Acnologia was not ready. Acnologia wasn't ready, but Alvarez was... so the dragon king had to tell his guild.

"Alright, brats listen up!" Makarov shouted to the guild. They had called an emergency meeting at the guildhall so every Fairy Tail member was there. "There's something that you all need to know. I'm sure you've all heard of the growing tensions between Ishgar and Alvarez, now it's about time we fully explain it to you."

"Alvarez emperor is none other than the Black wizard Zeref," Acnologia explained cutting the matter to its heart,

The expressions in the guild spoke for themselves. The dragon slayers gave each other a knowing look but said nothing.

"Zeref's ultimate goal is Magnolia, and more specifically, Fairy Tail," Makarov explained.

"Why is that?" Ur asked.

"Because Zeref wants Fairy Heart," Acnologia said.

"What is Fairy Heart?" Gray asked.

"It's more commonly known as Lumen Histoire, it is Fairy Tail's greatest secret," Makarov sighed.

"More specifically, it is my body," Mavis said walking through the crowd, "There is much to explain to you and little time, so let me make this quick," Mavis said turning to the guild.

In the next three hours, Mavis shared her story, explained Zeref's goals, and the plan of attack. It took the next five days to get every guild on the continent to accept to go along with that plan and by that time, Alvarez had declared war.

Everyone prepared as the armies and vehicles began invading. Magnolia watched in horror as fifty airships closed in on them.

"Commence strategy, Fairy's war," Mavis muttered.

"So it begins," Makarov growled dangerously.

"And so it will end," Acnologia growled running forward down the street, he morphed into his dragon form.

His job was simple; destroy what Mavis told him to. While most anyone could attack the ships, he wasn't just attacking them; he was destroying them. Not a single one of them would reach the city, which was guaranteed. Erza, Bisca, and Alzack were aiding him. Erza attacked the lead ship on which Ajeel awaited while Acnologia ripped the others apart.

The bombardment of the town was stopped by Freed's enchantments.

A sandstorm whipped up around the airships, Ajeel's doing no doubt.

Meanwhile, a large group of soldiers began to close in on Magnolia; they came over a hill to see two figures standing between them and Magnolia. The general Bakel laughed as he looked at the figures.

"So the Fairy's send me a little girl and a half-blind man to stop me?" he laughed.

Even from afar it was impossible to miss the smile of the tall maroon haired man.

"That sounded like a challenge, wouldn't you say Wendy?" he laughed.

"I would Oniichan," the girl nodded.

"Let's do it then."

They both unleashed their dragon forces allowing intimidation to take its toll on the troops.

"Attack!" Bakel yelled.

The first few rows of soldiers were decimated by a mere flick of Wendy's wrist, Erik smiled and lunged forward cutting a path through the numbers. Clouds of poison flew into the sky only to be blown back to the troops by the harsh wind.

"General," a soldier cried.

"What?" Bakel snapped back.

"I know these two, it's impossible to mistake them. A small girl who controls that sky and a man missing an eye, those scales, and the moves, there's no doubt! They're the Sky maiden and Poison Killer! We can't win against them!"

As he said this Bakel made eye contact with Erik, his purple reptilian eyes seemed to glow dangerously as he came ever closer. He looked further and saw the pink-haired girl who remained unscathed; her eyes watched the battle unchanging.

"We have to retreat general, we can't win against them!" the soldier cried.

"I'll do it myself then!" Bakel yelled as he leaped forward. As he did so he noticed the distant girl saying something, then a vortex of wind exploded from her mouth and slammed into him midair he was sent flying hundreds of miles and didn't dare to fight again.

Back at the guildhall Freed had sent up a protective barrier around Magnolia and Warren was monitoring everyone's work.

"Someone's gotten through," Freed said looking towards the door.

"We can take care of them," Mira said stepping forward, her siblings behind her.

"You keep that enchantment up Freed, we've got this," Bickslow laughed.

"You have to plug the hole, more are getting through!" Freed ordered.

"How unlucky for them," Jackal growled, his ears twitching.

Back on Ajeel's airship Erza was struggling with the strong mage. Acnologia saw another group of airships, possibly three hundred strong, moving quickly towards Magnolia.

"Erza!" he roared, he knew she had heard him, "I'm going to take care of the rest, I leave him to you!"

