Chapter 16: Thunder at Night
"-and that's all I remembered after fighting this guy."
Edward held up the overly simplified, somewhat childish drawing of the ambiguous person of long green hair and two-piece clothing. "I think that woman, Lust, called him Envy."
He, alongside his brother Alphonse, sat in the living room of his hotel, accompanied by Alex Armstrong and Maes Hughes. A small assembly of vigilant members who have caught awareness of the devilish experiments processing human souls within this city. Though what remains of that place is nothing but broken pieces, there was still a chance to perhaps uncover the dark secrets that have been hiding underneath their noises.
"So we have Lust and Envy. Codenames Maybe?" Hughes threw a guess. A relation to the name the officer only found was their relation to the Seven Deadly Sins, and having a red tattoo, though they each had a distinction between them that the Fullmetal Alchemist could not completely remember, he recalled them to have the ouroboros symbol.
"It's strange that they even let you live after discovering their secret lab," Armstrong idly thought. Perhaps those people thought they could get away, cover their tracks, by destroying the building and all the evidence. They must be confident in their elusiveness even after having their appearance seen. "And what is this sacrifice they mentioned? And those other armored souls?"
"Not to mention the ouroboros tattoo and the transmutation circle," Hughes added to those wonders, a dark memory in his eyes. "Major, you mentioned that Dr. Marcoh claimed that these Philosopher's Stones were used in the Ishval war."
"That is what he told me," Armstrong affirmed. "I can tell that he had difficulties trying to explain it. I didn't want to push any further. But even for what we eventually found now, it only leads one mystery after another."
"Ashamed that our only lead that might have an answer to all our questions are all under a ton of rubble," Hughes finalizes. With the lab gone, where else could they look into? Perhaps there was something going on in the other labs, but without having a clue to go on out of reasonable suspicions, he doubts it would lead to anything unless he is willing to go through every single nook and cranny in this city. These were careful people, and it was very clear that they did not want to be found, nor leave anything behind that would be trailed back to perhaps where the rest of their group has hidden.
"...There's something else."
Edward gained the attention of the two adults.
"It actually has to do with Jeanne. Major, I know that you were only briefed with a few things about her. But how much do you know exactly?"
Armstrong rubbed his chin, "Well, I understood that she is an important person that the Fuhrer himself is interested in. I still haven't figured out the significance of her though."
"I pretty much got the same memo," Hughes said. "Even suspected that Mustang knew something but I didn't get a chance to grind him for answers."
The young state Alchemist rubbed his head in discomforted spirit, graining the fact that he is actually going to convey it to these men. He only hopes they won't take him crazy for long. If he knew Armstrong and Hughes, then he knows that they're going to investigate this regardless of what little they have to go on. So if what was in the lab relates to the insane war of preposterous proportions, it was better that they hear the full story.
Which may mean that he might have to introduce those guys.
"Right, this is gonna be a doozy to hear, and worse for me to tell it. But you guys should hear the whole thing to get an idea of what we're dealing with."
Alphonse regarded his brother, a seeming question in this sense of hesitation before a slow nod that required the entire movement of the top half of his body.
"Exactly, what are we dealing with here?" Hughes raised a questioning brow, "And how does Jeanne fit into all this?"
With a deep breath, he started. "Let's start with what happened back in East City. What really happened after Jeanne rescued us from Scar..."
"What are they talking about in there?" Denny pressed his ear against the door, hoping for the faintest of words to spill through the wood.
"You know what they say about curiosity killing the cat, take my word for it sergeant," Maria had each finger in her ear with her eyes closed, blocking any slight chance of eavesdropping the conversation. "I'm sure if they feel us trust-worthy, they'll tell us."
Jeanne stood aside from them with her fingers intertwined against her waist. Patiently waiting for the meeting between the Elric brothers and officers as they are told what Edward has seen inside the Fifth Laboratory. He intended to tell them everything. Everything. Not simply alchemy-related of evil work, herself, his Servants, the Grail War. Surely, to accept Edward's truth would be the same as to swallow a pill the size of a golf ball. It would have been an introduction to the Magus Society, a reveal to the secret organization to ordinary people who were not supposed to be aware of the existence of said organization. It was a thing that Magus would rebuke against, a threat to their Mystery.
Yet Jeanne herself gave Edward permission. It was given when she and Edward had a discussion days before, after the conclusion of their dinner they made together with Alphonse, Paracelsus, and the pale homunculus...
The newly formed faction; The Golden Faction, had their fill with dinner, and currently, the members are standing in front of the kitchen sink with the running water from the faucet. Plates, pots, pans, drinking glasses and kitchen utensils cluttering the sink as each is taken one at a time.
"Maybe it's a good idea that I tell the Major and Lieutenant-Colonel."
Edward's abrupt statement made Jeanne pause in her rubbing the soapy wet sponge against the plate she held. "Tell them?" She asked him, not quite understanding at first.
"About everything. What really happened at that lab. If whatever's going on has to do with this grail war, then we need to tell them about those Servants."
Shock was apparent in Alphonse's voice as he turned for his brother, holding a drying rag, "A-are you sure? I mean, would they believe us?"
Edward shrugged, passing a washed plate to him, "I got no freakin clue. But knowing those guys, they'll want to look into this, which means if we don't tell them everything, it's like we're letting them walk right into danger," he flipped his hand around in emphasis. "They could get killed easily if they didn't know all the details beforehand. We're dealing with monsters here, uh, no offense?"
Paracelsus smiled at him, drying the next plate as he handed it over to his homunculus for her to place it in the cabinets. "No offense taken. It's also a wise idea to inform those you see as your allies."
"It also means I got to tell them about you guys," Edward pointed a look at the long-haired man. "They'll probably have an easier time believing us if we showed you guys. For once, I might consider letting you and Archer "ghost" into existence just to show some proof."
"A good suggestion," his Servant compliments. "I wholly encourage it actually. The existence of Magecraft, if known to the public, could do absolute wonders in developing or joining your country's Alchemy."
"I also have no objections," Nikola said, rubbing the fork with his rag and held it up at close examination before satisfied, and placing it in the utensil drawer. "It will expand our network quite considerably so to have personal info within your country's military, also, in inclusion to that assessment Caster, I'd also like to inquire about ideas alongside your magecraft. Within a decade - nay, perhaps a year, and this country will frolic with magnificent advancement and progression."
"Let's not get that carried away," Edward stated. "It's not as easy as you make it sound to just tell people about you without freaking out everybody and cause a disaster. This isn't even about that, I just want to make sure that our friends know what they're getting into so that they can be better prepared."
Alphonse looked over to the listening Jeanne who was starting to get the picture of Edward's suggestion. It certainly caught her off-guard and left her silently pondering. "But then, you'll have to tell them about Jeanne also."
The older brother nodded, "I know. I plan to anyway," he quickly regarded the girl. "Look, I get that you're some kind of rule-keeper that has to keep things to herself, confidentiality and all that. Soldiers do it all the time, even with their own families. We do it with Pinako and Winry. I appreciate that you were willing to let us in as much as you could, and I want to include the others too."
Jeanne remained attentive, never disrupting as Edward went on, "If they're going to investigate this, then they have to know what really went on in that lab. Which means we have to tell them about the war. If we don't, we'll just be putting their lives on the line recklessly. So I'm going to need you to back me up on this."
Jeanne comprehended his every word, a frown on her delicate feature, "...Alright."
"Before you say n-" Edward paused, he looked at her in surprise. "...Really?"
Jeanne nodded. "You have a point. I can't really force soldiers to go against their duties to investigate corruption likely within their own ranks. It's a noble cause, and it would be detrimental to their lives if they come across anything related to the Holy Grail War. Worse yet that it is a Servant, who may kill them to keep their existence and the war's existence a secret, be it their Master's order or by their own will."
She thought back to the emotional man she had come to know at their time in Resembool, his heart as massive as his build, an honest spirit that did not hesitate to concern himself the Elric brothers' emotional state and well-being for his absolute care and willingness to hear and even carry theirs and others troubles. She then thought of the exuberant girl being coddled by her adoring father in spectacles, the wife of that father who held him and their precious daughter lovingly as they cut the unicorn-themed birthday cake together for the little miracle they are raising, their shared laughter and smiles as he performs his duty as both father and soldier for his country.
"I'm a devoted family man than I am a devoted soldier," she remembered Hughes cheekily boast to her once at the party. "I'm sure one day when you have a family of your own, you're gonna realize how much of the world they mean to you. I'd fight not only to keep my country safe, but for the people I love waiting back home. I know how much it can hurt for a person to worry so much about someone who's life isn't always guaranteed in this sort of career. They're what keeps me fighting though, and I wouldn't want to die that easily when I got important people to look after. I'll tell you this much, I've done bad things, but for them, I could keep moving if it means that I get to see their happy faces again."
Jeanne unconsciously gripped the plate tightly, a faint crack forming beneath her thumb. "I won't let either Hughes or Armstrong's lives be in any more danger than they should."
Nikola did bring up a valid consideration that Armstrong and Hughes could be their information for any chances that they may hear about any more attacks matching the level of destructive capabilities only a Servant could do, but she will not risk their lives for that much. This is the only leeway she will allow, albeit it left her tasting the bitterness of it. Nervousness in the pit of her stomach that slightly had her heart quiver.
Armstrong and Hughes, Maria and Denny, they were soldiers, they know that when the time calls for it, they will put forth their lives to uphold the law and even justice. It was the same for the soldiers who fought with her at every battle for France, they knew what as at stake, not only their country but their lives and their people.
But she always finds herself grieving for every loss of life, the soldiers she fought with, and even her enemies. It was grief in itself for a loved one, a friend, a spouse, a son or daughter, to hear the news of their beloved to have been killed on the line of duty. She would never allow herself to forget that notion, even if she did not see it for herself, and has always carried with her even now.
So if she could help it, God be willing as she prays insistently to him, that the lives of these soldiers and all other noblemen and women of this world, would live another day to see their family again, she would do it for their sake.
Edward and Alphonse slowly etch themselves away from the suddenly tensed girl, steely determination in her eyes. She calmed after that little release and looked to the brothers.
"Under normal circumstances, I'd be against it, but this isn't a normal situation. I would rather try to convince them, but if they can't be moved, then they should know. So Ed, whatever you wish to say to those officers, you have my full support."
Edward was un-expectant to her response, an appreciative stare in his gold eyes that followed a nod, and returned his attention to cleaning the rest of the dishes.
She made her mind up then, that she will vouch for Edward, and tell what needed to be told. Although Hughes and Armstrong were working very closely in the base of the Blue Faction's whose alignment is as questionable as the Red Faction's clear-cut damning actions, Jeanne's judge of their characters had her believe that they are trust-worthy.
