Equivalent Exchange

[Evoth]

Both Edward and Alphonse watched as Shara’s turn came up. Lt Hughes watched as she walked onto the terrain that was provided for the Alchemists. Both Hughes and Mustang watched the young girl began to draw a transmutation circle. Hughes smiled, “I wonder if the skill of Alchemy runs through the family.” He said to Mustang. His attention turned to Eve for the moment, “With her sister her she’ll try her best.” Roy smiled.

“You’re suggesting that they share the same destiny as the Elric brothers?” Commented Mustang. Lt. Hughes shrug, “I guess that has yet to be seen.” There came a flash of light from where Shara stood. As the light dissipated a statue of a dragon appeared before them. Such vibrant color and detail. It seemed to have been put together with such care. Both the commanding officers looked upon the statue with admiration. But that was soon put aside as the statue was animated.

“Wow.” Said Alphonse. He was just amazed as Edward. The statue craned its head around as though it was alive. It was an impressive feat alone for beginning alchemists. “I know.” Said Edward agreeing with his brother, “For what little she knows she has some skill with alchemy.” Ed looked over to Mustang and Hughes, they had just got done speaking with Shara. Roy’s gaze met up with Edward’s. Mustang knew that Ed had a question on his mind.

Mustang was a sour man at certain times, but today it was different. There upon his face formed a smile. Hughes looked over at Ed and Alphonse and nodded. Shara had passed the Second Trail. Her knowledge and skill with Alchemy had surpassed the others in the first two trails. Shara’s path was clear. She would be joining the ranks of the military like her sister. All that need to be done is for her to receive the State’s watch and her title from King Bradley.

Edward watched as Shara came over to her sister. Tired from the exertion she put out in order to perform alchemy. Both Alphonse and him looked to her sister Eve and nodded. “Shara passed. She’s one of us now.” Shara came over to them and asked if there was anything else that she needed to know. “You just have to wait.”

Then it came. A familiar voice calling out. Edward turned to the voice. “Sorrow!” Ed and Al turned to face the homunculi. Roy and Maes soon followed their example. Before they could react with an attack Shara had already done so. Sorrow was thrown into the air and captured by the dragon. It seemed that she could take care of herself. Both Mustang and Hughes were impressed by what she had just showed them.

Shara collapsed to the ground and the homunculi broke free and raced away, “Damn!” said Ed. He tried following but quickly stopped, “Shara.” His thoughts quickly turned to her. Eve grabbed her sister and took off running toward the barracks. Edward followed behind while Alphonse stayed with Hughes and Mustang. “I didn’t expect it to show up here.” Uttered Hughes in disbelief, “We have to have all guards posted on duty. High alert.” Mustang nodded and raced off to the sentry station while Hughes went to Headquarters with Al to report.

[Ben]

Sorrow was careful to get away and stay hidden for the time being. He wasn't about to let hismelf get caught. He still wanted Shara dead and he thought he might aswell take Eve's life too...

Eve laid Shara out on her bed and took of most of what she had on. She knew very well that Shara had overdone it. When she striped off her sister's gloves she noticed that the stones had remained as they were. They should have been glowing if they had been activated. How strange.

When Ed appeard Eve shook her head softly. "She didn't use the stones Ed..." She placed a wet cloth on Shara's forehead and then looked up. "She hasn't done something like that since she was five. I got in trouble with a bully and she almost killed him with the simple alchemy she used."

Eve sighed "We'll have to wait for her to wake up. If I know my sister she'll be back on her feet within the hour. Maybe not in shape to do much, but she won't give up without a fight." Eve stood up and walked over to Ed. She ahnded him a piece of paper with a drawing on it that looked excatly like the one Shara had made, with a small transmutation circle in the bottom right hand corner. "That is what she made, I gave her five seconds and she managed to make it."

[Evoth]

"I see." replied Ed. He looked over at Shara, "She made a foolish mistake of pushing herself to her limit....but at least she's okay." They had been lucky. Sorrow didn't do any damage. But it still remained, he was still out there. A bigger threat then the other humunculus.

"That's right sir. A humunculus has been spotted in the city." Said Lt. Hughes into the phone, "Yes sir. We've got all guards on high alert. Very well. Good bye sir." Hughes hung up the phone, "Did Ed tell you about it?" Asked Alphonse. Hughes nodded, "We have to try and stop the thing before it makes another attempt on Shara's life."

[Ben]

"That why she needs some one to teach her what she can do and what she can't." Eve said and settled down at the foot of the bed to wait. Almost a whole hour had passed. There had been no sign of Sorrow and Shara had yet to wake.

