Chapter 4 is now uploaded! *author dances*

Basically, I owe massive apologies for the despicable time since my last update. . . over a month and a half ago. I hate that I couldn't update sooner, but once I actually managed to wrangle some time to write this chapter - my Nexus had a massive update and wiped the app I use to type my fanfiction on, and I had no back-up. *author pouts angrily* After that, I was ill :'-( which is not good for holiday cheer.

The other reason for my sojourn is that I've now finished both the first series of Fullmetal Alchemist, the Conqueror of Shamballa, and the majority of Brotherhood - now on episode 55 - nine more to go and then it'll all be over (+ Star of Milos)! *sobs* So I'm saving those episodes for when I'm ready to binge them all and face the prospect of NO NEW EPISODES TO WATCH.

A big thank-you for the positive reviews- here are replies to some I felt merited responses!

Legendarily Quiet: yes, Parental!RoyEd has to be just about my favourite thing currently, so there'll probably be buckets in future chapters.

The SoulEater Alchemist: *blushes from all the praise and loves you forever*

Brittany (anonymous): Most likely, Ed!Torture will be featured, otherwise, how can I have lots of Parental!RoyEd?! (Got to be cruel to be kind sometimes) XD

thirdwave: Glad to know someone else out there in the big wide world likes Two Steps From Hell - have yet to come across a track by them that I don't like. LOVE to know that my writing style is working well. And yes, I'm happy to be into FMA now too!

The streets of Central were nearly deserted, late as it was on a Friday night. Only the occasional couple of pub-goers could be seen drunkenly tottering from one of the many bars that lined the streets. Edward sighed, before shoving his hands deeper into the pockets of his coat as he walked along the shadowed pavement to Central Headquarters. His train had just pulled in at the station, three hours behind schedule, after a series of delays and track malfunctions, leaving him in a foul mood.

Arguably it was now too late to make his report to the Colonel, however Ed wanted get it over and done with - he figured Mustang wouldn't lecture him for as long if he was preparing to leave at the end of the day, rather than if he was trying to avoid doing any paperwork. Besides, he'd needed to stretch his muscles and let them unwind after the gruelling journey. Though the young alchemist was pleased Al had eventually conceded defeat and gone ahead to Resembool, he had missed the company, and didn't fancy waiting the weekend alone before being able to re-join him.

Finally, Edward passed through the gates to the large, white military building, the pat-pat-pat of his feet ceasing once be stood below the window of the office that belonged to Mustang; a single yellow light shone brightly from within. To be honest, he was slightly surprised that Mustang was still there; he'd been working on the inane theory that his superior wouldn't be in attendance, meaning he wouldn't have to bother making the stupid report on his - invariably unsuccessful - exploits.

'Huh, Lieutenant Hawkeye must be pretty annoyed with him if Mustang's still working this late,' Ed muttered under his breath as he turned on his heel and stalked back to the building's entrance. 'Oh well, guess there's no point in putting it off any longer then. Colonel Sarcasm, here I come!'

Inside the office however, the environment was far from harmonious. Since the sergeant's beating over an hour ago, Siyan had retreated to Mustang's desk, where he sat in silence for the most part, the only exception being to confer in hushed tones with Denzel. Other than that, he'd left the captives alone, and seemingly was satisfied enough that they wouldn't try anything with Fuery unable to move independently, so had removed the gun-toting guards, allowing Team Mustang to whisper amongst themselves.

Kain's condition had rapidly deteriorated, to the point where he lay limply against Havoc, eyes staring ahead slightly, but unfocused. He'd stopped responding to any form of stimulation a while earlier, leaving his teammates to speculate he'd gone into shock, along with the worrying possibility of internal injuries caused by the rough treatment.

Jean glanced down at his small friend, noting with concern the tremors sporadically coursing through his frame. It wasn't right for his friend to be the one in pain; he was the least deserving of them all.

'Hey, how's Fuery holding up?' Breda whispered, leaning slightly towards the sergeant's end of the line.

