages in one heavy shockwave. Those that did survive the heavy impact either fell or were sent flying back to the end of the room.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" Naruto shouted as he unleashed a large wave of electricity to finish them off.
Once it was done, Panther Lily reverted to his normal form and covered his ears. Reminding Happy and Carla that he secretly has a fear of lightning.
"Why couldn't he have just burnt them to a crisp?" Panther Lily asked, clearly not afraid of Naruto's methods.
Happy shook his head and looked at Erza and Naruto, "Guys, we found something and it looks important."
Naruto and Erza looked up at giant window holding the Grimoire Heart but even the former could see it wasn't an ordinary sentient. Naruto formed a couple of magic clones and had them grab the Exceeds before extending his sword towards the window.
"Erza, get ready fly away." Naruto said.
Before Erza could question Naruto's random acts. She watched him blast the window open and pierce what was inside. Revealing the Zetsu chimera which was clearly unhappy with being disturbed from its spot.
End of flashback
Happy and his companions came flying out from the hole where the chimera came from.
"Guys!" he called out.
"Happy! Carla! Lily!" Wendy cried out as they flew into her arms.
"Child, you would never believe what..." Carla stopped and saw the burnt chimera. "You're telling me they took it up here!?"
"Don't worry, Natsu is finishing it off and we've almost beat the bad guy too!" Wendy said.
At the same time, Natsu was repeatedly punching the chimera while Naruto faced Hades again. With Erza choosing to help the latter now that Natsu has the plant monster contained.
"Lucy, Wendy, support Naruto. I will support Naruto." Erza said.
"Hey, what about me?" Gray asked.
"Babysit Laxus." Erza answered.
"What!? Babysit Lax-"
Laxus suddenly collapsed on top of Gray's back. Forming a position that would have made Juvia scream with jealousy and anger.
"What the!? Get off of me you jerk!" Gray yelled.
Laxus just groaned as Lucy and Wendy tried to use their strength. Unfortunately, Laxus was a bit too heavy for them but that's where Capricorn came in.
"Allow me, ladies." Capricorn said as he lifted Laxus with minor difficulty. "Now then, about the giant plant monstrosity."
Wendy stepped forth, "I got this. Fast wind that run the heaven... Ile Vernier!"
Wendy's chant then amplified Natsu's speed as he avoided various venus fly traps from trying to bite his head off. With the fire dragon slayer being able to move around past the thick defenses of the Zetsu chimera.
"Lightning Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Natsu shouted as he hit the chimera with enough force to make the airship shake.
At the same time, Hades started to stumble before taking a club to the face by Erza.
"What do you have left, Hades? Your elite warriors are defeated, your minions are gone and your ship is in disarray. What do you have left?" Erza asked.
Hades growled as he unleashed another wave of magic that made the air feel thick. As Hades started speaking inaudible, he started growing plant like features around his body. Which only got Naruto a bit more suspicious about their opponent.
"Grimoire Ray!" Hades shouted.
Erza quickly prepared to retreat when Naruto got in front of her and extended his hand.
"Preta Path!" he shouted as the magic bullet came right towards him.
Naruto grunted as he did his best to absorb the magical attack with some difficulty. At the same time, he felt his own reserves rising a bit from that attack.
"I'm still not used to that." Naruto said.
Hades then slammed his chains down and hit Naruto and Erza, sending them crashing across the remaining bits of the deck. He then approached them as he began to twitch erratically as if he were possessed. Hades then raised his magic chains again only for Naruto to sit up.
"Shinra Tensei!" Naruto shouted, sending Hades skidding back again.
"Naruto, do you think this is strange form is related to the plant?" Erza asked.
"No, I think this is the main plant that's doing this. At least the smartest one that's doing it." Naruto answered as he drew his sword again.
The two then recovered and nodded at each other before charging at Hades one more time.
Elsewhere
Balder collapsed and let out a gasp as his skin became pale and started to sink in. The man struggled to get up and used every bit of energy to be move whatever part of his body he could move again. It was only by some miracle that he was able to grab a nearby rock and throw it at his foe's head with enough force that would have squashed a man's skull.
However, all it did was wound him slightly despite crashing into a tree.
"How ironic, I cannot die but I feel pain. Yet, you can still die but were incapable of feeling pain." Zeref said, sounding slightly amused.
Balder barely raised his head as every muscle in his body started to shut down.
"I got two regrets in this life, ya damn dark mage. One, I didn't kill the bitch. Two, I didn't tell that Azure Knight about the bitch." Balder said, confusing Zeref.
"Still vulgar in the end. I suppose humans choose to die as they lived." Zeref said, wondering if this was some sort of irony.
Balder rolled his eyes, "Forget it, I can tell you weren't just some vagrant. At the very least I can feel again, even if I'm a dead man."
Zeref was surprised to see a man accept death. It wasn't a common thing and most are actually afraid of death despite claiming to be ready or believing to have lived a fulfilling life. It was a feeling that he didn't dwell on for more than ten seconds as Balder continued to twitch on the ground.
"I think there's a book that said that life is freedom and to kill is to take away freedom. The author was a damned fool I bet." Balder said.
Zeref just stared at the man who attacked him and fought with ferocity. It wasn't until over an hour into the fight that Blader began to feel pain. Where he was once a man who could never stay down due to his inability to feel pain much less take permanent damage. Now he was a man that was on ground trying to get everything out of his system. Whatever remained after this, Zeref decided could wait.
"Hey, goth boy, if you're so smart. Tell me this, why do dark mages exist?" Balder asked.
"Are you expecting some philosophical answer to help you move onto the next plane?" Zeref asked, knowing it was a dumb question.
