The guild had settled down with its new S-class member. FariyTail began to rise to be known as the top guild in all of Fiora. Although a dark presence loomed over Magnolia.

The guild hall full of laughter and merriment, loud chatter among members was heard from outside the hall where a solitary figure stood. Guildarts, Makarov, Jellal and Erza all stared at the door expectantly. Natsu stopped in mid punch and started smelling the air. "That smell!"

The doors slowly pushed open, a man with messy onyx hair stood in the doorway with black eyes searching the hall. Dressed in robes he took a couple steps into the hall. Erza stared directly into his eyes, "Why have you come here? Have you come to fight us once again?"

Many of the Wizards around the young man prepared their strongest attacks, the young man searched the crowd of wizards, his eyes fell on Natsu who was previously fighting Gray. "Little brother…" He waved his hand and dispelled all the charging spells around him.

Natsu slowly approached the other man. "Zeref." Zeref sadly looked down and held out his hand that was clasped around something. Natsu stood in front of him looking at his hand. Natsu gently pushed his hand out of the way and threw his arms around Zeref's waist. "If I don't take it, you can't leave!"

Zeref gave a pained expression, "Natsu, please. We both know I can't stay. I can't control myself. The fact is." Zeref hit the ground to his knees pulling Natsu with him, "I'm weak, unstable, and I can't let go of my resentment." Zeref pulled Natsu into a tight hug.

Natsu tightened his grip, "No one has to know its you. Stay here with me. Forget the rest of the world, is that not why you did what you did?! To see your little brother again? So, why?" Natsu started to choke back tears.

Jellal placed his hand on his pocket and thought, "Is this what you meant, Mystogen?" Jellal cleared his throat, "Uh, if I may approach without being torn apart?"

Erza touched Jellal's shoulder and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Jellal gave her a small smile, "Now, I know." Jellal took a couple steps towards the two brothers, "I met an interesting man once, he was strong, and a member of this guild. He gave me an interesting item, I could never figure out why I would ever need something like this, but he was so sure that I was supposed to have it." Jellal pulled out a ring with an odd stone crafted into it. Jellal looked at Zeref, "I understand now. What he meant, 'There will come a time when the power needs a restraint.' I didn't understand because everyone strives to be the strongest, but I guess, what happens when you're there?" Jellal kneeled next to Zeref. "What happens when you're the strongest and can't control yourself?"

Zeref studied the odd ring then he studied Jellal. "It will… Help?"

Jellal smiled, "In theory, legend has it that it will help restrain a mages power, it showed up in Edolas around 400 years ago."

Zeref stared at the stone with a momentary fraction of hope, "I can't." He looked away, "This world rejects me… I have rejected the world as a result."

Jellal held out the ring, "Well, I have no use for it, and I don't understand it, so, why not give it to the strongest and the smartest of all wizards. Zeref Dragneel." Zeref held out his hand and the ring fell into it.

Zeref held the ring up to the light. "Interesting. In theory, you and your friend are correct. It is, however, a theory, I do not want to test this close to a large population. In case of backfire."

Erza folded her arms and gave Zeref a critical stare, "Oh, so, the black wizard cares?"

Zeref's stare never wavered from the ring he whispered, "I've always cared, that's why I've been trying to end this for over 400 years… Everyone just couldn't stay away."

Erza clenched her fist, "Oh… It's everyone else's fault?!"

Makarov sat silently on the bar before interrupting, "Erza! Enough!" Makarov stood up on the bar, "You're the cause of much grief, young man. Indeed, you are also the reason why FairyTail is so strong! Even if just as a friend, Zeref Dragneel, I extend an invitation to our guild."

The entire guild hall fell eerily silent. Zeref watched Makarov for a moment then returned his stare to the ring, "I see." Zeref rested his chin on Natsu's head, "I have much thought to attend to."

Natsu released Zeref and sat on the floor, "Big brother…"

Zeref flinched at this comment, "I'll be back with an answer. Prepare yourselves."

Erza narrowed her eyes as the 'Black Wizard' turned and left their guild hall unscathed. "Makarov! Are insane?!"

Makarov sighed, "He won't take it! And even if he did, what would we stand to lose? We would have the Ace of Spades in our hand permanently."

Jellal folded his arms, "He may. He took that ring."


Zeref sat in a tree examining the ring. "Go away, Mavis." The wind shifted and then seemed to die down again. Zeref sighed and looked over the city of Magnolia. "Would they really accept me? Or is this a ploy? I've hurt them. Why would they want me?" Zeref closed his eyes and clasped his hand on the ring. "Would could I have possibly done to deserve forgiveness?" Zeref pulled his knees to his chest and hid his face. He silently sobbed, "What do they want?"


Natsu closed his eyes and walked outside, dodging an attack from Gray, "Not now." Natsu rounded the corner of the guild hall and walked through town, Happy floating behind him.

"Natsu?" Happy timidly called to him.

"What's up, Happy?" Natsu said not turning.

Happy landed and walked behind Natsu, "Are you okay?"

Natsu stopped and looked up at the sky, "Yeah, everything will turn out alright… Like it always does. Right?"

Happy smiled, "Aye, Sir!"

Natsu looked up beyond the city limits at a single dead tree among the living ones. "He's immortal, we couldn't kill him… I don't think. And if I'm supposedly the only one who could, why would I kill the only family I have. Even if he is supposedly a bad guy. I haven't seen that yet. Okay, so he attacked us... But he never killed anyone, does that count for anything?" Natsu let out a frustrated yell and looked at Happy, "Let's see if we can't get the team to go on a mission with us! That'll cheer me up for sure!" Natsu gave Happy a thumbs up.

Happy bounced into the air spreading his small white wings, "Aye Sir! Let's get Lucy to make food money for us!"

Natsu and Happy hurried back to the guild hall and rejoined the others at the mission board.