Second chapter, and as requested is about 2,000 words longer! BTW...I love reviews they make me write more.
ENJOY!
I know I knocked the table over because I watched the jar break
and I've been trying to repair it every single stupid day
"It's been two months, Colonel, two. There has to be something."
Edward was out of his seat by now. His agitation had been slowly rising. He was getting frustrated with the man. It had been too long, he was holding out on something. But what?
"If there was anything to give you I would have already-"
"Bull! You're holdin' out on me!"
The Flame Alchemist furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance. "The only leads I have are too dangerous for you and your brother." 'Yeah, Mustang, that'll throw him off!'
"Too dangerous? Barry the Chopper was dangerous, human transmutation was dangerous, Ishv-" the teen stopped himself.
"Hm?"
"We've handled it all, Mustang. What makes you think we can't handle doing this?" he asked with furrowed eyebrows. He was restless (quite literally).
Roy only sighed, "You and your brother have done well, Fullmetal. You deserve rest. You're dismissed."
"Dismissed? Answer me you bast-"
"I said dismissed, Elric," he shouted. The dark-haired man never shouted at him, not since the day they first met. Mustang was always calm and collected, always down to Earth.
Edward's eyes rested on the floor. "Yes, sir," he mumbled softly as he walked out the door, hands balled into fists, shoulders strung. Opening the door, he looked back on his commanding officer before promptly slamming the door closed.
The outer office was silent now, they hadn't known what happened between the commanding officer and his youngest subordinate, but they knew it couldn't have been good.
"Al," the teen shouted.
The boy turned around and looked at him, he tried his best to ignore the slammed door and decided to continue to tell Fuery on what to do if the radio had ever broken again. The younger Elric was only in the midst of writing down instructions when he felt his brother call out to him.
They had been like that for sometime now. Sure, Alphonse couldn't hear, but he could feel any vibration if it was loud enough. He'd gotten good at it, abnormally good at it. It came in handy, especially in a fight. (He had to protect his brother after all.)
"Are we leaving?" Al signed.
All Ed did was nod and Alphonse waved goodbye to the office before he was dragged out of the room.
"I wonder why he was in such hurry," Havoc mumbled to himself.
"Mm," Falman started, "you know those boys are always on the move."
"C'mon, Al, we have somewhere to go," he signed to his brother. He was still holding his brother hand tightly
The younger alchemist furrowed his eyebrows, "Didn't you want to take a nap?" he asked as they headed down a flight of stairs.
It was only ten at night, so there weren't as many soldiers as there were during the day. Most were going back to the dorms.
Both brothers we glad about that.
"I'm not very tired anymore okay?"
"Did something happen?"
The long-haired boy frowned and sighed, "Nothing important."
"New lead?"
"None right now. But, I think maybe we should just go back to the apartment and go to the library tomorrow," he stated.
A silence stretched between the two (as it often did over the past three years. Alphonse stared at his brother. Edward looked back at him, "Didn't I tell you to keep your head down?"
Alphonse's red eyes widened before lowering his head once again. He could feel them, they both could.
The younger stopped in his tracks and lightly tugged at his brother's hand, grabbing his attention.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Ed's eyebrows furrowed in worry and a frown made its way onto his still-childish face. "Why'd you-"
"They're here, aren't they?" he signed slowly. He didn't want to talk about them. It was something that neither liked to talk about it, it was practically forbidden between them. It wouldn't be the first time they did something like that.
"Don't worry about them, Al, I got this. We'll be safe. I won't let them get to you," Ed whispered softly.
"How are you so sure? We don't even know what they want with us!" he signed to his brother furiously.
Fullmetal attempted at a smile, "Al, it doesn't matter. We'll be okay. I promise," he said, hugging his brother before turning and grabbing his hand once again. "And put this on too, would ya?" he asked as he pulled up his brother's hood.
"Brother, I think I'll just go back to the apartment. You go to the library."
Edward was taken aback to say the least. 'What is he thinking?'
"Al, it's too dangerous for you to go back by yourself! They could attack you," the state alchemist whispered.
"I can handle myself, brother. Besides, I think you need to go to the library. We'll get work done faster if one of us goes, and I'm tired."
"Al..."
"Relax, brother, I can take care of myself," Al said as he smiled. They had long left Eastern Command and were now at the fork in the road that divided the apartment building and the library.
Fall was just starting and there was nothing more than a few degrees below eighty-something-or-the-other. He would be fine! He was always fine.
