Fairy Tail: Metal and Threads

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia. 

December 20, x789. 

A week has passed since Ur received the message from the Village Hidden in the Mist. In that time, the preparations for the x789 S-Class Promotion Exam were completed, as well as the exam itself. And for the first time since x778, when Laxus was promoted to S-Class, no one was promoted during the exam this year. 

So, with everyone feeling disappointed, the guild members returned from Tenrou Island with nothing to show for it. Even so, there were still things to look forward to when they got back. 

For example, Mei Terumi, the Mizukage of the Village Hidden in the Mist would be showing up at some point before the year ended. Then, there was Laxus wedding. And finally, though a bit further way, there wass Team Steel Threads participation in the x790 Grand Magic Games. 

And if you were to tell anyone, even Chico, one of his brides to be, that Laxus would be getting married ten years ago, they would all laugh. Laxus was just as unlikely to get married as Natsu was before he started dating Lisanna. But somehow, both of them would be among the ranks of those with wives in the near future. 

However, Laxus' wedding, that would have to wait for a couple more weeks. Instead, they would be welcoming a visitor before that. And many of the guild's members were waiting for that visitor on the guild hall's first floor. 

"So, when do you think she'll show up?" Laxus asked from his spot at the bar. 

"Who knows." Alfonzo replied with a shrug. "But Ur said it would happen before the ball dropped." 

"The ball?" Laxus asked in a confused tone. 

"Is someone going through puberty?" Gajeel asked with a grin on his face. 

Meanwhile, Alfonzo looked at not only Laxus and Gajeel, but Alzack, Gray, and Elfman, who also seemed to have no idea what he was talking about, as well, with confusion. A moment later, however, he understood what the issue was. 

'Oh, that's right, there's no concept of the ball dropping at the end of the year in this world.' Alfonzo thought to himself with realization sparkling in his eyes. A moment later, he had a great idea as he continued his thoughts. 'But maybe I should do something about that. But do I have enough time? There are only eleven days left.' 

"Hey, Alfonzo, I know that look." Gray said, leaning over the bar to look at Alfonzo intensely. "Over the years, every time you've had that look on your face, you've made quite a bit of money in the near future." 

Hearin Gray's words, Laxus, Alzack, Elfman, and Gajeel turned to look at Alfonzo with inquiring gazes. And they all waited on tenterhooks. 

"Oh, I just had an idea for an annual event." Alfonzo replied with a smile. "And I think it will be something people will come to love over the years. But if I want to have it happen this year, I'll have to make a few phone calls. And that may not even be enough to get things rolling this year." 

With that, Alfonzo stood up and stepped away from the bar. He then pulled his lPhone out of his pocket and started walking towards a corner of the guild hall that was comparatively quieter than the guild hall's usual din. And just as he held his lPhone to his ear, they could only hear a few words before he was out of earshot. 

"Hey, Masumi, I just had a great idea." Alfonzo said while walking away from prying ears. "I'll tell you what I'm thinking. Then, I need you to give me an estimate of how quickly you can get everything together. So, this is what I'm thinking…" 

Laxus, Alzack, Gray, and Gajeel could only look on in curiosity. However, they were unable to hear anything Alfonzo said after a certain point. 

"Seriously, he's always so secretive when it comes to things like this." Laxus muttered. 

"Well, can you blame him?" Alzack asked with a shrug. "Even though we're all friends, he tries his best to keep business and his personal life separate." 

"I know." Laxus grumbled before picking up his drink and draining it in one go. 

*Bang!* 

"That won't stop me from being curious, though." Laxus continued while slamming his empty mug on the top of the bar. 

"What's got you so annoyed, Laxus?" Ur asked, walking up behind the group of four after leaving the elevators. 

Ur's voice caused Laxus, Alzack, Gray, and Gajeel to look back. When they did, they saw Ur as expected. They also saw Marin and Shizuka flanking her on either side. And Shizuka was holding the sleeping Calvin in her arms, as well. 

"Don't worry about it." Laxus replied while waving Ur's question off dismissively. "Anyway, do you need us for something? Actually scratch that. Since those two are with you, I can already guess what you're here for." 

