Hello, I'm back! Told you I would have the next chapter out in a jiffy. I'll try my best to make sure each chapter gets uploaded as quickly as possible. In the meantime just enjoy the story and review if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks, here you go!
Later that evening, Roy invited Alphonse and Winry over to his house.
Roy – I am Roy Mustang. I'm a former colonel from the Central military.
Winry – You were a soldier?
Roy – Yes. But now… I am one who has made a contract with Kyubey – a magical contractor!
The three walked together until they got to Roy's house. He opened the door and looked at Alphonse and Winry, who bowed to show their gratitude before entering. Alphonse and Winry gasped in amazement once they came inside.
Winry – Wow…
Alphonse – Your house looks amazing, Mustang-san!
Roy – Thank you. I live alone, so feel free to make yourselves comfortable while I go prepare some refreshments.
Alphonse and Winry sat down with Roy at the table in his living room with glasses of juice and plates of simple homemade cake set in front of each of them.
Alphonse – Mustang-san! This is delicious!
Winry – It really is! Did you make this yourself?
Roy – Yes. But it's just leftovers from a simple recipe. I don't normally bake sweets.
Alphonse – Even so, it's still really good.
Roy – Thank you. Since you two have been chosen by Kyubey as well, it means you are now involved in all of this. So I thought there were a few things we should go over.
Winry smiled nervously.
Winry – O-okay, then ask us anything you want. I guess…
Alphonse – Winry… He meant an explanation for us.
Winry – Oh! That makes much more sense.
Roy chuckled a little, then he held his left hand out and opened it to reveal his silver pocket watch, which was now closed.
Alphonse – Is that the same watch from earlier?
Roy – Yes. This is a Soul Timer. When Kyubey makes a contract with a person, a Soul Timer is born. It is the source of our magic, and also the proof that we are magical contractors. The circle on top is the magic circle that represents the power of each individual contractor.
Winry – What are exactly are these "contracts" you keep talking about?
Kyubey – I will grant you one wish - any wish you desire!
Alphonse and Winry looked at Kyubey in surprise.
Winry – Huh? Really?!
Alphonse – You can do that?!
Kyubey – Yes, anything at all. I can grant you even the most impossible of miracles!
Winry looked intrigued and amazed.
Winry – So we could wish for riches and treasures? Or eternal youth? Or even every known tool and machine parts a mechanic could own?!
Winry closed her eyes and put her hand to her cheek as she beamed happily from her last thought. Alphonse gave her a small smile.
Alphonse – I knew you would say something like that.
Kyubey – Yes, but in exchange for that wish, your Soul Timer is created. Those who possess a Soul Timer are duty-bound to do battle with wraiths and witches.
Alphonse – Wraiths and witches?
Winry – What exactly are wraiths and witches? Are they different from magical contractors?
Kyubey – If magical contractors can be said to be born from wishes, then wraiths and witches are creatures born from curses. Just as magical contractors spread hope to the world, wraiths and witches spread despair. And since they're invisible to regular humans, it makes their evil all the more insidious. Anxiety and mistrust… Irrational rage and hatred… They sow the seeds of disaster throughout the world.
Roy – Many of the inexplicable suicides and murders that occur… are caused by a wraith or witch's curse. Their formless darkness grows within the cursed human… until it consumes him from the inside out.
Alphonse – Really?
Winry – If these things are so dangerous, why don't people know about them yet?
Kyubey – Because wraiths and witches hide themselves deep within the labyrinths they create… and take care never to appear before human eyes. That maze-like place you wandered into today was a labyrinth.
Roy – The truth is, they're very dangerous. Humans who stray into them usually don't make it out alive.
Alphonse – And Mustang-san, you fight such creatures?
Roy – Yes, often at the risk of my life.
Winry – But, you used to be in the military, right? Then, doesn't that mean you're used to doing stuff like this?
Roy – That's true. I won't deny it. But you should know already that the duty of a soldier is not a duty any normal person can carry out. The horrors and sins you must see and accept are enough to drive any sane person mad. And the duty of a magical contractor isn't all that different.
Alphonse and Winry looked very shocked and slightly horrified.
Roy – That's why you two should think very carefully before deciding to become magical contractors. Having been chosen by Kyubey, you have the rare chance to have any wish granted. But remember that that wish lies side-by-side with death.
Alphonse looked even more stunned. Then Winry looked up slightly at the ceiling, feeling uneasy about the situation herself.
Winry – This is a tough choice.
Alphonse looked down with uneasiness.
Roy – Perhaps it would help you make up your minds if you came along with me on a few wraith and witch hunts?
