In Times of Trouble

Chapter Three

A Troubling Call

Fuhrer's Mansion

Riza and the baby were released from the hospital two days following the delivery, and in celebration Ed and Roy both stayed home to greet them. Roy declared a national holiday, closing all government buildings for the day, though he did not make it annual.

They had all settled around the sitting room with the children when Ms. Bella interrupted to inform Edward that he had an emergency call. Ed rolled his eyes as he stood and said as he walked out of the door "Apparently, no one knows the meaning of 'out of contact for the day' I'll take it in the study, thank you Ms. Bella."

He then went to the private study kept in their apartment rather than his office downstairs. Both lines were secure, so he wasn't worried about that, as he sank into his chair. "Hello, Lt. Fuhrer Elric speaking."

"Edward. I think I'm going to need your help." A whisper came across the line.

"Ling? What's wrong?" Edward said, as he stood back up.

"Takeshi made a move. He's making a bid for the throne, and he brought outsiders." Ling said quietly. "I cannot show fear here. I need help, I cannot fight these people alone."

"Son of a- Did he bring wizards?" Edward asked.

"Yes. They're calling themselves Death Eaters." Ling said. "They've captured Kenja and Naoko's wives. I have twenty-four hours to vacate the palace of they will return their bodies."

"Okay. Okay. Call me back in ten minutes. I need to contact my wizard." Ed said, before hanging up.

He took a deep breath, and yelled for his father, before lifting the receiver and dialing the number Snape had provided for his place in the city. Roy entered with a frown of concern as Snape picked up. "Hey, Severus. I need you at the Mansion as soon as you can get here…and bring that other one too please. Lupin."

As soon as Snape agreed Ed hung up and turned to his father. "Takeshi's kidnapped some of the palace family and has given Ling twenty-four hours to surrender or they die. He brought wizards."

"Shit." Roy said. "Amestris will support Ling as Emperor. I'll be in my office."

Before Ed could say anything else, Roy disappeared through the door, and Al and Mei came in presumably sent in by Roy. "Kenja, Jia, and Erity are being held hostage to force Ling from the throne."

Mei gasped as Al frowned, before she pulled herself together a clear anger vibrating off of her. "What of the girls?"

"Ling didn't mention them, so I assume they are currently safe. I can't say for sure though. Mei, you need to call Chen and let her know. We are going to support Ling in this. Whatever he needs from us." Ed said. "I'm going to contact Drachma and Aerugo and hope they hold to their treaty as well."

"So much for a national holiday." Breda muttered as he wandered in then, in full uniform as he had been just outside the apartment as half of the guard shift. "What's happening, Mustang said to come talk to you."

"It doesn't look good Breda. Xing is about to have an uprising." Ed said.

"What are we going to do?" Breda asked, instantly changing his stance and slipping fully into his soldier persona.

"If this goes bad, probably go to war." Ed said sadly. "Breda have Verdure and Strongarm meet me in my office in an hour. Trigham said he would be in Lab four today. Armstrong, I don't know, try his house first."

"Oh, actually, I know where he is, no problem I'll get them to you." Breda said before saluting and walking out of the room.

Ed frowned, then sighed. "I'm going down to my office. The wizards are on the way, and the alchemists. Ji Mu and Winry should get a day to enjoy the new one before the shit hits the fan."

"You can't keep this from them Brother."

"I'm not. I'm just not going to have people in and out of our private space. I'll take business downstairs where it belongs." Ed said as he rushed to his room to change then swept out of the apartment, dropping kisses on each of his sons' heads and promising to explain when he got back.

Xing Royal Palace

Emperor's Apartment

Ling hung up with a sigh before turning to his wife. "We have no hope of beating wizards without help. I know we have the support of five clans for certain, and there are wizards among them, as well as Alchemists. I want you and the kids as far from the palace as possible. I'm going to have you smuggled out of here."

"I am one of your best fighters I won't just be sent away Ling." Lan Fan protested.

