Hi guys Azza here!

Kazuka746 – A bit more than a hug this chapter …

ChaosofTime – I actually forgot I included the Exceeds haha RIP oh well the only useful one is Panther Lily anyway I don't really like either Happy or Carla they just seem really annoying to me inb4 roasting because I don't like them haha. Also I don't like Lucy either or Lisanna they both annoy me so yeah haha

Penguini411 – I don't plan on Natsu getting the King's Key since it's just not something that I feel suits Natsu at all he can pull off being a swordsman alright but a Celestial Mage who lets others do the fighting really isn't something I can really see him doing. If anything I'd give Anna the key but I could change my mind about that by the time the last Arc comes in.

Anyway enough from me on with the chapter!

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Return To Fiore

/Alvarez Highlands/

Team Natsu had been walking for half a day and finally decided to take a break near a nearby ruin, they had just sat down when a portal opened and Natsu emerged looking conflicted.

Everyone's eyes were on him as his own briefly made contact with Erza's as he walked past them all without a word and made his way into the ruins, Makarov just sighed knowing that Natsu had seen or heard something that was now weighing on his mind.

"I wonder where he's been," Elise muttered as Erza stood up and began walking off in the same direction as Natsu.

"Should we stop her or something," Jason asked as Elise and Wendy shook their heads.

"No best let them sort things out now so it doesn't bite us all in the ass later," Elise said as Jason silently nodded and the group went back to what they had previously been doing.

Natsu was walking through the ruins with the events he had just witnessed going through his mind, he knew Achnologia killed his family and by extension him but to actually witness it was something else. To witness his brother's turn though was something he really wasn't prepared for, Natsu owed his very existence to Zeref's sacrifice and yet he would be forced to throw it into his brother's face it began to make him wonder if a united world really was as bad as he thought it would be.

Natsu shook his head of those thoughts after all he knew it wasn't all his brother inside him anymore somewhere on a subconscious level Ahnkseram was there pulling strings forcing him to perform certain actions that even he might not even know he's done. Even still he knew that his brother would have to pay for all the horrors he'd unleashed upon the world and who knows where else.

Natsu liked to think he was much calmer with him being a middle aged man and all however this was one of those times where he simply couldn't deal with things in a calm manner, his parents were unfairly killed, he was killed and his brother forced to revive him by becoming host to the first Hybrid and he was cut off from his family and forced into a life of continuous combat where he rarely was cut some slack.

Some would consider Natsu privileged to possess the power he has but now that he knew just what his brother sacrificed to get him here it hurt him, Natsu grit his teeth as he let his tears fall freely not of rage but of simple sadness.

Erza who had approached Natsu to see what he had to say for himself was shocked not expecting to find Natsu reduced to such a state, he was leaning up against a nearby wall with one hand crying as if someone had just died.

At that moment Erza decided her anger could be pushed to the side, she was mad at Natsu yes but she still loved him and deep down she knew he probably had a reason for not telling her sooner.

Slowly she began to walk towards him as she enveloped him from behind in a gentle hug.

"What happened Natsu," she whispered softly as Natsu sniffed.

"I saw my parents," he said as Erza looked at him in shock. "Zeref showed me our parents and our former home, they sacrificed themselves so that we could live but then … Erza I saw my own death it was horrible!"

"Is this where you went after you walked off Natsu?"

"Yeah I wanted to make sure Zeref wasn't gonna come after you guys and went there expecting a fight but I learned Zeref isn't actually that bad he's actually quite nice, not really what I expected from him but he basically said we will have to fight in the end so there isn't any point in fighting now."

"So you talked not as enemies but as brothers?"

"Yeah he also showed me something else that hurt me quite a lot, he became the Hybrid because he failed to protect me as we were fleeing Achnologia's rampage. I saw the pain in his eyes as we watched the entire thing you can't fake emotion like that he really was going to do whatever it took to make sure I lived which means I'm directly responsible for everything that Zeref's ever done."

