116 Two Years Later... When Everything Really Begins

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Hargeon.

June 2, x784.

Nearly two full years have passed since Elicia met Lucy Heartfilia. And in that time very few things of note have occurred.

First, before the end of x782 a young man joined the guild. Though, only Makarov was supposed to know his appearance. Unsurprisingly, however, Alfonzo and Elicia also knew who he was and what he looked like.

The boy was Mystogan, or Prince Jellal of Edolas.

Every time he entered the guild after the day he joined, he used his magic to put everyone to sleep. However, his magic did not affect those who were strong enough to ignore it. And there were only seven wizards with the necessary power to do so. Namely, Makarov, Ur, Laxus, Alfonzo, Elicia, Ultear, Erza, and Mirajane.

Gildarts would have made eight. However, ever since he left on the 100-Years Quest, he had yet to return to the guild.

What did surprise everyone about Mystogan's place in the guild was the fact that in less than half a year, he earned the designation of A-Class wizard, qualified for the S-Class Promotion Exam, and passed it, becoming the newest S-Class wizard in Fairy Tail's ranks.

With that, the calendar closed on the year x782.

The following year, x783, did not have many big events to mention either.

Near the beginning of the year, everyone seemed to just forget about a wizard by the name of Mest Gryder. On top of that, he was never seen again after the wizards forgot about him. Even Alfonzo and Elicia forgot about any of their interactions with him. However, due to their meta-knowledge, they knew who he was and knew what part he would play in future events.

Then, there was the biggest piece of news of the year. The Ishgar continent formally broke off all diplomatic relations with the Alvarez Empire on the Western Continent. Alfonzo and Elicia knew that Mest was sent to infiltrate the Magic Council so that he could find information about the happenings on the Western Continent.

Next was the S-Class Promotion Exam of x783. Of the eight examinees, Cana Alberona, Gray Fullbuster, Ultear Milkovich, Natsu Dragneel, Sun Seto, and the three members of the Thunder God Tribe, Ultear was the one to stand above the rest.

As soon as the Promotion Exam ended, Ultear walked right up to Alfonzo, looked him in the eyes, and said, "Alfonzo, I love you. I want to be one of your girlfriends." And considering that Alfonzo had been expecting this for along time and had grown rather fond of her as well, he accepted her confession on the spot. While most people on Tenrou island were surprised by her bold declaration, Ur looked at her daughter as if she were relieved.

As it turned out, Ur had been telling Ultear to just go for it for years now. Saying that the worst that could happen would be Alfonzo saying no. And if he did, she could move on. Of course, Ultear believed her mother's words. However, whenever she gathered her courage in the past, she would psych herself out so much that she ended up running away in fear, so to speak.

Cana, on the other hand, looked much more depressed than she did in the other years she failed to become an S-Class. Though, she would not tell anyone the reason why.

After that, All the Fairy Tail wizards who were involved in the promotion exam returned to Magnolia on their ship.

When they returned, two things happened shortly after they arrived.

First, Alfonzo unveiled the ship that he built, named Sixth Sense. {A/N: Shamelessly dropping my own name again!}

It used the latest version of his lacrima engine as a driving force. Unfortunately, he was unable to find a large enough refillable lacrima crystal to act as its fuel source. Then, the day after they returned, one of Nell's contacts got in touch with him and brought him the lacrima he needed.

Although everyone who participated in the exam this year were a bit annoyed, they all understood there was nothing Alfonzo could do about it.

Then, the day after Alfonzo announced his creation, Elicia received a visit from Sebastian at the Taylor Shop. She was somewhat surprised to see the old butler show up by himself. However, when she saw that he was no longer wearing his butler uniform, she had a pretty good guess why he was there.

Sebastian told Elicia that Lucy had run away from home due to her father, Jude's neglect turning into controlling her life to a severe degree, which confirmed Elicia's guess.

Apparently, Lucy had overheard her father discussing her arranged marriage. And it was to someone she had never met, let alone heard of before. When she researched the man her father was talking about, it turned out to be a man almost twenty years older than her.

Repulsed by the marriage, and even more by her father, Lucy packed up some necessities, grabbed her savings, and ran away from the Heartfilia Kanzen in the darkness of the light.

Then, after relaying the story, Sebastian asked Elicia to look after Lucy should she come across her on her travels. Then, he left to live out the rest of his days in retirement.

Since that day, a little more than six months have passed. And today, Alfonzo and Elicia were in Hargeon to visit Rebecca Land, the matron of the orphanage where their memories awakened in this world.

"You don't have to bring so much money for the orphanage every time you come to visit." Rebecca said as she walked Alfonzo and Elicia out of the orphanage. "We already have more than we know what to do with from your other donations."