"The children are going to need their mother with them." Ling said in return.

"The children need their father alive."

"We can't make them orphans for your pride my love."

"That's exactly what you're doing if you send me away now! Send them to Mei, Edward will keep them safe, and I will keep you safe."

"You are being incredibly selfish. You do realize, there is a very good chance none of us are going to survive this? Why can't you just do as I ask?"

"I won't leave you!"

"I'm ordering you, as your Emperor to leave Lan Fan."

"I'm refusing as your wife."

"Damn it Lan Fan! This isn't like before. You can't just sacrifice for me!"

"Why would I just let you go into battle without me by your side?"

"Three very good reasons! Huan! Ping! Tevy! They deserve their mother."

"No, they deserve their parents. Both of them."

Ling threw his arms up in frustration. He had no idea how to get through to his wife, and he didn't have time to argue with her. He needed to talk to Naoko and form a plan. "Just. Pack. Please." Ling said as he stormed out of the room, angrier with his wife than he had been in a long time.

He walked out of the apartment, and down to the war room where his brother was waiting for him. He had asked Naoko to give him thirty minutes, that had been fifty minutes ago, thanks to his argument with his wife. As soon as he entered the room, he apologized for the delay.

Naoko waved off the apology, before sinking back into his seat, a drawn and tired expression on his face. Ling sat next to him and frowned as well. "I understand if you wish to take the children and leave, or even if you want to side with Takeshi to get them back. Please just…just tell me if you're going to betray me, and I'll be sure to keep that in mind during the war. You'll still have a place by my side when this is over."

"You are very confidant that you will win." Naoko said, relaxing slightly with the return of his brother's confidence.

"I contacted allies. We will receive outside help." Ling replied simply, not willing to part with further information until he knew what Naoko was going to do.

"I will remain by your side, for good or for ill. However, if you have somewhere reasonably safe to send your children, please send mine as well. "

"I will arrange it. I want nothing to happen to your daughters. I will send them to our sister." Ling said. "She's outside of Xing, they will be safe."

"Is that where you will send yours?"

"I-yes." Ling said. He wanted to play this as quiet as possible, but he hadn't said which sister, and Naoko had a right to know that Ling was putting his trust in this plan as well.

"I will go pack for them, when do they leave?"

"As soon as we can get them on a train." Ling said, relaxing. "This afternoon. I've made arrangements with trusted staff to smuggle them across the border without suspicion. As far as the country will know, they will still be by my side."

"Have you spoken to Akiro yet?"

"Akiro has already been sent to contact their clan. He spoke for Kenja in supporting me."

"Good man, Akiro. Emiyo and Miyo will be ready shortly. I'm sending Mother with them."

"Nayida will be a great help in keeping the children calm and happy…especially as I am uncertain if I have convinced Lan Fan to leave."

"This is what comes from marrying your bodyguard. She still thinks it's her duty to protect you above all else."

"Thank you, Naoko. It never would have occurred to me that was the problem without your insight."

"I live to serve Brother." Naoko said with a smile. He was still upset, of course, but teasing his brother was one of the benefits of their new arrangements. It was something he had seen others do growing up, but never believed he would have the luxury. It also told Ling that he did not blame Ling for what had happened.

It wasn't Ling's fault. Takeshi had powerful friends who had helped him escape. He had powerful friends who helped him return. If Naoko had the chance, he would be killing Takeshi on sight.

Amestris

Lt. Fuhrer's Home Office

Remus Lupin and Severus Snape had arrived just as Edward entered his office, so he waved them in with him. The reason he asked for Lupin as well was both because he knew Snape would not be able to do as much since he was under several vows, and because he wanted to know what Lupin knew about Death Eaters.

Once the two men had sat, Lupin a bit nervous when he realized that Ed was meeting them in his formal capacity, Ed began without pleasantries. "Xing is under attack. Takeshi Zhao is making a bid for the throne and he brought Death Eaters with him to back himself up, so anything and everything you can tell me about these Death Eaters would be greatly useful. We of course will be joining this war since we have a treaty with the Empire."

