Well, here's the alchemy battle we've all been waiting for! :)


Chapter Seven

The sun shone brightly; bringing out the green in the grass, and Al smiled, touching the ground lightly. Perfect conditions.

Someone clapped him on the shoulder, and he stumbled, glancing around to see Major Havoc grinning at him. "Hey there, Alphonse. Sorry we haven't had much time to chat lately. Things have been hella crazy around here."

"No kidding." Al stood, paying Havoc back by nudging him hard in the ribs.

"Damn," Havoc wheezed. "Where'd you get such bony elbows, kid?"

"Well," Rebecca countered next to him, "How did you get so weak? Honestly," she rolled her eyes. "Here I think I've found a good man and he's incapacitated by an elbow." She snorted. Both were still in uniform, although Rebecca's jacket was open, revealing her black shirt underneath.

"You guys here for the entertainment?" Al asked, walking swiftly back to the sidelines with them.

Havoc shrugged. "I was there when the chief fought Mustang. I gotta see this."

Al laughed again. "Well, you'll be seeing two different types of alchemy. Jia is more familiar with her countries' alchemy than our own. See if you can spot the differences."

Rebecca eyed Ed standing over by Winry, who was sitting down and laughing at something he was saying. "No chance he'll be taking his shirt off, is there?" She asked wistfully.

Havoc pretended to look hurt.

Rebecca rolled her eyes again. "As if you won't want to see Winry without her shirt on?"

Before Havoc could answer, a slight commotion down the way caught their attention. Jia stood with Mei (who seemed hard pressed to stop herself from smiling) and the young Ishvalan boy Scar had brought with him- Fuwaad, Al thought it was. Scar was standing a little off to the side looking, to Al's complete amazement, slightly embarrassed.

Fuwaad was talking in a slightly raised voice. "It is your choice if you wish to engage in such sinful acts, I cannot stop you! I only wished to question-"

"Because you are so wise?" Jia raised her eyebrows, hands on her hips, seeming to have forgotten the guards and ambassadors at her sides. "Perhaps your doings are a sin to me! You may as well call mechanics or medicine evil because that goes against god's plan, correct? So I suppose that means we are to bleed and die rather than help our bodies!"

Fuwaad scowled, as all around people turned to watch, interested. "That is completely different! With medicine you are using God's ideals to heal! With alchemy you are deliberately changing-"

"Alchemy is a scientific art that furthers the world!" Jia stood proudly, more passionate than Al had seen her lately, and he smiled, covering the grin behind his hand. That was the Jia he knew. Not the face she put forward to avoid scandal; but stubborn, proud, and ready to stand for what she believed in. "Like anything powerful, in the wrong hands it is bad, but it is no more evil than you are! Just as you or I are not evil merely because of our abilities or culture!"

Fuwaad's face went slack, mouth hanging open.

"You…" A Xingese ambassador, recovering from shock at her outburst, stepped forward angrily. "You will treat the Lady Jia with proper respect!"

"Respect?" Fuwaad clenched his fist, but froze as several Xingian men- with very long swords- stepped in front and around her. He blinked, and Al saw Jia sigh.

Ling stood, speaking in a deeper, regal voice, that Al sometimes had trouble recognizing as his. "Stand down. The boy was merely caught in a heated moment. My wife to be is quite fiery." He smiled, and the crowd laughed, the men with swords drawing back. "I believe we were about to see a wondrous match of skills, yes?" He settled back into his seat. Jia, her expression in check now, walked onto the field, completely ignoring Fuwaad.

Ed was waiting for her, and Al jogged out a little toward them, stopping several feet away. He raised his hand, and both tensed, ready for the fight. Jia drew her knives; they were a little longer than Mei's, with a dragon carved on the hilts.

"Go!" Al shouted, and he couldn't help but smirk at the memory of Maes Hughes doing what he was; running for dear life.

He turned around just in time to see Ed jump backward and to the side, clapping his hands together and into the dirt, creating a giant fist that sprung out from the ground, missing Jia by inches. Jia threw her knives at the ground, creating spikes that followed Ed as he ran, grinning.

"Trying to give me a closer shave?" he called, clapping his hands together again, sliding them along the ground, drawing up the thick rope he'd created, swinging it over his shoulder.

Jia scowled, but did not answer, as Ed slammed his hands to the ground again, a wave of earth was created behind her, sending her flying forward, skidding along her knees in the dirt. Coughing in the dust, Al saw her look around quickly, and jumped back as Ed appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She threw her knives to the ground, and a wall built up between them. Al winced as Ed ran headfirst into that wall, and stepped back, momentarily dazed. However, as Jia rounded the other side of the wall, Ed regained his wits and drew the rope, jumping up, pushing off using the wall, dangling the rope down; Jia grunted as the rope hit her abdomen, and Ed dropped, twisting it around her before she could blink. She fell back against the wall, and Ed grinned in front of her.

