Central, the holder of bustling businesses, busy streets no matter the time of day, a protective government with all the power they could wish for, everything that seems to make a place the most qualified for a living. In the center of Central was a large fortress like building that held the strongest of men and women, members of the military. Soldiers, Colonels, Majors, State Alchemists, and the big man himself, the Führer.
However with the great number of people who protect the citizens, there are always those who will put the people in danger. Those people are silenced.
"The Freezing Alchemist, really?" A man spoke, wearing a blue military uniform, a tall handsome man that a woman could be considered foolish if they didn't fall for him 'charm'. Colonel Roy Mustang, or also known as The Flame Alchemist. He has other adorning titles, but those won't be covered quite yet. "He's here?"
Standing in front of him was an older man with a black eyepatch covering his left eye while his right eye holding the color of blue could be seen by all. The very leader of this country, Füher King Bradley. "We have information that he was able to slip into Central a couple of days ago. That's why I've summoned you here, Colonel. I need your men to smoke him out and bring him in." Roy became stiff, making his shoulders appear all the more broad and swore that such an act would be done. The Führer chuckled to himself before speaking once more. "I'm glad you're in Central for a while Mustang. It's good to know that I have people here, I can count on."
"Sir."
Bradley looked over to Roy and made the grin on his face bolder. "One last thing. Our rising young stars are here as well. I'm placing them in your disposal."
"Forgive me, Führer Bradley, but just to be clear are you referring to-?"
"Yes I am." Bradley interrupted turning his eye to Roy. "The Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric; along with The Resonant Alchemist, Yuki Mustang."
The moon shone above the city, the lights of every building and every street lamp glistening into the dark night air. On the one of the many rooftops held three figures, a large colossus like suit of armor stood beside two human figures. Metal making up the shape, long white hair coming from the top of the helmet, and a white loin-cloth wrapped around the armor's waist.
On the other end of the three, a feminine silhouette, with a shining emanating from her automail arm and small charm bracelet on her wrist that actually held flesh. Her hair as dark as that of coal, her lavender eyes glowing in the moonlight, and her skin seeming to being to be a source of light in this light.
Beside her on her right was the form of a boy, short in stature, but for what he lacked in height he made up for in energy and determination. Between the three, his name was the most well known, the one everyone mentions at least once. Cutting the silence between them, the shortest of the three let out a grunt. "Ah, dammit! The Colonel is never going to let us out of here, is he?"
Not even moving an inch from his spot, the armor spoke. "We already bought our tickets for Liore too, does this mean we're not going?"
The first figure to speak stood once more along with the feminine figure beside him. She shrugged and fiddled with the charms on the bracelet while glancing over to the boy with a flick of her eyes. "Not exactly, we could still go."
"For now, let's just get this over with, okay?" The shortest boy suggested.
A clank accompanied the motion of the armor nodding in response to the two's words. Then looking into the labyrinth of alleyways, he let out a hum. "Lead the way, brother."
The Alchemists, holders of creation, destruction, and reconstruction with the awesome powers of science. Yet, these abilities could very well be used for unjust deeds. Much like Isaac McDougal, The Freezing Alchemist and former military member. He was caught lurking in the darkness of the city and was hunted like a wounded Elk. Whistles blew in the air, echoing down through the darkness. Isaac's foot slammed into a puddle, splashing water around him but was unaffected by the small detail along with other things demanding to be taken note of. "There he goes! That way!" A soldier yelled now pointing his gun at Isaac all while being joined by another man. "You halt, halt before I shoot!"
Isaac lifted his armored wrist and activated the transmutation circle carved into the metal. Blue sparks shone in the shadowy atmosphere only to fade away in a second. Replaced with shards of ice jetting out from the puddles below and shoving the soldier and his companion. When they fell, he ran. Two other men showed up lifting up their guns and firing away, but to no such avial. For Isaac grabbed one of the men's wrists and pulled it higher. Once more, the blue light appeared and that was the last thing his victim saw, until he was frozen solid from the inside and out. Isaac carelessly dropped the man on the ground and slammed his palm into the face of his horrified bystander. The blue light appeared once again and the man fell victim to his body being steamed. "Water freezes, water boils, either way you're just as dead." Isaac stated in an emotionless mutter. Flying in his direction was a spear, that only landed in the ground as Isaac staggered backwards. "That's alchemy…"
"What a nasty thing to do." The boy from before spoke stepping into sight with the girl trailing close behind.
His eyes narrowed on the two and held a grin that could only be held on a lunatic's face. "You two of all people should know that great deeds require great sacrifice! Isn't that the law of Equivalent Exchange?"
A glare rose on the girl's features as her fingers rubbed against each other, ready to snap in an instant. She shook her head firmly, "You shouldn't waste your breath. The laws of alchemy will never justify murder!"
The boy clapped his hands together, placing his right hand on the spear with ease. Alchemical sparks in the color blue danced around the weapon and aided in the transformation of the new weapon. In the form of spiked bat with a goofy face at the end of it. "No transmutation circle…." Isaac sputtered.
"Don't be too impressed." Ed muttered now running forward and calling out to his armored brother.
From behind the armored boy came and swung a fist towards the criminal only to hit nothing but air. Isaac ducked under the attack with ease and looked to the other side of him to see the other two opponents striking at him. With his armored wrist he blocked the bat's landing attack and the girl's fists. He threw them off of him and slid back onto his feet and grabbed onto the boy's arm and shining the blue light. Yet, no damage. He was only flung backwards with red fabric from his coat flying. "What?" Isaac gasped but grabbed the armored hands and flung the suit over his head. "No, I had you! Any water in there should have boiled!"
His shortest opponent frowns and rose his eyes. "Well, if it's any consolation you did ruin my coat."
