Fullmetal Kingdom ~ Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Cecil's Doubts

"This crown…will make you stronger. Don't think, just go with it, take the crown and put it on."

Cecil was cautious, staring at the silver headband and remembering the Slave Crown's power over the mind. Cecil then asked, "So you're saying I can save them…all of them?" The scientist replied, "Of course you can. All of those assassins are lost and in need of a rescue, and there's only one crown left. Forget what you've heard, those were just rumors anyway."

"R-rumors?" Cecil asked. The scientist explained, "Why the rumors made by Sora, the black sheep of Y. O. U. T. H. As a fellow scientist of your former orphanage, I have eyes and ears that notice anything out of place, including the false information made up by a certain spiky-haired failure. The truth is, the Slave Crown enhances your abilities and transforms you into a powerful AND deadlier assassin. Imagine what amount of days it could take for you to survey the entire country of Aerugo AND Amestris with just a few hours to spare."

Cecil was silent for a while, and then the scientist said, "Stop waiting for their suffering, save them." And with that, Cecil grabbed the crown and placed it on his head!

"My honor rests upon this mission. For my brethren, I'll rid the world of all enemies, EVEN YOU, EDWARD ELRIC!"

Back in the Current time, Cecil and Edward were continuing their battle!

(BA-TANG)

"We're…not…your enemies Cecil!" Edward said. Cecil pushed Edward back and thrust his sword at the young State Alchemist!

"The guy who told you the Crown's properties; HE'S the liar!" Ed said as he dodged the Dark Sword.

Ed continued to jump and leap out of the sword's way until Cecil pulled his sword back, started charging a black form of light, and then, fires 4 shots of black orbs at Edward!

But strangely, the orbs passed Ed, making the Fullmetal yell, "USE A GUN NEXT TIME, SISSY!"

"It's Cecil, but if I were you, I'd be aware of the trap I set for you."

Ed was confused, but then he realized, "Those dark balls, you meant to miss me!" Cecil smiled, "You're partly correct, however-."

Just then, Edward's body was pushed rapidly at Cecil, who sliced through Ed and shot him away with a blaze of dark fire!

Ed staggered back on his feet, but was met by Cecil's blade, which he immediately defended against with his arm-blade!

"You should've run with your life-sized doll!" Cecil yelled as his blade was drawing closer to Edward's cheek. Ed kicked him away and charged at him!

Meanwhile, Alphonse arrived in Central City after rigorously running through the forest. Alphonse then saw armies rallying together while ice pillars were coming up around town.

Al then said to himself, "Isaac's already tearing the city apart, but with Sora out cold and Ed fighting an assassin, what good would I be against the enemy? (sigh) First things first, I need to take Sora somewhere he can rest."

As Alphonse ran through the city, Sora was starting to come to…

As he opened his eyes, he noticed someone run into an alley…

"…stop running Alphonse."

Al stopped and looked at Sora, "Y-you're awake, I'm glad you're back with us!" Sora then jumped down from Al's arms and held his head in pain while saying, "…I-Isaac…McDougal…he went…" Sora fell back, but Al caught him in time and asked, "Sora be careful, that Cecil hit you pretty hard-ISAAC?! You saw Isaac?!" Sora shook off his dizzy feeling and ran to the alley, "Yes, the torn sleeve, the hairstyle; that was definitely the Freezing Alchemist! We have to catch him before he escapes again!"

Sora and Alphonse ran into the alley, but as they did, members of the Eastern Liberation Front greeted them with guns and blades ready!

"FOR AMESTRIS'S FREEDOM!"

The liberators charged at the duo, but unfortunately for them, they were each met with defeat!

Alphonse's martial arts and brutal punches sent the liberators flying from one side while Sora's Keyblade attacks and elemental spells blew the liberators away on the other.

"We'll be encountering more as we go, so just plow through them when they come!" Al advised.

Elsewhere…

(CRASH)

Liberators broke into houses and buildings, including the Hughes', where Gracia held Elicia close. The first liberator unsheathed his sword and yelled, "Your husband will soon follow!"

(VOOSH)

Suddenly, a large amount of water washed the liberators out!

"Vivi?" Gracia wondered. Vivi ran down the stairs, but slipped when he made it down. "A-are you both alright?" Gracia and Alicia nodded, and then the mother said, "Come children, we're hiding in the basement!" Vivi nodded and called out, "EIKO, WE'RE MOVING!" Eiko ran down and complained, "BUT SORA'S NOT HERE YET! I'm waiting for him Vivi, and you can't-!"

(BLAM)

Cannon-fire caught Eiko by surprise as one flew behind her and tore through the closet!

"…L-ladies first Vivi, let the Hughes' lady lead the way!"

Back in the forest, Edward was clashing blades with Cecil, wondering what his enemy will try to do next…

"At least you're more of a challenge than the last Y. O. U. T. H. loser, Tidus! It took Sora only an hour to save, and here you are proving to be more of a pain in the ass! You're actually intending to keep me away from your Slave Crown!" Edward commented while attacking. Cecil then said, "Tidus was one level higher than Sora, but his playful nature and temper proved to be his downfall, I will not fail like he did in killing your faithful pup!"

(BA-TANG)

"Here Cecil, this shell will bring you luck."

Cecil suddenly jumped back and covered his face, "W-what was-…" Cecil decided to shake off the strange shock, and then blocked the Fullmetal's assault!

