Zancrow

Zancrow is an antagonist of Fairy Tail.

Tenrou Island arc

He is first seen on an airship, which belongs to his guild. When he and his teammates are informed that Grimoire Heart and Fairy Tail would be fighting, Zancrow wreathes himself in black flames, laughingly questioning the strength of Fairy Tail's members, and claims that he would turn anyone who got in his way into ashes. Later, when they are preparing for battle, he asks Ultear why she's all pumped up (Ultear had changed into a uniform more suited for battle). He then comforts Meredy after Ultear scolds her, and then witnesses Makarov's giant release form. After that, Caprico transports him to the battlefield with his Magic, and Zancrow shouts in glee in anticipation for battle. As Natsu handily defeats a pack of lesser-ranked members, he shows up in Natsu's vicinity, telling the rest of the lesser-ranked members to leave. However, they caution him on Natsu's strength as a Fire Dragon Slayer and he grows annoyed and proceeds to eliminate them with his flames, saying that Grimoire Heart has no need for weaklings. He then launches a fist of black flame at Natsu, who tries to eat it but fails. As Natsu stares at him in shock, he reveals that he stands above Natsu in strength, as he is the God Slayer of flames.

During their battle, Zancrow informs Natsu that he learned his fire Magic from Hades. Despite Zancrow's claims that his magic comes from someone with the strength of a god, which Natsu scoffs at, his flames still prove to be stronger than Natsu's flames. Not only that, while Natsu can't eat Zancrow's flames, he can eat Natsu's flames with ease. Zancrow easily blasts Natsu far away from the battle with just a few destructive attacks. In his cocky rage, Zancrow even attacks Wendy, Happy, Carla, and Panther Lily for commenting on their fight.

A short time later, Zancrow once again finds Natsu beside the heavily-wounded Makarov, who is consoling him. Zancrow mocks both of them for showing fear, and mentions that Hades must have defeated Makarov. Natsu's ensuing rage at this revelation causes him to revitalize with a new fighting spirit that makes Zancrow nervous. Natsu then says that his "fear" is not of Zancrow, but it is of the possibility that someone other than himself will defeat Hades. He then announces that he will personally take out Hades himself.

Zancrow then walks right up to Natsu, face to face, saying he will make sure Natsu never again jokes about beating Hades. He gets pummeled and launched back by a few of Natsu's punches, but easily shrugs them off and retaliates strongly, lauding on the power of his black God flames. In this battle, Natsu proves to be a formidable opponent to him, even using a giant tree stump to smash him into the ground to compensate for his inferior flames. Nevertheless, Zancrow once again gains the upper hand in the fight by trapping Natsu in a sphere of black flame that will eventually kill him. However, before that happens, he is suddenly grabbed by a giant hand extended from an enraged Makarov. Distracted from Natsu, he engulfs himself in flame to burn Makarov heavily, but Makarov refuses to release him, but instead further tightening his grip.

With the three of them more or less immobilized, Zancrow nervously wonders aloud about who would be the first to fall, himself, Makarov, or Natsu. Suddenly, Natsu's Magical presence disappears, and Zancrow shouts in glee that the Dragon Slayer has gone first. However, it turns out that Natsu has nullified his own Magic, granting him the ability to eat Zancrow's black flames. Surprised, Zancrow is then released from Makarov's grip, only to be blasted into the air by Natsu's Dragon God's Brilliant Flame. Zancrow, surprised but conscious, is later seen lying on the ground grimacing, as Natsu tells Makarov that they have to warn Grimoire Heart that they should not mess with Fairy Tail. Natsu then collapses from his wounds, unconscious.

Zancrow appears again later, stopping Meredy, who is carrying Zeref across the island and is still being pursued by Juvia. He asks where she is taking Zeref, and accuses Meredy of betraying Grimoire Heart, along with Ultear. When Meredy begins to deny it, Zancrow attacks her, saying that she is no longer part of Grimoire Heart, and takes Zeref from her

When Meredy asks him to stop, saying that Zeref is part of her and Ultear's future, and the key to Meredy entering the "Ultimate Magic World" and restoring her hometown, Zancrow reveals that Ultear is the one who destroyed Meredy's hometown. As he laughs at her reaction, Zeref awakens and meets Zancrow's gaze, releasing a wave of Death Magic that kills him.

Tartaros arc (anime)

Hearing about Tartaros' breach of the non-aggression pact created by the Balam Alliance, Zancrow attacks their headquarters alongside Rustyrose and Azuma, expressing disdain for the minions as they force their way in. The trio finally meets one of the Nine Demon Gates, Kyôka, and introduce themselves. He then rebuts the female's statements about the fall of Grimoire Heart and the Alliance, pointing to their own presence as proof.

Later, he stands beside a seated Rustyrose and the three face the Demon in order to discuss their situation. When Azuma informs her of their conditions, Zancrow states that they will leave once those are fulfilled. But Kyôka soon tires of the debate and assaults Rustyrose with her Sensation Curse. Zancrow and Azuma immediately begin to disappear as they are revealed to be illusions created by their comrade's Arc of Embodiment.

Some time later, Zancrow is summoned again when Rustyrose meets Crime Sorcière and tries to convince Meredy to help him reform their former Guild. His attempt fails as the former Oración Seis members arrive to rescue Meredy and Jellal, the illusion getting dispelled in the process.

Alvarez Empire arc

Neinhart's Historia of the Dead creates Zancrow right before Meredy during the battle for Hargeon, the man modeled upon the woman's very memories. Confirming his death, he immediately proceeds to maul the Crime Sorcière Mage, envying her chance at a free life. He works alongside Keyes to trap Meredy and Juvia, but the two females combine their powers to defeat the ghosts from their past, following which they are dispelled upon their creator's fall.