Alvarez Empire

Makarov was surprised that he would get the chance to negotiate with the Emperor himself, and not someone well under him. He did not know how many people knew about Lumen Histoire and its power, so that was also an upside of talking to the person at the top. He also needed to know how the emperor knew about it, and what he planned to do with it. If he got his hands on it, that is. Unfortunately, the Emperor had been away from the country for half a year, and so he patiently awaited his return.

Right now, he was playing a variety of games with Yajeel, the castle's minister. And for the 100th time, he was losing.

"I thought I was good at Mah-jongg, but clearly I need more practice." The ex-Master of Fairy Tail sighed in defeat at another game lost.

"HA! Makarov, I don't think practice is what you need." They laughed for a little while, then Yajeel fell silent.

"Don't you think we are getting too old for this?" the Minister asked. Makarov stopped laughing as well, and gave the other man a confused look.

"I don't think we are ever going to be too old of Mah-jongg." Makarov spoke, knowing full well that was not what the old man meant.

"You can feel the war that is coming. Do you want to fight this war?" the Minister asked, a frown on his face.

"I am here to stop a war, but if there is no other choice then I will fight with my children." Makarov stated, setting his resolve. A parent should always stand by their children in times of conflict.

"I must ask, Makarov. Have you heard the chatter as of late, about Fairy Tail?" Yajeel asked, changing the subject.

"To be honest, I find it all quite shocking." Makarov nodded. When he heard the news that Fairy Tail was getting back together, he was overjoyed. Then he was worried that they were coming together a little too soon. Time seemed to be moving a too fast, his beloved guild could be in danger once again. That was why he had to get these negotiations going, and hope he could stop this war before it even started.

"You expected that, didn't you?" Yajeel asked, not noticing Makarov's inner conflict.

Wanting to change the subject, he replied, "No, you misunderstand. I am not referring to the Guild. I am surprised by your Emperor's disposition, because my preconceived notion leads me to believe he would be more of-" he fell silent, not finding the right words to express…

"More of a harsh dictator." Yajeel finished, seeing what Makarov was talking about.

"Maybe not those words exactly… but I think you get my drift." Makarov sighed. He did feel comfortable with the Minister. Maybe in another time and place he might've even considered him a friend, but right then he needed to be careful on how he used his words.

"You always have diplomacy on your mind?" Yajeel gave a halfhearted chuckle.

"A year ago, I never thought I would have been formally accepted to be a guest of the Empire, much less any chance to negotiate. Of course, to be fair, I have only dealt with you as of late." Makarov smiled, unaware that it was the work of another member of the Royal Family… one who used to be one of his 'children'.

"His Imperial Majesty has been away from the Castle for a half a year, to indulge his wandering nature." The minister explained, for the hundredth time, on why the Emperor had disappeared before Makarov arrived.

"Yes, and his agreement to speak to an old man that has no influence struck me as unique." Makarov pondered.

"I always thought your influence is dealt by the cards you hold." Yajeel spoke, knowing full well that Prince Natsu was the one that had given Makarov this opportunity, but didn't voice this. The prince had ordered his name to stay a secret, at least for now.

"You told me that his so-called shields are hot tempered, but he could quell their aggression. That he could see a way forward without any blood being shed." Makarov spoke, looking down at the board absently in thought.

"His Majesty is nothing, if not graceful."

"But that is a stark contrast to his reputation throughout Ishgar as a fearsome warrior who conquered nations by force." Makarov pointed out. He regarded Yajeel in thought, his eyebrow raised.

"It is typical for those who make history to have many facets. After all, he is our Ruler." Before Yajeel could say anything more, horns and cheers filled the air. "Well, it looks like our beloved Emperor has returned." Yajeel smiled as they got up from their seats and walked to the edge of the balcony. A huge crowd of people had lined both sides of the street, cheering for the return of their Emperor.

"I have waited so long for this." Makarov whispered as he watched.

"It is as I have told you. Emperor Spriggan has been made aware of Ishgar's appeal for non-aggregation. And when he gives his formal endorsement, his 12 shields will fall in line… once this is all over you will be free to return home." Yajeel spoke, fully believing in that fact.

"I'm ready for that. My children are waiting for me." Just then he got a good look at the Emperor's face, and his blood ran cold. In the center, walking to the Palace, was the one-man Makarov never expected to see…. The Black Wizard Zeref.

"He has the gift of youthful radiance, something I haven't had in decades." Yajeel said, not noticing Makarov's discomfort and shock at seeing the Black Wizard, or the fear he was feeling. Now the thought about negotiation and all the things he had thought about saying to stop this war, went blank. Now he was thinking about what he could say to get out of this country alive, and about how to save his children from the darkness that was sure to come.

Inside

"Welcome home, Your Majesty." Invel bowed, a small smile appearing on his usually blank face.

"It is good to see you too, Invel. I realize this is sudden, but could you summon the 12 for me?" Zeref asked, giving the Ice General a smile back.

"That will take time. If only I had anticipated your wishes, they would've already been here." Invel stated. Just then Dimaria Yesta and Ajeel Raml walked into the room.

"I take it your travels have ended, Your Majesty? And you seem to be in good spirits, My Lord." August spoke, also walking into the room.

"I suppose I am." Zeref continued to smile.

"Does this mean you found the answer you were looking for? About Ragnarok, that is." August asked.

"In Ishgar, it is known as the Dragon King Festival." Zeref pointed out.

"So, we're going to battle, yes? That's great!" Ajeel shouted, he was excited to fight the wizards of Ishgar.

