Disclaimer: I do not own any characters except ocs.
{Opening song}
"The power of one man doesn't amount to much...but little strength I'm capable of, I'll do everything I can to protect the people I love...and in turn, they'll protect the people they love. It's the least we tiny humans can do for each other..." Roy stood in line with the other soldiers as Hughes said, "It seems like a pyramid scheme...there's just one thing; if you protect everyone, then you'll have to find a way to stand on top of the pyramid..." Hughes and Roy both glanced at the Fuhrer Bradley as Roy said, "I can only imagine how good it feels up there, Hughes. Although, I may never get to know how that feels without support. There's no doubt about that." Fuhrer glanced down at him as Roy gave a small glare. "Very subtle...you're got my support...but you could have just asked. It could be fun to watch and who knows? Maybe your naive idealism might do some good."
Roy's Office*
"Colonel, there is an open bunk if you need it..." Riza stated, waking Roy. "Ugh...I'm fine." Roy brought his hand to his face as he said, "I still need to finish my paperwork and stuff before we go to Central; I haven't much time for sleep..." "It looks like you were in the middle of a pretty vivid dream there." Roy said. "Hmph; not really...it was just an old memory..."
Chapter 10: Separate Destinations
Hospital*
"The last thing I remember is this guy grabbing Whity and then kicking me." Ed stated as he showed a picture of what the guy looked like. "Yeah and then they called us sacrifices..." Whity finished. "Oddly, he let you two live...and what about this 'sacrifice ' and other armored souls?" Armstrong asked. "Not to mention the Ouroboros tattoos and transmutation circle...and Dr. Marcoh claims they were using the Philosopher's Stone in Ishval." Hughes said. "Every clue we get seems to lead its mystery..."
"Not much we can do about that...any answers we could have found were buried in the lab." All seven sighed. "I'll run a search for anyone with an Ouroboros tattoo." Hughes said.
"Very good...and while you do that, I'll continue to look into this team that worked with Dr. Marcoh in Ishval." Armstrong said as a knock sounded at the door. They all glanced to the door, to see none other than Fuhrer King Bradley. "Sorry to interrupt." He says. Armstrong and Hughes saluted. "Fuhrer Bradley...Your Excellency!" Armstrong said.
"Calm down, gentlemen. This is just an informal visit." Bradley said. "Yes sir." Hughes said, bowing. "But may I please ask the occasion, sir." "This young man and woman." He said, walking over to Ed and Whity. "I heard you two were injured." He lifted a basket. "I thought a nice melon would cheer you two up."
"I guess." Ed says, taking the basket. Whity hit his left shoulder to alert him. "Uh, thank you, sir!" Whity bowed. "I understand that you've been checking up on some of the elder staff...is that true, Major?" "Um...yes sir...how did you know I was-" Armstrong started as Bradley said, "And now you two...my Fullmetal and Ice alchemists...tell me what you know about the Philosopher's Stone." It was as if a dark aura was surrounding him.
"And I hope for your sales you don't know too much..." Ed and Whity glared at him, and Addie looked at him with a confused expression, then he started laughing. "I'm only kidding! There's no reason for you to be so uptight!" He placed his hand on Ed's shoulder. "I know that there has been some suspicious activity within the Military lately...and I believe something must be done about it." He glanced at the small table that held all of the drawings they had of the guy and woman, picking one up. "Oh, that's just a-" Armstrong began.
"A list of the research team assigned to study the Philosopher's Stone. Every person listed in this document has been reported missing. They all vanished several days before the Fifth Laboratory collapsed. It seems the enemy is always one step ahead of us. Even with my vast network of informants, I have no way to determine how far our ranks have been infiltrated. The most we know about them is that they know a lot about us." "In that case, this is proving to be more dangerous than we thought..." Hughes muttered. Bradley placed the paper down and turned to each of them saying, "Major Armstrong, Lt. Colonel Hughes, Elric Siblings, and Martin...you've all proven yourselves to be men of worthy character. From this point forward, I'm giving you the direct order to forget this matter and all it concerns. At this time, suspicion is our strongest line of offense. Our only form of defense is discretion. Do not trust anyone; keep this to yourselves at all costs. However; when I deem it the time to confront the enemy, I expect you to join me in the effort." "Yes sir!" Armstrong and Hughes said saluting.
"Where is he?" A man said from outside the room. "Has Fuhrer Bradley been through here?" "Gotta go!" Bradley quickly saluted. "Darn bodyguard thinks he's my shadow." They all turned and watched him open the window. "You see", he said, preparing to jump. "I've snuck away to get a few moments of privacy. Well, farewell for now." He jumped down to the ground from the first-story window and walked on his way. They all looked puzzled out the window. "Hey, guys!" Winry said, opening the door. "What the? What's going on? Did I miss something?"
