Welcome back, everyone!

Firstly, I wanna say I'm thankful for everyone's comments regarding the events of the last chapter. Y'all are the best!

Now, this chapter is kinda an info dump and while things are a little calmer this time around... I think some of you will be surprised come the end of the chapter.

I really don't have any better way to cryptically describe it so I'm just gonna shut up and let you read now.

Also, not sure who the original artist for the art is. If you know, let me know so I can credit them!

Enjoy :)

KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 23: SAVE THE WORLD

A smile broke out on August's face upon hearing Natsu's words, and his cries turned to laughter. After he calmed himself, he said, "You have no idea how happy this makes me, uncle." He laughed again, and then said, "But I have to point out... I'm actually older than you, so that really makes you using 'ol' to describe yourself incorrect-"

"It was just an expression, you don't gotta be so techni- Oh my God, you really are Zeref's kid!" Natsu said sarcastically. August looked startled for a moment but then chuckled. Smiling, Natsu said, "You know, now that I know... there were so many things you did that would have given you away, had anyone even remotely known Mavis and Zeref had a kid..."

August laughed too. "I suppose I should count myself lucky, then, if even you can pick up on that."

Natsu stopped laughing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

August looked a little sheepish. "Well, it's just, sometimes, people have to be extra forward with you to get you to realize things..."

Natsu looked unphased. "Like what things?"

August held up his hands and tried to deflect. "I'm only repeating what His Majesty has said... and what I witnessed as far as Brandish attempting to get your attention. I'd say Miss Heartfilia has been quite exasperated as well-"

"Okay, STOP." Natsu said, face turning red. "That kinda stuff doesn't count, you can't hold that over me! And Zeref has no room to say anything about what I'm dense about when he's been walking around having his biological son as his right-hand man for the past ninety something years and never realized it!"

August grinned a little. "Alright, fair enough. Though, in his defense, when you believe your partner to be dead from the point you committed... the act, you wouldn't think you had any secret children running around either." He grew red in the face as he said the second part of the sentence.

Natsu laughed. "That's fair too, I guess. Man, this is just so crazy... Hey wait, I just realized something else! The first day we met, at breakfast! When Zeref said to go tell Larcade he couldn't eat with us, I could have sworn I saw you smirk for a second..."

August looked embarrassed again. "Erm, I may have... as embarrassing as it is to admit, because I know it's for childish reasons, I have never cared for Larcade. His identity as His Majesty's child simply infuriates me."

While Natsu's first impulse was to laugh, his smile slipped as he thought about it. "It makes sense, though. He goes around, shouting about how he's Zeref's son from the rooftops, when you, his flesh and blood kid... I get it."

August nodded before a hint of a smile formed on his face again. "I have to admit, I enjoyed helping you train, and then watching you knock the snot out of him during your match... but when you were in that coma for a few days afterwards... I went with His Majesty to confront Larcade over his actions. I was looking forward to him finally getting his 'just desserts', so to speak..." August's smile disappeared as he continued, "but as His Majesty tore into him, I found that I felt no joy whatsoever, watching him break. Especially when His Majesty yelled that he 'had no child, or no son...' at that moment all I could imagine was myself in his place..."

Natsu nodded. "That makes sense. It must have hurt to hear, even if it was directed to someone else..." Natsu's thoughtful expression softened, and a smile returned to his face. "You know, back when we went fishing, Zeref was talking about what he'd want in a perfect world. He said that he'd want the curse gone, all the people it killed alive again, our mom and dad back, somewhere quiet to live, and time to spend together with Mavis...and maybe even some kids of their own running around." Looking at August, he continued, "I guess it's really more sad than anything... he's had part of what he's wanted all along, and right in front of him no less... but he has no idea." He hesitated a moment, and his smile growing ever so slightly, Natsu added, "Though looking at you, I don't know if 'kid' is the right word now."

August laughed genuinely at that. "That's amazing, Natsu... even if it was only simple daydreaming for a moment, it goes to show you've brought His Majesty something he's been without for far too long- hope. And now that gives me hope as well... about a great many things." His gaze became more serious, and August continued, "About my mo- er, Master Mavis. Ever since you told me that she had been interacting with your guild via thought projection, I haven't been able to stop thinking... if she's able to manifest a thought projection of herself, she may be more conscious than even she realizes." As he stood up to pace around the room, he added, "And thus leads me to believe she could be awakened completely... though it would take immense power to jolt her completely awake."

