Nobody's POV
"Darnatius, Hoswell, Magimire, Geanni, Collins, Tony, Willard..." Hohenhiem listed as he opened up his shirt with ease. "Replie, Matlie, Mayo, forgive me... But I have to use you." He whispered softly and looked up to the stary night sky. Then he drove his fingers into his chest and let his own blood splatter on the dirt ground. But that blood just dissolved into nothing in a matter of seconds.
Chapter 36- Family Portrait
Flashback
Hohenhiem looked down at his sleeping boys with dismay. They looked so peaceful when those two slept. All he wanted to do was just hug them but he was scared to do that. He stared at his hand sadly. "You can hug them, you know." He heard a woman speak. Trisha. "They are your sons."
"I don't want the monster to spread..." He whispered not even breaking his stare at the two golden haired boys.
"Please, if it could spread that easily don't you think I would have caught it a long time ago?" She asked.
Hohenhiem stood up and walked his bedroom with Trisha. "Since I got this body, I've seen a lot of death. But I always try to think about it as the flow of the world. It's made it easier some how, and each time I encounter something new and wonderful it seemed right that I excepted this body; and kept on living. For a long time that was enough. But then, I met you and together we created two sons. Now it's different. I don't get any older, my sons age will grow before my eyes, and suddenly I'm terrifyed. I'm realizing that I really am a monster."
Next Day
"Dear! Dear! Come here for a minute!" Trisha called out from the living room.
Hohenhiem then walked out of the room. "What is it?" He asked. Then he saw a older man with a camera set in front of him.
"Hello sir. Good afternoon." The man greeted.
Hohenhiem blinked in confusion at the man. "A photographer?" He questioned numbly.
"Yes! Let's fix you up!" Trisha chirped fixing his tie carefully. "You know we don't have a signal family photo."
"That's pretty short notice." Hohenhiem mumbled.
Ed then walked over and tugged on his father's pant leg and watched his younger brother crawl to them. He then looked up to Hohenhiem who had an unsure look on his face. The young boy stared up at him then was lifted up by Trisha. "Here! You hold Ed." She stated handing Ed to Hohenheim.
"Oh... Um... Sure..." Hohenheim applied in another mumble as he held the boy. Ed stared up at Hohenhiem with dazed expression.
Trisha picked up Al and held him close to her. "Okay, we're ready!" She told the photographer. "You can go ahead."
Hohenhiem kept staring at Ed with a concerned expression. "This isn't good..." Hohenhiem sighed. But all Ed did was smile brightly at his father. ((AN: Excuse me for a few minutes, I need to fangirl all over the place.)) This made Hohenhiem's eyes widen a little.
"Okay, look right here." The man requested while he worked on the camera. "And hold still please."
"What you don't see dear is that some day I'm going to be a wrinkly old monster myself." Trisha stated calmly. "So today we are going to take this picture and I'l be able to remember us together smiling. No matter what, your always a family. So even if your scared, don't try distancing yourself from us. And one other thing too, stop calling yourself a monster, it's not true."
Hohenhiem gasped at her response.
"Okay! Say cheese!" The Photographer warned.
"He's taking it... Smile dear." Trisha reassured as the picture was taken. The picture was marvelous and the most memorable thing was that Hohenhiem had tears running down his cheeks.
Later
Hohenhiem was working on his notes constantly trying to fulfill his work. 'My plan was to take this body, and extend my life... but things are different now.' As he thoughts these things during his work the door opened and Edward was peeking inside and watching his father curiously. 'I want to be with Trisha and the boys. Grow old and die with them..' He then stopped and the man's eyes widen. 'That bastard!'
Time Skip
Hohenhiem was in a tree now making sure the swing was secure around the branch he was on. He then yanked on the branch and sighed. "That should do it." He whispered now wiping the sweat off his brow. However when he did that he lost his balance and fell out of the tree.
Trisha stepped out and stared at him. "What were you doing?"
"Fixing the swing." Hohenhiem muttered sitting up and fixing his glasses.
"Since when did you get so handy?" She joked walking to him.
