Fullmetal Kingdom ~ Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Evacuating Lior

Lior was filled with pain and blood-stained crosswalks, the citizens were being hunted down by the military, children were screaming for help, and death seemed imminent...

Hiding in the slums, Sora, Vivi, and Eiko saw an opening to the other side of the street. The trio covered up their appearances with cloaks from the trash. As they walked by, Sora said, "Man, this stinks!" Eiko said to Sora, "Quit your complaining! You should be happy that you’re making the right choice to save the Ishbalins-" Vivi then interrupted, "Uh, Eiko, I think he means the cloaks." Eiko replied, "...oh...yeah they do kinda smell."

The trio finally made it to the other side, when they heard someone, "MOMMY? MOMMY! ARE YOU THERE MOMMY?" Vivi peeked over and saw a girl, crying while looking for her mother. Vivi said to Sora, "I-it's a little girl." Sora looked at Eiko and said, "Let's help her find her mom." Eiko pulled Sora's shirt, "Careful Sora, this could be a-"

"Look, an Ishbalin child!"

Sora looked over to where the girl was, and then he saw three soldiers surrounding her, Vivi asked, "Sora...is she gonna be alright?" Sora replied, "I hope so, Vivi."

"Where are your parents, kid?"

The girl couldn't talk, she was too afraid of them to even move.

"I'm sorry we scared you, but I assure you, we're here to help."

But as the young soldier spoke to her, one of the soldiers took out a gun. The elder soldier said to the young soldier, "You'd best move out of the way...this is going to be messy." The young soldier was confused and worried, "Messy? What do you mean?" The soldier with the gun explained, "Our orders are to eliminate the threat...the Ishbalins."

"?"

Vivi shook with fear, "Eliminate...t-they're going to kill her?" Eiko was just as startled as Vivi, "They wouldn't! Not a kid...they wouldn't kill her...would they?" Sora readied his weapon, "They're wiping them out just because they believed Cornello. The Desert Paradise is now a Hell on Earth."

The young soldier pleaded, "You can't be serious guys! She's only a child!" The elder soldier replied, "I don't like it either, private, but these orders come from the secretary, and I'm sure you know which secretary I mean." The younger soldier's eyes were filled with fear, "The fuhrer's secretary?" The two soldiers nodded.

"So the Fuhrer told the secretary to give the order to kill these people?" Eiko guessed. Sora shook his head, "I don't believe it...I WON'T-!" Eiko covered his mouth, "Shhh, quiet! We can't attack while they're armed!"

The soldier pointed his gun at the little girl and said, "Orders...are orders. Forgive me, Ishbalin child."

"Don't shoot!"

The three soldiers turned around and saw Vivi, standing before them with tearful eyes. Vivi continued to beg, "Just walk away, please, leave her alone!" the elder soldier said to Vivi, "Disobey an order from the fuhrer? Child, this is no time for jokes, this is a battlefield, and the Ishbalins are the enemy!"

"Now THAT'S a joke!"

Out of the alley, the Keyblade knocked the elder soldier through a window; the gunner pointed his gun at the alley and yelled, "SHOW YOURSELF!"

(BONK!)

The soldier fell to the ground, unconscious from the blow to his head from Eiko's Tiger Racket. Eiko gave Sora the 'A-OK' hand signal, letting him know that it was alright to come out of the alleyway. Sora asked, "The guy was armed, and you still attacked. Wasn't that dangerous?" Eiko replied, "Yeah, it would have been, IF I didn't enhance my speed."

Sora smiled and patted Eiko on the head, "What matters is that you saved the girl. And that's what I would call 'a real hero'." Eiko blushed, "Aw, well, y'know, all that, I, it's just-" Vivi asked, "Eiko, you're looking a bit feverish." Eiko snapped out of her shyness, "I-I'm not sick, you dunce! I'm-... (ahem) to the point!"

