Waltzing to Darkness
By Phe Phe Minoda
(I don't own FMA thanks to Dark Furre or what ever she calls herself for Beta-ing this chapter)
Figure one
PianoSeven day's earlier
"No rest for the weary huh Al?" Ed asked bitterly on the train. They were heading to a rather small foresting town in the north. "Wanna play a game of cards…"
"No. You cheat." Al said matter-of-factly.
"…Ah…playing cards is boring anyways…" Ed said leaning back looking slightly put off.
Al shook his head, "But it's true brother."
"Humph," Ed grumbled, settling down, Ed looked out the window, "Look at all that snow, Al…" He said pointing to the mountains, "it's a lot huh?"
"Yeah," Al said, looking distantly out the window.
"So, what kind of bullshit assignment do you think that Bastard Colonel sent us on now?" Ed asked, stretching.
Al shook his head, "He always sends us to places that really need our help…"
"I know that but how am I supposed to restore you if I keep going off on his wild goose chases?" The blond asked his younger brother.
"You mean restore ourselves." Al corrected.
"Yeah, yeah," Ed said nodding his head when they saw the town just over. "…I don't like the look of that town. Something's off…"
"It can't be that bad." Al said cheerily, "Give it a chance…"
"I hope that it's just my over-active imagination," Ed replied, stretching before standing up in the virtually empty car. Al nodded and grabbed Ed's suitcase before the two brothers wandered off the train. The train station was run down, trash littered the floor, windows smashed. Ed did not get a warm fuzzy feeling from the look of the place.
When they had stepped out of the nearly abandoned station a military personnel stopped them, "You two, what is your business here in Woodland Springs?"
Ed sweat dropped before turning to face the gruff officer, "I'm a State Alchemist," He said flashing the watch, "I'm here to inspect the area."
"Really?" the man asked, looking as if he did not believe the teen. "And how do I find out if you aren't just a slut looking for some one to fuck…"
Ed twitched, "WHO'S SO SMALL THAT THEY LOOK LIKE A GIRL!"
"I didn't say that…I just said you look like a fuckable little whore." the soldier said grinning.
Ed clapped his hands together and pressed the ground. Large cables jumped out of the ground and wrapped themselves around the solider. "And I'll talk to whoever's in charge…"
"Uh, brother don't you think that…"
"Al…he got what he deserved." Ed grumbled shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked away. "Let's go find the guy who's in charge. Or do you want to find some place to sleep for the night?"
"Maybe we should find an inn, brother. We've been traveling for a few days." Al said looking at his brother hopefully.
Ed's stomach growled. He looked at it making a face. "I am kind of hungry. We can check into an inn then eat before we go pay the head of this tinder wood place a visit." Ed said before glancing at his brother, "Think that sounds like a plan?"
Al nodded as they started to walk along, "that sounds like a very good idea brother."
Ed walked to what looked like an inn and glanced around at the cliental. "Excuse me, can you tell me where we can find the owner of this place?" he asked casually to a man who was sitting down near the door.
"He's in a meeting with Lieutenant Mitchell. He'll be out in a moment," the man said before taking a sip of the hot beverage in front of him. "You better be prepared to stay for a while, kid. We're getting a blizzard in a few days."
Ed twitched but did not explode. "Hmmn…what kind of person is this Lieutenant Mitchell?"
"He's a softy, which is why this place is such a dump." the man responded casually, "By the way... you better do a better job hiding that watch, Alchemist. The military officials that aren't from this area are generally not welcome...not by the common people, but by the wealthy in the area."
Ed made sure to shove his watch chain into his pocket, "any thing else I should know?"
"Yeah, get the hell out of here as soon as you can," the man said gruffly taking another sip out of the mug. "I'm Ashton Marks, former dog of the military myself. Lost my leg in the war."
