TO BE KING: A FMAB FANFIC
A/N: Happy Friendship Day, people! So as a gift, I present to you chapter 21, over a week early!
Happy reading!
CHAPTER 21: THE DAY THE SUN DISAPPEARED
(SOMEWHERE)
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
Roy's left foot beat out a tattoo on the cracked stones as his right eyebrow twitched. His hands, tightly crossed across his chest, seemed suddenly restless.
He, Brigadier General Roy Mustang, Hero of Ishval, the Flame Alchemist...had been taken for a ride. A bloody long ride.
He itched to snap and set something on fire.
Or clap and squash that blond pipsqueak flat.
"Ed...Rei...souls...mole...human transmutation..." he muttered after Ling finished his narrative.
"Fullmetal knew about what was happening to him...and he told Rei of all people? That idiot! And what's with Rei keeping her lips sealed? And that damn Travis defecting to her side—I thought he was my informer, not hers!" Roy hissed angrily, making Havoc and Brosch take a couple of steps back.
Ling gave him a sheepish grin, his hands deep into his pockets.
"So this Aruo guy, is he reliable?" Roy asked, lapsing to seriousness.
Ling nodded. "He's the best we have."
Roy looked at the transmutation circle interestedly. According to Ling, Rei and Ed had been researching it the past one year and finally designed it a month back. He wondered why Ed gave him this.
"How do I fit in the picture?" he wondered out loud.
Ling gave him an odd look. "Haven't you figured it out yet? You are Ed's fail-safe mechanism. Should he fail, he has entrusted you to ensure that you can close the portal."
"Why me?" Roy asked again.
Ling smiled slowly. "Ed thinks that he could use the portal to get his alchemy back...dunno the details but Aruo seemed convinced. That's partly the reason he is egging Pride along. Bringing you here was a double bluff—Pride considers you to be a sacrifice while Ed is confident you can bust your butt outta here if needed."
Roy wondered whether he should be glad at the confidence Ed had on him or be miffed.
"So," Ling continued. "The fact is, if something goes wrong, Ed wouldn't be able to stop the catastrophe coz he doesn't have his alchemy. Rei was supposed to cover him but she isn't here yet. So, he brought you in to increase his chances. Pure mathematics."
Now, Roy was definitely miffed. What was he, a substitute?
"But alchemy's all about Equivalent Exchange, right? What is he giving up?" Roy asked thoughtfully.
"Ask Ed, not me," Ling shrugged. "But for starters, we need to let him know that Pride intends to become the Gate and hence control that Equivalency thing—and you don't need me to tell you that it would be an extremely bad idea to let that kid run amok."
"That kid is over three centuries old," Roy muttered.
"Whatever, he sure behaves like one," Ling said nonchalantly. "Ed is still under the impression that Pride is just replicating that Father guy's plan in Creta. We gotta let him know before it's too late."
Roy nodded. "Okay...so for now, our first priority is to locate Fullmetal. Come on people, let's move!"
"And," Ling interjected weakly, raising his hand. "Do you have some food? I'm hungry."
*/*/
ZACHBELL
AMESTRIS BORDER
The minuscule station was deserted.
Still clad in her civilian clothes, Rei knew she looked miles away from the military rank she commanded but that was what she needed right now. After a casting a quick eye around to check for any suspicious characters, she motioned the others to follow them.
She had got Fuery, Armstrong and Catalina drape some nondescript coats to cover their military blues—she wanted Central to remain in the dark as long as possible. Though, as she checked her watch, that darkness would soon diminish.
Major General Olivier Mira Armstrong lacked one thing. And that was the ability to be discreet.
But that was the quality that made her so formidable—and if anything goes wrong, she would be able to take the matters in her own hands. And the Briggs soldiers were tough people, not to mention insanely loyal to their commander. If push comes to shove, they wouldn't hesitate to commandeer the Central Command if ordered by her.
And that's what Rei had in mind.
Before leaving Central, she had Sheska extricate the Home Secretary's timetable from her friend who worked in the Fuhrer's office. And officially, he was supposed to be attending the Fuhrer Meets tomorrow...today.
