Promise of the Traveling Soldier Chapter 1, a fullmetal alchemist fanfic

A/N: I know, I know, I haven't updated FMN in so long and I really should be working on that, right? Well, I plan to very soon. You see, after FMA ended, I got really crazy about FMA and I started reading the fanfiction. Bad idea. Now I'm obsessed, and I heard this song one day (I have heard it before, It's practically my favorite song) after getting it stuck in my head and I said, 'OMG, this is so EdXWinry!' and I just had to write it. I tried to do FMN, but it really stunk because my mind was on another pairing…so I just had to write this to get it out of my system. Now that it's done, I can happily go back to my Inuyasha story.

I will tell you right now, that this is pretty much based of the end of the anime series, with just added things in it. It will have every spoiler you can think of for the last few episodes, so if you haven't seen them, I suggest you don't read this fic quite yet. THIS WILL HAVE SPOILERS! And if you don't at least know about what's on the other side of the gate, or haven't seen up to the Ishbalans in Lior yet, then you probably won't have a clue about what I'm talking about, so I suggest you turn back now. No reviews asking me to explain everything that happens because you don't get it, all right? Just watch the series and cry your eyes out afterward on your own time, like I did—ok, so I rolled around on the floor screaming in front of one of my best friends, then proceeded to get my other friends obsessed with it. So I don't exactly call that 'doing it on my own time' but hey.

But never fear! They are getting close to playing the Ishbal/Lior thing in a couple episodes on Monday nights on Cartoon Network, whatever time it comes on for you. So go watch that and then read this, ok?

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, Arakaka-sama does, cuz if she didn't and I did it wouldn't have ended that awful way! I'm still in denial! And I don't own The song "Traveling Soldier" either. That belongs to the Dixie Chicks who totally rock for writing that song! It made me cry when I first heard it.

Note: I'm trying not to make this too AU, so it doesn't fit every part of the song like I could have it. The love story between Ed and Winry really isn't the same if they just met, now is it? Didn't think so.

Also, this takes place after the Ishbal/Lior thing and right before Ed leaves to try and finish off the Homunculi. I had to throw a bit of my own plot into it to make it work, but nothing too big, so don't freak out that not everything happened in the anime, ok?

Two days past eighteen
He was waiting for the bus
In his army greens
Sat down in a booth
In a cafe there
Gave his order to a girl
With a bow in her hair
He's a little shy
So she gives him a smile
And he said
"would you mind
sitting down for a while
and talking to me
I'm feeling a little low"
She said "I'm off in a hour
and I know where we can go"
!

Edward sighed as he leaned back onto the couch in the dark room. The full moon must have been covered by storm clouds at that moment, for there was no light in the room and if you listened closely enough, you could hear the thunder roaring in the distance. He didn't care though. It was times like these when he just needed to be alone.

Mustang had called earlier that day and informed him of the wars rising in the north. The plan to expose King Bradley would have to wait, and there were rumors that Archer was still wandering around somewhere in the world.

Meanwhile, Ed had finally gained what he'd been searching for all these past years, but it still felt no different. Now, even more questions seemed to pop up. Most important was, of course, what would happen to Al if they used the stone? It was a long shot. Not many people would have ever thought to create something so powerful within oneself. And even less would have succeeded. And now, his brother was living proof of the thousands of soldiers slaughtered in Lior.

All that was left for him to do was ponder how to go about changing the both of them back. He'd never thought about it before, but now that he had it in his possession, the power of the stone scared him. How could something created only by the truly evil come to produce any good? And who's to say the rumors about the stone were even true?

He still had the remaining Homunculi to deal with too: Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, and Pride. And their weaknesses…what did Greed say about that? Using their remains? Well, that assured him of Sloth's demise, and hopefully Wrath's as well, if Izumi was willing to give it up. And possibly Lust, too, assuming he could find something left in that mess that was Ishbala. But Sloth was first. His own mother. Or was she? That thing they brought back…no, that was definitely not their mother. So she couldn't be. Good. That made it all the more easy.

"Ed?" He turned around to greet his company, happy to have his train of thought broken. He knew who it was, and even if he didn't it's not like he would have been able to see her standing there timidly in the darkness.

