Yes I made a massive mistake in the Q&A for Erza's Family I must have been half dead at that point because it slipped my mind completely but I went back and fixed it as well as a few sentences I realized weren't worded as I intended them but it's nothing major.

Also I would like to celebrate that this story just hit over 500k words as of this chapter a massive milestone and I'd like to thank everyone who has been there from the start and everyone who has joined us along the way I know some of my chapters are hit and miss and I know some people just want action but I am trying my best and that's all that I can do.

Now I'm positive we'll hit the 600k milestone so I hope that you are all looking forward to the future content because I'm positive I've been doing this story as of late December 2016 so it's been a massive ride with so much more to come and I hope I can continue to do this massive tale I'm building justice.

Also just letting you know that as of this chapter since we are going to start revealing the big guns AKA the Spriggan and Leichart 12 as well as others when they are first shown they will have a sort of reveal thing kind of like how one piece does I just feel that would be a pretty cool thing to add.

Now then I shall do my best to try not to screw up that bad again haha so on with the chapter!

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Upon The Continent Of Alakitasia

/Natsu's POV/

As Natsu emerged from the portal he noticed the girls looking around the area trying to figure out where they had landed, Erza and Elise looked quite hot with sweat beading down their faces.

"I told you two to wear something lighter that heavy armor is just gonna lead to you roasting alive here," Natsu said amused as Erza requiped into a lavender yukata with a katana fastened to her hip while Elise simply shed her usual armor leaving her wearing a white t-shirt with loose shorts ending just above her knee.

"We didn't think it would be this hot," Erza muttered as Natsu chuckled before motioning for them to come over.

"Alright so I should probably let you all know that I've been to the Alvarez Empire before so I have a fairly good idea as to how the place works so I should probably explain how things work around here."

"Let me guess it's a highly militaristic place and we'll be avoiding patrols and stuff like in Scarlione," Elise said as Natsu shook his head.

"Actually no the Empire is nothing like that at all that's a rumour spread by the other nations, during an invasion yes the place will be like that however they don't know we're here yet which means we should be free to wander around within reason as long as we don't draw too much attention."

"Is that really a good idea we've fought with them quite a bit?"

"Trust me on this Erza this'll work to our advantage especially so we can gather information, anyway let's walk and talk since this explanation will take awhile."

The group nodded as they looked around seeing nothing but desert ahead of them with Natsu just walking blindly into it.

"Uh Natsu are you sure walking into the desert is a good idea?"

"The desert isn't as big as you'd think Erza trust me on this, alright now let's get going."

Erza just shrugged as she began to follow Natsu with Elise and Wendy trailing behind as Natsu began his explanation.

"Now then a history lesson on the culture of Alvarez starting with you lot, women in Alvarez don't usually wear as much as women across the sea for a variety of reasons with the weather being one of the main ones. In general the people of Alvarez view things such as the body vastly different than our country does for example there is no such thing as body shaming or viewing one as weak based on the look of their body alone."

"Why is that," Elise asked as Natsu placed a finger on his chin.

"I chalk it up to how their customs and traditions work, did you know that in Alvarez they have a day that celebrates the older generation and celebrates all they have done to contribute to society something that Fiore for example could really learn from. Looking at such a day leads one to believe that the people of Alvarez care more for what you are willing and able to contribute yourself than status or wealth with only Emperor Spriggan being an exception."

"Typical that the Emperor gets his own holiday," Erza scoffed as Natsu shook his head.

"Actually the Emperor is seen as the undisputed saviour of the entire continent and the ruler by right, the people shower him with praise and love him with all their hearts because he has done what nations could only dream of on our side of the world. The word Utopia is tossed around a lot but Emperor Spriggan united this broken land hundreds of years ago and with it forged an Empire that will stand the test of time even when he is absent from the throne."

"You can't be serious Natsu they do realize he's Zeref right?"

