Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
Bold- What happens in the episodes
"Episode Title"
Narrative
Regular talking/actions
Episode 3: City of Heresy
"Alchemy is the science of understanding, decomposing, and reconstructing matter. However, it is not an all-powerful art. It is impossible to create something out of nothing. If one wishes to obtain something, something of equal value must be paid. This is the law of equivalent exchange, the basis of alchemy. Alchemists have a taboo, and it is human transmutation. It is that which no one must commit."
"How many people do you think actually commit it but are never found?" Edward wondered as the opening song began.
"I'd rather not know the answer to that." Al said darkly. It wasn't something any of them needed to know about. Those people might not be as lucky as them. They could have died from it or been found by officers and killed or arrested for committing the taboo. It was best not to wonder.
After the song was finished the city of Liore was shown with a voice saying, "God's children, who live upon this land, pray in faith, and ye shall be saved. The Sun God Leto illuminates thy footsteps."
'Leto?' Scar thought angrily. There was no Sun God. This guy was probably just another false priest fooling people. He should pay for his sins and for falsely leading people.
The backs of Ed and Al appeared on screen. They were being stared at by a vender. "You guys Street performers or something?"
Havoc laughed. "Did he really ask that?"
"Yeah, how annoying." Edward grumbled. Al nodded. "It was, but to be fair, we did street perform once two years ago."
"Yes, once!" Edward snapped. "That doesn't make it our job."
"Street performers?" Mustang mused.
"What were you doing that for?" The brothers glanced at each other before Ed gave his superior a blank stare. "You don't need to know."
"Now I really want to know." Mustang said, smirking.
"Well, you don't get to." Ed said childishly.
General Armstrong chuckled. "You must send this kid to the strangest places if he has to do things like that."
"Finally!" Edward cried. "Someone who understands that Colonel is a nut job who gets a strange satisfaction out of sending me to faraway places for the stupidest missions." His head dropped in a dejected manner. "He is a cruel man who likes to subject me to torturous missions and waste my time and the military's money."
Havoc snorted. "Hey, it's not just you. We've been sent of some of those missions with you. They weren't all a waste of time or too much money…...until you blew something up that is."
"I don't always blow stuff up." Edward defended. Breda smirked.
"Of course. You also just destroy stuff."
"And I don't always destroy stuff!" Edward shouted frustrated. "And when I do, I usually fix it."
"Usually?" General Armstrong asked. Ed sighed. "It doesn't always work out." He then pointed to Al.
"And what about him. He destroys things too."
"That is correct." Mustang said before smirking. "But not as much as you." Izumi sighed.
"You two go around the country destroying things? That does not surprise me one bit."
"Oh, yeah, you're their teacher from when they were kids." Hughes said excitedly. "What did they do under your training?" A smile passed over Izumi's face at the thought of her time with the boys during training. Though they did much to anger and annoy her, they were really sweet kids that she enjoyed teacher. On the other hand, the brothers shivered in fear at the reminder of their training. They really respected Izumi and were grateful for the training, but she scared the hell out of them. There was a reason they avoided seeing her.
"Well, there was a time I told them to make cupcakes while my husband and I did some shopping." Izumi said thoughtfully causing the boys to groan. "It was so very simple to since I knew Ed knew how to bake."
"What did they do?" Mustang asked amused.
A dark look passed over Izumi's face this time. "They decided to make amess of the whole kitchen by throwing batter, eggs, flour, water, soap and who knows what else around."
"A food fight?" Brody asked, laughing. For these kids who looked so serious, that was hard to believe. "Brother started it." Al grumbled. Ed glared at him.
"No, I accidentally dropped flour on you. You were the one to overreact to an accident and threw a bowl of water and soup of me."
"I was just getting back at you. You were the one who had to throw an egg at me." Al retorted. "It was only fair since dropping flour on you was an accident. You threw water and soap at me on purpose." Ed replied, eyes narrowing at his brother. Hughes laughed at the brothers and turned back to Izumi.
"So, what did you do?" "She made us clean up the kitchen, let us get cleaned up, then made us stand outside in the baking heat in the same position for two hours. If we moved an inch then more time would be added which is why we were actually there for four hours." Edward grumbled. Miles smiled.
"And that must have been truly difficult for two hyperactive children."
"Which is why it was so cruel." Al said. Izumi cracked her knuckles. "And why you two should learn to behave. I thought you would have learned to behave after that time you stole that state alchemist watch."
"We were going to return it." Edward mumbled.
"You stole from a state alchemist?" Avery asked, shocked at the nerves of these kids.
Ed snorted. "It wasn't hard at all. The idiot just left it lying on his table while he was flirting with his waitress."
Mustang, not believing this, laughed his head off. "I let a thief into the military."
"It's not like it's the worst I've done." Edward said as he and Al glanced at each other. "Do you remember who it was you stole from?" Havoc asked amused.
"Um…." Al said, trying to recall the name. On the other hand, Ed remembered right away as he tended to avoid the man because his eyes were so recognizable that the man would recognize him right away.
"Lieutenant Colonel Johnson."
"Oh!" Al exclaimed. "He's that man you always avoid in Central."
"Avoid?" Mustang asked, raising a brow. "Are you that scared of him?" Ed snickered.
"No, but if I see him, I'll just start laughing my head off because of what Teacher did to him after he tried to hurt Al and I after he found us with his watch."
"What did you do?" Riza asked the woman, but she just smirked. "Nothing as bad as I did to these two idiots after I got rid of him." Izumi said, jerking her thumb at her ex-students, causing them to stop laughing and shiver in fear.
"After all, I had to punish them for destroying the road with their alchemy."
"It was an accident." Al mumbled.
"What a couple of troublemakers." Buccaneer said, smirking at the two boys, causing Ed to grin evilly back at him. He could really begin to like these boys and their teasing, evil sides.
"It's not like it was as bad as that time with the library." Ed grumbled.
"Do not even mention the library incident, boys." Izumi growled dangerously, causing the soldiers to look at the three curiously, but the boys were too busy trembling in fear to even think about explaining and Izumi just glared at them for even daring to ask.
Al laughed suddenly as the fear slowly left him since Izumi was no longer glaring at them.
"Brother, do you remember what Teacher did to those boys?" Edward frowned. The only boys they ever had any problems with were those punk troublemakers they ran into on the dark side of Dublith.
"I only remember what was yelled. You know I was blind at the time."
"Blind?" Kain asked confused. "Oh, yeah. Well, it was really funny. She scared them so badly." Al chuckled.
"You should have seen how fast they were running away when she was done with them." Riza blinked.
"What boys?" Al tilted his helmet to the side, suddenly even more happy to tell a story.
"Well, brother ran into these boys earlier in the day when we went our separate ways for a while. He said they were bad kids and stole from a lady. He beat them up and took the purse back and returned it to the lady. That should have been it, but later that night Ed and I were down by pond talking they showed up again."
"And Fullmetal beat them up again?" Kei asked amused.
"I am not that brash!" Edward shouted. The armoured boy shook his helmet.
"No, he actually told them to leave, but they were mad at him and yelling insults at him, but brother just ignored them after saying they weren't worth his time."
"Really?" Havoc asked shocked. That didn't sound like Fullmetal at all.
Ed sighed. "They were just bullying and my mom told me when I was younger if I ever ran into some to try my hardest not to hurt them."
"And where is that knowledge today?" Mustang asked.
"I'm in the military. I'd rather not get walked over and pushed around because people think I am just a child who can't take care of himself." Edward retorted.
General Armstrong, while she didn't know the kid well enough to understand all the fights he has gotten into, agreed with the boy on this. If he didn't show he was strong and wouldn't take shit from anyone, he would just be pushed around by other soldiers and really wouldn't be the 'hero of the people' as he was dubbed.
"Anyway, since they weren't getting a reaction from brother," Al interrupted Mustang and Ed's glaring contest.
"They turned to me to insult me. This made brother mad and he stood up, grabbing the leader of the kids by his shirt and hoisting him off the ground, which scared him pretty badly when he saw brother had his fist raised to punch him."
"I thought you said you didn't hurt them?" Kain asked confused.
