And I'm working behind a desk again. Shit.
The fucking voices are screaming louder than ever. I can barely hear the world around me. No amount of alcohol or pills can help either. And trust me, now that I know it won't kill me, I am not taking it light. I should be dead five times over, but nothing. This is getting really bad.
Wait... that voice. I've never been able to pick one from the crowd before, but that voice... it can't be.
'Drake! Help!'
It is. It's her. Lucy.
'Lucy! Calm down, I can barely keep up!'
'Help! Please, they'll kill us!'
'That's over with! I failed you already, five years ago.'
Her voice disappeared, and the others seemed to quiet down, nearly to a whisper. It was like they were ending their own conversations to focus on ours. Typical behavior of humans.
'I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough. I failed. Now you and Liz and all those other kids are souls trapped within me. I'm so sorry.'
'Souls... trapped in a Stone. Impossible. The Stone's a myth.'
'No, it's not. They've been made. Worse, I was born as a Stone... in a way. Now you're trapped. And you've been reliving that day for years, haven't you? This has to be the worst Hell imaginable.'
'Isn't that what you called your nightmare?'
'Yeah, I did. But it was over in minutes. This was five years.'
'I'm still sane enough to talk, aren't I? It couldn't have been that bad.'
'Liar. Don't spare my feelings.'
'It's not a lie. Hell is nothing when there's someone you trust there with you.'
'You picked a hell of a guy to trust.'
'Even if I'm just a soul, I'm alive. Everyone is. It wasn't the best way, but you saved us.'
'Saved you to be raving madmen in my head.'
'Have a little faith. Children should have stronger souls, right? We aren't insane, just trapped in our last moments.'
'So what are you saying?'
'You managed to speak to me. Speak to the others. You might bring yourself some peace.'
'As usual, you're a genius. And being a genius, I'm sure you know who I want to start with.'
'Just call her name.'
'Okay... Liz...'
#~#~#
Hours pass as I converse with the voices in my head. Maybe I've finally lost it. I suppose insanity is all that can be expected after living through what I have; doing what I've done.
"Sir, we could use you," Seb said, poking his head in.
"Right. Where to?" I asked, snapping out of my delusions after a moment.
"To the prison. There are a few friends of yours there."
"Friends of mine?"
"Yes, a couple girls caught stealing in Dublith. They were brought here when they mentioned you by name."
"Did one of them have silver hair?"
"Yes, actually. So you do know them?"
"In a way. Alright, let's go."
#~#~#
And here they are. Locked in cell. Why they didn't just skip town, I don't know. Idiots.
"See?! I told you I know him!" the silver one said, pointing at me. "Hey, your hair's not pink."
"That was the result of a stupid bet. But back to the matter at hand, know is a strong term. I don't even remember your names," I said, stepping in front of the cell. That was a lie by the way. Remember? Near-photographic memory.
They look different. I guess it's just the better lighting. The quiet one's hair looks more like downy feathers than anything else. And of course there's the matter of the triangular ears on the silver one's head. And the fluffy tail whipping around behind her. Yep, they're chimeras. No doubting it. But better chimeras than almost anything I've seen. Only Greed's bunch match them.
"Officer, you will take your men and leave here. None of you will speak of this. Clear?"
"Yes sir!"
They saluted and left. God I love having weight to throw around.
"So you're letting us go again?" She asked.
"Why should I? I always wanted a dog."
"I'm a wolf!"
"Same thing. Then what's she?"
"Some kind of songbird, I think. Does it matter?"
"I guess not. But you do want to live, right?"
"Of course."
"Well you sure as hell can't do that the way I used to. You're both terrible thieves."
"Are you going somewhere with this or just insulting us?"
"That depends; how do you feel about being pets?"
"I'm fine with it, canine loyalty and all that, but she'll scratch your eyes out."
Little Silent Sally did seem to tense at the mere thought of being subordinate. But she worked under Greed, right?
"Seems like you got that backwards. You've been doing all the talking since I met you. She's literally said not even two words to me."
"She keeps quiet, but she is the one in charge. Even Greed didn't boss her around."
