Again
Hidden in the darkest corners of my laptop was this long, long chapter basically ready to be published. Wow - I wish this happens more often XD
We're heading away from Rush Valley for a longer chapter in the exotic land of Xing. And our favourite bickering pair make their arrival... Bless you Royai.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1 - Where All Endings Have A Beginning
Part VI: Hawkeye
Late Winter 1925 - Palace Town, Xing
Hawkeye had never seen trees grow so quickly in Ishval back home, and she marvelled that in the exotic regions of Xing, it was like spring already. The simple things mattered to her. The climate too was substantially more humid than in Amestris, although since Palace Town was nearer to the border with the desert than the majority of Amestrian towns, it had inherited its weather from the sister it shared a border with. The deserted Desert Area.
Her sea-blue uniform pulled against her brown, turtleneck under layer and even though she had made temporary residence in Xing twice a year when the annual conferences were held, her rigidity had yet to adapt to the environment. Nine years of this routine.She sighed although her tone was gratified when hitherto she had been exasperated; it had been nine years since she had had to use the gun buckled to its holster a second's reach from her fingers. Riza Hawkeye would have gone to the depths of Hell to ensure the safety of those she loved and precious few they were. That included destroying uprisings by shooting people down to the ground as if they were dogs. However, nine years had passed in peace – the revolver deposited in her closet had not been touched albeit for a maintenance check which were no longer weekly but few and far between.
A soldier at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel could not afford to drop her guard. Her eyes pierced the crevices of the palace courtyard, senses alert for a sign of the intruder; she was indebted to protecting the Emperor too for the kindness he had illustrated in the reconstruction of Ishval.
The beating of wings pulsed and buffeted the breeze from above as she noticed cranes taking flight from the outskirts of Palace Town, gliding into the Emperor's gardens two buildings from where she was standing. Even though Xing was over thrice as large as Amestris, their populations were even. Still silence reigned in the courtyard. While her attention was diverted, the creaking of the door behind her caused her to rise to an instant salute; despite her being in the presence of the Emperor of Xing, Ling Yao knew that the sharp shooter was not one for performing trivial pleasantries like curtsies. Her military protocol had to suffice. However, instead of the lithe approach of the Xingese king, the thickset clomping of military boots pattered down the stairs to where she was standing several levels below. A foot stopped in place and he paused as the man of the hour, the Hero of the People glistened in his duplicated uniform, the General's insignia blazing on his shoulder in the morning sunlight. Contrary to what his title heralded him to be, he was as useless as she without her resolve when they were battling in the rain. Even though his gloves served as a more decorative purpose since they no longer needed to be used in active combat, he had insisted that they bring a case piled with matching pairs. The fool…it hardly ever rained in Xing to begin with. Hawkeye contained her sigh as she felt a firm hand plant onto her shoulder. Here we go again.
"Lieutenant Colonel, you are required in the throne room. We have an unlikely guest in our midst."
"What do you mean, sir?" she replied in a neutral tone, although she could not mask the hint of curiosity in her voice. She started to stride down a few steps, and she paused, lowering her voice and spoke in a near whisper. However, the General would be able to listen; the man had a knack for involving himself in any affair in which something interesting could happen. "By 'guest' is this person a guest of the palace through invitation of the Yao Clan?"
General Roy Mustang smirked as was his reaction to every event in this world. He beckoned with a wave of a hand and in indifference strutted his way up the stairs, his sleek frame hopping up three steps at a time. Lieutenant Colonel Hawkeye remained on her guard because unless a private audience was being held in which she would attend to fulfil her share of manners, she opted to stand guard outside. She had earned respect mutually with the Honorary Members of Xing through guiding Mustang carefully as he tread on an ever narrowing road to becoming Fuhrer. However, her instincts harrowed mistrust in the throne room since allies could become enemies in a heartbeat…
They had not even entered the chamber which led directly to the throne room when the Hawk's Eye quivered in her place and abruptly stopped, no longer following after her superior officer. It was her place to remind him of his will to stay alive and even though she could not understand her confusion, she knew this would not end peacefully.
Was it the years of aiming a rifle at the head of anyone who threatened her superior? There have been nine long years of the same routine…this is the first period of my life lacking drama…is boredom what I am feeling right now?
