One Big Military Family ch23

Chapter 23- Search for Little Flame

"It's been almost two days and we can't find him. Mustang is actually out on the streets searching peoples' houses himself." Al told Winry. Not only was Roy out, but he got who ever he could to come out with him in search of his son. Ed was the first volunteer however and was determined to find the child no matter what. Winry looked out the window as it rained and tears filled her eyes.

"I don't get it though. Who could have him… why?" she asked quietly. "I mean, I know that he's still alive but…" she trailed off and pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in her arms. Al looked at her and sighed, looking down at the ground. No one wanted to believe the worst about Lee. In fact, if it came to that, they all knew Roy would definitely attempt a human transmutation and lose his life just to bring back his child.

"I hope Ed's plan helps them find Lee." Al said quietly. Winry nodded. She had almost felt guilty because she had left to visit her grandmother all the way back in Rizenbol the day before Lee had vanished. She looked back out the window.

"I hope everything turns out ok." She said quietly.

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"Didn't you hear? Someone's kid was kidnapped!"

"Is that why the military is all up everyone's asses lately?" The bar smelled and was full of older males, and some young, drinking and instead of having their usual political debates, discussing the reason the military was patrolling the city.

"Didn't you hear? That kid is General Mustang's kid." The man that had brought up the discussion looked to his side at the person sitting next to him with a hood over his head and face lowered as he looked down at his drink.

"You mean to tell me someone had the balls to kidnap the flame alchemist's kid?" he said and began laughing. "What an ass! That guy is married to the hot blonde chick that's good with guns." He informed with a toothless grin as he demonstrated shooting. The person next to him lifted his head a little.

"Yeah… shame too. If she gets to who ever kidnapped that kid first, all hell is going to break loose." He said.

"So I hear…" laughed the toothless man and looked around before leaning toward the young man.

"You know. I heard a thing or two about that kidnapping." He informed, causing the young man to perk up. "Yeah, some how someone managed to sneak into Central HQ and snatch the kid up. A buddy of mine told me."

"Who is this buddy of yours?" the man looked slightly confused.

"What do you need to know for?"

"Because if you don't tell him you're going to get a bullet to your head." Came a clearly pissed female voice as the young man's hooded companion stood up and pointed a gun at the toothless man. Pulling her hood back, Riza glared at the man. "Tell us now." Ed pulled back his hood as well and looked at the man coolly.

"Better tell her. She's been in a real bad mood lately." When they walked back outside, Riza didn't bother to put up her hood to block the rain. Ed chased after her. "Hold on. We have to contact the General, don't we?" he asked.

"Hughes is on it." She answered simply as she opened the car door and reached in, tossing Ed a bag. "Put on the uniform. They'll give you less hell seeing you in the uniform." She answered.

"You're going to break down doors, aren't you?" He asked. Riza looked at Ed and sighed.

"I want my child back and I will stop at nothing to get him home." She answered. Ed couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. Sighing, he went to change into the military uniform she provided him.

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"Well, here we are." Hughes sighed as he and Roy stood outside Lab Five. It was pouring out yet the flame alchemist could seem to care less. His companion decided not to question it however. He knew his friend was only focused on getting his son back. Glancing over his shoulders, Hughes watched as Havoc, Fuery, and Breda came running up. They all stopped and saluted in unison.
"Falman is commanding groups back in the city in case this is a false lead, chief." Said Havoc. "And Fullmetal and the Colonel are on their way over here… they ran into a little problem."

"I'm sure Hawkeye handled them just fine." Said Roy simply and looked at the men. "I want everyone to search every inch of this building. Don't leave one stone unturned." He said. There was an intense look on his face and the men nodded, giving serious salutes. Hughes followed Roy inside and stopped short.

"Roy…"

"Hughes, don't question my decisions right now." He said. Hughes sighed and shook his head as he watched his friend walk ahead, his gaze drifting to the gun his long time friend had on him. Roy never carried a gun. He made it clear he'd never need to carry one. Maybe it was because Riza was always with him and he always trusted his alchemy. Meanwhile, outside, Ed and Riza had just arrived and looked around. Riza frowned.

"I'm guessing they already got here." She said as she reached and checked her gun for enough bullets. Ed frowned a little as he looked up at the old building.

"I get a strange feeling about this place…" he said quietly. Riza seemed to ignore this.

"You're a strong boy, Edward. I trust your skills." Ed looked at her and noticed she was holding out a gun to him. He shook his head.

"I won't need it." He reassured. Riza was reluctant but nodded.

"We're splitting up. That will make it easier to cover more grounds." She said. Ed nodded and without any questioning, they entered the building, ready to search.

