Chapter 1

A/N: *Checks Calendar.* Holy hell Batman! I havent done anything in almost 3 years! We've gotta fix that! Hello everyone, your favorite Shadow slayer here with an all new fresh story. Something I've started and it sat in my folder for awhile. Sadly if you were hoping for some news on The Cold Heart Still Hates, saddly I have not. If you havent noticed, the project was shelved until further notice. I just cant come up with any new material. But fear not, one day it will return. Now for the debut! I dont own Batman or FMA: Brotherhood.

The moon was cold and bright over amestris, the street was errily quiet. Everyone had retired to their beds for the night. Except for one unfortunate individual who had been stuck patrolling the empty street. Armed with a handgun he kept in his holster. He held the flashlight carefully in his hand as he shined it in dark places. "Wouldnt it be my luck, getting stuck with a boring job like this." He muttered, turning into an alleyway. His footsteps echoed off the walls. "Why cant they get one of those big shot alchemists from central to do this. That Scar guy is probably long gone by now." He grumbled, shining his flashlight in different areas.

Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a cigarette. As he lit it he heared what sounded like footsteps. Ears perking up, he spun around with a flashlight. Only to see nothing. "Damned graveyard shift. Pulling tricks on me." He muttered as he took a drag off his cigarette. "Knock, knock." A raspy voice suddenly filled his ears, turning his blood to icewater as he spun around quickly. Wide eyed and panting, his flashlight had found nothing. "What the hell?..." He muttered.

"You're supposed to say who's there." The voice came again, as the guard turned around for the third time. A green gas was suddenly sprayed into his face. Closing his eyes with a sputtered cough, he stumbled backwards as he dropped his flashlight. The beam managed to catch the purple pant legs of the intruder. Reaching for his gun, he aimed at the darkness. Hands shaking and still coughing, he managed to lift a blury eye. The only thing he could make out was a stretch grin, white teeth visible in the darkness.

The officer then suddenly let out a giggle, causing the grin to stretch even more. After a few more giggles, it escalated into snickers. The officer suddenly threw his head back as it reached full blown laughter. His face grew pale as his eyes widened along with his grin he was trying to hold back.

He could know longer point the gun at the stranger, after a few more moments of laughter. His wide eyes trailed to the gun he was holding, slowly lifting it to his head. A tear fell from his cheek as he suddenly pulled the trigger. The gunshot bouncing off the walls, as the man fell. The shadowey figure was seen exiting. "Im glad you found it funny." He replied as a fit of insane laughter was let loose into the night.

Major Alexis Loius Armstrong stood wide eyed and shaking with fear, he was at a lost for words. Looking down at the tarp one of the officers held slightly opened. "Major? What is it?" One of the lower ranking officers asked. The men were concerned, Armstrong was the size of a house. What could scare him? "Get me a line to Colonel Mustang now!" He barked at his men, whiched caused them to jump.

Back at headquarters, Colonel Mustang was resting his head in his hands. Half asleep, the pen he was holding was paused on the paper. As the phone rang loudly, he sat up sharply. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he answered the phone. "This better be good." He grumbled into the reciever. "Sir, its Armstrong." The other end responded. "Its 1 am Major, cant it wait till morning." Mustang sighed. "Theres been a murder sir." Armstrong replied.

"And?"

"He died with a smile sir..." This caused Mustangs eyes to widen, letting the phone slip out of his hands as it smacked the desk. "Sir?" Armstrong asked. But Mustang was already out the door. "No, no, no. It cant be him, I watched him die!" He scowled. Arriving on scene, he stepped from the patrol car. There Armstrong awaited. "Out of my damn way!" He exclaimed as officers scattered away. As Mustang layed eyes upon the body, his jaw dropped. "God...save us all..."

The next rainy day, the Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse had stumbled upon the crime scene as they made their way to central headquarters. "What do you think happened brother?" Al asked as the stood in front of the alley, which was guarded heavily with Amestris soldiers and police. "I have no idea, but I bet it has to do with Scar." He replied as the duo approached the guards. "I'm sorry, but this area is off limits, only authorized personnel allowed." One recited, almost like a robot. Ed smirked as he reached for his pocket watch, "I think you'll reconsider letting us in." But to his surprise, the guard shook his head. "The only ones allowed on the premises are Major Armstrong and Colonel Mustang." He replied. Ed frowned, trying to peak over the guards. "What the hell are you guys hiding back there?" He asked.

But he stopped as two troops supported a gurney passed through, with a sheet laid over the body to conceal whatever had been down to it. Suddenly the arm slipped from under the sheet, revealing his hand to be a pasty white. This surprised the Elric brothers, they continued to stare until it was out of site into a wagon. "What happened to him?" Al asked. "He was murdered last night." One of the guards replied. "But who?" Ed asked, the two guards exchanged nervous glances. "As a State Alchemist, I demand you tell me who. That's an order." Ed repeated with a scowl. "It was him...the man who laughs." One muttered. "The man who laughs?" Ed and Al exchanged confused glances.