She remained silent and bowed her head until she heard the clomping of the General's footsteps stop a few paces in front of her and immediately he backtracked his steps so she could sense his shadow looming over her as well as the breath collecting from his mouth at regular intervals. Brown eyes locked with black eyes and she poured her uncertainty into her gaze, the doubt, the confusion, the reeling emotions that this arrogant subject of a man was the only one able to decipher. He alone could decipher the cryptic puzzle which was Riza Hawkeye.
His eyes narrowed in confusion as he faced away from her. It was similar to water's reflection suddenly becoming murky as storm clouds surged over the delicate surface and rain fell, breaking the regularity of the water in a pool. The clear understanding that Mustang always possessed was becoming a hazy fog of confusion. His mind was slipping from her...again.
If any other officer or Xingese warrior had seen her response, she would not have escaped the punishment of insubordination and thus be classed as a traitor to the State. But she did it anyway.
"Stay!" She cried out the word which echoed into silence. Mustang was frozen in his place with her hand tightly holding his arm refusing to let go with all the strength that she possessed. His thoughts had drifted away once again as his head glimpsed to the heavens, where Hawkeye's eyes widened in alarm as he gazed unseeing at the sky. Suddenly, his shoulders slumped and Roy Mustang did not move.
"General, if you don't snap out of this now, I will rip every pair of decorative gloves that you possess, emblazoned ones included," her tone softened, however she kept its edge wary, worrying she would miss a sign of his potential ill-health by veiling her serious demeanour in jovial folly. Her awful sense of humour was enough to snap him out of his blank mind. Only his Queen could do that; no pawn or Private could muster the power to snap him out of such a vivid daydream.
"Don't act like you are my babysitter, Lieutenant," his expression remained neutral although from the fire dancing within his charcoaled depths she knew that he had snapped out of his freakish behaviour. You would be completely useless without me.
"The rank is Lieutenant Colonel as has been for the past four years unless you have failed to notice. Furthermore, despite my lower rank, babysitting is essentially what I do, sir," she granted him a full mock salute to which he pressed his hand to his forehead, unable to counteract the truth of her words.
"I am six months older than you, Colonel." Despite hearing the truth, it was a disguised fact that the alchemist was a genius although in a more discrete manner than Edward Elric, who would have likely phrased the General as "cocky bastard", however the only title that Roy Mustang deserved was "idiot" or "notorious fool" when Hawkeye was in a good mood.
"As I mentioned a second ago, my rank is Lieutenant Colonel, not Colonel, but if this a hint of an upcoming promotion then the hint has been taken, sir. However, only President Grumman has the power to delegate our ranks," Hawkeye paused as Mustang's gaze wavered to the stars, seeing the place in his mind which she could not evidently see. Misty, clouded…confused.
"President…do you mean General Grumman?" Roy furiously shook his head and rubbed his eyes awake, wishing for the caffeine which was a luxury in Xing. The Emperor acted like he did not need to sleep.
"Our President, Sir. Surely you cannot forget about your ruler when you are one of the candidates for becoming the leader of our country. You're going to have to wake up, sir, because the wrestle for power is not going to become any easier now," Hawkeye continued forward while Mustang followed behind, albeit slower than his usual suave stride of the pompousness he radiated.
The words came out as less audible than a whisper. "How can I wake up to a world without you?" Jet pools reached her caramel and she instinctively slowed her pace so he was leading their small party. However, the role suited him more naturally than it did many people and moreover he was an excellent ruler. Just, kind, although these traits were buried deep down below the usually smug alchemist.
"Hurry up and become Fuhrer then, so I don't have to risk every moment of my life protecting you," Hawkeye abruptly turned to silence. Despite his hoarse protests of a child complaining the entire duration to travelling to the throne room, she remained composed, breathing in synchronisation to her light treading footsteps. Mustang had not answered her question which was unlike him when he had a plan he was concocting in which he could trust nobody in the scenario of an eavesdropper to thwart his plans.
She thought back to this "guest". The "guest" had to be somebody of notable status since it was highly unlikely for an arrogant general as himself to place a privileged title upon an embassy of lower status than Mustang. Furthermore they had to be a valued member of the relations with Xing to be granted access to the throne room of the Emperor and Ling Yao had swiftly learned to place his trust in those who reciprocated that instinct…the very skill that kept wise leaders alive.
