(A/N) Hey everyone, GHOSTplanetINC here. Okay so I realize that my interpretations of the FMA characters are OOC in a bunch of ways but, hey, that's what makes my story different and interesting from all the other fics out there. Also, let me also clarify now, though probably a bit late, that the title "The Black Alchemist" was originally supposed to be related to my OC, Jack, but I decided later to change 'black' to 'shadow.' Anyway, without further adieu, may I present to you my latest installment to "The Black Alchemist."
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Chapter 7: Morning Routines
"What the hell are we waiting for?" an annoyed voice rang out.
"Shut it. When he says he'll be here, he will," another voice barked back.
"Hmph, I'll believe that when I see it," the first voice murmured, "that is, if he shows up at all."
"What the hell did I just tell you?"
"Hey, why don't you both shut up? At least your finger tips aren't all bloody from typing damn reports all night!" a third voice shouted in a tired tone. Both the first and second speakers turned and looked at the third, who had just arrived. Oddly all that had entered through the door all night was a strong breeze a few minutes ago. The two men shrugged and sat back down in their chairs.
Finally the clock struck midnight and the door creaked open. Stepping out of the shadowed street came the expected 'guest of honor.' All three men rose from where they sat with hasty salutes. A wave from the fourth man's hand and the salutes dropped along with the three men into their chairs. The fourth man walked around and took his respective seat across from the other three at the table. He donned a smile which somewhat contrasted his legacy and black eye patch, but was associated with him nonetheless.
"Gentlemen," the man known as Fuhrer began, "shall we begin tonight's assembly?"
The first speaker jumped forward in his chair. "Hey! You invited us, what do you want anyway? And why did you station me in this crap town anyway?"
Fuhrer Bradley did not even bother to turn his head. "Major Kimbley, if you have an objection to my counsel please submit your complaint in writing," he calmly responded, "unless, perhaps, you'd like another extended visit to the Lab 5 prison?"
Kimbley, the first speaker, sat back in his chair with a scowl. Nothing was worth being sent back to that hellhole prison. Well… he thought to himself, picturing a city being obliterated by a giant explosion …almost nothing.
The second speaker tried to ignore the creepy smile which had found its way onto Kimbley's face. Clearing his throat, he began to ask his own questions.
"Sir, as much as it pains me to say this, I agree with Major Kimbley. For what purpose were we three stationed here, under Mustang's command?" he asked with an air of respect for the figure in front of him.
Bradley smiled again. "Now Majors," he began, regarding that all the men in front of him were in fact the rank of Major, "A dog does not ask its master which way its leash is pulled, should such 'Dogs of the Military' act differently?"
The three men remained silent. Being a state alchemist commanded an array of reactions from civilians and other soldiers alike. Fear, respect, but most of all disdain for the so called 'Dogs of the Military' were some of the usual responses. Most people disliked the state alchemists and so chased them away. Despite the creed of the State Alchemist being to serve the people, militaristic corruption had ruined that image in the minds of most.
The second speaker sat back in his chair and sighed. The Fuhrer's response had only served to better confuse him and cloud the objective of the trio's mission. He scratched his head and readjusted the goggles that resting on his forehead. It was going to be a long couple of weeks. Weeks? Hell, I could be here for months! He sighed to himself again and could swear he felt a migraine coming on.
Finally Bradley turned his attention to the third speaker, who silently been fiddling with his hands during the entire meeting.
"And our intelligence, what have you found so far?"
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Ed walked the streets of Central in a fixed silence. He had been this way since they had finished the report that Mustang, aka Colonel Bastard, had assigned him to complete by the next day. Surprisingly it hadn't taken long with that shadow guy's lightning typing. In fact, Ed had been walking around for almost two hours since they had finished. Of course, that had been at around midnight.
Al was asleep back in the military lodgings that Roy had provided them with for their stay in Central. Trying not to wake his brother, Ed had snuck out through the window and began to wander the streets as a result of an inexplicable restlessness.
Why can't I shake this feeling? Ed wondered as he sent an empty can flying with a swift kick. Turning another corner he froze and ducked into an alley. Peering around the corner of the building he saw three men duck out of what looked like an old warehouse. Two of them promptly disappeared into a patch of darkened street where a streetlight had gone out, while the third came toward where Ed was hiding.
Ed ducked behind a cluster of trash cans, and for once in his life was thankful that he was small. That is he was thankful four about a second. Half a second. Actually he slapped himself for even somewhat admitting he was small, but that's beside the point. Peering out from behind the trash can barricade he caught sight of the man's face as he passed by…
Kimbley.
Ed nearly cursed loudly, before realizing that he was trying to stay hidden. Still, despite his best efforts, a small swear broke past Ed's lips.
"Damn it."
Kimbley spun around on his heel and scanned the street for whomever, or whatever, made the noise. He stood poised to strike, tattooed hands at the ready to create a living grenade. There was nothing in front of him. Swearing loudly, he punched the fence next to him, breaking a hole in the wood. He contemplated making a large firecracker out of a nearby group of garbage cans…
Ed held his breath as Kimbley strode over toward his hiding spot. A crazed glint was visible in the Crimson Alchemist's eye. Oh no, Ed thought, Don't tell me he's going to…
A bead of sweat ran down the side of his face.
Normally Ed wouldn't hid from a sleaze like Zolf Kimbley, but being caught spying by a man formerly imprisoned for obliterating his commanding officer was not something Ed wanted to happen. Kimbley came within a foot of the garbage cans before stopping and turning around.
