Hello, once again. This should be my last ever update for this story! Thanks for bugging me about it. I was so into my new stuff that it was kinda hard coming back to this. I just like that it's complete and people can enjoy it for what it is :)
Anyway, I don't think this chapter is THAT big of a deal. It's not super long, and didn't change the original story much, but a promise is a promise. I didn't go back and add the scenes you've already read. This is just simply what would have been added into the story had I decided to keep Kimblee alive. Shouldn't be confusing, unless you haven't ready anything else, which would be weird haha.
Enjoy the last ever chapter for The Bonds of Alchemy! Thank you guys for everything!
*This scene begins in chapter eight, when Kimblee is about to finished off Roy (if you need to refresh your memory.)*
"You should have known better than to come alone. Now you can watch your youngest subordinate take his last breath!"
He held out his free hand towards Ed, ready to attack.
"You're w-wrong about one thing." Roy stammered. "I d-didn't come alone…"
Kimblee's eyes widened. "What!"
"Now Lieutenant!" Roy yelled out, and immediately gunshots could be heard. Hawked appeared and shot off all her rounds at the enemy.
"I thought I already told you, bullets won't stop me!" Kimblee squeezed harder.
Roy smirked. "Then maybe this will!"
He plunged something sharp into the hand that was wrapped around his throat. "This is for Ed!"
Kimblee yelped in surprised and released his grip. With his hand still on the handle, Roy collided the man's injured hand with the one he still had raised toward Ed and pinned them both into the floor. Kimblee cursed Roy over and over, along with more yelling.
"Release me, you imbecile!" He tugged and strained, but both of his hands were stabbed completely through with the same knife he first hurt Ed with. They had been collided with the floor hard enough that he could not rip the blade out. This infuriated him to no end. "I swear I'll bow you to bits, Roy Mustang! I'll kill you and everyone you love! DO YOU HEAR ME! AHHH!"
"Look who's pathetic now." Roy snorted. "Hawkeye!"
The first lieutenant saluted. "Yes sir!"
"Take care of Kimblee for me. I need to focus on Ed."
"Of course, sir!"
"What are you doing!" Kimblee demanded. "You're not going to finish the job!? Coward!"
Roy glared at the man with fire in his eyes. "No, I'm not going to kill you. Because that would never be punishment enough. No, you're going to suffer a thousand times more than Ed. And if you don't bleed out before I get you to a hospital, you're going to have surgery to remove the Philosopher Stone from your body. And if you manage to survive that as well, you're then going to be chained up, just like you had Ed, and rot in prison until you die."
"You're going to regret this! I swear I'll—"
Riza forcefully slammed the barrel of her gun into the back of Kimblee's head, knocking him out cold.
"Looks like his body is finally wearing down." Roy was relieved. He had started to think nothing would stop the madman. "Tie him up and get him out of my sight."
*Later on at the hospital, before Ed wakes up*
Roy took a deep breath as he stood outside a hospital room. He wished it was Ed's. He wanted it to be, but since he had made the decision to let a psycho that kidnapped and tortured his subordinate live, he had to make sure the man didn't cause any more trouble. Upon opening the door, he noticed there were two solder is posted on him, guns aimed and ready to fire if necessary. The alchemist himself was cuffed to his bed by his hands and feet, with what looked like reinforced alchemy.
Good, they aren't taking any chances.
He stepped in where Kimblee could see him, earning a smirk from the Crimson Alchemist.
"Colonel Mustang, how lucky am I that you would come and visit me in the hospital? Sorry this little reunion isn't under better circumstances."
Roy clenched his fists tightly. "Don't you dare say that word! You're not sorry for any of it! But I swear you will be."
"Whatever you say." He continued to smile. "I'd salute you, but my hands are a bit tied up."
Roy wanted to throw up. This man was crazy. Not only were his words discomforting, but the sight alone made him cringe. He looked worse than Ed, yet here he was acting fine while the boy still hadn't woken up once.
Life was never fair, was it?
"Alright." he spoke. 'Let's get this over with."
