Just FYI, this chapter will be very weird. It's going to jump into different POV's such as, Kaley, Ed, Sam, and Athena. These point of view changes will pop up at different times. So yeah just note before this chapter starts.
~The FantasyNinja26~
I'm looking down now that it's over
Reflecting on all of my mistakes
I thought I found the road to somewhere
Somewhere in His grace
I cried out heaven save me
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
I'm so far down
'Creed
One Last Breath'
Chapter 9- Created Feelings
Kaley's POV
Well Ed could now finally sit his butt up and Ross, Brosh, and Sam are now giving him the same lecture they gave Al. But his was a bit more entertaining to watch. "Looks like you can sit up now shortie." I scoffed.
His look became more irritated. Great way to wake up. Me sitting there with a smile on my face and calling you short! The wonders. "What happened with the 5th Laboratory?" Ed asked changing the subject before going into his rant.
"Well it... Umm..." Brosh trailed off.
Brosh and Ross shrugged. "Some one blew up the building and there's nothing left but rumble." Ross finished.
"Damnit!" Ed cursed looking up and setting his hand on his forehead. "You mean they wiped out everything!?" He then held his wound in pain. "That didn't feel good... This isn't fair! Do you know how I close I was to finding the truth? There isn't time for me to by lying around in the hospital!"
I looked at Sam with a nod. She then nodded to Ross and Brosh. They then stood up straight with a stern look. "Fullmetal Alchemist, sir!" They exclaimed. I held back my laughter because I knew what was coming. "We do apologize in advance for this!"
"Huh?" Ed asked confused.
Then Ross slapped Ed making a chuckle come out of the side of my mouth. I love this. Sam's look was solid and uninfected. She seemed to be built for the military. But Ross's face showed a bit of anger. Ed look dumbfounded with a red mark rising on his cheek. "You acted like a selfish child! You only escaped with your life because you were lucky!" She exclaimed. She then cooled down and her gaze went soft. "You don't have to do everything on your own, you know. You can lean on other people. Like us. Not all adults are the enemies, you can trust us."
After a second of silence the trio stood straight again. "That's all!" They exclaimed at once. Ed now looked confused. "Please forgive our abusive words and conduct, sir. It will not happen again!"
"No your right. I should be the one apologizing." Ed stated.
"My punishment... For slapping you?" Ross asked.
"Huh? Nothing, I had it coming." Ed reassured.
Brosh and Ross sighed of relief as if they were holding their breath. While Sam just dropped her shoulders. She seemed uninfected unlike these two.
"What's got you two so scared of me?" Ed asked.
"You see State Alchemist's carry a ranking that is like a majors." Sam pointed out look at the clock on the wall impatiently. Brosh nodded with his terrified look.
"Don't worry about it. I didn't get certification so people could kiss up to me. You don't have to talk to me like a high ranked officer." Ed reassured.
Ross and Brosh got the look on their faces as if someone told them something they didn't know. Oh wait it just happened. My bad. "Really? Oh." Ross smiled.
"I guess we were scared of the little brat for nothing!" Brosh pointed out.
I burst out laughing when Brosh said that. Ed's look became dark for a minute before he blinked back into reality. "Where's Alphonse? I haven't seen them."
Sam and I got a look of amusement. "Al got his own lecture and well..." I stated trailing off.
"I was the one who did the slapping." Brosh answered holding up his throbbing and red hand.
Sam, Ed, and I started to laugh. Ed then stopped quickly. "What about Athena? Where is she?" Ed asked. His tone was now hard and very serious.
Sam look to me. "Do you want to tell him or do I have to?" She asked.
I sighed and shook my head. "Her condition is bad. She's down the hall on the right, but she hasn't woken up yet. Smith is on his way to check up on her. We don't know if her condition will get better or worse." I answered sadly.
Ed looked down sadly. "Oh..."
I glared at him. "You say and what I think you gonna say and I'll hit you upside the head." I hissed lowly.
"I almost forgot I have even less pleasant lecture in store for me today." Ed shuddered.
"Winry." I answered bluntly.
