GOOD MORNING OR NIGHT OR AFTERNOON OR STUPID TUMBLR POST TIME!
THIS IS LIKE, ZAKURO WITH A NEW CHAPTER! WHOO YEAH BABY! (Not excited at all...)
Okay, so, last time it was NorthernMage! It was Star Wars! Whoop!
Skirt2819 got the hidden Hetalia reference in last chapter - Tyrell's chant was made up of lyrics from England's demon summoning song...although he wasn't summoning a demon into Ed...
A: "Somebody told me that you like to play music."
*smashes B's head twice into the piano*
A: "Johann would be very proud."
That was from the movie of a popular book series. NOW GO MEIN PETIT AMIGOS!
Of Commanding and Confrontations
As soon as Roy woke up the next day he was in business mode like Edward hadn't ever seen him before.
"Time!" he snapped, pulling on a white shirt and tucking it into his trousers.
"Uh…" Edward reached into his suitcase and pulled out his pocket watch as well as a black singlet. "About six-thirty."
"Be exact!" Roy barked, unusually alert for this time in the morning. He adjusted the attachments to his blue trousers, added a holster onto his belt and continued, "Put on a jacket, we've got work to do."
"It's six twenty-nine and forty-five…six seconds."
"Tch, we're behind schedule already!" Roy shrugged on his uniform jacket and snapped it into place. A tremour ran through him as he thought of how Breda never buttoned his jacket and remembered the only backup he had by his side this time was Edward.
"So what's the plan?" mentioned alchemist asked, tugging a short black jacket over his singlet. He pulled on a pair of white gloves and smiled, glad to be back in his usual attire. It wasn't the same jacket as always, but it would do. All that was missing was…
"The plan's too complicated to explain right now, but the first step is to get the Emperor on our side. It shouldn't be hard; he listens to almost everything I say." Roy tousled his hair and tugged on a pair of ignition gloves. He loaded up Hawkeye's gun and slipped it into the holster on his waist. "You almost ready?"
"Almost. Got any red fabric?"
Roy smirked, seeing what Edward was planning. "No, but isn't your kimono red with a touch of black?"
"Aw, I got kinda attached to it."
"Still the same fabric, Ed."
There was a flash.
Roy reached up and flicked his collar into position. He pulled on his boots, straightened his uniform and slipped his watch into his pocket.
Edward threw on his iconic cloak with a flourish, straightening out his bangs and braiding his dark hair. "If we're blowing our cover, can I un-dye my hair?"
"Don't have time," Roy returned.
"It'll only take a few seconds!" Edward complained as the pair headed down the corridor to the living room.
"No. We're going now." Roy opened the door and pointed out.
Edward grumbled under his breath and stomped out.
Roy locked the door behind himself and tossed the keys in his pocket. He walked up behind Edward and slipped one hand away with the keys.
Edward folded his arms and nodded resolutely. His golden eyes were lit with anticipation. "Ready?"
Roy gave a tense smile. "We're ready. To battle!"
The pair exchanged a glance and saw the nervous excitement that shone in each other's eyes, the kind that always appeared before battle.
"First thing's first," the Colonel said as they turned down out of the guest quarters. "I need you to do two things. Number one; get Tyrell and send him to me. Number two; keep a close watch this corridor and make sure Claudio stays put. If he leaves, summon a maid and tell her to take a message to me saying, 'You forgot to take your vitamins'. Then tail him. Understood?"
"Yeah." Edward glanced down the corridor at Tyrell's room. "And then?"
"I'll keep explaining as we go. For now, that's all I need."
Edward nodded and disappeared around the corner. About half a minute later, Tyrell appeared in his place and the pair set off.
"Don't bother asking what the plan is," Roy told him as soon as they'd started walking. "It'll take too long to explain."
"I don't have to ask," Tyrell told him, sounding surprised.
"Right." Roy nodded. "You can read my mind. I forgot."
Tyrell shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I trust that you've got a plan that's good enough to protect everyone in this city. I know you can save this place, and I don't need to know how you're going to do it to believe that you can."
Roy blinked, taken aback. Hardly anyone had that much faith in him without having any idea what he was going to do, and anyone who did almost always became one of his most trusted allies.
