This is the Sequel to Take It All Away, and it is essential for your comprehension that you have read the first installment. If you have not done so, you can find the link to the story on my author profile page. Thanks!
Pre-Fic Author's Note: I'm back! I'm sorry about the long wait for this, but school has been crazy! I never believed anyone when they said your Junior year was your hardest, but they sure as hell were right! This year has already flown by so fast, but now that marching season is about over I should have more time to write. I sure hope so!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of it's characters.
Warnings: This is yaoi. If you have a problem with this, feel free to leave.
This story is war-centric, which means that there may be a few graphic scenes scattered throughout the fic. There will also be strong language at times, as well as a high probability of lime/lemon content. The rating in this fic may go up to Mature with time. If there are any problems with this, please let me know! I want as many people to be able to read this as want to, so if there is a problem I will try my best to keep it Teen. If this is the case, I may post an uncut version on Mediaminer as well under the same pen name. Just let me know!
Nothing Left to Give
You can have power over people as long as
You don't take everything away from them.
But when you've robbed a man of everything,
He's no longer in your power.
-Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn:
Chapter 1: Blanket of Fear
Shadows danced across the broken remains of a town now ablaze with flame. The only sound that could be heard above the roar of the fire was the distant echo of gun and cannon fire that continuously shook the ground. Smoke, along with the smell of sulfur and burning flesh, hung rank in the air and cloaked the battle ensuing below in darkness. The only source of light was cast by the very fire that consumed the town. The battle had lasted for two days straight, yet still showed no signs of ceasing. The soldiers' desperation was mounting as their weariness increased and casualties were growing more numerous by the hour.
In the middle of all of this chaos and confusion a single figure could be easily distinguished, his form outlined by the light of the flames. From his place atop a hill the man scanned the battle being waged below, his jaw set and mouth drawn into a grim line. A closer look would reveal the man's face to be drawn and soot-covered, no doubt the result of endless hours spent in the throes of battle, yet still even in midst of the chaos, there was an air about the mysterious man that simply demanded respect. His eyes were those of a man who had experienced more then any one man should ever have to bear alone.Suddenly, another round of cannon fire shook the ground and spurred the furtive man from his silent contemplation.
"General! The Naturalists have broken through the second defensive barrier!" Another man, this one much larger in build than the first, called as he quickly ascended the hill. The light ensuing from the cannon fire revealed both men to be wearing navy blue uniforms; the uniforms worn by the members of the State Militia. "They've made their way into the city!"
The man who was now known to be of the rank of General, turned to regard the other man with calculating eyes. "How many?" He demanded, his eyes turning to scan the city once again, using his higher advantage point to catch a glimpse of the invading force. His eyes darkened dangerously.
"Hundreds. Maybe even a thousand." The other replied breathlessly, wiping at a wound on his forehead with the back of his hand. They began quickly descending the hill, the General nearly running in order to quickly return to his men. "They lack firepower, but they more than make up for it with sheer numbers."
"Any word of backup?"
"None."
"Dammit!" The General swore, finally reaching level ground and sprinting into the center of the city, his subordinate hot on his heels. He drew a white glove from his coat pocket and pulled it onto his left hand, flexing his fingers as they drew closer to the battle. Any further words between the pair was lost as a second cannon blast sounded, this time much closer than the first.
The Naturalists had begun to swarm the city, meeting little resistance as the bulk of the military force had already fallen back to the third and final blockade. The few militiamen that were left behind were quickly slaughtered or taken captive by the Naturalists as they continued to move further into the city. The streets were riddled injured soldiers who had been tossed aside to await their imminent death if such a mercy had not already befallen them. It seemed as if nothing would stop the Naturalists from taking the city.
"General Mustang, Lieutenant Colonel!" A brunette Lieutenant exclaimed upon seeing her commanding officers returning to the blockade from behind. She met them halfway, looking as if she would collapse from exhaustion if it was not for her sheer determination to keep going. She gave them both a short salute. "We need orders."