As if to answer a blinding light flashed from Ajeel's ship. From far below he heard the clicking of Bisca's new giant cannon aiming and a satisfying purr reached his throat when the ship was destroyed and Ajeel defeated. Erza rose dawned in her heavens wield armor and raced toward Fairy Tail.

Erik and Wendy had decimated the forces of Bakel and had moved on to the next attack force that was seemingly a million-strong coming from the East. Acnologia had decimated a three hundred airship attack coming from the South.

Meanwhile, in the city, Lucy had discovered Brandish in her apartment and was trying to converse with her. Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, Evergreen, Bickslow, Jackal, and Seilah were all fighting on the streets of Magnolia.

"There are so many!" Lisanna shouted as she took down another soldier.

"Have faith in yourself!" Mira yelled in her Halphas form.

"Pitiful," Wall sighed.

"I order you all, to sleep," a soft voice ordered. Through the smoke and dust, Seilah emerged book in hand. All the humans fell asleep, the robots constructed by Wall's weakness magic, however, stood strong.

"Who are you," Wall sneered.

"I have found that the books written by humans can be rather entertaining, the books written by robots, however," Seilah said closing the book, "soulless."

"You're a puppet of the Emperor's aren't you," Wall sneered.

"Puppet?" Seilah asked shadows covering her face.

Slowly Wall's robots were being destroyed; however, as the castor, he could make more.

"Yes, a puppet," Wall jeered, "A rebellious one, however a puppet none the less."

"Incorrect," Seilah said placing the book down on the floor, "I am a mage, a mage of Fairy Tail," she looked up hatred burning in her eyes, "and you have just angered me."

Meanwhile, Brandish had just remembered where she knew Lucy's last name from and was preparing to kill her, luckily, Cana stepped in and together they stood a chance. However, the battle took a strange tone when Brandish fell due to... allergies? Apparently, the sandstorm had kicked up some pollen and Brandish was unable to fight.

Wall's machines tried to take down Freed who was holed up in the Magnolia Cathedral unable to move due to the enormous magic energy he was putting forth. Mavis had suggested he be moved there so that he could better defend himself. Under Freed's feet were two of Bickslow's dolls ready to defend the rune mage. Evergreen and Bickslow worked together to destroy the forces while Jackal decimated all in the vicinity, his curses were much more effective against the soldiers.

Wall was having trouble of his own.

"You... you shouldn't be able to affect my robots!" Wall shouted.

"I order you to attack your master," Seilah said stepping forward, the robots hesitated, "I order you to attack your master," she repeated. They turned towards Wall.

"No! Magic doesn't affect them!" Wall cried.

"Correct, but curses can," Seilah said, "I order you to attack him."

"No, wait! Stop!" Wall ordered as the machines grew closer. "Begone!' he ordered and just like that every robot was gone. "You'll pay for this," he snarled. He began charging an anti-magic particle spell

"Laxus, I leave him to you," Seilah said stepping back. Laxus stepped up and smiled.

"You think this guy can do it?"

"Yes, now I must go assist Jackal," Seilah nodded.

Laxus squared off with Wall, setting up a barrier that prohibited Wall's use of antimagic particles. Wall smiled and dispersed the wall, unwittingly saving Laxus by removing the antimagic particle is his body. After that, it was a simple decimation. That meant that three of the Spriggan 12 had been neutralized. 

Meanwhile back at the guild, a chained Brandish refused to cooperate with Lucy's questions. Lucy was trying to understand how Brandish knew her mother, there were no answers.

Five more armies landed on the beaches, they trotted over the land and came to a stop when they saw a pitifully small army. However, the generals, Nienhart, Jacob, and Demaria were wary.

"Who dares oppose us!?" Nienhart yelled.

"We, Fairy Tail mages!" Ur shouted a small group of mages behind her.

"We, the strongest from the guild Mermaid Heel!" Kagura yelled raising her sword.

"And those of Lamia Scale!" Sherria shouted,

"And Blue Pegasus!" Ichiya cried.

"And we, Sabertooth!" Minerva shouted, there was a mighty cheer from their ranks.

"And us!" another voice yelled from the side, "Crime Sociere!" the said guild emerged and prepared for battle, however it only consisted of Jellal, Ultear, and Meredy. Meredy grinned and put her hand in the air challenging the forces before her.

