Assessment
Storm clouds gathered over East City, the grey masses releasing a steady drizzle. Outside the gates of the East Headquarters the three friends stood in the rain, not in any hurry to go inside.
"Well we're here." said Ed.
"Yup." said Raven as she crossed her arms.
"Argh." said Ed as his shoulders slumped.
"What's the matter?" asked Al as he turned to his older brother who started waving his arms and legs around.
"What do you think is the matter? Once again we'll have to listen to Colonel Sarcasm tell us how we screwed up." said Ed as he scratched his head before breaking into a Mustang impersonation, crossing his arms and standing up straight. "Struck out on the Philosopher's Stone again, huh?"
Raven and Al watched as Ed started doing a weird little dance, still continuing his impersonation.
"How am I supposed to keep funding this goose-chase? Money doesn't grow on trees there chiefs." said as he snapped his fingers and ended his weird little dance, but started staring at the ground as if looking for something. "Ed? Where'd you run off to? Oh, wait, there you are! I couldn't see you there behind my paperwork, seeing as how you're so short and all!"
"Hey, that's pretty good." said Raven as Al looked somewhat annoyed by his brother's antics.
Al suddenly straightened as if hearing something and walked off to the side, Raven not noticing as Ed started laughing in his weird voice. Ed suddenly stopped and leaned forward, sighing, before turning back to normal.
"I know, we're all ready here so we might as well get the verbal abuse over with." said Ed as he stood up straight. "Let's go Al. Hey, Al!"
Ed and Raven looked around, calling for him.
"Huh?" asked Raven as she looked around and found him. "Al!"
Al jumped up as if electrocuted, his hand clutching his chest plate as he stood up, giving a weak laugh.
"Coming!"
He walked over to them when a kitten could be heard faintly from within him.
"What are you up to?" asked Raven, looking suspicious.
He gave anther weak laugh when a man's scream could be heard from within East Headquarters.
"What was that?" asked Ed as they all looked up at the bland looking building.
Inside Breda climbing on top of a large cupboard, looking extremely scared. Hawkeye, Falman, and Havoc walk over as Breda appears to be scared of nothing.
"What's the problem Breda?" asked Havoc, annoyed at the disturbance.
"Havoc, be careful! It's on the loose!" screamed Breda as he pointed at a small puppy sitting on the floor, its tail wagging back and forth. "Th-Th-There's nothin' protectin' us! Over there! Over there!"
"Care to explain this one Falman?" asked Hawkeye as they all turn to look at the puppy.
"It is a dog Lieutenant." said Falman as he stepped forward. "Carnivorous Canine Mammal. I believe the scientific name is-"
"That's not what I'm asking Falman. You need to loosen up." said Hawkeye and Falman saluted.
"Yes sir, Lieutenant Hawkeye. I will continue to work on that." said Falman as Fuery walked over and picked up the puppy.
"Sorry sirs. I found him this morning. He was all on his own." said Fuery as he held the puppy in his arms.
"M.S.G. Fuery!" said Falman as Fuery stood up.
"So, you gonna keep him?" asked Havoc casually.
"I wish I could Lieutenant Havoc. But as I'm sure you're aware there's no pets allowed in the NCO living quarters." said Fuery sadly.
"Well that certainly doesn't mean you can keep him in the office Cain." said Hawkeye reprovingly and Fuery looked down at the puppy sadly.
"I know it, I just… he was shivering out in the rain and I felt sorry for him." said Fuery when he looked up with sudden inspiration. "You're higher-ups. You could keep him."
"Not me!" said Falman as he held up his hand. "I'm in the dorms too!"
"No way! I hate those beasts!" shouted Breda from his position on top of the cupboard, Fuery looking sad until Havoc grabbed the puppy by the scruff of his neck.
"Don't worry, I'll take him off your hands." said Havoc as he started walking away. "I like dogs."
"Thank you Lieutenant!" said Fuery as he looked really happy. "He's really sweet!"
"Sure, I hear they're good when stir-fried. A few spices…" said Havoc and Fuery looked scared as Havoc puts his head by the puppy. "Yes sir. Here in the East they raise em as a delicacy. Especially these plump ones."
Hawkeye suddenly snatched the puppy out of Havoc's hand, making him look up in surprise. She hands it back to a relieved looking Fuery, her face a determined calm.