"Your Imperial Majesty, emperor Spriggan. I am truly delighted to see you have returned home from your long journey, safe and sound." Yajeel bowed, "I am sure you have been aware that an emissary all the way from the continent Ishgar has arrived while you were away." Yajeel walked into the room, followed by Makarov, who gave a hesitant bow.

"Yes, I have heard." Zeref spoke, his smile dropping a little as he regarded Makarov.

"He is quite insistent on meeting with you, Your Majesty, as soon as possible, so I was hoping you would humor him with an audience." The minister asked as he lowered his bow.

"But why would he? You know there is a proper protocol for this. Has he filled out the paperwork-?" Invel asked, angry that he was not made aware of this.

"I would love to." Zeref cut off his Chief of Staff. Just then Makarov bowed again, kneeling on the ground.

"He has been cleared and went thought the proper channels threw his highness. Lord Invel." Yajeel stated Invel just nodded but didn't look happy

"First, let me say it is an honor to meet you… Your Imperial Majesty." He spoke, trying to keep his voice steady and his face blank while holding in his instinct to run away from the Black Wizard. Yajeels words barely registered.

"I wish to speak to this man in private." Zeref stated as he turned to walk away, followed by Makarov.

Outside

"I must confess. I am a bit puzzled about your true identity. Are you Zeref, or are you Emperor Spriggan?" Makarov asked once they went outside onto a large balcony. He was on high alert and ready for anything.

"They are one in the same…. for the people of the Alvarez Empire, I am Spriggan. For the people of Ishgar, I am Zeref… But if I had to choose one; Zeref is my name." he said, not turning to face the old Guild Master. Makarov glared at the Emperor in hatred. Zeref didn't seem to notice this as he continued to look out into the city and talked.

"For more than 400 years I have wandered far and wide to find my purpose for living in this world. But during that time, I have also prepared for the Dragon King Festival. A few hundred years ago, I decided to make a country here in Alakitasia… It was a small thing at first, but gradually we absorbed one guild after another. Before too long, it had grown into the Empire you see today." He gestured to the large city spread out before them.

"Was all of this for the goal of obtaining the Lumen Histoire?" Makarov asked, not taking his eyes off the Dark Wizard.

"There is no use trying to deceive me. Let's use its official name. The supreme archaic magic that surpasses even the three Grand Fairy Spells, Fairy Heart." Zeref spoke, finally turning to look at the ex-Fairy Tail guild Master's shocked expression.

"It is making a lot more sense to me now. The Alvarez Empire is hellbent on getting the Fairy Heart because of who you are." Makarov spat once he got over his shock.

"Yes, that is true. But I have only recently decided that, that is what I truly want. I originally built this Empire in order to be strong enough to go against Acnologia… to kill him. The attempted invasion a decade ago was not my doing. As a Master of your own guild, I am sure you are aware of unruly children. However, I did make the decision to stop them, because I knew it was not yet time." Zeref stated. He was referring to Tenrou Island's fight with Grimoire Heart and Acnologia.

"So, the Council's weapon, the Etherion Cannon and the Face system, weren't what turned you away?" Makarov asked.

"They were factors, of course. Our side would have suffered heavy losses, for sure. But I am positive that the Empire I have built today could confidently take on Ishgar as well as Acnologia." Zeref stated as he gave a small smile that made a shiver run up Makarov's spine.

"So, there is no room for negotiation?"

"Unfortunately, no. For the real Dragon King Festival is about to begin. But there has been someone to negotiation for the safety of your guild…" he paused a found look appeared in his eyes "The Black Wizard, the King of the Dragons, a demon and you mortals… the time has come to see who will live and who will die." Zeref's smile grew, and a crazed look appeared in his eyes.

"So, your plan is to start a war?!" Makarov all but shouted, his composure was slowly breaking.

"No. It will be an extermination." Zeref stated matter of factly. Not realizing he just contradicted himself

"I won't allow you to have our First Master!" Makarov hissed, his body tensing even more.

"I would be remiss if I did not offer you my esteemed gratitude. I truly appreciate you raising Natsu for me, so I will end your suffering quickly. And when he sees your body, maybe then he will be so angry… angry enough to destroy me…" black and purple magic began to build around Zeref's hands, "Are there any last words you would like me to pass along?"

"You hideous soul, you demon!" Makarov shouted.

"Close, old man, but Spriggan means hideous fairy." At that Makarov was thinking that this was it. The old guild master was then suddenly whisked away and out of the castle's sights. Before he knew it, he was on new ground in some kind of forest. He then saw Team Natsu surrounding him.

"It's good to see you, Master!" Erza shouted as everyone hugged the very surprised man.

"W-what are you all doing here?" He asked as they got off of him.

"Zeref! Zeref was there, he was with Zeref!" Mest breathed out, panting hard as he dropped off Makarov in front of Team Natsu.

"Zeref?!" they gasped in unison. They turned to face Makarov for an explanation.

"Zeref is here on this continent! Are you sure?" Gray gasped, looking back at the castle.

"I can hardly believe it myself, but this Empire's leader, the one they call Spriggan, is actually the Black Wizard Zeref." Makarov sighed as he looked down.

"How is that possible?" Lucy asked in horror and the notion that the evilest wizard in history could rule a country, or the fact he was still alive, after all this time.

"The Emperor is Zeref?" Erza asked as well, also shocked at the idea.

