I ended up working with Olivier in her office for a small time, she caught me up on the work they were doing, and I helped her catch up with things going on around Central. We spoke for some time until Miles and Buccaneer came in with some news with his team. Hearing a name, I hoped to forget caused me to freeze in place as Miles spoke, someone had come to the north that needed Briggs' help…
"Kimblee, the Crimson Alchemist?" Olivier questioned as I just sat there,
"He was severely wounded on a cargo train headed here… He was checked into a hospital at the base of the mountain. The full cooperation of the Briggs brand is requested." Mile explained as I stood behind the two frozen in place, just listening. Olivier noticed my changed in expression and demeanour as she looked from Miles to me and then back at him,
"Why was Kimblee headed up north? I thought he was serving time in prison." Olivier asked,
"Apparently, he was released on the Fuhrer's orders." Miles explained as I started to play with my nails, I looked at the floor in thought,
"I don't like this." Olivier frowned and rested her chin on her hand, I looked back at Olivier, and she obviously took note of my expression as we suddenly heard the alert buzzing loudly. Looking up we didn't have much time to react.
"What is it?!" Olivier looked at the people on the radios,
"We've got an intruder!" Mark spoke as he looked around at Olivier, "from under the ground, sir!" Mark finished as Olivier stood up,
"We what?!" Olivier spoke as Miles and Buccaneer looked back at me.
The four of us quickly left Olivier's office and ran through the hallways to where the alarm was set off from. We split off in twos as we headed to the underground facility. I walked through an archway with Buccaneer and I saw Edward with Alphonse and Falman. Looking further into the room I saw a large hulking man at the back of the room, I noticed the Uroboros tattoo on its body and I gasped, covering my mouth. Edward and Alphonse were whispering as Buccaneer and myself stood on the balcony above. Buccaneer pulled out his gun and shot the ground below Edward and he screamed.
"Ah hah! So, it turns out that you really are a Drachman spy!" Buccaneer glared,
"No, we're not!" Edward and Alphonse yelled, as I smacked my forehead
"I saw you talking to the intruder like you knew who he was!" Buccaneer yelled,
"No, we weren't!" Edward yelled.
"Your lies won't fool me!" Buccaneer yelled again,
"I'm not lying!" Edward replied. I saw Homunculus pick up a pipe and go to throw it,
"MOVE!" I yelled, Edward and Alphonse quickly moved out the way as it landed where they once stood.
"This place, big. Uh, Can I stop digging now that I'm here?" the Homunculus spoke,
"Fire!" Buccaneer yelled as they shot bullets onto it, they just bounced off the homunculus like they were foam balls. I frowned as I stepped back and looked at Edward down below as he looked up at me, I wanted to get to Edward as he looked back at the homunculus,
"The guns aren't affecting him at all!" Buccaneer spoke, the homunculus walked onto a platform and started moving up to the top. "This is bad! That thing's going up to Development! Get him! Go!" Buccaneer spoke as he looked over the balcony at the homunculus, the other soldiers moved quickly.
"Contact Development!" another soldier yelled as Edward looked back at me on the balcony,
"Let's see if we can help!" Edward called to his brother and the two moved away,
"Check the hole! There might be others coming!" Another soldier added as I moved away and wanted to meet up with the brothers.
Buccaneer ran ahead to meet up with the others in development. I looked at Edward as we met up part the way around. As we made our way through, I could see Olivier in one of the tanks and the Homunculus had thrown a bunch of debris at some people. Edward ran forward and saved them with his alchemy. I looked at Olivier as she looked at us, Edward moved to my side,
"It won't work. Try whatever you want to, but he won't die! He won't die no matter what!" Edward spoke,
"He won't?!" Olivier was surprised,
"Just what are you saying?! How does a kid like you know something like that, huh?" Buccaneer snapped,
"Because it's like myself… but not entirely like me," I snapped, Olivier looked at me,
"Like you?" Olivier muttered as she frowned, I nodded, Edward didn't want to say anything else as he clenched his fists.
