Natsu stood peering through the ventilation system obscured by the iron bars. The sky had a soft pink glow, slowly blanketing the sun in a natural countdown. Feeling his stomach turn over, the pull-string Dragon Slayer doll replayed the recent chain of events in his mind. He had shunned his friends in favor of the Roundup Gang about to be sold to the Diamanté Toy Museum, including himself. He stood firm to protect the feelings and dreams of his birthright, the old phenomenal legacy of Natsu's Roundup, a historic anime turned legend. And worst of all, he hurt the feelings of his girlfriend, Lucy. He broke up with her, severed ties with her. It's quite obvious that Ken would grow up sooner or later, and he would be too old to play with Natsu. But what Gray said about staying behind glass to be adored for generations, at the cost of never being loved by a child again… This was the hardest choice of all. He was torn between family and legacy. Between love and fame. Between being a simple toy or a revered idol. One thing could not be compared with the other. There was only one path. One choice. One fate.

At that moment, Natsu's voice was heard on the TV, "Is everybody okay?"

Juvia's TV voice rang, "Natsu! I knew you'd make it!"

Natsu's TV voice laughed, "Thanks, Juvia. Remember, kids, the real treasures in life are your friends and family. Before I go, I'd like to share somethin' special with you, for the times when I'm not around."

"Good going, Natsu," Brain praised, as Kemo-Kemo moved his box over to him. "I thought they'd never leave."

However, Natsu didn't hear him. He looked up at the TV, where the Natsu's Roundup anime finished its episode and switched to a mid-credits scene. A special segment entailed Natsu sitting on a bench, playing a guitar and singing a song.

TV Natsu: You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

"Natsu?" Brain wondered.

When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles from your nice, warm bed

Sitting down on a roll of duct tape, Natsu realized that his anime self was singing a song about friendship. It's like the characters were breaking the fourth wall, to teach a life lesson to the young viewers about the values of loyalty, honesty, and respect. His eyes focused on the screen, Natsu listened to the rest of the song, wanting to know more about the moral.

Just remember what you old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me

Meanwhile, silent footsteps obscured the ventilation system. Natsu's group of friends— the ones who used to be his friends— slowly walked the shadowy path away from the room. Remorse for the salmon-haired toy's harsh behavior weighed heavily upon them; his desire to go overseas with the Roundup Gang created a catastrophic rift between them. Lucy was the most devastated; she kept on sobbing, only this time, the volume lowered, her breaths came in heaves, and her body trembled.

"He's gone…" she sniffled. "Natsu is gone…" She turned to Gray with imaginary tears in her eyes. Most toys cannot produce tears, everyone knows that. But by the heaving and the bawling, the tiniest hint of tears could be seen from the plastic, unseen by the human or toy eye. "Gray…" Lucy began, the sobs continuing. "Is this what losing love looks like?"

The Space Hero action figure didn't say anything.

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

"Is this is love, I don't want it," Lucy cried bitterly. "Please… Tell me…" She walked forward, and Gray grabbed her, pushing her into his chest. "Why does it hurt so much?" She sobbed some more, pressing her face against his shoulder. "Why… Why…?"

You've got troubles, well, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

"It's okay, Lucy," Gray tried to soothe her crying, but inside he was torn apart as well. Natsu was a great friend, the best friend he ever had… and he was saddened to see what he had become. From outside the vent, the lyrics of TV Natsu's song squirmed into the darkness.

We stick together and see it through

Gray heard the music, his eyes twitching with grief. Every time he heard his voice, he still remembered him…

'Cause you've got a friend in me

In the middle of the song, a little boy came over and sat next to TV Natsu, who continued his song. He was astonished to have met his idol, Natsu Dragneel the Salamander.

Some other folks might be a little smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe

The boy hugged his chest affectionately. Paying no mind, TV Natsu kept on singing.

But none of them will ever love youthe way I do
It's me and you, boy

For some reason, that struck a chord within Natsu. Raising his eyebrows, he lifted up his painted sandal and wiped the black varnish off. It took some doing, but there it was. Though it was blurry and the ink lost most of his appeal, Ken's name was still on the sole.

