Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Set in Stone ❯ Market Mayhem ( Chapter 15 )

`Til The Sun Shines

 

Chapter Fifteen

Market Mayhem

 

`There is always some madness in love,

But there is always some reason in madness.'

 

Al woke up, rubbing his eyes blearily. He looked around and noticed that Michelle was already out of the bed and the sun was shining in through the windows. He jumped out of the bed and ran into the kitchen, grabbing a towel on the way. “Why didn't you wake me?” He asked Michelle as he ran into the kitchen, saying a quick good morning to Izumi and Sig.

 

“Pardon?” Michelle asked, watching with amused eyes as he rushed around the room, gathering his cloak and other clothes he'd left there last night. “Honey, it's a Saturday.” Al stopped and slowly turned a shade of red.

 

“Oh,” he said, “that's why.” Izumi laughed quietly at him as he put the things back and hung the towel over the back of his seat, sitting down and watching his teacher make faces at Nina.

 

“We we're just talking about when you'd finally wake up.” Michelle commented, putting a plate of toast before him and sitting beside him with her own. “We thought we'd take a trip into the city, it's been a while since I've gone to the markets and I thought with Izumi here, we could take her.” Al grumbled.

 

“You'll find any excuse to go to those markets and drag me along to carry your shopping.” He said, crunching on his toast, rolling his eyes as she nodded. He finished his breakfast and headed to the shower. They were all ready to leave an hour later. He picked up Nina while Michelle tried to fix the pram as the walked down the street; Sig pushing Izumi in her wheelchair. “So what have you been doing teacher?” He asked, mainly out of curiosity.

 

“Nothing much you can do in a wheelchair.” She answered, and he scolded her for being so negative.

 

“There must be something.” He asked.

 

“What about Wrath dear?” Sig asked, turning to look at Al. “He visits us, quite a lot now.” Izumi smiled softly.

 

“Yes, I suppose he does. He's off in Risembool now, getting that Automail of his checked on.” Al slapped his head, drawing a curious glance from Izumi, Sig and Marian.

 

“I haven't called Winry in ages.” He said, sighing. “I keep meaning to, and then keep forgetting. I haven't even told her Ed left.” Izumi glared at him.

 

“Didn't see the need to tell me either.” She commented.

 

“For the last time I'm sorry!” Al said, waving his arms. “I suppose I'll call her when we get home, or I suppose you'll take forever shopping, I could do it then.” He said nodding his head in Michelle's direction. She merely smiled at him.

 

 

The streets of Grand Central were crowded, that was for sure. “Why are we here?” The man asked. He had short brown hair and startling green eyes, which were narrowed at the passing people.

 

“You don't have to be, I don't need a baby-sitter.” The other replied, turning back to look at him. “Oh, you finally changed. I was beginning to think you'd walk around Central looking like a palm tree.” He commented mildly. Envy merely smirked.

 

“Jealous, little brother?” He asked, and Ed snarled.

 

“No I believe that's your job.” He replied harshly, and Envy's smirk disappeared. They had walked straight into the markets before Envy spoke again.

 

“So are you going to visit anybody?” He asked grumpily, weaving his way between the crowds.

 

“Who am I supposed to see? Mustang? Al?” Ed asked dryly. “Not with you tagging along.” He stopped and looked around, at the bustling crowds.

 

“Well then what are we going to do?” Envy asked, also coming to a halt. “Stand here and watch the people walk by? Because watching pitiful humans is one of my favourite pastimes.” He said sarcastically, sneering at one woman who looked at him oddly when he said this.

 

“I was going to go the library.” Ed replied angrily. “But I just realised that without my watch, they're not going to let me in. So I suppose I'll drag you around to all the bookstores with me.” He grinned wickedly in Envy's direction, which he missed due to the fact that he was turned away, and headed off in the direction of the main shops.

 

“Oi! Pipsqueak!” He yelled, finally realizing that he'd walked away. “Tell me before you head off somewhere.”

 

“Don't call me pipsqueak!” Ed retorted angrily. “And it's not my job to watch you, so don't blame me if I try to give you the slip.” However the reply to being called short had attracted the attention of a familiar person. He turned his head towards the pair, and followed them into the quiet bookstore they'd chosen.

 

“Ed?” He asked, coming up to the two of them, and Ed looked up from his book in surprise, while the person he was with merely rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

 

“Russell?” Ed asked, and then grinned slightly. “Fancy seeing you here.”

 

Russell returned the grin, but with more enthusiasm. “I read about you in the newspaper,” he said, “Fletcher and I are coming to visit Al, heard he had his kid.” Ed nodded.

 

“Yeah, she would've just turned 3 months I think.” He said, frowning in thought. “Actually…I wonder what Hawkeye's doing about hers…”

 

“Huh?” Russell asks. “You've lost me. You wanna come over with us; I was on my way there.” Ed shook his head, suspiciously quickly.

