Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 5 – The Messenger

Central

Holding the note in his hand, Ed looks at it again. '7pm 1089 Main street' As he remembers what Roy told him about earlier that day back in the General's office.

{Flashback Begins}

"Huh?" Ed looks at Mustang confusedly at first, then realizing what was said. "HA!" Ed shouts as he points a finger to Roy. "I knew it! I knew you would pull through for me!" With a wave of his hand, Roy replies. "I didn't promise you anything Edward, Although the name does sound familliar... Anyway you seriously can't expect me to help out a civillian with their promise that they made to a complete stranger." Ed looks down, depressed and bummed out. "But on other hand, it wouldn't hurt me to help out a friend who asked me for a favor. Only if they are willing to take a rain check for later." Roy says as he scribbles something on a piece of paper, folding it over and then reaching out to hand the paper to Ed. "Don't be late. Take it and leave."

{Flashback Ends}

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Back at the office after the flashback ends:

After when Ed closes the door behind him, Havoc spangs up from his seat, walking quickly to Roy at his desk. Alex grabs him before he makes it there. Roy puts up one of his hands with 3 fingers spread out.

1st finger goes down; Ed's footsteps are moving away from the doorway after the door closes.

2nd finger goes down: Ed footsteps are already near the corner of the hallway.

3rd finger goes down: as Ed's now faint footsteps turns the corner of the hallway corridor, faintly making the floor creak off of the top step. Roy puts his hand back down on the desk.

Havoc - "What the hell General! - huh?" As he sees Armstrong brings a finger to his own lips.

Roy replies. "I never said that I was doing the favor for Elric."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ed finally makes it to the address. The sign reads "Madam Christmas" 'So he wanted me to meet him at a bar? Is he trying to get me drunk? ...Or did he set me up on a date instead of... THAT SON OF A BIT-' "FullMetal." Scaring the crap out of Ed when he hears that voice calling out to him. He then turns around.

Ed - "So now what? I suppose you brought me flowers and chocolate too?" He says smirking.

Roy - "Huh? Just what are you...You know what? Don't care. Let's head inside."

Sitting on the stools with their drinks already, Roy starts. "So hows everything back home? Al says that you 'sort of' proposed to your mechanic (Ed flinches and growls), at least that what she told him the last time they spoke."

Ed - 'Damn it Al' "My private life is just dandy Roy, thanks for asking."

Roy - "It's that bad, huh?'

Ed - "Shut up! It's just- (sighs as he lays his head on the table) He groans.

Roy - "Did you at least give a her ring to throw off any protential suitors?" Ed's antenna twitches. "I'll take that as a no. Seriously, you can't ask a woman to marry you and not give her a ring. It doesn't work like that."

Ed - "I know that! But... I just-" He says as he's blushing.

Madam - "You know kid. (Ed looks up at her) Every woman likes jewelry."

Roy - "She's right. Take her out to dinner. Then ask her to marry you. The Right Way. Give her you're first kiss if you haven't already. And If all goes well... (smirking) Well there are plenty of hotels across Central."

Ed - Blushing and death glaring at Roy. "I SAID SHUT UP! Knock it off Jackass!" Startling Madam and a few other women with his raised voice.

The women glare at Roy. Roy replies. "Relax Edward. I was just messing with you."

With his head back down, Ed replies. "Yeah. Whatever." Gulping down some of his drink and sighing afterwards. Madam walks away, opening the door to the backroom behind the counter. When the door closes...

Roy - "Back in 1909, There was a little girl who was taken captive at gun point. (Ed picks his head up, looking surprised and turns to look at Roy) Ever heard of the name Adam Wilson, Ed?"

Ed puts a finger on his chin. "...No, don't think so. "

Roy - "He is responsible for over 23 deaths of children in the past 27 years in Amestris. From east to west of Amestris, lies the remains of his victims." Ed shudders at the image. Roy continues. "The little girl did survive the ordeal but Adam got away from me and Hakuro... I later on found out the kid's name. Her name was Ari."

Ed's eyes widen in surprisement. "Do you know where she's at now?"

Roy nodds his head. "No, but I'll have one of my subordinates look into her wearabouts tomorrow."

Ed - "Damn... Well thank you anyway for helping me, General."