Natsu furrowed his brow. "But... what could be strong enough to jolt her awake while she's still in that lacrima?"

"It would not be easy. Her thought projection would need to take damage... or perhaps even be destroyed completely. The force of which would likely resonate deeply enough to permanently awaken her."

"Is destroying a thought projection even possible?"

August brought a hand to his chin. "In theory, there is a spell strong enough to do this. One Mavis created herself no less. Magic that is strong enough to deny existence itself- Fairy Glitter."

Natsu's eyes widened. "Fairy Glitter?" He brought his hand to his chin. "I saw Cana use it at the Grand Magic games... and it did get her the top score during that event... but is it really strong enough to destroy a thought projection?"

"Of all of the other spells I've witnessed in my life, nothing else comes remotely close to being able to destroy something as intangible as a thought projection." August said. He sighed, and quietly added, "Although... to even get close enough to successfully cast Fairy Glitter and retrieve Master Mavis afterwards... it would require us to infiltrate Fairy Tail's guildhall."

Natsu's face fell. "Conflict with Fairy Tail is inevitable." He heard Zeref's words the day of the confrontation with Makarov in the rooftop gardens echo in his head. "Which would mean an outright battle with the guild..." He murmured. "I know I said I'd stay here in the empire, but I still can't imagine actually fighting the guild..."

"I know." August said. Exhaling deeply, he continued, "But they would never allow any of us, excluding you, anywhere near Fairy Heart... and I would never suggest you attempt to outright deceive your friends. An all-out battle with Fairy Tail isn't ideal, either. I don't have any doubt of the strength of our forces... but the bonds your guild shares have allowed all of you to overcome enemies that, looking at from strictly a statistical point, you should have lost to. Yes, this all will require a great deal of strategy and planning on our part. That said, we do hold one major advantage- all of Ishgar expects us to strike first, and we will... though the when and how of our attack will be a surprise to them." A confident smile appearing on his face, August said, "I'd like to think, perhaps both from being the son of the great Fairy Tactician, and the sheer amount of battles I've led the empire through over the years, I am fairly talented with coming up with strategies... and I have crafted one I am fairly confident will lead us to absolute victory... with fighting kept to a minimum as well. After all, our goal in this is to save the whole world... right?"

Natsu smirked. "Right. Well, what've you got?"

Zeref stirred in his large bed in his quarters in the Imperial Palace. He had never placed much emphasis on sleeping- he hadn't been a heavy sleeper before being cursed, and said curse certainly hadn't helped things when it came to his sleeping situation.

He used to think his sleep schedule couldn't get any worse at this rate, but this past week had put that to the test.

Usually, he'd use his sleepless hours as an excuse to read, or sometimes experiment with a theory on magic that he'd been thinking of. And both activities were independent of other people, they were both generally safe things for Zeref to enjoy.

But this past week, with all that had happened with Natsu, Zeref couldn't even bring himself to enjoy his past-times anymore.

His fear over what was to come paralyzed him. There was no avoiding conflict with Ishgar now. Natsu found himself in a precarious situation, and it was once again Zeref's fault. His brother would either be facing his guild, the people who had become his family in Zeref's absence, or he'd be facing him and the rest of the empire, which Natsu had also grown to care for.

He had nothing to offer to make it better. He couldn't approach this like a simple simulation strategy as he had in the past. Not with Natsu involved.

He fidgeted with his brother's scarf around his neck. Irene had been able to repair it, miraculously. However, it would only be a matter of time before the curse deteriorated it again. Burying his face in his hands, Zeref racked his brain for a solution.

The deadline Invel had given Natsu was today. He couldn't for the life of him see any positive resolution on the horizon.

This is what I deserve for having any hope I could escape this cursed life. Message received, Ankheseram.

Before he could think anything else, the doors of his suite were abruptly and harshly flung open. "GOOOOOOOOD MOOOOORRRNING EMPEROR CRYBABY!"

Zeref almost smiled at Natsu's silly greeting. Once he had dreamed of days where he and his brother would wake each other up yelling out goofy nicknames again.

But today he was simply afraid it was the last time he'd hear his brother sound so cheery.

After all, if he had his guess, next time they saw each other, they'd be-

His inner lament was cut off by the curtains over the massive window in the room overlooking the city being flung open and intense morning light blinding his vision. He had been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed Natsu walking up to the window.

