This story is mostly manga-based! (I think?) Forgot to mention that…well except for Grand haha…okay so maybe it's a bit of both…
WHAAAT??? I HAVEN'T UPDATED SINCE JANUARY! MAN TIME FLIES!!
ATTENTION!: I also caught onto a freaking BIG mistake I made throughout this story and I feel like a total IDIOT for not realizing it! I've revised the other chapters but I just wanted to say that in Archer's place will be Kimbley! When I first started out the Chapter 1, I think I was thinking of Kimbley but got his name mixed up with Archer (I didn't know many military characters in FMA back then)…OH! And in Chapter 1 I mentioned Yoki being in it! Uhhh I dunno what happened to him but sorry Yoki man…
This Chapter is in honor of those of you who still read my story and for the lovely EdxWin moment in the FMA manga release of chapter 70!! anybody read it yet? -smiles-
I have no excuses for my completely delayed update…
DISCLAIMER: Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Arakawa-sensei!
A Christmas Story: Chapter 7
Our Special Guests Arrive!
(This takes place during Act I…)
Roy Mustang was at a lost…
He couldn't help but put his finger on it but…his first lieutenant was acting…
…AWFULLY strange…
Of course if he told others about it, they would tell him that he was being delusional and tell him to concentrate on more important matters like the play for instance. But Roy Mustang knew for a fact that his lieutenant had been…off…from the time he found her after his encounter with that beautiful woman…speaking of that woman, he never did find out who she was…
…anyways…
On another note, Roy declared he would get to the bottom of this! He and Riza had known each other for so long that even when she tried to hide the fact something was bugging her thoughts, he would know.
He ALWAYS knew.
He knew her probably more then she knew him…
And at the moment he knew something was on her mind…
Roy decided not to just blurt it out in front of her; he decided to casually observe her for awhile and strike when the time came. Roy decided to look over his lines, from the corner of his eyes he saw Riza sitting on a box on the opposite side of the room giving Hayate instructions on when to get on stage.
"Is something the matter sir?" Riza spoke, her attention still on her dog. Roy faltered a bit but didn't let her sudden question stir him. He coughed and cleared his throat.
"No lieutenant, but I think I should be asking YOU that question" Riza took her eyes off Hayate and looked at him questioningly. "pardon sir?" she retorted easily. Roy inwardly smirked…so this is how she was going to play...He opened his mouth to speak but another voice beat him to it.
"Lieutenant! It's almost time!" Fuery called from just above them, he was fixing a light at the moment. Riza stood up abruptly completely ignoring the fact that her commanding officer was about to say something.
"Pardon me Colonel, I am needed…" Riza passed him and led Black Hayate along. Roy chuckled. "avoid me will you lieutenant?" he mumbled to himself.
Riza Hawkeye was NOT avoiding him…at least not purposely…
…okay…maybe a little bit…but of course when she came back to the office after her encounter with Mustang she felt the urge to avoid him. Knowing him though, that would totally blow off her cover and make him even MORE suspicious. She sighed, she should have done a better job with dealing with him. It looks like he had noticed a flaw in her attitude the very exact moment she was found.
Well it was too late for her to fix things, the Colonel had sharp insights and if she were to defensively deny his secret interrogations she would seem more suspicious. AND he would see her in costume anyways…so she couldn't hide it for long…
She stopped and rethought that last thought…
In the end she thought it would be best to delay the revealing of her costume as long as possible.
(Now we return to the present)
XOX Act II XOX
The large burgundy curtains parted again revealing the next scene…
"I know I should be asleep but…" Winry crept down the grand stairs slowly and quietly not to disturb the other members who were fast asleep in the next room. She couldn't help but wonder if her nutcracker was okay. Her uncle had told her that he had left him on top of the fireplace and she couldn't help but run to his side. As she managed to tiptoe across the marble floor, she searched for her beloved nutcracker. The lights were a little brighter when she reached the fireplace.
"I can't help it…I need to make sure if he's okay…" Winry whispered loud enough for the audience to hear.
WELL…
The audience, well mostly the men and boys, would have heard her if not for what Ms. Winry had on….