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"I really don't like this…" said Fuery nervously as he walked with Havoc and Breda, looking around cautiously. The ceiling was leaking and there were large puddles everywhere.

"Listen, we just have to find little flame. It's not that complicated." Said Breda as he began moving over large planks of wood. Fuery looked around nervously.

"But I don't understand why Lee was kidnapped… I mean-" He stopped short when they heard a creaking sound in the distance. Frowning, Havoc turned and lifted his gun in the direction the sound came from.

"Don't shoot…" The men stopped and Fuery's eyes lit up when he saw what he thought was Lee.

"We found him!" he cheered. Havoc looked slightly confused and Breda quickly grabbed and stopped Fuery.

"That's not the brat…" Suddenly a wide, sharp toothed smile showed.

"Very observant."

"WATCH OUT!"

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Ed looked up quickly from where he was and scowled. "Gun shots… that means someone found something in this old dump." He muttered and began tapping on one of the large glass tubes he was passing. He remembered being in this room once before and shuddered at the memory. He almost expected to see Lust, Envy, and Gluttony. Sighing, he began looking inspecting his surroundings, stopping short when he came across a small shoe. "Lee?"
"Edo…" He stopped short and moved quickly, noticing the child hiding in a corner of the room. He was covered in dirt and was wet.

"Lee!" He ran over to the boy and moved away the items the boy was hiding under, taking off his jacket and wrapping it around him. "What are you doing here alone? Who brought you here?" he asked as the child began crying.

"I want my mommy!" Lee announced. Ed smiled faintly and pulled the boy to him, letting him cry.

"Don't worry. Your mom is here, kid." Lee clung onto Ed's shirt.

"Let go of the child, now." Growled a voice. Ed froze and looked over his shoulder, his eyes going wide when he saw the half human beast standing not too far from him.

"A chimera… but I thought you were all destroyed."

"Let go of the boy!" Ed quickly moved Lee out of the way as he blocked the creatures attack. "He's part of our key!"

"What key! What's going on?" he demanded, pushing the Chimera away and putting up a defense.

"Edo-kun!" Ed growled and managed to hold up his guard, glancing over his shoulder at the child.

"Lee, run!" He ordered. Lee looked confused and nodded, quickly got up from where he was hiding, running out the room, stumbling slightly since he was still holding onto Ed's jacket.

"Get back here!" Ed smirked.

"Not so fast, buddy."

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"Do you hear that?" Roy and Hughes both stopped. "Its coming from different directions. Like there's fighting." Said Hughes. Roy frowned.
"They had all better be alright." He said and peaked around a corner. Hughes frowned slightly when he saw the look on his friend's face. "Roy…" Without warning, Roy rounded the corner and began running. "ROY!"

"I found my son!" he yelled. Maes looked confused and watched as his friend went running and turned down another hall. There was a moments hesitation until he saw what seemed to be a shadow flash down the hall after Roy.

"Shit!"

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Riza stopped short when she saw a little person running by and without thinking, she went running as well. "Lee?" The tiny person stopped and turned around. "MOMMY!" Riza didn't stop as she ran over to her child and dropped onto her knees, pulling him to her. The child clung onto her as the woman hugged onto him and dried out of happiness. "Mommy, da monster is gonna eat Edo!" Lee cried. She looked at him and felt her heart sink noticing some of the cuts he had and how he was covered in dirt and was cold and wet.

"Don't worry. Ed is very strong. And your dad is here, so he'll help him." Lee nodded and a scared look crossed his face. Riza frowned and looked over her shoulder.

"Let him go!" Riza quickly pulled Lee close to her, receiving a slash across her back when the creature lashed out.

"Mommy!"

"RIZA!" There was a rush of heat and screaming heard as the woman made sure to keep her son out of harms way.

"Watch out!"

"Ed?" Riza looked over her shoulder as the blonde young man came out of no where, attacking the person coming from behind Roy. Hughes ran over and helped her up.

"You got hit pretty bad there." He said. Riza nodded and noticed his shoulder was wounded.

"What happened to you?" Hughes looked at it and shrugged a shoulder.

"Some woman. She vanished though." Riza frowned. There were footsteps heard as soldiers came rushing in with guns, Falman leading them. They seemed shocked at the scene in front of them.

"Chimeras…" Roy ignored the men as they rushed around trying to make sense of everything and came over examining his wife and kid. Lee looked up at his dad, noticing the cut across his face and began sniffling.

"C'mere you." He smiled faintly and pulled his son into a hug. "We're not letting anything like this happen again. I promise." Ed walked over to the family and smiled a little. He had a few deep cuts and some scratches, but he seemed fine all the same.

"Looks like we got a new mystery on our hands."