And so here we are, the third and final chapter of the Zanzibar trilogy. Before we get started, I'd like to give special thanks to my sister, who gave me a crash course on tempo and provided the chat log in the second movement, and my friend Rob, who came up with the whole tempo idea in the first place. I'd also like to thank any person who waited for this chapter. I probably don't know who you are, but thanks.
And, with that said:
Full Metal Alchemist is the sole property of Hiromu Arikawa, Square Enix, Aniplex, and Funimation. All rights are reserved by them, and I own nothing. Lyrics from "Morning Bell/Amnesiac" belong to Radiohead. Royed and Winrose and all the original characters belong to you. Really.
Zanzibar: The Third Section
The Grand Beginning of the Great Staircase to the Land of the Foot That's So Slow
Overture: Of the Seven Swans and Bellyaching Wishes
12/8, Mezzo Forte-Mezzo Piano.
Andantino.
When I was younger, I remember being told that I was special. I remember listening with the others, as they said what they were going to do once they were older. One wanted to live among the redwoods in California, another wanted to wander around Yosemite for a couple of years, then settle somewhere on the Appalachians. And the older ones would stand there and smile. I didn't know then that those smiles were plastered there, that they knew what was really going on, and where we were really going.
I'd expect that from phonies now. Phonies don't tell you anything. Phonies sit there and smile and tell you, "Yes, honey, whatever you want to be."
No one told me that when I would grow big and strong, people would come and cut me down. No one told me that someday I would have myself flattened, shaped, hacked into, painted garish, whorish colors, and put outside for all to see.
I guess that's how all things turn out, I guess. In the end, we're all made to be doors.
I guess I should make my story quick, then. Everyone knows how it begins. I'm sure a few people know how it ends, too.
I remember Whatshisface popping me in the hinges for the first time. Yeah, good old Whatshisface, with that stupid blue jacket or whatever. You know, my brother Addie had a blue jacket, you should have seen it. It had gold on it, too. It was really nice, but a bit beat up. He died a couple of years back, so I guess I shouldn't really talk about him.
Anyway, Whatshisface lived with some pink haired girl, Couldntgiveacrap. They hung out together, for what I couldn't understand. Maybe it was something the soft people call marriage. I bet that's some phony thing soft people like to do. Either way, they sat there every day, and they'd just sit there and cry. Apparently, they had committed some kind of "sin" or something. Don't ask me what that means. I'm just a door. It's probably something really dumb and stupid, anyway.
Then, one day, some Jerk comes pounding on me. That just killed me. I mean, come on, hasn't this guy heard of politeness and respect? That's a phony for you: they just keep pounding and pounding and pounding on you and then they expect you to go, "Yes, sir! I'll open just for you!"
Asshole. How 'bout I pound on you, just to see how you'd feel, huh?
So I go take a look at Jerk, and I can't help but think that he looks a lot like Whatshisface. I mean, he has that facial shape and everything. But he's got gold eyes, so I guess it wasn't too much like Whatshisface. It's kind of like how me and Addie (or was it Addie and I? God damn teachers, they're all phonies, except Mr. McGovern) look alike, almost down to the same looking bark. His bark was always better looking, and you should have seen this guy play baseball. I mean, it would just be me, Addie, and Liz, and we'd just wait for Addie to hit a flyball, and it just go for miles! Miles and Miles! Any ball he'd hit we'd never see again! Watching him was better than how it is now.
And then, as if I needed it, Jerk and Whatshisface start yelling at each other, while Couldntgiveacrap just cries again, for the millionth time. Jesus Christ, don't these soft people ever run out of water? If I cried that much when I was a tree, I'd lose my sap. Maybe I should have cried, maybe then people would see that they couldn't use me and leave me the hell alone.
And then I start breaking. Yeah, it isn't enough for this bastard to pound on me, now he has to break me down, too. And nobody's even bothering to help, not even Jerk or his broad (oh yeah, he had a broad there, I forgot to say that). I'm cracking, for Christ's sake! Nobody sees that? Nobody? No, they're just jabbering on and on about Fuhrers and shit like that (what the hell's a Fuhrer, anyway, some sort of sandwich?).
Then I break. Yeah, I break, and Jerk's in. And I'm in pieces on the floor. Well, isn't that just beauty-goddamn-ful? They're still yelling at each other, too. Hello, I'm here! It's your door, I've been hanging around for sixteen freaking years! Huh, really?
So, now I'm here, and yeah, they're still yelling. It's a real blockbuster. I have a brother in Hollywood, maybe he could use it so he can hang around his phony friends and drink wine and shit.
Seriously, does it really take this long for a door to die?
