Hello everyone! Really sorry about not updating, but so much has been going on! Yearbook staff is a nightmare, and our principle called us SGA staff "Entirely uncoordinated, unorganized and selfish". She really knows how to get on my nerves! And then... I got Pneumonia. Yay. Oh well! Moving on, I decided to make this a REALLY long chapter in compensation for my infinite lateness. I really hope you guys enjoy it!
CC-R2000: Yes, lose it she did. I really enjoyed writing that little bit
Soko524: Me? Awesome? Yay! Thank you! And yes, the SOS Brigade is amazing. If you want to join an anime club, just make one! I'm sure you'll find plenty of interested members (they always come out of hiding when you announce a club).
Amethyst-Eyed Koneko: Yeah, sorry about that. I had heard it called both. But what can you do when you live in the South, lol. And yes, most people would not put up with that brat for two minutes.
Cartoon Cow: Oh, don't worry... Alphonse gets an exposition in this chapter! Mwahaha...
Fireena: They were somewhat intentional. I'm really glad you like it! ^^
KANDIIDA: Actually, that's a reference to some fan-given nicknames of Organization XIII members, Xigbar and Marluxia. However, the characters in the story are in no way linked to them, and have entirely different appearences and personalities. And yes, that was an obvious Alois reference.
AllenxEdward: That it is... that is is. I'm really glad you like it, and I hope you'll like this one too!
Lux the Insane: I enjoy those little parodies I throw in every now and again. Hopefully I can do more of them!
FlamingFlyingFoxofDoom: I guess? Are you talking about that one line Alice says? Well, I guess it kind of is!
Tsumugi Hitomi: Yes, yes it is. That is a good word to describe it... lol.
29 DECEMBER2012: I'm really sorry, but it's going to be a little longer than I expected until the next update. My laptop crashed...AGAIN, and with it, the final draft of chapter 27. It was one of the few files I had no backed up...However, I still have most of my notes, so I will try to have the next chapter up soon. Thank you guys so much, and see you soon!
Also, I apparently was watching too much DEATH NOTE when I was writing this chapter, so instead of typing M. (Alice's friend's codename), I typed N, as in Near. Sorry about that .-.
~OhHolyCow
Dusk
Chapter 26
The Capture
Roy opened the large mahogany door to his town home sending a draft of cool into the evening air. The house was dark and empty, no movement nor sound coming from it. Roy walked inside, turning on a dusty red lamp, enthralling the house with a small ray of light. A large shadow sat emptily in the corner. The figure was still and alone, making not a sound. The figure was a suit of armor, Alphonse Elric.
"Alphonse?" Edward said in slight discord as he walked slowly over to the suit of armor, making sure that it was him who sat so desolately by himself.
"Alphonse?" the boy repeated, giving the armor a touch.
"…Hello, brother." The armor replied, monotonous.
Roy, a little shaken, asked the armor the age old question.
"Are you alright, Alphonse?" he asked as he walked closer.
"Yes… I am."
"Why are you sitting in the dark?"
The armor looked up at his concerned brother, and if he truly had a face, then it would show mixed emotions.
"… I've just been… worried, is all" the armor said as he stood.
"I was waiting for you to get home." The armor added.
Home…
"Oh… okay, well…" Edward said as he looked at Roy, searching Roy's face for a remark.
"I guess I'll make us something to eat…?" Roy said with a slight shrug of shoulders. Edward sent him a look of curiosity and slight surprise.
"Wow, I didn't know you could cook!" Edward said with a little surprise and joy. Roy, however, just smiled in acknowledgement, nodding his head.
"Of course I can! How do you think I get so many dates?" Roy joked, stomping into the kitchen to prepare a dish. Edward just smiled and headed upstairs, unbeknownst to Roy as the man began to bake a pleasant-smelling meal.
Pastry for 2 crusts… 8 cups sliced, peeled assorted baking apples - about 3 lbs.
Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup white sugar…1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 Tablespoons butter , 1 egg yolk, 1 Tablespoon milk
Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan…
Roy's hands moved through the pie tin, creating a savory crust as his pale was made whiter by the flurry of dough and sugar. He raised a hand to his brow, looking back to the Madam's book.
Pastry for 2 crusts… 8 cups sliced, peeled assorted baking apples - about 3 lbs.
Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup white sugar…1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 Tablespoons butter , 1 egg yolk, 1 Tablespoon milk
Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan…
"Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan…" Roy said to himself as he grabbed the basket of apples from the kitchen table. He grabbed his paring knife and sliced with ease, smiling as he prepared them.
Toil and time, Roy placed the pie into the oven, taking off his oven mitt and leaning against the counter, content with his work.
"Edward? Uh, it's ready" Roy called into the main room, looking for the boy. The room was set aglow by the lights in contrast to the darkness outside, but there was no boy to be found here. He searched the house, finding not a sight of blonde bangs. Finally, he went into the boy's room,slapping himself for his own stupidity. Roy opened the door with a squeak, allowing light to encroach the darkness of the bedroom.
Edward was sound asleep on downy blue blankets, unaware by any means that he was being watched. His expressing was soft and content, a smile that rarely graced his features. Roy walked over to the bed, and couldn't resist removing the gold hair from Edward's face. He sat down, stroking his bangs, and if possible, Edward fell into an even deeper sleep.
My words are true Roy thought to himself.
I will always protect you, Edward. My Edward.
No one will hurt you, not ever again.
Now I am here to fill the void, to be the light in the darkness.
I will always love you, Edward, my son.
I will always protect you, Edward. My Edward.
Roy set the dish, a fresh-baked apple pie, on the bedside table,
Edward, with a sniff and a small lick of his lips awoke from his slumber, looking and seeing Roy with his fresh-baked supper.
"Mmm… Roy?"
"Yeah?"
"What time is it?"
"It's about eight… I um… made pie"
Edward's eyes opened at this statement, and he smiled in slight excitement.
"I knew I smelled something" he said as he turned. He gave the pie a whiff, and turned to the man once more.
"You know… Granny always liked to make us pie… and now Winry's learning too… Thanks, Dad- erm, I mean, oh damn it-"
Roy chuckled a little at the boy's earnest remark, and thought to himself, He called me dad! With internal excitement.