And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die

Natsu looked ahead, thinking back to so many years ago when Ken Hirugashi signed his name on the stitched footwear. He remembered how happy he had been to belong to someone, to have a child who loved and played and cared for him. Was he really about to throw that away? The fact that he had been welcomed back into the world of Natsu's Roundup by his classic associates gave Natsu little comfort, something to take his mind off things. He would never break the promise he made with the Roundup Gang, but he had to separate from his old friends in order to keep it. He had to live far away from Ken. That would make things a whole lot better for everyone.

Would it?

As Natsu cast one last look at the sun about to descend, he realized something; home was still out there. Family lived in there. That, at least, was a testimony, a comforting beacon for people's efforts. And he couldn't have rebuffed Lucy and Gray earlier, simply refused to comply with their pleas. They could have stopped him if he said no. He only refused because he cared deeply for his new friends. He had made the choice, even if it cost him his friendship with others, to be there for everyone's sake. But what is everyone? Which friendship is more important? What future was meant for him?

Just then, a cacophony of memories rang in Natsu's mind, voices of the past entering the fray. The ground teetered under his feet, and the world seemed to swirl around him. The memories overflowed him like a river of fresh water.

"Real life can knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to stand back up."

"You feel like you're alive, because that's how he sees you."

"You're not a collector's item. You're a child's plaything!"

"You'll always have a home with us."

"Life's only worth living if you're being loved by a kid."

"You still have a family who misses you, who needs you, who cares for you!"

"I travelled all this way to rescue that toy…"

"We're doing this because we care. Because we love you."

The last two voices came with a comforting glow.

"Because I believed him."

"Because I love you."

In an instant, Natsu's eyes glowed with clarity. He had finally discovered the truth, a truth far different than Brain's. A toy was not meant to be in a museum, become a celebrity, or be worth millions to a snoopy collector. It was meant to make a child happy, no matter what was destined to happen and how much was spent in the passage of time. Even when growing up, even when parts were broken, love proved the strongest power of all. It was an unbreakable bond, a bond far greater than any injury or age anyone could endure. A child would always be there to take a toy and play with it, care for it, adore it… love it. Lucy and Gray were right all along! They showed him the way, but he didn't listen! Natsu couldn't believe how blind he was, how stubborn he was, how he forgot a toy's true importance… until now.

You're gonna see it's our destiny...

"What am I doing…?"

Natsu stood up from the duct tape, his mood changing completely. What he said and did to Lucy and Gray was out of self-doubt which manifested itself in a form of unchecked rage and aggression. He was blind, but now he opened his eyes. He had never seen more clearly. Natsu no longer desired the life of a celebrity, the life of being looked over. He wanted the heart and soul of a child. He wanted to return to where he belonged. And he would stay there until the very end of time— with Ken, Gray, Lucy, Happy, Wendy, Erza, all his fellow toys— and share with them a prosperous future. No matter where it may lead.

"LUCY! GRAY!" Natsu called out, running over to the vent. "Lucy, Gray! Wait! Wait!"

"Natsu, where are you going?" Brain asked in surprise.

Natsu turned to face him, a determined look on his face. "I was wrong, Brain. They're still my friends, and I love them. And leaving a friend behind isn't my style. I'd rather be with them than stay in a stupid museum. It's probably boring in there, watching people from behind glass." He saw the confused expression on Brain's face, "And you're right about one thing. I can't stop Ken from growing up." He then smiled, "But I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

The salmon-haired toy resumed running, and a horrified look crossed Brain's face. "No!"

Natsu lifted the vent upward and gave a loud shout, trying to get the attention of the friends he abandoned. "LUUUUUUUCCCCCCYYYY! GRRRRAAAAAAAAAYYYY!"

Both Grays turned their heads and responded in unison, "Yes?"

A still weeping Lucy jerked her head from Gray's shoulder, "Yeah?"

Natsu announced happily, "I changed my mind! I'm coming with you!"