"I didn't." Ed groaned. "He didn't. He looked like he was going to for a moment before he scowled and threw the boy onto the ground, glaring the kids which sent them all running." Al explained. "Brother had just turned back to me when they were gone when the leader he humiliated came back and pushed him into the pond."
"So, he attacked when Fullmetal's back was turned. How cowardly." General Armstrong growled. "Yeah," Al said thoughtfully.
"He did seem braver when Ed wasn't looking at him. Anyway, I was helping brother out of the pond when he heard a clap resound throughout the area. While brother was struggling to get water out of his lungs and slime out of his eyes, I looked at the boys and saw them screaming like little girls as the ground under them morphed into hands that flung them through the air and into the pond."
"So that's she did?" Edward said to himself. "I thought I heard a splash." Chuckling, Al turned to his brother.
"And you know the rest. Teacher started yelling at them and saying if they ever came near us again, she'd give them a much worse punishment then the police or their parents could ever give for anything they have ever done." "Yeah," Edward grinned. "I don't remember ever seeing them around Dublith again though."
"They either made their families leave the town or they completely avoided you two and ran away when they saw you." Havoc said, laughing. "Wouldn't surprise me." Ed and Al replied together. "As interesting as your stories are, perhaps we should continue." Riza interrupted. Ed and Al quieted their laughter and nodded.
"I want more stories later." Mustang said. The boys blinked.
"Why?" "We only know the dark parts of your childhood. It's nice to know that it wasn't completely dark." Hughes explained, smiling kindly at the boys.
"And it's nice way to release the tension in this room." Brody added. "They are getting way too much amusement out of all this." Edward mumbled to his brother.
"Behold, the Lord descends his throne," Edward spluttered in his drink.
"Seriously? Do we look like street performers to you?" He asked as he put his glass down.
"-and saves thee from all they sin."
"Well, yeah. That's why I asked."
"Thanks for lunch." Edward pushed away from the stand.
"I am the Emissary of…" Al stood up, hitting his helmet on the top of the stand, which caused the radio to fall. The vender and Al stared at the broken radio.
"Ah! Easy! I didn't mean anything by it!" Edward smiled in amusement. "Sorry, sorry. We'll fix it."
"How's that? It's smashed to hell." The vender asked. "Watch and learn, gramps." Al drew a transmutation circle around the broken radio and stood up. He put his hands over each other over it.
"Okay, here goes!" There was a bright flash of blue light and when it was gone, the radio was there and fixed. "Does that take care of it?" Edward asked, pointing to the radio.
"This is a surprise. You guys can perform miraculous works?!" Edward deflated and stared at the vendor.
"What do you mean by that?" "We're alchemists." Al explained.
"I've never seen alchemy before." One of townspeople said.
"Ever heard of the Elric brothers?" Ed asked.
"Elric?" The vendor asked.
"Yeah! I've heard that name." Another townsperson said.
"The Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric!"
"Wow, so you're the gifted alchemist we've heard about?"
"Indeed, with this armor you're wearing, your second name would "Fullmetal," huh?"
"Um, not me!" Al said.
"You know, brother, that is very awkward getting mistaken for you all the time." Al said.
"Like it's my fault! Blame the Fuhrer. He gave me the name." Edward shouted.
"I don't think anyone expected you to travel with a brother in a suit of armor when that name was given." Brody said blandly. Edward scowled.
"Well, people should stop assuming that Fullmetal means that I'm completely covered in metal!" He shouted. Mustang crossed his arms and smirked.
"Then, what does the name mean to you, Fullmetal?" A bit of pink crossed over Ed's face, but he hid it by turning back to the screen.
"What I think doesn't matter! Let's just watch the episode."
"Ooh, did you come up with your own meaning for the name?" Havoc teased.
"Moving on." Edward growled. "I'm sure we'll hear the meaning eventually." Mustang said.
"Like hell you will." Edward mumbled.
"Eh? The pipsqueak over there?"
"Who's a tiny bean sprout?" Edward shouted, scaring the townspeople and causing a bit of chaos around the food stand.
"City of Heresy"
When the title disappeared, the radio was shown again. "Pray in faith, and they entreaties shall be accorded thee…"
"So, what's with this broadcast?" Edward asked.
The scared townspeople were shown. "T-that's Father Cornello." The vender said.
Mustang sighed. "Is this what you do on missions? Terrorize civilians?"
"How do you think I get information?" Edward asked.
"You could just ask, Brother." Al said.
Edward raised a brow. "That doesn't work with terrorists or our enemies, Al."
"No, but you usually just hit them a few times with your automail fist and
they are very eager to please you." Al retorted.
"What works, works." Ed said, shrugging.
"What a rash child." Riza said with a sigh.
Ed and Al appeared on the screen before a statue faded over them.
"He appeared in this town several years ago, and preached to us the ways of God."
"He gives immortality to the living and resurrection to the dead."
"Did they really think that?" Karley asked, frowning.
"Just another corrupt person, living off the wills of other people." Edward said disgusted. Scar frowned darkly. This country was even more rotten than anyone realized
if this was allowed to happen to the innocent people.
"His miraculous works are proof of it."
"'Resurrection to the dead,' eh? Sounds fishy." Edward said.
Cheering filled the air as the scene changed to a gathering where a fat, bald man was soaking up the praise. Pink flower petals filled the air.
"Father Cornello!"
"Show us your miraculous works!"
Cornello caught a flower petal in his hand. He closed his hands around it, and after a flash of red light, a giant glass red flower appeared.
"Is that it?" Ed asked. "What do you think?"
"No two ways about it, that metamorphic reaction is alchemy." Al replied.
Scar scowled. Not only was this man a false priest, stealing from these people, he was also using that dreaded science to do so. Alchemy only corrupted people. It didn't help with anything.
"But," Ed said as the scene changed to their backs to show Edward standing on his suitcase. "He's ignoring equivalent exchange. The law is that only one volume of mass can come from the same volume of mass."
"He's changing vegetable into mineral, too." Al said as Father Cornello was shown again. His hand was shown to show a ring with a red sphere on it.
"Brother, could it be…"
"Yeah, it could be." Ed replied. His eyes narrowed in on the ring.
"Bingo."
The bell in the tower began to ring as the scene changed. A church was entered where a girl was kneeling in front of the altar. "O God, please grant me my wish." She prayed. "Please bring him…"
"Huh, so this is Leto, is it?" Edward's voice interrupted.
The girl stood up and turned around to face the brothers standing in the alley of the seats.
"Are you interested in Letoism?" The girl asked.
"Nope, unfortunately, I'm not the religious type." Edward replied.
"Well, that won't do." The girl said. "To believe in and worship God, and live with gratitude and hope…it's such a marvellous thing. If you believe…"
Edward raised his head a bit as he looked at her.
"I'm sure you will grow taller."
Mustang snickered at the boy, causing Edward to throw him a hateful glare.
Al grabbed his brother's arm. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
Edward growled.
"Easy, brother. She's just trying to help." Al said.
Edward collapsed onto one of the benches. "'Resurrection to the dead.' Do you honestly believe that?"
"Yes."
"We going to hear a lecture now?" Havoc asked.
"Brother's form of a lecture at least." Al said. "I'm not sure if it could be
considered one though. It might just be throwing facts in her face."
"Some might consider that cruel." Kain said.
Al shrugged. "Brother doesn't care."
"I am right here, you know!" Ed said.
Edward sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a little brown book. "Water, 35 litres; carbon, 20 kilograms; ammonia, 4 litres; lime, 1.5 kilograms; phosphorus, 800 grams; salt, 250 grams; saltpetre, 100 grams, and various other stuff."
"Huh?" The girl said. Edward closed his book and bent over to stare at the ground.
"That's the material makeup of a human body, calculated for one adult. With our science now, we know that much, but there has never been one reported case of a successful human transmutation actually taking place. Are you telling me that what can't be done by science, can be done through prayer?"
"Lift thy voice to God and the prayers of the faithful shall be answered." The girl argued. "Did I mention all those ingredients I read off," Edward folded his arms behind his head, grinning.
