Chapter Five

A Raging Flame Lit

"We need to find out what condition he's in," Roy muttered, looking over the incredibly detailed file in front of him. There were maps of the place, some old farmhouse on the outskirts of town. From what Shadowdancer had put together, it seemed that there were several servants which may have been kidnapped alchemists. Shortly after they entered the area, they started hearing rumors of several missing boys, two of which had been found dead, but the others, a total of six, were still missing. And the part that gave the team a shiver was the description. All were between 14 and 16 and blond. All had shown some sort of interest in alchemy, even if they hadn't begun training.

There were at least two trained alchemists, and from what he'd gathered the "lord" was a deranged lunatic and possible alchemist himself. Breda and Fuery had headed out to ask questions about the small town and returned with the information that no one went near that house because the man was totally insane, and it had gotten worse since the two cloaked figures joined him. Apparently he would come into town with them, dressed up like some sort of lord, and claim that he was the "king" and "master" of the area, the two men with him introduced as his advisors. Most the people of the town ignored him, but some were genuinely afraid of the man. They said he had some freaky magic, that he could control other people at will.

Roy pulled on the ignition gloves, glancing outside at the bright day. He smiled. He had a feeling flames would be rolling over something before the end of the day, and it would please him to no end to have those flames covering this crazy alchemist. They'd decided that this lord was an alchemists, and his freaky magic was nothing more than alchemy, and it sounded familiar to the Flame alchemist.

Finally, Havoc came in, cigarette hanging from his lip and grinned at Roy.

"Seems like this lunatic entertains 'petitions' from his subjects. No one actually goes, but they say he sits there all day and awaits anyone who wants to ask something of him. Maybe one of us could go in like that," he said grinning.

Roy nodded. "Good idea, but not me, I'm too recognizable. You and Riza?" he asked, looking at the gun toting woman.

"What would we ask for?" the blond woman asked, frowning.

"I know exactly, tell him you're taking the train and need bodyguards, and then we'll see if you can get the two alchemists to escort you this afternoon, then once they're separated, we can disable them, leaving less threat in the house," Roy said thoughtfully. "Then we go and get Fullmetal. Less risk to us, and to him."

Havoc grinned. "Genius, boss. Let's go Riza, gotta get some regular clothes, can't go in the uniforms," he said, pulling her away.

About half an hour later, they returned and changed clothes, Havoc in a simple pair of pants and loose shirt with boots, and Hawkeye into a plain dress. She didn't look happy at the clothing choice. Havoc teased her and said to do it for Ed. She sighed and they set off, and the rest waited impatiently for their return.

Al had been silent the whole way, and Roy knew he was worried about his brother. He wouldn't have brought him, but the more skilled alchemists the better. He swirled coffee in his cup as he pored over the file again, identifying infiltration points and hoping that they could do this with minimal damages, both to themselves and the town they were in.

-Blessed Sanctuary-

Havoc and Hawkeye stood at the doorway and knocked. A man in a grey cloak answered and looked them over.

"We can to petition the lord," Havoc said smoothly, chewing at the cigarette in his mouth.

"Ah, please come this way. Please, be soft in word and deed, he gets angry with loud noises," said the cloaked man.

They were escorted into a larger room where a thin dark haired man sat reclining in a large chair, a table beside him with tea. He was thumbing a book, and at his feet was a sight that made both Havoc and Hawkeye tense. Both recognized Ed immediately, but neither expected to see him like this. His head was bowed, and the man was running his hands absently through his hair. He was littered with cuts and bruises and there was some kind of mark on his back. His automail leg was gone, and he sat leaning heavily against the man's leg, no doubt with little balance. His only clothes were some sort of wrap around his waist. His hand was clipped to a collar at his throat and a chain fell against his body to the floor.

"Yes, my subjects? Welcome to my realm, the Blessed Sanctuary. What can I help you with today?" the man asked.

Havoc swallowed, wondering if Ed would blow their cover. "Ah, yeah, we're taking the train to central, and carrying some precious cargo, family heirlooms, and, yeah, we wondered if you could offer protection for the trip in your benevolence, boss."

To both Hawkeye and Havoc's surprise, Ed didn't even move. He was sitting sideways, so they couldn't really see his face. The lord frowned. "Protection…" He looked up at the grey cloaked figure. "Are Bendal and Seraf available today?"

"Yes, my lord. I'm sure they would enjoy another trip to central, after all the retrieval mission didn't allow them much time to do anything for themselves. We could use some supplies for your consort, as well. I'm sure they could pick them up. You did want some special tools to play your favorite games," the man said with a grin at the two people before him.

