Chapter 14

Let it Begin

*Note: Starting wit this chapter, it'll be in a third person point of view because it'll make more sense with the various characters. Well, I had to rewrite the whole chapter but let's get on with the story.

Fairy Academy lacked its usual bustling and lively energy on a certain Friday afternoon. Everyone or at least the players of Midnight Circus weren't as ecstatic to go home and greet the weekend as soon as possible. If it could be, the players would prefer to stay at school and remain the day as Friday yet they can't stop time that long could day?

Celestial mage Lucy Heartfilia tapped her fingers on the wooden desk while waiting for the last bell to ring, signaling the end of the school day. Their teacher, Macao-sensei, was still writing some notes on the board, dust particles flying everywhere with the constant erasing of some wrong words or misspells. The blonde girl looked around the room, eyeing her classmates that all belonged to the dark sadistic game. Most of them had fear etched on to their faces as they shivered and bit their nails as the clock continued ticking while some were very stoic and didn't show any kind of emotion at all. While there was this one, her pink haired seat mate that never even bothered to think of the game. Lucy swore that she could hear him mumble about food all day long, with some drool traces on his chin as he flew off to the dreamland and to who knows where else.

"RIIIIING" The school bell went off and Macao-sensei immediately dropped his chalk and mumbled something under his breath about finally being able to enjoy the weekend. Well good for him then.

"Stand." Their class representative said and all of them stood up with no determination or energy. It was not like they wanted the day to end that quickly. "Bow." They all bowed and the teacher quickly bid goodbye and scurried to the Faculty room, getting ready to leave the school grounds.

Lucy sighed and fixed her things, getting ready to leave like the rest when Lisanna grabbed her hand and looked at her with a smile. Lucy was surprised at the action at fist but then she returned the smile as she held her bag with her free hand.

"What is it Lisanna?" She asked while waiting for the white haired girl's reply.

"Mira-nee invited the rest of us to come to the Student Council room. She baked a cheesecake for all of us." Lucy stood there for a while, thinking if she should accept the invitation or go home instead to rest. It was tempting to lie down on her soft bed but then she saw Natsu and Gray waiting for the both of them at the door. They were bickering rather loudly about who is smarter but Lucy didn't mind their noise.

"I would love to come." She smiled and the four of them made their way to the Office when they all stopped to hear a piercing scream coming right at them.

A feminine body was falling down the tall fleet of stairs, books and shoe scattering as she made her way to the bottom fast. Her blue hair was spreading widely through out the air, her hands outstretched in front of her as she closed her eyes to await the painful impact.

Lisanna screamed about saving the girl when Gray immediately pushed her to the side and catch the falling maiden just in time. Both of them fell on to the tiled floor, experiencing a less painful impact as Gray securely held the girl around the waist and his other hand reaching on to the throbbing part of his back.

"Oi, are you alright?" Gray asked with a deep voice while rubbing the sore spot near his spine. It wasn't broken or anything but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell.

The girl shot her eyes open, with tears forming at the corner of her eyelids. She couldn't believe that someone caught her. Her. A male species at that. Mostly people wouldn't mind her due to the stoic face she always has and it wasn't considered cute, but this was a first time she felt embarrassed and frightened. Not even the game was frightening enough for her.

"J-Juvia is s-sorry." She stammered on a few words as she bowed her head and clasped her hands together in front of her. She didn't know any other words to say and she didn't talk much except to her old schoolmate Gajeel. This was something new to her and as she glanced at the male below her, she felt her heart jumping out of her chest.

"Could you get off of me? My back is aching." Juvia immediately removed herself from the ice mage and kept on mumbling the word sorry over and over again as Gray stood up and stretched the pain away. His muscles flexed and his shirt flew open as he continued to move which got the attention of the blue haired maiden.

"Juvia?" Lucy called on to the water mage which snapped her out of her trance. "This must be yours. Be careful next time." Lucy happily handed the things of Juvia and the latter one gladly accepted it with open arms. She wore her discarded shoe again and held the books tightly to her chest, squishing the large bust.

"Th-Thank you." Juvia mumbled under her breath and the rest caught on to this. All of them smiled and bid farewell, continuing their way to the Office/room.

