On a train heading towards Dublith, one of the passage cars holds an odd character that causes the children to cry and the adults to fear for their lives, even though there is nothing there that could harm them. In the far corner of an empty car, was a stranger wrapped in rags and bandages that hid most of his body except for his eyes. Opposite of the passenger, two attendants were conversing about this mysterious envoy.
"So what you thinks up with that guy?" asked one of the officers to the other, gesturing to the still figure.
"Beats me. Who ever he is, he's not from around here, look at these." The second officer reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins that read "un franc" on them. "He must be from one of the neighboring countries cause I've never seen these types of coins before." The conductor looked out the window and gave a sigh of relief, seeing the town of Dublith was coming up ahead.
"Finally we can get rid of this guy." Said a relieved attendant, "NEXT STOP! DUBLITH!"
"Teacher, isn't there anything else you can teach me?" Asked Alphonse, his brown eyes starring into Izumi's intense gaze.
"I'm sorry Alphonse, but unfortunately I don't have as much energy as I did back when I taught you and your brother." Stated Izumi, looking from Al to children that were playing in her front yard. "We must not rush things or mistakes will happen. Alchemy was developed over hundreds of years, and it does not end there. It keeps evolving and growing to further our needs." Al nodded at his teacher's wise words. He knew if he would ever see his brother again.
The children outside of Izumi's houses were enjoying the sunlight, tossing a toy airplane from on to the other with smiles of delight upon their faces. One of the children threw the plane too high and it soared across the field. A small boy named Noah ran as fast as he could to catch the plane before it hit the ground, but to no avail. The plane crashed and a sickening crack emanated from the wing. Noah knelt before the plane, his eye beginning to well up with tears until he was overshadowed by a tall figure. He looked up to see a strange man wearing a large coat and rags. The stranger looked down at the boy and said in a sly tone.
"Oh my, did you break you plane?' Noah nodded, his eyes all puffy and on the brink of tears. "Well then let me help you fix it." The stranger clapped his hands and placed them on the broken toy.
Izumi stiffened. She could have sworn she heard a transmutation occur. She got out of her seat and walked to the window; Al remained seated but wore an expression of worry.
"What's wrong teacher?" Izumi looked out the window to see Noah talking to someone wearing a coat and wrapped in bandages, as if to hide more than his face. Izumi listened carefully to what this man was saying.
"Now my dear boy, do you know if an Elric lives here?" Asked the man in a manner that reflected a demon seducing a potential victim. Izumi tensed even more by this question.
"Alphonse, go and hide until it is safe to come out."
"But teacher-"
"No Alphonse! I don't know who this man is, but whatever he wants it can not be good." Al reluctantly nodded and made his way to the other side of the house. Izumi knocked down the front door and shouted to the children. "Noah, kids, come inside not!"'
"Awwwww but why teacher?" moaned the children, not wanting to discontinue their time outside.
"Just hurry." Reluctantly, the children all went inside and when the door was closed; Izumi confronted this enemy in front of her. "Who are you and what do you want with the Elrics?" She roared, hoping to intimidate her opponent.
"Simple, I just have a few questions to ask him and ill be on my way." Said the stranger, now walking towards the door of Izumi's home. She sensed that this is no ordinary alchemist and that he might have ill intentions for Al. She clapped her hands and created a spear and pointed it towards the man's neck.
"I don't know who you are, but I can tell when something is not right. Who are you?" The stranger was silent for a moment, until lunging towards Izumi with open hands. She reacted quickly and parried the attack and aimed the spear directly into the savage's heart. But he shielded himself with his right arm where the spear made direct contact. There was a clash of metal and the spear tip broke off. Izumi stumbled back and examined the spear, and then looked at the stranger in bewilderment as a dark laugh resonated from within the cloak.
"What's the matter? Haven't you ever heard of auto-mail before?" asked the cloaked man, removing the bandages from his right arm to reveal a very ancient full auto-mail arm. Izumi retreated back, knowing that this will be more difficult than she expected.
"Having a metal limb won't give you an advantage over me!" shouted Izumi, clapping her hands to transmute another spear, but unfortunately ends up coughing blood.
"It appear that you are already weak," said the shrouded figure, clapping his hands and forming a small curved blade on his right forearm. "So I'll take pity on you and attack from over here without using alchemy…that is unless you wish to tell me where Elric is?" Izumi gave a grim, yet gallant smile.
"And how will you that from way over there?" smirked Izumi.
"Simple," said the assailant, raising his right arm into the air, "Like this." He swung down his arm, causing the blade to disconnect and head right towards her. Izumi's eyes widened as she realized that the blade was chained to his right arm to allow him to attack from a distance. She tried her best to protect herself, but the last minute realization of what was attacking her has caused the blade to slice her deep in her left forearm.
"TEACHER!" shouted Al, busting from the house and running to his fallen master. As he held the woman in his arms, the stranger examined him with curious eyes.
'Are you the one they call Elric?"
"Y-yes, my name is Alphonse Elric." Al hoped that this response would calm the stranger, but instead it seemed to cause him to have some panic attack.
"What! No I'm looking for Elric, the dwarf with a metal arm! Where could he-" he turned his gaze towards Al, a malicious look in his eyes. "Tell me boy…where is your brother?"
"I-I-I don't-" Al was cut off as the masked man charged Al, knocked him down and grabbed Izumi by the throat.
"DON'T LIE TO ME BOY!" He shouted, his grip tightening on Izumi's windpipe. "TELL ME WHERE HE IS OR SHE WILL DIE!"
"Stop it! I don't know where he is!" cried Al, fear filling his heart and sweat dripping down his face.
"TELL ME!"
"HES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GATE!" Shouted Al, tears now pouring down his cheeks. He heard a loud thud as Izumi's body landed on the ground and the stranger, standing there apparently stunned by this news.
"After all the trouble I went through to get her, and I find out he's back where I was?" his voice full of rage, but has subsided for a moment "No matter…" he said calmly as he walked away from the scene. "It's a good thing a have a round-trip ticket."
Okay so please R&R and no flaming please.