Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ For A Moment ❯ Maes ( Chapter 5 )

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.

 

Well, this is it. Assessment day. As much as I was looking forward to it yesterday, now I was very uneasy. Partially because someone spiked the drinks, and partially because Roy was staring daggers into my back. He shouldn't look at me like that. It's not my fault! It's Ed's fault for suggesting it, and the Fuhrer's fault for liking it. For that, Roy suggested I be referee. Not on your life! Roy would probably be trying to attack both me and Ed. And this is one mess that I'm not getting him out of. We finally settled on announcer. I didn't mind. I've even been practicing those announcer voices on the radio! I stepped out onto the field. Oooh, a puddle. After about a minute, I stomped in it and shouted over the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Eastern Command Center Festival! A guaranteed break from that soldier grind! Incidentally, take a look.” The men were excited. Good, they should be. This will probably be the most beautiful sight they will ever see. With that said, I dramatically pulled off the cover to the masterpiece: my lovely daughter! “My daughter, who turned three this year. Isn't she adorable?” I was getting the distinct vibe that they didn't think so. Then the most horrible atrocity known to man happened. Those barbarians actually started throwing things at her. My baby, my Elicia! I tried to protect her, but something hit her hard, and she started to lean forward. I saw her shadow and saw her heading toward a meeting with the ground. Even worse, it seemed that she intended to take me with her. “Oh no! Don't fall on Daddy! Elicia! Ahhhhhhh! Ow!” I heard those ruffians snickering. I think I'll find out who each and every one was and search for something to blackmail them with. Honestly, what did they expect? A picture of someone naked?

 

For the record, the next time a tapestry-sized canvas of Elicia is sandwiching me to the ground, please don't send Armstrong to help. I've been bruised and battered, had the air knocked out of me, and now I am looking for more projectiles to protect my Elicia from. The last thing I need to see is pink sparkles and a burly, muscled man striking shocking gay poses while `promising'—more like threatening—to “fix me up nice and pretty.” No, thank you. After convincing him that the best way to help me is by carrying the canvas off to the library—in Central—I was able to get to the medical ward and get some bandages.

 

Now I'm back, and the show must go on. Recalling my practiced voice and moves, I resumed, “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!” Ouch, poor Roy. I didn't mean for `it' to be complaints. Compassion flashed in my eyes momentarily before I regained my composure. I hope Roy didn't see that. I can hear his reaction now: “I know you meant well, but I don't want or need your sympathy.” With this kind of public opinion, it'll be hard to make Roy the next Fuhrer. He needs to hurry up and get popular. Why does he have to make my job harder? “Give me back my girlfriend!” I wanted to grimace, slap my forehead, and drag the hand down my face. What a way to win support! He looks a bit exasperated. At least he's not smirking. That wouldn't have gone over well at all.

 

“In the blue corner, the Full Metal Alchemist and living legend of the people, let's hear it for Edward Elric!” It seems that he's had no better luck in winning the cheering masses of Amestris' military dogs than Roy. Are they seriously teasing him about his height? They're going to regret that. “Good luck, bean sprout!” “Don't call me small! I'll break down your feet and stick `em on your head!” Where does he get these threats? Whoever said that's lucky Al's always with Ed, or he'd be getting hacked into little pieces by now. I heard him say, “Calm down,” and force Ed into a reluctant cease-fire. Ed's muttering something about beating Roy and respect as I strain to hear their conversation. I'm sure everyone present heard his last comment to Al, “I told you, a fist in his face!”

 

Both alchemists at last look like they're ready to begin. Ed wants to say something first. “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.” He should care. No certification, no resources, no Philosopher's Stone. A cat? I always thought Roy was more of a dog person, myself. No response, so it's time. “Alchemists, get set…” Wait a minute. Why am I still here? So I won't attract too much attention from Gran, who seems to think soldiers can't have fear, I stand straight, bow, then turn around and try to escape away from the impending disaster, barely remembering to yell into the microphone, “Ready and fight!”

 

Ed was too confused to notice that the fight had begun. He turned to Roy and asked, “What?” Roy took full opportunity of this and remarked, “Too slow,” sending a fiery blast his way. It was strong, pushing Ed away quite easily. That was partially my fault. Maybe I should apologize…Nah! Ed was angry, barking out, “Damn it, that was a cheap shot!” and trying to evade a much bigger fireball headed for him. Seeing Roy smile, I knew he'd taken it upon himself to play teacher to the naive young boy. Roy answered, “A soldier favors haste over cleverness, means there are no cheap shots, Edward. Strike quickly and you'll end it quickly too.” After a minute, I can conclude that now he's just showing off.