"Natsu you can't say such a thing you aren't to blame for his actions only he is."

"But if it wasn't for my death he probably wouldn't have become host to Ahnkseram's soul which means that none of this would have ever happened!"

"You don't know that Natsu and you won't ever know because it never happened, history happens for a reason and you Natsu are tied at its centre so if anything your brother and all the deaths are a result of Fate not you."

Natsu slumped to the ground with Erza kneeling next to him still clinging onto him as his tears finally stopped.

"Even if Fate is to blame Erza it doesn't change the fact that countless innocent deaths could have been avoided, Zeref becoming a Hybrid because of my death resulted in the deaths of untold millions at the hands of his Empire and Demons that much you can't deny."

"I can't deny it Natsu but I ask you what will you do to make up for it, will you kneel here in the ruins of a forgotten town or will you stand up and lead the fight against Alvarez to ensure no one else suffers at his hands?"

"I'll fight obviously it's just going to be a lot harder now knowing the truth about my brother and why he does the things that he does," Natsu muttered as he slowly stood up. "I know I've been horrible to you and I don't really deserve you helping me right now but thank you Erza I really needed to talk."

"Yes well I may have blown up a bit too much at you when my mother was brought up I should have at least listened to you but you know how I am apparently you said as much to the others before you left."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you but when I first had my suspicions they were exactly that suspicions, the scent of a person isn't a fullproof way of identifying someone so I didn't want to come running to you spouting off that Irene was related to you only for it to possibly come out that this was indeed false which would have hurt you more."

"I suppose I can understand that and you said when she actually told you a short while after you disappeared?"

"Yeah she told me and then Igneel told me to go to the Fire Dragon Temple in Draconia which ended in me fighting a Titan and after that Xicor pulling that Divine Magic stunt leading to my disappearance."

Erza sighed as she ran her hands through her hair shaking her head.

"Alright I believe you but you have to make this up to me somehow."

"Well I heard you apparently like these so maybe this'll do," Natsu said as he pulled out the strawberry flavoured Babanana seeds making Erza's eyes twinkle.

"Oh my god we spent a whole afternoon looking for these!"

"They're yours Erza just make sure when you plant them to actually look after them."

"Of course I will anything strawberry related will always receive the highest quality care available!"

"Right right, so I think it's about time we get back to Fiore and check in on Jellal's group to see how they went with Avatar don't you?"

"I suppose that's a good idea and getting out of the country now that they know we're here is a good idea, by the way did you know Wendy picked up a book about all the current races in the Empire she said you'd probably be interested in it?"

"Huh yeah I'll definitely have to read into that one," Natsu said with a small smile. "Right then enough crying from me and back to the task at hand, let's get going!"

"Hold on a second Natsu."

"Hmm what's up-!"

Erza pulled Natsu in for a passionate kiss as Natsu cupped her left cheek delicately before the two broke away.

"What did I do to deserve that?"

"Telling the truth."

"Telling the truth what do you mean?"

"You forget I can read you just as you can read me when we're both calm," Erza said as she revealed her mark.

"Ah right well thanks hehe," Natsu said sheepishly as he ran his hands through his hair.

"By the way I was thinking about something and I want you to not interrupt me as I say this alright," Erza said suddenly adopting a more serious tone.

"Right well go ahead."

"The invasion to Alvarez is close and we'll need to spend every waking moment preparing, planning, fortifying and recruiting across the country which won't leave us with really any free time. Once the war actually hits any one of us could die and I'm not going to say either of us will survive so … Natsu in regards to the whole wedding thing-."

"You don't think that it can happen," Natsu said sounding rather sad but understanding.

"It's not that I don't want one but we have to face facts that this is a war with some of the strongest beings on the planet all fighting against each other with millions of people all locked in combat the odds that both of us come out of it are slim."

"Yeah I'd kind of hoped deep down it would never happen but you are right, even I could be killed in the conflict by Zeref or Achnologia which is highly likely from what I've seen of the two so I get what you mean."

