As a late Christmas present to all of you, here's a new chapter! Enjoy!

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 36 - Bodyguard

1916, Table City, Creta

Standing in front of The Fuhrer in his office, Janine awaits her orders for her first mission outside of Amestris.

Grumman - "Since this is your first trip out of the country, I needed someone else who I can trust as well. 2nd Lieutenant Niko here will be your bodyguard. There are a few sensitive documents that need to be picked up from Table City. No training wheels I'm afraid Miss Rambo. That is all. The both of you are dismissed." They salute and leave.

Due to the events of the Sanguine Star's creation and the (now) destroyed transmutation circle to make it within the city, Grumman expects their return within three days due to the ongoing battles between the two countries and Janine's past history from there.

Walking into the city, Janine and Niko head over to the Table City's temporary command center. Picking up the 'said' documents and walking back to the front of the building, Janine tells Niko. "I used to live around here."

Niko looks at her. "When?" He asks. She points past the main tower and base. "Awhile back. It's a bit hard to see from here, but behind that building and past the bridge behind it, after a few miles down the road is Schuylkill Falls. Next to that is Cornwall Ridge. I grew up in both of those cities."

Niko - "Are you planning to return there soon?" She nods her head. "Not right now. Only when I am ready too."

Upon leaving the building, she asks the receptionist. "Excuse me, Ma'am. I'm looking for a friend of mine. I think she may be living the city but I'm too sure where though? Where-" The receptionist replies.

Making it to the shelter, Janine asks about both of her friends there. A volunteer tells her. "The last name sounds familiar." She describes the person in question. "Then it was probably her father. The one that she was looking for." AJ sighs afterward. "Sorry, young lady." Janine smiles at the woman. "It's alright. Thank you anyway, Ma'am."

As they are leaving the shelter, Niko gives her an idea.

Arriving at a house in the east district, she buys it. Under the city law, she is required to list any and all possible tenants if she herself isn't one. She writes down, Roxy's, Nicole's, and Tiana's names. Before she leaves, she leaves a message for each one to read should they eventually make it to the house.

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Present Day, Central, Amestris

When Roy and Ed make it to HQ, a soldier at the front desk flags Ed when he walks in. "Good morning, Gentlemen. Oh, Ed. You just missed your brother. He seemed in a hurry while talking to Rambo. The both of them left here in rush. I wonder if something happened. Whatever they were talking about, it sure seemed pretty serious." Ed and Roy thank him.

Heading straight to the Fuhrer's office. Upon entering his office, they sit patiently waiting for Grumman to finish his phone call.

Fuhrer - "Hmmm... Ok. ... Well, thank you, Valentina, for letting me know. ... Alright dear. Take care." He hangs up the phone. "Oh! Mustang and Elric! I'm surprised that the both of you stopped by so early unexpectedly."

Roy - "With all due respect, Fuhrer. I haven't seen Janine or Alphonse this morning. Do you know where they could be?"

Grumman smiles. "I sent the both of them on their way this morning. Do not worry, she will not be on this mission for too long. I've hired Alphonse as her bodyguard for her trip this time."

Ed and Roy look at the Fuhrer in shock.

Grumman then pulls out a folder from his desk."We have a situation that has surfaced in the East, Lieutenant General." Grumman informs him. "It seems that our friends in Xing have run into some trouble with both countries to the east of their own. They are asking for our help. I am expecting your support because I would like to send you and your team over there. As well as yourself Edward Elric. Even though I know that you are no longer with the military, Ling himself has asked me for your support, Fullmetal."

Ed leans back in his chair. After a few minutes, Roy asks Ed. "Care to spill what's on your mind there, Ed?" Correcting himself, Ed tells them. "I ...can't. I don't want to leave Winry as a widow. I Mean For Christ Sake, I Just MARRIED HER! And it hasn't even been a year yet hell not even six months since our I do's." He sighs covering his face with his hands.

Grumman - "I understand. Were you aware of the highlighted content in your contract with the military before you retired?" "Huh?" Ed asks, confusedly. Grumman pulls it out of a folder on his desk. "Here. Take a look at it yourself."

The Fuhrer hands Edward the document. It reads:

"As a member of the Amestrian Military or a retiree, Thee Fullmetal Alchemist will be drafted into his dutymen services for his country by the Fuhrer's chosen date and time just as his countrymen have done before him. There will no exceptions to this rule. Failure to comply will result in immediate solitary confinement."

Grumman - "Look at the date, Edward."

30, June 1913

Looking down at the bottom of the page.

Signed: Fuhrer King Bradley

Ed - "That son of a bitch! He added it after I had joined!" He shouts with shakey fists.

