MacBradley (a Fullmetal Alchemist style Parody of William Shakespeare's Macbeth)

Act 1, Scenes 4 and 5

New characters featured in this chapter:

Lady Macbeth: Mei Chang, an alchemist from Xing. For the sake of this story, she is several years older than she is in her series.

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist was (and is still being) written by Hiromu Arakawa. Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. I am neither of those people.

At Central, Fuhrer Russell witnessed the hanging of the Thane of Cawdor. He turned away in shame, muttering, "That's a shame. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust."

He then walked over to where Bradley, Hughes, and Roy were waiting. He first greeted Bradley, saying, "Great thanks to you for killing the rebel, Scar. I can't thank you enough for doing so, in fact. All the thanks I can give is less than you deserve."

"No need for that," Bradley said. "It is the pleasure of serving you that pays itself. In fact, I owe it to you to serve you, dear Fuhrer."

Fuhrer Russell nodded, and then he turned to Hughes. "You deserve nothing less of the thanks that Bradley deserves."

Hughes, having read the entire script beforehand, stated, "What Bradley said. If I bear fruit, duty states that it belongs to you."

Fuhrer Russell nodded again. He then turned to everyone gathered and stated, "At this time, I'd like to settle the case of who will inherit the rank of Fuhrer should I unexpectedly leave office. I have officially decided that my heir shall be none other than Roy Mustang." He removed a small, gold ring from his finger and placed it on Roy's.

"Thank you, sir," Roy said, bowing respectfully.

The Fuhrer has chosen an heir! Bradley thought. This is an obstacle I must get past. But nobody had better find out about my desires, or else I'm ruined.

"To the banquet with all of us then," Russell stated, and everyone went off to the banquet hall.

Back in East City, Mei Chang received the letter from Bradley. She read it quickly and quietly, and as she learned of what the 'witches' had promised him, she thought, So, the position of Fuhrer is promised to him. I fear his nature, though. He has only killed on the battlefield. What if he doesn't want to kill Fuhrer Russell? I'll just have to help him do it then.

A messenger arrived panting and called to her, "Lady Mei, the Thane is returning home soon and wished that I would come ahead and let you know."

"Thank you!" Mei called back as the messenger left. She then thought, Alright, then. Come, spirits, fill me with cruelty so that I won't hold back in my plan to help King obtain the Fuhrer position. Come, darkness, hide all visible evidence of the knife hitting its mark.

Several hours later, Bradley arrived home on horseback. Mei ran down to meet him, and they embraced quietly. Bradley informed his wife, "Fuhrer Russell comes tonight."

"And how long does he plan on staying, my dear Glamis and Cawdor?" Mei replied.

"He leaves in the morning."

"So he thinks," she whispered back so that no one else could hear. When Bradley's eyes widened, she smiled. "Just leave everything to me. Be like a snake poised to strike, but look like an innocent flower."

"So you like to paraphrase too, huh?" Bradley muttered back.

"Hey, I haven't heard you use a single original line either."

Bradley looked around, and then replied, "We will speak further."

"That's more like it," Mei said, smiling a slightly evil smile. "As I said, leave everything to me."