Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Thanks ❯ The Man With The Mechanical Arm ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

~*~*~*Story Start*~*~*~


I leaned against the phone booth that was stationed to the left (or right?) of the train station, an earlier train to Central sitting there as it prepared to leave, already filling up with passengers. I glared at it, waiting for Ed to get the nerve to talk to Mustang to fill him in on our status. That train, I swear the damn thing was mocking us. We would have to wait over twenty minutes just for the next train to arrive, and I wanted to get this little adventure over with. It's all that trains' fault, I know it! Turning my gaze away from the devil machine, I let my blue eyes slide over to Al as he looked around in confusion at the rolls and other items at the bakery that was also attached to the train station. I couldn't help but smile slightly at him, finding him completely adorable even inside that suit of armor.


“Lets see...these smell good...right?” Al asked the old woman at the counter hesitantly.


I kept an 'aw' from escaping my lips.


The sound of numbers being slid into the phone beneath me, however, made my attention fall from Al and turn to Ed as he pressed the ear piece to his ear. His golden eyes were set into a serious stare, obviously trying to hide his nervousness which I also found adorable. But remembering that this was a big stepping stone for him and Al, I stopped the smirk from appearing on my lips and the teasing words from escaping my lips. I could be mean, but it was hard to be mean to Ed at times. ...Or a lot of the time, but anyway. The sound of the telephone ringing made everything seem to stop as we both listened intently.


“This is Mustang.”


At the sudden sound of the older man's voice Ed and I jumped, although he did his more lightly while my elbow slammed into the telephone booth making me hold it in pain, mouthing a silent 'ow' to Ed who suppressed a smirk at my expense. Well at least I solved his nervous problem at the cost of my elbow feeling anything, asshole. He better be grateful for that, or I'm so going to be pissed!


Ed, however, quickly realized who was on the phone with him. “Uh...Yes hello, uh, Lieutenant Colonel Mustang this is Edward Elric reporting at the station, Sir-”


“Easy, Kid, don't be uptight,” Mustang said, cutting off Ed's quickly spoken response, and I motioned for Ed to calm down, but he wasn't paying any attention to me. Fine, act like a spaz... “You know, it sounds like you've been rehearsing this or something.”


“Sorry!” Ed shouted wide eyed.


I face-palmed at his less than smooth approach to Mustang's words, sweat dropping.


Ed ignored me though. “Sir, I mean Roy, I'm mean we're boarding the 9:20 train for Central!” he said/reported, that nervous tremor still in his tone.


“Smooth,” I whispered bluntly.


Ed just shot me a glare.


“Roger that-- hey wait a minute.” On Mustang's end of the line Ed and I heard the sound of papers rustling, making us cast each other confused glances before listening once again. “There's one leaving before that, isn't there?” he asked after a second.


Ed blinked, now calm as he looked confused. “Yeah, but we had a little detour and we got here late, I think it's already leaving,” he stated, hearing the conductor calling to clear the platform and to depart.


“Get on it,” was Mustang's answer.


“Bu-but why does it matter?” Ed asked, him and I sharing another confused look.


“Take it or go home!” Mustang shouted firmly, making Ed and I recoil away from the ear piece even though I wasn't really near it to begin with. What the hell was his problem?!


However, before I could even begin to complain about Mustang's asshole-ish attitude, Ed and I heard a noise that made our hearts stop for a second. The train's whistle. I looked over at the train, seeing the wheels slowly moving and gradually picking up speed. Great, Mustang just HAD to tell us to get on the train that was leaving! Once we get to Central I was kicking his ass and I don't care if that can get me put in jail, that jackass deserves it!


“Hey, Al!” Ed shouted, hanging up the phone. “Boarding time!”


Al turned to us, in his arm a bag filled to the brim with rolls. “Now?” he asked confused.


“Yes, now!” I shouted as I ran towards the train.


Ed followed my lead. “Change of plans, come on!” he shouted over his shoulder as Al began to run after us, although it was easy to see that he was confused with the 'change of plans'.


Damn you, Roy Mustang.


~*~*~*~*~


After one hell of a tiring work out from catching the train that I was now very sure was mocking us, Ed, Al and I sat in one of the compartments in the middle of the train. Ed and I once again sat together eating one of the rolls that Al was nice enough to buy for us, while Al sat opposite of us. As I ate I looked outside of the train, watching as the world passed outside once again. Sure it looked beautiful with the blue sky, water, green grass and all that other stuff, but after being on a train, a carriage, a carriage again and a train again, I was really starting to get sick of seeing the same thing pretty much everyday.


“I can't get a solid read on this Mustang character yet.” Ed suddenly took a bite off his roll, bringing me out of my bored daze. “What kind of guy do you think he is?” he asked Al and I, wanting an honest opinion and I, for one, loved to give mine.


“I think he's a jerk,” I answered immediately.


Ed rolled his eyes. “Well, that's obvious, you think a lot of people are jerks,” he said bluntly.


