Chapter 7

Rubber vs. Flame

This chapter is based on the FMA 2003 episode "Fullmetal vs. Flame", which happens to be my favorite of the 2003 episodes.

I will give the Elric's the nickname 'Elric Brothers' since it seems to suit them, even though Erin is a girl. This has happened before on a show called "Green Aceres."

I do not own FMA or One Piece.

"Mustang. I want the Elric's to join my crew."

After their captain said that in front of the Amestrian Colonel, the Straw Hats and the Elric Siblings gaped.

"WHAAAT?"

Mustang remained silent for a few moments, confused, before he asked, "You want to what?"

"I want Erin and Al to become pirates with me and my crew."

Erin and Al sweat-dropped at Luffy's blunt request.

"He does realize that even mentioning that he is a pirate is an invitation to get his ass kicked?" Erin whispered.

"I'm just worried about what the colonel will do." Al whispered back.

For several seconds, Mustang remained silent, as if the statement was still being processed. Then, he burst out laughing. The pirates and the alchemists gave 'wtf' looks as Luffy became annoyed.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

Mustang, after laughing enough, spoke.

"The Elric Brothers? Pirates? That's a laugh!"

Nami blinked a few times before turning to Al, who was trying to keep a pissed-off Erin from attacking her commanding officer.

"Elric Brothers?"

Al chuckled nervously.

"He-he. It's a nickname we have. It sounds a lot better than the Elric Siblings."

Luffy, ignoring the conversation but liking the nickname, yelled at the colonel.

"What? They'd make perfect pirates and my crew can use a couple of alchemists. Let the Elric Brothers come with us."

Mustang gave a half-chuckle as he spoke.

"It's not that they won't make good pirates. It's just that Fullmetal's country needs her and she rarely goes anywhere without her brother. Unless the Führer says otherwise, I cannot let the Elric's go."

But, as we all know about him, Luffy wasn't going to give up.

"Come on. You've got other alchemists. Can't you just use them?"

"I'm sorry, but it's not my decision."

"Then take me to this Führer guy and let me talk to him."

"The Führer is busy at the moment. And besides, he won't let two of his own citizens become pirates. That's just asking for war."

"We won't say anything about where they came from."

"But they can use alchemy and Amestris is the one country that uses an excessive amount of it. Not to mention that Fullmetal has the State Alchemist silver watch, which they can identify her as an Amestrian State Alchemist."

Luffy continued to barter with Mustang when an idea came into his mind. (AN: Now THAT'S a surprise.)

"How about a fight? If I win, the Elric's come with us. If you win, they stay with you."

Nami muttered in disbelief.

"He just got done with Arlong, beaten up pretty badly, and now he wants to fight an Amestrian colonel. He's a complete idiot."

Erin became pissed off and yelled.

"MY BROTHER AND I ARE NOT PRIZES TO BE WON, YOU IDIOT!"

Mustang was about to protest when Hawkeye came into the clinic.

"Colonel. The Führer's here."

The colonel and the Elric's stood at attention as a middle-aged man with an eye patch over his left eye walked into the clinic, soldiers standing guard outside.

"Now what's this I hear about a fight over the Elric's?" The man asked.

The colonel spoke, saluting.

"Führer King Bradley, sir! This is the man who, according to the locals, fought alongside Fullmetal and her brother. He's requesting that the Elric's go with him to become pirates. I, of course, said no, but he is persistent. He has also just recently stated that he and I should fight, the victor keeps the Elric's."

The Führer thought this over for a minute before he gave a smile.

"I think I am going to allow this fight, provided that it is held within the outskirts of the village."

The Elric's, the colonel, and the pirates gaped in shock. Well…except for Luffy, who was smiling.

"Thanks, Führer-guy. But why not just let the Elric's come with us?"

Bradley answered him.

"I want to see if I can entrust a fine young alchemist and her brother to a group of pirates. Also, it'll be quite entertaining to the villagers and the Amestrians that are present on this island."

Ussop looked toward Erin.

"Hey, Erin. Do you think Luffy stands a chance against the colonel?"

Erin looked at him as if she was unsure and sure at the same time.

"Just have the doc nearby and be ready with burn ointments."

"Why?"

"You'll see."

Several miles outside Cocoyashi…

"Ladies and Gentleman! Welcome to the first ever International Festival of the Land and Sea! A guaranteed break from that soldier grime and entertainment for you who have been freed from the Fishmen!"

