This is an action packed chapter! I figured the last few have been kind of dull, so here's a little treat!

My Misadventure in Alchemy

Chapter 7: An Episode and a Faux Edward

"Youswell!?"

I stared at the slip of paper that Colonel Mustang had just handed Ed, standing in the middle of his office as I reviewed a list of details for the mini mission 'Fullmetal' had just been sent on. I ran my finger along the small marker for railroad, noting how vacant the surrounding area was compared to this little town. Way out in the boondocks, eh?

"Correct, it's a mining town Fullmetal visited last year under similar conditions."

At this, Ed looked up, startled to hear the last bit of Mustang's sentence. Just what type of conditions was this place in? I sighed and looked over to Al, who always tagged along during assignments, only to see that he was shifting on the spot. I glanced back to Mustang, waiting for him to continue.

"We've received a few written and verbal complaints about the way the town is being run. We have to check it out, since you went last time and dealt with it in your usual fashion…"

I had come to know that meant 'expensively.'

"I figured I would assign this to you. I hear they like you out there, Fullmetal. They want an inspection as soon as possible, so you should catch the train right away."

I glanced at the clock, noting that it was already four in the afternoon. I looked back down at the map, noting the scale and measuring out. I sighed, turning back to Ed.

"You'll have to stop somewhere and stay the night."

"You mean 'we' will have to stop somewhere and stay the night. You're coming with us! You were assigned to us, you stay with us!"

Well, that caught me by surprise. Why couldn't I just stay in the dorms? Why couldn't I just hang around in the library and do more research? I felt like we were getting closer, and my recent triumph of actually transmuting something last week had only sparked an interest in alchemy. I had seen a volume on medicinal alchemy in the restricted section of the library and I was itching to get back in there to have a look. I was also running low on my medication, halving the doses to save it: I had to find a doctor and a pharmacist. I frowned, looking over to Ed.

"Why can't I stay here? I can stay in the dorms and check up with Mustang so he knows I haven't died or anything."

At this, Mustang gave a slight grin, looking me over. He lingered a little too long on my red hair and slim waist, then leered as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder, drawing me in close before speaking in such a sleazy, dirty manner that I felt like I needed a shower and a good brushing of my teeth.

"Of course she could stay! I'll make sure Miss Radcliff is safe!"

Ew! Dude, Mustang must be twice my age! And he's macking on me! I slipped out under his arm and walked towards the Elric brothers, positioning myself directly between them, catching each of their arms in mine and grinning.

"Actually, a road trip sounds fun! And I can always borrow some books and read while on the way there! Thanks anyways, Mustang! Toodles!"

And we left. Within twenty minutes, we were standing on the platform of the train station. I had never been on a train before, other then the transit trains back in Vancouver, which hardly count. As it turns out, it was pretty boring, and I ended up falling asleep. Four hours later I was being shaken awake, told we were stopping the night in a busy city that marked the halfway point. And so we stayed in a hotel with a bad view of the station and a cranky attendant.

The next morning we woke early, dressing and eating a hurried breakfast. Back to the train station. There I stood, Ed's suitcase at my feet, Ed snarling at the man behind the ticket counter and Al trying to make peace between the two. It sure was busy for nine o-clock in the morning! The station was bustling, practically swimming and swirling with movement. No, wait. That was me!

Oh no, not an episode! Not now, not here!

I gripped the straps of my backpack tight, noting how sweaty my palms were. I could feel the blood drain from my face and I knew that against my jeans and black Beatles t-shirt, which I somehow managed to salvage, I was deathly white. My heart pounded against my chest, fast and skipping beats, so irrational I felt as though someone was tapping out Morse code in my chest. I felt unbelievably warm, and then cold to the point of shivering, my temperature rising and dropping faster than a yo-yo. My mouth was dry and I was dizzy, the station twisting around me. I stumbled forward a few steps, speaking with a stutter.

"I-I'll be right b-back. I gotta g-go to the w-washroom!"

Ed nodded, waving me off over his shoulder and Al was struggling to get his wallet open with his huge fingers, so neither bothered to look at me. Thank goodness for that, I didn't want them to know, not quite yet at least. I had to admit, my pride kept me from telling people I may be in trouble. So I stumbled my way to the ladies' room, slipping in, praising whatever higher being that may have been listening at the time that it was empty. I leaned against the sink, turning the taps so that cold water rushed out like a fountain and dipped my hands under the faucet.

