Previously on Fullmetal Alchemist
THUG IN ALLEY: We're gonna have REAL fun with you...
Takara looks terrified before screaming shrilly.
The men move out of the way before being hit by what looks like a bolt of electricity.
THUG IN ALLEY (looking towards the entrance of the alley): Who the hell are you?
Ed furiously spinning the men around before throwing them into a wall, the men knocked out cold.
ED VOICE OVER: I'm your worst nightmare.
TAKARA: Who the hell are you?
Takara transmutes a garbage can into a dagger.
ED (shocked): You can transmute without a circle!
AL: Alphonse and this is my older brother Edward.
TAKARA (slowly smiling): Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric?
Takara protesting as she's dunked under the water in the tub by Dimitri. Later, Takara crying in the tub.
DIMITRI VOICE OVER: Better think of a way to fix that deal or he's gonna have a reason to make sure you never see the light of day again.
END OF TEASER
START OF CHAPTER
Chapter 3
Ed's Jealousy
"Hmm, interesting."
"I know, Colonel. You had to be there to see it. It was incredible."
"Interesting! That's amazing!"
"I find it riveting!"
"That's a change."
"Holy mama..."
"God, I don't see what the big deal is. So some other girl can transmute without a circle. Big whoopee-flipping deal."
Colonel Roy Mustang, Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes, Major Alexander Armstrong, Lt. Riza Hawkeye, Officer Vato Falman, Sgt. Major Kain Feury, Lt. Jean Havoc, Lt. Heymans Breda and Al, gathered in the library at the table, turned and stared at Ed who was seated in a recliner next to the bookcase, looking bored and uninterested. Al had just gone through the story of him and Ed meeting Takara and while everybody seemed engrossed upon hearing there was another kid that could transmute without a circle, Ed had his feet up on the arm of the recliner and his hand hanging down, Hawkeye's dog Hayate sniffed at his hand. The library was dimly lit, the only glow from the candles in the windows, soft Christmas music playing from the radio in the corner.
"It is a big deal, Edward," Hawkeye said. "I mean... It's just obvious that this changes everything. You may be the world's youngest State Alchemist but you're no longer the only one who can transmute without a circle."
"Yeah, really," Mustang started, leaning back into the chair, staring at Ed across the room. "Wow, who knew? I guess that doesn't make you so special anymore Elric." Ed responded to this by glaring at Mustang but didn't say anything but not for the expected reason. Normally, if Mustang did say something like this to Ed on a normal day, it would be nothing startling for Ed to respond by swearing violently. But to everybody's surprise, Ed said nothing. Though Ed didn't think of it as that big of a deal, everybody else did.
"Oh my God, what's that sound?" Havoc said in feigning shock, Falman and Breda grinning at him.
"That's silence, Havoc," Falman said. Ed gave them all nasty looks but still remained silent.
"I can't believe it! Has Edward Elric lost his touch?" The three burst into laughter, Falman bent over, Breda and Havoc grinning at each other. Mustang, Hughes and Feury had smirks on their faces while Armstrong, Hawkeye and Al really didn't respond to the situation. Falman, Breda and Havoc's comedy was short lived when getting up from his seat, Ed violently swore to the three of them and went to the window, his back to the group.
"We were joking with ya, Elric!" Havoc said, straightening up but Ed still didn't respond.
"Oh leave the kid alone," Hughes said to the guys. "For Ed, this is the first time somebody's challenged him like this and he probably feels threatened..."
"Shut up Hughes. I do not feel threatened by a girl who turned a garbage can lid into a dagger when I've done more than that." That hit the nerve, Ed turning and giving Hughes a very nasty look. Ed's girl comment hit a nerve with Hawkeye and she stared at Ed with raised eyebrows, frowning.
"And is it such a horrible thing? Not all of the world's best alchemists have to be men, Edward."
"Oh my God!" Havoc went into his act again that this time, Ed looked like he could punch him. "Do you know what this means?"
"It sounds like wittle Ed is jealous!" Falman, Breda and Havoc burst into laughter again. Ed wasn't about to take this anymore.
"SHUT THE HELL UP YOU MOTHER – " Al's eyes grew wide at Ed's language and that seemed to silence everybody in the room, everybody staring at Ed in shock. "IF YOU THINK SHE'S BEST THING TO HAPPEN, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND HIRE HER FOR STATE ALCHEMIST POSITION, I'M PRETTY SURE YOU'D ALL LOVE THAT," Ed didn't stop and rounded on Al. "Thanks for standing up for me Al..."
"Brother, I – " Ed didn't give Al the chance and walking through around the table, opened and slammed the door shut behind him, leaving the group to stand there silently.
