Chapter 22
"Armstrong is a stalker"
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M/R's pov
Edward was currently working out on the floor whilst me and Alphonse were talking with Izumi. It was rather quiet, just Edward lifting his weights could be heard until it went silent. We looked back at the blonde and noticed him with an...angry or shocked expression on his face.
"What's wrong, big brother? Sprained your back?" Alphonse asked.
"Did he break his automail?" I mumbled, heading over to him and crouching beside his arm, leaning close to it to check. Suddenly, he turned to face me, causing our foreheads to hit. "Aggh! Eddd!"
"Ack! Sorry!" He apologises, rubbing his own forehead after putting the dumbbell down.
"Did something happen?" Alphonse asked.
Edward seemed to shiver in fear, "I forgot this year's assessment."
"Ah!"
I paused, "Assessment?"
"The annual assessment of State Alchemists!" Edward explained.
"If it's not done properly, then his title gets taken away." Alphonse added.
"Ugh...It's been so busy these days. Crap, crap.." Edward mumbled to himself.
"Awesome- take this chance to quit being the Military's dog!" Izumi exclaimed, "I'll tell that to the Military for you."
"Stop!!!" Edward whined.
"You need to get there in person, right?" I asked, "But you're all the way here in Dublith.."
"Yup! We need to head on over!" Ed clasped his hands together and started to get packing.
"C'mon M/R, you need to get ready." Alphonse says, ruffling my hair.
"It's weird to do that to someone older than you, Al." I sighed.
"Ah, sorry about that."
"No, it's fine-"
Alphonse then turned to Edward, who was packing his journal and stuff into his luggage. "Big Brother! The Southern Headquarters is closer than Central! It's only two train stations down!"
"Yeah, thanks Al!" Edward grinned, putting his coat and gloves on.
"Ed, what'll you do about the report?" I asked, putting my own coat on and following him.
"I'll just make up crap along the way on the train!"
Izumi sighed, crossing her arms and lightly leaning against the wall. "Take care of yourself, M/R."
"Yeah, I think we'll be back in- wait hold on! Just M/R???" Edward huffed.
"Yeah, sure thing Mrs. Curtis!" I smiled brightly, waving goodbye to Alphonse and Izumi as we headed out.
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Edward sneezed.
Y'know, that is such a great sentence starter, I have no idea how this book is so successful- shut up author- my bad.
I looked at him and arched a brow, "You okay?" I asked.
We were at Southern Headquarters. "Yeah, I'm good." He sniffled.
Currently we were getting bypass the first stage of security. Edward was showing someone his assignment whilst I was sitting on a bench, yawning. I didn't need to sleep, but I liked sleeping. I mean, who doesn't?
Edward went back over to me after that was done, "Hey. So we need to do a hella lot of paperwork from what I heard." He mumbled as he began to walk down the platform, me following beside him. "I might get lost, we need directions."
"Have you been here before?"
"Nope. Never." He hummed, turning the corner, "Excuse me! Where's the technique assessment depa-" He paused.
"Hm? What's wro-" I paused as well. It was Armstrong. The smile he had on his face grew, well, the moustache did.
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Now, we've somehow ended up in a room with the Führer, who was laughing at our sudden appearance. "It's nice to see you both well." He smiles.
"Yeah.." Both Ed and I sighed. He seemed dejected about being near Armstrong, whilst I was dejected about being near Wrath.
"I was assigned to escort the President for his inspection of the Southern Headquarters." Armstrong announced proudly, his fist to his chest.
"Bad timing.." Edward murmured.
"You came here for the assessment, right?" Armstrong asked.
"Yeah, it'll take a while since it's overdue." Edward replies.
"Ah, the assessment. Lemme see the paperwork." Bradley says, holding his hand out for the piece of paper. He took it and looked at it, "Give me the stamp."
I watched as someone came with a stamp on a tray and the president stamping the paper, telling Ed he passed. "And that concludes the assessment."
"Aren't you happy, Edward Elric." Armstrong gleamed. It looked as if he were dancing with clouds and unicorns in his head.
"That's so...irresponsible.." Edward folded.
"I know of your accomplishments around places, so it's no problem. I expect great things from you, Mr. Fullmetal Alchemist. Are you here to cause the South trouble?" Bradley asked.
"No, I came because my alchemy master lives in the south." Edward explains.
"Ooh, the master who taught you, she must be awesome."
"Yeah, she is awesome-" Edward then mumbled under his breath, "Awful too."
"Maybe I should recruit her as a state alchemist."
"Nah, you shouldn't. You must be prepared to lose an army to try and face her." Edward sighed, me nodding in agreement.
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Wow, another time skip, wooptie-doo. We're back at Dublith, walking out of the train station. "Whew, hot, so hot." Edward whined.
"Mhm, boiling. I'm glad the assessment finished so quickly." I sighed, fanning myself. "Wish I could transmute my hand into a fan."
"We're in public, don't do that." Edward mumbled to me.
"It's quite a nice city, ain't it, Mr. Fullmetal Alchemist!!" A voice said beside us. We both froze as we recognised the voice. 'Oh god, not him again.'
"Wha- Why? Why the.." Edward seemed shocked.
"What ever do you mean 'why', I'm here to see your master." The führer says as he takes out a watermelon, "This is a souvenir does she like watermelon?"
"Oh thanks- wait a second here!" Edward turned and glared at Armstrong, "Were we in the same train?!"
"Fu fu, it's a piece of cake to follow a kid!" Armstrong smiled proudly, glitter practically around him as he crossed his arms. He then seemed to turn all serious, "This is known as the Armstrong Family's famous stalking technique!"
Ed dramatically fell to his knees, an imaginary spotlight appearing on top of him. "Can't take this anymore.."
"Please don't tell me we're actually going to go visit Izumi." I mumbled, "Please no, I don't want to-"
"Oh, come now M/R! What seems to be the matter? Do you want a slice of watermelon too?" Bradley looks at me, holding the melon out.
"No thank you, I'm good-"