She had asked Lieutenant Heymans Breda and Major Alicia Tyle to come and keep an eye on the top brass. And she was thankful of the fact that they didn't ask any questions.
Being under Roy's command for so long must have trained Breda to follow orders without questions, she thought as she walked to an innocent-looking, somewhat dilapidated, two-storied house.
Al and Winry were close behind her heels along with Fuery and May while Travis and Alex kept a lookout. Rei rapped the door sharply before taking a step back.
After a minute of rattling of various chains and locks, the door opened a fraction. She could make out a couple of eyes taking in the visitors before the door opened wide.
"Inside, everyone!" she whispered, entering quickly.
After the door was shut and bolted, the lights were switched on. The sudden brightness after an hour of walking in the gloom blinded her for a moment as she reflexively shielded her eyes. On blinking a couple of times, she could make out her location. The windows were all blackened, the inside propped sparsely with a threadbare carpet, a moth-eaten sofa, couple of rickety chairs and some drooping potted plants. The person who opened the door stood grinning in the hallway.
"Major Miles!" Al exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.
"Nice to see you out of the armour, Alphonse. And I guess I should be wishing a good morning to you, Major General Alstenheim, Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong. Major General Armstrong sends her wishes," said Miles, an easy smile on his face.
"Olivier brought you up to speed with the situation, I presume?" Rei asked, looking around.
"Yes, she did. I have set up the communications room upstairs, just the way you have instructed. And camels are awaiting your arrival at the eastern border of the town. The men accompanying you go a long way back with the Briggs Command and are very loyal," he said, gesturing up the stairs.
"It's nice to see you, Major Miles. You gave up your glasses?" asked Winry.
"And it's good to see you well, Miss Rockbell. And to answer your question; under the current Fuhrer, Ishvallans are no longer prosecuted for being what they are, and red eyes are not discriminated against anymore. So, the need to hide my heritage has ceased," he answered, turning to the blonde mechanic. "Our mechanic at Briggs misses you, maybe you could drop by sometime? Unlike winters, summers are good at there."
"I'll try. Though I had spent a short time up North, I liked it."
"Okay, enough chit-chatting, people," Rei barked. "Eat up, stock up. We are leaving within fifteen minutes. Fuery, go upstairs with Miles and do what you do best. Miles, I know you are not under my jurisdiction but its a request as a friend—Get the local police prepped up. If all goes well, we would need to make arrests before Creta gets a wind of what's happening. This could be the big break we wanted. And, if possible, get hold of a reporter from the Central Times. I need to make our version of the deception public before the other side manages to wail a sob story. Call up Sheska at Western Command if you need some contacts. But the first priority should be your own bloody life...and that applies to everyone here."
She looked around at the assembled people.
"I know we are jumping from the frying pan into the fire but whatever shit gets thrown, there's only one absolute order you have. Do not die. No need to be a hero. Am I understood?"
Al and Miles grinned. Winry smiled. Catalina smirked. Fuery grimaced. Alex expectedly sobbed. May whooped.
"That sounds more like it," said Travis, his eyes glinting. "Let's go and kick some Homunculus butt!"
*/*/
THE SQUARE
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
"Bring the hostages here," said Pride.
Ed jumped, realising he had fallen to some sort of a waking doze. He gave a fleeting look towards Karl—his broad face looked impassive.
Kazark climbed to his feet, stretching his bulky arms to his fullest as he towered a good one-and-a-half feet over the top of his cowlick. Ed hated him simply because he was so tall—he along with all the Cretans in their motley assembly. He knew they would dwarf even Alex.
Bloody monsters.
"I'll go and pay a social call then,"said Kazark, an inhuman gleam in his deep set beady eyes. "I'd love to have a private chat with Miss Hawkeye."
Private...the bloke doesn't know who's he talking about, Ed thought savagely as he strolled up to him. The game was up now and he hoped to the gods he never believed in—that Ling and Mustang had somehow made contact.
Might as well kick some butt in style.
"Let's go," he grunted to Kazark.
"All right-o, young man. Let's see how tough are those Amestrian dogs."