"I haven't been able to do much for the boys. I can at least do this." Hohenhiem stated. This made Trisha's eyes widen. "Trisha... I'm going away... Wait here for me."
She felt saddened by this but quickly hid it. "Okay."
The Next Day
Trisha helped Hohenhiem put on his brown coat as he was getting ready to leave. "Don't tell the children, I don't want them to know about my body." He requested.
"Right... Are you sure you don't want me to wake them?" Trisha asked.
Hohenhiem's look saddened as he stepped out of the bedroom. "I can't bear to look at their faces..."
"Silly man, it's alright to cry." She reassured following him with is suitcase. The man took the suitcase and then gasped. He saw Ed and Al in the hallway rubbing their eyes tiredly. "Oh! You two boys are up. What are you two doing out of bed?" She asked walking to them.
Ed yawned tiredly. "Al said he had to go poddie..." Ed answered in a sleepy mumble.
"And of course his big brother took care of him." Trisha acknowledged kneeling in front of the two young kids. "Thanks a lot little man."
Hohenhiem then started to get nervous with Ed's sweet and innocent eyes staring at him. Al's was the same too. He tried to glance away and held back tears that were wanting to come up. He then looked back to his family with a firm stare. Then he left.
Strange Maze, What is this place?
Hearing voices over my shoulder
Nothing's making sense at all
Wonder, Why do we race?
And everyday, we're running in circles
Such a funny way to fall
Tried to open up my eyes.
I'm hoping for a chance to make it alright
When I wake up
The dream isn't done!
I want to see your face and know I made it home!
If nothing is true!
What more can I do?
I am still painting flowers for you!
I heard everything you said!
I don't want to lose my head!
When I wake up
The dream isn't done!
I want to see your face and know I made it home!
If nothing is true!
What more can I do?
I am still painting flowers for you!
Painting Flowers- All time Low
Reality
Athena's POV
"Tell me General, would you be interested in a legion of immortal soldiers?" I heard Raven ask through the tiny speaker. I gasped in shock.
"He took the bait!" Ed triumphantly spoke. We all leaned closer to the speaker in tension.
"Never dying, and never getting older. You want it too, don't you?" Raven hinted in a smooth voice. Oliver was growling and knew she was holding something back. "Hm?"
"Oh, it's just such an incredible question, I don't know what to say." Oliver spoke in a light hearted tone. Nice way to cover up the brute.
"Well? Are you interested or not?" Raven asked again. "There are only two answers."
There was a silence making me go intense. "It does sound intriguing, can you tell me on the day this comes true, will my men share this gift as well?" She asked. "Or is it only for me?"
"I can tell you when the time comes." Raven answered.
Then there was a knock on the door which made me hold my breath. "Excuse me." Oliver grunted. I then heard footsteps and a door open. "Yes, what is it?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you but the underground tunnel advance team..." The newer voice trailed off. I heard a in take from the man.
"What's this about an underground tunnel?" Raven asked.
"Speak soldier."Oliver demanded.
"Yes sir. Something's happened to the advance team." The soldier explained.
"Very well, I'll be right there." Oliver stated.
"I'm coming too." Raven spoke.
"Right, let's move." Buccaneer muttered now standing up with everyone. As they headed for the door Ed and I stopped them.
"Hold on a second!" Ed started.
I then walked to a bag and transmuted a thing of rope. "It has to look convincing." I stated tossing them the rope.
Later
We walked down the halls tied up by the rope I created. I kinda regret doing that now, but it's necessary. As we walked we saw Miles with a man wearing white with black hair in a pony tail. We all stopped. "Buccaneer? What are you doing?" Miles asked.
"Prisoner transfer sir. I'm moving the Elric brothers, Athena Black, and Kaley Kimmins to the west cells." Buccaneer explained. He looked at the black haired man and narrowed his eyes. "Who is this?"
"This is Mister Solf J Kimblee. He's General Raven's honored guest." Raven introduced in the same tone he always had.
'Kimblee... The Crimson Alchemist... What is he doing out of prison?'