"Lieutenant Ross." Roy acknowledged with a slight nod of his head. He scanned the blockade, taking in the evidence of their depleted numbers. Only a mere half of their force remained. Countless soldiers had been injured and even more were presumably dead. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "Report."
"All of our remaining forces have been ordered to fall back to the final barrier, General." Ross responded grimly, her own jaw clenched. "As you can see, there aren't many of us left."
"Still no word of backup?"
"I'm afraid not, sir."
"Alright." Roy responded at length, acutely aware of the Naturalists' battle cries growing ever nearer. He drew a deep breath. "Prepare for battle. We must hold the Naturalists off at all costs."
Both Armstrong and Ross snapped their heels together and saluted their commanding officer. "Yes sir!" They replied in unison just as the Naturalists finally reached the barrier. The final battle had only just begun.
R-2-F
"Wait up, you guys! You're going too fast!"
"You're just going too slow!" Joshua retorted, doing nothing to shorten his stride as he raced towards the city. "Come on! We've got to get home before the sun rises! Gramps is gonna kill us!"
"I know that!" The blonde, and the youngest in the group, snapped in return as he pushed his legs to go faster in order to keep up with the brunette man and his brother. "But--" Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes glued to something in the distance. His legs gave way and he abruptly fell to his knees. Luckily, his brother had noticed his pause and stopped as well.
"What is it?" Russell demanded, panting lightly. "This isn't the time to mess--"
"T-the city!" Fletcher cried, pointing a finger in horror at the sight before him. "Look at the city!"
Russell turned obediently, his own eyes widening. "The city…" He echoed, scarcely able to believe what he was seeing with his own eyes. Joshua had frozen as well, his own eyes glued to the burning town of Xenotime. And then, in the blink of an eye, all three men were racing towards the city.
R-2-F
The heat was becoming unbearable as Havoc and the others continued their futile attempt to keep the Naturalists from taking the city. The fire had now completely engulfed the town, all efforts to extinguish the fire had been abandoned in favor of holding off the enemy. Even with the aid of every able bodied soldier, the military was vastly outnumbered by the Naturalists and thus were at an extreme disadvantage. Even with their superior weaponry and skills, there was no way the State could win.
Movement to his left caught Havoc's eye. A Naturalist lunged at him, gun drawn and aimed, before Jean could so much as blink. He raised his own gun, but he already knew it would be too little too late. The Naturalist would pull the trigger before Havoc could even begin to take aim. He shut his eyes and waited for the gunshot.
When moments passed and nothing happened, Havoc finally cracked an eye open to find the man's form on the ground before him, engulfed in flame. The blonde could not suppress a sigh of relief. "I owe you one, Roy-boy."
"You owe me many, Lieutenant." His savior retorted without sparing him so much as a glance, his fingers still poised. Another Naturalist lunged at them having seen his comrade fall, only to suffer the same fate as the other. Roy snorted in disgust as the man's charred remains fell in a heap at his feet. "Where are our reinforcements?" He growled as another wave of Naturalists attempted to breach the blockade.
"There won't be any, Commander." Havoc answered as he disarmed a man who was brandishing a saber, knocking the weapon from the inexperienced Naturalist's hand with his dagger with relative ease. "Central can't get backup here in time. We're on our own."
"Dammit!" Roy swore as he incapacitated a handful of Naturalists with his flame. When next there was a pause in the battle, he turned his attention back to his friend. "There's no way we can win this battle, is there Jean?" Roy demanded, his pride not allowing him to let any hint of resignation show.
Jean's breath came in pants as he turned his own eyes to his commanding officer, suddenly very aware of his surroundings. The smoke was becoming stifling, and it was all the blonde could do to keep breathing. His throat burned from inhaling the toxic fumes for as long as he had, and Jean knew with sudden certainty they would not be able to last much longer. Instead of speaking, he shook his head.