"that's right." Ur replied with a nod. "Come with me. We're going to the train station to greet our guests from abroad." 

"*Sigh* So they're finally here, huh?" Laxus asked as he placed his hands on the top of the bar to support himself as he stood up. "Well, it took long enough." 

"Don't say things like that, Laxus." Ur said. "It takes time to stabilize a situation when the leadership role is forcefully taken. In fact, I'm impressed that it only took her this long." 

"If you say so?" Laxus replied with a shrug. 

"Anyway, where's Fonzie?" Marin asked curiously. 

"Over there." Alzack said while pointing at the corner where Alfonzo was having his phone call. 

"Ooh! I'll go get him!" Shizuka cheered happily, speed walking over to Alfonzo before anyone could object. "I'm sure Cal will love to see his daddy." 

Just like that, the group watched Shizuka approach Alfonzo happily. She then handed Calvin to him and Alfonzo put his lPhone away before they returned with Alfonzo cradling Calvin in his arms while Shizuka held onto Alfonzo's elbow. 

"So, she's finally here, huh?" Alfonzo asked when he and Shizuka returned to the others. "Well then, I guess we should get going, shouldn't we? But I assume we're not gonna be walking, right? Then, who's driving?" 

That question brought everyone up short. The only two cars that were present were Shizuka's, since she drove to the guild hall with Calvin and Ur's. However, neither vehicle was big enough to carry so many people. And even if they took both, there would not be enough space for everyone. 

"*Sigh* I'll take care of it." Alfonzo said in an exasperated tone. "You should have told me we would be driving to pick them up earlier, Ur. If you had, I would have brought the limo here." 

With that, Alfonzo handed Calvin back to Shizuka. Then, he walked towards the guild's sliding doors. 

"I'll be back in a few minutes." Alfonzo said while walking away. "Shizuka, you should take the car seat out of your car. Unless you plan on leaving Calvin here with Ren." 

"Nope!" Shizuka said in her usual, slightly airheaded tone. "I wanna show off Calvin to Mei. She'll be surprised by how cute he is." 

'Yeah, and even more determined to get married, too.' Alfonzo thought to himself while shrugging his shoulders. 

A moment later, Alfonzo was standing outside of the guild hall. The, his body was engulfed by arcs of violet electricity before he simply vanished from where he stood. 

Not long after that, Alfonzo appeared outside of the Mansion on the Lake. He then opened the door and walked inside. 

"Grayfia, are you here!?" Alfonzo shouted, his voice carrying to every corner of the mansion. 

*Swish!* 

Not even a second later, Grayfia appeared in front of Alfonzo with her hands folded over her lower abdomen and her head bowed in respect. 

"Master Alfonzo, how may I be of assistance?" Grayfia asked. 

"The guild is going to be picking up some important guests from the train station." Alfonzo explained. "And I'll need someone to drive the limo. I could do it myself, but I'm sure I'll be expected to entertain our guests on the way back to the guild hall." 

"I understand." Grayfia replied. 

"Good, then please get the limo out of the garage." Alfonzo said as he turned around. "I'll levitate it over to the guild hall to save time. Then, we'll drive to the train station." 

"As you command." Grayfia replied, bowing her head once again before she vanished in a burst of speed to retrieve the limo's key and drive it out of the underground garage. 

A few minutes later, a trio who was dressed differently than the townsfolk of Magnolia stepped out of the train station. When they did, the two men and one woman looked around, the wariness in their gazes evident to nearly no one. 

"This is quite the peaceful town." The woman, Mei Terumi, said while watching the people of Magnolia go about their business. "It's rare to see such carefree people in Caelum outside of the capital city." 

"Indeed." One of the men, Ao, replied with a nod. "There are so many rogue shinobi and dark wizards running around Caelum's countryside that it is impossible to have this many carefree people anywhere other than the capital." 

