The Silent Alchemist

by Praelior

After the seemingly senseless death of his mentor, Vox Zephyr must go against his mentor's ideals and use his unique alchemy to become a State Alchemist. As he begins to uncover the secrets behind his mentor's past, he discovers terrible secrets of the military itself. In order to find the truth of both his mentor and himself, he must fight the very military he is a part of.

4. Chapter 4: More Questions Than Answers

Chapter 4: More Questions Than Answers

His arrogant smirk was more than I could stand as the noise subsided and left a throbbing in my head. The woman called Lust was still stricken and seemed to be internally feuding with herself, but I was oblivious as to what exactly was causing this strange behavior. There is one thing I knew, these people weren't normal.

"What are you people?"

"What? How rude of you. Are you suggesting that we aren't human?"

"No suggestions, it's obvious that you aren't, so just tell me what you are. Then you can tell me everything you know about both my mentor and myself."

"I do love your spunk, but we can't tell you. There are things no one can know just yet and I'm afraid your answers all fall under that category. Please come again."

Envy began to laugh loudly while the fat one, Gluttony, sat with a dumb and vacant expression on his face. Lust had finally regained her composure and remained silent while Envy laughed. The sound grated on my nerves and slowly, the sound dissipated, but not because Envy had stopped laughing. The alarm appeared on his face as I grabbed his shoulder.

"You know, with my alchemy, I can simply match the natural vibrations within your body and make it shake itself apart. Would you like a demonstration using the energy I gathered from your irritating laughter?"

Envy made to swing his arm and I activated my reaction, causing his arm to spasm in pain. His screams were mute as I absorbed the energy to use it in the transmutation, and after a few moments, his shoulder and arm blew apart into shreds of meat. I leapt back as he clutched at his arm and cried out in pain. I cancelled the initial reaction and his screams were now quite audible.

"You should have answered me Envy. No talk."

"I liked you kid, but now you've gone and passed me off."

I watched in horror as his arm slowly regenerated. Each ligament, muscle sinew, vein, artery, and patch of skin slowly reformed itself into Envy's arm and before long it was whole once again. I was right, though knowing they weren't human didn't exactly help me with anything.

"How about we play a game Silent Alchemist. I break each of your limbs and you try to stay awake through as much of it as possible. Then you can tell me how it feels until you know what I just felt. Regeneration doesn't include an immunity to pain you know."

"Enough Envy. He's seen too much now because of you, so we can't risk him getting away. Kill him and dispose of the body."

"You take the fun out of it Lust. Fine, you heard her Silent Alchemist. All you had to do was go along your merry way and things would have worked out for you eventually, but you had to go and found out more than you were supposed to. It's tragic really and I'd shed a tear for you if I could care that much about an insignificant human life like yours. Now let's get this over with."

"Too late Envy."

"What are you… Damn it!"

As he looked down, he could see the glow of my gloves, but it was already too late. I had slowly siphoned off energy from both their speech and the echoes of the room so that I could make my escape. Envy lunged forward as I made the floor shake itself apart. The tower fell apart and all four of us began to fall through the air toward the ground below. Luckily there was no one below because they wouldn't have heard the debris falling. We fell in complete silence as I absorbed all of the sound for a last ditch effort at sparing my life. Just before impact, I released the energy and launched back into the air, but only landed with the force of the smaller fall.

The others weren't so lucky and they were now slowly regenerating as I pulled myself to my feet, but that was a feat in and of itself. It felt like I had at least cracked one of my ribs and my left leg wasn't moving properly as I limbed away before people could show up, or those things could regenerate completely. I managed to move toward the inn without being spotted and prepared my things to leave the town. My life was in danger so long as I remained, though the prospect of traveling back across that desert in my state was troubling.

I left immediately and got out of the town before I could be discovered. Luckily, the sun was setting, so I could be spared the heat of the desert, but that made the travel only slightly better than before. I wasn't sure whether my mission was complete or not, but regardless I was made and couldn't remain, so I spent the night journeying through the desert to the train station. It took most of the night, but I made it to the station and slept on a bench. When I awoke, I decided it was a good time to call the Colonel.

"Hello? This is Colonel Mustang."

"It's about damn time. It takes too much effort to get you on the phone. Anyway I left Loire and I'm returning to give my report."

"Well you can just meet me half way."

"What the hell are you talking about Colonel?"

"I'll be at Eastern Command from now on, so you can report there."

"Demotion goes against your ambition doesn't Colonel? How'd you screw up?"

"My dealings don't matter to you, just get to Eastern Command and deliver your report."

"Very well Colonel. I'll see you there."

I hung up the phone and prepared to board the train heading to East City. I had never been there, but I knew it would pale in comparison to what I had seen in Central. I boarded the train and attempted to find a comfortable position for my injuries as I awaited our departure. That was when the large suit of armor several seats over caught my eye. I recognized the armor, but couldn't place where until I heard his companion crying out about being called short. It was the kid in red from before, but what was he doing here? I sat quietly and enhanced my hearing to catch their conversation.

