Fullmetal Exorcist- Chapter 9- Vanishing Acts

Al woke up in high spirits, as usual. Ed's bed was empty, so Al assumed at that his brother was talking a morning walk somewhere, and he began to slip on his Exorcist uniform. His head was racing with many ideas. What was Ed doing? What strange event will happen today? Is Komui going to showcase another one of his creations?

He exited the door of his room, buttoning his coat before taking another step. He kept his pace, nice and slow, admiring the stain-glass windows of the old cathedral as the morning rays showered upon the cold stone floor. This "Home" remained as mysterious as ever.

Upon entering the dining hall, a young boy with a big spherical gem embedded in his forehead approached him. His blue hair was short, and his eyes were somewhat, bug-like, for some reason. The youth stared up at the teenager, and then crossed his arms.

"Are you Alphonse Elric?" He asked flatly, and then received a small nod. "Well, the Chief wants to see you, so get your butt over there."

Al sweatdropped. For a kid this young… he surely acts like a moody adult! Why does he remind of Ed in the morning?! No… maybe Kanda…

"Um… thanks…" Al bowed slightly and asked Jerry to give him breakfast so he could take it along. The flamboyant chef happily complied.

"Ah… just on time, Alphonse," Komui smiled. The half-timid boy nodded meekly and joined his Supervisor at the couch. Roy Mustang was standing around, as usual, watching carefully.

"Is it a mission?" Alphonse asked.

"Of course it is!" Komui tossed a folder to the boy, who caught it with ease. "This one's really boring, though. Your Brother Edward and Lavi have already left an hour ago on a different mission. I supposed that you were able to take the job, either way."

The door to the office was opened immediately, and Kanda, looking as grumpy as ever, stalked into the room. He silently took his briefing folder and began to read. Komui paused for a moment.

"Anyways, let's put it in detail," He pulled down the big map once again. "You will be arriving in Dublith, Hungary."

"Although no real abnormalities are there," Roy continued. "Riza and Hughes have found someone compatible with Innocence. Your job is to see what type it is, since he refuse to leave until further notice."

"That's it?" Kanda grumbled. "Then why am I here? I'm sure it can a one-man mission."

"That's where you're wrong," Komui sat down, flexing his fingers and resting his chin on his fingertips. "Since we can't really be sure what they might do, it's best you both go and watch each other's backs."

Alphonse nodded at every word. Dublith… That was very far from here.

"Riza and Hughes should be waiting for you at the nearest inn. Be careful on your way there and back." Roy frowned, and the two Exorcists nodded in response.

"Master," Al asked. "What about you? Lately, you haven't been joining us for missions."

"Don't mind me," Roy smiled. "I don't have to join because I know you can handle this yourselves. And by the way, Alphonse, remember the plan I told you earlier case any situation happens."

Alphonse looked at Roy. That was rather stupid of his Master to blatantly say secret plans out loud, but yes, that was wise of him to remind the boy of the move they plan to use to turn the tide of the war. Alphonse frowned. The plan was to lure in a target, and he had no idea what the target would look like. Only by name he knew.

The train ride was very long for the two of them, and all Kanda did was looked outside the window again, and Al was busy tracing his fingers over and over again on the armrests. He had forgotten to snag a book from the library, so he was left completely bored.

"Hey," Kanda's deep voice caught Alphonse's attention.

"What?" Al asked.

"Lately, the idiot rabbit is getting quite busy lately," Kanda said, watching the continuous cow pasture zoom by.

"Yeah, so?"

"He's been skipping training, and spending more time at the library with that short stack." Kanda justified. Apparently, since Allen was bean sprout, Ed was short stack…

"Your point?" Al looked up.

"What are they doing?" Kanda asked.

"Just researching something that came up," Al said flatly. "What's wrong with that?"

"That's not like him," Kanda turned away to watch the window.

"And?"

"Is it about the bean sprout?" Kanda looked at him again, unnervingly blazing with some type of calm anger. Al gulped silently, and regained his posture.

"I don't know what you mean, Kanda."

"Don't play dumb, you're quite scared," Kanda rolled his eyes. "Afraid that I know?"

Al sighed. "So what if you do?"

"Just let me in," Kanda snorted. "That's the only option, isn't it?"

Al tilted his head slightly. This is one of the moments when Kanda could really be tolerated, and apparently with some politeness…

"Fine," He said, frowning. "Just don't tell anyone…"

"Whatever you say," Kanda let the comment roll off his shoulder.

"Thanks, Kanda," Al smiled. The train then came to a halt, and Kanda looked up curiously.

"This isn't Dublith," He added flatly. Alphonse nodded.

"We're taking a rest here." Alphonse got up and opened the compartment door. "Plus, I have some subordinates to pick up here in Berlin."

"Alphonse!" A blond haired woman in a navy blue suit waved to the approaching Exorcists. Her eyes were gold-orange, and her blond hair was swept up into a loose French bun. Over her suit was a black long coat.

