This idea has haunted me for years ever since I first stepped foot into Al-Mamoon and saw the milk fountains. At last I found the time to set it free.

Stick to the Script and Other Stories

By Bilbo-sama

[FMA x NNK] A Tale of Rude Tourists

"This is disgusting!" yelled a young boy's voice. Oliver, Drippy, and Esther paused in their tracks and looked at each other in confusion. All three silently agreed to investigate. Just as well, it was close to the milk fountains outside of the palace. Asking the Cowlipha for a letter that grants them passage to Autumnia can be delayed just a little longer.

The source of the noise was an irate blonde boy who was gesturing wildly to a large brown and white robot-like familiar that seemed to tower over him even when slumping in tired resignation.

"Brother," it said to Oliver and Esther's surprise. Since when can familiars talk? "It's not hurting anybody."

"But Al!" whined the boy as he pointed to the sky and Oliver blinked as something on the boy's wrist reflected light (a watch?), "desert! Heat! Sand!"

"That's what you find in deserts, yes," agreed Al as it rested its head against its large clamp-like hand.

"Now combine that with..." the boy grimaced, "this foul substance, what do you get? Something even more gross!"

Oliver blinked as local onlookers muttered to each other. That's true. How are they keeping sand out of the milk fountains?

"Magic, obviously," if Al had the ability, Oliver was sure the familiar would roll its eyes.

"Excuse me," called a female merchant, "if you are done insulting the Cowlipha's gift to our kingdom, are you willing to purchase any wares?" Esther recognized the tone. She knew that everyone was going to raise prices out of spite once word has spread.

The familiar seemed to have caught on as well and let out a deep sigh as its summoner replied distractedly, "Yeah, sure."

"So you are my new master," said the alchemy genie (who had introduced himself as Al-khemi) as he leaned in closer for a closer look at Oliver.

"Indeed I am," replied the boy nervously.

"Then you must know there are rules as to what I can create," Al-khemi crossed his arms as he frowned at the young wizard.

"What are they?" asked the blonde girl in Mamooni garb who had introduced herself as Esther.

"Firstly, the most important one you should know," began the genie, "is that I cannot bring back people from the dead. It cannot be done and if you continue to insist like one of my last masters had, I will be forced to punish you for your arrogance. How do you like your limbs?"

"A-attached and unbroken," stammered Oliver as Esther squeaked a scared noise.

"Excellent," grinned Al-Khemi, "then we understand each other, yes?"

"Ugh, how much farther do we have to go?" grumbled Edward.

"We'll be there soon, Brother," Alphonse attempted to soothe his older brother as he paused to shake sand out of his leg joints.

"We better," huffed Edward, "Sage Rashaad said that this guy is the head honcho of the great sages."

"What should we do if even Supreme Sage Solomon can't help us?" asked Alphonse.

"I...don't know," admitted Edward before he decided, "We'll figure something out."

As long as they don't need to turn to the Dark Djinn for guidance, they'll find a way to restore their bodies. Edward was sure of it.

Okay so the familiar Al has been turned into is a Tin Man of the genus automata. It would've been his familiar but once he lost his body and Ed traded his arm as a deal to save his brother, Al is technically a wild familiar since game mechanics don't apply (stamina limit in battles and what not) here. I guess. *shrugs*

Shadar in this AU leaves them be because Oliver is more of a threat to him and, well, the Elrics are already punished for their foolishness and Al was the one better with magic and he can't really do that anymore (since he's now limited to familiar abilities). So...they took themselves out and he didn't need to do anything.