The icy water felt so good against my face and I gulped it down, trying to slow my breathing. I opened my backpack, digging around until I got to the very bottom, finding my spray pump of Nitro spray. I opened the cap, lifted my tongue and gave one spray. At once I felt tingling that spread from under my tongue across my body, to my head and down into my fingers and toes. I braced myself against the sink, listening to the sound of the rushing water, taking deep breaths and reciting all my favorite songs.

"'Let It Be,' 'Where'd You Go,' 'Dance With The Devil,' 'So Nice So Smart,' 'Loose Lips,' 'Misery Business…'"

At long last, I felt better. I wasn't sweaty, I cold breathe, I looked like a living creature and my heart had regulated itself. So I turned the tap off and grabbed my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder. I checked myself in the mirror, straightening my hair and wiping off the reminents of the episode. Satisfied, I grabbed my spray, slipping it into my back pocket and left. I was greeted by the bustling crowd and I couldn't see anything, not even the ticket booth where I had left Ed and Al.

I walked over to a nearby bench, stepping up onto it and trying to gaze over the crowd, but my height, or lack there of, barely made me the same height as most of the adults. Dammit, I hate being short! I sighed and jumped down off the bench, looking for a station master when I heard a shout of my name. When I turned, I saw Ed standing near a pillar, out of the crowd's way, waving me over. I sighed in relief and weaved my way through the crowd. At last I made it over to him and I grinned.

"There you are! The crowd's so thick in here, I thought I was going to have to send out a search party!"

Ed didn't give his usual grin, just simply turned on his heel and led me through the crowd at a pace that made it hard for me to keep up. He didn't speak, didn't return my joke, didn't laugh, he just stayed quiet. I ran to catch up and adjusted my bag and calling out to him when I realized our favorite armor-clad friend was nowhere in sight.

"Hey, where's Al? What's going on?"

Silence. Then I realized what direction we were walking in, towards a less densely populated area of the station, one that lead to vacant halls. What was happening, where were we going? I finally caught up to Ed, reaching out and grabbing his coat, effectively stopping him as we reached a silent hallway. He turned, grinning as he did so. That's when I knew. That wasn't his usual grin, it was much more sadistic! This person wasn't Edward Elric at all!

"What's wrong, Freddy? I thought you wanted to go on a road trip!"

The voice sounded the same as Ed's, but the tone was cold enough to chill bone. I slowly backed away, my eyes wide as I stared at the blond impersonator of my newfound friend. He walked towards me, his gloved hands reaching out and I spun around, springing into a run. I didn't make it very far.

I had taken seven steps, seven agonizing steps when I was caught by the backpack and dragged backwards. I wiggled my body, somehow managing to lose my backpack and I thought I was free when hands grasped my arms, crossing them over my chest and my back was pinned against my captor's torso, pulling me away from the main station. Fuck whatever pride I may have had before, I screamed.

"Ed! Al! Help, anyone please! Help! Ed! Edward! He-"

My words were cut off by bundle of cloth and the thick smell of chemicals made me start. I struggled harder, kicking and tugging at my arms to get them free. I could see the faux Edward leaning his head over me, eyes stern and lips drawn into a tight line as he pressed the cloth tighter over my mouth and nose, bits of gold hair coming loose from his braid.

"Shut up about that pipsqueak!"

My body was getting heavy, my arms and legs like bricks and I was having trouble coordinating my movements. Fog seeped its way into my mind and my eyelids began to fall closed of their own accord. I fought, realizing that I was dropped down to the ground, staring up at faux Edward as he stood over me, looking down at me.

His hair changed, to long green spikes, his face paled, his eyes cold and calculating. He grew taller, his lean torso covered by a black shirt that came halfway to his naval. A black cloth wrapped over black shorts, covering his waist and I noticed a red mark on his left thigh. A snake, chasing its own tail, with overlapping triangles in the center and wings centered above the figure. At his voice, so unlike Ed's, I gazed into dark eyes before slipping into darkness.

"Like killing two birds with one Philosopher's Stone!"

Okay, who can guess what Freddy's health problem is!? Once again, important for the next few chapters. I feel like Hansel and Grettal, dropping all these little clues for future chapters! Freddy, of course, doesn't know this, but her captor is Envy. Duh. Will update soon.