The Gate 1.03/Phone Call
Thank you Misaki-yo for beta reading!
To answer some questions:
To Priestess kurumi inu's sister: It's hinted at a few times in the last chapter that Edward lost Alphonse (he "disappeared") when the two tried to transmute their mother. He was 9, and Al was 8. That was 9 years ago. Hmm… now that you brought it up, it was more like hinting and implying… Sorry if it wasn't clear enough! I went back and edited it to make it a bit more obvious. I also put it in this chapter as well. However, as for your other questions: there are some parts that you're not supposed to know yet, so… You'll find out soon enough :D
To Cerci: XD Your review had me cracking up! I had also thought about Edward's hair situation, and yes, I already have a solution. (Don't worry, I can't stand him bald either XD) And in the Matrix movie, I believe that they weren't bald because of the position of the plug; it had to do with the liquid the bodies were preserved in.
Everyone else: Thank you for reviewing! (It really encourages me to write:D)
"Oh shit!"
Edward found himself in his bed.
"What the hell just happened…?"
The events from yesterday—actually, he wasn't even sure if it was "yesterday"— flooded to his head. "That strange package I got… those messages… and that girl." Edward checked the clock. 11:00 AM. A strangled cry shook Edward's small apartment room. "What—?" There was only an hour until his meeting with the Colonel! Three months ago Edward had received an invitation from Colonel Roy Mustang of the military to meet him privately and to "negotiate." Edward knew that he had really come to Central to test his skills; if he was good enough, he'd be accepted by the military for his alchemical skills and become a state alchemist. It didn't matter to the military just how Edward came into possession of his skills; they would forge as many documents as they had to as long as they kept such a valuable human weapon in their jurisdiction. But if Edward failed to please the military, and Mustang did not approve of his skills… then he'd be off to trial and a quick execution for illegal use of alchemy.
Not wanting to disappoint Colonel Mustang by being late, Edward hurriedly gathered up his cloak and gloves, braided his hair, and slammed the door shut behind him as he left.
When Edward arrived at Central City Headquarters, he had to admit, despite his general dislike of the military, that he was impressed. The building was gigantic, almost formidable; it was one of the largest buildings that he'd ever seen before. Pillars of marble stretched up several stories tall for support. There was a grassy lawn in front that could have easily fit half of Dublith within its area. The place was sophisticated and spacey, a large contrast to the sparsely populated and run down area of Dublith as well as the over-crowded alleys of Central he had been staying at recently. Edward took an extra moment to marvel at the building, which (like the public,) he had always avoided before. The braided teen swallowed nervously as he entered the building and began his search for the Colonel's office.
After half an hour of trying to navigate the labyrinth-like building (and extracting odd stares from other State Alchemists that happened to come across him), Edward was finally able to locate the office. He was fifteen minutes late for the appointment; hoping that Roy Mustang would be a lenient and understanding person, Edward raised a shaky hand andknocked on the door.
No answer.
Panicking, Edward grabbed the doorknob, to find that it wasn't even locked. The door swung open slowly…
"Er… excuse me," Edward called out timorously as he poked his head into the office. Edward was dumbfounded when he saw that the room was empty . Edward slowly walked into the office, unsure of what to do. Did he get the time wrong? Was Mustang on a break? Was this whole thing a joke, or even a trap, from the first place?
The braided teenager inched towards a desk, presumably Mustang's. There wasn't much on the tabletop besides a few piles of papers—unsigned, Edward noticed. As he bent over the table to examine the papers—he couldn't help but be intrigued, even if it wasn't the most polite thing to do—, something in his pocket emitted a ringing noise, causing Edward to jump. Edward hastily reached into his pocket and pulled out the device from the day beforehe remembered shoving it into his pocket before leaving for the Devil's Nest. As Edward held the ringing object in his hands, he stared at it disbelievinglyhe couldn't believe that it actually existed; Everything that had happened was real, and the object just clarified it...Edward was brought back to reality—the ringing noises were becoming louder and irritating and now he was aware that everyone within the building had probably heard it. Seeing as it rang like a phone, Edward held the thing up to his ear on instinct. Feeling like an idiot, he began to speak into what he assumed to be a telephone.
"Er… Hello?"
