Quenched by the Red Water Alchemist

Chapter Four – The Meeting of Equals

The train came to a quick stop as it finally reached its destination, that destination being Dublith Train Station. Colonel Mustang had been trying to get a good rest in before heading out into this deep chaos but sadly it had been a terrible ride there. Not only had he had a bad nap, but he had been also thrown from his seat due to the hard stop. He let a small curse slip from his mouth as he rubbed the newly formed bruise in his lower back.

"How was your nap Colonel?"

Mustang raised his heavy head to find his Lieutenant looking down at him. She looked like she hadn't been asleep at all and her guns in her hand looked polished and fully loaded.

"Crappy…but apparently the seats were good enough for Havoc…"

Havoc was leaning against the window snoring away. He must've been in a deep sleep because he even had drool escaping from his open mouth.

"Well, I'll go ahead and step outside. Could you do me a favor and wake up the slacker? Oh and tell him to wipe his mouth when he wakes up?"

Hawkeye sighed and glared over at him. She hated the fact that they were in public because if they weren't she could just shoot in the air and he would get up instantly. "Yes sir…"

With a small nod, Mustang he slipped his gloves and State Alchemist pocket watch in his pocket and left the cart. When he opened the door he felt the coldness of the night. It sent shivers down his spine. Or so he thought it was because of the cold. The shivers had been caused by something else and when he turned around he knew why.

"So, we meet at last...Colonel Roy Mustang."

Approaching him was a young (and attractive) woman who was wearing an Amestris military Uniform and clipped to her pants a State Alchemist watch. She was also being followed by two lower rank soldiers who were also armed.

"Hello, you must be the Colonel in charge here in Dublith. Might I ask your name?" Mustang was trying to sound professional but really he thought that he sounded like a fool.

"My name is Colonel Lizarre Lanfolle. I'm more known as the Freezing Water Alchemist. I've heard of you Colonel. You have many titles like Hero of the Ishbal Rebellion and the Flame Alchemist."

The Colonel flinched as Lanfolle smirked and crossed her arms. It looked like she was disgusted with him. Did this woman have a grudge with him just because of the many names he had?

"Freezing Rain?" His mind instantly drew a blank. What if him and this woman were to get into a full out battle? Everyone told him that he was…useless when wet. He began to panic and his face turned red. At least Fullmetal didn't have that problem…but he wouldn't want Fullmetal to come save him anyway. It would show a sign of weakness.

"Yes, now what brings you to Dublith?" as she asked Hawkeye and a dazed Havoc appeared beside him. "Oh, Colonel Lanfolle, this is Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye and Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc. We're here to help investigate the red liquid and strange illnesses spreading in Dublith."

Hawkeye noticed Lanfolle tense and an aggressive and stressed smirk fall on her face. This woman was not on their side but she wasn't against them either. She was jealous of the Colonel and she didn't like that.

"Is there something wrong Colonel Lanfolle?" Mustang gasped and looked over at her. It wasn't like her to just speak like that suddenly. There was something wrong.

"No noting is wrong Lieutenant…c-come! Let us go to the Headquarters and talk there. We can start our investigation there."

Havoc rubbed his eyes and noticed that the group was about to leave him behind. Scurrying awake he quickly ran and tried to catch up with them as they walked the streets of Dublith.

~ Train Going to Dublith ~

Edward's eyes opened slowly as he heard Izumi and Alphonse talking. Had he fallen asleep again? He closed his eyes once more and listened in to their conversation.

"….almost lost him." That was Alphonse's voice.

"Really, I know that that must've been very hard for the both of you."

"It was…I hate that he had to go through all of it. I suffered a lot and there's no telling how much Brother had to go through."

Edward felt his body twitch and Alphonse and Izumi stopped talking. He then felt a nice warm blanket wrap around him. That had to have been Alphonse, always helping him out. He relaxed and slightly opened his eyes. They still could tell that he was aware that they were having a conversation.

"Venllie changed a lot in his life. Yeah, the girl was bipolar and she had been deceived. But when Ed really thought that we had said all those terrible things, she was there for him. I think that the tough act was all play and she didn't know how to act around him. And then...when she died...all of her feelings came out. That stone though...it was so weird...it was like it was a Philosopher's Stone."

Alphonse stopped talking, noticing that Izumi was stunted. A stone...turned her into a h-human?!"

Edward closed his eyes trying not to make tears as the evil memory played in his mind.

She had her strong hands gripped around his throat and he was about to fall unconscious. But suddenly, he heard screaming.

"We have no choice! Do it know Alphonse! Hawkeye and I have your back." Without another moment to lose he dashed at the girl and punched her hard in her face causing her to slam into the ground. Mustang snapped his fingers and created a fire barrier around the Transmutation circle.

"D-damn it! I'm so sick of all of you!" Venllie screamed. She threw out her hands and gripped Edward by his braid as he was still trying to catch his breath.

"Do it brother! NOW!" he screamed. Venllie gasped, that Emerald necklace was attached to her foot. And somehow...it was keeping her still. Panicking, Edward didn't notice that she wasn't able to move and pulled out his Auto-mail Blade. "STOP! NOOOO!"

SLICE!

Edward's eyes shot open and screamed with sweat pouring down his face. This time, Izumi and Alphonse were no longer talking. They were looking straight at him. He turned to the sky which had suddenly changed a different color. He had fallen asleep once more.

"Brother! Are you alright?" Alphonse leaned over and checked on him but he was unresponsive. He only stared at his shaking hands. "I couldn't save her Al..." he curled up in a ball.

Izumi starred at him. She just had to get him back to normal...for Alphonse's sake. He needed a strong brother. Because if he didn't have one how would he forget about being trapped in a hallow shell? How would he ever laugh again? How would they get their bodies back?

The train's whistle went off causing the brothers to flinch and look out the window. They had finally made it to Dublith. But sadly, they didn't know about the strange illness and red water was causing chaos in there.

~ Dublith (?) ~

The man grinned as he saw yet another train arrive at the station. He was wearing his long white coat and hiding his face with the local newspaper and sunglasses early in the morning.

"Good they must be here. I guess it's time to start the second plan." The man told himself. He was feeling quite lonely, so he figured that he could have a conversation with himself. Besides, there was no one there to call him crazy so why would he care anyway?

He saw the doors open and the Elric Brothers and their teacher exit. They all looked exhausted and ready to go to sleep and before that have a good meal.

"Hey, you're him right?" Looking over he saw an attractive young woman approaching him. But he knew it was a trick.

"Maybe I am...maybe I'm not! You sure are looking beautiful this morning. Why change into a girl?"

The girl smirked, "Well, maybe I'm going for a more pretty look~! Mind if I stay this way?" she asked.

"Sure, as long as you don't hit on me..." he folded his newspaper and threw it onto the nearest bench.

The two both kept their eyes on the Elric Brothers as they passed them. "Well, what do ya know? Master was right. They are here after all. Let's go kill 'em Ren!"

The guy named "Ren" shook his head and told the "girl" to wait.

"No, I like to play with my food and make everything messy before I eat."


Alright so everyone is together in Dublith but they don't know it! Plus, I added a little humor this time! Yeah! Thank you all for everything including the sickness issue! I'm almost over it! ^.^ So, this weekend I'm going to Comic con and I'm so excited plus we don't have school today! That means more typing! So anyway, Chapter 5 will be coming soon!

To Be Continued...

Kok0roxGuardian