Heres the latest chapter :)
Alexis opened his eyes drowsily and looked around to find that he was in his room, sleeping in his bed.
" Huh, Aunt Mei must've carried me here," He mumbled while sitting up on his bed and rubbing his eyes.
He glanced to his nightstand and eyed the clock, it was 12:03 PM
" They must've let me sleep in." He said, back to being aloof.
Then he felt an unfamiliar weight in the matress, someone else was in the bed with him, he turned slightly and saw Alicia sleeping soundly next to him, her metal body layed over the covers, as though she fell asleep while watching him.
It would appear that she's learned to sleep like a normal girl. Alex thought, smiling at her, happy, grateful, relieved, that she was there with him,
That she actually was willing to forgive him, for his sin,
And he would not take this chance lightly, he would try to make it up to her, somehow...
But first thing's first, he had to change her appearence so she would no longer look exactly like Edwina.
I wonder what she should look like? Alexis thought as he slowly turned his head towards the door and nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise when he saw Edwina standing there cross armed and not to happy!
" Aah!" He yelled in surprise, he didn't even hear her come in, which was odd considering that can hear almost everything in the house!
Alicia opened her eyes to the sudden loud noise, she shot up and her eyes widened when she saw Edwina as well!
She didn't say anything to her human counterpart, she just lowered her head, avoiding the accusing glare.
" H-Hi, Edwina." He said nervously, but the six-year-old Alchemist remained silent, giving a scary, angry stare to her elder Sibling.
He felt a chill at that, judging by the look on her little face, that their Dad had already explained what had happend,
And Edwina, being Edwina, wanted him to explain himself.
He was about to say, or rather, stutter something else, but he was interupted by Edwina, who raised her hand to silence him.
" Daddy told me and Mom what happend," She said, her angry expression softening slightly, her deep blue eyes taking on a more sad look rather then angry.
Seeing her soften a bit, he felt more at ease to respond to her. " How did the two of you take it?" He asked, trying to seem calm, but inside, he was writhing in the horrible thought that Edwina would not forgive him.
Edwina thought back to the conversation she had with her Father earlier, her feelings still unresolved.
Start of flashback.
" Edwina," Edward began, a serious tone tinting on his raspy voice, but a saddened look in his golden eyes." Do you remember that Doll that attacked you?" He asked.
Winry's expression was suddenly saddened as well, not only for her Son, but for Edwina, who would have to bare the weight of the knowledge that Ed was about to share with her.
Edwina nodded." Uh-huh, she said that Niisan created her." She recalled, grasping her shoulder in remembrance.
Edwina didn't have any grudge to the Doll, but she couldn't help but wonder,
Why did Alex create her in the first place?
What was it that he hoped to gain for createing such a pitiful creature?
And why did she look like like her?
Was Alex delibritely creating a clone of her?
What was wrong with her?
Didn't her Brother love her anymore?
Why?...
She pushed down her thoughts when her Dad continued to explain the situation to her.
" Well, that was true, he did create her, useing a technique that he invented, as well as his knowledge of Alchemy and Automail engineering." Ed continued to explain, giving her the short version,
He loved Edwina, but a part of him was thinking that she might find this, facinating.
" Oooh, what kind of technique? " She asked, her blue eyes wide and sparkling with a giddyness that reflected her Mother's when it came to Automail.
But inside she was in pain, why after blowing her off so much for the sake of his precious damn studies, and making her feel less important, would she have to find out that he selfishly created an unnatural lifeform, that tried to sly her, happen to look just like her?
Edwina did still love her Brother, that much remained unchanged, but after almost dying because of Alexis's stupidity, she had the right to feel upset about that!
" Uh, Edwina, you are aware that what he did, wasn't a good thing, right?" Winry asked her excited Daughter.
Edwina slouched," I know, but still, its all really very, facinating if you really think about it." She said, her voice getting lower and more nervous as she looked to her Father timidly, in case he would disapprove of her constant analyzing.
Right on the money. Ed thought, without any shock, he knew his little girl well.
Edwina was only six, so it was natural that she could not see the seriousness of Alexis's action agaist nature, at least not completely.