"That's alright, Ed" Roy said as he pat the boy on the back. Edward's embarrassed flush softened, still showing slightly through his bangs as he lowered his head and smiled. Edward got up from his bed and laughed a little to himself.
"Heh… alright…"
…Dad.
The to walked into the dining room where Alphonse sat quietly on the floor, a copy of Central Times in his large leather hands. He looked up, and stoop up to greet his brother.
"You're awake, brother! The Colonel made you dinner, and It looks really good!" The boy said, his little voice resonating through the armor.
Edward, Alphonse and Roy sat down at the table and (with the exception of Alphonse) began to eat. Edward eyes the pie with second glance, as though he didn't trust Roy's cooking. Putting his question aside, Edward took a bite of pie, his eyes widening at the flavor.
"It's amazing! Almost as good as Granny's!"
Roy was a little surprised at this. He had never really been the guy on the block known for his pie making skills, but he supposed that if Edward liked it, then he was happy. The three sat at the table, eating Roy's cooking and talking, telling stories from ten days to ten years ago. After an hour or so, the three decided that they were done eating, and went for the couch. Alphonse, as polite as he was, sat on the floor so Roy and his brother to take the large scarlet couch. Roy thanked the boy, though still offered him a seat, turned down in an instant with waving hands and insistence that Al just didn't care if he was on the floor; it wasn't like he could feel anyhow, the boy reasoned. With a shrug of shoulders, Roy sat on the couch. Roy called for the boy to come to the couch with him, but was met with the thumping of feet through up the stairs and back. The boy came into the room with a large black book in his hands, and a beaming smile on his face.
"What do you have there, Edward?"
The boy put the large book on the coffee table with a dusty thump, replying to the man as he read the cover.
"…It's a photo album" Edward looked at the front of the dusty tome; it read:
My Little Roy
"Where did you find that?" Roy asked, taking his coffee mug and pressing it to his lips.
"I found it on the bookshelf in my room, next to the lamp" The boy replied.
"I hope that's okay…" he added.
Roy was puzzled for a moment, as he recalled the last time he had seen that album. It had been the Madam's, holding the only pictures left of his childhood, the only place where his parents faces were framed.
"I've not seen that book in years…" Roy said as he took the book into his lap. Edward jumped on the couch next to Roy, his bright eyes looking down as the dark and dust-ridden album. With a moment of hesitance and shaking hands, Roy opened the book. On the first page was a picture of him as a baby, a black mop of hair on his head and a toothless smile on his face. Roy smiled fondly, putting his index over his un-aged face.
"You're so… cute!" Alphonse said with glee.
"Hey Roy?"
"Yes, Edward?"
"Tomorrow… can we go see Doctor Brunk?"
"Of course, Ed. I'm not sure if we can, but we can go to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning."
"Really?!"
"Yeah. We'll head there early so we can beat traffic."
The woman lay in her soft hospital bed, on top of the covers in an unkempt heap. A pale hand covered her eyes as she lay wordlessly. She shivered, shuddered at her own deprecated state.
"N…no…" shiver.
"Not…here…not…dead" shudder.
"S…stop it… stop it… leave me… be…" The cold wind whispered something out side of the room, and it whistled as though it spoke, speaking to her and only her"
"Don't…do this… leave me…be…" The wind got louder, louder, louder. A hurricane of flustering voices echoed through the doctor's mind. She had had enough. Her eyes turned fierce, and her rage and hatred were on the rise.
"I said… leave me… the Hell… ALONE!" She screamed as loud as she heard the wind. As loud as a hurricane, as strong as a storm. The lights of her room were lit as men dressed in white entered her room.
"Miss Brunk, are you alright? What's going on?" one of the young men asked.
"I said… leave me ALONE!" She tackled the poor man to the ground, grabbing his neck as he gasped for air.
"DIE! I'LL KILL YOU, BASTARD! DIE DIE DIE!"
"Someone get the sedatives! The woman is unstable!" the older man yelled as he tried to rip her from him.
"LET GO OF ME! DIE! ALL OF YOU DIE!"
"You've… got to calm down, Anne!" the man yelled as his friend was being strangled to death. Try as he might, he could not get the woman off.
"DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!" she said as she strengthened her grip against their hands. The man's eyes began to glaze as saliva and bile flowed from his open mouth. His grip weakened, faded until it was gone.
"I've got the sedatives!" another man said.
"Hurry up! Put her out!"
"You'll never get me you bastards! Eh… ehehe… Ahahahaha! AH-!" Her eyes widened as she began to still, and soon, she was met with darkness… piercing darkness.
Darkness…darkness…piercing…darkness…
Darkened… blood…
…Black blood…
Morning met Roy and Edward as the sun shone through the curtains of their rooms.
A pleasant way to wake up, Roy thought as he got up from his large red bed. He did a stretch or two, and changed from his pajamas to his military uniform. He sat on the bed and put on his socks, then his boots. He grabbed a pair of gloves, ignition gloves from his top drawer, and exited the room.
By the time he was in the main part of the house, Edward was coming down the stairs. He looked exhausted, his golden locks a hot mess while his eyes shone large purple bags showing his lack of sleep. He sat down at the kitchen table, trying his earnest to stay awake. Roy, a little concerned, grabbed a mug and gave the boy a coffee, and was met with a half-smile, tired but grateful.
"Thanks", Edward said as he took a sip.
"Not sleep well?" Roy asked, taking a sip of his own coffee. Edward looked at the table like it was the most interesting thing in the whole world. Finally, he spoke, soft and tired.
"…It's nothing, Roy. I'm fine." Edward said as he picked up his fork, about to take an egg from his plate.
"Liar" Roy said, his voice void of emotion.
Edward dropped his fork at his surprise; it clattered to the floor as he stared at the man like he was insane… and scary.
How…
"W…what?"
"You heard me. You're lying, Edward... Something's wrong... Why aren't you sleeping well?" The man asked, getting closer to Edward.
How did he know? How could he read me… so easily…?!
"I-I… uh, well…" Roy gave the boy a glare, and Edward looked down into the dark brown pool of his coffee. With a sigh, the boy gave Roy an answer.
"…It's… the nightmares…"
"Nightmares?"
