I don't own anything.
"How do we find Irene? Let alone get a appointment with her?" Erza asked.
"She usually wonders the lands. She has a fondness for mountains and I can locate her with my nose. Though that means she'll smell us before we can approach her." Natsu answered.
"Do you think she'll run away?" Erza wondered.
"Not likely but she'll be very annoyed." Natsu answered.
"It looks like you're about to be yelled at." Erza said.
Natsu saw the smug look on her face and she would be proven right. It would take a few days of traveling but finally, they found Irene on a mountain overlooking a forest. The woman stood tall on the cliff that overlooked said forest. Irene held a wooden staff in one hand while wearing a black color wizard hat. Her long scarlet hair would be braided into four separate entities to the sheer amount of hair. Irene's hair would reach the woman's waist. She turn around to reveal that she had Erza's color eyes. The woman wore a black top that had a diamond shape opening that left little to the imagination. That is if you wanted to die. Her mid drift was exposed along with her naval. Irene would have a scar on her stomach. She wore a pair of black color gloves that matched the black color sleeves. The sleeves would be color white at the ends of the black sleeves. She wore a black loin cloth with a white color logo of the Alvarez Empire. Irene had on black leggings and finally black stilettos. The woman already had a frown on her face. Her eyes narrowing at the male.
"I see you are too stubborn for your own good, Natsu." Irene stated.
"She wanted answers. I brought her here." Natsu said.
Irene didn't want Erza to be here. She told Natsu that and yet he brought her here anyways!?
"I thought my detailed account would be enough answers for her."
"She had other questions and you should know those questions, is she even human, will she become a dragon and all that." Natsu commented.
Irene erupted at that statement.
"She won't become a Dragon, you should know better! She isn't like us! She was born as a human and I kept her human! Now you bring her here!" Irene yelled at Natsu.
Erza would be the spectator as she watch them respond to one another.
"I have told her that but that doesn't mean she'll believe me! Let's not forget that dragon slayer magic didn't turn out to be fool proof. Erza is a case that we haven't seen before and it's evident when you carried her in your womb for that long. As a dragon, mind you." Natsu stated.
Erza realized that by how Natsu and Irene were talking to one another. It was all but confirmed that Irene was Erza's mother. However, Erza needed to hear it from Irene's own mouth. The female taking a step forward as this got everyone's attention. Irene let her eyes wonder to her daughter. Erza would be looking up at her.
"Are you my mother?" Erza asked.
Irene took in a deep breath. Erza was here now and figured to just come clean with it all.
"Yes, I'm your mother." Irene stated.
Natsu seeing this as a hint to leave the two all alone. He would take it.
"You two sort this shit out, I'm gonna give you some space." Natsu said.
He turn to walk away. Irene called after him. The woman still irritated by Natsu's actions.
"We'll be having a talk Natsu! Don't think you're off the hook!" Irene yelled.
Natsu gave her a wave as he headed away from the cliffside to give the pair some private space. This left the mother and daughter alone with one another. Irene wasn't comfortable with meeting Erza. Yet, she couldn't act like she didn't want a bond with her daughter. She had loved her unconditionally for 400 years but Irene had her reasons for leaving Erza.
"He's quite the troublesome individual but he means well." Erza told her mother.
Irene found herself agreeing with Erza.
"He just doesn't think about how other people feel." Irene stated.
"How do you feel?" Erza asked.
Irene was 'feeling' a lot of emotions right now. She is happy to see that her daughter had grown up into such a healthy looking woman. She is relieved that Erza is still alive. Yet, Irene is terrified of what she could do to Erza. The woman showed capability to try and birth Erza not out of love. It was out of malice, to serve her own goals, to become a human again at the cost of her daughters life. This is why she was so upset with Natsu. He knew why she separated herself from Erza and brought Erza here against her wishes.
"I want to snap his neck is a start." Irene said.
"Don't be too hard on him, I was the one who wanted to find you and to clarify some things he had told me." Erza responded to Irene.
Some of Irene's anger did evaporate, she couldn't be as mad at Natsu if Erza did push for this meeting. Though that didn't mean he was going to get away for free but that would be a matter that could be dealt with later.
"As he has informed me, I'll answer your questions as best as possible." Irene said.
"Will I turn into a dragon?" Erza asked.
