Crystal: well it seems that not many would have wanted or would have forgiven the queen so easily, however, I am a strong believer of forgiving people. I am just that nice and that may be sometimes a bad thing lol. So sorry about that lovelies, but the queen has other plans for herself after everything is over so don't be uneasy about her being forgiven. Thank you to all who reviewed the previous chapter. I promise I'll answer this chapter's reviews on the next one author note.

God of Death

Natsu felt his panic rise. The blonde goddess tried remaining calm, but knew very well to be wary for any attack that the crazed god would aim against her. And how right she was. Her zodiacs assembled before her still in a fighting stance as Zeref's smile widened. They lunged forward, Lucy's safety a priority, but with one flick of the god's wrist, he'd thrown aside all them as if they were dolls. He seemingly managed to control their bodies as they couldn't get up to stand as they began to choke feeling their life being sucked out of them.

"Surprised?" he questioned slightly as they all looked at him through their struggle. "What have you done to them, Zeref?" the blonde questioned worriedly. "Why you see I seem to recall certain things. I remember you, Asteria. I helped you creating them remember?" Zeref recalled as he looked at the blonde with what seemed like a remnant of his past self. Lucy's eyes widened as she seemed to recall what he said was in fact true.

"You seem to know quite well. What I have used is the magic of Eclipse. You servants might not know, but I helped in your creation. Every life form created by gods is overwhelmed if not created by the goddess of life and they even go mad. However, because Asteria had no knowledge of this she begged me as the god of death to spare you from taking your pathetic lives. I used a magic known as Eclipse which separates a beings nature into two. The pure and the impure. I expelled that impurity from you so that you could live to serve Asteria", he began to explain.

"Impossible! Why must you lie?" Aquarius yelled as she tried lifting her hand to her neck. "He speaks the truth", Lucy suddenly muttered. "I did not wish for you to die. You were all my beloved friends. And I begged him to help me let you live. I couldn't bare being without all of you", the blonde cried.

"Lucy-san", Wendy whispered sadly as she clung to Natsu. Natsu could just listen helplessly. Any wrong move on his part could make Zeref kill the blonde and he was trying to avoid that at all costs. He, however, was beginning to feel his blood boil as he saw that he was incessantly making Lucy feel guilty and was using one of her weaknesses against her.

"And if I took that impurity, I can out it back and make you mad to you deaths", the black god chuckled. Lucy's eyes widened in realization as Leo looked at her with saddened eyes. "Mistress, you have done so much for us", he began to mutter as his strength seemed to diminish. "We could not repay your kindness at all. We are not worthy", Aries cried as even Leo reached to hold her hand tightly in his.

"D-Don't say t-that", Lucy begged falling to her knees feeling she was to lose them if she didn't do anything.

"We were happy to be of your service as long as we could. To think that you would beg for our insignificant lives. We shall forever treasure this", Capricorn smiled at her. She shook her head as they began to scream in pain. "Please stop! Zeref! Don't do this. I'll give anything to save them!" The goddess yelled desperately. At that the god of death seemed to perk up quite interested in her proposal.

"Then your life for theirs", he grinned without a moment's hesitation. The blonde was stunned into silence and unconsciously reached a hand to her stomach. She looked down as her spirit's eyes were on her. "I accept. My life for theirs", she murmured. "Lucy! NO! Don't!" Natsu yelled as he began to run towards her. Zeref seemed pleased by her response as a large orb of black magic appeared at his hand. "I'll give you rest just like I do with humans, Asteria", he spoke almost fondly.

"Hime!" Virgo called out desperately.

The magic was far too powerful and seemed almost to have, ironically, a life of its own as it was aimed towards her. The curse only seemed to augment its speed and strength. It shot past with immense speed towards her as she looked to Natsu with a smile. 'I love you', she had mouthed as he shook his head in disbelief. He didn't want to lose her again. Never again.

