I release a large yawn as I awaken from my slumber. Two nights in the guild and I am already getting used to it. Guess that is what happens when you have a bed this comfy. After we showed the employees around the town, introducing them to the populace as we went, we ended up at Sugar Cube Corner just in time for Pinkie’s party. The town really warmed up to the newcomers after that, especially Zen with his rather charismatic attitude. After the party, which lasted into the very early morning, we all headed back to the guild and dorms, the others having to remember that they have places to sleep already.

The next day I spent my time going around the guild itself, setting up enchantments, like one on the railing to the second floor to stop people from flying up there without permission and another in front of the entry way to the stairs to the basement to stop anyone from going down there and taking any potentially dangerous artifacts and a teleportation circle near the back of the guild that will lead to both the training hall and the area I intend for the tests to begin.

Once I did all that, I was able to contact all the post offices I have visited the past couple months and told them that the guild is now open and they all are going to open the contract stations tomorrow morning, around the same time I am going to open the guild for members and contractors. I also posted a note on the door to the guild saying that the tests for joining would likely take all day so those with plans would need to either cancel their plans or try to join later.

Lastly I went back to the library and grabbed the contract sheets, member information sheets and personality test sheets for the guild and brought them back before duplicating them a few times so I was sure we would have enough.

While I was doing all that the employees were doing their own thing, like Silk and Raine heading to Carousel Boutique to get some new clothes, Trace and Emerald going out to buy their office supplies, and Flora and Spark double checking their stock of food and drinks. Sonbā and Echo were mostly helping me out when they could, like testing the enchantments and the teleporter and they both filled out their own info sheets and personality sheets.

Even though everyone here were basically members already, they still would go through the examination like all the rest. I was a little worried that it might be too hard, but I had to remind myself while it will be dangerous, they will be safe. I shake my head dry as I exit the washroom and head to my closet, looking through to find which outfit would work best today. After searching for a bit, I decided to grab one I just liked a lot.

It was a female version of Rin Okumura’s outfit. A white dress shirt which showed some of my midriff and a red, white and black striped tie for professionalisms, beneath a black jacket with white highlights. Unlike Rin, who had a pair of black jeans, mine has a black skirt reaching to my knees and a pale grey belt. I also had a pair of black dress shoes that work really well with them.

Once I finished getting dressed I headed into the main room where I can see some of the others just entering the hall before me and I could smell some batter cooking so I guess Flora or Spark are making breakfast. I walk down the stairs and see the others finding some places to sit.

“Morning guys.” I say, getting the others attentions. They all look to me and I see the boys eyes widening a bit. Zen releases a whistle as he looks me over.

“Looking good Lex. What’s the occasion?” He asks with a smirk from behind the bar. Nate barely holds himself back from facepawing at his brothers attitude.

“Well the guild is going to officially opened today, both for members and contractors, so I need to look my best as the leader of the guild.” I say, sitting at the bar. I turn and see as Spark is coming out with a large stack of pancakes and several plates in his aura. He quickly separates the tower into even portions and hands them out to everyone. Flora comes out not a minute later with some fruit and Zen looks into the mini fridge behind the bar and begins to make some drinks for us all.

We all begin to eat in relative silence for a couple minutes before I break it. “So, do you guys think your ready for the test?”

Echo shrugs. “Well, me and Sonbā are at the very least. Even if we don’t know the specifics, you did tell us what the test was for so we know what we have to do.”

“And besides, I have to pass if I wanna stay with my bro, so I will make it through, no matter what.” Nate says, taking another bite of an apple. I smile at him.

“Be sure to keep that attitude Nate. You’re going to need all the confidence you can get for the tests I have in mind.” After I say that I finish up my food and bring it to the sink by the kitchen to wash. The others bring their own dishes before long and I wash the dishes so Flora can relax. Once I finish cleaning the dishes I head back to the main room and hear quite a bit of noise coming from outside. I smile and teleport to the second floor, resting against the railing. I look to the others and nod, everyone getting in position. Zen stands behind the bar with Swift and Raine on either side, Flora and Spark by the entrance to the kitchen, Silk, Trace and Emerald by the hall heading to the staff room. Sonbā and Nate just sit at the bar as Echo goes to the door. She looks back at me and I nod for her to open the door.