But something like this…
"Ah, don't say that," the Colonel said with a wave. "You'll stress me out."
Tyrell nodded. "Alright. I'll just leave it at we can totally do this."
Whilst looking for a guide who could awaken the Emperor for him, Roy ran into Kenji. The prince looked surprised, and a little worried. He was wearing commoner's dress, a straw hat able to be pulled over his head as an effective disguise.
"C-Colonel Mustang!" he stammered, bowing. "You're up early! Where have you been?"
Roy, still a little unsure of their rankings in comparison, gave a salute. "I am, sir. I was just looking for your father. And might I ask the same of you?"
"Oh, just…" Kenji looked flustered. "…horse riding. Gotta wear some disguise, huh? The newspaper reporters are everywhere."
Tyrell raised an eyebrow. He looked at Roy, but it seemed the man already knew Kenji was lying.
"Is that right?"
"He's seeing someone," Tyrell stated blandly. "Someone below his social status. He's not allowed to be with her."
"I could tell," Roy informed him. "I've worn that same look a lot of times when I was younger, if you could believe that."
Kenji looked panicked. "Listen, you can't tell my father! He'll have my head if he finds out!"
"Relax, sir," Roy said lightly. "I'll give you this; wake your father for us and we'll keep our mouths shut. Deal?"
"Of course!" Kenji said with a relieved sigh. "I'd do anything. I'll get my father right now. Wait here."
He took a few quick steps down the corridor, but turned back. "Why do you need to speak to him at this time, anyway?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Roy said seriously. "Now hurry! It's urgent."
Kenji nodded, then turned and ran.
Mercifully, he was back only a few minutes later with his father right behind him. The pair were followed by another couple of Kambeians, two of the Emperor's bodyguards. They were massive and beefy, and didn't look happy about being woken so early.
"Colonel!" Ryuumaru exclaimed. He too seemed to have only just awoken, as Roy had predicted. His hair was uncombed and his clothing was less formal. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I am sincerely sorry for disturbing you, sir, I really am." Roy bowed deeply, and Tyrell followed suit. "But I wish to inform you of a matter of the utmost importance."
Ryuumaru looked suspicious. "And what would that be?"
"Don't panic," Roy said slowly, "but this city is under attack."
"Eh?" The Kambeian royals exchanged a glance and the older replied, "Ranri is what?"
"Under attack," Roy repeated, rising from his bow. He added, "Or rather, it will be."
"This is outrageous!" Kenji exclaimed. "Who would dare attack us?!"
"Aerugo, apparently," Roy put in. "Tell him, Tyrell."
The shaman looked to him for reassurance. The man offered a slight nod.
Tyrell went on to explain the situation, about Aerugo's plan to conquer Kambei, Mantiyon and finally, Amestris. He told them of Claudio's treachery, how he himself had been ordered to attack Edward and Roy, about how he'd switched sides and how dangerous the situation was.
"Once they take over the countries east of Amestris, they'll have the tactical advantage needed to take it as well," he finished. "They'll be here any time now."
Ryuumaru looked shocked and angry. His son held an expression of horror, but both of them looked worried.
"What do we do?" Kenji asked fearfully. "There's no time to prepare—"
"No need," Roy said with a gesture. He took a deep breath. "I've already done it. I've gathered information from Tyrell about their plan of attack, made lists of all the military resources Kambei has and drawn up a battle plan. So if you'll let me…"
Roy straightened his expression, feeling his pulse thumping through his body. He raised his right hand in a salute, meeting Ryuumaru's gaze with full confidence. "…I'd like to help lead your troops into battle."
Kenji looked conflicted. On one hand, Roy supposed, he was a complete stranger asking to lead this country's troops instead of the Emperor. On the other hand, Kambei had no choice. It was Roy's plan or no plan.
"How do I know this is all true?" Ryuumaru asked heavily. "How I know this isn't all some elaborate hoax?"
"Do I look like the kind of man who'd do a thing like that?" Roy asked in equal seriousness. "This is all the truth, I swear on my pride as Flame Alchemist, Colonel Roy Mustang."
