State Alchemist Mustang
Chapter Three - Pain
"Fuhrer Mustang! Lieutenant General Mustang!" The major saluted and watched as his commanding officer inspected the new recruits, Riza in tow. He walked right by his two daughters and acted as if they were of no importance. The girls giggled together and Roy stopped.
"Something funny?" He glanced at the two. They saluted.
"No, sir." They said and tried not to smile. Roy continued to inspect everyone. Once at the other end of the double line, Roy turned and faced the major.
"Good work Major Armstrong." Roy said and started to walk back.
"Which is the one you want promoted?" He turned his head side to side, with both hands behind his back.
"Private Mustangs! Private Kogo! Private Smith! Private Allophonic! Step forth." The major ordered and the girls and fellow comrades obeyed. They saluted once more and Roy walked over to them. He looked them up and down. He then turned to Riza.
"Lieutenant General, make a note about this." Roy said, inside he was very proud but he knew he could not show it.
"Yes sir." Riza said with a small smile and wrote the names down on her clipboard, then followed him off the field. The girls looked at each other and smiled. They made their parents proud.
That night, the people to receive promotions were summoned, along with their comrades. They were all wearing the blue military uniforms and matching hats. It was Thursday now and Robin and Raven were informed they would go home since they finally learned how to get along. One by one, the privates were called up onstage and Roy awarded each with the appropriate stuff, Riza by his side, holding the flat basket which held the pins and such in it. Major Armstrong stood behind Riza and he called the names and their new ranks. He called them in alphabetic order, but started with the boys.
"Sergeant Thomas Allophonic!" He called as a boy with short red hair stood and approached. He saluted and received his stuff, then returned to his seat.
"Sergeant Jessica Kogo!" He called again and a woman with shot brown hair approached, saluted and then returned to her seat.
"Sergeant Robin Mustang!" Robin approached, smiled, saluted and received. She started to turn to leave and she saw her father lips move to say a muted 'congratulations' Then she returned to her seat. Roy was having a hard time hiding the smile, Riza however, just smiled slightly the whole time. They were both proud.
"Excellent work! Now, the special rank promotions." Major Armstrong seemed to smile a bit as he began calling out the names.
"Sergeant Major Hiro Smith!" A man with long blond hair approached, saluted, received, then returned to his seat. Riza took an untouched deep breath as did Roy. They tried to remain calm as the major called the last name.
"Sergeant Major Raven Mustang!" Raven took a deep breath, smiled and walked up to her father. She saluted proudly and he handed her the stuff. She started to turn to leave and she, too, saw her father lips move to say a muted 'congratulations'. She smiled and headed back to her seat. All the newly ranked soldiers stood up and saluted as the Fuhrer and his lieutenant General began to exit the stage. Just as Riza took a step on the stairs to exit the stage, loud gun shots was heard. Everyone hit the floor, Riza pulled out her gun and stepped in front of Roy, her eyes scanning the whole auditorium.
"The State Military will fall!" Yelled a deep voice then a puff of smoke was seen, more shots were fired and then everything went quiet. Riza took this as her change to chase the intruder. She took off running after mystery man and was followed by Armstrong. Havoc and Ross, who were watching the ceremony, jumped up and joined the chase. Everything remained quiet, until a frantic voice was heard.
"He's been shot!" A girl yelled and stood up pointing at the boy on the floor next to her. Roy walked over to the girl and looked down at the boy. His left arm was bloody.
"Medic!" Roy yelled as he helped the boy stand slowly. The boy winced in pain as he sat down and held his arm.
"Robin!" Raven screamed as Roy jumped up and looked around for his daughter. When Raven screamed in fear as did a girl next to her, Roy was able to follow the voice and found Raven standing above a lifeless Robin. Roy rushed over to his daughter as everyone watched in fear.
"Sir! We lost the culprit!" Lieutenant Maria Ross returned and saluted. When she noticed Roy kneeling next to one of the promoted, she rushed over.
"Sir?" She asked and knelt next to him.
"We need a medic There are a few wounded." Roy said through clenched teeth. "Take Raven with you." Ross nodded and took Raven out of the room. Soon a bunch of medics came in and began to care for the wounded.