"Canceled?!" Alphonse yelped in surprise. He, Winry, Ed, and May were in the train station at East City. It was just after noon, having caught an express train to East City from Ishval. Al was at the ticket counter and had just been informed that all trains taking the route between Central and Ishval had been canceled.
"Sorry sir, but there's been a derailment further up the line. We just heard about it an hour ago. No injuries were reported but it'll take about twelve hours to clear. After that the military has the entire line between Central and Ishval restricted to military trains only. Not sure why though. Something to do with the opening of the new line between Ishval and Xing." The station attendant replied as Al scratched the back of his head.
"I see. I need to get to Dublith. Is there any way to get there from here?" Al asked as the attendant scratched his chin and nodded.
"Well to be honest, if you're going to Dublith, taking the train isn't the quickest way even when the line is clear. There's a road that leads from East City to Dublith. That same road can also take you to Rush Valley too. It's on all of the major maps of the country." The attendant said.
"Thanks for the tip." Al said as he picked up his suitcase and hurried to join the others.
"Did you get the tickets, Al?" Ed asked but Al shook his head.
"Sorry no. Problem on the lines. Accident has the main line blocked and the military has it restricted but there's a road that can take us straight to Dublith." Al said as the others stood up.
"Well, looks like we're walking." Winry said as Al unfolded a map of Amestris from his pocket and looked towards the southern and eastern parts of the country, spotting the road in question.
"It's a few days walk. Are you sure you're up to it?" Al asked.
"Yeah I'm up to it. It'll be just like old times, right Al?" Ed asked with a grin which went unseen due to the helmet on his head but Winry spotted something that made a thoughtful expression appear on her face.
"Hmm. State Alchemists are technically part of the military right?" Winry asked.
"Yeah. I'm technically a Major in the military. Why?" Al replied.
"Well couldn't you just order a military vehicle to drive us?" Winry asked, pointing towards a nearby car with State Military insignias on it.
"It sure beats walking." May said as she followed Al towards the car.
…
A few minutes later the four were riding in the car heading down the road out of East City towards Dublith. Ed, May, and Winry sat in the back while Al rode in front.
"I just can't believe my luck! A promotion to Corporal and then getting to meet the Fullmetal Alchemist, all in two weeks!" the driver, a soldier man with short black hair said with an excited grin.
"Um just so you know, Ed was the first Fullmetal Alchemist. I just inherited the title after him." Al said, motioning towards the hulking suit of automail driven armor behind the driver.
"Wow really? I always heard that the Fullmetal Alchemist was such a pipsqueak." The driver commented, not noticing the rattling from the armor.
"DON'T CALL ME SMALL! I'LL RIP OF YOUR FEET AND STICK'EM ON YOUR HEAD!" Ed yelled before getting bonked in the helmet by Winry's wrench.
"Settle down, Ed!" Winry warned.
"Excuse me, but how long of a drive is it to Dublith?" May asked.
"A few hours tops. This road is largely a straight shot to Dublith. There are three towns between East City and Dublith so we'll have ample opportunity for rest stops." The driver replied as Al glanced out the windows towards the trees as they drove past them.
"Okay. Just curious." May said.
"I'm curious May. Do you have something like Automail in Xing?" Winry asked but May shook her head.
"Sorry, no. It's rare to see anyone from Xing with Automail. Lan Fan's probably the only person I know from there to have automail." May replied.
"I imagine maintaining it must be a hassle, not being able to find a skilled mechanic and all." Winry commented.
"Actually she tries to avoid using her arm if at all possible. She also cleans it regularly." May replied as Ed looked towards her curiously.
"You two seem to be getting along a lot better than you did two years ago. You're not trying to kill each other." Ed said as May shrugged.
"Well when Ling elevated the Changs to a higher standing in the Empire, a lot of the competition became unnecessary. Lan Fan and I actually have had some time to get to know one another. Between us, she has a crush on the Emperor." May whispered with a cheeky smile.
"That would probably explain why she's so fanatically loyal to him." Al postulated.
"As she put it, she protects him as she would her own heart. If his heart stops beating, then so does hers." May explained as hearts appeared in Winry's eyes.
"How romantic. Does Ling know?" She gushed.
"No and he probably never will." May said sadly.
"He always did strike me as kinda thick headed." Ed sniggered. (AC: Trisha's Lullaby – FMA:B OST 1)
"It's not a matter of Ling's awareness. It's a matter of social order." May said, looking out the window.
"Social order?" Winry asked, confused.
