Chapter 96

Family Drama

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

"Flashback"

"Magic"

Location/Date/Time Change

The entire guild cheered as they routed the invading army, Mavis at the helm. Mirajane blasted Jacob in the chest with dark magic, knocking him to the ground. Her transformation faded as she caught herself on her hands. "That was so weird… why'd he keep his eyes closed…"

"Mirajane!" The model turned to find Brianna and Minerva rushing forward. "We need your help! It's Nicholas, he-"

"Die, you trollops!" Jacob jumped from behind intent on killing all three. Minerva raised her hand and a swirling mass opened up in front of him. Abatu launched out of it and tackled the assassin to the ground before starting to attack.

"That's enough!" The demon turned around and sniffed the air, rushing over to 'Sayla' like a dog. "Return to normal." The Curse took effect and the stone crumbled off as Nicholas fell face first to the ground, unconscious and bruised. "So, how did it happen this time?" Mirajane asked as she dissolved her transformation.

"It's a long and painful story…" Brianna replied, clutching her wounded shoulder.

In another party of town, Elfman panted as he stood over Ajeel. "I-is he really down?" Elfman asked, hopeful the fight was over. "It took all of my magic power just to do that…"

"No… I'm not done…" Ajeel struggled to stand as Yajeel stepped forward.

"Ajeel, your fight is over…" The older man declared.

"Grandpa…" Ajeel's words caught the Guild Wizards off guard.

"Too many people are losing their loved ones in this war." Yajeel realized. "We can't let it go on…"

"Don't you realize?" Elfman asked, surprising the pair. "This is what happens in every wars. You've been so busy winning all the time, you never even bothered to pay attention to the countries you conquered."

"Please, spare my grandson, I beg you…" Yajeel requested.

"Don't lower yourself like that, Grandpa!" Ajeel shouted, trying to stand up.

"The people of Fairy Tail don't kill people who've given up." Elfman declared. "That's not how this family operates."

"Family?" Ajeel asked back.

"Everyone in Fairy Tail is family, even if we don't share blood." Elfman proudly declared.

Ajeel stared at the larger man and chuckled. "You guys are weird…"

Lucy's Apartment

"I'm glad we're back in Magnolia, but where is everyone else?" Lisanna asked as she looked around. "Carla, Porlyusica, Evergreen and…"

"Don't forget us." The two turned to the side to see Lucy and Brandish standing there, the vernette holding a shrunken Dimaria in one hand.

Natsu leaned into the shrunken blonde, who flinched in fear. "I, uh, I think I owe you an apology. When I saw Lisanna like that, I just went nuts. Sorry."

"Randi, save me!" She begged.

"Well, we'll should be off…" Brandish declared as she turned around.

"Where are you going?" Lucy asked.

"It's not like I'm gonna go back to fighting you." The mass manipulator explained. "But I'm not gonna join you guys eitherr."

"I see… I hope we meet again." Lucy said with a smile.

Brandish glanced back at the blonde before walking away. "Sounds like a pain…" She mumbled as she continued to walk away.

"Natsu! Lisanna!" Evergreen called out from behind as she carried Juvia over. "Lucy too?"

"Porlyusica and Carla are here too!" Happy cheered

"We've looked everywhere, but Gray's no where to be found!" The white cat declared.

"Moving around in his condition, it's suicidal!" The healer growled in annoyance.

"Gray is-" Lucy could say no more as the ground started to violently shake.

"What's happening?" Happy asked, clutching Lisanna's leg.

Natsu sniffed the air before they turned to the cathedral. "Somebody's on top…" He mumbled.

"HERE ME, CHILDREN OF ALVAREZ! THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO OFFER YOUR SPIRITS TO HIS MAJESTY!"

The cathedral started crumbling under is his magic power before he quickly blocked a punch from Gildarts, the church breaking apart from the shockwave. "Oops, guess I wrecked a church." He chuckled as guild wizards cheered. As the pair landed on the ground, August thrusted his staff forward, firing a blast of magic. Gildarts dodged to the side and the blast soared out of town. "I can handle this."

Natsu smirked from across the town before he took off in a sprint. "Let's go! We gotta get to Zeref!" Lisanna soon joined after him, Happy flying next to them.

"Shouldn't we look for Gray!?" Lucy shouted.

"No need!" Natsu declared. "I know where he is…"

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"I never imagined you of all people would get here first" Zeref declared, sitting in the guildhall. "I was expecting Jellal, or maybe even Laxus."

"I think it's time for you to leave" Gray asked, clutching his ribs. "Plus, that's my spot you're sitting in."

"You've put yourself in a situation that will cause Natsu the most grief." The Black Wizard chuckled. "You're one of Natsu's closest friends. You lost your parents to Deliora, a demon that I created. One your teacher sacrificed her life to defeat. I have no doubt you hold a grudge against me."

"I'm surprised how much information you have one someone of no interest to you." Gray mumbled.

