The sudden explosion caused the entire building shake from the foundation up. There was a second one shortly after the first. Smoke alarms all through out sounded loudly as fire began consuming everything. The Flame alchemist hurried to the front door with Fullmetal on his heels. They rushed outside, inhaling fresh air. Edward had his metal arm tied to his back as he leaned forward on his other hand.

"What the hell did you do!" Roy's voice rang out loudly and his annoyed tone was evident. The teen straightened up, frustration written all over his face.

"Me? Like you're one to talk. I didn't do anything. You're the one who sets things on fire." He was shaking his fist in the air as he yelled.

"Hah, but I'm not the one whose notorious for setting buildings on fire, now am I? That would be your department."

"That's not even relevant right now!" Another blast from the building sent pieces of debris in their direction and they ran farther away from the building.

"Somehow this wrecks of you, Elric."

"And I'm telling yah I didn't do it!"

oOoOo

"Alphonse, where are you?" Ed kept his voice down, hoping no one else could hear him. He followed the Colonel through the dim hallway, assuming he at least knew where he was going. There was no sound other then their footsteps. "So any idea where Ferguson is?"

"Oh him, I locked him out for the time being. I just didn't want to be bothered with him right now."

"We're gonna have to deal with him when we get outside though." As they turned a corner the devil stood before them, a grim smile present on his face. Edward's shoulders slumped and he let out a huff. "Or right now, if he manages to get back in." Behind him stood several guards, keeping them from going any further into the complex.

"I've gotta say Colonel Mustang, I am very impressed with how far you got. No one else has managed that."

"And here I was trying so hard to impress you." Ferguson glanced around him, observing Ed standing there.

"I see you released my specimen. I wasn't finished with him." Edward grit his teeth at the title.

"No you're mistaken, he's my subordinate first and foremost." Ferguson let out a laugh that came out in a creepy rasp.

"Well he certainly isn't very obedient is he, if you're here." Roy glanced back at Ed, his mouth pulled to the side.

"He's my problem, so if you don't mind we were just leaving."

"I don't think I can allow that. I still have a lot of use for him and his brother." Edward felt a chill run through his body at how Ferguson was regarding him like he was property. For some reason he didn't feel like arguing the fact but would let the Colonel take the mad man on. Before Mustang could say anything else there was a loud commotion from somewhere else in the building. Everything shook and hot air shot through the hallway.

The Colonel took this opportunity to turn and run for the exit. Edward caught on and turned to follow. Suddenly he felt a hand come up behind him and kept him from moving forward. Ferguson's warm breath brushed against his neck. His raspy voice right next to his ear. "Don't you want to stay, Mr. Elric? There's still so much to do." Edward's eyes constricted back in fear and his voice wouldn't work. Roy turned back from around the corner, noticing Ed was not behind him.

"Fullmetal, come on." He snapped his fingers sending sparks throughout the hallway. It was just for show, but was enough to get Ferguson to release Ed. He bolted away, trying to not think about how creepy the older alchemist made him feel. Hurrying to get farther down the hall, he realized he still had no idea where Alphonse was. However, staying inside would be too dangerous right now. There was another blast of air and the sound of cement cracking from the force just as the two made it out the front.

oOoOo

Alphonse moved quickly, trying to get back to the front of the complex. Somehow he had managed to get turned around. Stopped at the end of one hallway, he could hear Ferguson around the corner.

"Everyone move out, don't let them get away. And bring Colonel Mustang to me." Al remained still until he knew it would be wise to move. He had to find his brother and the Colonel. Another explosion echoed through the halls. It didn't seem to deter Ferguson.

"What's the point of keeping us here, if the place won't be standing much longer."

oOoOo

"Hurry up, Fullmetal. We've gotta move. I've got a car parked outside the complex." Roy was getting tired of all this running.

"We can't leave yet. What about Al?" Before he could get a response, the guards swarmed in. They paused as the exit was blocked before them. "Great, now what do you want to do?"

"Guess we have no other option." The Flame alchemist snapped his finger, engulfing several of the men in fire.

"What are you doing? We can't kill them!" Edward turned back to him, glaring at his commander.

"These men are already dead. There's no way to bring them back." The Colonel's words were cold and caught Ed off guard. He'd felt so bad for these men and wanted to help them but deep down he knew he couldn't. Just as that thought went through his mind, one lunged for him and he had to move quickly to avoid the attack.

Reaching behind him, he pulled out Hawkeye's gun. Normally he didn't like using weapons like this but he had no other option. Trying to aim, he fired at one of the guards. The recoil threw him backwards off his feet. Mustang looked back, down at his subordinate.

"Dammit. I hate being off balance." He got back up.

"Just be careful." Edward ignored the comment and tried to shoot again, now taking the recoil into consideration. This time when he fired, his arm shot up, nailing him in the face.

"Oh forget it!" He placed it behind him again, and pulled his metal arm off his back. Not giving himself a chance to think about it, he forced it into the port. This time he wasn't able to hold back his cry of pain. The sound caused several guards to move towards him. There was no time to waste as he clapped his hands together and pressed them to the ground.