Metallic Hearts -FullMetal Alchemist- Part Ten: Phantom Thief

You, Ed, and Al all sat on an empty train. Cards in hand.

Ed: "I'll change two." Ed discarded and grabbed two cards from the middle stack of the three piles on the table. 'No hands again?' Al stared at his cards. "Hurry up!"

Al: "I'll also change two." You nodded and did the same." Al's white eyes went wide. "Yes! Brother, do you want to double the bet?"

Ed: "Do as you like." Al laid down his hand.

Al: "Full house."

Ed: "Sorry. Royal straight flush."

Al: "No way! I lose again? I'll win this time."

Ed: "Let's quit. This is boring."

Al: "What's wrong, Brother. You've been winning. Is it boring since you're winning so much?"

Ed: "It's not the cards. It's Colonel Mustang." He picked up a card and it was a Joker.

Al: "You don't want to see him."

You: "Of, course not. The Philosopher's Stone was a fake, and he won't be to happy about that."

Al: "That's true, but..."

Ed: "Just imagine if I report that to him. This is Mustang we're talking about... I wonder what kind of sarcastic remarks he'll say to me. Just imagine that..." he took a big bite out of his candy treat, "makes me feel down."

Thief Psiren

The train stopped and you stepped onto the dock.

Al: "Is it really okay for us to stop here before our destination, Brother?"

Ed: "It's okay. We don't know where we'll get information on the Philosopher's Stone, and Aquroya is a tourist spot. It can't hurt to take a look."

Al: "It feels like we're cheating and skipping school."

Ed: "Who are you calling a cheater." He dropped his arms and a bunch of playing cards fell out of his arm jackets.

Al: "What are these! Brother, did you..." Ed was already running away. "Wait, Brother! You cheated! You cheated! Brother, you cheater!" You jumped on Al's shoulder's as he ran after Ed.

Break

A card hit a police officer and he fell backwards. He looked up to see a girl in all black with a mask over her face. She jumped off the stone steps and down the docks.

Man: "Get her! Don't let her get away! We'll definitely capture Psiren (Siren P id silent) today!" She stopped at the end of the dock as the police ran behind her. "Okay, this is it for you, Psiren. There is no where to go." She took out a pack of pink lined cards. She threw them into the water as the police stared in awe. A pink Transmutation Circle glowed on the surface and the cards created a straight bridge. She jumped down and ran across it.

Officer: "Stop!" The went to run across it too but the bridge collapsed. The woman sat in the opposite shore and held up a red glowing jewel.

Break

Al: "This is a beautiful city, Brother."

Ed: "Isn't it?"

You: "Aquroya, the water city, is a fabulous tourist spot."

Ed: "Well, it's better then looking at the Colonel cynical face in dusty East City." A cab rode by and plashed you all with muddy water.

Ed: "What did you do!"

Al: "I see why it's called the water city." Ed set a hand on his chest and your stomach. A handcuff was placed on both of your wrists after Ed got rid of the water on both of you. "What is it, old man?"

Officer: "Come with me to the station! I want to ask you a few questions."

Police Station

Officer: "Oh? So you are State Alchemists? And that famous Cat/Metal due no less." Ed continued to talk through his rice.

Ed: "How many times do I have to tell you? This thing is prove that I am." Ed had set his watch on the table and your was clearly visible around your neck.

Officer: "If it's true, then yes. How can a midget like you..."

Ed: "Who are you calling a super midget that you just want to step on!"

You: "Ed, he didn't go that far."

Officer: "Now, now don't get so mad. Right now, a thief named Psiren in this city this shows up frequently."

Al: "Psiren?"

Officer: "We only have one clue about her. She uses Alchemy." Ed reached over and began to eat Al's bowl of noodles. "You're Alchemists, right? That's why I wanted to here your thoughts."

Ed: "Damn it, that old man... He kept repeating the same question for three hours. What was he thinking?"

Al: "But doesn't an Alchemist Thief worry you brother?" You noticed Ed looked kind of sick.

You: "Ed are you okay?" Ed stopped walking and you leaned down next to him.

Ed: "Well... My stomach..." You jumped up and rushed him to the Hospital.

Doctor: "Well you have a mild case of food poisoning."

Al: "So it wasn't because you ate too much."

Ed: "Shut up."

Doctor: "Let's give you a shot, Clara."

