Last time, Edward and Alphonse discovered the secret of the Philosopher Stone, which was a large amount of live humans! Unknowing of the situation, Sora came to help them with finding out the secret Marcoh hid in his notes, however, since he already knew the secret, Edward became grief-stricken and enraged, and insulted his bodyguard harshly! The two began to bicker and fight until Edward admitted he NEVER wanted Sora around...
And so Sora left the Second Branch Library with Donald and Goofy while Edward cursed God for the unfortunate events that led to him and Al's appearance, but despite setbacks, Alphonse still believed in hope and went out to bring the Keyblade Master back...
Sora meanwhile walked through Traverse Town, wondering what to do next, until the hooded man from North City appeared! After revealing his knowledge of Sora's misfortunes, the hooded man baited Sora into coming with him to see Namine and abandoning everyone he knew. Suddenly, before Sora could make a decision, a motorcycle rider came from out of the blue and challenged the Keybearer! The rider introduced himself as Axel, ally of the hooded man, and challenged the Keyblade Master to a fight!
Warning: Kingdom Hearts and Fullmetal Alchemist are both licensed by Square-Enix. The secondary licenses for both franchises are Disney (Kingdom Hearts), Aniplex, Bones Inc., and Funimation (Fullmetal Alchemist).
PS: There will be spoilers.
Fullmetal Kingdom: The Fanfic
Chapter 120: Dancing Flames
Inside the Second Branch Library, Edward laid on the sofa, distressed by what he learned…the Philosopher Stone's price was NOT a sane exchange. He has cracked the code to Marcoh's secret and found that the key ingredient was a large amount of living people! And what's worse was what he said to Sora, which forced him out of his service. Alphonse, believing that what Ed did wasn't natural, set out into the city to search for Sora.
It was already 40 minutes after, and Edward was still sulking…
"Mr. Elric, Sora and Alphonse left a while ago. Shouldn't we go after them?" Ross asked. Ed replied, "Why stain the shoes? My brother knows the way back." Ross then said, "Are you leaving him to?" Ed grunted, "Shut up, why're you even here?" Ross answered, "To get you out of your soap box and help the ones who helped you. There's a chance Scar might attack, and yet your brother went out there, alone, regardless of the risks."
Edward stood up and said, "I don't need some bodyguard like you to-!" Ross then said, "I'm not 'some bodyguard' and neither is Sora! He was your friend and a loyal one at that! Are you so angry from your discovery that you'd be willing to shut the world away? Would you shut your brother away?"
"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
Ross shook her head and said, "…you're wrong Fullmetal, I know the secret to making the Philosopher Stone is living people."
Edward shook in surprise, "H-how did you-?!" Ross answered, "You've been reading so many books that you've failed to notice the door being slightly opened." Ed sat back down on the sofa and said, "…then you know I've failed…I failed Al-." Ross then said, "Stop it, you're part of the military, there's no room for tears OR weakness." Ed then said, "You wouldn't say that if you had a brother, cursed forever because of a mistake you made. I deserve all of it…I deserved it…not him…my brother lost his body and I only lost a leg and an arm! My body for his…is that what you want God? (sniff-sniff) IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT-?!"
"I SAID STOP IT!"
Ed ceased his mental breakdown as Maria roared! Ross then said, "…it would have been the same for Alphonse, you know? If he lost you, he'd do anything; even sacrificing himself, all to see you alive and happy. Your brother feels the same way you do, don't you understand? That's why he went after Sora, because you would have done the same thing regardless of any secret. Despite the secrets Edward, they can't do any real damage if you stay the way you are. You don't have to give up; you just have to avoid making this choice. You can do that, right?"
Ed looked at the notes…and wiped his tears away. He then said, "…I never intended on any sacrifice but my own…but you're right…Alphonse…we're all we've got, and losing one or the other…is unbearable…" Ross then asked, "So…are you going to look for Al?" Ed replied, "…Yeah…but I'm bringing the lunatic back to." Ross sighed, "Are you really going to say that about your best friend?"
Ed answered, "Sora's NOT my best friend, he's-!"
"He's what, 'just a bodyguard'?" Ross asked.
Ed sighed, "…he's the best friend I've ever had…"
(KRA-KA-THOOM)
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Ross asked. She and Ed then headed over to the window to find a heavy amount of flame emitting from Central…
In the burning section of the city, Sora and the Genomes were beaten down by Axel, whose abilities caught them completely by surprise!