"Down at the market, a kid could buy every one for the spare change in his pocket. As it turns out, humans are pretty cheap." He turned his head to the ceiling.
"And you would know from your attempt?" Riza asked sadly.
"Yep, no one thought twice about all the things we were buying either." Edward replied.
"Most people don't know the full components of the body so that should be obvious." Hughes pointed out. Ed smirked though there was a hint of sadness and pain in it.
"Makes it easy for all those foolish humans out there that think they can play God."
"People aren't things! Your words are blasphemy against the Creator!" The girl said. "You're going to incur Heaven's wrath."
"Too late for that." Edward said. "I incurred the 'Heaven's wrath' a long time ago, and now he just likes to toy with me."
Al looked at his brother. His brother only ever spoke of God when they were in private. It was strange to hear him say something like that with all these people around.
Edward looked shock for a moment, before sitting up straight and smirking. He chuckled for a moment. "Alchemists are scientists, you see.
We don't believe in creators, and God, and such."
The girl frowned and glared at Ed.
"We lay bare the creative principles of this world, and pursue truth."
The statue of Leto was shown as Ed continued. "It's ironic that we scientists, who do not need God, are in a certain sense the closets ones to being gods."
"Are you saying you're on the same level as God? Such hubris." The girl shouted.
"Hubris, huh?" Ed said, resting his leg on his knee. "Now that you mention it, it was in some myth somewhere." Al was shown on half the scene, and for being just a suit of armor, he had quite a dark look showing. "There was a hero, who got too close to the sun, and his wings, made of hardened wax, were torn off, and he was thrust down to Earth."
"Referring to Human Transmutation?" Mustang asked.
"We think we can play gods because of that, but when we try, we are thrown back down to Earth to face the reality that we are just humans and we can't make people." Edward murmured.
Edward opened his eyes and looked out of the corner them at his brother. "Right, Al?"
"That is the cold hard truth we had to learn the hard way." Al muttered quietly; voice filled with hidden pain.
"Brother'
Edward jumped off the bench. "Miss, do you think that Leto will even save a scientist, such as myself," He gave a bow to the girl. "Who thinks what I just said?"
The girl clapped her hands in front of her excitedly. "Of course. He will accept your repentance at any time."
"What was the point of saying that?" Karley asked.
"You aren't going to go through it."
"When I have jobs like this, the best thing to do is find someone who I can use to help me get where I need. Someone like Rose, who was completely devoted to Leto and didn't see the bad in the world, was the perfect person to help me." Edward replied. "And you say I manipulate people." Mustang said.
Edward rolled his eyes. "I never said that I didn't. I will fully admit I manipulate people around me to help me with something, but at the same, I help them out. I needed her to see the truth that her loved one wasn't returning; otherwise, she would never be able to move on with her life."
"So, you use them, but repay them back somehow?" Kain asked.
"Course. I'm not a complete bastard like Mustang." Edward said. Mustang twitched.
"Damn brat."
"Father, there are some people here who wish to see you." Cornello was shown looking out the window of his office with one of his followers behind him.
"A child, and someone in a suit of armor. They gave their names as the Elric brothers."
"I'm busy. Have them leave–no, wait." He put a hand on his chin, thoughtfully.
"Did you say the Elric brothers?"
"Yes, that's what they called themselves." Cornello's hand moved to hit his forehead.
"This is bad. He's the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric."
"What's so bad about that?" Havoc asked.
"What if you really were there for a visit to convert?"
"Fullmetal's name is a curse to all those against the state. They hear it, they automatically assume he's there to arrest them. That is what he built himself up as." Mustang said, smirking.
"It seems we can't go anywhere, Brother, without someone scared we're there for them." Al said. Edward grinned evilly. "Well, we usually are." "Besides that," Hughes said. "Why the hell are you going to him directly? Don't you ever do anything covertly?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Edward asked.
"You know, Brother, it might be less dangerous if we did it that way." Al pointed out.
Edward shrugged. "Can't be done. Al's a suit of armor and my automail leg gives me away. So, we only do covert when there really is no other choice."
"The man in the armor?"
"Seriously?" Edward shouted, banging his head on the ground.
"Is everyone an idiot? Appearances are not everything! These people only see what's on the outside, not the inside!"
"Brother? What are you talking about?" Al asked confused.
"Forget it." Ed grumbled.
"Yeah, probably."
"What would a State Alchemist be doing here?" An angry look passed the man's face.
"Don't tell me they know about our plan."
"Plan?" Hughes asked.
"Hmm." Edward lifted his head off the ground. "Oh, that plan? Ah, forget that. It was so stupid that it's not even worth mentioning."
"Is that why I didn't see anything about it in the report?" Mustang asked. Edward nodded.
"Yep, stupid. Not like it matters since you already seemed to know about it."
"Dog of the Military." Cornello said. "Looks like your nose is pretty sharp."
Edward snorted "That was just a luck"
The scene changed to a room made of brick. The only light in the room were the few lanterns on the wall.
"This way, please. The Father is quite busy, and cannot make very much time, but you are in luck." The door to the room opened and Al, Ed, the follower, and Rose walked in. A grinning Ed said,
"Sorry. We'll keep this as brief as we can."
"Yes, indeed." The follower reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun. "Let's bring an end to this quickly."
Edward looked over his shoulder as the door clanged shut. As he did that, the man spun around and pointed his gun at them. Hearing the click of the gun, Ed looked forward again, only to have the followers behind him throw their spears over his chest to trap him in place. Ed stood still and glared at them out of the corner of his eye.
"Assistant Pastor, what are you doing?" Rose asked shocked.
"Rose, these people are heathens, who seek to ensnare the father. They are wicked."
"That definitely can't be denied." Mustang said.
"At least, in reference to Fullmetal."
"Acting the bad guy is so much fun." Edward agreed.
"And Al has his own dark side. I thought we proved this with the stories of our training as kids."
"Good point, but he still isn't as bad as you." Karley pointed out. Ed sighed. Everyone, even Briggs, was against him.
"Oh, no!" Rose said.
"Like you said, let's end this," Edward elbowed the man on his left in the stomach to knock him out of the way. "Quickly!" He grabbed the other man's wrist and flipped him over his body and slammed him into the ground.
"People really shouldn't underestimate you just because you are small." Breda said, chuckling.
"WHO THE HELL IS SMALLER THAN A TODDLER THAT REQUIRES HELP JUST TO REACH A CHAIR?" Edward shouted, jumping off the ground to kill Breda, but Al just reached up and pulled him back to the ground.
"Brother, please. He didn't mean it like that."
The follower looked shocked for a moment before Al punched him in the face. The gun went flying from his hand and hit Rose's sandals. Rose looked away from the gun in fear to see one of the followers running away. Ed tossed one of the spears up to his hands with a boot and threw it at the man, knocking him over. The spear then bounced on the ground and hit the man in the head, knocking him out. Rose just watched all this in shock.
"Strike!" Edward cried happily, pumping a fist in the air.
"Such a racket!" Father Cornello's voice resounded around the room. He walked into the light as the three people still conscious turned to look at him.
"Welcome to our sacred order, Fullmetal Alchemist."
"Father Cornello," Rose said. "It looks like we had some rather disrespectful fellows here. I apologize for their rudeness."
"It's no apology, looking down on us from up there." Edward retorted. "Have you come to receive our doctrine?"
"I would like you to teach it to me, by all means. Like how you use cheap alchemy to deceive your believers." Edward said causing Rose to look at him, confused.
"Now, what could you mean by that?" Cornello asked. "I won't have you equating my miraculous works with alchemy."
"Does he really believe he can fool a State Alchemist?" Miles scoffed. He may not like alchemy, but even he knew the skill that the State Alchemists possessed. One such as Edward, who became one at twelve, would not be easily fooled by this man.
"Maybe he just doubts us because we're kids." Al suggested.
"Three years in the military and all the stories that travel around because of you boys, I can't see why anyone would doubt you." Mustang said.
Cornello put his hands together and a red light filled the room. "What do you say? Can alchemy bring this about?" He moved his hands to show a mini statue in his hands.