"Even before all of this… I had nightmares… you know, about… about what we did years ago… about the people we couldn't save… But since I've been infected… it's worse… so much worse…" the boy said softly, exasperated as he put his head in his hands.
"Ed… how long has this been going on? Why haven't you told me?" Roy asked as he enveloped the boy into a comforting hug.
"I just… I didn't want to worry you anymore than I already have and… I just…" Edward took a breath, and began again.
"These nightmares have been going on ever since I got infected…even before... They weren't as bad at first, but now… now they… they're real… these nightmares… are real… everything about them…The people, the places… everything… Last night, I-" Edward broke down then, allowing Roy to hold him tighter.
"It was about her! About the doctors! They… all of them died, and Dr. Brunk was left to suffer! We were… at the crime scene, and she… she reached out for help, but... she turned to dust... and blew away..."
"Edward… the doctor is in the hospital and is getting the help she needs… I can assure you that she's alright"
"But last night… the last part of my dream… I never saw it happen, I wasn't there… It was like a vision or something… Brunk was being held down by doctors, and…" the tears came forth once again as Edward began to shudder.
"She was screaming for her... 'Miley! Miley! Miley!'… It's just… so hard to-!" Edward yelled as he became hysterical.
"It'll be alright, Ed. That was just a dream. Anne is perfectly fine where she is. We'll go by and see her after breakfast, I promise" The man said with a smile. The madness seemed to crumble from Edward's features with the honest smile Roy gave him, and his face began turned brighter, lighting up like a Roman candle.
"Really? You mean it?!" Edward asked with relief and excitement. The man simply nodded, a knowing smile still on his face.
Edward hugged the man tightly, and bolted up the stairs, his 'thank you's resounding through the house.
"It's fine, Ed. I think it'll be good for all of us. Anne too." Roy said, knowing that the boy probably could not hear him.
Edward hurriedly put on his clothes and got ready for the day excited about his visit with Brunk.
"Colonel?" heavy footsteps came towards the man. He turned, and saw Alphonse.
"Yes, Al?"
"Are you sure that Edward will be okay there?"
"At the hospital?"
"Yeah... the hospital"
"He'll be fine. Why wouldn't he be?"
"No reason, Colonel. I guess I'm just worried."
"Alright then, I guess we'll leave soon. Are you sure you don't want to come?"
"Yes, I'm sure"
Edward, with his excited footsteps, came running down the stairs in his normal attire of red and black, a delightful departure from his now commonplace pajamas and hospital gowns.
"Let's go!" he yelled as he bolted out the door.
"Wait, Ed! I have to get my keys!" Roy yelled as he grabbed the keys from a little white table, running out the door with his charge. The door closed and Alphonse was left alone. Slowly, the armor rose from his place on the hair and walked, step by step, to the Colonel's phone. He picked it up and dialed the number. It rang once, twice, then there was an answer.
Hello?
"This is Alphonse."
What's happened?
"Edward and the Colonel are on their way to the hospital"
...Got it. We'll try our best to keep them safe
"Thank you... it means a lot"
Don't mention it. Gold is in a lot of danger, so we're here to help him. We haven't done the best job, with the bridge and the incident yesterday, but we'll keep a closer eye on him from now on.
"I'll go to the hospital as soon as I get the O.K. I don't want to get in the way"
Actually, we might need some help. As soon as you get the phone call, let it ring three times. Do not answer it, just run as fast as you can.
"Okay. I'll wait. Thanks again, for helping my brother"
Goodbye, Alphonse.
The line went dead. Alphonse retook his seat on the chair, and was motionless, waiting for his phone call.
Roy and Edward got out of the car, the latter unable to contain his excitement. He began running through the parking lot, Roy trying to catch up.
"Edward! Wait!"
Edward ran without a care, a great smile upon his face and a twinkle in his eyes. Finally, he reached the building.
His smile faded and his expression turned to shock as he witnessed the scene. Doctors and nurses were running away from the building; it was a mob, a panic. A tall man ran into Edward, knocking to boy to the ground.
"Roy!" Edward yelled as he fell to the ground.
Roy heard the boy, and saw the crowd in front of the building. His faced turned to anger as he began to run faster. He cursed when he couldn't find the boy.
"Edward! Where are you?!"
"D-n he-re!" Roy barely heard among the screams and running footsteps. An arm found its way into the Colonel's vision.
"Damn it, he's been trampled!" Roy reached down for the arm, and hurriedly picked the boy off of the ground.
"Are you alright?! What happened?" Roy asked, shaking him slightly.
"Roy?! What's going on?!"
"I don't know, Edward. We'd better-"
But before the man could finish his sentence, Edward ran inside of the hospital, barely able to pass with fleeting people.
"Wait! Damn it, Edward" Roy said to himself as he ran into the clinic after him. In the flurry of people, Edward was lost, not in sight. Roy grew weary, and searched harder, until he found a red coat crouching on the ground behind the receptionist's counter.
"Miss?" Edward said to the women cowering behind the desk.
"W-w-what do you want?" One of them asked, shivering.
"I need to know. What happened here?" Edward asked softly, trying to keep the women calm. The second woman replied.
"I-I-It was some crazy woman, some patient from 701. She started goin' crazy and attackin' people. And then there were more of them, some crazy bastards. They started brawlin' upstairs and now they tellin' people to evacuate. A doctor was killed in the crossfire, and then everybody started panicking. Now we got everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off and we're afraid o' gettin' trampled!"
Edward looked at them for a moment, and held out his hand.
"I'll help you. I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist"
The women looked shocked, then they took his hand and got up off of the ground.
"I don't care if you the Pope, just get us out of here!"
"Come on, this way" Edward yelled as the three bolted for the door. Edward used his automail and pushed through the crowd. In a moment, they were safe, in the parking lot where the crowd was few.
"Are you both alright?" Edward asked.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're such a brave boy!"
"Thank you so much for saving us!"
"Don't mention it. Edward said as he started to run back to the building.
"Where you goin', Kid?! Do you wanna get yo'self killed?!"
"I have to go in. My friend is in there!" he said.
"Wait!" the other woman yelled. Edward turned around once again, looking at the woman.
