Chapter Text
Earthland year X781 -Magnolia
The atmosphere in the Fairy Tail guild hall was as boisterous as ever, filled with laughter, shouting, and the occasional clash of fists. Natsu, in his usual fiery spirit, had ignited yet another battle with Gray, the two friends trading barbs as fiercely as they exchanged punches. Their playful rivalry quickly spiraled into an all-out brawl, pulling in the rest of the guild members, who enthusiastically joined in, turning the hall into a chaotic whirlpool of energy and excitement.
Suddenly, the jubilant shouts were drowned out by the sound of the heavy wooden doors bursting open. All eyes turned to the entrance as a young woman staggered inside, clearly in distress. Her blonde hair was matted and dirty, and her clothes hung on her frame in ragged tatters, indicating she hadn’t seen a bed or a proper meal in far too long. The lively chatter fell eerily silent as they comprehended her fragile state. Before anyone could react, she collapsed to the floor, her body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
Mira, ever the kind-hearted spirit, was the first to break from the stunned silence; her eyes widened in alarm. "Quick! Someone get the Master!" she exclaimed, rushing to the woman’s side, concern etched on her features. Gray snapped out of his daze and nodded decisively, while Natsu sprinted forward, instinctively lifting the seemingly unconscious woman and carrying her to a nearby table.
Once she was laid down, Natsu’s brow furrowed in confusion as he looked at her pale face. "Who is she? Where did she come from?" he muttered, worry creeping into his voice as he noticed the bruises and scrapes that marred her skin.
Master Makarov approached with a heavy heart, his wise eyes assessing the scene before him. He knelt beside the table, studying the woman closely. "Natsu, take her to the infirmary immediately," he instructed with a calm authority. "We will care for her until she wakes. She might have important answers for us, and we need to ensure she’s safe and tended to first."
With a firm nod, Natsu gently lifted her again, determination replacing the earlier confusion as he rushed toward the infirmary, ready to help this newcomer in distress. The guild members watched him go, a mix of concern and curiosity swirling in the air, each wondering what stories and secrets this mysterious woman would bring to their home.
Two days later
Groaning softly, the woman slowly emerged from the depths of unconsciousness. Blinking against the soft light filtering through the curtains, she surveyed the unfamiliar room. “Where am I?” she wondered aloud, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to sit up. The sterile scent of antiseptic and faint sounds of bustling outside tickled her senses, heightening her awareness of the situation.
“About time you woke up,” a gruff voice interrupted, causing her to startle. Turning her head to the left, she spotted a tall, muscular man leaning casually against the doorframe. His broad shoulders seemed to take up most of the doorway, and the unmistakable lightning-bolt scar slashed across his face was a sight she instantly recognized. A frown etched into his features deepened as he met her gaze. “You had the guild worried, you know.”
The woman’s eyes widened, and her heart raced. “Laxus? But that’s not possible…” she thought, disbelief mingling with a flicker of excitement. She glanced away, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she lowered her head. “Um, could you tell me where I am?”
“You're in the Fairy Tail infirmary after you collapsed in our guild hall,” the man grunted, his tone firm but not unkind. She felt a wave of shock wash over her. ‘I’m in Fairy Tail? How is that even possible?’ The realization left her momentarily speechless. When her silence lingered too long, Laxus huffed, glancing back toward her. “I’m going to get the master. Don’t go anywhere,” he warned before striding out of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway.
“How did I end up in Earthland?” she thought, rubbing her temples in frustration. “I knew I was lost, but this isn’t what I was expecting.” Gathering her thoughts, she stood up, crossing her arms defensively. “Alright, let’s think this through, Alex. You’re trapped in your favorite anime, you haven’t eaten much, and you have no idea how long you’ve been in Fairy Tail. What are you going to do?” she murmured, a note of panic creeping into her voice. “I have no idea!” she exclaimed, burying her face in her hands.
“You could start by answering a couple of questions,” a voice interjected from behind her, surprising her.
Alex spun around, her heart quickening again. Standing beside the door was Master Makarov, his kind demeanor shining through his wizened features. He offered a warm smile, a stark contrast to her racing thoughts. “Hi there,” he greeted. “Perhaps you would like to sit down and talk with me? I have a couple of questions I hope you don’t mind answering.”
Nodding, she sank back onto the edge of the bed, trying to steady her racing heart. “Of course, Master Makarov. What would you like to know?” she replied, mindful to choose her words carefully. “I have to be cautious with what I share, or I might ruin the entire show.”
