Disclaimer: I do not own FMA.
~Section Divider~
Edward was pleased as the wall before him molded out, providing him a clean exit to step through. With the new opening, the green liquid that had encased him started pouring out onto the slick tile floor outside. As the alchemist's feet alighted upon the tank bottom, no longer suspended in the liquid his legs wobbled. He figured it must just be because he was unaccustomed to standing, for he could not see any visible signs of his muscles being atrophied. Indeed, he felt as if he were at the peak of health.
The alchemist started stepping forward and out of the tank, but was yanked back suddenly just as he was clearing the threshold by a tugging at his face and chest. Eyebrows knitting together in disconcertion, Edward attempted to discern the source of what was holding him back, and found it to be the cord and wires attached to him. Growling softly in irritation, he started wrenching off the foreign objects. Next thing he knew, he was yelping and practically leaping out of his skin from shock as loud sirens started blaring.
He placed his right hand flat to his chest as he leaned against the warped jamb of the tank with his other hand for support. The tile floor was slick with the green liquid, and it had only been that reflex, lashing his left arm out in search for something to steady him as he bare feet scrabbled for a hold on the floor.
Edward, once he had calmed down somewhat, started to take in his surroundings, but his observations were cut short as a whooshing sound invaded the average low hums, murmurs, and beeps of the room on top of the squealing sirens. It was that same sound that had snapped him out of stasis.
His head whipped towards the source, eyes narrowing as he purchased the men standing in the doorway, where they were dark silhouettes against the fluorescent light flooding into the shadowed room Ed had found himself in.
The men filed slowly into the room, and Edward released a low hiss at the sight of guns - rather peculiar looking ones, but unmistakably guns all the same - in the grasp of a few of them. He divided his attention between the gunmen and the mousey-looking man at front, wearing a white lab jacket. There were a few more men at back, but they remained there and were fidgety in their movements.
Edward gasped as he caught sight of the man in the white jacket, recognition flickering over his features, but then clenched his jaw and leered in return at the glare the man at front directed right at him; however the strange man's shoulders were tensed and fingers twitching as if nervous of something, but what? Regardless, in Ed's eyes he had presented himself as an enemy.
~Section Divider~
William could not help glaring at Test Subject 004; regardless of who he was (or rather, made from), it was his fault that William was now in potentially dangerous waters with General Mann and the Fuhrer. If only he had done what he had supposed to do!
Taking a deep breath, William schooled his face into a calmer mask, although he could still feel anger spurned forth by shivering unease churning somewhere within his torso.
"Test Subject 004, you will come with us." He instructed in a hard tone. He did not know what he was supposed to do from here on out, but knew that it would simply do to return the subject to the tank, and also that it was essential for them to gain the trust and keep a close eye on it - no, him. It was still difficult for William to think of a mere project as a person, as something more than an 'it', even if the proof was right before his eyes . . . quite clearly, actually. If William weren't a professional, and Edward distracted by the situation, the golden-eyed man's state of undress would surely be a cause of much embarrassment.
~Section Divider~
One of his eyebrows rose, and confusion slipped into Edward's face, which was currently twisted into a feral snarl. The man's speech was . . . so strange. It was definitely Amestrian, but the way he spoke was very peculiar to Ed, almost as if it were a different but closely related language. However, Edward forced this to the back of his mind for now, for the meaning had been clear enough.
"Fuck off." Ed spat.
~Section Divider~
William bristled, unaccustomed to such vulgar language directed towards him.
"Are your plasma magazines loaded?" William asked one of the guards he had brought with him.
"Yes sir, but you can't honestly expect us to-" The guard began, but William cut him off.
"The subject is resisting orders and, considering the manner of the project he is a part of, could be very dangerous even unarmed. It is your duty to subdue it without maiming or killing it." William explained.
The guards nodded, leveling their guns at Edward.
~Section Divider~
This was the last straw of Edward's patience. He lifted his arms up, and was visibly taken aback when he realized his right arm was flesh. Damn, he had forgotten; although it was great having his arm back (especially considering what he'd had to gone through to get it), it also meant he couldn't pull off his signature automail blade.
The guards continued to hold fire, waiting to see what Edward's next move was, as if they were holding out hope that they would not be required to open fire. Regardless of what they were told about this project (which wasn't much), all they could see before them was an understandably bewildered kid.
This hesitance wasn't lost on Edward, and a fire sparked in his eyes as his mouth formed from a snarl into a feral grin. A group shudder descended upon the group opposing him, as the alchemist made his next move.
~Section Divider~
Author's Note:
All reviews for any reason appreciated. I also have a poll up on my profile to decide who the other three test subjects should be.
Concerning Edward's confusion about William's speech: approximately two centuries have passed in Amestris, and the language has changed considerably - it's like the difference between how we speak and write and Shakespeare's time; they're both considered Modern English, but as anyone that has read or seen anything written by Shakespeare or a parody of it, it's not much like how we speak and write.
Edward's strange reaction to William's appearance will be revealed later and no, he is not a carbon copy of someone Ed knew. That would not make any sense.
Yes, this does take place after the manga. Things such as why Edward has his left leg back and why he can use alchemy will also be covered later.