"Umm...my name's Judy"
"Loretta" Edward smiled at their unconventional timing, but waved, nonetheless.
"Edward Elric"
"Good luck, Edward. Be safe!" the women cried.
"I will" And Edward bolted for the door once again.
"Judy girl?" Loretta began with the turn of her head.
"I hope that boy gets out okay"
"Me too, Loretta"
Edward reached the door where Roy was waiting for him.
"We need to get out of here, Edward"
"No!"
"What?! Edward, we have to go! It isn't safe here!"
"Don't you get it?! This is all my fault! I know who's up there, and I have to put a stop to it!"
Roy thought for a moment, and, reluctantly knew the boy was right.
"I'm coming with you."
"No"
"No?! What do you mean, 'no'?!"
"I said no! I... I have to do this myself!"
Before Roy could stop him, Edward burst back into the building. He looked among the fleeting doctors, and found the stairs. He bolted towards them, when a man stopped him.
"Where do you think you're going, son?! It's dangerous up there! Everyone has to go!"
"This is my fight, Asshole!" Edward yelled as he pushed past the man, running up the stairs. He ran up the stairs as fast as he could, hearing and seeing more destruction as he escalated. And finally, he reached it.
The seventh floor.
He could hear fighting. Taunting. The glass on the door was cracked, as he could not make out who was behind it. But he knew anyways. It was the rose from his dreams. The Grey from yesterday, The black if he were alive. And anyone else who was after him. Anyone else after his madness. With a stern gaze in his eyes, he opened the door to hell.
The infamous purple girl ran through the streets, in tow two more. She held her device in her hands, holding it up to her ear.
"M. Do we know which room the woman is in?"
I've confirmed it with a member of hospital staff. Miss Brunk is staying in room 701.
"Great! Do we know the whereabouts of Red and her cronies?"
I've received mixed information on this one. I am unable to locate most of them, however, the Rose is still in the White Castle, while the others are off the map entirely
"What! Off the map?! Are you sure, M.?"
Unfortunately, that's what it looks like. They had attacked Gold yesterday, and by the looks of things, Grimsley was defeated. I've received intel that Grimsley received some pretty harsh orders from the Madam. He's sure to pull something the first chance he gets.
"Do you know what the orders are?"
Actually, yes. Some info got leaked from Grey. She's really a chatterbox if you're a handsome fellow like myself.
"You... seduced her for information? M.?! What were you thinking?!"
Hey! She came onto me, Alice. After a forced cup of coffee she starts spilling secrets like there's no tomorrow! But, to the point, I have Grimsley's assignment on file.
"What is it?"
"By any means necessary, eliminate Alice or face the blade."
"Damn it. I knew that bitch would send someone after me sooner or later. Well, I've beaten him once, so I guess I'll have to do it again.'
Not so fast, Alice. I have intel that he's using some mystery drug to boost his abilities, similar to what he gave to Gold. Watch yourself. Chances are, they're headed for the hospital. I doubt they're going to send many, but still. Be. Careful.
"Roger that, M.! Plus, I've got some backup. Right, ladies?"
The girls behind her simply nodded with an "Always Alice".
Who... who are they?
"Just some friends. I had a few extra dresses, plus they're pretty competent. Trust me, M. I know that if something happens, we'll be outnumbered.
Alice. That isn't...
"Yup! It sure is. I thought that she should be the one to do this"
Fair enough. Just make sure that you don't let them catch her. It'll be S. C. for sure.
"Alright, M. We're approaching the target. I'll try to stay in touch. If you don't hear from me in an hour, then make the call."
He's ready when we need him.
"Goodbye, M."
She pressed the button on her communication device, ending transmission. She looked up at the building, then at her friends.
"Alright, friends. Nothing will be over today. Today is just a first. Out only objectives are to rescue Anne and make sure that Edward remains safe. If we run into Grimsley, we'll have to fight." She turned to Mikuru, whose red dress was decorated with sparkles and sequence, a look she seemed incredibly uncomfortable with.
"U-u-um Alice? A-are you sure that I h-have to wear this? I-I mean, it's so e-embarrassing..."
"Mikuru... I dunno, but something tells me that you're going to have to do this more often. A lot, actually. As for the dress, it not only makes you look adorable, but it and the mask make it impossible for people to recognize you. So yes, you need the dress.
"O-o-okay. I suppose that's fine..."
"Great! What about you, _. Ready?"
The other girl was pale, her blond hair reaching her hips. his grey eyes looked confident, unlike how they had been before. Her dress was grey, decorated with ribbon, and the silk around her waist matched perfectly her eyes.
"I'm ready"
"Then let's go and get out friend back"
The white dining hall was silent as the Madam ate her cake without a disturbance. Grimsley entered the dining hall with a paper on his silver tray.
"Milady?"
"Yes, Grimsley?"
"We are ready to begin the operation"
"Wonderful, Grimsley. Do you understand your orders?"
"Of course, Milady. By any means necessary, eliminate Alice or face the blade."
"Marvelous. However, I have decided to change the mission directive."
"Milady?"
"Alice is too big a target right now. She can act however she pleases without putting anything on the line. Before we go after her, we need something... we need something that all of them want."
"What might that be, Milady?"
"It has taken me quite a long time to mull over this, but I have decided that today... it is time for the next step in our mission"
"Milady! You don't mean-"
"Why yes, I do...
Your task today is to capture the Advent of Madness, Edward Elric, at all costs. I don't care if you burn down the city, just ensure that he is in out possession by Sunset."
"Fire and sunset... the color red... the color of passion. So you say it, Milady, so it shall be done." Grimsley said with a kneel.
"And Grimsley?"
"Yes, Milady"
"I fear that you will not be able to do this alone, so you shall have some assistance. Fear not: I am not questioning your abilities, nor am I downsizing you. I simply wish to ensure the success of this mission."
"F...fine, Milady"
"You will be spearheading this operation, and you will be granted Grey and LeJaune to assist you." Grimsley's eyes widened, and he look up at the Madam.
"You mean... LeJaune, as in..."
"Yes, Miss Feige LeJaune. You are to take her with you for extra measures."
"But Milady! She's an idiot!" The Madam began to laugh, and said simply:
"Oh come now. She isn't that bad. She's new, but she may be of use to us. Idori!"
