I do not own FMA

The Storm Front Alchemist

Chapter 8. The Automail Claw Return of the Chimera

Automail shop in Central.

An automail mechanic was nervously working on his newest client. The client was the chimera born of John's blood. The Chimera had changed it was slightly less imposing than the night it was born, slightly. Also it wore black jeans and boots. Where he got them I've no idea.

"Ahh! Would you watch it that hurt." Roared the Chimera.

"Sorry sir. But there is always some pain. Please don't hurt me?" The Chimera laughed.

"Hurt you I have no reason to. I may look like a monster but I do not act like one. Just finish the job you'll get paid and you'll never see me again." The mechanic only nodded. When the mechanic finished the Chimera inspected the work. His right arm up to his elbow was a power automail claw. "Good job exactly as I designed. If it weren't for the color I'd swear it was my original arm." He walked over to the wall and grabbed a very large trench coat and hat. (Think what Tucker wore.) He put them on and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. It wasn't much but if he hunched and folded his tail he could pass for somewhat human. "I guess you'll want your pay." The Chimera reached into his pocket. A gunshot was heard and the Chimera winced as the bullet grazed his shoulder.

"I'm not letting a monster like you leave." The Chimera turned its sky-blue eyes glowing. He attacked at lightning fast speed. He grabbed mechanic by the head with his automail and squeezed crushing his skull. The Chimera's eyes stopped glowing and he looked at the scene horrified.

"What have I done?" he kneeled down holding the man's lifeless hand. "No why did I do this. Is it because I really am a monster? No I'm not a monster I'm not."

"Is everything alright in there we heard a gunshot." A voice from outside called. The Chimera hearing this bolted up as fast as he could.

"I have to get out of here before I hurt anyone else." He crashed through a window and ran into the shadows.

On train

John woke with a start and grabbed his shoulder in pain.

"You all right kid?" asked August.

"Fine just a nightmare."

"What about?"

"You ever here of Shou Tucker?"

"Can't say that I have."

"He was a State Alchemist. He turned his daughter into a chimera just to see if he could. When I fought him he used some of my blood to make a chimera. Just now in my dream I saw it kill someone."

"It's probably nothing more than a dream."

"Hey August I remember reading that homunculi have special powers can that arm do anything." August looked at his arm.

"Well it is pretty strong and like I said it can regenerate. But as for powers I don't know. This thing has mind of its own sometimes. When I get angry it acts on its own."

"I thought I have it rough. That makes my eye look like nothing." John looked out the window. "We'll be arriving in Central soon. I have to confiscate any cards you have left." August pulled a deck of cards out of his pocket.

"That's all that's left after the dam incident. That's my original deck I've never lost a single card from it. Keep it safe for me kid you'll never know when you need it."

"Uh one other thing." John held up a pair of handcuffs. "Sorry but I have to restrain you."

"Yeah I know you're just doing your job."

Central train station.

"Damn it where is Winrain? He should be here." Griped Mustang.

"Sir I'm pretty sure he's just running late." Stated Hawkeye.

"Yeah Roy just calm down." Said Hughes.

"Sir I'm here. The train was a little a little late."

"Good you're finally here. Where's Fullmetal?"

"Detaining the prisoner sir."

"Prisoner? Weren't there two?"

"One got away. Sir it was Maki. He was behind it he wanted revenge."

"I see. Who was the other one?"

"You'll just have to see you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Don't play your games me Winrain. I order you to tell me who it is."

"Just as arrogant as ever I see. Your rank has gone to your head Sparky." Said August. Roy froze and turned. He saw August being led by Ed and Al.

"August is that really you?"

"Alive and kicking."

"What happened to you? I thought you were dead." August walked over to Roy.

"Some things are not meant for public ears." He whispered. Roy nodded.

"I see. Let's go back to my office we can talk in private. August try and hide your face there are still people who might recognize you."

"Yes sir." August lowered his head letting his hair fall over his face. They all walked away.

Mustang's Office

Mustang was contemplating everything that August told him.

"This is certainly an interesting turn of events." Stated Mustang

"Sir is there anything we can do. I really don't think August deserves this." Asked John.

