Chapter Six: Disclaimer

Dustin: Alright, I'm gonna have a staring contest with you readers...

Lor: (humming jeopardy theme)

…

Dustin: Aww, you blinked. Missed the entertaining part of the disclaimer too...

All character are created by the person or people that created them. The settings places, blah de dah, are also owned by those who made them. The idea for this fic however, is all ours. You can't take it.

Dustin: On with the fic!

Chapter Six: Shadows and Enemies

"Why exactly are we headed for the midget forest?" Ed was sitting on Al's shoulders. The suit of armor kept pace with Epona's steady gallop.

"They're called Kokiri," Link corrected. "They aren't midgets, they're children."

Navi held herself a small distance from Ed. "Are you really one to be commenting on the height of others?"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO TINY –"

"Well, Brother, she isn't exactly wrong..." Maybe that wasn't the best thing for him to point out.

"JUST WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, AL!"

"Yours Brother, I'm just…"

"Let's all calm down," Link interjected. He seemed to have tensed even more upon entering the outskirts of the forest. "I don't want to spend too much time with the Kokiri."

"Link! Can we visit the Great Deku Tree?" There was an almost longing sound in her high voice.

He didn't answer at first. He dismounted and pulled Epona's reins to the front. "When this is all over, we'll pay a visit. Okay?" They stared at each other for a moment. It seemed almost as if they were having a private conversation. That ended when Ed didn't see the tree branch ahead and was promptly knocked off of his brother. Poor boy, Hyrule was just one bit of abuse after another for him.

"Are you okay Brother?" Al held out a large hand to help him up. "Did you land on your automail?"

"No…it should be fine until we get to Winry's. She can take it from there."

"Are you sure she won't get mad for making it shift out of place?"

Navi saw this as the perfect time to add in a comment. "Who's Winry? Is she your girlfriend?"

"No! No, no, no!" Ed made a face. And a point of making the "no" clear. "She's my automail mechanic, a friend from where we were born!" Why was that always the first thing people assumed?

"Okay."

Epona made an uneasy snort as they crossed the bridge into the youthful forest. Hopefully, most of the children would be sleeping, so that they could get through quickly. Link's steps had become eerily light-footed; he didn't make a sound. Ed didn't go out of his way to be sneaky, but there weren't things in his way, so he wasn't particularly loud either. However, there was nothing to be done about the faint clinking of metal parts as Al moved. It was a part of him now, and couldn't be helped.

Faced with the dark entryway to the forest, Link stopped. Barely audible, he looked from one boy to the other as he spoke, "You don't wander off in this forest. At all. If you do get lost, don't move. It'll be easier to find you if you stay in one place."

During the day, the forest was naturally dark, with thick tree crowns blocking out the sunlight and choking the vegetation below. During the night, they could barely see each other. Weird sounds echoed through the trees, and just faintly, Ed picked up the sound of music. Navi served now as a small guide light to keep them together.

She stopped and flew back behind them. "Link! Listen!" He made a small groan, maybe if he made her think that he didn't hear her… "Link! Listen!"

"Stop moving, both of you." Link let Epona's reins drop from his hand, following Navi back to where she was lingering. "What is it?"

"I heard something!" she reported dutifully. Link stood still, ears twitching now and again as he listened for what Navi seemed to have heard. He paced the small area for a moment before parting some shrubbery. A pair of crystal blue eyes stared back at him.

"You shouldn't be in this forest," he said quietly, a softer and much younger expression falling over his face. "Monsters appear at night. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"But I wanted to see Mister Alphonse again…" She stepped out from her hiding place, followed by a pink-hued fairy, who promptly flitted off to something more interesting. "Is everything okay, Link?"

He smiled cheerfully. "Of course. I'm taking Edward and Alphonse back to their home."

"Hi Fyz," Al waved shyly. "You should probably be sleeping right now."

"So I guess this means I can't teach you how to play the ocarina yet, can I?" She rocked on her heels. "Will you come back again?" Al would have responded, if a chilling howl hadn't drowned out everything he wanted to say. The ground began to shake heavily, from large footsteps nearby.

"Fyz, I need you to leave now!" Link drew out his sword, turning away from her.

"But Link! Kaj, he…" she tried explaining, and was cut out by Link's growl.

"Then go hide!" A moblin tore down the trees in front of them, swiping out blindly. Link held up his shield defensively, digging his heels into the soft earth. Sparks flew off of the finished shield as the club dragged across.

