Chapter 6: Assassins, Wizards vs Executioner

Early in the morning on the Practice Field.

Tatsumi was swinging a sword up and down.

Gajeel and Pantherlily were doing training together again by punching and kicking each other.

"Ha, you're getting stronger as usually." Black Steel praised with a grin. "Yes, are you, we'll need the extra strength and training we need to stop this Minister and his army." Lily said returning a grin.

Taran was doing stretches with Gray and Juvia.

"(Once again, Taran is training with us.)" The Water Wizard thought opening her left eye while her right was closed and had a annoyed look on her face.

Tatsumi stopped catching his breath. "Whoa, that's it, my arms are tired."

Bulat put his iron mallet down. "Is that all, you still got asset in those muscles of yours."

He helped Tatsumi keep his balance steady while the boy kept sword up. "Just keep it steady and sharping your focus that way you can hold on twice than you can before."

"I got it." Tatsumi said struggling to his balance. "In no time you'll be unstoppable force, you also just need a firm touch." Bulat added.

Akame then appeared on the porch. "Tatsumi its for you to help me make breakfast, also Gray you too, help make breakfast!"

Gray and Tatsumi walked over to the black haired girl.

"What are we making?" Tatsumi asked.

"Its Crock and Rice." Akame answered. "(She's a psychopath.)" Gray thought.

"Wooh, that was good!" Leone said joyful. "Oh my poor stomach." Tatsumi groaned.

Gray noticed two bowls that were full. "Who's food is that?"

"Its suppose to be Sheele and Mine's." Akame answered. "Yes, they always sleep this late." Leone stated.

Gajeel was eating nails. "Is he eating nails?" Leone asked surprised.

"Relax, since he's an Iron Dragon Slayer he can eat anything that's made of iron." Gray explained.

"(Whoa, Dragons Slayers must be strong than we thought.)" Leone thought surprised.

Akame quickly the food for Mine and Sheele in seconds.

"We just witnessed the speed of true assassin." Gray commented in surprise. "No kidding." Tatsumi added.

"Gray, Tatsumi, we'll be serving Tuna and Rice for lunch." Akame stated getting up from her seat.

Meanwhile in the forest.

Najenda was talking with a solider that was seriously injured. "Where are the others?"

"I think I was the only one to make it this far." He groaned in pain as he handed a folder. "This is a list of everyone in power and swears to help us when we rally."

Najenda took the folder. "Its in my hands now."

"Please, help...the...Revolution." He groaned as he died.

Later that night.

Najenda had everyone in the meeting room again.

"Now the next assignement will be a serial killer that's been terrorizing the citizens." She announced. "He appears at night and killing anyone he sees, however the victims he killed is unknown."

"That's awful." Levy said looking shaken.

"I heard he killed some guards." Tatsumi stated. "No doubt, he's the head hunter Zanku." Lubbock added.

"Who's Zanku?" Gajeel asked.

"You don't know, you and the rest of those wizards from the sticks." Mine remarked.

"What'd you say?" Gajeel asked angrily.

"Chill out." Levy said calmly.

"I didn't hear about him either." Sheele said raising her hand. "Seriously, you must've forgotten again." Mine sighed.

"(Reminds me of Natsu.)" Gray thought.

Flashback scene.

"Hey, how have you been man?" Natsu asked with a smile.

"What, we're enemies you fool!" Erigor spatted.

"Are you really that dense?" Gray asked with a sweatdrop.

Flashback ends

"What is the deal with this punk?" Gray asked.

"Its worse than you think, Zanku used to be excutioner in prison that's in the Imperial Capital, the Minister orders him to behead a lot of people." Mine explained.

Levy was shocked at this. "That's awful."

"Talk about sick." Lily said crossing his arms. "Truly." Taran added with a look of disgust.

"It gets worse, he started beheading other people besides prisoners day in and day out." Mine added with disgust. "Secondly, he can't seem to stop, that he started taking his beheading to the streets."