"They know exactly who he is Erza and they love him all the more, in our country the name Zeref is seen as Dark and evil with Dark Magic being viewed as such, in Alvarez any magic is fair game with the exception of Necromancy which can only be practiced with the express permission of the Government of Alvarez. To be quite honest life under Alvarez isn't so bad at least on the surface."

"So what lies underneath the façade then?"

"It's not a façade Erza everything I told you was real however along with the good customs and other stuff comes the bad, the entire month of August is seen as a month of misfortune and people don't really do anything for the whole month unless it is absolutely necessary. My guess is that August himself must return to Alvarez and be doing something though I'm not 100% sure about that. Anyway there is also the fact that during an invasion the Alvarez military has no problem killing off entire towns and converting them into weapons to use against intruders if that is what it takes so they aren't all good but then again what Government is."

"You sound like you like them quite a lot Natsu," Elise said as Natsu nodded.

"It's hard not to when you look at our Government the Magic Council, the Ten Wizard Saints and Magical Custody and Law Enforcement were formed to keep the guilds and civilians from overthrowing them while they build super weapons like the Etherion cannon or Face."

"What's Face?"

"Er don't worry about that it's not a thing anymore but my point is 90% of the council is corrupt and only looking out for themselves and are quick to brand people traitors and call for executions or imprisonment against people who speak out against them or people who threaten their own power. Take what happened when it was discovered both Ultear and Jellal had gotten seats on the council just so they could supposedly revive Zeref I know that was in the past but did they really have to try that hard to do it?"

"No, no they didn't," Erza said with a frown as Natsu nodded.

"In Alvarez such a thing would never happen simply because the chain of command is absolute from the head being Emperor Spriggan right down to the lowly civilian, each and every class knows their place and knows that if they work hard and do the right thing they can make a real name for themselves and when they grow old and retire their achievements are celebrated by the entire country even more. It frustrates me that something built by a guy determined to claim everything as his own and who can toss lives away so easily is actually a more viable option than what we live under now."

"Do you know why Zeref decided to make an Empire anyway aside from supposedly uniting the world?"

"Not really I only know what Irene told me and that wasn't much but I plan to find out more while I'm here it's a unique opportunity that we can't afford to squander."

"I agree with Natsu learning Zeref's goals and motivations will really help us gain a better understanding as to what his endgame truly is, a guy like him doesn't seem like the type to just Lord over the population of the world so he has to have an ulterior motive once Achnologia is out of the picture," Elise said as both Natsu and Erza nodded in agreement.

"Once we reach the nearest town we'll have to make some money so we can start operating around here, I don't know what the currency is here since I wasn't really here for that last time but we need some to buy the essentials like a map as well as other things," Natsu said as Wendy finally spoke up.

"Have you thought about how we're going to save Master Makarov like where he is and how to break him out?"

"I have little doubt he's in the capital of Vistarion but judging by where we came out along the coast we are a long way from there so we need to keep a low profile and play things by ear, drawing the attention of the Spriggan, Leichart or even Zeref himself is sure to get gramps killed."

"Do you have any idea how long it will take us to cross the desert Natsu?"

"Probably half a day, it is long but not as long as most deserts go. Once we have crossed the desert we should hit a forest like region and from there we should be all set to find some civilisation."

"So no towns or cities in the desert?"

"There are three in the Empire but they aren't important and places we don't really need to go to, one of the towns is a mining town crudely named Oreshaft Slope. The town was built along the descending lanes in a massive mine and somehow grew big enough to receive township me and Gildarts went there when I was younger it looked pretty weird. The other town about twenty or so miles away is called Cact's End and was named after the thriving cactus growing industry they have there, I also went there with Gildarts and he got drunk off of this weird drink they made where you mix the water you get out of a cactus with this strange drink they have here called vodka which is apparently made from potatoes or something."

"How do you make a drink out of a potato," Elise asked confused as Natsu shrugged.

"I never got to ask because once Gildarts was drunk and Alicia got caught trying to rob the place we had to run before we were identified, one day once all this war stuff settles down I might come back and ask getting an alcoholic drink from a potato has become one of life's mysteries."