"Navi! Tell me the weak point!" Link rolled under another swing, trying to distract the attention away from Fyz.

"I can't find one!" Desperately Navi threw herself in the face of the attacker and avoided his large arms. "Just…just hit it until it stops moving!"

Ed transmuted his arm to the familiar blade, ducking under another wild swing. "Link! Get behind it, I'll transmute it's armor from the front!" Getting around it wasn't an option; both thick, meaty arms were constantly moving, the right one trying to club the two away. Link barely managed to roll under it's two colossal legs. Ed clapped his hands.

His fingers barely brushed against the heavy leather when the club ploughed through his automail leg, sending him soundly into the trunk of a tree. Ed's arm moved over his face to avoid the shower of metal pieces. With a triumphant roar, ignoring the pricks that were Link's stabs at it's back, the moblin advanced on Edward, raising it's arm for another strike.

"Brother!"

Al was there without a second's hesitation, holding the club steady between both hands. Fyz moved from her hiding place as a pink fairy circled behind the Moblin's knee. "Slash it here!" The voice was oddly…masculine, for a pink fairy. Without regard to Fyz's curious observations, Link made two horizontal slashes with the edge of the blade, before driving the steel sword into the tendon behind the knee. The angle of his sword prevented more than a little blood to spurt away from the ground, but there was enough there to be seen. Fyz made a strangled gasp, closer to a yelp, from a fear she didn't know, nor understand. She turned away and covered her eyes, while Link took down the mobility of the other leg. When it hit the ground he finished it off, with hard heaving breaths that made his body quiver.

Link pulled out the sword shakily and wiped it against the grass, before sheathing it to his back once again. As Al turned his attention to his barely conscious brother, Link bent to his knees next to Fyz.

"Look at me," he directed softly, a sad expression cursing his usually blank face. "Fyz, I didn't want you to watch that…I never wanted any Kokiri child to see the brutality of the world outside." Fyz fell to the soft grass, crossing her legs and trying to rub back tears with her small curled up fists. Her small sobs were deafening in the forest. Ed looked over hazily as Link attempted to console her. He didn't appear to understand what was going on.

The sobs grew to bawling, and it didn't seem like she could hear him. Link leaned forward, whispering something to her as he placed a hand on her shoulder. With his back to the two boys, Link moved his other arm around her and let her cry against his tunic. The shadows on his face outlined his apology. The cries eventually muffled into the fabric, and she began to calm down. Link continued to speak to her softly. Al was reminded of his own brother.

When the pink fairy neared Link, he looked up. "You need to take her to the Deku Tree, Kaj." Link looked down at her sorrowfully. "I need to get Edward and Alphonse home…take care of her until I return. None of the Kokiri are to enter this forest anymore, until I say so." He let go of Fyz, and looked down to her. "It's okay. I promise that I'll make things better. Go home now, and try to get some sleep." She sniffled once, before the pink fairy led her away.

Link's attention changed now to Edward. He picked up a bolt and looked at it curiously before tossing it away. "Does this mechanic need all the pieces?" he asked Al, not remembering her name, although it was only mentioned a few hours earlier.

"No," he responded after thinking it over. "Even if Winry did need it all, most of them would need to be repaired and that would take too long. She'll just make Ed a new one."

Stepping cautiously over the glinting pieces of metal, Link lifted one of Ed's arms over his shoulders. "I need you to help me get him onto Epona." The elder brother had lost consciousness then, and was little more than a dead weight. With some struggles, keeping Epona still and climbing up behind Ed, they were finally set. Link looked down at the pant leg hanging limply from Ed's left thigh.

This was suddenly turning into a very long journey.

- - -

The standard pistol was unlocked and ready to go. Riza employed all her war training tactics here. Although she would have preferred to lean back against a tree and wait for something to appear, her better judgement willed her against it. She volunteered first watch as the others slept. Armstrong hadn't removed his gauntlets, a precaution in the event that Riza could not take care of whatever appeared next on her own.

She wouldn't deny to herself that she longed for some sleep, but she wouldn't tell that to the officers she was in charge of. Relaxing as silence fell over the area they camped, Riza dropped her arm. Wherever they were, she wanted out.

Then the bushes rustled. Riza brought the gun up once again, anticipating creatures like they had met before. Child-like giggles preceded more rustling but nothing appeared. She felt surrounded by them. And there weren't nearly enough shots left in the gun to get rid of them all.

"What is that?"

"Skull kids….I'll send them away in a minute…"

Something large walked out from the trees into the clearing, followed by a horse. Riza stood up.