Axel picked up one of his chakras from the ground and said, "Resilient, aren't we? I've already set fire to most of the battlefield, and here you are, barely standing. Y'know, my fires would incinerate my enemy, but I guess that Keyblade makes you VERY lucky…too bad your friends are almost at their limit." Sora looked at Donald and Goofy as they were lying against the buildings, weakened and unable to continue.
Axel then asked, "Thinking of calling an ambulance? Smart move, after all, those two won't take another hit. I wonder how roast duck tastes…" Sora suddenly staggered to his feet and said, "Stay…away…" Axel then said, "Sorry kid, but this fight was supposed to test you, and after chucking everything you got at me, you're no longer any fun. It's my experience that a man can fight better when they have nothing to lose…so I'd say it's time…TO LOSE A BUNCH OF 'NOTHINGS' RIGHT NOW!"
(BAMF)
Axel then shot two spheres of flame at Donald and Goofy! Sora tried to charge at him, but his back was over heating from the Automail Spine's exposure to too much fire! Sora couldn't move, all he could do is watch his friends become a BBQ dinner…
(CLAP)
Suddenly, a wall emerged from the ground and protected Donald and Goofy!
As Axel wondered what happened, Sora noticed someone approaching…
"SORA!" Alphonse called out as he headed for him!
As the younger Elric rushed to Sora's aid, Axel noticed him and unleashed a trail of flame! Alphonse quickly jumped to Sora and carried him out of the way!
As the building nearby was incinerated, Axel said, "I heard the Fullmetal had an 'empty' brother, he must be talking about you." Alphonse gave no mind to Axel's insult; instead, he gave Sora a Hi-Potion, "Sorry about my brother, he's just had a hard time coping with what he learned." Sora slowly drank the Hi-Potion and said, "…why…did you…?" Al replied, "We're a team, remember? You're an irreplaceable member of the team."
"Edward…kicked me…out." Sora said. Al then said, "Give him time, and he'll apologize and feel like he did before. But for now, get up. That Hi-Potion healed your wounds by now, so I'll need you if we're going to stop that guy from turning the city into a crater." Al offered his hand to Sora to help him up, but when Sora grabbed it…
"LOOK OUT!"
Sora and Al jumped to different sides to avoid Axel's attack! As he pulled the chakras from the ground, Axel said, "Ignoring your enemy in a battle to the death won't result in the opposite for your side. Got it memorized?"
Just then, a spear passed by Axel's nose, leaving a slight cut on the tip!
"…Loud and clear." Al said.
Sora then stood up and said, "He's tough Al, REALLY tough." Al then suggested, "Then we'll soften him up with bruises!" Al then threw a punch at Axel, who simply dodged and threw his chakras at Al! As the iron alchemist was blown away, Sora countered with a mighty swing from his weapon, batting Axel away! Sora then charged and prepared for another attack, but Axel disappeared!
"Didn't count on that, did you?"
Sora was then attacked by both Axel's chakras, and when they connected-!
(KRA-KA-THOOM)
Sora was blown back, but luckily, Al caught him and supplied him with another Hi-Potion! Al then said, "This is insane! It's like we're fighting a reckless Mustang!" Sora then realized, "Mustang…wait, Alphonse, we just need to douse Axel with water or ice, anything cold-!"
(KRA-KOOM)
Axel attacked the duo, forcing the two to dodge! "BLIZZARD!" Sora shot an ice spike at Axel, but the dancer simply melted the ice by spinning his burning chakras! Axel then gloated, "When it's too hot, the cold can't touch-GAAAAH!" To Axel's surprise, Al used alchemy to change a fire hydrant into a cannon that shot out water! Sora quickly aided Al's water cannon with Blizzard spells, overpowering Axel!
After a few minutes passed, the area Axel was standing in was covered in steam…
"What do you think, did we get him?" Al asked. Sora answered, "I dunno, people like him are unpredictable. Besides, he could teleport, by now; he's probably hiding somewhere, waiting for us to screw up."
"Bingo."
To Sora and Al's surprise, Axel appeared right behind them! The hooded young man then said, "Did you really think I'd get beaten 'oh-so' easily? I'm not on the same level as you rookies, but to be honest Sora, my purpose for being here was merely to raise that level…and make you a stronger Keyblader. I believe 'thanks' are in order, no?" Sora was confused, "You were…testing me?" Axel answered, "-and you passed. Congrats Sora, you're ready to save Namine-."
"ALPHONSE, SORA!"
Edward startled Axel as he rushed towards his friends. Ed noticed Donald and Goofy on the ground, weak and in great pain, so he looked at Axel and asked, "Alphonse did that guy-?" Al nodded, "Yes, he nearly killed us, and all because he wanted to test Sora." Axel then said, "That size…Oh right, Edward Elric! The superior told us allot about you." Edward smirked, "I didn't know cloaked freaks like you had an interest in me."