Roy drew in a deep breath thoughtfully, only to abruptly choke as he inhaled too much smoke. He placed a hand over his mouth as his chest heaved with the effect wracking coughs. He bent at the waist slightly, doubling over in hopes of calming the unexpected fit. His eyes stung and his chest felt as if it were on fire.
As fate would have it, the Naturalists completely broke through the final barrier at that moment, almost as if they sensed the General's sudden moment of vulnerability. They rushed into the center of the city, overtaking the remaining forces in a matter of seconds. Jean covered Roy as best he could, valiantly drawing his guns and firing at the charging rebels, but to little avail.
A sudden burst of flame signaled the General's recovery. The Naturalists' path was effectively blocked for the moment, but the raging barrier would only last for so long. Roy nodded to his subordinate, his eyes never leaving the enemy who could now be seen through the dying flames. "Take the men and fall back into the woods." He demanded shortly, his dry throat causing his voice to crack painfully.
"We're retreating, Commander?" Havoc reiterated, his surprise carefully masked behind the impersonal façade of a soldier. It was not in his friend's nature to admit defeat unless the situation was truly dire. It was in that moment that Jean realized just how much was at risk. "But what about HQ?" He couldn't help but asking, fearing the consequences of an unauthorized retreat.
Roy turned his back to Havoc, standing rigidly as he tugged at the glove on his hand in an almost nervous gesture. "Should we somehow manage to make it out of here alive, I'll deal with headquarters personally." He shot a glance at his friend. "I've authorized the retreat; your only job is to relay the order, Lieutenant." He raised his hand with his fingers poised to snap. "I'll take care of damage control."
Havoc saluted smartly in response, sensing with adept perceptiveness the darker meaning behind the Commander's words. "Sure thing, Boss." He turned on his heel and lunged into the chaos of the battle, relaying the order to retreat as loudly as possible in order to be heard over the roar of the battle.
R-2-F
"Gramps?" Joshua demanded as he kicked in what remained of the door that once served as the entrance into their house. Russell and Fletcher were right on his heels, each calling out frantically to the house's owner. The building was already engulfed in flame and it was only a matter of moments before it's supports began to give way. "Where the hell are you, old man?!"
"Belsio!" Russell echoed. The roar of the fire was deafening, and the three men could barely breathe inside the flaming furnace. "Belsio, are you here?!" The older blonde took a step forward, only to freeze as he felt the floorboard beneath his foot groan in protest. A quick glance at his surroundings told Russell that the house was only moments from giving way. His desperation mounted. "Belsio!"
Joshua's eyes carefully scanned the visible space for anything that would hint at the man's whereabouts, his eyes coming to rest on what appeared to be the remains of what once was a trap door. Belsio had long ago told them that if anything was to happen, they were to take that trap door and follow the escape route below that would eventually take them out of the city through a series of underground tunnels. "He's gone." He told the others firmly, gesturing to the open door. "The city must have evacuated."
"How do you know everyone made it out?" Fletcher demanded frantically, unwilling to risk leaving a single villager behind. "What if someone's still out there?"
"Fletcher, don't be ridiculous." Russell snapped as he grabbed his younger brother's arm and began to drag him from the burning house. "They're smart people; They're long gone by now!"
"But-"
"Come on, we don't have time!" Joshua snapped, acutely aware of the nearing sounds of a battle. It was clear that the invaders were in the city, and the brunette found himself fighting back the urge to go and fight the devils himself. "They're getting closer!"
"He's right." Russell agreed as he released his brother's arm, leading the way into a back alley. It seemed to be one of the few paths that was not littered with bodies, but the bodies he had seen, the blonde realized with a sigh of relief, were not those of the villagers. "Come on, hurry up!" He snapped, more out of habit then anything else. He could feel Joshua hot on his trail and knew that Fletcher would be close behind him.
Suddenly the ground shook as an enormous explosion came from the center of town. Russell did not stop to turn back, too intent on escaping the chaos alive to pay heed to such a thing. Unfortunately, Fletcher did not share the same state of mind. The teen's steps faltered and he turned just in time to see the old inn go up in flames. Before Joshua could stop him, Fletcher had taken off and was quickly disappearing into the thick smoke. "Fletcher!"
