Fairy Tail

Three days. That was how long the party at Fairy Tail guild lasted. They probably would have partied longer, but they were still missing two members of their guild. Yes, Gildarts rarely showed up anyway, but Natsu… The whole guild was feeling his absence, but that wasn't going to stop them from celebrating for the guild getting back together, and the safe return of its Guild Master, including the return of the Thunder Legion, to boot.

"And where do you think Natsu is now?" Makarov asked the small group that had gathered, or it might be easier to say, anyone that wasn't drunk or passed out on the floor.

"Well… I have been trying to keep track of everyone in the guild after we disbanded. That's how I knew where to send the letters… but Natsu had disappeared after the battle with Tartaros. I have no idea where he could be." Lucy sighed as she bowed her head low, looking like she had failed. Her eyes were glassy, like she was about to cry.

"It's not like Flame Brain to just fall off the face of the earth." Gray stated. "I mean, this is Natsu we are talking about. He is not good at hiding; he would have destroyed his hiding place by accident." He smiled, more to try and brighten the mood than focusing on how he was also wondering where the flaming idiot was, and whether he was alright.

"Gray's right, but I am a little worried that we have not heard anything from Natsu in over a year. This does not seem like him," Mira stated worriedly while absently cleaning a glass.

"Do you think something could have happened to him?" Wendy asked. That thought made Makarov's eyes widen, his mind going back to what Zeref had said. He knew Natsu by name, and even thanked him for raising Natsu. Could Zeref have done something to Natsu? No, that couldn't be… could it? Why else would Zeref say something like that?

"Master, are you alright?" Erza's voice brought the old guild master out of his thoughts. He looked around at the group's worried expressions, debating if he should tell them about Zeref, but quickly decided against it. He didn't want them running off on a hunch… at least, not yet.

"Everything is fine." He spoke slowly. "I think we need to find Natsu and Gildarts as soon as possible. War is coming, and we should use all the help we can get." He sighed, forcing the direction of his thoughts of his wayward child to the threat that was coming here.

"How are we going to find Salamander if there hasn't been any news about him for months?" Gajeel asked.

"Yeah, and Gildarts. Well, he goes on these long jobs to who knows where," Cana added with a little disappointment in her voice about her father's continued disappearance away from the guild.

"You guys can take jobs and ask around if anyone has seen them," Mira suggested, pointing to the request board filled with jobs. "It seems that a lot of people are waiting for Fairy Tail to get back into the game, so to speak." She smiled. And with that groups started to take jobs after jobs in search of their missing guildmates, following every rumor, every lead they could get. Even if it was vague, they followed it. But they found nothing. Sometimes they would run into fake salamanders and ghosts of where they thought he could be, and nothing. It was like he had vanished, or had never existed at all.

After mouth of failed searches, Makarov called everyone back to the guild. He was sad that he had to end everyone's reunions and jobs, but he was getting increasingly worried at the pending threat. This, in turn, had everyone else a little worried, especially when they were called back to the guild on such short notice.

When everyone was gathered back at the guild, Makarov went onto the stage and slammed his staff on the wood.

"Listen up!" he shouted, and the guild grew quiet. Everyone turned to face the stage. "Children, let me apologize first, which is well overdue." He sighed. "I will not make any excuses for myself. I took your home and your way of life away from you, and that was a mistake on my part. It had been a mouth, and I should have apologized sooner, but-" he faltered. He wanted them to have some happiness before their world would be torn apart again. But, he knew that wasn't an option.

"Don't worry about it. Mest explained it all!" Bickslow stated when it was clear the Master wasn't going to finish.

"You just followed the only course of action you had. You believed you had to protect us." Freed added, with some others nodding and stating that they were OK with it. They were just happy to be back together.

"Anyway, the Guild is back together, so everything is fine." Lisanna reassured with a smile on her face.

"Now all this guild needs is our resident Salamander!" someone in the guild shouted, and the mood dropped a little. The thought of Natsu being in possible danger sent a pang of guilt in the old man's heart. He just hoped his hunch was wrong, and that Natsu was just on a training trip.

"This is serious. Since I wasn't able to negotiate for our safety, there is no doubt Alvarez will invade our territory… They have true superpowers, and they will throw everything they have at us." he stated, getting the guild back on track. He was still worried about Natsu, but right now he had to get them ready. For war was undoubtedly coming.

"I am sure if Natsu was here he would say… that time and time again we fight for this guild. We put everything on the line for what is important to us, and that is what makes us strong. This fight isn't just about winning, it is about living." Romeo declared. That got everyone's moods to brighten, even if it was just a little.

"Yeah, more boos not boohoo's!" Cana shouted while raising her barrel, which got others to cheer as well.

"I think everyone has made up their minds, Old Man. We are going to fight, to keep on living, because we are a guild. We are Family," Laxus stated. Makarov nodded, making his decision as well; he set his resolve and looked at his children.

"Listen up, everyone. We are going to make them rue the day they chose to mess with our family! Let's take them down!" he shouted, raising his staff in the air. Everyone cheered loudly.

"We will have to give it everything we got!" Wendy shouted.

"Don't we always!" Gajeel affirmed loudly.

"This foe is like none we have ever faced." Erza thought aloud with a slight frown on her face, remembering the two people of extraordinary power they met on the mission to rescue Makarov.

"We will be fighting Zeref." Juvia stammered.

"And I'm going to find END." Gray hissed.

"We will make it through this, like all the other times," Lucy shouted with resolve.

"I will protect the Guild this time. I swear I will! Like a real Man!" Elfman said determinedly.

"Huh, man, did I miss this guild or what!" Cana laughed.

"Before we get too carried away, there are some things I think you should know. It is concerning the Lumen Histoire, or what is really known as the Fairy Heart." Makarov sighed. The guild quieted down again

"I think I should be the one to explain it to everyone, Third Master," Mavis spoke up, appearing on the steps to the stage.

