Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and/or Akame Ga Kill. They belong to their original owners.

The Assassins of Fairy Tail

Job Twenty One: The Assassin's Moment of Peace

Lucy was in her apartment putting on a tank top after taking a bath. She had a lot to think about of what she and the rest of the guild were getting into. It was hard to believe she went from being a fangirl of the best guild of the land and joining it to fight for the future of it and her friends. She walked over to her desk and sat down on her chair and began to write down her thoughts on the matter. "Fairy Heart. An infinite source of magic. The whole reason behind Zeref's attack. To make sure it never falls into the wrong hands, we at the guild must protect it with all we've got. I guess referring to her as 'it' would be a mistake. The Fairy Heart is our guild master's body and we will protect her. After all, she was the one that created this guild. If it weren't for her, we would have never met each other."

"Oh! Well said!"

"Nothing less from an aspiring writer, huh!"

Lucy didn't even notice Natsu and Happy sneaking up on her. "If it weren't for her…"

"We would have never met each other."

"You're in my room without my permission again!"

Lucy kicked her chair at them but they easily avoided it. "Aw, c'mon."

"Aye! It's so quiet and boring out in the streets anyway!"

Hearing that made Lucy calm down a little. "I see. So they've finally finished evacuating the people already."

Natsu flashed a smile at her. "Yeah, so let's hang out!"

Happy brought out some games and cards. "I brought some stuff with me!"

Lucy sat in another chair and wasn't too happy with the duo's cheerful banter. "Hey, we've got to get to the battleground early tomorrow. This is hardly the time to play. And unlike you guys, I'm not the least bit excited for it."

Natsu just stared at the blonde while Happy showed fear. "I'm not either!"

Natsu thought to straighten his intentions out. "You've got that wrong. Sure, I love a good fight but I what I like is contests of strength and not fights to the death." Lucy was surprised to hear Natsu say that. "My favorite are the kind of fights where I get to go all out and compare my strength with my opponents. But this one's different. This is a fight where we've gotta do whatever it takes to win. Or else there's no future left for us." Lucy couldn't help but smile at what Natsu said. The fire dragon slayer turned to Happy and smiled at him. "Plus, I've got some things to do when all of this is over."

Happy smiled back at him. "Aye!"

And that's where Lucy had to intervene. "Alright, listen up." They both turned to her. "Stop this. You know, they call that marking 'death flags' in the real world."

Natsu didn't quite understand. "What's that?"

Lucy turned away from them. "Well, talking about the possibility of a happy future before a big fight and making it dramatic as possible…that sort of thing."

Natsu seemed disinterested in the explanation. "Yeah, whatever."

"Aye."

Natsu looked back at Lucy. "Igneel told me to talk about the future" He grinned at her. "Because it's what's gonna make me want to live."

Lucy smiled back at him. "I guess that's fine too, huh."

Outside of Lucy's apartment, there was a trail of stars leading away from it while the conversation was still going. "Alright! Let's play some games then!"

"How about strip poker?"

"No way! And you were naked to begin with, weren't you?!"

That same trail of stars arrived at Fairy Hills and Mavis oversaw what Wendy, Carla, and Erza were taking a bath together. "So Crime Sorcière will be helping us out too?"

Erza nodded at Wendy's question. "I guess they'd have to make their move as well if it's Zeref we're up against."

Wendy smiled at that. "That's good news then!"

Carla wasn't as ecstatic about the help. "They're the people that destroyed Cait Shelter, though."

"Carla…"

Carla wasn't done yet as she still had an issue to deal with concerning Wendy. "Also, what in the world were you thinking consuming an alcoholic drink!? I swear, I think Leone and Cana had a negative effect on you."

Wendy sighed as she knew she would get this talk. "I didn't even like it Carla and it was only a tiny sip." While they were talking to each other, Erza's attention was focused on the scar Wendy had on her shoulder. Her smile faded away and looked concerned. A look Wendy noticed. "Are you alright Erza?" Erza just slightly looked away from the younger girl. Wendy looked at her scar and it made sense to her now. "It's about what you saw in my memories, isn't it?"

Erza continued to have that same look on her head and lowered her head. "Do you remember the first time I invited you two to join us at Fairy Tail?"

Wendy didn't understand why Erza's questions concerned the young dragon slayer's experience but was more than happy to answer. "Yeah, and we're thankful for that."

Even with her answer, Erza's look had not changed. In fact, she looked more worried now. "Wendy had been through so much in that world and now she's going to be in another war. How could she of all people be involved like this?"

