Okay, chapter two! I'm amazed that so many people decided to follow and favorite this story after the first chapter! I'll be trying to update both stories, but I want to focus on this one for the moment. Also, thank you so much, DemiGardess. They created the cover image for Secrets and Shadows.
I don't own anything.
The next morning, Selim woke up in his bed. He reflected on his meeting with the Fuhrer the previous night.
Selim entered the office of the Fuhrer. Grumman sat at his desk, filling out some paperwork. He looked up to see the alchemist.
"Ah, Major! Did you get anything from the prisoner?"
Selim nodded. He felt slightly sick. Assimilating people wasn't an ability that he used often. He still didn't consider it cannibalism, but given that everybody else would see it that way, he avoided it whenever he could. Finding his voice, he explained.
"Yes, sir. Those two men were sent by Voldemort, as I suspected. He didn't tell them much, only enough to fulfil their mission. He must have had someone else find what he wanted earlier, they knew exactly what to take from the library."
Grumman leaned back in his chair. His eyes never left Selim's.
"That would explain why they made their move so long after your return from Britain. They would need to find out what alchemical knowledge was needed, learn where that information was kept, where in the First Branch it could be found, and how to get it. He's likely also busy with events in the Wizarding World, and that must take a great deal of his attention. However, that isn't our concern yet. Do you know what he wanted the information for?"
Selim didn't hesitate to voice his suspicions to the Fuhrer.
"During the events at the Ministry two years ago, I was hit with a Killing Curse in front of Harry and Voldemort. When I got back up, I engaged him with my powers in addition to my alchemy. I believe that he wants to replicate either my healing ability or my powers. Possibly both. The books that were stolen contained information on theories to creating homunculi and Philosopher's Stones."
Grumman's face was serious. "Does he mean to create a Philosopher's Stone of his own, or maybe steal yours?"
"He didn't inform his lackeys of his intentions, sir. However, in the case of the latter possibility, I would simply regenerate around the Stone, until it ran out, in which case the Stone would disintegrate. The only viable possibility is for him to make one of his own."
The Fuhrer nodded. "I see. Well, there can be nothing for it. I will send a letter to the Order of the Phoenix as soon as possible. Major Bradley, I recall that in your reports, you mentioned that you encountered what felt like a weak soul emanating from a locket and Harry Potter on separate occasions. You believe that Voldemort is the source of this?"
"Yes, sir. I do. It may also explain how he survived the Killing Curse rebound sixteen years ago, and perhaps even his resurrection."
"Very well. Major Bradley, I have a new mission for you. In one week, you are to travel to Britain to investigate Voldemort's plans and to help the Order stop him by any means necessary. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Selim returned to reality when he heard the sound of a knock on his bedroom door.
"Selim? Dear, are you awake?"
He hopped out of bed quickly at the sound of the voice.
"Yes, Mother! I'll be dressed in a moment!"
Selim used his shadows to pull some clean clothes from his wardrobe, and set them on the bed. Quickly showering, he dressed and hurried downstairs. When he entered the kitchen, he was surprised by an unexpected visitor. A man who looked to be in his thirties sat at the table with Mrs. Bradley. He had short blonde hair and golden eyes, and he wore a vest and slacks like Selim's, with the inclusion of a necktie. He waved at Selim and spoke.
"Good Morning, Selim."
"Teacher! What are you doing here?"
Taking a seat next to his uncle and alchemy instructor, Selim listened to the explanation as he served himself.
"I came up from Resembool to catch up with Brigadier General Mustang and Captain Hawkeye, when I heard about the break-in at First Branch, and your involvement in their capture. I was curious, so I came over to see if I could find out more."
Selim nodded.
"I'll tell you after we eat. Mother's made it a rule not to talk about work during meals."
Alphonse chuckled at that, and the three began to eat breakfast.
-Line Break-
After breakfast, Selim and Alphonse began walking through the mansion's massive front lawn and hedged pathways. Al started the conversation.
"So, what happened last night?"
"Do you remember, two years ago, I went to the country of Britain for a diplomatic assignment?"
"Yes. Does the break-in have anything to do with that?"
"Sort of. While I was in Britain, a Dark wizard named Voldemort was regaining power in Britain. At the end of the year, we ended up fighting, and he-um-discovered that I wasn't human. The thieves from last night were two of his followers. From what they took, it's likely that Voldemort now knows what I am, and wants a Philosopher's Stone to gain similar abilities."
"Is this Voldemort guy as bad as Father?"
"Father outclasses him, but Voldemort's more public. He puts himself in the spotlight enough to frighten people, but mostly lets his followers do his dirty work."
"What's Grumman going to have you do?"
"I'm leaving in a week to assist the Order of the Phoenix in Wizarding Britain. They're a vigilante group that resists Voldemort, but that's not my only reason for going back. Voldemort has done something to his soul that I don't understand, and I am going to investigate it while I am there."
"What's he done?"
"It felt like he'd put parts of his soul into different objects or people. Perhaps that's his version of immortality?"
"Maybe. If you need Brother or I, you can contact us."
"I know, Al. Thanks."
The two alchemists discussed a few other topics, including Al's next trip to Xing, with Selim poking fun at the frequency with which he traveled back to the country. Selim also asked about Ed, Winry, and their family, as he hadn't seen them in some time. Al promised to inform them of Selim's leaving and to expect owl post. They continued to chat casually before Al excused himself for other business in Central. Selim was left watching the shortening shadows of the hedges on the lawn, planning for his trip to Britain.