"The members of the Fan clan have been vassals under the Yao clan for centuries. The relationship between the two clans is that of a servant to their lords. No romantic entanglements can exist between either clan as it could compromise the Fan clan's ability to protect their charges. With Ling as the Emperor, he'll already be forced to take at least fifty concubines to sire the next heir to the throne of Xing. The closest Lan Fan could get to having a romantic relationship with Ling is if she were to become the Fan clan's representative in that regard." May explained with a sad expression.
"Does Ling know how Lan Fan feels about him?" Winry asked.
"If he does, he's never said anything. Privately, I think they both know how the other feels but refuse to act. They seem content with the way things are. Kind of an unspoken and forbidden love that they know exists and only silently acknowledge." May said, looking dreamy eyed out the window.
"Wow, a forbidden love scenario." Winry said, starry eyed from the explanation. (End AC) They were all silent for a while before the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt.
"What is it, what's the matter?!" Al asked as the driver pointed.
"Look, up ahead!" he said. They looked and saw a man in an elegant red jacket, khaki colored trousers, black riding boots, a white shirt with sky blue vest and bow tie, and a top hat waving them down, distress clear on his face.
"Looks like he's in trouble." Al said as they quickly climbed out of the car. The man immediately started running towards them, almost teary eyed in relief.
"Oh thank God you stopped! Please! We need help!" the man pleaded.
"What's the matter?! What happened?" Al asked as the man caught his breath.
"I'm the Ringmaster for the Wickes Brothers Circus. We were set to open a new show later today but we were besieged by these strange creatures! Most of my performers are injured or frightened, and all of our animals were stolen! Please, you're military, you need to help us!" the man begged as Al nodded. (AC: Mount Briggs~Overture~ - FMA:B OST 2)
"Where're you set up? Lead the way!" Al ordered as the Ringmaster led them down a dirt road a short distance, the driver bringing their car with them. The road then emptied out into a large open field where the circus tents had been previously set up. The Big Top tent had collapsed along with a few other smaller tents. All around the area sat injured clowns and acrobats while one or two of the animal trainers wept over the loss of their animals.
"Corporal." Al said, the driver immediately standing at attention.
"Sir!" he replied.
"I want you to drive as fast as you can to the nearest city and call for assistance. Use my name if necessary." Al instructed, the driver saluting and immediately climbing back into the car before driving off. Winry and May quickly raced into the crowd to help the wounded while Ed looked at the Ringmaster.
"You said strange creatures attacked? Were they Chimeras?" Ed asked as the Ringleader nodded.
"Yes, that's what they were called. They were led by two human-form chimeras, a boar and a frog-like one." The Ringleader said as Ed and Al's eyes widened in shock.
"Zampano and Jerzo? It couldn't have been them." Al said, horrified at the notion.
"Believe it, Elric." A voice said from nearby. The brothers both looked to see two other human-form chimeras approaching.
"Darius! Heinkel! What are you doing here?!" Al asked.
"We work here. We've been traveling with the circus since that…incident in Central two years ago." Darius replied.
"But Zampano and Jerzo…they attacked the circus?" Ed asked.
"Yeah. They've fallen in with the Red Kingdom. I don't know why but the next time I see them, I'll kill 'em!" Heinkel growled, literally.
"They tried to convince us to join them, saying we could get our bodies back to normal if we did." Darius added.
"We refused and they took off, heading north with the other circus animals." Heinkel said as Ed and Al turned and looked towards the road.
"How long ago was this?" Al asked.
"Less than an hour ago, why?" Heinkel replied, the brothers exchanging glances and nodding to one another.
"Mr. Gorilla, I have a favor to ask of you." Ed said, as Darius sweat dropped.
"Two years and you still don't know my name?!" Darius asked.
"Let it go, Darius." Heinkel mumbled.
"Can you two watch after Winry and May over there?" Ed asked as the two chimeras looked back towards the two women before turning back and nodding.
"You can count on us, Elric." Heinkel replied with a reassuring smile.
"If we don't come back before nightfall, can you get them to Rush Valley?" Al asked.
"You got it." Darius replied.
"And above all else, watch after May. She's in just as much danger as Al and I are." Ed said, earning a curious look from Al.
"Anything else?" Heinkel asked. He and Darius were taking their orders without question.
"Don't come looking for us, no matter what." Al said before the brothers both turned and started running back along the road.
"Hey…is it just me, or was that Ed in the armor?" Darius asked as Heinkel sweat dropped.
"You just now noticed that?" he asked. (End AC)
…
Ed and Al were running through the forest, trying to find any sign of the chimeras or where they had gone.
