Fullmetal in Fiore: Chapter 5

A/N: Yeah so I owe you guys an apology. I haven't been writing lately. I have been busy with the navy moving me to another country, and being under way and things of this and other varying natures. But I will try to write more in what little free time I am allotted from now on instead of playing Skyrim like a nerd. So without further ado I invite you to read the latest installment of Fullmetal in Fiore.

Ed blearily opened his eyes as the sunlight crept in through the small gap between his curtains. Setting his feet on the floor he stood up and threw the curtains open allowing the sunlight to flood his tiny apartment. He had originally found it convenient that this world had electricity but once he found out that the electricity was supplied by this so called magic he refused to even flip the light switch and had instead stocked up on non-scented candles.

Rubbing the gunk out of his eyes Ed began to navigate his way through the stacks of dusty tombs that littered the floor of his living space as he made his way to the small bathroom in the corner of the room. Pulling on one of the gloves his former CO had given him he had all the candles lit with a few quick snaps of his fingers. In the few days he had to practice since his fight with Natsu he had become quite a bit more proficient with the flame alchemy.

Turning on the faucet he let the water run for a bit before cupping his real and automail hands together and collected some water in them before splashing the warm liquid on his face. Taking in his reflection in the mirror he set to work brushing his teeth as he thought back on everything that had happened to this point. He still wasn't entirely sure what his father and Mustang had done or how they had done it in the first place and so he had no clue how to reverse it.

"And on top of all that," Ed started to say to himself, "It's already been a week since that red haired witch had left for her mission."

His thoughts strayed from how he was supposed to be getting home to how he was going to handle his fight with Erza. From what he had heard she was strong and judging by their reactions when he had asked she was scary strong. He knew as little about her magic in that she could summon weapons and armor from a pocket dimension that she created. That in itself didn't present a problem for him. The real problem was the different enchantments (his nose wrinkled in disgust at the mere thought of the word) that her armors and weapons possessed. The guild members had been less than forthcoming with that information saying that he would have to wait and find out for himself.

Releasing a sigh he blew out the candles and got dressed and grabbed his cloak and headed out the door. Locking the door behind him, he spun on his heel to walk off and walked right into a wall and fell onto his rear.

Looking up Ed saw a large teenager, roughly his age, with long unkempt black hair and metal studs over his eyebrows and nose holding a piece of iron in his hand.

"Geez," said the Teen as he took a bite of the piece of iron, "you need to watch where you're going pipsqueak."

Ed was too angry to gawk at the site before him and instead started into one his rants.

"P-p-p-p-p-p-Pipsqueak?!"

"Uh," started the newcomer in confusion, "you okay short-stuff?"

Jumping to his feet Ed got as close to the newcomers face as he could before he tore into him, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A SHRIMP SO SMALL THAT HE WOULDN'T EVEN BE CONSIDERED AN APPETIZER FOR THE SMALLEST OF KRILL YOU METAL HEADED FREAK OF NATURE?!"

"What the hell are you talking about you little punk," the older teen shouted back at him.

"Damn it," shouted Ed as people started to peek out their doors at the arguing teenagers, "I'm not short!"

"Man you're a rude one aren't you?"

"What!?"

"Look you punk," said the teen carefully avoiding all words that even referenced short lest he caused another scene, "I only came over cause the land lord said there was a new member of Fairy Tail living so I came over to see if you were as annoying as that damn salamander."

"Salamander," questioned Ed, "Who's that?"

"You know," said the older teen, "Pink hair, scaly scarf, annoying as hell attitude."

A look of understanding came over Edward's face. "Oh you mean that chimera kid that eats fire, Natsu right? Yeah he got on my nerves too so I beat him up a little bit," said Ed with a tad of arrogance as he waved off the memory of their battle with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

"Hahahahaha," laughed the older teen as he clutched at his sides in pain.

Ed leveled a glare at him in annoyance, "What's so funny?"

"Haha- Nothing," the teen said between laughs, "It's just that I find it hard to believe that a runt like you was able to take out Salamander."

"DAMN IT," yelled Ed in fury, "I ALREADY TOLD I'M NOT SHORT YOU DAMN JERK!"

The dark haired teen's laughter died down as he gained a serious expression on his face, "So you really did beat Salamander didn't you?"

Ed's demeanor calmed down as he answered him, "Yeah I did."

A smile crept across the older boy's face as he activated his magic and what appeared like metal scales covered his entire body.

"If you beat Salamander then you're a worthy opponent for me."

"And just who are you exactly," questioned Ed.

