I do not own FMA

The Storm Front Alchemist

Chapter 7 Dam Alchemists

Ed and John were sitting at the table playing cards.

"Ha read em and weep. Full house." Said Ed putting his cards on the table.

"Wow Ed nothing can beat that. Except this." John reveled his cards. "Royal Flush."

"That's impossible."

"No Ed what's impossible is that we both have the Queen of Hearts."

"Are you saying that I'm a cheat?" Ed slammed his fist on the table and several cards fell from his sleeve. "Wait that doesn't mean anything. I've no idea how they got there."

"Brother how could you?" asked Al

"Of course you don't. Now fork over the cash." Said John

"Fine take it all. I never want to see another playing card again."

"He'll never learn." Sighed John

Reja Train Station

"Brother we're finally here." Said Al

"Yeah that train ride was murder. So John let's get this over with and get to that dam."

"Do you honestly think they're just waiting at the dam? Please they're in town. Now you go check into a hotel or something. I'm going to look around town." John walked away. What he failed to notice was a man watching him. Even though the station was crowded there was no one near him. The man closed his crimson eyes and smiled evilly revealing teeth that had been sharpened to points.

"At last he is here and he brought friends. That should make Cardshark happy. At last you'll pay for what you did." The man let out a low laugh and walked away a sea of people parting in his wake.

Tavern.

John was standing in front of a tavern.

"Maybe I'll find some leads in here?" John went inside. The bar was mostly empty all that was inside were the bartender and a man playing solitaire. John walked over to the bartender. "Excuse me but have you seen anybody suspicious lately?"

"Sir when haven't I?" replied the bartender sarcastically and a little drunk. John sighed.

Obviously I'm not getting anything out of him. He's the drunkest one here.

"Hey kid." Called a voice. John turned around and saw the man playing cards calling him. "I'll tell you everything I know if you play me." John walked over to the man. He looked to be in his early forties. With long black hair only just beginning to gray. He was wearing a black trench coat and gray cargo pants.

I swear I've seen this guy somewhere. John sat down. "So what do you know?"

"Settle down boy. Don't try and cash your chips before the cards are dealt. You've at least got to know who the dealer is. The names August." said August shuffling a deck. John noticed he wore a glove on his right hand.

"John. John Winrain."

"How old are you kid?"

"17 why?"

"You seem awfully young to be in the military."

"How would you know that?"

"The chain from your pocket watch is showing. Never show your hand."

"Enough with the card references. What are you some type of card shark?" Suddenly realization hit John. "You're August Victor Siren the Cardshark Alchemist." Cardshark held up 5 cards.

"Royal straight flush. You lose." He turned the cards around revealing transmutation circles on the back. "You went all in too early." He threw the cards at John. John barely dodged as the cards ripped through the chair.

"Get back here!" John ran after him forming his lance.

"Meet us at the dam at 10 tomorrow." Cardshark ran out the door a barrier of cards blocking the way. John hit it with his lance but it wouldn't budge.

"Damn it. He got away."

"Wow that was entertaining." said the bartender.

"Shut up."

Next day at dam

Ed, Al and John walked into the dam. They saw Cardshark standing there smoking a cigarette.

"You came to play. The one you're looking for is upstairs." John went to go upstairs followed by Ed and Al. When John went through the door a barrier of cards blocked Ed and Al. "Sorry low card your fight is with me."

"WHO YOU CALLING LOW!" screamed Ed

"Temper, temper always keep your cool then they won't be able to call you bluff."

"God John was right. You and your stupid card puns." Ed ran at Cardshark forming his arm blade.

With John

John looked and saw he was trapped by the cards.

"Damn whoever this guy is he really wants to fight me alone." John walked up the stairs and went outside to the top of the dam. He saw a man in a red trench coat. The man turned slowly. John's eyes widened.

"Hello John it has been a long time." Said the man.

"Maki is that you?"

"How dare you call me that? Only my friends can call me that and you are no friend of mine."

"Why?"

"Why! You framed my father. He would never hurt anyone."

"I know what I saw Maki. I couldn't believe it either but your father murdered Mia."

"Believe what you want. But what about these?" Maki revealed his hands. They were black automail with the red circles etched into the back. His finger tips clawed. "Remember the assessment a year ago? When you refused to accept defeat. Then that gun toting bitch shot my fire blade and it blew up in my hands."

"That wasn't my fault Maki!"

"I am not Maki." He brought out a lighter and lit it and transformed the fire into an orange crystalline blade. "I am Malachi Logan the Blade Alchemist." Blade charged at John slashing his blade. His fire brand met the lightning lance with deafening clang. The force of the two elements clashing threw the combatants backwards. "Now the true fight begins." Blade ripped off his trench coat revealing a body covered in scars.

"What the hell happened to you?" Blade ran a clawed finger over his chest leaving a bleeding cut. He brought the blood soaked claw to his lips and licked it clean.