Axel then looked at Sora and said, "We are interested in everything that surpasses humanity's expectations, including those who survived the Gate, and those who can wield a Keyblade. You and your friends should be very grateful for catching the eyes of the Organization. But enough about deep dark secrets, I still owe you Namine, don't I? Well sorry kids, but she's not with me at the moment!" Sora then asked, "Then where is she?! Didn't you say you would give me the location of Namine?!"
"The guy earlier said that, but I didn't."
Sora was about to throw his fist when Ed grabbed it and said, "I said we'd help you look for your friends, didn't I? That means we won't need this guy's help. Trust your friends Sora…and trust me." Axel then said, "It seems you've thrown away the selfish feelings you had in your heart…I'm impressed Edward, I'd figure you would've given into darkness by now. After all, the idea of sacrificing lives could drive ANYONE mad, wouldn't it?" Ed looked angrily at Axel, who then said, "Sora, Namine is safe…but before you go off to the rescue…you should give some more thought to whom it is that's MOST important to you."
Sora asked, "What do you mean 'most' important? It's my friends, DUH!" Axel shook his head and said, "Right…but which friend? I could say Namine, and yet…it wouldn't be right…it has to be someone from your 'true' memories."
As the trio wondered what Axel meant, Axel said, "Our most precious memories lay dormant inside our hearts, and can remain out of our reach…but I'm sure YOU can find yours Sora. You can find the memories of that one special someone who you share a strong bond with." Sora then asked, "I-I don't get it…you're not talking about Namine…are you?" Axel slowly offered his hand to Sora and said, "(chuckle) Would you care for…a hint?"
Sora looked at his hand and said, "…maybe…maybe I've been chasing the wrong-." Edward suddenly slapped Axel's hand away and said, "He'll stay true to himself, he doesn't need your 'hints', so why don't you beat it before I get pissed!" Axel looked at Ed and chuckled; "Now THAT'S a friend! Looking after the ones you know and care for! I'm beginning to like you guys; however, this is something Sora has to-."
"…Axel…I think I'm gonna figure it out for myself."
Axel smiled and said, "…good choice, she'll be glad you found her." Axel then boarded his motorcycle and as he placed his helmet back on his head, he said, "-But be for warned…when your sleeping memories awaken…you may no longer be 'you'." And with that, Axel drove off into the streets…
Alphonse then wondered, "Brother, what do you think he meant?" Ed replied, "Hell if I know. Being someone else instead of you…how could he be anyone else?"
(VA-VOOSH)
Suddenly, a trace of black flame came on Sora's right hand! "SORA, YOUR HAND-!" Edward called out. Sora quickly looked at his right hand, only to be puzzled…
"What about it?" Sora asked. As Sora wondered what Ed was being hyper about, Edward whispered to Al, "…Did you see that Al?! Al replied, "I did brother, it looked almost like he was becoming a-." Before Al could say anything, Sora approached them and said, "We should get Donald and Goofy to the hospital. They're not looking too well." Ed nodded, "Alright, let's get moving."
Meanwhile inside Central's clock tower…
"Is this true Kairi?" Lust asked. Kairi replied, "Envy can say whatever he wants, I'm NOT the one who let Sora out of his cell!" Envy then asked, "Then how did 'Romeo' get out, 'Juliet'?" Kairi replied, "That much…is partly my fault. I couldn't live with myself if I allowed you to execute him." Envy sneered, "So, it's sentiment. Since when did you develop a soul, or better yet, a 'loving' soul? You became one of us remember? That means you do what we say, WHEN we say!"
Lust shook her head in disappointment and said, "This was my fault, I shouldn't have allowed you to get close to him." Kairi begged, "Please Lust, I'm begging you, let me recruit him! His memories of me are all I want from him-!" Envy chuckled, "-With the extra bonus of a 'smooch'!"
Before Kairi could say anything, the Homunculus's leader spoke…
Kairi, you have allowed yourself to be possessed by your weak heart.
Such weakness CANNOT be overlooked!
"My apologies Father, please forgive my transgression." Kairi said.
You are forgiven…on one condition…
Suddenly, Gluttony grabbed Kairi from behind! Kairi yelled, "W-WHAT'RE YOU DOING?! LET ME GO GLUTTONY, LET ME GO!" Envy smiled and took out a few Red Stones…
The condition…that you will be stripped of will and soul!
End of Chapter 120
Next Chapter: An old archenemy makes his move, and the Elric Brothers are NOT gonna like it!
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