A/N: Okay, fair warning: This chapter is at least 20 pages long, so it's LONG but very descriptive and a key part in this story. as the title states, everyone is in Iron Town and memories from the past will be revealed (keep that in mind!) there's some humor in this chapter, but i felt very dramatic while doing it so it will mainly be a drama sorta chappie, but the rest of it from 11 to whatever will probably be funny, no worries! anyways, please R&R, and Happy Reading! P.S- I haven't done this before, but I am answering a ? from a review that fix-it alchemist brought to my attention.
to fix-it alchemist and other readers: okay, i know i sent u a reply from ur review, but i am also lettin other readers know when. Okay, fix-it alchemist brought to my attention how i haven't mentioned the real world yet. i mean, no one from fullmetal knows about hazel and li-san from 2006 world, right? -hint- -hint- anyways, about the real world, it shall be mentioned in at least the second or third to last chapter...or it will just be mentioned. i don't want to give away the ending about the Real World and how it comes up, so this is all i will say so far. anyways, thank u all again for sticking with this story! Happy Reading :)
Special Guest(s): Armony and Eiselstein! (from the ps2 game!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, however I do own Li-san and Hazel :)
italics flashbacks
' thoughts
" someone speaking... just sayin! ;)
Chapter 10: Memories... We're Home? Part I
Li-san and Armony ran up to the top of the hill that led to Iron Town below. The two couldn't help but laugh as they went along. Everyone behind them couldn't help but smile. Hazel had her hands behind her head, and put on a small grin.
"Look Hazel look! Iron Town!" Li-san said pointing.
"I see it, I see it Li! There's no need to be that excited." Hazel said quietly as she hid her pockewatch, hoping that Li-san hid hers too. Ed, Al, and Winry looked at Hazel curiously, worried about her answer. She looked at them, and then sweatdrops fell as she couldn't help but wave her hands in the air. "Not that I'm saying I feel bad coming home no not at all!" she covered. 'Our home? Whatever happened to remembering who we really are Li? Have you really just forgotten again?... I don't think I have the power to bring you back again...I'm scared...' Hazel thought, and sighed. She was glad she was holding on to the Hazel in the Real World. It was Li-san that she was worried about.
"You can't believe what's been going on in Iron Town lately. So much has changed since you left! Don't worry though I've been visiting your houses each day and kept them tidy." Armony said with a smile.
"Aw shucks thanks Armony!" Li-san said and gave Armony a chibi hug.
"What's changed Armony?" Hazel asked.
"Well for one, the military has been doing even more stupid and cruel things here... can you believe that they arrested three kids our age from our town when all they did was give evil glares at the military, and try to throw rocks at them? I mean, it's not their fault they hate the military!" Armony said with a scowl. Ed was surprised, and so was Winry and Al.
"Who'd they arrest? Don't tell me Megan, Illiana, Christine, and Caitlin!" Li-san shrieked, gasping. Armony nodded. (note: the people i mentioned are fullmetal fans)
"It was the only thing they thought would be a good thing because they had already arrested Megan's father, Illiana's grandmother, Christine's mother, and Caitlin's older sister." Armony said.
"Why would the military do that? What's going on here?" Ed asked, making sure to hide his pocketwatch (even though he didn't know he had been found out already).
"Well, it all started with the Ishbalan War... See, Iron Town is a peaceful town not wanting any war. But the military needed more soldiers. Li-chan's father was the only one that was brave enough to go, and he took Hazel's mom with him for medical support; that and she wanted to help out. Our town never ever didn't like Hazel and Li's parents even though they were in the military. It's just the rest of them they hate. So Hazel, Li-chan, how has your travelling the world been? Been to new places? You gotta spill at daddy's place!" Armony said with a laugh as she took Hazel and Li-san by the hand. As Armony, Li-san, and Hazel got a head start as the rest followed, behind their heads were minor sweatdrops.
"Travelling..." Ed started.
"The world?" Winry finished. They followed close behind, and entered the town. They made their entrance, and Armony became the loud speaker.
"EVERYONE! HAZEL AND LI-CHAN ARE BACK!" Armony announced and everyone emerged out of their homes to meet the two. Crowds gathered, and chattering began.
"Hey everyone! We're back and better than ever! How's everyone here!" Li-san said happily.
"Hello Dick, Arnold. Mrs. Lauren how are you?" Hazel talked to her friends and her close 'relatives', even though not by blood. Ed, Al, and Winry seemed a little lost, and they just stood away.
"OH HEY! EVERYONE! ALONG THE WAY ON OUR TRAVELS WE'VE MET THESE GREAT PEOPLE! MEET WINRY-SAN ROCKBELL, EDWARD SHORTSALOT, AND ALPHONSE ARMORPANTS!" Li-san joked and everyone laughed, welcoming the new travellers. Ed couldn't help but laugh, but he didn't know why she didn't say their real last names. I mean, usually saying Edward Elric, people would know he was a state alchemist. Then again, knowing who he was in this town was a bad idea. He still wondered why, only knowing that the military was not welcome here because they had done cruel things in the past... and why did Li-san and Hazel make up their story of travelling the world? As the reunion ended, Armony decided to take everyone to her home. It was the one that stood alone, and somewhere below on either side was Hazel and Li-san's houses.
"Daddy! Guess who's returned from their travels!" Armony cried as her echoe filled the room. The group heard footsteps, and all of a sudden a tall man with long gray hair walked in. He was wearing a long brownish greenish (i can't remember the color) robe that was a like a cloak in the back.