Rose smiled, believing her priest greatly. "That's the thing about it." Edward said, rubbing his head with closed eyes.
"How is it that you're able to transmute, while ignoring the laws?" Cornello put the statue down on the railing. "Like I said, it isn't alchemy." He cried in frustration.
"That's when I started thinking, if he were an alchemist, using an enchanted amplifier of legend, said to be able to make the impossible possible," Edward's eyes opened to stare at the man.
"Then maybe he could do that."
"You mean…" "Yes, exactly. The Philosopher's Stone." His eyes narrowed on the sparkling ring that Cornello had. "That's what that ring of yours is, isn't it? I've been looking for that." He started walking forward.
"This is just an ordinary ring. I have been permitted by God to perform miraculous works." Edward, still walking forward, replied, "Are you still dissembling? It looks like I'm just going to have to grab you, and beat it out of you."
"You appear to be quite the incorrigible heathen. Rose," Cornello said to a horror-stricken Rose.
"Y-yes?"
"Pick up that gun lying on the floor there."
"He's not going to tell that girl to shoot you, is he?" Havoc growled. Edward raised a brow.
"Yeah, why?"
"Bastard." Havoc swore. "First, he's a false, deceiving priest. Now he is using that to tell a little girl to shoot you. At least you don't use people like that."
"That's because we don't like killing." Al pointed out.
"People's faith should not be used against them like this." Riza said darkly.
"Huh? Okay." Rose said.
"Now shoot the Fullmetal Alchemist with it."
Ed and Al, forgetting the Father, glanced back at Rose.
"No…I can't." Rose said.
"My word is God's word. This is the will of God."
"Hmm, reminds me of Scar when he tried to kill us." Edward said.
"Brother." Al said.
"It's true."
"Rose, shoot him."
Rose raised the gun to her chest, shaking in fear.
"What's the matter? When you lost your fiancé in an accident last year, who was it that saved you from the very depths of despair?"
"How dare this man use a girl like this?" Armstrong said angrily.
"Bastard. Now, this is horrible manipulation." Breda said angrily.
"Why does this topic keep being brought up?" Al said.
"It's just interesting. Because we are human, we manipulate. Every single day we manipulate those that are around us to get what we want. If we don't manipulate, we aren't human. Because of that, we find it interesting to point out if it is horrible manipulation, like using someone's emotions to get them to follow you then to kill someone, or manipulation like Mustang uses to get people back on their feet." Edward explained. "The actions we take, the things we do, everything leads someone else to do something."
"That's an interesting take on it." Izumi commented. "Yes, we manipulate because we care or we manipulate because we wish to use people."
"You, Father Cornello." Rose replied, still trembling.
"That's right. I saved you. And what did I promise you?"
"That you would bring him back to life!" Rose shouted, and she pointed her gun at Al.
"Er," Al waved his hands frantically. "Um, I'm not him!"
Rose lowered the gun in shock and looked at Ed.
"I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist, damn it!"
"For once, that mistake was actually good." Mustang said. "If she fired, Al would have been fine. But, Fullmetal would be dead."
"If her aim was good. Even if it was good, I think my reaction time is better." Edward said.
"You mean, you're the one?" Cornello said shocked.
Rose repositioned her gun on Ed, who just stared at her.
"There's a gun in your face. Don't you think you should do something?" Miles asked.
"No. She is a scared and misguided civilian." Edward replied.
"As a solider," This surprised the soldiers as the kid never actually said it out loud that he was a solider. "I cannot attack a civilian, even for something like this because she is simply misguided and scared. She needs someone to help her see the truth, not someone who will attack her. It will not gain her trust."
Mustang clenched his fist tightly. That was a great view on the soldier and civilians. That is the view they should have all had when it was said they would attack Ishval, which was their fault when a soldier killed a child.
Yes, it was all their fault. They should not have done what they had done. It was their job to protect civilians. Instead, they killed them.
"I'm sorry. I have no choice but to do this." Rose said. "He's a swindler." Ed said.
"You're wrong!" Rose shouted. "Father Cornello is going to bring him back with his miraculous works!"
"Then shoot." Edward challenged.
"Why do you have to challenge people like this?" Mustang groaned. "You are really going to get killed one of these days."
"This is harmless Rose. I don't challenge dangerous people," Ed retorted.
"Brother." Al said.
Ed frowned. "Okay, so I do challenge them. But…. uh…" He looked at the ceiling. "Damn, I got nothing."
"Obviously the training I put you through was not enough to get rid of your rash streak." Izumi said.
Ed blinked. "I thought you said my flaw was my stubbornness, and now it is my being rash."
"Flaw?" Dr. Young asked confused.
"Teacher taught us about how every human has flaws and she pointed out our main ones." Al explained. "Then we would spend a few times each month working on getting rid of that flaw. I absolutely hated those days."
Groaning, Ed tapped his brother's armor with his automail fist. "You and me both, Al."
"So, you weren't just their alchemy teacher?" Riza asked the woman. "No. I taught them how to be strong and independent." Izumi replied, smiling politely at the woman. "I trained them in martial arts, weapon use,
philosophy, alchemy, how to be independent, how to face their fears head on, and so much more so that they would be great men one day."
"Really? They must have had to train under you for a long time." Riza replied.
Izumi shook her head, smiling fondly at the boys. "Not at all. They were always prodigies. They may have struggled with a few things I taught them, but most it they caught onto Real quickly."
"I really liked it when you took us on some of your trips around the country."
Edward said, grinning. "It was awesome getting to see the country."
"You see it all the time now." Mustang pointed out.
"Yeah, but back then I was just a kid fresh out of the countryside so it was more fascinating." Edward replied.
Al nodded in agreement with his brother. "That was fun, especially meeting all those people."
"Hahaha, yeah. Remember Dr. Swanson?" Edward asked.
"He was the one that blew up his lab in a science accident when Teacher took us to meet him, right?" Al asked, snickering.
Mustang frowned. "Is that where you two learned to blow things up?"
Ed shrugged. "I guess you could say that."
"Anything else you two learned from that trip, boys?" Izumi demanded.
Al grimaced. "Yeah, not to blow things up around you."
"Hmm," Mustang hummed thoughtfully. "You two seem really scared of Izumi."
"Won't deny that!" Al and Ed cried together.
Rose, shaking in fear again, pulled the gun closer to herself and pulled the trigger.
The bullet went off course and hit Al, knocking him over and sending his helmet to the ground.
"Al." In shock, the gun fell from Rose's hand and she screamed.
"That will do. God is pleased. Now, shoot the other one too." Cornello said.
"Why doesn't he dirty his hands instead of making a little girl do it?" Brody growled.
Al sat up. "What an awful thing to make your believer do." He said as Ed picked up his head.
"What?" Cornello said.
"But your head. I thought you were…" Rose said.
"Don't worry about it." Edward said. "He's pretty solid." He knocked against his brother's chest.
"Yeah, see." Al said, bending over so Rose could see inside the armor.
Rose covered her mouth in fear and shock as music stared to play during the scene.
"Again, you guys get the awesome music." Havoc whined.
Al took his head from his brother and put it back on. "An empty suit of armor!" Cornello said as Rose took a step back in fear.
"This is indeed proof that these people are wicked." Cornello backed up from the railing.
"They should be purged." He pulled a lever on the wall down which opened a hidden door on the wall, setting a chimera free.
"Is this the first time you've ever seen a Chimera?"
"No." Ed and Al chorused.
"First time was when I was nine and Al was eight." Ed added. "Let me guess, Izumi introduced you to someone who created one." Brody said.
"Close, she kicked the ass of the person who created it." Ed replied.
'Dangerous woman.' The soldiers thought.
Alphonse, a hand resting lazily on his side, and Edward, whose hands were relaxing in his pocket, glanced at the chimera standing right next to them. "So, this is the sort of thing you do with the Philosopher's Stone? That's just twisted."
"Do you two not know what fear is?" Karley asked. "There is no time for such a thing. Besides, it was just a chimera." Edward said as if it was nothing.
"Most people would find that worrying." Havoc pointed out.
Al shrugged. "We've faced worse, especially since the Colonel has sent us after stronger alchemists then this fake Father. This was nothing compared to them."
