Darkness and ash was all that remained of Magnolia. The thunder claps of battle echoed across the hollowed out city. Warrior cries of wizards and demons filled the air. Zeref inhaled deeply and let the chaos wash over him in comforting waves. Soon he would have everything he desired. He would have a world cast in cloak of darkness and be the ruler of the kingdom, with a queen and his beloved little brother at his side.

He looked on towards the east where Natsu and his team were barreling through foot soldiers at lightning speed. Zeref marveled at his brother's strength and to think he hadn't even awoken his full potential. Zeref frowned at the frequent glances his brother made to the golden haired celestial mage. The two worked with such fluidity, a combination of power and grace. Their laughter, their concern… their love. It was all a limitation, she was a limitation to Natsu. He would never accept his transition as long as she was by his side. As long as she was alive.

Zeref faded into the shadows and appeared on the battlefield 30 yards or so from team Natsu. His brother spotted him first and then it was Lucy. She held Natsu back by his arm.

"You are not going to take him on alone, Natsu. Not after what happened last time." Lucy said firmly, she was in her Taurus Star dress and was also armed with her whip. Natsu smirked deviously.

"I'll wipe the floor with this bastard. Don't you worry, Luce." He said, determined. Lucy would not let go of his arm, instead she stood in front of Natsu and looked up at the man.

"Now you listen to me, Natsu Dragneel. I am your partner and we started together nine years ago and I plan to stick to it. So don't go running into a fight unless you look over your shoulder and see Happy and I running right beside you" She said and couldn't help the tears that welled up in her chocolate eyes. Natsu was actually taken aback for a moment. He shook his head to escape from his daze and smiled down at Lucy.

"Wouldn't dream of it" He said and gripped her hand tightly against his own before looking up to the sky.

"Happy, keep watch from the sky and be ready to attack at any moment." Natsu ordered to the Exceed who adamantly followed with an

"AYE, SIR" The two headed towards the most powerful Dark Wizard. Zeref gave a placid smile to the two.

"So, have you given any thought to joining me, Natsu?" Zeref questioned, his voice calm. Natsu glared at the man. Lucy fought the urge to question Natsu as to what the man was talking about. There would be time for questions later but now was time to focus on the task at hand. Lucy widened her stance and tightened her grip on her whip in both hands.

"There ain't no way I would abandon my family and go dark. I don't care if you're my brother or that you made me out to be E.N.D. I'll still kick your ass from here back to wherever the hell you came from." Natsu announced and at this Lucy turned to look at Natsu in astonishment. Oh he was in soooooo much trouble for not telling her any of this till now.

"I was hoping it would come to this, I shall know as I once did Etherous Natsu Dragneel." Zeref announced. Each movement was a pulse in Nastu's ears. Lunging into battle, his fist connecting with Zeref's. Flames ignited with life clashing against those of death. Lucy noted that the two fought similarily and could now notice familiar features in the two men. They were the sun and moon.

"We are the same, you and I Natsu" Zeref stated as he fought the dragon slayer.

"Yeah, how do you figure?" Natsu asked while landing a kick on the abdomen of Wizard. Lucy changed to her Gemini Star dress while also summoning the spirit which donned the same attire.

"We have one shot, Gemini let's make it count." She said and held on the spirit's hands.

"Celestial spirits grant me your power.

Survey the Heaven, Open the Heaven...

All the stars, far and wide...
Show me thy appearance...
With such shine.
O Tetrabiblos...
I am the ruler of the stars...
Aspect became complete...
Open thy malevolent gate.
O 88 Stars of the heaven...
Shine!

"Natsu, move!" Happy shouted and Natsu grabbed hold of Zeref's cloak and flung him forward towards Lucy.

"Urano Metria!"

Zeref cried out against the force of power that pummeled his body. Natsu looked on in the light and smiled proudly at his teammate. Her legs shook but she would not allow herself to fall. When the spell receded Gemini had vanished and Zeref was on his knees, his body burnt and his ears and mouth dripped blood. Natsu walked towards the dark wizard but froze when he hear the soft voice in his head.

"When she is gone, you will at last know true power, Natsu" Natsu found Lucy's gaze she was panting but smiling but in a moment her smile was stained red. Zeref's body split and his other self had found a bone handled sword and imbedded it deep into Lucy's back so that the blade protruded out of her chest.

"LUCY!" Happy screeched and flew at sonic speed to knock away Zeref's doppelganger. He succeeded and took to curling around Lucy's head. Natsu ran as fast as he could but his body felt as though it were being pulled backwards in time. He dropped to his knees in front of his best friend. All the while the doppelganger joined the burnt and indisposed body.

Lucy was breathing heavily and shaking as if she was cold. She looked at the blade and then to Natsu, pleading with her eyes to get the sword out of her. Natsu nodded and cradled her in his lap while he carefully extracted the sword from her body in doing so, more blood began to drench Natsu's lap and Happy's fur.

"Much better" Lucy said with a cough and then gave the boys a smile. Natsu sat frozen and Happy looked up to the man that raised him for answers but Natsu had none.

"Lucy…" He breathed and didn't fight the tears that ran down his face. Lucy reached up a shaky hand and cupped his cheek with her palm.

"I have always believed in you, Nat- Natsu." She whispered trying to get the words out. She looked back to Happy and held him with her other hand. Lucy's breath grew more shallow as if she was building up the last bit of strength to say something.

"I love y-" Lucy attempted but her voice ended in a sigh and she hung limp in Natsu's arms. His arms tightened around the woman's body.

"Happy, you have to go. It's not safe." Natsu said in a deadly low voice. Happy looked up completely shaken.

"Natsu?" the exceed questioned.

"LEAVE NOW!" Natsu shouted and his eyes were slit like a cat's and glowing red. Happy was terrified, this was not his Natsu. His Natsu would never shout at him like that. He feared this man, this demon, this E.N.D. Happy did as he was told and flew as far and fast as his wings could carry him. In his solitude Natsu could feel himself changing, could feel his demon taking over. While he was still him, Natsu buried his face in Lucy's hair.

"I will always love you, Lucy Heartfilla." He said with a final kiss to her brow. Zeref walked towards his brother, smiling at the transformation that was taking bloom.

"We are the same, you and I" Zeref repeated. "I too loved someone beyond comparison, but it was only when she left me that my true powers emerged." Zeref said looking down at his hands.

"Don't you see, Natsu?" Zeref asked filled with excitement. "Mavis. Lucy. They were limitations. Block to our true power." Zeref chuckled.

"One thing is for certain, we seem to share an affinity for blonds" Zeref said reaching down to touch some of Lucy's golden hair. The pain was instant and came at him like a flash. In the span of around twenty seconds, E.N.D had fully awoken and his demon instinct held his mate's corpse with predatory possession.

"No one will touch her. No one will exist to hurt her anymore." E.N.D announced. Zeref grinned as he fell back to the ground. True, he wished to have some control over his very powerful demon brother, he was lost in the bliss of pure chaos and destruction that would be released to the world. E.N.D had awoke and he sought to destroy everything that lived before destroying himself.

Authors Note: Howdy!

Under the fantastic advice of my lone reviewer, Twishadowhunter. I have decided to take it slow and get lost with the detail of the story. So revisions, Revisions everywhere! Get ready my loves the emotions are strong with this story. Please rate and review.