Grumman - "As the current Fuhrer, I tried to overrule the order. But with Congress and the Courthouse still in placement with his leftover lackeys, I wasn't able to do it in time, Fullmetal. My apologizes." Ed sighs. "I checked with all available resources at my disposal. There was an expiration date to overturn the said executive order. Three-year limit." The Fuhrer adds as he sighs as well.

Roy - "It was like he knew that he wasn't gonna last until then. That sneaky bastard." Roy then asks. "And which division will Mr. Elric be assigned too?"

Grumman looks at Roy. "Why of course it will be you and your team. And before you ask, Rambo will stay in Central of course once she returns. I have no intention of sending her out again." Roy nods his head, stands, and salutes.

Grumman - "I am planning to send any and all out by the end of the week. That is all. The both of you are dismissed." Leaving the room, Ed excuses himself away from Mustang.

Making to his office a short time later, Roy enters and sits at his desk with his head down.

Havoc and the others look at Roy with concern. He asks. "Everything alright there, General?"

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Walking into the house, just as Pinako finished with the dishes. "Oh. I'm surprised to see you here." She says.

Ed - "Is Winry here?" "No, I'm afraid not." Ed sighs. Pinako then walks over to the sofa, patting the seat next to her. "Come, boy. Sit. There's something on your mind." Ed walks over and sits. "Start talking, dear."

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Roy tells his men the news.

Kain - "Poor Edward."

Jean - "Yeah, I bet. His wife isn't gonna be too happy about this."

Falman - "And there's nothing that Fuhrer Grumman can do for him?"

Breda - "Does Al know?" Everyone looks at Breda before looking back at Roy.

Mustang nods his head. "No. I'm afraid not." The others sigh. "Speaking of the younger Elric brother. He was asked to be a bodyguard for someone. He took the job."

Breda - "But he's not the military."

Jean - "To who?"

Roy flints an eyebrow. "Clover."

Everyone stares at him in shock just as Hawkeye enters the room.

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Winry enters the house as Ed is laying face down on the sofa. "Ed? Is everything okay?" He sits up and motions for her to sit next to him. He tells her everything.

Standing up afterward, she pulls him back down. Straddling him, she grabs his cheeks and makes him look at her. "Edward, look at me." He lifts his head. With tears already falling down his face, he tells her. "I-I don't want to be like Hohenheim, Winry. To leave and never return like he... he did too, mom." "And you won't, honey." She replies, wiping his face. Ed sighs.

She places her head against his. After a few minutes. Cracking a smile, he says. "Thanks, babe." She moves her head a little and kisses him. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her back.

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While they are on the train, AJ tells him. "Once we make it to Madritileno and upon entering the proxy building. They will confiscate all of our weapons and jackets, Al. It's their policy and we have to respect it." "I understand," Al replies.

AJ - "Another thing cuz I should probably warn you about this, the capital and cities that surround it are highly religious. In other words, don't start telling them that their religion is a fluke." She then whispers to him. "Even though you and I both know about the truth." Al nods his head.

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Once they make it there, Al's in awe of the colors and the festivities that are at the border station of Aerugo and Amestris. "Wow! Just wow!" He says as he looks up.

AJ - "Pretty cool, huh Al?" "Yeah, I'll say!" Turning to look at her. "So?..." She grabs his hand and the two head over to the dual counters. Grabbing their tickets, they cross sides, crossing the boardwalk to the train that will take to the capital of Aerugo.

In Madritileno, once they make it there, Al stops. She turns back to look at him. "Al, what's the matter?" "S-sorry." He says as he looks down nervously, sadly, biting his lip.

She pulls him over to a bench and sits him down, sitting next to him. "Hey. It's alright. We can take our time if you aren't ready." She says as she rubs his back. He sighs again.

After a few minutes later. Al stands and takes a deep breath. He then turns to her. "I'm ready. Let's do this." She smiles and stands as well.

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Riding camels through the desert, Ed and the gang (along with Shao May, Mao, Lan-Fan, Ling, and May) make it to Xing by the break of dawn a few days later.

Heading into The Imperial Palace, The Emperor introduces himself to everyone. He asks Ling. "Tā de xiōngdì zài nǎlǐ?" (And where is his brother?)

Ling looks at Ed. "Ed?" "Yeah?" "Where's Alphonse?" Roy excuses himself and tells Ling. "The Fuhrer of Amestris requested his assistance for an important issue. Alphonse accepted the task. I'm sure he won't be gone for too long."

Emperor - "I have heard rumors of your Fuhrer having agreements with both the Natives and Aerugians? Is this true, Lieutenant General?"

Roy - "To my understanding. The agreement between Aerugo and Amestris is a cease-fire contract. Any sudden attemption from either side may result in another war." "And the Indigenous?" The Emperor asks him.