Rose stepped backwards. "Anyway," Edward said, looking away from the beast with a sigh.
"Looks like I'll need a weapon." He clapped his hands and put them on the ground. A lance sprouted up from the ground into Ed's waiting hand.
"No transmutation circles!" Cornello said shocked.
"So, the State Alchemist title isn't just for show. You truly are gifted. However,"
"Idiot." Mustang scoffed. "Every State Alchemist is talented in alchemy. They are strong and knowledgeable in their fields. It is why they were appointed."
The chimera lunged at Ed, who jumped back and grabbed the lance in his right hand. He twirled it back before throwing it forward to block the chimera's claws. The claws cut his lance apart and through his pants.
"Argh," Edward muttered.
"Well? How do you like the taste of claws that can cut through iron?" Cornello yelled.
Edward smirked and looked up from his leg. "You shredded my pants."
"Again, only caring about his clothes." Havoc muttered.
"Nice intimidation, Fullmetal." Mustang said, smirking.
"Intimidation?" Karin asked confused.
"Yes. He shows no fear and mocks his enemy. It will irritate them and cause them to make mistakes or run away." Mustang explained.
Riza sighed. "And here I just thought he was that reckless."
"Hey!" Ed objected. It seemed that Hawkeye changed between his and Mustang's side when it suited her.
The chimera's claws broke off his paw. Edward kicked out with his automail leg, sending the beast flying away from him. He left his leg in the air, revealing the automail under the pants.
"But I guess those claws don't do so good against steel."
"Bite him to death!" Cornello shouted angrily. The chimera charged at Edward and grabbed onto his right arm with his claws and teeth. Edward closed his hand into a fist. "You like that, kitty? Go on. Get a good taste." Edward slammed his flesh foot into the chimera's chin, sending him flying back again.
"Huh." Cornello said.
"How many times has your automail saved you?" Havoc asked.
"A fair number of times." Edward said, grabbing his right shoulder. It may have saved him countless times, but he still preferred to have his flesh arm back. Automail hurt a lot, especially when there was a drastic weather change. It may be helpful, but it also had its limitations.
"Your arm…a brother who is just armor…" Cornello said. "I see. It's all becoming clear now."
"Even he realizes the truth?" Havoc scoffed.
"That was quite surprising, considering how much of a novice he was." Al agreed.
Edward grabbed his red jacket by its ripped side and tore it from his body along with his black jacket and part of his shirt to reveal the automail that went all the way up to his shoulder.
"You did it, didn't you? The one thing even the most novice alchemist knows is strictly forbidden." Cornello shouted. Rose covered her mouth in horror.
"Why don't you come down here and try me? I'll show you Real quick who the novice is." Edward said angrily, metal hand half raised with his bangs covering half of his face.
Mustang smirked. "Calling Fullmetal a novice? How foolish." "Agreed. Edward Elric is one of the strongest Alchemists that I know." Armstrong said, nodding his head.
"No, I have to disagree." Edward said, surprising everyone. "I am only strong and knowledgeable because of what I saw the Truth. If it wasn't for that…."
"I have to disagree." Mustang retorted. "You performed Human Transmutation before you saw the Truth. You bonded your brother's soul to a suit of armor while in extreme pain from losing a leg. Not many Alchemists could do that. You are strong."
Izumi, for once, agreed with the man. "He is correct, Edward. When you were training under me, I saw it. You and Al were great Alchemists then. You two are really smart. You should give yourself more credit. Not all of your skill and knowledge comes from what you saw. You are more of a prodigy than you like to realize."
Edward glanced from the Colonel to his former teacher, but did not reply. He certainly did not feel like he was as intelligent as they made him out to be. Al looked happy to be included in what Izumi said.
Most people only saw his brother's alchemy as incredible. It felt really nice to be recognized as well, but it wasn't surprising when coming from Izumi. She always treated the brothers like equals. She taught them the same things. They had the same knowledge that they gained from her. So of course, she would see them as both being great. As for those they met on their travels, they just saw the Fullmetal Alchemist and his little brother, which is why he hated being thought of us his brother. He wasn't the prodigy that everyone always talked about. He was just the little brother. While his brother treated him like an equal in their skills, it took a long time before people started talking about what the Elric brothers did and not just Fullmetal.
One of Rose's purple eyes was shown, staring in shock at Edward.
"Why don't you come down here and try me? I'll show you Real quick who the novice is." Edward said angrily, metal hand half raised.
"Rose," Cornello said as Rose gasped in fear. "This is the price of their sin. These fools attempted human transmutation," He appeared on half the screen. "The greatest taboo for any alchemist!" Ed and Al appeared on the other half of the screen. "In their arrogance, they tried to bring someone dead back to life."
"Was that fool not promising those people the same thing?" General Armstrong scoffed.
"You know, Brother, at the time I was so busy with protecting Rose and dealing with Cornello, that I didn't even realize that." Al commented.
Ed nodded. "Same. Stupid hypocrite."
Rose appeared next, staring in horror at the three. Edward from earlier that day faded over her, saying,
"There was a hero, who got too close to the sun, and his wings, made of hardened wax, were torn off, and he was thrust down to Earth."
"Oh, no…" She whispered. The screen showed Ed, slowly moving up from his arm to his face. "This is what happens when you try to play God, or whatever you want to call it. Take a good look, Rose. Is this what you want?" Rose was shown staring at Ed, then Cornello appeared.
"So, this is the great Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric. Not even half a man. Hell, not even half a boy!"
"Tch, put this man in his place, Edward." Riza growled.
"Lieutenant." Mustang said surprised.
"A person is not defined by his looks or size, but by his heart." Riza said.
"Edward is every bit a man in his heart. He readily takes on the responsibility of what he's done, never blaming anyone else for his mistakes. On the other hand, this man is despicable, playing people for fools just for power." Everyone looked at Ed. "I still see a child." Brody said.
"Of course, because he is one. He acts like a child at times, but other times, when his job requires him to do a mission or if he is helping someone, he can be much more serious and stronger than some soldiers I know." Riza explained. "I guess that makes sense." Kain said.
"And what are you?" Edward retorted angrily.
"You're just a phony that can't do anything without a Philosopher's Stone."
"Father, we just want you to hand over the stone before you get hurt." Al tried calmly.
"Tch, don't be absurd." Cornello replied.
"Why? So, you can use if for yourselves? Please!" He raised his crane and put it in his left hand as the ring started to glow again.
"If you fools are so eager to play God," The crane changed into a machine gun.
"Then perhaps I should send you to meet him instead." He raised the gun and pointed it at the kids, grinning madly as it went off.
Mustang snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure that will work with Fullmetal's reaction time."
"What? You're not even going to feel a tiny bit concerned for our wellbeing?" Edward mocked.
"No, because this is in the past, and considering you are sitting right in front of us, you didn't die because of this." Mustang retorted.
The bullets smashed into the ground, heading for the three kids. Dust filled the air and a blue light was seen in the dust for a moment, causing Cornello to stop and stare in confusion. The dust cleared to show a wall was up, protecting them.
"Nah, God probably hates me, after all." Edward retorted, hand still resting on the wall he made. "If I went there, I think he'd just turn me away." Cornello growled as Al turned to Rose and picked her up. The Father started to shoot at Al, who was running away to a wall.
"Al." Edward called, clapping his hands. The exterior of the room was shown where a bunch of followers were talking. Blue alchemical light shined on the wall as a door appeared. It was thrown open by the two boys, hitting one of the followers in the head.
"Why must you always make a big show of everything, Fullmetal?" Mustang sighed.
"Is this where all my damn paperwork comes from?" "Probably." Ed replied, smirking. "Anything to make your day more miserable, Colonel!"
"Never again!" Mustang growled. "Never again will a child be allowed to join." "What? Just because I love the theatricals?" Edward asked.
"Tone it down now!" Mustang growled. "Just because we're the military doesn't mean we have an endless supply of money for you to waste."
They ran down the halls with Cornello running out of the room and stopping. He turned to his followers.
