Chapter 10: What Next?
"Long time no see….Yasa," hissed the boy in the middle of the group. He seemed to be the leader of them.
Yasa squinted her eyes to see if she recognized them. She looked over to Takeshi and he was glaring at them angrily.
"Who are they Takeshi?"
Takeshi looked a bit flabbergasted but said, "Think about it Yasa. A group of boys, your alchemy, revenge…"
Yasa took a while to remember but she finally came to her senses.
"You…you jerks! You guys beat the crap out of us and left us to die!"
The middle boy laughed then the entire group.
"I was a little worried you wouldn't remember us. And by the way, what you did to us was worse."
"How in the world was it worse? It's called pay-back! I think we took it easy on you!"
"You tortured us in cages!"
"You beat us up until we bled!"
"We begged for you to stop!"
"You didn't stop either way. And I was 5 years-old. Yeah, you're really going to get out of this one!" Yasa was infuriated at how they think she should be sorry for beating them in a less violent fashion.
Takeshi stepped forward, fuming. "How long has it been? Six years? That means you guys have to be at least 17 now. What do you want with us?"
"What do we want? It should be obvious. We want revenge." The group started walking towards Yasa and Takeshi.
"Ha! That's what you think," Yasa said.
"We haven't been sitting around doing nothing. You may be a State Alchemist but I know we're stronger than you will ever be." The group laughed again.
Yasa was about to say something else but Zac and Cole interrupted. "Get outta here or we'll kill you. We had to restrain ourselves to not track you down."
Then there was a stir in the middle of the boys. A muffled sound came from them. One of the boys in the front screamed in pain as he held his right leg. A flash of green hair flailed around trying escape.
"Julia? Julia!" Takeshi yelled.
"Take-" The boy holding his leg punched Julia in the face, knocking her out.
"You guys will pay for that!"
Takeshi charged through to the boys and aimed for the one in the middle. He slid on the floor trying to knock him off his feet but the boy grabbed his leg and swung him over his shoulder.
"Takeshi!" Yasa yelled. She was about to run over to help him but Cole caught her arm.
Zac started, "Picking on five year-olds again, Jake? How pitiful." Cole continued, "You must be weak if you throw your weight around with these kids."
Jake began to get angry and grabbed Julia's head. "If you try to fight me I'll torture her! I'm here for Yasa!"
"I'm sorry I just don't think it's all too fair for her to take on 6 or 7 boys all alone."
Everyone turned their heads to see where the voice was coming from. Ed walked next to Yasa and said, "I'm joining in the fun." Takeshi got up and went to Yasa's side too.
Jake took a while to think about it. "Okay, I guess I can let you fight with Yasa and Takeshi. It won't be much of a challenge but it will be entertaining." He laughed then his group.
Zac and Cole gritted their teeth as they thought of what to do. Cole spoke first.
"Well I guess it wouldn't be much of a problem." Zac finished, "Yasa show them what we taught you!"
Yasa laughed. "Thisis going to be fun." Her hair changed from orange to blonde and her eyes from yellow to crimson red like the night at Roy's.
"We'll see about that. Cain, Lucas, Michael, take care of Takeshi. George, Broth, Kendal, handle the runt. I'll go for Yasa."
"Who're you callin' a runt?!" shouted Ed. "That's it, Yasa, let's beat these guys into the ground!"
Lucas was the first to move then Cain and Michael followed closely behind. Takeshi readied himself. He ducked as Michael tried to get him into a choke hold, then he moved to the left as Lucas tried to knee him in the stomach. Takeshi was waiting for Cain to attack but he was just standing there with his arms crossed, waiting for the right time.
Yasa was waiting for Jake to move but he was engrossed in watching everyone else fight. He seemed to be enjoying this. Yasa stood there waiting too, not in a hurry to fight since she was still a bit tattered from her little spare with Ed.
Ed seemed to be enjoying himself as he kept dodging the boys' kicks and punches.
"Is that all you got?" he jeered.
Kendal and George came on both sides of Ed and tried to capture him. He just smiled. "You guys make it too easy." Ed jumped out of the way but apparently George and Kendal figured as much. They charged in Ed's direction and that caught him off guard. He got tackled to the ground but Ed clapped his hands and touched the ground. Suddenly, two hands made of earth grabbed the two boys and held them in mid-air. Broth came from behind Ed and just missed him from the short knife in his hand.
"What the hell?! You guys seriously want to kill us?! Yasa, Takeshi, watch out one of these guys just pulled a knife on me!"
They both gasped. Yasa turned to Jake with wide eyes. "You can't be serious. You want to kill us?"
"Not all of you, just you Yasa," he said excitedly. "But since I found you with other people then I have to get rid of the witnesses." Jake started laughing crazily until a dark figure appeared behind him.
"I'm afraid your plan won't work. I can't be killed." Al lifted up Jake and began squeezing him in a bear hug. He was gasping for air. "Call off your guys, now!"
Jake took no time in telling his boys to stop. "Will you put me down now?"
