Happy was sleeping when the commotion broke out in the king's chambers, waking to the guards running through the hallway. He bolted upright; startling Gray who watched him sleep like an overprotective nanny.

Happy's vision warbled and he considered being sick after sitting up so abruptly. The feeling faded, one bit at a time, and he was able to throw the thin sheets off his legs and stand.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gray stood, too, taller, and thicker than Happy. He wasn't as full of conviction, though.

"Natsu needs me." He noticed his slip too late and was thankful no one who coveted titles the way Eileen or Zeref did was listening.

"He needs you to rest," Gray iterated his mantra when he entered the infirmary earlier that day.

Happy shook his head, regretted it. "No more." He'd rested too much; his kingdom, his king, was in crisis.

He moved in jagged steps toward the door. By the time he was there, though, he was filled with impatience and purpose, and summoned the strength to hobble down the hallway, using the wall to straighten his stance on occasion.

It took him longer than he would have liked to traverse the castle halls, but finally, he was able to follow the sounds of rushing feet to where armed men had gathered outside Natsu's room. They were silent.

Happy squeezed through the guards, certain he was going to find his king run though with a sword or pinned to the wall by an arrow, but when he made it through to the front, Natsu stood ahead of him, whole. His wound wept a little too much for Happy's liking, making the air stink with iron, but otherwise, he seemed to be in good spirits, smiling when his eyes landed on Happy. Lucy stood beside him; her expression was much more stoic. A wound bled on her temple, daubed off but still oozing slightly.

"Happy!" Natsu crowed. "Gather everyone for an emergency meeting in the throne room."

"Everyone, Sire?" Happy repeated.

"Everyone of importance," Lucy said.

"Advisors and the like," Natsu added with an impertinent wave of his hand. "We have things to discuss. And make it fast. No stopping."

"Y—yes, Majesty," Happy stammered.

"Dress first, Happy," Lucy suggested. "That's okay."

Happy realized he was still in his infirmary gown, the fabric thin and pale and hardly befitting of a servant of the king. He flushed. He would consider covering himself but that felt like letting Lucy know he was uncomfortable, which in his mind, was akin to letting a mean dog know you were scared.

Natsu's smile slipped into a frown. He opened his mouth. Lucy squeezed his fingers tight, and whatever he was about to say withered.

"Find time for your clothes," Lucy repeated.

Happy turned on his heel and hiked through the guards. Someone snickered, someone else was brave enough to whistle in the king's presence. Happy's cheeks flamed red hot and hotter still when a chambermaid, who had gathered with the rest to watch, eyed him suggestively.

"Perhaps you can come to my rooms after and show me your wings?" she whispered as he shuffled past.

On the other side of the group, Gray waited with Happy's clothing in his hands. "You forgot these."

Happy snatched them away from him. "Thanks."

People sat sleepily around the throne room. Despite the drowsy attitude, tension wavered on the air as Natsu's most trusted advisors waited to see what dragged them out of their beds so late in the night, and so shortly after a vicious attack.

Happy stood by one of the many lanterns, trying to get warm from its small flame. His hands were icy, and he had a splitting headache, but he wasn't going to be anything but rigid in his stance. Lucy watched him on occasion, and he would not show weakness toward her. Sometimes, he even scowled a little and tried to say with his eyes, you should still be in the dungeons. He even thought she understood because she would turn her eyes out to the crowd and take Natsu's hand in hers as if to say, He will only let me out again anyway.

Natsu was so maddening sometimes but Happy had never seen him this way over a woman before.

Maybe it is love, he thought, then prayed for Natsu's soul because women like Lucy Heartfilia would eat it for breakfast and be on the hunt for a new one by mid-afternoon.

"If they don't start speaking soon, we're going to have a riot," Gray said from Happy's side. He was one of the few in the room that seemed alert.

As if on cue, Duke Akatsuki asked, "Why are we here?"

Happy turned his glare on him instead. Was there no respect for Natsu in all the kingdom? Does that mean we're doomed? he thought errantly. Then hardened his resolve. It didn't matter if they were doomed or not, he owned Natsu everything and he would stand here by his side, even if the world were crumbling down around him.

