This story is in a community! This is a first time for me so I am really happy! I'm glad you all like it! After this their are only two more chapters. I can't believe I finally managed to finish this story. I hope KimiUzumaki is pleased with how this turned out. Not only that, but I hope you guys have enjoyed the ride as well. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this next chapter of How could this happen to me!

Warnings: Blood, Violence, and Ed's tongue... I think that's it.

Disclaimer: I forgot to put this up last chapter, all well, Either way I do not own this or anything except the cover art.

On with the show!

Edward glared dangerously as he walked forward. An arm sat around his, the second person obviously nervous.

"Um… Ed?..."

Edward tilted his head towards the male next to him. The male nervously pushed up his glasses with his free hand as he gulped. "You know… I could just uh… leave?..."

Edward let out a long breath and glared behind him. "It's not you." he stated simply to the worried male, who sighed in relief. Off to one side he could see a couple that resembled Roy and Riza. They were walking a little behind taking in the view of the late night shops. A little ways in front was Havoc, flirting with a few beautiful girls.

"That's good…"

The two walked in silence for a moment before they turned down another road.

"Well… this looks about right…" Edward said softly as the man gulped once more.

"Feury, calm down. It'll be fine." Edward continued as he finally managed to extract his arm from Feury's grip.

Feury grabbed his hand instead. "They are small…" Feury muttered under his breath which caused a dangerous look from Edward.

"Feury… say that again and I don't know where you'll end up. There are a lot of places you can go with Alchemy."

Feury gulped.

The two walked, hand in hand, down the long alleyway. Edward was in a set of clothes Riza had brought. An oversized shirt dragged to his knees as a set of pants sat around his legs. They were baggy enough where they camouflaged most of his additions.

Edward had not been happy to be practically thrown out the door to find Feury outside, dressed in nice casual, as if to go on a date.

No… Edward had not been happy.

"Is this seriously the best that stupid bastard could think up?"

"Actually… he didn't really like the idea, neither did Lieutenant Hawkeye but…"

"You had nothing else… did you?" Edward stated as they turned down another street. The lights flickered as moonlight shone through the occasional clouds. Stars twinkled in and out of sight.

"No… no we didn't…"

Edward let loose another sigh. He had done that a lot lately. Behind him he could hear movement, though faint. His gaze shifted to the corner of his eyes to see Armstrong moving softly through the shadows. For such a large guy he had a surprisingly silent step.

"Well, let's hope it works, I really don't want to deal with this much longer. I'm used to looks, but this is ridiculous."

Feury's gaze flitted to one side where a set of girls walked by. They looked at the two, and then giggled at the tail that swayed back and forth. It was actually quite interesting to watch. He swore he overheard Winry's name when they past.

"I guess news travels fast…" Edward muttered. He had obviously heard the group as well.

"Indeed…"

They once more lapsed into silence as they turned one more corner. This one was much darker. Streetlamps cast varied light into the bedraggled street as wind blew softly through the destitute homes. Feury gulped once more.

"This place… has definitely seen better days…" Edward said as the grip on his hand tightened.

They walked along as wind blew softly and the clatter from the main streets all but disappeared. The moonlight shone brightly, its radiant glow all too familiar to the changed alchemist. Edward looked at the moon for a moment before he tilted his head back down.

It was almost instantaneous. One moment he walked forward, the next they were surrounded.

Edward jumped back, his grip on Feury pulled the young male along with him.

Feury yelped as Edward squatted into a defensive position. His gaze flitted over the shadowed group, and quickly recognized the men.

"Long time no see, miss me?" he muttered sarcastically as he pulled Feury closer. Feury gazed out worriedly as he shuffled over.

"Edward?..."

"Not right now." Edward hissed as he gazed out.

"Master wants to see you. His… connections left after he released you and he is rather upset. Now come with us quietly."

"I think that's the most you've ever talked." Edward grinned nervously, his connections left? Who?... "But, when you see him, tell him I don't give a damn. As soon as I have proof of all this crap his ass is getting kicked all the way to xing."

There was no response.

"Um… Edward… I don't think you should have said that…" Feury stated quietly barely able to hide his obvious panic. His free hand was in his pocket, as if fiddling with something.

Edward just shrugged as his eyes flitted around the group. His tail curled in close, as if it knew the situation.

"So where is he anyways?..." he asked as he moved forward a little.

The circle had gotten smaller, much to his chagrin.

"Nearby, when he heard you were out and with someone other than the armor well…"

"I see…"

Keep him talking.

