Chapter Nine- Promise

When we last left Edward, he was tied up in a closet.

"What the hell?" I asked as I woke up groggily. "Uh hey, where am I?" I looked around furiously trying to find a clue to where I was. "Hello!" I heard voices on the other side, so maybe they could hear me. "CAN YOU HEAR ME!"

The door handle rattled and I rolled out of the closet. "Ow, ow , ow…" I moaned. "Thanks guys," I said to the now wide-eyed officers looking at me. "I'll take it from here." I stood, hands still tied around my back. The officers called after me but I continued storming off to Roy's office.

When I got there I pounded on the door with my foot. "Let me in Mustang," I yelled, not caring what those listening might be whispering about me. The door opened and- Bradley? Bradley looked at me with surprise and distaste, before nodding and leaving the room. Roy was sitting at his desk, rubbing his temples in what looked like worry.

"Close the door Ed," he told me and I did. I looked around and sat. "So where is she." I recoiled. It was a demand, not a question. "Where is she. What did you do with Liani?!" Roy had stood and was glaring at me.

"I don't know. As you may or may not be able to tell, Colonel, I'm a bit tied up," I snapped. "I was taken out yesterday by a rat named Envy." I took in a deep breath, then calmed down. "The homunculi are here."

"I know," Roy muttered. He came over to help me untie myself. "Ramue's been crying for a while. She was tied up too." My hands were released and I grimaced. "Things don't get to good around here anymore," he said and I nodded in agreement. "The only reason I suspected you was Liani left with you." I had a sharp intake of breath.

"No she didn't. That was probably Envy…" I concluded. "He can transform, no?" Roy nodded. "Then it was definitely him."

"Right," Roy said. He waited a minute and I looked at him strangely. "You're probably wondering why I'm not to enthusiastic on saving her." He was right, I was wondering why he hadn't already gone to find her.

"What?" I said, and tried to understand what he said. "You don't want to?"

"Well, I have a military post to maintain, and it's not really part of my concern, is it? I only met Liani a few days ago," Roy said, and I became furious. "Now, before you get mad, listen. I know that she's very powerful to survive the gate, I know that probably as much as you do, although you've seen it's horrors so you probably know it more. I realize the power they must have with her in their captivity. But I will say this, she isn't in danger, that's for certain. Why would they kill her right away without using her first?"

I was getting so angry. Why was Mustang talking about her like she was a weapon? Like she was an item, to be easily disposed of? It was pissing me off. "How is she not in danger?! What if they use her for a 'human sacrifice'?! Then what Roy?! THEN WHAT!?" I was practically torn with rage.

He smiled. "This was what I was hoping you'd feel. Edward, the question is, what will you do about it?" he asked and then I was silent. "Will you go after her? People will start to question my actions if I go after her, but their used to your leaving without notice. So then what? What will you do, Edward Elric?"

"Hmph. Thanks Roy. I'll do it, but I'm gonna need back up," I looked him square in the eye. "Any suggestions?"

"Armstrong?"

My mouth dropped. "NOOOOO ANYONE BUT HIM!"

Roy laughed and I growled. "Well you should bring Ramue with you. She might not think she has alchemy but I see it in her, the power and determination that people like us have. Just have her try it sometime." I nodded.

"Well, I have preparations to make for leaving, so I'll see you," I said, "Colonel Mustang."

"Of course. If you ever need help, find me, State Alchemist Elric," he said.

Back in the room I sat on my bed, face buried in my hands. "Well this sucks," I said. Ramue peeped into the room and I nodded her in. "Hey Soda girl," I mumbled.

"Hi Ed," she said quietly. "Is… Liani okay? Is she coming back?" Her eyes were wide and tear struck.

"Well, not on her own she's not. The fact is, she can't, Ramue. She's kidnapped," I said slowly, giving her time to cope. "But we'll get her back, Ramue. I promise you that."

"Cause you love her," she said, throwing me off guard.

"N-no, if anything, it's a premature crush," I said, completely true. She smiled and looked at me with kind eyes.