His best friend. He often worried about her—weather she was safe or not in this small town, away from his protection. And he always hated leaving her. He knew how she cried. She missed them…and worried about them. Who could blame her? Besides them, she only had Granny Pinako for company. He didn't want her to end up all alone—so he would do whatever it took to take care of her. As long as he lived, she would remain safe and loved.

"Hey Winry." He knew what she was doing. She stood there, waiting for permission of some sort. Previous experiences had shown her not to mess with him when he was thinking, but he really didn't mind. "What has you up this late?"

"I can't sleep. I don't want you to go." Her footsteps echoed through the silent house as she walked slowly towards him.

"I know." He replied while standing up to meet her. He knew the tears were coming. They always did. He hated her tears, and if he could, he would stop them forever. They always hit him hard, and knowing it was always his fault made it worse. "But I have to. And you know why you can't come. You're safe here, away from all those horrible monsters. You mean too much to me, Win. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you just because you're with me."

"I don't care!" She yelled, not caring if she woke up the house, "I know what you do is dangerous, Ed, but you never tell me anything! And the way you always show up, bandaged with that arm of yours ripped to shreds, how could I not worry? I try to understand! I try to help you! But how can I if you never let me in long enough for me to do anything about it?" And here they came. Those horrible shining drops of water falling down her beautiful face.

Ed pulled her into a hug, trying to calm her down. "I know you worry, Win, but there's nothing you could do. If you were with me, you'd be in danger. Not just because I'm always in fights. Those monsters are tracking me, Winry, and if they knew about you, I can guarantee that you'd be first on the list of victims. They have powers you can't even imagine, and if I told you, you'd only worry more. But I can't help going. I have to."

"But why?" She sobbed. "You're not part of the military any more. And you have the stone, I know it! Why not just use it and get on with your lives here with me?"

"The military never had anything to do with it. And yes, we have the stone, but it's not quite that simple. If you want to know why, just ask Al to show it to you in the morning. I know he will. And before we can stay we need to finish what we started with the Homunculi. And I'll be back…I promise."

"You know you can't." It was true. Ed realized that sooner or later, he would have to choose between saving his brothers life, or saving his own. And Edward already knew whom he would pick.

"I realize that I can't promise I'll be alive. But hear this now—I will always come for you. And that, I can promise."

He sighed with relief as he felt her sobs begin to fade until they were no more than small hiccups and he wiped away the remaining tears on her delicate cheeks. As he pulled her down onto the couch with him, he softly pressed his lips to her forehead. And he knew right then and there, that no matter what, he would make it out alive.

So they went down and
They sat on the pier
He said "I bet'cha got
A boyfriend but I don't care
I've got no one
To send a letter to.
Would you mind if I
Sent one back here to you?"
!

Winry sniffed back a sob as the warning whistle for the train blew throughout the platform while she ushered the brothers into an empty train car. She waved to her lifelong friend with tears streaming down her face.

His promise still rang in her ears. 'I will always come for you.' But she didn't dare believe it. Her now black-haired best friend was smiling at her, but she knew it was fake. They all knew it—one of the brothers would not be coming back. And Winry would bet anything that given the choice, Ed would much rather spare his brother's life than his own.

"I'll write," He mouthed as the train began to move, "I promise. And I never break promises." And again, he grinned at her like he so often did—that wonderful smile that made her think that nothing had changed from when they were young. And she smiled at that thought. 'He must know me inside out by now—he knows that smile will always cheer me up.'

She waved her arm furiously in the air and called out to him one last time, knowing he couldn't hear her. "I love you, Ed!" and then smiled as she finally realized it. "I love you," she whispered, hoping with all her heart that he would return.

I Cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
"Too young for him" they told her
Waiting for the love of the Traveling Soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier
To come back again
Nevermore to be alone
When the letter says
"A soldier's coming home"
!

Dear Winry,

I told you I always keep my promises. So here I am, writing this letter to you, just to make you happy. I hate your tears. I don't want to be the cause of them anymore. So maybe I should tell you what you've always wanted to know, about my life right now. I don't want you to worry. But I guess you do anyway, so I may as well explain things a little more clearly.

