I wasn't really planning on writing this so soon, but I was re-watching the Nina/Alexander chimera brotherhood episode and I'm all like: Ooh! Inspiration! O.o
ZOMG. how the he-double toothpicks does this story have 8 reviews already?
Fullmetalfan16: I've always been a fan of your story "pain of automail" so it means a lot that you reviewed! Thanks.
Mango: thanks I'm glad you're enjoying it.
The Vampire Alchemist: I know the first few chapters are similar to Number Twenty-Eight, but after the third chapter I will branch off and turn it into my own original radically different plot. I promise this isn't another repeat of Number Twenty-Eight. Thanks for your concern!
Nameless: I seriously made you cry? Awesome! Well, not really awesome, but it IS the emotion I aim for in stories, so by you saying that I know I'm on the right track!
Mustang hated waiting.
He was an impatient man by nature, he liked instant gratification. He liked things to be fast paced. Looking back on it, it was a miracle that he ever became an alchemist in the first place, because it was a job that required a great amount of patience.
But right now, waiting in the vet's office, he decided was the worst wait of all.
Of course, Mustang had been against taking Ed to the vet because he "isn't a FREAKING dog!" But Hawkeye had insisted that in Ed's current state that the vet was the best option for him. Mustang had reluctantly agreed. The hospital would probably laugh at them if they brought Ed in looking like he did. Then they would turn him in to some type of 'precious sample' and have him carted off to God-knows-where. And Mustang would be powerless to stop it.
"Roy Mustang?" The vet asked quietly.
Roy stood up.
She looked at him sadly. "Sir, I don't know how to say this but-"
"Is he going to die?" Panic seeped in to his normally calm tone. Calm Roy, calm.
"No." The Vet said, "But, sir the kindest thing you could do right now is to have him humanely euthanized."
"Why would I do that if he doesn't have some type of deadly disease?" Roy asked. He was losing patience fast.
"That animal is in a lot of pain!" The vet shouted, surprising Mustang. She seemed like the more quiet type that tends to never raise their voice "He is probably the product of severe inter-breeding. He's malformed and will never function right. The best thing to do is to relieve him from his suffering, and let him rest."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Mustang said, reminding himself that she had no idea that they were talking about a human being right now. That she was talking about one of his subordinates. That she was telling him to put the Fullmetal Alchemist to sleep... "He's been my grandfather's dog for a long time and I'm quite attached to him. If there is nothing wrong with him, I should like to take him home."
"Everything is wrong with him; don't you get that?" She yelled. Roy glared at her and she breathed a sigh of defeat. "Fine, but you're making a mistake." With that, she walked back into the examining room and got Fullmetal.
"Here." She gently handed the lightweight Edward to him. "He's been starved for a while. You said your grandfather was too disabled to feed him?" She gave him a skeptical glance. "He needs to be feed in small quantities until his system can get used to being fed again." she informed him.
Mustang quickly paid the bill and left.
"I hope you do what's right for him soon." The vet said bitterly as he walked out the door.
"I am." Mustang muttered to himself as he got in the car. Ed lay down in the passenger's side. "Good job for keeping quiet Ed." Mustang praised him, trying not to pat him on the head; reminding himself that he was NOT a dog, but Ed was already fast asleep.
He was glad that Ed was able to keep his mouth shut. It would of been dificult to say the least, explaining Ed's current condition to vet the truth. It almost might of been nice though. She wouldn't of pushed so hard to euthanize him had she of know that he was a human being...or maybe she would have. Maybe letting Fullmetal have some peace would be the greatest kindness right now.
What was he thinking? Fullmetal was a person. A living human. No one decided when he lived or died besides him.
He pulled himself out of his thoughts and concentrated on driving. A car accident was the last thing he needed tonight.
As he pulled into his driveway, Ed started to rouse.
"Where?" He asked in that warbled tone that grated on Roy's nerves.
Roy put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "It's OK Ed." He soothed. "We're home."
"Home?" Frown lines appeared on his face and he seemed deep in thought.
I wonder what about? He thought, then it hit him that the kid was desperately trying to remember what a house was. "Oh, house...you know like...a house? No...a pack...a den!"
Ed perked his ears up. "Den?"
"Yeah a den." Mustang said, sighing. Dog terminology had NOT been his major in high school.
