In Times of Trouble

Chapter Three

A New Life

Resembool

Elric House

Midnight

Winry had sent for Granny a little after ten. Edward and Riza had still been up at that time of course, waiting for word on the wreck. Riza had decided then to call instead of walking over as she normally would have done for fear of missing Jean.

Edward was with Winry now, but Riza had promised to come tell him if they heard anything. She was convinced the stress had thrown Winry into labor, though Winry insisted that the baby was coming today anyway. Winry refused to admit she was just as upset as the other adults. She felt it was more important to support her husband than to list her own concerns.

It occurred to Riza, as she listened to the muffled cry coming from Winry upstairs, that no one had contacted Alphonse. She went to make the call as the sound of a new baby filled the house. The child was here then, this was good. Poor Winry's labor had been hard and fast, unlike Riza's. She assumed again that it was likely a side effect of the stress they were all under right now.

She decided to wait a few minutes. At least then she could give the good news with the uncertain. Granny came downstairs about ten minutes after the baby's cries began. "You can go up now. They are both fine, we have a granddaughter." Granny said before pointedly sitting at the table to take over the wait for Jean.

Riza made her way upstairs to meet her new granddaughter. Edward was sitting next to Winry on the bed as she held the new baby, both looked exhausted and depressed despite the baby. "Ji Mu come on in." Ed said quietly. "Meet your new granddaughter, Trisha Elizabeth. Trisha, meet your Nainai, she's going to love you forever."

Riza smiled down at the small girl, the first in the family. Edward stared adoringly at his new daughter. Riza smiled at the young couple, before dropping a gentle kiss on her granddaughter's head before she said softly. "I need to call Alphonse to inform him of the accident. I was waiting for her to arrive to give him good news as well."

"I already called Al about Dad. He should be here in the morning, maybe sooner. He said Lupin agreed to take him straight to the crash site to help look, but then Lupin would have to return to the school to his safe room. Snape was to meet Al at the crash to help, and to bring Al here when he got too tired. I'm sorry I thought I told you that." Ed said with a sad sigh. "He can meet her when he comes. He knew it would be happening soon."

"Roy is strong Edward. He'll be alright." Riza said, as much to convince herself as to convince him. Ed nodded along agreeing for the same reason.

Riza smiled at the baby once more before excusing herself and returning to the living room to await word. Pinako was still sitting there, now joined by Rebecca Catalina. Before Riza could say anything, Rebecca shook her head. "I haven't heard anything yet. I figured you and the others would be up most of the night, so I came by to offer to help with the children. I know those boys run you ragged without the added stress."

"Winry just had the baby. A girl. Named after Edward's mother." Riza said. "Thank you for the offer. I suggest you get some sleep if you intend to help with them tomorrow, or you'll be exhausted yourself."

"I'd suggest you sleep too, but I know if it were Jean I wouldn't be able to even if I tried. I'm sorry this happened Riza." Rebecca said.

"Well, I think I will go to bed myself so I am refreshed when my grandsons come looking for me tomorrow. Today at this point." Pinako said as she made her way to the front door. "If Winry needs me for anything make sure to contact me right away. Not in the morning, as soon as she needs me."

Riza nodded but otherwise didn't comment. She wouldn't be sleeping herself until she heard what happened. Edward had insisted on staying awake himself. Winry was already drifting to sleep despite her best efforts to stay awake for her husband and mother-in-law, at least to offer support Edward while he was forced to await information.

Eventually, Riza and Edward both found themselves sitting downstairs alone. Riza was watching Edward slowly fall apart as he tried to decide what he should do. She cleared her throat to gain his attention before she began. "No matter what the outcome, you're staying here with Winry and the children until she has had a chance to recover from the delivery. I will head back to Central and take care of things until you return."

"You don't think he's okay either do you?" Ed said as he sank onto the couch next to her.

"I believe in preparing for the worst in any situation as you well know. I hope he'll be just fine. I believe he will be. Roy is nearly as remarkable as you at getting out of impossible situations. That doesn't mean he will be able to return to his duties straight away. So, I will take care of it. You will take care of your children." Riza said, only a slight hitch in her voice. "Roy won't die. Not without me. He knows how I feel on the subject."

"Ji Mu…Mom. You can't take on all of it by yourself." Edward said. He had never called her mom before. It was an honor held solely to Trisha Elric. Riza couldn't help the single tear that escaped at the title being directed toward her.

She had known, of course, that he loved her as a mother. His name for her meant mother. Still it spoke volumes of his fear that he would use that word. She hugged her son to her then, concerned for him as he was for her. So much of their lives revolved around Roy. He was larger than life in many ways. It seemed impossible that something as simple as a train accident could take him from them. Nothing could take the man, it often seemed, nothing but himself.

Hogsmeade

Hogshead

Private Room

Dumbledore had been warned. Repeatedly, by both Nick and Snape, to avoid contact with Perenelle. He had been told she was unstable. That she hated him. That she was dangerous. The problem was, Albus didn't care. He wasn't afraid of this woman. There was little she could do to him. He was an extremely powerful wizard, one of the strongest in the world. For all of her posturing and insanity, she was not on that list.