"And I swear on my seven chakras," Tyrell added. "We're not making this up. Please, you have to trust us."
Ryuumaru looked almost as torn as his son. Turmoil swirled in his dark eyes and he was frowning intently. He spoke. "Even if this is true, I can't simply hand over control of my country to a foreigner. No matter how trustworthy you seem, Mustang, I refuse to give you control of my army."
Roy looked like he was going argue loudly, but instead he just said, "So be it. But there's one last thing I'd like to say. May I speak with you in private?"
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "You may. But only if my guards are present. Remove your weapons."
Roy nodded at the compromise and took the gun from his waist. The knife fell from his sleeve with a particular twist of his wrist and he handed them both to the guards. As for his gloves, he handed to Tyrell.
"He keeps these," the Colonel said strictly. "And none of you could use them anyway."
Roy gave a nervous looking Tyrell a reassuring nod as he was led some way down the corridor by the Emperor. The guards watched from a distance at which they could intercept Roy if he tried to attack, but they couldn't hear the conversation.
"Please, sir," Roy asked. "It needs only be a joint command. I need no command, if even. I simply have a plan, and I wish to put it to action. I don't want to see Ranri destroyed by the Aerugonians, so please, let me tell you what we need to do."
Ryuumaru didn't falter.
Roy, thinking it would be beneficial to the situation, decided to use the cover story to his advantage. A stroke of genius, if he did say so himself. He was thankful Tyrell hadn't mentioned that he and Edward weren't really related.
"Ryuumaru," he said lowly. "I am begging you, father to father, let me help you. Your son Kenji loves a woman in that city down there. She could be killed or worse if we don't save it. One of your sons will assume your throne one day, and I hope it will be the throne to a great and powerful country. But if we don't work together here…"
Roy spread his arms out. "If this city falls, this country will fall, and there will be no royal line of Kambei. Your sons won't have futures here. The same applies to each and every citizen of Kambei; none of them will! We need to save them. And it's not just them. If this place falls, Amestris will go down with it. And if Amestris should go to war, it will be my own people at risk. My own son."
Ryuumaru looked to be cracking a little, but Roy had to keep at it. He was so close. And finally, the one weapon Claudio had played to his advantage for so long would contribute to his downfall.
"You know of the Eastern Rebellion?" Roy said firmly. "Our countries were both involved, yours if only a little. I was there in that war, on the front lines, and it was hell. It's still tearing apart everyone involved. Myself included." Roy's gaze clouded. "I don't want Edward to suffer through something like that. I expect you feel the same of your sons. Which is why I have to do this. So I'm begging you…"
Ryuumaru looked stunned as Roy raised his head. "…let me protect my son."
And despite the Emperor's expression, Roy doubted the man, doubted anyone, could be any more surprised than he himself was. Because the words he'd said about protecting Edward from the horrors of war…
"You would be foolish enough to try and protect not just yourself, but your whole country, mine, and above all, your son?" Ryuumaru asked.
"Yes, sir," Roy confirmed confidently.
…were all completely true.
"Alright, Mustang," he said eventually. "I'll listen to your plan. Just know that if this is all a joke, there will be major consequences."
"I assure you, it's not. And I thank you," Roy said. He bowed. "Thank you so much."
Under Ryuumaru's instruction, the group moved into a meeting room. Roy unrolled a spare city map that was sitting in the corner and held the furled paper down with both hands.
"Alright," he said firmly. "Here's the plan…"
Edward was still loitering in the corridor near the guest compound when several of the castles messengers dashed past. Behind them trotted Inuya with a scroll under his arm, to whom Edward called out.
"Where are you headed?" the young alchemist enquired.
"To the town," Inuya called back, slowing a little. He looked nervous. "We've been given instructions to tell the whole village we're on lockdown and to wake the armed forces. Apparently we're under attack; all the citizens of Ranri are being told to hide behind locked doors until it's safe to come out! The castle is on lockdown to protect the foreign representatives. Now I gotta, go! Stay safe!"
Edward watched the guide sprint off, glad that Roy had managed to find a way to keep the townspeople and representatives relatively safe during the attack. Trust the Colonel to do that first of all, he thought to himself. All we have to do is contain the fighting to specific parts of the city.
