The storm had begun to unleash its full fury. Lightening seemed to rip through the clouds as if the were scraps of paper. Icy rain pelted Winry and Edward as they fought to gain footing on the muddy ground. Gusts of chilling wind whipped at them sending icy blasts through their skin and into their very souls. The storm seemed to amplify the ever-growing misery of the world below.
Edward fought step by labored step to keep pace with Winry. He limped alongside her as they entered Rizenbul's main street. Seeing Edward's labored expression, Winry slowed a bit and offered Edward her arm. Edward took the outstretched arm and continued to walk. His rusted leg dragged a path behind him. He was truly grateful for her assistance.
"How far is it to the outpost?" Edward said breathlessly.
"Not far, it's just over the hill." Winry said
"Good, I need to talk to Al." Edward said
Winry smiled slightly. She had known Edward and Alphonse as children. Winry knew that they held their bond above all else. Each would risk his life to save the other's. Winry had no doubt that the bond that existed between the Elric brothers was strong enough to pierce reality itself.
"You're not going any further alchemist." A gruff voice boomed.
"Who's going to stop me." Edwards said brazenly
"Me" The voice boomed again as its owner attacked
Edward spun around to face the owner of the voice and was grazed by a jet of sparks. He gazed at his attacker. He was a young man with amber eyes, black hair and the face of a battle-hardened commander. He wore a black cloak over an azure blue uniform. The silver pocket watch that certified him as a state alchemist dangled from his coat pocket. Two white gloves with red transmutation circles inscribed on them concealed hands that were wrapped around a silver sword. Edward's eyes widened as he realized that he was face to face with the son of Roy Mustang.
"What's your name? He inquired.
"I'm Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and you are?" Ed asked
"That's impossible, Edward Elric was killed in action twenty years ago. My father signed the death certificate himself. " The solider growled.
"Father, wait, your Roy Mustang's son aren't you" Edward said through clenched teeth.
"Yes, my name is Phoenix Mustang and I rule over all. As your supreme leader I order you to accompany me to Central. " Phoenix said.
"You're just like your father, an elitist who will go to any lengths to achieve his goals. I hate people like you and refuse to take orders from a self-absorbed egotist whose lust for power overwhelms his morality." Edward hissed, his voice filled with anger.
"Failure to comply with orders will result in immediate termination." Mustang said as he raised his sword and charged Edward
"If it's a fight you want IT'S A FIGHT YOU'LL GET!" Edward yelled as he transmuted his automail into a blade and charged toward Phoenix.
A flash of lightening blazed through the sky as the opponents clashed. Nature itself seemed to yield to the combatants. The sound of metal striking metal echoed like thunder across the land as blade crashed against blade. The storm that raged down upon them seemed to play a silent waltz as they engaged in a deadly dance. A grim dance, a dance in which every step could be fatal.
Edward had lost all inhibition. His eyes were clouded over with anger. His mind had gone blank as vengeance took hold of him. Edward could feel the rage that course through is veins. His fury began to take over his body making him go berserk.
Phoenix and Edward were equally matched. Even in his weakened state Edward was a formidable foe. Edward rolled out of the path of Phoenix's initial attack and retaliated with a barrage of blade attacks. Phoenix dodged the each stab and struck out with a vertical slash. Edward brought his blade up to guard against the slash and the two blades crossed.
"It seems we are evenly matched Fullmetal. I'll make a deal with you, side with the state and I'll spare your life and that of your lady friend." Phoenix said forcing his blade down with all his might.
"I've been a dog of the military, I won't go back to that life and I won't serve under a monster like you. You're a morally bankrupt murderer who will wreck the life of anyone who stands in his way." Edward growled.
"Such scathing remarks, your words cut deep and in exchange for those word I shall cut deep into your flesh." Phoenix said wiping his hand along the blade of his saber.
The blade of Phoenix's saber began to glow crimson. Edward gazed at the blade with fear filled eyes. Flame crept slowly up the blade creating an aura of fire. Edward rolled away from the flaming blade and kicked phoenix with his left leg. Phoenix was knocked to the ground his red with blood.
"Nice trick Psycho now let me show you mine." Edward said as he clapped his hands together.
Edward began to glow blue. His automail limbs began to pulse and steam had begun to rise from them. Twenty years of rust had started to evaporate. The light dimmed and his automail gleamed as if it were new. Edward raised his blade and charged back into the fray.
The tables had turned. Edward had taken control of the battle. He hit Phoenix with a high-speed barrage of kicks and blade attacks. Phoenix dodged as best he could no longer keep up with Edward. Phoenix struck the ground, his nose poured blood.