"I am Black Steel Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer."

"So you're like that Natsu brat only you're a chimera that eats metal is that right?"

"I have no Idea what a chimera is," said Gajeel as he readied himself for an attack, "but yea I'm a dragon slayer that eats metal!"

With that said Gajeel charged forward making fast strikes at him with his metal claws. Edward ducked the first blow and then side-stepped the next before using what little room the hall way in the apartment building allotted to put some distance between him and Gajeel.

"Heh," breathed Ed heavily as he got into his defensive stance, "you're a lot faster than the fire chimera but even so you still can't hit me."

"Is that right," questioned Gajeel, "I'll give you credit, you're faster than I thought you would be what with having metal limbs and all."

A look of surprise crossed Ed's face. "How did you know that?"

Gajeel merely pointed to his nose before answering, "You forgot, I'm the iron dragon slayer. I eat metal. But while we're taking a little breather why don't you take a closer look at that jacket of yours."

Looking down at his red cloak he finally noticed the tears in the fabric that the other teen's claws must have made. He had dodged the brunt of the attack, and even though he was still wearing the lighter auto mail Winry had given him at Fort Briggs the metal teen had almost caught him.

"You look surprised," said Gajeel as he fell back into his attack stance, "But now is not the time to gawk. Let's get back to the fight. Iron Dragon Sword!"

As he shouted out the spell his arm morphed into the form of a sword.

Ed suppressed the sudden urge to gulp and instead fell back into his defensive stance.

With a burst of speed Gajeel once again surged forward to attack. As he swung his bladed arm back in preparation to strike Ed clapped his hands together, a metallic ring resonating through the air as he did so. Gajeel then swung his arm forward and Ed quickly ducked the strike, the force of the swing cutting through the walls behind him, and touched his hands to the iron scales covering Gajeel's body blue lightning dancing as he did.

"Ha," chuckled Gajeel, "Was that it. You expect me to believe this is the magic that defeated Salamander? Don't make me… Urk… What the… What the hell did you do to me," questioned the dragon slayer as he found himself unable to move.

Ed just took off his cloak and laid it on the ground before clapping his hands and touching his hands to the red fabric blue electricity arcing back and forth as the fabric was broken down and then reformed, good as new.

"HEY," shouted Gajeel, "DON'T IGNORE ME! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME?!"

"Hmm?" said Ed as he glanced back at him, "Oh that. I just oxidized your iron scales. Even though they are reinforced by something, probably this magic I keep hearing about, it doesn't change the fact that your scales are still made of iron."

"So?"

"Geez you guys have no scientific knowledge at all," said Ed as rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "I infused your iron scales with oxygen making iron oxide a.k.a. rust."

"What?"

Looking down Gajeel knew that the smaller teen was in fact telling the truth as he saw the tell-tale brown-copper color of the now rusty scales that covered his entire body, thus impeding his movement. The sound of footsteps walking towards the door caught his attention.

"Hey don't just leave me here let me go," Shouted Gajeel to Ed's retreating form.

Ed merely waved him off as he walked out, "I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own. You mentioned Fairy Tale? I assume you're a member so maybe I'll see you at the guild. Later."

Lucy was currently sitting at the bar thinking about the enigma that was Edward Elric. 'Gold Hair, Gold Eyes, and those strange circles,' she thought to herself as she let her head fall to the bar with a bang, 'why does all this seem so familiar?'

The white haired barmaid couldn't help but notice the internal conflict her friend seemed to be going through.

"Jewel for your thoughts Lucy," questioned Mirajane as she set a beverage on the counter for her friend.

"She's probably thinking about the new guy, Ed," said Cana lazily as she tilted back her third barrel of liquor in the past two hours.

Mirajane gave Lucy a gentle smile, "You really like him don't you?"

Bolting upright on the stool, she waved her hands in front of her as she tried to deny it. "No, no, no it's nothing like that honest."

"You know animals can tell when you're lying right," said Happy as he floated behind her lazily eating a fish.

Lucy rounded on the talking blue cat, a fire burning in her eyes, "Shut up you dumb cat!"

Happy dodged a swipe and floated over towards Natsu who was currently locked in a heated argument with his rival, Grey, while Lucy continued to glare at him.

"You know Lucy," said Cana gaining her attention, "If it's not true then why are you trying so hard to deny it."

"Uh…" started Lucy but found she had no argument.

"It's okay Lucy," said Mirajane gently, "Everyone gets crushes every now and again. Besides he is rather cute"

Lucy quickly looked away in an attempt to cover the blush of embarrassment that now covered her face, "No, it's not that. It's just there's something familiar about him, and his eyes, there's so much pain in them."

