FMA Fic: "Blood Red Crest", Chapter 4/?
Title: Blood Red Crest
Author: evil_little_dog
Disclaimer: Not now, not ever, no how, no way. Dammit.
Summary: The war is won, the celebration is begun…only some people don’t see it that way.
Characters/Pairings: Ensemble Piece, mostly canon pairings plus a few fanon pairings.
Rating: Teen to Mature.
A.N.: This contains spoilers through chapter 77 of the manga as well as speculation for what might happen to these characters before and after the end of the series. Be warned. This story was started in 2007, when the finale for FMA was in the distance. It doesn’t quite follow Arakawa’s plot line, in that some characters who didn’t survive in her story are characters in this. You might want to consider this story to be a divergence or alternate reality. At least, that's how I'm looking at it.
Chapters 1-4 at AO3 or on LJ: Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three
“I don’t like this.” Alphonse kept his voice low, despite his brother standing right next to him. He wasn’t sure Edward even heard him; his brother was staring at Major Armstrong with a peculiar expression on his face. Alphonse guess that the major’s hand in the center of Winry’s back as he guided her around the magnificent garden probably had something to do with Edward’s glare.
“Neither do I.” Edward growled under his breath. “He’s old enough to be her father.”
“Edward.” Alphonse couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “That’s not what I’m talking about. Major Armstrong’s just being polite.”
“He can be polite without touching her.” The gears in Edward’s automail whined in protest of how tightly he clenched his fist.
“Would you stop being jealous and listen to what I have to say?” Alphonse wondered if he’d have to kick his brother to get him to pay attention.
“I’m not - I - what is it?” Edward spluttered out, glaring ineffectually at Alphonse, who smiled sweetly in return.
“Maybe you can fool yourself, Brother, but the betting pool in Colonel Mustang’s unit has upped the stakes.” Alphonse took a few steps out into the garden, knowing he had Edward’s full attention now. “The odds are for you and Winry getting together before anyone is elected to take Fuhrer Bradley’s place in office.”
Edward’s strangled cry came from behind Alphonse. “Oh, hell.” He caught up to Alphonse, lips pulled back in a snarl. “Like it’s anyone’s business.” Glaring, he shot a look at his little brother. “What’d you bet?”
“And skew my chances? Uh-uh, Brother, I’m not saying.” At least this had gotten Edward to pay attention, though Alphonse figured now he’d have to settle his older brother down again before he’d listen to anything else. “Brother,” he turned his head slightly, looking back toward the mansion, making sure there wasn’t anyone close enough to hear him, “do you really think it’s best that Winry stay here?”
From the way Edward’s eyes shuttered, Alphonse knew his brother had been wondering the same thing. “I don’t think we can get her out of here right now,” he said quietly, completely at odds with his grumbled reactions a few seconds previously. “The Brigadier General wanted her here and I’d bet she has her reasons why.” He folded his arms and pouted at Major Armstrong and Winry, the very image of a jealous boyfriend. “Winry’s safe with Major Armstrong.” Alphonse wondered if his brother could hear how tentative he sounded, saying that.
“Maybe we should ask Major Armstrong if we can stay here, too.” Alphonse unconsciously mirrored his brother’s stance.
“Not like they don’t have the room.” Edward brought his right hand up, fingering his chin thoughtfully. “And if the answer’s no,” his voice trailed off.
“We grab Winry and run,” Alphonse finished, a little grimly, in accompaniment to Edward’s short, sharp nod.
X X X
“The girl’s been taken from the police station,” Envy announced, settling on the arm of the couch, his bare feet on the rough fabric of the cushion. Kimbley almost wished he’d thought of that seating arrangement. The hotel sofa was, to put it mildly, uncomfortable. “She’s in military custody.”
Eyebrow ticking up, Kimbley considered this. “Where was she taken?” Somehow, he doubted that Edward Elric’s hostage would be placed in any of the containment centers he personally knew.
Shrugging, Envy leaned his chin into his palm, lavender eyes blinking slow, reminding Kimbley of a lizard. That knife slit mouth didn’t help the comparison. “The Elric brothers are pretty noticeable. I doubt they’ll be able to keep her hidden for long.” A set of sharp teeth glittered in that mouth. “And then.”