He allowed himself a moment to jump around and warm up for physical activity, his nerves already tingling with anticipation. This would be his first full-on, fight for a country battle with two armies colliding in once place. A jolt of worry squeezed his heart when it struck him that Alphonse was out in that city too, and there was no way he could find out if his brother was safe.
Al will be fine, Edward thought reassuringly. He can handle himself. He's a seven foot suit of armour after all. There's not much that can stand in his way.
He shot a glance around the corner of the corridor, watching for Claudio. There was still no sign of the shady prince. Edward frowned. He should be up and raring to go by now.
About twenty minutes past, and the Fullmetal Alchemist was beginning to bore until there was a loud yell in the distance and then a resounding boom as an explosion rocked the earth. He jumped up, instantly alert.
A racket started up, the sound of gunfire cracking and swords clashing. He ran over to the nearest window on the same side as the noise and peered out.
There was a fire.
Edward knew there were military grounds surrounding the palace, and that would be where the fighting would hopefully be contained to. He could see a writhing mass of people just beyond the palace wall where the sound of fighting was originating from. So why was there a massive column of smoke rising on the outskirts of the city?
Something had been set off obviously, a bomb of some kind, but what and where and why?
Edward found himself frowning again and he shook his head, trying to clear it of doubts. He had one job, and one job only; watch Claudio.
If parts of Roy's plan included blowing stuff sky-high, then so be it. Not Edward's problem. Roy had to pay for it.
Another short while passed, a time which Edward spent slowly pacing the corridor, jabbing at the air in imaginary fights and standing on tiptoe to compare his height to the cracks on the marble pillars.
He soon came to realise that with all the noise of fighting outside, it was incredibly strange that Claudio still hadn't emerged. He stood in the middle of the corridor for a moment and simply watched the door. Where is that jerk?
In the heat of the moment, Edward made a decision.
He flipped up the hood of his red cloak (still unsure exactly why) and moved lightly towards Claudio's quarters. He pushed on the door gently and was surprised to find that it swung open silently.
Strange.
Edward peered inside the room. It was much the same as the section he shared with Roy, perhaps a little smaller. He couldn't see Claudio anywhere. It was completely devoid of life.
He stepped inside, treading carefully so that his rubber soles made no noise on the cold floor. He investigated the room as thoroughly as he dared and found no sign of Claudio or any indication as to where he might be.
There was always the chance that he was hiding in a room further back, so Edward decided to push on. If Claudio caught him, he could always just play as a brash child out to get revenge for his father's torment. Claudio would probably just think him an annoyance and kick him out.
So Edward snuck down the short hallway and pushed open the bathroom door. It opened without so much as a creak, revealing another room with a distinct lack of Claudio.
The only other room in this section was the bedroom. Edward sneered. Surely Claudio didn't plan to sleep through the whole attack! What kind of a lousy mush-for-brains prince sleeps while his men are fighting and possibly dying for him?
He cautiously slipped two fingers between the door and the frame, ever-so-gently prising the two apart. Painfully slowly, Edward gradually eased the door open until about halfway, when he could safely say that this room also lacked sufficient Claudio.
"Tch! Dammit!" He shoved the door open and it banged lightly into the wall. The room was empty, apart from the pillow bed and a couple of suitcases sitting against the wall in the corner.
Edward strode grumpily over to the suitcases and clapped his hands, slapping the buckles angrily. With a flash, the metal of the clasps fused together and sealed the case shut. He did the same to the other case. The only way to get these open now would be with a pair of bolt cutters.
Edward smirked in satisfaction as he performed one last transmutation; shaping the handle on one case into his signature figurine.
He walked off, the small statuette created in his likeness sticking out it's massive tongue and boasting the word 'SUCKER' on it's chest for all to see.
"Hey! You lot!"
The Colonel stopped talking and glanced up, turning away from the map on the table to the approaching figure. Several other heads turned; Tyrell, the Emperor, Kenji, the bodyguards and a couple of generals.
Roy was mildly surprised and slightly annoyed to find that the source of the call had been none other than Edward Elric, who had just come jogging into the meeting room wearing a look of urgency.
