Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail.

Summary: Zeref is royalty, and only heir to the throne. His eighteenth birthday is coming up and Zeref is not looking forward to it. He doesn't want to be king. Maybe, he doesn't have to.

Warning: Character death! And a bit of abuse (nothing too bad) but I thought you should know. Don't like it, don't read it.

Zeref was rich. Richer than the richest of the rich. However, being rich caused him horrible problems. He was the heir to the throne and was required to be king someday. Something of which he did not want. The biggest problem was that he was coming of age. He was nearly eighteen and was required to find a bride. In fact, he already had a fiancé.

Zeref didn't hate her. she wasn't stuck up like he half-expected her to be. But he didn't love her either. She was a good friend. And that was likely all she'd ever be to him. conversely, she actually loved him and was perfectly happy playing the obedient wife. One reason why he could not love her. he needed someone with a backbone! She would fall over dead if he told her too.

Not that she was dumb or anything. No, in fact, she was as brilliant, if not more so, than he was. she just lacked the confidence to use her skill to the best of her abilities and was instead content with using her skills to aid him in whatever he desired, which was nothing. "Zeref! Get in here!" his father called. No, Zeref did not hate his fiancé. His father, however, was a different story altogether. Zeref hated HIM with every ounce of his being. He didn't even know what his father wanted from him. he was already miserable, what else did his father want from him?

"Yes father?" Zeref asked, walking into the throne room. His father stood there like the high and mighty jerk he was and stared down at Zeref. His father had a bad habit of staring down at everyone, but it was an especially bad habit that he stared down at Zeref.

"Come closer, son." His father said. "I have a little eighteenth birthday present for you." Great, it was probably another slave. Zeref didn't have time to deal with them. They were more trouble than they were worth in his opinion. Zeref vaguely hoped it would be different this year, however his hopes were dashed when two guards dragged in a boy beaten within an inch of his life. Zeref noticed that, while the present itself wasn't different the present was still… different. Instead of a young maiden that his father deemed "beautiful" it was a boy. Zeref wondered if this was some sort of ploy. When his father was involved anything was possible after all.

"It's… a slave. Thank you, father, it's a very thoughtful gift." Zeref said the same thing every year. His father either hadn't noticed or didn't care.

"Your welcome son have fun." Zeref hid his disgust and nodded. It was not in his nature to be cruel, but it was not to be nice either. To be honest, Zeref was rather distasteful of slaves. He had no personal vendetta against them, but he did find them unnecessarily needy. Zeref didn't like needy people and so he kept them at arm's length, much like anyone else. Zeref walked over to his slave. The boy had pink hair, he was tanned and skinny but had well defined muscles, likely from hauling things. That was all Zeref could make out though.

"Get. Up." He ordered. The slave did not move. Zeref half wondered if he was going to have to order the guards to pick his slave up. Zeref didn't get the chance.

"He said get up!" his father growled. "He is your new master, so you better listen to him." a few seconds later the boy twitched, and he shakily got to his feet. "Good." His father said, his voice calmer now.

"Follow me." Zeref said. The slave obeyed, of course, and followed him unsteadily out the large, golden doors. Zeref had to pause several times to let the slave catch up. Eventually Zeref got rather annoyed. "Hurry up." He ordered. The slave did try to hurry, he really did, but he was clumsy and tripped over his own feet. Zeref, royally fed up, grabbed his slave roughly by the arm. "I told you to hurry up, not fall down!" Zeref said irritably.

"-up." He heard. Zeref's scowled.

"What?" he asked.

"I said shut up!" his slave growled and jerked his arm away. It left scratches on his arm, but the slave didn't seem to care. "And don't touch me." He growled. Zeref blinked at this slave. No one, not even his father had ever spoken to him that way, much less some random slave. Zeref wasn't sure whether he should like this slave more because he had the guts to stand up to his prince, or if he should slap him for his insolence. Zeref decided to do what he often did when faced with equally appealing decisions. He did nothing.

"Don't speak to me that way." Is all he said. "You'll get yourself in trouble." The slave sneered.

