VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:
There are certain things you need to know before reading this story.
Firstly,this fiction is written in a script format,almost like an actual script for the voice actors to read.
Secondly,you would come across a lot words that are bolded (Practically Hysterical) .It's for you to imagine how the certain character would act at that point.It's all food for the imagination which brings me to a very important point as well.
The characters here are a bit of a cross between the anime version of FMA and the manga version.This is what I think creates the perfect FMA character.Example,Roy is too emo at times in the anime while in the manga he is more level headed.The anime is too serious, less moments of comedy as compared to the manga which is more balance.This is just my opinion.But,overall,I love both.Events in this story are a combination of both anime and manga.You will see what I mean in the later chapters.
I'm trying to provide a hopefully believable story ,something that seems almost as if it was written by BONES itself.So,there are no own character.I'm sticking to the characters existing in the anime and manga.
I'm also open to constructive criticism.
Lastly,a lot of this story as I mentioned earlier has got to do with imagination.Imagine while you are reading,that you are watching an anime of this story.If there are parts you require explanation (As some are done based on the characters understanding of each other eg. (Understanding look) between Roy and Riza could mean many things.It's best if you understand each characters problems and conflicts) just pm me or something?
Happy reading!!
Chapter 01
Munich, Germany
Ed is resting on the sidewalk while Al grabs something to eat.
Ed:Aargh!!I can't stand this anymore! We have searched everywhere and yet there is still no sign of that bomb…..
(Sighs) Let's give up Aru!!
Al,after having bought a few breadrolls,turned back to Ed.
Aru:Nii-san!!This is not like you to quit so easily. Try to be positive!!
Ed:(Practically hysterical) Positive??!!We are back to the very same place we started out on our journey years ago!!(Gestures exaggeratingly at the area)Tell me, how positive can I get?
Aru:(Sweat drops)Well. it's true…
Ed:Is that food in your hands?
Without waiting for an answer,Ed grabs a bread roll from Al's hand.
Al:Really Nii-san!!Couldnt you be a bit more polite?
Ed doesn't answer but grabs another bread roll from Al
Al:Hey!!Save some for me!!
Ed:Ahh….I feel better already…(Sighs contentedly)
While sitting on the sidewalk after a meal, both Ed and Al are contemplating. both lost in their own thoughts….
Al:Nii- san?
(Doesn't wait for an answer and likewise Ed does not respond)
How do you think the others are doing?
Ed:(Absentmindedly)…Ah…Hyuzu..probably having a happy time with Gracia san…Took him a while to actually propose to her..
Al:No. I meant everyone..on the other side….Grandma Pinako,Den,Winry…
Ed:(Look changes momentarily of shock then into sadness.)..I don't know..
Al:Ahh..I almost forgot…Taisa..he has done so much for us…I wish I had the chance to thank him….
Ed:Enough!!!(Get's up, brushes his coat, grabs suitcase and walks off)
Al:Eh??Nii-san!!Wait Up!!
Ed:(Stops..but doesn't turn to look at Al.Instead he stares straight ahead)
Al:Nii-san!!Why are you running away? What are you afraid of?Eversince our return to this world,everytime I try to approach this subject..you just turn away. Why? I know you miss them…So ..
Ed:So what Al? What can I do even if I miss them?
Al: Well...you can talk about them...Relieve your memories of them… Nii-san, let us share these memories together…Remember...it does not belong to you alone...I miss them just as much…I never remembered most of them when I lost my memory 2 years ago..(pauses) It must have been hard for them….I wish I could go back and tell them I'm sorry…Show them we have regained what we have lost…..Share stories of our journey in this world…
Ed:That's a dream…..and…my hand..(pauses) It's still automail…..
A silent moment pass….
Al:Let's go back to the gate hidden in the ruins of the Thule society..I have been wanting to go back there for some time now…
Ed:For what? It's futile..It's not like we will be able to get back!(Look of deep regret)The gate on the other side is destroyed….Sometimes..I still wonder what made me return (Looks wonderingly and sad looks descends on his face) (Mumbles skeptically) What was I thinking of then?
