・┈➣ ﹕┆fathers °˖➴

༝༝༝

⤷ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ┆𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 [ 013 ] ᯓ

𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍-𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐘𝐎𝐔, 𝐄𝐃, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃, 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐏 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒.

Coming up to a closed elevator he pushed the button off to the side. "Hey, where are you taking us?" Ed questioned.

"Just get in." Huffing the three of you follow him into the elevator.

You all watched as Envy took the form of a military officer just before the elevator dinged and opened.

The brothers gasped as you took in the scenery of the familiar halls. "This looks like-" You began as they looked out the window ahead.

"It's central command, we were right below it."

"Hey!" Envy called out. "You guys are plastered with filth."

—

A sigh of relief left your lips as the hot water spewed from the shower head.

"So they've been there this whole time. I never would've guessed they were benether the command center." Al started off, facing away from the showers cubicles.

"So maybe it's not just the Fuhrer, maybe the whole military might be involved." Ed suggested, turning off the water.

"If that was the case he wouldn't need to disguise himself as an officer, so maybe not everyone in the military is involved, or they just don't agree with it."

You added on turned off your water as well, wrapping a towel around your body, and another for your hair.

"But hey, there is some good news in all of this." Ed claimed, the smirk on his face evident in his tone as he recalled the events before you were all thrown up from Gluttony's stomach.

"You saw it?! My body is still in there?!" Al exclaimed. "It is, I tried to reach out for it, but it said that it couldn't go with me, since I wasn't its soul."

Stepping out of the shower you make your way towards the sink and mirror, brush in hand.

"My body, it still exists. Yes, yes!"

"Yes!" Clapping his hands together straightening his ahoge (hair antenna), stepping out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist. "And now that we know it's there we're one step closer to getting it back."

Glancing at him through the mirror a flustered hue coated your cheeks.

Taking a deep breath you shook the feeling and turned around, running the brush through your hair, looking at the black and white animal sitting on Al's shoulder.

"Hey, Al." You called out, both boys turning to you, cheeks flushed. "Yeah?" He sputtered out.

"Why is that panda still here, I thought she went back to her owner." The armor's cheeks tinted a pinkish hue of embarrassment, matching the one the panda held.

Slapping away the blush on his cheeks Ed followed your gaze, landing on the animal.

"Uh, well. You know that little girl?" He questioned rhetorically, pointing to his stomach.

"Are you serious?! She's inside your armor?!"

"Brother, stop yelling!" Al scolded. "And while you're at it, put on some pants."

You scoffed, wringing out the remaining water from your long orange hair before tying it into a bun.

"Why are you in here?!" Tightening his hold on his towel.

"Showering idiot! This is centrals communal showers, not the gender assigned ones! I also need to know what's going on!" You shouted.

The door swung open and Envy glared inside. "What's the hold up, get a move on!"

—

After getting dressed into the outfit you set out; a pair of light yellow shorts, a white flowy edged shirt, a cropped orange zip up hoodie, and your normal brown sandals (Egghead) you all followed Envy through the halls of central.

"Jeez, Al. Did you really have to bring her along with us?" Ed gritted through his teeth, looking up at his brother.

"What else was I supposed to do? She's hurt pretty bad." You reach up, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I think you did the right thing."

Ed peeked out in front of Al. "[y/n] don't encourage him to bring strangers along with us!"

"Hey!" Envy exclaimed making the three of you tense up and freeze; startled. "Wrath will take over babysitting you now. Right this way." Holding onto the handle of a door.

"Wrath?"

Stepping into the open doorway gasps were sucked out of the three of you. Looking into the room where Fuhrer Bradley sat at a round table with Roy, sipping at tea.

So he was Wrath.

"Colonel?" Ed questioned, finally taking notice of Roy looking over his shoulder at the three of you.

Finally you all walked inside, approaching the table. "What's going on?" You asked quietly.

"Where should I begin?" Crossing his arms.

"Fuery has been shipped south, Falmen's been sent up north, and Breda has been reassigned to the west. Lieutenant Hawkeye is now a personal assistant to the Fuhrer."

Answering his rhetorical question as the door creaked and squeaked shut. Gasping you and Ed stare at the Fuhrer.

"Go ahead and take a seat." Pulling up some chairs you all take a seat in front of the homunculus, tea cups presented in front of you all.

There were four of you and one of him; alone with his sword, he must be confident enough in his abilities.

Hands resting on your thighs your fingers twitched towards the blue pieces of your staff that rested in their holder.

Among the silence a cough echoed through Al's armor, the three of you flinching still.

Trying to cover it up the suit of armor begins to fake cough.

"Fuhrer." Ed called out, taking away the attention from his brother., elbow resting on the table.

"So what was that in the hospital that day? When you came to visit me, you really had us going, didn't you?"

Bradley folded his hands together, resting his arms on his elbows.

"I don't recall lying. I instructed you to suspect everyone and not to meddle any further." He recited.

"The only thing that you need to know is that you're important to us and there's no need for you to dig any deeper. Accept the importance of your role and keep your heads down."

A threat hidden in his words. "You do that and no harm will come to you."