"You think I care about trouble? If I haven't died yet I'm not going to! And even if I did it would be better than serving you!" he screamed. Zeref sighed. he didn't like being the bad guy. Why did everyone always make him be the bad guy? But people were staring now. Zeref knew that if they saw he wouldn't punish a lowly slave who had talked back, then they would think he'd never be able to talk back a diplomat from a neighboring kingdom. In other words, they'd think him a weak ruler. That would mean problems, revolts, assassination attempts, betrayals, people who think for themselves. And as the next monarch Zeref could not allow royals to be perceived that way. The only way for a monarchy to work was to show that one person was strong enough to lead an entire nation by themselves. Zeref hated it. But being a monarch was all about image. It didn't matter if you weren't really strong. As long as you were perceived that way you had the undying loyalty of thousands. So Zeref did the only thing he could think of. He slapped the boy. It felt dirty, like he was kicking a wounded animal. What he didn't expect was for that animal to bite.

The boy lashed out at him, faster than what should've been possible in his condition. The boy's fists were lit aflame. Zeref's eyes narrowed. It was no wonder that he was still alive even in his condition. This boy was a wizard. However, Zeref couldn't sense most of his magical energy. That either meant that he was a very powerful wizard, or that he didn't have much magical energy left, in which case, using it could prove to be very dangerous for him. Zeref, thankfully, was quite skilled with magic himself.

His slave instantly fell to the floor before his guards even had time to react. "Please carry him down to the slave chambers. He is not to have food until tomorrow afternoon at exactly 12:00 P.M., understand?" Zeref asked. the guards saluted him and carried his slave down to the slave chambers. Zeref let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. How troublesome. He had much more important things to attend to than being with some stupid slave.

Zeref strolled down an empty hallway to the music room. He could hear notes from the violin ringing throughout this part of the castle. It was sweet music. Zeref turned the corner and walked in. His fiancé was in charge of his… musical and mathematical talents. Both of which she was extremely virtuous at. "Oh! Good afternoon my love." She said. "You are a bit late though." She added her eyes narrowing slightly. "What pray tell is the reason for this?"

"My father had to see me in the throne room. He had to give me my… birthday present." Zeref didn't hide his disgust this time. His fiancé's eyes narrowed even further.

"Was it another one of those women?" she asked. he could tell she hated the idea of him ordering around and being around and talking to another woman that wasn't her. his fiancé could get rather jealous. It was not a trait that he particularly despised, but it was not one that he cared for either.

"No, this time it was a boy." Zeref said. "And he was rather… feisty." Zeref said after trying to consider the right word. His fiancé giggled.

"Well then, even if he is I'm sure you'll put him in his place." She said.

"… Yes." Zeref said quietly. His fiancé, detecting his unease, changed the subject smoothly. She was always quite good at that.

"Now then, on to our lessons for today, yes?" she said. Zeref nodded. Piano was a skill he had picked up a long time ago. He had never been particularly musical, but he wasn't half bad at it either. Mavis sat, and she listened as he played. She never interrupted his piece and told him what to change, after he was finished. After he was done playing his little piece she sat there. "It was… you played everything how it was written." She said. Zeref sighed. he didn't like the tone she was using. Despite the fact that Zeref took what she said as a good thing, her tone suggested otherwise.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's just that… everything you've ever played for me as been so methodical." She placed her hands on the keys. As she played, beautiful music, unlike anything he had ever played, drifted through the room. Her fingers glided across the keys almost as if caressing them with her fingertips. It looked like she barely touched them even when powerful music belted itself out at him. it would be poppy and then it would lace together. It would go loud to soft. Sometimes it would be fast, other times it would be slow. "Music." She said, her hands stopping after a minute or two. "Is not methodical. It's not a science, it's an art!" she exclaimed. "It's not enough to simply… play what's written! You must put your own spin, let your emotions pour through the piece! Let it all paint a picture. A slow sad song could paint the picture of rain for the audience, or a fast, bouncy song a beautiful golden sun! music is supposed to speak to you, but through melody instead of words." She stood and turned on a magic-operated stereo. "Listen." She whispered. Zeref sighed. "Close your eyes and listen!" she shouted. He'd never heard her more commanding. It scared him slightly and his eyes flew shut. "Good." She said softer. "Now what does this song say. What does it tell you?" Zeref frowned. The song DIDN'T speak to him. it was just a bunch of pretty melodies clashing together. He noticed immediately when his fiancé started humming. His eyes opened slightly. Mavis had her eyes closed. She was humming softly, swaying to the music. "You're not closing your eyes." She chided lightly.

