Fullmetal Exorcist – Chapter 24 – The Crown That Falters

"Take this!" Izumi sent a row of massive stone arrows hurtling at the monster, and the weapons ripped through it, leaving large holes in its body. However, the body reconstructed itself, and it was unscathed, again.

Olivia grit her teeth in frustration. All the monster did was zoom straight in their direction and blow them off course. They hadn't made any progress, either. Her excuse of a brother Armstrong was already knocked out, since Sloth had hit him on full force. Her sword probably had no chance of slicing it, if Innocence was unable to affect it… unless.

"Izumi!" She shouted. "Keep using Alchemy! It's got to have some limit!"

"You don't need to say twice!" Izumi clapped her hands together again.

Lavi sank down on one knee. This guy's sword fighting surpassed Yuu's! No joke! Bradley seemed to be enjoying himself, smiling at the fact that none of the attacks were working a single bit.

Cross was probably the only one closest to leaving a mark on the man, but failed miserably after being slashed in the shoulder. Alphonse had exited the battlefield to tend to Cross's wounds, and the healing process took longer than usual. At this point, Cross was usually the type to complain, but he didn't talk. He waited patiently as Alphonse strained himself.

Road was easily dispatched and was already dizzy on her feet. Bradley found an opportunity to finish the girl until a large burst of fire had made him jump away. Lavi took the chance of confusion to drag Road out, and see Roy Mustang facing Bradley.

Roy and his team reached the large black room where Ed and his friends had fallen through, but Roy stopped Hawkeye from leading the team any further.

"You guys stay here," Roy headed for the large hole in the ground. "It's best that you wait for the Armstrongs and Izumi to catch up."

"But sir-" Riza objected, but Roy raised a hand, stopping her from talking.

"It's an order."

With a quick step, the General was plummeting into the next level below. Riza faced the rest of the crew.

"Okay," She barked out orders. "You heard him!"

"You four," Roy ordered the four Exorcists. "Go after Ed, will you? He'll need some protection."

Lavi raised an eyebrow, "But isn't Kan-"

"Let's go, Lavi," Al sternly interrupted him, propping Cross up. Lavi didn't know what channeling was. There was no time to explain.

Cross sighed, putting away Judgment. Road immediately joined with Al and Lavi, and they were within a second. Bradley and Mustang were left alone in a battered ballroom.

"What brings you here, Roy Mustang?" Bradley tilted his head in confusion. "I thought the guard told you to keep out for a while."

"Sorry," Roy smiled. "My student was being a little hotheaded and lost his patience, so I took the opportunity to visit you anyways."

"What a great friend you are," said Bradley, brandishing his sword.

"I saw it," Roy added. "I saw everything."

Bradley raised an eyebrow, not sure of what Roy meant.

"What did you see?"

"For many years, I didn't understand why my apprentice never got along with you after you first met," Roy fisted his gloves. "Edward would never tell me, and once Alphonse finally accomplished his training, I asked him to channel Ed's memory to me. And I saw everything you did when I wasn't looking."

"Alphonse…" Roy approached the youngest Elric.

"Yes, sir?" He looked up from the papers he was sorting for Riza.

"Izumi told me you finished your channeling training already…"

Alphonse set down his stack of papers and took a seat in the sofa in front of Roy's desk.

"Yes, I have," Alphonse knew where the talk was going. "You're asking me to channel you to see why brother's neck had bruises a few years ago, when he refused to talk to you about them… He didn't tell me either…"

"I was wondering if you could…"

Luckily Ed had come back from a mission, knocked out from intense battling, a misfortune to his part, but an opportunity for Roy and Alphonse.

"I will," Alphonse got up. "I don't like it when brother doesn't open up to anyone and bottles up everything."

"I see…"

"The kid was amusing," Bradley smiled. "He just sucked it up and didn't come crying to you. I wanted to see how much it would take. But he's like steel."

"Why did you continue if you knew it would never work?"

"Curiosity is what drives the mind, Mustang," Bradley approached closer. "Didn't you know that?"

"No, but I know another thing. Too much curiosity is madness."

"Then why are you pursuing Allen Walker?" Bradley asked. "You and Leverrier plan to do something with him, something the Pope probably won't agree with."

