Chapter 11
"What the... Hohenheim"? Ed asks, not at all impressed.
"Steel appendages hmm, and an armoured body", Father says, then I watch him go over to investigate Ed, "Are you two the Elric brothers"?
"So, so your, your not", Ed seems to fight his words. I sigh and ignore them and look at Envy, he still seems to be recovering from that. I walk over to his head and put my hand on his nose.
"Envy", I whisper and he don't do or say anything. I still can't believe what all I had remembered, and most of all I can't seem to figure out why I seen my brother. I sigh and look into Envy's eyes, they seemed frightened but knowing him when he comes to, he'll be back to normal.
'What did you see.. When you went through? It must of been horrible for a homunculus to experience', I think just staring into his eyes. Then I decide to look him over, the souls, some seem gone, while others are still groaning from what they had gone through.
"You aren't human, what the hell are you? What is in side you"? I hear Ling yell. I look over and feel something with in crack at what I hear Father say, "I would ask who you are, but I honestly don't care".
I ball my hands into fists, and look at Envy then smile as I see his eyes don't look like he had seen a ghost.
"You can go ahead and eat him", Father says. Envy looks over, and then gets up as he watches Gluttony.
"Ok", Gluttony says.
"What? No hold on don't this guy is our friend. You want to keep us happy right so don't kill him, please", Ed begs.
"But I have no need for him, your friendship doesn't make him any less useless to me", Father says.
"What did you say"? Ed asks not pleased by this fact.
"Brother the Homuculi keep calling this guy their father. I think he's the one who created them", Al says.
"What"? Ed asks.
"He did heal our wounds though", Al stats.
"He didn't heal mine", Ling says as he walks between the two of them, stumbles then puts his sword back up.
"I don't like him, I can tell he looks down on humans and calls us fools".
"When you notice an insect on the ground, do you stop to consider it a fool? The life of an insect is so beneath you that it would be a waist of your time to even consider judging it. That would be an accurate summation for my feelings toward you humans", Father says. Then Ed claps his hands and sends an attack toward him, "Look you might of healed our wounds but that does not mean we're friends, its pretty apparent that your the root of all this evil, I'm taking you down. I don't care how many cronies you've got"! Ed yells.
"And just who are you calling a crony pipsqueak"? Envy asks now sitting, his front for legs in the air.
"Pipsqueak"! Ed yells in frustration for Envy calling him that word again. Ed then claps his hands together and made it look like he was going for Envy and Gluttony, but changes his attacks coarse to Father.
"Got you now boss man", Ed says just as Father gets out of that mess. Envy then moves to attack, getting into Ed's way and tries to step on him, but Ed jumps up and over, still aiming for Father, just the same as Al, all I can do is just stand their, doing nothing but watching. Ling gets flung back by father using his own attack to hit him away.
"Ling! What's going on here"? Al asks. I look down, I know how, its because he is the one that taught every one and in doing so, he can stop every one from using their power.
"How does he do that, its like he can transmute just by thinking about it", Ed says.
"This is a waste of time", Father says and steps out, sending this strange wave of some sort through out the area. Sighing I look over knowing exactly what he had done. Both Ed and Al try to use their alchemy here.
"Guys, you can't do it", I say.
"Well why the hell not"? Ed asks shocked. They both asked why they can't transmute then Envy pushes them down to the ground and Ling was about to come to their rescue but then Gluttony grabs him and tosses him to the ground, then eats the sword.
"What the hell did he do to us"? Ed asks.
"I don't know, why can't we use our alchemy"? Al asks. I just shake my head walking over to Envy to stand beside him.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, you lower life forms never cease to amuse me, you get a spec of power and you think you own the world. And you don't even know what that power is. And then you have the arrogance to assume that your the one who is in control of this power. Your like a bad joke that keeps getting dumber", Envy says. I put my hand onto one of his larger legs and frown at the situation, I don't want to work for Father anymore, but I don't want to show that right now.
"Lisa, help us", Al says struggling to get up.
"She isn't one to trust", Ed snaps as he two struggles one last time.
"What"? Al asks confused. I just look down, 'But I am one to trust, you guys don't know that yet though'.
"What are you bastards planing? You promised to tell me everything if I got you out", Ed says looking up at Envy.