My brother and I have found the stone—but this is just between us. The stone isn't what we expected. It's not an item, like a rock you'd pick up outside. It's more like a formation of a cave. I know you've seen pictures. But Al…well, once again he's paid the price for it. It's inside of him, Winry. It's not as simple as just using it. The rumors of the stone have all been wrong so far. I can't help but feel that if I were to use the stone, it would hurt him…maybe even kill him. I can't take that chance again. I can't live in my brother's memory anymore than I already am. It's only going to be one of us who get's to be normal, I just know it. And you know that it'll be him. I guess you'll just keep 'making a fortune' off me all our lives, won't you? Haha.

And these Homunculi—they're pure evil. You've met one of them—Wrath. And you know how to create them. I guess you assumed that we never created one, even though we went through the process. Or maybe you did and just never mentioned it. But there is. Her name is Sloth, and even though she's the exact replica of Mom, except for that tattoo, I feel nothing but pure hatred toward her. I think Al feels differently. He keeps asking me how I'll be able to kill our own mother, and I always give him the same answer—'simple Al, I'll use her remains and that transmutation circle, just like Greed told me'. But he never wants to be a part of it. I can't say I blame him. As much as I hate that damn woman, I can't help but feel like I can't do it. But I have to. I have to kill them all, simply to save everyone I care about—including you. They will never use your life for the stone. Never.

I heard what you said on the platform, about how you feel. I know you thought I was too far away, but I always seem to hear you. I don't know how, but I do. Don't worry though. I love you, too. I always have. And since I've already proven my promises are always real, I promise I'll come back to you. I hope it won't take long, but with these monsters running around, it may be a while. Please…promise me you'll wait for me. No matter how long I take and no matter what happens to me—I will come back to you. Always and forever. You know I'm not a cliché kind of person, but I just have this feeling—like this is true love. Not just a crush or infatuation. I think we're meant to be together. And if we are, then I'll always find a way to save you—no matter what the problem is.

But I have to admit; I think we're getting close. I don't want you to worry, but when I got back to the room we're staying at, Al wasn't there, even though I told him to stay put. He's been anxious to use the stone, and I think I know where he went. And if I'm right, he's in danger. But I don't think he'll let Tucker hurt him. It's him trying to figure out how to use the stone, and whatever Tucker gets out of it, that worries me.

You know I'm not usually one to say this, but I'm scared—for you, for him, and even though it's selfish, for me. This is turning into way more than any of us bargained for. And all it took was one simple mistake all those years ago and all the guilt that came with it. I hope you'll be all right. I feel like the homunculi are following me. They're everywhere I am, and that worries me. If they ever follow me to you, I'll have led you into a death trap you couldn't get out of. They wouldn't hesitate to kill you. I wish I could be there, protecting you every second of every day, but we both know I can't. But if you ever need me, just call. Not on the phone, just yell out my name. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but I feel as though I'll sense you—and you know I'll come running, as fast as I can.

Please don't worry, but I'm going after Al, and I know the Homunculi will be there soon enough. Depending on how many of them show and what goes on, I may not be able to write for a long while. I hope it won't be that long, and I hope you don't cause yourself too much grief over not hearing from me. I promise I'll come out alive. Just wait for me, and don't listen to what anyone else says. I've beaten the odds before, and if your beautiful, happy, smiling face won't shine unless I'm alive, then I swear I'll stay alive.

Until I see you once more,

I love you with my life,

Edward

So the letters came from an army camp
In California, then Vietnam
And he told her of his heart
It might be love
And all of the things
He was so scared of
He said "When it's getting
Kinda rough over here
I think of that day
Sitting down at the pier
And I close my eyes
And see your pretty smile
Don't worry, but I won't
Be able to write for a while."
!

Dear Edward,

Thank you. You don't know how much it means to me that you wrote to me…and especially that you told me all of that. And you already know that I'll wait until the end of the world for you. I never thought you could be so sappy, but it makes me feel better. I'd rather have you telling me how you really feel in your letters rather then telling me how stupid it is that I should 'make' you write to me.

You know I don't know where you are right now. I know why you didn't put a return label. And even if you had, there's no doubt in my mind that you'd be long gone from that place by the time this got there. So I'm sending it directly to Mustang. I hope he'll give it to you—I hope you get this.

I'm scared for you. You know that. I know you hate it when I worry, but it's only natural. Though if it'll help you to stay alive, I'll have faith in you. I love you, Ed. I wish I'd told you in person. I feel as though I'll never see you again.

