...I know, I know. You're all ready to beat me with pipes. I had no idea how to get this transition written. The next chapter is the major climax where everything fun happens. I'm sad to say Energy Alchemist is soon coming to a close. Yes, this chapter is short. But the next one won't be. There's a lot of POV switching, but that's because I don't like telling something from another character's POV when the character isn't in the scene. So. There we go. Thank you for reading!

Chapter 21

"Dad… you don't have to stare at me while we're in the hotel room. I'm pretty sure no one will take me…"

He scoffed, "You don't know that, Alice."

I sighed. This was going to be a long few weeks.

I steadily paced myself next to my father as we walked down the sidewalk. He kept glancing down at me every 10 seconds. I know he's just worried but I can take care of myself. I think.

"So Edwin," I began, "You been trying to find Jereni?"

My brother's face flushed, "Shut up Alice…"

"Daw, you're embarrassed about your crush!" I cooed.

"Oh shut up! What about you and Richard!"

"We confessed our feelings, thank you very much dear brother."

"Ugh, shut up." Edwin growled.

I nudged him with my elbow, "Oh come on, you know I love you."

"Yeah, yeah."

My father paused in front of me, not even 2 seconds later my face was pressed into his back. I staggered back, "Dad?"

He was gazing into a store window, "That wrench…is perfect for Winry."

My brother scoffed, "Please, you're giving mom a new wrench to beat you with?"

"If I give her a new one, she might not have a reason to beat me. Alice, stay here. I'll be right back."

"I'll go with you, Dad." Edwin said.

"But Al's at the hotel, we'll be leaving Alice alone…" Dad murmured.

"Dad, you'll be in and out in no time, I'm not getting kidnapped in a few minutes." I retorted.

Boy was I wrong… My father and brother stepped into the store quickly. Edwin went most likely to find a tool for either himself or Jereni. I chuckled to myself about my older brother having a crush like that. I leaned back against a light post; the sun was bright and scorching hot. It almost felt like Rush Valley, and if that's how Central felt right now, I didn't want to even know how hot Rush Valley was.

"Hey you there, the little runt girl." A voice with a heavy accent called.

I turned and gritted my teeth, "Runt?" I sneered. It was then I realized it was a terrible mistake to respond. I knew immediately this man was Drachman.

"Yeah, you're the pipsqueak alchemist's daughter, aren't you?"

"I don't know who you're talking about." I gulped.

The Drachman grabbed the front of my shirt, "Don't lie to me you little brat! You're the one whose arm got cut off by one of my men! Look at that now, you have an automail replacement… I wonder what would happen if I just ripped it off…"

I tried to sound innocent, "P-Please don't hurt me…" I usually would've been a hard ass about this…but in this situation, I was terrified.

He sneered, "We'll see if I hurt you or not. We want the Furher…he's close to your family. We do something to you, we get your father on our tail that leads to the Furher…and that's just what we want. Plus, your father is close to the Emperor of Xing too, he finds out he might get involved too."

"B-But-" I never finished. His hand was over my mouth and he pinched my pressure point on my neck. The world went black.

Edward POV…

I charged out of the store with a grin, "Welp, we got your mother some new…" Where was Alice? Where was she! My eyes widened, "Alice! This isn't funny!"

"Dad, she's not here." Edwin growled.

My heart sank, "I knew it… I knew this would happen!"

My son turned to me, his normally bright golden eyes were stone cold, "They're going to pay. I'm sending them to hell and back."

I gritted my teeth, "Damn right they are. We're telling Mustang now, and then we're looking around immediately after."

Edwin nodded, stuffing his new tools into his pocket.

I stormed into Mustang's office, "They got her damn it!"

He stared at me, "Got who? Calm down Full-…Edward. Tell me what happened."

"The Drachman assassins got Alice! They took her! I knew she should've come into the store with us. They were probably following us the whole damn time."

"I'll start the search for her right now."

I nodded, "Thank you sir…"

"What? Since when do you call me 'sir'?"

I sneered, "Shut up and find my daughter damn it!"

"…Right."

Winry's POV…

I was polishing automail while listening to the radio when suddenly the calming music stopped. "Alert," It began as I turned my head towards it, "The former Fullmetal Alchemist's daughter, Alice Elric, has said to have been kidnapped by Drachman assassins. Please if you see any sign of the young 13-year-old contact the State Military in Central immediately. We do hope for the safe return of the former State Alchemist daughter."

My heart sank to me feet. Alice? They kidnapped Alice! My daughter! Ed promised to protect her! Oh no, Ed…he's probably beating himself up to know end I should call…

My thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice appeared on the radio, "Hello, I'm Edward Elric…former Fullmetal Alchemist. I need help finding my daughter, we can't do it alone. If you happen upon them please contact the military, do not go after them. If you see Alice you'll notice she has an automail right arm. That's because Alice and I were attacked by these assassins earlier this year and one cut off her arm. Please, I'm begging you to help me find my daughter. Winry," My heart stopped, "if you're listening, I'm so sorry I failed you. I couldn't protect our only daughter… That's all."

This was not good…not good what so ever.

Alice's POV…

I awoke to nothing but darkness. Where am I? I felt nothing but utter cold at the feel of the chilly concrete beneath my body. My arm was chained to the wall for little movement. But, my automail arm wasn't… There was a small pain in my port. My eyes adjusted to the darkness as I looked over to see my automail arm lying on the floor next to me, unattached.

Dad… please help me.