Kimbley nodded slowly, considering the predicament of the girl’s whereabouts. It wouldn’t be terribly difficult to find out how she was hidden. Envy’s particular talents would make ferreting out that information child’s play. Even the best kept secrets could be found out by the right person and Envy was always the right person. Kimbley almost hoped the Elrics were thinking about smuggling the girl out of Central. The chase was, after all, the best part of the hunt.
Envy’s feral smile broadened. “Want me to start tracking her down?”
Answering that grin with one of his own, Kimbley said, “Of course. But don’t make any moves yet. Let’s find out where she is first before we decide what our course of action should be.” He spread his long-fingered hands. “She’s a brave, foolish girl. She’d do anything to protect Fullmetal. And such a trusting soul. Why, that girl embodies what a proper Amestrian citizen should be - hardworking, generous, lovely.”
Envy made a delighted sound deep in his throat. “Just makes it more fun watching what happens when she’s destroyed.”
“As long as we don’t make her a rallying point,” Kimbley said in warning. “We want Fullmetal disgraced and out of commission, remember. Putting the girl in a bad light will hurt him and hurt the military besides. The military specifically needs to be embarrassed.” His fingers laced together, forefingers tapping lightly against his mouth. “Hurting the Fullmetal Alchemist just makes it that much more fun.”
X X X
“I don’t understand, Prince, why you involved yourself with these commoners again.” Fuu’s moustache twitched in irritation as he studied his young master, lolling back on a ballistrude, his eyes closed.
“They’re my friends,” Lin said, not even opening his eyes.
“You have a duty to Xing.” Fuu folded his arms, looking down at the expansive garden below. The celestial gardens of Xing were far more lovely, he thought, though he could admire the sheer amount of greenery. “You have a duty to the clan.”
A single eye opened then, piercing Fuu. “Now you sound like you’re scolding Ran Fan.” Lin’s voice was disappointed. “I know I have a duty to my people, Fuu. That isn’t something you need to remind me.” He sat up, looking down into the garden and at a trio of blond heads. “But I owe them, too, and if that means I’m not going home quite as soon as expected, I have to risk it.” Stretching his arms over his head, Lin rose to his feet as if he pulled himself up on the air. “Besides,” and this was said soberly, without his usual good humor, “if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have the secret of immortality.” He tapped his chest lightly. “Even if it was taken away from me again.”
Fuu’s moustache quivered in response. Lin knew the older man would say nothing more, even if he wanted to. As a retainer, Fuu was one of the best. Not quite as amazing as his granddaughter but then, who was? It was a shame, really, that her blood wasn’t royal. Lin would not hesitate to take Ran Fan as his first wife if not for that - and knew what the other families would do if he tried. Ran Fan would instantly be a target, much more than she would be as his guardian. And even though it would hurt them both, him not being able to choose her as a wife, they both understood all too well the intricacies of court. That particular lesson had been drilled into them since birth and, while there were some things they would both fight to change, Lin knew that open affection - love - for Ran Fan when they returned home would be far too dangerous for her.
Lin wondered if Ed felt the same way. There was nothing stopping Ed from proclaiming his love for Winry - nothing short of Ed himself. At least, up until the celebration, when that man went after Winry. Lin wished he had acted more quickly during that exchange. Winry, after all, was his friend, too - not to mention, at least out-loud, a girl he fantasized about. He didn’t like her being put into a dangerous situation. Lin was both suddenly relieved and almost disappointed that the monster he’d hosted hadn’t really been interested in Winry. That could’ve proven to be problematic, at best, and at worst, well, Lin decided, it truly was not worth considering.
“What is it, young master?” Ran Fan was far too adept at reading him, something that made her both a worthy opponent and a trusted companion. In Lin’s eyes, she symbolized all that was the best of his clan, condensed into one person.
Lin glanced down at his friends again, his gaze lingering on Winry’s paler head. “What if,” he said quietly, “Winry isn’t the one they’re after? That man with the bomb, he said he was looking for the pretty blonde with the Fullmetal Alchemist. What if,” Lin raised his head, “it’s not just Ed someone wants to pull down?”
“What are you saying?” Fuu’s eyes narrowed sharply and he squatted down next to Lin, Ran Fan joining them, as if someone might be able to overhear their discussion on the roof of the Armstrong palace.
