Steam filled the air as the train from Resembool arrived in Central, blowing its steam blower strongly. Passengers quickly left the train shoving and pushing each other trying to get to certified destination in time. The four alchemists seem to be caught in the midst of the stampeding crowd as they too, left the train.
"YES! WE'RE FINALLY IN CENTRAL!" Ed shouted at the top of his lungs, as he and the others finally break loose of the large crowd. Al was simply looking around the area, Armstrong put up his serious face, while Hikaru just fiddled with the handcuffs Ed tied on her wrists. Soon two military soldiers walk up to the four and saluted them.
"Greetings Major Armstrong. We are here to escort you." The female soldier says as she continues to respectively salute the Major.
"Thank you for coming all the way here, Lieutenant Ross, and you as well, Sergeant Brosh." Armstrong formally greeted them back.
"Oh! Is that the great and well-known Fullmetal Alchemist?" Sergeant Brosh asked as he noticed Al. The two soldiers walked up to the younger Elric brother as their eyes filled with adulation.
"My name is Second Lieutenant Maria Ross!" Ross greeted excitedly. "It is an honor to meet someone just as great as you, sir!"
"Sergeant Denny Brosh at your service, sir!" Brosh exclaimed as he saluted to Al again. "I can see where you got your nickname! It suits you well!"
"Um…" Al began. "I'm not the Fullmetal Alchemist." The two military soldiers looked at him in shock. "My brother, over there, is." Al said as he pointed his finger at Ed.
"You mean that little guy?" Brosh asked pointing directly at Ed. Steam shot out of Ed's nostrils as his head became filled with rage. He was about to run wildly and furiously at Brosh and Ross, but Armstrong and Hikaru kept a tight grip on him.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir!" Ross quickly apologized.
"P-Please accept my apologies, also sir!" Brosh added.
Armstrong and Hikaru finally let go of Ed as Ross and Brosh curiously walked over to Hikaru. She stood quietly behind Ed looking at the two people that seem unknown to her. Both soldiers held out their hands and greeted her.
"Nice meeting you I'm Maria Ross." Lieutenant Ross politely said as she and Hikaru shook hands. Hikaru had a little trouble with handshakes, though. She curled up her left hand into a fist, so Ross could shake her right one.
"And I'm Denny Brosh." Brosh also said as he too shook Hikaru's hand. "Are you the Fullmetal Alchemist's girlfriend?"
"Wha-?" Hikaru said with a shocked expression and then she suddenly began to stammer frantically, "I-I'm… w-well… I-I…"
"There is absolutely no relationship between us!" Ed answered for Hikaru. "She's the thief I was sent to capture!"
"Oh that's good to hear." Brosh sighed. "If she were your girlfriend I would've asked you why you placed handcuffs on her.
"Well it looks like my job is done here." Armstrong butted in. "I'll go over to the headquarters and file my report."
"So this is good-bye, Major?" Ed sarcastically asked with his mind now filled with happiness. "Thanks for all your help! Write to me soon! Or at least send me a nice postcard! Bye-Bye!"
Armstrong rammed himself at Ed and grabbed him with tears flying out of his eyes. His tears fell like waterfalls as he shouted, "I will never forget the good times we have shared together on this journey (except for getting booted in the face by the Elric Brothers' Trinity Strike (Lv.1))! Until we meet again!" he finally let go of Ed and dropped on the station floor. He then turned straight at Hikaru. Hikaru closed her eyes waiting for Armstrong inevitable embrace, but he just simply patted her on the head. "Edward would probably kick me in the head again if I try to hug you." She looked up at Armstrong and wondered about what he said. "You are actually a pretty lucky girl, Miss Hikaru. Farewell for now." Armstrong let go of her head and looked at Brosh and Ross. "I'm leaving these three with you."
"Bodyguards?" Ed exclaimed in disbelief.
"Of course, bodyguards!" Armstrong replied. "According to the reports from Central and East headquarters Scar is still at large around those two area. Since you won't be able to have the great Major Armstrong as you bodyguard, I'm leaving you with these two." Armstrong waved them good-bye and walked into a small black military vehicle that was waiting for him.
