Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

"Awaken, my little flame. Your mother is calling to you." a soft, maternal voice echoed inside Natsu's ears.

Natsu awoke slowly, finding himself in the lap of a woman he somewhat recognized. Her hair was the color pink-roses, and she smiled down at him with unconditional affection. As his vision came into focus, her face became more defined. Natsu somehow recognized this woman was not only the Empress, but his mother.

"Mama...?" he said sleepily.

Farienne squeezed her son more tightly, having been reunited after twenty-two years of sadness and grief.

"Yes, Natsu, it's Mama... After so many years, you've come back to us... Fairy Tail honored our request." she said.

Meanwhile, Makarov and the rest of the group were led into the dining room to meet with the Emperor, as he was seeing no officials to have meet in the throne room.

"It is good to see you in person, Lord Dreyar." the Emperor said.

"Please dispense with the title, your eminence. I have not been to my homeland in many years, so I have no right to be called Lord of that place." Makarov said.

"I see... Tired of politics, perhaps? And relegated yourself to a Guild Master in Fiore? Although it is quite cold in Svenar." Rizael said.

"Yes... they only call me when they need a major decision, which has not been in many, many years. Also, we appreciate the large spread you have given us for this morning's breakfast." Makarov said.

Indeed, there was a magnificent spread of fruits, vegetables, Elorienne (meaning of Elorien) dishes, and other things they couldn't imagine having in Fiore.

"Please excuse my impatience, your eminence, but we must discuss the matter at hand." Makarov said.

"Indeed," he said, gesturing for the guard to fetch the Empress, and then, "we shall discuss this matter, once my wife arrives. This is of great importance to her especially."

The group waited, and ate in silence. Even Juvia stopped her fawning over Gray, so as to respect the Emperor. After a few minutes, the Empress walked in, followed by Natsu.

"Natsu, where were you? We've been wondering since morning!" Gray said, then quickly asking Rizael for pardon.

"I was doing a little bit of exploring..." Natsu said absent-mindedly, as though he hadn't really heard the question.

After everyone had sat down, Lucy noticed that Natsu hadn't eaten anything. Something must have been bothering him to prevent him from eating. She did love him, after all. It was natural that she cared about him.

Lucy whispered to Natsu, "What were you doing with the Empress? Don't you know who she is?"

"Trust me. I know exactly who she is." he said, setting his head on the table. He cracked a small smile, which faded almost instantly.

Makarov cleared his throat and began. "As you all know, we have come to the Elorienne capital of Uraliat on the summons of Emperor Rizael. He has informed me that the Trial of the Dragon approaches for the son he lost twenty-two years ago to a band of kidnappers. I was pleased to inform him that Fairy Tail is now able to honor the request that Emperor Arael made to Second Guildmaster Precht."

"Then who is it?" Erza asked.

Makarov's heart pounded as he let out a sigh of both relief and sadness. With what he was about to say, one of his children would be lost forever, and he might never see him again. But he was also happy, to reunite a family that was broken for twenty-two years. "They deserve to have him back," Makarov thought.

"Upon this day, I return to his eminence, Emperor Rizael, the second-born prince: Natsu Dragneel." Makarov said.

Everyone looked on in shock, but Lucy was the most caught off guard. Her heart suddenly sank, at the thought she'd never see the man who brought her to Fairy Tail and made her life come so far again. Natsu would be royalty, and he would probably marry other royalty. That made her even sadder.

"Please excuse me, your eminence." Lucy said, as she left the room.

Natsu looked on with a face that reflected a combination of pain and understanding. His life was about to change, even though he was going back to the life he was supposed to have.

Makarov explained that Natsu would be leaving Fairy Tail, as he could no longer stay with them in Magnolia anymore, nor could he stray from his princely duties.

The group shook hands, embraced, and cried. Erza and Gray said they would miss having him on their team. Team Natsu was breaking apart. Even Juvia admitted she would miss seeing him around the guild. Wendy cried profusely, knowing that her fellow Dragon Slayer was leaving them. However, Happy, perhaps, shed the most tears. His best friend during the entirety of his life, was forced to leave him.

"I'm gonna miss you, little buddy." Natsu said, patting the blue Exceed's head.

"Aye, sir..." Happy said, managing not to choke on his own tears.

Meanwhile, in the her guest room, Lucy wept into the pillow, soaking its coverings. She didn't want him to leave. She needed him to be by her side, to support her as he always did. But she knew his family needed him too. She was torn apart between begging Natsu to stay, and accepting that he belonged in Elorien.

Rizael promised Makarov that Natsu would be well taken care of and thanked him for raising his son thus far. The two retreated to a private room to discuss Natsu's more recent past, how he had changed from the polite and playful child he once was.

Sorian embraced Natsu, welcoming his brother back to his rightful place. Natsu felt a strange warmth as his brother's strong arms squeeze him tightly. He felt at home, that he belonged. They talked about each other, and found that Sorian could use Dragon Slayer Magic as well, not to mention other magic. According to the Crown Prince, it was more common for people to be Dragon Slayers than in Fiore, although they were called Drachiae (singular: Drachius) in Elorien. It was usually only highly proficient wizards, however, that went to the mountains to train with the dragons.

Gray and Natsu bumped elbows, bidding each other farewell. "I'm gonna miss having scraps with you, man. Crazy pyro." Gray said jocularly.

"You too, freaking stripper." Natsu said.

Naturally, Erza crushed Natsu in her embrace, still wearing her armor. Her usual histrionic reaction was genuinely appropriate this time.

Wendy hugged Natsu tightly, never wanting to let go. She said she'd write, and even visit, if she could. Carla assured Natsu she'd take care of Happy. (Quick note: I apologize for bringing in Carla now. I kind of assumed that most people would know she's with Wendy all the time.) At least Natsu would know that his best friend would be in good hands.

All the while, Natsu's mind wandered to Lucy. She had run out the dining room when she heard the news. He knew it must be hard for her, but he also knew that there was something more beyond that. Natsu knew that somewhere in his heart, he yearned for her company. Countless times, he'd lost his senses over what happened to Lucy: the Phantom Lord attack, being turned to stone in the Thunder Palace incident, and most recently, the Grand Magic Games. While he cared about all his guildmates with the same familial affection, Lucy occupied a special place in his heart, although he had only recently become aware of it. And thus, he went to talk to her.

When Natsu walked in, Lucy's face was weary from crying, and her eyes drained of color, as though something had died inside of her.

"Lucy... Come on, talk to me. I'm sorry this happened. I didn't know until recently." he said soothingly.

"But... does that mean you have to leave Fairy Tail? That you have to leave everyone behind, because this is where you were born and you need to attend to your princely duties? Is that really so much more important than us!?" she screamed.

"My family needs me. My real family is here. Fairy Tail will always live in me, because I can never forget what we went through together. But you should know what it means to be with your family." he said gravely.

Lucy knew what he meant. Although she was estranged from her father for many years, she knew the importance of family, especially after returning from Tenrou Island. That had reaffirmed the special place that her deceased parents occupied in her heart. Everyone had parents to look up to. Sure, Erza and Gray had been separated from theirs, but they remembered them. Natsu, for twenty-two years, couldn't even remember where his family was.

"Promise me you'll write, then. Every week, write to me, and tell me how your life is." she said.

As she tried to leave the room, Natsu grabbed her wrist, pulling her close, and kissing her. Lucy was surprised, but accepted the blissful moment.

"I'll never forget you. Ever." he said.