Set in Stone

Chapter 1

The Wait is Over

So yeah I was sitting here at this computer...trying to add a little bit to some of my older stories. Yeah that didn't work out to well. So I just decided to sit there and think. Anyway my mind of course wandered off into the world of anime/manga. This is the result of that...the story of Hoenheim...based off the manga. If this goes well I've already got a sequel in mind!

warnings: language, spoilers

oh and I don't own FMA, if I did...well just be happy I don't

He stumbled through the rain, cursing himself as he went. He'd delayed enough as it was, the last thing he needed was the long journey ahead of him. He was in a middle of a small town, even smaller than Risembool when he'd suddenly realized he could put this off no longer. Sadly this town didn't even have a train station and so here he was...running out in the country, in the rain...hoping to find some transportation.

Still he was kind of glad at the same time, the longer it took to get there the longer to took for him to have to look them in the eye. He was terrified they'd hate him, not that he wouldn't understand. He deserved that and would accept it, but that didn't mean he would have to enjoy it. He'd been a coward until now, telling himself he could wait or that he didn't really need to do this. He was no fool...he knew he could wait no longer.

How could he have been so stupid? He never wanted anyone else to share his burden and yet he'd managed to curse one of the people he cared about most! His foot lashed out in anger and connected with a rock. He glared at it stubbornly, frustration the dominate emotion in his features, and tried to ignore the pain that now sparked up his foot.

As he was glaring at the rock two beams of lights cut through the rain. His head turned to look down the old country road hopefully. His hope was rewarded as a sturdy but old car drove up to him. The driver, a man in this forty's he'd guess, poked his head out the window. "Hey buddy you need a ride?"

He smiled up at the man. "That would be nice...where are you headed?"

The man was going to Central, which was actually beneficial. It had a train station and was only roughly three hours from Risembool. His driver had some family there he was going to visit or something. After telling him in detail about his family he turned and asked. "So what about you? You got a family or something?"

"I did," he said quietly. "Not sure if they'll be so happy to see me though."

"They still alive?" he asked and received a nod. "Then they're still your family."

No matter how hard he told himself otherwise there was still the fear that Trisha would change her mind. She had fallen in love with him for what was inside, not for what he was. Still he could hardly blame her for wanting someone else. Pain ripped through his torso at the thought.

Oblivious to his companion's pain the driver turned back and asked. "I almost forgot! What's your name?"

The man in his back seat smiled sadly, "Hoenheim...Van Hoenheim."

Over the next day or two Hoenheim and the driver named Jack got to know each other fairly well. It felt nice to be able to just talk to another person and Hoenheim was grateful for Jack's presence. But like all good things in his life it had to end.

As they pulled up to the huge city Jack smiled and turned to his new acquaintance. "If you're ever out east again feel free to stop by and say hello okay?"

Hoenheim nodded and smiled, "I'd say the same, but I don't really have a permanent home."

Jack smiled back with pitying eyes before Hoenheim hopped out of the car and the man drove off into the busy streets of Central. As soon as the man left Hoenheim began his search for a train station. It shouldn't be that hard...spot train tracks and you find a train right? Well in a city like Central it wasn't quite that simple. Eventually he found himself lost in the huge maze of the city.

Throwing his pride out the window Hoenheim made his way to a nearby shop. It seemed cozy and smelt nice and it certainly was popular. He pushed his way to the front and spoke to the man at the front desk, who laughed and told him he was on the wrong end of the city. "Find this coffee shop and then turn left...then you'll pass the military headquarters...oh and if you've got time stop by a see if you can watch the Flame vs. Fullmetal match!"

Hoenheim who had not really been paying attention to the random mess of directions turned to the man. "Hmmm...?"

"Don't tell me you've never heard of the Flame and Fullmetal Alchemists!?"

"Can't say I have," growled Hoenheim a bit irritated with the man.