"Oh hell no, I just want to understand my companion. I went looking for him, felt like following him and he went on about hating dark mages. Something about them being subhuman and being mindless monsters that need to put down. Typical fascist talk or something." Balder explained, making Zeref think.
Zeref took the minute to think but actually felt intrigued enough to try and answer this. He hoped he could be quick enough to answer as he saw Balder couldn't move his fingers or toes anymore.
"In short, the fallacies of human nature." Zeref said.
"Sure, speak like ya got swallowed a damn thesaurus." Balder said sarcastically.
But Zeref chose to elaborate.
"It took being alive as long as me to see the negative nature of humanity. They are selfish and with all that they learn, they hope to grow. Instead, they choose to repeat their mistakes. Their willingness to hurt others regardless of intention is what makes them horrible. Even now, my years of research have been nothing more but weapons to further enable the fantasies of such people." Zeref explained, detailing his dislike towards humanity.
"I see... does that make Siegfried Naruto a shitty man... or does he get a pass?" Balder asked.
Naruto spoke about dark mages as if they were vermin. While they did prove to be monsters with no remorse, the Witches of Dathomir and the Seven Kin being perfect examples, Naruto was still filled with hate towards certain people. Then again, Balder wasn't aware of the situation with Meredy. On one hand, Naruto could kill the child so she wouldn't grow up to become another Brain or Hades, but he could go against his beliefs and try to push her away from that. It would be a lot to think about but Balder wasn't good at thinking.
Zeref didn't care much either as he saw Naruto as another human who proved to have his own fallacies. Heck, Zeref was starting to loathe humanity as he further thought about it. It didn't mean he would argue that he's justified or anything.
"To each their own, but he is still human." Zeref said.
Balder let out another sound, like he tried to respond again. Only for Zeref to watch his body decay before breaking apart. The ancient dark mage bent down next to Balder's remains and shook his head.
"He wasn't human after all. Just a bad attempt at making an etherious." Zeref said to himself.
Suddenly, Zeref felt his shoulder being bit down by a venus fly trap. He then felt multiple vines wrap around his arms and legs with thorns popping out to wound him. He was then forced to watch as Zetsu revealed himself.
"I suppose you must be the creature corrupting this land." Zeref said, putting the clues together.
"I predate your existence." the plant said.
"Is that so?" Zeref asked, not really caring or believing it.
"Your power is unique. A power of a god and it will be quite suiting." Zetsu said.
"Power for you to control?" Zeref asked, expecting that to be Zetsu's mission.
"Power to revive Mother, through you." Zetsu said, confusing him.
Zetsu then tightened his hold as more fly traps bit down on Zeref. With even more thorn covered vines surrounding him and restraining him. As if Zetsu just wanted to make sure he suffered enough to the point he couldn't think. Unfortunately for the sentient plant, Zeref had enough and released another black wave of death that murdered every plant for a mile that was not Zetsu himself.
Zetsu grunted and felt like his connection to all his clones was severed. It wasn't like losing communication with them or anything like that. It was like he was the last Zetsu in existence. Even though Zeref's power didn't go that far, it felt like the dark mage was about to end Zetsu's very existence in one day.
'No, I have to revive mother. I cannot fall to someone with odd techniques.' Zetsu thought.
Zetsu then put a palm on the ground and summoned a wave of vines covered in thorns. Along with a large pit of plants to ensnare Zeref's legs to keep him in place. Only to watch as every plant died instantly and with him being unable to make any more unhealthy plants.
"I suppose even the creations of man are no different from their creators." Zeref said.
Zetsu snarled, "Mother is a goddess. She ruled the world when she inhabited but no one will stop her rebirth."
And with that, Zeref had enough of the nonsense. Regardless of whether or not he believed or even understood Zetsu. Zeref didn't want to be used as a martyr or tool to ensure someone's disgusting idea of a perfect world they could live in. So he walked up to Zetsu with his hand shrouded in a black cloud that would then turn into a flame.
"Dark Blast Inferno: One Ultimate." Zeref said before piercing Zetsu's shoulder with a single attack.
Zetsu cried out in agony as he fought to stay alive. Despite the clone's will power, it was nothing before the power of a man who was cursed by a true god. Leaving Zetsu to die out and thus, permanently erasing any ounce of Kaguya's will on Earthland.
Back to the fight
Naruto was parrying each of Hades' magic chains before jumping away to avoid the magic bullets he fired. All the while Erza was in her Lightning Empress armor and striking at Hades who struggled to keep up with the both of them.
"All this struggling is meaningless, Hades!" Erza said before blasting Hades with a high amount of voltage.
By this point, Hades just accepted whatever hits he took and continued to move so long as his body allowed it. Even at the cost of taking a sword to the gut by Naruto.
"There's no point in speaking to people like him Erza." Naruto said as Hades suddenly froze in place. "Even if there is any humanity left in him, it's gone now."
It was then that Hades looked down that he saw Naruto had used Soul Calibur to pierce him. Where he then witnessed it change into a zweihander and proceeded to rip open his body. Revealing that it was becoming a lot more plant-like with some semblance of flesh. Hades quickly raised his hands and formed another magic chain and tried to hit Naruto with it only for Erza to cut off one of his arms.
"You will not touch him!" Erza shouted.
"Fool." Hades muttered in a distorted voice.
Erza then saw the magic chain wrap around her neck and felt it slam her to the ground. Before feeling as it tightened around her throat, making her drop her sword as she felt the oxygen in her lungs being cut off.
"Erza!" Naruto called out.
At that moment, a Zetsu started to rip itself out from Hades' body, causing a part of the elderly man to fall apart. Naruto glared at Zetsu and prepared to rip out Soul Calibur when he saw several vines binding his arm to the blade.