"I can't believe Zampano and Jerzo would just turn on us like that!" Ed said as they ran.
"It could have been another pair of chimera with similar powers!" Al replied.
"Even so! Heinkel and Mr. Gorilla recognized them! They've gone rogue!" Ed argued.
"But last we saw them, they were being taken away by General Mustang's men!" Al said but Ed was skeptical.
"Who knows what may have happened afterwards!" Ed said as they reached a clearing, coming to a stop in the center of it.
"Do we even know where we're going?" Ed asked as Al dropped to one knee, placing a hand on the ground, his eyes shut. He remained in this position for about a minute before popping back up onto his feet.
"This way." He said as he took off, heading North West, Ed following him.
"Are you sure, Al?" Ed asked.
"First step of learning Alkahestry is learning to read's the Dragon's Pulse. May taught it to me." Al replied as they continued running.
"If it leads us to where the Red Kingdom are hiding then it's fine with me." Ed before Al slid to a halt in front of him, Ed stopping just behind him.
"Al? What's the matter?" Ed asked.
"Brother…you said something back there to Darius and Heinkel. You said that May is in as much danger as we are. What do you mean by that?" Al asked, turning towards Ed who froze in place, his expression unreadable due to the helmet on his head. After a moment's silence, Ed sighed in exasperation.
"I've been meaning to tell you since last night. Lan Fan told me something about the assassins from Xing. They're not after us. They're after May." Ed explained, removing his helmet, causing Al to blink in shock.
"May? But…but how is that? I was attacked in Central and May said she was with you and Winry in Resembool when it happened." Al said.
"Lan Fan said that was a decoy. A fake attack by an agent of Ling's to trick you into thinking you were the target." Ed explained as Al furrowed his brow, trying to figure it out.
"But…But that makes no sense! Why would making me appear to be the target help May at all?" Al asked.
"Because you wouldn't worry about her as much as if you knew that May was. May doesn't know she's the target either. The assassins want to kill her off because she's next in line for Emperor of Xing if Ling were to die before he has kids or before they're old enough. Lan Fan thinks that these assassins might also have ties to the Red Kingdom." Ed explained as Al clinched his fists.
"And we left her alone?" Al asked through his clinched teeth.
"Al, be rational. If the Red Kingdom does have ties to the plot against her, then bringing them down will help us keep her safe. We might even identify the people trying to kill her. Besides, we're not even sure that the assassins know that she's in Amestris." Ed said as Al punched one of the trees near him, his head hung down in frustration.
"You're right. Come on, let's go. They're this way." Al said as he turned and started running again, Ed following after him, pulling his helmet back on as they ran.
…
Back at the circus camp, several civilian vehicles had arrived with people bringing food and medical supplies to the circus performers. Winry and May were just finishing to help load some of the wounded onto one of the trucks to be rushed to a hospital. The Circus Master was with them.
"Thank you so much, young ladies. Your help has probably saved most of our performers lives. We owe you a debt we can never repay." The Circus Master said but Winry shook her head.
"May was the real hero here. Her knowledge of Alkahestry is what helped save your people." Winry said as May blushed.
"It was nothing." May replied.
"Have you seen where Ed and Al went? I haven't seen them since we arrived." Winry said.
"The boys went charging off into the woods after the chimeras." Darius said as he and Heinkel approached.
"They WHAT?!" Winry yelled, causing the two chimeras and the circus master to recoil in fear. May however looked off into the woods with a thoughtful look on her face.
"I thought I sensed something strange about their Chi. They've really made some progress in getting away from us." May commented as Winry groaned.
"When I get my hands on Ed, he'll be even shorter than he already is!" Winry growled.
"Calm down. Those two are tougher than they look." Heinkel said.
"Yeah. They said to get you two to Rush Valley if they weren't back before nightfall." Darius said before Heinkel suddenly looked up at the sky in alarm.
"Did you hear that?" he asked.
"I didn't hear anything." Darius replied before he too looked at the sky in alarm.
"What is it?" Winry asked before they heard a distant rumbling sound. They turned and saw storm clouds approaching from the east.
"Storm's coming." May said as Xiao-Mei started shivering on May's shoulder.
"We better get a move on for Rush Valley if we're going to outrun that storm." Heinkel said as they headed for a battered old military car that had seen better days. The car was adorned with circus icons and symbols.
"Hey, Yoki, wake up!" Darius yelled as he reached into the passenger seat of the car and pulled a cowering Yoki from the car.
"Oh! Darius! No need to be so rude!" the ex-military officer grumbled.
