Ishbala's Chosen
Gunfire sounded over the bloody and body-ridden streets of Lior. The people still alive seemed defeated and sad as they just sat around, their clothing covered in blood. One of the only things that stirred in the streets were a group of men who watched as their leader shook a dying man, blood coming out of his mouth.
"If he's really a prophet who can make miracles whenever he wants, then why is it turning out like this!?" asked the man, almost in hysterics.
Meanwhile at the temple a large group of people had fastened ropes to the large Leto statue right outside the doors. They were attempting to pull it down while another crowd fought to get into the temple, the temple keepers barely keeping them out.
"Please cease fighting!" shouted a man over a megaphone so that the entire courtyard could hear him. "Surrender and the military will not hurt either side! Surrender! This is your final warning!"
The head officer raised his hand and the soldiers readied their guns before sliding them through the fence. He dropped it and the men began firing into the crowd, killing everyone and everything that moved. Back in the streets soldiers ran through, making sure people weren't hiding in the buildings. Their search wasn't very thorough as they missed Rose who was hiding with a small group of children behind a table.
"But Rose, isn't it bad we're not fighting too?" asked a little boy as he raised his head to look at Rose.
"What for?" asked Rose as she shook her head.
Lust and Gluttony watched the carnage outside the temple on a balcony, safely hidden from sight. The gunfire did not stop, even though all the people were lying on the ground dead.
"Look at them all. Humans are foolish beyond salvation." said Lust, her disgust clearly displayed in her voice.
"Foolish! Foolish!" shouted Gluttony before laughing, Cornello walking up the stairs.
"Don't be so hard on them." said Cornello, his voice making Lust and Gluttony turn. "After all our planning I think this mayhem feels nice."
He smiled evilly as Lust returned the smile before saying, "Well, if it isn't our personal prophet."
"Work well!" said Gluttony as Cornello walked forward a few steps.
"Please, I only mobilized the believers. Before long believers find differences between each other and fight. It's only better now with the military stepping in to… help." said Cornello and Lust looked back out the window.
"No matter how many times they repeat the lesson they never learn. Human beings are foolish, miserable beings aren't they?" asked Lust, her face almost emotionless.
"All this production to make a Philosopher's Stone." said Cornello as he shrugged, a very un-Cornello motion and Lust smiled. "Least I can change now."
A flash of light started at his toes and moved up, his body changing as the light moved up until a young man with green hair stood there, the red tattoo of a snake eating its own tail on his thigh. He didn't look like he belonged to either gender, his clothing doing nothing to help. When the change was complete he put his hand on his chest, a smile on his face.
"Back into this adorable form."
"That one again? You love making yourself look young." said Lust and Envy shrugged.
"What else can I do?" asked Envy as he put his hands on his hips. "I've forgotten what I originally looked like."
Cray finished climbing the stairs, startled to see the three of them standing there. The three stared at him while he just stood there.
"Wha-What are you doing here? Where is Father Cornello? The real one, what have you done with him?" asked Cray and Lust looked at Envy.
"What should we say?" asked Lust, Envy looking evil while Gluttony just stood where he was with his finger in his mouth.
"Why don't we tell him the truth Lust?" asked Envy, his hand on his hip. "Cornello's been gone a rather long time."
"Can I eat him?" asked Gluttony suddenly and started laughing, Envy and Lust looking at him with disbelief.
Gluttony continued to laugh as he advanced on Cray, who started screaming. The fat man opened his mouth to reveal the same tattoo on his tongue that Lust had on her chest and Envy had on his left thigh, beginning to eat the priest. Lust and Envy ignored the scene going on as they lounged against the balcony, discussing their next move.
"Come to mention it I did hear some juicy information. That curiosity of ours has left Central, heading eastward." said Envy.
"You mean the State Alchemist killer. Hmm. The Flame Colonel's in the east now. Who else?" asked Lust.
"Well you know the Fullmetal and Crimson Blade pipsqueaks are there." said Envy and Lust glanced at him for a moment.
"Yes… right now those children are the closest ones to our goal. We can't afford to have them moving around, acting on behalf of their own interests. Not anymore." said Lust and Gluttony got up from the large pool of blood he had made on the floor, waving a bloody hand.
"I'm done Lust!" shouted Gluttony before laughing, Lust looking angry.
"Now what have I told you? Wipe your mouth Gluttony." said Lust in a snappish manner.
"Sorry." said Gluttony as he started to clean off the blood, Lust looking back at Envy.
"So, what of this… killer?"
"We call him Scar."
"That a codename?" asked Roy as he looked at Hughes who returned the look.
"I don't know, it's all that we've got." said Hughes as he put two fingers on his forehead. "Several eye witnesses have described a man with a large scar on his forehead fleeing the scenes of the murders."
"And you're sure he kill them all?" asked Roy as Hughes put his hand down and looked at his drink. "Five well trained State Alchemists all by himself?"
"Nine, actually. Five kills in Central, four of 'em alchemists. Cops have turned up five more State Alchemists in various other parts of the country. If you throw in aides and guards who got in the way it's into the dozens. And we know it's him because the M.O.'s identical and it's not the kind of thing you can copycat. He explodes their brains Roy." said Hughes, both men now looking at their drinks. "And we don't know why he's doing it. Everyone's panicked they'll be next."
"So all of Central Command made the excuse they were with the Fuhrer and came en masse." said Roy as he bowed his head and closed his eyes before looking at Hughes with a grin on his face. "Thinking not even a killer would come to this backwater place."
"You're here after all." said Hughes as he turned to Roy, a grin on his face as well, but Roy only looked angry. "Those up the chain that gave you this demotion of a transfer three years ago, they're aware of your abilities."
Roy looked down as Hughes finished by saying, "You're protection for them."
"Hell Maes." said Roy as he looked up. "Now you're getting me shaken up. You know, this serial killer sounds like the perfect husband for Raven. I can see the kids now…"
"You'd better not let her hear you say that." laughed Hughes.
"I had to threaten to put her in anger management because she beat up a whole squad of men for calling her a little girl. It was quite a sight." said Roy and Hughes looked at him.
"You're not serious are you?" asked Hughes, looking skeptical. "About the anger management part. I believe the rest."
"Hell no! You try and make that girl take anger management and I'll give you a medal of honor if it takes." said Roy as he finished laughing before turning serious again. "You really think they want me for protection. Do they really think they'll be next?"
"So, that's the big question. Who'll be the next target?" asked Hughes as a woman walked up from behind the bar, holding a telephone.
"Pardon me." said the woman and Hughes looked started and scratched the back of his head frantically.
"Oh, thanks, I'm very flattered but I have a three year old girl see…" started Hughes but the woman cut him off.
"You have a call." said the woman kindly as she held up the phone before setting it down and walking off, Hughes looking embarrassed.
"Oh, right, sorry." said Hughes as the woman went back to work and Hughes picked up the receiver, Roy watching him while sipping his drink. "Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, go ahead. Understood. I'll be right there."
He set the receiver down on the hook before standing up and saying, "Well, our question's been answered. They've found another soldier dead at his guard station."
Roy lowered his glass, looking angry.
"Skull blown up… from the inside?" asked Roy and Hughes nodded before leaving.
At the guard station a large group of people had gathered around the bloody cubicle, the dead man still inside. He was in a kneeling position with his head resting against the wall, looking like he had been caught by surprise by his murderer.
After many heated arguments that involved punching and many map checks, the trio finally made it to the small town Mustang had told them about. When they got there they started asking random people directions to Dr. Marcoh's house. The first person they asked was a man towing a cart, his child standing next to the wooden wagon.
""Dr. Marcoh?" asked the man, pointing to his left.
"You mean Master Mauro?" asked the child.
"No. Marcoh." said Al.
"Sorry, this village only has one doctor and Master Mauro is his name." said the man before pulling his wagon along the road.
The next person they asked was an old man who was sitting with two of his friends on the side of the road.
"As you can see folks don't have much money here. Travel's hard. It used to take a half-day's trip to East City to see a doctor before he came."
Then they tried an old lady in the street.
"He's a nice man. He'll take in any patient, even people they said were incurable elsewhere."
Finally they tried a farmer who was out doing hay with his family.
"When I got my leg caught under the tractor and thought I was done he fixed me like you couldn't even tell it had happened." said the man, Ed, Al, and Raven on the other side of a wooden fence.
"He treated me when I was sick too! There was a big flash of light!" said the little girl excitedly.
After finishing their conversation with the farmer, Al waved goodbye as Ed and Raven looked at the ground.
"Flash of light…" said Al as he stopped waving and looked forward.
"Yeah, it's gotta be alchemy. This is Dr. Marcoh." said Raven as she rubbed her chin.
