"Oh wow!" The military officers were in awe of the Colonel, they haven't seen that from Colonel Mustang before.
"Oh, is this the first time you've seen the Colonel use that?" Havoc asked the officers with a cigarette between his lips as he turned to the pair.
"Yes, seconded Lieutenant Havoc." One officer saluted the lieutenant.
"Just how is he able to do that?" the other officer asked, the two officers stared at the colonel and the first lieutenant. Serah and Ed were talking quietly to each other, Serah looked a bit flustered while the young Alchemist was holding her hands tightly.
"That glove of the colonel's is made from spark cloth, it's special and can do that. Flick against it hard and a spark will be ignited, then, adjust the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere around something flammable and...' poof.'" Havoc held a lighter up to the end of the cigarette and took a few inhales.
"I understand the basic idea, but how…"
"He can do that cause he's an Alchemist, oh yeah and the little guy next to the colonel, is a State Alchemist, and the girl is the escort of the Fullmetal Alchemist."
"What! Then they who took out all of the criminals were…" The officers stared at the Alchemist and the Ishvalen in shock and disbelief.
"I can't believe it…"
"Yeah… That aren't human…" Mustang walked in front of Ed, Serah, and Al, Ed hid his automail hand in the pocket of his coat, Al had transmuted a pair of clutches for Serah to make sure that she keeps weight of her injured leg.
Ed was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Mustang's desk, Serah had taken the chair next to the young Alchemist; her crutches were leading against the armrest. Al was sitting in the last one, next to his brother on the opposition side of Serah while Mustang was leading a bit back in his chair behind the desk.
"You own me one for this one, right Colonel?" The young Alchemist grinned, staring at the Flame Alchemist. It caused Serah to sigh as she lightly nursed her thigh.
"There is something disturbing about having to be in your debt… I'll cave in, what do you want?"
"That's our colonel, you're quick."
"Can you show us to a library or introduce us to an Alchemist that have detailed info about biological transmutation around here?"
"Right now? Good grief man, you're impatient. Shouldn't you let Serah rest for a day or two." The Ishvalen scowled at the colonel as she crossed her arms under her chest.
"I'm fine and besides I want to continue my own search." Mustang sighed, those two are determined and stubborn. They are always on the road, never really taking a break but always finding ways to continue their search, the Colonel knows what Ed and Al is looking for a way to restore their bodies. But Serah, he still doesn't know what she is looking for, she never told him or her foster parents about it. He hopes for her that the three of them will find what they all are looking for, one day. Well, he better tell them before Ed get more inpatient, he thought as he stood up.
"We want to restore ourselves asap!" The young Alchemist barked at the Colonel; Mustang ran a finger at the books' spine before pulling one out.
"It has been a while since we last meet, let's chat over a cup of tea."
"And what would the fun be in drinking tea with a guy." Ed glared at the Flame Alchemist who ignored him, Serah turned to the older Elric.
"Calm down."
"Hm, maybe… yes, this is it. 'Artificial synthesis at the cost of two or more organisms of different genetic backgrounds' in short there's a researcher of chimera transmutation living within the city." Serah tilted her head towards the Colonel with a frown as she folded her arms under her chest while Ed leaned back in his chair.
"Shou Tucker, the life-binding Alchemist." Serah straightened her back, hearing the name. Ed glanced at her from the corner of his eye with a frown between his brow,
"Wait, Shou Tucker?" Mustang nodded at the shade-wearing girl.
"Do you know him, Serah?" The young Alchemist asked the Ishvalen, she turned to him, resting her cheek in her palm. Al stared at her along with the Colonel, Ed and Serah paid them no mind, it is almost like they had only eyes for each other. The younger Elric sighed, this isn't the first time that his brother and Serah only paid attention to each other. There isn't anything to it, or at least he didn't think so, Al noticed the weirded out-look that Mustang wore. The expression is understandable as it is the first time, the Colonel have witnessed it.
Colonel eyed the due for a moment, Hughes isn't going to happy about this…. Whatever that is going on between Serah and Ed, if there are anything going on between the pair, of-course.
"No not personally, but I read some of his work, last year when he became a State Alchemist. He transmuted a chimera that could talk. Apparently, the chimera could learn from people on what to say but if I remember correctly, it said the same thing every time it spoke. 'I want to die' and after that, it stopped eating and died."
