Since I don't feel like saying anything...

---

Al was dead. All because they simply ran out of time. Slowly, men in black suits with their heads bowed down lowered the large coffin containing the large mass of metal that used to contain a soul to the ground.

Ed at first didn't believe it. It was so sudden too, just as they might have discovered a new way to their goal, the body rejected his brother. Ed would never forget Al's shrieks as he faded away, they echoed through his head every day. Every hour, every minute, every second...

Roy watched his subordinate all through the funeral, a concerned, worried look etched into his eyes. He always feared what would happen if Al was gone; the two were so close, but he always got the feeling that their bond was stronger then what it had appeared. More to the point that Ed needed Al to keep going in life. So he continued to watch him, noting everything that seemed wrong.

Dark bags had formed under the boy's eyes, his skin paled and silky. He never ate, or slept, or cried, twitching at the slightest sound, staring blankly at everyone with a helplessness carved into everything he weakly attempted to do. Even at the funeral, he never shed a tear, just stared at the coffin. Then he winced, running out of the church.

"Sir..." The Lieutenant whispered, pointing after him, a similar worry in her eyes.

Roy nodded. "Let's go..."

-

Ed hated this feeling this helpless. Something in his heart died along with Al, something else tugging at him to follow. Everyday it got worse, now, he wasn't even sure if he could fight it anymore. All he could hear was something chanting in his mind.

Al's dead, Al's dead, Al's dead...

Because you ran out of time...

He's dead, he's dead, he's dead, Al's dead...

But why? Why couldn't they get there in time? Every singly time they thought they were close enough, someone had to get in the way. It's all their fault Al's dead...

"Ed?" He twitched at the voice of the Colonel, keeping his rigid back to him.

Roy stared down at the younger, trembling alchemist, pity growing in his head, knowing that there was no way to save him. "Ed...I know you're upset..."

Upset/ My brother's gone, dammit! He's dead because of them...because of you! You took him from me! Ed's fist clenched harder, his nails digging into his palm, shaking as he glared at the ground, his eyes shadowed by his blonde bangs.

"But...even though it doesn't seem like it now...things will get better." Roy continued, stepping closer to him.

"If you want, we would..." Riza started, before stopping, wearily watching Ed. It seemed like something was changing about him, she could tell just by how his form was shaking hard with...anger?

"You just got to trust us, okay?" Roy placed his hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

Trust you?! You killed my brother! All of you! It's your faults I ran out of time! I hate you! He's dead! Al's dead! AL 'S DEAD! What felt like a cold fire suddenly enveloped his head and spread through his veins. The thread of his sanity already bearing thin snapped apart in an almost audible sound. His body tensed, then relaxed as a single thought washed over his blank mind. Avenge him.

"...enge...him..." He muttered almost silently to himself.

"What?"

"Wait... Roy !" Riza gasped, running forward at the exact moment Ed's hand whipped around, clamping around Roy 's neck. Roy's hands shot up to his, trying to pry them free as human's reaction is to, his mouth gaping open, horrible gasps rasping in his closing throat.

"Edward, stop it!" Riza yelled, tugging on his arms to pull them away.

"Don't touch me!" Alchemic sparks crackled through the air. Riza fell back, blood spurting from the long slit that had appeared in her throat. She flopped onto the ground, hopelessly writhing on the concrete, air and blood forced through the wound before finally, she lay still.

"Ri...za...no...!" Roy screamed, his voice twisted with a final, choking despair as he wildly attempted to lunge at her corpse. But with a mad, blood splattered grin, Ed jerked him back, his metal hand now closing around his neck.

Roy 's eyes widened in terror as Ed squeezed harder and harder and...a loud crunch resonated through the air as the Colonel's head fell limp, his mouth still lolling open in a final gasp.

Ed slowly let go of his crushed neck, staring at the damage made. Completely in a fit of sudden rage he'd never had before, he had murdered two close friends. He grinned, tossing the body on top of the other, both of their eyes blankly staring up at him with horror still in them as they emptied. He liked it, this exciting feeling of power he got, that no one could stop him. He wanted more, more people to perish. He had to avenge his brother, right? It was all their fault Al was dead. All of their fault...

