CHAPTER 1:
Summary: Ed is sent alone on a secret mission to gather intel on a rogue group of alchemists attempting to overthrow the military and begin a war between alchemists. However, things don't go as planned.
PARENTAL! ROY/RIZA, INJURED! ED.
"Al can't come?" Ed was standing awkwardly in the middle of Roy's spacious office. His arms were down to his side and his red coat shined in the bright fluorescent lights. Roy was sitting at his desk, hands folded in front of him. He knew Fullmetal wasn't going to be happy about the assignment.
"Al would attract too much attention. We have to be stealthy, and frankly, you're the best person for the job." Roy let out a snicker.
"Why's that?" Ed pulsed, slightly annoyed.
"Because you'll be hard to spot, pipsqueak." Roy curled his lips into a sly smile. Ed stomped on the ground in frustration.
"Don't call me pipsqueak!" He yelled in his familiar tone. After his anger had settled, Ed slumped down on one of the large couches in Roys office and pinched the bridge of his nose with his flesh hand. "So what exactly do I need to do?" He said, giving in.
"We've overheard there is a group of radical alchemists who are secretly meeting and plotting to stage a coup. We fear they may have inside associates. We have little intel on them, but know they are gathering tonight at the abandoned mine on the east side of town. We need you to go in and take note of who's there and what they are planning." Roy stated. Ed sighed and leaned his head back. "Do you now understand why Al can't come?" Roy said. Ed nodded slightly.
"Yeah, yeah." Ed said, waving his hand at Roy dismissively. Roy knew Ed was playing off how he was really feeling. Him and Al did everything together. Every mission they were connected at the hip. They were all each other had and to separate them for any period of time was hard on both of them. It pained him to have to do this to the young alchemist. He felt a sense of protection over the two boys. Displaced and haunted by the horrors of their actions left them to fend for themselves. Roy knew extending his hand to Ed when he first met them, meant he became responsible for their safety. They were kids after all. State alchemist or not.
"And no matter what, do not engage in battle with them. Can't have them knowing the military is onto them." Roy explained. Ed nodded and stood up.
"I got it,Colonel Jerk." Ed said. Roy decided it was best not to continue their banter as it could go on for hours if he let it. Ed quickly saw himself out the door, leaving Roy alone. He glanced painstakingly at a large stack of paperwork Hawkeye had laid out on his desk. Roy filled with dread at the sight of it and quickly began working.
Once Ed was outside headquarters, he quickly made his way back to him and Al's dorm. He already wasn't fond of the idea of the Colonel asking him to meet without Al, but now he'd have to go on a mission without him too? It annoyed him. "That's for being a dog of the military." He thought to himself as he swung open the door of his small apartment. Al was sitting on the couch with a book in his large gloves. The book looked tiny compared to his large stature. Ed quickly slung his coat on the hook and slumped down next to Al. he began to rotate his automail shoulder, working out the creaks in his limbs.
"How was it, brother?" Al asked casually. Ed could tell he was anxious to know.
"I have a mission tonight." Ed said cooly, trying to not worry his brother in any way.
"What kind of mission?" Al said curiously.
"Some super secret agent spying mission or whatever. Colonel says you'd attract too much attention if you came along." Ed explained. Al shifted slightly in his seat and closed the book, setting it gently on the table.
"I see." Al said. Ed could tell he was upset.
"It's nothing bro! Don't worry. I'll be back quickly. No problem." Ed reassured. Although he was just as worried as Al, he still had to play the big brother role.
"Alright… But be careful." Al stated. Ed nodded and gave his brother a big smile.
"Of course! When am I ever not careful?!" Ed said. Al looked at him blankly. Ed didn't need to see any facial expressions to know what Al was thinking.
"Yeah, yeah alright. I'll be extra careful this time." Ed gave in. Al nodded and quietly put his hands in his lap. Each small movement he made creaked. As much as Ed hated to admit it, the Colonel was right. Al would just attract attention and blow their cover.
