Phase 24

Two pairs of inquisitive eyes stared up into a set of nervous-looking ones.

"Alphonse, what are you doing up there?" the lieutenant asked, noting that Alphonse had been lifted many feet off the ground by a serpent-like coil that was presently wrapped around his body.

There was an involuntary gulp. "Uh...nothing! Just enjoying the view." Alphonse was never comfortable with lying, but he didn't feel up to telling the truth -- No...he couldn't possibly tell them the truth without a calamity happening. As it is, a calamity was already taking place...

With a touch of his hand and a spark of lightning, the coil unwrapped from Al's body and returned to the earth from whence it was transmuted from.

Alphonse landed effortlessly on his feet and turned to address the visitors. "Colonel, Lieutenant, what are you two doing out here?"

The duo did not respond to Alphonse's question. Instead, they stared with a puzzled look at the scenery behind him. The young boy turned around and gulped again -- his face turning white.

Before them all, what was supposed to be a tranquil landscape of grass, trees, and hills, was now the aftermath of a terraformed battlefield. Huge craters dotted the earth. A cluster of trees had been knocked over. Rocks and debris laid strewn about.

A burst of nervous laughter came from Alphonse. Then, clapping his hands and placing his palms to the ground, the landscape reformed itself. The young man expected to be questioned about what happened when he turned to face the visitors, but the colonel chose a different approach to the conversation instead.

"We heard from Winry that Edward and your father are alive and that you were all back in Resembool now. We came to see how you and your brother are doing," Mustang answered.

"Oh, thank you. Brother and I are doing fine."

"That's good to know." The colonial stared at a spot past Alphonse's shoulder.

The boy looked to see what had caught Mustang's interest.

"I don't recall seeing that house there the last time I came to Resembool. Is it new?"

"Ah...no, Colonel. That's our house. My father's house, I mean. That's where Brother and I lived before we left Resembool to start our journey to become state alchemists."

"Oh?"

"Uh-huh. After we came back my father had it rebuilt."

"I see." The colonel proceeded to walk past the blond teen.

"Ah! Colonel, where are you going?"

"To see your brother of course. Tell me, is he home right now?" He pointed behind Alphonse.

"Yes. Yes he is, but - " Alphonse didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Mustang and Hawkeye walked past him.

"Ah!" The boy sprinted off after the duo.

***

Two bodies hit the ground -- both landing on their backs on the thick living room rug. With a synchronous push, the two flipped themselves upright and continued their battle -- the swift and intricate movements of their arms, legs, and bodies intertwining with each other like a dance -- forward and backward, pushing and pulling, opposing and defending...

A fist slammed into the wall, and Edward Elric nearly swore out loud -- cursing himself and wishing for once that he still had his automail. The sound of Edward's cry never reached another ear -- for right at the moment when he was about to cry out, a hand clasped itself around the blond's mouth -- muffling his scream. The blond's throbbing fist was pulled away from the wall and held in the air for an interminable about of time until the pain subsided.

The sound of yawning reached their ears.

Envy and Edward froze -- heads snapping in the direction of the sofa, where their father turned to one side and resumed sleeping; the man's slumber accompanied by low snoring sounds.

Sighs of relief simultaneously -- and coincidentally -- escaped from the brothers' lips.

But their moment of peace was short-lived, for Edward Elric was never one to display or admit to any weakness. This time was no exception, and he most definitely did not feel like receiving help from a certain someone.

The blond sharply elbowed the person who was holding him. Then he reached up with both arms and tossed said-person over his shoulder and onto the floor.

Envy's face would have met the underside of a shoe had the former not rolled away in the nick of time. He got up and turned away from Edward as the latter lunged forward. The blond missed his target, but managed to upset a ceramic vase that was situated on top of a pedestal. Envy dived forward and landed belly-down on the floor -- catching the vase in both hands. After placing the object back on the pedestal, the Homunculus leaned backwards to avoid getting hit in the head by his brother. Then he turned and ran further into the interior of the house; and in the process, made a flying leap across the sofa. Edward was hot on his heels, and nearly tripped over the huge piece of furniture. The blond managed to steady his wobbling body to avoid coming down hard on top of Hohenheim.

Meanwhile, the elderly Elric was oblivious to all that was happening as he continued to snore.

Edward gritted his teeth and made his way around the sofa.

Envy started to run up the stairs. Edward took a shortcut -- making his way to the second floor by climbing and jumping against the wall -- effectively cutting off Envy's escape route. The blond's quick arrival surprised the latter.

A devilish grin appeared on the younger brother's face. 

Unfortunately, Edward's moment of triumph was short-lived. As he made to jump in front of his adversary, his foot got caught on the banister; and the Fullmetal Alchemist came tumbling down face forward.

"Oomph!" came Edward's muffled breath. He lifted his head up, and found that his face had not hit the wooden floorboards; but rather, on top of his opponent's chest. Amber-colored eyes met charcoal-grayed ones. Envy had cushioned Edward's fall -- with his arms wrapping around Edward's back -- and was now staring up into his younger brother's face.

Edward frowned and pushed himself off of Envy.

Instead of staying put for Edward's next round of assault, the Homunculus made his way to the railing and somersaulted down to the first floor.

Edward followed suit -- jumping down from the railing.

Both stood up from their crouched positions. Edward ran forward -- pushing Envy back against the wall and pinning him there.

The sound of a voice drifted in from the open window -- bringing the fighters to a halt.

***

"Colonel Mustang, Lieutenant Hawkeye, please wait!"

Right before Mustang and Hawkeye reach the front steps of the Elric residence, Alphonse runs up and - with arms extended - blocks their path.

"You can't go inside!"

"Why not?" Mustang inquires.

"Uh...well, um..."

"Alphonse, you don't look so good. Are you ill?" asks Hawkeye.

The teenager brushes the perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand. "I'm fine," he says in a nervous tone. The pair eye him suspiciously.

"In that case, we'd like to see your brother."

Mustang advances, but Alphonse stands his ground.

"Wait, Colonel Mustang! You can't go inside!"

"And just why not?"

"Because - " Alphonse suddenly remembers something. "Because my father is taking a nap right now, and he doesn't like it when people wake him up."

"No worries. We won't be long." With that, the colonel lowers Alphonse's arm and walks up to the front door. Finding it to be unlocked, Mustang invites himself in. After crossing the foyer and entering the living room, the man promptly trips over the edge of the rug and falls face flat with a resounding crash.

"Colonel, are you alright?" His lieutenant goes to assist him, but before she could help him to his feet, the pair look up to see a towering figure with menacing eyes standing right in front of them.

"Who dares to interrupt my sleep?" said a stern voice.

It was Hohenheim. A temper was rising from the man, and it showed it his fiery, red eyes as he glared at the two people. The guests were rooted to the spot, frozen with fear.

"How dare you come into my house uninvited and disturb my sleep! Have you no manners?! Get out! Get out!"

Mustang and Hawkeye scream and tumble backwards out of the living room. They scramble to their feet and make a mad dash for the exit.

"We're terribly sorry, sir!"

"So sorry for disturbing you!"

Both apologize profusely as they make a hasty retreat.

From the doorway, Alphonse trembled and gulped as he watched the two people disappear beyond the hill. Slowly, he turned his head around. "D-D-Dad?"

Phase 23     Phase 25