Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

"Buzz~ Buzz~"

Just as Evan was announcing the end of the battle, a communication lacrima in his pocket began to glow brightly.

"Hmm?"

Evan pulled out the lacrima, looking puzzled. He wasn't expecting anyone to contact him at this time.

"Brother! Did you sneak off with Ultear to confront the second master?"

"You promised to take me with you! How could you do this?"

"Damn it, brother, you lied to me. I'm going to tell Mom..."

"I'll say you learned some bad habits from Gildarts and ran off with a bad woman!"

As soon as Evan activated the lacrima, Erza's adorable face appeared. She was pouting angrily at Evan.

"Huh?!"

Evan's face froze. He did promise to take Erza and Mirajane with him to confront the second master. But with so much happening lately, he completely forgot!

"No, Erza, calm down..."

"Actually, the second master is already old and not very strong. I just lightly tapped him, and he went down..."

"Tell you what, I'll heal him and let you fight him again!"

Evan's eyes widened when he heard Erza mention telling Irene. He quickly tried to placate her, promising to let her fight Precht once more.

After all, if Erza went to Irene to complain that he learned bad things from Gildarts, Gildarts might meet an early end...

Or at least be beaten into a half-crippled state like at the beginning of the story...

"A demon?! You're actually going to heal Precht and let your sister beat him up again?"

Ultear shuddered at Evan's suggestion.

"But surely his sister won't agree to this!"

Ultear thought, believing no normal girl would enjoy beating up an old man.

"Thank you, brother~"

"I knew you were the best~"

"I won't disturb your work then~"

"I have a very troublesome person coming here! So, I'll hang up now..."

Erza's face lit up with joy at Evan's words, and she quickly ended the call, seemingly spotting something troublesome.

"Erza..."

Evan thought he heard Mirajane's angry voice before Erza hung up.

"This sister is not normal. The whole family is dangerous. It's best to avoid them!"

Ultear couldn't believe Erza was actually happy about beating up an old man. The real issue wasn't Evan, but the entire Belsarion family...

Ultear decided she would reduce her interactions with the Belsarion family after this mission, though she didn't hold anything against Evan personally. Her problem was with the entire family.

"Ah, such a headache..."

After Erza ended the call, Evan sighed, looking at the now dark lacrima.

"Buzz~ Buzz~"

Just as he was about to put the lacrima away, it lit up again.

This time, the caller was Mirajane...

"Sigh..."

"Give me a break!"

For a moment, Evan felt utterly exhausted. He would rather confront a hundred Prechts than deal with the two troublesome sisters, Erza and Mirajane. He could handle a hundred Prechts with a single punch.

"I'll explain everything when I get back. Talking over this won't help..."

Evan sighed and put the lacrima away without answering Mirajane's call, planning to explain everything in person.

"Ultear!"

After putting away the lacrima, Evan turned to Ultear, who was standing there in a daze.

"Yes, I'm here!"

Ultear straightened up, fear and respect evident in her eyes as she looked at Evan.

To Ultear, Evan now seemed almost like a devil...

No, more accurately, even a devil paled in comparison to Evan!

"What's with that look?"

"Never mind. I remember your magic can repair this ship, right?"

"Since this ship was made by the second master, it's technically Fairy Tail's property, right?"

"So, we can't just leave it here. We need to take it back..."

Evan spoke reasonably, always a practical and thrifty person.

"Understood!"

Ultear saluted Evan respectfully before using her Arc of Time magic on the ship.

In no time, the ship that had been battered and broken by Evan and Precht's battle began to repair itself, as if time was rewinding.

After consuming a significant amount of her magic power, Ultear finally restored the ship to its original state.

"It's really quiet here!"

"Did Master Precht send everyone out on missions?"

Ultear wiped the sweat from her forehead, looking puzzled. Given the noise she and Evan made, the ship should have been swarming with Grimoire Heart members by now. But the ship remained eerily silent throughout their fight.

"Huh?!"

"Didn't you notice?"

Evan asked, puzzled by Ultear's confusion.

"Notice what?"

Ultear looked puzzled, racking her brain to recall what she might have missed.

"Before we landed on the ship, didn't I cast a spell on it?"

"The one with a flash of light..."

"Actually, that spell was targeted at everyone except Precht..."

"In short, I wiped out everyone else on the ship before we boarded."

"As for Precht, I could've killed him instantly, but as the second master, he deserved respect, so I fought him properly..."

Evan helped Ultear recall what had happened.

"He would've preferred to be killed instantly without realizing it..."

