A/N: New story. So I've been delinquent for what? A year and a half? Well, that should let you know what you're in for if you start this story. Don't worry though, I'll still get back to the others. Who knows, I may even post to them again before I put this up.
(EDIT: Year and a half? Never mind that just call it eternity and let's move on.)
Also, when I write -Early Morning- in the timestamp, I mean early. As in, what one would usually call late night, but is technically the next day. For this first section, think around 2:00am.
Oh, and by the way, reading the timestamps is pretty crucial, as this prologue is not at all chronological.
Without further ado…
§ - Prologue: No Other Options - §
-Early Morning, 3 April 1920-
Ed kept silent vigil as the human-homunculus conundrum slept peacefully leaning against his side.
What in the world am I doing? He wondered as the train slowed to a stop near the familiar countryside station at Risembool. Ed took hold of the small bag he had brought to Central with one hand, and collected Selim in the other, careful not to wake him. This would be all the more difficult with a frightened, disoriented child to calm.
Before long Winry Elric awoke to rough knock on the door. Putting on just enough to be decent, she briefly checked to see her son and daughter still slumbering quietly before opening the door to reveal her husband, briefcase on the ground beside him, holding a small boy.
-31 March 1917-
Führer Grumman watched as 2-year-old Selim worriedly delivered the injured bird to "Gramps" the butler.
"He has certainly grown up to be a kind boy," commented Amestris's leader.
"Yes," replied his predecessor's wife, turning her attention back to her visitor. "Everyone was against me raising him, but he's such a wonderful boy. I knew that there was nothing to worry about."
"We're gonna keep an eye on him a little while longer," Grumman informed Mrs. Bradley. Standing up to leave, he continued, "If he happens to develop any odd behaviors, you understand what must be done."
Confidently and resolutely the elderly Mrs. Bradley declared, "I'll see to it that never has to happen."
Grumman looked again to the remnant of Pride, who noticed and gave an enthusiastic wave. He returned it somewhat less enthusiastically, contemplating, Homunculi and humans. Is it truly possible for us to live at peace with one another?
-Morning, 2 April 1920-
Unfortunately, to conclude our morning news broadcast we have a sad announcement. Our former first lady, Mrs. Elizabeth Bradley, passed away early this morning. We are told she departed painlessly while sleeping, though no further details were provided.
As most of our listeners will remember, Mrs. Bradley was the wife of the late Führer King Bradley and the mother of their child Selim, both of whom were killed during the attempted coup just under five years ago. Understandably, Mrs. Bradley has since stayed largely out of public view. Nevertheless, she remained dearly beloved by the citizens of Amestris. Mrs. Bradley will be sorely missed.
This has been your morning news at Radio Capital.
Winry Elric shut off the radio with a brief buzz of static. She briefly explored the rooms of her Risembool home before finding the object of her search.
Her husband noticed as she appeared in the doorway of his study and shifted his attention toward her.
"I just heard on the radio that Mrs. Bradley died today," she informed.
Edward Elric stared thoughtfully before answering, "that's sad to hear. I didn't know her all that well, but she was a kind old lady."
"She wasn't that old, was she?" asked Winry, both in response to his unorthodox epitaph and Mrs. Bradley's death itself.
"Well," he replied, "she was about the same age as Führer Bradley, and he was in power before we were born."
"I suppose that's true," she stated, but then noticed that Ed had begun shuffling around his desk. "Are going somewhere?"
Finishing his tidying, Ed explained, "I'm gonna need to head to Central."
Puzzling over his cryptic response, the mechanic prepared to protest, but the alchemist preempted her by reminding, "Mrs. Bradley was raising Pride."
Edward Elric arrived in Central City that evening and immediately made his way to Central Command Headquarters. Just as he was about to enter the complex, a familiar and ever-irritating voice caught him off guard.
"I see you heard the news, Fullmetal," came the 'greeting' from Amestris's newest and only three-star general.
"What are you doing here, bastard?" demanded Ed, quickly reverting to old habits.
Sighing, Mustang answered, "Someone has to deal with the affairs of the Bradley estate. Among other things, she still lived in the Führer's official residence, making the military the most appropriate arbitrator."
"And that brought you all the way out from East Command? I'm not buying it," the former Major-equivalent rebutted.
"And why, might I ask," Mustang questioned, "are you here?"
The formerly short, formerly state, formerly alchemist had developed a far better temperament than that of his military days; his original superior officer, however, still had a way of getting under his skin. "Don't dodge the question, bastard!"
Looking around and noticing a small but significant number of onlookers, Mustang proposed, "Perhaps we should discuss this inside."
Leading the way, Mustang brought Ed, Riza Hawkeye, and himself to a generic vacant conference room.
Unceremoniously, the elder Elric skipped straight to the impetus of his concern, "Are you here to kill Selim?"
He was met only with silence, and so looked to Riza, who did not make eye contact.
"So that's it then? You're just gonna kill him?" reiterated Ed. Without response once again, he continued, "Did he start to remember? Is he showing signs of his old powers?"
Composedly, Roy stated, "No, he's not."
"Then why are you doing this?" Edward queried, eyes widening slightly.
"Ed," Hawkeye interceded, "this decision wouldn't have been made if we had different choices available. We have no other options."
"What are you talking about? Just don't kill him," said Fullmetal.
The Flame Alchemist replied, "You know it's not that simple."
His anger and frustration mixed with his moral inflammation. Of course, he knew it was not that simple. There were all kinds of details that would need to be coordinated. But, in a larger sense…
"It is that simple!" refuted Ed. "We kill or we don't kill, that's all there is to it! I refused to kill even when we were fighting Father and the homunculi. That didn't keep me from stopping them!"