A dark-haired man known as Lieutenant Colonel Hughes yelled into a microphone as the soldiers, villagers, the Führer, and the pirates watch around the center of a large circle that has been blocked with alchemy to keep the public from the line of battle.

"Incidentally…"

Hughes called out as he pulled away a tarp that covered a twenty foot tall picture of a little girl in pigtails holding a teddy bear. He then went into Daddy-mode, much to the annoyance of the soldiers.

"…my daughter, who turned three this year! Isn't she adorable?"

The soldiers began to yell out their annoyance and throwing stuff until a bucket hit the portrait, causing it to wobble and fall forward, onto Hughes.

"No! Don't fall on Daddy! Elisia!"

The soldiers snickered while the villagers sweat-dropped. The Elric's and the remainder of the Straw Hats were standing with a quartet of soldiers who the Elric's knew well: Jean Havoc, Kain Fuery, Vato Falman, and Heymans Breda. Nami was holding onto Luffy's hat and Winry joined the gang shortly after hearing about this fight.

Nami sweat-dropped.

"What's with that guy?"

Erin sighed.

"He's an old friend of ours. He has a habit of gushing about his daughter. But he's very useful when it comes to investigations, I'll give him that."

Recovering from the crash, Hughes spoke into the mic.

"Alright! On to the main event! In the Blue Corner, the Flame Alchemist and Hero of the Eastern Rebellion: Colonel Roy Mustang! Give it up!"

Mustang became annoyed as the soldiers called out, booing him.

"Boo!"

"You just want a promotion!"

"Give me back my girlfriend!"

Hughes spoke again.

"And in the Red Corner. The Captain of the Straw Hat pirate crew and one of the heroes of Cocoyashi Village. Let's hear it for Monkey D. Luffy!"

The villagers and soldiers who were on the island when Luffy and Erin took down Arlong cheered for him as Erin whispered, "I can't believe he's doing this."

Hughes then spoke into the mic again.

"Our fighters had made an interesting bet just before the fight. If Luffy wins, then the Fullmetal Alchemist: Erin Elric and her brother, Alphonse Elric, will join the Straw Hats as pirates! But Mustang is going to put up a fight, so place your bets, people!"

With the crowd distracted, Erin called out to Luffy.

"Hey, Luffy! Don't underestimate Mustang, ok? He may not look like it, but he's a tough fighter, so be careful."

But Luffy didn't heed her warning.

"Relax, Erin. This colonel won't be much to take care of."

"Famous last words." Erin muttered to her brother.

Hughes then yelled into the microphone again.

"Fighters get set…!"

But he then put down the might, turned on his heel, and ran for it.

"READY-AND-FIGHT!" He screamed.

Luffy, who looked to see the man run away, turned his head to face his opponent. But Mustang was too quick.

"Too slow."

The colonel then snapped his fingers, causing an explosion at Luffy. Thankfully, the pirate captain jumped back, but was surprised at Mustang's sudden abilities.

"Hey! That was a cheap shot!"

But upon seeing the upcoming explosion, Luffy turned and ran, falling forward as the explosion behind him took place.

Mustang, in turn, decided to give a lecture to his rubbery opponent.

"A soldier uses hastiness over cleverness. Means there are no cheap shots, boy. Strike quickly and you'll end it quickly, too."

As Luffy dodged to try and get a clear shot, the pirates (minus Zoro who's at the clinic sleeping as always) gaped at the spectacle in front of them.

"Holy crap, how does he do that?" Ussop asked in both amazement and horror.

Erin explained it to him and the others around her.

"It's in the gloves. The colonel's right glove is made of a special material called 'Ignition Cloth'. When he snaps his fingers, it makes a spark. After that, he uses alchemy to change the oxygen density in the air. And boom! Bombs on command."

Luffy ran as the explosions kept coming. He had never faced such an opponent and he had to take him out quickly.

"Just wait until I stop running!" He screamed as he jumped into the crowed of soldiers, concealing himself until he can find an opening to strike.

Mustang examined the crowd, the soldiers looking at him warily.

"Looks like I can't torch you all."

He then smiled as he called out while Luffy was within a group of unfamiliar soldiers.

"Shame really. And I have this nice, juicy meat sitting right here."

That caused Luffy to pop his head over the crowd.

"Whoa! Meat?"

Mustang smirked.

"If your opponent has a hearty appetite, seek to irritate and take advantage of his stupidity."

As he raised his hand, the entire section and Luffy gasped at what he was going to do.

SNAP!

Soldiers were flying into the air like fireworks while the remainder of the crowd ran a ways back. Ussop screamed.