The state alchemist was reluctant, but sighed and nodded at his brother. Its not like he was two light years away, it was only a ten or so blocks.
"I'll be there later tonight."
"What do you want for dinner?"
"I'll just make a sandwich when I get there."
"Later, brother," Alphonse said.
"Keep your head low, and your hood up. Don't engage in anyone and-"
"Don't pick up any cats, I know, I know."
Ed smiled and carried on his way. The Eastern Library wasn't as far away as he thought. The silver-haired teen smiled as he saw it was still open. "Hello, Ms. Scheska!"
A brown haired woman gasped and raised her head from the book she was reading, "H-Hello, Edward! How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks, you?"
"Just rereading a book, is all. Where's Alphonse?"
"He decided to go back to the apartment. I won't be here for long, I think I'll just take few books and be out of your hair. I have to make sure nothing happens to him," he said, walking down an aisle.
The young bespectacled librarian hardly heard what he said as when he looked through the bookcase, she'd already been absorbed in a book.
The alchemist smiled as he continued his way down the aisles of books, almost getting lost. He frowned, "Where are they? They were here just yesterday-"
"Looking for these?" A voice interrupted.
Edward turned around to find a man hiding in the shadows. From what Ed could tell he had an average, muscular build and had pale skin, his hair was long, tied back, black as night.
Said man stepped into the light, he was wearing a white suit, one hand in pocket and the other holding the books he was looking for. A smirk adorned his pale face as he watched the boy get into a fighting stance.
"Who are you?" Edward asked defensively. He was with them, he knew. It was obvious. Who else would be after him and his brother?
"Surely, you remember me, don't you, Ishvalan?" the man said.
Edward took in a surprised breath before regaining his composure. He balled his fists, reading to attack the man. "Who are you?"
The man only sighed, "I remember when you and your brother were so much smaller, and your brother was so lost. It was just after the incident wasn't it?"
"What are you talking-"
"You were with a group when I attacked you weren't you?" he asked as he cupped his own chin with his bare index finger.
Edward gasped as he saw the transmutation circle on the inside of the man's palm.
"But, now that I think about it," he started, "they all got blown to smithereens, right?"
The Ishvalan growled in his direction, "Kimblee!" he exclaimed as he charged at the man.
Solf J. Kimblee frowned at the boy. 'How foolish could this boy be?' The Crimson Alchemist grabbed the boy's flesh arm and turned it around behind his back. The silver-haired teen was about to raise his leg to kick the man, but he stopped.
"If you move, I'll blow your arm and your brother to bits, understand?" he whispered furiously.
Needless to say, the Ishvalan left his leg on the floor and looked down. "Why are you here?"
"Just a little business trip, besides I needed to see my favorite little Ishvalan. But, last I remembered, you were wearing a skirt."
"Last I remembered, you were in jail," Edward countered.
Kimblee looked slightly surprised before his smirk returned, "Fair enough. But, Elric, make sure you don't die, neither you nor that brother of yours. We need you both. Especially, you."
"So, you are with them, then. What do you want with us? Hasn't this country done enough to my people? Weren't the heads you sent rolling enough?" he sneered towards the man. "I highly doubt you want any of us alive."
"Essentially, you'd be right."
Ed scoffed.
"But, not you two."
"Oh? And why is that?" he asked sarcastically.
Kimblee's smirk got larger, Ed didn't know that was possible. 'This smug little murderer!'
"You'll find out soon enough, Elric."
And with that, the older alchemist disappeared, dropping the books on the floor as he did so. Checking the books out, Ed left the library, pushing up his sunglasses and throwing his red hood over his head. The snow white boy knew it didn't matter though. They were in the city, they were watching them. And they would kill them.
They'd kill Alphonse.
Ed's hands shook in his pockets, eyes downcast as he walked the several blocks to the apartment. His only company being the average stumbling drunk and his own paranoid voice seeking deeper into his skull.
'How long is he gonna be like this? How long is Al gonna have to go without music, and speaking, and singing, and hearing my voice. How long before he abandons-! Stop it, Elric! Pull it together!'
He stared up at the top of the apartment building before walking through the two front doors and up the stairs. The walls were a calm, neutral beige color with wooden floors (Ed thanked Ishvala for that they weren't creaky). Walking down the hallway, he stopped in front of the door and pulled out his keys before (finally) opening the door.
Ed walked past the couch and the kitchen into the room he shared with his brother. Sure, there was a spare room, but Al insisted they put another bed in the room for him. Saying something about how the room was too small for him. Ed didn't argue, it was probably safer for them anyhow.
