"So, it seems you were keeping secrets after all, hm?" Roy asked the boy, who was now able to sit up in bed. Allen sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
"Yeah...I'm sorry, but...I just..." He sighed again. It was good that he wouldn't have to pay for any of his rides for awhile, but having to tell Roy everything about his world...was it really alright? When it came to stuff like this, there was a small amount of people you could trust...could Roy be one of them? He did save his life, after all...maybe Allen could trust him. "I didn't know what to tell you. You have to understand, Roy, I couldn't have just blurted out that I was from another world. You'd never believe me. I don't even know how I got here either...it has something to do with the Noah, that's for sure...but why would they be coming here...?" He wondered aloud. Is it my fault they're coming here? No, that can't be it. Roy had several cases with purple lights before I came here...Roy let out an awkward cough.
"I'd appreciate it if you called me Colonel."
"Eh? But Roy's your name, isn't it?"
"If you're going to be in the military, you've got to be professional. The only one who calls me by my given name is that annoying Hughes." He grumbled. Allen couldn't help but laugh a little. "What?"
"Oh, it's nothing, you just remind me of one of my friends back home. Well, I don't think he thought of us as friends..." Allen scratched his head. "He was really rude and liked to make fun of me...and actually tried to kill me once...but that isn't the point. He doesn't like people calling him by his first name, so we had to refer to him as Kanda."
"Hm..." Roy hummed, remembering that 'Kanda' was one of the words Allen said in his sleep before. "What was his first name?"
"His first name was Yuu. But one of my other friends, Lavi, would call him that just to make him angry." Thinking about his friends made him feel horrible...he liked telling stories about them, but it always reminded him that he'd probably never see them again. "I hope they're okay..." He mumbled, looking down at his left hand. Just then, the doctor came in, apologizing for interrupting their conversation.
"Your bandages need to be changed, Mr. Walker." He said, walking over.
"Oh, okay." Allen began to unwrap his bandages on his chest and legs and felt really uncomfortable with Roy watching him. The doctor commented about how he healed fast and Allen nodded, though he seemed uncertain as well.
"So you really don't know how you're healing?" Roy questioned.
"Nope...I have no idea..." Allen replied, feeling a bit hungry.
"Well, maybe the truth will reveal itself soon." Roy said, closing his eyes to think. Allen definitely wasn't a homunculus. Otherwise he could have protected himself for a little more against that woman. Even if Innocence was the only way to kill her, homunculi were very strong beings. He could at least hold her off.
"I hope so..." Allen replied, letting the doctor bandage him back up. Roy stood up, claiming that he had a lot of paperwork to fill out regarding Allen as a pre-state alchemist. He was the first pre-state they ever had before and hopefully he'd get promoted for getting one. He stopped at the doorway and looked back, his eyes widening slightly at the light, green, slightly transparent hexagons climbing up Allen's back. There were two huge spots on both of his shoulders.
"After you get better, you'll be heading to Dublith." He spoke. Allen turned his head around, puzzled.
"Okay."
"You do get paid now, you know. The Fuhrer said that you're an official employee of the military. Meaning I wouldn't suggest running off somewhere without permission. You could get punished."
"Alright...but why am I going to Dublith again?" Roy blinked several times.
"Fullmetal didn't tell you?"
"Uh...no...I think he was mad at me when he left though...I don't know why...he just seemed angry with me ever since I sent Timcanpy back..."
"He's got a short temper, he'll get over it." Roy chuckled.
"If you say so..." Allen mumbled, looking back at the doctor.
"To get funds for your trip, you can go to any bank. Just show them your broach and your signature."
"...how did you get my signature?" Allen asked slowly. Roy just smirked and waved him goodbye. How did he get my signature? After the doctor finished, Allen dismissed him. If I'm a pre-state, what rank does that give me? Allen studied on the ranks when he first came here after asking a nurse to get him a book about Central. He didn't think he'd be considered a Major since he wasn't a state alchemist yet. I suppose I'll just ask whenever I go to Dublith...but how long will I heal out for? Lulubell said that my power of healing was fading...that can't mean anything good. Whatever my body is using to heal...whatever it is...it's dying. Allen sighed and laid down. I suppose all I can do is wait and see...I feel so helpless here, even with my new arm and alchemy...I wish I could see the others...but...won't they be angry when they learn about my priorities? I want to help Edward and Alphonse before I return to my world...if I return...Allen closed his eyes and fell asleep.
