1) Yes, I know the ending to Redemption was confusing, that's the way it's supposed to be.
2) How dare you think I would end it without giving a reason for her death (this equals bad writing).
3) Everything will be explained/fixed by the time this story ends.
I know I said I'd have this up last Tuesday, but the thing is I thought of kinks that needed reworking. I would have posted sooner, but I went to New York City and the Marriott where I stayed cost $20 a day to use their internet. Screw that, I'm freaking poor. Never pay to use a hotel's internet, especially at something like the Marriott. If you're going to pay that much money to stay at that hotel, internet access should be free. Go down to Starbucks instead. (I would've, but I did not favor the idea of marching my laptop through Times Square). Anyway, the first chapter.
Roy Mustang organized the swarm of State Alchemist applications. He grinned slightly at the scores. He had a meeting in a few minutes with the only alchemist to pass the exam this year. Considering the family gift, Alphonse Elric's scores were not surprising. What Roy had not expected was for Al to take the exam. Roy assumed Al would want to take care of Edward, his brother.
Mustang threw the papers down. He would not be able to finish his work today. He could try, certainly, however...
It had been four months since the funeral. Edward Elric's state had not improved since the day she died. Changed, yes, but not improved. Edward was quiet, soft-spoken, never argued or shouted. He was not sulking exactly, nor mourning even. He was, in Roy's opinion, the living dead. He was quite unlike the brash child Roy met seven years ago. Ed had not done anything to let off steam. He had not cried since the day of the funeral, not yelled, not done something stupid, had not even gotten drunk (Roy had encouraged this once or twice). Though the last one may have been a near call. According to Al, Ed threw out all the alcohol in his house.
Another thing Roy found interesting was that Edward now took daily care of his automail. When he cleaned it there was the tiniest trace of a smile. That was the closest he ever came to one, save to the faces of his children. Ryan and Anna had changed as well. Ryan no longer looked at alchemy books; that was now Anna's hobby. Ryan spent much of his time watching Pinako make automail. Again, this was all on Al's authority.
Right. Work. Over the months, Al had started to reveal himself as a student of biological alchemy. Perhaps it was a lingering desire to return Ed's original limbs, or just because Al was the doctor type. Anyway, Al was proving to be exemplary at it. Roy should pick a name in that direction. He tried to think about Al's personality and abilities and guess what alias he had been given (Roy had not looked). The Gentle Alchemist.
Roy laughed aloud. That was a stupid name. He stopped laughing and dropped his head to his desk. Another thought jumped into his brain. They received word yesterday that the Ishbalan terrorist group was beginning to test their devices. Roy wondered vaguely why the Ishbalans would want to use science since they hated it so much. Maybe they saw it as using God's natural elements to give the military a bloody nose. Who knew, honestly...Scar had used alchemy after all. Roy really did not know what they were thinking. It was probably more about revenge. At any rate the military's bloody nose was hemorrhaging. Two State Alchemists had been killed in the last three months.
Hang on a moment...He glanced over Al's scores again. Oh yes, Al had made many mistakes. There was no way to pass him. He would not pass, and would not be killed. Imagine Ed if Al died under Mustang. He'd be furious! Well...no, probably not. Roy did not like to think of what Ed would do if Al died.
Roy kept hoping time would heal Edward. Roy was getting to the point where he could think back on Winry and smile at a distant memory. But what Ed said that day was right,
"She wasn't your wife." How could Roy possibly know how it felt? How would he feel if he lost someone like that? What would it do to him if he lost...No, he could not think of anyone.
"Colonel," Riza poked her head in, "Al's here to see you."
"Hm? Oh, alright." He said this nonchalantly, even though these days he experienced an unwarranted spike in temperature when Riza spoke. He brushed the feeling off as usual.
Al stepped around the corner. He had a certain bounce in his stride. Good Lord he was tall...
"Someone told me I passed." said Al in a slightly sing-songy voice.
"Who?" Roy wanted to kill whoever it was that destroyed his 'Al's not becoming a State Alchemist' plan.
"General Armstrong." answered Al happily. On second thought, he did not want to go up against Armstrong.
