Yay for more reviews! You have just made this birthday girl happy! Anyway, I promised to post 11 today (which I am of course), but I'm debating on submitting 12 either tonight or tomorrow. I guess that will be up to you guys! (forms evil grin)

I hate being mean sometimes!

Enjoy!

P.S. Anyone who has read the manga should recognize parts of this chapter. This is one of those instances where I decided to go with the manga instead of the series, so please don't yell at me for changing major parts of the story, because I didn't!

Chapter Eleven

A few days had passed since the nighttime brawl, and the trio was still unsuccessful in any information regarding the hiding place for the outlaw alchemists. Both Edward and Winry's wounds had closed, though she did get irritated every time he insisted to look at them to ensure they were healing.

"Damn it!" Winry exclaimed as the three sat on the brothers' balcony after lunch one afternoon, "We've been looking forever, and STILL haven't found anything useful."

"I'm sure there's somewhere we're not looking yet, Winry," Alphonse stated rationally. Edward nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah, this town isn't that big, so maybe we're just looking in the wrong places."

"But we haven't come across a single alchemist or thug since that night they attacked us!" she huffed as she stood up and leaned on the railing, looking out over the town. Al looked in her direction, "But you heard what the one guy said before he was hauled off. He said he heard they have many places to gather. We could be looking right at one, and just not know it."

"Yeah, but if only we knew who this 'powerful' guy was," Edward thought out loud, "then maybe, if we can take him out, the rest of the organization will be too weak and collapse."

Winry sighed in frustration as she continued to watch the town. "Wait…hold on a minute," she said suspiciously.

Both brothers looked confused as they saw her leaning over the balcony to look underneath, and around the streets. "What is it?" inquired Al.

"The people…No one is out here," said Winry absentmindedly as she continued to look around.

"And what's the matter with that? It just means it's quieter now…" griped Edward.

"It's lunchtime, that's why…there should be a lot of people out and about…" Winry said as she turned around with her hands on her hips.

"Brother! Winry! Look…" Al said, pointing out into the streets.

The two teens turned their gaze to see four men exit from an alleyway and walk up the street toward their balcony. They came within a block or two, and one turned his gaze up to the balcony sneering, "So this is where you've have been hiding…"
Edward stood up and glared at the group, "Who the hell are you and what do you want? Are you a part of that weak-ass alchemist group we pounded the other night?"

His boldness caused the man to chuckle to himself, "Yeah, we're alchemists. What few of us are left decided to get help, and fortunately we have a powerful ally we'd like you to meet. He's interested in meeting you, REALLY interested, and it seems like he has already heard of you."

Ed smirked, "Yeah, well I bet he'll go down just as fast as your buddies did."

One of the other outlaws grinned, "We'll see about that, kid." Looking to an alley, he called to someone, "Hey buddy! Come on out and teach these brats a lesson!" The group walked off to the side of the road, waiting for the forthcoming fight, as a dark-skinned man with a large scar on his forehead slowly walked out from behind the alley and looked straight at the trio. Winry could see the expression on Edward's face change, though she could tell he was trying hard not to show his emotions. She also kept seeing him glance back in her direction as fear flashed through his eyes.

"Well, it seems that the rumors were true. Two state alchemists are here from Central. It makes my job easier when they follow me." Keeping his sunglasses on, he glanced from Edward to Alphonse, "Well, you finally succeeded and became qualified, even though you have no physical body? Impressive…" Winry began to step forward to correct the man, but was pulled back by Edward.

"Hey!" she exclaimed.

Interrupting the girl's cry, Al went along with the man's assumption. "Yes, I was finally able to receive my state certification, and even though I know your intentions, I do not have any regrets."

Edward pulled Winry to kneel a few feet behind his brother, as Alphonse continued to stall Scar, and shook his head at his friend, "I want you to stay out of this one," he whispered to her. "Trust me, you don't want to be involved with this."

"What's with this guy? Why does he think Al is the alchemist and not me?" Winry asked Ed, and then glared at him, "And what's the point of having my abilities if I can't use them to help you two?"

"We've fought him before; you haven't. We know how he fights, and what he can do…you don't. I want you to promise you'll stay out of this one." Seeing her lower her eyes, Ed grabbed the girl's shoulders and whispered loudly, "Promise me!"

Pulling her shoulders away from him in protest, and crossing her arms across her chest, she looked away from him, "Hmph. Only until you two are getting your butts whipped, then I may decide to intervene, so he better watch out."

Frowning at her sarcastic comment, Edward pulled her forward into a hug. Surprised at his sudden motion, Winry blushed and let him hold her in his arms. "This is the guy Mustang warned us about; the alchemist killer, who everyone calls 'Scar'. I forgot to tell you about him when we were on the train. No matter what happens to Al or me, please be careful. Don't let him get near you…" he whispered into her ear before letting her go and standing up. He walked over to the balcony edge and turned around to face her, "But we aren't going to let it last that long," Ed said as he and Al jumped over the railing to land on the ground.