Underneath the shredded fabric his automail showed, glistening in the dim light of the moon and of the city. Isaac stared at this display with widened eyes as his jacket was completely discarded in a dramatic order. "An automail arm! A young gifted alchemist, one that doesn't use Transmutation Circles, and has an automail right arm! I know you… You're the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric! So that must mean you're the Resonate Alchemist, Yuki Mustang!" Then looking over to the armored boy he pointed at him. "So… It's not you?"
"Oh-um-no…" He mumbled. "I'm his younger brother Alphonse."
"But he's a runt!"
Yuki sighed and shook her head, "Don't do that…"
Ed's face flushed in anger and his body became tense with rage. His shoulders were raised to his ears, acting almost like earrings when he was truly furious at the comments about his height. A low growl came from Ed right before he unleashed his rage. "Oh yeah can a runt do this?!" He exclaimed now clapping his hands and setting them on the ground.
Without a transmutation circle, his alchemy went to work by making the walls and the floor trap Isaac in his spot by trapping his face in a gap that pressed his cheeks together. Isaac twitched in pain at the hold he was put under, gritting his teeth together so hard that it only made the pain even worse. "I've heard the stories but still I never imagined this!" Isaac explained with his voice being greatly affected by his current position. "The Fullmetal Alchemist and the Resonate Alchemist are just little kids!"
Yet again Ed's face returned to it's cherry red state as his hands clapped together once more. He slammed his hand onto the wall transmuting the blue sparks from his metallic hand. "Don't call me little!" Ed screamed as a fist flew out from the wall by his alchemy.
The fist slammed into Isaac and the wall he was trapped in sending him flying back into the darkness. While Ed kept his eyes in a glare at the man his brother and Yuki stared at the mess that was made by the outburst. Yuki cleared her throat and glanced over to Ed. "Umm… Ed, I don't think he was talking about your height that time…" She murmured.
Her comment made Ed's eyes widen for a moment, before turning fiery once more. Of course it would take more than clarification to calm down the Fullmetal Alchemist. "Well even if he wasn't he still pissed me off!" Ed shouted.
Military officers appeared on the scene and managed to get Isaac handcuffed so he couldn't fight back. One of the men walked to Al and Yuki while holding up a beaming smile on his face. With an overjoyed expression he thanked them for their work on catching the Freezing Alchemist, and in his ignorance he mistook Al for the Fullmetal Alchemist. Al spoke indistinctly, trying to correct the soldier's mistake before his brother could overhear the error.
In the ruins of the alchemical warfare Ed clapped his hands together setting them on his torn red jacket. Alchemy did it's job, in the form of blue sparks repairing the damage. He knelt down pulling the jacket up with him and sliding it back onto his shoulders. "Alright Al, Yuki! Let's go, we have a train to catch!"
Yuki looked over and nodded with a small smile. "Yeah."
All the while Isaac was being escorted away from the scene by two soldiers in front of him and then two soldiers behind him. Looking ahead he saw an upcoming puddle and discarded his left glove. Then allowing himself to fall to the side and his hand to land into the puddle. Behind her, Yuki could hear his palm slap onto the liquid on the ground and shot her head over her shoulder. Right when turning back a cloud of steam erupted through the narrow alleyway. Ed coughed and waved the gas from his face. "What was that? Steam?" He coughed.
"Ed… He's gone." Yuki informed now recovering from the blast herself. The only thing that remained from Isaac was the broken handcuffs.
"Dammit, now he really pissed me off!"
Roy Mustang, commanding officer to Edward Elric and the father of Yuki Mustang. By his side currently were two loyal soldiers. Riza Hawkeye and Joslyn Elric, the oldest sister to the Elric brothers respectively. With a grin Roy leaned over his desk and rested his elbows on the desk. "Looks like you underestimated your opponent, Fullmetal." He teased.
Ed's eyes snapped to his commanding officer in a glare. "Who is this guy anyway?"
Joslyn shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest with a frown on her lips. The sisterly instincts kicking in at full force. "Well, you would know that if you listened to the briefing like Colonel Mustang and I have told you time and time again." She retorted. Yuki nodded while Ed frowned and avoided his sister's gaze. "But no, you just charge right in-"
"Yeah yeah I get it, alright?" Ed groaned. "Sorry, okay, whatever!"
His sister rolled her eyes and glanced over to Roy with a swing of her eyes. The grin on his face only grew to be more prominent with a scoff at the momentary argument he held with his sister. "Next time a superior officer and your oldest sibling tells you to listen you just might do it." In response Ed let out an annoyed acceptance. Being a teenager, he naturally gave attitude, serving as a second language. Roy stood from his desk and walked to the window. "Now then, his name is Isaac McDougal, or as he was known back in the day, Isaac the Freezer. He's a former State Alchemist, he served in the Ishvalan War. During that time he showed no signs of turning traitor. But afterwards, he immediately resigned and went into hiding and he's been working with the anti-establishment group ever since. Taking him into custody is major priority, whether dead or alive; that's up to him."
Yuki looked over to Ed who held a firm look of disapproval. "No way, I'm not killing anyone." He whispered.
His sister relaxed and tore her eyes aside. As much as she admired her brother's choice to be a dog of the military without killing a soul, was ballsy but she didn't know if he could do it. There was an overwhelming part of her that knew one of these days he may not have a choice, and the same goes for her along with Yuki. Part of her hopes they see this. "That's your choice Ed, all we ask is if you can help contain him." Joslyn clarified and looked out into the bright city standing out in the darkness. Then her eyes widen and she looked over to Roy. "Colonel, don't forget about-"
"Oh, I almost forgot." Roy responded and looked over his shoulder. "Yuki, I got a call from Basque Grand earlier today, Penelope's coming down, she's been on the hunt for Isaac for a week now and she had a hunch that he came here."
The girl's eyes widen and she quickly turned to her dad. While Yuki held the happiest of smiles on her face, with Joslyn and Riza tugging the ends of their lips upwards, Ed and Al glanced at each other. Ed lifted his hand as if try and get someone's attention he let out a small mumble. "Um, whose Penelope?" He asked aloud.