"Well, I think that answers my question," Havoc said but he backed off seeing the face on Al's face.
"Shut your mouth," Al said quietly as he looked towards the door in concern for Ed.
"You did cross the line Havoc," Hawkeye said as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"Oh, come on Hawkeye. He knows that we were so joking with him," Havoc said, Falman and Breda nodding their heads in agreement.
"Still, why should he get jealous?" Feury asked, looking at Armstrong who looked slightly puzzled to involving Ed's outburst but not that startling, considering Ed's temper when it came to a person insulting his intelligence or anything to do with his height. "He's still the world's youngest state alchemist and apart of the military..."
"...You should've seen the look on his face in the alley when he saw Takara did it," Al said quietly that the entire Mustang gang stared at him. "And it didn't help that they didn't make the right first impressions to each other..."
There was an uneasy silence around the room but the song "Silent Night" playing on the radio.
"Where did the girl go off to after the incident? You should have had her come here Alphonse so she could've reported this," Mustang started sternly. "She here with family?"
"I actually don't know. She didn't say. We didn't get into that much of a conversation but she is staying at the Central Inn."
"I'm calling it a night. Tomorrow, bring the girl in, see what she's like, alright?" Al complied and left the Mustang gang to themselves.
All the lights off but the Christmas ornamental string of lights that Al had, had Ed put up for the spirit of the holidays, Ed was changed out of his clothes into boxers and a white t-shirt. Though he was calm as of that moment, Ed was still tense and fuming over what those guys had said. So he didn't make a regular snippy comment, they felt it was their duty to make fun of him. Turning over so he was on his back, Ed stared up at the ceiling. Yeah, it was different to know that he was no longer the only one who could transmute without a circle. He had always been known as the Alchemist who was for the people or that he could transmute without a circle. But...seeing that girl Takara doing it like that in the alleyway... Not even wanting to think about it anymore, Ed pulled the blankets up over his head as he heard the door open and clinking of Al entering. Pretending to be asleep, thinking about that night, he refused to say he was jealous. Ed scoffed. Him, jealous? What did he have to be jealous of? But as Ed did finally fall asleep, it was clear, he was...
The winter sun peeked through the closed shades of Takara's room, Takara fast asleep in the warmth of the heavy blankets on the bed. The sun shining right down onto face, Takara groaned at the brightness as she rolled over, towards the window. Slowly opening her eyes, she squinted as she rubbed her eyes, wanting nothing more but to go back to sleep but there was no point. Sitting up, in a long black sweatshirt, Takara put a hand through her hair as she remembered what occurred the night before with Dimitri... It seemed like a blur but Takara could remember that she eventually got out of the tub and getting into her pajamas and just collapsed into the bed, asleep within seconds. Images of the past haunted her sleep but Takara didn't remember waking up at all during the night. Stretching, Takara felt sick. Not as in fever sick, but the kinda of sick that only happens when something that should've never happened did makes you "feel" sick as she drew her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around her knees, rested her chin atop her knees. Last night only proved to her that the people who were after her would keep following her until she was dead. Yes, it frightened Takara but then one thing always popped up in her mind - why wouldn't she tell? She had plenty of opportunities to go to the authorities and tell but that would only mean reliving her past. One thing for sure, Takara wasn't proud of herself. Ever since that night, it served as a bitter reminder of what had happened, and what she had done. Takara didn't care if people told her she was only a little girl, to her it didn't serve as an excuse.
Shaking her head, Takara got up out of bed, stretching her shoulders when looking into the mirror, she frowned at what she was looking at. Stepping closer, Takara's reflection showed that her entire left eye was a shade of light blue and black; from when Dimitri slammed her face down onto the tub.
Bastard... Takara swore in her mind when there was a knock at the door. Going to the door, Takara assumed it was the room service and opening the door, came face to face with two people she didn't expect to see again.
"OH! Wow! Um...hi?" Was all she said, the suit of armor named Alphonse and his brother Fullmetal Alchemist Ed from the night before stood there. No longer in the darkness, Takara could see what they looked like.
Oh my God! He's hot! Was the first thing that popped in Takara's mind involving Ed but when she saw the way both Ed and Al were staring at her, she realized why. Still in her pajamas, her pajamas was only a long sleeve black shirt that went only so low.
"Uh..." Was all they could get out, Ed's eyes wide like saucer plates and his cheeks red while Al didn't respond but reacted by sweating profusely and wide eyes.
"Eeeee!" Takara squealed, her entire face turning magenta and she immediately pushed at the bottom of her shirt, crossing her legs. "So...how you been?"
"Fine, thanks..." Ed muttered, looking away.
