A/N: GOMEN! I didn't mean for it to take so long for this next chapter to come out. I've just been swamped with work. But here it is! Enjoy!
Ch 11: Wolf's Hunt. (part 1)
"Are you sure about this?" Envy said, his voice uneasy with the idea of what lay before them. Ed stole a quick kiss from his position next to the homunculi who currently wore his face. A brief thought flashed through Ed's mind, wondering what it would be like to fuck himself. He shook his head, banishing it to the recesses of his mind. An interesting thought for sure, but not a helpful one at the moment.
"It will be fine. Quit fretting and help me." Ed retorted, moving out of the crowded marketplace and into a dark alley, his automail arm reaching for a window ledge that was a good few feet out of his reach. Before Envy could comply, Al knelt down, and the blonde bounded up his metallic brother. The duo made the jump to the window seem effortless and Envy was sure it was something they were used to doing. He idly wondered how many places his blonde lover had broken into as he stood to the side, his hand on his hips. He shook his head, feeling the long blonde braid bounce across his back. It was a simple task to mimic Ed's body. Especially now that he had taken a much closer look.
His blonde muse disappeared into the room, and he saw a flash of blue light. Not long after, a ladder made its way out the window and out of the house. Al quickly made his way up the ladder to join his brother in the room. Envy watched as the ladder disappeared from whence it came. A glance at the sun indicated that it was just past noon. Soon, it would be time for him to meet up with Envy and Gluttony. Just like Ed had instructed him to do. When Envy had inquired to the details of Ed's plan, he had been told "just trust me". And if he wanted to keep Ed safe, the homunculus supposed he had no choice but to do just that.
However, what Ed did not know, is that shortly after their discussion of the plan, Envy and Al had a discussion of their own. Al had made it very clear what he would do to Envy should anything happen to Ed. Not that Envy was worried, the boy was never a threat to him and should he had ever wanted, he could have killed Al without a second thought. But the threat was understood. Envy would not let harm get a glance at Ed. Not as long as he drew breath. Envy had also reminded the boy that should something not go according to Ed's plan, that Al had the job of getting the blonde away as fast as possible. Envy would do his best to hold off Lust and Gluttony. Al had been more than happy to agree.
Envy felt nervous. He shook his head at himself, since when did he get nervous? The long blonde braid that he wore reminded him: since he had something to protect. He wasn't nervous for himself, he was nervous for Ed. Should Dante get her hands on him, there was no chance he'd live long. The homunculus was so lost in thought he hasn't realized Ed was talking to him until a rock hit him in the head and he looked up at his lover grinning in the window.
"Quit daydreaming you've got work to do! And you'll need this." Ed dropped something out the window in Envy's direction. The homunculus held out his hand and caught the silver object that had fallen. In shock he had realized it was Ed's state alchemist watch. "Make sure nothing happens to it ok?" Said the blonde in a serious voice. Envy nodded that he wouldn't and placed it on his hip where Ed wore it. He turned to go, but was stopped by Ed calling his name once again. "Be safe ok?" Envy smiled his assurance, but did not say a word. He had a feeling he'd be lucky to get through this day alive. Lust was known to be less than kind, and gluttony was one of the only things in this world he feared. He only hoped they didn't see through his disguise until Ed had done whatever it was he was planning. Envy didn't like to be in the dark, but he trusted Ed. He chuckled to himself as he walked back into the crowded market, he supposed he had no choice any more. Once Dante learned that he had fallen in love, he would be executed and re-made. If he wanted to live, if he wanted to be with Ed, the alchemist was the only hope he had.
Envy had been contacted by Lust the night before, and he told her that Ed would be leaving town the next day, leaving Al behind to continue research. Lust had told him to stay with Al, as Envy had expected, and to leave Ed to herself and Gluttony. Envy had faked his boredom at being given 'guard duty' again, as he knew he would be expected to. It was odd, after being a master of disguise so long, to have to play himself. It was rather difficult, but Lust seemed convinced and she had told Envy that they planned on capturing Ed as he left the city. Since it was a day-time ambush, Envy had taken the assumption that Gluttony would be far out of sight, which was good. If Ed's plan was to work, Envy needed to be convincing as Ed, and while Lust wouldn't be able to see through his disguise, Gluttony would be able to smell him.
Ed and Al were in a building near the edge of town that looked out into the expanse beyond. Even from where he was, Envy was unable to see either the metal brother or his lover. As he reached the edge of town, a flash of black caught his eye, and he ducked to the left to avoid the tendril. Ed's red coat billowed as he rolled to his feet. Lust retracing her arm, her usual smirk on her face.
"What a pleasure to see you again FullMetal. Why don't you come along quietly? I've got someone who'd love to talk with you." The homunculus went on the offensive again, each attack coming within inches of Envy as he flipped out of the way of each, all the while doing his best to mimic Ed's movement style.
"Why would I want to go with you?" 'Ed' snapped, clapping his hands together. He sincerely hoped the real Ed was paying attention. As the ground around his feet began to glow blue, Envy slammed his hands down, and drew up Ed's spear. Envy took a moment to be impressed that Ed managed to transmute at such a distance. He'd have to be sure to ask the blonde how he did it, later. Envy twirled the spear with Ed's mastery, before leaping on the offensive.
Although it was obvious Lust was not out to kill Ed, Envy held himself to no such restriction. He even let some of his homunculus strength seep into the movements so that if one landed it might have actually harmed Lust. Of course, the lithe figure was much harder to hit than that and Lust quickly turned the tables again, putting 'Ed' back on the defensive.
