Path of Hardship

Chapter Three-The Call

Rockbell residence, Resembool, Amestris -1021 hours

Before they knew it, Ed and Al's week Resembool was over. It was time for them to continue on their journey for the Philosopher's Stone. There was still the ever-present risk of the Homunculi finding them again, but they knew that risks like that were inevitable.

Aunt Pinako had prepared a big breakfast for them before their journey, and Winry gave the brothers each a quart of the best oil directly from Rush Valley.(She had secretly bought it behind their backs when she had traveled with them.)

After everyone had finished eating, Ed and Al decided to sit outside on the lawn, taking one last rest before they continued on their journey.

"So..we'll leave at one, right?"

"Better make it twelve, incase we miss the train like last time. I hope we don't run across any mischievous little kids.."

"Very funny, Al," Ed said to his brother. "I think we'll leave at one."

Winry opened the door and went over to join them. Aunt Pinako stayed inside to clean up and finish a rush job she had just received that morning.

"I'm gonna miss you guys.." she said as she walked over to sit with them. "I know you said you had to do this to hide out, but I hope you do start paying us visits more often."

"I don't know if we can do that right now, Winry. Things have gotten more out of hand than ever," Ed responded, a depressed look appearing in his eyes.

"Sorry Winry. We'd lo-"

"Edward! Phone call for you!" Aunt Pinako yelled from the doorway, cutting Al off midsentence.

Ed was in shock. "For me..? But no one knows we're here! How the hell could anybody know where we went!"

"You'd better answer it. It's probably important," Al urged.

"..Fine," his brother replied with a sigh.

"It's a Colonel Mustang for you, Ed. He said it's urgent," Aunt Pinako whispered, her hand held over the receiver. Ed grabbed the phone and turned to face the wall.

"What do you want?" he asked angrily. "How did you find us!"

"Relax, Fullmetal," Roy said coolly. "This is the military, remember? I can track you down no matter where you go. What's the matter..are you trying to go AWOL?"

"No.." he responded, feeling slightly defeated. "Just tell me what you want and let me get on with my life."

"Fine, fine…No need for an attitude. The reason I've called is because I've decided to assign you a special Investigations case. We think you're the one who has the most knowledge on the subject and will be able to make some headway." Roy tapped his fingers on his desk, waiting for the impudent reaction he knew awaited him.

Ed was furious. "An assignment? You want me to do some petty deskwork for you? I don't think so, Flame Alchemist. You know me and Al have our own issues we need to cover. I refuse."

"Sorry, Edward, but you have no choice. As you said, you're a "dog of the military." I'm an outranking officer and you have to follow my orders. So, I want you in Central Headquarters in my office by ten tomorrow morning. If I were you, I would try and be here by tonight." Roy was used to Ed's stubbornness and had prepared an appropriate response.

His head now aching, Ed sat down and tried to not let his temper control him. "Fine, you win. I'm not gonna waste my time with this. What's this stupid case about?"

"Sorry, I can't say, just incase our line is tapped. You can't be too sure these days, right?" And with that, he hung up.

Ed went upstairs and hastily packed his suitcase all the while muttering to himself about the Colonel. Who does he think he is, acting all high and mighty like that!

He grabbed his coat off his bed, then ran down to the phone again. After checking train times and reserving his and Al's tickets, he once again ran out the door.

"Al! We're leaving!" he yelled across the field.

"Why?" his brother asked. "I though we were going to leave later in the afternoon!"

"Change of plans. It seems Mustang has a little job for me. We're catching the next train to Central." He turned to Winry, who was standing next to Al. She had a solemn look on her face, and appeared to be holding back tears.

"What's wrong?" he asked, confused.

"..Nothing. Bye, Ed," she said as she rushed inside up to her room. Aunt Pinako looked just as confused as they did as she passed her on the lawn.

What's her problem? The two brothers wondered.

"So, Ed, have some big military business to attend to, huh?" Aunt Pinako said as she approached them.

"Yeah..some stupid case came up they want me to investigate. Sorry we have to leave, Auntie."

"No problem. I understand how it is…well, I won't keep you here any longer. You boys come back soon, okay? " The old woman smiled warmly.

"We will!" Ed and Al yelled as they began walking down the path to the main road.

Resembool Station - Resembool, Amsetris -1228 hours

Within two hours they arrived at the station.

"I hate horses" Ed said as he approached the ticket window. "So damn slow. We should have waited for an automobile." He took their passes from the man at the desk and walked over to a bench to wait for their train.

Al sat down beside him. "So, what's this case all about, Brother?"

"Who knows. He wouldn't tell me anything. Something about the chance of the line being tapped." Ed's eyes followed a large locomotive as it slowly pulled away from the platform.

"But what about our plans? Weren't we gonna-"

His brother shifted in his seat as he turned his attention away from the passing train. "Al, you and me both know I have to do what the military says. I'm a soldier."

Al did know, but he couldn't help but argue it. Ed, I'm sorry…I should be the State Alchemist, not you. You shouldn't have to put up with this..he thought to himself.

"Hey! Our train's here! Right on time," Ed yelled abruptly as he jumped up from the bench. "Let's get going, Al!"

"Uh..right," Al responded as he followed him toward the train's doors.

The brothers gave their tickets to the conductor, then settled in for the four hour ride to Central. Ed stretched out on one seat with Al sitting directly across from him.

"Back on the train again…it feels like we're always on one, going someplace or another.." he said rather glumly.

Al gave a small laugh. "Yeah..it feels like we're always traveling, always moving forward..like time never stops. Hey Ed, do you think.." Al looked down to find his brother suddenly fast asleep on his seat. Oh well..this is gonna be a long train ride. If only I could go to sleep, even just for a few minutes…

Central, Amestris -1635 hours

"Brother! We're here! We have to get off the train now,"

"What is it, Alphonse.." Ed mumbled drowsily.

"We're at Central! We have to get off!" Al said, pushing him. He grabbed their suitcase and nearly dragged his sleeping brother onto the platform. By the time the black locomotive sped off towards its next stop, Ed was awake.

"Great…now off to Central HQ," he said as he heaved a heavy sigh. "I wanna know what this damn case is Mustang has lined up for me."

Central HQ - Central, Amestris-1648 hours

Luckily, the Headquarters was only a few blocks from the station. In ten minutes, they were standing at the main entrance. Ed showed his silver watch to the guards at the door, was given a salute, and let into the building.

"I'm here to meet Colonel Roy Mustang. He said he had some important business to discuss," Ed told the secretary at the front desk.

The young woman at the desk looked up at him. "And you are?" she asked, dully. It was obvious she wasn't very interested in his obligation.

"Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and his brother Alphonse," Ed replied valiantly.

The woman made a quick call, then turned back to the brothers. "I'll send a guard to escort you up to Colonel Mustang's room." At that, she quickly resumed her paperwork.

After a short walk to the second floor, Ed and Al were facing the large, ornate door that led to the Colonel's office.