The Bonemake Alchemist smiled softly and yanked Ed's hair until his face was leaned back over his lap, eyes wide but no sound escaped his lips. "What do you think, love? Would you like something new to play with for us?" There was no response, his eyes simply stared at the ceiling. "I think yes. I'll tire of the same games quickly, love, and then I might hurt you…and I don't want that…"

He let go of Ed's hair and his head flopped back down, almost bonelessly, the chains rattling, and striking a chord in Hawkeye's chest. Just what had he done to him in three days? The man resumed petting the golden hair at his knee. "Yes, yes, I could use a few things. Very well, what time are you leaving?"

Havoc had a hard time not letting his voice crack. "Um, the eleven o'clock train, my lord, unless we should wait…I know that it is already past nine…"

"No, that will do just fine. I am here to serve my subjects! I cannot allow rebellion to be incited among my people, so I will see to your needs," he said, his hands yanking on Ed's hair, causing his head to bend backward again onto his lap once again. "Yes, now that I have my perfect consort, I will soon be invading the next town to take over in my perfectly benevolent reign."

Havoc and Hawkeye were escorted out and then they couldn't get back to the Inn fast enough. When they entered they both simply stood and stared at each other for a long moment.

"Well, did you see him?" Roy asked, growing impatient.

"Yeah, but…boss…I…fuck," Havoc said, running a hand through his blond hair. "I mean, fuck, how the hell…three days…not even three full days…"

Al had come up. "What's wrong with brother?" he said.

Hawkeye shook her head. "I have no idea what he's done. He was there, chained to the floor beside him, and he just…wasn't there. He didn't look at us, didn't move on his own, and didn't even seem to hear anything. I…I don't know what to think."

"Was he drugged?" Roy asked, frowning at the news. A docile Edward Elric was an anomaly.

"Maybe, but we couldn't get too close to him. He…he was covered in bruises and cuts, and there was some sort of brand on his back from what I could tell," Havoc continued, heading to the bath because he was feeling slightly ill.

There was a long silence. "But, two of his men are meeting us at the station at eleven. So let's concentrate on getting the rest of the plan in order," Hawkeye continued. "I got a good eye on the place. If we're careful, we might have Ed out of there before dinner tonight."

-Blessed Sanctuary-

Greed grinned as he watched the two military people leave. "Ya think they're coming for him?"

Envy returned the grin. "Of course. Question is, do we want to stop them, or would it be even sweeter to let them have him back now that he's broken?"

"I like living here," Greed muttered with a frown.

"But imagine how much that bunch will die inside when they get their precious Fullmetal back like this. I mean, as if what we did wasn't enough, that shit he pumps inta the room at night is enough to mind fuck someone by itself…" Envy said, practically giggling at the thought. "It turned that redhead into a bumbling idiot after a week. And he wasn't even pumping near as much into the room for him. He wants our Edo to be docile and pliant as fuck."

Greed nodded. "Yeah, true. I mean, I was thinkin' bout heading east anyway, find some nice bitches to fuck. I'm more of a pussy man, after all…"

Now Envy really did giggle. "Wonderful. You have fun now, I'm going to stick around and hand over their little chibi in person. Wanna get a rise out of Flame."

"That bastard will try to roast ya," Greed reminded him.

Envy shrugged. "I'll regenerate. And it will be funny as fuck. Totally worth it."

The Shield grinned and left silently. Envy rubbed his hands together. This afternoon was going to be fun.

Shortly, Bendal and Seraf headed out to the train station. Once there they saw the couple waiting on them. What they didn't see was Armstrong and Al who had readied a trap, and before long, both alchemists were neutralized and hauled off to the town's jail to await someone to pick them up. Roy resisted the incredible urge to render them unto ashes. It was very hard to resist. He and the others had immediately recognized them as the two that had come and taken Ed from the hospital. Havoc and Hawkeye went and changed into their uniforms again, and the whole group headed to where the house was. Roy fought the urge to snort at the "castle" before him. A strong wind, or a burst of flames, would destroy it, it appeared.

Roy walked up to the front door, Al beside him. Around the house, his team were positioned to take alternate entry. With a knock, the door swung open and Roy frowned. No one was there. He raised a hand for the others to proceed. A ruckus was raised in the back of the house, and he knew Armstrong had found something to do. Shadowdancer had indicated there were a few paid thugs that kept watch over the "servants". Roy walked right in as though he was the lord of this so called palace. He looked around and found his way into the room Havoc and Hawkeye had been in, seeing an empty chair. He motioned to Al and Hawkeye who were behind him, and they moved together to head up a set of stairs where they heard someone talking. Roy held up a hand.

"My lord, please, I'd think about that further," a voice said. "I mean, ah, fuck it, you're fuckin' insane anyway," the voice changed.

"What?" there was a giggle from the first voice. "Who are you?"

"Hrm, you have visitors, king baby. Ya might wanna check on them, I'll stay with ya chibi…" the first voice said and Roy watched as the door flung open to reveal a mostly disrobed man. Behind him, on a large bed, Ed was chained against the head of it, and a familiar green haired homunculus sat cross legged beside him grinning.

