Last time, Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, squared off with Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, in a Assessment Dual to re-instate his certification as a State Alchemist. But also, to get information about Dr. Tim Marcoh. However, Ed's side of the battle was strained due to the colonel's gloves. So Ed took out one of them to try and pull off one final attack. But the colonel shocked Ed by pulling out another glove and defeating the small alchemist.

But before the battle could continue, Fuhrer Bradley stopped them, and explained that if the fight continued, the fairgrounds would be destroyed completely, and it would've been harder for them to clean up the mess.

As Mustang and Ed cleaned the fairgrounds, Mustang finally confessed that Marcoh was among the soldiers who survived the war against the Ishbal Rebellion. And that he might still be alive. Ed was finally getting closer to finding the Philosopher Stone.

but as Ed breathed a sigh of satisfaction, Sora and Fuery sighed in despair, as they could not find anyone who would adopt the little puppy they cared for. However, hope came in the form of First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, who decided that she would care for the puppy. And so, she took the puppy in and named him Black Hayate, a name that confused everyone. The mood turned sour when Sora heard that Vivi, the boy he met in Lior, was sent off somewhere on his own...

Warning: Kingdom Hearts and Fullmetal Alchemist are both licensed by Square-Enix. The secondary licenses for both franchises are Disney (Kingdom Hearts), Aniplex, Bones Inc., and Funimation (Fullmetal Alchemist).

PS: There will be spoilers.


Fullmetal Kingdom: The Fanfic

Chapter 55: The Alchemist Killer

Sora stormed out of the office and walked hastily towards the fairground, where Mustang was still cleaning up the mess caused by his battle with Ed. He was followed by Donald and Goofy, who asked, "S-Sora, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Sora replied, "Mustang made a reckless decision! Vivi's too young to go off on his own! The colonel may have lost the kid somewhere!" Donald explained, "Vivi wasn't eligible to live on his own in East city, that's why Hughes suggested him living at his place until you needed him!"

Goofy grabbed Sora by the wrist and said, "Donald's telling the truth Sora! Hughes cared for the boy as much as you did, so he took him to a train station and moved him into his place! He'll be alright now, please believe us!" Donald then came in front of Sora and said, "He can't take care of himself Sora, he's not Tidus, HE'S NOT YOU!" Sora stopped walking and asked, "Vivi...is he really alright?" Donald replied, "You should know the answer better than anyone. He's safe at home, YOUR home. From what I've heard, the Hughes Family are nice people, especially Maes, he's a...very happy person, despite his crazy personality. So you have nothing to fear, got it?" Sora sighed, and nodded with a small smile, "You're right."

"Hey son!"

Sora, Donald, and Goofy turned around and saw Hughes waving at them. Hughes came to Sora and said, "Mustang's going to be held up for a bit, so I'll be taking his place." Sora asked, "For what dad?" Hughes replied, "For talking with you about you're activities in Lior."

Minutes later, Hughes and Sora were inside the colonel's office. Hughes then looked at Sora and asked, "Sora, you've already done allot for us, and I couldn't be any prouder than I am right now, but you failed to arrest Isaac, and that brings up some questions. Can you answer a few?" Sora replied, "I'll answer your questions sir, but before we do, there's something I need to talk to you about..."

"Well well, my boy's fallen for an Ishbalin gal."

Sora explained, "I-I didn't mean that! I just...care for her...very much." Hughes then asked, "That still counts as love (Sora: "QUIT IT!"), so why else would you want to talk about her? DID THE WIDDOW TEENAGER WANT TO TEW HIS OLD MAN 'BOUT HIS NEW SHNUKUMS? (laughs)" Irritated, Sora yelled, "YOU SHADDAP NOW!"

Sora answered, "I've heard about the colonel's involvement in the Ishbal Rebellion. He might...take it the wrong way. She's a nice girl named Rose, she once followed Cornello, but only because he made her believe he could resurrect the dead. It was even more disgusting when I learned that he was lying to her the whole time. After the truth was exposed, she lost all hope, she even told me to never come back. But I did come back, and she..."

Hughes noticed tears coming out of his eyes, "Sora, you're crying. What's wrong?" Sora's fist tightened as he spoke, "...she welcomed me back and forgave me! After all that, she still held me and thought of me as her friend! I hated myself for taking her hope, and she forgave me! HOW CAN SOMEONE STILL CARE ABOUT ME FOR WHAT I DID?"

"Calm down Sora, it's alright!" Hughes said as Sora covered his face. Hughes patted Sora on the shoulder and said, "Listen to me, you care for her, so I can understand if you don't want Mustang to know. So I won't tell Mustang about Rose, alright?" Sora nodded, "Alright, but, there's something else..." Hughes asked, "What is it?" Sora replied, "It's Riku, he's not himself anymore. He's kidnapped Rose and Vivi's friend, Eiko. And to make things worse, he's told me to come meet him in Destiny Islands, where he's holding them hostage until I get there! I know that area is blocked off for repairs, but he's got them dad, and if I don't find him, I'll never-"

Before Sora could continue, Hughes patted Sora on the head and said, "Give it time kiddo, you'll find them. Believe me, you'll find them..."

