Welcome to Gaia! ::

wow suspensful ending and a great cover!!!!!! Why aren't people reading this I mean serisouly? confused

Chapter 1: The Painful Past, the Peaceful Present.



Antonio sat up in his bed, eyes wide, breathing hard at the nightmare of his past. He looked around his room, and sighed as he lay back down and tried to relax.

Many years had passed since the Ishbalan war, but the painful memories of that incident still plagued his nightmares. He remembered that incident so well…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He stood as the Ishbalan soldier fired his gun. At that exact moment a rush of fire shot around him and he nearly missed his shot. Antonio groaned in pain as he grasped his right arm. The bullet ricocheted of a truck and hit him in the arm. He looked to his left and saw Mustang standing there, out of breath.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Antonio laughed as he remembered the Lt. Colonel’s words: “Next time, follow orders.” He remembered that he didn’t even have time to thank Mustang. He ended up dodging gun fire and making it back to his medical tent.

His smile disappeared fast as he as painful memories were soon brought back to him.

He was told that the Rockbells had died in that ambush, but in reality were murdered, accused with treason against the state.

He looked at his arm where he was shot. He was able to use his alchemy powers to heal his wound, but there was still a small scar left. He chuckled slightly. “Even alchemy can’t heal a wound completely” He looked at the clock and decided to get up, maybe today he would get something to do.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Antonio walked down the streets of central dressed in his standard issue uniform. It was his day off from his job at the State military hospital, but he decided to wear his uniform anyway. He decided to find his to friends Jericho and Calypso, who were also state alchemists. He knew he wouldn’t have to search far.

He walked up to the local bar, snuck inside, and hid inside a phone booth. He looked around and spotted Calypso and Jericho sitting at their usual table. They weren’t wearing their uniforms, but Jericho had his broadsword and combat knife. Calypso also brought his large shield. Antonio decided to wait before he made his appearance, as to wait in case Jericho decided to make an incident.

As if on cue, a bunch of rough looking thugs walked into the bar. They sat at the table next to Jericho and ordered drinks. There were about five large and strong-looking thugs. They were all wearing concealing clothes which made Antonio wonder if they had weapons.

The nervous waiter brought their drinks and quickly backed away. One of the thugs downed his drink in one effort. He threw the drink behind him and, of all places, hit Jericho in the back of the head.

“Ow! Hey!” Jericho stood up and faced the thugs. “Okay, which one of you bastards threw that bottle?!” The thugs just laughed and one spoke up. “Hey, who do you think you’re talking to?”

Jericho smirked, “While by the looks of it, I’d say a sorry bunch of idiots who just picked a fight with the wrong guy.” This comment enraged the thugs and they all stood up and surrounded Jericho.

Jericho just laughed and said, “No, you just messed with the wrong guy!” He then pulled out a small, long handled knife.

The thugs just laughed and pointed. “You’re gonna fight us with that puny thing?”

Jericho smiled again and turned the knife, revealing a small alchemy symbol on the knife’s blade. The thug’s stopped laughing and watched as Jericho touched the knife and the symbol glowed. Suddenly the knife transformed into a large curved sword.

“Oh crap, he’s an alchemist!”

Jericho smiled mischievously and charged at the first thug. He punched him right in the gut, and the thug slumped to the ground. Two other thugs reached in their coats and pulled out pistols. They aimed at Jericho, but were blinded by a bright light.

In front of them stood a towering figure in a suit of armor. The scared thugs shot at the figure, but the bullets ricocheted off his armor. The bullet’s bounced off and hit two other thugs.

Jericho ducked around the towering figure and sliced their guns in half with his sword. Then the towering figure stepped forward and knocked out both thugs with one sweep out of his arm.

“Good work Calypso.” Said Jericho looking up at the towering figure.

“Your welcome brother.” He replied. “What shall we do with their leader?”

The two looked at the cowering leader hiding under a table, clutching on to his pistol. Calypso picked up the table and the thug leader jumped back in fear.

“St-stay back!” he yelled, backing against the wall with his pistol pointed at Calypso. “Who…who are you?!”

Jericho stepped forward, a sly smile on his face. “I’m First Lieutenant Jericho Stars, the sword alchemist.”

Next, Calypso stepped up. “And I’m Second Lieutenant Calypso Stars, the shield alchemist.”