"Allen, yo, Alleeeeen."
"Hm...Lavi...?" Allen slowly opened his eyes to see Hughes standing there.
"Nope. It's Hughes." He greeted with a smile.
"Ah. Hello, Hughes...what are you up to? What time is it?" He mumbled, looking out the window. It was quite dark...he was hoping that he'd be discharged this afternoon so that he could catch up with Edward and Alphonse. Looks like that wasn't happening now...
"Eh, the usual. I think I might have found something concerning the fifth laboratory."
Allen gave him a blank stare.
"The what?"
"...Ed didn't tell you?"
"It seems like he isn't telling me a lot of important things..." Allen muttered.
"Ah...well," Hughes sat down in the nearest chair, "you bumped into them, didn't you? When they were doing something shady?"
"You mean when they were sneaking over a fence?"
"Yeah. They were sneaking into the fifth laboratory. We found out that they were using the prisoners from next door to create Philosopher Stones."
"Philosopher stones?"
"It's a stone with great power. The brothers were looking for it to restore their bodies back to normal. But...then they found out that the ingredient for it was human lives and decided to snoop out about it. They snuck in and met some Ouroboros guys. Since then, I've been researching it. I think I might have a clue about it and figured if you were well enough to come with me, you'd want to check it out as well."
"That..." Allen sighed. "What are they up to now?"
"They're always on the run it seems. Anyways, did you want to come?"
"Yeah, I'll be out in a second. Let me change." Allen answered and Hughes left the room. The teen paused, suddenly realizing that his left arm was broken from when Lulubell attacked him. Well...I've changed with one arm before...this shouldn't really be a big deal...he thought and pulled out the drawer to his bedside table and pulled out the outfit Edward had fixed for him. He sighed and quickly changed into it. His wounds still ached a bit, but he needed to find out what was going on with them. They wouldn't tell him anything, so he had to figure it out for himself. He finished changing and applied the broach to the right side of his chest on the opposite side of his rose cross. He slipped on his boots and walked over to the door, opening it. "So where are we going then?" He asked as they began walking.
"The archive room." Hughes replied and they both made their way down there silently. Allen looked around awkwardly, quietly observing the halls around him including the decor and the style. The older man was the first to break the silence. "Allen, if you were able to go back home any time you wanted...would you?" He asked softly. The younger frowned. What's he getting at?
"I...what?"
"If we find a way for you to go back home...would you go? Or would you stay? I mean, I'd understand if you did go. Someone as young as you...you probably have a lot of friends, don't you? Don't you have to save your world too?"
"I...yeah...but I think...even if I were to find a way back home, I would stay here. My world needs me, but there are other exorcists besides me. They're very powerful and I believe in all of them. I want to stay here and help the Elrics..."
"You really care for them, don't you?"
"It's not...completely like that..." Allen mumbled, looking down at his left hand. "In a way...I guess you could say that I see myself in them. I did something just as stupid as they had done...maybe even worse..." Allen mumbled. Hughes stopped walking and looked down at Allen confusingly.
"Does this have something to do with your world?"
"...you could say that..." Allen sighed. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough, when Ed turns in his report."
"Then can't you just tell me now?" Hughes questioned, unlocking a door to a room full of books.
"I..." Allen looked around. "We're...in a public place...I don't want anyone overhearing me, honestly..."
"If you say so." Hughes replied and sat down, grabbing a map and pen, biting on the end of it before circling the city of Liore. Allen heard Roy talking to Hughes about that before. Edward went there apparently...to solve some religion problem or something.
"What's up?" Allen asked, sitting down next to him.
"It's just...Liore, these endless uprisings, the philosopher's stone, human sacrifices and the outright genocide of the Ishvalen people..."
"What?" Allen asked and stared at the map in front of him. Were they all connected somehow?
"...but this means...how could this even happen? And who could have orchestrated something as terrible as this?"
"I don't understand what's going on...what are you talking about, Hughes?" Allen frowned.
"It's...just look...it's like...a circle...a transmutation circle...but...I can't make much sense of it but something bad is about to happen. I've gotta tell the Fuhrer right away." Allen looked up to see a woman in the doorway, closing the door with a smirk on her face. She had some sort of weird tattoo on her chest. Who...?
