Chapter 2
Getting to Know You
Wow! I am on a roll this week! Must be the fresh snow. Anyway, read, enjoy, and review please. Hold the flames.
"My name's Monkey D. Luffy. And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
Erin was in total disbelief, thinking how an idiot like this guy would make it as King of the Pirates. Al was just stunned at the fact this boy was a pirate, let alone wanting to be king of all pirates.
Wanting to get away from the seemingly insane boy, Erin cleared her throat.
"Ahem, well that's very nice…Luffy, was it? But right now, my brother and I are-."
But Erin didn't have time to finish her excuse of leaving when Luffy asked Al a question.
"Brother? Is she your little sister?"
Erin's eye twitched as Al answered him.
"Um…no. Erin's 16. I'm 15."
Luffy gasped.
"No way! She's your older sister? But she's—!"
But before Luffy could say it, Al covered his mouth, not wanting his sister to start a fight with this boy.
"Look, my sister doesn't like anyone to talk about her height. Otherwise—."
"Otherwise, I'd have to kick their ass." Erin added in sourly.
Luffy blinked a couple of times before grinning.
"Alright. No more short jokes."
Al was relieved, but Erin continued to glare at the boy.
"This guy's a complete dumbass."
Stretching, Luffy then asked the siblings, "So, what are your names again?"
Both Elric's sweat-dropped as Al told him his answer.
"Um…My name is Alphonse, but everyone likes to call me Al. And this is Erin. We're the Elric's."
Luffy nodded his head as he pointed to each sibling.
"Alright. So you're Alphonse and you're Erin."
He then placed his arms at the back of his head.
"So…what are we gonna do while we wait?"
"We?" Erin asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Well I said that I was gonna hang out with you and your brother. So that's what I'm gonna do." Luffy answered simply.
"Huh? Don't you have a home to go to?" Erin asked, wanting to get rid of this guy.
"Nope. I don't live here. But my friend, Nami, does. She's who me and my crew are here for."
"As what?" Al asked.
"As our navigator."
Erin then pulled Al aside, looking back at Luffy.
"Could you give me and my brother a moment?"
Luffy then folded his arms.
"Ok."
Giving one final glance, making sure that Luffy didn't listen in on their conversation, the Elric's began to have a private chat.
"Sister. Maybe hanging out with this guy won't be a bad thing. After all, how long will it take for news to get here from Arlong's base. Besides, what else are we gonna do besides wait?" Al reasoned.
Erin sighed at her younger brother's logic. Who knew when this 'news' was gonna get to the village. And since this guy wouldn't leave them alone, they might as well do something.
Looking back at Luffy, Erin sighed.
"Alright. You can hang out with us until this 'news' comes. But then we have to leave, got it?"
Luffy grinned.
"Got it. So…what are we gonna do?"
Erin had an idea already.
"Hey, I know it may seem dull, but do you want to watch me and Al spar? I think I'm getting kinda flabby after that week at sea."
Both boys completely agreed to the idea of sparring as they headed to an area outside the village to spar.
Luffy sat on a nearby boulder, not minding that he was a spectator than a fighter. In fact, after the alchemy demonstration in the village, he was interested at what else the Elric's could do. Especially when it came to fighting.
Erin removed her coat and set it to the side. Once that was done, the Fullmetal Alchemist got into position a few feet in front of her younger brother. In a fighting stance, she spoke.
"I hope you're ready, Al. I'm gonna beat you this time."
"Try me." Al replied.
Luffy watched in amazement as the Elric's fought for the next hour. Both Elric's didn't let up on each other just because they were siblings. As they fought, Luffy asked some questions concerning the Elric's origins.
"So where did you guys come from?"
"Amestris." Erin replied.
"Eastern Amestris to be accurate. In a small town called Risenbool." Al responded.
It was then Erin asked a question.
"In alchemy, one of the rules is known as Equivalent Exchange. Basically, no one can gain anything without giving something in return. Since Al and I told you where we came from, so now it's your turn. Where did you come from?"
Even though Luffy understood absolutely nothing about alchemy, he somehow understood the rule of Equivalent Exchange and answered her question.
"I'm from a small village in the East Blue called Fuchsia Village. Right now, my current home is The Going Merry."
"That's a ship, right?" Al asked.
"Yep." Luffy grinned.
About twenty questions later (the Elric's kept silent on why Al was wearing a suit of armor and why Erin was in the military), Alphonse won the spar. Again.
But even though the elder of the siblings lost, again, Luffy was heavily impressed with the Elric's abilities. His crew had some tough fighters, but these two foreigners before him were something special.
He immediately came to a decision.
"Hey Erin! Al!"
His call brought the attention of the siblings, who were giving him confused looks as to why he called them. They got an answer shortly.
"I'm gonna make you two become part of my crew."
"No thanks." Erin bluntly replied as Al sweat-dropped.