"Start the car. We're making a run for it towards the west." Heinkel said as Darius set Yoki down into the driver's seat.
"Finally! Leaving this hell-hole for good! Fine by me!" Yoki said as the chimeras and both girls climbed into the car, Yoki starting the car and almost instantly tearing off down the road, headed west. As the car rumbled and bounced along the road, Winry couldn't help but look out the windows towards the line of trees.
"Ed…where have you gone?" she asked softly, absently rotating her engagement ring on her finger in agitation.
…
A short while later, Ed and Al were still running through the forest when they heard the rumble of thunder.
"I don't like the looks of those clouds!" Al said as Ed sweat dropped.
"Yeah it just occurred to me! I'm a walking-talking lightning rod right now!" Ed said as Al quickly stopped and dropped down onto one knee, putting his hand to the ground to try and read the Dragon's Pulse.
"Anything?" Ed asked as Al grimaced.
"They're close." He replied as they continued running. After a couple minutes of running, they came out of the woods into what appeared to be an isolated farm that had fallen into slight disrepair. The barn and silos were falling apart but the farmhouse was in far better shape. The brothers looked around but didn't see any sign of the Red Kingdom or the chimeras.
"Are you sure we've been following the right trail?" Ed asked as Al placed a hand on the ground again.
"Positive. This is the place." He said, transmuting the arm blade.
"Alright we'll-…" Ed said before they heard a gunshot, a bullet ricocheting off of Ed's armor and bouncing harmlessly into the air, alarming them both.
"Hold it right there!" an old woman's voice called. They looked up at the second story window of the farmhouse to see an old woman leveling a rifle at them. The brothers immediately raised their hands.
"Way to go Al. We found an old lady, not the Red Kingdom." Ed mumbled as Al sweat dropped.
"Sorry." He mumbled back.
"Who are you two?! What are you doing on my land?!" the woman yelled.
"Please ma'am! We've gotten lost! Can we have some shelter, at least until the storm passes?!" Al asked as the woman glanced up at the sky.
"That storm ain't passin' until well after midnight! Trust me, these old bones can feel it! Now who are you?!" the woman asked, her gun still trained on the two.
"I'm Alphonse Elric and this is my brother Edward! I'm a State Alchemist! See, this is my watch!" Al called, raising his watch. The woman lowered her rifle upon seeing the watch.
"State Alchemist eh? Well why didn't ya say so?! Come on in! Door's unlocked!" she called as she lowered her rifle and disappeared from the window. The brothers looked at each other, shrugged, and started for the door. (AC: Memories – FMA OST 1). As they entered the house, they found it to be a quaint little home with many antiquities and some old farming equipment. The old woman soon emerged from the second floor, carrying the rifle but immediately propping it up against the wall on a refurbished holder for fireplace equipment. The woman walked with a cane, her white hair bound up in a tight bun on the back of her head.
"Come on in boys. Don't be shy. Ol' Delilah won't harm ya. You're a State Alchemist after all." She said as she approached them.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am." Alphonse greeted as the woman smiled warmly at them.
"Oh no need for name callin' like that. Call me Delilah. I've lived out here for nigh on forty years and everyone I know calls me Delilah." She said.
"Well you can call me Al." Al said as Ed removed his helmet.
"And you can call me Ed." Ed commented as Delilah chuckled up at him.
"Ooh you're a tall one aren't you?" she said as Ed froze. It was the first time anyone had referred to him as tall.
"Ed?" Al asked, worriedly. Ed was non responsive, still in shock that someone had referred to him tall.
"Is he alright?" Delilah asked as Al knocked on Ed's shoulder guard.
"I think so. But don't let the armor fool you. He's not that tall really." Al commented as Ed's armor started rattling, earning a death glare from Ed.
"What was that?!" he asked through clinched teeth.
"Nothing!" Al replied quickly.
"Oh I see. Armor adds a few inches huh? Is this one of those automail battle suits?" Delilah asked as Ed's head drooped down in misery. He was back to being the Fullmetal pipsqueak.
"Yes ma-…I mean Delilah. Ed's fiancée made it for him." Al explained as Delilah led them into the kitchen where a tea pot had started whistling.
"Mmm. I haven't seen one of those suits since I was a younger woman. It's how I met my husband. He was a State Alchemist too and me…I was an automail mechanic working to build automail armored suits for the military…back before they discontinued them." Delilah explained as she poured three cups of tea for them.
"You used to make automail?" Ed asked as Delilah smiled and nodded.
"Oh yes. Back before it was that fancy stuff they use to replace limbs. You ever seen those?" Delilah asked as Ed scratched the back of his head with an innocent grin.
