WHAT'S UP EVERYONE? I'M BACK!
Sorry it took a while, but here it is! The sequel you all have been waiting for! I'm so thankful for all of you waiting patiently for this and I'm really happy my last story pleased you all so much. I hope this one fills you up with as much excitement as the last one did. Thank you.
(If none of you have seen the Rebellion Story yet, then… BEWARE, SPOILER ALERT!)
AGAIN, I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BROTHERHOOD OR PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA!
Nothing but infinite blackness was shown at first, but then a small bright golden light appeared. The small light shone even brighter as its source seemed to move even closer into view. The source of the light was then revealed to be Edward's open Soul Timer; the counting needle was centered straight on zero and there wasn't a single trace of black taint in the center of the watch. The glowing Soul Timer kept moving further into view even once its center was shown completely up close until another black space erupted from it.
Edward – They are the ones who pray for hope, embrace curses, and fight ever onward. They are the magical contractors. The price we paid to obtain our miracles was to take a destiny of battle upon our souls. And this destiny ended in the salvation of oblivion. By disappearing from this world, we could escape our fate of despair.
A bunch of bubbles that showed images of structures and magical contractor runes were then shown and Edward's Soul Timer appeared again, falling through the swirling bubbles as if it was sinking underwater. The Soul Timer then fell through a large stone gate that closed just as soon as the completely golden pocket-watch fell through it.
Edward – Someday, that final day will come. As we wait for the Law of the Cycle to lead us away, we continue our unending battle.
The Soul Timer continued to fall down through the infinite blackness and the swirling bubbles until the golden watch and the bubbles slowly disappeared, leaving everything in view completely black once again.
Edward – In this irredeemable world, forever repeating its tragedies and hatred, I dreamt that I encountered that familiar smile once again.
It was night and all of East City was shown. Lights were on in many of the buildings and everything appeared to look completely normal. Then a few streams of glowing colored threads were shown flying through the sky, sparkling with orange colored lights that were shaped like jacks. As the flying threads weaved around the sky, all the streetlights that were on quickly turned off and the night sky changed to one that appeared to be made out of a bunch of pieces of cloth, each with different patterns, sown together. A drop of white water then fell on a stair step and the water flowed down the stairs until it rose up onto the railing and took the form of a small white ballet dancer. A bunch of multiple shadow-like ballet dancers then appeared and started dancing on the walls of many buildings. The ballet dancers continued dancing as they lined up into two single file lines in front of what looked like a pink cardboard city. One of the patches in the sky then opened up and a strange blue doll popped out. The doll had its tongue sticking out of its mouth, bear ears on its head, arms and legs that seemed to be made out of socks, and the face of a regular doll with red hair on its chin. The strange but cute-looking doll twirled around as it landed on the ground and then took a bow. Two blue hands with colored spots on them were shown hovering over the doll and appeared to be controlling it like a puppet. The doll then jumped into the air and a bunch of teddy bears shot out of its mouth in a poof of smoke. The teddy bears ran across the sky and then crashed into and partially destroyed one of the buildings. The doll then shot a bunch of soft looking pillows out of its right arm in another poof of smoke and the pillows crashed into and partially destroyed another building. The doll hopped onto one of the many big bubbles that were floating in the air and then a bunch of shadow-like ballet dancers appeared behind it, however there was someone else in the line of ballet dancers, and that someone was none other than Alphonse in his magical contractor armor. One by one, each ballet dancer hopped onto another bubble next to the doll and did a little dance for it, but when Alphonse hopped onto the bubble he didn't dance, instead he turned around towards the doll and smiled. He then prepared his bow and shot a golden/white light arrow up into the sky. A bunch of light arrows suddenly came raining down; Alphonse quickly moved out of the way so he wouldn't get hit and the doll began to fly away as well, trying to avoid the arrows that chased after it. As it flew past a bunch of smaller buildings, it looked to its right side to see Winry in her magical contractor clothes leaping on a bunch of large bubbles after it. Winry grinned as she looked over at the doll.
Winry – Bingo, Al!
As Winry continued to chase the doll, it then looked over to its left side to see Riza in her magical contractor clothes chasing after it as well. Riza twirled her lance around and grinned at the doll as well.
Riza – Just like we planned!
Riza and Winry then closed in on the doll and began striking and slashing at it. The doll released more pillows and then flew further ahead of the two contractors, but they continued to grin. The doll then flew into an open window that led to a bunch of other doors opening one after the next until the final door led to some sort of living room with a dining table in the center. The doll sat at the table and looked down, seeing that the only food on the table was a plate of sweets and a smaller plate of candy. It then looked up to see Roy, dressed in his magical contractor clothes, standing in a small kitchen with Candeloro sitting on his right shoulder, and facing away from the doll, as he appeared to be preparing something.