Or, as Ed often feared, she may not, care.
But with that aside, he could also see that his tough little girl, was not as okay as she was hoping to fool them both into thinking she was.
" Edwina, your Brother sinned against nature, he created a metal doll that roamed the countryside, and killed a lot of innocent people, and though it was all a mistake, and he didn't intend for that kind of outcome, it still happend, and Alex and the doll will both have to live with that forever, and since he didn't give an Equivelent exchange, it may mean more trouble for him down the road, there is nothing facinating about it, do you understand?" Ed asked, trying to sound serious, but not to stern or scolding, after all, it was what got her into that situation to begin with.
He dicided to leave the glowing blood out, that was up to Alexis to tell her, in his own time.
Edwina's eyes widened in horror," She, killed people?" She asked, her voice soft, and terrified at the newly recieved fact her Father gave her.
Winry looked sad once again, Edwina didn't like seeing her Mom sad,
But Edwina was confident that Alex could handle whatever life threw at him.
And what he couldn't handle, she would take care of, no matter how angry she was at him.
" I understand, Daddy." She said, her voice lowering slightly, trying to sound sorry, but the look in her eyes noted her annoyance at his lecture.
" Edwina, do you, understand?" Ed repeated, sensing her ignoring his word.
" Yes, okay? I understand!" She exclaimed, her voice raising.
Edward inhaled, trying not to loose his tember, he already promised himself that he would try to be more patient with his stubborn Child.
" Edwina," He began.
" Edwina, your Father just wants to make sure you understand that, your Brother made a mistake, and did something he wasn't sopposed to, and while we all forgive him, the rest of the world will not." Winry interupted, trying to explain more softly to her irritated Child.
At her Mother's words, Edwina's expression became very fearful." Will you guys really be able to protect Alexis?" She asked, clearly fearful for her Brother.
Inspite the rising sense of anger inside her...
" Don't worry about that, Edwina, I'll protect him." Ed promised once again.
" But how do you know that you'll be able to?" She asked, still worried.
" Trust me, Edwina, your Father is good at getting himself out of a dangerous situation." Winry assured her with a smile.
" Really? He can never escape your wrath fast enough." She pointed out, completely innocent of any insult.
" Edwina, thats enough now!" Ed mumbled to his Daughter, prying that didn't rouse Winry's ire.
" Ed, why does she describe my anger like I turn into some sort of Demon?" The Mechanic asked her nervous Husband, irritated.
" Who knows!" Ed said quickly, then continued." Now, as you both know, Alex not only created her, he recently renamed her Alicia." He explained.
" Aww, what a pretty name!" Winry said, smiling.
" Okay, thats nice and all, but does she know now that she isn't me?" Edwina asked, a little nervous that it might be no.
" Yes, she knows now, she didn't at first, but she dicided to trust Alex's word, though she was devastated at the news at first, she seems to have more or less forgiven him, and she feels incredibly guilty for hurting you." Ed answered.
" Thats good, so where is she now?" Edwina asked,
" Al, Alexis and I picked her up in the woods and brought her home with us, she's sleeping in Alex's room, Alexis is sleeping to." Ed explained.
" Really?" Winrey asked, "Did she want to come here?"
" Of course, it would've been awkward if she didn't." Ed answered.
" But I have to ask you both this, are you both willing to allow her to stay here with us?" Edward asked, seriously.
Edwina shrugged," I'm cool with it." She replied.
Winry was quiet for a moment, it was a lot for her to take in.
" Mommy?" Edwina asked, worried.
" Winry, you don't have to answer right away if its to much pressure for you, it wouldn't be fair for me to expect either if you to accept this whole situation right off the bat." Edward told his Wife, placing his hand on hers.
" I did." Edwina chimed in, raising her hand.
Winry shook her head," No, its not that, Ed. I'm more then willing to accept her, its just, a little strange, thats all, but I know that you and Al wouldn't have brought her here if she was any danger to our Children.
And I'm going to be there for Alexis this time, that much is certain." Winry said, with no doubt evident in her deep blue eyes.
" It would make him happy if you did." Ed said, smiling back.
End of flaskback.