"Huh.. Why I would never stoop so low as to make a deal with a worm like you", Envy says and keeps his pupils looking down at Ed, but he seems to be looking at Father.
"Liar"! Ed yells.
"You talk far too much Envy", Father says.
"Oh sorry", Envy answers him with a look that makes me think of a child that got scolded.
"You may prove to be rather useful to me after all", Father says looking down at Ling, "I could all ways use a new pawn in the rotation". Then his third eye opens and the red stuff oozes out of it, the same way the stone I have had been made.
"Is that, a philosopher's stone"? Al asks.
"Yup", I reply simply.
"A what"? Ed asks.
"Your really gonna do that"? Envy asks.
"Do what"? Ed replies.
"He's gonna make a new homunculus", Envy answers, "The stone is added into the blood stream, if it is able to merge then a human bast homunculus is created". I watch, that is something Envy never told me about when I wanted to be come one of them. Gluttony takes the bandage off Lings face.
"But its more common for the stone to over power the subject and kill them", Envy finishes. That's the part that I did hear about, he didn't tell me what would of happened if it worked.
"I'm not going to let you do this to him", Ed says and both he and his brother work with all the strength they have to get Envy off them.
"What is this, what's going on. Why the hell aren't we able to transmute"? Ed asks as they both try to use it again.
"You bearded bastard let him go, he's got people waiting for him to come back. Get off of me"! Ed yells. I keep my eyes on the three over their, watching as Father outstretches his arm.
"Can you really shoot such a sad face? Can you boy"? Envy asks and I look over and see Ed pointing the gun to one of the many humanoid creatures on Envy's leg.
"Damn you", Ed says.
"Don't shoot Ed, this is exactly what I want so you just stay out of it", Ling cuts in.
"Are you serious"? Ed asks.
"I came to your land to find the philosopher's stone and now this guy wants to give me one, I'm not going to turn this down", Ling answers. I look over the same time Envy does.
"Think about what your doing", Ed says trying to talk some sense into the guy.
"Well now this is new, but we'll see if your body is as willing as your mind", Father says as he drops the stone on Ling's face right where the cut is.
"No don't", Ed stats horrified as it lands on the spot. I watch as the stone disappears into the cut, then red flashes come from his body and he starts to scream in pain.
"Watch, this is what you wanted for yourself once", Envy says, aiming that statement at me. And I do just that, I watch what happens.
"Ling"! Ed yells unable to do nothing else.
"I told you to keep out of this", Ling says pain evident in his voice, "Don't you dare interfere". Then Ling lets out some more screams of pain. I can't help but picture myself in that position, all the pain I would be going through is unbearable.
"Stay back, I promise that I know what I'm doing", and again more pain, "Their dealing with the future leader of Xing, Ling yao", he manages to add before throwing up blood and screaming as though its going to be his last scream. At that I grip the spot that I'm holding onto Envy tighter.
"I, I can't believe.. I wanted this", I say, then I watch as he stops looking to be in pain and kneels there like nothing happened.
"Ling"? Ed asks.
"What"? He asks in a different voice, one I recognize, "Oh you mean the guy I toke this body from? Sorry but your friend just checked out and left Greed this body", He says. My eyes widen, not only would I have been in pain, but some one else would take control of me.
"So your not Ling"? Al asks.
"Did he say Greed? So then are you the Greed from before"? Ed asks as Greed walks over to him and stops a couple of feet away. He crouches down sitting on his heals, then asks, "Huh, what are you talking about"?
"You don't remember us"? Ed asks.
"From Dublith", Al adds in. Greed points to Al and replies, "Ah you must of met some different Greed".
"He was my avarice before you", Father answers.
"Ah I gotcha that makes sense but if you want to hear it from me, then no I'm not the Greed you knew", Greed says.
"But Ling"? Ed asks confused and shocked.
"Well he was an interesting kid, he gave up his body with out any fight at all", Greed answers.
"Your lying, Ling would never give up and surrender himself to you so easily... Answer me Ling, Ling, LING"! Ed yells. Greed only chuckles that whole time, then looks up, seeing something. I look back and their stands a chimaera, it then falls to the ground bloody, and stands Scar, and the little girl. The girl grabs Scar's clothing and seems to be scared, of what, I have no idea. Scar comes walking in a few feet, looking ready to attack.
