I slowly open my eyes with a yawn, my body a little stiff. Even though I was tired, I was excited because today, the guild will be unveiled. I got a letter from Celestia a couple days ago saying that the guild is ready and that me, the employees and Sonbā would be able to move in. I would still need at least two days to double check and finish thing for the guild members tests, but that could wait until tomorrow.

I manage to unwrap myself from the sheets after a second and stretch, my newly acquired muscles a little sore. The last couple days I have been working out not just my magic but also my body. I knew how strong I was magically, I was almost overpowered, but I was still relatively normal in terms of physical strength. Even though it is unlikely, I don’t want to get caught unprepared if someone manages to disable my magic. I get up from the bed and grab the suitcases Rarity lend me and began to pack my clothes and personal items.

After packing and adorning my original outfit, I walk out of the guest room with my suitcases in my aura and see Spike and Twilight in the kitchen making breakfast and Echo and Sonbā in the living room, making sure they grabbed everything.

“Morning everypony.” I say, placing my suitcases by the door.

“Morning Lex.” They say to me. I check the stuff Echo and Sonbā packed with them and then we go by the kitchen as Spike and Twilight finish making a bunch of waffles. We all sit around the table, but Spike flinches back with a hiss as he rests his back against the chair. We all look to him in worry.

“You ok Spike?” I ask, walking over to him.

“Y-yeah, I think so. My back has been feeling really tender lately so I have been having to sleep on my sides.” He says. I feel along his back and feel two small bumps near his shoulder blades and get an idea.

“Take off your shirt.” I tell him, Spike blushing at the order before nodding. He carefully takes off his black shirt and I carefully feel along his back, Spike flinching when I reach the little bumps. I look a little closer and see the skin beneath his scales is actually stretching a bit almost like he is...I go wide eyed when I see what is happening.

“Well, I have sorta good news. I think I might know what is going on.” I say, everyone turning to me. “My cousin used to have a pet snake, and a couple times when I went to visit I helped out in cleaning its cage after it shed its skin. I think your starting to molt and shed Spike. And if the locations of these bumps are any indication, I think you’re growing wings.”

The others look to Spike in shock at this while the drake looks to me in surprise.

“So I am growing wings? That is why my back is so sore?” I nod to him.

“Probably. You have been going though quite the growth spurt lately so this makes sense that you would end up molting like this. Now I don’t know about dragons, but I don’t think you should worry and you shouldn’t try to rush it. If a reptile was forced to or just tried to rush their molting, they run the risk of infection.” I tell the drake. He nods and puts his shirt back on before we all begin to eat.

“So do you think we have everything?” I ask Sonbāsutā and Echo after a bit of silence.

“I think so. I have all of mine and Echo’s clothes plus the stuff we bought and brought from the Empire.” Sonbā says, pointing to the suitcases by the door. Echo nods in agreement, her mouth full of waffles and blueberries.

“And you said we had to wait at the train station first right?” Twilight asks. I nod to her.

“Yeah, after I got the letter from the princess about the guild being finished I got in contact with the employees I hired from Manehatten and told them to come by today so all of us can be there for the unveiling.” I say, finishing the last waffle on my plate. I take mine and Echo’s empty plates to the sink to wash them. After a minute the others bring their own dishes for me to wash up as they do a final run through to make sure they have everything.

Once everything is said and done my group leaves the library and heads to the train station to wait for the employees of the guild to arrive. I have been in contact with Flora, Zen and Spark while I was going around to the major cities of Equestria and so far nothing has happened in Manehatten and they all have been just doing their own things for the most part. Though Flora did say Swift and Zen have been hanging out while they were waiting for the message about the guild being done.

“Oh hello darlings!” We all turn and see as Rarity and Emerald walking up, Emerald having his own suitcase with him.

“Hey Rarity, hey Emerald. So I guess you are all packed up and ready to move in too?” I ask the stallion.

“Indeed. I am very excited to see the guild as well as our new living quarters.” Emerald says, adjusting his jacket. I smile and take the lead, heading to the station.

“So, can somepony explain why we are heading to the train station instead of the guild hall?” We all turn and look up as Rainbow hovers over us.

“Yeah, we are going to welcome the employees and then all of us are going to the guild for the unveiling.” I answer the pegasus, not even affected by her random appearances anymore.

“Cool.” Not long after that we arrive at the train station and I take out the communication card for Trace and focus.

