Again

Where have you been Al?! You're a main character. Well, 20,000 words in, and he has made his debut to Again :D

A quick help for pronunciation: Lynion (Lyn-eye-on) and Fraxern (Frah-axe-erm)

Thanks Lily for pointing out the "Ling" thing a couple of chapters back. I don't even know how I missed that out XD Well, it's all sorted out now.

Thank you for reading and I'll see you with the next update. Enjoy!

Chapter 2 - The Value of Family

Part II: Alphonse

He had been ripped apart. Only a fraction of what once was had survived, and now he only lived subconsciously within what he was bound too. He felt nothing, but he could tell it was cold and he was all boxed up…

Alphonse jumped out of bed, leaping from the covers as the cat curled beside him hissed and gave him an envious look. He reached over to stroke her, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead as he fully woke up from the nightmare. It was not a nightmare, but more similar to another life living within his dreams; it had been that way since he had got his original body back and begun to sleep again. The dream never had any clarity to it, as if he was trying to find a piece of gold within a murky, fast-flowing stream. His breathing slowly returned to normal as the brown cat with the blue eyes started to purr and rubbed herself against Al's shoulder as he stared at the ceiling from his bed.

"Nina, you must stop being so picky! You know I have to get up early today and sleeping on my head isn't going to change my mind!" Al fussed her for another second before heaving himself off the bed, glaring at the clock. He was late…again!

The problem with the East, and Xing in particular, was the humidity. Even though the sun was out on this morning, it was usually cloudy and storms were not once in a blue moon, but it was always humid. Al trudged down the flights of steps from his hotel room and walked out onto the bustling streets, full of traders with animals, bowls of food and odd trinkets from all across the sea. Only several years ago had this part of the town been a slum district, however, after the old Emperor had passed away and Emperor Yao had come to power, he had ensured all poverty was to be eradicated. Now Xing was developing at an exponential rate, but had not quite reached the technological advances that Amestris had made through the use of alchemy.

Palace Town was the home of the Yao Clan and ironically was the city where the Emperor ruled from the north-eastern district of Xing. The surrounding outskirts of the city were full of trade markets such as this one; as one worked their way closer to the centre of the town, and the palace, intricate fountains and flower beds were doted without the city, with high walls made of marble. Behind the palace were the ninja training grounds and the dojo, yet the most impressive feat was the healing centre. Bright cherry blossoms were continuously in bloom in front of the building; designs of the history and development of medicine were carved into the wall; a simple alkahestry circle had been carved with mosaic and placed at the front entrance. Al had travelled over the sea to neighbouring countries and also by foot for many years. He had returned to Xing just over six months before, to the culture and the people, although he still missed his rural home in Resembool, in which he had not visited in almost two years.

And still Palace Town was called Palace Town, not Palace City.

May was waiting for him by a market stall, stuffing her face with a sandwich; even at 19 years old and highly intelligent she acted like a small child. The panda which always accompanied her, Shao May, leapt from the stall's desk onto May's shoulder; she had not grown much since birth due to a growth-stunting condition and gently bit at Al's finger when he went to pet her. After all of this time, her bite was nothing vicious, only a friendly nip.

"Alphonse, where have you been…I've been able to eat three sandwiches while I was waiting for you! The representative from the Yao Clan should be inside of the palace waiting for us right now!" May cried, dragging Al along the sandy track to make the ascent to get to the palace. She was able to budge him only slightly as he towered over her small physique.

Al was still a little sceptical even after all of the persuading it had taken on May's part. They had in fact not travelled together further than Xing, and Al had only spent the past six months searching all over Xing for the different representatives of all 50 clans. He had followed his brother into all the recklessness he fell into, and May was much the same with her stubborn attitude, so much so that now she was the heir to be the representative for her own family, the Chang Clan.

The reason why Al had been called away from his research of alchemy in the east was due to an anonymous letter May had received. Her skills in alkahestry were renowned despite her poor background and therefore she was a target to the revolutionaries. Ever since Ling Yao had ascended the throne, money had been shared out amongst the poor as it had around the rich so no member of Xing would suffer from starvation again. However, the once rich nobles had been forced to share some of their riches into taxes to give to the poor. Al had heard whispers and rumours of numbers gathering, hiring out alchemists and terrorists to attack the Emperor. He knew from experience never to doubt the talks from the streets.

As a representative to her Clan, May was due the respect and privacy of the other leaders of the Xingese clans. Would they listen? Was it the right thing to do? Yes, it must have been the right thing to do. A revolution needed to be known to the leaders who have the power to call a stop to this kind of feud. I only hope the Yao Clan will at least hear us out, after all, Ling and Lan Fan are friends of ours.

As they cautiously stepped into the palace, the doors rattled shut behind them while they were being led into an antechamber. Shao May was starting to shiver form her place on May's shoulder. Al leaned down to whisper to his companion but she brushed him away with the flick of her wrist. They were being led into deeper darkness and Al was struggling to see to the extent that he had to put a hand on the wall for support. The lights are getting dimmer; what can we do? We're not permitted the kunai knives required for alkahestry in the hotel so I only have my alchemy to rely upon. No, that would cause too much of a commotion. THINK ALPHONSE! There is the "shadow wave" I learnt in Fraxern, but I swore to only use that in an emergency…

The time had come. Their escort slipped off into another direction as they stood, waiting in the throne room. May had started to shiver too, and the lights were coming back on…What should he do? Doing the spontaneous thought where he stood, Al clapped his hands lightly, bringing the force of his alchemy upon his shadow, which was waxing with the growth of the light. He filled the shadow with solid matter, so it became a substance weighing only as much as dust. However, it could strike. Al forced the shadow to shrink to the narrowness of a pin and aimed it from the ragged breathing coming from the throne, poised to strike…

But Al was always a worrier.

"My friends, how have we all been doing? It has been so long!" Ling Yao jumped from his throne and rushed over to greet his friends. May screamed and ran up to embrace him, whilst Al was so shocked his shadow vanished in the instant as he stared at the two gossiping like they had only last seen each other yesterday. He had last seen Ling Yao six months ago and before that when he had left Xing to explore eastern countries like Lynion and Fraxern. The Emperor, crowned on his sixteenth birthday, was always too busy for a personal audience, or so he made out in public. It felt like a day had not passed before he had left Amestris all of those years ago.

"I was so excited to see you Ling, oh my goodness! Shao May and I were shaking in anticipation for this moment! Is the palace free form eavesdroppers, like your informer promised me last night?" As May was waving her hands frantically saying this, Al gaped, completely unaware at how he had been fooled by May, again. He did not know why he had agreed to help her to spread the message of these riots. His personal feelings had to go on hold; this message threatened all of the Empire, and perhaps even Amestris.

"Al, you still appear to be the same as ever. It's good to see you again! I've forced Lan Fan to bake an apple pie for you this morning for your welcome despite her complaining! My one day off from no duties at all in over a year and now you bring me more news, I can tell… I want to know everything; I can tell from that serious look in your eyes…" Ling Yao instantly slapped his head. "Stop saying "I want" stupid man! He is mocking you every time you speak!"

Alphonse smiled, knowing the young Emperor's inside jokes, thought longingly of Greed. Even now he shivered at the thought of how Pride had hosted his soul. Whenever he used his "shadow wave", he cringed at sharing the power with his own blood who sought to destroy Amestris.

Three royal guards silently wandered into the room and placed three chairs and a table below the dais. Ling sat down, rubbing the back of his neck; the only visible sign of his tiredness beneath his smiling complexion. May grabbed into her blouse and pulled out a tattered note, which she handed to the Emperor.

"Oh my…"