Meanwhile, Happy and Romeo were fast asleep with the Exceed on top of the Rainbow Lion's back, with the latter mumbling, "Grubs, grubs," in his sleep occasionally. The two friends were dreaming sweet dreams without care; if they're living the carefree lifestyle in the real world, they're living the carefree lifestyle in the world of dreams as well.

At that moment, the blonde-haired dragon Lucy found the two in their sleep. She walked up to Happy and tapped him on the shoulder, whispering, "Hey. Hey, wake up."

Mumbling, Happy woke up, only to see a huge dragon face in his view. Suddenly freaked out, Happy screamed at the top of his lungs, resulting in Romeo waking up and screaming with him.

Lucy tried to calm them down, "It's okay! Whoa, whoa, it's okay! It's okay, guys! It's me, Lucy! Remember?"

Happy clutched his chest as if he almost had a heart attack. He exclaimed, "Don't you ever do that again! You almost killed me!"

Lucy chuckled in embarrassment, "Sorry about that." Her expression turned serious, "Have you guys seen Natsu?"

"Natsu?" Romeo said in confusion. "I thought he was with you."

Lucy replied, "He was, but now I can't find him. Where is he?"

As if to answer Lucy's question, joyous laughter echoed. The three looked up to see Makarov sitting in a tree above them.

"You certainly won't find him here," Makarov smiled, before he laughed again. He added with a bow, "The king has returned."

"I can't believe it," Lucy said to herself, knowing what Makarov meant. She then exclaimed loudly, "Natsu's gone back!"

Happy looked puzzled and asked, "Gone back? What the heck does that mean?" He looked at the tree, but saw that Makarov was gone. "Hey, what's going on here? Who's the monkey?"

"Natsu's gone back to challenge Acnologia," Lucy told Happy.

"Who?" Happy said in confusion.

"Acnologia," Lucy repeated.

Romeo asked, "Who's got acne?"

Lucy shook his head, "No, no, no, it's Acnologia. It's a name. He's his uncle."

Happy looked confused, "The monkey's his uncle?"

"No!" Lucy corrected. "Natsu's gone back to challenge his uncle, save his family, and take his place as king."

The two just stood there, looking completely dumbfounded at first. Happy spoke up, "Uh, no offense, lady, but I thought Natsu's the king."

Lucy sighed exasperatedly, "Do I have to explain everything?"

Happy nodded, "Sure, go ahead. But can you please skip to the part about Natsu? Not that your childhood wasn't good and all."

Lucy complied, "Oh, okay. I'll make this short, sweet, and to the point. Natsu's the rightful king, but after he disappeared, his uncle Acnologia proclaimed himself the king and formed an alliance with the Etherious…"

While Lucy continued her story, Romeo listened with a concerned look on his face. He thought to himself, "Poor Natsu. The treachery… the villainy… the sheer indescribable horror!"

Happy shared a concerned look of his own. He thought to himself, "I don't get what that crazy chick's talking about, but it sure sounds convincing."

"…Natsu has to go home to challenge his uncle and reclaim his rightful place as king," Lucy concluded. She stared at Happy and Romeo, who stood there silently as crickets chirped. In response, Lucy added, "Um, what I meant is, if Natsu beats his uncle, he'll be the king. So technically, he's not the king yet."

"Ohhh," Happy and Romeo said in unison, finally understanding what Lucy meant.

The flight back to the Dragon Lands was long and arduous. It was Natsu, the one true king, who would chance the perilous task to defeat his uncle and take his place in the great Circle of Life. He soared at the sky through blistering clouds and scorching rays of the sun, travelling for a whole day, risking life and limb to return to the place he called home.

Sometime later, Natsu landed on safer ground, having arrived in the Dragon Lands. Lucy wasn't kidding; the wretched state the lands were in caught him by surprise. As Natsu slowly crossed the desolated fields, he eyed everything around him; the skeletal remains of animals, sprawled on the dirt. The waterholes, dried up. And all of plant life, withered.

Reaching the lip of a cliff, Natsu stretched his view over more of the desolation. Furious at the way Acnologia treated the Dragon Lands during his reign, he was determined more than ever to challenge his uncle.

"Natsu, wait up!"

He turned to see Lucy flying down next to him on the cliff. She asked, "It's awful, isn't it?"

Natsu admitted, "I didn't want to believe you."

Lucy wondered, "So, what made you come back?"

Natsu answered with a smile, "Let's just say I finally got some sense knocked into me. I've even got the bump to prove it. Besides, this is my kingdom. And if I don't fight for it, who will?"

"I will," Lucy volunteered.

Natsu told her, "It's gonna be dangerous."

"Danger? Ha," Lucy smirked, imitating Natsu when he was young back at the Sun Giant Graveyard. "I laugh in the face of danger. HA-HA-HA-HA!"

Natsu chuckled playfully, "Just like old times, huh?"

