Chapter 2
Note: If you didn't notice I am completely ignoring the events of episode 25, in my world it never happened -sniff- I've never had a good picture on Roy, Riza, or Maes emotions so this may seem way out of character. But ah well. I have not a single clue how to spell out Hughes kids name so I randomly guessed. Please feel free to correct me If I spelt her name terrible
I do not own Full Metal Alchemist or any of the characters
Lost Hope
Chapter 2
Late
"Where the hell is Full Metal?" An annoyed Mustang grumbled, twiddling his fingers in annoyance. He was leaning back upon his comfortable military chair behind his oak desk.
His charcoal eyes surveyed his desk viewing the perfect shine and quality of it. Scrubbed till it gleamed bright enough for his own smirking face to be staring back at him. A towering pile of paperwork laid dangerously on the edge as though taunting him. Reminding him the work that had to be done and that his lazy mood would soon be ended and he would be forced back to signing, signing those dreaded papers, signature after signature.
He eyed them for a moment longer trying to stare it down willing them to just turn to ash before his nose. A devilish thought came into his mind. He was the flame alchemist was he not? He slipped a silent hand into his coat pocket before a sharp voice rang out, making him wince like a wounded beast.
"Don't even think about it Sir." 1st lieutenant Riza Hawkeye stood before his desk in a brief salute before pacing over to the usual corner she stood at surveying the colonel. His charcoal eyes flickered onto Riza then the guns she constantly carried and sighed to himself, it looked like he'd have to do the paper work or have a bullet through his head.
"Fullmetal's late for our meeting, two hour's late. I heard he was currently in central so he has no excuse. Get Hughes to go get him. I'm not in the mood to go searching for the shrimp." He said suddenly. It was always amusing to argue with that chibi. Fullmetal was as stubborn as a mule and his temper was as short as he was. It was always amusing to toy with Ed and Roy almost specialized in it.
"Yes Mustang." She uttered, her hazel eyes on him before turning around and walking towards the door; her good figure was still noticeable under her boxy deep blue military attire and Roy couldn't help but stare She sure would look good in a miniskirt he thought before slapping himself mentally. Ridding his mind of such perverted thoughts
Maes at the current moment was torturing Havoc with pictures of his daughter
"Ah look at this one! Little Elicia in her new outfit! Isn't she the most wonderful perfect daughter you have ever seen!"
"Hu-"
"And look! This ones new! Its her and her mummy. Isn't she the most beautiful wife in the world! Oh and Elicia looks so cute in here!" Hughes was in complete oblivion about his prisoners lack of interest. He was practically dancing with joy as he flung pictures out from his uniform and a huge smile was spread across his face.
"Hughes! Where are they all coming from!" Havoc muttered sucking idly on the cigarette always stuffed in his mouth
"Oh everywhere, look I have some more in my wallet! You must see them they are so adora-"
" Hughes sir, Colonel Mustang requests for you to get Edward. He's probably just oversleeping in his room"
Riza spoke interrupting the two. Her deadly gaze now on the tall man with slightly spiked hair and that giddy smile on his face, Hughes.
"Riza! Look at this new picture of Eli-" But he froze as a gun was pointed at his temple in a flash "What were you saying?" Hawkeye said testily her finger caressing the trigger, she still had a headache from Hughes previous talk about his family.
"Eh err oh right sure, I'd be happy to go get Edward!" Hughes replied with a nervous smile his eyes shifting to look at the weapon behind his glasses. He stood up and slunk away leaving Havoc alone with Hawkeye, getting out of trigger happy Riza's view. not noticing the sigh of relief that followed him leaving.
" Hughes what is it, have you found Full Metal yet, he's four hours late!" Roy replied in the phone, It was late in the morning now, about noon, and for the past 10 minutes Hughes had been gushing about his daughter "Cut to the chase you must have called for another reason"
"Oh right" Maes replied slightly disappointed and sounding more serious abruptly "Well he wasn't at his room so I asked around a bit. It seems Ed, Al, and Winry went shopping at some of the local mechanic shops, and that was the last anyone saw of them. The hotel manager never saw any of them return last night. Unfortunately due to the rain most people were in there homes and saw no one, which also makes it odd that they would have not returned."
"That's odd" The flame Alchemist jeered smugly, he was right. That automail mechanic of Ed's must have got him up early to go shopping once more. At least that sure sounded like something she'd do.
Hughes nodded from the other side of the phone line and spoke again "Yeah it is I was about to go look around a bit in town see if they just were to lazy to go back to there room."
"Alright Maes keep me posted" The colonel replied before hanging the phone back up
Hughes did vice versa whistling and trudged out of the telephone booth he had been in. Walking joyfully down the streets as usual. His eyes were looking at the neat shop windows sparkling even under the gloomy clouds beginning to darken in the sky. The only sound was the soft patter of rain across the cement and the steps of his own boots. He wasn't particularly worried. Those boys could take care of themselves and it wasn't the first time they had been late for meetings. He chuckled to himself thinking of Edward and Mustang's previous meetings together and continued to walk briefly glancing down the alley ways between the shops to see if anything suspicious was arousing. Hoping to spot the large suit of armor that symbolized Ed was near, those two were never far apart from each other for very long
Not many others were out walking. Just a few tourists giggling towards each other and the usual lazy traffic. While the shop owners inside cleaned up the counters and floors doing anything to pass the time and wait for a customer. The weather seemed to be scaring everyone away. Everyone fearing to be caught in the sudden onslaught of rain. But most likely something as minor as weather wouldn't deter Winry from looking at new automail
He kept wandering and soon had gone down most of the block. Hughes glanced at the watch around his wrist reading it silently: 1:00 lunch time. With a tired smile he joyfully turned around ready to go back and have a quick snack at the military. The food may taste like crap but it was better then nothing. That and it was warm, the cold air and heavy rain stung his face and made him shiver inwardly.