"H-how did you know." Her eyes slowly opened.

"I can feel you watching me." She said quietly. "Come on!" she said a little louder. "Dance with me." He hadn't time to protest before she grabbed on to him. her mouth tilted upwards just slightly into the smallest, softest of smiles. She moved with the fast beat of the song. Her dress of silk swirled around her and her hair swayed with her. this wasn't his type of song. He didn't dance, but if he did the song would be slow and probably deep. But this light, upbeat dance seemed perfect for his fiancé. She was a small thing; her feet always bare despite the fact that she had shoes. His fiancé was almost eighteen too, but sometimes she looked just like a child. Still, he moved with her since he hadn't a real choice in the matter since she was basically dragging him around the room.

Her laughter rang out, complete opposite to how he usually felt. It was the first time he saw her as something more than his annoying fiancé that he was being forced to marry. He supposed, he could've ended up with so much worse. "Well," she said breathless when the song stopped. "You could at least try to look a little happier."

"Sorry." He said quietly. She sighed, panting and slowly stepped away from him.

"Look…" she said quietly. "I understand that you don't love me. I don't love you either. You're a bit too… melancholy for my taste, no offense. But I'm trying to be happy. Trust me, I don't like falling over backwards to meet your every demand, but I do it because it's my duty to be your subservient queen. The one that would die for her king." She sighed. "I would rather be outside dancing in the rain, playing my violin as more than just a hobby, teach others science and mathematics. Heck even become a battle strategist. But… I was born a princess. And you were chosen as my husband."

"… I hope I'm not a complete disappointment."

"Believe me, I know I could've done worse. As far as princes go you're not the worst I've ever met." She said.

Zeref also wondered if she ever wanted to become an actress. He'd really thought she loved him more than her own life. it turned out that was just another lie. "I guess… you're not the dancing type." She said.

"I don't like to dance." he said. She sighed.

"I kind of figured." She grumbled quietly.

"… So, in other words, the piece I'm playing. You're saying it's too perfect." He changed the subject almost as seamlessly as she could. She smiled softly and nodded. Zeref wasn't sure he'd ever understand this woman. Never had a teacher told him that his work was too perfect. "Well alright, then what do you want me to do about it? Make some mistakes on purpose?" she laughed quietly.

"No, no, my love, you are a skilled pianist. Add your own spin to the piece. Add your own style and emotions to it. I don't care how long it takes, or how many times you have to do it. Experiment, and do your best." She said. Zeref sighed. that sounded exhausting. He'd train some more with magic rather than practice the piano any day.

"Alright. Well, anyway, I guess our time is up right?" his fiancé looked at the clock and sighed.

"I suppose you're right." She said. So, Zeref help Mavis tidy up the music room a little bit. Just because they were royalty didn't mean they couldn't clean sometimes. Just as Zeref was leaving a thought occurred to him.

"Hey, if I'm not a lover to you, the what am I?" he asked his fiancé. She tapped her chin as if thinking.

"Well, you are a good friend." She said, staring at him. "And sometimes I think of you as the adorable little brother I never had!"

"That's ironic, considering I'm older." She pouted.

"Yeah, but I'm always the one teaching you. Not the other way around." Zeref rolled his eyes. It was true, anything he could do, Mavis could do also. There were some skills he was better at than she was, but she was no less capable of accomplishing the task.

"Fine, whatever." He grumbled. She gave him a somewhat cheeky smile and they each went their separate ways.