After Armstrong's car left another military car drove in. This car was sent to pick up the Elric brothers and their two bodyguard soldiers. But the military didn't expect Hikaru to be coming along so they sent over a small car.
"Will there be enough room for five?" Hikaru asked as Denny and Ross already hopped in.
"I could sit over with the Lieutenant Ross and Sergeant Brosh." Al offered. "They're sitting in what seems to be a large three-person seat. You could go and sit with brother."
"Thank you, Al." Hikaru thanked him and climbed on the small, soft seat. The seat was literally small. Hikaru and Ed had to sit with their shoulders touching to fit. The driver started up the engine and as smoke came out of the car's exhaust pipe the car drove off to the Central military headquarters.
Along the way the five passengers sat quietly, not even leaking out one word. Something was keeping them from starting up a conversation. Maybe they were all a little uncomfortable with each other, especially Ed and Hikaru. The two young alchemists were scrunched up next to each other and it didn't look delightful. Al quietly laughed as he watched his brother struggle to find comfort in sitting in a small seat with Hikaru. Brosh and Ross looked over at the chuckling Al and gazed back at the two alchemists again. With that Ross broke into a small chuckle herself, while Brosh just had a big smile on his face. That's how it went from then on until they finally reach the Central headquarters.
Ed and Hikaru were both relieved to finally be free from the crammed up car. The two walked on ahead, while Al and the two soldiers followed behind them. The door slid open and Ed marched off towards the colonel's office on the third floor, dragging Hikaru behind him. While they were walking around the headquarters, Hikaru began to get an uneasy feeling about it. She tugged on Ed's sleeve try to catch his attention.
He turned around and asked, "What's wrong Hikaru?"
"I'm getting a weird feeling about this place." Hikaru answered. "I don't know why, though. I'm that this is my first time here."
Ed was puzzled by Hikaru statement. He began to think about it for a few moments, but still couldn't logically figure it out. He just gave her a reasonable answer, "Maybe you're just a little shy or scared of the military soldiers."
"No. It's something else about this place that's bothering me, but I just can't quite put my finger on it." She replied. "Maybe, if I don't pay attention to it, it won't bother me anymore."
"If that makes you feel better, then go ahead and do what follow the decision you believe in most." Ed said wisely as he placed his hand on the doorknob of the door leading to the colonel's office. Before he opened the door he waited for Al, Brosh, and Ross to catch up. The two military soldiers were out of breath from attempting to catch up.
"The Colonel should be in there, brother." Al said. "He came over here for the State Alchemist Exam. He's looking forward for the next Alchemist with just as much skill as you."
"That's great to hear Al." Ed replied sarcastically. "Can you and the two bodyguards stay out here for a moment? I want a private conversation with Colonel and Hikaru."
"I guess… that would be all right with" Al sighed.
Ed twisted the doorknob open and pulled Hikaru in, quickly closing the door on the other three standing outside. The two soldiers were curious at what the Fullmetal Alchemist was up to, while Al wondered why his own brother wants to keep a certain secret from him.
Once Ed and Hikaru were inside the colonel's office, Ed made sure that the door was locked and that was the cue for the colonel to turn around in his spinning chair to face them. There, sitting in the large, red spinning chair was Colonel Roy Mustang. He placed his elbows on the table and entangled his fingers together.
"I believe that is the thief, right Fullmetal?" he asked.
"Yeah, Yeah" Ed quickly replied. "Y'know, I only did this so I can this problem off my back"
"I know." Roy smirked. "You would never do a mission in favor of me. But I know something that can favor me greatly." He then stares directly at Hikaru.
"I heard from Edward that if you an find a highly trained Alchemist, full of talent, then you won't have to worry about the State Alchemist assessment for this year and get yourself a bonus on your paycheck." Hikaru stated. "Is that right?"
"Yes, that's correct." Roy answered a little bit surprised. "That idea of yours would actually benefit me more than what I'd originally planned."
