Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ For A Moment ❯ Edward ( Chapter 3 )

For A Moment

 

Disclaimer: Oh, what I'd do if I owned Full Metal Alchemist. For starters, certain people who died would not (don't want to ruin the surprise for those of you who haven't seen episode 25), Roy and Riza would be married with children by now, Ed would have hooked up with Winry by now, Havoc would be in the 3D world so he can be mine, and other things I can't remember right now.

 

Summary: Rated for Ed (you know how bad his mouth gets). “For a moment, eyes as red as the blood I would shed looked back at me.” “Though he would never admit it, for a moment, absolute fear shone in his eyes.” “For a moment, he walked with the souls of the dead.”

Also known as Fullmetal vs. Flame: The Day Roy Showed Fear.

 

At least it wasn't raining anymore. They would've picked a dry day anyway, with Mustang's alchemic power and everything. Aw, who cares? I can beat him without a handicap! Rain depresses me anyway.

 

Hughes would find the only spot on the parade grounds with a puddle. Unceremoniously stepping into it, he went into some weird announcer routine. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Eastern Command Center Festival! A guaranteed break from that soldier grind! Incidentally, take a look.” With that, he pulled the green cover off what looked like a small wall, revealing—what else?—a giant photo of Elicia. “My daughter, who turned three this year. Isn't she adorable?” It was obvious from the looks on the soldiers' faces that they had been expecting something along the lines of a naked woman, and were angry that they didn't get what they wanted. And soldiers who've been drinking and are angry tend to do violent things. A person could have a yard sale with what was thrown at Hughes and his picture. Something large and reddish-brown hit the back, sending it crashing down on Hughes' head. All this time, he's screaming, “Oh no! Don't fall on Daddy! Elicia! Ahhhhhhh! Ow!” Some soldiers grinned, some yelled, and some, like Fury, Havoc, and Breda, had an `I can't believe I know him' look on their faces.

 

Ten minutes, three janitors, one being Armstrong, two bruises and two bandages later: “And now, without further distraction, we move directly to the day's main event! In the red corner, the Flame Alchemist and hero of the Eastern Rebellion, Colonel Roy Mustang! Give it up!” They gave it up, all right. Insults. Lots and lots of insults. About his motives, his character, and his personal life. Some guy wanted his girlfriend back. One would notice that the people shouting these very insults could not be seen, probably because while Hawkeye and Farman had impassive expressions, Mustang looked slightly annoyed. When he was annoyed, he had a tendency to snap. In more ways than one.

 

“In the blue corner, the Full Metal Alchemist and living legend of the people, let's hear it for Edward Elric!” Alright, I didn't expect a standing ovation, but I also didn't expect them to instantly start cracking on me. I wouldn't have been nearly so angry if I had a cool and scary posse. What was my posse? Al, my brother and the gentlest seven-foot-tall hunk of metal with a heart of gold, and a cat. And now the joking starts. “What? Where? I can't see him!” “Working grade-schooler's more like it!” “Good luck, bean sprout!” What did he just say?

 

“Don't call me small! I'll break down your feet and stick `em on your head!” I desperately wanted to find that guy, he was probably tall and needed to be brought down to size; but Al would have none of it. “Calm down,” he said soothingly, while keeping me from killing some random soldier with a death wish. “Okay, Al. You're right; today's a great day—the day I beat Mustang's pompous mug in front of the whole army and get some damn respect.” “But we're indebted to him, brother!” Al reasoned. What did I care? That didn't make him any less irritating. In a way, I'm indebted to our father, and I hate him too. “He's asked for it. Saying he knows all we do, acting like he'd let our secret out, then not telling me what I need to know!” Now acting resigned to my decision, he asked, “So what's your strategy?” Strategy? Who has time to think up strategy? “I told you, a fist in his face!” I was really angry now. Why does Al act so stupid sometimes?

 

By now Mustang had moved to the middle of the grounds and was waiting for me. I went to face him and Al walked off to the sidelines. I'd better remind Mustang of the stakes. “This assessment means nothing to me. If I win you tell me all you know about Marcoh, and let's not forget, you'll have a new cat.” Right now I would love nothing more than to rip that smug smirk off his face. Patience, Ed. You'll be able to do that in a few moments, as soon as Lt. Colonel Obsession gives the mark. “Alchemists, get set…” Hughes suddenly straightened, bowed, turned and took off as fast as he could, blue in the face and screaming, “Ready and fight!”