"Damn that Mustang and all of his verbal abuse. I can't stand that guy. Now we have to report our latest failure, then I can hear him talk my ear off about all the wasted time and money. The Colonel just needs to get off my back, we're trying and his fake leads aren't helping either."

He knew the Colonel, and even more he reported to him. The guy looked too young to be a soldier, so that had to make him the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother Alphonse. They were the ones in Liore who caused all the uproar, and as it turned out they were on assignment from Mustang. What was that man planning? He made me go there for a reason, but I couldn't figure out what that was. Regardless, I could tell that Fullmetal and I wouldn't see eye to eye in any situation based on his demeanor. It would be best to avoid him and travel directly to Mustang for my report and next assignment.

We travelled on the same train until we reached the city of Aquroya. There Fullmetal led his brother into the city to sightsee and avoid delivering his report. I took the next connection and went onward to East City. Mustang had some things to answer for, and I wasn't keen on waiting for his response. After travelling for another two days, I was standing in front of the Eastern Command building. I made my way to Mustang's office and was greeted by Lieutenant Hawkeye.

"Hello Vox, glad you made it back."

"Me too. Where's the Colonel?"

"Is that you Vox? Come in."

I walked past Hawkeye to the Colonel's desk, where he was sorting through paperwork. He didn't look up as I waited for him to speak up.

"Did you complete your mission?"

"About that Colonel. Do tell why it was that you sent me to Liore, then sent the Fullmetal Alchemist right behind me? I am dying to know why that is."

"You're a rookie, and though I can't say he's a good role model, Fullmetal is a three year veteran. I thought you might learn something."

"I learned that it doesn't take one of much stature to overthrow a religious prophet, or to make so much commotion that an entire cathedral shakes from it. All he did was cause a commotion and reveal a phony prophet. Please tell me that my mission wasn't to simply watch what did."

"Well, you were to observe and report, so you tell me what your mission was."

"Damn it Colonel. I don't have time for petty assignments. Please give me authentic assignments, or allow me to continue my research."

"You're as bad as Fullmetal. You know you're at the military's disposal don't you?"

"The military's, not yours Colonel. With all due respect. I knew what I was signing up for, but wasting time was not a part of it. That obnoxious child is not something that I can learn anything from, at least nothing of value that is."

"I suggest you keep that arrogance of yours in check Silent Alchemist. It's best you do not confuse familiarity with equality. I am your superior officer, and as such your missions are all that you should concern yourself with, not any supposed ulterior motive I may have in giving you the assignment."

"Very well sir. May I have my next assignment? I would not wish to remain stagnant in my duties toward my superior officer."

"I wonder if you got your wit from your mentor, or if it's simply natural."

"Well you know very well that I couldn't accurately answer that sir."

"I guess not. Your next assignment is in Xenotime. Once again, an observe and report mission, though I promise that I will not assign another alchemist behind you. Fullmetal has not returned yet, so I couldn't give him such a mission. Oh and be sure to turn in your report on Liore before you leave for Xenotime."

"Sir. Oh and just so you know, your little prodigy and his brother took a pit stop in Aquroya on their way back to Eastern Command."

Mustang said nothing as I left the office and went to find a place to stay for the night. I would have to write up my report and turn it in before heading out, so I couldn't leave immediately. As I sat down in my room, I debated on whether to report those three I met in the tower, however, their connection to my past led me to omit them. Basque Grand was connected to Elaine, so these three must have some connection to him and I'd rather not alert Basque Grand as to my ulterior intentions in the military.

The report didn't take long, seeing as I was only in the town for three days, but I was worn out from writing it and turned in for the night. Once I woke up the next morning, I packed, delivered my report to Hawkeye, and left for the train station. Xenotime was back eastward and from what I gathered in my dossier, it was a dried up gold mine. The strange thing was, the gold mine suddenly revitalized a few years ago, then shortly thereafter, it dried up again. I didn't know what to make of it, but it sounded like there was something out of the ordinary going on there.

The train ride was quiet and once I finished reading the dossier, I fell to sleep. I awoke as the train was pulling into the stain in Xenotime and I stretched my now stiff body. As I disembarked from the train, I noticed the relative lifelessness of the town. There were people, but those who weren't sick were keeping to themselves. I travelled through town and found an inn with some people inside. Good place as any to start my investigation.

"Hello. What can we help you with?"

"Well, I would like a room, and a meal please."

"Certainly. Sit yourself right there and we'll have some food for you shortly."

"Thank you."

"Hello mister."

A little girl was standing next to the table looking at me with all of the curiosity in the world. I couldn't help but soften as I looked at her.

"Hello. What's your name?"

"My name's Elisa. What's yours?"

"My name is Vox. That's a pretty name you have Elisa."

"Thank you. Where are you from?"