"Death Eaters? On Cselkcess?" Lupin said, going pale. This could be very bad for them if the dark wizards were to locate Harry.

"Yes." Ed said. "As far as I know they are on the other side of the desert for now, which is part of the reason we need to help in this matter."

"If I may? I trust that you intend to join the fight yourself?" Snape asked.

"I haven't decided yet. I suppose it would depend on how bad it gets out there. In general, the Fuhrer and Lt Fuhrer do not enter the battle itself. Nothing is set yet."

"It would be wise to hide the boy away somewhere. Somewhere where magic is muffled. Until you can however, I shall prepare a few simple spells and amulets." Snape said with a nod. Lupin frowned when Ed agreed. Lupin was trying to stay out of it, this wasn't the first time someone said something that implied that Snape had been in contact for a long while now.

"What I need to know, is if it came to it, could we request help from your allies?" Edward said. He hated the idea of this. It went against every instinct he had to consider going to the wizards. However, that once could have been said for Scar. If he had to fight fire with fire he would, but not if his son became part of the bargain.

"I believe the Order would come to your aide, if not the Ministry. "Lupin said calmly. "Even without the Boy, the Order's primary goal has always been to defeat the Death Eaters."

"I agree. They would help in this situation. With the correct precautions the child would be no closer to discovery than he is now." Snape sneered. He hated agreeing with Lupin, but more he hated having the Boy at risk in any way. He also knew that he was going to have to stay back in this fight, because he could not afford to tip his hand too soon.

"I can contact the Order as soon as you give the word." Lupin said, already mentally composing letters.

"Fuhrer Mustang is currently in meetings over this event. I will speak to him on the matter and then advise you accordingly." Edward replied as he clasped his hand in front of his mouth. Unconsciously, he was adopting his Dad's mannerisms as a way of coping with the situation. "Meanwhile, I have noticed the tension between you. It was, until now, none of my concern. However, I need to ask if you will be able to work together."

"It won't be an issue. As a double agent, Snape isn't going to be allowed to fight." Lupin said with a wave. "He's a great resource to have when it comes to enemy information, but only as long as the enemy doesn't realize he's defected."

"I am well versed in certain vow bonds because of my line of work." Snape said by means of confirmation. "As I've explained before, under a vow, one cannot be persuaded to violate even under torture or truth potion. This also makes me…untrusted… by my allies. They fear I may be playing them as well."

"Well, vow or no, you earned my trust. I can read you, and you aren't lying to us. Even without these magical bonds." Ed said frowned.

"Thank you." Snape replied with a nod. "That said, I feel since I am so encumbered, that I am better suited to offering my services here at the mansion."

"I agree." Edward said.

"You betrayed the Potters." Lupin demanded angrily.

"We've been over this. I was betrayed. I turned for help as soon as I realized that instead of walking away as anyone sane would have done, he proceeded to plan an attack. Instead of helping me as promised, the Potters were offered up like lambs to the slaughter." Snape sneered. "I hold myself accountable for what went wrong, and my part in it. However, as far as I can tell, I am the only one doing so."

"If you hadn't told him the prophesy – "

"If your friends were actually loyal- "

"Enough. Both of you. Snape, you explained to me more than once what happened leading up to you becoming a member of the Order. You are being sincere, or you wouldn't be anywhere near any of my children. Likewise, Lupin wants the child protected and is loyal to his safety." Edward said.

"What went wrong that night Lupin? Why did Sirius act as the Secret Keeper?" Snape asked instead of responding. "I want a real answer this time, so tell me or just say you don't know, but you cannot continue to sit up there on your high horse judging the rest of us for human error."

