Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, the characters, the plot, or anything about it. Unfortuanately.

I am, however, while typing this up, watching the 2003 series on the DVDs I own. FTW! :D

Chapter Four: The Mining Town/ Be Thou For The People

The train rattled on the tracks, and Rachell sighed, head out the window, holding her stomach.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Vannia asked her, rubbing her friend's back.

Rachell groaned. "I guess. Ugh, I hate motion sickness." she complained, sitting back down on the street.

"So, why did we tag along with them?" her dark-haired friend asked, jabbing a thumb toward Edward and Alphonse, sitting a few rows down.

The brunette shrugged. "They know their way around better than we do. Not to mention," she shifted her weight around in the seat. "they have money, we don't."

"Hey, Vannia, Rachell. Come here." Edward told them, and they moved over to them.

"Yeah?" they sat down across from Ed.

"We're the only ones on board." Alphonse informed.

Edward sighed. "I had no idea it was this bad. This isn't exactly tourist country!" the blonde folded up the map he held. "The town on the Eastern Border."

"The Youswell coal mines."

Edward and Rachell looked around, confused.

"So… this is where we get coal?" Ed asked.

"The wild frontier, eh? You'd think a place like this would be a bit more lively." Rachell propped her hands behind her head.

Vannia and Alphonse walked up, also looking around.

"Everyone seems really tired." Vannia said, frowning.

A board hit Rachell on the back of her head, and she fell to the ground.

"Oops! Sorry about that!" a small boy apologized, then turned wide-eyed. "Hey!"

Rachell rubbed the back of her head, glaring. "Why you little…"

"You're from out of town, right? On a trip? Where you from? Need a meal? A place to stay?"

"Hold on… Well… Uh…" Rachell stuttered.

The boy turned. "DAD! We got customers!"

Rachell growled. "Listen to people when they talk to you!"

Edward helped Rachell up. "You okay?"

"Yeah…"

A strong, buffed up brunette man walked by, looking down at the boy. "What's that Khayal?"

The brunette kid pointed at Ed. "Customers! A piggy back!"

The man removed his mining hat. "You don't say…"

"Sorry about the dust."

The man- Halling- apologized, setting down two beers at a table full of coal miners.

"The mines don't pay very much, so we run this inn to get by."

His wife laughed as her husband and the miners argued. "So, there's four of you… you want one night's stay and two meals each?" she asked.

Rachell nodded. "How much?"

"What? You afraid you can't afford it?" Halling smirked.

Edward smiled. "Don't worry. I brought enough!"

"Two-hundred thousand."

Ed fell out of his chair, stunned frozen.

"TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND!" Rachell yelled. "What a rip off!"

"I said you might not be able to afford it." Halling sighed. "We don't get too many customers, so when we do, we make sure we get a good sum."

Edward held up his hand. "Forget it! We'll go somewhere else!"

Khayal sighed, then laughed. "The prices are the same everywhere else."

Edward, Alphonse, Rachell and Vannia sat down, whispering in a hush voice. "I guess," Ed started. "the only thing we can do is use alchemy to turn pebbles into gold."

Vannia and Alphonse looked to him. "You know it's forbidden by the State to make gold!"

"If we don't get caught… We won't get caught!" Rachell laughed manically.

"You're evil!"

They looked over to see Khayal eying them. "Dad! This guy's an alchemist!"

Halling stared. "Are you serious?"

Edward clapped his hands together and put them on a nearby broken pickaxe. It exploded with light, then there was a crack as it was put back together. The blonde smiled proudly.

"This is great! Our first real customer in ages is an alchemist!" Halling exclaimed, putting food in front of Rachell, Vannia and Edward. "I use to dabble a little bit myself. But I didn't really have the talent, so I gave up."

Rachell smiled. "I'm not an alchemist, though I'm not sure if I have the talent or not. We started traveling with these two in Liore. We're headed to Central." she pointed at Vannia the entire time.

"I'll give your buddy here a half-off discount, then!" the man laughed.

"That's still a lot…" Rachell sweat dropped.