‘Hey Trace! How far are you guys?’ I question with Telepathy, Trace yelping slightly from the sudden question.

‘Oh hey Lex, we are not too far out. The train should stop in about ten minutes.’ He say and I smile.

‘Alright, tell the others that me and a couple of my friends are at the station waiting for you guys.’ I ask him.

‘Roger that!’ I put my card away and take out my phone, intent on listening to my music until the others arrive. Luckily the others were able to keep themselves distracted, mostly Spike asking Rainbow for flying lessons for when his wings sprout. I guess I zoned into my music more than I thought, cause the next thing I know I feel the platform rumbling as the train pulls in.

Taking off my headphones and putting them away, my group waited by the entrance to the station. Several ponies got off the car in a rush before the group from Manehatten arrived.

“Hey guys! Over here!” I call out, the group seeing me and my group.

“LEXXY!” I can’t react in time before Flora launches herself at me with a hug.

“Ack! G-good to see you too Flora. Now please let go.” I strain to say, Flora seeing me struggle and letting me go.

“Oops, sorry.” She says innocently. The others chuckle at they walk up to us. I turn to my group and see Rarity is looking at Zen, Nate and Raine with a raised brow while Rainbow is looking at Flora.

“Everyone meet Zen Quartz and his brother Nate, Floral Talons, Raine Jewel, Hot Spark, Swift Service, Silk Song and Legacy Tracer. They are the ones who made it through the application ‘exams’ I held in Manehatten a while ago.” I say.

“Wow, I am surprised you actually hired creatures other than ponies. Most in the big cities would think you were out of your mind to do that.” Rainbow says, hovering over the others, soon joined by Flora.

“Maybe, but Fairy Tail isn’t pony exlusive. The whole point is to help those in need for pay and not to just prove one species is better than the other. So having Diamond Dogs and Griffins in it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.” I say, beginning to walk to the guild, the others soon catching up.

“So, any idea what the guild looks like?” Silk asks, adjusting her shoulder strap for her bag.

“I mean, I did make the plans for the princesses to go off of so it should look like the original guild hall from the Fairy Tail story.” I say, seeing some ponies looking at our large group.

“You know that has been bugging me. Why is the guild called Fairy Tail anyways?” Spark asks.

“Well, it isn’t known if fairies truly have tails or if they exists at all. But that makes it an eternal question, and thus an eternal adventure to learn the truth. Kinda poetic, don’t you think?” I say, the group all pondering the answer. We all walk to the rest of the way in a state of silence before we see the guild hall, covered by a tarp to hide its design. In the front of the guild we can see the rest of the girls and Celestia.

“Hey girls!” I call, getting the others attentions. I see as Fluttershy’s eyes widen and she quickly hides behind AppleJack, the farmer putting on a curious expression.

“Um Fluttershy? Why are you hiding?” I question with a raise brow, the pegasus shakily pointing to Flora, the griffin just hovering over us with a raised brow.

“Yeah, Fluttershy hasn’t had the best past with griffons.” Rainbow explains. Flora quickly lands and walks up to the hiding pegasus before digging into her backpack and taking out an odd orange flower. She carefully offered the plant to the hiding pegasus, Fluttershy slowly coming out from behind AJ and Flora putting the flower into her mane. I smile at the hens attempt at appearing gentle.

“I see you hired quite the colourful crew to work in the guild.” We all turn to Celestia as she says that and bow. She giggles at the response and we all stand back up.

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t as hard as I honestly expected. Quite a few ponies were still uncomfortable around predators so they were easy to discount since the guild will not only have pony members.” I say, Sonbā, Trace and Nate nodding in agreement.

“Well, then I suppose there is no point in delaying.” She says with a smile, covering the tarp with her magic. “Welcome all of you, to the newly finished Fairy Tail guild hall!” She snaps her fingers and the tarp disappears and I smile wide at what I am seeing.

I am amazed at the detail that Celestia had the workers put into this, they even got the colors of the banners up top right. I smile as I look over the guild hall, seeing everything is just like it was on the show in Earthland.

“T-this is...perfect! It looks exactly like the guild in Earthland!” I turn to the princess. “Thank you Celestia. This is all sorts of awesome!” I say with a wide smile. She smiles back at me and motions for the door.

“Well then, let’s not waste time, and see this insides as well.” I smile and head to the doors, the rest of the group just looking at the outside of the hall in awe. I grip the handles and slowly pull them open.