"Ah! Hazel, Li-chan! Well well this sure is a surprise! Come over here and give your Uncle Eiselstein a hug!" Eiselstein said with a smile, arms open wide. (i think that's his name...) Hazel and Li-san welcomed it and the three hugged. Ed, Al, and Winry couldn't help but smile.
"And who are these fine people you've met?" Eiselstein asked.
"This is Edward Shortsalot and Alphonse Armorpants. That's Winry-san Rockbell." Li-san introduced with a laugh.
"Please, just call me Winry Mr. Eiselstein." Winry said with a smile.
"Why hello there, all of you. Ah, Armony, will you be a good girl for daddy and go into the kitchen to make some food for our guests and our family?" Eiselstein asked.
"Sure daddy! Winry, would you like to help me in the kitchen?" Armony asked.
"Sure Armony! I'd love to!" Winry added with a smile. When they disappeared around the corner (the kitchen seemed to be far away), leaving the smiling group behind, Hazel and Li-san were on their knees, heads were bowed. Ed and Al didn't know what to do and looked at Eiselstein, his face was stern. He looked at them, and then to Ed.
"Ah, the famous Fullmetal Alchemist..." he said.
"H-how did you?-"
"There's only one explanation for Li-san and Hazel to bring back guests. I assumed, since your name is Edward, that you were Fullmetal. It seems that I was right." Eiselstein answered, hand up with a small chuckle. Ed couldn't help but shut his mouth after it was a little wide in agape.
"You see, I've always known that these two girls were part of the military. You're probably wondering why Li-chan came up with those silly last names for you.." Eiselstein said and shot a glance at Li who blushed a little embarrassingly.
"Yeah actually...Although, I sort of know why, just not all the details." Ed answered.
"Well Edward, I guess you know about the Ishbalan War and these two girls parents... It was after the war that things started to become rough for us. The military came back, telling us about the loss of Serenity Manson and Ken Yamanaka. After they had told us the news, we had no time to mourn for the military began to take control over this town. As our name says, Iron Town is where iron can be found. There are also other elements here that can be used for alchemy. The military collect almost all the iron and all the alchemic elements we have, and recently we've been fresh out of what they request. We came to hate the military, and because we cannot fullfill our monthly pay we are forced to be bound to them. They come for an inspection every week, and if something isn't to their liking they will punish whoever is in charge, and arrest them. Already we've lost eight children, two women, and five men. Can you imagine what this town thinks of the military for what they've done?" Eiselstein explained. Ed felt so guilty, since he was a part of the military. He started to shake, and for some reason tears came to his eyes.
"I...I'm so sorry...I'm sorry that you've been...been faced with these hard times and I...I promise that something will be done about it!" Ed said through tears. Eiselstein couldn't help but smile. There was something about this alchemist that was different from the rest, like Li and Hazel.
"Don't worry Ed...there's nothing for you to be sorry about. Even though you're a part of the military, you've never done anything wrong." Hazel said and placed a hand on Ed's shoulder when she and Li-san got up.
"Excuse me, Mr. Eiselstein... how is it that you're the only one that knows that Li-san and Hazel are state alchemists? Even Armony doesn't know..." Al asked.
"Because they are the ones that came to me after that alchemy was performed. They told me all about it...especially how they had gotten automail mysteriously. Armony only knows that Li-chan--I see you've been upped recently Li." Eiselstein corrected himself and Li-san blushed.
"You can call me whatever you like Uncle..." Li-san said respectfully and Eiselstein laughed.
"It's all right. Li-san suits you better anyways. Ahem, as I was saying... Armony only knows that Li-san and Hazel are very good and well trained alchemists, and that when they left at the age of 13 and 12 they were going on a journey to see the world in a different view. Armony didn't quite well understand, but she felt it had something to do with the recent 'accident' that involved getting automail." Eiselstein said.
"Ed, we were scared to tell Armony we were going to become state alchemists after we got our automail cause...we thought she'd hate us since she hated the military. The military started to do their mean things when we were 10 and 11." Hazel explained.
"It was before they left and told me of their mission, they came to me. This was when they were 7 and 8 Ed.. They were confessing their sin to me, and why they had automail.. I remember...it was raining that day... They had just come back from Rush Valley after staying there for a couple of days..." Eiselstein said, and he seemed to look up, remembering that day...
Armony was at a sleepover in a town south of Iron Town, and Eiselstein was left alone in the house. The only thing that was with him, was the rain that started to drizzle outside. He was worried about Hazel and Li-chan who hadn't been seen for a while, and he wondered what had happened to them. Suddenly, he heard the door open, and in the doorway he saw two figures. Li-chan was sitting on a wheel chair, and Eiselstein looked down to see she had automail limbs. That answered his question to why she was in a wheelchair. Rehab probably he assumed. Behind her was Hazel, she had her left arm as automail as well. What had happened to them!
"Hazel! Li-chan! Where have you been! I've been worried sick! How...how did you, when did you.. what happened?" Eiselstein asked, concerned when he saw Hazel and Li-chan, their eyes were dull and sad.
"Uncle we...well, we...it was our fault." Hazel said. She fought through tears, because both of the girls were scared of how their uncle would react after they told him what terrible sin they had commited. Li-chan sniffled as she rubbed her eyes, tears were already streaming down her face. She still wasn't very good with her new auto limbs, and was in a wheel chair for now. Eiselstein bent down to their height level, and wondered what was wrong. He wiped away Li-chan's tears.