"Cease moving," she demanded, holding to where she assumed the first person's chest was. "Or I'll fire. Major!" Another round of giggles echoed the clearing.

Armstrong arose, walking toward her.

"Armstrong!" Suddenly the large person was not threatening.

"Alphonse?" Riza put down her gun. "Where is Edward?"

"Unconscious," replied a mysterious male voice. Something on his shoulder illuminated the features on his face. He sat behind Ed on the horse, reins in one hand. In the other was a small instrument. "I assume you are from Amestris, then." Shifting his weight, Link let go of Ed, resting him gently against Epona. "I'll ask that you do not speak to the Skull Kids. There's no need to fight them…"

The words had barely passed his lips did several fall from the trees, one on Riza and two others onto Armstrong. The change from lieutenant to soldier was so immediate, she seemed almost like a different woman. Her first bullet missed the target and she did not receive the chance to try again.

Link had already started to play, despite clear shock over the sound of the gun. The small creatures dropped from Riza and Armstrong, pulling out flute-like objects of their own. When Link's song ended so did theirs and they attacked him with a flurry of rude questions.

"Where is Saria? That's her song!"

"Why don't these Hylians play?"

"Only Kokiri know that song!"

"Why are you playing Saria's song in front of them?"

Link waited in silence for them to stop. "Saria isn't here. You won't find her in this part of the forest any longer," he told them, and if only a moment Alphonse sensed a slight waver when he said the girl's name. "These people have never been taught how to play."

The bigger man huffed up. "Young man, I am Alex Louis Armstrong and knowing how to play the piano has been passed though my family line for generations!"

Link ignored him. "Please forgive them…I'm taking them home. They won't bother your forest anymore."

It seemed to work. They ran off, leaving Link alone to proceed through the forest. He looked over to Riza, who had been watching him with suspicion for some time. "My name is Link," he offered with a friendly smile.

"Riza Hawkeye." Before any other introductions could be made she looked over to Alphonse. "What happened to your brother?"

"Well….we were fighting some…monster….and it smashed Ed's leg and threw him into a tree," Al explained hesitantly.

"Then you'll be going to Risembool before returning to central. What happened on that train?"

Armstrong stepped up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Lieutenant, perhaps the questioning can wait until we are returned to Amestris."

"And how are we to return Major?" she asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "We've been lost in this forest for well over a week."

Link moved forward, and she gave him a glance of indifference. "Miss Hawkeye, if you and your traveling party are headed in the same direction as Alphonse and Edward, I'd be happy to lead you out as well." She didn't say anything. "Aside from the skull children I just chased away, I'm the only one who knows the paths and tricks of this forest. You'll remain lost unless you have someone direct you out."

"Let me speak to Alphonse first." It seemed as if Riza's patience was running thin. She stepped away from him and Al followed stiffly. "Can he be trusted, Alphonse? He's got no weapons outside that little sword, and he seems too polite."

Al nodded energetically. "Of course! He helped us get here, and he needs to go find someone in Amestris anyway!"

"Is he an alchemist?"

Shaking his head, Al looked back. "He'd never seen alchemy or automail before. So no." At first, she didn't seem convinced. But her expression softened slightly and she nodded.

"Alright…but the two of you had better not disappear on us. I'm sure there's something in Central that needs your attention."

"Yes sir…"

"Link! Over here!" Navi was flitting around officer Kain. "He's injured too!"

Link turned away from her. "How many of you are injured, Miss Hawkeye? Epona is not a working horse and cannot carry a lot of weight for extended periods." With help, they managed to get an otherwise groggy Kain up onto the horse. Without speaking much more, he began to lead the now large group out of the forest. He had never been fond of any soldiers, having met one too many that were corrupt and a threat to the people they were serving. Little did he know he was accompanying some of the most trustworthy soldiers of the Amestris militia.

The sun began to rise as the train station nearby came into sight. Link had been staring at the train tracks curiously during the trip, but had said nothing. Ed was conscious now and had moved from the horse's back to Al's shoulders. Everyone seemed relieved by the sight of a familiar building.

Riza spoke to the man who owned the station upon hearing that Link was accompanying Ed. Under normal circumstances no weaponry was allowed on the train. Link was well aware that Epona knew her own way around the landscape, and after much arguing, had sent her back. Central City would be no place for a horse. When he saw the first train, Link's eyes became large and curious. He stepped up to examine the wheels, before Al tugged him onto the train. Even in the car the young man explored everything, from the windows to the various hitches holding the cars together. He gave polite smiles and greetings to people who passed by. Some gave him odd looks in return, some ladies blushed and moved quicker, and others struck up conversation.