"Let's try to find him a better owner, okay?" asked Hawkeye as Fuery held the puppy close.
"Good plan." said Fuery as Havoc walked back over.
"Please, it was a joke." said Havoc and everybody looked at him, clearly expressing that it was not funny.
The puppy looked at the door and started barking as Ed, Al, and Raven walked in, looking around.
"So, uh, should we come back later?" asked Ed ad Hawkeye turned around smiling, Fuery hiding the puppy and covering its mouth so it couldn't bark.
"So Edward, Alphonse, Raven. I guess this means you're back." said Hawkeye as the trio looked happy when a meow comes from inside Al's armor.
He looked scared as Ed and Raven turned on him, looking annoyed as everyone else looked confused.
"Strange…" said Hawkeye, not taking her eyes off the scared looking Al.
"Excuse us." said Ed as he and Raven pushed Al out the door, the latter giving a weak laugh. "We need to talk with Al!"
"Raven, Edward, I believe you have reports to make!" shouted Hawkeye, Ed and Raven running back in looking shocked as they salute her.
"Thanks for the reminder, sir. We'll speak to the Colonel now!" said Raven before they both ran back outside into the hallway, closing the door behind themselves.
Down the hall Al took off his chest plate to reveal the small kitten he had hidden inside himself. Ed and Raven petted it as Ed reprimanded Al without looking up.
"Al, be rational. We don't have the means to care for it. You can't just go picking up any stray you see." said Ed as the kitten rubbed against his hand.
"It's not any stray! He called to me! He's wet and hungry. Can't we keep him?" asked Al and Ed looked up angrily.
"No Al! Now go put it back where you found it!" shouted Ed and Al looked at Raven who just shook her head sadly.
He just crouched there for a moment before leaning forwards, sobbing noises emanating from within.
"Jerk!" shouted Al suddenly as he knocked Ed flying before running away, crying, not bothering to put his chest plate back on. "I hate you! You're not even human!"
"Come on Al, don't run! Think of the kitten!" shouted Raven as the kitten bounced around, meowing desperately as Al refused to stop.
"I know! I am! I'm the only one who is!" shouted Al as he ran down the hall and out of sight.
When he was gone Raven turned to Ed who was dusting himself off and shook her head.
"Couldn't you have at least waited until it had stopped raining before telling him that?" asked Raven wearily as she started trudging back to Mustang's office.
"That would just be a sign that he could keep it." said Ed, not moving. "Where are you going?"
"We have a report to make. You do know that right?" asked Raven as she looked at Ed, one eyebrow raised.
"Argh!" shouted Ed as he smacked himself on the forehead. "Let's get this over with."
After they had made their reports they were sent in Mustang's office. Raven watched as Mustang quietly read their reports while Ed stared off into space as if remembering something.
"Wow." said Mustang as he finished reading. "You really have made some bang for our buck."
"Don't start with us okay?" asked Ed, exasperated. "You're the one who told us to go to Lior, for a stone that turned out to be a fake!"
"That's true, but I didn't ask you to unseat their favorite prophet." said Mustang, still smiling as Ed looked pleased.
"Yeah and now a town ripe for uprising is under the rule of the military again." said Ed when he looked startled and then angry. "Wait a minute… is that what you were planning all along!?"
"You know, I've heard an off rumor about Xenotime and its land baron Mugear. Apparently he's missing and his mansion collapsed." said Mustang without missing a beat.
"Yeah, Xenotime…" said Ed, trying to fake stupidity as he scratched his cheek. "Now where is that again? That's city right?"
Raven shot him a glance as Mustang continued.
"Maybe I should have you both file a report on the red water too." said Mustang, Ed getting angry. "I almost forgot. We had a little inquiry from a detective in Aquroya. So tell me Ed, is it true Psiren's a real ten under the mask?"
Roy looked up at Ed who blushed and looked away, Raven merely crossing her legs and brushing out the creases in her pants.
"So you know everything we do, is that what you're trying to tell us? Great, I'm glad we had this talk." said Raven smoothly as she looked up at Roy.
"Settle down." said Roy as he stood up and walked over to the window. "You two can at least look like you're following orders."
"Why?" asked Ed as he looked at Mustang angrily. "So we can turn into some more of your toadies? We've got other objectives you know."