"I don't think so either. But it is out of my hands. I will have to talk with the Fuhrer. For now my friend you will have to be detained until it is decided."

"I understand. Let's hope the military is still just as slow as ever." Joked August

"It's even slower. Come on I guess will find you a room. Fullmetal, Alphonse I'm posting you as guards."

"Hey Ed that's perfect he can teach you how to cheat well." Said John.

"I DON'T CHEAT!" yelled Ed. Ed, Al, Roy and August left.

"Well I guess I should go file some paperwork. There's going to be a lot of red tape to cut through." Said Hughes as he exited the office. Leaving John and Hawkeye alone. Hawkeye was working at her desk John just looked nervously at the floor.

I never got the chance to explain that whole kiss thing to her. O God does she hate me for it. I knew I shouldn't have done that. Damn hormones. Hawkeye noticing the nervous look on his face broke the silence.

"Are you alright John? You look a little flushed." John blushed slightly.

"No there's nothing wrong. I'm perfectly fine." John said nervously. Hawkeye sighed.

"Look John about that kiss. I only let you do that because you were under great emotional stress. Under any other circumstance I wouldn't have allowed it."

"I understand." Said John slightly dejected.

"Hey cheer up. You're a nice handsome young man. Any girl your age would be lucky to have you." John blushed slightly at the handsome part.

"Thank you Lieutenant. I could say the same of you." said John with a smirk. Hawkeye blushed almost unnoticeably but regained her composure.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't here that." While this was going on Hughes was listening at the door.

"Hughes what are you doing?" asked Havoc.

"Shh be quiet they might here us."

"Who?"

"John's hitting on Hawkeye again."

"And not getting shot. You don't think Hawkeye might actually like John."

"If she does I hope for John's sake Roy doesn't find out." John had heard every word of the whispered conversation. He got up and walked quietly to the door. Hawkeye looked up confused. John motioned for her to be quiet. She nodded understanding. John opened the door and Havoc and Hughes fell in. They looked up only to have a gun pointed at their heads.

"Well what is this?" said Hawkeye.

"It looks like a couple of spies." Said John. "You know what the military does to spies?" John formed his lance and aimed it at them.

"Wait please don't hurt me." sobbed Havoc.

"Yes think of my poor daughter. You don't want Elysia to be an orphan do you?"

"Your forgiven, now get off the floor it's embarrassing to the State." John changed his lance back. "Did you find anything useful?"

"No. Well just have to wait for Roy."

"Maes could I talk to you privately for a second?"

"Sure." He led John away from Havoc and Hawkeye. "What is it." he whispered.

"Have you found any information about that chimera? I know Roy told you about it."

"No we haven't. What brought this on all of sudden?"

"Well it's kind of weird I had a dream about it."

"What happened in it?" John quickly explained what happened. "Come with me." Hughes walked out of the office a confused John following.

Automail Shop

A car pulled up in front of an automail shop. John and Hughes got out.

"Hey this is where I had my eye done." Said John

"Well that is a strange coincidence."

"Maes why are there guards here?"

"Go inside you'll see." John went in. it was the shop from his dream. He hadn't recognized it because it was dark. "A murder like the one you described took place here last night. Also we found a blue print for the claw as well. What I can't figure out is how a chimera could design automail or even know where to get it done."

"This can't be."

"What is it?"

"Think about it. This is where I had my eye done. It came here. I designed that eye myself."

"Wait if you can design an eye then you can also design regular automail."

"And the claw isn't that complex. It's just a modified version of a regular arm. What if more than my makeup was transferred in my blood."

"Your intelligence."

"I think this thing just shot up to top priority."

"Wait this might explain what's been going on in the library."

"What?"

"The librarians who work the night shift have said they have seen something strange reading late at night and when they go to investigate it disappears."

"I'll have to check it out later tonight. But let's get back I want to see if Mustang has any news on August."

"Right let's head back. O one last thing." Maes dug in his pocket. "Look at all the pictures I took while you were gone."

"Not now Maes."

Mustang's Office

"I'm sorry John I tried everything I could but August is to be executed." Said Mustang solemnly.

"When?" asked John

"Tomorrow at noon."

"Why so soon?"