Throughout the rest of the day, Ed and Al spent a leisurely day at their apartment. Ed was nose deep in an alchemy book while Al was busy tidying up the place and tending to a small plant on the windowsill. Even though Al was in this giant, looming suit of armor, he was still just as gentle as ever. Ed always loved that about him. Soon the sun had set and it was time. Ed waved goodbye to his little brother and could feel the pangs of pain emitting from the room as he shut the door to leave. Once he was safely out from Al's sight, he let out a deep sigh and ran his hands through his hair. This wasn't going to be easy.
Ed slowly made his way through Central. When the brothers had first arrived, they were perplexed by the large city. Ed felt he could never learn to navigate it. It was always so busy, so loud. A stark difference from the quiet farming town they grew up in. However, one grows accustomed to everything. Ed knew his way around practically every part of Central. He knew the nooks and crannies and shortcuts by heart. He learned how to easily maneuver through crowds and go undetected. Maybe that's why Mustang felt he was perfect for the job and not only because of his… vertical challenges… The walk was quiet and simple.
Upon reaching the abandoned mine, Ed felt his heart give a tug. This place was downright creepy. The perfect hideout for thugs like the ones he was about to encounter. He quickly took in his surroundings and studied them deeply. There was a large entrance to the main mine. This mine had a series of tunnels that connected and in the center of the mine was a large open area, where miners would often set up camp for long expeditions. Ed had studied a map of the place before he left and was thankful he did. Otherwise, he'd probably take hours just trying to find the place. He glanced down to his watch.
7:23 PM
Ed still had plenty of time to reach the center of the mine and set up in time for the others to arrive. According to the intel, they'd meet at exactly 8:30. Let's just hope this intel was correct, otherwise he may be walking into a lion's den.
Ed quickly made his way to the destination, having little to no problems navigating. Committing the map to memory was a plus on his part. He knew every entrance and exit. He knew where everything led. He was honestly proud of himself that he had found it that quickly. He clapped his hands together and created large rocks from the soil. Big enough to cover him completely without any issues. "And now we wait." He said under his breath, taking a seat in the dry dirt, letting a small cloud puff up around him.
He heard voices. Men, about three of them. They were coming from the distance, far enough to where Ed couldn't make it out. He quickly jumped into position and peered through a crack in between the rocks, giving him a perfect view of his surroundings. The three large men entered the open space. They were wearing dark clothing, and Ed could hardly make out their faces due to the dim lighting. "Is this the place?" One of the men said.
"Yep." Another replied.
"You'd think she'd pick a better meeting spot." The third man said, looking around disgusted at his surroundings.
"Oh shut up, Mal. We all know you are a major germaphobe." The first man said. Ed quickly took the name to memory. This intel gathering was easier than he thought. They had no idea he was there. "Heh. Perks of being sm-'' Ed cut himself off. No way was he about to admit he was small. No way in hell. He huffed silently and continued to listen. Another group of men walked in. The original three greeted them and shook their hands. They began chatting about nothing in particular. How their days went, how tedious it was to get there. Nothing piqued Ed's interest. He slumped down in boredom.
"Gentlemen." A woman's voice. It was pristine and clear. Ed perked up and peered out the crack again. The woman was considerably short and slender. She had a long black cloak on that covered her face. The six men before her quickly straightened up and saluted her quickly. She began to walk around the room quietly, the other men didn't dare move.
"I smell a rat." She said, Ed's heart sank. No way, there was absolutely no way she knew he was there, right?
"What, boss?" The first man said.
"A. Rat." She looked directly in Ed's general direction. He quickly sank down behind the rocks. His heart was racing, his mind was preparing for a fight.
"Come on out, boy. I know you're there." She said coolly. The other men murmured quietly to one another. Ed didn't dare move.
"I said, come out!" She snarled. He heard her footsteps growing closer. Ed knew he had to strike, he was compromised. He quickly tapped his hands together and formed a blade on his automail hand, jumping out on top of the makeshift rock he had been hiding behind. The men jumped back in shock. The woman simply stopped moving. Ed still couldn't see her face under the hood.