Roy replies. "I am uncertain of any agreements between the two but yes in recent years we've have accepted several Native descendants within the Amestrian Military."

May - "That girl is one of them, General?" Roy looks at her with a serious stance. "Elucidate, May." The Emperor requests. She tells him. "Janine Rambo is her name, your Excellency." She bows to the Emperor.

Emperor - "And how could I assist you in getting contact with this Rambo maiden, Lieutenant General? To seek for her and her people's help with the matter at hand?" Roy looks back at the Emperor with an uncertain stare.

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City Hall of Madritileno is where an important meeting with the 3C's are taking place. The Council, The Courthouse and The Church of the Districts. AJ and Al make it to the building and as she'd warned him about, their weapons are confiscated upon entry.

Sitting down at the rounded table, President is Alfonso Leon Habsburgo XIII as well as Prime Minister Alvaro Torres of Aerugo and The Mayor of Madritileno, Francis Rodriquez, are all staring directly at Janine and Alphonse once they walk into the room.

Al silently gulps at their abrasive stare at him.

Alfonso smiles at the children and welcomes them to sit on the other side across of them. "Benvenuto ad Aerugo!" (Welcome to Aerugo!)

AJ and Al - "Grazie." (Thank you)

Alfonso - "Prego. Apprezzo il modo in cui entrambi vi siete fatti non aggressivi abbandonando le vostre armi senza alcuna aggressione." (Your welcome. I appreciate how right away the both of made yourselves non-aggressive by surrendering your weapons without any aggressions.)

Al mimics when AJ nods her head.

Alfonso - "In ogni caso, sono consapevole del motivo per cui entrambi siete qui, in primo luogo. Amestris vuole un trattato di pace tra il mio paese e non c'e, e dimmi come si dimostrera' a me e ai miei compatrioti che non vuole piu' dare piu' a guerre o battaglie per aver forzatamente preso Folcett da noi. C'e' qualcosa, qualcos'altro che il tuo popolo vuole guadagnare questa volta?"

(At any rate, I am aware of why the both of you are here in the first place. Amestris wants a peace treaty between my country and theirs? Then tell me how will it prove itself to me and my people that it no longer wishes to bestow any more wars or battles after forcefully taking Folcett from us. Is there something new or maybe something else that your people want to gain this time around?)

AJ - "Se non sei ancora sicuro di noi Amestrians, allora perche' permmettere ad ognuno di noi di entrare in Aerugo?" (If you are still unsure of us Amestrians, then why allow any of us into Aerugo in the first place?) She looks at him confused.

AJ adds. "Voglio dire, anche se siamo bambini, per favore no dareper scontato che non conosciamo la situazione passata cuasta dall'ex Fuhrer di Amestris, King Bradley. Siamo una nazione cambiata sotto il nostro nuovo leader, Fuhrer Grumman. Non vuole iniziare guerre inutilli o campi di battaglia macchiati di sangue. Una volta noi Amanti abbiamo lavorato insieme a chiunque, pur mantenendo la nostra umilta'."

(I mean, although we are children, please don't assume that we are unfamilliar with the past situation caused by the former Fuhrer of Amestris, King Bradley. We are a changed nation under our new leader, Fuhrer Grumman. He doesn't want to start unnessary wars or blood-stained battlefields. He wants us Amestrians to work together with whomever, while still maintaining our humility.)

Alvaro - "Il tuo accento e' molto buono. Da bambino, cosa vedi per il mondo e sei Aerugian discendente?" (Your accent is very good. As a child, what do you see for the world and are you of Aerugian descendent?)

AJ - "Si', lo sono. Come un quarto Aerugian, voglio verdere le persone andare d'accordo e avere empatia reciproca. Cura e compassione per tutti. So che e' infantile da parte mia pensare in questo modo, ma e' cio' che voglio vedere accadere al mondo. Non voglio vedere lotte e esplosioni di guerra diffuse come incendi selvaggi tra i giovani di questo paese o di qualsiai altro paese."

(Yes I am. As a quarter Aerugian, I want to see people getting along and having empathy for each other. Caring and compassion for everyone. I know that it's childish of me to think like this but its what I want to see happen to the world. I don't want to see fights and breakouts of war spread like wildfires across the youth of this country or any country really.)

Francis - "E il ragazzo vicino a te?" (And the boy next to you?)

AJ turns to Al. "Do you mind if I tell them about your lineage?" Al nods his head. "It's alright, I'll tell them." Al turns back to face them. "I am of Xerxian descendant. My father was from Xerxes."

All three men look at Al with amazement, then excuse themselves for a few minutes. AJ breathes a sigh of relief after when they close the door behind themselves. She whispers to Al everything that was said and asked. Al nods once he understands.