"I'm Edward Elric…and this is my bro…"
"Alphonse, I know whom you are. I still keep in touch with the military in central," he said opening his bland eyes for the first time since the conversation started. "Mustang sent you." His dark blue eyes pierced past his long dark strait bangs. "He has always had good instincts, however he shouldn't have sent you…"
"…" Ed looked at the other, his gold eyes darkening for a moment. "Well he did and we're not leaving yet…"
"You should order the apple cider. This place is famous for it," the war veteran said looking at his near empty glass, changing the subject on them.
Ed nodded before looking at Al, who was taking in the environment of the small tavern area of the inn. "We need to secure a room first."
"Suit your self, lad…" Ashton said before finishing off the cup of cider, "the apple pie is probably the best in the area too…"
Ed started to say something to the dry-witted ex-soldier but then a door opened. "I hope you understand that taxes need to be paid Mr. Roote."
"I'm trying, Lieutenant. Honest! Next month I'll pay you for two months. It's just the snow has been keeping visitors from coming…" the small man said, coming out after a few military personnel.
"If not I will have to confiscate the lands and kick you off the property," the man in the middle of the three said. He was about average build with wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes that screamed push over.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," the thinner man said sighing in relief.
"It is the least I can do…" the officer said before turning about, "I would hate to see such a building close it's doors."
After the military left, Ed went up to the owner of the inn, "do you have any room here for the two of us?"
"Hmmn…average price for a room may be over you're head but we do have some room." the man said smiling.
Ed growled, slightly at the comment. "This should be enough then," he handed him some money.
The man took it and did not even count it, "I'll show you to you're rooms…"
"Thanks, Mister," Al said happily.
"Not a problem." the man said kindly, "this is your room."
"Hey what's the specialty of the house?" Ed asked as the owner unlocked the door to a room.
"For food or desert?" the owner Questioned, pushing the door open.
"Both…" Ed said with out skipping a beat.
"Well," he said rubbing his stubble covered chin, "I'd have to say the ham for dinner and the Apple pie for desert, but that's just me…"
"Ok, thanks," Ed bowed his head politely before walking into the room.
The man nodded before bowing, "I will be downstairs if you need anything else."
Ed nodded as the man left the room. "I think I'm going to look around in the morning," he said collapsing on one of the beds in the room, "what do you think, Al?"
"I don't know...Mr. Marks said that it was too dangerous." Al said earnestly sitting on the other bed. Ed raised an eyebrow
"Well, the people in this town don't seem like they're having much hardship but, something still doesn't feel right." Ed sighed stretching his arms above him. "Eh, I'm going to go eat. Wanna come?"
"No, that's ok. I'll stay here…" Al said.
"Ok, see you later, Al…" the older Elric walked back to the bar portion of the inn. Ed ordered his food and began to drink some of his apple cider glancing around. 'Why does Al want to stay in his room? He usually comes out here with me…unless he has another cat. I don't know why he can't leave them alone…he knows we can't take care of them.' Ed shifted in his seat as he set down the glass. 'But then again…maybe I can fool that bastard colonel into fighting me again for the upcoming assessment…maybe I can get him to take care of a cat this time.'
"I'm looking for the FullMetal Alchemist," a voice said behind Ed some-where. "Rumor is he's around here…"
"We…we've had no…no…State Alchemists here!" the inn owner stuttered. "I'm not crazy enough to put them up."
"Ah yes…" he said, "I'll keep that in mind…" the voice said before leaving.
Ed glanced at him before diving into his food. 'Hmmn…wonder why they're looking for me. Well I don't think I pissed off any one. Wait…wait, I did…that guy…but he was asking for it! He said I was a girl…but why the hell would that guy be looking for me?' Ed thought, 'after all, it's not like I'm that special…though I am the youngest state alchemist.'
When Ed was finished he walked back to his room. "…Uh, Al? What are you doing?"
Al looked up, panicked, "uh, nothing brother…"
Ed looked at Al frankly when he heard a clear and distinctive meow. "AAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
"Sorry brother…but …she's pregnant…and I couldn't leave her outside to give birth to kittens in the cold." Al complained, "Please, brother? I just want them to be born in a warm environment."