Ed had fallen asleep. It was only with the full sun did Al and Link notice the bruising on his jaw and neck. They could only assume his back was in worse shape. Although he could make them think otherwise, he was still human. Thirty-six hours later they were approaching the Rockbell home. It was dark and wouldn't be light for some time yet. Link was more at ease with the more agricultural surroundings and Al carried his brother. They knocked lightly on the door.

"Won't they be asleep?" Link asked in a low voice, adjusting the strap holding up his sword and shield.

"Yeah, but we're not in a big hurry right? I'm sure that the Princess is okay," Al assured him. "Granny will let us in."

The door was opened by the old woman, and at first Link seemed surprised by her appearance. She didn't say anything to him or Al, but left the door open for them to come inside. "Winry is sleeping, so you two be quiet," she warned the brothers. She looked Link up and down. "Who are you?"

Link made a small, polite bow. "Link, ma'am, from the country of Hyrule."

"I'm Navi!" She flew out from under his hat to introduce herself. Pinako raised an eyebrow, but was otherwise unbothered. At least, she was good at making it look that way. She left the room as Al set Ed down on the small couch.

"Looks like we're waiting until morning to explain. You might want to get some sleep, Link. Winry will be really loud when she sees Ed." Edward yawned and turned over, muttering something about not being short. Link shrugged and sat down on the wooden floor. He didn't feel tired. The train-ride alone had proven to him that the country was vast, and far more densely populated than any place in Hyrule. While Zelda did not look like anyone else he'd seen, finding her through the amount of people in this country was a small worry to him.

"Link?"

Link turned his gaze away from the spot on the floor and looked over to Al. "Is something wrong?"

For a moment, Al didn't say anything. Almost like he was contemplating what to say. Then he shook his head. "No…never mind." After two hours of staring and thinking, he stood up and moved to leave. Al watched him go, and said nothing.

- - -

That night in Amestris, Roy had stayed late after hearing that Riza was on her way back. Although Zelda had left the building several days earlier and refused to return, he left her locked up in his home and waited for the return of his lieutenant. On their phone conversation, he told her that he expected her to see him before retiring.

However, Roy had never been good at entertaining himself. He snored lightly against his paper filled desk, one of the last people staying up to work that night. He ignored the creak of his door as it opened, figuring it was a secretary bringing him more work. When the clicking of military boots came to a stop, he opened his eyes a little. There was silence for a moment, before the person saluted stiffly.

"Sir, I must advise that you get that work done before someone of higher rank sees you."

He knew that voice….blasted lieutenant, couldn't she ever just let him….

Roy sat upright. "Lieutenant Hawkeye! Good to see you're alright." Roy looked her over. She didn't appear to have spent over a week and a half lost in a forest, except for the slight waver he saw in her stance. "You can stand at ease, Hawkeye."

"Yes sir." She lowered her hand. "I apologize for the absence. A report will be in by the morning…"

"Don't bother, Hawkeye. There's no need for you to come in tomorrow. How long do you think Fullmetal will be in Risembool?"

It's always about those two brothers, inner Riza sighed. "I have no idea sir, though I'll imagine several days."

"Well he's going to catch the arsonists that have been taking down military establishments…we're almost certain they're skilled alchemists. There's no trace of the soldiers that were sent after them." Roy had kept his other lieutenant behind, knowing that he was not an alchemist and that he needed him, as well as any ally, here with him.

"It sounds like things haven't changed…"

Roy reached for his jacket, intending on leaving the paperwork for the morning. "On the contrary, things have. There's someone I need you to meet, she won't return to my office and well…"

"I'm a woman and you've run out of ideas?" Riza almost smiled.

"Kind of…if you're able to, I'd just like you to understand why she's here…" Roy glanced over as the Fuhrer's secretary walked by. "Adele will be pleased to meet you…I'm….sure…" Riza moved to look back, but Roy made an awkward motion.

"Yes sir." She saluted, watching the floor. The shadow of a large figure, but not large enough to be the kind Major, passed by. They left the building wordlessly. Roy kept glancing behind them now and again.

"After you meet her, Riza…" Roy had never used her first name before. "You're going to pretend you've never met her before."