Zeref rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the light. As he slowly opened them, he saw Natsu standing directly in front of him, a big smile on his face. "You should look more excited! Me and August have come up with a plan so good even you are gonna smile!"

Zeref furrowed his brow. "You and August? What-"

"Just shut up and let me explain." Natsu said, as he plopped on the bed next to his brother. "First, I guess I'll tell ya I ain't going back to Ishgar yet- that's right, I told ya I wasn't leaving you again, and I wasn't lying! You're stuck with me, big brother!"

Zeref looked perplexed. Natsu... isn't going back to Fairy Tail? Immediately, a pang of guilt rose up in him. His brother had found people that loved him unconditionally, and now he was having to give that up for his sake...

"Wow, you don't have to look so enthused." Natsu deadpanned, taking note of the distressed look on Zeref's face. Sighing, he continued, "I get you're probably thinking something along the lines of 'oh no, Natsu you're having to pick me over your friends!' Well knock it off."

Frowning, Zeref finally said, "You seem a bit too cheery about all of this."

Natsu sighed and fell backwards on the bed. "Maybe." He said, his tone becoming more serious. "Truth be told, I don't like the idea of having to fight my guildmates... but here's the thing." He sat up and looked at Zeref intently. "I know I've described Fairy Tail as my family, same as you, and they are... but it's bigger than that. The guild is a family to everyone in it. So, even without me there... things carry on. I hope they miss me as much as I miss them, but they have each other to lean on. But if I leave you... I get you're the emperor, and there are people here, like August and Invel, that clearly care about you more than their jobs require them to... but still, you don't see them like they see you. And don't get me wrong, I get it... as much as I can." Natsu put a hand on his brother's shoulder and smiled softly. "But I don't think it's fair you should have to bear this alone anymore. Like I told ya in the gardens the day all that stuff with Gramps went down... if I abandon my own brother, what kinda person does that make me?"

Zeref felt tears building up in his eyes. After everything that had happened, he felt entirely undeserving of his brother's kindness. "Natsu... I don't know what to say..."

Natsu frowned. "Well, if you start talking about how 'it's not fair to me again' or whatever, I will push you off this bed. I don't care if it's your room, your palace, or that you're crying. It's annoying when you do that."

Natsu's statement was surprisingly sobering, and Zeref felt his tears drying up and the sentimental feelings that had sprung up in him slipping away. Natsu seemed to notice this, and smiled as he said, "There ya go! See, it's not that hard to not be so self-depreciating, is it?"

Zeref sighed and shook his head as he deadpanned, "What can I say, you just have such a way with words, little brother." Natsu laughed at that, and Zeref found a small smile creeping onto his face. "What did August say that convinced you to say?"

Natsu's smile slipped away. He looked deep in thought for a moment, and then said, lacking his usual confidence, "Just about how much he'd noticed a change in you since I had been around, and if I'd stay, he'd help me come up with a way to save the guild too."

Zeref cocked his head. His brother wasn't a great actor, and there was something about the way Natsu was talking that suggested there was more to it than just that, but before he could ask, Natsu added, "Oh yeah, and he made a real good point about why Fairy Heart couldn't stay in Ishgar."

"Which was?"

Natsu sighed. "If Fairy Tail somehow beat the empire... what do you think would happen?"

Zeref frowned. "I don't think about losing..."

"Ugh! Just go along with it!"

Zeref brought a hand to his chin. "I... don't see where you're going with this."

Natsu crossed his arms. "You don't think, I don't know, people over in Ishgar, specifically the Council, would wonder why Alvarez was so fixated on Fairy Tail? Or why Gramps personally came over here to negotiate?"

Zeref's eyes widened slightly. "Well, seeing as Fiore's Magic Council Branch is now made up of the ten wizard saints, Makarov being one of them, and the fact Fairy Tail has always been a prominent guild over there, I'm sure many people would assume it was Makarov simply taking the initiative... but... you and I know better..."

Natsu's face was deadly serious. "Right. And I know Gramps is friends with a lot of the other wizard saints, like Jura and Warrod, and has other friends working for the Council, like Yajima, Mest, and... Gajeel... now..." Natsu said the last name with a mixture of discomfort and bewilderment, causing Zeref to smile. It had been over four hundred years since he'd last seen Gajeel, but it was even hard for him to imagine Metallicana's apprentice as a rune knight.