“That may be this is far larger than previously thought.” Ling touched his fingers to his chin. “I think we need to arrange a meeting with the Elrics and their Colonel Mustang.”
“And Miss Winry?” Ran Fan peered over the ballistrude, searching for the trio below.
“She’s a strong young woman. I think we should have her come, too.” Lin grinned, leaning so he rested against a chimney. “And it would make Ed and Al happier if they knew where she was.”
“I think they’ll be watching Miss Winry.” Ran Fan touched her lower lip thoughtfully. “These Armstrongs,” she clarified as Fuu bobbed his head once agreement.
Lin’s smile was positively brilliant. “Then we’ll have to spirit her away, won’t we?” He fancied the idea, himself; it reeked of romance and the tales he’d been told as a child by his older sisters. Even if he wasn’t the one Winry loved, the idea of stealing her out from under the noses of a strong family like this one appealed to him. The fact that Fuu had that expression on his face, the one that said that this was probably a stupid idea but he was refraining from telling his prince that, just added to the fun, in Lin’s mind. “We should make a plan.” He despaired of the Elric brothers reading Xingese writing. Learning their language hadn’t been too difficult but their written words, that was much harder, and Lin knew his artistic skills were not good enough to explain in a drawing what they wanted. “I suppose we’ll have to split up,” he said, “to let the Elrics know that we’re bringing Winry to them.”
“Are you sure this is the best idea, my prince?” Fuu’s reservations were spoken in that question.
“No. I’m not.” Lin shrugged. “But it is the only idea I have right now and I believe my friends should be aware of it.” His eyes narrowed as he looked down over the garden. “Besides,” he nodded at the tall blond woman, striding across the grounds, “sometimes I enjoy tweaking the tiger’s whiskers.”
“Far too much,” Fuu muttered, not quite under his breath.
Lin ignored his retainer, inclining his body forward to peer over the edge of the roof. He watched as his friends walked out of the garden, heading toward the house. Scowling a little, Lin realized that he’d never be able to find Winry in such a large building. But surely, as a woman they’d want to impress, they’d give her a room with windows and, no matter what floor her room was on, if there was a window, he, Ran Fan and Fuu could get to Winry.
He had the feeling she’d probably be happy to escape such a place.
X X X
“What’s taking so long?” Roy opened his pocket watch to check the time. They had been at the Armstrong residence for over an hour and Miss Rockbell, as well as the Elrics had vanished along into the garden shortly after their arrival.
“Sir, I’m sure they’re very concerned about Winry.” Hawkeye remained at her most urbane.
“Even so, we need to get back to the office.” He turned slightly to face her, taking a look at the mansion behind him as he did. “The Brigadier General has surely already returned to her duties.” Roy kept his voice deliberately low. “If we could get an idea where to locate Kimbley, it would certainly put all of us in a better standing.” He knew Riza would understand his meaning.
Her chin dipped slightly. “Even so, sir, the Elric brothers will surely want to make sure their friend is comfortable in her new surroundings.”
Roy rolled his eyes, mentally translating her answer as, ‘Edward is going to freak out when we leave anyway because he won’t think the girl is safe.’ He wouldn’t care how it would look to the fledgling government. Still, someone needed to get back to the office and while Roy thought that the Elrics could find their own way home, he was loathe to leave them here. It certainly wasn’t that they were unsafe in such a place but he thought that the protection of the Armstrongs might come at a high price. Edward had already proven his willingness to protect the girl from harm by selling his allegiance to the military. While he understood the reasoning behind it, Roy didn’t want the Elrics to find themselves in the same sort of deal with Olivia Armstrong. Alex Louis would protect Miss Rockbell with his life, without thinking of anything other than that being his duty, however, his older sister might try to capitalize on the situation. “And,” Roy muttered, almost under his breath, “that is certainly something we don’t want happening.”
“Sir?” Riza turned her attention to him, an unobtrusive tilt of her head.
“Considerations, Hawkeye. Considerations for various things.” Roy rubbed the thumb of his right hand over his fingertips. “I’m thinking that perhaps I should go out this evening and relax. I haven’t done that for some time.” His thumb moved against his fingers, as if testing the friction.
