Hughes of an Inferno
Chapter #1 -- The Crash
"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth ..." -- Alphonse Elric
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The grass hadn't even grown over some of the newest sites yet among the graveyard. There was an eerie vibe to taking a job to the largest and most active death station among the military but someone had to do it. That person was Janis Wielder. She felt that she had a pretty good stomach for the job. It was an easy evening job where her duties were to make sure the graves stayed clean. Clearing of weeds, mowing the grass, cleaning the sidewalks and in the winter there was a lot of raking to do. Then at sunset she would simply leave and pick up things tomorrow when she started again.
But today was unexpectedā¦
There were quite a few new sites among the grave and one of them in particular wasn't quiet. Every now and again she would find footprints in the dirt that she would use a garden rake to smooth out again. Every other night or so there would be new footprints. Janis chalked it up to troublesome teens who had no idea what respect was. So, she smoothed the dirt over and turned to put her tools back in the cart. That was when she heard something shift. She paused for a moment and looked around. There was nothing around her to make a sound. No other company or coworkers. She heard it again, and this time it sounded like grinding rock right behind her.
Needless to say, the woman's heart stopped for a moment. She felt a sweat along her brow and her throat was so dry that she could feel the inner wall of her mouth chafe a bit. Something else was here with Janis that she couldn't see. Taking up the garden rake again she held it tight as she looked around again. There had to be a detail she was missing. Something she overlookedā¦ but in the darkness there was nothing to see. Then she heard it again and this time by her feet. She only got the chance to glance down when the Earth began to move. Dirt being shuffled to the side and a hand first out upward. With a scream Janis practically jumped back. Coming to her cart she scrambled for a lantern only to find that the oil was out. This was a horrible time to remember that she didn't refill it the night before. Looking back she could see a figure crawling and clawing out from the dirt. There was no way she was going to waste any time and so Janis turned and made a mad dash for the main gate. She would make her report in the morning but for now she just wanted OUT.
The figure finally made it out of the dirt, leaving a hole where he once was. A deep cough echoed through the air as he shifted and tried to stand. The tall man stumbled slightly but managed to catch himself on a nearby gravestone. Any of the clumps of Earth that managed to stick to him fell to the ground as the man struggled to find his breath. Then with small and slow steps he began to move, making his way toward the main gate. The only thing to distinguish him from the darkness was an occasional street lamp that revealed a State Military uniform. Blue fabric with gold tassel and insignia to display rank.
The gravestone at the base of the hole was labelledā¦. Brigadier General Maes Hughes...
-*-*-*-*- Three Hours Prior -*-*-*-*-
Central City was the booming capital of Amestris, which housed the primary protection and knowledge for the country. The State Military headquarters was based here along with all the top researchers sponsored by the Fuhrer's system of government. Lately the activity among the military has been quiet. Just three weeks ago the death of Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes ripped through the special operations and State Alchemist ranks like a ripple. Life was perfect for him, or so it seemed. He was a family man with an excellent career in a position that was for the most part safe. Most of what he did was desk work but when needed he was skilled for stealth operations. Away from the front line he was constantly sharing his life with his colleagues. In a place of constant war the man was like a breath of fresh air. The people around him may have acted mildly annoyed by his boasting about how cute his daughter was and his displays of affection -- but in truth there was a sense of envy. Everyone respected him, third was no question about that.
That was why plans changed within the noble headquarters of the State Military. When Roy Mustang received a call from Hughes in his office he expected to hear more about the home life. About how Elicia has a cute snore and Gracia looks amazing in his night pants and apron as she does the dishes. Things like that. Instead there was nothingā¦ Absolutely nothing. That was when he knew something was wrong. Within the hour the body of his best friend was found laid out and covered in his own blood in a public phone booth. Maes obviously knew that someone or a group of people on the inside were behind the government conspiracy.
That night he grumbled to himselfā¦ "You got closeā¦ too close. I swear Maes -- no matter how long it takes. I'll roast your killer alive..."
Which is why tonight Roy had stayed over again. The sun had set but Maes had so many notes detailing his internal investigation. The events in Leore and studies on the Philosopher's Stone. At least six documented cases of human transmutation Alchemyā¦ā¦ Dammit, none of it made sense!! As the hours passed the sun began to set and as usual the alchemist began to drift to sleep. It was then that a small movement caught Mustang, his eyes fluttering open again. Small as it was he figured that it was his fatigue and let his eyes start to close again. The objects continued to move around his desk and so he opened his eyes to have a better look. The pens in his knick knack bowl were shifting. One plopping out and rolling across -- all without anyone touching it. The motions made the man's brows furrow before he started looking in more obscure places, such as under his desk or by the other desks of his colleagues. Perhaps someone was trying a clever prank.
"Who is doing this?!" he called out through the office. Seconds later he saw one of the coins leave his knick knack bowl as pelt him in the forehead. To which he became annoyed and shifted to stand. "ANSWER ME!!"