Zeref didn't know why exactly he'd sent for that new slave he got. He never sent for any of his slaves once he got them. But this one was defiant. He was… interesting, to say the least. And Zeref was bored. He honestly couldn't think of anything else he needed to do.

Soon, his slave arrived. "Have you cooled off?" Zeref asked him quietly. The slave, who was now wrapped in bandages, ignored, and glared at him ta-boot. Zeref sighed. apparently, the answer was no. Zeref stood and cautiously walked toward his slave. He made his moves slow and deliberate as to not scare the boy. The slave just stood there, never moving but tensed as if prepared for him to strike. "How long have you been a slave?" some slaves were forced into these lives, but others were born into it.

"I was born into it. So, I suppose 17 years." Zeref was intrigued by this. He would've thought for sure his slave was older than him. but unless the boy also turned eighteen within the next few weeks, Zeref was fairly sure he was the older one.

"I see." Zeref said quietly. "Where are your parents?" he asked.

"I don't know." The boy said stiffly. "We got separated when I was young."

"And your name?"

"Natsu Dragneel."

"Now, then, do you have any questions for me?" Natsu's eyes narrowed.

"Are you always such a jerk?" he asked. Zeref found this to be more amusing than insulting.

"Define what you mean."

"I mean are you always so stuck up? Demanding me at your beck-and-call, asking me questions like I have to answer you, acting like your better than the rest of us just because you have more gold to spend on useless trinkets, that do no one any good and sit on your stupid, expensive shelves, to rot!" Natsu snarled. Zeref hadn't thought he was very stuck-up. But perhaps, somewhere along the way, he had gotten used to people abiding by his every command. It was how he grew up. It wasn't like you could expect any different from him. still, was that really an excuse for what he knew was garish behavior? After all, Natsu had grown up in an environment where he was taught to serve his master and obey them no matter what. And here HE was defying Zeref and making his life genuinely difficult.

"I guess I am." Zeref said softly. He hadn't thought about it really. Natsu rolled his eyes and mumbled something. "What?" Zeref asked. Natsu glanced at him, his scowl deepened.

"Nothing." He said. Zeref was suspicious, but he let it go.

"Alright." He said quietly.

"So why am I here anyway?" Natsu grumbled. "How can I serve you?" He said mockingly. Zeref sighed.

"I don't know why I called you here." Zeref said quietly. "I suppose I just wanted to see you again."

"See me?" Natsu said doubtfully. Zeref nodded.

"I think that… you're interesting, unlike any other slave I've ever met."

"Oh, so I'm an interesting thing. You want to see what makes me different like some science experiment. Like I'm not even human!" Natsu spat distastefully. Zeref frowned. He didn't quite think like that. He merely liked Natsu better because he didn't bend over backwards like everyone else. He told Natsu this. "Oh, so now you like me better because I work better than any of your other toys." Zeref scowled this time.

"Stop twisting my words around! That's not what I said!" Zeref cried. Natsu crossed his arms with a scowl of his own.

"I'm merely saying what you meant." Zeref growled in frustration.

"That was not what I meant!" he cried. Natsu didn't look convinced. Zeref rubbed his temple. This boy, if nothing else, was troublesome. "You know what, fine, think whatever you want. You're just a slave, it's not like your opinions ACTUALLY matter." Zeref said.

"Well, for my opinion not mattering, you sure seem to care a lot about it."

"I'm the future king, it is my job to take other's opinions into account." Zeref grumbled. Natsu shrugged.

"You'll soon see that it doesn't matter if you're future king or not." Natsu said. Zeref narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Zeref asked, bemused.