"We're here because there is a threat to our kingdom," Lucy spoke.

There were some murmurs. Above them, Duke Akatsuki spoke again. "Weren't you imprisoned, Lady Lucy?"

"I was cleared of any wrongdoing and stand loyally beside my husband again," Lucy said shamelessly.

"What is the threat?" asked a bristly old man named Lord Xavier.

Lucy looked over the crowd. "Lady Eileen has left us and destroyed the castle in her wake. She has taken Lord August with her."

The murmurs rose.

"What you don't know is at this very moment, Fiore, my homeland, has launched their advance army and is sailing toward war with Alvarez despite our best efforts to send a message of peace to their shores."

The murmurs rose. Happy picked out cursing and damning. While he was pleased to know many of Natsu's people didn't approve of their new queen, it was also disconcerting; that meant they didn't approve of Natsu, either, which could be dangerous in trying times like this.

"We ask that you do not panic," Lucy spoke above the din. "We have a plan that will keep all of us safe."

Silence blanketed the room again as everyone waited eagerly for Lucy's next words.

"We cannot hope to defeat both Fiore and the threat of Lady Eileen. In respect of this, we're surrendering to Lady Eileen in hopes that she'll have mercy on us all."

No one spoke after that. Happy didn't think anyone could. He looked to Natsu. He was in his throne staring at the ceiling unbothered, as if nothing Lucy said had any effect on him, as if they weren't discussing the fate of their kingdom and the lives of thousands.

"Sire," Happy spoke out; he couldn't help it.

Natsu tipped his head lazily. His eyes looked black as pitch for a moment. "What is it?"

"Surely, these can't really be your orders?"

"We'll surrender to Lady Eileen," Natsu repeated. "Yes, those are my orders."

"But—" he sputtered.

"If you can't beat them, join them," Natsu said.

"We already have a scout out looking for her to send this message. We'll hear from her shortly, I imagine," Lucy told the crowd. "Please, keep this to yourselves until we hear Lady Eileen's response."

Was she stupid? Word of surrender was probably already throughout the entire country. People in the Mud Slats, the most distant city from the Capitol, probably already knew of Fiore's advancing army and their shameful plan.

"Then what?" Happy heard himself ask.

All eyes turned to him.

"Even if we do lay down for Lady Eileen, then what?" he repeated, stronger.

"Then she'll protect us from the advance army," Lucy said.

"This is insane. Those are your people!" Happy shook. He'd never been so outspoken to a royal before, even Natsu when he was sassing him.

"They were my people," Lucy said. "Then they proved what little regard for life they had and tried to control me. I believe in freedom, Happy, and if this is what freedom costs, then we must pay."

"There won't be freedom beneath Lady Eileen!" he spat.

"There will be safety, though," Lucy said gently.

"I won't!" Happy stood away from the wall. His blood throbbed in his ears. "I won't be part of this."

Natsu's lips disappeared. "Guard."

It took Happy a moment to understand what was happening as two burly-armed men came to his side and grabbed him by the elbows.

"We need to be united in these trying times," Lucy said as the men started dragging Happy out of the throne room. She lifted her voice. "Does anyone else disagree with the king's edict?"

No one spoke.

Happy struggled against the iron grip of the guards but could not break free no matter how he tried. He summoned his magic when that failed and tried to use the force of his wings to break their hold, but the hallway was too narrow for them and he only managed to hurt himself further. The men pulled him in either direction, until he thought his arms were going to come out of their sockets. He screamed; his wings disappeared, and the men stopped thrashing him like a ragdoll.

Tears burned Happy's eyes and his throat was hot and dry. He could barely breathe, he was so furious, so betrayed.

Caught in caustic thoughts, Happy didn't pay attention to where the guards guided him and was surprised when they went not to the dungeons, but to the overgrown greenhouse. He was forcibly shoved inside, and the door slammed closed behind him.

He was alone, but only for a moment.