We look over as Greed claps his hands, "Oh, now that was a touching reunion right their". I watch as the girl swings the poor panda around, but it don't seem to mind.
"And they also have Fullmetal", Scar says, finally managing to hear them.
"Were is he, where is mister Edward"? The girl asks as she looks around.
"He is right their", Scar answers pointing to him.
"He's not really here is he"? The girl asks thinking he his joking with her.
"I told you right their, that little guy is the Fullmetal Alchemist", Scar repeats, still pointing in Ed's direction.
"How dear you toy with a maiden's feelings, you human microbe", the girl says as though her heart had been shattered right their on the spot.
"Why'd you call me microbe, girl"! Ed asks.
"Brother its just a little girl"! Al yells at his brother.
"Of course not, we don't even have the time for that", Ed says. I couldn't quit understand what they heck they where talking about I was stuck between their conversation and Father and Glutton's. Once Envy spoke I didn't really care.
"Go ahead and eat him, he doesn't even have his alchemy to stop you right now", Envy says.
"Ok", Gluttony says, then jumps for Scar, but he manages to use something and blow Gluttony in half.
"What"? Envy asks.
"You'll pay for this. You deceived an Innocent girl and you kidnapped shoa main", the girl says then tosses down those kunai again. Envy seemed to freak out a bit, and I couldn't help but chuckle at that, he is this huge creature scared to get poked.
"You'll pay for what you've done, all of you"! She yells and activates her attack.
I don't know why I didn't go flying with them, but I did fall back and land against Envy's tail.
"How can you use your alchemy here"? Envy asks.
"What do you mean"? Scar asks.
"Scar, you wanna know the truth about what started the war in Ishbal"? Ed asks.
"In Ishbal"? Scar asks.
"The truth about who shoot that child and started the uprising, he's standing right their. It was Envy disguised as a soldier", Ed says pointing to Envy, who gasps at Ed, "These guys orchestrated the entire war". I look at Scar and see how angry he looks, I put my hand into my pocket and pull out the stone, I know that I will be able to use this.
"I'd like to hear more details about this", Scar says, bringing his arm out, "In between your screaming". Then he reaches back as Gluttony was about to attack him, but Gluttony was the fool to think that Scar's guard was down.
"Now tell me, for what purpose did you chose to slaughter all of my people, depending on your answer, I'll send you to god"? Scar asks and he just lights up with the power just flowing around him, "No you don't deserve to stand up their along side my fallen brothers, your only soulless for my wrath will be your damnation"! He yells and places his hands onto the ground. I grab hold of Envy's tail while he goes flying with the rest of them as well.
I get in their, Envy lays down some hits but misses every time, so I go in to defend him, I hold out my hand and let a shield go around me.
"What"? Scar asks.
"No one will hurt my friends, not any more", I say through gridded teeth.
"Lisa don't", I hear Envy but I don't, I can only think of keeping him safe.
"Lets talk a moment. How are you able to use your alchemy"? Father asks, and Scar puts his hand on Father's face and attacks him, but it did nothing.
"Hmm, well you are clearly still transmuting", Father replies, "Physical destruction... No decomposition is it"? Father asks, and Scar jumps back just in time, as Father had used his power. Scar, Al and the girl end up running into the hall, I get onto Envy's back and he and Gluttony go after them. It happened so fast, I had no choice but to make a quick shield and only for myself, as an explosion happened.
"Geez could you have warned me first, what a rude thing to do", I hear Al complain, then Envy grabs hold of him and speaks, "I guess you think it was clever to ignite the hydrogen like that", Envy says as he looks over, "Where did he go? You better tell me now"!
"I have no idea", Al answers. Envy looks down then speaks some more, "Get up and track his cent Gluttony", then he gasps, I look down as well, my eyes go wide.
"You've used up your regenerative power, your body is dying", Envy says.
"No, he can't be", I stat.
"He is, get use to it", Envy says harshly.
"What are you doing on their side"? Al asks. I look away from him, I can't face them right now. Envy picks up Gluttony and walks back to Father's room with Al being gently pushed along.
"Man you guys really made a mess of things, didn't you, if you had simply behaved yourselves, then we would of let you go along time ago", Envy says. I climbed off his back and stand beside Al.
"Brother", Al says.