"You'll notice I'm not him."
"It's your funeral."
"Then you're both privates, and under the care of Lieutenant Michaelis here," I said, grabbing Seb and hauling him over. He looked shy and bashful, as he often does, at the thought of having them as "pets".
"He's kinda cute," Sil said.
"He's also kinda gay. That's why I trust him not to take advantage of a girl as... loyal... as you are."
"I will do my best," he said, red from having one of his closest secrets revealed. I'm surprised he whine about in his cute way.
"Have fun with him, ladies," I said, unlocking their cell.
Just then, the guards came through with a new prisoner, kicking and screaming to no end. They broke free, kicking out one guard's leg and jabbing a fist into the back of their head. As the first fell unconscious, they threw a punch hard into another's stomach, making them double over before chopping their throat and leaving them gasping. The prisoner spotted us and made the stupid ass decision to attack.
In moments they were upon us. They jumped, aiming a flying kick at my head. I caught their leg, yanking them to the ground. Their head smacked audibly against the concrete, a small pool of blood forming under it. I gripped their throat and lifted them high off the ground, crushing them against the wall.
"Alright, I give," they said, tapping my arm.
"Funny guy, huh? You're lucky I like smartasses," I said, releasing them.
Now that they're still, I can get a good look. Dressed in all black, a few plates of armor in a design I haven't seen before. Their face was hidden under a thick hood and a mask depicting some exotic demon. Guess the guards didn't think it was prudent to give 'em the jumpsuit yet. On closer inspection, I could see obviously feminine curves to her form. Body rather thin and lithe, with ample sex appeal, I'm sure she's girl. Good, no more awkward gender-neutral pronouns. Damn she's short! Even Pipsqueak edges her out in height! I didn't think that was possible. But I think he was still shorter when we met. Wow, I've known him long enough to see him grow, it would seem.
"Is letting go of her a good idea, sir?" Seb asked.
"Hell if I know. But I doubt she can fight two chimeras, a trained soldier, and State Alchemist at once," I said as she removed her mask and hood.
Crimson locks fell around her face, reaching roughly chin-length. Like legit crimson; I've never seen hair that was literally red. She wore it in an unkempt fashion, similar to Alyx, but that might simply be resultant of the hood screwing it up. Her skin was somewhat pale, though not to extent of Alyx's or Seb's, and appeared soft and smooth. Lips that were fuller than most of the women's I've met were curled into a playful smile, like this was a game and there were no consequences. She's lucky I'll play that game. Her face was overall very cute, rather doll-like in its perfection, unlike the face of a purely sexual dominatrix her body would more or less imply. But by far her most stunning features were her eyes.
They carried the stereotypical squintiness of Xing eyes, but not to the extent I'd expect after meeting several Xingese during Ishval. But that was a minor thing, not the true attraction. What I find so amazing is the coloring. One a completely different hue from the other. The left was a lush and foresty emerald green while the right was a deep blue sapphire, reminiscent of the pure ocean waters. Both were flecked with glinting silver, tiny stars in her eyes. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Mesmerizing. I could rant for days on those eyes and their endless purity. But she's already looking at me funny.
"A Xing girl in South City, how unexpected," I said, pulling myself back to the present. Hopefully no one else noticed my little lapse.
"I'm not Xingese," she said in voice that sounded like she was already an old friend.
"Your eyes say differently," I said, only half-noticing my racial insensitivity.
"Xing isn't the only land with squinty eyes," she said, not seeming to care about the political incorrectness of our words, "I'm from a land further to the east of Xing. It's an island nation, a little behind the times but still a beautiful place to live."
"Then why come here?"
"Business. Nothing more, nothing less."
"And what business is that?"
"A search for anything sufficiently useful that I could bring back home. If you want to know why, you'll have to know me better."
"Fair enough, I suppose. Then come with me, I'm headed to Rush Valley to watch a friend get his head beaten in for breaking his automail. I'm sure you'd love to see that."
"Sounds fun enough. I'm Mizore, by the way."
"That a codename?"
"No, why would you suspect that?"