"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel, it's nice to meet you. Well, actually, hello isn't really the word I'm looking for." She said in a silky voice...one that reminded Allen of Tyki. Something isn't right...he noticed she glanced at him slightly, but kept her focus on Hughes. Her fingers extended into claws, causing both Hughes' and Allen's eyes to widen. This definitely means trouble! Hughes backed away as she took a few steps forward. Unsure of what else to do, Allen followed.
"Hughes...who is she?" Allen whispered. The older man ignored Allen's questions and gave a nervous smile.
"Cool tattoo you got there."
"Those are your last words? Wouldn't you rather scream?" She asked and extended her fingers. Just as she pierced his shoulder, he threw a blade at her forehead.
"Let's go..." Hughes uttered, holding his shoulder and walked towards the door. That...that was too easy...she has to be...Allen looked back as he followed Hughes out of the room. He collapsed on the ground outside and Allen rushed to his side.
"Hughes, are you okay? That wound...we need to get you treated!" Hughes ignored him and stood up, leaning on the wall for support. He continued to walk, ignoring Allen's presence. "Hughes, wait!" Allen jogged after him as they walked to the reception area. He ignored the receptionist as well and went to grab for a phone, but paused.
"Sorry, forget I was here..." He said and continued to walk outside.
"Hughes, what are you doing?! If you don't get that treated-"
"I have to tell Roy." Hughes grumbled.
"But-" Allen stopped as Hughes walked into a telephone pole.
"Watch for me, will you?"
"I...okay..." Allen gave up, seeing as Hughes was really persistent to tell Roy about his findings. He was still completely lost on the entire thing, but he didn't really think it was smart to leave a dead body in the archive room. If she's even dead...she definitely didn't seem human...Allen blinked when he saw a young military woman heading their way with a gun on her belt. She smiled when she saw him.
"Well, well, well, I didn't think I'd meet you here."
"...do I know you?" Allen asked, blocking her view of Hughes.
"In a way." She replied with a smile and raised the gun up to him. He backed away. "Of course, now that you've seen me, I'm afraid we can't use you anymore."
"Wh-what...? I don't believe I've done anything wrong, please put the gun down..."
"Please move out of the way. You aren't my target...yet."
They're after Hughes? Why?! Allen wondered. Either way, I can't let her kill him.
"Sorry, but I can't do that."
"Have it your way." She smirked, pulling the trigger. Allen winced at the bullet through his side. This is nothing.
"I'd hate to hurt a woman, especially that of in the military, but-"
"Allen?! What's going on?!" Hughes asked, dropping the phone. His eyes widened when he saw the woman.
"She's after you." Allen informed.
"You're...who are you?"
"I'm Second Lieutenant Maria Ross. You've lost too much blood-"
"No, you're not her. She has a mole under her left eye. Who are you?"
"Oops, I forgot." She smiled, touching her finger beneath her left eye, creating a mole in a red flash. What the hell...? Allen wondered.
"What the hell are you?" Hughes asked quietly.
"It's two against one...whatever you're planning to do...you can't win." Allen challenged. She shot again. Innocence Activate! He frowned when his wings refused to appear. Innocence...stop being so damn picky! ACTIVATE! Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted slightly off the ground. Thank you...he grabbed Hughes and took off.
"Wh-what the hell!?" The girl shouted from behind them. Hughes gawked at the wings on his back.
"M...maybe I am seeing things..." He mumbled.
"Just rest now, I've got this under control." Allen assured, wincing when he felt one of the woman's bullets cut through his arm.
I just have to keep going...go as far as I can away from that woman. But none of this makes sense! She was a military officer, so why was she after us? Eh...I should probably fly higher...if someone were to see me, it'd be all over the news and she knows I can release wings...does this make me a target of the military? But, Hughes is part of the military! She was committing a crime! Allen thought, wincing at the pain this was putting him through. He flew for about another hour or so before crashing in some abandoned village. A cloud of dust stood in their wake and he grumbled, picking himself up. That was a very graceful landing...definitely need to work on that...but where are we? Allen looked around to see that he had crashed in an abandoned building, creating a very huge hole in the ceiling. He looked over at the unconscious man beside him and helped him on his back. I need to get him to a doctor...wait...
