RECKLESS GENIUS

Summary: Edward Elric is a reckless idiot. But sometimes, it's not a bad thing. Set in the beginning of Conqueror of Shamballa.

Edward Elric was impulsive. He had always known it, though he'd never admit it out loud to anyone. He tended to run into things head first and think of the consequences later. To an outsider, this behavior would seem rash and impulsive for a prodigy. But then when are prodigies predictable?

Looking at the situation from a completely clinical standpoint, Edward was an idiot. He had made some "adjustments" to the steam tanks resulting in the explosion that took down the entire castle. While they were still in it!

However, Edward always had a reason for what he did. He saw the dead bodies of the miners and knew there he had to stop this crazy man. Sure he had faith that they would get away. But just in case something went wrong…

But now as they were desperately trying to get the water out of a hastily transmuted boat, he thought maybe he was too impulsive. He couldn't afford to transmute the boat while they were in it because the process of transmutation involved deconstruction, which on the water might mean that they would get wet. And all couldn't afford to get any water on him or the blood seal might wash off.

Edward was laughing and joking with his brother, even taking his brother's helmet at one point to remove the water from the boat, to mask his rising fear. The shoreline was hours away, and he didn't know how long they could keep the water out. He felt a chilling fear for his brother. But he tried not to show it.

There had to be a way to fix this. Edward knew he made mistakes even though he didn't admit it.

"Al?"

"Yes, brother?" replied Al, his voice betraying his worry at the situation.

Edward was a terrible brother. He'd caused Al to worry.

"I am an idiot," said Edward.

"Yeah, we've established that already Ed," replied Al. "It'll be ok though, we'll be fine."

Edward felt worse cause now Al was trying to comfort him.

"Yeah we will Al. I know it."

As he desperately struggled to get the water out and not show his brother how worried, a thought hit him like a ton of bricks. OMG! He was the dumbest person on the planet. Well after Colonel Bastard. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of this much sooner. All those years…

He slapped himself on the forehead and said, "Al? I'm an idiot!"

"Yes brother, we've already had this conversation," replied Al.

Ed clapped his hands together and said, "Al, don't move for a second ok?"

"What-"

Al's reply was cut off as Ed put his hands on him and a flash of light from a transmutation occurred.

"WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" yelled Al. It was obvious that Al was freaked out by what had happened.

"Al, your blood seal."

"What about it?"

"All these years, I can't believe I never thought of it. I'm sorry Al."

"I don't understand Brother. What did you do?"

Ed looked up at his brother's metal helmet where the eyeholes shone with the sign of his existence.

"I transmuted a shell of your armor around your blood seal," replied Ed.

"What?" said Al, not really comprehending what had happened. It took a moment for it to sink in. "Brother? You're not the only one who's an idiot. I can't believe I never thought of it before, either."

Edward Elric knew he was impulsive and reckless at times. But it was also the times he came up with the best solutions.