"Intelligence on the enemy is a basic element of war." Zeref replied. "Lisanna Strauss, Natsu's childhood sweetheart. A kind, honest soul who has played a large part in Natsu's growth. Happy, Natsu's partner and their pseudo-son. The two have a great bond of trust between the two. Erza, Lucy, Gajeel… I've tried to learn all of the key figures."

"Compared to that, we hardly know anything about you." Gray chuckled. "What are you really after?"

"Do I really need to answer that?" The Emperor asked back. "I want Mavis' power, and you people are trying to protect her. Need I say more?"

"You have all these soldiers and immortality. What do you need the first master's power for?" The ice wizard questioned.

"I need it to defeat Acnologia." Zeref answered, shocking Gray. "It's no lie. The final step will be to defeat Acnologia. But my ambitions are not nearly so small."

In the rubble of the church, Gildarts flung his cloak off before charging at August. The two traded near blows before Gildarts managed to get behind the 'Magic King'. "Over here!" The Ace thrusted his hand forward and August broke into small blocks as he fell apart. "Yet another of your interesting magics…" August confessed as his body reformed.

"You gotta be kidding me!" Gildarts cried out before the older man delivered a punch to the gut, launching him back.

"It is not possible for you to defeat me." August declared.

A quintet of cards suddenly shot forward and forced him back from the explosions. "My dad takes the impossible and makes it possible." Cana said, cards between her fingers.

"Cana, no! Stay away from here!" Gildarts shouted.

"Father…?" August mumbled as a smile grew on his face. "So you're parent and child…"

Fairy Tail Guildhall

Gray stared in shock as Zeref finally stood up. "You're planning what?"

"You are the first one to whom I have ever spoken of this." Zeref confessed. "It's likely even The 12 don't know. But did you ever wonder why I'm telling you this? Natsu is on his way here now. And you will die before he reaches us. When he finds you lying dead, it will be what he needs to fight me at his best. You'll become a tool for me to bring out Natsu's greatest power."

"Not gonna happen. When Natsu gets here, you'll be long gone!" Gray snapped back.

"That isn't possible. I am immortal. No one can kill me." Zeref declared. "Besides, let's say you do kill me. At that point, Natsu will-"

"I know." Gray cut him off. "But I don't care what he 'really' is. Natsu is Natsu, and he's still my friend. And that's why I'm going to take you down." Ice crept onto the ground as Gray crossed his arms. "There's a way to defeat you without killing you." He crossed his arms as the palms faced down. "Iced Shell."

"That magic will cost you your own life." Zeref replied before he felt a shift in the magic. "A Lost Aspect?"

"I don't need to be remembered." Gray declared as his limbs started icing over. "So to save my friends, I'll erase my existence from my friends memories. I'm turning my life and existence and memory into magical power! Lost Iced Shell!"

Zeref was stunned ice built up around him. "When did you-"

"I picked it up from a bunch of freaks who worshipped you like a god…" Gray mumbled. "Enhancing a spell with a Lost Attribute is something else, multiplying its power hundreds of times."

"Yes, but the toll is that the casters existence is erased!" Zeref shouted.

"So everyone in my life will forget me?" The ice user asked. "Sounds finds to me. It just means no one has to grieve over me."

Ice crept onto the Black Wizard, locking him in place. "I can't move

"It's over!" Gray shouted as he broke the cross.

"The world will never be rid of me, yet you'd sacrifice everything just to imprison me!" Zeref snapped back. "And you know this won't kill me!"

"If I did, Natsu dies!" Gray declared. "So trapping you forever is my only choice!"

"It won't last forever! The ice will melt and then I will be free!"

"And until that day comes, we'll have peace in this world." Gray chuckled. "I'd call that a win for our side!" Icy wind erupted from Gray before it suddenly died as Gray was pinned to the ground by Natsu, the Fire Dragon Slayer melting the ice.

"What the hell we're thinking, Gray!?" Natsu shouted. "I already told, I wasn't going to let you cast that spell!"

"If I don't do this, you'll-"

"Win or lose, death will be your prize." Zeref spoke up, now free to move again. "How cruel fate can be."

"I ain't dying!" Natsu shouted as Lisanna and Happy stood at the door. "And if fate gets in my way, I'll burn it to ash!"

"Burn fate to ash?" Zeref chuckled as he threw off his sash. "The naivety of a child… I accepted my fate a long time ago. Because I simply had no choice in the matter. That is the essence of fate."

The two charged forward and blocked each other's fists before Natsu pushed his brother to the ground. He threw another punch to the ground, but Zeref rolled to the side and kicked Natsu into a wall. "Just as I thought. The power of Igneel has vanished. You can no longer defeat me."

Natsu burst out of the rubble and burst into flames. "I still got my own power!"

A pulse of magic froze everyone in the room, Zeref standing tall. "Irene bought me quite a lot of time, but it seems that time is up. I can no longer afford to play with you any longer. For me, this is my final chance. Lay down your life, for the sake of all humanity."

Fairy Hills

"Erza, are you sure you can walk?" Wendy asked as she helped the redhead up.

"I'll be fine." Erza said with a smile. "All thanks to your healing powers."