“Hey!” I glared at him mildly. “It's not my fault he decided to yell at you to get on this train! The guy didn't have to be so pushy,” I mumbled with an annoyed look appearing on my face, damn Mustang...


“Uh huh,” Ed mumbled boredly, until I smacked him upside the head. “Ow! What was that for?”


I leaned back, arms crossed. “For being mean,” I pouted.


Ed smirked at me but we both stopped when we saw Al looking behind us, waving uneasily at someone with a nervous laugh in his voice.  Ed and I both looked at each in confusion before we turned around, only to see no-one was there. However, when we turned back around we saw Al looked surprised at whatever happened before looking down, his red eyes disappearing as he looked down slightly hurt.


“Brother? Haley?” Al asked after a second. “Am I scary?”


Ed smiled gently at his brother. “Please, you're kindness in a can,” he said joked good-naturedly but still meant it, almost making me crack a smile, but considering Al was feeling self-conscious I stopped myself.


“Who could possibly think that you're scary, Al?” I asked, a frown on my lips.


“Look, Mom, he's strange...”


At the sound of a small girl's whispered voice Ed and I tensed up, our eyes widening slightly. So I guess she was the one who thought that Al was scary... However, Ed and I couldn't really be mad at a little girl, that wouldn't be fair considering she didn't know any better, but we still frowned once we saw Al stiffen slightly at the word that was directed at him.


“Strange?” he asked meekly.


“That's not nice, Marin, you shouldn't say things like that,” the mother scolded gently.


“But look at him!” Marin rose her voice only a little bit, but there was no anger in her tone, only confusion and curiosity. “He must like armor a lot to wear it everywhere, even on a train! Do you think he gets hot?” she asked, a little bit concerned, good at least she didn't think he was scary.


However, Ed and I sent each other narrowed glances, because knowing if a little girl would take notice of Al's armor then obviously the others in the cart would notice him as well. We both turned in our seats and looked around, only to blink in surprise when we saw many people staring warily over at Al. I sent them each annoyed looks with a frown on my lips, geez didn't these people know that it was impolite to stare? People and their ignorance really annoy me, especially during times like this.


“N-nothing to see here folks!” Ed said as he grinned with a nervous laugh, slowly sank down in his seat once again. “Nope, nothing out of the ordinary!”


I, however, wasn't so friendly. “Yeah, stop staring, it's rude you know,” I spat, sitting down.


Al only looked down once again.


Ed frowned at that, and looked at us as he gave the train an annoyed glance. “Geez, you two, no-one told me we had tickets to the 'Normalcy Express',” he said with a bit of disgust and annoyance in his tone, obviously not liking the gawkers we were forced to sit with either.

However, the sound of innocent laughter from behind us instantly made the bad mood go away. Blinking in slight surprise, Al looked up along with Ed and I as we turned our heads. There was the young girl we heard a few moments ago, Marin. She has short brown hair and blue eyes, wearing pink clothing. She was waving happily at Al, making Ed and I smile at each other before turning to Al who looked surprised (once again) by the girls reaction to him, but it was easy to see it was a positive one this time. I couldn't help but smile happily as well, that was completely adorable and sweet!


Ed grinned. “See, Al? She's not scared, she likes you!” He turned to Marin, his smile never leaving. “Right?” he asked, although it was obvious what the answer was.


Marin nodded mutely with a smile.


But her smile dropped into a curious look when she looked down at Ed, and I followed where her eyes had trained themselves. Ed's automail arm that was peaking out from under his sleeve. Ed looked confused until I poked him, pointing towards his arm once I got his attention. The blond frowned slightly before he pulled his sleeve up higher to give Marin a better look, a cocky smirk on his lips.


“Cooler than skin, huh?” he asked,


A darker brown  haired woman appeared at Marin's side (obviously her mother), placing her hand gently onto her daughter's head. “All right, Marin, you've bothered them enough,” she said with a giggle, causing Ed, Al and I to do so as well before we smiled at each other.


“She's no bother at all, you have a very adorable daughter,” I complimented turning back, sending a warm smile to the both of them, only smiling wider when I saw Marin blush in modesty. Aw!


“Thank you,” her mother said with a kind smile that reminded me so much of my mother's.


I only grinned back in response.


~*~*~*~*~


An hour had passed by before we knew it, and it would be a while before we would reach the station in Central. Having woken up early from a (self-declared) mission we would rather forget the ending of and riding around for half the day, Ed and I were dead tired. We had fallen asleep without even knowing it, leaning against each other with my head resting against his shoulder while Ed had his head near mine. Al just closed his eyes, although was unable to sleep thanks to his body not needing it. However, he couldn't help but smile at us as we slept before he feigned sleep in hopes to pass the time.