"Well that's great for us, but what happens to all the people who aren't lucky enough to be considered sacrifices?" You added in, using air quotes around 'sacrifices'.

"There's nothing you need to know that I haven't already told you." He switches his gaze back onto Ed. "Is that clear, Fullmetal Alchemist?"

Scoffing he leaned back into his chair. "You chose that as my title." Letting out a chuckle as he pulled out his watched, dried blood crusting on the silver.

"I only joined the military because I thought it might help us get our bodies back, but now. Now I know what the State Alchemist Program really is. You're using it as a way to recruit your sacrifices."

Clenching his hand around the watch. "Well I'm not gonna let you use me to accomplish your sick goals." The watch skipped and skidded to a stop in front of Bradley's arm.

"I resign my title as a State Alchemist." Hand lacing with your under the table, anxiously.

"The symbol of a dog, encrusted with blood." Examining the watch.

"Your plans are gonna fail. I swear on my own grave that I'm gonna stop you. I'll warn the other state alchemists, I'll tell them-"

"What was that lovely young girl's name again?" Bradley asked, tapping the side of his head. "Ah, I remember now. It's Winry Rockbell."

Sucking in a breath at the mention of the blonde mechanic.

"Your automail engineer, and you grew up with her in Resembool as well if i'm not mistaken. She's practically a family member, isn't she?" Resting his cheek against his fist.

"I've heard that she's made quite a name for herself with her customers in Rush Valley. Such a sweet and trusting girl."

Your hand slams against the table as you glare at the man. "You stay away from her, just leave her out of this!"

"Well thats up to you." He claimed, poking the pocket watch.

A familiar ring tone fills the suddenly silent room. Eyes wide you fall back into your chair, glaring at the Fuhrer. "What do you have?"

You watch as a familiar transponder snail and placed onto the table. Its snail features mixing in with the straw-hat on its head and the scar under its left eye.

Jumping out you go to snatch the shell off of the snail. "[y/n], no!"

Arms wrapping around your waist, pulling you back as Bradley answered the transponder snail, Luffy's energetic voice loudly coming in front of other line.

"[y/n]! You finally picked up! What took you so long? Nevermind that I think were getting close to Amelia or whatever the place you ended up in is called. I navigated us here myself!"

Proudness in his tone as he gave no time for any answer.

"Chopper, where are we again?"

His voice still loud yet still a little less as he seemingly leaned away to ask the reindeer something, his higher pitched voice coming through as muffled.

"Whole Cake Island!"

Tears glossed over as you hung your head low, hands shaking.

Of course he could say it correctly it had food in the name.

"Hey, are you there?"

You stayed quiet.

As much as your body told you to scream for help and tell them to following the western winds, but you wanted them to get here and for you to be alive, so you kept your lips shut.

You froze as Bradley lifted up the snail's shell.

"We're here."

The other end of the line was quiet until screams echoed through.

"Who are you?! What have you done with our [y/n]?!"

Choppers screams ripped through.

"She's fine... for now. I suggest you hurry, thought."

Static breaks the call as the shell of the snail is crushed in the Fuhrer's hand.

The snail reverted back to normal but now it had a frown, and no shell, left to spend the rest of its days as a slug.

"No!"

Sighing he dusted his hands off.

"What a lovely way to meet the infamous Monkey D. Luffy." Examining you now tear stained cheeks, having taken away your only contact with your crew.

Ed continued to hold your hand, his metal hand rubbing your back.

Clearing his throat Bradley slid his watch forward. "If you'd rather not take it, then I will simply have to cut it down."

His hand hesitantly left your, slowly grabbing the item that marked him as a dog of the military and shoving it back into his pocket.

"How thoughtful." Watching as The blonde comforted you.

"Uh excuse me, Sir." Al spoke up, earning the Fuhrer's attention.

"You don't have to worry about us, but I have to ask. If we're going to continue to serve under your watch will you please allow us to keep searching for a way to get our original bodies back? Please, Sir."

The armor pleaded as the homunculus took another sip of his tea. "I don't see why not. As long as you don't interfere with our plans." He compromised before turning to Roy.

"And what do you have in mind colonel? You wouldn't do something so petty as you quit the military."

Roy brought a thoughtful hand to his chin. "Good question. I'm on a short leash here and I still find that preferable to giving up." Side eyeing the three of you.

"And I still have my ambitions, your plans don't change that, so i'll hang onto this." Holding up his own alchemist watch. "And i'll retain my rank too."

Bradley hummed. "That's fine with me. We have nothing more to discuss."

Getting out of your chairs you send a final glare.

"I would like to ask one final question, Sir." Roy said, making you all stop. "Would you now? Go ahead."

"Are you the one who murdered General Hughes?" Shocked gasps coming from the brothers.

"No. That was not me." The man stated. "Then who did?" Looking over his shoulder at the homunculus.

"Colonel, I agreed to one question."

Nodding he made his way to the door. "We'll be leaving now."

"Uh, just one moment Alphonse." As if in a flash of light Bradley swiftly pulled out his sword and stabbed it through a leather part of Al's armor.