"But an intercontinental war, with 'the dreaded black wizard Zeref's' empire, no less... the rest of them, the main branch especially, would start wanting more definite answers. And since they already knew 'Emperor Spriggan' and 'the black wizard Zeref' were the same guy, they apparently know how to dig for secrets... it'd only be a matter of time before they would find out about Fairy Heart."

Zeref's eyes widened. "I... hadn't even thought about that." He looked up at Natsu, panic spilling into his voice, "If the Magic Council got their hands on Fairy Heart..."

"Yep. You get it." Natsu said, nodding. "Sure, countries like Fiore can buck up to the Council now if they pass laws they disagree with- but with the power of infinite magic on their side, one second the king is refusing to enforce a new Council- ordered tax on guilds, and the next, all of Fiore is being obliterated by an etherion blast... and anyone who'd object is next. And don't tell me that's unrealistic. They just manipulated some pompous douchebag into fighting a war against you because they're bitter there's one nation left in Earthland they haven't sunk their claws into."

Zeref, whose eyes were wide, nodded. "We...we can't let them get to Mavis, Natsu."

Natsu nodded, agreeing. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I particularly like the idea of having you so close to Fairy Heart after what you told me you were planning earlier this week... but I'll have others, like the rest of the Twelve, to help me keep an eye on you, at least."

Zeref looked a little hurt by that but nodded regardless. "I... it's not ideal, but with you, and the others, keeping an eye on me... I... should manage." Zeref smiled softly. "I know she won't be able to talk to me directly... and probably won't want to, anyway... but just having Mavis nearby... It'll be nice."

Natsu looked a little surprised for a moment, but then he smirked. "Oh, I didn't even tell you the best part. August figured out a way to wake Mavis up from her... coma? Sleep? Whatever you wanna call it."

Zeref's eyes widened. "What? But how? I've been theorizing different spells that could potentially awaken her since I found out she's not really dead, but so far I haven't been able to come up with any solid solutions."

"Well, lemme ask you, honorary founder of Fairy Tail... do you know about the three great magics of the guild?"

Zeref furrowed his brow. "Well, there's Fairy Heart for one... then Fairy Sphere, the spell that saved all of you from Acnologia back on Tenrou Island eight years ago... and then..." Zeref's eyes widened, and his face lit up in a knowing smile. "Fairy Glitter. The magic of the Heavens that can deny a target's very existence... if you could use that on her thought projection, there's a good chance the sensation of her thought projection being destroyed could cause her to awaken... clever thinking, August." Zeref's smile slipped into a frown. "Can you really do it though? Use Fairy Glitter? I didn't know that was something that was on the table for you."

"Uh, well, I wasn't going to... August was gonna do it. With his copy magic!"

Zeref's brows knitted together. "August needs to be able to see the spell cast to be able to copy it... when has he seen Fairy Glitter before?"

Zeref thought he saw Natsu pale for a second before his brother explained, "Uh... well, August has this memory spell where he can see your memories... and he saw Cana cast it in mine back at the Grand Magic Games last year."

"Ohhh... I see." Zeref said, nodding his head. "That's a very useful spell. It's a great thing you were able to see Cana cast it during the Games, then." He smiled, and added, "It's a good plan... but Natsu. I hope you understand... There's no way to get to Fairy Heart without fighting Fairy Tail. I don't need to tell you the battle won't be easy..." He hesitated a moment before he added, "And it could be... deadly, for both us in the empire and your friends in the guild... they'll likely try and keep us from Fairy Heart to the last man..."

"Yeah, I know." Natsu said, gaze serious. He exhaled deeply and smiled again, and said, "Fortunately, me and August have a plan for that too..."

He explained his and August's plan to Zeref who listened intently, his eyes widening and head nodding during several parts of Natsu's explanation. It seemed they had thought of everything in regards to the upcoming invasion- even a chance for their new allies in Caelum to affirm their independence and a course of retaliation for the Magic Council for the rebellion in Devereaux. When Natsu was done explaining, Zeref said, "That certainly isn't a simple plan, but... it could work, if we play our cards right." A flicker of hope seemed to spring to life in Zeref's eyes... but moments later, said flicker looked as if it had been doused in a rainstorm.

Noticing this, Natsu raised an eyebrow, and said, "You okay?"

Zeref was as still as a statue, staring straight at the floor, as he quietly said, "No... it won't work."