"Watashi wa asa no yume wo miru"
"I dream of the morning"
A door behind the doll then opened up to reveal Alphonse standing with a basket of bread in his arms and a smile on his face. The doll turned around to see Alphonse take a piece of bread out of the basket and toss it towards it. The bread sailed through the air for a while before the doll caught it in its mouth and ate it.
"Mada dame yo, mada dame yo"
"Nani iro no asa ga kuru?"
"It's not time yet, it's not time yet"
"What color will the morning be?"
One door each at both of the doll's sides then opened up to reveal Winry and Riza standing at them. Winry was holding an apple pie and Riza was carrying a plate of chicken. Both contractors tossed their food to the doll just like Alphonse did and it ate their offerings as well.
"Mada dame yo, mada dame yo"
"Mada yoru wa tabekake yo"
"It's not time yet, it's not time yet"
"The night is still only half-eaten"
Roy then began to walk towards the doll while carrying a tray of tea, with Candeloro still riding on his shoulder. Winry and Riza began walking closer towards the doll as well.
"Nemutteru ko wa doko ni iru?"
"Where is the child who slumbers?"
Candeloro then hopped down onto the table with a cup of tea in her left ribbon hand. There was also a yellow ribbon attached to both her and Roy, however the other end of the ribbon appeared to be leading out of the room. The doll sharply rose out of its chair, knocking back the table and the sweets on it, but then everything in the room except for Roy and Candeloro seemed to freeze.
"Saa ohayou, Nightmare!"
"Now, good morning to you, Nightmare!"
Roy smiled as he set his tray of tea down and Candeloro brought her teacup in front of her. A yellow ball of light shot out of the teacup, and then quickly exploded, leaving behind a bunch of sparking golden lights swarming around the entire room.
"Warui oyume wa"
"And the bad dreams"
The doll stopped moving and a bunch of other colored sparkling lights began to rise out of its body, filling up the room along with the golden lights.
"Korekiri"
"Will never come again"
Roy, Riza, Winry, and Alphonse watched with big smiles on their faces as the lights surrounded the room and sparkled in each of their eyes.
Suddenly, Alphonse opened his eyes and found himself in bed, clinging to a giant stuffed animal cat. It was morning and he seemed to have just woken up. Alphonse sat up and stayed silent for a while before he sighed and put his head down on his stuffed animal cat.
Alphonse – Morning already?
Kyubey was then shown sleeping on Alphonse's bookshelf as he got out of bed and pet the white creature's head.
Alphonse – Good morning, Kyubey.
Kyubey woke up and made a few strange sounds that sounded like "kyuu." Alphonse got changed, then he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, wash his face, and comb his hair. Once he was ready, he went downstairs to the kitchen to see his mother making breakfast.
Alphonse – Good morning, Mom!
Trisha turned around to see her son.
Trisha – Good morning, Al. Breakfast is ready.
Alphonse – All right!
Alphonse happily raced over to the table and Trisha smiled as she watched her son look as cheerful as always. She brought two breakfast plates over to the table and set one in front of Alphonse. Then she sat down next to him and put the other plate in front of herself. Alphonse and Trisha looked at each other and smiled, then they put their hands together and closed their eyes.
Alphonse and Trisha – It's time to eat.
As the two ate their breakfast, they began their usual conversation.
Trisha – So what's been happening at school lately?
Alphonse – May's been having a hard time. Her parents have been away for an entire month now and they're still not back yet. Apparently, their travels keep getting extended.
Trisha – I see. I hope they won't be away for too much longer.
Alphonse – Me too.
Trisha – Overseas programs often rise dramatically around this time of year. It was certainly a problem for your father as well.
Alphonse – Really? Dad too?
Trisha – Yes. Because his company offered him quite a number of opportunities, so it was difficult to match up our schedules.
Alphonse – I see.
Trisha – How's Izumi-san doing?
Alphonse turned completely white out of extreme fright.
Alphonse – Well… she's suddenly started talking about the end of the world in class… I guess she's in a pretty bad way right now.
Trisha then looked worried and she put her hand to her head.
Trisha – Oh, dear. I'll have to have a talk with her later.
Alphonse – Sensei's scarier than any other person in the world I know, but she's also really kind in a lot of ways. And she's pretty, too. Isn't there any man in the world who would commit to her?
Trisha – Well, Izumi-san has always had overly high standards for men. For better or worse, she's just not willing to compromise on them.