"Tell me girls...you can tell me anything. I love you, you know that." Eiselstein said affectionately, looking Li-chan in the eyes, and then to Hazel's.
"Uncle we...we performed...something horrible... have you been...b-b-been to our b-b-basement in Hazel's house r-recently?" Li-chan stuttered. Eiselstein felt a pang in his stomach, and he rushed out the door, Hazel (pushing Li-chan) and Li-chan following close behind. When Eiselstein burst through the door, he rushed downstairs with Li-chan and Hazel following. They waited at the top of the steps... The scene went to Eiselstein, his eyes were wide. In their basement were two horrible figures...blood all over the floor... arms, legs, ribs, intestines...not in the right places. Their faces, icy and cold.. He vomitted, seeing the attempt of human transmutation...a failure. And what was the cost? More than he could ever imagine... The loss of two little girls' innocence, and having their life change in the form of the cursed alchemy and what it could do to people...
Guilt, hurt, and anger came over him. Why didn't he see it before? They were into alchemy, he knew that... but losing their parents, was it too devastating for them? They had lived with it for two years, but then again it was probably a mask to hide their true feelings. He was hurt that they didn't come to him...he knew this would never happen if they had talked to him. Then again, this was probably their plan all along, and didn't want anyone to know, knowing the risks of the transmutation. He was angry then, at how stupid and reckless they were! It made him rush upstairs in a rage. They were surprised at how he reacted.
"Are you telling me that you used the forbidden alchemy, to bring back your mother and father?" he asked them, and they didn't answer...only looking at the floor. "Answer me!" he snapped and they nodded their heads, shakind all over; avoiding eye contact. He couldn't help but grit his teeth and he walked over to them, stomping his feet. They couldn't help but whimper. He lashed out, and slapped Hazel across the face, making her fall on the ground. He turned to Li-chan and gave her a smack as well. She wailed and Hazel rushed over to help.
"Uncle please! Stop!" Hazel cried as she grabbed onto his arm, and she was thrust across the floor. Eiselstein rushed over to her and gripped her by the collar.
"Do you realize the extreme danger and sin you have done! I would have never thought both of you would go to such lengths...Why didn't--why didn't you tell me! Come to me for advice! For help!" he roared and smacked her again. Hazel only sobbed tears and she continued to apologize, her cheeks started to become red. The scene went to Li-chan as she weakly and painfully made her way, slowly, to Eiselstein as he continued to shout. She seemed to be struggling a lot, and wobbled a little, swaying from right to left. When he was about to slap Hazel again, his hand raised high in the air, he felt something grab onto his cloak from behind. The two heard a thud right after. Hazel, through watery tears was able to see who it was, and her eyes widened, her pupils grew small. Eiselstein seemed to calm down, his rage disappearing. It was replaced with hurt, pain, and sadness. He looked to see Li-chan, gripping his cloak tightly in her hands. She was in a bowing position, and was shaking all over, her short bangs covered her eyes.
"P-please...Uncle... Stop hurting Hazel. It's m-m-my fault t-too... Punish me too j-just don't... Don't hurt H-Hazel..." Li-chan whimpered, her shoulders shook violently, tears streaming down her face. Eiselstein looked at Hazel, her cheeks were still a little red from the slapping. He couldn't help but cry too, tears coming to his eyes. He turned around to Li-chan, and made her grip on her cloak loosen. Next, he brought Hazel around and placed her next to Li-chan who seemed to slump. He bent down, and embraced them in a hug. He had gone too far, that he knew. He promised himself he would NEVER do that again...
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry girls I...Can you forgive your uncle? This one time? That's all I ask..." he said through tears. The rest of the day, they cried and cried, and until Armony came back home they were ready to put on a brave face again (after a long discussion), and put on a smile. For Armony's sake.
The room fell deadly silent. No one moved, spoke, nothing. Ed couldn't help but feel like crap...he just, snapped. He gripped his right metal hand in a fist, and shook it with all of his might.
"Ed? Are you all right?" Hazel asked, concerned.
"How can I be 'all right'?" he asked through grit teeth.
"We're sorry we didn't tell you...I mean, in details. If that's why you're mad at us then, we're sorry." Li-san said.
"I'm not mad at you...It's just, we were little kids! We just wanted to see our loved ones again! We didn't think it would be harmful, even though we knew it was forbidden! It's just not fair! We were just little kids! WE WERE JUST LITTLE KIDS! Why is it that...what we tried to do, it failed, and if to make matters worse we all lost a part of ourselves! Now we're on this wild goose chase, searching for answers, dreams, for our lives back! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!" Ed roared as he slammed his fists on the floor, after falling on his knees. Al was silent, he didn't say a word. Inside he could feel how Ed felt, but instead he kept it inside. Eiselstein walked over to Ed, and put a hand on his shoulder. Ed looked up, wide eyes, on the verge of tears.
"Edward I, believe it or not I know what you're feeling..." Eiselstein started. Ed bowed his head in shame, hiding his tears. Eiselstein continued. "I..I don't know how to make you feel better, but I, I do know that you must know this." he continued and Ed looked back up, ready to hear Eiselstein's words. He took in a deep breath, and he said to Edward calmly, "You may have been little kids Edward, but that doesn't mean you didn't know the fact that human transmutation was wrong. Hazel and Li-san realized that the moment they had told me...the moment they seemed to show me what happened... Edward, do you realize that too?" Eiselstein asked. How the hell was that supposed to make Ed feel better! Then again, he did say that his words would probably not make the situation different.