"You face, not only the strongest guilds in Fiore," A voice roared. The ground began to shake and a portion split apart, slowly figures rose from the opening, "You face the strongest mages in the world!" Serena roared in triumph. At his side stood Sting, Wendy, Erik, and Rogue

"Always one for grand entrances," Rogue smiled.

"A good entrance is everything," Serena smiled back at him.

"Course it is," Erik smiled.

"You sure you should fight, you guys took out an army a million strong, y'all want to take a rest?" Sting asked.

"Rest?" Erik laughed, "No rest for the wicked!"

"Let's end this," Rogue snarled.

The two armies moved to clash.

Further away Gajeel moved with his team to a town that had been destroyed by Alvarez forces.

"Gajeel, look," Levy said in horror pointing to the wreckage of the town.

The army walked cautiously through the town.

"I thought there were mages protecting this town," Pantherlily shook.

Then Gajeel froze his eyes looking on in horror.

Levy and Lily followed his gaze and gasped. The mages had been tied up to crosses, a word painted on their skin; enemy.

"Those monsters," Pantherlily gritted.

"So, more have come," someone laughed. From the opposing side of the decimated town an army amassed and at its head was Bloodman, "You will suffer the same fate." He began laughing.

"Tell me," Gajeel growled clenching his fists, Bloodman's laugh's stopped, "did you do this?"

"Yes," Bloodman nodded.

"Good," Gajeel snarled, "so you're the guy I need to kill!"

The two armies began to clash, Gajeel's gaze set on Bloodman.

"Emperor Spriggan, Someone approaches," Invel said looking in the distance over their troops. There was no denying the smoke and explosions erupting from the lines.

"Natsu," Zeref smiled.

"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" Natsu yelled blasting a clean line through the troops.

"Happy attack!" Happy cried slamming into a soldier.

Natsu was destroying the army single-handedly

"He's only one man!" a soldier cried as Natsu rose and turned his eye blazing.

"Fire dragon wing attack!" yelled Natsu taking down another part of the army.

"Who is he!?" A soldier screamed.

"What is he!?" another soldier cried.

"Natsu," Zeref smiled walking forwards towards the fire mage.

"There you are," Natsu said as he gave a cocky smile, "Happy get back."

"Aye sir," Happy nodded flying higher.

"Invel, call a retreat, this will cause collateral damage," Zeref ordered.

"As you wish," Invel bowed.

"I was wondering when you would show your face, now allow me to pummel it," Natsu chuckled massaging his knuckles.

"And how will you accomplish such a task?" Zeref nodded.

To answer him Natsu's skin began to turn to scales, his canines sharpened and fire danced around him. Then lightning sparks erupted from him decimating the area around him.

"Do you plan to release all your magic energy in one try?" Zeref mocked. To his surprise, Natsu smiled.

"Yeah actually," Natsu laughed. There was an explosion as Natsu released all his power, it knocked Zeref back and Happy flew a few feet away.

As the dust cleared Natsu stood up shakily and began to draw a magic circle in the air.

"What are you doing?" Zeref asked interested.

"Fire Core Dragon Secret Art!" Natsu yelled as the circle glowed red and orange.

"Core dragon?" Zeref pondered.

"This is what Acnologia trained them for, the destruction of their enemies!" Happy laughed circling above, "GIVE EM' ALL YOU GOT NATSU!"

"Fire Prince Dragon Rage!" Natsu yelled. A fire erupted from the magic circle, it was so hot that the rock beneath it began to melt, it moved as if it was alive and with great shock, the troops spotted a dragon in the flames. The dragon flew into the air and then lunged for Zeref, Zeref smiled as the spell reached him.

When the smoke cleared everyone was horrified to see the ground where Zeref had stood melted away, shakily Zeref got to his feet, bleeding and burned. "Well done Natsu," he laughed wiping the blood off his lips.

"I'll finish you off with the next one," Natsu growled beginning to write the next magic circle.

"You've grown so much, Acnologia truly is a great teacher despite my previous thoughts... but I can't die now. I've chosen to annihilate humans, not die," Zeref laughed, "So you cannot complete your purpose Etherious Natsu Dragneel, or should I say, E.N.D."