Lucy nodded with a smile, "Yeah. Just like old times."

At that moment, Happy and Romeo approached them. Happy frowned, "I don't see anything funny about danger. Danger is really… dangerous."

Natsu looked surprised as he said, "Happy? Romeo? What are you doing here?"

Romeo bowed respectfully, "At your service, my liege!"

"So, we're gonna fight your uncle for this waste dump?" Happy asked, gesturing to the desolated land.

Natsu nodded, "Yeah, Happy. As bad as it looks right now, this is my home. I'm gonna take it back, and it'll be back the way it should be."

"Talk about your fixer-upper," Happy remarked, before he turned to Natsu. "Well, Natsu, if this is your home and it's important to you, we're with you to the end." He then bowed.

Romeo volunteered, "Count me in."

Lucy nodded, "Me too."

Natsu smiled, "Thanks, guys." He and his allies looked over the cliff as a storm cloud descended over the Dragon Lands. They've got some work to do.

A moment later, Natsu, Lucy, Happy, and Romeo were sneaking up to the edge of Dragon Rock. They hid behind a rock and peeked out, seeing hordes of Etherious all over the place. Ever since Acnologia took over, the Etherious were living in Dragon Rock, making the dragons uncomfortable around them. Many deigned to attack the Etherious, but considering Acnologia's new law requires that the Etherious and dragons should cooperate and be allies, and anyone that harms a single Etherious leads to severe punishment, the dragons had no choice but to relent. Because of this, the once prosperous residence of dragons had devolved into something of that of a madhouse.

"Etherious," Happy cringed. "I hate Etherious. Every time I see them, they give me nightmares."

Natsu asked, "You bumped into them before?"

"Yeah, I met three of them back at Extalia. Long story," Happy nodded. He changed the subject, "So, what's your plan for getting past those guys?"

"Live bait," Natsu answered.

"Good idea," Happy whispered, until he realized what Natsu was thinking. "Hey!"

Natsu replied, "Come on, Happy. You guys have to make a diversion." Lucy nodded in agreement.

Happy frowned incredulously, "What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?"

The Etherious heard some drums playing. They turned to see Happy dressed in drag and doing the hula. Romeo is set up like a stuffed lion, with an apple in his mouth.

Happy: Luau!
If you're hungry for a hunk of fat and juicy meat
Eat my buddy, Romeo, because he is a treat
Come on down and dine
On this tasty swine
All you have to do is get in line!

Drooling hungrily, the Etherious approached, intending to eat not just Romeo, but Happy as well.

Happy: Are ya achin'?

Romeo: Yup, yup, yup

Happy: For some bacon?

Romeo: Yup, yup, yup

Meanwhile, Natsu and Lucy snuck past the Etherious.

Happy: He's a big cat

Romeo: Yup, yup

Happy: You can be a big cat too, oy!

Then Happy and Romeo screamed and slid away with the Etherious in close pursuit. They led the hunger-mad demons into a cave. Soon, the screams and angry growls ceased as the Etherious searched for them inside the cave, holding for a beat.

"What the—" the leading Etherious began.

"Rainbow Fire!"

A powerful explosion sounded inside the cave, with a cloud of multicolored dust billowing out of the cave's entrance. Screaming, the Etherious fled from the cave in a panic. Happy and Romeo emerged triumphantly, with Romeo's nose snorting like a bull. Happy was at the top of his head, standing proud. He inhaled deeply, "I love the smell of Rainbow Fire in the morning."

Happy and Romeo's ears were suddenly caught by two voices coming from behind them.

"I'm sure he's around here somewhere…" a female voice said. "We just have to keep looking! We haven't searched the big pointy rock yet!"

"Who cares where he is? For all I know, a waterfall might've swallowed him up," a male voice replied, before it directed to Romeo, "Hey, big cat! Move your tush!"

Romeo yelped, "Oh, sorry!" He skipped out of the way to reveal two Exceeds behind him. The first is a white elderly male Exceed with thin facial hair and a mono-brow, wearing an open blue vest with a white shirt, a straw hat, green pants, and a brown pair of shoes. His name was Lucky. The second is a blue elderly female Exceed wearing a white dress with a yellow apron and a dark green scarf with holes cut out for her ears, which is wrapped around her head in a similar Hijab fashion. Her name was Marl.

"Mom? Dad?" Happy was astonished when he recognized the two Exceeds, who were actually his parents.

Marl was so delighted to see her son. She cried, "Oh, Happy!"

Lucky, on the other hand, was floored. He shouted, "Happy?!"

Happy asked, "What are you doing here?"

Marl answered, "Looking for you!" She embraced Happy in a big hug. "Oh, Happy… I know you're upset about our colony's way of life that you decided to run away from home. But you have no idea how much your father and I miss you. Don't worry, dear. Mommy's here."

Happy chuckled, "I'm fine, Mom."