“SURPRISE!!!” And then I am sent onto my back as Cadence, Luna and Pinkie pop out in a tackle hug.

“Cadence! Luna! I was wondering where you two were and...wait Pinkie? Weren’t you behind me?” I say, all of us getting up. Pinkie just giggles and bounces back to the others and AJ walks up and places a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t think to hard about it partner, its just Pinkie being Pinkie.” She explains.

“Um, what?” Nate says, talking for the first time since I met him. He actually sounds like that weird voice range between a tomboy girl and a feminine guy.

“Basically, just don’t question the mare.” I say to him before looking around the inside of the guild. The inside looks just like the original guild as well, the pillars in the same spots, the bar and kitchen near the back and the tables throughout the hall. I can see the request board on the side of the guild by the bar as well and even the stairs by the board. All in all, a near perfect replica. I also see a bunch of doors near the hall that I didn’t see in the show or the mangas, but I guess Celestia had a couple more rooms added.

As I am looking over the inside, the others are all looking around in awe, seeing the incredible looking hall. The flyers go up by the high roof to look from above, seeing the amount of tables, benches, and the doors of the second floor. Looks like I am going to have to put some anti-air enchantments around the second floor railing to stop pegasi and griffins from taking some S class quests behind my back.

“Wowee! This place looks amazing!” Pinkie says, bouncing around the main room. We all laugh a little at her antics.

“You said it Pinkie. This place looks nearly identical to the original hall. I really like the banners you guys had put up too.” I say, looking around and seeing not only Fairy Tail banners, but also banners for both princesses and the Equestrian flags.

“Oh my! This is giving me so many ideas!” Rarity’s says, taking out a sketch book and pencil. We chuckle a little at her need to follow her muse.

“Well, mayhaps we shall begin our tour.” Luna says, standing next to her sister.

“Sure thing, but just so you guys know, the second floor and basement are going to be off limits when the guild is opened.” I tell them, earning some raised brows.

“May I ask why that is?” Cadence asks. I just smile and turn to the employees.

“Raine? Care to explain.” I ask with a smile, the canine smiling back and taking out the notebook she had in Manehatten. She goes through her book for a second before nodding.

“Well, Lex says that the second floor of the guild will be off limits to all but those who are a high enough rank to take on S class quests as they are the hardest and most dangerous quests we can get. The basement is off limits to all as that is where Lex intends to keep any dangerous artifacts we find during our jobs until such time as we can make the relic safe, at which point we will be donating them to museums and the like.”

I smile and nod as she got all that right. While she is just going to be a server, I felt as though she would work well as the one who knows all the rules of the guild first since she was actually a pretty attentive person to talk to when I was checking on them. The others all nod after Raine explains the reasoning.

After that, the princesses show us around the guild proper, showing Flora and Spark around the kitchen, showing Zen the bar, showing us the store rooms around the hall and the staff break room. After that we went upstairs where I saw the S class quest board just past the stairs themselves. After that I was show where my office would be, the room being the same color as my hair and having an oak desk with a large swivel chair behind it, several filing cabinets and a little perch area in case I want to relax.

After that was the master bedroom for me which made my old apartment look like a dump in comparison. There was a queen sized bed near the back wall that could hold four people, a large walk in closet, a large washroom and a couple of dressers. All in all, a great place to live in.

There were a few more rooms on the floor which looked nearly as good as my room that would be used by any other wizards that reach the high enough rank. After that we checked the second lower level where the cold storage and alcohol storage before taking the stairs lower, about two or three stories lower, and arrive in an area with two large stone doors.

Celestia goes to the first door, the one on the left, opening it up to show a large, empty room that looked like it could hold the entire population of Ponyville and then some. This actually reminded me of an old Cold War bunker I visited once during a high school field trip a few years back. That thought actually gave me an idea.

We checked the other room, seeing it is the same size as the other, but I could tell the key locks on both doors are different from each other.

“Well? What do you think of these rooms? They would work well as artifact storage I think.” Celestia says, our group walking back up the stairs to the main room.

“Yeah, but I actually got a new idea about one of the rooms.” I say, the others looking to me with raised brows as I turn to the princesses.

“As princesses of kingdoms, you three would understand the need of being better safe than sorry.” I see that some of the group look a little guilty at that, the story of the Canterlot Wedding and Invasion Twilight told me about coming to my mind. “So, I believe turning one of those rooms into a panic bunker would be better than just using both for artifacts.”

“A panic bunker?” Trace asks.