Woman: "Yes."

Ed: "A shot?"

Doctor: "Yes, a shot."

Ed: "No! Never!" You ran after Ed and grabbed him around the waist.

You: "Ed, don't move around."

Ed: "No, I don't want to. I'm okay." He continued to thrash around.

You: "You're not a child. Come on, take off your jacket." While thrashing he reached back and his elbow slammed right into your nose. You fell face first onto the ground, your hair covering your face.

Ed: "Oh my god. Lita, I'm so sorry." He kneeled down and pushed your hair out of your face, blood was dripping down your face. Al took this opportunity to grab Ed.

Ed: "Stop, Al! Are you going to betray your own brother."

You: "Don't make me mad, Ed!"

Ed: "But..." He couldn't help but stare at your pretty face, it was now etched with blood and anger.

Clara: "There, I'm done with the shot. It didn't hurt, right?"

Ed: 'I didn't notice it at all. That was fast.'

Clara: "Hey, boy."

Ed: "What?" He was angry but he motioned for you to come over. He set you his lap and used his Alchemy to fix your broken nose and clean up the blood.

Clara: "You need to become more grown-up."

Ed: "That's none of your business"

Al: "She was a beautiful nurse. I stared at her for awhile."

Ed: "You don't have good taste, do you?" You were in between his legs, your back resting on his chest. His way of saying he was sorry.

Al: "And you do?"

You: "Hey!"

Al: "I didn't mean about you, Lita."

Ed: "What's so good about that woman?"

Clara: "That's not good, Grandma, you still have this much left over."

Old Woman: "Sorry... They just don't pass through my throat"

Clara: "Fine. Do you want me to peel some more fruit for you again." Staring at that a flashback caught Al's memory.

Al: "Are you okay?" You, Ed and Lita sat next to Mom in bed.

Trisha: "I'm fine."

Al: "You're doing it wrong, Brother. Let me do it."

Ed: "Just let me do it!" He had an apple and a knife in his hand. Trisha took them from his hand and peeled the apple carefully and perfectly.

Trisha: "Here." She held the plate of cut up apple to you. "You three eat it."

Ed: "What are you thinking?"

Al: "Clara she's not just beautiful, she's nice too. She may be a little like Mom."

Ed: "No way! She's totally different!" The plate crashed to the floor.

Old Woman: "I'm sorry."

Clara: "It's okay, Grandma. Don't worry about it." Al walked over and drew a Transmutation Circle around the pieces and it turned into a whole apple again.

Al: "Here you go."

Clara: "You three are Alchemists?"

Officer: "Elric! Mr. Elric!"

Ed: "You are so persistent. I am not a thief."

Officer: "I know, I know... There's a favor I wish to ask of you." Next thing you knew you were back at the station with police officers everywhere. "Salute to State Alchemists, Edward Elric and Lita Nitro."

Al: "That's scary."

Ed: "What are you up to, old man?" Ed was eating the noodles again and you couldn't help but hit your forehead."

Officer: "I'm sorry about before. As you suggested, I contacted Colonel Mustang from East Headquarters. Then I found out that you were State Alchemists. I completely misunderstood."

Ed: "That's what I told you."

Officer: "Yes. And I have a favor to ask you..."

Ed: "Seconds, please."

Officer: "Have as much as you want."

Officer: "Now that you are on our side, we're safe. Today is Psirens end." You stood in a palace with a glass dome around a vase thingy. Ed: "I'll try. Still, there are a lot of people out there."

Officer: "Yes. I don't know what Psiren is thinking. She send out her crime statements to the newspaper publishers, so reporter, spectators and Psiren fans show up."

Al: "She must be popular."

Officer: "Her popularity is going to end tonight. I'm counting on you, Elric. I'll go see how security is doing."

You: "I'm suprised you actually decided to take the job."

Ed: "I was interested... in this Alchemist Thief." You looked up to see a drop of water fall off the ceiling. It exploded and smoke filled the room.

Ed: "Shoot! Stop!" Pink shot past him and Al was pinned to the wall by cards. She had cut a whole in the glass and took the vase and ran back through the smoke. "Stop!" She continued to run on the roof but stopped when she saw you standing there, your arms crossed, your tail twitching dangerously.

You: "Alchemy has various uses. But I won't allow you to use it for stealing. I was treated like a thief because of you."

