Adult-FanFiction.org : Gundam, Beyblade, DBZ, FMA

Time's Scar	By : RotSeele Category: Fullmetal Alchemist > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 828 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. I do not make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Time's Scar
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 19-Epilogue
- 9
- 10
- 11
Ten
The warehouse that had been picked as the trap location was far enough out of Central to seem like a secret, safe place. The walls were sturdy concrete, the second story landing seemed to be a perfect vantage point for the experiments supposedly going on below, and there were no windows through which anything could be seen. There were only two ways in - the main door, which would have a constant patrol of officers, and the roof door, which was purposefully left unlocked. There, Roy had set an ashtray and the remains of cigarettes, making it seem as if the only smoker in the small group of survivors snuck up there every now and then to smoke and take a moment for himself.
Inside, Ed and Al busied themselves setting up alchemical experiments. Or what looked to be experiments. In reality, they were traps that Alphonse would be able to activate with a touch in hopes one of them would trap the killer. Ed and Roy would be engaged in combat with the killer, if he chose to show up, and the two of them would try to either capture him themselves or drive him toward one of the traps.
It hadn't taken long to get permission from the higher ups to put the plan into motion. Everyone on the case had their part to play, including Mallory. The rotund Lieutenant had given a press conference in hopes that the killer might hear or see it. He claimed the alchemy killings had stopped for good and that life for the survivors was continuing on as normal. They would return to their work for the good of Amestris and he assured the public they had nothing more to fear from the killer. He hadn't given a location for the warehouse nor had he said anything about the survivors being moved. He'd let the crowd assume what they wanted to assume.
Ed put the finishing touches to the last alchemy circle and joined Roy and Alphonse by the front of the warehouse, where a good thirty or so blue-uniformed soldiers stood, watching the two State Alchemists and the suit of armor apprehensively.
"As you know," Roy said, his deep voice booming forth, "this is a trap set up to capture the Alchemy Killer. If you see anyone suspicious, do not engage him. Let him come in uncontested. The three of us will be in here, waiting for him. Remember, he's a skilled alchemist, and he'll be coming to finish his job. No matter what you see or hear, under no circumstances are you to enter this building. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir!" The group chorused and smartly saluted Roy.
"You're dismissed to your assigned positions."
As the group filed out of the building, Edward looked up at Roy. "If we gambled correctly, do you think we'll come out of this victorious?"
Roy eyed both Elric brothers. He knew the gravity of the question Ed had asked better than anyone. He took a deep breath. "If we gambled correctly, I think we have a chance. Whether we're victorious or not depends greatly on our ability to counter him. And if you're right, if he does have a Philosopher's Stone, then we might have our work cut out for us."
Edward nodded, and then he followed the Colonel back into the main room of the warehouse to finish setting things up.
Alphonse watched them both, wondering just one more time about the killer and the man's intentions. If he fell for the trap, they'd get the answers they wanted, but if he didn't, they'd all look like fools. He, for one, hoped the man showed up, because Alphonse wanted to ask him so many things. The least of which was why the man seemed to care so much about him.
Edward Elric stood alone in a dark room, hearing scratches along the invisible walls. He knew the sounds were meant to scare him but the nineteen year old wasn't scared by most things anymore. There really was only one fear that Edward had right now, and that was losing Alphonse.
After the incident in the alley - which he was still worrying over - Olivier had summoned him to the building the man had claimed for the Académie. It was a nondescript, plain brick building that looked like it might have been a factory at one point it its life. How long it has stood empty, forgotten on the outskirts of Central he didn't know, but Olivier seemed to have been drawn to it like it was a lodestone. Ed briefly toyed with the idea that the building reminded Olivier of something back home, but he knew that the director of the Académie loved nothing but himself and his own ambition.
"How long are you going to make me wait, Olivier?" Edward called into the darkness. He put a hint of annoyance and boredom in the words. Better to sound like he didn't care about being summoned like some misbehaving student than to reveal how nervous he actually was.
The darkness lasted for a few more heartbeats before a light flickered on. The cold illumination filled a small space of the walkway above him. Standing there, impeccably dressed in a tailored white suit was the man who had started all this, the man who has ruined Ed's life and was still holding his brother hostage. Ed's eyes flicked to the three forms accompanying Olivier and recognized two as the man's bodyguards. The third shape made his throat go dry and his heart nearly stop beating.
