The Rose of Metal
I don't own Full Metal Alchemist; I just enjoy changing the story to fit my ideas. I WILL RULE THE WORLD.
Key: "Don't call me short!":speaking.
'I wonder how long this guy has been in charge,':thought.
The larger the font the louder the voice.
Bold is shouting.
...
Chapter 1: A Desert Rose
...
In the middle of the desert two people strode on with a purpose. To right the wrongs they have done, not to others but to themselves. Now any normal person would ask why not just take a cab,well lets listen to their conversation and find out why.
"Al,where did you go? Al? Al?" yelled a 4'10" teenager wearing all black except for a red coat and white gloves. His wheat hair was bound in a braided ponytail going just below his shoulder blades.
"Here,brother." said a voice that originated from an armored hand sticking out of the sand.
After the hand was dug up it revealed a man in a suit of armor roughly 6'5" tall. Now again people ask who in their right mind wears a suit of armor in the desert. Well,there are extenuating circumstances for him.
"Damn it Al,how many times do I have to tell you to look out for sink holes?!" yelled the,as of yet,unnamed kid of 15 years old. From what you heard the one in the armor called Al they were brothers. By looking at them you would assume that the one in the armor was older.
"I'm sorry Ed. You know,just because you're older doesn't mean you can bully me for things I can't help." said Al,revealing that he was actually the younger brother to the now named Ed.
"I know Al,but it just frustrates me that we have to walk in this heat!" complained Ed as he trudged along.
"I know brother,but this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't flipped out on the cab driver for calling you short." said a slightly irritated Al.
"You know how I am about my height;you should have warned him before he said that!" said Ed outright yelling.
"Look brother there's the town!" said Al excitedly.
...
(In the town)
"Look Al,a fountain! I'm saved!" yelled Ed as he tore through the street to get to the fountain. As he scooped a cup in the cool liquid he stopped. He took a closer look at it and saw it wasn't water but wine. Suddenly he felt a blunt pulsing pain on the top of his head.
"Hey you brat,you know that kids aren't allowed to drink from the fountain!" yelled a skinny man with a green beanie hat and a thick moustache. "Huh,you're not from around here are you." he asked while Ed nursed his head back to health.
"No we're not from around here, why else would I be looking at a fountain of wine curiously?!" yelled Ed.
"Look,I'm really sorry. Why don't you come to my juice bar and get some refreshments there?" said the bartender apologetically.
"Fine." said Ed relaxing now that he knew he could get a drink.
...
(At the bar)
"So,what do you want?" asked the bartender,looking happy once again.
"Nothing for me." said Al,confusing many people around.
"Suit yourself. And you?" he asked Ed.
"I'll have an orange juice, with a cut of beef." he said,feeling a little hungry too.
"Coming up! Oh,that reminds me,it's that time of day again." he said while turning on a radio.
Once he turned on the radio a soft tone rang through the air, and a kindly voice began to speak.
"Children of God who dwell on the earth… There is no salvation without prayer and faith. The sun God Leto will illuminate thy path. Behold! The lord hath descended from his heavenly throne to save thee from all thy sins" rang out the voice through the entire town.
"A religious broadcast?" asked Al.
"Who's conducting the sermon?" asked Ed.
"What,you've never heard of Father Cornello?" asked the stunned bartender.
"Nope, not a word." answered Ed.
"He's the emissary to The Sun God Leto!" said random town's person 1.
"He performs miracles!" said random town's person 2.
"Hey kid,are you even listening?" asked the bartender.
"Nope. I'm agnostic" answered Ed.
Suddenly,an attractive 14 year old girl came running up to the bar to buy some offerings for the chapel.
"Hey,could I get the usual?" she asked.
"Why of course Rose, have you met these two young men? They're alchemists." asked the bartender.
"No I haven't. Hello,my name is Rose. It's nice to meet you." said Rose politely bowing to the Elric Brothers.
"Hey,I'm Ed and this is my little brother Al. Wer'e known as the Elric brothers." responded Ed as he thought,'She's cute. Winry chose Al over me,so maybe I should look in other places.'