"Drop the act! You will answer all my questions clearly and completely." Olivier smashed her sword sheath on the tank, I gripped Edward's hand for a moment as he didn't know what to say,
"Let me talk to her Ed," I whispered, and he looked at me for a moment in shock and soon nodded as I looked at her,
"Answer everything that you can answer!" Olivier looked at me as I stepped forward, "First off—How do you know about that thing? Are those two Drachman spies?" Olivier asked
"We cannot say, and they are not! They are my friends and if you must know Edward is my boyfriend!" I glared, Buccaneer flinched for a moment, remembering that point and then glared at Edward,
"Then is that thing a spy?!" Olivier pointed at Homunculus with her sword,
"We don't think so," I replied,
"Does that thing know you?!" Olivier asked,
"It might know me but not the Elric's," I replied,
"What is that thing?!" Olivier snapped, I took a moment as I felt Edward put his hand on my shoulder,
"We can't answer." I glared,
"Who does that thing work for?!" Olivier asked again,
"We can't answer!" Edward yelled and moved next to me,
"Why can't you answer me?" Olivier glared,
"I can't answer…" Edward glared as he took my hand, we were silenced by higher people, it didn't help that we were being blackmailed as well. Olivier took a moment to think about our answers.
"This is my last question. Are you on our side or are you in league with that thing?" Olivier asked,
"We're not with him. I don't want to see anyone here get hurt." Edward spoke,
"Then tell me what that thing's made of." Olivier looked at the Homunculus.
"His body structure and compositional elements are probably the same as a human's." Edward spoke.
"The same as a human's, huh? Buccaneer, bring me some tank fuel, now. We're going to douse it." Olivier commanded.
"Sir!" Buccaneer ran off,
"Setting him on fire isn't going to work… you tried that on me once remember?" I snapped, as Edward looked between Olivier and myself quickly, being burned alive wasn't fun… but it was when I came back to Briggs after many years without seeing Olivier and she thought I was an imposter,
"I understand—I learned from our last attack that we can't kill it. The best that we can hope for is to stop or delay it. So, we'll have to hit it with something even stronger than fire." Olivier looked at the Homunculus with determination. "Now you get to see the 'Briggs way,' kid." Olivier smirked.
"Uh, the 'Briggs Way'?" Edward quoted,
"This is going to be fun," I smirked, Edward looked at me confused, "You'll see," I looked at Edward as I knew that Olivier was planning something different.
"That's right!" Buccaneer grabbed Edward's head, "Come, alchemist, gimme a hand!" Buccaneer had an evil grin across his face.
Buccaneer picked up Edward under his arm,
"Brother!" Alphonse spoke,
"You, too, tin man!" Buccaneer glared at Alphonse.
"Hey, hold on! We can't just…" Edward stopped as a gun was pointed at his head, I looked at the gun and then at Buccaneer,
"You were forced to help us under duress. How does that excuse work for you?" Buccaneer smirked till he saw Falman in front of him, "Hmm? Who's this?" Buccaneer asked as he looked at Falman,
"He's an old friend of ours." Edward smirked evilly,
"Ah, then he'll help too." Buccaneer smirked and pointed at him as Falman looked shocked suddenly and I sighed.
We all went and grabbed tank fuel to dump on the Homunculus, I wrapped my arms around the tank as I struggled up the stairs behind Buccaneer,
"Hurry! Don't spill any!" Buccaneer had his gun pointed at Edward,
"Buccanner, head to Gate 8!" Miles called,
"Sir!" Buccaneer nodded as I glanced at Miles for a moment, and he nodded at me then walked away.