First Movement: With the Way I've Been Treating you, You Could Say I'm the Hangman (Wither Spoons Height)
27/16, Fortissimo.
Animato.
INT. Royed. He moves forward to face Roy, and spits into his face.
Royed
So, you honestly thought I would never, ever find you? It was really simple, you know. You're still in the phone book.
Roy wipes the saliva from his face.
Roy
You weren't supposed to exist. Men don't get pregnant.
Royed
Yeah, tell that to seahorses.
(Winrose runs up to Royed. There is a close up of her hands grasping one of his.)
Winrose
Look, just forget about it!
Royed turns to Winrose. She is trying to hold back from crying, rather unsuccessfully.
You have me, you have Pinoko, and you lived in the countryside! Why does this matter? What's the point?
Royed
(Voice grows louder as he continues)
You want a point? Fine, I'll give you one. I had a mother. He was an honorable man. All he wanted was to help his brother. He could have gladly lived forever and a day if his brother could feel again. If he could bleed again. Then this bastard came along. This bastard raped my mother, and then ran off with his tail between his legs!
Roy
It wasn't rape. It was a bet. There's a difference.
Royed stares at Roy for a moment.
Royed
(softly)
Did you love my mother?
Roy
What?
Royed
(slightly louder)
Did you love my mother?
Roy
I said it before, there's a difference between--
Royed
(screaming)
Did you love my mother? Answer the question!
Roy
(sighs) Did I love him like a son? Yes. Did I love him like a close friend? Yes. But, I could never love him as a lover would. There was nothing but lust that night. (He laughs, trying to calm the tense surroundings) Alcohol makes you do some crazy things. He kind of looks like Riza from behind, you know. That's the girl I loved.
Ochione
(In a schoolmarmish, mocking tone)
Roy, who said that you could have feelings for Riza?
ENTER Ochione. She is a raven haired figure of medium height, and medium build. She wears a kimono, blue and patterned with migrating salmon. She holds out her hand and balls it into a fist. Roy screams and crumples to the floor.
Don't mess with the OTP of God.
Royed stares at the crumpled body of Roy. He looks down on Ochione in horror.
Royed
Ochione…You're the one behind all this.
Ochione
(grins) You finally figured it out. Then again, you never really were the brightest of any of my creations.
She chuckles as vines begin to sprout from her stomach.
Royed
What…what the hell is this?
The vines enwrap Royed. He screams loudly as the vines retract into her.
Royed
Someone help me! Roy!
(Roy is still crumpled on the floor. He takes no notice.)
Rose!
(Rose curls into a ball and cries.)
Winrose?
(Winrose looks away. Royed stares at her as he slides into Ochione's stomach.)
Kuteandkawaii231 10:40 PM: look, ur being kinda wacky.
Fullmetalflame!!10:40 PM: i dont care!! its how i feel, and u blu me off!!
Kuteandkawaii231 10:41 PM: im sorri that what happened, happened today, but u shouldnt have…blurted it out so loudly!
Fullmetalflame!! 10:41 PM: well, u shouldnt have rUn away!! u couldve h4v3 helped me!! I mean, wahy kind of friend just lets that happen!!
Kuteandkawaii231 10:42 PM: I was kinda still freaked out over what u told me…
Fullmetalflame!! 10:42 PM: freaked out!? I thought ud understand! Weve been together for YEARS
Kuteandkawaii231 10:42 PM: yea, but not in the way youd like to think, ochione.
Fullmetalflame!! 10:43 PM: I thought u knew i thought u felt the same way tatsuko?Q!!
Kuteandkawaii231 10:43 PM: i dont ochione. im sorri, but i dont!!
Fullmetalflame!! 10:43 PM: could u ever lyke me?
KawaiibomoonlightisGOD! 10;43 PM: HEY GUYS!! HOW YA DOING?? XDDDDD
Kuteandkawaii231 signed off at 10:43 PM
Fullmetalflame!! signed off at 10:43 PM
KawaiibomoonlightisGOD! 10:44 PM:SIGH They're avoiding me again…..
KawaiibomoonlightisGOD! signed off at 10:44 PM
Kuteandkawaii231 signed on at 10:59 PM
Fullmetalflame!! signed on at 11:00 PM
Fullmetalflame!! 11:00 PM: tatsuko u neveh answered my q.
Kuteandkawaii231 11:00 PM: im sorri, but i cant. i have a bf!! i only lye u lyke a friend!! nothing more!!1!
Fullmetal/flame!! 11:02 PM: what would u do if i killed myself??
Kuteandkawaii231 11:02 PM: ochione!! how could u think of such a thing?? U know how i feel about that!!