"I love the taste of blood in the morning." He sighed content. "Even better is the taste of another's blood."

"You're sick." John shot an electric bolt at Blade he dodged but the bolt grazed his side leaving a burn. But instead of grunting in pain he sighed in pleasure. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Such pain it feels so good. I realized something a year ago. I lost to you because I feared pain. But I have learned that pain is life's only true pleasure it's just most people don't realize it. Giving pain receiving pain this is the only thing that makes me feel. Nothing you do can stop me."

With Ed

Ed charged Cardshark arm blade ready to strike. Ed was suddenly held back. He saw that Cardshark's hand was on his head holding him back like it was nothing. This infuriated Ed.

"Amateur. I can't believe the military employs kids now." Laughed Cardshark.

"I'm no amateur." Roared Ed. Ed slashed but was blocked by a card. He twisted to kick at Cardshark's legs. But was tossed back. He looked to see a stream of cards returning into his sleeve.

"Brother!" called Al. "Don't you hurt him." Al ran at Cardshark. Cardshark turned to face him.

"Sorry kid but deuces are wild." A stream of cards flew from his sleeve and knocked Al against a wall. The cards retracted.

"Al!" screamed Ed and he ran at Cardshark. But was stopped as he was lifted into the air by a tentacle of cards.

"You just don't get it." Cardshark pinned Ed against the ceiling and let him hang there. He opened his coat it was lined with pockets. "I literally hold all the cards. Now you hang there while my associate takes care of your friend." Cardshark took out a cigarette and started smoking.

"Could you put that out I get enough of that from Havoc."

"So Havoc smokes. I thought I told that boy it was a bad habit. O well so how does a kid like you end up in the military?"

"None of your damn business. I shouldn't even be here. That damn Mustang had to give me this for my first mission. Well now I'm hanging from the ceiling by a bunch of playing cards."

"Mustang? Not Roy Mustang. There's no way anyone would put him in charge." Cardshark sighed. "But what's past is past. You just hang there I'll let you down when I get my money."

"Ha shows what you know there is no money."

"What?"

"You didn't really think the military would pay?" Ed suddenly was dropped to the floor as the cards let go and returned to Cardshark.

"Damn it should have known the military wouldn't cash their chips. Come on kid we're getting to the bottom of this." The barrier that blocked the door disappeared.

"Hey what about our fight?"

"Sorry but I've got no beef with you. If there's no money I have no reason to fight you. It would be like playing cards with potato chips. No incentive." Cardshark walked up the stairs. Ed and Al reluctantly followed.

With John

"So there's nothing I can do to stop you? You really are a fool Maki." said John smirking.

"I am no fool and that is Blade to you."

"Sorry but you'll always be Maki to me. But you've possibly chosen the worst place to fight me. This dam is one big generator. I usually draw my electricity from the electrons in the air around me but a direct source is much better." John put the butt of his lance on the ground. The lance glowed as it charged with electricity. The charge was so great it made John's hair stand on end. "You may enjoy pain but its still hurts you." John pointed his lance at Blade. A powerful blast of lightning hit Blade square in the chest. Blade was thrown back into a wall. "I win." John turned and walked away. "I'm sorry I had to do that Maki. But you should wake up in an hour or so." John was still walking away when he felt a burning pain in his side. He turned his head and saw Blade behind him his fire blade had grazed his side.

"You think that pitiful excuse for an attack can stop me? I really thought you would have improved." Blade raised his sword. "Let the blood flow this day. For now it is my foe I slay. Soon my revenge I will take and death will follow in my wake.

Great I'm going to get killed by a frickin poet. Thought John. Blade brought his sword down but the sword was blocked by Ed's arm blade.

"Hey need some help?" asked Ed. Al came over and helped John up.

"You all right?" asked Al

"I'm all right Al. But you guys definitely got here fast."

"That's because I folded." said Cardshark.

"Cardshark what the hell are you doing here you were supposed to destroy the brat."

"First of all I don't kill unless I have to. I killed enough during the war. Second of all they don't have the money."

"Of course they don't have it this never was about money you gambling fool."

"No money no deal. But from all the talk you gave me you should be able to take these guys easy."

"Sorry Maki it's over just give it up." Said John.

"So this is Maki huh? Looks like a sick bastard to me."

"No I will not lose to a bleeding heart and some brat." Roared Blade. Blade stabbed his sword into the dam. "It's about to get wet." He let go of the sword and bolted past Ed and down the stairs. Ed went to run but John pulled Ed down and formed a barrier of air around them. The sword lacking it wielder destabilized and violently exploded. John let down the barrier. Ed got up to chase after Blade but John stopped him.

"What are you doing? We have to go after him." Screamed Ed. The dam began to shake. John looked over the edge and saw cracks forming water spouting.

"Forget him Ed you have to fix the dam it's going to blow."

