'' This place is a real villa. '' Lily remarked.
Standing in front of the Aria's house at this moment, each of wizards could beimpressed by the immense abode. Nevertheless, given the guards at the entrance gate, it was clear that it was not going to be easy to penetrate. Unless you have flying cats with you.
Flying in the sky, Lily carried Gajeel over the gate, while Happy did the same with Natsu, while that he held Wendy in his arms. Taking advantage of the night to be discreet, they ended up by passing the house in order to find an open window through which to infiltrate without making any noise.
'' Pretty house. ''Natsu said. '' Just thinking about what the kitchen mighty look like makes me hungry. ''
''All we have to do is take something discreetly. " Happy proposed. '' This girl said she liked helping people in need ! And we are in need. ".
Suddenly stopping, Natsu and Gajeel turned theirs faces, in the same direction, while Wendy put her hands on her nose.
''What is that horrible smell ? ''
''Blood.'' The two men affirmed, having no trouble following the track. '' And from the smell, it's not a small amount. "
Walking in the direction where the smell came from, they soon found themselves in front of a hangar that smelled of death. At this point, even Lily and Happy could sense that there was something strange in the building.
'' It's a slaughterhouse ? '' Happy wanted to know.
'' Such a thing would never be found here ! It's a villa. '' Lily said. '' And then, there is no animal here ! No, there's something else inside. "
''He … Help us. '' A voice suddenly begged behind their backs.
Turning around, the trio spotted one of the guards of the manor running towards them, while pulling Aria's arm to force her to follow him.
'' They are behind us. ''
'' Huh ? What are you talking ... ? ''
Natsu didn't even have time to finish his sentence, whice the guard suddenly cut in half under the astonished gaze of all.
''What … ?''
''Target … eliminated. '' A woman assured, while walking towards Aria, trembling with fear.
'' This girl … " Lily suddenly recognized her.'' She was one of the wanted people on the posters ! Akame of '' Night Raid '' !''
'' An assassin.'' Wendy understood.
'' Motherfucker ! '' Tatsumi suddenly cried.
Appearing throug the darkness of the night, he directed his own sword into Akane's back. Dodging without difficulty, she carried out a splendid pirouette in the air before falling back on her feet. Looking at Tatsumi, she said.
'' You are not a target to be kill ! Then go away. ''
''Never of life. '' The boy answered, standing before Aria. '' I will protect this girl. "
''Then I will kill you. "
But before she could take a step foward, she dodged another attack, while a pillar of fire had tried to touch her. Frustrated, the killer glanced at Natsu, who exclaimed.
'' Hey, what are you doing ? If you think I'm going to let you kill him without doing anything, you are completely wrong.''
'' Natsu ? " Tatsumi wondered. '' What are you doing here ? ''
'' Other targets to kill ?'' Akame wondered.
'' Just try to scratch us. " Gajeel laughed, turning his arm into a metal chainsaw. " You can't even touch us, little shrimp. ''
Suddenly falling from the sky, a man in armor crushed him violently face down. The power of this blow was so powerful that it created a crater in the ground. Spitting blood, Gajeel found himself trapped under his foot.
Not stopping there, the newcomer threw his big spear around him and hit Natsu on the side. Surprised, the wizard was ejected to the side before regaining his balance in time. Touching the ground, his feet dug two furrows until he was able to stop. Then, spitting out the blood in his mouth, he stared viciously at the armored man before questioning him.
'' Who the hell are you ?''
'' Get out ! You are not our targets. ''
''Another member of Night Raid. " Lily understood, then changing.
''Eh? '' Bulat astonished, turning to him, to see him in his warrior form. '' A teigu ? ''
Noticing his sword in time, he used his spear to stop it. Seeing his attack stopped without much difficulty, Lily tried to give him several blows that were each countered by Bulat.
''He is strong. '' The cat noticed.
'' Hey, you're not too bad for a cat ! Let's have some fun. ''
" IRON DRAGON'S ROAR ! "
Suddenly taking this violent grey tornado with full force, Bulat was forced to retreat, before putting a knee to the ground.
''What the hell was that ?''
''You will pay for it. '' Gajeel assured, wiping the blood that flowed out of his mouth.
Then closing his fist, he jumped forward while shouting.