"Y-yes...I do understand. I always have..." Ed answered, and wiped away his tears. He stood up, and Li-san walked over, putting her elbow on Ed's shoulder to make him lean over.
"Ah, cheer up Edo-kun! I mean...sure it might be hard now but someday when we're back to normal we'll be lookin' back on this day, knowing all of this stuff that little kids like us would never know!" Li-san said, trying to make the mood better. Ed couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Li's right Brother. We may think it is unjust now, but once we are able to fix what was done wrong, we'll finally be able to move on and have a great weight lifted off our shoulders." Al said with a smile, and Li couldn't help but blush and 'snuggle' up to Al who blushed a lot. In return though, he did give her a hug which made her more, as she put it: "I feel even more loved!" Hazel couldn't help but laugh.
"Everyone! The food's ready! Eddddd!" Winry cooed.
"Yeah?" Ed asked.
"I made your favorite." Winry said with a wink and disappeared behind the corner of the wall. Ed couldn't help but have his face light up.
"OH BOY! STEWWWWW!" Ed cried happily and rushed off in the kitchen's direction.
"Wait for us Brother!" Al called as he ran after Ed. Eiselstein, Hazel, and Li-san were left behind. Hazel and Li turned to their uncle, and frowned.
"Uncle...what has the military done now? I don't remember Iron Town this...plain and boring. It almost seems as if the life has been sucked out of everyone here. They're not like they used to be.." Hazel asked.
"What do you think? Already we've lost many, including Caitlin and Illiana and Christine...even Megan." Eiselstein said.
"Hmm...we'd get them out no problem but then...they'd know that we're in the military. Uncle, do you think it's a good idea to tell them now who we are and where we've been?" Li-san asked.
"That, is up to you two. Someday I thought this day would come. You cannot hide your true selves and your true reasons forever, and someday it will be revealed. I believe, that you should be the one to tell them instead of them finding out the wrong way. The way where they'd think you are...traitors." Eiselstein said silently.
"Hey! You three! The food's already out on the table c'mon let's go already!" Ed cried as he poked his head over the wall.
"Comin! FOOD!" Li-san said dramatically and rushed to Hazel who looked surprised. "I'M SO HUNNNGRYYYY! C'MON HAZEL LET'S DIG IN!" Li-san already shouted and took Hazel by the hand. The two girls rushed over to the dining room, with Eiselstein following behind; a smile on his face.
As the food was served, everyone dug in and ate to their content.
"Man! I can't remember having a great meal like this in a while!" Ed said with a laugh as he gobbled down his food, continuing to slurp his stew to his content.
"Brother, what have I told you about manners?" Al asked and Ed stopped with a strand of noodle sticking out. He slurped that up, and sighed.
"Oh c'mon Al, lighten up. You're acting like a girly girl." Ed said pointing.
"G--girly girl?" Al sobbed.
"Yeah you heard me!" Ed shot back.
"B-brother! How could you!" Al said dramatically.
"There there Al, I'm sure you're not that girly." Hazel said with a laugh to cheer Al up.
"So you think I'm girly!" Al squeaked.
". . ." were everyone's answer. Al was in a corner now, dark colors surrounding him.
"It's not that we think you are Al! We just think that if you ever were uh, you wouldn't be that much of a girly girl like Ed says!" Li-san countered and Al seemed a little relieved. When he came back to the table, everyone continued to eat happily.
"So Hazel, Li-chan, where've you gone in your travels? I wanna know! And how'd you meet such hot guys like Ed and Al? Boy am I wondering what handsome fellow is under that suit of armor." Armony said dreamily.
"HEY BACK OFF AL IS TOTALLY MIIIIINE!" Li-san, without warning, roared; flames in her eyes. Everyone stared at her, and Li-san's eyes were just small white pupils. She sat back down, completely red as a beet.
"Uh...anyways, haha sorry Armony. We've been to a lot of places actually." Hazel answered.
"We hafta say, the best would probably be Risenbool! We should take you some time it's just so peaceful there! Kinda like Iron Town was haha--ah...Oh, I'm sorry for bringin' that up." Li-san started happily, and ended sadly.
"No no it's all right Li. We're happy that Risenbool was a nice place to visit." Eiselstein said as he had his fork and knife in each hand.
"Actually, it was in Risenbool Armony that we met Ed, Al, and Winry-san." Hazel added.
"Oh cool! Hey Winry-san, do you think that someday I could come with you to Risenbool?" Armony asked.
"Sure! I bet there's no problem with that." Winry answered with a smile. Everyone continued to eat from that point on, and when the meal was done Li-san shot up from her seat.
"Say! Say! Ed! Al! You should stay in Iron Town with us for a while! I'm sure your teacher in Dublith could wait! We still haven't showed you our houses!" Li-san announced with a snap.
"Yeah. I hope that's okay with you two if we could see your houses and stuff. Armony can join us too." Ed said with a smile.
"Let's do my house my house my house first! Please? Please? Pleeeeeeease! PLEEEEEEEEEAAA-eep!" Li-san wailed like a little kid to be shut by Armony and Hazel.
"You see what Armony and I have to deal with most of the time?" Hazel asked, her eye twitched a little. Li-san couldn't help but smile, sweatdrops formed. Ed and Al couldn't help but laugh.