Halling chuckled. "By the way, I didn't catch y'all's names."

"Hmm? Oh! I'm Rachell Jennings."

"Vannia Torres. We're from the South."

Edward looked hungrily at the food. "Edward Elric."

Halling swiped the food from the three. "Elric… The State Alchemist Elric?"

"Uh… Sort of…"

They had their drinks swiped too. "Hey! What's the big deal!" Rachell yelled, when Halling lifted her, Ed, Al and Vannia up, chunking them outside.

"Get lost! We don't have lodging for dogs of the military!"

Vannia and Alphonse raised their hands. "We're civilians! We're not state anything's!"

"You traitors!" Ed and Rachell yelled as they went back inside.

"State Alchemists are too popular here, are they?" Vannia asked Khayal, sitting at the same table with him and Alphonse.

"Of course!" Khayal frowned. "Everyone around here hates soldiers. This town's under the authority of Lieutenant Yoki, but all he cares about is making money!"

A few coal miners glared at their beers around the room. "I hear he spends it all on bribes to his superiors back in Central City. He even bought his way to being a Lieutenant."

"So this place is…" Vannia started.

Khayal glared at the tabletop. "Yup, this is Yoki's private property. The rat owns everything in this town! We don't get enough to get by!"

"It sucks, huh?" Al asked.

"Yeah, then there's the State Alchemists." Halling wrinkled his nose. "Alchemists work for the people. I can never forgive people who sell their souls to the military state."

"So… you're not an alchemist?" Edward asked, laying back and staring at the sky.

Rachell shook her head. "No, actually, not sure. I've never really tried. To be honest, I'm seriously doubtful I can." she looked at her rings on the chain around her neck. "I'm a major screw up, never really been able to do anything right. If I tried alchemist, I'd probably make stuff a lot worse."

Ed looked to her.

"I mean, I couldn't even fall in love with the first person I ever dated. I'm some kind of reject or something, like I'm supposed to be a screw up." the brunette sighed. "Adding alchemy to the equation would make it all fall apart."

The blonde sat up. "Hey, why don't I help you? Maybe if I give you some pointers, you'll be able to pull it off."

Rachell looked over. "You'd do that for someone you don't even know?"

"Well, you'll be stuck with us for a while, and I don't mind." Ed smiled. "You and your friend seem to know a lot about alchemy, though."

"Oh, I don't know why that is…"

"Hey Brother, Rachell."

The two looked over to see Al and Vannia, each holding a plate of food.

"We snuck it out." they said.

Rachell and Edward smile, then took the trays, licking their lips.

"They really hate the military here." Vannia told the brunette and blonde. "And they think State Alchemists are dogs of the military."

"Dogs of the military, huh?" Rachell asked.

Ed looked at his drink. "I'm not sure how to respond to that."

"OUT OF THE WAY! WE'RE COMING IN!"

The four looked to the door as a group of soldiers entered the inn. "Oh shit." Rachell cursed, opening the nearby window, sneaking in with Edward and Vannia following.

"Place looks filthy as ever, Halling." a man with a small handkerchief up to his mouth said, glaring at Halling.

The inn owner stood behind the bar, glaring right back. "Well, Lieutenant. What brings you to this shabby place?"

"Enough small talk. You're late on your taxes- just about everyone here is, too."

"I'm very sorry," Halling sounded sarcastic. "but we're barely getting by as it is."

The Lieutenant looked around. "You can still afford to sell alcohol. I guess I can lower your salary some more…"

"YOU BETTER BE JOKING!" Khayal yelled, throwing the dirty dishcloth he held at the man. It hit his face dead on.

The next thing that happened made everyone gasp. The man backhanded Khayal, making him fall to the ground. "I won't hold back just because he's a child. Let this be a warning."

One of his men raised a sword, bringing it down on Ed's right arm. Rachell helped up Khayal, smirking at the Lieutenant.

"Where did these kids come from?"

Ed drank his tea, and Rachell stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Just a couple of kids passing through." she said.