Al: It's for the best of both worlds…
Ed: But...I dragged you along into this mess…..Now you can't go back because of me.
Al: Remember what I said when I followed Nii san into this world? I said I wanted to see the things you see, grow with Nii-san and share Nii-san's memories….We crossed over this world…through that gate….This..is part of your memory..and mine….Take me back to that place…Please….
Ed:Aru…
Silence…
Ed:(Smiles with a defeated look)Come….
At Central City Headquarters, Fuhrer's Office,
Roy:(Sighs and lean back into chair) Looks like my paperwork's done for the day….(Mumbling)How annoying…Why does a Fuhrer have to do paperwork?
Riza:Well..who told you that a Fuhrer didn't have paperwork?(Smiles )
Roy:(Sighs) Life is pretty boring….being the Fuhrer…I miss the good old days…when Hyuzu was still around… (Smiles sadly)You know..I'll give anything to have him back again..even if he were to annoy me endlessly with pictures of his family…..
Riza: (Looks at Roy) I know…
A moment of silence follows. Both are reminiscing about the old times…
Roy:It's been a while since I visited Hyuzu….Eversinced I became Fuhrer,there were so many things to be done to rebuilt this country…..
Riza:I'm sure he understands…
Roy:He was suppose to walk this path with me..to the very top…..And he left too soon….
A moment of silence ensues…
Riza:Shall I go get some flowers?
Roy: Huh? (Looks at Riza and then a brief realization dawns on his face. Gets up and gathers his trench coat) Come…let's go..
Riza:(Smiles briefly)
At the Thule's society ruins…
Al:Wow…everything is in ruins…doesn't look the way we last left it a year ago….Somebody must have wrecked this place or something…
Ed:(Ed doesn't reply but walks on silently)
Al:It feels kinda cold in here..I can almost sense the loneliness of this place...
Ed suddenly stops and looks up.Al bumps into his brother due to the sudden stop..
Al:Nii-san..Why did you stop suddenl (Al stops and looks up)
Ed:This is where Oyaji was killed….by Envy. He was beseeching me to use him and Envy as the passage fee….I couldn't do it..So..(gulps)…he made Envy kill him..and at that very instant you activated the door…….
Al:Using Wrath and Gluttony as a sacrifice….(Looks sadly)…To-san..
Then suddenly….
Al:Thank you oto-san!!Without you..I would never have been able to be with Nii-san …I will never forget it!!
Ed:What?(Snaps back into a bit of old self) Don't say useless things….(face reddens)
Al:(Grins happily)Oh..Nii-san..You should say thank you to Wrath. He helped too!!
Ed:I'm going to go take a look around…It's mighty dark in here…
Ed walks a bit further off then mumbles….
Ed: Thank you….Wrath…Oyaji
Al: Wait! There is an old lantern there...Let's see whether it still can be lighted.
Approaches the lantern on the floor….
Al:Well…there's still a bit of candle left there..We need a spark…
At the military's cemetery, In front of Hyuzu's grave,
Roy puts a bouquet of flowers in front of the gravestone..There is also another bouquet of fresh flowers there..
Riza:It's probably Elysia and her mom..
A moment of silence passes…
Roy:Yo,Hyuzu..It's been a while….The country is doing good now..Civil wars with neighbouring countries have long ceased..I'm doing everything can to rebuild this country..To provide peace and happiness to all…
Roy:Fool!!!You were not suppose to die before me..I have said it countless times..and I will continue saying so…(Pulls beret down)
Another moment of silence passes.Riza just stands a little way behind Roy….
Roy:I have achieved the dream we both sought for…..You can rest in peace now…
(Moment of silence in salutation of what once was…)
Riza:It's getting dark…
Then..Roy turns and gently takes Riza's hand. He slowly turns and glances at Hyuzu's grave...and smirks slightly
Roy:Oh..and I did what you asked…
After a few steps….