"Don't be cocky," she said, and Al frowned as the wall exploded.

"How'd she do that?" Havoc asked as Ed and Jia continued to fight.

"Drew a transmutation circle with her finger, I think." Al stood on tip toe to try and see through the dust that had risen again.

This time it was Jia that appeared behind Ed, striking him once in the neck, another time in the stomach, and Ed collapsed, his eyes flicking around wildly, apparently unable to see.

"She blinded him?" Havoc gaped, and Rebecca gave a low whistle.

Mei, at Al's side, nodded in approval. "Good girl."

After a moment, Ed rolled to the side just as the ground formed to make a trap. He got to his feet, no longer looking wildly around. For several moments, there was absolute stillness. Jia threw her knives again, and Ed still did not move; as Jia stepped to the side his head flicked toward her, and he slammed his palms to the ground.

For a moment, Al had a very strong feeling of Deja vu, as a dome rose out of the ground, encasing a very startled Jia. A deep crevice was cut into the ground around the dome, and Ed kneeled on the ground, waiting once again. He shook his head a few times, and Al knew that his vision would be starting to return. Mei would have been able to blind Ed permanently if she wanted to, but Jia had not yet been taught how to maintain such a feat.

The right part of the dome blew up, and Ed's head snapped up, tensing. Al could just see Jia standing in the dust, but Ed rolled to the side as hands popped out of the ground around him, more dust hiding them both from view.

The wind picked up, and Jia sprinted forward, giving a startled cry as a small hand erupted from the ground, grasping her foot. Before she could do more than fall onto her face, two large dirt hands sprung from the ground, wrapping around her shoulders and torso.

The dust settled, and Ed stood there, facing a little to the left of them. The extent of their battle was revealed in all the hollow places in the ground around him.

Ed squinted, head cocked to one side, walking in Jia's general direction. Jia was still struggling fiercely against the rock, but this time could not get her hands free.

Al sprinted out to meet them, as did several worried Xingese ambassadors. Ling, however, stood up and clapped, and soon those around him were following suit.

Ed released Jia from her bonds, and she looked up at him a trifle resentfully. He laughed, and held out a hand to help her up, when the Xingese ambassadors reached her, and pulled her up, jabbering away in rapid Xingese. Jia answered them curtly, and then walked forward. Ed raised an eyebrow at her, and in spite of her pride she gave a small smile. He grinned at her and she laughed, bowing. To Al's slight surprise, Ed bowed back.

"Next time," Jia said clearly, straightening. "You will not be so lucky." A smile twitched her mouth again, but the Xingese men nodded seriously behind her.

Ed laughed, and turned, heading back toward Winry, who was sitting with her head in her hands. She looked up and smiled as Ed approached, but there were dark circles under her eyes. Al frowned. "Mei?"
"Yes?" Mei stopped on her way forward to give Jia a hug, brushing his hand with hers.

"Has Winry mentioned feeling sick lately?"

Mei shrugged. "It would seem the stress is getting to a lot of people. I've had a rather bad headache lately, remember? Riza told me she had been feeling similar as well. Stress has a way of manifesting physically."

"True." Al shook his head, and kissed her hand. Her smile grew, and he felt himself smile back. She had that effect on him, and there was little that made him happier than seeing her smiling. Well, that, or the times they were alone and she wore nothing but her long unbound hair…

She seemed to recognize where his thoughts were going and giggled. "Later, beloved."

"Who says I'm willing to wait until tonight?" Al pouted, kissing her.

Mei arched an eyebrow. "Who said anything about waiting until tonight?"

With that, she kissed him again, and met with Jia, clasping the girl's hand.

(~-~-~-~-~-~-~)

"Momma," Selim called from the stairs. "Are the cookies ready yet?"

She rolled her eyes. "No Selim." She couldn't help smiling. He was slowly growing out of the stage of calling her 'momma', but sometimes still slipped up.

"Selim," she heard Maisa say. "You know the cookies won't cook any faster if you ask that."

Leona choked, and held back her giggles as her son responded resentfully. Smiling to herself, she walked to the counter where the mail was sitting.

No, I am not interested in joining your bank, she thought, tossing the first letter in the trash. Or getting a subscription. She tossed the next few, and then stopped, lifting a package into the air. It was around the width of a dinner plate, about as tall as the average vase. She shook it gently, and there was the sound of something small clinking around within.