We moved down a corridor and into a hiding spot above the walkway, I knelt with Edward and the others as I put my can down for a moment, taking a breath we heard the door open. As I glanced down, I saw the Homunculus walk out, it mumbled to itself and Buccaneer ran out and thrown the Homunculus over his shoulders,
"Alright! Do it now!" Buccaneer yelled, we all poured the fuel onto Sloth, "Nice!" Buccaneer smirked evilly.
"Okay, what next?" Alphonse spoke as Edward, Falman and me ran back down,
"Yeah, how do we get this big guy through the gate, exactly?" Edward asked. We all heard the elevator ding as a huge cannon came through the door,
"Wow…" I spoke as Edward and Alphonse froze in fear.
"Move it, you little run!" Olivier called. The cannon fired but it only managed to get him outside not over the rail.
"Hey! One more!" Olivier yelled,
"We're out of ammo!" the man replied, I sighed,
"Well, in that case." Falman took out his gun and shot at an icicle above the Homunculus' head and it landed on target,
"Come on, Edward!" I yelled and ran forward, Edward didn't hesitate as we jumped leaped forward and kicked Sloth in his chest, Sloth went over the railing and collapsed on the ground below. Edward grinned at me,
"All right!" Edward cheered and we peered over the edge,
"Good job, guys!" Alphonse cheered.
"That fuel is specially blended for the cold. It'll vaporise almost instantly and as it evaporates; it will sap his body heat. This blizzard will help, too. It'll freeze him, right down to his brain." Buccaneer walked out as we all saw the Homunculus freeze below.
Olivier walked out and we all watched the Homunculus below,
"You can sleep there until spring, monster. Alright, Buccaneer. Now take these three away." Olivier spoke,
"Sir!" Buccaneer spoke,
"What?!" Edward and Alphonse, we're scared as I rolled my eyes around my head.
"Hey hey, hold on a second! We helped you! Why are you doing this? How can-?" Edward snapped,
"You were forced to! That was just the excuse you needed to fight, right?" Olivier snapped as Buccaneer dragged Edward and Falman down the corridor. Alphonse and I followed behind without any quarrel as our wrists were bound together.
We were in the cell overnight and I felt incredibly cold by myself in the cell, shivering I could barely sleep… Knowing Kimblee was in the North and out again… I was sat with my back against the wall on the bed. I spent most of the night talking with Alphonse about things, he couldn't understand why I wasn't able to sleep for very long though, I just blamed the cold.
I heard Edward yawn and shiver as I looked out of the cell,
"It's so cold." Edward spoke,
"Tell me about it." I groaned as Edward moved and I heard the click of his restraints,
"Restraints?" Edward asked,
"Good morning, nice chains…" Alphonse spoke sadly,
"Yeah, they're just lovely." Edward moved as I moved on my bed to see Neil walk by.
"Hey, you three sleep well?" Neil asked,
"I guess, considering…" Edward moved the restraints again as I shook my head,
"I don't sleep well in the cold." I frowned and pulled my legs to my chest as Neil stepped back and looked at me,
"You do look tired, Rea…" Neil looked sorry for me as I sighed, Neil moved back to Edward's cell and I guessed offered the coffee to him as he moved to me and offered the hot chocolate,
"Thank you." I smiled and he nodded,
"I heard you helped defend the fort from that monster." Neil spoke,
"Thank you." Edward took the mug,
"That's two hundred cenz." Neil spoke as Edward spat his coffee out,
"You're charging us for this?!" Edward yelled as I laughed,
"They don't charge me for mine. He's pulling one over on you. It should be a hundred." I laughed as Neil chuckled; Edward sighed as I took a sip of my hot chocolate. They never charged me as I did give them some money a long time ago to help with their engineering department. So, Neil and Patricia would always make me hot drinks for free.
"So, find anything else out?" Alphonse asked, as Neil stepped back and leaned against the wall so I could see him talking,
"We sent a party down to investigate the hole. They should be back anytime now. Also, Major Miles is at the hospital." Neil explained,
"Is he hurt?" Edward asked,
"Hardly. He's there visiting a soldier who was wounded fighting Scar." Neil explained,
"Scar's in the north now?" Edward questioned; it was a surprise to me as well.