"Also Zanku disappeared when suffocation force was organized to capture him." Bulat explained.

"Then what are we waiting for, let's take this bastard out!" Tatsumi declared furiously.

"Don't be stupid, we can't go running without a plan!" Gray yelled.

"Hey, all I'm saying that we need to take this manic out!" Tatsumi talked back. "What you're doing is stupid, cause only complete idiot would go running off with no strategy!" Gray spatted angrily.

"Come on, if you guys are going fight take it outside!" Bulat exclaimed as he hugged them using both his arms. "Besides you shouldn't fighting like kids and we need to play it safe."

"LET US GO!" Tatsumi and Gray screamed struggling to get free while swinging their arms and legs.

"That guy is such weirdo." Gajeel said doing a face palm.

"He's like Master Bob." Lily muttered with sigh.

Juvia was getting jealous as Levy grabbed her arm. "Take it easy." She said calmy with a nervous smile.

"By the way, do know what Imperial Zanku uses?" Mine asked.

"We're still looking into that." Najenda replied shaking her head.

"So he's not revealing what he uses." Leone said looking a bit annoyed.

"So what is an Imperial..." Tatsumi stopped as Akame put her sword in front of him. "Like this one."

"Uh, that doesn't really clear his question." Gray said looking confused as well.

"Very well, let's give Tatsumi and the Fairy tail Wizards a speed up, 1000 years ago, the first Emperor was deeply trupt."

Flashback scene.

The Emperor was man sitting on his throne chair looking depressed. "(I wish I can stay and protect my kingdom until the end of time, however weapsons and armory can last for generations.)"

He got up from his chair. "WE WILL COMBINE OUR WISDOM TO CREATE MY EMPIRE FOREVER!" He announced.

A few guards were taking down Danger Beasts.

"He gathered maritals from S-Class Danger Beasts." Najenda explained.

A few scientists were observed a green gem. "Some got rare metals such as Orichalcum, decends from the around were summoned to help him, the Emperor's forge allowed him to have 48 weapons, something that would be impossible today, he called them Imperial Arms.

Linebreak.

"(Sounds like this old geezer really had his work cut out.)" Gajeel thought

Flashback continues.

A map was seen showing the location of the tribes and empire.

"Each Imperial Arms has its own abilities, some are able to wipe out entire armies, Ministers that used these were quite successful on the battlefield, but a large civil war caused the weapons to be scattered around the world."

Flashback ends.

"Is Akame's sword one of them?" Tatsumi asked.

"The one head killer, Musame when someone is cut by this sword, it releases a poison inside that person and kills them in seconds." Najenda explained.

"(That's sounds is similiar's to Cobra's Dragon Slayer Magic.)" Gray thought.

Flashback.

He remembered when Cobra's snake bit Erza and poison her but was saved by Wendy using her healing magic.

Flashback ends.

"Leone's is Hundred Beast King Transformation, this weapons gives the User swift and strength of wild animal, also given them a high sense of smell." Najenda explained.

"(No way, that's similiar how Natsu, I and Wendy can do.)" Gajeel thought.

"The Inventerce Pumpkin, a gun that fires metal energy in the form a shock wave and the more danger the wielder is in, the more powerful Pumpkin becomes." Najenda added.

"(Alzack and Bisca would like that kind of gun, considering they use guns to fire magic.)" Levy thought.

"The Demon Armor Incursio, suit of armor with prengable defense, wearing causes such great strength that anyone that's normal to wear it will day." Najenda explained.

"(That armor must be strong like Erza's armor.)" Gray thought looking interested.

"The Infinte Uses: Cross Tail is a real of strings can be used to set traps or barriers, as well as attacking enemies directly." Nanjenda explained again.

"(Just like setting out traps used for alarms when intruders trespass where they shouldn't be.)" Levy thought.

"The Cutters of Creation: Extase, a giant pair of Scissors to cut things in half, also they can be used for defense." Najenda added. "Some Imperial Arms have Trump Cards, Incursio maximizes the abilities of the beast used to create it, allowing the User to become invisible."