"Since you have come all this way, I believe Mest has filled you in on the situation, and what I was trying to accomplish by coming here." Makarov spoke, disappointed in himself for failing his mission for peace.

"He has." Erza nodded as she quickly filled him in on what had happened since the guild got back together.

"I am just so happy that you are OK." Wendy said, happy tears in her eyes.

"I have been far too naive through this ordeal. I came here, believing that they were willing to negotiate. But that was just a fantasy. I put the future of the Guild in jeopardy. All that heartache and pain was for nothing. I have never felt such regret in my life." Makarov sighed, tears rolling down his cheeks as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. 'How I have failed, so badly!' he thought.

"This year was tough, but we all made our way through it, and now we are even stronger." Gray spoke up.

"It really is true, and the bond we share could never be broken. That is how we found each other again." Lucy said with a smile on her face.

"If concern for another is what pushed you to act, then it means something. Showing you care is important… Master, you taught us that lesson." Erza added, also sporting a smile on her face.

"Let's go home. Fairy Tail is waiting." Mest stated. He was all for catch ups, but this was not the right place to do so.

"I'm ready…" Makarov smiled, glad to be with his children again.

"Well, we have a lot of catching up to do. But first, we should get out of this place." said a white-haired girl with cat ears and a tail.

"Yeah, you're right." agreed a blue haired boy who also had a tail and ears.

'Do I even know these two?' Makarov asked himself as he looked at the two now human forms of Happy and Carla.

"I made too many jumps, so I am running low on magic power. I only have enough power to teleport us one more time, so we need to travel a bit on land, and then use my last teleport to get back to Sorano's ship." Mest stated. They all nodded and got ready to leave. Makarov looked around the group, but he did not see Natsu anywhere; he was about to ask where the pink-haired kid was when the ground beneath them gave way, turning into a huge swirling pool of quicksand.

"What is going on!" Gray screamed as the group were being swallowed in the sand.

"Makarov, are you really leaving so soon? And after we were getting to know each other. I have a farewell gift for you. I would like you to have it before you take a long nap in the ground." A voice laughed.

"No, Ajeel!" Makarov shouted.

"How did he find us!" Mest demanded.

"Sand… sand is nice. It tells me almost everything." Ajeel replied to the question.

'This guy has as much magic power as the girl on Caracole Island.' Gray thought as he and the group got into ready stances, having quickly gotten out of the quicksand thanks to Makarov's magic.

"Stop! You mustn't fight him; he is much too powerful! We should run!" Makarov shouted in panic of his children getting hurt.

"Are you serious!" Gray asked incredulously as the group looked back at their Master in surprise.

"Master gave the order to retreat, so go!" Erza commanded as she threw a surprise attack at the wizard. The group ran to the magic mobile that was waiting for them.

"So those are Natsu's ex-guild mates… this will be fun." Ajeel spoke to himself as he made a sand monster and gave charge at them.

"No, please don't fight, he is too strong!" Makarov shouted again as they noticed the sand monster coming after them.

"I don't know about that, Gramps! We have grown, too!" Gray transformed into his demon slaying form and Lucy transformed into her star dress.

'There is so much magic power coming from those two! I know they said they have gotten stronger, but to have grown so much in only a year is incredible!' Makarov thought as the two wizards made it to the roof, readying their magic to fight the sand monster.

"Let's show him what we can do, Lucy!" Gray shouted.

"So, you are actually going to put up a fight!" Ajeel laughed as they attacked the beast. Gray instantly froze the monster and Ajeel in a block of ice. Ajeel broke free and made more sand monsters. Lucy shot them down and Gray froze them, but they just kept coming.

"This is even more fun than I thought it would be!" Ajeel laughed as he continued to give chase. However, their attacks were in vain as they were now being swallowed by the earth once again, and it was stronger and wider this time.

"Damn that was pathetic! You guys should have stayed in Ishgar, because you guys are in way over your head…! Before you go to your graves thinking that you are something special, you should know this. You guys are just a bunch of losers, like all the other wizards we've killed over the years! We are on a different level altogether than you maggots from Ishgar! The gods have abandoned your whole continent! It will be so easy for Alvarez to take it over… sucks to be you guys!" he just continued laughing, "Just look at your faces, they're priceless!"

"I won't let you hurt my children!" Makarov shouted as he grabbed his children and got them out of the sand trap. "As long as I draw breath, I will protect my family at any cost!"

"Is that so… well, you won't be drawing breath for that much longer…" Ajeel looked up at the giant form of Makarov. "If you think you can protect them, then you don't understand the power of the Spriggan 12 and our royal family! You will die together in my sands of death!" Then a huge tidal wave of sand was coming straight for them.

"Gramps!" Gray cried out.

"I will protect you, even if it is the last thing I do! I swear on my life!" He shouted as he braced himself with his children in his hands. They quickly protested, yelling at him to let go of them and just run. He didn't listen. Just as he was about to be covered by the sand, a huge lightning bolt came down, shocking all of them as it stopped the sand in its tracks. It didn't injure the group. But they did recognize that magic. They looked up, only to see a ship flying in the sky.

"Laxus!"

"We are behind enemy lines, so we have to get out of here ASAP!" Gajeel shouted from the floating ship, Christina, holding a lot of the Fairy Tail members. They shouted down to them, specifically at Mest, to get onto the ship. Mest then smirked in victory and immediately teleported them to the ship.

"Hey! You can't run from me!" Ajeel demanded as he summoned his sand towards the flying ship.

