Went first without current and fortified (5)
I believe the answer is:
laced
'fortified' is the definition.
('lace' can be a synonym of 'fortify')
'went first without current' is the wordplay.
'went first' becomes 'led' (I've seen this in another clue).
'without' indicates putting letters inside ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'current' becomes 'ac' (alternating current).
'led' going around 'ac' is 'LACED'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for laced that I've seen before include "Added alcohol to (drink)" , "with extra spirit" , "Served with alcohol or a drug added" , "Drinks may be" , "Administered a beating" .)