"You guys always make house calls this early in the morning?"
"It's 11 o'clock," Al responded.
"Oh!...Oh..." Takara averted her eyes, not realizing how late she slept in but that wasn't the point and she changed the subject.
"Well then, why are you gracing me with your presence this early?"
"Our boss, Colonel Mustang, wants to meet you," Al explained, Takara raising her eyebrows in surprise when she saw the sour look on Ed's face as he looked anywhere but Takara. What's his problem? She thought, furrowing her brow slightly before looking back at Al.
"Why would a State Alchemist like him want to meet me?"
"I told him about last night," Al started, Takara staring pensively at him. "...And your ability to transmute without a circle." Takara felt a bit at ease and sighing heavily, looked at Al.
"Alright...You obviously talked to the man at the desk, right? He's the one who let you up here?" Takara could only assume it was. That meant that he was the one who let Dimitri upstairs the night before.
"Alright, just...give me a minute to get dressed." And with that Takara closed the door.
"So were are you from Takara?" Al asked as he, Takara and Ed walked up the sidewalk towards Central Headquarters, through the bustling crowds. It was a forecast day, the sun hidden behind a large blanket of gray clouds, but freezing. With her leather jacket over a thick red cardigan, Takara had a black scarf snug around her neck protecting her from the cold tucked into her jacket, denim jeans and her boots.
"Shiloh. It's a quiet little town about 10 miles outside Risembool to the west," Takara said that Al made a gasp of surprise.
"Really? Brother, did you hear that?" Al turned to Ed who strode along on the other side of Al, not looking at all interested.
"What?" He asked.
"She comes from Shiloh!"
"So?" Takara couldn't help but feel bothered by the way Ed was treating her. She hadn't done anything to him but he refused to look or acknowledge her. Why? What had she done that offended him so much?
"That's just outside Risembool! Mother use to take us out there all the time for picnics 'cause it was so nice..." Takara smiled warmly at Al, knowing how true he was. Shiloh was a beautiful place, especially in the summer.
"Yeah, and what?" Ed spoke coldly, Takara and Al both staring at him, Takara staring at him confused and upset. "It's not like we grew up knowing each other and what about Shiloh? So it's nice in the summer, big flipping deal. Risembool's a lot better. A 100 times better." And with that, he picked up the pace and left Al and Takara to stand there, Takara staring after him with teary eyes. Al saw Takara's tears as she looked down, Al feeling a surge of anger towards Ed.
"I'm sorry, Takara...I-I..." Takara shook her head as she breathed in a quivering breath, wiping her eyes.
"D-Don't apologize. I-I...I just..." Takara sighed deeply as she looked at Al, speaking quietly. "I don't get what I did. I-I mean...Did I say something that offended him or...?"
"Brother's a little rough around the edges..." Takara just shook her head when Al spoke up.
"I saw that this morning. I thought it was the light but...what happened to your eye? You got a pretty nasty shiner...And not just that...That's a pretty nasty scar too." Takara was silent as she looked down before back at Al.
"I-I-I waked into a door last night," She lied, shuffling uneasily, rubbing her arm. "I-I'm like that. It-It-It was stupid...The scar? ... I was in an accident a long time ago..." Takara suddenly turned serious as she looked at Al. "Look, I don't know but something about you...doesn't feel right." Al didn't answer but stared back at her. "I don't get...why a sweet kid like you would walk around in armor like that."
"WHAT? You-You think this is a costume?" Al was taken aback. Nobody had ever looked at his armor as a costume. This was a first.
"Why don't you just take that helmet off?"
"Takara, you don't get it. I – "
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO WAITING FOR?" Takara and Al looked up as they saw Ed standing there, wearing an irritated look. "ARE YOU COMING OR WHAT?" Takara just rolled her eyes and going forward, Al followed.
With Christmas reefs hanging down each doorway with colored garland and strings of lights, the State Alchemists seemed ready for the holidays too as Takara walked alongside Ed with Al behind them. Since Ed made the comment of comparing Risembool to Shiloh, Takara hadn't said anything else to him, the feelings of hurt and anger boiling her blood that she knew that she'd lose her temper. Unwrapping her scarf from her neck, Takara suddenly felt nervous but there was no point. She came to Central to try and get out of Shiloh but of course, last night just proved to her how wrong she was to get away from her past. Because Takara was so wrapped up in her own thoughts and taking off her gloves, she didn't notice the side-glances that Ed was doing.