"He's in their, I know it, Ling's alive", Ed says looking over to Ling, or rather Greed now. Father had given Envy his orders, then turns back into his human form, and now we are following him down a passage way.
"Hey where are you taking us"? Ed asks.
"Just get in", Envy says just looking back briefly and walks into the opened Elevator. We all follow him in, I move to the right corner, as Envy pushes the buttons, and as we go to our destination Envy turns into what looks like a military guy. I narrow my eyes, 'So not you Envy, so not you'. We walk out of the elevator as it opens, and Ed and Al seem shocked.
"This looks like", Ed says and they both run to the window.
"Its central command, we where right below it", Al stats.
"Hey, you guys are plastered with filth", Envy says. Then we are walked to the showers, Ed and Al go into the mans showers.
"Envy", I say scared that he might yell at me for something. He just looks at me.
"I...", "Go take a shower before they are done", Envy says. I sigh, its not the first I had to do this in order to talk to him.
"Fine, but I still want to talk", I reply. He nods his head, and walks into the girls showers with me. He keeps his eyes away from me when I undress.
"So what did you have to talk to me about"? He asks casually. I look down to my feet as I think about the answer.
"It's just I can't go with Father's plan", I say.
"Oh", was his response.
"I mean, I'm human and all, so I can sympathize with all the other humans, I do understand what they go through", I stat, "But I don't really want to betray you...", I stopped myself, I can't believe I just said that, but it feels like the truth, he is the one out of all of the homunculus that I care for and trust the most.
"Then in that case, don't worry about it", Envy says. My eyes widen at that one.
"Why, I mean wouldn't Father want to know things"? I ask.
"Father is aware that your relationship with them two has become that of a stranger because of the pipsqueak finding out your on our side", Envy says.
"But, I would like it if you did report to me", He stats. I smile at that thought, he still wants me to report to him. After finishing off with that, I put a towel around myself and walk out, Envy is still in the bathroom with me, leaning against the wall arms crossed, eyes cast down and closed. I hadn't seen him like this before.
"I want to thank you", he out rights says.
"Why"? I ask. He looks at me, then away and walks to the door, "Because you've helped and defended me a few times, so thanks". With that he walks out of the shower room, I dry myself off then change into cleaner clothes and walk out. Envy looks at me then turns away, "You look better with less clothes on you know". I look at him oddly, he never says that to any one. Shaking it off as being nothing I just lean against the wall waiting for Ed to finish up. I had to laugh at the scream that the three of them did when Envy walked in asking what the hold up was, it was funny.
Walking through the halls of the military knowing Ed and Al wouldn't trust me I had no choice but to walk beside Envy and I didn't actually mind. I don't think he did either, I didn't want Ed and Al to think I am going to be the homunculus's spy or anything. I look down as I walk, 'Chances are that's what Envy is going to make them believe'.
"Hey"! Envy snaps the two of them out of what it was they where talking about, freaking them out for some strange reason, "Wrath will take over baby sitting you now, right this way", Envy says, then he turns to me.
"Wrath"? Ed asks.
"Y-yes"? I ask scared of what he is going to say.
"You have no choice but to accompany them", with that Envy opens the door to let us in. When they walked in, they gasp as they see not only Bradly but also Mustang. Standing near Envy I ball my hands into fists and shake some, I really want to get a good beating on him. I look up at Envy as he grabs my fist and he shakes his head.
"Control yourself", he stats, then walks in over to Wrath/Bradly and leans in to whisper something in his ears. After that Wrath looks at me from the brothers then smiles. Ed and Al walk over and both have their attention on Mustang.
"Where should I begin, Fuery's been shipped south, Falman's been sent up north and Breda has been reassigned to the west. Lieutenant Hawkeye is now personal assistant to the fuhrer", Mustang answers a question that I didn't hear Ed ask. I noticed while Mustang talked Envy was closing the door as he left the room. Ed gasps at this and looks at Wrath.
"Go ahead and take a seat", Wrath says. Ed and Al both take a seat, but I stand back. All seemed quiet as they just sit their. Then a cough was heard in the silence and I believe it sounded like that little girl. Ed and Al look as though they are trying to hid something and Al starts to fake couch, 'Come on man, you can't think that trick is going to work in the stat your in'? I wonder.
"Fuhrer, so what was that in the hospital that day. When you came to visit me you, really had us going didn't you"? Ed asks.