"What is it?" the Colonel asked techily. "I thought I told you to watch Claudio."
"That's just it," Edward told him as he approached the group. "He's gone! He was never in his room to start off with. I never saw him leave, so I went in to check and he wasn't in there."
"Damn," Roy growled. "We'll just have to leave him out of the equation for a while, then. For now, stay with me Ed."
The boy nodded.
Roy turned to Tyrell. He put a hand on the young, nervous-looking shaman's shoulder. "As for you, Tyrell, you have a job."
"What would that be?" he asked shakily.
"You have the right to turn down these orders, kid," Roy told him firmly. "But what I'd really like is for you to run down to the military barracks where the fighting is and start working on healing anyone who needs it. You don't need to join the battle, but even so it would be a massive advantage if you used your skill to help us in some way, especially as a medic. Are you alright with that?"
Tyrell looked terrified, but he nodded nonetheless. "It would be my pleasure. I'll try my best."
"Good man," Roy said with a smile. "It means a lot. You be safe out there, you hear? Stay out of the fighting wherever possible."
"Don't worry, dude," Tyrell said as calmly as he could. He smiled, despite how nervous he seemed. "I can handle myself."
To Edward, he added, "Don't you go getting killed on me either."
Edward snorted. "As if! I'll see you when this whole mess clears up."
"Catch you later!" Tyrell gave a mock salute with two fingers and dashed off, a grin still covering his features.
"He's a brave boy," one of the generals remarked.
"Mm." Roy looked back down at the map. "Alright, so you've all got the plan, right? The diagram works?"
Everyone else surrounding the table apart from Edward nodded.
As they mumbled a little more, the youngest of the group began to tune out. He glanced back at the door Tyrell had vanished through, a twinge of worry settling in his chest.
The last doctors he'd seen disappear into the field of battle had never come back.
Roy straightened up and Edward's attention shifted to him as he smoothed out his uniform. "Alright. Whilst the samurai in the south-east divert the second wave of attackers to the parklands, I'll head down to help combat them. The first wave should be under control soon. I'll have to go now, so if you're sure of the plan, I leave the rest to you."
Roy turned towards the door, flicking his wrist. "Edward, come with me."
"Yup." Edward nodded at the people around the table before following Roy out the door.
"Anyone realise," said one of the Generals, "the kid never calls his father 'dad'?"
As they moved into the corridor, the younger alchemist asked his superior, "So we're heading to the parklands?"
"I am," Roy confirmed. "You're going south-west, into the town district to help divide and conquer the third wave, which will hit any time no—"
Roy's voice was cut off by the sound of an explosion going off.
He shrugged. "There you go."
Edward looked worried. "What was that explosion? There was one before the last fight broke out too…"
"Mines," the Colonel explained quickly. "I had a couple of the faster escorts run down to the two main roads north and south and put out mines that weren't very sensitive, so the only thing that would set them off would be Aerugonian tanks." Roy gave a sly grin. "Finally, their oh-so-wonderful weaponry will be completely useless."
"Tanks?" Edward echoed in disbelief. "They have tanks?"
"Not anymore." The Flame Alchemist had a bit of a spring to his step after that.
"Where did you get mines?"
"I have my ways."
Edward gave up.
The pair headed towards the staircase, taking steps two at a time. They reached the bottom in only a few moments, albeit slightly out of breath.
"Let's get out front," Roy huffed. "It's all—"
"Going to end here."
The two Amestrians halted.
In sync, turned.
Saw the sword.
Dodged, as one.
The blade sliced clean through Edward's antenna, the strand of black hair drifting to the floor as Claudio Rico Aerugo held a blade across the pair's path.
He looked somewhat frazzled, his normally slick hair tousled and falling over his forehead in brown strands. His was wearing his official red uniform, indicating that this was the real thing. His dark eyes were wild and focused straight on Roy's face.
"HEY!" Edward barked, stabbing a finger at the prince and totally ignoring the sword at his waist. "Watch where you swing that thing! You almost took my head off, you psycho!"