"It's nice." The second male, a young man with short, spiky sky blue hair, standing at about 5'4" tall looking to be in his late teens and wearing a pin-striped shirt that matched his hair color and a pair of camouflage-patterned pants with standard ninja sandals with a large sword in the shape of a large flounder fish wrapped in bandages strapped to his back , said in a shy tone while looking around cautiously. "But what if it's just a façade to get us to lower our guard? How will we protect Lady Mizukage in that case?" 

"Chōjurō, you're one of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist." Mei said in an exasperated tone. "How can you be so unconfident? You need to take pride in the fact that you've reached such a height." 

"Y-yes, Lady Mizukage." The sky blue-haired young man, Chōjurō, replied while lowering his head. "I'll do my best." 

Mei could only sigh in response. Even Ao looked at Chōjurō with a bit of exasperation. However, it was not long after that before the trio's attention was drawn to something in the distance. At the same time, Chōjurō flashed in front of Mei with his hand gripping the hilt of his sword and the shy expression on his face having been replaced with a resolute one. 

"*Sigh* Why can't you show this kind of expression all the time, Chōjurō?" Mei asked as she stepped forward and placed a hand on Chōjurō's shoulder. "It suits an Elite Jōnin like you much better. Even so, there's no need to be on guard. That should be our hosts." 

As Mei calmed Chōjurō, the thing that caught the trio's attention, a long magic vehicle that resembled a stretch Lincoln Continental Limousine approached before pulling up in front of them. Then, once the magic vehicle came to a stop, the driver's door opened, and a tall, well-endowed, silver-haired woman wearing a blue and white apron dress, clearly denoting her status as a maid, stepped out of the vehicle before moving to the back door and opening it for the passengers. 

With the back door open, a group of people started exiting the magic vehicle. Most of whom, the trio of Mei, Ao, and Chōjurō were familiar with, as they had met them during the Mist's Civil War. First was Marin shortly followed by Laxus. After him, Alfonzo stepped out of the door. Then, he held his hand out to help the next person, Shizuka, who was holding an infant in her arms. 

'Oh! My! God!' Mei exclaimed internally when she saw Calvin. 'He's adorable! Now, I really want one of my own. I just need to get married first, though.' 

As that last thought ran through her head, Mei's mood visibly worsened. 

"Lady Mizukage." Ao, having noticed the change in Mei's expression, whispered. "Please, hold yourself together. I don't' know what's bothering you, but you're too experienced to be showing your thoughts on your face like that." 

'Too experienced?' Mei thought to herself. 'Is Ao calling me old? Too old to get married?' 

"Ao…" Mei said in a low, threatening tone. 

With that tone, Ao noticed yet another change in Mei's mood. However, he did not know what caused such a dangerous, for him, at least, change. Yet, before he could figure it out, Mei continued. 

"Do you want to die? If you do, I can help you by melting you down to your bones." Mei asked quietly with a promise of pain and perhaps even death in her tone should he answer incorrectly. 

"I apologize, Lady Mizukage." Ao replied, quickly lowering his head. 

"*sigh* those two are at it again." Laxus muttered while watching Mei and Ao's two-man show. "I wonder what Ao said this time?" 

"Who knows." Alfonzo replied with a shrug while watching the Mist Village trio. "Probably something she misinterpreted… again." 

At that moment, Ur finally stepped out of the limo, as well. When she did, she wanted to welcome Mei grandly. However, when she saw the atmosphere surrounding the trio and how Mei was glaring at Ao, who had his head lowered in apology, while Chōjurō looked on with an expression that made it clear he had no idea what to do, she could only scratch the side of her head in confusion. 

"Uh... hello?" Ur said in an uncertain tone. "Welcome to… Uh… Magnolia and the Kingdom of Fiore… Um… Friends from afar." 

"Hold off for a few minutes, Ur." Alfonzo said while patting Ur on the shoulder. "This will probably take a little while. You can do another take once they're back with us again." 

With that, the Fairy Tail wizards watched the Mist Village trio go through their usual song and dance. But the most impressive thing about the whole scene was the fact that once the civilians noticed the Fairy Tail wizards near the spectacle, they shrugged their shoulders and stop paying attention, as they had come to expect strange things that they could not comprehend to happen whenever members of Fairy Tail were present.