Alphonse and Winry – Huh?!
Roy – It's better for you to see for yourself what it's like to do battle with wraiths and witches. Also… you should think long and hard about whether there's something you want badly enough to be worth putting yourself in danger.
Alphonse and Winry were silent for a moment, then Alphonse suddenly remembered something.
Alphonse – Um, Mustang-san?
Roy – What is it?
Alphonse – That boy from before, Edward… he's a transfer student in our class. But, is he a magical contractor too?
Roy – Yes, he is. And a powerful one at that.
Winry looked confused.
Winry – But that means he hunts wraiths and witches too, right? So why did he attack Kyubey?
Kyubey – It seemed like he was trying to prevent me from contracting a new magical contractor.
Now both Alphonse and Winry were confused.
Alphonse – Huh?
Winry – Why? Magical contractors all fight to protect people, right? Wouldn't it be better to have more allies fighting the same enemy?
Roy – That's not necessarily the case.
Alphonse and Winry turned their attention back to Roy.
Roy – It's actually more common for the job to get competitive.
Alphonse – Why?
Roy – There are certain rewards one can gain from defeating wraiths and witches. That's why sometimes, depending on the time and situation, we contractors may end up battling one another for the right to have them.
Alphonse – No way…
Winry – Then, the reason Edward was staring at Al all day today… was because he knew Kyubey was trying to get to him?
Roy – Most likely, yes.
Alphonse thought back to when Edward warned him on their way to the Nurse's Office.
The next day, Alphonse and Trisha were once again shown in their kitchen eating breakfast together.
Trisha – Al, you should know to call me first when you're going to be home late.
Alphonse – Sorry, Mom. I got invited over to a friend's house.
Trisha sighed.
Trisha – I know you're old enough to be responsible for yourself. But, please make sure to let me know where you are before dinner if something has come up, all right?
Alphonse – Okay.
Alphonse looked over to see Kyubey sitting on one of the chairs at the table, watching both him and Trisha.
Alphonse – (Normal people really can't see him…)
Alphonse continued to eat until he thought of something.
Alphonse – Hey… Mom?
Trisha – What is it?
Alphonse – Say that… If someone offered to magically grant you any wish in the world, what would you do?
Trisha looked at Alphonse for a moment, then she looked down at her breakfast plate.
Trisha – Well… that seems to be a hard choice. I already have so many wonderful things in my life that make me happy. A nice warm house, good food, a nice job… and I have you, Al.
Alphonse – Really?
Trisha – Yes, I don't think that there's anything more I could possibly want, or even deserve. But, then again… wishes are rare opportunities and not everyone gets to have one. I guess if I did get one, I probably wouldn't want to waste it. Perhaps…
Alphonse looked at Trisha with concern, noticing the sadness in her eyes.
Alphonse – Mom?
Trisha – No, it's nothing. But that really is a tough decision. Why did you ask, Al?
Alphonse – Just a hypothetical question.
Trisha – I see. Well, we better finish our breakfast, or else we'll be late.
Trisha continued to eat, but Alphonse kept watching her.
Alphonse – (I get it, Mom. You were going to say that you wanted to get back together with Dad, weren't you? I know how much you miss him.)
Later on, Winry and May were already walking to school together. Alphonse hadn't shown up yet.
Alphonse – Winry! May! Good morning!
May – Good morning, Alphonse-sama.
Winry – Good morning, A-AH!
Alphonse smiled at his friends as he walked towards them with Kyubey riding on his shoulder.
Kyubey – Good morning, Winry!
Winry still looked startled, which confused May.
May – What's wrong, Winry?
Winry – N-nothing.
Winry walked over to Alphonse and whispered to him so May couldn't hear.
Winry – Are we really the only ones that can see him?
Alphonse – Yes.
May looked puzzled.
May – What are you two talking about?
Winry – D-don't worry, it's nothing! L-let's go!
Winry walked back up to May and started walking down the road with her again, but Alphonse stayed still for a moment and kept smiling.
Alphonse – (We can talk to each other just by thinking like this.)
Winry suddenly stopped once she heard Alphonse's voice in her head, then she turned around abruptly and faced him with a shocked look on her face, but she managed to hold in her words.
Winry – (You mean we already have those kind of powers?)
Kyubey – (No, no. I'm just acting as an intermediary between your thoughts right now. But it's handy being able to talk telepathically, isn't it?)
Alphonse finally started walking and Winry followed after him, but May stayed behind.
Winry – (This feels kind of weird. It might take a while for me to get used to this.)
May – What's going on with you two? You've been staring so intently into one another's eyes…
Alphonse and Winry turned around to face May, who then suddenly dropped her bag.