"One more word and your head will be next, brat!" Claudio snapped back as Edward tearfully tugged his spare antenna out of his bangs to take the place of the fallen.
"Don't call him a brat," Roy threatened. "Only I get to do that."
"Oh, Colonel," Claudio said. "As pretentious as ever, I see."
He raised his sword and made a slash at Roy's throat at the same time as Edward clapped his hands and slapped the metal railing of the staircase beside him. The Colonel had no other option but to throw himself backwards onto the steps to avoid getting his face chopped in half.
He raised a hand and Edward tossed a sword straight into it before crafting a second for himself. The man hastily threw his sword between himself and Claudio's blade as the prince swung downwards.
Edward drew his own sword from the bannister and made a slice at Claudio's exposed back, but the prince drew a second, shorter sword from his hip and deftly blocked it.
Claudio, now holding back the two pressing swords, saw his disadvantage and twisted both his blades to slip the deadlock.
He jumped back a few paces and Roy rose to his feet to stand side by side with his subordinate. They moved off the stairs onto even ground, Edward swinging his sword by his side experimentally and Roy holding it out before himself with two hands.
Claudio watched as the man looked to Edward and snapped, "Did you have to be so extravagant with the sword, Ed? This thing's like something out of a badly-written horror story! Covered in skulls!"
"Hey! It's cool! You just can't see it!"
"Enough!" barked Claudio. "This is a fight, fools!"
"Whoa!" Edward prepared a quick defense as Claudio charged, both swords whirling in his hands as he charged forward.
Roy tightened his double-handed grip on his own long sword, slashing blocks up and down as Claudio peppered the pair with strikes.
The duel continued a little longer, Claudio managing to hold his own surprisingly well against two people. Of course, the prince had been born with a sword in his hand and had grown up being taught the art of sword-fighting three times a week.
Roy and Edward on the other hand, were alchemists.
Roy had never really relied much on a sword, being an Amestrian officer, and all his practise went into fire, arms and firearms. Edward had a little skill with the sword, but he preferred hand to hand or fighting staffs, so it really wasn't so surprising that Claudio was handling them with minor difficulty.
There were many close calls in the fight, and each side had ended up with a few scratches. Edward had one on the right of his forehead which was seeping blood down his face and Roy was severely unimpressed with the new bloodied tear in the shoulder of his uniform. Claudio had taken a couple of hits to his hands, but they were no more than papercuts.
After a few minutes of flashing blades and clanging steel, both sides were panting heavily and facing each other off on opposite sides of the hall.
Roy could see the door on the other side, but he'd have to go through Claudio to get there. He didn't much fancy getting his head chopped off, and there was no way he could flame the prince without setting the palace on fire as well. He moved quickly, so it would be easy for Roy to miss if he tried a pinpoint attack. And with Edward at his side, Roy didn't think that he really needed Flame Alchemy for the time being.
He was about to suggest to Edward a tad of the boy's own alchemy, but Claudio started talking first.
Damn.
"You know why I say you are pretentious, Colonel?" he said. "Why I say you are self-centered or the like?"
Roy's dark eyes narrowed and Edward wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his eye.
"Because you have the nerve to think you'll be able to save this whole country with your own two hands. No humble man would attempt that!" Claudio twirled one of his swords and sheathed it. "You seem to think that because you have this fantastic gift of Flame Alchemy that you'll be able to do anything. You have some strategic skill, so what? You're still only one man, Mustang. There's no way you can save this place. You're a fool blinded by his own power."
"You're the fool here!" Edward retorted. "It's not like he's doing this by himself! There's a whole army backing him up!"
"And a whole army backing me," Claudio countered. "And mine packs a lot more of a punch. Tell me, Colonel, why didn't you just take your son and run back to Amestris? That's what any sane person would do. Why is it that you always think you can protect everyone? It's preposterous. You know you can't save them all."
Roy looked angry. "You might not understand it, sir, but there are some people in this world who have a sense of loyalty, and a general desire to help all of mankind. I am one such person. A long time ago, I vowed to protect the citizens of my country in any way I could. That desire still stands strong in me today. I don't know if you'll ever understand; you seem to value your country for it's size, but I care about the people who live in mine. And by protecting this country, I am living up to that vow."