 

“Nah, I've been staying with them for the past week, I'm heading back to Risembool today.” He lied, “My train leaves in about 2 hours, I've forgotten to pick up some stuff for Winry.” The lie came surprisingly easy, and it must have been convincing, because Russell didn't question it.

 

“How `bout some lunch with Fletcher and me then?” He asked, pointing outside. “I know a little place we can go. I haven't seen you since you took my dad's research log and disappeared in the chapel. It'll be good to catch up.” Despite the light offer, it took Ed a moment to think about, and after a glance at his companion, who was still standing around sulking, he closed the book and placed it back on the shelf.

 

“Yeah, alright.” He said. Russell looked curiously to the man traveling with him.

 

“Who are you?” he asked, not impolitely.

 

“Oh,” Ed said quickly, “sorry, this is Mabuse.” He said, using the first name that came to his head. “Mabuse Heiderich.” Russell shook his hand briefly. (1)

 

“Russell Tringham.” He replied.

 

 

“So what have you been up to?” Ed asked when they were sitting in the small café, Fletcher having joined them, sporting a small goatee and a huge grin.

 

“”I'm a State Alchemist now,” Russell announced, and Ed raised an eyebrow. “Don't have to pretend to be you anymore,” he laughed, “of course with you disappearing and all I wouldn't have gotten away with it anyway.”

 

“We work over in the west.” Fletcher said, “There's a lot of work there.”

 

“Are you with the state too?” Ed asked, but Fletcher shook his head.

 

“Nah, he's a real nature freak.” Russell said, and Fletcher kicked him. “I mean he works with trees and animals, real important stuff.” But Ed didn't miss the amused sarcasm n his voice, and neither did Fletcher, kicking him again. He saw Russell's gaze fall on the one Ed had dubbed `Mabuse' and he raised a curious eyebrow at Ed. “Does your friend want to join us?”

 

Ed shook his head and made a face. “Friend?” He said disbelief in his voice. “Hell no, we'd probably get in an argument. Bastard…” he added under his breath. “What?”

 

Russell looked at him strangely. “Then why are you hanging out with him?” He asked.

 

“He's someone I work with.” Ed replied, somewhat bitterly.

 

“Is he an Alchemist?”

 

Ed laughed. “Hell no, couldn't do alchemy if his life depended on it.” He spared a glance in Envy's direction, and he glared and smiled evilly in return, the Tringham brothers exchanging glances. “There's a long story behind that.” Ed offered, as a sort of explanation. “Sort of an old family feud still standing.” He muttered.

 

“So what, he's just a normal soldier?” Russell asked getting confused himself at Edward's confused expression. “Well you said you worked with him.”

 

“Oh,” Edward said in realization. “I'm not with the military anymore. Resigned a few weeks ago.” They weren't too surprised to hear that, seeing as Ed had always hated the military, and once their lunched arrived the time flew by. Envy stalked over to the table once they had finished their meal.

 

“Oi, pipsqueak.” He said, and Russell tried not to smile at Ed's irritated twitch. “We've got a train to catch, remember?” He said, in an unconvincing tone. Ed sighed and got up.

 

“I s'pose he's right.” He said, and Envy began towards the door. “I'll see you around, maybe.” He said, and followed Envy out onto the street, the two of them not saying anything. “May as well head in the direction of the train station now.” Ed said, and began walking away, Envy following, still sulking.

 

“How much longer do you plan on staying pipsqueak?” Envy asked after a while.

 

“An hour, for every time you call me pipsqueak.” Ed replied sarcastically.

 

“You took all year to sit and have lunch with those two,” He said, crossing his arms.

 

“Forever the jealous one aren't you? Then again I suppose it fits…” Ed muttered, a smirk adorning his face.

 

“Shut up, it's bad enough I have to stay with you all day, you don't need to talk.” But Ed didn't quit, he plowed on as though he hadn't heard Envy.

 

“Jealous of my friends, jealous of my brother, jealous of my mother, father, jealous of my life. I really think you need a new hobby.” He said conversationally, ignoring the look of pure rage building on Envy's face. “Although I suppose there's not much else you can do. Your mother's insane, all your little homunculus buddies are dead or don't like you. I suppose there isn't much else to do but dwell on the thought that your father created a monster like you, and then left you, for something better.” He shrugged as though it were a normal conversation. “Left you for his perfect wife, and his perfect sons, for his perfect life.”

 

“If it was so perfect then why'd he leave you too?” Envy snarled.

 

“Then I suppose you'd ponder on why, if his life there was so perfect, that he'd leave them too. And I suppose you'd feel a little vindicated in that fact. But then you've gotta ask yourself, why'd he come back, even if just to see how they're going. He never came back to you.”

