Long Winding Road

EdxOC &AlxOC

Apologies for the horribly long wait! Temari and I finally buckled down and got this chapter out and hopefully will be able to get one more out before school starts all over again- ENJOY!

Ed moved over to a desk where various papers were scattered around. He skimmed over a few, trying to understand what the base was planning on doing with these chimeras. Mikayla peered into more of the cages, her stomach twisting as she looked at each tortured being.

It was silent until they heard they heard the dull sound of heels clicking from down the hall. They quickly hoisted themselves through the vent they came through and didn't talk or look back until they were safely out and away from the base.

"What did you find?" Mikayla asked on they were back at the hotel.

"Nothing much," Ed replied, slightly frustrated. "Just notes of each chimera - nothing of their plans."

Mikayla sighed, flopping down onto her bed. "We'll go back tomorrow night and uncover everything."

It was well past midnight and Nami couldn't sleep. She sat on the bed in the guest room she was staying in. An old best friend of hers, Ryu, lived in Risembool and they had grown up together. He offered to let her stay with him and his parents while she was training.

She stared down at the note in her hand from Scarlett – the girl she was working for – for the second night in a row. She didn't know much about her, but she owed Scarlett greatly. She taught her the basics of flame alchemy and how to create it. In return, Nami had to do some… observing.

Ripping open the letter, she scanned the contents.

Nami,

I applaud you for finding Kane since he is training Mikayla. I figured Mustang would reject you, but you seem to be one step ahead. Continue observing her and being their friend, we need all the information we can get.

You owe me, so don't screw up. Michelle, the girl who delivered the message, is on our side, but just pretend she is the enemy.

-Scarlett.

What did she mean by "our side"? It didn't matter, time was running out. She had worked so hard to get to where she was, and the plan was slowly coming to the end.

But something always plagued her… what was the end?

Nami woke up the next morning and went through her daily routine of showering, doing her hair, getting dressed, etc. She walked downstairs and smiled when she saw Ryu sitting at the dinner table.

"Morning Nami," he greeted, glancing up from the paper he was reading.

"Morning," she replied, grabbing a piece of toast.

Ryu was about five feet, ten inches with shaggy brown hair, a lean body, and blue eyes. He was smart, dorky, and knew how to brighten up the atmosphere. They had met when Nami used to live in Risembool, before she was sought out by Scarlett.

"Do you have training with Kane?" He asked.

"Yeah, I better get going, see you for dinner."

Nami grabbed her bag which was by the door and slipped on her grey tennis shoes before heading down the road to Kane's.

Nami arrived at Kane's house and knocked on the door. She could feel the sweat already beginning to form on her body. It was too hot and she was dressed in black shorts and a purple tank top.

"Good morning Nami," Kane greeted once he opened the door.

"Morning Kane," she greeted back, stepping aside to let him out. He stepped out and took a sip of his coffee.

"Same routine as yesterday, but no need to go to Pinako's today."

"Sounds good."

Late that night, Mikayla and Ed sneaked their way back into the base with a plan: uncover what the chimeras were to be used for then report to Mustang with their findings so he could then go in and shut it down. It seemed like a solid plan.

The two silently shuffled through the papers in the dark, only small flashlights illuminated the table.

"Look," Mikayla whispered, pulling a document out from a folder. She pointed to the emblem that was stamped onto the paper. "This is the work of the Blade Children."

Ed's eyes narrowed in thought. "What could they possibly want with chimeras?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" The lights flickered on as the two alchemist whipped around to see who had caught them. A girl, at least 18, with medium dark skin and curly brown hair stood at the doorway, hazel eyes glaring at the two. She wore a simple white shirt with slacks and a black jacket worn over her shoulders. "I had a feeling you two would be back."

She looks so familiar, Mikayla thought, staring at the girl intently. It couldn't be-!

"Lynelle?"

The girl blinked, head tilted slightly in confusion. "Mikayla?"

Ed glanced between the two girls, wondering what was going on. He let himself relax slightly since he felt this girl was no threat to either of them. "You know her, Mikayla?"

"Lyn, what are you doing here?" Mikayla asked, ignoring Ed's question. She was more concerned that one of her good friend's was here in a place she should of no business being in.

Lynelle sighed, eyes softening as she stepped closer to her friend. "I could ask you the same thing! This place is in totally different dimension!"

"Wait, if you're here that means you've seen the Gate," Mikayla said, worry filling her heart. "Are you okay, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Lynelle replied. "I did see what you call the Gate, but the memory is hazy and I really don't remember anything of what happened before I saw it other then I heard my mom screaming." She sighed, sitting down at the desk, gesturing Mikayla and Ed to sit down as well.

"When I woke up there was a girl who was really hurt and was looking at me like I had just kicked her puppy and she was all bloody, but I passed out again before I could ask questions. Then a few days later some guy named Dr. Jethro began training me and teaching me alchemy. Seeing as I'm pretty good with science and medical alchemy he stuck me here in this town so I could over see this base. He somehow got one of the officials that own this base to sell him half of it."

"What are the chimeras being used for?" Ed questioned.

"War," Lynelle replied. "Aerugo is paying Jethro to create them."

"Interesting," Mikayla couldn't help but mutter. "Lynelle what would happen if we brought this to Central Command's attention? What would happen to you if we shut down this base?"

"Well, Dr. Jethro would lose his share of the profit from this place, but he probably won't care too much because he's perfected the art of creating chimeras," Her nose crinkled up in disdain. "I hate watching those things being made; I have to sit and take notes - it's horrid." She then got back on track, "But nothing would happen to me - at least I don't think."

Mikayla was worried about her friend's safety, but knew she needed to complete this mission. She glanced at Ed who smiled slightly, letting her know that he knew what she was thinking.

"Lyn, come with us and we'll keep you safe," She said.

Lynelle paled slightly, "But, then you'd be in danger!"

Mikayla chuckled lightly, "I can take care of myself. I'm used to being in danger."

Lynelle frowned; "If you're sure…" she then shuffled up the papers and put them in an envelope. "You can show them to Central Command." She then turned to Ed, "Can I mention that it's awesome to finally meet the guy Mikayla obsessed over for a good three years? And the fact that she's working with him is icing on the cake," Lynelle smirked at her friend. "Good job Mikayla."

Mikayla rolled her eyes, taking the envelope while Ed didn't know how to take what Lynelle just said to him. The two then helped Lynelle through the vent (there were other scientists around the base working late) and led her to the hotel they were staying at (but stopped at her small apartment first to get her clothes).

While Lynelle took a shower, Ed called Roy to tell him about their findings (he was not happy to be called so late at night).

"Well at least we got all of that wrapped up," Ed commented as got off his call with Roy.

"Yeah," Mikayla replied, toying with the ends of her hair in thought. "But, it makes me wonder how many other plots he has in his sick head. I'm worried what he's planning next." She frowned, "And how many other people from my time he'll drag into his schemes."

Ed said the only thing he knew to say, "I'm sure everything will be fine, I mean how many other people could he possibly get to open the Gate for him? Probably not many."

Mikayla smiled lightly, wanting to believe what he said. "Yeah, I guess."

But that night, when the lights were out and she lied beside Lynelle unable to sleep, she could only think: It's only a matter of time before one of his plans works and all hell breaks loose.