Chapter 42
Fairy Tail, magnolia - Year X785
It was a rare sight—one that Naruto never expected to witness in his lifetime.
Mard Geer, the aloof and ever-composed Underworld King, sat at a corner table, completely engrossed in a book. Not just any book, but Icha Icha Tactics—one of the volumes from Seilah's collection, which Naruto had gifted her days ago.
At the bar, Kyôka watched with a mix of confusion and wariness, her sharp gaze darting between Mard Geer and the book in his hands. It was as if she were trying to comprehend some great cosmic mystery.
Seilah, sitting across from Naruto, spoke first. "Send my regards to whoever wrote those books."
Naruto burst out laughing. "Hah! Damn, Pervy Sage would be proud to have a pretty girl like you appreciating his art."
Seilah gave a small sigh, looking… disappointed? "My condolences. I must admit—I did not expect to be hooked by it."
Naruto arched a brow. "Wait… you finished the whole thing already?"
Seilah gave a slow, deliberate nod. "I searched for more books of similar quality, but… I found nothing." She let out another sigh, resting her cheek against her hand. "It is a shame. I finally found something enjoyable, only to run out of material so soon."
Naruto scratched his cheek, amused. "So what, no books can compare to Icha Icha?"
"I'm afraid not." Seilah shook her head. "Nothing else is as… compelling."
Kyôka, who had been silently eavesdropping, shifted uncomfortably. A light sheen of sweat formed on her brow. She, too, had read a few chapters—out of sheer curiosity, of course. But she dropped it quickly, realizing it was dangerous… not in the way she was accustomed to, but in a manner that unsettled her deeply. Whoever the author was, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Naruto, unaware of Kyôka's inner turmoil, grinned at Seilah. "Well, if you can't find anything good to read… why not write something yourself?"
Seilah blinked. "Hm?"
Mard Geer turned a page without looking up. "An interesting proposition," he mused. "I would be curious to see what an Etherious could produce in the realm of human literature."
Seilah tapped a finger against her chin, considering it. "Writing, huh…"
Kyôka, still sweating, suddenly stood up from her seat. "I need a drink," she muttered, marching toward the back of the guild without looking back.
Naruto snickered. "What's her deal?"
Seilah glanced in Kyôka's direction before returning her gaze to Naruto. "I suspect she, too, found the books… dangerous."
Naruto laughed. "Heh, what can I say? Pervy Sage was a genius."
Mard Geer silently turned another page.
Later that day, Naruto finally established another communication with Zeref through the lacrima. The dark mage's voice, calm as ever, carried an air of finality.
"It's done," Zeref said. "The mechanism for both my return to the empire and Mystogan's passage back to his world—Twilight—is complete."
Naruto exhaled, feeling a strange weight settle in his chest. He had known this moment was coming, but now that it was here, it felt almost surreal.
Traversing to the floating fortress of Tartaros, hidden atop the dense forest on Magnolia's outskirts, Naruto made his way into the dimly lit laboratory. There, surrounded by the remnants of dark magic and intricate machinery, Zeref stood waiting, holding Twilight in his hands.
"So… it's finished, huh?" Naruto muttered, eyes fixed on the artifact.
Zeref gave a slow nod and extended it toward him. "Yes. Everything is in place."
Naruto took Twilight carefully, letting its cold surface rest in his palm. He studied Zeref, noticing the subtle weariness in his features—not just exhaustion, but something deeper. A quiet acceptance.
"Before we leave," Zeref continued, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "will you accompany me to see Natsu? There's something I need to say to him."
Naruto met his gaze and nodded. "Yeah. Of course."
Magnolia Outskirts - the Forest
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long golden streaks across the sky, Naruto led Natsu and his team—Erza, Gray, Lucy, and Happy—to his usual training grounds. The wind carried the faint scent of the nearby trees, and the evening air was thick with an unspoken tension.
"This should be a good spot," Naruto said before turning to the others. "Let's give them some space."
Understanding the gravity of the moment, Erza, Gray, and Lucy exchanged glances before silently following Naruto a few paces away, leaving Natsu and Zeref alone.