Ed: "Apologize with everything you have!" She took out her deck and they shot up, creating a makeshift sword. She jumped up and slashed at him, he growled and went to punch her but she blocked with the sword. They fell to the ground. Ed's legs were on either side of Psirens waist.

Ed: "I've caught you." Ed looked down and his hand was on her breast. He jumped up. You had a feeling in your stomach but you ignored it. And tried not to laugh.

Psiren: "It's a shame I can't show you my face. I'm really beautiful." She unzipped the front of her top and she had an extra set of cards nested in her cleavage. The cards glew pink and Ed was thrown backwards. His body pinned to the ground by cards.

Ed: "Damn it, what did you do?"

Clara: "Kids need to go to bed soon... Little midget." She ran up to you and used her Alchemy to throw you on top of Ed. You groaned as you laid your head on his chest.

Ed: "How do we get ourselves into these positions." You sighed and shrugged.

Break

Ed: "Al! Where did he go, damn it?" He noticed a door was half ajar and looked into it. Nurse Clara was in there, she unbuttoned her top and Ed's gold eyes turned into saucers as he saw the Transmutation Circle on her chest. Ed walked in and she looked up.

Clara: "You...!"

Ed: "I'm shocked... The kind nurse was Thief Psiren."

Clara: "What are you talking about? I came to pick up some medicine."

Ed: "Yeah, the medicine you created with your Alchemy. You liar!" She ripped her nurses hat off.

Clara: "'Liar' was expected. I'm very beautiful just like I said, right?"

Ed: "Hardly, I know woman a lot prettier then you. That's not the problem."

You: "Ed! Ed, emergency!" You stared at her for a second then scoffed. "Put your shirt back on."

Clara: "Life is complicated. You kids may not understand"

Ed: "What!"

Al: "We do."

Ed: "Huh?"

Al: "I just heard that this hospital is going to be demolished. Clara, you steal stuff to safe the hospital, although you don't want to, right?"

Clara: "Yes. I don't want to be a thief, but I had to, to safe the patients." A tear rolled down her cheek.

Al: "I knew it! What a kind person."

Officer:" Elric ! We've received another statement from Psiren. Is something wrong?"

Break

Ed: "It seems like there is less security this time."

Officer: "Yes, the man who owns the mansion is very cautious, and he has a little trap set up inside." Ed: "It seems like there is less security this time."

You: "A trap?"

Officer: "You'll find out if you watch. This will truly be Psiren's end. But there's always a small chance that something will be wrong. I'll be counting on you if that happens." And he snuck away.

Al: "What are you going to do?"

Inside

Water slipped under the door of the room that held the artifact. It reached up and unlocked the door. Psiren walked in and grabbed the watch with the ruby in it. A cage slammed around her.

Psiren: 'Oh no...' "A trap?" Blue light surrounded the cage and it shattered. Psiren ran out of the building and down the street. "Little boy..." Ed stood infront of her. "Why did you save me?"

Ed: "I didn't save you. There are times when one must do evil. That's what I think. If doing evil will save the hospital..." She let out a chuckle. "What's so funny?"

Psiren: "You talk as if you are grown up."

Ed: "I am grown up!"

Psiren: "All right. So I have to return the favor as a grown woman. Is there anything that you want me to do for you?"

Ed: "Tell me one thing. If you're are an Alchemist, you must know about the Philosopher's Stone. Tell me all that you know about it. I need to get hold of that stone no matter what!"

Psiren: "I'm sorry, I don't think I can help you there. But, tell me if you find out where the stone is, and I'll steal it for you." Psiren began to walk away.

Ed: "Hey! I'm glad that you can safe the hospital."

Psiren: "Yes. It's thanks to you."

Break

There was a loud explosion and the hospital was in ruins.

Ed: "What's with this? Were we tricked?"

Al: "That can't be! Clara wouldn't do such a thing. Maybe there's been a mistake somewhere."

Ed: "Maybe there is a mistake in your head! You went coo coo over Clara!"

Al: "That was mean, Brother!"

Clara: "You shouldn't fight boys. It goes against God's will." You almost jumped out of your skin when you saw Clara in a nuns outfit."

Al: "Clara."

Ed: "You..." Ed and Al went inside the church while you stayed outside. You had a thing with holy places. When you went into a church it gave you terrible headaches.