"That's enough lieutenant." A voice boomed from behind him, causing him to jump. The Elric brothers looked up to see the towering mass known as Major Armstrong. "Y-yes sir!" The lieutenant saluted. "Edward and Alphonse, what are the two of you doing here?" He asked. "We were hoping you'd tell us wants going on?" Al replied. Armstrong looked away nervously before answering. "I'm afraid I have orders to not reveal any information." He replied. "Not you too Major." Ed sweat-dropped. Major Armstrong looked around to see if anyone was watching. "Listen," He began. "If I were you two, I'd stay out of this matter." He spoke, causing Ed to raise a brow. "Why Major?" He asked. "Because this is more dangerous than you could ever imagine." This surprised the Elric brothers as they traded glances. "Now I suggest you be on your way, there is nothing here for you to see. Good day to you Elric brothers." Major Armstrong tipped his hat as he turned and headed back into the Alley, leaving Ed with a frown.

"Cmon Al, I think it's time we pay Mustang a visit." Ed scoffed as he turned to leave, Al nodded as he followed close behind. But little did they know, someone had been watching them from the shadowy distance. "The man who laughs." Ed recited to himself as they approached the front steps of the Central Command Building. "What do you think it means brother?" Al asked as they headed up the steps. "That's something I'd like to ask the colonel." Ed's eyes narrowed. Reaching Colonel Mustang's office door, lifting his hand to turn the door knob. "I don't care! I want this entire city swept! That means searching at that God forsaken Asylum too!" Mustangs voice barked on the other side of the door, followed by the door swinging open. The Elric brothers coming face to face with Lieutenant Faulman. "Oh hey guys, if you're here to see Mustang I'd be careful, he's in a bad mood." He warned. "Thanks for the heads up." Ed replied as Faulman saluted him before entering.

Mustang looked up as Al closed the door behind them, he then shift his eyes back down to the papers in front of his desk. "What do you want Fullmetal? I'm very busy." He grumbled, picking up a pencil and beginning to write. "What? A subordinate can't visit his superior officer?" Ed smirked. "No." Mustang answered flatly. Ed frowned as he approached Mustang's desk. "I came by hoping you'd enlighten me on something." He replied, causing Mustang to look up briefly before returning to writing. "What can you tell me about a man who laughs?" This caused Mustang to freeze, setting down his pencil. "So you do know of him." Ed smirked. "I was hoping someone who shed some light on me." He added. "You know I-" Ed stopped as Mustang looked up at him with a glare.

"I want you to drop it Fullmetal, that's an order." He growled. "You've got to be kidding me." Ed replied. "First Major Armstrong and now you. Why aren't you two telling me anything? What makes whoever this person is so damn scary you wont even mutter their name?" Ed asked. "That's enough!" Mustang barked as he rose from his seat, causing Ed to go silent. "This isn't a negotiation Fullmetal. I want you to forget about this whole thing. You'll just be chasing ghosts anyway." He muttered, sitting back in his chair. Ed and Al exchanged quick glances. "Right, sorry we bothered you." Ed replied as him and Al turned to leave. Mustang sighed as the door closed behind them, continuing his paper that he'd been writing. Not long after, the door opened up once more. When Mustang looked up he immediately rose to his feet and saluted. "King Bradley, sir!" He replied as the Fuhrer stood before the colonel. "At ease, Colonel." He smiled.

"What can I do for you?" Mustang asked as Bradly walked over to the window, peering at Amestris below. "My subordinate tell me a murder took place last night, normally things like that wouldn't be brought to my attention. But it was the way he was killed that made it so important." He turned to Mustang swallowed hard. "Do you think it could be him sir? The man who laughs?" This caused Bradley to chuckle. "Now now colonel, you don't believe in ghosts do you?" He smiled. "In this world sir, you never know." He replied, King Bradley's gaze returned to the window. "That clown is dead." Bradleys smile turned into a cold glare, which caused Mustang to swallow nervously.

King Bradley's glare turned into a soft smile. "Forgive my rudeness Colonel, but that man gave me and Commissioner Gordon such a headache. But just like Gordon he died a long time ago." Bradly stated. "Now Colonel, you are to stop pursing this matter. You are to tell your men that it was a copycat murder and nothing else. Am I clear?" He asked. "Crystal sir." He replied. Mustang saluted Bradly as he turned to leave. "Have a good day Colonel." He spoke as he closed the door behind him. Mustang sighed as he sat back down in his chair.