However, the sound of someone running towards us caused Al to open his eyes and look in confusion at the man that was heading towards our small little seating area near the back of the cart. The man had a gray mop of hair on top of his head before it thinned down, also turning into a darker gray color. His eyes were closed, making it hard to tell what his eye color was. He was wearing a tan suit jacket and pants, and he was staring at Ed with a surprised look on his face. Hearing the commotion I stirred slightly from my sleep, seeing the man staring at us only for me to raise a tired eyebrow at him in question, but decided not to say anything.


“He's right, there are two people with him!” The man caught his breath, the panicked look that had been on his face was now gone. “And the blond boy is small,” he said lowly to himself as he pushed his fingers as if to show Ed's height, and Ed was wide awake in a second after that word passed that man's lips.


“Uh oh...” I moved away as Ed tensed, thankful that I got the window seat this time.


Ed snapped. “WHO ARE YOU CALLING A RUNT SO TINY THAT HE CAN ONLY BE SEEN WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS, YOU JERK!?” he shouted with an irk mark, his limbs flailing around comically.


The man backed away, arms up in defense. “Relax, Kid! The Colonel said it, I was just repeating--”


The gray haired man was unable to finish, one guy in the seats on both sides of - and another one diagonal from- him got to their feet as they drew guns, pointing them at his head while he retaliated with a gun of his own, putting them in a four-way standoff. Ed, Al and I were on our feet in seconds and stood out in the aisle, our eyes widening at the scene before us. But we gasped when we saw one of the robbers pistol-whip the man in the back of the head, instantly making him fall unconscious. The other people in the cart either got on their feet, gasped, or stay seated as the shock of what was happening set in. And Marin and her mother just held each other close, their eyes narrowed both out of nervousness and fear.


“No heroes today!” One of the robbers snapped, instantly catching everyone's attentions. “Everybody shut up and get your hands over your heads, or say hello to a bullet.”


Ed, Al and I exchanged glances before looking forward, putting our hands over our heads like instructed.


The robbers, upon seeing everyone doing as they were told, instantly went to work with checking for any weapons that someone could be hiding in an attempt to turn the tables. They patted people down, pointing guns at them to make sure they didn't have any chance of doing that. But when one of the robbers looked our way, I swallowed thickly as I narrowed my eyes, knowing that they saw Al. The other two robbers followed behind the one that saw us and I noticed Ed lowering his head slightly as he glared up at the three gunmen.


“Brother...?/Ed...?” Al and I asked quietly.


Ed didn't look back at us. “Don't worry,” he whispered back, staring at the men cautiously.


The gunman came to a stop in front of us, their shade covered eyes glaring at Al. “Helmet. Take it off,” they ordered roughly, their guns aimed and ready to fire if he didn't cooperate.


Ed suddenly sucked in a deep breath. “Look!” he shouted over-dramatically, pointing behind them.


At first I didn't think that they would fall for it, but to my complete surprise they all turned their heads to where Ed pointed. However, seeing the opportunity before us, Ed, Al and I sprang into action, catching our opponents off guard. Ed jumped in the air just as his guy was about to turn back to us, slamming his knee into the man's chin, knocking him out instantly. I only sent a strong, hard kick into mine opponent's stomach and I heard the air leave his lungs before he blacked out, sliding across the aisle before becoming motionless. There was only one guy left, and unlike the other two he was quick to react.


The last one pointed his gun at us, a glare in his eyes. “Bad idea--!”


Before the man could even think about pulling the trigger, or finishing his sentence, Al slammed his fist down on top of the man's head before he slumped over as he fell unconscious. Ed, Al and I watched the three men on the ground before us for a second, not wanting one of them to be faking, before we turned to each other with relieved smiles, or in Ed's case smirk, as chuckles past our lips. Well, that was a heart pounder if I've ever felt one before. Thank god we were trained by someone like Teacher or we would be in deep shit right now.


“You dumb kids,” a man suddenly snapped at d Ed and I angrily. “What are we suppose to do now?”


We all turned to him, surprised.


“Don't you think they'll notice when three of their men have gone missing?” the man asked us, but didn't let us get a word in. “And what's going to happen to us then? They'll want retribution! We would have been safe if we had just cooperated until we got to Central!”


“That's right!” another man shouted.


A woman nodded, eyes angry and scared. “What were you thinking?!”


I scoffed, bringing their attention to me. “I find it completely funny that you adults actually believe that gunmen who are attacking a train would actually keep their word about not hurting anyone,” I spat in annoyance, damn we try to do something that could help these people and we get no appreciation. Assholes.


They only glared at me.


“What do we do next?” Al asked, bringing our attention to him and not the other passengers.


Ed frowned. “Didn't plan that far,” he mumbled.


I stared at him blankly. “Well, that's really nice to know,” said both bluntly and sarcastically, great going there Ed, show us your smarts.


Ed only sent me a blank look back.