Irene scoffed at the question. It should have been obvious but Erza hadn't been properly taught about the ways of dragon slaying magic. The woman could give her own daughter some slack.
"No, I was pregnant with you when I was a human. Therefore, you would be born as a human even if I was a dragon. I used my enchantment magic to protect you and make it to where you weren't able to inherit my dragonic nature." Irene answered.
Erza felt a little bit relieved at the answer.
"Thank you, to be honest. I was quite terrified that I could turn into a dragon." Erza answered back.
Irene narrowed her eyes.
"Try to remember that when you deal with Natsu and he can't revert his dragonic transformation." Irene stated.
Erza understood the implications behind her mother's words. As if to stop thinking much like how her father had thought about Irene.
"I understand what my father did was and still is wrong. I won't commit the same mistake as him. I swear it." Erza stated.
Irene could see the resolve in Erza's eyes and gave her daughter a nod of acknowledgement. It became silent between the pair as both felt the awkward tension start to fill the air. To Erza, whom had all of her questions answered with one answer didn't know what to say for a few moments. Finally, she coughed into her fist and began to try to make small talk.
"I take it that I inherited my father's magic since you specialize in enchantment magic." Erza stated.
Erza watched as Irene's mood worsened as even her eyes frowned at the mere thought of her former lover.
"If you mean requip than yes you have inherited that bastard's magic." Irene spoke.
And again, nothing seemed to be spoken between the pair. Erza discovered she hadn't been really great with making small talk and Irene for the first time in a long while was now confused. Irene decided to try and make some sort of conversation. Her daughter had tried to do the same even if it was a question about her father.
"I was honestly scared what would happen if we met again. I thought I would try attacking you. I'm still scared that I could attack you at any moment." Irene admitted.
Erza was surprised at her mother's words.
"Is it really that bad? I mean...you could have done that during the four hundred years you had me and after you had given birth to me. You ultimately chose not to do it, you had nineteen years and you haven't hunted me down. I think you can give yourself some more credit." Erza tried assuring Irene.
Irene contemplated on Erza's words. Her daughter had been correct that Irene could have hunted her daughter down. Yet, Irene had chosen to remain in Alvarez. Maybe, she had been too unsure of herself. Yet, Irene still remained steadfast in her decision to leave Erza in Rosemary Village. Erza on her end wasn't angry, she had come to terms with being abandoned a long time ago. Yet, even as her own mother stood before her. Erza would be sympathetic to Irene's plight. Her own mother had abandoned her. It was not out of malice. Her mother was just scared of herself, she didn't trust herself not to harm her own daughter. The reason was born out of love and it made it difficult to hate her mother.
"I don't regret my decision, I wanted to keep you safe at all costs. Even if it meant keeping me away from you. You deserve to live your life the way you want too, I wanted to give that to you. Even if the possibility was small, I didnt want to take any risks." Irene said.
Erza felt pleased at the statement.
"Thank you...I...I mean thank you for doing that for me."
Erza realized mid sentence on what way she should be addressing Irene. I mean they weren't really close and Erza was still abandoned by Irene. Safe to say she didn't like being abandoned but on the other hand. Irene left Erza because of the fear of using her own magic to harm her daughter. She clearly loved Erza. Needless to say, it was a complicated mess that would need some serious time to unwind and address.
"You're welcome." Irene spoke.
It became quiet again. When the silence became too long, Irene figured that it was time for her to say her goodbyes.
"I suppose I should leave." Irene said.
Erza didn't want things to end the way they were going to end. Where both walked away without having a chance to connect and be apart of each other's lives. Erza wanted to try to patch things up with her mother.
"Wait!" Erza spoke.
Irene stopped as she raised a brow at her daughter. Erza pushed herself to say the words.
"I wanted...to connect." Erza said.
Irene was curious as to why her daughter wanted to have anything to do with her mother. Especially given such circumstances.
"You do realize that I could kill you at any point and how you're in Fairy Tail. If Alvarez goes to war with Fiore, there's no way I can guarantee you any type of safety from my colleagues. Let's not forget I ultimately abandoned you, no matter the reasons." Irene stated the roadblocks to her daughter.
Erza voiced how she felt on the after mentioned matters. She stood tall, confident and spoke with a clear voice.