Roy smirks. "You know its no fun when you don't insult me at the end of every sentence."

Rolling his eyes. "Anyway, its getting late. I'm gonna go crash at a inn for the night. (As he takes out some money to leave a tip) He stands up similing and places a hand on Roy's shoulder. "Catch ya later General... Bastard." Roy nodds, smirking. Ed then leaves the bar.

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Walking to Gruman's office from her apartment the next morning, Janine recalls a memory.

1916, Central, Amestris

Arriving to her (adoptive) mother's bar, Janine (Who just recently turned 16 at this time) takes a seat at a table. Chris joins her a few minutes later.

Chris - "So, have you thought about becoming apart of the family business like your sisters... or-" Ari interrupts her.

Ari - "No. I don't think thats the life I want to live. I -uh. I want you to meet me at lunchtime in Gruman's office tomorrow."

Chris - "Why? What for?"

Ari - "Its just- I just wanna make a difference in the world, ya know. Make it better than that Bradley jerk made it out to be. So I need you hear me out like you always do. Can you do that for me, Mom?"

With a smirk, Chris replies. "You know, your starting to sound like him." She sighs. "Don't do anything stupid or I'll disown your ass in a heartbeat." She says in a stern voice, startling Janine.

Ari smirks. "I'm not as crazy as him, Mom... And besides, how would you feel if you saw a pig of a man on top of your baby girl?"

Without a second to pass, Chris replies. "I would kill him and get away with it."

Surprised and stunned by her answer, Ari laughs, then smirks, putting a hand on Chris's back and says. "There, that's what I knew and will always love you for momma."

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Next day in Gruman's Office

When Chris makes it to the office, both (are sitting down) Janine and the Fuhrer already in the middle of a discussion when the officers out in front of it let her in.

Gruman - "Good afternoon Madam Christmas. Now there's a sight of a woman to behold."

Chris - "Don't hold your breath for too long, Fuhrer Gruman. You countrymen still needs you."

Laughing and relaxing himself momentarily, He says. "Ah, indeed they still do Madam." He leads forward. "You may have a seat , Mi Lady." Chris smirks and sits down next to Ari. "I'm sure you are wondering why you are here. Miss Janine insisted on making sure that you were here before she moved forward with a quite interesting method with a positive purpose."

Chris glances at Ari for a moment then looks back at Gruman.

Gruman continues. "Would you like to start, AJ." She nodds her head.

Janine - "I came up with an idea of wanting to help the Fuhrer out when it came to keeping certain information out of any kind of enemy hands. Like what if he had someone or some people that he can absolutely 100% trust and he can send out to drop off and pick up very sensitive data, like contracts from other countries for example. I'm sure that he probably has any officer that can do this already but what if-"

Gruman interrupts her. "That's enough dear. I like both the idea and concept. Especially from what we've discussed earlier. I've actually have had to deal several traitors in the military recently already. However if everything does go through with the other officials, then you will be first-picked to try this new experimential class. Is that something you are ready for Miss Mustang?"

Similing, she stands up and salutes. "Just call me Ms. Rambo, Your Excellency. Just so you don't confuse me with Roy, Sir."

Gruman grins. "Very well Ms. Rambo. I'll let you know about the outcome soon enough."

3 months later: Back in Gruman's Office

Gruman - "It's nice to see you in my office again, Ms. Rambo. Everything will move forward as planned. There's absolutely no turning back now."

Excusing herself and returning shortly in uniform, still standing and then saluting to the Fuhrer. She says. "Ms. Rambo, reporting for duty. Sir!"

Gruman - "Already trained and well mannered, already this looks to be promising. I'm gonna start you off with a rank as well, AJ. Your'll be assigned as a Corporal. It's not a very high rank, but you will start with a little bit of power, not too much though."

AJ - "Thank you Sir. I will use my rank responsibility." She replies, still saluting.

Gruman nodds and continues. "You will be now known as The Messenger. Any and all top secret information that you carry from point A to B or vice versa will only be viewed by me and only the top official of said destination. As well as personal carries that I only allow. You cannot at all open any of the deliveries at all unless I say so. Punishment for any kind of failure will result in on the spot arrest and jail time. Worst case will be execution. Are you ready for this responsibility, Ms. Rambo?"

