Thanks to all who have read and I hope you continue to enjoy.

I do not own FMA or claim too.

Chapter 19

Prodigy vs. Prodigy

Ed stands outside a building waiting for Al to arrive. Their latest lead has led them to this hotel that was condemned. The windows are broken and the paint is rotting away from the shutters. Birds fly in and out of the open main door and the grass has grown over most of the sidewalk. Al walks up to Ed dragging along a man in a uniform. Al tosses him in front of Ed and they begin their questioning.

"You know soldier, all we wanted from you were some answers."

"I got nothing to say to a dog like you."

"Listen buster. I am a Major to this military and when I order you talk you talk."

"Ha, what makes you think I answer to any military dogs?"

"I know he may not look like a Major, but my brother is one and a State Alchemist on top of it. If you don't want to go another round with me, I suggest you answer anything he asks."

"Now then, why were you buying tickets at the train station?"

"What's wrong with going on a little vacation?"

"You bought three tickets, one adult and two children."

"Did I commit a crime?"

"Those happen to be the same type of people we are looking for. When we got here to this bogus address to see who bought them, we found you. As soon as you saw us, you ran very hard. You gotta be pretty fast to outrun my brother."

"You don't have a damn thing on me. So I bought some tickets and now you found me. Good luck actually pressing any charges."

Ed grabs the man by the collar and drags him up to his feet. "Damnit, I don't have time for your mouth. Who were those tickets for and what is in that building?"

"I work for people far scarier then you little man."

Ed drops the man and punches him dead in the nose. He falls back and lands on the ground knocked out. For once he would like to find a bad guy who didn't have to insult his height. He takes some handcuffs and locks the guy to a street light outside the hotel. Al and Ed walk into the hotel to see what he was hiding.

The main lobby looked as bad as the outside. Furniture was dusty and broken. No one had used the main desk in years and red leather that lined it had dried and cracked. With the amount of dirt on the floor they could see foot prints leading up the stairs. They slowly make their way up the worn staircase following the trail. At the top of the stairs they spot a trip wire with a grenade attached. They step over it and start down the hall along the creaking boards. On the left-hand side of the hall two rooms have fresh tracks in front of them. Before they reach them, a young woman opens the door and stands outside her room. A young boy peaks his head out and the woman signals him back into the room.

"Who are you two?"

"We're the Elric brothers. Who are you?"

"Are you the Fullmetal Alchemist?"

"I take it that you know me?"

"I know you very well Ed. Your brothers' name is Al. I'm sorry my dad isn't here at the moment. I'm sorry but I am going to have to kill you both now."

Ed claps his hands and places them on the floor. Large planks of wood go toward the woman. Before they reach her, she claps her hands and stops the transmutation. She claps her hands and places them on the wall. An electric wire rips from the wall and wraps around Al. Ed transmutes his arm into a long blade and goes running toward her. She grabs a doorknob and makes a blade of her own.

The two battle fiercely in the hall. Kicking and slashing their blades back and forth. Ed is surprised that this young woman is keeping up with him so well. Every time he gets a little breathing room to transmute she is ready to stop any that he can produce. He lunges at her with his right arm and she ducks and kicks him right upside the head. He goes crashing into the wall and turns to see her hand on the floor.

"I wonder if your brothers' armor is as tough as it looks."

Ed looks back at Al and the floor launches Al into the trip wire they just passed. As soon as he lands onto the wire the grenade explodes and sends Al flying into the ceiling. Dust and smoke fill the hallway and Als' right arm lands right in front of Ed. Ed looks up at the woman who is just staring deep into his eyes. She places her hand on the floor again and boards pin Ed up against the wall.

"I guess it wasn't that tough."

"Is Bosely your dad that you were talking about?"

"Yes he is. He raised my little brother and me so we can help him fight against the monsters who destroyed our country."

"I think it's funny that a man claiming to be a father would raise his kids for such an act. From what I read he hates alchemists."

"Our alchemy is for the destruction of this corrupt world and he makes us get stronger every day."

"Your name is Trisha and your little brother is named Alphonse. Am I correct?"

"How did you know that?"

"When you blew off the arm of that soldier, you forgot to make sure he died. He told us about you and what you did."

"Brother......."

Ed looks back and sees Al laying on the floor. His chest one leg and arm are still attached. Dents and black marks line what is left of his body. Ed yells for his brother to stop and is silenced when Trisha places her hand over his mouth.

"That isn't part of the plan dear."

Bosely makes his way to the top of the stairs. He struggles to get his footing from the blast and steps over Als' body. He walks up to Ed and removes Trishas' hand. He punches Ed in the jaw and blood starts pouring from his mouth.

"I though we had a little talk about what you were supposed to be doing Elric? You are supposed to trying to save your little brother. The only way you can do that is by giving us our leader ."

"If you think that I am going to help any of you, then you are crazy beyond what anybody thinks."

"Bradley will return to this world. Remember we are the ones who put your brothers' soul into that armor. If that isn't enough of a reason for you to help us then he is useless."

Bosely walks over to Al and removes an explosive from his pocket. He removes a pin and places his hand inside Als' body.

"If I let go of this small explosive, your brother is dead. Its not as powerful and the one he already encountered but I am sure the amount of damage would be enough to destroy that blood seal."

"Stop. Damnit he's my brother. You can't take him away from me."

"You got two months Fullmetal. Two months to figure out how to bring Bradley from the other side of gate. If you fail this mission everyone that ever mattered to you will die."

He removes his hand from Als' body and holds the bomb in his right hand. He walks up to Ed and holds the bomb right against his cheek. With his other hand he slowly places the pin back into it. He drops it at Edwards feet and walks into the hotel room. He grabs his bags and escorts the two kids down the stairs.

"I'll be keeping a closer eye on you Fullmetal. You will not get another chance at attacking my children."

"I have one more question for you Bosely. Are those really your kids?"

"Of course they are. This little girl is something of a prodigy, isn't she? Why do you ask me such a stupid question?"

"Well they have the same names as my uncles' kids. Only he was told they were dead."

"I told you they are my children and if you or anyone questions that again I wont wait two months."

They hear cars stopping outside the hotel and Bosely runs down the stairs with his kids. A few minutes later soldiers run up the stairs and find Ed against the wall. They repeatedly ask him if he is ok but he is not talking to them. They start ripping down hunks of wood to release their Major. He is finally free and walks past them and sits down next to Al.

"I need someone to contact General Mustang and tell him that Bosely is still in Central. Tell him that Major Elric and Alphonse Elric engaged him in a battle and he got away. He is looking for a way out and we must not let him escape."

"Yes, Sir."

"Al, are you still with me."

"Brother, this was a horrible way for our day to end. I don't believe him when he said they were his kids."

"I know, but you got your wish. We went back to doing things like we used too."

"Very funny, Ed. I don't know where all my body blew into."

"Don't worry. We will find it. I know Mustang is going to yell my ear off for this."