"Athena and I were in a really rough fight." Ed explained.
"YOU DID IT AGAIN MORON!? HOW COULD YOU TREAT MY PRECIOUS AUTOMAIL LIKE THAT, ALCHEMY FREAK!?" Winry asked. I could hear that... Clearly. And I was sitting next to Ed. I winced and pulled my head away as Ed pulled the phone away from his ear.
After a bit he pulled the phone back to his ear. "Hello Winry, you there? Hello?" He asked with a scared expression.
Now back to barely able to hear the conversation. After Ed gave her directions he stood up. "You seem like your in a good mood today. I thought you were going to... You know what never mind." He restated. After his farewells he set the phone back on it's holder.
"Aww was that your girlfriend?" Brosh asked.
"MY GIRLFRIEND! NO WAY!" Ed objected reopening the wound.
"Yeah, Athena is Ed's girlfriend!" I yelled.
"Yeah! Wait. Huh?!" Ed asked now realizing what he had said. He blushed a crimson. "She's not my girlfriend!"
"Uh, huh. Sure~..." I sang with a smirk.
Brosh laughed along with me. My job is to make fun of Athena and Ed. That and laugh at Ed's stupid reactions. Ed was now in his wheelchair now being taken to Athena's room. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. When I was your age I had a different girlfriend every week."
"Player." I scoffed under my breath.
We then stopped in our tracks and turned to a dark hall way which Al was in. "Hey! Al! What are you doing in that dark hall way alone?" I asked in a chirpy tone.
Al looked up to me and Ed. "Brother... Kaley..."
"You know you can come into room, right?" Ed asked.
Then the three of us had a stare off. None of us said a work then Al broke that ice. "I'll be there in a while. Go ahead." Al reassured.
I beamed. "Okay! I'll see you around!" I then followed Brosh and Ed to Athena's room.
Ed's POV
When Brosh stopped the wheel chair in front of Athena's bed I could get a good look of her. Stitches and staples poked from under the red blood stained bandage. Athena looked calm with her eyes closed delicately Her silver hair was down and not in the normal ponytail. Her lips were slightly parted breathing softly. I studied every feature as if this was going to be the last time I ever see her.
"Well... We'll give you a bit of time." Brosh stated pulling Kaley out with him.
I watched them leave and close the door behind them. I turned back to Athena and sighed sadly. "I'm sorry Athena. If I was more careful, this would have never happened." I whispered sadly. I toke her right hand and held it tightly. "If I didn't drag you into all of this you wouldn't be in this hospital bed right now. I'm sorry Athena." I then set my forehead on her hand shutting my eyes tightly. I just want her to wake up so I could see her smiling face again. "Don't you dare die on me, Athena Frost."
Kaley came in a second later with Brosh. "Ready?"
I glanced at Athena and nodded with a sad sigh. "Yeah."
Kaley then sighed and hit me in the back of the head. I groaned and rubbed where she hit me. "What was that for!?" I exclaimed.
"First of all, quiet down. Athena will wake up and kill us both. Second of all, none of this is your fault! She chose to help you and she knew the risks. Yeah, she got hurt, I know. But we all do. She won't die on you. She's to stubborn for that. Alright?" She asked.
I stared at her before nodding slowly.
Sam's POV
A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes came in followed by a boy with black hair and blue eyes. This must have been Winry and Smith. I could tell because Smith had the same eye color and facial structure as Athena. "What happened?" The blondie asked with her voice full of worry. She dropped her tools and stared at him.
"Well that was quick. Your going to charge me an express fee aren't you?" Ed asked.
"No, I won't charge you for this, I didn't do a good job on your automail last time." Winry whispered bowing her head in shame. "And now your badly injured."
Our direction turned to Ed waiting for his next words. Smith was glaring while I just gave Ed the 'go on' look like everyone else. "It's not your fault! You can't blame yourself for this! I broke it because I was being reckless! Your repairs were flawless as ever! This is all my fault! Besides if I didn't break it when I did I would have kept fighting and I would have gotten hurt even worse!" Ed reassured. He made a smart move not mentioning that Athena got hurt. Because from what I heard he's a little on the hitty side when he's mad.
