Chapter 10

Natsu stayed on his knees, he couldn't believe it everything that Zeref had said. So 400 years ago before he had even met Igneel,he had a family a father, a mother who he couldn't even remember and a brother Zeref himself. Natsu couldn't understand if he could trust Zeref's words at all "If he did save his life, then when and how did he turn evil?".

Natsu made up his mind he would have to play by Zeref's rules for now. Try to gather any useful information about Zeref or the Spriggan or the Alvarez empire. He wouldn't let Zeref harm the guild or Fiore he needed to know what Zeref was planning and why was he hell bent on raging a war on Ishgar.

Natsu still had to figure out a way to defeat Zeref, but he hadn't even managed to make a scratch on him well being immortal had its perks he supposed but there was also the fact that he couldn't destroy Zeref without ending up killing himself "If only there was someway,wait maybe there was if he could talk to levy maybe she could find a way", he would have to go back to Fairy Tail though.

Zeref walked out of the throne room August and Irene on his heels as the rest followed Ajeel spoke up "You cannot be serious, that thing is not gonna be a part of us Spriggan".

Zeref froze for a second as he began to cough blood, August turned pale looking at Zeref coughing up blood. Zeref began to smile seeing the horror struck faces of his Spriggan members, "Natsu got me good", he began to say as his wounds began to heal almost immediately."Were it a few years ago, I wouldn't have stopped him from destroying me, but times have changed now, I do not care about my plans for Natsu. It's time I took back from the fairies what belongs to me".

At that moment the doors to the Throne room flew open as Natsu began to walk towards Zeref the others stood staring at the scene wondering if the two brothers would get into a brawl again. "I've got nowhere to go brother", Natsu said looking at Zeref "If you'd have me, I'd like to stay here at Alvarez and help you guys".

"Why would you want to attack Ishgar and harm the fairies, pardon me but doesn't your sudden change of heart seem suspicious". Brandish said looking at Natsu confused.

Natsu kept a straight face "I'm not gonna help you guys attack Fairy Tail,Fiore or any other place in Ishgar for that matter infact,I'd like to find another way to help you get whatever you guys want without causing any war".

Eheto was about to reprimand Natsu when Zeref interrupted him "Very well Natsu, it is time I introduced you properly to the kingdom come with me brother" he said guiding him towards the balcony as the citizens immediately turned towards the Lacrima.

"Citizens of Alvarez today is a day to rejoice, because today my brother has come home Natsu Dragneel", Zeref's voice boomed across the kingdom as cheers began to rise for Natsu.

Irene brought forth a dark cloak similar to that of Zeref with the Alvarez empire symbol on its back as Zeref put the cloak on Natsu he let him keep his scarf on as Natsu wasn't willing to part with it.

After the ceremony the whole kingdom was celebrating as Zeref retreated inside the Castle while Natsu was lost in his own thought's perhaps about his guild Zeref thought sadly. As Zeref approached the throne room he found Yajeel with a few other council members all surrounding the throne. "What does this mean Yajeel ?", Zeref asked looking at the council members.

One young council member spoke "Forgive the intrusion Your Majesty, but the council cannot help but feel weary about this brother of your's, Where has he been?.Why appear now and is he even worthy to be in the presence of you and the Spriggan 12".

Zeref's eyes turned a menacing red "You dare question me ?", he asked his voice eerily calm."As far as Natsu's worth he single handedly took Larcade down and is most probably on par with me".

Yajeel looked at Zeref with a concerned look "Your Majesty, I must ask why would Sir Natsu end up fighting with Sir Larcade?".

"Yajeel you know how Larcade get's. It was a matter of time before someone thought him a lesson", Zeref answered nonachalantly.

The Councilmen began to murmur amongst themselves. If this guy had taken down one of the strongest members of the Spriggan 12 and neither the Emperor nor August had done anything they wondered exactly how strong was this Natsu.

Natsu was accepted almost instantly into the Alvarez Empire it made him wonder why was Zeref almost worshipped in this country. He missed his guild, he missed Happy but most of all he missed Lucy. "That's funny thinking about Lucy and the guild is making me smell weird smell's, it kinda smells like...", Natsu froze as the realization dawned on him "Erza...".

Natsu pelted through the Castle following the scent, "It can't be her,she's going to get herself killed the if she disguises herself with her requip magic, she can't fool these guys for too long", Natsu ran until he reached the scent what was weird was it was coming from one of the Spriggan 12 he didn't know which one.

"So you followed a scent here ?", Dimaria stood before Natsu as Brandish stood to her side.

"Well yes... i am a Dragon Slayer after all we are known for our keen senses", Natsu said turning towards Irene who had heard was now walking towards Natsu.

"You're anything but a Dragon Slayer child what you turned into back there wasn't like anything i've ever seen before and certainly no Dragon Slayer", saying this she took a torch and set the drapes around them on fire as the guests began to back up.

Natsu effortlessly sucked the whole fire up. That was a good meal but perhaps you shouldn't try to destroy the decorations the next time Natsu said in a carefree tone as he moved away from them towards the throne room following Zeref's scent.

Irene froze "this was definitely the work of a Slayer, but Dragon Slayers don't turn into those things just what was this Natsu Dragneel?".

As soon as Natsu entered the room the Council dispersed as Yajeel bowed down respectfully to Natsu and moved out.

Zeref moved towards Natsu "So how is everyone treating you Natsu?. I saw what happened out there what did Irene want ?".

Natsu just shrugged "I have no idea what that was, I thought i smelt someone familiar but it turned out to be her, it's very wierd. But im here because i have something to ask of you brother. I have to go back to Fairy Tail, there's someone that i need to meet".

Zeref's voice was incredibly cold "This isn't the time to play games Natsu, with what i have planned there's no place for such petty things".

Natsu looked at Zeref his face filled with determination "I have no place to go back to Zeref I am not leaving, but i do have to go back just this once. I have never asked you for an explanation about the past".

Zeref turned towards Natsu his eyes turning red with rage again "You want to know about the past how about this I had to see Dad, Mom and even you die right in front of my eyes and then when i finally managed to save you, what do i get in return this curse. A curse of immortality. You think you know what pain means Natsu , you have no idea... until you've lived my life", Zeref said looking at his magic spreading around as Natsu kept his flames up guarding himself.

"Imagine living for centuries and watching history repeat itself again and again. You see these humans they never learn Natsu over the years i've watched them wage wars and destroy themselves over and over again. No more i've decided im going to put an end to them and this pathetic living once and for all". Zeref said .

Natsu was just standing there dumbstruck he was suprised his flames were now strong enough to defend him from Zeref or was Zeref actually able to control himself that was highly unlikely.

"You see Natsu the only reason why everyone around here are alive right now is because they're all pawns in my plan and nothing more pieces that maybe important but expendable that's what keeps them alive. You see i've got the Curse of Contradiction, everyone that i've ever loved,i've had to watch them die. So i got rid of all those feelings. That include's even you Natsu. So stay with me and survive or i'll have to erase you're pathetic existence". Zeref said as his magic was now overflowing as he teleported himself away.