"Wait? Did you say the Elric brothers?" Kimblee asked lifting up his hat. "You mean the Fullmetal Alchemist?" He turned to Al and stared at him. Oh no... No. No. No. I thought we were done with this! But no... "Now I understand your nickname." I cleared my throat to get the man's attention as I cocked my head to Ed. "Oh, it's this one." He muttered in disappointment. Ed then got a look of rage on his face and if he wasn't tied up he'd be hurting Kimblee... Really bad. But that might not be a bad thing. The man then turned to me and smirked. "And you must be Athena Frost. Your father was the Heavy Wind Alchemist, correct? I can tell because you look like your father."
I let out a huff of air and lowered my gaze. "You'd be right." I muttered lowly at the mention of my dad.
"Well it's an honor to meet you Fullmetal Alchemist, Frosted Fire Alchemist." Kimblee replied while taking off his white hat.
"Hello." Ed and I both muttered dryly. I don't trust him. Not for a single second. Because trusting him is like choosing how your wanting to die.
Nobody's POV
Officers investigated the large hole that was made the day before with caution. It was dangerous and it caused a whole squad to go missing. Oliver and Raven walked to the scene with serious looks. One of the men stopped what he was doing to salute. "General."
"What happened?" Oliver asked firmly.
The man lowered his hand and kept standing tall for her. "We lost contact with the advance team that was searching the tunnel." He explained. "Shortly after Smith's horse returned, it came back with something that we assume is his arm." ((AN: When I figured out this guy's name was Smith I felt really stupid...))
"Just his arm?" Oliver questioned now wanting to hear more of this. "Where's the rest?"
"Still missing sir." The officer answered. "And his horse can't lead us back, it's too terrified to be of any use."
Oliver looked at the brown horse gave her next order. "Henchial! Get a rescue party!"
"I'm afraid you can't do that General Armstrong." Raven objected in a hard tone. Everyone turned to him in shock. "That tunnel is to dangerous." He lifted the wrapped up arm and showed it off. "What did you do with the immortal monster you told me about?" He walked to the woman and handed her the arm. "I want you to put him back and seal the tunnel's entrance, General."
"But there are still-!" Henchial started.
"I was talking to the General!" Raven scolded loudly. "See, I know Northern law, obey the strength and power. Isn't that the way it works?"
Athena's POV
The restraints were put back on us and the cell door was closed. I raised my head and saw General Raven in front of us. Oh how lovely. "I am General Raven from Central. I've heard a great deal about you from his excellency." He introduced.
"Hello.." I greeted dryly.
"It appears you've been good children and kept your mouth shut." Raven sighed.
"That was the agreement..." Ed reminded looking away.
"You don't seem happy." Raven pointed out. Oh really? How did he figure it out? Was it the pure annoyance in my voice, or was it the fact that he knows about my brother being held hostage? No one would like that.
"Oh no! I love having my friends and my only blood related family member held hostage. Who wouldn't?" I sarcastically grunted with hatered thick in my voice.
"Do you think you can release us from this cell soon?" Al asked. "The deal was if we didn't mess with you, you'd let us continue our journey."
"There's no need to worry! I'll let you guys out of here soon." Raven reassured.
"Well thank god!" Kaley sighed happily. "It's tiny in here, there's no space and those two-"
"Vinned..." I warned in my lowest voice.
"Too much information?" She squeaked.
"Ya think!?" I answered in a annoyed tone.
"That tunnel? Is it a part of whatever your planning to?" Ed asked in a low tone. "If they find out..."
"There's no need to worry." Raven stated. "I already spoke with the General, she's going to put the homunculus back underground and seal the tunnel."I turned to the man with widened eyes. No way this was happening. Oliver wouldn't do that... "She's on our side now."
Nobody's POV
The elevator lowered and revealed Sloth sleeping. He stirred and rose from his slumber. "Well good morning Sloth." Raven greeted with a smile. "Did you have a good rest?"
Sloth turned to him in confusion. "Who are you? I'm still sleepy..."
"You best wake up Sloth. There's still a lot of work to be done here." Raven stated in a delighted tone. "Pride explained it to you, now didn't he?"