"Then, I guess you know how we feel, huh?" Alfonzo replied with a cheeky smile. "Lici and I have so much money we don't know what to do with it either."

"And since we don't know what to do with it, we decided to give it to the place that helped us the most when we first had nowhere to go." Elicia added. However, her smile was much more innocent.

"*Sigh* You kids were much cuter when you lived here for those two months." Rebecca said with a smile on her face. "You never talked back to me like you do now."

After speaking, Rebecca pulled Alfonzo and Elicia into a hug.

"Still, you've done so much for the kids and the staff." Rebecca aid, the happiness in her tone would have been apparent to anyone who heard it. "Just don't forget us. And keep dropping by from time to time. And stop with the enormous donations."

"Haha!" Alfonzo chuckled as he returned the hug. "We can agree to the first two conditions with no problem."

"But the last one is a promise we don't know if we can keep." Elicia said, continuing where Alfonzo left off while also returning the hug. "So, we won't make it in the first place."

"Oh, so now that you're rich and famous, you won't listen to your matron anymore, huh?" Rebecca said with mock anger as she released the hug. "Anyway, take care of yourselves and be careful while you're out on those quests. I'd better not hear anything about either of you getting yourselves hurt… Again."

With that last word, Rebecca glared at Alfonzo, who looked away and scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile on his face.

"Hehehe." Elicia giggled at the scene. "Embarrassed Fonzie is the cutest."

"*Cough* Anyway, it's about time for us to get moving, Matron." Alfonzo said, clearly trying to change the subject. "We've gotta drop by Lici's shop."

"yeah, we might be getting an important guest." Elicia said, helping Alfonzo out of the awkward situation.

"*Sigh* Okay. You kids go and handle your business." Rebecca said. "Just be safe."

"We will." Alfonzo and Elicia replied in unison. Then, ass they turned around, they both waved their hands and spoke once more. "See you next time, Matron."

After saying their goodbyes, the couple did not wait for Rebecca's reply. Instead, they held hands as they walked away from the orphanage and made their way toward the Taylor Shop.

"So, do you really think she'll come to your shop?" Alfonzo asked Elicia after they walked for a few minutes.

"Probably?" Elicia replied while tilting her head cutely. "I mean, she wanted to join Fairy Tail, right? Well she knows that I'm a member, so it makes sense, doesn't it?"

"I guess, but I doubt it will be that simple." Alfonzo said with a shake of his head.

Then, as if to prove his point, Alfonzo and Elicia saw Natsu run by, seemingly not even noticing them.

"Hey, Happy!" Natsu shouted while he was running. "That guy did say Salamander was in the town, right?"

"He sure did, Natsu." Happy said while holding on to Natsu's head as he ran.

Just like that, Natsu and Happy ran toward a crowd of people gathering down the street.

"I always wondered something." Elicia said as she watched Natsu run away.

"What's up, Lici?" Alfonzo asked as he also watched Natsu and Happy.

"Why did Natsu wear that hideous jacket over his vest? I mean, he never wore it again after the first episode."

"It's obvious the author drew him like that just to make the big reveal, right?" Alfonzo replied.

"I guess." Elicia said, still dissatisfied. "But this is a real world. So, why is he still wearing it? I mean, it's June and hot."

"That's a question you'll have to ask him yourself." Alfonzo replied with a chuckle. "Anyway, what are we gonna do?"

"What do you mean?" Elicia asked curiously.

"Are we gonna interfere with the Canon version of this event?" Alfonzo asked.

"Is there a reason to?" Elicia asked in response. "In the end, Natsu , Happy, and Lucy will meet. Then, Lucy will get tricked into attending that party. After that, Natsu will show up. Then, they'll defeat Bora and Natsu will invite Lucy to join the guild."

"Yeah, that's true." Alfonzo replied with a nod. "But you forgot something."

By that point, Alfonzo and Elicia had made it to Elicia's store. Then, Alfonzo pulled the front door open and held it until Elicia entered.

"I forgot something?" Elicia turned around to ask. "I don't think I did, though."

"Yeah, something important." Alfonzo said, walking into the store. "The destruction Natsu will cause when he slams Bora into the bell tower."

"Oh, yeah." Elicia said in a tone of realization. "That does happen, doesn't it?"

"And since Natsu has been training with us for the last seven years, he's probably quite a bit stronger than his canon counterpart."

"Oh, this could be bad." Elicia said with a nod. "So, what are we gonna do?"

"*Sigh* I asked you that question already." Alfonzo said with a wry smile on his face.