If there is one thing she must insist, when she mentions the Blue Faction, she must have them comply that they should not delve into the matter. They were soldiers, yes, but they were still people in her eyes, and she can't let them be exposed to something that they should not have investigated. In her heart, something tells her that if they attempt to do so, they could, would -
She exits her thoughts at the sounds of heavy boots approaching, turning her head, her posture immediately straightened in alertness, her shoulders squared and her eyes that showed troubling thoughts and brief shock, were steady as her expression dropped to a neutral, that sight of the approached enhanced her senses and guarded her feelings.
"Excuse me. Might this be the floor where the Fullmetal Alchemist resides?"
Denny looked and at an instant that he saw the man, he gawked as his body twitched out of shock. Hearing his muffled voice, Maria removed her fingers and answered, "Yes, he's-"
She opened her eyes, and her jaw dropped, a harrowing gasp.
"It's good to see you again, Jeanne," a pleasant greeting from his deep, resonating voice, the Fuhrer King Bradley smiled at the soldiers and the girl. In his hand was a basket of a single large green fruit filling up the carrier, and a pink ribbon flowing around the basket handle. "My men had informed me a while ago that you were present in this city. I believe it's safe to assume that you were here a few nights before when that questionable fog had suddenly appeared."
She answered coolly, "I was. I was nearby when I saw the commotion, and I went to see."
No need to elaborate on the exact details, no need to let the Fuhrer know that the officers here were aware of her true role for being in this country. She suspected that the Fuhrer would try to contact her once he hears the word of her being in the city. She didn't think, however, that he would come to her in person, and in the worst of times as sensitive information and secrets are being told in the room beside them. She did not show herself tense in the slightest, however, her face steeled and emoting impassively.
"It was quite a surprise for us all, thank goodness that nothing catastrophic had happened. We have a number of injured civilians and officers, but they'll recover well and soon enough. I would like for us to catch up on small matters, but I'm here to speak with the Fullmetal Alchemist. I take it that Major Armstrong and Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes are here with him as well?"
The officers stiffened at his knowledge, a wonder to it unnecessary. This is the Fuhrer, not even a fly could pass without his notice. Jeanne's gaze slightly narrowed at the man.
"Why don't we both come inside? It's a matter that might concern you as well," The Fuhrer requested in a friendly manner, yet when one hears his low voice, the chance to politely decline was skewed, an impending danger that likely threatens to wipe their very existence.
Disturbed faces from Hughes and Armstrong. The Elric Brothers knowledge of some has been bestowed about the Holy Grail War, Jeanne's role in it, the sightings of destruction around certain places of the country, odd people dressed in medieval-like attire, wielding ancient weapons, the nature of said odd people and their superior strength, practice of mystical arts that Alchemy to this date could not achieve, Mages, Masters, Servants...
The Holy Grail, and its capability to surpass Alchemy and even reach the Gates of Truth.
Hughes conveyed a controlled surface, but within, he was very unnerved. "Reincarnated Warriors? A War for a Wish?" This was not a good thing to hear.
Armstrong was calmly distraught. As an Alchemist, he knew the weight to the exclamation at the prospect of the deceased returning to the world of the living, but for their purpose to be combatants in this war beyond his wildest imaginations? He was stunned to silence.
"Do... you guys believe us?"
The adults looked back at the brothers, seeing the nervousness in their behavior.
"Believe? Well, of course," Hughes puts it frankly. "For one thing, out of everyone I know, you would be the last guy to make this up. You're not exactly a free-spirited thinker, Ed. Otherwise, I'd be worried."
His light jab at humor was somewhat empty. He interlocked his fingers, resting his elbows against his knees as he leaned forward from his seat, "Not only that, I've been suspecting Mustang was keeping something from me. I guess even he would find it difficult to explain this, unless it was a direct order that he couldn't tell me."
And only one person could have that sort of authority. The Fuhrer.
"And you say the Fuhrer himself knows about this war?" Armstrong asked the brothers, earning a nod, much to his increasing appalling. "Dear God... This entire situation is far worse than I could ever imagine."
"You're telling me," Hughes agreed with the large man, his shallow eyes shadowed by the shine of his glasses. "It's a disaster waiting to happen if this gets out. A counterfeit of Human Transmutations that actually works? And with this Holy Grail War going on..."
"The people will panic," the Major worriedly assessed. "Or worse, some would be interested, and that's if our neighboring countries don't get word of this."
Sweats of unease formed at his temple as he grimly uttered through his yellow mustache, "We're already at the height of tension with most of them. If the other countries hear about the Grail, it'll be catastrophic. We'll be at the foot of a World War. Even the Philosopher's Stone would be considered a pale issue in comparison."
"I doubt you can compare it like that, they're both just as bad," Edward stated matter-of-factly, though his own dreaded feelings were amidst as his form slightly sunk to his seat. Lives are at stake here after all. Millions at most.
The young state Alchemist then added, "Jeanne's been traveling all this time, trying to watch over the war as a mediator. But it's already getting out of hand."
"I can hardly believe that a sweet and gentle girl such as her is involved with something like this," Armstrong said, thinking back of how kind she was to assist the people of Resembool whenever she could. It was almost as if she was a part of their community with how well she blended in. "I would never imagine it. Now I understand why the military has taken such an interest in her."
"Then there are these Servants," Hughes added in. "If each of them really have the might of an army, then we're in big trouble. This entire country is in trouble if there's a bunch of these "reincarnated warriors" running around trying to kill each other, and killing anyone who might see them by accident if their war is supposed to be kept under wraps by these Mages."
He and Edward looked down to the shirt worn by the Fullmetal Alchemist, hiding the scar of the pierced wound that has come close to disappear, now simply a faded reminder.
"The military might be involved, but if it gets as bad as having our whole city under attack, then we can't sit just sit around and hope that it'll somehow work out. We have to do something about this war and if our city becomes a target again," Hughes added, a dark expression in his furrowed brows.
His family and friends live here. To think that a scale of that magnitude could have taken everything if that storm expanded any further than it did. His wife and child had been at risk and he had been utterly oblivious to it.
If something like that happens again, or threatens to anyhow, he'll have to insist Gracia to take herself and Elicia down at the nearest shelter, maybe even have them move out of town for a while and stay with distant relatives in the countryside - although that in itself was irrational. Elicia has her school and friends here, and he can't put Gracia through all that. But he has to make sure and do his most damnest that if another assault on this city happens again, his family will come out of it safely.
"There are a few other things also," Edward stated, rubbing his own neck. "Fact is, I still had trouble believing all of this. At least, until..."
"Yes, Ed?" Armstrong encouraged him to go on.
Here goes nothing, thought Edward. It was time to introduce those two men waiting aside, out of literal sight, but should still be apparent here in this room, listening, waiting for his cue. "The thing is-"
A knock at their door. The discussion among officers was put to a halt and right before Edward could step into his reveal. Surprised by the sudden, steady knock, Edward stands up and approaches the door. Hughes and Armstrong remained seated, putting up an impassive expression to hide their discomfort of what had been told here.
Edward opens the door, spotting Jeanne instantly with a gentle frown on her face, "Yeah-?" He raised his head for the tall figure that stood behind her, and gawked in utter baffled, distraught.
"Fu-fu-fu-fu-fu-fu-! His beginning letter of a stutter could have easily been mistaken for another word, and yet it would have described his feelings perfectly. "F-Fuhrer Bradley?!"
Hughes and Armstrong stood up at once as soon as they heard. Locking sight with the imposing, smiling man of their leader, the heels of their feet clicked together and their postures straightened.
"F-Fuhrer! Wha- What a surprise!" Armstrong said, sweats of minor apprehension building underneath his neck collar.
"At ease soldiers. This is just an informal visit," the Fuhrer said. "May we enter?"
"Uh-uh-uh..." Edward looked at Jeanne and her expression that was as hard as a rock.
Stay calm... Her eyes tells him, although her heart was toughly beating against her ribs.
"Y-yeah, sure..." He gestured Jeanne forward, steadily reaching out until his automail fingers gently clutch Jeanne's own and led her in. Instinctively, she gripped his fingers and it calmed her panicked heart, bracing for whatever might unfold from this figure's arrival.
Several suspicions she held for this man, she had thought to confront Bradley one way or another. But she wanted to do so without any bystanders present, not especially her own friends, and have them suffer the repercussion. This is what worries her the most, not of herself but of her comrades. Whatever comes, she must be ready and steadfast for all their sake, for the Elric brothers' sake.
Together they moved aside, letting the Fuhrer come in. He closes the door behind him.
"Might we ask what you are doing here, sir?" Hughes asked in a more calmer tone, but his surprise was just as obvious, and concerns of the speculated meaning from this unexpected visit of the Fuhrer.
"I've come to see the Fullmetal Alchemist," Fuhrer Bradley answered, "I heard he had his automail damaged and participated the recovering efforts after that fog disappeared. It looks like you've avoided worse injuries, young man. I'm thankful to see that you're doing well."
He held out his gift basket to the Fullmetal Alchemist, "Here, I brought over a melon. I figured a nice fruit might be a good celebratory gift for your repaired arm."
"I... yeah..." Letting go of Jeanne's hand, a flickering temperament of her trepid heart, Edward awkwardly accepted the fruit basket, the oddity of a single fruit rather than multiples quite clear in his perturbed eyes. He realized his lame response and blurted out, "Th-thank you sir!"
"Well, now that I'm here," the Fuhrer turned his attention to the other officers in the room. "I've heard that you two have been speaking to the senior staff with protruding questions. Is this true Major Armstrong?"
"Y-yes, sir," Armstrong admitted, for how could he lie to the superior of his own superiors? "H-how did you-?"
"You should know, major, that nothing gets passed me." The Fuhrer's eyes turned serious then. The officers gulped behind their throats.
"Most of those questions relates to the Fifth Laboratory, which is reasonable considering it was recently destroyed. The only thing that caught my interest was that neither you, Major Armstrong, or you, Lieutenant Hughes, have been personally assigned to investigate that case, and what's more, it seems there were questions you had concerning that place even before the Fifth Laboratory was destroyed. It's records and history. You seem to have quite a peculiar interest with that building."
Alphonse nervously shifted in his seat. His hollow body twitched when the Fuhrer faced the Fullmetal Alchemist.
"What's more, I've been hearing some things about an investigation for a certain item that can grant incredible alchemical power."
Oh no.
Edward fought the urge to clench his fist in growing discomfort.
"Furthermore, you were found fairly near that abandoned laboratory, which means you were within that storm. If there's anything you might have discovered in that area, be it that storm or that lab, I certainly hope for your sake, you haven't told anyone too much about it..."
His eyes darkened, a glower that trapped Edward in place and made the shoulders tense. Everyone held their breaths - even Alphonse despite his lack of having lungs, they awaited with building strain to their façade of a calm demeanor as a sweats started to break through, Edward was feeling the worst effect of it as the Fuhrer stood considerably close that he could back himself up against the wall and hope to disappear behind it. The young state alchemist's face wavered slightly, his nerves getting a hold of him as he tried to keep up his courage. The anger to the Fuhrer's insinuated demand of secrecy.
