Chapter Text
It had been a few months since he showed up at Central. Yet nothing has changed here. The spring breeze gently swayed the trees, bringing with it the scent of new flowers and grass. Edward took a deep breath. The scent was mixed with the city's smog. He preferred the fresh air from the downtown area. His golden curls, braided in a long braid, swayed slightly to the rhythm of his walk. He had them cut a few centimeters short; now the length of his hair was below his shoulder blades. Al teased him about whether he wanted to break the record for hair growth for men, but he quickly laughed it off. This length suited him.
He looked around the square. It was nine o'clock in the morning and the place was full of people. The shops were open and offered new or fresh goods. He headed to the bakery and bought a baked bun. Unfortunately, he didn't have time for a proper breakfast.
He took the letter that had been delivered to him from his pocket. The newly appointed General Mustang had requested him. He had not really expected him to return to the army building. His contract had long since ended, and he was now traveling and studying new knowledge and information about alchemy and alkahestry. He was writing a diary that was over a hundred pages long, and he was far from finished with his research. The letter that had been delivered to him sounded urgent. He just hoped it wouldn’t take him too long. He had another trip planned.
He passed through the main door and, taking the last bite of his breakfast, walked down a long corridor. He had expected Mustang to move to a better office, but for now he was staying in his old one. So, he didn’t have to look for him. He knew where to go. He met familiar faces that he remembered from seeing back then. Some greeted him; some just nodded in greeting. He turned right at the end of the corridor and stood in front of a door that was familiar to him. He tapped his knuckles twice and opened the door when prompted. He caught a glimpse of part of Mustang's team. There were chaos and disorder everywhere. He frowned slightly.
"Welcome!" Fuery called out, trying to tidy up the pile of papers on his desk. Edward shook his head.
"What's going on here?" He asked, closing the door behind him. Falman approached him.
"A new case that can't be solved. You know that." He knew that. Scar had given them a lot of trouble then. And what came after only escalated.
"Is he in his office?" he asked. Havoc grinned. A half-smoked cigarette in his mouth. He threw his head towards the closed door.
"He's waiting for you." Ed didn't wait for anything and walked over various papers and parts that he had no idea what they belonged to. He heard muffled voices from behind the door. The general wasn't alone. He sighed and pushed the door open without knocking. In front of him was a familiar picture. Mustang, sitting behind a desk, was bending over some papers and having a quiet conversation with his lieutenant. Riza Hawkeye frowned and ran her finger over the map. As soon as they registered him, they looked up, their eyes filled with surprise.
"Welcome back! How was your trip?" the blonde lieutenant asked, walking around the desk. Ed shrugged.
"No problem. I've already planned another trip."
"I'm afraid your travels will have to wait, fullmetal" the general's growling voice cut into his head. He took a deep breath.
"I'm no longer a state alchemist." He said and walked over to the sofa he was sprawled on. Mustang glanced at him.
"You may not be in the military anymore, but your title still remains. It's up to you whether you show it." Edward snorted.
"You've probably forgotten, but I can't use alchemy anymore." He noted.
"You still have knowledge beyond the comprehension of ordinary alchemists." He blushed slightly against his will. Was Roy Mustang really complimenting him now? It wasn't the first time. Over the past few months, he had heard several compliments from the flame alchemist. Maybe it was the tone he was talking to him, or the searching look he gave him from head to toe. It made his cheeks flush every time. Edward was not a beginner. After completing his life mission, he started dating Winry. Unfortunately, he was away for weeks at a time, and it was obvious. Their relationship hadn't improved at all that time. Edward was simply a researcher. And even though Winry liked that about him, she had been showing for the past few months that she wanted to move on. But it wasn’t going to happen.
Get a grip! This is not the time for your dilemma! He shook his head and waved the letter he had received in front of him.
“It’s not often that a request for my presence sounds so urgent.” Roy rubbed his tired eyes and pushed a folded sheet of paper to the edge of the table. Ed took it and immersed himself in reading.
“I really thought it would be about some skilled alchemists and botched experiments. But no one is good enough for this.” Roy watched the expression on the young face change from calm to curious, confused, shocked, and then disgusted. The former Fullmetal Alchemist’s face was white and green. He looked like he was going to throw up.
“This can’t be possible.” He growled and threw the papers back on the table. He buried his face in his hands. He didn't expect to see this again. He still had nightmares after stressful days, showing a little girl and a big white dog. He hoped he would never see it again.
"What's the information?" He muttered, folding his hands in his lap. Roy stood up and walked over to the window.
"It's been two months since street animals started to disappear. There was no trace of them anywhere. Then homeless people started to disappear. The news of the disappearance reached us late. We found one in a mess of his own organs in one of the streets there. There was no trace of the perpetrator anywhere, but one thing is certain. He is an alchemist. He probably saw himself in Shou Tucker's research. The other cases are the same. This person wants to create the perfect chimera.”
“The same as Nina was.” Ed added quietly. He slammed his fist on the seat angrily.
“Damn! How can someone be so stupid!” He took a few breaths to calm himself and turned to the standing general. They stared at each other for a moment. Roy didn't feel good about it. He remembered how defeated Edward had looked when it came to the horrors of Shou Tucker. He knew that was still a sensitive spot the young alchemist carried inside. But he had no choice.
"So, what do you want me to do?" Ed asked in defeat. Roy handed him another piece of paper across the table. It contained a photo of an alchemical design. Ed narrowed his eyes.
"This came today. Two soldiers went missing near Briggs. They didn't find their bodies, only this. No one knows what the circle is. Even your brother isn't sure. That's why he suggested your assistance." The blond head snapped up.
"Alphonse saw this?" He asked incredulously. Mustang nodded.
"He was at the door early this morning when a stranger stopped him and shoved an envelope into his hands." That's why his brother sounded uncertain when they talked on the phone! He rubbed his golden eyes.
"So, you want me to decipher what this circle is for."
"And if it were possible, deliver me some more information that could lead us to the perpetrator." Roy looked strange. As if he was reluctant to send him on a mission. Edward stood up.
"I'll take a look at it. The design reminds me of something, but I can't remember it right now. I'll need the library and people from outside. I'll send the information." With that, he turned on his heel and headed for the door. He stuffed the paper into the pocket of his black pants. He paused with his hand on the doorknob. Roy looked at him, confused. Had he forgotten something? The blond head turned and Ed gave him a satisfied grin. The light from outside reflected in his golden eyes, and for a moment Roy forgot how to breathe. He had before him a grown man with a beauty that could compete with the most beautiful models.
"Congratulations on your promotion. Don't forget our promise. I'll pay you back five hundred and twenty cents when I see you standing at the head of the army." With that, the door opened and Edward left. Roy was left alone in the study. The room was a few degrees warmer. But maybe he was dreaming. He shook his head and sat up. Black eyes scanned the map. What scared him about this case was the fact that the perpetrator was out there, like a ghost. Wherever someone disappeared and reappeared as a big mass of organs and hair, there was no trace. He was smart. On Edward's level. And people with that kind of intelligence were dangerous.
"Just stay out of it," he muttered, folding the map. He and his team will continue their exploration, but the most important information will be from his former major. For a week, he received information by phone that moved him and his team towards their goal. And then nothing. Silence was broken by a single phone call.
Ed disappeared. Without a trace. And the world stopped spinning.