Chapter 11

Toy Box

"Arr! How long do we have to do this?!" Natsu grumbled as he threw a flaming fist at one of the mages that targeted our group. It had been thirty minutes past midnight, and a month since our team adopted Lisanna to the group.

Everyone feared on what kind of ill fate may happen if she were to be alone, so on her first night, all of us ran to the park where the newcomers arrive. We managed to save her before a mage was able to target her, and dragged her along through our endless journey in the shadows.

Now, a small group of mages spotted us while we were moving through the alleyways and a one sided battle took place. Of course we won. What can you expect when you have Natsu, Gray and Erza on your side?

We weren't able to meet up with Jellal for a while but we know what our goal is. We have to find the Game Master and end this before many more mages get hurt in this idiotic game.

Natsu and Gray cracked their knuckles and stretched their muscles as we went our way, leaving the defeated group of mages lying in one of the streets of this replica of Magnolia. We hid in the shadows of the alleys once more until we decided to stop to take a short break.

"This Midnight Circus can be fun too you know." Lisanna chimed in, having sat between me and Erza. Gray and Natsu were on the other side yet a trash can was between them, almost saying that it was there to stop those two idiots fighting.

We all turned our heads to face Lisanna who was happily grinning, even in the midst of darkness. She was looking up to the sky, seeing the fake stars twinkle. Natsu and the rest had confused faces as a response to what she said but for me, I just looked at her with emotionless eyes.

That statement kind of bothered me, not in a bad way but in a way that it somehow felt nostalgic. I don't know why but I kind of get what Lisanna was feeling when she said those words.

"It's the fact we can be together right?" I muttered, while directing my gaze on to the hard cement we were cureently sitting on. I could feel their stares boring unto me, but that didn't waver my response to her statement.

"I mean it's the point where we can hang out together and use magic to our heart's content right? It's like this place can be freedom but it comes with a price." All of them went silent, none having the guts to speak up for a while until Lisanna held my shoulder and smiled.

"I'm glad we're thinking the same Lucy-chan!" She smiled and I returned it because for some reason, I'm glad she saw what I saw yet I know this game isn't for freedom anyway. It's like the maker of this is out for revenge if that's what you call it.

"I think we better get going." I stood up and pat the dust off my skirt and waited for the rest to stand up.

"Yeah we should." Erza stood up and summoned a sword into her hands while the rest also grumbled and stretched the limbs.

I could hear Natsu and Gray silently bickering which made me smile in return. Those two seem to get along so well that they don't even know it. We began to walk when a piece of card appeared infront of me and unfolded which revealed a message.

"Greetings player!" I began to read as the others stopped their tracks and focused on what I was saying. "You had been chosen to participate on a mini-quest. If you wishto bring along your pair or group then you may do so. You can't reject this quest so it's either you go with someone or go alone. "

I sighed as I held the card between my fingers and closed my eyes. A mini-quest huh? I could get out of this death game for a while but quests could be deadly too, considering this one has an option that could take someone with you.

I opened my eyes and stared at my team mates who fell silent as I flicked the card into the air and it floated.

"So guys, it looks like I'll be-" I was caught off when Natsu held my hand and smiled. Erza grabbed my hand and the others followed, all having the same smile on their faces.

"Come on Luce! Wherever you go, we also go. We're a team remember?" I looked at him for a bit, dazed on what was happening and then returned that goofy smile he always has. I looked at the rest and they nodded their heads, saying that they were ready. I looked at the card and closed my eyes as I breathed in, knowing that what awaits can be one messed up task.

"Quest accepted by me and my team." I shouted and a bright light engulfed our whole body and lifted our feet off the ground.

There was a small transport, where our bodies were dragged across the air and all we could see was the bright white light. We were all holding hands, not letting go and soon we were dropped on our feet, in front of a large toy box.

"What the hell is this!?" Gray scoffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest as the others let go and looked up the enormous colored chest.

"It's a toy box." I muttered, knowing this huge item all too well.

"Huh? How do you know Luce? It looks more like of a chest then a toy box." Natsu blinked his eyes, and I knew that he tried to imagine it overflowing with toys.

I sighed in response and placed a hand on my waist and looked up at the thing again. "I had one when I was little. My parents bought me a toy box that was all over the market. I meant to put toys in it but I accidentally destroyed it when it got pushed off my balcony. It was only made of wood after all." I walked in through the small doorway of the huge toy box and inside was all different kinds of colors and varied toys for babies.

We looked around the place and I noticed Juvia from our grade standing across the room and Levy with a big buff man.

"Levy!" I called out and her eyes widened when she saw me and the rest of the gang. She quickly ran to me and gave me a hug, which I returned.

"Lu-chan! You got invited on this quest too?" She asked, worry evident on her face. I smiled in return and let go of her, which made her step back and stand beside her big companion.