"Thanks for understanding Natsu I've prepared an alternative if you'll hear me out," Erza said as she suddenly began blushing furiously.

"Hmm and what's that?"

Erza began to glow as her Requip Magic activated, the light died down and Natsu was frozen solid gaping, Erza was now in a wedding dress that fit her form perfectly. It wasn't white though he chalked that up to her dislike of the colour and was black instead with a rose like pattern strewn across it in scarlet. Her knees down were exposed as the front seemed to divide allowing her an easier time to walk with black high heels and stockings.

"You know I don't really wear dresses and I hate white so …"

"Erza …"

"I want you to marry me right now alright this will probably be our last chance so just … please," she said softly as Natsu nodded and his clothing began to morph.

His clothes became a black suit with a bow tie that was half red half blue each with the corresponding symbol for God and Devil on them, the rest of his suit was quite tame with the exception of the trim which was white for some reason though Natsu couldn't explain it.

"I don't think marrying in this shithole will be very memorable so come with me," Natsu said as he snapped his fingers and the two walked through the portal arm in arm.

/?/

When the two emerged they were in a field of sunflowers with a small cottage visible in the distance, there was a town visible below them and a palace above. The sky was clear and laughter could be heard all around as Erza smile nearly brought a tear to Natsu's eye.

"Natsu this place is beautiful where on Earthland are we?"

"We aren't in Earthland Erza," Natsu said as Erza's eyes widened in surprise. "One of the reasons I don't often tell you guys everything is because in my mind I can see all sorts of places that I can go to at the snap of my fingers, I believe this place is called Dressrosa known as the City of Love and Passion, when looking for a nice place this came to mind so I though screw it and voila!"

"It's perfect," Erza said softly as she and Natsu strolled through the fields coming to stop just under a tree.

"I think this should be a good enough spot don't you?"

"Here I still have my ring and I got one for you so we should be good to go, do we do vows or …?"

"I would think it appropriate," Natsu said with a small smile as Erza handed him the box with Erza's ring in it as she pulled one out with his in it.

"I had Eliza strengthen them so they won't be destroyed since we get into a lot of fights and they can't be taken off unless we take them off ourselves."

"Figures she was involved in all of this somehow though I am grateful …"

"I know now do you know if the rings go on before or after the vows?"

"I don't know I've never been to a wedding before have you," Natsu asked as Erza shook her head. "Do you want to just put them on now then?"

"Alright you first," she said beaming as Natsu slowly opened the box revealing the ring.

The Diamond ring in the shape of a Dragon shone beautifully with the Ruby keeping the reddish hue effect on the Diamond going, slowly taking the ring out Erza held out her right hand and Natsu gently slipped it onto her ring finger as a few tears escaped her.

"Ok now for my ring I had Elise help me since I'm not that good at making things but she said you would like it and-!"

Natsu placed a reassuring hand on her cheek as he motioned for her to present him with his ring as she smiled and opened the box.

The ring was far beyond what Natsu was expecting, it was also made of Diamond however it had a Dragon coiling around several small Rubies with the letters ES etched into them. The Rubies were placed perfectly the whole way around the ring as the Dragon seemed to connect up with its tail but that wasn't the impressive part.

"I took notes from the lacrima you placed in my armor so I've made a well you can store magic inside of, Eliza told me that its infinite so you can store magic in there for when you truly need it most. So do you like it …?"

"Erza it beats out my scarf from Igneel by a mile," he replied as Erza's eyes widened in shock.

"Hmph I'll remember that one brat now hurry up and get on with it all this sappy stuff is killing me!"

Natsu grinned as he heard Igneel sniffle but Erza just took it as a sign that he loved her ring that much more not that he was complaining, Erza slid the ring onto his right hand's ring finger as the two stood opposite each other.

"Right then onto the vows I'll go first since you did your ring first."

"Do you know any vows or is this an off the cuff thing?"