Odd. She frowned, and used her fingernail to tear at the tape around the box. Its addressed to me from a town I've never heard of. Probably another charity giving me a gift in exchange for becoming their spokesperson.

Inside was a large amount of ripped up paper. Leona raised her eyebrows, digging through it.

"Ow!" She drew back sharply, dropping the box, blood dripping from her finger. She stuck the finger in her mouth, sucking on it, hissing curses under her breath. The box tipped before it hit the ground, and the glass skittered to every corner of the room.

"Mom?" Selim's voice came from up the stairs again.

"Stay up there you two," Leona called up to them as a maid rushed into the room. "I just dropped something, that's all!" It must have broken before it arrived. Too bad.

"Lily, would you help me clean this up please?"

As Leona bent down, careful to not kneel on the glass, she noticed that all of the pieces of glass were different colors and textures- like they had never fit together in the first place.

(~-~-~-~-~-~-~)

"….heard anything yet, sir?" Breda looked at him questioningly.

Roy shook his head, and Riza tightened her hand in his. "Nothing conclusive. By all accounts it seems to be a prank."

"Why broken glass though?" Ed asked thoughtfully. "Doesn't seem to have much meaning behind it."

Riza shook her head, trying to clear it, and focus on the conversation. She glanced at her daughter, being led in a dance by Vanni, who laughed, her long hair flying around her face. Maisa glanced over, and waved, grinning. Riza smiled faintly back. She had gone through all of the scenarios in her head- the horrible ideas of what could have happened. What if Maisa had fallen on the glass? What if it had somehow flown in her eyes? What if the box had contained something worse than broken glass?

She shook herself again, trying to get the nightmarish images from her mind. Roy, sensing her discomfort, squeezed her hand. She smiled at him gratefully.

"It is a poor warning, or a poor prank, in either case," Ling said, sipping his drink. "We do not understand what they would be warning against, and Madam Bradley hardly scratched her finger."

"Then why go through the trouble in the first place?" Al asked. "Most pranks are pretty elaborate, or at least cause more damage. In comparison, this is hardly anything to worry about."

"Which is why you worry, of course," Mei finished logically, and Al nodded. Jia watched the conversation, saying nothing. Al knew that she was thankful to be included, and he had thanked Ling in turn for asking her to come.

Ciros was watching his wife dancing with Maisa, but still said, "Perhaps it is a…warning of some kind after all. Strange things have happened in this country before, after all…we cannot count out danger." He continued without looking at them, "I do not know the details of that battle six years ago. No claims seem to be reliable. But," he looked back at them now, no hint of a smile on his face. "Danger has often been associated with this country. We must consider every possibility."

All around them the party continued. People laughed, danced, and across the way Nicolai made his way toward them, carrying the drinks he had promised to bring back.

"Harmless at first, maybe, but if whoever sent it to her continues, They could send her things that do more than give her a cut on the hand," Winry mused. "Maybe this was a test?"

Roy nodded. "All of these are possibilities. The president has said that nothing else has come up; he has only determined, as Madam Bradley suspected, that they were pieces of glass that had never fit together."

"And there," Aleka said, brushing a hand down her long, dark blue silky gown, "Is the issue. Break that glass, or gather up that glass- glass that doesn't match, at that, and send it to the wife of the late president? It would seem they had some time to spare."

"I believe Mrs. Elric has spoken most wisely of all," Demos, at Aleka's side, said. Even in his seriousness, it seemed as if a smile still hung at the edges of his mouth, like he was made to be cheerful. "A test- if these pieces of glass could get through, what else could they hide?"

"Isn't-" Jia began, and then stopped, as if surprised at herself. Riza tried to smile kindly at her, but pain blossomed across her head, and she closed her eyes for a moment.

"Isn't all of her mail being opened and checked now?" Jia finished, confused. "So if it was a test, it doesn't seem like they'll get something else through."

"True," Demos agreed. "However, it is possible to disguise objects, or for them to have more dangerous things hidden within them. Say, a bomb hidden in a clock. A hunting trap hidden within a child's toy."

Riza flinched inwardly. "Her husband was not particularly well-liked. He had his supporters of course, but many of his decisions were looked upon in confusion. It is not to difficult to imagine someone taking their idea of revenge against the former president too far, and therefore try to eradicate the rest of his family." Her words felt slow, her tongue thick, but no one else seemed to hear anything wrong with her speech.

