Nothing Left to Give

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time,

And your government when it deserves it.

-Mark Twain

Chapter 2: Sons of Plunder

R-2-F

Fletcher's sharp intake of breath effectively shattered the moment.

Nearly all of the color had drained from the brunette's face as his identity was so abruptly exposed. Joshua -or Edward, as he had just been revealed to truly be- shot the blonde teen a worried glance. What he found on Fletcher's expressive face was not at all what he had expected; he had expected betrayal, confusion, or maybe even traces of anger. Instead he found a look of fierce protectiveness blanketing Fletcher's countenance, the boy's jade eyes fixed on the General.

"Who are you?" Fletcher demanded in an uncharacteristically grave voice. His eyes revealed not even a glimmer of the emotions that Edward had so dreaded. In fact, he seemed completely unfazed by the newfound revelation. "You must have the wrong guy-- this is Joshua, not Edward or whoever you seem to think he is!"

Mustang's eyes narrowed in response. His gaze finally shifted in turn to the youngest of the three for a brief moment before resettling on the brunette in question. There was no mistaking that the man was indeed Edward Elric-- the only other person who could possibly have the man's golden eyes had been dead for years. "You're right." He said at length, his eyes remaining locked on Ed's meaningfully. "I must be mistaken."

Ed felt a chill go up his spine at the intense gaze of the older man and had no choice but to lower his own eyes. How could he look Roy Mustang in the eye after all of the hell that he'd put him through so many years ago, when even now the very life Edward led was nothing more than a lie? It was simple-- he couldn't.

Roy's eyes lingered on Ed's bent head for a moment before he remembered his surroundings with sudden clarity. The roar of cannon fire and the heat of the blazing fire returned to the General in a rush. "Who you are doesn't matter so long as you leave right now." He commanded urgently, emotion fast fading from his eyes as he slipped on a spare pair of gloves. "It's only a matter of time before the Naturalists push their way to the center of the city."

Ed knew that he should have simply listened to the man, but his mouth had already begun to run off without him before his brain could catch up. "Where's the rest of your regiment?" He demanded, not even giving himself time to be shocked over his own boldness as he pressed on. "You can't be stupid enough to think that you can take the entire Naturalist forces by yourself!"

"Joshua!" Fletcher chided, grabbing the older man's sleeve in a desperate attempt to get his friend to heed his words. "We need to listen to him!! He's the soldier, not us--"

"Like hell I'm going to listen to this idiot!" Ed roared, gesturing wildly at Mustang and at the same time tugging his arm from the younger man's grasp. Something inside of Edward had snapped at the familiar recklessness being displayed by the General. He'd seen it so many times before and he felt the familiar rush of dread beginning to pool in the pit of his stomach. It was just like that day so many years ago…the day when Mustang had--

"Joshua!"

Fought with Scar because Edward had been too--

"Josh!"

Stubborn to listen to the then-Colonel, and because of him…Roy had nearly--

"Edward!"

Ed's head snapped up at the sound of his name. He realized in no small amount of shock that it had not been Mustang who had spoken, but Fletcher. The blonde teen had renewed his grip on Ed's arm and was attempting to tug him towards the woods that lined the back of the village, only a couple hundred feet from their current position. "Ed, come on! We have to get out of here before-"

And then the Naturalists were upon them. A group composed of no more than seven men enclosed around them, coming at the three men from all sides. Their guns were drawn and swords bared as they neared. In the blink of an eye Roy had the other two men behind him with one hand while the other was already poised to snap. The Naturalists began to close in, bearing down upon them in the space of time that it took to breathe. From behind Mustang's back Ed caught his first glimpse of the Naturalists and felt his blood run cold at the sight.

The Naturalists looked like nothing more than everyday men and women with nothing truly exceptional about their appearance, yet it was the pure hatred in their eyes that unnerved the brunette. Intent to kill was oozing from their very beings, intent that was in that moment directed at the very man that was currently acting as a shield for Ed and Fletcher. But it was not the Naturalists' hatred that had Ed, for the first time in years, feeling fear. It was that the look was mirrored in Roy's eyes.

In the blink of an eye the Flame Alchemist had erected a barrier of fire around them, allowing the flames to flare and encompass the charging Naturalists. His face remained emotionless as their screams began to pierce the air. Clearly death had little effect on the General now; the blank look in his eyes proved as much. He reminded Ed of a robot, doing nothing more than following his master's orders. In a way, Edward thought with mounting horror, he is.

