A/N: Alrighty…now, after this chapter, I'm gonna hafta take a break from this story so I can update (at least) my Nightmares Come to Life mini-series (which I haven't touched in…like…what, four months? I think it's been longer…).
BUT I hope this chapter is to your guys' liking –nods hopefully –
Nature's Fireworks
This…is…really…uncomfortable…
Okay, so you guys know that Alphonse took Gel and me to safety, right? But where exactly is this place of safety?
Apparently an abandoned building out in the outskirts of Central with some doctor that was "taken hostage" by Flame-head and Pipsqueak (I swear they've done this at least once before…). This doctor (Doctor Knox, I believe his name is?) was currently taking care of Gel.
And while I was waiting, I was stuck with Pipsqueak and his little brother. Well, the younger of the brothers was currently holding me, and I already knew he was good with animals (which is what I was, as much as I hated to admit it…), I was fairly sure I was safe with him. The only person I didn't trust in the current situation was Pipsqueak.
He was pretty pissed off about not finding Scar, so he was occasionally lashing out at either me or Alphonse. Or…pretty much anyone who was near enough for him to yell at.
He was probably more angry about not being able to save that Rockbell girl than catching Scar, though.
Oh…did I mention it was storming outside now?
So, as you can pretty well imagine, things just weren't very comfortable at all. Boy…how do I get myself in these situations so frickin' easily!?
Be patient, Envy…things'll get better soon enough.
Pft, yeah right…I was outright lying to myself, and it only served to make me angry.
I guess I was trembling or something because Alphonse started petting me gently. "It's okay, little guy." He's gonna pay for calling me 'little' (great, Pipsqueak's temperament's starting to wear on me…). "I'm sure your friend's alright."
"Why are you talking to that shrimp?" Pipsqueak growled, glaring at me. I glared back, which made him glare more savagely at me. "It's a wild beast, toss it out."
"You're so cruel, Brother!"
I could've started snickering at the younger's whimpering tone, but I was a bit preoccupied with worrying over Gel's well-being.
About this time Doctor Knox came out into the hall where we were waiting. I immediately turned toward him.
"How is she?"
My thoughts exactly, Al.
"She lost a lot of blood, but she'll be alright." I sighed, sinking a little into Alphonse's armored hand. "Do either of you know where she lives?"
"No," Pipsqueak answered flatly, forcing his chin into the palm of his human hand (oh yeah, I might've forgotten to mention…Fullmetal has a mechanical right arm and left leg called Automail). He looked thoroughly annoyed, to say the least (not that I wasn't annoyed by his attitude).
"We found her while we were looking for Scar."
And…neither of you realized that you found her near Father's "hide-out"?
Doctor Knox gave them both a hard look, changing it when he looked down at me. "So…is this lizard thing Envy? She keeps mumbling about some Envy in her delusions."
I felt Alphonse straighten up in surprise and even Pipsqueak gave me an odd look when I glanced in his direction.
"Envy?" the brothers said in unision, looking at each other before the older leaned closer toward me.
Wow, your attitudes changed a lot…
"Is there something wrong?" the doctor asked. I wanted him to just shut up and bring me to Gel so I could be sure that she was doing alright.
Suddenly, I heard Gel screaming out my name in panic. Next thing we all knew, she was running out into the hall looking frantic.
"Where's Envy!?" she screamed, trembling. Everyone pointed to me and she hobbled over, picking me up and hugging me. "Envy…"
I rubbed my head against her, curling my tail around her undamaged wrist. I was glad she was okay enough to be able to stay on her feet, but I was worried when Knox's report resurfaced in my mind.
I heard a slight clanking of metal and knew it was Alphonse leaning forward a little.
"Where did you find Envy?"
Gel and I looked at him, and almost instantly I felt her body trembling.
"…at that room where Greed took me…"
"Why did Greed take you?" This time, it was Fullmetal that spoke. Boy, did that look in his eyes make me feel uneasy…
"I-I don't know…he said something to Mommy about sacrifices and he took me away…"
The brothers looked at each other strangely (well, the oldest had a strange look on his face…I couldn't really tell with Alphonse because he's basically a walking, talking suit of armor), which made me uncertain. That look could mean anything.
I noticed a series of flashes coming from the window and I couldn't help but look over at the wood-and-glass contraption.
Hmmm…looks like some sort of lightshow. And…did the rain stop? I don't hear any thunder…
Then something connected in my mind and I wanted to go over to the window. I tried to make it obvious to Gel by climbing onto her shoulder closest to the window and making whatever sounds happened to come into my head.
"Envy? Is there something going on outside?"
I looked back to meet with blue-green eyes and nodded, trying to speak in English. Luckily, what came out was "Go now" (though it was garbled up). I was vaguely aware of the brothers looking at each other again and standing up, but I was focused on getting her outside.
She looked a little surprised, but nodded. "Okay…let's go outside."
With that, we all headed out the door and I leapt onto the banister once we got close enough, looking up at the sky as soon as I could.
Although the sky was dark, there were flashes of lightening that would make the sky light up almost as if it were still daytime, if only for a brief second. Occasionally, there were small rounds of distant rumbling thunder, but for the most part the only sounds were crickets chirping and the wind rustling through the trees.
"It's almost like fireworks," I heard Alphonse say, awe in his voice.
"Yeah…sure is." I didn't think I'd ever hear that sort of curiosity in Pipsqueak's voice for anything other than alchemy.
"Nature's fireworks…lovelier than man-made junk," muttered Doctor Knox.
I felt a hand gently cover my back and I looked back to see Gel looking up at the sky, tears making her blue-green eyes glisten beautifully. I gently wrapped my tail around her wrist and looked back at the sky, once again feeling that sense of…well, whatever sense it was that I always felt when I watched lightening shows.
I remember when Father and the rest of us would watch these events happen in nature. It always made me feel special…
To Be Continued…