Alphonse, at eighteen years old, still stood taller than his older brother. His blonde hair was still a shade darker than Ed's, and still kept neatly short. His golden eyes were focused on his brother, revealing nothing as to his state of well-being or what he thought about his brother's actions on his behalf. Ed didn't doubt that Olivier had told Alphonse exactly was Edward was doing to ensure his safety, and he wasn't sure if he could continue to live with his ever growing closet of demons if Alphonse turned away from him now.
Then Alphonse smiled slightly, and gave the barest of nods to his brother. Ed let go of the breath he'd been holding as slowly as he could, not wanting the bastard to see how much he'd been affected by seeing Alphonse.
"Thank you for coming so quickly, Mr. Elric," Olivier said, his slightly accented, cultured voice rolling off his tongue like poisoned honey, "I've been anxiously awaiting your report about a certain... incident."
Ed shrugged. "What's to tell? Your bitch got trigger happy. If she'd just left it alone like I told her to, I wouldn't be forced to delay my search in order to play the blame game with you."
Olivier stared at him. A feral light crept into the man's eyes. "You interacted with your other self, and his little brother. That's no small thing to sniff at."
"I didn't talk to them or reveal anything. For all they know, I've got a Philosopher's Stone. It's nothing to worry about."
"Ah, but your actions allowed them to hide the rest of the prey. Now it may be months before they come out of their den."
Ed did his best not to shiver. He didn't like that Olivier thought of people as prey or material. He also didn't look at Alphonse, who looked like he was going to be sick. Ed shrugged again. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. I told you to let me work at my own pace, but you didn't like that idea. This is the consequence."
"And you'll have to deal with it." Olivier replied. He gestured to Alphonse. "Or at least your brother will, since we need you whole and healthy to complete the task assigned you."
Ed clenched his fists. "If you hurt him in any way, I swear nothing will stop me from killing you."
Olivier, damn him, laughed. He patted Alphonse's head like the boy was much shorter than he was. Or like a pet. After a second of laughter, the man sobered. "Attack me, and I'll kill him." His hand wrapped tight around Alphonse's throat. "And I'll make it painful and agonizing and he'll die knowing his older brother can't do anything to save him."
Ed shrugged like he didn't much care. "If he dies, there's nothing stopping me from coming after you."
Olivier's hand immediately released Al's throat. Good, Ed thought, the bastard believes that, at least. Olivier studied the older Elric for a long moment. He regained his composure and stood a little straighter. "Have you been listening to the radio, Edward?"
"No."
Olivier smiled. "Shame. Then let me inform you that your prey has indeed come out of their den. In fact, they're so confident that you are no longer hunting them that they've resumed their little project. I want you to stop them. Kill them all in one fell swoop and I'll give you your precious baby brother back. I'll even let the two of you go home."
Edward didn't believe him for a second. Olivier knew how powerful his alchemy was, and an alchemist of Ed's skill and caliber - a State Alchemist - was useful, especially when that alchemist had been born and raised in Amestris. The Fullmetal Alchemist was someone who could achieve Olivier's wildest dreams and they both knew it.
"So are you going to tell me where they are, or do I have to go hunting?" Ed asked without much feeling.
Olivier smiled. "What's the fun of the hunt of I do everything for you?"
"I thought you were pressed for time. Since I'm obviously mistaken, I'll go hunting in my own." Ed turned on his heel and started to walk away. He hated turning his back on Olivier, hated turning his back on his little brother, but he had to do it. It was for Al's safety as much as his own.
"Now, now, Fullmetal." Olivier chortled. "I would never let you go without a clue. I am a gentleman after all. Your wise military has moved the prey to a laboratory outside of the city. A short drive, or jump, in your case. I'm sure security will be tight, but I believe in you."
Edward half turned and looked up at Olivier. Then he shifted his eyes to Alphonse. His little brother had a look of grim determination and he gave Ed a short, imperceptible nod. Edward nodded back, then left the room.
Olivier turned his attention to Alphonse. "I do hope your brother succeeds. For your sake. I'd hate to have to hurt you again just to get him to behave himself."
Alphonse allowed himself to smile. "My brother means what he says."
Later, when Alphonse was again in his lonely little cell, he allowed himself to cry. He didn't know if it was in relief or something else, but he was glad that the things Ed had been forced to do - was still being forced to do - hadn't broken him. Ed would always live with these demons, with innocent blood on his hands. Alphonse, too, would have to live with the knowledge that these people died because of him, because in order to ensure his safety, Ed had to end them. After a moment, Alphonse dried his tears with his sleeve and shifted positions. He pulled up the mat that served as his bed, picked up the sharp shard of rock he'd broken off one of the bricks that made up the walls, and began to work on the alchemy circle that would hopefully allow him to escape.
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Time's Scar