A sudden groan, however, met my ears and I narrowed my eyes as I looked down. The man that Al had hit was slowly getting up onto his knees, but before I could do anything Marin gasped causing the man to point his gun towards her and my eyes widened when I saw his finger pull the trigger. Marin's mother immediately used her body as a cover, holding Marin close, her eyes closed tightly waiting for the bullet. But just before the bullet left the barrel, Al stepped onto the man's back, pushing him on to the floor, the bullet missing and falling onto the floor. Ed, having noticed as well, quickly grabbed the gun from the man's hand, not about to take anymore chances. I let out a sigh of relief, my hands resting over my rapidly beating heart. Well, could have done without that...


“Are you guys okay?” Ed asked Marin and her mother, his eyes wide.


Marin's mother slowly looked up, tears sitting in her eyes from the obvious scare. “Yeah,” she whispered, her arms still protectively around her daughter.


I sighed, smiling. “Thank god.”


Ed let out a small relieved smile as well but it dropped as he stared at the cart door that would obviously lead to more gunmen. He turned back to Marin and her mother, smiling gently at the little girl. “Sorry about that, your big brothers and big sister here will take care of this somehow, 'k?” he asked.


“He's right, Sweetie,” I said as I leaned forward onto my knees. “We'll make those scary men go away.”


Marin only nodded mutely, tears still sitting in her eyes as well.


“We better get started you two,” Ed said with a frown now on his lips, eyes now narrowed.


Al and I nodded. “Right.”


“Wait!” Ed, Al and I blinked at the gray haired man's voice. “Over here!”


The gray haired man squirmed out from one of the seats, his arms bound to his side. The boys and I quickly went over to him and sat him up, Ed quickly getting down to untie the man from his bonds. I frowned, not liking this little situation that Mustang had unintentionally put us in. The one train that he had to make us go on just had to be over taken by crazy robbers.


“How embarrassing,” the man said to himself before turning to us. “Who are you guys? Are you lancers?”


“Just three old fashioned alchemists,” Ed answered with a small smile.


The man looked surprised at first, but smiled back. “Well, you don't so? I'm Falman, State Warrant Officer,” he introduced himself politely, I liked this guy he seemed nicer than most military soldiers.


“A solider? You don't look like one,” Ed pointed out slightly surprised before going back to the rope that bound Falman.


Falman let out a laugh at his blunt words. “Yes, well ,there's a reason for that; we've got a special passenger on board. You know, the front car kind,” he explained, and I narrowed my eyes at the sound of that, so some high ranking military officer is on board and these bastards are here and dragging everybody else into their own personal grudge.  


Ed's eyes widened. “So that's why these thugs are here, isn't it?” he asked.


Falman turned to him, nodding with a frown.


“And they decided to drag us down with them,” Ed said in disgust, his eyes narrowed into a angry glare.


I nodded. “My bitter thoughts exactly, they got a grudge against the military they can do it somewhere else,” I spat, throwing a glare off to the side. Sure I hate the military, but I would never do something like this.


“Al,” Ed said as he finished with the ropes, standing up and we all turned to him. “Haley and I are going up top to throw a surprise part, you go with him from below.”


Al hesitated for a second, but nodded. “Yeah, okay,” he said firmly.


I rubbed my hands together in excited. “Ooh, finally I get some action,” I said with a smirk.


Ed stared at me blankly.


I just smiled cutely at him.


~*~*~*~*~


The wind whipped past Ed and I as we ran across the top of the train, and I was so glad that  was smart enough to wear shorts underneath my dress or this would be hell. My hair was up in a bun, having causing me trouble with it blowing out in front of me. My heart was pounding, now realizing that I shouldn't have been so excited about something like this. There was practically an ocean all around us and from this height if we fell than we were screwed. However, I wasn't going to let Ed do something this dangerous alone, I knew he was going after the man who was making all of this happen and that made my fear for myself turn into fear for him. He's always so reckless...


“Hey Ed!” I shouted over the wind.


Ed looked over his shoulder. “What?” he asked.


“You have any idea what we're gonna do once we get to those guys?” I asked back, raising an eyebrow at him.


“Does anyone ever have plan when something like this happens?” Ed questioned back, and I opened my mouth to retort, only for me to close it again. Damn him for always being right.  “Exactly, we're just gonna wing it, okay?”


I scrunched my nose up in distaste, but sighed in defeat. “I guess, just be careful!”


“Why? Worried about me?” Ed asked with a smirk.


“Of course I am, dumb ass!” I rolled my eyes at him. “I always worry about you!” I shouted in annoyance.


Ed quickly turned back around and began walking again, making me do the same. “You should worry about yourself, Haley, I'll be fine!” he shouted over the wind as he got a little farther ahead, and I frowned.


*I can't...not after that night...* I mumbled, wincing at the memories.


His pain filled face.


His blood.


His tears.


His screams.


“Haley!” Ed's voice suddenly shouted, pulling me out of my horrible thoughts.


I looked up and before I knew what had happened I was pressed against the top of the train, barely feeling the touch of leaves hit the top of my head, back and legs. I looked back only to see Ed being hit by a branch that had grown out of the side of the mountain we were now currently next to. My eyes widened, watching him bounce against the roof before falling off the edge. My heart stopped and I got to my feet, quickly running over to the edge where I had seen him disappear. No, no, no, no! This was NOT happening!