'Same as he was ten minutes ago,' Havoc replied tiredly. 'This quiet is really freaking me out - we don't even know what they want from us yet. And it's giving me itchy fists!'

'I think that's the point - by keeping us guessing their next move we can't very well formulate a plan' Hawkeye chipped in.

'Uncertainty is certainly a good way to subdue us - this gang's tactics are definitely practised,' Roy's brow furrowed darkly. 'Finding a chink in their armour won't be easy; so we'll just have to beat them at their own game.'

'Sir, with all due respect, these people seem to know a lot more about us than we do about them, I don't see how we can win,' Falman queried.

'Then we can use any overconfidence they might have from currently possessing the upper hand against them. At least, until I can get my gloves on and torch them!'

Perhaps they didn't see the attack coming because it was mid-afternoon on a Friday and everyone was preparing for a nice, long weekend to recover from the tiring week they'd had. Or perhaps it was simply because they would never have expected to be caught in their own office, in the Central military command centre, during the day, with lots of possible eyewitnesses around.

'Excuse us Sirs, but we have a message for Colonel Mustang from the Führer,' a pair of soldiers stood in the doorway to the office - none of Mustang's crew remembered seeing these particular soldiers before, however they had no reason to be suspicious; after all, if they were sent by the King himself, what was there to fear?

'Well, you'd better bring it here. I'd like to know what His Excellency requires my services for.'

As the two men passed by Hawkeye, she took the time to study them; something seemed out of place. Their haircuts were slightly scruffy; their manner brusque, like they didn't know how to conduct themselves properly in a military environment. The taller one carried a bulge in his trouser pocket.

Placing the sealed envelope in the Flame Alchemist's waiting hand, they turned to depart. Impatient, Roy ripped it open, removing the paper within and unfolding it, as simultaneously the taller soldier reached into his pocket. Obsidian eyes scanned the scrawled text, and widened; it read 'Got you now, Mustang. It's over.'

'Hawkeye, it's a tra-argh!' His warning was choked off by the sudden explosion of light emanating from the flash bomb that had been hiding in the soldier's pocket - stunning Team Mustang into inaction. When the bright light cleared, they found themselves surrounded by a group of men in military uniform pointing a wide variety of guns at them - several aimed at the Flame Alchemist's gloves.

Back in the present, Siyan had also appeared to grow bored of the silence - rising from the chair he stalked, as astute and predatory-looking as an eagle, over to the captives. 'Well Colonel, I think I'm just about ready to discuss our business, if, of course, it doesn't interrupt anything you had plann-'

'HEY COLONEL BASTARD GUESS WHO'S HERE TO MAKE YOUR DAY ALL BRIGHT AND SHINY? ME! THE FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, AND WHEN I SAY GREAT I MEAN TOTALLY HORRIBLE, BUT WHO CARES? IT'S NOT LIKE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS COMING OR ANYTHING!' Edward's too-loud, caustic greeting rang out as the door banged into the adjourning wall. He stood proudly in the office entrance, taking a moment to savour the startled silence before opening his eyes to survey his audience, feeling very satisfied for having asserted himself before his superior had had the opportunity.

Instead of being met with the dumfounded expressions and the scowl from Roy that he was expecting, he was faced with the dumbfounded expressions, a panicked eye-bulge from the Colonel. . . and half a dozen guns being aimed in his direction.

. . .

'Umm, so, is this a bad time? I can come back later?'

There we go! Ed's big mouth is gonna get him into trouble at some point. . . maybe in the soon-to-be-posted chapter 5!

I'm aware it seems like a filler chapter, but it's helped me process where I'm taking this fic - I was really stuck for moving forwards from chapter 3, as I don't plan them in advance - I prefer to let them grow naturally. And it keeps me interested in them ;-)

Again, deepest gratitude to all of my readers/reviewers/favouriters/followers.

TheInkEngraver

~Waited specifically to post it in the first moments of 2015, as seems like too memorable a time not to post in!~

HAPPY NEW YEAR!