The fire died down enough for the three men to gain a glimpse of the damage inflicted by Mustang's flame and both Fletcher and Ed gasped in utter horror upon seeing the Naturalists' charred remains. The Flame Alchemist, however, remained unfazed.

"Now will you listen to me?" He demanded. "Leave this place while you have the chance; reinforcements will arrive shortly."

"How can you--" Ed began angrily, grabbing the raven by his uniform collar and looking down his nose at the General. After seven years it appeared that Ed was finally taller than the other man. However, the brunette took little joy in the observation. "How can you act so fucking calm after you just killed someone?!" His face had now turned a furious crimson that nearly matched the ex-State Alchemist's trademark jacket. Despite the blonde's tirade, Roy's face was unchanging.

"Would you rather I were reduced to tears?" Mustang drawled in reply, staring up into golden eyes unflinchingly. Despite the sarcasm in his tone, the General's eyes betrayed the slightest traces of remorse. Ed did not miss this flicker of emotion in onyx eyes but it did little to put him at ease. "Yes!" The brunette hissed, bringing his face only inches from the other's. "At least then you would prove that you're not a monster!"

Mustang's eyes flashed in sudden anger. "Who's to say that I'm not?" One gloved hand rose to capture both of Ed's in his vice-like grasp, forcing the younger man to release his hold on Roy's collar. "If you think that you can show up after seven years and lecture me on how to be humane, you are sadly mistaken Edward Elric." Roy growled with such bitterness that it caught the other man by surprise.

Ed had not expected such a reaction from the other and he found himself at a loss for words upon facing this new side of the General. "Mustang…I--" He stammered, his hands going slack in the other man's grip.

"Watch out!" Mustang snarled as he grabbed the brunette into his arms, shielding the younger man's body with his own. Ed felt the Flame Alchemist's body tense as gunshots filled the air and began to rain down upon the trio that was currently rendered defenseless. Fletcher, who was also in the General's hold, cried out in terror as Roy's body jolted and a pained groan tore itself from his throat. The Flame Alchemist had been hit.

"Mustang!" Ed screamed, his anger quickly replaced by fear. His hands fisted in the material of the General's uniform as dread filled him. Beside him, he could hear Fletcher's terrified sobs. Ed didn't even realize that he had clenched his own eyes shut until they flew open upon hearing the older man's pained voice.

"Don't worry." Mustang grunted, releasing his hold on both men as he straightened. His onyx eyes remained void of emotion and he showed no visible signs of pain. "The bullet only grazed my arm." Even as the Flame Alchemist spoke he could feel Edward's golden eyes raking his form, but he did nothing to acknowledge the blonde's scrutiny.

The group of Naturalists swept down the hill and surrounded the three men. There were only five rebels, but they outnumbered the others regardless. In moments they had tightly encircled the militiaman and two civilians with their guns trained on the General. The man that appeared to be the leader of the small group stood directly before Mustang, his entire face hidden by the folds of the hood that covered his head.

"So I finally get the honor of meeting you, Roy Mustang." The Naturalist sneered. A gust of wind gave the others the slightest of glimpse of the man's eyes which appeared to reflect the fire that engulfed the buildings surrounding them. A closer look would reveal that it was in fact the man's eyes themselves that were such a fierce shade of crimson. "It appears the rumors were true; you really are something else. To stay behind and act as a decoy so that your men could make a safe retreat...such an act is either remarkably brave...or unbelievably foolish."

"I fear I must apologize," Roy returned with familiar sarcasm. "I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't give it." The hooded man replied easily. "Now you can either come with us without a fuss or you can do things the hard way and watch a us kill the civilians first." He paused for a moment, a low laugh coming from deep within his chest. "Then again, both options have the same outcome, so you don't have much of a choice on the matter."

With a nod from the hooded man two of the other Naturalists came at Roy from either side, grabbing the General's arms and pinning them behind his back. The raven haired alchemist did nothing to defend himself. As per the code of the State Militia, a civilian's life was of more importance than the life of a soldier, and when faced with such a situation a soldier was always to do what he could to ensure said civilian's safety. Even at the cost of their life.

"Don't be a dumbass, Mustang!" Ed snarled, appalled at how easily the other gave into the enemy's demands. Before he could step forth and interfere, however, the other rebel had restrained him. He struggled only to go completely still moments later at Fletcher's terrified cries.

"No!! Don't touch me-- please!" The teen screamed, thrashing heroically in his captor's hold as tears ran down his pale cheeks. "Please let me go!"