"So what about the city you mentioned earlier," Erza asked changing the topic.

"Ah yes the City of Alastaria the shining jewel of the desert, full of sand but also built around the only oasis in the desert and controlled by one of the Spriggan 12."

"I assume he's there for some sort of shady reason?"

"Actually he's not Erza he's there to regulate the water usage as well as ensure that fair trade is made throughout the region, plus from what I've heard the guy can use sand in combat so he probably likes it here."

"How do you know so much about this place?"

"I listened in on what Gildarts used to say a little more than what I was supposed to," Natsu said with a cheeky grin.

"Well at least it's paying off now I guess," Erza sighed as she shrugged.

"Well we've got a long walk ahead of us so who wants to play a game," Natsu asked as a smirk appeared on his face when all three of the girls just glared at him. "Tough crowd."

/Capital Of Alvarez – Vistarion/

The capital of Alvarez was a place with near unparralelled beauty and a marvel of modern architecture thanks to the various races and species under the Empire itself, the castle of the capital was constructed centuries ago with the idea that the castle is to be both a statement of the Empire's power but a symbol of the unity it embodies.

In the highest tower in the castle the sound of light humming could be heard as the current ruler of the Empire with the absence of the Emperor prepared herself for the day.

Scarlet Angel

1st Shield Of The Alvarez Empire And Right Hand Of The Emperor

Irene Belserion

Irene Belserion was sitting in her room in the castle holding the tail end of her long scarlet hair and twisting it into her signature braid, after returning from Draconia five years ago she along with Brandish and Yasmin had been given an undefined amount of time off by the Emperor himself for vanquishing such a threat.

Irene often wondered why Zeref never reprimanded them for teaming up with the enemy until one day when she decided to ask him about it and he simply smiled telling her that Natsu is no enemy nor is anyone he holds close.

Such a statement made Irene question everything she had come to believe over the last 800 years with the time off serving only to further plague her mind with trying to solve the riddle between the two brothers.

Sighing Irene left her room and began walking around the castle, being number two in the Empire Irene had free reign to do anything she wanted and she often did so within reason of course. So what does a woman with all the power in the world do when she is bored, water her flowers of course.

For some reason she found the idea of growing flowers in the royal courtyard to be a good idea even though many would consider such a task above her station, Irene wasn't one to be pressured into not doing what she wanted nor would she be teased about it either.

One of the Spriggan 12 Wall Eehto thought it would be funny to laugh at her for gardening and so with the snap of her fingers he was gone, yes a trip to the nearest lake ought to show him how stupid he was.

Watering her flowers also for some reason allowed her thoughts to travel back to the pink haired Dragon Slayer Natsu whenever she looked at one of the pink flowers, the idea that he would one day defeat Achnologia seemed surprising to her however after hearing about how he defeated a Titan perhaps the idea wasn't all that farfetched.

"But then where have you gone Natsu …?"

Something not even Zeref had forseen Natsu at one point just disappeared which for the briefest of moments infuriated Zeref until he suddenly became as calm as before and without a word strolled into a portal and was not seen since.

"He could return any day now I suppose perhaps with Natsu in tow?"

"Lady Belserion I thought I might find you here."

Minister Of Alvarez Trade Sector C-27

Yajeel Ramal

Irene turned and gave a small smile to the old man before her who was trying to bow but his back simply wouldn't allow such a thing.

"Yajeel I've told you a million times as an elder you need not bow before me as has the Emperor himself you could hurt your back."

"I must show the proper respect my Lady it wouldn't be right if I did not!"

Irene just rolled her eyes and motioned for him to sit on the chair near her and he did so albeit slowly not that Irene minded given his current situation.

"So what did you need Yajeel?"

"There were several reports of Lord Wahl Eehto appearing in the river Druin you wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

"I know nothing of the sort Yajeel," Irene said hiding a smirk as Yajeel sighed shaking his head.