Quickly Yuki started to speak with her words jumbling together in a mess at an shaky pace that ranged from fast and faster. While she vented her excitement Joslyn shook her head. Riza lifted her eyes upwards. "Penelope Dewitt is State Alchemist around your age, the Powered Alchemist working under Basque Grand."
Yuki was unable to contain herself, jumping in her seat with a wide grin going from one ear to the other. "She's so cool, you guys will love her!"
Roy smirked and looked back to the window. His expression was no doubt devious, getting back into the teasing mood for the Fullmetal Alchemist after informing his daughter of the wonderful news he had for her. "Off topic, have you guys turned up any leads for getting your bodies back to normal?" He asked.
Ed's eyes shot over to Roy only barely catching his question. When figuring out what he said the expression of the teen became sour. Turning back to Roy he let out a growl. "Maybe if you ever gave us time to look!"
Right as that yell was released into the office air the door was practically thrown open by a man with black spiked hair and green eyes which were enhanced with glasses. He held the master of grins that always seemed genuine and raised his hand high as he yelled out a bright greeting. "Roy! How goes? Heard they put you in charge of catching the Freezer, huh? One hell of a nasty assignment! But hey it could be your chance to earn that promotion to Central!" While the man named Hughes babbled on Roy shook his head and frown. "Oh say, looks like my timing is perfect! You two are the Elric Brothers, right?" Then running over while shooting a wave to Yuki sitting close by he grabbed Al's hand and started to shake it. "Wow! It's an honor to finally meet the youngest State Alchemist ever! You're a real legend around here! I'm Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, it's a pleasure!"
"You want Edward…" Yuki snickered with a small wave.
"I'm actually his younger brother Alphonse…"
Hughes jumped back upon hearing the correction he jumped back and released Al's metallic hands. Looking over to Ed he already held an irritated look which grew all the more irritated as Hughes was about to state that he didn't think the famous State Alchemist would be so small, almost uttering the cursed 's' word. "Hughes, what are you doing here? Go home. Also did you pick up Powered from the station?" Roy questioned finally turning to see his friend.
After the question flew out of Roy's mouth in the doorway a girl stepped in. A brunette that has grown up since the last time Roy, Hughes, or Yuki have seen her. Hair that used to short enough to only cover her jaw line now reached to her shoulder blades, her height was only slightly altered but not enough to make her taller than anyone present in the room, the time where she would refuse to wear skirts had long passed as she began to wear skirts that showed off a harness on her right leg holding a whip, a brown vest along with a brown sleeved shirt that went to her elbows and a black necklace with three swallows. She held an evolution that people didn't expect or one that people saw coming. It almost took Yuki a moment to realize that she was seeing her friend, dearest Penelope Dewitt after several years of no words and little contact. Only stories and tales of their adventures were exchanged. Yuki quickly shot out of her seat and jolted to the girl at high speed before tackling her into a large hug. "Penelope! I've missed you so much you have no idea! Things have been so crazy and… Penelope…?"
The girl's was twisted with confusion, her eyebrows knotting together. "I feel like I know you… But I can't put a face with a name as well I used to…" She sighed awkwardly, her voice different from what it was before. A once high pitched voice gained a smidge of volume but not so much that was a voice of a pure alto.
"Pene… It's me. Yuki Mustang…"
Penelope's eyes widen at the sudden memory of the young girl. How they met during the darkest of times. While Penelope was digging herself out the pit of despair, alone, clawing at herself, at the beginning of the end. All she could ask herself was how could she allow herself to forget everything. "Oh… Hi Yuki… Sorry about that." She apologized softly before looking up to Roy. "Hello Colonel Mustang, sorry but Hughes is here on official military business, or at least that's what he says."
Hughes chuckled at her last statement and then looked over to the two boys. "You, Elrics, Mustang, and Dewitt I understand you guys don't have a place to stay. Which means you'll have to come with me." In an instant his eyes closed as his head lowered with the light creating a glare in his glasses. He reached for his pocket and quickly yanked out a piece of paper, forcing a cry to come from the eldest Elric Brother. But to their surprise a picture of a woman holding onto a child, his child. Behind the picture Hughes held a large grin that could easily continue to grow off his face if it could do so. "My wife Gracia and my daughter Elysia, we'd love to have you!"
Al then stood from his place on the couch along with his older brother whose eyes narrowed on the sight of the other State Alchemist. One he doesn't hear much about, but seems like the type to get an unbelievable amount of hype from the people. Then again she might possibly be well known in other places unlike Ed, Al, and Yuki who are mostly well known in the East. "So you're Penelope Dewitt." Ed muttered crossing his arms over her chest.
"And you are?"
"Edward Elric, I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist. This is my younger brother Alphonse."
Penelope glanced over to the boy in the suit of armor before glancing back to Edward with a raised eyebrow. In the corner of her eye she could see Yuki watching the two of them interact with an observant eye. She smirked and nodded at the boy now holding her hand out to shake hands with him in which he returned. "I go by either Pen or Pene."
Arriving at the Hughes' household a small girl with light brown hair and green eyes pranced out the door with her smiling mother watching close by. Hughes swept the girl into a hug greeting her with a smile and the rubbing of his beard against her bare cheek. Elysia giggled happily and exclaimed that his beard was itchy which only encouraged his actions of rubbing his scratchy face one her smooth one. Looking over to his guests and their weird looks he stopped and stood next to his child. "Look, we have guests! These are the Elric Brothers, and you remember Yuki and Penelope right?" He introduced and motioned to each person he spoke about.
Elysia nodded and then pressed her lips together in thought. Her eyes remained on the rather odd looking siblings before pointing at Al. "Big Brother!" She yelled before pointing at Ed. "Little Brother!"