"Fletcher!" Ed cried, straining against the Naturalist's hold with all of his might to little avail. The brunette was quickly becoming frantic. "Don't you touch him, you son of a--"

"Let the kids go!" Mustang interrupted sharply, directing his most level look at the crimson eyed man. "They have nothing to do with any of this! They're nothing more than travelers--"

"Shut it, gramps!" The hooded man growled, stepping forward and taking hold of Mustang's wounded arm, digging his fingers into the open bullet wound. He smirked in satisfaction when the indifferent Alchemist threw back his head and hissed painfully, his knees nearly buckling under the sudden wave of pain. The move had been unexpected, and as such the General hadn't the time to steel himself for such an underhanded, but undeniably effective, move. The Naturalist delighted in this.

"Mustang!" Ed cried, unable to do anything more than to watch from within his captor's grasp.

Fletcher's cries had subsided, but the teen's silence was more frightening than his screams. Edward looked towards Fletcher to find the boy limp in the Naturalist's hold, apparently having resigned to his fate. His eyes had taken on a far off look that Ed himself had at one time seen each time he looked into a mirror. It was a look that belonged to a young man who had resigned himself to his fate. "Fletcher! Hang in there buddy!" Ed called weakly, ashamed at the way his own voice shook.

Let it be known that Roy Mustang was never a man to pass up an opportunity when it was presented to him. With the Naturalist's close proximity Roy could easily see the man's face with only the slightest tilt of his own head, and when he did so what he saw only served to confirm his suspicions. However he had little time to delight in his revelation, for only seconds later the Naturalist noticed what the General was doing. In one smooth movement the crimson eyed man pulled his hood closer around his face.

"You're an Ishballan."

The Naturalist's eyes narrowed dangerously as they fixed on Mustang, his contempt for the man clear. His gaze hardened as his fist connected with the General's cheek, causing Roy's head to snap to the side. A smirk was visible past the folds of the tan hood the Naturalist wore and the look was enough to cause a chill go down Ed's spine. From where the brunette stood captive, he could barely make out the man's features, but Ed guessed that he and the Naturalist were about the same age. He snapped out of his thoughts abruptly at the sound of Mustang's voice.

"You're that boy," Roy began, his dark eyes narrowing in recognition. Even in his current position it seemed as if the General was looking down on the Ishballan. It was amazing how, no matter the situation, Roy Mustang always seemed to look as if he was in the one in control. "the Ishballan kid that followed Scar after the Eastern Rebellion."

The man's silence was the only answer needed.

"I can't believe it." Ed breathed in horror-stricken disbelief. "Rick."

The Ishballan suddenly stepped away from Roy, his crimson eyes carefully kept impassive. Several strained moments passed before the three captives were roughly released with a nod from the man. He spoke again at length. "If you leave now I'm willing to forget that this encounter ever happened, but only if you are gone by the time that my reinforcements arrive. If that time comes and you're still here, then I will not act so mercifully."

Ed, unlike Roy, was never one to take an opportunity so easily. "Rick, it is you isn't it? What the hell do you think you're doing with these people?!" He rose to his feet, his eyes searching the other man. "Do you have any idea--"

"Time is dwindling. If you think that simply because you're a civilian you will be given special treatment, you are gravely mistaken."

Ed faltered at the icy tone of the other's voice. "Rick..." He pleaded. "Don't you recognize me?"

This earned the brunette a raised eyebrow from the Ishballan. "No. Should I?" Rick inquired frankly. His crimson eyes scanned the other's form skeptically but still he found nothing particularly jarring about the other man's appearance.

Ed visibly deflated. "You don't--"

"Edward, take the boy and go." Roy interrupted suddenly, in no mood to wait and watch this soap opera play out. Already the man was back on his feet with his fingers poised to snap and Fletcher tucked under his other arm. "You can reach the forest before the others come." The General held the brunette's gaze and added in a softer voice, "If not for yourself, then for him."

Ed finally turned his attention from the retreating Ishballan to the shivering form of his friend. His eyes softened and his jaw tightened as guilt washed over him. Fletcher looked terrified, and it was at least partially Ed's fault for putting him in this situation. Had it not been for the brunette's insistence that they stay and help Mustang (who, had Ed been honest with himself, did not need the brunette's "help" in the first place), then they could have already met up with Russell in the safe cover of the forest.