"What happened was James trusted Sirius more than me. He allowed the prejudice sink in, not for the first time, over my condition and chose a man not worthy of protecting them. It is my understanding the little weasel went directly to them and gave the information to them gleefully. Then Peter Pettigrew went after Sirius, and if anyone had any doubts about it blowing little Peter up was proof enough."

"Why would he pick either of you?" Edward asked, now that the subject had been opened. "Why not do it himself? Is that not allowed or something? I know I've asked questions before, but I keep wondering about it. If it were me, I wouldn't leave it up to someone else."

"Really, not even your father or brother? Because we were like family. We trusted each other. Or I thought we did, until I realized they didn't completely trust me." Lupin said, the final part bitterly.

"No, not even my father or brother. Not unless they were going to be inside the protection at all times. It seems to me the safest way to handle it." Ed said. "I trust my family completely, but you said yourself, they were trusted. People can be forced to betray the ones they love."

"I have no real answer. We all have wondered at one point or another. It comes down to putting his trust in Dumbledore." Lupin said.

"I see. Well, there's the real mistake isn't it?" Ed replied sitting back. "Everyone put their trust in this man, who in turn had been plotting against them all, all along. For all you know it wasn't Sirius who betrayed the Potters at all, and he's being used as a convenient excuse. Whose word do you have that he was this…Secret Keeper? Is that how you put it?"

Both other men looked stunned at the idea, it hadn't occurred to them that perhaps Sirius hadn't betrayed the Potters, too busy trying to lay blame on who had been involved aside from him.

"I don't suppose it matters at the moment though, right now we need to focus on Xing, and the war the wizards are trying to drag here." Edward finished. "Eventually though, we need to look into this, because if there's one thing I've never been able to do it is leave a mystery alone."

Both other men agreed, as Roy walked into the office. He had made the necessary calls, and was waiting for responses, but he wasn't going to sit around Central Command today. It was empty aside for himself briefly, and security guards. He had arranged for everything to be rerouted to his office in the mansion and came home to be near his family.

He saw who was sitting with his son as soon as he came in, pleased that Edward was thinking ahead. He was both honored and horrified to see that his son had picked up so many of his mannerisms that were obvious enough to notice even as he was walking in. "Viktor is committing to help us. Claudio's people will be getting ahold of him and we will hear something by the end of the day. Are you going to contact the wizards?"

"Yes, we've agreed to contact the Order of the Phoenix rather than the Ministry of Magic in the matter for now. Preferably we won't have to reveal the location of the continent to the wizarding world at large this way." Edward replied.

"Well then, lets let these men get to what they need to do, and go visit our sons. It's going to be awhile before we have another chance like this to just sit around with them." Roy said with a frown. He wanted to avoid sending in the alchemists, but the longer he thought about it, the more he realized that he was going to have to. Which meant more widescale destruction than he was strictly alright with, but it was also the only way they were going to end this quickly.

"Russell and Alex are on their way to see me now. I'll be along in a few minutes, after I brief them on the situation. Go cuddle my brother. I'm likely to be home more in the next few weeks than you are." Edward replied and Roy agreed with a nod.

Remus Lupin stood then, deciding that a letter wasn't fast enough, and they should be contacted in person which meant heading home long enough to go through the flue network. Snape seemed to agree with him, since he followed right behind. Before Ed could rethink his plan to wait for the others, they arrived in the doorway. Russell looked like something blew up in his face this morning, with the singe marks around his eyebrows.

Alex, on the other hand, looked slightly hung over, which given his size seemed like it would have been an impressive sight. Edward asked them both to sit as he sat himself. "We're going to war." Ed said simply. "Hopefully it will be short-lived and bloodless as possible, but I CAN'T promise anything."

"Why?" Russell asked as Alex paled.

"Because we have a treaty with Ling Yao, and his claim to the throne is being threatened. We agreed in the treaty to help him remain in power provided he remained true to his ideals of peace between countries." Edward replied. "His brother, Takeshi Zhao, has no such loyalty and we either help Ling stay in power or be attacked by Takeshi Zhao."