"His please be more careful Lady Irene his Excellency said that there be no fighting amongst the ranks."

"Wasn't a fight though not that I know what you are on about."

Yajeel sighed but nodded as another older man who wasn't very tall walked over to them with Yajeel pulling out a strange type of game.

"Lady Belserion have you met the foreigner yet?"

"No I haven't had the pleasure yet I hadn't even the slightest idea that we had guests," Irene replied as she put down her watering can. "Ah I think I know you from somewhere, Fairy Tail if I am correct?"

"Indeed I am Makarov Dreyar from the Fairy Tail guild in Fiore," Makarov said as Irene knelt down slightly to shake his hand. "You must be Irene Belserion I've heard quite a bit about you."

"From Natsu Dragneel or Gildarts Clive I assume," Irene said as she took a seat at the table.

"Yes and I don't really understand you to be honest, you were willing to fight and kill in Scarlione and have caused no end of pain to Natsu and Gildarts but you also were willing to help them. My opinions on you and the Alvarez Empire as a whole might be biased because of what I've heard about the place back home but the Empire is far from a militarized war machine it feels so peaceful. My point is I don't really understand what the deal is here why am I being treated like a guest and not a prisoner?"

"Because that is the will of the Emperor Makarov Dreyar, orders were to treat anyone as a guest until the Emperor may meet with them you are no exception," Yajeel said as Makarov nodded slowly.

"In my case I do not hate Natsu or Gildarts and in Natsu's case I've actually grown quite attached to him after a war we fought together over five years ago against a Vampire menace however ultimately I must follow the orders of the Emperor."

"I see, was Natsu alright when you saw him?"

"He often looked sad or had a faraway look in his eyes when no one was actively speaking to him and he was quite brutal against his foes in combat so I would say something troubled him."

"Yes I thought that would be the case for you see the guild turned their back on him once they discovered he was E.N.D despite all he'd done and so he left because word quickly reached the Magic Council and his execution was called for."

"Such a shame he's such a nice young man," Irene sighed as Makarov nodded in agreement. "Since you are close to Natsu I should probably let you know that he went missing a few years ago and hasn't been seen since."

Makarov looked shocked at the news as Irene continued.

"I assure you we had nothing to do with it with Natsu's last known action being his defeat of the Fire Titan in Draconia before vanishing shortly after."

"Hmm that is worrying that young man has a lot of weight on his shoulders," Yajeel said as the others nodded in agreement.

Irene suddenly sensed a presence she hadn't felt in years as she stood up abruptly.

"Is everything alright Lady Belserion!"

"Yajeel his Excellency has returned," Irene said almost excitedly as Makarov spoke up.

"Would it be possible for me to have a meeting with the Emperor I have some things I wish to discuss with him?"

"I don't see why not but that is for Emperor Spriggan to decide," Yajeel said as he turned to Irene who was deep in thought.

"Yajeel, Makarov Dreyar the two of you come with me."

Irene snapped her fingers and the two were suddenly outside the throne room as Makarov struggled to come to grips with the sudden movement.

"Apologies Mr Dreyar I am able to manipulate space in order to move around if I so choose and I figured due to Yajeel's back it would be better to just bring us here than make him walk.

"I am most grateful my Lady-."

"Don't bow Yajeel," Irene sighed as she pushed open the doors and walked into the room.

Sitting upon the throne looking mildly amused at the guests was a man Makarov assumed to be Emperor Spriggan, he first thought to question that he is so young but remembered that physical age meant nothing these days and kept silent.

"Irene, Yajeel why have you brought the outsider before the Emperor without filling in the proper paperwork!"

The Winter General

5th Shield Of The Alvarez Empire And Chief Of Staff

Invel Yura

"You take your position of Chief of Staff way too seriously Invel you do realize I am here right?"

"You also know that there are protocols for a reason Irene," Invel said as he adjusted his glasses. "His Excellency has already asked me to gather both the Spriggan and Leichart 12 I have little time for you ignoring proper protocol!"