"(Sounds cool and useful to block attacks from enemies)" Taran thought looking interested.

"Most importantly the Imperial Arms having falling into a clarified rule from time to time, these weapons are so powerful when two of them clash, it always ends in death."

"So basically when two Imperial Arms fight each other its a fight death?" Gray asked.

"Yes, one of the Imperial Arms Users will perish while the other survives." Najenda replied. "We know Zanku has Imperial Arms mutal death is possible, mutal survival is not."

Just then Lubbock put a string in front of Tatsumi's neck. "Uh oh, since we revealed too much you'll stuck with us for life."

"I guess that works." Tatsumi said nervously. "I'll be willing to fight too." Gray added confidently. "Yeah, I love kick this punk and beat the crap out of him." Gajeel added with a smirk and cracking his knuckles.

"That's good you three, the boss does consider you and the two girls a part of our team." Leone said with a smile.

"True our team is lacking in numbers, however getting wizards like you Gray and your friends is quite astonishing, as for us, we use our individual abilities." Najenda stated.

"Yes, we also use physical combat as well." Gray stated.

"I see, you and Gajeel must be strong." Bulat said doing a thumbs pose with a smile.

"This guys is getting on my nerves." Gajeel lowly growling as his body cringed.

"No kidding. Gray whispered in the same reaction.

"Anyway, I believe we're the heart of the revolution." Nanjenda stated.

"Do I get an Imperial Arms?" Tatsumi asked. "What, we don't have one." Mine answered.

"When oppporunity comes we'll be giving yours soon." Najenda said as she stood from her chair. "That's all, let's punish this scum."

Tatsumi was with, Akame, Gajeel, and Pantherlily in different part of the city.

"This is where that freak was spotted here." Akame said. "Gajeel, can you sniff him out?" Lily asked.

"Huh, you can sniff out Zanku?" Tatsumi asked surprised.

"Yes, Dragon Slayers like me can sniff our enemies not matter if they're hiding or invisble." The Iron Dragon Slayer replied. "I smell something, but its very little known to me."

"(His sense of smell must be stronger than Leone.)" Akame thought.

"Anyway, I noticed no locals are around here." Lily said noticing the area they were in was quiet.

"Makes since how they..." Tatsumi began to say as Akame grabbed him by his mouth hiding in the allyway. "Shh, guards."

"He's right, they must looking for Zanku too." Pantherlily whispered. "No kidding." Gajeel whispered too.

"Hey, I have a question for you, Akame?" Tatsumi asked.

"I brought food with us so don't worry." The black haired girl replied.

"Its not that, is it true that your sword can kill with one strike?" Tatsumi asked.

Akame nodded her head. "Yes."

Flashback.

Tatsumi remembered he was stabbed by her sword.

Flashback ends.

"Wow, its a miracle I'm still alive." He said a bit shaken.

"I've using Murasame for a few years, as its reputation its been called: The one hit kill." Akame explained. "Well is it invisible too?" Gajeel asked.

"No, it has drawbacks." Akame replied. "What kind of drawbacks?" Tatsumi asked.

"Its almost impossible to clean, if I cut myself I will die." Akame replied.

Tatsumi, Gajeel, and Pantherlily had a sweatdrop on their heads.

"I must cut directly into my opponents flesh or the curse won't get into the body." Akame added.

"It must be hard if the opponent has armor like bro does." Tatsumi said remembering Bulat's armor.

"For me it depends on one hit kill, that's why I can't rely on my Imperial Arms." Akame said looking at her sword.

"(Akame must be the same age as me but makes me wonder how many battles has she fought.)" Tatsumi thought.

Somewhere in the city.

Zanku was on the tower. "Hmm, a serial killer, an assassin must be a my lucky day, the city can be jungle."

He had more images of Night Raid and the Fairy tail wizards using his Imperial Arms. "Night Raid is famliar to me, but those other people with them is not clear, but no matter."

