Alphonse found himself in a dead end. Leaning against the wall, he breathed heavily in an attempt to catch his breath. He wasn't sure how many were chasing him at this point but he knew he had to figure out a way to escape. Mae and him had separated awhile ago and he wasn't sure which way she went. The Imperial city had many side streets and alleys much like Central, however it seemed it was easier to get lost here. Especially at night. He had only been here a couple of months and was already having problems. It made him wonder when it was he got his brother's luck. He normally didn't cause trouble and yet here it had found him. Sweat dripped down his back and he could feel it covering his brow as well. Reaching up, he wiped his forehead on his sleeve. It was difficult to think clearly when he still wasn't sure what was going on. Mae had felt like someone was watching them for the past couple of days and then tonight when they were confronted by several men, he had assumed they were after her. However the leader of the group had clarified that it was Alphonse they had come for.

"You are in fact Alphonse Elric?" The question had puzzled the young man, as he stood between Mae and the group of men. Once Mae realized they were here for Al, she had a knife out, her panda also preparing to attack anyone who came near.

"What do you want with me?" Mae could hear the anger in his normally soft tenor voice. The leader let out a chuckle at the response and his men closed in.

"Then you would be one of Hohenheim's sons, mmm?"

"I'm not going to cooperate with you if you don't tell me what you want."

"Who said we needed your cooperation?"

Just when he thought he'd lost them, something sharp flew past his face. Glancing up, he noticed a small knife embedded in the wall. Turning around, he realized he was cornered by two more men wearing black. These fighters reminded him of Lan Fan and Fu when he and his brother went up against them in Rush Valley. But there was only two of them back then. Feeling his own body's limits, he decided that he had had enough of running through the streets. Clapping loudly, he pressed his hands to the ground, causing it to shift and change. The two men seemed puzzled as the blue electricity bounced around the alley. Alphonse was launched skyward, now able to access the rooftops. The clay shingles were difficult to walk on and he had to be careful otherwise he'd fall.

"Now I just have to find Mae." He wasn't even sure where to start as he stopped to look around. There was a sudden explosion nearby that seemed to shake everything including the building he was standing on. A cloud of smoke rose above the rooftops and he decided to go in that direction. Carefully, he made his way over and finally saw Mae fighting several men.

"[I'm not going to let you hurt Alphonse!]" She brutally pummeled one guy with the side of a building, using her Alkehestry. Al sighed quietly to himself, glad that she was okay. But then she had always been able to take care of herself, he wasn't sure what he was worried about. Just as he was about to get down to help her, a wire wrapped around his neck and pulled him off his feet.

"[You should give up before someone gets hurt.]" Being limited in the native language, Al only understood some of what this particular adversary said but grabbed onto the wire, yanking him towards the edge of the roof. He was then caught by surprise when the man wasn't pulled forward so easily. The solid mass of a man then released his hold, causing Alphonse to loose his balance and fall off the roof.

"Alphonse!" Mae's voice squeaked loudly as she kicked the warrior in front of her. Moving quickly she knew she didn't have enough time to transmute anything so she did her best to try and catch him. Unfortunately he outweighed her quite a bit and he landed hard. As he sat up, rubbing his head he noticed he was on top of her still and got off.

"Mae! Are you alright?" He placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned her against his one arm. She squinted up and smiled faintly at him.

"Al..phonse, you're okay." It was clear she was hurt and he had to do something fast. Feeling a large presence behind him, he turned to see someone he actually recognized. This colossal individual wore a simple robe that was a vibrant red with golden trim. Al knew him as one of the royal bodyguards. It brought relief to him knowing that he would not allow these men to hurt Mae or him.

"I'll take her." The soldier reached down for the princess. Mae shook her head and pointed at the men who attacked them.

"[You have to help Alphonse, these men are after him.]" She wasn't about to just leave Al to fend for himself even if she was injured.

"[I can't do that, your highness.]" Mae's dark gaze lifted and the man holding her closed his eyes, shaking his head. "[I was told to come get you. That is all.]" Despite her struggling, he didn't say anything else. Before Alphonse could get back on his feet, he felt a damp cloth press against his mouth. He was only able to fight back for so long before the chloroform took affect. His eyelids felt heavy and his body slumped to the ground. Mae fought with all her might but she didn't have the strength left to help him.

"[Servant, put me down! We can't leave him!]" Shao Mai hurried over to Alphonse and disappeared under his black vest before one of the men hoisted him up. The bodyguard turned away, heading in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

"[I'm sorry Miss but I was ordered to come get you. If you have a problem with this decision you need to speak with the Emperor.]" She finally stopped trying to fight against him but continued to clench her fists.

"[You can count on it,]" she promised.