Allen put him down and took off his uniform and his glasses, messing up his hair. If the military were to come here...it's best that they don't recognize him. After messing up his appearance, Allen stared at the clothes and then at his wounds. Maybe...he used them to stop Hughes' bleeding and clean some of his wounds as well before burying them under wooden planks and smearing his blood all over the room. That'll do it...Allen sighed and managed to get Hughes on his back again (with a lot of difficulty since his arm was broken) as he went into the town. Many of the people shunned him, not even looking his way. He went up to several doorsteps, but no one would answer, or they'd at least tell him to get out of here. So rude...he was beginning to grow weary, but he couldn't just give up. Hughes' life was at stake. He leaned down to keep Hughes on his back and unpinned the broach on his chest, stuffing it into his pocket.
"Can someone please help us? Anyone?" He begged. "This is going to take forever..." Allen groaned at the strain on his muscles.
"What happened to you guys?" The teen opened his eyes and looked down to see a young boy.
"It's a long story...do you mind helping us out?" He asked politely. The boy seemed unsure but shrugged. "I don't see why not. Strangers here are usually welcome. Everyone's just a bit on edge lately."
"Mind if I ask what happened?" Allen questioned as he followed the boy to his house. It seemed he lived in an inn.
"Eh? It's just that one of the mines collapsed and several men were injured. That isn't really the problem though. It's just that the owner of this place, my pops, wants us to keep going in the mine since it's our only source of income. Believe it or not, we used to serve the military, but a kid came by and wiped him out ages ago, thankfully. He was rude and took all the money we had."
"Oh." So they don't like the military then?
"Of course, this kid was a state alchemist, so we learned not to judge the military."
"Oh, well that's alright I suppose. Except...I don't really have any money with me, so I can't give you anything..." He mumbled. The kid frowned.
"Well, don't you have any other way of repaying us? We can give you rooms and a doctor, but we can't just give you our things for free."
"That's true." Allen hummed, wondering to himself. "How about I take a look at that mine for you? I might be able to fix it."
"That's impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible."
"Whatever, you'll have to talk it out with my old man though. It's not up to me. My name's Khayal by the way."
"Allen. So...if you don't mind me asking, where are we? I've only been around East Central, so I'm not completely sure where this is..."
"This is Youswell. East Central, you say? Are you familiar with the military there then?"
"A little." What am I supposed to say? If I give away my position, there is a possibility they're connected with the military and they could phone me in and Hughes would be in danger again.
"Well...you guys are a bit far away. Where were you headed?"
After you get better, you'll be heading to Dublith.
"Dublith." Allen replied. Khayal gave him a weird look.
"You're heading the completely wrong way."
I was just heading in a random way...Allen thought darkly. Khayal opened the door to the inn and waved to his father.
"Yo, pops! This guy says he can help with the mine!" The man looked over, causing Allen to deadpan. Oi, kid, couldn't you just say we needed help? Allen wondered and stared up at the man that approached them.
"H-hi." He said quietly. "My n-name's Allen Walker-"
"Halling is mine. What's this nonsense you say about the mine?"
"I...er...do you mind if I set him somewhere first?"
"Sure." Halling led him to a room and Allen set him down, before grabbing some bed sheets.
"Excuse me for a moment." Allen said and clapped his right hand against his left, putting them on the bed sheets and transforming them into small strips to wrap around Hughes' shoulder.
"You're an alchemist!" Halling said suddenly.
"Uh yeah..." He stood up and turned to Halling. "Like Khayal said, I'm here to take a look at the mine...in exchange, can you give us a few days to rest here?"
"I...yeah...only if you can really help us, though. We don't want anymore casualties." He said seriously.
"I can try my best..." Allen murmured. "But...do you mind if I rest up first?" He asked, taking his vest and shirt off. Khayal and Halling stared blankly at the bullet wounds in Allen's sides. "We were...uh...mugged...that's why he doesn't have many clothes on..." He lied.
"Doesn't...doesn't that hurt?" Khayal asked bewilderingly.
"A lot." Allen nodded, sitting down on one of the beds. "After I rest up, I'll go to the mine, okay?" Halling nodded, and left him and Hughes alone in the room. Allen looked over to said unconscious man.
These next few days are going to put a lot of strain on us...brace yourself.
Whoops, haha...it's Sunday...my bad. Well, by the time we got back to the hotel it was Sunday so...woo, raves. So...sorry about that Dx currently writing the A/N in front of them actually well it's whatever. Anyways, I'd like to thank all the favorites/follows, and especially UnatanableRose, GoldenLombxGirl, DeeRoseWalker, and Castella Leena for reviewing!