Trisha then looked at Alphonse nervously.
Trisha – But, don't tell her I said that.
Alphonse giggled, then he seemed to remember something else.
Alphonse – Oh, and a new student is transferring into our class today.
Alphonse smiled at his mom and winked at her. Trisha smiled back at him, getting his message.
Trisha – That's pretty unusual at this time of year. And on the same day Van is coming home, too…
Trisha spoke with a sarcastic tone in her voice and kept smiling.
Alphonse – Yeah, I guess so. Dad and Mom have gotten back together… and our class is getting a new student. I wonder what they'll be like?
Alphonse kept smiling and spoke sarcastically as well. He then looked down at his left hand and opened his palm, revealing his Soul Timer. Kyubey was then shown sitting on one of the chairs at the table, watching Alphonse and Trisha eat as he made a few more "kyuu" sounds. Trisha then looked up at the clock and noticed the time.
Trisha – Oh, Al you better hurry or you'll be late.
Alphonse – Huh?! Right!
Alphonse ate more quickly and decided to carry his bread with jam with him once he finished the rest of his breakfast. He quickly cleared his dishes, gave his mom a quick hug, and headed out the door.
Alphonse – I'm heading out!
Trisha – Have a nice day, sweetie!
Alphonse continued to eat his bread and Kyubey quickly hopped onto his shoulder as he ran down the road to get to school.
After a while, Alphonse finally caught up with Winry and Riza, who were waiting for him. The two girls smiled and looked behind them as they saw him coming.
Alphonse – Good morning!
Riza – Good morning, Alphonse-kun. You're late today.
Winry – Nice work last night.
Riza's Soul Timer was shown sticking slightly out of her shirt pocket and Winry's Soul Timer was shown sticking slightly out of her skirt pocket. Alphonse smiled at his two friends and the three started walking down the path together to get to school.
Winry – Were you able to get some sleep afterward?
Alphonse – More or less. But I had to stay up a little longer in order to finish the reading for today. I hope I don't fall asleep in the middle of class.
Alphonse's face then turned a little purple.
Alphonse – Sensei will kill me if I do…
Riza giggled.
Riza – I'm impressed with you, Alphonse-kun. It's not easy even for Winry to complete all her homework every night like that. You truly do have a lot of dedication… Unlike a certain someone who always tries to find an excuse to slack off!
Winry – Are you talking about Mustang-san?
Riza – Yes. When I served as his first lieutenant in the military, sometimes I would have to stand by and point a gun at his head just to get him to finish his paperwork. Even now, I'm guessing he's using the nightmares as an excuse to put off grading all his students' homework.
Riza looked a bit irritated as she talked about Roy but Alphonse and Winry giggled.
Alphonse – And how are you faring, Hawkeye-san… with your job at the animal shelter and all?
Riza – It's all right. I manage to get enough sleep in order to work without having many problems. I'm used to having a job while being a magical contractor at the same time anyway.
Winry – That's Riza-san for you.
Alphonse – I guess so. Has someone adopted Black Hayate yet?
Riza – No, not yet. And what's worse… is that if I don't find him a home before the end of the year, they'll send him to the pound.
Winry – That's horrible. But why doesn't anyone want him? He's such a cute puppy.
Winry then seemed to get an idea.
Winry – Hey, Riza-san why don't you just adopt him. Black Hayate is already attached to you and you're the one who named him after all.
Riza – That's true. But, you've forgotten we're not allowed to have pets in your neighborhood, Winry.
Winry – Oh yeah…
Riza – That's why I hope your class's fund-raiser for the animal shelter will help him find an owner.
Alphonse – Oh yeah, that's why you're coming to our school today right, Hawkeye-san?
Riza – Yes. My boss asked me to be the representative for your class.
Riza then looked over at Winry.
Riza – By the way Winry, you told me your class is getting a new transfer student today?
Winry – That's right. Right, Al?
Alphonse – Yeah… I think you'll get along well with him, Hawkeye-san. You're the kind of person he normally respects.
Riza – Is that so? In that case, I look forward to meeting him.
Winry then grinned evilly at Alphonse.
Winry – But Al, I wonder what his reaction's going to be when you tell him about "That."
Alphonse looked at Winry confusedly.
Alphonse – Huh, "That?"
Winry – You know, that new thing going on between you and May…
Alphonse's face instantly turned bright red.
Alphonse – What?! No, it's not like that between me May and I…!
Winry – It's all right, Al. To be honest I'm sure he won't have anything against it… But, that doesn't mean I won't do anything about it!