"The way you defeated him will probably haunt his nightmares forever!"

Ultear couldn't help but wave her hands in exasperation. She initially thought Evan's spell was some kind of slowing magic to prevent them from crashing.

"I thought that was slowing magic?"

After her outburst, Ultear sighed in relief, recalling how Evan indeed cast some spell before they landed.

"Hahaha, why would I need slowing magic?"

"Didn't you notice you weren't harmed despite being buffeted by all sorts of magical shockwaves and debris?"

"I cast a conceptual magic on you, making you immune to physical and magical attacks. At least, nothing Precht did could hurt you..."

"Though I forgot Precht had mental magic, which almost got you. That's my bad."

"But it's the first time I realized self-harm isn't seen as an attack by my magic, so it didn't protect you from yourself..."

"What do you call that? Self-harm?"

Evan explained to Ultear, highlighting a loophole in his protective magic, thanks to Ultear's unintended discovery.

"Please don't tell anyone about today. It's too embarrassing..."

Ultear covered her flushed face with her hands, mortified that she nearly strangled herself.

"Anyway, we should head back! The master will be thrilled to see this ship..."

Evan smiled at Ultear, planning to share her embarrassing story with Ur, her mother. And since Gray and Lyon were Ur's disciples, they weren't outsiders either...

Wait, the guild master always said Fairy Tail is a big family. So, telling everyone in the guild doesn't count as telling outsiders, right?

"By the way, Evan, do you know how to fly this ship?"

Ultear asked, puzzled.

"I don't know how to fly it..."

Evan shook his head honestly.

"Then how are we going to get it back?"

Ultear looked even more puzzled, wondering how they would transport the ship.

"No worries, I'll use my Gravity Magic to tow it back!"

Evan smiled reassuringly.

"So, if you planned to tow it with Gravity Magic all along, why make me repair it? We could've fixed it back at the guild!"

"You know how much magic it took to fix this thing? I nearly passed out from exhaustion!"

Ultear couldn't help but complain, feeling she had wasted her efforts.

"Well, bringing back a broken ship wouldn't look good. I thought it needed to look presentable..."

"Anyway, let's move out!!"

Evan, expressionless, used his Gravity Magic on the ship.

"Boom!!"

With a thunderous noise, the hundred-meter-long, tens-of-thousands-of-tons-heavy magical ship lifted off, heading towards Magnolia and Fairy Tail.

"Fine, you're strong, you're right..."

Ultear decided not to argue with Evan anymore.

"Hehe..."

Evan chuckled softly, noticing that Ultear had become more talkative since he defeated Precht. Her long-standing burden had seemingly been lifted.

That's good...

Once you join Fairy Tail, it should be lively...

"So, full speed ahead!!"

Evan added the concept of high-speed movement to the ship...

"Boom!!"

With a series of sonic booms, the ship sped towards Fairy Tail.

Meanwhile, at Fairy Tail...

"Damn it, why isn't he answering?!"

Mirajane, with her white hair styled in a unique fashion, angrily stared at the communication lacrima, her gentle appearance contrasting her fierce expression.

"Well~"

"Sorry, Mira, but Evan is my brother~"

Erza raised an eyebrow, smiling smugly at Mirajane.

"Tch~"

Mirajane clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Boom!!"

Just then, a loud noise echoed outside the guild.

"What's happening out there?!"

"No idea!"

"Is it an attack?"

"Let's check it out…"

Curious guild members rushed outside.

A few minutes later...

"Hey! Everyone, come out!"

"Evan brought something amazing!"

The previously exited members returned, shouting excitedly.

"Evan?!"

"Evan's back?"

Mirajane and Erza stood up simultaneously at the mention of Evan's name.

"Tch~"

They glared at each other before running outside together.

Outside the guild...

"That thing is incredible!"

Makarov stood outside, staring at

 the giant magical ship in the sky, his eyes wide. As an experienced mage, he knew the value of such a ship...

It was priceless...

"Master~ Isn't it impressive? I knew you'd like it, especially since Blue Pegasus has one..."

Just as Makarov stood there in shock, Evan appeared beside him with a flash of black light.

"Evan, you brought that thing..."

Makarov, looking at Evan, was momentarily stunned.

"Hehe, where did you get something this good?"

Makarov smirked upon hearing it was Evan who brought the ship.

"Don't worry, master! I obtained it fairly, by taking it from others with my skills!"

Evan patted Makarov's shoulder, assuring him the ship was legitimately taken.

"Really? You got it fairly? Then I'm relieved, not!"