X X X
Author: evil_little_dog
Disclaimer: Not now, not ever, no how, no way. Dammit.
Summary: The war is won, the celebration is begun…only some people don’t see it that way.
Characters/Pairings: Ensemble Piece, mostly canon pairings plus a few fanon pairings.
Rating: Teen to Mature.
A.N.: This contains spoilers through chapter 77 of the manga as well as speculation for what might happen to these characters before and after the end of the series. Be warned. This story was started in 2007, when the finale for FMA was in the distance. It doesn’t quite follow Arakawa’s plot line, in that some characters who didn’t survive in her story are characters in this. You might want to consider this story to be a divergence or alternate reality. At least, that's how I'm looking at it.
Chapters 1-4 at AO3 or on LJ: Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three
“I don’t like this.” Alphonse kept his voice low, despite his brother standing right next to him. He wasn’t sure Edward even heard him; his brother was staring at Major Armstrong with a peculiar expression on his face. Alphonse guess that the major’s hand in the center of Winry’s back as he guided her around the magnificent garden probably had something to do with Edward’s glare.
“Neither do I.” Edward growled under his breath. “He’s old enough to be her father.”
“Edward.” Alphonse couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “That’s not what I’m talking about. Major Armstrong’s just being polite.”
“He can be polite without touching her.” The gears in Edward’s automail whined in protest of how tightly he clenched his fist.
“Would you stop being jealous and listen to what I have to say?” Alphonse wondered if he’d have to kick his brother to get him to pay attention.
“I’m not - I - what is it?” Edward spluttered out, glaring ineffectually at Alphonse, who smiled sweetly in return.
“Maybe you can fool yourself, Brother, but the betting pool in Colonel Mustang’s unit has upped the stakes.” Alphonse took a few steps out into the garden, knowing he had Edward’s full attention now. “The odds are for you and Winry getting together before anyone is elected to take Fuhrer Bradley’s place in office.”
Edward’s strangled cry came from behind Alphonse. “Oh, hell.” He caught up to Alphonse, lips pulled back in a snarl. “Like it’s anyone’s business.” Glaring, he shot a look at his little brother. “What’d you bet?”
“And skew my chances? Uh-uh, Brother, I’m not saying.” At least this had gotten Edward to pay attention, though Alphonse figured now he’d have to settle his older brother down again before he’d listen to anything else. “Brother,” he turned his head slightly, looking back toward the mansion, making sure there wasn’t anyone close enough to hear him, “do you really think it’s best that Winry stay here?”
From the way Edward’s eyes shuttered, Alphonse knew his brother had been wondering the same thing. “I don’t think we can get her out of here right now,” he said quietly, completely at odds with his grumbled reactions a few seconds previously. “The Brigadier General wanted her here and I’d bet she has her reasons why.” He folded his arms and pouted at Major Armstrong and Winry, the very image of a jealous boyfriend. “Winry’s safe with Major Armstrong.” Alphonse wondered if his brother could hear how tentative he sounded, saying that.
“Maybe we should ask Major Armstrong if we can stay here, too.” Alphonse unconsciously mirrored his brother’s stance.
“Not like they don’t have the room.” Edward brought his right hand up, fingering his chin thoughtfully. “And if the answer’s no,” his voice trailed off.
“We grab Winry and run,” Alphonse finished, a little grimly, in accompaniment to Edward’s short, sharp nod.
X X X
“The girl’s been taken from the police station,” Envy announced, settling on the arm of the couch, his bare feet on the rough fabric of the cushion. Kimbley almost wished he’d thought of that seating arrangement. The hotel sofa was, to put it mildly, uncomfortable. “She’s in military custody.”
Eyebrow ticking up, Kimbley considered this. “Where was she taken?” Somehow, he doubted that Edward Elric’s hostage would be placed in any of the containment centers he personally knew.
Shrugging, Envy leaned his chin into his palm, lavender eyes blinking slow, reminding Kimbley of a lizard. That knife slit mouth didn’t help the comparison. “The Elric brothers are pretty noticeable. I doubt they’ll be able to keep her hidden for long.” A set of sharp teeth glittered in that mouth. “And then.”