Once she opens the door the large crowd begins to filter in. I see that many of the ponies are looking around the guild hall in awe. I see quite a few ponies I have never seen before, as well as a couple creatures other than ponies, like another griffin hen and a couple Diamond Dogs, these ones looking more savage that Raine, Zen and Nate. I think I even saw Zecora in there. Once the crowd manages to get into the hall I stand tall and clap my hands, getting everyone’s attentions.

“Hello Everyone, and Welcome to Fairy Tail!” I say, my employees welcoming them as well. “Well, I will not beat around the bush here, who is here to fill out quest contracts?” I see as a majority of the crowd raise their hands. I nod and look down to Raine, the canine holding the quest sheets.

“Very well, those of you here to fill out a contract, please turn your attention to our resident female canine Raine Jewel,” I point to her, Raine waving a bit, “She has the quest contract sheets you are to fill out. There are a few rules on the sheets that are a little obvious, but I felt I needed to add as a precaution. If you would please take one sheet from Raine, you all may use the tables near the bar. The quests are ranked from E being the easiest, to A being some of the hardest. If you have a quest that you believe is above A class, an S class quest, please wait by Swift Service for me to go over the quest with you. For those of you here to try to become members, please wait for a moment and we will begin the examination.”

Once I finish the large crowd splits, a majority making a line in front of Raine, the canine handing out the sheets and pencils I got. I look back to the now decreased crowd and see the elements, the CMC and a few other ponies and the griffin who I didn’t know. I smile and head back down to the main floor and see that there is actually someone waiting by Swift.

She was a unicorn mare with a model body, a pale pink mane and white fur. She was wearing a very expensive looking dress and jewelry. It took a second, but I actually recognized her. That was Fleur De Lis, a model and very respected noble from Canterlot. I hadn’t had the chance to meet her myself, but I hear that she and her husband are well respected by both other nobles and commoners alike.

As i walk up to her I see that her eyes are a little red, like she is recovering from crying for a while, a book firmly grasped in her hands. I wonder what this is about.

“Hello Lady Fleur De Lis, a pleasure to meet you in person.” I say, holding out my hand. Fleur smiles and shakes my hand.

“Pleasures all mine. And please call me Fleur.” I nod to a smile and motion for her to take a seat, myself sitting next to her.

“So, considering you are over here I assume you have what you believe is an S class quest?” I say. Fleur nods and open the book she has with her and begins to flip through it.

“Yes, you see my husband and I are trying to have a child. Unfortunately I learned that I was barren recently and I may have gone a little bit into madness. My husband has been talking to practically every medical professional we know to see if there is a way to help, when a friend of mine gave me this book. She said that there was a plant in this book that may be able to help me.” She finishes as she flips to a page and shows me. What I see is a drawing of a rainbow coloured rose, kinda like the rainbow cherry blossoms from Fairy Tail. I look over the page and see the info bit.

A Harmony Rose, an extremely rare and thought to be mythical plant. This plant is said to bring about harmony and understanding through its scent alone, drawing kinship even between sworn enemies. It is also said to be able to increase the potency of a ponies natural functions like magic production, control of the weather, connection to the earth and even increasing fertility for mares and potency for stallions.

‘Hmm, a Harmony Rose huh? All this sounds almost too good to be true, yet they said the same thing about the herbs that increases a wizards magic power in Fiore and look what happened there. Considering how rare the plant is said to be, I see why Fleur thinks this would be an S class quest.’ I look up from the book and to the mare before snapping my fingers and summoning a card and giving it to her.

“What’s this?” She asks, taking the card.

“It’s an alert card. I can use it to tell you when the quest is finished so you and your husband can come down.” I explain. Fleur looks to me with wide eyes as I smile at her and take the contract. “Lady Fleur De Lis, yours will be the first S Class quest the guild will be taking on. Obviously, considering how rare this flower is there is no definite time frame of when we will find it, but we will find it.” Fleur smiles wide and gives me a hug, one I return after a second.

“Thank you, thank you! I look forward to when you find the rose.” She smiles and grabs her purse and head out the door. I smile and look over the crowd of contractors, seeing that half have finished and Echo is going around grabbing the sheets and putting them on the bar for me. I nod to her in thanks and head over to the other group of creatures that want to join as members.

