Chapter 12

I Meet Mr. Goldilocks in His Lair of Doom

|-Andrea-|

We finally reached East City. Once we got out of the train, I stretched my arms upwards and grinned. Then I started twirling around, acting childish and immature. And yes, I'm proud to admit that.

"Finally! Freedom!" I said happily.

Ed got out of the train and stared at me weirdly. "Stop that Andrea," he said. "We still have to report to Colonel Bastard."

I looked at him, confused. "We? Aren't you the only one who needs to report?"

"That's right, brother. Dragging Andrea into this is pretty cruel of you." Al pointed out.

A look came upon Ed's face and he scratched his head. "Fine, fine!" he said. "You guys can wander around the city. Better you tour Andrea around, because she might get lost again."

I flushed. "I am not that directionally challenged."

"I beg to differ." Ed stated smugly. "You got lost once and nearly blew up a building."

"Like you're one to talk!" I said back. "Everywhere you go, chaos follows!"

Ed's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "What was that?!"

Al held his hands up in between us, separating us. "Come on you two, knock it off." He said. "Andrea, how about this; Me and Brother will head to Colonel Mustang and brother here will give you some money to entertain yourself. Would that do?"

Ed looked at Al in disbelief. "What am I, some sort of bank?!"

I beamed and cheered. "Thanks Al!"

|-Andrea-|

After convincing Ed, he reluctantly gave me some of his pocket money. Though before I darted off to explore the city, Ed gave me the look and said,

"You better not use all that money up in clothes! I won't be carrying them if you buy too much, got it?!"

Sheesh, he didn't have to scream at the last part though.

I walked around the city, enjoying the sounds of busy streets and people chatting with each other in a friendly way. Though I said this, somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice said that someone— or something— was following me behind.

I would glance over my shoulder every now and then, to see if there was anyone consistent following behind me. But no suspicious faces so far.

I walked by a street near dark alleyways, but very busy with a lot of people. Whoever is tailing me should target me here. It's his only chance.

Suddenly, two arms appeared from the alley way behind me. One wrapped around my neck, and the other covered my mouth. The person dragged me deep into the alley.

I struggled, trying my best to scream and attract attention. But man was this guy strong!

"Keeps still, you stupid brat!"

I blinked, recognizing the voice. I looked behind me and lowered his arm from my mouth. "Envy?" I sputtered out, shocked.

Said palm tree clicked his tongue. "Tch, I can't believe it's my job to deliver you to Father." He said, voice laced in annoyance. "Did you know how hard it was to find you? Always hanging out with the Fullmetal Shorty. I had to wait for days, damn it!"

I sweat dropped. "Er, I'm sorry?"

Envy crossed his arms. "Anyway, you better be right about what you told us in the Laboratory." He said. "If not, Father won't hesitate to rip you to pieces."

My look hardened with resolve and determination. I knew they were going to find me soon. And if Father wants a reason to keep me alive, then I'll give him one. And a goddamn good one.

"Fine," I said. "And I wasn't lying. I wouldn't lie to someone if I knew they were more powerful than me. That's suicidal."

Envy's grinned was smug. "Good."

He lead me into the sewers underground. The smell was putrid and unbearable, but Envy didn't show signs of displeasure. Rather, he seemed to have grown accustomed with the stench. I guess he should be, he had to use the sewers for his connections to Central.

The trip back to Central was long and boring. Most of the time, I'd encounter a bunch of human bones on the floor. Instead of being disgusted, I was fascinated. I even picked up the head of a skull and examined its components.

"Oy," Envy said as he turned to me. "Why did you pick that up? Shouldn't you be, I don't know, freaking out?"

I looked at him and twirled the skull in my hand. "If I was a normal girl, yes. But I'm special, so no."

Envy's eyes narrowed at the word 'special' and gave me a blank look. "If you ask me, you're nothing but a stupid, ditzy, and weird girl. Save the special to someone who's blind."

I twitched. "Shut up!"

Since it was a real long way to Central, I kept on playing with the skull on my hand. Mostly doing puppet imitations in a high squeaky voice. I also kept on clicking the jaw and upper bones together, making a tap sound each time I do. I knew that doing this would probably end with Envy holding my skull on his hand, but it was way too fun to see his reactions.

We finally reached the door leading inside. Only now did my body start reacting and did my brain start realizing the situation I was in.

Ed and Al isn't with me. I'm alone. I'm about to enter the lair of evil. God.

Envy looked at me and grinned when he saw my nervousness. "Ha! Finally admit you're scared?" he taunted.

I nodded vigorously. "Yes." I squeaked.

He opened the doors and walked in. I followed behind, my stomach doing sprints. The atmosphere was oddly silent and calm, but it was more like the calm before the storm sort of silence. I was so nervous I didn't notice that we had reached the middle of the gigantic room.

Sitting on his so-called throne of glory was an elderly man. Unlike Hohenheim from the anime, his skin was deathly pale and his gold eyes were sharp and unnerving. An aura of death surrounded the man and I sensed the sorrows and agony of all the human souls that rests inside him.

It made me shudder. How can he be so comfortable, with all those people wallowing in pain inside of him?

"You must be Andrea," Father said, eyeing me carefully. It's almost as if he was considering if I should be part of some nasty experiment. Gross.

"Yes." I said firmly, though I admit that my voice must've sounded like a squeak.