May – Don't tell me… You're now close enough to communicate through your eyes alone?! Even after a single day you two have gotten even closer than before?! Just what happened after I last saw you two yesterday?!
Alphonse and Winry then seemed to understand what May was implying.
Winry – Wait a minute May, it's not what you're thinking-
May – No! Alphonse-sama, you couldn't have…! Winry you traitor!
May ran off ahead of her friends. Winry then walked over to May's bag and picked it up.
Alphonse – May, wait!
Winry – You forgot your bag!
Alphonse – Now what do we do? She probably won't speak to either of us again for a while.
Alphonse looked a tiny bit concerned.
Winry – She just jumped to conclusions. We'll explain it to her once she's calmed down.
Alphonse – I guess you're right.
Homeroom hadn't begun yet but many of the students had already arrived. Izumi was in the classroom as well, but she didn't have to do anything at the moment except watch all the students and make sure they didn't cause any trouble before class started. Alphonse and Winry were talking to May at her desk and trying to explain to her that they were both still only good friends, but May was still a bit angry with them. Alphonse and Winry finally took their seats as well.
Winry – (Are you sure it's really okay for you to come to school with us, Kyubey?)
Kyubey – (Why not?)
Winry – (Don't "why not?" me. We told you already… that guy Edward, who was trying to kill you transferred into our class yesterday.)
Kyubey – (Actually, I think the school is the safest place for me. After all, Roy's here too.)
Alphonse – (Mustang-san is here?! At school?!)
Roy – (Sorry for not telling either of you earlier.)
Alphonse and Winry both looked up in surprise once they heard Roy's voice.
Roy – (I'm actually a teacher here.)
Winry – (What?! You're a teacher?!)
Alphonse – (No way!)
Roy was then shown standing in front of his classroom, watching his own students.
Roy – (I was going to tell you last night. But I thought it would be more fun to surprise you.)
Alphonse – (You certainly surprised us.)
Winry – (Yeah, but where are you?)
Roy – (My homeroom is one of the third-year classes.)
Alphonse – (But aren't those classes pretty far from ours?)
Kyubey – (At this distance, I can still reach him with my telepathy.)
Alphonse – (Then, good morning.)
Winry – (Yeah, good morning.)
Roy – (Good morning. Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep close watch over you all. Besides, I doubt that Fullmetal kid is the type who would attack while we're out in public.)
Winry – (Fullmetal?)
Roy – (Just a small nickname I came up with for that kid due to what I've come to know about his magic so far is that it mostly revolves around that armor covering his right arm.)
Winry grinned a little.
Winry – (I see. In that case, yours would be Flame.)
There was suddenly silence between the three of them and Winry felt a bit awkward.
Winry – (Is that going too far?)
Roy chuckled a little.
Roy – (No. It sounds perfect actually.)
Alphonse giggled a little too, then he noticed Edward walk into the classroom.
Alphonse – (Winry, look!)
Winry and Alphonse both watched Edward as he walked to his desk and sat down.
Winry – (He's here!)
Alphonse held Kyubey nervously as he stared at Edward, who turned his head around and stared back at Alphonse and Winry with a hard expression again.
Winry – (Don't worry, Al. If he does try anything, I'll give him a good hit in the head with my favorite wrench!)
Roy – (It would probably be better to avoid as much conflict as possible. But, I think I like this "wrench" idea.)
Alphonse – (Winry's a mechanic and she's always loved machines ever since she was little. But sometimes she uses her wrench more as a weapon than a tool.)
Roy – (I see. In that case, I guess I'll have to be careful.)
Winry looked a little irritated.
Winry – (The way you're saying it, you're making me sound like the villain.)
Alphonse smiled nervously.
During class, while Izumi was teaching, Alphonse was taking a life-threatening risk by ignoring her lesson and drawing designs for possible magical contractor outfits in his notebook. He leaned over and looked ahead of him to see Edward closely paying attention to the lesson, as well was Winry. Then he smiled as he watched Kyubey sleep on his book bag. Alphonse then went back to designing, he drew Roy and Edward in their magical contractor outfits, then he drew himself in a suit of armor that covered his whole body except for his head for his own outfit. The armor was small and skinny, so it fit his body perfectly, which made it look easy to move around in. Alphonse smiled at his work, then he quickly put his designs away once he saw Izumi look in is direction, which almost scared him to death. Later on during lunch break, Winry and Alphonse were eating on the roof.
Alphonse – Here you go.
Alphonse gave Kyubey a piece of his lunch and Kyubey opened his mouth and gladly ate it.