"WHAAAAAATTTT?!" The rest of Natsu's friends congregated with Lucy and the two Grays, and they all exclaimed the word with complete shock and gladness. The Celestial Treasure Hunter doll, on the other hand, wiped her eyes from the imaginary tears. The glow of sorrow in her eyes was now exuded with hope, the kind of hope that prayed for a miracle. She breathed normally and stepped forth, looking at Natsu, whose façade of aggression was replaced with that of happiness, the same happiness that befitted his true personality.

Lucy asked curiously, trying her best not to break down again, "Am I hearing things? Is it true? You're coming back with us?" She held her hand close to her heart, "You mean it?"

Natsu laughed, "Have I ever! My place is with you guys! I'm a true member of Ken's toy family. And I'd never abandon my family." He added with strong resolve, "I'm coming back! I don't care how many rips; being with all of you is all that matters. This is where I belong." A thought came to him, "Oh, almost forgot…" He looked down in sadness, "Sorry for shouting at you, Lucy. I don't know what I was thinking. I was so mad that I lost sight of what's really important." He sighed deeply, "Will you forgive me?"

Those were the exact words she wanted to hear. Instantly, her face brightened back to its old happy energetic self, and any trace of sorrow had disappeared.

"YES! YES! YES!" Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she raced towards Natsu and gave him the tightest embrace she could pull off, before she planted his face with continuous kisses. The pull-string Dragon Slayer returned the hug, while laughing from the ticklish kisses. Afterwards, the two lovers looked at each other. They pressed their lips and caressed with warm touches, as the rest of their friends watched and cheered. They held each other in a passionate embrace before they broke.

Lucy cried happily, "Oh, Natsu! I knew you'd never leave me!"

Natsu chuckled, "How could I ever say no to my girl? I don't wanna lose you."

Lucy breathed, "Me too. You mean so much to me. And I love you. Forever."

Natsu said softly, "I love you too, Lu. Forever." He rested his forehead against hers, and their smiles never wavered. Once again, the power of love worked its wonders amidst a myriad of argument and hostility.

Erza admired, "Love is the greatest power of all. It heals your broken heart, gives you strength. And Natsu has learned a valuable lesson… The future wouldn't be the same without everyone together in it."

Levy giggled, "It's another one of Lucy's Celestial Treasure Hunter Lessons, isn't it? Or is it a different kind of lesson?"

Wendy smiled, "I knew Natsu wouldn't let us leave without him!"

Happy cheered, "Aye! He'd never turn his back on us! That's why he's my best friend!"

Gajeel asked, "So, Salamander, you ready to come home?"

Natsu smiled proudly, "I'm born ready! Let's go home together!" He started to climb inside, but then, another thing occurred to him. "Wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! There's something I gotta do first! I'll be back in a sec!" He climbed back out, and the other toys cheered him on.

Gray smirked, "Way to go, Pyro. I knew you'd do the right thing."

Utility Belt Gray wondered, "What's he gone back for?"

Levy guessed, "Probably to bring a souvenir from Natsu's Roundup, or something even bigger."

Lucy suggested, "Let's just wait and see."

Having returned to the room, Natsu walked over to Juvia, Romeo, and Kemo-Kemo with an energetic grin. "Hey, you guys…" He paused for effect, "Come with me."

Juvia was taken aback, "What?"

Romeo questioned, "You want us to come with you? As in…"

Natsu interjected, "Being toys for a kid? Yes! Ken will play with all of us, I know it!" The joy refused to die down.

Juvia hesitated, "Natsu, I… I don't know… I…" To say that she was surprised would be an understatement. It had been so long since she'd been in the possession of a kid that the salmon-haired toy's invitation completely threw her off guard.

Natsu asked, "Wouldn't you give anything just to have one more day with Makoto?" That did the trick, "C'mon, Juvia. It's like what Erza said. This is what it's all about, to make a kid happy. And you know it." Juvia's left hand clutched her right doubtfully, and Natsu looked at Romeo and Kemo-Kemo. "Romeo, Kemo-Kemo, are you with me?"