Alphonse waved, and Kanda nodded. A man beside the woman was making a bigger welcome, with flailing hands and all. His dark brown hair was very short, and his square glasses glinted in the sun. His uniform was very similar to the woman as well.

"Riza! Hughes!" Alphonse smiled. Hughes then looked inquisitively at the boy.

"Where's your brother Edward?"

"He's on another mission." Alphonse smiled. "But Kanda here is coming with me."

"You're Kanda?" Hughes pointed and immediately grabbed for Kanda's hand. "Nice to meet you!"

"You too." Kanda grumbled and turned away and headed into the inn himself. Alphonse then laughed nervously.

"That's just Kanda." Al explained. "He's not that much of a social person."

Hughes then smiled warmly. "Just like Ed on a bad day, eh?"

Riza looked at the swinging doors of the inn. "Seems so."

"Oh! Oh!" Hughes smiled, and handed Alphonse a stack of pictures. "I just had these photographs processed last month! It's my sweet Gracia and my little Elysia! Aren't they so cute?!"

"Um…" Alphonse stuttered. "O-okay…"

"Anyways, come in," Hughes ushered the boy in while Riza followed behind. However, Alphonse had his face slammed into Kanda's back. Alphonse looked dumbly at his back and then to the back of his head.

"Ow… Kanda, may you please mo-"

"Alphonse, what is this?" Kanda asked sternly. Of course, he would feel quite cautious about what he was seeing. Instead of the wooden planks of wood that supposedly housed the inn, the walls were lined with steel plates, just like the Order. Several people in uniforms (apparently blue uniforms just like from Central but in blue, and some wore a black coat over the uniforms). Those who saw Alphonse, waved.

"Welcome back, Chief!"

"Chief?" Kanda turned at the younger boy. "Explain."

"I said I was from Central already," Alphonse sighed. "It's obvious that these people would call me that, since I'm their superior."

"Then why are you hiding an entire base here in Berlin?"

"It's a stop for Exorcists, in case they can't find a place to stay and such." Alphonse handed the jacket he wore to an attendant, who bowed and walked away.

"How I didn't see it when I was around here in Berlin one time?" Kanda asked.

"You didn't think outside the box," Alphonse sighed. "Some things hide in plain sight. Didn't Tiedoll teach you that?"

"Hey, hey," Hughes smiled reassuringly. "Let's not get any tension, shall we? Coffee, anyone?"

"Eh… no…" Alphonse sweatdropped. "Just get me some warm water. How about you, Kanda?"

"Tea, if you have any," Kanda didn't keep his guard down, and Hughes began to inwardly tremble in fright.

"Okay, then! We'll talk at your room, Alphonse!"

"I see," Hughes looked at Alphonse. "So the Chief is already on the job?"

"Yes," Al looked at the table. "It seems that it won't be long before we find Walker."

"Seems so…" Riza frowned. "Oh, right, we need to tell you about the mission here."

"And?" Kanda asked.

"We had managed to get the potential Exorcist's name. His name is Ling Yao."

"Isn't that a bit more Asian?" Al asked. "I thought this was Germany…"

"Apparently, they reside in a small apartment with his little sister, Mei Chan, next to a bar called the Devil's Nest." Riza showed him a card with the bar's name on it. "Lan Fan, Ling's wife, works at this bar here. We have managed to be able to talk to her, and she's quite recluse. That is all."

Alphonse got up and walked out the door and was followed by the other three.

"So when should we go?" Al asked. Riza then pointed at a clock. "About now."

"Good." Alphonse nodded and turned to a nearby attendant. "Excuse me, can you get some tickets to the next train to Dublith? I'm really sorry if I interrupted your work, just that you're next to the telephone."

The attendant then shook her head. "No need to apologize, Chief. If it's a serious mission, then I'll be obliged to help you."

"Thank you." Alphonse smiled.

"Good afternoon," A young Chinese woman looked at the four. Her eyes were onyx black, and her hair was tied into two buns. "You came quite early, Riza."

"I have," Riza smiled. "Say, Lan Fan… can we visit your husband, Ling?"

The waitress stiffened but upon seeing Kanda and Al's uniforms, she subsequently decided she couldn't refuse.

"Yes…" She smiled. "I'm going on break in a minute. Please wait for me."

They followed her outside the bar as she walked to the building right next to the bar. They climbed upstairs three floors before reaching their designated spot. Lan Fan rapped on the door quite gently, and Al and Kanda heard subtle shuffling.

"Who is it?" A man's voice asked.

"It's me, Lan Fan," the Chinese woman answered. "Riza and Hughes came, too."

"Oh, come in!" the man welcomed them, and the door opened. Behind the door was a young Oriental man with his eyes always squinted. His relatively long black hair was tied into a ponytail. He wore a rather decorative coat with yellow and white patterns on them. He looked at Al and Kanda.

"So these are the Exorcists you have asked to come see me?"

"Yes, Ling," Riza nodded. "How is Mei Chan by the way?"

"Very well," Ling smiled. "Oh! Don't just stand there! Come in!"

