Retreat not Surrender
Retreat not Surrender
Mustang-Rockbell-Elric Residence
6:00 am
Edward woke with his head resting on his father's chest, the increasingly familiar sound of Dad's heartbeat against his ear. For a moment he forgot how he had ended up here, before the events of the day before returned to him. He stiffened at the memory, before rushing to the bathroom to relieve his stomach of their contents.
He felt someone behind him as his hair was pulled back out of the way, and his Dad's hand rubbed his back. "Let it out son, don't fight it. You'll feel better for it." Roy said gently. He had woken as the boy jumped out of bed. At least Ed was mobile today, and hopefully coherent, because he had hoped to send them on their way before he enacted the interviews at noon.
Ed finally sat back and wordlessly Roy offered a glass of water, then led the boy back to the bedroom. "I want you out of here for a few days, all of you. I have a fairly good idea who did this, but I want you all far from it. I talked to Izumi last night, she's expecting you this evening."
"Okay." Ed said quietly, worrying Roy who had expected a fight. He had expected to have to offer the potion Snape had left to get Ed settled enough to agree. Ed must have seen the question in his eye because after a moment he continued. "I failed to keep Rose safe after I promised I would, but I can't and won't fail Winry, or Al, or most importantly my sons. I was already taken off the case and put on leave so if keeping them safe means visiting Teacher that's what I'm doing. If I had to take them all the way to Xing I'd do it."
"I will be a day behind you, at the most. I want to listen in to the interviews but I'm off the case too, so I won't be staying here. They decided I'm to close to it." Roy said and Ed nodded grateful that Dad was getting away from the city too.
"When do we leave?"
"Well everything was packed last night so all we are waiting for is the earliest train which should be around nine if I remember correctly, hold on I will go check and get you some breakfast." Roy stood to leave the room before turning back "Ed, I don't care about protocol. Do not wear your uniform on the train. In fact leave it here. Your watch is good enough, I will travel the same way."
"Teacher is going to kill me. This is the first she'll get me alone since I decided to stay in the military. I don't remember right now if I even actually told her, though she knows. It's been in all the papers." Ed said, suddenly concerned. "Do you think it's too late to go to Xing instead?"
"Yes." Roy said. "We can't actually leave the country, though we can go out of the city. It is still an open investigation, as is your chimera case. Armstrong assures me the two are not connected."
"Bullshit."
"I agree. At least one person is connected to both though overall it may not be." Roy sighed, I'll be right back, you can change while I'm gone I brought in your stuff last night to save time. Ed looked at the pile his dad had pointed to with a sigh. It looked just like what he had worn while on the run with Ling last winter so it would work well but that didn't mean he had to like it. It remined him too much of Greed and others they had lost. With a sigh he began changing anyway, because this was how he kept his sons safe.
Southbound Train
Private Compartment
11:00 am
Ed and Winry shared the left bench with Yuery and William, while Mei and Al shared the right bench. Al had pulled down the wall mounted table and was playing "Yuery Wins!" with Yuery while Winry and Mei discussed Winry's wedding plans and Ed napped with William in his arms.
They had all been grateful to learn Roy had booked them a private compartment, and that before them and behind them were members of the Team, who would head back to the city after getting them to Teacher's.
Yuery had just picked up the last (ten) cards and announced his win, when Breda slipped into the compartment. "Grumman ordered this car express so we are only making one stop before South City, to drop you guys off."
"Oh we're going to be early then." Winry said.
"Mrs Curtis was already informed. Mrs Hughes and the girls are on the Express to West City. There's a new Express to North City and East City too. All four left the station at the same time and all of the passenger manifests mysteriously vanished into the Fuhrer's office." Breda said as they all nodded, and Breda turned to leave. "Oh and Al? Yuery wins when he gets the Ace of Hearts, it has nothing to do with the rest of the deck. I played this with him all last week. "
Al groaned. Yuery would be just like his dad when it came to cards already. Hopefully William wouldn't be as cruel. How did Breda figure out the rules when Al had been playing for months anyway? Mei patted his arm absently, as Yuery 'shuffled' the cards by mixing them around with his tiny hands and said "Again, Al?"
"Let's try a different game? How about GoFish?" Al asked.
Yuery frowned before nodding. "Daddy play Go Fish."
"Daddy's sleeping Yu." Al said
"No, he's saying Daddy taught him Alphonse." Mei said before returning her attention to Winry.
