Disclaimer - I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist
Chapter Six - Distractions in Central
Nick had only been a State Alchemist for a few days and he was finding his new status a little hard to get used to. It still felt weird when he passed random soldiers and they stopped what they were doing to salute him. Weird and also somewhat annoying. Nick preferred anonymity however unfortunately it seemed that everyone in Central knew who he was.
"This is weird," Nick thought to himself as he made his way to the First Branch of the National Library. He'd heard stories of the legendary alchemy floor that was housed in the First Branch and now that he was a State Alchemist Nick decided to go and see it for himself.
Nick climbed the steps that led up to the library, only to be stopped by a uniformed man.
"Hold it kid," the man said, placing a hand to Nick's chest and halting the young boy's progress. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Inside," Nick replied as though that should be completely obvious to anyone with even half a brain.
"Afraid not kid," the guard said, shaking his head at the young boy. "The First Branch is restricted and for military use only."
"Oh," Nick said, inwardly berating himself for being so stupid. He grabbed the chain that was clipped to his belt and pulled his silver pocket watch from his pocket. He then held the watch up for the guard to see.
The guard's eyes widened in surprise. "You're a State Alchemist?"
Nick nodded.
The guard quickly jumped to attention, saluted the young alchemist and stepped aside.
With a grin to the guard Nick entered the library and, once inside, the boy was instantly amazed. He'd never seen so many books assembled in one place in his entire life. His dad's study held a fairly large collection of alchemy books however that collection paled in comparison to this one. The young boy walked around the library, his eyes wide, amazed at the sheer volume of books that the library housed.
The boy was walking around, taking in the sights, when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. Not overly happy about the gesture, owing to the fact that he didn't like to be touched by anyone, Nick turned around and gazed up at a very stern looking soldier.
"What are you doing here boy?" the soldier barked, glaring down at the young boy that was standing in front of him.
"I'm just looking around at the moment," Nick replied, at a loss for what he could have done to upset the guy so much. He'd only been here for a few minutes and had yet to even touch any of the books.
"You're not supposed to be here," the soldier said gruffly. "This is a restricted area, for military use only."
"I've been through this already," Nick said with a frustrated sigh, showing the man his pocket watch. "How exactly do you think I got past the guards at the front door?"
"Where did you get this?" the soldier snapped, jerking the watch from Nick's grasp and completely ignoring the logic behind the question that the young boy had asked.
"I earned it," Nick said angrily, his eyes flashing fire as he attempted to snatch the watch back from the soldier.
The soldier held the watch out of Nick's reach and sneered down at the boy. "A likely story."
Nick gasped as he felt something cold and heavy snap around his wrist. He gazed down and stared at his left wrist, around which was wrapped a silver handcuff. He gazed back up at the soldier, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What the hell?!"
The soldier used Nick's moment of surprise to his advantage, quickly pulling the boy's other arm around and cuffing it as well. Nick stared down at his hands, which were now handcuffed in front of him. This had to be the height of stupidity.
"I think we'll let you explain to the Fuhrer exactly how you acquired that watch."
Nick rolled his eyes and sighed. The Fuhrer already knew how exactly he'd acquired the watch however the soldier refused to believe it. Nick figured that the only way to get the message through the man's thick skull would be to let Fuhrer Mustang tell him. "If you must."
The soldier grabbed Nick roughly by the arm. "Come with me."
Nick smirked at the soldier's unbelievable stupidity as the man led him away. He could easily have escaped since the idiot had cuffed his hands together where they could easily touch and he'd used metal handcuffs on top of that, but Nick decided that this might be an interesting diversion. He wanted to see the look on Fuhrer Mustang's face when the soldier turned up with a State Alchemist in handcuffs.
"This should be good," the boy thought to himself, an evil grin spreading across his face. Nick wasn't normally someone who liked to watch people suffer but this soldier had annoyed him beyond the breaking point and the boy decided to let him get what he was asking for.
The soldier led Nick back to Central HQ and down the hall to the Fuhrer's office.
"You're brave," Nick said in a slightly mocking tone of voice. "Barging in on the Fuhrer unannounced."
"Shut your mouth boy!" the soldier snapped, once again glaring down at the young boy. "I'll be rewarded for capturing a trespasser to the First Branch. Not to mention a thief."