Before Juvia could make her own way though, she felt a hand rest on her head and her heart immediately skipped a bit when she heard the husky voice near her.

"Be careful again Juvia." He said and walked to the opposite direction. Juvia ceased all movements and took in the events that just happened. She fell from the top of the stairs because she wasn't looking and a good looking male species caught her just in time. He hugged Juvia close to his body and he knew her name which some didn't even bother to know.

From where she stood, she heard the pink haired mage shout at her savior and he called him the name "Gray".

"Gray-sama..." Juvia spoke and hugged the books tighter as she felt her face becoming hot. "Juvia thinks she's in love."

"So how's my cake?" Mira was standing behind the large couch as Natsu and the rest arrived at the Student Council. She immediately welcomed all of them and served her home made cake to the group of teens.

Erza and Jellal were calmly chatting at the other end of the couch with cake and tea in hand. They had been going on and on about various topics that no one dared to disturb them. If someone even attempts to, they had to face the menacing glare of Mira before even getting too close to the love birds.

"It's very good!" Natsu cheered as he took his third slice from the table.

Lucy gave out a small laugh at her 'best friend's' remark and quietly bit on to her slice. She looked around and saw that everyone was happy, not minding that the dreaded game will begin later. Deep down, everyone knew that the Circus will be back and they feared for the upcoming event but they all had the same wish going through their mind.

"Let this moment last longer."

"Oh!" Mira's sudden gasp broke the unified thoughts of the teens and they all turned to look at her surprised reaction. "I forgot that I have to meet Master Makarov today." She quickly went to her desk and took out a clipboard, rushing to the door. "I'll be back later so see you all!" Mira bid goodbye and closed the door behind her, leaving all of them no time to reply.

"So..." Lisanna broke the silence and a clank of the plate could be heard when she spoke. "It's tonight huh?" Everyone kept silent on the topic she opened. They all knew very well that they had to return to the game and there was no way they can't say no.

Just then, the door creaked open with a blue head popping out from the crack. Everyone's eyes were glued to the door until the small figure revealed herself and quietly entered the room.

"Sorry for intruding." The figure softly spoke and bowed her head at the group of teens sitting on the couch.

Lucy was in awe at the petite girl that she slowly remembered that it was the person who delivered her a letter a while back. The letter came from her father, ordering something but she decided to burn it instead. There was no way she's going to keep doing what he says.

"Wendy." Erza called out and stood up as she made long strides to the girl.

Wendy Marvell, a third year middle school student at Fairy Academy. She has been living in the school dormitories due to being distant relatives with Natsu after she came stumbling upon him in Magnoila. Natsu welcomed her to the Academy and she's been in the school for almost three years and she decided to help out in the offices as payment for living in the dorms and education.

Erza introduced the small girl to Lucy and they quickly became friendly with each other after each girls said their hellos. Lucy became fond of Wendy, treating her like a little sister she never had.

"So Wendy, anything that brought you here at the High School department?" Jellal asked with a faint smile on his lips as set the porcelain cup on the table.

"Oh yes!" Wendy quickly pulled out a small note from her pocket and gave it to Jellal with careful hands. Jellal received the note from her small fingers and quietly read it with his eyes.

"I see." He said and crushed the paper in his fist and pushed it into his pocket. Everyone looked at him with curious eyes, waiting for anything he has to say.

He sipped at his tea once more before sighing and placing the empty cup on the table.

"It was just a message from Meredy and Ultear about the orphanage." He said and everyone nodded their heads in approval.

"I have to get going now." Wendy bowed again and headed for the door, taking one last look at her new found friend. "Nice meeting you again Lucy-san." She smiled and went out.

Silence again engulfed the whole room, no one making small talks with each other. It was just plain awkward on how someone will start up a topic which is very hard to maintain.

"Now that I think about it..." Erza broke the silence and looked at Jellal as she ate the last piece of her cake. "The only outside players we have in Midnight Circus are Ultear and Meredy. Isn't that quite odd?" She sipped some of her tea and continued the topic. "Jellal how did the both of them join the game?"

Jellal remained quiet, his eyes closed as he thought on the question Erza threw at him. In all honesty, he was caught off guard with what Erza said but he himself didn't know what to answer. So with as calm as he could be, he replied with the best thing he got.