"We will meet again, Naruto Uzumaki." Zetsu said as he ripped himself off of Hades.
Naruto struggled to pry his hands off of his sword as he watched Zetsu crawl towards Erza who was struggling to free herself. By the time he got a hand free, the Zetsu chimera slammed a vine down in between him and Erza.
"No! Amaterasu!" Naruto shouted as he hit the chimera with a massive black flame.
The chimera cried out in pain but it wasn't enough to force it out of the way. Leaving Naruto to curse before looking at his palms and shaking his head for overthinking.
"Amaterasu!" he shouted again, burning the vines away.
Once free, Naruto used Soul Calibur to cut through the Chimera's vine and ran up to Erza. Who he saw was struggling to stay conscious as she wrestled the Zetsu off of her.
"Erza!" Naruto shouted.
His mind flashed back to Fran and how she was bound like a wild animal. The homunculus was physically strong but lacked a lot of mental strength. Which only further motivated the witches to chain her up and put a collar on her neck. Naruto's first fear that day was Fran being choked to death but it only ended worse.
Now Naruto felt a similar scenario happening as he watched Erza struggling. She was exhausted from all the fighting, struggling to breath and was being attacked by a monstrous plant who wanted to use her like a vessel, the very same way it did with Hades. Naruto felt like Erza was moving a mile farther with every second that passed as he tried to reach her.
Every step felt like it weight over a hundred pounds. Like something was keeping Naruto from moving faster than he should be. With him being tempted to just throw something, but unsure of the risk.
'Damn it! So useless!' Naruto thought before throwing Soul Calibur at Zetsu.
Only for a wall of vines to get in the way and reduce the impact. Resulting in Soul Calibur cutting through but not hitting Zetsu who barely avoided the sword.
'Pathetic.' Zetsu thought as Erza's body began to go limp.
Then suddenly, Zetsu himself felt his body become very stiff.
*SQUELCH*
Zetsu let go of Erza and saw multiple bladed weapons shaped like ice piercing throughout his body. He looked behind and saw Gray was forming more ice.
"Your turn!" Gray shouted behind him.
Before Zetsu could respond, a streak of lightning rushed past him. He looked down and saw the magic chain was shattered and Erza was gone. The plant creature then saw a tired Laxus with Erza thrown over his shoulder with Clarent on hand.
"Don't mess with my guild." Laxus said.
Then suddenly, Zetsu felt multiple delayed slashes across his body. Where he soon felt his body being eviscerated and collapse onto the ground.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Naruto shouted as he engulfed Zetsu in a massive fire.
Within seconds, Zetsu let out a screech of pain before being reduced to ash. Soon enough, the Zetsu chimera would face the same fate by Natsu's hand.
"Lightning Fire Dragon's Firing Hammer!" Natsu shouted as he punched the chimera with a powerful blow.
The blow itself caused the entire airship's remains to break apart. Resulting in the ship snapping even more with the whole place threatening to fall apart.
"Guys, now is a good time to go!" Happy warned.
"I agree, I believe we should retreat now." Carla added.
Everyone watched as Natsu began to finish up his fight. Which would not end without destroying the airship as a result. Prompting Carla to grab Wendy Happy to grab Gray while Capricorn gently picked up Lucy and began to hop away.
"Hold up! I'm stuck! I'm out of magic!" Panther Lily shouted as he couldn't fly at the moment.
Naruto sighed as he looked towards Laxus, only to see he collapsed to the ground and Erza was struggling to stay conscious.
"Naruto... we..." she muttered.
"Hang on Erza." Naruto said before having an idea. "Animal Path!"
A second later a large bull appeared under them. Naruto managed to grab his brother, Erza and Panther Lily before commanding the bull to escape the destroyed airship.
"Where did you learn to conjure up a bull!?" Panther Lily asked.
"Where did you get that sword?" Naruto asked, pointing to the Musica sword.
"What relevance does that have!?" Panther Lily asked.
"I collect weapons too." Naruto said, giving him a calm face.
'Is he bipolar or something?' Panther Lily wondered.
As they escaped, Natsu used his remaining energy to use the strongest spell he could form to destroy the Zetsu chimera.
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade!" Natsu shouted as he spread his arms and created a vortex of lightning and fire.
The impact would have normally sent a foe flying away with great force. However, in Natsu's case, he burned through the plant and created a bigger vortex to reduce the monster to ash and destroying the airship beyond repair. Leaving only a few fragments and a bit of Hades' body that survived being removed from Zetsu's body.
"So this is Makarov's new generation of Fairy Tail. What would you say, Mavis?" Hades whispered to himself.
Elsewhere
Mordred managed to land another blow on Konan's face, briefly stopping her from bursting into paper. Allowing for Gildarts to land a downwards blow that sent her crashing down into the sand in a large crater. Just as Konan hit the sand, she slowly began to stand up again. When Mordred kicked her into the air and repeatedly slashed at her in the air before sending her into the woods.
"Hurry! She'll recover soon!" Mordred warned.
Lucina nodded and ran towards Konan's crash site. Where she used all her strength to stab Konan in the chest and embed her into the ground. Mordred soon joined her and stabbed her in the same way.
"Okay, that won't hold her long. But..."
As Mordred spoke, Konan started to feel disconnected from the charm. As if Zetsu was no longer controlling her free will. However, she still felt some of his influence and it was making it hard for her to stay still.
Before Mordred could think of a solution, she was blinded by the sight of Natsu's attack.
"What is that!?" she asked.
"That looks like Natsu. I guess that means Naruto's group won." Gildarts said, looking proud.