"Yea you keep thinking that," Nick said with an evil grin.
Completely ignoring the boy's words the soldier knocked on the door.
"Enter."
The soldier opened the door and entered the office, pulling Nick along behind him.
Fuhrer Mustang glanced up from his paperwork and his eyes narrowed as his gaze fell upon the soldier and Nick, who was wearing handcuffs and an obnoxious smirk. "What is the meaning of this Major Somers?"
"I caught this boy trespassing in the National Library's First Branch," Major Somers said, a note of triumph in his voice.
Fuhrer Mustang's gaze went to the boy who stood in the middle of the room, his hands still cuffed together.
"I tried to tell him," Nick said with a shrug as the Fuhrer's questioning eyes fell upon him. "But Major Stupidity here wouldn't listen to me."
"Impudent boy, show the Fuhrer some respect," Major Somers said angrily, apparently missing the insult that had been aimed at him. "Sir this boy tried to tell me that he's a State Alchemist. But he obviously stole the watch from another alchemist."
Fuhrer Mustang shook his head. "You're lucky that boy's a good sport Major."
That comment completely confused the major. "Sir?"
Not waiting for the Fuhrer to explain why he was lucky, Nick clasped his hands together and the cuffs around his wrists exploded in a spray of blue sparks and a puff of smoke.
Major Somers stared at the boy in disbelief. "H…how did you do that?"
"I'm talented," Nick said with a smirk. "Now can I have my watch back?"
Major Somers still wasn't convinced that Nick was really a State Alchemist and he hesitated, his gaze shifting back to the Fuhrer.
"Enough," Fuhrer Mustang snapped, weary of this. "Give Fullmetal the watch back now or face disciplinary action."
"Fullmetal?" Major Somers said, gazing at the young boy in shocked amazement. "You're the Fullmetal Alchemist?"
Nick nodded.
Looking rather sheepish Major Somers pulled the silver pocket watch from his pocket and handed it to the boy. "Sorry for the misunderstanding."
Nick snatched the watch back from the major and clipped the chain back to his belt.
"Major Somers."
The major jumped to attention and saluted. "Sir!"
"You're dismissed," Fuhrer Mustang said, making no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. "Get out of my sight."
"Yes sir." The major saluted once again and then turned and left the office.
Chuckling softly under his breath Nick turned to follow the soldier but stopped short at the sound of his name.
"Nicholas."
Nick turned back around. "Sir?"
"That was amusing and all," Fuhrer Mustang said with a smirk. "But if something like that ever happens again, just beat the culprit up. Please don't drag me into it again."
Nick's eyes narrowed at the accusation. How could the Fuhrer blame him for this? "This wasn't my fault," the young boy snapped, fully intending to let the Fuhrer have it for accusing him of doing this on purpose. Then he paused, as the full meaning of the Fuhrer's words sank in. "Wait a minute. . .did you just give me permission to beat up military personnel?"
Fuhrer Mustang nodded.
"And if they outrank me?" Nick wanted to know.
"As a State Alchemist your rank is equivalent to that of a major," Fuhrer Mustang said. "So it's highly unlikely that anyone that outranks you will make such a mistake but if a superior officer is that stupid then yes, by all means, beat them up."
"Cool!" Nick said.
"All right Fullmetal you're dismissed."
Nick bowed and left the office. "Well that was amusing."
As Nick walked down the hall away from Fuhrer Mustang's office, he saw Major Somers leaning against a wall. There was an angry scowl on the man's face as he watched Nick walk away from Mustang's office and it was obvious that the soldier heartily disliked him. "I don't understand how a runt like you ever became a State Alchemist."
That comment struck a nerve with the boy. "DON'T CALL ME SMALL!!!"
"Calm down kid," the major said quickly, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I didn't mean anything by it."
Nick managed to curb his temper but it took every ounce of self control that he possessed.
"So who's your superior kid?"
Nick smirked at the question, meant as a distraction in order to get his thoughts off of the short comment. Nosey guy, what business was that of his? "The Fuhrer, same as you."
The man clenched his hands into fists. "You little smart aleck."
