Chapter Text
Central City, Power Plant 6 – 1914
“Colonel…” Ed drew out the word. “Fancy seeing you doing your job.”
The Colonel grated her teeth under a smirk. “I wouldn’t have to be here if you did yours.” She breathed in, cooling off. “We were told things got worse here, and they called me over from the east. This better be worth it.”
Charizard flew back to Mustang’s side, letting out a satisfied purr. He was obviously winded, probably from the rush-order flight from East City. Ed wondered if Mustang would switch out Pokemon or have her Charizard keep fighting, it would be typical of the Colonel to run an asset into the ground.
“Mustang. Why am I not surprised to see you here.” McDougal watched his Articuno heave itself up and shake off the dust. It glared at Charizard, who snorted and bobbed his head.
“I need you to stop whatever it is you’re doing, McDougal, and reverse the effects of Articuno’s sheer cold.” Mustang took a step forward and Charizard tensed, darting his eyes between the three of McDougal’s Pokemon. “Surrender now or I’ll be forced to battle you.”
“I can’t do that, Mustang,” he grumbled, not backing down. “Rain dance.” His Seismitoad took a deep breath, and placed her hands together, closing her eyes. Dark clouds swirled over the sky above, and a downpour quickly followed. McDougal seemed to have prepared for any setbacks on his mission to weaken the League.
Mustang snorted, recalling Charizard into his Pokeball. Rain would make her fire types useless. “Come on out, Talonflame.”
Ed almost fell over. “You just switched out a fire and flying type for another fire and flying type?!”
“She’ll handle it.” Mustang shoved her hands into her pockets, determined look crossing her face. Edward didn’t like trusting her judgment, but it’s not like he could force her to pick a different partner to use in this battle.
“Seismitoad, return.” McDougal recalled his tired Pokemon, and grabbed a different Pokeball from his wrist. A 3v3 it would stay. He tossed the ball and a Cryogonal appeared. “Now then, Glalie, blizzard,” he pointed to Al and Rhydon, “Cryogonal, reflect, and Articuno, icebeam,” he finished pointing at Talonflame. His Pokemon cried, and followed his direction. Cryogonal put up a screen around it’s teammates, minimizing the damage from physical attacks. Glalie opened his mouth and spewed a blast of snow at Al and his Rhydon, both of whom dove opposite directions to dodge. Articuno directed it’s icebeam at Talonflame, who took off flying at an incredible speed.
“Keep dodging,” Roy ordered. Talonflame flew circles around Articuno, it unable to make contact with it’s attack.
Glalie chased after Rhydon, leaving a trail of snow and ice. Al stood, trying to determine the moment to have her attack, but having Rhydon stop would result in her getting frozen.
“Lucario, aura sphere on Cryogonal!” Ed stepped out of the battlefield, trying to avoid being struck by any of McDougal’s attacks. His Lucario grunted, and charged a sphere of energy.
Cryogonal swayed and whirred, as if asking it’s trainer for direction. McDougal had himself strung thin trying to manage three battles at once. The aura sphere hit the large snowflake, knocking it back and causing it to cry out again to it’s trainer. “Cryogonal, freeze-dry.”
Lucario cartwheeled out of the way, but slipped on some of the trail left by Glalie. Cryogonal’s attack hit, but minimally affected the canine. He smiled, having realized his advantage. “Metal claw!” He gladly complied with his trainer’s order, and chased down the enemy.
On the other side of the field, Glalie finally lost stamina in producing his blizzard, and instead floated, awaiting his next command. “Back to us!” Al exclaimed, and Rhydon looked at him, determined. “Rock tomb!” Rhydon bellowed, then stomped the ground, producing floating stones. She stepped towards Glalie, sending the rocks in his direction.
“Glalie, dodge it!” McDougal ordered, and Glalie spun around, narrowly avoiding the stones. “Icicle crash!” He directed his attention back towards Articuno, who was now trying to bite the Talonflame as she flew around the beast. Mustang had something up her sleeve, but McDougal couldn’t figure it out yet. Her Talonflame would wear out much sooner than his Articuno would.
Glalie sent several icicles towards Rhydon, who blocked them all with a swift rock blast ordered by Al. She used rock tomb again at his command, which Glalie dodged, but after one more well timed attack, he was trapped beneath the stones.
Cryogonal was keeping up against Lucario, the metal claws that hit it did half the damage due to reflect, and it managed to hit a few more freeze-dries when it had the opportunity. Both Pokemon showed signs of fatigue, but neither would give up the fight.
