Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Training Edward Elric ❯ West ( Chapter 2 )

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Training Edward Elric

 

Chapter Two

 

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West

 

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“Why do we have to go in person to get these signed?” Ed asked.

 

Mustang, who had been looking down at the papers in his hands, turned his gaze toward the blond. “Because no one just requests to be trained as a C-5. People… few… very few… request C-4 training, but never C-5.”

 

Ed shifted in his chair and looked over at the Fuhrer's secretary. The brunette woman was lazily talking to someone on the phone. Sighing, he looked back at his superior officer. “Why not? And if no one wants to become a C-5 then why are there people that are that rank?”

 

“C-5 training is usually used on State Alchemists who have become criminals or have done something traitorous. The training helps insure their… loyalty…”

 

“And?” Ed prodded, trying to get more information, but the Colonel didn't say anything else. The older man only looked back down and gave the paperwork he was holding a despondent look.

 

They sat in silence as they continued to wait for the Fuhrer's other meeting to end. Despite how much he was trying to seem nonchalant about this, the whole idea was making him very nervous. Ever since their conversation two weeks ago Colonel Mustang had been jumpy, antsy, and depressed. Everyone had noticed it, but he wouldn't tell anyone what was bothering him.

 

Then, three days ago Ed had been called into the dark haired man's office. Mustang wouldn't look at him while he spoke, but he asked in short, clipped sentences if Ed was really serious about becoming a C-5. When he had said he was, the Colonel tried again to get him to take C-2 training first, but when Ed had refused, Mustang had reluctantly agreed to being his trainer.

 

It wasn't that Ed didn't want to take C-2 training, it was just that he didn't want to waste the time. All the blond cared about was getting this over with so that he'd have the clearance to look into any file he wanted. Then perhaps he'd be able to get Al's body back.

 

The longer Ed spent dallying, the more time Al had to be trapped in that hollow shell.

 

His brother had, of course, tried to talk him out of the training as well. When Ed had told Al what Mustang had said, his younger brother had freaked out and said that he didn't want Ed to have to go through something so horrible that even the Colonel was afraid of it.

 

It wasn't that Ed wanted to leave his brother. It was the opposite. Truly, he hated the idea, but if a few months of separation could dramatically raise the possibility of them getting Al's body back then he had to try. He had to do it.

 

They had come to an uneasy agreement, but only after Ed had argued his case so often that Al couldn't stand listening to it any longer. Ed would go receive the training, and Al would continue to research here.

 

It was a good plan.

 

There was nothing to worry about.

 

After all, it was just training.

 

How bad could it be?

 

“The Fuhrer will see you now.” A woman's cool voice said, and Ed looked up to find the secretary looking down at him.

 

I can do this, Ed thought as the brunette guided them into the Fuhrer's spacious office.

 

The Fuhrer was an older but lively man and he greeted them warmly before inviting them to sit down on a couch. When they did, he sat on a chair near them and said, “So, what brings you here today?”

 

“Sir…” Mustang began, but faltered slightly before continuing. “Major Edward Elric has requested C-5 training. He has also requested that I be his trainer.”

 

At the short statement, the Fuhrer frowned and looked thoughtfully at Ed. The short alchemist thought the man looked startled, but wasn't sure. This made him feel even more uneasy. Was it really so bad that everyone who heard it became seriously quiet?

 

The silence stretched on uncomfortably for a few minutes before the Fuhrer finally spoke. “Well… That is an… odd… request. What is your current certification level young man?”

 

“One,” Ed answered.

 

“I see… well… It might be helpful if you took C-2 training first before making such a request.”

 

“No!” Ed yelled a little more sharply than he had meant to. “I can't spare the time. I just want to do this and get it out of the way.”

 

The older man sighed heavily. “Major, you don't even know what this training entails.”

 

“I know enough. I know that it will be difficult and that it changes people in some way, but it's only for a few months. I can handle it.”

 

More silence, then the Fuhrer turned to Mustang. “Colonel, what do you think about this?”

 

“Sir, I agree with you. I believe it would be in Fullmetal's best interest if he were to first receive C-2 training so that he could make an informed decision.” Mustang's eyes darted to where Ed was sitting.

 

The old man nodded thoughtfully. “But still you have decided to accept his request to be his trainer?”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

“And why is that, if you feel so strongly against it?” Ed had a feeling Mustang was being judged by these questions; his motives being tested to see if he was… what? Worthy? He wasn't sure… But it seemed there was more behind these questions than mere curiosity.