Clara: "I'm mortified about the hospital. I tried to save it, but I didn't make it in time. Since it was so mortifying, I became a nun."

Al: "Clara..."

Ed: "I don't know about that."

Clara: "It's true. Those who believe are saved." She had kept the doors open.

You: "Then I'm doomed."

Clara: "And there are many things that need saving. Like this monastery! It is going to be demolished soon too."

Al: "Just as I thought. Yes, please try to save this place this time. We'll be rooting for you."

The Hotel

Al: "Brother, it's an emergency." Ed was lying in bed with his back shirt and boxers. You were in the shower when Al ran into the hotel room.

Ed: "What?"

Al: "The city is in an uproar because Psiren appeared again. The monastery is saved now!" You walked out of the shower drying your hair.

You: "What, now?" Another explosion the next morning and the monastery was gone.

Al: "Maybe there's been a mistake somewhere..."

You: "Are you stupid? Quit believing pretty woman."

Al: "I don't believe you!" You blinked a few times while Ed looked slyly at Al. He blushed and began to whistle looking the other way. You looked over to see Clara with some children and wearing a three piece suit.

Ed: "You! What are you supposed to be in that outfit."

Al: "I know! You're a school teacher. You're working hard for a school that will be demolished soon. Right? Right, Clara?"

Clara: "Yes, you got it!"

Ed: "Stop fooling around! What are you? Are you just a criminal, a thief who steals and uses Alchemy for her own gain!"

Clara: "I don't know about that. You're a grownup right? Think with your head."

Break

You and the Elric Brothers walked down the street when a voice shouted.

Paper Seller: "Extra! Extra! It's another statement from Psiren!"

Ed: "Why are you guys so happy about it? She's just a criminal, isn't she?"

Man: "What are you talking about? Psiren is the savor of Aquroya City. She is our star of hope."

You: "Star of hope?"

Man: "This city of water, Aquroya, sinks down into the ocean a little every year. The entire city will sink into the lake five years. That's why everyone has run away from the city. It was horrible before Psiren appeared. But thanks to Psiren, this city has been filled with life again. Reporters have come from across the world, and some tourists have come to catch a glimpse of Psiren. Aquroya has had a chance to live again before disappearing into the lake."

Al: "What do you think this means, Brother? Is Clara trying to save the city by being a thief?"

Ed: "I don't know, but there is one thing I am sure of. She tricked me...the Full Metal Alchemist. I'm going to get dome payback for that."

Break

Psiren pushed a Gondola across the water. Ed stood on a Gondola infront of you, you safely on the shore. You + Water Bad.

Psiren: "I knew you would come, little boy. This is romantic, a date on top the water."

Ed: "Shut up, thief woman."

Psiren: "Oh? But you are the same as me. You want the Philosopher's Stone, right? We both share the same feeling of wanting something."

Ed: "Maybe." His golden eyes swept quickly in your direction. Psiren took off her mask. "But we had our differences." You looked down as Ed grabbed his left arm. "How important Alchemy is to us...and what we carry."

Psiren: "Let's begin, little boy." She unzipped her top and she created two water dragons with her Alchemy. They hit Ed's boat and he fell into the water. "I did it." A stone hand shot out of the water and closed around Clara. You looked around for Ed. He was trying to swim up but his auto-mail was too heavy. You clapped and set your hand on the water. A water jet shot up and Ed was shot out of the water. You breathed out and caught him before he slammed into he cement.

On the Train

Psiren stood infront of you three with handcuffs around her wrists.

Psiren: "You were wonderful, little boy. You will become a good man. When the time comes. Let's battle again. But next time, as man and woman. Let me tell you something nice about the Philosopher's Stone."

Ed: "What?"

Psiren: "Head to the city of Xenotime. I've heard that some research on the Philosopher's Stone is going on there."

Ed: "Xenotime."

Ed: "Are you still mad?" You and the Elrics were on a train heading to Xenotime. Al wasn't facing either of you. "I had to do it, since she was a criminal..."

Al: "No! She wasn't just a criminal. You said there are times when one must do evil! Clara...is a kind person. I know you feel the same way, Brother!"

Ed: "Well...I'm not sure of that." Clara sat in the wagon, heading off to prison.

Clara: "Hey, I'm a little you lower the zipper on my chest?" He obliged and the wagon turned over. Psiren could be seen running from the scene and she jumped towards the moon.