I stood tall, my blue military uniform billowing in the wind as my sharp brown eyes scanned the horizon. My lips were turned down in a somber frown, and the piecing feeling in my gut made everything seem horribly bleak.
I had decided to give up on seeing Envy one last time. My friend that I couldn't save, my friend that I could never even say goodbye to. The friend who would die because of me, because of something I had done and a secret I had to hide. I loathed myself for it, but I had to continue no matter what, because I had lives to save. I had people that I could save from the death they were doomed to, but that was only one of the sacrifices I had to make.
A darkness clouding my eyes, I removed my white gloves, revealing the human transmutation circles I had burned into my palms, empty of every emotion except agonizing determination.
"Falman?" I said. I was looking for a way into Headquarters when I had stumbled upon Falman, who lead a group of the Briggs soldiers.
"Lynette?" Falman said with a mixture of shock and confusion. As the Briggs soldiers moved to step forward, I held my gloved hands up to show I meant no harm.
"Easy there, guys." I said, sighing. "I'm not the enemy here."
"How do we know?" Buccaneer stood in front, and it was all I could do not to scowl.
"I don't have time to humor your doubts," I replied, vexed by their suspicion. "And I don't think you do either, so if you want to actually want to get in and help take over the main gate, I'm coming." I turned on my heel, walking briskly ahead. Stupid Buccaneer, I thought, I'm the only one who can save his ass, and he's making it hard.
Buccaneer threw a look at Falman, who nodded, assuring that I was a good guy. So with Buccaneer waving them along, the Briggs soldiers caught up to me, walking behind me as I snuck into Headquarters, a map clutched tightly in my hands.
An explosion sounded off, and smoke clouded the room.
"Damn, what was that?!" General Clemin's voice called out, coughing from the smoke as he held up his gun. Buccaneer moved swiftly through the smokescreen, gripping General Clemin's head with his military grade combat automail. General Clemin struggled, gritting his teeth at Buccaneer.
"So you planned to open fire on a populated area," Buccaneer said, recalling the conversation we had overheard just moments before. "Do you want that to go out over the radio too?"
"When did you..." General Clemin gasped out in a hoarse voice. "This equipment is from Briggs! How did you get in here?"
"A man and a girl formally from Command Center One with some sharp memories," Karley, another man from Briggs, said smugly.
"And a map." I chimed in, holding up the tattered piece of paper from my early military days.
"They helped us out and pointed us to the exact location." Karley continued.
"And after that, getting in was a piece of cake, really," Buccaneer said, "We just had to find someone to dig a tunnel."
"Who could pull off something like that?!" General Clemin exclaimed, shocked. Buccaneer grinned.
"Would you like me to introduce you to her?" Buccaneer said, glancing back at the doorway.
"Wait, who is the-" Clemin started, but was cut off by a confident woman's voice.
"When people ask, I say I'm a housewife." The woman said, stepping into the doorway. "It does make sense." She stopped in the middle of the doorway. "But today, I've shed that particular disguise. I am an alchemist!" Izumi Curtis said, a determined look crossing her features.
"Attention Central soldiers," Karley spoke into the mic, broadcasting it to the battlefield. "Attention Central soldiers! Briggs forces have taken the Operation Center. We have thirteen men in custody, including General Clemin. Repeat, Briggs forces have taken the Operation Center. Central soldiers, cease all hostility immediately. I repeat, we have your General in custody."
"You were using the tank as a distraction to hide your true purpose! Using your alchemy to dig that tunnel!" General Clemin growled.
"Haha," Izumi said, amused. "Now you're catching on." Meanwhile, Karley had beckoned Buccaneer over only to talk to who I guessed was General Armstrong.
"Yes sir." Buccaneer replied, setting down the headphones and brandishing his automail arm. "We have to keep the gates closed."
Dodging a poorly aimed punch, I slid a knife out of my sleeve and thrust it into the mannequin's shoulder, pushing it aside as another came for me. I kicked that one in the face, knocking it over onto the other mannequin before stabbing though both of them with my short sword.