Claudio sneered. "You really don't see it, do you? There's no way to prevent this country from being taken over. Just you watch, Colonel, as my men invade this city and wipe out every man, woman and child in sight. A bloodbath. I'll take over this country, and then I'm coming for yours. Amestris will run red with the blood of it's people, and I will stand at the top of it all."
"Like hell you will!" Edward screeched. "I'll cut you to bits right here and now!"
"Such strong words from someone so small."
"DON'T CALL ME SMALL! I'LL STAB YOU!"
Claudio ignored him. He allowed himself a small smirk. "Now, Mustang. Doesn't this all sound too familiar?"
Roy looked suspicious. "What?"
Claudio spread his arms out wide. "All this!" he proclaimed, grinning. "All this fighting, and warring and killing? I bet you've never forgotten the sound."
Roy gripped his sword tighter still, his knuckles turning white. "What the hell are you playing at?"
"Nothing," Claudio said defensively. "I'm merely stating the truth, Colonel. The real reason you couldn't leave."
Edward looked at Roy. "What's this psychopath on about?"
"I don't know," the Colonel responded tensely.
"You know full well what I'm talking about," the prince continued. "You love all this, don't you?! All the fighting? The smell of burning! The sound of gunfire! The rush you get before battle!"
"No!" Roy exclaimed, aghast. "Who would want that?! Fighting is not how things need to go. And war? Never."
"Ah, war." Claudio smiled. "Our good friend. It brings us back to the very centre of it all. You know how this is all going to turn out, Mustang. Deep down, you know how this battle will end… Slaughter."
Roy tensed, a tremour running through him.
"Burnt, bloody slaughter. The same as Ishbal. This is why you couldn't leave things be like a normal person. You're trying to prevent a second Ishbal, aren't you?"
Roy bared his teeth. "I'm trying to prevent the invasion of my home!"
Claudio completely ignored him. "That's what you think you're doing at least. Preventing slaughter. But you know…"
He stabbed the floor with his other sword and interlocked his fingers on top of it, staring straight at Roy.
"Deep down, in the darkest part of your heart, you want for that to happen. You want to see all that death again - it intrigues you. And you want to kill. You want to get outside, to run down to the military grounds and just burn them. Any Aerugonian soldier you see has it coming; death by incineration. You're trying to justify your actions by saying you're protecting your country, when really…"
Edward ground his teeth as Claudio sighed gently and finished with, "You're just another murderer."
Roy looked close to snapping. "I am not a murderer," he said icily.
And it pained Edward to see that Roy's eyes were clouded with doubt. The man was falling again, falling to the taunts that Claudio aimed so well.
"Not a murderer, hm?" The prince's smirk did not move. "Well then, let's talk about Ishbal. You killed a lot of people right? Burned them to death? If you killed them, why is it you're not a murderer?"
Roy didn't speak. His eyes were glazed over.
Inside his churning mind, something was stirring. A dark laugh echoed in his mind and he shivered as he recognised it as his own. A single flame sparked within the shadows of his heart and soon, smoky tendrils snaked out from the corners of his mind and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"What all State Alchemists were ordered to do was more or less eradicate the Ishbalan race, correct? And that's what you did. With fire. I imagine with a power so great, you reached thousands of them. Do you even know how many people you killed, exactly? Of course not. You wouldn't even know the first thing about them, would you? No. Just took their lives." He snapped his fingers. "Just like that."
Roy closed his eyes, the sword trembling in his shaky grip. "I'm not…a murderer."
I am a murderer, his heart whispered.
"You keep saying you're going to protect your country. Is it just to redeem yourself for what you did? Because you felt satisfied about what you did, deep down? Is this you trying to repent for feeling good about massacring all those people?"
"It never felt good!" Roy snapped, his voice shaking. "I hated it!"
We did, did we? The doubts in his mind soon gained a voice.
"On the surface perhaps," Claudio said with a shrug. "But deep down, you'll never be able to protect anyone. Because you're so dangerous. Flame Alchemy is a dangerous talent, Mustang. You'll just end up hurting everyone you love. You're in no position to protect. Not after what you did, not with who you are. You'll kill them all like you killed the Ishbalans. Picture that - everyone you're trying to 'protect', burnt the same way you saw those people."