"Run? No one's running. We're just flying back home. I'm going to get cranky if we miss dinner." Laxus then obliterated the sand causing a huge explosion that destroyed the surrounding area.

"That was intense. I didn't think they would be taking this seriously." Ajeel remarked, watching the ship fly off, having emerged from the smoke unscathed. "I am guessing you put up that barrier as some kind of favor for me?" Ajeel asked, turning to see another member of the Spriggan 12.

"Even an old man like me sees it painful to lose a comrade in battle-" August was cut off.

"So, you think that little light show would have killed me? Sorry, August, but you must be getting senile."

"If it makes you feel better, His Majesty sent me once he sensed his old comrades getting close in that flying ship." August spoke in a bored tone.

"So, he was the one that didn't think I could handle those weaklings?" Ajeel shouted angrily.

"You know how he can be. And he has told you, countless times, not to underestimate someone, even if they seem weak." Ajeel just grumbled in response to August's statement.

Back at the Palace

Zeref's POV

I was sitting in my office, groaning as my hand started to cramp from all the papers I had to sign. It was times like this that I did not like being Emperor. 'Why did I have to do this right when I got back anyway,' I thought grumbly. I was considering taking a break when a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," I called, hoping it was not Invel giving me more papers to sign. But to my surprise, it was Natsu.

"Natsu, what's wrong?" I asked, already thinking the worst.

"Why does something need to be wrong for me to see you?" Natsu asked, giving me a little smile. I thought about it for a bit, seeing if I had an answer but when I couldn't find one, I looked up and smiled.

"I guess not. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I just wanted to welcome you back, for starters." Natsu stated, a smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"And…" I motioned gently, knowing that Natsu was hiding something. I felt a little bad about destroying the good mood, but whatever it was, was bothering Natsu.

"I heard you talk to Makarov…" Natsu said. Both of us dropped our smiles then. A moment of silence.

"I am surprised that you did not talk to him. He was here for half a year while I was gone." I stated, knowing full well that Natsu was the one who granted his old guild Master passage to the Castle.

"Don't change the subject… and I didn't know how or what to say to him." Natsu's voice fell quiet on that last part, and I could understand. Natsu did not know how he would face his former guild master, now that Natsu was on my side. We stayed quiet for a few seconds, then I decided to break the silence.

"Did he see you?" I asked.

"…No, what did you guys talk about?" Natsu asked, raising his head to look at me, "I heard you yelling." I was not surprised that Natsu heard some of our conversation, with his hearing and all.

"How much did you hear?"

"Not much. Just something about a thing called Lumen Histoire." I stayed silent, wishing that Natsu hadn't heard that part. "It's Mavis, isn't it?" Natsu asked. My eyes widened for a second, wondering how Natsu found out, but then I remembered. Natsu was pretty smart when he wanted to be. He had a way of knowing what you were thinking, and also knew just what to say.

"…Yes, it is. Why do you want to know?" I asked in a low voice.

"We are going to war with Fairy Tail, aren't we?" His voice was empty, which made me flinch. I did not want to tell Natsu because then he might leave again. Or worse, hate me. Of course, that was the way I had originally wanted it. I wanted Natsu to hate me so he could kill me. But ever since that night, when Natsu had barged into my room, I had almost forgotten about my curse. I've also forgotten all the bad things I have done. And for once in so many years I felt… happy, especially when Natsu smiled. That smile had the ability to brighten even the darkest of days.

"… Yes, we need the power of Lumen Histoire," I started after a moment of silence.

"For what? Acnologia is dead!" I could tell Natsu was starting to get angry but just as quickly he calmed down and with a sigh. "We don't need that power."

I, however, was more focused on what he said earlier. "You killed him?" I asked, not sure if I should be happy or sad.

"Yeah. So tell me. What is it you're planning to do with Lumen Histoire?" Natsu hissed in a low voice.

"Because I am going to destroy the world… " I said plainly. Natsu's eyes widened for a moment, then his face went blank again.

"I thought you didn't want to kill anymore?" His voice was deadly calm.

"While I was away I was thinking about all the pain I have caused, how many lives I have taken. What is a few thousand more?" I waved my hand in a dismissive manner as I began to feel my thoughts cloud over.

"Zeref. You are not sounding like yourself…" Natsu began. I actually laughed.

"Don't I...? Natsu, this world has rejected me long enough. It is my time for me to reject the world. I will fix all of this by rewriting the world. It will be a world where you never died, where you were never turned into a demon!" I shouted, standing up from my seat.

"This curse has finally consumed you, hasn't it?" Natsu frowned. His face was frustratingly unreadable, "I guess, if I had gotten back before you left, we could have avoided this." he sighed, looking down at his feet.

"Stop this! Stop acting like this!" I waved my hands, gesturing to him and his calm attitude. Why was he so calm? Why didn't he care that I wanted to destroy all of his friends, that I almost killed his old guild master less than an hour ago? Why was he even here? Why won't he just kill me?

"What?" Natsu breathed. I barely heard it, my thoughts rolled around in my head. I was beginning to get a headache.

"I can clearly see that you're faking! You don't want to be here, and that's obvious! Honestly, I am surprised you are here at all. Why did you come back after you left? So… stop acting like you care. Tell me why you are here! What do you want from me!" I continued accusing him. I didn't understand why he was here… This-I just couldn't…

Natsu stayed silent, his face unreadable. I caught a flicker of pain in those dark eyes, but as quickly as it appeared, it faded. He just stood there, watching me. I could feel my power rising, but he still didn't move.