"Seen them? My leg's practically hums all the time." Ed said, raising his left leg slightly while Delilah served them their tea and sat down across from them.
"Really? What happened to your leg dear?" Delilah asked but the brothers both glanced away from her in shame.
"We'd…we'd rather not talk about it." Al replied as Delilah gave an understanding nod.
"Oh you poor dears. I didn't mean to pry. Let's change the subject. What sort of alchemy is your specialty?" Delilah asked Al who pondered.
"Um, well, I don't think I have a specialization. I've been looking for a way to get Ed's leg back to normal and I guess my alchemical talent impressed the right people that they gave me the State Alchemist's certification." Al explained as Ed blinked.
"You're still trying to get my leg back? Al I thought we agreed that it was forever out of reach for me. It would involve…" Ed said before whispering in his ear, "…it would involve opening up the gate."
"You agreed. I didn't." Al replied as Ed glared at him.
"Now boys, don't fight. What's your title dear?" Delilah asked as Al cleared his throat.
"My title is Fullmetal. It used to be Ed's before he left the State Alchemists. He let me take it instead." Al explained as Delilah smiled.
"Well isn't that sweet of him. My late husband never had a title to speak of. Just his rank: Major. Major Maxwell Fletcher was his name. He was so proud to have been made a State Alchemist. They even let me keep his watch after he passed away, God rest his soul." Delilah said as Ed narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Fletcher?" he asked himself quietly.
"I'm sure he was a great alchemist." Al said as Delilah nodded.
"Oh he was." She replied as they heard a clap of thunder. (End AC)
"Oh goodness me! Would you look at the weather! It's raining cats and dogs out there! I've got a spare room down here on the ground floor but I'm using it to break in a new puppy I got just recently so you'll have to use my guest room upstairs. Is that okay?" Delilah asked.
"We don't mean to impose." Al said but Delilah raised her hand, motioning dismissively.
"Think nothing of it, boys. In this weather, that automail is just a giant lightning rod and we don't want to cook him alive now do we?" Delilah asked with a smile.
"Then at least let us pay for the room." Al said but Delilah shook her head.
"Forget it young man, it's on the house. It's the least I can do for a State Alchemist and his brother." Delilah said as Al smiled.
"Thank you ma'am. I don't mean to impose further but could we use your phone? I need to check in with the military so they don't worry about me." Al said but Delilah sweat dropped.
"I'm afraid the closest phone around is over in the next town and that's twelve miles west of here. Sorry young man." Delilah said as Al gave an understanding nod.
"Oh well. Thank you anyway. We'll be up in our room." Al said as he and Ed stood up, heading for the stairs.
"Second door on your right!" Delilah called as they walked up the stairs, Ed carrying his helmet under his arm.
"Hey Al…" Ed said softly as they reached the door to their room.
"Hmm?"
"There's something suspicious about Delilah." Ed whispered.
"She's just a kind old lady, brother." Al replied as they entered the guest room.
"I dunno. There's something about her story that smells funny to me." Ed replied as they sat down on the two twin beds in the room, facing each other. The bed groaned and creaked under Ed's weight.
"Like what?" Al asked.
"For starters, she was lying about her husband having never received a title as a State Alchemist. Every State Alchemist has had a title such as Fullmetal or Flame or Crystal or something like that for as long as the State Alchemists have been around. Why wouldn't her husband have a title?" Ed asked as Al pondered.
"Maybe she forgot it." Al suggested but Ed wasn't convinced.
"No, didn't you hear Delilah a few minutes ago? She said he never had a title to speak of." Ed said.
"To speak of, implying that he might've had a title but never used it. He might've just preferred his rank over his title." Al said as Ed shrugged.
"Okay maybe that's the reason. There's still something about her that makes me suspicious. Something about the name Fletcher. I feel like I've seen that name before somewhere." Ed said as he rubbed his chin in thought.
"Right now I'm hoping Winry and May have made it to Rush Valley by now." Al said, looking out the window towards the deluge of rain that came down outside.
"Yeah me too." Ed said as he laid back on the bed.
…
That evening in the southern town of Metso, Winry and May sat by the window of a local Inn. The two of them plus Darius, Heinkel, and Yoki had stopped there to wait out the storm overnight. Metso was the unofficial halfway point for them in their journey to Rush Valley and the storm had overtaken them by now, making the roads too dangerous to travel on.
"It's really coming down out there." May said worriedly, Xiao-Mei shivering close to her.
