Disclaimer: When I finish my machine that switches bodies with whoever I target, I'll own FMA - I SWEAR! Though, for now, let's just say I don't own Hagane no Renkijitsushi or any of it's wonderful characters.
Note: -Yawns- I'm. . .sooo tired. I stayed up to about three finishing the first chapter and here I am, already working on this one. Despite feeling like I'm about to fall out of my seat and fall asleep where I drop, I'm actually very much in the mood to write! I hope you like this chapter, the first chunk has an OC, and it's all about Edwards mission, though the dream comes back! I promise the next chapter will end his mission and I'll have time for good all Edward and Royness! Enjoy and please review.
Chapter Two : Alchemist Creed
Without forgetting Al at the library, Ed and his younger had gotten to their home in one piece. The blonde had been thinking it over in his head how he should go about telling Al that he was going to do this mission alone, after all, he had no idea if the virus might effect his brother's armor. Once the two of them were settled, Edward motioned for Al to sit down with him and talk.
"A-Al. . .I have to be honest, I don't think you should come with me on this mission." The blonde said bluntly, averting his eyes from his brother's.
Al was forced off guard and stumbled with his words, "W-What do you mean Nii-san? I thought . . . I thought that we'd always be together no matter what the mission was?"
"Well, I guess I lied then because I don't think I'd be safe for you to come along on this one! I'm not saying-" Ed began, but was interrupted buy his younger brother.
"Nii-san, YOU LIAR!" Al yelled, storming out the door to who knows where, but feeling angry none the less.
Edward stared after Al as if he had just been hit with a bolder, but with hope that he might return. Despite having said it himself, when Al called him a liar it seemed to be ten times worse, and that made Ed feel horrible. With no desire to relive that argument over and over in his head he left their apartment, locking the door behind him.
The streets at night were empty, allowing a feeling of peace to befall Ed, giving him the power to relax a bit. The blonde searched for a place to hang out, but noticed that everything was closed, which surprised him until he glanced down at his pocket watch and noticed it read 11:17pm.
"So much for a midnight snack. . ." Ed mumbled, resting a hand over his growling stomach. The small alchemist stopped in his tracks and glanced up at the sky, figuring out what he should do until he came to the conclusion that he'd better find Al.
Beginning movement once again, he figured the first place he'd look was the library, since that was practically Al's home away from home. He couldn't help but stare up at the large monument, having seen it for the first time in the dark, with absolute amazement. That was until he glanced at the front doors and saw a large figure leaning against it, curled up into a ball. The blonde knew exactly who it was, almost amazed on how easy it was to find his brother.
"Al..." he whispered, approaching the armored boy slowly, aware he might get yelled at again.
Surprisingly Al just looked up at his brother and said softly, "I-I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean to call you a liar."
Ed smiled warmly, having only ever exposed such a smile to his brother, and his brother only. "It's alright. I guess I am kind of a liar -"
"No you're not Nii-san! You were just concerned for me and I appreciate it, I really do! I just hate it when you have to be alone on your missions with no one to accompany you. . ." Alphonse intervened, getting to his feet and embracing his brother tightly. "I won't argue anymore about you going on your own, but, if you change your mind you know that I'm ready to go."
Edward felt the cold metal against his face and smiled, despite the way his brows curled upward in a sad way. "T-Thanks . . . now how about we get back? It's freezing out here!"
Al nodded enthusiastically, lifting his smaller brother and throwing him on his shoulders, running as if he were a car. Ed found himself laughing at the gesture and pointed in the directions that Al had to go.
When the next morning came, Edward hadn't slept a wink, but pretended he had for his brother's sake. The blonde had forgotten all about his dream the previous night, all up until he got in bed when he and Al returned that night. Ed wasn't sure whether or not he was scared of having the dream again, or if he just wasn't tired (though he was pretty sure it was because of the dream). Having said goodbye to his brother at the train station, Edward found himself nodding off in his train seat, using the entire surface as a bed. Once again he was in the apartment room, but this time he and the man he was with just held each other closely, exchanging kisses in a playful manner. This time it wasn't so bad so Ed remained asleep the entire time, smiling to him self until the train came to a striking halt.