The very comment made Ed's face twist in anger while Penelope cupped her hand over her mouth in order to stifle the laughter. Clenching his fists he lowered his head knowing full well he couldn't exactly yell at a child. Especially in front of her parents. "Nice to meet you… My name is Edward Elric, this is my younger brother Alphonse Elric. Got that? Younger. Brother." He muttered clearly trying hard to hold back any urges or any dumb actions. All the while Al and Yuki were tense and ready to hold him back just incase he couldn't hold back his anger any longer.
"But younger means little, you're little."
That was the final straw for the eldest brother for he started to stomp forwards, instead being picked up by Al. He kicked and screamed while the girl obliviously walked back inside her home with her mother and father. Al and Yuki tried their hardest to appease the Elric while Penelope continued to hold back her fit of chuckles and snickers. "Edward… They're nice enough to let us stay here please don't mess that up…" Yuki pleaded not wanting to take drastic measures in order to silence him, which would include using her alchemy on him.
"Hope you guys're hungry! Gracia's cooking is delicious!"
That would be undeniable, Gracia's food fluttered on the table. A yummy cheese quiche with green herbs on top of it was the first thing the eldest brother laid his eyes on. Everyone took their place at the table, eyeing at the food with intent. "Okay, eat up!" Hughes chirped now setting up his plate.
Penelope chuckled a little and cracked her knuckles with ease before making her plate. "With pleasure."
No one had to tell any of the teens twice to start eating. Yuki started to eat the quiche and a nearby salad with a dainty smile, Penelope eating at a moderate pace, and then there was Ed eating through his as if he hadn't eaten for days. "Wow! You weren't kidding, this is great!" He cheered with his mouth stuffed with food to the brim. The actions made Gracia egg him on more to eat as much food as he could and there was no sign of hesitation that he would stop.
Hughes' eyes enlarged slightly upon seeing Al remain unmoving and not even attempting to take any food, it was a sight Penelope caught as well but wasn't sure about questioning it aloud. She may have kept her mouth shut but Hughes wasn't going to keep quiet about it. He wasn't that kind of man. With a small reassuring smile he leaned over his plate. "Alphonse, how you going to eat with that armor, take it off, relax!" He offered up with a voice as bright as the very sun.
Al shifted in his spot, Yuki stopped for a moment but only to turn away, and Ed was knocked off his crazed hurry for food. "W-Well… You see…" The youngest brother mumbled while rubbing the back of his helmet his tone uneasy. As Yuki and Ed glanced at each other Penelope started to feel suspicion claw up her spine as they struggled to find an answer, almost instantly catching an interest on the boys.
"He's not allowed to!" Ed intervened. "He has to wear it all the time, it's part of his alchemy training! Ya know how it is! I'll eat enough for the both of us!"
Penelope leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "Uh-huh…" She let out with a questioning hint in her voice.
"Training, chu-chu!" Elysia squealed.
Surely it was late now, everyone was assumed to be asleep by now. Everyone except for the two young ladies of the house. Penelope laid on one bed as Yuki laid to the one beside hers all while staring at the ceiling. They didn't bother going to bed, instead they would talk about all the sorts of topics. A silence shadowed over the two along with the thought of their slumber. Penelope rose her head and looked over to her friend. "Hey Yuki…?" She mumbled quietly. "You still awake?
Yuki opened one of her eyes and glanced over to Penelope. A small smile graced her lips which remained even when she tore her now fully opened eyes back up to the ceiling. "Yeah… You're just as restless as ever." The raven haired girl giggled in response.
"So it seems… What happened?" She started. "Roy never told me you lost an arm."
"I was wondering how long you'd wait till asking." Yuki replied with a small sigh and resting her hand on her metallic shoulder. The story held many layers of details in which Yuki didn't know where to start. Everything seemed interconnected somehow, it almost didn't surprise Yuki that her own father never brought the topic of his daughter's arm loss. He wouldn't even know where to start, if the one without an arm didn't either. "Well… My arm got infected after a fight and you can guess what happened afterwards." Yuki summarized looking at the wall. The smell of another question about the topic reeked from Penelope's breath. No doubt she was thinking about her next inquiry for the very friend she needed to catch up with once more. "I don't want to really talk about me too much… What about you? Your life must be interesting."
Penelope laughed sheepishly and brought her eyes to the wall. "Ya know there's not much to talk about as far as I go… Just conversations about how much I hate Basque Grand, almost every relationship I've been in is a turd and it's all because of…." Suddenly stopping herself, cutting off her own sentence she consumed the behavior her youngest friend had seconds before her. Only they both knew why she suddenly got so quiet. So shy. "I assume you know why my relationships fall apart… Say, we should really interact more this year, meet up whenever we can. I mean it seems appropriate considering…"
Yuki turned her head to Penelope, along her, their eyes locking together through the cloths of the pillows and the sheets of their respected beds. A small smile played Yuki's lips as she shook her head. "It sounds nice… But I prefer interacting for as long as we have left. Let's not put the time we could spend hanging around each other on a time limit, everything you do doesn't have to have a time limit."
"Hmm, I suppose you're right. I've missed you."
"Ditto."
"We have confirmed that McDougal broke into Central Prison last night, whatever he's up to, he's growing bold. That means our time is short, close off all roads, search every square inch of the city: when you find him shoot on sight. That is an order from the Führer himself, but if I find him first;" Mustang started while pulling on his gloves. "he's mine."
The city of Central in controlled chaos, people who weren't involved with Isaac minded their own business and stayed out of the military's way while soldiers and officers searched the shadows of the day. As tirelessly as they worked, casualties could not be stopped. Deaths of many men occurred and bodies already made themselves known, to no one's surprise they were either boiled or frozen stiff. Ed, Al, Penelope, and Yuki caught glimpse of one of the bodies, still steaming from the turmoil it was put through. The living men called out for a medic and shouted that was fifth body they've discovered. "How awful…" Yuki whispered wanting to turn away but found it hard to do so.
