Title: Numb
Chapter Title: Destroyer
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist/Elfen Lied
Pairings: RoyEd
Rating: T for teen
Summary: What happens when you discover that there's something seriously wrong, not only with your superior officer, but enemies, friends, family, even yourself? It all links back to the power of the Gate, and why certain people are perfect for sacrifices in the creation of the stone...

I know, this is late, but you got a really early update last week. My problem is, my co-author is having some problems and we got into an argument, and getting this done isn't any easier, so, for now, this is the story I will concentrate on since the other one has no reviews.

Legend:

Bold -- The 'Vectors' talking. If you remember in the last chapter, they discussed naming that other being inside.
Italics -- Translations. They are speaking latin, if you wanted to go and check it out.

Take the obvious note that the series has been changed drastically. Roy was not a Colonel in Central when Hughes was alive, and Grand was dead in East City by episode fourteen.

And yes, there are biblical references.

The Operations room was just like any other room in this damned place, big, empty, and void of anything remotely intelligent. His gaze swept over Grand with a hidden sense of loathing, dark eyes narrowing at the mere thought of it. This was one of the many people who looked at him with disdain, who hated him for simply being him.

A dirty human who deserves nothing but death. Give it to him...

Roy's hands buried themselves in his pockets. If he killed Grand, it would be on a level playing field, with his alchemy versus the Iron Blood's 'spectacular alchemic displays'. He wouldn't use some trick. He wouldn't bow down to that lesser being that he knew he would slip into. "What is it you want, Grand? I have things to be doing, an old teacher to visit, old classmates to gossip with. My time is wasted here."

"You have testing to do, Flame Alchemist, and I will be the first." That air of arrogance that could always be felt around the pathetic, over-grown fool seemed to radiate even more now. It was pathetic, really. He wanted to be the one to test him? Honestly, Grand didn't know what it dealt with... he was just doing what he wanted because he thought that if Roy lost control, it would be grounds for death under self-defense. Iron Blood always had it out for those under him who challenged his control. The Flame had always proven himself to be intelligent, out-going, and never hesitating. Grand, however, was hasty, clumsy, and pathetic. It was all jealousy.

Roy chuckled. "You? Brigadier General, sir, it's best if I go and see my instructor. She knows how these things work. Playing a little game with you won't do well, and for the military to lose something so precious..."

"They can just make more of you."

That wasn't funny at all, and Grand seemed to know that it bothered him. He didn't like to be told he was expendable. It was all in their pride, he must have figured, but why give the moron what he wanted? "While I'm flattered to know you like to keep me around for your entertainment through your sorry attempts at humiliation, I should be getting to my actual test site rather than play your games." He turned, ignoring the grunts from the man behind and more pathetic excuses to get his attention and started towards the door with a passive expression.

He knew Grand's power, and that it was more than stupid to turn his back on him, but 'Azrael' found his way through, and arrogance poured from his form like rivers of perspiration, a never-ending supply that refused to be stopped, even by the chill of the room. A clicking of something, followed by a loud bang, and before Roy could react, there was a sharp pain in his side, and he was facing the very cold, metallic, more than likely iron floor to easier suit Basque.

While the Vectors held amazing power, there was a downside. While the host is in a significant amount of pain, vectors cannot be used. That was why... whenever they sparred together, whoever got the first hit had a better chance of victory. Hit hard, hit fast and be strategic. Those were the only rules to survive.

"Is that all you have? Well, the diclonis certainly is a sad race, if you're one of the strongest. Shame, shame... one of the most developed and still so worthless. You're not worth studying. As I said, more can be made."

"Misellus indulgeo parumper spiritus res..."

The boot clicks that seemed to have followed the shot had come to a halt next to the fallen man, bracing himself on hands and knees. That shot could have killed if he were anything lesser and he didn't have a shield of vectors. "What was that? Mumbling to yourself now, Mustang? I always knew you were insane, but making up words? Or did you just hit your head harder than I thought when you fell? Shame... I thought there was more to you than your disgustingly pretty face and quick wit."

"Pathetic... excuse for a breathing being. You're not even worthy of being called a human. Giving you destruction along with your race is not even worth the time it takes to speak this sentence."

Basque wasn't happy to listen to the pompous fool continue his words of defiance, but there was not much he could do about it anymore. He couldn't fix Roy's attitude, only break him, and that was what he intended to do. Break every last bone, rip apart every muscle and organ, and make sure he bled and watched the man he challenged do it all. Even if his spirit wouldn't break, he'd take great pleasure in breaking everything else. A large boot, at least twice the size of Roy's nines, came up with a swift movement, hardly caught by the other man's eye, promptly flipping over after a small roll to avoid, coughing lightly. "You can keep running your mouth, even after I've defeated you?"

Parents' day was always difficult. They were in a school with other gifted children, but their talents lie in music, arts, science, and other, more normal gifts. Parents would visit, come say hello to their children, visit the classes, and talk to the teachers. Loving parents would come, anyway. Those with busy lives would merely send their butlers, maids or nannies to drop off some things and spend some time with the kids. Of course, not many minded, since the caretakers, rather than their parents, were more parental figures.