"As far as I know, both of them were pulled into the game during its second week. They both had the same experience as we did when we received an invitation but other than that, nothing explains them being the only outsiders."

With that, Erza nodded her head yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was up. Both girls were never enrolled to Fairy Academy yet they did visit once. She remembered it clearly how she saw Jellal being brought into the gates of the school as he transferred. That was the time she saw both of them enter the Academy grounds.

"It looks like it's about time." Lucy pushed herself off the bed and quickly wore her belt with keys and a whip attached to the leather. She tied her hair to her signature side pony tail and sat again on her bed as she took one last drink of cold water from her glass.

The time read 11:45 p.m. and anytime soon, she'll be transported back to the game as well with everyone. She didn't know what to feel except fear of what may be awaiting them once she steps into the replica.

"This is going to be another long night." She sighed and looked at her clock once more. She turned off the lamp shade beside her bed and securely locked the windows and doors before preparing for the teleportation to happen any time soon.

"This is it." She mentally counted from three to one and her body was engulfed in a white light as the clock struck twelve.

"Welcome to Midnight Circus." An eerie voice said as her body left the apartment quiet and empty.

One by one all the players simultaneously appeared at the park in the replica of Magnoila. All of them were scattered from their group mates and they were all confused as to why they were gathered at the beginner's spot when someone new enters the game.

Natsu appeared just a few feet away from the center and he instantly made his nose go to work to find his comrades in the huge crowd. He picked up two familiar scents near him and he immediately made a move to find the two.

A few push here and there to make his way through the people, he finally caught sight of Lisanna and Gray near each other. Both of them were standing side by side and Lisanna broke into a smile when she saw her friend coming towards them.

"Natsu!" She called out and he made his way to their side after a few more struggles against others. "Have you seen Lucy and Erza?" She immediately asked as Natsu got to Gray's side.

"No. I'm trying to sniff them out." He replied as he rose his head and tried to get a sniff of the air but he was caught off when the familiar voice broke out into the whole vicinity.

"Welcome back to Midnight Circus!" The familiar hooded figure called out and this time he appeared in front of them in the flesh. The Game Master still wore the red hooded cape yet this time, they saw that it reached down to the ankles, revealing nothing to the enraged players.

He cackled in a deep dark voice, as he scanned the players' reactions and emotions as they all stared at him on top of the tree. He was quite pleased as to what he saw but this wasn't yet what the Creator wanted to achieve.

No, it was still a long way off from the intended purpose of the game.

"I've had it that you all enjoyed your vacation from Midnight Circus?" He asked, not really intending to get an answer from anyone. "As you see, after the period of rehabilitating the game, there were some changes added to the regular chasing around the wizard and stealing their powers."

Natsu clenched his fists as he sensed amusement in the tone of the Game Master. It was disgusting how he enjoyed seeing the brutal exchange of blows between comrades.

"Well I would like all of you to see the added feature to the game." The players all heard the snap of a finger and one by one, seven small figures appeared at the side of the Game Master as they materialized for every one to see.

"Originally, Midnight Circus started with seven young players. They were all chosen by the Creator of the game and they experienced far more worse than all of you did. It was survival to the fittest." Everyone kept on looking at the seven small figures to finish appearing when it struck all of them of what they saw.

"I present to you the First seven. Well, what remains of them at least." All of the players' eyes widened at the seven little kids no older than Wendy. They were all like dolls, floating above the air, eyes closed and peacefully sleeping like they were dead. Maybe they were dead.

"Starting tonight, these seven will get in your way, trying to kill all of you if you step in within their territory. But of course, there's a catch if you manage to beat them." At this, everyone started to shiver yet listen intently as to what the Game Master has to say. It was either to kill or be killed this time, and no one wanted to be in the latter.

"They will all give a clue on how to escape the game just like one little brat did. Then if you're lucky enough, you will be dismissed from Midnight Circus." The Game Master snapped his fingers again from under his cape and all the seven figures flew off to different directions in the replica of Magnolia.

One last cackle of the Game Master, everyone felt that he smiled within the dark shadow of his hood as he slowly disappeared into nothing. They knew what was next and they braced themselves for the signal.