Ed had seen the tears in her eyes before from his insult and as he walked up the steps, it finally hit him how harsh that comment was. It seemed pointless to apologize because knowing her, she probably wouldn't accept it from a guy like him. Passing by a group of officers talking amongst themselves, Ed realized how he couldn't help but stare at her. The night before, Ed didn't get a good look at her because of how dark it was in the alleyway but now he did. She was very pretty but the scar going down alongside her eye made her stand out even more. Maybe because it was right there when you looked at it. Ed could only imagine how she got it but after the impression he gave her, she probably didn't even wanna talk to him. Ed had also taken notice of the shiner on her left eye and that seemed to irritate him as well. Well, not irritate but he couldn't help but wonder if somebody had been hitting her around...
Shaking his head, Ed put his attention back to where they were going and Mustang's office was right up there. As the group of them came up to Mustang's office door, just as Ed was ready to knock on the door, the group was silenced by what sounded like arguing on the other side. As Takara gave Ed a weird look, Ed looking just as baffled, the voices became more clear and they could make out what they were saying.
"Come on..."
"No."
"Come on Roy, you gotta look."
"Hughes, I'm not gonna tell you again."
"It's the sweetest thing you're ever gonna see! My little angel..." The trio suddenly heard a thump followed by what sounded like stuff crashing to the floor. "JUST LOOK!"
"HUGHES, I'd really appreciate it if you got the hell off my desk and get that thing out of my face!" Takara made a face and looked at Ed. Ed made an equally weird face and thrusting the door open, they stood in the threshold of Mustang's office. What the trio saw made Takara's eyes widen, Al and Ed both looking baffled, and possibly disgusted at what they saw. Across the room in front of the windows that had Christmas reefs hanging down each one, was a desk with two chairs in front. At the moment, the chairs were both knocked to the floor along with a bunch of nick-knacks. Behind the desk in his chair was the Colonel, Flame Alchemist Roy Mustang. At the moment, he was leaning back into his seat, away... Away, that is, from the Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes who was propped up on his boss's desk, leaning forward until he was directly in front of him. From where the trio of kids stood, it looked as if...well, it looked as if both men were doing something they shouldn't be doing! Hughes was looking back at the kids, realizing that they had been seen and both men looked absolutely horrified!
"Uh..." Takara shook her head. It DID NOT look right at all.
"Wow, Mustang," Ed started coolly with a mischievous grin. "I didn't realize you and Hughes were attracted to each other in that way..."
"Hysterical, Elric," Mustang glared at Ed, Takara looking away as she snicked behind her hand.
"Oh, I had to show him this! LOOK!" Hughes jumped from the table and in a flash, Takara had to lean back slightly, a portrait of a little girl with dirty blond hair in pigtails shoved into her face, an ear-to-ear grin on Hughes' face.
"Oh, this is my little angel! See, how cute she is in her little red dress and hair in pigtails! Isn't she cutest? ISN'T SHE!" Takara was overwhelmed and, well, a bit disturbed. She had never before seen a guy so obsessed about his daughter. Takara glanced at Ed who just shrugged and looked away so this obviously wasn't something new to him, Al letting out a sigh. Takara looked back to Hughes with a smile.
"She is cute..."
"OF COURSE SHE IS! She's the cutest little girl around!" It wasn't a question to Hughes and Takara made a face as he kissed the photo. Does this guy go to a doctor for this obsession? Was all Takara could think of.
"I think they got the point, Hughes," Mustang said as he looked around at Takara. "Come in, kids." Takara listened and following Ed's lead, she stood in front of the man she could only assume to be Colonel Roy Mustang.
"You must be Takara. Colonel Roy Mustang but you can just call me Mustang," He said with a smirk, offering his hand. Takara smirked and took it. As she did, she took notice of the markings on his white gloves.
"Nice gloves," She commented and seeing what she was staring at, Mustang chuckled.
"So, as Alphonse here informed me, you can transmute without a circle." Like before, Ed scoffed and walking across the room, took a seat in a recliner by the wall. Takara just glared at him before looking back at Mustang.
"Yeah, I guess I can..." She said quietly, shrugging and picking up a chair, took a seat. Hughes seemed to have calmed down and walking over, took a seat in a chair next to Mustang's desk, Al listened in, sitting in the back near Ed.
"That's all hell of a scar you got going there," Mustang commented, and at once Takara felt uneasy, shuffling uneasily in her seat.
"Yeah, I...I got it when I was real little, can't remember much," she lied. Oh, she remembered all too well how she got the scar. The scar that she had an on-going battle with whenever she looked in a mirror.
"That's fine," Mustang said with a nod, hearing the hesitance in her voice and decided not to pursue that subject any longer. "So, you here alone or did you come with family for the holidays, cause I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for being here and your parents not knowing..." Again, Takara felt a wave of uneasiness and sadness. Another reminded...