"But he's a fugitive. Why would he become a miracle performing doctor? He had to know it would draw attention." said Al when Ed looked up and saw something that scared him.
"Down!" shouted Ed as he pushed both Al and Raven into a nearby pile of straw before diving in himself.
"What the hell?" asked Raven as a whole bunch of straw was shoved into her mouth.
"Why?" asked Al as he popped his head out of the top of the pile.
"Al!" shouted Ed as he pushed Ed back down into the straw.
"This is a bad idea! I'm filling up with straw!" pleaded Al as Ed and Raven watched the road through a gap in the straw.
"Shh!" said Ed as a man came into view.
The man was rather large and wore a military uniform under the heavy coat he wore buttoned up. He removed his hat to reveal the only other hair on his head besides his bushy mustache was a small lock of blonde hair on his forehead. As he looked around for something or someone Raven picked a piece of straw out of her bangs.
"Who's that?" asked Al.
"A State Alchemist. I recognize him from HQ. He's one of those guys who came in with the Fuhrer." said Ed as Raven nodded.
"But why is he here? Did he follow us?" asked Al.
"I don't know how else to explain it. The Colonel said he's never reported Marcoh's whereabouts to Central Command." said Raven as the man put his hat back on and walked off back the way he came.
When he was out of sight again Ed and Raven crashed out of the pile, brushing the straw off themselves.
"Come on Al! We'd better go straight to Marcoh's from here!" shouted Ed as Raven started picking straw out of her hair.
"Ahh!" shouted Al as he popped out at the top of the pile, straw poking out of every crevice.
"Hurry up!" shouted Raven as she grabbed one of his arms and pulled him down, taking half the pile with him. "We don't have unlimited time."
Al pulled himself to his feet and, with the help of Ed and Raven, was completely straw free within minutes. Ed and Raven cleaned themselves off while they ran to Marcoh's house. They climbed the staircase to the second floor and Raven knocked twice before stepping back.
"Is he in there?" asked Raven when Marcoh hadn't answered for several minutes.
Suddenly the door banged open and an older man appeared in the door, a gun in his hand. He shot three times, once at Ed, once at Al, and once at Raven, barely missing each. It was amazing that his aim was as accurate as it was, his arms were shaking he was so scared. Al hid behind Ed and Raven who stood there with there arms out to the side. Raven tried to move but Marcoh kept the gun pointed at her the most, as if he feared she would attack him without warning.
"Dude, what is your problem?" asked Raven as Marcoh pointed the gun at her head. "Calm down."
"Easy there, doc. We don't want any trouble." said Ed and Marcoh snapped the gun over to him, making Ed stand straight with his arms in the air.
"I know what you want! You said you're State Alchemists! You think you can take me back there!" shouted Marcoh and Al got up a bit, his hands in the air as well.
"Then you are Dr. Marcoh, the Crystal Alchemist! Is that really true?" asked Al.
"No! No more questions or orders! I couldn't bare it, going back to that place!" shouted Marcoh, Ed and Raven looking scared.
"That's not it! Listen!" said Ed and Al stood up a little bit more.
"Put the gun down. Please." said Al.
"Or have you come to silence me? Think you can kill me? Well I don't have to just let that happen." said Marcoh, looking really scared as Al stood all the way up and started walking towards him.
"Al?" said Ed and Raven at the same time, surprised.
"It's all okay." said Al in a calming voice as Marcoh pointed the gun at his chest. "Shoot if you want but I won't die. You're the only one who might get hurt."
He bumped his chest against the gun, his body making a hollow gong sound. Marcoh looked surprised before lowering his gun, no longer shaking.
"I see. You're him. You're the Fullmetal Alchemist." said Marcoh before looking at Raven. "And the Crimson Blade."
"Ah!" shouted Al as he was shoved aside, an extremely pissed off Ed standing in his place.
"No for the hundredth time! That name belongs to me!" shouted Ed hoarsely as he pointed at himself.
"And you should feel so special." said Raven sarcastically as she put her hands on her hips.
"Shut up!" shouted Ed as he turned on Raven, Marcoh looking surprised.
"Make me!" shouted Raven as she shoved Ed in the chest.
"Knock it off!" shouted Al as he forced them apart. "We're here to talk to Dr. Marcoh not kill each other!"
Raven smirked as she walked into Marcoh's house, Ed boring a hole into her back with his gaze. They managed to get seated without any fighting and Marcoh began to tell his story. He sat at one end of the table while Ed and Raven sat at the other, Al sitting on the edge of the bed. Marcoh had his elbows on the table and his hands folded as he rested his forehead against them, his eyes closed.
"So, I deserted the battlefield. When I left I stole all the research I'd compiled at the time. Their books, my notes. I have a hunch the military's still looking for me so they can see what I found out." said Marcoh, the trio looking extremely interested, Ed leaning forward.
"That's it!" said Ed as he got up, Marcoh looking at him in surprise. "Why he sent us. We're researching human transmutation!"
"Forget it." said Marcoh as he looked back down, Ed looking shocked. "I can't show you my work. The orders from above not withstanding, I dirtied my hands with that research. Then the military, they put it to use on those people."
He put his head in his hands before saying, "In that Eastern Rebellion massacre."
"You mean the uprising in Ishbal?" asked Raven, looking confused. "That is what you're talking about right?"
"Armageddon, that's the only word that fits that battle. Women. Children. It didn't matter, everyone was killed and there wasn't any real reason. All they said was the people of Ishbal defied them. Spoke out against the system." said Marcoh as he rested his head against his folded hands again. "What I was responsible for I could never make up. Even taking my life would be a token gesture."
Raven and Ed looked at each other, shocked, as Marcoh continued.
"So I decided to vanish and become a doctor. Help people and slowly work off some fraction of the debt." said Marcoh before looking up. "Now get out."
The two looked surprised, then angry, Ed banging his hands on the table.
"We're ranking State Alchemists! We have a right to that research and anything else you know!" shouted Ed but Marcoh merely looked down.
"You're way too small for these concerns." said Marcoh, not noticing that both Raven and Al were having to restrain Ed. "I bet you were blinded by the abundant privileges, access to research and prestige, so you joined their ranks. A foolish mistake. If you'd been there during the Rebellion you'd feel the same way."
"We know that!" said Raven angrily as she released Ed, Marcoh looking up in surprise. "I know what we're doing is stupid okay? It's not your problem!"
Raven nearly lost it as Marcoh didn't say anything, just going back to that solemn position.
"Look!"
"Dr. Marcoh." said Al, cutting across Raven as he let go of a now calm Ed. "About five years ago you treated some babies in Xenotime. I just want you to know they're fine now."
Marcoh looked up in surprise as Al continued.
"The red water's gone." said Al, Marcoh sneaking a glance at the wall to his right.
Ed gasped before running over to the wall, his hands trying to find a crack while he examined it closely.
"Ed." said Raven as she shook her head.
"Brother, what are you doing?" asked Al as Ed stood up straight.
"Guess work." said Ed as he transmuted a hole in the wall, revealing a secret compartment.
Marcoh stood up in surprise as Ed picked up a small bottle of red water.
"Don't need circles?" asked Marcoh, more to himself than anyone.
"Is this the red water from Xenotime? No, it looks a lot clearer." said Ed as he kneeled on the floor, the other three ran up behind him.
"Stop!" shouted Marcoh as he held up his hands, but Ed ignored him.
Ed cried out in surprise as Al gripped him underneath the arms and lifted him into the air.
"Get off me!" shouted Ed as he kicked and flailed about.
"This is wrong!" shouted Al as Raven tried to grab the bottle from Ed.
"Give me the bottle you idiot!" shouted Raven as she tried to grab his wrist.
"He's on to something!" shouted Ed angrily, resisting Al's and Raven's attempts to calm him down.
"Ed!" shouted Al and Raven at the same time.
"Let… go!" shouted Ed as Raven pried loose his grip, the bottle flying out of his hands.
"Shit!" shouted Raven as she dived for the bottle, but it flew too far for her to catch.
The bottle shattered when it hit the floor, the liquid spilling out for a second before drawing into itself and becoming a stone. Al released Ed and they went over by Raven to look at it.
"It's not really a liquid." said Raven, not touching it.
"No, it's not. It looks more like that ring the priest in Lior had." said Al when the door was knocked open suddenly and a soldier ran in, a rifle in his hand.
The trio got to their feet as heavy footsteps were heard and Basque Gran walked into the room, Marcoh looking extremely scared. Marcoh followed the large man as he slowly made his way over to the red stone lying on the floor.
"The Sage's Stone. The Celestial Stone. The Great Elixir. The Red Teacher. The Next Element." said Gran as he bent over and picked up the stone. "Did you really think a substance of so many names would be limited to just the form of a stone?"