Mordred paused for a moment and registered Gildarts' words before letting out a small chuckle. The woman thought back to when her boy was just a tiny delicate baby. While it was sad that she wasn't there in his life. Gildarts' single statement showed her son was still able to grow strong.
"I make badass babies." Mordred said.
Lucina smiled a little before almost losing her balance. She then saw a large creature running in the distance. The beast did a big roundabout where it came from before heading back in the direction of the explosion.
"We should check that out." Mordred said.
"What about the zombie lady?" Gildarts asked.
"Try using your Crush magic. Maybe we can break her apart now and stuff her in a bag." Mordred suggested.
Gildarts looked at Konan who continued to struggle and seemed unable to turn into paper. He hesitated for only a moment before breaking her down into multiple little clones. Which allowed Mordred and Lucina to grab with ease as they were much weaker at the moment and allowed for them to be shoved into a mostly empty bag that Lucina carried.
"And with one good knot. We can temporarily secure our prisoner." Lucina said as she formed the tightest and most complicated looking knot.
"Good job, I see you would make a great girl scout." Mordred joked.
"Thank you, Big Sister, I aim to please in all categories." Lucina said, taking that as praise.
Mordred sweat dropped, "You're weird."
"Eh!?" Lucina asked, looking sad.
Before Mordred said anything else, a few members of the guild arrived.
"Hey, we heard the explosion. Did we win?" Lisanna asked.
"We won our battles. I can only assume Natsu's group won theirs." Gildarts said.
Everyone but Makarov cheered at the news, with the guild master slowly walking up to the trio.
"And I'm glad to see you returned Gildarts. I see you reunited with Mordred." He said.
"Yeah, I'm still freaked out though but hey, at least Naruto has a mom again!" Gildarts said happily.
Makarov sighed before noticing Lucina, "And who is this young lady? How did she get on this island?"
"Old man, that's a-"
Lucina caught off Mordred by hugging her waist, "I'm Lucina, her younger sister!"
"…what!?" Makarov asked before hearing the explanation.
Later, with Naruto and the others
Once it was safe again, everyone got back to the remains of the Grimoire Heart airship. With the Rinnegan animal summon returning back to the realm where it came from. The group then approached the damage and saw a panting Natsu sitting with his arms crossed and a grin on his face.
"You know, I'm still peeved that Naruto got the last fight but I'll let it pass. Just this once." the dragon slayer said.
"That's surprisingly mature of you, Natsu." Lucy said with a bright smile.
"Yeah, well it turned out the plant monster was behind it. I don't wanna believe it but that old far made it sound sincere." Natsu said as he pointed to Hades.
"He's still alive!? After all that!?" Lucy asked.
"Natsu, that had to be your biggest attack yet. That guy is super lucky." Happy said with wide eyes.
At that moment, Erza sighed and looked at Naruto who summoned Soul Calibur again. She closed her eyes and heard Naruto's heavy footsteps against the creaking deck of the damaged airship. Where she then saw Naruto barely a foot away from Hades.
Naruto looked at Hades, he wasn't in the mood to beg, bargain or spout threats. In rare cases, Naruto met stubborn dark mages who accepted defeats or just didn't care. Hades looked like the latter and looked as if he knew a few words would not matter to Naruto, regardless of their meaning. Not that Naruto wanted to say anything despite being curious about the former second guild master turning to the dark arts.
"Stop wasting time boy. You're embarrassing both me and yourself. I know you double tap your foes. Your foes won't stay defeated if they can still get up." Hades said, accepting his fate.
Naruto raised up his sword and let it transformed into a simple yet sharp short sword. He raised it above Hades' chest and readied himself to plunge down on his heart.
"What embarrassed me is I learned power doesn't just corrupt in a metaphorical sense. No, I let a plant monster take over. Believing it knew all and could grant me more. While I didn't mind it for most of it. I found myself lost and unsure if I really wanted any of this or if my goals became someone else's." Hades explained as the blade came closer.
Naruto didn't bother to respond and began to charge up some chakra into his sword. Just to prepare for the moment that another Zetsu clone or something else appears to get in the way.
"I'm not saying this as some form of last rites. Perhaps a confession of shame is more like it. Some part of me has no regret with how far I dived into my studies of the dark arts. Albeit, I think I recognize Mavis would be disappointed in my actions and wouldn't pity be even if I lost all free will." Hades explained.
Naruto felt some confusion but didn't show any.
"Here I am, a rambling old man. I can say I'm ready for the next life when I'm not. Deep down, we're all afraid and we just find the energy to run or fight. In your case, some say killing doesn't become easier. When it really does. It's easier to understand how to take out your opponent." Hades continued before reeling his head back and closing his eyes.
Naruto was done and shoved the blade into Hades' chest. Despite sensing the fear that Hades admitted that he felt. It did nothing for Naruto in terms of feeling better, but that's how its always been.
"One last thing boy. Don't think I'm going to try and damage your mind or manipulate it." Hades said as he briefly raised his head.
At that point, Naruto twisted the blade and began to turn Hades' body into a crystal like material. With the dark guild master closing his eyes as he let out his wisdom that Naruto tried to ignore.
"Truth is everything… when you tell the truth. Are you giving clarity and purpose… or are you shifting a burden? That's what I'm asking myself right now…" Hades said before he became a crystal statue.
Naruto ripped out Soul Calibur before stomping on Hades' remains and shattering it. He stood there for a moment, looking at the remains floating in the horizon. Not caring how anyone saw him but also being annoyed that Hades got a cool death with how his remains fly in the air.
"Amaterasu." He said, burning the crystal remains and destroying them.
And the magic of the death is gone.
Naruto then turned and saw Carla and Wendy covering their eyes as Lucy shielded them with her back turned. Naruto could sense their fear with Lucy likely hoping to keep Wendy from feeling traumatized by the kill.