Winry – Hey, Al… Have you thought of a wish yet?
Alphonse – No, not yet… Have you?
Winry – No. I've gone through and considered so many different things too.
Winry stood up and faced towards the fence surrounding the edges of the rooftop.
Winry – I mean, there are plenty of things I want to have or do, but… in the end, none of them are worth risking my life for.
Alphonse – Yeah…
Winry up to the fence gripped its bars with her right hand.
Kyubey – How odd. Most of the people I make my offer to accept right away.
Winry – Well… Maybe it's because we're just a pair of fools?
Alphonse – What? Fools?
Winry – Yeah, a pair of blissfully ignorant fools… After all, just think about Mustang-san. He was already part of the military before he made the contract. He was already living a life of battle, so he must have had a good reason to become a magical contractor. I'm sure it's not all that unusual. Wishing for something so strongly you'd gladly trade your life for it… There must be countless people in this world… who have such wishes in their hearts. And they probably have natural reasons to deserve them too, because they have it harder than anyone else.
Winry gripped the fence even tighter with both of her hands and looked down.
Winry – But… For the two of us, we haven't experienced even a fraction of those people's suffering. Most likely… That's why we can't think of what to wish for.
Winry let her thoughts wander; it showed the silhouette of a man sitting in a hospital bed.
Winry – We've been so blessed… that we've become ignorant fools. Why us, of all people?
Winry turned around to face Alphonse and Kyubey again.
Winry – It's unfair. There are people out there who would give anything for a chance like this…
Alphonse – I've thought about that too.
Just then, Winry and Alphonse noticed that Edward had come onto the roof himself and was heading towards them. Winry walked back to Alphonse's side and the two of them watched Edward nervously as he came closer to them.
Roy – (It's all right. I'm watching.)
Winry and Alphonse looked over to their left side to see Roy watching them while standing on another one of the school's towers. He was also holding out his Soul Timer just in case. Edward glanced at Roy as he kept walking, then he turned his gaze back to Alphonse and Winry. His eyes were softer than before as well.
Winry – Well…? Are you going to pick up where you left off yesterday?
Winry was nervous as she spoke to him, but Edward didn't seem to want to fight this time.
Edward – No. I'm not here for that anymore.
Edward glanced at Kyubey and hardened his gaze just a tiny bit.
Edward – My goal was to kill it before it made contact with either of you, but it's too late for that now…
Edward looked back up at Winry and Alphonse and softened his gaze once more.
Edward – So what will you do? Will you two become magical contractors as well?
Winry – And why do you care?!
Edward – Because you should understand that people like you are not qualified for such a task.
Winry and Alphonse both recoiled at Edward's harsh words, although Winry looked more irritated.
Winry – What was that?!
Alphonse – But, Mustang-san is also a magical contractor and he thinks we have potential for it.
Edward looked down slightly.
Edward – Roy Mustang is indeed an excellent magical contractor. Even I hold respect for him… But he's also a fool.
Winry – How can you say that?!
Edward – Despite what that creature may have told you, there's more to the price of the contract than you imagine.
Winry seemed to calm down and she looked at Edward curiously.
Winry – What do you mean?
Edward looked back at Alphonse.
Edward – Do you remember what I said yesterday?
Alphonse looked up at Edward surprisingly and then his gaze turned serious.
Alphonse – Yes, I do.
Edward – Good. Then I hope that my warning won't be in vain. Think hard about the decision, so you don't end up regretting anything.
Edward turned around and started to walk away.
Alphonse – Edward, wait! What did you wish for when you became a magical contractor?
Edward stopped abruptly and his eyes widened slightly. He didn't turn around, but Alphonse and Winry could see his fists clenching and shaking. Edward then slightly turned his head back to Alphonse and Winry. The fire that usually burned bright in his eyes died out a little and was replaced by a hint of sadness and pain, which Alphonse and Winry both noticed. Edward then continued on his way, but he walked a bit faster than before. Even after he was out of sight, Alphonse and Winry continued to stare silently at the roof exit as they felt a small hint of sympathy.
Alphonse – Those eyes…
Winry – Maybe you struck a nerve or something?
After school ended, Alphonse and Winry walked up to May, who was getting her bag out of her locker.
Alphonse – Hey, May.
Winry – Do you mind? We have a few things we need to do today.
May still felt a bit angry with her friends.
May – I see, more secrets? Am I just not worth enough for either of you to tell me anything anymore?
Alphonse – No! That's not true! We just have some plans for today that's all.
May – Plans huh? I wonder what they could be? I guess no one can come between you two anymore, can they?!