"Hello Fullmetal." Edward heard a voice coming from the phone. " So this thing really does work. That's interesting... Edward made a mental note to take it apart later and study it. "Do you know who this is?" the voice asked.
"…Morpheus?" First Trinity…then why not just run into all the other famous hackers—
"Actually, yes." What? I was just joking…
"Listen, Fullmetal. They're after you. I've been watching you for some while, but apparently, we've run out of time."
Edward bit his lip, unsure of how he should react. Was everyone was watching him or what?
"Don't believe me? See for yourself. Walk to the window. Now. Slowly…"
Edward didn't like the way Morpheus talked—there was a hint of smugness in his voice that irritated Edward; and there was a sense of authority that that made Edward feel like he was complied to obey. Edward walked to the window anyway and, looking downwards, spotted three figures clad in black heading for the office building. One of them—a woman with long black hair—looked upwards at the Colonel's office room where Edward was standing. Edward found himself recoiling on instinct. He made sure he was out of their view before responding quietly, as if the people outside could hear him speak.
"What the—Oh shit... Who are they? What the hell do they want from me?"
"Fullmetal! Listen to me. You must get out of here right now. Questions will come later. As for now, do exactly as I say and you'll be alright."
Edward gulped, and nodded as if Morpheus could see him. "Alright."
"Hurry. They're coming up from the right. Leave this room and head to the left. Run to the elevator at the end of the hallway and ride it to the top floor."
Too frightened and confused to do anything else, Edward simply followed the orders. He clutched the phone to his ear, awaiting the next set of directions. Just as he left the office room, he heard footsteps walking rapidly through the hallway coming from the right. How did they get there so fast? He dashed behind a flower pot that stood conveniently in the hallway. Edward was only halfway to the elevator… He held his breath as the three approached… they did not notice him from behind the flower vase. Edward let out his breath. I'm glad that I'm short. Edward paused. W…What did I just say!
Edward resisted yelling in frustration just to watch curiously as the three stopped outside the Colonel's office. The woman turned around and spoke softly to the green haired man. Behind the two, an incredibly overweight man was sniffing at the air. Curious, Edward poked his head out slightly to get a better view—the fat man chose that moment to stare straight at where Edward was crouched. Edward swallowed with trepidation, and shrank backwards into the shadows of the flowerpot.
He whispered urgently into his phone. "Who are these people?"
The reply was short, but it sent chills down Edward's back. "The Agents." Edward's eyes widened. The Agents, who Edward had never seen before—and had hoped never to see— were like the National State Alchemists of the military, but they were in a category of their own. There were rumors surrounding the Agents that flowed like streams into a river; hundreds of rumors that sounded completely impossible all have one thing in common— that the Agents had inhuman powers. These rumors were never clarified, however, because those who actually caught a glimpse of them died brutal and mysterious deaths…
Edward felt his hands shaking and a bead of cold sweat slide slowly down his face… What did the Agents want from him?
Lust casually held her arm out in front of her towards the door. There would have been nothing strange with her actions, but Edward almost gasped when her fingers suddenly lengthened and shot forwards at an inhuman length. They sliced open the door like a knife through butter; the remains of the broken door dropped to the floor like scattered leaves…
"Okay, Fullmetal. Now!" The voice from the phone cut sharply into his ear. Seeing that the Agents had their backs turned, Edward numbly sprinted for the elevator room.
Edward's stiff metal fingers pounded on the "UP" button, which was beginning to form a dent. He began to panic.
Oh shit oh shit…
"The elevator! It's not coming…" The footsteps have stopped; its owners have concluded there was nothing in the office. They turned, and the footsteps became gradually louder as they approached.
"Forget it. The elevator won't make it in time. Quickly, run to the stairs on the right side of the room. Go. Now!"
Edward practically leapt for the stairs, cursing as the elevator finally arrived right when the three Agents entered the elevator room. Edward took the stairs three at a time, until finally, panting, he reached the elevator room of the very top level. His eyes widened as a bell sounded and the elevator door began to open, slowly...
"Hurry! Into the hallway!"
Edward ran to the other side of the elevator room as the door fully opened. He turned and saw a hallway; it was too long for him to run through without getting spotted. It was lined with doors however. Edward was trying to decide which room to hide in—he didn't want to barge in on a room with someone in it already—when once again the voice on the other side of the phone saved him.