Later that night, Mustang was waiting in a bar. Just then, Hughes came inside and waved, "ROY, HOW GOES?" Annoyed, Mustang waved, "Over here Maes." Hughes had a seat next to him and said, "Well, Sora told me everything. Especially about how Isaac made his escape after meeting with the fake prophet we all 'know and love'." Mustang covered his face and shook his head. He then asked, "Anything else?"

Hughes answered, "Yeah...about Lior, that dessert town, Are you aware that General Hakuro's detachment has been dispatched over there? Sora told me that it was turning into an ugly civil war. Ed said their prophet, Cornello, was removed after being revealed as a sham, and the people would open their eyes, but a priest is still there, and going strong, and now he's calling his followers up for this uprising. From what Sora described, I can't say for sure if it's the same guy that he and Ed fought. You think you should send Ed back in there to investigate?" Mustang drank the beer from his glass and replied, "...Ed believes he saved that town, it's one of the first successes he's had. I'll let him keep thinking about it for a while. He'll learn the truth soon enough, we always do."

"So, isn't it about time you told me?" Mustang asked. Hughes was confused, "Excuse me?" Mustang explained, "I'd still like to know why you and the other soldiers and State Alchemists came from Central to East City. You and I both know that the honorary party for Xehanort wasn't the only reason you came." Hughes smiled and said, "Truth be told, Xehanort was actually going to be honored at Central. But what makes you think-?" Mustang answered, "I know you didn't come here just to observe us Hughes. Why the sudden move?"

Hughes explained, "...the big wigs. They kept wearing the fuhrer down until he agreed to move us. It's the Alchemist Killer Roy, there have already been five soldiers slain in Central."

"Him again? ...who...what is he?" Mustang wondered, but Hughes had an answer, "The name was hard to find out, no one could get close enough to find out anything about him. But one thing they all knew was the scar on his forehead, thus they named him...The Scarred Man." Mustang asked, "Is that their idea of a codename?" Hughes replies, "Well, it's all we've got." Mustang asked, "You're saying that a 'rumor' killed them all? Five well-trained State Alchemists all by himself?"

"...actually, he killed nine."

"NINE?" Mustang was shocked when he heard the news. Hughes explained, "There were five kills in Central, four of them were alchemists. Cops have turned up five more State Alchemists in different parts of the country. If you throw in aides and guards in the way, it's into the dozens. We know it's him because the murders were all identical, and it's not the kind of thing you could copycat, he explodes their brains Roy. We don't know why he's doing this, and everyone's panicked, thinking they'll be next."

"So all of Central Command made the excuse that they were with the fuhrer, and they all came here in mass while thinking that not even a killer would come to this backwater place." Hughes nodded, "Your here after all. Those up the chain that gave you this demotion transfer three years ago, they're aware of your abilities, your protection for them." Mustang smiled and said, "Hell Maes, now even you're getting me all shaken up."

Hughes then asked, "So that's the big question...who'll be the next target?"

"ACHOO!" As Ed sneezed, Al asked, "What's wrong, brother?" Ed shrugged, "Dunno, guess I'm getting a cold or something."

During that night, Ed and Al were in front of a house, where the kitten Al was looking after was sitting in a small box. "After all the info Mustang gave us about Marcoh, we can't ask him to look after this little guy to. Equivalent Exchange, we'd end up owing too much." Ed said to Al, who sadly replied, "...yeah, I know."

Ed then clapped his hands and transmuted the small box into a baby carriage, so the kitten would be comfortable. Ed looked back at Al and said, "I'm sorry Al, but this is the best we can do." Al rang the bell on the house, and walked away, leaving the little kitten to be cared for by someone else.

While Ed and Al headed back to the hotel...

"(CHOMP) Mmm, MMM, hey dude, you gotta try this!"

Sora was visiting Tidus in his room while he was eating a large Pizza. Sora passed on Tidus's suggestion. Noticing Sora's gloomy expression, Tidus said to him, "Aw crap, do you hate the ham THAT much?" Sora replied, "It's not that...Tidus, I met someone who-" Tidus's eyes lit up with excitement as he realized, "YOU MET A GIRL? AWESOME! Who is she bro? Come on, tell me!" Sora shook his head, "No, no, she's not my type. In fact, she's...she's someone I'd rather not see again."

Tidus took another bite of his pizza and guessed, "Oh, I get it, a rich girl. Yeah, they can be spoiled as Hell. They tell you stuff you don't want to hear, like 'you're garbage, you'll never win!' Or 'no matter how hard you try, you'll never get what you want!' I hate those types of people, they think they know us from the inside and out, but they don't! I mean, you know you for you, and I know me for me. So what makes these people judge us? It's our appearance, we're teenagers, so the adults can judge us as ignorant little kids all they want, but Sora, you can't let what they say get to you. If you believe you can accomplish a goal, and if you think highly about what you're doing, then do it, and laugh once in a while!"