"You did abandon me and while I have gotten over my hatred of that fact a long time ago. I now know as to why you abandoned me and it was because of your love for me. You didn't trust yourself to keep me safe from you. I think that warrants you having a chance to come back into my life. I know how bad the relations between our kingdoms is, I can't blame you if your colleagues come after me. However, that means I'll be defending myself from them and they may die. Finally, you could have killed us at any point during our time here with you. I have enough reasons to trust you. I'm aware but I want to try." Erza stated.
Irene considered Erza's statement. Irene herself also wanted to connect with her daughter. It's not like she didn't want too. Irene still loved her daughter. If her daughter would push for Irene. Irene couldn't say no to her child.
"It's your fault if you die but I'll do my best not to attack you." Irene said.
Erza grew a smile.
"It looks like we have a lot to catch up on." Erza commented.
Irene chuckled in amusement.
"Indeed, and the first is why my daughter is so foolish to be around a mother that could murder her any minute." Irene said.
"Maybe, I don't see you as a murderer. At least not to me." Erza spoke.
Now Irene gave a smirk.
"Oh, does that mean that you have heard about the issues I cause?" Irene asked.
"A little and that you're loyal to Zeref." Erza spoke.
"He is my king after all. I do as he orders and besides he gave me my body back. He was the one that indirectly lead to you being born." Irene responded.
Erza did have to concede that point to Irene.
"Zeref is...a dangerous man because of his unpredictability." Erza commented.
"He is dangerous, far more dangerous than you think but he views all of us as pawns. We are but expendable to him. Yet, he uses our value as a degree of care for us." Irene said.
"If you know that much, why still work for him?" Erza asked.
"When a man gives you a life or gives you your life back, you will understand how I feel." Irene answered Erza.
Erza didn't particularly like the answer. After...after her past, she chose to close off her heart and was against the idea of a...partner. is that what her mother is referencing? No, that wasn't it. A very strong sense of loyalty to a man that gave her everything? Yes, that seemed the more rational of the choices. Irene grew a smile.
"Besides the only man that can kill the Emperor and get away freely is Natsu." Irene spoke.
Erza's eyebrows formed a frown to show her confusion.
"What? You'd allow Natsu to kill Zeref? Doesn't that go against everything?" Erza asked.
"Natsu is the only one that can grant Zeref's wish to die. If it is Zeref's desire to be killed by Natsu, I won't stop Natsu but not everyone feels that way. However, I'm loyal to Zeref's wishes and desires and as such, Natsu has free reign to try." Irene stated.
Maybe Zeref and Natsu reached a compromise or had a sort of friend yet enemy relationship. She didn't know the exact nature of their relationship but Natsu had been straight forward about killing Zeref.
"Speaking of Natsu, we should get him and tell him you'll be staying here for the time being." Irene said.
"What is Natsu's relationship with Zeref? It seems like you know." Erza said.
"Oh?"
Erza could have sworn that Irene's smile became sinister in nature. As there were lights dancing in the woman's eyes.
"He's Zeref's special project but don't worry, Natsu is doing the correct thing. Don't think too hard about it and just know that despite the situation. He is definitely on your side if your goal is to put a stop to Zeref." Irene said.
Erza noticed that Irene didn't answer her question. Yet, she had assured her that Natsu wasn't her enemy. Irene made her way down the cliff to Natsu's location while Erza thought about it a little bit more.
'Natsu said he ran into Zeref several times before and that could mean a variety of things. He could have been friends with Zeref considering his explanations about why the Dragon Slayers were sent four hundred years in the future.'
Erza mirrored it to how Jellal and her eventually became enemies. Natsu and Zeref were most likely friends before circumstances tore them apart. Natsu still caring about his friend had vowed to release his friend from said curse of contradiction. Erza felt her spine shiver. A friend killing a friend. A tragic tale no doubt. Which is probably why he didn't want to outright tell her. It would be too painful. However, he did tell her that he had interacted with Zeref in the past.
'He deserves a break from questions and besides I don't talk about my past with Jellal for similar reasons.'
Erza seeing these points and living through a similar experience wouldn't get on Natsu about those things. Instead, she would help him. Erza would try to find a armor that would give her capabilities of slaying immortal beings. That way she would have the strength to slay Zeref. Natsu shouldn't be doing this alone, she would stand by that statement. Erza made her way to the pair with a new mission in her heart.