Guest: I'm glad you liked the cross-dressing and theater. Really, who wasn't sad when Maes Hughes died? Of course the story would be different from the three story-lines (manga, original anime, brotherhood anime), since it's a crossover/ fusion and my brainchild.
APH1168kittens: Lucky you! I'd give anything to be good at science! And I completely sympathize with you because math can be an unforgivable bitch.
BlAcKmIkUlOuCh18: I'm glad I was able to bring a smile to your lips... ACK! I forgot to out in the hits to LL's pride for a few chapters! I'm so sorry! Also, this will tie in big with plot, just not very soon, as will many things I'll be bringing in. It's like Brotherhood; everything's important.
DemonKittyAngel: I'm very happy you love my story and that seeing a new chapter makes you happy. Yes, enjoy the cross-dressing here, it probably won't happen again. The reunion will obviously be happening later, but it'll be very different from what you expect. I don't see this as filler, since quite a bit went down here.
Chikara no Ookamiden217: I'm pleased that you think of my story in such a way! I try to mix up the events and the dialogue so that it doesn't sound too much like the story-line, but since LL will continue to be part of Edward and Alphonse's journey up till the end, it can't really be helped. I don't know what what Hayate the combat butler is, but I'll keep it up all the same!
"Mmm..."
It was as delicious as she remembered.
As par her agreement to pay back Gino for the Coffee Incident, Kallen allowed him to treat her to the dinner he had asked her to attend from almost over half a year ago. So, to her pleasant surprise, Gino took her to Tamaki's bar for said dinner.
The former Black Knight had found the abandoned restaurant just before the battle of Narita. He liked how it looked and subconsciously added "Bartender" to his list of jobs-he-would-get-after-Zero-liberated-Japan. After Nunnally was crowned Empress and successfully destroyed any attempts at re-establishing the numbers system, Tamaki was able to use his "hard-earned" salary from working with the Black Knights and renovated the place. After nearly two months at it, he was able to open up his new bar/buffet to the public.
He named it "The Black King".
At first, business was slow, with next to no people showing up for the first few days. Then, Nunnally of all people showed up on the fourth day, along with Kallen. Apparently, Kallen had let it slip that Tamaki called himself Zero's best buddy, and so Nunnally wanted to meet the man who claimed to be close to her beloved brother.
She wasn't even the least bit upset or annoyed with him when he finally admitted that he just wanted Zero to like him, so he constantly sucked up to the guy.
"But, I really did like him, and I wanted him to like me too," he said at last, feeling really ashamed.
She just smiled and said she was happy that he wanted to please her brother so much. At that moment, when he saw the gentle kindness and honesty on her face, Tamaki understood just why Lelouch had gone to such lengths to give her the world she wished for.
Also, if it weren't enough, a stray paparazzi member caught the image of Nunnally going over to the bar and posted it on every newspaper possible, prompting many Britannians to go the same place that their empress had gone to visit.
I wonder what he's doing right now. Zero, no, Lelouch...
"...ki. Tamaki!"
The man snapped out of his thoughts and returned his attention to the in front. Kallen was wearing a pale blue dress reaching just below her knees, a black velvet cravet placed on the collar around her throat. The pale blue sleeves reached just above her elbows with darker blue sleeves reaching to her wrists. Black tights covered her legs and gray lace-up stylish boots covered her feet. Her trademark pink purse was secured to her shoulder by a strap.
"Kallen, it's great to see y-!" Tamaki began, happy to see his former comrade and still-friend.
He cut off when he saw Gino.
He was wearing a white button up shirt, with the two buttons closest to his collar undone. He wore designer jeans, jacket, stylish black dress shoes and a look that could only be described as "I'm King of the World, bitches!".
Unfortunately, at least for the two pilots, he also happened to be the only one who witnessed the quiet moments between the two before the battle with the Damocles. A grin spread on his face.
Well, it's about damn time!
"Welcome to the Black King, what can I get ya?" Tamaki re-stared the conversation in his bartender voice, feeling even more vigorous if possible.
"Do you have any booths or tables free?" Gino asked.
"Right over there," Tamaki replied, pointing to one of the tables set up.
"Thanks!" Gino took out the appropriate amount of money and gave it to Tamaki before the two went over and sat at the booth, set their things down and went up to the buffet tables.