Some records indicated she was capable of great power, while others claimed she was practically a squib. He had read up on her years ago, and the only thing he really learned was that she was nearly a myth. Nicolas had kept her well hidden over the years, though several times she had appeared in the schools when he had. He did wonder what had happened to change her into the unstable creature everyone thought he needed to avoid.

Perhaps it really was the affair. He wasn't overly concerned by that though. If she hated him for having a piece of Nick's heart…well he hated her for holding most of it. He had been surprised when she asked to meet him here tonight. It was unexpected. He certainly would never have sought her out.

He arrived on time, to his brother's glares as he pointed to the unused parlor. She had apparently rented it to give them privacy to talk. Albus nodded in his brother's direction and made his way to the room, unconcerned.

A tall, older woman stood before the fireplace. Her hair was completely silver as it hung straight down her back, and her purple robes did little to hide how thin she was. Albus was surprised. He hadn't expected her to have aged so much in the short time Nick had been gone. Perhaps the years rushed back to her then. He decided there was no point in opening rudely, and welcomed her kindly. She then finally turned in his direction.

Even older now, he could tell that she had once been very beautiful. The hate filled expression marred her features, as she gave him a single nod before schooling her face into a mask of indifference. He smiled at her before suggesting that they both have a seat.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I would want to see you, my husband's toy." The woman said, and he bristled.

"I suppose I was curious." Albus said civilly.

"Believe me, I have no more desire to be in your company than you do to be in mine." She said with the wave of a hand. "However, there are things that must be done. Steps that must be taken. It is taking too long as I stood aside to watch as he instructed. So, I have come to interfere as much as possible with the vows locking my tongue."

"I wouldn't expect you would want to offer your aide to me in any capacity." Albus said as he attempted to hide his shock at her forwardness.

"You are the second to last person I would ever want to offer my help to in any way. Second only to his son." She said with an angry scowl. "However, the wizarding world is in short supply of intelligent beings."

"I'm afraid I do not understand." Albus said as he poured himself a cup of tea. It was a shame his brother refused to serve him any form of alcohol. He could certainly use a drink right now.

"You are not a fool do not act like one now." She said with a huff. "You have goals you need to reach, yes? Well so do I. The first step to getting what you want is to step away from Amestris."

"What?"

"Look. The men running Amestris are known for being prideful. The more you push them into seeing things your way, the less likely they are to listen. Now, you want this child to attend your school so that you can win him over to your side yes?" She continued and waited for his nod, "Then you need to let them think you have given up. Give them space to hang themselves. Their pride will drive the child away from home. Think about it, one day he's going to want to know where his magic came from. You will be there with the answers. Word it correctly, and you will turn him away from them. Not if you continue like you have. Right now you will keep him from you for their pride."

"I shall consider it." Albus hedged. He thought the idea had merit but at the same time he loathed to leave it up to fate.

"You have spies in place, don't deny it, we all do. Leave them to do their job. As I have." She said. "They will be their own downfall. Just be patient. You might even manage to win your man back over. Surely you know he's on the fence right now."

"I'm afraid I said too much at one point and it is hopeless to have him back. However, I see your point."

"Good. Now. Takeshi Zhao. He was placed in custody because he was a fool who overextended himself without proper planning. Do you know where he is being held?"

"No. I was none of my concern as long as he did not rejoin the ranks of Death Eaters."

"He was never one of them, he simply used them." She said. "He failed to follow my advice and it cost him greatly. So, can you find out where he is?"

"I don't think so. I have no connections in Xing. Why do you need him so badly?"

"He owes me a favor and I intend to collect."

"My best guess would be you should hurry then. It was my understanding they intended to execute him for high treason." Albus said, growing cold as he grew aware of exactly what kind of person this woman was. She was not now, nor would she ever be an ally to the cause. She was as bad at least as Gillert… but…but Gillert wasn't wrong about everything. Perhaps she had a point. The more he pushed, the more they dug in.

"Well. I suppose his debt falls to his family then. It's just as well. They all owe me a great deal more than they realize as it is. Thank you for your time Albus. I'll be in touch." She said as she turned to leave the room. "Oh and Albus? Just because I offered my advice…that doesn't mean that I have forgotten that you were sleeping with my husband. I can and will find a way to make you pay for that transgression."

Albus knew that he should be concerned. That she was a real threat, perhaps to everything he had built depending on how much Nick shared about him, but he found himself unconcerned. She wouldn't be able to cause him trouble. He'd shielded himself well from his past.

Site of the Accident

Half past Midnight

Alphonse stood with the crew of soldiers digging through the wreckage. He had appeared quickly after having Remus deliver him over the hill so no one would notice they way he arrived and ask questions. Al had then claimed he had been in East City on business and heard about the accident so had come right away. No one asked anything further, he was still the Fuhrer's son after all.

They had been digging people free since he arrived hours ago. He had wanted to go straight for his father of course, but the rear of the train was further into the woods and their were people who needed help along the way. He was sure Dad would understand. Al's alchemy made the process quicker, though like his arrival, he tried to downplay his ability to some extent. His brother and father were both prodigies. He was as well, but had managed to keep that mostly hidden from the general public. He didn't need attention suddenly drawn to his school.