"Just that your destruction is inevitable." Zeref's frown deepened in confusion. Zeref opened his mouth to speak but Natsu had already crossed the room. Zeref had barely seen him move. Zeref raised his arms as if expecting an attack. The hit didn't come but Natsu had managed to fluidly slip through his defenses. Natsu put a finger to his lips as if to shush him. that was another odd thing, no one had ever shushed him. and no one had ever touched him without his permission. "Don't say anything. It's useless." Zeref knitted his brows together in confusion. He was trying to understand. "Come on, you can't possibly not understand. You're a smart little prince, that much is obvious. So, why don't you actually use that big brain of yours." Zeref frowned and started thinking. Natsu came here and everyone started acting a little strange. Even his fiancé started acting a little weird. Natsu wasn't like all the other slaves. He didn't have the spirit of someone who was born into slavery. His will was still strong and his spirit unbreakable. That was when it occurred to Zeref that Natsu didn't act like a slave, he acted like a rebel. Natsu saw the moment Zeref's expression turned from confused to comprehension. That was when Natsu restrained him. "We're taking over the kingdom, and there's nothing you can do to stop us." Natsu told him. Zeref struggled in his grip, but Natsu was physically stronger.

"What are you going to do to us?" Zeref snarled. "And where's my fiancé?" Natsu smirked.

"You mean Mavis?" Zeref's eyes narrowed.

"That's princess Mavis to you, traitor!" Zeref snarled. Natsu laughed.

"Wow, she really played you for a fool. If you really must know then your "fiancé" orchestrated the whole thing." Natsu said, smirking. Zeref frowned. No, Mavis liked him, she would never do that to him and his country. "I suppose men really are blinded by beauty." Zeref's scowl deepened. He was NOT blinded by her beauty. He wasn't the one yielding to her every command. But she'd led him into a trap of her own. She pretended. When she told him, she didn't really love him maybe she was giving him a hint as to what was coming. The dance, the music, she knew that once the castle was overtaken that he wouldn't be able to play for her again. she had warned him in her own way and he'd been too stupid to see it. Too blinded.

"I see you understand now. That look of betrayal is plainly written on your face." Natsu told him. Zeref ignored him and twisted violently in his hold. Natsu squeezed tighter and hauled him upright. Zeref felt himself thrown over Natsu's shoulder. "Come on, it's no use struggling." The doors to his bedroom opened and they walked into the hall.

Everything was in pandemonium. Servants and slaves alike were everywhere, taking down the guards. Rebels had invaded the castle in their red tunics that marked the symbol of their rebellion. Zeref didn't struggle as violently anymore. He'd said that he didn't want to be king. He'd said it to Mavis hundreds of times before. Zeref concentrated and tried to remember everything he'd told her. he started to realize more and more that he'd told her things he hadn't told anyone else. She made him feel more comfortable than he'd realized.

Blood covered the once clean halls and. It was everywhere and only the sight of it reminded Zeref that he had magic. His eyes narrowed, he could put up a fight. He looked around. Bodies were everywhere and Natsu was somehow avoiding them all. The soldiers were outnumbered. Servants held knives and pans. None of THEM could use magic. It was a rare gift these days, so when the next ruler wielded what many deemed an impossible skill, they respected him even more.

Zeref knew, even with magic on his side that there was no way he could win. But Zeref wasn't a cowered either. He would fight to protect this kingdom until he could not fight any longer. He had been taught long ago that rebels sought to overthrow the monarchs, however, he'd also been taught that they didn't understand how horrible that would be. If there was no ruler everything was up for grabs. Murders would happen in large masses, people going out of business, no ruler, no rules, no society, only chaos and destruction as people scrambled to adapt in this new world. A perfect, sound opportunity for another country to invade and enslave them all.

Zeref twisted around and kicked Natsu as hard as he could. The former slave cried out in annoyance and tried to grab on to him, but Zeref was already moving. Dark energy gathered in his palm. As black as the night with no stars. Natsu lit his fists on fire.

Zeref could now tell that indeed, Natsu was a powerful wizard. But ever since he was young Zeref had been a genius in magic, if nothing else. The slave stood no chance against him. "Natsu." It was his fiancé. She walked down the hall, dressed in red. The color of rebellion. Zeref gritted his teeth. Natsu had not been lying, and Zeref had been right to conclude what he had. "You can't beat him with magic alone. you'll need my help." Natsu nodded. Zeref took another step back. If the rebels succeeded it was almost certain he would be put to death. And chaos would take hold. If Zeref ran, however, there was still hope to rebuild their country. It would be seen as a cowardice action, but there was strategy to such a plan. It's what his father would do. and now, just to spite him, Zeref stayed, and he fought.