Al shuffled and dealt the card, confidant that Ed had then taught the boy the rules. Al was right, but ten minutes later Yuery won the game. "How?! I swear he cheats like Brother!"
"Al. He's two." Winry said before gathering up the card, "Here Yu it's time for a snack. I think Uncle might need a nap."
Al grumbled as Winry pulled a few sandwiches out of her basket and Ed snorted awake. "Whats that?" Ed muttered looking around.
"Lunch Ed." Winry said and he looked down at the baby on his chest.
"Change first." Ed said with a frown. "He soaked through. Would someone toss me a dry shirt? And a diaper.
Ed didn't bother heading to the bathroom, instead changing his shirt quickly as well as the baby before returning the sleeping child to his sling. William, woke as they settled in to eat lunch, and announced his return to the waking world by snaking out a hand and stealing a piece of Ed's sandwich. "I think he may be hungry. "Ed said with a smile as Winry dug through the basket for a jar of baby food and the others laughed, Yuery joining the laughter a moment later. "How long do we have left?"
"About an hour." Al said. "We are on the express, only one stop before South City. Ours."
Curtis Butchers
1:00 pm
Ed carried William in the sling and Yuery on his left hip, while Al, Winry, and Mei each carried a bag, Ed also carried a suitcase and the diaper bag. Mason announced their arrival and they were greeted by Teacher in the front yard. She had a scowl on her face and her arms crossed over her chest as she stormed toward them. Ed backed up slowly while saying "Now Teacher I know you're disappointed in me but you have to let me put the boys inside first please-"
He was cut off by the shock of her throwing her arms around him and hugging him and the boys to her. "I heard, and I'm sorry Ed. Rose seemed like a nice girl." Ed stood frozen for a moment before leaning into her hug, and Al, Winry, and Mei joined them. "I know it wasn't…that you weren't in love with her, but she was your son's mother, and no one is going to deny your right to mourn while you're here."
"She died because she was my friend." Ed said. "Because I invited her into my home to keep her safe. I failed Teacher."
"Edward, she died because terrible people decided to kill her to make you question yourself. It was not your fault, and I'm sure both your brother and Ms. Rockbell have already told you that…probably that General too, and if he hasn't I'll kick his ass when I see him next." Izumi said fiercely as she hugged him tighter.
"Everyone keeps saying it wasn't my fault, but the fact remains that it has been one tragedy after another since I steamrolled into her life." Ed said with a sniff. "I'm a bad luck charm, Teacher."
"Alright, that's enough." Izumi said in return as she took William from him and passed him to Mei, then took Yuery and handed him to Winry. "Ladies, Al please go ahead and head inside. I need to know if being chained to a desk undid all of Edward's training."
Ed panicked, trying to talk her into waiting until later, but she ignored him as she shooed the others inside. Then she turned back to him. "Now, Alphonse is still recovering so you'll have to fight for you both, and maybe by the time I'm done knocking you around the yard it'll knock some sense into you Colonel Elric."
"Umm…I know you're mad about the whole staying in the military thing but-" Ed began as he backed away far enough to shed his coat. There was no getting out of this, he had managed to put off this fight at the time she learned he had stayed by needing to allow his shoulder to heal, but he had been cleared now and she would know he'd healed.
"Shut up Brat. We already covered your stupidity over the military. This is about you blaming yourself for things you can't control… though we need to talk about these kids you keep having too!" Izumi said.
"Teacher, you know the story there with both of them!" Ed said as Teacher began circling him and he fell into a defensive stance.
"You're sixteen years old with two children."
"Sixteen and a half." Ed said, knowing this would not help and would probably make her hit him harder for cheek. He couldn't help it, heckling opponents was one of his preferred fighting styles.
"You're an idiot. You tied yourself to the military, raising a couple of kids by yourself and let your skills get rusty."
"Hey! I'm helping to fix the military, am a damn good father, and practice twice a day now that I have the doctor's clearance."
Izumi had him flat on his back before he could argue further. He groaned and stood up, before she lunged again. He dodged and threw a punch and kick back, managing to clip her shoulder. She grunted in response before lunging again. Three times she got him down, but he landed a total of ten hits. After she helped him up one last time before declaring his skill acceptable but in need of work. She then led the way inside to send him to eat and shower.
Central Headquarters
General Roy Mustang's Office
1:00 pm
Mustang and Hawkeye debated through the morning on who was likely to have the most answers for them. In the end, Mustang decided to go with Archer. He seemed connected to both the personal attacks on Mustang's family and Ed's case, because though he had been quick to insist the two were unrelated they both knew it was unlikely they were completely unconnected.
