Chapter Fourteen – After the Rain Part II

Scar looked at the group of people. "Maybe there are too many of you …" he said.

"Whoa there! Don't try to run for it. The hero has you surrounded."

However Scar used his right arm and when it hit the floor, a giant hole was created and the Ishbalan disappeared into the sewers.

"Th-that maniac went into the sewers!" Densen said, looking down into the hole.

"Don't go after him, Densen."

"You think I'm chasing him down there?!"

Alfred turned to the blond State Alchemist. "I'm sorry. The hero gave you enough time to surround him and …"

"No, no, no. It was all I could do from being killed; much less give you more time."

"Hey? Amigos? Is it over?" Antonio asked from where he had been hiding in an alley, as he poked his head out.

"Lieutenant Colonel Carriedo … where have you been all this time?" Armstrong asked.

Antonio gave him a thumbs up. "Hiding! If things went bad, someone had to live to tell the tale."

"You know, next time, could you consider possibly helping us?" Alfred asked.

"Forget it! Don't try to drag normal humans like me under the big top with the rest of you freaks!"

"Freaks …" Alfred muttered, getting annoyed.

"Hey! Fights over!" Antonio said to soldiers. "We've got work to do! Distribute an identification sketch of the assailant! On the double!"

"Ludwig!"

The two military officers turned to where Gilbert was kneeling in front of his motionless brother who was propped up against a wall.

"West! Are you all right?! Hey!"

"Gilbert …" his brother started in a low voice. "YOU DUMMKOPT!"

Gilbert was in shock from the punch that his brother gave him.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU RUN AWAY WHEN I TOLD YOU TO!?"

"Because I didn't just want to leave you here …" However his answer earned him another punch.

"THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY STUPID!"

"Why?! If I ran away you might have been killed!"

"I might not have been killed too! When there's a way to survive and then you choose death, that's what dummkopts do!"

"D…don't talk that way to your older bruder!" Gilbert said and was surprised when his brother's arm grabbed his lapels.

"I'll talk to you however I want! You have you live … and keep living so you can do more research! You have to find a way to get our old bodies back! I won't let you throw away that chance! If you did, I would never forgive you!"

As soon as Ludwig had finished that statement, the arm that was holding Gilbert fell off.

"Oh great! Now my arm came off too …! It's your fault Gilbert, you dummkopt!"

Gilbert laughed softly. "We're a real mess aren't we? How unawesome."

"But we're alive."

"Ja," Gilbert said. "We're alive," when had said that, Alice put her military coat over the albino's shoulders to help keep the rain off of him. Meanwhile Alfred, Antonio and Armstrong were watching from a distance away.

"That … suit of armor … is his younger brother? I've never heard of transmutating a human soul …" Armstrong said.

"He must have been willing to lay down his life to try something like that. That's why the bond between those two is so strong," Alfred explained. "Well, it looks like they'll get a moments rest."

"I don't think you rest yet, amigo," Antonio said from where he was leaning on a wall. "You've got a very dangerous man after you."

"And he's an Ishbalan … looks like it might get worse."

XXX

"The Ishbalans are a people from the east, who believe in one God, Ishvara. Due to religious differences, they'd always been in conflict with the central government …. But thirteen years ago, when an army officer accidentally shot an Ishbalan child, the incident exploded into civil war. Riot led to riot, and soon the fires of civil war spread through out the entire east area. After seven frustrating years, the military commanders took a new tactic …they used State Alchemists in an all-out genocide campaign. They were recruited as human weapons. It was an opportunity to test their suitability for war," Alfred explained from his office. "The hero was one of those alchemists.

"That's why there's a certain justice that one of the last surviving Ishbalans would seek revenge."

"It's still not justice," Gilbert said, "whatever happened, he's still involving innocent people for the sake of his revenge. He's just candy-coating it by acting self-righteous and calling himself 'An Instrument of God.'"

"We're talking about someone who hates alchemy, but used that very same power to get revenge. Someone like that, who's either insane or doesn't care what other people think about them, is one of the most dangerous people there is. Frankly, he scares me, amigos."

"The hero says that we can't care what people think about us, either. Because we can't afford to die yet. The next time we meet, there won't be any explanations. Because we'll kill him."

"Okay," Antonio said, getting up. "On that cheerful note … that's enough of this pointless conversation. So what are you guys going to do now?" the question was directed to Gilbert and Ludwig who were both sitting near by.

"Well, the awesome me wants to fix West's armor, but I can't perform alchemy with just one arm …"

"Shall I try to fix it for you?" Armstrong asked, his shirt still off.

"Nein, thank you," Ludwig quickly said.

"I'm the only one who knows who to keep West's soul in the armor …. So first I need to get a new arm."

"Right …" Alice said, "If Gilbert can't use alchemy, then he's just …"

"… a little brat who swears a lot," Densen finished.

"An arrogant pipsqueak," Antonio added.

"Useless, just useless," Alfred added.

"Sorry, bruder … but I've got nothing to follow that …"

"YOU'RE ALL PICKING ON ME!" Gilbert yelled. After calming down. "Fine. I have no choice …

"I have to go see my mechanic."

To Be Continued …

Well, I would again like to thank everyone who has been reviewing and or favoriting this story. It really means a lot.

I'm nearly done the next chapter, so hopefully it'll be up within the week.