SailorStar9: We now continue with Chapter 162 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 162: Alvarez Empire Arc: The Black Future

"Where did you learn that?" Zeref gasped.

"Picked it up from some messed up worshipers of yours." Gray replied. "The whole job sucked, but I at least got something out of it. Spells become hundreds of times stronger when enhanced with Lost-type attributes."

"At an added cost, though, the caster's very existence is erased from the world." Zeref pointed out.

"Meaning, I'll vanish from everyone's memories, too." Gray concluded. "I already know. It just means no one has to grieve. There've been enough tears already."

"I... can't move." Zeref found himself frozen in place as the 'Lost Iced Shell' was cast.

"This is the end, Zeref." Gray barked, ready to complete his spell.

"Even if you give up your life and existence, this spell only encases its target in ice." Zeref reminded. "It won't kill me."

"If I kill you, Natsu will die, too." Gray stated. "So I'm gonna trap you instead, forever."

"This is no 'forever'." Zeref pointed out. "Eventually, the ice will melt and free me."

"But we'll also have peace that entire time." Gray smirked. "Which means Fairy Tail wins."

"Stop!" Natsu roared, dashing in and slamming Gray onto the floor face-first before the 'Iced Shell' was complete. Powering up his flames, he melted the ice covering the Guildhall.

"You're here." Zeref grinned.

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten." Natsu growled. "That spell, I've already stopped you from using it earlier."

"I let my emotions get the better of me and I tried to kill you, my own guildmate." Gray admitted. "I don't deserve to be in this Guild anymore. That's why..."

"I'm not any different, you know." Natsu snapped. "Tell me, Gray. We're friends, aren't we? So, don't you dare die on me. Don't even think about dying. You have to live."

"But if we defeat Zeref..." Gray reminded.

"You'll die." Zeref confirmed. "Whether you win or lose, you'll die. Fate is cruel, indeed."

"I'm not gonna die." Natsu insisted. "Fate, you say? Screw that. I'm gonna burn it into ashes."

"You're going to 'burn' fate, huh?" Zeref mused. "That's an interesting choice of words. As for me, I've already accepted my cursed fate. Do you know why? Because there was no other choice. That's how fate works."

Natsu made the first move, charging at Zeref with a flaming fist, to which Zeref blocked with an arm.

The two former siblings started arm-wrestling until Natsu overpowered Zeref and sent him to the ground.

Zeref managed to regain his footing to avoid the next punch. After knocking Natsu off-balance, he closed in for a finishing punch when Natsu retaliated with a barrage of flaming fists. One finishing blow knocked Zeref into the wall.

With a grin, Zeref moved in front of Natsu in a flash, easily dodging the Dragon Slayer's fist and slammed Natsu with an air-borne kick. Irregardless of Natsu blocking the kick, the Dragon Slayer was sent flying back. "It's just as I thought." Zeref was impressed. "Igneel's power is gone. You can't possibly defeat me now."

"I still have my power." Natsu retorted. "What's that?" his ears picked up the arrival of Acnologia flying over the skies.

"Natsu, playtime is over, I'm afraid." Zeref knew with the appearance of Acnologia, his time was running short. "This is the last chance I'll ever have. I need you to die, for humanity's sake."

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