Lucky frowned, crossing his arms, "And now, Happy's back to cause a lot of trouble. The worst prank of all is that he led the Etherious straight to the colony while that klutz was on sentry duty, and I had the worst injuries of my life! I flinched when I should've scurried!" He turned to Happy with a stern look, "And what did he find?" He fingered the flower in Happy's fur, "He wore a flower in his fur so that he'd come back looking like an idiot!"

Happy grinned sheepishly at Lucky's expense, "Sorry, Dad."

Lucky groaned, "Whatever, kid. When we get back home, you're doing chores, double-time!"

Happy rubbed his head in embarrassment, before he said, "Oh, I haven't introduced you to my best friend." He began making introductions, "Romeo: Mom, Dad. Mom, Dad: Romeo." He gathered Marl, Lucky, and Romeo in a circle, "I need you guys to listen. There are lots of things I wanna talk to you about."

Marl smiled, "Yes, please. Tell us everything, son."

Lucky grumbled, "Another one of Happy's silly stories…"

As Natsu and Lucy drew closer to Pony Rock, they're getting ready for their next move. Natsu turned to Lucy and said, "Lucy, you find Wendy and Mom, and rally up the dragons. I'll look for Acnologia."

Lucy nodded as she left to do so. Natsu snuck along for signs of his evil uncle. Luckily, He didn't have to search for long.

"WENDY!" Acnologia roared from the top of Dragon Rock.

Natsu quickly hid behind a rock and looked out as he saw someone making his or her way up. At first, Natsu didn't recognize the figure, until he realized it was Wendy.

The years since Acnologia had forcibly taken her as his personal slave had not been so kind to her; there were bruises and scratches all over her body as a result of the torment and suffering she endured, and her face was dirty with tearstains. Her head hung low to the ground as she made her way up, almost unaware of the carnivorous Etherious snapping at her heels and tail. Among her sadness and despair, Natsu could sense fear in her step.

"Wendy…" he whispered sadly. "What has he done to you?" What happened to his little sister? What happened to the same little white dragon that went on adventures together with Natsu and Lucy? Where there had been fire in her soul, she now appeared to be a shadow of her former self.

Once Wendy stepped in front of Acnologia, she asked blankly, "Yes, Uncle Acnologia?"

"Where is your hunting party?" Acnologia impatiently paced around her; she struggled not to tremble in fear. "They're not doing their job."

Natsu said to himself in surprise, "Wendy's got her own hunting party?"

Wendy reported, "We searched everywhere, Uncle. Gajeel, Sting, Rogue, and I looked over the Dragon Lands' neighboring places, but there's no food there, too. The herds have moved on. Everything's dead."

Acnologia glared, "No. You're just not looking hard enough."

"It's over, Uncle," Wendy frowned. "Don't you understand? There is nothing left. We have only one choice. We must leave Dragon Rock."

Acnologia snapped, "We're not going anywhere."

Wendy argued, "There are other places we can settle in!"

Acnologia scoffed, "Other places more dull that this one. What of it?"

Wendy said incredulously, "What of it?!"

Acnologia said disdainfully, "I made you the leader of the Dragon Lands' hunting party after your mother's passing, and this is how you repay me?" He turned his head away in disgust, "Send the next one in. I've no time for these childish games."

Anger was starting to fuel Wendy like she never felt before. She screamed, "Why, Uncle?! Why?! Why do you keep pushing me? Why do you keep putting me and my friends in harm's way? You're the king! You've should've helped us, and now you don't even see my mother! Even before she died!"

Natsu froze, his entire body shivering to what he just heard. He whispered, "Mom… is dead?"

Acnologia scoffed again, "You mean that insipid Sky Dragon who died of illness? It's good she's dead. I have no use for that weakling."

Wendy was extremely shocked by Acnologia's words. "Weakling…?"

"Every subject is a disposable pawn, especially among family," Acnologia explained. "That is what it means to be king."

Finally, Wendy couldn't take it anymore. For too long, she had allowed Acnologia to walk over her. Well, not this time!

Shaking with anger, and tears flowing down her cheeks again, she snarled, "You monster… How could you be so heartless and cruel? It's like you sentenced us to death!"

Acnologia's expression turned into a smirk, "Oh, so you want to join your mother in her deathbed, do you? Then, so be it."

"No…" Wendy said fearfully. "You can't do that!"

"I am the king," Acnologia deadpanned. "I can do whatever I want!"

Wendy screamed outrageously, "If you were half the king my father was, you would nev—"

Upon hearing Wendy mention her father, Acnologia slapped her, knocking her to the ground. "I'm TEN TIMES THE KING your father was!" he bellowed furiously.

Suddenly, a loud roar resonated with the thunder exploding from the clouds. Acnologia looked up and gasped in horror when he saw a familiar figure standing on the ledge as a bolt of lightning illuminated the figure. It was Natsu!