 

“If you valued your life you'd shutup now.” Envy threatened. But Ed continued to taunt him.

 

“I suppose the realization would have to dawn on you sooner or later. You're just not good enough. You just can't measure up. All you are, is a worthless, pathetic, pitiful excuse for a so-” Envy lost his temper, and before Ed could finish venting his anger on him, he punched Edward squarely in the jaw, causing him to go flying into one of the market stands, the place crashing around him.

 

He jumped back out of it reasonably quickly though, with a mad grin on his face as he pressed a hand to his jaw shortly. “I've just been waiting for an excuse to punch you all day.” He said, and lunged at the enraged homunculus, the two of them engaging in a fierce battle in the middle of the market place. Soon they found themselves surrounded by a circle of people.

 

“You just don't know when to quit, do you?” Envy snarled angrily.

 

Ed merely smirked as he dodged another blow, careful not to get too close to the surrounding people. “Oh, poor wittle Envy, the truth hurts, doesn't it?” He asked, causing Envy to let out another growl of anger and lunge at Ed.

 

“I'll murder you, you stupid bastard!” He yelled, and the crowd seemed to give them even more space. Ed managed to kick Envy in the stomach and the homunculus slid back, crashing into another strand. Ed laughed.

 

“Bring it on.”

 

 

They'd been at the market for a good 2 hours now, and Al was starting to get worn down. “Can we leave yet?” He complained, carrying two of Michelle's bag, which he noticed was a lot less than what she normally bought.

 

“How about we stop for some lunch?” Michelle asked instead, pointing out a restaurant across the road. Al sighed in relief and accepted the proposal before anyone else could say anything. But just as they began to head over, a large crash was heard. Al's head snapped towards the sound and he could see some people moving away from where the noise had come from, and a lot more people moving towards it.

 

Nina began to cry, and Izumi picked her up quickly, and she soon quieted down. “What was that?” Michelle asked a soft worry in her tone. Izumi turned her head towards the gathering crowd.

 

“Sounds like a fight.” She said, hearing the noises of people yelling.

 

“I'll murder you, you stupid bastard!” The sentence was hard to distinguish, but the anger in the voice made the meaning clear. Alphonse's brow furrowed and Izumi echoed his thoughts.

 

“That voice…sounded familiar.” She said slowly.

 

“It's almost as though I heard it a long time ago.” Al said, and began moving towards the crowd.

 

“Alphonse!” Michelle called, and Sig wheeled Izumi after him.

 

“Go to the restaurant Chelle, we'll be there soon, alright?” He called back to her, and another crash was heard. He quickened his pace and pushed his way through the crowd. “Excuse me, what's going on?” He asked one of the people standing beside him.

 

“A fight,” the bloke answered, “Apparently one just punched the other for no reason.” Al pushed his way towards the front, his teacher and Sig having to stay behind because of Izumi's wheelchair. However what he saw when he got there made him stop where he was. The two of them were yelling at each other as well as hitting, but Al couldn't distinguish what they were saying. He heard a shout come from behind him in the crowd.

 

“Move!” the voice yelled. “I'm a State Alchemist, get out of my way!”

 

“Finally someone got here.” The woman next to him said, a hand on her chest as she watched the two of them fight. “This behaviour is just barbaric. There are children around.” The Alchemist got to the front of the group, pushing past Alphonse, doubling back to look at him before he ran forward and separated Ed and Envy. “Why isn't he in uniform?” The lady asked again.

 

“It's my day off.” Russell complained, pushing the two of them apart. “What the hell do you think you're doing?” He asked angrily. “When you said you'd probably get in an argument I thought an exchange of unpleasant words might be a reasonable expectation, but this?” He pushed Ed away, and held Envy back. “A little help would be appreciated.” He said, and Fletcher came out of the crowd, but Al beat him to Ed.

 

“Brother.” He said and Ed stopped fighting. A look Al didn't want to see crossed his face when he realised that it was his brother standing in front of him. “Do you really not want to see me that badly?” He asked in a quiet voice, letting his hands drop. Envy had stopped struggling as well, and was sporting an annoying smirk.

 

“Alright, go away!” Russell called, “Go away or I'll have you all arrested.” He threatened, glaring at them, and the crowd slowly dispersed. “I don't believe you.” Russell said, turning to Ed. But he didn't say anything more when he saw the two of them standing there not saying a word to each other. “Is there something I'm missing?” He asked carefully, and Fletcher came to stand next to him.

 

“C'mon pipsqueak.” Envy said stepping forward. “It's time we headed back anyway.” Ed didn't like the victorious smirk on his face.

 

“Hey, are you going to pay for this?” The man whose stalls had been smashed turned angrily towards the pair. “You break it, you bought it.” Ed still didn't say anything, and Izumi wheeled herself forward.