Walking back into the room and taking their seats again, they all turn to Alphonse. Alfonso asks him. "So tell me, Alphonse Elric. How far back in years does your family tree extend too?"

Al and AJ look at him, shocked. "You know Amestrian?" Al asks. Alfonso laughs the others join in as well. "Yes, I do. Although I must request for the Aerugian girl to continue to speak in tongue."

AJ nods her head and then tells them. "Sono anche Cretiano, Amante e discendente da molti indigeni." (I am also Cretian and a descendant of many Indigenous Natives.)

They look at her with astoundment. Alfonso says. "So we have a Xerxian and Native. Both visiting us at the same time." He looks at the both of them questionablely.

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Back in Xing, Roy gets in contact with Grumman for The Emperor and while the two are exchanging in conversation over the phone in another room. Ed turns to Roy and asks. "So where do you think he sent them too?"

Roy shrugs his shoulders. "Either to Aerugo or the Tribelands. I'm guessing." "Speaking of the Tribelands, you've been there right?"

Roy nods his head. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Ed looks at Roy with an annoyed expression.

Ling taps Roy on the shoulder. As he turns around to face Ling, Ling asks him. "I would like to visit these Tribelands, General. Propose how do we make that happen?"

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Walking out of City Hall in Madritileno, AJ stomps down the steps quickly as Al tries to catch up to her.

Al - "Wait, Janine! Slow down!" He grabs her hand once they make back to the hotel where they are spending the night. "What happened?" He asks. "Move it!" She says as she pushes Al into the room and closes the door behind her.

She checks both her and Al's jackets and finds secret wires underneath the material within them. Ripping the wires and setting the cords on fire, disintegrating them completely.

After returning from the bathroom, she sits down across from Alphonse. "So we need to pack up and head home right now." He looks at her confused and shocked.

Previously

Alfonso - "Although I am honored to be in the presence of the both you. And even though I am sure that you both are representing your cultures quite amicably. I surely do hope that Mr. Grumman doesn't believe that by sending the both of you down here would have helped him acquire a treaty?"

AJ - "Con tutto il dovuto rispetto, presidente Habsburgo, noi che siamo chi siamo non e' la ragione per cui siamo stati mandati qui. Sebbene Amestris vorrebbe procurarsi un trattato di pace tra Amestris e Aerugo, penso che sarebbe meglio lasciare che Aerugo decidesse se vuole o meno lo stesso. Preche' la pressione? Preche' forzare le mani se l'altro non ha il loro fuori per un altro da accettare per cominciare?"

(With all due respect, President Habsburgo, us being who we are is not the reason why we were sent here. Although Amestris would like to procure a peace treaty between Amestris and Aerugo, I think it would be best if we let Aerugo decide on whether or not it wants the same as well. Why pressure? Why force hands if the other doesn't have theirs out for another to accept it, to begin with?)

Alfonso - "I agree with what you just said if not more but at this moment, as the President of Aerugo. Non firmero' nulla ne' permettero' che il nostro accordo di cessate il fuoco si estenda piu' di quanto e' stato firmato l'anno scorso." (I will not sign anything or allow our cease-fire agreement to extend more than what was signed last year) He continues. "That is all."

AJ - "Il nostro vicino orientale, Xing. E' passato il deserto orientale. Sono attualmente in una guerra di confine con Ikemba e Farhan. Hai intenzeione di-" (Our eastern neighbor, Xing. That is past the Eastern Desert. They are currently in a border war with both Ikemba and Farhan. Are you going to-)

Alfonso - "Questo e' il loro problema, non il nostro. Non mi allineero' con quei serpenti del deserto." (That is their problem, not ours. I will not align myself with those desert snakes)

AJ immediately is taken aback. Calming herself, she takes a deep breath, stands and then bows. "Then I guess our presence here done. We will be taking our leave then. Thank you for your hospitality President Habsburgo."

Alfonso replies. "And I thank the both of you for stopping by. Until we meet again ... figlia di(Daughter of) Matos." Janine looks back at him in shock before she leaves the room, agitated.

Present

Making it to Central by early morning. Al and AJ head straight over Central HQ. Walking into the Fuhrer's office without knocking.

AJ - "My apologies for the sudden and rude intrusion but I have some news that needs to be brought to your attention immediately." "Come and sit then. " Grumman tells her. She and Al sit across from him and AJ tells him what happened.

Grumman sighs. "And here I thought we'd at least have a chance especially with the agreement in play."

Noticing her frequently foot tapping and looking away from him, he asks. "Miss Rambo. Is there more?" She corrects herself and looks at him. She tells him what was exchanged between her and Habsburgo. She also discloses. "He ... he knows something about my father." Al and Grumman look at her surprised.

End of Chapter 36