For a while, neither brother spoke. The fading light cast long shadows over them, the moment stretching between them like an invisible bridge.
Finally, Zeref broke the silence.
"Do you want to come with me?" he asked gently. "Back to the empire?"
Natsu's eyes widened slightly. The question caught him off guard. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again. He hadn't expected this… hadn't even considered it.
Zeref saw the conflict flicker across Natsu's face and closed his eyes briefly, a soft smile gracing his lips.
"It's okay," he said, voice filled with understanding. "I know. Fairy Tail is your family now."
A moment of silence passed between them, heavier than any words could be.
Then, without warning, Zeref stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Natsu in a firm, brotherly embrace.
For the first time, there was no weight of a curse, no looming doom—just a simple, human moment between two brothers.
"Thank you, Natsu… for freeing me," Zeref murmured. His voice, always so composed, wavered slightly. "One day… I'll make it up to you."
Natsu blinked, feeling the warmth of the embrace before breaking into a grin. "Heh. Maybe when we visit that 'Alvarez-whatsit' Kingdom, yeah?" He patted his brother's back.
Zeref chuckled softly, pulling away. "It's a promise then."
He took a step back, studying his younger brother one last time before his expression turned serious.
"Take care of Mard Geer, Kyôka, and Seilah, Natsu," Zeref said. "They may not show it, but they trust you now."
Natsu's grin widened. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
Naruto, Natsu, Erza, Gray, Lucy, and Happy stood in silence, watching as Zeref ascended toward the floating fortress of Tartaros. The massive stronghold, cloaked in shadows, began to stir, its form shifting as ancient mechanisms roared to life. With a deep, resonating hum, it slowly drifted skyward, setting course for the Alvarez Empire.
The orange hues of the sunset bathed the fortress as it disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving behind a lingering silence.
"Guess that's it, then..." Erza murmured. She turned to Naruto. "When are you and Mystogan planning to leave?"
Naruto exhaled, gaze still fixed on the sky. "A few days, maybe."
"A few days, huh..." Gray echoed, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy.
Sensing the mood turning somber, Natsu suddenly perked up. Without warning, he cracked his knuckles and grinned.
"Oi, Naruto! One more fight before you go!"
Naruto smirked. "You never learn, do you?"
The challenge was accepted, and though Natsu gave it his all, the outcome was inevitable. He lost—again. It wasn't much of a fight, but at the very least, it managed to lift the heavy atmosphere.
As Natsu lay flat on the ground, groaning dramatically, Lucy sighed. "Honestly, Natsu…"
Happy hovered beside him, shaking his head. "Aye… you never learn."
The group made a campfire, admiring the view of the sky.
Fairy Tail
"So, Zeref has given you the means to return…" Makarov said, his voice calm but laced with the weight of farewell.
Mystogan held Twilight in his hands, observing the intricate craftsmanship. The black wooden branches twisted elegantly around the white lacrima at its core, resembling an eerie yet beautiful lamp. He turned it slightly, watching the light flicker within. "It's almost like a lamp," he mused.
"We set out in a few days then… this weekend," Mystogan confirmed.
Naruto, leaning back in his chair, nodded. "Yeah, it's about time."
Makarov inhaled deeply, as if trying to steel himself against the inevitable wave of emotions. Then, with his usual hearty grin, he declared, "Well, before you go, I'll prepare a feast! A proper Fairy Tail farewell party!"
Naruto chuckled. "Heh, appreciate it, old man."
Mystogan gave a rare, small smile. "Thank you, Master."
Makarov waved them off, already envisioning the rowdy chaos the celebration would bring. After all, this was Fairy Tail—farewells were never quiet.
On the other side of the hall, Gildarts and Cana sat together, exchanging stories over drinks. The topic of choice? Naruto's long, humiliating history of being endlessly teased by Mirajane.
"Ever since he got here, Mira's been all over him," Cana cackled, recalling countless moments of Mirajane's relentless flirtations. "And Elfman? That guy's been claiming Naruto his brother-in-law the moment he picked up on his sister's antics towards the poor bastard."