She then cheered making us smile. "Great! Let's get down right to business! I'll have to charge you the usual rush fee of course!" She replied chirping. She then adverted her gaze to his milk. "You didn't drink your milk."
Ed turned away from her as she turned to see him. "Why should I? I hate it." Ed grunted.
"Your going to be small and stunted forever if you keep using that stupid excuse!" Winry complained.
"Shut up! I don't have to drink if I don't wanna!" Ed screamed.
Armstrong then stripped off his shirt, glaring at Ed. "Your sounding like a spoiled brat! Edward Elric!"
"Every growing boy needs his milk." Ross and I pointed out.
"Yeah, you want the girls like you, don't you?" Brosh asked.
"Player." I grunted under my breath.
-3:22 AM-
Athena's POV
My eyes shot open and I sprung up. I turned my head and saw Sam and Kaley sleeping in the chairs closet to my bed. The hospital. Again. I don't think I can take it. But I remembered something. I quickly turned on the lamp, grabbing a pen and paper. As quickly as I could I drew the symbol that was now carved into my mind. I bit my lip as I scribbled on the paper.
"Athena? You awake? What are you-" I heard Kaley ask tiredly.
"I think I'm on to something. Something about the accident!" I yelled/whispered.
"Athena... We need to talk." Sam now answered waking up.
"Can it wait?" I asked. When I finished, the paper had a picture of a crescent moon on fire. "A moon on fire. That's their symbol." I answered pointing at the paper.
"The Darksiders?" Sam asked. "What does this have to do with-"
"They're the gang that's after me. Now I know who they are and their symbol I can avoid them." I answered.
Sam stood up and sighed. "I apologize for this." She whispered.
"Huh?" I asked. Then she bit her lip before bringing her left hand to my cheek forcefully. My eyes shot open and I was wide awake. I touched my burning cheek in shock. "Did you just-?" I asked numbly.
"Do you know how stupid that stunt was!? You could have been killed. You can trust adults! You can't just lean on the brothers to help you! You know that. Right?" Sam lectured now ending it softly.
"I- I'm sorry. Don't even apologize for slapping me, I deserved it." I hissed the last part.
"There was red headed girl who saved you. We don't know her name or where she's from. She disappeared yesterday. But left you a message." Sam stated.
"And what would that be?" I asked.
She sighed opening up a sheet paper and reading out loud.
'Beware, o beware silver haired child.
For the red tattooed ones.
They have a plan and they aren't afriad to kill.
Each move they make is a sin and ends with a pain.
Beware, o beware silver haired child
For the one with the wind
He holds a trap for someone we don't know
And forcing them to crawl in fear
Beware, o beware silver haired child
The promised day is coming.'
"What does that even mean?" I asked annoyed.
"Maybe it's a riddle." Kaley suggested.
Sam and I turned to her with a look. "Really?" We both asked in unison. Kaley rolled her eyes and looked down.
"Well you can break this code tomorrow morning." Sam stated turning off the lights.
I grunted and started to close my eyes. "Sam, Kaley, are the boys alright?"
I could see their warm smile even with my eyes closed. I've seen it enough times to know. "Ed's fine. Al's acting a little weird though. Did something happen?" Kaley asked making the concern in her voice heavy when mentioning Al.
"Not that I know of." I answered.
"Okay... But Ed's fine. You can visit him tomorrow morning. Alright?" Sam reassured softly.
"Good." I mumbled with a nod before falling asleep.
-Next Morning-
-Kaley's POV-
"So we meet again you little bastard. I'm not gonna drink you." Ed hissed glaring at his milk on his tray.
I laughed at his response. "Athena's going to wake up soon and visit you soon. Don't you want her to be proud? So drink your milk."
Ed rolled his eyes starting to eat his bread. "She's fine with me not drinking my milk. So she won't care this time."
"Brother, you have a living body that needs norishment... You have to drink it." Al whispered slouching a bit.