"Joshua...I m-mean E-Ed...can we just...go? Please?" Fletcher squeaked. Even though the boy was only a few years younger than Ed, Fletcher had never experienced the horrors of battle before. Some of the things that the pair had seen just when walking through the city had been enough to make even Ed's stomach turn. The smoke and blazing fire, the screams, the shouts, the sounds of cannon fire, the smell of sulfur and burning flesh, the blood that seemed to stain everything in sight... It was only logical that the teen would be so shaken. War had that effect on people.

Ed's eyes rose to Mustang's in a silent question, one which the General understood all too well.

"My wellbeing is none of your concern, Elric." The General rebuked firmly, though his tone was much too gentle to for his words. "Your only concern is for this boy." With that he nudged Fletcher towards the brunette, careful not to startle the blonde man.

As soon as Fletcher left the General's protective hold he threw himself at Edward, clinging to the brunette with all of his might. "Let's go Joshua!" He demanded, though his voice was far too shaky to hold any authoritive tone. In a much quieter voice, he added a hesitant 'please', as if trying to retain some semblance of dignity in his current state. Had Fletcher chanced a glance at the older man he would have seen Ed's sympathetic eyes and the brunette's slight nod.

"Alright." Ed aquiesqued softly, placing a hand on top of the teen's head reassuringly. His first and only priority was to get Fletcher out of Xenotime and out of harm's way. Ed lifted his gaze to meet the General's a final time. He felt a famliar tug in his lower stomach when his eyes met onyx and he couldn't help but to be somewhat pleased at the approving look he received for his decision. Ed was hesitant to leave the Flame Alchemist to whatever fate awaited him, but his need to protect Fletcher won out in the end. "Don't get yourself killed, General."

Roy's eyes showed the slightest hint of amusement, and it showed in his tone. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

Ed looked down at Fletcher, his eyes searching the younger man's. "I need you to listen to me Fletch. We have to get out of here so we can meet up with Russell, okay?" He spoke slowly just as he would to a frightened child. Really, that was exactly what Fletcher was in that moment; a frightened child. "But I'm going to need you to run. Can you do that?"

Fletcher nodded numbly, too far gone to be irritated at the childish manner in which the other was addressing him.

"Alright." Ed straightened and grabbed the boy's arm so not to lose him amidst the chaos of the battle. He was not suprised to see that the General's back was already facing them as Roy began his trek to meet the remaining Naturalist forces. Surrounded by the very element he commanded, the General was the perfect portrait of a War God; all strength and beauty and--

"Joshua, come on!"

Ed heeded the tugging on his hand and allowed Fletcher to pull him away with a final glance over his shoulder at the General. As the sounds of battle rose in volume the pair broke into a run, knowing that Mustang would not be able to hold the Naturalists at bay for long by himself. It seemed like an eternity before their legs finally carried them to the forest where they found an anxious Russell awaiting them. The older Tringham brother took one look at the pair and said nothing, understanding without words that this was not the time for questions. He lead them deeper into the shelter of the forest.

"Where are we heading?"

Russell glanced at Ed, his look grave. "There's a train station just past the hills lining the eastern border of the town. It's unlikely that the Naturalist have taken control of the railways yet."

"But where will we go?" Came Fletcher's weak voice. Though he had calmed down considerably when reunited with his brother, the teen was still deeply shaken.

Russell hesitated a moment. War had taken a firm hold on the country and only a handful of towns remained untouched by it's dark hand. Even these cities would not be sanctified for much longer, as had been proven with Xenotime. There was only one logical place that remained, a city that had declared itself Neutral and refused to play any part in the war. If there was a place that had a chance of withstanding the war, it was there. Russell chanced a discreet glance at Ed before answering.

"We're going to Resembool."

R-2-F

Author's Note: Well...where should I start? I guess the beginning is a good place, right? I'm so sorry that this took over a month to put out! I expected this chapter to be a breeze to write...but it wasn't. I rewrote it at least four times and I'm still uncertain whether or not I'm happy with it! Christmas has been hectic for me and I haven't had much of a chance to write, but I got a laptop for Christmas so hopefully this will give me incentive to update more often! It may take me a while to get back into the "groove" of writing and updating a fic regularly, but I hope you'll bear with me!

I appologize for any errors in this; my beta hasn't proofed this chapter yet but I wanted to go ahead and put it out. I'll have it fixed by the end of the week though.

Thanks to all of my faithful readers who have stuck with me! You guys mean the world to me!!

Until next time,

R2F