Penelope forced her eyes to scan the body, but wincing and looking away from the sight by looking at the ground. "Must have been a steam explosion. With his alchemy it possible to raise the temperature for water fast enough to expand it with the force of a blast from a bomb it's extremely effective seeing how the average human body is seventy percent water." She explained while turning her eyes over to the partners she had a limited time with.
Ed swiftly walked away from the scene just as eager to leave the site as much as his brother or his partners. His fists tightened on each side of him as she walked past the three and his tone was quick and assertive. "Let's hurry, we have to find him before he hurts anyone else."
Isaac didn't even breath as he drew in the transmutation circle into the ground. Sounds of chalk scraping around the ground were the only things he could hear. The tiny noises from the white powdery substance ceased when pulling it away from the ground and finishing his task. Drawing a transmutation circle on the ground, the very same on his gauntlet. "All finished…" Isaac whispered in his gruffed up voice. The pieces to his puzzle were falling into place, his master plan coming together at last.
Thoughts of his own glory were soon cut off by the loud overbearing sparks that seemed to be a dramatic volume change in comparison to the chalk. Isaac staggered backwards, dodging the spears stabbing out of the wall with a common alchemy but with an unknown source. "Impressive reflexes Isaac!" A loud voice from the other side of the wall applauded. "You were able to dodge my alchemy to easily!"
"I know that voice… Is that you Armstrong?"
A fist covered in a metal gauntlet broke through the brick wall creating a cloud of dust as Isaac could only stand by and watch. "Indeed, none other!" Armstrong yelled for a second before forcing the wall to collapse on itself. Stepping out from the dusty cloud and into sight finally, a large bald man with a single blonde hair that stuck out on the top of his head. "It tis I; The Strong Arm Alchemist, Alex Louis Armstrong in the flesh!"
"Oh shut it!" Isaac groaned now slamming his hands into a puddle of water and sending the contents flying into Armstrong's direction. In which Armstrong dodged the movement with sharp ease, watching the water slice through the stone spikes meant to harm Isaac before. "I've always wanted to chop that ego down to size!" He yelled before sending another wave of water towards Armstrong's direction.
"Except you'll need far more than water to quench my fists!"
As the four started to walk away from the other side of the street an explosion burst from above the buildings, screaming for attention from all. Quickly the alchemists stopped in their tracks and turned their heads over their shoulders to see water and a dirty cloud flying. Through the shroud of particles several stone heads from Armstrong's alchemy spinning into the air. "Found em." Yuki and Penelope sighed in unison before running into the direction of the assault close behind Ed and Al.
None of the two seemed affected by their own alchemical power, although the piles of mass destruction and Armstrong shaped heads showed that both Isaac and Armstrong had fought for a long while. They remained in the exact same spot like statues. Before another single attack could come out Al cried out for Major Armstrong as he along with his brother and friends ran into the narrow alley way. Isaac swiftly turned back to the four and throwing his canteen full of water in their direction. In mid air the flowing water exploded into a heavy steam that scald the people exposed. Al grabbed onto Ed and shielded him with his armored back while Penelope grabbed onto Yuki as she was turning her around and placed her on the wall. She clapped her hands together and set them on the wall creating a large block of bricks to appear and covering the two up from the steam.
Meanwhile Isaac once again made his move in his escape away from the alchemists that plotted against him. "Water from his canteen, huh? Thanks Al for the quick save." Ed spoke as he tapped on his brother's chest piece.
"Nice save Pene."
"Let's go he's getting away!" Al suggested.
From the mist Armstrong stepped into sight signalling that it was now safe to walk freely among the warm air. Looking over to the four loosening their bodies and stepping out from their covers from the once harsh environment. "Come, after me!" He replied as he walked out of the alley way with the four stepping behind him.
But, while they made their way out Ed peeked into the area where Penelope transmuted the brick wall that protected Yuki and herself from possible severe injuries. As thankful as he was for that action, he questioned it. That Penelope was able to draw a circle and save their skin quick enough. He looked at the place where her hand was placed at the time of the transmutation and his eyes widen slightly. There was no transmutation circle in sight or even a trace of one.
The night sky finally taken over, city lights shone through the darkness being able to stand out from miles away. Much like in the daytime the military still held discord in their hands, running around Central in order to find Isaac McDougal, oblivious to what he has in store for this city. From high above in a building he stood, watching the men run around like ants avoiding the ray of light from a magnifying glass. Tearing his eyes away from the people below he looked back to Central Command.
Behind him a group of men lead by Roy Mustang took their places, growing into formation and pointing their guns at him. Roy stepped forward while tightening his gloves down so that they were fully on his hands. Cutting through the silence he greeted Isaac. "It's been a long time, Freezer." Isaac looked over his shoulder and sure enough he saw the men with Roy Mustang.
He scoffed at the sight of Roy. "Roy Mustang, so the Flame Alchemist came to play."
"You can make this easy on both of us, I'd rather not fight an old war buddy."
"War buddy?" Isaac mockingly questioned. "Please don't flatter yourself. I knew no friends in Ishval, only military bastards and their damn dogs!"
Roy raised his arm so that it pointed in Isaac's direction before letting out one fatal snap. That snap resulted in a release of dancing flames hurdling towards Isaac. Isaac ducked only to set his hand onto a pipe underneath him. To battle against the firey flames from Roy's side a surge of water erupted through the pipe and extinguished the flames into nothing a puff of smoke. When setting his hand down again he made another blast of water which made it appear to be raining on top of the building and another set of water splashing straight onto Roy. "When water meets flame, the flame goes out." He reminded with a snicker as he ran towards the other corner of the roof and making a bridge made of ice that aided his escape.