The thug’s jaw and gun dropped to the ground. “You-…your state alchemists?!” He saw the two then step even closer to him. “Okay, I surrender, just don’t hurt me!”

Jericho lifted the thug up by his collar. “Now where’s the fun in givin’ up like that?” Jericho smiled wickedly and held up his sword right to the thug’s throat.

Antonio saw this and stepped out of his hiding spot. “Jericho, that’s enough!”

Jericho turned around dropped the thug who fainted. “Aww, why’d you have to ruin the fun Marsed?”

“It’s Mersad!” yelled an annoyed Antonio. “You know how to pronounce my last name Jericho!”

“Yeah, I know. I just like to piss you off.” Said Jericho tauntingly. He re-transmuted his knife and put it away. At the same time, Calypso re-transmuted his armor, reverting himself back to normal. He walked over to his table and finished his drink.

“So, what do you want?” he asked.

“Well for one thing,” Antonio said, “I’d like it if you’d stop creating such messes.” He looked around and saw the damage done by the fight. “Do you know how many hoops I’m going to have to jump through to get you out of this?”

Jericho laughed. “Don’t know, but look at the bright side: We didn’t die”

Antonio turned around and mumbled, “If you call that a good thing.”

“What’d you say?” asked Calypso.

“Nothing. Come on; let’s go before the military gets here.” Antonio walked out of the bar with Jericho and Calypso right behind him.

They walked around the city a little talking about random things. They passed by Central’s library, and looked at the burnt remains of the first branch.

Antonio stepped forward and looked around. “They say Scar’s the one who did this.”

“Scar?” questioned Calypso. “The alchemist killer?”

Jericho smiled mischievously and chuckled. “Yeah, I hope I run in to him someday. I’d really like to kill him.”

Antonio turned around and stared at Jericho. “Are you crazy?! That guy’s killed ten State alchemists so far, including Brigadier General Gran!”

“So what? I can take him.” Jericho cracked his knuckles and pulled out one of his kattanas.

He had decided to take his personal, “collection” of weapons with him, but had to leave it outside the bar. Now that they had left, he had along with him: two Japanese made kattanas located on his left hip, a large broadsword on his back, a combat knife on his right hip, a hunting knife on his chest, and two small daggers concealed in his sleeves.

Jericho took the sword and transmuted it into a large curved sword. “I’m the sword alchemist,” he yelled, “No one can take me on!”

“Oh really?” said a voice from behind him.

The three turned around and faced a teenage kid with a red coat and a large person in a suit of armor.

Antonio gasped at the man in the suit of armor. “Whoa, you’re the Fullmetal alchemist, aren’t you?”

The man in the armor raised his hands and shook his head. “No, you got it wrong! I’m not, my brother is.” He pointed at the kid next to him. Antonio noticed that the man in the armor had a kid’s voice.

“You’re the Fullmetal alchemist?!” yelled Jericho looking at the kid.

“You bet!” he said. “My name’s Edward Elric, the Fullmetal alchemist, and my friend here is my brother, Alphonse.”

Jericho looked at Ed a little longer and then started laughing. “You got to be kidding! A little shrimp like you is the mighty Fullmetal alchemist?”

“WHO’RE YOU CALLING A SHRIMP?!” yelled Ed. Al grabbed a hold of him as he flailed his arms around. “Let go of me Al, he asked for it!”

“Please brother, calm down.” Said Al.

“Yeah, it’d be unfair to pick a fight with you.” Said Jericho. “Heck, it’d be like fighting little puppy.”

“That’s the last straw!” Ed yelled furiously. “Al, let…me…go!”

Ed struggled free and grabbed Jericho by the collar. “Okay tough guy, how ‘bout you back up those words?”

Jericho smiled mischievously, “Why sure. I’d be glad to.”

Ed let go of him and stepped back. He slapped his hands together and transmuted his right arm into a blade. “You ready?”

‘He doesn’t need a circle’ Jericho thought. He re-transmuted his kattana and put it away. “Tell me Fullmetal, have you ever heard of a sword known as a halbred?”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” questioned Ed.

Jericho chuckled and grabbed his broadsword. “Well then, let me show you!” he pulled out the sword and held the sword in front of him. He touched the alchemy symbol on the blade and the sword grew larger.

Ed’s jaw dropped as he saw the massive size of the blade. “That’s a halbred?! How the hell am I supposed to fight that?”