"Hehehe." Elicia giggled. "I know. I was just messing with you. But seriously, I think we should let things play out."

"Why?" Alfonzo asked with curiosity in his tone.

"Because I have to check last month's financial report."

"C.R.E.A.M., huh?" Alfonzo asked with a smile.

"That's right." Elicia replied with a nod and a smile of her own. "Cash Rules Everything Around Me. Get the money! Dolla dolla bill y'all."

Just like that, Alfonzo and Elicia allowed the meeting between Natsu, Happy, and Lucy to play out like it did in episode 1 of the anime. And by the time Elicia was done with her financial report, Lucy had washed the yacht Bora planned to kidnap all the girls he charmed with back to the shores of Hargeon.

"Well, it looks like the show is almost over." Alfonzo said as he and Elicia exited the Taylor Shop.

"Yeah, after this, we can go back home." Elicia said as she stretched. "I'm so tired."

Shortly after that conversation, Bora used his magic to rise from the ground. Then, he fired a blast of fire at Natsu. And when Natsu did not move to defend himself, Bora thought he had won. Until the sound of inhaling and swallowing could be heard from the center of the flames.

A few moments later, Natsu charged at Bora and landed his [Fire Dragon's Iron Fist] and sent him flying toward the bell tower in the center of the town.

However, unlike in the canon version of events, instead of slamming into the bell and causing it to fall into the town and destroy several buildings, Bora burst straight through the bell and flew toward the other side of the city.

"Damn, that had to hurt." Alfonzo said as he watched everything unfold. "Anyway, can you tie up that Bora guy, Lici?"

"Already on it." Elicia replied as her threads extended throughout the town. "We better go catch Natsu before he runs away with Lucy, though."

"Yeah, let's go." Alfonzo said.

Then, Alfonzo and Elicia rushed toward the spot where the battle took place.

"Hold on!" Lucy shouted as she approached Natsu. "You're from Fairy Tail?"

"Yup, sure am." Natsu replied with a big smile.

"We both are." Happy said happily as he flew around the two.

"Hey, you said you wanted to join Fairy Tail, right?" Natsu asked.

"More than anything in the world." Lucy replied excitedly.

In the next instant, Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand, confusing her.

"Then… Let's go." Natsu said as he started to drag Lucy away. "We gotta get outta here before the guys from the Magic Council show up!"

"Not so fast, Natsu." Said a voice from behind the trio.

In the next instant, Natsu felt a vice like grip on the back of his head. Then, he was turned around to face the one who stopped him. When he saw the face of his captor, Natsu's face paled.

"H-H-Hey, Alfonzo." Natsu said nervously. "What a coincidence meeting you here."

"Were you trying to run away from your responsibilities, Natsu." Alfonzo asked with a friendly smile on his face that terrified Natsu to no end.

"Oh, N-No, of course not." Natsu stammered. "I was… Uh… Oh, I know! I was going to look for that guy who pretended to be part of Fairy Tail."

"Oh, if you're talking about that guy you fought, don't worry about it." Alfonzo said, maintaining his friendly smile. "Lici's already got him."

As he said that last sentence, Alfonzo pointed over his shoulder at Elicia, who was reeling in her threads. At the end of her threads, the unconscious Bora could be seen wrapped up like a caterpillar.

"Huh?" Lucy exclaimed after following the direction Alfonzo pointed. "Elicia? Then, you must be Alfonzo Marcus, right? I'm a huge fan!"

"See, I told you." Elicia said with a smile as she dragged Bora over to the group.

"Well, having such a good looking fan isn't so bad." Alfonzo said with a smile.

Immediately, Lucy blushed at the compliment and started to fidget in embarrassment.

"Anyway, I heard you tell Natsu that you wanted to join Fairy Tail." Alfonzo said with a smile.

"Yeah, I do." Lucy said excitedly.

"Well, if you're willing to wait for us to finish cleaning up, you can ride with us back to Magnolia."

"That sounds great!" Lucy said excitedly.

"Wait, ride?" Natsu asked, his face growing pale rapidly. "As in your car? Is it the Vanquish? Please tell me it's not the Vanquish!"

"No, it's the Escalade." Elicia replied. "We brought a bunch of toys for the kids at the orphanage. And we'll put a tarp down in the back just in case you puke."

With that, the group of five continued to chat until the Magic Council's Custody Enforcement Unit arrived. Then, they handed over Bora, a member of a dark guild involved in multiple kidnappings and the slave trade. After that, Alfonzo used his magic to repair the destroyed bell. Finally, Natsu apologized to the people of the town for the destruction he caused before the group piled into the Escalade and made their way to Magnolia.