September 3rd, 1945

On a small, uncharted island deep in the middle of the sea, a middle aged man sat on a stone bench and smoked his pipe. All around him a storm raged. The rain fell in a downpour and the wind howled. All around the isle the sea churned, as if in a fury, yet on his stone bench the man lay untouched by the elements as if he were sitting in a glass dome. Albus Dumbledore glanced at his pocket watch, before putting it back and continuing to smoke his pipe.

He was dressed in fine robes, the sort of robes one might wear to a ball or important gathering. His beard was well groomed and covered the bottom portion of his face. His blue eyes gleamed in the dark, belaying the power hidden within.

A crack like that of thunder sounded the arrival of his guest. Gellert Grindelwald looked much like he had all those years ago in Albus' childhood. Blond hair neatly combed, blue eyes glinting with mischief, his demeanor casual yet commanding.

"Old friend, it is good to see you again". Gellert spread his arms in invitation for an embrace, but Albus simply looked at his friend turned enemy cooly.

"You did not call me here to exchange pleasantries Gellert. Let us dismiss with the small talk."

"Ouch! You would me old friend," Gellert said as he moved to sit on the bench.

"Why have you called me here Gellert?"

Gellert simply looked at Albus for a few seconds. "I must say, that is a beautiful pipe. A gift? Perhaps from a lady friend?"

"We both know there is no lady friend. Stop evading, why are you here Gellert?"

Gellert sighed. "So impatient." He paused for a moment and turned to look at the churning ocean. "Japan has surrendered. The Muggle World War is officially over."

"But not the Magical one."

Gellert nodded. "Yes, we have not yet surrendered. Indeed a surrender doesn't seem likely at this stage. It would seem I did my job a little too well." He grinned ruefully. "My followers are determined to fight to the last man if need be."

"And you?"

"I … I am tired of this war Albus. Oh no need to act surprised, I am. So much magical spilled, so much potential lost. I never anticipated this you know, it was supposed to be an easy victory, but somehow you managed to fight on. Whoever wins now, all of wizardkind loses."

"I was not the one who started the war."

Gellert grimaced as if he had swallowed something sour, the sighed and slumped his shoulders. "No, I suppose not. I take full credit for that. I started this war and I intend to end it."

"How? You said it yourself, your people don't intend on surrendering. So how do you plan to end the war?"

Gellert smiled then, the same smile with that mischievous twinkle in his eye that had been the harbinger of so much trouble in their past.

"My people will not surrender without a fight, however, there is a way to get them to surrender without more blood being spilled, a duel. You and I duel in front of everyone, the winner gets the unconditional surrender of the other side."

Albus frowned. "There is no way I can convince my side to agree to that. There is too much left to fate, especially when the balance of the war is currently in our favor."

"The balance may be in your favor, but your allies know just as well that to continue this war would be to cripple our race. It would be a pyrrhic victory at best."

"Even if I could convince my allies, why should I agree to this? Is this some attempt to appeal to my ego? I will easily admit that in a duel between us I do not know who would be the victor. In fact 6 out 10 times, I believe it would be you."

"I believe I would win 10 out of 10 times old friend." Gellert said as he pulled out his wand. "Take a look."

Albus' eyes widened in shock. "The Elder Wand. So you do have it after all." Albus glared at Gellert. "If this is really the Elder Wand then why in the world would I agree to a duel between us."

"Because I will intentionally lose the match, making you the victor and thus the owner of the Elder Wand."

For a second, Albus simply stared at Gellert, dumbstruck. "But, but why? You would give up one of the Hallows, just like that?!"

Gellert laughed, "Oh if you could see your face. I do not give it up lightly Albus, but if anyone should wield this wand other than me, I would have it be you. I have wielded this wand for many years, but now it is time to pass it on. To continue fighting would go against everything I ever stood for. Agree to the terms Albus. Convince your people to accept them and I shall convince mine. We shall give them a duel of legend, a duel that will go down in history. And then, when you defeat me, my people shall see that you wield the Deathstick, and they shall surrender as planned."

Albus looked conflicted. "It will not be easy to convince the others."

"Since when have we ever done the easy thing. Since when has anything worth doing been easy?"

Albus sighed and fixed Gellert with a heavy stare. "There is one flaw in your plan. This war has built a rift between us, but I do still care for you. How could you think me capable of killing you in cold blood?"

Gellert blinked, confused at the statement. "Killing, who said anything about killing me. You're meant to win the duel by disarming me!"

"Oh"

Gellert cackled. "Oh indeed. Did you seriously think I had a death wish. Ha! You must be more ruthless than I thought if victory to you meant killing me. No, it would be perfectly in character for you to win the duel by disarming you. Despite the name, the Deathstick's allegiance can be transferred by a simple disarming. Besides, I may be sacrificing the cause, but I don't intend to sacrifice my life or comforts, far from it. Once you defeat me, you'll imprison me in Nurmengard, where I've got a nice, cozy cell with all the creature comforts I could want. Given that Nurmengard is said to be inescapable, there should be no protests."

"They could just as easily imprison you in Azkaban, and that would be a hell you would not wish to endure."

"Then it'll be up to you to convince them to put in Nurmengard won't it?"

Albus sighed. "You've thought of everything it seems."

Gellert smirked. "Indeed. I do have a reputation to maintain."

"I cannot guarantee that I will accept your offer, but I will consider."

"Please do, but do remember that time is short indeed. Every moment you dally is another life lost." Gellert stood up, "Till we meet again" and disappeared with a crack.

"You always had to have the last word." and with a crack Albus Dumbledore disappeared as well, leaving to storm to rage behind him.