The teen was already gone, and as Joshua turned to call out to Russell he found that the other brother had disappeared as well. Russell had clearly not realized that the others had stopped and was probably long gone by now. Cursing his luck, Joshua turned and ran after Fletcher, praying that the trio would meet up again on the outskirts of town.
The thick smoke made it difficult to see more than a foot ahead, and Joshua found himself nearly tripping over something or another with every step he took. He knew the youngest Tringum well enough to know where the boy was headed, and Joshua thanked the stars that he had lived in the town long enough to know his way around without having to rely on sight.
A nearby gunshot had the brunette pushing his legs to go faster. The invaders did not seem to have gotten this far into the town yet, but there was a possibility that a few of them had been sent ahead of the group to scout the area for the enemy. Who the enemy was, Joshua didn't know, but if Fletcher had been shot… "Fletcher!" He screamed desperately, unable to even finish the thought.
Suddenly Joshua felt his foot connect with something solid seconds before he went tumbling to the ground. He hit the ground, only to find himself splayed out on the dirt road beside the very person he was looking for. His eyes widened in recognition. "Fletcher!" He exclaimed, scrambling to his knees to grab the blonde before he could try to run off again and at the same time checking the smaller man for injuries. "You fucking idiot!"
Fletcher winced, but the brunette was relieved to find that it wasn't from pain. The boy's face was covered in ash and dirt but he seemed to be uninjured. Still, something about the boy's eyes unnerved Joshua. "What's going on." He demanded, hands clenching the boy's upper arms in a viselike grip.
"Ask questions later." A new voice suddenly spoke up.
Joshua had drawn his gun and aimed it at the newcomer before anyone could so much as blink an eye. The smoke prevented the blonde from getting a clear view of the person his gun was currently trained on, but his hand was steady. "Fletcher, get back." Joshua demanded lowly, carefully rising to his feet. He ushered the younger man behind him without so much as taking his eyes off of the mysterious man who had yet to so much as turn around. "Who the hell are you?!"
Finally the smoke cleared enough for the man's attire to be recognized, and Joshua found the gun suddenly dangling from limp fingers. He was wearing a State Military uniform. Not only that, the man appeared to be of high ranking. "What the hell is the State doing here?!" Joshua growled, regaining his grip on the gun.
"I don't have time to explain myself to a civilian!" The man snapped in return, finally turning to face the two men. "Just get out of-"
Joshua's eyes met familiar onyx, and time seemed to stop.
The sound of the gun hitting the ground seemed to echo in the sudden quiet. Joshua stood there, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and fear. The military man seemed to mirror his surprise and stood there rigidly, his eyes barely betraying his own shock. Fletcher looked from one to the other, a frown marring his brow in clear confusion. They stood there for what seemed to be an eternity, all seeming too afraid to move, before the State militiaman finally found his voice.
"…Edward."
R-2-F
Author's Note: Yay! It's finished! My first chapter, and sadly the one that probably has taken the longest to get out. I've been working on it for two or three weeks now. War scenes are not my forte, but I'm just going to have to get use to writing them! I hope that the next chapter won't take as long coming out. I seriously doubt it will; This was the first chapter, and as such it is probably the most complex.
So how did you like the first chapter? Hate it? Love it? Leave a review and let me know!
For those of you who don't visit my profile, I've started a LiveJournal to post my fan fiction on. I haven't gotten used to the thing yet, but hopefully I'll be able to keep you up to date on my works and give you updates on how far along I am on a chapter- that sort of thing! I even plan to give you sneak peaks of upcoming stories and/or chapters! I've seen several other writers do this, and finally broke down and made one of my own. This way if you should find any major errors while reading (heaven forbid!), you can point it out to me before posting. The link is in my author's profile as my homepage, so take a look!
Until next time,
R2F