SailorStar9: We now continue with Chapter 161 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 161: Alvarez Empire Arc: Gray's Trump Card

"Use your familiarly of the city and move to an advantageous location." Mavis went back into commander mode. "Keep watch for enemies at the rear."

"We're close, old man." Laxus carried the petrified Makarov in his arms. "I promise, I will take you back there; to our Guild, to our home."

Outside Lucy's apartment...

"It's nice that we're back in Magnolia and all, but where's everyone else that was with us?" Lucy wondered.

"There was Carla, Porlyusica, Evergreen..." Happy mused.

"And us." Brandish cut in, with a shrunken Dimaria in her hand.

"Natsu, Lucy!" Juvia called out, with Ulyo, Evergreen, Carla and Porlyusica in tow.

"We looked everywhere, but we can't find Gray." Carla reported. "He's gone."

"Moving around in his condition is sheer suicide." Porlyusica rebuked.

"He woke up just before the light appeared." Ulyo recalled. "What is this immense magic aura?" she winced when she felt a powerful aura flood the entire Magnolia.

"Look." Carla pointed to the top of the Kardia Cathedral.

"So, I am the last remaining member of the Twelve." August remarked. "Hear me, children of His Majesty, proud members of the Twelve, offer onto His Majesty your spirits and flesh. As a child of His Majesty himself, I shall purge the enemy with your souls."

On the streets of Magnolia...

"Everyone, evacuate!" Mavis barked.

Just then, Gildarts came down from the sky, interrupting August with a punch, which August defended with his staff. "I'll handle this." the Crush mage informed Mavis.

"Let's go." Natsu took the charge with his group. "We need to get to Zeref."

"What about Gray?" Ulyo asked.

"Not a problem." Natsu replied. "I know where he is."

In the Fairy Tail Guildhall...

"I never imagined you would be the first to reach me." Zeref was impressed when Gray entered the building. "I had expected it to be Jellal, or maybe Laxus. But this is honestly a shame."

"I think it's about time you leave." Gray retorted. "That's my spot you're sitting on, you know."

"Because this outcome will cause Natsu the most grief." Zeref added.

On the streets of Magnolia...

"I think Gray has reached Zeref." Natsu concluded.

In the Fairy Tail Guildhall...

"Gray, one of Natsu's closest friends." Zeref stated. "Your parents were killed by Deliora, a demon I created. Later, your master gave her life to defeat it. I'm sure you must hate me quite a lot."

"I'm shocked." Gray admitted. "You actually know about people who mean nothing to you."

"Knowing your enemy is a basic principle of war." Zeref shrugged. "Lucy Heartfilia, a descendant of my old friend, Anna. Cheerful and optimistic, and a major influence on Natsu's growth. Happy is Natsu's partner. They share a strong, trusting relationship. Erza, Ulyo, Wendy, Gajeel; I've done my homework on each and every key player."

"In contrast, we know next to nothing about you." Gray reminded.

"Yes, I would imagine so." Zeref conceded.

"What is your real goal?" Gray demanded.

"Does that really need answering?" Zeref chided. "I want Mavis' magic power. You want to protect Mavis. Isn't that enough?"

"You command a massive army and wield the power of immortality." Gray listed. "What do you need her magic power for?"

"To defeat Acnologia." Zeref replied plainly. "If I told you that, would you assist me?"

"That's a load of crap." Gray snapped.

"No, I'm not lying." Zeref assured. "Ultimately, I'll be able to defeat Acnologia myself. But, with that said, what I seek isn't something as insignificant as that."

On the streets of Magnolia...

"What was that magic earlier?" Carla wondered, Natsu had sent her, Ulyo, Juvia, Evergreen and Porlyusica to Mavis.

"Gildarts must be fighting." Evergreen recognized Gildarts' magic.

"We need to meet up with Shodai and the others." Porlyusica urged the youngsters on.

In the Fairy Tail Guildhall...

"What?" Gray gawked.

"You're the first I've told this to." Zeref admitted. "I doubt ant of the Twelve even know. Mavis' magic power, the Fairy Heart, has that much energy."

"Are you seriously planning to..." Gray breathed. "No, that can't even be possible."

"Do you know why you're the first I've told this to?" Zeref questioned. "It's because Natsu is on his way here and you're about to die before he arrives. And when he finds his dear friend dead, he'll surely be overcome with grief, and then anger. This is my last chance to fight against Natsu with absolutely all he's got. You'll be the trigger to bring out his full strength."

"Like hell I will." Gray retorted. "By the time he gets here, you won't exist anymore."

"It's no use." Zeref scoffed. "I'm immortal, no one can kill me. Besides, even if you did manage to kill me somehow, Natsu would just become..."

"Yeah, I know." Gray confessed.

"So, you already know Natsu is E.N.D?" Zeref nodded.

"Natsu is Natsu." Gray answered. "I had wanted to blame someone for the deaths of my parents and Ul. So I pointed that blame on E.N.D. But when I learned he's actually Natsu, I decided his life was more important than me. I don't care who he is; he is my friend."

"You're going to lose that friend, whether you die or I die." Zeref reminded.

"You know I won't let that happen." Gray stood his ground. That's why I'm gonna take you down." he readied the 'Iced Shell' stance.

"Did you not understand me?" Zeref sighed. "If I die, Natsu will..."

"I have a way to beat you without killing you." Gray retorted. "Iced Shell!"

"That spell..." Zeref gaped. "It requires you to give up your own life."

"Time after time, others have sacrificed theirs lived for me." Gray charged up the spell. "So I fully understand it's not just my life on the line now. This is for everyone else, too. I refuse to die an easy death."

"This magic power..." Zeref recognized the magic. "It's a Lost-type spell."

"That's right." Gray replied. "I don't care if nobody remembers me. I don't care if my existence is erased from my friends' memories. I'm converting all my life, existence, and memories into magic power. Lost Iced Shell."

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