You know how this works. I don't own Roy (don't I wish), I don't own his staff, and I don't own Central. Pretty much the only things I do own are the plot, my character (General Ree), and the academy (yeah, that was me). Quick background, I brought Hughes back (yeah, saw that coming, didn't you?) because he's too awesome to die. The grave can't stop him! Well, that's enough of that, let's get this party started.
After
a quick round of introductions (Brieda, Fuery, Fullman, Havok,
Hawkeye, etc.), Roy led Arika out into a hallway where they could
talk. "What are you doing here?"
"What, I can't come out
here to see my two best friends every once in a while?" It was
obvious from the look on his face that he wasn't buying it.
"Alright, do you remember that promotion I told you about?" After
Roy nodded, she continued. "Well, it comes with a transfer.
Effective at the end of the week, I work in Central. I had some time
off stored up, so I thought I'd come out here and get settled
first." It took him a moment to think about it. "Well, don't go
jumping for joy or anything on my account," Arika said
sarcastically. "Silly me, I thought you might be happy I was
back."
"I am happy, it just that it might take some getting
used to. As far as showing up goes, you couldn't have picked a
better night. I was supposed to have dinner with the Hughes family
tonight. I'll call Maes and have him change the reservation."
"That
would be great," she said, enthusiastically.
They had been
walking down the hall, heads together, talking quietly. They didn't
even notice a major, busy with his own work, turning he corner in
front of them. Roy stopped in time, but Arika charged right in to the
man. She would have fallen if Roy hadn't caught her, but the major
just stood there, no more worse for wear than if it had been a wall
she had so carelessly rammed. "Terribly sorry, madam," the major
said after a moment.
"That's quite alright, it was my fault.
I'm General Ree," she said, sticking out her hand. As he shook it
she turned to Roy. "I thought I met all your staff," she said
accusingly.
"He's not one of mine, he just works here."
"Major
Alex Louis Armstrong, at your service General."
"Armstrong,
Armstrong, why does that sound familiar? Hand on," she said closing
her eyes. A moment later they snapped open again. "Roy, you didn't
tell me you worked with the son of the Alex Louis Armstrong!"
"Should
I have?" he asked, confused.
"Do you know my father,"
Armstrong asked.
"Of course! Roy, don't you remember?" It
was clear he didn't. "Oh, how easily you forget. He was our
favorite teacher. Come on, Mr. Armstrong, senior year…."
"How
can you be sure it's his son?"
"It's in the eyes.
Look."
"Oh, wow, I can't believe I never drew the
connection," Roy said suddenly. At the confused look from Armstrong
he continued. "Your father taught the senior self-defense class at
the academy."
"Father never told us he worked at the academy,"
Armstrong said.
"He was amazing. He used to use students as
demonstrations. He beat the hell out of Roy on many occasions."
"He
used to scold me after class for beating up a girl," Roy said
nostalgically.
"Roy, you must be older than I thought, your
memory is starting to go. He used to yell at you for letting a girl
get the better of you," Arika reminded him.
"Oh, come on, I
could always kick your ass," Roy said, punching her arm.
"I
beat you back then and I could beat you now," Arika said, punching
him back.
"I get off duty in two hours. If you can find
something to occupy yourself until then, I'd be more than happy to
meet you in the gym for a little one on one," he said
happily.
"I'll see you then. In the meantime, don't you have
work to do?"
As Roy walked off, Arika turned back to Armstrong
who had watched silently. "Send your father my regards, Major."
"It
would be my pleasure," he said, and went back to the papers he had
been reading when she hit him.
two hours later
Roy
walked into the gym and wasn't surprised to see Arika already there
and changed out of uniform. "Find anything to keep you busy?"
"Yes,
actually, I did. I suppose you know Lieutenant Hawkeye has a dog?"
Roy nodded. "She calls him Black Hyate. Sweet beast, I've been
playing with him on the grounds all afternoon. Are you ready?"
"Give
me a minute to change," he said, walking into the locker room.
After a while, he returned wearing gray sweats. "Now, just to be
clear, this is hand to hand, right?"
"No alchemy, if that's
what you're asking. We have a dinner tonight, and I don't want to
smell like ashes."
"Alright then, whenever you're
ready."
She adopted a fighting stance Mr. Armstrong had shown
them. "Bring it, Pyro."
He ran at her, then swerved to the
left. As he passed her, he grabbed her wrist in an attempt to spin
her. She turned it around on him, grabbing his arm and tossing him to
the floor. He jumped up and she ran at him, trying to catch him off
guard. He had been expecting this, and when she was close enough, he
kicked he in the stomach. While she was doubled over from his blow,
he struck the back of her neck. She was on the floor, but she was
back up before he could take advantage of it. She backed up, then
began to run at him again. When she had covered half the distance,
she threw her self toward the ground. As her feet came at his head,
he ducked. Her feet flew through the air where his jaw had been. As
she sailed over him, she saw him prepare for a shot at her face. She
curled into a ball, and he missed entirely. She rolled as soon as she
hit the floor. She got back up and was surprised to see Roy was still
crouched down. He began to rise, and she saw her chance. She
flattened her hand and came up on him from behind. With a powerful
slashing motion, she hit the side of his neck. He was dazed, and she
saw her chance. She hit him in the chest from below, sending him
flying through the air, then careening down to the floor. He fell
hard and before he knew it, she was there, with a foot on his chest.
He had been beaten, just like old times. Suddenly he heard applause
from the far end of the gym. He was almost too afraid to look. He
lifted his head and turned it in the direction the noise was coming
from. There stood his entire staff, with the addition of Armstrong.
Brieda was laughing his ass off, Havok was clapping, Fuery was
actually rolling on the floor, Fullman just stared uncomprehendingly,
Armstrong was talking (but when isn't he), and Hawkeye stood there
grinning and clapping quietly. Roy groaned. "How long have they
been here?" he asked of Arika.
"They've been here since you
just after you went into the locker room," she said grinning
down at him. "I didn't have the heart to tell you, and I thought
it might be funny. They've been very quiet, you know. Very
considerate of them, letting us concentrate like that," she said,
looking over at them.
"Yes, very considerate," Roy said. "If
you would get you foot off me, I think I'll go thank them for their
consideration." She moved her foot, and he jumped up. He began to
run at them and they scattered.
"You'll hear about this
tomorrow, Pyro," she said. "Now, go change, we have dinner with
Maes and his family in an hour."
Five minutes later Arika was
waiting for Roy in the gym. The locker room door opened, and out
walked Roy in a black shirt and khakis. They stood for a moment
looking at each other. She was wearing a tight black shirt and jeans.
Wow, I'd forgotten how good he looked out of uniform, she thought.
Out loud she said, "Didn't Iget you that shirt?"
"I
seem to remember it being a Christmas present last year, yes,"
Roy said with a grin. "Come on, Windbag, we're meeting Maes in
half an hour, and I thought we could
walk."
Well, that's it for now. More later, I promise. Come on, guys, review! Is it really so bad that you won't even tell me?