Gildarts grinned. "Poor kid never stood a chance."
At their table, Naruto, Mystogan, Wendy, and Carla sat together, enjoying a selection of desserts. Naruto, in particular, was savoring a bowl of Mirajane's homemade ramen—one of the few things he'd truly miss.
Meanwhile, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy, and Happy were feasting like there was no tomorrow, having already shared their goodbyes with Naruto and Mystogan. The energy between them was the same as always—Natsu and Gray bickering, Erza eating with terrifying speed, Lucy trying to keep up, and Happy sneaking bites from everyone's plates.
Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe—Fried, Bickslow, and Evergreen—approached Naruto and Mystogan to say their goodbyes, though it quickly devolved into their usual antics. Elfman, of course, was the most dramatic.
"FAREWELL, BROTHER-IN-LAW!" Elfman wailed, clutching Naruto's shoulders with crushing strength. His body trembled with emotion, and tears streamed down his face. "A REAL MAN SHOULD STAY AND START A FAMILY! HOW COULD YOU LEAVE?!"
Naruto, eyes wide with horror, tried to pry himself free. "Oi, oi, don't start that again—!"
But Elfman wasn't done. He looked up at the ceiling, his expression suddenly serious, as if contemplating the universe itself.
"…A badass that was never born," he muttered under his breath.
Naruto paled. "The hell are you talking about?"
Elfman shook his head solemnly. "The potential that was lost… the warrior that failed to swim inside Sis…"
A moment of silence. Then—
"WHAT THE HELL, ELFMAN?!" Naruto yelled, face burning red.
Mirajane, giggling mischievously, simply winked at him before continuing to serve drinks.
As the night wore on, Levy, Gajeel, and Juvia made their way over to Naruto and Mystogan, their expressions a mix of gratitude and reluctance. They had already said their thanks, but this was Fairy Tail—goodbyes were never simple.
"Oi, Naruto, Mystogan," Gajeel smirked, stepping onto the makeshift stage in the corner of the guild hall. "Since you guys are leaving, I wrote you a song."
The room fell into an awkward silence. Every conversation, every bit of movement seemed to pause as the guild collectively turned to stare at Gajeel.
"Oh no," Levy muttered, burying her face in her hands. She already knew where this was going.
Taking a deep breath, Gajeel began to sing.
It was horrible .
Off-key, deafeningly loud, and completely out of sync, his voice screeched through the air like metal grinding against metal. The sheer brutality of his singing sent visible shudders through the crowd. Half the guild cringed, some covered their ears in horror, and others—like Natsu—doubled over in laughter.
And then, as expected, chaos erupted.
What started as groans and protests quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl. Plates flew, tables overturned, and fists were thrown in every direction. Food was used as makeshift projectiles, barrels of ale were knocked over, and somewhere in the chaos, Elfman was dramatically sobbing about lost manhood.
Naruto, caught in the madness, could only laugh.
Across the table, Mystogan—normally composed and reserved—had completely lost it. He clutched his stomach, smacking the table as uncontrollable laughter shook his entire frame.
This was Fairy Tail.
And no matter where they went, they knew they'd never forget it.
The next morning, as the golden rays of the rising sun streamed through the large windows of the Fairy Tail guild, Naruto and Mystogan stood at the very center of the hall, surrounded by their guildmates. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and melancholy, the kind that came with saying goodbye to cherished friends.
The two men held Twilight between them, its white lacrima core pulsing softly, as if resonating with the emotions in the room. They took a moment to glance around, committing every detail to memory—the boisterous laughter, the scent of Makarov's morning tea, the clatter of mugs, and the warm smiles of the friends they had come to consider family.
Cana caught Naruto's eye and smiled fondly, fingers tugging at the training wristband he had given her. It meant more to her now than anything else. Nearby, Gildarts gave the blonde a knowing wave, his usual smirk carrying an unspoken message of gratitude. He had already said his thanks and wished Naruto well on his journey beyond this world.
"Kick those Otsutsuki guys' asses!" Natsu grinned, arms crossed, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.