"Like the Philosopher's Stone? It's been three years and you haven't gotten any closer." said Mustang, Ed and Raven standing up.
"We're going to find it no matter what." said Ed before straightening and giving Mustang a little bow, Raven copying him.
They started towards the door when Raven stopped and turned around.
"Colonel, tell me if the name Marcoh rings any bells for you. He's a doctor and alchemist who showed up in Xenotime with no background five years ago. Apparently he cured the poisoning caused by the red water, which no one else could do, using some kind of alchemy. You always seem to know a little about everything and the military's bound to have a file on someone that skilled." said Raven, Mustang not turning around.
"The name isn't familiar, no. But I'll check on it." said Mustang when someone knocks on the door, all three turning.
"Company, sir!" shouted Hawkeye as she ran in, looking harassed.
A large number of troops file in and stand against the wall in a neat line, all at attention, a tall bald man with dark skin and a black pointed mustache at their head. Mustang looked around angrily when his eyes fell on Hughes who just shrugged.
"What brings me this pleasant surprise Brigadier General?" asked Mustang as he saluted, not looking pleasantly surprised.
"As of today we'll be taking over this East HQ as our temporary Central Command." said the Brigadier General Basque Gran and Mustang's eyes narrowed.
"May I ask what's wrong with the one in Central, sir?" asked Mustang and laughter sounded from down the hall.
"I know Mustang, I asked the same thing." said Fuhrer King Bradley as he walked in, his secretary tailing him, people moving aside to let him through. "Sorry for the hassle. Everybody at ease now!"
"Fuhrer Bradley, welcome sir." said Mustang as he slowly dropped his salute, Ed staring at the Fuhrer's secretary while Raven watched Hughes who was on the verge of laughing.
"You're job is not to ask questions, Colonel. The Fuhrer and his staff will run this place, both to operate as Central Command and to observe the region. I trust you'll make us comfortable." said Gran unpleasantly.
Later when everybody was in the mess hall, Havoc and Breda peeked in through a window at one of the ends.
"Look at all those chains." said Havoc as they examined all the new soldiers.
"Those are for the silver pocket-watches they only give out to State Alchemists, aren't they?" asked Breda.
"Yeah. Mean's every one of these guys is a full-fledged alchemist." said Havoc.
Meanwhile, at a table on the other end of the hall, Ed and Raven where talking to Hughes. He showed them a picture across the table of Elysia riding a new red tricycle. Both Ed and Raven look at each other, "Why me?" written all over their faces.
"Look, can you believe how big Elysia's gotten? She can even ride a tricycle now! She follows me everywhere on that thing. Like my own escort of cuteness!" said Hughes as he kissed the picture, both alchemists looking up at him.
"Yep, you're the same as ever Major. Nice and insane." said Ed.
"I've got more pictures. Wanna see?" asked Hughes excitedly and Raven spoke up rather quickly.
"Maybe later, okay? Anyway, if you knew this transfer was gonna happen, you could've warned Mustang." said Raven before smiling.
"Not a chance! I had to see the look on Roy's face! Oh, by the way." said Hughes as he held his finger up. "I'm a Lieutenant Colonel now!"
Raven and Ed glance at each other as Hughes points at himself.
"Got me in charge of Court Marshal investigation." said Hughes looking extremely proud of himself as Ed and Raven look away.
"Sounds fun-filled beyond belief. Shouldn't you be in Central then?" asked Ed.
"Why? So I can work in a bunch of empty offices? All the major big-wigs are fleeing Central as fast as they…" said Hughes, Ed and Raven looked surprised, and he realized he let something slip he shouldn't have. "Never mind!"
Ed and Raven get angry as Hughes started babbling to cover up for himself.
"Uh, how's the, uh, search going for the, uh…" leaned in closed between Ed and Raven. "You-know-what stone?"
"Well, we're closer or I'd like to think we are." said Raven, she and Ed looking a little uncomfortable from Hughes' closeness. "Right now we're looking for a guy named Marcoh who might have answers for us. But we can't get Mustang to talk to tell us what he's got on him."
Hughes leaned back a bit before saying, "Well have you considered that he might not have anything?"
"No, Roy Mustang's hiding stuff from me!" shouted Ed angrily, not noticing as a large shadow fell over them. "I can definitely tell."
