Ed and Al were walking to Leera s house. Al was looking around to see if there were any good examples of the life cycle.
There are too many to choose from, nii-san! How do I choose? Al asked, exasperated.
Just choose one that you think only you would come up with. Ed replied. As I said, it can be any example of the life cycle.
Al frowned. Ed laughed. Don t worry; you ll be able to find something before class tomorrow. Ed said.
They were at Christopher s house by then. Christopher was running around, being chased by his father. Maark. When Maark saw them he smiled.
Hey, Edward. He greeted, patting Ed on the back. It s been a while since you ve visited.
Yeah, sorry about that. I ve been a little busy. Ed replied. Besides, Leera invited us over for dinner. And you know what would happen if we didn t come. The two imagined Leera going on a rant, yelling and screaming. They laughed together over that one.
Well, come on in, Maark said. You re always welcome here, being the teacher.
Why thank you, you re so kind. Ed responded teasingly. The two walked into the house.
Hello, Ed, Leera called from the kitchen. She came out with a bowl in her hands, and an apron on. Thanks for coming over tonight.
No problem, Leera. Ed replied kindly. It was kind of you to invite Al and me over for dinner tonight. Of course we would accept your offer. Ed smiled.
Your welcome, Ed. She replied. Though it amazes me every time to listen to you talk; you talk like an adult.
Well, I try my best. Ed replied. If you can talk the talk, people might give you a bit more respect.
Well, you ve earned the respect of everyone in the village, Edward. Maark told him, motioning him to sit down. Being a teacher at such a young age. And you are considered to be a genius.
Not really, Ed replied modestly. He heard people talking about him like that in the Military, so he knew how to avoid talking about it.
Nonsense, you re very smart, Edward. We re lucky to have someone of your incredible caliber in this town.
Ed smiled. He was glad he could help. The villagers had let them in without any explanation. They had also never pressed or pried into his past. It was the least he could do for them. So the two made small talk until dinner was ready.
Dinner s ready! Leera called from the kitchen.
Alright. Maark called back. Would you go get Al and Chris for me? (Chris being Christopher, and probably will be Chris from now in) Maark asked, heading towards the kitchen. I m going to help bring the food out.
Sure, Ed replied, getting up. He walked towards the front door and opened it. He looked outside to see that Al and Chris were running around. He smiled.
Al, Chris! Dinner! Ed called. The two ran inside upon hearing Ed s call. They rushed past him. Make sure you wash your hands. Ed told them.
Hai! The two said in unison, running to the bathroom.
The two came out a few minutes later with their hands cleaned. Have fun you two? Leera asked, setting down their plates in front of them.
Yeah! The two exclaimed before going into fill de tail of what they did together. Ed took a seat in between Maark and Al.
This looks good, Leera. Ed commented, taking a bite of the pasta.
Thanks. Leera replied sitting down next to Chris and Maark.
How s the construction going? Ed asked. Maark was the head of the construction team that would be building the new library for the town.
Things are running along smoothly. He replied, a satisfied look on his face. I believe it will be done within the two next months.
That s great. Ed responded. He was looking forward to reading some of the new books that the library would hold.
There was a knock on the door. I ll go get it, Ed replied, getting up. He walked over to the front door and opened it. It was the town mayor, Matt LaVerne. Hello, Mr. LaVerne, Ed greeted the mayor. How can I help you? He asked.
Hello Edward, The mayor greeted warmly. Is Maark home? He asked.
Yes he is, Ed replied. Why don t you come on in while I get him? Ed replied, stepping out of the way for the mayor to come in.
The mayor stepped through the door. Ed went to get Maark. Maark, He said as he entered the kitchen again. The mayor wants you.
Maark got up. Thanks, Edward, Maark replied. He walked out of the kitchen with Ed behind him.
Ah, Maark, Mr. LaVerne said. We have a slight problem.
What is it, Matt? Maark asked. Maark and Matt were close friends.
We need a few books from the town over. Do you think you could go over and get them? He asked.
Hmm, Maark replied. He looked back towards the kitchen where his wife and son were. Ed saw this.
If you want, Ed cut in. I ll make the trip. Maark looked over to Ed appreciatively.
Really, Edward? He asked. Ed nodded. A grin broke onto Maark s face. Thank you.
No problem, Maark. Ed replied. If Al can stay here for a few days until I return, I ll be glad to do it.
Its fine with me, and I m sure Leera won t mind once she hears why you re going. Maark said. He turned to the mayor. Is this alright with you? He asked.
Of course. He returned warmly. I m sure nothing will go wrong with Edward here doing the retrieval. Mr. LaVerne said. Edward nodded in agreement.
_
The next day Ed was walking along the road. He was glad that Al didn t complain. He was sent off with a smiling little brother, as well as the rest of the students in his class, as well as some of the parents.
~Start Flashback~
Man, you d think there was royalty leaving here, Ed joked. Everyone laughed.
Leera walked up to Ed. Here Ed, She gave him a package. This is from Maark and me. Ed opened the package. It was a cloak. He smiled as he held it out. He was even more amused when he saw that it was his same red cloak, except longer. He put it on.
Thanks, Ed said to Leera. This is great.
Well, we thought you d like it. It was the one you were wearing when you came into Sage. Leera smiled. Ed nodded. It was his favorite. He wore it all the time on the other side.
Well, I ll be going now. Ed stated after he had patted his brother s head. You be good now, Al. Don t get into any trouble.
Don t worry, Nii-san. Al replied. I ll be good.
Great. Ed said before walking off.
~End Flashback~
Ed smiled at the thought. He was now walking along at a steady pace with his brown suitcase with him, just as he had before. Brings back memories Ed thought to himself, thinking back to the time where he and an older Al had traveled looking for the Philosopher s Stone.
While going through his past memories, he suddenly stopped when he saw this strange blue vortex come up. He was about to go through the forest when he heard someone crying. He looked back to see that a little girl was being sucked in by the portal. Ed ran to help the girl. Once he arrived at the portal, he put a hand out towards the girl. Take my hand! Ed yelled. Quick!
The girl did as she was told. She grabbed onto Ed s hand, and he pulled her out. But, as he put the girl down away from the portal, he was sucked back into it. Onii-san! The girl called after him. But it was too late; the portal was closing, and Ed was slowly losing consciousness.