"W-What the hell?", he cursed, finding himself thrown off his "bed". The blonde quickly began to examine the other passengers, noticing that the majority of the crowd had nervous looks on there faces, but to a point that showed they knew what was going on. Edward was about to find out for himself when the conductor began to walk throughout the train and announced-
"All those who's destination was Kikar, we're sorry for the inconvience, but you will have to travel on foot from here on out! I repeat-"
Edward sighed, knowing very well that the situation in the town must be bad considering they won't even complete the trip there. With that said, Ed walked off the train, standing clear of the tracks, and watched the train continue it's trip, passing the train station that was only miles away. Having known that he was so close to the station, Edward was slightly peeved, but lost such emotions when he faced the direction of the town and felt the immensely depressing aura. Though, before he could go anywhere near the town, Ed first had to make sure he was protected, which brought him to a special cover for both his arm and leg that Winry had given him on her last visit. She gave it to him saying, "This is so you won't screw up your perfectly made automail by wandering somewhere it's really sandy, or windy, etc. I don't want to have to reattach those things to you, cause if I do it'll be more painful then the first time, I can guarantee that!" Just remembering the look on her face was enough to take it seriously; for his own safety.
Once within the grounds of the town, Ed immediately noticed how hard it was to breath, catching him off guard slightly as he accidentally inhaled something. With a few coughs he was rid of the sensation and wrapped a cloth around his head to cover his mouth. Upon further inspection he noticed that there was no one in sight, though he couldn't blame them. Walking up to the nearest building (which resembled an inn); Edward knocked firmly on the doors surface and waited for a reply.
"Who is it!" screamed a voice from inside, their tone oddly strained.
"Ah-Um, my name's Edward Elric, I'm a state alchemist and I'm looking-" he began, surprisingly interrupted by the inhabitant and dragged inside. When he steadied himself he, having the opposite happen for once when he said he was a state alchemist and actually forced inside an inn, noticed an elderly woman stuck underneath what looked like a beam support for the upper level of the inn.
"P-PLEASE! Help her! You're an alchemist right, you can do it!" a man pleaded, seemingly the same age as the older woman. The man that had dragged him inside on the other hand was tall, slender, yet muscular, and Ed had to admit, quite handsome. He was pulled away from his thoughts when the one he was staring at spoke at last.
"I tried lifting that beam but it won't budge! Please, Alchemist, help my grandmother before she dies!"
Edward noticed something similar between the man before him and a certain Colonel, but it wasn't the time to start such thoughts. The small alchemist walked up to the beam, clapped his hands, and slammed them down on the beam's surface. In an instant it was back in its place as a support; looking brand new. The old man ran quickly over to his wife's side, helping her up and embracing her gently. Edward watched with eyes filled with envy for what they had that he had yet to obtain, and might never. He was pulled back to reality when the young man took hold of the blonde by the shoulders, his head bowed deeply.
"T-Thank you . . . I don't know how I can repay you." He said, sounding drained. The man's dark eyes suddenly locked with Ed's golden ones, "Perhaps a place to stay? This inn isn't like it used to be but it sure as hell beats sleeping on the streets." The blonde almost wanted to cry, having never been so welcomed in his life inside an inn. He remembered in the past, what felt like a million times, he had gotten a place to stay, mentioned he worked for the military, and got suddenly kicked out. Now here he was being offered a place to stay, of course he was going to take the offer.
"I-I'd love that! Thanks!" Edward said, sounding overjoyed.
The young man bowed with one hand behind his back like an English gentleman and said, "My name is Ryan Stratus, along with my grandparents Bevelod and Marco Stratus. Have you eaten yet?" Upon the last question Edward's stomach rumbled loudly, embarrassing him horribly. The blonde shortly nodded; leaving his suitcase by the stairway and hanging his red jacket on the coat rack. Having exposed his small body more clearly, Marco asked, "How could the military send a child on a mission. I can't believe they'd sink that low!" Ed snapped for the first time that day.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SPLINTER SO SMALL YOU WOULDN'T NOTICE IT EVEN IF IT WAS STUCK IN YOUR EYES!" The crazed blonde spat, finding him self trying to wiggle out of Ryan's grasp to thump the old man good.
Edward explained his dispossession thoroughly, including the fact that he was 18 and not a child. The older couple seemed to be dumbfounded, but Ryan had a look in his eyes that matched that of Roy's when he was dead serious; he even rested his head against one hand like the Colonel did. While Ed was convinced that he had discovered Mustang's "nice" twin, Ryan had tried to get the blonde's attention by waving his free hand in Ed's face.
"Mr. Elric. . . Mr. El-Edward!" Ryan called, waving his hand faster in hopes it would snap the small alchemist out of his trance, and it did.
"W-What?" Edward asked stupidly, feeling his face fluster.