"Let the game begin." With that, he disappeared and everyone was plunged into chaos as they ran and some group of mages were able to take the commotion into their advantage and started attacking to get additional magic power from the frightened people.

Natsu on the other had grabbed Lissana's hand as Gray ran beside him through the chaotic mess. He was desperately searching for his other two comrades and he saw Erza, battling it out with some idiotic mages that challenged her. Erza was able to glance at the dragon slayer and she got the message to regroup at an alley nearby. She called out some more swords and slashed at her opponents, taking their magic energy for hers. They were all fools.

"Iron fist of the fire dragon!" Natsu punched an incoming mage trying to attack them but he flew off, blood splattering from his nose. A mist came out of his body and Natsu inhaled the magic energy from his defeated opponent.

"Natsu! I can't see Lucy anywhere." Lisanna yelled as she clawed a mage trying to grab her.

"She's not on this side either." Gray also said, blasting with ice a stupid mage challenging him.

Natsu was now pissed off that he couldn't find Lucy and now these annoying bunch are joining into his temper.

"Tsk. Get the hell off!" His whole body engulfed in flames and a light wave of fire blew off his opponents into various directions as he ran off with Gray and Lisanna to an alley to regroup with Erza and hopefully Lucy too. He just hoped that Lucy noticed his flames and know which direction to head to.

A figure dressed in a red cloak reappeared in a room, lacrima screens everywhere. The figure heaved a sigh and looked at the commotion, trying to see the mess he made just a few moments ago. He couldn't believe what became of the Fairy Academy students with just a few words.

Were their bonds really this fragile?

"So you did your part?" A voice broke him from his trance and he looked behind him, seeing the all too familiar figure with the same red cloak and hood he has.

This person was the one who made him have this role, the despicable role of being a Game Master. And no, this wasn't the Creator he was talking about.

"So am I done?" The man said to the other cloaked figure who had a smile on. He wasn't very pleased of being used by this person but because he was too nosy, he was forced to be a pawn. Also, he had other intentions.

"Yeah you are." The figure retreated back to a dark room, leaving the man behind as he tried to pull back the hood a little so he could breathe. He wanted to follow the other person but something in his mind told him to stop if he didn't want this person to catch up to him.

"Oh.." The figure stopped and tilted its head to the side, revealing a portion of a face. "If you're looking for the Creator, that person already left. Better luck next time little Game Master." The tone of "Game Master" was a little mocking, ticking off the other as the one mocking him smirked and walked way.

"You're smarter than I thought." He said before throwing the hood over his face and disappearing from the lacrima filled room.

"Damn!" Natsu punched a near brick wall as he breathed in and out, supporting himself with his other hand. His sweat was rolling down his neck and he felt his temples ache from the frown he was making.

"Oi Natsu." Gray called out as he placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder, making him calm down. "We'll find Lucy soon so don't go on a rampage like I know you'll do."

"Who's going on a rampage?" A strict and calm voice called out as her scarlet red hair shone under the moon's light. Gray flinched as he saw Titania, walking with some blood stains on her but she doesn't mind as she kept on walking with her head held high.

"No one." Natsu mumbled as he stood up, finally calming down. If he was going to find Lucy, then he better get his self straight or else they'll get nowhere.

"If you're worried about Lucy, then we better get going. It's a real ruckus out there." Erza leaned back on a wall, closing her eyes, trying to get back her energy as quickly as possible.

"Wait!" Lisanna spoke, making them look at her with confused eyes. They were about to go but the take over mage stopped them with a determined look. "If we go back out there, wouldn't we miss Lucy and get ourselves through more trouble? I think we should rethink on what we're about to do."

Everyone ceased their movements, listening to Lisanna's simple suggestion and they found it very obvious as they saw the hordes of mage still running amok with blasting their magic everywhere. It was quite the show, mage after mage running around and blasting each other when they all could be working together instead to gather the clues on how to escape. But not everyone world thinks alike now do they?

"Lisanna's right." Erza muttered and pushed herself off the brick wall and intently stared at Natsu. The fire dragon slayer didn't flinch from the sight when he normally does. "Natsu... Could you try and lead Lucy's attention to you?" Natsu thought about for a minute and with his signature toothy grin, he smiled and climbed up the wall.