Yasa and Ed started laughing. "You have got to be out of your damn mind!! You're coming with us!"
Al started walking away while the rest of the boys looked skeptical.
"Hey guys," Jake yelled, "Come on!"
They just looked at each other until Cain spoke. "Um, these guys are State Alchemists. They're gonna let the military handle us."
"I knew we shouldn't have messed with these guys again," Kendal whined.
"Let's run for it!" shouted Broth.
"Hey not so fast!" yelled Yasa.
Ed clapped his hands and they both placed their hands on the ground. A bright green light shined beneath the boys and they were sinking into mud. When the light ended the mud dried and hardened.
"You guys rest. We'll carry them for you." Zac and Cole drew one big transmutation circle and pressed down on it. The ground stirred then the boys were floating individual in there own little mud cast. Zac and Cole lifted them under their arms and followed Al. Jake was moving all about in Al's arms.
"I can't believe you guys would just ditch me here! I never want to see you guys again, you hear! And Yasa this isn't over! I'll come back just you wait!"
Al squeezed down on Jake until he stopped moving. "Oops, I guess I was too rough."
Later, Yasa, Zac, and Cole said their good-byes too Ed, Al, Takeshi, and Julia and returned home. Yasa pulled out a chair and plopped down. She sighed loudly, "Oh my goodness what is wrong with him?"
Zac pulled a chair next her and sat in it backwards. "I have no idea. Jake was a bit of an idiot back in the days."
"Today was definitely eventful."
"Hey where have you guys been all day?" Lilia came downstairs to her kids.
They got startled. Zac and Yasa practically jumped out of their seats. They shot worried glances at each other.
"All of your clothes are so worn! And Yasa, your hair and your eyes are its natural color. What were you guys up too?"
"Um, we've just been hanging out with our friends," Yasa said quickly.
"I'm heading for my room." Cole walked upstairs stretching, trying to act tired.
"Me too," Zac yawned.
Yasa followed suit. "Oh I didn't realize it was so late. I'll take a shower."
Lilia watched her kids head upstairs with a suspicious look on her face. She sighed then locked the door. Yasa ran back downstairs and said, "Oh I have a better idea." She ran behind the counter and grabbed a pen, then opened the door and started engraving transmutation circles in its width. She closed the door then put her hand on it. The house flashed a blinding white light. Lilia looked confused.
"Oh, it's our new security system. I learned it from someone." Yasa smiled and skipped off to her room.
It's been nearly three weeks since Yasa and Ed became State Alchemists and nothing has happened.
"Is this what being a State Alchemist is all about?!" Yasa complained.
It was Sunday when the restaurant was closed. Yasa was serving drinks to Ed and Takeshi. Al was there too.
"Where did you say your mom and your brothers were?" Takeshi asked.
"They went to get groceries even though we didn't really run out of anything."
"Maybe they just wanted to get out of this boring house," Ed said.
Yasa wanted to get angry but didn't feel like it. "Maybe you're right."
"Let's get out of here then," said Al. He got up and walked to the door. "Why aren't you guys coming?"
Yasa spoke. "Where would we go?"
No one said anything until Ed broke the silence. "How about the Central Library?"
"Me and Al aren't State Alchemists, remember?"
Yasa had a mischievous grin. "We could probably sneak you guys in."
"I'm a suit of armor, remember?"
"Suits of armor, an oven, a piece of candy, they're all the same thing."
Ed looked at Yasa weirdly but sighed. "Well why not? Come on everyone, let's read some books."
They walked towards the library without even the slightest clue on how to get in with Al and Takeshi. Then Al snapped his fingers.
"Oh, I've got it!" He motioned from them to lean in to hear. After a while they all nodded in approval.
"It's definitely better than what I would have thought of," said Yasa.
"I bet you weren't even thinking," laughed Takeshi.
Everyone was in position. Yasa and Ed made communicators for the others.
"Strawberry Cupcake is in position. Are you set, Red Licorice?" asked Yasa.
"Red Licorice is set. How about you, Chocolate Malt?" Ed asked.
"Chocolate Malt is ready for action! Apple Strudel?" asked Al.
"Apple Strudel is go! Sweet Pears, are you ready?" asked Julia.
"Why were we dragged here?"
"I said 'Are you ready?'"
Zac and Cole sighed, "Yes, we're ready. Green Candy?"
"Let's just get on with this!" grumbled Takeshi.
Yasa was walking to the entrance of the Central Library while Ed was hiding behind it, waiting to make his move. Julia pushed a stroller with Takeshi in it.
"Sweet Pears remember, you have to distract the guards. And Cole, act like a girl, please," Yasa begged.
There are usually two guards. A man and a woman. Cole wore a light blue blouse with a knee-length jade green pleated skirt that sparkled slightly in the sun. His hair was longer and in a low pigtails. He also wore soft pink sandals that laced up to his knee. Yasa got creative and colored his nails green.
"Why do I have to be the girl?"
"Because you're younger," answered Zac, dully.
Zac wore black slacks with a somewhat formal jacket and a white shirt buttoned up half way.