"You said that you were looking for the one who caused all this, correct? Well, I heard a rumor while getting medicine for Belevod and Marco, that there is a large group of ex-soldiers and a mercenary, who seems to lead them, living in a cavern of Mt. Scarn just north of here. In the morning I could show you, it if you'd like."
Edward's face lit up, feeling that his job had just been made a lot easier. "Thanks! There is one thing I've been meaning to ask you though, if you don't mind?"
Ryan straightened up and rested against the back of his chair, "Sure, what is it?"
"How are able you stand such oxygen conditions! I had to use a cloth to breathe earlier just to get here! Hasn't it affected any of you?"
"Do you recall where I said the premises of the rumor I mentioned were collected? My grandparents and anyone over 30 are being sickly affected by the strange air conditions. Those of us from the younger generation are left to take care of them and try our best to keep them safe." Ryan responded, now sounding like the Colonel.
Edward suddenly recalled the mission report stating how a war had raged in this town and now a large percentage of the people had automail like himself. THAT brought on an idea.
"Marco, Bevelod, do you happen to have automail parts?" Ed asked, standing up from his dinning room chair.
The elderly couple glanced at each other, then back at Ed. "M-My. . .How did you know that Alchemist?" Marco asked, exposing his gloved left hand, Bevelod with her gloved right hand.
Edward didn't question as to how they got their automail, but he did answer the old man's question. "In my state mission report, I was informed that the people of this town battled it out for this land years ago, leaving a lot of you with automail limbs in the end. And if what you say is true Ryan, then the sickness that both of you developed is that and the same of the one my report described! What exactly does it do, if I may ask?"
Marco was once again the one to speak, swiping a finger across the surface of his metal hand. "Our automail have been melting, or something similar to melting; it's almost like there sweating. We're not entirely sure what the liquid is, but what we are sure of is that this sickness digs all the way to the connections of the automail to the nerves, causing extreme pain if moved even the tiniest some moments, and other times it does nothing. It might sound like nothing but to people the same age as Belevod and I, it can be very tiring and sometimes bring about and spike a fever."
The blonde listened intently, bringing up the next subject, "What about the missing people? Did they have automail too, or was it random?"
Bevelod finally found her voice and said in the softest of tones, "At this point it was only people with automail, but now the children are wandering off in search of their mothers and fathers, or young'ins like Ryan think they can take on the ex-soldier army and are lost. . .and at their age!" tears filled the old woman's eyes, burying her face in her husband's chest.
A feeling of remorse fell over Ed, making him feel guilty for having asked the question, until Ryan tapped his shoulder and motioned him to follow him. He did as he was asked and followed Ryan until they were in the front of the inn.
"Don't feel bad . . . she gets like that from time to time without anyone's help." Ryan stated; his back to the blonde. When he faced the small alchemist, his expression was exactly like Roy's when the Colonel was about to say something of importance. "Tomorrow when you confront that bastard army, I'll be going with you all the way!"
Edward stared at the man in amazement, unsure whether or not to object to his company, until he remembered how he left Al behind to keep him safe; he wasn't about to screw up that logic, Al would be pissed. "I'm sorry Ryan . . . you've been so kind to me since I got here, but I can't let you go with me! I'd be putting you in harms way and if something happened to you, even if it was honorable, neither of those people in that room-" Edward pointed his automail at the dinning room door,"-would be happy."
Ryan's face flustered and his voice grew louder, "You wouldn't be putting me in danger, I'd be putting myself in danger! Plus, how do you expect me to take orders from a chibi like yourself?"
By this point, a vein had found its way to Ed's forehead, and the blonde snapped, "WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BUG SO SMALL YOU WOULDN'T NOTICE IF HE CRAWLED THROUGH YOUR EAR INTO YOUR BRAIN AND BEGAN TO EAT IT!"
The dark haired man stuck out his tongue at Ed, crossing his arms, and said again, "I'm going with you, and that's final!"
Having quickly cooled his jets, Edward stared after Ryan as the tall figure began to walk upstairs. "Oh boy. . ." he mumbled to himself, grabbing his suitcase and jacket, making his way to his room for some serious rest. The moment he got into his room, Ed practically tore off his shirt and pants, leaving him in only his boxers, and plopped directly in bed. With a pillow cuddled between his arms and one under his head, his tired golden eyes slowly closed; forcing sleep upon the boy.