The man regained his composure. "This is none of your business! Stay out!"

Edward dug in his right pocket. "Well, I heard the Lieutenant was gonna be here." he produced a watch. "So I decided to say hello."

"Eh?" the man looked at it. "A silver watch with the president's crest and hexagram?"

"Who are these brats!"

"You IDIOT!" the man smiled at Ed and Rachell. "I'm sorry if my subordinate were impolite. My name is Yoki and I'm in charge of this town. You two must stay at my lovely house! It's so unfit for you to stay at this pig pen."

"Seems right! The owner's too cheap to let us stay here!" Rachell exclaimed, smiling.

Edward and Rachell walked out the door, and Yoki turned back to the inn. "Listen up! I'm going to make you low-lives pay every penny you owe me!"

And the door slammed closed.

Rachell inspected the food on her plate. "You… you eat well."

"Although the town seems less fortunate." Edward supplied, taking a small bite of his meat.

Yoki smiled at the two. "I'm embarrassed to say it takes us a long time to collect taxes. Plus, there are many thugs, like the one's from earlier."

"The people pat you taxes, because you own the place." Rachell took a large bite. "That's how it works, right?"

"Seems you see matters clearly, Rachell." Yoki complemented. "And you don't even work for the State, do you?"

"No sir." Rachell told him. "Edward's teaching me alchemy while I'm traveling with him. I know enough, however, to know the way of the world is Equivalent Exchange. You can't have rights without civil duty."

"So true!" Yoki complemented again. "Well spoken." he jingled a bell. "So that means your mentor would accept this as the way of the world?"

Another solider put a small plate with an even smaller bag on it by Ed. "You must have influences on higher ups, yes? Please accept this as a token of gratitude."

Edward picked it up. "This is what one would call a bribe, no?"

"It's gratitude. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as an official for such a shabby town. You understand, correct?"

Edward and Rachell exchanged a glance. "Of course sir. We understand completely." Rachell told him, standing. "We should head to bed now."

"Oh, of course. Please have a good night's sleep."

"Thank you." Edward said, as they followed two other soldiers.

"Burn it down." she heard. Rachell sent a cold glare to Yoki as she headed down the hallway.

The next morning, Rachell and Edward looked at an empty plot of land where the inn used to sit.

"Dammit."

"Last night, I saw some of Yoki's underlings hanging around." Khayal admitted. "The reason Dad wanted to learn alchemy was to save this town." he looked up at Rachell and Edward. "Hey, Ed, you're good enough to create gold, right? Or Rachell, you must be a good alchemist too! Can't you just make some real quick?"

"No." Ed said, looking down and closing his gold eyes. "The foundation of alchemy is Equivalent Exchange. Why would I give you free money?"

Khayal grabbed Ed's shirt collar. "You call yourself an alchemist?"

Rachell looked up. "Be thou for the people, but if we did make you money, Yoki would just take it up in taxes anyway."

Ed got Khayal off. "If you're that desperate, then leave town and find another job."

"Kids, I know you won't understand, but the mines are our homes and our graves." Halling told them.

Rachell turned and followed as Edward took off. "Hey! Ed! Hold on!"

Vannia and Alphonse weren't too far behind. "Are you really going to abandon them?" Vannia asked.

"How much do you think is in here?" Ed asked, looking at a mine cart and ignoring the question.

"One ton, maybe two. Why?" Rachell asked as Ed climbed up to stand on it.

"I'm about to do something slightly illegal, so just look away for a moment." Ed told them, looking at the coal leftovers from the mines.

"What? You want us to be accomplices?" Vannia asked, shocked.

"Huh? You guys won't."

Rachell climbed up to where Ed stood, looking down as well.

"You're going to do it, even if we say no, right?" Vannia asked again.

"Ah." Rachell winked. "If we don't get caught, we won't get caught."

Ed clapped and put his hands on the rocks, a flash of light and a boom accompanying it.

"Man, oh man." Al complained. "Aren't you supposed to set an example for me?"