If what Jeanne said about the Fuhrer is true... Edward's jaw tightened. If the Fuhrer really did have something to do with that lab... With the Philosopher's Stones...
A brush against his shoulder and he dared to break eye-contact with the Fuhrer. Jeanne stood closely next to him, almost shoulder to shoulder, and bravely stared back at the most powerful man in position, her own hardened glare though much softer was an act that would mean defiance, a dangerous thing to do against someone like Bradley himself even if she wasn't a soldier. Only someone stupid would try to be so bold to try.
The Fullmetal Alchemist felt calmer at her close presence. He never suffered from stage frights, in fact, he would live it just to stroke his own ego, but it was as if right now he was being judged by a top-tier examiner that was just expecting him to mess up and ship him back home in an instant and in shame. So to have someone with him under that kind of intense pressure, it helped dwindled the anxious fury inside him.
And then the Fuhrer laughed. A startling, immense guffaw that nearly made everyone jump. "I'm only kidding! There's no need to be so on guard!"
He comforted the boy with a pat to his shoulder. "Huh?" Edward could only whimper out. Jeanne, however, kept her stern expression.
"I know that there's been some suspicious activity within the military lately. Naturally, I believe something should be done about it," Bradley turned and walked to the center of the living room. At the table was paperwork, paperwork that Major Armstrong was unable to hide in time when the Fuhrer's arrival caught all of them off guard. The Fuhrer calmly takes it.
"O-oh! That's just-uh..." Armstrong cursed at his own carelessness.
Bradley paid him no accusing heed, casually flipping over the documents, "A list of the research team assigned to study the object known as the Philosopher's Stones." He was able to have the person who gave Armstrong this to confess, and all it took was a bit of politeness. "Every person listed in this document has been reported missing."
The information took Armstrong by surprise, "E-excuse me?" He had just begun to gather this much information and had intended to go door to door where each of these scientists lived. Armstrong expected that Tim Marcoh's chosen elusiveness would be referenced as Missing In Action, but for the rest of the listed scientists to be gone as well? This is the first he's heard of this.
"They all vanished several days before the fifth laboratory collapsed," Bradley explained. "It seems the enemy is always one step ahead of us."
"You mean, they have all been kidnapped?" Hughes asked for reaffirmation.
"If one or two, or even three had suddenly vanished, that would likely be another story. But for all of these scientists to disappear nearly all at once, there is no doubt about it," the Fuhrer answered. "Even with my vast network of informants, I have no way to determine how far our ranks have been infiltrated. The most we know about them, is that they know a lot about us."
"In that case," Hughes said, "this is proving much more dangerous than we imagined." Of course, he had already knew that, now this was becoming more urgent by the second. Who knows what other evidence or loose ends could be covered next before they can act?
"Indeed," Bradley agreed, moving for the window to see the outside, "and unfortunately, this is just one out of several other pressing matters that not only threatens our city, but this entire country."
That caught Hughes off-guard, "Sir?"
The warm day provided the pleasantries of a stroll among the pavements by many civilians that walked outside this hotel.
"You're all probably wondering why I've invited Jeanne here with us, I'm sure you've noticed that she has been a person of interest for quite some time now," Bradley looks to Jeanne, "I believe the matter has become so severe that what happened that night has cause the government to act, and granting me the authority to do as I believe it is necessary for the sake of this country."
Jeanne frowned at him.
"If you prefer that we discuss this in private, I can oblige, but know that my concerns for my people has prompted me to make judgment calls that might conflict with your position. With that said, it would be better that I hear your feelings first."
She thought for a moment, all wondering and concerned eyes at her. Jeanne responds, "I understand. This could become worse than it already has. I have no objections."
With that, Bradley allowed a faint smile and a respectful nod, he turned his heels to speak to the rest of the group. "Lieutenant Hughes, Major Armstrong, Elric brothers, what I'm about to tell all of you must never leave this room. You have all proven to be trustworthy and capable soldiers. We all wish to obtain answers, and for that, you will have to hear it from me."
Is he... Edward glanced at Jeanne who met his gaze. She nodded, answering his unspoken question.
"Now, before I go any further, I will tell you major, lieutenant, that the Fullmetal Alchemist has prior knowledge to this top-secret info," he walks towards an available seat for himself, "Have a seat, gentlemen, and young lady."
All took a seat, Edward and Jeanne sat beside Alphonse at the couch, the officer sitting beside the coffee table. "There is a hidden war happening beneath the surface of our everyday life, and I'm not talking about the increasing tension at the borders. Another war is happening here on Amestrian soil, and it has the potential to destroy this entire great nation. The Holy Grail War."
"What are they talking about in there?!" Maria harshly whispered, the side of her face squished against the door.
"Uhh... Didn't you said before how we shouldn't be eavesdropping, the cat-killing curiosity thing?" Denny asked her, although he was doing the exact same thing.
"Well, now the Fuhrer's involved! And she brought Jeanne in too!" But taking heed of Denny throwing her own words back at her face, she pushed herself away and covered her ears with her palms. "Nope! I must resist! Listening over the Fuhrer discussing in private is the worst thing any officer can do, it'll basically bring capital punishment!"
Denny sighed, lying on his knees as his forehead was against the closed door, "Why do I get the feeling we're just side-characters in some story where everything can go wrong, and we're the ones who'll end up getting caught up in it the worst way possible..."
Maria did not answer him as she was busy humming a random tune with her ears clogged by her fingers once more.
After a few moments, the Fuhrer had briefed them what Edward had just informed before the Fuhrer's visit, this time with more details that Edward was unable to get to. The Elrics brothers were calm, as they have already knew this much. Hughes and Armstrong, on the other hand, had their jaw slackened in slight awe. They never doubted what Edward had told them, and to hear this from the Fuhrer only made it all the more true.
But for the Fuhrer to confess that not only was it happening, the military had also been posing as its own group or faction in the Holy Grail War, working with Mages to go against another group that has been the cause of several deaths and destructions of isolated villages all around Amestris. The False Ice Trail Incident, the attack on Central, the military knew the truth of what had happened, they have known about the Holy Grail War for years. Few as those were.
Admittedly, it was irking that such crucial information was left to the discretion of only their superiors for so long. But they were in no position to complain. What matters is that there is a group known as the Red Faction terrorizing the Amestrian people, and the Blue Faction that is the military, and by extension, the Amestrian government, are working to oppose that violent force while also trying to achieve and secure the prized source comparative if not more so to the Philosopher's Stone; the Holy Grail.
It was even more startling as Jeanne confirmed Bradley's explanation whenever he regarded her, and it was like she suddenly changed from this unassuming girl that inexplicably garnered the military's focus, to this figure in the middle of something as fantastical as this war she held over her shoulder without waver.
"The Mages we've joined have abilities on par to Alchemy, and with their power, we will combat against the Red Faction and their powerful Servants. That storm was, in actuality, the work of a Servant, which did well to guise their numbers. You were there, Fullmetal Alchemist, you have seen what was inside that storm, haven't you?"
Edward sat uncomfortably on the couch, "...Yes, sir. It was... a snowstorm. I didn't understand how it could have been possible. My brother and I then saw these people, they were too strong to be just humans, we even saw a guy riding on a flying chimera-type creature."
"You don't say?" Armstrong said in sheer wonder. Hughes was just as surprised to hear.
"We saw a lot of other things too. There were these monsters, hundreds of them - one group was made out of rocks, the other made out of bones."
"As you have seen for yourselves, these Servants abilities are nothing less than spectacular, which makes them all the more dangerous," Bradley said.
"Could it be possible that there's a connection with what happened at the Fifth Laboratory, and the attack on Central?" Hughes questioned.
The Fuhrer's hardened face crinkled with deeper focus, "It is most certainly possible. It could be that a spy of the Red Faction has made its way into our base. Our investigations shows that the matters of the Philosopher's Stones have been happening long before we made an alliance with the Mages and the Church. Whatever is happening here has been in the works for several years. For what purpose, I don't know precisely, but the Red Faction has been the cause of too many deaths than I could stand for, and whoever is using our own resources to fulfill their agenda. They must be stopped."
He stood up, his back straightening, "Figuring out who is responsible for the experiments or whatever went on in that lab, we will find our traitor or group of traitors. It will be the worst-case scenario if we ended up being systematically destroyed from within while our base and city undergoes another attack from the Red Faction. Even if we do identified our traitors, it will be far too dangerous to confront them once they have been identified."
He then concludes, "Until we are completely ready to apprehend and if need be, use lethal means, I want every one of you, by my order as your commanding officer, to forget this matter entirely. From now on, this investigation shall be conducted by me personally. Discretion is our prime weapon here. Do not trust anyone. Keep this to yourselves at all cost. And should that day threaten to come that our cities suffer another assault from the Red Faction..."
An entrusted smile from the Fuhrer, "I expect that all of you will join the effort to confront our enemy, and defend our country from the outside forces of malicious intent. No matter what power they hold, we will not be defeated by any of them."
The officers stood up and saluted, "Sir!"
The Fuhrer then turned to Jeanne, "And I can expect that although you are firm with your neutrality, will you be there for us should such an event like that night happen again?"
Jeanne observed Bradley for a moment, and nodded, "If the Red Faction should aim to endanger the lives of these people who have no business in the war, then I shall do my part in confronting them. However, I cannot remain in one place for so long, but God willing and His guidance, I will be there when I am needed most."
His smile returned, "That's all I ask for."
Edward remained seated, a deep thoughtful look of a furrowed frown. He hears the clicking of the Fuhrer's shoes return to the window and he looked up.
The window was pushed open. "Well then, I'll be taking my leave."
Bradley climbs over the ledge with a single hop. Baffled stares directed his way. "Hope you dont mind me leaving through your window. Truth of the matter is I've left my office without telling my body guards. I'll be having an earful if they find me. If they happen to knock at your door, you can tell them that I've already left."
He waved at them, "Farewell for now."
He lets go and dropped out of sight. The Elric brothers and the officers all rushed out of their seats and for the open window, all huddled together as they lean over to view. They watched as the Fuhrer calmly started his walk down the street, but a nearby voice was heard in panicked exclamation for the Fuhrer's whereabouts and he quickly turned around, speed walking to another direction.
There was no words to say. They stared in bewilderment until they heard a knock on the door. Jeanne went to answer it.
"Hey!" Winry greeted her friend and friends inside. Jeanne spotted Maria and Denny attempting to peek around the door frames. "I got the train tickets! Are... what are you guys doing?"
Jeanne looked back at the still huddled figures of the officers and brothers. All rather flabbergasted at what had just passed through, like a tornado had come and gone.
"It's...a nice weather outside," Jeanne answered before any of them could. "So nice that everyone wanted to look...at the same window..."
"Oh. Well, yeah. It is actually really lovely today," Winry believed, and enters as Jeanne informed the awaiting officers that the Fuhrer has left.
"Uh, how?" Denny asked.
"By... window," Jeanne hesitantly answered honestly. "I'm surprised as well. I never took the Fuhrer to be... rather quirky."