Jericho laughed. “Your problem, not mine.” He rose up the sword and brought it crashing to the ground.

‘How the hell’s he able to wield that?’ Ed thought as he dodged the attack. ‘That’s gotta weigh a ton.’ Ed jumped as Jericho swung the sword again, nearly hitting him.

“Come on Fullmetal!” yelled Jericho. “I thought you were supposed to be the best!”

Ed stopped and re-transmuted his arm back to normal. “I am the best!” He slapped his hands together and slammed them into the ground.

The ground shook beneath them and a large stone hand raised from the ground and grabbed the halbred.

“What the hell?!” yelled Jericho as he tried to pull the sword free. He looked up and noticed Ed running down the large sword. He moved just in time to avoid a kick from him.

“Sneaky little b*****d aren’t you?” sneered Jericho. “he pulled out his short kattana and charged at Ed.

Ed slapped his hands together and touched the ground again. This time large stone walls formed around Jericho.

Ed chuckled. “I guess I win.”

“Think again!” said Jericho from inside the walls. Suddenly, the front wall was cut away and Jericho jumped out, this time carrying a long curved sword.

“Damn it!” yelled Ed as he jumped back to avoid Jericho. He tripped and fell on his back. He managed to transmute his arm back into a blade and point it at Jericho’s throat, but Jericho had also pointed his sword at Ed’s heart.

“Brother, stop it!” yelled Al and Calypso at the same time. They turned and looked each other and Calypso smiled weakly.

Ed and Jericho both stared at each other pulled away. Jericho re-transmuted his sword and put it away. Then he walked over to the halbred and did the same.

Ed fixed his right arm and walked back to Alphonse. “I guess this was a tie.” He grumbled.

“Yeah,” yelled Jericho, “But next time, we finish this!” He walked off and joined Calypso and Antonio.

Antonio shook his head. “You just had to, didn’t you?”

Jericho smiled and nodded. “Yep. Can’t resist a good fight.” Him and Calypso started to walk away and Antonio stood there shaking his head.

“Honestly, what the heck am I gonna do with you.” He walked to catch up with them and waved good-bye to Ed and Al.



-To Be Continued…

Chapter Two: Calm before the Storm




Antonio and his friends walked down the streets of Central heading back towards Antonio’s house. They had just walked away from a ‘small’ conflict between Edward Elric and Jericho Stars.

Calypso and Alphonse had managed to break up the fight and the two groups parted their ways.

“Jericho,” asked Antonio, “Why’d you transmute that giant clunky sword again?”

“It’s not a clunky sword ” replied Jericho angrily. “It’s an almost perfect recreation of the halbred sword of legend ”

“Oh please ” yelled Antonio skeptically. “The halbred swords were just in that book you read along time ago.”

Jericho grumbled in response, but Calypso interjected. “But that book said that the halbred sword I recreated was wielded by the powerful leader of a band of mercenaries back in feudal Japan.”

“If he was so powerful, how come he got himself killed?” questioned Antonio.

“Because,” answered Jericho, “The stupid fool made a mistake: he trusted the guy who hired him. Me, I don’t trust anyone, not even you.”

Antonio looked at him confused. “Wait, don’t you trust me?”

“Hell no ”

Antonio turned back and chuckled. He figured Jericho would say something like that. The three continued walking until they saw someone running towards them, calling their names.

The girl was young, probably 17 or 18. She had long brown hair and wore glasses. She ran towards them and the trio stopped.

“Antonio ” said the girl breathlessly, stopping in front of him. “Where have you been?”

“Well hello to you too Chie.” Said Antonio sarcastically. “I was just out for a walk when I ran into Jericho and Calypso.”

No sooner that the girl glance at the two that Jericho already walked up next to her. “Well hey there Chie…..”

“No, I’m not going out with you and that’s final.” She said sounding quite annoyed.

“Oh come on ” yelled Jericho. “Why won’t you?”

“That’s the sixth time you’ve asked me this week ” yelled back Chie. “How many times do I have to say no? ”

“Until you say yes” replied Jericho smugly.

Chie screamed and turned to walk away. Then she stopped and turned to face Antonio. “Oh, by the way, Ty’s looking for you.”

Antonio’s face suddenly showed fear and worry. “T-Tytara is looking for me?
Antonio had plenty to be worried about. It was usually not a good thing when his sister was looking for him.

