The monotonous tone of the extravagant grandfather clock on the far side of the spacious office filled his head, punctuated only by the nervous breathing of the two men on either side of him. Fidgeting uneasily in the stiff blue uniform, he listened the steady movement of the silver needles throwing away the time with frightening casualty.

A gloved hand dropped onto his shoulder and he looked up in surprise to find his commanding officer smiling at him faintly. "You okay?"

He nodded, stubbornly raising his chin, and shifted his gaze to the wide windows where the artificial light greeted the darkness beyond. That reassuring hand tightened when the name of the man on his left was called. He couldn't watch as the soldier walked calmly forward and stopped briefly to salute his commanding officer sharply- before taking a deep breath and turning to disappear into the side office, the door slamming closed.

He didn't realize how much he was shaking until his knees gave out and he collapsed to the floor.

"Ed?"

"I...I thought I was ready...for this...but...but...I can't...do this...Roy...I'm so scared..."

A soft sigh brushed his hair, and he was surprised when strong arms wrapped around his shoulders. He buried his face in the blue fabric and tried to hold onto the scream trying to escape his throat.

"Ed, I would be stupid to say that everything will be all right. You know better than that. All I can offer is a damn hug."

A hysterical giggle bubbled from between clenched lips, and he hugged Roy back fiercely. "I don't usually do this, y'know," he murmured, forcing his voice to sound normal.

Before Roy could answer, his name was called by the indifferent assistant standing inside the door leading to the inner office. As he moved to distangle himself from Ed's clutching hold, the golden-haired boy uttered a small whimper, "Don't leave me...please..."

The colonel's expression softened as he caught the boy's hand and squeezed it gently. "Remember, Ed. Remember that I was always so proud of you."

A wrenching sob escaped, forming into desperate words as he scrambled to his feet, almost losing his balance. "No! No, you can't! You can't take him! Please!"

The door slammed shut.

Ed sank to the floor, his shoulders shaking. He bowed his head, but there were no tears. "Why...? Why...?" he whispered.

There was no answer to the question that had been asked by all.

The door opened again, and the uncaring voice crawled out: "Major Edward Elric, Full Metal Alchemist."

He jerked his head up and glared at the assistant, one of those few lucky people who had escaped this. He staggered to his feet and went over to him, stomping fiercely all the way to outwardly show his displeasure- and hide the eternal pain that had swallowed him as each of his friends had entered that door and never came back out.

He stood facing the person that had brought hell onto his life, his fists clenched.

"Kneel before the King, you infidel."

He refused.

A gunshot ehcoed above his head, and he flinched. A heavy hand dropped onto his shoulder and forced him onto his knees.

"I do not see the reason that you would not listen, Mr. Elric," the King said smoothly. "It is a great honor to stand before your conquerors, you know."

"A great honor, my ass," he spat. "You're nothing but a bastard!"

Sharp pain exploded behind his ear, and he gasped in surprise.

"I'll ask this just once: will you throw away your allegiance to this pathetic country and join me?"

It was just one word. But it changed everything.

"No."

The King nodded sadly. "As such was the answer to all." He turned away. "Kill him."

He heard the safety of the gun going off, and tilted his chin up defiantly.

"It's too bad I can't take you with me."

The shot rang loudly in the room to those who could hear it, and the body slumped onto the ground to join his other fallen comrades.