Damn, I cursed, jumping out of the way as another mannequin lept at me. I don't have any weapons I can mutilate them with to kill them! The mannequin I had avoided came at me again, and I clicked my heel, popping the blade out. I kicked it in the stomach, leaving a giant gash that would've killed anyone else almost instantly. If only I had my katana, I thought, and with the human transmutation circles on my hands, it's not like I could clap them down and try to make a katana.
A glint of red paint caught my eye, and I swerved to the side, smashing the glass on the red metal box and grabbing the axe inside. This is a little better, I thought, weighing it in my hands. A mannequin came at me, and with a strong swing and a kick to the shin, I had taken out one leg and decapitated the foul creature. Wielding the axe with precision, I sliced up every mannequin that came at me, until they were all squirming on the floor, helpless. Okay, note to self, an axe is no where near my ideal weapon, I gulped down air. That took up way too much of my energy.
I panted, looking over at where Buccaneer had just finished taking care of some other mannequins. He nodded to me, and I followed him out with the other Briggs soldiers on our squad, finally making it to the exit of the building, gazing out into the walls.
"Let's go take the main gate." Buccaneer said.
Taking the main gate wasn't that hard, since there was such little resistance. Apparently, while we had been doing so, Briggs soldiers had claimed the other gates, as well as the armory.
"We are now in control of most of the Central Command Center," Karley announced over the radio, "We've done it. We've beaten them!"
The Briggs soldiers yelled out in victory, some even throwing up their white hats as they celebrated the win.
"Victory!" They chorused, "Victory! Victory!" I, however, was very far from celebrating. My eyes narrowed in contempt, and I listened closely to the radio.
"Greetings, I'm back." A voice said over the radio. The cheers of success vanished, and the soldiers looked alarmed. I felt a twinge of fear, but brushed it off. "And judging by the mess I see, it would appear that things have gotten rather out of hand in my absence, now wouldn't it?" The Fuhrer King Bradley's voice echoed throughout the gate. "As of now, I am personally taking command. We will get rid of the rebels. All available Central forces, it's time to fight!"
"That bastard's still alive?" Buccaneer scowled. The Briggs soldiers looked around in distress and confusion, and I shrunk back behind all the armed Briggs soldiers, watching closely but being careful not to be seen.
The door we all watched closely opened, gray smoke flowing out of the enclosed space around a muscular frame, which happened to be none other than Fuhrer Bradley, otherwise known as Wrath, himself.
The Briggs soldiers grit their teeth, all guns aimed at Wrath. Wrath stopped in front of our men, his signature sword clutched in hand.
"I don't believe it," I heard Buccaneer growl, "The old bastard just took out a tank!" For a moment, Wrath scanned the crowd before focusing back on Buccaneer, who had launched himself at him, letting out a loud battle cry.
I flinched when Wrath had instantly appeared under Buccaneer, flashing away as blood spurt from Buccaneer. But that didn't stop Buccaneer from going after him again a few moments later, only for his automail to be destroyed by Wrath's sword. Buccaneer fell on the ground, blood splattering on the cement beneath him.
"NO! Captain Buccaneer!" Falman cried out. Wrath's eyes landed on him.
"What seems to be the issue here?" Wrath asked Falman. "Your countries' leader has returned. Now open the gate for me." Falman bit back a whimper, terrified, but still didn't stand down.
"I said open the gate, Lieutenant Falman." Wrath repeated, narrowing his eyes.
"Please forgive me Colonel Mustang," Falman's voice shook, tears streaking down his face. His legs trembled as he stepped back against the gate, and he held up his gun. "Looks like I'm dying here!" Falman said, sniffing. Wrath raised an eyebrow.
"That's enough of that." Buccaneer's rough voice attracted Wrath's attention. "You can't die a heroic death crying like a coward!" Buccaneer rammed his fist into the ground, only to show that he had wrapped the sharp chain from his automail around his arm. His voice was gravelly with pain, "Don't even think for a second that you're going to die a more manly death than I am." His determined gaze landed on Wrath, "I've got plenty more fight left in me!"
"How ridiculous," Wrath said, looking down on the panting Buccaneer. "Humans always make a point out of being foolishly stubborn."