"Yes….sir…"

- - -

"So uh…Thomas…" A girl with along black hair and an eye patch on her left eye stretched. She was pretty, and young, but the patch and the dull, almost zoned out expression that was constant on her face drew away from that. "Why are we in a little hic town like this? There are no military people here…"

The man next to her had to be about twenty years her senior, with greying black hair and the same eyes. However, he had a patch on his right, with a long scar running beneath it. "No one in a village like this should know that we're criminals, Kaylie, and we need to buy some more supplies for bullets."

"Touché, bro…" They stopped on the path when an enraged scream came from the house nearby.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'IT JUST BROKE ON CONTACT'! THAT WAS THE BEST AUTOMAIL I HAD EVER MADE!"

Kaylie removed her patch and put it in her pocket. She winked at her brother. "If there's an automail mechanic here, I might be able to get some metal. And then we can make that shiny new gun we planned." She walked up to the door casually, when a man with blonde hair fell walked behind her.

"Good morning," he said pleasantly. Al opened the door to walk out. He had no sooner stepped out of the way (and less than artistically), did a wrench go flying. The man with the blonde hair pulled the medieval shield from his back and it clattered to the ground harmlessly.

Kaylie picked it up, as Link peered into the house worriedly. Ed lay beat up on the floor. "Hey…this was made in Heira."

"Of course it was!" Winry stepped out of her home to claim her weapon…er…tool. "Are you an automail mechanic?"

"Nope!" she said cheerfully. "I work the metal shop in Heira. Sister of the owner." The boy on the floor eyed her suspiciously. Kaylie gave him a wild grin, before looking at Winry again.

"I've been traveling recently, you know, spread the word about the shop, find what's new in the rest of Amestris…But I got myself lost walking, so do you think you could point me in the direction of the nearest train station? I need to get to Central City."

"Oh, sure…" Winry pointed toward the east. "There's one in that direction…I'm almost certain that they still do direct travels to Central."

"Thanks a bunch, honey. Are there any places where I can get some metal nearby? I just had a great idea for something I was going to present to the military, and I want to make a model." Once again, Winry pointed out where to get it.

"Winry…" Ed sat up, with a serious look on his face. "My leg. I need to get back to Central. Soon."

Shit…is he with the military? Kaylie smiled again and gave them a polite wave. "Well I'll leave you all alone and get back to my traveling. Thanks for the help!" When she was out of earshot, Ed glared.

"She's not a normal metal worker, Winry." He watched her return to the man in the distance. "Her hands aren't very scarred. And the skin on her arms and face look almost untouched."

Winry turned around as Link let himself inside. "What do you mean Ed?"

"She either doesn't work for that shop, or she mass-produces using alchemy. I don't trust it."

"Miss Rockbell…" Winry looked back over at Link, a slight blush crossing her features. Few people were so polite with her. "There is something I also need to see to in this Central city, concerning a friend of mine. I do not know this country like Edward does. How many days will it take to make him a new leg?"

Her mood suddenly brightened. "Oh, I can probably have it finished by tomorrow night if you'd like!"

Link smiled as Ed crossed his arms. "Sure, she'll do it quickly for him…" he muttered.

/END OF CHATPER

Lor: I'm expecting a rifle assault, or a Molotov cocktail for being so late…

Enaru: well no shit, it only took you a month and a half to write this chapter

Lor: oops? And its shout out time. I'd like to say an I Love You to readers. Theres more reviews there U.U

Pandora1: ah….yep. But I'm not telling. And well these people have seen magic all their lives (at least, that's what I assume). Plus they aren't important. And there are some translation differences, but I'm fairly certain that it's Kimblee. But that was about it for his fame in this story.

Meneil: hahaha, yep, Ed's all fit the for the annual military track meet! Also, you must be psychic cause as you can see, your prediction about Ed and Riza is right

Quandtuniverse: I do like pretzels, thank you!

Dragon Alchemist: sorry honey. Can't give ya spoilers. Unless you get me Ed. Then I'll tell you the whole story. And Ganon appeared back in chapter two's disclaimer…oh….you mean in the serious writing….soon. Promise.

Kyia Star: oki doki.

X Piastol X: I really, really hope that you didn't faint and die. And see that world? This person thinks we're awesome

Lady Nightshade: uh…well….by chapter four its quite clear she wants outta Hyrule. And why is she wearing pink? Cause she did in the game, and she didn't have time to dress down for travelling nothing like putting a character in a harsh situation while she's wearing a dress!

Bob: uh...what do I say to that?

Shauna: aww. Little sis, I told you that it would be up when it was finished. Jeez. And just for the record, I'm older and therefore don't tell me what to do U.U