Winry stood up and rushed to the edge of the balcony, to see the brothers walk towards their opponent. The town remained still as the two stopped thirty feet or so from the intimidating man. Time seemed to stand still as the pair faced the lone warrior. Suddenly Scar lunged toward the pair and slammed his arm to the ground, creating a great explosion that separated Edward and Alphonse. Before either one of them had time to react, Scar appeared in front of Ed, his hand raised to attack once again. Edward desperately tried to dodge the blow, but didn't need to as Al appeared and slammed his body into the alchemist killer.

Scar caught himself from falling and slid away fifteen feet from the brothers. He stood to face the two, and fixed his sunglasses on his face, "Don't think I don't know how to destroy you even though you have no physical body."

Edward sneered at the threat towards his brother, "And don't think we don't know who and what you are, and that what you're doing goes against everything your God stands upon!"

The boys could see the anger rise within Scar's face. "You, who do not even believe in God, dare mock me? It was alchemists like you who obliterated my people, and for that I shall use the very same power used against them to destroy you!" he yelled as he lunged forward. Edward quickly clapped his hands and created a barrier between him and Scar, giving his brother and he a precious second to move from his path. Scar easily exploded the barrier in a pile of dust and smoke to be welcomed by a gigantic cannon Edward had transformed from a few nearby carts. Edward fired the cannon, and for a split second believed to have hit the attacker, but was brought back to reality when Scar appeared in front of him and swung his right arm to grab the teen. Ed jumped from the cannon, but wasn't fast enough as Scar grabbed him by the edge of his coat. He quickly broke free from the material and landed, then ran to take cover as he saw Al using a transmutation circle to send a wave of dirt in the direction of their foe.

Quickly transforming his automail arm into a large blade, Ed regained his breath for a few precious moments as he waited for Scar to reappear. Dust clouded the area, making it difficult to see anything. The boys held their position and waited for any sign of their attacker to appear. As the dust settled, Edward was able to make out a shadow of a man standing across the street where his former cannon now lay in ruins. The slight breeze blew the settling dust away, and the boys could see the Ishballian man take his broken sunglasses off his face and toss them to the ground. He stood still and stared at the two teens.

"I thought being a state alchemist allowed you to transmute without having to make a circle," Scar stated, causing Edward to begin to have a bad feeling. He glanced quickly to the balcony to see Winry was still watching the scene. From their distance, he didn't think she would be able to hear everything that was being said.

Scar saw the small glance, and began to smile. "So why would a state alchemist continue to draw transmutation circles?" Alphonse tried his best to come up with a believable excuse to fool their attacker, "I prefer to since I've just gotten my certification! I'm still not used to using alchemy without it yet!"

"I don't see a watch on you, so where would you put it? I know the armor is empty, and I don't hear it making any noise in there, so why would you lie to me?"

"I haven't! I swear! I just got my certification recently…" Al spoke quickly, his mind in overdrive trying to figure out how to explain everything.

Silence surrounded the area momentarily as the three continued to hold their positions.

"Is it because you are trying to protect HER?" Scar yelled as he slammed his hand to the ground and sent an explosion ripping through the soil towards the inn.

"NO! WINRY WATCH OUT!" Edward screamed as he lunged forward in an attempt to stop the attack. He quickly slashed through the air, hoping to connect with the dark-skinned man, but was disappointed when he realized he jumped away from the attack. He landed and immediately ran towards what was left of the inn.

Winry saw the exchange between the men, but couldn't hear what was being said. She also saw Ed glance her way and felt her stomach twist in a sickingly way. A few more comments were made before the scarred man screamed and sent an attack her way. The ground exploded in a line towards the inn; towards her. She screeched in surprise, but instinctively jumped on the railing and launched herself off of it towards the ground. She landed hard on an outside table, and felt one of her ribs snap as the table collapsed. Not a second later she heard a loud explosion, and looked up to see the front of the inn had been torn off by the attack.

Rolling off the remains of the table, Winry grabbed her side and stood up to see Edward running towards her. Not far behind, she saw their attacker gaining distance on Ed, while Al frantically drew a transmutation circle on the ground.

"ED, MOVE!" Winry screamed as she clapped her hands and slammed them to the ground, sending her own attack Scar's way. Edward dodged just in time as the ground exploded past him. Scar attempted to dodge the attack as well, but was surprised that when he jumped to the side, the attack veered his way as well. Edward continued towards Winry as he heard the explosion sound behind him, reaching her within a few seconds. She appeared to be okay, though she kept holding her side he noted. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and glanced back to see Al stalling the man from Ishbal for a few moments with an alchemist attack of his own.

"Go find a place to hide and stay there! He figured out Al was lying, and he knows you're an alchemist, so he's going to be coming after you too…" Winry could hear the panic and fear in Edward's voice, and for a split second believed they may not have a chance against this scarred man.

"I'm not going to leave you two to fight him," Winry said as she brushed herself off and prepared to fight the imminent threat.

They both turned as Al shouted, in time to see Scar running in their direction. Edward got into position to fight, and blocked Winry from Scar's path.