"Well, we do hear the Fuhrer having a tendency to leave his office on whim," Maria said. "I even heard he climbed out of a window from the third floor! I guess it's not a total surprise, only someone like the Fuhrer to achieve to escape his own bodyguards."
Jeanne mustered up a strained smile. After closing the door, she returns to the group with Edward showing a map as he explains the purpose for having Winry purchasing those train tickets.
"-With the way things have gone lately, Al and I decided we should go back and visit our old teacher," Edward patted behind the arm of Alphonse's armor. He felt a tremble of his brother's body and looked up.
"B-brother, I d-don't think I can do this..." Alphonse whimpered in fear. "There's no way teacher is going to forgive us for what we did!"
"Don't you back out on me Al!" The brothers joined hands in quaking figures of utter fear. "Okay?! If we go together, we'll be stronger united! I'm scared too you know?!"
"What kind of person is your teacher exactly...?" Winry asked.
Jeanne walked closer to the map upon the coffee table. She recalled her earlier discussion with the brothers to reach Dublith and meet with their teacher. So that is where they will be heading off to. It is one of the few towns she did not reach as of yet.
"Why do you have four tickets there?" Hughes asked, looking at the brothers for elaboration.
"One of them is for Jeanne," Edward answered, handing the ticket to her, "She's gonna be coming with us to Dublith."
"Really? What for?" Winry curiously asked.
Edward hesitated, "Well, uh..."
"I'm going to help with their research," Jeanne answered immediately.
A startled pause. Armstrong and Hughes looked taken aback. "You are?" Winry asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
Jeanne nodded. "I've been travelling this country for quite some time, I might have heard a few things, I might be able to help guide Edward and Alphonse for what they are looking for."
"Wow. That's great!" Winry expressed joyously with her hands clasped together before she demanded the brothers, "You boys better give her your thanks for helping you out!"
"Y-yeah," Edward agreed, "Don't worry, we're already thankful as it is."
His eyes soften with that genuine gratitude towards Jeanne, who smiled his way as her heart leaped in eagerness to provide for their journey. Jeanne will make sure she will do whatever she can to help these boys in searching for True Restoration, in the meantime, she will have to guard him and Alphonse with her very life, just as Edward's Servants will do the same.
"What about that fourth ticket?" Hughes asked. Edward flinched.
"Oh, yeah..." He rubbed his head, "We've... heard someone needing a ride to Dublith, so we just thought to give it to them."
The homunculus was waiting in hiding in the other room, a grand relief that she did not come out the whole time they were having their meeting here, especially when the Fuhrer came out of nowhere. The disaster that would have unfolded if she was discovered. He deathly considered telling about her existence, but when the Fuhrer came Edward kept his mouth shut and barely keep himself from looking at the bedroom in constant worrying. Too dangerous. It's too risky to tell about her. Who knows who else might just pop up and walk into this, especially now that Winry is here?...
Maybe he will tell them next time. As f it will be any better until then.
"Just like that?" Hughes was genuinely surprised. "That's awfully nice of you, even out of character almost."
"Shut up. I can be nice whenever the hell I damn well please."
"Not with that attitude," Armstrong scolded in light humor in his eyes. "It's very wonderful of you to help these boys, Jeanne. It's quite a long journey to Dublith, so I suggest you youngsters prepare enough necessities for yourselves."
"WAIT A MINUTE!"
All jumped at Winry's unforeseen scream as her blue eyes stared at the map below her. "W-what are you screaming for?" Edward asked in concern for his friend's state of being.
"There! Right there! Before Dublith!" She pointed at the city that leads right before their destination. Rush Valley. "The holy land of Automail! A town of automail engineers and where even the best of the best lives!"
Hearts soared as Winry spun and danced, "I've always dreamed of going to Rush Valley! Just imagine the kind of automails that place has! Probably things I've never even seen!" She grabbed Edward's hands, startling Edward as she shook them immensely, "We have to go we have to go! You have to take me!"
"No way! I don't have to take you anywhere!" Edward forced his hands away from Winry as he backed away.
"Well somebody has to pay for my travel's fare!"
"And why does it have to be me?!"
Alphonse moves in before his brother and their childhood friend would fall into a long, heated argument, "Come brother, what's the trouble? It's on our way."
"Grr..." Edward crossed his arms and turned his back, "Fine, but only if you want to, Al."
"YES!" Winry hopped, skipping over to Jeanne and grabbing her hands, "I guess we'll be traveling together for a while then!"
A smile of invigorated happiness, Jeanne nodded, "How wonderful! I absolutely look forward to it."
"We should hurry and get our things together right now! Come on!" The girls hurry together for the door, "Don't forget to buy an extra ticket for me, Ed!"
Jeanne waved at the boys as she was dragged along by her hand, "We'll meet you at the train station!"
Her excited chuckle echoed down the hallway as the girls left. Edward could only stare in annoyance. A hand grasps his shoulder.
"One of those two girls will make a fine wife for you one day," Hughes seriously attested.
"Don't you start you..." Edward angrily grumbled as he threatens to punch the man.
The major humorously laughed with a low hearty breath, and Armstrong chuckled with him.
The Fuhrer walked in content as he admires the nice weather, greeting people who watched him in shock as they recognized who they were and both delighted and frightened to bid him a greeting back. He resumed his walk, stopping at the corner of the sidewalk at the intersection of few cars driving by.
A dark vehicle with black tinted glass pulled up beside him on the road. Bradley opens the back seat and steps inside, "You're right on schedule. One thing I can appreciate about having a shadow, is that I don't have feel so smothered like how my others bodyguards are. They're decent men, but sometimes they can get on my nerves as if I were a helpless child."
He shuts the car door, "Of course, you've probably known what that's like. Wouldn't you?"
Black gloved hands shifted the gear to drive, and the vehicle moved.
"Living in a power of position. It's almost a bit ludicrous that leaders are considered the strongest persons in body and spirit, and yet we need to be guarded as if to say otherwise. Not all would carry the burden easily, no doubt. Only those who have the guts to make sure we keep our country as strong as it is can they really call themselves as someone considered capable to carry a nation over their shoulders."
The Fuhrer settled back into his seat, "Because by the end of the day, we not only carry their admiration, but their hate as well, because they would not have the power to help themselves in any other way."
"Bradley, why did you not confront that boy about his Servants?" The yellow-eyed driver and pale complexion monotonously asked this question, unresponsive to her Master's personal statement. He had informed her via their mental link, everything that transpired in that meeting with the Fullmetal Alchemist, the Ruler Servant and a few others. However, none of which he had told her ever mentioned the revealed fact of Edward's returned status as a competitor of the Holy Grail War. For Fuhrer Bradley not to mention it, means that the Fullmetal Alchemist did not bring it up either.
"Well, that would be too on the nose, wouldn't it?" King Bradley responded. He was not bothered by her directedness and careen to another topic of discussion, he had long been accustomed to her personality. "How would I know something that Envy and Lust has? If I even insinuated that I knew, then they would have made the connection and begin to suspect their own Fuhrer."
"He has become a Master once more, and has not made any moves to relent his Seals to the Church as before."
"Yes, it seems the Holy Grail has quite a keen interest in him," said Bradley, "And it seems our young State Alchemist has become interested in pursuing the Grail now."
"Then he will be an opponent."
"You are not to harm him, Saber," Bradley curtly responded, eyeing at her from the rear-view mirror near above her head. "He is an important asset for our military. With the Grail insisting his participation, it may be pointless to try and have him relent his seals, and to use force could bring ire to Ruler. Assassin had seen Ruler communicate with the Elric brothers after they did their battle against the Caster of Red, and those two Servants were with them."
He intertwined his fingers and rested his hands against his waist, "I'm very certain she has already been made aware of the Fullmetal Alchemist's situation. So far, we cannot tell if she plans to or already has rescinded his Command Seals, but we know that she has not been to the Kotonelm Church since she's been here, which means she has issues of trust with the Head Priest, and by extension, us as well. Whatever the case, we should not overstep our boundaries. So long as she has those privileges on her body, we must avoid making an enemy out of her."
"Will she be monitored still?"
"Perhaps not as much now. She has been very cautious and attentive before she came back to Central. According to the other Servants, even with our Assassins using Presence Concealment and our Casters sending puppets, Ruler always notices when she is being observed. We shall have to dial back our watch over her, especially while she is here."
"Is it not possible that the Fullmetal Alchemist has informed those two officers of his situation?" Arturia Alter questioned. "If your officers knew and they have not said anything to you, then they could already be working to conspire against you. Perhaps they are already suspicious?"
"Perhaps. But I wouldn't worry about that. Whether they know or not, the important thing is that they do not know that we do," Bradley explained.
"Would this not mean that they might go against your orders?"
"These are obedient men, but you could be right. They're obedient men who are good at their jobs. They may continue to stick their noises into business they should not, my order should only stall them for at least a little while. They'll know that I'll catch wind of any of their activities if they decided to try, which we will then divert their focus."
"Then what shall we do about the Fullmetal Alchemist?"
Bradley looked out through the dark window, "As his orders goes, we shall let him be for now. There's not much to worry for his safety if he has his Servants with him."
"And if he becomes an obstacle?"
Bradley was silent for a moment. "Then we shall do what needs to be done. Preferably, he must be left alive, though I have no objections of how you may perform that order, whether he is left brutally beaten, restrained, or further handicapped. But if any of that proves to be too difficult for whatever the circumstances, then do what you must, especially if he were to turn his Servants on you."
He wore a small grin, "Don't worry, I will ensure that nothing will get in your way. Once we deal with the Red Faction, and he uncovers a way to share the power of the Grail for all of the Blue Faction Servants to use; you shall have your wish, Saber."
"Let it be known, Bradley. I will not tolerate any hindrance," Arturia Alter warned, her cold eyes staring into the rear-view mirror.
"Yes, yes." Bradley idly waves, completely understanding, "I know very well. We've worked together for quite some time now. Being so patient all these years, you can hardly wait any longer. It's that sort of unwavering determination I can respect in a soldier who follows their ambition, no matter who stands in their way, even if that someone is yours truly."
She said nothing more. The rest of the drive as they return to Central Command was spent in peaceful silence.
Jeanne and Winry had finished packing everything into their luggage and walked out of the guest bedrooms. It was so kind and generous of the Hughes family to allow them stay here for as long as they had. Jeanne and Winry had a wonderful time playing with Elicia and getting to know and help Gracia around the house. It was without wonder why Hughes bragged his own family so much, they were absolutely wonderful people.
"Can't you stay a little longer?" Elicia pleaded cutely. Jeanne, Winry, and Hughes stood in front of Gracia and Elicia who were about to bid their goodbyes to the older girls, but Elicia held around Jeanne and Winry's legs as firmly as her little arms could until Gracia gently pulled her back. Biting back their squeal of her adorableness, Jeanne and Winry knelt down to Elicia's level.
