Ed squinted against the light, "About time. What kept you so long? Don't you know that's no way to treat a guest?" Through his eyelashes Ed could make out a dark figure.

"We were making preparations for you." The voice that came from the figure was deep and gravely, almost distorted. "Now, before we begin, what's your name young alchemist?"

They don't know who I am? They just kidnapped some random person that they didn't know anything about? "What do you mean 'what's your name?', are you telling me you just kidnapped me for the hell of it?"

The figure tilted its head to the side, "Oh no, we selected you. We saw you do some alchemy on the street and decided to pursue you. And as you were running from us you performed some really spectacular alchemy, it was so kind of you to show off your skills for us, but I feel that you have so much more potential."

Ed's vision was beginning to return but he still couldn't make out much of the figure, they were standing behind the spotlight so only a dark, broad outline could be seen. "Selected me for what, exactly?"

"Why, to join our organization of course!" The figure spread its arms wide in what Ed was sure was supposed to be a welcoming gesture, but it looked more like they were getting ready to strangle him to Ed.

"No thank you. From my experience any 'organization' that makes a habit of kidnapping strangers off the street is one to be avoided." Ed rolled his eyes and shifted in his chair. "So you got my answer, how about you undo these straps now and let me be on my way?"

"Oh I'm afraid you know I can't do that." Ed would see white teeth penetrate the darkness as the kidnapper smiled. "A shame, won't you even let me explain what our organization does before you deny my generous offer?"

"Sorry, but I'm already a part of a corrupted and mildly terrifying 'organization'. Now I'd love to stay but my schedule is simply booked. You know how it is, little children to kidnap, people to frighten, so much to do so little time!"

The smile widened and Ed could feel the vicious glare that accompanied it. "I'm afraid I still can't let you go little alchemist, no matter how packed your schedule."

"Don't call me little," Ed mumbled. "I suppose we'll have to do this the hard way, huh! I'll get out of here sooner or later, then maybe we'll see how much you like being strapped to a chair."

The figure laughed and it sent chills down Ed's spine. The laugh was metallic and gurgled, it sounded like they were laughing through a sheet of metal or plastic.

"You have spunk kid, I can appreciate that. It's a shame you won't join us of your own free will." The figure stopped smiling and took a step closer. "Now, I'll ask you again before I get more...persuasive. What is your name?"

"Alright fine. My name is Edward-" Wait, if he really doesn't know who I am, that'll make Al all the safer. Keeping my identity hidden might be beneficial. "...Rockbell."

Ed blushed but tried to hide it by looking irritated, of all the last names that one had to be the first to pop into my head?

"Alright then, Edward." The figure pulled up a chair that Ed hadn't seen in the shadows. "I'm going to ask you some questions, and it's very important that you answer them all truthfully, or your armored companion upstairs could be in some serious trouble."

Ed clenched his fist in anger, if you so much as scratch him you're dead buddy. "Fine."

"Where are your parents?"

Ed was taken aback. That was not a question he was expecting. "They're both dead."

"How'd they die?"

"Why do you care?" Ed spat.

"That is none of your concern." He turned around in the chair and looked at someone out of sight, "Take off one of the armor boy's hands and put it in the furnace."

"Don't you dare!" Ed yelled, "You touch him and you're a dead man!"

"Hm," he turned to face Ed again, "Interesting. On second thought, take both his hands."

Ed was shaking. Musuke's words came back to him, he couldn't reveal that he cared about Al or they'd take more than his hands. "He's my best work! Why would you want to destroy such a great piece of alchemy? Isn't that why you brought me here in the first place? To see my 'potential' as an alchemist? Wouldn't you want to know how he was made?" I'm so sorry Al.

"He is spectacular, I've never seen a soul bonded so perfectly to an object before. You have quite the talent, Edward."

Ed raised his eyebrows. "So you know what he is. That must mean you're an alchemist too."

"Correct. You're a sharp kid."

Ed smirked, "I get it now, you took me here because you wanted to learn from me. You probably saw me transmute without a circle and you want me to teach you, that's also how you knew to remove my arm before tying me up."

"Correct again. Very perceptive, I'm impressed. Will you teach us freely now, or will you continue to resist?"

"Sorry pops, but even if I wanted to I couldn't teach you how to transmute without a circle. It's not something you can learn through practice." Ed tried to turn his left hand so he could scratch a circle into the chair.

"Oh no you don't you runt," The figure dashed into the light and grabbed Ed's wrist. He yelled out in pain and surprise as fingernails ripped into his skin. "You're not going to draw a transmutation circle."

Ed screamed as the nails dug deeper into his flesh and he heard several cracks.

"There, you won't be drawing anything with that hand for a long while now."

Ed hung his head and panted. His hand was throbbing and he couldn't move his fingers at all. He broke my fingers, broke all of them. Fighting back the pain he grimaced and looked up, his attacker had finally moved into the light, Ed's eyes widened.

"Not what you expected?" The bottom half of his face was red and oozing clear liquids and was covered with different sized sheets of rusted metal, including one that covered his mouth that had hundreds of small holes drilled through it. His skin was puckered and growing over the metal which only made the sight worse. The rest of his face was heavily scarred, and the only thing left untouched were his golden eyes. "Your fancy automail arm doesn't seem so bad now, I bet."

"What…" Ed couldn't even speak, who was this guy? Some veteran of the Civil War? "Who…?"

"What happened? If you cooperate I might just answer that question." He walked back into the dark and sat in his chair. "As for who, I suppose it's only fair since you gave me your name that I give you mine. My name is Vidal Kashani."

"Vidal huh? Interesting name." Ed clenched his jaw in pain.

"Thank you, my Brothers here gave it to me." Vidal tilted his head, "That hand has to be hurting you. You know, there's a Brother here who can heal that for you. If you cooperate that is."

"There's someone who can do human transmutation here?!" Ed grinned, this was perfect. "I've been looking for someone like that for a long time now."

"And we've been looking for someone like you. So how about it Edward, would you like to make an equivalent exchange?"