Winry then started chasing after Alphonse, who ran around trying to avoid her while Kyubey kept clinging onto his shoulder.
Winry – After all, you were my best friend first, Al! I won't let another girl take you away so easily!
Alphonse began giggling as he kept running from Winry. Riza watched the two run around her like two little kids, then she coughed to get their attention. Alphonse and Winry quickly stopped what they were doing and realized that they were now standing right in front of the school.
Not too long later, the bell for homeroom rang and all the kids in the classroom flinched after they heard Izumi slam her foot down onto the floor.
Izumi – Now everyone! You'd better remember, just because the date of the apocalypse foretold by the Mayan calendar has passed, doesn't mean you should be thinking we're safe!
All the kids' faces quickly turned purple. Even Riza, who was sitting in a chair beside the right side of Izumi's desk, looked slightly nervous. Izumi didn't seem like she was in a bad mood, but her face had an evil grin on it, which scared everyone much more.
Izumi – No, this is only the beginning! A solar or lunar eclipse will fall upon every one of the six high holy day of a certain religion next year.
Izumi then smiled a very big and evil grin.
Izumi – Meaning that by 2050, our world will undergo a certain event…
Izumi then pointed her finger at Nakazawa and looked at him with her evil glare.
Izumi – Which is what, Nakazawa?!
Nakazawa – Um, well… I don't know what you're talking about.
Nakazawa stood up and answered Izumi nervously, praying that she won't kill him.
Izumi – Oh, so you don't? In a certain country, it seems forty-one percent of the population believe that the Second Coming of Christ will occur within the next forty years! The seven trumpets from the Book of Revelation may blow at any minute!
Nakazawa, the other students, and Riza were already terrified at the sight of Izumi's behavior, then they all shuddered once she slowly turned to face them. Her smile disappeared and she now had a dead expression on her face.
Izumi – But, honestly… The end of the world might not be such a bad thing. I've had enough tolerance with men and love and so forth. If I can't even live up to be a housewife when I'm called forty, then it'd be better if everything just came to an end.
Nakazawa was still terrified, but he tried reaching out to Izumi hesitantly.
Nakazawa – Um… Curtis-sensei?
Izumi then sharply stood straight back up, startling Nakazawa and everyone else in the classroom. She then seemed to snap back to her usual self since her face returned to normal.
Izumi – Now then, as you all know, Riza Hawkeye-san has been sent here as the representative from the animal shelter our class will be holding our fund-raiser for…
Izumi gestured to Riza, who stood up and bowed to all the students.
Izumi – But, before we discuss that… let's welcome our new transfer student.
Most of the students sighed hopelessly, which ended up with Izumi giving them a death glare. Riza sighed as well, but made sure Izumi didn't see her.
Riza – (I doubt she forgot, but still…)
Alphonse and Winry smiled sympathetically at Riza since they heard her talk to them through telepathy.
Izumi – Then Elric, come on in.
All the students in the classroom gasped in shock and surprise once they heard Izumi say the name "Elric". May almost jumped out of her seat herself.
May – Wait! Did she say, Elric?!
Alphonse, Winry, and Riza were the only ones who were calm and they smiled once they saw Edward walk into the classroom. Alphonse and Winry however were especially happy to see him.
Riza – (Winry was right. He and Alphonse do look very much alike.)
Many of the students were still surprised that Edward had the same last name as Alphonse and some of the others were commenting on his long hair and about how handsome he looked. But when a few other kids commented about how short Edward was, he quickly turned his head to the side to give those kids a death glare, which scared almost the entire classroom half to death. Edward's eyes turned red and were glaring daggers as his temper rose. He then unleashed his anger with a really powerful voice towards all his new classmates.
Edward – WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE HIM IF HE WERE THE SIZE OF A PIECE OF LINT THAT ANYONE WOULD JUST CARELESSLY SUCK UP WITH A VACUME CLEANER AND THROW AWAY?!
While all the other students were scared out of their minds, Alphonse and Winry, who were also a little startled, hung their heads down hopelessly. Riza just continued to stare at Edward, completely startled by his sudden outburst. Just then, Izumi stepped behind Edward, causing him to turn around and shrink in fear once he saw how scary she looked.
Izumi – I won't have any trouble brewing around in my classroom! Understand, EDWARD ELRIC?!
Edward shrunk down even more.
Edward – Y-yes, Sensei.
Once Izumi, Edward and all the other students calmed down, Edward got to the front of the classroom and stood proudly in front of everyone.
Izumi – Now, please introduce yourself.
Edward – I'm Edward Elric. Nice to meet you all.