"First Master…" Makarov gasped.

'Is this a projection, or is she really here?' Erza thought. Everyone quieted as the air in the guild became more tense as Mavis walked to stand next to Makarov, facing everyone in the guild.

"It is likely you have not heard of Fairy Heart. For many years it has been our guild's most carefully guarded secret, and for good reason. The world must never learn what exactly it holds… However, I think it is crucial that you know why Zeref would go to such lengths to get it… Also, about my own sin." She sighed as her green eyes narrowed in sadness and pain.

"You're sure?" Makarov asked, giving the first master a side glance. She closed her eyes and nodded.

Taking a deep breath as she thought about her past and the story she was about to tell, "I am… It is time for my secrets and my sin to be revealed. This is a tale about a boy and a girl, about the terrible curse they shared, and the primordial magic they sought together." When no one spoke up, she opened her eyes and gave one last sigh before she began.

"My story takes place over 100 years ago. Not long before Fairy Tail was founded we crossed paths in a forest, west of Magnolia, where both our fates were ever changed… He was stricken with the curse of Ankhseram against his will… This horrible curse killed every living thing around him… I, however, found him to be completely fascinating. He taught me much of the world of magic. At the time, Magnolia was controlled by a dark guild called Blueskull. They treated the citizens with such cruelty. Therefore, my friends and I learned magic from Zeref to win the City's freedom. Just when things were most desperate, I cast an imperfect black magic spell that brought us victory… And because I wasn't ready to wield that spell yet, there was an unintended consequence. My body had ceased growing." she paused as she looked over the guild members. No one talked or moved as they were listening intently to her story. Since no one was reacting, she continued.

"A short time after, in April X686, my friends and I founded Fairy Tail. Later that year, the second trade war between the feudal lords started. We who joined the war were I, Yuri Dreyar, Makarov's father-to-be, Precht, Fairy Tail's Second Master who would later follow a path of darkness, and Warrod Sequen, who would become the fourth-ranked Wizard Saint." She smiled a little at the memory of her friends, but her expression became serious.

"The war was brutal. We fought in that War, and we fought to bring it to a swift end. But, it was not a short war… the war finally came to an end in the year of X690. The number of casualties was 10 times the number of the first trade war. Many believed the increased brutality was due to the wizard guilds' involvement. And as a result, the wizarding world came together and the Inter-Guild Conflict Band Treaty was signed. This agreement brought along a short time of peace." She sighed again. " Six years later, in the year X696… I had another chance encounter with 'him' while walking through the forest. I was happy to see the mystery man. I hugged and thanked him for all that he had done for me and my friends. And that was when he told me who he was, the Back Wizard Zeref. I, however, didn't really believe him. He was not at all what I had expected the legendary dark mage to be like. He was kind, and his eyes didn't hold the malice of an evil man. We had talked for a while, and I told him that almost 10 years have passed since we last saw each other. That was when I told him I had cast a spell that stopped my growth. He was shocked, and upon closer inspection he discovered that I had been cursed. He told me that I became like him, and went into explaining the curse of Ankhseram. I told him that that was not true because no one around me had died. But he explained further; since I was in a time of war, my sense of life and death was dulled. However, once I found the true value of life, and truly loved life, then the ones around me would start to die. Not believing him, I ran away, back to the guild in tears." The guild remained silent as she spoke. This story was starting to make a turn in the dark direction.

"In March of x696, Yuri's only son was born. I was so happy. I named him Makarov as per Yuri's and his wife's request, and that was when Makarov's mother, Rita's life was taken by me. At that moment, I panicked and ran from the guild. In the forest, everything around me began to die. Such was the curse of contradiction. The more love you have, the more death surrounds you. If you love no one; then no one dies. A powerful curse, one that withers trees and kills animals and, of course, takes the lives of people… after that fateful day, I never returned to the guildhall. I endlessly wandered the land, leaving countless corpses in my wake. Then, after a year had passed, Zeref found me… he told me that even trying to kill myself would not work. Even if I had cut off my head I still wouldn't die, because of the curse… I pleaded with him to kill me. He said it was impossible and that I needed to change what I thought of the world because I would be spending an eternity in this cruel world. He told me about his demons and about the county he had built; he said that he hated conflict, but he was getting ready for a war. He told me that it was fun creating that country, but then said he hated it when I pointed out his contradictions to him. He said he didn't remember. I realized that his thoughts were contradicting each other, too. He started rambling, saying one thing then saying the opposite. I pitied him. He was in pain. The world kept rejecting him so I hugged him. I told him I understood him. I told him that I accepted him just as he was…" she paused, looking down at the stage floor. Still, no one spoke. She was surprised that no one was lashing out about her having fallen in love with the black mage Zeref. But even so, she still couldn't meet anyone's eyes.

"Love brings about miracles, and often tragedy, as it is the primordial magic… Love… the two that cared. The curse of contradiction shared their love, and the result brought about yet another contradiction: the more love you have the more life this curse takes; such a bitter contradiction is what took my immortal life…" She sighed, closing her eyes at the memory of their kiss that had ended her life.

"My body was then returned to the guild by Zeref. Precht was the only one there. He felt I had some magic in me, so he set to revive me. And so that was how my body ended up in the crystal, and is there to this day. He worked tirelessly on every resurrection spell he could find, but not a single one could bring me back to life. And then, one day, due to his fast knowledge of magic, he realized what had happened to me, how I was struck with the curse of Ankhseram. He decided he wouldn't tell anyone about that. A few years later, Yuri died, not knowing the real cause of his wife's death… But in the year X710, he told the guild about my death, and a shrine over an empty grave was erected on Tenrou Island, which became our guild's secret ground. That Island was where I was born, and where I met my friends. Then Precht became the official second master as per my wish before I disappeared. And whenever he was not performing his duties as guild master, he worked to try to revive me for the next 30 years, but the results were quite unexpected. With his extended knowledge of magic and my body being preserved in the lacrima, I was unable to age or truly die. These factors created a new type of magic. It was something that would rock the wizarding world to its very core… An eternal magic called Fairy Heart." she finished, then she looked at everyone in the guild. Their eyes were wide and mouths open, some of them even gasped in shock.