Kemo-Kemo bounced happily and gave Natsu a warm, fuzzy hug, indicating that he said yes. Romeo gave his reply with a laugh, "Why not? Besides, it'd be boring in a museum anyway! What's the point in doing so?"

Natsu beamed with hope, "Really?"

Romeo nodded, "Yeah. During your little chat with Gray and Lucy, it gave me the chance to think about a lot of things, including what being a toy is all about. After considering some things, I realized something: when all is said and done, toys are made for one purpose and one purpose only… to be played with." He added with enthusiasm, "So take us with you! This may be the first time Kemo-Kemo and I are experiencing playtime, but we'll make the most of it with pride and dignity!" He gave an approving thumbs up, "Count us in!"

Natsu cheered, "Alright, now we're talkin'! Glad to have you aboard!"

Romeo grinned, "And on top of that, that girl with the blueberry hair and the white dress… She's real cute. More cuter than a bunny rabbit in the middle of August!" He continued in a dreamy stare, "She's got these eyes that just glitter like stars, her blueberry hair smells like strawberries, her voice is as cute as a bird… and best of all, she has that adorable smile."

Natsu smiled slyly, "Ami. C'est l'amour." His face then turned serious, "Are you referring to Wendy?"

Romeo asked eagerly, "Who's Wendy?"

Natsu replied, "She's one of my friends. I'll introduce her and the rest of my friends later. You ready to come with me?"

Kemo-Kemo just hopped. Romeo answered, "You betcha!"

"Brain, how about you?" Natsu walked over to Brain's box and turned it around… only to find that he wasn't in there. "Brain?"

Immediately, his smile faded when he heard a loud clang. He looked over to the vent, where Brain was using the toy version of his skull staff, Klodoa, to reassemble the screws and tighten them hard, sealing the grate completely, and this time for good.

Juvia gasped, "Brain?"

Natsu exclaimed, "You're out of your box!"

Heaving a disappointed sigh, Brain walked across the room. "I tried reasoning with you, Natsu, but you keep forcing me to take extreme measures." He pressed the end of his staff against the remote, turning the TV off, and realization suddenly dawned.

"Wait a minute…" Natsu blinked. "You're the one who turned on the TV last night, not Juvia!"

Brain reasoned, "I did it for your own good. I realized that the danger of you escaping the room using the vent was too great, so I decided to remove myself from the box and seal it tight using my staff, Klodoa."

Romeo snapped, "We're getting off topic! Speak sense!"

Brain gave a slight chuckle, "Oh, you mean last night? I couldn't just let Natsu leave with a broken arm. If he did, he wouldn't be repaired and cleaned in tip-top condition."

Natsu frowned, "In other words, you're trying to keep me from getting back home."

Brain's chuckle rose on a sinister note, "You are home. You're the most important toy in the collection. You're the star of the show. You're the crown jewel of Natsu's Roundup. And most of all, you have a true family." He thrust his arm to gesture to himself and the others, "A family even better than Ken and those inferior dullards."

Natsu growled, "Why, you…"

Brain said smugly, "What, did I strike a nerve? Just imagine all the recognition we can get. The idea of being adored for years to come. This is what one can do with classic toys like us— to let the legend come to life."

Natsu spat, "So you kept me here just for the fame and attention? I was your prisoner?!"

Romeo argued, "What about us?! Are we your prisoners, too? We're not friends to you?!"

Brain answered, "I would do anything to make sure the collection is complete, even it means keeping my friends in line. All of us must go to that museum! Every piece in the collection must be present and accounted for!" He added with a glorious flare, "We will go down in history as the greatest toys that ever lived!"

Natsu protested, "But that won't work! A toy's not meant just to be behind glass! It's meant to make kids happy and they return the favor! To be there when they need them the most! That's what we're built to do! A toy's life is worth the living if they're being played. It's our only happiness. It's what we all want. It goes with me. It goes with all of us. It goes with you." He pointed a finger at Brain, "You haven't felt a kid's love before, but I know a lot about how toys and kids mix." He narrowed his eyes, "Y'know, Brain, I wanna thank you for taking me back to my roots. I appreciate what you've done for me. But when all is said and done, I want the love of a kid. It's better than any opportunity of fame and fortune you can offer me."

