Cast Iron Alchemist

Bonus story: Roy and Riza

Roy sat in his office at home, listening to the propaganda going across the radio. For the past few months it had been the same smear campaign against him, "Roy Mustang killed the former Fuhrer in order to gain power for himself."

he would sit there for hours listening, his patched eye irritating him as he hung on the words. Finally, like every night, the pregnant Riza would walk in as he was half asleep and turn off the radio. She smiled down at him, resting a hand on her expanded belly. "You need to get your rest, Mr. Fuhrer King Roy Mustang." she told him.

He smiled and stood up, giving her a soft kiss. "You're right, as always." he agreed.

The two left the study and walked off toward the bedroom. "About the name," she said as they walked, "I was thinking Demitri."

Roy thought for a second and shook his head. "I knew a Demitri in the army training camp, he was a total fool." he told her.

Hawkeye rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "You use that same excuse with every name I offer up. How about you make up one wise guy?" she asked.

Roy took some time and thought, in complete silence. He smiled and shut his eyes. "Trevor." he told her.

After a long time thinking, she shook her head. "Trevor? That hardly sounds like a name."

Roy sighed and shook his head. "That's why I don't suggest names, you just shoot them down."

The two laughed, walking into the master bedroom of the house. "Whatever, we don't need to think up a name right away. We still have a few months." she said.

Roy nodded, and the two got ready for bed. Once they had both layed down comfortably, they slowly fell asleep. They were unaware of the militia group slowly making their way through the town, bringing together an angry mob.

Simon led the group along with his four allies, moving toward the Mustang residence. He slammed his hand on the door, immediately waking Roy and Riza. She immediately went for the side table, but Roy stopped her, shaking his head. "you're in no condition to be firing a gun, I figured this would be happening eventually so I planned ahead." he told her, reaching into his own bedside table.

He pulled out a radio and turned it on. "move in through the secret passageway, it's time for the bird to fly."

all that came back was a familiar "Roger" and the sound of static. Roy led Riza downstairs into the basement, where Falman, Breda, Havoc, and Fuery were waiting to lead them down a hidden passageway. They had with them a backpack full of supplies and precious memories. Riza smiled as the two approached the hole. "I should have known you'd have a backup plan." she said softly.

Roy nodded, and pushed her into the arms of Breda and Havoc as Falman and Fuery closed the gate. Riza was confused and concerned as she looked through the locked gate. "Roy? What are you doing?" she asked emotionally.

Roy shook his head as he turned around, trying to hide his tears. "I'll just slow you all down. I'm not as young as I used to be. My eye is ruined, and with my chest wound I can't run very far, I would just keep you held up. Go, live your life."

She shook her head, crying as she struggled against the soldiers holding her back. "No! You can't do this to me! You can't be the one to take all the pain! Don't be so selfish!"

Roy walked to the nearby wall with a transmutation circle carved into it, and pressed his palm to it. "I love you." he said shakily through his tear ridden eye.

"Roy!" was the last thing he heard as the stone closed, hiding the path. Opening an old box in the basement, he found his old flame alchemy gloves, sliding them on as he walked upstairs. The militia broke through as he made his way toward the door. He was quickly bound and forced out of the house. "Search the house for Riza Hawkeye! Now!" Simon demanded.

Just before a group was about to return into the building, a mighty snap was heard, and the house exploded into flames. Simon glared at him and pulled the gloves from Roy's hands, slapping him across the face with them. "That will be your last trick old man!" he said to him.

Roy said nothing as he stood there.

Once Simon had placed himself into power, assuring everyone was aware of this change in control, he immediately prepared the public execution of Roy Mustang. Simon walked down the halls of the prison to Roy's cell far at the end. He looked in the bars at the man, slouching over the cot. "The famous Flame Alchemist, brought down to no more than a common criminal, how funny."

Roy said nothing, looking up to see his visitor, a smile on his face. Simon glared at him through the bars and unlocked the door, walking in and taking him by the collar of his shirt. "Why the hell are you smiling? You're about to be put to death!"

Roy's face was unwavered by this attempt at intimidation. "I guess I'm just the big fool everyone thought I was." he said, still smiling.

Simon growled and tossed him against the wall, leaving the cell.

The day had come for the execution, and everyone in Central was invited to watch. Roy Mustang was led to the gallows. Frostbite was waiting there, more than happy to fit him into the noose. "Roy Mustang," she began, walking over to the lever, "By order of the new military regime, you have been ordered to death. Do you have any last words?"

Roy looked up at the balcony where Simon waited in anticipation, then down in the crowd, where he saw his old friends right up front. Havoc brought a cigarette up to his mouth, giving him a stealthy thumbs up. Roy's smile stayed on his face as he shook his head. "I've tied up all the loose ends."

Frost gave him a quizzical look, but nodded. "Very well then. By order of the Amestrian Military, you are now ordered to death on the count of murder, to be carried out now."

with a pull of the lever, the floor collapsed underneath him. Simon looked victorious as he sat on top of the balcony, when a soldier approached him. "Sir, we searched the wreckage of the Mustang residence like you asked. I'm sorry, but no bodies were found."

Simon's mood immediately changed as he glared down at Roy, his teeth grinding. "Well played, Flame Alchemist, well played."

Roy Mustang hung there in front of the people of Central, a smile on his face.

A cart made it's way east across Amestris, carrying vegetables and a hitch hiker. A blonde woman sat next to the man driving the caravan, smiling. "Thank you so much for this."

the man shook his head and smiled. "A pregnant woman shouldn't be walking down the street alone, it's just not right."

the woman nodded and smiled, resting a hand on her pregnant belly. "So, have you thought up a name?" the man asked.

She thought for a second and nodded. "yes, I have the perfect name for him."

the man nodded. "That's good. And what might your name be?"

the woman sat up as the cart came to a stop. "My name is Gracia Hughes." she told him.

the man nodded and pulled out a birth certificate and ID, both reading "Gracia Hughes."

Gracia took them and hopped carefully off the cart. The man saluted and she saluted back. "Enjoy your new life, Ms. Gracia Hughes."

she smiled, carrying her bag and her new ID into the town she would now call home.