Fullmetal Alchemist: Alchemy & Automail

Chapter 15 - Preporation

A/N: There is probably 2-3 chapters left after this one so yep...

But that doesn't mean it's over! I got a new arc in mind so I am going to say what it is on the final chapter...

I hope everyone who faved, followed, or reviewed this story would continue to do just that on the next arc of the series! :D

R&R...

"Wow!"

There they stood, in front of a giant building. Many people were coming in the building and alot of chatter could be heared from all around them. About a hundred military officers stood guard outside and the build and inside.

They were suddenly crowded by fans who wanted autographs. Also reporters who asked alot of questions. Even Winry, who wasn't on the team was getting pushed and asked questions. The only difference is the questions were about automail. They must had heard about the automail she made and presented at school.

Like always, Ed would find this annoying and he was already getting agitated, "H-Hey, don't push. Go away! Damn it..."

Ed thought the questions for him would be about the finals, but they were about a more personal and embarrassing topic...

"Mr. Elric, is it true you have a relationship with Ms. Rockbell?"

"Or is she just your automail mechanic? We want to know..."

Of course, Winry who was so excited about being asked and complimented on her automail, decided to do the unthinkable and kissed Ed, answering their questions. To Ed's displeasure, people got more riled up, but at least fangirls got their dreams crushed, surpisingly to both Ed and Winry's pleasure.

Ed noticed three familiar figures standing at the doorway, staring at them and he sighed, "This is going to be a long day..."

"Should we help, Colonel?"

He sighed, "Why?"

She pulled out her gun, "They seem really uncomfortable with all those people there!"

"Hey, Lieutenant? Is there a reason you pulled out your-"

Two gunshots were fired up into the air. The sound made everyone pause and stay in silence. It made the Colonel almost recieve a heart attack. He gasped and wiped the sweat off his forehead, "Damn Lieutenant, don't scare me like that!" He noticed she was already walking towards them and didn't hear what he said.

"Make some room for them! Let them pass!" The Lieutenant holded up her gun as they did as they were told.

Ed sighed, "Thank you!" Winry bumped her arms into his, "You should be glad you got a free kiss"

Ed blushed, "W-What? Umm..."

She laughed. It was always her pleasure to see him this shocked and nervous about their relationship. Winry knew it was Ed's way of saying he cared about her, even if he didn't say a word.

Riza signaled them to follow her as she started walking back. They followed until they were inside the stadium.

"From here, go to your looker room which is down the authorized personal hallway on your right!"

"Okay!" Before they would keep moving, they were confronted by the Colonel.

"So, Edward and Alphonse, do you have your decision?" Mei position her head down sideways and tapped Al on the shoulders, getting his attention, "What decision?"

Ed and Al sighed, "We will tell you later, Mei..."

"And Colonel, we are still thinking about, but we are making our decision today!"

He nodded, "Alright then, the Furher is looking forward to your answer!"

Soon after, they arrived at their looker room, which was styled like a party V.I.P room. A nice sofa, soda fountain, and lots of snacks would be found there.

Ed immediately jumped onto the sofa, "I could really get used to this!" Winry sat beside him and Al and Mei sat on the one-seater couches.

"Now, explain this decision!"

Ed nodded, "To make it simple, the Furher wants us to take a job as state alchemists."

Mei's eyes widened, "Are you guys actually going to take the jobs!?"

Ed shrugged his shoulders, "We are thinking about it, but we have someone who believes that it's a bad idea!" Ed fought the urge to look at Winry, who's eyes widened, "I'm just worried about you guys. Ever since the incidents between my parents and Ed, it's hard for me to agree..."

Ed sighed, "So why don't you come with us..."

Her eyes widened, "WHAT?"

"Brother, are you sure that's a good idea!? I mean, we are going to get alot of missions afterwards, so you want to put her in danger!"

Winry poked him on the arm, "Yeah, Ed! What made you come up with that!?"

"Look, Winry! If we go, you are not going to see us for a long time! I don't want to put that burden on you and you are my automail mechanic!" He noticed how that hurt her, but she refused to show it. She clutched her hands into fist, "I think Ed has a point! I am his automail engineer and I am the only one familiar with the work layout of the arm and leg."

"But-"

"No!" Her expression became determined and she smiled at Ed, "If you want me to, I will!"

Ed nodded, "Yeah!"

Al sighed in defeat, "Fine..."

Mei got up and walked over to the table with snacks, "So, it looks like you guys are taking the job!"

They nodded together, "Yeah, it looks like it!"