"Colonel Mustang and Major Elric are two of the best State Alchemists ever. Every few years in order to be re-certified they have a duel...it's become a bit of a game for the two of them actually, but it's always fun to watch," said the man awed.

"Did you just say Elric?" demanded Hoenheim, suddenly giving the man his full attention.

"Y-yeah...you must have heard of him. Edward Elric, youngest State Alchemist in history and hero of the people..."

Hoenheim was already gone. Could this have worked out better? Who else could it be? Now all he had to do was find the blasted military headquarters.

As he searched he suddenly began to realize what all this exactly meant. Elric...okay so he'd changed his last name, but that didn't mean anything did it? He was a State Alchemist? What was Trisha thinking!? He couldn't picture her allowing her son to work of the military so did that mean Ed had run off or that Trisha was no longer around to tell him otherwise? His heart plunged at the thought and forced himself to believe the first option. Edward had been too much like him and he'd run off leaving Alphonse and Trisha behind...yeah that had to be it.

It didn't take him to long to find the military headquarters. Even if he hadn't seen the insignia the smoke and alchemic cracks of energy were obvious enough, apparently the duel had already started.

He made his way to the back of the building only to be shocked by the huge crowd that was gathered there. Apparently the two alchemist were popular. Even from the very back he could see a man with pitch black hair and matching eyes standing in the center of the trashed fighting arena. "C'mon Fullmetal I don't have all day! Besides aren't we a bit old to be playing hide and seek?"

"What no short joke? I'm touched," came the sarcastic reply, seeing to originate from behind an upturned chunk of the ground. The man responded by quickly snapping his fingers together, causing a spark which quickly spread into a huge flame that went soaring toward the rubble. From a second piece of rubble behind the Flame emerged Fullmetal, spear in hand. Guilt wormed it's way into Hoenheim at the sight of his son. Edward was short for his age...that proved it, he couldn't delay any longer. Besides that his son very closely resembled him. The long hair that was held up, in his son's case in a braid and those same honey eyes.

Ed rolled his eyes and tossed a microphone to the side before walking up to the Flame and poking him lightly in the back with his spear. "I seriously can't believe you fell for that. You're no better than Cornel-"

Suddenly he cursed and jumped backward as 'Mustang' exploded. Edward stumbled in the wave of heat and fell onto his back, staring at what was left of the dummy. From behind him the real Mustang emerged. "I can't believe you fell for that Fullmetal," he said, smirking as he stepped in front of Edward. Ed glared wordless up at the man, waiting for his next move. Mustang's fingers came together to form a flame that went soaring at the younger alchemist.

Hoenheim's fatherly instincts urged him to rush forward and push Ed out of the way, but he knew Ed was in no real harm. This was just a duel...right? He was proven correct when the fire died just before it could singe the boy's bangs. Mustang held out a gloved hand which was ignored as Ed chose to help himself up. "I let you win," he announced.

"Uh-huh," said Mustang, dropping his hand. The man's smirk was still in place and refusing to budge.

Slowly the crowd began to dissolve back into the city. Hoenheim closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath or two, to prepare himself. By the time he opened his eyes again Ed and the Flame were already gone. He blinked confused, before he spotted the obnoxious read coat his son had been wearing disappear into the building. Taking his time Hoenheim followed them, only to be stopped at the front desk by a rather pretty dark-haired woman. "May I help you?"

"Sorry but only Colonel Mustang can help me now," he said not in the mood for small talk.

"Alright then," she said as she turned to press a button.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye speaking."

"There's a man here who'd like to speak with the Colonel, may I send him up?"

There was a pause on the other end. "Go right ahead, today's been rather slow so they shouldn't be interrupted."

Hoenheim nodded his thanks at the woman before getting the directions and making his way through the building. When he finally reached the rather large doorway he felt as if he was about to willing enter hell. He paused as he had out on the battle field before knocking on the door. The blonde haired woman who answered looked shocked at seeing him. "You're here for the Colonel?"

"Something like that," said Hoenheim honestly.