Romeo agreed, "A toy through and through. That's why we're going with Natsu. We're going to live a better life, to make a kid happy. Because that's what toys do! And we're gonna do it together, with my bro!" Kemo-Kemo bounced in agreement.

Juvia stepped forth, shedding any hint of hesitation provoking her. She couldn't help but vent her anger on Brain, the mastermind who would take drastic measure to ensure the collection stayed complete. The thought of being loved by a child again, and Natsu's inspirational talk, burned in the Rain Woman doll's heart a new purpose. She began, "It's been a long time since I've felt the love of a child…" She paused to let it sink in, "But I'm going, too! I will see it through to the end, no matter what!"

Natsu cheered excitedly, pumping a fist in the air, "Alright! Way to go! The Roundup Gang's leaving the building!"

Romeo smirked, "We'd rather be in a kid's room than a museum."

Juvia smiled at the salmon-haired toy, "You can count me in."

Natsu chuckled, "At least you're not mad at me for saying I have an owner."

Juvia giggled, "It's in the past. Can't we just forgive and forget?"

Brain stood still, clenching his fingers around Klodoa as his dark expression festered. Something inside urged him to reprimand them, to stop them from leaving, but he still maintained his calm and collected persona. Instead, he replied with a deep breath, "You're all going to leave? After all the time we spent together?" He shook his head, "Well, I'm disappointed in you. I thought you'd be a bit more useful." He then smiled, "But let's do this democratically…"

He raised his arm. He positioned his fingers. And then, they flickered with a snap.

WHOOSH! Five figures popped from the hatch of Konishi's briefcase and appeared before Natsu, Juvia, Romeo, and Kemo-Kemo as quick as a flash. Before the four could act, they found themselves pinned to the floor, and their hands held behind their back.

Natsu shouted, "What the?!"

Juvia cried, "Hey! Let me go!"

"Hold him!" the voice belonged to the toy version of a familiar character from the anime. Snake Eyes Cobra! And he was not alone; alongside him were the toy selves of Lightspeed Racer, Divine Eyes Hoteye, Vanity Angel, and Goodnight Midnight. The five members of the Oración Seis had appeared, having released themselves from their mint conditions and out of their boxes to serve their master, Dirty Brain. The Oración Seis was united once again. The Natsu's Roundup show had been reenacted.

"The Oración Seis!" Romeo recognized. "Don't tell me you're outta your boxes, too!"

"Prisoners disabled, boss!" Racer reported. "They're in custody of the Six Demons. Now they'll pay the toll for their disrespect."

"So, the salmon-haired prince tried to ruin our plans by escaping?" Angel smiled coyly.

"You really put our trip to the museum in a pickle, you know, kid?" Hoteye asked. "That's a complete waste of money! Oh, yeah!"

"But not for long," Midnight smiled evilly. "Father will see that you're prepped up for the trip."

"Well done, my friends," Brain acknowledged. "I always knew I can count on you."

Natsu exclaimed angrily, "Oración Seis… They've been under your shoes since day one?!"

Brain explained, "They are my most trusted enforcers. They kept themselves mint in their boxes, and they only respond whenever something or someone dares to foil our plan. In a sense, it's a precaution to make sure you stay in line." He laughed sinisterly, "And it turned out perfect in the end!"

Cobra smirked, "You're comin' with us to the museum, whether you like it or not."

Hoteye stated, "You're our one way ticket to fame and fortune! Oh, yeah!"

Midnight smiled, "I can get a good night's sleep in the Fantasy Toy Exhibit."

Angel imagined, "The paparazzi and flash photography will be a beauty to behold!"

Racer grinned, "You had your chance to cross the finish line, and you failed."