As if he had never fallen asleep, Edward was once more in an apartment with the same man as before. Despite the slight change in scenery, his body only craved the unknown partner in everyway. This time Edward was slightly in control, embracing every part of his partner within his mouth, sliding his head back and forward. The dark haired man grabbed a handful of Ed's hair and forced the smaller party to bring his shaft all the way inside his mouth, causing the man to cum. Edward, wiping his mouth of the white liquid, was brought into a passionate kiss, entwining their tongues in a battle for dominance, though Ed lost and was forced on his stomach. With a look of bewilderment, his golden eyes glanced back to see what the man was up to but knew the moment he felt a large pang in his lower body. With one of the man's hand massaging his erection and the other supporting his backside, Edward's partner began to continuously thrust into him, first slowly, then gradually faster as his and Ed's breathing quickened. The small alchemist found himself moaning with every slam against his body, getting the words out-"H-Harder!" His partner complied and began to push harder, bringing him and Ed to the breaking point. "AaaAAH!"
"Edward. . . Edward? Are you alright?" asked a deep voice, obviously that of a man's, called, causing Edward to inch open his eyes.
When he saw a face with piercing dark eyes, and raven black hair, he nearly jumped out of his skin, but actually fell off the opposite side of the bed, crashing to the floor. "O-Ouch. . ." he muttered, quickly noticing his "little friend" at it again. Before the man who woke him up reached Ed's sight, the blonde had quickly covered his erection with the pillow he had been hugging all night, conviently also covering his automail arm.(The blanket covered both of his legs)
"God . . . I didn't mean to scare you off your bed, but it can't be helped. Are you ok?" asked the voice once more, which was finally sounding familiar to the alchemist.
"R-Ryan . . .? What are you-" he began, but was cut off when he noticed the sudden change in expression on Ryan's face. "What's wrong?"
"Get dressed . . . we're leaving after breakfast."
Edward blinked, unsure he heard the man right, did he say after breakfast? That meant there was something definitely wrong. Sure enough, during the morning meal, Ed was fast aware of the absence of two particular people. Just as he was about to ask, Ryan slammed down his fork, stabbing it into the table, leaving it there.
"Those bastards got a hold of those two last night! I didn't even notice until I checked their rooms! God . . . I'm USELESS! I couldn't even protect them!" Ryan yelled, covering his face with his hands to hide any tears he shed. Ed reached a hand over the table and patted Ryan on the shoulder.
"I promise you, I'll get them back for you! Also. . ." Ed paused as a small grin etched across his face, "I expect you to be at your best while we take down that army!"
Ryan slowly lifted his head from his hands and smiled, wiping any traces of crying from his face. "Thank you Edward..."
For Edward, being done with breakfast was a snap, but what surprised him was the similar behavior of his comrade. Leaving the inn, Ed once more found himself tying a cloth around his head, covering his mouth, which confused Ryan.
"What do you have to worry about? It'll only effect people with automail attachments!" the taller man stated, patting Ed's shoulder and began to lead the way.
That's exactly WHY I have to wear this cloth! I wonder why I haven't- His thoughts began, but stopped when he noticed that they had already arrived.
Wow . . . that was fast.
"From this point on we have to have our guard up at all times, even when you think it's safe!" Ed warned, checking the cloth over his mouth to make sure it was on properly. It nearly amazed Ed that the air conditions wandered all the way out to the mountains, but he had sort of gotten used to it.
Ryan acknowledged Edward's warning and led the way inside. Immediately upon entry the two were attacked by three large men. One was bald but practically a giant in both size and muscles; with an axe plastered to his hand. The next one was short, fat, and full of hair, it was a wonder he was able to see, and his weapon of choice was a flail, spikes, chain, and all. The next looked around Ryan's age, but more powerful; and with shortly cut white hair and major tanned skin, and all he had was a metal pole.
The one Ryan's age came leaping forward at the taller one of the two, blocked simply by Ryan's right arm. Ed would've watched in awe but had dumb and dumber to deal with; though he wasn't sure at the moment which was which. The little one pointed a finger at Edward, as an order, and watched as the larger one leapt forward, axe waving above his head. The small alchemist was able to dodge the blow, clapping his hands together and slapped his hand against his automail one, revealing it openly with his sword attachment. Ryan, having knocked the guy he was dealing with out with his own metal pole, watched the blonde with wide eyes of both surprise and fear.
The alchemist charged forward, catching the giant off guard as his small body flew into the air and landed on his back. With one thrust downwards, the blonde had hit the very core of the man's heart from the back. Like a surfer, Ed used the man's surface as a support, following the man to the ground and jumping off, sarcastically saying, "Thanks for the ride, and now, unto the next one." By this point the short hairy man was backed up against a wall; pushed by both Edward and Ryan whose expression showed that they were not happy. With his automail hand back to normal, he and Ryan in unison slammed their fists into the man's face, so he didn't even have a chance to use his flail.
