OMG! Sorry it took so long, but I've been so busy! But you'll never guess what I've been doing! I've been starting a school Anime Club! The ASOS BRIGADE IS NOW AN OFFICIAL SCHOOL CLUB! And you know what else? It's the biggest club in the school! :3 Take THAT SSAC!
There are a few A/N at the end, so be sure to read them!
Sooo… I decided that I'm going to start responding to my reviewers, so here we go!
Lux the Insane: Why yes, The name 'Grimsley' IS a reference to Pokemon (just the name)! I'm glad you figured it out!
AllenxEdward: Thanks! And yeah, I'm feeling better. We moved the ps2 and 3 into my room, so Netflix has become a perfect medicine lol :3
EliTigre: Yeah, that is a bit over the top. Consider it corrected, dear reader.
FlamingFlyingFoxOfDoom: I think that I cleared up most of the mystery with the edit lol. And continue I shall!
Guest Reader: I'm glad that you like it so much! The end is approaching, but it'll be a fun ride!
Truth's Apprentice: Yay! The twists are the most fun to write (so is the fluff :3)
Blackwind137: Coming up with ideas for this story is a little tricky, but with the right music, it just seems to put itself together. Thanks!
CC-R2000: I like that part too (but it's my story, so that statement really doesn't make sense lol)
Soko524: It did, and YES! THE NEW KH GAME IS AMAZING! Thanks~
Dusk, Chapter 25
I Will Always Protect You
The boy lay on the cold tiled ground, still and lifeless. His bloodied wrists, though clogged with black, shone with a piercing hue of red, vibrant and sad.
"Edward!" Roy yelled, running towards the boy. In spite of his injuries, Roy kneeled beside of him, examining him for any signs of life or consciousness.
"Edward…? Edward? Say something, dammit! Edward!" the man yelled, shaking Edward violently, trying, hoping, that he could get a reaction.
No… this can't be… he can't be…
"Edward…? Please…don't…" Roy heard a voice, soft and still.
You saved my life, and I cried for you… now I save yours, and you cry for me… Equivalent Exchange is a funny thing…
Roy gasped at this voice that he heard, a strange yearning that drew him closer, gave him a hope that would last.
"Edward…?" Roy exasperated. "Is that… you?"
Yes…
The boy opened his tired, though shimmering eyes to a man who he knew so well. The man that he had called his father.
"R…Roy?… I feel weird… and my sight's gotten worse… what happened?" Edward asked, putting a hand to his head.
"Well, you-… what do you remember?"
Edward waved a hand in front of his eyes, proving to himself his lost vision. He sat emptily for a moment, thinking.
"There was a woman- Tina Grey, I think her name was- she told me that I was… a success… special… a key… She gave me a tablet… a little pill… and said it was the only way I could save you from that man… but…" The boy jumped onto Roy, enclosing the man in a tight hug.
"You're okay…! You're really okay!" Edward grasped the man tightly, sobbing into his chest. Roy, surprised by the boy's sincerity, returned the hug. They stayed like this as Edward continued to cry with both joy and pain. Footsteps echoed throughout the hall as military-issue boots stomped through the building. Two pairs of feet stepped into the room, belonging to Riza Hawkeye and Maes Hughes. Of course, Riza's gun was loaded and ready to fire.
"Colonel Mustang! I found Hughes tied up in the front office; he says that someone jumped him." The woman said with a firm solute.
"Hawkeye! Where were you?! I almost got killed!" Roy yelled from the floor.
The thoughts of earlier replayed in Riza's mind, making her shudder in disgust.
"Don't. Ask."
"But-"
"Don't. Ask." Riza repeated as she grew less than tolerant.
"A-alright. Well… I suppose I should inform you of what has happened" Roy said as he got up from the ground and cleared his throat.
"It seems that a mysterious group has gained an interest in Edward… and, for one reason or another, believe him to be… their first success"
Riza and Hughes were rather surprised by this statement, sharing puzzled looks.
"But… what does that mean, 'their first success'?" Riza asked, his auburn eyes burning with her question.
"Whatever that means… it doesn't exactly sound like a good thing. Success isn't always a plus"
I knew that old man picked you for a reason.
Edward's eyes widened in realization, and he began to shake.
"N-no… it can't be… she can't-"
The three adults looked to Edward, trying to figure out what he was talking about.
"Edward? Are you alright?" Roy asked with a hand on Edward's shoulder.
"He… I-I T-think they may b-be working… with t-that man…"
"Who, Edward?"
Hughes eyes dilated the moment he figured out what the boy was talking about.
"Is that even possible?!" he yelled.
"Hughes? What are you-"
"Delbruck! Edward is saying that those people are working for Delbruck!" Hughes yelled to the clueless man.
"N-no… he can't b-be…"
The sound of two hands clapping echoed throughout the bleak room, accompanied by a giggle of sorts.
"Ehehehehehe" a voice snickered.
The three adults looked around in anger at the unwelcome guest.
"Show yourself, coward!" Roy screamed, his fists balled in anger.
The room grew silent as his echo faded.
"…As you wish" the voice said softly. A figure emerged from the shadows, revealing a certain purple-clad girl. Even with his failing vision, Edward instantly recognized the purple silhouette.
"Alice?" Edward asked.
Alice looked in Edward's direction, and smiled softly to the boy.
"Why hello, Edward. It seems that destiny has brought us together again" she said with a bow as she walked closer. Instantly, Hawkeye aimed her gun at the girl, protective of her friends.
Alice looked a little surprised at the woman's actions, but only brushed it off. With a smirk, Alice walked forward four paces.
"My masks show many emotions, but none include fear" she said as she walked closer. Riza did not falter, however, and continued to aim her weapon at the girl.
"Ehehe… That little toy will get you nowhere, gunslinger girl. However, I'm not here to start a fight, so it would behoove you to put that gun away" The gun remained raised.
Alice sighed, putting her hands on her knees in exhaustion. "You really don't give a girl a break, do you?" she exasperated with a slight laugh.
"Who are you, really?" Hughes asked as he walked forward.
Alice showed great interest in Hughes' question, and smiled wickedly at him. Her light blue eyes feigned amusement.
"Ehehehe…ehehehehehe… Ahahahahahaha!" she practically screamed, raising her head to the skies, her eyes bright and mad as her volume increased.
"Oh, you slay me! Are you guys hearing this?!" she yelled at the wall, snickering at it as if people were standing there.
"Um…" The four stood watching Alice converse with the stone in puzzlement, wodering if this girl had any sanity at all.
What is she doing?
After a moment, Alice seemed to understand her own actions.
"Oh… wait… no one's there… heh, oh well." she said with a snort.
"Well? Aren't you going to answer my question?" Hughes asked impatiently.
"Hm? Oh, right... Well, I suppose am many things, many people… maybe… I'm just a girl dressed up with nowhere to go!" she said as she twirled, he bright purple dress and bright platinum hair flowing with her movements.
"Or perhaps..." she began, drawing a blade.
"I'm a psychotic killer!" she screamed, throwing the knife into the wall she had conversed with. The four just stared at her as though she was just a puzzle that was a little hard to solve.
"The possibilities of who I am are simply endless!" she yelled, twirling about the bloodied room as if it were a ball.
"I suppose that you'll just have to figure out where my loyalties lie, but it'd do you well to remember the rabbit!" she said with a tip of her hat.
"Look girl. You aren't making any sense! What the hell are you talking about?" Roy asked, confused and irritated.
The girl just smiled at him, and from her breast pocket drew a black card, the Two of Clubs.
"Remember the note? You don't ask for your enemies to 'get well soon', so perhaps I'm on your side" she said as she threw the card. With ease, Roy caught it between his fingers.
"But now you hold the Two of Clovers, so it's your move!" She yelled with animation as she began to walk away.*1*
"Wait! Where are you-"
Alice stilled, her face becoming sober, her eyes darkening slightly.
"The pieces are falling into place, Colonel Mustang. It would do you well to play this game, in this month of June. Perhaps…" she began as she looked into his eyes. She smiled in a definite 'not-so-Alice' manner, gentle and honest.
"...You can find happiness in this last draw of cards... May the odds be in your favor… lest you lose what you have found."
Wonderland approaches
Alice's heeled footsteps resounded off of the walls as she made her exit, and as fast as she came, the girl was gone.
The three adults exchanged confused glances, and shared a common realization.
That girl is crazy.
Edward, however, had a different thought.
Alice... why is she so... fam-
"Well, we should probably alert Investigations about what has happened here."
"Way ahead of you, Roy." Hughes pulled out his radio and called Central with the news of Roy's new set of enemies, Alice as well.
"Who is she?" Roy wondered.
Alice... Grimsley... "The Rose"... Tina Grey... who are these people... and what do they want? What are they after?
He looked at the black card in his hands, the Two of Clubs.
My move, huh? Well, I guess I'll play this game, for now.
For Edward
A woman clad beautifully in Scarlet sat alone in a brisk white dining hall, eating a simple meal of pound cake and Earl Grey tea. Her hair was a deep red, like an ember about to die out. The man in black, Grimsley, entered the hall with barely a sound, the tall doors opening wide. A deep frown was upon his face as he approached the table, and bowed his head in courtesy.
"Milady"
"Have you succeeded in eliminating the meddlesome doctors?" she asked sternly as she put down her silver fork.
"They have been eliminated, save for the head doctor, Anne Brunk."
"...That is fine. With her friends eliminated, she shouldn't give us any trouble. And the man?" she continued as she looked down at him with her deep red glance.
"He… survived my attack, Milady. If not for my abilities, I surely would have perished" He said as he bowed his head a little lower, shame overtaking him. The woman scoffed, and picked up her fork. She cut the remaining slice into pieces with both grace and fury.
"…Failure is not an option, Noiré. You know this. Now… tell me… what happened?"
"Tch. That wench Grey interfered with my plans. Foolish neophyte. She administered the RH drug, and he was able to defeat me" he said as he trembled with fury.
The woman simply smiled coyly, sliding a small bit of sugary sweetness into her mouth. She swallowed, and licked her luscious red lips.
"Well… It seems as though Grey is doing a much better job than you… And here I thought black was far darker than grey; I suppose that I misjudged you" she said as she stood.
"Please, Milady. Give me a chance to redeem myself" she only smiled with a slight wickedness, hiding her slight amusement at his plea.
"Very Well... Of course, I trust you far too much to lose faith so easily. Do not fail me again, lest I lose my temper. And do you know what happens when I lose my temper?"
The man shuddered where he stood, and she muttered a simple phrase.
" 'Off with their head' "
"But I do have one question, Milady"
"Oh? Go on"
"Why did you have Grey interfere with me?"
"I am sorry for betraying you, but it was simply a perfect opportunity to test out his newfound power. And of course…"
"His power trumped mine" Grimsley muttered with wide eyes.
"Now do you see the power he possesses? Even you fell to his madness… simply fascinating, I know."
In spite of his momentary shame, Grimsley chuckled.
"I can see that you still have your grim sense of humor, Milady"
"Yes… I suppose that's one thing we mad have in common. Now then…" she turned to him.
"What task do you hold for me, Milady?"
And the woman smiled grimly.
The Colonel and company, with the card in towe, left the grim building, covering the corpse of Miley Proctor with the blanket of a vacant bed. The agony of Brunk soon reached Roy's ears, and he turned. She was talking to an officer, shaking with anger and hurt.
"Doctor… please, you must understand. We came as fast as we could" a military personnel tried to explain to the bereaved doctor.
"Shut up… you bastard! Everyone is dead now! Dead!... Dead!... Dead!... Dead!" Brunk screamed, her eyes aglow with a familiar emotion.
"Please, doctor! You must calm down! We came as fast as we could, and… there just wasn't anything we could do! They were already dead by the time we-"
"By the time you let her die you sons of bitches! I-I'm so… so alone now… so alone… it's so… so cold here…" The doctor said as she shivered. She slowly began to lose her footing, and was soon on the cold and moist ground, her legs propping her up from its bitterness, but only that of the weather.
"So cold..." her eyes began to glaze over, and she shuddered once more.
"What's going on here?" Mustang called, running over to them.
"This woman is unstable, Colonel Mustang, sir."
Roy narrowed his eyes at the man. "Her best friend was just murdered. It's understandable that she's unstable. Take her to the hospital immediately!"
"But, sir. This is-"
"Find another one! Take her to the Veterans' Hospital for all I care! Just make sure she gets treated well… she sure as hell deserves that much… after going through all of this…" Roy said darkly, redirecting his eyes to the clinic.
Edward, confused, looked at the doctor, whose eyes were filled with deep sadness.
"Roy… what happened? I saw the body, but…was that…?"
"Yes… Doctor Proctor was killed today, probably by Grimsley."
Edward's eyes reflected Anne's sadness, as his legs gave way as well.
"No… She can't be… she was so… so nice…" Edward sat next to the despairing doctor, trying to find her eyes with his failing vision.
"Doctor… are you okay?" Edward asked as he pulled Anne into a hug. Her eyes slightly brightened at Edward's kindness, but still emanated an aura of sorrow.
"Not really… but thank you, Edward… It means… so much… But it's… so cold… yet still…" another man walked up to the pair, smiling at them.
"Hello Doctor. We've prepared an ambulance for you. Please, come with us" the man said kindly to her, offering a hand to help her up.
"Yes… but don't forget her… she needs one too… they all need one… one… two… three… four… five more… five more ambulances for them… dead… dead…dead…"
"Yes doctor… we… we'll get right on that"
"Thank you… so much" and with these words, the doctor collapsed into the man's arms.
"Doctor!" Edward yelled, getting up off of the ground.
"She's just feinted, son. She'll be alright" the young man said with a solemn smile. Anne opened her soft eyes, and reached her hand out to Edward, grasping in hers his metal limb.
"I guess… that medicine is making you… clingy, Edward… heh" she chuckled slightly with a half smile as she returned to unconsciousness, her glasses falling off of her face.
Picking up her glasses, the man took the doctor away into the white and red car, off to the hospital.
At that solemn moment, Edward wondered faintly what it would be like to lose someone so dear. And soon after that thought, he recalled. A tear from his golden pools joined the rainy ground as he understood the pain she felt within her heart, for it was the same as the pain of his own.
Extra Content: Riza's Horrid Afternoon. This segment is a joke, though is still relevant to the story
Riza Hawkeye stood outside of the building, as per her orders, whilst her commander and Hughes went into the clinic to investigate. Just as she thought about going inside, she felt a small tug upon her military issue pants. She looked down to see a child, no older than ten, with brown hair and eyes. He wore a brown coat that seemed much too big, and goulashes just a hair too small. Riza, not exactly a 'supernanny', looked at the boy, and asked the age-old question:
"Are you lost, little boy?" the boy floundered for a bit, pondering on to tell or to keep silent, sinally, as his mouth opened wide, he decided.
"I can't find me mommy, miss! I would like it very much if ya was to 'elp me" *2*he asked boldly, tugging on her pants once more.
Why… is he talking like a drunkard?
"U-Um…" Riza looked into the clinic, where she saw her Colonel just fine with Hughes.
Well…
Riza looked around, and decided that, based upon the fact that she and Ross were the only women for twenty yards, that she had better help him. After all, who could turn down such adorable brown eyes.
"Oh… Alright. Let's find your mommy, sweetie" His eyes brightened at her words, and he began to clap his little hands.
"Yay! Miss is gonna 'elp me find mommy! Thanks a bunch, Miss!" he said as he gave her a great big hug. The other officers looked at her as if she had a great big mole on her face. Fuery, as kind as he was, tried his very best not to snicker at the sight. The other officers, however, weren't so kind.
"Aww! The impregnable Hawkeye's got a kid!"
"How cute!"
"Oh shut up, you idiots!" she said as she grabbed the boy's hand.
"Come on kid. Let's go find your (damn) mother"
"Yay!"
Ross, hearing this (among the banter and laughter of her fellow officers), Ross approached the woman.
"Um… who is… this?"
"…Just a kid"
"But the Colonel has black hair. Wouldn't his be that way too-"
"Shut up! He isn't mine! He lost his MOMMY!"
"Okay! Okay! I get it!" And with that, Riza and whom she dubbed as 'the annoying drunkard child' were off to find his mother.
God… who in the hell would just let their kid walk about with a murderer on the loose?!
"Alright, kid. Where did you see your mommy last?"
"Uh…"
C'mon brat!
"Oh! We was at the ice creams shop, yes we were! Over there!"
"Well then, that's a start" Riza, utterly pissed off, took his hand and led him to Marly's Ice Cream. In spite of the rain, the ice cream shop looked as jolly as ever, with it's brightly colored owner, Marly Kremberger. Recognising Riza instantly, Marly waved brightly. He wore a bright blue… dress… decorated with…roses. This attire did not surprise Riza in the slightest.
"Hey there, Riza! Ooh! Is that little Mustang? He's cute! But why does he have brown hair? Doesn't your man have black? Oh! Could you have found another! Oh the suspense, the betrayal! The agony of a lost love! How my heart feels pain for you!"
"Can it, Marly! Look, this kid lost his mother. No love affair, no betrayal, just a dumb kid. Have you seen the woman who he was with?"
"Hm? Oh, girl! You should know that I know all of my customers! To think that I would ever forget a face! This little boy has never been here before! And to think! I thought I knew all of the children! How shameful of me! Oh!"
"Yeah… is this the right shop, kid?"
But the little boy was looking at the ice cream behind the counter.
"What are you doing?! We're looking for your mom!"
"Whot on Earth 'r ya talkin' about, Miss? Me and mummy was at the pet shop!" Riza felt a blood vessel pop at the boy's undying stupidity.
Why you little-
"Then why are we here?!" Riza yelled, stomping her foot.
"…I just wanted some ice cream" he replied innocently.
"Why you little-"
"Easy there, Ri-Ri! You'll get frown lines if you keep that up! Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me sick! Here ya go, kiddo! This one's on the house!" Marly said as he handed the boy a vanilla swirl.
"Damn you Marly..." Riza whispered vehemently.
"Oh! There's that temper again! Don't pop a blood vessel, Ri-Ri!"
"Blood vessels be bad for a poppin', ey, Ri-Ri!" the boy said excitedly as he licked his cone.
"Come on, you brat!" Riza yelled as she tugged him along to Zig's Pet Shop.
"Bye Riza! Say 'hi' to Ziggy for me!" Marly yelled as he waved goodbye.
"Zig?" Riza called as she walked into the pet shop.
"Riza? What- are you- doing here?" A burly man called. His hair was black but his voice a dull grey.*3* He was fairly tall, but thin as a bone. He turned his head to the left in question as his gaze fell upon the boy I brown.
"Uh, this kid-"
"Is that- yours- and Roy's? Surely- his hair- would- be black"
Another blood vessel
"No! He's not mine! The kid lost his mom, so I'm helping him look"
"Oh. I see- well- this boy- has not- been here- today- I think- you will have- better luck- somewhere- else"
"What?! What do you mean he hasn't been here?!"
"I always- mean what- I say-, Riza"
"Oh! Look at it's lit'l pawls!" the boy cried with glee. Riza turned around, only to see the boy petting a little orange kitten.
"What? I wanted a kitty"
"Ahhhhh! I've had enough of this crap! Where in the hell did you see your damn mom last?!"
"Oh! Me mum?! I saw 'er at the toy store!"
"No you didn't! You just want a toy, don't you?!"
"Well yeah! Do'ent ev'ry kid want a toy?"
"Ahhhh!"
"Calm down, Miss! I'm sure of it! We was pickin' flowers in the meadow! I remember now!"
"Alright fine! Let's just go!"
"Goodbye Riza- have a nice- day." Zig called as they left his small shop. The man was sure that he heard the boy snicker.
And after yet another lost blood vessel, the pair set off for the daisy-filled meadow of east Central City.
Riza looked amongst the flowers for a person, any person, who could possibly be this brat's mother. Alas, there was none. She turned towards the boy with great anger, fed up with his games.
"Okay, you twerp! She's not her either!" he just looked at her with… amusement?
"Who?" the boy said as his eyes seemed to change their texture. He seemed to be holding back a laugh.
"Your mother!"
"And why would I need any sort of help to find that tart?" Riza turned to look at the boy, who, somehow, sounded older than he had been.