"Oh, we wish we could Elicia," Winry said kindly. "But we have to go now."
"You two are more than welcome to visit here anytime," Gracia generously offered with a warm smile as the girls stood back up. "We've all enjoyed your stay. If you're ever by Central again, stop by."
"We will. Thank you for everything," Jeanne graciously said and she bowed along with Winry in gratitude.
"Alright then! Time for daddy to go to work!" Hughes announced with a wide smile as he squatted down to Elicia. "Daddy's gonna miss you and mommy so much!"
"Daddy! Come home early today, okay?" Elicia requested.
"Well I can try, but daddy has a lot of work today. When I come back home, I promise I'll read you a bedtime story, alright my precious little princess!" He softly squished her chubby cheeks with his hands and she giggled in delight. Jeanne lightly laughed behind her adoring smile, remembering her time as a child when her father had treated her with such family affections.
"What?! Are you two leaving already?"
They turned to see Talia walking up the steps of the staircase, and behind her, Jeanne remembered well. Sheska followed with uncertain steps, as cautious and as shy as she remembered. "Sheska!" She greeted happily.
"Hey Tali! Coming by just to visit?" Hughes asked of his and Gracia's old friend who also excitedly greeted her as well. As Talia affirmed, Sheska noticed Jeanne as soon as she was called.
"Ah! Jeanne!" Sheska perked up as Talia and her reached to their floor. "It's so good to see you again! How have Ed and Al been?"
"They're doing well. We're all actually just about to leave for the train station," Jeanne explained, she turned to Winry. "Winry, this is Sheska. She was the person who worked at the library and helped Edward and Alphonse. She's a remarkable person."
"S-stop! I'm really not..." Redness colored Sheska's cheeks.
Winry stepped up and showed her hand to Sheska, "Hi! I'm Winry Rockbell. Thank you for helping my friends. It really means a lot."
"I-it's no trouble at all! I'm just happy to be useful..."
Talia sighed and wrapped an arm around Sheska's shoulder, like a lump of weight was dropped over the meek figure that Talia had to catch her with that arm. "Now now, let's work on self-encouragement here, right?"
"So you're a librarian?" Winry asked Sheska. "That's cool! I worked as an automail engineer, but I once did wonder what it would have been like looking and reading through a lot of books."
"I don't... recommend doing that, otherwise I would still be working there..." Sheska's head was comforted by Talia's pat until she perked up. "An automail engineer? I've read about that. Actually, when I was still working at that library, I came across several editions of The Automail Engineer - Ways of Mastering the Art of Mechanical Engineering."
"Really?!" Winry's eyes sparkled, "I have the first seven volumes of that series! I've been trying to look into getting the rest but I've never had the time..."
"I've read all ten volumes. If you want, I can write all the other three volumes down and give them to you," Sheska offered.
"W-write them all-?" Winry sputtered. "Th-that's a lot... Wait, you remember what you've read?"
Sheska nodded, "Yeah. I have a really good memory, I can get them all down for you in probably about two months. I have my other job but I can make time writing those three volumes for you if you really want them."
"Y-you would do that?" At her second nod, Winry's jaw hung open, and she swiped Sheska's hands in a embracing hold, startling the girl, "Oh my gosh! That would be incredible! Thank you!" Winry exclaimed with a wide smile.
"S-sure!" Sheska's reddened cheeks turned even pinker. "If you want I can also give you other articles and books about automail engineering. They were really interesting to read through."
"Hey hey now," Hughes said, waving a hand at her. "You'll be in deep-seated paper tonight, so you better make sure you don't overwork yourselves."
"Oh please! I bet you're the one who's just dumping all your work on her so that you won't have to deal with it yourself!" Talia called him out and grabbed his collar, playfully shaking the man as he evilly smiled at her, "Give me back my Sheska, you jerk! She hasn't fed me in almost a month! I swear you are just as devious as you in high school! I still wonder what Gracia ever sees in you!"
"Hey, I ask myself the same question every day!" Hughes laughed as Gracia did the same, helping Hughes be freed from Talia's wrath and offered him a kiss on the cheek.
"Better get going now, or you'll be late for work," Gracia reminded him.
Hughes agreed and after one last close hug to his beloved daughter, "Right, by hon," he bid his family well and walked down the stairs.
"Bye daddy! Work really hard!" Elicia waved at her father who returned the gesture.
"We should get going to, shouldn't we Winry?" Jeanne said to the other girl, but she finds her friend in a deep spiel with Sheska.
"It's honestly marvelous how complex automail truly is, and how amazing automail engineers are to be able to build them!" Sheska complimented.
"Yeah! The complexities and mechanics are like puzzle pieces, and when it gets put together, to see it function just sends a shiver down to my spine and I get so giddy!" Winry blushed as she explained her passion for her work, and sharply turned back to Jeanne, "Oh yeah! We really should go! I'm going to be at Rush Valley, but I also live in Resembool, look me up okay?"
"Okay! I will!" Sheska promised and waved goodbye at the two leaving girls, "Have a safe trip you two! I'll and mail the books to you when I'm done!"
Jeanne and Winry bid Sheska and Talia well as Talia stayed behind with Hughes' family, grasping hands with her longtime friend she was happy to see before looking down at the sweet little girl. "Talia!" Elicia bounced at the arrival of the exuberant woman.
"Hello my precious little munchkin! Aunt Tali's come to visit!"
"Be sure not to spoil my family too much! That's my job!" Hughes calls back.
"No way!" Talia refused, "I'm taking your family! They're mine now!"
"Oh we'll see about that!" Hughes laughed and walked down the stairs with Jeanne and Winry following behind.
"You and Gracia seemed to get along very well with Talia," Jeanne observed.
"Yeah," Hughes answered. "Those girls and I went to the same high school. They knew each other much longer before they met me though. Boy, you should have seen the kind of rivalry we both had."
His expression seemed lost into a long line of precious memories, "After Gracia and I started dating, we saw Tali less, but she was always around teasing us and scuffling with me every chance we get. Then the Ishval War happened. I married Gracia when I got back and we moved in together. The sad thing is, Talia was out of town so she couldn't make it to the wedding, but was there to see our first child be born, Elicia. Then, well, with work and taking care of Elicia, we kind of lost touch with her completely. It was a little sad, I mean I was with the woman of my life raising a beautiful daughter, so I couldn't be any more ecstatic, but we were like the three Muskateers in the old days. Life just sort of happens, and none of us found the time to really come together until recently."
His face turned serious though his smile was kept, "It's been a while, years actually, and I can tell Talia felt awkward at first to see us again. I really should invite her more often. I know that Gracia must have missed her best friend, and I believe Tali must have felt the same way."
"I'll bet..." Winry said. "She really does seem like a wonderful person."
"Oh yeah, just be sure not to call her Tiger. She kills people who does..." A sudden sound startled him and Hughes whipped his head around, but finds that it was just a neighbor entering their apartment and he sighed in relief. "Anyway, it's honestly nice that my Elicia took to Tali incredibly. Elicia is the precious angel who just loves everybody! But I think they're starting to get really close. Maybe I should consider getting Talia to babysit our little girl in case Gracia has to go out somewhere and if she has the time..."
Jeanne's eyes softened. "...You know, when I was packing my things, Elicia said something to me."
Hughes looked at her with wondering eyes. Jeanne resumed, "It was honestly touching. When Winry left to use the bathroom, Elicia came by, we talked for a moment and then she said to me..."
"You should live with us, Jeanne! We have extra rooms here. You can be part of our family!"
Jeanne blinked at the little girl in startle, setting down her folded blouse to face the child. "Oh?"
"I overheard daddy talking to mommy that you didn't have a family. You can stay here! Mommy would love it too!"
"I see..." Jeanne understood. What Elicia, or rather what Hughes has mentioned, was the background of Rose Thomas. Rose Thomas, a recent widow who never even made it to the aisle, her parents deceased, and all other relatives unknown. Rose had been by herself with only the people of Liore to comfort her. Rose Thomas, the sweet and gentle girl with a grieving past and had suffered the deceit of a wicked and selfish false preacher, the girl whose body Jeanne possesses; familyless.
Instinctively, she grasped the front of her shirt, clutching her hands together and pressing against her heart. Sorrow beats behind her chest with a faint rhythm of her still youthful life that this body has. A sad smile formed and she reached out for the little girl, gently pulling her into a treasurable hug.
"That's so kind of you. It makes me feel so happy," she slowly moves her back to see those round wide eyes. "But I have a calling, and I have to go and answer it. I know your family would be the most loving family I could ever have, so were my family."
The eyes of the Holy Maiden shimmered, "I'm sure if God had given me a wonderful life that shared with your family, I would have been the happiest girl in the world. But don't worry Elicia, I'm already happy as I am, but I will never forget the love and kindness your mother and father have given me. I'm truly blessed to have met you all."
"Then stay with us!" Elicia said, insistingly. Jeanne's heart throbbed with pain, and she pulled in Elicia for another hug.
"...Perhaps not today," the Holy Maiden said. "But I will consider it, thank you."
Should Rose ever fear of being alone, then this family will indeed be the family she can always turn to, for the love and kindness she had always dreamed of.
For Jeanne herself cannot stay in this world.
Returning to the present from the memory, Jeanne awaited Hughes who looked fairly sheepish. "Ah... I'm really sorry about that. When we met again in Central, I wanted to know more about who this mysterious yet lovely girl was doing hanging around a ruffian like Ed," hoping that his charming words would lay him off just a bit, he continued, "I did a bit of digging and found out about your past. I'm sorry for all your losses."
Jeanne nodded in gratitude, she felt a pain in her heart of it being reminded of her true carrier's lost love and she spiritually comforted the other girl she is sharing a soul with.
"You... don't have a family?" Winry was appalled, a great sadness shining in her expression. "Oh, Jeanne. Why didn't you tell me?"
Jeanne smiled sadly, "I didn't want to cause anyone any concerns," she spoke through Rose. "I'm helping... myself, recover one day at a time. Traveling around the country like this has done amazingly to cope. Meeting all of you has given me such a wonderful perspective in life, that there can still be hope."
It was a statement she made for Rose, and felt the appreciation warmly inside her.
"And besides, I still have my home in Liore, and all the people there have been caring neighbors, I'm sure that-" She stopped when she saw the frown on Hughes, deepening. "Is something wrong?"
"I guess you haven't heard," Hughes said. "Jeanne, I'm sorry, but... There was a riot in Liore."
The eyes of Rose widened as Jeanne uttered out, "What?"
"I'm not sure what happened, I've only read the reports. Some of the citizens started scuffling with the soldiers, and... everything went downhill from there. Several hundred have died. People are being attacked on the streets and in their homes, several establishments have been destroyed," He held her arm in a gesture of console, "It's not safe right now, and the city is on lockdown mode while the military is trying to get everything under control."
Jeanne was struck with disbelief as Rose feels the same way. Their city of Liore... What on earth happened? When she was last there, everyone had been trying to recover and move on from Cornello's deception. They have left in utter relief and belief that the city of Liore will be better off than before. Something must have happened after they left, but what? What on earth could have caused this?