"Eh, you got that right!" A new, familiar voice butt in loudly. "Y'know they always get so frantic in the heat of the moment. Heh, like it's going to do them any good." Everyone looked around for where the words had come from, while I knew exactly who that nonchalant voice belonged to. I looked up, raising an eyebrow.
About time he showed up, I thought, I almost thought I had to stall Wrath myself.
Wrath was the first one to look up on the wall, where Greed sat, grinning rakishly down at him.
"But, pathetic as it may be," Greed continued, "And they sure are... I still prefer to side with the underdog."
"Long time no see, Greed," Wrath said, his demeanor deadly composed and not the least bit surprised. "If you had any sense at all, you would've stayed out of my sight for good."
"Yeah, my avarice tends to make these decisions for me," Greet replied, standing up. His long black coat blew in the wind, and he held up a hand, which quickly was overtaken by his ultimate shield. He clenched his fist, his voice turning vicious, "And right now I want your life, Wrath."
Wrath narrowed his eyes at Greed, who stepped off the edge of the wall where he stood, and fell all the way to the ground. He landed on his feet, so hard that the ground beneath him cracked, startling the nearby Briggs soldiers. I watched him carefully from the shadows, impatient for him to get this battle over with so I could do what I had come to do in the first place. Greed straightened himself, looking back at Wrath and letting out a small chuckle.
"Who is this guy?" Buccaneer muttered under his breath, "Our backup?"
"Rumor has it that you died a fiery death in a train accident," Greed said, lifting his arms up in a half shrug. "You look unscathed to me."
"Let's just say that I have sharp eyes. It only took a moment for me to evaluate a path among the falling rubble. The rest of it was just a matter of footwork," Wrath said, rubbing the back of his neck as if he were sore. "However, the years do take their toll," Wrath looked back at Greed, "The whole ordeal left me with a few aches and pains." There was the slightest hint of sarcasm in Wrath's voice, and Greed noticed, displeasure clear on his features as he glanced at all the damage Wrath had done to the wall.
"You're... Ling Yao, right?" Falman stepped forward hesitantly. Greed's demeanor instantly changed, and Ling took over, smiling at Falman.
"Hey!" He said cheerfully, "I haven't seen you since we hid out in that crummy apartment! It's good to see you, Warrant Officer!"
"It's Lieutenant!" Falman snapped, and Ling shrugged.
"Oh, whatever, I owe you one," He grinned, "So I'll give you a hand," Ling turned back to Wrath, "And I've got a score to settle." Ling's manner changed, and he reverted back to Greed. Red sparks flashed around him as his ultimate shield crawled up his skin, "Ha, the truth is, we both have a score to settle with this self-righteous old bastard." Greed crouched, ready to attack. "Come on!" He called to Wrath, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Wrath didn't hesitate to speed toward Greed, who lunged at Wrath in return. Their fight was so fast, flashes of black and white and the sound of metal clashing against something hard. Greed dodged and fended off Wrath with deft skill.
Eventually, Greed skidded to a halt farther back from Wrath, ready in a defensive stance but not moving to engage Wrath again. He was on Wrath's far left, which Wrath couldn't see due to his eyepatch.
"Trying to hide in my blind spot, huh?" Wrath said, his serious manner unwavering.
"I'm surprised that I didn't think of it, but the prince gave me a few good pointers on how to fight you," Greed said, confident in his tricks.
"How helpful," Wrath said. Greed grit his teeth, quickly gleaning that Wrath had a few of his own tricks up his sleeve. "But unfortunately for you," Wrath reached up, and grabbed the strap of his eyepatch, discarding his eyepatch before turning to go at Greed, stabbing at Greed with swift jabs of his sword. Greed dodged them, but it was apparent that Wrath had the odds in his favor at this point. Greed looked just a little bit distressed by Wrath's sudden move, and he quickly went back to fighting Wrath like he had before, albeit moving a whole lot faster to dodge Wrath's attacks.
He ducked under Wrath's sword, which swung at the wall behind him and made a deep scratch in it. Greed sped away, distancing himself from Wrath as much as he could.
"Fire!" A voice shouted, and a few Briggs soldiers shot at Wrath, who stepped around the bullets without a second thought.