"And what am I, chopped liver?" asked Raven and Ed looked at her apologetically.
"Did I hear you say the name Marcoh, Crimson Blade?" asked Gran, the three looking up in surprise.
"Brigadier General Gran." said Hughes, not with any respect.
"The Iron Blood Alchemist. What do you want?" asked Ed.
"What if I did?" asked Raven casually as everybody turned to stare, Gran starting to growl.
"What do you want with Marcoh? He's a filthy deserter." said Gran, Ed and Raven looking surprised. "Six years ago a brigade of State Alchemists were called on to neutralize the Eastern Rebellion and Marcoh was in their ranks. But he went AWOL before the battle was done. The coward's been missing ever since."
"Sounds like you have some deep personal issues to work out. I'll be here when you do." said Raven before cocking her head to one side and turning away. "What were you saying Ed?"
Back at Mustang's office, Ed and Raven confronted the emotionless colonel. He merely stared at his desk as he set down a vase of flowers, the two younger alchemists glaring at him angrily.
"A deserter? Don't know him, sorry."
After finding Al again they went to the library to check the records for Dr. Marcoh. Their searching only resulted in a big pile of books on the floor and short tempers all around.
"Dr. Marcoh? Nope. Dr. Marcoh? Not here, damn it!" shouted Ed as he held the book he was holding really close to his face. "Wouldn't you know it? He's been erased from all the record books! Clearly Mustang knows but he's not talking!"
"Oh shut up! You think you're the only one pissed off here!?" asked Raven angrily as she threw another book onto the floor, Hughes looking surprised as he walked in.
"I'll have to beat it out of him!" shouted Ed as he shook his fist, Al trying to calm him down.
"A fight!? You couldn't get away with that!" shouted Al when another meow came from inside his armor.
Al looked startled and held out his hands, giving a weak laugh as Ed and Raven looked at him, their tempers already frayed.
"Your stomach purring?" asked Ed.
"Yes, I mean no. I mean, you know it's still raining outside." said Al really fast as Hughes walked up and waved.
"Ed, Raven, I forgot to mention something earlier, what with the pictures-"
"Get to the point." growled Ed and Raven angrily as they looked at Hughes, making him jump backwards in fright.
"Fine, I will. Rude little…" said Hughes as he coughed and spoke normally. "As I was saying, due to conditions your assessments will he held here."
"Assessments?" asked all three as they looked at Hughes surprised.
"You mean to renew their State Alchemist certifications?" asked Al and Ed looked down at the floor.
"Hmm." said Ed as Hughes looked up at the ceiling.
"I'll tell you later 'bout all your options." said Hughes as Ed jumped to his feet looking excited.
"I've got it Major!" said Ed and Hughes jumped at him angrily.
"Lieutenant Colonel!" shouted Hughes as he jabbed Ed in the chest before stepping back.
"Seriously, I know the perfect way to show off my skills!" said Ed as he looked at Al and Raven, Hughes looking down surprised. "Right?"
"Oh no…" said Al as Ed smirked.
"Come on Ed, do you really think that's gonna work?" asked Raven as she dropped the book she was holding. "Well if you do it I guess I have to as well."
"A three way match… I like it." said Hughes as he rubbed his chin.
Back outside Mustang's office Fuery was tending to the puppy while discussing the match. He kneeled down and gave the puppy a dish of water before saying, "Battle Assessment? Sounds weird."
"Does the army really do that?" asked Breda as he, Havoc, Falman, and Hawkeye were sitting at their desks, Hawkeye reading a book.
"Yeah, sometimes. The alchemists go up against each other in a mock battle and they're graded on how they use their skills. I just think it's weird Ed actually requested it and Raven went along with it." said Havoc.
"Yeah and picking the colonel. That's a heck of an opponent to take by choice. But seriously though, who do you think would win, if… if they both we're really givin' their all?" asked Breda.
"Are you kidding? It's gotta be the Flame!" said Fuery as he picked the puppy up.
"I don't know. You can't count out Fullmetal or Crimson Blade either. Those kids are heroes in this region. Then again when you think about all the stories of Mustang during the rebellion…" said Havoc.
"But why would Ed propose this to begin with?" asked Fuery and Havoc looked at him. "It's so risky."