I know you always keep your promises. You don't have to prove it to me. But these just seem like promises you can't keep. You can't charge into battle with these awful…'things' and not get hurt. And if there's a chance you'll get hurt, there's also a chance you'll get killed.

I just want you to come back in one piece, with or without the automail. I know your dream, and I hope you achieve it, but if it comes down to it, don't worry about it. I won't charge you if you ever quit the military. I just do it because I know you're practically swimming in money and you never use any of it.

And I know you're scared. If you were here right now, I imagine you'd have your head bowed with hair falling over your eyes. And I know I'd be hugging you and promising that it'll all turn out okay. I wish I could do that now. But think positive, or try to. When you make it out of this, you'll come back home to me and we'll get married just like you always knew we would. Don't think I don't remember those arguments. You know the ones…'I'm gonna beat you one day, Al.' 'Nuh-uh! I always win, and you know it!' 'well, I'll just have to prove you wrong!' 'About what? I already won the top bunk, and the candy, and the toys, and the…' 'Alright, alright, I get the point…but what if I said that I'll grow up and marry Winry and there's nothing you can do to stop me!' 'Winry's too nice to marry someone as stupid as you! She'll marry me!' 'Nuh-uh!' 'yeah, she will.' 'Me!' 'Me!' 'Me!' 'Me!' 'Hey Winry, which one of us will you marry?' 'Neither, if you both don't shut up!' You know, I picked you all along, Ed. But we were so young and innocent; we had no clue about real marriage. We will get married, though, if you want to that is. And then you can show Al! But I bet he only argued with you over that because he liked to make you mad. You really are fun to argue with.

Please be safe, Ed. I will wait, but just please be careful. I don't want you almost dead either. Don't be too reckless. Just take the time you need to do things right.

I love you, my very TALL alchemist (not a joke, I swear!)

Winry

I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
"Too young for him" they told her
Waiting for the love of her Traveling Soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier
To come back again
Nevermore to be alone
When the letter says
"A soldier's coming home"
!

Edward sighed as he leaned back onto the couch, just like those weeks ago at Winry's. It had been so hard on him…losing his brother again. And at that time, all thoughts of living with Winry left his mind. He felt so alone without Al. So he gave up everything. And only after the light surrounded him and he found himself once again in front of the Gate, did he remember his promise. He tried to turn back, but he was already passed the doors, returning to that horrid place on the other side with his father.

If only they'd never tried to bring back their mother. Maybe they never should have gone to Central to join the military. Or maybe the problem lied in that he hadn't stopped when he'd had the chance. He could have just changed Al back using the stone. Instead he went off after the Homunculi. They didn't even know he'd had the stone until the warehouse. They wouldn't have pursued him if his chance had passed to create it and he 'hadn't'.

But it was all in the past. And now he felt more alone than ever. And he'd broken his promise to Winry. She'd wait for him her entire life and he wouldn't show up—not ever. And he'd betrayed her. His heart clenched at the thought. The one person who hadn't been harmed by his choices—at least not that much—was now even worse off then Al had been. And it was all his fault.

No. It was too early to give up. He'd made a promise, damn it! And may he burn in whatever hell he had left to endure if he wouldn't at least try! He promised he would return, no matter how long it took. And he'd be damned if he didn't keep his promises! Even the impossible ones.

And at that moment, he could have sworn he heard Winry calling him.

'Just wait Winry. I'll come for you. I love you.'

One Friday night
At a football game
The Lord's Prayer said
And the anthem sang
A man said "folks
would you bow your heads?
For a list of the local
Vietnam dead."
Crying all alone
Under the stands
Was a piccolo player
In the marching band
And one name read
And nobody really cared
But a pretty little girl
With a bow in her hair

Winry walked out her door, just like she did every morning. She knew Edward had the stone, so she didn't bother to make any spare automail for him, even after what he said about Al being the stone. So she mostly spent her time sitting on the porch during the days, watching for him, and when it got dark and she could no longer see, she'd take the light up to the second story window and shine it through the night. If only it would work.

But then, Winry saw something she never thought she'd see. A young Al, just as she remembered him from before he became the armor, was running towards the house.

She slapped her forehead. Surely she must be delusional. Or dreaming. Or seeing things. But there he was, running towards her with a terrified face—she wondered what on earth could have been wrong.