"Yeah. I'm worried about Ed. With that armor on, Ed's essentially a giant lightning rod. I hope they found shelter to wait out the storm." Winry said worriedly.
"Al told me about what their teacher put them through to prove their capacity in learning alchemy. Stranding them for a month on an island without using alchemy to survive. If they survived that as kids, they can survive on their own in the woods as adults." May said but her words of comfort didn't sooth Winry's fears.
"They may not worry about themselves, but I worry for them. I've worried for them ever since they left to try and get their bodies back six years ago." Winry said, absently rotating her engagement ring on her finger again.
"You're spinning your ring again." May said, catching Winry's attention.
"Hmm?" She said, noticing her hand.
"You were spinning your ring on your finger. I noticed you doing that in the car on the way over." May said as Winry stared at the ring with a look of silent realization. (AC: Trisha's Lullaby – FMA:B OST 1)
"Ed…you romantic fool." She said with a teary smile, confusing May, causing her to sweat drop in alarm.
"Uh! Winry I didn't mean to upset you!" May yelped but Winry smiled and shook her head.
"No, you didn't. I was just remembering something Ed said when he gave me this ring. He had Al make our rings out of a piece of his old armor. He said the material used in the rings, Al's armor, would represent Al, and the rings themselves would represent the union between Ed and I, so that, even in some small way, the three of us: Me, Ed, and Al, would always be together, regardless of the distance between us." Winry said as she gazed at her ring with a quiet smile. May couldn't help but smile at the thought as well.
"Wow that was really romantic. Ed came up with it?" May asked as Winry chuckled.
"I know, right? It's so unlike him…and yet…I guess he's always looked out for me. I mean it's the reason I wear all these earrings. Ed bought them for me. He might've bought them as a bribe to try and keep me from kicking his ass for breaking his automail again but…he bought them for me regardless because he thought I would like them." Winry said as she absently ran a finger along her right ear, feeling each of her earrings.
"I always wondered about that." May said.
"What about you and Al?" Winry asked as May blinked in surprise.
"Me and Al?" She asked, startled, unconsciously blushing at the thought.
"Yeah. I thought the two of you were an item. Ed told me about how upset you were when you thought Al had died two years ago in Central. I thought the two of you were…" she said as May blushed.
"Oh that. I was just an innocent little girl back then. I mean wouldn't you be upset if you thought Al had died?" May said, flustered, as Winry nodded.
"I was upset. Six years ago when Al first lost his body. I thought at first he was dead, but when that armor moved and talked with Al's voice, I knew he was still alive." Winry said as May smiled.
"See?" she replied as Winry gave her a knowing look. She wasn't buying May's story for a minute.
"Yeah." Winry said as her gaze shifted back to her engagement ring.
…
Back at the Fletcher home, Ed lay on his back in bed smiling at his left hand. He had removed the armored glove over his hand and was quietly stroking his engagement ring with his thumb. (End AC). He then heard the bed next to his creaking. He turned and saw Al tossing and turning, letting out small grunts of frustration.
"What's the matter?" Ed asked.
"I can't get comfortable. No matter where I turn on this bed, it's like there are a bunch of tiny needles poking me." Al grumbled as Ed stared blankly at him.
"You think I feel any different? I've got needles digging into my skin here." He grumbled as Al sat up finally and started sweeping his hand across the mattress to sweep away the needles.
"This bed is covered in these needles!" Al groaned as Ed sighed and got out of bed, putting the glove back on.
"Come on, let's switch. The needles won't bother me." Ed groaned as he and Al switched beds. The second Al sat down on the bed, he heard a squishing sound.
"Ed…" Al said in a low voice.
"What?" Ed asked as he lay down.
"What have you been doing over here?" Al asked, causing Ed to stare at him blankly.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"This bed. It's covered in…what is this? Slime?" Al asked as Ed sat up.
"What, you think I did that?" Ed asked.
"It's all over the place!" Al exclaimed, several strands of a sticky clear substance dangling between his hand and the bed.
"It wasn't there when I sat down!" Ed argued, turning away from Al with a scowl, his arms crossed over his chest. Al was about to say something in response when he saw something that made him pause. He got up and walked over towards Ed, looking at the back of his armor.
"Maybe it was." Al said, confusing Ed.
"What do you mean?" Ed asked.
"The back of your armor is covered in needles. They're stuck to it from that same slime from the other bed! You just didn't notice it!" Al said as Ed scowled.
"Sorry. I can't feel anything with this armor. I wasn't deliberately leading you into that." Ed said as Al brushed the needles off Ed's back before picking one up and looking at it curiously.