The man frowned and then there was a smirk and he touched a burned in circle on his arm, and with a spurt of blood, a long thin bone shot out of the back of his hand. "Who are you? Get out of my castle," he said, moving forward.

"Bonemake," Roy muttered, remembering the grotesque technique of the man before him. He'd only seen it once, but it was enough. Even when he'd been in Ishvale he was sadistic and enjoyed killing. And the glint in his eye indicated that he was indeed insane.

He looked back into the room at the state Ed was in and his mind flashed red. Al had managed to push past the alchemist and was standing in front of Envy demanding him to hand over his brother. Roy didn't think as his fingers moved together, the snapping sound of the air bending to his will sending flames around the body in front of him. He had no hesitation, something he hadn't felt in a long while. There was no thought other than trying to reduce this man to pure ash at his feet. Even Hawkeye's voice telling him to stop didn't seem to break through. However, a choked sob from the room did and the flames died around the writing alchemist, and Roy stepped over his burnt body into the room.

Envy had grabbed Ed and pulled him into his lap and was petting his bowed head. Apparently, when he grabbed the young alchemist, he'd made the sound that broke Roy's concentration on completely obliterating the man before him. Envy grinned widely. "Flame! How nice of you to come by, I wouldn't try your little trick on me, though, not with your precious Fullmetal in my arms." He hugged him closer to him.

"What have you done to him?" Roy said tightly, realizing that the rest of his team was trickling into the room behind him.

Envy grinned broadly. "Oh I just had to train him proper for that crazy fucker. He don't like noisy fucks. Crazy bastard impaled at least three of th' boys he was supposed to keep as fuck toys cuz they screamed at him. The rest he just beat the fuck outta…" Another broad grin. "But I didn't wanna see the chibi here done that way so I figured I'd help 'im out. So glad I did."

Roy flinched. "What…did…you…do…to him…" he said, each word clipped.

"Well, what did I do? Well, it only took me about eight times to get him to stay quiet…okay, I admit it, the eighth time was just cuz I wanted to fuck him an extra time… But Greed had the most fun with him. You know, that fucker is sadistic…"

Envy had moved Ed to where his back was to them and Roy could clearly see the brand now. It was the mark from the homunculus branded into his flesh. "Why is that on him?"

Envy reached down to run a hand over the fresh burn. "Oh we convinced that idiot that it was his royal seal. Now Fullmetal is our little toy from now on…he makes a good fuck toy, you know, wouldn't mind taking him with me…"

Al was shaking, the tiny ringing sound from the jointures of the armor loud when Envy stopped talking to pet Ed's back, his head lying limply on his shoulder. Roy wasn't sure how long he could stand watching this. Ed was a mere doll in the hands of this thing before him. "Is he drugged?" Roy asked.

Envy smiled, laying Ed over his lap now, letting his head lay back as he stared at the ceiling blankly. The fingers in the cuff at his throat twitched a little, but no other movement was seen. "Somewhat. I gave that crazy fucker this stuff to help him 'calm' his toys. Has some interesting effects…but mostly we just broke him. Definitely broke him. Whatever was left, I watched shatter when Greed was done with him. Didn't even move when our idiot king took him this morning, moaning about how perfect he was. I like watching something so entertaining. But whatever. I'm bored."

Envy looked down at Ed's wide and blank eyes. He leaned over and forced a deep kiss on him, and he offered no resistance, not even really moving as Envy sat back up, saliva trailing from his mouth to Ed's for a moment. Then he shoved Ed off his lap and leaped for the window. As he did, a snap sounded as flames encompassed him for a moment as he laughed manically running and patting out the flames.

Al was kneeling by the bed in a minute and looking his mostly naked brother over franticly. "Brother!" he called and shook his shoulder.

Ed blinked and turned his eyes to him for a minute, the first movement any of them had seen. He opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut shaking his head. Roy moved over to him and kneeled on the bed beside him.

"Fullmetal, come on, snap out of it," he demanded and watched as he didn't move his eyes from Al's face and then Roy realized, he wasn't looking at Al, he was simply looking through him. Something was wrong with him. Something seriously wrong…he was too docile, even if what the homunculus said was true.

"We've got to get him back to central, there's no hospital here equipped enough to take care of him if he's been drugged, we don't even know what with…" Roy said, grabbing a blanket and tossing it around the boy and lifting him up. Ed finally looked at him and he thought his heart would break at those blank eyes. The fire was gone from the golden orbs.

"Roy?" he finally whispered, almost too soft to hear as Roy moved quickly from the room.

"Yeah, Ed, are you in there?" he said, stopping.

"Raderean…help Raderean…" he said, still far too softly for the boisterous and loud blond alchemist.