 

I was so confused I didn't even register his last words. Mustang did, though, and as I turned toward him, saying, “What?” his reply consisted of, “Too slow,” and the first snap of the day. The audience was definitely getting its money's worth, and I went tumbling. “Damn it, that was a cheap shot!” The words had barely left my mouth when a vortex of flame came swirling toward me. I got up and ran, but the fire was faster, and an explosion behind me sent me flying. “A soldier favors haste over cleverness, means there are no cheap shots, Edward.” Honorless bastard. “Strike quickly and you'll end it quickly too,” he included as he got ready to release another blast.

 

Wait a minute. Is it just me, or is the Colonel…sparkling? Never mind.

 

I can do little else but scream and run as blast after blast threatened my hair, coat, and face. I warned the Colonel, “Just wait till I stop running!” Then, as I saw Breda, Havoc and Fury, I got an idea. I jumped over the barrier and into the crowd, using Fury's head for support. At least I said, “Sorry!” I barely heard Mustang say, “Well, I guess I can't torch you all.” I was too busy still running to see that ever-present smirk light his face as he loudly said, “This is hard; he's such a small target.” Grrrrrrrr! “Who are you calling small?” I yelled. “If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate and never fall for an enemy's taunts,” he attempted to teach as he extended his arm. Everyone on that side of the grounds, including me, went blue in the face. I never expected him to shoot into the crowd!

 

“You've got to be kidding!” Soldiers and flames flew everywhere and everyone on that side of the arena started to run. I saw Mustang looking for me and decided not to disappoint. He peered through the smoke and stepped out, smiling evilly. “Need more?” he asked, extending his arm again. I heard him start when he saw that he was facing a doll wearing my coat and my hairstyle. Dummy versus dummy. He turned, surprised, as I sliced through the smoke and ripped his glove with my blade. I retorted, “Cheap shot!” He should've known I'd get him back. “Without that glove you can't make flames anymore, can you?” I clapped and proceeded to do some alchemy as I explained, “That's advantage Elric.” The brave soldiers left stood awed as I pulled a humongous cannon out of the ground. Mustang still stood in fighting position, even though I don't know why. There'd be no point unless he had…

 

He smirked again and pulled his left hand out from where it had been hidden in his pocket all day. To my complete and utter terror, that one sported the match to his now torn right glove. He calmly showed me that his ability was in no way impaired because of not using his dominant hand as he blew up my cannon. I was shot into the sky, ironically like a cannon would, and landed in a pile of rubble. Roy moved behind me as I coughed and turned to look over my shoulder. “All war is deception.” You got that right. How was I supposed to know that both hands were gloved? “Think that your enemy has a weakness and it becomes his strength. Remember that.”

 

I looked up at him in anger and exhaustion. “Just end it,” I snapped, not in the mood for his `words of wisdom' at this time, or any. He raised his hand, and replied, “You don't have to ask.” Suddenly, his teeth clenched, and his eyes widened, showing dark gray orbs. A familiar look on an unfamiliar face. I instantly seized my opportunity and transmuted my arm into a blade, placing it to his neck. Though he would never admit it, for a moment, absolute fear shone in his eyes. And if Roy Mustang was afraid, there was a problem. I was too focused on winning the fight to pay too much attention to it now. I'd have to ask him sometime later.

 

He stood frozen until the Fuhrer broke my concentration by calling out, “All right. That's far enough. An excellent fight by two skilled alchemists.” Mustang instantly stood at attention and saluted. Where does he think he's going? “We are honored by your compliment, Fuhrer.” I get it, he's sucking up to end early. Well, I'm not letting him get away with it. I turned to the Fuhrer, and growled, somewhat annoyed, “Don't stop us now. We're not done yet.” He countered, “That may be true, but if I let you go on,” he looked over the grounds, “it would be much harder for just the two of you to clean up.”

 

The two of us! How about just Mustang? If we have to clean up together, then he's carrying off all those people he set on fire. That was all his fault. Wait a minute. Who won? Did I pass? Does Mustang take the cat? Tell me!

 

 

A/N: Well, I'm back. Will be posting once a week from now until the end, which won't be long, because I accidentally erased the episode I was writing from on Friday. A bad mix of confusing schedule, Case Closed, and being rushed. I'll just put the epilogue (the only part I didn't finish) up when "Fullmetal vs. Flame" comes back around. Until next week, R&R please!