"I honestly think they would make a cute couple," said Cana gaining Lucy and Mira's attention.

"Why do you say that," asked Mirajane.

"Think about it," said Cana, "He lost two limbs so you take into account his obviously high pain threshold and Lucy's fetish for whips then they're obviously the perfect couple."

Lucy's eye started to twitch, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN YOU ALCOHOLIC?"

Cana gave her a lazy look as she turned her focus from her booze, "Plus you both overreact to the simplest of things."

"I DO NOT!"

"Hey would you quit yelling," said a familiar voice as a body settled into the seat next to hers.

They all turned to see the subject of their conversation sitting at the bar.

"Speak of the devil," said Cana as she turned her focus back to finishing the barrel currently in her hand.

Lucy on the other hand was in a panic, "Y-you didn't hear any of that did you?"

"Hear what?"

"Oh, n-nothing, just some girl talk that's all," said Lucy nervously. "Oh, okay then," said Ed lazily.

'He's not even curious about what we were saying about him,' thought Lucy, 'what do I have to do to get his attention… wait… what am thinking? I don't really like him, I'm just curious about him is all. Yeah that's it'

"Hey," said a voice pulling her out of her stupor. "Are you alright," asked Ed.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be," said Lucy as she tried to laugh it off, "I was just lost in thought is all."

"Oh," said Ed curiously, "Next time warn me so I know when to send a search party."

"Huh," questioned Lucy, "what do you mean?"

"You've been staring at that same piece of wall for over an hour now," said Cana as she finished off yet another barrel of liquor.

"Man Looney," said Natsu, "You sure are a weird one you know that?"

"Shut it Natsu," shouted Lucy, "like you're one to talk! And the name is Lucy!

"So Ed," said Mira in an attempt to calm things down setting a drink in front of him, "Erza's coming back today. Are you ready?"

He merely shrugged as he brought the cup to his lips and started to drink. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"How are you not scared of her," questioned Grey as he came up to the bar in only his boxers.

He shrugged again, "My teacher was way scarier than she will ever be."

"Scarier than Erza," said Natsu, "How is that possible?"

A shiver went down Ed's spine as he turned to them with a haunted look in his eyes. "You don't want to know," said Ed as he quickly went back to his drink.

"Just leave Edward alone," said Mirajane sternly, "He needs to finish his milk so he can get taller."

Ed suddenly stopped a horrified expression on his face. Milk suddenly sprayed from his lips as he ripped a mug from Cana's hands as he drained the mug of the strong alcohol inside. Taking a large breath he started into one of his many rants about milk, "How could you? How could you let me ingest that vile opaque liquid from the utters of cows?"

"Calm down," said Grey, "It's just milk."

"IT'S DISGUSTING!"

"Man," said Natsu, "You're just as weird as Lucy. No wonder she l- urmph," Natsu managed to grunt out as he was tackled to the ground by Lucy as she clapped her hands around his mouth.

Edward looked at them curiously when suddenly the doors burst open and in walked the current bane of his existence, the scarlet witch herself, Erza.

"Edward Elric," she said looking directly at him, "It is time for your test."

"Fine," said Ed as he hopped off the stool, "But let's go somewhere with more space, somewhere outside the city so we don't destroy everything or hurt anyone."

"Your concern is admirable," said Erza, "I will honor your request. Let the test commence."

An hour later found Ed and Erza facing off with each other with the rest of the guild gathered around to watch the fight as Master Makarov explained the rules, "Now listen up brats, the rules are simple: Using your respective Magic the fight will continue until one of you yields or is rendered unconscious or unable to fight. Is that understood?"

"Yes Master," said Erza obediently.

"Yeah, yeah," said Ed, "Let's just get this over with."

"Alright then, let the fight begin."

Ed acted first and clapped his hands together and shoved them towards the ground. Multitudes of stone spikes shot out of the earth towards the requip mage.

"Predictable," shouted Erza as she requiped her weapon to a new sword with a far more intricate design easily slicing through his attack and rushing towards him. "this sword can slice through even the strongest of metals."

"Is that right," said Ed as he clapped his hands again and touched his automail arm. "Well how about diamond."

Raising his prosthetic arm he blocked her strike.

"What," said Erza in shock as the wind was knocked from her lungs briefly as a swift kick from Ed's fake leg sent her skidding across the ground. "how did you stop my attack?"

"Simple I rearranged the carbon fiber in the metal alloy that my arm is made of to a portion of it as hard as diamond."