The two of them? Pirates? Al was having a hard time seeing it. Erin, on the other hand, wanted no part in joining a pirate crew.
Luffy pouted.
"Aww. Why not?"
Placing her hand on her hips, Erin told him.
"Several things are wrong with that. First: we are from another country that's expecting us to come back soon. If we go with you, they'll worry. Second: I'm in the military as a State Alchemist. If you want me to go, you'll have to talk to the Colonel about that. Third: Why would you need us as pirates? And Fourth: Al and I have a...condition…that prevents us from going with you. So, thanks for asking, but no thanks."
"But going to the Grand Line might have a cure for your condition and let me talk to this Colonel guy. I'm sure he won't mind if you join me for a while." Luffy begged.
"But why would you want us in the first place?" Al asked.
"Because you guys are cool and there's no doubt that we will need alchemists in the future." Luffy pleaded again.
"Sorry. But unless those circumstances are cleared, I—Hey!"
Erin's protests were halted when Luffy glomped her, sticking to her like glue.
"Come on! Pleeeeeease!" The boy begged.
"No!" Erin called out, trying to get the boy off her body.
No matter what she did, not even to stretch the boy, whom she had learned had rubber-like qualities due to an item called a Devil Fruit, Luffy wouldn't let go. If his crewmates had seen this, they would've noticed that Luffy was trying insanely harder to get the Elric's to join than how he got the others to do so.
One thing for sure, Luffy really wanted the alchemists to join him.
But the struggling stopped when the trio heard a commotion coming from the village.
"Hey? What's going on?" Al asked.
"I don't know, Al. Maybe it's that news we were waiting for." Erin answered as she and her brother walked side by side back to the village, with Luffy still clinging onto her.
Once they reached the village, they saw the villagers, led by the scarred pinwheel man who was named was Genzo according to the villagers, beginning to form a mob.
"We had enough. Take up arms! It's time to fight!"
The villagers cheered at Genzo's words as they gathered weapons.
"This isn't good." Erin spoke.
"Yeah." Al answered.
Genzo then continued to speak.
"Eight long years ago, we promised we wouldn't live our lives in vain! No matter the pain and humiliation we endured under Arlong, we swore to fight the long fight so Nami could meet the demand! But they lied! They never intended to keep their end of the deal! Instead, they stole our only chance at freedom! So now, we should make those filthy Fishmen pay for the years that they manipulated that kind, young girl! Am I right?"
The villagers cheered in agreement, ready to end this on their own terms. Erin narrowed her eyes at the scene. Nami. That was the same name as the navigator that Luffy was looking for. But what was her involvement in this mess? It seemed to be something the Fullmetal Alchemist was going to have to talk to the villagers about after this.
But before she could call out to calm the villagers down and ask them to wait until she was able to handle the situation, a female voice yelled, "Everybody! Wait!"
Silence filled the village as Erin saw the source of the voice walking into the village. It was a girl about a couple of years older than her with short, orange hair. She was dressed in a lime green noodle-strap top with dark green spot spotted all over, dark blue shorts, and high-heeled sandals. She had an unusual tattoo on her left shoulder.
"Hey. It's Nami." Erin heard Luffy whisper.
This brought the interests in the situation up a notch for the Elric's. They watched as Nami tried to act brave for the villagers, saying that she'll just try again. But the villagers, and the Elric's, were not convinced. Instead, Genzo hugged Nami as if she were his own, saying that she had fought long enough.
Despite Nami's protests, even with a knife pointed at them, the villagers ran passed her, heading in the direction of the Fishman's base: Arlong Park.
The Elric's then saw that Nami was beginning to cry. They could see the emotions she was feeling right there.
Despair.
Frustration.
Anger.
Betrayal.
She then placed her hand on her tattoo, the symbol of Arlong. And before the Elric's could react, Nami grabbed the knife she had dropped and began to stab the tattoo, shocking the Elric's. She repeatedly screamed Arlong's name with the most poisonous of venom and she stabbed the mark.
Having enough, Erin walked over to the fallen girl and grabbed her arm. Surprisingly, Luffy did the same thing. But unlike him, Erin began to scold Nami like she was a child.
"Just what do you think stabbing an ink spot on your arm is gonna do? Kill Arlong? That's the most idiotic and pathetic thing I have ever seen!"
Nami looked at Luffy first, whispering his name in confusion. Then to the golden-eyed girl who was new to this village. Dropping the knife, Nami gazed at the ground, refusing to look at either youths.
"What do you two want? You don't know anything about this. You don't know what's been happening on this island for the past eight years."
"Nope. I don't." Luffy replied bluntly.
Erin, however, spoke longer.
"In honesty, I only learned of what's been going on here a week ago. My superiors sent me here to do what those dumbass marines never even lifted a finger to do."
"This has nothing to do with either of you. Luffy, I told you to leave this place." Nami spoke, clenching the ground beneath her.