A man in dressed in green came into the room, his brown hair crisp and exact.
"Please send in Grey and JeJaune, please."
Without a word, the man, Idori, left the room in search of the agents. In just a moment, he returned, in tow Miss Grey and... the other one.
"Ooh! Do we have a mission, Miss Red?!" The girl yelled with excitement. She was a fairly young woman, wearing a bright yellow shirt whose sleeves were much too long, and blue overalls decorated with girly buttons of sorts. She wore a bright yellow beret, and her green eyes sparkled with laughter.
Naturally, Grimsley was irritated to say the least with the way the girl addressed the Madam, but he decided, albeit reluctantly, to put it aside.
"Feige. You are to go with Grey and Grimsley to capture the Elric boy-"
"The cute one?"
"...Yes, Miss LeJaune, the 'cute one' " the Madam replied with minor irritation.
"Oh yay! Can I take him home with me?!"
"That's the mission, girly!" Tina Grey replied, incredibly irritated per usual.
"This will certainly be a long day..." Grimsley said in defeat.
"Says you! I have to deal with both of you idiots! Not only that but I don't get to be in charge!"
"Who are you calling an idiot, you neophyte?!"
"Neophyte?! I've been here just as long as you have, blacky!"
"I can tell, you've certainly aged with those crows feet!"
"Crow's feet?! How dare you, you pompous bastard!"Grey screamed.
"Why don't you just leave. You're just a nuisance anyway"
"Hey, I'm not the nuisance here! Lemme tell you, you are a pain in the-"
"ENOUGH" The madam screamed.
"...I apologize for our behavior, Milady. We will embark on the mission as soon as you wish"
"You may embark. However, do not go to the Mustang house"
"Where do we go, Milady?" Grimsley asked with confusion as the Madam smiled darkly.
"A little birdie told me that our little golden boy is going to the hospital to pay Brunk a visit. Why not kill two 'birds' with one stone?"
"Excellent planning, Milady. We will return at sundown".
"Very good. Do not fail me. That goes for all of you"
The three kneel before her. "Yes, Milady"
The Madam stood, and spoke to her agents, and she raised her arms to the sky.
"His madness will bring about that which is required of us. And together, we shall create a new world."
Alice and her troupe of colorful friends entered the hospital, receiving a plethora of strange looks from the staff.
"Can we help you?" two receptionists asked.
"No. We know the way." Alice said. With a bow, she and her friends ascended the stairs, en route to room 701.
The receptionists looked at each other, and one of them spoke.
"Those are some weird-ass kids"
"I've noticed that the youth in this country have many issues that they need to work out..."
"Judy girl, you be tellin' me. Mmhmm."
The three girls went running up the stairs, on a mission to save their friend. After a long trek up seven floors (with Mikuru having to take a few breaks), the three girls finally made it. Alice opened the door to the seventh hall, and was met with patients and doctors moving at a slow, steady pace at the other side.
Alice's heels clacked against the tile as she began down the hall.
729
728
727
They were unsure of what Grimsley was planning, and Alice knew that they had to get there first.
708
707
706
Closer and closer was their destination.
704
703
702
They had made it.
701
Resting gently on the bed of the hospital room was Anne Brunk, a sedated smile on her face and dark bags under her eyes. The three girls practically fell to the floor with relief, all of them letting out a massive breath thay had barely realized they were holding.
"We made it" Alice said, putting a hand to her chest.
"Just in time, too." Mikuru added, a smile on her face.
The other went to the bed and took the doctor's hand, cold but still with a rhythm.
"Oh, Anne... it's been so long... we're going to get you out of here, I promise"
"Hey, Alice?"
"Yes, Mikuru?"
"Why are we taking Anne out of the hospital? She seems safe..." Mikuru put her head down with embarrassment.
Alice looked out the window and saw the city, and she was afraid.
"...I know Grimsley's going to try something. He isn't one to let go of grudges."
"Well... where are we going to put her?"
"M.'s family owns a little clinic in East Central. It's pretty off the radar, so we think she'll be much safer there."
"Oh, okay"
"We need to get her out of here before Grimsley gets here." the third girl said sternly, picking Anne up from the table.
"Right" Alice agreed, going to them. An explosion resounded from the door they had entered down the hall, and gasps and screams filled the floor.
Three figures, Grimsley, Tina Grey and Feige arose from the smoke, each with a weapon in tow. Grimsley had his signature knife, Grey held a pistol and Feige held a machete in her right hand.
"We are here to eliminate the patient of 701, and everyone within her room. If you want to live, then I suggest you leave this building. If not, we can certainly assist you." Grimsley said loudly as he smiled wickedly. A man in his thirties, a doctor, approached Grimsley.
"I don't know who you are, Mister, but you can't come in here and endanger the patients! We're trying to save lives, so please don't cause us any troub-" the man was pierced through the chest by Grimsley's blade. He had a look of horror upon his face, and then he fell, dead to the world. There were screams and cries as everyone saw what had just happened to the dear doctor. Then there was silence, as everyone stared at the man with horror. Grimsley just smiled.
"...Boo"
Every doctor, patient (those who could move) and nurse scrambled for the doors, trying to get downstairs and out of the building.
"Spread the word! Evacuate the building!" Grey yelled after them. Soon, the floor was empty.
"As soon as the fleeting people were gone, Alice and Mikuru arose from the room, locking the door behind them.
Grimsley just smiled sickly, and Grey held her hand over her face and laughed.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't little miss Alice, paying us a visit."
"We meet again, Grimsley. Long time no see" Alice said with a raise of her satchel. She crouched as she placed it on the ground, unzipping it. The three figures raised a brow.
"What on Earth are you doing? Looking for a map?"
Alice pulled out three long steel bars from her bag, putting them together with a twist and a click. She pulled a large crooked blade from the bag and attached it to the end. Grimsley's eyes widened as he saw what she had.
"Well, it looks like Alice had an upgrade."
Alice spun the weapon in circles, going into an attack stance.
"I've been waiting for this, more than anything, to take you down" Alice took her weapon, her Reaper scythe, and slashed at the air.
Mikuru put in a blue contact lens into her right eye, and put a hand up to her face. Feige raised her hatchet and began to laugh as well. Grey held her kunai between her fingers, and Grimsley raised his bloodied knife.