"Not really." Abbie said, not sure of what just happened to them. "Just a tornado passing by." "Uh?" She closed the door and walked over to them. "Well, I don't think there's anything I can do about that, but I did go and buy the train tickets you asked for." "Thanks. Just in time." Ed says. "You sure on the move, aren't you? Aliyah and your wounds haven't even healed yet." Armstrong said. "Yeah, two days of sick people and hospital food is enough for me, thanks." Ed says. "I second that." Whity agreed. "But big sister, where are we going to." Abbie asked, glancing at the tickets in Winry's hand.
"What's in Dubilith?" "Well...with the way things have gone lately, Al, Whity, Abbie, and I decided to go visit our old teacher." Ed stated as Whity, and Al started to shake out of fear. "I think I'm a too scared brother." Al grabbed Ed's hands. "There's no way she won't kill us!" "Don't you chicken out now! I'm scared too okay?" Ed and Al whined. "I'm to young and beautiful to die." Whitney said with a scared expression. "Huh, but teacher is not that scary." Audrey said.
"What exactly does this person teach?" Winry asked "It appears you have quite a long journey ahead of you." Armstrong said with a finger to his chin. "How far is it?" Wirny asked. Armstrong pulled out a map as he looked for it. "Well... let's see. Right here; down here." Al pointed. "Hm..." Winry's eyes caught sight of something as they screamed joy. "What?" Ed asked. "That!" She pointed to a place on the map. "The holy land of auto-mail engineering! It's Rush Valley!" Winry and Whity said. Whity and Winry waved their hands and chanted, "We have to go! We have to go! Take us! Take us!" "Whatever...I don't have to take you..." Ed said, irritated.
"While someone has to pay for my travel fare!" Winry shouted. "Why does it have to be me?!" Ed whined. "Come on brother, what's the big deal? It's ok our way." Al stated. "Yeah big brother, all we have to do is drop her there and we can leave." Abbie said to him.
"Fine! Only if Al, Abbie, Whity want to." "Yay!" They cheered, running to the door as Winry dragged Whity with her, saying, "Hey, Ally! Let's go!"
"I got to call and tell grandma." As she ran out of the door dragged Whity with them. "Hmph, Whitney will make you a fine wife someday." "Don't start that again!" Abbie laughed at this.
Hughes Place*
"It's time for bye-bye~ Daddy had to go to work now!" Hughes told his daughter, childlike. "Come home early today, okay Daddy?" Elicia asked. "I can try...but Daddy has a lot of work he has to do today. I promise to do it as fast as possible!" Elicia giggled as Gracia said, "Alright Elicia, it's getting late now."
"Well the Rockbell, I probably won't see you before your train leave but it's been fun. Tell Daniels and the boys I said bye." "Thanks, Mr. Hughes for the hospitality." Winry bowed. "Just make sure to visit us when you're in Central, okay? Our home is your home too. Till then; bye Hun." "Work hard Daddy!" "Be safe..." Gracia waved.
Train Station*
Ed, Abbie, Whity, Winry, and Al were all on the train waving to Ross, Brosh, Gracia, Elicia, and Armstrong as their train left the station. "So, why is it suddenly important to visit your teacher?" Winry asked. "Different reasons...for starters, I'm getting a little tired of getting my ass kicked..." they muttered the last part as Winry asked, "Wait! Is this some kind of combat teacher? Why don't you just quit fighting?" "Oh, that'd be nice but it's not simple as that." "It's not only for fighting, our core too, right guys?" Whity asked as they nodded. "We feel like something our teacher will help us grow stronger on the inside." Al said. "Yeah, and we're gonna need as much strength as we can get." Abbie said. "What's reason two?" Winry snickered. "To see what she can tell us about the Philosopher's Stone." Ed looked out the window, resting his head on his hand and glass.
"And to ask her about the truth within the truth." Al added. "We haven't gotten any closer to figuring it out. There's a chance that our teacher knows something about it." Whity said. "Let's hope she at least gives us a chance to ask her. You should be more concerned about explaining your appearance to her, Al. Considering, considering...considering... She's gonna kill us when she finds out what happened!" Ed said in fear. "It would've been nice to at least have a girlfriend before I died." Al said. Audrey smiled at this. "Maybe you guys should get a new teacher." Winry said.
Central/Archives Room*
"Riots in Liore..." Hughes muttered as he read the newspaper. "Yes, it's apparently in response to that sham religion that was preying on the townspeople. They finally realized they were being suckered." Captain Fokker said. "Yeah," Hughes said, looking over some old and partially new newspapers. "Ishval and Liore. The east has been a real hotbed, huh?" Sheska says over a few chairs, exhausted and already asleep. "I'm afraid it's not just the east," the dark man said. "There have been reports of the uprising in the north and west as well." "The bodies are piling up all over. The governments gonna have a hard time keeping control at this rate. Hmm?" He stood up and walked to the door. "Colonel Hughes? Is something wrong?" "I'll be in the archives room," he said, closing the door behind him.
Sheska woke up and Fokker looked at her. "Liore," Hughes said, circling it in ink on a map, "these endless uprisings, the Philosopher's Stone, human sacrifices, and the outright genocide of the Ishvalan people. This means... How could this even happen? And who could've orchestrated something as terrible as this? We've gotta tell the Fuhrer right away!" A woman closed the door.