"I heard it was for a cat." said Hawkeye, not looking up from her book as everyone looked at her. "The conditions are that if Ed or Raven wins Mustang has to take care of it."
"A cat?" asked Fuery sadly as he looked down at the puppy in his arms. "I guess that's bad news for this guy. I was hoping the colonel would take him."
Fuery and the puppy looked depressed when the door opened to reveal Mustang standing there. Everyone watched as he walked up to Fuery and stared at the puppy.
"Sir?" asked Fuery when Roy snatched the puppy without warning, making it yelp.
"Dog, huh?" asked Roy as he held the puppy out in front of him with two hands before speaking in a really happy and weird voice. "I love dogs!"
"Really, you mean it?" asked Fuery looking really excited and Roy leaned in really close, a scary look in his eye.
"Of course! Dogs embody loyalty." said Mustang, his eyes glowing with a weird light. "They follow their master's commands above all else."
He looked away and started shaking the puppy up and down, Fuery looking scared.
"Be a jerk to them and they don't complain and they never once beg for a paycheck!" shouted Mustang as he turned away from a shocked looking Fuery, holding the puppy in one hand. "Trust me Fuery; they're the great servants of man! Loyal Canine How We Salute Thee!"
Roy stared laughing manically, everyone watching him except Hawkeye who still hadn't looked up from her book.
"Well, you're awfully manic today, sir. I figured that challenge would worry you some." said Havoc, a grin on his face, and Roy stopped laughing and acted serious.
"Come on, the Fuhrer knows it wouldn't be fair with me against the kids. I'd love to show off my valor but there's no way he's gonna allow it." said Roy confidently.
"That sounds like a very interesting fight. I'm going to allow the Battle Assessment."
Roy looked surprised at the Fuhrer's response and said, "But Fuhrer!"
They weren't the only people in the room. Basque Gran and the Fuhrer's secretary stood behind King Bradley's chair while several guards were positioned around the room, guns at the ready. Hughes was also there, standing off at the side while Hawkeye and Havoc stood by the door.
"Fuhrer's spoken colonel. You can use the parade grounds. That way you won't have to worry about all the collateral damage." said Hughes as the Fuhrer took a sip of his tea.
"What's wrong Mustang? You're sure of your own skills, aren't you?" asked Gran and Mustang looked angry.
"Go on, fight Fullmetal and Crimson Blade. I think it's going to be a lot of fun." said King Bradley.
Roy excused himself and started talking once out in the hallway.
"You can't say I didn't try to protect the kids." said Mustang, smug, as Hawkeye and Havoc walked behind him, looking at each other. "But I'll dutifully obey my orders, at least until I become Fuhrer and every one of them is obeying me!"
"Be more discreet about those declarations, sir." said Hawkeye as she looked forward.
"She's right, chief." said Havoc as he looked at Mustang, a smile on his face. "It's a presumptuous thing to say. You got a death wish or something?"
Mustang suddenly stopped, Hawkeye and Havoc following his example as they look at each other again.
"That's a stupid question Havoc." said Mustang, Hawkeye and Havoc looking at him. "I say it because it's true. And when I'm Fuhrer there'll be changes."
Suddenly Roy whirled around shouting, "That day, all female officers well be required to wear tiny miniskirts!"
He struck a pose and Hawkeye gave a loud sigh as Havoc's nose started to bleed, his cigarette falling forgotten to the ground.
"You're a miracle Mustang!" shouted Havoc as he crawled forward and hugged Mustang's outstretched leg. "I'll follow you for the rest of my life!"
"Yes." said Mustang solemnly as Hawkeye walked past.
"Try telling that to Raven." said Hawkeye and Roy looked undiminished. "I'm sure she'll have a few choice words to say to you."
The next day a large make-shift arena had been set up in the middle of East Headquarters, all the solders gathered around it. On one side sat King Bradley in a small open tent, his secretary and Basque Gran behind him. In the middle stood Hughes on a podium with a large sign behind him, but it was hidden by a huge sheet. He struck a pose as he addressed the audience by the use of a microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Eastern Command Center Festival! A guaranteed break from that soldier grind! Incidentally, take a look!" shouted Hughes as he pulled a string, removing the large sheet over the sign to reveal a large picture of Elysia hugging a teddy bear.
