Disclaimer: Apparently some man called Hiromu Arakawa has already claimed FMA. (hangs head)

I'm sorry I took a while to update. I've been neglecting my writing…I've been a bad, bad author. Well, the only excuse I've got is that it's now the holidays for Australian kids, thus my social life has taken priority. That and the fact that my brain has turned to mush (as always in the holidays). Yeah…that's pretty lame but…meh. Enjoy.

Mustang clutched his shoulder, his eye twitching constantly as an outwardly measure of the excruciating pain. The sizzling bullet still cast off sparks, melting the very flesh and dying the fabric around it an ugly crimson. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the rafters, gloved hand up, ready to incinerate the perpetrator.

Ed pushed his hands together and slapped the ground, spraying hardened clods of earth at the rafters, hopefully distracting the unknown enemies. Grateful for the temporary distraction, Al and Riza commando rolled behind a barrier of metal containers while Roy attempted to pull the bullet out with his fingers, an ugly grimace plastered across his face.

A rapid storm of shells ensued, nipping past the comrades and burying themselves into the rotting wood below. Riza whipped out her pistol and began firing, occasionally ducking behind Al to reload. For several minutes, the raucous cacophony continued, a never-ending hail of cartridges that seemed to defy the laws of human endurance.

Hawkeye howled in pain as several bullets ripped into her hands, nipping the oil containers on their way past and showering Al and her in their liquid contents. Finishing up his makeshift tourniquet, the lieutenant colonel whipped his head up just in time to see his subordinate go down. He growled and began to run towards her, anxious to check her physical condition. After quickly re-assessing the situation though, he turned around and snapped his fingers, oblivious to the fact that both Riza and Ail were soaking in petrol.

The enormous explosion that followed literally blew the building to bits, drowning out Riza and Al's tormented screams. Ed struggled to suspend the falling debris while Roy desperately searched through the chaos, both distressed for the safety of their comrades.

Throwing aside a rather large support beam, Mustang was horrified to discover Riza and Al's burnt bodies. Al, being a suit of armour, had simply changed to black colour, covered in soot, deathly afraid at the most. Riza, however, was much worse for wear. He cast an anxious eye over her and almost instantaneously clasped a hand over his mouth to avoid throwing up. She lay spread-eagled across the debris, her bloodied body covered in devastating burns. Her left leg jutted out at a strange angle, shrapnel decorating what was left of it and her face…he didn't even want to go there.

Roy gently lifted Hawkeye's limp body and carefully hoisted her onto his back, trying to avoid jarring her at all costs. This movement attracted Ed's attention and soon, he too, was rendered speechless.

"…what the hell happened?" the blonde mouthed, his eyes going wide.

Mustang turned to face the vertically challenged individual, his stiff stature portraying none of his inner turmoil.

"Edward, go get Alphonse. We're leaving. Now."

The dismal crew flung open the glass doors and practically fell onto the enquiry desk, clearly desperate.

"Oh my…doctor!" the nurse yelped, waving her arms frantically.

A team of doctors rushed into the crowded room and all looked at Riza, or rather, what was Riza.

"We need a stretcher, stat!"

As several of the medics carried the injured first lieutenant away, a young doctor ushered Roy, Ed and Al aside.

"She's in a critical condition…sir, we'll do our best."

Roy swallowed awkwardly. "Thank you. We…ah…does she have a high chance of survival?"

The timid man looked away. "The surgery will be intense and those burns look pretty severe…well, to be frank, sir, it's only 10 percent." The mousy-haired individual cast a critical eye over Roy. "Sir…you're bleeding quite badly…you probably need treatment."

Mustang shook his head slightly. "No need, I assure you, I'll be fine."

"Alright then…but don't hesitate to ask one of the nurses if you begin to feel light-headed and dizzy. If you'll excuse me, I have a patient I must attend."

The shy attendant hurried away as the lieutenant colonel glanced at the two brothers in the room.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Boys…go home."

Al began to protest but Ed swiftly clapped a hand over his mouth, muffling his words. The suit of armour kicked his brother, albeit slightly harder than necessary and turned his attention to Mustang.

"Sir…will you be alright? You were injured too so…"

"I'll be fine. I'm sure you're feeling a little shell-shocked yourself, so I'll grant you permission to go to Resembol for a week."

"Great! Did you hear that, brother? We can see Winry and Aunty!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Well…thanks, I guess, Mustang." Ed said rather gruffly.

"Enjoy it while you can kiddo."


The train jolted as it went over a particularly uneven section of track, jarring the Elrics, the only current occupants of the compartment. Ed stared outside the window at the perfect ivory sphere that illuminated the endless expanse above. The subtle pinpricks of light only enhanced the beauty of the darkness, adding to the mystery of the glowing moon.

"Brother…you look sad. What's wrong?" Al asked warily.

The figure sitting opposite Al slumped slightly and cast his eyes towards the floor.

"Al…that could've easily been you." His voice quivered, as though coming from the very depths of his soul. "I…I…couldn't bear to lose you."

"Brother…"

"There's a reason why I'm your older brother. I'm here to protect you, and I'll do that at all costs." He continued. "I will return you to your former body and I will get my arm and leg back."

"Brother…" Al wondered whether he should tell him of his actual opinion. He let the sentence hang for a couple of minutes before continuing.

"…thank you."


The raven-haired man closed his eyes and replayed the recent series of events over and over in his mind, attempting to analyze where he had failed her. Frigid waves of remorse washed over him, turning his stomach and draining him of what little hope he held. He buried his head in his hands, trying to drown the regretful voices that continually echoed in the recesses of his mind.

It's my fault…I shouldn't have used my flame alchemy…

Why must everything I do end in pain?

If she dies…

I'll never forgive myself.

Hmm…getting a bit angsty towards the end there…oh well, angst is good. Wow…that was a very long chap (by my standards, anyway).

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