"Is that why you lost it? Because I left?" His voice wavered slightly.

"Why don't you kill me, Natsu? It is the only way to stop me from my plan to get Lumen Histoire and destroy the world… Please kill me. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore…" I grabbed my head, my thoughts swirling.

"You just said you wanted to destroy the world… do you even know what you're saying?" Natsu asked. The pain in my head increased, I could feel my curse swirling around me.

"I'm a bit messed up there, aren't I?" I chuckled weakly, "Please kill me now… no, I'll kill you all… my very own hands. There is nothing that can stop me now!" I laughed slowly. Yeah, the world. I will destroy the world, I will-

Natsu's POV

He'd lost it.

I watched as his eyes became crazed and he rubbed his head while black magic started to swirl around him.

"My head feels like it's on fire. The world hates me, it continually rejects me… Everything hurts!"

I could hear the pain in his voice as it broke. There was no time to talk about this. I had to do the ceremony now… I needed to save my brother. While he was busy laughing, I punched him as hard as I could without seriously hurting him in the stomach. Honestly, I wasn't sure if it would work, but as he flopped over my arm, I knew he was out. However, I didn't know how long he was going to be out for, or how he would react when he woke up, so I quickly set to work.

Laying him down on the floor in the middle of his office, I moved the furniture out of the way and set to taking off my brother's upper clothes, exposing his bare chest. I then brought out the Replenishing Divine Life, Amulet and the Slayer Dagger that I found on my four-month trip away from the brother that needed me… I shook my head. I couldn't think about that now. I had to focus. I knew that if I got this wrong there would be no going back and there would also be no re-dos.

I took a deep breath. I could do this. I could save my brother. With that thought in mind, I cut my left palm and watched my blood well up; I put the dagger down and dipped my other hand in my warm blood and began drawing symbols on Zeref's chest. I had to cut my palm a couple of times since it healed too fast. When that was done, I put the amulet over his heart and began chanting the words I have practiced saying a hundred times before. My blood on his chest began to glow a darker red color, then turned black. As soon as it turned black I drove the dagger down, impaling into his chest, stopping an inch away from Zeref's heart. The black smoke of his curse seeped out of the markings, and out of the wound, into the amulet. I felt my body shake from the strain of keeping up with the spell as I continue to chant. After what seemed like forever, the markings I had placed turned red again. Having finished that part, I took out the dagger and placed my hand over the wound, saying a couple more words. The wound closed, leaving no sign that it had been pierced. I fell backward, breathing hard as I was covered in sweat, but I couldn't let myself rest. Not yet. I checked my brother's neck, feeling for a pulse, and then breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive. I then looked at the amulet that was still placed over his heart. It was pitch black; the curse was locked inside.

I smiled in victory. It had worked. I activated a little of my magic to dry myself off, and stood shakily to my feet. I grabbed the dagger and the amulet, and placed them in my pockets. Then I picked up my brother and carried him to his room. I had a feeling he would be out for a while.

"Sometimes, you could be such a pain." I breathed with a small smile on my face as I watched my brother sleep. I suddenly stumbled a bit. I could feel the power in the amulet calling out for my brother. I frowned. There was one final part of the ritual I still had to complete for this to be over, for my brother to finally be free.

I turned and walked out of his room, almost running out of the castle and deep into the forest. I took out the amulet and the dagger again and I stared at them for a moment. This was the part that I wasn't sure about. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I took another deep breath and cut into my palm again, and dripped my blood onto the amulet while chanting a different incantation. My blood was absorbed into the amulet, and I quickly got out a vial of blood that wasn't mine, and also dropped some onto the amulet; the amulet seemed to vibrate as the curse raged inside. All of a sudden, it was gone, and the amulet was shiny and clear again. I smiled. Then, my vision blurred, and I sat down on the now dead grass while holding my head in pain. I gritted my teeth and waited for it to pass, and when it did I looked up to the sky and sighed in exhaustion.

"It's done. It's finally done." I smiled, truly smiled. I had done it! I had saved my brother from his cursed existence. He could finally be free from the pain I had put him through. He was free from what this world had done to him. He was finally free to live the life he should have had in the first place. I closed my eyes, imagining how Zeref was finally smiling and being happy, living a life without the curse.

After an hour or two of rest, I headed back to the castle. I still felt drained from the ceremony I performed, but that didn't really matter. Nothing would bring down my mood.

"Your Highness?" Invel spoke up, coming up to me as I rounded the corner.

"Yes, Invel, what can I do for you?" I stopped in my tracks, looking at the ice general, the smile still on my face.

"I apologize for bothering you, but have you seen his Majesty? I can't seem to find him." his blank face was a little bit more down casted than usual.

"Don't worry, he is sleeping in his room. He was pretty tired from his journey. Is there something I can help you with?" I replied, not completely lying to one of the most loyal members of the Spriggan 12.

"His majesty hasn't finished his paperwork so I am starting to think he is avoiding me." The Ice general stated I grounded when Zeref was away Invel came to me for all the ruler matters which was a lot of paper work not to mention I had to catch up on all my royal classes the four months I was gone. Honestly, I think Invel was just getting back at me for not telling anyone but my brother I was leaving.

"Well, I am sure he will get to them when he gets up is there anything pressing that I should take care of now?" I asked hoping I didn't regret asking

"No, my prince but there is something else." He paused "The rest of the 12 have arrived and are all waiting for his orders."