"Wait,the Elric brothers? The legendary State Alchemist?" said random town's man 1.
As Ed got a cocky smirk on his face he turned to see all of the people (except for Rose) gather around Al.
"Oh, I get it! They call you 'Full Metal' because you wear this armor,right?" asked one of the people.
"Um… I'm not the state alchemist, he is." responded Al pointing to his brother.
"You mean that pipsqueak?" asked random towns' man 3.
"DON'T CALL ME SHORT! OR MIDGET! OR PIPSQUEAK! OR TINY SPECK OF A MAN YOU CAN'T SEE WITHOUT A MAGNIFYING GLASS!" shouted Ed at the top of his lungs while attacking all the town's people that got too close to him in his wrath.
"But we only called you pipsqueak! We're sorry,we'll never do it again..." groaned the bartender in pain.
"Hey Rose,why not take these two to The Temple of Leto? Maybe then they will see the glory of Leto" said random town's man 2.
"That's a great idea! What do you guys say?" she asked with a puppy dog pout.
"Why not? Let's see what this emissary of God is packing." said Ed making Al nearly faint from shock at hearing his brother say a thing like that.
...
(At the Temple of Leto)
"So this is the temple of Leto. Tell me Rose,why do you work so hard in this religion? Do you think it will lead you to heaven if you polish that alter enough?" asked Ed after surveying the sermon room, and seeing Rose polish the alter when she walked in.
"It's not like that! You heard how Father Cornello can perform miracles right?" asked Rose who looked close to crying.
"Yeah. I heard about that,why?" responded Ed.
"He can bring back the dead, and I want to see my beloved Cain ever so dearly" she said beginning to cry.
"Water: 35 liters, Carbon: 20 KG, Ammonia: 4 liters, Lime: 1.5 KG, Phosphorous: 800G, Salt: 250 G, Saltpeter: 100 G, Sulfur: 80 G, Fluorine: 7.5 G, Iron: 5 G, Silicon: 3 G, and trace amounts of 15 other elements" said Ed as Rose looked at him with a WTF face. "This is the exact chemical makeup of the average adult body. Modern science knows all of this but there has still never been a successful human transmutation. It's like there is some missing ingredient, something humans can't reproduce. You know,it's ironic that we alchemists don't believe in God,but in reality we are the closest thing to him." said Ed.
"That's blasphemy! God will punish you for your transgressions!" said Rose.
"Tell me Rose. Have you ever heard of the story of the hero who made himself wings of wax so he could fly? He would soar through the skies reaching new heights, but when he got too close to the sun, to God, his wings melted and he plummeted down to earth." said Ed as he looked contrite.
"Hey,we would like to meet this Cornello and talk to him." said Al quickly to change the subject for his brother's sake.
"So you finally see the light that illuminates our lives!" asked Rose happily.
"Yeah,something like that." replied Ed.
...
(Meanwhile with father Cornello"
"Father,there are two strangers that are hoping to have an audience with you. They claim to be the Elric brothers." said Brother Cray.
"Tell them to come back another day. I'm busy…...Wait,did you say the Elric brothers?" said Cornello,starting to sweat.
"Yes, why? Do you know him?" asked brother Cray.
"You fool,he's a state alchemist! The military must have discovered our plans! Brother,why don't we just say they never came here..." said Cornello,smirking.
"Yes Father." replied Cray.
...
(Back with the Elrics)
"You are very lucky. It is hard to get a meeting with his eminence." said Cray as he led them along.
"He must be very busy,so we'll keep it quick." responded Ed.
"Oh I agree. In fact,let's end it right away!" he said as he pulled out a miniature revolver and put it point blank to Al's eye. He pulled the trigger as two acolytes stopped Ed from moving. Al's head went flying.
"Brother Cray,what are you doing?!" yelled Rose,appalled by what he had done.
"These two are heathens that want to destroy our religion!" said Cray,thinking up a believable lie.
