I do not own Fairy Tail… I wanna go to Japan…

_ AngeL .. † 0502-0312 †

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Chapter 7

SUBMISSION

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"It's because of your thirst for power, isn't it? You wanted to have the ultimate power in your hands and take control of the course of the universe." Master Org stared at the giant clock sitting on the corridor at his right; with his back facing the door of the dark wizard's cell. "But such power can never be obtained easily... And in the end, it only brought about ruin and countless deaths. The moment you were able to grasp that power, your fate has been decided."

Zeref nodded though the old man can't see it. Indeed it was his thirst for power... It was his longing to have the world in his palm that brought about his own destruction. And now there's no turning back, no matter how much he regret it. There's just no turning back...

"I'm already old. I have already experienced plenty of wars and witnessed so many deaths. I also witnessed how power can corrupt even the most honorable man, so I swore that I will never be like them; and that I will never claim anyone's life, whether he's evil or not." Master Org turned to face the small window of the cell's door. "But during the issue of the Tower of Heaven, I forgot my promise and agreed with the firing of Etherion despite the fact that Jellal and the rest were still inside the tower. Because of my fear of your revival I turned my back to my oath... And I regret it. That's why... That's why I will never approve of your execution."

Zeref jerked up at the old man's last word. Execution? So in the end, the division commander's words had proven real. In the end, his old wish was granted... But why does he have this feeling of grievance and fear?

"It's ironic that I came here to tell you about your execution... I just don't want you to remain oblivious until that time." Master Org continued.

"I... I want to live," Zeref whispered. He struggled with the shackles around his wrists and waist that pinned him at the wall, as he slowly panicked from his impending death. "Please... I want to live!"

Master Org shook his head, "I'm sorry son... But that's already beyond my power."

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"Just standing here gives me the creeps," a rune knight who was stationed outside the tower shuddered.

"Stop being a coward," another rune knight said. "He's no longer the same; he's now just a helpless boy. I heard it was because of the Fairy Tail's celestial mage. She sealed the dark wizard's power."

"But there are still many dark guilds that are after him so there's a possibility they'd charge in here before his execution. And you know how insanely powerful dark guilds are."

But the other knight smirked at his companion, "well, let them come. The dark wizard's cell is located at the very top of this prison tower and a great number of knights have been stationed in every part of the building. Besides, there's only several minutes left before his execution."

The rune knight relaxed but only for a brief moment as a tornado of fire sent them flying. "What was that?"

Then a pink-haired boy came in sight, "roar of the fire dragon!"

"It's Fairy Tail's salamander!" the rune knights cried. "After him!"

"I won't let you execute him... No matter what!" Natsu growled. "Iron fist of the fire dragon!"

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Lahar walked towards the cell of the dark wizard; totally unaware of the havoc outside. He knew that below, outside the walls, was heavy guarded in anticipation of the dark guilds that may be after Zeref; but here on top, it was odd that there was no guard to be seen.

Just then, Master Org came out to the corridor and stopped abruptly at the sight of the division commander. "Lahar? What are you doing here? Where are the guards?"

"It was me who should ask that, Master Org. Why are you here? It is no secret to me that you are against the dark wizard's execution. What are you up to?"

"I'm up to nothing." The old man answered grimly as he walked past the division commander who doesn't move from where he was standing. But Master Org's eyebrows twitched as he felt a different sensation coming from Lahar. So it did come to this, he thought, as he continued down his path.

When Lahar was certain that the old man was already out of sight, he went straight to the small dark cell of Zeref. He then took out a key from his pocket and opened the heavy iron door. "Zeref..."

The dark wizard stared with horror at the approaching commander. Is it already time for his execution? Is it already the end for him?

"With your condemnation comes my commendation," Lahar took another key and unlocked the shackles around Zeref's waist. "And with your death comes the birth of the new world. Just what would the Magic Council do without me? After all, they do nothing but sit and pretend to be busy and release an order. They never set foot on dangerous situations; they only sit and wait. And yet, who would receive all the praise?" Lahar chuckled insultingly as he grabbed Zeref's arm and dragged him across the cold floor.

"Let me go!" The dark wizard struggled but the shackles around his wrists and the heavy metal ball chained around his ankle hinders his movement. If only he still has the power... But Zeref was no more than a mere boy.

"Now, they promised me a promotion because they thought I won't make it?" The division commander continued, while effortlessly dragging the dark wizard outside, to be brought to the execution ground. "But look, the table's been turned."

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"We should call the division commander!" A rune knight screamed at his companions. Despite their overwhelming number, with the addition of the rest of the knights that were scattered inside the tower, they only managed to keep the enraged dragon slayer out of the tower's main door.

Just in time, Lahar came out and was greeted by a thick smoke coming from the burning trees. "What's going on here?" He bellowed; then his eyes fell on Natsu. Furiously, he grabbed the staff from a nearby knight and sent Natsu floating from the ground. "Fairy Tail!"

Natsu trashed and struggled inside the magic circle but in vain. "Let me go!"

The division commander stomped angrily towards the young mage, "You've really gone and done it, Fairy Tail! Do you actually believe I'd let you go this time? Are you really trying to test my capability as division commander?"

He let Natsu down while two rune knights hastily handcuffed his wrists. "Arrest their master!" Lahar demanded.

"I'm afraid you can't do that." Natsu hissed.

"And why is that? Haven't I told you clearly that if anyone from your guild tried to help Zeref I will arrest your master? Do you really think I won't stick to my words?" The division commander trembled from anger.

Natsu pushed his right shoulder to Lahar, "I heard it clearly. Too bad though, I'm no longer a member of Fairy Tail."

Lahar clenched his teeth as he stared at Natsu's tattoo-less arm. "How...dare you."

Then the chime of the giant clock inside the tower signaled the time for the execution. Lahar turned his back to Natsu, "since you badly wanted to help the dark wizard, I'll give you the pleasure of watching him being melted."

The dragon slayer stared wide-eyed as Zeref, escorted by two rune knights, came out of the prison tower. He arrived too late; is there anything else he could do rather than watch Zeref die? The thought alone made him shudder from rage and despair. There's no way he'll let it end like this. There's just no way he would...

"It's not over yet." Natsu muttered. With his burning hands, he melted the iron handcuffs and ran towards Zeref; knocking the rune knights that were escorting him. He then grabbed the dark wizard but much to his surprise, Zeref struggled away from his grip.

Natsu's mouth hung open at Zeref's reaction, "why?"

The dark wizard shook his head.

"Stop it already, Natsu."

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To be continued... :)