When she did her eyes opened and she silently studied Ed. "I overdid it didn't I?" She asked softly, still worn out. She lay there for a few minutes and then looked around. "Nobody was hurt?" She asked, not bothering to worry about herself. It felt like she was five again. "Everbody's fine, we're all on high alert incase the homnuculus decides to come back." Eve looked at her sister fondly.

Shara sat up and rubbed her head, concealing the pain that shot through her muscles. "Besides the fact that you got out of control, you still passed." Shara smiled happily. "Born alchemists, right Ed?" Shara asked and then looked around the room. "Where's Al?"

[Evoth]

Edward simply nodded when she asked if she over did it. She scared off Sorrow with her attack which was good. But she pushed herself too far in the process. "Born Alchemists indeed." replied Ed, "As for Al....I don't know where he is at."

He walked to the window and gazed out the window. People still crowded the streets. Even with the city on high alert people continued on without a care in the world, "He's probably with Mustang or Hughes. I got to go and look for him if he doesn't show up soon." He let out a small sigh, "Anyways, you need to stay in bed and not push yourself any further. The last thing I want you to do is kill yourself."

The door to the room crept open and in stepped Havoc. He smiled when he saw Edward, the usual cigerette in his mouth, "I need to speak to you for a moment Ed." Edward rolled his eyes and gave a small wave to both Shara and Eve as he followed Havoc outside the room.

[Ben]

She watched Ed look out the window and when he started talking she listened, staring off into space. When the words "...I don't want you..." Shara nodded and lay back down. She closed her eyes and just listened to what was hapening around her.

Eve watched Ed go and set about doing more boring paperwork while talking about the past three years. She knew her sister would be listening the entire time. Every now and then Shara would makea comment or ask a question. She noted who she should pay attention to, who was quick to anger and who should be ignored. It would come in handy later.

[Evoth]

"Damn it!" Yelled Ed as he slammed his fist into the wall. Havoc backed away from Ed and his wrath, "What do you mean that he can't be found?!" Hovac took a long drag from his cigerette and sighed. The smoke bellowed out into the air, cast a fog between the two.

"I mean exactly what I say. We've searched through the city and all the soldier haven't seen any sign of Sorrow. Mustang and Hughes joined the search and even your brother. He isn't in the city!" Edward shook his head to the words. Sorrow had to be here. He wouldn't run away; not with the stones so close in reach.

"Have your men keep searching. I'm going have to go out myself if things keep going the same way they are." He looked into Havoc's eyes, "Promise me one thing." Havoc arched his brow, "I want you to keep an eye on Shara and Eve. He'll return and be after them both."

[Ben]

Shara sat up and looked worriedly at the door when se heard Ed slam hist fist against the wall. Eve paused in her ramlbing and they both heard Ed talking in the hallway and then looked at eachother. THey knew Sorrow was still in the city, shara knew for sure, but not where he was. Eve watched Shara climb out of bed and walk over to the door and opened it an inch. "He's still here... Check the last place you'd think him to be." She said softly and closed the door. "He shouldn't talk so loud." Shara said and climbed back into bed.

Sorrow had mercilessly killed one of the state Alchemists and was now stalking across the Military grounds. He was dressed in the military outfit whch turned out to be a bit too small on him. The darned alchemist he'd killd hadn't a watch so he was put off somewhat, but being sneaky and making trouble was what he did best.

He paused where he had seen Shara use her full potential an hour ago. The runt should be grateful she got to show off what she could do. He knew she'd become a state Alchemist, more fun for him, more alchemists he got to slaughter. He looked around and spotted the barracks and started over towards them.

[Evoth]

Havoc saluted Edward as he did the same. Ed heard Shara's words, "Yeah. like that's going to be easy." he said to himself. Edward had his work cut out for him. Where to begin first. The thought was frusterating. He exited the building and looked on the grounds in vain for Sorrow.

Alphonse walked through the city. The search for Sorrow was getting on his nerves. But he still didn't give up. "Where should I look now?" Al asked himself. His sigh echoed in his body as he went through the city. Upon examing his surroundings Al found himself in front of the barracks. He spotted spotted a soldier, it was Sorrow. But Al didn't notice. "Hey!" he called out, "Have you seen Edward Elric?"

[Ben]

Sorrow paused when he spotted Al and when Al asked him where Ed was he shruged. "I don't know Tin Can, perhaps you can show me where the runt went?" Sorrow said and a small smile appeard on his face. He turned on a dime and crossed the distance between him and Al in a few fast strides.