" IRON DRAGON'S CLUB ! "
Seeing his arm turn into some kind of metal pillar, Bulat armed his own fist and hit him against Gadjeel's punch. A violent shock wave could then be felt as the two fists touched each other without one of the two opponents backing away.
'' Oh, another tough one. '' Bulat noticed. '' It's not every day that I can fight guys like you. ''
'' I return you the compliment. '' Gajeel said, began to cover his body with metal.
For her part, seeing Tatsumi fighting against Akame and losing against her, Wendy decided to help him.
" SKY DRAGON'S WINGS ! "
Nevertheless, speaking in turn, a man created many threads who surrounded the girl, thus blocking her.
'' What ? ''
'' Stay motioness. '' Advised Lubbock, appearing behind her. ''Make the slightest movement, and my threads will cut you into pieces. ''
'' Let's go, Happy ! '' A voice suddenly shouted over him.
Under a bad feeling, Lubbock jumped to the side, dodging in extremis Natsu's punch, who sprayed the ground.
'' Where did he come from ? '' Lubbock wanted to know, looking up.
To his surprise, he saw Happy, flying in the air, as he had just helped Natsu with an air attack.
'' A cat that can fly ? ''
Then an immense warmth was felt. Opening his eyes, Lubbock saw Natsu holding the threads around Wendy before starting to bunr. Feeling nothing at depart, the threads ended up burning one after the others.
'' What is this power ? The force he releases is phenomenal. ''
Eventually released, Wendy swollen her cheeks before directing her attack at Lubbock.
" SKY DRAGON'S ROAR ! "
Fearing the attack, Lubbock suddenly felt a pair of arms hug him before a figure jumped over the wind tornado. Landing in front of Natsu and Wendy, while holding Lubbock, having almost suffered a heart attack, Leone said.
'' Whoa ! For simple beggars, you have a lot of ressources. ''
Recognizing her scent, despite her animal form, Natsu exclaimed.
'' You are the blond girl who gave us money. ''
'' You … You know them, Leone ? '' Lubbock wondered.
Ignoring his question, to watch Akame about to kill Tatsumi, and Bulat playing with Gajeel, Leone suddenly started screaming.
'' Stop this, now. ''
Immediately, having ensured that their opponents couldn't attack them by surprise, Akame and Bulat jumped towards her, while remaining on their gaurds.
'' The mission is not over. '' Akame said, staring at Aria, who was hiding behind Tatsumi.
'' We have the time. '' Leone assured. '' And then, fighting these guys doesn't seem to be a good idea ! The soldiers will enventually comes. ''
'' You ? '' Tatsumi suddenly roars. '' You are the woman who stole my money, bitch ! ''
'' Don't worry, your money help me very well. '' Leone giggles. '' And since I just saved your ass, I paid my debt. ''
'' So, you too are a murderer. '' Lily understood, walking towards Natsu and Wendy with Gajeel. '' What do you want ? Money or killing for fun ?''
''In any case, I will never let you kill an innocent girl. '' Tatsumi assured , protecting Aria.
Nevertheless, suddenly grabbing his arm, Natsu ends up throwing him to the side while saying.
''Stay away from her. ''
''Hey, what'a gotten into you ? You protect us and, after, you attack us ?''
''I was only protecting you. '' Natsu answered, with a black look at Aria. '' So, Miss the '' savior '', tell me, how many lives have you taken ? ''
Backing away immediately, Aria asked him.
'' What are you talking about ? ''
'' This. '' Natsu roars, pointing to the shed. '' We were told that you were popular to welcoming poor people into your home but that none of them were seen again afterwards ! And oddly, this place reeks the blood. ''
'' Oh, you too, can you smell it ? '' Leone giggles , before turning to Bulat. '' Can you open the door ? ''
'' No problem. '' The man said, moving towards the hangar.
Breaking the door, without the slightest problem, he ends up allowing everyone to see the inside of the building. For the members of Night Raid, he had no great reaction, except for Lubbock, who put a hand in front of his nose, because of the smell. Concerning Gajeel and Lily, they couldn't hide of the surprise in their eyes, facing the carnage, while Wendy felt a heartache take hold of her and almost vomited.
'' What … What … Natsu ? '' Stuttered Happy, seeing the massacre before him.
