In memory of Maes Hughes; one of the few honorable men in the military. You truly were an example to us all. You are missed.
Disclaimer: Genius or not, I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist…chibi sob I wish…
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Explosions
Alphonse Elric: Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
Ed: That is alchemy's first law of equivalent exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth.
Alfons Heidrich: But here, on the other side of the gate, scientific discovery developed along a different path. Physics instead of alchemy. Airplanes and dirigibles rather than automail and prosthetic limbs.
Al E. & Ed: We thought we permanently sealed it off, but we were wrong.
Chapter 1: Central HQ
Roy sat at his desk, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. "Fuhrer Bradley's gone," he said to himself. "What will happen now?" Suddenly, interrupting his concentration, Riza burst in.
"Roy, there's… there's been an explosion," she said breathlessly. Roy lowered his gaze to look at her.
"Lieutenant, what do you think they'll do now?" He looked inquiringly at her.
"I… I don't know," she said, annoyed at his nonchalant tone. "Did you hear me! There's been an explosion!"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you." Riza stared at him: how could he act so carelessly?
"Well? Aren't you going to do anything?" she cried, infuriated.
"Yeah, I'm on it," he said, rising slowly to his feet. Suddenly very businesslike, he said, "Where is it, Lieutenant?" She smiled to herself.
"In the Fuhrer's office." Roy gasped and took off down the hall. "Roy…uh… General? General, wait!" she called after him, and flew down the hall towards him. Catching up, she asked breathlessly, "What's wrong, General?"
"Th-there might be…" he trailed off, slowing to a stop. Just in front of him was Jean Havoc. "H-Havoc… Havoc, move. C'mon, there's been an explosion in the Fuhrer's office!" Suddenly, Havoc smiled.
"Yes, Roy," he said, amusement in his voice. Roy stared at him.
"Havoc, m-" He gasped, as Havoc suddenly turned into Maes Hughes. He smirked at Roy, and rushed forward, punching him in the stomach. Roy sunk to his knees, gasping for breath, and looked up in time to see Hughes turning into Envy.
"Well, well, if it isn't Roy Mustang." Roy got to his feet and stretched out his arm, preparing to snap his fingers. Envy shook his head in mock sadness and hit him hard in the throat. Roy fell to the ground again, gagging. "Now, now, no alchemy," Envy leered. Then a bullet ricocheted off the wall behind them; Riza had shat at him. Envy smiled. "Well, if it isn't Mustang's devoted little sidekick."
"Touch him again, and I swear I'll kill you," she said, her voice quivering with anger. Then he rushed at her and hit her in the side of the head, knocking her off her feet. She moaned in pain and the collapsed, unconscious.
"Damn!" Roy yelled, making Envy turn towards him. "Damn you, you bastard! Don't you touch her!" Envy smirked.
"Ooooh, protective aren't you?" Then Roy suddenly snapped his fingers, causing flames to fly towards Envy, burning his arm. "Damn!" he cursed, and fled. Roy struggled to his feet and rushed to Riza's side.
"Lieutenant…" he shook her gently, but getting no response, began to shake her slightly harder. "Lieutenant…Riza? Riza, are you alright?" Slowly, she began to come to.
"Roy…" she murmured.
"Don't worry," he said and lifted her into his arms. "We'll get you to the hospital." He ran down flights of stairs, and finally got to the car outside. He carefully set her down in the backseat. "Don't worry…" he whispered, more to himself than to her.