"I don't understand. What is that magic?" Lucy asked after a few minutes of silence.

"It is an everlasting source of magic. Simply put, the magic that springs from Fairy Heart will never dry up." Mavis answered, and more people gasped.

"Are you serious! It's a kind of magic that you can keep using forever and ever!" Happy shouted in shock.

"Consider the magic developed by the old Magic Council, the Etherion cannon. It was powerful enough to wipe out an entire country. With one blast the Fairy Heart contains, or should I say, generates enough magic energy to fire an infinite number of Etherion blasts, enough to wipe out all countries," Mavis explained. Some people began to sweat at the implication of that much power and what that could mean if it ended up in the wrong hands.

"I understated why we would want to keep it a secret." Wendy gasped; eyes wide. The destruction Fairy tail could be capable of unleashing could bring about the end of the world.

"That kind of power would throw the wizarding world into chaos," Carla stated. If everyone knew of that power, everyone would want it for themselves, or even want to destroy it because it could cause the world's destruction.

"Ivan, my son, tried to get his hands on it some years ago. It seems word of its existence had reached Alvarez as well." Makarov affirmed, sporting a frown on his face at the thought of his idiot son. Wondering his he was the one that started the roomer about Fairy heart.

"Which means they are going to launch an invasion to try and take control of the power," Laxus mused, also frowning.

"But why would they go to all the trouble? Aren't they already swimming in magic power over there?" Bixlow asked, remembering the stories team Natsu had relayed.

"My theory is that they want to use it as a weapon to fight against Acnologia. Even Zeref considers him too evil and dangerous for this world." Mavis suggested.

"Is he really that strong? I know he is like a force of nature, but that's insane!" Gray asked, sweat rolling down his face at the mention of the black dragon's power.

"Wait a second! This might seem like a stupid question to you guys, but if we have a magic that is this powerful, what is stopping us from using it on both of them?" Happy asked. Raising his hand

"I supposed that question needs to be asked," Makarov sighed. "I must admit, I did consider using it to stop the Faces and the battle of Tartaros. However, even if we would have gained a short-term victory, there is no telling what the long-term effects would have been… for example, what if we had lost control of the Etherion, and in turn, it rained down limitless destruction?"

"I'm sorry for asking." Happy mumbled, looking down at the floor. And turning back into his cat self to further hide is embarrassment in the crowd.

"No matter what we are up against, Fairy Heart must be kept a secret. The world just isn't ready for it." Mavis stated. The guild began cheering, saying that they would fight for it, and that they would never give it up because that magic was their first master. But instead of making her happy, she bowed her head in shame. She felt ashamed at the thought that she had brought this onto her guild, a family that didn't deserve this much heartache.

"I never thought that my sin would cause all of this. I dragged my beloved Fairy tail into a mess that could end us for good." she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

"What sin? Opening up your heart to love someone isn't a sin in my book. Even if it was illegal, I won't arrest ya." Gajeel said matter of factly. Everyone was shocked at his statement. "Stop with the blank stares!" he shouted angrily at some of the guild members.

"He is right. You mustn't blame yourself for what has happened." Erza agreed, giving the master a small smile.

"Because of you, Fairy Tail is a force for good in the world." Lucy smiled.

"And for this, we are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the guild you created, because we believe in it." continued Wendy, smiling at her.

"And no Fairy Tail would mean that we wouldn't be friends today," Lilly said.

"Your love for people is what brought us all together." Gray affirmed. At this, Mavis began to cry as she listened to their words, happy that this was how they felt, and also proud that this was what her guild had become.

"It is hard to imagine something so tragic and painful as being forced to fight the person you once loved so madly." Juvia cried, wondering if she knew how painful it would have been if she had been forced to fight against Gray.

"The feelings I had for him are long in the past." Mavis asserted, drying her tears. She was becoming serious again as she looked over the members of her guild. "Zeref is a threat to Ishgar, and to all of humanity. He must be defeated."

"Not going to lie, it is going to be tough. Even if we took down the Alvarez Army." Bickslow stated. The mood in the guild turning sour again at the over whelming enemy they were faced with.

"Zeref himself can't age or die. Isn't that right?" Laxus stated more than asked, which got the guild to panic, thinking that there was nothing they could do to defeat him. The mood dropped drastically.

"How do we defeat somebody like that?" Erza asked, more to herself than the members of the guild. Even Mavis and Makarov looked down in thought.

"Well, we are going to have to try and throw everything we have at him, because if we don't, then when Natsu comes back, he won't have a guild to return to. I am sure he wouldn't give up when the odds seem to be stacked against us… we are Fairy Tail, and we will find a way to win!" Romeo shouted, bringing his fist up in the air. The members of the guild smiled, their morale was brought up again.

"Even when he isn't here, he is bringing up our morale." Laxus said in amusement as everyone imagined Natsu shouting that he would kick Zeref's ass, and that he would never be giving up. Because Natsu was the soul and the light of the Guild. As long as they thought he would be fighting, they would be, too, because they were Fairy Tail Wizards.

"Master, could you tell us about the enemy we're about to fight?" Lucy asked, stepping in front of the crowd. The guild quieted down again.

"Hmm, that's a good question. I will tell you everything that I was able to find out from my time there. First, at the top, is Emperor Spriggan. Here in Ishgar, he's known as the mightiest black wizard of all, Zeref. And beneath him is an elite force of powerful wizards known as the Spriggan 12. During the half a year that I was confined there, I have only managed to meet six of them. Because it's such a large region, it's apparently quite rare for all of them to be in the same place at the same time." Makarov rubbed his chin in thought, then continued. "There's Invel, the Winter General. He is Zeref's Chief of Staff, and his chief administrator. Given his title, I believe that he uses ice-based magic, but I haven't seen him in action."