Sloth groaned and spoke. "I guess..." He then stepped off the elevator and shuffled to the hole with a list of complaints. "What a pain, I have no choice... Such a pain... But I forget, why is it a pain again? Too much of a pain to remember..." He then jumped down the hole and continued to dig his path.
"Not to worry! He is just a chimera doing some work for Central forces." Raven explained watching him go. He then turned back to all the officers. "He's helping to make this country greater then it already is. Of course it is still a top secret operation. So close this hole and guard our secret! I'm counting on you soldiers! It's people like you who make this country what it is!"
Hate's POV
When we found a house I knew we made it to our destination. There was still blood on my hands from ripping Ultimate's stone out. I guess it was my way of showing that I won that battle. But one thing stopped Scar, Yoki, and me from stepping inside. It was two men from the Briggs Mountain guard. Fantastic, they know where we are now. "We found her! The girl with the black and white cat!" One of the men exclaimed in a whisper.
"Right! Let's go." The other sighed now standing up.
"Oh boys..." I sang with a smirk. They turned to me and raised their guns. This made me sigh and shake my head. I glare rose to my face. "Big mistake." I then punched on of the guards knocking him out instantly and I grabbed the other man in a head lock. He was struggling too much! Time to put this dog down. "This will only hurt for a second." I then quickly snapped his neck making him fall from my hands. I know I was dark to kill him but to honest I didn't care. I was Hate the Malevolence and I'll show mercy when I want to. I cocked my head to the house. "Let's move."
Scar, Yoki, and I stepped inside the house and there was May and Doctor Marcoh. Thank goodness they're alive. They gasped. "Mr. Scar! Miss. Hate! Mr. Yoki!" May chirped happily.
"Hello kiddo." I greeted with a grin.
"Did you find the research notes?" Scar asked.
May nodded and grabbed a old and dirty looking notebook. "Yep! It's right here!"
"We need to relocate. The Briggs soldiers knows where we are." Scar stated.
"And this animal decided to kill one of the men." Yoki gagged disgusted.
"Hey! I'm brute and don't forget that. I don't like you, you overly prissy bastard, and live an actual day in your sad pathetic life." I hissed glaring at the man. "Plus if I didn't kill him then he could be awake and have a gun at YOUR face. Now is that something you want, hm?" He was silent at my response and looked completely offended at this. That made me smirk and turn away from the older man. "Thought so."
Nobody's POV
The people at Briggs started to seal up the hole that started a crazy ruckus. Five different men stood in the wet cement making sure the substance was nice and neat. While Oliver and Raven watched the men do their work. "You see General? We are the chosen ones and we receive immortal, near godly bodies. We will move the entire world. The name Smith, wasn't it? There was nothing we could have done to save them." Raven stated with his gaze not even moving from the work.
"Those who aren't chosen... Will those be sacrificed for those who are?" She asked.
"Yes." Raven answered smoothly. "The survival of the fittest. The weak will become the foundation of this country and the strong will take their rightful place at the top."
"Is that what happened in Ishval?" Oliver asked firmly.
"Indeed!" Raven answered in a nonchalant tone. "They were part of the plan. They were weak and deserved to perish for the good of their betters."
Oliver glared at Raven. Oh how she wanted to kill him so. "When did this begin?" She asked slowly reaching to her point of killing.
"From what I here it was when the Country was first founded, and now my generation will see it's completion." He turned to the woman and set a hand on her shoulder. Big mistake. "Thank you for your assistance, your a true servant of your country. I'll speak to my superiors about preparing a seat for you."
"There's no need." Oliver countered.
"What was that?" Raven asked.
Oliver then pulled out her sword and stabbed the man's wrist. He yelled in pain when this happened. All the working men froze and turned to the scene. "Which arm did Smith lose? Was it the right or the left?" She questioned coldly.
"Wait! What are you doing?!" Raven yelled.
"Growing old is truly a terrible thing, you would know General! Before you became so abrade for immortality. I'm sure long ago you had an earnest love for your country." Oliver stated casually.
"Wait! You can't! You were going to be one of the chosen ones!" Raven screamed still in pain.