"I don't have to if I don't want to. It may not look like it, but I have grown some, but everyone still calls me a pipsqueak." Ed grunted taking a bite of his bread. "I wish I was like you, Al. You've got such a big body now."
Athena was then brought in by Smith, Winry, and Sam just as Al stood up forcefully making the chair he sat on to fall. "IT'S NOT LIKE I ASKED FOR THIS BODY, BROTHER!" Al screamed. My eyes went wide at his sudden outburst. This can't end well...
Athena's POV
"IT'S NOT LIKE I ASKED FOR THIS BODY, BROTHER!" Al screamed as soon as I was let in. My eyes went wide. When Kaley said weird this is NOT what I had in mind. I looked at Al then Ed. My gaze switching between the two.
Ed looked down. "Sorry... Your right. It's my fault it happened. I'll make it right, I'll get you back in your real body, you'll see."
"That's what you always say but you don't know that for sure!" Al yelled.
I stared at Al, then back to Ed. "Alright, what's going on? Did something happen while I was asleep or something?" I asked starting to stand up from my wheel chair. I almost got there but I got pushed down by Kaley.
"Don't even think about it." She hissed making me groan and roll my eyes.
"Look I promise that I'm gonna get you back. Believe me Al, I'll do it." Ed reassured.
"Believe you!? How am I supposed to believe anything when I'm stuck in this body? What can I believe in, my memories? Memories is just scraps of information that can be made up as easily as anything else!" Al lectured.
I stared at Al. Whoever stuffed all of this in his head I should hunt them down. If he came up with this then he's truly stupid! Where in the right mind does he come up with this? "Al? What are you talking about?" Ed asked softly.
"Remember when ever you said you had something you were afraid to tell me?" Al asked. "I think I know what it was." Winry and I stared at Al in shock. He doesn't know. He's wrong about all of this! "Maybe you wanted to say that my soul and my memories are really artificial constructions that you created." My eyes went wide. How could he even THINK like that? I stared at him for a second before turning to Ed. His eyes were wide as well. "You, Winry, Granny, Kaley, and Athena. You've been lying to me all along, haven't you? What do you have to say for yourself, brother?!"
Ed then stood up slamming his fists on the breakfast tray. Al gasped while everyone's attention snapped to him. I was shaking. I had no clue what he was going to say, how he was going to say it, or what he was going to do. My mind seemed to explode at the fear in my mind. "Is that really what you think? Have you believed that this whole entire time?" Ed asked gritted in his teeth. There was a silence that just made my fears spring higher then usual. His fists were still on the tray and his head was bowed down. "So your finished? Is that all you wanted to say?"
Al was silent, in fact everyone was silent. Holding their breath. Ed then looked up. "Okay." He mumbled quietly. He pushed the tray away and walked out the room passing me by.
"Ed he didn't-" I started but then bit my tongue to stop myself. I poked my head outside the door and my rested on him leaving. "Ed!" I called out desperately. I let out a huff and stood up. "I'll be back." I grunted walking out.
"Athena you wounds will reopen if you-" Smith started.
"I don't care Smith." I hissed lowly following Ed.
Kaley's POV
"Al... YOU IDIOT!" Winry and I screamed hitting him after Athena and Ed left. Sam, Brosh, Ross, Hughes, and Smith just gasped in shock.
"What the- Where did that come from?" Al asked with his helmet shaking.
"Where do you think smart one?" I exclaimed. Winry and I breathed heavy and glared at Al. Then tears streamed down Winry's cheek making Al totally freak.
"Winry?" Al asked.
"You idiot! You have no idea how Ed feels! Do you know what he was so scared to talk you about!? He want to know if you blame him for what happened to your body Al!" Winry screamed. She then dropped on her knees and hit Al's armor repeatedly.
Athena's POV
When I made it outside there was Ed looking down at the cars below and leaning against the railing. I tip toed behind him and hugged him. He was tense for a second but then relaxed. I buried my forehead into his shoulder. "You know he didn't mean it."
"Yeah he did." Ed whispered sadly.