"Well then, let's go see them. I would like to meet Irene and Larcade. Instead of doing more paperwork." I said, giving a small smile. He led me to the conference room; even before Invel opened the door I could hear the shouting from within.

Normal POV

It was chaos inside. They were shouting and fighting with each other. The table was destroyed and chairs were thrown about the room. Natsu guessed he should count himself lucky that no one was using magic, but the room was still pretty much destroyed. He inwardly groaned a bit at the thought of more paperwork this mess could bring.

"Invel, do you think you can handle this?" Natsu whispered as he tried to restrain himself from entering the fight. He was still recovering from getting rid of his brother's curse, which took a lot out of him. He was also not fully aware of whatever kind of side effect from removing the curse could have had on him. He didn't want to accidentally hurt anyone.

"If it is an order from you, then yes, I would. However, I am curious. It is rather odd for you to ask for help." Invel stated, looking between Natsu and the fight that was going on.

"I'm not in the mood." Natsu stated matter of factly. He was now feeling more tired than anything, his good mood gone. All he wanted to do was take a nap.

"Yes, but even then, in a bad mood you would usually destroy the entire room, thus getting everyone to quit. And when in a good mood, you would talk to them, which would usually work." He stated, remembering the few times Natsu had done just that.

"Yeah, I know everyone respects my brother and would hate to see him or his little brother mad." Natsu sighed. "Could you just handle this? I don't wish to wake up my brother, and a fight would probably do that. And second, I am really not in the mood for a fight right now."

"As you wish." Invel bowed, giving one last worried look at his Prince before turning forward. He then used his magic to lower the temperature in the room, to a freezing degree. Everyone stopped to look at Invel. "Stop your fighting at once. You are standing in front of His Highness Prince of the Alverez Empire." He spoke in his normal voice, but Natsu could detect a little anger as well, which made Natsu smirk a little when it came to Invel rules of courtesy in front of royals.

"You are the Emperor's brother?" Irene spat, not really impressed by Natsu, as she looked him up and down. "I thought I was being lied to when I heard the news about a new Royal in the Castle."

"You're Lord Zeref's younger brother? Then, that would mean you're my uncle…" Larcade gasped softly as he looked warily at Natsu, sizing him up. Natsu's eyes widened a little at the news. As far as he knew, he and his brother were the last of the Dragneel family, and his brother didn't have any kids. He shook his head a little - he could deal with that bit of news later.

"Please tell me that I am not what this fight was about?" Natsu sighed. A fight over him. Should he be flattered or annoyed?

"Part of it is, since they don't believe what we have told them about you…" August spoke up. He was the only one who had stayed out of the fight, for the most part.

"Yes, you don't look that strong to me." Larcade hissed.

"You're going to regret saying that!" Ajeel gloated in a sing-song way, and Larcade turned to face him, a smirk on his face.

"Just because you lost to him means nothing to me, since I am stronger than you." insulted Larcade. Ajeel looked like he was about to attack him.

"Enough!" Everyone turned to Natsu. "Truthfully, I don't care what you were fighting about, and I also don't care that you don't think I am strong, since you weren't there when I challenged the 12… I don't think you have any right to judge me, either, when we haven't even met." The level of his voice was calm, which got some of the 12 to back off. They knew something was off about him.

"Well then, why don't we fight now? I would like to test your power… Uncle." Larcade smirked again, saying the word 'uncle' in a mocking tone.

"Larcade, how dare you speak to His Highness that way!" Invel chastised loudly, getting in between Natsu and Larcade.

"I wasn't aware my brother had a son. And on that note, you don't really smell like my brother. In fact, you don't smell human." Natsu calmly stated. 'He smells a little like me… and… a demon,' he thought, which sounded weird since he thought he knew all of the demons from the book of Zeref. "But, if you want a fight, I will be more than happy to do so. But not today."

"Are you scared?" Larcade asked, his smirk growing wider, thinking he had already won. Natsu laughed darkly.

"'Scared'? And why would I be scared of you?" Natsu asked with a dark smile on his face his eyes flashing red, which made Larcade frown. The other 12 stepped back, just in case a fight did break out. The heat in the room began to rise. "No, I don't wish to fight you when my brother had just returned from his journey, and is now taking a nap. And it is also your first day back as well, isn't it? I find it would be rude for me to kick your butt on your first day back." Natsu smiled. Both Larcade and Irene frowned.

"You seem overly confident in yourself." Irene said.

"No. I just don't feel the need to prove myself to either of you. But, I do enjoy a good fight whenever I am in the mood for one. And right now, I am not." Natsu spoke, his tone dropping again. His eyes then flashed crimson, "And I am sure you have been made aware not to make me angry, or you might not live long enough to regret it." he snapped as his eyes hardened.

"Is that a threat?" Irene asked.

"No. It is a warning." he corrected. There were a few minutes of silence. "Now that we got that out of the way, why don't you all relax for a little while? I am sure my brother will call a meeting when he awakes, to inform all of you the reason why you were all gathered." And with that Natsu turned to leave when no one voiced any objections.

"Dude, you really don't want to piss him off. We have seen what he looks like when he is angry, and it could even give you nightmares." Walls real body spoke in the silence.

"So, you are all scared of him?" Irene asked incredulously.

"When he is angry, yes. He is probably the most terrifying person in the world." Dimaria replied. Natsu was one of the only men she admired and feared. Knowing her magic didn't affect him at all when they fought and someone not effected by time frightened her. And with that, they all broke apart, going their separate ways in the castle. The members of Spriggan 12, excluding the two, liked Natsu because he was funny and easy to talk to. But, they could all agree that he was also terrifyingly powerful, and even more so when he was angry. In some ways, he was more terrifying than the Emperor himself.

