Major spoilers for manga chapter 102, you have been warned.
Dialogue taken from chapter 102. All rights and characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa. Written in 2nd person POV. Enjoy!
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A Selfless Sacrifice
White.
It's all around you, miles and miles of never-ending-nothingness and though it is, in fact, just nothing, the very sight of this place makes you quiver, as you realize just where you have appeared so suddenly. The massive, stone door that was present in your last visit has remained, but the difference: your body; you and your older brother's main drive and reason for choosing the path that you have been journeying on since you were young. You hear the heavy sound of your footsteps as your soul's metal encasement begins to clumsily move towards your frail, mortal form.
"Body...my...body..." you manage to force out, still bewildered at the sight that is before you, what seemed unreachable and nearly impossible to find, at times, for so many years is somehow standing before you. Overwhelmed, you drop to your knees with a loud 'clank' and reach both of your steel arms out to your former self.
"I've waited so long." your body says to your soul, and oh, how you understood! You cautiously continue reaching out, then firmly take hold of his wrist to look over his arm - your arm.
"Why are my arms so thin...?" you say in dismay, "I'm all skin and bones...it's like I've never even stood up." You then free your grip of his arm and fall to your knees once again, slamming your fists into the ground, hoping to channel out at least some of the anger, frustration, saddness, any of the emotions that were racing through your mind, nagging at you.
"How..." you begin as you try and gain some composure, "How am I supposed to fight in that body?! Everyone else is fighting for their lives..."
"You don't want your real body back?" you hear.
"Of course I do!" all you could do was stare at the ground, confused as to what you should do, "Always! Always for years and years! I've dreamed about getting my real body back!" but, you know in your heart; in your soul, that time is not now. "But...but I can't...I can't have that body...not now."
"Do you want to go back? Do you want to return with that body?" Of course you didn't, you couldn't stand being trapped in this suit for a minute longer. You suddenly hear the doors of the Gate creaking and know you have to go, with or without your body, your soul at least has to leave. "If you do, I won't stop you." The double doors are fully opened and you see those haunting, black arms coming for you, ready to take you away from what it rightfully yours, dammit!
But, you choose to leave yourself, for the sake of being strong for this last battle.
"Forgive me! I'll come back!" you yell, with the arms tangled around you and your exit at arms reach. "Hang in there a little bit longer, I swear I'll come back! Promise!" you scream as you leave through the Gate, sacrificing the body you sought for years, to save your loved ones.
"My dear, noble soul, I would be proud to serve as your container." the doors begin to close oncemore, "However, your return may bring nothing but despair and ruin," he turns his back to the door, eyes staring emptily into the vast, white sea. "Alphonse."
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Al has got to be the most selfless character in the entire series, really, I have no idea what I would have done in his situation. I couldn't even imagine having to choose between your own, real body and a cold suit of armor!
Please review and tell me what you thought or if you have comments about ch. 102! I'm planning on doing another one-shot about Roy. Oh, Roy. =[