"If I had been with the master at the time, then maybe…" Wendy mumbled.

"No." Erza cut her off. "He knew the sacrifice he was making with that spell. He gave his life to save ours." A sudden rise of magic power caught them both off guard. "Wh-what is this magic power!?"

A heavy force hit the ground next to them, kicking up dust and debris. As it settled, a wild looking man with blue hair and dark skin rose up, his body covered by a black cloak. "I've had my fill of this world. I'm coming for you, Black Wizard."

The man rose up from the small crater he made from impact and passed the girls before stopping in front of Irene's body. "So it was you. You were the one who gave humans Dragon Slayer magic. Then you are my mother." He rolled the body over to its back before lifting his foot. "My sins are on you!" The man started stomping on the body and laughing as the two women stared in horror.

"Time is up." August declared as he stood over Cana and Gildarts.

"It couldn't be…" Cana mumbled in fear.

"Acnologia…" The Magic King confirmed. "If his majesty had been able to obtain the magic of the Fairy Heart, perhaps a different outcome would have been possible."

"You're giving up a lot easier than I expected." Gildarts said.

"His wings of darkness will blacken the future of humanity." August said.

"When it comes to making dark futures, you people are on the same track." The Ace of the guild declared.

"His majesty is acting in service of humanity." The older man replied.

"Who would believe a cockamamie story like that!?" Cana shouted. "I don't care what kind of rationalization you use, what you guys are after is nothing more than domination! Look at all the fallen on both sides! Even our master is dead! We don't care about some grand plans! Laughing and spending time with your friends, that's the most important thing of all! That's why we're not gonna give up, no matter what happens!"

She raised her hand and a red mark appeared on her forearm as golden aura swirled around him. "Send Acnologia or Zeref or whoever! We won't budge! Not when this town and our guild are on the line! You cause a disaster, and we'll send one back at you! Fairy Glitter!" She slammed her arm down and a massive pillar of light erupted out of the ground.

Gildarts covered his arms from the light as the dust settled, only to find August still standing. "He's not even hurt…!?" Cana was in shock as she dropped to her knees.

"You…" August spoke up. "Do you love your father?"

"What's it matter right now, anyway!?" Cana shouted back.

"And you, do you love your daughter?" He asked Gildarts.

"Course I do!" The father instantly replied.

"I have acquired every form of magic in this world, yet there is one concept that eludes me." August confessed. "The love between parent and child. For example, if your daughter were to perish in front of you, what emotions would you feel in that moment?"

Gildarts felt the vein pop out of his neck in anger. "What? You try and lay a finger on Cana, and I will show you a hell that will make death look like a walk in the park!"

"Don't fall for his bait!" Cana shouted, only to watch as her father rush forward and throw a punch. August caught the fist before throwing the ace to the ground.

"A child loves his child… And a parent loves his child?" August questioned.

"Of course they should!" Gildarts shouted, only to the find the staff at his chest.

"Then why has the emperor never loved his child?" The older man asked before blasting the Crash Mage with magic.

"Gildarts!" Cana rushed forward and threw her cards at the battle, forcing August to jump back. "I'm a grown woman, now. So cut the over-protective dad crap."

The father chuckled as he stood back up. "I don't think so. You'll always be my little girl…"

"Why did the emperor never love his child?" August asked himself.

Guild Hall

Zeref clocked Natsu in the face before the pinkette returned the favor with a body blow. He inhaled and shot an inferno out of his mouth, only for a black shield to cover Zeref. He then blocked a flaming bicycle kick from his brother as the others watched in worry.

'Gray! Lisanna! Happy!' Mavis' voice echoed in their head, catching them by surprise. 'You need to leave right now! I'm almost at the guildhall. I need you to join up with me!'

"But… Natsu…" Lisanna mumbled. "I can't just leave him…"

'Trust in Natsu, and in me." Mavis replied. 'Natsu's fate depends on you! I can explain better in person, we don't know if the enemy is listing to us!'"

"Let's go!" Gray shouted as he hobbled towards the door. "We'll just be in Natsu's way here, anyway!"

"Natsu…" Lisanna mumbled as she turned around. "You better come back to me!" She ran out of the guild hall and joined the others in retreat.

Natsu grabbed Zeref by the wrist and slammed him to the ground in an inferno, only for Zeref to jump back to his feet. "This is fun, Natsu." He chuckled. "Unless I take you down here and now, humanity has no future… so why is this so much fun? Perhaps this is part of my curse of contradiction… I don't really understand how I feel."

"You talk too much." Natsu declared before he suddenly started wobbling. "Wh-what is this?"

"Sleep…" Natsu glanced behind him to find a beaten blonde walking over.

"Larcade…" Zeref mumbled in surprise.

"Father… I made it in time…" Larcade mumbled in joy. "Now this is your chance… Hurry! You can kill him now! Free yourself from this curse your brother holds! Let his white soul ascend to the heavens!"

Zeref held out his hand and a beam of black energy shot forward. The beam crashed into Larcade's gut, spraying blood everywhere to the shock of the other two men. "Do not interfere."