She stared at him for the longest time before opening the door, allowing him to enter. The room was fairly cozy for an office and by the looks of it much work wasn't getting done. He could practically feel the waves of disapproval coming from the woman next to him. Two of the men were playing cards while a third stared out the window. The woman, Hawkeye he guessed turned to him. "Excuse me."

She walked over to another pair of doors that he presumed to lead to Mustang's personal office. She opened the door and poked her head in, said something to the people inside, and turned and walked about to Hoenheim. "He'll be a moment."

Another second later Mustang emerged from the office, his face confident and smug. "I apologize for the wait but one of my subordinates and I had some issues that needed to be cleared-" he trailed off as his eyes focused on the man he was speaking of. "Well this is surprising."

Hoenheim blinked at the man. "You know me?"

"I was asked to find you a few years ago. The Fuhrer had some questions about some pictures involving you," explained Mustang.

Hoenheim swore loudly. This was definitely bad, the fact that the military was catching on made it even more important he was here. "Is the military still interested in me?" he asked warily.

Mustang opened his mouth to respond only to be interrupted by the doors swinging open and a loud voice saying, "Dammit Mustang you said you'd be-" Ed froze as he took in the scene, his eyes flashing from person to person, finally landing on Hoenheim. "You!" he hissed. "What the hell are you doing here!?"

"Finally someone gets to the point," sighed Hoenheim. "I'm here to..."

"It's called a retorical question bastard!"

"Is that any way to address a parent?" demanded Hoenheim, his temper sparking up.

"You're not a bastard you're the bastard," hissed Edward.

"How tall are you?" demanded Hoenheim.

Edward blinked at the random direction this coversation had took. "That's none of your business!"

"Have you grown at all in the past year?"

Edward's eyes widened at that statement before he lashed out again. "Of course I have!"

"You're lying," said Hoenheim simply. Edward stared at him, his eyes burning with anger. This is what he'd been afraid of. He sighed. "There's something I need to tell you..."

"Damn right there is," mumbled Ed.

"Something I'd rather tell you alone," continued Hoenheim staring at his son, his tone suddenly calm and serious.

"Fat chance."

"Do you trust them?" he demanded. Ed looked confused so he elaborated, gesturing around the room. "Do you trust the people in this room with your life? Do you trust them not to sell you out?"

Every eye in the room turned to Ed who nodded curtly. "I'm not going to listen to you anyway," he hissed.

Hoenheim almost chuckled. Ed was too much like himself and because of that he knew the kid was probably being eaten alive by his curiosity. Hoenheim shrugged. "Suit yourself," he stood up and made his way back to the door. "Just don't say I didn't try."

"Wait," said Mustang, clearly curious. "Whatever this is it's a big deal. I say we hear him out."

Hoenheim's eyes focused on Mustang, trying to read him. "The information is not for you or the military," he said. "If anyone found out it could be harmful for not only me but for both of my sons."

At the mention of Alphonse Ed changed. He tried to not show it but his eyes gave away his concern and sudden interest in the subject.

"No offense but I know more secrets involving your sons than you do," said Mustang coolly. Ed glared at him. "If I wanted to cause either Elric brothers harm I could've and would've done it long ago."

Hoenheim stared at him for a long moment, before turning to Edward. "You obviously hate me and rightfully so, but if you've got any sense at all you'll listen. You're in just as much trouble as I am."

"Trouble?" demanded Roy.

Hoenheim sighed and stared up at the clock. "This is a rather long story..."

"I've got time," responded Roy, ignoring a seething Hawkeye. "And so does Ed."

Edward glanced up, but said nothing as he determinedly stared out the window. Hoenheim sighed, searching for his brain for a place to start. Should he come out and say it? No might scare him off before he could explain. "I guess I'll have to start from the beginning."

Yeah I know cliffhanger and what not. Sorry this chapter was kinda boring, but don't worry it'l get better...I promise. Let me know what you think!