They only watched him, only Ed managing to say, "Brig-Brigadier Gran?"
"Brigadier Basque?" asked Marcoh, a smile on his face. "Well, you've wormed your way up."
Ed, Al, and Raven looked over at Marcoh, surprised as Gran merely turned his head.
"You're damn right Crystal Alchemist. And now you'll turn the Philosopher's Stone and your research over to me." said Gran, Al and Raven gasping as Ed merely looks shocked.
"Philosopher's Stone!? That thing!?" asked Ed, looking angry that he didn't figure it out before, and Gran turned to him.
"An experimental leap at best; roulette at worst. You never know when it will reach its limit and backfire. An unstable, defective product, different from the true stone." said Gran, Marcoh's eyes closed. "But during the Rebellion it did augment our abilities and make us extremely powerful."
He leaned forward as he said the last bit, closing his eyes as Raven leaned forward.
"You're saying the military hasn't just looked for the stone, in the past it's worked to develop it?" asked Raven and Gran looked at her, Ed looking excited and his eyes shining.
"Never mind that it isn't perfect, it was made by human hands and it worked. That proves the concept is possible! The Philosopher's Stone's not a myth!" said Ed as he leaned forward. "Where are the design specs?"
"And what do you mean to do with it when you see it? Increase your metalling Fullmetal?" asked Gran angrily as he looked down at Ed who looked taken aback. "This research is top secret and falls under my jurisdiction."
Ed and Raven looked disappointed as Gran continued, saying, "I can't permit you access to it. Let's go!"
Their disappointment turned to anger at Gran's words but they were yanked back into reality by Marcoh's pleading.
"No, let go of me!" shouted Marcoh as the guards grabbed him. "Please! I'm sorry I ran! Have mercy!"
They paid no attention to his pleading and hauled him down the stairs to the waiting car, the villagers forming a crowd. The trio watched from the top of the stairs as Marcoh continued to struggle, even though it was futile.
"You can't take me back! I can't go back to that place, it's too much! I can't take it! The testing! The experiments! My hands are already stained! Please!" begged Marcoh as they forced him into the car, Gran getting in behind him.
"This is just like before." said Ed as he stared at the stairs, memories of Tucker and Nina being taken away in military trucks.
A little girl looked sad as the car started to drive away, Raven heading down the stairs as she was driven by some invisible force.
"He must not be harmed." said a voice inside her head. "He must be protected at all costs."
Ed looked up angrily and started following her, Al looking surprised.
"Brother!" shouted Al as the car started to pick up speed.
"Maybe I haven't grown an inch since then…" said Ed as he watched Raven running after the car. "But I can't let my heart stay stunted too!"
The car suddenly came to an abrupt stop, the scarred man standing in front of it. Raven slowed down to allow Ed to catch up and they kept running. Scar laid his hands on the hood of the car and in a flash of red light the car exploded, the two men in the front seat killed. Ed and Raven stopped, Al catching up to them as the smoke cleared. Scar suddenly appeared out of the smoke, slowly walking towards Gran.
"Who is it?" asked Ed.
"Finally, the Iron Blood Alchemist Basque Gran." said Scar as he kept walking, Gran getting up as he chuckled.
"Your timing's too bad. Just as I got my hands on this!" said Gran as his hand dove into his pocket, but Scar was faster.
He slammed his right hand into Gran's face as Ed and Raven looked surprised.
"Get away!" shouted Ed but it was too late.
In a flash of red Gran's head exploded, blood going everywhere. Gran dropped to his knees before falling backwards, his hand dropping the incomplete Philosopher's Stone onto the ground. It bounced over towards Ed and Raven, Ed just standing there. Scar slowly withdrew his hand before examining the blood covering it.
"That face. That's the guy I saw in Central three years ago, I'm sure of it." thought Ed as he stood there, scared beyond belief, Scar looking up at him and Raven. "But never mind that. This is messed up. My mind's telling me to run but my leg's are frozen stiff."
Scar looked down at Marcoh who had gotten up onto his hands and knees. He gasped as the serial killer looked at him.
"Crystal Alchemist Dr. Marcoh. I heard you were dead. I'll have to take special care…" said Scar as he walked towards Marcoh, his right hand held up. "To wash you out of this world, for your transgressions."
"I see." said Marcoh as he closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Yes, go ahead. How can I protest?"
"In the name of the Great Almighty One." said Scar as he stopped in front of Marcoh, his hand reaching for the older man's head. "Thou shalt perish."
Raven grabbed Ed around the waist before running forward and grabbing Marcoh by the collar, ripping him to his feet. She took off down an alley that she had sent Al to find them a safe place to hide.
"It's okay, leave me behind." said Marcoh, Raven ignoring him.
"Put me down!" shouted Ed as he struggled.
"You've really gotta work on that attitude." said Raven before looking at Ed. "What did you do this time!?"
"I don't know!" shouted Ed back as Raven let him go and he stumbled into a run.
"Crimson Blade Alchemist Raven Dain and Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric." said Scar as he turned and started chasing after them. "You won't escape either."
"He knows our names too?" asked Raven as she kept running, sneaking glances back at their pursuer. "Seriously, what did you do to piss this guy off Ed?"
"I told you nothing!" shouted Ed and Raven looked back.
"Run faster!" shouted Raven as she saw Scar catching up. "Get lost freak!"
They took a right and ran past a small tunnel when Al peeked out.
"This way!" said Al in a loud whisper and they stopped.
When they were all safely inside Al sealed the entrance shut with alchemy as the other three caught their breath.
"Where were you Al?" asked Ed, still panting.
"Raven told me to find a place to hide while she grabbed you and Marcoh." said Al as he turned around to look at them.
Suddenly the newly created wall flashed red and blew in with a large cloud of dust. Al shielded Marcoh with his body while Raven and Ed threw up their arms against the small debris that flew at them. They turned to see Scar standing at the entrance, his hand resting where brick wall used to be. Raven and Ed turned and ran while Al grabbed Marcoh and ran after them, Scar slowly following them.
"Come on!" shouted Al as they ran for the other end of the tunnel.
Scar rested his hand against the wall, causing a large crack to run down the wall and collapse the ceiling in front of the running alchemists. Their, escape cut off, they turned to face their attacker who had stopped about ten feet from them.
"Who in the hell are you? What are you comin' after us for?" asked Ed angrily.
"If you're the creators of this society there must also be destroyers." said Scar simply and Raven laughed.
"That's creative! Did you get that off a fortune cookie or something? I could have sworn I got the same thing the other day." said Raven as she stepped forward, drawing her sword, as she shook her head in mock concern.
"You can't understand." said Marcoh as Al set him down. "Please, leave me and run!" said Marcoh and Raven looked back at him.
"And they say I need therapy." said Raven as she cocked her eyebrow.
"Anger management!" piped up Al and Raven growled.
"Thank you for that Al…" said Raven and Al cowered behind Marcoh.
"Are you done?" asked Scar and Raven turned to look at him.
"Why, do you have a schedule to keep? Kill five State Alchemists a day or something?" asked Raven as she rotated her right shoulder. "Well, you've killed one so let's see if there'll be two!"
She charged Scar and swung her sword at his head, barely missing as he ducked the attack. As he brought his arm up Raven kicked out with her left foot, grazing Scar's chin.
"Is that the best you got!?" asked Raven as she moved to slam the hilt of her sword into his face.
"Get away from this!" shouted Scar as he reached out for her head.
Raven gasped as she brought her sword up, Scar's hand landing on the flat. In a flash of red light she was sent backwards, still holding her sword up. For the split second that Scar unleashed his attack Raven's ears rang, an irritating feeling. Scar on the other hand watched as, for a split second, Raven was no longer standing there. In her place was a woman dressed in the same clothes but her face and hair were different. Her hair was still black but it was longer and wilder looking, and her eyes… they were green. Those… eyes… seemed to look into his soul and draw it out, baring it for her scrutiny.
"Damn it." said Raven as she looked at her sword, expecting to see it mostly destroyed.
Scar blinked his eyes several times, his sunglasses hiding the action, as Raven found no damage anywhere on the blade. She looked surprised when she didn't find anything and got into a fighting stance as Scar just stood there watching her.
"Is that the best you've got?" asked Raven as she beckoned him with her left hand.
Ed, taking her stillness as a sign, transmuted a small dagger out of a nearby metal pipe before going into a battle stance, Al copying his action.
"Something wrong? You're little attack backfire?" asked Raven as Scar just stood there, looking angry as his gaze shifted to Ed.