“Alright listen up!” I yell, getting everyone’s attentions. “Those of you who want to join the guild, the first examination you must realize a few things before we start. Number one: this test will take a few hours, so any of you who have plans for the day, make sure you can reschedule. Number 2: this test will be rather dangerous as it is to test your bravery, your survivablilty, and you teamwork. Lastly, you must be yourself in this test, and not hiding behind some illusions.” I say the last part looking to a duo of mares and a stallion. The trio begin to sweat under my gaze as everyone else follows it. They then sigh and begin to glow as their forms change to that of Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor. The results were immediate, everyone going to bow before I held up my hand.

“If these three want to join the guild then they will have to go through the examination and will be treated as anyone else.” After I say this the trio smile a bit. Guess they want to be seen as normal. Twilight walks up and hugs her brother and sister-in-law with Spike, the duo looking at the grown drake in surprise. I see as a couple of ponies actually leave, probably not wanting to get hurt, until there is about three dozen left. I look over to the contractors and see that all of them are done, the stack of papers being left on the counter. I smile and grab the stack before teleporting them to my office.

“Alright, if you all would follow me, we can get started.” I make my way to the door, the others all following behind. Once they all leave I lock the door to the guild and walk around back, stopping before the teleportation circle. I turn and see everyone looking at the circle with curiosity, Twilight looking with sparkles of intrigue in her eyes.

“For the first exam, we will be teleporting to the place where it will take place. This teleportation circle will be able to teleport five creatures at a time, so no rushing. Merely step in the circle and after a ten seconds you will be teleported to the location. Any questions?” I see a few hands go up and point to AJ.

“Uh, where are we bein teleported to?” I smile walk into the circle which begins to glow.

“You’ll see.” After I say that the spell activates and I teleport to the other spot, a hill just on the southern outskirts of the Everfree. I step of the platform I made and wait. Before long the spell activates agains, dropping of Raine, Zen, Silk, Flora and Trace. They all look around before seeing me and coming over to my side. After a couple minutes everyone makes it through, the gathered creatures looking around curiously.

“Welcome everyone to the starting point of the first test. Now, like I said in the guild, this test will test your bravery, survivability and teamwork.” I turn so that I am half looking at the group, half looking at the Everfree.

“The Everfree forest, a dangerous and mysterious place. As you all know it is home to many odd creatures and plants. This is the location of the first test.” I see as many ponies look like I was nuts.

“Inside the forest, I have set up eight outposts. Your objectives are to find one and take one of the relics within.” I pull out the little statue. “After that, you must make your way to the castle of the two sisters where I will be waiting. Any questions?” Several hands go up and I point to Rairty.

“Excuse me darling, but are you insane? You can’t really expect us to go through the Everfree on our own.” She says, many nodding.

“You aren’t alone.” Many look confused. “Look around you. Each of you have come here to become a member of the guild. The point of a guild is to find work, to make those who have no kin feel like they have a family and to aid our world. There are many situations that will be dangers, or even life threatening. The point is to be able to overcome this sense of danger and to push forward. As I said in the guild, this is also about teamwork. You could go through the forest alone, but you have people around you who can help.” The gathered group all look to one another, a few still looking unsure.

“I know it seems nuts and a little harsh, but the fact is the guild may be hired to do some less than safe work. If you don’t think you can do it or you change your mind, just step back on the teleporter and it will take you back to the guild hall.” After I say that, a bunch of the ponies and a couple of the Diamond Dogs walk back to the teleporter, leaving the employees, the Elements, the CMC, the royals and a few others. I nod and walk a couple steps away.

“Alright, like I said, there are a total of eight outposts in the forest, each with ten relics. Some of the locations are actually places some of you have been before, so try to keep that in mind. You have six hours. Any more questions?” No raised hands. I smile and look back to them.

“Well then, good luck!” After I say that I teleport away. The gathered creatures all begin to head into the forest, some in groups, some alone. I smile as I exit my teleportation, appearing in the guild hall. I unlock the doors again and sit on the bar before opening my Archive. What most don’t know is that I places several surveillance lacrimas around the forest so I can keep an eye on anypony. If someone gets into a legitimately life threatening situation with no help or hope of survival, I intend to teleport in to at least nullify the threat.

I open several screens with Archive, keeping an eye one several of the potential members, seeing many of them have formed into groups.

“Now then. Let’s see who can make it through.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 14: The Fairy Tail Entrance Examinations: Search and Collect Estimated time remaining: 14 Hours, 20 Minutes