Death or a Living Hell

It had been a week since Ed and Al had captured Rai. It was amazing how fast she had healed from her wounds. She still was under house arrest at Riza's house. She couldn't stand to be locked up for so long. She knew it was better than being locked up in prison. Riza knew that Rai could escape her house at anytime. Rai made a promise to her elder sister that she would stay where she was for the time being. At least she kept her word.

Today, Mustang, Ed, and Riza were summoned to Fuhrer Bradley's office to discuss Rai's fate. Ed looked back at Riza as they walked to the Fuhrer's office. She looked like she had regained her color in her face, but she looked so uneasy. Ed really couldn't blame her. If Al was being tried for a crime, he would be nervous too. When they reached Bradley's office, all three saluted them and gave him full attention. Ed noticed that Major Connell was also there.

"Please sit down. Make yourselves comfortable." The three did as he said and sat down. "As you know, we have captured the thief, Rai. She has stolen a great sum of State Treasury which hasn't been located yet. I've chosen you four to help me make a decision about her. I still can't decide what punishment to give her."

"I think we should give her life in prison," Connell said. At that sentence, Riza's knuckles tightened. Even though she had white gloves on, Ed could tell that they were turning white. "She is obviously a danger to society and should be kept locked up."

"This is true," Bradley said. "Unfortunately, she is powerful enough to escape any prison we put her in. We can't lock her up." This fact made Connell smile.

"Then I suggest we dispose of her. Put her in front of a firing squad. She won't be any trouble after she's dead." That's when Riza stood up. Her teeth were gritted together so hard that Ed thought they were going to break under the pressure.

"You can't kill her," Riza said. "She's just a kid." Mustang stopped her right there.

"I don't think killing anyone is the solution we are looking for," he stated.

"Then what do you suggest?" Bradley asked. Mustang was completely silent. He didn't want to see Riza hurt, but he couldn't think of anything to help her little sister. He knew what would happen if they killed Rai. Riza would go mad and try to hurt herself again, maybe even kill herself. That was when Ed stepped in.

"I have an idea. She's a powerful alchemist, right? Maybe we could use her. Make her a state alchemist." Everyone gasped at his suggestion. Bradley scowled at Ed and then smiled.

"Full Metal, it just might be crazy enough to work."

"You can't just make her a state alchemist," Connell yelled. "The test was two months ago. How are we going to hold her for another year?"

"We'll give her the test and then see if she passes the screening committee," Riza said.

"What about the demonstration?" Connell asked. He smiled because he knew that he had them there. Mustang had a suggestion.

"We will have a face-off. Full Metal vs. the girl. What do you think?"

"I agree," Bradley said. "Bring her in." A guard saluted and left. A couple minutes later, Rai was brought in with handcuffs on. She smiled at the Fuhrer when she saw him. "Hello, Rai. How are you today?"

"Much better," she said. "I only feel a little pain on my side." She immediately looked at Connell when she said this. He just straightened up. "Hey, you think you could take the cuffs off? I promise not to do anything stupid."

"Fuhrer," Connell said. "I must advise against this."

"Nonsense," Bradley said. "She said she would behave. Besides, if anything gets out of control, Flame and Full Metal can handle her." Rai chuckled as the guard removed her restraints. "Rai, I have a proposition for you. We have been sitting her trying to decide what to do with you. We came up with a couple of solutions, but one seems to stick out. We noticed that you have incredible skills in alchemy. That is why we want you to become a state alchemist." Rai's smiled quickly disappeared. "Of course, you would have to take a test and pass. You will also have to fight Full Metal. What do you say?" Rai definitely had something to say about this.

"You want me to become a dog of the state?" she asked coldly. "Do you know what you are asking? You want me to go to war to slaughter innocent people so you can have complete power. Be thou for the people. What a load of crap." Riza couldn't believe what Rai had just said. She had sealed her fate with those horrible words, even if they were truth. Rai saw the look on her sister's face. "What are my other options?"

"Well, either you join the state alchemists or we send you to the firing squad." Bradley's words were so harsh. Riza thought that Rai would rather die rather then become a state alchemist. She wouldn't become part of the same group that took her family away. Riza was surprised to her Rai's response.

"Death or a Living Hell. All right. I'll become a state alchemist. I have some requests though." Bradley didn't want to give her anything, but he knew that he needed her. He nodded and listened. "First, I want to stay close to Riza so I can keep her in line. Second, I don't want to fight Elric. I already know I can beat him. I want a challenge. How about I face the Flame Alchemist?" Riza was surprised when Rai pointed at Mustang. There was no way she could beat him. Bradley, however, disagreed.

"Alright. You can fight Mustang. If you win, you will be a state alchemist. If you lose, I will have you executed."

Yeah, that was a pretty long one. Hope you liked it. Next Chapter, Rai vs. Roy. Should be good. Cya.