Chapter 17: Home is Crazy Too

Hey guys! Sorry for the late update. So it has come to my attention that some of you think that this is a post- time skip story. It is actually pre- time skip. This is because I had no knowledge that there was a time skip at the time this story was started. Yell at me all you want for not knowing, I blame the fact the I only have access the arcs through the Dragon Slayer arc. If you guys have any suggestions on where to watch the rest of the episodes, I will gladly take them. So I'm going to clear this up: this is a pre- time skip story. With that cleared up, onto the story!

"Hey Uncle Ken. I'm back," Beth said as she walked into their apartment. She ducked as a spoon nearly hit her head. "Whoa! What's going on?"

"Not my fault!" her uncle exclaimed. "This spirit doesn't listen to me at all!" Another spoon clattered to the floor as Beth walked into the kitchen to see what was going on. The deneb spirit her uncle had summoned just before she had left for the beach was throwing silverware everywhere and impaling the walls and furniture.

"So are you going to tell him to stop?"

"I have and it's not working!"

"So he's going to throw spoons around forever?"

"Yes, keep going! Keep throwing spoons!" Ken yelled exasperated. Then the spirit stopped.

"I can't believe that worked," Beth said.

"I guess he does the opposite of what I tell him to do then," Ken replied, relieved. "Anyway, you said you were going to the beach! You were gone for days!"

"Had a run in with a dragon. Specifically, a water one."

"You yourself said that there weren't any other dragons left, Beth."

"Then where did Natsu learn Dragon Slayer Magic?" Ken couldn't answer that. "Exactly. Though, I only knew of only three dragons still alive." Beth shrugged. "Guess there are more out there."

"Either way, welcome home." Ken hugged Beth, who returned it. She looked around the kitchen.

"How is there not food on the wall?" she asked, breaking the embrace.

"I didn't cook anything. I tried the first night you were gone and nearly set a baking sheet on fire. Or rather, the oil on it."

"I had to help the guy out," the spirit said, bored.

"Sorry, but I still don't know your name," Beth said.

"Alexander."

"Okay then.

"I'm going to put these things away," Beth said as she gestured to her bag.

Ken raises an eyebrow. "How did you manage to hold onto that though your ordeal and have it stay dry?"

"I didn't have it with me. Someone from the train saw it and took it to the guild." She showed him the Fairy Tail mark on the bag.

"Okay then."

Beth walked to the closet and started putting away towels that never got used. "I'm going to give you culinary lessons by the way. That way you aren't starving or exploding the house when I'm gone, which may happen unexpectedly."

"Good luck with that," Alexander said.

"Says the one that tried to use lightning magic to make chicken," Ken said.

"It at least makes it edible."

"Are all spirits like this?" Ken asked.

"Like what?"

"You haven't met Lucy's spirits then," Beth called from her room. She walked back out to the kitchen. "She had me meet them and they were much crazier." Ken gulped. "They're not bad by any means. But definitely interesting. Like Horologium is a clock and narrates what she says when she's inside of him. And Aquarius despises her. When in combat, she attacks opponents and sweeps up Lucy too."

"She is not pleasant to be around," Alexander muttered.

"So I've heard."

"I hope they like me," Ken said.

"You're too clumsy and hyper for my tastes," Alexander replied.

"And he's a pessimistic spirit," Beth said. "Come on, let's get some lunch. Did you learn how to at least make sandwiches?"

"Only peanut butter and jelly."

"Then that's for lunch." Beth went to the fridge. "What kind of jelly do you want?"

"Strawberry." Ken grabbed the peanut butter and bread. They laid out the food products on the counter. "Would you like some?" Ken asked, turning to Alexander, who returned to the Spirit World at that moment.

"Guess not."

The two got their lunch ready and sat down at the table. They chatted all the way through, and Beth got showered and changed afterward. She sat down in the living room with her uncle and curled up into his side. He put his arm around her as he turned back to his book. They sat like that for about an hour before an explosion sounded through the building. The duo looked at each other for a second before jumping up and sprinting out the door, Ken grabbing his key. Thankfully, they were on the first floor and didn't have to run far, stopping outside. Beth paused to take in the scene before her.

"What are you doing? I thought you were still asleep at the guild" she asked as she held out her hand. Siprix took it.

"Coming to let you know I was okay and trying to rent an apartment. The lady doesn't like me," he said as he stood. "Apparently there are 'too many crazy kids around here' and she doesn't want another."

"Well, let's try again. Maybe we can convince her," Beth said. She led her friend back inside. Ken stood to the side, looking doubtful.

"Hello ma'am," Beth said with a cheerful wave. "Can my friend rent a room please?" The old lady glared at Siprix, completely ignoring Beth.

"What do you want?"

"I would like to rent an apartment. Even a studio flat would work," the water mage replied.

"No. Too many crazy kids around here." The old woman stood up on her chair. She shot fire out of her palm and blasted Siprix out the door again. Beth ran out to him again.

"Sorry. I didn't expect her to ignore me," Beth said, helping Siprix up again.

"It's fine. Is she the only person that works at the reception?"

"No. They'll be someone else here tomorrow. Who will be much nicer."

"That might be her way of saying that there are no rooms available," Ken offered. Siprix shrugged.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow, Beth." Siprix walked off.

"Where are you going?"

"I've slept in the wilderness before. I'll be fine."

"If you need anything you know where to find me," Beth said, heading back inside her apartment.

—

Siprix was in a tree not far from Beth's place, looking at the stars. He sat up from his spot and easily climbed to the top of tree, hidden from view. He pulled a communication lacrima from his pocket.

"Is this thing working?"

"Do you have anything to report?" a voice asked over the lacrima.

"Yes, I do sir. I've gotten closer with that Forest Dragon Slayer you told me about that we need for leverage. She seems to be very trusting."

"Good. Are you joining the guild soon?"

"Yes sir. Tomorrow in fact."

"Then we will have another mage come in to assist. Prepare for another encounter within the next week. All hail Acnologia, the Dragon King." Siprix repeated the phrase quietly before putting the lacrima back in his pocket. He flopped down on the tree branch and gazed up at the sky, hands behind his head.

"This world isn't like they said it was. Especially Beth and Fairy Tail. We can't be wrong about Acnologia.

Can we?"

Well guys, that's another chapter done. Finally, exams are done! SUMMER TIME! Now onto Review Replies!

Guest: Thanks so much for the support. As said above this is pre- time skip. If I get enough support for the story and readers want to see post- time skip, then I'll probably make a sequel. But I'm not sure yet, depends on if I get reader support. But it will definitely be interesting to see how Beth will handle a fight with someone else who has plant- based magic as, like Natsu is immune to fire attacks, plant attacks don't work on Beth. She eats them like Natsu.

Go get 'em tigers!

-ThinMintE