The next day

Zeref POV

I groaned and opened my eyes, the sun coming into my room… My room? I don't remember coming here… Actually, I don't even remember falling asleep. What time was it, anyway? Why do I feel like I have been hit by a train?

"Finally, you're awake. I was starting to get worried about you." I turned my head to see Natsu walking into my room with a smile on his face.

"Natsu…? What… how long was I out… what happened?" I asked, groaning as I tried to sit up in bed. Why did my body hurt so much?

"What do you remember?" Natsu's smile dropped a little as he came to help me get to a seated position.

"Um, I was in my office… then everything became fuzzy…" My eyes widened as I looked back at my brother in horror. "Di-did I lose control? How many are dead, how are you-" I started to panic.

"Calm down. Everything is fine. No one is dead, and I am not affected by that curse, remember." Natsu said calmly. I looked up at him as he sat on the bed while trying to calm me down.

"What happened, Natsu? Why am I in so much pain? Why can't I remember…" I was struggling to get my breathing under control.

Natsu sighed. "You were starting to lose control, so I knocked you out and removed your curse." he stated simply.

I blinked, not sure if I heard him right. "You-you're kidding me, right…?" I stammered, searching his face for any sign of a joke.

"I wouldn't joke on something like that." Natsu stated plainly.

"You're lying… there's no way." I tried to say, holding my head as I tried to get the memories to return.

"Zeref-"

"YOU'RE LYING!" I shouted, pushing him off the bed and backing up against the headboard.

"Why would I lie to you? Your damn curse has been lifted. You are mortal again. Congratulations!" Natsu said happily, trying to brighten up the tension that was starting to form in the room.

"…why…" I whispered, dropping my gaze to the blanket.

"That's a stupid question. I told you I would do it, and I did. I did it because you are my older brother, and that's what brothers do." Natsu grinned. Was it true, was I free from the curse? Then my eyes widened, and my head shot up to my brother. I looked him over, trying to spot anything different about him. I did notice that his right arm was wrapped in a bandage, and I started to panic again.

"… Natsu… wha-what did it cost, what did you do?" I asked, my voice shaking. I was trying to not hyperventilate.

"What do you mean?" Natsu asked, a confused look on his face.

"What did it cost you to remove my curse!" I shouted. "A curse that strong can't just be lifted without consequences, so what. Did. You. Do." I almost snapped. I risked everything - I sold my soul and my life away in order to get him back. I turned him into a demon and now… what pain was he bearing because he saved me?

"Zeref, do you remember? Before I left on my journey, I had found a spell that could cure you. I used that-" Natsu started to explain, but his calm voice wasn't helping to calm me down.

"What did it cost, Natsu." I demanded. Natsu stayed silent as he watched me with a frown on his face.

"Nothing, Brother. Just a little bit of blood from me and… the blood of an innocent… Trust me, I am fine. I'm the same old Natsu." he smiled at the last part.

"Then what happened to your arm? I don't believe you were injured, nor would you wrap your arm as a fashion statement." I stated firmly. Natsu grabbed his arm and his face went blank for a second. I hated it when he did that. I hated not knowing what he was thinking.

He chuckled. "A fashion statement. Really, Brother. What do you know of fashion, since you have pretty much worn the same thing for the past 500 years." he chuckled as he rubbed his arm absently. His smile then faltered a little. "This is a new power I have been granted from Igneel."

"Igneel?" I was shocked. Wasn't Igneel dead?

"Yeah. I can't really explain it, but don't worry. I can control it… somewhat. The bandage is just to help with that, so don't worry. Okay?"

"I am, and always will be, worrying about you. You are my younger brother…" I sighed, looking down. A moment of silence, then he broke it.

"So, how are you feeling?" Natsu asked, coming back to sit on the bed.

"My body hurts," I answered, still not looking up. I still couldn't believe it was gone, and I couldn't believe that Natsu hadn't paid for it. That part I was still trying to wrap my head around, I wondered if Natsu was hiding something from me. I told myself I would keep a close eye on him for a while, to make sure he was OK.

"Ah, well. I guess that is to be expected. I mean, you did have it for centuries, and your body has to adjust to being mortal again." Natsu stated. I raised my head to my brother.

"How was your trip?" I asked with a small smile. I wanted to change the subject. However, the subject I chose seemed to be the wrong one, since Natsu flinched. I frowned. "What happened, did something go wrong?" Natsu stayed silent for a little while, not meeting my eyes, but I could still see the sadness and pain in his dark eyes.

"Acnologia is dead." he finally revealed. My eyes widened.

"What how…?" I stammered.

"You were right. He was so far gone that I couldn't bring him back… He was also too dangerous to keep alive. I didn't have a choice." He sighed. I could see tears brimming in his eyes.

"Natsu-" I tried to say something, anything. I got up off the bed, but I didn't anticipate how weak my body was. I stumbled and fell, my eyes closed in anticipation, waiting to hit the floor. But I was caught by two strong arms.

"Woah there! You're still recovering!" Natsu said as he lifted me back onto the bed. My eyes were wide in shock and a little embarrassment.

"Nat-Natsu how… how are you?" I asked after a little while of staying back in bed.

"Like I told you, I am fine." he spoke quickly. I looked him in the eyes. The pain and sadness I saw earlier was gone. I was about to press the issue, but Natsu beat me to it. "I did want to ask you a question when you got back, but with this whole thing, I had to wait." I frowned at the fact that Natsu changed the subject. But I guess I shouldn't blame him. He would tell me when he was ready.