Natsu threw the first fireball his way. Zeref stopped it. He was a master of fire magic. He could control it. He held the fire with one hand and with the other casted the dark energy spell. Mavis shielded them from the attack and Natsu went in again.

Zeref was skilled with multiple types of magic, but he still wasn't sure if he could defeat the both of them in battle. Truth be told he had no idea how powerful Natsu actually was, but he did know that Mavis was also skilled in magic. Another reason why his father chose her to be his wife. Natsu breathed fire at him. it was then that Zeref recognized his magic. It was an ancient type of magic that could only be learned from the beasts themselves. It was dragon slayer magic, meant to slay dragons. It was lost magic, and very powerful. "You're not the only one who possesses lost magic." Zeref told him. Zeref was a master of the dark arts. He could summon death in the palm of his hand. He also had a spell called death predation, although that would kill a number of people in the vicinity and Zeref had no use for corpses.

Soon, a number of rebels had joined the battle both wizards and non-wizards attacking him. Zeref was extremely skilled in the art of magic, however he was too overwhelmed. It was either use the death predation or let himself be overcome by the masses. Neither option was very appealing. Still, his father would've told him to use the death predation. Maintain balance at all costs. He would say. Zeref had never been big on balance.

He'd decided he'd rather die in a world of chaos, pure, then live in a world of order, a murderer. So, in the end they got him. Zeref fell to the floor, his life dwindling slightly. He'd used too much magic. It wasn't healthy.

When Zeref awoke he was in a dark cell. Everything was silent. Zeref couldn't see a thing. The fact that he was in a cell meant that the rebels had won. "Son." Zeref jumped at the sudden voice that filled the darkness.

"Father?" Zeref wondered quietly.

"Yes, it's me. So, you lost in a battle of magic." Zeref was silent. He didn't like the tone in his father's voice.

"Yes, I did. Although, what did you expect? There must've been fifty wizards. And fifty more non-wizards all fighting me at the same time. There was nothing I could've done." Zeref said.

"What about that spell you're always telling me about. Death predation I think." Zeref looked away. He could never tell his father his reasoning. Not only would he not understand but he would think it was a ludicrous reason. To his father, order was more important than morality. Maybe, it was thoughts like those that caused the rebels to rebel.

"I was too low on magic power. I wouldn't have been able to cast it properly and would've died." Zeref lied.

"Who cares?" his father asked. "The rebels would be taken care of and order would be restored." Zeref's frown deepened.

"But… I would be dead." Zeref said.

"Then I would've had a new heir. Who cares if I had to rule for another eighteen years?" Zeref scowled now.

"I'm sure you would've been happier with that arrangement." He said irritably.

"We all would've. There would be balance and you would've died a hero. Now all you die for is because they think you're a tyrant." Zeref sighed. that's what his father had never understood. The fact that being king was more than image. Not only was it how the people viewed you, but how you viewed yourself. And Zeref was fine with dying a tyrant. So long as he knew he was good.

"Have they told us when the execution is?" Zeref asked, changing the subject. He couldn't see his father in the darkness, but somehow, Zeref was sure he was looking at him. the cuffs on his wrists clinked together as he shifted. They held tight to his hands. Zeref was painfully aware of them.

"Today." His father said. Zeref blinked. He had less than twenty-four hours to live. he wasn't sure how he felt about that. The logical thing to feel would be grief. But surprisingly neither of them had dropped to their knees in despair.

"Am I supposed to feel something?" Zeref whispered.

"You are supposed to feel pride in your country." His father told him. Zeref blinked. That was probably the truest thing he'd ever said. Zeref frowned and nodded, though he knew his father couldn't see it.

