Ed clapped his hands together, wincing as his hot automail touched his palm. He moved his hand along the metal plate on his forearm, and the makeshift sword he was used to working with was ready. Just in time-the bandits were right on top of them

They stopped, just in front of the brothers, and dismounted, still holding their swords. One of them stepped forwards. He was huge, with short hair and an eye patch on his left eye. Ed shuddered at his resemblance to the Fuhrer. This had to have been their leader.

"Desert's no place for little kids..."

Ed didn't let him finish. With rage in his eyes, he jumped forward and buried the sole of his foot into the mans face. The bandit flew backwards across the sand. The rest of the thieves stood there, immobilised by this sudden display of power from the blonde midget. They looked at eachother briefly, then with a shout they started to attack.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

The voice had come from their leader, who was nursing a badly bruised nose behind them.

"Leonardo, you OK?" asked one of the bandits. The leader ignored him and looked straight at Ed.

"I saw that glow kid. And your watch. I know what you are."

Ed discreetly tried to hide his watch in his pocket. "Yeh that's right. You're looking at the Fullmetal Alchemist!"

The thieves stood there, bemused. Not quite the ovation Ed had been expecting.

"Huh?" one of the thieves uttered "Who? You or the tall guy in the armor?"

Ed sighed "...this is getting old..." he said under his breath.

He was shaken out of his stupor by booming laughter. He looked up and saw the laughing face of their leader.

"Wa-ha-ha-ha-haaa! They made this runt a State Alchemist! High command certainly isnt what it used to be! But still..."

He saw Leonardo draw his sword. "I hear you guys have more money than sense. I'm sure that watch'll be enough to get me access to that bulging account of yours. What say you give it to me without a fuss? And nobody gets hurt."

Ed looked around. The other bandits had surrounded them both, creating an arena, and cutting him off from his brother. They held their swords in cross patterns, as if to say "There's no way out. One of you has to go down, and we know it won't be our leader!"

Ed smirked. "Bring it. But when I win, how 'bout you guys give me a ride to Diaz? It's much nicer for me if I don't have to kill you all. Much less paperwork too. Though, I will if you push me..."

"Brother! No!"

Ed looked at his brother, being held back by the thieves. He winked, reassuring Al that no matter how bad things got, he wasn't about to kill anyone.

"Fine then." spat Leonardo. "The one who isn't dead surrenders the prize! My guys will happily ferry you to Diaz if you beat me. Heck, they'll give you anything you want! Right guys?"

The other bandits just laughed. Ed could tell that he idea of their leader being beaten, by a kid, no less, was ludicrous.

Leonardo raised his sword. "Of course, when I cut you down, I'll help myself to that shiny watch of yours. And I'll make sure your brother enjoys our company!"

"Cut the chatter. Let's do this!" said Ed, enraged at the idea of Al suffering because of him.

With a cry, Ed leapt forward, and brought his automail sword down hard...