Without warning the pen that had rolled across his desk shifted, standing up on end. The motion was so sudden that the Colenel jumped back, pushing his office chair to the side. The last thing he would ever think of was paranormal activity. He was an alchemist. A man of logic and science. But there was no mistaking what he was seeing. The papers on the desk were soon scribbled on in a rushed fashion saying 'Gracia! Car accident Elicia in danger Please HURRY!!!' The words came without punctuation but the habit to capitalize was still there. Roy eyes the message before his gaze went about the office again.
"I'll ask one more timeā¦." Before he even had the chance to ask the pen fell over and another coin flailed to bounce off of his forehead. Just a swift motion with no real aim all just to get attention. A woman's tactic -- well, it was definitely working.
Then the pen stood upright again and continued to write. 'This is Gracia!! Elicia in danger. Follow the smoke. Car on fire. NOW!!'
Well that one had a little more detail, but Roy still wasn't sure what he was seeing. Fire. Smoke. Car. For the sake of checking his sanity, the Flame Alchemist turned to the large window just behind him. From his office at Central there was a decent view of the city and so if thede was smoke he would see it. Sure enough there it was. A yellow glow omitted from between the buildings with a high plume of smoke rising into the air. It was then that he gasped and looked to the paper again in fright. If this really was taken for surface value then this was a powerful spiritual effort. That Gracia was killed among that smokeā¦ and Eliciaā¦ Without even a second thought Roy took off around his desk for the door. His boots fell hard against the tile floor as he made his way down the stairs and out the front doors. He didn't have a moment to waste, and that included finding a driver. Roy ran to the first available car, to the driver's side, and climbed in. Pulling the visor down, a set of keys fell in his lap which was hurriedly shoved into the ignition, and with a single turn, the car was brought to life.
However, Roy Mustang wasn't a gifted driver. He usually had Riza drive but right now there was no time. The classic car swerved erratically out of the gates to headquarters and sloppily turned corners to try to get tk that plume of smoke. Tires screeched around the corner and the man could see the wreck. Not paying attention he crashed into a pole, bringing the car to an immediate stop. The man was distracted by taking in the details before him. The small car that belonged to Gracia was t-boned from the driver's side by a larger truck. The impact was strong enough to overturn the woman's vehicle completely. The ftrucked of the truck was smashed in with flames rising there. Roy would smell the chemicals and gasoline from the truck and so he knew that they had to get out NOW.
This was all a complete mess on a horrifying scale. Maes Hughes was his best friend -- hell he was more than that. If this day and age was more accepting then maybe things could have been different. If Roy could have said things or done things differently thenā¦. No, this wasn't the time. And it was disrespectful because of the fact that now Gracia was cold and dead in the driver's seat. He could see that much at least from here. She was the love of Hughes' life and Roy was determined to do right by them. He couldn't use his alchemy either or both cars would explode, taking Elicia with it.
Roy clambered out of the vehicle and rushed to the wreck, falling to his knees and peering in. Gracia looked mangled and broken as she hung upside down, suspended by the seat belt. The way they were struck, Gracia likely died on impact. There was blood dripping from her skull and chest in mass amounts. In the back seat was a smaller body, dangling from her car seat. The only way to get to her was to get the door open and so Roy rounded the vehicle and gripped the handle. Jammed. The framework was bent in too much. With a wide kick the military man busted the window and came down on his hands and knees. He couldn't get inside far enough this way either and so he gripped the car door.
That was when Roy felt something cold engulf his form, followed by a warmth. There was another force there, merging with his own -- familiar and determined. The alchemist's heart raced as it felt like his body got a sudden boost of strength foreign to him. Adrenalin surged and he let out a deep wail as he pulled as hard as he could. The metal of the car protested with a screeching sound. Bolts buckled and then a sudden cracking sound was heard. The door snapped away from the rest of the vehicle and Roy fell back, throwing it to the side. He huffed there on the pavement for only a moment before scrambling to crawl inside. Elicia's car seat was bound by the seat belt. Roy could see the flames spreading around him and so he took a large risk. Snapping his fingers, he incinerated the strap holding the girl, catching her unconscious form as she flopped. He then moved back out of the car and moved back as fast as he could. The flames really were spreading as seconds later the two vehicles burst.
Roy looked on in horror, knowing full well that both parents were gone. He held the four year old Elicia in his arms as his heart was still racing. The explosion made the girl jump even in unconsciousness and he sighed. He likely should have covered her ears but at least the girl was safe. But what should he do now? That was the question. He didn't have the heart to leave this child -- she was his best friend's daughter. He certainly had no intention tion of taking her to an orphanage and he knew Hughes would kill him if he did. And soā¦ he decided to handle this one thing at a time. Mustang turned to start walking toward his friend's house. He could get the girl a clean change of clothes and call Central Command to report on the car crash and Gracia Hughes' death. Maybe Hawkeye might have an idea what to do from here after she's finished lecturing him for wrecking the car.
It would be a long walk but at least the girl was unconscious. Gave him a chance to try to think about what to do from here.
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