I posted this on my AO3 account but decided to post it here as well. This is an FMA multi-chaptered fic. My first one too. Yayy!

First things first, I just gotta say something. Having seen both series, I can tell you that I am personally very unhappy with how 03 ended. It was just a poor attempt at a bittersweet ending and I just don't like it. I ldo think the idea of having Ed and Al separated is a great one but the way they executed it was just bad. I am going to write my own one shot with how I think 03 should have ended so be on the look out for that.

But anyways, I digress. This takes place after 03 ended but for this story, lets just say 03 ended like Brotherhood did with Ed losing his alchemy. He retired from the military. Or at least he tried to. You'll see as you read what I mean.

Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist and I am not making a profit from this story.

Am I the only one who finds putting a disclaimer in to get really repetitive? Plus, if I owned FMA, do you really think I would be writing fanfics? Yeah, I don't think I would be.

Anyways, enjoy peeps.

If there was ever a case that made Colonel Roy Mustang want to bang his head up against a wall several times until he is unconscious, it is truly this one. He hated everything about it. As if it is not bad enough to learn that several college kids had disappeared in South City, to find out it is possible they may be victims of a human trafficking ring is beyond sickening.

Just the fact that there are some people can think that of people as merchandise waiting to be purchased is extremely disturbing. He has to stop this and bring these criminals to justice.

He did send a couple of his men to investigate the disappearances but that proved to be useless. Whoever these people are, they sure do know how to cover their tracks well. There is not a single clue as to who they are and where they are keeping their victims. Havoc came up with the idea of sending some more men undercover as potential targets. The only issue is most of Mustang's men are too old and no criminal mind in their right mind would ever look at any of them, which is why Hawkeye suggested sending Edward Elric up with them.

Mustang was against that right from the beginning.

As much as he hated the idea of sending a FullMetal in as potential target, it made a lot of sense. He is in the same age range as all of the victims and blond. They only seem to be going after blonds for some odd reason. It made sense but Mustang still did not like the idea.

His relationship with FullMetal is quite unique. The kid is extremely vocal, he has no problem with letting everyone else around him know exactly how he is feeling. He has butt heads with the Colonel before on several different occasions. But deep down, Mustang is sure of one thing, FullMetal really does care about and respects him as his superior.

It would be a lie if Mustang said he didn't care for the kid as well. He does, he cares about the kid more than he would like to admit. Of course he would never come out and say it but the kid got under his skin, which is what made this decision even harder. He had no problem with sending another military officer undercover as a target but FullMetal? There is no way he could ever do that.

Although he was reluctant to, Mustang gave him and decided to call FullMetal. He asked the kid to come to Central, which he did. He was surprised that Edward agreed but nonetheless, the kid did. Before they left, Mustang had Havoc promise he would look after the kid so nothing happens to him.

So why is it things never seem to work out that way?

A couple of weeks since and they had not made much progress with the case. No other kids went missing during that time but it still did nothing to ease Mustang's uneasiness. He did not like FullMetal being up there, he did not like it at all.

The sooner this mission ends, the sooner he gets the kid to come back home. He will take any help he can get at this point.

Then, Mustang got the call he had been fearing. FullMetal had disappeared. According to Havoc, he went for a run with a friend and never came back. There is not a single doubt in his mind that he had been targeted and is now being held prisoner somewhere up there, which he hates more than anything. He has to do something to solve this case and get his subordinate out of that place. Which is exactly why he called for help.

A knock on the door caught Mustang's attention and he looked up to see his First Lieutenant standing in the door, saluting him. "Sir, General Armstrong is here to see you."

He nodded. "Great, send her in. Thanks, Lieutenant."

Soon enough, Mustang could see General Armstrong and Major Miles walk into his office. He greeted them both with a pleasant smile. "It's so nice to see the both of you. Thank you for coming."

"What do you want?" The blond woman demanded with a displeased look on her face. It is no secret that General Armstrong does not like Roy Mustang, the woman has not exactly hidden that little fact. But if he is going to solve this case and get his subordinate out of there before he loses him for good, then Mustang is in desperate need of help. Armstrong is darn good at what she does. If anyone could help him, it is her.