Riza:You forgot to tell him about the Elric brothers…..
Roy:I guess I'll save it for the next visit….He was always looking out for them….and goes out of his way to solve their problems for them…Sometimes..he makes me feel like such a useless adult…I can't help wondering..If I had paid closer attention to what was going on…They might not even have to lose so much…They might still be here..
Riza:You just had other more important things to worry about….Hyuzu and I knew that you cared for the brothers too…Everytime there is a situation involving them..you just become disturbed and lose all your cool judgment over things…and it was something you couldn't afford to do….
Roy:(Smiles slightly)It was that obvious…
Riza:(Pauses) Sometimes…there are many things we have to sarcrifice for a greater purpose…At that time, we needed you more than the Elric brothers….So,Hyuzu took their matters into his own hands…. At the same time, he cared a lot for them too.
Roy looks briefly into Riza's eyes for comfort and reassurance. They reach an unspoken understanding.
Roy: I miss the times when Fullmetal was still here...the chaos he caused at almost every town he visited was amusing…..And his reaction whenever someone commented on his height…..
Riza:That is just like Ed…
Roy:Yea…. The last time I saw him..He seemed to have grown quite a bit.
Riza:That is a good sign..after all..he's almost nineteen now…
Roy: I can still remember the very first time saw Fullmetal…He was lying down on the bed…without an arm and leg..He was so small then….And the day he received the National Alchemist qualification….He was still so full of innocence..not knowing where the path would someday take him…With him was Al,just and empty armour with a soul…Now..he's all grown up….with his little brother Al….It seems like just one moment that I turned away, and when I turned back..they had already grown beyond me..without me realizing..(pauses) There are many things I wished I could have changed.
Riza:You did what you felt best at that time….
Moment of silence….Both of them continues walking….
Roy: Stops momentarily)..I have always wanted to show you the place where it happened.. …It's destroyed now…..but I wanted you to see it.
At the Thule's society ruins…
Al manages to light the candle and it lights up the ruins..
Al:Ahh,finally..We can see more clearly now..Right Nii-san?(Realizes Ed doesn't answer and is looking down)..Nii-san?
Ed:The symbol is still here…(Bends down on his knees and touches the alchemy circle)It looks quite faded now…
Suddenly ,Ed picks up a rock and starts scratching on the floor, trying to retrace the symbol…
Al:Nii-san? What are you trying to do?
Ed doesn't answer until he finished marking the symbol on the ground…..
Ed:(Sweating)What am I doing?(Flops down with defeated look in his eyes)This.is hopeless..What am I thinking of..
Al:(Approaches Ed and puts a comforting hand on Ed's shoulder)..Nii-san…..
At the lost city, beneath the Fuhrer's office…
Riza:So this is where it started…..
Roy: And ended…I regret having to destroy the gate...But.It had to be done….Fullmetal knew that too…
Roy then bends down and looks at the faintly etched symbol on the floor and the dry blood.Slowly,he reaches his hand forward to touch the symbol..
At the same time….Back at the Thule's society ruins,
Ed:(Grabs the rubble around him in anger)Why am so pathetic…(Blood is now visible on his hand from gripping the rocks too tightly.)
Ed subconsciously touches the symbol with his bloodied left hand. As his and Roy's hand both touches the alchemical symbol, a bright light erupts from both sides.
On Ed's side,
Al:Nii-san!!What's happening?
Ed:I don't know. It seems to be some sort of reaction!!
Before they had time to react, the two are standing in front of the Door. All the previous surroundings of the Thule society seemed to have disappeared..
Al:(Panic in his voice)Nii-san!!I don't understand!!The gate was supposed to be destroyed on the other side!!
Ed:What the hell!!
The gates suddenly open, and the bright light emitted blind them.Ed and Al could feel inhumanly hands fastening themselves on them….
Ed:AHHHH!!
Al:AHHHH!!