He then used his Imperial Arms to look at Tatsumi. "Hmm, I see purpose in his eyes."

Then he looked at Gajeel, Pantherlily, Levy, Gray, Taran and Juvia. "Hmm, I see some kind of power deep inside these five strangers including that cat thing, but I'll deal with that browned haired twerp first."

Tatsumi, Gajeel, Pantherlily, and Akame stopped to get take a drink.

"He won't just approach in front of us." Gajeel commented.

"True, he maybe watching us or something." Lily whispered.

Tatsumi then got up. "Excuse me."

"Is nature calling?" Akame asked.

Tatsumi was walking into an allyway but then he heard a footsteps and looked where they were coming from.

To his surprise was Sayo. "Is that you?" Tatsumi asked clearly shocked.

She ran off with Tatsumi following her.

"What is taking so long." Akame asked as she into the allyway the boy was in.

"Where did he go?" Lily asked.

Gajeel began to sniff the air from the alleyway. "This is not good." He said with concern as he ran into the allyway.

Tatsumi followed Sayo into a open center of the city. "I can't believe its you, I thought you were dead, thank goodness." He said embracing his friend.

"How touching!" A voice said as Tatsumi opened his eyes and looked up. "I must've shown you something very nice, good evening."

The boy jumped away startled. "What did you do with Sayo?"

"I would prefer you call me by a different name, and please say it with love." Zanku said wielding two sword blades that came from his shirt's sleeves. "My name is Head Hunter Zanku."

"So you're the one, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU!" Tatsumi declared as he took out his sword.

"Uh oh, looks like you seperated me from the others, maybe I can stall him for a minute, is that what you're thinking?" Zanku asked.

Tatsumi realized what the head hunter was talking about. "(Did he just read my mind?)" He thought then saw something on the hunter's forehead. "That must be his Imperial Arms.)"

"BINGO, its called Spectator, one of its five special gifts is insight, it allows me to read your every thought by gazing at your facial expressions, obviously its blessed me with Keen powers of observation." Zanku explained. "Should I give you stars for guessing correctly?"

"No thank you, you also can stop talking now!" Tatsumi shouted.

"Oh no, I love a good chit chat." Zanku said with a wide wicked smile as Tatsumi charged at him. "Do you know how much I can fight, no matter how dark or foggy it is, my far sight is clearly miles!"

The Hunter dodged his sword as Tatsumi slide on the ground.

"Did you think you could attack me mid mile log, I'm still reading your mind." Zanku said as he pointed at his Imperial Arms and Tatsumi charged at him again. "First you coming at me with a sword down slash!"

Hunter was right which Tatsumi did. "Then you'll do a finishing move!"

Zanku blocked the attack with both his blades. "Then try to swipe off my head!" He added as he ducked down but used one of his blades to slash Tatsumi.

"(He's on a different level)" He thought falling to his knees.

"I love the looks on the peoples faces I cut off, it never ceases to give me a rush." Zanku said maliciously. "the other thing I like is that when they get so surprised, I wonder what expression you'll have on your face."

"YOU AREN'T GOING TO LIVE TO FIND OUT!" Tatsumi shouted in anger.

Akame heard this.

Gajeel sniffed the air again and ran towards the direction with Pantherlily flying.

"(So Lily can fly.)" Akame thought followin the two.

Tatsumi charged again and tried to stab Head Hunter. "Oh I like ambition people like you, I think you'll be perfect addition to my collection of heads!"

The hunter started slash Tatsumi's body leaving injuries on his body, arms and legs. "I must say I did a number of resolve on that firm of yours."

"What do you mean?" Tatsumi asked.

"That tough act is pitful and your begging mercy is music to my ears." Zanku pointed out. "That's why I'm compleded to take my time, so feel free to beg, maybe you can buy time for your friends to save you!"