"But to kill them, I don't think His Holiness would approve!" replied Rose,desperate to save Ed's life. But she didn't know why.
"Who do you think told me to kill them? His word is the word of God!" said Cray pulling the trigger again.
"I guess there are some really bad Gods out there then." said the voice of Al,holding the revolvers drum. The only thing that was really scary about him was he had no head.
As he punched Cray,Ed flipped one of the acolytes into the other,knocking both out. At the sight of Al without his head,Rose began freaking out until Ed explained.
"Rose,tell me,do you have the courage to face the truth?" asked Ed.
"Yes." was her only response,while she thought,'This had better be good.'
...
(Cornellos' private chamber)
"Okay Al,this is it." said Ed as they entered the chamber.
"Hello new parishioners. Did you come here to hear me preach about God?" said Cornello to Ed from on the balcony.
"Something like that." responded Al.
"Like about how you use your lame alchemy to deceive your followers." said Ed,smirking.
"Please don't confuse my miracles with alchemy." said Cornello,slightly concerned he had been figured out.
"The only thing that kept bugging me was that you broke the laws of equivalent exchange." continued Ed,as if Cornello hadn't spoken.
"That's why I'm saying that they are not…"
"And that's when I figured it out. The Philosopher's Stone. Like maybe,the one in your ring?" said Ed.
"Not bad. I really do hate perceptive brats like you. So you figured out how I did it,but now I bet you're wondering why." said Cornello.
Hiding inside Al,Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing. Father Cornello used alchemy to make them think they were miracles?
"Well I'll tell you. It's not about money,though. I can get that from all the donations. But it's to create an army of fanatics who will obey my every whim. They will fight on with limitless fervor and happily die fulfilled thinking I can resurrect them." said Cornello starting on the classic villain monologue.
"Nope,couldn't care less. Just hand over the stone." said Ed,getting irritated.
"Don't belittle my ambitions! You better care! You're a member of the military after all!" shouted Cornello.
"To tell you the truth,I could care less about my military,or my country." responded Ed. "Just give me The Philosopher's Stone, and we'll leave you with your religion intact." said Ed.
"You think those fools will listen to you? They will believe anything I tell them!" ranted Cornello.
"Bravo, you really outsmarted me on that one!" said Ed "You're right. They will never listen to a word I say,but what about her words?" he finished as Al revealed Rose hiding in his chest plate.
"Rose! What is the meaning of this?" Cornello said,almost losing his cool.
"Is it true can you really not bring back Cain?!" she asked desperately.
"I may not be God's emissary,but with The Philosopher's Stone I can still bring him back to life!" yelled Cornello seeing an opening to still save his skin.
"Rose, I have two things to say before you choose. First off,if you go over there than there is no going back. Second,do you really think Cain would want to be disturbed for your own selfish reasons?" said Ed.
"I don't know, but I have to try." she said as she walked over to Cornello.
"That's a good girl,Rose. Now,to dispose of these heathens." said Cornello as he opened up a door to reveal a chimera. "Tell me, have you ever seen a chimera?" asked Cornello.
"Oh boy,Al. This one looks like it could be trouble to fight empty handed." said Ed with a sigh.
He than clapped his hands together and placed them on the ground. A bright light shone from the point his hands touched. As he pulled his hand away a shaft of steel like the floor rose up with it ending in a spear tip. 'He can use alchemy without a circle!' thought Cornello. Just then,the chimera attacked Ed, who brought the spear up in time to block. But the claws cut right through the spear and into his left leg.
"Oh no..." said Ed,as it appeared he had been injured.
"Ha! Now you see! It's claws can even cut through steel!" gloated Cornello.
"Psyche!" said Ed standing as if nothing happened. Revealing that he had an auto mail leg, even though Cornello failed to see it.
"If your claws don't work,then bite him to death!" yelled Cornello in desperation.
As the chimera obeyed, Ed brought up his right arm.