Hearing footsteps a few soldiers appeared and stood with Neil,
"Oh, here they are!" One of them smiled, I stood up and looked at them,
"They're awake." The black-haired soldier smiled,
"Thanks for yesterday!" The blonde nodded,
"Yeah, you saved our buddies' lives." The brown-haired one spoke,
"I'm impressed. You guys stick together. You really seem to care." Edward smiled,
"Well, here at Briggs, we have to look out for each other." The brown-haired soldier spoke again,
"You saved our pals back here, so that makes you our pal as well." The blonde added,
"Well, you want to let your pal out of here, then?" Edward asked, as I chuckled and one of the soldiers looked at me,
"No, we're not allowed to do that, sorry." The soldiers spoke in unison,
"It was worth a try, I guess." Edward groaned,
"Can I at least be in the same cell as them?" I asked as they looked at me,
"The cells can only occupy two people, Rea." Neil spoke as I sighed,
"I'm very cold." I groaned and sat back down as the soldiers moved to look at me,
"You're that girl who was here almost a year ago?" The one soldier spoke as I nodded,
"Yeah, you remember me?" I asked,
"The one who can stare down the General? Of course, we remember. You're a bit of a legend around here." The brown-haired soldier grinned, I tilted my head to the side,
"That's good to know. Can I get another blanket?" I smiled as the black-haired soldier moved to another cell and then put it between the bars, "Thank you." I nodded as Edward shuffled in his cell.
The soldiers left shortly after and I wrapped all three blankets I had around me, it was so cold,
"Rea, are you okay?" I heard Edward,
"I'll be fine." I nodded as Alphonse moved,
"She probably wants a cuddle." Alphonse joked as I laughed,
"That wouldn't hurt to be honest." I chuckled as I couldn't see Edward's face, but I knew he'd either find that funny as well, or be a bit embarrassed,
"They probably won't allow us to be in the same cell." Edward shook his head as I nodded.
It was sometime later that a guard came in to collect Edward and Alphonse as Olivier wanted to speak to them, I was asked to stay in the cell as I frowned, and Edward saw me curled up with all the blankets around me. Edward smiled sadly as he looked through the bars,
"Hopefully we won't be too long." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"I'll be fine. I have a feeling I know what she wants you for. But we can talk about it another time." I nodded as Edward moved to the cell bars, he put his hand through, and I took his for a moment as I smiled gently, "Be safe." I smiled as Edward nodded, he gently pulled my hand through the cell bars and kissed the back of my hand as I flushed pink,
"Stay warm." Edward spoke gently as I nodded, and he stepped back, I waved the brothers off. I was going to be fine.
It felt like hours had passed as I had been talking with some of the guards that knew me before. Some even came to play some card games with me. I started to worry about the boys as a guard came in and noticed I was sat on the floor with two other guards paying cards.
"Hey, can you tell me anything about Edward and Alphonse?" I asked,
"They've asked the General to help them with something," the guard spoke,
"With what?" I asked confused,
"To trick Raven," another guard spoke, I sat their shocked then smirked,
"I can't wait to hear about this." I chuckled.