"I saw you, you know." This time, Erza looked over at Wendy who was smiling at her. "I saw you attack Dorothea back when Mest was showing you my memories. I know it must've been difficult seeing me in those situations. Situations you didn't know about at the time." She held the scar on her shoulder while looking down. "I know I didn't ask for this scar. Every time I look at it, it reminds the horrors of what I went through in that world." Wendy gripped the scar tightly. "But…" She raised her head and smiled at Erza again. "It also reminds me of them. Of Night Raid and what they had to do to win against the Empire. I remember the good times I had with them. Just as long as I remember that, as long as I have the guild, I won't lose who I am."

Hearing that brought great comfort to Erza. It's true that scar on Wendy's shoulder brings bad memories but along with it are the good memories she had shared with the people who had looked after the young dragon slayer. That alone was enough to make her believe in Wendy. "You've grown up so much Wendy." She began to stand up and turn around to exit the bath. "That just means I have to protect you and Carla with all I've got."

"Erza…" Erza stopped just in time for Wendy to give her a hug from behind. "I'll be alright and let us be the ones to protect you this time."

Erza said nothing and turned around to hug Wendy back while her face was in between Erza's breast. I wasn't like the times Leone did it to her. "You've really become such a fine wizard. The pride of our guild."

Mavis saw all she needed to see and left Fairy Hills. She traveled across Magnolia and saw Juvia approaching Gray on a bridge overlooking part of the town. "My love…"

Gray noticed her while snacking on a chocolate bar. "Juvia…" He took out the chocolate bar and held it to Juvia. "Want some?"

Juvia hesitantly took the chocolate bar and had a slight blush on her face. "M-My love's…leftovers…"

Gray looked over at the town. "I'm really thankful that you're here." Juvia was surprised to hear him say that to her. "For always being beside me."

Now Juvia didn't know what to do in this situation. "Ah, no…Juvia…"

"When the battle's over, I'll give you my answer." Juvia just stared at Gray and wondered if what she heard from him was actually true. "So for now, let me focus."

Juvia just gave a small smile at him. "Yes…"

Gray remembered what Natsu earlier at the guild. "I've got something that'll defeat Zeref."

It was funny to Gray since he had something similar in store. "I have some tricks up my sleeve too. Wait for me Zeref...E.N.D…"

Mavis smiled at this small moment between the two wizards and went on her way. She was about head to the guild but then spotted Akame sitting on a bench in one of the parks. Mavis decided to briefly stop and check up on one of the newest members of the guild. Akame sighed as she looked up at the night sky to see the stars. After everything she'd heard about their enemy, Akame needed some time to think alone. "The Alvarez Empire, the Spriggan Twelve, Zeref, and Acnologia. I never would've imagined there would such higher stakes back when I was at the Capital."

"Hey, Akame!" Akame looked to the side to see Leone approaching her with a bottle of alcohol in her hand. The blonde flashed a smile at the other girl as she approached Akame. "I thought you'd be out on your lonesome. You mind some company?"

Akame smiled back at Leone and shook head. "No, not at all." Akame always appreciated Leone's company. Especially now since they were together.

Leone gladly sat down next to the other girl and took a quick sip of the bottle. She let out a refreshed gasp. "Damn Earthland has some good booze. I said this once and I'll say again. They have better stuff then what the bars back at the Capital had."

While Akame slightly chuckled at what Leone said, she was curious about something. "Where did you get that bottle?"

Leone held the bottle in front of her. "Oh, I got it from a nearby liquor store. Don't worry, I made sure to leave some money for the owner when he gets back." She took another sip and looked over at Akame. "So I'm guessing you're thinking about what the First said about our enemy?"

Leone hit right on the mark to Akame. "Yes." She looked back up at the sky. "Can you imagine the chances that we're about to go up against an enemy that's also an empire? Except this time, this Alvarez Empire is superiorly stronger than the Empire we faced against before. We already met two of the Spriggan Twelve, wizards who have strength far beyond Esdeath's and we have yet to see what the rest of them can do. It's almost hard to wrap my head around it."

Leone looked up at the sky with Akame. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Looking back on it, it's almost kinda funny how our biggest concern was Esdeath. She's small time compared to the people we're about to go up against." She looked back at Akame and offered her bottle. Akame saw the bottle Leone was offering. "Go ahead and try it. It's good to steel up your nerves."

Akame took up the offer and stared at the bottle before taking a quick sip of it. As soon as the alcohol was going down her throat, Akame coughed loudly. "Ah, it burns!"