"You look like a Xing assassin, which I have seen before. Old guys don't like it when a new boy gains ranks in years when it took them decades. But back to the point, assassins don't use their own names."
"Well I do have a little training in how to expertly slit your throat, but I'm no assassin."
"I like you!" I declared, laughing at her comment and deciding this girl was a worthy friend. "I'm Major General Drake Adams, the Sovereign Alchemist. Excuse my formality, I just love my titles." We started heading out of the prison, bantering like friends after years apart. It just came naturally for the both of us.
"You're just going to walk away with her? She took out two of our guards and did God knows what to get arrested. You're going to disregard that?" Seb asked, dumbfounded by my flippant recklessness.
"Yeah, I guess so," I said with a shrug.
"Why?"
"I like her eyes."
"Why thank you, General," Mizore said with exaggerated graciousness.
Seb smiled, forgetting to stay uptight. "Alright, sir. I'll handle the new recruits, you go be yourself. God knows I could never stop you," he said, laughing quietly to himself as he took care of Sil and Nikki. And so Mizore and I continued through the prison, our conversation never ending the entire way.
I wonder if Ed's ever seen a Xingese assassin before? Should be interesting when Mizore ambushes him just for fun.
#~#~#
Riding the train to the Valley. Would be boring if I didn't have this little maniac with me. She's stolen a number of things for us to play with, as well as adding a mild poison to the food in first-class for a dinner show. She acts more insanely than I do. Talks like me. Even thinks like me. Fun girl. Damn I'm glad I took this promotion. I would've missed such a great new partner-in-government-sanctioned-crime.
"So you know Alkahestry?" I asked as she scratched a circle inscribed with a pentagram into the table.
"Not much. Enough to do simple transmutation and healing," she said, heading across the aisle and scratching another circle.
"I've read a bit on the art, but it's difficult to learn from a book," I said, watching as she placed her hands on the circle at our table. A tiny bird formed from the material around the other circle.
"Besides the healing, that is the main advantage of Alkahestry. We can perform transmutation at range, which gives little ninjas like me a deadly reputation as ghosts and demons wielding unholy magic," she said, brushing a blood-red strand of hair from her blue eye.
"That is really cool. Think you can teach me?"
"Maybe. I'm still little more than a student myself, though."
"Something is better than nothing."
"Fair enough. Now since you read about it, I'm sure you know about the Dragon's Pulse..."
#~#~#
Atelier Garfiel, Winry's new place of employment and tutelage. And, as expected, Ed is here. With his brother, of course. And three new friends.
Two were dressed similarly to Mizore, but wore white masks, each depicting half of the yin-yang symbol. Can't tell much more about them right now. The third, though, I can tell quite a bit about. Taller than Ed by several inches, but built with the same amount of lean muscle, he was obviously of Xing heritage. He wore white trousers, and a sickeningly yellow shirt he left open to reveal his chest and stomach wrapped in sarashi. Not that it much matters, the damn thing barely reaches his midriff. His open shirt also revealed the sash that led to a sword on his back, the blade hidden in white tape like his stomach. The yellow shirt had a motif of white flames on the bottom edges of it, as well as a bird skull on he back. His hair was long, probably reaching midway down his back, and was held up in a ponytail with a white ribbon. He looks pretty mature, though I doubt he's as old as he looks. He never stops smiling, probably to counteract his shifty eyes. I get the feeling this guy will be an annoyance to Ed and a friend to me.
"Hey, Pipsqueak, who are your new friends?" I asked, sitting down next to him.
"They're more like pains in my ass," he grumbled. Guess I was right.
"They broke your arm even more, huh?" I said, looking at his ruined automail. Damn thing wasn't even attached anymore. "Winry's gonna brain you."
"You're probably right. Who's the new girl?"
"Mizore. Some Xing girl that got caught and brought to my prison. I decided to let her go and accompany me to see you get brained."
"I think I knew a Mizore once," the Xing boy said, cutting in like he was already a part of the conversation, "but her hair was purple. So were her eyes."
"Do all Xingese have such unusual hair colors?" I asked only half jokingly.