Armstrong spoke up. "I think it is the red haired boy from Central. We'll have to take him back with us, so I'll get him. Will Fullmetal be able to take the ride back? It is almost two days…"

"He'll have to, we'll be with him. We don't have any choice, there's no facility here for whatever they put into him. How is this Raderean kid?" Roy asked as they walked out of the building, the rest following.

"He's acting…oddly too. Slow and sluggish, so if Edward has been subjected to some substance, he may have also," Armstrong nodded and headed off to find said redhead.

The team proceeded to collect evidence throughout the place, and found several suspicious looking bottles with strange concoctions in them. If the homunculus had provided the substance, there really was no telling what exactly it was and where it had come from. It didn't take long, and then they were out the door.

Before long, everyone was on a train again, Ed lay out across a seat with Al sitting nervously across from him, fretting over him and the fact he made no noise no matter what it seemed. Roy was worried as well, but he didn't know what was worse. The quiet Ed was unsettling. He didn't talk to any of them, just rolled toward the back of the seat and stayed there. Everyone tried to engage him and he ignored all attempts. He refused most food, though it seemed at some point, halfway through the trip, his needs outweighed whatever was killing his appetite for food, and he ate a sparse meal. He then resumed his vigil at the back of the seat.

Al was beside himself, doing everything to even get an acknowledgement out of his older brother. He received silence, and when he pulled him over and made him look at him he didn't even get a glare. Even Roy's short jokes got no response. That was especially unnerving.

Finally, they had returned. Luckily, they had recovered Ed's automail leg, and they had called ahead to have Winry meet them at the hospital to hopefully fix his arm and leg as soon as they could. They had no idea if he would be up to it once they got there, but just in case it was better to have Winry on hand. Roy found himself unwilling to allow the others to carry him. He felt the absolute need to comfort the boy, because in less than a week, he had been to hell and back many times. And for the first time since he'd met the kid, he was wondering if he would ever recover from the wounds.

He was taken in immediately to be treated, and the team decided to go to headquarters, leaving Roy and Al to wait for information about his condition. It was a long wait. Eventually a familiar doctor came out, the one that had seen to Ed before. Dr. Centers was his name. He looked tired.

"Doctor, how is he?" Roy asked standing.

"I want you to quit bringing me patients in this condition, colonel, it does my heart no good. He's not in danger of dying, but we're trying to figure out what substance was used on him. Whatever it is, it is long lasting, and seems to have been absorbed through his lungs. The other kid you brought in, the red haired boy, also shows signs of it, and the kid you questioned the other day also had trace amounts in his system. Whatever it is has a psychotropic effect, leaving them in some sort of suggestible state at first, and then it seems like the suggestions stay active after the initial reaction. Until we can cleanse it from him, I'm not sure you'll get much from him," the doctor said with a sigh.

"And his physical injuries? How severe?" Roy asked softly.

The doctor shifted uncomfortably. "I'm at a loss. He's suffered some severe sexual trauma. And I mean almost to the point of needing surgery to fix some of the internal tearing. I don't think it will be necessary, but it is going to be a wait and see approach. Do you know if something was used on him? Because I've never seen something like that from a normal assault…"

Roy swallowed hard remembering the properties of the homunculus Greed. "Something like that," he said with a heavy sigh.

"There are a number of bruises, and his arm that was sprained when he was here before is in more serious shape now, and I'm going to have to put him through surgery to reattach a tendon that's been torn in his wrist. He appears to have avoided any infections, but we're going to have to watch the branding on his back closely and make sure it stays clean and dry. It was applied with a longer duration than was necessary, I can say that much. I'm most worried, though of his lack of verbal reaction. I examined his vocal cords, and mouth, and all seems to be intact," the doctor said, clearing his throat.

"He spoke to me, to ask me to help the other kid," Roy said. "He was quiet, but his voice was otherwise normal."

The doctor nodded. "You're going to need someone to work with him that specializes in this kind of trauma. I'm pretty sure you're dealing with some post-traumatic stress disorder. And if you don't deal with it, he may not want to speak again."

"How hard was he to deal with during the exams?" Al asked. "He hates needles, so he fights them…"

The doctor nodded. "Unfortunately, we did have to restrain him. I think it did more harm than good because he was obviously bound for the last three days by whoever had held him. He became panicked that then seemed to retreat into himself even further, but we couldn't avoid it." He paused, then fixed Roy with a stare. "I'm assuming that the new addition to the burn ward that is under military guard may be the perpetrator in this situation?" he said arching a brow at the Flame alchemist.

Roy stared at the ignition gloves and shrugged. "He was going to attack us, and I took the opportunity to remove him from the picture. But there were others that got away from us as well who were the real culprits, manipulating that man."

The day passed and nothing seemed to change. Finally, Al was allowed to stay with Ed overnight, and Roy made his way home, heart and head heavy.

He wanted to help Fullmetal, but he had no idea how…