The door opened again, and Lucy came through, trailing Natsu behind her. She stood tall and proud in front of him. Happy studied her neck, considered if he could make it across the room and strangle the life out of her before Natsu would stop him. Could be, she had him under a spell and once Happy hurt her, the spell would be broken and Natsu would come back to him, see things clearly.

"Why am I here and not the dungeons?" Happy demanded. His voice shook a little too much to be intimidating or proud like Lucy.

"Because you don't deserve imprisonment," Lucy said.

Happy scowled. "I was speaking to His Majesty."

Lucy shook her head. "Happy…" For a moment she looked sad. "We could have been friends, I think, if things had gone a bit different."

"If you weren't so wicked and conniving?" Happy suggested. Respectfulness be damned. He was already in trouble, regardless if he wasn't in the dungeons. Why not tell her how he really felt? "You've been using His Majesty since day one. He's fallen for your woe is me act but I've remained untouched by your wiles. You're a trickster. You're our kingdom's ruination."

She smiled limply. "You have a very big opinion of the things I can do with my wiles. If they were half true, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now."

"The mess you created."

Lucy held up her hand. "Lady Eileen was planning a coup well before I arrived. I was her weapon for a time, I'm guilty, but I did none of the masterminding. I was just as ignorant as you."

She knew just the right words to get his back up. "How dare you?"

"Happy," Natsu said, and Happy shrunk back. He didn't like the black look in Natsu's dull eyes. He is under a spell, he thought. He wasn't sure what to do to release him. A good servant would take his life in his hands, free the wicked wench from the world and face the consequences, but he had no weapons, he—

"We're not surrendering to Lady Eileen," Lucy interrupted, dragging Happy's thoughts back to the present. "We're luring her back in under the guise that we're a defeated nation, and then together, with Fiore's help, we'll knock her down."

Happy unhinged his mouth. No sound came out.

Natsu snickered in a very un-Natsu fashion. "It's a good plan."

"It's an excellent plan. We don't even have to send word to her because half of the advisors in the Throne Room are loyal to her. She probably knows already. Which means we need to act fast," Lucy said, sobering. "Which is where you come in, Happy."

Finally, he was able to unstick himself. "What?"

"I need you to fly me out to Fiore's flag ship, where I'm sure my father is practicing his landing speech."

She was serious, Happy realized. "Forget it."

"I need you, Happy," Lucy pleaded. "Without your help, we're all doomed."

He wanted to say you're doomed, not me. But he feared she was right; Lady Eileen was going to return to the castle in her full glory and she was going to overtake them while there was mass confusion. Natsu's life was in great risk even sitting here, and as foolish as he was, Happy very much did not want to see him hurt.

"Sire?" Happy directed his attention to Natsu, who was studying a bellflower as though he'd never seen one before.

Natsu looked up, startled.

"What's your wish?" Happy prodded.

"I want you to do whatever Lucy asks of you," Natsu answered after a brief pause. "Her wishes are mine."

"This is insanity."

"This is the will of your king," Lucy replied. "Whom you owe your life to."

Resigned, Happy closed his eyes and imagined himself with wings. They spread out much better in the greenhouse than they did in the hallway. Some of the feathers were bent at the ends, a bit frayed now, but when he flexed his muscles, he felt strong.

Lucy stepped into him, pressing her back to his chest. Happy wrapped his arms around her middle, more than a little repulsed by their closeness.

"It's just like when we first met," Lucy reminded him. "When you'd take me to the city."

"When I'd take you to murder my countrymen," Happy answered.

Lucy was quiet.

She was heavier now with all her skirts with their pleated folds and layers. Happy wasn't sure they were going to make it out of the open ceiling, but they managed, somehow, leaving Natsu standing on the greenhouse floor.

The night spread out before them; a velvet tapestry studded with diamond-like stars. The world below smelled of destructions, burned bodies, ruined buildings, sadness. Above, it was cool freedom. Happy felt strong gathering air beneath his wings. The things that made him an outcast on the street had made him indispensable to Natsu and had become a source of power.

They could become a source of violence, too, he thought, as they quickly left the land behind and traded it for the deep dark of the ocean. Whitecaps whipped the water into a froth.