"Look, I wouldn't ask you this unless I absolutely have to but we have no choice." Mustang began, his eyes pleading with her to hear him out. "I need your help."

Oh, this is rich. Olivier folded her arms across her chest. This sniveling pansy needs my help. I always knew the day would come when this loser came crying to me for help because he can't run his own office for the life of him. "With what?"

"Take a seat, please." He asked the two, gesturing to the two chairs in front of his desk. When both of the visitors did so, he continued. "A few weeks ago, a body turned up in South City. We are not exactly sure of what happened or what was the cause of death but one thing was sure. This kid had been through hell."

"What makes you say that?"

"He was tortured," Mustang looked at her with a serious look all over his face. "Over the next couple of months, several other kids disappeared without a trace. I sent several of my men to South City to investigate but so far, we've gotten no leads."

"So, do you think these kids are all being held captive by some madman?" Armstrong asked him, curious as to what his response would be.

"Not exactly," he told her before looking over at his first lieutenant, who stood next to him by his desk. "We actually think these kids have been taken captive by a human trafficking ring."

That got Olivier's attention. She has heard rumors about a human trafficking ring located up north somewhere going after college kids. She does not exactly get why though. If Mustang's assumption is correct, which she is pretty is, she hates to think of what those children are going through. She can see why Mustang asked for her help.

"I did send several of my men to South City undercover to investigate and, to make matters worse, one of them has gone missing."

"You think they took him, don't you?"

Mustang nodded in response. "Yes, I'm sure of it. I don't know what else could have happened."

Olivier nodded as she took in everything Mustang has told her.

"Please Olivier, I didn't know who else to turn to."

The Colonel is practically begging for help, which is something he normally does not do. That is how Olivier could tell he is being serious about this. So she sighed and looked up at him. "Of course we'll help."

"Thanks, Olivier, we owe you one."

"Just want to make one thing clear, I am not helping you. I hate what you have gotten off your men into and I want to help get him out of there as soon as possible."

Typical Olivier. Roy chuckled with what she said. It really does not matter as long as you help.

"Which one is it?" She could not held but ask, curious to know which one of Mustang's subordinates the ring had gotten their hands on.

Roy sighed. He knows the second she finds out that it is Edward, he is going to get chewed out. She knows Edward, Alex Louis did send him and Al up to her during their journey. She really does care a great deal about that kid. She is going to be so mad when she learns about that. Heck, Mustang is even mad at himself for involving the kidin the first place. He never should have given in. At least then Edward would be safe in Resembool, not in the clutches of a human trafficking ring.

"It's the former FullMetal Alchemist, Edward Elric."

—

How did Edward ended up getting himself into this mess is beyond him? He wishes he could tell you he has the answer to that but the truth is, he does not. It was supposed to be a clean cut case but of course, things do not go as planned.

They never do but what else is new?

He was supposed to be retired from the military. He has been ever since he lost his alchemy following the fight with Dante. He can never seem to get away, which was clear the second Mustang called him and asked him for his help with a case. He does not even know what he was thinking when he agreed to help. Long story short, Mustang sent him and Havoc undercover. He had to pose a college student and a target for the criminals.

The second he arrived in South City, he could tell something is not right. It's kind of hard to explain what exactly it was but the entire city gave him the creeps. Last time he was here, he had the same feeling but it wasn't as bad as it was this time. Something in the atmosphere was off, which is why Edward wanted to solve tihs case as quickly as possible so he can get the heck out.

While undercover, Ed ended up making a friend named Luke while at college. The kid was in a lot of his classes and the two immediately hit it off. They hung out a lot on campus and eventually off campus as well.

One day really stood out for him. The day had just started. Luke called him up and asked him if he wanted to join him for a run. Edward said yes and now he wishes he hadn't. During the run, a van pulled up next to the two of them and two men jumped out and grabbed both him and Luke, pulling them inside the van.