With that said, all members of the Oración Seis erupted in a symphony of evil laughter, confident that with the entire Natsu's Roundup collection in one exhibit, they would get all the glory they deserved. Natsu, Juvia, Romeo, and Kemo-Kemo burned with anger at this atrocity; the kind, fatherly figure was merely a façade to conceal Brain's true nature. He never cared about Natsu, or Juvia, or Romeo, or anyone else except himself. His five underlings were no different. They were determined to go to that museum and be fawned over, and they would stoop to any means to get their way.

Brain smirked, "Now then, we have an eternity to spend together in the museum. Let's not start off by pointing fingers, shall we?"

Romeo growled venomously, "You monster! You used us from the very beginning!"

Natsu glared, "You didn't see us as friends, only pawns in your dirty little game! You really are a bad guy, just like in the show, aren't you?"

Juvia added in, "Brain, this isn't fair!"

"FAIR?!" The four captive toys jumped at the outburst. His minions even recoiled at the word. For the first time ever, they saw the sorcerer doll throwing a villainous breakdown in front of them. He glared at Natsu, Juvia, Romeo, and Kemo-Kemo, his eyes burning darkly in a mixture of hatred and contempt. "I'll tell YOU what's not fair— spending a lifetime on a dime store shelf, watching every other toy be sold! Well, finally, my waiting has paid off, and no hand-me-down Dragon Slayer doll is going to mess it up for me now!" He picked up his box, tossing it back inside its foam insulation box.

"Gray!" Natsu gasped. He broke free from the restraints of Brain's enforcers and ran back over to the vent. He gripped the iron bars and shook them, "HELP! LUCY! GRAY! GUYS!"

"It's too late, Natsu," Brain said from atop the insulation. "Your silly Gray Full Lightweight friend can't help you!"

"His name is Gray Fullbuster, you moron!" Natsu snapped. "Get it through your thick skull!"

"Whatever," Brain scoffed. "I've always hated those upstart space toys." He climbed back inside his box, and pointed Klodoa, "Tie them up and put them in the case."

"I hear you loud and clear, boss man," Cobra complied. He motioned his comrades, "Let's get 'em!"

Racer said, "Sorry, kids. It's nothin' personal. It's just business."

And thus, the five Oración Seis toys began dragging Natsu, Juvia, Romeo, and Kemo-Kemo to the open case, and stuffed them in their respective foam insulation boxes. The hapless toys struggled, trying to fight back, but their efforts proved futile. Their arms, legs, and chests were then wrapped in duct tape from the roll Natsu previously sat on, attaching them to the insulation, the sticky substance preventing their escape. Satisfied with their work, the Oración Seis toys retreated to their boxes and closed them, preparing for the trip to come, blissfully unaware that Lucy, Gray, and the rest of their friends witnessed everything that transpired.

"Those creeps… They're evil and greedy, just like Konishi!" Lucy snarled. "We gotta get in there!"

"The vent's stuck!" Gray struggled against the screws locking the grate. "That guy with the skull stick sealed the screws tight!"

"Now what are we gonna do?" Gajeel asked angrily. "Don't tell me we're gonna use my head again!"

"It won't work at this rate," Levy stated. "You'll end up hurting yourself."

Sherria insisted, "We gotta try something else!"

Sherry asked, "Does anyone have a screwdriver?"

Suddenly, a new problem emerged as a sound came from outside the door.

Lucy perceived, "It's Konishi!"

Right on cue, Konishi entered the room in a hurry, about to pack the last of his stuff for the flight to New York. He said hastily, "Look at the time! I'm going to be late! I can't miss this flight! I'd better pack…" He closed the briefcase, and checked his final preparations, "Wallet, keys, tickets, passport, snacks, shower…" He smelled his armpit, then shrugged, "Oh, well. I can skip the shower. I need to get going!" With the case in hand, he departed from the room with Natsu, Juvia, Romeo, Kemo-Kemo, and the Oración Seis inside. This was something the other toys could not tolerate.

"Quick! To the elevator!" Gray shouted. The rescue party began sprinting through the ventilation system to retrace the path to the elevator. They had to catch up!