And on it went, in seemingly endless circles. Even after Vanni had come toward them with Maisa, the topic did not change. Maisa and Selim, with Leona Bradley at her house, had been questioned as witnesses, even though nothing had really happened. Maisa, well aware of what was going on (she had even put forward a few of the theories the others had suggested) had also asked, with wide, confused eyes, what Vanni said as she walked up to them.

"Why would someone do that to her? She is very sweet. From what I have heard, most everyone likes her." Vanni held her husband's hand.

"I think the only thing we can know now," Roy said, brushing back his daughter's hair with a warning look at them all, "Is that we can't know anything for sure."

Maisa looked up at him shrewdly. "You're only phil-" she struggled for a moment with the word, looking frustrated. "Philosophical," she finished, "When you don't want me to know something."

Roy looked down at her, unable to help smiling a little. "You're too smart for your own good, sweetie." He hesitated, and leaned down toward her. "You are very smart- one of the smartest people I know, but there are some things you really have to hear when you're older."

Maisa's chin- Roy's chin- jutted out. "Why can't I know now?"

Riza knew Roy was struggling to not respond with a petulant 'because'. "Maisa," he said seriously, taking her by both arms lightly. "I love you, and I tell you as much as I can. But there are some things you will not understand until you are older. I'm afraid you're going to have to accept that."

For a few moments, Maisa pouted more.

"Maisa," Riza said quietly, and the girl looked up at her, and gave a slight nod. "Fine."

Nicolai finished handing out the drinks he had brought back. Demos nodded his thanks, as did Breda and Havoc. Rebecca snatched the drink from Havoc's hand playfully, taking a sip before he could. Smiling, Nicolai handed a slightly bubbling drink out to Vanni, who hesitated.

"I'm afraid I don't drink alcohol," She confessed, and Nicolai smiled easily. "I know, madam. Your husband informed me that you prefer sweet drinks. This is a drink I loved as a child; you've probably had it before." He handed it to her, and she took a sip, her eyes widening in delight.

Conversation broke apart, as did the group.

Winry and Ed wandered over to the Ishvalan High Priest Majid, Aleka and Demos in their wake. Riza saw Ed whisper something to Winry, and she laughed. Riza smirked, remembering Ed's widened eyes as he had taken her in before they arrived; her dress had been beautiful. Hui-ying had not been joking about any of their dresses. Winry's was red, strapless, and came to just a little above her knees. Tiny red beads were sewn onto the fabric at the top, and the bottom flared out a little so that it swished as she walked. Her long hair was up in and elegant bun, a few tendrils loose and hanging around her face. Mei, at Alphonse's side, looked equally lovely in her dark purple dress. She had opted to go for a more Amestrian design, and the dress plunged into a v-neck, the dress ending above her knees, and it tied up in straps at her shoulders. The dress flared out a little, her hair piled gracefully on top of her head.

Her own dress was just as lovely, and vastly different. Strapless, and a light, rather sky-colored blue, it fell to her ankles, and the bodice was almost heart shaped, showing, to Roy's delight, a good amount of her cleavage.

As another song began, Al took Mei in his arms, spinning her around. Without a word, more Xingese men surrounded Jia and Ling. Maisa danced with Vanni again, and a grinning Vanni dragged her husband to join them.

After all I have done, all I have seen, Riza thought, watching her daughter, feeling Roy holding her close, I have a family- a life for which I would trade nothing. I am happy.

Truthfully, she had never expected such a thing to be possible, and yet there she stood; with Roy, and all of his smirks and strength, his fears, his sadness, the things he only shared with her. Their daughter; beautiful, brilliant, unsure and faltering, but with the strength and ability they both had given her.

"You feel warm, love." Roy whispered in her ear, turning her around in slight concern. "Are you alright?"

She smiled, and nodded, leaning into him. In response he twirled her out among their friends, and those that had once been their enemies.

(~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~)

Below, the bright lights glittered almost like stars. The people flitted between them, spinning, laughing, glowing in their own light.

Her master stood there, his eyes searching. She knew what he was looking for, and pulled back more into the darkness.

Below, Edward Elric steadied his wife as she stumbled. She waved off his concern with a smile. The Areguan King kissed his wife, tilting her back, and the Cretian Queen leaned into her husband's side. General Roy Mustang, and Colonel Riza Mustang danced together, sinuous, as if they were one being. Their dark-eyed child joined them, and they spun her around in the air, her hair flying around her, laughter carrying up to the roof. Alphonse Elric sat with Mei Chang, who rubbed her head as if in slight pain.

Graceful. Wearing beautiful gowns and glittering smiles; a world to which Ran Fan did not, and would never, belong.

A young Isvhalan man approached Lady Jia, speaking with her. She was surprised, raising her eyebrows, but after he said something else she nodded, and gave a faint smile. The man hesitated, as if about to say more, and then turned and walked away.