Buccaneer soon appeared after a few minutes looking rather angry, though that was his normal face. I stood up as the other guards took the cards away quickly,
"What's going on?" I asked and Buccaneer leaned in close, I saw Edward and Alphonse come back in as I reached out, "Edward! Alphonse!" I smiled as Edward moved around, Buccaneer tried to stop Edward from reaching me, but I kicked the bar, "Come on Buck! Don't be an asshole." I snapped as Edward moved around and took my hand,
"Rea…" Edward spoke gently as I smiled,
"Hey, missed you." I smiled as Buccaneer rolled his eyes around his head, "what happened?" I asked,
"Raven is here along with a man called Kimblee." Edward explained as my hand suddenly gripped his as my body froze,
"K-Kimblee?" I spoke as Edward looked over my face in confusion, I'm pretty sure fear was written all over my face as he started to look angry, he WAS here?! I was hoping he wouldn't come, Buccaneer noticed me acting weird again as I was reacting the same way as before when Kimblee's name was mentioned,
"You know him?" Edward asked, I looked down and Edward moved closer to the bars, "Rea, what did he do to you?" Edward spoke lowly, I looked at him for a moment and then stepped back from the cell and hugged myself,
"This isn't like you." Buccaneer spoke as I closed my eyes,
"Don't let him touch me." I whispered as Edward gripped the bars and then smacked his automail hand against it,
"That bastard!" Edward yelled as I flinched, "he was the one? Wasn't he?!" Edward yelled as I just knelt on the floor, my body felt weak as I just sat there,
"You need to get back in your cell." Buccaneer spoke as Edward's hands clenched and he looked at me, I just held myself as I heard Edward walk away.
Edward figured it out… Kimblee was the man who assaulted me all those years ago. Edward got back in his cell and moments later General Raven arrived in the room,
"I am General Raven, from Central. I've heard a great deal about you from His Excellency." Raven spoke and he stopped in front of our cells,
"Hello." Edward spoke,
"It appears you've been good and kept your mouths shut." Raven said,
"That was the agreement." Edward sighed,
"You don't seem happy." Raven spoke,
"Oh no, I'm absolutely thrilled. Who wouldn't love to have their friends and girlfriend taken hostage?" Edward snapped.
"Umm… Do you think you could release us from this cell soon? The deal was, if we didn't mess with you, you would let us continue our journey." Alphonse asked,
"There's no need to worry. I'll let you out of here soon." Raven smiled,
"That tunnel… is it part of whatever you're planning, too? If they find out…" Edward asked,
"Again, you don't need to worry. I've already spoken with the General. She's going to put the Homunculus back underground and seal up the tunnel's opening." Raven explained as the brothers were surprised, "General Armstrong's on our side now, Fullmetal." Raven explained, he looked at me and raised an eyebrow, "How's the Princess of Xerxes holding up?" Raven asked as we all froze, he chuckled, "we know all about your past. I'd like to have a conversation with you. Release her." Raven spoke as I looked at the guard as he opened the cell, I felt my body lock up in that moment. I didn't want to leave. With Kimblee around I was probably safer in the cell than out of it…
"Come on, Princess." Raven spoke as I looked back at him, I nodded and slowly left,
"Rea… don't you dare hurt her!" Edward yelled as Raven looked back at him,
"I wouldn't threaten a superior officer." Raven spoke as Edward just gripped the bars and I kept my head down.
I walked down the corridor behind Raven, and he escorted me into a room with a bed and a table to the side, I looked back at Raven,
"We can't have a princess stuck in a cell, can we?" Raven smirked as I looked away, I didn't say anything as I felt his hand land on my shoulder, I froze and refused to make eye contact with him, "I think you'll be comfortable here." Raven spoke as I felt like his hand was made of lead, I felt my breath get stuck in my chest.
As Raven's hand moved away, I waited for the door to close before I took a breath and held my chest. I moved to the bed immediately and grabbed the cover, I sat against the wall and wrapped the cover around my body as a comfort blanket, it was a lot thicker than the others and comforted me.
I stayed in that room a few days; I wasn't allowed to leave or see anyone. I missed Edward… I missed talking to people I could trust. Every night I was in fear of Kimblee coming into my room. The guards would come in every now and again to give me food and take my previous plate away, it was also better food than what the normal guards would get, that much I knew.
