The events of the this story take place starting in mid January of the year X792 after the events of Tenrou Island. The Grand Magical Games never occurred and the guilds reputation has been rebuilding after the return of the strongest members.
Three cloaked figures trudged up the snow covered path, silent and determined with their faces hidden from the unforgiving winds. They had been traveling for weeks now. No one knew who they were or where they were going, but no one dared to ask. Something about them worried those that saw the strangers. Two of the figures were smaller than an average adult and quite slender. Their features were indistinguishable under their heavy black traveling cloaks, but it seemed obvious to those who passed by that they might be children. Many would be concerned, if it weren't for the ominous figure they were traveling with. Instead of stopping to help the two children, people would give a wide berth, fearful of the creature that trotted between them. Covered in a heavy black cloak as well, all that could be seen were the four slender legs and the giant paws leaving deep tracks in its wake. Its hooded head held down and its massive shoulders nearly reached the tops of the two it walked between. The group rarely stopped, but for the occasional rest in the dark. They were on a mission, set on reaching their destination; Magnolia. Dark secrets followed these travelers. Secrets that would soon come to light. Secrets that could cause destruction and pain to those who learned them.
"Say that again, you pink-haired freak!" Gray yelled.
"You heard me the first time, frostbite! It's your fault we failed our last mission!" Natsu hollered back.
"And how's that, huh?"
"I would never have dropped the vase if you hadn't frozen the ground. We were supposed to deliver it in one piece, not a million!"
"It's not my fault you're a clumsy idiot," Gray retorted. "The ground was already frozen when we reached it. Or have you already forgotten, it's been snowing for almost a week now." The fight continued on.
A few tables over, Lucy was sitting down with her head in her hands. The members of Team Shadow Gear were sitting around her watching the fray of the two boys. "How am I supposed to pay for rent when those two are always messing up the missions?" She moaned through her hands. "If things keep going the way they have been, I'll be living in a box under a bridge soon."
"Ah, cheer up Lu. At least the client didn't make you pay for the vase." Levy said encouragingly from across the table.
"Well if the vase hadn't been broken in the first place, the client would have actually paid us for the job." She grumbled, lifting her head from her hands, only to lay it on the table a second after raising it.
"Maybe you could join my team on a mission some time," Levy suggested.
"Yeah, really? You guys wouldn't mind?" She inquired excitedly. Jet and Droy shook their heads nonchalantly. They weren't really listening to the conversation. The fight with Gray and Natsu raged on and the two seemed pretty interested in the shenanigans.
"Not a bit. It could be fun! Also, I would love to have a girl to talk with while we traveled." Levy said with a smirk. "These boys aren't very good with girl talk ya know?"
"Thanks, Levy! That sounds like a good idea!" Lucy said happily, now smiling.
"No problem! Of course, we'll have to wait for this storm to blow over. The request board has been looking pretty empty since it started."
"Yeah, I know..." Lucy replied with less enthusiasm again. "I wonder when it's supposed to stop."
Outside, the storm raged on. The normally bustling town of Magnolia was deserted, except for the occasional shopper scurrying to their next stop for errands when the wind wasn't blowing as hard. The whole place was covered with a thick white blanket of snow. The streets were slippery, and the water at the edge of the town was completely frozen over. Normally, the children would take this rare opportunity to go ice-skating on the sturdy ice, but the wind was so unforgiving and the air so bitterly cold that not even the bravest child wanted to venture out. Many roads in and out of Magnolia had been closed down due to the unnatural storm, which stretched out far within the borders of Fiore.
Inside the guild, the members of Fairy Tail were getting very restless. This was one of the worst storms they had seen in a while. The cold seemed to go on forever, promising no visible end, and leaving many cooped up and penniless, due to the requests being so few. The wind outside whipped up snow, slamming it hard against the windows and causing eerie wailing noises as it blew. However the guild was, thankfully, very warm inside and despite the weather, the members found ways to stay occupied.
"Can I get another round over here Mira?" Cana asked, setting down yet another empty mug.
"Of course," Mirajane replied happily.
"I think a hot bowl of soup would be great!" Macao told Kinana.
"Sure, what kind do you want?" She inquired.
"Carla, do you think it's alright for Lily and Gajeel to be fighting in the guild right now?" Wendy squeaked nervously. "Maybe we should try to stop them before they break something. Especially since it looks like we might be stuck here for a while" The two boys had started sparring with each other a couple minutes ago. Panther Lily had assumed his full form and he was holding his sword in the ready position while Gajeel held his arm up, shaped as the Iron Dragon's Sword.
"I think we should just let them be. It's none of my concern whether those two morons break anything," Carla retorted hotly taking a small sip from her steaming teacup. "As long as they don't get too close to me, I don't care what they do." She flashed an angry look at them as they started circling each other, planning their next move.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the current situation. Though most longed to be out on a job, they took the opportunity to enjoy each others' company. Not often were there so many guild members present for so long. The air was filled with the smells of warm food and hot beverages. Laughter interlaced with the many conversations and, of course, the occasional dispute in a joyous melody that brought comfort to those within the guild.
Then without warning, the room temperature dropped drastically. The main door to the guild was slammed open. Frozen wind and snowflakes swept mercilessly through the halls, chilling everyone to the core. All the conversations stopped abruptly, and the guild dropped into a surprised silence. The only sound to be heard now was the wind rushing in. All eyes were now turned to the open doorway and the three cloaked figures standing within it.