29A/n- so, this is going to sound confusing in the beginning but I want you all to know that the reason I put this little piece in here was because I wanted to give the fic a sense of…failure before I sent Ed and Al on their little, otherworldly adventure. If you want to know more about the feather they mention, check out Smile for Real. I most times put small connections between my stories to…keep things unique. For me. hope you enjoy! And for all of you asking, yes this is an Artemis Fowl crossover.
Chapter 3- Scrounging for Knowledge
It was two weeks later that the brothers returned from their small adventure, tired and disappointed. However, both were glad to get back to work, even if they didn't have a way to cross behind the Gate without paying the toll.
"This would be a lot easier with the feather," Ed commented as he set down his book to stretch.
The piece of art Psiren had told them about was entitled the Legendary Feather, but it turned out they were too late; the people after it had got there before them. Ed and Al were forced to return, resolve broken, hopes drowned, and explain it all to the cocky face of that damn Flame Alchemist.
"Brother, we've read and reread this book a thousand times. There aren't any more books like it either. When are we going to start forming a hypothesis?" Al asked impatiently.
"Soon," his brother answered, "In fact, we can start now. You're right—we already know as much as we're going to on the subject. It's time to start putting our knowledge to the test, so to speak."
Half of a month passed in which the brothers performed basic calculations and sent small items to the other side of the room. It wasn't hard, per say, because distance and size were factors in the equations and added to the complexity of the transmutation circle, but every piece had to be precise. It was nerve-racking because if one line was a little curved or one angle was off by half a degree, well, lets just say they never found some of the items they sent.
In addition to sending things, days were spent calculating the basic structure of themselves. The Elric brothers had to apply all they knew of the anatomy of themselves and human composition to draw the foundation for the transmutation circle. Finally they were able to get this so precise, that if a complete stranger walked up able to understand alchemic and geometric symbols, they could draw a portrait of Ed and Al without ever meeting them.
It was time to move on to the more difficult transportations, Ed decided one day after another successful short-distanced experiment. It was perfect timing too, because the brothers had agreed to attend the Christmas festivities with the Rockbell family. Just before they left, the boys sent a little present.
Perhaps the first sign of the experiment being a success was the wrench that connected with Edward's head as soon as he knocked on the Rockbell door.
"ED IF YOU EVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN I SWEAR I WILL MURDER YOU!" Winry threatened as she next threw the remote to the electric car Ed had decided to send her and succeeded in knocking out her favorite pint-sized alchemist.
Ed found out later, after awaking with a major headache, that the experiment had worked. The remote controlled car they had sent nearly gave Aunt Pinako a heart attack when it burst out of nowhere in a flash of blue light. Although she was angry, Winry couldn't help laughing about the incident.
The Elrics soon started on another trial to send a cake and fruit basket to the Hughes' for Elicia's fifth birthday. Apparently it didn't end up in quite the right place, as they learned when they visited there next. Gracia had found the package a week later under the hedges by following the smell.
However, the biggest accomplishment was about to be made. Ed had found an old tabby cat that was stricken with disease in a back alley and was now finishing the transportation circle to send it to Mustang's office in East Headquarters. However, he knew Al wouldn't agree to put the thing's life in jeopardy, so he didn't tell him until it was already done.
Al had obviously been upset and no matter how many times Ed tried to assure him the thing was about to die anyway and that they had needed a live specie to test their skill, he refused to talk to his older brother for endangering the poor creature's life. A few days later, the silence was broken when they arrived in East City and made their way to the dorms.
"EDWARD ELRIC, PLEASE REPORT TO COLONEL MUSTANG'S OFFICE," came the secretary's voice over the loudspeaker.
"There, see Al? The Colonel wouldn't page me unless he was really pissed off. The cat's fine—you'll see."
However, the younger Elric still held his tongue until he heard the angry call from the Colonel from the other side of his office door, threatening to fire Ed if the "little runt ever did something like that again!"
A/n- hope you found that as amusing as I did. I can just imagine Roy with an old tabby on his head. Lol. So things will heat up in the chapters to come. Promise. Things get interesting with Arty in the picture (they always do).