He shook his head making water spray in all directions, he was soaked to the bone from searching in the outside elements for three hours and for once was thankful that the uniform he wore was thick and boxy, perfect for the rain except for how heavy it felt after a while.
Walking down the slippery streets soon the large military head quarters was in perfect view. Nearing the building he happened to glance out of habit down along an Alley Way shrouded in darkness. He squinted behind his glasses through the rain and darkness spotting a glint of silver. Sparkling mysteriously from the alley as though beckoning him onward.
Suddenly he smelt it the wafting scent of blood dampened by the overpowering scent of rain. Taking a cautious step forward he looked at the alley in a new view, seeing many pieces of metal strewn across the earth. From large hunks to scraps the size of a grain of sand. The earth seemed to be tainted a crimson as were splatters upon the walls. His eyes followed a splash up the dirty wall until he froze spotting writing written in some substance. A red liquid. He shivered to himself. It couldn't be blood? After a wary glance he stepped deeper in and looked up in horror at the wall now being able to clearly read it.
His gaze glanced into the depths now spotting a limp form laying in the middle. He could feel his heart pound anxiously. Fearing what he was about to see for now he knew who was down at the end of this torture filled alley.
His always joyful face turned into a solemn frown as he thought over the message, hoping it was some kind of hoax. Slipping a dagger out from his sleeve just incase he jogged forward cautiously. His boots crunching on the metal and he glanced down Could this be Al... He wondered with a jolt and slowed down his pace. Picking his feet up careful not to step on the pieces. Incase it was Ed's younger brother. Nearing the figure he paused glancing down with a deep frown nothing but worry reflecting in his bright green eyes
It was a boy by the looks of it although hardly recognizable now, long blond hair strewn out of its braid fell over his face stained with his own blood. A ragged torn up red cloak lay half fallen off over his back.. The body seemed to be stretched forward as though he had fallen over. One pale fist was closed tightly and the other arm made of metal hung limp against the ground. From this point the overall damage could not be seen except for the increase in blood beneath the torn up former teenager. A shining silver pocket watch lay to the side, splattered with mud.
"Ed.." Hughes breathed crouching down next to him. He hurriedly scooped up the state watch slipping it in his pocket as not to forget it and reached forward with a trembling hand. He brushed the wet bangs from Ed's face and stared in horror which soon turned to anger. Ed's eyes were closed painfully and blood leaked from his mouth. His whole face seemed to be filled with cold sweat, and the touch of his skin felt as hot as a fire, radiating heat and devoid of all life, pale and motionless. But at least the slight breath and hot skin meant the kid was alive. He shook Ed by the shoulders lifting him up slightly and yelled "Edward!" But his efforts were wasted as the blonde did not respond, there was no change in his features.
Hughes took a calming breath before setting Ed gently back his body upturned towards the sky. The mans hands fumbled as he gently lay the teen back down on the ground, afraid to cause more damage moving him.
He wasn't sure what to do, he could run to the military and get some help but then whoever committed this crime might come back to finish Ed off. He glanced at the wall once more reading the message with dread. No they weren't coming back not yet..but he could take no chances. He'd never seen Ed injured except for the lab 5 incident. That had been serious but he having a desk job, didn't actually see the scene just heard about it from fellow officers. He glanced at Ed a last time before making his decision in a split second
Meanwhile Roy was back in his office a piece of typed up paper shoved up his face. In a bored fashion he began to read the sentence on the paper focusing on what it meant, but it was too hard. He was tired and needed coffee. Eyeing the empty cup on his desk he glanced at Riza who was busy with her own work, craving the energetic taste of caffeine. With a sigh he ran his fingers through obsidian hair before signing the paper with a flick of his wrist shoving it in the growing pile of finished papers, read, approved, re- read, and signed. With a smirk of happiness he picked up the last paper in the now empty pile. Quickly scanning it he signed it and flung it in the pile, leaning back with his hands laced behind his head.
"Glad your finally finished here's the next pile, these all need to be sent out, I'll expect them approved and in the mail box before tomorrow."
Riza said sternly walking across the room holding another stack of papers needing to be looked over. Dropping them abruptly on the desk she turned around with a slight smirk that suddenly formed into a frown, quickly her fingers reaching for the gun in its holster as the sound of rushing footsteps growing nearer passed her ears and the office door flung open suddenly with a bang. Withdrawing it in a flash she pointed the pistol quickly at the figure but froze as she saw..it was Hughes
Woot I posted the second chapter for everyone (Although I don't have any hits yet so I'm basically talking to myself xP)