Yeah…you remember that silk violet lace nightgown Winry had made a fuss over? Well, apparently she had not fussed over it enough…for she was wearing it right now.
Winry shivered as a cool breeze tickled her bare legs. 'Ahh! The NERVE of them! They couldn't even let me wear a light jacket over it! I mean, who in the world actually SLEEPS wearing this?! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRICKIN WINTER MIND YOU!!'. Some of the male teenagers in the crowd whistled her direction which earned them a death glare.
Alphonse stared at his childhood friend from back stage…if he weren't a suit of armor right now, his jaw would have hung open and his face would have been as red as the philosophers' stone. Luckily Edward was getting changed at the moment so he didn't see anything yet…
"I'm surprised they even let me wear this...what with all the women and children in the audience…" Winry mumbled as she searched the top of the fireplace. She found her nutcracker lying on top of a small pillow in a small woven basket. Winry smiled and thanked her uncle silently. She lifted the nutcracker up and hugged it tight. It seems that her uncle had made a new arm and leg for him out of metal. She was also happy that Riza had dimmed the lights for her so it was hard to make out what she wore. She pretended to dance with Edward, her nutcracker, and twirled as she swept across the room. Winry ignored the chill running through her body as she danced along. As Winry slowed down to a halt she yawned and made her way to the very nice inviting couch. Satisfied that she got her nutcracker back she immersed herself in the fluffy cushions and went into a peaceful slumber.
The spotlight on Winry faded as well as the Christmas lights on the tree and the fireplace leaving the room pitch black. Some of the little kids gasped at how dark it was and sniffled. A spotlight then appeared on the far opposite side of where Winry was laying.
A dark shadow appeared before the spotlight revealing a very…
…handsome mouse king.
Cue the squealing teenage girls and women…
Roy gave a wink at the lovely ladies in the audience and slicked his hair back with his hand. The backstage crew rolled their eyes. Roy wore a distinguishing gold crown on his head and a costume similar to Ed's (the REAL Edward…not the nutcracker…) but it was blue and had a long king-like matching cape attached. His overcoat jacket was blue, had silver outlining it and a white lace cotton ascot. His pants were of a black hue (Riza had threatened to shoot him if he did not wear his costume…although was it just him or was there a tint of pink on her cheeks when she threatened him?)
Authors Note: okay, waaaay back in the OLD VERSION of chapter 3, I had Ed wear a BLUE overcoat but just ignore that, Ed will be wearing a RED overcoat with gold bordering the front. Oh and it seems I made a spelling mistake on Grand's name so this is how I'll spell it from now on.
Roy snapped his fingers and only one of his henchmouse came to his aid. It was Denny Brosh. He wore his military attire and thankfully was not forced to wear the mouse ears.
"Pssss Colonel…Where are Grand and Kimbley?" he whispered to the colonel. Roy ignored his question for a few mere seconds looking out at the crowd and whispered back. "They will be joining us shortly…" he said looking TOO smug.
Roy then stated in a loud voice, "At the stroke of midnight we bombard the Christmas decorations and take down whoever intervenes!" Brosh saluted and the lights faded.
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Edward walked out of the dressing room fidgeting with his ascot. "This thing is SO UNCOMFORTABLE!" He tugged at the cause if his irritation in hopes of loosening it but failed to do so. Havoc glared at him and placed his pointer finger in front of his mouth signaling him to shut up, which he immediately did. After a few moments passed Edward looked around, 'Where was Winry?'
He spotted his brother behind the curtains watching Roy and Brosh talk about how they were planning to ruin the Christmas decorations and what not.
"Hey Al…" Edward tapped Al's shoulder resulting in an "EEEK!" from the younger Elric. After regaining his composure the kitty-loving lad turned around and sighed at the site of his brother. "Brother! You scared me half to death!" Edward snickered. "So what was distracting you so much that you were caught off guard?"
"Ehh?! N-Nothing! Nothing at all!" Alphonse shook his head rapidly. Edward noticed this.
"OKAY…anyways, have you seen Winry? She still on stage?" Edward asked.
"Winry? Winry who?" Alphonse feigned a laugh.