"...I'm on my own this time," She struggled to say it in a normal voice but her voice cracked a bit as she swallowed hard. Mustang didn't notice but went on.
"From what Alphonse has told me about last night, sounds like you're a hell of an alchemist..." Takara smiled bashfully, shrugging. She didn't think that she was that good.
"Naw, really?" She looked down in embarrassment, her face a light shade of pink. Mustang just chuckled.
"Well, it's very rare that we come across somebody who can transmute without a circle and I believe you already met Mr. Elric..." Mustang glanced across the room at Ed who sat in the recliner, seething silently.
"Yes, I was lucky enough to meet him," Takara said almost sarcastically it seemed but nobody seemed to catch on. Takara felt there was no need to tell Mustang how rude Ed had been to her. They weren't children fighting over a toy who needed to be put in the corner for time out. Surely, Takara thought, they'd work it out and not get an adult involved. Takara shuffled in her seat when she noticed Mustang and Hughes quietly talking to each, Hughes leaned forward as Mustang whispered something to him. Curiosity got to Takara and she couldn't help but wonder it was they were discussing. She couldn't make out what they were saying but just caught Hughes saying "Are you sure?" and Mustang giving him a look before Hughes went back to writing something down in a notepad.
"What is this?...Is this...some sort of interview or initiation...?" Takara asked with raised eyebrows.
"Well, since what happened last night, it's obvious that more actions need to be taken to ensure this doesn't happen to somebody else," Mustang started. "And...Considering what you're capable of...If you'd consider maybe..."
"NO!" Takara jumped and looking back, Ed was on his feet, looking beyond livid. Mustang stared at him in surprise, Al staring up at his brother.
"No, what, Elric?" Mustang asked, Ed giving him a nasty look before waltzing right up to Mustang's desk.
"You know what Mustang and the answer's no. There is no way that you're going to make her a State Alchemist. No way in hell!" Takara was taken aback, not once having thought about that and she stared at Mustang. He had really considered making her a member of the State Alchemists...
"Why do you care?" Ed stared at Mustang for a moment, not getting what he meant. "Why would you care if Takara did become a State Alchemist?"
"Cause what's the point?" Ed tried to think of a better argument but nothing came. Al could only stare at his brother who sounded so ridiculous and jealous and he sighed. Ed couldn't make a point and it was now painfully obvious that he was jealous. He just couldn't stand the fact that after so long of being the only one being able to transmute without a circle, there was suddenly some one else. Al could understand why but there was no reason for him to be so rude to Takara or to try interfere with her decisions.
"Because, Edward," Mustang started sternly and Al could already see that Mustang was pissed. "This just proves that you're no longer the only one who can transmute without a circle and changes everything. Do you think the King is going to let this pass by? I'm telling you right now Elric, that if I was to go to the King and tell him, he'd say, "Why haven't you made her a State Alchemist, Mustang?" If you can't stand the facts, oh well. This isn't your decision and you don't a voice in what I or Takara decide." There was a silence that followed as Ed and Mustang glared at each other, Al and Hughes remaining silent. Takara didn't know what to say but shuffled uneasily in her seat, putting a hand over her face. Takara knew this was her fault because the whole conversation was about her and she wasn't even sure if she wanted to be a State Alchemist, if it came down to it...
"Screw you Mustang. I don't care what you say, there is no way she is gonna be a State Alchemist." That hit a nerve for Takara and looking up, she gave Ed a nasty look. From the way he said that, he had made it sound as if there was something wrong with her. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her (not that he knew of) and from the way he said that, Takara felt offended.
"Says you," Takara wasn't about to take any more of this and getting to her feet, glared fiercely at Ed who looked taken aback. "You know what, if I am given the chance, maybe I will become a State Alchemist just so I can annoy you!" Ed looked more ticked off than before.
"Yeah, if you could even pass the exam!" He yelled in Takara's face and Takara went right back at him.
"What would you know? Maybe being so short has affected the way you think!" Takara shrieked. It was like playing with the bull. Ed's face turned furious red as he stared at Takara. The others seemed to brace themselves for the worst. Oh, this wasn't going to be pretty...
"WHAT!" He was horrified.
"You heard me...short," Takara said daringly, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I AM NOT SHORT! YOU'RE SHORT! I'M TALLER THAN YOU!" Ed said, looking triumphant for the moment before Takara rained down on his parade.
"Yeah, which is saying a lot..."
"SHUT UP! What do you know!"
"A lot more than you, shorty..." It went back and forth as Ed screamed at Takara and Takara retaliated. Al's eyes wide at what Ed was saying, Mustang and Hughes could only watch and already Mustang respected Takara. She had a lot of guts to call Ed short but unless Mustang did something, this was gonna go on.