"Ice, huh…" Gray whispered to himself.

"Next we have Ajeel, the Desert King. He is the Sand Wizard we encountered during our escape; he is one of the Twelve's most aggressive members. Brandish, the Nation Destroyer. She isn't particularly aggressive, but she has enough magic power to wipe out entire countries." Makarov explained, most of the time ignoring the gasps of the guild members.

"We encountered her before, on Caracole Island. She is a force to be reckoned with. I believe she uses magic that can alter an object's mass." Erza explained.

Makarov nodded, then continued, "Dimaria, the Warrior Queen. I don't know what magic she has, but she's an extremely skilled knight who is revered as a Goddess of the Battlefield."

"She's a knight? Not a wizard?!" Erza asked incredulously.

"You're hardly one to talk," Laxus stated, rolling his eyes. Again Makarov ignored their comments.

"God Serena, the mightiest of the ten Wizard Saints. He's a disappointment of a man, in every sense of the word, and an embarrassment to our Country. But, I know how powerful he is, more than anyone; as I have witnessed his power first hand." He frowned.

"I still can't believe our top-ranked Wizard Saint is now our enemy." Levy gasped.

"I wonder why he decided to desert Ishgar?" Juvia asked.

"I doubt there's any way to know without asking him personally." Patherlilly pointed out as he was also wondering the same thing.

"I will make sure to do that when I arrest that dirty traitor!" Gajeel shouted, causing some guild members to groan and Levy to smile at his antics.

"Then there is August, the Wizard King. Be especially wary of him. From what little I know, he's on a completely different level, and is rumored to be without equal among the 12. He possesses tremendous magic power that makes the others pale in comparison. I also heard he can use every manner of magic from every region of the world. He might even wield more types of magic than Zeref himself." Everyone gasped. "That is all the information I have on those six. I only know the names of three others… Bloodman, Neinhart, and Wall." Makarov explained sadly.

"And there is still one more person that could be stronger than that August guy…" Gray spoke up. Everyone turned to face him in shock, not believing that there was someone who could be even more powerful.

"What do you mean?" Makarov asked, his eyebrow raised.

"On Caracole Island where we met Brandish, she told us that there was someone more powerful than the 12, and for us to pray that we would never meet him." Lucy replied, shuddering at the memory.

"That's right, I have heard a rumor of someone else at the castle. Someone very close to Zeref, who has managed to become the Empire's Prince. But other than that, I have heard nothing about such a person. Anyone that talks about this person only refers to them as the prince so names were ever mentioned" Makarov surmised, rubbing his chin in thought and worry.

"So, there are really 13 insanely powerful people to look out for, plus the immortal Zeref himself?" Lilly gathered, not liking this situation at all.

"We will need to formulate a strategy, so pay close attention." Mavis stated, gaining everyone's attention. "Zeref will invade Ishgar with his entire army… I won't sugar coat it. We are at an overwhelming disadvantage. Our enemy is greater in number and far more powerful than any enemy we have faced before… But, due to our courage and our bonds, we will prevail. Let's show them what our guild is made of!" Mavis shouted and everyone cheered.

In the Alvarez Empire

A mouth ago

"Oh, you're always such an A+, Lady Brandish!"

"Could you do all these nails, too?" she ordered more than asked but still in her bored tone.

"Of course! I'll wholeheartedly paint them with the greatest of care! Oh, such a lovely foot, A+!" Marin praised. "So, if it's not too much to ask, do you think you could return me to my normal size now?" Just then the door opened.

"Randi," Dimaria spoke, waking into the room, a disappointed look on her face.

"Mary?" Brandish sighed, a little annoyed that Dimaria didn't knock.

"Rumor is going around about you letting the troublemakers escape," Dimaria said with a smirk on her face as she walked further into the room.

"I didn't let them escape, I just didn't feel like dealing with them." Brandish stated, her cheeks puffing out and sitting upright in her seat.

"Yeah! I tried to tell her it was a bad idea! Oh, you're an A+ too, Lady Dimaria!" Marin spoke from the ground while waving the nail polish brush around.

"You should turn him back to normal. He's like a talking insect, it's disgusting." Dimaria sighed, trying to ignore tiny Marin.

"Insect?!" Marin screamed, running around in circles on the ground.

"Too much of a hassle." Brandish sighed, waving her hand dismissively.

"You can't be serious! I hate being tiny!" Marin screamed as he continued to run around, getting nail polish everywhere.

"Everything's a hassle for you, that's why you need him… Anyway, the Spriggan 12 have been summoned. I suggest you use his magic to get there to spare you the hassle of travelling." Dimaria spoke in a barely concealed disapproving tone, then she turned to leave closeing the door behind her.

"Lady Brandish! Wh-what are you-?!" Marin screamed as Brandish picked him up with her toes.

"I don't like her. She's not cute at all. In your terms, she's an F-." she hissed, glaring at the small man. Brandish had been in a bad mood ever since they got back for that island, and poor Marin was paying for it.

"Please spare me…" he squeaked. Just then, there was a knock on the door. She groaned as the door opened and in walked someone. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was. She dropped Marin and stood, the abrupt action spilling the nail polish, which now covered the space wizard.

"Lord Natsu! I-I didn't know you were coming, or I would have cleaned up a bit!" she spoke quickly. Marin scuffed on the floor. She glared down at him, and he hid behind the nail polish bottle.

"Just Natsu is fine, and I think everyone knows you wouldn't go through the hassle." He smiled amusedly, then he seemed to notice the tiny Marin. "What did he do now, to deserve such a punishment?" Natsu asked, a slight frown on his face.

"I didn't mean to! I swear, Lord Natsu, and may I say you are an A++!" he shouted from the floor. Brandish tried to step on him while grumbling. He screamed and made a mad dash towards Natsu, "Save me, please!"