Kallen was especially happy to see many of her favorite foods at the selections available. Miso soup, beef bowl and yakinasu, as well as many others she simply couldn't decide which to try. She loaded up her plate and met Gino back at their booth. The blond's tray was stacked, and he had at least one item from each line.
"I take it you're enjoying yourself," Gino said, grinning as he watched Kallen salivate as she eyed her food.
"I haven't seen, let alone tasted this kind of food in literally years; of course I'm happy!" Kallen said ecstatically as she began wolfing it down.
Gino followed her example and began eating with relish. Food was meant to be enjoyed how one saw fit, after all. Some of the- most of the people in the bar sweat-dropped as they observed the two aces scarfing their food with the likeness of starving wolves. Some of the more bitter Britannians could excuse Kallen for eating like a pig, since she was a Num- er, not Britannian, but they had expected more from a member of the Weinberg family, even if he was cast-off.
Which is exactly why Gino ate with more gusto than normal. Compared to he normally ate, there wasn't much difference.
The foreign food he had accumulated on his plate was better than he expected; Escargot from France, Milcaos from Chile, and Shashlyk from Russia were just a few of the items he could list on his plate, mostly because those foods were the only ones whose names he could pronounce. The flavors were different and the texture was unusual, but all that mattered was that his taste-buds were currently in Heaven from the food he was eating.
"Ohh, that's so good," Gino groaned, leaning back on his chair for a moment to catch his breath from the eating.
He expected Kallen to answer, but what he heard was hoarse coughing.
"Kallen?" he said looking at the red-haired teen before his eyes widened. Kallen was almost doubled over, the coughing turning harsher. Many of the people in the restaurant turned to the scene.
Shit, she's choking!
Shooting up from his chair like a bolt of lightning, Gino hooked his arms around Kallen's waist, arranging his fist so his thumb would press against her clothed naval, covering that fist with his other. He pulled upward into her stomach again and again, until Kallen gave one last dangerous sounding cough and he heard something make a small thump against the table.
Kallen bent over, wheezing and coughing from the ordeal, a piece of shrimp covered in saliva steadily oozing on the table's surface. Gino heaved a high of relief. Another crisis averted. The customers paying attention sighed with relief and some even cheered. The red-head coughed, taking in deep breathes of air.
"Are you okay, Kallen?" he asked, gripping her shoulder in what he thought was a comforting gesture.
"(Huff, huff) I'm okay (cough), now," she replied, still wheezing.
Gino nodded wearily, before eyeing the piece of shrimp with loathing.
You tried to choke the girl of my dreams. Not cool, piece of seafood; not cool.
"..ks."
"Eh?" Gino snapped out of his thoughts at Kallen's voice.
"I said 'thanks', genius," the red-head half-snarked, a short but clearly relieved smile on her face.
A slight blush graced Gino's cheeks at the expression on her face actually directed at him.
"No problem! Just doin' my duty as your friendly neighborhood knight-in-shinning armor!" he said cheerfully, scratching the back of his head almost sheepishly.
Kallen gave a slight snort. "More like your friendly neighborhood bundle of sugar energy."
"Is that the way you always act towards the people who save your life?" Gino pouted.
"No, just to the guy who made me cough up a piece of perfectly good shrimp," the red-head half-retorted, half teased.
"Geez..."
The two gazed at each other from across the table, turquoise into azure. An awkward silence ensued between the two aces now that the previous adrenaline from before was wearing off and they sat back in their booths.
"So, how's your mother?" Gino asked, putting down his fork again.
"She's ... she's actually doing a lot better now," Kallen said, an endearing smile gracing her lips as she remembered the sweet Japanese woman.
Yukiko Kouzuki was now well enough to get out of bed. She applied for and was hired to work at Ashford academy as a nurse, so Kallen was able to catch glances of the woman during school. She often spent her free days outside in the garden behind their house, tending to the vegetable gardens and flowers that she and Kallen had planted together.
Just knowing that her mother was doing this well was enough to put Kallen in almost constant high spirits.
"That's really great to hear!" Gino chirped as he quickly shoveled a forkful of Milcaos into his mouth.
Kallen smiled almost endearingly at the blond. It was great to hear. Her mother was doing so well after so much suffering, it was wonderful.