"Alright, alright, ALRIGHT!" He raised his voice and both Ed and Takara immediately ceased, turning to look at Mustang who had an irritated expression.
"Since you both feel this way, we'll do it like this: Ed, you're gonna take Takara with you on your next assignment."
"WHAT!" The reactions that came from the teenagers were that of outrage and shock. Ed stared furiously at Mustang, Takara looking just as mad. There was no way they were ever gonna get along on something like that. Al let out a sigh, very unsure about this but there was no way he was gonna disagree with Mustang.
"...And you will work together and report back to me with your observations and how it came out, is that clear?" Mustang said sternly, giving both Ed and Takara a stern and firm look. Takara said nothing but casting a look at Ed, folded her arms across her chest and looked away. Ed said nothing too, looking away, there was gonna be no convincing Mustang otherwise. Hughes stared at Mustang with a look of doubt. If he wanted to get Ed and Takara to get along, it was going be like trying to get a cat to like a dog.
"Alright," Mustang started, staring up the angry teenagers. "There's a train for Sendai in an hour. I want all three of you to go there and just do a check of the town. Report back by the end of the day. Are we clear?" The kids didn't say anything: Al understood, but both Takara and Ed looked irritable, both shooting looks at each other. Hughes could only give Mustang looks of warning, as though saying – it was your brilliant idea.
"But Elric, because of these recent attacks, Armstrong is going to go with you three – "
"NO FREAKING WAY, MUSTANG!" Takara looked the other way as Ed went on to curse Mustang off and give his reasons of why this guy Armstrong shouldn't come. Does anything satisfy him? Takara thought angrily, glaring at Ed.
"Alright, you're dismissed, Armstrong will meet you at the train station." Finally, with some last choice words for Mustang, Ed glared one final time at Mustang before leaving. Takara wasn't sure but seeing the acknowledging look on Mustang's face, she slowly followed him with Al alongside her.
With the tension high between her and Ed, Takara made no effort to reconcile and was still fuming as she, Al, and Ed reached the train station. Takara wasn't sure who this Armstrong person was but she quickly found out when a towering man who was completely bald except for a measly strand of blond hair, a mustache, and a physique that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger jealous, approached them. He looked quite intimidating. That is until he laid eyes on Takara and,
"GREETINGS! I am Major Alexander Armstrong!" In a whoosh of sparkles, his shirt was off, revealing a galore of muscles as he flexed them with pride. "The Strong Arm Alchemist, it is a pleasure to meet you, one who can transmute without a circle!"
"Uh..." Takara was dumbfounded by this scene, Ed giving Armstrong a nasty look. "It's nice to meet you too?" Without warning, Armstrong suddenly pulled Takara into a bone-breaking hug and she gasped in pain as she tried to push herself out before he broke her back.
"Major...I think she got it..." Al said, his eyes wide. Armstrong finally let go of Takara. Takara gasped and clutched her ribs, swearing that one of them had to be broken. Still, she couldn't help but smirk at Armstrong for his comedic personality and easy ability to show his emotions, unlike Ed. The train whistle but they were already aboard in their seats in a nearly empty compartment, Takara and Armstrong sitting across from Ed and Al. The train made it's way out of Central and across stretching fields that were all white from the downfall of snow.
"So, what exactly is it that we're checking about the town?" Takara asked Armstrong half an hour into the train ride.
"Well, from what has been told, Sendai is a small town just outside Central. It's poverty percentage there is staggering and the crime rate is no better," Armstrong explained, Al listening intently while Ed looked bored beyond belief, staring out the window.
"Haven't the State Alchemists there done anything?" Al asked.
"That's the thing. Mustang has come to believe that the State is no better and may be just as corrupt." Takara raised her eyebrows at Armstrong but made no comment. The thought of corrupt State Alchemists running the state was not a pleasant thought.
"So, what are we gonna do if, let's say we did find out it was corrupt. It's not like you can just go up to them and say, 'Oh, we found out you're corrupt, you're coming with us into custody.'" Armstrong and Al chuckled at this while Ed, looking extremely annoyed, hardly looked amused.
"Yeah, 'cause it's so funny that there are corrupt State Alchemists running the country. Bloody hilarious," Ed snapped sarcastically, Takara giving him a look but he just scoffed and looked back out at the moving scenery. Al sighed, giving his brother a look but knew there was no doing. Armstrong looked from Ed and Takara, shaking his head. If Ed was gonna be like this the entire way and back, oh what a hell it would be...
