Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, and credit for this particular idea goes to the awesome Mysteryfan13.


Ed blinked slowly as he was dragged out of consciousness, dimly wondering what had woken him up in the first place.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," a voice sounded as he felt a tug at the back of his head. He growled as his eyes whipped open to glare at whoever was pulling on his braid. He was met with the face of the man from before, grinning at him, just mere inches from his own. Ed instinctively tried to pull away, only to be stopped by the back of the chair he was seated in. He looked down, only to see both of his arms bound to the armrests. Glancing further down, he saw his legs were bound similarly to the legs of the chair. He noticed with some disdain, that his signature red coat was missing, leaving him in just a thin long-sleeved shirt he had slipped on that morning. It did nothing to protect him from the chilly temperature.

"Hey! Ever heard of this thing called personal space," he demanded furiously. The man only grinned wider, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Something about it sent the hairs on the back of his neck bristling. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Welcome back to the world of the living little-" Ed instantly cut him off.

"Don't call me little, you jerk!" he shouted loudly. The man chuckled in amusement as he released the boy's braid, taking a step back to stand up straight.

"Again with all the shouting. You've got quite the temper," he commented.

"So I've been told," Ed replied dryly. The man laughed, sending Ed's nerves on edge.

"So, what do you want anyway," he demanded. The man raised a slender brow.

"And not one to beat around the bush apparently." Again, Ed shifted a bit, feeling highly uncomfortable. It was like the guy was analyzing him, studying him. The thought was… unnerving. The man came back up to him, crouching down low so that they were eye to eye, much to Ed's annoyance.

"I want the secrets of flame alchemy," he stated simply. Ed's eyes widened.

"What the hell does that have to do with me?"

"Oh, but it has everything to do with you! You see, Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist himself, would not have been a very easy target to go after. Hell, he probably would've killed me right on the spot, had I tried. So, I figured, why not go after his young son instead." Ed's eyes narrowed.

"Mustang doesn't have a son, moron," he deadpanned. Anger flashed in the man's eyes, but just as quickly, it was gone, replaced with his calm exterior.

"No need to lie to me. I already know you're his son." Ed rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation.

"How many idiots are gonna mistake me for that jerk's son?! I don't even look like him," Ed shouted, astonished by how many stupid people there were in the world. Just how many times was he going to get kidnapped because some moron thought he was Mustang's son?

"Oh, can it shrimp. You can't fool me," he declared, standing up to glare down at Ed. If Ed had any free hand, he would've face-palmed right there. He shook his head.

"My last name isn't Mustang. It's Elric. Edward Elric." The man's eyes widened slightly. He cupped his chin in his hand thoughtfully.

"Edward Elric… Now, where have I heard that name before? Hmm…" He stroked his chin. Ed stayed silent marveling at how dumb this guy must be. He just couldn't get over it! The guy had thought he was that bastard's son! He fumed silently to himself. How insulting! The man looked up, a look of shock on his face.

"Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, Hero of the People! You're him?" Ed nodded.

"Huh. Somehow, I imagined he'd be taller," the man commented mostly to himself. Ed bared his teeth as he struggled against the ropes holding him.

"Let me go and say that to my face! I'll pound you into the ground! Can a pipsqueak do that?!" He squirmed angrily in his seat while the man continued to mutter to himself, oblivious to the murderous intent coming off the alchemist in waves.

"They say he can transmute with just the clap of his hands, and that his fighting rivals that of most anyone in Amestris. He also has an automail arm and leg…" he drifted off as he leaned over. He rested his hands on the boy's right arm. Ed drew back as far as he could, but it was to know avail. The man rolled up his sleeve, revealing the shining steel underneath. He then crouched down again, lifting up the left leg of his tight leather pants.

"H-hey! Cut it out," Ed protested, his face flushing angrily. The man ignored him.

"You're him alright. So… definitely not Mustang's son then," he concluded.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" The man sighed.

"Well, I guess this isn't going to work quite how I planned then." Ed smirked, feeling some satisfaction at having ruined this man's plan.

"Guess you'll just have to let me go then. What a shame," he said sarcastically. The man only shook his head.

"This wasn't how I planned it, but I'm sure I can make this work in my favor. They also say he works under Roy Mustang. I wonder how the Hero of Ishval will feel once he learns his precious subordinate has been kidnapped. Think he'll come for you, Edward?" Ed swore under his breath.

"I doubt it. He doesn't give a damn about me, so you might as well just quit now," he stated, though his voice lacked the confidence he had hoped for. He knew Mustang would come. How could he not? He wouldn't just willingly give up the prodigy that earned him so many promotions. Ed glared at the ground.

"Guess we'll just have to see. You wait here. I have a phone call to make." With that, he briskly left the room, leaving Ed in silence. Ed sighed.

"That jerk better hurry up and get here," he muttered darkly.

Al sighed as he approached Central Command.

"Brother always has to be such a hothead, doesn't he," he said to himself as he climbed up the steps leading to headquarters, clutching the files Ed had given him close to his bulky chest. He'd have to give him a stern talking to later, after he apologized to the Colonel for his brother. He sighed again.

He walked in silence, throwing the occasional polite greeting to the few soldiers he saw in the halls. It was strangely quiet today, though, he didn't mind it. However, once he reached Mustang's office, that peaceful quiet ended.

"WHERE THE HELL IS HE?!" He jumped as the colonel's shout sounded through the thick double doors. He distantly wondered if maybe he should just come back later and go back to find his brother. He was interrupted from his thoughts as the doors burst open, nearly knocking into Al, revealing a very angry looking Mustang. Behind him was the ever-stern looking Riza Hawkeye. She was glaring at her superior.

"Sir, with all due respect, where exactly are you planning on going? Were you just hoping that by storming out randomly, you'd somehow find them?" This seemed to bring Roy back to his senses. He blinked slowly. He raised his head in surprise, as if he was just now noticing Al's presence.

"U-uh... I'm sorry. If this is a bad time, I can come back later," Al said timidly as he slowly backed away. Roy's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Al, didn't you come here to find your brother?" Surely the boy had to be panicking over the disappearance of his big brother. Al shook his head.

"No, sir. He actually just sent me to come give you his report. Some guy needed his help rescuing a little kid, so he sent me ahead." Both Roy and Riza tensed visibly.

"We just got a call from a man, demanding ransom for the return of the Fullmetal Alchemist," he said slowly. Silence descended upon them.

"W-what do you mean? Brother's been kidnapped? B-but why?" Roy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Apparently some bastard out there wants to know the secrets of flame alchemy."


Hope this chapter wasn't too lame. :/

~Cosmic Creativity