"…"
"OH! HAHA WINRY! Silly me! Yeah she's still on stage! Uhhh…You should get ready brother! You sure you know how the story goes? Don't want you to freeze up on stage!" Alphonse shooed Edward away from the play beyond the thick velvet curtains.
Edward dug his heels onto the wooden floor and turned to look at Alphonse straight in the face.
"Are you HIDING something from me?!" He growled. Alphonse felt like crawling under something, presumably a rock…
"NO! Of course not! Why would I have anything to hide?" Alphonse said nervously.
" AL! YOU BETTER--"
"Edward! You're on in 5!" Fuery called. Alphonse mentally thanked Fuery for his interference.
"Oh! You should get going Ed!" Alphonse ushered his brother to get ready, pushing him towards the his destination.
"Hey! Wait! Urgh! Damnit this ascot is too tight and frilly! I feel like I'm going to suffocate!" The older Elric yanked at the said item trying to loosen it, obviously forgetting his earlier conversation with Al.
X
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Winry awoke to the sound of loud crashing and screams, she opened her eyes to see her relatives quickly leaving the house and looked around realizing the house was in total chaos. She quickly stood up and made sure to grab her beloved nutcracker but found him nowhere in sight. Searching desperately, she lifted up the cushions ignoring the fact that the Christmas tree and everything else around her had begun to grow enormous (Courtesy of the other state alchemist's alchemy). Her searching skidded to a halt as she found herself shrinking and everything around her looked big and scary. Footsteps sounding to her right made her turn her head and shortly she was face to face with a very handsome man walking up to her with a smug grin on his face.
Winry yelped in surprise as the mouse king came too close for her comfort, she began to run across the stage to the other side, skimpy nightdress and all, ignoring the fact that the light from the flaming Christmas tree was making her body more transparent then ever.
"W-Who are you and why are you doing this?" She scoffed as she gained her confidence back, grabbing an umbrella ready to attack.
Roy smirked and glanced at her curvy features, he looked her in the eye and simply stated "I would like to introduce myself as the Notorious Mouse King and I'm here…" HE looked her over once more, "Why, to have fun of course…" glancing at her again…The inner Roy sighed…'I feel like a pedophile….' He thought to himself, 'Maes owes me for this one…after all it WAS part of his 'plan'…'
Winry shivered and it wasn't because the breezy feeling either…
"Well, I'm sorry mister but there is nothing 'fun' to do here…" She twitched inwardly. Roy suddenly appeared before her in a flash and grabbed her arm making her yelp in surprise. "You will make a very fine bride…" He said as he lowered his face towards her, Roy's lips barely grazing her ear. She shivered at the contact. He then quickly added a "Please forgive me Miss Rockbell" while the cast and audience sat/stood there flabbergasted by the sudden change in the story.
A switch clicked in Winry's head and she silently mouthed an "oooh!" and decided to play along just to see where this was going.
"You'll never have me, you monster!" She whacked his arm away and fled to the opposite side of the stage.
"Winry, my dear girl….there is no one to save you…" Roy smirked as he casually made his way towards her. Brosh, who had been hiding in the shadows of the stage finally came out after Roy's signal and closed in on Winry from behind while his boss came from the front. You could tell Brosh was a nervous wreck from the way his knees bent inwards as he shakily stood behind Winry holding his sword in an odd fashion.
"This story has turned a complete 360…" Havoc sighed, the notorious cigarette in hand. Others around him agreed.
"-Sigh- Fine…if you shall not be mine…" Roy pulled on his gloves and fastened them securely; he held his hand above Winry, getting ready to snap his fingers.
'He's not serious is he?' The blue-eyed blond thought to herself.
"Then NO ONE shall have you!" As he snapped his fingers, flames erupted around the girl. The audience looked at him in horror and gasps filled the air. Helpers on stage joined them as well. As the smoke cleared, all eyes darted to Winry…
At least where Winry HAD been standing…
"YOU BASTARD! What the hell were you thinking?!" Ed appeared before the smoke clearing holding Winry in his arms. "E-Ed?!" Winry gasped, it happened so fast she didn't have time to look at her rescuer until now. Her hand was rested on his chest to help keep her balance from the sudden movement. Edward didn't notice Ross trying to tell him to refrain from saying curse words in front of the children.