Makarov rubbed his chin, eyes filled with curiosity. “How about we start with how you know who I am?”
Alex offered a faint smile. “Everybody knows the name of Fairy Tail’s master,” she said softly, feeling a bit more at ease. “Your guild is relatively famous.”
“And yet, you didn’t even realize where you were?” he asked, tilting his head slightly in intrigue.
“I wasn’t exactly in my right mind, master,” Alex admitted, a hint of sheepishness in her tone.
Makarov chuckled, nodding in understanding. “That is true. Now, what is your name, child? And what brought you here?”
“My name is Alex,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “And to be honest, I'm not quite sure what happened. I just woke up one day lost in the woods. I have no idea how to get home or even where home is from here.”
The master sighed, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “I could offer you a place in this guild if you’d like,” he proposed gently. “You could work as a mage and get paid so you can start anew here in Magnolia.”
“But I’m not a wizard,” Alex protested, shaking her head in disbelief. “I don’t have any magical ability.”
Makarov raised an eyebrow, a glint of intrigue in his eyes. “Is that so?” he mused. “I could feel your power when you were unconscious, and it’s only grown since you woke up.”
Her heart raced again. “I have magic?” she echoed, astonished. “It would have been so much easier if I’d known that from the start.” She looked back up at Makarov, a mix of hope and trepidation swirling within her. “Is there someone around here who can help me understand my abilities?”
Makarov’s smile widened. “Absolutely. I think we can find someone to guide you. But first, I believe a shower and some food are in order. I’m sure you’ll feel much better after that, don’t you think?”
Alex nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. “I think you’re right, Master.”
Makarov stood, his presence reassuring. “Come downstairs when you’re ready, and we’ll give you your guild mark. There are some spare clothes on the chair,” he said before exiting, leaving her alone with her thoughts, anticipation bubbling within her.
Downstairs
Gray crossed his arms tightly, a mix of worry and impatience etched on his face as he watched the master descend the creaky staircase. "Is she alright?" he demanded, his voice laced with concern. "Where is she?"
Makarov settled himself onto a sturdy barstool, the weight of his years evident in the slow, deliberate way he moved. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "She'll be down momentarily," he reassured Gray with a hint of a smile. "But don’t go bombarding her with too many questions. She seems to have forgotten much about her past. Still, she’s agreed to join Fairy Tail, so someone can help her learn to master her magic."
Gray’s brow furrowed with confusion, and he couldn’t help but interject. "She doesn’t know her magic?" The disappointment was palpable in his tone.
From the upper floor, Laxus’s mocking voice echoed disdainfully. "What kind of weaklings are you letting into the guild, old man?"
Ignoring Laxus, Gray turned his attention back to the master. "How can she not know what her magic is?" he asked, intrigued. "She displayed some real power earlier."
Makarov shrugged lightly, his expression thoughtful. "I’m not sure, Gray. It was as if mentioning it only deepened her confusion. There’s a lot she seems to need to remember."
The murmurs of the guild members became a low hum, a mix of speculation and curiosity about the mysterious newcomer and her enigmatic past. The chatter dwindled to silence when the heavy door creaked open, drawing all eyes toward the staircase.
As Alex made her way down, the soft click of her sandals against the wooden steps echoed in the now-quiet room. She wore a light blue halter top that accentuated her figure and a matching pair of blue shorts that fluttered slightly with her movement. There was an air of cautious confidence about her, despite the uncertainty in her eyes.
Makarov’s face broke into a warm smile as she approached. He extended a hand, holding the unmistakable guild stamp gleaming in the dim light of the bar. "Welcome down, Alex. How are you feeling? And where would you like your guild mark placed?"
The atmosphere in the guild shifted, filled with an unspoken hope and anticipation as they awaited her response, eager to welcome her into their family.
Alex smiled. "I'm feeling much better, thank you, Master. I'd like it here on my collar bone , please."
Once she had her guild mark, the master grinned. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, Alex. Now we have to find out what you're magic is so we can find you a decent teacher."
Alex opened her mouth to respond when a flaming fist came at her face. Thinking quickly, she ducked and gave a swift uppercut punch to the pink-haired mage above her. He flew to the wall, her hand sparkling with electricity. Laxus leaned forward, interested. "You're a lightning mage?" Gray asked, shocked.
"I guess I am, "Alex muttered, looking at her hand in shock.
Makarov grinned. "I know just the wizard to help you master your abilities."