Ed and Al had made their way outside central headquarters, standing at the front steps. "This is really starting to irritate me ." Ed grumbled. "Maybe we should just drop it brother, Colonel Mustang told us to." Al replied as they made their way from HQ. "Nah screw that, besides I think I know where to start." Ed smirked as he held his hands behind his head. "How?" Al asked. "When we were standing outside Mustang's door he said something about an Asylum. All we got to do is go to the Library and look for the Asylum we need." He replied. "But brother, there could be dozens of Asylums, how will we know which one is the right one?" Al interjected. "I thought about that too, each Asylum has a set of inmate records. All we have to do is cross reference each one based on the information we have." Ed replied. "Which is?" Al's eyes flickered. "The man who laughs." His brother replied as the entered the library.

Inside, the Elric brothers made their way to the city records. Which was a whole section of books and files. "Wow brother, there must be hundreds of books here." Al commented. "Well Al, it's time to do what we do best." Ed smirked. "Research." They went to work immediately, pulling out dozens of books at the same time, flipping through pages and taking notes. "Can I help you boys?" The librarian asked as she passed through. "Yeah actually, you wouldn't happen to have any declassified criminal files would you?" Ed asked. She put a finger to her chin as she thought. "Let me see, I believe I have a few. I'll go get them for you." She smiled. "That would be great thank you." Ed returned.

Disappearing for a few minutes, the librarian returned with a few folders. "This is all I have I'm afraid." She smiled apologetically. "It's no problem, thank you for your help." Al replied as they dove into the files. "Let me know if you boys need anything else." The librarian smiled as she stepped away. Unfortunately, after hours of searching, Ed and Al came up empty handed. "I don't get it, we've been over every book and not so much as even a rumor on a location has come up." Ed groaned. "Hold on brother,"Al replied as he skimmed through a newspaper clipping. "What is it Al?" Ed peered over his shoulder. The headline reading "Blackgate Prison Grand Opening."

"Dozens of condemned criminals have been transferred from the infamous Arkham Asylum. Due to the poor maintenance and collapsing infrastructure, dangerous criminals such as Bane, Victor Fries, and Harvey Dent have been transferred to the new Blackgate correctional facility. Future plans for Arkham remain unannounced." Ed read over the article. "Look brother, this article was dated 10 years ago." Al pointed at the date. "Yeah, and I bet this is our Asylum we've been looking for." Ed smirked as he tucked the newspaper clipping in his jacket. "C'mon Al, lets go find Arkham."

It wasn't easy, but after hours of looking for an address. The Elric brothers managed to locate Arkham Asylum, after following a dirt road through a dense forest, they stood outside of the rusted and busted gate of Arkham. The word in an iron banner on the top of the gate. "Well here it is Al, Arkham Asylum." Ed smirked as they looked up the hilled path that lead straight to a dark and Gothic structure. It had the similarities of a castle, with broken glass windows and parts of the building that collapsed or caved in. "This place gives me the creeps." Al muttered. "I know, but this is where we'll find our answers." Ed replied as they made their way up the steps, the double doors had been ripped off their hedges. Stepping inside, Ed flicked on a flashlight that he had brought with him. The place was in complete ruin, with papers scattered everywhere on the floor and on the reception desk. With busted chairs and desks, complimented with glass and cobwebs.

Making their way to the reception desk, Ed began rooting through the drawers in hoping to find something. He gave up as he had came up empty handed, deciding to push deeper into the belly of the beast. As they reached the prison block, they began to pass inmate cells. What odd about them is that with each cell they past it became clear that each was designed for special individuals. Some even had plaque for the inmates. Some read "Mr. Cobblepot," "The Riddler," and "Bane." The Elric's passed a Plexiglas cell, with frost creeping from the edges, the plaque reading "Mr. Fries." Another one was filled with plants, the name read "Poison Ivy." "This place, I don't like it here brother. It has an evil feeling." Al commented. "I know what you mean Al." Ed replied as he shined his flashlight around, spotting a dusty clipboard the ground.

Picking it up, Ed blew the dust off as he began reading it. "What's that brother?" Al asked peering over his shoulder. "It's an inmate log, look at this. It says here Prisoner 101511518, dubbed by many as 'The Man Who Laughs' has been successfully relocated to solitary confinement. He is to have no human contact until further notice." Ed read off the log. "Brother! That's him." Al exclaimed. "It sure is Al, now lets pay Mustang another visit." Ed smirked. "Hmmm, I wasn't expecting visitors today." A voice cause them to spin around with Ed's flashlight. Their eyes widened as the beam of light fell upon a man. Dressed in a black trenchcoat, the individual sported a large black brimmed hat. However, the creepiest part was the fact the man had been wearing a burlap sack over his head. With cut eye holes and a sewn up slit for a mouth, a cut noose hung around his neck like a necklace. "W-who the hell are you?" Ed demanded. "Pardon my poor manners, my name is Jonathan Crane." He smirked behind his sack. "But you can call me Scarecrow."

A/N: Ah it feels good to be back, as always. Review and opinions are welcome.