Ed sighed, 'I'm really too soft some times.' "Only till we move on Al…"
"THANK YOU BROTHER!" Al yelled, Ed could swear that he saw the armor smiling.
"Heh, calm down," Ed said climbing on to his bed and kicking off his boots, "I'm going to bed now."
"Ok. Night brother. I'll go get some milk after I make her a nest," Al said happily.
"Hnnn…birds nest," Ed said closing his eyes before slipping into sleep.
Ed woke up hours later, heat strong on his body, "nyg…" he sat up sleepily. "Huh?" His golden eyes found himself face to face with a man with a glowing aurora around him, it took him a few seconds to realize the glow was actually fire. "Who are you?"
"Shut up and get up…" he snarled, raising his hand to backhand the boy. Ed noticed a red stone ring on his finger.
Ed blinked and looked at the ring, "a fake philosophers stone…" he said looking bored.
"Very well," the man smirked, flexing his fingers.
An extreme blast of heat shot at Ed. "HEY!" Ed screamed jumping away towards a corner of the room beside the bed. He did not see the man behind him take a swing at his head knocking him out cold.
Mustang paused his reading and looked up. "Sir. Falman told me to tell you that they still haven't found who shot at the car yet." Fury reported looking worried.
Roy nodded, "I see…"
"How is Edward-kun?" the innocent looking eyes piercing Mustang's cold emotionless orbs.
"I don't know, he hasn't woken up yet." Roy responded stretching a bit.
"Ah…" Fury squeaked, nodding, "I gotta get back I have to keep an eye on Black Hayate."
"I'll call in as soon as I find out he's awake." the Colonel replied glancing, at the young officer as he left.
Fury looked back, smiling. "Thank you, Colonel. Every one is worried about him."
The Flame Alchemist nodded knowingly as Fury saluted and left. Roy looked back to Ed's journal. "So...that's where he got the concussion." He said softly before beginning to read again.
Ed woke up groaning. His head felt like some one split it in half with a sword. "Ow…" he tried to push himself up before realizing that he was unable to move his arms. "…"
"He's awake."
"Good. Edward Elric." Ed looked in the direction the voice was coming from. There was a man with greasy blond hair and piercing blue eyes. "Leave here."
"Why would I take an order from a civilian?" Ed responded casually.
The man sneered, "Oh yes…you would if you value your life…"
"Not so much to take orders from the likes of you." Ed shrugged trying to push himself up and finally managing.
"Bring him out side, and make sure that Automail isn't working." the man barked.
"Yes, Master…"
Ed squirmed as two people started ripping apart pieces of his Automail. Ed glared at the man. "And who are you?"
The man grinned. "Like I would tell a State Alchemist…"
"Feh," Ed shrugged as the two people picked him up, "I guess you don't have much confidence in me dying…"
"Oh, I know you'll die. We're in the worst part of the snowy season," he said patting Ed on the cheek. Ed growled and went to attack him despite those holding him back. "Teach him a lesson before dropping him off in the mountains."
"Yes, Master…" the men coursed.
Ed waited for the men to leave before he opened his eyes. They had kicked and punched him until he pretended to pass out. They stopped after he rolled his eyes back and fell face first into the cold snow. They laughed a bit and made sure all of his Automail parts were not at one hundred percent they left him. Ed rolled on his back and pushed himself up in the snow, shivering.
"…Hmmnn…" Ed pulled on his rope bonds. He pulled up with his Automail arm a few times before the rope finally snapped. "I could have done this back there…" Ed quickly stood up and looked around to see if he could find where the town was. He sighed, seeing the tracks left by the men who dropped him out there. "I guess I better start walking…"
Ed wrapped his jacket closer to him before starting forward. He pulled out his watch and opened it, "I wish I could see it better." he said to himself in the bright darkness of the night. Clouds had rolled in from the time he had fallen asleep and this moment. Ed shoved the pocket watch back in his pocket before shoving his real hand in his jacket pocket. The wind was slowly picking up, and he tried his best to keep himself warm, but it was not happening. Finally, Ed had no choice but to stop and build a place to stay. Clapping his hands together, he had the snow build a snow shelter and he crawled in waiting for the air to warm up. He curled up, slightly numb and shivering, before falling asleep.