Entering the room the teen noticed his brother's form in his bed. 'This brat! How is he gonna take my bed?'
Sighing, Edward sat on Al's bed and threw off his coat and boots.'I didn't know I was so tired,' he thought with a yawn. It wasn't long after, the boy fell asleep.
"You'll be getting them tomorrow, right? You do have a plan ready, don't you?" Lust asked.
Isaac sighed, "Look, I know you guys don't need sleep or anything like that, but humans need rest."
Lust smirked at the man, "But, of course, Mr. Freezer," before leaving the man to his own devices.
Alphonse shook his brother's form and frowned. Why wasn't he getting up? He shook him again.
"Mm," he groaned before flipping over on his left side, away from his brother.
Al glared at him in annoyance before shaking him again. 'Wake up idiot!'
Then it dawned on him. He smirked.
(We all know this won't end well)
Rolling his brother's body onto his back, Al raised a fist and (as softly as possible) punched his brother in the face, effectively waking the older Elric. Edward stared up sleepily at his brother with blood red eyes. Blinking a few times, he furrowed his eyebrows before growling lowly.
"Al," he mumbled softly.
Alphonse smiled innocently, "Yes, brother?" he signed.
"1...2…"
The deaf teen ran out of the room and into what was his own room, looking the door. Edward pounded on the door harshly making a hole not much bigger than his fist. "Al!" he shouted as he stumbled over the nightstand by the door. Ed was pissed.
Alphonse on the other hand was having a laughing fit against the door. Well, he was until he saw an automail hand reaching for the doorknob through a hole in the door.
"Uh oh," he mouthed to himself as he rose from the door. Once the door was opened the two stood and stared at one another with red eyes.
Edward smiled, "Alphonse," he said. Al's legs shook a little as he stared at his brother. "As an older brother," he started, "I am supposed to protect you, not cause harm to you."
The younger alchemist's shoulders relaxed with an inaudible sound. "I'm sorry, brother," he gestured to Ed.
Edward looked dead into his brother eyes, his own were dark. "Mhm, that's what my last brother said before he took that nasty fall."
The shorter boy would've squeaked if he could. Now that he thoughts about, maybe waking Ed up from his sleep with a punch to the face. "It's just that, it was time for us to go to the library..."
The state alchemist blinked at his brother, thinking. "Wait, what time is it?"
"It's almost one, brother, you slept through the morning."
"Hm," he said thoughtfully. Well, that wasn't expected, but, oh well. "I'll shower then."
"How do you know they'll be here?" Isaac asked.
"Oh, trust me," Lust said, "it won't be long. They'll have to come here, whether they want to or not."
Ed held out his flesh hand. "I don't remember the news saying anything about rain."
"Since when have you watched the news, brother?" Al asked with a smirk adorning his face.
Fullmetal glared at him before speaking, "Oh, shut up, Al."
Al's mouth was opened in a chuckle, "Someone's cranky. Didn't you get enough sleep?"
"Ugh, not enough," Ed replied pushing up his sunglasses.
"Have you found him, yet?" Mustang asked his friend. Maes Hughes was the leader of investigations. He stood at the same height as Mustang (5'11'') with green irises and glasses framing his face.
"We haven't had any luck finding this guy. The only description we can get of this guy is white, muscular build, brown skin, and sunglasses," a bespectacled replied. "We don't have a name. The public started calling him Scar for the x-shaped mark on his face."
"I just want to know why he's killing state alchemists," the Colonel mumbled under his breath.
Hughes glared at his friend.
"What?"
"You are going to protect those boys, aren't you?"
The Flame Alchemist blinked before growling, "Damn it! Lieutenant!"
The blonde woman walked in. "Yes, sir?"
"Find the Elric brothers!"
"Al," Ed yawned. "I'm tired."
"You're always tired brother," Al signed as he smiled.
"Yeah, well, you try working for the mili-"
"Excuse me?" a voice interjected. "Are you Edward Elric?"
Edward glared at the tall figure before him. It was a dark-skinned man with a beige coat surrounding his form. From what Ed could tell he had a muscular build. "Who's asking?"
Scar looked down at the boy before he held his hand out towards his head.
An explosion occurred and dust filled the area. Faint scream could be heard.
"An explosion, has occurred near Main Street. There have been no reported casualties as of yet-"
Roy didn't listen to the news report before he pulled on a pair of ignition gloves and headed out the door.