"Enter the second door on the right." Edward leapt for the handle and shut the door quietly. He leaned against it, trying to stifle his heavy panting and was relieved to hear the Agents walk past the door...
"Don't be at ease yet. You still have a bit more to go."
Edward growled, "Now what?"
"You see that window?"
Edward stared incredulously and his mouth dropped open. "Don't tell me…"
"Yes. Climb outside that window."
"But... this is the top floor!"
"Head for the scaffold nearby. Use it to get to the top. From the roof, there will be a way down. Now hurry!"
Edward found himself complying as he held the phone in one hand and began to climb outside the window. He was in a very uncomfortable position… Edward spotted pipes running down the exterior of the building and managed to grab onto one of them for support. He was standing on the windowsill, trying to calm himself, until it gave a huge jolt. Teeth clenching in fear, Edward ceased all movement, wondering if the plank would hold his weight—he had two limbs of solid metal, after all.
Edward attempted to shift some of the weight to his right when the windowsill began to crumble under the weight of his left leg. Cautiously, Edward looked down and instantly regretted it. The reality of what he was doing suddenly hit him. "Oh shit oh shit oh shit! This is insane! I can't do this—"
"There are two ways out of this building. One is that scaffold, the other is in their custody. You take a chance either way. I leave it to you."
He hung up.
Edward cursed. "That…" How could he! Edward's life was in danger and the man just hangs up on him! "Shit, now what do I do…?" He fumbled a bit and managed to pocket the phone into his coat. With both hands free, Edward began to climb upwards, hands on the pole for support, with both feet against the wall. The entire window sill crumbled and fell as Edward's foot pushed off of it. Edward watched it fall, and had a sudden image of himself lying on the ground surrounded by a pool of his own blood. He shook his head rapidly to clear himself of the image and only succeeded in receiving a disturbing creaking noise from the pole. Damn it all… the height, my height, these stupid phone calls…Edward looked upwards, towards the sky, eyes narrowing against the light. He reached upwards a bit further, ignoring the protesting uneasiness lurking in his stomach, and hesitantly climbed upwards for the scaffold. But if they lead to the truth…then…I have to—!
Cautiously, Edward grabbed hold of the scaffold and pulled himself up. Some of Edward's senses that were numbed with fear returned, and he was overwhelmed with an unpleasant feeling as if his stomach was turned inside out. Edward stood onto the platform and swallowed nervously, staring downwards. He decided he had a newfound phobia of height—how ironic—to add to his fear of the dark…
Time for the roof, then. And if that Morpheus guy is waiting there—Edward could almost imagine what the man looked like and what he would say; Morpheus would have a smug smile plastered on his face, and then his calm voice would be remarking on how funny Edward looked like while climbing the wall—then I'll make sure he'll be the one climbing up next after I give him a nice little shove, that bombastic…sardonic…arrogant bastard…
As Edward reached for the roof, the phone in his pocket rang again. Caught off-guard, Edward slipped and the platform swung dangerously. Cursing, Edward resisted the urge to cry out in fear and hastily found a position he could hold on to as he fumbled for the phone. He brought the device up to his ear and prepared to yell at Morpheus for being an ass—but the voice he heard from the phone was almost enough for him to let go of the scaffold out of shock.
It's not possible… He hadn't heard this voice in nine years…
"Niisan!"
It's just not possible… He was supposed to have been lost, that night during their failed transmutation, nine years ago…
"A—Al!"
It was equivalent trade…!
"Niisan, please, just listen! You have to get out of there right now! Otherwise—"
However, Edward never got to find out what would happen "otherwise." A thin and gloved hand abruptly grabbed onto the one Ed was using to hold himself up. Gasping with surprise, Edward completely lost his footing on the scaffold—the phone slipped out of his hands—Dangling in midair, Edward was roughly hauled upwards onto the roof and into the face of his pursuers. A face with long green hair and a wide smirk greeted him and Edward found himself wishing that it was Morpheus's face that he encountered instead.
"Hello, Fullmetal shrimp."
Al's panicked yell carried into the wind as the phone fell.
To be Continued…
To clarify some things: State Alchemists do not have code/second names.