Come to think of it, Kallen suddenly realized, I haven't heard him mention his family even once ever since we started talking.
"Say, Gino," Kallen said as the blond was scooping up a forkful of escargot, "how's your family doing right now?"
At that, Gino's movement froze. Then, the atmosphere surrounding the blond turned unnaturally icy. He set down the fork, a shadow over the top part of his face, his mouth drawn in a thin, tight line.. Kallen immediately regretted asking, seeing the blond look so forlorn.
"... who knows, not me. They can... they can go to hell for all I care," he said in a low tone.
Kallen became quite startled at how bitter Gino sounded sounded. He wasn't supposed to sound like that, ever; he was Gino, for crying out loud!
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"
"No no, it's fine, really," Gino cut her off, his smile back in place but an unknown emotion shimmering in his eyes, "you were bound to ask sooner or later."
He then shrugged. "And why wouldn't you? I mean, I asked you a ton of questions about your family, so it's natural you'd want to know the same as mine."
Gino chuckled slightly before it died down and an awkward silence ensued between the two of them. their eyes met again, Kallen's expressive pensive and Gino's expression inquisitive.
"Kallen?"
"... are you sure you're okay, Gino?" Kallen finally asked.
Gino just grinned and nodded. "Yup, nothing bad to see here~"
Kallen could plainly see that she wasn't going to get anything more out of him so she set her attention back to her food. Gino did the same a few seconds later.
"Sti, thish chiz ish greath!" Gino spoke with a mouth full of lamb meat and peppers.
Kallen held back a snort of laughter at how the blond looked, opting for her response. "It'll taste even better when we come here again."
Gino grinned. "Yeah, I bet it-"
(Insert sound of realization)
Gino stared at Kallen in shock, his fork inches away from his mouth, pork and onions hanging out of said cavern.
"A-again, as in, a second date?" he asked slowly, as if he was thinking that Kallen was pulling a fast one on him.
The red-head just flashed him a smile, eyes gleaming. "You heard right, Mr. Weinburg."
At that, Gino's entire demeanor exuded sparkles as he clutched her hands in his. "You won't regret this, I swear!"
I'm sure I won't.
Gino walked Kallen back home after the dinner. As their feet plodded against he cement, Kallen felt bad, but she reassured herself; Gino would be getting a date, like he wanted, and she would be figuring out what was with Gino.
She had been surprised, if not upset, by the sudden change in mood, but now she was extremely intruiged. She wanted to find out more about the blond and she berated herself for not asking him about himself earlier.
But back then, I wouldn't have cared.
"Here we are!"
Kallen smiled at the sight of her home. It was good to be back. Her mother was probably asleep by now, but she knew where the key was, and she could sneak in quietly enou-
Her musings were cut shot when she felt something warm and soft and wet gently touch her face. Kallen's eyes flitted to see Gino's face right next to hers, his lips settled on her left cheek in a kiss. Her face turned pink at the gesture. No one had made such a gesture to her before other than her brother, mother and father.
"Have a good night, Kallen," he murmured against the skin before withdrawing and walking back.
"...good night, Gino."
Suzaku looked out the window of his room. Rain pelted down steadily on the palace and it's surroundings.
It had been a few days since the peace talking began. Schneizal was doing an excellent job, relaying what they wanted of Xing in such a way that didn't offend the emperor that looked a little too much like the one he served under previously. Cornelia was also becoming more adapt at being an ambassador. And he, "Zero", was just... there.
"Damn it all, what am I even doing here?!" Suzaku snapped, gripping his hair in frustration.
Lelouch had done a bit too good a job at establishing the closest thing to world peace. No one needed Zero to right wrongs, or fight battle or save lives.
That's right: the man of miracles, Zero, wasn't needed for any other reason than a presence.
Lelouch, is this really what you intended me to do until the end of time? Suzaku thought, his hand gripping the glass in a fist.
He couldn't think. The room, however elegant it was, felt too stuffy now. He walked out of the room and made his way to the gardens on the first level of the palace. The rain was steadily plopping down, soaking the vegetation under his feet and all around. The inside of his mask was even more stifling outside, for he could feel the contrast between the two temperatures.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed the back of his mask and unhitched the mechanism. He wrenched the damned thing off his head, shaking his curly brown hair slightly as he let the cold air and water hit his face. He sighed contentedly.