"OH JUST YOU WAIT YOU JERK WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU I'LL---!!!!" Edward paused as he got a closer look at what his childhood friend was wearing. A pause…The Elric boy's face burst into different hues of red and he immediately dropped her in alarm, an "oof!" escaped Winry's lips. He covered his hands in front of his face and shielded his eyes.
"W-Wha Wha? Y-You IDIOT! What are you WEARING!!?" He turned around abruptly, hoping to burn the image from his eyes. Winry's face flamed up as well.
"It…It's not like I CHOSE to wear this!!" She covered as much of her cleavage as possible with her arms.
Roy grinned at the scene playing before him…'Amusing…' he thought, as well as the other members of his group.
Edward ground his teeth and looked at Al who seemed to be hiding from Edwards gaze. "You KNEW didn't you?!" His eyes seemed to ask Al. Al, finally sensing his brother's evil looks, pulled his head away and disappeared behind the curtain.
'ALPHONSE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER!!' The blonde alchemist declared. Edward, having no other option, took off his overcoat and threw it to Winry. She glanced up at him in question. He in turn, avoided her gaze and mumbled "Put this on for the time being…" a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Winry smiled at him and put her arms through the coat sleeves, fastening the clips on hurriedly.
"Okay you bastard…" Edward said in a low growl facing Roy with a renewed hatred for the man. He transmuted his automail with a swift motion and stood protectively in front of Winry.
Roy looked unfazed and smirked. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the famous, tiny nutcracker…" He crossed his arms smugly. The whole audience could feel Edwards anger rising to max.
Out of sheer blind anger Edward lunged for Roy but was stopped by another large gruff man jumping in, blocking his way, his iron gloves adorned with Latin writing. Edward pulled back and looked at the man.
"Brigadier General Basque Grand!" Edward scoffed. He thought he'd never live to see the day this man would participate in a play. "You're late…" Roy said as he eyed him. "Shut up Mustang, at least we had the decency to show up…" Kimbley appeared from the shadows to Roy's right. Kimbley looked around at the oversized objects towering above him.
"Hmm…so this is what Fullmetal's point of view is like…" He said with an all knowing smirk. Winry and Al's face paled at the statement and they quickly looked at Edward. Seeing how his body seemed to shake in outrage they together counted…
"3…"
"…2"
"1…"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SUPER MIDGET THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO STEP ON HIM?!" Edward burst out loud ready to attack Kimbley. Winry felt it was her duty to hold the screaming boy back, so she did. Kimbley, ignoring the fuss made by Fullmetal merely scratched his chin.
"I simply recall you telling me you weren't coming..." Roy smirked looking at the man.
"Let's just say I couldn't refuse your offer…" Kimbley smiled.
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(FLASHBACK)
"Mustang…" Kimbley growled under his breath as the Flame Alchemist made his way to him.
"Hey! What a coincidence seeing YOU here!" Roy laughed wholeheartedly as he sat down next to him on the stool.
"I'd like shochu on the rocks!" He slapped his gloved hand on the glossy counter ordering from the bartender.
"Cut the crap! What were you doing STALKING me?" Kimbley stated in a low voice looking straight ahead as if Roy weren't even there. A breeze flew pass the two men as the shops door opened with a jingling sound. Roy took the moment to eye the lovely women who had just entered giggling as they checked him out, their hips swaying from side to side as they made their way pass him.
"I'd like to give you another chance to change your mind about your participation status in the play…" He whispered just as lowly, ignoring Kimbley's 'stalker' comment as he thanked the bartender for his drink and held the glass firmly in his hand.
"Just hear me out one more time and whether you decide to go with my proposition or not, I'll leave you alone…" Roy cut off Kimbley before he had the chance to decline again.
"…"
Roy glanced at the Crimson Alchemist from the corner of his eye and waited for his response. The Crimson Alchemist gave a low sigh and gulped his beer down. "Fine…you got 3 minutes" He gave in.