Natsu crossed his arms. "So, I give you that whole spiel, you get excited and agree, and now suddenly you're saying it won't work? Is this your curse messing with your head again?"

Zeref looked up at Natsu, genuine sorrow in his eyes. "No, Natsu. This is me being realistic. Taking my curse into account... I don't... I can't..." He sighed and attempted to calm himself. "Having Mavis here with me, alive again... only to not be able to be with her... I don't think I can handle that."

Natsu sighed. "Well, instead of going all doom and gloom on me, how about we look for a way around it? And before you say there isn't one, may I remind you that you tried to say the same thing to me at first, before we realized we could use my scarf."

"Yes, which is now falling apart thanks to me." Zeref said, taking the fabric of said scarf between his fingers. "Irene was able to patch it, though. I had to finally give up the location of that bakery August was using to bribe her with cheesecakes to get her to agree to fix it, so I hope you know what I've had to sacrifice."

"Can't you just order her around? You are the emperor here, remember?"

Zeref chuckled. "You've often remarked how similar to her daughter Irene is. How well do you think just barking orders at her actually works?"

Natsu sighed. "Point taken." He threw himself back on Zeref's bed and groaned. "I guess this all complicates the last part of the plan too... ugh... if only we had something that could just… erase the curse, like that Face thingy erased magic..."

Zeref absent-mindedly nodded to Natsu's complaints. Before he could ask what the last part of the plan Natsu mentioned was, his eyes widened. Wait... "Natsu... the Face weapon... it was built by Fiore's Magic Council, wasn't it?"

Natsu sat up and looked at him quizzically. "Uh... I guess so? We didn't really question them on it, we were just scrambling around to find the members and former members it was linked to... but they were all from Fiore, so it would make sense to assume it was built there."

Zeref nodded, and a smile formed on his face. "That's it! The answer was right in front of our faces all along!" Turning to Natsu, who looked very intrigued by his brother's attitude change, he continued, "As much as I hate the Council, I'll admit they created a wonder of magical engineering with that Face weapon. So wonderous, in fact, no one in the empire has been able to figure out how it works... but... if we storm the Magic Council's archives in Era during our attack... we could steal its blueprints, prototypes... and if we had those, we could rebuild it to target curse power, bane particles, the possibilities are endless..."

Natsu shook his head quickly in shock. "Wait, you're saying you could use Face to cure yourself, and Mavis?"

Zeref was smiling wide now. "I can't say for sure until I can see just how it works, but if we could pinpoint the energy my curse gives off, we could adjust what Face absorbs and modify it to absorb just the curse of Ankheseram... it's not a guaranteed plan, but I can't remember another time I've come close to an idea like this." His smile turning into a somewhat sinister smirk, he said, "But even if it doesn't work, we strip the Council of one of their biggest toys forever. I call that a win any day."

Natsu's grin returned. "Hell yeah. And hey, I get you still got all that 'soul detangling' stuff to work out, but maybe we could make a version that just absorbs all the death magic, without completely getting rid of the curse. At least til me and all the other etherious are good to go." Zeref smiled and nodded. Natsu nodded back, and then said, "Now..." Natsu's grin disappeared, and he stared at Zeref intently. "The final part of the plan..."

EARLIER

"I think we have everything covered; wouldn't you say?" August asked.

Natsu nodded. "Yeah… just about. All that worries me is Zeref's curse… what happens if we win this war and it's still not enough? What if Zeref still loses himself to the curse even afterwards- before we can get him cured?"

August looked deep in thought at Natsu's words. After a moment, he said, "Perhaps this is just wishful thinking, but the more we help him achieve his dreams… the things he desired you mentioned earlier… the less likely he'd desire the world neo-Eclipse would offer."

Natsu furrowed his brow. "Well, let's see… curse gone, we're working on. Everyone it killed alive again seems like a tall order though. A quiet life with me and Mavis and you, now… that seems doable, depending on Mavis's reaction to the whole thing. I can tell he clearly loves her, but Master Mavis… she never mentioned Zeref when I spoke with her at the guild."

August looked a bit saddened by that but nodded. "If you consider the position she was in, she realized there was probably no good way to share the news that she had been romantically involved with one of the most hated figures in history. That said, I can say this with no doubt- the love my parents shared was pure and true. Even if her feelings are conflicted now, with all the misinformation about him spread around, as well as genuine hurt His Majesty's creations have caused to your guildmates… I do not doubt she still truly loves him. She would only need a gentle push, if that, I believe."