“Ed!” I practically screamed, getting to my knees as I peered over the edge.


At the sight before me, however, I let out a breath of relief, seeing Ed completely fine as he was held up from the deathly high fall he had almost taken by a man. The man had black, spiky hair that ended in a forelock, with rectangular glasses framed in front of his hazel eyes and thin chinstrap of a scruffy beard. He was wearing a purple shirt with a red sash-like belt and very dark green pants, and I've never been so happy to have some random stranger pop up before in my entire life. I placed my hand in front of my still rapidly beating heart, that was too close for comfort and once again I almost lost Ed. Today is just not turning out to be a good day at all.


“You know, there's a real art to train walking,” the man said with a smile on his lips, drawing Ed's and my attention to him. “I'm shocked you two made it this far.”


“Thanks...I guess,” Ed said, slightly dazed.


I shot Ed a glare as I looked down at him. “You idiot! This is exactly why I told you I was worried, you almost died!” I turned to the black haired man and I gave him a smile. “Thank you so much, and sorry about him, he can be a jerk sometimes,” I said, taking a jab at Ed to hide the guilt I started to feel. Geez, I really like to put myself down a lot, don't I? Yep...


Ed got an irk mark. “Hey!”


“Shut up!” I snapped, throwing him a look once again.


The man couldn't help but laugh at our banter, making us stop and blink at him. “I'm Major Hughes, and you two are Edward Elric and Haley Rockbell, is that right?” he asked, that smile never leaving his face and I knew I was really going to like him despite him being in the military.


“Yeah, that's right,” Ed and I answered, glancing at each other.


“Mustang told me told me about you three, I'm an old friend of his,” Hughes explained, obviously noticing the glances Ed and I exchanged a few seconds ago.


Ed gasped, wide eyed. “The Lieutenant Colonel?”


“Yep, he's always bragging about that silly promotion, too,” Hughes said with a good-natured smirk on his face as he turned his head upwards. “Come on, you two, we better work as a team.”


I grinned happily. “All right!”


Ed only continued to stare wide eyed.


~*~*~*~*~


Ed, Hughes and I knelt down on top of the engine room, with Hughes on one side and Ed and I on the other. Nodding to each other, Ed and I got on our knees and carefully lowered ourselves down to look through our windows. There were three men who held guns to the two men operating the engine to keep them from stopping the train. Completely by accident and in unison Ed and I gave each of them an annoyed look before sticking our tongues out at them. However, when one of them began to turn we both shot up from the window. Ed gave Hughes a thumbs up, especially when we heard this from below:


“Hmm?”


“Huh...?”


“Hey, what's the matter?”


Hughes disappeared down the side of the train, and we waited a few seconds to hear one of the thugs let out a shot of pain. Smirking to each other Ed and I positioned ourselves to do the same as Hughes. Man, this is going to be so awesome, it's gonna be like those action packed scenes that you only read in a book or something!


“The hell?!” a man shouted.


“Hey!” another man shouted from below us. “Where'd you come from?!”


Ed and I swung ourselves downwards, sending well placed kicks into the back's of our thugs's heads. A blond thug that had a knife though his hand was sitting on the ground as the thug that Ed hit fell to the ground, and mine fell, blacking out instantly. Ed and Hughes's thugs, however, were still conscious and they slowly tried to get up, only for the two men that were working on the engine send painful punches into their jaws. With all three thugs knocked out Ed and I began to go to the first compartment where the high ranking officer Falman had been talking about, ready to meet the man behind all of this. Slipping out from one of the doors Ed and I began to climb a latter, ready to train hop once again, however, before Ed or I could get to the top a bullet hit not too far from where Ed's head was, making him quickly duck down.


“Damn it, they notice us now?!” I scowled angrily before turning to Ed, asking. “You all right, Ed?”


Ed nodded. “Yeah, I'm fine,” he said, and I sighed in silent relief. Good.


“Hey! You two okay?!”


Ed and I turned our heads to see Hughes looking out from one of the window's in the engine room, obviously hearing the bullet hitting the metal roof. However, a shot was shot at him making him duck back inside. Turning back to the matter at hand Ed quickly grabbed a piece of chalk from inside of his pockets and held onto the railing as he drew a transmutation circle on the side of the train. Placing his hand down alchemic lights crackled around it before a cannon, from what I could see, appeared on top of the roof. Ed  quickly got up the latter and I followed, watching as Ed knelt down and a steal ball exploded from the cannon, hitting the bald thug that had shot at Ed and Hughes, knocking him. He fell through the whole in the ceiling and his gun flew off the side of the ship while the steal ball flew off into the ocean.


I smiled brightly. “Nice!” I cheered, giving Ed a high five.


“Oh, man! That was smooth!” Hughes's voice shouted from behind us, a grin in his voice.