"My lord…"

Edward, Rachell, Vannia and Alphonse smiled at Yoki, piles of gold bars behind them.

"Now…" Rachell said, crossing her arms over her chest. "We'd like you to sell us the rights to the coal mines."

Yoki was at a loss for words.

"It's not enough?"

He shook his head. "P-Please don't be absurd!" he told them. "With this much gold…" he looked to Ed. "And also, um, if you don't mind…."

Edward grinned. "Of course! I'll put in a good word with my superiors!"

"Oh thank you dear alchemists!" Yoki shook Rachell and Ed's hands.

"But!" Rachell started. "Making gold is illegal, so for us to not get caught, you have to write a document saying the rights were transferred free of charge."

"Oh! I wouldn't mind at all! Let's go do the paperwork right away!"

"Why not!"

Khayal slammed a hand down on a barrel, glaring at his father. "Why can't we do it!"

"Because I said so." Halling said. "I won't allow a raid."

"Even if your against it, chief, I'm still going."

"Yeah, I've had enough."

"Even if we fail, I'm gonna punch that rotten Yoki in the face at least once!"

Halling shook his head. "No, I can't allow all of you to become criminals!"

"But-"

The door slammed open, and Rachell waved happily. "Hi everybody! What a lot of gloomy faces! You're looking cheerful today!" she sing songed.

The inn glared. Khayal pointed at Ed. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey! Hey!" Rachell shook her head. "Should you be speaking to the new proprietor of this joint like that?"

"Huh?"

Edward put the deed in their faces. "From this moment on, this coal mine belongs to me!"

"NO WAY!"

"Believe it!" Rachell smirked. "But we're just a couple of vagabonds going from place to place."

Vannia scratched her head. "These documents will just be in the way, so…"

"You're going to sell it to us." Halling growled. "How much?"

Edward smirked. "What, afraid you can't afford it?" he asked. "If you want something, you have to pay the price."

"After all," the brunette said. "this deed is printed on high quality goat skin parchment, stamped with a goal seal. Not only that, but in a spectacular feat of craftsmanship, the deposit box is inlaid with powered jade." she looked at it all. "This is the work of a true artist! And hey! The key is made of real silver!"

"Well, this is just a layman's opinion, but taking this all into account…" Ed started.

"How about the price of one night's stay and two meals for four at your place?" Rachell winked. "Would that be fair, chief?"

Halling started to laugh. "You're right! That's expensive!" he slammed his hand down on the barrel. "I'll buy it!"

"SOLD!"

The entire inn exploded into cheers when the door opened. "Mr. Alchemist! What is the meaning of this?"

Rachell looked over "We just sold the deed to the mine to the chief here." she said, smiling.

"Wha-" Yoki shook his head. "No! The gold you gave me all turned to rocks!"

"Gold bars?" Rachell asked. "You gave us the deed free of charge! It says so right here!"

Yoki, angry, shook his head. "That deal is void!" he pointed at them. "Get that brat and his slutty girlfriend!"

Rachell ran up, punching the guards in the face, drop kicking him in one swift movement. "YOU CALL ME A SLUT, SKANK, WHORE, OR HOE ANYMORE, THERE WILL BE BLOOD SHED, YA HEAR? DO I LOOK LIKE ONE, HUH?" she held Yoki by the collar.

"N-No, ma'am." he shivered.

The brunette threw him down. "By the way, Ed here will make sure to tell his higher-ups of your corruption and incompetence, too." she smiled. "So please look forward to it."

The inn erupted into cheers and yells again, many coal miners patting Rachell and Ed on the back. "ALL RIGHT! WE DID IT! BRING OUT THE BOOZE!"

Halling brought all the beers, and many miners began to shove some at Rachell. "Don't give alcohol to minors!"

Khayal smiled.

"Maybe they haven't sold their souls after all."

I had a Naruto moment ^^

BELIEVE IT! :D

So, the reason I posted four chapters all at once was because I have four typed up... 5 through 15 are still down on paper in this silly folder I own ^^ Wee for fandom

Thanks for reading! :3