Leone couldn't help but chuckle as that was the reaction she was expecting. "You'll get used to it. Go ahead and take another sip." Akame did just that and this time, the burning going down her throat was a little easier to bear. While she was downing the alcohol, Leone thought up a fun question. "Hey, Akame. When this whole thing is over…you wanna get married?" Her question made Akame spit out the alcohol and coughed violently while Leone was just laughing at her reaction. "You should've seen the look on your face!"

Akame coughed a few more times before turning her attention to Leon. "Why would you ask that of all things?!"

Leone laughed a little more before calming down. "Relax. I was just messing with you." Akame had enough alcohol for one night and gave Leone back her bottle. Leone went back to staring at the stars in the night sky. "Actually, speaking of marriage, I wonder how Tatsumi and the others are doing."

Akame looked back up at the sky with Leone as she did bring up a good question. "It has been a while since we thought of them."

Leone couldn't help but smile. "I wonder if Tatsumi and Mine got married and had kids already. I wonder what they'd look like and I'm wondering if Lubb finally worked up the nerve confessing to Najenda." She felt nostalgic talking about the old team. "It was great seeing them again through Wendy's memories. It's hard to believe it's been six months since we've last seen them. Considering the time difference between our worlds, I wonder how much time has passed in the Capital."

"Five years." Leone turned to Akame while looking dumbfounded by what she said. "Six months for us in Earthland would account five years in the Capital. I've been counting for quite some time. I wonder how much has changed since our departure."

Leone couldn't help but chuckle as she shook her head. "Man, five years huh? That means everyone got older over there. Even Kurome which is funny because she's now older than you now Akame."

Now that she heard it, it was kind of funny that her younger sister was older than her now. "Kurome must be happy living her life now."

Leone thought otherwise. "Nah, I wouldn't say that. I'd say she still thinks of what her big sister is up to in a different world. I can't imagine what she would think if she saw you using shadow magic."

She brought up another good point. There were times Akame wished she go back to the Capital to visit Kurome and tell her all the incredible experiences she was having in Earthland and show off her magic. She would often have dreams such as that. However, she feared those dreams may come to an end soon. Akame lowered her head and stared at the ground. "Leone…"

The other girl tilted her head in confusion as she saw Akame looking at the ground. "Yeah, what is it?" She didn't hear a reply from the other girl. "Akame?"

Akame just closed her eyes and gripped the handle of Murasame. "Concerning the enemy we're about to face, their power unlike anything we've faced before, I think…the time for me to use Murasame's trump card is drawing to a close."

Leone gasped as her eyes widened and stood up. "You can't be serious!? You're actually thinking of using Murasame's trump card?!"

Akame expected her reaction to be like this and opened her eyes while lifting her head to look back at the other girl. "I am. As you know, I was the one who was supposed to kill Esdeath with Murasame and I was prepared to use my trump card against her but Wendy was the one who did it in my place. In all honesty, I was glad I wasn't able to use Murasame's trump card because I loved my time with you and the others."

Leone never knew that but was also curious about what Akame meant by those words. "What are you saying? You know what Murasame's trump card can do?"

"I do and to use it…" Akame stood up and unsheathed Murasame. "I would have to discard my humanity. That is what I was taught." Leone was practically speechless when she heard that. "Slaying, carnage, and bloodshed…only when your heart embraces the demon inside, can this technique be wielded. At least, that's how I had always interpreted it." She sheathed Murasame back in. "Leone, I want to ask you something. A favor. If my heart should come to embrace the demon within and I should become possessed by this cursed blade and become a danger to everyone else, I want you to kill me." Leone could only stare in disbelief at what Akame had asked her to do. "I wouldn't mind dying if it was by your hands. I would consider it an honor."

Leone recollected herself and gritted her teeth. "Well, you can forget that favor!" Akame was about to ask why when Leone gave her a hug and held her close. "Even if you do become a demon, I still wouldn't kill you because I'll still love you all the same. I'd do everything I can to save you if that would ever happen and not just me. Wendy too and everyone else in the guild. So please…don't ever ask me that again. I don't want to lose you." Akame didn't know how to reply to that. All she could do was bury her face in Leone's shoulder while closing her eyes and hugged the other girl. They were in that position for a few minutes before Leone broke the hug and gave a loving smile at Akame. "I won't stop you from using Murasame's trump card but I want you to remember not to forget about me or anyone else that's important to you when you use it because you're important to us. You're important to me. We'll kick Alvarez's ass just like we did with the Empire back at the Capital. That I can be sure of."

Akame smiled back at Leone and resumed the hug Leone had started. "You're absolutely right. We'll win this and see through it to the end…together."