"You have a kind look in your eyes. My older brother's were exactly were exactly the same. Eyes that were strong and peered into the endless distance as it seeing something we could not." said Scar, Ed and Raven looking shocked. "It was three years ago yes? I was glad to hear you'd given up being a State Alchemist so I could take you off my list. But no…"
"Yeah, now. Too bad isn't it?" asked Ed, smiling before he charged at Scar.
He jumped and slashed at Scar's head, Scar side stepping the attack. Al realized what was going to happen as Scar's hand shot for Ed's head.
"Too slow!" shouted Scar, Raven coming to help Ed.
"Brother!" shouted Al as he jumped between Scar and Al, taking the blow on his right forearm.
Both brothers fell to the ground, Al getting up to see that his forearm was cracked and somewhat dented in. Ed jumped to his feet and turned around, looking scared and concerned.
"Al!" shouted Ed as Raven stopped by Al, fingering the cracks on his forearm.
"Don't mistake your fortune. That alchemy was designed for human flesh." said Scar as Al held his arm to make sure it didn't break and fall off. "That's why you escaped with only a dent. This time. Stay out of this! My only enemies are State Alchemists and those who stand between."
He glared at Raven as he said the last part as she returned the look.
"But why? Why are you after us?" asked Ed, looking both scared and angry, Scar turning to look at him.
"Alchemists are those who take things away from their natural form and convert them into something grotesque. In hubris they profane God, Creator of All, claiming that they have a better design. I come as a right hand, an agent of God…" said Scar as he held up his right hand. "To carry out his judgments."
Marcoh looked down at the ground and sighed as Al stepped forward.
"I'm an alchemist too. I may not have a State certification but…" started Al but Scar cut him off, looking at him.
"Why do you seek death?"
"I don't. But you mentioned you had an older brother, didn't you? Then you should understand why I can't just sit by and watch my brother get killed." said Al and when Scar didn't say anything he continued. "Even you should…"
"I do!" shouted Scar angrily. "I understand exactly how it feels to watch your brother murdered before your eyes! When you can't do a thing."
The three friends looked surprised, Al gasping.
"In fact maybe…" said Scar as he turned to Al. "I'll show Ed!"
Ed looked scared as Raven jumped in front of Al, shielding him with her body. He yelled out as he charged, Scar bringing him to a stop by grabbing his arm.
"I told you you're too slow." said Scar as he looked at Ed, his hand giving off a red flash.
Raven ran forward to catch Ed as he fell backwards, his sleeve in tatters. Scar looked at his hand, surprised to see no blood, and clenched his hand in frustration. He looked up as Raven helped Ed to his feet, his eyes opening up in surprise to see Ed's automail arm.
"Automail?" asked Scar as he looked angry. "So your right arm begets nothing but destruction also."
Ed pushed Raven away angrily as he stood up straight.
"Don't you start with that. We're nothing alike pal!" shouted Ed as he transmuted his arm into a giant razor that extended all the way to his elbow.
He charged, Scar doing the same, and they almost clashed when the wall of rubble exploded. Ed jumped to the wall as several spikes came flying out of the dust, aimed directly at Scar. Scar calmly dodged the spikes by jumped from side to side, moving backwards. Everyone turned and watched as the bald man from before emerged from the dust.
"That State Alchemist? What's he doing here?" asked Raven as Al went into a fighting stance, Marcoh just looking scared.
"You've come for Dr. Marcoh?" asked Al but the man just walked past, ignoring them.
Ed and Ravel growled as Armstrong approached, putting a hand on both their shoulders.
"I'm sorry I'm late. The Lieutenant Colonel ordered me to tail you as protection." said the man, Raven starting at his hand disdainfully.
"What? You mean Hughes?" asked Ed and the man looked at him and nodded.
"Don't touch me." said Raven as she picked the man's hand off her shoulder and let it fall.
"What's the matter!?" boomed the man as he patted her on the head, Raven nearly losing it.
"Remember, you can't punch him or the Colonel will throw you in anger management!" shouted Al, Raven's fist already in mid-punch.
"I don't need anger management." growled Raven, the veins on her neck standing out. "I am calm, I am collected, I am compassionate, I am understanding, I am mad, I am angry, I am extremely pissed off and I want to punch him!"
Her voice gradually got higher and higher until she was shouting, the man not realizing his folly.
"Now, now, no need to get angry!" said the man heartily as he patted her on the back, Raven's hand cracking from clenching so hard.
"Please… please let me punch him…" begged Raven, her teeth gritting loudly. "I don't care if he throws me in anger management. It'll be worth it."
"Come over here with me." said Al as he wrapped his arms around her and drug her off, kicking and yelling.
"I didn't mean it! Come on Al!" shouted Raven as she threw her head back against his chest but only succeeded in giving herself a headache.
The man suddenly turned his attention back to Scar, the look on his face serious again.
"I heard you on my way in here. You say you're an agent of God. Well, then why don't you pass judgment on me!?" asked the man as he held up his right fist to show his spiked hand guards that had a transmutation circle worked into it. "That's Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong Arm Alchemist!"
Scar was still surprised by Raven's almost blowout but then smiled at Armstrong's words.
"What a righteous day this is turning into. That you would come here and save me the tribulations of finding you. Blessed God full of grace." said Scar as he halfway clenched his hand.
"Don't pray just yet." said Armstrong as he put his arm down and held up a medium sized stone. "You're facing the technique that's been passed down the Armstrong line for generations! That's hardly a blessing!"
Armstrong tossed the stone into the air before punching it, sending it straight at Scar as it transmuted into a spike in midair. Scar side-stepped it as it flew by, still glowing with alchemic energy.
"Next shot!" shouted Armstrong as he slammed his fist into the ground, causing huge spikes to grow out of the ground.
Scar covered his face with his arms as he avoided the attack, destroying the top half of one with a sweep of his hand.
"As you can see it's only children here! Doubt the guerillas you're looking for are four feet tall!" shouted Rose as she shielded the children from the soldiers.
General Haruko laughed as he kneeled down in front of Rose, grabbing her chin.
"Does this mean you've abandoned the so-called teachings of your little priest?" asked Haruko before releasing her chin, the look on his face now serious. "All right then, tell us where the rebel faction is that's resisting the military's government?"
"Why should I!?" asked Rose angrily and Haruko looked surprised.
He looked at her angrily and slapped her before saying, "We came to liberate this town from that tyrant Cornello! We're trying to help you! What, are you blind!?"
"You're not interested in helping." said Rose, her eyes tearing up as her cheek swelled a bit. "You're here for control. This is our village, not yours."
She glared at Haruko insolently as she continued.
"We're the only ones who can make it better. We'll fix it ourselves! We've got legs; we'll get up and use them!"
As soon as the two men had begun to fight, the others fled. Ed and transmuted his arm back to normal on the run as they headed for the exit. When they got outside Marcoh collapsed on the ground, panting as he sat up. Al simply held his arm as everyone was bent over panting, tired from all the running they had been doing. Ed stood up and held out Marcoh's incomplete Philosopher's stone, its owner looking surprised.
"You dropped this and Raven managed to pick it up for you." said Ed and Marcoh took it.
"But, isn't this what you're after? Didn't you think about taking it yourself and leaving?" asked Marcoh.
"Of course and a younger me would have walked away with it without a second thought." said Ed as he smiled, Marcoh looking down. "But I can't forget the faces of all those people we saw today. And you used that in their treatments, right?"
"That stone belongs to them and so do you." said Raven as Marcoh looked at the stone before up at her.
He held the stone close to his chest, looking sad as Raven put her hands on her hips.
"You ready?" asked Raven as she looked back at Ed and Al, Marcoh nodding. "Then let's head out. We've gotta find someplace where the military and that killer won't find us."
"You think we can escape?" asked Marcoh and Ed smiled.
"You've got legs, dontcha? Let's put em to work." said Ed, Al and Raven nodding as Marcoh smiled.
The fight in the tunnel escalated, Armstrong discarding his shirt and flexing randomly.
"It's true what you said. The opposite of creation is destruction and both must be served." said Armstrong as he changed his poses with each sentence, his gaze landing on Scar. "Destroy and create, it's the grand currency of the universe! And it's the charge of the Armstrongs to carry out both!"
Scar merely watched before saying, "That's why I was going to track you down once Fullmetal, Crimson Blade, and Crystal were finished."
Armstrong charged and punched, attempting to hit Scar in the face. Surprised by the large man's speed Scar barely dodged the attack, his sunglasses knocked to the floor. The lens cracked as they hit the hard stone, Armstrong holding his hands up like a boxer.
"A unique combination of alchemy and physical power. God help me." said Scar, Armstrong looking surprised as he noticed Scar's eyes.