"Very well. When should we tell our men to be ready?" Alex asked.

"We are waiting final instructions. I just wanted to warn you both. Alex is currently the highest-ranking Combat Alchemist, aside from me and Dad. Russell, I don't think we will be sending you, but some of your men will have to be vetted and possibly sent. I do hope you've been keeping the records of who we currently have available."

Hogwarts

Headmaster's Office

Dumbledore was genuinely surprised when Lupin appeared in his fireplace. His first concern was that Lupin had been found out. Lupin had a rushed and wild air about him. Before Dumbledore could ask, Lupin began in a rapid ramble. "They need the Order, Xing, which sits next to them, is being attacked by Death Eaters and we have to do what we can to help, because there are countless muggles in the way, and we all know how Death Easters treat muggles. Elric himself asked that I send for help, to keep Harry away from them."

"He knows you're a spy then?" Dumbledore asked with a sinking feeling.

"That's not what's important now sir! On top of which I'm fairly certain he is aware of every spy in the place, and not just the ones you sent, but those of his enemies inside his country as well. He's probably the most untrusting young adult I've ever met! However, that's not the point, we need to move now."

"Please take a breath Remus. Surely the situation is salvageable? What does Severus think?" Dumbledore replied as he returned to the parchment he had been reading.

"Snape believes, as I do, that we are required. Should the Order fail to intercede, we will have no choice other than to contact the Ministry." Lupin said in a tired voice.

"Very well. I shall evaluate the situation myself. Please come along Remus." Dumbledore said before stepping over to the fireplace and listing the safehouse. It was then that Remus realized neither he nor Snape had given Dumbledore their new address.

Truthfully, he wasn't sure what to think. Things with Dumbledore had been off since the nights the Potters had died but hit had gotten so much worse since right after they found out the boy was still alive. Remus hated that he trusted the Elric's version of the truth at this point more than Dumbledore's.

The man had given him a chance when no other Headmaster would have. He gave everyone a chance. It was hard to imagine this same man was willing to let a baby die. Then again, he wasn't himself lately. Perhaps, he was slipping. The pressure finally getting to the older man. He was hardly young in any way.

Remus chewed his lip for a moment, considering the validity of contacting other Order members, before he decided to wait and see if Dumbledore just wanted to confirm the problem. After all it was likely a bit shocking to learn Elric knew about the spies. Wizards were the best at not getting caught at it after all.

With a huff, he followed the older man through the fire meeting him at the old safehouse.

Marseille, France

Three Months Ago

Takeshi Zhao had been renting a room over the pub for months since he escaped. Twice he'd made contact with the wizards he knew and once the Death Eaters, however so far it was dead ends. He was annoyed. He was the prince on Xing, yet here he was sitting in exile.

He had been sulking into a beer for the last hour when the woman approached him. She sat down across from him as he finally picked up his mug. He downed the rest before slamming it down on the table. "What do you want?" he demanded.

"I want the same thing you do." She said, before waving at the waitress for another refill.

Takeshi didn't want the company, but he wasn't going to turn down a free drink right now either. Not when his funds were limited. His accounts were frozen when he was arrested. Like he was just supposed to happily stand aside for that little upstart. The woman was staring at him with a frown. He ignored her as he finished another mug.

"I'll be blunt with you. You want your throne back, yes?" she said when it became clear that he was not going to begin the conversation.

"Of course, I want it back!" Takeshi said as he pounded a fist on the table, drawing attention from those around them.

She clicked her tongue at him with a frown before continuing once no one was looking their way anymore. "First, I would suggest no longer acting like a child. You want to be a king, at like it!" she said with a scoff. "Second, you want the wizards to help you, make them. Apply right correct pressure and they will have no choice."

"How do you suggest I do that?" he demanded with a frown.

"Really, must I do everything myself." She said, then she tossed a leatherbound book on the table." I'll be back for my payment, whether or not you succeed is entirely in your hands at this point, so I will be collecting either way."