The last thing I need is a big boom making me the center of attention on Mustang's turf, Kimbley reminded himself, resuming his walk back down the street. 'Specially after coming out of a secret meeting. Hell, Bradley would have my ass back in the slammer so fast… he continued to think to himself as he made his way back toward the military barracks.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Ed came out from his hiding place. What the hell was Kimbley doing down here? He wondered, scowling in the direction Kimbley had gone. I better follow him, or the next thing I know half the city will be blown apart…
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Wha- Where the hell am I? Roy sat up quickly in his bed and whipped his head back and forth scanning the room around him. He was… in his own room and next to him was…nobody. Suddenly he got dizzy and fell back onto his pillow. Guess I got up too fast, he thought as he shook his head. Slowly the day was getting clearer. Leaning on his side he switched off the alarm that had woken him up. Surprisingly it was six am and Roy Mustang was wide awake and it seemed as though he would be on time for work for the first time in his life.
In the apartment of Riza Hawkeye an alarm rang out, announcing that it was now six am. Gently switching off the alarm, Riza yawned and rolled out of bed. Pulling her military uniform from her closet and placing it on her bed, she walked down the hall to the bathroom.
The water hit Roy like a slap to the face. Slowly rotating his arms and then neck under the falling water, which was incredibly hot, as he liked it, Roy slowly began to remember the previous night. He wasn't drunk, no, he didn't have a hangover or anything; he simply just had forgotten throughout the course of the night. Thinking harder he remembered going out on a date with…
Riza switched off the water to her shower and, stepping out, wrapped a yellow towel around herself. Drying her hair with a different towel, she thought about her dinner date with Roy the night before. Sure, she had been a bit apprehensive beforehand, due in part to Roy's interesting track record of dating every girl from Eastern to Central and proposing that female officers' uniforms consist of mandatory miniskirts, but when he arrived he seemed like an almost different person entirely. Not too different, just different enough to be…refreshing. He was actually much more charming than she would ever have thought. In fact, the date began perfectly with…
A walk under the stars. Yes! They had walked under the stars on their way to the restaurant. It was all coming back to Roy now. They had walked under a clear star filled sky as a cool breeze gently pushed the few clouds across the vast horizon. Roy remembered noticing Riza shiver and draping his jacket around her shoulders. He smiled as he remembered her pulling closer to him and him putting his arm around her. His head had swam with elation, in fact, so much so that he almost forgotten where…
The restaurant was amazing, Riza remembered as she buttoned the shirt to her military uniform. Beyond even the scope of dinner, the entire night had been simply enchanting, from first walking to the restaurant to the kiss goodnight. Hmm…I hope the kiss didn't send Roy's mind straight into the gutter, Riza thought with a smile. The smile turned to a mild frown as she realized that was something typical of Roy. Well we'll just have to change that, won't we? Riza laughed to herself as a devilish grin dared cross her face. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, Riza dropped some food into Black Hayate's bowl (the scruffy pup still curled up in his bed) and set out for…
Eastern Command HQ loomed over Roy as he dragged his feet tiredly toward the front steps. Uhh…No wonder I never get up this early, he groaned silently as he made his way slowly up the stairs. As Roy passed through the main foyer toward his office a familiar voice rang out…
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Where the heck did you go, Brother? Alphonse Elric wondered. Looking around the military dorm room he saw the sheets on Ed's bed thrown askew and Ed's clothes and boots, which had been laid out on a chair, were missing.
"Damn it Ed, Why do you always sneak off like this?" Al suddenly asked aloud. Scratching his metal head with one of the steel gauntlets that were his hands, Al silently scolded himself for cursing, thinking of the scolding he'd get if Granny Pinako had heard him or worse… if sensei had heard him! Alarmed by the image of cursing in front of his sensei, Al took off out of the room and down the hall to find Ed, trying hard to put thoughts of him cursing out of mind.
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Ed sat up and shook his head.
"Wha-what happened?" he asked no one in particular as his eyes came into focus. With a glance about he realized he was lying on a park bench. Swing his feet to the side he came up into a sitting position.
Crap, I spent the entire night following that idiot Kimbley and for what? All he did was hang out at some bar all night then head back to the dorms.
Getting up, Ed stretched and began to walk back toward the military dormitories where he was sure Al would have already discovered him missing. Walking down a path he saw something out the corner of his eye. Turning around Ed was greeted with the sight of Major Jack Alexiv hanging upside down from a tree, holding himself up with his knees hooked around branch as his arms dangled freely. Amazingly, he was asleep as well.
"HEY! What the hell are you doing up there!" Ed yelled at the sleeping figure before him.
Roused by the shouts Jack woke with a start, falling out of the tree and landing on his head with a thud.
"Agh! What're you doing! Trying to kill me?" Jack barked back as he rubbed the large bruise forming on his head.
"Me? I wasn't the one hanging from a tree by my legs!"
"Yeah, well maybe I like it that way?"
"How could anyone like dangling?"
"You wouldn't understand. It's a tall person thing."
"WHAT! I'M NOT SHORT"
A/N: The argument progressed to yet another fight which raged until they both collapsed from exhaustion and were found eventually by a very confused Alphonse Elric.
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A/N: Okay, this chapter wasn't all that dynamic I'll admit and I was partially asleep as I wrote most of it so please be gentle in the feedback. Thanks: )
Preview: Chapter 8: Badda Bing, Badda Boom!
After a night on the town, how will Riza and Roy act toward each other at work? What was the purpose of that secret meeting? Who was that familiar voice calling out to Roy? Will Ed get his report in on time? All these questions and more will be answered in CHAPTER 8: BADDA BING, BADDA BOOM! (also look for the introduction of the one and only… Maes Hughes!)