Natsu froze and Happy gaped.

"Surely Acnologia told you, he surely told you that we are brothers, surely he told you what you were made to do?"

"You're lying," Natsu denied.

"My name, is Zeref Dragneel, hundreds of years ago dragons murdered our parents, and you. I brought you back by making you a demon, the strongest demon I've ever created, E.N.D. That means that if you kill me, you will die too," Zeref smiled speaking slowly letting every word sink into the stunned.

"That's a bald-faced lie!" Natsu roared.

"Didn't you ever wonder why the book of E.N.D went missing after Tartaros? Acnologia took it and hid it from everyone, why on earth would he do that unless it was a lifeline to someone he loved?"

"No," Happy denied.

"I don't believe you, and even if what you say is true, I would accept that fate," Natsu roared finishing his magic circle.

"No Natsu, Don't!" Happy cried.

"Fire Core Dragon!" Natsu roared.

A beam of neon blue light came between Natsu and Zeref, then the ground exploded. Invel and the troops jumped as another dragon emerged in the smoke.

"Did he do that?" a soldier asked.

Zeref's eyes narrowed, "You are interrupting us... Acnologia."

"Natsu," Acnologia said looking back at the stunned Fire Mage, "You can't kill Zeref yet."

"Is what he said true!? Am I E.N.D!?" Natsu asked looking up at Acnologia. The dragon looked to Zeref and didn't respond. "Tell me!" Natsu roared.

"Natsu," Acnologia gritted.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Natsu asked shakily getting to his feet.

"Remember our vow?" Acnologia roared.

Natsu was taken back to a few days ago.

"So Zeref will have to die," Gray growled.

"Hold on, if Zeref dies..." Jackal began to object, Seilah laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, Zeref must be killed," she nodded.

"But you'll die if that happens!" Levy objected.

"No way I'm letting my new Magic Wars 4 partner die!" Bickslow laughed putting an arm around Jackal.

"It is alright if that means the world would be saved, we accept that fate," Seilah smiled.

"No," Acnologia growled, "We will not kill Zeref; I've been preparing to vanquish Zeref in a different way. Under no circumstances is anyone to kill Zeref."

"But he's trying to kill us, he'll kill innocents, it's crazy to not kill him," Jackal objected shoving Bickslow off him.

"Promise me Fairy Tail; promise me you will not kill Zeref!" Makarov ordered.

"We promise," the guild nodded.

"Are you prepared to kill Jackal, Seilah, and all the other demons of this world? Are you prepared to rob your siblings of a brother? Are you willing to murder Mavis's love?"

Natsu looked down not answering.

"Now let's stop this army!" Acnologia roared, Natsu smiled in response.

Zeref sighed as he and Invel watched the two destroy his remaining troops.

"What shall we do?" Invel asked.

"Escape, the plan is still in action," Zeref said beginning to walk away.

"Yes my lord," Invel bowed.

Zeref smiled as a familiar memory came back to him. It had seemed crazy but when the spell had hit him, for a moment, he had felt like death was coming... he had only felt like that one time in his life; when he had met E.N.D for the first time.

Igneel had left Zeref and Natsu in peace; they had traveled far from any civilization and Zeref had been enjoying the tranquility of the world.

"Zewef, wook," Natsu laughed pointing to the tiny fish in the shallow stream.

"Yes, a fish," Zeref nodded, he tried to not appreciate the nature around him, lest he killed it.

There was a bird call, Natsu looked up and laughed as a flock of birds soared overhead.

"Bwird," Natsu giggled scrambling into a bush trying to follow the flock.

"Natsu," Zeref sighed trying to follow the child, the book, E.N.D was placed securely in his hand. As Zeref cleared the bush he looked up in awe. The place, it was almost magical, the clearing was filled with green grass and when the wind blew Zeref could feel the peace and serenity of this place fill him. He placed the book of E.N.D down on a rock and walked forward enjoying the view. Natsu toddled through the long grass before falling causing an eruption of butterflies. Natsu laughed with joy and Zeref smiled as he watched the butterflies take to the sky.