"Lucy!" Natsu yelled trying to run to her as quickly as possible, but was thrown back by the force of the blow, his fingertips having only been one reach away from holding her. His eyes were wide in fear as the tremendous crash was heard. He shook his head as he felt his hands trembling at thinking of the worse possibility. "Lucy!" he yelled in agony as his eyes desperately searched for any sign of her.

But once the smoke had cleared he was relieved that the blonde had been completely left unharmed. "She's fine!" Levy breathed relieved.

However they couldn't say the same about the person who'd saved her. The blonde opened her eyes in confusion seeing that she was left unhurt, but a horrified expression was on her face seeing that she had been shielded by Ophiuchus who had her arms crossed in front of herself while standing firmly in front of the blonde. Lucy's eyes widened in worry as she saw the pale skin of the serpent zodiac burned and red, with even blood slowly sliding down her previously white skin.

"How were you not bound by Eclipse?" The black god questioned quite intrigued.

"M-Mistress, are you h-hurt?" the green haired zodiac's voice shook ignoring the god before her, but the concern for Lucy than for herself was evident. "How dare you ask such a thing when you're hurt?!" Lucy sobbed as she saw the zodiac fall back onto the ground. Lucy scrambled to her helping her place her head on her lap. Ophiuchus smile fondly at her and even dare reach a hand weakly to caress her cheek.

"I have always wanted to do this. Since the very moment of my creation and I'm sure everyone has the same sentiment. My wish had always been to protect you with my life if necessary. I am still not able to forgive myself for hurting you. I have done so much wrong in your absence. I just wanted to be truly of service to you, my mistress. I'm so glad that I got to see you once more. The reason I was able to protect you was because I was the only one who hadn't had the impurity removed. I am the only eclipsed servant amongst the zodiacs who managed to control her madness because of my desire for your acknowledgment", Ophiuchus muttered as tears fell down her cheeks.

"D-Don't speak any more. Don't talk as if you are to leave", the blonde goddess begged as everyone stared at the scene grimly knowing well that this was the end for the zodiac. Lucy herself felt the ache of realization, but still refused to accept it. "I only wished that I could have had more time to meet the children within you; to be able to continue to serve by your side, mistress. But for that you needed to be alive. I have no more regrets and I hope that you can be happy", Ophiuchus murmured softly.

"Ophiuchus", Lucy breathed as the zodiac gave one more soft smile and closed her eyes slowly as she began to fade in sparks of yellow light. The blonde looked to see as her arms became empty, pure despair washing into her like waves as she sobbed. Zeref yawned in boredom as the display as Lucy looked at him with pure contempt. Natsu stepped before in front of her his face filled with anger as his blood boiled.

"Hmm, impressive. To think you made your spirits with such devotion to you that one did not go mad. Tis a shame, but she is no longer a hindrance", he shrugged as if Ophiuchus was a pest in his way.

"I don't care if you are my brother. But you've made Lucy cry. I won't forgive you", he called out accusingly as Zeref frowned. "Why to make you speak in such a way towards me. It seems I must eliminate her for making you hate me so", he suddenly chuckled readying his attack. Natsu lit his fists on fire ready to throw himself into the battle when a hand at his shoulder stopped him. The fire god turned to see Mavis looking at him with a determined expression.

"Leave this to me. Lucy needs you to be there for her and the children. You must not die and especially not at the hands of family. I love him, and I'm hoping I can sway him. I have been helpless ever since that day long ago. I'm no longer that weak goddess and I'm going to set things straight", she explained.

"Princess, are you sure about this?" Erza piped in, still worried.

"Erza that is her will. As the goddess of war and courage you more than anyone should understand her bravery in making this decision", Jellal smiled at his wife knowingly. Erza nodded after contemplating the situation, but she still couldn't help worry for the goddess who had guided their growth since they were young.

"It's actually more than that", Mira motioned with a secretive smile. Everyone looked at her expectantly as even Mavis looked at her in curiosity. "She's a woman in love. Everyone does reckless things for the one they love. In her case, she's desperately trying to save him from his inner demons and bring back the god she fell in love with", Mira explained as Mavis's face burned in embarrassment at the truth behind Mira's words.