"I know, I know," Nick said with a smirk. "I'm a real pain in the ass."
Major Somers said nothing to contradict the boy's statement, not that Nick had really expected him to. Nick turned away from the major and began to walk down the hall. He was bored with this conversation and he still wanted to visit the National Library.
"You think you're something special cause you're a State Alchemist," Major Somers said bitterly, a sneer upon his face. "I came to Central all the way from the Northern region in order to take the alchemy exam only to arrive here and find out that I missed it. And not only that but that an eleven year old brat had been chosen as the newest State Alchemist."
"You know you really shouldn't blame other people for your problems."
The major's hands clenched into fists. "Why you. . . If you weren't such a puny little thing I'd. . ."
"PUNY!" Nick's eyes narrowed. "That's it. Come on, we'll take this outside and find out whether or not it would have mattered if you'd made it here in time for the alchemy exam."
"You little. . ."
"Less talking, more walking," Nick said over his shoulder, continuing on his way to the door.
Nick led the way out to the courtyard, followed a short distance behind by the major. Once they were outside, and a safe distance from the building, Nick stopped and turned to face the major. "Alright let's go. You and me, one on one. Alchemy only, no hand to hand contact allowed. We'll find out once and for all who's the better alchemist."
"You're out of your mind boy," Major Somers said, gaping at the blonde kid in disbelief. "You don't stand a chance against me."
"I've heard that one before," Nick said, not at all intimidated by the man's words. "But if you wanna play like that, fine. I'll tell you what, if you win then I'll give up my title of State Alchemist. How does that sound?"
"Have it your way boy but I warned you."
"Yea, yea I know. You don't wanna hear about it when I get hurt. I've heard it all before. Now let's do this."
The major nodded and pulled a chalk pencil from his jacket pocket. He knelt down and began to furiously draw a transmutation circle. Nick watched intently as the man furiously scribbled on the sidewalk. "That must be a serious pain in the ass," Nick commented dryly as he watched the major draw.
Intent upon drawing his transmutation circle the major ignored the boy's comment.
Nick waited until the major's array was nearly complete and then he clasped his hands together and placed them on the ground. Blue sparks shot across the ground and the earth beneath the major's transmutation circle shifted and turned into a clay statue.
The major stared at the clay horse that now stood where his array had been only a few seconds before. The man groaned under his breath, shaking his head in dismay. Without the array his transmutation wouldn't work and thus he had no hope of fighting the boy.
"Have you seen enough?" Nick asked with a smirk, gazing down at the flustered major. "You wouldn't stand a chance in a real battle, you'd be dead before you finished your array. And I gave you a head start, which a true enemy would not have done."
The major jumped to his feet. "You little brat!" he yelled, running toward the boy.
"Col. Havoc you need to come and see this!"
"What is it Fury?" Col. Havoc asked.
"Your new subordinate is out in the courtyard fighting with Major Somers," Major Fury explained. "And the kid's actually winning."
This information came as something of a shock to the colonel. Despite the fact that the major was a complete and utter asshole, he was highly trained in combat and was also an alchemist. And although the colonel knew from first hand experience that the boy was a highly accomplished alchemist himself, the major had much more experience using his skills in combat.
Col. Havoc jumped to his feet. "This I've gotta see."
Nick stood his ground as the major ran toward him even though the man was several times his size. The man was such an idiot that Nick just couldn't bring himself to fear the guy. Major Somers ran head long at the boy and when he reached Nick he swung his fist in the direction of the boy's face.
"So much for alchemy only," Nick muttered as he blocked the man's blow with his auto-mail arm. He threw his arm forward as he blocked and the major was knocked back a few feet which Nick used to his full advantage. He ran toward the man and slid his feet underneath the major's.
The move caught Major Somers completely off guard and he lost his balance. He fell backward, landing hard on his backside.
Nick jumped to his feet and stood over the man, a smirk on his face. "Have you had enough yet?"
In answer to the boy's question Major Somers growled low in his throat and lunged at him.
Nick easily sidestepped out of the way of the man's clumsy attack and watched with an amused smirk as he once again lost his balance and fell to the ground, face first. The man may have been combat trained but he'd lost his temper and thus lost any hope he may have had of winning this fight.