R1 had left for testing that morning, and since her 'parents' worked in the building, she wasn't missing anything. Kain and Zolf merely sat in their chairs, watching children laughing and playing with those out there, greeting their loved ones with a happy chorus of 'I love yous' and 'Cookies?! Yay!'. Kain's head lowered to the table, giving a small whimper. The death of his mother still replayed so vividly in his mind. His father had left long ago when he had discovered his wife gave birth to a freak. Parents' day just wore on for him.

Zolf was merely repulsed by the fact people could be so dependent. His parents shoved him here as soon as they were able, a few years ago, and hadn't been to visit since. He didn't care... it's not like they loved him. A visit would just be strained anyway.

"Hey Kain!"

"Zolf!'

Roy and Maes entered the classroom without a care in the world. A tall brunette young woman with calm chocolate eyes stood at the door, while two dark haired people followed behind Maes, both with kind smiles on their faces.

Roy grabbed Kain's hand, smiling widely, something that he had never seen with his friend and was actually quite scared. "Come on! Lavvy said you can play with us today!"

The brunette woman smiled behind him, nodding her head slowly.

"Really?"

Roy giggled excitedly, pulling him out of his chair. "Yeah! Come on, we're gunna go play hide and seek with Maes and Zolf!"

Zolf snorted, crossing his arms and glaring out the window. "Whatever."

Maes grinned and grabbed his arm. "Roy's it!"

Roy glared after the three boy's who ran out ahead of him. "That's no fair! I'm always it!"

The three adults chuckled, watching the dark haired boy chase after his friends. "Don't run in the halls!"

"Yes, Nanny Lavvy!"

Maes frowned, watching the young man in the center of the room, stirring up papers, chairs, and the couch, hand prints everywhere along the walls in a three meter radius. In the center of the debris and flailing items sat Kain Fury, sniffling quietly, face buried as he clung to himself for comfort. They all had times like that. Roy... Kain... even he himself remembered when there were times he sat in a corner, hugged himself and cried. It was very healing.

"Fury, it's best if you calm down now."

A sudden gust of wind flew past Maes' head as Fury lifted his head, eyes dark, a murderous intent within. It was not the same Kain Fury that everyone expected to be shy and quiet. Hughes simply pushed his glasses up, frowning at the display. "Now's not the time to fight. That woman obviously upset you, what'd she do, speak of your mother?"

A pencil came flying across the room, just missing the other's throat. Maes may have been out of the reach of the vectors but that didn't mean that he couldn't throw things. Maes remained calm; how many times had they thrown temper tantrums like this before?

"You're in meus via..."

Maes sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Est ut sic? I'm afraid ut a forsit , tunc.."

"A miser res talis ut vestri can sto in meus via totus is volo , in terminus you'll iustus suo humanus."

"Vos couldn't pello pepulli pulsum mihi pro , quod si EGO have ut Roy mos adveho in hic , quod vos memor quam pessime is pello pepulli pulsum vos. Subsisto per venatus , Fury quod relaxo."

(Fury: You're in my way...
Hughes: Is that so? I'm afraid that's a problem, then.
Fury: A miserable being such as yourself can stand in my way all it wants, in the end, you'll just join the humans.
Hughes: You couldn't beat me before, and if I have to, Roy will come in here, and you remember how badly he beat you. Stop with the games, Fury and relax.)

Fury glared, watched Maes take a step forward. He was a threat. He was in the way. He was a Genesis. The beginning did not want an ending. He leapt off the desk, glasses cracking and falling from the bridge of his nose. Before Hughes could react, there was an invisible hand wrapped around his throat, pressing him full force into the nearby wall. It was then he realized just how badly fighting another was, trying desperately to draw breath, the powerful hand crushing his windpipe. However... ever since his loss with R1 years ago... he hadn't been able to access his vectors. It was as if a switch was turned off... he couldn't remember how to bring them out. He had been hoping that Fury would be stable enough to calm without a fight.

Maes reached desperately for the window, trying to bang on it for assitance. Usually there was a more suitable diclonis on standby. This time seemed to be a bit far from the case as the door banged open and shots rang out through the office.

"Freaks..."

"You're one to talk."

"That's all they are."

"I wonder why they fight humanity..." A busty woman reached up with a gloved hand and slashed at the pictures on the wall. An older man with golden eyes and a beard had been sliced in two. "He's no use to us. Master already has him."

"None of them look promising."

"The woman won't do..." Her hand lifted again, slashing another picture down. "They're too young..." Three more joined the two already cut down. "He's married, and quite useless... and this one's already far too rampant." With the next two falling, it left one remaining to the wall, her finger elongated and pierced the man it portrayed between the eyes, pulling it towards herself. "I believe we have a winner."

"What? Him?"

"He's perfect."

"You just want him when Master's done."

"Perhaps." Her full lips, painted in a blood color lifted into a cruel smirk, slicing the picture in half and watching the shreds fall to the floor. "He'll be the Adam to the Adam and Eve story..."