"I thought that you didn't want to learn about using Alchemy, Serah," Colonel asked the young Ishvalen who turned her eyes to the Flame Alchemist.
"Just because I don't want to learn about how to use Alchemy, doesn't mean that I won't want to learn about Alchemy and its history." she shuddered her shoulders, Ed glanced at her with a small smile. Mustang hummed under his breath as he folded his hands underneath his chin. The Colonel stared at the Ishvalen with a half-focused expression, like he was trying to figure out just what went through Serah's mind.
"Well, let's go and see what kind of person he is."
Serah stood with Ed and Al, near the gate while Mustang rang the doorbell. They had arrived at the Tucker household, the Ishvalen lifted her glace while staring at the house. She narrowed her brow slightly as Serah pressed her shades higher up on her nose before shifting her grip on the crutches. A large shadow appeared over their heads, the trio looked up and saw a very large dog. It causes Ed to scream loudly as the dog landed on top of the Alchemist, Serah had taken a step back as she didn't want to have a dog to lay on top of her. The door opened, and Shou and his daughter stepped outside.
"Hey! Alexander, stop that."
"Wow, lots of guests, Daddy!" The little girl beamed at the sight of Mustang and the trio; Serah gestured for the dog to get of Ed with the help of a wooden stick. Ed stood up and dusted the dirt off his shirt with an annoyed look, Serah stepped closer and moved one crutch to her other hand and smoothed out the wrinkles on his coat.
"Nina don't do that. The dog's supposed to be tied up…" Mr. Tucker stepped outside the house and bought Alexander to the back to tie the dog up again. He returned to the front of his home and noticed that his daughter was begging the older girl to pick her up, the girl politely refused while gesturing to her crutches.
"I am so sorry because my wife left me. The house has been like this ever since…" They had taken a seat at the dinner table, Serah between Ed and Al with Mustang at the end of the table and Tucker on the opposition side of the table. The trio introduced themselves to Tucker, Serah shifted her weight in her seat. The air felt a bit wrong to her, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She sensed the lingering of something, it felt old like a couple years old. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, not wanting to focus on it for the moment.
"How do you do, Edward Elric I am Shou Tucker, the life-binding Alchemist." Tucker held his attention on the young Alchemist, ignoring Serah and Al for the moment.
"He's interested in biological transmutation and said that he would very much like to examine your research." Mustang gestured to Ed; Serah placed her hands on her laps; the crutches rested against the table next to the Ishvalen.
"I don't mind at all-." Tucker smiled softly at the young Alchemist for a moment, before the smile turned to a frown.
"-But still, you know, if you want a person to lay down their cards, shouldn't you also lay down yours? That is what Alchemists do, correct?" Ed scowled at Tucker with a glare, the Ishvalen noticed the older Elric tightening his automail.
"Why are you interested in biological transmutation?" The older Alchemist asked, either ignoring or are oblivious to the glare, Ed gave him.
"Ah, He-" Mustang began speaking, staring at Tucker before Ed held up his free hand. Signaling the Colonel to stop, Al and Serah stayed silently during the exchange.
"Colonel. Mr. Tucker does have a point. -" The Alchemist pulled off his jacket while speaking with a neutral expression, before he closed his eyes.
"…My god… and this is what the 'Fullmetal Alchemist' was hiding." Tucker stared at the older Elric in shock and slight horror as he gaped at the sight of the auto-mail, Ed had closed his eyes. He didn't want to see the expression of Tucker looking at his arm.
"I see, your mother… it must have been painful." The air felt heavy with tension, the Ishvalen learned back in her chair while nursing her thigh. The injury had started to arch in pain while they had been talking, Ed glanced at her in concern before hiding the emotion.
"And what about you, young lady. I have noticed that you haven't said a word during the time we have been talking. What kind of cards, do you have on your hand?" Ed narrowed his eyes; Tucker turned his attention on Serah. He wondered while having a conversation with the blond Alchemist, why the girl hadn't said a word. He glanced at the shades; she is wearing.
"I will show you just one from my cards on my hand if I am allowed to look through your library." Tucker stared at the silver-haired girl for a long moment, he folded his hands together as he leaned forward.