Natsu nodded. "The last one was our mom and dad alive again. I kinda suggested he could really do it if he wanted, but he got all dumb about it, said he wouldn't bring 'em back as etherious, not that I was suggesting that anyway, when he's got stuff like the Eclipse gate, the R System, that Keyes guy from Tartaros… but then he said it wasn't worth talking about because I could get cursed by that Ankheseram. But the more I think about it, it doesn't make sense. I saw the R System get built and almost used right in front of me, and even saw someone USE the Eclipse Gate, and they were no worse off for wear! There's something not right, with the way that curse or that god works!"

August had listened to Natsu with a serious look on his face, nodding along as he spoke. When his uncle had finished, August looked back at him, eyes blazing with determination- "No, it's not. I have looked at atrocities committed across the world and then back at the reasons my parents were cursed and cannot fathom Ankheseram's reasoning. I agree with you, there is very much something wrong occurring here."

His serious expression morphing into a confident smile, August continued, "I will go so far to disagree with His Majesty and say this is worth talking about… and I know just who to ask about our dear friend Ankheseram."

PRESENT

Zeref furrowed his brow. "Final part? Everything you explained earlier was pretty thorough. I don't think there's anything else we need to account for."

Natsu sighed. "I'll call it the final piece of insurance that you're permanently leaving neo-Eclipse in the rearview mirror." Natsu stepped off the bed, and walked over to the window, his back to Zeref. "I get what I'm asking you to give up, Zeref."

"Natsu... like I said before, in the long run, I have no way of knowing it would bring me the peace I hope for. It really is for the best."

"You say that now... but I don't need you changing your mind next time your curse makes you have a bad day." Sighing, Natsu turned and looked back at Zeref. "Maybe that's why I want to do this... a 'thank you' for letting me come here and change all your grand plans you had for neo-Eclipse for the invasion... and you just go along with it."

"Only after you threatened to take my empire away." Zeref said in a slightly amused tone.

Natsu laughed, and then said, "You can't tell me 'Emperor Salamander' doesn't sound good!" They both laughed at that. However, when Natsu smiled again, his smile almost seemed sad, "Or maybe, I'm just not so different from you after all, Zeref. That this is just something I selfishly want." Sitting on the bed, he continued, "This... hasn't been the easiest year for me. Don't get me wrong, getting you back in my life, finding out I'm a prince, the new friends I've made here- all that's been awesome. But... I watched Igneel die right in front of me. The guild disbanded. I realized how much you'd suffered for my sake, and then siding with you would put me at odds with Fairy Tail, and vice versa, the whole rebellion in Devereaux, and now the whole war with the guild and Ishgar thing... seems like for every win we get, we get a bunch of losses in return right after. So yeah, you could say, everything that's happened has just… gotten to me." Natsu clenched his fists. "I'm... tired of losing Zeref, and I'm not gonna roll over on my belly and accept it because 'that's our fate' or some bullshit like that. Nah. In fact, I refuse to lose any longer. I'm gonna start carving out wins for myself. And you should too." His lips curving into a smile, Natsu asked, "Zeref... how would you like to see Mom and Dad again?"

Zeref's eyes widened. "W-w-what?"

"I think I've figured out a way to get our parents back... without destroying the timeline in the process."

Zeref looked at Natsu incredulously. "Natsu... are you serious?"

Natsu's smile disappeared. "I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't."

Zeref looked very unsettled. "I... don't know. I want to say yes, but, in truth... I don't know if I could actually face them at this point. I don't know if they'd even recognize me anymore..."

"Oh, don't be such a drama queen. This is Mom and Dad we're talking about. Two of the most loving, compassionate people we've ever known. You can't tell me you actually believe that they wouldn't want to see you again."

"I... uh..." Natsu's gaze didn't falter, and finally Zeref let out a deep sigh. "No, Natsu. It's too risky. The fact you haven't been cursed for just seriously thinking-"

"Man, how did you ever even make stuff like the Eclipse Gate and the R System acting like such a scaredy cat? Come on Zeref, you haven't even heard my plan yet!"

Zeref glared at Natsu. "The reason I'm acting like such a 'scaredy cat' is because I flippantly suggested things as you did once and look where I ended up."