Suddenly, Al got and looked very uncomfortable, "I really need to go to a bathroom, brother! It's kind of stupid that this room has no bathroom, but I will go find one!"

Ed chuckled, "Alright then."

Al ran out the door and looked and ran towards every direction he could to find the bathroom.

"Where is it!?"

"Where?"

"Come on!"

He came across the bathroom and jolted inside. After a few minutes, he came out with a relieved face, "Ah, that was great!" He closed his eyes and bumped into someone. By the force he hit them with, he could tell the person was running as well.

"I'm so sorry!"

"It's-"

Al opened his eyes. He knew that voice. Yeah, it was the voice of someone he met earlier. A girl's voice, who was also shocked after he spoke. The opened lifted their heads and stared at each other. Al could notice a blush forming on the girl's face, but it left when she stood up. He stood up as well...

"Oh, it's you! If I can remember, it's Alphonse right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, thanks for remembering!"

She smiled, "I said I would right?"

He scratched his head and chucked, "Yeah, I guess you did."

The was a moment of silence when neither side knew what to say anymore. Al remembered that he told her a name, but she never told him. Also that faint part when he believes she blew a kiss at him, but that could have been his brain playing tricks on him. He needed to know her name so he asked...

"You were right about us meeting again! So, now will you tell me your name?"

She smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder making him nervous, "Sure, my name is Julia Crichton!"

Al smiled, trying to hide his nervousness, "I'll be sure to remember it!"

"Thank you and I heard your participating in the Alchemy Tournament Finals!"

He nodded, "Y-Yeah!"

It was for a quick second, but Al could feel Julia pinch his cheeks before she ran off. She turned around and waved, "I will be cheering for you in the crowd, Alphonse!"

"Thank you!" There it was again. He noticed she blew a kiss at him, but it was so fast he couldn't believe it actually happened. Did it or not? He felt his cheeks and stared off into space...

"I lost love, but it seems it came crawling back. This time, in another form..."

He ran back into the room and noticed that the only person there was Ed, who was staring at him, "Long bathroom break, Al!"

He blushed, "I was looking for a bathroom! They need to make a map of this place, haha!"

"Okay, Al! Let's just get ready because the match starts in ten minutes!"

"What!"

"Why are you so freaked out?"

"I thought only five minutes passed!"

He sighed, "Really, Al!? Really? You been gone for about thirty minutes!"

"Damn, I thought it was five, but I seemed to lose track of time when..."

Ed stared curiously at him, "When what?"

"Okay, brother! Don't freak, but I-I am in l-love!"

He smiled and patted his shoulder, "Really? That's great! Tell me who?"

"A-A girl I met when I was about to get off the train."

"So that's who you were looking at... Since she's got you this nervous, she must be cute-" He felt someone pinch his ear and looked up to reveal Winry.

"Who's cute, Ed!?" She pinched him harder and Al tried to stop her, "It's not what you think, Winry!"

She let go and Ed grabbed his ear and started blowing air on it, "Winry, that hurt! Why did you do that!?"

"Sorry, but tell me, who's cute?" She stared at them with a death glare which made them tense, "U-Um, it's a girl Al met!" Her eyes widened and she stared at Al, "Really!?"

He nodded and she smiled, "So do you like this girl, Al?"

He blushed and nodded. She then stared at Ed and poked him on the forhead, "I'm sorry..."

He chuckled, "It's fine, gearhead!"

"SHUT UP!"

Al heard footsteps and whispered, "Hey, Winry and brother? Don't tell Mei! I want to be the one to tell her!"

They nodded and Mei came into the room, "You ready guys!"

They nodded as the heard the annoucer yell, "Can both teams report to the battleground. We are about to the start the finals!"

Moments after, they arrived at the center of the stadium and it looked amazing. About ten-times the amount of people from our school are here and camera flashing was everywhere. They saw the other team from across the room walking towards them.

"So, you guys are our opponents? We will be looking foward to fighting with you!"

Ed smiled, "Give it your best and we will do the same!"

"That's what I like to hear! See you on the field!" They waved as they went back to the corner.

Ed and Al then looked to their top left and noticed Roy and Riza standing next to Furher Bradley. The Furher stared at them and Ed and Al gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and gave one back.

"Now that they accepted the job, let's see what the Elric Brothers can really do..."

A/N: Since I am a nice guy right now, I won't let Al be alone. If it's not Mei or Julia, it's going to be another girl because Al should be with a girl and not be lonely threw this entire series. Since it's obvious there is probably not going to be any EdWin seperation anytime soon, I probably won't have any girl mixed with them... PROBABLY!

R&R...