User blog comment:LegerPrime/To Be Continued...?/@comment-27992916-20160518223014/@comment-24734624-20160520170032

Well, he could still show up. They could have him arrive in another town, walk into a bar, find out about the war in Magnolia, realizes his friends need help, and accidentally destroys the bar on his way out. On his way to Magnolia, he runs into the Exceeds and asks for their help.

Then in the second half, Gildarts would arrive just in time to save Natsu from being killed by August. Or even Acnologia.

At the same time, the Exceeds would arrive to attack the Alvarez airships.

My thoughts anyway.