 

The Colonel's eyes flitted to Ed for a moment, then returned to the military commander. “Because sir, he requested it. I have had Major Elric under my command for quite a few years. I know him rather well already, and would hate to lose him as a subordinate.” A pause, then Mustang said quietly, “And also because I would rather it be me than someone else.”

 

The Fuhrer frowned slightly. “You have always cared too much about your subordinates Flame Alchemist. Even in the war you cared too much. Are you sure you want to go through with this? You know that once the training is complete it cannot be undone.”

 

Cared too much about his subordinates? Ed thought. The training can't be undone? He supposed the Fuhrer must be talking about the fact that he'd have to work under Mustang for the rest of his time with the state.

 

“I know sir…” Mustang replied softly.

 

The Fuhrer `s eyes took on a stern look. “You are a C-3; you know what you're responsibilities will be toward him. I assume you've thought this over very hard. It will change you, change your life.”

 

Ed watched as the Colonel swallowed hard and nodded.

 

“I know…” he answered hoarsely.

 

The young alchemist's heart was starting to beat more quickly. Maybe he didn't want to do this… Maybe he should take the extra time and get C-2 training… But the thought of backing out now pricked at his pride and he refused to do it.

 

The Fuhrer looked again at Ed seriously for a moment, then grinned slightly. “You know Major, there are a few very good looking women on the list of available trainers. You might prefer one of them.”

 

Ed looked at the man in confusion. What did it matter what gender they were? When the teenager didn't say anything the grin slipped from the older man's face and he said briskly, “Alright then, let me see your paperwork.”

 

They handed the man their documents and waited while he reviewed them. After almost fifteen minutes of silence the Fuhrer signed the forms and looked up at them. “When do you want to begin?”

 

“As soon as possible,” Ed blurted in a rush. He didn't want to waste another minute.

 

The Fuhrer looked from the short alchemist to Mustang, who was running a shaky hand through his fine black hair, then back to Ed.

 

“They will need a week's worth of notice and it will take you three days to get there by train, so you will need to leave in four days from now. I will have Mrs. Douglass call them after this meeting as well as sending these documents out to them today.”

 

The Fuhrer stood, indicating that the meeting was over. After Ed and the Colonel both stood, the commander shook each of their hands and said, “I wish you both luck. I'm sure that you will both be a great benefit to the state once your training is complete.”

 

“Thank you sir,” Mustang said weakly and saluted.

 

Ed nodded and, after a moment, saluted as well. “Yeah, thanks.”

 

I think...

 

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Ed took another bite out of the meat filled bun and looked out the window. He'd rarely been out west, and even then it wasn't very far. Most of the time his travels took him to the east or south, and of course he'd grown up in the north…

 

“These mountains sure are something, aren't they?” Ed asked in amazement, but received only a grunt for a reply. He gazed at his traveling companion and frowned. They had been on the train for two days and for both of those Mustang had hardly said anything. Ed had even left himself open for short jokes, but the man hadn't even tried to take the opportunity to mock him.

 

Sighing, the blond looked around. Their train car was empty, most of the people having gotten off the day before. Apparently hardly anyone came out this far west. He took another bite from his lunch and thought about Al.

 

They always traveled together…

 

Two days and he already missed his younger brother fiercely…

 

“Sure is strange to have the car all to ourselves huh? Do you think we'll pick up anyone else before we get there?” Ed said, in an attempt to engage the other man in some sort of conversation, and trying to not think about missing Al.

 

The Colonel looked up wearily and answered softly, “I don't know.”

 

“Yeah, me either. You want a bun?” The young alchemist asked, glad to get a response to his previous question, but the other man just shook his head and looked down at the book he was holding. Ed was dying to know what was written in the book, but the Colonel wouldn't let him look at it. The blond had even once tried to read it while the man was asleep, but there was a strap that kept the book closed. That wouldn't be a problem normally, of course, but the strap had an alchemy array that kept it from being opened by the wrong person.

 

A very interesting array.

 

Ed had never seen one like it before…

 

He'd tried to puzzle it out, but had been unsuccessful.

 

But the book was another mystery.

 

The first time Ed had seen the small book with the plain brown cover, he had asked what it was, but the only thing Mustang would say was that it was a training manual.

 

`So you're studying?' Ed had asked.

 

`You could say that. It's more of a reference guide since every trainer and every trainee are different.'

 

Ed had asked more questions but the older man had refused to answer them.

 

“So how long is this training going to take again?” The short teen asked.

 

“It really just depends.”

 

“On what?”

 

Mustang looked up from his book, dark shadows under his eyes making him look exhausted, and said, “On you.”

 

 

 

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Thanks to:

MasamuneReforged for being my beta.

 

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