Sora approached the little girl and said, "Hi, I'm Sora, and this is Vivi, and Eiko. We've come to help you." The girl was still scared, so she asked, "A-are you one of them?" before he could answer, Sora noticed the younger soldier, holding a gun to his head. "D-DON'T MOVE! You three are under arrest!" Sora approached the soldier and asked, "You don't have to shoot me; you can help the Ishbalins escape this place. No one will have blood on their hands and you have my word, the colonel will understand."

The soldier slowly pointed the gun at Sora's forehead, "You think I'm an idiot? You're lying-"

"I'm the bodyguard of Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, one of many soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, husband and father that works with the Flame Alchemist himself, Colonel Roy Mustang, Hero of the Eastern Rebellion! I was taken in by the military from one of their training grounds, the Y. O. U. T. H. Orphanage. My number was Number 516, and now, I am known by my name, Sora Hughes. Because of my reluctance to kill, and my skills at protection and defense, I was appointed as the Fullmetal's bodyguard, and I've had that role for 6...straining...PAINFULLY ANNOYING DAYS! So unless you have a good reason to shoot me, I think we should cut to the part where we stop killing each other and save innocent lives!"

"...O...K?"

After the soldier lowered his gun, Sora asked, "What's your name soldier?" The soldier replied, "Connor Manning?" Sora patted Connor on the shoulder and asked, "Is there a truck nearby?" Connor replied, "Yes, why?" Sora explained, "I need your help in getting the frightened masses out of Lior before they go crazy and join the mindless bloodshed. I'll bring them out of the city, then you bring the truck over to us, and we'll fill it up and get to a safe location. There IS a safe location, right?"

Connor replied, "Well...the military doesn't go there often, but we do know there is a small settlement of Ishbalins that live nearby Lior. They live in the old ruins of an old city." Sora smiled, "Thank you Connor. I'll see you outside the city." Connor then asked, "Wait Sora, what if the families you find are just as crazy as the followers?" Sora replied, "Trust me, I know an innocent bystander when I see one."

And with that, Connor separated from the group, while Sora turned to the little girl, "It’s OK, we'll get you and your friends to safety in no time." The girl stepped back, "I can't! I have to find mommy!" Sora went down on his knees to make eye contact with the girl and said to her, "I'm sorry, but this place is too dangerous for children. We don't even know if your mother-" Sora stopped when the girl's eyes were filling with tears. So Sora instead asked, "Is there a safe place around here? Where do the children go for safety?" The girl replied, "(sniff) W-well, we do have one place, it's a day care run by a nice lady. She looks after us and keeps us safe." Sora smiled and said to Vivi and Eiko, "That's where we're going."

"Earth to Sora, Lior is a battlefield; this day care could be filled with merciless soldiers by the time we arrive!" Eiko asked. Sora replied, "If that happens, I'll handle them." Eiko bonked Sora on the head and said, "Sora, they know you! They get one look at you, and you'll be put in prison for betraying your buddies!" Sora patted Eiko on the head and said, "Like I said, 'I'll handle them'." Sora then grabbed a dirty towel from the garbage and then asked Vivi and Eiko, "Any of you guys have spare belts or something?"

Meanwhile in East City, Donald and Goofy arrived at the train station, where Havoc and Breda were waiting. Havoc asked, "What took you so long?" Donald replied, "We would've been here sooner if Goofy could use his two front legs!" Goofy pointed out, "Now Donald, you know I don't have paws fer hands, I'm a Genome, jus' like you!" Donald crossed his hands and shook his head in disappointment, "Excuses, excuses."

"HEY, CIRCUS FREAKS!"

Donald and Goofy looked at Breda as he stopped their fighting, so Breda continued, "That train should be here any moment, so unless you guys want to sit with the rest of the pets, I suggest you SHUT YOUR TRAPS!" In shock, Donald closed his mouth with his hand, slapping the two parts of his beak together. Goofy was about to say something, but Donald grabbed his mouth.

Havok then heard something coming, "Hey guys, I think our ride's here!" Donald, Goofy, Havok, and Breda stand ready for the train's arrival, but suddenly...

"WH-WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?"