"What are you doing?! After them! They are heathens who are trying to harm the order! Seize them!" The followers ran down the hall, guns raised.
"What followers of Gods carry guns?" Izumi asked sarcastically.
"Well, he doesn't carry a gun, but he uses alchemy to kill State Alchemists." Edward said, pointing at Scar. Izumi's eyes narrowed in on the Ishvalan.
"You go after Edward, and I will personally kill you." She snarled, protective mother side coming out, causing Ed and Al to flinch back. Why was their former teacher being so strange when it involved them? They were kicked out!
'Scary woman.' Quite a few male soldiers thought, glad they would never get on her bad side as long as they did nothing to harm the brothers.
"How do you think she'll react when it is shown he did attack the boys?" Mustang asked Hawkeye. "We will see soon enough." Hawkeye replied, subtly glaring at the Ishvalan as well.
Ed and Al were seen running down the hall. At the end of the hall was a group of followers with weapons, waiting for them.
"That's far enough."
"What are you going to do, boy? You're unarmed and outnumbered."
"The odds are stacked against him!" Havoc cried mockingly.
"Oh, dear, poor, poor, Fullmetal! He won't survive." Brody said sarcastically.
"As if!" A few soldiers shouted.
Havoc nodded, smirking. "Yes, Chief can easily beat down his enemies when he is outnumbered. Not to mention," He pointed at Al. "He has his brother to protect and help him if things do get out of hand."
"So is the kid a demon?" Avery asked amused.
Havoc, Breda, Jackson, Kain, Falman, and a few other eastern soldiers nodded. "A real demon in fighting."
"I am not!" Edward shouted.
"Look, just come quietly. We don't want to have to rough you up."
"Those poor people." Breda moaned pitifully.
"I can only imagine what Chief will do to them."
"I am not a demon!" Edward shouted.
Edward stared at them before grinning, eyes shut happily as he clapped his hands. He placed his left hand on his automail, laughing as it changed into an evil looking blade. Along with the blade, his grin turned evil as well. The soldiers stood, looking at him with slightly opened mouth.
"Demon." Quite a few soldiers muttered to a dejected Edward as the him in the episode just betrayed him.
"Do you take pleasure in scaring people, Fullmetal?" Mustang asked.
"I refuse to answer as it will somehow be used against me." Edward muttered pitifully before going to mumble about how everyone was against him and he wasn't that bad of a was wrong with scaring people a bit anyway?
"So, Al, when was the demon in Edward born?" Hughes asked cheerfully, amused by the situation in the episode.
"The day brother was born." Al replied wittily.
Edward kicked his brother with his flesh foot as he never put his boots, jacket, or gloves back on after Izumi took them off earlier. "Traitor." He grumbled.
"Come, brother. Be honest with yourself. You were always causing some type of trouble when we were in Resembool." Al said, chuckling slightly.
Ed snorted. "Like you were any different, Al."
"I was never as bad as you." Al retorted.
"Ha! You don't deny that you are a demon!" Ed cheered.
"Again, I am nowhere near as bad as you." Al retorted. "And how was I supposed to grow up with a demon for an older brother?"
"What exactly did you two do as kids?" Avery sweat dropped. Weren't the stories that they shared with them about the time they had with their teacher bad enough? What else did they do?
The brothers glanced at each other, then at Avery. "You don't need to know."
The followers screamed in fear. They were seen flying through the air as they were beaten up.
"Don't get careless, just because he's a child." A follower from another group said. As he finished talking, Al ran around the corner, kicking the man in the head as he continued to run with a screaming Rose.
The brothers left a trail of unconscious bodies behind them as Ed laughed.
"Really, you were laughing?" Liran asked.
Edward shrugged. "Well, it was a really amusing situation since it wasn't all that dangerous. I was having fun."
"It's because you got to brawl with all those people, isn't it?" Al asked.
An evil grin spread across Ed's face. "Brawling is fun, Al. You should try it."
"I do since I am always with you!" Al cried. "You drag me into enough fights as it is."
"Well, talking never gets us anywhere."
"Because you never let it get anyway." Al retorted. "You are so rash that you just start hitting people when they don't answer you the first time!"
"We don't have time to wait around for them to gain some balls to answer a simple question." Edward growled.
The bell tower was shown, but the bell was missing from it. "What do you think of Cornello now, Rose?" Al's voice asked.
There was a clanging sound as Al put down the bell on the tower the two were on.
"He just opened fired. He didn't care that you were in the way." Al said as he worked with the bell.
"But…that's because…"
"Are they really that blind?" Brody groaned.
"Sure are. It was getting really annoying with how much she kept trying to defend him." Edward grumbled.
"You aren't even there!" Havoc shouted, pointing at the screen where there was no sight of Edward.
"Where are you?" Miles asked curiously.
Al chuckled. "Planning something evil."
"It was not evil. It was my act of goodwill for the day." Ed retorted.
"You need more than one act of goodwill a day to make up for all the trouble you cause." Mustang replied, smirking in amusement when the boy shot him a death glare that promised him a very painful death.
"What he said back there is true, isn't it?" Rose asked, looking away from Al.
Al paused in his work. "We're not evil. All we wanted was to see our mom smile again."
The screen changed to the creature the boys made and Al, a suit of armor, kneeling next to his limbless and bloody brother.
"But our transmutation failed. It didn't even have a human form."
Rose gasped as the wind began to blow around them.
"We learned our mistake the hard way. People don't come back from the dead, not ever."
"That's not true. I mean…"
"How idiotic." Ed growled, not hearing about this conversation before. "It's all the same thing. The only way to attempt to bring back the dead is human transmutation, and that always fails. How much clearer did I have to make it for her?"
"Should you really be talking? You were just as desperate for the warmth of your mother back as she was for her loved one." Mustang pointed out.
"And we learned the hard way." Edward whispered.
"Alchemy is based on the law of equivalent exchange. The price of even a failed human transmutation was enormous. It cost my brother his left leg," Al reached up and removed his helmet. "And it cost me my whole body." The blood seal was shown. "Do you see it? My brother drew that with his own blood."
"How has that survived so long?" Sheska asked.
"Brother takes good care of it. Whenever I get wet, he spends a couple of hours drying me off so there is no risk of water getting on the seal." Al explained.
"Then I have to spend more hours helping you polish your armor so you don't rust." Edward mumbled.
"You take better care of my armor then you do with your own automail." Al said. "Winry is going to kill you if you don't start taking better care of it."
"Right, right."
Rose stared in horror at the blood seal.
"His leg had been taken. He was bleeding. I can't imagine the pain he was in. But through all that, he still gave up his right arm to transmute my soul and bonded me to this suit of armor." Al finished as he put his helmet back on.
Edward punched his brother's chest with his automail fist. Ever since he got his automail limbs and Al was put in that armor, that was the sign of affection they used. It was their way of saying that everything was okay and that they still had each other.
Slowly, his hand uncurled so his palm was resting on the armor. Neither one of them could feel this pressure or the cold armor which is why Ed used his automail when he was being affectionate with Al.
There were flashes of scenes of the blood seal being drawn, Ed's bandaged stump of a left leg, and a crying Ed clapping his hands before the scene went back to Al finishing the transmutation circle he was drawing.
"Now, I just want to help him get his body back to the way it was. He wants to find a way to get me back to normal too." Rose was shown as Al continued. "It won't be easy. We might even get killed along the way.
But that's the path we chose." Al reappeared on the screen. "All we can do is keep moving."
"Did you realize from the beginning when you joined the military that you might die or was that knowledge you learned from your first few missions?" Mustang asked curiously.
"It was something we realized after we met you." Edward replied darkly, clenching his automail hand into a fist. "We face death's door during the transmutation. We barely escaped then. We know we might die next time. It is the cold truth that we had to mentally prepare ourselves for before I even appeared in front of you a year later."
"But Father Cornello said…" Al looked up at Rose, shocked to see her trembling.
"He said he can do it. He promised me. Just because you and your brother failed, that doesn't mean…it doesn't mean he will!"
"Argh, how foolish!" Edward groaned, pulling at his hair in frustration. "What else did I have to say to get it through to her?"