Later, the door opened. It was the slave and Mavis. She was staring at him as if waiting for him to say something. He wasn't sure what she wanted him to say. How could you? Did you ever really care?... I wish you were dead? To be honest, Zeref had nothing to say to her. he wasn't quite angry, no, but what he did feel was cold. Numb. He could ask any of those questions but all of them were rhetorical. He already knew the answer. She could do this to him because she never really cared. And that answered both of those questions. Inside, he already felt dead. He'd steeled himself not to say a word.

They pushed him and his father forward, out of the dark cell. He was about to be killed. Why did he feel so empty? Zeref wasn't sure. Zeref walked down the dark hall toward the exit door. Mavis walked in front and Natsu behind them. Zeref was drained, and even if what he wore were not magic suppressing cuffs, Zeref wouldn't have been able to use magic.

The large wooden doors were pushed open and sunlight hit the two of them. They were led into the middle of a large circle. People were scattered everywhere. Some cheered, others sobbed, and a few screamed, outraged by what was happening. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." Mavis told him quietly as she led him up on to the platform. Zeref saw two ropes hanging. A trap door lay under them. Zeref's throat constricted tightly. She had spoken to him. maybe she did care for something. He could tell this hurt her, could see her tears. Zeref thought that tears were useless things, though, that could be his father speaking.

Zeref climbed the steps and stood as Natsu started speaking of their tyrannical rule, and what they were being hung for. Zeref swallowed. Natsu walked over and quietly secured the noose around his father's neck. "Any last words?" Natsu asked him. his father was silent staring at Natsu.

"For Fiore." He whispered quietly. Then, Natsu glared at him and pulled the lever. The trap door opened, and the rope pulled taut. Zeref watched unblinking as his father was alive for a second longer, and then his eyes clouded over. It was a terrifying sight to say the least.

Then Natsu went on to talk about his crimes. Zeref could hear Mavis's quiet cries. His bounds were starting to hurt even more as the minutes ticked on.

Suddenly as the noose was pulled around his neck Zeref realized why he wasn't sad. why Mavis was the one crying instead of him, even though he was the one that was dying. It was precisely because Zeref was the one dying. He wouldn't be around to grieve. He wouldn't be around to care. He accepted that he was going to die, resigned himself to it. It would be his last day on Earth, his last breath, his last word. But it wouldn't be him left. It would be those who cared about him. his subjects, his guards, perhaps even Mavis if he dared to hope.

"Any last words?" Natsu asked him. He could feel Mavis's eyes on him, willing something to happen so that he might escape. Zeref wasn't foolish enough to believe that would happen. Natsu's expression was blank, his eyes steely. But Zeref could tell that Natsu had prepared all day. Ready to pull the lever, but ready not to pull it as well. As for Zeref. He still felt empty. Nothing truly mattered anymore. His life was about to end and things had never been clearer. He could ask himself what his life really meant but that would be a fruitless endeavor. So, he was content in knowing what his life didn't mean. Nothing else truly mattered. However, Zeref did have last words and his expression never changed. He was determined for it not to. But, his eyes did harden. This was his country. Be proud, his father had said.

"For Fiore." He said, his voice firm. And when the trapped door opened Zeref thought, for a moment the air underneath would catch him. In a way he was glad it didn't.

A/N Did I make you cry? Be honest. It's alright if you didn't, though, I probably would've since I cry when characters die, or anything else sad. I'm serious, one time I was sitting on the couch, reading a book and one of the characters lost his memories and I burst out sobbing. My parents and my sister actually came in to see what was wrong. I told them someone lost their memories the book I'm reading and they were like, "oh." and walked away. Now they hang it over my head whenever I say I can handle something scary. Their like, "Remember that time where you burst out crying just because a character lost their memories? I don't think you can handle it." And I'm like -_- … Seriously? That was because it was SAD not SCARY totally different things! Oh, and the book was called Legend by Marie Lu. Awesome book! You guys should check it out. Anyway, what are some books you've cried for? I'd love to check them out. Reviews and constructive criticism appreciated. Thanks for reading and goodbye!