It was all Edward could do not to jump as the voice filtered into his ear. Feury's response was to shift closer, helping to hide the ear piece clipped to the base of his ear. It sort of hurt but Edward had very quickly learned to ignore it, almost forgetting it was there. Dammit Colonel, don't surprise me like that, it's hard enough as it is.

"And what does he have to do with this? I mean, seriously, I wouldn't just come as soon as someone calls, I don't work that way."

"Of course, that's why he said to tell you he has something for you."

Edwards's eyes narrowed carefully as Feury tightened his grip. "A present?"

"Come."

Edward frowned as Feury gulped and gazed around at the shadowed figures, still fiddling with what was in his pocket. Edward ignored him.

"I don't think so." Edward stated with a narrowed gaze and a slight shift. His muscles were tense as if ready to pounce. Sharp eyes gazed around at the men who had taken a step closer. "If anything, bring him out. I don't exactly trust the idea of presents, especially from a lunatic like him."

"Ed…"

A man growled softly as Edward tilted his head. His ears shifted backwards as his tail stiffened over the ground, the tip twitched in agitation.

"Little Princess, you are quite a hassle aren't you?"

"Who are you calling microscopic you damn freak!" Edward snarled as his gaze snapped to either side. Where? Where had the voice come from? His ears shifted as he tried to pick up the location.

"I see my little princess is worried, if you come here then I will not hurt either the male with you, or the little friend you made while you stayed with us, it's your choice."

"L… Little… princess?… You better not call me that again bastard!" Edward screeched, the tone high to the point where most covered their ears in shock.

Edward later found out the little screech had also startled Roy so much the man had jumped into the air and into Riza's arms, only to be dumped to the floor a second later.

He had a good laughing fit after that.

But now, he was just pissed, why did everyone insist on calling him princess?! Seriously, was he that girly?!

Edward's tail snapped to the side as he squatted lower. Feury lowered his hands from his ears fast enough to see Edward squat before the boy dashed forward, faster than usual. The tail snapped backwards in the wind as metal sparked against metal. Edward spun and slashed at the first man as he kicked outwards towards the one behind him. With fluid movements he darted around the group before he grabbed Feury and dashed away.

At the same time he heard yips and shouts. He looked over his shoulder and almost froze. In the distance were chimeras darting from the side ally's chasing after them. They were all deformed in gruesome twisted shapes, a mix of human and animal. Edward internally shivered and went to dart around a corner when a chimera jumped forward. Edward went to duck when the ground shook and a spike appeared, piercing the animal right through the heart. It lay slumped on the stone.

"That's lieutenant Armstrong's Alchemy!"

Edward's lips twitched before he noticed that while some chimera's were deterred, fighting with Armstrong on the dark road others were still bounding towards them. He grabbed Feury close and dashed around the corner.

"Damn, only benefit of these things, I'm a little faster, which was the only reason I lost the first time," he said as they dashed around another corner and down the road. He heard shouts from behind only to slide to a stop when stone surged up in front of him. Feury stumbled and slammed into the stone wall before he pulled back with a groan, glasses skewed.

"Dammit," Edward muttered as he jumped backwards and glanced back. His lips were curled up enough to show the sharp fangs as his ears pushed backwards in worry.

Behind them was a mix of men and some chimera that had come back to their senses. The wall in front of them morphed once more and surged forward.

It was all Edward could do to dodge. He grabbed Feury and pulled him close as he jumped out of the way of a piece of the stone that thrust forward in a fist.

Where is the damn colonel! Edward stated with a growl, can't they use attacking a state alchemist as an excuse?! I mean, even Armstrong was here before them!

He jumped backwards once more, only to stumble as Feury's clothes were caught in something's grasp. The duo tripped and crashed to the ground with a thud and groan.

Edward looked up, just as flames flashed through his vision. He ducked back down just in time as a scream resonated from behind him. Gunshots sounded as the stone wall crumbled to reveal Howard, a vivid frown sat on his face as the chimera from before growled dangerously at the group.

It was a split second before the man shifted. Red light shone for a moment bright enough to blind.

Edward growled as his eyes snapped shut. He let go of Feury's wrist, just barely hearing the man dart off to one side, pulling the thing he had been fiddling with out of his pocket. He heard footsteps and raced forward as a shout echoed behind him. He heard the sound of fighting and a curse. He ignored it as he raced around the corner, his ears twitched to catch the sharp clack of footsteps on pavement along with the thud of paws. He rubbed at his eyes as he ran before he blearily blinked them open as he curved around another brick building. He stopped and jumped back as a sound richocted down the alleyway. Pain slashed up his flesh arm as he cried out. His hand gripped his shoulder tightly as blood began to slip through white gloved fingers.