"Aye! Beat their asses, Naruto!" Happy chimed in, flapping his wings.
Lucy waved enthusiastically, her smile bright yet tinged with wistfulness. "Take care of yourselves out there! And don't cause too much trouble, Naruto, Mystogan!"
Erza nodded, her usual composed demeanor softening. "Remember, once a Fairy Tail member, always a Fairy Tail member."
Gray smirked, arms tucked behind his head. "Try not to get your asses kicked wherever you're going."
Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh, no promises."
Mystogan, ever reserved, simply placed a hand over his heart and bowed deeply. "Thank you… all of you. I will carry this guild in my heart, always."
Laxus stood nearby with Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen, offering a subtle but genuine smile. They didn't speak, but their nods said everything—they understood, and they wished the two well.
Gajeel scoffed, arms crossed, but even he lifted a hand in farewell. Levy waved beside him, her expression gentle, while Juvia, eyes shining with emotion, offered a quiet farewell of her own.
Mirajane smiled as brightly as she could, though her fingers trembled slightly as she waved. Deep down, the farewell hurt more than she let on.
Elfman, however, had no such restraint, weeping comically as he shouted, "NARUTO! YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE HERE… AS MY BROTHER-IN-LAW! MAAAN!"
Mira groaned, slapping him on the back. "Oh, geez, Elfman…"
Standing a bit apart, Mard Geer, Kyoka, and Seilah regarded the departing figures with a quiet kind of respect. They gave the slightest of nods, Mard Geer and Seilah exchanging a few murmured words about sending their respects to the late author of the Icha Icha collection.
At the back of the guild hall, Wendy and Carla stood close, holding hands. They refused to let sorrow take over—not when they wanted to give Naruto and Mystogan one last memory of them smiling.
Makarov finally stepped forward, his small stature doing nothing to diminish the weight of his words. "You're both welcome here anytime. No matter how far you go, Fairy Tail will always be your home."
A gentle breeze swirled through the open doors as Naruto and Mystogan lifted Twilight. The two exchanged a silent glance—an unspoken promise.
Then, as Twilight's energy flared to life, enveloping them in a soft glow, the two figures vanished—leaving behind a hall filled with waving hands, shouts of encouragement, and the bittersweet echoes of farewell.
Their first destination awaited them—Edolas.
The two traversed worlds, slipping through the fabric of reality as Twilight carried them to Edolas. The transition was seamless—one moment, they stood in the warmth of Fairy Tail's guild hall, and the next, they emerged into a familiar yet altered world.
Edolas stretched before them, a land both known and foreign, where the air felt lighter, free of the dense Ethernano that saturated Earthland. Mystogan inhaled deeply, his senses instantly attuned to the magic-starved atmosphere. Yet, something was different. Something wrong .
His sharp gaze lifted toward the sky, scanning the endless blue that once held only drifting clouds and the distant sun. But now—
His breath hitched.
There, looming above, was a celestial body that had not existed when he last departed.
At first, it appeared as a moon, but no—this was something else. Something unnatural. Something new .
Mystogan's heart pounded in his chest as realization dawned. " This… This is why my father stopped pillaging Ethernano from Earthland. This is the new source."
Beside him, Naruto tensed. Instinct flared in his veins, a whisper in his very being urging him to look deeper. His eyes shifted, pupils dilating as his Aokugan activated. He focused on the strange celestial body, peeling back its layers, searching beyond what the ordinary eye could perceive.
And then—
His stomach turned.
Chakra.
Naruto stiffened, fists clenching at his sides. It wasn't just any chakra. It was something eerily familiar, something that sent a chill down his spine.
It felt ancient.
It felt wrong .
It felt like—
"…Otsutsuki," Naruto muttered, the name slipping from his lips like a curse.
Mystogan's head snapped toward him, eyes wide with silent alarm. If Naruto, someone whose very soul had been shaped by battle against the celestial clan, could recognize their presence… then this was no mere coincidence.
This was something far worse.
The two stood in heavy silence, the weight of their discovery pressing down on them. Whatever lay within that celestial mass—it was watching. Waiting.
