chapter ten: shadows

"Is she going to be okay?" Natsu asked.

"She should be fine. But the emotional damage will take time to heal," Wendy said.

"The fact that she was able to overwhelm Natsu is a feat in its own," Makarov said. "But at least she's okay for now."

"Natsu wasn't fighting back, but if he did, she probably would've lost," Rogue said. "She was showing amazing power."

Natsu sat down in the chair by the bed Lucy was in. "I'm not leaving."

"No one is making you leave, Natsu," Gray said.

"Whoever is controlling Lucy will probably be back, and I'm not letting them get away." Natsu grit his teeth together. "I'm going to get some answers."

"We all want answers too," Gray said. "Like why is it Lucy they're after?"

"We may never know. But right now our number one concern is finding out who did this to Lucy," Makarov said. "I'll see you upstairs."

"Let's go," Erza said. "We need to hear what he's got to say."

"I'm right behind you," Gray said.

Wendy stood up and walked past Rogue. "You're coming too, right?" she asked.

"I'm not a member of Fairy Tail," he said.

"That doesn't matter. You're still our friend!" Wendy told him. "We could use your help!"

Rogue looked at her, surprised. "You got me convinced. I'll come upstairs in a few."

"Okay. I'll see you then." Wendy gave him a smile before leaving.

Rogue walked over to where Lucy was laying down. Natsu went to stand beside him. "Are you not going upstairs with the rest of Fairy Tail?"

"I swore I would stay here and protect Lucy. I don't need to hear what Gramps has to say," Natsu said. "If anyone lays a finger on Lucy, I'll make sure they pay!"

Rogue clenched his fist. Lucy was a friend, and seeing a friend in pain is the last thing he ever wanted to see again. He made for the door to the infirmary. "I'll let you know if I sense anything."

"Okay," Natsu told him. "By the way, it's real nice to know that you guys have our backs."

"Same here," Rogue told him before leaving. He headed up the stairs and out into a crowded guild hall. Everyone was standing in front of the stage. He pushed his way through the crowd until he found Sting. "So what's going on?"

"Just waiting on Master Makarov," he told him.

Rogue looked around him. He saw Yukino with Mirajane and Lisanna Strauss, Cana Alberona, and Juvia Locksar; Rufus was busy talking to Freed Justine, and Orga was talking to Laxus Dreyar. Everyone had found someone to talk to. He smiled.

"Is Natsu coming up?" Sting asked him.

"No. He's staying with Lucy. Pretty sure he wants to make sure she's safe while we're all up here."

Makarov stepped up on the stage then, and everyone hushed. He had a look of seriousness on his face. "One of our own has been tainted with darkness. We are preparing to set out on a dangerous journey to find the fiends that did this. We will run into trouble along the way. I cannot guarantee your safety. But I am thankful that the master of the Sabertooth guild, Sting, has provided his guild's assistance."

Sting gave an embarrassed smile. Rogue grinned.

"Whether you are Fairy Tail or Sabertooth, know that you will always have each other's backs. And know that no matter where you are, even if we can't see you, we will always be watching over you!"

An eruption of cheers sounded, Sting and Rogue included. They waded through the crowd and went to Makarov. He greeted them with a wave.

"That was an amazing speech, sir!" Sting said.

"Thank you," Makarov said.

"So we're heading into battle?" Rogue said.

"Yes. We're splitting into teams and heading out soon. I suppose you would like to put your members with members from Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked Sting.

"Yes. Even though they can all work together as a team, I think sending them out with Fairy Tail members is best," Sting answered.

"If it's okay, I'd like to stay here with Natsu and Lucy," Rogue requested. "That way she has extra protection in case someone comes back for her."

"That's fine," Makarov said. "The majority of our best fighters will be heading out so having extra people here will be helpful."

"Sting, I trust you'll be okay?" Rogue asked.

"Of course!" Sting said, grinning. "I'll be fine."

"Okay. I'll see you later then."

Rogue turned around and headed back down to the infirmary. Natsu looked up at the doorway when he walked in.

"What are you doing back here?"

Rogue sat down in a chair against the wall. "I asked to stay here."

"I can watch over Lucy myself!" Natsu said angrily.

"No one said you couldn't."

The two dragon slayers had an intense stare down. After a few minutes, Natsu finally turned away. "Stay all you want. I'm not leaving."

Rogue looked away. "I didn't ask you to leave."

"Oh yeah? Well, if you even think about making a move on Lucy I'm gonna kick your ass!"

"Will you just shut up? I'm not interested in Lucy!" Rogue said angrily.

"What are you two arguing about?" Lucy asked them, sitting up.

"Lucy!" Rogue and Natsu said together.

"How are you feeling?" Natsu asked.

"My head feels cloudy. But I'm okay," she answered.

"That's great," Rogue said.

She gave them a small smile. "So where is everyone else?"

"They're all getting ready to leave," Natsu said. "They're going to search for the people that did this to you."

"There's no need for that," Lucy said.

Rogue looked at her. "Natsu, did everyone leave already?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Natsu replied.

"I need you to go get Master Makarov. And Sting, if he's here."

Natsu looked at him. "What's your problem?"

"Just go!" Rogue yelled. "Hurry!"

Natsu hesitated before leaving the room. Rogue stared down Lucy. "Who are you?"

"Ah, so you noticed. I guess I need more practice on my possession skills," a male voice said. Lucy passed out as a dark shadow slithered away from her.

"Lucy!" Rogue said. "What did you do to her?"

"She's fine now. The shadow that was possessing her was a family magic; my father cast it on her and so he, my brother, and I all had access to possessing her." A young man stood up across from Rogue. "Man, it's rough work being part of the shadows."

"So your family used magic to possess her through shadows?" Rogue clenched his fist. "That must be why I was able to sense your presence."

"What do you mean?"

"I am the Shadow Dragon Slayer, Rogue Cheney. I can become one with the shadows."

The man's eyes widened then narrowed. "Oh, we have a problem here."

Rogue braced himself to attack. Where is Natsu?!

The man continued, "You see, I was sent here to just kidnap Lucy Heartfilia. But now that I know that there's a dragon slayer that controls the shadows, I must take you too."

"What?!"

The man snapped his fingers and Rogue began getting drowsy. No… Dammit Natsu, where are you?!

"You two will be great assets for Lord Zeref. I just know it."