Roy tapped his fingertips on the counter as he placed his chin in his other palm.
"You see…it's not everyday you get to test your strengths with Fullmetal, at least not legally…"
"…Do you think of me as stupid?" Kimbley finally glanced at Roy bringing his glass down on the counter.
'Actually yes I do…' Roy thought to himself. "No...and I predicted just by this information you still wouldn't agree…but I got grand to agree and I'll get you too…" Roy said as he sipped his drink with ease.
"…You can make as many explosions as you want…" Roy tried again. Kimbley's eyes grew a bit then at the statement. HE casually got up from his stool.
"…As much as that sounds soooo fun I think I'll pass…" Kimbley said dismissing the conversation and paying the bartender and left the bar.
Roy finishing his drink, he paid the bartender and migrated over to the table with the lovely ladies…
"Checkmate Kimbley…" He whispered before he took his seat next to the three women.
(END FLASHBACK)
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"Well…let's get this started…" Kimbley flexed his hands.
"I challenged him first…" Grand stepped in the way as he faced Ed once more. Winry had a bad feeling about this and usually her 'bad feelings' were right…
Silence settled across the theater…
"Well…I really think it doesn't matter who attacks first…" Kimbley swiftly ran towards Ed as his hands emanated a bright crimson light. Edward, breaking out of his reverie lifted Winry up in one swoop and jumped back as he dodged Kimbley's attack. Edward set her down gently when they were far enough and transmuted a spear from the brick fireplace.
"Winry! I'll hold them off! Go hide!" Edward said as he got in a fighting stance. Winry nodded and ran away searching for a hiding place.
A/N: Did I mention that the stage and the auditorium itself is HUGE?
"Um…do they have permission to tear up the stage like that?" Brosh, who had been standing very FAR away from the group ever since the two 'special' guests appeared, questioned no one in particular. "Brosh!" Roy had called his name wondering where his other lackey was.
"Y-Yes sir?" Denny answered as he made his way to Roy, avoiding the flying bits of debris.
"What are you doing here? Go get the nutcracker!" Roy pointed to Edward dramatically, who was currently transmuting a cannonball for his cannon. Brosh looked at Roy as if he was crazy. "Y-You're not being serious are you b-boss?" He looked at Edward who was now putting the cannonball in the cannon.
"Very serious…now! Let us go!" Roy grabbed Denny by the ear and pulled him towards battle with the poor man crying the whole way.
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"If we don't stop this the whole theater will be in ruins and the audience could get hurt!" Gracia said as she held Elysia in her arms. Alphonse shook his head in disbelief at his older brother's wild antics.
"Aw man! we're going to have to clean that up huh?" Breda complained to Havoc as he looked at the mess the alchemists were leaving behind as they chased Edward. Fuery sighed in agreement.
"Umm…shouldn't you 3 be on stage helping Edward?" Sheska pointed out as she pushed up her glasses.
"Are you kidding me? I don't want to die yet…" The nicotine addict spoke up calmly. Sheska gave him a questioning look but shrugged, turning her eyes to the Play. This scene should've ended by now…if it dragged on any further someone would have to end it.
Riza, who was sitting on the cargo box petting Hayate suddenly got up and told Hayate to stay as she excused herself from the group.
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"ED! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Winry grabbed Ed by his braided hair before he lit the fuse to the cannon. Edward yelped in pain and freed himself from Winry's clutches.
"What was THAT for?!" Edward rubbed his poor head and turned around to see Winry mad beyond imagination. "What was that for?! For almost blowing the whole place you idiot! What were you thinking lighting a CANNON?!" Winry placed her hands on her hips in full lecture mode.
"Look you…I'm trying to---" Edward was cut off as Grand brought his knuckles together forming and alchemic light to surround his hands and went after the two. Edward threw Winry over his shoulder in a flash and a brought his hands to the ground to perform his stone spikes.
"EEP! Put me down you idiot!" Winry beat her fists down on Ed's back, not realizing that she was making it more difficult for him to maneuver pass the flying objects and fists. "And get your hand off my butt you pervert!" Winry tried to give him a death glare but from her position she couldn't.
