Short Chapter

It's just a normal, typical day at the guildhall; most of those present are lounging around. Natsu and Lucy are hanging out at a table with friends, Laxus and Mira are at the bar going over the current missions some of the members are on when the front door opens. Chatter around the room stops and everyone turns to look at who just arrived. Visitors are common with friends often visiting or clients coming to request the services of the famous guild, but this stranger doesn't seem to fit into that mold. Standing in the frame of the door is an unassuming and reticent male of maybe 25. He's not a very big man, average height, maybe 5'10" or 11" and a medium build; nothing very muscular about him. Dark colored eyes and sporting shoulder length straight black hair that parts in the middle; his skin tone has a slight tan to it. On his person, the robe he wears is cream-colored like the kind monks may wear at temples, belted at the waist.

Looking quickly around the room he spots his target and holds the stare while they, having seen him walk in, have since returned to their conversation. With their backs to the door, Lucy feels the hair on the back of her neck stand up but she's too afraid to turn around and look again. "He gives me the creeps…" she whispers to her boyfriend. The stranger's energy seems to be pulsing directly at them. So Natsu puts his arm around his girl to comfort her and narrows his eyes at the stranger; wary of the way the man was stalking them with his gaze.

Mira walks up to greets the new arrival. Smiling in her usual good graces, "Hi, what brings you to Fairytail?"

The man turns his attentions to woman standing in front of him. "I wish to speak to the Master here."

"May I ask your name?"

"I am Shian."

"Welcome Shian. Please follow me, Master Laxus is at the bar."

As she walks towards her boyfriend, people around the room watch with suspicion, "I don't like the looks of this guy." Mutters Erza as she stares at him.

"Yeah," adds Gray, "Something just doesn't seem right…" They see Shian smirk as if he heard their comments. "Definitely, not right…"

"I didn't like how he was staring at us…" Natsu adds in, "And he gives off the weirdest vibes…"

~x~

Shian strolls calmly behind Mira, his hands held in front of him tucked into the belled arm sleeves of his vestment. His eyes wander the room, taking in his surroundings, and noting the location of the various members scattered around the room. It doesn't seem as if all of their compatriots are here but it doesn't matter to him, the ones he came to find are…

Laxus leans back against the wood rail of the bar as Mira leads the unusual gentleman towards him. The somewhat petulant Master can already tell he's not gonna like this guy one bit, but he must bite his tongue at least until he learns the reason for the visit.

Mira makes the initial introductions and walks to the other end of the bar to give them some privacy.

"Hello Laxus."

"So, Who are you?" The rumble in his tone, reflecting his annoyance at being disturbed.

But this doesn't seem to faze the man at all, instead, he just smiles, "I am Shian, and I was sent here with a message," narrowing his eyes, "for all of you."

His eyebrows raise, "Message?" as his suspicions mount.

With the smile turning more into an evil smirk, Shian simply states without any emotion, "Ypnos. (Sleep)"

"What the fu…." But the lightning mage is unable to finish when his head falls to the table, asleep.

The speed at which the spell affects anyone in its immediate vicinity is surprising. All around the hall everyone begins to swoon and black out, crumpling where they are, on tables or chairs or right onto the floor. A few of the men make futile attempts to grab Shian but they are overwhelmed by the spell.

Shian calmly saunters towards an unconscious Lucy, stepping over those that now lie prone in the aisles. As Natsu tries desperately to fight the effects of the sleep spell he shields Lucy's body that has slumped over the table. "Get away from her..." he utters all groggy, reaching out to try and grab a hold of Shian's arm. Unfortunately, the young slayer fails to do more than scrape the surface of the stranger's skin before his hand falls limply to the side.

"Oh do not worry, she will not be harmed young Natsu. If you wish to see her again, go home when you awaken and there will be something waiting for you."

"Damn you…" Natsu mutters as Shian simply moves the slayer over and picks Lucy up; his last image before his eyelids slide shut are of the strange man walking out of the entrance with his girl hung in his arms. "Lu…cy…"

~~xx~~

"LUCY!" The fire dragon slayer wakes up screaming his last words and jumps up from his seat, "He fucking took Lucy!" All around him, everyone is still waking up from the effects of the sleeping spell. Fire starts to blaze from his mouth. "AHHHH! Who the fuck was that!"

Gray grabs his friend, yanking him back to the chair, "Natsu, damn it calm, down, we will get her back!" Others joining into the melee.

Laxus, barely awake himself, sits up though still woozy and dazed. Hearing Natsu screaming, his mind snaps to attention and he turns to see Gray, Gajeel and Erza trying to hold down the irate fire mage. Rushing over to where they are, "What happened?! Where is…"

Natsu snaps, "That bastard took Lucy!"

Laxus, "Stop fighting them! Natsu we'll find her I promise. We just need to figure out what's going on and where she might be."

Letting out a ferocious roar, "AHHH!" and with a roar that startles everyone, Natsu throws all of them off like rag dolls. "I can't wait around here!" he screams, sprinting out of the guild.

Erza, "Should we follow him Master?"

"No…" exhale, "I can track him down if I need to." Laxus runs his hand through his hair debating his next move. 'Natsu's got the best nose of all of us, if anyone can find him, it's her.But why would that Shian guy wanna take Lucy?As far as I now she doesn't have any enemies…' The sudden realization that Lucy did in fact have one, very angry ex that might do something this stupid… "I, I, need to go make a call," and quickly walks away to his office.

[Communication Lacrima]

Enraged as soon as the call picks up, Laxus starts snapping, "Sting! What the hell did you do with Lucy?!"

Now Sting plays it cool, "I don't know what you are talking about Laxus, did something happen?"

"Don't play dumb with me pretty boy, my gut tells me you have something to do with this and if it's true, you will pay!" Laxus smashes the lacrima with his fist.

~x~

Natsu heads straight to his cottage to grab the travel gear he keeps prepped for short notice trips. He may not know where Lucy may have been taken but he knew that time was of the essence and just prayed his nose wouldn't let him down. Bursting through the door of the abode, he immediately sees a note pinned to his bag. The fact the kidnapper found them at the guild was no surprise but what bothers him more is the fact that this guy knew where he lived. He reads the note. 'If you want to see Miss Lucy again, come Alone to Tatsuki temple by sunrise tomorrow morning.'

Natsu's face pales. 'Shit! It's already close to midnight and that's a town away.I won't be able to reach there so quickly!He rushes back to the guild hall feeling reinvigorated. The slayer may not know if his girl is truly okay but at least he knows where he can find her and that's a start.

Screaming from the second he enters, "Happy?! Where are you?"

"Natsu?" The blue full ball stands up from a table by Charle and Wendy. "Where have you been?! I was so worried about Lucy and then you go and leave too!"

"No time to talk Happy." Grabbing the exceed and sprinting back out, "Come on I need your help! Just fly!" He directs.

Growing his wings, he pops out of Natsu's arms. "Aye Sir!" Grabbing onto his friend they soar out the door.

"Don't worry buddy, we're gonna get Lucy back!"

~x~

Hearing Natsu's voice coming from the main hall, Laxus races out of his office just as he sees the pair flying away again. Having noticed the beaming expression, "He knows where she is!" He immediately points to Wendy and Charle, "Follow them by air, you too Gajeel & Lily. Erza, Gray, Levy, you come with me. The rest of you protect the guild in case someone comes back here. Let's go!"

~x~

"Happy we need to get to Tatsuki temple before sunrise. Please hurry!"

"Aye! Max Speed!"