"You let him talk for quite a while." Panther Lily noted.
Naruto began to walk before thinking of a response, "He just admitted the truth. He's just an old man that rambled."
Panther Lily expected more while Erza knew there was more. Only the latter didn't have it in her to press him for more information. Today was already the most stressful day of her life.
"Girls, you can open your eyes. Naruto beat the dark mage." Erza said as simply as possible.
A while later
Naruto carried Laxus on his back while walking away from the destruction as the group went to reunite with everyone else. As they walked in silence, Laxus suddenly regained consciousness and let out a gasp.
"Crap, I dropped Lucina!" he cursed.
"Lucina? Where did you hear that name?" Naruto asked, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Is Lucina code for poop? Did you poop yourself Laxus?" Happy teased.
"Ew!" Wendy yelled as she covered her mouth.
"I didn't shit myself, stupid cat! I... wait, why are there three of you now!?" Laxus angrily asked, now noticing the other exceeds.
Erza snickered, "Our family has grown, Laxus. Fairy Tail isn't an orphanage, but it's a family."
Laxus just sighed as he didn't need to hear that from Erza of all people. He already learned his lesson during his excommunication along with a few other things. However, before he could think about Lucina, his back felt very light.
"Mom's sword! We have to go back!" Laxus shouted.
"Is he just going to shout all day?" Gray asked.
Before Laxus said anything else, Naruto raised up Clarent for Laxus to see. As Laxus reached for it, he felt a sense of warmth as he closed in on it.
Naruto could sense the safety and comfort that Laxus felt from it. He could understand as he felt the same way when Makarov let him take Clarent along with Mordred's armor. However, as he saw the reaction, he remembered some good news but didn't know how to tell Laxus the news. As he expected his brother to react badly to how absurd the truth is.
'Hey, mom is alive. Isn't that great?' Naruto thought, wondering how stupid that would sound.
The group continued their journey until they saw Makarov and the others running up to them.
"You guys!" Lisanna shouted as she waved her hand.
"Hey guys! We won!" Natsu exclaimed, making everyone cheer.
However, some were louder than others as Naruto was shoved to the side as Laxus was picked up by his fan club.
"Laxus!" the Thunder Tribe shouted.
"You're back bro!" Bickslow cheered.
"We missed you so much!" Evergreen cried out as literal tears fell down her cheeks.
"We're reunited once again!" Freed exclaimed as he also cried.
Laxus sighed as he tried not to show much of a reaction to his teammates. He let them settle down before asking them to give him some space so he can stand. When he did, he saw Naruto catching his breath and trying to stand. So he extended his hand, much to everyone's surprise.
"Come on, you did enough heavy lifting today." Laxus said.
Naruto couldn't help but feel surprised. He saw Laxus save Erza and came to the island despite it counting as trespassing. So he took the hand and for a moment, he briefly saw a younger Laxus. With Laxus seeing a younger version of his younger brother who was happy to be helped.
"Aw, I knew you two would rekindle your bond. All it took was a lot of strife, but here we are." Makarov said.
However, the sweet grandfatherly tone of Makarov ended very quickly after Naruto stood up.
"Now that reminds me... WHY ARE YOU BOTH ON THIS ISLAND!? LAXUS YOU'RE EXCOMMUNICATED REMEMBER!? AND NARUTO, YOU WERE IN YOUR SELF IMPOSED EXILE!" Makarov screamed as he used his Titan magic to enlarge his head.
"I went through a mental journey and removed the cross on my brand." Naruto said bluntly.
"Oh? That's nice." Makarov said, calming down.
"Wait, just like that?" Levy asked with wide eyes.
"Yup, it's a weird story that I may never tell." Naruto answered.
"But-"
Levy was cut off as Makarov shouted again.
"AND WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE!?" Makarov yelled as he looked at Laxus who scoffed.
"I wanted to help my guild." Laxus said, crossing his arms.
Makarov sighed and before hearing Mordred arriving close behind them.
"Old man, what's with the racket? Could you get any louder?" Mordred asked as he made her way through the crowd.
Laxus blinked as he instantly recognized that voice. Despite it nearly being twenty years later, Laxus could recognize the voice of the woman who raised him. As he saw everyone clear his way, Laxus wasn't sure if the world was messing with him or if he had lost his mind.
Perhaps it was his childish instincts telling him this but as everyone moved away and he saw Mordred. Even taking note of her decayed looking appearance and the fact she looked different. Laxus was stubborn enough to deny that his mother had returned.
"Mom?" Laxus asked, his hands shaking and lips quivering.
Laxus felt his breathing heighten as he recognized the woman instantly.
As for Mordred, she had to pause and take the time to recognize her son. Once again, she had to remember that this wasn't the toddler she was forced to leave behind. For a moment, Mordred also wanted to deny what she saw as she saw this giant of a man was the boy Makarov presented to her.
"Laxus? You got pretty big too!" Mordred said, smiling as she saw her eldest.
Even after accepting it, Mordred's mind kept trying to tell her Laxus was that same baby boy she adopted.
Flashback, 17 years ago
By the time Makarov returned to the guild, he noticed that Mordred was a lot more calmer around Laxus. Not that she was violent or anything like that in regards to the baby. In fact, while Makarov didn't intentionally want to leave his grandson with Mordred for free. It was that Mordred continued to take care of Laxus for another two weeks even after Makarov came back from his meeting.
"Come on big guy, you gotta burp." Mordred said as she patted Laxus' back.
Makarov watched with a smile as Mordred suddenly took on the motherly role. Even after Makarov compensated Mordred, he noticed that she absentmindedly continued to take care of him. Although, he knew it was far from perfect as raising children wasn't easy.