Returning to the place where he spared with Armstrong after he 'lost' everyone he saw that the transmutation circle he drew before was covered in rubble. Most likely from the long battle before. Isaac knelt down to the ground and pulled the slabs of stone off the marking made of chalk and grinned when seeing its pristine state. Not even a mark was erased from the earlier brawl. "It's still there, perfect!"
"Oi!" Penelope called out from the end of the alley way along with Ed. "Stop right where you are!"
From beside her Edward butted into the conversation. "I was wondering what you were doing in this alley so I came by to check it out; and bingo!"
Isaac laughed at the two and started to stand up. Facing him was Al and Yuki running to the other side of the alley way. "There's nowhere to run this time!" Al yelled to Isaac. He was surrounded.
But that didn't matter, since this plan was working almost like he imagined it. Now it was time to make the alchemy work it's magic. He stood tall holding a grin high on his lips. "Clearly, but whose running?" Isaac questioned now a red glow shining underneath him. Shortly after the red glow appeared it was accompanied by red sparks shooting up to the sky. Not just in the spot where they stand.
Where the four teens stood there the same red sparks flying into the air creating a pillar of red light only few could explain. Ed in took some air and kept his eyes on the red jagged lines of light standing up from the ground and into the sky. His large golden eyes remained locked on this very image. "An alchemic reaction on this scale…"
"It's impossible…" Yuki breathed out.
"Unless… You don't think he-" Al continued.
Ed shot his gaze back to Isaac's silhouette standing in the midst of the red light. A grin crept onto his face at the realization, the sudden thought that went through his head when putting two and two together. "The Philosopher's Stone!" And with that the grin evaporated as the light transformed from red to blue.
The air around them grew tense and it flowed in the direction of the light violently. Acting like a vacuum and sucking in anything it could, yet Isaac stood among the winds, moving no muscle and holding the grin that Ed let down. Ice crept onto the ground, crackling as it formed farther and farther out of the alley way. In corner of Penelope's eye she noticed this and saw the ice forming at an almost unbelievable speed. "He's freezing all the moisture in the air… For what reason…?"
"Edward Elric, Penelope Dewitt." Isaac started. "You've sworn your lives to the State as a dog of the military., but do you really know the ones you serve or what true plans are?"
"Who cares? It's not my problem!"
"Don't be a fool!" Isaac yelled over the winds at Ed. "He'll lead us all to ruin I'm only doing what needs to be done!"
"I told you I don't care!"
From the already forming ice wall Yuki and Al jumped over head with a snap echoing into the air. Yuki fingers slid together being the source of the sound and creating a high pitched noise blast into Isaac's ears. He winced and covered up his ears as he staggered away from Al landing right in front of him, but still experiencing the pain of the noise which would only grow to haunt him as the battle progressed. Al threw exactly three blows on him until a swift kick sent him flying back out the alley way.
Penelope clapped her hands together and yanked her whip out into sight, a whip made from the metal inside of wires, barbed wires, copper, and other non-conductive materials. She twirled the rope around as yellow sparks of electricity crackled out from the rope before throwing it around Isaac's ankle and zapping at his skin. All while tumbling into a nearby railing holding a stream water on a lower level below. "Alright, nice work guys!" Ed praised.
Al and Yuki stepped out into the light of the city and marched towards Isaac along with the other two teenagers. "We still have to stop his alchemy!" Al reminded.
"Yeah, that's true." Penelope muttered now inching closer to Isaac while clenching onto her whip.
Ed remained in his spot, keeping his distance from the man. Frankly the wisest choice considering they had no clue what this man was even capable of. "So where is it? You have a Philosopher's Stone, don't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I won't ask again, where is it?"
"What are you going to do, boy? You're out of your league!" Isaac yelled as the water nearby erupted into a large slab and morphing into the shape of a rectangular iceberg. Penelope gasped and stepped back far away from Isaac in fear that she would swallowed into an icy death.
The criminal only stood and grabbed onto the railing behind now being pulled away from the party. Ed, Al, and Yuki stared at the large form block of ice with disbelief not sure whether or not to climb or run away so they don't meet their doom. Once again going back to where she stood before with determination swirling in her eyes. Pulling out her whip she spun it around close by her side with a small but arrogant smirk. "Don't worry, I got this, I'll be on his case faster than you can say transmute!" She assured now throwing her whip up to the climbing railing.
Lucky for her it wrapped around the bar she was hoping for, not ready to let go of it's grasp any time soon. However, that luck only lasted so long. For Penelope's beloved whip slipped out of her hands and climbed higher on the iceberg along with the railing attached. Her eyes widen remaining on her empty palm and jaw dropped down to her knees. "Wow, nice going there genius." Ed muttered.
"Hey shut up Elric I don't see you coming up with any better ideas!"
"At least I wasn't the dumb ass that lost their weapon!"
Yuki butted into the two and their upcoming argument and stepped in between them. "This is not the time for arguing!"
Suddenly the iceberg started to shift in it's spot before starting to grow larger and come closer to Ed, Al, Yuki, and Penelope. It was a fact that the eldest Elric and Dewitt confirmed almost instantly. The first two to run away were Al and Penelope, the third being Yuki, and the last being Edward. While the four ran away, letting out the occasional shriek of terror Armstrong stood in the center of the now empty street with a look that was never seen on Penelope before. "Stand back and prepare for a display of Armstrong alchemy!" He exclaimed, standing his ground as the usual. Like he was bound to stop this iceberg from causing any further damage.
"He's all yours Major!" Ed hollered.
Running past Major Armstrong, stopping behind him Armstrong furrowed his yellow brows together. The mass of ice was overwhelming, strong and powerful as if it could be the cause of the end of times. Yet, Armstrong held no doubt in his mind that he could stop the force. "Witness the alchemic art passed down the Armstrong line for generations!" He spoke in his loud booming voice as his fist met with the iceberg. Much like Penelope before him, it appeared to be doing some good only to fall with a splat. As the overly large block of ice stopped it's current path way and fired into the building on the left. "That's unexpected…"
"What the heck are doing? You're making it worse!"