Snap.
He turned around, to see a little girl about ten years old, with black hair in two braided pig-tails, dark indigo eyes, wearing a pink robe, white trousers and black shoes, stepping on a stick behind him. She held a large leaf over her head to ward off the rain. She looked startled when he gazed at her, her previously red cheeks from the cold immediately turned almost paper white with fear.
Shit!
The little girl stared at him, her lips drawn in a fine line, her eyes wide with fear. Then, her head bowed, as if in resignation.
"Please... make my death quick, Lord Zero."
"So, I don't remember anything after this freak attacked me."
It was the day after the party, around 9:00AM. Edward, LL, Alphonse, M. Armstrong and Lt. Col. Hughes were gathered around the dinning room table in the commador's house, looking over the drawings of the people that were at Lab 5, provided by Edward and LL.
The two people that Edward encountered both had dark hair and violet eyes: one of them, the "freak" as Edward so colorfully named him/her/it, was a person with a palm tree hairdo and ambiguous appearance and outfit, and the other picture was of-
"I've seen that woman before!" LL exclaimed, pointing to the picture of the woman with the wavy black hair and prominent lipstick, "she was on the same train as we were after we left the town where Marcoh was!"
"She must have overheard you talking with Marcoh and then burned down the library to protect their secret," Lt. Col. Hughes said.
"No wonder they were able to get ahead of us-! Damn it, we should have kept it down more over there!" Edward groaned, slapping his head.
"None of us had any way of knowing of these people's plans," Alphonse pointed.
"Other human souls trapped in metal armor who used to guard Lab 5, 'human sacrifices', the individuals Envy and Lust, and on top of it all, Marcoh making a stone for the Ishvalan Civil war," M. Armstrong looked at the pictures depicting the serpent eating its tail and he transmutation circle, "the Ouroboros tattoo and a transmutation circle for creating a philosopher's stone; there are far too many mysteries for this to be just about creating a stone."
"Not to mention that Lab no. 5 is a dead end, now that it's just a pile rubble," Lt. Col. Hughes remarked.
...
"Its' terrible, to think that there are people out there, who would purposely bind souls to armor..." Alphonse murmured.
Edward looked at his brother softly, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah."
Lt. Col. Hughes turned to LL. "Say, did anyone similar to Lust and Envy come to you, LL?"
"Yeah, but it was after my fight with Barry the chopper, so it was a bit hazy," LL replied, then gestured to the drawing of the boy he encountered.
When he showed them, M. Armstrong and Lt. Col. Hughes started with surprise.
"This can't be," the Major breathed.
Lt. Col. Hughes looked at LL, expression deadly serious. "LL, are you certain that this is the boy you saw that night?"
LL was taken back by the Lt. Col.'s expression but he nodded. "That's who I remember coming to me. Do you know who he is?"
The two officers glanced at each other worriedly before Lt. Co. Hughes answered.
"If you are correct, then the boy you encountered that night is none other than the son of Fuehrer President King Bradley, Selim Bradley!"
!
"Are you serious?! What's the President's son doing with those people in the first place?!" Edward exclaimed.
"Could it be that you made a mistake, LL?" Alphonse asked.
"... it is a possibility; I was suffering from intense pain and blood loss. Anything after the fight with Barry could have just been a dream," LL said, frowning.
Is that really all it was? It does seem absurd that a toddler of all people would be involved with such a plot, especially the child of the most important man in Amestris. And what he said...
"You don't remember anything, do you, little Code?"
"It's truly hard to believe that you once brought the entire world to its knees."
What did he mean by "Code"? Is it a title or what? And he thinks I once"brought the entire world to its knees"? I can't even bring a fifteen-year old shrimp ("Achoo!" Edward sneezed) to his knees during sparring, no matter the advantages I had!
Shatter.
Lt. Col. Hughs glanced up at the sound of glass breaking, muffled behind the door. "Wonder that that was. If you'll excuse me-"
The commador exited the room. A few moments passed when the four remaining heard something of a cross between a squawk and a yelp. LL exited the room to see what was the commotion and halted when he saw the full scene before him.