Kimbley nodded slowly, considering the predicament of the girl’s whereabouts. It wouldn’t be terribly difficult to find out how she was hidden. Envy’s particular talents would make ferreting out that information child’s play. Even the best kept secrets could be found out by the right person and Envy was always the right person. Kimbley almost hoped the Elrics were thinking about smuggling the girl out of Central. The chase was, after all, the best part of the hunt.
Envy’s feral smile broadened. “Want me to start tracking her down?”
Answering that grin with one of his own, Kimbley said, “Of course. But don’t make any moves yet. Let’s find out where she is first before we decide what our course of action should be.” He spread his long-fingered hands. “She’s a brave, foolish girl. She’d do anything to protect Fullmetal. And such a trusting soul. Why, that girl embodies what a proper Amestrian citizen should be - hardworking, generous, lovely.”
Envy made a delighted sound deep in his throat. “Just makes it more fun watching what happens when she’s destroyed.”
“As long as we don’t make her a rallying point,” Kimbley said in warning. “We want Fullmetal disgraced and out of commission, remember. Putting the girl in a bad light will hurt him and hurt the military besides. The military specifically needs to be embarrassed.” His fingers laced together, forefingers tapping lightly against his mouth. “Hurting the Fullmetal Alchemist just makes it that much more fun.”
X X X
“I don’t understand, Prince, why you involved yourself with these commoners again.” Fuu’s moustache twitched in irritation as he studied his young master, lolling back on a ballistrude, his eyes closed.
“They’re my friends,” Lin said, not even opening his eyes.
“You have a duty to Xing.” Fuu folded his arms, looking down at the expansive garden below. The celestial gardens of Xing were far more lovely, he thought, though he could admire the sheer amount of greenery. “You have a duty to the clan.”
A single eye opened then, piercing Fuu. “Now you sound like you’re scolding Ran Fan.” Lin’s voice was disappointed. “I know I have a duty to my people, Fuu. That isn’t something you need to remind me.” He sat up, looking down into the garden and at a trio of blond heads. “But I owe them, too, and if that means I’m not going home quite as soon as expected, I have to risk it.” Stretching his arms over his head, Lin rose to his feet as if he pulled himself up on the air. “Besides,” and this was said soberly, without his usual good humor, “if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have the secret of immortality.” He tapped his chest lightly. “Even if it was taken away from me again.”
Fuu’s moustache quivered in response. Lin knew the older man would say nothing more, even if he wanted to. As a retainer, Fuu was one of the best. Not quite as amazing as his granddaughter but then, who was? It was a shame, really, that her blood wasn’t royal. Lin would not hesitate to take Ran Fan as his first wife if not for that - and knew what the other families would do if he tried. Ran Fan would instantly be a target, much more than she would be as his guardian. And even though it would hurt them both, him not being able to choose her as a wife, they both understood all too well the intricacies of court. That particular lesson had been drilled into them since birth and, while there were some things they would both fight to change, Lin knew that open affection - love - for Ran Fan when they returned home would be far too dangerous for her.
Lin wondered if Ed felt the same way. There was nothing stopping Ed from proclaiming his love for Winry - nothing short of Ed himself. At least, up until the celebration, when that man went after Winry. Lin wished he had acted more quickly during that exchange. Winry, after all, was his friend, too - not to mention, at least out-loud, a girl he fantasized about. He didn’t like her being put into a dangerous situation. Lin was both suddenly relieved and almost disappointed that the monster he’d hosted hadn’t really been interested in Winry. That could’ve proven to be problematic, at best, and at worst, well, Lin decided, it truly was not worth considering.
“What is it, young master?” Ran Fan was far too adept at reading him, something that made her both a worthy opponent and a trusted companion. In Lin’s eyes, she symbolized all that was the best of his clan, condensed into one person.
Lin glanced down at his friends again, his gaze lingering on Winry’s paler head. “What if,” he said quietly, “Winry isn’t the one they’re after? That man with the bomb, he said he was looking for the pretty blonde with the Fullmetal Alchemist. What if,” Lin raised his head, “it’s not just Ed someone wants to pull down?”
“What are you saying?” Fuu’s eyes narrowed sharply and he squatted down next to Lin, Ran Fan joining them, as if someone might be able to overhear their discussion on the roof of the Armstrong palace.