The Drachman King spoke to the direct subordinates of Roy Mustang, smiling, handing them a new drink when they dropped their own.

Master Ling stood, his arms at his sides, and walked toward his future wife, extending his hand. Lady Jia hesitated, and then took it, allowing herself to be led forward, not looking at her husband to be.

Ran Fan peered over the side of the building, watching as Master Ling gently took her hands, and together they turned.

His eyes found her, now, found her and stayed there, meeting her again each time they turned.

(~-~-~-~-~-~)

She sank wearily onto the couch, leaning against his shoulder. He looked over in slight amusement, curling his arm around her. "Impressive. It always takes me at least an hour to get her to sleep."

"A half hour isn't much better," Riza's muffled voice came from his shoulder. He chuckled. "Was it reading or singing this time that did it? Or neither?"

"I told her a story about a princess," Riza mumbled, looking up with a slight smile. "After I wasted my time singing, as soon as I started going on and on about what jewelry the princess wore, she was out."

Roy laughed, and quieted at his wife's glare. "What gave you the idea?"

"Winry, actually. She said that was what her parents did to get her to sleep."

They laughed again, quietly, and for several moments there was nothing but warmth. He kissed her neck, lightly kissing up to her jaw and ear, his arms sliding around her waist.

"I missed you," he whispered, and he pulled at the top of her dress, kissing down her collarbones, teasing the dress down past her breasts.

Her arms went around him automatically, head tilting back as he continued down, the ache in her head spreading. She winced, hissing, drawing back from him, and smiled apologetically. "Not tonight. Headache."

He frowned, with what she knew was only partially disappointment. "You weren't feeling well earlier either."

"I'm fine," she insisted, and leaned close, giving him a light kiss. His tongue licked at her lips out of reflex, she knew, and she pressed her forehead to his. She closed her eyes. "If it weren't for this dammed headache, I'd-"

"I know." Roy kissed her lips, lightly this time.

She sat back, and her eyes caught on the stack of letters on the table, remembering that she'd brought them in with her from the mailbox after dinner. Maybe these will provide a distraction from my head.

There were no packages full of glass, only letters. At the end of it was a folded piece of paper. Frowning, she touched Roy's knee, and he sat up, peering forward as she unwrapped the letter.

(~-~-~-~-~-~)

"Sir?"

He looked up from the stack of paperwork in front of him. Already he'd exhausted three pens. Being president is five percent speeches, ten percent panic, and eighty-five percent paperwork, he thought, settling back some in his chair.

"Yes, Lt. Cane?"

The young Lt. smiled apologetically, holding up a stack of letters. "Your mail, sir. These arrived for you this morning."

He shrugged, sitting up straighter. "Be a relief for the carpal tunnel, if nothing else." He grinned. "Want to trade places with me for a day, Lt?"

"Only if for that same day you make the rumored miniskirt policy a reality, sir," Cane responded with amusement. "That would be quite a sight."

"Indeed," Grumman mused. "Thought truth be told it would not be my first time in women's clothing." Seeing his secretary's startled look, he laughed. "Oh, as they say, what I do on weekends is my business, Lt! Thank you for bringing those in."

"O-of course, sir," Crane said, still slightly surprised, setting the mail on the crowded table. "I'll be outside if you need any-anything."

Grumman's grin widened. "If I wish to borrow your clothes, I'll let you know."

Chuckling to himself as the door closed, Grumman pondered his paperwork, and then turned to the mail. As he picked up the stack, a folded piece of paper fell out of it. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he picked it up, thumb sliding beneath the fold.

(~-~-~-~-~-~-~)

"Hey, Ed," Al called. "There was some mail for you left at the door. One from teacher, for both of us, a letter for Winry from Panninya…" he handed the small stack of papers to him with a smile. A small piece of paper slid out, folded down the middle.

"What's this?"

Al shrugged, and started back for his own room. "Say goodnight to Winry for me, brother. See you."

"See you," Ed called back, smiling, backing into his own room.

"What's up?" Winry asked from the couch, her hands over her eyes.

Ed touched her forehead. "You have a bit of a fever. I'll ask Mei to stop by in the morning, okay? For now, keep drinking water."

She nodded, giving a slight smile. "Here," he said, tossing a letter toward her. "This is from Panninya."

He pulled the folded piece of paper forward, sliding it open.

In large letters, rather like those that would headline a newspaper, one sentence was written.

TURN YOURSELF IN, OR ALL OF THEM WILL DIE.


I believe this is the part where I say: DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN.