Disclaimer: Hahahahah, wow that was one long wait, no? It felt like forever since I updated on this story, but maybe that's just me? Hm, well I enjoyed the comments. I'm pretty sure The Figgy is going to have a lot of reviewing to do when she gets back from her little vaca thingy-mo-bob. And just a little reminder for those who might have forgotten, this story isa very important chapter to the story line. It gives you a better intro to Adeke's past and whya lot of peopleneed and wanther.By the By, I do not own FMA...and it sucks to keep repeating that.
Beautifly92: I personally LOVE RoyxRiza pairings. Anyother piss me off too, cause it's like Roy and Riza were made for eachother. You know? With the cute little scene they had one the last episode...I almost cried with joy, although I already cried my freaking eyes out when I thought they killed Edward for real. I was shocked and pissed the hell of at those freaking writing for scaring the living shit outta me on that epidose...then again I was sad and sortta understood that that was the only way he did it to save Alphonse...and for those who are wondering, that is not how my story will end up! I'll leave you all guessing! Muahahahhaha...
White Alchemist Taya: So cool, oh I know that already!
Supershark1: Wow, can one say ' Random?' Lol, but really, that review was very odd. And yes, I adore Royai. It's so cute...hehehe.
Savannah Frostforth (read below this review too, lol): HELL NO! There is no way I would kill of Edward...unless he came back after and lived happily ever after with me in a little cottage...hehehe. But that's in my imagination...which is awesome...and not my story, so you'll have to wait until that part comes which will be a while due to the serious cheering up I will have to give people for the serious parts I've been typing. I didn't put this story under the romance/drama category for nothing!
Anime-GameFanaticFreako: Wow, that's a super long name, lol. It took me forever to look back and type it. I almost resorted to cut and paste cause I'm lazy like that. I didn't knwo you changed your name until just now, lol. Shows how slow I am...crap.
Cry of the Red Phoenix: Oh trust me, my dear friend, you'll love how I decide to end the whole story. You'll be begging for more...and I just might write more...if I feel like it. Bu tfor now, we still have to finish this first session of the series! If not, well never get to the sequel! And no, I'm not ending it like the movie. I would never leave you poeple hanging like that...or would I?
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-Ishbalah: April 12th, 1899; 11:34 A.M.-
The shop bell rang as the tall and foreign man entered with his daily supplies tucked neatly under his arm. His spruce attire and physical features were unlike the ones of the citizens outside of the door that littered the streets. In fact, he wasn't one of them at all.
"Ah, Brigadier Blanche, how are you today?" Tim Marcoh set down his assignments and pushed his research to the side of the wooden desk, fingers entwining afterwards.
The interior of the building was cool although the room held no visible windows, and Grey skimmed a gloved hand through his wild brown mop," Never been better, plus, I have a wonderful announcement to make as well!"
"And that would be?" Marcoh asked, brushing aside a stray piece of paper from his sight, an fixing his brown eyes upon the Brigadier.
Grey straightened out his coat as he tugged a ratty notebook from it's depths, sliding it across the smooth polished surface of the desk," I found the last ingredient; page 387."
Scanning the chicken scratches amongst the stained page, Marcoh's narrowed eyes came back up to meet Grey's while he swiftly closed the book," You know what this means?"
"I have a theory on how to create a Philosopher's Stone without the destructive results," Blanche smirked and squinted his crystal blue eyes towards Marcoh," And I believe that if we wait as much as a month, it will most likely fail."
"You don't mean…" Marcoh droned gazing into Grey's eyes, noting the eager presence that glimmered in their core.
"But I do!" The Brigadier chuckled and walked in circles amongst the Major's lab," I mean, this is big news! If we can manage to create the stone with a mere fetus, without risking the life of the child, then we can help out Ishbal!"
"Grey, how far is Marcie?" Marcoh asked, massaging his temples with his thick and calloused fingers," It may be to late to try anything."
"Almost four months, we don't know the gender yet," Grey answered with a smile, which confused Marcoh yet again.
"So you are willing to risk your child's life on a damn stone?" Marcoh growled under his breath so no one could here ever outside of the store," Are you mad!"
"Would I be willing to perform this major procedure if I did not have one-hundred-percent assurance in my research?" Blanch snapped and twisted the cap on his ink pen," You know I love my family, my beautiful wife and son, and I want to protect them and their home."
"What will Marcie think about this, Grey?" Marcoh stood up and stared lazily out of the front door, playing with an object inside of his pocket," Do you know that I already have a completed stone?"
"Yes, we went over this before Major," Blanche sighed and fixed his eyes on Marcoh's fumbling fingers," And I have yet to discuss this with Marcie, or Christopher."
"At this point, I believe you know there is no turning back," Marcoh walked back to his desk, feeling beat in his argument against risking a young child's existence.
Grey Blanche nodded and collected his notebook, his blue eyes tame and not crazed like Marcoh imagined them in his head," I want you to be fully aware of what I am doing and know that I would never consider risking my own child's life for some inefficient research and belief that I come upon."
"So it will happen tonight then," Marcoh tipped his head and saw the higher ranking officer off into the bustling streets," I'll come prepared."
-Ishbalah: April 12, 1899; 8:15 P.M.-
The moon rose over the endless dunes of sand, wiping out ever trace of sun and glittering amongst the stars. Beneath in the small city, Major Tim Marcoh knocked upon the wooden door of the Blanche household.
As expected, Marcie answered the door, her thick and wavy chocolate hair falling stray from her loose clip," Ah, Mr. Marcoh, come on in and make yourself comfortable. Grey will be out in a minute."
Marcie led the quivering man into the living room and sat him down on a soft down cushion she made herself. Christopher, their son, played next to the fireplace with his father's deck of cards, the numbers beginning to fade from the years of use.
His deep crimson eye's fell upon the man, glaring slightly as he gathered the cards into his hands and began to shuffled them with great speed. This gesture sent chills through Marcoh's body,' What if the boy heard our earlier conversation?'
"Tim, dear, would you like some tea?" Marcie asked and held out a tray of steaming porcelain cups, filled with the concentrated honey mixture.
"Yes, thank you Marcie," Marcoh tipped his head politely and took a teacup into his hands, letting the cool steam caress his tense facial features.
The fire flickered and Marcie's dress fluttered past it to Christopher, making a small yet uncomfortable draft catch Marcoh.
He watched as the Ishbalan woman held a cup of tea to her son's lips and allowed him to drink. Christopher's tanned nose was red tint that nearly matched his crimson eyes, making Marcoh note that the illness was only a minor sinus cold.
The mother pat her son's head and stumbled to her feet while rubbing her growing stomach," Ah, I have a feeling that this child is going to be a stalwart soul…"
"A stalwart soul indeed," Marcoh replied making a toast with his free hand," As I was told by Grey, you are about four months in?"
"Yes," Marcie nodded and blushed a bit," I didn't know he was telling his colleagues."
"Well, he is a very proud father," Marcoh chuckled, becoming quiet fond of the small yet cozy household," I would brag too, if I had such a lovely family."
"I guess it's time to settle down then, Major!" a voice resounded from the basement staircase," I already get onto Hughes enough as is, but it seems that I'll have to add another person to the list of bachelors!"
"Dear, come out of that horrid basement," Marcie called and made an empty seat for him on the miniature couch," I don't want you to get a cold done there with all the moisture."
"Coming love," Grey took a seat next to his wife, and introducing his family once more," Tim, this is my wife Marcie and my son Christopher!"
"Nice to meet you all, again," Marcoh smiled warmly and lowered his head towards them," I believe this is the thousandth time he's introduced us."
Christopher smirked and laughed under his breath at Marcoh's lack of casual speech which Ishabalan boys his day used quiet often. Slang, they called it; they never dared to speak that way inside the Holy Temple during or after ceremonies.
Major Tim Marcoh came quiet fond of the ways of the Ishbalan people, even came to love them so. Their traditions gave hope and new faith to the failing nation, although they were the center of the fight.
Tapping his son lightly on the shoulder, Grey dismissed Christopher to his room who held an absent and grim face," You remembered what we were talking about earlier, Marcie, love?"
Marcie's once beautiful and bright features dulled and flattened," Yes, Grey, dear. The research on the stone. But why-"
"We hold pure certainty that when the red water comes in contact with the fetus, it will surround the organism and protect it, all the while seeping into it's body as it continues to grow. Once the child is born, it will be bleed the stone which will be located somewhere amongst the glands."
Tim had studied his colleagues work and appreciated it very much adding onto the draft," If this project fails, it will not harm the child in anyway. Once the water is broken, the red water liquid from the experiment will drain from your body, not harming you or the baby."
"The red water, once diluted with the liquids surrounding the fetus, will become less powerful and instantly die out," Grey held his wife's trembling hand," I assure you once more and for the final time that nothing wrong will come of this experiment."
"So this is an experiment!" Marcie cried out, utterly shocked that her beloved husband of six years wanted to risk their second child's life on something never proven before," What about another baby? Why ours, Grey!"
"Because using someone else's child is not fair to the other families! They don't trust us State Alchemists anyways," Grey stated and stood up, taking his wife's hand in his.
Marcoh could feel the fear and uncertainty radiating from her ruby eyes, but felt as if anything he said would only stir up the matter," Shall we?"
"Come, Marcie," Grey led his wife down the cold stone stairs into their dark and dank basement," Lie down over here, away from the equipment."
Shaking with fright and terror beyond all reason, Marcie reluctantly crawled back onto the brown leather table and jolted with surprise as a light overhead shone down into her eyes.
Marcoh watched from a distance as Grey prepared his wife for the transaction, calmly reassuring her once more of what they were about to do. Next to the table were a fine set of vials filled to the thick white line just centimeters from the glass rim with the treasured and powerful liquid state stone.
Leaning over the woman's tan and exposed growing abdomen, Marcoh rubbed alcohol on the area just above the location of the womb as Grey held her hand to steady her breathing.
Taking one of the sterilized syringes into his grip, Tim filled the empty space with the red liquid and squeezed to get rid of any air that was trapped," Marcie, I want you to take a deep breath for me. When you feel a prick slowly release the air."
Marcie acceded and clamped her eyes shut," Just do it, and get it over with!"
Grey smiled and wiped sweat from her brow, kissing the tan skin of her forehead," That's a good girl, love."
As Marcoh instructed, Marcie took a deep breath and held it, and once she felt that prick…
'How much are you willing to betray our religion, Mother?' thought peaking through the thick wooden door of the basement at the experiment happening a few meters away from me,' Giving your body to the disposal and science of our Alchemist father and his filthy colleague.'
'This is wrong…yet I can't wait for the results to come…' Marcoh smiled and pulled the metal syringe from Marcie's abdomen," Give it a minute, and we'll take a few notes. Try and relax to the new felling, and report to us anything that you may feel."
"I do feel a little woozy…" Marcie stuttered and smiled up at her husband as her caressed her stomach," But other than that, I feel fine."
"Wait…what's that?" Marcoh asked leaning over the table making Marcie gather onto her elbows to get a peak.
The womb was glowing a beautiful magenta from the inside of the mother's belly, revealing the growing baby within. The colorful light flickered a bit until it faded, a firm and confident smile spreading over the two Alchemist's lips.
"It worked…for now," Grey grinned and beamed down at his wife, ruffling her messy brown hair which was falling from the loose clip," Let's get you into bed. You look completely drained nad weary."
"I have no doubts about that, love," Marcie chuckled and allowed her husband to pick her up in his arms and carry her up the stairs to their domain. He laid her beneath the quilted blankets and tucked her in.
Moments later, after dismissing Major Tim Marcoh, Grey re-entered the room and joined her in the bed, cuddling up to her side as she contently ran her fingers through his thick brown hair," You did wonderful, love."
"I sure hope so, dear…I sure hope so…"
-Ishbalah: September 19th, 1899; 4:26 A.M.-
-Hughes's POV (17)-
Her name is Adeke Jaelle Blanche.
Exactly 6 pounds and 13 inches.
Thick brown hair like her mother and father, but the deep pool of crimson eyes and tanned skin of her Ishbalan heritage.
Brigadier Blanche showed her off to all of us, admiring her brightly colored eyes and cheerful face," She's beautiful, Marcie! Our gorgeous daughter…"
I placed my gloved hand on Christopher's shoulder which seemed to tense even more once my glove made contact with the white fabric of his shirt. His ruby eyes shot back at me with a crazed glimmer in them, his pupils dancing about his sockets as her absent mindedly pointed towards trash bins in the corner of the room where a white rag hung over the side.
A liquid the color of watered grape juice stained the cloth; pushing my glasses further up my nose, I filed at the time to notice that it was no ordinary fluid.
The deranged flicker in Christopher's eyes dispersed as Grey handed his son his newborn sister," Take good care of Adeke when I am away Christopher."
"Yes, Father," he nodded excitedly and held his young sister close to his heart," I'll take care of both Mother and Adeke."
"Good boy," Blanche smiled and ruffled his son's hair, snaking his cool blue gaze to me," And my young Major Hughes! You shall be the Godfather, along with your fiancée as the Godmother…when you two are finally married that is! "
Brigadier Blanched laughed and patted my shoulder. My heart lifted in my chest as I fingered the golden ring on my finger from Gracia, taking the young girl into my arms,' W-What do I say?…Certainly not a 'thank you'.'
She was the spitting image of her mother, unlike her brother who held all the facial features of his father, but the characteristics of Marcie.
Standing next to me, Mustang (14) glanced down at the young child in my arms," Hah, what a little runt..."
Grey raised and eyebrow and lightly clocked his young officer on the shoulder," What was that Major Mustang?"
"Nothing sir," Roy stood up straight and swiped sweat from his brow," I was just talking about how cute an adorable she is."
"I know, isn't she a cutie!" Grey danced around the room, mainly around me, who held Adeke.
"Well men, I think you should be heading out," Marcoh wiped his hands off on another rag, mysteriously spreading a clear red liquid onto the cloth," Marcie needs some rest and the Blanche family would like some time alone with their new addition."
"Yes, I have to make it home to Gracia in time!" I checked my pocket watch and nearly flipped," I forgot to leave her a note again!"
"Exactly why I'm not going to get married," Roy rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest while gathering himself to his feet from beside Christopher," See you around Chris."
I reluctantly handed a giggling Adeke to Marcoh, but something held me back…
Her small fingers were wrapped firmly around my index finger, keeping me in one spot. Her crimson eyes driving holes into mine with a serious glint in them.
I squinted and looked a little closer as I noticed a faint piece of glass shimmering from below the surface of her red orbs. But the shine immediately disappeared as I blinked and shook my head, wiping a stand of black hair out of my face," I'll be looking forward to seeing her again, Brigadier Blanche."
"Yes, hopefully very soon," Grey nodded, laying his daughter in the wooden crib, tucking her under the thin tan blanket," Till the next calling?"
My head bobbed a 'yes' as I took a firm hold of Mustang's arm and drug him out of the house. A tinge of fear spread throughout my body from the new-born's eyes…' That gaze was haunting…And that powerful electrical power pulsing through her fingers…'
-Ishbalah: September 19th, 1899; 10:15 A.M.-
Marcie hummed a sweet and soft Ishbalan tune to her sleeping daughter as Christopher dealt cards out to himself on the fireplace mantle whilst watching the boiling water for tea. All the while, Grey and Marcoh continued with their discussion and research down inside the secrecy of the dank basement.
"The power emitting from your daughter…" Marcoh sighed and shook his head with disbelief," It was uncontrollable! You do know that if people find out about this experiment, she'll be treated as one. Hell, she might even be hunted for it by many power-hungry nimrods!"
"Yes, but she will be able to defend herself," Grey nodded and scribbled more notes into his thick leather book," I can fell it…she will make a fine alchemist. I believe she'll be experimenting with the power at the age of four! By God, she could be the youngest state Alchemist in all existence!"
"Don't get your hopes to far, Grey," Marcoh chuckled and tilted his head back slightly," Although I understand the pride you must be feeling in the succession of your hypothesis!"
"The succession of my hypothesis?" Grey blinked and ended up nearly falling out of his chair," No, my dear Major, I'm savoring the pride of being the father of a beautiful baby girl!"
"Fathers will be fathers…" Marcoh breathed and scratched his head, earning a fair glare from Grey who had his arms crossed tightly over his chest," And where's this woman of who you were supposed to meet tonight?"
"At home, waiting for my arrival," Marcoh answered, avoiding his higher-ups gaze.
Blanche figured out immediately, the Major's lie and cackled," You don't really have a date tonight do you, Tim?"
"Ah, no, but I will soon, by god…" Marcoh grumbled and tightened his grip on the pen, letting a goofy grin fall over his lips," I'll show you that a dull man like me and get married, Grey!"
"If only I could live to see it," Grey joked making Marcoh's jaw drop, only making Blanche laugh harder," It was a joke, Major!"
Marcoh quirked his head and let a low hoot escape his throat," Hah! Whatever, Blanche, I'm turning in for the day."
"It's only thirty till," Grey check his pocket watch and tucked it back into his back pocket. Once his eyes came back up to where Tim stood only minutes before, he noticed that the man was gone.
Scanning the room, Grey heard the basement door above close and sighed aloud," He's a little light hearted sometimes…"
On the desk, resided a small letter with Marcoh's tidy handwriting scribbled across it. Grey lifted the slip of paper up to notice what it read:
" The child's eyes hold the stone."
"It figures…" Grey tucked the paper into the inside band of his jacket, keeping it from his family and other military friends sight," She'll grow up to be an honorable young woman, even if she follows the life of a common house wife. That Adeke of mine is going to rid this world of prejudice and hate, and replenish it with kindness and life."
'The things I wish I could live to see.'
-Ishbalah: September 19th, 1908; 12:05 A.M.-
War reeked the tiny Ishbalan village, and tickled the green sin's heart.
"What filthy lowlifes…I can't find a good fuck who can stay alive for more than five seconds into the fun," he chuckled kicking a dead corpse of an Ishbalan woman to the ground into the cold pool of blood," Bloodshed on the horizon, and spilling on the desert sand…I love War."
The Sin roamed the deserted streets of the opposite side of town, hoping to catch a glimpse of what he had been looking for. His purple eyes glanced from house to burning house until he heard a plea for help coming from one of the houses.
"How lovely, we have a survivor!" he jeered and ran into the burning house," Hopefully this one will be worth the undressing."
He ripped furniture apart looking for the crying voice, but he came to realize that the crying came from a small girl who bolted out of the glass window, red blood seeping from the gashes carved into her palms.
"There she is! Get back here wench!" Soldiers yelled and shouted from the distance.
"Idiot child!" The Sin growled and bared his sharp teeth, until a bullet grazed his side," She brought company!"
The green-haired sin chased the girl from the shadows of the flaming city, all the way to the outskirts.
Something pulsed from that small girl…no older than ten.
Something buried and attached to her soul, deep inside of her.
The Sin wanted to have it all to himself, the power that pulsed in her veins and rushed out of her cuts and bullet holes.
To feel her warmth against him; feeding off the wonderful potency that could be creeping up his arms and into his very own bloodstream.
"I want her…" he spoke to himself," I want that girl as my own…"
'They don't call me Envy for nothing.'
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This was one long chapter to type; 4130 words! I hope you liked it and got a lot of past information of Adeke from it! And yes, if you want to know, thae next one will have actual fluff in it. It will also star a very important character to the actual story line in it, among others, lol. Great, now I don't know what else to write down here. Ah well, I hope you enjoy it and sorry for the super long wait!