"Okay, Betty."
Under Acnologia's murderous glare, Master Caesar ruffled her hair.He said, "Your brother Lance seems unwilling to talk properly.So we should leave.We can come back when he calms down.Maybe in ten years.When you are a grown woman.Then we can visit your brother again."
Caesar bent down to pick her up.
"Wait.Wait a minute."
The moment Caesar spoke that quiet threat, Acnologia panicked.He slammed against the barrier and shouted, "You want to talk, right?I will talk.I will talk.Just dont take my Betty away.Betty.Please dont go."
His murderous aura faded.Only desperation remained.
Betty looked at Caesar and said, "Master Caesar, can you let Lance in?Please.Let us talk."
Caesar stopped.He looked at Betty.Then at Acnologia begging outside the barrier.Caesar sighed, though secretly pleased.
"Alright.He cannot cause real trouble.If he does anything wrong, I will take you away immediately.I wont let him near you again."
Caesar waved his hand and removed the barrier.
Acnologia rushed forward at incredible speed.He hugged Betty tightly.
"Betty.My Betty.Its my fault.I could not protect you.Those dragons hurt you.I killed them.I avenged you.But the world without you was hopeless.I missed you so much.Never leave me again."
His voice shook.The ferocity in his eyes vanished.Only tenderness remained.
Caesar sighed.If he had not learned about Acnologia's memories from another timeline, he would never believe Acnologia had a sister.
A true sister complex.He destroyed the world only because he could not bear living without her.His heart had died the day Betty died.
"Alright, Acnologia.We should talk."
The moment was touching, but Caesar had to interrupt.
Acnologia ignored him completely.He was lost in the emotion of finally holding his sister again.
Caesar sighed.His magic spread out and wrapped around Betty.Betty vanished in an instant.Acnologia hugged empty air.
The tenderness disappeared from his face.Ferocity returned.But when he saw Betty now in Caesar's arms, he forced it down.He asked in a controlled voice, "What do you want to talk about?"
"First.You are causing too much destruction.You need to stop.You do not want your sister to hate you.Or worse, kill her own brother because he became a monster."
Betty blinked, confused.She did not understand yet.
Acnologia understood immediately.If he continued his path, Betty truly would leave him.The idea of Betty looking at him with disgust made fear run down his spine.
"I promise.I will change.I will never let Betty down."
"Second.You need to learn human knowledge and live like a normal person.Betty cannot live in a cave with you.Starving.Wearing rags."
Acnologia imagined that life.Cold sweat ran down his back."I promise.I will give Betty a princess life."
"Third.If you want her to live like a princess, you need money.Join Fairy Tail.Work.Earn Jewels.Give her a good life.Do you think you can do that?"
"Yes."
Acnologia answered instantly.Then froze.
"Join Fairy Tail?Why would I..."
"I already joined, Brother Lance."
Betty lifted her hand.The Fairy Tail emblem shone.
"Alright.I will join too."
No hesitation.
"Fourth.No killing.Unless the person has committed horrible crimes.You dont want Betty to see blood everywhere, right?"
"...I will try."
Acnologia looked conflicted.Four hundred years of killing was not an easy habit to break.
"Fifth..."
"Enough."
Acnologia stared at Caesar."You only want my strength.Fine.I will listen.If you let me stay with Betty, I will do any hard or dirty job."
Caesar shook his head."Fifth.Protect Betty.If she suffers even a small hurt, I will throw you out of the guild.You will never see her again.Do you understand?"
Acnologia froze.For four hundred years, he lived only for revenge and destruction.But Caesar's words cut through his madness.His mind began to clear.
He looked into Caesar's serious eyes.Acnologia nodded slowly.
"Acnologia is dead.From now on, I am Lance.Betty's brother.An ordinary person."
Caesar nodded.With Betty alive again, Acnologia truly died.This man was only Lance now.Betty's brother.A Fairy Tail mage.
"Do not resist."
Caesar placed a hand on Lance's shoulder.He held Betty with the other.
They teleported back to Fairy Tail in an instant.
At first, no one reacted.Then they saw the man beside Master Caesar.Those who had been on Tenrou Island gasped.
Natsu roared and launched a Fire Dragon Fist.
"Acnologia!"