The third girl bolted from the room, locking the door behind her. She held long, jagged chains around her neck and in her hands, throughout her body and ready to fling them at her opponents. She was breathing heavily, and her eyes held anger.
"You! How did you escape?!" Grimsley yelled, furious. Grey's eyes widened, and she looked at him.
"Grimsley, that isn't- it can be-"
"No... it is her... Asylum patient 3066, Madness Project 4. Lady Cynthia Devillier."
"And I'm here to KILL YOU" She screamed.
"How the hell did you escape?!"
"My friends found a way!"
"How are you alive?!"
"I suffered long, but I will not let you harm my family!"
"...I suppose it can't be helped. You will die here today"
"You're mistaken, Grimsley. For you are the one who will die" Alice retorted.
Grimsley's eyes narrowed.
"We'll see about that. Bring it, Wonderland"
"M-M-Mikuru beam!"
Roy waited outside the panicked building, waiting desperately for his son to come out alive. He wanted so badly to go after him... but Edward denied him that right. For his son's sake, he decided that he would let him handle it.
I'm such an idiot!
Roy put his head in his hands and pulled at his hair. Two women approached him, sitting down next to him.
"Sir, are you alright?"
"No, I am not alright! My son is in there!"
The two women shared a worried look.
"Your son?! Is he a patient? Can he not get out?!"
"No...no, he's just stubborn."
"Stubborn? That boy wants to stay in that hellhole? Why?"
"It isn't that he wants to... he said he needs to"
"He needs to get his ass killed?! What he thinkin'?"
"Well... he thinks that everything is his fault, so... he wants to make it right"
"Make it right? But none of this is his fault... he's just a boy..."
"Hey mister!" the loud one said.
"Yes?"
"Why in the actual hell are you sittin' here while he's inside?!"
"He... he wants to do this alone"
"Screw that! We all need help sometimes! Boy don''t need to be so damn stubborn"
"Umm... sir? What's his name?"
"Edward. Edward Elric... Wh-"
"Edward Elric?! You're his father?!"
"Do you know him?"
"Know him?! Kid saved our lives no ten minutes ago! Are you tellin' me he's still inside?!"
"Saved your lives?"
"Yeah! He just came in and helped us get out of there! We were so scared, but then he told us not to panic."
"That's some kid you got, uh...?"
"Roy. Roy Mustang." Roy said as he held out his hand.
"Mustang?"
"...Edward's mother died when he was young... and his father left him without a trace. So I'm the closest thing he has to a father, now"
The larger, louder one put a hand to her heart and looked like she was about to cry.
"Oh... poor baby, bless his heart"
"That's... so sad..."
So I'm the closest thing he has to a father, now
"If he isn't out in five minutes, I'm going in. I'll give him that much longer to make things right. I won't lose him... not again" Roy said with passion in his eyes.
"We ain't leaving until he comes out of there-"
"Alive"
"Yeah, Alive"
"...I'm Judy"
"Loretta"
"Um... nice to meet you. You've got my name. Roy"
Let's just hope that he makes it out of this...
N. Sat patiently in his dark room, filled to the brim with technology and wiring. He pushed up his glasses, his eyes not visible from behind the glared lenses. The clock behind him ticked away, and at the stroke of noon, a cuckoo bird flung from it. As it chimed twelve times, he continued to sit, not moving in the slightest. When it was over, he rose from his rolling chair, and make towards the phone. This was a call that he did not want to make, but by the terms discussed, there was no avoiding it. He would have to get the poor kid involved. With a sigh, he dialed the number, it rang once, twice, then three times. On the fourth ring, the receiver was pressed down, a signal that Alphonse understood loud and clear. By the looks of things, the boy would be in the building in approximately ten minutes. However, he would have to bypass the black-haired guardian, wherever he may be. It did not matter, though. If Alice could not pull this off, Edward was as good as dead. He pushed up his glasses once again, and the glare subsided, revealing stark blue eyes.
Alphonse sat alone in the big and dark house, not bothering to turn on any lights. It
;s best to conserve, he reasoned. Of course, his musings over conservation and electricity were only out of his absolute boredom, for he had sat alone for some time now. However, his silence was broken with the brisk ring of the telephone, and even without his body, the boy began to tremble.
Oh no... Edward!
"Brother...! I'm on my way!" Alphonse, not hesitating, broke the door down and bolted from the house (even though it was not locked...), running as fast as his metal legs could carry him. Arriving at the hospital, Alphonse, as discussed with his phone friend, took a back entrance into the hospital, avoiding the panicking crowd and not drawing attention to himself. The first six floors were empty, not to his surprise. He had been told that Anne's room was on the seventh floor of the building, and he hoped with all of his heart that Edward was not there.
Please... let him be safe...!
Approaching the seventh floor, Alphonse burst into the hall, his hands clapped and ready. The two sides turned to him, some with curiosity and others with joy.
Knives in hand, Grey was the first to speak.
"And just who the hell are you?"
"Ooh! Maybe he's my knight in shining armor! Feige announced, running over to him.
"F-Feige! We're in the middle of something, here!" Grimsley shouted, irritated as the girl dropped her guard.
"Hey there, Armor man!" she yelled, throwing herself into his arms.
"U-um...h-hi...?" The boy stuttered, trying to remain polite as he was utterly confused.
"Hey, um, kid? Yeah, that girl's on their side"
"Eww! He's rusting! Knight in shining armor my head!" Feige whined, jumping down from the armor and retaking her place next to Grey.
"You mean... these people are the ones trying to hurt my brother?"
"Yes, Alphonse."
Bastards
The armor clapped his hands, forming a spear from the tiled ground. Grimsley's eyes widened, and he smiled with intrigue.
"A suit of armor that knows Alchemy? Why, you must be Alphonse Elric. I am Grimsley, and if you are here to avenge your brother, then you'll have to wait. I haven't killed him yet."
Alphonse burned with rage. How dare he threaten his brother!
Without a word, the boy charged at Grimsley. The fight had begun again.