"You didn't tell me that he's willing to flambé his own men to get at Luffy!"

"I wasn't the idiot who challenged the guy who's known as the "Flame Alchemist" here!" Erin yelled back.

With the dust and ash all around him, Mustang spoke as he looked for his target.

"Ok. Maybe I overdid it."

He then spotted something in the distance.

"Need more?"

He raised his hand but halted when he saw that it was a pile of stone made to look like Luffy's body. And just as he was about to react, Luffy, who had grabbed a sharp rock during the explosion, ran up to Mustang and sliced the colonel's glove to ribbons.

"Damn!" Mustang cursed.

Luffy grinned as he tossed the rock aside and began to reel his arm.

"Without that glove, you can't make flames anymore, can you?"

He then readied his attack.

"GUM-GUM…"

Then fired at the colonel.

"…PISTOL!"

But just as the fist was about to make contact with him, Mustang pulled his left hand out of his pocket, which held the mate of the first glove that was now gone.

Luffy saw this and screamed. With a snap of his fingers, Mustang sent a blast at the pirate. When the smoke cleared, the crowd could see that Luffy's arm was on fire.

"Aah! Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!-!" Luffy cried out repeatedly as he tried to put out the flame.

Mustang was about to fire again when the Führer clapped, which got the colonel's attention as Luffy was preoccupied with the flames.

"Now, that's enough. An excellent fight brought on by two skilled fighters."

Seeing that this meant the end of the fight, Mustang saluted.

"We are honored by your compliment, sir."

But Luffy protested, despite the flaming arm.

"Don't stop now! We're not done!"

The Führer smiled.

"That may be true. But if I let you two go on, it would be much harder for just the two of you to clean up. Besides. I think the flames on your arm could use some dousing."

That brought Luffy back to the flames on his arm and remembered the pain.

"YEOUCH! WATER! WATER! WATER!"

He then grabbed Erin's arm, who was sprawled out on the ground thanks to one of Mustang's explosions, and ran with her to the nearest source of water in the area: the ruins of Arlong Park. He ran over fallen soldiers and pot holes as he hurried to the water. Erin protested.

"What the hell? Luffy! Why are you dragging me along?"

As the pair ran off, the Führer walked over to Mustang, still looking at the alchemist and the pirate.

"You know, Mustang, I have been having an idea for some time involving the sea. But I was unable to find who would be perfect for such a task and how. Now, I think I have what I needed to create such an idea."

This caused Mustang to raise an eyebrow.

"By chance does it involve the Elric's and the pirates?"

The Führer nodded.

"We need to talk about this in secrecy for the next two days. Until the pirates are ready to cast off."

Mustang saluted, wondering what the leader of Amestris was up to.

"Sir!"

Two days later…

Two days after the fight and everyone was partyed out. The reason why Luffy drug Erin along with him was so that he'd had an anchor on land while he jumped into the sea to put out the flames, with Erin yelling angrily.

"YOU COULDN'T HAVE JUST STOP, DROP, AND ROLLED?"

Once he was cooled off, Luffy then went to work with Mustang to repair the damage at the 'arena' while Erin returned to the clinic to wait for her automail.

Al spent some time with Nami, helping her to gather the gold she had collected over the years and bundle them for the village.

He asked if she was going to go with the pirates, but she gave no answer. Smiling at him, she told him that she would have his answer in the morning. When morning came, Erin was waiting at the docks with Al, her new automail fully made and attached that morning.

Rubbing her shoulder, Erin muttered, "You'd think that she'd find a way to install without putting her patients in pain by now."

Al shook his head.

"At least she didn't have to do surgery on you again. I'd hate to think about what would've happened if Arlong had bit you."

Erin placed her fists on her hips and spoke.

"Then I'd kick his ass some more. What else?"

As they were about to board the Amestrian ship, one of the guards held up his hand, stopping the Elric's.

"Hold on, Miss Fullmetal. The Führer and the colonel want to talk to you at the Going Merry."

Remembering that the Going Merry was the Straw Hats' ship, the Elric's made their way down the dock until they were next to a schooner with a goat's head at the bow.

As the soldier had told them, the Führer and Mustang were waiting for them with Winry and the crew at the ship.

"What's going on?" Erin asked.

Bradley spoke.

"Fullmetal Alchemist: Erin Elric. I am giving you a new and unique post for your services."

Erin raised her eyebrow.

"What new post?"