"Right then, here you go." Roy handed Al the silver State Alchemist watch reluctantly, knowing that sooner than later the 14-year old boy in front of him would be called to the fields of battle.
"And my name? I've been curious." Al held out his hand.
"Oh, right." Roy gave him the letter. Al opened it excitedly; his eyes scanned the words quickly.
"What is it?" said Roy, he was curious as well. Al grinned.
"The Lifeblood Alchemist." Roy smirked too. It was fitting.
"Probably because of the biological skills you showed during your exam." Al nodded.
"Probably."
"It was very impressive." Roy told him. "You healed the cat completely in less than five minutes."
"I hadn't planned on it. But thanks."
'How's she doing anyway? You took her home, right?"
"Yeah, I named her Aida. She's happy, Ryan and Anna love her."
"I bet." Roy chuckled. An uncomfortable silence fell between the two. Roy could sense that Al knew what was coming next in the conversation.
"Al," he began carefully. He wanted to ease his way onto the subject of Edward, but he was not quite sure how to do it. There was something he had to ask.
"Alphonse...how are you?" Roy ended up saying. Al thought for a moment then said slowly,
"I'm...okay. There are times I've caught myself laughing at something she said or did, so I guess it's better."
"And Fullmetal?"
"The same as you saw a month ago. He's completely numb." Roy laced his fingers in front of his face and his tone grew darker. He hated that he had to ask.
"There hasn't been a fuhrer since King Bradley. The country is in political turmoil. The people are beginning to resist every military effort. Along with the terrorist cell...As I related four months ago, we need a neutral body to bond the military and the people."
"I see." Al interrupted, "My answer is 'no' Colonel."
"Al, if the people start openly resisting the military, or if the Ishbalans attack...we're heading for another civil war!" Mustang argued.
"I will do everything in my power as a State Alchemist and as the brother of the Fullmetal Alchemist to reestablish the bond between the military and the people." Al's voice remained calm, did not rise up to Mustang's intensity.
"Bradley kept us constantly at war with neighboring nations. If and when Amestris suffers open internal strife, it is very likely that the peace treaties won't hold. We will be plunged into a very long, very bloody war!"
"I will not ask my brother to become a dog of the military again, especially now. Obviously you won't either which is why you're asking me." Again, Al's voice did not rise, but it was strong, firm and relentless.
"I know you'll do everything you can Al, but Edward has the skills and most of all, the people's trust." Roy pressed, "It's your duty as a State Alchemist—" Al finally crossed into anger.
"It's my duty as a brother to help him, not make him feel worse!"
"If it's bad now, think of how he'll feel when Ryan and Anna are killed in a terrorist attack!"
"Colonel, you have a message." Riza announced, smirking slightly. Roy was going to kill the very next person who smiled at him.
"Sorry to interrupt sir, I have an update from the Investigations and Mechanical Studies Department."
"Fine! Put it—" It took Roy a moment to recognize the voice because he had never thought to hear it in that context. Al stood stalk still, his lips moving wordlessly.
Edward Elric had just entered the office. He was fully clad in the blue military uniform, a silver chain dangling from his left pocket. His hair was cut, though it was difficult to tell how much because it was once again braided. Edward's uniform held numerous commendations, but according to the pips he was only a lieutenant. The only other difference to the uniform was a small plate on his collar with the snake and cross symbol carved into it.
So much for not letting off steam.
Dude, if you have not seen Vic and Travis (Ed and Roy's english voice actors) in person or on youtube, go search now. Travis is hilarious and Vic is just plain awesome (I'm a Ranger). If you don't want to sift through all the videos, my screen name is RoninSenshi on youtube as well, search for me and you can watch it all on my favorites. I have gone through all the pages. At the very least, make sure you see/hear Vic saying (in Ed's voice):
ROY MUSTANG IS DEAD SEXY...IN A MINI SKIRT!
I am not a fan of Roy/Ed, I personally think they have more of a weird father/son relationship, but that's just too damn funny. I do enjoy joking about it. And if you have not seen a picture of Vic or Travis...get to google images right now. They are...wow. Vic's site is Travis does not really have a site, but he does have a fan following dubbed 'The Miniskirt Army'. Search for them if you're interested.