"Uh off the cuff alright?"

"It wouldn't be us if it weren't now would it," Erza replied with a small giggle.

"Alright here goes, I Natsu Dragneel forever promise to you Erza Scarlett that for as long as I may live will forever cherish you both in sickness and in health. To be the charming, handsome Dragon that will forever protect his Scarlet Knight until the end of creation if need be. Um I think that's how vows work right?"

Erza nodded slowly with a radiant smile on her face as she began her own vows.

"I Erza Scarlett forever promise to you Natsu Dragneel that for as long as I may live will forever cherish you both in sickness and in health. To be the fair and just Knight that will protect my lovely Dragon from those who would dare seek him harm."

Erza and Natsu both sported blushes as they slowly moved closer together with sunflower petals seemingly raining down upon them as they enveloped each other in a passionate kiss.

After half a minute the two separate with Natsu sporting a mile wide grin.

"You may now kiss the bride," he said cheekily.

"Bit late for that," Erza said licking her lips as the two suddenly heard clapping behind them.

Turning to face the clapping there were two pink haired girls one clearly the mother of the other who was sitting on the shoulder of a man who seemed to be dressed like a gladiator, the little girl was giggling as she continued to throw sunflower petals over the two much to their embarrassment.

"Sorry we couldn't help but applaud you two remind my husband and I of our own wedding," the older pinkette said with a small giggle.

"Indeed a secret wedding away from prying eyes it sure brings back memories …"

"My name is Scarlett and this is my husband Kyros and my daughter Rebecca," she said kindly as Natsu and Erza smiled.

"Thank you for the sunflower petals young one they really helped a bunch," Natsu said kindly as the young girl giggled.

"She can't speak yet sadly but I'm sure any day now she will," Rebecca said softly. "Congratulations on your wedding we wish you the best of luck!"

Natsu and Erza nodded as the small family walked off back to their home leaving Natsu and Erza with smiles on their faces.

"Do you think that could be us one day Erza?"

"I hope so Natsu I really do," Erza said as she rested her head on Natsu's shoulder. "I suppose we should get back now."

"Let me admire that dress a while longer I really like it," Natsu said softly as he sat down under the shade of the tree with Erza resting in his lap. "Let's just enjoy this moment Erza just the two of us …"

The two eventually drifted off to sleep as the wind blew the sunflower petals around the field as if announcing that everything was at peace.

/Vistarion Highlands/

Erza and Natsu emerged from the portal back in their original attire as they shared a loving look, whatever happened from here they were happy knowing that they had finally the happiness they were longing for within each other.

"Well let's get back to the others we should have only been gone about ten minutes at most," Natsu said as the two arrived back at the camp.

Everyone smiled at their return and began to go about their business until Elise began to squeal and ran over to Erza immediately pointing out her ring that was now on her finger, turning to Natsu she saw his ring and within moments the two were being bombarded with questions by almost everyone there.

"Aww so you guys ran off and got married without us!"

"Sorry Elise the time just seemed kind of right," Erza said as Makarov cleared his throat.

"Don't get angry at me for saying this but the two of you weren't exactly on the best of terms before and suddenly you've sealed the deal, could you explain that to us?"

"Well we both aren't perfect gramps and we decided that with all the stuff ahead of us either of us might not make it out of this war to come so we decided that with what could potentially be our last bit of free time we'd tie the knot."

Makarov seemed satisfied with this answer though the mention of the survival of the war was something he didn't seem to like hearing much not that anyone could blame him for that.

"Anyway we've decided to head back to Fiore now and I'm able to create portals again so just let me know when you're all ready alright?"

"Hey Natsu teach me how to use fire now that you aren't being all grumpy," Jason piped up as Natsu grinned.

"So you wanna use fire like me eh I actually forgot you used fire for a minute, I suppose I could help you out but that means you'd be coming back with us to Fiore you good with that?"

"Yeah they said I could join the guild if I asked!"