Fullmetal/flame!! 11:03 PM: i knew it u wouldnt care
Fullmetal/flame!! 11:04 PM:goodbye, tatsuko.
Fullmetal/flame!! signed off at 11:04 PM
Kuteandkawaii231 11:05 PM: of course i would care, ochione!!
Fullmetal/flame!! is not signed on.
Second Movement: A Sort of Temporary Lay-Off
6/8. Pianissimo.
Andante.
Hello?
Is anyone there?
Hey you!
Yes, you!
Why are you staring at me?
Where are you? What's with all this glass? Can you hear me?
If you can, I seem to be stuck in someone's stomach. I think she made Roy rape Ed or something, and I'm the product. Can you help me?
Please help me. My girlfriend left me, I abandoned Pinoko, and now Ochione's going to digest me. What am I supposed to do? I just wanted some damn money for food and stuff! Was that so wrong? Do I really have to be eaten for that?
God, I've been such an idiot.
Come, on, someone help me!
Help!
Help!
It's all right, I'm here.
Third Movement: Transitions and Filler
3/4. Ad Lib.
"And who the hell are you?" asked Royed.
"Me?" answered the blond haired boy. He scratched his head, and then shook it, shaking the hair that grew to his midsection. "Well, I'm just a figure of imagination, I guess."
Royed rolled his eyes. "Great, I'm going to be saved by some long hair hippie."
"Hippie?" The blond boy blinked, and said, "No, I'm Edwin."
"Edwin?"
"Yup." Edwin said, "Pleased to meet you, whoever-you-are."
"I'm Royed. So, what're you doing here?"
Edwin shrugged. "I was trying to find my mom. Not sure how I ended up here."
"Well, we might want to get out", said Royed, "We don't want to be stuck in a digestive system for long."
Edwin chuckled, and then joked, "Of course. I could just see my mom saying, 'Edwin Amadeus Elric-Rockbell, what did I tell you about getting lost in the digestive tract of a fangirl? It's just pocky everywhere and you know that'll cause cancer!'"
Royed glanced at Edwin. Rockbell? He took a closer look at the boy. There was the blonde hair of course, he couldn't ignore that. But, there were the eyes. They were so, so blue. He was sure that he saw a pair like those before and someone named Rockbell had them. Could it be that…?
"Is your mom named Winry?" Royed asked.
Edwin blinked. Then he giggled.
"Okay, I didn't know I was dealing with a psychic here", he tittered.
Royed's mouth fell open.
"But Winry's dead", he said, "That's what Pinoko told me."
Edwin smiled. "And you know my grandma, too!"
He walked on. Royed stood where he was for a moment. Was Winry alive all this time?
Edwin looked back and called Royed. "Hey, slowpoke! We're not going to get home if you're just going to stand there!"
Royed was snapped out of his daze and ran ahead. While running, he had noticed that Edwin had stopped. Royed stopped and looked at why Edwin had stopped. There was a person in a long red, shoulder-less dress suspended above them. It was hung on five meat hooks, cutting into the figure's neck and extremities. Two small hooks, possibly fish hooks, cutting into the lips of the person. Royed did not wonder who it was. He didn't need to. He had seen him in pictures.
There, suspended several feet in the air, with blood sporadically dripping on the floor, was Royed's mother.
I have run in the garden.
I have seen the smile plastered on your face. You look really peaceful hanging there. I guess you're happy. I wonder, do you believe in hell? I do. I'm here already.
I tried so damn hard to be your friend. Do you remember when I met you back in fourth grade? You were so scared. I was the one who first said "hello" to you. I was the first one who told you that you were my friend. Some friend you were.
Heather, do you even know that they miss you? Your parents are at the funeral home right now, picking out your casket. They're crying their eyes out and it's all your fault. You should be ashamed of yourself, but there's not really a "yourself" to be ashamed of now, is there?
You even picked out a dress for your hanging. Shoulder-less and strapless and red. You were planning to do this for a while now, weren't you? Was I supposed to be sorry I ever told you that I didn't like you that way? Was I supposed to cut you down and kiss you, was that it? You knew how I felt. You don't even know what love is anyway, like Preston and I do. But you certainly thought you could write it, huh? All these Roy/Ed fics. Huh, a gay relationship would seem nice to you, wouldn't it? Oh, and this new one sucks, by the way, I mean, look at this:
"Ochione squealed with joy as she saw Roy and Ed kiss. Ed blushed and Roy smiled.
"Thank you", Roy said, "I never knew I loved Ed until you forced me to make out with him!"
Ochione twirled her kimono and winked. "Don't mess with the OTP of God!"
Pure shit.
And it's right here on the screen.
I can end it right now.