"Sure can!" He shouted and climbed up to the top of a building and looked down to the lump of people with magic going into chaos. He breathed in very deep and with one puff he shouted like his lungs was going to explode from the strain and pressure.

"LUUUUUUUCY! IT'S ME NATSU! WE'RE OVER HERE!" He sighed after every mage stopped and looked at him for a minute and continued the fighting below.

Natsu quickly jumped down from the roof and he rubbed his throat because he felt like his tonsils were burning. He never screamed like that before and there was no way he'll ever do that again unless it's called for.

"You FLAME BRAIN!" Gray hit Natsu's head with a great force that the Dragon slayer slumped down to the ground and moaned in pain as his throat and head were burning. HE didn't see that coming and now he was out for revenge.

"WHAT THE HELL ICE PRICK!" Natsu quickly recovered and grabbed Gray's shirt but then they both ceased to punch each other when they felt the death glares from Erza. Titania pulled the two apart and sighed as she thought what Natsu did was complete idiocy but it was the fastest way to find Lucy. She can't do anything about what's already done.

"We better hope that Lucy finds us soon." They all nodded and just sat down on the cold cement, waiting for their team mate to miraculously show up and hope she didn't get scratched along the way.

More than a few minutes passed by and they heard footsteps, quickly making their way to where they were. Being the person having the best sensitive nose, Natsu quickly stood up and ran at the end of the alley to meet the figure he was dying to see.

"LUCY!" Natsu jumped and hugged Lucy's feminine structure which caused both of them to fall down because of Natsu's weight. He was currently burying his head on her hair and he was squishing the life out of her as his grip got tighter and tighter.

"N-Natsu! G-Get off." Lucy tried to push Natsu off of her but he was just too clingy that he wouldn't let his hands or skin lose contact with her own. Lucy glanced to her side and saw three other figures running towards them. She pleaded them to help her and Erza got the message to pick Natsu up and pull him away from the poor Celestial Mage.

"Thanks." Lucy muttered as she stood up and stretched her limbs. She felt good to be free from Natsu's iron grip. "Sorry if I was late. I was in a pinch back at the park but luckily Levy saw me and she and Gajeel helped to get me to where Natsu was screaming. But I lost them though when they told me to run." The blonde smiled apologetically and sighed as she saw her friends in one piece.

"So shall we move?" She asked and all of them nodded their heads in agreement. They moved through the abandoned streets quietly, making the least possible sound as possible. Natsu and Lucy were walking side by side at the back of the team and both of them were rather quiet every time their elbows bumped because of Natsu's way of walking side to side.

"Are you okay?" Natsu asked in hushed tone and Lucy blinked her eyes at the sudden question.

"Y-Yeah. Just a small scratch because I was careless not to notice a mage attacking me." Lucy looked down and played with her fingers as she awaited for the boy's answer.

"Where?"

"At my leg." Lucy felt Natsu's hand on her shoulder and saw that he had a faint blush on his cheeks as he looked ahead, not meeting her eyes.

"We better get that healed back home or it'll leave a scar on your legs." Lucy couldn't help but nod in reply knowing that Natsu could sense it without even looking.

The silent walk continued on for a few more minutes when a small figure jumped from above and landed in front of the group. All of them were already in their battle stance, awaiting what the person might do.

"Oh?" It was a child. Her blonde hair was messed up, being tangled in every strand and there were traces of blood all over her head and body. Her dress was ripped and she was barefoot when she walked closer to the group of teens.

"Neh onee-chan." She directed her attention to Erza who was holding a sword, getting ready to jump into action if needed. "Have you seen my doll?" The girl asked again and they all waited on what she might do or say next.

"No." Erza calmly said and the girl sighed as her hair continued to hide her face.

"That's okay then." She began to walk away but stopped and waved at the group who was still focused on her actions.

"Onee-chan, let's play when we meet again. Though I don't have a specific place but we'll bump into each other if you get to meet my other friends." Then with that the girl walked off, and sang the next words that came out of her mouth.

"Be careful... You don't know what's in the dark. Hai Hai. Where could my doll be? It's better to run away from this place now."

And with that, the child disappeared, leaving everyone confused and relieved that they didn't have to fight.

Chapter End

Author's Note: Any questions or clarifications? Time to ask now. :)