All the soldiers looked dumbstruck as Hughes held his hand up to the sign, looking extremely proud.
"My daughter who turned three this year! Isn't she adorable!?" asked Hughes and the crowd started booing and throwing random objects at him, one knocking the back of the sign so it would fall forward.
Hughes looked back in surprise as the sign started falling and continued to scream into the microphone.
"Oh no! Don't fall on Daddy! Elysia!" shouted Hughes as the sign finally crashed down on him.
Once the sign was cleared away Hughes reappeared, his face covered with bandages and scrapes. He struck another pose, this one with his finger in the air while he continued his commentary.
"And now, without further distraction we move directly to the day's main event! In the red corner, the Flame Alchemist and hero of the Eastern Rebellion!" shouted Hughes before pointing at Mustang who was backed by Falman and Hawkeye. "Colonel Roy Mustang! Give it up!"
Roy looked around angrily as the crowded booed him, several people shouting at him.
"Lousy ogre!"
"You just want a promotion!"
"Give me back my girlfriend!"
Once again Hughes assumed his new pose and continued on through the booing.
"In the blue corner the Fullmetal Alchemist and living legend of the people!" shouted Hughes as he pointed at Ed who was standing with Al, the kitten in his arms. "Let's hear it for Edward Elric!"
Al watched Ed who was staring at the ground, the crowd booing him as well.
"What! Where!? I can't see him!"
"Working grade schooler's more like it!"
"Good luck, bean sprout!" shouted a man and Al had to restrain Ed who was prepared to jump into the crowd and attack the offending man.
"Don't call me small!" shouted Ed angrily, waving his arms and legs around as Al held him with his one free arm. "I'll break down your feet and stick 'em on your head!"
"Calm down!" shouted Al and Ed stopped, panting as he bent over, a crazy look in his eyes.
"Okay Al, you're right. Today's a great day. The day I beat Mustang's pompous mug in front of the whole army and get some damn respect!" said Ed.
"But we're indebted to him brother!" said Al, trying to get his brother to see sense.
"He's asked for it! Saying he knows all we do, acting like he let our secret out, then not telling us what we need to know!" said Ed.
"So what's your strategy?" asked Al and Ed bared his teeth, holding his fist up.
"I told you! A fist in his face!" shouted Ed as Hughes finished his introduction.
"And finally in the yellow corner the Crimson Blade Alchemist and extremely violent girl who-" started Hughes when Raven glared at him. "Uh, I mean just the Crimson Blade Alchemist, Raven Dain!"
He pointed at Raven who smiled and waved as the whole crowd cheered.
"Do you think she's single?"
"You're really cute!"
"Marry me!"
When they were done cheering Al, Hawkeye, and Falman went off to the stands to watch as the three contestants stared at each other, Hughes standing in the middle.
"This assessment means nothing to me. If I or Raven wins you tell us all you know about Marcoh, and let's not forget you'll have a new cat." said Ed seriously and Mustang just stood there and smiled.
"Alchemists get seeeet!" shouted Hughes before clearing his throat, turning around, and running away. "Ready and fight!"
"What!?" asked Ed as his eyes flew from Hughes to Mustang who already had his arm out.
"Too slow." said Mustang as he snapped his fingers, causing a large explosion in front of Ed.
The crowd gasped as Ed was thrown back by the blast, landing on his hands and knees extremely pissed off.
"Damn it! That was a cheap shot!" shouted Ed angrily but quickly looked scared and ran as Mustang snapped several more times. "Argh! What are you doing!?"
Ed tripped as Roy continued his barrage of explosions.
"A soldier favors haste over cleverness. Means there are no cheap shots Edward. Strike quickly and you'll end it quickly too!" shouted Mustang as he moved forward for another attack.
Raven just stood there, a look of annoyance on her face as Ed and Roy concentrated on attacking each other. She crossed her arms and looked around, waiting for one of them to take notice but when they didn't she cursed inaudibly. In the stands Fuery watched in amazement, the puppy in his arms.
"Those flames are coming out of nowhere! How does he do that?" asked Fuery as Mustang snapped his fingers.
"Oh, so this is the first time you've seen the colonel fight? His right glove's made of special material called ignition cloth. When he snaps it makes a spark. After that he uses alchemy to change the oxygen density in the air and boom: bombs on command." said Havoc as Ed ran from Raven and Roy's combined attacks.