In Howard's hand was a gun, a dangerous glint shown in Howard's eyes as the 'dog' beside him growled. "Now, little princess, if you come quietly we'll get you all fixed up."

"And what, become your damn pet? Hell no. Just go to jail already and pay for your crimes."

"What crimes? All I did was defend myself when a state alchemist went crazy because of an insult and attacked, isn't that right?" he stated, his last question directed to the dog beside him, who simply tilted his head.

Edward growled softly as he let his hand drop to his side and ignored the blood.

"Defend? Your goons surrounded a state alchemist and another military officer and, in a sense, tried to bribe them. Just there is serious crime, if we look a little deeper after you are brought in, we should be able to send you in for life." He replied simply as he straightened up. The baggy clothes sat over his frame almost like his own red coat, which he dearly missed.

"Hm?... last time I checked, you weren't able to do anything about certain cases."

"No, but this is entirely different, a state alchemist using his title to attack another state alchemist?" Edward felt a grin slip onto his lips, even as his eyes narrowed even more and his body tensed, the pain in his shoulder ignored. He heard sounds behind him, crackles and gunshots. Thunder rumbled in the distance, much to his surprise, as the shadows of clouds floated past the moon to send a scattered glow over the ground. Street lights flickered as the light breeze gradually picked up into a hollow wind.

"You know… you just had to obtain the same title… just like him…" Edward said his voice cold. Howard's eyebrow rose.

"Hm?... ah my predecessor, I heard he used his own family, the first time was the wife, the second… his daughter and dog, correct?"

Edward grit his teeth as the man grinned. "I must say, my works of art are much more beautiful."

"Art?... no, this isn't art. It's torture." Edward murmured in reply, his voice colder than before as he stared at Howard.

The man cocked his head to one side before he sighed and, gun still raised, took a step back. Edward squatted down. A hiss slide up his throat without his consent as his tail jerked behind him and his ears turned backwards.

"I see there is no use trying to show you, it shouldn't be too hard, just a slight change in memory and we'll be all set, right fluffy?"

Edward's eyes widened for a split second as the man's other hand reached towards his lab coat pocket, wide grin still on his face.

"I heard you know what this is. I wonder how well it will work on you a second time."

Edward jerked back as the stone glowed.

There was a shout before something roughly shoved into his back. Metal groaned as his head slammed into the ground. An explosion vibrated down the street as debris clattered around his thin frame.

Edward tilted his head back to see Alphonse. Al lay sprawled over him, the helmet was gone and the metal left was damaged from the explosion.

"Alphonse?!"

"Brother, are you alright?" Al's quivery voice asked as the suit of armor sat up before he turned to face the alchemist, who had taken a step back, but hadn't left.

"Didn't expect that, have to re-calibrate next time, I want to rearrange the neuron circuits, not blow up that pretty head of my own creation."

"Alphonse, are you alright?!"

"Jeez! You're the one bleeding! Stop asking if I'm fine already!" Alphonse stated sharply as he stood back up to glare at Howard, though it was more a pressure then a glare.

Edward scrambled to his feet as his tail swished frantically and his ears twitched.

His head spun from the impact with the earth but he ignored it as he dashed forward toward Howard, Alphonse right on his heels. Fluffy, the 'dog' dashed forward with an angry growl on the child like face. Edward dodged to one side as Alphonse snapped outwards. Edward turned his head away and passed the duo as Alphonse tried to stop the chimera without actually hurting it. It reminded him too much of a little girl to do more than defend himself and his brother.

Thunder crashed as rain broke out from the clouds that finally covered the sky. Street lights flickered as Howard jumped backwards. The lab coat flared out behind him as a wide grin sat on his face. He dug into his coat and pulled out a small pile of what looked like dirt. With another flash of red the 'dirt' surged upwards until it resembled a spear. The man grabbed hold as Edward's automail blazed with electric light.

Metal and 'dirt' clashed.

Sparks flew as Edward jumped back. Instinct told him to get out of the rain while pride shouted at him to catch the man before him.

Pride won out.

He lowered himself and darted forward. Metal clashed as the lunatic's grin widened, his eyes seemed to measure Edward's form each time they clashed. Edward growled as he spun, water pulled his bangs around his face as his ports ached from the sudden change and use.

"Why, why do you use people?! Children even, what benefit is there?"

"Benefit? It is science my little one. Humanity moves forward by science. It is the essence of life. All I do is combine science and art to create something beautiful, just like a well-tuned machine, you can understand that, can't you?"

"No… no I can't. Science and alchemy is supposed to be used to make life easier it's not supposed to be used to destroy or change a human being."