“That may be this is far larger than previously thought.” Ling touched his fingers to his chin. “I think we need to arrange a meeting with the Elrics and their Colonel Mustang.”
“And Miss Winry?” Ran Fan peered over the ballistrude, searching for the trio below.
“She’s a strong young woman. I think we should have her come, too.” Lin grinned, leaning so he rested against a chimney. “And it would make Ed and Al happier if they knew where she was.”
“I think they’ll be watching Miss Winry.” Ran Fan touched her lower lip thoughtfully. “These Armstrongs,” she clarified as Fuu bobbed his head once agreement.
Lin’s smile was positively brilliant. “Then we’ll have to spirit her away, won’t we?” He fancied the idea, himself; it reeked of romance and the tales he’d been told as a child by his older sisters. Even if he wasn’t the one Winry loved, the idea of stealing her out from under the noses of a strong family like this one appealed to him. The fact that Fuu had that expression on his face, the one that said that this was probably a stupid idea but he was refraining from telling his prince that, just added to the fun, in Lin’s mind. “We should make a plan.” He despaired of the Elric brothers reading Xingese writing. Learning their language hadn’t been too difficult but their written words, that was much harder, and Lin knew his artistic skills were not good enough to explain in a drawing what they wanted. “I suppose we’ll have to split up,” he said, “to let the Elrics know that we’re bringing Winry to them.”
“Are you sure this is the best idea, my prince?” Fuu’s reservations were spoken in that question.
“No. I’m not.” Lin shrugged. “But it is the only idea I have right now and I believe my friends should be aware of it.” His eyes narrowed as he looked down over the garden. “Besides,” he nodded at the tall blond woman, striding across the grounds, “sometimes I enjoy tweaking the tiger’s whiskers.”
“Far too much,” Fuu muttered, not quite under his breath.
Lin ignored his retainer, inclining his body forward to peer over the edge of the roof. He watched as his friends walked out of the garden, heading toward the house. Scowling a little, Lin realized that he’d never be able to find Winry in such a large building. But surely, as a woman they’d want to impress, they’d give her a room with windows and, no matter what floor her room was on, if there was a window, he, Ran Fan and Fuu could get to Winry.
He had the feeling she’d probably be happy to escape such a place.
X X X
“What’s taking so long?” Roy opened his pocket watch to check the time. They had been at the Armstrong residence for over an hour and Miss Rockbell, as well as the Elrics had vanished along into the garden shortly after their arrival.
“Sir, I’m sure they’re very concerned about Winry.” Hawkeye remained at her most urbane.
“Even so, we need to get back to the office.” He turned slightly to face her, taking a look at the mansion behind him as he did. “The Brigadier General has surely already returned to her duties.” Roy kept his voice deliberately low. “If we could get an idea where to locate Kimbley, it would certainly put all of us in a better standing.” He knew Riza would understand his meaning.
Her chin dipped slightly. “Even so, sir, the Elric brothers will surely want to make sure their friend is comfortable in her new surroundings.”
Roy rolled his eyes, mentally translating her answer as, ‘Edward is going to freak out when we leave anyway because he won’t think the girl is safe.’ He wouldn’t care how it would look to the fledgling government. Still, someone needed to get back to the office and while Roy thought that the Elrics could find their own way home, he was loathe to leave them here. It certainly wasn’t that they were unsafe in such a place but he thought that the protection of the Armstrongs might come at a high price. Edward had already proven his willingness to protect the girl from harm by selling his allegiance to the military. While he understood the reasoning behind it, Roy didn’t want the Elrics to find themselves in the same sort of deal with Olivia Armstrong. Alex Louis would protect Miss Rockbell with his life, without thinking of anything other than that being his duty, however, his older sister might try to capitalize on the situation. “And,” Roy muttered, almost under his breath, “that is certainly something we don’t want happening.”
“Sir?” Riza turned her attention to him, an unobtrusive tilt of her head.
“Considerations, Hawkeye. Considerations for various things.” Roy rubbed the thumb of his right hand over his fingertips. “I’m thinking that perhaps I should go out this evening and relax. I haven’t done that for some time.” His thumb moved against his fingers, as if testing the friction.
X X X