"There's too much water in the dam I don't know the composition. Wait make a gust of wind to push the water back."

"I can't move that much water. At least for very long."

"Will you two stop fighting? Just do what you friend said I'll help." Said Cardshark.

"But what can you do?"

"Just do it."

"Fine." John ran to the other side of the dam and spun his lance making a gust of wind pushing the water back. "Anytime would be nice."

"All right. Let's deal the winning hand." Cardshark opened his coat and cards flew out and made a wall in the gap John's gust created. "That won't hold for long do it now kid."

"Right." Said Ed. Ed clapped his hands together and put them to the dam. The entire structure glowed with alchemic light. The process finished just as the card wall collapsed. Ed sat there panting. "That was harder than I thought."

"You did good kid both of you." He walked over to John. "William would be proud."

"I guess this is goodbye August."

"What are you doing John we have to bring him in." said Ed

"I know he broke the law Ed but he helped us a lot. If he hadn't let you down I would be dead now."

"I'm going with you back to Central." said August

"But you'll be executed for desertion. I can't let you do that."

"Sorry but I've been running for too long and what about you if you go back empty handed it won't look. Besides they won't execute me they'll want to research me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Do you know why I ran?" John shook his head. "It was during a raid during the war. We we're combing the town for pockets of resistance. I was searching a building when I heard a noise. Well I did what any good soldier would do. I acted first and would ask questions later. You know what it was?"

"No."

"It was a little girl searching for her parents. It devastated me watching her die. It was almost as if I had killed my own little girl. Like I had killed my Clara. God it's been so long since I've seen her she'll be 19 this year." August looked downcast at the ground. "Sorry got lost there for a second."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"No I need to tell this. That girl's death haunted me so much I did the only thing I could think of. I tried to bring her back. That is how I was cursed. When I tried to bring her back some creature tried to take my arm but I wouldn't let it. We struggled for what seemed like hours. Finally I destroyed it. But it left wounds on my arm. When the creature's blood seeped into my arm it changed it to this." August took off his glove and coat. August's right arm was pale almost white the veins were black the mark of the Oroburos on his shoulder. "You know what this is. You know that this arm is not human."

"Homunculus." Whispered Ed.

"So you know what this is as well. When I first got it, it only extended to my elbow. But it extended slowly over the years and it accelerates when I get angry. I probably should cut it off but I was always hopeful I would find the cure."

"Wouldn't it just regenerate?" asked John

"Your knowledge astounds me. If I cut above the infected part the part that is still human it won't grow back. So now you know why I ran it will take many years but eventually I will become a living homunculus." He returned his coat and glove. "I'm getting tired of this place. Let's go." August walked through the door and down the stairs followed by the rest.

Forrest.

Blade was watching the group leave the dam.

"Damn it that's what I get for hiring a partner. Next time I work alone. Next time I'll kill you." Said Blade

"Hey I'm the one who gets to kill John." Said a young girl's voice. Blade turned around and saw a girl about 11 years old with violet eyes and alchemic symbols on her arms. There was a strange vertical slit on her forehead. The Oroburos on her neck. She wore black pants and shirt.

"Mia?"

"Betrayal what have I told you about wandering off." said a women in black wandering out of the woods.

"Aww I was just making friends Auntie Lust."

"Yeah why do you have to be so mean?" said a young boy with palm tree hair.

"Uncle Envy yay. Your always fun." She ran over to hug him.

"Hey kid what's up?"

"He said he's going to kill John. I'm the one who's supposed to."

"Sorry I know you want to but you can only kill who "that person" wants us to."

"Aww man."

"Yes but he does not have to he can kill who he wants." Said Lust "Tell me do you still want revenge?"

"More than anything." Said Blade.

"Then let us help you we'll provide everything you need."

"You have a deal."

"Good." They turned and walked away.

"Aww I didn't even get to use Ultimate Destruction." Said Betrayal looking at her right arm symbols glowing slightly.

"Don't worry we'll find you some town you can destroy. You can use Ultimate Destruction and Ultimate Agony all you want." Said Envy

"Yay!"

Reja Train Station. Next day.

"Well I told Roy we'll be bringing back a prisoner." Said John

"Did you tell him about me?" asked August

"I told him he'd have to see you to believe it."

"Ha I can't wait to see old Sparky's reaction."

"Sparky?" asked Ed.

"My nickname for him."

"Hey guys come on we're going to miss the train." Called John. They all got on the train.

Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Also if the fight kinda sucked that's because this was merely to introduce Blade and Cardshark. The next time Blade shows up it will defiantly be better. Next time strange things are happening in Central. An automail mechanic is murdered along with the discovery of a blueprint for a new type of automail. Also there have been reports of a strange creature haunting the Central library. In chapter 8 The Automail Claw Return of the Chimera.

p.s. This weeks FMA was so sad poor Scar.