Ed made a feeble attempt to stand and instead feel back on the seat. "No Ed!" Mustang warned. "I'll carry you."
Ed looked almost forlorn for a second, then he nodded slowly. Mustang went over and gently picked him up.
Once they were in the house, Mustang took no time in releasing Ed onto the couch. Mustang had trouble holding him. Heck, he had trouble being near him. Ed felt just like the underground lab had, just on a smaller scale. The aura of taboo was something that made the little hairs on the back of Mustang's neck stand straight up. It just wasn't natural! He went into the bathroom and turned the sink faucet on, splashing the water on his face; reveling in the cool sensation it brought.
Mustang turned the water off and took a good look in the mirror. He looked awful. His normally well-groomed face was covered in hair. His eyes had dark bags underneath them, giving him the appearance of a raccoon. And he desperately needed a hair cut. Mustang sighed. All in good time. First he needed to get Ed situated and he needed to contact Al...oh God...Al. What was he going to tell him? He would be absolutely crushed.
The phone suddenly rang, jolting Mustang out of his thoughts. Gaining an official look on his face, he answered. "Mustang."
"Roy?" The unmistakable voice of Maes Hughes questioned. "How've you been?"
"I've been a hell of a lot better." Mustang admitted. "And I'd be even better still if you would analyze that paperwork I've sent you."
"I will." Maes promised. "How's Ed?" His voice was hopeful.
"Not good." Roy admitted. "I dread having to tell Al about what happened.
"Al?" Ed's warped voice questioned. Slowly he made his way into the kitchen. "Where Al? Want."
"Um...Maes let me call you back." Mustang said, abruptly hanging up the phone.
"AlAlAlAlAlAl!" Ed demanded, stubbornly looking at Mustang.
"Al's not here Ed." Mustang answered. "I can call him if you want."
"Want." Ed bayed stubbornly. Then he whimpered in pain as his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
"Ed!" Mustang shouted, carefully collecting the chimera in his arms. "You shouldn't be moving around!" He informed him.
"Hurts." Ed whimpered.
"I know." Mustang carefully carried him to his room and placed him on his bed. Ed awkwardly tried to get comfortable, but it seemed to prove challenging. Finally he bunched up like a normal dog would and gave a contented sigh.
"Try to get some sleep." Roy said, but the chimera was already gone.
Mustang got up and shut the door, peeking in while he closed it like a parent would for a small child. He walked back into the kitchen with a heavy heart. He can't even walk ten feet without collapsing. Maybe the vet was right. The thought haunted him. No. This was Ed. He couldn't...he wouldn't...he would never decide when it was time for Ed to die like that.
He halfheartedly picked up the phone and punched in Maes' number.
"Roy!" The cheerful voice answered him. Maes, unlike Mustang, had caller ID.
"Yeah." Mustang half said, half sighed.
"What happened? You scared me for a minute!" Mass practically yelled at Roy.
"Oh, Ed came into the kitchen. He fell down, so I carried him up to my room to catch some z's."
"He fell down?" Maes questioned.
"Yeah." Mustang muttered. "Look, Maes, do you know where Al is?"
"As a matter of fact, he's been staying with me and my wonderful wife Gracia! I think he's at the central library right now!" Maes cheerfully informed him.
"He's been staying with you?" this was news to Mustang.
"Yes! He's been helping with the search. He's been pretty helpful."
"Did you tell him...about Ed yet?"
"No, I decided to leave that to you."
"You ass." Mustang sighed. "When he gets back, have him contact me OK? We can't keep him in the dark forever."
"Will do. Did I tell you what my wonderful daughter Elicia did today? She took a marker and..." Maes started. Roy hung up. He wasn't in the mood to listen to Maes drabble on and on about his daughter. How could he be so happy with Ed in his current condition?
The library. Somewhere Roy would have to go soon. He needed to go and research bio-alchemy if he was ever going to get Ed back to normal.
A newly lit fire blazed in the Flame Alchemist's eyes. He would get Ed back to normal. He had to.
And we have finished the second chapter! For the fans of Number Twenty Eight by Sevlow, (I'm one) I PROMISE this is not a copy, steal or whatever. I have my OWN horrible twisted plot. So please, no flames.