Or was her superior officer merely being sarcastic? Hawkeye disciplined herself mentally for becoming lax in logic in which she needed to possess more than her fast reflexes to keep everyone around her alive. Unfortunately Ling Yao was a wise leader, although despite his superior age, Roy Mustang was not. Suddenly a wince burst from her lips and a tantalising spark caused her muscles to become rigid as the left tendons in her neck stretched beneath her touch. Her mobility faltered for a second before the pain was melting away but Riza had forgotten to remain focus not to move her head at that angle. Mustang had become blind on the Promised Day which the Philosopher's Stone had successfully revoked, but for her punishment for defying the state, the multiple injuries sustained to her neck had never fully recovered. Never could she be as sharp shooting as she had been with the instantaneous movement of her muscles to aim at a target, although ever since she had awoken in hospital, her neck had become partially crippled, unable to bend significantly to the left. If I cannot watch my back, then how can I watch his?His footsteps clomped ahead of her. I never have to look back though; I can move forward and not let another person become a victim to the folly of our generation. So long as I can wake up every morning to those petty complaints. She smirked internally, so the black-haired man knew nothing of her interior motives.
Before seconds had passed, the throne room was upon them. If she was a rookie fresh out of the academy, she would have been trembling in her boots three sizes too big for her. Short-cropped hair once grown out long would have become drenched in sweat while she herself would have been drowned with doubt. However, a military did things to a person and solitude could work miracles upon the mind too: detach, focus and shoot. Those were the three commandments ringing like a melody inside Hawkeye's mind. Doubt and wonder swirled within her thoughts, although the former radiated outwards as her lips curled in confusion; there were no guards posted at the door.
Two sheets of paper were hurled into her fingers with Roy's indecipherable scrawl scampering across the sheets, scrunched from being in his pocket for far too long. For A.E.Initials, although Alphonse Elric would be returning to Palace Town within a fortnight as Lingg had promised. Could her superior not linger in Xing for that period? There has been unrest in Qarros, but the General has not raised any grievances as of yet to me. I must be missing something here.
She secured the notes beneath her holster and awaited the command to follow as his subordinate. Mustang made no move at the door handle and as she was about to tap lightly against the oak frame, the door slammed open as the General of the East kicked the royal chambers of Xing down.
"Lieutenant Colonel, don't question what you are about to hear and if this order is not obeyed, I will have to treat you as any other superior officer would. Is that understood?" the first earnest words flowed from Roy Mustang's mouth. As she saluted his call, the highly arching windows beamed down upon her, causing her eyes to squint to narrow slits. The royal chamber was forged out of a thickset stone inlaid with precious gemstones, each heralding a sign of blessing or protection to the monarchs they had watched over since the Dynasty of Emperors in the land of Xing. Four antechambers led out from the main chamber, each heading in the four lateral directions respectfully. The throne was seated upon the northern wall and tucked behind it was a fifth room veiled in shadow and a curtain hastily drawn across it protected the hidden exit to the palace. How could so many people be ignorant of secret entrance when it is clear that the curtain is frequently used? There is not even dust collecting around it when the curtains above by the windows are mottled grey with a lack of usage. Or the people of Xing refuse to close the curtains with their love for the sun.
"We have not met in private since you last arrived at Xing. Let us skip the royal invitation and give an invitation to you as an ally," the fluid voice echoed around the chamber, so she was unable to pinpoint its exact position. "I humbly welcome you to my abode in Xing where you can find shelter and take counsel on all you deem worthy."
Ling Yao exceeded Mustang not only in wisdom but his mannerisms, although Roy would be charming when the circumstances called for him to become a flirt. Become? The man was born one. However, Mustang stood stationary in the room…admiring the patterns of topaz, amethyst, garnet inlaid in the columns and adorned into the ceiling. Shaking her head and flicking her fringe behind her ear, Hawkeye replied with the formal salutations to the ruler of a mighty nation. "I shall be of service however you deem me, Ling Yao."