Surprisingly, Archer arrived on time with no complaint to Mustang's summons. Mustang invited Archer to sit and offered him a coffee, which Hawkeye left to retrieve as Mustang joined Archer on the second couch, and Fuery began secretly recording from the supply closet. Hawkeye returned with the coffee, and handed them out before excusing herself again.
Mustang watched Archer leering at her as she went and cleared his throat. Archer drank some of the coffee to cover for himself as Mustang began. "It is my understanding that you have not been officially reassigned to Central?"
"No sir. General Hakuro asked that I oversee a few of his projects before he arrives next month." Archer said, seemingly unaware that he was saying more than absolutely necessary.
"I was unaware Hakuro intended to visit next month." Mustang said smoothly.
"He won't be visiting. After Haralson and Hatch took out Elric's side woman it is unlikely he will remain in service, and without him and Hawkeye, who they are taking on her way home tonight, you will crumble like paper. Grumman will have no choice but to call in Hakuro." Archer said smugly, before frowning as he noticed that he was talking far more than he should.
"What is the connection to the chimera?"
"Oh that was brilliant. I informed the others that Elric has a weakness for chimera, after that it wasn't hard to collect a handful of unwanted orphans and make sure the right information 'leaked' into the files he was reviewing." Archer said smugly. " After that, Haralson came in to shake you up, and the pair of you were so distracted by searching for the girl that Hakuro was able to plant his people in Grumman's office without you noticing, and he'll be dead by the end of the year. The only other General is Armstrong, we all know she likes her ice palace so no one will challenge Hakuro's bid."
"What do you get out of this?"
"I get to be Lt. Fuhrer and I finally get back at you and your bastard son for everything you've put us through with your weird magic. Haralson agrees. It's a damn shame we banned magic but someone managed to trick Bradley into okaying alchemy."
" The knowledge that wizards exist is banned to those below the rank of General. How did you learn if them?" Roy asked, distracted by concern for his grandson. If anyone was looking for signs of magic it would cause trouble.
"My family was afflicted with such a foul creature. It was removed when I was eight but we suffered it's presence for nearly two years before. It nearly drove my poor mother mad, blaming herself. The worst part is pretended to be perfectly normal for the first year or so and mother bonded with it. " He said with distain.
" I see." Roy said, disgusted with the way he was talking about a baby.
" They came to remove it and ordered father to inform everyone that it had died of fever. Bradley himself assured mother it was not her fault. These creatures can be born to anyone." he continued. " It would start fires, knock things over, reshape rooms. Just to torment us. I was glad to be rid of it. It really is to bad Bradley never saw that you alchemist are just as bad. Yet that's what ended him isn't it?"
"Thank you for your time Archer, I believe you will find your accommodations…an improvement from the Southern Command's." Mustang said as he stood. Colonel Armstrong and two MPs entered the room, along with Hawkeye and Fuhrer Grumman himself. Archer was arrested rather easily, likely thanks to the potion Snape had given Mustang to use. " I want a special guard on both Hawkeye and the Fuhrer starting now. Haralson and Hakuro will be in custody by nightfall."
"Very good Roy, couldn't have done better myself." Grumman said with a chuckle. He was then led from the room to arrange his safety. As he left, he shot over his shoulder. " Now marry my granddaughter already!"
Fuhrer Grumman's Office
Private Meeting
10:00pm
Arrangements had been made to keep Grumman under guard until Hakuro's faction had all been hunted down. Mustang had surrendered the tape made by Fuery and Grumman had played it over the line for General Armstrong as means of explaining the removal of one of the three current Generals.
Armstrong intended to catch the next train south to aide in the current situation, but practically ordered Mustang to remove himself from the city since he was so personally involved. Grumman agreed, ordering Roy and Riza from the city. When this came to a head and leaked to the public, the last thing they wanted was for anything to be even remotely suspect for Mustang. He had managed to politically land on his feet following the Coup, but he couldn't afford another scandal this quickly, especially in light of his move East in a few months.
Grumman's personal staff was currently suspect, so Mustang's personal staff was now in charge of the Fuhrer's safety until the Brigg's guards arrived in the morning. Mustang and Hawkeye would be on the midnight train to South City. Grumman ordered Mustang directly to take her out of the city. It had been decided as well that Rose was to be buried in the morning, but her funeral would be held when the Elric's returned.