"What does Dante want with me?" He growled in Ed's voice, following the line of questions that Ed had directed him to. Lust only smiled in response and looked over Envy's shoulder. Envy turned to glance behind him to see Gluttony barreling over a hill towards him. The large homunculus didn't seem to be able to smell him yet, or if he could, he didn't care. He was on the war path, and 'Ed' was his target.
Envy cursed under his breath. This was bad. But before Gluttony could reach him, the ground beneath his feet began to glow, and a cage sprung up around the beast. Gluttony rammed headlong into one of the bars, but the cage did not budge. Even from where he was standing, Envy could see that Ed had transmuted the cage with alchemic circles inscribed in the bars. The more Gluttony struggled, the more the cage drained his power. It was a trick Envy had seen Dante use before. He was more than a bit uneasy to see Ed use it. However, the act of transmuting had given away the fact that the real Ed had moved to be closer to the fight, and as he stepped out from behind the newly formed cage, Envy saw Lust's eyes snap to him.
"I never took you for a traitor Envy, but I must admit you had me fooled. I'm sure Dante will not be pleased to hear of this". Lust purred the words, but there was no warmth in them. The threat was ice cold, and Envy knew she was right. If Dante caught wind of his betrayal, he was dead. She would send an army of her children after him until he was stopped and his stones returned. But for the moment they had the advantage. Lust was fast, but she knew Envy was faster. If he could catch her, Ed could imprison her.
The blonde seemed to have the same idea, as he was already running towards the long haired homunculi, his hands clapped together. Envy dropped his fake Ed persona, assuming his more natural form, as it allowed him to move much quicker, and charged after Lust. He was shocked when he realized she was not moving. Even with both himself, and Ed running at her, she was merely standing. The homunculi raised her hands, her black gloves falling to the ground, discarded. "I surrender".
Ed didn't stop moving however, and cast a cage around Lust as well. Envy would've died from shock had it been possible. He knew Lust was a genius when it came to strategy and planning. Something about this didn't feel right.
"We need to kill him." Envy said for the fourth time. "If nothing else, he has red stone. I could use it." Ed shot him a nasty glare when he said that. "… or it can be destroyed. Either way, even among homunculi he is a menace."
Ed nodded that he understood. "But if we kill him, Dante will just make him anew. It would take time and energy we don't have. And it looks like as long as Lust is willing to cooperate, Gluttony will heed her will. No need to waste the time or energy killing a dog once it's been chained to a master."
Envy sighed. Ed's mind sounded made up, and he knew his lover could be more than stubborn. He looked over to Al for help. "Brother, we don't even know if we can trust Lust. She is a prisoner right now, but we know she has orders to bring you to Dante. Why take the risk of playing right into her hands?"
Ed didn't seem to think it was a worthwhile worry, waving his automail hand in dismissal. "I can take care of Dante should it come to that. What's more important is that she has been studying homunculi for so long that can we honestly pass up this chance that she might have information that would lead us to the philosopher's stone?" As always, his driving motivation was getting Al his body back. A small smile came to Envy's lips at the thought of how much the blonde did for his brother. He only hoped that one day he would be able to do everything for Ed that the man deserved. Ed was something special, Envy knew it. But that didn't override the fact that this was a distinctly bad idea. Envy had seen first-hand Dante's insane power, and for as much as he loved Ed, he knew there was no way he'd be able to beat his 'Mother'. Even if Lust and Gluttony somehow agreed to help.
The entire situation was insane. A month ago, he was hunting this man for Dante. Now, he was his lover, and was fighting against the only rule he had ever known in order to help this man achieve his goals. The thought was somehow both entirely disconcerting as well as insanely encouraging. As he looked at his blonde love pace the room in thought, Envy swore to himself that even if he had to give his life for it, if you can call his half-assed existence a life, he would protect Ed, and he would do everything in his power to keep him happy. There was no longer even a trace of doubt in his mind. Ed was now his world, and that's all that mattered.
Ed stopped pacing the room. He had locked Lust and Gluttony up in similar cells to the ones he had transmuted in the desert inside the room where he had been observing the fight. Neither seemed to mind being locked up. Lust was just standing in a corner, listening intently to the conversation, but never saying a word. Gluttony, sitting on the floor eating the various bugs that were unfortunate enough to crawl by. The blonde turned to Lust, and asked the question that had been bugging him for the last few minutes.
"Why did you surrender?"
Lust smiled. "Why, front row seats of course."
Envy knew it. He felt his stomach fall. Ed didn't seem to notice his lover's sudden trepidation.
"Front row seats for what?" Ed asked, his eyes boring holes right to where Lust's soul should've been. Lust appeared to be about to answer when the first explosion was heard. The room shook slightly. Then the second and the third, each closer than the last. The roar of the explosions was carried upon the screams of people who were trying to run. Ed turned towards the sudden chaos, and ran out the door to see what was going on. Envy was a few steps ahead of him, as he had left as soon as the first explosion went off. Al was right behind.
Ed saw Envy standing in the middle of the market as he made it outside. The usually crowded street was full of people running for their lives, but a great many more dead or dying. The air smelled of burnt flesh and it looked that some had been burned alive. But that's not where Envy was looking. He was looking straight forward with one of the most lethal expressions Ed had ever seen. It wasn't until he followed the homunculi's line of sight that he understood why. Even from the distance, the blue coat, white gloves, and flaming victims told Ed all he needed to know.
A/N: So sorry about the long break, but as previously said, there will be much more to this story. Don't think for one moment this is the final climax :). As always, please let me know what you thought! I love reading your reviews good or bad! Thanks!
-Novi.