"Sure. We can go to Li's house first." Al said with a smile and everyone went out of Armony's house, down the hill, and made a right. Li's house had a blue rooftop, and it seemed pretty okay compared to Armony and Hazel's house. As Li-san opened the door, it creaked a little, and inside was just a regluar house.
"Well here's the kitchen to your left, it's spotless thanks to good ol' Armony here!" Li-san said with a smile, and they all pressed on. "Living room, dining room, laundry room ( - - ) , closet, basement, and that covers the first floor! Any questions?" Li-san asked and Ed raised his hand. She called on him.
"Exactly what was the point in showing us your laundry room, closet, and basement, especially when we didn't even go down there?" Ed asked.
"It's my tour I show you what I want you to see!" Li-san roared as she swung him around silly.
"Okaaaaaaaay! Put me dooooooooown! I'm AIR SIIIIIICK!" Ed wailed. As Li-san did so, they went upstairs.
"You can all go wherever you want from here on out." Li-san said and went into her room. Al and Hazel followed, while Winry, Ed, Armony, and Eiselstein chatted downstairs in the living room.
"Is this your room, Li?" Al asked as he looked around. He saw two shelves stuffed with books, mostly on alchemy. In between the shelves was a window seat, and on them were many plush toys of cats. That made Al want to go over there and give the lifeless kitties a squeeze.
"Uh-huh. It's not that much, but it's something." Li-san answered with a smile. Five pictures caught his eye. One of them was old, and it was a picture of a woman in her late 20s, she had long, silky black hair and light brown colored eyes. A smile formed on her face, and it was a warm one at that. The second picture showed a man and a small child in his arms. He had spiky short dark brown hair as well, but silver colored eyes. In his arms was a little girl, short black hair is what she had with brown colored eyes. The third picture was of two girls at the age of 4 and 5, and the same man from the picture before next to a woman with long bright yellow colored hair and light blue eyes. The dirty blonde was on top of the black haired girl making a little peace sign while the girl on the bottom seemed a little angry while the adults seemed to laugh. The last picture was of the same two girls with one extra.
"Li, these are cool pictures. Who are these people though?" Al asked and pointed to the man and women.
"Huh? Oh. That's my mom. Wasn't she beautiful?" Li-san asked.
"Yeah...like you." Al complimented. Hazel couldn't help but giggle.
"That's my dad too. I guess you can tell who the cute little bundle in his arms is. And in the other picture it's me, Hazel, my dad, and her mom. The last picture is of me, Hazel, and Armony." Li-san said and Al smiled.
"Wow. Both of you, you have so much in common with your parents... I mean, looks." Al said.
"Aw, thanks Al." Hazel and Li-san said with a smile in unison. The room became silent, just a little. Soon, they exited Li's room and walked downstairs to find the others waiting for them.
"Hey let's go to Hazel's house now! C'mon c'mon!" Li-san cried and rushed out the door.
"Is that all right with you Hazel?" Ed asked. Hazel seemed to space out. 'Li...have you already forgottten? Have I already lost you, again? What can I do to pull you back..I'm scared and without you by my side I don't know what to do...Li...' she thought and was pulled back into reality when she felt someone on her shoulder. She turned to see Ed, concerned.
"Y-yes Ed?" Hazel asked
"I asked if it was okay to go see your house." Ed repeated.
"Y-yeah! Sure of course." Hazel answered with a small smile and the group headed out to Hazel's house.
As Ed, Al, Winry, Armony, and Eiselstein saw Li-san wait impatiently for them, they quickened their pace.
"There you guys are! You sure are slow!" Li-san complained.
"Might I remind you that this is my house? Not yours?" Hazel said with a laugh as she opened the door. Hazel's house wasn't like Li-san's, Li-san lived in an ordinary house while Hazel lived in a pretty nice house. After all, her mother was a nurse after all.
"Wow! This is your house?" Ed asked.
"Yup yup. Hazel's mom was a nurse remember?" Li-san answered with a laugh.
"You guys can just look around if you want. No need for a tour." Hazel said with a shrug and turned to Li-san who looked at her with a curious look.
"Li, could I talk with you in private please?" Hazel asked and Li-san nodded. The two rushed up to Hazel's room, and the rest of the group wandered around the room, not daring to go down to the basement.
Li-san and Hazel entered the small room. Ah, it was just as Hazel had remembered it... Magazines were spread across the floor, some transmutation circles on paper were on her bed. On her shelves were books that were about alchemy and of the human body, a mix of alchemy books and doctor books (basically she was either gonna be a nurse or alchemist). Her bed was pretty big too, nice and wide and had great sheets. Li-san, without asking, jumped on to Hazel's bed and sat pretzel style, looking at her best friend with wide eyes.
"So what do you wanna talk about?" Li-san asked happily as she then decided to sit at the edge of the bed, swinging one leg back and forth.
"Tell me, Li.. You sounded so happy to be back 'home'." Hazel said in an irritated tone.
"Hm? Well of course silly! Why wouldn't I be glad to see my own house?" Li-san asked with a confused happy look. Hazel sighed, not knowing what to think.
"Tell me you, you still remember where we're from." Hazel said sternly.
"Where we're from? Oh..you mean that. Of course I know." Li-san answered quietly.
"So you..do remember?" Hazel asked.
"Of course I do! I wasn't born yesterday you know!" Li-san answered sharply.