The Emperor of Xing stepped across the chamber from his entrance at the eastern gate, taking a seat upon his throne and beckoned for the two Amestrians to come forth towards the dais, although Roy was frozen in place, until Hawkeye realized that the invitation was only for her. As she approached to salute the King, he leapt out of his crouch and embraced the Lieutenant Colonel. "It's good to see you again without an entourage of officials or guards following me around like sheep."
"Constricting throat…can't breathe…" Hawkeye's eyes widened in surprise. She shivered, winced and wished she could restart the past ten minutes so she was back in the courtyard. Let me escape from people and pleasantries… A laugh suddenly echoed around the chamber, drifting down the antechamber into the courtyard beyond.
"You can see how sentimental she has become, Emperor!" the shrill cry sounded from her superior who had unveiled his poker face for an expression of utter hysteria. Tears of laughter were melting from his eyes and as Riza's gaze split between the two men bowled over in their jesting fits, she stormed over to the façade of a man she had been worriedabout.
"I'm never going to do your dirty work againas soon as we get home!" she hissed, her voice like venom. Roy continued to laugh, attempting to control the contort of tears falLingg from his face, white teeth glistening and beaming as the sunlight radiated upon the General.
"You…should...have…seen…your…face," he wheezed as Ling chuckled aloud, leaning onto a pillar for support. He's 'wise' if he wants to become a leader for a pack of lunatics. "Priceless…wish I… had a… camera…"
"What have you done to torment her now, elder brother of mine? We only have a matter of minutes and yet it's convenient for you to pull a prank? Act as the ruler you have become!" Crackles of alchemic energy sparked from nothingness which punched the Emperor of Xing in the abdomen so he cried in discomfort. Another was shot elsewhereand Hawkeye snorted, hoping the leader of a nation had now lost all sense of dignity. As he scrambled to his feet, Ling glanced around, confused for an instant before his eyes narrowed to slits as May Chang slid from behind her curtain leading from the hidden entrance.
Her silhouetted black hair was free from its custom braids and even though she was inches shorter than the half-brother she was scolding, her features had become thinned from the mission around Xing which had had her absent from Palace Town for over a year. However, she was not supposed to be here; the official salutations were next week as the Emperor had announced in front of his guests and royal guards. The black and white creature which followed her was absent too. It was a panda, Hawkeye believed.
Taking in her appearance once again, the Lieutenant Colonel noticed not only how gaunt May had become, but that she was wearing a black garment of traditional Xingese design and was not donning bright colours which were clearly her preference.
The letters in her holster shuffled as she stepped forward to greet the princess, reminding her that the figure that she needed to see the most urgently was not here. Mustang was obliviously gazing at the jet and peridot curled together to form the eyes of a mystic beast. Ling had his hand shrugging his shoulders and firmly tying his ponytail tighter; he was indifferent to the absence of one member too.
Where in the world was Alphonse?
"Lieutenant Colonel Hawkeye, it has been a long time, has it not? I remember seeing you at the Spring Ceremony two years ago, although the last time we properly talked was long before that. How have you been faring?" Concern radiated from the younger woman's eyes and she too didn't seem to worry about Alphosne's absence. May suddenly fLingched. "That motion in Chi…what's wrong?"
A troubled gaze locked with her own and in a moment Mustang was by her side. "Those notes, hand them over to the Emperor. I have to admit I was not vouching for Fullmetal's lecture about me seeing Alphonse before I left for Xing, especially considering the two have not seen each other for years…"
Riza shuffled her holster and slid the gun out of its sheath before handing over the notes in Mustang's uneven scrawl to the Emperor. He did not look at them as he slid them into his own pocket. "The Philosopher has put his trust into us for allowing you to enter May." His attention turned to the confused Amestrian, brown eyes furrowed with doubt. "There is a reason that I called you here, Lieutenant Colonel."
He beckoned for May to continue speaking as the Emperor took a dagger-like weapon from its sheath and began to play around with it in his fingers, the sword moving on its own accord and so quickly that it flickered into and out of her peripheral vision. "The guest to the Yao Clan never came despite it being royal custom for the leader of each Clan in Xing to present them before the Emperor every 50th moon turn. Katsumi has not announced anything except from the congratulations to the birth of Lucien…"
The son of the Emperor was a sore subject to Ling Yao. Even though the custom of bedding all fifty women presented to him from the different Clans had been revoked in exchange for a more modern outlook, the Emperor in all his power could not escape the prospect of an arranged marriage. Nevertheless, she had become pregnant and soon died bearing a son, Lucien, who was noted at being an intellectual genius. However, this was the cause of an alchemical mishap which even she was unsure about; he could become snarky and wise beyond his years in a moment, as if the child, the same age as Edward Elric's oldest, had a split personality. A Linggering prophecy loomed over Lucien, who in these circumstances was awarded the title of "Philosopher". Why? The child had the persona of an adult, due to a soul from the Philosopher's Stone being trapped inside his body.