"I can't help it! Where else am I going to hold you to keep you from falling?" Edward shot back, his face growing hotter by the realization that his hand was in FACT on Winry's butt.
"Ughh! If only there was a way I can get them to stop for a moment! Even with my stone walls, it won't hold them back long enough!" Edward said as he bit his lip. "And what the hell is that bastard Colonel thinking, teaming up with them!" Edward looked back to see the 3 men who were chasing after him, Brosh following reluctantly and slowly behind. Edward was now running through the aisles of the seats and to his dismay they followed him. 'Well…at least they're not stupid enough to attack with people so close…" Edward mumbled.
"Ed! Get back on the stage! We don't have any other choice! People might get hurt!" Winry exclaimed as she saw the men gaining up to them. "And plus, I have a plan! Just put me down first!" She said in a confident tone. Edward hesitated but decided not to go against his childhood friends wishes.
"Alright!" He said as he jumped back on stage and ran to the other end of it, giving enough space between the men and them for Winry to get ready to whatever she was planning. He set Winry down next to the enormous grown Christmas tree and she thanked him. Winry began to unfasten the clips on the coat Ed had given to her one by one.
"Winry…what are you---" Edward looked at her puzzled but knew exactly what she was planning when she began to unhook the last of the clips.
"NO! You idiot!" Edward placed his hands on hers, stopping her from unclipping it. He blushed in embarrassment and looked away, his face once again turning every hue of red possible. "Do we HAVE any other choice?!" Winry growled at him. She wanted all the fighting to stop.
"W-Well there must be another way! I'm not going to let you EXPOSE yourself!" Edward shot back. Winry turned around glaring at him.
"It's okay! It's not like I'm naked underneath!" Winry frowned.
"Oh…riiiight like wearing THAT makes a huge difference!" Edward looked at her face, trying to avoid looking any lower than that. "And would you PLEASE fasten the clips on again!" He added.
"Ed! I don't want to argue with you!" Winry stomped her foot down for emphasis on how mad she was. Edward could not reply as the men were now a few feet away from them. He quickly hugged Winry, causing her to let out a squeak. His back facing the men as they neared, ready to take on the blow of hits. He shut his eyes ready for the impact.
Four gunshots rang out; one barely grazing Edward's cheeks as they just about missed the men and hit the wall on the other side of the theater. The four men stopped, their alchemy dying down in an instant. Winry, who was still in Ed's arms looked behind her and found that Edward was gaping at the person who had shot the rounds. She in turn, wanted to find out what it was exactly who it was he was shocked to see and turned her head around fully.
There…clad in a slim amethyst strapless dress….
…was Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, a slit in the dress revealed a gun holster strapped on her right thigh… Riza's hair was down unlike her usual clipped bun style with the ends of it in big curls. The frown on her face told them she was not pleased one bit.
"It's time the 'sugar plum fairy' puts things in her own hands, right boys?" She finally spoke up in a low voice, her gun still pointing at the 3 older alchemists.
AWWWW I AM SUCH A MEANIE ENDING IT HERE! HAHAHA AHHH OH WELLZ! REVIEWS PLEASE?! MAJOR ROYXRIZA NEXT CHAPTER! hmmm I just noticed the date today haha anyways! Here's a sneak peak of what's to come!
A Christmas Story: Chapter 8 preview
"….I'm so sorry for causing you trouble Edward the nutcracker and Miss Rockbell…please forgive my men…" The Mouse King exclaimed gesturing to Kimbley and Grand who were exiting the auditorium and then t brosh who was stanng a little ways to his left. He patted Edward on the shoulder. The two teens looked at him skeptically.
"It seems I will allow you to decline my offer of becoming my wife Miss Winry..." He told Winry, holding one of her hands in a dramatic way with fake tears added in the process. She simply nodded along with him obviously speechless.
"For I, the Mouse King…." Roy exclaimed, letting go of Winry's hand and turned to face the audience.
"…Shall take the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy to be my bride!" He stated closing his eyes in pure bliss at the thought. Everyone's eyes widened in shock and their mouths gaped open, excluding Riza, who just looked at the Colonel in shock.