"I'm sorry, but with the way things are, there's no getting into Liore," Hughes sadly said.
Jeanne felt the need to hold onto something to keep herself standing, having the urge to lean against the wall as the emotions of Rose tries to recuperate. Why? What happened? Several hundred dead... My neighbors and friends. Those poor people...
Rose. Rose! I'm here for you. Jeanne clutches the front of her blouse as she mentally comforts the girl within. "That's... awful... I had no idea."
Winry grasped onto Jeanne's hands as soon as she saw the paling color of her friend's face. Hughes continuously rubbed Jeanne's arm, "Listen, it's not so farfetched for you to stay here."
Jeanne looks up to the officer who offered a compassionate smile, "Even Gracia thought to let you live with us after I told her what's going on in Liore, she and Elicia really adored you so much. After getting to know you these past couple of days, I would be more than happy to have you live with us for as long as you need to."
"Same here, Jeanne!" Winry piped in, closing her grip of the other girl's hand. "If you need a place to stay until everything in Liore gets settled, you can stay in Resembool with me and Granny Pinako! I'm sure she won't mind. We love to help people any way we could, you could even live with us if you want to!"
If Jeanne did not have a family, then surely, Winry and her grandmother would be happy to have her with them, just as they have been for the Elrics.
Jeanne was at awe at the two people in front of her, so kind and compassionate, hospitable and generous. Lord, bless them both for their ever good nature. Her heart prayed.
Controlling herself, Jeanne slowly answered, "Thank you... Oh, thank you both so much." She covered her mouth, fighting back Rose's tears. "But... I can't. There are unfinished business I need to attend to this journey. I appreciate both your offers but..."
With a deep breath, she allowed Rose to speak through, her aquamarine eyes faintly dimming to the natural brown that this body once held, "If Liore is in trouble, then I want to go back there as soon as I am able to, as soon as I'm finished with this journey. I want to help the people of Liore recover and rebuild, but thank you, I won't ever forget your kindness."
It was a mesh between Rose's sadness and Jeanne's apologetic feelings, Rose wanted to go, but she made her promise to allow Jeanne to fulfill her duty as Ruler for the duration of the Holy Grail War, meaning that she cannot go back to Liore right away. Even for all the pain that place has brought her, it was her home, Rose could not think to leave it and its people behind.
"Are you sure?" Winry asked, voicing her concerns as she still held Rose's hand. Rose smiled, encouraged by Jeanne's confidence.
"If the military isn't letting anyone in by the time I've finished my travel, I'll think about it, if you really won't mind."
"Not at all! I'll let Granny Pinako know. She'll be happy to see you again!"
Hughes nodded, "The same goes for here. You ever need a place to stay, our door is always open."
Rose pressed her hand against her heart, her eyes watering with rising emotions that Jeanne helped to keep at bay. "Thank you all. Really, thank you."
With a release of her breath, Rose retreated and Jeanne came back in control.
"I know this has been very difficult for you," Hughes said, "I'm sure those brothers will be just as shocked if they heard it. This is a lot for me to ask of you, and I won't blame you if you hate me for it, but do you think you can avoid telling them what happened to Liore?"
Jeanne raised both brows in questioning. "Why?"
"I know those boys. They were there in Liore. Even though everything went out of hand after they left, those boys will feel responsible for what happened. It's just how they are."
"I see," Jeanne can understand that. The Elric brothers were so incredibly kind, and their compassion for others distinguishable. There is no doubt they might feel as if being involved with Liore is what caused the deaths of so many with what came after their visit. They might think they could have somehow stopped it.
They will most certainly feel guilt. Jeanne knew this, however...
"I understand, but I cannot keep that promise, Mr. Hughes. I promised the brothers that I would no longer withhold the truth from them, I once did something I shouldn't have, and I've regretted to this day. You even told me before that if there was anything wrong that I should not have to carry alone, then I can always rely on others to carry it with me."
Hughes sighed, rubbing his head, "Yeah, I did say that..."
"They might blame themselves, yes, but I trust their strength to endure the truth, they deserve it that much," Jeanne asserts. "And the truth will only get worse the longer it stays out of reach, especially if someone hides it from them willingly."
A moment of contemplation, Hughes looked back at Jeanne, "...Alright. I'll trust your judgment. I think if anyone should let them know, it should be you."
She nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I'll tell them once we ride the train," she looks at Winry, "Which reminds me, we really ought to get going now, or we might end up late."
"R-right," Winry weakly replied, as if she should feel urgent for herself after what has been told here.
"I better head off to work then," Hughes said, "I can't say that I'll be able to bid you ladies goodbye at the station, so I might as well say it right now."
The girls looked at each other. An exchange of their glance, a smile of agreeing understanding formed.
Without warning, they rushed forward and grabbed the surprised lieutenant, holding around his figure tightly. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Hughes," Winry said, her cheek against his chest.
"We will miss you and your family," Jeanne expressed, pressing her face to his body.
Hughes steadily moved his arms around the girls' forms, and hugged them in a warm embrace. "I sure am gonna miss you girls. To be honest, I kind of see you two as my daughters. I'm sure Elicia is gonna grow up as beautifully wonderful as you two are."
"Of course, she has wonderful loving parents to raise her," Jeanne said. "God good graces to you and your family, Mr. Hughes."
"I'm not a religious man myself, but I appreciate the prayer," Hughes released them and they backed away. "Stay out of trouble now, and also, make sure those boys keep out of trouble."
"Oh, we will. Definitely," Winry promised. Jeanne nodding along.
Hughes bid them both, "Take care of yourselves now."
The train whistled loudly throughout the station. Armstrong, Maria, Denny, and even Gracia with Elicia, inviting Talia and Sheska, had their moment of talk with the Elric brothers, Winry and Jeanne for the final time before they started boarding the train. The Elric brothers thanking Sheska once again for all her help much to the meek girl's embarrassment and Winry hoping to speak with her soon again. Alphonse and Jeanne bidding the officers a goodbye but hopes to see them again some way.
"Just look us up in Central Command. Stop by anytime, well, when we're not at our busiest anyhow," Denny said.
"You kids be careful now, and no more getting into reckless situations or we'll slap you boys again," Maria warned. The brothers urgently nodded.
"This is goodbye for now, but I'm certain we will meet again," Armstrong said to them before leaning forward for only Jeanne to hear. "And if you ever need any help with your duty, please, do not hesitate to contact us. We will assist in any way we can. You don't need to carry such an enormous task all by yourself."
Jeanne nodded firmly, "Thank you, Louise. I know that I can always rely on my good friends. All of you have been such a great company these few days. God willing that we will all meet again soon in the best circumstances."
Elicia's innocent chuckling erupted from Winry's faint tickling as Winry as Gracia held the little girl in her arms. Armstrong smiled, "I hope so too, let's all work our hardest, and for all this matter to be settled soon enough."
They shook hands. The conductor began to announce that the train will sound depart, and the teens went to board. They waved in parting to their remaining friends, Elicia waving her little arm back at them, and Armstrong saluting in good wishes for the journey ahead of them. Jeanne prayed for their lives, and thanked God that she was able to meet such lovely people.
"That Sheska was really nice," Winry said. "You know she offered to write me those missing volumes of my favorite book series?"
"Really? That does sound like her, she's really generous with other people whenever she could," Edward said, resting the side of his chin against his fist, his elbow against the armrest of his seat. "I figured you two would get along, you're both dorks over something you obsess over."
Winry kicked him in the shin. "Ow! Dammit! Did you have to hit me with my real leg?!"
"Well, it be pointless if I didn't otherwise," Winry deadpanned. Jeanne could not help but let out a small laugh she tried to cover with her hand. Edward glared at her.
"You know, I've been wondering," Winry then started, "Why is it suddenly so important that you guys have to meet your teacher?"
Recovering from the kick as he soothed his shin, Edward answered, "Well, there are a couple of reasons. For starters, I'm a little tired of getting my ass kicked."
"Wait. Is this a combat teacher?" A frown of displeased formed on Winry, "Why do you guys always get into fights?"
"Well sorry! But it's not so easy to avoid them! This isn't only about our fighting, our teamwork needs a little bit of work, too. Right Al?"
"Exactly," a clink of the helmet as Alphonse nodded, "We feel like seeing our teacher will help us grow stronger on the inside." He cannot allow himself to be fooled by someone like Barry again, he has to be not only strong in terms of fighting skill, but mentally as well. He has to be there for his own brother's sake, and Jeanne if she ever needs them.
Edward looked out the window, the sunsetting sky filled with an orange glow, "Yeah, and believe me, we're going to need as much strength as we can get."
The Holy Grail War, Servants, and the Holy Grail. Seeing the intense focus in Edward's golden eyes, Winry realized just how much this meant to these boys. Well... if it really means that much, she will just have to try to understand, and support them anyway she could. Be there for these brothers.
"Alright... So what's reason two?"
Edward stared ahead for a moment, "To see what she can tell us what we're looking for... Something that's on par with the Philosopher's Stone."
"Really? In that case, you need Jeanne with you for that?" Winry looked over the girl. The brothers flinched at her good point, but thankfully, Jeanne was able to explain for them.
"If in case their teacher cannot provide them any answers, I can lead them to other places where I've heard something to do with the Philosopher's Stone or the like, and besides, there's something there I need to look into."
Dublith...
Her Revelation was speaking to her, something in Dublith awaits. A threat to that city, a threat she must go and pay heed to. Despite the inevitable obstacles that awaits her and her new formed faction, she had been hoping it would not come so soon.
But there's nothing to be done about it now, and should there ever be something that would endanger these brothers there, they have her, and they have their Servants. She intends to ask Edward later if he was able to inform Armstrong and Hughes of his status as a Servant, but upon Fuhrer Bradley's unprecedented visit, he might have not been able to tell them, especially considering that neither Armstrong or Hughes mentioned Edward's status as Master.
This might be for the best. Jeanne has been feeling these past couple of weeks the sensation of being watched, if there was an Assassin that were to overhear Edward having two Servants, the other enemy Masters might see Edward as a threat to be disposed of immediately, and there was something in that city of Central that left her feeling nothing but unease these past several days. Something dark. Something truly impending.
As comparably impending as that sudden attack from the Red Faction. The worst of their assault has been avoided, and no one died. If Fuhrer Bradley, although she has her intense suspicions towards the man, truly meant to oppose the Red Faction, then it would bring reason why he suspects the work of the Philosopher's Stones to be their doing.
Yet Jeanne cannot find reason to believe that. Something in Bradley's statements set Jeanne terribly off. She cannot trust that man no matter how he presented himself as their ally and not enemy. She just can't...
Wait... She suddenly thought, When the Fuhrer arrived and told us what he could, he didn't try to recruit me. He told everyone who I was, so it shouldn't have been odd if he offered me an alliance again. Even though I would have said no, why didn't he try to?