The scene changed to an office. A black boot was seen on the screen of the office as Cornello ran past the opened door. He came back a moment later and stopped in the doorway.
"Kid…" Cornello said as the screen changed to show Ed sitting on the desk in the office with his legs crossed. "Say your prayers!"
"Mister, let's speak frankly here." Edward said. "I just want to know the secrets of that stone. Or, should I request that the military be called in to investigate the stone?"
"You called us in anyway." Havoc pointed out. "So did he not agree to your terms?"
"No, he did, but I lied." Ed replied, grinning.
"I thought you had a thing about honoring your deal and promises." Havoc mumbled.
"I do, but there was loophole here. I said 'investigate the stone.' I called the military there, but not for the stone." Edward explained.
"Devious brat." Buccaneer said, smirking. He could appreciate the devious mind of fellow soldiers. It could be quite helpful at times.
Cornello growled before closing the door. "Very well."
Edward grinned. "You can do anything with the Philosopher's Stone, right? So why waste all that power performing phony miracles?"
"Because with each miracle, I can attract new believers to the order. Believers who would lay down their lives for my sake. I am slowly building an army, a legion of holy warriors, not afraid to die." Edward watched the man, leaning his head on his automail fist, unimpressed. "In a few more years, I'll be ready to release this mindless horde upon the world," Cornello was shown, eyes glowing evilly. "And I'll use the Philosopher's Stone to tear this country apart. Who knows? I may even carve out a slice for you. Hahaha."
"Even if they aren't afraid to die, they would be no match for the military." Brody growled.
"We are trained soldiers. They are just civilians."
"He wasn't the smartest guy I ever met." Edward agreed.
"Which is why I saw it was an idiotic plan, not worth even thinking about. It wouldn't have been hard to take a novice like him out."
Edward leaned back, throwing his automail hand on the desk.
"Bahahaha."
Cornello paused, staring at the boy. "Wait, what are you laughing about?"
Edward stopped laughing, one eye shut and grinning. "I knew it. You really are a novice, aren't you?" He lifted his hand to reveal a switch that was on. Cornello stared at it, then looked down at the microphone on the floor.
"You don't mean…!" He shouted as his voice echoed throughout the city.
"That's how you revealed the plot to him?" Havoc asked, grinning.
"You went ahead and let him tell them everything! Perfect!" Brody cried, laughing. "He subjected himself to his own personal hell."
"Course, because as Rose proved, none of them would have listened otherwise." Edward said, sighing. "And if I didn't reveal it to them and just sent the military in there without them believing the truth…"
"It would have caused more hatred for the military." Mustang finished. "And possibly, another bloodbath."
Edward nodded. "We don't need any more deaths in this country that is just full of war." He snorted. "With all those damn wars, it's like this country was founded for the sole purpose of causing bloodbaths."
"Wait," Hughes whispered to Mustang. "Are you saying that they don't know about the trouble happening in Liore?"
Mustang shook his head.
"You can't keep that from them." Hughes hissed. "I won't tell them what is going on." Mustang growled. "They'll just get upset."
"And what if it is shown during this? They'll find and be angry at you for not telling them." Hughes argued.
Mustang glared at him. "If, and that's a big If, it's shown, I will deal with it when it happens."
Hughes frowned, but didn't argue anymore as he leaned back in his seat, upset with his friend.
Al was shown holding the speaker he transmuted. "There were never any miracles, Rose. He lied to you. He lied to everyone."
"Why, you…!" Cornello's voice shouted.
A house with an old lady and a young lady were showed. "How long… how long has that been on?" The screen showed his followers in the hall, staring at the roof in shock.
"From the start." Ed's voice said. The food stand from earlier was shown with the vender and customers staring in shock at the radio. The vendor was so shocked that he didn't even know that he was over pouring a mug. "Your believers heard every word."
A scene of people staring at the sky in shock was shown. "How could you?"
"He's a demon child." Avery said blandly. "It's not surprising at all."
Cornello was shown to be holding his crane. "You'll pay dearly for this."
He put his other hand on the crane and changed it into a machine gun again.
Edward was already on his feet and changing his arm into his signature blade. "Sorry, not today!" He sliced through the gun. Edward was shown, glaring at the man out of the corner of his eyes with metal flying
around in front of him. "Just face it. You're outclassed here." The part of the gun that was cut off fell to the ground behind Edward.
"I am without rival." Cornello shouted. He put his hand on the part of the gun left and a red light filled the room.
Mustang put a hand to his forehead as if he was in pain. "What an idiot. Do you deal with people like this often, Fullmetal?"
"Too often for my liking which is why I say I hate your pointless missions." Ed growled.
Edward flipped backwards to get away from the man, landing on his knees. The red light grew before blasting throughout the room. When it disappeared, Cornello's hand was mutated with the gun.
"Ooh, that looks painful." Sheska moaned. She knew the dangers of alchemy, but this just looked absolutely horrible. She would never want to risk it to learn the science.
"I-it's a rebound." Edward said.
Cornello grabbed his mutated hand. "No, I won't be disgraced like this.
Now boy…" The room was filled with a dark red light, shadowing then Father in it. "I am…the Emissary of the Son God, Leto."
Edward stared up in horror as the man grew in height and build.
The two bursts threw a stone wall in the church. Ed flipped backwards again, to get away from the man. The Father slammed his feet in the ground and lifted his arm to punch Ed. Edward dodged to the right before flipping away again. He looked to the side just in time to see the man's hand coming to punch him. His automail hand came up to block the giant fists.
"That just shouldn't be possible." Charlie said. How can a little automail arm stop that giant fist?
"My word is the word of God. My fist is the Fist of God." Cornello said.
"Arrogant much." Avery scoffed.
"Fist of God my foot!" Ed retorted, pushing away the giant hand, falling to his knees for a moment before he was up and running around the giant man. He clapped his hands as he ran. "If you want it that much, you can have it!" He slammed his hands onto the statue of Leto. The statue's hand sprouted forward to slam Cornello into the ground.
Edward stood at the front of the altar, frowning as he waited for the dust to clear.
"Why the hell do you destroy everything?" Mustang cried.
"That just takes more funds from us and gives me paperwork!"
"He was trying to kill me!" Edward defended. "That would explain why the soldiers we sent out there were saying something about a giant stone hand being in the way in the church." Havoc commented, chuckling slightly. "How reckless." General Armstrong growled. "A spectacular fight, Edward Elric!" Armstrong cried happily. "And of course, great job in helping those people open their eyes! They really have to thank you for all the help you provided them."
"I'll say, since once again, he went beyond what his mission was." Mustang said, sighing.
Cornello was lying on the ground, groaning in pain when Edward's hands grabbed his face and turned it to the side. He pulled the man forward and slammed his head against his. "Shut up! Let me see the Philosopher's Stone!" He shouted as Cornello grabbed his face. The red sphere fell from the man's ring at that exact moment. It fell to the ground as a dull red colour and smashed into little pieces.
Edward, forgetting his anger, stared in shock as the stone changed to dust and blew away. "What the hell? The stone…it's supposed to be perfect material. How'd it just breaks like that?" He asked, turning back to the priest.
"I-I don't know. I don't know anything about it. Spare me! Please! I was wrong! Please!"
"He sure changed his tone quickly after his stone broke." Havoc scoffed.
"I think it is more likely because of Brother's recklessness and skills." Al corrected.
"Or both." Breda suggested.
The three turned to stare at Edward and said together, "No, it was because of Chief/Brother."
"Are you trying to insinuate something?" Edward growled.
"It's a damn fake." Edward said as he stood up with a sigh.
"Please don't! I'm helpless without the stone! S-spare me, please!"
"You mean, we went through all this, risked our lives for this one possible chance, and it's a fake." Edward said dejected.
"So, what about me?" Cornello asked.
Edward snapped out of his dejected state to glare at the man. "I don't care what you do, just get out of here!" He yelled angrily.
"And is that why we can't find the fake priest?" Mustang asked, frowning.
"You were supposed to arrest him, Fullmetal."
Edward threw his hands in the air in disbelief. "I am fifteen! I may be a State Alchemist, but I don't have the skill or training to actually arrest people. What would I even do with them after that? Do I look like I can drive?"