Fourth Movement: Beginnings, Endings, and Everything in Between
4/4. Sfortzando piano.
Allegretto Lento.
There are several thinlearned that one canthithings come to an end.
Royed
Gaping. He gaped at the body that hung there. When Royed was young, he used to sit in trees to live. How long had he been there, and had he come to the end? If it was the end, was it the end? Maybe if he shook his arms and legs but no it wouldn't work it was too obvious was Ed still alive? I can't really tell he couldn't tell we couldn't tell she couldn't tell.
"Maybe we shouldn't
Have come.
(Edwin backs away from
the body, and sits down in fear.
I don't know, should we have come here?
Maybe. Maybe Not", he said.
People in their dissention,
Redirected by their misdirection,
And others will certainly follow,
The body moved. The hooks that were attached to the calves of the yellow haired boy yanked each leg back and forth in an alternate motion, a parody of walking. The hook submerged into the back of the neck also was yanked, raising the head to full attention. The fish hooks parted the lips, and a voice, frail and cracked, wafted softly into the room.
"Roy, I have something to tell you", the voice said.
Royed
(
Mom!
He said.
"You don't need to tell me", another voice called out. This one was a firmer sounding voice than the other, but gave off a sort of tinny sound, as if from an old computer speaker.
The first voice let off a squeal, which trailed into silence.
The "owner" of the second voice was brought into the room; another dead body, also attached to hooks. This body, however, was nude. The skin around the neck was splotched purple. If one were able to look closely to the neck, one would have noticed the imprint of rope.
Royed fell to the floor and groaned.
-Dad?
It was indeed the body of Roy Mustang. The two bodies moved closer together, pulled by the hooks. The hooks raised the arms, bringing the two into a hideous embrace. The fish hooks parted both their lips and the two kissed.
-Stop it! Please!
Royed cried. He sat on the floor, hugged his knees and sobbed.
But no one will really believe.
Can you feel it? (The morning bell)
Your motive! (The morning bell)
It's there! ( Light another candle)
It's there! (Release me.)
You don't know what you want. (Release me.)
The two corpses parted, leaving a thin trail of blood on their lips. The hooks pulled their mouths into smiles.
"Thank you", said the voice of the Roy corpse, "I never knew I loved Ed until you forced me to make out with him!"
From an open door that had just appeared there arose the sound of clicking high heels. Ochione stepped through the doorway, dressed in a bright red kimono. She smiled.
"There she is, Edwin!" Royed screamed, 'The cause of all our problems!" He turned to Edwin with a triumphant smile.
Edwin wasn't there.
"I got rid of him", Ochione said, "He wasn't a great character. Too happy."
Royed clenched his fists and teeth.
"Then where did you take him?" he hissed.
"He's with the others."
A bright light filled the room, revealing many corpses. Pinoko was there, as was Winrose, Rose, a large, shirtless, muscular man along with others he did not know, and Edwin.
"Do you know who I am, Royed? I am the author. Do you know what that entails?"
Royed glared at Ochione. Seeing that she would get no answer, she continued.
"It means that I work with the already created. Someone brought these people to life once, and they ran their course. But I didn't want it to end, oh no! So I brought them here. We can do whatever we want with them here. There are others like me, and we all do the same damn thing."
Royed just stood there. Ochione grinned, showing all her teeth.
"You're one too, you know."
Royed gasped. He then felt an intense pain in his arms and the back of his neck. He gingerly felt his right shoulder, and found that there was a hook in it.
"So get back up there", Ochione calmly said, "And keep playing the part."
Royed screamed. In a flash, he pulled the right shoulder hook from his body, swinging it into Ochione's left eye. She screamed and writhed.
Royed lifted the hook and swung again, hitting the right eye.
"YOU DID THIS!" he wailed, "YOU MADE ME LIVE!"
He kicked her in the stomach, and she crumbled to the ground. Royed fell to her and kept swinging the hook into Ochione's body, tearing at every part and leaving no area unharmed. This continued until the screaming and choking from her body ceased. Royed's face was covered in blood and twisted with sadistic glee.
Royed stood up, and wiped some of the blood from his face. A single tear fell from his face and he sat down. He cradled his head in his hands.
What's next?
Can anyone hear me?
Mommy, Daddy?
What does this have to do with alchemy?
Well, one of you "authors" tell me, what happens next?
Answer me!
Answ-couhhackcouchghock!
Royed covered his hands with his face. He lifted the palms to his eyes. The coughing had brought up blood! He broke into a cold sweat, and his body ached at every joint. He then felt very cold, and shivered. Superflu!
He threw his face toward the ceiling and screamed. The scream stopped abruptly and he slumped to the ground.
He never did get the alimony.
The end.