Your eyes widened as Ed sucked in a breath.

Pulling out the blade revealed its shiny silver color. "Is that all?" Al stuttered.

"That's all." Sheathing his blade. "You're now dismissed."

Once Roy closed the doors the three of you shivered and screamed. "That was too close!" The armor shouted.

Taking deep breaths Ed turned to Roy. "Oh, hey, Colonel. Help us out, have you got any change?" Holding his hand out to the man.

"You want my money now?" Digging through his pocket and holding out a few Cens which you quickly snatch up.

"Hey!" Ed yelled. Sticking your tongue out you count the change. "Is that all you got?! You're the Colonel, you should be loaded!"

Shoving the change into your pocket.

"It's apparently more than you got!" He fired back.

"Sure, whatever, see ya." Ed waved as the three of you ran off. "Hey."

"Sorry Colonel, we'll explain everything later."

୧ ‧₊˚ 🍊 ⋅

Standing in a phone booth you're packed against the wall, the two brother surrounding you as you speak to Winry.

"Well this is a surprise, Ed didn't break his automail again, did he? Even if he did, I feel I taught you how to temporarily repair it until I could see it."

"What, no, he's fine. We're calling because- is everything alright? Have you noticed anything weird? Like any suspicious people following you?" You asked, leaning against the phone booth wall.

"Well [y/n]."

She began making you dawn a worried expression. "What is it?"

"You're creeping me out."

Letting out exasperated sighs you all melt to the floor. "What's creepy?!" Ed exclaimed from beside you.

"It's just, it's actually pretty rare to get a call from you, and I've never heard you worry about me. This is weirder than a snow storm during the summer."

"You'd be shocked." You replied with a chuckle.

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter it always snowed on Choppers island.

"Fine, maybe we won't worry!" The blonde yelled, ignoring you and Winry's joking.

"Thank you guys. Like really, thank you. It means a lot."

"Yeah. But listen just because they never out right call you and express it, they still feel it."

"You're one in a million [y/n]."

She laughed.

"You're certain everythings okay, right?" You reasked, wanting to make sure.

Nodding at her reply you bid your goodbyes and hang up the phone. "I think she's still safe for now." You reassured them.

"You know it's that kind of desperate worry that they're gonna manipulate you with." Greed claimed.

Slowly you all turn to face him. Screaming you jump behind Al.

"Ling!"

"No, it's Greed, still." A cocky grin on his face. "What do you want?"

Rearing back as he held out a cloth out towards Ed. "Your pal asked me to bring this to you."

"Ling did?" Snatching the fabric the three of you gathered around. "What does it say? It's in some other language."

"Yeah it is. He just wants you to deliver it to some girl."

"Lan Fan?" Your eyes narrow. "Is this some kind of trick? Cause if you follow us and try to kill her."

"I've got more class than that, alright? And as a rule of thumb I don't fight women. I more-or-less just nudge them off to the side when they try to get in the way."

Wagging his finger in your direction. "And another rule of mine is to never tell a lie but hey, it's your call."

Giving you a wave as he stalked off. "Hey wait! Ling!" Ed called out. "It's still Greed, kid." He corrected, walking past citizens of central who watched the entire scene.

—

While Al brought Mei to doctor Knox along with the note Ling had requested be given to Lan Fan, you and Ed went around helping people fix some things.

"Thanks for taking the time to come by." The woman thanked, showing you two the damage done to her railing.

"I'm actually surprised you came. I was honestly starting to get a little worried." She expressed as Ed rubbed the back of his head.

Clapping his hands together alchemy rang out as he fixed the railing, replacing the broken rail with a totally different design from the original.

"It worked." He whispered, looking at his hands. "I'm able to use my alchemy again."

Apologizing to the woman about her new mismatched railing you and Ed walked off, the blonde still looking at his hands.

"Hey! Very nicely done up there. That takes care of all of our repairs for today." An officer thanked, coming over.

"Yeah, you can always rely on a state alchemist." The other claimed, rubbing the sweat off his forehead. "These other alchemist are out here just can't compare."

You both let out hums in question.

"You should've seen those guys. We had a couple of local alchemists helping us with repairs this morning. All they really ended up doing was looking foolish though."

"They came strolling in here like they were the very best and the next thing you know, their alchemy wouldn't work."

Glancing at each other you recalled how you were underground this morning.

"Mister alchemist!" Looking up, the woman waved down at the two of you. "Thanks again."

The sun began to set as you both walked down the street, on your way to Doctor Knox's.

The silence was evident and it was even more clear Ed was dwelling over his thoughts.

Coming to a stop you knock him gently upside the head.

Humming he turned to look up at you. "Stop thinking about all that stuff." Placing your hands on your hips. "How'd you-"

"It's you Ed, what else would you be thinking about. Don't worry we'll figure out how they were still about to use their alchemy."

Hanging his head down a smile tugged at his lips along with some pink on his cheeks.

Sucking in a breath he pulled something out of his coat pocket. Pulling it out he held it out in front of him.

"Oh yeah, we gotta get that back to the Lieutenant."