"Alphonse?"

"Yeah? Wait, who are you? Where am I?"

"Al, you're in Risembul, don't you remember? Where's your brother, anyway? I want to welcome him home."

"I have a brother?"

"Of course you do! Don't you remember Edward?"

"Oh yeah! Where is he, anyway? We were supposed to bring Mom back today. And, who are you, again?"

"Al…you tried to bring your mother back years ago. What's wrong with you? And I'm Winry!"

"You can't be Winry, you're too old."

"OLD? I'm sixteen!"

"But Winry's our age, and I'm ten."

"What's happened to you, Al? Come inside, I'm going to have figure out what's going on with you…"

She ushered her friend inside, just as she saw a young woman with a baby run up to the house. "Winry Rockbell?"

"Yeah…"

"I know we've never met, my name is Rose, and this is Noah," she said pointing to the baby. "I was given your address by Sciezka. I'm afraid I have some rather bad news…"

"About what?"

"Edward…I knew him for about a year. At first, it seemed like he ruined my life. But it turns out he was doing exactly what he should have; now I've ruined his. And I'm afraid this may have been my fault, though I don't remember much. I think I was possessed by that Dante woman…"

"But Dante is dead."

"Not until recently, but I'll get to that in a little while. Not until I tell you…I'm sorry, Winry. He never told me about you, but I know you must have been very close…he's dead."

Winry knew the tears were coming. Ed had told her to be strong. He said she should remember he'd always keep his promises. He'd said not to listen to what anyone else said. "No…he can't be…"

"I'm sorry, Winry, I was there. I feel so bad for you…I know all too well what it's like to lose a loved one…He was killed by the homunculus, Envy, the shape-shifter. Envy was Ed's brother, created by Hoenheim after he had a son with Dante many, many years ago that died. Envy was jealous of Ed having 'stolen' his father, and killed him. He turned into Hoenheim.

"All I know is that Al got mad. He stood up and used the stone to bring Edward back to life and sacrificed his entire metal body to do so. When Ed woke up, he felt so guilty; he sacrificed himself to bring Al back. He kept muttering about 'the Gate'. He told me that he was going to try and bring down the entire hidden city of the old Central and that I should take Noah and leave. He said he would follow. But I watched the city fall myself, Winry, I'm sorry. No one could have survived that." Rose bowed her head slightly, and Winry ushered her inside as well.

Later that night, Winry went outside on the balcony like she always did and grabbed the giant flashlight. But instead of flashing it into the darkness from there, she took it and walked down the path that led to the remains of the Elric house.

Al had explained what he knew. Ed truly had given up his life, just like she knew he would. So if she knew it, and had tried to prepare herself for it, why did she still feel so empty inside?

She imagined that beautiful house sitting underneath the tree just like it had been all those many years ago. She walked through the rooms and walked over where the stairs were, as though she was going up them. Then she walked through the 'upstairs' until she would have been on Trisha's balcony, had the house still been there, and began to shine the light.

And she let the tears flow freely. Finally, she could let it all out. No one would hear her at her house. And no one would dare follow her, even if they had seen her leave the house. They all knew of her feelings. Rose had explained about Cain and thankfully Al had known, even back then, just how much they cared about each other. And Pinako had always known as well. So Winry stood there, flashing the light, and finally sobbing out her true feelings.

She looked up to the sky as it started to rain. There was no light coming from the supposedly full moon, and you could hear thunder in the distance, just like that night before he left for good. Her sobs shook her entire body as she yelled out to the clouds.

"EDWARD!" she half screamed, half sobbed. "EDWARD! You promised you'd always be here! You promised you wouldn't die! You told me to call you if I needed you! Well here I am! I need you, Edward! Come back to me…" her voice was slowly fading into a whisper. "Please…I love you, Ed…please keep your promise. You always do. Just come back to me. Please…." And with that, she let her tears overcome her, as she fell to the ground. "I'll wait forever, Edward. I love you." And then her voice stopped. The only things to be heard were the soft pitter-patter of the rain as it hit the building's wreckage, Winry's soft sobs, and the thunder rolling in the background.

I have a couple quotes to give people credit for—

"Hear this now—I will always come for you."

Wesley

The Princess Bride

"I'm scared for you."

Hermionie Granger

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (movie)