"I was merely-"
Behind them came another crash which came from another iceberg zooming out of another building. Over the rooftops shards of ice stuck out, forming quickly into sight with a deadly tip accompanied by the red sparks from before. Yuki looked at these waves of ice and knitted her eyebrows together. "They're merging." She breathed out watching these walls of ice move across the city.
Penelope's eyes widen and she slowly shook her head. "But that would mean… If those ice walls meet in the middle..."
Ed and Al started to put two and two together, now understanding what Penelope and Yuki discovered. The eldest brother let out a curse with no bother to hide it under his breath. " It's Central Command! He's gonna freeze it over! Major, Al, Yuki, Penelope and I are gonna try and slow him down! Can you handle the transmutation circles?"
"Consider them erased. "Armstrong gruffly responded. "I'm on it."
Surpassing the rooftops was silent, sounds of screaming townspeople seemed like tiny whispers lingering over Isaac's ears. While his ears only registered the wind, his eyes were filled with unbelievable heights that would soon become a frozen wasteland. It was almost like something that came out of a person's dreams, seeing so much ice consume a lifeforce. That ice could finally beat fire. "Führer King Bradley, for your cold blooded crimes in Ishval I condemn you to a frozen hell!" Isaac sentence, not expecting to hear a single response.
In the air he heard a voice. The voice of the Fullmetal Alchemist, screaming for him to not think so quickly as the pillar he traveled on with alchemy started to break apart and he landed right in front of him. Shortly after Edward arrived to the scene, it was Yuki, then Al, and then finally Penelope. Isaac grunted in annoyance but held no protests to fight the four. He set his hands on the ground creating an icy wave that came to them full speed ahead. "Two can play at that game!" Ed countered while creating an extra wave that cancelled out the previous ripple made by Isaac, along with the very cold ground beneath him.
As Isaac salvaged a block of ice into scalding rain Penelope noticed her whip falling with the remaining ice. She slid down to the ground while clapping her hands and setting them down to the ground. Before her lost item could either shatter on the ground or drip into the moat around the Command Center a hand made of ice swept down catching it in the palm. The water from before fell upon Ed, Al, and Yuki only feeling the heat of the burning liquid for a moment.
Footsteps pattered closer to the recovering teens, forcing their eyes upwards. Isaac had made ice sculpted steps allowing for him to charge to the brothers in specific. Jumping in the air red sparks danced out of Isaac's hands as Al worriedly called out for his brother and pulled him out of reach. "Too slow!" He spoke as his hand was placed on Al's helmet. Once more the red sparks exploded from Isaac's palm and blew Al's helmet clean off with a misty steam.
"Alphonse!"
Both of the boys fell over as the steam disappeared, not even showing off the most interesting thing about the brothers yet. Isaac walked closer to the two only to get an incoming kick from both Ed and Al. He staggered backwards, dodging in the nick of time and recollecting himself just as the brothers finished standing back up. Finally, Al's armor was seen from the inside.
Empty, with only a seal made with blood standing out. Both Isaac and Penelope let out a gasp at the sight while Yuki and Ed remained stone faced about the typically startling image. "There's no one in there, it's empty!" Isaac sputtered as Yuki reached down, grabbing onto Al's head piece, and handing it back over. Penelope scrambled to her feet and kept her eyes locked, not sure what to think and feeling her breath lodged in her throat. "But that could only be true if that soul was bonded to the suit of armor! So, you lost your arm and your brother, he lost his entire body." A bold grin dashed onto his face when realization took over, understanding what he was saying and seeing the aloof expressions plastered on Ed's face. "I see, it all makes sense. You fools committed the ultimate taboo!" During the correct accusation Ed's eyes widen at the man's sheer audacity to stoop so low during the heat of battle. Yuki's eyes gained a blistering fire, Penelope's fists tighten and her head lowered so that her eyes met with her feet. "You attempted Human Transmutation, didn't you? Alchemy's one unforgivable sin!"
"Al!" A long scream echoed into the air of the house. "Dammit! This can't be happening! No! He's gone what have I done?" He knocked down a suit of armor with the helmet falling off after it. Crawling to the hole, blood trailed behind him, which would prove to be the perfect material for what he was going to do. "Give him back, he's my brother! Just give him back! He's my little brother, he's all I have left!"
No one spoke, everyone's breath remained held in their throats, a quiet tension shrouded over the once loud battle."Ya know Isaac." Penelope spat now raising her head. Under her whole body, she felt a whole new fire she hadn't felt in years. Rage that was beyond undescribable. Adrenaline pumping in her blood, flowing in her veins, her heart punching her rib cage uncontrollably, becoming the persona of fury. "There are lines that should never be crossed." Stomping forward she didn't even pay attention to Yuki trailing behind with just as much rage as she held. A rush of anger that were held with her almost dead pan face, eyes dancing with a newfound flame, and allowing for her calm actions to melt away. Yet the reasons behind such rage were similar but oh so different. Yuki snapped her fingers together, forcing such an unbearable sound to shock into Isaac's eardrums. All the while Penelope didn't give him the chance to bring himself back up from the near deafening blow. She slammed her fist into his chest before reaching her hands over his head to clock him in the back of the skull. He was then sent down to the cold ground but not until he went through Penelope's right knee. Isaac's hand slammed onto the near melting surface and fired spikes at the brunette in attempt to get her enraged actions to stop momentarily. Instead Yuki kicked through the ice shards and stormed closer to Isaac before slamming her foot into his jaw, knocking him off the edge. As he tumbled, Penelope watched while breathing through her teeth. "That was one of those lines you pathetic scum!" She screamed her face growing red with anger.