The seven were all out fighting now, trying to win this decisive clash. No matter how hard each side fought, the stalemate did not waiver. Alice took a slash at Grimsley, who in turn dodged the girl's blade. Feige and Mikuru were caught in melee, one firing her laser, and the other deflecting with her hatchet. Every time Grey took a stab at Cynthia, the woman only bound her knives within her chains. They were at an impasse. The smoke from yet another laser cleared, and the six looked around, no one moving.
Grimsley sighed and broke the silence.
"This is useless. We could go on forever like this."
"Not until you suffer, Grimsley" Cynthia retorted.
"...Are you giving up, Grimsley?" Alice asked. The man only sneered at the idiotic question.
"Stupid girl. I am simply saying that a variable has to change, one like-"
The moment Edward opened the door, the world seemingly stopped.
Seven pairs of eyes looked in his direction. Three of them with joy, three with sorrow.
"...Like him"
Grimsley smiled with his twisted gaze, slowly approaching the boy as he stared into his eyes.
"Well hello there, Master Elric"
Edward, for a reason he did not know why, was petrified. He could not move, he could not speak. His footsteps hesitating.
Why can't I... move...?!
"Don't you touch him!" Alice screamed. She took her scythe and took a slash at Grimsley. He raised his hand, and it collided with the scythe. He merely pushed it aside as though it was nothing.
"Edward... you are what we seek... you are what is within reach... you are the door into the new day... into a new life for mankind... you will control the world..." Grimsley stared down at the boy, who was speechless. His mouth and eyes quivered, trembled.
"You are mine, Edward" He put a hand under the boy's chin, and gently lifted his head.
"Edward... awaken from this useless slumber... come with us... and we can recreate the world."
"I-I..."
"Edward! Don't listen to him! He's lying to you!" Alice cried.
"Grimsley, with a hand under the boy's chin, took a palm around his neck, and tightened his grip.
"If anyone moves, the boy will be eliminated.
"You're bluffing, you coward!" Alice yelled.
"Ed!" Alphonse cried, wanting to run to his brother and save him. Grimsley saw this, however.
" Stay where you are, armor. No, Alice. I am not lying. We can take the boy's remains if need be. His soul is not important." Grimsley said as he lied through his teeth.
"No! You need him! All of him!"
"I need his madness... nothing more." Grimsley said as he lifted the boy in the air, squeezing harder on Edward's windpipe. Edward's small hands went around his neck, trying fervently to remove the intruding hands. Edward gasped as he choked, turning pale as he was deprived oxygen. His legs were kicking with futility as his face began to lose color.
"What will it be, Wonderland? Will you be a fool and cause this boy his demise? Or will you cooperate?"
Alice was silent, hiding behind clenched teeth and hesitating footsteps.
"Wonderful. I always knew you were a smart girl. Grey, Feige. Tie them up with Devillier's chains. And disassemble the armor." He said as he released Edward. The boy fell to the ground, gasping and coughing as he was given air.
Edward looked up at Grimsley with fear in his eyes, unsure of everything.
He trembled.
"Edward... I will say this once more. Come with me, and together, we will recreate the world." Grimsley said as he held out his hand. Offering.
"I-I"
"I said don't listen to him! He's deceiving you!" Alice yelled as she worked against her newly fitted binds. Grey kicked the girl, knocking her to the ground with the other three.
"Grey... shut the girl up"
"With pleasure" she pointed her pistol at Alice's head, ready to fire. Mikuru and Cynthia's eyes widened, and Mikuru began to tear up.
"No..." Alphonse said to himself.
Deceptively simple, so familiar...
My friends are in danger...!
Edward awoke from his trance, and cried out.
"No! Don't hurt her!"
Grey was amused at Edward's plea. She looked at him, and smiled sardonically.
"Oh? Have you grown attached to this girl, Edo? The one you don't even know? How cute." Edward looked at Alice, and she raised her masked face at him.
"Whether I know exactly who she is or not isn't important! She's my friend, and that's all that matters!" Edward spat. Grimsley's teeth clenched in a snarl, and his eyes grew livid.
"Edward...you stupid child... these humans... these 'friends'... mean nothing! They are only liars... they are only holding you back! You could be so much more than this... let them go! Release them from your heart! All of them!" Grimsley yelled, looking the boy in the eyes once more.
"If there's one thing I care about, it's my friends! I'll never let go of them, any of them!"
My friends...
Winry... Alphonse...Roy...
Grimsley's eyes darkened, and he cringed at the boy's words. Holding back madness, he frowned.
"I will make a bargain with you, Edward. I will let them go... if you come with us..."
"What?! But I-"
"If not, Miss Grey will kill them. The moment you make your choice, the moment fate will change."
Feige fingered Alphonse's blood seal, and Grey held her pistol at Alice's head. The two of them smiled wickedly, knowing in their hearts that they had won.
I... I'm sorry, dad.
Tears streamed down Edward's face as his legs gave way underneath him. He said softly his decision under tears and a clouded voice.
"Alright... I... I'll do whatever you want, just please... don't hurt them... don't hurt my brother... he's all I have left..."
Grey removed her pistol and Feige her fingers. The two of them smiled wickedly at Alice, mocking her for her failure.
Alice lowered her head in shame. This was all her fault.
Grimsley smiled and reached into his attache case, and motioned for the two girls to assist him. Feige and Grey pulled out the metal contraption from the large case, unfolding it into a trap with a lock, Edward's prison.
"Soon Edward... we will have everything..." Grimsley said as he opened the barred door to the cage. Edward looked back at the four, all of who were distraught with shame and sadness, for they had lost this fight. Edward mouthed six words to his brother, tears continuing to fall down his face. Alphonse would be sobbing if he had a body, but he only nodded to his brother, his sadness growing.
With a stumble from his automail leg, Edward stepped into the trap as Grimsley closed the door, sealing it with a special key.
"Now Edward, if you try anything, rest assured your brother will be the first to die." Edward nodded frantically, falling to his knees within his new prison.
"Grey, Assist me in carrying the box. It shouldn't be too heavy."
"Ugh, fine." The woman whined as she walked over to him, picking up half of the cage.
"Wow, he really is a pipsqueak." she said with a snort, lifting her end with ease.
"Indeed." Grimsley acknowledged, lifting his end as well.