-Line Break-
Alphonse Elric wasn't the only one of Selim's friends and allies to visit him before he left. The day before his departure for Britain, he was visited by Gracia and Elicia Hughes. The two made Selim slightly nervous, as he was never sure of where he stood with them. They were always polite and kind when they visited him and he visited them with Ed, Al, or Winry. However, he knew that they were aware of the homunculi's involvement on the Promised Day, and while he may not have been the one to kill Maes Hughes, his involvement with them probably hadn't been forgotten by them.
Opening the door, Selim smiled when he saw them.
"Mrs. Hughes. Elicia. It's good to see you. Please, come in"
When the two were inside, they explained that Alphonse had told them of the upcoming mission and that they wanted to visit before he left. Elicia seemed the most interested in the location.
"So, are you going back to the magic school?"
Ed and Al had teased him about liking Elicia, but it was untrue. She was older than him, physically, and Mustang had also made it clear that he would incinerate any boy that she showed interest in. Understandable, really. Maes Hughes was his friend, and very protective of his daughter.
"I don't know, Elicia. If my mission takes me there, I'll go, but it seems unlikely. Mostly, I'll be researching their magic in regards to souls and ways of transferring them. That seems like the most likely action that Voldemort took."
Mrs. Hughes was surprised and a little worried.
"So you think that he did to himself what Edward did with Alphonse…"
"I don't think that it was the same thing. Bonding souls to objects seems more common there. You'd be hard-pressed to find a portrait that didn't move or speak. Besides, it seems more like he put pieces of his soul into separate objects. How he did, I don't know…"
The Hughes weren't alchemists, and there was less to talk about with them than with Al. However, their conversation did give Selim a little comfort. Maes Hughes had been one of many casualties in Father's plan. If his family could recover from that, then the rest of Amestris could as well.
-Line Break-
Selim stepped off the platform at King's Cross station. He didn't even spare a glance at the barrier that led to Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. The Hogwarts school year had begun months earlier, and his presence would only raise suspicion. He didn't want Voldemort to know that he was in the country, yet.
He decided that his best option to begin at would be Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. He'd been there for his last mission in England, and knew how to get in.
The walk had taken twenty minutes with a large group. Selim's quickened pace shortened it to ten. When he reached the street he was looking for, he walked towards the spot between numbers Eleven and Thirteen. He thought, The Order of the Phoenix can be located at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, and the building appeared.
The minute that he saw the building, he knew something was wrong. There was no sign of life in the house. No lights were on, no voices could be heard. Selim stepped closer to the house, examining it. There was nothing. Then, he heard the sound of cracks behind him.
Turning, he saw no less than a dozen figures in black robes, hoods, and masks standing in the street. Death Eaters. All of them had their wands out and pointing at him. He was sure that the only reason that they hadn't already cast spells was due to the public area.
There, Selim had an advantage.
After the diplomatic mission two years prior, Amestris had extended relations to Muggle Britain and several other countries. Most of the world was now aware of alchemy, if not particularly interested in it. Selim knew that alchemy in the neighborhood would be easier to explain than magic or shadowy tendrils, especially with security cameras watching everything.
Selim used that immediately.
He transmuted the concrete into a wave that took the Death Eaters off their feet. As he bolted past the downed wizards, his shadows restored the damage and he was away. Not for long though, as spells were being cast after him almost as soon as he left the neighborhood. Selim ducked around a corner, and as soon as a Death Eater rounded it, he grabbed the man's hand and twisted it. The wizard dropped his wand, and Selim kneed him in the stomach before punching him in the face, dropping him. Another followed, but Selim ducked the spell and kicked the figure's knee. There was a loud pop, and the man screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground, clutching his knee. Selim turned and moved on, intending to put as much ground as possible between himself and Voldemort's followers before more showed up.
That is, until he heard the spell.
"Stupefy!"
The spell hit him in the back before he could dodge, and he was thrown off his feet. His head hit the pavement, and things went fuzzy. Before he passed out fully, he heard a voice say, "Take him," before things went black.
Alright, chapter two is done! Tonight is my last night at the beach, so I thought I'd finish it off with another chapter. Good thing too, the wifi here sucks with so many people connected, and my room is literally next to the router!
In all seriousness, I'd like to once again thank DemiGardess for the cover art they made. It really looks good!
I decided that the Hellsing Mansion from Hellsing would be a good house for Selim to live in back in Amestris. I just need to decide whether it's inside the city or on the outskirts of it.
I've seen several stories where Selim and Elicia are friends or a couple after the Promised Day. They don't bother me, but there is something that nobody seems to have addressed.
Elicia is three during the events of Fullmetal Alchemist, or maybe four towards the Promised Day. Meaning that at the end of the series, she's about five or six when we see her while Gracia is speaking to Alphonse. Not that the age gap is too large, mind you, and Selim considers his physical age to be is actual age post-Promised Day, but I just don't see it happening.
I figured that the Hughes would have been informed of what happened on the Promised Day to a greater extent than the general population due to Maes Hughes being killed to conceal it, and Mustang, Edward, and Alphonse being involved in the final battle. They certainly seemed to know that Al was bound to the suit by the 'two years later' part of the story.
Thanks for reading, leave a review or PM on what you think of the chapter and story, and I'll see you in the next chapter!