"It seems you have your father's ego and none of his skills." Edward said raising his blade for another attack.
"Don't compare me to that worthless trader." Phenix said as he rose to his feet.
Phoenix brought the saber into a fighting stance. He jumped into the air and slashed down creating a wave of fire. Edward sidestepped the wave easily.
" Your aim's as bad as your ego." Edward laughed
" Fool, I wasn't aiming for you, I was aiming for Rockbell. I've been itching to finish her off ever since I killed that micro-hag Pinaco." Phoenix scowled as he landed.
Edward spun around to see Winry paralyzed by fear. He clapped hands together, pressed them against the ground a stone wall sprang up to guard Winry.
"Leave her out of this, Winry go and warn Al!" Edward commanded. She ran headlong away from
"Ah, I see the famous Fullmetal Alchemist has a human heart. It'll be your downfall." Phoenix said charging Edward.
"You've tortured her enough and now you going to pay for it. Your disregard for life and lack of a heart will be your downfall." Edward said as he dodged the charge.
Edward dodged the charge and kicked Phoenix in the back. Phoenix stumbled forward, spun around and struck out with a lateral slash. Edward blocked the slash and sent the saber flying from its owner's grasp. Phoenix ran to retrieve the saber, but Edward blocked him.
"You won't need that where you're going." Edward scowled
"I'm not going anywhere!" Phoenix said as he landed a strong punch to Edward's face.
Edward struck the ground and Phoenix regained control of his saber. Phoenix stabbed down expecting to hear the zing of metal cutting into flesh. Instead he heard the clink of metal striking metal, which signified that his foe had not expired. Edward rose to his feet.
"It seems your defensive skills are well honed. I may end up killing the most worthy opponent I've ever faced, but I'm afraid it's the only way to get rid of you!" Phoenix yelled as he jumped into the air.
Phoenix slashed the air around him and sent waves of flame raining down upon his foe. Edward yelled out in pain as the flames seared him on all sides. He fell as Phoenix landed beside him.
"Give them my name when you get to hell, they'll give you a discount." Phoenix said as he turned his saber and prepared to stab Edward in the heart.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Phoenix, unless you have a death wish." A gruff yet familiar voice boomed as a wall of earth hardened around Edward.
"This doesn't involve you Trigham." Phoenix said as he raised his saber for battle.
"Oh Really, let's check the score shall we. You've tried to kill Winry and you just attempted to kill a person who I consider a good friend. Stop me if I'm wrong, but I'd say it involves me." The voice shouted
"Rus-sel" Edward said craning his neck to see.
Edward saw Russel Trigham standing between him and his foe. Edward was relieved to see that an old friend had come to his aid. He clapped his hands together and freed himself by turning the earth above him into dust. He clapped again, touched the ground and transmuted a sword.
"Hey Russel, I think It's time we taught this jerk a lesson." Edward said as he handed the sword to Russel.
"I couldn't agree more!" Russel said as he charging Phoenix
Phoenix was outnumbered and outmatched. Edward and Russel attacked in unison and struck blow after blow. Each strike seemed to amplify the next. Phoenix blocked as best he could, but knew he couldn't stand against them. He had to escape or face death.
"I'm terribly sorry gentleman, but I must take my leave. Don't worry, we'll fight again soon and you will die at my hands like all the other rebel scum I've faced." Phoenix said as he stabbed his saber into the ground and causing a wall of flame to burst from the earth.
The flames had subsided but phoenix was nowhere to be found. Edward scanned the horizon as far as he could see. He found no trace of his foe. Phoenix had managed to elude him. This was an occurrence that Edward wouldn't allow again.
"That damn coward got away." Edward scowled as he transmuted his arm back to its normal form.
"He'll be back. Those military dogs are always patrolling small villages. They're always on the lookout for rebels and draft-dodging alchemists. Those injuries look bad, Ed let get you to the outpost and get you pached up." Russel said burying the blade of his sword into the earth.
Great ide-" Edward mumbled.
Edward was going into shock. The burns had started to affect his nervous system. His vision was split and unfocused. His hearing and speech were impaired. Finally, Edward collapsed as darkness took him.
Russel saw this scene unfold and rushed to Edward's side. Knowing he couldn't revive Edward, Russel slung him across his back and broke into a run. With the full weight of his comrade as well as the elements pressing down on him Russel sprinted toward a vacant lot. He drew a transmutation circle on the lot and activated it. A portion of the lot glowed neon green and a stone staircase emerged from it. Russel stepped out of the rain amd into the outpost.