AJ grinds her teeth, takes a deep breath and fixes her posture. "Yes Sir!" She salutes.

Present Central, Amestris

Janine makes it to the Fuhrer's office, holding a folder that he requested recently. Surprising Ari when she exits the room, Riza holds the door open and winks at Ari when she closes the door behind her, leaving Ari slightly confused. "Thanks for picking that up for me, Ms. Rambo. Come in, have a seat." The Fuhrer says. She hands him the folder then sits down.

Gruman - "There is a good old buddy of mine, a dear friend who retired and lives in Rush Valley. I have a package for him. I need you to take it there by tonight." She replies "Yes Sir!" as he hands her the package and then she leaves for the train.

Rush Valley

Her first time in this city, the sounds of machines, people walking around and pass her with automail are the first things that Janine sees. A strong smell of oil hits her nose when she walks a bit further into the city. Looking around, she can't believe the amount of stores and vendors that are selling mechanical limbs. Repair shops are also in the same area. She asks some the locals about the address and starts walking to it which is all the way on the other side of the town.

Panting as she finally reaches the store. She corrects herself, then knocks. A gentleman answers and she lets him know about the package. He confirms his identity and she hands it over to him. He thanks her afterwards and she leaves.

Walking back to the train station, she is half way there when she stops to look at a sculpture that is completely made different kinds of metal. 'Pretty cool' she says to herself. At the same time that she turns around to walk, she hears a voice yell. "WATCH OUT!"

"CRASH!" Everytime happened so fast for Ari. When she comes to, she notices a shadow above her as shes under a pile of debris. "Oh dear. Are you ok miss? Sorry about that." A male voice says. She looks up. A man in a apron, wearing red lipstick and earrings is standing above her. Janine sits up, knocking some debris off herself. Then she notices a blonde haired female walking towards her from behind the guy.

"We're very sorry about that by the way. Hi I'm Winry. That's Garfiel. (pointing to him)" Winry says as she extends her hand to help towards Janine to help her up, who is now pushing some dirt off her shoulders. Ari takes her hand. Standing up, she dusts her pants off and looks back up at them.

Win makes a concerning look when she notices AJ's attire. "So you're with the military?"

AJ - "Yup. I work for the Fuhrer. He's a respectable gentleman, Don't you think?"

Before she could respond, Garfiel puts a hand on her shoulder. "You'll have excuse her. I do apologize what did happened though with the-"

AJ interrupts him. "It's fine. I know you didn't mean it. You should have a mechanic look at it if the handling is giving you that much trouble. Seen alot of Healer Hands around here so there's bound to be a car mechanic near by."

Win similes 'So she looks at us automail mechanics as healer hands. That's sweet.' "Thank you for your kind words , uh um...?"

AJ - "It's Janine. Sorry for not introducting myself earlier. Bummer that that sculptor was destroyed though."

Win - "That wasn't a sculptor. It was just a pile of metal that melted together awhile ago."

Surprised, AJ couldn't help the laughter that spilled from her lips after Winry tells her that. Both Winry and Garfiel laugh as well not soon after. Calming herself down, she says. "You'll have to excuse me. This is my first time to this city."

Both - "SERIOUSLY!" Startling AJ. Grabbing her hand, Win declares. "It's official then, I'm gonna show you around Rush Valley! Are you ready?" Janine makes a sound in between a squeak and a squeal. Win squeals with delightment. "Yay! You are ready! Let's get moving then shall we!" As she sets her grip on AJ wrist to death mode (death gripped AJ's wrist) and easily drags AJ along.

Garfiel - "Have fun you too!" As he chuckles at AJ's terrified face that's staring at Winry.

End of Chapter 5.

Author's notes: Gruman calls Janine 'Aj' as a nickname to the name itself. Besides Mustang, he also calls her by her original last name, which is "Rambo." There is a reason why the fuhrer gives Janine a rank in the first place but that shall be explained at a later time. The amount of kids that I believe that Chris Mustang has taken care of is 10. (9 girls including Ari and 1 boy). 1889 is the year I believe is when Roy's aunt takes him under her wing. He would of been 4 years old at the time.