"You have red irises. Red eyes and brown skin." said Armstrong as Scar charged angrily. "You must be from…"
He side-stepped the attack, Scar stopping and bringing his arm around. Armstrong ran to the side as Scar's hand made contact with the wall, blowing a large hole in it.
"But the God your people kneel to forbids alchemy!" shouted Armstrong as Scar slowly turned to look at him. "It's modernity's greatest sin! I see your rationale. Alchemy has three parts: determine the make-up, then break it down, then turn it into something else. You stop at step two so you're saved by a loop hole, like killing for a religious cause. But murder's murder and you're still an alchemist!"
"I only do what this arm instructs me, contrary or not!" shouted Scar angrily as he held up his arm. "Leave it to the prophets to determine God's will!"
Scar charged and Armstrong transmuted spikes out of the ground, the smaller man destroying half of them with one sweep of his hand. Suddenly a large cloud of dust appeared on the alley above them as the roof of the tunnel caved in.
Just as it had earlier, rain returned to East City. The grey clouds sent down a fine drizzle as Ed poked his head around a corner to make sure it was safe. When he was sure it was he motioned to the others and they crossed the street to a small diner. They stood in front of several large pots, Al looking over at Ed.
"Brother, what are we gonna do now?" asked Al as Marcoh looked at Ed.
"I don't know Al." said Ed as he looked away. "Let's just get some distance from that guy with the glasses."
A dog's bark broke their conversation and they all looked at the dog as it continued to bark before checking to see what it was barking at. What they saw were three military trucks heading straight for them. Ed looked surprised as Raven pushed Al and Marcoh gently as they took cover behind the pots.
"Get down!" she hissed as she stood with her back to the road, Ed copying the motion.
He cradled his automail arm against his chest as the trucks passed, their trailers filled with soldiers. When they were gone Raven stopped a passing waitress that had a tray in her hands.
"Ma'am, have you got back door?" asked Raven and the waitress blinked several times before leading them into the alley at the back of the diner.
It was narrow and deserted, making it the perfect place not to be seen as they discussed their options.
"What about the Eastern Command and the Colonel?" asked Al and Raven looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Nah. There's no way we can get there. With the Brigadier General showing up like that I get the sense not even Mustang could protect Marcoh right now." said Raven, she and Al looking forward again.
"Oh yeah, all those people from Central are there. Maybe you're right." said Al and Marcoh looked at Ed.
"People from Central have been deployed here?" asked Marcoh and Ed turned around, a smile on his face.
"Just the Fuhrer and his entourage, yeah." said Ed and Marcoh held his hand to his chest.
"I don't understand. Is this for me?" asked Marcoh and Al reassured him.
"No, it's not like that." said Al as he waved it away, Marcoh looking at him. "Don't worry."
They came to the end of the alley where several kids were playing in a bunch of mud.
"Okay, here we go. Ready?" asked a boy as the four alchemists stopped and watched. "Nobody better cheat this time."
"No, wait! You didn't say go!" shouted a second boy.
"Ready?" asked the first boy as he and another boy ran away from the second.
Two kids who were playing in the mud looked up as the other three ran around them.
"Too slow!" shouted the third boy.
"That's no fair!" shouted the second boy.
"Just catch me!" shouted the first boy, Ed and Raven watching with smiles on their faces.
They turned and started to walk off, but Marcoh didn't move an inch.
"Let's play a new game! Priests and dragons!" shouted the third boy.
"Yeah, okay." agreed the first boy.
"I can't do this." said Marcoh as he bowed his head and closed his eyes, Ed and Raven stopping. "I've run away from it long enough, I won't do it now. I don't care if that man kills me."
Ed and Raven walked back towards Marcoh who looked up at the kids.
"How can I when it's something that I deserve?" asked Marcoh as the kids ran around.
"Wait for me!" shouted the second boy.
The soldiers from the military convoy arrived at the sight where Scar and Armstrong had been fighting. Fuery watched, shovel clutched to his chest, as Breda struggled to lift a large rock. When he lifted it both men gasped in surprise as they found a bruised and battered Armstrong sitting there.
"Colonel, we found him!" shouted Breda and Roy stopped his conversation with Havoc.
They both climbed down there as Armstrong sat against the rock, his body not able to support his weight. Roy kneeled down in front of Armstrong who looked disappointed at himself.
"Come on, talk to me Major. What happened?" asked Roy when they hear something shift behind them.
The group turned to see Hughes standing at the bottom of the ladder, trying not to slip on the wet rocks.
"Close call." said Hughes before he slowly walked over to Roy who stood up and turned around to face his friend. "This is turning into a real mess."
"That's a hell of an understatement." said Havoc and Hughes looked at him, annoyed. "What about Gran?"
"We found him on the road a few blocks up." said Hughes as he glared at the floor. "Let's just say there'll be some promotions unless Iron Blood can survive his brain turning into hamburger meat."
Havoc, Breda, and Fuery looked shocked at the news, the latter saying, "But he was the Brigadier General. He was an expert in hand-to-hand, right?"
Hughes shrugged and gave a quick smile before beckoning Roy with a small nod, a frown now on his face. Roy walked over to him and Hughes turned so that he could whisper in Roy's ear.
"Scar's M.O., no doubt about it." said Hughes and Roy's eyes narrowed.
"That man…" said Armstrong as he tried to get up, but failed. "He's an Ishbalan, I'm sure of it. I saw his red eyes."
Everyone looked surprised that this news as Armstrong continued in his attempts to stand.
"Just stay down. You're hurt." said Hughes.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant Colonel. You sent me with direct orders and I failed. I hope Elric and Dain are okay." said Armstrong before looking at the ground angrily. "The brown skin and red eyes…"
Armstrong looked up before saying, "I know the man chasing them is from Ishbal. I even confronted him about his God."
Roy looked down at Armstrong, surprised, before sadness crossed his face.
"Well, well. There's a decent break in the case Hughes. Now you know why he's killing us."
"I'm missing the connection. Why do you deserve death just because he's from Ishbal?" asked Raven and Al turned to face Marcoh fully.
"The Rebellion, right? Ed and Raven told me Mustang was sad about that too. But why? Ishbal started that war for independence. They lost lives, but so did the military." said Al and Marcoh hunched his shoulders, Ed looking at the ground.
"If all of us swore revenge every time we lost a war there'd be no end to it. It'd be a cycle without a point." said Ed.
"You're not listening. That was no war." said Marcoh, Ed and Raven looking surprised. "It was a massacre."
The children continued to laugh and play in the background as Marcoh started his story.
"The people of Ishbal are an ethnic tribe in the east who worship the Ishbala as the one and only creator. They draw from a different history so they see the world through a different lens. Our world is sulfurous and nitrogen; science and math. We believe everything can be explained with numbers and Equivalent Exchange is our sacred cannon. But to them alchemy is a perversion of the world God has given us. The devil's miracle, corrupting man by putting us in Ishbala's place. As a result of this collision of views, resistance movements would pop up from time to time." said Marcoh, the little girl getting her face splattered with mud.
"Hey! What'd you do that for!?" asked the little girl angrily as she ran after the boys.
"One day during a house inspection an officer in the military accidentally shot and killed an Ishbalan child. The incident became a rallying cry. Massive riots and uprisings broke out all over the region. It was too much too fast. The military couldn't control its solders in the chaos. More fuel for the fire. It escalated into a full-scale rebellion that lasted seven years. The only reason Ishbal had stood that long was an alchemist who had turned his back on the State to protect his wife and child. If he had not been there, Ishbal would have been defeated in less than two years. He continued to help the ravaged country until the Fuhrer had had enough. He sent in the problem solvers, the State Alchemists."
In a small camp set up by the military Marcoh argued with Gran inside the command tent. Gran sat behind a desk, examining an antique which probably had been stolen from some temple or home. Roy stood behind Marcoh, his face a schooled blank as he watched in trepidation.
"Why?" asked Marcoh angrily, Gran not looking at him. "Because of their doctrines the Ishbalans have neither alchemists nor up-to-date weaponry! Want them to demonize us even more!? You think that's a long-term answer!?"
"They do have an alchemist, Marcoh. I don't need to remind you the only reason our soldiers failed to take the capital was because of that red-headed bastard." said Gran vehemently, Roy twitching.
"You don't like him because he was always better than you." said Marcoh and Gran's eyes narrowed.
"You will not address me in such a manner. Did you bring the materials?" asked Gran as he changed the subject.
"I did, Colonel, but they're still under research." said Marcoh sadly. "And, like I told you, we don't need them."
"Have you not seen the reports?" asked Gran as he held the antique closer to his face. "The resistance is growing and O'Connor may be finding several Ishbalans willing to learn alchemy in this time of war."