May ran off dramatically again.
Winry – We already told you nothing's happening between us…!
Alphonse and Winry then sighed.
Alphonse – I hope she'll be back to normal by tomorrow.
Winry – I wouldn't worry too much. You know May, if there's anyone she won't stay angry at forever, it's you, Al.
Alphonse blushed. Edward was still inside the classroom, watching Alphonse and Winry.
Random Boy – Yo, Chrono.
Some boys from the class walked up to Edward.
Random Boy – Want to come hang out at the arcade with us after school?
Edward smiled sympathetically at his classmates.
Edward – Sorry guys, I've got things I need to do today.
Another Random Boy – What? Seriously? Oh well, maybe next time.
Edward – Thanks anyway. See ya.
Edward walked away.
Meanwhile at the cafe, Roy was sitting at one of the tables with Alphonse and Winry.
Roy – Well, it's about time to begin our wraith and witch patrol hunt. Consider this your first lesson as possible, future magical contractors. I hope you're prepared.
Winry – I'm not sure if it'll be any help in these kinds of situations, but… I thought we could use this!
Winry reached out behind her and pulled out a big, metal wrench and held it proudly in the air. Alphonse looked a bit nervous once he saw the wrench, Roy grinned however.
Roy – I see. So that must be your "Hitting Wrench."
Winry – Well… yeah. As a mechanic, I carry it with me at all times in case of emergencies. Besides, I thought it was better than having nothing to defend ourselves with.
Roy kept grinning.
Roy – Well, it's good to see that you're going about this with the right perspective.
Winry – What about you, Al? Did you bring anything?
Alphonse – Huh? Actually…
Alphonse reached down into his bag and pulled out his sketchbook with his magical contractor drawings. Roy looked at Alphonse's designs with curiosity and Winry looked at them with slight awe.
Alphonse – I thought I should at least start thinking about costume ideas…
Winry and Roy then started laughing, which began to embarrass Alphonse.
Roy – I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. Though, it seems you definitely have enough enthusiasm, Alphonse.
Winry – I just can't top that off! You totally beat me this time, Al!
Winry and Roy kept giggling just a little, which continued to embarrass Alphonse.
The three later returned to the area the witch last attacked. Roy was holding out his Soul Timer, which was open and the inside was glowing, but there was also a black magic circle hovering over it. This magic circle however was made up of different designs than Roy's was and there were small sparks of black magic shimmering around the circle as well.
Roy – This circle is a remnant of the magic used by that witch we faced yesterday. The core of wraith and witch-hunting is scouting the city on foot. Once your Soul Timer picks up a wraith or a witch's trail, you just follow it until it leads you to the wraith or witch.
Winry – No offense, but that's a little less exciting than I was expecting.
The three walked out the exit door and began walking through the town. It was already sunset outside.
Winry – The watch doesn't seem to be glowing any brighter.
Roy – It's been a full night since the witch escaped. It gets harder to track prey the more time you give it to run.
Alphonse – What if you had gone after it right away yesterday?
Roy – I might have been able to kill it. But it wasn't worth leaving the two of you alone after what you'd been through.
Alphonse and Winry looked at Roy surprisingly and then they both looked down.
Alphonse – Thank you, Mustang-san.
Winry – We're sorry if it was our fault the witch got away.
Roy – It's all right. I make it my number one priority as a magical contractor to ensure the civilians safety first.
Winry – You're really more like a hero than a soldier, Mustang-san. But as for Edward, I really don't get him. I can't tell if he's a good guy or not.
Alphonse thought about Edward and remembered the pained look he saw in his eyes when he asked him about his wish.
Alphonse – (I'm not entirely sure, but… I don't actually think he's really a bad person.)
Meanwhile, a woman who seemed to be an office lady was shown walking and stumbling towards an abandoned building. Roy, Winry, and Alphonse were then shown again, continuing to search the city.
Alphonse – Hey, Mustang-san?
Roy – What is it?
Alphonse – I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but what exactly is the difference between a wraith and a witch?
Roy – That's a good question. Magical contractors can be either boys or girls, and it usually doesn't matter on what age the person is either. In that case, then it's the same for wraiths and witches. Wraiths are the boys and witches are the girls.
Winry – That's pretty interesting, but how can you tell the difference?
Roy – Sometimes it's pretty obvious just by paying attention to the structure of the labyrinth. Like the last one we were in… Didn't it look more like something a girl would wish to create?
Winry – That's true.
Roy – Although, there are other ways to tell the difference. Just by standing near the entrance of a wraith or a witch's labyrinth will give off a powerful reaction and the Soul Timer's ticking needle will begin to spin very quickly. If the reaction belongs to a wraith then the needle spins left and if it belongs to a witch then the needle spins right.