"That little insect destroyed my favorite sweet shop." she hissed, and Natsu sweatdropped as an image of Erza flashed in his mind, and how angry she would get when her cake was destroyed.

"Marin, you should know to never mess with a woman's sweets." Natsu gave a small smile while picking up the small man. Nail polish was getting on his hands. "Sorry, but you are going to have to face punishment." Marin squirmed and pleaded to Natsu. Brandish held out her hand, but before Natsu could give him to her, his eyes locked onto hers. "Brandish, please don't be so harsh on him, okay? I promise, the sweet shop will be rebuilt in no time." She nodded, Marin dropping into her hand with a small yelp. Then she noticed the bandage on Natsu's right arm. She frowned in concern.

"What happened?" she asked, gesturing to his arm. Marin also stopped struggling, his eyes widening, wondering whether someone was strong enough to injure the Prince.

"Oh, that's right. You have been on assignment when I returned." Natsu realized pulling his arm back to his side. "It is nothing to worry about… Anyway, I came here to ask you something." she looked confused, and a little worried still.

"Am I in trouble?" she asked, thinking that she had done the wrong thing in letting his old guild members go.

"No, you're not in trouble. I really don't see a reason for you to be, do you?" he asked, his eyebrow raised, his dark eyes seeming to look into her very soul.

"My Lord, you didn't hear what happened-" Marin tried to speak but Brandish closed her hands around him, shutting him up while sending him a death glare.

"Yes, I heard what happened on Caracole Island," he paused, and Brandish became worried. "I don't care about that. That's not why I am here, so don't worry. You're not in trouble or anything." he smiled, waving his hands dismissively. She felt all the worry leave her mind as she returned a small smile of her own. "Brandish I just wanted to ask for a favor."

"A favor?" she asked tilting her head slightly.

"Yes, I am sure you are aware that we will be going to war with Ishgar soon, and I know you are going to be one of the first ones on the field."

"Are you asking to spare them as I did on Caracole Island?" she frowned

"… Yes…" Natsu stated plainly, his face blank. "Do not get me wrong, Brandish. I have no intention of betraying my brother or this Empire, and I have cut my ties to Fairy Tail and Ishgar. But what I am about to ask you could be very difficult for you."

"What a pain." she sighed, going back to her usual demeanor.

"You don't even know what it is yet." Natsu sighed, but he didn't really seem bothered.

"What is it, then?" she sighed

"I want you not to destroy Magnolia, for one. What I want you to do, is let yourself be captured by Fairy Tail. I don't care how you do it." Brandish thought he was joking, but by the look on his face, he was completely serious.

"You want me to lose to one of them?" she asked, surprised. Even Marin was surprised by the request. "That isn't going to be believable." her voice trailed off.

"You are really smart when you want to be… Wait, that came out wrong." Natsu sighed while rubbing the back of his neck. "Brandish, I know you will come up with something. Could you just do this for me?" he asked.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because I think out of everyone in the 12, you're the best one to do it, and the one most likely to do it."

She scowled. "Are you calling me weak or a traitor?" she hissed. Natsu frowned.

"You know that that is not what I am saying, Brandish… I am trusting you to do this. I need you on the inside when the fighting gets started."

"Why can't you do it? They don't know that you are here per your request, so you can just walk in there." Brandish wasn't sure what Natsu was planning. She trusted him and, in all honesty, kind of liked him (not that she would say that out loud), but this odd request confused her.

Natsu shook his head. "No, I can't. I will be doing something else, and honestly, I don't think I can act as the same Natsu who they knew. They would spot something was different pretty quickly." he sighed again, and his eyes seem to bore into Brandish's green ones, looking into her very soul, that look used to make her feel uncomfortable but now it comforted her it felt like Natsu saw her darkness everything she hated about herself about her past and accepted it, without the pity or the disgust jus plain understanding.

"Fine. I'll do it, but you will owe me one." Brandish sighed. She would have done it anyway if it was an order from him.

"You do remember I am the Prince, right?" he asked, smiling. She just waved her hand dismissively. "Thanks, Brandish." He said as he turned to leave, to get ready for the meeting.

Later

Everyone was gathered in the conference room; they all sat at a large circular table with long back chairs. The room was painted with grays, blacks and purples, the colors of the Empire. Flags of the Empire Crest hung on the stone walls. The room was not very well lit, making the room seem a little eerie.

"I'm impressed that all of you are in attendance, despite the sudden notice." Zeref said, smiling despite there being just two empty seats. And being two days since he returned and asked for them to gather.

"Actually, sir Neinhart is also in the palace, but, well…" Yajeel tried to explain from behind Zeref's chair.

"That's all right." Zeref said calmly, his good mood not dropping.

"It is not all right. Defying Your Majesty's orders tarnishes the Twelve's name." Invel hissed glaring disapprovingly at the missing member seat, not like they could see his face.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Invel. We can just start with everyone who's here. A small, elite force would be nicer anyway." Ajeel stated, his feet resting on the table with his hands behind his head.

"What of my brother?" Zeref asked, surprised that Natsu wasn't there.

"I am sure he is just running late" August stated. Just then the doors opened, and sure enough there was Natsu coming into the hall.

"Hey everyone. Sorry I'm late." he chuckled and quickly sat next to his brother.

"You know, I expected Brandish to be the one late, not you; Your Grace." Invel said, reserving a 'Hey!' from Brandish.

"I got sidetracked, and I don't have someone to teleport me to the meeting." He received another 'Hey!' which he ignored, "Anyway, it doesn't seem like I am the only one late." Natsu mentioned, pointing to the only other empty chair.

"He hates coming to the meetings…" Wall said with a shrug. "which seems we have been having a lot of them lately."

Zeref cleared his throat and everyone grew quiet. "As you've likely already surmised, we're finally about to begin our invasion of Ishgar." he began.

"What a hassle." Brandish sighed.