"Actually, now that you mention it..." he said more to himself than to me.
"So who the hell are you and the personal assassins?" I ask.
"I'm Ling Yao, Prince of Xing! They are my personal guards Lan Fan and Fu."
"Why is a prince here?"
"That's what I asked," Ed chimed in.
"It's family business."
"And that's the same crap I got."
"So were is Winry?" Mizore impatiently asked, "I want to see him get brained!"
"Violent one. Can I pick 'em or what?"
"She's not going to be around often, is she?"
"If she keeps saying things like that, I'll take her everywhere. She'll be Riza to my Roy."
"Don't mention that bastard."
"He's not a bas-... okay he is a bastard, even when you do know him, but he's still a good man. He's risked his ass for men more times than I can count."
"Enough with the war stories, old man. Can we just sit quietly for a bit? Those three gave me such a headache."
Geez, such a buzzkill. I leaned back, grabbing a cloth and polishing my arm. Mizore wandered around, marveling at the automail. Liz and I used to be like that when we young. We thought it was so cool. Now I know there's a lot of work that comes with that coolness.
"You don't have automail in your country?" I asked.
"No, we just heal the wound and leave it at that. We didn't even use peg legs until around forty years ago," she said, running a gloved hand over one of the unfinished products.
"Damn, you really are behind the times."
"Shut up, not everyone can be a militaristic juggernaut of a country focusing everything on making better killers."
"No, I guess not."
"Can I look at yours?"
"Sure."
I tossed the rag aside and pushed up my sleeves and pants legs. She looked almost taken aback by my extreme condition. Her light fingers ran over the liquid-smooth carbon fiber, falling into one of the grooves forming an array and tracing through it.
"This is... really cool!" She finally exclaimed.
"That's the reaction most kids have," I said with a smile. Most adults react with pity though.
"I'm eighteen, dammit!"
"Some people are old at eighteen, some are young at ninety. You're still young at eighteen."
"Done with the sage talk?"
"For now."
Just as I said this the sound of light footsteps and humming came from outside. "Hey, Mr. Garfiel, I'm back!" Winry sang, finally arriving.
"Hey, Win," I said, waving at the blonde girl.
"Drake, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see what you'd do to Ed."
"What I'd do to..." she said, trailing off as she caught sight of his totaled automail. "EDWARD!"
She must've pulled a wrench from some pocket universe, because one came from nowhere and flew straight into his face. He grabbed his nose as it started spewing blood. Both Mizore and I laughed until we fell to the ground.
"Dammit, Winry! That freakin' hurt!" He yelled.
"You wrecked my automail again!" She yelled back.
"It's their damn fault!"
Another wrench smacked him in nearly the same spot, drawing more blood and laughter.
"Don't blame others for your mistakes!" She noticed the new people, taking on a much friendlier demeanor. "Hi, I'm Winry Rockbell, nice to meet you." Funny how she just flips on a switch like that.
"I'm Ling Yao, Prince of Xing!" Our new Xing friend said, excitedly shaking Winry's hand. Looks like he nearly pulled it out of the socket.
"I'm Mizore," my short friend said.
"Wow, your hair is really pretty. Is that natural?" Winry asked, examining her hair like she examines automail, and trust me, I know how she does that.
"Yeah, actually it is," she replied, losing some of her previous cheeriness for some reason.
"Well I love it," Winry told her, making Mizore's cheeks turn just a little pink.
"Thank you," she said, twirling a strand around her finger.
"So you're all from Xing?"
"More or less," I said, getting up and dusting myself off.
"Wow, I never met anyone from Xing before."
"WILL YOU JUST FIX MY DAMN ARM?!" Ed yelled.
For the third time today, Ed got a wrench in the face. For the third time today, I fell to the ground laughing with a girl a barely know, yet have already developed a great relationship with.
#~#~#
Back in Central. Thought it would be fun to follow around Fullmetal for a while. Crazy shit always happens around him.
"This is boring, why don't we go make some fun?" Mizore asked.
"I love the way you think, but just give it time. If we're even in the same city as Pipsqueak, something will happen," I said, stopping by a vendor and buying the morning paper.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I've known this guy for a while. Doesn't matter where he is, shit always goes down when he's around."