"That's because your excessive use of force is creating sympathizers, it's easier for the Ishbalans to recruit the other tribes!" shouted Marcoh angrily. "Dain left because he knew what the State was doing was wrong!"
A laugh came from Marcoh's left and Roy turned to look at Kimblee who was drawing on his palm with something blue.
"What are you trying to say? That our Fuhrer's great cause is unjust?" asked Kimblee as he finished drawing and blew off his palm.
He examined it for a moment before turning it around to show that he had drawn a transmutation circle. Roy and Marcoh watched in disgust as Gran started speaking again.
"We've lost several thousand men. The civilian casualties are well beyond that. The whole country's unstable." said Gran as he looked up at Marcoh. "This isn't a humanitarian summit, this is war."
Marcoh looked at Gran angrily as the Colonel continued.
"Now, turn them over Crystal Alchemist. That's an order." said Gran as Marcoh looked at the floor before setting a small wooden case on the table.
He took his time undoing the latch before slowly opening it, revealing three small bottles of a clear red liquid. Roy looked at the bottles, scared, as Kimblee stood up and looked at them greedily. Marcoh looked angry at himself as Gran picked up and bottle and held it at eye level.
"Dominance in a bottle men. Alchemic augmentation. It's my job to end this war quickly and with this I can. Not even O'Connor can stand up to me now." said Gran as he smiled evilly.
"So who is this Dain O'Connor that keeps popping up in your story? Is he that alchemist that turned on the State to help out Ishbal?" asked Raven and Marcoh looked at her sadly. "Why did he do such a foolish thing?"
"His wife was an Ishbalan, the daughter of the high priest at Ishbala's temple in the capital city. This made his child a half Ishbalan, brought up in a world where alchemy was both allowed and forbidden. Dain taught his child in secret, much to his wife's disapproval but she never stopped it." said Marcoh as Ed got them back on track.
"So what happened? How did the Ishbalans and this Dain respond to your weapon?" asked Ed.
"They didn't." said Marcoh simply.
"What?" asked Al in disbelief.
"Every gathering point of resistance the State Alchemists were sent to… they were all wiped out in a single night. Even Dain fell, murdered in his own home by Gran and Kimblee. It was a sad sight to behold."
"You were there?" asked Raven and Marcoh nodded.
"His wife came in just as he died and she followed soon after. It is unknown what happened to their child." said Marcoh, working hard to not look at Raven.
Somewhere else in East City, Scar leaned against a building as he rested from his battle from Armstrong. Suddenly a soldier ran up and started shouting for his comrades.
"That's him!" shouted the soldier as he waved for reinforcements, Scar turning in surprise. "Over here!"
The soldier started shooting as reinforcements came, Scar running away.
At Eastern Headquarters Armstrong was lying on a bed, all bandaged up as he stared at the ceiling. Roy and Hawkeye were also in there, Roy looking out the window as Hawkeye watched him. The door suddenly opened, King Bradley and his secretary stepping inside as Roy and Hawkeye saluted, Armstrong only strong enough to sit up.
"No more running Colonel! Take him down!" shouted King Bradley, anger etched into every line on his face.
"Yes sir!" shouted Roy in reply.
Ed and Raven merely stared at Marcoh in shock, the doctor remaining silent. Suddenly one of the boys fell over, clutching his ankle as he cried out in pain.
"Ah! My ankle!" shouted the boy as his friends gathered around him, Marcoh springing into action.
He kneeled down by the boy and held up his ankle, the small boy looking surprised.
"Let me help you son." said Marcoh as he pulled his incomplete Philosopher's Stone and it started to glow as he held it next to the boy's ankle. "During the war there were doctors who would treat the wounded. It didn't matter what side you were on, Ishbalan or the State, if you were in need of help they would treat you."
He turned to the boy and smiled before saying, "How's that feel?"
The boy rotated his ankle slowly before smiling and laughing. He jumped to his feet before looking back at Marcoh.
"Thanks! I'm it!" shouted the boy as he ran off, his friends following him.
"How'd he do that? That was cool!" said the little girl as she followed her friends.
"However, they were casualties too." said Marcoh sadly.
A gun sounded twice inside an underground hospital. Roy Mustang held the gun as he pointed it at the now dead couple, his whole body shaking with shock at what he had done. The husband had reached for a picture of a little blonde girl who was smiling happily, his blood now hiding half the picture.
"Colonel Gran, what happened here!?" asked Marcoh angrily as Gran looked at a clipboard.
"This became an underground contact point for Ishbalan insurgents. These doctors were involved." said Gran, not bothering to look at the outraged Marcoh.
"Involved!? There were treating them! They were trying to save anyone they could!" shouted Marcoh, Gran looking up from his clipboard angrily.
"That's right and the ones they saved were coming back to murder my soldiers." said Gran, Marcoh's gaze falling on the bloodied picture lying on the floor.
Later, after the bodies had been removed and the floor mopped, Roy just stood there. An empty bottle fell from his hand and bounced off the floor before rolling away. He gazed at the blood stain on the floor, unable to take his eyes away. Suddenly they widened and he pulled his gun out of its holster before holding it under his chin.
"Stop that!" shouted Marcoh angrily and Roy lowered the gun as he turned to see Marcoh standing in the doorway.
Marcoh wore a heavy coat that helped to cover his military garb and he had several bags in his hands, a sad look on his face.
"You're a soldier following orders in a time of war. It's my soul that carries the sin. These doctors gave everything in the name of saving lives. I meanwhile…" said Marcoh as he faded out.
"How can we ever make this bearable?" asked Roy as he looked away.
"If I run away, will you keep quiet and let me escape?" asked Marcoh as he looked up hopefully, Roy staring at him in surprise.
Roy remained silent as Marcoh turned and left, never to been seen in Ishbal again.
"So I left with the Philosopher's Stones and all the research that explained how to create them. But I acted much too late. Without Dain's help the people of Ishbal had largely been exterminated. I heard that our military let only a handful survive." said Marcoh as he finished.
"It's grim, granted, but that's no reason for him to come after you." said Ed.
"He wants revenge. What could be more legitimate?" asked Marcoh as Ed looked away.
"He's dragging people in who had nothing to do with it. How can you talk about legitimacy?" asked Raven as she looked at the ground, Marcoh giving a weak smile. "He's a fraud. He's on a tirade of personal vengeance and he hides behind this excuse of God's will so he can claim it's noble."
"Still…" said Al, Ed and Raven looking at him. "If someone took you away from me brother I think I might do the same thing. Isn't that Equivalent Exchange?"
Ed turned completely to face Al, surprised that his brother would even consider that.
"No! That's not how the principal works! Haven't you learned that yet?" asked Ed as his shoulders drooped and he looked sad. "Destroying lives won't bring lives back!"
He looked down and away before saying quietly, "We all need to live and be content while we can."
Marcoh watched as Ed looked up and walked over to Al.
"Come here."
Ed held Al's forearm as he fixed it with alchemy, the blue light healing the cracks in his armor. When he was done his eyes widened and he turned to Marcoh, smiling.
"Dr. Marcoh, why don't you let us hide you in our hometown for a while? It's just three days on a train from here, right?" asked Ed as he put his hand on his hip and looked up at Al.
"It might be hard on us going back though." said Al as he put his finger on his chin and Ed smiled sheepishly before laughing, Marcoh smiling as well.
"Not at all. We have friends there, the Rockbells." said Ed, Marcoh looking surprised and scared. "They make automail. I'm sure they'll be…"
He looked up and his face mirrored Raven's, which bore surprise for Marcoh's reaction to his statement. Marcoh started to slowly back away, his face never leaving Ed's.
"Rockbell. No I can't. I can't go there. I'm sorry!" shouted Marcoh as he turned and started to run away.
"Dr. Marcoh, what?" asked Al as Ed and Raven started chasing after Marcoh, Al soon following.
The soldiers chased Scar until they had him backed against a tall building, their weapons pointed straight at him.
"Foolish troops, don't you think you'll be spared! You're all using weapons with alchemic modifications!" shouted Scar looking extremely angry as he raised his hand. "God judges you!"
He slammed it into the ground, causing the street to fall apart, the red beams of light seeking out the soldiers. They all screamed in fright at the attack and Scar turned to leave when someone fired a gun into the air.
"That's far enough!" shouted Roy as Hawkeye walked over to him from the other side of the car.
"Colonel Mustang, wait!" shouted Hawkeye and Scar looked back before turning halfway around.
"Colonel Mustang? Flame Alchemist Roy Mustang?" asked Scar.
"The one and only." said Roy as he lowered his arm and tossed the gun to Hawkeye who caught it as she ran up to him.
"But sir!" persisted Hawkeye urgently as Roy started to put one of his gloves on.