"Oh, how romantic, isn't it, Gray-sama!" Juvia chirped. Gray only chuckled at his wife before directing their kingdom's princess. "We support you fully, princess, but we won't step down. We will support you if we find the need to and that goes for everyone", Gray motioned stubbornly. The blonde couldn't help, but nod in resignation.

"It's better if we help you with this at least, right?" Lisanna winked. "If I couldn't mess up, Salamander, might as well beat up his brother", Gajeel motioned smugly as Levy rolled her eyes, but still shared the same sentiment of helping out Mavis.

"I thank all of you for your words and courage, but really I will handle this. However, I do not wish to see Lucy stress over this. It's bad for the children. So please take her inside", she motioned, but Lucy perked up at the sudden request. "NO! I refuse to leave!" She yelled shaking her head furiously. "Lucy, please…think of them. They need to grow healthy for your own good and theirs", the older blonde whispered.

Natsu placed a hand at Lucy's shoulder in agreement as she finally nodded. "Okay, but please don't put yourself in needless danger", she begged as Mavis only smiled. She couldn't promise her anything and Lucy knew that Mavis wasn't giving her the response she needed to hear. "Hime, please just come inside. We will tend to you", Virgo interrupted as the blonde felt relieved her servants were fine. She let herself be guided to the door still eyeing Mavis wearily.

"I will stay here regardless! He's my brother after all", Natsu motioned and the smaller blonde nodded. "Yes, do as you wish, but as I said before I am responsible for his state. To think my love wasn't strong enough before to save him back then", Mavis muttered feeling guilty.

"I know he's still in there", Natsu assured her as she nodded. Zeref looked at her as she approached him her body having a white glow around her. "You dare defy the god of death?" he asked casually.

"But of course! After all, I am the Goddess of Life, Mavis. It is only natural that I defy death itself, is it not?' she challenged a calm and composed demeanor taking over. The god of death seemed to smile slyly as he seemed to accept her challenge full heartedly. "Very well, but if the goddess of life were to die at my hands, then I will be the one to rule the heavens. And I will have your next soul bearer as my faithful servant", he explained.

"So be it. I do not intend to lose to you", Mavis deadpanned. Zeref laugh heartedly as he finally summoned more of his black magic. He took the first shot as Mavis cancelled out his attack with her own magic. Natsu seemed to get nervous for her. It was no one's fight because their powers were opposite each attack would surely cancel out.

He then noticed a sudden glint in Zeref's eyes and he seemed to be looking behind Mavis. The blonde had her hands posed in prayer ash she continued to whisper to herself endlessly. Zeref attacked her once more as she recovered in enough time to cancel out the attack once more. "Mavis, behind you!" Natsu yelled as she turned too late as the magic hit her straight on. She was thrown into the ground a large hole now decorating the floor. She groaned slightly getting up with a smirk.

Zeref managed to shoot her once more as she screamed in pain, but she still continued to whisper to herself. As she fell once more. "And here I thought you'd give me a good entertainment. Just you watch, little brother", the black haired god chuckled. Natsu seemed to begin to sweat as he was itching to go in there to help Mavis, but he couldn't break his promise to not get involved. He could only wait, but if he did see her life was in clear danger he would not hesitate to fight.

"Shit! I have to fight, but he then realized as he tried to step forward that an invisible wall was avoiding him from interfering. "Mavis, what did you do?" he questioned in more of concern for her than of the wall stopping him. Form Mavis and Zeref's view they could clearly see what Mavis had conjured in her spell; a sphere of protection around the palace. "It's Fairy Sphere. I summoned it to ensure known of you get hurt or involved.

The fire god scoffed in disbelief. "Mavis! You'll get killed at this rate", the pink haired male muttered as he began to slam his hands against the invisible wall. Mavis then turned to Zeref as she flicked her wrist slightly. The male seemed confused, but then noticed the three magic circles surrounding him as beams of white light shot at him. He was thrown with as much force as he had hit her with in all his attacks. Mavis had magic that allowed her to return as much damage as she received to whoever inflicted it upon her. However, it had a side effect of using a bit of her life force to use.