"What the hell was it anyway?" Ed questioned, doubting that it was actually anything beneficial.
"Well I planned on…" Roy said slowly trying to build up the suspense. Then he jumped on the table with sparkles of determination in his eyes, like Armstrong, and shouted, "…MAKING HER WEAR A TINY MINI-SKIRT FROM THIS DAY FORWARD!" he then began to laugh maniacally.
Edward sighed and whispered quietly into Hikaru's ear, "I suggest you be careful around the Colonel. He acts a really awkward when it comes to perversion and his tiny mini-skirt fantasy."
After Roy calmed down from his evil crazy laughter asked Hikaru, "Why do want to know that finding a talented Alchemist will benefit me?"
"Well," Hikaru began, "I was wondering if I can become a State Alchemist and you can clear my criminal record. I can't say that I'm as talented as Ed, but I believe that I'm skilled enough to pass the exam with flying colors."
"I like your determination," Roy smiled for a bit, but then gave her a serious look, "but I'm not the type of person that'll let a criminal slide past through easily."
Hikaru sadly sighed and quietly gazed at the handcuffs Ed bound her wrist in. Ed stood by Hikaru and pitied her. Watching Hikaru gazing sadly down made Roy sad inside himself. He felt a strange missing memory of his past was returning to him and his eyes began to get watery. He clutched his head and tried to bring up smile from underneath his crying heart.
"By the way, what is your name?" Roy asked.
Hikaru head shot up as she quickly replied, "It's Hikaru, sir."
Roy sighed softly and spoke up again, "Well, I guess I can let you slide past the law just this one time, Hikaru." Hikaru's face lit up and she turned around, noticing that Ed was happy for her as well. "I'll sign you up for the State Alchemist exam as soon as possible. So Ed I would suggest for you to release her from those handcuffs immediately."
"Yeah whatever." Ed replied and unlocked the handcuffs, dropping them on to the floor. Hikaru felt the light weight of her hands again and was enraptured. Ed gazed at Hikaru and was also happy to see that magic smile of hers return to her face again. He then said to her shyly, "You should smile like that more often, Hikaru…"
Hikaru noticed the honesty in Ed's statement and replied, "Thank you, Ed. But it's actually hard to smile like that all the time. When you feel like your 'wings' are lost or broken, it's actually pretty difficult to think about happiness and all that will be shown on your face will just be a fake smile. You can try to fool people with that fake smile, but the ones who you feel are the most close to you will see that you have lost your ability to fly. They will see that your ability to finally touch the sky is broken forever…" Hikaru leaned back against the wall, sighed, and then stared sadly at the floor, thinking about the meaningful statement she just spoke.
She mentioned something about "wings" again! Ed thought. What on earth does all this stuff about "wings" mean? Ed placed his right hand underneath Hikaru's chin, letting her feel the soft leather of his white gloves as he lifted her face up to match with his. He stretched his left hand out against the wall just right above Hikaru's right shoulder and gazed into her sad crimson eyes. She looked up into his shining gold eyes and took quick notice of the smile on his face.
"Hey, cheer up Hikaru." Ed said as he let go of her chin and softly patted Hikaru on the head. "I don't want you to end up being a crybaby." He gave her a really big smile and Hikaru gave him that magical smile in return. He gave her a few knocks in the head and laughed, "C'mon I'll help you study for the exam tomorrow." He rested his left arm on the top of her head and continued to laugh. "So no more sadness and sorrow, 'k shorty?"
Hikaru smacked Ed directly on his head and laughed at him, even Ed laughed after recovering from the hit. She helped him up and the two went off to the exit of the office. But as they were turning towards the door, Ed let out a large scream.
"Ed, what's wrong?" Hikaru wondered and then turned towards the direction of the door. "Oh, hello Al."
Al had an evil, scheming tone in his small, little chuckle and said, "I see what the private conversation was about. After the Colonel left the room, he left the room unlocked. So I peeked in and heard just about everything you said. And you were planning on scoring a secret, romantic moment with your new girlfriend, weren't you brother?"