Unknown to them, Mavis saw the whole thing. It was a little touch and go for her but she admired the way they care for each other. It reminded the First of that very same conversation she had with Zeref from long before. Mavis then noticed that their third member wasn't anywhere near them. She took her leave and decided to search for Chelsea to see how she was doing before heading back to the guild. It didn't take long for her to find the last former assassin as Mavis saw Chelsea just taking a small stroll through one of the empty streets. Not too far from Chelsea were two certain siblings having a talk to each other. They were both coming up at an intersection and Mavis stayed to see what would happen. Down at the streets, Chelsea sighed tiredly. She thought taking a walk would clear her head and help calm her nerves but it proved a little effective. "I can't believe we're about to take on an empire. Or in our case, another empire. I know everyone is gung-ho about it but can we actually make it through?"

Chelsea made it to the intersection and that's when she heard a familiar voice. "Chelsea?"

Chelsea stopped walking and turned to the direction where she heard said familiar voice. She was surprised who she ran into. "Lisanna? And…Elfman, right? What are you doing here?"

Lisanna smiled at their unexpected encounter. "Elfman was just going out for a walk and I asked him if could come along. What about you?"

The other girl just rubbed the back of her head with one hand. "Same as you two I guess. I just needed something to do. Staying in one place isn't exactly my forte."

Lisanna thought up an idea and turned to her older brother. "Hey, Elfman. Can you go on ahead without me? I'd like to spend some time with Chelsea." Chelsea couldn't believe what Lisanna had just asked.

Elfman didn't seem to mind but only on one condition. "Alright then but head back to Mira when you're done, okay?"

Lisanna was more than happy to agree. "Sure thing." Elfman nodded at his younger sister and continued on his way.

As he passed by Chelsea, she couldn't help but feel a little intimated by his size. Lisanna giggled as she saw the way the other girl was looking at her older brother. "Don't worry. Elfman may look big and scary but he's actually really nice. Like a giant teddy bear."

"A better description would be a danger beast bear." In all honesty, she knew Elfman was a nice person in the short time she helped rebuilding the guild. It's just his size and body type that was intimidating to her.

"So you want to walk together? I'm sure you won't mind the company."

Actually, Chelsea did mind but…she really couldn't refuse at this point. "Alright, fine." The two girls resumed their walk together.

While this wasn't planned, Lisanna was happy she ran into Chelsea for two reasons. One of them was she did enjoy learning more about her, especially from what she saw from Wendy's memories and the other was because she wanted to ask her something. "Hey, Chelsea? Do you mind if I can ask you a question?"

The other girl didn't seem to mind. "Go ahead."

"Why did you say what you said back at the guild?" That question made Chelsea stop walking and Lisanna too. Now she wondered if it was right to ask her that kind of question. "Chelsea?"

Chelsea just sighed again as she knew she would be asked that question sooner or later and the one person who asked it was Lisanna. "You saw Wendy's memories, right? Then you should know how difficult it was when we had to fight against the Empire I knew. It wasn't easy, I'll you that. There were so many factors going into it if the Revolutionary Army was going to win. It took years and we still had problems we needed to deal with. One of them being Esdeath. You heard what Najenda said about what it would take to defeat her. Over fifty thousand elite soldiers and ten Imperial Arm users and that was just Esdeath. Just her. It took an army of our own, covert missions, a special team, losses, and sacrifices to win against the Empire. But in this situation, we don't have an army. We're just a guild going up against Alvarez head on. I know a lot of you are stronger than most Imperial Arm users and soldiers, I saw that when I witness what the other guild members did when they went up against the Empire's army. But that was our world. In this world, we're going up against an enemy that has twelve members who are beyond powerful than what any of us could fathom. And that's saying something from someone who thought Esdeath was the biggest threat we had to take down. I guess…seeing myself fighting in this war proves that I haven't changed much since then." She looked down at her hand. "I may have magic to fight with but what can I do against opponents like them?"

After hearing all of that, Lisanna could understand a little better as to why Chelsea was so worried. Her response was a smile. "I see. So that's why. You don't have to worry about that because we'll all be fighting together. Actually, I want to tell you a secret. I'm…kinda scared about our fight against Alvarez too." Chelsea looked back at Lisanna as she didn't expect her to say that. "This is a fight that'll decide our future and you're right. The enemy we're up against is powerful and even if that's true, I still have Mira, Elfman, Natsu, and everyone in Fairy Tail. We're all in this together. Knowing that gives me a little more courage about this whole thing. And you shouldn't sell yourself short. At least you have experience in fighting against an empire. You, Akame, and Leone and we can use that experience." Lisanna walked up to Chelsea and held up her hand with her own two. The contact made Chelsea blush a little. "So let's both do our best and win. What do you say?"