The five walked through, and Ling settled himself on the sofa, as did everyone else.

"Excuse me, sir," Alphonse smiled. "But can we please see your Innocence?"

"My Innocence?" Ling looked up. "Well, I guess you can…"

Ling stood up, and shut his eyes tight as his bare left arm became gray stone. The stony surface was very smooth, however, unlike normal rocks. The expanding gray skin then stopped at his shoulder, and Al looked at it with fascination.

"I had this since I was born," Ling explained. "but I haven't activated it since last year. I have fully come to understand how my Innocence works. My Innocence allows the carbon in my skin to become stronger, and that's why my skin now looks like thread. It seems to be very durable, since no knife has been able to pierce it so easily."

"Interesting…" Al muttered. "So, what's the name you given it?"

"Ultimate Shield," Ling grinned. "It pretty much suits the look, doesn't it?"

Then small footsteps appeared behind him, and there stood a young girl with a very small stature. Her eyes were onyx black, and her hair was braided to buns and loose braids.

"Ling…" the young girl asked. "Who are these people?"

"Oh… they're friends of mine." Ling picked the girl up and let her sit on his lap.

"This is my little sister, Mei Chan," the man smiled, and the girl waved.

"Nice to meet you!"

Al smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Brother, why are they here?" Mei asked.

"We're just having a conversation," Ling smiled. "Like all friends do."

"That sounds fun," Mei smiled warmly. "Can I join?"

"Sure," Ling replied. "But I don't think you'll get everything, though…"

They continued to discuss the details of joining the Order, and Ling nodded at every word. His decision was still undecided.

"As for joining the Black Order?" Lin asked. "I don't know… I'm pretty much fine with life here, and I don't like to travel often…"

"I have another option for you, Ling," Al got up. "But this is a private matter, so I'll need to speak to you separately, say, tomorrow, so you have time to think."

The other three followed his actions and they were just about to leave…

"Oh, and Riza," Lan Fan stopped the blond haired woman. "I forgot to give you that thing you asked for, hold on a second."

"Kanda, stay with them for a while," Al spoke to the samurai. "I'll wait for you outside…"

Kanda che'd at the fact that Al was ordering everyone what to do, when he did have the authority to…

Al was first to be outside, and he waited. It was noontime, and the overhead sun was blazing upon his shoulders. The boy sighed. He always felt strange whenever he never had Brother to back him up. But he shook it off, saying to himself to be a bit more self-reliant.

"Hello…. Exorcist..." A strange slurring voice called out to him. Al spun on his feet, and tried to the source of the sound. Without being able to have known the appearance of his target, Al was unable to sense him with his alkahestry.

"Who are you?!" Al demanded, and immediately, he was caught off guard by a shadowy figure towering over him. He only had enough time to see his attacker, but he immediately was wiped out.

"Huh?" Hughes looked about. "I thought Al said he'd wait for us."

"He didn't ditch us, I know that…" Riza frowned, and then she felt a strange sensation. Kanda must have this, too. Ling watched around him warily. Mei Chan and Lan Fan wore faces of concern.

Lan Fan then pointed to the Devil's Nest. "He might be there. I can see trails of someone being dragged in there. Seems that someone kidnapped him."

"This sounds bad," Hughes frowned. "Usually Alphonse never lets his guard down. Whatever's going on, we're up against a dangerous person here. By the way, sharp eyes, Lan Fan."

The woman nodded. "We can't wait here, let's go."

"Ugh…" Alphonse groaned. "Huh? What am I here for?"

It was large dark space, that place. The air was very ominous, and the surroundings, all dark blue and gray, and cloudy. Al attempted to move, but he felt something at his feet, pulling him in the opposite direction that he wished to go.

"Huh?" Al looked down at his feet. Strange chains that connected him to nowhere had appeared, restraining him from moving. He tried to look into his coat pockets for some alkahestry knives… but nothing.

"You cannot escape those shackles, young boy…" A girl's voice taunted him. "You are in the dream state of your mind. The impossible becomes possible here."

"Who are you?!" Al shouted.

A small giggle ensued, and out of the shadows a young girl indeed appeared. Her hair was vividly dark purple, and her skin toned all the way to gray. Her purple locks of hair covered a series of hollow crosses on her forehead, and her eyes dark gold, just waiting to see pleasure in something horrible… Her attire, light pink blouse with few frills on the sleeves and shoulders, and a dark purple miniskirt, striped black-purple stockings, and black dress shoes. Al gasped. A Noah… It was no mistake… this girl is a Noah…

"Welcome…" The young girl said. "To my world… and your inner mind… my name is Road Camelot… and please… remember it well…"

"Road Camelot?" Alphonse said the words aloud, and tried to remember if he heard the name before. Bingo.

Alphonse smirked. So Master was correct… she would come… But then a great thundering cloud of purple swooped down on the boy, and he gasped in surprise. The Noah of Dreams couldn't contain her laughter as loud crack of a bone echoed in the dark abyss.