It was nearly evening when the group made it to Sendai and as Armstrong said, the town truly was in a state of poverty. Almost if all the buildings were run down, all the windows boarded up, some covered in graffiti, most of them looking that at any moment would collapse. Garbage was scattered across the streets that had been plowed of it's snow obviously. None of the oil lamps were lit, barrels lit with fires, groups of people gathered them, trying to keep warm from the bitter cold.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph..." Takara said, appalled at this terrible sight as she put a hand through her hair.
"Where the hell has the State been on this?" Ed said to nobody in particular, shaking his head.
"I know you said it was going to be bad, Major, but this..." Al said, not knowing what to think except that whoever was running this place was not meant to be in charge. Armstrong didn't say anything but from the look on his face, it looked as though he was ashamed. The fact that State Alchemists had let the place go just made it seem as if State Alchemists were horrible people. The group made their way along the street, taking in the sad sight. As they walked by groups of people who cast looks at them, some whispering to one another, Lynn couldn't help but feel uneasy. Some of the looks people gave them were that of anger and loathing. It suddenly occurred to Lynn that not all people liked the State Alchemists. They could be seen as workers for the devil, changing all that was natural and it made some sense. As Takara looked around, she suddenly felt a wave of pain. It happened so fast. She didn't hear the yell of "Go back to where you came from, you dogs!" and she didn't see the rock that had been pitched right for her face and hit squarely above her eyebrow. Takara gasped in pain as staggered back from the hit, closing her eyes tightly, feeling tears of pain slide out of the corners of her eyes. She clutched the spot, bumping back into Armstrong.
"Takara!" Al went to her side as Takara had her head hung over, swallowing hard, knowing that bump was going to be the size of a golf ball. It was so painful. "Are you okay?"
"I...I think so..." Takara gasped as she blinked and right above her eyebrow, a little cut where blood was clearly visible.
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?" Ed yelled at the bratty little kid who had the nerve to do that. From everywhere, a large group of disheveled people formed near the kid, all glaring at the group of four who came from the place they loathed so much.
"GO BACK TO CENTRAL AND LEAVE US ALONE!"
"YEAH!" The crowds agreed, catcalling and screaming at the group.
"WE'RE TRYING TO HELP YOU, YOU LITTLE IDIOT! THAT'S HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE WHO TRY TO HELP YOU, THROW ROCKS AT THEM?" Ed snapped at the boy but the group seemed skeptical to believe that they were gonna believe them.
"Yeah, right. The last person that came here promised she'd help us get to be a 'glorious providence' and look where that's led us! We can barely eat 'cause she taxes the hell out of us and if we don't, she puts us in jail while she lives happily in her mansion up that hill!" The boy said, pointing towards the end of the city where the shape of a clearly large mansion was visible.
"Who is the woman?" Armstrong asked the young boy.
"Haru. She lives with her husband Taro, son Shinzaburo and twin daughters Kami and Kimi. They're all the same: snobs and don't care about anybody else," The boy explained with a disgusted expression. Armstrong stared at the building with a grim expression before making up his mind.
"I think I'll make a visit to this Haru..." And with that, he made his way for the mansion, going past the group with everybody watching curiously, almost amazed.
"Well, he's not going come back," The boy said smugly that the three kids looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Al asked.
"I mean, you really think Haru's gonna let some State Alchemist walk in there, say he knows what she's doing to this town and leave?"
"We didn't come here to cause any trouble," Al said but still, the people seemed so doubtful and scoffing, departed ways back to what they were doing before, leaving the kids to stand there alone. Al sighed, before looking at Ed.
"We have to show them, Ed." And with that, Al left after to where the young boy had gone, leaving Takara and Ed alone. The two were silent as Takara gently rubbed the area where she had been hit. Ed stared at Takara, feeling as if he had to say something but nothing came out. They were obviously gonna to be there for a while, with Al persistent to prove to the people that Alchemists could be good and Armstrong had gone to the mansion so. Sighing heavily, Ed sucked it up and edging forward, Takara stared at him.
"Are you okay? You know...with that kid hitting you with a rock and all..." Taraka, had she liked Ed, would've accepted this. But from the way Ed had been treating her lately, she wasn't going to forget about it so easily and glared at him.
"Oh, you care? Ain't that a first," She snapped sarcastically and like that, Ed gave her a look.
"I try to be nice and you bite my head off!" He yelled at her.
"Oh-ho-ho, if you remember, you have been making it a point to insult me just because I can transmute without a circle and that ticks you off! What is your problem!" Takara shrieked at him.
"YOU! I have a problem with you!" Ed made it seem as if it was so obvious but he didn't explain on. Still, it was enough to piss Takara off.