 

“I'll fix it,” she offered, and clapped her hands together, pressing them to the stalls, one by one. They stood there, like nothing had happened. However, in the silence that followed sirens could be heard, and a few seconds afterwards a black military car pulled up, and Havoc stepped out, looking around.

 

“I thought there was a fight we were meant to come and stop.” He said, then spotted Al and Ed and headed towards them, Breda hopping out and coming after him. “Do I want to know what happened?” he asked, not appearing too shocked at Ed's appearance.

 

“Dumb and dumber decided to have a fist fight in the middle of the marketplace.” Russell said, pointing to Ed and Envy, and Havoc turned to them. He sighed.

 

“Despite the fact that I know you Ed, I'm gonna have to take you down to the precinct.” (2)

 

“What!?” Ed exclaimed, finally saying something. Havoc held up his hands.

 

“It's the law, I'm gonna have to take the both of you in, maybe next time you can keep your temper under control.” Havoc said shrugging, and gesturing to the car. “Can you just get in?” He asked, hoping that it would be easy. “You'll be out again by tomorrow morning if we can sort this out.”

 

“He punched me!” Ed cried outraged pointing a finger at Envy.

 

“If you'd have shut your mouth I wouldn't of.” Envy replied darkly.

 

“You only cared because I was right.” Ed snarled. “If it wasn't true you wouldn't have cared, and you're getting angry now because I'm right again.” Envy growled angrily, but didn't attack, trying to prove him wrong.

 

“You weren't right.” He denied, “You're voice is enough to make anyone want to punch you.”

 

“Don't start again.” Havoc warned, “Jut get in the car, you can fight in the cell.”

 

“I don't think so.” Envy retorted turning to Havoc, and Havoc looked with a raised eyebrow towards Ed. Ed sighed, his shoulders heaving.

 

“Sorry, Havoc. I've got to go,” However even as he began to turn Al grabbed his shoulder tightly.

 

“No.” He said, and Ed looked at him with surprise on his face. “You're not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on.” When Ed didn't say anything, and Havoc and Breda began to move forward he spoke again. “Teacher told me…” Al said so only Ed could hear, and he smiled sadly.

 

“I expected her to.” He looked up at Alphonse, at the anger in his eyes, and realised that a long time ago, their positions would probably have been reversed. “I think maybe…its best…if you just forgot about me.” He said quietly.

 

“What!?” Al said, in utter disbelief. “Are you serious?” When Ed didn't reply he let go of his arm. “…oh my god…you're serious.” He said his eyes wide. “I don't even know you anymore.” Anything else he might've liked to ad however was cut off by Ed's quiet reply, before he took off running, Envy only a second after him. Havoc and Breda pulled their guns out of their holsters and aimed them at Ed and Envy.

 

“Don't make me do this Boss.” Havoc yelled after him, yet only seconds later he sighed angrily and put the gun back, chasing after them on foot and ordering Breda to cut them off in the car. Even as the car swerved away; even as Michelle came out of the restaurant with a concerned look on her face; and the Tringham brothers questioned him, his older brothers haunting words echoed throughout his head.

 

He knew what his teacher had told him, and he partly knew why Ed was doing this, but his brother's words still hurt.

 

“See, it's not so hard…”

 

He sighed and ran after all of them.

 

Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.

 

(1) I apologise for the lameness of the name, but I cant be bothered coming up with a new one. Is that how you spell Mabuse?

(2) I watch too much law and order, lol.

 

Awww, poor Al, feeling all rejected. I'm so broke right now, I hate being broke in the holidays. I realise that this took like a few days to finally get up, sorry! But the last chapter screwed up and then I had to fix it, even though it was really only the author notes that did anything but Oh well. So here's this chapter and I'll try to post the next in the next few days.

 

Phe: All the iPod crap is confusing, I don't think the thing I got is even an iPod or whatever, and it's like a cheap copy, lol. But I'm still broke because of it :'( and my friend's b'days in a couple of days!! Ahhh what am I gonna get her. Meh she didn't get me anything. *mutter*bitch*mutter* I'm kidding chill out. All shall be revealed soon, I'm working on it, just trying to figure out how I'm gonna get there lol.

 

Misa92: Don't worry, I don't hate you. I blame…the cat. Awww she's so cute sitting on the floor. I used to live half-an-hour away and had to go up a hill, but now we've moved. Even though I hate moving, I've lived in more houses than years I've been alive. Like 27 houses or something, that's almost double. I remember when we lived in New Zealand on a farm my older sister had to catch a bus to school, but I didn't go then so it didn't matter for me. I hate dial-up. I keep trying to get dad to get broadband but with the amount of downloading I do we can't afford it lol. I want money…