"I know." He said absently, looking at the needle in the light of the lamp in their room.
"What is it?" Ed asked, looking at the needle with him.
"This isn't an ordinary needle. This looks like some kind of barb or quill." Al said as Ed looked at the needle.
"Yeah. You're right." Ed said, taking the needle from him and examining it himself.
"Why are their needles and slime in our beds? Why couldn't it be something less creepy like a hair or something?" Al asked as Ed's eyes furrowed in thought for a moment. (AC: Suspicion – FMA OST 3)
"Hair? Hair…wait a minute, hair! Cutting Hair! That's it!" Ed said as he snarled angrily.
"What's it, brother?" Al asked as Ed turned towards him, grabbing his helmet off the nightstand between their beds.
"Al, I know for a fact Delilah's been lying to us this whole time. Her husband was never a State Alchemist at all!" Ed said as Al blinked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"The name, Al! Her husband's name! Fletcher! Every State Alchemist typically publishes their research, albeit disguised as something else to encrypt it. The name Fletcher stood out to me because I remembered reading a book written by an Alchemist named Fletcher, but it wasn't a Maxwell Fletcher…it was a D. Fletcher." Ed said as Al's eyes widened, realizing the same thing Ed did.
"Delilah Fletcher. I remember that book. She was the State Alchemist, not her husband! The Cutting Hair Alchemist." Al said but Ed grinned.
"Yeah but do you know what her specialty was?" Ed asked.
"No, not really." Al replied.
"Her specialty was the creation of chimeras. Her title wasn't Cutting Hair like human hair, but Cutting Hare as in rabbit! She combined a rabbit with some other animal that made its skin sharp to the touch, a cutting hare." Ed explained as he rose to his feet.
"It makes sense. She could be in league with the Red Kingdom." Al suggested.
"Want to know something else, Al? Do you remember where we first read her book?" Ed asked as he gave Al a grave look.
"Not really." Al replied.
"It was in the personal library of Shou Tucker, the Sewing Life Alchemist." Ed said as Al's eyes widened in horror. Immediately the memories of the evil alchemist and the tragedy that befell his daughter Nina at his own hands flashed through the minds of both brothers. At this, Ed put the helmet on his head and they both hurried down the stairs and started searching for Delilah but they couldn't find her anywhere in the house.
"Any sign of her?!" Ed asked as they met up outside of a room on the ground floor, the door closed.
"No but her rifle is missing." Al replied as Ed grimaced inside his helmet.
"I knew there was something fishy about her!" Ed growled as Al looked at the floor near the door.
"Brother, look!" Al exclaimed, pointing at the floor. Ed looked and saw what appeared to be a set of muddied foot prints that looked like a cross between human feet and animal paws, leading into the door. The brothers looked at each other and nodded. Ed immediately tried the door handle but it was locked.
"Al!" Ed said as Al clapped his hands together and placed one hand on the door, performing a partial transmutation that shattered the door into splinters. Ed immediately stepped into the room but they found nothing. The room was completely empty. No people and no furniture, just four walls, the roof, a boarded window, and the concrete foundation of the house itself.
"This doesn't make sense. There's nothing here!" Ed said as they stepped into the room. Al looked down at the ground, following the muddied prints until they suddenly stopped in the middle of the room. As Ed walked around, his footsteps made the usual clunking sound of the armor. But when he stepped on an area near the center, the clunking seemed to echo slightly.
"Wait, Al, did you hear that?" Ed asked as he looked down at the floor, tapping his foot against it slightly.
"Yeah I did. Stand back." Al said, clapping his hands together and pressing them to the ground, causing the floor to be transmuted into a downward staircase, leading into a tunnel beneath the house.
"I knew it! She was hiding something!" Ed exclaimed as the brothers walked down into the tunnel. The tunnel had been built like a mineshaft and had clearly been visited recently as the lanterns hanging from the walls were still lit. The brothers quietly walked through the tunnel for about a minute until they reached a large area full of equipment, beds, a desk littered with papers, and other amenities that an alchemist would use.
"This must be where her research is hidden." Al said.
"How very observant of you." A voice said from behind them. They turned and saw Delilah leveling her rifle at them. Her cane was hooked onto her belt. (End AC)
"Delilah Fletcher, the Cutting Hare Alchemist." Ed said as Delilah scowled at them.
"You boys should learn not to go poking around where you're not welcome." Delilah commented but both brothers scowled at her.
"If we didn't learn that lesson six years ago, we aren't going to learn it now, lady." Ed replied.