As soon as McDougal moved to free Glalie, Mustang pointed a gloved hand down the road. Talonflame took note, and she raced down the street. Articuno flapped it’s wings, taking off after the smaller bird. It’s large size made it hard to avoid the other battling Pokemon, and it knocked down friend and foe on it’s path after the smaller nuisance. Trainer and partner alike looked towards Mustang, confused by this wordless display. She drew a circle in the air with a finger, then extended the rest before making a downward chopping motion. Talonflame whirled around in the air, now on a direct path to Articuno. At the last second, she threw her wings forward, glowing orange, and hit the larger Pokemon, stopping it’s momentum and flinging it onto it’s back. The shield brought on by reflect shattered and dissipated.
“Wait a minute, that was brick break, Talonflame can’t learn brick break!” Ed said quietly, half to himself and half to Roy, hoping for an answer.
A presence appeared behind Ed, he jumped before realizing she was an ally. “No, they can’t, but she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve.” Lieutenant Hawkeye spoke. Of course, where there’s one there must be the other. “She’s not always useless in the rain.”
Roy hunched her shoulders and dropped her head at the comment, “Lieutenant…”
The corner of her mouth curled momentarily. “Looks like you have things handled here.”
McDougal had given up on trying to dig Glalie out, instead returning the Pokemon. He also returned Cryogonal, and ran towards Articuno. The beast struggled to turn over, flailing it’s feet and pushing itself upright with it’s wings. Lucario and Rhydon stepped towards the enemy, ready for their next orders. Talonflame returned to perch on Mustang’s shoulder, who seemed considerably affected by the weight. She returned the Pokemon and walked forward.
“McDougal, it’s time to come with me. You’re under arrest for your destructive acts on Central City, the murder of guards and prisoners at East Wing Prison, and for reckless endangerment of civilians.” She produced a pair of handcuffs from a pocket. “Tell Articuno to stop it’s ice, and surrender your Pokeballs.”
“Never.” He grabbed the feathers on Articuno’s neck and hoisted himself onto it’s back. “Sheer cold.”
“Everyone get back!” Mustang called as she retreated to where Ed and Hawkeye were still standing. Lucario jumped to the sidewalk, and Rhydon and Al followed suit. They all stood ready to continue moving, should the ice spread so far.
Articuno opened it’s wings, a freezing aura emanating it’s body. McDougal winced at the cold, but held steady on the bird’s back. It flapped, freezing the street beneath. As it thrust it’s wings, the two began to fly. Roy reached for a Pokeball on her belt, apprehensive due to the still-pouring rain. Before she could make her decision, though, Articuno flew through the gate of the power plant. A strange wave of energy burst from behind the walls, and a screech could be heard from the other side. The ice stopped advancing and began melting under the rain. The group of four trainers and two Pokemon looked to each other, then ran to the gate to determine what just happened.
Blood stained Articuno’s blue feathers as McDougals body slid down it’s back, split in two. The pieces landed with horrid thuds. Articuno was breathing heavy and struggling it’s wings, it’s protective aura fading. It looked back and forth between it’s cleaved trainer and what did this to him. As the group rounded the corner, they saw him.
The hairs on Ed’s neck stood as he peered around the Pokemon to see the source of the violence. A Kingambit returned to his seated position, next to none other than the Fuhrer himself. “Why hello there, Flame and Fullmetal.” His calm voice didn’t soothe anyone present. Nonetheless, they saluted at his appearance. “The lack of power generation was starting to affect the inner workings of Central Command. He needed to be stopped.” He explained, relaxed demeanor as he walked towards the Articuno. It screeched as he approached.
Al touched Ed’s shoulder, making him jump. “Ed…”
Ed gulped, reaching a hand towards Al’s. “I know.”
“Calm down, Articuno.” The Fuhrer shushed the beast, it tried to peck at him but a powerful hand pushed it’s face away. “You’ll be spared.” He grabbed the upper half of McDougal’s lifeless body, ignoring the blood now covering his own uniform. He stripped the vambraces from his hands, discarding the corpse. He counted the Pokemon, ensuring all were there. He grabbed the ball for Articuno, and despite it’s protesting expression, he returned it. Placing the Pokeball in his pocket, he strode towards the group of trainers.
“What are you going to do with his partners?” Al innocently asked, oblivious to the glares of his friends, begging for silence.