I hate nosy little brats like you.

Y. O. U. T. H. operatives don't know OR HAVE any friends.

Some of them killed many people, and none of them broke down in tears.

Stop pretending you care.

You are empty, and so are they.

You are alone.

You are alone.

You are alone.

"Laugh huh? ...sometimes I wish that was the best way to solve a problem. But sometimes, it's just not enough." Sora's response surprised Tidus, who asked, "What kind of rich kid made you so..." Sora answered, "...Solaris. She told me how we have no friends, no emotions...I'm starting to wonder, is she right?" Tidus put his piece of pizza down and thought for a while...

"Hey, that reminds me, Russel wanted me to give you something!"

Tidus ran to one of his briefcases and pulled out a package, a paper-wrapped package that he gave to Sora, "Those brothers were very grateful to you, so as a last gesture of being their bodyguard, they told me to give you this." Sora examined the package before opening it. Inside was a small golden Thalassa Shell. Sora remembered his Lucky Charm, which was made out of Thalassa Shells.

Tidus explained, "I told them about your old 'good-luck' charm that you gave to Riku, and they figured that if you ever needed to make a new charm, you could ad this to it. You know, so you don't forget about them." Sora smiled and said, "Tidus...you really are the best." Tidus gave a thumbs up to Sora and replied, "You got THAT right!"

After a few more hours, it was 10 PM, and Sora was ready to go back to his hotel room. Tidus opened the door for him and said, "See you tomorrow, bro!" Sora waved, "Thanks again Tidus!" Sora came out of the room and headed straight to his room when he bumped into the Elrics, who have just returned. Ed yawned, "(yawn) Hey Sora, what's going on?" Sora replied, "Nothing much, just had dinner over at Tidus's place." Ed patted Sora on the shoulder and said, "That's nice, well, good night."

"Wait a minute Ed!"

Ed stopped and turned around, "What is it Sora, I have to sleep!" Sora asked, "...I'm not empty, am I?" Ed was surprised when he heard Sora's question, so he asked, "W-what're you talking about?" Sora shook his head and said, "...never mind." Al then asked, "Are you OK Sora?" Sora replied, "Yeah, I'm fine, I just thought...you know how some of my friends from the orphanage were killers?" Ed and Al looked at each other and nodded, so Sora continued, "A woman at the hospital compared me to them, and I'm starting to wonder if she's right."

Ed asked, "Well that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You've been an idiot before, but THIS makes you look crazy. You're scared that your inner assassin's going to come out and make sushi out of us?" Sora replied, "Overtime, it seems that the assassins change in personality, AND in appearance. They start looking more vicious, and they don't care who they kill, as long as they get the head mounted on a wall, they're...well I can't say they're happy since they're emotionally dead inside-THE POINT IS, is there a chance I might end up like them?"

Ed gave Sora a disturbed look and said, "That depends...do you want to kill me and Al?" Sora replied, "WHAT? NO, of coarse not!" Ed pats Sora on the shoulder and said, "It's because we're friends, Sora. If you had something against me, you would've shaved my head and turned Al inside out, but you didn't. You've been a good friend, even though you're a little crazy, but...you risked your life for us, and THAT'S proof enough that you're not crazy, you're just an idiot with a big heart."

Sora smiled and said, "Well, aside from the comic relief you've been spewing out, I'm happy you're my friend to." Ed smiled and said, "Hey, if you were empty, you probably wouldn't have asked me. We'll find your friends, Sora. AND we'll find the Philosopher Stone! But if we're going to accomplish our goals, you'll have to get some sleep, tomorrow, we look for Marcoh!" Sora nods and heads to his hotel room.

Ed then said to himself, "He's going to have another problem soon, I know it." Al then said, "You still helped him out brother, that was pretty cool" As Al enters the shared room, Ed closes the door, and replied, "Yeah, I just wish I knew why he asked a weird question like that. I mean, 'empty'? Why would that idiot think he was hollow?"

Minutes passed by, and the Keybearer just finished taking a shower. As he came out of the bathroom in his PJs while rubbing his head of hair with a towel, he heard someone...

"I'm glad you took that shower. It would've been a hassle for me to talk to you if you smelled like dirt."

Sora dropped the towel off his head and pointed his Avenger at the one who spoke to him! It was none other than the hooded girl from the train station, the same girl who shot at him while claiming that they were once friends. "YOU!" Sora said as he prepared to attack. But the hooded girl raised her hand at him and said, "STOP! I'm not here to fight!" The hooded girl took out her guns and raised her hands.

The hooded girl then took off her cloak, revealing her red hair, blue eyes, and red dress. She then said, "I just want to talk, alright? I want to tell you about me, and I want to apologize for the last time we met. Just please...let me explain."

End of Chapter 55


Next Chapter, Sora gets a chance to know Kairi, the girl who claimed to be an old friend...

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