“Basically someplace the town could go for safety if, say, there was an invasion from a hostile force or if some kind of unexpected disaster were to happen. The bunker would be constantly stocked with none perishable foods and drinks that would last the town a while until the event were to blow over.” The others look to one another in considerations.

“Don’t ya think that might be a little extreme?” AppleJack asks, to which I shrug.

“Maybe, but like I said, it is better to be safe than sorry. One of the duties of a guild is to protect the town their based in, so it is the duty of every Fairy Tail wizard to protect Ponyville. If that means providing shelter and food, then we will do it.” The princesses actually smile at this little declaration.

After we finish in the hall itself, we move around back where there was another couple of buildings that Celestia said would be the wizards dorms. They actually looked like those drive in motels with two floors with 50 rooms each, and I can sense the doors are enchanted by the princesses to have a ponies cutie mark appear when they choose a room. I smile and nod to the others, the employees and Sonbā going to the dorms and taking a room each. I check the room Flora is taking and see it actually looks like a pretty nice apartment. A two person bed, empty bookshelf, dresser and closet and a relatively normal sized bathroom.

It took about twenty minutes, but eventually all of us are in the guild hall again, the employees having put their things away into their respective rooms.

“Well this place rocks. I could definitely get used to living in the dorms.” Zen says, leaning back on the table a bit.

“You said it Zen, I can’t believe how good this place looks. Though I am going to have to add a couple enchantment around the guild.” I say, making mental notes of which and where to place the enchantments. I look at my watch and see it was a little past noon so I turn to Flora and Spark.

“Well, how about you two show us what you can make?” I say. The duo nod to one another and head to the kitchen and before long we smell some different food cooking. I get rather excited because I could smell some meat cooking, though I do see some of the ponies looking a little ill from the smell. As Flora and Spark are cooking I am going though my Archive, making sure my connections to the Telepathy cards I gave the post offices are still good so I can contact them later.

After making sure all of them are still connected I hear as Spark and Flora bring out several plates with quite a variety of food, salads, some stir fried fish with noodles and vegetables and some hay and ham burgers.

“Wow! This is quite the spread you guys.” I say, levitating some plates for the others from behind the counter. The other all nod and begin to pick out what they want. The employees were surprised when I took a little of everything, not knowing I’m an omnivore. We all begin to eat and I am amazed at their cooking. Flora prepared the meat to near perfection and the fish is fried just right to go with the veg. The salad Spark made was also really good, and I didn’t eat salads a lot back on earth.

I hear as the others all make sounds of joy as they eat their food as well, Flora and Spark smiling with pride as even the princesses are eating with smiles. I think I even saw Rainbow eating some of the fish stir fry, much to the other girls surprise and slight disgust. We all just eat and converse with one another for about an hour before all the food is eaten, everyone having eaten their fill and me and Raine taking the dishes back to the kitchen for cleaning.

“Well I have to get going, see you all later!” Pinkie says before bouncing out the door. She is probably going to get the employees ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party ready. The princesses all stand and turn to us.

“Well, I believe you all can handle things from here. I will be sure to inform Canterlot of the guilds opening for business in a couple days.” Celestia says, adjusting her dress. I smile and nod to her.

“Thanks princess. I’ll be contacting the post offices to tell them that now they can unveil the quest stations. I’ll also have to put up a couple enchantments around the guild and the surrounding area, so we probably won’t be accepting members for another two days max.” I say, checking my Archive. She nods and lights up her horn, disappearing with her sister. Cadence walks up and quickly hugs Twilight and Spike before teleporting as well.

“Well, I gotta get back to the farm. I’ll see ya’ll later.” AJ says, and one by one the Elements head out to do their own thing, leaving me with the new employees, Sonbāsutā and Echo.

“Well, now that we are the only ones here, we can go over your duties for the guild.” I say, taking a seat at the bar, the others sitting at a table behind me. I took out a list and began to go over the others duties here in the guild, Silk cleaning everywhere but the basement, Flora, Zen and Spark working together to keep the kitchen and bar clean and working, Swift and Raine working together to make sure there are not problems with any of the guild members, and Emerald and Trace working for finances when we get the quests.

“Hey, not to sound out of line or anything, but how are we going to be paying for the guilds supplies when we have no determined source of income?” Trace asks, looking up from his notepad. Emerald looks to me with a curious gaze as well.