Figuring they were done with these three, Ryan finally brought it up. "How come you didn't tell me you had an automail arm?"
Edward awkwardly smiled, "I also have one on my left leg, but the reason I didn't bring it up was because I didn't want your pity, or anything of the sort. You guys took me in with no questions and I didn't want to place such depressing things into your heads. . ." he responded softly, his brows curving upwards, revealing his emotions on the subject.
Noticing, Ryan just smiled and took Edward's hand, "Come on. We have two old farts to save!" and with that, the taller man began to drag the small alchemist throughout the cavern. Though he didn't question it, Ed was slightly curious as to how Ryan knew every inch of the cave and began to think on it, since he had no need to pay attention to walking. It wasn't long before the two of them came to a halt, standing before a large door made of old mahogany wood, with knockers just as old. Ryan released his grip on the small Alchemist's hand and pushed open the door, after all, knocking would be like announcing, "Hey, Bad guys! I'm here! Come and get me!" but to their surprise there was no one in sight, except a single man sitting in a large seat that seemed to be made from the roots of a tree.
"Welcome . . . State Alchemist." the man said, lifting his head to look into Ed's golden eyes.
"H-How did you-" Ed began, but stopped himself when he saw Belevod and Marco, tied up and sitting next to the man's "throne".
"While catching these two, my men informed me of your presence, but they never mentioned how short you were." The man responded, sneering at the two.
"WHY YOU-" The enraged blonde took a step forward, waving his fists, but was once again held back by Ryan. Realizing he wasn't going to get the chance to pummel the man yet, he eased up and asked, "So . . . where's this army of ex-soldiers that I've heard so much about? We took care of three of them-" Ed stopped when he noticed that the man began to laugh, "What's so funny?"
"That was it . . . those three imbeciles were my feared army. I made sure that those idiots didn't go at the same time, and that they dressed differently for each visit to the town so that such an illusion was created. I suppose it worked. . ." the man stood up from his seat, having the cloak that covered his body fall to his feet, exposing a body composed almost entirely metal.
Well . . . that explains the automail fetish. I guess there's no one left to save after all. . . Edward thought, causing a surge of anger to fill his entire body, making his body shake.
"So that's why you spread the virus . . . just so you could make yourself STRONGER! That's unforgivable!" He yelled, taking a step forward, lifting his right sleeve to give him easy access to his automail. That merely intrigued the man.
"Ah! So you have an automail limb as well eh? Then I guess-" The mercenary slammed a clenched fist into his other open hand,"-that you'll have to be the completion of my, Alchemist Creed's, collection!" That Edward expected, but when the man made eye contact with Ryan and nodded, that's when things flipped upside down.
Ryan suddenly charged at Ed, grabbing both of the small form's arms and shoving them behind his back, making sure to keep his hand away from each other. Having seen his ability to use alchemy without a transmutation circle, Edward knew that Ryan had taken that into account. The dark haired man smirked down at Edward, ripping the cloth from the blonde's mouth causing Ed to begin chocking on the air. Despite his difficulties breath, Ed muttered, "I take it back . . . you're the evil twin-" until thrown into another coughing fit
Trying to keep his vision straight, Edward glanced at the mercenary, noticing his large body closing the distance between him and Ed.
Clenching his eyes shut, Ed unconsciously thought of one man's name. R-Roy! I need help! Feeling helpless and out of ideas, Edward prepared for impact when all of a sudden he felt an intense heat speed past him and engulf the mercenary.
After Talk!
This took longer then I expected it to, but here it is a day later! I'll try posting new chapters at about this speed, maybe quicker, or slower depending on all the factors of "bed time" and "writers block". I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it! I know it doesn't have much "action" in it, you know the kind I'm talking about, but it's just setting into the plot. Plus, his dreams should compensate -I hope-. In case questions about the town Kikar come up, I'll say it right here and now, "I haven't finished this anime series so if that place really exists, I HAVE NO IDEA! I made that up off the top of my head!" Any who, I'll get to work on Chapter Three which I hope you'll read! As always Please Review and join me in my ceremony to worship Full Metal Alchemist. -Sacrifices her Grunty plushie to an altar for Ed and Roy- "SOWAKA!" (I hear that at the end of a lot of chants so I thought it was appropriate)