Gracia had Elisia on her lap, who was nibbling on a bun topped with sugar, and she (Gracia) and Winry were seated on the sofa, a tea tray with drinks and scones set out. Lt. Col. Hughes was currently gaping in shock, and with good reason. For the person sitting in the arm chair opposite of the coffee table was-
"I hope I'm not intruding on you or your family. These scones are quite excellent."
(Insert sound of gaping)
"FUEHRER PRESIDENT KING BRADELY?!" Edward, Alphonse, and M. Armstrong all exclaimed as they saw the scene before them, expressions shell-shocked. LL didn't shout with them, but he was very surprised. What was the President doing here?
"At ease, gentlemen," King Bradley said calmly, "there's no need to make a fuss."
Edward, Lt. Col. Hughes and Alphonse dropped the salute and stiff pose they had instinctively set in. LL stood off to the side. He didn't trust that he could keep a straight face after learning of such delicate information.
"Mr. President, what brings you to my home?" Lt. Col. Hughes asked/ stuttered.
"To visit Fullmetal, of course; the nurse in charge of him said that he was discharged yesterday, so I missed him!" King Bradley replied.
"He gave us some melons, papa," Elisia spoke up.
Indeed, LL noticed the to green fruits laying by one of the coffee table's legs.
"Th-thank you very much, sir!" Lt. Col. Hughes barely rasped, standing up even straighter.
The President then looked over at LL, who stood up straighter subconsciously as the man trained his eyes on him.
"Ah, LL!" King Bradley said jovially, "how are you adjusting to Amestris?"
"Well enough, Mr. President. Thank you for asking," LL replied politely.
"Wonderful, wonderful! And I trust Fullmetal's been been good to you?"
"You couldn't ask for a better guide, Mr. President, sir."
LL could practically feel the pride emitting from Edward as he said what he did.
"An interesting choice of words, but appropriate still, considering the grade of snooping the two of you did a few nights ago."
!
LL and Edward both stiffened at the President's words.
Of course he knows; something of that magnitude wouldn't escape the leader of a country's eyes.
"As for you, Edward Elric," King Bradley rested his eyes on the blond, "you're in search of the Philosopher's stone, are you not?"
Edward gulped silently, his frame stiffening further. At that, King Bradley then became much graver.
"How much do you know? Quite a bit depends on what you say."
But we can't just say anything in front of this kind of company. Not only is our information delicate, but so is our audience.
LL glanced at Gracia out of the corner of his eyes, trying to make her understand. She locked eyes before giving a tiny nod.
"We'll leave you gentlemen to sort this out, all right? Elicia, do you want to play with Winry?" Gracia spoke up, turning to the little girl.
"'Kay!" the little girl exclaimed.
With that, the two women and child exited. Winry shot a worried glance at Edward, but he gave her a tiny smile of reasurance before she closed the door behind them.
Thank you so much, Gracia, LL silently blessed the commodore's wife for understanding the situation.
With the three gone, the tension in the room became that much more palpable. Then, a grin graced the President's lips.
"Ha ha ha! It was merely a joke; no need to be so serious, everyone!" King Bradley laughed jovially.
"...what...?" Edward squeaked, looking freaked out.
Agreed; what?
King Bradley stopped laughing to explain. "I knew that there was something suspicious activity going on in the military lately, and I wanted to do something about it."
"I-I see," Lt. Col. Hughes said.
"Tell me, Edward, LL, did you find anything in Lab No. 5?" King Bradley asked the two males.
LL remembered the picture of the boy and his identity,
"No sir," LL said before Edward could reply, "we couldn't find anything because it was guarded by two armored men. That's why we were hospitalized."
LL bowed his head to him. "I'm sorry we couldn't find anything, even after breaking pretty much every law related to trespassing."
Edward was able to mask his face along with the two officers at LL's lie. The young man thanked God that they understood why they could not say anything of the matter.
King Bradley looked at him for a moment more, but the young man's face remained blank.
"... I see. I'm sorry to hear that. It would have been beneficial to hear any news on the enemy," the President said.
"Enemy? What do you mean, Mr. President?" Alphonse asked.
"They have no name, but they are always one step ahead of us. And at the moment, even with my connections, I know neither their motives, nor the extent of where they have infiltrated the military."