"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel," Lust said, "so good to finally meet you. Well, hello really isn't the word in looking for." She spread out her fingers as they grew too long sharp points. Hughes backed up and the woman walked forward. He looked at her chest; a dragon eating itself around three triangles sat there - the Ouroboros tattoo. "Cool tattoo ya got there." He said. "Those are your last words? Wouldn't you rather scream?" She threw her fingers at him as he threw a small knife from behind his back at her. He opened the door and fell on the floor, holding his wounded shoulder. He stood up, walking against the wall for support. "Darn it."
Lust sat against a bookshelf, the small knife jammed in the center of her forehead. She pulled out the weapon and creased her brows. "Darn it? That's exactly how I feel." "Oh, my," the secretary said, turning to Hughes with a smile, "You're back again already. Who gets to hear about your daughter this to Lieutenant Colonel, you're bleeding!"
"It's nothing." He said, making his way to the phones and holding his limp arm."I-I need a private line. I have to tell him." He picked up the phone. He stopped and put the phone back on its receiver. "Sorry." He said, passing the woman again, "forget I was ever here." "But, sir!" She said.
Outside of Central Command*
Hughes headed straight to the nearest phone booth, dialing the number as a girl's voice came on. "Central Command..." "I need you to connect me to Colonel Mustang right away!" "I'm sorry; I'm not allowed to connect from an outside line." "You are speaking to Lt. Colonel Hughes! This a matter of life and death!" "Can I have your code please?" She asked as Hughes got angrier. "What?! Are you trying to waste time?!" He pulled out his small notebook and read off the code, "It's Uncle, Sugar, Oliver, then 8,0,0." "Your code was verified. Please hold while I connect you."
"Will you hurry! It's an emergency-" a gun cocked itself behind Hughes. "I need to ask you to put down the receiver, please sir." Maria Ross said. Hughes looked back. "Go on, just hand it up." "You look just like," he smiled, "but you're not. Who the heck are you, lady?" Hughes questions. She smiled and shifted her stance. "I'm Second Lieutenant Ross, sir. You've lost too much blood."
"Drop the act already. You're not Second Lieutenant Ross! She has a mile under her left eye." The doppelgänger smiled. "You're observant. I can't believe I forgot." She brought her fingers up and touched under her left eye, and a small mole appeared. "There, how do I look now?"
Hughes gasped. "This is not happening! Please tell me I'm hallucinating, or something!" "You are a smart man, Lieutenant Colonel. Did you ever think that'd be the cause of your death?" "Come on, have a heart, will ya? I've got a wife and daughter waiting for me." He slides a knife into his hand. "So the last thing I'm gonna do is due on them!" He turned and got ready to throw the knife, but he froze.
There, standing in front of him, smiling and holding the gun to his chest, was his wife, Gracia. Her grim grew larger as she looked at the fear trapped within the soldier's eyes. "You look surprised!" Hughes trembled and shook. "What the heck are you?" The imposter pulled back on the trigger. A telephone rang, and Mustang put it up to his ear... "There's a Lieutenant Colonel Hughes on hold for you, he claims it's urgent." The woman operator said.
"Of course he does. Put him through. Look, Hughes, I don't have time for daughter stories." There was no response. "Hey, Hughes. Hughes? Are you okay? Hughes!" Hughes tried reaching for the dangling phone. The doppelgänger grabbed it before he could reach it and hung it back up. Envy looked down at the weak man. "You humans don't make any sense to me. You throw away your lives for nothing." Blood ran down the slight step to the phone booth, drenching the small picture of Hughes's family. Envy walked off, leaving Hughes alone in the dark. "Gracia," he said anemically, "I'm so sorry...Elicia...remember Daddy loves you." He looked to the sky. "...I'm sorry..." With the last of his strength, he spoke his words of farewell, letting his head fall lifelessly to his shoulders as the cold breeze passed by.
Next Day*
"Oh, man! This is the best apple pie ever!" Ed stated as he stuffed his face. "Isn't it though? Mrs. Gracia is an excellent cook!" Winry commented as she ate hers. "To put it mildly; not to mention that quiche she made wasn't pretty bad either." Whity said. "Yeah; I wrote down the quiche as something I want to eat once I have a mouth again!" Al said. "Well, she gave me the recipe, so when you're back to normal, Al, Whity, and I will make it for you." Winry said. "Awesome! Thanks!" He stretched out his arms and laughed. "I had such a good time staying with them, they're both great people." Winry said. "Yeah, but Hughes is obnoxious, he doesn't know when to shut up and he spoils his daughter rotten." Ed said as he shoved the last bit of pie into his mouth. "He did come by the hospital room a lot to talk to you." Abbie said. "Every darn day," he swallowed and smiled. "He always made it a point to come and talk to me, and it didn't matter when he'd even blow off work!"
"We should figure out some way to thank him next time we're there." Whity said. "Yeah, we should." Winry said.
The next scene is Hughes's funeral. I'm skipping this because it is too sad and heartbroken. To write it was hard in the anime than to write it here. Oh yeah.
{Ending song}