"Ah! Ah! Ahhh! Just wait till I stop running!" shouted Ed, the edge of his coat on fire as he ran towards the stands.
Havoc, Breda, and Fuery looked surprised as Ed jumped over the wall, using Fuery head as a support.
"Sorry!"
Mustang slowly walked towards the crowd, looking around the crowd, all of the people looking scared.
"Well, I guess I can't torch you all… hmm…" said Mustang as he smirked, calling out in a loud voice. "This is hard! He's such a small target!"
"Who are you calling small!?" shouted Ed as he flared, jumping above the crowd.
"If your opponent is of choleric temper." said Mustang as he turned to face Ed and raised his hand. "Seek to irritate and never fall for an enemy's taunts."
The entire crowd, including Ed, looked scared as they realized what Mustang was about to do. Mustang merely closed his eyes and snapped, sending everyone in that section into the air.
"You've got to be kidding!" shouted Ed as the nearby people started running away.
"Okay, maybe I overdid it." said Mustang as he looked through the smoke for Ed, stopping when he saw Ed's coat flap in the wind. "Need more?"
Roy gasped when he realized that it was a dummy Ed had transmuted and put his coat on to trick Roy. He let a cry of surprise escape his lips as he turned around to see Ed lunging at him, his handblade freshly transmuted.
"Cheap shot!" shouted Ed as his handblade sliced the transmutation circle off Roy's glove, leaving the rest of his hand untouched.
"Damn!" shouted Roy as Ed stopped and whirled around to face him, smiling.
"Without that glove you can't make flames anymore, can you?" asked Ed, extremely cocky, as he clapped his hands and slammed them into the ground, starting a transmutation. "That's advantage Elric!"
The crowd watched in amazement as they recovered as Ed transmuted a large cannon that he had pointed straight at Mustang. He looked surprised before he smiled and pulled his left hand out of his pocket to reveal that it was wearing one of his ignition cloth gloves.
"Ah!" screamed Ed as Mustang snapped his fingers, destroying the cannon in an extremely large explosion.
The entire parade ground was reduced to rubble from Mustang's last attack. Ed surfaced from a pile of rubble, coughing heavily as Mustang walked up to him.
"All war is deception. Think your enemy has a weakness and it becomes his strength. Remember that." said Roy as he looked down at Ed very smugly.
"Just end it." said Ed looking angry.
"You don't have to ask." said Roy as he prepared to snap when something wrong happened.
A boy crouched in front of him held a gun, looking extremely scared of Roy replaced Ed. When Roy blinked the image was replaced by Ed, who had his handblade at Roy's throat. They stared at each other when something cold pressed into the back of Ed's and Roy's necks. Raven smiled at them as she held her sword against Roy's neck and a newly transmuted dagger against Ed's.
"Yet Roy you forgot the most important rule of all. Never forget an opponent and give them the advantage of surprise." said Raven as she smiled at them both.
"All right, that's far enough." said King Bradley as he walked up through the rubble clapping his hands. "An excellent fight by three skilled alchemists."
Raven backed off, allowing Ed to lower his arm and Roy saluted the Fuhrer.
"We are honored by your compliment Fuhrer!" said Roy as he stood at attention.
"Don't stop us now. We're not done yet!" said Ed, looking upset and King Bradley nodded.
"That may be true but if I let you go on it would be much harder for just the three of you to clean up."
Though the three had started cleaning up right after the battle, they still had a long ways to go at sunset. Hawkeye and Al watched as they toiled to get the parade grounds back to what they used to be.
"They don't have a choice but to spend time together now. The Fuhrer ordered all three to fix the mess." said Hawkeye.
"Raven's not too happy since she didn't cause any of the mess but still has to clean up." said Al as Ed transmuted a piece of ground together again.
Roy stuck his shovel into a patch of dirt before sitting down, yawning.
"This is the reason I tried to avoid the fight." said Roy, Ed and Raven turning to look at him.
"What happened? Why did you hesitate at the end?" asked Ed and Roy looked up at him confused.
"Huh?"
"I don't need anyone to cover for me. If you had time to beat me you should have done it." said Ed and Raven rolled her eyes, Roy looking away.
