Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ New World ❯ Imaim ( Chapter 2 )

The train whistle let out a lone mournful cry before it started to slowly move forward. Ed pressed his face against window, gazing at Al who was waving solemnly at him. Whilst watching Al slowly disappear, Edward waved back, not even sure the suit of armor had even seen him. He slunk back into his seat, depressed and not knowing what to do for the rest of the time.

The whole train was practically crawling with soldiers, all wearing blue uniforms. Feeling out of place, Ed decided to sleep for the whole ride. That is until a private walked up to him. The soldier had black hair and brown eyes with similar haircut to the company he knew back in Central. “Sir, you need to wear your uniform.”

“Why now?” the clearly annoyed alchemist queried with a scowl.

“Fuhrer's order, sir!”

Sighing, Ed complied with the private's demand. He went to his trunk and started to fish out clothes, wondering if Al had packed his uniform. Apparently he had.

After changing into it, he laid down on his seat and took his previously planned nap.

* * *

“Major Elric, sir! We're here!” yelled the private from earlier. Ed opened one eye before slowly getting out of the slightly uncomfortable seat. Stretching for a bit, he then proceeded to grab his trunk.

“Are you following me, or something?” the alchemist asked suddenly.

“Uh, no, sir. Didn't anyone tell you? I'm assigned to you as your subordinate.”

Ed raised one eyebrow, “Is that so? No one told me about lugging around a dead weight with me... What's your name?”

“Private John Ziko, sir,” he said before adding, “And, I'm not a dead weight.”

“Maybe,” Ed finally replied before finally starting down the aisle. “Do you feel a little embarrassed with having me as your superior?”

“Uh, somewhat. You ARE younger than me after all, not that it's a bad thing,” Ziko paused before continuing, “I've heard a lot of stories about you, sir. I just didn't expect you to be so... young.” The private had stumbled around with the right words about his superior. His cousin had told him that he had a bad temper when it came to his height. Ziko was wise to listen.

“Well, yeah, I sorta get that a lot from the people I meet.”

As the pair stepped outside, they found themselves in a bustling port city. “Where are we, Ziko?”

“I think we're in Imaim, sir.”

Edward nodded before following the mass of soldiers heading to one part of the city. A man of high rank, possibly a general, was standing on a podium in the middle of the city.

“State Military!” he called out, “You will be here for two days waiting for the rest of the companies to arrive. Until then, you will all stay at the hotel downtown. Also, you are free to roam the city until the day comes, but you will have to use your own money. No exceptions. And civilian clothing is allowed, but we expect you all to be back in uniform on the day of departing. That is all, dismissed!”

The military began to disperse, each having their own agenda. Ed began to leave too, wanting to explore the city.

“Wait for me, sir!” Ziko yelled, trying to catch up with the short teenager.

Ed turned to yell, “Do whatever you want, private, I'm not in control of you!” He then faced forward and took off.

* * *

After wandering around, the State Alchemist found himself sitting in a library, reading various non-fiction books. Currently, he was reading a book on elemental alchemy.

Elemental Alchemy is used by advance alchemists for various purposes. For example, fire is a destructive element. Therefore should be used as a weapon. For those interested, a form of fire alchemy could be ignition gloves. Building tension, then releasing it in a form of snapping causes the friction to ignite a spark. An alchemy array on the back of the glove can then be used to feed it oxygen, turning a small spark into a roaring inferno.

Ed scowled, the book reminded him of Mustang. Turning the page, he skipped to the history chapter.

The beginning of Elemental Alchemy started with a group. They were very much skilled in the form and used it for mischief. They set villages on fire, drowned some livestock, held up people, and more. Eventually, the law caught up and had them exiled by boat, never seen again.

As time passed on, the art of Elemental Alchemy improved-

Ed closed the book and checked his pocket watch. “It's late,” he mumbled to himself. “I need to get back soon.” And with that he placed the book back where he found it and left the library, making his way to the hotel to sleep and eat.

* * *

The sun beamed down from the hotel window, almost obnoxiously. With a growl, Edward sat up and got ready for the day.

Afterwards, he decided to spend his time strengthening himself. He picked up a book and bottle of water before he left. While exploring yesterday, he had found a remote lot and kept it bookmarked in his head. Now, he returned and started fighting an imaginary opponent, blending it with some alchemy skills.

An hour later, he sat down to take a break and transmuted the lot back to normal. He opened the water bottle and ravenously drank from it. It was then that he noticed that he had amassed a group of children. Staring at them, Ed couldn't decide what to do. So, the kids stared right back at him.

“Uh... Is there a particular reason why you guys are all staring at me?”

Silence answered for them. Being a little anxious, “I would appreciate if you would leave me alone, to train.”

They all looked at themselves before standing up and leaving. Only the most stubborn stayed behind, with a determined look, “We want to see you fight!”

Running his hand through his hair, he sighed. Ed had never expected this to happen, but hey; he was the one who chose to practice out in public. “Fine, but you guys have to leave after I'm done. Promise?”

“Promise!” they shouted back with enthusiasm

* * *

After about three hours of training, with breaks in between, Ed finally was finished and the kids left.

“You're quite the crowd magnet, sir.”

The alchemist turned around quickly, “Oh, it's only you, Ziko. You scared me for a second there.”

The private shifted around his feet for minute, “Yeah... It's because my part of the family tend to be quiet and unnoticeable.”

Ed, looking thoughtful, commented, “You sort of remind me somebody... Never mind, let's get something to eat.” He yawned loudly, “Tomorrow, we're going to have to get up early, so I plan on going to bed soon. What about you?”

The private nodded, “I guess I will too, sir.”

* * *

The next day, the military began loading them onto three ships. There were no specific orders on which to board so Major and Private picked a random one and stepped onto it.

Soon, the ships jerked forward and began their maiden voyage out to sea, occasionally bouncing from the impact of the waves. On the stern, Ed was looking at the strip of land that was slowly disappearing. He sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time this week and started thinking on how Al, or even Winry, was doing. Suddenly, he was jerked down by the back of his neck.

“Who let a kid on here?” shouted the person who had so cruelly gotten his attention.

A vein started pulsing on Ed's forehead, “WHO ARE YOU CALLING A PINT SIZED SHRIMP WHO CAN ONLY BE SEEN THROUGH A SUPER MICROSCOPE?!?!”

A vein, in return, appeared on the man's forehead, “DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO?!” he yelled back.

“HOW THE F*** SHOULD I KNOW, DUMBASS?”

“YOU”RE DEALING WITH A DRILL SERGEANT HERE, KID!”

“AND YOU”RE DEALING WITH A STATE ALCHEMIST HERE, MORON!”

The man was taken back, “How could someone as young and small as you be a state alchemist?”

“YOU WANT PROOF, SMARTASS?! HERE!” Ed took his pocket watch out and held it up triumphantly.

The Drill sergeant looked at Ed quizzically, “What's your second name, kid, that is, if you really are with the state?”

Edward regained his composure and said with a smirk, “I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist.”

AN: I made it quite longer than I did last time, huh? There's something in here that I took from the Real World.

I want to see how long it takes you guys to figure this out.