Chelsea had to look away from the other girl while ignoring the hard beating in her chest. "I…guess you have a point. It's not liking our victory over the Empire back in my world was a solo victory. It took everyone's effort that helped us to win."

That was something Lisanna wanted to hear and giggled. "Now you're getting it. Like every enemy Fairy Tail had fought against before, we'll make Alvarez learn the hard way of what happens when you mess with us." Chelsea liked the sound of that. It took Lisanna a few seconds to realize she was still holding Chelsea's hand and instantly let go while having a little red on her cheeks. "S-Sorry!"

Chelsea chuckled a little and didn't seem to mind. "It's alright. How about we continue that walk?" Lisanna nodded at the other girl and resumed their walk.

After seeing that, Mavis smiled and finally made her way back to the guild. Speaking of the guild, Makarov, Macao, Wakaba, and Warren were preparing for Alvarez's upcoming attack. "Warren, how's it looking?"

Warren looked at his radar. "They're nowhere in Fiore yet."

Macao doubted that. "Can we really trust that, though?"

And Warren took offense to that. "I made this super-radar myself!"

It was about as good news Makarov was going to hear for a while. "Things would be a lot easier if we could pinpoint exactly which direction they will be coming from."

"We could always place a diversion in the north and station our main forces in the south."

Makarov noticed Mavis' arrive. "The First!"

Mavis landed on the floor of the guild. "I've just finished checking up on everyone and they're not the least bit worried about our situation. They've become so strong."

Makarov was glad to hear that. "So that's how you see them. And what do you think of our three new members?"

The first master put some thought into the question. "They seem willing and ready as well as prepared to do whatever they can to win. Since I heard they fought in another war against another Empire, their experience should prove useful."

Makarov expected as much coming from those three. But for his other children, that was a different story. "I'm not surprised by those three but for the rest of them, to me, it seems like they're barely pulling through from all the uneasiness they're feeling and banding together like that only serves as consolation that things aren't all that bad. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be doing so, though. After all, if a parent is afraid, it's only natural that the children would feel the same too. It's the role of a parent to stand in front of their children and protect them even if their legs were to give out at any moment."

Mavis smiled at the eight's words. "Yes."

In the next moment, they felt a rumbling and heard a loud noise coming from outside the guild. It wasn't just the guild, though. Everyone in the town heard the noise. Natsu looked out the window while he was shirtless. "What?"

"It's coming from outside." Happy pointed out.

Erza and Wendy looked outside the bathroom window to see what was going on while Gray wondered what the noise was about. "This…"

Leone and Akame were also curious about the noise they were hearing. "The hell is that noise!?"

Akame had a more troubling question. "The more important question is, where is that noise coming from?"

Chelsea felt worried and had a bad feeling. She turned to Lisanna. "You should head back to your sister now. I'll go where Akame and Leone are."

Lisanna quickly nodded. "Right."

Back in the guild, Mavis became worried as what this noise meant. "Everyone…"

Makarov turned to Warren. "Warren! What's happening to the radar!?"

Warren didn't have an explanation which he really wanted now. "What, it's my fault now!? I don't know!" He looked at his radar again and saw multiple blips coming toward them. "Why couldn't it detect them when they're already so close! Damnit!"

Mavis knew how the enemy arrived without them knowing. "Everyone, get ready!" Just outside the town, there was a fleet of airships coming toward Magnolia. "The enemy is above us! We've got about fifty large ships in the skies above!"

Macao and Wakaba were beyond surprised knowing that. "The hell!?"

"A ship that size could take out guild in one go!"

And it was only the beginning to Makarov. "That's only one part of what the Alvarez Empire is capable of."

Warren was freaking out about the whole thing. "Hey, nobody said anything about them coming from the skies!"

From one of the ships, Ajeel was cackling madly. "Ohh yeahh! Time for you to return to ashes, Fairy Tail! It's party time!"

A/N: Now I'm going to pull off a dick move and stop here. I know all of you want to see our three favorite assassins kick empire tail again but another story with another arc is calling my name and to be honest, I need to focus on that since it's an arc I really want to get to work on. Lots of good moments there. When I'm done with that, I'll come back to this and then you'll see all the good shit I have planned. Until then, see you all in the next chapter. Or in the arc I'll be working on in my other story.