They looked pretty convincing and nothing like twins. The shirt Cole was wearing didn't reveal much and Zac just looked handsome.
"Cole, you look hot and Zac, if you weren't my brother, I might consider going out with you," Yasa teased.
"Quit babbling you guys, it's getting cramped in here," groaned Takeshi.
"Alright, alright. Strawberry Cupcake moving into action."
Yasa walked forward to the guards and flashed her pocket watch. They let her by easily.
A few minutes pasted and Yasa said, "Now here's where the fun begins. Apple Strudel, you're next."
Julia walked towards the guards with the stroller. They stopped her.
"Sorry, Miss, but only State Alchemists are allowed through," stated the woman.
"Oh, well I was just waiting for my friend to come out and help me babysit," she said motioning to the carriage. The guards came forward to look inside but Julia waved her arms to shoo them away.
"I'm not supposed to let strangers look at him! I'll get in trouble."
They stood there for a while then backed away. The man cleared his throat.
"Well, you still can't come in."
"I know. I'll just wait out here." She walked to the left of the building, pretending to play with a baby. She laughed, "This is so fun, right Takeshi?"
He groaned then talked into his communicator. "Sweet Pears, our job is done for now. Move in."
"Righto." Zac was up first. He came around a corner tugging at his shirt trying to fan himself. He walked casually to the woman guard with a smug smile on his face. He was taller than her and that made the effect even better.
"Oh, sir, do you need any help?" she asked.
He looked straight into her eyes and said, "I'm just looking for a place to rest." He paused. "But when I see your eyes, I feel like myself again. Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Charles but I don't mind being called Charlie." He flashed a smile and looked down. "Charlette, what a lovely name."
The woman couldn't stop looking in his eyes and said, "Um, well, I can't allow you in the library."
The guy beside her noticed Zac and was about to ask what was going on until he heard a girl cry out in distress. Charlette didn't seem to notice.
"Oh! Someone please help!"
The man rushed to the girl's side and he was dazzled. Cole watched his expression and rolled his eyes.
Cole looked up with worried eyes. "My purse, someone took off with it." He batted his eyes pleadingly and looked to his right where the purse snatcher supposedly was.
The man couldn't help but look at his eyes as he said, "We'll find him for you. May I ask your name?"
"Oh, my name is Reneé." He looked down at the man's shirt and said, "And I'm guessing your name is Rane, correct?"
"Yes." Rane couldn't seem to stop looking at Cole.
Both Charlette and Rane were distracted and Yasa was watching from the door of the library.
"This is great. Who knew Zac and Cole were such actors. Sweet Pears are working nicely, it's time for Red Licorice to sweeten things up."
"That's all I need to hear. Red Licorice going into sugar shock!"
Ed closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He clapped his hands and placed them on the ground. The ground began to shake and suddenly there was an explosion in the direction of where Cole was looking. Then there was another blast of debris and a third.
Rane and Charlette turned their heads along with Zac and Cole who were smiling the tiniest of smiles.
"Excuse me but I have business to attend too," said Charlette.
"Maybe we'll meet again," Zac said and winked at her.
"Maybe." Charlette then ran toward the explosions along with Rane who shouted, "It's probably that purse snatcher! We'll take care of him. And I wouldn't mind meeting you again too." He winked and Cole blushed. Not out of flattery, out of embarrassment.
Yasa's eyes brightened as she spoke through her communicator.
"Apple Strudel, Green Candy, Sweet Pears, Chocolate Malt, Red Licorice, when I say 3, run for the Sugar Mountain."
Yasa closed her eyes and changed her hair to a pale pink and her eyes to a sparkling yellow.
"One."
She opened the library door wider and held her arms in front of her.
"Two."
The air around her hands seemed warped until she pushed forward and a blinding white sandstorm formed all around the library.
"Three!"
Ed, Al, Zac, Cole, Julia, and Takeshi ran to the building. Once they were inside, Yasa closed the door softly.
"Let's head for the fourth floor. I told the librarians I needed help in finding The Book of Alchemy which I already knew was on this floor. They'll be back in no time."
Yasa and Ed were leading them quietly through the floors. When they reached, they broke out in laughs.
"That was so fun!" giggled Julia.
"You're telling me," said Zac between breaths.
"Yeah, a real tear in the eye," said Cole sarcastically, but he seemed to be enjoying himself too.
"We have to do that again! Al you're a genius," said Yasa.
"Yeah, thanks Al," laughed Takeshi, rolling his eyes.
"No problem," Al laughed.
Ed was just smiling at what they just did until he turned around to take a seat. He froze in his tracks.
"Uh Yasa? I think we have a problem."
Yasa was still laughing when she turned to Ed but it died down to a nervous laughter. Everyone turned their heads and immediately stopped making any noises.
There was only one sound in the room and that was a smooth laughter coming from the window. Someone was sitting by the window at a table propped up on their hand. The person got up and walked casually towards them still snickering. They came about five feet from them when they stopped.
Yasa gulped. "Hey Roy."
Ed added, "How's it going?"