Halfmetal Alchemist: Chapter 11

Lost Link to Leroy

Roy ran down the streets, panic-stricken and looking for his children. "Leroy! Ed! Where are you?" Al and Alley followed at his heels, unused to being woken so early in the morning. Al was dragging the point of his broadsword on the ground, rubbing furiously at his eyes while Alley yawned and checked her pistols. "Damn it! Half the town gone and those two are nowhere to be found!" If they had been caught in the destruction, what the hell would he tell Riza when he went back home? Al, who had driven off the feeling of sleepieness from his eyes, was also calling frantically for his brothers while Alley looked towards shops and alleys that her brother had not checked.

He could never forgive himself if something happened to them, ever. People had crowded the streets, crying out for loved ones and making way for him when they saw his uniform. It surprised them that a man from the military had arrived so quickly, and most hastened to him, asking what the military could do. Al and Alley stayed behind to keep the civilians back, telling them that getting in the way would only hamper the investigation, and that they should stay well away from the site of destruction.

"I'm sure he'll do the best he can, everyone! You need to give him space so he can get through!"

"I know you're missing family members, and we are too, but you have to keep back!" Alley pleaded, and the masses backed up a bit to let Roy through.

Ed and Leroy, meanwhile, were stumbling headlong in terror through whatever got in their way, distancing themselves as much as possible from the horrors behind them. They fell down in a heap in another clump of bushes, panting and sweating. "W-why... do we always... get into bushes...?" Ed gasped. "Because you pull... me down! We have to find Dad and the others, and quick!" Leroy snapped. A gust of air hit their faces and they sighed, grateful for the reprieve from the stifling heat.They looked back at the mess that was once part of Rizenbul, and Ed tightened his hold on Leroy's arm. "That could have been us too, Leroy... oh God... Dad must be blowing... well... everything!"

Leroy shuddered and eyed the glove on his hand. "Yeah, who knows what he's doing looking for us? Like I said, we'd better get moving. I don't want to be here anymore."

"Neither do I, kid, but as a State Alchemist, it's your job and your business." The boys' heads shot up and stared at the man looking at the destruction. The man gave them a brief glance and resumed his scrutinization of Rizenbul. "What? Get up already, you're still alive aren't you?" He dangled a pocketwatch in front of them and helped them to their feet. "What's your deal? You two should be checking this out, not running away from it like two chickens lacking their heads." he shook his head, greying black hair flying. "You must be new. Me, I've been a State Alchemist for as long as I can remember. Or, for as long as I care to remember, anyhow," he chuckled.

Leroy and Ed stared at him dumbly, not sure of how the man was taking this destruction so lightly. He gave them a look. "You two are young... where are your parents?" His eyes suddenly darted to the corners and he sidestepped quickly, just barely avoiding a fireball. He turned around. "Hey! What's your problem?" Roy stared him down and seethed. "Get away from them!" The man cocked his head, amused. "You look like your father."

Roy stopped and stepped back. "W-what?" The man drew his brows together, clearly annoyed. "Can't you hear man? I told you you looked like your old man. Leroy Mustang." Leroy looked up at the man and then atRoy. "Dad? What's going on? Do you know this guy?"

"No, of course he doesn't; we only met once, and he was a baby. I was in Lior after that, damn backwater community, I get all the news fifteen years too late." he nudged Leroy and Ed towards Roy. "Go on. Once your over there he'll stop drilling holes into my head with his eyes." Ed and Leroy obeyed and stood behind Roy.

"Maybe I should introduce myself. I'm Anri, the Supersonic Alchemist. And you, are Fuhrer Roy Mustang, Flame Arm Alchemist, son of Fuhrer Leroy Mustang, also dubbed the Flame Arm Alchemist." Anri smirked at him. "Do I look familiar at all to you, Roy?" Roy looked him up and down, and shook his head. "Not in the slightest, I thought so." Anri sighed and paced back and forth. "Well, familiarities can be shared later. What is more important is the business at hand. This," he waved to the cooling lava. "Is the work of one hell of an alchemist. In fact, this particular trick I've only seen once before, and it was managed by Leroy. He, is obviously... gone now." his head bowed respectfully and he resumed his report.

"However, there is something here that does not quite make sense. You see, there have been bodies recovered. Yes, I know, they're horribly burned and all, but some are viciously mangled. I know what fire does to the body and that's not it; they look to be slashed apart. Tell me, Fuhrer... have you outlawed the production of chimeras yet?"

Roy cursed himself, remembering the papers that were still sitting in his office in East HQ. The papers to outlaw the production of chimeras. He had done it once, but the order had been derailed, not getting through to all headquarters, and so he had been notified and requested to sign more papers. Somehow, none of them had gotten through and he hoped Riza had taken over his work and proceeded with what he had left off.

"To remedy this dilemma, I'm requesting that I be allowed to travel with you. I do... have a very reliable network of eyes and ears that should be helpful. And I have information that should be very useful to you, concerning the details of Fuhrer Mustang's death. All I ask is that I travel with you."

"And why do you want to come with us?"

Anri shrugged. "The Fuhrer played a large role in my life, and toclear up his death is the least I can do. I also... guess I want revenge for him as much as you do." Roy grimaced and Anri smiled inwardly, realizing that he had hit a nerve. "Fine. Come with us, just don't get in our way." Roy did not wait for a salute but walked away, motioning Leroy and Ed to follow.

I'm sorry I took so long to get this one up (almost a week! gasp) but camp does keep me very preoccupied. However, this week is the last week and I shall be posting regularly I hope.

Yes, I do love putting in new characters, and Anri is actually a character from another story of mine that I liked so much that I wanted to import him into this one. Unfortunately, does not let you put up completely original creations, which is probably why it's you're welcome, Apparition7, it was no problem reviewing!

For the rest of you readers and constant reviewers, thank you for reading and uh.. well... reviewing! I love my reviewers, thank you all!

Just for a little insight, next chapter will be about just where the heck Ed, Terra, Al, and Winry have gone! ... well... maybe just Al and Winry, and a bit of Ed. ... ok ok! Very little of Ed next chapter, I still have to keep a little suspense up! -T A