"Really? But as a state alchemist, such as I, you are forced to use your alchemy for slaughter, isn't that right? Isn't that what your colonel had to do years ago? I'm simply trying to use mine in a way to create."

"That's…"

"Don't you see little one, my predecessor was a fool, genius in his discovery, but a fool nonetheless. I am simply utilizing what he discovered and perfecting it. Aren't you proof of that?"

Edward froze for a split second, only to cry out as the man's grin widened and the spear dug into his already injured shoulder.

He growled as his automail arm went up to grasp the spear. "There… you said what I was looking for… Feury?"

"Got it." A voice rang out as the rain splattered on the ground as Edward let a dangerous grin slide over his face.

"You lose."

Howard paused before his eyes widened and flickered to Edward once more. Edward grunted as he pulled the spear from the new wound to his shoulder and tossed it to the side. He gritted his teeth as he swayed for a moment from blood loss. He shook his head and dug into his pocket before he pulled out a small radio. Static played over the small device even as rain sloshed and splashed over the metal.

"No way…"

"Every word, captured through this," Edward stated with a grin before he thrust it back into his pocket. "Now all I have to do is take you in, this is all the proof I'll need for your crimes."

"You…" Edward paused as his blond locks plastered to his skin. His ears twitched in slight worry as the man began to tremble. A yelp came from behind before Alphonse walked into view, the 'dog' over one shoulder with only a slight bruise on his cheek to indicate an altercation had occurred only moments before.

"Brother?!"

Howard trembled for a moment before a click sounded. Red light flashed before a stone wall surged up and slammed into Alphonse, who stumbled back, behind the barrier.

Edward glanced back, only to freeze as metal slammed into his back. He chocked and stumbled forward as he gasped for air, only to feel the metal slam into his stomach. He doubled over and coughed as he tried to catch his breath.

"You little bitch! You'll fucking pay! You'll all fucking pay, every last person whose fucked with me will get what they deserve, but first." Edward gritted his teeth as he was pulled sharply upwards. His head was tilted back as golden strands sat in a clenched fist. A wild gleam sat in Howard's eyes as a grin that was anything but friendly sat over his face. The rain hammered over the duo as Howard reached up and sharply tugged at his ear.

Edward screeched as pain flared through his skull as the new nerves trembled with agony. "My little one, I really didn't want to do this, I was told not to, but this is the last straw and those bastards left me anyway." He pulled the ear once more as Edward scrambled about for leverage. Sharp nails clawed at Howard's hand as Edward tried to pull himself up and into a position where he could fight back.

Howard saw through it and used his free hand to press the gun to his temple. Edward felt the cool metal against his clammy skin as water dripped into his eyes.

"My little one. You were so beautiful… I'll make sure to keep what's left, as a picture of my creation."

Edward froze as his pain raddled mind tried to make sense of what was just said. Instinct took over his frozen rational.

Hands slammed together as Howard's finger moved slowly inwards with sharp movements, two hands shot upwards and touched the gun.

Lightening flashed as the trigger squeezed. There was a moment of silence as Edward used the chance to wrench away from the man.

Pain seared down his skull as he slammed into the ground. His arms shot over his head before a curse sounded above him. A click sounded before a loud echoing boom rang above him and rattled his already sensitive ears. Shrapnel pierced through his baggy, yet thin, clothes as Howard cried out in surprise and agony. Stumbling footsteps sounded near him before a loud thud sounded behind him. Edward slowly sat up and froze.

Howard had one hand cradling a wounded one. The gun lay on the ground, splintered and burnt. Blood spilled down the palm as bone shone on torn fingers. Howard's face was twisted in agony as he gripped his hand tightly even as the rain washed at the blood and caused the white to shine through.

Edward quickly looked away as a hand covered his mouth. The gruesome wound only feet away from him and the thought that, that could have been his head, almost made him throw up.

There was a sound and the wall splintered as Alphonse, along with Riza, gun up and ready, raced through, he could faintly see a drenched Roy, Havoc and Armstrong. Roy had a gun in hand, probably one of Riza's.

The two froze before Riza darted forward and kicked the broken gun out of the way, her stance in front of the injured Edward and gaze locked on Howard.

Howard cradled his arm against his chest as blood seeped from a wound on his cheek. His eyes were clouded with rage as his gaze remained on Edward. Edward slowly sat up, his own wounds bled profusely as he glared at Howard through soaked golden bangs.

Howard took one more step back as Alphonse rushed to Ed's side. "Don't move, you are under arrest for attacking a state alchemist and other related crimes!"

The man's expression turned into a growl. The feral look sent a shiver down Edward's spine as he used Alphonse's help to stand.