"Did you all, alright then where do you want the Guild Mark and what colour?"

"Right shoulder and light blue just like my fire!"

"You got it kid come here," Natsu said as he placed his hand above the spot and the Guild Mark appeared. "Welcome to Fairy Tail I'm gonna train you into the ground," Natsu said with a malicious grin.

Snapping his fingers a portal appeared and the group began walking inside it one by one until only Natsu remained, turning around he began walking to the nearby cliff as Zeref appeared on the opposite one.

"Congratulations on your wedding Natsu I was there but didn't want to interrupt the moment," he said with a smile as Natsu nodded.

"Thanks for bringing Irene I know she wanted to see it."

"I know she's probably still crying about it right now," Zeref said as he rolled his eyes.

The two suddenly focused their attention to Life and Death who seemed to be hovering in the air above them watching the two with interest.

"Why do you two play games with Natsu his magic is healed enough to where he only needs to wait for God's Aura?"

"Well that's just it isn't it," Life said amused.

"Playing games is so much fun."

"We hardly ever get to do anything these days."

"So the idea of playing."

"Is oh so much fun!"

"Can I have my other abilities back please," Natsu asked as Life and Death pondered it for a moment.

"Should we give them back?"

"I suppose we should after all he did earn them."

"His core can handle it."

"Let him take the other abilities back at once that should be fun to watch!"

Death pulled out a marble and flicked it at Natsu's forehead; unlike the marbles before it this one had weight as he was sent into the cliff with the rubble collapsing on top of him.

"Hmm that wasn't very fun now I just feel bad."

"He's immortal remember it'll be fine."

"Immortal in the higher realms yes not here," Death sighed as the rocks were surrounded in a purple glow and sent flying in all directions.

"God damn it that wasn't nice at all!"

Jumping up the small mountain he stood next to Zeref as Life and Death looked down at them amused.

"The two brothers how quaint."

"Two Hybrids, two brothers it's quite a phenomenon to be sure."

"Quite an interesting scene before us for sure, until next we meet Natsu Dragneel, Zeref Dragneel," Death said as the two disappeared in wisps of black and white.

"You know as weird as they are I'm finding myself strangely starting to like them," Natsu said as Zeref nodded.

"Usually they harass me but they seem to have taken a liking to you now as well, the marble flicking stops after a century."

"So what happened to we won't meet until the final battle," Natsu asked with a small smirk.

"Well I figured it's customary to congratulate one's own brother when he successfully gets married," Zeref replied as Natsu chuckled.

"Right, by the way I have to ask why haven't you fixed Irene's condition yet I know that with both Auras you'd be able to do something like that?"

"I don't really know I just sort of haven't done it yet perhaps you could do it in my stead?"

"You should be the one to do it she doesn't need her beliefs shattered again and you know that, all these years in your service she serves because she believes in you and is grateful for your saving her the least you could do is reward her by helping her return to human form properly?"

"I suppose that's fair, story is I came up with the cure after asking you about something alright."

"Right," Natsu said amused as he opened another portal.

"So this is the real goodbye until the final battle right not gonna show up out of nowhere because I ate the same breakfast as you or …?"

"Shut up Natsu," Zeref said as Natsu grinned.

"Later," Natsu said as he held out his fist which Zeref met and he walked into the portal leaving Zeref alone.

"I suppose I should go give Irene the good news then," he said as he opened his own portal and returned to the palace.

/Crime Sorciere Headquarters – Fiore/

Walking through the portal Natsu was met with the looks of the rest of his group.

"Sorry Zeref was there and wanted to talk about something," Natsu said casually.

"Oh yeah because the leader of the enemy faction casually wanted something no big deal," Elise teased as Natsu shook his head.

"Alright enough about that anyone know where Jellal is or the rest of Crime Sorciere?"

"No idea and I doubt they left a note," Elise said as the group began to search around not finding a trace of the group.

Meeting back up in the main hall with the group coming to the conclsion that they were out Natsu was suddenly hit with an idea.