"Well, I'm sorry if Mustang made you drag me along cause he likes the idea that I too can transmute without a circle! You just can't stand it! You can't stand the idea that you're not the only anymore who can transmute without a circle!" Takara said shrilly and it was the truth. But of course, Ed wasn't going to admit this.
"Just stay out of my way, alright?" He said coldly, glaring fiercely at her. "I don't care if you can transmute without a circle, I'm not going to have you stand in my way.
"Ooh, it sounds like the Fullmetal Alchemist is jealous," Takara said in a mocking voice, Ed's blood boiling, he was so close to going over the edge. "What, can't stand a little competition...Eddie?" That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Losing all sense, Ed charged and tackled Takara headlong. Takara gasped as she was knocked to the ground, groaning as Ed straddled her, his one hand at the base of her neck and his metal hand in a fist and arched back, threatening to punch her while Takara could only stare taken aback at Ed.
"Shut...up," He said fiercely, not showing signs of letting up. "You don't know me and you have no idea what I can do."
"Oh, I get it," Takara said with a small smile. "Well...I'll tell you this, Eddie..." Without warning, Takara used her free hand to knock Ed's hand from her neck away. Because this had been supporting Ed's weight, he cried out as he lurched forward, nearly falling down atop of Takara. Takara didn't let this. Athletically, she got her leg up between them and bringing her knee up to her chest, stopped him from falling by bringing her knee right up into Ed's crotch, hard. Ed stopped just mere inches away from Takara's face, gasping in pain as he groaned, shutting his eyes tightly. Grabbing the lapels of Ed's jacket, Takara used the leverage she had in her knee and vaulted Ed right over her. Ed hit the ground and tumbled away as Takara rolled to the side and got right up, staring down at Ed. Ed groaned loudly as he drew himself up into fetal position, clutching his crotch in pain before he opened his eyes staring at Takara who glared at him.
"Don't assume you know me Mr. Fullmetal Alchemist. I don't care if you are the Fullmetal, I can beat you anytime, anywhere," She said coldly and spurred by this, Ed got his feet.
"How 'bout here?" Takara stared at him, slightly confused before Ed continued, beyond livid. He was through trying to be a Mr. nice guy to this girl. "You think you can beat me? Fine. We'll settle it right here." Takara seemed to like this, nodding as she slowly grinned.
"Alright, but these are the terms. If I win, I stay here with you and Al, whether you like it or not. But if I lose, I'll go home, tell Mustang I'm not interested and you'll never see me again," She explained.
"I like these terms. Alright, fine." The two agreed and like that, they pulled away, ready.
"You gotta promise me something, Eddie," Takara asked, taking off her jacket, scar and gloves so that she was on in her sweater, jeans, and boots.
"What's that?"
"That if I win, you won't cry like a baby." Ed glowered at her as he transmuted his arm into the blade he was most well known for. Takara didn't wait and clapping, the pipe that was leaning against the wall she was near, she grasped and it transformed into an amazing samurai's sword. Takara tossed the sword hand to hand for a moment before grinning wickedly at Ed.
"Pure steel, this blade...Sure your rusty old arm can handle this, Edo?"
"YOU'RE DONE!" With that, Ed charged as Takara put on her badass stare and swinging the blade, was ready for Ed's attack...
(Dramatic music) Duh, duh, duh, duh! Did I leave you on a cliffhanger or did I leave you on a cliffhanger?
ED: Next time on Fullmetal Alchemist
The Shocker
TAKARA: Sure you can handle me any longer, Edo? (Ed screams as he and Takara fight it out)
Sometimes there are things you'd never about a person.
SHESKA (reading an online article): "Execution-style murders of married couple rock small countryside town...little girl was the only witness..."
Mustang and Sheska's eyes grow wide in horror as they stare at the screen.
MUSTANG: Oh, my God...
HARU: You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Major Armstrong.
A shirtless Armstrong glares at Haru and her family who stand alongside her.
ARMSTRONG: I'll attest that for myself.
He punches down on the table, sending a wave of alchemy directly towards Haru and her family.
Antony sits at the head of his table, glaring up at his son.
ANTONY: You will kill her Dimitri or you will pay the price.
Standing in the doorway of her hotel room, Takara eyes the Christmas wrapped particle in the middle of her room.
DIMITRI VOICE OVER: Yes, father.
Takara's eyes grow wide as she realizes what it is.
FUNimation - Little Edo's Christmas Wish
ED: Ooh, ooh! I know what I want for Christmas, Al!
AL: What brother?
ED: 5-inch boots so that way, I'll be tall finally! (Grins widely)
AL (looking doubtful): Okay, brother.