"Oh well, you seemed so happy to be back 'home' that I thought you completely forgot about our real homes and all." Hazel said, taken aback.
"I was happy Hazel. This Li-san was, and really...I was too. And, I sort of did, but in the back of my head I kept reminding myself that my true home is back where my basement is. Lighten up a little Hazel, I'm sure you can be one with your character just a little bit. Especially now that we're in Iron Town! It'd be ashame if you ended our little adventure in FMA World pouting like that. C'mon, smile! Jesus loves you!" Li-san said, mimicking their pal Jackie who had usually always said that at some point.
"Hahaha. Li-san, hate to burst your bubble but I don't think in FMA World they have Jesus." Hazel said with a laugh.
"Jesus or no Jesus I made you smile! Admit it!" Li-san said happily.
"gasp! Li! I'm appauled! Jesus or no Jesus! How could you!" Hazel said dramatically and the two laughed.
"You know what I meant. Now c'mon, let's get back down there and see how everyone likes your house! Pleeeeeeeeeeease?" Li-san asked as she took her friend by the hand, leading her to the door.
"Wait..you told me to be one with my character, so I will be. Let's just, stay here for a moment... I want...I want to look at my old pictures again." Hazel said with a sad smile. Li-san frowned, but smiled too.
"Oh, okay. I'll meet you downstairs then. I know! I'll give them another free tour by yours truly!" Li-san said with a smile and went outside. Hazel chuckled when she heard Li-san cry happily.
"Hey guys! Time for another tour!" Li-san cried.
"Aaaaaaaawww..." everyone whined except Eiselstein who only laughed heartily. Hazel walked over to her drawer, and opened it. Inside it was a box, and she took it out and flopped onto her bed. She opened the lid, and inside the box were pictures. She spread them across her bed, and looked at each one, memories flooding back to her. One of the pictures was of a man she never knew, one that she had always admired deep within her heart. He had golden eyes, and tan hair that was over to the side, spiked up a little. He wore a regular outfit, jeans and a white shirt. A memory flashed before her. She was just a little kid, of age 3.
"Mommy? Who's dat?" Hazel asked as she pointed a finger to a picture of a man (the same one in future Hazel's picture). Her hand was extended with her finger pointed, while the other one had her index finger in her mouth. Her mother walked over, and looked at the man with admiration in her eyes. Tears began to form.
"Mommy? Why you crying?" Hazel asked, worried. Her mother bent down to her height, and gave Hazel a hug.
"That man...he's your daddy Hazel. Before you were born, he loved you very much. Remember that..." her mother said with a smile.
"I will mommy, I will.." Hazel answered and started to cry with her mother. She realized how much her mother loved her father, and she would never forget him.
She gasped as a teardrop fell on the picture, and brushed away the tears quickly. She put that picture away, and looked at another. This picture was of her and her mother. Her mother had little Hazel on her lap, giving her a hug. Hazel, in the picture, was smiling as she looked up at her mother lovingly. Hazel couldn't help but feel the tears form again, and she started to shiver a little. She smiled at how happy she was with her mom, and wished that she had never left... that way, she wouldn'tve died, and Hazel and Li-san would be able to live freely without anything holding them back. Thinking this, Hazel clenched a fist as it trembled.
Was this what it meant? To be one with your character? Hazel hated it...she always seemed to get the bad side of her character, the one that made her cry, made her suffer, made her angered. In reality, she wasn't real in this world, in reality, fullmetal alchemist wouldn't even have the character Hazel Manson and yet... it did... She put that photo away, and looked at one with a family in it. It was the same one that was in Li-san's room. Two adults, laughing in the backround while there was one girl on top of the other. Another flashback occurred, and it made Hazel chuckle silently.
"Lookee Lookee! Hazel look isn't it pretty!" Li-chan said happily as she pointed to a butterfly.
"Catch it Li!" Hazel cried and toppled over her friend.
"Haaaaaaaaazel!" Li-chan wailed as she started to cry. Her father and Hazel's mother walked over.
"Oh c'mon Li! It wasn't that bad! Crybaby!" Hazel couldn't help but mock. Li's father picked little Li-chan in his arms.
"There there Li, there's nothing to cry about. It was just an accident I'm sure Hazel is sorry." her father chuckled and gave his daughter a kiss. Li-chan sniffled, and rubbed her eyes as Hazel apologized. Someone from the village was happy to take their picture once Hazel's mother asked, and when everyone was gathered around, the butterfly seemed to fly by. Hazel and Li-chan of course were in the front, and Hazel put her weight on Li-chan as she put her hand on Li's head and tried to get the butterfly. It landed on the side of her head, and when the person said: "Say cheese!" Hazel was left with a peace sign as Li-chan's eyes were narrowed and a pointy frown showed. Their parents in the backround laughed.
Yes, that was a good memory. It made Hazel feel warm inside. Perhaps, it wasn't so bad like she thought. She put that picture away, and took out the last. This was one Li-san didn't have. It was of Li-san, herself, Armony, and Eiselstein. It was not long after their parents died in the war that Uncle Eiselstein took them in, and that Armony, Li-san, and Hazel would form a great bond. Hazel smiled happily, and put that picture on top of all the rest. She closed the case, and put the picture box back in the drawer. She sniffled, and wiped away the falling tears. As she was ready to leave her room, she looked back at it and found herself looking at a younger version of her. The younger version of herself was smiling as she looked out the window, waving. Hazel walked over, and she saw that younger Hazel was waving goodbye to her mother. Hazel gasped, and the images disappeared. Her chest felt a little jolt, and she turned back and gasped. In front of her, was her mother!