"What is it, Natsu?" I sighed, settling back into a more comfortable position on the bed.

"Well, we started to talk about it in your office, but I guess you don't remember." Natsu stated, coming back to sit on the bed and running his hand through his hair.

"No. I guess I don't. Sorry." I sighed, looking down at the sheets.

"Well, we were talking about Lumen Histoire." my eyes widened. 'How does he know about that!?'

"Yeah, what about it?" I stated, trying to play dumb, but I could feel that my brother wasn't falling for it.

"I know it is Mavis, and you were talking about invading Ishgar." I was starting to remember now. I had wanted to destroy the world. I wanted to use that power to destroy Acnologia.

"Yeah… that power-"

"Tell me what your plan is now… do you still want to destroy the world? Or was that just the curse talking? What are you planning to do now?" I thought about it. I remember leaving Alvarez in order to decide what I wanted to do about the Dragon King Festival. That was what I was thinking, right? It was to destroy Acnologia. But Natsu had already killed him, so what is my plan now? What do I want? My silence must have gotten to Natsu as he started talking again. "While you were unconscious, I looked into Lumen Histoire and found out that it is also called the Fairy Heart. It is a powerful magic that is sealed in Mavis' body."

"What… how do you know that!" I gasped, looking up at my brother in shock.

"It was written in some of your notes. Sorry, but I went through your stuff." he chuckled, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck and looking away. I didn't know what to say to that. I just kind of gaped at him. "Anyway… you don't have to tell me what it can really do or what you were planning on doing with it. All I ask is, do you still plan on getting it and if so… are you still going to war with Fairy Tail?" Natsu then stared at me with those void-like eyes. I thought of what to say, what I wanted. I frowned and looked down at the sheets again.

"Yes… I… I don't want the power anymore, not now that Acnologia is dead. I don't wish for so much loss of life, but-" my voice trailed off.

"But you want Mavis. You still love her, don't you." he stated more than asked. I stayed quiet.

"I don't deserve her. It is a lot to ask, but if there is a chance-" I was cut off when Natsu stood.

"Don't worry about it. You are cured now, and after so long of your suffering, you deserve to be happy. Though I wish you had told me what you were planning from the beginning… Not the world ending part, but the one about going to war against my former guild." Natsu stated, a frown forming on his face.

"Sorry, but I did not know how you were going to react about us going to war with Fairy Tail." I sighed, thinking back to what I could remember of our conversations before I left on my journey. Natsu's hair was covering his eyes now, and the room was deathly silent. I didn't know what to say or do to make this up to my brother. Natsu broke the silence with a soft voice.

"Zeref… I do not agree with attacking the Fairy Tail Guild, but I can understand why you are doing it." He paused, and for a second I was afraid of what Natsu would say. "I know that simply kidnaping her would not have worked. You might keep it from everyone else, but you can't hide it from me. I know you still love her, and even if you say otherwise; she has hurt you, even if she does not know it. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I will still cure her, because you want me to. Just know that I will never leave your side again. You just have to trust me a little, as your younger brother…okay?" He said. I was surprised. I hadn't told anyone about Mavis Then, when Natsu's words sunk in, I smiled.

"Thank you," I sighed softly. Natsu sighed again.

"You do know that going to war against her guild to cure her, is not going to make her love you again. You do know that, right?" He raised his eyebrow at me. I could feel my face heating up.

"That-that's not why-" I stammered. He snickered lightly.

"Relax, alright? I am just teasing. But, my point still stands: I will follow you, but this will not be easy." Natsu stated simply.

"I know. And again, I thank you, Brother." I smiled.

Normal POV

"That's what brothers are for." Natsu grinned and walked out into the large hallway, thinking about what he had just said to his brother and about Fairy Tail.

He thought about all the memories he had shared with his friends; his life in Fairy Tail, where he made it clear that everything, he did was for Fairy Tail. What he had given up to help them. But now, he gave that all up in order to stand proudly by his brother's side. If Fairy Tail found out, they would probably hate and despise him. But Natsu didn't care. All that mattered to him now, was his brother's happiness. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now he was an enemy of Fairy Tail and the whole country of Fiore, probably even the whole continent of Ishgar. He had promised to cure Mavis of her curse, just like his brother, and go to war over her. But he could not stop thinking about what the outcome of all of this would be… He wished that there was a better way to get to Mavis without going to war. But he knew, in his heart, that there wasn't one. They could not just kidnap the First Master without Fairy Tail doing anything and everything to rescue her, even if there was no real danger. He could not simply walk into the Fairy Tail Guild and explain their intentions, because Fairy Tail would probably be labelled as a Dark Guild if they even talked to Zeref. Plus, they would not do anything even remotely involved with Zeref.

Many of the guild members' lives were deeply affected by Zeref and his actions. The only way to fix everything was to be the enemy, to save everyone from something they would never understand. He had to go to war against the place he once called home. And in some twisted way going to war with his friends was protecting them. Then, his mind started to think of his own plans to save everyone, and to give his brother the happiness he deserved. That would also mean he, too, would become an enemy of Alvarez and, in time, the world… He frowned again as he made it into his room. A plan started forming in his head, an idea of taking out the God that helped cause all this suffering in the first place.

Well, another chapter done. I hope you liked this chapter. If you have ideas how Natsu should run into the guild, let me know.