The Emerald Fairy

Broken Guild

Gwen blinked.

She blinked again.

This wasn't right.

The guild was... destroyed.

Why was it destroyed?

Better yet, who destroyed it?

She knew that she hadn't been in the guild for a long time but having stayed there for a few days gave her all she needed to know about everyone's magic and not one of them showed signs of being able to create massive steel beams like the ones she was looking at right now.

Suddenly, she heard a noise off to her right and when she turned to look, she saw a massive castle standing off in the sea with a massive cannon aimed at the guild.

How did she know that? She thought as panic flared throughout her entire body.

Where was Ben? Grandpa Max? Natsu? Erza? Or Gray? Why weren't they here? What happened to them?

Without warning, a firm hand grabbed her by the shoulder and forced her to turn around, her eyes widened in shock as she saw five people obscured by shadow standing in front of what could of three metal pillars with Levy, Jet and Droy crucified to them.

She began to breath rapidly. Her heart pounded in her chest. What was going on? Her eyes flicker from left to right as she took in the destroyed surroundings.

How did this happen? She thought before she noticed a massive cage sitting next to her.

When did that get there?

Cautiously, she stepped towards the cage and peaked inside before gasping in shock as she stumbled back in horror. Her words were stuck in her throat as she struggled to understand what she saw.

There, chained near the back of the cage, hung a very familiar figure, one that she'd grown increasingly close to in the few days she'd known her. The figures head hung low and their long blond hair looked disheveled and somewhat dirty while their clothes were torn all over but Gwen could still recognise her.

"...Lucy?" She asked tersely.

Hearing her name, Lucy slowly began to lift her head, allowing the Gwen to see the hollow look of defeat in her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Now arriving at Magnolia town."

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Gwen bolted upright with a loud gasp, her breath coming in rapid, uneven bursts. The remnants of her nightmare clung to her like a shadow, her heartbeat echoing the panic of her dream. Blinking away the last vestiges of the vision, she slowly became aware of her surroundings: the gentle hum of the train, the rhythmic clacking of wheels on tracks, and the familiar, comforting interior of the carriage. Her heart gradually slowed as she took in the reality of the train ride, realizing she was safe, though still shaken by the remnants of her dream.

Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to see Ben's concerned face. "You okay?" He asked her.

She shook her head, "Just a bad dream." She replied before she glanced back at him, "You?" she asked in a poorly disguised attempt to change the subject.

Ben tried to smile reassuringly at her but she could tell it was fake. His eyes were puffy and red from crying, she winced internally, it seems like parting from Wendy affected him even more then he was willing to let on.

It hurt her more than she expected to see him in this state. She parsed her lips and gulped before pulling her cousin into a comforting hug.