Prologue
It was surprisingly quiet in Fairy Tail. Everybody had a serious face. The few words shared amongst the guildmembers were whispered. This tranquility was brought by Makarov. Earlier he had a couple of important businessman coming over to discuss a possible highpaying job. The Master had threatened the guild that if their chaotic nature scared of the moneybags he would impose on them the worst punishment game he could ever think of. Makarov was hoping this job could bring Fairy Tail out of the slump it had fallen into after the Tenroujima incident. Even though they had left an hour ago , seemingly pleased , the guild couldn't get back to normal. It was like a disease. Many were simply staring at the door , waiting for something to happen to bring them out of this trance.. And they didn't wait much longer. Natsu kicked the door open and before he could say anything Gray blasted him with his magic. And in a second the guild had gotten itself involved in an all out brawl.
Lucy entered after Natsu had gotten back inside and slowly made her way to the bar , sitting at her usual place nimbly dodging a few random attacks that were headed her way. She had gotten to the guild with the Dragon Slayer after he barged inside her apartment while changing. Without having to say anything Mira gave Lucy a glass of water before going to refill Cana's drink. Several times she glanced over to the battle behind her. She had heard of the state Fairy Tail was in and was a bit disappointed she couldn't see how it was before Natsu barged in. Seeing as that even Erza was rampaging around the celestial mage was glad she didn't enter first. The first attack would have probably been aimed at her then. When Mira came back she smiled at Lucy.
'Good job today.'
Lucy knew well what she meant. The past several times she had gotten in the middle of one of their fights she had suffered some as well. After coming back from Tenroujima they had been very active about it. The first time she was bruised all over. Gradually getting better and better at dodging their random attacks this time she managed to get to the bar without a scratch on her.
'It is strange how a person can get used to anything. Even Natsu and the others appearing in my apartment at the worst times is not surprising to me anymore.'
'Well as often as it has been happening for you it was just a matter of time.'
'I am at the point where I feel weird if something like this does not happen. It is amazing how a human can adjust to pretty much anything. But I'll always kick Natsu or Grey out if they show up while I am changing.'
Mira just laughed at that. Before they could continue their conversation Makarov's voice echoed through the guild immediately stopping the fight.
'Natsu , Lucy , Gray , Erza , Wendy , Gajeel , Levy! In my office! Now!'
Before going back into his office , or what passed as one in the shed Fairy Tail was now using , he took a look around.
„And they were so quiet until now..."-were his thoughts as he entered his office
As soon as the Master was out of sight Erza caught both Gray and Natsu and pinned then against a wall.
'What did you two do!?' - she gave them her death glare
'Don't look at me! I have been at the guild the entire time. Ask Flame Brain here.'
'I didn't blow up anything...I think...'
'Go easy on them Erza.' - Lucy walked to them - 'Master asked for us all. I doubt it is about any trouble. After all Levy was called as well.'
'I suppose you are right...There is no way Levy could do anything to make the Master mad.'
Everyone in the guild nodded to that.
'Somehow I feel offended by that...'
'You are just too nice to be bad shrimp . Gajeel smirked at her'
Silently the group entered Makarov's office followed by the three Exceed. There were enough chairs for everyone and they sat down in front of him.
'What is this about Master' - Erza asked - 'If one of them had..'
'Nothing like that Erza.' - Makarov gave her a smile - 'You know that some businessman came earlier right?'
Everyone except Natsu and Lucy nodded. They had only heard the rumor of the guild being unnaturally quiet.
'They were discussing offering us a really high paying job. The reward is...ten million jewels for the guild and half a million for everyone who goes on it! And I have chosen you nine for it!'
The mages did not say a word. Half a million jewels each. It was almost too good to be true.
'Just how dangerous is this job?' - Lucy asked even though she didn't want to hear it.
'Actually it is going to be easier than most of the jobs currently available downstairs.'
'Then why is the reward so high? And why us?' - Levy pondered.
'Are you familiar with golems?'
'Giant magically enchanted constructions that are found guarding ancient tombs?'
'Yes Lucy. They are very powerful but there is little known on how they were made in the first they serve another purpose besides guarding tombs? A certain corporation has found the secret how to create them. All they need is a certain magic stone to finish the process. One that has been lost several hundred years ago but they have found it's location. All you need to do is retrieve it.'
'And where is it hidden?'
'Apparently in another world. They came to us thinking we would be one of the few guilds who would believe such a thing. And I chose you because you have experience in these matters. You have been to that world Edolas after all.'
'What can we expect there?' - Erza crossed her arms.
'Absolutely nothing dangerous. It is a world completely deprived of any magic. It was used in the past as a vacation spot. Even if there is some opposition they have no magic at all. It should be a cakewalk'
'If it is that simple why are they paying so much?'
'Traveling to another world is not something that one should take lightly. No matter what world. And in the end they will make a fortune from the golems themselves.'
'Excuse me...but I was not there in Edolas.' - Levy raised her hand
'The stone is sealed in a rune prison. You are the only one capable of breaking them as Freed is not currently here.'
'I see.'
'So do you accept the mission?'
Everyone nodded in approval. Makarov gave Erza three stones and a map. The stones would open a portal leading into the world in question. A world deprived of any magic that was used as a vacation spot in the past. A simple quick and easy mission that would get them a lot of money and it would bring Fairy Tail back to it's feet. Everyone in the group was excited to start.
A single man was running through a scorched land desperately holding onto his sidearm. Everywhere he turned , he could only see towers of spires that were once buildings. Barracks , messhall , hangars. One of the best supplied bases in the republic. Home to hundreds of planes , helicopters and tanks. Garrisoned by close to three thousand soldiers with him as their commanding officer. And all was gone in less then fifteen minutes. There was no warning. Just the alarm going off at the shut down of all anti missile defences. And then came the fire. Most of the garrison never managed to leave the sleeping quarters and the ones who were at their station were not able to handle what had come. And then he saw it. In the middle of the inferno. Even though the flames the commander could see that it was staring at him. The heat doing nothing to mark those cold blue eyes. The only visible trait he could see. One that he had seen on so many reports.
'The...Destroyer...'
He was never able to lift up his sidearm as the figure in the flames raised a large cannon it was holding in it's left hand. A single red beam left it which melted skin and bone leaving nothing behind of the bases renowned commander.
Author's Note: I know I should be working on We're a Team but while looking through my hard disk I found my old notes. And among them was this story. I had completed a lot of it and while I was reading I revised a few parts , others I completely rewrote , added new things and in the end I decided to just finish it. I hope you enjoy the story :)