The one piece of information Mustang really didn't want to share with Ed was the enemy's assumption about his relationship with Rose. Ed was going to blame himself. The only chance of convincing Ed it wasn't his fault went out the window there. The worst part was Roy had briefly considered not telling him… he had promised to not withhold information unless it was a risk to security from now on when Ed agreed to stay. Not even six months later, and here Roy was considering LYING to his son to spare his feelings. He probably would have if not for the tape. The contents of that tape were bound to get back to Ed at some point, so it would be better to hear it from Roy first.
Roy sincerely hoped Izumi and Riza, and Winry and Pinako would help bounce Ed back from this because right now… Roy was very worried. Ed wasn't one to ever run away from anything. He still carried the same watch he'd gotten and engraved at twelve! The promise inside fulfilled but not forgotten. Roy still feared this might break his son. Not for the first time, Roy wondered if he had done the right thing when he asked Ed to stay.
Riza, ever the mindreader, nudged him as he stared down into his twelfth cup of coffee. "You are no more to blame for what had happened than Edward. Hakuro and his men chose to target you and your son as a distraction. He chose this, not you. You have done nothing but keep the boys safe for as long as you have known them, and don't deny it. Remember I'm the one who knows what lengths you went to to keep an eye on them when they were out of your reach through the years."
"I drug an injured twelve-year-old child into the world of Lies and guns and we both know it." Mustang said. "No amount of ' It turned out for the best' will erase that I got them involved to begin with. I love my sons, and wouldn't trade being their father for anything, but I still used him."
"Are you absolutely sure Ed isn't your biological child because the two of you sound exactly the same." Havoc said from the other side of him. "I swear I hear Ed talking about Yuery and Al and William like this all the time."
"Edward is technically your commanding officer. Don't let anyone refer to him so casually, especially as his adjutant." Riza said, but Roy was still glaring at him for making sense. "Sir, I believe you have already packed for the trip, therefore, as soon as I can collect my things we can go."
Roy nodded and Havoc followed them out, before he asked "Wait what about your pets?"
"I left them with Breda." Roy said so drily Jean almost believed him. They had reached the car and climbed inside before Havoc asked again. "I have pet carriers and we will be in a private car. They're coming with us. I have no idea how long we will be gone."
"Where are they now?'
"At my apartment." Riza said. "It is the reason I insisted we need to collect my things. I had intended to mind them for a few days… plans change.
Hogwarts
Headmaster's Office
Late Evening
Snape had returned to the castle hours ago, and was surprised with how long it took before he was summoned. It did give him time to work out what he could say that would not violate the oath or tip Dumbledore off to having taken an oath. He assumed if Dumbledore knew, then Snape would not be allowed to return, or perhaps continue teaching at the school.
Surprisingly to him, he found he rather enjoyed teaching. Even if the majority of the students they gave him were completely useless in potions. He could teach the syllabus this year, perhaps next year, then there would be changes. These potions were dangerous in the wrong hands, which meant the student body at large.
He was thinking about the changes he would like to make when he arrived at Dumbledore's office and was invited in. He froze for a moment upon seeing the man. Dumbledore looked like he had aged a decade in the short time Snape had been gone. His robes were rumpled, and hair tangled. His eyes were red rimmed and the smell of fire whiskey lingered in the air.
"Are you drunk?" Snape asked bluntly.
"I am not sober." Dumbledore replied without bothering to look up properly. "You'll have to excuse me. I recently learned of the death of a dear friend."
"I see." Snape said as he finished walking into the office and shut the door. He pulled out his wand and a few flicks later had vanished Dumbledore's drink, cleaned the office, and straitened his clothes. Snape then called for a house elf to retrieve a potion from his office. "I understand Albus, probably more than most of the teachers here. Which is the problem. Should you allow the others to see you like this they would begin to lose faith in you."
"Why should they have faith in me to begin with?" Dumbledore stated bluntly. "I trick them into working with me for the greater good, but let them down, let you down, allowed her to die by my own arrogance and negligence…an innocent man rots in Azkaban, his remaining friend turned against him. I do nothing though I could prove he is blameless. I can't help him of course, because I can't reveal the truth or Death Eaters will be after the child again and in search of their leader."
"Your tongue is entirely too loose with whiskey. See that you avoid it from now on."
"His wife hates me, I think." Dumbledore said. "I think I may hate her too."
With that, Snape shoves the potion in his hand and tells him to sleep it off, not bothering to hide his disgust. This man, who was supposed to save them all was nothing but a drunk failure. He was still a symbol to the people, so Snape would have to do his best to at least sober the man up.