"This goes back more years than I care to admit but there was something called the Ishbal Rebellion." said Roy, suddenly wide awake.
"Part of the Eastern Rebellion, right? When the people of Ishbal clashed with the military?" asked Raven and Roy looked sad.
"I saw my share… of really terrible things. Dr. Marcoh, the deserter…" said Roy, Ed and Raven looking surprised. "He was the smartest one among us. I still think so, even now."
"Is that why you kept quiet about him? Out of respect?" asked Raven, Ed looking rather pissed that Roy had kept that vital piece of information from him.
"But, maybe I was wrong not to tell you. You should pay him a visit. So you'll know for yourself." said Roy and the two younger alchemist's heads snapped back to his direction.
"You mean he's alive?" asked Raven suddenly and Roy turned his head before nodding.
"Colonel, you still haven't told me yet, why you hesitated and didn't finish me when you could. Never mind, you don't have to say." said Ed before he and Raven set back to work.
Later on, once the damage had been restored, Fuery finally found someone to take the puppy.
"Well if you've got no other candidates I guess I can handle him Cain." said Hawkeye, both Fuery and the puppy looking excited.
"Really! That's awesome!" said Fuery as the puppy jumped out of his arms and ran over to the wall.
Everyone watched as the puppy began to pee on the wall, Fuery smiling.
"Sorry. Guess he's just relieved to have an owner." said Fuery and Hawkeye took out her gun and fired it seven times in the puppy's direction.
When the smoke cleared the puppy sat there with his paws in the air, all seven shots scattered around near his body. Hawkeye held her gun up, smiling, as she addressed her new pet.
"Now you won't be doing that again will you pup?" said Hawkeye and everyone looks scared. "See, you've got a strict mommy now. The bathroom's out here, got it Black Hayate?"
"What's wrong with all you people?" asked Fuery who was in tears.
The trio stood outside Mustang's house, the small kitten sitting in a small wooden box next to the steps. The moon shone down on them as they said their silent farewells to the kitten.
"After all the info the colonel gave us on Marcoh we can't expect him to keep this little guy too. Equivalent Exchange. We'd end up owing too much." said Ed sadly.
"Yeah, I know." said Al and the kitten meowed sweetly.
Ed transmuted the box into a small baby carriage before stepping back, Raven patting Al on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry Al, it's just the best we can do." said Raven before walking away with Ed.
Al stood there for a few seconds longer before turning and walking away, the kitten meowing one last time.
Meanwhile Mustang and Hughes were sitting at the bar, each sporting a small glass of something.
"About Lior, that desert town in Ed's and Raven's reports. Are you aware that General Hakuro's detachment has been dispatched over there?" asked Hughes and Roy looked up at him in surprise. "I hear it's turning into a pretty ugly civil war. Raven and Ed said that their prophet Cornello had been removed as a sham and the people would open their eyes. But a priest is still there and going strong, and now he's calling his followers to this uprising. I can't say for sure if it's the same guy they fought though."
Roy looked back at his drink and Hughes looked up at him.
"You think you should send them into investigate?" asked Hughes and Roy takes a drink before slowly lowering his glass.
"They believe they saved that town. It's one of the first successes they've had." said Roy, looking sad. "I'll let them keep thinking that for a while. They'll learn the truth soon enough. We always do. So isn't it about time you told me? I know you didn't all come here to observe us."
Roy looked at Hughes who didn't return the gesture.
"The big-wigs. They kept wearing the Fuhrer down until he agreed to move us." said Hughes and he looked up. "It's the alchemist killer Roy. There have already been five officer slayings in Central."
Roy's eyes widen at the news, Hughes still staring forward.
"You won't win! They'll find you! You're a barbarian, nothing more!"
A State Alchemist struggled against the man who held him up by the face with just one arm. Suddenly with a small explosion and a spray of blood the State Alchemist hung limp in the man's grip. He dropped the dead State Alchemist to the ground unceremoniously before taking off his sunglasses, his face and part of his jacket and shirt sprayed with blood.
Though it was night, his clothes were clearly visible. He wore a yellow jacket with a white shirt underneath and black pants with a white stripe running down each side of his legs. His skin was dark and a large white scar shone like a beacon against his forehead, the color of his eyes hidden by the poor light.
"Time to head east." said the man as he turned around and walked away.