The two of them walked towards the containment cell in silence. Ed surreptitiously checked his watch.
Dawn would be breaking soon. Which meant Pride should be making his move any time now.
He saw that the firearms he had "confiscated" from Mustang's group and thoughtfully placed them at the door were missing. Apparently, they had escaped.
Mustang hadn't lost his touch after all, it seems.
He braced himself for the outcome as Kazark opened the door.
He saw him freeze and then slowly turn towards him. Step menacingly up to him, lift him by his collar.
"What is the meaning of this?" he hissed, shaking him.
Ed grinned, enjoying the various shades of rage playing on the terrorist's face.
"Looks like they have escaped, Kazark," he said nonchalantly as his eyes danced in delight.
"I can see that, Elric. Pride was right...I shouldn't have trusted you!"
"Too late," Ed smirked. "You already did, and you're done for."
The bellow that followed the statement was perhaps as loud as Breda's shouts when chased by Black Hayate in Central.
Ed brought down his elbow on the arm holding him hostage and kicked his shins solidly with his automail foot. Kazark rolled a good few feet away, coming to rest against a boulder.
"You...you were playing us, weren't you?" Kazark hissed, wiping the blood from his split lip as he got back up on his feet. His broad face was scrunched up in rage as he dashed towards Ed, fists raised.
Ed might have lost his alchemy, but he was still a damn good fighter with his fists.
He nimbly side-stepped the burly Cretan and using his momentum, thrashed him to a fallen pillar.
To say that Kazark was dazed would have been an understatement.
"For someone so tiny, you fight crazy," he wheezed.
Ed's eyebrow twitched.
"Man, I've had it! WHO ON THIS BLOODY IMBECILE PLANET ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT HE COULD BE CRUSHED UNDERNEATH BY AN ANT'S PINKY FINGER?!"
*/*/
(SOMEWHERE)
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
Roy was sure he could recognize an Ed-worthy rant even in coma.
And he wasn't wrong.
"I'll bet my entire kitchen that's Ed kicking someone's sorry butt to glory," Ling said pleasantly, leading the way.
"But is that not counterproductive? The enemy would know the location and the fact that Ed betrayed them," said Lan Fan worryingly.
"Which means his cover's blown," Riza deduced, unlocking the catch in her rifle and holding it in position as they walked. "We'd better be careful now...night is when Pride is the most powerful."
"Why did you guys drag me into this?" Brosch moaned, holding onto his gun like dear life.
"Ah Brosch! Stop acting like a ninny and grow some balls for a change," Ross muttered, her eyes taking in the surroundings quickly and carefully. "We are shouldering the fate of the world, so act the part!"
"When did I say my shoulders were that strong?" he wailed.
Roy looked at the palms, transfixed by the incredible detail of the circles.
"Is that the Reverse Human Transmutation Circle?" Ling asked, peering into his hands.
Roy nodded.
"Hmm...thought so. But Ed prepared it keeping in mind the fact that it was only Amestris. If Pride's going grand, wouldn't you need a bigger circle or something?" Ling asked.
Roy looked at the circles again, brow creasing in thought.
Ling sort of had a point there.
"I'm not that much of an expert in the field of human transmutation as Fullmetal but in a basic alchemical sense, size of circle doesn't matter much. The amount of energy you channel though the circle is what determines the outcome. For example, the fire alchemy circles on my gloves can create a spark or burn down a house—depends upon the amount of energy I feed it and the way the transmutation is carried out. Bigger circles are generally preferred in case of delicate transmutations because it helps alchemists to detect if some mistake has been committed in the inscriptions" Roy explained.
"Whoa! That's a lot...but that means you can still get this circle to work," said Ling, slightly relieved.
"I guess so."
"Hmm...then lets find Ed and get this show done with."
*/*/
THE GREAT DESERT
"How much further?" Travis groaned, giving his camel a look of distaste. "My butt's sore."
"I can see the ruins...an hour at the most, it seems," said Rei, squinting at the horizon.
"I've always wanted to visit the ruins of Xerxes...pity I have to visit this way," May sighed.