“Hey you!” a new voice called making Ed and I look, seeing Hughes and one of the engineer's. “Don't mess with that tinder! It's the life of this train!” he shouted over the rushing wind.


Ed crawled over to the side of the train. “Right, sorry!” A sudden look came to his face making me raise an eyebrow at him. “Box of tinder...hmmm,” he murmured to himself before a wide smirk appeared across his lips, and I knew that this was going to be good.


“All right, you have something in mind, care to share?” I asked, smirking back as well.


Ed turned to me, his smirk still there. “Got a piece of chalk?”


I pulled a stick of chalk from my breast pocket, my smirk widening as I thought of many ideas that could be racing through his head. “Of course, I'm not missing out on being apart of the action this time, Ed. So, am I going to be able to use my amazing skills to help us kick some ass, or what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him playfully.


Ed chuckled. “Wouldn't be the same without you,” he said, and that was the right answer.


“Damn right it won't,” I replied cockily.


Ed, now, became serious. “So, Haley, do you think with your skills you can attach a very large pipe to this here water container over to that door?” he asked, patting the green compartment beneath us before pointing to the door that was in the compartment in front of us.


“Ooh, flooding things now, huh?” I asked, rubbing my hands together excitedly.


Ed smirked cockily. “I aim to please,” he answered.


This time I grinned at him, sitting down on my knees as I gripped my chalk. “And you, good sir, have pleased,” I said teasingly.  


Ed chuckled once again before his eyes narrowed serious, and both of us began to draw our transmutation circles, however, once mine was done I didn't place my hands onto the circle like Ed did. Blue alchemic lights flashed and a stream of electricity formed a microphone in front of Ed before more of it spread down the water container and attached itself to the door I would be placing my pipe onto. Placing my chalk back into my breast pocket I leaned back onto my hands, waiting for the show to begin. And when Ed gives me the signal, I'm flooding that bitch and cooling off those bastards.


Going up to the microphone, I listened to Ed intently. “Attention all gun totting extremists, hear me all right? Or did you blow your ears out playing target practice?” he asked mockingly, although there was no smirk on his lips at all, just a glare in his eyes.


“What the hell...is that?” a man's voice asked, slightly confused.


“Let the hostages go, you've got no right to drag these travelers into your personal politics!” Ed shouted in the microphone, ignoring the man's question all together.


An angry sounding growl was heard. “You're one of Mustang's secret agents, aren't you?! Interfere and I'll kill these hostages one by one!” the man shouted angrily, and I knew that this was the guy that was behind all of this mess. Oh, I couldn't wait 'til Ed kicked this guy's ass.


Ed glared slightly. “You're just itching to draw blood, aren't you? All right!” he shouted, an there was smirk on his lips as he turned to me and he gave me the signal


I placed my hands onto the circle and it sprung to life with a blue flash of lights, and a long, large gray pipe appeared from the container, forming and connecting into the door that Ed's microphone had appeared. The lights dimmed down and I placed my hand on the valve that would release the water, and I let a dark smirk appear on my lips. This was going to piss the head thug off, and I couldn't be happier that it was me who was going to release all of this water. Teach this guy to threaten innocent people.


“Looks like...a pipe,” the same confused man from earlier stated.


Ed turned back to the microphone. “Okay passengers, please hold onto your seats and get ready for some turbulence!” he shouted in warning.


Turning the valve that whole container shook as gallons upon gallons of water poured through the pipe and through the door. In seconds the whole compartment was underwater, some of it falling out of the semi-open windows in the compartment. Ed and I quickly got up, not bothering to stay behind and turn off the water, no need to. Hughes climbed out from the engine room and met up with us, it being a good idea just encase we would need him if the tables turned. As we climbed onto the compartment where the thugs were we heard the door on the other side of the compartment open and heard the water rush out as well as sputtering voices from the thugs as they hit the railing. Soon the sounds of punches could be heard, and I knew that Al had made it here as well. Stopping next to the opening where the man with the gun from earlier had been, Ed and I waited while Hughes snuck in through one of the windows.


“Take a look on the bright side, Bald, you probably needed a shower,”Hughes's voice mocked a few seconds later.


There was a surprised grunt and a gasp from Hughes before the sounds of multiple bullets going off met our ears, and I paled completely, my eyes widening. Oh shit, this wasn't looking good, I thought Hughes would be the one to help us out if things went bad?! Shit, this was not good. I looked over at Ed, and I saw his eyes were narrowed, his teeth clenching angrily and I hoped to every Deity and God up there that when Ed went up against this guy that he wouldn't get hurt. I already almost lost him before, today, and I really don't want this to be the time where it happens. Or any time for that matter.


“Please be careful,” I whispered to him, biting my lip nervously.


Ed only gave me a nod and a reassuring smile, and despite how that was a real smile I was still worried.


“Whats the matter? Don't like my company?” Bald asked Hughes mockingly back, and despite how twisted that was, I knew that Hughes was still alive. Good. “Before I finish off the General I'll take care of you.”