"Yep. You sure did."
It was then that Nami began to toss dirt in the direction of the rubber man and the Fullmetal Alchemist.
"So leave! Both of you! Get out of here! Get out of here now!"
Having enough of this, Erin bopped the emotionally distraught woman on the head.
"Ow! What the—?"
"That's enough!"
Nami flinched as Erin yelled at her.
"If what I have learned by watching this is true, out of all the villagers on this island, it is you who has suffered the most! And you only doubled your suffering by thinking that you should take care of this alone! I don't know what your life story is or how it is connected with Arlong. But it's time to stop trying to do this on your own and let other people help you!"
"What do you care? I don't know where you came from, but you should have come when this village needed you the most. Before—."
"That is not of my doing! The Amestrian military normally stays out of things related to the sea. But they have been keeping an eye on the situation for the past eight years and have only recently took action. They had to go through a lot of red tape just to send me and my brother here to take care of that bastard. So don't tell me I don't care!"
Nami remained silent as she continued to gaze at the ground.
Sighing, Erin continued.
"Look, I can tell you don't want anybody to die. You care for this village so much that you'd hurt yourself to keep them safe. Well now, the only one who needs help…is you. All you need to do is ask."
Luffy remained silent while Al was in awe at his sister's words of momentary wisdom.
Then again, she was also a hypocrite.
Nami allowed her mind to process the harsh words that the blond had said. The runt had no reason to even be here and to scold her like a child.
But…she was tired. Tired of chasing pirate to steal their treasure. Tired of hulling it all back in hopes that she would have enough.
Tired of working for that monster, Arlong.
In the end, she knew that the foreigner was right. She couldn't do this alone anymore. So she allowed herself to break the dam that was holding her tears. Looking back at her friend and the newcomer, she spoke.
"Luffy. Both of you. Help me."
Erin sighed. Nami finally asked for help, even from the advice of a complete stranger. The alchemist then noticed Luffy taking off his straw hat and placing it on Nami's head.
"Of course. That's what friends do."
He then looked at Erin.
"Well? Didn't you say that you came here to beat up Arlong as well?"
Erin smirked at the boy.
"Yeah. Just a minute."
To Nami's surprise, Erin took of her red coat and placed it on her shoulders. She then looked to the suit of armor that was standing on the sidelines.
"Al, help Nami with her wound and meet me at Arlong Park. Ok?"
Alphonse nodded at Erin's request as the pirate captain and the State Alchemist walked down the path that lead to Arlong Park.
Once he knew that his sister was going to be fine for a while, Al walked over and held out his hand to Nami.
"Here. Let me help you."
Nami was a little startled at the armor not only because of his looks, but the voice sounded like a child's.
"Wha-what?" Nami asked as Al helped her up.
"Don't worry. You're gonna be ok."
Nami sat on a chair inside her house as she continued to try and figure out what was with that girl and the brother that was taking care of her. Why was he in a suit of armor? Why did his sister say those things about the Amestrian military? And who are they?
"Um…if it's ok, who are you? And who was that girl that left with Luffy?"
Alphonse, who was gathering the First Aid Kit that was in Nami's home, answered her.
"Well, my name's Alphonse Elric, but everybody likes to call me Al. And that girl was my older sister, Erin Elric."
"Ok…Alphonse. What are you and your sister doing here anyway? And how old are the two of you?"
"I'm 15 and Sister's 16. And we're here because of my sister's job as a State Alchemist, working for the Amestrian military."
As Alphonse took care of her stab wound, Nami began to show more interest in the siblings.
"Your sister's in the military at that age?"
"Well…she's a prodigy. She became a State Alchemist at the age of 12."
Now Nami was even more impressed by this pair, in particular Erin. But it was then that she unknowingly asked a very personal to the youngest of the Elric Siblings.
"Why did she join the military?"
She noticed that Al flinched at the question. He froze for a moment before he spoke.
"It's…"
Now Nami was becoming concerned. In the short time that she had been with him, she had come to learn that Al was a sweet person, and seeing him act like this worried her.
"Never mind. Sorry I-!"
Nami's sentence was halted with complete shock when Al removed his helmet, only to find nothing but a strange symbol at the neck of the armor. And from what Nami could see, it was made of blood.
"A-Al? Wha-what—?"
"This is why my sister joined the military at a young age. This is the part of the main reason we have come to this island."
As Al put his helmet back on, Nami managed to ask, "Wha-what happened?"
Internally, Al sighed. He knew that what had happened was supposed to be a secret. But somehow, he felt that Nami could be trusted.
"This is what happens when one tries to play God."
Dun dun duuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnn! Nami learns about the Elric's tragidy and Erin meets Zoro, Sanji, and Ussop as she and Luffy make their way to Arlong Park. What will happen next? Will Sanji flirt with Erin? Or will he think that he might be becoming a pedophile?
Stay tuned! ^^