"Where?-"

"With Hueys," Riza stated stiffly as she held the gun level before her.

"Ah…"

"Riza Hawkeye, the lieutenant I met the other day at the colonel's office. You are quite a beauty yourself."

"Say another word and I'll have no qualms against firing."

"My my, how cruel, and I was only giving you a compliment," Howard said, his grin wide, even as his eyes shone with pure unadulterated hatred.

"However, you are in the way. I need to take care of the little traitor behind you. I made him beautiful and he goes and destroys everything. I wonder…" the man paused before he turned his hand upwards to reveal a red glowing stone. The oval shaped item pulsed as Riza clicked the safety of her gun and shifted her finger enough to hover over the trigger.

"I have heard of a being who can change his bodies molecular structure, I wonder, how well it would work for a normal human." The man grinned before he slammed the stone to his chest. Light surged outwards as rain seemed to freeze in place. Riza's free hand shot up to cover her eyes as Edward looked away, his automail hand up since his other seemed paralyzed.

He heard a crunch, and looked up just in time to see Riza jump backwards, as her gun clicked. Shots rang out down the water-logged street as a high-pitched cackle sounded from in front of them.

"Finally! Fluffy was pretty, Little Princess was beautiful… but this… this is perfection!" Debris cleared as Howard stepped forward. Stone encased his body as crazed blue eyes gazed past a metal visor. A sword and spear made of earth sat in his hands as lightening flashed above. The red stone seemed to quack before it stilled, settled against his chest amongst the stone.

"What is he," Riza called as she took another step back. Her gun clicked to signal that she was out of ammunition as she muttered a soft curse.

"Now… die!"

Three sets of eyes gazed up as metal flashed through the dark street. Edward darted forward, his ears back as he brought his hand up. Metal rang before something sounded nearby. He jerked his head to the side just as wind slashed past where it had just been. He jumped backwards out of the way as he brought a hand up to his cheek and pulled away. Blood sat on his stained gloved hand as he took a step back.

The darkness trembled as the figure took a step forward. Riza shifted and whipped her free hand up, a second gun in place, much to Edward and Alphonse's surprise. A bang rang out before the man cried out and stumbled backwards. He moved his hand to his chest before he grabbed the spear and threw it forward. Riza dodged out of the way, but couldn't quite avoid it, grimacing as it slashed past her cheek. Edward used his automail hand clapping down on his paralyzed arm before dropping to the floor. Stone pierced the armor surrounding Howard, but he just cackled and brushed it off. The rain pounded on the ground as wind howled. Riza lifted her gun kneeling on one knee. Al and Ed, noticing her aiming darted forward, distracting the stone clad Howard.

Weapons flashed. Edward and Alphonse jumped back, just as a shot rang out. Edward saw the bullet slam into the stone at the center of Howard's chest. Howard froze than slowly grinned.

The grin was wiped off his face a moment later when the stone shivered once more as the bullet fell to the ground with a clatter. Red flashed before cracks appeared in the stone.

Edward gawked in disbelief as the stone shattered and the rock collapsed. Howard stared and slowly reached a hand up only to lean forward before gravity took hold and his body sprawled out onto the wet stained earth.

Edward stared for a moment before he slowly fell to the earth, his vision fuzzy from lack of blood. His knees hit the ground first, only for them to realize that they couldn't keep him up and he fell forward, into the rain drenched street.

He could hear his name called as metal hands cradled his tired form.

"Hey Al… sorry about that…" Edward muttered as his gaze shifted to Howard. He heard shouts and the sound of running footsteps as Riza pushed herself to her feet. Her gun was still raised even as shock briefly flickered across her face.

"Alphonse, get Edward to the hospital, I'll take care of everything here."

"Right," the young voice said. Metal hands held his body close to a soaked and cold chest. His thoughts drifted as blood continued to seep from his shoulder wounds and lacerations. He wanted to curl into Al's side, but his shoulder throbbed with each movement and it was all he could do to stay conscious as the pain held off by adrenaline redoubled its efforts to make itself known.

He blinked blearily up toward his younger brother as Al frantically dashed through the rain, bent forward slightly to try to cover him. Edward felt a smile slip onto his face even as his eyelids fluttered shut. He let out a small gasp as pain shot through his frame as Alphonse took a turn too fast and jostled his already out of whack shoulder.

He heard a muttered sorry, even as his brain decided the best option would be to shut down.

It was fine by him, he was both physically and mentally tired. He closed his eyes as rain beat ceaselessly down onto his chilled and soaked frame.

Chapter end. Hope you liked it, fight scenes are always hard to do, no matter how many times you've written them. Well, please review and I'll see you later!

Ja ne~