"Now don't say that, Brandish. You agreed to follow my orders, remember?" Zeref said, giving her a soft smile.

"Of course. My feelings and my actions are two separate things. Even if it's a pain, I'll do anything you order." She spoke, sparing a glance at Natsu.

"You say everything's a pain, that's why everyone hates you, Randi." Dimaria smirked.

"Oh? I hate them actually." Brandish huffed in annoyance, earning a barely suppressed chuckle from Natsu.

"I see. It's no wonder we get along then." Dimaria smiled.

"God Serena, will scorching your homeland be painful for you?" Irene asked, more in a condescending tone then actual sympathy.

"Painful, it is NOT!" he shouted as he shot up in his chair and threw his arms out to the side, then did a couple of other strange poses.

"Creep." Brandish spoke under her breath.

"Thank you." he replied, taking it as a compliment and doing one more pose before sitting down.

"Dude, that wasn't a compliment." Natsu stated in a bored tone.

"Your Majesty, all of us are now ready for the final war of Ragnarok." August stated, getting the conversation back on topic.

"In short, our target is the body of your former lover. A truly sinful act, indeed…" Wall said, giving the Emperor his usual smirk.

"Not quite. The Fairy Heart is a form of Magic, not a person." Zeref stated smoothly.

Natsu gave a side glance at his brother. It had been only two days after his curse had been lifted, and Natsu had been keeping a close eye on his brother since he woke up. He had spent the whole first day in bed, thinking and coming up with new plans, but Natsu was still wondering why Zeref was still not telling them about reviving Mavis instead of stealing the power. 'Was he worried the 12 wouldn't follow him if the truth got out?' Natsu thought.

"We are simply playing Pieces." August stated. He knew that that was what Zeref saw them as for their safety. Of course, Natsu wasn't going to tell them that his brother no longer had the curse, that was for Zeref's story to tell.

"An interesting interpretation, indeed." Wall smiled, no one noticing the way Natsu was watching his brother.

"It's perfect." God Serena shouted, jumping out of his chair again to do some more strange poses.

"Uncle, isn't Ishgar also the home of your former guild?" Larcade asked, a small smirk on his face.

"I cut my ties with Fairy Tail a year ago." Natsu stated simply. Larcade's smile dropped, a little annoyed about not getting a rise out of his 'uncle'.

"Now, let us formulate our strategy." Invel suggested, glaring at God Serena and Larcade for their rudeness.

"Hey, mind if I do it all myself?!" Ajeel demanded more than asked, leaning further back in his chair, his feet rocking back and forth on the table.

"No. I can't let you do it all. This is a full-scale assault." Zeref stated.

"That's crazy! I can easily handle it myself! If God Serena was the strongest guy on their continent! Which means I could easily annihilate them by myself!" Ajeel shouted, shooting to his feet so fast you could barely see it.

"That would normally be fine, but an all-out attack by our entire army sends a certain message," Zeref said ignoring the outburst.

"I would not underestimate them if I were you." Natsu stated in a stern voice. "Many have thought they were stronger than Fairy Tail, and they found themselves on the losing end because Fairy Tail refuses to give up. And Ajeel, did you forget that I am originally from Ishgar, too?" Natsu raised his eyebrow.

"You don't count since you are the Emperor's brother, and I know you weren't born on that dreadful content." Ajeel stated, sitting back down and putting his feet back on the table while grumbling.

'How do you know where I was born?' Natsu thought, but before he could voice that, his brother spoke up.

"Natsu, do you mind telling everyone the plan?" Zeref asked, again trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Sure… Fairy Tail probably knows war is coming, so we can throw out the full surprise attack to get the war going…" Natsu paused for a second then continued, "What they don't know is when it is going to happen; the plan is to have several different forces… Fairy Tail is strongest when they are together, so if we attack from all four directions we outnumber them a 100 to one. If they are spread out and distracted, it will be easier for me to get in and take the Fairy Heart."

"And what about Ragnarok?" August asked.

"Acnologia is dead." Natsu stated flatly.

"Wait, what!?" several of them gasped as the room went into a cacophony of shouts.

"Quiet." Natsu hissed. The room went dead silent, several of the 12 slowly lowering themselves back onto their seats. "I killed him several months ago. I know there was supposed to be a huge battle or whatever with Acnologia, but I have a bigger prey in mind."

"And who is that, Natsu?" Zeref asked. Even he didn't know who this person was, and his confusion was evident on his face as well as the 12's.

"Ankhseram." Natsu said. Everyone's eyes widened at the princes declaration.

"You're kidding right? The God that cursed His Majesty?" Jacob asked incredulously.

"Yes. That is why I want to get in and out of Ishgar quickly. With the power of all of us combined, and the power of Fairy Heart, we could win." Natsu stated somewhat confidently, not mentioning his plans of taking on God by himself, so no one hade to die because of him… not again.

"Natsu, why didn't you tell me about this?" Zeref asked, seeming a little hurt and worried for his brother. Knowing full well angering 'that' god could be… dangerous.

"You were dealing with other things at the time. Plus, I didn't want you to shoot down my idea." Natsu shrugged not seeming this was a big deal.

"Wouldn't it be dangerous, with His Majesty still under Ankhseram curse?" Invel asked also worry for both the brothers

"He is not under the curse anymore. I lifted it a couple of days ago, that was why this meeting was postponed." Natsu stated matter of factly. They were all shocked again by this. 'Well, there goes Zeref telling them when he was ready.' Natsu thought. He did feel a little bad about that, but it was going to come out eventually. And right now, Zeref needed the 12's full trust and support.

"I think this would be fun. I guess Acnologia wasn't as tough as we thought, if Natsu took him out all by himself and came back without a scratch." Ajeel laughed. "Well, almost, since you did come back with that." He stated, pointing to Natsu's bandaged arm. A topic of worry and interest for the 12 since his return

"I didn't get this from the fight with Acnologia." Natsu stated bring up his bandage arm.