But there were more worrying affairs to consider.
"Riza. The Clans are restless. Similar to your borders in Amestris, there is unrest within our country. Many immigrants have crossed the border to and from Drachma and the Desert Area; therefore we know that the threat of battle is looming. They are approaching. The Xingese Revolts. Alkahestrists have spoken to me in the alleys of Qarros…Palace Town. They wanted me to join their 'revolution' to make this country great again. Ling no longer takes in taxes from the poorest members of Xing and the children are being supported by the State. To many this change is inexperienced from a young king, even though we know Ling is struggLingg to maintain control over the clans as well as keeping the support of the people. Not many, but enough want to take advantage over the State.
"And Alphonse. He excels me in alkahestry as well as his western alchemy; he is one of the few including the Philosopher of the West to manipulate both forms of alchemy. He also has the gene, from his mother, Trisha. She was a descendent of the people of Fraxern and he only discovered that he can wield shadow dancingtoo. If he joined the Revolts, albeit unwilLinggly, the enemy would have massive power from his abilities. We have to protect him; he is a risk to the collapse of this nation."
"How…"
Mustang spoke, his voice glancing towards the sun dipping in the west. Towards the way home. "Ishval is at risk and if the Northern Wall of Briggs was to slip, that would be the end for us. Drachma borders both countries remember. We are all at risk and that is why we must unite. Amestris itself has dark secrets that must be uncovered; all of this unrest... this end is the new beginning."
Hawkeye remained in place, feeLingg the light of the sun concentrate for a moment and slip beneath the grasp of the glassed windows, refracting the gemstone ornaments before they became swathed in shadow. Heaviness hung about in the air. "This end is the new beginning…" She nodded to herself, feeLingg the peeLingg eyes of her company shining through her, feeLingg the wavering of security visible like ice cracking through their ability to detect the presence of Chi. "I will aid in this quest and keep the trouble of our nations between our persons alone. Until the next time we meet."
Mustang dipped his head in acknowledgement and beckoned for his Lieutenant Colonel to follow, taking up her role as protector and babysitter alike. She paused as she felt a hand brush her shoulder; May's light touch was enough to turn her around, pivoting on her feet. A twinkle shone in her eyes as she glanced between the stubborn man and stoic soldier. "Take care of him…he will make a fine leader in the future. You are blessed to be the one chosen to guide him. Without you he would have faltered long ago." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "While I was in Fraxern…bordering the north with Drachma, I felt the same pressure as Homunculus radiated from the sewers of Central City. I thought I would warn you…"
She knew this was their last evening in Palace Town. Later tonight the train would escort them to Qarros and directly back to Ishval from the Xingese town. The luscious expanse of Xing was never the same as the rocky dunes in Ishval, west…towards home. However, she nodded her head solemnly to May, pondering on what this presence could mean and bowed to the Emperor, seeing a pair of eyes glow in the distance…Lucien, the Philosopher. The thoughts of the presence slipped from her mind as more vital matters consumed them.
Namely, her superior. May's words rang in her mind. Takecare of him.The General had been outlandish today. That wasn't good, especially when he was becoming closer to becoming Fuhrer...
Fuhrer...
He could never be a Fuhrer; he would never strike innocents down in his quest for power in a dictatorship. As his military uniform swept across the marble floor, Roy Mustang moved with the grace of a king. The images of the people of Amestris floated before her eyes. She remembered how he had vowed to protect every single one with the power that he wielded.
Naive fool.
Even though the alchemist motto was rarely upheld by its wielders, he would strive to fulfil every word, as if they were a promise. Be Thou for the People.
Without them you are nothing, Roy. Don't slip and lose faith now after the scars we have endured. These scars...which are only beginning to heal.