“Decommissioning,” the Fuhrer’s response was chilling. Ed had heard about it, from the time of the war. If anyone disobeyed orders or dissented, they and their partners would be… Al didn’t need any more explanation than the single word. Roy looked to the ground, it didn’t have to end that way. When she looked back up, the Fuhrer had passed by the group, continuing to Central Command accompanied by his Kingambit.
“The ice…” The Lieutenant said, staring at the center of the street. The ice from sheer cold had completely melted.
“I’ll bet it’s melting at the other power plants, too,” Mustang added.
“And the apartments. The apartments! Ceruledge!” Ed hopped between feet, almost completely having forgotten. “Eeeuuhhh- we have to go! See ya Colonel!” Al did Rhydon the favor of recalling her to her Pokeball, Ed did no such thing for Lucario as he took off down the street.
“Your report!” She yelled after them.
“I’ll get it done later!”
Mustang shook her head. “That kid.”
“You’re the one who chose him, sir.”
“He chose himself.” She smiled at the sentiment regardless, and turned back to look at the bloody mess in the street. “So what do we do about this?”
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Central City, Apartment Buildings – 1914
“Ceruledge!” Edward yelled as he made it back to the previously frozen apartment buildings. Lucario skidded to a stop behind him. Ceruledge was resting, sitting with his back leaned against a building wall, arm draped over his knee. His eyes opened and his attention moved to his trainer.
He whirred and chirped, powering up a blade as he walked to his partner. He held it over his head, poised to strike, continuing his chirping.
“I’m sorry!” Ed curled up behind his metallic limbs. Ceruledge dropped his arm. Ed straightened up, though hesitant to his partner’s next move. Ceruledge closed his eyes, and rested his head on Ed’s.
“He was saying he was concerned for you.” Al chimed in, Armarouge and Pyroar having made their way over as well. Al scratched under Pyroar’s chin and patted Armarouge’s shoulder before returning them both to their Pokeballs.
Ed chuckled. “I could get that much on my own,” he said as he put a firm hand on the back of Ceruledge’s neck. “I’m sorry for worrying you, pal.”
“Look, the ice is all melted.” Al pointed down the alley, the walls of the buildings and the street wet from the ice. “I guess these guys cleaned it up after…”
Ed frowned, it was a fact of life that they would continue to see death and destruction, but today’s event was entirely preventable. “Hey, let’s rest up. We’ve been working since last night, we deserve some down time.” Al turned around, his body language indicating he was back to his cheery self. Lucario and Ceruledge happily vocalized in agreement, and didn’t protest to being recalled for the time being.
As they walked back towards Central Command, the sun shone from behind a thick set of clouds. The light reminded Ed of his earlier concern. “So, back in the apartment buildings, I had a thought. Why does Central City have so many power plants?”
Al tilted his head, “What are you getting at?”
“Well, I get that Central has direct communications with all of the Cardinal Cities, but that doesn’t take 15 power plants worth of electricity. The citizens definitely don’t use that much either. What I’m trying to say is, I think McDougal might have had a point. About something going on with the League. There’s no reason for that many power plants if they’re not powering something huge, right here in Central. And the fact that we don’t know about it makes it seem like it’s something not so good.”
They stopped in front of the steps to Command. Al hummed, pondering the statement. Ed’s theory was treasonous, and if he was right it could mean the future of Amestris. He had no reason not to believe his brother, and began ascending the stairs. “You could be right, but be quiet about it until we have more to go off of. We don’t want the attention up the chain of command.”
“Of course, Al, I’m not an idiot. We have to find people to trust with this first.”
“What about the Colonel?”
Ed put a hand to his chin. “She may be a bastard but she could be a minimal start. Her team’s loyal to her, not the League, that’s good.”
They made their way to the mess hall, Al couldn’t participate but he did like watching everyone eat. Before they could make it through the last set of doors, however, a new voice stopped them. “You must be the Fullmetal Master, huh?” The two turned around. A taller, dark haired man with glasses and a stubbled chin was approaching them. “Youngest to become a Master in the League.”
“How’d you know that’s me?”
“You’re the…” The man sized up Ed. He expected the next word out of his mouth to be shortest, or perhaps smallest, “only kid I’ve seen in Central Command.”
Ed relaxed at the unexpected switch, but his eyebrow still twitched at being called a kid. “So who’re you?”
The man smiled at the complete casualness of the statement, the young officer blatantly disregarding their rank difference. “Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, best friend of Colonel Mustang. She’s told me a lot about you.” He extended a hand.