"Feige, lead the girls out with us. We don't want them trying anything. And while you're at it, throw that armor out the window."
"No! You promised-"
"Edward, he is a suit of armor, he will not break from only a drop as this. Carrying his would be too arduous a task for poor Feige. He'll live." He said apathetically as Feige broke a window. The crowd below gasped as pieces of armor fell from the building."
"All done, Grim!" She said with a kawaii solute.
"Wonderful. Take Alice and her entourage and follow us."He said as he and Grey stepped into the elevator, cage in tow.
" 'Kay!"
"Alright, let's go!" Feige said as she led the girls into the elevator.
Roy had had enough with this waiting. Respect or not, he was going in!
"That's it!" he yelled as he stood.
"I'm going in there to save my son!"
Loretta and Judy cheered him on as he was about to enter the building. But Roy was stopped by the sound of broken glass.
Roy stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the clanking of metal. He turned, and saw an intriguingly familiar metal arm.
"Oh my god, what's that?!" a woman cried.
"It's... a suit of armor!" an elderly man yelled, pointing at the falling torso of Alphonse Elric.
Roy looked up as the rest of the boy was thrown out the window. Alphonse fell to the ground with a clank, appearing unharmed, save a few scratches. Roy ran to him, crouching down at the bloodseal.
"Alphonse?! What happened?! Where did you come from?! Is your brother up there?! Is he okay?!" Questions fired out of the man's mouth like torpedoes.
Edward's teary-eyed last words came back to his mind like lead on his heart.
Alphonse, be safe. I love you.
"I-I... it was G-Grimsley... he... they used us against Edward...And now...he...he's..." Alphonse said shakily, panicked from the situation.
"Spit it out Alphonse! Where is your brother?!"
Unfortunately, Roy's question was shortly answered as the man in black burst from the front doors of the hospital.
"Stand aside or die!" Grimsley yelled, motioning for the woman behind him to follow. Grimsley began to walk out into the crowd, which was parted and silent. Behind him was Tina Grey, holding above her their prisoner: Edward Elric. News about the boy going back inside to make things right had spread like wildfire with Loretta's mouth moving faster than a typewriter. Gasps filled the lot as the despairing boy trapped in the cage was carried through the gap between the crowd. Behind him was Feige, with Mikuru, Cynthia and Alice in chains. The three girls were crying now, lowering their heads in defeat.
Roy looked with desolate sadness as he saw his son in that horrible cage, distraught by the fact he had let him down.
"Edward... Edward!" Roy screamed, trying to get to the cage. Grimsley could easily hear Roy's despairing cry, and he turned, motioning for Feige and her prisoners, and Grey to halt.
"Why hello there, Colonel. And to what do I owe the pleasure?" Grimsley asked sardonically, smiling deviously. Roy took the man by the collar and began screaming, his face turning red with anger.
"Give me back my son you rotten SON OF A BITCH!" Roy screamed.
"Ah a a, Colonel. Grimsley taunted with a wag of his finger, pulling out a taser from his pocket.
"One more move out of you and your little boy gets shocked. Do you really want to cause him more pain?" Grimsley continued, holding it up to the cage.
"Damn you..." Grimsley only smiled, knowing he had successfully stopped the man in his tracks.
"Good man" Grimsley replied, moving the taser away from the cage. Within his prison, Edward stirred.
"R-Roy..."
"Edward?"
"Don't... worry about me... I'll be fine. Just please...protect my brother..." Edward's eyes were empty and cold, no longer gold, but a sickly shade of yellow. His neck was a shade of blue from his encounter with Grimsley, and his face was pale and laced with sweat.
"No... I... I promise..."
Grimsley looked on with disgust, his eyes narrowing.
"This is what happens when you cross us, Colonel Mustang. If we hear of anything... anything at all about you plotting something... we will not hesitate to kill him. If you cross us, I will see to it personally that everything you have is taken away from you, all of your loved ones burned alive. Heed my warning, Colonel. Stay away. He's not your son anymore." Grimsley said coldly. He motioned for Grey to continue walking, cage in tow. Edward turned around so that he could be face to face with hid father. His small arm reached out from the bars, crying out from despair.
"Dad!" he cried, struggling with his arms to get free. But he knew that he could not go, for his friends would die.
"Edward! " Roy cried out.
"Protect him, Roy! Protect Alphonse, keep him safe!" Edward cried, holding the bars with shaking hands as he inched closer to his own demise.
"I will!"
Edward broke down and cried, lowering his head in sorrow.
"Edward! I won't let them keep you! I'll find you, and I'll bring you back home, I promise! With everything I have, no matter what, I'll save you!" Roy yelled, tears finally falling.
Edward raised his head, tears in his eyes. And a glimmer of hope shown. His eyes returned to gold, and the tears continued to fall.
A red and black van pulled up, and Edward's cage was hefted into the back. Grey and Grimsley hopped in the back as well. Feige, once she had released Alice and company, ran to the van and jumped in, waving goodbye.
"I love you, Son!" Roy screamed after them.
"I love you too, Dad!" Edward yelled, up against the edge of the cage. The doors to the van were closed, and they drove off. Roy raised a hand to the vehicle, wanting desperately to see his son again. The van drove further and further, and soon, it was gone.
His beloved son was gone.
Roy fell to the pavement, breaking down in tears, clenching his fists against the ground.
"No... No!" Roy screamed. Roy lay there in agony as the tears continued to fall, his mind reeling at the fact, the horrible, true fact, that he may never see his son again.
And the saddened, horrified crowd was silent as the day itself.
I really hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter! We're getting closer and closer to the end! It's so exciting! I hope you guys also got a good laugh from my OCs, Judy and Loretta. Just to get this straight, if you haven't guessed, Loretta is black (I can't really say "African American, since they aren't in America, and Africa doesn't exist, lol). Judy's a little like Velma, from Scooby Doo, short brown hair and glasses. They''re quite the pair! As for Alphonse, tell me you weren't totally surprised with the role he played! I kept him dormant just so that I could shock you later on XD. Well, I hope you guys are enjoying my story~!
Did you find the allusion?
Did you like the confusion?
Is it me that you hate,
For making you wait?
I'd love a review
Even if it's rude
So Goodbye for now!
OhHolyCow!