A strange looking blue train with stars on it arrived. Breda asked, "Why are there mouse ears on the train?" While Havok and Breda questioned the train's appearance, Donald asked, "G-Goofy, is this...what I think it is?" Goofy nodded, "It is Donald, it's...It's-"

"That's right boys, its Master Yen Sid's Emergency Locomotive."

The Genomes and soldiers turned around and saw Merlin walking into the station. Merlin explained, "This fine train was used by your president's master for many years. And it has only arrived for the most trying times of our lives." Havok asked, "Uh, who are you?" Merlin replied, "Well my cigar smoking friend, I am Merlin the Wizard. And since your train won't be ready for another 37 hours or so, I took the liberty of calling Yen Sid for help. And bless his old heart, he sent his magical train, the Emergency Locomotive to our aid."

Breda took a good look at the train, "A...magic...train. Are you serious? This thing is supposed to be our ride to Lior?" Merlin nodded with a ridiculous face of confidence and faith, "Yes, and if you believe with all your heart-" Havok stopped Merlin before he could continue, "Let me just stop you right there. You said 'our aid' right? Does this mean you’re coming with us?" Merlin nodded, "Why of coarse officer, the new Keyblade Wielder is vital to our survival. And it would be disastrous if we lost him to the enemy. Now hop to it boys, we have a long way to go!"

Breda shook his head, "I don't like the looks of that train Havok. It looks like something that popped out of a kid's picture book or something!" Donald already came in the train, but Goofy stopped and looked at Breda and Havok, who were still unsure of the train. The Genome walked towards them and smiled, "Don't be scared fellas; this train's always been reliable. It'll get us to Lior in no time at all."

Havok took a deep breath and walked towards the train, "Fine, I'll come on board. It's not like me to abandon a soldier in the battlefield." Breda was still unsure, so Goofy said, "Don't worry Mr. Breda, nothing bad's gonna happen." Breda then said, "Look Goofy, it's not that I'm scared, I'm just not buying the whole 'magic' thing. Plus...you're a-" Goofy started to weep, "(sniff) I get it, I'm a dog, and you hate dogs! (sniffle) YOU HATE ME(wine)!"

Breda scratched his head in regret, so he said, "I-I don't hate you, so quit crying. Goofy, hey Goofy, QUIT IT ALREADY YA BIG BABY, I'LL GO!!" Goofy wiped the tears from his eyes and the snot from his nose and shook Breda's hand, "Oh thanks Mr. Breda. You're a prince, a swell guy; I know we can save Sora together (bursts with tears)!" Goofy hugs Breda, who just found out that Goofy's hands were still snotty, "Uh...yeah, I'm a nice guy...could you let go now, and maybe wash your hands?"

Elsewhere in Lior, Rose was still looking after the children when suddenly-

(CRASH)

A handful of soldiers barged in and cornered them! The children shivered with fear while Rose stood her ground. She kept whispering to the children, saying they'll be alright, when a middle-aged soldier stepped forward. He introduced himself, "I'm sorry to startle you mam, we are on a manhunt for dangerous followers of the man who lied to you, Father Cornello. I am the commander of this fleet, General Haruko. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Rose looked at the General and asked, "If your here to stop Cornello, then why are you slaughtering our families and friends instead?" The general replied, "We spotted a few followers here not too long ago." Rose then said, "Well as you can see, there are only children here! I doubt the gorillas you're looking for are 4 ft. tall!"

Haruko bent over and looked Rose in the eye, "What's with the attitude? Ishbalins like you are usually very loyal to their God. Does this mean you've abandoned the teachings of your so-called priest? Hmph, alright then, tell us where the rebel faction is. You may have heard of it, they're the ones who are currently resisting the military government."

Rose asked, "And why should i?" Furious, Haruko slapped Rose in the face and explained, "Don't yell at us like that! We're not your enemy; we came here to liberate this town from that tyrant, Cornello! We're trying to help you!"

Rose stood back up and said, "You're not interested in helping us, you're here for control, but this is our home, not yours, we're the only ones who can make it better, we'll fix it ourselves! We have legs, WE'LL GET UP AND USE THEM!!"

End of Chapter 48