I wondered how Edward and Alphonse were, what was going on outside, Buccaneer would sometimes walk by my room and if he was able, he'd put a piece of paper under my door telling me what was going on. The status of putting the Homunculus back in the hole, the whereabouts of Kimblee and he did tell me that Kimblee was aware that I was here. Buccaneer also took note that I wasn't a fan of Kimblee's and tried to get me to give him a note back to tell him, but I never answered.
Raven left with Reaka a few days ago, Edward clenched his fist as he frowned. Where did he take her? We're they trying to give a message to Edward and Alphonse,
"I hope Rea is okay." Alphonse spoke quietly,
"I'm sure she's fine." Edward spoke, though he was trying to reassure himself more than anything.
Edward paced back and forth in the cell, his hands still bound in the restraints as he thought about their next move. His thoughts were interrupted by an engineer walking in and stopping by the cell,
"I've been told to update you. Major General killed the Lieutenant General." Neil folded his arms,
"She killed him?!" Edward was shocked,
"General Raven?!" Alphonse spoke,
"Yep, and that's all I was ordered to tell you." Neil spoke,
"Hey! Wait a minute! When're you guys gonna let us out of this damn place?!" Edward grabbed onto the bars of the cell,
"Who knows? Take it up with the General." Neil waved and walked out of the door,
"Dammit!" Edward growled as he looked down the corridor.
"Getting angry won't do any good, Ed." Alphonse spoke, "we should just rest for now." Alphonse added,
"I can't just sit around while all this is going on… I need to do something! We need to get to Rea!" Edward groaned.
The door opened again, and a man who Edward recognise walked in the room, his blood boiled immediately as he saw the white coat and hat.
"Hi. Afternoon, boys… I was hoping that I might have a word with the Fullmetal Alchemist?" Kimblee took his hate off, Edward glared at him and his grip on the bars tightened. Edward was doing his best to keep his composure, but he was sure his eyes shown rage, this was the man who Reaka told him about. She didn't need to admit it was him, the way she reacted to his name was enough to make Edward realise who it was,
"Oh, don't tell me that you have some reason to dislike me, too. You should be grateful. I brought a visitor with me to see you." Kimblee spoke,
"A visitor?" Edward asked as he saw Winry walk through the door and stopped in front of Edward's cell.
"Winry!" Edward yelled; he couldn't let Kimblee anywhere near Winry!
"Why did you come here?!" Alphonse complained,
"Why?! Why do you think?! You have to adjust your automail for the north, don't you?! And just what are you doing in that cell?" Winry asked,
"We didn't ask you to come here!" Edward snapped,
"What's with you? I was worried about you, idiot! Someone from the military contacted me, so I came-" Winry snapped,
"The military?" Edward was shocked.
Kimblee put his hands on Winry's shoulders,
"Don't be so hard on her, you two. The Fuhrer was concerned about you. He wanted to make sure you were taken care of." Kimblee smiled.
I stayed in the room for a while as I waited to be moved or someone to come in the room.
I kept my head down under the covers as I heard people walk by. I could hear Edward and Winry at one point in the corridor as I lifted my head. They've probably got us separated to worry Edward and bringing in Winry is just the icing on the cake.
I froze seeing the door open and he walked in… I looked at his cold face, his twisted eyes. I felt a lump in my throat as he grinned,
"I've heard some interesting stories about you." Kimblee spoke as he walked in the room and closed the door behind him, my throat dried up immediately as my left leg started twitching on the bed, my knee shaking up and down, "I've heard that you're a Princess. The lost Princess of Xerxes, is that correct?" Kimblee pulled a chair up in front of me and sat opposite me. I just nodded as he leaned forward and looked at my face, "I never forget a face." Kimblee smirked, "you're that girl from the Ishvalan war?" Kimblee smirked as he looked over me, I felt my blood boil as his eyes looked over my body, "you tried to help some of those disgusting Ishvalan's escape and get to safety." Kimblee moved forward off his chair and put his hands on the wall either side of my head as he leaned over me, his jacket blocking my view of the room around us.