"WHY THE HELL WOULD I DO THAT!" Ed shouted as he jumped into the air and began to ragingly thrash at Al.
Hikaru also leaped into the air, but she kicked Ed instead of Al. Ed landed on the floor while Hikaru looked directly at Al with a serious look on her face and said, "It's like what Ed said back when we arrived at Central. There is absolutely no relationship between us."
Al saw that Hikaru was actually being serious about this and understood how she felt. He stopped laughing and said, "I'll believe whatever you say, Hikaru, but I'm not sure if I can with my brother."
Ed jumped up again in anger, slowly saying in a threatening voice, "What the hell did you just say about me?"
"Calm down, Ed." Hikaru said as she held Ed back from attacking his brother. "Aren't you supposed to help me study for the exam? You won't be able to help if you try to attack Al every moment from here on."
"All right. You do have a point." Ed said as he finally calmed down. He ran over to the bookshelf in the office and took some time to pick out some Alchemy books on the shelf. He called Hikaru and Al over to help him carry the stacks of books he picked out. "These books should help prepare you for the exam. But we'll first have to find a hotel that we can use for now."
The night's darkness crept upon the large city of Central. The streetlights were shining brightly on the empty streets and military guards were in patrol of their designated location around the city. Basically, no regular people were wandering around the streets at night, but a strange figure casts its shadow upon the barren city. It was a rather large figure sitting on the roof of a small hotel, staring out into the clouded night sky. As the large figure continued to gaze at the starless sky, two more mysterious figures walk in on the scene.
"So how are things going, Gluttony?" the womanly figure asked.
"Welcome back Lust. And you too, Envy." Gluttony greeted as he turned his gaze from the sky and towards the two figures behind him.
"Is the reawakening of Tsubasa coming close?" Envy asked.
"Not sure." Gluttony replied as he placed his index finger in his mouth to show his uncertainty.
"That's all right, Gluttony." Lust said as she patted Gluttony on his bald head. "Just watch the State Alchemist Exam that's being held tomorrow here in Central and if there's any sign of Tsubasa almost awakening, let us know immediately."
"Got it." Gluttony answered with a big evil grin.
At about that same moment, there a small lights shining through the red curtain of a room in the hotel the three homunculi rested on the rooftop of. Inside that bright hotel room were Ed, Al, and Hikaru. Hikaru and Ed were over at the table reviewing through the Alchemy books they borrowed from the colonel's office, while Al was sitting on one of the two beds surprised to see that Ed and Hikaru actually finished through almost all the stacks of books. He then turned towards the two young Alchemists and watched them study vigorously. Ed placed his hand on Hikaru's shoulder and pointed out a certain section in the book she needed to focus on for the exam. After reading the section Hikaru was delighted to find out that she already knows the information she needed. Ed simply gave her a kind smile and skimmed through the book for any more sections they should cover. Ed looked through the entire book and then sighed, tossing it into the pile of already-read books. Al just laughed as he watched his brother acting so seriously in helping his new friend study for the State Alchemist Exam.
After they finished through all the books and cleaned up the pile of them, Ed mentioned that it was about two in the morning and that everyone should get some rest. Al climbed into his bed and peacefully rested there, but Ed and Hikaru had one little problem, there was only one bed left.
"This looks like a problem." Hikaru said as she looks up at Ed. His face was completely red with blush.
"Y-You can sleep in the bed, Hikaru." He stuttered a bit as he closed his eyes not wanting to look at her face.
"Then where would you sleep, Ed?" Hikaru asked.
"Maybe on the floor or at least the table." Ed answered, hoping Hikaru would just take the bed instead of worrying about him.
"You helped me with the review I needed for the exam you should rest on the bed." Hikaru kindly offered. "I can probably look at one of the books again and maybe I'll fall asleep on the table while studying."
"No way, Hikaru!" Ed argued back. "You're the one who needs the most rest! Remember you have an important exam tomorrow that can lift your criminal record."