"That didn't keep us from stopping them," Roy retaliated. "You may not have killed anyone, but we only survived because others did kill."
Ed stood his ground, "It doesn't matter what others do, you can choose not to kill. Find some other way!"
"And I suppose you'll just take care of him then?" challenged Mustang.
"Me?" Elric backpedaled, caught off-guard, "I can't do it… I'm not around all the time with my research. Besides, I've already got two kids to take care of, so I don't think–"
The General cut him off, saying, "What, don't like the idea of your wife and children alone with a homunculus?"
It was Edward's turn to remain silent.
"As we said before, there are no other options," declared General Mustang definitively.
"Fine," conceded Edward Elric.
"I'm glad you've finally come around, Fullmetal. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but we must," Roy said.
"I'll take care of Selim," Ed said, sending two pairs of eyebrows sky-high.
The ladder-climbing duo jolted in surprise, "You can't possibly be serious, Fullmetal."
Edward Elric fixated intensely on his former commander, fiercely resolute as ever. "Like I said, it is that simple. If there's only one way to move forward without killing, then as far as I'm concerned, there's only one way at all."
-15 April 1915-
"He'll kill me!" exclaimed a frantic and breaking homunculus Pride to the soul of the absorbed Crimson Alchemist.
Unmoved, Kimblee responded, "If you think that, then you still don't understand Edward Elric."
Pride cried out in pain as the Fullmetal Alchemist forced his way into the baleful pneumatic tempest. Recovering, he questioned to no one, "Impossible! He's turned himself into a philosopher's stone, and now he's coming inside me?"
"I've caught you!" Ed said, grasping the oldest Homunculus's soul. "You are mine!"
For the first time in his lengthy existence truthfully frightened, Pride pleaded desperately, "Stop this!"
A weak image of his fake family flashed before him, and he cried even more desperately, "Stop this!"
Seeing the vision once more, he begged more desperately still, "Please stop!"
The final "stop" drew out as the last shreds of Pride's dignity gave way to panic and terror, all of these ceasing in an instant as the ancient child's consciousness failed.
-Evening, 2 April 1920-
A pair of Military Police escorted Edward Elric down the corridors of the capital fortress.
"Wait here," Mustang had said bluntly, leaving the room. Hawkeye directed two MPs to ensure that he complied. Ed had waited about fifteen minutes, silently contemplating the decision he had just made. It was impulsive, in a sense. Ed had determined his course almost thoughtlessly. But Ed had not done so recklessly. He chose thoughtlessly because no thought was necessary. To save a life, there was only one option, and he had taken it. Even so, he couldn't help but consider the repercussions he – and more importantly his family – would face as a result.
His thoughts had been interrupted when his wardens received a message. Indicating that he ought to follow them, they departed to wherever it was that they were now headed. Not altogether surprisingly, Ed soon found himself entering the office of the Führer. Less expected were the members of the room. Führer Grumman was present, of course, but rather than Mustang and Hawkeye, other members of the new Senior Staff, or the entourage of aides, adjutants, and assistants constantly swarming the highest-ranking officer, the only other individual in the room was a happy and playful 5-year-old child. No, wait, 500-year-old homunculus, Ed corrected himself.
"Ah," exclaimed the old man, "Selim, this nice man is here to take you home. Why don't you introduce yourself?"
So stunned was Edward by the abruptness with which Grumman had transferred responsibility that he was barely able to respond when the boy said, "My name is Selim! What's your name?"
Stammering momentarily, Ed glanced at Grumman, who nodded toward Selim. "My name's Edward. It's nice to meet you, Selim."
"Now Selim, it's been fun to play with you all day, but I think it's about time you headed home. You've got a long ride," stated the Führer.
"Long ride?" asked Selim, confused. "My house is just outside."
As the Child stared naïvely at the older gentleman, Ed understood of just how little Selim was aware.
He's old enough to understand his mother is gone, he thought. So they clearly haven't told him anything.
"Come on, Selim," said Ed softly, "let's go home."
The boy walked over to his side and reach out his hand, which the young man hesitantly accepted.
As the MPs guided the pair out of Central HQ, Selim announced, "Wait, Mister Edward! We have to get Mama!"
The MPs looked at each other uncomfortably but said nothing, returning within the doors to the military compound.
This was Ed's first encounter with Selim since he had delivered the broken homunculus to Mrs. Bradley after the Promised Day. To be honest, seeing the fragile, naïve child grasping his hand and calling for his mother, it was hard to remember that this was once a ruthless, bloodthirsty, man-eating monster. Which, in fact, spurred some interesting epiphanies. Grumman spent all day with him, and was still willing to have him executed, Ed realized. And then further, And he kept secret what happened to Mrs. Bradley. Selim's last day wouldn't be spent mourning and grieving. Ed certainly had mixed feelings about Grumman's inscrutable choices. But that wasn't something on which he could dwell at the moment.
"She… she's not coming with us," Ed told the young boy.
Confused once more, Selim asked, "Where are we going?"
"We're going home," Ed answered, "A new home."
"I don't want a new home!" Selim declared. "I want to go home to Mama!"
Unable to come up with a reply, Ed deflected, "We need to hurry so we don't miss the train, okay?"
Selim, momentarily distracted, nodded and resumed walking beside his new caretaker.
A/N: Let me know what you thought of it (if you're willing). Are people in-character (or believably near given the time jumps)? Is the situation awkward and forced, or understandable and authentic?
Also, in order to get a little momentum, I'll be finishing up at least the first chapter before I post this.
-Samswimmer (EDIT: Kosmokrator now, not Samswimmer)