"Invel that is quite enough," the Emperor said as Invel immediately fell silent before resting his eyes on Makarov. "Such paperwork isn't necessary wouldn't you agree?"

Invel simply nodded as he went to stand next to Irene who looked interested in the familiarity Zeref had with the outsider.

"Invel leave us and tell August I wish to see him after I have concluded my meeting with this outsider, also tell him none of that month of August nonsense I have little patience for it today."

"As you command," Invel said bowing and leaving the room closing the door behind him leaving the three alone.

Now that he was much closer he could tell the Emperor shared frightening similarities with Natsu.

Eternal Mage Of Darkness

Emperor Of The Alvarez Empire

Zeref Dragneel

"Makarov Dreyar to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I had always speculated that the Emperor of Alvarez was you Zeref but it's nice to know I was right in such an assumption."

"You would be one of the rare individuals to think such a thing outside my own country Makarov I am glad that you aren't showing signs of decline at your tender age."

"Says the one who is over 800 years old," Makarov scoffed as Zeref smiled readjusting his position on his throne.

"So tell me Makarov why have you come to seek the audience of Emperor Spriggan?"

"You were there at the Dragon King Festival weren't you and I suspect you had involvement with the events of Tenrou as well, why are you personally coming over to Fiore to harass us in such a manner why not just declare war you clearly have the forces?"

"An interesting and blunt question, yes I was there on Tenrou but my involvement was minimal because I was sleeping most of the time."

"Why Tenrou Island?"

"Because that is where Mavis' soul resides," Zeref said as he gazed out of the window.

"Feeling regret with what you did to her?"

"No I feel nothing because it wasn't my fault what happened to her," Zeref replied as Makarov narrowed his eyes. "I trust you know the story of the founders of Fairy Tail?"

"Mavis Vermillion, Yuri Dreyar, Precht Gaebolg and Warrod Sequen battled and defeated the Dark Guild Blue Skull I am aware."

"Then you don't know the full story I take it, the only member of the group that knew how to use magic out of the whole group was Mavis and even then she could only use Illusion Magic which served as a distraction at best. Our paths crossed and at Mavis' request I taught the group magic though Mavis herself was hard to teach since she was suffering trauma from an event in her past that had her keep a girl from her childhood named Zera as a strange sort of permanent illusion that only she could see though I was able to hear her voice."

"Why would you go out of your way to help them?"

"Because the Dark Guilds of today are not like the Dark Guilds of old, back then they raped, pillaged and sacked everything they came across. In every sense of the word they were glorified bandits who happened to have access to magic. The majority of Dark Guilds today however are persecuted for using a type of magic others do not like nor understand and I will not stamp out the thirst for knowledge for it is not in my nature. Blue Skull were some of the worst kind of mages Fiore had to offer at that time so I figured helping them wouldn't be so bad."

"So you taught them how to use magic then?"

"I taught them the basics and from there they became masters in their own right as you've seen firsthand, I also taught Mavis a spell that I probably shouldn't have which became a staple of Guild Masters within the Fairy Tail guild the Law spell. You see back then the spell was in its infancy and I warned Mavis not to use it unless she wished to be stuck at the same age, lose her ability to use magic or worse die but she wished to save her friends and used it to wipe out every last Blue Skull mage in Magnolia. The result was Mavis was cursed to never age a day and be trapped in a child's body even as she aged."

"So that's why she never aged …"

"Decades went by I believe it was about 60 but I lost track and Mavis tracked me down again after handing over the title of Master to Precht and we travelled together for a time, Mavis and I became close however my powers ended up wounding her far worse than anyone prior which resulted in the state you see her in to this very day."

"Then why did you dump her on Fairy Tail's door as if you didn't care!"

"Did Precht tell you that," Zeref asked as Makarov's anger paused as he considered the question and the hidden meaning behind it.

"So how did you bring her back then?"