"What's the matter,kitty? Leave a bad taste in your mouth?" growled Ed as he kicked it into unconsciousness. "Rose,look at me. This is what happens when you use alchemy on humans. This is what happens when you trespass onto God's domain" said Ed,removing his coat for the first time,revealing his auto mail limbs for the first time to them.
"Full metal prosthetics. So that's why you're called the Full Metal Alchemist. Look closely at him,Rose,for that is what happens when you tamper with human life!" said Cornello.
"But Ed,why?" was all she could ask,while remembering his words from before, 'He made himself wings of wax so he could fly. He would soar through the skies reaching new heights, but when he got too close to the sun, to God, his wings melted and he plummeted down to earth'.
"We only wanted to bring our mother back. We loved her so much,and it hurt so badly to lose her, she was all that we had left." responded Ed as realization dawned on Rose's face.
"This is what would happen if someone tried to do that for Cain,isn't it?" she asked desperately, running over to Ed.
"Yes. Even with The Philosopher's Stone, it's neigh impossible to bring someone back from the dead. We only want it to return our bodies back to normal." responded Ed,downcast.
"So what? It doesn't matter,because you're all going to die here!" yelled Cornello,changing his cane into a machine gun and opening fire on them. Luckily,Ed constructed a barrier,saving both him and Rose.
"Al,let's book it!" yelled Ed picking up Rose bridal style while running to the exit.
"You fool! That door is rigged so that only I can open it from inside this chamber!" yelled Cornello,laughing at their futility.
"Then we'll make a door!" yelled Ed clapping his hands while still holding Rose. He slammed his hands against the wall to make a door and then crashed through it. He charged off down the hall,accidentally finding the broadcasting room. He got an evil glint in his eye as he told Al and Rose his plan.
As Cornello ran to the room,he found Ed sitting on his desk smirking like he won the lottery. Meanwhile,Al stole the bell from the bell tower and hooked it up to some equipment and made an amplifier.
"What are you smirking about brat?" he asked.
"Hey old man. I have a notoriously short memory for things I don't care about,so tell me again,what's you're plan for the country?" asked Ed while the whole town was listening to his broadcast.
"Fine brat, it's not about money,though. I can get that from all the donations. But it's to create an army of fanatics who will obey my every whim. They will fight on with limitless fervor and happily die fulfilled thinking I can resurrect them!" said Cornello restarting on the classic villain monologue.
"But in truth,you can't,can you?" asked Ed his smirk getting wider.
"I wouldn't be dumb enough to attempt to do that, even with The Philosopher's Stone." said Cornello.
"You do realize you just ruined yourself by revealing your plan to me again,right?" asked Ed while pointing at Cornello's feet. As he looked down,he saw something that made his blood run cold. The microphone he spoke into for his sermon was there,and he could hear his voice echo over the town.
"See ya old man! Just leave the stone there before you go to be killed." said Ed as Cornello ran.
...
(Front entrance to the temple)
"Bring out that old fraud!"
"Let us tear him apart!"
As Cornello ran to the entrance he came up to a mob out for his blood. He started to step back when a voice behind him made him jump.
"Didn't I tell you to leave the stone before you left?" said an irritated Ed.
"You'll never get this stone!" yelled Cornello as he tried to use it again. Suddenly,his arm sprouted what looked like metal pipes while he shrieked in pain. Ed quickly ran up to check on the stone only to see it break. He was speechless for a second, and then began to vent his frustration on Cornello,while yelling,"It was a fake! You damn old man,how dare you trick me like that! All my hard work for nothing!" as he pummeled him. He was suddenly stopped by Al.
"Big brother stop! Any more and he'll die!" was the only thing he said.
"Come on Al,let's go." was his only reply.
"Wait, what now? What do I have to live for now?!" yelled Rose,hoping to make them stay if only for a little longer.
"That's something you have to decide for yourself." said Ed as he walked away.
"Then I'm coming with you!" yelled back Rose,no longer able to contain her tears.
"Join us if you want, just don't fall behind." was Ed's only reply.
And so,they set off,the three of them looking forward as they trudged on in the sand, hoping that the future holds a better tomorrow.