And it had already begun to change Edolas.
Edolas
Naruto and Mystogan sat near their makeshift camp, the crackling fire barely providing warmth against the cold realization settling in their minds. Above them, looming like a silent judge, was the celestial body—an ominous mass of crystallized chakra, pulsing faintly with unnatural energy.
Mystogan's gaze never left the sky as he finally spoke.
"The Anima in Earthland disappeared a couple of years ago… I suppose it's safe to say that thing up there was the cause."
Naruto followed his line of sight, eyes narrowing. "You think it came through here the same way I did to Earthland?"
Mystogan shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I don't know… But if you're right, and there really is an Otsutsuki up there, then maybe they came here of their own volition. Perhaps to pillage this world's already barren resources."
Naruto's jaw clenched. "The God Tree doesn't just feed on chakra—it devours life itself. As long as a planet has life, especially one with a civilization, it's never outside that clan's sights. But… if what you're saying is true, if this thing really was the reason Anima stopped a couple of years ago…" He paused, expression darkening. "As far as I know, it's the Otsutsuki who do the stealing, not the other way around. You think your pops is taking energy from that thing as an alternative to Ethernano?"
Mystogan exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Possibly… No, that's the only alternative to Ethernano. And you sensed it too, didn't you? That celestial body is teeming with an overwhelming concentration of energy."
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "I could always roam around and investigate. Now that I can use every jutsu in my arsenal again, I might be able to pull some intel from your soldiers."
Mystogan shot him a look.
"Relax, I'm not interrogating them like some underground agent. I'll just use my good old transformation—" he stopped, grinning. "I mean, jutsu. My Sexy Jutsu."
Mystogan's eyes narrowed in judgment. "So… the same as Mirajane's transformation magic, but with a far more deliberate touch?"
Naruto smirked. "Bingo."
Mystogan let out a deep sigh, waving off Naruto's ridiculous plan. "No. Absolutely not."
Naruto shrugged. "Fine, fine."
Still, they both knew there was no stopping them now. Mystogan's fingers unconsciously gripped his staff, while Naruto's Aokugan glowed faintly as he tried to scan the celestial body from a distance. But just like with Acnologia's Etherious form and Zeref's Fairy Heart state, he needed to get closer to truly understand it.
"I'll go back to the castle and ask my father," Mystogan finally said. "No need to make this complicated."
Naruto raised a brow. "Didn't you defy him to stop him from stealing Ethernano from Earthland? Pretty sure he won't be happy to see you."
Mystogan's expression hardened. "If I return… I'll be imprisoned for treason."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Still… I didn't expect an Otsutsuki to allow itself to be siphoned. If it's been here for years and hasn't done anything, it must mean it's plotting something different."
Mystogan crossed his arms, wary. "It's not like I can just waltz into the castle and ask my father about our 'new moon.'"
Naruto let out a small laugh. "You really think they can stop you?"
Mystogan shook his head. "No… but I also can't do anything hostile. That would be terrorism. It wouldn't exactly look good if the long-lost prince of Edolas suddenly returned and started tearing through the royal guards."
Naruto's gaze returned to the celestial body, his Aokugan shimmering with renewed focus.
"Mystogan… that Otsutsuki up there is far stronger than any I've faced before."
Mystogan's eyes widened slightly. "Stronger than Isshiki?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah." He clenched his fist. "I sensed chakra, but there's more than just that. The one above us is probably an ascended Otsutsuki. It must have consumed countless lives to reach that level… It reminds me of Zeref's Fairy Heart."
Mystogan felt a cold sweat form on his brow. "So… if you fought it?"
Naruto let out a slow breath. "If it doesn't pull a fast one on me, and I manage to stall it… then I might be able to overwhelm it in time."
Mystogan sighed, gripping his staff tighter. "Seriously…?"
Naruto's gaze never wavered from the crystalized moon above.
"Yeah."
The two spent the night in quiet contemplation, the crackling fire between them casting long shadows against the barren landscape. Above, the crystallized moon pulsed faintly, an unspoken reminder of a battle that lay ahead.
Chapter End