'Hazel...' the voice called, arms open wide.
"M...Mom?" Hazel asked as she walked over to the ghostly figure of her 'mother'.
'Hazel...' the voice continued to say. As Hazel was in reach of a hug, her mother's figure faded quickly when she heard Al cry in alarm, Li-san's name. Hazel snapped out of her transe, and rushed down the stairs. She saw the group as they were huddled around a crumpled figure on the ground, shaking all over with her hands over her head.
"Li! What's wrong! What happened!" Hazel cried in alarm.
"We don't know! She just saw something, a...a stain of blood on the ground and when she placed her fingers on it all of a sudden she just started screaming in pain! We don't know what to do!" Ed answered in alarm.
"I'll go get some help from the villagers! Wait here and try to calm her down. Armony, you come with me. Winry, will you come with us as well?" Eiselstein added and Winry nodded as the three rushed to the village. Hazel hit the ground on her knees and called out Li-san's name. Nothing was working, Li-san's eyes were closed tightly and she continued to scream in pain.
"Nothing's working! What do we do!" Al cried in alarm.
"Anything! Li! LI!" Hazel cried.
Li-san was in her mind, she was scared and screaming her lungs out. In front of her was a door of some kind, it was huge. She was face to face with a dark figure, a smile on it's face.
"Wh..who are you? Where are we?" Li-san asked in a squeak.
"You're back? My my you've been visiting more frequently now." the dark figure answered.
"What are you talking about!" Li-san roared in anger, hot tears fell from her face.
"You don't recognize this? It's the Gate." the dark figure said.
"G-gate? What gate?" Li-san asked.
"You truly are clueless." the dark figure sighed.
"Psh. What else is knew?" Li shot back. The dark figure sighed again, and pointed to the gate.
"The Gate to the Other Side." the dark figure sighed.
"Other Side..." Li-san muttered to herself.
"Do I need to show you?" the dark figure asked and snapped it's fingers. Instantly, the door opened and black arms grabbed her arms and legs. She struggled and screamed.
"NO! LEMME GO! LEMME GO PLEASE!" Li-san wailed in a shrilled shriek as more arms made her covered in darkness as she was pulled into the gate. She was turned to see the black figure, smiling.
"Have fun." it said with a devil's smile as it waved.
"NOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO!" Li-san screamed as she shook rapidly.
"Li! Li please calm down we're right here!" Hazel cried as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and gasped.
"She...she's so cold...what's going on Ed? I'm scared." Hazel sobbed and Ed started to sweat.
Li-san was inside the gate, she felt like she was a little kid again. She was 7 again, and she saw images flash through her mind. It was so quick and fast, but then it began to slow down as each picture and image could be seen to her. Her eyes widened, tears flooded down her face. The images were even before she was born! She saw her mother and father, they were so happy. They kissed under the moonlight, her mother's eyes sparkled as her hair was so silky and shiny during the night. Her father was so happy with her, and they continued their kiss. The image went to her mother in the hospital, giving birth to her child... whom she would never be able to share her life with. Li-san sobbed and sobbed as she realized her mother's last words after a farewell kiss to the little forehead of her beloved child: "Love you, baby...don't forget... me..."
She screamed madly and wildly, trying to break free from the darkness that held her tight. She couldn't break free, and saw another image, it was of her and Hazel and their parents. It was like they were a family...but just for a short while. It made Li-san cry because of how short their happiness was. Why was it showing her these things now when she already knew? They were so happy...and it all ended because of the military. They had taken their mother and father away from them when they were just little kids, and then they never returned. It ripped her heart in two, knowing her father would never come back.
"WHY! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME! WHY!" Li-san screamed.
"WHY!" Li-san roared as she madly started to convulse wildly, having to make Hazel try and calm her down.
"Li please!" Hazel screamed, when would the rest of the village come to help her?
"I'll go see what's going on!" Ed shouted as he rushed out the door. What he saw was the military, not letting anybody leave. "Oh no.." he whispered and rushed over to help. Being hated by the town would be better then to let a friend continue to hurt inside. He ran over and clapped his hands, making the military back away as the villagers were able to break free from their grasp.
"This is EDWARD ELRIC SPEAKING! I'm sure you all know how higher I am in ranks compared to you so listen up! Get the hell out of here, and leave! My friend is in trouble, and what I don't need on my report now is having the military be in the way of something important! Now move and get the hell outta here before I blast you out!" Ed roared.
"That's Edward Elric! The Fullmetal Alchemist! Everyone, fall back! We're leaving!" the military soldier leader called and everyone rushed away. Ed ran over to Armony, Winry, and Eiselstein.
"Edward? You're...part of the military?" Armony asked, shocked. The villagers were silent, all of them had their eyes laid on Ed. Ed was silent, he didn't answer.
"So you're of the state! Get out of here! We don't welcome thugs like you!" a village woman called.
"Ed..does that mean, Li-chan and Hazel are state alchemists too?" Armony asked, and the villagers were shocked. Ed looked up and stared Armony straight in the eyes.
"Armony, there's a time to ask questions, and a time to let them be. We need medical help for Li-san now. Come on..." Ed answered and a doctor followed them to Armony's house, a crowd rushed behind them.