"There you are." She said Ed could make out a slight grin on her face.
"Heh, yeah. Here I am. Care to explain how you knew I was there?" Ed said with that casual upbeat tone he always had.
"I've always been good at hide and seek." The woman said. She grabbed her hood and took it down slowly. Long black hair treaded out. She was beautiful. She quickly looked behind her at the starstruck men. "Run along boys. We will catch up some other time." The men nodded curtly and rushed out of the mine. Ed wanted to chase after them, but knew the figure before him was much more important.
"Lust." Ed said breathlessly.
"I'm glad you remember me." She smiled. "Honestly. Little kids like you shouldn't go poking their noses in places it doesn't belong. I thought you had learned from the lab." She casually said.
"Shut up." Ed said. Without a moment of hesitation he jumped into action, swinging his automail leg towards Lust with fury. She quickly dodged it and grabbed his leg in return, swinging him into a wall. Ed's back exploded with pain. He wheezed as he tried to collect his bearings and get up. Suddenly, he felt sharp pain pierce through his shoulder and flesh leg. Lust had sent her claws out and stabbed him. She picked him up with little force and threw him against the next adjacent wall. Ed cried out in pain, blood escaping his throat. His back slid against the wall. He couldn't get a breath in. If he didn't do something, he'd die. Ed quickly clapped his hands together and placed them on the ground, causing an upheaval in the dirt around them. Lust quickly dodged his attacks. This gave Ed the time to get up and plan his next move. He darted his gaze around and quickly clapped his hands together, creating a mudslide beneath his feet. It quickly took him over to Lust's position. He swung at her.
"It hit!" He thought.
But he was wrong.
Lust had gripped his automail arm tightly and with one squeeze, she crushed it. Ed flew back, his automail arm flying into pieces before him. Before he could even hit the ground lust grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him upwards. Ed tried to struggle against her grasp, but his strength was fading. Lust smiled. "You've been a naughty boy." She said, licking her lips. Ed was going to die. He was going to die! Lust raised her other hand and aimed it right at his heart. "I don't care what the boss says. You ruin everything!" She yelled. Just as she was about to strike, an intense shaking forced her to drop Ed. Dust clattered from the ceiling.
"Shit." Lust said. Ed was a heap on the ground, trying to regain his bearings. The shaking continued.
The mine was caving in.
"Well boy, if you live through this, I'll be sure to see you again." She laughed, quickly disappearing. More dust came flying from the ceiling, Ed coughed, he could hardly see. His ribs were on fire and the port where his automail arm was destroyed was in immense pain. If he didn't move though, he'd get crushed. Ed quickly got to his feet and began rushing out of the mine.
"Take a left, then a right." Ed was repeating the directions to escape in his head as he ran for the exit. Despite being injured, his adrenaline was keeping him moving.A crack in the ceiling formed over Ed. "Shit!" He yelled. He began to run even faster. He didn't think it was possible, but adrenaline will do that to anyone. Ed's lungs were on fire. His breaths coming in short wheezes. He heard a loud crash behind him. The mine was collapsing directly behind him. He didn't dare look back.
All he could think about was Al. He couldn't leave Al alone. He had to survive. He had to escape. Ed saw the exit. Although it was dark outside, Ed saw it as a bright beam of light. He was so close. So, so close.
A rock crashed down directly in front of him.
Ed was trapped.
The falling tunnel of the mine grew closer and now his escape route was blocked off.
He was going to die.
He was going to be crushed to death.
Panic filled Ed and tears flew from his eyes. He was scared… Terrified. Everything seemed to slow down around him and the world went silent. He was only fifteen. He was still a kid. Ed was known for being strong. For being brave. But in this moment, all he felt was a childish fear. He let out a scream of terror, his lungs ripping it out with it's last strength…
Then everything went black.