"From what Envy and Lust have said, you have far seen from the Truth." He stated. "And even looked into the future."

I nodded. "Yes,"

"How?"

His curiosity was sincere, but it was best not to trust that motive of his.

"I am not an ordinary human," I said. "Truth… God… the ethereal being… from this world, there exists an alternate plane. An alternate world. I am from that world. And Truth has chosen me to keep balance of the two dimensions."

"How am I to trust you?" he said.

I didn't know how to answer that question. Maybe I can act like an evil villain? That would do! Let's give it a try;

I smirked. "Oh please, you don't have to trust me. I know all about your motives. Turning all of Amestris into a Philosopher's Stone, similar to what happened in Xerxes years ago seems a bit small, don't you think?"

He hummed. "Oh? And what do you have in mind?"

"Listen, the Fullmetal Brat is a nuisance." I admitted. "Even I have to say that. The only reason I'm all chummy to him is because he'll put a stop to your plans. I don't want to side with anyone. I'm just here for the fun."

Father stared. "Truth… have you seen it?"

I nodded and casually scratched my head. "Seeing as he's using me as a damn puppet, duh." I said. Then I smirked as evilly as I can. "Actually, I'm pissed off with Truth. This world is pretty boring. There's not as much bloodshed as before."

"And what can you offer to me in exchange for letting you live, knowing my plans?" Father tested.

"Information," I answered. "I can tell you how to narrowly avoid all kinds of problems in your plans. You need five candidates, right? But in this world, there is only four people who have seen the Truth."

"There is you." Father stated blankly.

I shrugged. "True, but since I'm not a human from this realm, the procedure to open the gate of this world might go haywire. Best to try and create a candidate for yourself. I would suggest the Flame Alchemist."

Father hummed. For a minute there, I was scared. But I forced myself to keep up the act. It's the only way I can get out of here alive.

"Fine." He said. I mentally cheered. "But we will see where your loyalties lie. If by any chance, you give me any sign of betrayal, we will kill the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother."

I cringed. "Whatever," I said dismissively.

Father nodded. "Envy, take her back."

Envy said nothing and reluctantly walked back. "Come on," he said impatiently.

Once we were out of earshot, I heard Envy laugh in front of me. "HA! Who would've thought that the Fullmetal Brat had a traitor in their hands? The look on his face when he realizes that his girlfriend is working with us!"

I blushed. "Girlfriend?!"

Envy looked at me. "Huh? You're not in a relationship?" he said in disappointment. "Oh man! I was so looking forward to see him crestfallen and in agony."

I didn't listen any further. Girlfriend? What was he talking about? I would love to have Ed in a relationship with me but… I can't eff up the plot. Winry deserves Ed, not me. I'm just a mere extra.

I stayed quiet the whole trip back. When we finally walked out of the manhole in the alleyway, Envy's head popped out. "Oh, by the way, you reek." Envy commented blandly as he descended back inside.

"Shut it, palm tree wearing skirt face!"

|-Andrea-|

I took what Envy said to heart and notice that my clothes did reek. It was a good thing I dropped my bag earlier in the alleyway, or my extra clothes inside would've gotten spoiled.

I took off my blue shirt, revealing my black tank top I wore underneath. Taking some new clothes and spraying myself with some perfume, I changed into a blue button up shirt and pants. My hair, thankfully, didn't stink, but I tied it up in a ponytail anyways.

I walked out of the alley, my bag slung on my shoulder. I looked up at the sky and paled. "Oh no, it's already night?!"

"Andrea!"

I turned around and found both Elric brothers running towards me. I froze and mentally cursed in my head before managing a small nervous smile in front of him.

"Oh, hey!" I said casually.

"Don't 'Oh hey!' me!" Ed yelled. "Did you know how long me and Al searched for you?!"

"Andrea! You shouldn't have wandered off like that!" Al said.

I looked down. "Sorry. I was just…" I glanced behind my shoulder at the manhole behind me. "… sidetracked."

Ed eyed me suspiciously. "Are you alright?"

I turned to him and looked down. "Yeah, I am. Just a bit… nah, who am I kidding?"

Al placed a hand on my shoulder. "Andrea?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing." I said with a smile. "Just thinking about some stuff."

"You're lying." Ed stated. "You're also faking that smile of yours."

I turned to him, slightly surprised. But then I saw that hard look on his face. I felt obligated to tell him the truth. But I couldn't. I was afraid of what he would say. I didn't want him to abandon me. Not yet, at least.

"Shorty." I deadpanned.

"WHAT?!"

"Brother!"

I laughed uncontrollably at Ed's reaction. He was wriggling in Al's arms, trying his best to reach me. Al, on the other hand, was restraining said blonde in his arms.

Who am I kidding? Maybe I should forget about this for a while. It's no use brooding over this. I can get through this. I can.

Besides, smiling is the only thing I can do right now.

[A/N:] Hi guys!

Oh man, I can't believe how little people reviewed in my previous chapter. That was really depressing, you know? :\ After all that effort. Ah well, I guess I don't blame you.

Anyways! I do hope some of you guys enjoyed the chapter! Sorry if it's too short for your tastes, I was just trying to fit in a chapter because this week I'll be too busy to update most of my stories due to my school work. Maybe in some other parts of the world, you're school is over and you're probably mad at me, but hey! It's all good in unicorn island! :D

Reviews are love~