Me: SORRY AGAIN! Between all this senior year work and being sick, I haven't hardly had time to update.

Mustang: Maybe I should set fire to you to get you to update sooner.

Me: If you don't shut it I'll get Hawkeye on you.

Mustang: Why? So she can shoot you too?

Me: I got all my work done. Anyways everyone, enjoy this chapter. Excuse me, I have a certain Lieutenant to find.

"So what are we going to Central for, brother?" Al asked quietly.

"The Lt. Colonel wants us where he can watch us for a bit." he grumbled in reply, "The bastard."

I chucked to myself as I remembered the train station.

-Flashback-

Al was at the little bakery as I stood next to Ed listening as he called the Lt. Colonel. "Uh yes, hello. Lt Colonel Mustang? This is Fullmetal and Fundamental reporting into station."

(Pause)

"Yes, we're boarding the 9:20 train for Central."

(Pause)

"Yeah but we had a little detour and we got here late. I think it's already leaving."

(Pause)

"Bu...but why does it matter?"

Then I could hear Mustang shouting, "Take it or go home!"

Just as Ed put the receiver back on the stand the train whistle blew. He spun around and started to run while shouting "Boarding time!"

I was shocked. "Now?"

"Change of plans! Come on!"

So we all ran and only barely made it on time.

-Flashback Ends-

"Well look on the bright side, Ed." I said, "At least while we're there we can do some research."

"True but why did he make sure we got on this specific train?" he asked as he stared off into the distance.

"Who knows? I'll say this though, I have a feeling no one can predict the Lt. Colonel."

"Hmmm." was all he said as he looks out the window.

Just then a little brown haired girl poked her head over the seat and appeared to be looking at Al. Al must've noticed because he waves just as I smiled at her. But she just ducked back into the seat. Al then looks sad and sighs. "Hey guys?" he asked, "Am I scary?"

"Not a chance!" I quickly replied.

"That's right." Ed agreed, "You're kindness in a can."

Then we hear the girl's voice. "Mom, he's strange."

Well that didn't help. Al just looked even more depressed. "Thats not nice Marion." a lady's voice said, probably the mother, "You shouldn't say things like that."

"But look at him! He must like armor a lot to wear it everywhere, even on a train."

Ed stood up and turned around, ready to get angry, when he suddenly stopped. Confused, I leaned into the aisle to see what stopped him. Everyone on the train was looking towards us while Marion continued. "Do you think he gets hot?"

I gave a glare to those staring while Ed, as he sat back down said, "Uh, nothing to see here folks. Nope nothing out of the ordinary."

As soon as he was in his seat I punch his left arm, hard. "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"For your smooth move there."

He was about to argue when we hear laughter. Marion was there laughing and waving. "There you see Al?" Ed said smiling, "She's not scared, she likes you. Right?"

She nods her head and then stares at Ed's arm. I followed her gaze to where a part of his automail was showing. Ed noticed it too. "Cooler than skin, huh?" he asked, pulling up his sleeve more.

"Uh huh." she agreed before looking at me. It took me a moment to realize that she probably wondered what "cool" thing I had. I pulled up my sleeve too. "You like it?"

She nods again just as her mother's head joined her's. "Alright, Marion. You've bothered them enough." she said before smiling at us.

We just laughed in return.

About an hour later I was growing bored. Ed was asleep on his seat while I had switch spots with Al on our seat. Now I was staring out the window with nothing to do. Then I hear a door close and running feet. I look up just as the feet stopped near us. Standing there was a man with gray hair and really slanted eyes. Before I could comprehend what was going on he said, "He's right! There are others with him, and they are small."

"Now you did it." I muttered just as Ed's eyes snapped open. I swear he has a sixth sense pertaining to any word related to small. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING A RUNT SO TINY HE CAN ONLY BE SEEN WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS, YOU JERK?!"

I jumped up and grabbed Ed before he could hurt anyone as the man took a step backwards. "Relax kid!" he shouts, "The Colonel said it. I was just repeating..."

