SailorStar9: We now continue with Chapter 142 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.

Chapter 142: Alvarez Empire Arc: Natsu vs. Zeref

"We've managed to fend off one wave of attacks." Makarov addressed the gathered Guild members. "However, the fact we're being besieged from all sides remains unchanged."

"But we've got all the Guilds in Fiore to help us now." Jet pointed out.

"Talk about reassuring." Droy agreed. "We've got this one in the bag."

"No," Mavis spoke up. "This is a Fairy Tail issue. I had hoped to keep the other Guilds out of this mess."

"We'll never win with a goody-two shoes attitude like that." Laxus rebuked. "That battle's taking place on Ishgar. This is gonna happen sooner or later. But all I care about right now is getting the guy who attack Freed's team."

"Laxus does have a point." Makarov conceded. "We should gratefully accept the other Guild's help and devise a brand new plan. Warren, what's the situation?"

"News from the east." Warren reported. "Almost every Guild from Bosco has been wiped out. It's not clear if their goal is to conquer Bosco, but they've stopped advancing this way for now. There's good news, too. The enemy army coming from the north is about to get a visit from Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus. The southern invasion group has taken over Hargeon's port but Mermaid Heel and Lamia Scale are on their way to get it back."

"Shodai, we should go help them, too." Romeo pressed.

"We can't just sit here and let the other Guilds protect us." Jet agreed. "It'd look bad."

"Now's our time to go on the offensive." Droy remarked.

"Of course." Mavis agreed. "Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna, Gajeel, Levy and Lily will head north." she started giving out orders. "Natsu, Gray, Ulyo, Juvia, Wendy, Carla and Laxus will head south."

"It's been a while since I met Lyon-aniki again." Ulyo mused.

"That mecha-freak's real body is to the south, right?" Laxus pondered.

"Wait a minute," Ulyo suddenly thought of something. "In addition to myself, Litana and Ditea will also be there; wouldn't the south be a tad overpowered, Mavis-sama?"

"That's a good point." Gray agreed. "Wait, where's Natsu?" he looked around.

"I'm certain Natsu will be fine." Erza assured. "I will go south in his place. I would like to see Kagura again."

"But you're too hurt." Wendy pointed out.

"Lucy and Cana will continue to watch the prisoner." Mavis continued. "Everyone else will defend the Guildhall. There's still the possibility of a surprise enemy attack."

"Shodai, what should we do about the east and west?" Makarov inquired.

"The western force is moving the slowest of them all." Mavis stated. "I believe that's where Zeref is located. Once the other three groups are dealt with, we'll have to fend him off with everything we've left."

"Then, what about the east?" Romeo pressed. "Let me go there."

"The eastern army currently poses the greatest threat." Mavis admitted. "As such, the situation calls for our greatest military resource, too. Warren, I assume we're in contact?"

"Yup, Fiore's ultimate military power is in position." Warren gave her a thumbs-up.

"Should the enemy somehow get past them, then there's no one who can hold the eastern army back." Mavis stated, three of Ishgar's Shittenou with Jura were in place to fend off the east.

"It's Natsu!" one of the Guild members spotted the radar on screen. "We found Natsu."

"Where is he going?" Gray gawked.

"He can't be..." Makarov realized where Natsu was heading off to.

To the west of Magnolia...

"Let's finish this once and for all, Zeref!" Natsu was heading straight for Zeref with Happy.

In the Fairy Tail Guildhall...

"Natsu is seriously rushing right for Zeref, all by himself?" Lisanna was shocked.

"That's way too reckless." Elfman protested.

"Change of plan." Gray growled. "Let's go after him."

"Wait." Erza stopped him. "We need to stick to Shodai's plan. Let's leave Zeref in Natsu's hand."

"Are you being serious?" Gray asked. "This is Zeref we're talking about. He even has the Book of E.N.D."

"Natsu said he had a secret weapon for defeating Zeref." Ulyo pointed out. "If it's what I think it is, none of us will want to get caught in the aftermath."

"Shodai, what should we do?" Mirajane conferred to Mavis.

"Let's put our trust in Natsu." Mavis decided. "It might seem like a reckless strategy at first glance, but it's also a logical one. We're currently surrounded on all sides. Dispatching their leader and ending the battle as early as possible might be an effective way out of this predicament."

To the west of Magnolia...

"Natsu, there they are." Happy informed. "There's so many."

"It's like a big, black blanket." Natsu agreed. "Here we go, Happy."

With Happy taking him straight down to the approaching army, Natsu let loose a stream of 'Fire Dragon's Wing Attack'. "Take us down, Happy." the Fire Dragon Slayer informed the Exceed. "I'm gonna drag Zeref out." landing in front of the gathered army, he fired off a 'Fire Dragon King's Destruction Fist', literally blowing away the front line of soldiers. Shooting through the smoke, he slammed two of the soldiers' heads together, knocking them out. Coating his elbow with flames, he fought his way through the large army with the 'Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow'. A 'Fire Dragon King's Roar' took out close to one thousandth of the remaining army.

"Nine hundred and seventy three." Zeref stated, entering the battle in a black magic sphere. "That leaves nine hundred ninety-nine thousand and twenty-seven left."

"You showed up sooner than I expected." Natsu remarked.

"I just couldn't wait to see you again, Natsu." Zeref replied.

"But this is where we say goodbye, Zeref." Natsu proceeded to unwrap his bindings.

"Could we have some space, please?" Zeref requested Invel. "Invel, have them retreat several kilometers to the west."

"But, Your Majesty, is it really necessary for you to personally handle this lowly cretin?" Invel inquired.

"It's something only I can do." Zeref answered.

"Everyone, retreat to the west." Invel ordered. "His Majesty will clear the path for us."

"You ain't getting Shodai." Natsu declared.

"Things only ended up this way because you couldn't destroy me." Zeref stated.

"I don't understand what you're saying one bit." Natsu retorted. "But I also don't care. Here goes." he made the first attack. Not giving Zeref any retaliating chance after the first punch, he slammed the still burning fist on the ground, the flames traveling under the earth and the resulting impact sending Zeref into the air.

Said black mage released a 'Death Orb' at Natsu, which was instantly broken apart by the fiery fist.

"He burned the spell away?" Zeref was shocked.

His speed souped by by his burning fist, Natsu slammed a punch into Zeref's stomach and sending the black mage flying backwards.

Eventually finding an opening in-between Natsu's punches, Zeref managed to push Natsu off with a magic blast from his palm.

Both their magic aura engulfing them in spheres of raw magical power, the two brothers clashed against each other repeatedly.

"I'm surprised." Zeref broke the standstill. "What is that power of yours?"

"It's the power Igneel gave me." Natsu replied. "It's the last of the power he left inside me. I spent ten months training just so I could release it now. I can only use this magic power once. I'll never regenerate again. It's Igneel's tenacity, literally. Mode: Fire Dragon King!" he unleashed the 'Fire Dragon King Mode' at full power, engulfing himself in a destructive tornado of flames.

"The land is burning..." Zeref looked at the utter destruction the flames caused the landscape. "Incredible."

"This is the end, Zeref!" Natsu roared.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.