"Oh I'm well aware of that. You boys…I know exactly who you are. The Fullmetal Alchemists. Edward and Alphonse Elric. You boys performed the taboo. You tried to play God and were punished for trying to enter his domain. That's why your leg is automail, isn't it boy?" Delilah asked as Ed snarled at her.
"Shut up! You're one to preach at us about playing God! You're one of the leading authorities on chimeras! You don't call that trying to play God?!" Ed yelled at her as Delilah scowled.
"On the contrary. I wasn't creating something from nothing. That is the power of God. The only being in the universe capable of creating something from nothing. It's when we try to create or bring back something that has already died that we enter his domain. Like bringing your loving mother back from the grave, right boys?" Delilah asked.
"We paid for our mistake! Don't you dare try and excuse what you've done by comparing it to our mistake! It's true we committed the taboo and performed a human transmutation! I lost my leg and Al lost his whole body! I gave up my right arm to bind Al's soul in this very suit of armor I'm wearing right now! We went through four years of hell just trying to get our bodies back to normal! So don't preach to us about who's in the wrong here!" Ed yelled at her as Delilah stood with her rifle still pointed at them.
"I refuse to acknowledge that creating chimeras is a mistake…however…my one mistake was ever imparting that knowledge to another alchemist who misused that knowledge for a twisted and evil purpose." Delilah said as the brothers paused.
"What are you talking about?" Al asked. Delilah seemed to frown in sadness at the question.
"You boys…You deserve to know the truth." Delilah said, lowering the rifle and tossing it aside, surprising the boys. Delilah took hold of her cane, a sad expression on her face as she hung her head in shame. (AC: Dante – FMA OST 2)
"You have a right to be angry at me boys. I have blood on my hands. The blood of innocents. Years ago, a young man came to my house and asked me to teach him bio-alchemy. He wanted to learn to create chimeras. I refused time and time again until finally his persistence paid off. I took him in as my student, taught him everything I knew about creating chimeras. I never knew how heartless and how selfish he truly was. He moved to Central with his family…then…he did the unspeakable. He surpassed me in a way I could never have imagined, in a way I never could have even allowed myself. He created a chimera that was superior to every chimera I had ever created." Delilah said before looking at the boys, grief and sadness clear on her face.
"You boys, you knew this man. His name was Shou Tucker." Delilah said as the brothers' eyes widened in shock.
"Tucker?! The Sewing Life Alchemist?!" Al asked as Ed removed his helmet, showing an expression of pure rage at his very mention.
"You taught him to create chimeras!?" Ed asked through clinched teeth, literally shaking with anger.
"You know the terrible things he did, boys. If I had never taught him to create chimeras, his wife would still be alive today. I bear full responsibility for her death." Delilah said, Ed clinching his fists in anguish, tears running down his face.
"You think that's all he did?! He mutilated his own daughter too! He turned her and their family dog into a monster! She was just a little girl! His only daughter! And he mutilated her without hesitation or remorse! It's because of you that an innocent little girl and her mother are both dead!" Ed yelled at her but Delilah shook her head.
"You are correct to a point, Edward. I hold myself responsible for the death of Mrs. Tucker and the transformation of Nina Tucker…but not her death." Delilah said as she started to walk towards a part of the tunnel that was curtained off from the rest.
"What are you talking about? Nina's dead! She was killed by Scar two years ago!" Ed yelled.
"You're wrong. She's not dead, Elric. She's alive." Delilah said as the brothers froze in disbelief.
"But…Scar…he killed her. How could she be alive?" Al asked as Delilah stopped at the curtain and turning towards them before grabbing hold of the curtain before ripping it down. (AC: Revelation – FMA OST 2) What the brothers saw behind the curtain made them both freeze in absolute shock and disbelief. Lying asleep on a cot in a small alcove of the cave was the form of a six year old girl with long brown hair. A sheet was pulled up to her chest with her arms laying on top, showing patches of white fur from the hands up to her biceps. Her hands were long and clawed.
"Is that…It can't be!" Ed exclaimed, both brothers shaking in absolute shock.
"After the military found out about Shou Tucker's actions, they ordered his latest abomination to be confiscated and sent to an alchemist who specialized in chimeras in the hopes that they would be able to reverse the process. It's been two years, but I've gotten her this far. She is still a chimera, but at least she resembles her original human form more than the creature she was turned into." Delilah said as Ed dropped to his knees, in shock.
"Brother…is it really…" Al asked, visibly shaken by the revelation. Ed, just as shaken, swallowed hard before answering…
"It's…It's Nina."
End Chapter 10
Delilah Fletcher is named after the Fletcher Class Destroyer.