That attack on Central would have been a good opportunity for the Fuhrer to use as a way to convince Jeanne, and in that moment, she might have thought or at least considered before ultimately turning it down to respect her own role as Ruler. But he didn't ask her. Not directly anyway, she showed compliance to always come and assist should the need arrive, but not a request to have her be a member of their faction.
Even if she would have said no, and if the Fuhrer knew this, why was it not brought up this time? Furthermore, after what happened to Central, she has not been contacted by Father Kotonelm, she suspected that he would have tried to. As an Overseer should have the network to detect when new Servants have been summoned, even if it was just a confirmation, Father Kotonelm still did not try to reach out for her, as if he did not need to...
A wave of unsettlement stirred inside her stomach, she held onto it. I have an awful feeling about this... And the longer she is distancing from the source of her discomfort from the city of Central, the more this nervous feeling inside her grew, she looked out the window, eyes riddled with immense worry.
God, whatever it is, I pray I have enough strength to endure it.
"-We haven't gotten any closer to figuring out what the Truth Within the Truth means. Our teacher might know something about it," Alphonse explained.
"Let's just hope she gives us a chance to at least ask her," said Edward, "Especially how you're going to explain your appearance to her, Al."
His stern eyes wavered, "Considering..." His face fell into dispassionate worries, "considering..."
The brothers joined hands in quivering fear. "She's gonna kill us, isn't she?" Edward knew it was pointless to ask.
"I wish I at least had a girlfriend before I died..." Alphonse's soul whimpered. "And brother... if she finds out about that other thing..."
"Aaaaaaaaaahhhh!" Edward quietly cried as he slumped into his seat, grabbed his own head. Of course, if their teacher, of all people, were to find out about their secret compatriot sitting just a few rows behind them, having been led by the discretion of his gentle and carefree Caster, and with a presence oblivious to all those around them despite being the palest looking person in here no matter her new wear he was able to get for her just a day prior. If Izumi Curtis found out about their homunculus...
"That's totally not our fault though..." Edward said. "Right. It's not our fault. If we just shift the blame to that guy than maybe she won't be as mad?"
"She's still gonna kill us for what we did though...!" Alphonse strained as he too slumped into his seat, though not all the way as he didn't want to bump against Jeanne sitting in front of him.
"Don't remind me! Let me just have this blissful moment of being alive for a little longer!" Edward silently balled behind his horror-struck face.
"What are you guys even talking about...?" Winry had no way of understanding what the Elric brothers could be muttering about in panic, while Jeanne was still distracted by her own thoughts full of discontent. The train traveled farther, and farther away from Central, as the setting sun of this ever peaceful recovering day, came to an end.
"The bodies are starting to pile up..."
A dark night in Central City. At an office in Central Command, Hughes read through the newspaper of Liore as the official report was able to make it into the media's hands. Liore was in a state of utter chaos. The military is trying everything they could but to no avail. Buildings were destroyed, even the House of the Sun God had fallen after several grenades were detonated, a total of two hundred people dying from its collapse, and more still being found.
Where on earth did these civilians even get these weapons? Hughes wondered. There's no way Liore could have had them before the military came. They must have somehow stolen some while the soldiers were careless. That, or someone gave it to them.
But how? The military has blocked all access and even trade, surrounding the entire city. It would have been impossible for anyone to smuggle in weapons for Liore to use. So the only other explanation is that the weapons came through the military, someone who has been dispatched there has snuck in those grenades and guns, and they somehow went into the hands of Liore's who could have done it? And why?
"The riots in Liore have grown worse these last few days," another officer said to Hughes as he brought over more reports. "The soldiers there have no choice but to use lethal means in order to go against armed civilians. It's a bloody mess over there..."
Hughes looked through the report, eyes quickly scanning every word. At this rate, the military wouldn't be able to contain this... Wait...
Hughes sets down and points at the document, "It says here that there was another group of soldiers from a different sector that responded to Liore, right after the Fullmetal Alchemist delivered his report. What happened to them?"
The other officer leaned over to read the document, "Ah, yes. The first responders were of the Eastern Command soldiers since they were the closest, but then later, orders were made to have that group switched with Central's."
"And that's when everything started to down-spiraled..." Hughes' eyes narrowed. When Eastern Command came to Liore, everything went accordingly. Any fights that occurred were done to a minimum and even almost none. But as soon as that group of soldiers was switched with Centrals', the riots started, and everything went much worse than they should.
Sheska was peacefully sleeping at her desk after getting through so much writing. On one hand, was her assignments for today, on the other was the row of papers she had for the eighth volume of Winry's favorite book series she was beginning to work on. She was startled to wake when the legs of a chair screeched against the floor.
"Sir?"
Hughes did not respond as he started for the door. "I'm going to the Archives."
He left without elaboration, leaving the room and two confused officers, exchanging a questioning glance.
"This isn't right..." Hughes flipped through the pages of the book he holds. Inside the Archives which was a library of past recorded events, kept and guarded by the military. On the table next to him was a map of Amestris. He circled the destination of Liore.
"This can't be a coincidence," he marked another location. "There's a pattern. Each of these cities that involved military intervention, there has been a high number of casualties."
He read through more books about past events. For what he found, he drew more shapes within the map to mark these events. "And if I also include the destruction of the villages, but judging by the timing, it could have been a separate matter. Then there was that disaster and- Hold on... What if I..."
Pressing the ink of his marker against the map, he dragged it. "No way..." His eyes widened, drawing and crossing, "This is...!"
Someone has been orchestrating this, these violent blood baths. Liore was not the only city.
"It's been going on long before since the Ishvalan War. This goes back more than just decades, since even after Amestris-" He picks up the map, the weight of his discovery falling like a wall of bricks to his stomach. "This is big. Everyone's in danger! I have to tell the Fuhrer about this-!"
The door to the Archive shuts closed. The officer froze.
"Hello lieutenent-colonel."
A sweet, seductive voice leaves the dark lips of a woman. Hughes slowly turned around.
"Or should I say goodbye?"
He looked down to her exposed skin, a strange tattoo at the center of her chest, but if he looked closer, he realized that there was a shape. An ouroboros tattoo.
He'd also recognized the appearance of the woman, based on Edward's drawing of the monsters that attacked him in the Fifth Laboratory. This is Lust.
How did she get in here...? Anyone would have stopped a civilian from entering the confidential Archive of this base. How did she sneak past the guards? Had she been here all this time?
The woman slowly approaches him, savoring his look of dread as Hughes backed away. "That's..." He started with a wary smile, "a nice tattoo you have there."
A mere observation, he was a faithful husband. I have to get out of here.
"Is that really how you want your last words to be?" Lust showed her hand, and claws extended from her nails.
She's not human-!
He reached for the dagger sheathed at his back, and threw it as the woman's nails extended for him.
A sharp stab through his shoulder from her spear-like nail, but Hughes' precision was dead-on. The knife struck the woman at the center of her head. Her eyes widened and turned vacant as she sunk to the floor and feel against the shelves. Burning pain erupted in Hughes' shoulder as he grabbed and yanked her nails out of him, grunting in agony.
He staggered for the door, falling out of the Archives as soon as he stepped out. The pain in his shoulder severe and white-hot. Breathe... Breathe...
He forced himself to stand, but lost his balance and hit the wall with his pained shoulder, blood staining the white foundation. "Damn... I have to... warn the Fuhrer..." He dragged himself to move.
"Damn?" Within the darkly lit Archive, red sparks danced from Lust's forehead as her black-gloved fingers removed the dagger from her skull, the wound coming to a close, "That's exactly how I feel."
She calmly rises to her feet, at first starting for the door, but then stopped, looking back at the desk the man was working on. "Oh right. We can't have anyone come across this."
She pondered for a moment and knew the best course of action as she listens to the invigorating pained noises from the escaping officer. "I'll just let Envy handle him. Better clean up this mess and evidence myself."
She closed the door and walked for the desk of Hughes' evident discovery. She picked up the map of his drawn calculations, dark beautiful eyes glossing over it. "Such a smart man. What a shame..."
She tore the map into several pieces. "Sorry human, but you know too much. You won't be getting away alive..."
Hughes stumbled to the desk where the seated clerk awaits, "Is that you sir? Have you found what you were looking-" When the clerk turned around, she saw his state of being. "Sir? Sir! You're bleeding! What happened?!"
"It's nothing, I need a private line to the Fuhrer's office." His wound was serious, but he can't spend this moment getting himself to a hospital. Time was at the essence, he cannot waste a second.
He reaches the rows of phones attached to the wall as the woman clerk stood up and watched him in deep concern and uncertainty of what to do with this situation. The only way to directly contact the Fuhrer and deliver an urgent message was to use these phones, any other line would have been blocked. He reached the receiver and picks it up, but just as he raised a finger to dial the number, he froze.
Hold on... Hughes thought. How could the Fuhrer not know about this? What happened at Liore, only someone like the Fuhrer could have the authority to switch the group of soldiers with Central.
Then there was the IShvalan War. The undisputed yet controversial order to kill all Ishvalans. If nothing could get passed the Fuhrer, then certainly this should be impossible for King Bradley to miss. All these patterns in all these years. Which means...
His eyes widened at a horrorfying conclusion. The Fuhrer's part of this.
He returns the receiver, his bloody handprint left on it. He had all of us fooled... It's possible that all the higher-ups are in on it too. Central Command is being run by the enemy!
There's no one here he could report to. He has to leave this place.
"Sir! Where are you going?! Let me call you a doctor!" The clerk woman shouted after him.
"Sorry, forget that I was here," Hughes hurried out of the building. He can't trust his superiors. There's only one man he can turn to. He has to contact Roy.
The night was quiet, the streets lights of the poles glowing on the sidewalk. He held his bleeding shoulder. With a heaving breath, he reached a phone booth far from Central Command. He's not safe here. He will most certainly be killed. He has to be quick.
There was a numbness in his wound. Not good. If he dies before he could warn anybody, this whole country will fall! His wife and child, his friends, the Elric brothers, everyone-!
He hastily dials the number of the phone machine inside the booth, holding the receiver against his ear, his hand faintly trembling as he tried to remain calm. It won't be long before I'll pass out from blood loss, I have to make every minute count!
A woman on the other line answered. "Good evening. Eastern Command."
"I need you to get me Colonel Mustang right away," Hughes breathed out, his sweats of exhaustion and pain dripping from his forehead.
"I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to connect on an outside line."
"You are speaking to Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes! And this is a matter of Life and Death!" Hughes shouted into the receiver, his patience and his blood supply running thin.
"Can I have your code please?"
"Are you trying to waste time?!" He growled and dug into his coat pocket, pulling out a notepad. As he did so, a photo had slipped out and fallen upon the ground. The photo of his happy self with his wife and little girl. "Fine! Listen closely! It's Uncle-Sugar-Oliver, then Eight, Eight, Zero."
"Please hold while I connect you to the colonel."