I almost skipped the headline, expecting it to be nonsense like usual, but a name caught my eye. Maes Hughes. I flipped back, looking at the large, bold letters with surprise and anger and disbelief.
'SECOND LIEUTENANT MARIA ROSS ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF MAES HUGHES'
My fists unconsciously clenched the paper, wrinkling and crushing it. This can't be true. I met Ross. There's no way she could do this. There's no fucking way!
"Is something wrong?" Mizore asked, catching my vacant gaze.
"Yes. An innocent woman is being convicted. You want something fun to do? How's a prison break sound?" I ask, throwing the paper aside.
"Sounds freaking crazy. Sounds like we could die. Sounds like we'll be arrested for the rest of lives, if we're lucky. Count me in."
She has no idea why this is important to me, but there's fire in her eyes none the less. So excited just to do something illegal. I've hit the jackpot with this one.
#~#~#
Because I don't want to lose my job, I'm not doing this as myself. And by that I mean I won't show my face. This is an act brought on by the rage I feel for her false incrimination, so I'll wear what best reflects the little monster inside that is my wrath.
Dressed in all black, covered by a duster, my head hidden under a hood. All my clothes purposely ripped and torn, worn like it's seen a thousand battles. My face painted black, the only feature visible being my soulless blue eyes. Every blade I have is at full extension, ready to carve up whoever gets in my way. Wrath drives me, a demon burning in my soul. My appearance is now an acceptable representation of this.
"God, I can only see your eyes," Mizore said from behind her mask, "Freakin' creepy."
"Are you ready?"
"Of course."
With a stomp of my foot, the battle begins.
Twenty-foot walls of stone rise from the earth on either side, leaving an empty path through the front gate. Soldiers began pouring in toward us, seemingly already on alert. I stepped calmly, but every footfall rang like thunder as black lightning cracked around us. They began firing, all of their shots blocked with a swipe of my blade.
"Non-lethal," I said to the Xingese ninja at my side.
"You're no fun," she pouted, rushing forward and carving into their non-vitals with twin kunai while disorienting with flash bombs.
We walked into the facility without a scratch on us.
First door. I raised a hand, blasting a stream of inky electricity at the metal. It glowed bright orange, then white before melting to nothing. I stepped over the molten steel, heading further into the complex.
Wave after wave of soldiers came at us, all meeting similar fates to the ones outside. I want to kill them all, but I swore I'd made my last kill already. No more men will die at these hands. We've fought dozens of soldiers, but none should die. They're lucky I'm repentant of the man I used to be.
We came to an intersection, seeing beaten soldiers we didn't beat.
"Did you rush ahead?" I asked.
"No. Someone else must be planning a great escape," Mizore said, removing her mask for a minute to breath.
"Careful, don't let them see your face."
"This isn't my first covert op."
She wiped sweat from her brow and replaced the mask. Onward we went, seeing the trail of soldiers continue.
The sound of gunfire and a familiar scratching noise became obvious. Where have I heard that sound before? Like steel scrapping over concrete...
Going forward, a new obstacle was sighted. The other guy attempting a prison break. And now I know why that sound was familiar. I rushed to him, blindsiding him into the wall.
"Ah dammit! Who are you, I'll cut you to pieces!" He yelled, feebly struggling to get free.
"You're that suit of armor from Lab 5," I said, my voice made deeper and harsher by my currently enraged state.
"Hey, you're that guy that blasted me apart! You bastard! You nearly killed me!"
"Why are you here?"
"I came to break out the Ross girl. Mustang said to get her out of the country."
"So Mustang already has a plan in place..."
"Can you let me go?"
Despite better judgment, I did. He looks even fatter and more cobbled together than last time. He certainly isn't a high priority of whoever made him.
"I'm coming with you. I don't trust you after our first encounter."
"I could say the same of you."
I ignored him, continuing further to see the cells come into view. One in particular stood out, though it wasn't Maria's.
"Ling, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I was arrested for being an illegal immigrant. Why are you here?"