"Yeah, I did. They wouldn't let me go alone so here we are." I pointed to my team mates who were currently walking around while they also spotted Juvia. "How about you Levy? Who's you friend?" I asked and looked at the big guy beside her. He had all kinds of metal stuff sticking on his skin yet he just smirked at me while he noticed my stares.

"Oh? This is Gajeel. He's on the same grade as Erza and the rest." I just nodded my head in response, trying to not push the issue further. I know something is going on between them but I guess, now is not the time.

I noticed Juvia walking towards our group and I acknowledged her by giving a smile.

"Gajeel-san, Juvia would like to ask how are things going?" Gajeel looked at her and gave a small smile. Without anymore words, she nodded her head and faced me.

"Lucy-san right?" I nodded in response. "Juvia will do her best on this quest." I just chuckled at her eagerness to win and I know this girl won't be taken down easily. She's a strong yet peculiar woman after all.

Soon the toy box rumbled and cuffs were forced on everyone except for us three who got the invitation directly. I noticed a shadow moved even in the midst of all this ruckus, and I could hear Natsu shouting, fighting the strong restraints.

"Lucy! Be careful!" He shouted at me and I nodded my head in response. There's no way I'll lose to this.

A big clown suddenly appeared, going into life from the various toys around. All the baby's toys in here were parts that make up the gigantic toy clown that had an eerie smile.

"Hello mages." It spoke, having an awful tone in its voice. "Care to play one of my games?" All three of us kept quiet and had are guards on as the clown neared its face to ours.

"All you have to do to win is cut out my heart and I'll let all of you go with the special rare item that a child once used. But beware mages, I am immune to magic. Within this toy box, you cannot use magic to destroy me. Let the game begin." We all jumped from the sudden attack it made and all rolled of into different directions. Juvia was able to block one of its attacks with water yet that wasn't enough to stop it.

I took out one golden key and summoned Loke. He stood there tall and proud, and used his Regulus to defend me.

"What do you need Lucy?" He asked with a smile evident on his face. "Could you create a cover for me?" He smiled and went out for battle.

Levy began to write words that flamed and had spikes but it only made a very minimal damage to the huge clown. It began to laugh and and went an all out attack that made us to be blown off from the ground. We all groaned in pain until I noticed something sparkling on its chest as Loke's Regulus shone.

I squinted my eyes to take a better look when my head throb in pain again and I saw images and heard voices that all belonged to kids.

"What do we do about that killer clown?" A black haired kid panted as they hid behind an alley. They could hear the clown's laughs as its' gigantic footsteps made them shudder.

The next thing shown was a little girl holding a small like sword and running to the clown.

"Go for it!" All the children shouted and the girl cut out the clown's heart, making blood splatter everywhere. The little girl was bathe in blood, her hair totally colored in crimson red. She kept cutting out the clown's heart and turned back a bit to smile maniacally.

When I looked back, all the children also had dark laughs and enjoyments on their faces as they neared the girl, and soaked themselves with the clown's blood. They kicked and stab it more, making me wince from the sight.

"Lucy watch out!" I heard Natsu's voice and I got to snap out from my daze to finally notice that the clown was forming another attack with its hands. I managed to dodged but not without a little bruise on my knee. I winced from the pain and didn't mind it after when I focused my eyes on the blade that was sticking on the clown's chest.

"So that's the item huh?" I felt myself smirk and in that instant, my body moved forward. I don't know why but something pushed me to use the remaining items in the room to jump on the clown and grab the blade that was sticking out.

I smiled as a familiar sensation went over me and totally took control of my mind and actions.

Blood.

I dragged the blade across the clown's chest and chuckled when blood began to seep out.

More.

It wasn't enough. I swipe the blade across and made a huge cut on the clown's chest and ripped it open to reveal its' injured heart. With one last dark laugh I ripped the heart into two, feeling its' blood splatter all over me.

"Die." I muttered and jumped off the clown as it fell and began to disintegrate.

I stood there, feeling dazed when a massive headache washed over my body which cause me to cower in pain.

"LUCY!" I heard all of them shout and I held on to the blade, still soaked in blood.

"Congratulations!" A dark voice said and it revealed the game master. We all looked at him and I squinted my eyes to the endless darkness behind its hood. "You were able to acquire a rare item Lucy Heartfilia." My name rolled of his tongue as if he was proud that I was able to acquire it for myself. "Look after that blade very well. It belonged to an escaped original player after all." And he disappeared.

"Original player?" I muttered and felt myself being carried by Natsu.

"You deserve to rest Lucy." He whispered and I smiled, still holding on to the blade I got.

It was mine and mine to keep.

"This will always be mine." I heard a child's voice said and a small smile crept on to my lips as we were transported back to the replica of Magnolia.

Chapter END

A/N: It'll be a while before the next update because it's back to school for me. TT_TT But I hope you guys continue on to read this story! Thank you. :) (I'm a graduating student after all so it'll be a hard few months left for me.)