-

"Mr. Elric, are you ready?"

"Completely." Ed smiled gently at her, just a hint of nervousness shining through his bright golden eyes.

The secretary returned the smile, though weakly. "First time speaking, I'm guessing."

He nodded. "Just thought I should speak about what happened before they're buried..."

She nodded as he spoke, squirming slightly in her chair. The murder of two highly important military officials wasn't she wanted to talk about. "Well...good luck."

"Thanks." Ed smiled once again, walking down the hall to the stage. The smile slowly transformed into an evil smirk. Poor fool doesn't even know she's about to die...

-

The loud murmurs of the military filled room slowly quieted as Ed stepped onto the podium, sadly beaming at his audience. "I know this has been shocking...having two great people; Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye and Colonel Roy Mustang to be taken cruelly from us...I know it is for me, especially at the very day my brother was buried..." He paused, staring hard at the ground. Whispers tremored through the crowd.

"But! Their murderer has been identified...and I can assure you, I know for a fact that he's standing in this very room...on this very stage in fact." He smiled at the reaction, slowly reaching into his pocket and held up his silver watch for everyone to see. "...holding a watch just like this..." He placed it on the podium, a maniac smirk growing on his face.

"I'll let you think about that. In the meantime..." He pointed casually to the ceiling, the smirk still pasted on his face, making him look crazed. "A highly explosive device is being set off in a few minutes, which will collapse the building. All doors but the one behind me has been sealed. Oh, but I'll seal mine once I'm out of it, of course."

The room was completely silent. Then, slowly as the words were finally understood, a panic, people running in all directions.

Ed laughed, watching them all. "Enjoy your last moments of life!" He called, walking out of the door, closing it behind him. Clapping his hands, he held them up to the door, the blue sparks flowing through the exit. Then he turned on his heel and walked down the hall, past the secretary.

"M-mr. Elric?" She stuttered, hearing the wild panic as bangs went through the walls.

He ignored her, stepping outside and across the street, slowly going into a sprint down the block to where he had told her to wait for him, slowing down as he spotted her. He smiled reassuringly. "Hello Sheska."

Sheska returned the smile. "Hey Ed. I finished the thing you wanted me to do...I just don't get why you needed me to set up that wire syste-"

"Hey, it doesn't matter, alright?" He lowered his voice. "Just flip the switch now..."

She blinked in response, clutching harder on the metal panel she held. "O-okay..." She stuttered, clicking it on. Instantly, a large thunder erupted from the top of the building, screams piercing through the air as the resulting rubble fell and crushed the bodies of all inside, as a fire spread around the rock and through the undestroyed building.

Sheska's eyes widened in horror, a shaky sob escaping her. "Ed...what did I...you...wh-"

Ed smiled at her, a crazed one this time. "Thanks, don't think I would've managed without you." He murmured, leaning close to her face and kissing her cheek gently. And before she could react, his arm shot up, glowing with transmutational energy, and a head rolled on the ground. Her decapitated body collapsed to its knees and fell sideways where it landed with a small splattering sound.

Ed grinned, licking his lips where the blood hit. "So it begins..."

-

Why, yes, I am a crazed maniac, thanks for noticing! Ah, I'm feeling in a -Hey, let's murder some FMA characters in a horror/tragedy fanfic- mood, ya know?

Please, review! Flames are welcomed and gladly accepted, it's still another number going up in teh review count. And constructive criticism please! But if you sound snooty about it, I shall ignore you completely. n.n

© Copyright 2007 Ayumi Elric (FanFiction ID 1136837 ). All rights reserved. The series Full Metal Alchemist(Hagane No Renkinjutsushi) belongs fully to Himoru Arakawa; usage of her series and character is entirely borrowed. All rights reserved for plot, not to be stolen, copied or reproduced without the permission of Ayumi Elric.

Whoot, I'm so official now! n.n