"They thought he was overdue."

"Can I see him?"

"No. you'll see him tomorrow at the execution." John said nothing he simply got up and walked out of the office. "Yeah that was about my reaction."

Central Library much later.

John had been reading for hours. It was the only thing that could calm him down. The light he was reading by was the only one left in the library. It was nearly midnight. Suddenly felt a strange feeling. He wasn't exactly sure of what it was but he had an idea.

"Come out chimera I know you're there." Said John. John heard a thump behind him. He turned in his chair standing behind him was the chimera. "So we meet once again."

"You are the donor. The one who saved me." The Chimera.

"What do you mean saved you?"

"Without your blood I would not be the intelligent civilized being that I am."

"Civilized? You killed a man."

"It wasn't my fault. He shot me and my beast side came out."

"Your beast side?"

"Remember I was made of six parts. Five parts animal one part human. Sometimes the animals vie for control."

"That doesn't matter Chimera you still killed someone and as ward of the state I must bring you in."

"Stop calling me Chimera. I have a name. I am Grendel."

"Where the hell would you get that name from?"

"From these books. Why do you think I come here night after night? I don't just want your knowledge I want my own."

"Why would you need knowledge? A monster like you."

"I am not a monster! I did not choose to be this way. That is why I research to change what I am. I want to be human."

"Then come in. Maybe the military can help you."

"What kind of fool do you take me for? I know how the military works I will be an experiment."

"Then I have no choice but to forcefully bring you in." John formed his lance.

"Catch me if you can." Grendel bolted away and John chased after. John shot an electric shock at Grendel but he jumped up on top of a bookshelf. "There are some advantages to being a chimera." Grendel grabbed onto the ceiling and began crawling across it like a bug.

"You've got to be kidding me." John chased Grendel through the aisles. John made a torrent of air and Grendel lost his grip and fell to the ground. For a second John thought he felt pain but shook it off. Grendel was now against a wall. "You've got no where to go Grendel."

"Did I not say I have all your knowledge? I can do anything you can do." Grendel clapped his claws and he destroyed the wall with an alchemic blast. Grendel jumped down to the ground below. John jumped after him using the air to cushion his fall.

Mustang's Office

Mustang was pretending to work in his office when he heard the explosion. He looked at the library.

"That's where John is." Mustang got up. "Hawkeye get a squad ready I'm heading to the library." He ran out the door.

"Yes sir." Saluted Hawkeye

With John

"So you can use alchemy. This should be interesting." Said John

"I agree." Grendel clapped his claws together and transformed his automail into a spiked mace. He ran at John swinging his mace fist. John ducked out of the way and struck the automail shocking Grendel. Grendel and John both cringed in pain. "You'll pay for that." Grendel swung his tail and hit John in the legs. Both John and Grendel recoiled in pain. John was on one knee. His ankle throbbed.

Damn I think it's sprained.

"We can feel each other's pain this is interesting. But I have a higher threshold of pain than you. But this still might be a nuisance. You're always throwing yourself in harms way." He stepped forward changing it into a double-bladed ax. "This will hurt me but it will hurt you more." He swung the blade down. John blocked the blade but he faltered under the chimera's immense strength. Luckily the ax had at least glanced off to the side missing. Grendel raised the ax.

I only have one shot at this. John dropped the lance and clapped his hands together and put them to the ground. A stone fist came out of the ground and knocked Grendel back several feet. John practically collapsed both from the pain he inflicted on Grendel and the alchemy. He wasn't used to moving so much earth at once.

"Okay stone is harder to move than air." John panted.

"Winrain what have I told you? Never fight alone if you can avoid it." Said Mustang walking to John. "Can you stand soldier?"

"Not sure my ankles sprained." Suddenly Grendel roared he got up his eyes glowing.

"So that's the chimera."

"Roy be careful it's an alchemist."

"Grendel will destroy puny humans." (A/N This is Grendel's beast side. You can tell by his eyes glowing and he starts speaking in third person.) Grendel charged Roy. Roy smirked.

"You're not as smart as I thought." Said Roy bringing out his glove.

"Roy wait don't do that." Roy snapped his fingers and Grendel was thrown back by the sparks. John gasped in agony.