"I returned her to Precht and informed him of her condition and that he should not allow her body to fall into the wrong hands before departing and I've come and gone from Tenrou ever since that day conversing with Mavis."

"So you know what she is then?"

"Fairy Heart, the only body in existence with an infinite supply of power that not even the Gods could ever hope to wield."

"And what are your plans for her?"

"That would be giving far too much away Makarov but nice try; now then I suppose I should answer the Dragon King Festival incident shouldn't I?"

"What was your involvement?"

"I sent several operatives into Fiore to open the Eclipse Gate so that it would bring Dragons through that would cause widespread chaos and destruction throughout Fiore weakening it immensely."

"And why would you do such a thing?"

"You already know why don't you Makarov don't you I plan on taking Fiore for my own and adding it to my Empire, Fiore's Government is corrupt full of selfish fools who are more interested in their own pockets than the coming threat of the all consuming chaos Achnologia. The country is a sickness and it shall be cut out and purified before being assimilated into my Empire so that we may face the coming darkness unified under one banner."

"So you didn't do this to strike at Natsu?"

"Natsu's role in the incident was interesting however not one that I had foreseen, with his consumption of Atlas Flame Natsu had gained the power of an actual Dragon which bolstered his strength to heights far beyond anyone in Fiore and that is without him utilizing E.N.D in any way. His defeat of the Dragons is something I can accept because it shows that he will be able to destroy the Harbinger of the Apocalypse when the time comes."

"So you plan on invading no matter what I say?"

"Fiore must be fixed Makarov and you know it, the current Magic Council isn't capable of doing its job without putting its own interests first therefore it needs to go, now then is that all?"

"I believe so yes."

"Now I'm sure you understand that due to the circumstances I cannot allow you to leave Vistarion so I'm going to have to imprison you."

"I figured that yes."

"Very well, Irene take Makarov to Vistarion Minar."

"At once Lord Zeref," Irene said as she clicked her fingers and the two were gone.

Standing up from his throne Zeref walked over to the wall on the right hand side and pressed a specific spot which slid inward, the entire wall rose to reveal a bookshelf with hundreds of different books of varying sizes.

Moving his hands along the books he smiled when his hand came across one that he hadn't touched in years.

The Book Of Dimaria Yesta Vol II

Fallen Angel Becomes One With The Symphony

Of Demonic Night

Fall To The Everlasting Abyss Of Eternal Twilight

Ode To The Eternal Lord Who Doth Fan The Flames Of The Machinations Of Etherious As The Fallen Angel Reaches Up From The Pit To Claim The Heavens Evermore

"You were defeated twice over yet still you serve Dimaria and such faith will always be rewarded which is why you are a Spriggan to this day, no longer human but an Etherious Demon you still fight in my name with nothing but pride and glee as the Empire continues to expand. With this expansion you might even be able to give Bloodman a run for his money," Zeref said with a small smile as he placed the book back on the shelf and pushed the shelf revealing it to be on a rotating axis as he entered a room with thousands more.

As he walked through his library of successful and failed creations he made it to the end of the hallway where the largest book sat waiting with a thick coating of dust.

The Book Of E.N.D Vol XXVII

Unbound Lord Of Demons Both Pure And Etherious

Bringer Of Peace And Ruin Upon The Realm Of The Deities

Destined To Reach He The Creator Marked As Equal

Eyes Of Galaxy Blue And Crimson Red Shine In The Darkness

The Path Revealed At The Schism Of Everything Known To Time

There His Ultimate Destiny Shall End And Begin Once More

Although possessing the book Natsu came from it held little use other than helping Zeref see exactly how far Natsu was in terms of strength, the usually calm Zeref frowned as he read the passage.

"So that's where you went you became a Hybrid too …"

Pacing back and forth Zeref once again looked at the book specifically the last two passages trying to decipher what it meant.

"I shall have to think on it after I speak with August," he sighed as he turned leaving the library behind.

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!