"Don't worry May. Once this drama's all over, we'll come here again," Al said, smiling.
May was glad that the night hid her blush. "Thanks, Alphonse."
"Brother always wanted to show me the wall where he found the ancient notes of human transmutation," Al continued, not noticing May's smile give way to an open mouth. "And Winry too wanted to visit it, right Win?"
May looked murderously at the blonde riding on the camel to her left.
"Umm Al? Aren't you kind of missing the point here?" Winry said hesitatingly.
Al looked surprised. "But you always said..."
"It is obvious that Miss Chang seeks to spend some time with you, young Alphonse," Alex boomed, urging the poor, almost-squashed camel of his come in line with the younger Elric.
Winry slapped a palm to her forehead while Al and May blushed madly.
"Way to go, Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong," she muttered.
"Pure love and loyalty are the traits that have been passed down the Armstrong line for generations!" Alex said proudly.
Al swore that the pink sparkles might have increased in number.
"Hey you guys! Pipe down a little! We are close," Rei called from the front. Al didn't need to see her smirk to know that she had heard everything. That woman's ears were too sharp at times.
*/*/
Thankfully, a helpful oasis nearby seemed to be a good place to tether their camels. Rei spied another posse of camels sitting in a disgruntled manner near a clump of grass.
Roy's group, I should guess.
She lead her camel towards them, thinking maybe bonding over with new members might help them pass the time and perhaps not encourage them to chew through the rope and run away. Miles had sworn the toughness of the ropes to rival that of the Brigg's commander but she had her doubts. After the drama gets over, she wasn't looking forward to a blind trek across the treacherous desert.
The horizon was lighting up—dawn was approaching.
Let's get this over and done with so that I can dig into some Eastern food for dinner.
The guides Miles had them accompanied with bowed and took their leave after wishing them good luck.
"Pust zvezdy svetyat nad vami navsegda," said one of them, kissing the forefinger and index finger of his right hand and raising it to the slowly brightening sky.
Rei looked puzzled but to her surprise, Travis mirrored his move.
"Mozhet vashe puteshestviye byt' korotkim i bezopasnym," he said in the same solemn voice before the two guides rode away in the direction they came.
"What was that?" Rei asked.
"That's standard Drachman way of wishing one luck," Travis said, his eyes hard and steely.
"When did you hop in to Drachma?" Rei asked.
"Major General Alstenheim! I think we should hurry," May said, interrupting their conversation.
"Right...let's go, Rei. Ed's waiting for us," said Travis.
Rei got a distinct feeling that he was hiding something.
*/*/
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
Ed was panting, covered in a thin sheen of feverish sweat.
Not a good time...
After trotting about with his little problem for over five years, Ed knew the signs just the way he could predict when Al was bound to explode with fraternal worry.
Stay put, damn body!
He raised up his fists in a protective stance, ignoring the wobble in his automail leg. Focussing his body weight on that metal appendage had been a bad idea after all, though it resulted in him rearranging Kazark's facial geography.
Ed smirked. He might miss having that blade protrude from his automail arm at will, but the satisfaction of feeling a punch hit its mark was worth it. Also, his movements had become more quicker after he regained his flesh arm—the heavy metal did make him clumsy at times.
"You're dead either way—you can't punch Pride," Kazark said gleefully, the bloodstained teeth giving him the appearance of a vampire crossed with a really ugly lion.
"Like I care," Ed shrugged, squatting next to a boulder as he rotated his shoulder to ease it up. "I came here for a reason...and unfortunately for you, I do have back-up. Alchemists, you know. People who can punch and transmute. So stop that clichéd villain speech, I'm sick of it."
"Alchemists? Don't make me laugh. Pride's a bloody Homunculus, a one-penny alchemist can't beat him!" Kazark snorted, spitting out a wad of blood onto the stone tile.
Ed grinned.
"Does Major General Rei Alstenheim ring any bells for you?" he asked, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.
*/*/
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
"Does Major General Rei Alstenheim ring any bells for you?"
Ed?
Roy almost dashed up front, held back only because Ling had the foresight to hold on to that ridiculous cape-like thing of the military trousers.