He motioned towards the door at the two soldiers who were waiting outside for his order. Havoc and Breda came in and assisted with getting Kimblee ready for transport. His most trusted lieutenant would have been there too, but he insisted that someone stay with Ed at all times. Currently, his mechanic was there working on his auto-mail, so he wanted someone else in the room incase there was a problem. The sooner they got this over with, the better. Kimblee had already underwent several surgeries to remove his philosopher stone. Somehow, he seemed to come out better than before each time. It was truly unbelievable how resilient his body had become. He'd probably be impressed if he didn't hate the guy so much. Once they got him secure, Roy motioned for two soldiers to stand on each side, guiding him out, while Roy walked closely behind. His finger was poised to snap at any given moment, should Kimblee try something.
"How nice of you to take me out for a walk." Kimblee cooed.
"It's the last one you're ever going to get." He nudged him from behind. "Now get moving."
Thankfully the ride was mostly uneventful, save for the deranged man's playful banter the whole time. Roy had already instructed everyone to ignore him, but even he had almost erupted in anger several times. Finally, they reached the prison facility where Kimblee would be held. Roy breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the building, happy that nothing had gone wrong. As promised, Kimblee's cell had been fitted just for him, made so that he would be chained up and unable to move.
"Since your body's so durable, I'll doubt you'll need to eat much. It would be a hassle trying to feed you everyday."
"You're too kind." The man continued to hold his confidence.
What was it going to take to get this guy to show just a hint of fear, anger, worry, something?
"Listen to me carefully." Roy grabbed his face so he could look him right in the eye. "This is where you're going to live the rest of your life. However long it takes, this is going to be your grave. You failed, Kimblee. Your men failed with Alphonse and you failed with Edward. In fact, his little brother actually got his body bracket because of you, so I guess I should be thanking you."
He paused for a brief moment when Kimblee started to frown.
"And Ed, well you certainly did a number on him, but you still failed to kill him. He's recovering just fine, and guess what, I'm perfectly alive as well. So in other words..."
He stepped back as his men finished retraining the man to his new home.
"You lost."
He spoke with satisfaction as the the bars closed between them, separating Kimblee from the outside world forever.
"Your research. Your plan. Your power. Everything."
Roy couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw the man twitch uncomfortably as his frowned deepened. Ready for it to be over, turned to walk away.
"You may have won this time..."
He stopped in his tracks, keeping his back turned but still listening.
"But this isn't the end."
And with that, Roy continued to walk away, because he was absolutely certain that if he turned around and saw Kimblee smiling, he would kill him right there. But he wanted him to suffer. He had to suffer.
For Ed.
*This scene is from chapter nine. It's not much different, but this is the original version.*
"Ed, there's something I need to ask you, and you're not going to like it."
"W-What do you mean?"
"Be honest with me. Did Kim—" he paused for a moment, afraid the name its self would ensue a panic attack. Ed knew who he was talking about. "Did he rape you?"
"Please, don't... "
"You need to tell me. Because if he did, I am going to find him right now, and burn off everything that would make him even think about committing such a disgusting act again."
Ed went completely quiet. Roy had no patience for this kind of thing. He took the silence as a yes and had already started walking towards the door when Ed called out to him.
"No!" Roy stopped. "He didn't do anything."
He walked back over and sat next to the boy.
"He just wanted to scare me."
Roy clenched his fists and grit his teeth. "That's it! I can't believe I let him live. I'm going to show him what real fear is!"
He got up once more, but Ed grabbed his arm.
"Please don't go! I don't want to be alone..."
Roy stood there, trying to control his breath. Ed squeezed harder.
"Please...I can't handle any more nightmares!"
Roy closed his eyes and sighed. That was all he needed to hear. He finally had Ed safe and sound. The last thing Ed needed was to be alone right now.
"Okay. I'll stay as long as you want. And even then I won't leave."
Aaaaan that's it! That was all you were ever going to see of Kimblee in this story. I did have plans for him in the sequel, but then I went and killed him. Oh well. Like I said, not a super exciting chapter, in my opinion. Just what could have been. I am curious though, which version do you prefer? Keep in mind, this was actually the original story line. Do you like that Kimblee died, or would you have like to see him again in the sequel?
Thanks again to all who have reviewed, especially those whom I cannot respond to directly, like Brenda (so glad you love it!), Lily (thank you for the unicorn, though I unfortunately couldn't see it), Babit (don't worry Ed's gonna kick butt in the sequel!), and whoever initially asked for the bonus chapter (good thinking!)
OH! If you haven't yet, be sure to read my fluffy little one-shot, following this story, called "A Flame Alchemist's Father's Day!" And let me know what you thought!
The end, for reals this time :)