"I'm awfully sorry about your grievances." said Roy as he held up his gloved hand. "But no one hurts my men."
Scar turned all the way around before saying, "Yet another soul who departs from God's path. Death will be swift."
"Brave enough to attack the Flame Alchemist." said Roy as he prepared to snap. "I'll make you a funeral pyre."
"Colonel!" shouted Hawkeye as Scar readied himself and charged forward, Roy doing the same. "Stubborn man!"
Hawkeye dropped down and kicked Roy's feet out from underneath him, making him land on his butt. She pulled out her own gun before firing both hers and Roy's at the serial killer. Scar skidded to a stop and gasped before jumping out of the way of her bullets.
"That's no way to get promoted Hawkeye!" said Roy angrily as he sat up.
Not taking her eyes off Scar, Hawkeye removed the magazine from her gun.
"Relax, sir. I just saved your life. Your flame attack's no good in the rain." said Hawkeye as she slid a new magazine into her gun, glancing back at Roy.
Roy's jaw dropped as he just sat there, Breda on the verge of laughing. Havoc stood next to him, his rifle thrown carelessly over his shoulder.
"She has a point Colonel." said Havoc as he held out his free hand to collect rain drops. "Wet gloves can't make a spark."
Scar rested his hand on the building behind him, creating a large crack from bottom to top. Hawkeye raised her gun at Scar, aiming at her target.
"Fire!"
All the troops fired as Scar used the crack to climb up the building with almost inhuman speed. When her gun ran out of bullets, Hawkeye stopped firing and held it up.
"He's certainly a fast one." said Hawkeye as Roy started rattling off orders.
"After him, now! Lieutenant Breda." said Roy as he turned to see Havoc and Breda standing there. "Go to the train station. Wait for Fullmetal and Crimson Blade."
"But how do you know they're goin' there?" asked Breda, surprised, as Roy got to his feet.
"Isn't it obvious? They're shielding Dr. Marcoh. They'll try to get him out." said Roy, Breda and Havoc hurrying off.
Marcoh finally came to a stop in the middle of an alley, bent over panting as the other three alchemists caught up with him. He turned around as they stopped a good distance from him to show they meant him no harm.
"Marcoh, wait!" shouted Ed as he held out his hand. "It's your call. We don't have to go anywhere you don't trust. We're not trying to steal your research!"
"No Ed. There are other reasons I can't go there with you. I'm a stained man." said Marcoh, gunshots sounding nearby.
"Stained man my ass!" said Raven angrily as she stalked up to him.
Scar suddenly came vaulting over a balcony railing and landed lightly between Marcoh and the trio. He looked at Ed and Al in surprise before turning and running at Marcoh and Raven. Ed gasped as Al ran forward, Raven running in front of Marcoh to block him. Al grabbed Scar's arm, bringing him to a stop as he looked at Al.
"This time I have an attack made just for you!" shouted Scar as he threw Al's arm up into the air before destroying half of Al's right side.
Al fell backwards as shards of his armor went flying everywhere and landed hard, his hands barely keeping his head from banging into the ground. Ed watched in horror, transfixed in place as Raven ran forward, her sword drawn.
"You bastard!" shrieked Raven as she angrily swung her sword at Scar's head.
Scar waited for it to pass before his arm shot forward, reaching for Raven's head. She realized what was happening and dropped her sword, instinct telling her to stop his hand before it touched her. He gasped as she grabbed his forearm with both hands, barely keeping him at bay as he continued to apply pressure, his larger body weight helping him.
"Ed…" gritted Raven, her feet barely gripping the slick stone. "Fix Al, take Marcoh, and run…"
"No!" shouted Ed as he ran forward to attack Scar.
"Do it!" shouted Raven angrily as she glared at him, stopping him in his tracks. "I don't know how much longer I can do this, so you need to go now!"
Her arms started shaking as she weakened, Scar's hand getting closer and closer to her head. She gritted her teeth as her ears started ringing again, but this time it didn't stop after a second.
"Stop ringing…" gritted Raven as she closed her eyes against the pain. "Stop…"
Marcoh looked on in horror, as if something he greatly feared had come to pass. Suddenly Raven felt dizzy and her eyes kept going in and out of focus. Scar watched as a strange look came over her face, her eyes looking around frantically to make it stop. Suddenly her foot skidded backwards into a puddle and she slipped, her hands flying down to break a fall. His hand shot forward, landing on her head, and she looked up at him for a moment before he triggered the transmutation. Blood flew everywhere as Raven fell face down on the ground, dead.
"Raven!" screamed Ed as he blindly ran at Scar, punching and kicking without reason.
Scar put his hand out and caught Ed's automail hand as he tried to punch him again, Ed looking scared.
"By clasping your hands you make an array with your body and circulate the alchemic reaction within. I know your secret and without this sinful arm you can't transmute quickly. That is your weakness!" shouted Scar as red light danced along Ed's arm before it shattered into a thousand pieces.
The force of the attack knocked Ed backwards and he landed heavily on his side, Al trying to get up and help him.
"Brother!" screamed Al as he watched Scar walk towards Ed. "No brother! Get up and run! Get out of here!"
Ed moved into a kneeling position, clutching the base of his ruined automail, Scar stopping next to him.
"I will give you a moment to pray." said Scar and Ed answered without looking up at him.
"Thanks for the gesture but I don't believe. Stopped a long time ago." said Ed before looking up at Scar through his bangs. "Back in the tunnel you told me you lost your older brother. Died in Ishbal, right?"
"Correct Fullmetal. He was killed by a State Alchemist." said Scar.
"Well I'm the oldest brother. So take my life and go. That's an Equivalent Exchange, don't you think?" asked Ed and Scar looked surprised.
"No! What are you talking about brother!? You just said yourself a life doesn't equal a life!" shouted Al and Ed turned to him angrily.
"You stay out of this Al! I'm doin' what's fair!" said Ed as he looked back up at Scar. "He's not a State Alchemist. I should be enough."
"I promise before God I won't hurt your brother. But you should listen to him, Fullmetal. Your life for another is not a fair exchange." said Scar as he raised his arm and slowly pulled down the sleeve. "There is nothing in this world that can equal the loss of my brother and my people."
He lowered his sleeve to his elbow, revealing the transmutation circle tattooed there.
"Nothing will make it easier to bear!"
He clenched his fist as Ed looked up at him and said, "Really. Then why are you murdering all these people?"
Scar remained silent as he placed his hand on Ed's forehead, his victim not making any motion to escape.
"Brother, what are you doing!?" asked Al, nearly in hysterics. "Get away from him! Brother, run! We're all we've got, remember!? We're all we've got!"
His hand tightened as he gripped the ground, the rain starting to fall again.
"I don't want this…" said Al when he looked over at Raven to see her outstretched hand clench.
Slowly Raven climbed to her feet as an evil, bone chilling laugh escaped her lips. The blood was still fresh around her mouth, eyes, nose, and ears but she ignored it as Scar turned around in surprise. Her laughing exposed newly grown fangs, making her look like a blood covered vampire.
"I'm free…" said Raven as she looked down at her hands and experimentally opened and closed them. "Finally, I'm free from that prison…"
"Raven?" asked Ed, looking extremely frightened by the fact that Raven was supposed to be dead. "Aren't you dead?"
"Dead." laughed Raven as she looked at him. "I can't die."
Ed's blood froze as he saw her eyes looked like a cats, the pupil a black slit within a deep purple iris. She looked down at her clothing, fingering it in disgust.
"Why am I wearing Her clothes?" asked Raven, saying 'Her' like one would say pond scum or something else detestable.
Suddenly light flashed around her feet and moved up to her head, changing her outfit and removing all the blood from her face. Her new outfit was constructed entirely out of black leather that glistened in the drizzle. The shirt was sleeveless and backless, looking like a halter top but it didn't tie around the neck. Instead it wrapped around her neck, looking almost like a collar as it fit seamlessly together. Her pants had to be the strangest part of her new outfit, the left leg reaching down to her ankle while the right only reached her knee. The black boots she wore had silver buckles and a little heel, but not much. Her hands were now covered with half gloves that covered her fingers and the skin right below them, leaving the rest exposed.
"That's much better." said Raven as she smoothed out her new outfit. "Now you will hand that arm over to me, scarred one."
Raven held out her arm as her nails began to grow, black from her gloves, and become razor sharp the longer they became. They continued to grow until they pressed against the white skin of Scar's forehead. He didn't flinch at the contact, even though she was in the position to kill him within a second.
"If you don't I'll take it by force." said Raven when an idea suddenly occurred to her. "Or maybe I should just drink your blood…"
Her tongue ran over her sharp fangs at the thought, as though it was too tempting of an experience to pass up.