Tatsumi coughed blood. "Don't hold your breath, you're just some fithly punk that gets kicks for chopping off people's heads, SO THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I'LL BEG FOR YOU!" Tatsumi screamed in anger.

"That's right kid!" A Voice rang out. "IRON DRAGON CLUB!"

Zanku turned around and got hit in the face which send the hunter rolling across the ground. "What the?"

Tatsumi turned to see Gajeel and Pantherlily.

The black Exceed transformed into his battle mode.

"Who are you two?" Zanku asked.

"I'm Black Steel." Gajeel answered. "This is my cat Pantherlily."

Zanku observed the two. "(Hmm, interesting, this guy seems powerful indeed, including that cat thing.)"

"We're going to punish you for your crimes!" Lily pointed out.

Zanku charged as Lily blocked the attack with his sword. 'Not bad for a cat." He praised.

"IRON DRAGON CLUB!" Gajeel proclaimed as his turned his arm into an iron like club.

Zanku quickly saw it coming that he blocked it with his other blade but left a small crack on the blade.

"How did he..." Gajeel began to say.

"Careful, this guy can read your minds!" Tatsumi answered.

"I see, this man must using an Imperial Arms that allows him to read our minds."

"Crap, its just like Cobra the Poison Dragon Slayer." Gajeel groaned gritting his teeth.

"Defeating this man won't be easy since he can read our minds." Lily added narrowing his eyes at the Excutioner.

Akame then leaped over the two Former Fairy Tail Wizards as she swung her sword.

Zanku backed away quickly with a smirk. "So, Akame, you've showed up."

Akame stood up from her attack pointing her sword directly straight.

"Wait, this guy can read our minds!" Tatsumi informed.

"I see, that makes no difference since he's my target." Akame said as she and Zanku charged swinging their blades at each other.

The Assassin girl then kicked the Excutioner in the stomach making him slide backwards.

"So this what a fight looks like two Imperial Arms Users." Tatsumi said astonished.

"A fight like this reminds me of me teaming up with Natsu against two Dragon Slayers." Gajeel stated.

Flashback scene.

He remembered the Grand Magic Games and further in the tournament, the game decided to have a tag battle with two Wizards from a Guild facing each other in a Tag Team Battle.

He even remembered teaming up with Natsu again against Rouge and Sting who were both Dragon Slayers but third generation Dragon Slayers to be exact.

"I hate to admit, even though Natsu pushed me into a mine cart, our fight against Sting and Rogue was close." Gajeel said.

Flashback ends.

Zanku was closing his eyes using Imperial Arms to read Akame's mind who quickly dashed at him and swung her sword.

"I knew it." He smirked as he swung his right blade down.

Akame quickly moved back and slide backwards but her leg was bleeding.

"(He manage to lay a scratch on her.)" Tatsumi thought.

"Let me ask you something, do you hear the voices?" Zanku asked.

"What voices?" Akame asked.

"Oh, you don't know, I thought you would've understood, you see the people I beheading are calling for me from underworld." Zanku explained as figures from the dead were screaming at him. "I hear them calling to me in anger."

He remembered he was sitting on a ground wit his hands covering his head. "I've been hearing them everyday and night, it just keeps getting worse."

"It would serve you right!" Gajeel remarked.

The excutioner glared at the man's remark. "What'd you say?"

"Easy my friend." Lily said putting his hand on his owner's shoulder. "Anyway, how do you deal those voices you hear?"

"I keep talking to drown out the noise." Zanku replied turning his attention back to Akame. "As for you as Assassin, I thought you would understand but it seems you don't hear voices."

The Excutioner did a stance and his Imperial Arms Eye opened wider. "YOU HAVE DISAPPOINTED MEEEE!"

A girl appeared in Zanku's place then memories of Akame was in her head.

"What is with the girl?" Lily asked. "Yeah, she's spacing out like she's seen a ghost." Gajeel added looking very confused.

"My Imperial Arms has another trick, which creates a illusion on the person that my opponents cares about the most." Zanku explained.