"Okay," she said. "But I love her too. She's like a big sister to me. I don't know what I'd do if she was gone."

I nodded. "Yes, she is a sister. And part of my family. You all are. And I don't let anyone mess with my family."

"Me neither," Ramue said, fierce and cold looking.

I was so proud of her. She was ready to keep going, no matter what the odds. And it was exactly then that I realized she was like a version of myself. She was my mirror image. I was surprised and what could give her the same feirceness that I had. I didn't get it.

"Don't worry about it too much,"She said reassuringly, and I wondered if she'd read my mind, or if she was just talking about Liani. Well great, either way. I settled in my bed and lay down, staring at the walls.

"I won't, I promise. But you have to also," I said. "We'll get her back." She nodded. "And it will take a lot. Ramue, I might ask you to do some alchemy for me."

"But I can't!" Ramue looked at me in alarm. "I don't know how… It won't work Edward. It just… doesn't work with me."

"Ramue, you can. I know it," I said, giving a warming smile to her, to desperately attempt to contain her anger. I knew she could put a lid on it, at least until she got somewhere else.

"I will try. No promises." With that she stood and left the room. I sighed as she closed the door.

"What have I gotten myself mixed up in this time?"

The next day we met early, and under the watchful eye of Colonel Mustang, we left central to head off. We'd contacted Al, and he'd found us and decided to come also. He was considerate, and realized the entire situation immediately. So I hoped that he'd be a good ally on our way. We decided that we would search the area around Lab 5 first, though I had horrible memories from there. I knew it was gone but it had been a hideout, so it seemed a logical place to me.

"So you really are going, huh Ed?" Mustang said as he saw us off. "That's good of you. Bring her back safely, or I'll have to kill you."

"Yeah, keep central in good hands for me while I'm gone, kay Roy?" I asked, and he laughed.

"Don't I always?" I nodded.

"Usually. I promise to bring her back. You can count on that."

"I know."

Come on guys," I said and waved them over. Al came, but Ramue was stopped momentarily by Roy. I gave her a look, but she turned to him. They talked for no more than a minute. She then gave him a hug, and turned to me, smiling. I wondered what had happened but I didn't really care that much.

We set off and I talked to Al, giving him a more thorough description of what had happened. He made conversation off topic with us also, trying to be sensitive and trying to distract us both. He also explained to Ramue why he had his armor body. After he was done she looked at us.

"So that's why your arm is all… metaly, right?" she asked me. I nodded. "I get that. So, is there any way to gain something through the door of truth and not lose anything?"

I thought hard. "I really can't say. I don't study it that much. Why are you asking?"

Ramue looked down, almost like she was embarrassed, and mumbled, "Oh just asking." I wondered a minute, then she spoke up and diverted my thoughts. "So with you all like this, I feel like cosplaying!"

"Cosplay? What is that?" I asked her.

"Like, ya know, dressing up in costumes and stuff?" she said with a smile. "Like, Liani could cosplay as Winry or something."

"What? Why would she do that?" I asked.

"Oh its something they do on Earth," she said and then her eyes widened, as she seemed to realize something. She then looked at me with her usual smile. "Liani told me about it! Aparently there are a lot of people on Earth who do this in big groups. You dress up like someone from a story or movie." She put her hands behind her head. "You in your red cloak, and your brother in his armor, I feel like dressing up too!"

I smiled weakly. "Well I don't think you should be so anxious. Besides, it's not like there are any places to get that kind of stuff," I said.

"Aw," she said, disappointed. "Well we can still look!" She seemed… what's the word? Chipper?

"Maybe," I mumbed. Al gave me a friendly smile.

"We can, brother. Even if you don't want to," said Al defiantly. I laughed.

"That's for sure," I said and that set them laughing. That was good. It was what I'd wanted. I didn't want their moods to go bad. So I decided not to mess with this balance we had established.

Still, if the homunculi were after Liani I was wondering one thing. Why hadn't anyone, save anything, come after us yet?