"Sir, are you saying that it could be dangerous if we do any more investigating on this matter?" Lt. Col. Hughes asked.
"Yup."
At this, King Bradley looked at them all.
"Lt. Col. Hughes, M. Armstrong, Elric brothers, even you LL, I have decided that you are individuals whom I trust, and I give you this order with only the thought of your safety in mind."
The, his expression became so serious, so angry, that LL felt his blood run cold, along with his sweat.
"You are forbidden to speak of this matter to anyone, regardless of rank and relationship, as well as sticking your necks any further into this matter! If there was ever a situation where you can truly not tell friend from foe, this is it! Trust no one! Be discreet in your actions and assume all of the military is your enemy!"
Images of Col. Mustang, Lt. Hawkeye and Havoc, as well as Sg. Fuery, Lt. Breda and W. Officer Falman flashed in LL's head.
I'll have to lie to them all, should it come to it?
"However!" At this, a genuine smile crossed he President's face, "when the time comes, I will call on all of you, so be prepared."
"Yes sir!" All of them, even LL said loudly.
The young man now felt his blood coursing, either with pride or adrenaline or both, he couldn't identify it, but he knew they were evoked by the man before him.
Just then, he heard voices beyond the house.
"Mr. President!"
"Have you seen President Bradley here?!"
King Bradley sighed. "Drat; seems my pesky bodyguards are back!"
At that, he went to the window and opened it up before putting a leg over the side. "I slipped out earlier to meet with you and enjoy a lovely snack without a maid or officer hovering outside my door or over my shoulder. Now I must depart!"
He jumped onto the ground below them stealthily and walked off briskly. "I'm sure we'll meet again!" he said, sending a backwards wave to them, "farewell."
It was only after the President was out of sight when the officer's and the teenager's jaws just dropped. LL just barely heard the door open.
"Guys, I'm back-" Winry began before she saw their expressions, "are you all right? Did something happen? Even the people outside are acting really strange."
"J-just a passing maelstrom, is all," Edward shakily said, the previous shock still fresh.
Well, I'll probably never recover from that.
"Okay...? Well, I bought the tickets you asked for," the blonde girl said, holding up an envelope.
"Thanks, Win," Edward said, taking them from her.
"Must you rush? Your wounds have yet to heal entirely," M. Armstrong said.
"Well I was all ready discharged, thanks to this guy," Edward pointed at Lt. Col. Hughes, "and even if I wasn't, I can't stay in a place that smells like medicine forever. I'm leaving tomorrow."
I wouldn't mind that too much, LL thought, remembering Julia.
"You said you'd be heading to Dublith, right?" Lt. Col. Hughes said.
"'Dublith'? Where's that?" Winry asked.
Alphonse took out the map of the country he kept with him and spread it out, and pointed the city out, in the southern section of Amestris. "Right here."
"Why do you have to go there?" LL asked.
"Well with the way things have been playing, Al and I decided it was time to see our old teacher again," Edward replied.
"'Teacher'?"
"Yeah. Who do you think taught me and Al how to fight and use alchemy?"
Then, LL heard something clattering. On closer exception, he realized it was Alphonse, shaking.
"I don't think I can do it, brother; she's not gonna let us live!" the armored boy whimpered.
"Look, don't you try to talk your way out of this; I'm afraid too!" Edward cried, sounding just as afraid as his brother.
What kind of teacher is this?
Winry looked at the map, then shrieked.
"What? What's wrong?!" LL asked, looking startled.
"That!" Winry cried, pointing at the city before Dublith, "The city before Dublith! That's the Holy Grail of automail engineering: Rush Valley itself!"
Eyes sparkling, Winry grabbed Edward's hands in her own. "We have to go, we have to go there, you have to take me there!" she cried.
"Like hell I will; go by yourself!" Edward groused.
"Well, who's gonna pay for my ticket?!"
"And you expect me to?!"
"I could take her there."
Edward and Winry looked at LL in surprise.
"I could at as chaperone for Winry at Rush Valley while you and Alphonse go to Dublith; that way we can kill two birds with one stone," the young man suggested.
"That's a pretty good idea you have there," Alphonse said.
"... okay," Edward relented.
"YAY!" Winry shrieked as she glomped LL happily, "thank you so much LL, you're the best!"