He had managed to rescue thirty people himself, as well as assisting in the rescue of countless others. According to the train manifest there had been at least one hundred fifty people aboard this train, not counting his father's staff in the final car. The Fuhrer's passenger list was never logged for safety reasons. As far as the manifest was concerned, hus car had been empty simply in transit.

Al needed to know who all had been with his father, however, he was still waiting to hear from the people in Central over that. Armstrong had promised to get back to him as soon as possible, and he had promised the same. Havoc was waiting for news, and AL knew Ed and Ji Mu were too.

He had finally gotten to the last car, where his Dad was hopefully not seriously injured. He carefully pealed back the ruined side of the car as the others were distracted. The whole thing was on its side, he found himself in the hallway, half bent as they made their way toward the Fuhrer's cabin.

The two rooms ahead of the main cabin were empty, which seemed unlikely, however Al was trying to not to worry. When he reached the final room, it was a mess. There was a pile of ash as if his father had burnt something in a hurry, and there was traces of soot and blood around the cabin. The cabin itself was empty of his father or Kain Fuery , though there were soldiers Al had never met dead on the bottom of the cabin.

Al looked around with a heavy stomach. There was no way that the train derailment was an accident. Someone had sabotaged the tracks. Someone who managed to kidnap his father, one of the most powerful fighters Al knew. This was bad.

Central Command

Fuhrer's Office

One am

Breda had sent the rest of the staff home, but had stayed to await word himself. He was on his fifth pot of coffee since this mess started a few hours ago as he did his best to keep everything both in order and underwraps.

There was no reason to announce to the public that the Fuhrer had been on that train. Not yet. He was to be out of town for several weeks, with the Generals Armstrong acting in his stead. Since the office had not announced how long he would be gone or when he was leaving, they could wait until they knew what had happened before making any form of public announcement. However, Breda was still worried. Unlike most people, he was aware that his boss was perfectly mortal.

So many of the co-workers as well as the general public seemed to view Roy larger than life. For years Breda had been the same way. However, between the incident where Havoc had been crippled, Promised Day, and Ishbalan Project, Breda had been made aware of how human his boss truly was. Mustang was powerful and smart. He was harder to kill than nearly anyone Breda had ever met, and he had been distracted and worried when he left the office.

Alex came in just as he was getting up to pour himself some more coffee. "I assumed you were still here, waiting." Alex said quieter than normal.

"I can't sleep while waiting anyway." Breda said with a shrug. Alex nodded and poured himself a cup of coffee as well before sitting down across from Heymans. "Whenever one of us was in the field, not just Ed any of us, and something went wrong Roy would wait. He would find reasons to stay in the office. He wouldn't leave until he heard something. More often than not most or all of us stayed as well."

"So, you're returning the favor." Alex said with a nod.

"More, I'm following his example. We don't leave men to their fate. We stayed behind and sent them into trouble, the least we can do is wait for word."

"I agree. I shall wait with you." Alex said decidedly.

They sat in silence for awhile as Breda continued to work on paperwork and Alex sipped his coffee. Both jumped slightly when the phone rang breaking the silence. Breda answered the phone and paled as he repeated said "I see." As the call stretched out several minutes. Alex assumed that it was word on Mustang for Breda to look rather shaken.

Eventually, Heymans hung up and turned to Armstrong. "It no longer looks to be an accident. Someone knew that Mustang was on that train and planned this. The fuhrer and his adjutant are missing, everyone else in the car are dead. Al found the dead. He's currently about to follow a trail he believes will lead him to Mustang and Fuery."

"Tell me he has back up." Armstrong said sharply, concerned for the young man.

"I don't know. I didn't get a chance to say much with the way he was going on." Breda said. "I'm calling Havoc to be sure he has been updated."

"Okay. I'll start another pot." Armstrong said as he stood to make more coffee.

Resembool

Havoc had just received the call from Alphonse and was about to go update Edward when the phone rang again, with Breda on the other side to inform him as well. Havoc then stood once more, and left Ralph Carter to man the phones as he walked over to the Elric house.

As soon as he knocked the door was yanked open with Edward on the other side. Jean swore he would never get used to the younger man's ability to 'just know' when someone was coming but he always seemed to know.

Edward frowned at Jean's expression but gestured for him to come in before rejoining Riza on the couch. Jean sat across from them with a frown. "It wasn't an accident. Someone derailed the train intentionally. Roy and Kain are missing. Alphonse is following the trail."

"Tell me my brother isn't out tracking this by himself." Edward said with a tired voice.

"I wish I could sir, but I don't know." Jean said.

"Shit." Edward said. "I'm going to go help him. Someone please be here at all times to keep my family safe. I need to get ahold of Snape for a lift."

Everyone nodded before Edward walked out of the room to call Snape and prepare to join Alphonse in the search. He was going to find his father one way or the other. For their sake the thugs, whoever they were, his father had better be alive.