There was a moment, so brief, a moment in which Zeref forgot how life was for him... and that moment came with a price. The grass beneath his feet died, he looked down in horror and tried to run away. He was unable to escape before the curse took its effect. The shockwave spread out, butterflies fell to the ground and disintegrated, trees died, and the grass withered. The shockwave continued forward thirsting for life; it was heading straight for-

"Natsu," Zeref cried. The young boy was oblivious and only looked at the shockwave in wonder. Zeref looked to his side and saw the book. If he opened it he could awaken Natsu's etherious form, perhaps he could survive the wave in that body, he'd never make in in the frail human form.

Zeref lunged for the book mumbling a few words; he opened the book just as the shockwave reached Natsu. Ancient runes and texts flew out of the book blinding Zeref momentarily.

When he opened his eyes he looked to where Natsu had been, a taller figure stood. The pink hair had stayed the same, but everything else had changed. Zeref looked in awe, he had created Natsu to destroy him, but at the same time he had grown to love his brother again, he had never seen his Etherios form.

Natsu now looked middle-aged, dark diamond scales covered his arms and his fingers were now claws. He wore baggy black pants and was barefoot; his back was turned on Zeref. Then he turned, his eyes were what struck Zeref. His pupils were now reptilian and the color of fire.

E.N.D looked to Zeref, and he smiled showing his fangs. "Zeref," he hissed.

The curse hadn't affected him; in fact, it seemed to make him stronger. Zeref muttered an incantation as E.N.D flew forward, then he slammed the book shut. A cloud of smoke filled the air along with the smell of something burning.

Zeref opened his eyes and looked around, the clearing had been decimated; all that was left was ash. Then he looked in front of him, Natsu was sleeping peacefully on the ground unaware of the transformation. Zeref shook in horror and fear... he had almost died... Natsu very well could have killed him.

(A Few Hours Later)

Igneel was aware that Zeref was coming; he allowed him to enter his cave, allowed him to wander aimlessly... the question Igneel was asking was why; why had Zeref come.

"Igneel," Zeref greeted finally coming face to face with the Fire Dragon. Young Natsu was holding Zeref's hand and looking at Igneel in wonder.

"Zeref," Igneel growled.

"I need a favor."

Igneel laughed, "I don't owe you anything."

"I need you to take Natsu; I need you to raise him. He needs to stay far away from me, and he needs to forget me."

"You saw his other form," Igneel guessed yawning and sitting up.

"It's foolish I suppose, I build a weapon that can destroy me and I begin to care for it... forgetting its purpose."

"He's more than a weapon," Igneel huffed.

"Yes... but that is dangerous. Anyone who I've ever cared about, I've destroyed... I need to leave, I need to let Natsu live."

"Why did you come to me then, why not some human family that wants a child?"

"The E.N.D I saw today was only following primal instincts. The only reason he attacked me was that it is ingrained in him, if I give him to a teacher who can teach him to harness that power, he may just be able to kill me one day."

"Then give him to a wizard," Igneel huffed.

"He's a fire demon," Zeref smiled.

"Your point?"

"You can teach him how to use fire both in this form and the next. He will be able to understand his power."

"So you want me to raise a child that will die?!"

"Yes, I want you to raise him to hate me; I want him to bring my life to an end."

"Zeref, I can't have any part in this," Igneel snarled.

"Then Natsu will die alone, I cannot watch over him any longer," Zeref said. He released Natsu's hands and began to walk away.

"Zewef?" Natsu asked toddling after the wizard. The Black Wizard continued walking his lip quivered at Natsu's voice. He began walking faster out of the cave, he needed to get away from him... Natsu didn't belong in his world.

"Come here," Igneel beckoned as Zeref left the cave leaving the poor boy to toddle after him. Natsu turned around and stared at the Fire Dragon, "Come on," Natsu slowly toddled over to the dragon.

"Where Zewef?" Natsu asked tilting his head quizzically.

"Zeref is leaving," Igneel said.

"Why?" Natsu asked.

"I wish I knew."

"Ish ee onna gome back?"

"No."

Natsu began crying, "Why?!"

"Because he gave you to me."

"Why!?"

"Because I'm gonna be your father," Igneel sighed nuzzling the child.

Natsu stopped crying and looked up at the dragon, "Dad?"

"Yes."

And so it began. And so Zeref's living hell began, his brother grew up not knowing about him... his brother was raised to destroy him... and Zeref had to like it... Or else everything he cared for would die.