"Accepted." Serah nodded at the life-binding Alchemist before she reached up and took off her shades, having her eyes closed for a short moment. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes and stared at Tucker, he gasped, seeing her deep, scarlet-colored eyes. Wait the tanned skin, silver hair and the red-colored eyes; She is an Ishvalen! He swallowed hard, staring intensely at her. Ed growled at the sight, not liking the way Tucker looked at Serah. Mustang held up a hand, signaling Tucker to stop staring at her like that, he noticed that Tucker's stare was making Serah uncomfortable as she shifted in her seat, she placed the shades back on her nose, hiding the color of her eyes.
"Ah… I am sorry but… I never thought that you would be a part of the military since you are..."
"The reasons for why are my own."
"Because our superiors have been told that his body had been lost during the east area civil war, I am asking you to not mention anything about the human transmutation incident. And likewise, with Serah, The Fuhrer himself gave the command for Serah to be a part of the Military but her race has to be kept a secret for her safety." Tucker nodded in agreement, before pushing his chair back and stood up.
"Yes, that is fine with me. I know it would be pointless for the military as well to let go of this kind of talent, and it goes for both of you. But of course, in that case… I'm not sure if this will be helpful, but let's take a look at my lab, shall we?"
"Oops… this is quite embarrassing, I'm told I'm the authority on chimeras by quite a few people, but to be honest, I really can't say I'm all that great." Serah stayed near Ed and Al; the air felt uneasy and... wrong to her. She felt the uneasy seek into her bones, it caused her to tighten her grip on the crutch handles. Ed noticed her frowning and looking a bit uncomfortable. Tucker stepped over to a pair of double doors and opened it, the traveling trio moved over to the doors and pecked inside the large room. Ed gabbed at the sight of the shelves filled to the brim with books, Serah hopped inside and immediately went over to one of the shelves. She placed one of the crutches against the end of the shelf before moving along the shelf, running a finger on the spine of the books as she read the titles. Ed chuckled under his breath, watching her as she moved to another shelf. The Ishvalen had immediately lost herself into the books, he hopes that she won't overwork herself with her injury. He stepped over to another shelf as Al followed his lead, Tucker and Mustang stared at the trio before Serah moved out of their sight.
"Feel free to take a look at it as much as you want. I'll be in the lab."
"Right, I'll start from these shelves." Ed rested a hand on his chin and mouth, staring at the books on the shelves.
"Then I'll handle the ones over there." Al pointed to the opposite side of the library as he stepped over to the shelves. Mustang walked over to the Elrics, knowing that Serah probably won't hear him as she had driven into her research so he wouldn't disrupt her.
"I'm going back to work; someone will be sent to pick you up in the evening."
"Ok," Al mumbled as he pulled out a book and started reading, Ed had already begun to read the book, he decided on while mumbling under his breath.
"He's incredibly focused, isn't he? That boy can't hear anyone around him anymore."
"Yes … enough to become a State Alchemist at that age, He's amazing." Mustang agreed with a smirk, staring at the young Alchemist with a small hint of pride and amazement. Tucker turned to the brothers, his expression turned somewhat a bit annoyed and resentful the longer he stared at the young State Alchemist.
"So, he's one, eh. A genius." Tucker turned his glace to the Ishvalen, Mustang followed the other man's glance.
"And what about her, is she a genius as well?" Mustang folded his arms under his chest, not liking how Tucker looked at Serah. The expression almost looked like one of resentment and … something else, the Flame Alchemist couldn't quite place his finger on the emotion, but if he had to guess, it looked like envy or some kind of jealousy.
"No, not the way, Edward is." Mustang turned and left the trio with the Tucker family, Tucker glanced after the Colonel before leaving for his laboratory.