 

Oh, no. Are those…sparkles? My eyes! Stop the burning! Stop the madness! Stop the madness!

 

If Ed doesn't start an offensive soon, the fight is over. Granted, he hasn't had a chance to catch his breath since the battle started, but some real fights will be the same. Unexpectedly he started running for the barrier, yelling over his shoulder, “Just wait till I stop running!” He cleared the wall, with some help from Fury's head, and disappeared into the throng. That section of the crowd now had a rather large problem on their hands, commonly called Roy on a rampage. I'm really glad I'm on the other side of the grounds. Amazingly, he skidded to a stop and thoughtfully commented, “Well, I guess I can't torch you all.” He was probably figuring out how to burn the smallest amount of people that included Ed. Then he piped up, “This is hard; he's such a small target.” Ed's one

weakness, he exploits to the best of his ability. Just like Roy. As expected, he pops up out of the crowd, raving, “Who are you calling small?” Ed must have a death wish. “If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate and never fall for an enemy's taunts,” Roy instructed as he positioned his fingers. Maybe this fight wasn't such a good idea after all. Everyone on that side of the grounds, including Ed, seems to agree, judging from their blue faces.

 

I always thought that humans would eventually fly, but I didn't think it would be like this. Especially accompanied by screams of fear. Ed hit it on the mark when he yelled, “You've got to be kidding me!” The spectators are just running now? People are stupid. I heard Roy state, “Okay, maybe I overdid it.” That's the understatement of the year. I thought I could see Ed's figure in the smoke and dust. Apparently, Roy saw the same thing I did, because he dashed toward it. All of a sudden, Ed appeared behind him. Unable to inform him of the imminent attack, I could only watch as Ed lunged at Roy, tearing his glove. “Cheap shot!” he said. I wasn't worried, though. Unfortunately for Ed, he had become overly confident in his seeming victory. “Without that glove you can't make flames anymore, can you?” For once Ed smirked as he clapped his hands and

performed his alchemy: “That's advantage Elric.” He created a giant cannon. I started to wonder whether I was right in deciding not to worry about Roy. I mean, he hasn't reacted yet.

 

Then Roy showed his signature smirk and I relaxed. He shrugged his left hand out of its pocket and I confirmed he was wearing his other glove with relief. Ed can be vicious sometimes when he's in the mood to be. Ed screamed and Roy quickly disposed of the cannon, causing it to explode. As Ed projected toward the heavens, I made a note to myself never to learn alchemy. If Roy doesn't consider me an equal, then he'll never mistreat me so badly. At least I hope. More than once he's shot his flames in my direction. Usually, I've been able to make it out the door before it burst into flames. Ed will have to work on his landing. He is alive though. Many of Roy's opponents can't say that, or anything for that matter.

 

As he recovers from his near-death experience, Roy gives him the final lesson. “All war is deception. Think that your enemy has a weakness and it becomes his strength. Remember that.” Ed, probably still angry about his defeat, simply answers, “Just end it.” Roy almost looks as relieved as he is smug. “You don't have to ask.” He readies for the final blow, and abruptly stops…I recognize that look. That's the face he wore whenever he woke up in a cold sweat in his office and called me if I wasn't at work. At that time, Roy was no longer in the land of the living. For a moment, he walked with the souls of the dead. The Ishbalan dead, to be exact. Once again he's seeing every person whose blood stained his gloves and his heart. Right now I want to shake him, punch him, hug him, and take him out for a drink. Clearly that's inappropriate at this point and downright dangerous now, since Ed seized on Roy's hesitation and now has his arm ready to slit Roy's throat. I remember a time when he would've welcomed the piercing pain and blood as a release from his sins. That was before. Before he decided to channel his anger and guilt into a productive purpose that would benefit Amestris and its people in the best way possible. The Fuhrer chose now to end the duel with a firm, "All right, that's far enough."

 

He clapped rather loudly, probably to bring the two out of their apparent stupor. "A excellent fight by two skilled alchemists." Roy looked glad to be relieved of the situation as he stood and saluted. "We are honored by your compliment, Fuhrer." Ed, not surprisingly, wasn't yet satisfied. "Don't stop us now. We're not done yet." Sorry to burst your bubble Ed, but everyone else is. The Fuhrer replied, "That may be true, but if I let you go on," and his eyes swept over what used to be the Eastern Parade Grounds, "it would be much harder for just the two of you to clean up." The looks on their faces were priceless. Man, I wish I had brought a camera. Today would be the day I decide not to bring it! Oh well. Now about that drink…

 

 

A/N: Yes, pplz, final chapter for now! Thought I'd get a third party's perspective on the fight. Epilogue coming in about, a month, maybe? Gotta get that episode back. Bye for now! And review, for a change!