As Izumi finished writing Edward's name on the board, one student raised her hand for him.
Random Girl – Um, you said, "Elric". Then are you by any chance related to Alphonse Elric-san?
Alphonse then stood up from his seat.
Alphonse – That's right. He's my older brother.
All the other kids in the classroom gasped in shock. Edward then waved to Alphonse.
Edward – It's been a while hasn't it, Al?
Alphonse – Yeah!
Edward – (It's been a while too, hasn't it, Winry?)
Edward then turned towards Riza.
Edward – (And nice to finally meet you in person, Hawkeye.)
Alphonse, Winry, and Riza all looked very shocked once they heard Edward talk to them through telepathy.
Izumi – All right, settle down. You'll all get a chance to talk during free period.
Edward then appeared to brush his bangs out of his face, but then he smiled at Alphonse, Winry, and Riza and showed that he was holding his Soul Timer in the hand he used to brush away his hair. The three contractors all gasped in shock once they saw the silver watch barely showing in Edward's hand.
Winry – (What?!)
Riza – (A Soul Timer?!)
Alphonse – (Then, Nii-san… is also…!)
Izumi – For now, take your seat. There's a free desk next to Nakazawa.
Edward continued to smile at Alphonse as he quickly put his Soul Timer away.
Once the break came, Alphonse, Winry, Riza, Roy, and Edward were all shown talking on the roof together.
Riza – What?! You already knew, Sir?
Roy – Sorry, we thought it would be more fun to surprise you all.
Edward then smirked craftily and leaned closer to Alphonse, Winry and Riza.
Edward – I don't know what that old man means by we. It was all his idea.
Edward pointed to Roy, who formed a look of shock on his face before it turned into irritation.
Roy – Why you little brat…
Edward grinned evilly at Roy, then leaned back again and returned his expression to normal.
Edward – To be honest, I really should have introduced myself last night.
Winry – Last night? You mean when we were out hunting that nightmare, Mustang-san wasn't the only one waiting at the rendezvous point?
Riza and Alphonse gasped in realization.
Roy – That's right. I had Fullmetal help me out as well.
Winry – Fullmetal?
Roy – Just a small nickname I came up with due to how he uses his magic.
Riza sighed.
Riza – You've always been obsessed with nicknames…
Edward – I don't mind.
Edward then grinned.
Edward – It has an oppressive feel to it. Sure, I'll take that on.
Roy – His power is amazing, at that. With it, we can attack multiple times at once, boosting our strength several times over.
Edward then sighed.
Edward – But, I can only really fight in a support role. I don't have very good attack power, honestly.
Winry – You seem pretty reliable though, Ed. We've been getting really powerful nightmares lately, so we could use some extra help.
Riza – And you've already proven yourself to have excellent skills from your performance last night. That's fine enough with me.
Edward – Al and Winry must have already told you about me, but again: I'm Edward Elric. From now on, I'll help you guys battle the nightmares of this town. I look forward to working with you!
Edward gave everyone a thumbs up and a wink. Roy and Riza smiled, Winry beamed, and Alphonse ran forward and took his brother's hands into his own, shocking Edward a little.
Alphonse – Let's do our best together, Nii-san!
Alphonse smiled even more warmly at Edward, who then smiled back at his little brother.
Lots of time seemed to pass and Alphonse and Edward were shown sitting underneath a tree together on a hill filled with flowers, watching East City from afar. Kyubey was sleeping on the ground in front of them.
Alphonse – It's so beautiful.
Edward – Yeah.
Alphonse – It's already been a month since you transferred here, Nii-san.
Edward – It's weird, right? It feels like I've been here forever. And yet, it also feels like this month's just flown by. What a strange thing time can be.
Alphonse giggled.
Alphonse – It'd be nice if the nightmares stayed away tonight and everyone could get a good night's sleep.
Kyubey then woke up and made a few of his "kyuu" sounds again and Alphonse began petting him as if he were a cat.
Alphonse – It's strange, but I get the feeling…
Alphonse looked over at Edward.
Alphonse – that I've been wanting to talk with you like this for a long time, Nii-san. Which is weird, since talking isn't such a big deal. And we live and go to school together everyday again anyway.
Edward – I know. But I actually feel the same way. It's as if I've been waiting so long to be able to spend time with you like this, Al.
Sorry, but that's all for now.
I know, I know, it's shorter than my other chapters and it's not too deep into the plot yet but cut me some slack, it's the beginning of the story and the Rebellion has a shorter plot line than the original series. I promise I'll have more stuff up soon. But for now, I hope this much makes you guys happy enough.
Thank you, see you next time!