I don't own Danny Phantom or Fullmetal Alchemist.

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Sam and Tucker followed us home so that Ed and Al could take a shower. The plan was to spend the afternoon at the mall hunting for school supplies. Mom had left me with plenty of money for supplies, new clothes, and dinner. Ed protested taking Mom's 'charity' at first, but Al pointed out that they really didn't have much choice in the matter. The money that the brothers had brought with them was simply worthless here.

Sam and I spent the journey home talking to Al. Sam had expressed interest in learning to fight too, and the younger brother was so excited he could barely contain himself.

"But Sam, why do you need to learn how to fight?" I ask.

"I'm tired of you always having to come rescue me! I'm not just some damsel in distress, waiting for her Prince Charming to come and rescue her. I want to help you."

I open my mouth to protest, but Al cuts me off. "I think it's wonderful that she wants to learn how to protect herself. You told me that Sam and Tucker help you with your ghost fights a lot." I nod. "There may come a day when you can't be there to protect them."

"I'll never let that happen, Sam. But I see your point, Al."

Al smiles warmly. "People used to see me with Ed, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and they thought I was his sidekick. Well actually, they thought I was the Fullmetal Alchemist and that Ed was my sidekick. Anyways, the truth was that we were partners. Ed never would have let me go with him if he hadn't been confident that I could have taken care of myself."

"Okay, what's a 'Fullmetal Alchemist'?" I ask.

"It was Ed's title. All state alchemists are given one when they become certified. Remember the statue Ed transmuted?" Sam and I nod. "That was his commanding officer, Roy Mustang, he was known as the Flame Alchemist. The title usually refers to the alchemist's specialty, but in some cases it refers to one of his physical characteristics."

"When you say state alchemists, do you mean that Ed worked for the government?" I ask.

"Not exactly. State alchemists are part of the military. They are automatically given the rank of major upon joining. They're paid exceptionally well and have access to all of the best research and resources. Hundreds of alchemists apply, but they only let in two or three each year."

Sam interrupts him, "But you guys are too young. How could Ed have joined the military?"

"You have to understand that Amestris is a military state. Ed became the youngest state alchemist in history when he passed the exam at age 12."

I was about to ask how that was even possible when I heard a shout from a nearby alley.

"Beware!"

I groan. "You guys go ahead without me. I can take care of this."

"No way," calls Al. "I want to see this."

"I'm going ghost!"

Ed smirks, "He has a battle cry?"

"Maybe we should have one Brother?"

"No," Ed answers flatly.

Transforming into Phantom, I find Box Ghost is floating in an alley full of discarded moving boxes. He currently has half a dozen suspended in midair poised to strike.

"Prepare to face my corrugated cardboard of Doooom!"

"Thanks, but no thanks. Why don't you just hurry up and attack so I can kick your sorry butt. Then, we can all go home."

"Beware!" Box Ghost yells once more before flinging the boxes at us.

I blast all of the boxes, only to find no sign of Box Ghost. 'Huh? Guess I scared him off.' It's not usually this easy. Normally, he puts up more of a fight.

Then, I feel something pull tight around me. Box Ghost makes himself visible and tangible again, and he's holding a large roll of bubble wrap. Before I can break free, Box Ghost launches another set of boxes down the alley. I redouble my efforts realizing that they're headed directly at Sam.

"Boxes and bubble wrap?" laughs Ed.

"You watch over Sam and Tuck; I'll help Danny," calls Al. He shoots a quick glance at Ed before clapping his hands and hitting the ground. A stone wall shoots up between him and Ed.

Al's now trapped on my side. Ed's not happy about it; I can hear him cursing on the other side of the wall.

"That won't stop him," I warn Al.

"I know, but it should stop the boxes. Besides, he's after you, isn't he? So long as you and your friends are on opposite sides, he should leave Sam and Tuck alone."

"Ahh, but now you will face the wrath of the Box Ghost. I am the master of all things cardboard and square. Tremble before my mighty power. Beware!"

Al claps his hands and hits the nearby building wall. A huge brick fist emerges from the wall and slams into Box Ghost and pins him to the ground. I break free of the bubble wrap and suck Box Ghost into the thermos.

"Thanks Al."

Behind us there's a small explosion followed by the sound of coughing. Ed had deconstructed the wall Al had built, but he'd over powered the transmutation again. The wall fell to the street in pieces.

Ed curses colorfully. "What are you doing differently, Al?"

"I'm using a lot less energy than we normally would. You need to calm down and stop putting so much power into your transmutations."

Ed just grunts in response.

I notice that a pile of trash seems to be quivering near the back of the alley. I move towards the pile to investigate, but whatever it was zipped away before I could get a good look. It looked like…green bats? Whatever it was, it's gone now. I guess I scared it away.

I rejoined Sam and Tuck as Ed checked over Al for injuries. During the rest of the walk home, I kept noticing flashes of green out of the corner of my eye, but I couldn't identify the sources.

Sam seemed to notice my edginess. "What's wrong, Danny? I haven't seen you this jumpy since the last encounter you had with Youngblood."

I shudder recalling the ghost that had my parents convinced that I was crazy. "I think we're being followed."

"Since we left the park," Ed confirms and Al nods in agreement.

"You should have said something earlier. I didn't notice until after we left the alley. Have you gotten a look at who it is?"

"It's not a who, but rather a what. They're some kind of ghost animals, mostly bats and rats," replies Al.

"Come closer and get ready to run." I turn everyone invisible in hopes of losing our pursuers.

"Dude," says Tucker. "What's the point? Almost all of the ghosts know where you live."

Sam smirks, "He has a point, Danny."

I turn everyone visible again as we near the entrance of Fenton Works. "Humor me, okay. Ed, Al do you still see anyone following us?"

"No," replies Ed, "but that doesn't mean they're not still there."

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Who's following our heroes? There are hints in this chapter as to who the primary antagonist will be. And no, it is not the Box Ghost. Please Review.