He walked back slowly and turned around, standing face to face with a girl about two years younger than him. She had long black hair and green eyes with an angry look in them.

Antonio gulped and chuckled nervously. “H-hi Tytara.”

“Hi big brother.” Said Tytara in an angry voice. “Where were you this morning?”

“I was out walking with Jericho and Calypso.” He replied quite shakily. “Why is s-something wrong?”

Tytara walked forward and stood inches away from Antonio, hands on her hips. “Didn’t you forget something?”

Antonio walked back a little and thought a minute. “Um…. I can’t…. remember….”

Tytara stepped forward, following him. “You were supposed to help around the house this morning You and your two idiotic friends over there destroyed the place last night ”

Normally Jericho wouldn’t stand for such remarks against him, but even he knew not to mess with Tytara in a bad mood. Calypso already knew never to mess with Tytara; he’d seen first hand what here rage could do.

Antonio was thinking fast for a come back. “Well…. Why don’t you have your boyfriend help you out?”

“You leave James out of this At least he’s helpful once in awhile ”

Antonio knew he had made a mistake by dragging him into the mix and quickly apologized. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” He sighed and tried to figure out what to do next. “Do you want me to come home now?”

“Gee, that would be nice right now wouldn’t it?” replied Tytara sarcastically.
She grabbed Antonio by the arm and started dragging him home. Jericho, Calypso, and Chie followed close behind.

“So Antonio, anything new happen today?” asked Chie.

“Yeah, Jericho thought it would be fun to pick a fight with the Full Metal alchemist.”

Jericho was about to retort when Chie squealed. “You saw Edward? Did you talk to him? Did you tell him about me? Tell me ”

Antonio held up a hand to calm her down. “Calm down Chie No, I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. Jericho was to busy fighting with him.”

Chie then ran over to Jericho and gave him an angry look. “You better not have hurt my future husband or else I will kill you ”

Jericho rolled his eyes. “Why are you so obsessed with that guy? Just what’s so special about him anyway?”

“Everything His beautiful golden eyes, his long golden hair, his big strong muscles, absolutely everything ” she responded, a starry look in her eyes.

Jericho shook his head and sighed. “Honestly, you’re unbelievable. He’s a little shrimp ”

Chie glared at him causing Jericho to flinch. “Don’t make fun of his height ”

Antonio chuckled; he would have thought this day would get better, if he wasn’t being dragged home by his sister. He sighed. “This is going to be a long day.”

Tytara looked at him. “You say something?”

Antonio shook his head and continued listening to Jericho and Chie’s argument over Ed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Antonio sighed as he picked up some empty bottles of alcohol. He had to clean up the mess Calypso and Jericho made last night without the use of alchemy.

He had invited them, along with their older brother Luke, to his home yesterday just to hang out and have some fun. However, like every time before, the four of them generated a large amount of trash, mostly from the trio of brothers.

Antonio could here Jericho’s complaining as he picked up some empty containers of food. He and his brother were forced to help.

Antonio and the duo of brothers finally finished about half-an hour later. Antonio sat down on the couch in his living room and exhaled, satisfied that they had finally finished.

Tytara sat next to him and looked around. “It took you long enough to finish.”
“Well Jericho and his crazed siblings make quite a mess.” Responded Antonio. He sat back and tried to relax, but then the phone rang. He groaned, got up, and walked to the phone.

“Hello?” he said into the phone, suddenly his poster straightened up and his left hand shot into a salute. “Yes Maj. Hughes sir?”

He was silent for a moment as his he listened to the Major’s word. His face became slightly annoyed and he rolled his eyes as shook his head. Then he nodded and said, “Yes sir, right away.” He hung up the phone and walked quickly to his room.

“Who was it?” Tytara said mockingly , even though she overheard him and saw him as he saluted the phone.

“That was Lt. Col. Hughes from the dept. of investigations; he says I need to come to his house immediately.” He sighed as he opened the door to his room and stepped in. “Honestly, his little girl gets a scrape on her leg and he had to call me….”

He changed into his white doctor’s uniform and stepped into the living room. “I’m going to be gone for awhile, but I’ll be back soon.

He waved good bye to her and shouted that he was leaving to Jericho and Calypso. He then walked out the door and down the streets of Central, off to the Lt. Colonel’s house. He sighed as he walked, “so much for my peaceful day…”


-To Be Continued….-