"Ew! You puked on me!" Mordred said before wiping Laxus' mouth.
Luckily for Mordred, it was just her jacket that got stained. So once she put Laxus back in the basket she carried him in. Mordred grabbed a bag from behind the bar and stuffed her jacket inside.
"You seem very close to the boy." Makarov commented.
"Yeah, well I can't take my eyes off him without him needing something." Mordred answered casually.
Makarov chuckled as he could tell that Mordred played it off as another job.
"What's so funny?" Mordred asked.
"You're like a mother to him." Makarov answered simply.
"What!?" Mordred asked with wide eyes. "I'm not his mom, I'm his babysitter!"
"You could have returned him at any time, Mordred. I have faith in you but you haven't once asked me taking him back." Makarov said, catching her off guard.
"Well, you never said anything! In fact, how can I trust you when you gotta take care of the guild and when you're not. You're drinking and sitting around. Laxus is a baby and..."
Mordred paused and took a deep breath before looking at Laxus. The infant boy was wiggling his arms and legs around with his eyes darting around the room then back to her.
"I'm not a mom." she said.
Makarov put a hand on her shoulder, "If you can't accept it. At least be his role model. Didn't you say you were all alone before I found you?"
Mordred didn't respond, instead she looked at Laxus and thought about Ivan. Ivan was just an opportunist who abandoned a sickly child whom he tried to use for personal gain. Mordred was the one to get rid of the bastard and is now the one to take care of the child. She couldn't help but think about Morgan and how she manipulated Mordred. Leading her to despair and having expectations she could never reach.
Whenever Laxus cried, Mordred took it as someone else who was just unloved. So even when the woman thought Laxus had no right to cry when he had a home and a family. Mordred could only think about how Makarov took her in and told her this was her home too now.
"I'm just going to make sure he grows up and doesn't turn into his dad. He deserves more than that." Mordred whispered as she gently reached out to Laxus.
Makarov nodded and accepted that but then remembered something.
"How are your finances?" he asked.
He could try to scrounge up the money to help raise Laxus but Makarov knew Mordred wasn't going to play house all day. Which led her to almost punching the bar had there not been a baby present.
"Old man, I'm warning you. He's a loud cryer when I'm not in the same room as him." she said.
"I can tell." Makarov replied.
Mordred sighed and looked at the job board then the man working behind the twig. He was a frail looking man who Makarov recently welcomed into the guild who sometimes works the bar area.
"Hey Sieg, recommend me a job that isn't too far from here." she told him.
Sieg looked at Mordred and then at baby Laxus for a minute.
"Do you need the finances or is it to avoid the separation anxiety?" Sieg asked.
"Just find me a job, you stupid twig! Why did we let you in here anyways?" Mordred asked rudely.
"Mordred, be nice. Everyone deserves to be in the guild regardless of strength and power." Makarov said sternly.
"Whatever, it's my fault he's wimpy." Mordred said before hearing Laxus groan. "I know baby, Sieg is weird"
Laxus just responded by wiggling his arms around.
End of flashback
Mordred snapped back to reality the moment Laxus ran up to her and hugged her tightly. Mordred groaned as she was surprised by Laxus' strength.
"You're not a little boy anymore, are you?" She asked as she rubbed his back.
For a moment, the wizards of Fairy Tail were able to see the sensitive side of Laxus. Being reminded that he was human under the cold heartless shell that he portrayed. With Laxus going as far as to show weakness as he was able to embrace his mother again for so many years.
"I missed you… mommy." Laxus said, barely above a whisper.
"Let it out, Laxus. I'm not leaving any time soon." Mordred said, hugging him back.
After a moment of silence, Gildarts chuckled as a thought came to him.
"If Laxus is this sweet around his mom. I wonder how he's going to react to his niece." he said.
"Oh right, Filo!" Levy said with a smile.
"Haha, I almost forgot about Filo." Lucy said.
"What the hell is a Filo?" Laxus asked as he wiped his tears away.
Naruto raised a hand but was cut off by Gildarts who spoke bluntly as ever.
"She's Naruto's kid. He "hatched an egg" with Mira and Erza." the Ace of Fairy Tail said.
Laxus and Mordred lost all sign of emotion when they heard that. Because of the lack of context, they stared at Naruto with questions. With Laxus also looking at Mira who tried to hide her face.
"I knew you had a crush on him." Laxus told her.
Mira glared and tried to say something but there was no use in denying her feelings at this stage. Not even to explain the fact that Filo isn't a normal child.
"Sieg, you're only 18 and you have kids?" Mordred asked, seemingly irked.
Naruto's eyes looked away, "Well, she isn't Erza or Mira's."
"You knocked up that princess!?" Mordred angrily asked.
Makarov sighed as he had enough, "For crying out loud, Mordred. Filo is a filolial. She's a bird that turns into a human child. Naruto and the girls weren't just going to abandon her."
Mordred calmed down as she remembered reading a book about such birds. She even read a children's book regarding filolials to Laxus and the myth that they could turn human. Now she wasn't entirely sure if she should believe that either but today was a crazy day.
"Okay, so I'm an adoptive grandmother, I'm a zombie and my kids are two giants. Is there anything we need to do or can we go home now?" Mordred asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Hey! We can't leave yet! The old man hasn't promoted one of us to S-Class yet!" Natsu complained.
"Natsu's right!" Cana said, surprising everyone else.
"Are you guys for real!?" Lucy asked, very annoyed.
"Master?" Erza asked, waiting for Makarov's input.
Makarov sighed, "Fine, whoever can beat Naruto in a fist fight becomes S-Class."