"I'd rather like to know how he'll deal with me." Sorrow said. His blade was out before the alchemists near by could react. He got into a fight with a couple of them and kept them too hard pressed to do little more than dodge the blows that came their way. He wouldn't let them rest untill Ed sowed up.

[Evoth]

"IT'S HIM! IT'S HIM!" the cries seemed to echo across the plaza. People began to flee the area out of fear. An armed mad man was enough to cause anyone to run away in fear. Even some State Alchemists fleed when the sight of the fallen ally was seen. Edward caught hold of a fleeing alchemist to find out what was going on, "It's...it's a humunculus!" he cried. Ed let go of him and he fleed the scene.

"Damn. He's already gained his courage." Edward ran in the direction the crowd fleed from. It was clear where they were coming from. Ahead he could see Sorrow. Edward ran his hand across his automail arm and transmuted a blade onto it. His eyes became wide as he saw Alphonse near Sorrow, "Get away!" he yelled at his brother. Al turned and grabbed a few charging soldiers and ran off. "Sorrow!"

Edward clapped both his hands together. A brilliant red light shrouded him as he placed them on the ground. The ground beneath Sorrow's feet turned soft as sand and wrapped itself around the Humunculus' feet. Ed took this moment and charged at the foul creature. He pulled back his automail arm and got ready to strike a blow to Sorrow's head. Without holding back Edward released the punch.

[Ben]

((^_^ I hope you like it where you are. It's supposed to be nice and cool on thurdsay. Enjoy the weather, *grins* and school.))

Sorrow watched with an evil smile as everyone fled. When the sand held his feet fast he just stood there and watched as Ed's bladed fist came for his head. His grin held till the last moment and ducked, his head being shoved into Ed's stomach and the momentum freeing him from the ground. Dirt flew and Sorrow rolled backwards and got to his feet.

He flicked his wrists like he was goign ti swing sideways and at the last moment she turned his wrists again and slashed upwards. Shara heard everyone fleeing and looked out the window. She watched as they fought, fearing for Ed's life. She looked her the stones in her hands and reluctantly began removing one of them.

[Evoth]

ooc: The weather isn't to bad. And thankfully school doesn't start until the 17th ^^;

ic:

Sorrow's head impacted Edward's stomach. He let out a loud grunt as all the air was pushed from his chest. Cold steel swung through the air and grazed his automail leg as it cut through his pant leg. Edward hit the ground with a solid thud.

Ed rolled onto his knees with one arm clitched to his stomach, "Lucky shot." he said standing up, "It won't happen again." Edward looked around at his surroundings, he had to come up with something quick. If he got to close the blade would pose a problem. "That's it!" thought Ed. If he got close enough he could possible transmute it into something worth less.

An eager grin appeared upon Edward Elric's face, "All right." he muttered to himself, "Time for some pay back." Ed charged at the humunculus once again. Closer and closer he came. He drew back his arm for an attack. Without any signs of stopping his charge Ed jumped into the air and landed behind Sorrow. His grin appeared as he reached out and grasped the blade of Sorrow.

[Ben]

When Ed finaly grabbed a hold of Sorrow's balde he turned around and laughed bringing his fist down ontop of Ed's head. "Don't touch my blade!" Sorrow snapped and jerked his blade out of Ed's hands and in the process sent it hurdling into the barracks where it stuck from the roof. "Great, now even I don't have my sword!" He said and turned almost on a dime and dashed to the barracks and started up. He hauled himself onto the roof andmanaged to pull his sword out. "damn state alcemists..." he mumbled looking down at Ed.

Eve watched Shara working at getting the stone out and then sighed and helped her sister. Sorrow turned his back on Ed and then leapt off the roof and landed in front of the Doors to the barracks. "Come on Full Metal Midget! I haven't seen much of the alchemy you're so famous about!"

[Evoth]

Edward held his head in pain, "Damn it!" He slammed his automail fist into the ground with frustration. The only thing he had managed to accomplish was to get the sword away from Sorrow but that wasn't enough. Sorrow has already moved up the building and retrieved it.

Then, words of the utmost disrespectful were spoken. "Full metal midget" Ed's eyes opened wide, his nostrils flared, and his face turned red. "I'M GONNA SEND YOU BACK TO HELL!" Edward ran at the humunculus with all his might. He came within twenty feet of the foul beast and slammed his hands together to preform a transmutation.

The ground around Sorrow erupted into large columns and enclosed around him. Slamming shut like a box. Again he performed another transmutation of a large cannon, "A trick I picked up from Kimblee." With that Edward slammed his fist against the stone cannon and it set off an explosion that destroyed the stone box that contained Sorrow. "Overkill." Ed said with a smile.