"Fullmetal, I am giving you the orders to go with this pirates and journey along the Grand Line as Amestrian Privateers. From now on, you and your brother are members of the Straw Hat Pirates."

The Elric's were silent for a few moments before…

"WHAAAT!"

Luffy, hearing this, smiled happily.

"You mean we can take them with us?"

Bradley nodded at the captain.

"That's right. From now on, they are your crewmates, providing that they'd send a report every now and then."

Luffy jumped into the air.

"Yes! Thanks, Führer-guy!"

The Elric's couldn't believe it. The Führer of Amestris was ordering them to become pirates. Ussop waved down to the siblings.

"Hey! Welcome aboard!"

Zoro remained indifferent while Sanji twirled in love-mode.

"Now I know Amestris has got to be a great country to let you come with us, Erin!"

After hearing this, Winry spoke to the colonel, practically scolding him.

"Wait a minute! Am I hearing this right? You want the Elric's to become pirates? In an open ocean and this Grand Line place with no automail repair places for miles where they could get hurt or worse?"

Mustang turned to Winry and spoke.

"Führer's orders, Miss Rockbell. The Elric Brothers will have to go with them."

Winry then folded her arms.

"Then I'm coming too!"

Erin and Al were becoming overwhelmed by this new information. Erin was about to protest when the Führer held up his hand and spoke.

"That's an excellent idea, Miss Rockbell. I know you have instructed Mr. Ussop in automail, but the ship will need and automail mechanic in case of emergencies. You can also call this a 'world tour' when you are not working."

Winry gaped; surprised that Bradley was saying such a thing, though the thought of a world tour appealed to her. But what about her grandmother?

Mustang knew what she was thinking about and spoke to her.

"Don't worry. I'll let your grandmother know what's going on and I'll send one of my men from time to time to check on her."

Erin was about to protest when Al stopped her and brought her and Winry over for a huddle.

"What is it, Al?"

Alphonse whispered to them.

"Maybe it's the best thing. I mean, we've searched for four years on Amestris and found no clues. Maybe Luffy's right. Maybe the Philosopher's Stone is in the Grand Line. This may be our only chance to find out."

The Fullmetal Alchemist gave it some heavy thought and concluded that her younger brother was right. The Grand Line may be the resting place of the Philosopher's Stone and that the orders are, in a way, giving them a chance to find out. She then looked to Winry for an answer.

"What about you, Winry?"

Winry folded her arms.

"What do you think? I can't have you go around some unknown waters and destroy your automail again. I'm going with you."

Finding no other way around this, Erin looked up to Luffy, who was sitting on the railing, and spoke.

"Looks like you've got yourselves some alchemists and an automail mechanic."

The entire crew cheered at the news as the Elric's and Winry climbed up the rope ladder, the soldiers handing them their luggage.

It was then that Major Armstrong climbed up, causing Erin to ask, "You coming too, Major?"

With sparkly stars around his head, Armstrong spoke.

"The colonel wants me to see this crew in action just before you enter the Grand Line. I'll call for a ship at one of the inhabitable islands we may cross."

He then handed Erin three envelopes with the Führer's seal on the back.

"Your Letters of Marque. One for you, Alphonse, and Miss Rockbell. Think of these as your pirating licenses for Amestris."

Erin gave Winry and Al their Letters of Marque just as Sanji asked where Nami was. Alphonse gave him an answer.

"I asked her yesterday if she was going with you guys and she said that she was going to go with you guys and she said that she'd give her answer this morning."

The Amestrian gang stayed back as the crew argued about Nami's missing presence as Zoro and Armstrong began to cast off. But as they were several feet away from the dock, a flash of red hair leapt off the dock, over the water, and landed on her feet on the deck of the ship. It was Nami. She then lifted her shirt a bit, causing wallets and money purses to fall out. The crew and the villagers realized that Nami had pickpocketed them for one last run.

But to the Amestrians surprise, they weren't mad that she'd stole, but the fact that she didn't say good-bye. Winry walked over to Nami and spoke.

"What was that for, Nami? Why did you pickpocketed them?"

Nami smiled at her new crewmate.

"I'll tell you later. For now, let's get underway to the Grand Line!"

Armstrong and Erin saluted as the soldiers, Mustang, and the Führer saluted them off.

Mustang then called out, "Hey, Fullmetal! Try not to die on this voyage, alright?"

Erin smirked. "Not a chance, Mustang! Not a chance!"

As Cocoyashi Village faded into the distance, Erin, Al, and Winry could only smile.

This was the beginning of a real adventure.

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