"Seriously?!" Edward's yell could probably be heard throughout East City. "You wanna help us find the Philosopher's Stone?!"
"Yeah, why not?" I mused. "Besides, I'm a State Alchemist, now." Showing him my official certificate, he took it and read over it.
"Title of Wind Alchemist. That's great, (Y/N)!" Ed seemed really impressed, when really this was just another alchemist getting their liscense; nothing special about that.
"We're really happy for you, (Y/N)," Al added, making me smile. I've been recieving nothing but congratulations since I had become certified. It felt...nice.
"Thank you, you two," I said in a quiter voice, rather embarrassed. Rubbing the back of my neck, we all sat in an uncomfortable silence; almost as if someone wanted to say something...
"Well, Al, we'd better get back to Tucker's to do more research." Finally, something to be said. Al hummed in agreement and walked out with his brother.
"You should head home, (Y/N), there's no need for you to stay here all the time," Mustang said. I nodded and looked at the books. "Borrow whichever ones you want."
I looked at him, a bit perplexed. "Are you sure?" He just waved his hand, saying to go ahead. With a smile, I picked out some of the books on philosopher's stones and more advanced alchemy. I walked out of his office with a wave, rushing through the halls until I reached outside.
Walking through East City, I immediately started reading. It was a bit difficult to hold five books in one arm and read in the other, but this is the price I have to pay for my eagerness. This book talked about everything from biological alchemy and chimeras to other subdivisions like astrological alchemy. Even though I'd never used these, it was still interesting to read about. I was so caught up in reading that I didn't even notice I had reached my building, almost passing it. Silly me.
Finally getting up to my apartment, I opened the door and set the books down before turning on the lights. It almost felt strange to be a State Alchemist; I felt smarter and stronger in a way, even though I hadn't changed.
The more I read, the more confused I had become. Why were the Elric brothers researching this? How did they plan on getting a philosopher's stone? What did biological alchemy have to do with it? I get they want to get Ed's arm and leg back, but what would they need a stone for? Maybe it was best I talk to them about it tomorrow. It was getting late as it is. But still, a part of me wanted to keep going. Curiosity ultimately got the better of me, and I continued reading.
I didn't realize how long I had been reading for until the sun was starting to come up. Yawning, I got up to get some coffee, the rush of caffeine waking me up. I was about to sit back down to read when I heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked, walking over to the door.
"It's Mustang, are you ok, (Y/N)?" This sounded urgent. Opening the door I found a rather disheveled Mustang huffing, out of breath.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Is something wrong?"
"Another State Alchemist was attacked close to here. I want to make sure you're ok," he explained. My stomach dropped and I grew a bit worried. "It's best you stay in my sight for a bit until I find you a guard."
"Mustang, I'm sure I can handle myself," I said defiantly.
"So am I, but it's best to be sure." He did have a point. I am not as advanced or powerful as he is, so it would be best.
Grabbing my books, we returned to East City HQ, where I saw others waiting for us. "(Y/N), meet Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes and Major Armstrong from Central." What are they doing here? Is it that bad?
"So you're the new State Alchemist, right? Nice to meet you! I'm Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes," he said, shaking my hand excitedly. I just smiled nervously, saying a small 'you too, sir'. Once introductions were exchanged, we all walked inside and began talking about the string of attacks on State Alchemists in the area.
I only heard bits and pieces while I was reading, such as how they dubbed the killer 'Scar' and how he attacked ten in total. Also how he attacked Tucker, who I had recognized as the bio-alchemist the Elrics were getting information from.
"You should increase your escort and lay low for a while. Nobody will blame you. Please... I'm asking as your friend. You, (Y/N), and Tucker are the only State Alchemists of note in this area, right?" I heard Hughes say, which immediately caught my attention.
"Oh no. (Y/N), stay in my office. I'll have someone guard the door," Mustang said, walking away with the others.
"No, I'm going with you! If I'm going to get involved in this, I need to know what is going on. I'm not a child!" The four of them looked at me a bit concerned, but they knew I was right. With a look of hesitation, he finally agreed to let me join them.
Getting all the officers we could gather, we finally managed to catch Scar right was he was attacking Ed and Al. The rain poured down on us, making me shiver in my small jacket.
"That's enough! You won't be killing anyone else today, Scar. I'm taking you into custody, where you will answer for the murders of at least ten state alchemists," Mustang had his gloves on, and was about ready to use his alchemy.
Scar started to approach, calling himself an 'agent of god' here to eliminate alchemists. Mustang took it as an invitation to attack, walking closer to him, despite Riza's warning to stay back. He was about to snap his fingers when Riza kicked him out of the way.
"Hey, Hawkeye, what the hell did you do that for?"
"You know as well as I do you're useless on rainy days. Please stay back," she said, and started shooting, but Scar was too fast.
The fight escalated as Armstrong joined, but even then, Scar wasn't going down. Who was this guy? I was about to join since he looked like he needed help, but Mustang held me back. Overhearing there conversations, I learned he killed Tucker and his daughter, and that he was using alchemy, but stopped at the deconstruction phase. So that's how he was able to destroy everything.
A gunshot rang through the air. Hawkeye. She actually got him. "He's too fast. I only grazed him with one shot." Oh.
Getting a better look at him, that's when we realized it. He's an Ishvalan. Now it makes sense. Mustang was about to get him, when there was an explostion, causing the street to collapse into the sewer. The rumble from the explostion caused me to fall, but I managed to use my alchemy to clear away the dust.
"Thanks for clearing up all that dust, (Y/N)", Mustang said, going over to inspect the scene.
"Oh! Is it over now?" Hughes came up out of nowhere. I swear that guy. Mustang started barking orders to the troops in order to find Scar.
"Oh no, Alphonse! Alphonse! Al! Talk to me! Are you all right?" I looked over to see Ed consoling the suit of armor.
"Come on, Al! Al, do you hear me?" Suddenly, Al punched him, and an argument erupted between the brothers. I watched as the two fought over Ed not running away. It was rather sad to see this happen. In the midst of their fight, Al's arm collapsed, falling to the ground and breaking. The sound made me cringe.
"Oh, great! And now my arm's come off because my brother's a big, fat idiot!"
"We're really falling apart, aren't we, brother? We look like we belong in a junkyard."
"But we're still alive."
"Hm. We are."
We eventually got back to HQ, where Mustang was giving the Elric brothers the rundown of the Ishvalan war. It was something I already knew about, so I didn't need to hear about it a second time. I sat with the Elrics and the rest of Mustang's unit in his office, barely paying attention to the conversation taking place.
If I was able to do something, we wouldn't be here. Scar would've been captured, and tried for murder. I really am useless, aren't I?
"Still, the fact is, he's coming at us with full force. We can't let ourselves be killed for his cause. Next time there will be no more talk. Got it?"
"Yes sir!" We all started to leave, as did Ed and Al, only to be interrupted by Hughes.
Well, Ed, Alphonse, what are you two going to now? What's the plan?"
"We're going to keep moving," Ed told him. "We can't just sit around, not as long as we're still alive."