"I see," said Erza, "Not too bad."

"You ain't seen nothing yet," said Ed bringing his hands together once more and touching the ground. The Earth started to rise up around Erza until she was within a large dome structure perforated with many large holes.

"If you were trying to trap me wouldn't it have worked better if you hadn't put so many holes in this dome."

"Not exactly," said Ed as he pulled two gloves with red designs onto his hands. The Symbol on the right glove started to glow brightly as air started to rush into the dome through all the holes.

"Erza," shouted Natsu, "Look out, he's about to use fire magic."

"Fire magic," questioned Erza as she heard what could only be the snapping of fingers. What looked like red lightning snaked into the dome before the air that had flooded into it earlier was ignited in an enormous explosion.

Large chunks of earth went flying as the earthen structure shattered in the explosion.

"Well," said Ed as he dusted himself off, "that should be that."

"Not so fast," came a voice from within the cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared he could see Erza standing in the middle of an enormous crater in a different armor than she had been wearing.

'What the hell,' thought Ed, 'When did she change?'

"Alright," shouted Natsu, "she changed into her flame empress armor now his fire magic won't have any effect."

As he heard this Ed's eye started to twitch, 'damn magic.'

"Pay attention," shouted Erza as she brought down her blade again. Ed barely managed to bring his arm up in defense once again blocking the blade with his automail. But this time he heard a grinding sound before one of the gears in the arm gave out and the prosthetic went limp forcing Ed to spin out of the way of the blade.

Finding himself behind his opponent he planted both his feet into her back and pushed off sending her stumbling a few steps and putting distance between them once more.

'Damn it,' thought Ed, 'I have to finish this quickly. And without my automail arm it's gonna be difficult. Looks like we're doing this the old fashioned way.'

Snapping his left hand he ignited the ground around Erza surrounding her in a circle of flame. He continued to snap his fingers igniting different areas of earth within the circle of fire.

"Your attempts are admirable but fruitless," said Erza as she swung her sword, extinguishing the flames, "My flame empress armor cuts the damage from fire magic in half and extinguishes your flames. On top of that your false limb is broken"

Ed merely chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Look around you," said Ed snidely, "You're in the middle of a transmutation circle that i burned into the ground."

"A what," questioned Erza as she looked around only to see she was indeed iside of a large intricate circle scorched into the earth.

"Just watch," said Ed touching his left hand to the edge of the large transmutation circle. Blue lightnig danced as the ground beneath Erza's feet turned to mud as she started to sink.

"What the?"

Now chains and hands of earth rose up and latched onto various limbs and started to pull her under as she struggled to break free. The hands and chains continued to pull her into the mud until she was up to her neck. The earth then solidified trapping her in the earth.

"Well then," said as he started to walk off, "I guess I win."

However, looking around at the crowd around him all he could see on their faces was a look of abject horror. Suddenly a dark shadow loomed over him. Turning around he now faced Erza, her armor caked in mud, an enraged expression on her face. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was a gauntleted fist headed straight for his face.

'Why,' thought Lucy as she looked at the unconscious figure sprawled out on her couch, 'why does everyone always end up at my house?'

Heading to her book shelf she started perusing the titles as her thoughts from earlier that day came back.

'Why does his appearance seem so familiar?'

After a few minutes she found the book she was looking for. Taking it from the shelf she sat at her desk and started reading.

Ed woke up groggily, a massive headache throbbing in his head, as he sat upright to take in his surroundings.

'Damn it,' thought Ed, 'why is it that every time I pass out I wind up at that girl's house?'

Speaking of said girl she was currently asleep at her desk, a book clutched in her hands. Ed knew from experience that was not the most comfortable way to fall asleep.

Getting up with a sigh he walked over to the desk he took the book from her hands and set in on the desk. Locking his damaged automail arm in a position that could support her weight he gently picked her up at laid her down in her bed.

"Now let's see what was so interesting that it couldn't wait till morning," said Ed as he walked to the desk and turned the book over to look at the title. A look shock and horror crossed his face as he read the title.

'This… this can't be right,' thought Ed, 'The Tradgedy of Xerxes by Kabu Zelion. What kind of sick joke is this?'

Meanwhile outside Ed's apartment

"Hello," Gajeel managed to growl, his face muscles unable to move properly due to all the rust, "somebody, anybody, please, Help!"

A/N: Finally finished with this chapter. I stayed up all night writing this so cut me a little slack if it's horrible. I will try to get another chapter out soon but we are about to get underway soon so it might take a while for me to post it.