“Ah. So she did.” Ed shook Hughes’ hand before returning his to his pocket. He stood for a second, waiting for the Lieutenant Colonel to either continue talking or dismiss him. “Well, we were about to sit down to have some,” he looked at the clock, “late lunch. Did you need anything else from us?”
“Oh nonsense! You don’t want mess hall food!” He moved behind the two and placed a guiding hand on both of their backs. “Let me call my wife and ask her to start dinner early! Her name is Gracia, she’s incredible. And Roy told me you didn’t have anywhere to stay while here in Central! Spend the night with us, we’re more than happy to have you and your partner! It’ll be so fun, I have a daughter, Elicia, she’ll just adore your Pokemon.”
Ed’s mumbles of declines went unnoticed while Hughes pushed the two right back down the path they took.
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Central City, Power Plant 6 – 1914
Colonel Mustang watched as the officers lifted the two halves of McDougal’s body, covered in tarps. They were loaded onto a truck-bed, which drove away after a couple of slaps to the hood. Remaining officers ordered their water type Pokemon to clean the concrete, bloody water running down nearby drains. She continued standing until the last officer left, bidding her farewell with a salute.
“Shall we head back to East City, sir?” Lieutenant Hawkeye asked, hands clasped behind her back.
Mustang snapped out of her trance, “yes, Lieutenant, we should.” She pulled Charizard’s Pokeball off of her belt, and arched her eyebrows in concern. “He’s probably still tired, hah. Does Jisuberi have room for two?”
“She’s still tired as well.” Roy smiled, pained. She didn’t want to take the train back. “What about Reshiram?”
Mustang suppressed a laugh, “the last time I flew Reshiram cross-country without an emergency, the League threatened to suspend my certification.” She scratched the back of her head.
“Arcanine? And I take Jishin?” Hawkeye tapped her chin.
“I’m still sore from the last time we did that,” Mustang drooped her shoulders, rubbing her lower back, “but it’s faster than the train…”
Hawkeye nodded sagely, and walked a step behind Mustang as she led the way to the eastern gate out of the city. She noticed a pensive look on the Colonel’s face, she only got that lost in thought when something was really bothering her. “Is something the matter, Colonel?”
Mustang’s head twitched up. “I’m just thinking about how McDougal’s Articuno was that strong. Sheer cold is a powerful move, but it shouldn’t have kept advancing without Articuno in range of the battlefield. McDougal had to have given it something, or maybe did something to it, to make it that much more powerful.”
“You may be right, but until the final report from the Fuhrer, we can’t be sure,” Hawkeye responded. “Do you know of any items that may increase a Pokemon’s power by that much?”
Mustang looked around, scanning for any officers or civilians who may overhear. “The League has information on mythical items, ones that boost specific type’s power. They’re made out of perfect material – something that the Pokemon only of that typing can harness. I thought it was theoretical, but…”
Hawkeye hummed, “there’s nothing else to explain the Articuno.”
“Exactly.”
“So you’re saying it’s a conspiracy.”
“Well when you put it that way…”
They reached the eastern gate, nothing but minor roads and railroad tracks to guide them back to East City. Both sent out their respective steed, and apologized to the Pokemon for the journey they would have to carry them for. The four took off, back to their station at East Command.
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Central City, Hughes Household – 1914
“Daddy’s home!” A little girl, presumably the Elicia that Hughes had been droning on about the entire drive to his apartment, announced after the Lieutenant Colonel opened the door.
“Hi sweetie! Did you miss me?” He bent down to hug her, rubbing his face against hers affectionately.
The girl giggled, “your beard’s itchy!”
“Itchy?” He repeated as he continued rubbing his chin on her cheek, smiling more with each uncontrollable giggle.
Seeing Maes was preoccupied, Gracia decided to introduce herself. “Hi, I’m Gracia. You must be Edward, and I’m assuming Golurk here is your partner?” She smiled at Al.
Ed grimaced, he thought of McDougal figuring out their secret so quickly from his correction of Al being his brother. “Something like that.”
“Well come in, come in, the food’s almost ready, and we have enough for your partners, too!” She beckoned them inside, and called to her husband and daughter. A Teddiursa and a Herdier scampered around a corner, confused by the commotion.
“Do you have enough… for six more?” Ed hesitantly asked.
Perplexed, Gracia asked, “six more?”
Al raised his arm to reveal his own set of Pokeballs. “Heheh, I have my own team too.”