Edward, being the normal spitfire he is, put up one hell of a fight and ended up having to be knocked out. When he awoke, he found out they had separated him and Luke and that he was locked in a room that resembles a prison cell. It was small, about the same size as a bathroom. There was a dirty old mattress in the corner of the room that Edward is forced to use as a bed and a bucket he has been forced to use when he has to go to the bathroom.

What are they planning? What are they going to do to him? Where exactly is Luke? Is he okay? Have they done anything to harm him? So many questions he has that have yet to be answered.

Also, he could not help but wonder if they know about him. Do they know that he is a part of the military or that he is a former state alchemist? He never said anything to anyone so he is going to have to say no, no one knows the truth about him and, to be honest, he would prefer to keep it that way. If they are to ever find out about that, there is not a single doubt that they would kill him.

Who knows how long he has been here for. He has no way of telling time, seeing as no light was coming in and out of that cell.

He is freezing. Whoever is in charge of this ring didn't believe in turning the heat so here he is sitting in a cell. Upon arriving, he has been stripped down to his underwear and a tank top with a thin sheet from the mattress wrapped his tiny body to hopefully warm him up but it did not seem to be working, he is still shivering.

He hates to think of what could end up happening to him but the longer he is stuck here, the worse it is going to get for him. He's heard the stories and more than likely, he is going to be sold to someone for a price and just the thought of that happening sickens Edward. He is not a piece of property that can be sold off to the highest bidder. He is a living, breathing human being. How anyone can lock up another person and treat them as merchandise is beyond him.

He can only hope the team can find him and save him before that happens. He has faith in Mustang and his men. Havoc has to know by now that he is missing and has called in for help by now. If they are on the case, they will find him and get him the heck out of this hellhole.

If only he could tell them himself where he is being kept, even though it's not like he, himself, knew where he is being held.

Suddenly, Edward could hear the sound of someone fumbling with a lock on his cell but he looked up to see one of the leader's goons unlocking his cell and entering it. "Get up!" The man commanded. "My boss wishes to speak with you."

Wonderful. Just what I need now. Ed said nothing, turning his head that was resting on his knees so he is staring at the wall of his cell. This scumbag will be damned if he thinks Edward is going anywhere with him. Why would he? So he can be sold to another sick freak? Yeah, no. That will never happen. He would never allow it to. Not now, not ever.

The man obviously is getting annoyed because Ed could hear a long sigh escape from his mouth. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours, kid."

"Why should I? Just so you can turn around and sell me as if I'm some sort of property that belongs to you? No thanks."

"You are a piece of property, you might as well just get used to it because you aren't going anywhere." Ed could not help but laugh sarcastically at that? Is that what these people think? Okay then. "Besides, ain't nobody gonna want you with an attitude like that."

"So, are you going to come with me or not?" Edward just rolled his eyes and turned his head so he was looking in the other direction.

The man just about had enough. "Fine, have it your way, brat." Without another word, he stormed into the cell and grabbed Edward by his braid. All Edward could manage is to grunt in pain as he is forced to his feet by his hair. "Look, kid. No one is going to have the patience to put up with that disobedient attitude of yours. We can easily dispose of you sooner than planned so unless you want to meet an early grave, behave yourself. Got it?"

Edward just glared up at the man but refused to say anything. "Good boy. Now, let's go."

With that, the man grabbed Edward by his elbow and harshly dragged him out of the cell. As Edward was dragged through the row of cells, his eyes widened. Many other teenage boys and girls around the same age as him are locked up, just as he has been. He is supposed to be the one freeing them and returning them to their families. He is not supposed to be sitting in a cell among them.

But there is hope. The rest of the military are on to these people. They cannot keep this up forever. Sooner or later, they will be caught and all of their victims will be returned their families.

Don't you worry, they are coming. They are going to get us all out of this nightmare.

Poor Edward. I feel so evil for putting him through that but what do you expect. He is my favorite after all.

I'm not sure how often I will be updating this but I will do my best. School is killing me. Luckily there is only a few more weeks left until I'm off for the summer and I can't wait. So, until then, peace!

Vic is out!