"Watch...listen...see for yourself..." the dark figure she had seen before whispered in her ear. She watched, and saw how her little self and little Hazel worked so hard, hoping to achieve their mission. At first they tried using alchemy themselves, they got a teacher and worked with him for almost three months. When they were finally skilled alchemists, they fired their mean teacher and were getting all the ingredients for human transmutation. They were so happy when finally they had what they needed. In minutes they'd have their mother and father back with them, and they'd be happy again. They placed their hands on the circle, and it glowed as a twister of bright light happened. She remembered that...and watched in horror.
"It's working it's working!" Hazel cried, but suddenly...there was a change in pace. The colors turned dark, and cracks of energy whisked past them quickly.
"Hazel...I don't like this...not one bit.." Li-chan said and then felt something below her. She looked, and her eyes grew wide as her pupils grew smaller in surprise. Something was taking away her legs! What was going on! She turned to Hazel and saw that her friend screamed as the things began to take her arm away.
"HAZEL! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO US!" Li-chan screamed.
"I don't know! Something's wrong! Aaaaaaaaaaah!" Hazel screamed in pain as her arm was destroyed, blood began to race down her shirt and onto the ground.
"Hazel!" Li-chan cried as she tried to rush over to her friend, but then fell to the ground hard and started to scream in pain herself. Her limbs were gone, and she looked as blood began to form a puddle around her. She crawled over to Hazel who walked over to Li, and they looked at what was before them. They thought they had smelled something fowl. Their eyes went wide, and Hazel couldn't believe this! Their mother and father...no, these things were before them, gasping for breath. It also seemed as if they were throwing something up that hurt them inside, something red that glowed as it was spat across the room to a corner of the basement...
"H-Hazel...Are they?" Li-chan asked.
"No they...they can't be they just can't!" Hazel cried, trying not to lose control of herself.
"Haaaa--zeeellll.." a raspy voice called. The one transmuted soul had golden locks in different places on her head, her limbs and intestines were not where they should've been. Her heart beated rapidly, beating in and out as it seeemed to have grown.
"Liiiiiiiii..." the other croaked. That one had almost no locks of hair, it's eyes wide and ghost like. Hazel vommited, not even believing what she wa seeing.
"L-Li...we gotta get outta here...L-Li?" Hazel wondered and saw that, out of shock, Li had fainted. It was then that the two made their way to Rush Valley, not before making sure that the things they had made were dead. Li-san screamed for mercy, as she cried and cried, feeling the pain rush back to her limbs as they started to creak and rust. Instantly, she was back to the start of the gate. Gasping for breath, she saw the dark figure smile.
"Did you see what you needed to see?" it asked her.
"You...why did you do that to me!" Li-san screamed, tears down her face.
"You needed to know, didn't you?" it asked her.
"Memories like those..aren't meant to be remembered!" Li-san cried.
"Girls like you shouldn't meddle with the past then." it said to her.
"Whoever said we were meddling with our past!" Li-san spat.
"I never said you were. I just know that YOU are. You've come here three times now, and I'm sick and tired of your constant whining. You don't even belong here, don't you realize that?" it said to her as it took a step foward. What did it mean by that! Three times she had visited? She didn't belong in the world? It didn't make sense... Wait! Did this, person know that Li-san and Hazel were not from Fullmetal World but from the Real World!
"Wait! Are you saying that you know that Hazel and I are--" she started and then screamed as it came closer and then placed it's hands on her automail legs. She realized he started to take them away!
"Wh-what are you doing! No! Those are mine! STOP!" Li-san screamed in pain.
"My dear, you don't deserve to have these limbs for they belong to me now." it said with a laugh. Li-san could feel her blood rush onto the floor, and she sneered at the dark figure, her eyes became dull and angered. She crawled quickly over to it, making sure that it would pay.
Li-san started to calm down, but then all of a sudden started to scream in rage as she convulsed once more. Hazel tried to calm her down and grasped her arms in attempts so that Li wouldn't hurt anyone. Ed was in the doorway now, the crowd around him gasping in shock and in horror. The doctor rushed to the three. He bent down and took out his stephoscope (sp?). He listened and then felt her pulse just in case.
"Come on Hazel we need to take her home now. Her heart and pulse rate are beating rapidly." he said and took out a needle. He did what he had to, and then slowly injected the dosen into Li so that she would finally settle.
"Give me those back...I deserve them back!" Li-san hissed as she continued to crawl over to it. Her blood made a trail behind her. Suddenly, she felt a pang in her heart, and started to lose her sight.
"I think you're out of time. Maybe next time though..." it said with a laugh, and disappeared along with the gate behind him. Li-san swirled in darkness, not knowing where she was. All she knew was that she felt like she was dead...and that nothing mattered anymore... Everything was black, she was nothing...no one was with her, all hope for her was lost...'Is this it? Am I dead? Will I die alone? . . . I-I don't care anymore I..I'm nothing now...' she thought and closed her weary and tired eyes as her mind led her to somewhere, 'peaceful'.
A/N: well, there's chapter 10! the next chapter will be part two by the way since this was part one. the next chapter will also be a key thing since it deals with their 'pasts'. i thank all of my reviewers including: Sweetnevermore, ShadowsofRaven, Fix-it Alchemist, and all u other reviewers out there (or readers either or lol)! and i thank those of u who have put this story on ur favorites list, it makes me happy! -) so, thanks again ev'ryone, reviewers and all! -Em