"Whose ship did you take? Give it back!"

Makarov felt his heart breaking, wondering if Fairy Tail was becoming a dark guild.

"Relax, I took it from a dark guild. No one will complain."

Evan laughed at Makarov's anxious expression.

"Phew, a dark guild, huh? Then it's fine..."

Makarov sighed in relief, feeling calmer.

"Which dark guild did you take it from?"

Makarov asked.

"A small guild, Grimoire Heart..."

Evan smiled lightly, as if it was no big deal.

"Really? A small guild? These days even small guilds can make such things?"

"Oh, you took it from Grimoire Heart, the strongest dark guild?"

"That's interesting, since the strongest dark guild on Ishgar is also called Grimoire Heart..."

Makarov paused, realizing something was off.

"You took it from the strongest dark guild? That could start a war!"

Makarov looked horrified. Usually, several guilds would team up against Grimoire Heart, but now Fairy Tail alone had taken action, risking a war.

Not that Makarov was scared, but it was troublesome. Not everyone in the guild was as strong as Evan. If weaker members encountered Grimoire Heart, it could be a disaster!

"Don't worry, Grimoire Heart is no more. I've eliminated them. There won't be a war."

Evan reassured Makarov, knowing his concerns.

"Eliminated? You destroyed the strongest dark guild?"

"Don't talk about it like you swatted a fly! You know how many guilds would be terrified just hearing 'Grimoire Heart'?!"

Makarov felt his heart taking a beating.

"Anyway, I met someone familiar to you while dealing with Grimoire Heart. I thought you should see him..."

Evan thought Makarov should meet Precht, the second master.

"A familiar face?! Don't let me see him..."

Makarov tensed up, sensing something big.

"How familiar are we talking?"

Makarov asked cautiously.

"Master, listen to yourself! If you know them, of course, you're familiar!"

Evan found Makarov's questions baffling, wondering if Precht was right about Makarov losing his mind with age.

"No, I mean, how close are we?"

Makarov felt his heart aching.

"Um, well, quite close..."

Evan didn't know how to gauge the relationship between Makarov and Precht.

"Alright, I'm ready. No matter who it is, I'm prepared. I'll live another hundred years..."

Makarov steadied himself, ready to face whoever Evan mentioned.

"Got it, master. You'll live a long life. Don't worry, even if you suddenly die, I'll revive you to keep working for Fairy Tail!"

Evan smiled at Makarov.

"No, if that's the case, I'd rather die now than work for Fairy Tail for a hundred years..."

Makarov turned pale, seriously telling Evan his feelings.

"Hehe, anyway..."

"Let's meet this familiar face~"

Evan smiled warmly, snapping his fingers.

Instantly, a wheelchair appeared before Makarov, occupied by a heavily bandaged old man. His body was covered in bandages, with no uninjured parts visible.

"..."

Makarov froze, staring at the old man in the wheelchair, unmoving like a statue.

"Huh? Master isn't reacting? His heart is calm! Impressive!"

Evan was surprised but pleased, admiring Makarov's composure.

"Second Master! Is it really you, Second Master!!"

"I never thought I'd see you again in my lifetime..."

Makarov wept, clutching Precht's legs. Precht, the second master, was bandaged head to toe, thanks to Evan's powerful flick.

"I didn't realize Precht was so important to Makarov."

"If they're so important to each other, why fight? It's all fate."

Evan felt emotional watching the reunion.

"Second Master, who did this to you?!"

"We'll avenge you, Second Master!"

Makarov's tone shifted suddenly, catching Evan's attention.

"Uh-oh, better make an exit!"

Evan decided to leave, planning to explain later once Makarov calmed down. He feared he couldn't handle the truth right now, so his body turned into a shadow and disappeared.

"So it was you, kid!"

Makarov realized, shouting at Evan's disappearing form.

"Kid…"

As Makarov yelled, Precht finally spoke, still addressing Makarov as a "kid" like in old times.

"Second Master."

Makarov grew serious, sensing Precht had something to say.

Evan wouldn't harm without reason, so Makarov awaited Precht's explanation.

"How long has it been since we last met?"

Precht asked.

"Over forty years..."

Makarov replied softly.

"Forty years since I left... That's a long time, isn't it?"

Precht mused.

"Yes, it's been a long time..."

Makarov nodded.

"Kid, push me around. I have things to tell you..."

Precht smiled.

"Yes, Master Precht..."

Makarov gently pushed Precht's wheelchair.

Their shadows stretched long under the sun in Magnolia Town.