Natsu grinned and charged up to Naruto who quickly side stepped out of the way. Then used Natsu's own momentum and slammed him into a large rock.
"Anyone else?" Naruto asked.
Gajeel and Evergreen fearfully shook in the back of the crowd while everyone else looked unsure. Which gave Makarov a funny idea.
"Don't be shy, since Naruto just returned to the guild. He's back to being D-Class." Makarov said, earning a look from his grandson.
"D-Class!? How does that make any sense!?" Lucy asked.
"Until Naruto ran away…"
"Ran away!?" Mordred angrily interrupted.
"Before the "incident", Naruto was too frail to do certain jobs. Therefore, he hasn't worked under the guild for several years. Meaning he's S-Class level, but a certified D-Class mage." Makarov said, offending Naruto.
"Ha, that means even Wendy outranks Naruto." Happy joked.
"Don't get excited Happy, you and Carla are no better." Panther Lily said, making Happy feel depressed.
Mordred sighed, "Okay, rankings aside. What was up with all that screaming earlier?"
Despite feeling some initial shame in his actions for causing the Battle for Fairy Tail. Laxus started feeling really terrified as he remembered Mordred would only act scary when he wasn't in the same room as her. While his mama's boy side said he would get a free pass, his logical side said scary Mordred would treat him like an adult.
"You see Mordred..." Makarov began.
"He's innocent!" Freed cried out.
"He was young!" Evergreen cried out.
"It was just a prank bro!" Bickslow cried out.
20 minutes later
The island began to shake as Mordred repeatedly smashed every large rock and tree that she could find. With Laxus hiding behind a rock as Lucina rubbed his head until Mordred calmed down. All the while most of the guild was afraid that they met someone ten times worse than Erza as Mordred continued her rampage.
By the time Mordred finished, she let out a tired sigh and marched up to Laxus who hid behind Lucina.
"Laxus, even if you're a grown man. I'm not going to hit you, but you are grounded when we get home." Mordred said.
"For how long?" Laxus asked nervously.
"33 years." Mordred answered.
"Hey! What kind of a punishment is that! That's really unreasonable!" Laxus argued.
"34." Mordred added.
"Mordred, I think that's excessive." Lucina said, trying to speak up.
"You're grounded too." Mordred interrupted.
"Why am I grounded!?" Lucina asked.
Makarov just watched the family reunion, wondering how things will go with his adopted daughter back in everyone's lives. He then looked towards his other grandson who was being treated by Wendy. While all the other men were being handled roughly by Erza who was in a cute nurse's outfit.
"There, you're all good." Wendy said sweetly.
"Thank you Wendy, you're a good doctor." Naruto said as he patted her head.
At the same time, Erza was glaring and handling her patients with even less care than before. Which didn't go unnoticed by the few boys who didn't want Erza to handle them. Which caused Juvia to intervene as Gray became a victim of excessive bandaging.
"No Erza, Wendy is not your love rival! Also, please stop hurting Juvia's beloved!" Juvia pleaded but was shoved aside.
Erza threw Gray into the pile of injured wizards, "You're good. Now go to sleep."
"Yes ma'am." Gray mumbled.
Erza then walked towards Naruto who sat on a rock at the edge of the beach. She turned and saw Mira walking to up Naruto as well, making her sigh.
'Maybe I do care about him. This isn't just guilt or sudden attraction. I always pushed him away, but now this change forced me to understand him.' Erza thought as she closed and took a deep breath. 'I just don't know if this is how he always was or if I just pushed him into the wrong direction.'
As for Mirajane, she started having similar thoughts about her crush as she felt more confident about being open with him.
"Naruto, when we get back to the guild. Maybe we should go on a quest together." she suggested.
In the past life, Naruto would have been more than eager for a mission after a bowl of ramen and maybe some sleep. However, he just raised an eyebrow at Mirajane.
"I think Filo is going to be jealous that she can't join her parents." Naruto said, making her blush.
Then Erza spoke up, "Then we can take an easy quest to bring Filo along on."
"That sounds good." Mira said smiling, but scowling on the inside. 'Stupid Erza! Who invited you!?'
Mira shook her head and broke away from those thoughts before thinking about what will happen after today. She fully realized that she loved Naruto and he accepted her feelings, Fairy Tail survived another war and all is well until their return to the guild.
"Speaking of which, Naruto is it true that you're returning to the guild permanently?" Erza asked, feeling hopeful.
"I am, albeit the princess might be unhappy." Naruto said.
'The spoiled brat can cry to her dad.' Mira thought as she kept her smile up.
"The only downside is that the dark mages will be allowed to move more freely." Naruto continued.
'No more dark mages!' Erza thought as her smile began to crack.
"But Fairy Tail is my home and I feel like I've finally let go of what happened six years ago and onward." Naruto finished, making them smile.
Erza smiled more brightly before hugging Naruto from behind. Only to see that Mira had also decided to hug him. The two stared at each other feeling awkward before breaking away.
"Mira, can we talk for a minute?" Erza asked gesturing for her to follow.
"Okay, what's up?" Mira asked as she followed Erza.
Naruto sighed as they left, he sat there and looked at the ocean before sensing Mordred take a seat next to him.
"Ya know, I'm still imagining that I'm going to wake up. That I'm going to open my eyes, then find Laxus curled up next to me and you sleeping in your crib." Mordred began.
"We all want to wake up some time in the past." Naruto replied.
"That's right, sometimes I want to imagine your dad is right there too. That he's cooking breakfast or cleaning or something. He acted like the perfect husband but sucked hard at reading people." Mordred said as she leaned next to him.
"Did he now?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, your dad may have looked wimpy but he was a good guy that was patient. I know he'd be proud of you." Mordred said as she smiled at him.