She began to feel the weight of its use give a toll on her body. She wobbled slightly, but breathed in heavily to regain her composure. Zeref stood, a bit of blood spilling down his arms and cheek. "Very interesting indeed", he chuckled. He closed his eyes slightly before opening them in a split second as his red eyes glowed and a wave of dark magic burst out faster than lighting from within his body. Mavis's eyes widened making a light force field surround her body, but it shattered from its weak execution on her part making her slam against Fairy Sphere.

She slid to the floor, as she began to cough out blood. "MAVIS! Let me fight him!" Natsu begged her, yelling desperately. She shook her head, standing up using the support of her knees. "It's over", Zeref laughed mockingly. "No, I still have one final spell", she motioned as she curled her hands in front of her forming a circle.

Zeref seemed taken aback as even he looked shocked. "Don't tell me", he began to say, but her nod confirmed it. "Yes, you taught me this spell, but I made it my own. It is a spell that eliminates those whose its user deems as an enemy from the bottom of their hearts", Mavis explained.

"I hope you realize that takes tremendous amount of magic", he muttered as she began to walk towards him, the orb of light in between her hands began to grow. "This is the only way to stop you", she muttered, despair evident in her tone. Zeref only managed to step back slightly as the blonde clapped her hands together before her eyes lit up in a golden color. "Fairy Law!" she yelled as the whole area was completely engulfed by a yellow light.

Mavis breathed heavily feeling she had used most of her power by now. Natsu looked a bit weary despite everything. And looked around for any sight of Zeref. His eyes widened however when he stepped completely unharmed and grasped onto Mavis's neck. She didn't seemed surprised in the least as he was in front of her. "You failed. You couldn't perfect it", he sighed disappointed.

"You're wrong", she muttered as tears spilled down her eyes.

"I don't understand", he mumbled looking around for any potential hidden attacks she could possibly have taken the time to prepare. "I have no more power to attack you anymore. It is over for me", she explained sadly. "Then why? How come I am still here if it did work", he urged her for an answer still holding her by the neck.

"It didn't work on you because deep down. Deep down in my heart…I still love you and I had known this fact since before I even used the spell", she cried as his eyes widened. Why would she love him? How could she love him? She didn't recall ever meeting this woman. She weakly reached to hold his face in her hands tears still falling down her cheeks. He was too shocked by her sudden action as she brought his face to hers and kissed him.

Zeref seemed to feel light headed and without thinking released her neck to hold her head and kiss back. In a flash, it seemed a black glow around Zeref faded as he kissed her harder this time and Mavis felt the longing within the kiss of their. When they separated Mavis opened her eyes to see his red irises were now black and his eyes were filled with tears. "M-Mavis", he mumbled in disbelief as he held her face in between her hands.

"Zeref, is that you. The real you?" she questioned as he nodded and brought her into his embrace as they both slid to the floor. The force field disappeared as Natsu felt himself stare at his brother. "How can you love a monster like me? I've hurt you", he mumbled as she hugged him tightly. "That wasn't you! It was never you! I've waited for you all this time", the blonde mumbled as the god of death let a smile slip past his lips.

He looked up as he noticed Natsu standing there looking at him. Zeref felt tears fill his eyes once more as he and Mavis stood to walk towards the fire god. Natsu took no more time to embrace the black god tightly and although Natsu didn't show his face, Zeref could tell the god was crying if the tears he felt soaking him were of any indication. "Took you long enough", Natsu mumbled. The male blinked before an amused laugh was heard. "Yeah, I'm back for good this time."

Crystal: Well this chapter ends here. For next chapter, and I think it's safe to say that the next chapter will finally be the end to this story! Please review lovelies. I'm really sad, but thankful. See you next chapter lovelies!