"Damnit," Greed yelled, "Stay out of this!" But he was too late, for the Briggs soldiers that had aimed their guns at Wrath had already fallen by Wrath's own blade, soaked in the blood of the defeated Briggs men.
"NO!" Buccaneer yelled, charging at Wrath, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Wrath avoided Buccaneer's punch with ease, moving down to drive his sword through Buccaneer's stomach. Yells of distress were heard from Falman and the remaining Briggs soldiers, but it appeared that Buccaneer wasn't done yet.
With a loud roar, Buccaneer brought his hand down, putting a dent in the ground where Wrath crouched seconds before. Even though he missed, Buccaneer let out a sharp chuckle.
"You've got some impressive abs, huh," Wrath commented, a little surprised by Buccaneer's strength. Buccaneer's laugh was rough with pain as he brought his eyes back up to Wrath.
"Now what're you going to do without your fancy swordplay?" Buccaneer asked, a victorious glint shining in his determined dark eyes.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO GET KILLED, DUMBASS?!" Greed hollered, dashing toward Wrath once again. "Then again, I appreciate the help!"
Wrath lifted up the body of one of the dead soldiers, quickly grabbing the soldier's knives before throwing his body aside. He met Greed's attack with a quick slash, pushing Greed back. Greed slid to a halt, glaring at Wrath.
"Not exactly my weapon of choice," Wrath twirled the two knives in his hands, adjusting to the smaller blades, "But I guess I'll just have to make do."
"You've pissed me off now, old man," Greed snarled, before he rushed at Wrath again. Even though Wrath's attacks with the knives seemed slightly more awkward than with his trademark sword, he wielded them pretty well as he fought Greed, who still seemed to be focused on darting around Wrath's attacks.
"They're sending another battalion up the shaft!" Falman announced in panic.
"Sorry, but I'm kind of busy, if you haven't noticed!" Greed yelled back, one of Wrath's knives pressed against his arm.
"I am?" Falman said, "But we don't have any men here! What am I supposed to do?" Greed growled.
"Just figure it out!" He said, Wrath's knives barely missing his face.
"That's easier said than done," Falman muttered, his gaze travelling back to where Buccaneer lied on the ground, surrounded by his fellow Briggs soldiers.
"Captain! Hang in there!" The Briggs soldiers pressed, and Falman grit his teeth.
Taking control of the situation, Falman ordered the men to move the injured Buccaneer to a safer place, while he and a few other men took the giant automatic machine guns back to the tunnel to defend us against the backup that had just arrived.
But soon enough, a figure sprung from the tunnel, and before anyone could react, it attacked Wrath, who barely dodged it.
"Ahh," Wrath hummed, glancing at his assailant. Fu skidded to a halt not far away from Wrath, short sword glinting dangerously.
"Nice moves, old man," Greed complimented, a tinge of relief in his voice. "Thanks for the help. Really saved my ass."
"I wasn't trying to save your ass," Fu said sharply, "I was trying to save the body of the young lord."
"Well, it's the same ass," Greed pointed out smugly, and Fu scowled.
"Your sickening chi is radiating from the prince's body," Fu said, displeased. "Although, it did actually help me to locate you." He turned back to Wrath, "So, why don't you tell me who this is we're fighting? Especially since neither of us could leave a scratch on him."
"That's Fuhrer King Bradley, old man," Greed answered, and Fu gasped, shocked.
Fu straightened himself out of his defensive position. "Oh, this is the first time I've actually laid eyes on him." The blade in his hand trembled, and Fu held it up, his expression twisting into one of unquenchable fury. "So now I know... What the bastard who took my granddaughter's arm looks like!"
Hiii! Wow, I actually put effort into a chapter for once!
Welp, two more chapters to go! I can't believe it's finally ending! I've been at this for almost two years, and it's a bit sad that it's going to be over so soon. I hope all of you guys will continue to follow me and my stories after this is over! Who knows, I might have some surprises in store for you guys that stick around! :3
So! I think it's obvious where this is going. I bet you guys didn't expect her to skip out on Envy's death, now, did you? But she did, and she's gonna save some people before the final battle! AAAAAAnd I have a big shocker in store! :33
My lovely readers, please review~!
Thanks!