"GO!" he screamed. The urgency in his voice scared her slightly, as Winry began to run as fast as she could for the alleys; she had learned the past few days that they connected in various places and could provide a decent getaway from an attacker. She glanced over her shoulder to see Edward attempting to attack the Ishballian, but Scar avoided his attack easily and continued in her direction. She pushed her legs to move faster, but he seemed to gain on her. She quickly transmuted anything she passed that could block his path to her, but nothing could slow him down.

Just as Winry was almost to the alleys, she felt her body jerk backwards and a pain shoot through her head, as he had grabbed a handful of her hair. She fell to the ground, and quickly swung her legs around and tried to trip him, but to no avail. She could hear Edward and Alphonse yelling from behind them, but knew they were going to be too late to help her. He picked her up by the hair, and dangled her in front of his face, "So you're the one that's the new alchemist. Pity for you to be here." He grabbed a near wall and caused it to explode, closing off the mouth of the alley they were in, and cutting them off from the only people that could help her. She tried to pry his hand away from her hair, but he was much stronger than her. Pain tore through her scalp, causing tears to stream down her face, and she believed it would rip from her skull if she weren't released soon.

On the other side of the tall pile of debris she could hear Edward yelling for her as Al tried to move some of the boulders and chunks of wall. "Don't worry young one, it will be over soon," the voice caused her to look down and see his red eyes glaring at her. Even through the pain in her body, she wasn't willing to give up easily.

Winry snapped her gloved fingers and instantly turned her automail arm into a large blade just as a loud explosion sounded and the debris crumbled into dust behind them. Scar turned his head slightly at the noise, and Winry took her chance to slice at him. She swung her arm up and sliced at his shoulder, and in the process cut his sleeve off, revealing the heavily tattooed arm underneath. The attack surprised the man and he released her hair from his grip. She fell to the ground, and began to run farther into the alley, creating as many obstacles as possible to block anyone from following her. She took many paths to lose any followers and found a dumpster to hide behind once she felt she was safe.

Winry hid for a minute or two before realizing Scar had not followed her. Worry began to sink in as she remembered Ed and Al coming through the wall and attacking him. She remembered seeing his arm, and the many tattoos covering it. Then the image of those piercing red eyes came to the forefront of her memory. They sparked another memory to surface:

"Do you know what happened to my parents, Colonel?" she asked him, in hopes of finding any information to help comfort her. The Colonel stared at the young girl from his desk, then stood up to face the window.

"Your parents died in the war, Winry, you know that," he replied quietly after a few moments of silence. He could hear her sit quietly on one of his couches and speak in a whisper, "I know, I just wished I knew how they died. I was just looking for any information that could tell me anything about them."

He turned around to see the girl with her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands. "I just thought that since you were over there, then you might know something about them, and how they…went…"

He crossed the room to kneel in front of the girl. Taking her hands away from her face, he gently wiped the tears away from her eyes. "They were good people. They gave medical attention to whomever needed it, whether they be friend or foe." He saw her smile slightly and nod, agreeing with his statement.

"They were the victims of a renegade Ishballan male, as were many alchemists. Since they healed alchemists, his perception was that they should be destroyed like many of my fellow comrades. What's ironic is that, at one time, your parents had helped him from the brink of death. Rumor had it that he had a very large scar on his forehead and a detailed tattoo on his right arm, which was also where his power of alchemy came from." Mustang looked from the girl to the floor, "He would blow the victim up from the inside out." He heard a gasp come from the girl, and looked up to see her head tilted down with her bangs covering her eyes, and her hands clenched into fists. "Rumor also had it that he was destroyed towards the end of the war, though, by our army," he said sternly as he stood from his position and took his place back at his desk.

"I know it's painful, but you have to move on."

Winry stood from her spot and bowed in respect, though still not lifting her head to the Colonel. "Thank you very much for the information, Colonel." She bowed again before exiting his office.

Anger flowed through the Winry's veins as she realized just who their attacker was. She stood from her crouched position and began to walk towards an area where the paths crossed, and made her way back to the fighting area. The closer she got to the fighting, the louder it got. Finally she came up to an opening to the street the brothers were fighting Scar in, and she carefully hid while watching the Ishballan's actions. He seemed barely tired, whereas Edward and Alphonse looked bruised and beaten. Ed was sporting many bruises and cuts that bled, and she could see many dents and small cracks in Al's armor body.

Scar stood in the middle of the boys, and each was holding their action until he did something. She could see each talking, but couldn't hear what was being said. "I hate being this far away from everyone," she mumbled to herself.

"Well, this means it'll be farther for them to run and save you," came a scratchy voice from behind her. Winry whirled around to see the four alchemists from earlier had formed a semi-circle around her. She put her hands on her hips in frustration and sighed, "You know, I really don't have time for you guys, so if you would be so kind as to hold your attacks until later, I'd really appreciate it…"

Two of the men laughed at her cockiness and pulled daggers out to transform them into other weapons, "You won't be so lucky this time, missy…"
Rolling her eyes at their comment, "Okaaaaaaayyyyy…Don't say I didn't warn you…"