"Actually, I will persuade him." Roy smiled. "Once I show him what you have done! I will present your ashes to him!"

"!"

Hoeinheim and Link were completely lost. Sure, they were in London, but there was no sign of a Finder or Exorcist roaming the streets. The Silver Shield must be really skilled to camouflage their members.

As far as Link had known, the Shield was "somewhere" in London. He never went there or heard of its location. They had wandered for hours, and nothing showed up.

Hoeinheim, once, was not careful, and he nearly trampled a blue haired man in a dark brown overcoat and white beret. After many apologies, Hoeinheim's act caught Link's attention, and the victim met the eyes of the former CROW member. His hopes rose when he recognized the person before him.

"Supervisor Komui Lee?" Link asked back.

"Howard Link?" Komui tilted his head curiously.

Hoeinheim remained silent as Komui began laughing about how long it had been since he had met Link, and finally Link pressed the question.

"What brings you here to London?"

Komui pocketed his espresso pouches. "I was temporarily transferred to the Silver Shield to help Mustang. And you?"

"I was looking for the Shield myself." Link answered, and he presented Hoeinheim. "I was escorting this man there."

"Um… Hello…" the said man meekly nodded. Komui smiled, and laughed again.

"So you were looking for the Headquarters! Actually, it's a way from London. In the countryside."

"All the way there?" Link frowned. "How did you-"

"I used one of their cars," Komui cut Link off. "They're such fascinating machines. It's a bit rickety, but it's better than a carriage if you ask me. Sadly I won't be able to use them in the winter. At least I get to choose where I go!"

"Can we go with you to this Headquarters?" Hoeinheim asked. Komui nodded mindlessly and took them down the street.

"This way…"

Roy ducked under Bradley's swing. He was far too close to use any flames. He resorted to punching Bradley in the gut, allowing him time to back away. The General snapped his fingers, and bursts of fire bloomed around Bradley. Wincing from the heat, Bradley jumped away, and began charging again for closer combat.

Roy spotted one of Alphonse's daggers lying in wait on the floor. He picked it up and deflected Bradley's swipe. Irritated, Bradley swung again with both blades flashing, only to swatted away so lazily by the dagger. Roy found the chance to go low, and raised his right hand at Bradley's chest. He snapped, and his opponent was sent hurtling in the farthest wall.

When the dust and rubble receded, Roy could see Bradley glaring at him. But there was no mercy, cold calculating black eyes watched the gloved fingers snap a few times more.

Cross led the group through the same hall Ed had gone through, and they reached the last holding cell, where there lay four people: Ed himself, Kanda beside him, holding onto the red hood of the first, Lenalee, who was slumped over another body they didn't recognize yet… But only one possibility remained.

"This… is Allen?" Lavi gasped. Alphonse could feel Road's fingers tighten around his… Cross, grabbed the lantern Kanda had dropped to get a better look.

"It's the idiot apprentice, all right," He sighed. "But it looks like none of these people will be waking up any time soon."

"Is it because of Ed?" Alphonse asked Cross, who nodded.

"Channeling is easy and quick, but what to do when you get in the mind goes a long way…"

They stared at the silent pile of bodies, until Lavi raised his hand.

"Um… guys…? What's channeling?"

Ed navigated his way in this Ark-like mind of Allen Walker. He honestly didn't care about the fact that the newcomer was a Noah. If they shared the same goal, then the faster the operation will go. Besides, the 14th… gave some strange aura to him, a mental friendly gesture, if he thought about it more clearly.

Kanda and Lenalee tagged along right behind him, wary of Dorian's presence right next to Ed. To think Ed would be so tolerant of a mere Noah… That was highly unusual… But, Kanda had not really seen Ed's attitude against a Noah with killing intents. He shouldn't be judging the teen just yet.

They were face to face against a tall marble tower, finally. Ed looked the building up and down, and he nodded to the three others.

"I'm going to raise an elevated platform for us," He explained. "It's best that you stay close. That way, it'll be less work and energy."

Kanda and Lenalee reluctantly stepped closer to Dorian, who was already next to Ed. The blonde clapped his hands, and slammed them on the ground. Immediately, the ground beneath them shook, and the four were sent sky high on the stone pillar. They reached the top, and quickly landed on the floor as the platform they departed from crumbled away into dust.