Alphonse – I see… then if we're tracking a witch right now, it must be a girl.
Roy – That's right.
Winry – Mustang-san… Do you have any ideas of where the witch might be hiding?
Roy – You often find traces of wraiths' and witches' auras around car crashes or deadly accidents. That's why it's good to check high-traffic streets and spots in the Red Light District where fights tend to break out first. I know specifically well how bad it can get… During numerous military assignments, I was sent to places like that quite often to investigate street-fights. Abandoned places for attempted suicide are also great sources for a wraith or a witch's hideout.
The same woman from before kept stumbling around as she walked up the stairs of the abandoned building.
Roy – Then, there are hospitals–the worst places for a wraith or a witch to take up. In places like that, they drain the life force out of people who are already weakened with pain and illness.
Alphonse – That's terrible!
Roy – Yes, and I hope that neither of you will ever have to see that happen.
Roy's Soul Timer finally began glowing. The three stopped once it did.
Roy – It's reacting to some very powerful magic.
Winry and Alphonse watched Roy's Soul Timer closely as the orange glow continued to light up and the smallest needle pointing to the numbers inside began to spin really fast to the right.
Roy – It must be close.
On the roof of the abandoned building, the woman had taken off her red high heels and was leaning near the edge while holding onto the bars of the fence surrounding the rooftop. Roy, Winry, and Alphonse had just arrived at the abandoned building themselves and Roy's Soul Timer was glowing much more than before.
Roy – Just as I thought! It's here!
Winry suddenly looked up and saw the woman leaning off the edge of the roof.
Winry – Mustang-san! Up there!
The three looked up just in time to see the woman let go of the railing and start falling to her death. Winry and Alphonse watched in horror, but Roy immediately leapt into action. Flames erupted from his Soul Timer and surrounded him as he took a tiny leap. Roy watched the woman fall as his flames engulfed him once he landed. Once the flames disappeared, Roy was transformed into his magical contractor clothes, then he jumped up and caught the falling woman into his arms. Once he landed, he set the woman down on the ground to examine her. Winry and Alphonse hurried over to Roy to check on the woman as well. There was a red mark that looked like a butterfly, which had a black background as well as small magical butterfly fragments surrounding the mark, located on the woman's neck.
Roy – A Witch's Kiss… There's no mistake.
Roy stood up.
Alphonse – I-is she…?
Roy – No, she's fine. She's only fainted. Let's go!
The three entered the building. Once Roy stepped forward a little, his orange Soul Timer automatically opened and the inside began to glow again, causing the entrance to the Witch's labyrinth to appear at the top of the stairs in front of them.
Roy – You won't escape this time! Winry, let me see your wrench.
Winry – Huh? Sure…
Winry held out her wrench to Roy, who gripped the tool with one hand and his magic circle immediately appeared above it. The wrench's shape then began to change; it grew a bit bigger and was much more nicely designed due to the effects of Roy's magic.
Winry – AH! What did you do?!
Winry tried to appear upset since she didn't like her precious wrench being reformed, but she was so taken back by its new appearance, she couldn't help but be amazed.
Alphonse – It changed!
Roy – It's not much, but it should serve to protect you from any immediate dangers at least. Once we're inside, make sure to stay near me, understand?
Alphonse and Winry – Right!
The three of them went up the stairs and stopped in front of the entrance to the barrier for a moment before Alphonse and Winry nodded their heads to Roy and they all headed into the labyrinth. After they entered, Edward was shown standing at the entrance of the building, watching the group as they went inside the barrier with a small scowl on his face.
Inside the labyrinth, Roy, Winry, and Alphonse began running through each section of the barrier, avoiding the same cotton ball creatures from before. Soon, they came across some flying blob creatures with multiple eyes, butterfly wings, and mustaches as well, but Roy quickly shot them with his flame muskets before they could do any damage. Winry also swung her enchanted wrench in front of her, which created a small barrier made up of Roy's magic circle that blocked any of the blob creatures that tried to attack her or Alphonse.
Winry – Stay away! You disgusting creeps!
The three continued to run further into the barrier.
Roy – Well? Are either of you scared yet?
Winry – W-well, to be honest, yeah.
More blob creatures came flying towards the group and Roy put his arm out in front of Alphonse and Winry to stop them. He then made more muskets and shot the blob creatures in front of him, however a few more blob creatures got behind Alphonse and Winry and began huddling together to become one giant blob. However, Roy quickly jumped up and kicked the creatures apart before they attacked Alphonse or Winry. The two both watched Roy in awe as they saw him fight, Alphonse especially.