"Prepare a car, we're going to Main Street," he ordered.
"Why?"
"He's going to save his boys from Scar," Hughes whispered to the group.
"What the hell?!" Ed exclaimed as he clapped his hands, forming his signature sword from his automail. "Who are you?!"
Scar grunted and went in to attack the boy again. "So, that's why it didn't work," he mumbled. "Guess I'll have to try again."
The state alchemist attacked Scar with a roundhouse kick. When Scar caught his leg, the teen clapped and placed his hands on the wet ground, spikes forming and piercing their way through the air. One grazed Scar's head, but he got away. 'Crap!'
Edward took a swing at him with his right arm. Scar caught the metal appendage in his tattooed arm.
Next thing the brother's knew it was in pieces.
Edward fell to the ground in horror, his sunglasses falling off of his face. Fullmetal looked up at the man with red eyes.
"So, you both have disobeyed the teachings of Ishvala," Scar said aloud. "You both shall be punished."
Ed turned to his younger brother who's hands were on his knees. He was panting. Al stood up straight and charged at the man once again. Alphonse ran towards the man, aiming for a punch to the face which ended up being dodged.
"Run, Al!" Ed exclaimed.
It was at that moment that his brother was out of his mind, and shook his head before going to attack Scar once again with a kick to his head. Scar held Al's leg in his arm.
Alphonse let out a silent scream as the bones in his leg was fractured with the alchemical reaction. Al fell to the ground, his glasses flying onto the ground. The deaf boy cradled his leg towards him.
Scar walked up to the boy, now sitting on the wet ground, a hand reached out for his head.
"Stop!" Ed screamed as he slammed his hand on the ground. Red sparks caused the water to take the form of an animal, something akin to a dog of sorts. Ed's eyes changed from the normally blood red to a color of gold, similar to the sun that hadn't been out that day.
"What the-?"
'Brother? Your alchemy, it-it isn't red...'
The four wolves attacked the Ishvalan man in the rain. Throwing his arm in the air, he destroyed the water-made animals. Edward frowned deeply and put his hand to the earth once again. This time, the teen formed an array of spikes coming out of one another. By this point, Edward didn't care whether or not he killed the man. He tried to hurt his brother, and that was unforgivable.
"Scar!" a voice sounded.
Edward looked over to the announcer with a golden-eyed glare. 'I'm trying to do something here!'
"Turn yourself in and you won't get hurt!"
Scar smirked, "Hm, the Fullmetal and the Flame Alchemist in one day. It seems that Ishvala has put me into His favor."
"Al!" Ed shouted, his eyes turning back to the original color. "Al, are you okay-"
Al punched his brother in the face. "Hey! What was that for?!"
"What were you thinking?!" he signed furiously. "Are you trying to get yourself killed, idiot?!"
Ed glared at him, "Hey, now, don't go calling your older brother an idiot, all right?"
"How can I not when he's suicidal-" Al winced clutched his injured leg.
Roy handed the megaphone over to a random soldier next to him. "I'll finish this guy!" he exclaimed as he snapped, a spark of fire headed above Al's head towards Scar, causing Al to let out a silent scream.
"AL!"
Havoc looked towards the brother's and then Scar. "Wait, how can he do that in the rain?"
"Well, after this one raid a year or so ago, the Colonel waterproofed his gloves," Breda answered.
The Lieutenant spent no time in firing her gun towards Scar. He dodged every chance he took, but a single bullet grazed his leg and head. Slamming his tattooed arm to the ground he escaped into the sewage lines.
"Fuery, go take care of the brothers."
Fuery ran over to the two boys, "How bad are you injuries-"
The two boys looked up at Fuery, eyes widening as they realized. Al shook in Ed's arms.
Mustang walked over to the two boys, he reached for them, "Are you boys- Oh my God." Roy stared at their blood red eyes for what felt like eternity. Ed's aura seeped anger and hatred. 'No, it can't be.'
"Get away from us," the teen mumbled. "Al," he whispered lovingly to his brother. Al's red eyes were wide in fear, his body shaking in his brother's arm.
A bright blue light flashed and the wet road had turned to ice. The three alchemists turned their heads to see Isaac standing there, a smirk adorning his rough features.
"I'm back."
How do you like it so far? Is it interesting? I've never written a fight scene before (that's pretty obvious, huh?).
Edit: I tried making the fight scene clearer, just a bit. Reviews make me wanna write more!
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THANKS!