Almost instantly, Kanda and Dorian felt malicious intent, and they crouched into a defensive position, earning Ed's attention. A casual set of footsteps from a dark doorway revealed the same High Inspector the Fullmetal Alchemist greatly loathed and somewhat feared. Everything was still the same…

"You…" Dorian murmured, and Bradley frowned.

"You came back?" Bradley snarled. "And you brought some friends, too."

Ed was quite surprised, however. This Bradley standing before them was actually panting a bit. So he was tired… from what? Seeing through people's emotions was a strange talent of his, but in other words, Bradley did some good acting… impressive…

"Where's Allen?" Lenalee shouted, and the sky roared gray to white. Dorian gave the sky a worried look… something was off… really off… but his frown curved into a victorious smile… the counterattack has begun…

"Oh," Bradley smiled. "You mean the little white haired brat I took from you?"

"Give him back," Dorian took the stage. "I demand it."

Seemingly, the man burst into a small fit of laughter. "Me? I believe you came a bit too late."

"L…Late…?"

"The boy had some fight left…" Bradley narrated. "But he was no match for me…"

The 14th nearly opened his mouth in shock… His container…. Was dead? Ed clenched his fists, while Lenalee was on the verge of tears. Kanda was even more ready to begin a sword fight with this Bradley… How dare this man make everyone feel worse by stashing away hope! How dare he harm the beansprout even further and make Lenalee cry!

"I don't want stories," Dorian stepped forward. "I want solid proof. If Allen is dead, then where's the body? Surely, I haven't faded away yet, either… I believe there is a contradiction in your claim."

"Contradiction?" Bradley raised an eyebrow. "Oh, please. I'm the closest thing to perfection that humanity can ever be."

Another footstep echoed in the room just as Bradley finished. The difference was that this one was louder, and had more impact on the floor, so much that it shook a bit. Everyone was alarmed by the sound and feeling, when Bradley turned around drawing his sword, but his grip slackened when he recognized the entity.

"Perfection…" A voice echoed from the same door Bradley had emerged form. "You call yourself perfect? What a joke."

A strange aura lit the roof as this unknown entity began stepping in. The skies turned pure white, and the clouds cleared away, a peaceful azure in the atmosphere.

"Say…" the voice seemed pleased, that Bradley had begun to tremble slightly. "It's about time, I kick you out of here… Bradley…"

The sunlight splashed color on a boy who had come out of the black door. Silver eyes flashed dangerously, and white hair moved in the soft breeze. The restraints of a worn down gray straitjacket rustled in the wind, its left sleeve ripped away to reveal a slender black arm, equipped with gleaming black claws.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as the boy they had fought possession over took control of the situation. He had made his decision, and one of the two parties was going down.

"Allen… Walker…" Bradley snarled. "I thought you were long gone…"

"Yet I'm here," Allen smiled. "That means you failed to kill me… I have Innocence to sustain myself, remember?"

"You…" Bradley growled. "And you held back all this time… little brat…"

A/N: O.O I was wondering it got to this point, but yay! more suspense and explaining to do next chapter! Apparently, school's starting pretty soon, so my dad's cramming information into me head... I don't even have time to touch my computer... Ah well... that means updates will be even slower than usual... until breaks and holidays... Then probably a double chapter will show up.

As for the AU version of this where Allen's a girl and all that... I've gotten some ideas, and even more when I read the newest chapter... Oh no! Allen! Some reason, I don't like Noah!Allen... sounds really weird... Now Kanda's guilty and everything... I'm hating the earl even more now.

I actually read Family Walker, and it was really adorable, how Allen adopted those two... those girls were so adorable! I've always wondered what would happen if Allen got married and had kids... I guess it's expected he'd be like Komui when it comes to the safety of a daughter... especially since he lived with Cross for about three or five years... I think it would have been better if Allen was the mom and Kanda was the dad...

Next Chapter:

A Surprisingly Well Allen Walker meets friends new and old, and they set out to find Bradley. Dorian explains his friendly relations with Allen to the team. Meanwhile, Lavi, Road, and Alphonse continue to stare at unconscious people. Hoeinheim learns of his sons' whereabouts and begins to remember a bittersweet memory.