Alphonse – (I'm scared too… But…)
The three kept running until they reached a door being blocked by more cotton ball creatures that seemed to be passing cut red roses to each other.
Kyubey – Keep it up! We're almost at the deepest point in the labyrinth!
The cotton ball creatures that were blocking the way began summoning their scissors as they sensed the group coming. Roy leaped down to the floor so that he was on the same level as the cotton ball creatures, then he created a bunch of muskets, which shot all of the creatures and reverted them back to magical butterfly fragments. Once the path was clear, the door the creatures were guarding opened up, leading to a bunch of other doors opening one after the next until the final door lead to the center of the barrier.
Roy, Winry, and Alphonse watched in silence as they kept their eyes locked on the creature sitting in the middle of the room on a red couch. It looked like a giant blob that had a green head growing red roses, black tentacle legs that resembled roots, and butterfly wings on it's back. The thing itself looked absolutely horrible to both Alphonse and Winry.
Alphonse – I-is that a witch?
Roy – Yes.
Strange runes then magically appeared and positioned themselves in front of the witch.
Winry – What's that?
Roy – The runes of the witch's name. Only magical contractors can read them.
Alphonse – What does it say?
Roy – Gertrud, The Rose Garden Witch.
Winry – So wraiths and witches have names too…
Alphonse – Are you really going to fight that thing?
Roy looked back at Alphonse and Winry and grinned.
Roy – I'll be fine. As if I'd lose to that!
Roy took Winry's wrench and swung it around before slamming it into the ground, which formed his magic circle underneath Alphonse and Winry's feet. Flames then erupted from the circle and formed a protective barrier around the two as they watched in awe.
Roy – Stay back!
Roy jumped down into the room and stomped down on one of the smaller blob creatures that surrounded the floor once he stood up, which got Gertrud's attention. Roy closed his eyes and snapped his fingers, creating two flame muskets, but then Gertrud rose up and threw her couch at him. Roy flipped backwards to dodge the couch and then he shot both of his muskets to destroy it. As Gertrud flew along the walls, Roy snapped his fingers again to create more muskets and he began shooting at Gertrud, who kept dodging the blasts as she flew. Suddenly, Roy looked down to see that some of the smaller blob creatures on the floor began crawling on his foot. He tried to shake them off, but then the small creatures began to fly around him in a single file line and change into a vine, which tied him up and lifted him into the air. Roy fired the two muskets he was still holding at Gertrud, but he missed and the flame bullets hit the ground near a patch of red roses instead. This seemed to anger Gertrud more as she controlled the vine to swing Roy into the wall. Alphonse and Winry gasped as they watched him struggle.
Alphonse – Mustang-san!
The vine holding Roy raised him above Gertrud, however he grinned as he looked over at Alphonse and Winry.
Roy – I'm fine. As if I'd let myself look so useless in front of my future magical contractor juniors!
Flames began rising out of the holes created by Roy's flame bullets in the rose patch and the fire began surrounding all the blob and cotton ball creatures in the room. Gertrud quickly turned around once she noticed the flames, then the roses on her head flung off as they were replaced by the imprint of a giant black butterfly and she created her own thorn and scissor branches to try to cut up Roy. However, the flames quickly engulfed her and her scissors before they got to him.
Roy – Close, but no cigar.
Roy held out his hand to the vine holding him up and he snapped his fingers, which caused flames to shoot out and burn the vine, releasing him. Once he was free, Roy formed his magic circle underneath his feet, creating a platform in the air for him to stand on. Then he snapped his fingers once more and created a giant musket that was much bigger than him, which was floating above his head. Taking one last look at Gertrud, who was struggling to find a way out of the fire surrounding her, Roy grinned.
Roy – You had a good run, but now it's time to sleep.
Roy snapped once again and the giant musket fired. The big ball of fire it shot instantly destroyed Gertrud, leaving only magical butterfly fragments in her place. Once she was destroyed, all the other creatures in the barrier turned into magical butterfly fragments as well. Roy leaped down to the ground and a black object seemed to fall off to his side as well. He then smiled as he looked up to Alphonse and Winry, who were both smiling in amazement.
Winry – He beat it!
Alphonse – That was amazing!
The labyrinth then began to disappear and change back into a hallway in the abandoned building. Roy transformed back to normal and walked over to the black object that fell off to his side. Once he picked it up, he showed it to Alphonse and Winry who had just caught up with him. The black object looked like a small poll holding a structure of black gears. The gears themselves were small, the biggest ones were almost the same size as a Soul Timer, and the poll was balancing perfectly upright on Roy's hand.