"Raven, what the hell are you doing!?" asked Ed, his mouth dry. "Stop!"
"Who are you?" asked Scar and Raven gave a little laugh that made his skin crawl.
"It's not really a question of who I am but what I am." said Raven and Scar's eyes narrowed. "You might want to ask the good doctor. He's well informed on the situation.
"Dr. Marcoh?" asked Al as he turned to look at the frightened doctor.
"How did you escape?" asked Marcoh and Raven looked languidly over her shoulder. "Don't tell me you managed to kill Her."
Raven's lips lifted in a smirk as she said, "I only wish. But I'm still surprised you're alive. I figured She would have killed you for learning all Her secrets."
"You didn't answer my question. How did you escape from your prison? You were supposed to stay locked up for eternity." said Marcoh as he attempted to look brave and stand straight.
"I should really thank him." said Raven as she looked back at Scar. "He's the one who managed to destroy part of the seal when he tried to destroy that god awful sword. Then I just had to turn my body against its possessor and BOOM, I was free."
"She'll lock you back up where you belong you monster!" shouted Marcoh and Raven looked at him again.
"She's nothing but spirit now. She has no power to seal me again." said Raven as she tapped her chest. "Just think, though. If it wasn't for your ignorance and stupidity I never would have been created in the first place."
"Created?" asked Scar and Raven removed her nails.
"Even you should know what this is." said Raven as she lifted her hair and turned, exposing her birthmark.
It was red and showed a winged snake eating its own tail as it curved around a six pointed star. Scar's eyes widened at the sight but Ed didn't look perturbed by it.
"So what? What does a birthmark have anything to do with you?" asked Ed as Raven turned back around.
"It has everything to do with me Son of Hohenheim." said Raven, Ed and Al gasping at the mention of their father. "Yes, I know all about your daddy and what he's been doing these past 400 years."
"Be quiet!" shouted Marcoh and Raven turned to face him. "You're nothing but a murdering psychopath!"
"Call me by my real name doctor." said Raven as she slowly advanced.
"Get away from me Murder." said Marcoh as she stopped right in front of him. "You can't hurt me."
"Really?" asked Murder as she brought her clawed hand up, aiming to slash Marcoh's torso.
Suddenly her arm stopped in mid-swing and no matter what she did so couldn't get it to move again. Her nails began retracting and she snarled when she tried to make them extend. When she failed she turned on Marcoh and grabbed him around the neck with both hands.
"She may have taken my powers but I still can kill you with my bare hands!" snarled Murder as Marcoh struggled for breath. "Something to comfort me when I'm locked back into my prison, to know that I killed Dr. Tim Marcoh and there was nothing She could do to stop me.
"Stop it!" shouted Ed as he watched in horror. "Raven, stop!"
At the sound of her real name, Murder's hands released Marcoh and he fell to the ground massaging his bruised neck.
"Not yet. Just a little longer." snarled Murder as she tried to attack Marcoh again but her legs refused to move.
"You… won't hurt my friends…" said Raven as she held her head in her hands.
"What friends!? You have no friends!" shrieked Murder as an evil smile crossed her face. "You were created by human hands! What right do you have to say you have friends!?"
"That's you…" said Raven as she fell to her knees, her clothing flashing back and forth between black leather and her red coat. "That's not me!"
She gave an ear splitting scream as she tried to fight off the evil presence.
"God, somebody kill me! End it!" screamed Raven as she rocked back and forth. "Don't let her get me again…"
"No!" screamed Al as Scar advanced, his arm still bare to the elbow.
"Gladly." said Scar when his arm suddenly glowed red.
He looked up to see Marcoh standing there, the incomplete Philosopher's Stone in his hand. It glowed with red light that faded and strengthened, but never gave out.
"I investigated some ancient text written by your people in Ishbal. I remembered discovering the alchemic drawing you have tattooed on your arm. Maybe this has flaws but it is a Philosopher's Stone and sure enough your arm is responding!" said Marcoh, Scar clutching his arm to help relieve the pain.
"Don't say it! You know nothing!" shouted Scar as Ed looked up at him.
"It's some kind of reaction." said Ed as he looked at Marcoh. "Dr. Marcoh, what's going on? Is there a different way of using the stone?"
Scar ran at Marcoh who backed away before throwing the stone at his attacker. It hit the middle of Scar's palm and he started screaming in pain as it began to absorb into his skin. The tattoo glowed an angry red until the stone was completely gone, Scar holding his arm to his chest. He ran for the end of the street to find the military waiting for him, guns pointed straight at him. His lips pulled back in a snarl as he slammed his hand into the ground, making it collapse as he jumped into the sewers. Havoc walked over to the gaping hole and knelt down beside it as he looked for any sign of Scar.
"The classic sewer escape." said Havoc as Roy walked up.
"Don't follow him." said Roy as Havoc looked up at him.
"Damn it! Was just about to jump in!" said Havoc as he smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Nice mess!" shouted Hughes, Roy and Havoc turning to see Hughes and Armstrong standing there. "Is it over yet?"
"You know you could try to help while you're here Hughes." said Roy and Hughes looked annoyed as he crossed his arms.
"Lay off. I'm as normal as they come and this is a contest of freaks! What do you want me to do? Fire my sling shot at him?" asked Hughes as Fuery went over to check the alley.
He gave an audible gasp as he saw Al sitting against the wall, his leg missing and his arm almost to the point of falling off. Hawkeye stood behind Roy looking worried and he looked at her over his shoulder.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye, take crowd control. I don't want anyone getting close." said Roy as he looked away.
"Yes, sir." said Hawkeye as she ran off to block off the surrounding streets.
Back in the alley Ed walked over to Al and fell on his knees on his brother's ruined side.
"Say something Al! are you still with me?" asked Ed, looking scared, not even noticing Al's fist clench.
"You idiot!" shouted Al as he punched Ed hard in the face, his eyes blank in shock.
"What's that for!?" asked Ed angrily as his puffed up cheek impaired his speech.
"Why didn't you run away when I told you to!?" asked Al as he glared down at Ed.
"Because steel-for-brains then he would've killed you!" shouted Ed angrily and Al looked down.
"So you decided to die instead!? That's really smart!" shouted Al and Ed looked really angry.
"Don't call your older brother an idiot, idiot!" shouted Ed and Al grabbed him by the collar of his jacket, looking right at him.
"That's not how we do things. Live and be content while we can. Live to research more alchemy so one day we can get our bodies back and help Raven with her memory. That is how we do things brother! Dying, and dying by yourself and leaving me on my own? That's something I won't let you do!" shouted Al when his arm suddenly fell off, releasing Ed, and Al tried to hit and kick him with his two remaining limbs. "Oh this is perfect! Now my arm's fallen off too!"
Ed smiled at Al sadly before glancing over at Raven who was sitting farther down the alley, hugging her knees, as Al shouted, "Today is a terrible day!"
"We're really fallin' apart at the seams, aren't we?" asked Ed as he looked down. "Everyone who sees us must think we're a joke."
"But we're alive right?" asked Al, now calm.
"Yeah, we are that Al." said Ed as Al looked over at Raven.
"Raven, are you okay?" asked Al and she looked the other way.
"A hollow suit of armor?" asked Armstrong, he and Roy watching from the other side of the hole. "I've never seen a soul transmutation that actually worked."
"Yeah, they must have risked their lives to make it possible. What do you think makes the bond between those two so strong?" asked Roy when he spotted Raven, his eyes narrowing in sadness, Hawkeye walking up behind him.
"Colonel, the Fuhrer's secretary has arrived." said Hawkeye, Roy looking at her.
"Has she really? And what does she want?" asked Roy as the secretary got out of the car.
"I have orders to take Marcoh into Fuhrer Bradley's custody. He assures you that the doctor will not come to harm." said the secretary.
"But… yes of course." said Roy as he turned to see Marcoh talking with Ed and Al.
"Marcoh, don't!" shouted Ed as he looked up at the older man.
"It's like I told you Ed, I can't go with you. Your hometown is not a place where I could ever be welcome." said Marcoh.
"Why not?" asked Ed, surprised, and Marcoh looked away.
"The two doctors that we executed in Ishbal, their names were Rockbell." said Marcoh and Ed looked shock before curling up into a ball.
Roy turned away, the memories springing up in his mind at the reminder, as Marcoh walked up to the secretary.
"Let's get going, sir." said the secretary as she opened the door for Marcoh who climbed into the car.
"Brother, I think I just heard mom's voice." said Al as he looked up at the secretary.
"Come on Al, you've just had a brush with death. Don't go unstable on me now." said Ed as he continued to look at the ground, Al looking down at him.