"I'm rescuing a girl from unfair execution. I'll need a place to hide her and all of Amestris is out, think you can take her to Xing?"
"Sure!"
"Then come with me."
I grabbed his heavy steel cell door, ripping it off the hinges. Good luck finding automail this size with that power anywhere but on my shoulders.
The number of guards lessened to nearly none as we continued, giving me time to relax. Constantly pumping alchemy is physically draining for me, since I use my own electrical synapses and bodily energy to make my lightning. Years of practice gives me nearly endless stamina, but it still takes its toll when I'm going full-throttle.
We finally came to Ross's cell. Tearing the door away, she cowered from me. No surprise there; I look like a demon with a couple familiars at my back.
"Maria Ross, come with me if you want to live," I said, offering a hand.
"What's happening? My trial is tomorrow," she said, still backing away.
"No, your execution is. Our loving Führer has decided to skip your trial all together, despite plenty of evidence that you are innocent."
"I'm going to die?"
"If you stay here, yes. But come with me and we'll get you to Xing and safety."
With a little more trepidation, she finally took my hand and we made our way out.
More guards began appearing, but four warriors were more than enough to tear them down. One last door before freedom. I raised a hand, melting it to sludge and blasting through the wall around the complex. Then we were out.
#~#~#
Running through the back alleys of the city, avoiding the MP. Had to throw up a couple walls, but we're doing fine enough. Until more idiots get involved.
"The rendezvous point is just ahead!" The armor, now known as Barry, said. But a certain red-cloaked Pipsqueak got in the way.
"Ed, what are you doing here?!" I demand.
"We were coming to see if Ross really had anything to do with Hughes' death, but then we saw the commotion. I should have known you were involved," he replied.
"Ross, go ahead. I get the feeling I'll have to stay here with Elric," I said, pushing her ahead.
She ran on, ignoring Ed's arguments. Lots of yelling ensued, all punctuated with a boom and a column of smoky flame. Ed rushed ahead, and I couldn't help but follow.
In the alley was Mustang, fingers post-snap, a smoldering corpse in front of him. A shining caught my sharp eyes. It was a bracelet, with Ross's name on it. Not thinking, Ed was ready to attack. Thinking even less, I did.
Gripping his throat, I slammed him into the wall, cracking the brick. "Why did you do it, you bastard?!" I roared, barely keeping myself from crushing his skinny little neck. Then I noticed the feeling of Ross. It was still strong and alive, but quickly disappearing. He pulled a crazy ass trick. Son of a bitch.
"She was slated to die anyway," Mustang coldly replied.
"You were always an asshole, Mustang, but now I can see you really earned the title Hero of Ishval. You're just another baby-killer."
I let go, walking away as the MP arrived. I have to go.
#~#~#
"Why didn't you smear that Mustang guy's brains on the wall?" Mizore asked.
"Because I know him too well to do that."
Back in my regular clothes and all that paint washed off. God I feel so much better. Going to see the Elrics. I'm sure the Elrics are pretty miserable after hearing about Hughes' dying and seeing Maria's "corpse". Strange, what's Armstrong doing here?
"Damn that guy is huge! And I thought you were tall," Mizore said, obviously never having seen a titan like Armstrong before.
"Yes, he's quite impressively large. Let's see what he's up to."
In the next moments, he exited Ed's room with the Pipsqueak in question over his massive shoulder.
"Major," I said, catching up.
"Yes sir, what is it?" He asked, turning around.
"Where are you taking Fullmetal?"
"To Resembool to get his automail repaired. It has received a nasty dent recently."
Somehow I feel like you're the cause.
"Then I want a full report of this trip when you get back."
"But sir-"
"I'm your superior officer, you have no right to argue with me. I don't care if you're just going for repairs, I want a report. Tell me everything, understand?"
"Yes sir."
No way are they just going to Resembool. Not taking Al means they want to stay on the down low. Everyone in the country knows that metal giant. But despite Armstrong's unique form, he can be disguised, as can Ed. They want to go someplace they can't be seen or heard by the enemy. I want to know what it is they'll be talking about.