WOOT WOOT! Got some more reviews! By the way, I'm planning on going back and adding more detail to the first few chapters once I get further along. Biology sucks, so I probably wont get to my other stories until a few more days. BUT! I will probably do a double-update this weekend, since it's labor day!
I went back through this chapter and Mustang was really OOC, so I tried to change it a bit. I'm probably going to tweak it some more later, but I have an update to get back to
Dusk
Chapter 3
Diagnosis
Point of View: Colonel Roy Mustang: Flame Alchemist
As Edward continued to flail about on the hospital bed, I began to panic. I would never say it to his face, or out loud, for that matter, but I always had thought of Edward like something akin to a son, my young charge if you will. Seeing the horrified look in his eyes made me feel uneasy; I had the sudden (and strange) urge to comfort him. Without thinking twice, but three times, I began to do what I felt was the best thing for the boy; I cautiously outstretched my arms, and pulled him into a warm embrace. Edward immediately began to calm down, and actually began to lean into me, to my surprise. After all, injured or not, this was Fullmetal.
"Um...Ssh?, It's okay, Fullmetal, erm, Edward, It's alright…" I whispered, trying to calm him down. It's the first time that I can remember showing this kind of affection towards anyone, especially one of my subordinates. But Fullmetal was different; he wasn't like my other subordinates, no. He was always trying to be brave for his brother, for everyone around him, and always put up those damn emotional barriers, so that no one would worry about him. Always angry, obnoxious, and with a chip on his shoulder that could rival Knox. But on the inside, he was not the brave, fearless Fullmetal Alchemist, Hero of the People; he was just a scared and hurt little kid who had to grow up much too fast. It truly felt right, me comforting him; a small part of me wished that he could stay here, like this (I mentally laughed at the thought). To my surprise, Edward fell into a somewhat peaceful sleep.
And I smiled.
Point of View: Major Edward Elric: Fullmetal Alchemist
The beast continued to pounce on me. Roy was doing what he could to distract he monster, but was failing miserably. It bit and clawed and, if not for the automail, would have chomped off my arm. As soon as I finally got the damn thing off of me, I turned to look at him, but he was gone. Roy was gone. The beast smiled a wicked smile, as if she were saying "Oh? So the bastard is gone?", and tried to pounce on me again. I put up my right arm to try and defend myself as it continued to attack. So many thoughts running through my mind, hoping desperately that I can survive this, and return Al to his normal body. The beast looked at me with a devilish smirk as it shot out a web, ensnaring me in it's grasp. It towered over me as sickly red saliva leaked from its mouth and onto my face. It came a little closer, it's teeth so close to the meal it wanted to consume. And as I waited for the final blow, I was met with silence...but Death never came, for someone else had my back. It was Mustang, defending me, protecting me.
As the Colonel stood over me, everything began to fade, like a newspaper left in the rain. The monster's screams, the death, the pain, and even the purple hills. Everything fell away, and for the first time in my life, I felt safe.
And I smiled
Point of View: Colonel Roy Mustang: Flame Alchemist
Alphonse stared, amazed that I actually got Edward to fall asleep in my arms, simply by hugging him, no less. If armor could smile, his grin would be as wide as Central Command. He nodded to himself, and walked out of the room to explain to everyone else what had happened.
I smiled, and looked back at Edward. I felt a pang of sympathy for the boy in my arms when he began to clasp me tighter, almost as if he depended on me. Surely Edward wouldn't have done anything of the sort if he was in his right mind, but I suppose that I should just enjoy it while it lasts.
I was abruptly pulled out of my musings when the doctor finally entered the room, with a look of concern on her face. She approached me, assuming that I was his father by the way I held him. Finally, she spoke.
"Well, Mr. Mustang, I'm afraid that I have good news, and bad news. I suppose that I'll start with the good news. The good news it that we have closed most of his wounds, and he is healing nicely; the bad news, however, is that we have detected something from the blood sample, something that could not be there under any normal circumstances." The doctor said, with a growing look of fear in her dark brown eyes.
"Well, what is it, doctor? Is there something in his blood?" I said, practically being murdered by the suspense.
"Well, it isn't a matter of what is in his blood, Colonel, but the blood itself…." The doctor said, trailing off"
"What do you mean? You aren't making any sense!" I said, nearly falling from my seat.
"Well, we have no idea how, but… some of his blood cells…have turned… black"
They both sat there for a moment as Roy tried to absorb what the doctor had said.
"H… How is that poss…" I froze, and looked over to the boy, and from the blood that dribbled down from his mouth, the black-laced terror, I was forced to believe.
Roy began to contemplate what had happened to Edward. He reflected on the array that was drawn into the floor. In spite of it being covered in blood, he could recall a few of the symbols within it. Finally, he remembered what one of them meant. It was the symbol for blood, but it had been altered, somehow. It had a square on the outside, instead of a circle. Now it all made sense, it was him… the madman changed Edward's blood, and Roy was pissed.
"Sir, are you alright?" the doctor said, once again pulling Roy out of his musings.
"Oh, yes… well, as 'alright' as I could be, given the circumstances…" Roy said, with a hint of sadness and annoyance in his voice.
"I understand, but, I unfortunately have some more bad news" the doctor began, causing Roy to quickly look up.
"Well, as strange as it sounds, a few of his organs have been tampered with. It appears as though some of them have been moved slightly upward, causing his breathing to be labored. We did what we could, but only made a little bit of progress… Luckily, his breathing is only slightly strained, so his life probably isn't in danger. But one more thing: it also seems as though his bladder has become… well… smaller, so he will have to urinate much more often than he should." The doctor said, speaking in a methodical, professional voice despite the lingering gloom.
"But, other than that, he'll be fine! He can probably leave the hospital tomorrow! But we will need to check back to make sure his blood stays stable" The doctor added, trying to lighten the mood.
I looked down at the boy, feeling sadness and remorse.
If only he had let the boy leave earlier, then we could have avoided all this. Now he has even more problems to deal with.
Edward tugged on the older man's shirt, whimpering from the pain he was forced to endure. All my fault, he said to himself, and for the first time in years, Roy Mustang, the 'Hero of Ishval', lowered his head as silent tears rolled down his face.
Wow, that chapter turned out better than I thought! Please review! Feed my review monster, or else it will eat you! NOM NOM NOM!
~OhHolyCow!