Hours later, Ed awoke to the wind howling outside. Ed went to the opening to realize he had to dig himself out. He reached out with his Automail and began pushing the snow away. He started to work up a sweat which dripped down his face. Finally, Ed reached the outside and regretted it. It was snowing heavily out, wind smacking snow and debris from trees into his exposed flesh. He steadily walked on, as his body slowly began to grow numb again. Desperately he tried to keep his clothing and metal parts warm with Alchemy. He realized he was fighting a loosing battle.
He also knew that he would need food and water soon. He stumbled on at times almost falling over from the high winds. He finally sought refuge in a tree when he felt he couldn't move on any more. Once again, he transmitted a shelter in the tree. He made a wooden bowl putting snow in it to melt so he would have water. Ed sighed realizing he really should wait for the snow to stop. Ed cleaned himself up next heating up some of the snow as he stripped still shivering. He washed himself and really check his injuries. "I should have done this in the first place," He said as he used his right glove as a sponge and slowly wiped his body down. Most of his body felt like fire as feeling returned to abused limbs. Finally Ed put his clothing back on and curled up next to the bowl of steam. "How long will it take me to get back there?" he asked himself closing his golden eyes.
Ed woke up the next day to find the snow was not going to let up. He looked around at the living transmuted house. It was warm enough now, thanks to him heating up the surrounding area with Alchemy, but it was not warm enough to keep him from shivering. Finally he left the area pressing forward.
He walked all day. His body once again grew numb, his throat dry. He started to feel dizzy even as he ate snow to keep his hydration level up. His damaged Automail was starting to stiffen up.
Ed had never been so happy to see the small town come into his view.
So when Ed walked into the inn three hours later in the dead of night, every one was surprised. "BROTHER!" Al exclaimed running up to him.
"Careful Al…" Ed said winching as Ed came in contact with the metal of Al's body, not because he could feel but because he could not.
"I'm sorry brother…but I…I…"
"He saved this establishment," a bitter voice said. Ed turned to see the military veteran regarding him, "they left…this place is no longer under the Hell Hounds control…"
"So that's what they were called," Ed said sitting down stiffly.
Ashton nodded, "yes, they were former military that got dishonorable discharges during Ishval."
"…Hmph…" Ed said slowly flexing his real hand.
Ashton looked at Al, "order him some soup and warm water…"
"Uh, yes sir…" Al said before running over to the counter of the bar.
"That brother of yours stopped the fire from spreading, I was quite impressed…" he said looking at Ed.
"Did he tap into the snow from outside next to this place to damp out the fire?" Ed asked yawning and still shivering.
Ashton nodded, "yeah, he's a bright boy…"
Ed nodded proudly. He frowned, "who's the man with the greasy blond hair and blue eyes, he looks like he was pampered most of his life."
"George Denim," Ashton said softly.
"Thanks…" Ed said nodding as Al came back with what Ashton order him to get for his brother. Ed ate more slowly than usual, his body not exactly responding the way he wanted it to.
"Go to bed, the sheets should be warm enough," the man told Ed, "you've been missing for three days and probably spent that time out in the snow."
Ed nodded tired and wanting to go to bed. He hoped the pins and needles feeling would go away soon but did not voice his complaints as he stood up and walked to his room exhausted. "Brother are you ok?" he asked concerned walking next to his brother.
Ed nodded, "I'm fine Al, just a bit tired."
Al seemingly sighed in relief, "I'm glad brother, every one thought you had died…except me. I knew you were still alive."
Ed smirked at that. As he went into the room they shared and crashed into the bed, the blond smiled at his younger brother, "don't worry Al, it'll take more than a blizzard to keep me down."
"I know that, now get some rest ok brother…" Al ordered, "We have a train to catch to central in the morning."
"Yay, another chance for the Colonel to mock me," Ed said dryly wrapping himself into the comforter and falling asleep before Al could respond.