"I don't recall lying, I instructed you to suspect everyone and not to meddle any further. The only thing that you need to know is that your important to us and there is no need for you to dig any deeper. Accept the importance of your role and keep your heads down. You do that and no harm will come to you", Wrath says.
"Well that's great to us, but what happens to all the people who aren't lucky enough to be considered sacrifices"? Ed asks.
"There is nothing you need to know that I haven't all ready told you is that clear Fullmetal alchemist", Wrath replies.
"You chose that as my title, ha, I only joined the military because I thought it might help us get our bodies back, but now, now I know what the stat alchemist program really is, your using it as a way to recruit your sacrifices, well I'm not going to let you us me to accomplish your sick goals", Ed says and tosses his watch over to Wrath, "I resign my title as a stat alchemist".
"The symbol of the dog, that it is crusted with blood", Wrath says.
"Your plans are gonna fail, I swear on my own grave that I'm going to stop you, I'll worn the other stat alchemists, I'll tell them..", "What was that lovely young girls name again? Ah yes its Winry Rockbell", Wrath interrupts Ed. The three of us gasp at that.
"Your auto mail engineer, and you grew up with her in Rismbool as well if I'm not mistaken. She's practically a family member isn't she? I've heard that she has made quit a name for herself with her customers in Rush Valley, such a sweet and trusting girl", Wrath says.
Ed hits his hand on the table and yells, "You stay away from her, just leave her out of this"!
"Well that's up to you", Wrath says tapping the watch, "If you rather not take it then I will simply have to cut her down". I look down to the ground, trying to calm myself, she is a new friend of mine and he goes and says that. No way in hell, I'm so not working with these guys anymore. Ed takes the watch and puts it into his pocket.
"How thought full", Wrath says.
"Ah, sir you don't have to worry about us, but I have to ask. If we are going to continue to serve under your watch, would you please allow us to keep searching for a way to get our original bodies back? Please sir"? Al begs. Wrath takes a sip of his tea and puts it down then answers, "I don't see why not, as long as you don't interfere with our plans. And what do you have in mind Coronal? You wouldn't do something so petty as to quit the military"?
"Good question, I'm on a short leash here and I still find that preferable to giving up. And I still have my ambitions, your plans don't change that, so I'll hang on to this and I'll retain my rank too", Mustang says as he holds up his watch.
"That's fine with me, we have nothing more to discuss", Wrath says.
"I would like to ask you one question, sir", Mustang says.
"Would you now go ahead"? Wrath replies.
"Are you the one who murdered General Hughes"? Mustang asks. I just look down, I know who did, and I really don't want Mustang's flames going in his direction.
"No that was not me", Wrath answers.
"Then who did"? Mustang asks.
"Coronal I agreed to one question", Wrath says.
"Well be leaving now", Mustang stats.
"Ah, just one moment Alphonse", Wrath says holding onto his sword then shoving it through Al's armour, Ed gasps, as does Al. Wrath pulls his sword out and investigates it, "Is that all"? Al asks.
"That's all, your now dismissed", Wrath says putting his sword away. Mustang opens the door, we where about to walk out, but then Wrath adds, "Oh and boy's, Lisa here isn't to leave your side, if she does then we will know". Ed and Al both gasp and give him dirty looks, but Mustang looks confused. We all walk out, and Mustang closes the door then Ed and Al freak out.
"That was too close", Al says. I just look at them oddly the same as Mustang.
"Guys, I want you to know I'm not actually on their side any more", I say looking down.
"Wait what"? Mustang asks.
"When I was young my city Kular was attacked, and Father let me come with them, so for the last 10 years I had been with them underground with out many human to human contact, but after finding things out, I didn't want to help them out", I stat.
"And why should we trust you"? Ed asks. I look at him and sigh, then pull out the stone, "Because of this, I've had it this whole time, and you want to know the worst part about it is"? I ask.
"What"? Ed asks.
"This is the stone that was made from my city's destruction, I want to set things right, then set them free", I say then look at Ed. Ed just seems to understand what I'm going through, and so he sighs, then nods his head.
"Keep it, use it if you have to, and I don't mind you tagging along as you promise you will not stop us, or tell them", Ed says pointing to the door that Wrath is in. I nod my head and put the stone back into my pocket...
Ok another one is finished.