Isaac rolled onto the ground as Ed, Al, Yuki and Penelope slid after him. On the way down Penelope snatched her whip out of the palm of the ice hand just in time to meet up with the other three teenagers. "Give it up! There's no water to use here!" Ed told him with only an ounce of rage hanging in his voice.
A snicker came from Isaac's throat as he raised his head upwards. Blood slipping from the top of his head, mouth and his right shoulder. The grin on his showed that he still wasn't done yet, and he knew that he had them. Not even considering a well known fact about the human body that all scientists and alchemists should keep in mind. "You've forgotten something, I have all the water I need, seventy percent of it!" Isaac retorted now firing icicles made of blood into Ed's left arm.
"Ed!" The three gasped now breaking the icicles in half as quick as they could.
Slowly Ed lowered himself to his knees in contrast to Isaac who was finally standing up after falling from a wall made of ice. "Why can't you fools understand that I'm trying to save this country?" Isaac scolded at them. Then looking to the fortress that is Central Command he saw the blocks of ice start to creep into the moat and cool the water into a solid by the touch. He grasped onto his bleeding arm and let out a laugh.
While his opponents paid more mind to Ed's injury he took his chance to leave. Ed's teeth gritted together as he brought his hands around the icicles hanging out of his flesh. "Come on, we're going after him. I'm not done." He growled as he carelessly yanked the ice out from his covered up shoulder. "Not even close!"
Alley ways, the perfect home for criminals and fiends. It was there that acts against Central Command took place and where they would end. The transmutation circles were being wiped from the face of the earth of crumbled to where it was barely recognizable. Isaac lurked back into the darkness weakly, not aware that his plan was falling apart at the seams. Stopping in his tracks he saw the very man he was out for standing before him, bearing a rough and violent expression. If looks could kill, Isaac would have dropped dead in an instant from the eye of Führer King Bradley. Isaac spat out his name like it was poison before exploding into a stream of laughter. "Perfect!" Then transmuting his own blood once more to create a spear that froze into his hand. He started out with a shaky step, losing great deals of blood from the very actions, but started to charge for Bradley with giggles and grins. Isaac thought that he be on top, that he would win. He didn't think fast enough, for Bradley pulled out his sword and cut into Isaac's shoulders and neck right as the last circle was vanquished. And as Isaac fell a small red stone dissolved into his blood.
Like many before him and many after him, he was silenced.
Soldiers and officers came by started to investigate and clean up the scene of execution while the Führer watched by with a stern look. From behind the Elric Brothers, Yuki, and Penelope arrived seeing only the covered up body. Ed's eyes widened upon seeing the Führer standing in front of the scene, letting out his name with a heavy breath. Turning around the man held a kind smile. "Ah, yes. Job well done, Fullmetal, Resonant, and Powered. I came out to see if I could lend a hand, and to think that I would be the one to catch him! If nothing else this should make an exciting story for my son!"
The chaos from Isaac's actions melted away over night, people seemed to forget the ice walls and the soldiers running around with their heads cut off. Most likely because they were all thankful it was done and over with. Soldiers killed in action were dealt with and injures were tended to, much like Edward's stab wound in his shoulder. Accompanying him was his brother, Yuki, and Penelope who was free to work by herself once more. "Ya know, we never did find out whether or not he had a Philosopher's Stone." Al started.
Ed shrugged. "No, but maybe it'll say something in the official report."
Yuki nodded and raised a small smile to her face. Then looking over to her lifelong friend she frowned knowing how today was going to end. That she would leave again, only the chances of seeing her in a coffin adorned with the green flag for Central for her service. "So, Penelope... " She started catching her attention. "What are you gonna do now?"
"Not sure…" Penelope whispered shaking her head. "It depends on what Brigadier General Basque wants me to do. He's coming back into town later this week and I have to wait for him to come back before I do anything, I might visit family."
The eldest brother glanced over to Penelope, remembering seeing her transmutations yesterday, her outburst at Isaac's decision to taunt the brothers about their attempts at Human Transmutation. As appreciative as he was that she took it upon herself to give him what he deserves with Yuki, it made him wonder. There was no doubt in his mind, she was hiding something, and he couldn't be any farther from the truth. Everyone has a secret to hide. "Hey Penelope, I have a question for you." He spoke taking her attention away. Penelope snapped her eyes over to him and nodded, allowing him to speak. "How are you able to transmute without a circle?"
Both Penelope and Yuki were taken aback by the question while Al turned to see Ed's rather dull features. She inspected him with a furrowed brow, her arms crossing over her chest, and a small smirk forming on her lips. Surely she saw his question as a challenge, and it was a challenge she was going to return. "First off, it's either Pene or Pen. Second off, I thought you could transmute without a circle so why are you questioning me about my abilities?" Penelope challenged.
"There's only one other person I know of who can transmute without a circle."
"Oh boy, so as soon as someone you barely know is able to do what you can, you get worried. Don't worry I don't plan on dethroning you."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"Then what is it that you're worried about?"
Before Ed could even get a word out the door opened by Armstrong with a handful of fully bloomed roses that were just watered, leaving behind a lovely dew. With a kind look, Armstrong closed his eyes with a smile covered up by his yellow mustache. "Greetings Edward Elric, when I heard you were in the hospital, I dashed right over!" He explained loudly. Over his loud explanation Penelope said her farewells before leaving right when everything he came in with made it inside the room. Ed and Al shuddered at the sight of Armstrong, knowing his affection would only lead to one thing, the very horrendous action he was infamous for. Yuki frowned and tore her eyes from what was going to come, thanking her lucky stars that she wasn't going to suffer through this ordeal. "And I suspected, you're in desperate need of my assistance!" He exclaimed before stripping his shirt clean off. The boys let out a cry as the large man started to flex his muscles at even a reasonable distance. "You need the example of a perfect physical specimen to aspire your recovery! See, you're looking livelier already!"
"Will you get out!" Ed yelled over the man's laughter.
"Seriously…" Yuki grunted.