Halfmetal Alchemist: Chapter 25

Alchemy vs. Ultimus

Ultimus jumped down from his perch on the brick wall and waved his legthened fingers at Fullmetal and Roy. "You two are the ones I'm after, don't really have time to become acquainted with the others."

The flames on Roy's arms intensified. "Why us?"

"Why? You of all people are asking why? You remember, don't you? You annihilated Pride, and now they want you dead, Flame-Arm Alchemist. As for you..." he said, gesturing at Fullmetal. "Well, they've always wanted you dead, haven't they. They'd like to thank you for bringing them back, as well, and I can't help but think how stupid you must be to bring them back."

"I... I did it for Terra! You wouldn't understand, you monster!"

"Woah old man, that hurts my feelings you know. I'm not a monster, as you would have it. Just... altered I suppose. I'll tell you what," he said, giving them a wink. "I'll tell you my weak spot, so you're not so sorely disadvantaged. See this?" he flourished a jet black gem. "This is called a Dark Emerald, the only one in the world, formerly located in the treasury of Rivant's Castle. Hit this hard enough and I just might go down. But there's small chance of that." he floated it in the air, and it sank into his chest. "You can't get through to it, because I'll just regenerate. So what will you do?"

"Father's emerald!" Faris cried. "Why did you take that? It has no value whatsoever, it does nothing!" Leroy and Ed exchanged a glance. "If we're thinking the same thing... it holds... some kind of power that holds him together. If we take that done, he'll distenegrate or whatever he does when he dies!"

Fullmetal clenched his teeth. "Whatever. He knows where Terra is, so I won't stop till I force it out of him!" he lunged forward and Ultimus sidestepped, lashing out with his own automail scythe. "You're better than I thought, old timer. But..." The scythe darkened and Fullmetal was forced backwards. Ultimus arced the scythe downwards and it sliced through Fullmetal's automail arm like a knife through butter. Fullmetal staggered backwards, staring at the circuitry that was fizzling out in his arm.

"Dad!" Ed cried. He stepped forward to help but Fullmetal through up his other hand. "Stay back, Junior. No use getting you involved in this too." Ultimus's wings propelled him forward and was about to run Fullmetal through, or at least disembowel him, when Roy torched him from the side. "You forgot about me; He's not the only one you should worry about."

"Flame-Arm Alchemist... you have a few more tricks than Fullmetal does, I suppose." Roy concentrated the alchemy in the air around Ultimus and struck against his other arm to ignite, making a first class bonfire of him. Ultimus stepped out, his form quickly regenerating anything that was too badly burned. "You know..." Ultimus's eyes gleamed, maddened. "I really hate fire." he opened a void in front of him and water spewed out, slamming Roy against the brick wall and cracking it. "Ugh..."

Anri sped at Ultimus but was thrown back into another wall and chained to it with dark energy. "No more interfering, Supersonic."

"Enough playing now... time to finish what I came to start. Flame-Arm first..."

"Roy! Get up! Get up man!" Fullmetal yelled, trying to regain his sense of balance now that his arm was gone. Roy looked up slowly, blood dripping from his hairline and his mouth. "C-can't... move..."

"D-dad?" Leroy ran to him and kneeled near him with Ultimus slowly advancing on them. "C'mon Dad, you can get up can't you? C'mon!" Faris put her hands on his head. "His ribs are broken... I think his leg is too... and a minor concussion. He won't be able to get up... Leroy..."

"No! Dad! You can't die now, you can't!"

"Roy!" Riza pulled the trigger multiple times and each bullet buried itself into Ultimus, but it didn't even slow him down. Then she pulled out a bazooka. "MOM? Where did you GET that THING?" She looked at it, then at Roy. She opted for her guns again and she, Al, and Alley opened fire on Ultimus.

He stood right in front of Roy, finger poised. Roy used the last of his strength to blast Faris and Leroy away with flames. "Any last words, Flame-Arm Alchemist?" he turned his face towards his family. "Sorry guys..." he looked Riza in the eyes. "I'm sorry..."

Ultimus tapped his foot impatiently. "That it? I don't have all day you know." Roy spit on him. "Make it quick, you bas-"

"Not today... not ever!" Fullmetal looked up. "Alphonse?" Ultimus shrieked and held his side as something corroded his side. "What the f-"

"You're not going to kill them, not if you want to keep your head! Hear me?" Al and Alley looked up, then at each other. "You think he's..."

"Yeah..."

"Now back off, or I'll send another one your way!" Alphonse yelled, holding up a glowing fist.

Ultimus backed away slowly. "You've won for today, I'll give you a point for unexpected surprises. Next time, you'll be gone too."

"Just go and leave us alone."

Ultimus inclined his head. "A worthy adversary. I hope to meet you again." He stepped back into the darkness and disappeared.

Riza ran to Roy and supported his head with her arm. "Roy... Roy... tell me you're still alive!" Roy shuddered and coughed up blood, but managed a smile. "I'm... I'm still here... just barely..." a sickened look crossed his face and he turned his face to the side and spat out blood. "We need to get him to a hospital... or something!" She supported his head and picked him up, staggering a little. "I-I'm not strong enough..." Anri slid down the wall, released from the restraints. "Let me take him, I'll get there faster than any of you."

"Dad, you'll be okay... you will!" A smirk pulled at the corner of Roy's mouth and he closed his eyes.

25, please review, please? T.T Thanks for all of my constant reviewers tho, which is almost all of you... - T A