Cecil was starting to sweat, so Edward said, "Getting tired, huh? I figured you were one of those 'tough guys', but you're melting like a candle. Why don't you admit you've met your match before I light you like a fuse!" Cecil answered, "Dishonorable sprite, I shall not waver, I SHALL CONQUER!"

"It's only a shell, why would I need this at all?"

"I was just trying to be nice Cecil. You always look so sad."

"I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY!"

Edward then noticed the Red Stone on the Slave Crown giving out small sparks of power. Then he noticed Cecil's furious face. Ed thought to himself, Is he…fighting the crown's control? That might be the case, but the guy had no problem attacking-WAIT, THAT'S IT!

"You CAN'T kill Sora, can you?!"

Edward jumped backwards to dodge Cecil's attacks while saying, "You still remember him, who he was, the promise he made, that dopey smile! He was too much of a friend than a foe, and somehow, you remember that feeling! He was a good friend of yours, wasn't he?!" Cecil snapped, "YOU HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BETWEEN US! WE ARE OF Y. O. U. T. H.; YOU ARE A WHINING BRAT, TRICKED INTO BEING A STOOGE FOR AMESTRIS! HE IS MY SWORN ENEMY; HE IS Y. O. U. T. H.'S SWORN ENEMY!"

"But he smiled at you, despite your distant personality! He confessed why his friends were important! He made that clear when he looked you in the eyes and smiled! I know you know what I mean, your eyes look like the eyes of someone who nearly lost a friend!"

"(cough-cough) I-I'm sorry Cecil…I didn't understand you…"

He did smile…even after I pushed him into that riverbed. I could've killed him a few minutes ago…I could have let him drown years ago…but I jumped in anyway…I couldn't…wouldn't let him die that way…or anyway…he just wanted to show me that my life isn't as dark as my armor…he wanted me to be happy…but how could I…how could I…

"HOW COULD I BE HAPPY AFTER I NEARLY KILLED HIM?!"

Ed was surprised by Cecil's scream, but the danger was far from over! The Dark Knight's body started letting out black mist…

Edward de-transmuted his Arm-Blade and formed a spear. He then yelled, "NEXT TIME YOU ASSHOLES NEED SOMEONE TO SAVE YOU, SAVE YOURSELVES!"

Edward then jumped towards his opponent, shredding through his armor with his spear! He bounced off a tree and shredded through the other side!

Edward then changes his spear into a large, metal glove and bashes the chest plate off! "That…hurt…" Cecil said as he stood back up. Edward transmuted another metal first and prepared to pummel his adversary, but Cecil raised his hand and fired an explosive ball of dark flame!

Cecil then sliced through Edward and threw his sword into the air, and after jumping over Ed, he caught-and threw his sword down towards the Fullmetal! Edward successfully avoided the killing blow, but he failed to notice Cecil storing up dark power from behind…

…and slashing through Edward! Following the attack, Cecil unleashed a horde of black flame upon Edward, burning him in a blazing tower of fire!

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!"

In Traverse Town, Sora and Alphonse heard Edward's scream! Alphonse worried, "It's Ed, my brother needs me-!" Sora pulled Al back and said, "But we have to catch up with the Freezing Alchemist! Besides, Ed can handle Cecil!" Al then said, "What makes you so sure?! My brother's only human, and he's dealing with one of the assassins who DON'T spare lives! He needs me!" Sora shook his head and explained, "Cecil will lose Al, trust me on that, I know my friends."

Al complained, "HE'S BEING CONTROLLED BY A SLAVE CROWN SORA! Tidus was your friend, and the Slave Crown changed him into your would-be executioner!" Sora explained further, "Cecil has something that Edward can root out…his inner hero. Y'see, Cecil may be a bit of a stiff, but when he notices something wrong, he is overcome by a great and powerful guilt, making him dive in like a hero and try to save the day! This guilt is VERY powerful Al, not even a Slave Crown can douse such an emotion. Edward will win; after all, it's a one on-!"

Sora suddenly stopped talking when his face started to look distressed. Al asked, "Sora, what is it?" Sora said, "…the constant ally of the air dancers…" Sora then looked at Al and said, "Cecil never fought alone on a 'difficult' mission! We might have to-!"

(SMACK)

A mighty wallop from a wooden staff caught Sora by surprise as Donald angrily asked, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG SORA?! WHILE YOU AND THE ELRICS WERE LOOKING FOR YOUR RUBY, TERRORISTS BEGAN ATTACKING!" Goofy tried to calm Donald down, "Now-now, they're here, and that's what's important! Hi there guys, it's good to see y'all again!"

"Donald…and Goofy…THAT'S IT!"

Sora then said, "Guys, follow Alphonse to where Edward is! I'm afraid he'll need some extra assistance against two Y. O. U. T. H. Assassins!" Donald was surprised by Sora's idea, "T-TWO?! What are you talking about?!" Sora turned to Al and said, "I'm sorry for not thinking about your brother Alphonse. Go help him out, and take Donald and Goofy with you!" Al then said, "W-Wait a minute, why aren't you coming with us?" Sora explained, "I'm closing the fridge on Isaac! Just go, I'll be fine!"

Alphonse nodded, and said, "…we'll regroup by the Central Fountain!"

And with that, Donald & Goofy headed off with Alphonse leading the way! As Sora watched them go, he trued away and headed further into the city, trying to follow Isaac.

End of Chapter 102