"This is great," Nick said, the smirk still on his face. "He's beating himself up."
"I. . .don't. . .like. . .you." Major Somers panted, out of breath, as he got to his feet.
Nick placed his hand on his chest, just about his heart. "Heartache. Oh. . . wait a minute. I just realized that I don't care."
Seeing red Major Somers again ran toward the boy.
The major's anger against the boy blinded him to everything else and left him completely unable to form a battle strategy that would allow him to come out on top in this fight. As the major neared him Nick leapt lightly into the air, did a back flip using the major's head as a springboard, and landed behind him. At that point Nick grabbed the major's arms and pulled them behind his back.
"Enough," Nick growled as the man struggled.
Hearing nothing the boy said, Major Somers struggled to free himself from the boy's hold and Nick realized that he didn't have the physical strength required to restrain the large man. So instead he fell backwards and, using his body weight as leverage, flipped the man over his head.
Major Somers flew through the air and landed with a dull thud. The man wasn't knocked unconscious yet he lay still where he fell. He had lost the will to fight and lay on the ground, a scowl on his face and pure, unadulterated hatred glaring in his eyes.
Nick was surprised when he heard people clapping behind him. The boy turned and saw that he and Major Somers had acquired a small audience at some point during their fight.
Also hearing the applause and seeing an opportunity to get revenge against the young alchemist Major Somers quickly got to his feet. "Col. Havoc I'm glad you're here sir. This boy attacked me and I demand that you do something about it."
"Dammit," Nick swore, turning to glare at the major. "How many times are you gonna try to get me into trouble today? Can't you just accept the fact that I beat you fair and square?"
Col. Havoc opened his mouth to say something to Nick but to his surprise Major Fury spoke up.
"You're a liar," Major Fury said angrily, glaring at Major Somers. "I overheard the whole exchange and this fight was a mutual agreement between the two of you. Nick didn't attack anyone."
Major Somers' eyes widened.
Major Fury went on. "And you didn't even follow the rules that the two of you had agreed upon prior to the fight. It was supposed to be a fight using alchemy only but when Nick bested you with his alchemical skills you resorted to physical attacks. And you still lost so now you're trying to get the boy into trouble with his superior. That's low."
"Despite the circumstances the boy still engaged in battle with a superior officer," Major Somers pointed out. "And there is no excuse for that."
"Technically you and the boy are of equal rank," Col. Havoc said with a smirk. "And as I outrank you both, I'll decide what is inexcusable."
"WHAT?" Major Somers exclaimed.
"What is going on out here?"
The group turned and watched as Fuhrer Mustang walked across the courtyard toward them.
Major Somers retold his complaint about Nick while the Fuhrer listened, his face showing no emotion. Then, when the major had finished, the Fuhrer spoke. "You lost a fight, get over it."
"But the boy. . ." the major began.
"Did nothing wrong," Fuhrer Mustang said harshly, beginning to lose his patience with the man. "I gave him permission to beat up stupid people and, while this wasn't exactly the type of stupidity I had in mind when I issued the order, the fact remains that you deserved what you got. I trust that in the future you'll think twice about who you insult. Now drop it or you and I will go a round and I can assure you that I won't go as easy on you as the kid did."
The threat of a fight with Fuhrer Mustang effectively put a stop to all of the major's complaints, after all, only a fool would welcome that scenario. The man glared at Nick for a few moments before he stormed off.
"Alright," Fuhrer Mustang said, addressing the group of soldiers that had gathered to watch the fight. "The show's over. Back to work."
The soldiers all saluted and walked off, in different directions.
Nick remained where he was, uncertain of what he should do. He had no idea whether or not either of his superiors planned to yell at him over what had happened and didn't know whether or not he was free to go.
His unspoken question was soon answered, however. Col. Havoc grinned as he approached the boy and when he reached the spot where Nick was standing the colonel placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "That was impressive Chief. You really were a great find."
And with that Col. Havoc, Fuhrer Mustang and Major Fury walked away, leaving Nick to stand alone in the courtyard completely and utterly confused by all that had happened.
"Weird," Nick thought to himself.
A/N - and this is the end of chapter six. Hope you enjoyed and until next time this is Hitsu-taichou signing out.