“Good question Trace. Well, I had a couple months to think about that. The plan right now if for 5% of the rewards of any E to C class contracts to be added to the guild funds, while B and A class have 10% and any S class and above have 35%. Any jobs I do myself however, will have half taken for the guild funds.” The others look to me in shock.

“Why half and why only yours? I mean, I assume you will be doing mostly S class quests until you get some members that reach that level.” Zen asks.

“Well as the leader of Fairy Tail, the Faekage as I am calling it, it is my job to make sure that every member and the guild itself is taken care of. The third master of Fairy Tail, Master Makarov, saw each of the members as his children, even if they were adults for example. I don’t really mind giving half my reward money for the guilds finances and if needed I can always give my personal reward money to help with the guild if we start to run a little low. I am not great with math, but I know how to plan ahead and adapt if needed.”

The others all nod after a second of consideration. I open Archive and go over the schematics for the guild, highlighting a couple of the empty rooms we can use, one of the larger ones I plan on using as a medical area. Now if only I had as much medical knowledge as Natali. Seriously, that girl could probably get her PHD before she even entered a college.

“But, what will all this money be used for?” Nate asks.

“Well, as crazy as it’ll sound, I plan for the food and drinks here to be free for any members or those who are in need of a place to stay.” The others all look to me like I grew a second head but I raise my hand and stop them from asking before they can even start.

“Again, I know it sounds crazy, but after going around Equestria to set up the contract stations I have seen how many problems we could be hired for. Part time work at a restaurant, security for a new museum, aiding construction of a new building, looking for bandits, security for an expedition, maybe genuine bounty hunting. The fact is, with the variety of the jobs I have see we might do, the variety of pay is equally as unpredictable. Plus all contracts will be going through me first, so I will be the one haggling the level and pay for the jobs.”

“Obviously, those who are not part of the guild who are looking for a bite will be paying like a restaurant or a bar, but those who clearly need a place to stay and eat will be allowed to do so until we can help get them back on their hooves.” The group all nod at this before Zen and Swift raise their hands. I nod to Zen.

“Lex, even though I think this would be a great idea, I think it would be best for us to be able to cut someone off if they are abusing this condition.” Zen says.

“I agree. Since Zen is the barkeep he can keep an eye on those who may be misusing your generosity to get an alcohol fix. I can also keep my ears open as a server for any who may be using it just because they can.” Swift says. I close my eyes and nod to them. The duo smile and high five.

I smile and look at a list I made earlier for medical supplies I need to buy once we can afford to. I could very well just use Arc of Embodiment, but considering how complex some of the medicine I’d need to make is, it is just easier and safer in general if I buy them. After that I show Emerald and Trace to one of the empty rooms near the staff room.

“You two can use this room as an office space for the guilds finances if you want. I know it isn’t much, but at least this way you two aren’t going over our expenses in the main room.” I say, the duo looking around. The room itself was a little bigger than the living room in my old apartment with nothing in it at the moment. I could easily see where a couple of work desks, filling cabinets and other office necessities would go. In fact....

I ask the duo to stand behind me as I get into one of my magic stances. “Wood Make Oak Desks!” I use my Maker Magic and make two oak desks and place them beside one another near the center of the room for the stallions before going over to the side and getting into a slightly different stance.

“Iron Make Cabinets!” I cast and carefully make three different, three drawer filling cabinets like the ones I have in my office and place them on the side of the room before focusing on my Arc of Embodiment and making some chairs of the guys. Once done I look to the duo and see Trace looking through the newly made filling cabinet and Emerald sitting at one of the desks.

“Now I think it would be best for you two to go shopping for the supplies you guys will need tomorrow while I am placing the enchantments around the guild, that way we all can finish up before the potential members and contractor arrive.” They nod and the three of us head back out to the main room where the others are just hanging out.

“Well, we have some time to kill, so how about you all get situated in your new rooms before we show you newcomers around the town?” I say, motioning to the door. The others all nod and head to their dorms as I head up to my new room and begin to unpack my own items. I was really happy that the closet was so big because Rarity made me a ton of dresses and outfits so I needed the room. Most of the outfits are actually from different shows and mangas I have seen, so this would probably be a cosplayers dream come true. After I make sure everything is unpacked I head back to the main hall and jump over the railing to the first floor before heading to wait for the others out front.

‘Including me, the guild now has ten members. I wonder though, how many will we be gaining in the coming days.’

Next Chapter: Chapter 13: A Wizard Opens For Business Estimated time remaining: 14 Hours, 32 Minutes