The next day Ed got up, ate, and packed before the two brothers left the town. Ashton was nowhere in sight when they left. So they did not get to say good-bye. Ed spent the majority of the trip writing his report to the Colonel.
Ed tried to push off his discomfort as he wrote the report. He ignored the burning in his ribs, the ringing in his head and the subtle hot and cold flashes he was having. Al busied himself playing solitaire. The elder brother ate only soup that day; it was the only thing he found he could keep down since His stomach was rebelling against him. Ed was careful not to let Al know how bad he felt. Ed fell asleep as soon as his report was done, his eyes watering. It had taken him a while to finish the stupid thing, much longer than it normally did.
The next day Al let his brother sleep in on the train. Ed was pissed when he woke up and found that out. "Al you can't let me sleep like that, I don't want to get out of habit…"
"But brother, you stayed up really, really late last night," Al said worried.
Ed shook his head, "Al…" he sighed, "never mind…" the teen grabbed his personal journal and began writing what really happened. Minutes went by and as usual Ed did not realize it.
"Brother…" Al said after a while.
"Yeah?" Ed asked looking intensely at his journal as he wrote.
"You haven't eaten today…"
Ed looked up to see Al holding a tray; it had soup and a glass of water on it. Ed put the journal aside and smiled at Al, "thanks Al, I completely forgot about it…"
Al nodded handing him the tray, "we're arriving in Central tomorrow afternoon…" he stated watching his brother.
Ed began to eat cautiously, "yay, yet another chance for the bastard Colonel to go, 'hmmnnn FullMetal, I hear you speaking but I don't see you…hmmnnn oh…you should be more careful then walking to the side of my paper work else you'll get squished like a bug…' just what I need." Ed continued to slowly eat as he started to write out more in the tiny abused journal.
"Uh, brother, don't forget to drink the water," Al said after ten minutes of Ed taking only three bites of his soup.
"Eh…oh right, sorry just trying to get all this in the journal before I forget some of the details," Ed said grabbing the glass of water with his right arm and taking a small sip. Al sighed, the older Elric brother looked up, "is something wrong Al?"
"I think you need to take a nap, you look tired…"
"What are you talking about Al, I'm fine!" Ed exclaimed jumping up on the seat miraculously not knocking over his food. The 'short' tempered Alchemist sat down quickly after the short burst. He continued to write until well into the night, with little snide comments here and there.
"Uh, brother…it's late…"
"Huh? Oh yeah…sorry…" Ed put his now cold soup on the ground and packed his journal away. Ed stretched, his head spinning a little bit, he then collapsed on the seat, trying to make it look like he meant to. "Night Al…" he said yawning and pulling his jacket around him before slowly falling to sleep.
Roy yawned and put the journal aside. "Sir?"
"Hmmnnn?" Roy asked looking at Hawkeye who was standing next to Havoc who must have walked into the room earlier.
"Maybe you should go home and get some rest," she suggested.
Roy stood up, "no, we're staying here, call Brenda, Fury, and Falmon. We're standing watch."
"Standing watch? Why?" Al asked.
The Flame Alchemist mentally cursed himself, "I will explain as soon as I find out what's going on."
Hawkeye saluted before running to the phone. Havoc played with the unlit cigarette in his mouth before nodding. "How are we going to guard them?"
"Alphonse kun and one of us will be in there till he is discharged into my custody," Roy said evenly.
"Custody?"
"He will be ordered, by me, to stay at my house till every thing is settled," Roy's dark eyes did not leave the hall way as he walked to Ed's room.
"Brother isn't going to like that…" the fourteen year old trapped in armor stated.
Mustang shrugged, "he has no choice, he will follow my orders."
Al sweat dropped, "ahh…"
"Go in, Fury will be in shortly." The Colonel said emotionlessly. With a look at the emotionally controlled Colonel, Al entered his brother's room. With that The Flame Alchemist sighed before going to find a secured room, "Havoc direct the men here first. I need to explain something."
Havoc saluted before going to wait for his comrades.