A few hours later, Serah growled as she pushed another book back into its place on the shelf. She hadn't been able to find anything on the countries outside Amestris, she stopped in her thoughts as she moved back to one of the other books that she have quickly skimmed through and pulled it out. She remembered that the book was something about a man from the west that came from the forgotten land. She turned the pages quickly before finding the page about the man, she was right! The man from the west came from Xerxes and taught the people of Xing about something, she might have a lead now! She quickly read the titles of the books as she moved along the shelves, pulling out a few books on the History of Amestris. Maybe she could find out something more about this man from the west. And maybe she might be finally able to find something on her homeland and the other countries, Serah mumbled under her breath as her eyes moved along the lines of the book, she was holding. The Ishvalen blinked as she felt someone staring at her from behind one of the bookshelves, Serah turned as Nina ducked behind the end of the shelf. The silver haired teenager smiled lightly as she limped towards the end of the shelf with a book in hand, Nina peaked passed the shelf again and squeaked when she saw the Ishvalen looking at her. Serah groaned slightly under her breath as she crouched down to Nina's level, the silver-haired girl placed the book on her lap.
"Hello there, Nina." The little girl peaked around the shelf, slyly as she half hid behind the shelf.
"Why are you hiding, little one?" Serah asked, as she slightly tilted her head to the side.
"I want to play with Daddy but he doesn't have time to play." Nina muttered with a hint of sadness and loneliness, Serah sighed while sensing the hurt and loneliness reeking from the little girl.
"Well, if I could play with you, I would but since I'm hurt, I can't." Serah didn't like the way Nina's expression fell, and she quickly continued speaking.
"-But there might be someone else who wants to play with you, Little one." Nina beamed with a huge smile, grinning at the Ishvalen. Serah stood up and placed the book on the nearby table and held her free hand out to Nina. The little girl immediately grabbed hold of the Ishvalen's hand, the pair of girls walked towards where Serah could sense Al was.
"Hey Al." The younger Elric turned to the Ishvalen and noticed that Nina was holding her hand, his eyes shined a bit brighter at the sight.
"Hi Serah, what is it?"
"Well, Nina wanted to play and I was hoping that you would play with her for a time since I can't." The Ishvalen spoke, shrugging her shoulders. Al beamed at the thought and immediately agreed to it, Nina cheered in delight and happiness.
A while later, Serah was laughing as Ed was laying on the ground again with the large dog on top of him. Al was holding Nina on his shoulders, staring at his older brother.
"Hi, brother."
"Don't just say 'hi brother'!" Ed bellowed at Al; Serah lifted herself up onto the table. She rested the crutch beside her, while enjoying the happiness and joy from the air around Nina and Al. -
"What were you doing if you weren't looking for any files?" The young Alchemist glared at the air in front of him, Serah rested her chin in her palm.
"Um, Nina looked like she wanted to play."
"Don't be so easygoing!" Ed scowled at his younger brother, while Serah watched fondly the brothers. Ed pushed Alexander of him and sat up, Nina was beaming largely as she watched her dog lick Ed's face.
"Alexander says he wants to play with mister, too."
"Yeah Ed, Alexander wants to play." The Alchemist cast a playful scowl at Serah, the Ishvalen laughed as she stared at them.
"Oh, you sure got some guts to want to play with me…. They say that lions use all their energy when hunting rabbits."
"So, are you the rabbit then?" Ed gaped at Serah, making her laugh louder. His eyes softened, seeing her laugh like that. It has been a while since she had laughed like this, it gave him joy to see her happy and enjoying herself. He quickly shook his head, not wanting to jump into that rabbit hole…
"I, Edward Elric, am going after you with everything I got, you damn mutt!"
"God, he is such a kid sometimes."
"You got that right, Serah." Al and Serah stared after Ed as he disappeared from their sight, running after Alexander. Nina laughed loudly at the sight; Serah pushed herself up from the chair while Al grabbed the other crutch. He handled it over to her, The Ishvalen took it and placed it under her arm. Together they went after Ed and Alexander, slowly as Serah's injury had started hurting because she has been on her feet too long.
Later in the evening, the trio and Nina were outside in the front yard. Al and Ed were playing with Nina and Alexander while Serah watched, sitting on the concrete railing of the stairs. Havoc rested an elbow against the door, staring at them, a bit confused and surprised at the sight.
"Yo, Bosses. I'm here to pick you up." Alexander was laying once again on top of Ed while Nina was beaming leading against the back of her dog, Al was standing near Serah.
"…. What the hell are you going?" Ed sat up and pushed the dog off him, crossing his legs.
"Erm, we're just taking a little break from scramming around for files, or something like that!" Ed defended; Tucker stared at the young Alchemist with an unreadable expression. Serah frowned, noticing the look, she crossed her arms under her chest.