" She took it fine, but I'm sure she still wants to say her piece." Edwina answered, speaking softly.
" And, what about you?" Alexis asked, nervously.
To his surprize, a grin appeared on Edwina's face," I'm fine! And don't worry, I forgive you," Then she glanced at Alicia, who hid timidly behind Alex. " Both of you." She assured, smiling.
Alexis couldn't believe it! There he was agonizing over the thought of her not forgiving him, and she did just that without even hitting him?
" Are you serious?" He asked, still unsure.
" Uh, yeah!" She said, looking at him like he was stupid.
" But, why?" He asked once again,
" Because, stupid! Your my Brother! And no matter what you do, no matter what unforgivable lows you sink to in the future, I will always forgive you! Always protect you! And I don't want you doubting that again, understand?" Edwina shouted at him, just a few inches from him, pointing at him, awaiting his response.
Alexis found himself somewhat petrified, one, because he was still somewhat afraid, two, because he was shocked that she forgave him so easily,
And three, he didn't know how to thank her.
" Thank you, Edwina." He said, his smile returning, and his golden eyes lighting up with joy.
Edwina, who was smiling as well, surprized him by jumping forward and hugging him! " No problem, its what Sisters are for." She replied happily.
Alex returned the hug," Yeah, and I'm sorry for everything else thats happend, I didn't mean for any of it."
" I know, Niisan." She said, smiling still.
" Wait, I should apologize, not Alex!" Alicia exclaimed.
Edwina looked to Alicia, a bit confused.
" Alicia.." Alex began, breaking the hug, but then Edwina stopped him.
" Okay, are you sorry for what you did?" She asked, looking serious.
" Yes, of course!" She said, timidly.
" Alright, then all's forgiven! Edwina exclaimed with a big smile, patting Alicia on her head.
She didn't want to let on, but Edwina was still a little uneasy about the Alchemic Doll, but she wasn't about to keep her from finding peace.
" Huh?" Alicia was completely dumbfounded by her!
" O-Okay, I'm glad." She replied, returning the smile, nervously.
" Edwina, do you know where Alphonse went?" Alexis askied, remembering Al's promise to tell him what he knew about his blood.
Then a thought accured to him, Should I tell Edwina about my blood? He thought.
He glanced at Edwina and Alicia actually talking to oneanother, smiling, giggling, they were happy.
And he wouldn't ruin that for her.
He'd keep that secret, a little bit longer.
" Edwina?" He asked, this time to get her attention.
" Oh, sorry, Uncle Al went back home with Mei, he said that we all had to sort this out on our own accord, that, and Mei didn't want Lin to wake up to an emty house." She answered.
" I see." Alexis said, looking away slightly, he would have to ask him later." I should go, and beg for Mom's mercy, heh, heh," He joked as he stepped off his bed, and whated to the door.
" Alex, your Mommy will love you no matter what, I know it." Alicia assured him,
Alexis smiled, That sounds like something Lin would tell me. " Thanks Alicia." He said, as he walked out hid bedroom door.
Alexis stood outside his door and breathed in deeply." Okay, time to tie the rest of the loose ends." He said, his young face calm but every other part of him was nervous as hell!
But there was no taking his promise back now, and besides, he was far to guilty to break it.
Winry and Edward sat on the couched beside oneanother, Ed had just got done explaining to Winry what was happening with Mustang, and the investigation going on in Central,
That there was a manhunt, and the one they wanted was their Son!
Winry's endless worry for Alexis was only worsening, but she wanted Ed to be completely honest with her, no matter how ugly the truth gets.
" Edward," Winry said, her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
" What is it, Winry?" He replied.
" Alex is afraid to tell me, isn't he?" She asked her Husband.
" Yeah, he is, you can't really blame him, after all, you are his Mother, and its natural that he's a little afraid, but don't worry, I assured him that you deserved to hear his side of the story, that, and I told him that he was due for an apology for scaring you like that." Ed explained.
" Ed, what if that scared him more?" Winry asked, slightly excasperated at her Husband's carelessness.
" Don't worry, I'm past all that now."
Winry turned her head slightly and saw Alexis standing there, dressed in his usual black attire, and his normally tied back hair was now being worn loose.