"I can just call Seilah back now that we're linked!"

"Of course she should be able to make portals again since you can," Erza said quickly as Natsu closed his eyes for a moment and sure enough a portal opened and Seilah came through along with many injured Crime Sorciere members.

"Guys what the hell happened," Natsu asked in shock as Seilah ran over to him.

"Master Natsu you have to hurry Avatar are in the process of cracking the tablet containing the War Titan and the guild has recruited some powerful mages to prevent us from interfering, one of them you should know since he used to be a member of Grimoire Heart his name was Bluenote!"

Natsu frowned and nodded as he motioned for the others to join him before turning to Jason.

"Alright I don't know how strong you are so I want you to be 100% honest with me how durable are you?"

"Well I can actually regenerate from most damage thanks to my Slayer Magic," Jason said as Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"You're a Slayer?"

"Fire Phoenix Slayer yeah."

"Alright you can come but your with Wendy alright, Wendy look after the kid and make sure he doesn't do anything reckless alright?"

"I've got it Natsu!"

"Alright now all of you we've got to go save the others Bluenote by himself was as strong as Gildarts was on Tenrou so he'd be way more powerful now I'll be going straight for the Guild Master."

"So are we just taking out everyone we see," Elise asked as Natsu nodded.

"No killing or the Council will have your necks alright."

Natsu was the first to run into the portal followed by the rest of Team Natsu and Seilah as Makarov sighed.

"I suppose I'll make sure none of you die then I'm no healer but I at least know how to keep people from deaths door and I think you lot could use some of that right now …"

/Avatar Guild/

Natsu emerged from the portal immediately blocking a barrage of Black Magic something which surprised him, using his Gravity Magic he lifted a massive rock up and used it as a shield to protect the others emerging from the portal.

"It's a damn war zone out here," Erza shouted as an explosion went off nearby and a volley of Black Magic flew over them landing in front of what looked to be Magic Council soldiers.

"Alright you all know what to do, Erza you and Elise need to find Mira if you can I'm confident the three of you can beat him! Wendy you and Jason start cleaning house these guys are peppering the place with Black Magic and you both have area of effect type magic get to it!"

Erza, Elise, Wendy and Jason ran off as Natsu turned to Seilah and Azazel.

"Seilah, Azazel your with me can't take any chances of this Guild Master summoning the War Titan!"

The two nodded as Natsu lifted the boulder and threw it at a nearby wall knocking all the mages that had been firing from that position down, sprinting forward Natsu began to erect bits of cover all over the battlefield that Seilah and Azazel made use of since they weren't as fast as him.

Launching himself up to the third story of the castle Natsu's hand was covered in crimson fire.

"Fire Dragon Monarch's Destabilizing Demolition Fist!"

Throwing his punch the entire corner of the castle was blown away as all eyes in the guild turned and began to target him seeing him as the prime threat.

Natsu didn't care about that in the slightest they couldn't even beat Jason at least in his opinion the real targets were the Guild Master and any S Class mages they had.

A powerful blast shot past him from Azazel blowing away another section of the castle as the two caught up and they took cover from the constant barrage of magic being hurled their way.

"Ok so we made it to the castle now we just have to find the Guild Master and kick his ass!"

"Not the honeymoon you were expecting was it my Lord," Azazel joked as Seilah looked at him wide eyed noticing the ring.

"Time and place Seilah now MOVE!"

The three launched themselves from their position as a larger attack destroyed the area they had just been sitting, gritting his teeth it soon formed into a feral grin.

"Yeah maybe not the honeymoon I expected but honestly kicking ass isn't such a bad afterparty," he muttered to himself as the three began to scale the castle walls dodging all sorts of dark magic and explosions raining down upon them.

So yes we shift and shift again haha Alvarez Arc finishes and Avatar begins and with a wedding in between yeah I'm crazy I know and I'm sure no one expected it so points for the surprise factor.

Anyway hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next one!