"John are you all right?"

"Pain. Can feel our pain."

"What are you talking about?" Grendel charged again Roy sent another blast at him which made John cringe in pain again. Roy's eyes widened as he realized what John meant.

"See the more you hurt Grendel the more you hurt him." Said Grendel triumphantly.

"Freeze!" shouted Hawkeye appearing out of nowhere with a squad of gunmen.

"Hawkeye hold your fire. If you hurt that thing you hurt John." Shouted Mustang. Grendel went to charge the gunmen but doubled over in pain. His skin started rippling and pulsating. John was in a similar agony.

"We will me again John. I swear it." He changed the ax back to a claw and then put the claw to the ground and in a flash of light he fell into the sewers below. As Grendel ran John's pain lessened. He started to get up slowly using his lance to keep the weight of his ankle.

"John should you be moving?" asked Hawkeye

"I think it getting better it must be affected by distance."

"You men. Find that thing now. I do not want that thing free a moment longer." Ordered Roy. The gunmen quickly followed into the sewer.

The sewer.

Grendel was running in great pain. Suddenly he was surrounded by the gunmen.

Damn I can't fight in this condition.

"Freeze monster." Shouted one of the gunmen.

"You know I don't like it when people use terms like monster." Said a palm tree haired boy stepping from the shadows. He ran at one gunmen and cracked his neck with his bare hands. Two more gunmen ran at the boy only to be impaled on long black spikes from the wall. A woman stepped out from the shadows.

"They never expect it." She said. Grendel heard anguished cries from behind him. He looked and saw a little girl with purple electric wave shooting from her left arm at the soldiers writhing in pain. The girl then raised her right arm and a shockwave shot out and destroyed the gunmen without a trace. The remaining two gunmen ran only to be stopped by a fat bald man.

"Can I eat them Lust?" asked the man.

"Of course you may Gluttony." Said the one called Lust. The man called Gluttony devoured the two remaining soldiers.

"What are you?" asked Grendel.

"We're homunculi." Said the little girl excitedly.

"Betrayal what have I told you about talking to strangers?" said Lust. The palm tree boy walked over to Grendel.

"Here eat these." The boy said holding out his hand. It was full of red stones.

"Why?"

"You're destabilizing. You overdid it with the alchemy. These will stabilize you." Grendel reached for them. But the boy took them away. "Under one condition. You work for us."

"Why?"

"We're your only source of red stones. Also we have the same goal. We all want to be human." Grendel only nodded and ate the stones greedily.

Next day firing range.

A solemn drum tap could be heard as August was led to the wall. John was there in an official military uniform. Ed and Al were there as well.

"Brigadier General August Victor Siren you have been found guilty of the crimes of desertion and human transmutation. You will now be put to death by firing squad. Have you any last words?" said John solemnly. John did not know why but he felt he was responsible for all this so he volunteered to officiate the execution.

"My only regret is I never got to see my daughter again. Also John don't blame yourself for this. Your only doing your duty." Said August. Ed was close to tears and about to leave when a calm voice called to him.

"Don't look away boys." Ed looked up and saw it was Armstrong. "You're about to see the military for what it truly is. Killing a great hero like a common criminal." Ed turned and stared back at the wall.

"Ready." Said John. The soldiers raised their guns. "Aim." The guns cocked. "Fire." The guns fired and Cardshark was dead.

Rooftop of nearby building.

Grendel, Lust, Gluttony and Betrayal were standing on a rooftop watching the event.

"I must say your friend Envy is very convincing." Said Grendel

"Yes he really has outdone himself this time. His imitation is flawless." Said Lust

"Tell me why did you want to fake his death?"

"He is a human with a homunculus arm he might be the key to our humanity. If he does have any answers I'm sure Laboratory Five will discover them.

Whoa another chapter done. What are the homunculi planning they seem to be in everybody's business. Also this was the premier of two of Betrayal's powers Ultimate Destruction and Agony. Her final power will premier much later. O well next time it has been a month since the dam incident. This morning Hawkeye didn't come to work. Nothing unusual about that except she never misses work. Blade returns in chapter 9 Where's Hawkeye?