" Alexis? Your okay now right?" She asked, looking like she was on the brink of tears again out of relief at the sight of her Son.
Alex suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over him!" Don't cry Mom! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to worry or upset you, I swear! And I promise, I'll tell you everything, just don't cry anymore!" Alexis shouted, tears in his eyes now,
He really was a monster...
" Alex," Winry began, then got off the couch then kneeled down and hugged her Son.
" I'm not mad, I know you didn't mean it, any of it, and you don't have to torment yourself over this one mistake, because youv'e brought Alicia to a home and Family, and gave her a reason in her excistence, and because of that she and Edwina were able to reconcile, and this whole thing was just the wake-up call your Father needed to finally be honest with you and your Sister,
And frankly, I'm amazed that you were actually created a child made of Automail, so you don't have to make yourself suffer like this, because you've already began the road to making up for it, and you have many people who love you, and will help you every step of the way." Winry assured him.
Alexis, was not nearly as surprized as he thought he's be, but he was relieved none the less.
Ed smiled, happy to see that Alex no longer had a reason to be afraid of the thought of his Mother rejecting him.
" Mom, thank you, for, well, not killing me for breaking basically every major rule you and Dad ever set down for me, and while I'm relieved that you forgive me, I'm still going to tel you my end of this whole mess." Alexis said, a rare sense of joy in his heart, and the relief that came with his Mother's love.
" Winry took a deep breath and sat back on the couch," I'm ready to hear it, Alexis." She said, her expression and tone was undaunting.
" Okay, if your sure." Alexis replied.
Alex spent the next hour explaing the story to his Mother,
From start to finish.
From the comatose bully to the glowing blood.
Te only thing he left out, like with the rest of them, was the voice in his head.
He wasn't sure why he didn't feel the need to tell them about it, but he'd focus on that later.
" Well, that is some story." Was Winry's response to everything.
" So, the glowing blood thing doesn't bother you?" Alex asked, nervous.
" No, of course not, your my Son no matter what strange things happen to you physically." Winry said, smiling brightly.
" So everything is okay with you?" Edward asked, just to be certain.
" Mm-hmm." Winry replied, still smiling.
" Even the part with us taking Alicia in, as one of the Family?" Ed asked.
Alex fell silent, waiting for her answer.
" Of course! Why the hell would I pass up the once-in-a-lifetime-chance to actually see an all Automail engineered girl?
As an engineer, it would be a crime!" She shouted happily, her blue eyes glittering with anticipation.
Ed and Alex just sat there, feeling a little sorry for Alicia.
" Well, whatever your reason, I guess." Alexis said with a sigh.
" Once a gearhaed, always a gearhead." Ed said under his breath.
" What was that?" Winry demanded, turning angerly to Ed,
" Nothing." Ed said, while turning his head away from her angry glare.
Alexis smiled, happy to see that everything was back to normal,
At least, for now.
Meanwhile, at Alphonse's house, he and his wife both sat down in silence at their dining room table,
Lin was outside, sparring with Xiao mei, much like her Mother used to when she was her age, and Lin shows just as great of skill in her martial arts as her Mother.
Al had just got done explaining his 'Theory' to his Wife, who sat with a horrified, yet denying gaze.
" There, theres just no way, not Alexis, are you sure?" She asked, not wanting to believe it.
" Well, I don't know for sure if I'm right, but theres a lot of evidence that suggests that maybe I am." Al answered, also unsure.
" But what led you to believe something so, far-fetched?"
" Years ago, my Dad told me what had accured in Xerxes, and, for reasons I still can't quite explain myself, I thought back to it when Alexis confessed to me,
And for just a brief second, his presence was, a little bit off, and I felt, a feeling of dread, like someone was there with him."
" So you really believe, that, it might be true?" Mei asked, her black eyes were wide with worry.
Alphonse's expression suddenly went intense and serious.
" Yes, Mei, I think that Father's returned."
How's that for a cliffhanger? Heh, heh, I bet you hate me now :p And just its cleared, the flashback wasn't over, Ed and Edwina have a little heart-to-heart next chapter :)