Edward let out a wordless growl of fury at the prince. "Shut, the bloody hell up!" he roared.
"Now now, Ed," Claudio said. He charged forwards, feinting a swipe with his sword which Edward fell for. As the boy blocked the wrong direction, Claudio slammed the hilt of his sword into his forehead.
The world spun as Edward fell, his sword clattering to the floor.
"Grown ups are talking," Claudio chided.
"Don't you dare touch him again," Roy snarled, raising his sword. He looked like he was struggling to control his panic.
"Or what?" Claudio mocked. "You'll kill me too? How inventive of you, murderer."
Edward groaned and reached a hand to his head, rubbing at the throbbing ache. The room was swimming around him and he couldn't tell up from down. He could hear Claudio talking, more taunts and torture.
"Shut…up…" the boy mumbled.
A few of Claudio's words came into focus. "…and finally, him. Can you see it? Edward, dead at your feet because you couldn't help it. That's what a murderer does, Mustang. It's what you do."
"Don't…listen…to him…" Edward urged, regaining some strength.
Clang.
Edward's heart stopped as a sword hit the ground.
Roy's sword.
The Colonel had dropped it at his side, his eyes wide and downcast. He looked limp, defeated. The heaving of his chest was the only sign he wasn't just a standing corpse.
"Roy, no…" Edward said as he pushed himself up. "No!"
"I'm…" Roy looked distraught as he gave in. He slid to the ground, sitting cross-legged. He struggled to hold back his emotions and keep breathing.
"I'm scared."
"No…" Edward shook his head as reality sank in.
This was it, it was over. Roy had fallen to Claudio, who stood over him, sneering. The prince would kill them both any second now. Without Roy, Kambei would surely face defeat. And then Amestris would fall. They would both be killed, and Alphonse and Hawkeye would surely be lost with them.
This was it.
Claudio had won.
AWWWWWWWW CLIFFIE
SORRY BROS
I'll try and update a little earlier nex-
AH
AAAAAH
THAT HAPPENED
DUDES! This was super mega awesome! Remember last chapter when I said I might get to see Todd Haberkorn (the voice actor for Ling, among many, if you didn't know) at Oz Comic Con?! I ACTUALLY DID! HOLY FLYING HAMBURGERS! THAT WAS SO AWESOME! HE EVEN SAID MY ART WAS COOL!
So I guess that was the best thing that happened. Until next time, guys! Thanks again for everything! Your reviews make me feel so great, so keep it up! This story reached 250 followers! THAT'S SO COOL! Thanks a billion! (And I'm up to writing the epic finale as well... HOW EXCITING! Spoiler alert - it's gonna be epic! XD)
Oh, the next update will either be really fast or really slow, since I'm heading up to the Gold Coast in a bit. That's the bit of Australia that's got all the beaches and waterslides and humidity and all... Uh... Let's hope Roy doesn't hae to go there... But I might be able to update there, if I can get some wifi. Fingers crossed you don't have to wait too long!
REVIEW RESPONSES:
Faliara: Yeah, it might have looked like they were trying to attack. That did occur to me, but...here we are, neh? XD And let's just say that this is an AU from the game, where there's a Claudio but it's a different Claudio... Uh... M.
A Small Voice: Plan distributed. BAM. As for Hawkeye, she enters the plan next chapter.
Blazingfyres: Maybe everyone in your school thinks you're a loser, but I think you are TOTALLY AWESOME! Your reviews make me laugh out loud! Brofists to you dude!
Sparky: Kimbley! KIMBLEEEEEEEY WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE!
FlamingFlyingFoxOfDoom: Yeah... Claudio is a bit of a looker, isn't he? One more reason for Roy to dislike him! XD
Remember guys; I might not always respond to all your reviews, but I still love you just as much for them! Keep 'em up, I love you guys so much! (In a non-awkward way...)
ZAKURO AWAAAAAAAY! *rainbows off to some random place* (Happy ANZAC day and St George's day coming up if I don't update before then, guys!)