“Me first!” Ed shouted.


Ed jumped down from the whole in front of us and I peered over the edge, seeing Ed land in front of a man with long brown hair and an eyepatch over his right eye, as well as an automail left arm that looked to be made like a gun instead of a replacement limb like Ed's. Bald had on black clothing an a tan colored cloak. Both Ed and Bald grabbed the other's hands in their, automail hand against automail and the same for the flesh ones. Ed and Bald pushed against one another, trying to dominate the other with their strength, and I bit my lip in worry despite Ed not faltering.


“Two automails, go figure,” Ed remarked sarcastically with a smirk, glancing at Bald's arm.


Bald narrowed his eyes, sweat and water dripping down his face. “You're just a brat, don't tell me the army's feeding kids into their chop house now?” he asked making me grimace, hating how me and him didn't like the military and saw it in the same way. Fun.


Ed glared, sweat trickling down his temple. “You're gonna pay for that brat comment, and no-one's feeding me into anything, I'm on my own!” he growled lowly, his gold eyes dangerous and cold.


“A little piece of advice kid; I use to be in this military, too.” Bald gritted his teeth, trying to push more of his wait onto Ed, although that was proving difficult. Good. “It was fine as long as I was pissing on cue, but then I wanted this upgraded arm. They didn't like that; felt I'll be stronger than my superiors. You see the queen bees don't like it when the little workers have a sting they can't control. Shortly after the procedure they discharged me! Since then I've gotten a taste for destroying them and the nation they command!” He glanced at Ed's automail arm and smirked slightly before turning his gaze back to him. “You understand kid! You've got an arm just like mine! You've wanted to be stronger, too! And the military, they'll just get rid of you as soon as you're not convenient!” he shouted, trying to persuade Ed, but he was doing the opposite.


“He's nothing like you, you bastard!” I spat angrily, my fingers turning white as I clenched my hands.


Bald almost looked up at me, but Ed caught his attention. “No, I don't understand! And don't you ever lump my reasons for this arm...with yours!” he shouted after he grunted in effort, the strain from holding this man's weight showing clearly on his face.


Ed then clenched his right fist, it easily breaking apart Bald's left automail arm easily. Wires, bullets and different pieces of metal flew everywhere. Bald's eyes widened, but I didn't give him enough time to try and retaliate as I dropped from the ceiling in front of him, sending a swift kick into his gut, sending him backwards. Al, suddenly appearing when I apparently wasn't paying attention, grabbed Bald by the back of his shirt making the already winded and wide eyed man pale before slamming his fist into his cheek. A grunt-like noise escaped Bald's lips as he fell back, Ed and I moving before his body hit the ground, his eyes glazed over slightly as a bruise was already appearing on his cheek.


Ed, Al and I stood watching over him, slowly rising out of our defensive stances, and I couldn't help but let a smile appear on my lips. Ed, letting out a relieved sigh of his own, turned towards Al and I with a smile, closing one eye as he gave both of us a thumbs up. Al and I gave him thumbs up as well, and I grinned brightly at him, chuckling slightly. My heart was still beating from all of the tension and the adrenaline was making my body feel slightly numb, but I was thankful to feel myself calming down in more than one way. Ed can really scare someone even though he doesn't mean to.


A familiar chuckle appeared from our rights, and we turned to see Hughes smiling at us, holding up one of his push knives. “Well good grief, that was something different,” he remarked, making me laugh a bit breathlessly.


“No kidding, huh?” I asked with a relieved smile.


~*~*~*~*~


It wasn't long before all of the thugs were tied up and watched over closely by the other undercover soldiers on the train, and the rest of the train ride went by smoothly. We arrived at Central Station within less than an hour, making me happy that this hell ride was over. The thugs and soldiers were the first ones to leave the train once it came to a stop. Ed, Al and I followed and I was happy to know that I could release my hair from it's bun, seeing no reason to keep it up any longer. Damn wind...


As Ed, Al and I began walking towards the thugs and soldiers we saw three other soldiers walk towards Bald, and I immediately saw Mustang along with a blond haired woman and a dark blond man. They all wore the military coats, and for some reason I didn't get a bad feeling from them like I usually did with other soldiers, despite how I glared at Mustang the first time I saw him. Although you really couldn't blame me, I thought he was trying to take Ed away from me and my family. We slowed down slightly, watching as a seen before us began to unfold.


“Don't take any lives, that's all I asked you, Bald,” Mustang said seriously as he and his men stopped a good distance away from him before a smirk appeared on his lips.  “And as it turns out, it seems you did just as you were told.”


Bald looked up at him. “So, I take it you're Mustang,” he said with sneer.