I shut my eyes tightly while keeping my grip on him firm. "I'm sorry... I wish there is something I could do to fix this." I whimpered softly.
He then loosened my grip on him turning to me and hugging me tightly. "It's alright Athena, thank you." He whispered.
We then heard a series of clanking making us break away and turn to the noise. Al was walking to us with Kaley. "Brother-"
"You know somthing Al, We haven't had a good fight in a while." Ed stated making my expression go blank. "I'm starting to get flabby."
"Huh?" I asked as Ed kicked off his slippers. He then ran forward at kicked at Al.
Kaley sighed and walked to me. "The way boys make up." She trailed off.
"No kidding. The way some girls make up is buying them shoes. We make up by one of us crying." I scoffed.
Kaley winked with a snap. "Correct my friend." She smirked. "Some couples make up by doing the big one." Her eyes went wide then she turned to me with a smile. "Oh Athena... Speaking of the big one-"
"No Kaley. Finish your point, you finish your life." I grunted interubting her.
"Bet you 100 bucks Al will win again." Kaley replied with a smirk.
"Bet you 1000 Ed will win." I countered.
Kaley and I exchanged looks. We smirked and gave each other playful glares. "Your on." Kaley scoffed shaking my automail hand.
Ed did end up wining the fight. They layed on the ground with Ed breathing heavy. "That wasn't a fair fight!" Al complained.
"Yeah! No fair!" Kaley whined.
"There's no such thing as fair in a fight." I muttered turning to Ed with a smirk. We were both giving each other wide grins.
Kaley dug into her pocket and handed me my money. "I'll hold you to that, Athena."
"We've always fought like this... ever since we were really little. Now that I think about it, we've fought over some really stupid things, haven't we?" Ed asked with a smile.
"Like who would get the top and bottom bunk." Al started.
"Yeah." Ed answered.
"We fought over candy a lot too, huh?"
"And that toy, remember?"
"I won that one. And when we played in the rain river too."
"Oh yeah... you shoved me into the water."
"And that fight we had during our training?"
"Teacher said we were being too loud, then she beat us up herself. Why don't we call that one a draw?"
"We even fought over which one of us would marry Winry someday." Al pointed out.
"What? Don't remember that one." Ed objected.
Kaley bursted into laughing and nudged my shoulder. "Your not getting jelous are you?" She asked with a smile.
I smirked and shook my head. "Nope!" I answered making the p pop.
"Didn't you two agure about who would watch over Athena at night?" Kaley asked with a smile.
"Yeah, brother won most of those rounds." Al pointed out.
I smiled feeling my cheeks grow a little hot. "He did?" I asked lightly.
"Yeah. He was determined." Kaley replied with a smile.
I turned to Ed and smiled. A blush dusted his cheeks and he stared at me. Then he looked up and sighed. "Your telling me those memories are lies?" Ed asked.
"Sorry." Al whispered.
"And your determination to get your body, to be whole again, that's a lie too?" Ed asked.
"No. It's not a lie." Al answered.
"Right! We're in this together, you, me, and Athena, all the way. Don't forget that, we'll keep pushing forward. We'll make ourselves stronger, faster, and better until we get our bodies back." Ed explained.
"And the milk?" I asked with a smile.
Ed shuddered. "Milk!? Alright fine, but I'll drink a little." He then brought his fist up and the three of us fist bumped.
"It's good enough for me." I replied smiling wider.
"Whatever it takes guys." Ed whispered.
"Yeah!" Al and I stated in unison.
If I smile and don't believe
Soon I'll know I'll wake
In this dream
Don't try to fix me
I'm not broken
Hello
I'm the life
Living for you so you can hide
Don't cry
Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping
Hello I'm still here
All that's left of yesterday
Hello Evanescence
Chapter 10 Separate Destinations
So that's that. And I've been thinking about something and I'm leaving the answer to you guys. This question is a big step in the series and I need help deciding if I should take it. Here it is:
Should Athena preform Human Transmutation? If so when, how, and what price will she pay?
So that's what I need help with and please let me know what you think should happen. Thank you!