"W… what?!"
"You heard me, you insufferable bitch! Why, this was simply a ruse, a hoax! Call it… a 'joke'!" he said as he did a twirl, and began to dance among the flowers.
"Oh joyeux! It seems as though the hoe fell into my trap! How wonderful!" the boy said as he did another twirl, dancing to a tune only he knew. *4*
Riza was absolutely speechless.
"You mean… who the hell are you?!"
"Why… I am simply one hell of an actor, you tart! But you may call me…" he said as he stopped dancing. With a clap of his hands, he continued.
"Donn!" the boy said mischievously as he tore off his wig, in its place beautiful blonde hair. He winked with amusement and ran back through the field of flowers as he laughed and carried on.
"Why you little bastard! Get back here!"
"You'll 'ave to run faster than that, tart!"
When the two took a turn, Riza followed closely behind until somehow, the boy had escaped.
And with every ounce of irritation, Riza screamed for the world to hear.
Later that day~
"Hawkeye! Where were you?! I almost got killed!" Roy yelled from the floor.
The thoughts of earlier replayed in Riza's mind, making her shudder in disgust.
"Don't. Ask."
"But-"
"Don't. Ask." Riza repeated as she grew less than tolerant.
And that, my dear readers, was the most horrid afternoon ever. ;D (this last line is a bit of a joke -_-")
Hughes had some business to take care of at Central, so he asked the three to go home and get some rest.
"Well... if you're sure, but we can come along if you need any help" Roy replied.
"Nah. It's just a little clean-up. Nothing special. I'll see you guys later" the man said as he walked away.
"And Edward?"
"Um, yeah?
"We can finish your story later. How's Monday, Roy?"
"We can come. We'll be there in the morning."
"Great. See ya later"
The three waved goodbye to the man as he walked off, leaving them to trek home without the use of his car )luckily it wasn't far). Soon after, Riza had decided it best to go home as well, as she had Black Hayate waiting for her to return. They waved goodbye once more, and soon they were alone.
Edward, shaken from the day he lived, was in a solemn mood.
I wonder... who would miss me... If I died? Edward looked up to see the sun coming out from behind the clouds.
Just like me... coming out from behind the clouds...
But will I set like the sun...?
"Roy?" Edward asked, catching up to the man, walking beside of him.
"Yes Edward?" Roy said as he smiled at the boy.
"If... if I died... would you miss me?" Roy stopped, and looked into the boy's troubled, expressionless eyes. His face darkened slightly as he looked away, his eyes finding the clouds.
"I would... more than you could ever know" Edward's eyes widened slightly, though not surprised with the man's answer. He smiled a sad, thoughtful smile, and answered back with quiet intensity.
"Because... I would miss you too..." Edward continued walking towards Roy's house, through the misty afternoon.
Roy's eyes were downcast as he thought of his response. He voiced his words in quiet monotone, unheard by even the strongest of ears. And even though Edward never heard those five simple, powerful words, it would always be true, come hell or high water.
And the sun shone through the clouds again.
Dusk
Chapter 25
I Will Always Protect You
Author's Notes
*1*- In the card game, "Hearts", the player with the Two of Clubs always moves first. This is yet another allusion to Alice.
*2*- The boy is talking in a rustic English accent.
*3*The dashes (-) in between Zig's speech indicate a pause, so he talks almost like a machine, with pauses every two words or so.
*4*- "Oh joyeux!" is French for "Oh joy!". You may have noticed that the French language is a common motif in this story, as so far nearly every antagonist has used it at one point or another.
*4*- Also, Donn uses an English dialect, similar to that of Alois Trancy or, to a lesser degree, Bardroy, both of whom are from Black Butler (II). British English is also quite common in this story, being used by not only Donn, but by Grimsley and Madam Red (and about her, this character is only an allusion, not actually the character herself)
I certainly hope that you enjoyed this chapter, and I will have the next out soon.
P.S. STILL CHANGING 'EMILY' TO 'MILEY' lol
Did you find the allusion?
Did you like the confusion?
Is it me that you hate,
For making you wait?
I'd love a review
Even if it's rude
So Goodbye for now!
OhHolyCow!