I looked up and stared into his eyes as I wanted to attack him, I wanted to make him suffer as he did with me all those years ago.
"I'm glad to see there's fire behind those eyes again, unlike when I left you on the ground." Kimblee smirked and leaned in, I thrust my leg into his stomach as he fell backwards on the chair. I used alchemy to turn the bedsheets into a rope as I screamed in anger and whipped the rope across the palm of his hand, and he rolled back. I whipped it again as he tried to grab the material, but it slashed his cheek,
"You bastard!" I screamed and went to whip him again, but he was able to grab the rope this time and pulled me towards him.
I felt his arms secure mine as he twisted my wrist behind my back and I cried out as he stood behind me,
"Normally, I'd make someone pay dearly for that. But I rather enjoyed it coming from you." Kimblee smirked as I was shaking with rage,
"You're disgusting." I snarled and looked back over my shoulder at him. Kimblee leaned behind down as I turned my face away from him,
"And you're delightful." Kimblee smirked and I felt my skin crawl as his tongue moved down my neck and then he bit down on my shoulder harshly, I screamed out as he pulled back and laughed as he let go of me and pushed me to the ground.
I turned on my back as Kimblee moved towards me, I grabbed the crook of my neck as he kneeled in front of me. I put my hands up to push Kimblee away put he grabbed my wrists and pushed me on my back as I froze,
"I…" I couldn't think, Kimblee smirked as the door opened and one of the guards stood there.
I felt my eyes burn as Kimblee glared at the man as we could see Edward standing behind the guard. I saw the hatred in his face as Kimblee leaned back and moved off me,
"The Elric brother has asked to see her." The guard spoke as Kimblee looked at me on the ground as I moved back,
"Fine. I was done talking to her." Kimblee touched his cheek and walked towards the door as I sat up from the floor.
Edward quickly ran in, and the guard locked the door behind him,
"Rea…" Edward walked slowly over to me as I felt his hand on my shoulder, I flinched and looked at him. I could see the anger in his face from what he saw but also the sympathy for the way I looked right now, "it's okay, Rea." Edward pulled my arm around his shoulder; I moved my other arm around him as I shook and started to cry. "I'll kill that bastard." Edward growled as he held me close.
I moved back and pulled him down to kiss me,
"Just… stay with me for a bit. Please." I requested quietly as Edward nodded and I moved onto the bed and lay down on it, Edward lay on the bed next to me on his side as he looked at my face.
"What's going to happen Ed?" I spoke quietly,
"You're going to have to stay here." Edward frowned as I closed my eyes, "I'll make sure that bastard doesn't come back in here." Edward spoke gently as I nodded,
"Thank you." I turned my head to face him,
"Al's gonna have to stay locked up as well." Edward explained as I nodded,
"Keeping us all apart… smart." I sighed as Edward gripped my waist gently,
"You'll be fine." Edward spoke as I smiled and pulled at my nails,
"Hopefully." I nodded as I felt Edward kiss my cheek, "Winry is here, isn't she?" I looked at Edward as he nodded,
"She's currently a hostage. Like you." Edward frowned as I looked back at the ceiling,
"They won't do anything to me, nothing they haven't already done anyway." I explained as I sighed, "watch out for Winry, she's vulnerable here." I looked at Edward as he smiled gently and nodded.
The door suddenly unlocked and opened again, and a guard walked in,
"Kimblee, would like a word with you, Fullmetal." He spoke as I looked at Edward,
"I'll try and come back as soon as I can." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Go," I smiled as Edward stood up from the bed but looked back at me and leaned down to kiss me suddenly, he held me as if he was going to lose me.
I smiled as Edward walked away; the door closed behind him. I was left alone again in my room, I looked at the rope whip I made on the floor as I smirked to myself, at least I left a mark on Kimblee's face.
