He stared. The wall was huge!
"C'mon, pal. I know one thing about this place and that's that they don't stand for gawkers." whispered Cathrine, nudging him forward.
He quickly followed them into the fort. He wondered if the general would be anything like Major Armstrong. He was scared to see.
"Captain Buccaneer. Who are these?" asked a dark-skinned man. "Wait… Major Jones?"
"Ex-Major Jones… I'm kinda a wanted man now… If you haven't heard…" Dark blushed. "Sorry…"
"'Ex?' Why is that?"
"We found out a terrible secret about the military. We're trying to prevent it now." Black Cat said softly.
"I see. So you withdrew your footing in the military so you wouldn't have to take part in it." the man nodded. "But who are your friends?"
"They're my team. We're the Spectrum Alchemists. You've heard tales about our predecessors. We are simply reincarnated every time." Dark said quietly. "I'm the Blue Alchemist. Black Cat… Obvious. Strawberry, if you think about you'll get it. Karina is the Green Alchemist. Violet… same as Cat. Cathrine is the Orange Alchemist. Daisy is the same as Strawberry. Lyn is the White Alchemist. Edward, former State Alchemist Fullmetal, is the Spectrum Alchemist."
"What about your pale friend?" asked Buccaneer.
"I'm Terios. I'm originally from Xing, the prince of the Hai-Chi clan. I ran away, and when I was bitten by a rabid cat-Chimera, I became the advisor of the Rainbow Alchemists." Terios bowed.
"Pleased to meet all of you. But, Dark, what is this secret? What is so terrible about it?"
"They're gonna turn the citizens of Amestris into a Philosopher's Stone." they all said in unison.
"Hmm. I'm sure General Armstrong can spare you a moment." the man said. "But first, I'm Major Miles. Since you have all trusted me with your secrets…" He removed his glasses.
All of them but Dark gasped. "An Ishvalan?" breathed Violet in wonder.
"Come on." Miles said, leading them down a hallway.
Miles knocked sharply on a door. "What is it?" someone snapped.
"General, Dark is here with some friends of his. They want to speak to you about something." Miles said.
"Dark? Oh, I can spare a moment!"
Miles stood aside and gestured for them to enter. He gulped as he walked through the door. Dark was standing in front of a tall woman with long blonde hair. She looked… Nothing like the major!
"Dark, what is it you wanted to see me about?"
"Well, sir, the country is in great danger. The senior military staff is planning to turn the country's citizens into a giant Philosopher's Stone. No one except those at the center of the circle—the senior staff—would be alive afterwards. Every event involving blood-shed marks a point on the circle. We were wondering… if we could have your help. And… if you were to help, Fuhrer King Bradley would be over-thrown, and you would have a very good shot at the top seat." Dark said.
"And do you know just what you're saying, Dark? You're accusing our leader of treachery."
"Sir, we have very real evidence. The Fuhrer is actually a Homunculus. You can tell a Homunculus by their ouroboros tattoo. His? It's on his eye. Under the patch, his eye is just fine. And with it, he can predict oncoming attacks within the next twenty seconds. I've seen the tattoo myself." Dark said.
"I have as well. When I first came to this country and started my search for the Rainbow Alchemists, I found Strawberry and Cathrine right off the bat. While searching for the rest, I encountered Bradley. He and I crossed blades. I was confused, but knew he was this country's leader. At one point, I took off his patch. He has it… stamped across his eye… And I swear on my heritage and merit, I'm not lying. Bradley is a Homunculus." Terios said, stepping forth.
"Due to that and Dark's word, I believe you all. Very well, I'll assist you in you bid for this rebellion. Do you have any other allies at this point?"
"Erm…" started Dark.
There was a rap on the door. "Sir, there is a group of people outside the fort, demanding to see the Rainbow Alchemists."
"Maybe these are some unexpected allies." swallowed Violet.
He took the lead in going outside. There was a large group out there. And the one in the front… Did they know that one?
"Edward Elric. We heard you'd gone missing, and some of my brothers spotted you heading up North. We're here to help you, if at all possible."
"Scar!" gasped Karina. "So, unexpected allies?"
"Actually, we were just about to figure out how to get allies in our fight to over-throw the military senior staff before they kill everyone. Your help is welcome." he called.
Scar nodded.
"So, that's the Briggs men and the Ishvalan survivors. We're slowly amassing an army." Dark murmured.
"Maybe I can get us another… Just one person, but I think she'll help us a lot…" Edward grinned.
He turned to the general. "If I could have access to a phone, I can add another ally to our list." he said boldly. "Sir." he added quickly.
He got a curt nod in reply.
They all hovered apprehensively as he dialed. "Come on… pick up the dang phone…" he muttered.
There was a click. "Curtis residence."