"Does that mean you found anything helpful?" Ed's expression fell, Tucker quickly told him that they could come back tomorrow. Ed dragged his feet as he walked over to Serah, helping her up from the railing before reaching for the crutches and handed them to her. The Ishvalen gripped the handles, she moved down the stairs with Ed beside her.
"Misters, are you going to come to see me again?" Nina asked Al with a smile, Al leaned closer to the little girl while his brother and Serah had moved further away from the Tucker house with Havoc behind them.
"Sure, we will, Nina." Nina beamed at Al before the younger Elric turned with a wave, Havoc walked the trio back to the hotel where they have decided to stay during their time in East city.
"See you tomorrow, bosses." They waved after Havoc as he left them at the entrance of the hotel, the trio walked inside to their room. Al opened the door with the key, before stepping to the side. Serah hopped inside the room with Ed and Al right behind her, she immediately went over to one of the beds and sat down with a groan. Ed moved over to her and took the crutches from her and placed them against the footboard of the bed, Al bought Serah's bag over to them. He placed it on the ground near his brother, before stepping back over to the door.
"I am going to get dinner for you both." Serah and Ed voiced their thanks, the Alchemist sat down next to Serah with a sigh. The Ishvalen pulled her braid over her shoulder, taking the hairband of before running her fingers through her hair. Pulling the hairband onto her wrist before standing up, grabbing the bag from the floor. She moved over to the bathroom; Ed fell on the bed with his arms outstretched as Serah closed the door. When she came back out from the bathroom, Ed rested an arm over his eyes. The Ishvalen sighed at the sight, she had changed into a loose tank top and shorts. The bandage on her thigh was visible, Serah let go of her bag near the bed. Ed pushed himself up on his elbows, staring at Serah. His glace turned to her injury, as she sat down beside him. The Alchemist moved to knee on the floor as he reached for her bag, pulled out a roll of clear bandage. His eyes were soft as he changed the worn bandage around her thigh, Serah smiled softly down at the top of Ed's head while her eyes were half-opened. After he had wrapped the new bandage around Serah's thigh, she lifted his chin so she could look into his eyes. Serah smiled at him as she rested her forehead against his, letting out a soft sigh. Ed moved to sit on the bed against the wall, Serah shifted so she could lay against Ed. He wrapped his arms around her stomach, pulling her close. She rested her head against his shoulder and placed her hands on top of his, she loves those small moments, they share even if they are few and far in between, the little moments mean so much to her. These moments are where she can let her guard down, and truly relax and forget everything around them. Ed cherished the moments, they have, as well. He takes pride in that Serah can relax completely with him during them, he does as well. He can let go of his doubts and fears in these moments, they share with each other.
After dinner, Serah and Ed got ready for bed. The older Elric had changed into a black tank top and briefs, Serah was sitting with her legs crossed and her back facing Ed as he ran his fingers through her long hair, untangling the knots gently before braiding the silver hair. He tied the end with a hair tie that was around his wrist, they crawled under the blanket. Ed pulled Serah into his embrace by wrapping his arms around her, Serah laid halfway on top of the Alchemist with her hand on his chest, near his heart. He tightened his hold on Serah's hip, as he closed his eyes. They fell asleep shortly after the other, their breathing evened out.
Nina beamed as she opened the front door with Alexander right behind her, Serah smiled as the little girl wrapped her arms around the Ishvalen's waist. Nina had woken up two hours ago and after breakfast, watched the front yard from the window in the living room. The little girl was waiting exciting for the trio to come back, Alexander laid on the floor beside Nina.
"Good morning Little one." Serah smiled softly at the girl, who immediately grinned while staring up at the silver-haired girl. Ed and Al were standing behind the Ishvalen, Alexander whined softly as if he wanted to greet the trio as well.