Natsu grinned cockily. "And here I am flippantly suggesting things, no worse for wear. Think about it, Zeref! Remember what we talked about during the fishing trip? Why are all these guys like Hades and Brain doing way worse stuff and getting off scott free? Something doesn't make sense!"

"No, it doesn't, but after all I've been through, I've learned sometimes it's best you don't look into the abyss, because if you stare too long, it looks back!" Zeref raised his voice, trying to stress the gravity of his words.

"Well, let it! I'll knock whatever comes out straight back to Hell!" Natsu yelled defiantly. "August and Invel agree with me, by the way. And are on board with this. Invel said if there was a way he could help give you what you wanted and ensure the empire stays safe, he'd do it in a heartbeat. Well, we've given him a way."

Zeref sighed. "Alright, well, what's your 'way'?"

Looking somewhat satisfied, Natsu said, "Well, originally to bring me, Mom, and Dad back, you came up with the R system, and then the Eclipse Gate, right?" Zeref nodded. "Well, what if I told you you'd just been focusing on the wrong one out of those two?"

Zeref's eyes widened. "Wait... Natsu, are you actually suggesting we use the R System to bring Mom and Dad back?" Natsu's grin grew, and he nodded. Zeref, in response, shook his head. "Absolutely not. We've been over this- that spell is a pipe dream. The amount of magical energy it would take to power it is astronomical to revive just one person. And even if you could gather that much magic power, the cost of building the thing... good luck getting Invel to agree to that! And then there's the fact that it requires a human sacrifice to function, remember?"

Natsu scowled. "You keep saying it's a pipe dream, but again, I literally watched the thing almost work right in front of my eyes. And yeah I get it was 'special circumstances' or whatever, but I've already figured out work arounds to all that stuff. One, we power it with Fairy Heart. It doesn't matter how much power it takes when you have an unlimited source of magic power, right? As for the human sacrifices, well... it's not ideal, but August pointed this out to me- the empire uses capital punishment, right? Invel even said our old pal Bradley Ashford is looking like he's gonna get hit with it for his rebellion. Why the Hell should that selfish bastard and people like him get to draw breath, when our parents, who never hurt anyone, have to stay dead?" Natsu's tone lost some of its intensity as he said, "Now building the thing- yeah, you're right. Invel immediately vetoed it when we explained what we'd need to build it. But what if there was a spell that could rebuild it? I get it'd have to be massive, but again, using Fairy Heart, the power thing kinda becomes pointless... you wouldn't happen to know any spells like that, would you?"

Zeref frowned. "I admit Natsu, those are some clever work arounds, but my answer is still no. We have no guarantee you or anyone else involved in casting it wouldn't be cursed in the end, if it were successful."

Natsu shrugged. "I guess not. But why don't we just ask?"

"Ask who exactly?"

Natsu shrugged. "A god? One of them would have to have some idea, right?"

Zeref had a hard laugh at that, clenching his stomach as he did. "You can't be serious, Natsu. Let's just ask a god, sure! I don't know if you've noticed, but gods aren't always so direct in their answers. I doubt any of them would humor you either, given your involvement with me."

"I am serious." Natsu said, his tone matching the intense look on his face. "Your curse must have made you stupid, or did you forget you literally have a god working for you in the Twelve?"

Zeref went to fire back, but stopped when Natsu's words sank in. A look of shock overtook his face, and he muttered, "It couldn't be that easy... could it?"

Natsu beamed at him. "Only one way to find out!"

I'm always curious for everyone's thoughts, but I'm especially curious about your thoughts on what Natsu offered Zeref here. I hope the vague hints I dropped in earlier chapters make sense and this doesn't seem like it came out of nowhere...

Now, if you're wondering about the details of what Natsu shared for the war with Zeref, I was originally going to lay it all out for you, but upon re-considering, I decided to make it so you don't find out what the plan for the invasion is until they actually go to execute it- my plans for the war are quite different than what happened in cannon, so I hope it will be exciting and suspenseful for you as the reader when we get there in a few chapters.

Also, again out of curiosity, I know I included it last chapter, but would any of you be interested in the music that inspires the chapter titles/themes/ dialogue? I'm a music snob and always find it interesting what inspires people when they write but I didn't want to assume that everyone felt that way. Lemme know either way :) If people are interested, I'll include it going forward, as well as going back and adding it to previous chapters.

Anyways, thanks again, and see you guys next week!