Clenching his fist, his friend let out flames around him, sign of his intense rage. Finally, mute by what he saw, Tatsumi ended up moving into the hangar, where the bodies of at least twenty victims could be seen.
'' What is all this ? ''
'' The darkness of the capital. '' Leone explained. '' This family attracted the inhabitants from the countryside with sweet words before drugging them and locking them here in order to torture them or try all kinds of drugs. ''
'' Sa … Sayo ! '' Tatsumi strammed, seeing a body hanging from a chain. '' Sayo, do you hear me ? ''
''His friend.'' Natsu understool, looking down.
Attracted by a sudden movement, he just stretched his arm to grab Aria's head, which was beginning to slip away, and throw her in front of him.
'' YOU SCUMBAG ! '' Natsu roars. '' Why … ? By what right did you kill all these people ?''
'' I had nothing to do with it. '' Aria said. '' I didn't even know there was all this here. ''
'' You stink of blood and drugs. '' Gajeel said. '' You've spent so much time here that the smell is embedded in your clothes but also in your skin. ''
Realizing that all were against her, Aria turned to Tatsumi.
'' Tatsumi, believe me ! You are not going to believe these guys. ''
" Huh ... I ... "
'' Tat … Tatsumi ! '' A voice suddenly called him, in a cell in the warehouse.
'' I … Ieyasu ! '' The boy recognized.
'' This girl is a witch. '' Ieyasu roars, looking at Aria. '' She made us come to her house, before locking us up ! She … She tortured Sayo to death. ''
Shocked by this, Tatsumi looked at Aria before asking her.
"It's true ?"
"So what ? " Aria suddenly roars. " What is the problem with that ? You are juste a bunch of rusry people straight out of the cow dung ! You are only cattle and I have the right to treat you as such ! This girl had silkier hair than mines, it's unforgivable . "
Then turning to Wendy, she exclaimed.
"Just like this girl who has perfect hair and skin ! I fight every day to be a beautiful as possible ! I can't bear to see people more beautiful than me ! That's why I tortured that girl so much ! She should even be grateful that I worked so hard for her. "
" Akame, will you shut her up ? '' Lubbock questionned. '' I can't longer stand her. ''
Seeing the swordsgirl walking towards her, Aria tried to retreat, only to find herself before Natsu who had more and more trouble not to bring out his rage.
" Wait, I have money ! A lot of money. " Aria cried to the wizard . " I'll give you anything you want in exchange for my protection. "
This proposal was the last limit.
"You leave her to me ? '' Gajeel wanted to know, pretending to go towards her.
'' No, I will take care of her myself. '' Natsu replied, cracking his fists.
'' Natsu, stop. '' Someone suddenly arrested.
Realizing that Tatsumi lowered his gaze while walking to Aria, Leone asked him.
'' Are you still going to protect her ? ''
'' No ! '' The boy said, while taking his sword. " I will … "
"TATSUMI ! NOOOOO ! " Cried Natsu and Wendy.
Too late. In an instant, the boy had disemboweled the girl without the slightest hesitation, killing her instantly.
'' ... avenge my friends. '' Tatsumi cried.
Natsu was usually against killing. However, he couldn't blame the boy to have killed the girl had just killed his friends and Natsu knew very well that he would have reacted the same way if he had seen one of the members of Fairy Tail in this hangar.
'' Good ... Good job, Tatsumi ! '' Smiles Ieyasu, letting himself fall on the floor of his cell. '' That … makes me happy. ''
Suddenly spitting blood, he attracted the attention of all while Bulat said.
"We found this girl's mother's notebook ! Apparently, drugs have all been distributed to them and based on her observations, she was overdosed ! This boy … will die."
"No." Tatsumi shouted, preparing to head for the hangar.
The doubling then, Wendy shouted.
"Gajeel, please."
Knowing what she wanted, the man followed her before facing the bars of the cell. Biting them and destroying them without problems, he twisted the rest before grabbing the wounded. Taking him in front of Wendy, he laid him down on the ground and let his comrade begin to heal the boy.
"What … ? " Tatsumi wondered.
"Let her do it. " Happy advised him. " Wendy can treat anyone ! If you want him to survive, let her do it."
" She can heal people ? " Lubbock wondered.