A blade sudden flicked up from his automail arm, cutting the rope that bound his arms and torso. He let out a cry, the long blade coming out of his arm held up in the air as his visible eye glared dangerously at Mustang. My eyes widened in fear, and the woman behind Mustang moved forward, her gun almost in her hand but she stopped when Mustang held out his arm. Looking at Bald all he did was snap his fingers and red alchemic lights flew from his hand and flames erupted around Bald's body, scorching him as he let out a loud shout of pain.


Ed and I covered our faces with our arms before looking up once again. “That flame! That's awesome!” Ed shouted in awe, his eyes widening slightly.


An explosion of sorts went off around Bald's body as flame and smoke expanded, making my mouth drop open in complete shock at the spectacle before us. However, I stopped my gawking when Bald fell to his knees, his head raised towards the ceiling as the flames died away and smoke rose from his burned body. His skin was covered in black and gray patches, and I stopped myself from grimacing, knowing that this bastard deserved it for what he tried to do.


“I controlled myself,” Roy informed, his smirk never disappearing. “The damage to your skin isn't nearly as bad as it feels. You can call me Roy Mustang, or just Lieutenant Colonel; hell you can call me the Flame Alchemist. Whatever you do, remember the pain.”


Ed suddenly narrowed his eyes, the awed look now gone. “So  he's Mustang...” he mumbled to himself.


A growl could be heard from the back of his throat, and Al and I looked surprised when he suddenly took off towards Mustang's direction. I frowned, wondering what was wrong, but considering the look that was on his face when he knew who Mustang was, well I knew that he wasn't too happy about it and this wasn't going to be pretty.


Al stepped forward, his hand outstretched despite not being able to reach him. “Brother!”


“Oh no...” I groaned.  


“Hey!” Ed shouted, stopping a good few feet away from Mustang, a dangerous glare in his gold eyes.  “You knew, that's why you made us take this train! You put us at risk on purpose!”


My mouth dropped open again. “What?!” I almost shrieked in anger.


Roy turned to Ed, and that smirk was now growing very irritating. “Come on, Ed, you think I got the whole world on strings? Anyway, you should focus on the good news here, the General heard about your exploits saving the train and agreed to make a special exception. He's letting you take the State Alchemy Exam; you're going to be the talk of the military, Kid,” he informed.


Ed blinked. “Exception?” His eyes widened as he pointed accusingly at Mustang. “But you always said we could take it! That's the reason we came!” he shouted in confusion and shock.


Mustang chuckled slightly, as if what Ed said was completely absurd. “Be realistic, Ed, the State's never let a kid take the Military Exam before. But I guess lucks on your side, good thing you took that earlier train, don't you think?” He walked over to Ed and stopped by his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.  “Wither or not you take the Test is still up to you, I'm not trying to run your life.” he reminded as he began to walk again, his soldiers following after him.


As Mustang walked past me I shot him a dirty look, my right eye twitching in annoyance. What the hell was that?! The guy practically tried to send us to our deaths! If we weren't able to hold our own we would have died! If he wasn't surrounded by his lackeys then I so would have tried to punch him in the stomach for what he did! I huffed, stomping over to Ed who was currently holding his hand to his head, as if he was trying to prevent himself from getting a headache, and Al quickly followed me. I didn't blame him, I would be pissed enough to give myself a headache too if I found out that I just went through all of that for almost no reason. Good thing that they can go into the military or we would have to go back home after all of this shit. Mustang is lucky that there is good news for us after this, but damn it, I was still pissed off about it, too!


“Of course, I'll take it!” Ed suddenly shouted as he turned towards Mustang's retreating back, pointing at him once again in anger. “And pass! I would have done it anyway!”


Mustang didn't say anything, and I stopped by Ed's side. “I told you I didn't like him,” I mumbled.


“Those people had us dancing right in the palms of their hands, didn't they?” Al stopped beside us as well, and I could tell that he had a frown on his lips and his eyes were narrowed. “I guess it doesn't mater what we do, we'll never be the ones in control,” he said, and I couldn't help but frown at that thought.


I sighed. “I hate how that's true,” I said bitterly under my breath.


“There they are! Over here! Over here!” a familiar voice suddenly rang out, causing all of us to turn towards our rights.


Smiles instantly appeared on our lips when we saw Marin and her mother behind one of the railings, happy giggles escaping her lips as she smiled widely at us. Her eyes were practically sparkling with joy upon seeing us, and upon seeing her our mood lifted. She was so adorable, making all of what we did worth it, because who knows what would have happened to her or her mother if we weren't there on the train today. So what if this was almost a lost cause? We helped protect a family, and that's what matters, right?


“Hey, Marin!” Al said happily, lifting a hand to wave.


Ed and I waved back as well, our hands high in the air as grins stretched across our lips.


Marin let out more happy giggles. “Thank you big sister, big brothers! I'll remember you! Thank you!” she shouted gratefully.


That was the second time today that we were helping people and bringing a smile to someone's face, and I could tell that if we were able to continue doing this that maybe going into the Military wouldn't be so bad.


~*~*~*~*~


Ending it here! I hope you all liked it! Bye!
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