He didn't finish as a man in a nearby booth jumped up with a gun. The gray haired man pulled out his own gun just as another man behind him comes up with a gun. Everyone on the train gasps in shock as we watched the gray haired man be knocked out. "No heros today." the first man announces, "Everybody shut up and get your hands over your heads, or say hello to a bullet."

The boys and I shared a quick look before complying.

As soon as everyone had done so, the men tied up the man that call Ed short before they began frisking people for weapons and valuables. "Got any ideas?" I whispered to the boys.

"I'm working on a plan." Ed replied.

One of the men must have heard our chatter because he looked our way and then began to walk towards us. The second man followed him. "Brother?"

"Don't worry."

Just then the men stopped in front of us and the first one pointed his gun at Al. "Helmet. Take it off."

My eyes widen just as Ed gasps loudly. "Look!" he shouts, pointing behind the men. The idiots look and as the first one looks back to us Ed knees him in the face as I sweep his legs from under him. The remaining baddy then points his gun at us. "Bad idea." he said just to get knock out by Al.

The three of us smile at each other and I give them a thumbs up. "You dumb kids. What are we supposed to do now?"

We turned our heads to see one of the male passengers. "Don't you think they'll notice when two of their men go missing? What's gonna happen to us then? They'll want retribution. We would've been safe if we just cooperated until we get to Central."

"That's right." another man agreed with him.

"What were you thinking?" a woman asked.

Al turned towards us. "What do we do next?"

"Didn't plan that far." Ed replied.

"Figures." I mumbled, but before he could reply one of the men sat up and pointed his gun at Marion. I got angry but before I could do anything Al stomped his foot on the guy, causing both the gun to go off once and the guy to go unconscious. Ed picks up the gun while I turn to Marion and her mother. Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah." the mother replied.

Then Ed came up next to me. "Sorry about that." he said with a smile, "Your big brothers and sister here will take care of this some how, kay?"

Although she was still terrified she replied with a "Mmhmm."

I smiled at her and then turned to the Elrics. "We better get started." Ed said.

"Right." we replied.

"Wait. Over here."

Confused we turned around to see the man from earlier slid out from under as seat. We run to him and Ed gets to work in his bonds. "How embarrassing." the man says, "Who are you guys? Freelancers?"

"Just some old fashioned alchemists."

The man gave a quiet gasp before giving a small smile. "You don't say. Well I'm Fulman. State Warrant officer."

"With the military, huh?" I said as I kneeled in front of him, "Us too. Ed and I are State Alchemists."

Fulman's jaw dropped. "You two are the ones I've heard about?"

"Yup." Ed confirmed, "And if you don't mind me saying, you don't look like a soldier."

Fulman gave a small laugh before replying, "Yeah, well there's a reason for that. We have a special passenger on board. You know, the front car kind."

The three of us gasped simultaneously. "So that's why these thugs are here isn't it?" Ed asked.

Fulman nods his confirmation. "And they decided to drag us down with them." I add somberly just as Ed finally get Fulman loose. The two of us stand and then Ed turns to us. "Al, Laura and I are going up top to throw a surprise party. You go below with him from below."

"Uh, yeah. Okay."

Ed and I climbed up to the roof of the train and began our train walk to the front. I was in front of Ed.

We had been walking for awhile when a branch that was growing out of the side of the mountain came at us. "Duck!" I shouted as I laid flat against the car. The branch went over me and then I heard "Aah!". I turned my head just in time to see Ed falling over the side. "Ed!"

I ran to where I last saw him. I was surprised to find him safe with a man in glasses keeping hold of him. "You know, there's a real art to train walking." he said before looking up at me, "I'm shocked you made it this far."

"Thanks, I guess." was Ed's reply.

"Who are you?" I asked him.

"I'm Major Hughes."

BTW, I know that this isn't really following any certain timelines but since its my fanfic I don't care. Just to let you know. Until next time.