"That means she must be seeing someone important to her!" Lily exclaimed in realization.

Tatsumi realized something too. "That's why I saw Sayo, Akame snap out of it!"

"Don't bother, she can't bring harm to the person she cares the most." Zanku answered as he dashed ahead preparing to kill the Assassin.

"NOT ON MY WATCH!" Gajeel yelled in anger. "IRON DRAGON DEMON LOGS!"

His transformed his two arms into lengthy long iron poles punched the Excutioner in the face and made him fall on the ground. "That was some hit, just what kind of man are you?"

Gajeel ignored the question and turned his face to look at Akame. "Come on, kid, you aren't going to let some illusion stop ya?!

Akame then swung her sword and slashed the Excutioner in the stomach.

"She didn't hestiate." Lily said looking surprised. "HOW, YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO SEE THE PERSON YOU CARED THE MOST!" Zanku yelled in shock.

"My desire to kill is because I love her dearly." Akame answered with a glare.

The Excutioner was shocked at the words from the Assassin and then noticed his swords were beginning to crack even more. "(Oh no, its about to break!)"

"I'll destroy that weapon first!" Akame declared as she and the Excutioner clashed their swords at each other.

"(SHE'S SO FAST, NO MY SWORDS WON'T LAST THAT LONG, NOOO!)" Zanku thought as his swords shattered completetly.

"You are done." Akame said as she slashed the Excutioner throat making him fall on the ground.

"You did it!" Tatsumi cheered sa he looked down. "(You saved me, but not only you, especially Gajeel, and Pantherlily, they're so strong and I need to get stronger too.)"

Akame stared at the Excutioner. "The voices that you hear won't haunt you again."

The strange headphones he wore on his ears shattered. "The voices are gone..." He said hearing just silence and smiled with a bloody mouth. "Its...delightful...I thank...Akame."

He turned his attention to Gajeel, Tatsumi, and Lily. "You...three...were worthy opponents." As his eyes shut closed.

The next morning.

Tatsumi visited his friends graves again putting a flower on Sayo's gravestone.

He felt something being thrown on his head and he turned to see Gajeel, Lily, and Akame. "Hey, its time for dinner, you can pull your own weight." The long black haired Assassin girl said.

"She's right, we need all the energy we can get." Gajeel added eating iron nails.

"Are you eating nails?" Tatsumi asked.

"Yes, as an Iron Dragon Slayer, I can eat anything that's made of Iron." Gajeel replied chowing on the nails. "See, Dragons Slayers can devour anything that their magic is based on."

"Like those iron nails." Tatsumi answered.

"Correct." Gajeel replied.

"Anyway, Akame, who was the person you saw when Zanku hypnotized you?" Lily asked.

The girl went quiet. "I'll tell you guys especially Gray, Juvia, and Taran when the times comes, but one thing I can tell you guys, every member in Night Raid is important to me."

"(That's right, just like everyone in Fairy Tail is important to us.)" Lily thought with a grin.

"Also, I would like to thank you, Gajeel and Pantherlily for saving Tatsumi." Akame said with a smile. "Second you, Lily, and Tatsumi are important to me too."

Tatsumi was surprised at the words that it made him blush.

"Uh, thanks I suppose." The Iron Dragon Slayer said turning his head away hiding a blush. "I appreciate your words." Lily said with a grin.

Akame then walked away. "Today for dinner is meat on the dishes."

"Uh, no way, can't you throw on vegetables or fruit?!" Tatsumi asked.

Akame ignored him as the three followed the her.

Meanwhile the four figures stood in front of the gateway.

The fourth figure had three wizards dressed in bandit uniforms approach the gateway . "That's right, my three corpses, activate this portal for us."

The three dead wizards raised both their hands up which began to glow which activated the gateway opening the portal.

"Let's go, and we have no longer use for those human wizard bandits." The taller figure ordered as it and its followers jumped into the portal and the three dead bandit wizards then collapsed on the ground laying dead.

End of chapter.