"Just a little more," Ash thought trying to unlock the cuffs on his wrists.
There was a click and the cuffs fell to the floor. "Ha, that was easy."
Ash walked over to the door and reached out of the handle. The door swung open and hit Ash. Ash stumbled backwards and groaned.
"Oh s-sorry!" Al said going over to Ash.
"Hey! How'd you get out?" Ed asked.
"I'm a thief for petes sake," Ash mumbled rubbing his forehead. "All thieves should know how to pick a simple cuff lock."
Ed frowned and closed the door. Al reached out to check Ash's forehead, but Ash swatted his hand away. "What do you two want?"
"To give you an option," Ed said. "Option 1. You can agree to help us out for a while or option 2, we can turn you in and you'll go to jail."
Ash stayed silent considering it. "What do you need help with?"
Ed smiled. "You'll be waking for us for six months. Longer maybe, depending on how well this goes."
"Fine," Ash mumbled.
"Good, now first we're going to have to change your outfit," Ed said tossing a bag to Ash. "Don't want you to be recognized.
Ash opened the bag and frowned. "I'm not wearing this, it's too outstandish. And there's nothing here to cover my head on the shirt."
"That's what the hat's for," Ed said. "Now hurry up and change."
Ed then left the room followed by Al. Ash sighed and slowly started changing. "Wonder who those two are anyways."
There was a thunk as ash's cloak hit the ground. Ash bent down and took the watch he stole earlier out of the cloak. His eyes widened slightly and he frowned.
"State Alchemists!" He thought setting the watch down. "I'm working for State Alchemists!"
Ash sighed and finished changing into the new outfit. The outfit consisted of a dull silver and white, horizontally stripped shirt, black pants, black boots and a black paperboy hat. Ash looked over at a nearby mirror and frowned.
"I look like a stupid tabby cat," Ash growled.
"Do you like it?" Al asked opening the door.
"No," Ash growled.
"Well, too bad, we've got nothing else for you," Ed said walking over to the clothes on the ground.
Ash glared at Ed but said nothing.
"What's your name?" Ed asked grabbing his watch and wallet.
"Ash," Ash mumbled.
Ed nodded and took something out of his pocket. He touched the small circle attached to the strip of leather and held it out to Ash.
"I-Is that a collar!" Ash yelled. "No way! I'm not wearing that!"
Ed sighed and swiftly put the collar around Ash's neck. He clapped his hands together and touched the clasps sealing it together. "There, now if you do run you'll be easier to spot."
Ash took a step away from Ed and pulled at the collar.
"You can't break it," Al said watching him. "Nothing can. Not even a bullet."
Ash frowned and stopped pulling. "Where to first?"
"First we have to report to Mustang," Ed said putting the clothes in a bag.
"Yeah, we have to tell him about our progress," Al said.
Ed nodded and headed towards the door. "Ash, don't pickpocket anyone while in the head quarters."
"That'll be hard," Ash mumbled following Ed.
"Please try not to," Al sighed following the two.