Roy – These are Grief Gears. You could say they act as a wraith or witch's egg.
Winry – Th-then, these things hatch wraiths and witches?
Roy – Yes. All wraiths and witches carry them. If you're lucky, you'll find one after a battle.
Winry and Alphonse looked at the set of Grief Gears nervously.
Kyubey – It's all right. In this form, they're perfectly safe. In fact, they're incredibly valuable because of what they can do.
Roy held out his Soul Timer in his other hand and opened it.
Roy – The color of my Soul Timer looks a little muddier now than it did last night, right? Also, notice how the big needle is on a higher number than it was before?
Alphonse – You're right, it is…
Roy – But if I use the Grief Gears… Look.
Roy held his Soul Timer and the set of Grief Gears closer together, then the blackness from the Soul Timer came out and transferred to the Grief Gears, leaving Roy's Soul Timer glowing bright and looking a perfect shade of reddish/orange once again. The counting needle also wound up counter-clockwise as the impurities were being cleared. Alphonse and Winry watched in amazement.
Winry – Wow! It cleared up again!
Alphonse – And the timer wound up back to zero!
Roy – With this, the magic I expended during the fight has been restored as well. These are the rewards for defeating wraiths and witches I told you about.
Roy then turned around and threw the Grief Gears at a nearby dark hallway. The sound of a clasp was heard and then the Grief Gears were shown being held in the hand of the person Roy threw them at. Alphonse and Winry looked surprised since they didn't think that there would be anyone else besides them inside the abandoned building.
Roy – It should be good for one more use. I'll let you have it…
Edward then walked out of the dark hallway and stopped once he was in plain sight.
Roy – Edward Chrono.
Alphonse and Winry looked shocked once they saw Edward. His expression however, was hard again as he looked at the three.
Roy – Or perhaps you're not the sharing type.
Edward – This one was your kill. So you should keep the reward for yourself.
Edward threw the Grief Gears back at Roy, who now had a frown on his face.
Roy – I see. So that's your answer, Fullmetal.
Edward walked away without saying anything else.
Winry – What?! I really don't get that guy.
Roy smirked.
Roy – The shorty's probably just upset that we got here first.
Alphonse – Couldn't we all just get along?
Roy – It only works if both parties feel that way.
Back outside, Roy, Winry, and Alphonse were checking on the woman to see if she was okay. Soon she began to stir.
Roy – Are you all right, Miss?
Woman – Where am I? Huh? I…
Once she sat up, the woman remembered what she almost did.
Woman – O-oh my god, what was I about to…? Why would I…?
The woman put her hands to her head as she began to cry and shake with fear. Roy then put a reassuring hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
Roy – It's all right. You're safe now. You were probably just having a bad dream, that's all. Shall I call you a cab?
Woman – Y-yes, thank you. That's very kind of you.
Roy smirked charmingly as he clasped the woman's hand into his own.
Roy – As a gentleman, I could never leave a beautiful woman such as yourself alone and afraid like this.
The woman smiled and blushed a little.
Woman – Oh my…
Alphonse and Winry felt a little awkward as they watched Roy flirt with the woman.
Winry – For some reason, I get the feeling this is how Mustang-san comforts all the women he saves.
Alphonse – I think you may be right…
Winry and Alphonse then smiled genuinely.
Winry – But I don't think it matters. Everything turned out okay in the end.
Alphonse – Yeah.
Alphonse thought to himself for a while as he watched Roy.
Alphonse – (It's too confusing, figuring out what I would wish for… But Mustang-san looked so cool when he was fighting… If someone like me could go around saving people like that too… I think that would be… truly amazing.)
Well, there you go! I hope you liked it!
Just so that none of you are confused, the way how Roy's fire magic works is: like Mami's he has a bit of healing magic, he can create flame domes around himself or other people for protection, and he can create flame rings around his opponents to trap them. When Roy creates his flame rings, the fire's magical properties allow the air to remain breathable but it becomes so dense that the victim's physical movements and all actions of magic use are completely slowed down; this applies to Edward's time-stopping magic as well. (Ironic, Ed has all the time he needs to attack, defend, or flee because of his magic, but Roy's powers can slow that power down.) Also, if anyone trapped in Roy's flame rings does manage to move or struggle, the flame ring with grow more narrow, until it completely engulfs its victim. Scary, but that's the idea behind Roy's magic.
Like I said, I'll have the next chapter up real soon! In the meantime, please review and tell me what you think. If you guys have any suggestions I'll gladly listen to them as well.