"I don't need a new seat from you! Your the one to lose the one your moldy ass has clung to for so long! Right about now Raven!" She yelled pulling her blade out. Raven staggered away from Oliver in shock. "You old traitor!" She screamed now cutting into his chest. Raven screamed in pain as he tumbled into the wet cement.
"But immortality! Was right before our eyes!" Raven gasped as he sunk into the cement.
"General! You are among the weak who are the foundation of this country!" Oliver stated as she wiped the sword she used to kill the man.
"I was going to... To be-" He was then cut off by the cement flowing into his mouth and pulling him under. Oliver then took off her gloves and threw them into the cement.
"Now that, that's done. Get in touch with Major Miles." Oliver ordered Buccaneer.
"Sir!" Buccaneer saluted.
"For the rest of you! We have work to do!" Oliver yelled at the men. Buccaneer then handed Oliver some gloves which she accepted and put on her hands. She then started to walk out. "I want that concrete nice and level!
Later
Armstrong, Buccaneer, and Henchial walked down a hallway to go to a place they made. "Please! Wait!" Henchial begged trying to catch up with the General. "We have to search for Smith and the others before we seal it!" But he stopped at the sight of a door on the ground.
"Fullmetal and Frosted Fire saw this coming so they made us this secret passage to the tunnel." Oliver stated. Buccaneer opened the door which made Henchial beam.
Athena's POV
"Wait? What?!" I gasped in shock.
"She killed him!?" Ed asked.
"General Raven?" Al gasped.
"I know he was an ass hole but damn!" Kaley yelled.
"Yep and that was all I was ordered to tell you!" The doctor stated now walking out.
"Hey! Wait a minute! When are you guys gonna let us out!?" Ed asked walking to the bared walls. Kaley looked utterly horrified. She did not want to be in here like Ed didn't but her reasons were a little more immature.
"Who knows?! Take it up with the General." The doctor stated as his voice faded out.
"Damnit..." Ed groaned.
"Why don't you just lay down and rest..." I suggested. Before Kaley could speak I stopped her. "Kaley, say anything and your dead."
"I can't just do nothing!" Ed groaned. We then heard the door open and footsteps come near us.
"Hi." I heard a voice greet. It was a voice that I was praying not to hear. Kimblee. Just my day! "I was hoping to have a word with the Fullmetal Alchemist and his partner the Frosted Fire Alchemist."
I groaned at him. "Shoot me in the head..."
"Oh don't tell me you both have some reason to dislike me too." Kimblee sighed standing in front of us. "You should be grateful I brought some visitors to see you both."
"Visitors?" Ed asked.
Then we saw two people we didn't expect. Smith and Winry. I gaped in shock while they just smiled. "WINRY! BROTHER!" I screamed in shock.
"WHY DID YOU COME HERE!?" Al yelled.
"Why? What do you think?!" Winry scolded. "You have to adjust your automail for the North! And what are you doing in that cell?!"
"We didn't ask you to come here!" Ed countered.
"Smith, I think you need to hit Ed with wire cutters." Kaley stated.
"Shut up Kaley, that's painful!" Ed objected.
"Maybe I do!" Smith said giving glares at Ed. "Seriously what the hell is your problem?"
"We were worried about you guys!" Winry worriedly spoke. "Someone from the military contacted me and-"
"Wait? The military?" I asked softly stopping her sentence.
"Don't be so hard on them." Kimblee butted in. "The Fuhrer was concerned about you guys. He wanted to make sure you were taken care of." I glared at the ground. The Fuhrer... Damn that bastard... Smith's in danger again... It feels like it that day again. What else are they planning?! I'll find out. If it's the last thing I do!
Wait, waiting for a sign, crying to the sky
For love to come around so hope won't let me down
Shadows carry on, the light is all but gone
Your promise calls to me, a love so rescue me
There is a hope beyond this night
There is a Savior in the sky
Giving His life to set this world on fire
So as the darkness closes in
Know that the sun will shine again
Bringing salvation to a world on fire
World on Fire- Trading Yesterday
Chapter 37- The First Homunculus