"You're too low," Lucy warned.

They were. He'd dipped down, drawn to the ocean like a fish.

Happy tightened his arms on Lucy and put his mouth close to her ear. "I could let you go. You'd never come back."

He thought maybe she didn't hear him because she didn't respond, but then he noticed she held onto him a bit tighter. It was mean to feel more powerful, but he did, for an instant.

"Why did you shoot at me?"

"I'm like you," she said. Happy almost couldn't hear her. "I thought it might be easier without you around, telling Natsu the truth about what I am."

At least she was honest when her life was in his hands. "You didn't finish the job."

"I also thought Natsu stands a better shot with you by his side."

"A better shot at what?"

"Surviving royalty," she responded.

"I imagine he'd have an excellent time if you weren't always there, dragging him into hairbrained schemes."

"I imagine you're right," she said so quiet, he almost didn't hear her. Louder, she said, "There's the ships." She pointed northward where the bow of a huge warship split the water. It looked like a demon in the darkness, barely there, except for the few oil lamps that shone on its deck like eyes glowing out of the black. "Set me down on the first one."

"Will I be run through by your kinfolk?" It might be too late to ask, he'd already brought her this far, had the opportunity to throw her into the ocean and never tell a soul about it, but he didn't take it. He didn't know why he was always such a fool.

"I'm almost never sure what my father will do," Lucy said.

"That's the first honest thing I think I've heard you say."

Happy started their descent, bowing his wings into the buffeting wind. They angled sharply downward, too fast, and he couldn't recover. When they hit the deck, they flew apart like tossed dice, Lucy sliding to one end of the ship and Happy clutching the mizzen for dear life as the ship rolled in a wave.

Lucy screeched from the opposite side of the deck. It was near-impossible to see in the night, but Happy heard her hit the railing. Her scream was cut short and he imagined the sea did his killing for him, taking her down and never giving her back.

Natsu is going to disown me, he thought errantly.

"Lucy!" It was dangerous to release the mizzen. He gathered any reserve bravery he had and let go. He was almost immediately thrown to the deck by another violent wave. The sea was angry tonight. A storm was on its way.

"Lucy!" Happy picked himself off the slick deck. There was a moment between rolling waves where he could scramble to the opposite side of the ship. The deck was barren. She wasn't there.

"Lucy!"

"I'm here!"

Her voice was faint; Happy almost missed it. He clutched the railing and looked over. Lucy had fallen overboard. Her skirts had gotten tangled on one of the gunports someone had left open. She'd managed to grasp a baluster and right herself, but she didn't have the strength to pull herself up again.

"I'm slipping," she gasped. The wood was wet; her fingers were sliding.

"No one would blame me," Happy muttered even as he secured himself with one of the anchor chains and reached over for her. "The sea is hungry, Your Majesty. Your wife is clumsy. And heavy. I couldn't possibly lift her large Fiorian ass over the side of a tossing ship! He'd understand," Happy informed her. "He hates ships, you know!"

"Happy!" Lucy clutched his arm. She reminded him of a soaking cat hanging out over the water. Her eyes were big and brown and scared and Happy thought maybe. Just maybe. He might understand why Natsu liked her when she was being genuine.

He pulled one final time, putting all his strength into it, and Lucy came free. She scrabbled over the railing and they both fell to the deck on their behinds. Happy clutched Lucy and the anchor chain through another violent wave. When the water cleared and he could see again, he was looking down the length of a Fiorian broadsword.

Natsu opened his eyes and the world was black. He ached. His middle was on fire. He touched it before all his memories returned and felt fresh bandages cover his wound. The wound Lucy opened with her lookalike. At least she had the decency to bandage him up again.

"Hello?" His voice cracked from disuse. His throat was dry. "Is anyone there?"

His words fell flat.

Natsu pushed himself into a sitting position and hit his head. Dirt fell into his lap. He winced, rubbed it from his forehead.

Using his magic, he sparked a flame to see by. There was nothing but dirt walls all around and no way to escape.

Lucy has buried me alive. Just like she buried Porlyusica.