"Hold it, Brigadier...that's Kazark. And I sense Pride to be quite near. And I dare say he has picked us up already," Ling muttered.
Havoc and Riza held the rifles up steadily, ready to shoot. Ross and Brosch kept up the rear-guard, latter albeit grudgingly. Lan Fan was nowhere to be seen though Roy suspected that the bodyguard was keeping watch on their party, hidden from sight.
"So, our cover's blown too, right?" Roy said, pulling his gloves straighter.
"Sky high," Ling nodded, drawing out his small sword slung across his back.
Roy looked at the circles once again.
"I guess we should wait for Rei before you use that circle," Ling added. "I don't think you'd know the details about activating it now...since the scenario has changed a little."
This guy's more shrewd than he lets people to believe.
Roy nodded.
"Sir? I could have sworn the horizon was lighting up a couple of moments back," Riza said, breaking into his thoughts.
Roy cast a look where Riza's gaze was fixed before he did a double take.
He had seen the dawn breaking too. He checked his pocket watch.
Yep. Time for the sun to rise and shine.
But how in the name of the Gate did dusk fall before the sun rose?
"The sun...it disappeared?" Roy said out loud, shock colouring his voice.
THE RUINS OF XERXES
THE GREAT DESERT
Rei ran her fingers lightly over the pouch at her waist, the trustworthy thing that held her cards.
It had been a long time since she had entered a battlefield—since Ishval.
A light shudder made goosebumps pop up her arms. She began doubting the idea of bringing Winry...what if the battle grew into a bloodbath?
Ed would never forgive her for this.
But the only one who could mend Ed's automail was Winry.
What a conundrum.
The boulders, cracked pillars, beams, walls lay about like a child's abandoned sandcastle project. As if waiting for the waves to wash them off.
She didn't need to look behind to know that the others had their eyes peeled. As far the information Ed provided, Pride was the only serious threat here. The others were skilled fighters—but in front of alchemists who had seen hell and lived to tell the tale, they were minor inconsequential blips.
She just hoped Travis would be equal to them; no doubt they would discover Winry to be a weak link once they entered a full-out battle.
"We are close, I can sense Brother and the Brigadier, not to mention Pride," Al whispered.
"And Ling and Lan Fan too," May added.
It sure helped having alkahestrists on the team, at least no more walking into ambushes.
Maybe I could suggest Dragon Pulse training as a compulsory subject for alchemists-in-training in the next General Body Meeting.
Though the structures had long departed from their original forms, they had fallen to form a ridiculous maze which even Al and May had a hard time navigating.
As she moved forward to make a turn, Al yanked her back.
She looked at the younger Elric in surprise.
"Something's wrong. I can't get a read anymore," he muttered, massaging his temples.
"Oh God! Look at the sun!" May gasped, pointing to the horizon.
Rei slowly turned to look at where May was pointing.
The horizon, which had been lighting up a few minutes back, was now pitch black. And a giant ring of fire was the only source of illumination in the sky.
Just like the sun during an eclipse.
The only fact being, no eclipse was scheduled for at least five months.
"The sun...it has disappeared!" Catalina said, clapping her hands to her mouth in horror.
A/N: And so, the action begins! The heroes have all gathered at the place of action, time to get the show on the road! Tentatively, I'll be posting the next chappie after two weeks (around 16th of August to be precise) since I've got a week of tests (wyaaa~~~!) to study for but if you are nice and review like the adorable munchkins you are, maybe I would be tempted to post a whole lot sooner?
You never know what a motivated author can do!
Two more chapters till the epilogue! My baby has grown its wings, soon it will fly out of its nest! Can't help but shed a couple of tears!
After TBK, I guess I'd start updating Circus-most people might wanna kill me for not updating that for ages.
And, a question for you: Do you want a sequel for TBK? I need your views! PM me or scribble it in the review box.
Responses awaited!
And again, Happy Friendship Day to all! Keep your friends close, coz they are the only ones who have witnessed your dumps and jumps, and been there to ground you proper.
Till next time, folks!
*/*/Nazrath/*/*