"Good morning! Sissy, Big brother!" Serah froze as she stared down at Nina as the little girl beamed at the Trio. The nickname took the Ishvalen by surprise as her younger sister was the only one to call her 'sissy'. Ed and Al grinned slightly at the two girls, the brothers watched as Serah looked stargazed and Nina beamed with wide eyes and a big smile. It wasn't easy to get Serah to be speechless, it had only happened once or twice in the time the Elrics have known the Ishvalen. The silver-haired girl dropped the clutches and picked Nina up, bluntly and stupidly ignoring her injure. Ed face-palmed while Al sighed, Nina immediately wrapped her arms around Serah's neck. The older Elric bent down and picked up one of the clutches as the Ishvalen shifted her hold on the younger girl, holding Nina close to her chest with one arm. Ed held out the clutch towards the Ishvalen who took it into her own hand, before the trio stepped into the house with Alexander following them.
Serah was holding another book in her hand as her eyes moved along the lines, taking in every word while trying to find something more out about The Man from the West. With one crutch in her hand, she walked over to another shelf and looked at the titles of the books. She found one that seemed interesting, taking it with her. She moved over to the table in the library, Ed noticed her and pulled out a chair for her. The Ishvalen smiled in thanks and sat down, placing the crutch to lean against the edge of the table. Nina was sitting on the floor with Alexander by her side as she leaned against the dog, looked over her shoulder at Al.
"Ohh, two years ago, your mother…" Al traded off, turning the little girl while holding a book in his hands.
"Yeah, daddy said, she went back to her family."
"Oh, it must be lonely to be in a big house like this with just your father." Serah glanced over to Al and Nina, listening to their conversation.
"No, I'm ok! Daddy's nice and I have Alexander too! But… but lately, it's been lonely because daddy's been cooping himself up in his lab." Nina explained with a sad look in her eyes as she half buried her face in Alexander's fur with her arms around his neck. Serah turned her attention to Nina, along with Ed who lowered his hands. He rested an elbow on his knee while holding a book in his hand, as Serah shifted in her seat towards the others.
"Ok, I'm feeling stiff from doing nothing but reading every day."
"The best relief for stiff shoulders is a bit of exercise, Brother." Al glanced over to Ed, while Serah grabbed her crutch and pulled herself up from the chair as Ed stood up from the floor and dusted off his pants.
"Yeah, I'll do some exercising in the garden. Hey, mutt! I need exercise, so I'll play with you!" The Alchemist pointed at Alexander as Serah stepped over to him, she was wearing a smile.
"Come on, Nina too." she stared up at Al who looked down at her, Nina beamed. Outside the house, Ed, Al, Nina, and Alexander were playing around with each other while Serah was sitting on the concrete railing of the stairs. The air felt light and warm as it was filled with laughter and joy but there was something else too, Serah couldn't put her finger on it. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, as she watched Alexander jumped on Ed.
"It's gonna rain today," Ed spoke as Al rang the doorbell, Serah was frowning as she narrowed her eyes. She felt the same dead and unease feeling, she had the first day, they were here. The Ishvalen clenched her grip on her crutch as the unease seeks into her bones. Al opened the door and peeked inside the entrance of the house.
"Hello! Mr. Tucker, thanks in advance for today!"
"Huh?" Al stared down at the hallway, confused at the empty and dark space, before the trio stepped inside the house, wary and confused.
"No one's here." Ed looked around the hallway as they walked through the house, Al was in front of Ed and Serah. The Alchemist rested a hand at the low of Serah's spine, having noticed that she was tense and warier than himself and Al.
"Mr. Tucker?" They looked in the places where they thought Nina and Tucker could be, Serah grew more wary and anxious as time passed and as they went deeper into the house.
"Mr. Tucker?"
"Nina?" They almost went past a room with a half-opened door when Serah stopped walking, Ed turned to her for a moment before following her glance and noticed the opened door. Ed went over to the door first with Al right behind him, Serah closed her eyes for a moment, hating the way the air felt around her. It made her sick to her stomach, something was very wrong, something bad had happened in this house. And she doesn't like it, not even one bit, even if she doesn't know what it is. Tucker was kneeling on the ground, looking at something hidden by the door.
"What, so there is somebody here."
"Oh, it's you guys. Take a look at the finished product." Tucker stood up and gestured to the creature beside him, it looked like a dog but…. With long brown hair, sort of hid its eyes. Serah moved very slowly after Ed and Al, she felt like puking, her stomach rolled uncomfortably. The air was wrong, it was almost like she didn't want to step inside the room, she stopped at the door frame.
"This is a chimera that can learn language." Tucker looked proud at it, as he smirked as he stared at the trio.