Hikaru fought back with her own comment and the two began to bicker back and forth. Their loud voices seemed to have ticked Al off. He got up from his bed and chucked both Hikaru and Ed into the second bed. Ed landed on the bed first while Hikaru landed afterwards on his back.
"If you two would shut up and quit arguing, then maybe one person could actually get some rest!" Al shouted at them angrily and then went back to sleep. Ed and Hikaru looked at each other and apologized.
"This is actually a pretty big bed." Ed noticed. "Maybe if you sleep at the far left side and I sleep over at the far right side, then there shouldn't be any problems, right? Just as long as we don't come into contact, 'k?"
"All right," Hikaru replied. "That should be fine with me." The two slipped into the bed and Hikaru quickly fell asleep. Ed just pondered through his thoughts.
Everything feels so different now… Ed thought. Ever since Hikaru saved me from Scar, things have been going along a different path. I like the ways things are going for me right now. I enjoy helping Hikaru, watching her help me in return, and watching her smile is the best part of it all. She seems to be smiling a lot more than when I met her. I just want to keep things like this going on forever. Even though I want to restore Al's and my bodies back to normal, I don't ever want to change my memories of Hikaru. I want the memories to last on forever… After that last thought Ed drifted fast asleep.
At about six in the morning Hikaru quietly lifted the bed sheets off her, making sure she doesn't wake Ed. She crept out of the bed and wandered herself in the dark to the window. She softly opened the red curtains trying not to make as much noise as possible. The sky was still kind of dark outside. Hikaru placed her hand on the window and sadly looked out into the city streets of Central, in deep thought.
Suddenly the strange pain strongly stabs her chest again. Hikaru quickly held tightly on to her chest as she fell to the ground creating a loud noise that woke Ed up from his sleep. Ed jumped out of his bed and ran towards Hikaru, who was lying on the floor with her left hand clenching on her chest and the other over her mouth. She roughly coughed and lifted the hand off her mouth. Ed was stunned when he saw that her right hand was dripping with fresh blood. Blood slowly dripped from the side of her lip and trickled down to the tip of her chin. Ed helped her up fro the floor and rushed towards the restroom.
"Al!" Ed shouted as he woke his younger brother up. "Hurry and get me a wet towel!" Al saw the trail of bloody puddles on the floor leading towards the restroom where his brother was trying to help Hikaru stop the bleeding. Al quickly reached for a small white towel in the clean laundry basket and soaked it heavily with water. He threw the towel over to Ed and watched his brother snatch it from the air. Hikaru's cheeks bloated, and then she hurled out a stream of blood into the sink, leaving it stained with a dark red color. Afterwards she began to gush out more large drops of blood for each cough. Ed gently wiped the wet towel on her lips cleaning off the blood as she panted trying to find time to rest before she begins to cough up more blood. She wiped her blood-filled hands on the towel, leaving it almost completely covered in red. Suddenly her cheeks bloated again and she hurled a larger stream of blood into the blood-filled sink. Hikaru then fell to the sink with her hands soaking in her thick, fluid blood. She seemed to have collapsed from exhaustion and large amounts blood loss. Ed grabbed her legs and lifted her out of the restroom and over to the closest bed. He placed her softly on to it and asked his younger brother for a new wet towel. Al soaked up another and threw it towards Ed. The towel simply fell into his hands and then he started wiping all the fresh blood off Hikaru's hands and her lips. Her blood quickly tainted the towel, but fortunately the bleeding and the pain stopped. She stopped panting and soon drifted asleep, resting peacefully.
"Is she going to be all right, brother?" Al asked in concern.
"Let's just hope so, Al." Ed answered as Al handed him a new towel and he placed it over Hikaru's forehead. He then sat in the bed right next to her.
As Al began to clean up the bloody sink, Ed was, again, lost in his thoughts. Why did this have to happen again? And right before the exam too. What's this pain that's always troubling you so? If you would at least tell me what it is I may be able to help you. Hikaru… Ed soon began to feel a bit drowsy and tired. He rested his head close to Hikaru's, letting his face feel the softness of her warm cheeks. He the shut his eyelids and drifted asleep as well.