"Hurry up!" Hughes urged, "This is an emergency! The whole country is in danger-!"
A click of a gun sounded behind Hughes, silencing him. With a quivering breath, he turned his head slightly.
"Put down the receiver Lieutenant-Colonel."
Holding the gun that pointed his back, dressed in that familiar blue soldier uniform and her dark short hair, Maria Ross ordered Hughes to stand down. Blood continues to fall from his wounded shoulder as he regarded the fellow officer in stunned disbelief.
But Hughes knew better.
"You're not her." He wore a crooked smile as if to laugh the absurdity of his situation, "I don't know who you are, but you are not Lieutenant Ross."
"Sir, you've lost a lot of blood," Maria reasoned with him, "You're not thinking straight-"
"You're not her," Hughes assuredly said, "I know. Becuase the lieutenant Ross that I met, has a mole under her left eye."
Surprise flinched from her face, and then her facade drops. A wicked smile, "Oh silly me," she said in a different, much devious voice, "I can't believe I forgot something so obvious. Here, let me fix that."
She raises a finger and taps above her cheek and below her left eye. Red sparks emitted from her fingertip, and on the skin, the mole the real Maria should have has now appeared.
Frightened eyes stared into the evil face of the Maria Ross look-alike. "This can't be happening..." Hughes leaned against the phone machine, forcing himself to keep awake as the threat of fainting from the blood loss started to prod his fading consciousness. "Come on, either I'm having a nightmare or I got to be hallucinating."
"You were too smart for your own good," the look-alike said, although her disguise has been exposed, the gun she held was still very much real. Hughes had seen through the mask, and it has sealed his fate. "Did you ever think that that was how you would go out, lieutenent-colonel?"
"Come on... Have a heart, won't you?" Hughes pleaded calmly, his hidden dagger slid under his sleeve and into his palm.
"I've got a wife and daughter I have to look after," he gripped his dagger, "And I don't plan on dying yet-!"
He turned with his dagger ready to be thrown. But as soon as he turned.
"Is this the wife you're talking about?"
Horror marred the lieutenent-colonel's paling face, as the face of Gracia looks back at him. From the inhuman's notice of the fallen picture beside the lieutenent-colonel's feet, a devious, truly cruel idea bloomed inside its head, and he shapefifted into the delicate face of hers Hughes had always adored, the love of his life, the woman he fell in love with, the woman who bore their first child. The woman he could never, ever, thought to harm in his entire life.
The dagger he held wavered in his hand. "What the hell are you?"
His wife smiled cruelly, and she pulled the trigger.
Roy Mustang sat in his office late at night in East City. Dealing with yet another set of paperwork he has to finish before calling it a night and return home. A ludicrous dull work, especially considering the events that have been transpiring for quite a while, where the entire country is its main setting, and the people's lives are in danger.
He could hardly believe it when he first heard of it, but for the Fuhrer himself to tell him, then he had no choice but to accept it as fact. It was the reason why Edward was nearly killed in his own city, and the fact that East City had been visited by these Servants as they attempted to attack the girl the Elric brothers met by chance at Liore, the girl who as it turns out to not be any ordinary girl. The idea that something has been going on under his nose this whole time left him feeling aggravated with himself, but being emotional would no solve anything. Although the Fuhrer advised that all should go normally so to prevent instant panicking, Mustang knew something has to be done. Something has to be done about this secret event; this Holy Grail War.
If the Holy Grail could in fact be capable of granting anyone's wish, then most certainly a catastrophe is sure to follow if it fell into the wrong hands. He had already informed his team of trusted members, and it goes without saying what their reactions were, even suggested Mustang to go and lie down for the rest of the day. With his most trusted lieutenant Hawkeye to back him up however, the team eventually had to accept his word as truth, much to their own shock at this truth.
Besides the Holy Grail, the other most regarded threat in this secret war were these Servants, one nearly killing the Fullmetal Alchemist, and several more active throughout Amestris, fighting each other, leaving only destruction in their wake of epic battling. They were of monstrous strength, worse yet that, they were reincarnated warriors. No matter the summoning of these illegitimate souls that were like glass replica to the real thing, it was still the most appalling information to hear for an Alchemist like himself. This will surely tip the balance of this world, everything will fall into chaos if an influential figure gets wind of this.
He'll have to do his part. He will have to do whatever he can. It was an incredible ordeal, but be it Servants or even these Magi, he will do what he can to make sure this war doesn't erupt into total annihilation. He's heard of what happened at Central, and though the incident was excused to be a malfunction of a citizen's make-shift Alchemy lab, there was evidence of destruction, also to be excused as the work of violent citizens taking advantage of the confusion to cause mayhem.
Roy, however, doubts it very much to be the case. He tried to get a hold of Hughes to tell him the story, but it seems even the fatherly man was not sure, but mentioned how there were missiles fired at Command Central, as if they were in the middle of a full-blown war, but then later turned out to somehow be fireworks, though even Hughes distrusted this information. He wasn't able to talk much longer then, as Roy could hear work building up at the other end of the phone, and his friend had to excuse himself. Mustang had to wonder, was this another event conducted by these Servants? Could Central have actually been attacked? If so, how long does Mustang have to wait until his city becomes the next target?
He will have to prepare himself and his men. Whatever may happen, they have to be willing to stand and defend the people of East City. At this point, he might as well call it wartime. It would have been a safer bet if it's too keep the civilians safe, but he'll have to be careful how to go about it. The Fuhrer instructed to keep this matter of the Holy Grail War confidential, otherwise, the enemy will catch word of it, and they will surely vanish before any of them could capture and arrest them for their crimes of the deaths of those soldiers at the False Ice Trail Incident.
Mustang will certainly do all that he could to find the culprit of that incident, have them pay for their heinous actions of butchering and leaving those men on stakes. No matter what power this culprit of theirs has, he will not be so intimidated by it, and may his own personal fury to how those soldiers were displayed bring him enough power to burn the bastard.
The phone on his desk rang. Setting down his pen, he picks up the receiver and pressed it against his ear.
"Colonel Mustang? There's a Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes that wishes to speak to you, he says it's urgent."
"Put him through."
Perhaps Hughes was contacting him to talk more about what happened at Central. Else, the man just wants to brag about his family again. It is far too late for Hughes to contact him about the later. He doesn't need another spiel of how Elicia fell asleep while drawing and how cute she was.
He heard the line connect and he answered.
"Hughes? It's Mustang. This better be important. I don't have time to listen any more of your family stories right now."
No response.
Mustang paused, the silence odd and concerning. He looked into the receiver and tried again, "Hello? Hughes?"
A crackle and boom, like lightning ignited through the receiver. Mustang nearly dropped the receiver at the sound. He thought he heard a scream, but the noise so deafened his ear he couldn't be sure.
"Hughes?!" He yelled into the receiver, "Hello?! What happened?! Hughes, answer me!"
"-What was that?! Talk to me, Maes! Hello?!"
The voice of a worried, increasingly agitated friend yells through the swaying receiver hanging by the cord. A bloody handprint stained the window glass and handle of the booth. A pool of blood on the floor, a photo of a man embracing his wife and daughter lay beside it.
There was no body on sight.
A thunder after dark, a man went missing that night...
A/N: So I've been getting assumptions that it's either Edmond Dantes or Angra Mainu that Scar summoned. Who do you think it is? I'll tell you now, I WON'T be giving the reveal until the right moment comes so keep the guesses flowing!
By the way, I had someone request to me about making a list of the Servants that we met so far. Just so everyone can know whose side is on whose. Which I absolutely agree with! So here it is!
/.\
Golden Faction/Gold Faction
Jeanne D' Arc/Ruler - Host: Rose Thomas.
Edward Elric(Master) and Alphonse Elric - Servants: Paracelsus Von Hohenheim(Caster). Nikola Tesla(Archer).
/.\
Blue Faction. Data still pending...
Master: Father - Servants: Archimedes(Caster). Amakusa Shirou(Ruler).
Master: King Bradley - Servants: Arturia Alter(Saber). One-Arm Hassan(Assassin)
Master: Envy - Servants: Mordred(Saber). Shakespeare(Caster).
Master: Lust - Servants: Medusa(Rider). Medea(Caster).
Master: Gluttony - Servants: Tamara Touda(Archer).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Alexander the Great(Rider).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Achilles(Rider).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Karna(Lancer).
/.\
Red Faction. Data still pending...
Master: Unknown - Servant: Attila the Hun(Saber).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Arash(Archer).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Diarmuid(Lancer).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Astolfo(Rider).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Li Shuwen(Lancer).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Hippolyta(Rider).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Penthesilea(Berserker).
Master: Unknown - Servant: Francois(Caster).
/.\
Unaffiliated Party. (Thus far...)
Master: Kory Kotonelm - Servant: Cu Chulainn(Lancer).
Master: Riley Tohmerson - Servant: EMIYA(Archer).
/.\
First, I want to clarify a few things. The Data Stil Pending means that there are information that I have yet to reveal in the stories, therefore, do not take everything at face value. There are still more Servants waiting beyond what we have seen.
So yes, Father has more Servants at his will, and this could mean that the Servants that you have read with Master's Unknown, is likely to mean that they are either Father's Servant but we have yet to read that reveal in the story yet, or their Masters are a character that has yet to be revealed yet.
This goes the same for the Red Faction. Feel free to make guesses! We'll also be meeting more unaffiliated party. So yes. This is only going to get BIGGER.
Answering Question Time:
Just a Fate fan: Fun fact, in my first idea of a fanfic where Edward has four Servants: Nikola, Paracelsus, Edison, and Babbage, I thought up including Da Vinci as his fifth Servant and basically we have a hilarious scenario of Edward having five "dads" coddling the Elric Brothers and being the overprotective parents with their own quirky personality and all.
Da Vinci can be considered a mom but it's funnier to call him dad while having the body of the Mona Lisa, also, the Elric brothers already have enough mother figures - Trisha, Izumi, Riza, they have enough mom roles in their life, and there's no way anyone can replace them (Paracelsus might be added to the list though, he'd be the closest of being the "mom" figure. XD.)
Joe: I see that you are a demanding reader, have patience now, otherwise the quality won't be satisfactory. In addition, Edward will most certainly be interested in learning about magecraft that Paracelsus can teach him, as he'll have to see it as another, unique form of Alchemy. You are right to know that Alphonse, without his human body, might not be able to perform magecraft without his human body unlike how he could perform Alchemy.
For one thing, he can't unlock his circuits without a human body, and to use his soul as his source would be too risky. However, I imagine that if Alphonse with his human body were to be introduced to magecraft, he might be something of a genius likely on par with Edward. That's my cent of thought anyhow.
Guest: I already have a Servant in mind... I won't give anything away though. But good choice! It's actually really fitting! You know everyone has such an amazing Servant Pairing ideas, like I didn't even realize how perfect it would have been for Mordred to be summoned under Edward. They have soo much in common! But oh well. I just hope my choice will be just as entertaining to read.