Ajeel stared. "Dude, just how powerful are you?" he asked, not really wanting to find out. Natsu just smiled.

Natsu POV

After the meeting had ended I went to my room. Even after a year living here, there wasn't much stuff in my room. There were just a few pictures, my scarf that hung on the walls, notes and books that still cluttered the desk. I lay down on the bed, staring at the canopy of beautifully carved dragons in the wood. Having no intention of sleeping, I just swung my legs and studied the carvings, wondering what I should be doing right now. Then my thoughts drifted to my brother, Zeref. I wished I would have more time with my brother, the brother from my childhood, the one without the curse, before we go to war with Fairy Tail. For too many years we have been separated. Even now, we spent almost half a year apart when we just got back together, and soon, we will be separated again, and this time, I wasn't sure if I would ever get to see my brother again. Everyone would undoubtedly be gunning for Zeref, but now Zeref could be killed since he didn't have the curse anymore. That was one of the reasons I had to tell the 12. Hopefully, one of them would stay close to his side to protect him, since I won't be able to. No matter how much you prepare and plan, oftentimes the plan doesn't make it through the chaos of war.

I turned to see some pictures of my friends from Fairy Tail. "I was reborn as a demon, created by an evil wizard, soon to be hunted by my friends… when I become what I once was, what my creator intended me to be, can you still keep that loving look on your face when you think of me?" I asked the smiling faces of my friends. I shook my head. I didn't deserve to call them my friends, not anymore. I knew that if I saw them again… No, when I saw them again, there would be no avoiding it. I would run into them sooner or later, and once that happens…

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I sat up quickly, hopping off the bed to go and open the door. And there was my brother, the one and only Zeref.

"Zeref? What's up?" I asked, not knowing why I was surprised to see my brother, since this was his castle.

"May I come in?" he asked. I stepped aside and let him come in. He looked around my room and seemed to be staring at the pictures on the wall. Why do I even have those? All they are doing is reminding me of the past, of the things I left behind to stand by my brother's side. Zeref seemed to be thinking the same, since I was looking at the pictures as well.

"I think they will still forgive you for who you are..."

I shook my head. "It's not that easy. I am END and Natsu Dragneel, all one and the same; a fact I can't deny is that I caused them harm by being a part of Tartarus."

"That was in the past." He affirmed, turning to face me. His expression seemed sad and somewhat guilty, but I wasn't sure what he was guilty for. "Plus, you didn't create them. I did."

I sighed. "The fact that it was in the past doesn't matter. It still affected them and their lives. And even back then, I wasn't… I wasn't all that kind either. I had a dark past, just like you, and I did things I am not proud of. I may not have created the demons, but I did command them. I was their Guild Master, after all." I trailed off, not sure where I was going. "My point is, once they realize who I am they will not want anything to do with me. I don't belong there anymore." I finished, looking away from the pictures and walked to the window to stare out at the city below.

"Natsu-"

"Why are you here? I am sure it wasn't to talk about my pictures or the past." I spoke a little more forcibly than I intended. "Sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that." I corrected in a softer voice, turning to face my brother, whose face was now blank.

He was silent for a minute before he spoke, "Natsu, I wanted to talk to you about the meeting that happened today… about… your plans." he trailed off.

"You don't think it is a good idea." I guessed. He just nodded. "Well, the 12 seem to disagree." I stared back outside again. Either way, when that fight comes, I will be doing it alone.

"Ankhseram is not kind. If you were able to find that god and fight, it won't be pretty." He said with a pained look.

"Zeref, I am not going to back down-"

"So, what? You are just going to kill yourself in a fight you can't win! Natsu, I didn't sacrifice so much only to have you throw your life away!" his voice was getting louder and louder.

"I never asked you to bring me back to life. I never asked to be a monster. You should have left me in peace. Then, none of this would have happened! You would have not been cursed, and so many lives could have been spared the misery of our actions!" I shouted right back, just as loudly. Zeref looked shocked and hurt by my statement, but honestly, I didn't care. It was true. If I hadn't died in the first place, or better yet, if I had never existed at all, everyone would probably have had brighter lives, and so many people wouldn't have died. I am a demon after all a monster, and probably not even Zeref's real brother… I had thought about that a lot if I was really revived or just created with the real Natsu's memories. We stayed silent for what seemed like hours but was probably only a few minutes.

"I remember when you were young, you were always so happy and kind. You would watch me do my homework from the Wizard Academy, and tell me how you couldn't wait to go to school with me, to become a mage. I remember when you had a nightmare and you would climb into my bed for comfort… I even remember your smile. It was brighter than the sun and chased all the sadness and darkness away…" Zeref paused, looking at the floor. "Natsu, when did this all change? When did you decide that your life doesn't really matter, and that you also wanted to die?" he asked, his voice breaking a little at the last part.

"I don't want to die. I just want to spend time with you, like we did when we were younger. I want for this to finally be behind you so that we can be a family again… Even now, our family is bigger, with the 12, with this whole Empire. I want you to be happy, like you used to be." I sighed.

"but you gave up your own happiness with Fairy tail something I never wanted for you."

"Zeref," Natsu sighed "Before this war starts, can… can we just hang out and not talk about the past? Can we just be brothers and hang out, just the two of us?" My voice wavered as I fought back tears. My body felt heavy. I was so tired. When was the last time I slept? When was the last time I felt rested? Next thing I knew, Zeref wrapped his arms around me. I didn't even notice when he moved. I slowly wrapped my arms around him, taking in his scent; it no longer smelt of death. He now smelt of old paper, power, and the Castle.

"Yes, Natsu. I am here for you, whenever you need me, because I am the big brother. I'm sorry I wasn't better at it until now." he whispered. I tightened my hug and smiled into his shoulder. I had my brother back, and I would fight anyone who got in the way. If I had to turn into that monster from my past, I would gladly do it, if that meant Zeref was safe. Finally, after so long, he was Zeref again. The brother I remember from when I was young.