After a bit of time Edward, Alphonse and Winry were brought into my room, he managed to get us together so he could talk to us together. I hugged both Alphonse and Winry as soon as I saw them and I pulled Winry to sit with me, she could tell something was upsetting me but didn't ask.
Kimblee stood by the door as I could see him peeking through,
"Winry, you were only brought to Briggs as a hostage. Same with Rea," Edward spoke,
"A what? What does he mean, Al? Are you joking?" Winry asked as she kept her arm around me
"Listen. I've been ordered by the Fuhrer to fulfil my duties as a human weapon. In other words, they're ordering me to help them commit mass murder." Edward explained, we all looked at him in shock,
"Why don't you just refuse?" Winry stood up, Edward looked away from us as she glanced at me and then clenched her fist, "I see… that's why." Winry sat back down and took my hand in hers, "No… I'm sorry. They're using me to hold you down." Winry spoke as she shook, "I won't cry! I won't. I'm just upset at myself for being so naïve. I'm sorry. All you were trying to do is get your original bodies back again." Winry covered her face, I put my hand on her back as I looked down,
"About that… They actually offered me a Philosopher's Stone as payment." Edward explained, I took a sharp breath in shock,
"A stone? But…" Alphonse was shocked,
"That's right. Kimblee has one." Edward spoke, I flinched at the name. Edward glanced at me for a second and frowned sadly,
"We can't brother! The ingredients for a stone are-" Alphonse started,
"I know, Al!" Edward interrupted Alphonse, I stood up and gripped my chest. I was a philosopher's stone as well… I never fully explained my immortality to Edward and Alphonse, I focused inside, and I could hear the people… they were saying my name and calling me Princess.
"Go ahead and do what you want, geez…" Alphonse snapped after a minute, it brought me back to reality as I stared at him in shock,
"I will." Edward said and looked back at the door as it opened and Kimblee stood there, he looked at me and smirked as I quickly sat down and gripped onto Winry, she looked confused as I held onto her,
"It's settled. I'm in, alright. But finding Scar is the first thing that I wanna do." Edward spoke,
"Oh, yeah? Why's that?" Kimblee asked,
"Scar is the one who murdered Winry's parents. They deserve vengeance," Edward explained as Winry was beckoned to leave the room and go back to her cell,
"I see. Fine with me," Kimblee explained,
"Also, I need Al and Rea with me." Edward spoke, "Al doesn't have a body, so he's immune to Scar's bodily destruction." Edward spoke, "Same with Rea, since she can't die, she's quick to take hits if we need the defence." Edward explained as I knew he wasn't going to let me go that easily,
"You can take Alphonse… but Reaka stays, and that is final," Kimblee glares at Edward.
"You're okay with this, Al?" Winry asked,
"The Philosopher's Stone? They can only be made by sacrificing human lives." Alphonse spoke as Winry looked shocked and then back towards the door in fear, "Don't worry. Brother would never actually use one. And we don't need it… We think we might be able to use Xingese alkahestry to get our bodies back. There's a girl that's been working with Scar. We think that she can teach it to us." Alphonse spoke quietly as Winry looked at him,
"So then… Is he going after Scar to find this girl?" Winry asked,
"I think so." Alphonse nodded,
"I see. Then I guess I had better hurry up and come up with a believable excuse." Winry spoke as I looked at her in shock as she looked at the door.
Alphonse and Winry were taken out of the room as I stayed on the bed and the guards closed the door and locked it behind them. I frowned and pulled my legs to my chest again. I just wanted to be gone from here…
Neil came in the room later on and sat with me at the table as he put a cup of hot chocolate down,
"They've probably got to Baschool by now." Neil spoke as I frowned and sat back on my chair… I didn't trust any of this. I sipped my drink and Olivier opened the door and saw me with Neil.
"They left a few hours ago." Olivier spoke as I nodded, I knew the brothers would be fine… it was just playing on my mind that I wasn't with them and the three were off potentially running into danger!