"Watch this, ready? This person is Edward." Tucker pointed at Ed, staring at the Chimera. It turned to the young Alchemist, tilting its head.
"Ed-ward?"
"That's right, good job." Tucker petted the Chimera on top of its head.
"Go-od job?" Ed stared at the Chimera in disbelief and shock.
"I can't believe it; it really is talking."
"Phew, I'm glad that I made it in time for the evaluation. I saved my neck; I don't have to worry about my research funding again for the time being." Tucker grinned as he rubbed the back of his neck while Ed kneed down in front of the Chimera.
"This young lady is Serah; can you say Ser-ah." Tucker asked the Chimera, Serah frowned as she stared at the Chimera. Something is completely wrong; a deep dreaded feeling grew in her stomach.
"Se-ra-h, Ser-ah, Serah, Sis-sy, Sissy." Serah's eyes widen in complete horror and shock, Ed and Al frowned, feeling confused. The Ishvalen frowned as she kneeled down beside Ed, in front of the Chimera. She rested a palm on its cheek, before leaning forward and leaned her forehead against the Chimera's.
"Oh, Nina." Serah breathed, Ed's expression turned to horror and disbelief, staring at the Chimera, Serah sensed the emotions change around Ed.
"Mr. Tucker, when was your research on talking Chimeras approved of and when did you get your license?"
"That was two years ago, I believe."
"When did your wife leave?"
"…. Two years ago." The older Alchemist turned to Ed with narrowed eyes, not understanding where he is going with the questions.
"One more question, alright." Ed lifted a hand and rested it on the Chimera's chin.
"Where did Nina and Alexander go?" Ed glared at Tucker while the younger Elric stared at the older Alchemist in shock, confusion, and disbelief. Tucker held a neutral and aggravated expression as he stared at Ed, the older Elric placed a hand on Serah's shoulder for comfort.
"I hate kids with good instincts like you." Ed raised in an instant and grabbed the front of Tucker's shirt, slamming the Alchemist against the wall. The air grew heavy with rage and sadness, it blended with the dread and unease.
"Brother!" Al stared at his brother.
"Oh, so that's how it was! You son of bitch! How dare you, you bastard! You used your wife two years ago! And this time, you used your own daughter and dog to transmute to a Chimera!" Ed screamed at Tucker, pressing his arm more against Tucker's throat. Al turned to the Chimera, shocked and confused.
"Yeah, you can only do so much with animal experimentation. So, it should be a piece of cake if you used humans! Right!?" Serah immediately stood up, her shoulders were tense as she watched Ed shouting at Tucker.
"Why are you so mad?"
"Haven't the advances mankind has made come from the results of countless experiments on human beings, to use medical science as an example? As a scientist, you-" Serah fell back against Al's armor as a memory flashed through her mind, she nearly fainted from the images. She swallowed a scream as her eyes watered, Serah wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"No fucking way! Do you think you're going to be forgiven for doing something like this!? For…. toying with human lives!"
"Human lives!? Ha-ha! Yeah, human lives! Fullmetal Alchemist! Take a look at your limps and your little brother!" The flash of pain disappeared and rage took its place in Ed's expression as he pulled his automail arm back and slammed his closed fist into Tucker's face, knocking off his glasses. Tucker grinned maniac at Ed with a crazed look in his eyes while blood dripped down his chin.
"Aren't those the results of your so-called 'Toying with human lives?"
"WE'RE THE SAME, YOU AND I!" Tucker bellowed at Ed whose expression turned to rage and despair, Serah couldn't move, her legs were frozen, locked in place.
"You're wrong!"
"No, I'm not! You saw a possibility in front of you and you just had to try it!"
"You're wrong!" The blonde Alchemist repeated himself, Al stood still, a few feet behind his brother.
"And even if you knew it was banned, you couldn't stop yourself from trying!" Ed smashed his fist into Tucker's face again.
"You're wrong!"
"We Alchemists…" Ed repeated the actions of hitting Tucker, time and time again.
"Stuff like this… I… I…!" Serah stumbled forward and grabbed Ed's fist in her hand, stopping him from hitting Tucker again. She held tightly, gently pulling the Alchemist away from the beaten man who was leaning against the wall with blood down his face.