The Next day

Natsu didn't remember falling asleep that night but for the first time in a long time he felt well rested. Quickly he got up and dressed running out of his room he had a smile on his face today would be great he just knew it today there were no depressing plans for was no thinking about the past no curse; today he was going to hang out with his brother and the 12 today we was going to have fun.

"Prince Natsu." Natsu came to a halt in the hall slowly turning to face Invel the Ice General

"Yes Invel?" Natsu asked

"where do you think you are going?" he asked

"umm to see my brother?" Natsu stated

"Snice you are up why do we start you lesson early I was thinking we go over edict and political knowledge." He stated a little too happily hold up a book the title reading The Edict for the high class.

"Invel why are you touching me I have thing to do today." Natsu groaned

"Yes you do as the prince." Invel smiled grabbing Natsu collar catching Natsu trying to sneak away and began dragging him to his dreaded lesson.

"Save me" Natsu pleaded as he saw the confused face of his brother as he was dragged down the Hall. Zeref the traitor just smiled a waved leaving Natsu to his fate.

After three gurgling hours later Natsu renewed his quest to have an awesome day only to again be interrupted as he was hounded castle staff for help with decisions which he didn't know why they were asking him. then he was being pestered my God Serena and Larcade wanting fight me very 10 minutes. Natsu ducked into one of the castles many room now trying to hide from everyone.

"Your majesty?" Natsu froze he wasn't alone he slowly turned to see August with a book in his hand and a confused look on his usually stoic face.

He was in August room

"hey August sorry to barge in I was umm…" Natsu deflated not sure what he was going to say instead he looked around the room. Natsu rarely visited the other 12th living quarters in the castle if ever. This was the first time in August room, the room had two walls covered in books about magic theory and magic ideas from what he could tell. He had a large bed pushed up against one wall with a chalk board above it and a desk in the middle of the room. "you do know we have a library right." Natsu blurted out.

"I am aware this is my personal collection." August said looking at his bookshelf with a little bit of pride. "Did you need my prince?" he continued looking back at Natsu

"No not really."

"Then what are you running from because I don't think anyone could force you to run from a fight."

Natsu sighed "God Serena and Larcade challenging me to fight every ten minutes might… all I wanted to do today was hang out with my brother but it today hasn't exactly gone as planned." He grumbled wonder why he was telling August this

"He is the emperor he is very busy." August pointed out closing his book and setting down on the desk. "And you are the prince I am sure there are something you should be doing too."

Natsu groaned again "don't remind me on top of God Serena and Larcade, Invel as me trying to bury me in paperwork or lessons." He paused "and I know he is busy but he doesn't have his curse anymore I was just… what a day like old time."

"When you were kids?" Natsu just nodded. they were silent for a little while "well I am currently not doing anything."

Natsu raised his eyebrow at August out of all the 12 Invel and August were the least likely to drop what they were doing to have fun frankly he didn't even know if these two knew how to have fun. "Umm okay what do you like to do for fun?"

"Read mostly."

"Just like my brother." Natsu sighed but then he got any idea. "August why don't you tell me a story.

"Like a bed time story? sorry your grace but aren't you a little old for bed time stories?"

"Do I look like I am getting ready for bed? No, tell me a story about you some of your adventure you must have some." Natsu asked with a smile. August was a very private person but for some reason he could not say no to that smile.

He sighed "very well" they both sat down on the bed and for several minutes sat in silence as August was trying to think of what story he wanted to tell. Natsu was patient silently waiting. Finally, August began tell Natsu a story from his past. Either though this day hadn't gone as he had planed it was still a good day.

Two weeks later

Normal POV

Two weeks seemed to go by far too quickly. Those two weeks were probably the happiest two weeks Natsu had had in a long time, if not in his life. He laughed and played with his brother, got to know the 12 even better, and was just happy. The thought of war was far from his mind. All that mattered was his family. But sadly, that had to come to an end, as they would be kicking off the war in a couple of days. Now the castle was a bustle of activity as the army packed provisions and prepared to sail or fly to Ishgar. Everyone was given their assignments to pass down to their squadron. The first strike team would be leaving later today.

The time has come to face his former guild, and Natsu wasn't sure if he was ready. Everything seems to move in a blur. He would be leaving first thing in the morning, and he would be getting to Fiore a day or two before the main forces. He blew out a breath as he watched the preparations. Things were moving too quickly. He wished he had more time. Or, was he just saying that because he wasn't ready to see the faces of his ex-family?

"My Lord, are you alright?" Natsu turned to see Invel standing behind him. Natsu cursed himself on not having noticed the ice general approaching.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just watching the preparations." Natsu replied, tuning back around to watch.

"Everything is moving on schedule." Invel stated. Natsu just nodded.

"Was there something you needed from me?" he asked still looking out the window.

"No, My Lord. I just wanted to check to see if you were prepared to leave tomorrow morning, and if you needed anything."

"No, I am all set." Natsu turned to face the ice general. "Is my brother prepared?"

"Yes, but his forces won't be leaving for another two days."

Natsu nodded. He paused for a moment before looking Invel in the eye, "Invel. Since my brother no longer has the curse, you will watch out for him. Won't you?"

Invel nodded resolutely. "Of course, My Prince. I will be by his side. But even without the curse, he is still quite powerful, so I think my services won't be needed."

"Do not underestimate your enemy. Once you do, we have already lost. No matter how much power we have." Natsu sighed. "Invel, promise me you won't leave my brother's side. And if you do, make sure he is protected and safe." Natsu ordered. Invel saluted Natsu with a small bow.

"Of course, Your Grace. I will not fail you." Natsu nodded at that, and turned back to watch the preparations. Invel left to make sure that, for the hundredth time, everything would be ready for the initial attack.

I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for your reviews and ideas for this story. Keep it up.