Hello again! I am really enjoying writing this fic, and I'm excited for all of you to see what is to come in the story. It's still early in the story, but I'm also pleased with the way it is turning out. I have exams and work this week so I will have less time to write *sigh*. Now, on with the story.

Disclaimer: Never will I own Fullmetal Alchemist no matter how much I would like to.

It was only late in the evening, but it felt like years had passed. The four of them hadn't moved or spoken, all of them too deep in their own thoughts, going over what they had just learned and trying to come to possible conclusions, but were ending up nowhere, and leaving them more frustrated than before.

More time passed. Seconds. Minutes.

Finally, it was Alphonse that spoke up. "What do we do now?"

Roy sighed and rubbed his temples, a habit of his. "I don't know, Alphonse. There's not much we can do at the moment."

Edward instantly snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Roy's words. "We can't just sit around and do nothing!"

"Edward, it would be irrational to go chasing after a maniac we barely know anything about." Roy scolded the boy.

"But people are being captured and as far as we know, killed!"

"Ed, you need to stop being so reckless and childish and start thinking rationally! We need to have a plan before we randomly go after a madman! You of all people should know that."

Edward, feeling the urge to do something, (because there's a madman, maybe even two, out on the streets and people are dying, dammit!), and irritated by Roy's words, and hell, irritated with this entire situation, ran straight out of the office, not saying a word to anyone.

Alphonse stood up, "Brother!"

Riza, too, stood up. Roy leapt out of his chair behind his desk and ran straight for the door. "Fullmetal, I order you to get back here! I did not give you permission to leave!"

No response could be heard, but Roy could still see Edward's retreating back, his infamous red coat trailing behind him. Without hesitation, he ran towards Ed's direction. Alphonse, too, ran after them. Riza, however, only ran to the door, knowing, or at least hoping, that Roy had the situation under control.

Edward walked the quiet, dark streets of Central. The sun had finally went down, and the sky was dark. He needed to be alone, to clear his head, and he did not feel like talking to anyone at the moment. He knew he had been childish back in the office, but so what? He is only 15! He didn't care though, and he definitely wouldn't admit that Roy had been right. He knew Alphonse and Roy would be worried-wait, Roy? No, that bastard doesn't worry about him and never would. He did know for sure though that both Roy and Alphonse would be upset with him once they found him. He didn't doubt that they would find him, he just hoped he could get far enough away from Central Command to delay it.

"Fullmetal!"

So much for his alone time.

Edward didn't say anything, nor did he turn around. He stopped right in his tracks, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular.

"...Brother?"

Edward sighed and turned around. He knew he couldn't ignore them. He began to walk towards them when he saw it. Not just anything but them. Those red glowing eyes he saw on the tape.They were here, only feet from him, right behind Roy and Alphonse. He opened his mouth to say something when he suddenly collapsed to the ground in a heap of unmoving limbs, the only indication that he was alive was the rising and falling of his chest.

"Brother!"

"Fullmetal? What's wrong with you?"

Roy and Alphonse ran to him, and suddenly the beaty, red glowing eyes appeared in from of them and they, too, collapsed to the concrete ground.

The black suited figure spoke in a somewhat high-pitched voice, insanity laced throughout it. "Such easy targets. Erebus will be happy to have you." The corners of the suit where the face should be moved, indicating a smile. The figure laughed, a maniacal laugh that echoed throughout the streets of Central City.

What did you think? Are you excited to read more? I'd love to know what you think, so please leave a review! Again, I hope my updates are fairly often.

-elricpotter24