“A talking Golurk?!” Both Gracia and Maes exclaimed, staring at the nine foot tall golem that, by all means, should not be talking.
Ed scrambled to explain, “he- it’s uhh. My father’s Pokemon, he caught it a long time ago and umm. He taught it how to speak, so it’s a talking Golurk! And he- it uhh.” He waved his arms around to think.
“I wanted my own team! Like my fathe- I mean his father. And his father left me with him some time ago to look after him.” Al finished the story, placing a large hand on Ed’s head.
“Yes, exactly that.” Ed said while pushing his brother’s hand away.
“My name is Alphonse, or Al for short.” He returned his hand to his side, arched eyebrows told him it would need an explanation. “When I… learned to speak, his father said I should have a name, to differentiate from other Golurk.”
Maes and Gracia exchanged a skeptical look, then shrugged. “The more the merrier!” Maes added, surprise evident in his voice but otherwise a genuine remark.
“Alright!” Ed smiled, and released the five Pokemon on his belt. He reached into his jacket pocket to pull out his sixth Pokeball, his mother’s Weavile. He didn’t like bringing her out, but he wouldn’t deny her a meal. They shared an understanding look. Al also released his team, the size of his unevolved Luxio and Floragato offsetting the intrusion from Rhydon. Maes glanced between his own team and the twelve extra partners, deciding his could wait until everyone else was finished. Edward noticed and counted the number of Pokeballs on Hughes’ belt. “Say, why do you only have five partners? Aren’t officers of your rank expected to have six?”
Maes began assembling plates and passing them down the very long line. “It’s mostly up to personal preference, but it’s true, once you reach the rank of Captain you usually are encouraged to have a full team of six. I just don’t feel it’s necessary, my team can protect me from any danger that comes my way here, and they’re all the more help I need for my work.” He said with a smile, plating his own meal after handing off everyone else’s.
“Makes sense,” Ed replied as he carried his plate to the table, sitting next to Ceruledge. With an appreciative cry, the Pokemon dug into the food. Ed’s eyes sparkled with the first bite, it was absolutely delicious. “Wow, this is incredible! Thank you for making such an amazing meal!” Ed said between ravenous bites.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it Ed!” Gracia replied, smiling.
“Why don’t you have some, Alphonse?” Maes asked, gesturing to the full plate in front of him.
“Golurk don’t have mouths, and I’m pretty sure no internal organs. So there’s no eating for me. But it’s okay! I usually just let Rhydon have my serving, she’s always extra hungry after battles.” Speaking of the Pokemon, she shuffled past her teammates and looked up at Al, begging for his plate. He giggled and held it out, letting her finish the food in a few big bites. She grumbled in appreciation, and sat down to digest.
When everyone else finished their food, Elicia asked if they could all play together. A few concerned glances between the adults and older kids signified not a ‘no,’ but a ‘maybe not with so many Pokemon.’ So Elicia chose one from each team, Floragato and Dragonair (she first wanted Perrserker, but Ed had his concerns). They ran around in the living room, watched affectionately by the group. Elicia showed off her favorite toys, and Floragato let her play with his trick flower. Dragonair showed off his flight, and Elicia almost nose dived into the floor trying to copy. When she finally tuckered out, it was time for bed. The last time they had stayed in a proper home was during the last visit to Resembool, at the Rockbell household.
“Hey Ed,” Al broke the silence, “was the food really that good?”
Ed rolled over in the bed, facing his brother. “Yeah, it was delicious. Gracia’s cooking tastes a lot like Mom’s.”
“In that case, it’s definitely going on my list! That is, if we’re invited over again.” Ed smiled as he watched Al dig in his bag, producing his notebook.
“Hughes seems like the kind of guy who’d let us and our partners eat him out of house and home.” He rolled back over while Al flipped through the pages, scribbling down his notes. “I’m gonna go to bed, are you sure you don’t want to be in the Pokeball?”
Al stopped writing and closed the book. “I’m sure,” his quiet voiced echoed in his body and the room.
“Do you want to try going dormant again?”
Several seconds passed, Ed propped himself up to look at his brother again. “It was too scary last time. Besides, this body doesn’t need sleep, just like it doesn’t need food. I’ll be fine.”
Ed hunched his shoulders, then laid back down, shuffling to get comfortable under the covers. “Goodnight,” he said softly.
“Goodnight,” Al replied, closing the blinds to allow his brother the comfort of darkness.
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