"Stop… please. She doesn't deserve to see this, Ed" Serah glanced over at Nina with a remorseful and vulnerable expression, slowly Serah moved towards the door with Ed in her embrace and Al behind them.
"It's not possible to get things done without dirtying your hands," Tucker mumbled, Al stopped and turned his head to look over his shoulder at Tucker.
"Mr. Tucker, If you keep talking this time, I'll shut you up." The young Elric knelt by Nina and placed a hand on her chin, Serah and Ed had stepped outside the lab.
"Nina, I'm sorry. We can't restore you with what we know right now."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Al repeated himself as he apologized, looking at Nina.
"Pla-ay, let's play, let's play," Nina spoke to Al.
Al had called Mustang and explained what had happened, the Colonel and his unit arrived quickly at the house. Serah had lead Ed outside, keeping a tight hold on his hands. They were sitting on the stairs, leading to the front doors of the house. It had started to rain heavily, The Alchemist and the Ishvalen ignored the dense rain. Their fingers were laced together as Serah leaned against his arm and rested a hand on his wrist, Ed rested his head against hers. The air was heavy with grief, despair, numbness, vulnerable, Serah still felt sick from what happened with Nina by the hand of her father. It isn't right, the little girl never deserved this…. No one does, A tear rolled down Serah's cheek, as she closed her eyes tightly.
"If there is such a thing as the work of the devil, then there's no doubt it's what happened in this incident."
"The devil, huh? To be frank, we State Alchemists are the human weapons of the Military."
"Should something happen, we will be mobilized, and should the order be given, we must be ready to dirty our own hands."
"As far as what we do to human lives, there isn't much of a difference between Mr. Tucker's actions and our own."
"That's the reasoning of an adult, even if they act like an adult, they are still just children."
"Even with all, they have seen in their lives?" Hawkeye turned to the Colonel, as they stepped down the stairs towards the trio.
"However, there will probably be hardship and anguish greater than today awaiting them ahead of the path they had chosen, together. And even if they are forced to accept it, all they can do is keep moving forward."
"Isn't that right, Fullmetal, Scarlet?" Mustang and his lieutenant neared the trio, Al was sitting a little to the side and behind Serah and Ed.
"How long do you plan to sulk like that?"
"Shut up."
"Even if you are called a dog of the military or a devil, the one who decided to make full use of those privileges to restore those bodies was you." The Colonel addressed Ed; he tightened his fingers around Serah's.
"Do you have the time to take a break for something as minor as this?" Serah stayed silently, as she knew what the Colonel was doing, pushing Ed out from the depression, guilt, anger, the older Elric was feeling with hash and blunt words.
"'As minor'…. huh"
"Yeah, I'll restore our bodies, even if we get called dogs or devils. But still, we're not devils and we're not gods." Ed stood up and glared down at the back of Mustang's head, Serah stared sadly up at the boy beside her.
"We're human beings! And we couldn't even save one little girl!"
"Insignificant human beings!" Ed gritted his teeth in anger and grief.
"You'll catch a cold, go back and get some rest." The colonel and Hawkeye left the trio on the stairs, Serah moved to her feet while taking Ed's hand. Tugging him with her, they walked back to their hotel room.
Al opened the door for his brother and the Ishvalen, allowing them to walk inside the room first. Serah limped over to the bathroom to grab a couple of towels; she laid one over her shoulders as she moved back to Ed who was sitting on the bed. The Ishvalen placed it on top of his head, she gently started to dry his hair. The Alchemist gripped her hips and brought her closer, forcing her to place a knee on the bed, next to Ed's leg. He buried his face against her torso, while she continued to dry his hair. Al took a seat on the floor next to the bed, they were silent as they got lost in their thoughts.
Soooo, I know that it has been a long time since I updated this story, but to be honest, life got busy with my internship, vacation, making things for Artist Alley for an anime convention in late September. And like I have mentioned in one of the previous chapters, updating this story and the others that are posted will take time.
And I actually hadn't worked on any of my posted and planned stories for months, so that's that. Besides that, I honestly don't know if I will have time to work on this story from now, till December as I start on Monday with the first school semester. But I guess we'll see if there be another update before the new year.
Anyway, take care and stay safe, See you next time :)