I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist

The train to Resembool felt longer than usual. Ed and Al were unnaturally silent with dreading anticipation even though they had managed to convince Nina to stay silent while hiding inside Al's armour.

Al couldn't feel Nina moving around inside his armour, but he and Ed both stiffened slightly every time they heard the occasional quiet whimper or scratch inside Al. Mustang was disguised with a long black wig and mustache and spectacles that gave Ed the impression of an old man.

'Shut up, Fullmetal,' Mustang grumbled at Ed's snickers. 'You don't look much like a model either, in case you haven't noticed.'

Ed scoffed. His hair was down and he was wearing a pair of thick glasses and a black cloak instead of his red coat. 'At least I'm not a grandpa already.'

'Oh, you got that right. But you could disguise yourself as little fossil instead.'

'WHO'RE YOU CALLING LITTLE?'

'Can you two be quiet?' Al said tiredly. 'We don't need any unwanted attention.'

He was right. Around them, other passengers were all sleeping or minding their own business, but a few were glancing over at the three with curious looks. It was around two in the morning, and Ed's outburst at being called small had woken a few people from their slumbers.

Ed looked out the window, scowling. 'How long until we get there?'

'Probably an hour later,' Al answered. 'You two can get some sleep. I'll just read a book or something.'

With that, Ed finally dozed off. Mustang waited until Ed had fallen asleep, his face unreadable as he watched his subordinate's head fall gently against Al's armour. Unbeknownst to anyone, Nina sniffed out Ed's scent and licked the inside of the armour where Ed was on the other side.

'Something wrong, C-sir?' Al asked, almost slipping up on Mustang's disguise.

'What did she say to you?' he asked, looking at Al's armour. His line of vision not directed to Al's body, but who was inside.

'She said, um, she bit his leg and ran away,' Al answered, unsure if Nina would react to them discussing the sensitive topic. 'Then she followed Brother and my scents to us. She said the man had a yellow coat and sunglasses on. And he hurt her father.' Al paused. 'I think you know what that means.'

Mustang nodded grimly. Inside Al, Nina was curled up and sleeping, unaware of the conversation going on.

'There's a murderer, as you already know,' Mustang said. 'Whoever it is, they're only targeting state alchemists. They've already killed several and we suspect Fullmetal is next in line.'

Al didn't gasp. He lowered his voice. 'But that includes you, too.'

'I know, but we'll take them down.' Mustang looked at Ed beginning to mutter gibberish his sleep before continuing. 'And he was looking for Nina, wasn't he?' Why would he do that?'

'Maybe he-'

'Excuse me,' a voice beside them said, making them jump. 'Are you the Flame alchemist? Roy Mustang?'

'No.' Mustang stared back at the tall man in yellow with no expression on his face. 'How may I help you, sir?'

The man frowned. Al twitched at the sight of him. Mustang noticed too, but they had to pretend they knew nothing about the terrifying similarities of the man and Nina's description of her attacker. Also plus the fact the man's right pant leg was shredded and bloody.

The man's face seemed to tighten with irritation behind sunglasses that concealed his eyes. A large "X"-shaped scar stood out over his forehead like his short white hair. 'You can help me by telling the truth,' he muttered. 'Flame alchemist.'

Quick as a flash, Al clapped his hands and transmuted his seat into a more solid material and different shape to punch the man in the face. The man dodged and lunged with his right arm towards Mustang.

Al grabbed Ed and jumped over the man. Mustang dodged the arm and tried to kick his side. The man caught his foot and attempted to snap it before Al swiped at his head from behind, missing as he ducked.

Ed woke up as the man punched Al's armour, making a loud clang that also woke up many other passengers on the train who weren't already making a run for it as the battle conceded in the carriage.

Inside Al, Nina was whimpering and barking every time Al was hit. She could smell the familiar scent of the man who'd killed her father and tried to kill her hours ago.

Ed and Al tried to use their alchemy as they fought the man head-on, Mustang had slipped on his gloves and was creating shields with his flames from the man's attacks. Despite their combined efforts, the man seemed to block and dodge their attacks uncannily with ease even with a slight limp in his right leg.

Ed growled as the three of them finally decided to run for it. The carriage they were in was already isolated. They ran through all the carriages of the train until Ed stopped, making Al and Mustang almost crash into him. In front of them were the train tracks rushing away behind the last carriage.

Nowhere left to run.

'Flame Alchemist,' the man's voice came from behind them. 'Fullmetal Alchemist.'

The man approached the three calmly. Inside Al, Nina's quiet voice whispered, 'Bad man. Bad man.'

Nina's voice drove rage into Ed. Thinking quickly, he muttered, 'Hey Mustang, do you think you can hold him back a little? He seems to be seeing us a little too clearly.'

Mustang's lips were set in a tight line. He nodded and snapped his fingers. A bright burst of flames erupted in front of the man, blocking him from the three.

Ed clapped his hands and slammed them to the side window, blowing the glass outwards neatly. 'Set him off our trail, Al,' he whispered. Al nodded and transmuted the link from their carriage to the carriage the man was on.

As Mustang's flames faded away, the man looked up to see the last carriage cut off from the rest of the train. His face twisted in fury and he turned back stiffly.

/

'How do you know he doesn't know we're here?' Mustang panted. 'He could be chasing after us for all we know, Fullmetal.'

'Which is exactly why we're running, you idiot!' Ed yelled.

Winry and Pinako's home was miles away from where they were currently. In the dead of the night, the three were sprinting all the way, Al leading the way as he couldn't get tired.

'Are you sure this is the way, you two?' Mustang asked.

Ed rolled his eyes. 'How about you shut up and keep running? Maybe we'll get there sooner.'

'Language, brother.' Al's voice sounded like he was hiding a laugh. Nina was running beside them, keeping up surprisingly fine. 'We know the way by memory, Colonel. We should be there in two hours if we keep running.'

The two behind him groaned.

Thanks for reading!