Naruto smiled back and leaned onto his mother, catching her off guard. For once, Naruto just wanted to let himself rest without worry of something attacking him.
Mordred smiled as she adjusted herself and placed her son on his lap.
"Sieg, do you know I came up with your last name?" she asked.
"From a book?" Naruto asked.
Mordred snickered, "No actually, before the old man found me and took me in. I explored the ninja lands and saw this big statue."
At that moment, Naruto felt surprised to hear that.
"You went to the elemental nations?" he asked.
"I did, I was there for maybe a year or two." Mordred said before telling her own story.
Elsewhere
On a small boat that was originally attached to the Grimoire Heart airship. Zeref sailed across the ocean looking impassive but with a burning hatred towards humanity. As he left Tenrou Island, a thought occurred to him and he looked up at the sky.
"Acnologia has awakened." he said.
Zeref then looked around the boat and saw a tiny creature with green hair hiding below his seat. When the creature believed it wasn't spotted, Zeref grabbed it and grip it tightly. The dark mage heard the creature screech as it tried to bite down on him while releasing various spores in an attempt to poison him to death. With a lot of effort, the creature probably could have put down a horde of large animals with the spores alone.
Zeref was no animal, but death incarnate.
Zeref didn't bother registering the creature's attempts to inflict him with pain. Instead, he watched as it wiggled around and tried to escape as it released all the spores it could. Only for it to slowly turn black and reduce into ash that flew into the air.
"I don't know what threat that creature or its siblings were, but if there are any left. They will be gone." Zeref said as the spores around him turned dark purple.
All around, the spores started to spread out and away from Zeref. Seeking out any remaining Zetsu clones whether they are fully humanoid, small creatures or chimeras that have fused together. Whatever was left would not be long for this world anymore. The Zetsu clones would not have the benefit of having another thousand years to try and revive their mother.
Thus, Kaguya permanently lost her ability to possibly return to Earthland and strip away free will to achieve her own form of piece was long gone.
"I wonder if those creatures are related to the man from the moon." Zeref said as he looked up at the sky.
TO BE CONTINUED...
QA with Siegfried Naruto
Naruto: Alright, we're back and we are still a chapter away from finishing this arc. Feel free to send all your hate mail to R0tatcid. Now, let's get on with these questions.
Question 1 (Troll): Is Levy a brocon to Naruto like Ruby is a brocon in your RWBY Fanfic?
Naruto: I don't want to say Levy is a brocon, but she is protective of me. After all that's happened to me, Levy was really stressed out and I don't blame her for treating Erza like crap. Honestly, she's not like this with Mira because she thought she saw Lisanna die so she went easier on her. As for Ruby, I think she sort of is one.
Question 2 (Guest): How strong is Mordred? Is she on Gildarts' level?
Naruto: I wanna say yes, outside of being a swordswoman after joining Fairy Tail. She does have some skills that are similar to Haki but if it's an all out fist fight fight, she might lose to Gildarts but she can likely win going all out. Although after this arc, she will be a whole lot stronger.
Comment from Spellbat: *Looks at question 5*... Hey didn't I write that one? I thought you knew me well enough to put my name with my questions *grumble grumble*
Naruto: ...blame R0tatcid.
Question 3 (Spellbat): Oh well, question time! *cough* Is it possible for Naruto to take control of Sieg's body when he looses his cool? Like when he sees his mother being Edo Tensei'ed. Also, will Konan help her opponents with fighting her? I know the Edo Tensei'ed Kages did that during Fourth Great Ninja War.
Naruto: I mean, we're fused together. Honestly, R0tatcid probably confused the hell out of everyone with that. In short, me (Siegfried Naruto) and classic Naruto are one now altogether. R0tatcid said that it's similar to how Ozma RWBY experiences reincarnation except instead of souls fusing, it's just personalities and thoughts that weren't fully synchronized. Yeah, he's weird about that. Now about Konan, you saw that she was forced to fight mom and Gildarts but little spoiler. Konan will definitely have a small part after this in the future. Remember, she hasn't been sealed away yet.
Question 4: Do you like fishsticks?
Naruto: Do I look like Kanye West?
Question 5: Is the control room on fire? You should check it just in case.
Naruto: That's an oddly specific question. I'll go check just in case. I'll be right back.
After Naruto left, a certain green haired princess snuck onto the QA set and gave everyone a bright smile.
Hisui: Hi everyone, I am Princess Hisui E. Fiore, I am here to give my decree. While none of you may be citizens of my kingdom, I still ask you all to vote. Not to select a certain politician or towards a law and regulation. No, I ask that you check out the newest polls. They would have been announced sooner had Sir R0tatcid updated like he should have. Please, I beseech thee to vote. Vote before the new year begins as that will be when the final results come in. The Kingdom of Fiore depends on...
Naruto: Princess, what are you doing? Did I just hear a speech.
Hisui: Sir Siegfried, I-I... I was reminding everyone to...
Naruto: To?
Hisui: To... report their local dark mages so they can be handled swiftly.
Naruto: Oh, that's good. By the way, you're just in time for the Kingdom of Fiore secret. Since you're here, we'll make it about you.
Hisui: About me? *blushes*
Secret: The first time Siegfried met Hisui was when she visited the Elemental Nations herself. As it was part of some early attempts to establish relations with the shinobi continent. However, Hisui was captured by a pair of idiots who were defeated by the Azure Knight himself. Honestly, the whole story leading from then up until the return to Fiore could be a whole side story on its own.
Hisui: We should share that story.
Naruto: I doubt we have the material to extend it by that much, princess but until then we have a time skip coming. Next time! Chapter 31: Goodbye Again?
END OF QA