"I'm a traveler. I don't really come from anywhere."

"Well what brings you to our town then Mr. Vox?"

"Curiosity. I heard a rumor that this city's gold revitalized spontaneously some time ago and that it suddenly disappeared again. I was wondering what could have caused such an event."

"That'd be the philosopher's stone that Mugear is working on. He says that once it's complete, the mines will have gold again."

"Philosopher's stone?"

"Yeah. Mugear and the Elric brothers are working together up at his mansion to create one for the city. We have all of our hopes in them now."

"The Elric brothers are here? When did they arrive?"

"Some time ago. They've been working with Mugear since they arrived."

"I see. Interesting."

The city was definitely full of mysteries. A philosopher's stone, obvious imposters, some guy Mugear, and revitalizing a gold mine. I could tell I was not going to enjoy this assignment at all.

"You know, I'm a State Alchemist, same as Edward Elric. Do you think that Mugear would see me at his mansion?"

"Really? A State Alchemist?"

"Yes. I've only recently acquired my certification. I'm the Silent Alchemist, Vox Zephyr. See? This is my silver pocket watch."

The people were in awe of my watch, which made it obvious that the Edward Elric that was here had not shown one. Another piece of evidence that he was a fake.

"I'm sure Mugear would see you. Especially if you're just like the Elric brothers. If you go up the mountain, you'll find his mansion up there."

"Thank you very much. If you could have a room for me, I'll be sure to return later tonight."

"Of course."

I left the inn and headed up to the mountain as the innkeeper had instructed. The mansion was in plain view even from the foot of the mountain, and I could already see that I would not enjoy this man Mugear. Pompous and ostentatious displays of wealth did not sit well in my stomach, nor did the men who flaunted them. As I reached the mansion, I could see it was heavily guarded with walls, gates, and armed guards. Not suspicious at all.

"Hello, I am Vox Zephyr, a State Alchemist. I am here to speak with Mugear."

I flashed my watch and the guard headed for the mansion immediately. After a few minutes, he returned and led the way into the mansion. As I entered, I saw that the obnoxious display was worse on the inside of the mansion. The man who came down the staircase could have been none other than Mugear based on how he handled himself.

"It is an honor to have a State Alchemist in my home. How may I help you today?"

"I heard that you were working on a philosopher's stone here and I was wondering if I may lend my assistance. I was greatly intrigued when I learned of it."

"Is that so? I take it that you are an accomplished alchemist."

"Of course sir. I would never dream of wasting your time otherwise."

"I see. Shall we go to the laboratory? The Elrics are working in there and I'm sure they would enjoy the assistance."

"Of course. It'll be great to see the Fullmetal Alchemist again."

"Are you already acquainted?"

"Yes. We met shortly after I received my certification."

"Splendid. That should make things easier. Here we are. I'll leave you to it then."

"Thank you."

Mugear left me in front of the door and as he rounded the corner, I opened the door to find an exquisite laboratory. As I entered, I noticed the two blonde 'Elrics' looking at me.

"Hello there Fullmetal Alchemist and Alphonse. I was told you'd be here and I had to say hello. Especially since I know for a fact that the true Elric brothers are actually in Aquroya. So tell me imposters, just who are you really?"

There was a flash of light and suddenly plants were attacking me. My gloves had already accrued enough energy from Mugear to create a supersonic blast. I unleashed the energy in the direction of the imposters and as it made contact, they dropped to the ground clutching their ears. The plants were ripped apart by the energy in the blast and were now just shredded vegetation on the floor. I made sure to keep all noise from leaving the room and walked over to where the imposters were now incapacitated.

"Now then. The next one can shatter your ear drums if you'd like, or you can tell me what I want to know. Your choice."

"Wh-what kind of alchemy was that?"

"Well, imposter or not, the Elrics do not know what my alchemy is either, so don't feel bad. My alchemy is Sound Alchemy. I would explain it, but I'm not in the answering mood. You might be though, what do you say?"

"We're not really the Elrics, but we needed some credibility to work with Mugear, so we borrowed their names."

"Interesting. Good thing no one here knew a true State Alchemist possessed a sliver pocket watch huh? They couldn't get enough of mine when I showed them. Wonder what would happen if I asked them about yours."

"What do you want?"

"Answers. I don't really care if you're borrowing his identity, but I want to know what exactly is happening in this city. What happened with the mine? Why are people sick? What's going on with this philosopher's stone? And lastly, how does an ignorant business pig know anything about the myths of alchemists?"

(A/N): Sorry for the time lapse between updates. I'm attempting to balance things and get updates under a more regular schedule. To answer any questions regarding what universe this take place in, it's based on the original anime, though that much is probably obvious now. In any event, please review and let me know what you guy think of Vox and how things are going so far. The story is a little more serious than the usual comical FMA events, but I will make sure to bring in some comic relief. If you have any ideas or suggestions on anything, review and let me know and I'll look into them. Until next time, see ya!