"Well, you might be a bit on the short side to actually drive a car…" Mustang trailed off, smirking. The young alchemist slowly turned around to glare at his superior with a dark air around him. "WHO THE HELL IS SO TINY THAT HE REQUIRES A HIGH CHAIR TO SEE OVER THE STEERING WHEEL?!"
"No contest. It is definitely you, Fullmetal." Mustang retorted.
"Oh? Then who the hell is the most useless person ever when he is wet?" Edward retorted mockingly. "No contest. It is definitely you, Flame."
"At least I won't drown when I go swimming!" Mustang retorted.
Ed glowered. "At least I wouldn't be useless wet!"
"You would be if you were drowning."
"Oh, yes, mock the kid with automail! Real mature, Colonel Bastard!"
"Not mocking if it's true!"
"Oh, no! It's still mocking. How cruel can you be to a kid who can't even swim anymore?"
"Brother." Al said with a sigh.
"Colonel." Hawkeye growled. "Behave."
"And there ends another Flame/Fullmetal argument." Havoc said, grinning.
"What's the score now?"
Falman smiled. "One hundred eighty-two Flame/Fullmetal arguments. Flame: One Hundred and Four Wins. Fullmetal: Seventy-eight Wins."
"You keep track?" Buccaneer asked shocked, but was smirking in amusement.
"After the first twelve arguments, we realized they would be a common thing and have taken to making bets on who will win." Havoc said dryly, chewing on his cigarette. "You're all insane." Brody said, though he was grinning.
Cornello shivered in fear and crawled away quickly. "What about the stone?" Al's voice asked as the outside of the church was shown.
"A phony, just like him." Edward replied as the brothers were shown standing in front of the church.
"Oh." Edward knocked against his brother's chest with his flesh hand. "I'm sorry, Al. For a while there, I thought we really found a way to get your body back."
"Give me the Philosopher's Stone!" Rose's voice shouted.
"She still doesn't get it?" Avery shouted shocked.
"What a foolish believer." Edward muttered.
Ed and Al turned around to see Rose pointing a gun at them.
"A gun? Really?" Havoc scoffed.
"You would think this whole event would show her that a single gun like that means nothing to these two." Karin said, sighing. What else did these poor boys have to go through?
"Rose," Al said.
"Like I was just saying, it was a fake." Edward replied. "It wasn't real. Besides, it's shattered now."
"Liar." Rose screamed. "You want to keep it for yourself, don't you?" The screen changed to show Ed, staring at her.
"What could she do with it anyway?" Riza asked. "She's not an alchemist. It would just be life threatening for her to do anything with it."
"She is a foolish girl who cannot let go of her loved one." Edward said. "You two were the same way with your mother." Avery pointed out.
"And we learned the hard way." Ed snapped for the second time before lowering his voice. "We were saving her that pain."
"So, you can use it on your bodies. That's right. And so, you can try to bring your mother back again!" Rose shouted. Her last sentence is what caused a look of horror to fill Ed's eyes.
"You shut up!" Edward screamed, surprising Rose. His voice lowered a notch and was now filled with noticeable pain. "People don't come back from the dead, Rose. Not ever. Not ever."
Rose fell to her knees. "But he promised me…He said if I prayed, it would happen. A miracle." Edward and Alphonse started walking forward to leave. "That hope was all I had left." She lifted her face to show tears streaming down it. "What am I supposed to believe in now?
Tell me what do." Edward walked past her; hands shoved in his pockets. "Please."
Edward stopped walking a few steps behind her. "I can't tell you that.
You have to figure it out." He continued following after his little brother.
"Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You got two good legs, so use them." Tears continued to fall from Rose's eyes as she raised her head to the sky. "You're strong enough to make your own path."
The scene faded away to nighttime where a riot was happening outside the church.
"What's going on here?"
"Send out thee Father!"
"Have you been deceiving us?!"
"Open up!"
"Why must you always cause riots?" Mustang sighed.
"Hey, I was gone by the time this happened. All I did was reveal the truth." Ed retorted.
Cornello walked into a dark room, holding his arm painfully. "That
damn brat. It's all but ruined, everything I worked for."
"Yes, all that hard work for nothing." A female voice said.
Cornello looked forward to see the woman and fat man from the end of the first episode. "I knew we should have just incited a little rebellion."
The female continued.
"You…" Cornello said.
The woman stood up from sitting on the man's back.
"I'm hungry, Lust." The man said, talking to the female. "Can I eat this old man? He's big and fat."
"Lust?" Ed asked, frowning. "As in one of the seven deadly sins of humans?"
"What does it matter?" Mustang asked.
Edward shrugged. "It doesn't really, but I remember reading some of my bastard father's notes and saw something written about the seven deadly sins in it. Do you remember what it was about, Al?"
Al shook his head. "No, Brother. Remember, it was in that ancient language. We were still only learning it when we came across those notes. When we finally understood enough of the language, we never went back to the notes."
"Too bad. I really wanted to know what they said." Ed said, sighing.
"Not this one, Gluttony." Lust replied.
"Great, I think we should have gone back to those notes, Al." Ed growled.
"They must have something to do with these people."
"But Brother, these people look young and those notes looked really old. Why would they have a connection?" Al asked confused.
Ed's eyes narrowed in on the people on the screen. "Call it a gut feeling. I got a bad feeling about these peoples. I mean, what person asks to eat another human so eagerly? It's strange."
"Maybe this is what V.H. was referring to." Izumi mused.
"We don't want you getting indigestion."
"Now you two. Everyone has mocked me." Cornello said, pulling a gun from his mutated arm.
Before he could fire, there was spear shoved through is skull. The spear was traced back to Lust's finger.
"That isn't normal." Ed growled.
"Brother, forget the notes!" Al cried.
"I can't, not knowing that they could possibly have the answers to this!" Ed retorted.
"Well, where are these notes?" Maes asked.
Ed and Al looked at each other, then back to the screen, not answering. It was no one's business about what happened to their house. That was private family business.
Gluttony stood up and approached the man. Cornello's eyes focused in on the tattoo on Lust's chest. "I say this concludes our business." Lust yanked her hand back. Blood sprouted from Cornello's head as he collapsed to the ground. "Just when things were beginning to look promising, too. Now I suppose we'll have to start over from scratch."
Gluttony kneeled down and picked up Cornello's head.
"Father won't be pleased. In any case, it's time we started thinking about our next move." As she said this, an evil look passed Gluttony's face as his mouth started to drool and he moved forward to eat Cornello.
"And that is what happens to him." Ed said.
"But, that's not possible!" Skylak shouted, glancing at his friends.
"Yeah, we saw Cornello in Liore when we were sent there after you returned." Rufus said, frowning.
Brosh blinked. "But he was just killed."
"The only way that wacko would still be there was if there was a shape shifter among those freaks." Edward said, laughing.
"After what we just saw, that doesn't seem as farfetched as you think, Edward." Riza replied, frowning.
Ed's laugh died in his throat as he frowned darkly. "I sincerely hope you are wrong, Lieutenant Riza. A shape shifting monster would be deadly. After all, how many of us could actually attack the monster when he looks like someone dear to us?"
"Would they really do something like that to win?" Hughes asked darkly.
"You saw it!" Edward snarled. "They are trying to cause a rebellion in Liore. They don't care that people have to die for that cause. Anything to achieve their means, and they'll do it. That's what they are: monsters."
"We don't even know what they are yet." Mustang pointed out.
Ed shook his head. "We don't have to. You saw those strange powers they had. They killed without a single thought. They are monsters."
Havoc frowned and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "We've killed without thinking too." He motioned to all the soldiers. "Does that make us monsters?"
"Do you have strange powers like them? Do you feel guilty taking the life of people, knowing they too have family and friends waiting for them?" Edward retorted, glaring at his friend and the soldiers who agreed with Havoc. "Do you desperately try to protect your comrades when out there fighting? You do, because you are human. You may not think when pulling the trigger because your survival instincts take over, but later, you think about it. These monsters, they don't. I'd bet my life on it. There is something evil about them."
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