She let go of him and rushed to the door, but before she let, she said, "I'll go and call Grandma about this!"
The door slammed, leaving the five males behind.
"... she'll make a great wife for you one day, Elric," Lt. Col. Hughes remarked.
"I swear to God, if you even try to bring that up again-!" Edward growled, his face turning pink.
But the officer just shook it off, laughing. "I'd rather talk of my wife anyways!"
Edward turned to LL and took out his silver watch before he wrote down a number on a piece of paper. "LL, I'm trusting you not to lose this watch. This is the only thing that proves I'm a state alchemist. You can use it and my pin number to withdraw money for tickets, food and housing. Just don't try to bankrupt me or the military, all right?"
"All right."
!
Hughes stared at the papers before him, a shaky smile on his lips. He was in the records room, hands clutching the information before him.
"So this is what you bastards are planning? Who the hell would even think about something like this...?" he said softly.
Thunk.
Hughes looked down at the source of the noise.
Shi-!
"Where is he?!"
"The Lt. Col.'s over there, Col. Mustang; he's in bad shape."
Riza followed her commander briskly, a frown on her face. Just under ten minutes ago, the archive rooms exploded and a fire began spreading through the building. They had managed to get most of the people out in time, but there were still many officers who would remain unidentified for a while. What brought the Colonel down was the fact that Maes Hughes was going through the archives himself when the bombs went off.
"Hughes!"
At that, Colonel began running toward the heap on the ground. Commodore Hughes was breathing heavily, burn scars over his face, shivering. Colonel knelt before him, face twisted in worry.
"Maes. Maes!"
The Lt. Col.'s eyes twitched before they weakly fluttered open and settled on Colonel. "Oh, there you are, Roy," he murmured weakly.
"What happened in there? How did it happen?" Colonel asked urgantly, barely able to mask the worry in his tone.
"Roy... do you really have to ask now...? I'm so tired... so tired, Roy..." he murmured, his eyes beginning to shut.
"No, stay awake! You have to stay awake, Maes!"
"... Gracia... Elicia... love you..."
"DAMN IT MAES, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!"
Omake: Restaurant food
Tamaki stood, a blindfold around his eyes, holding a throwing knife. He took a deep breath, then-
"HYAH!"
He threw the knife forward in a pose he thought looked cool.
Thunk.
Tamaki removed his blindfold and grabbed his pencil and paper and went over to the large chart he had spread out on the entirety of the wall in front of him.
"All right! I'll get food from Aurego next!"
Yakinasu is grilled fish, usually a carp, Escargot is a french dish made up of cooked land snails, Milcaos are potato pancakes, and Shashlyk are a type of kebab consisting of skewered meat, mainly lamb, pork or beef, sometimes with bits of fat from said meat, and vegetables like bell pepper, onion, mushroom and tomato. Info taken from Wikipedia.
There's going to be more of the other characters in later chapters, but I want to focus the story on the characters in Amestris more, because right now, that's where the action is. But I'll be including other characters soon, some in unusual ways.
Is Suzaku going to silence Mei Chang? I'm not telling. Not yet anyways.
I've always liked King Bradley. When I first saw him, I considered him to be an eccentric, well-meaning, but extremely serious man. Then, I saw him killing all those guys at the Devil's nest and my opinion dropped a little, but to be fair, it was only because I didn't know who I was supposed to be rooting for. Then I'm smacked in the face with the revelation that he's the Homunculus Wrath, and that everything I saw before sans the scary part of him was a facade. My opinion went lower when he hurt Lanfan, making her cut off her freaking arm, and it went down even further when he took Riza and Winry hostage. It went up some during his fight where he tells of how he chose Mrs. Bradley to be his wife all by himself and when he took down a tank single-handadly, but then it plummeted again when he kills Fuu and Buccaneer, and when he pinned down Roy. But then my opinion went up again during his fight with Scar, because it was incredible, and when he told Lanfan that Mrs. Bradley understood why he would remain silent because it was "the way between a king and his companion."
Did you like my cliffhangers? Here; have another, along with this omake right afterwards to screw over your mind.
Also, the hits to LL's pride are going to slow down soon. Why? You'll see.
Lelouch vi Britannia commands you... review this story as much as possible, with comments, criticism, questions, but no flames!