" Interesting !" Leone mumbled.
"No … leave me. " Ieyasu implored. "Sayo died with pride ! I too want to die like this. "
" Don't say anything. " Wendy replied, continuing to heal him. " Too much blood has already flowed here ! There have already been enough deaths so don't say anything ! You do have a family, right ? Or frends ! I don't know you but I know at least you have Tatsumi worried about you ! So don't say you want to die."
Silent then, Ieyasu let Wendy heal him. For his part, Natsu took a turn in the hangar and ended up stopping in front of another cell where some people were locked up.
Seeing him, a woman put her arms in front of her face, while imploring.
"Don't hurt me ! Don't hurt me ! I'm not evil !"
Seeing her cry in fear, while the rest of her compagnions were as wounded as Ieyatsu, Natsu shook his fists with rage. Then, in an instant, he covered them with flames, before destroying the bars of the cell. Surprised by this, the prisoners forgot their fear, while Natsu said.
"Get out ! You are free."
Paralyzed, for several seconds, the prisoners finally got up before moving towards him. Then, one by one, they went around him, afraid to be attacked suddenly, before moving towards the rest of the gang. Always caring for Ieyasu, Wendy managed to remove some of his ugly wounds, while the boy stopped grimacing. Seeing the newcomers, she said.
"Stay here ! If you have been drugged, I must also treat you."
Not knowing who she was, one of the people glanced outside to see Aria's corpse lying on the floor. Seeing one of their executioners being dead like this, a man suddenly began to pray, before falling on his knees to the ground.
"My son … you have been avenged. "
Crying in turn, many fell to the ground while shouting.
"WE ARE FREE. "
"Thank you ! Thank you for freeing us. "
" I thought we were going to die. "
"What do we do with them ? " Lubbock wanted to know. " Nobody should have seen our faces."
"The Chief will be able to take them far away from here to another city, in exchange for their silence." Akame assured.
Finally, finishing her treatment, Wendy breathed a satisfied sigh, while she said.
" I'm done with you."
Squatting at once with his friend, Tatsumi exclaimed.
" Hey, Ieyasu ! How are you ?"
" Good." His friend assured, opening an eye. " A little better."
Shaking Tatsumi's hand he suddenly began to cry.
" I'm sorry ! I … I … I couldn't save Sayo ! She was tortured without my being able to do anything for her. "
" Don't blame yourself. " Tatsumi assured. " You too have been wounded ! But it's over now ! I'm here and I'm gonna get you safe ! So hang on, man."
" I'll try … buddy. "
Hearing them cry, as Wendy moved on to the next patient, Lily walked up to the members of Night Raid before asking them.
"Now, can someone explain to me what is going on ? What is the problem with this city ? Who are you really ? Assassins ? Vigilantes ? What is your goal ? What is Night Raid ? "
"Our goal ? " Leone asked, smiling. " It's simple ! Save the empire."
" Are you revolutionaries ? "Gajeel wanted to know.
" To summarize the facts, it is. "
" In any case, we are interested. " Leone said. " What if you were recruited? "
" Recruit ? " Lubbock wondered. " What do you mean ? "
" The black-haired guy stood up to Bulat ... this cat knew how to turn into a warrior ... the other cat knows how to fly ... this guy spits flames ... this child can heal others and this boy killed this girl without excitement ! They look good to me. "
" Hey, don't decide for us.. " Gajeel said. " Anyway, we are not interested in becoming … "
Suddenly cries were heard in front of the manor, while orders were barked.
"Find them, quickly. "
"The army. " Lubbock shouted. " We must leave. "
"Quick, let's go. " Bulat advised, hugging several people. " Let's take the injured and treat them later. "
"Come too. " Akame advised, while Lubbock created threads to escape. "If the guards see you here, they will execute you. "
"Hey ? " Natsu astonished. " But we didn't do anything wrong."
" With the empire, this massacre will be blamed on you, believe me ! If you stay there, you sign your death warrant."
Hearing this, the wizards looked at themself before Natsu took Wendy with him and left with Happy. Seeing Gajeel and Lily following them, Leone picked up Tatsumi, who immediately screamed.
"I have to bury Sayo. "
"Don't worry ! I'll pick up the bodies later ! Let's go !"