Guess who?
Cara: Oh hello lovely authoress who abandon us for so long.
Chloe: How nice of you to drop by.
Ok, I know, I know, it's been eons since my last update because I knew this would be a hard chapter but since it's a pivotal moment I had to get it right so it took a lot longer!
Ed: Excuses.
Hey, It's a 4,000 word chapter and a song fic with several fight scenes and pivotal events that happen. IT TOOK AWHILE!
Envy: Excuse the authoress' lateness.
Al: And REVIEW!
Everyone was already in attendance when Cara dropped into the room from the rafters. When she landed next to Envy, Ed and Al's reactions were immediate.
"YOU!"
"Don't act so surprised guys, I do live here." Cara rolled her eyes.
"You're late." Dante said.
"I had to take care of something." Cara shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm here now aren't I?"
"Where's Chloe?" Ed demanded.
Cara forced her face to remain blank. "Where I left her probably."
Al made a sound that sounded like an angry hiss. "Did you hurt her?"
Cara didn't answer him. She just brushed her bangs from her face and looked away.
Ed gritted his teeth and clenched his hand into a fist. "Never mind. We'll find Chloe in a minute Al. Right now we have to deal with these guys."
"Deal with us?" Envy looked amused. "Right. You're going to deal with seven immortals all by yourself then?"
"That's a bit ambitious don't you think?" Dante smirked.
"Maybe." Ed said. "But I don't really care how ambitious I'm being when I'm this PISSED!" He slammed his hands against the ground and sent a series of stone spears flying in Dante's direction. Dante merely clapped her hands together and held her palm in front of her. The spears disintegrated to dust.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself." Dante said. "I'd think you'd ask more questions before you try to tear us to shreds."
"I've got plenty of questions but somehow, you being so secretive, I doubt you'll answer them." Ed said, straightening.
"Try me." Dante said.
"Alright, fine." Ed took a step forward. "What is this city? Why is it that you're using us to do your dirty work? How long have you been controlling the whole military through him?" He stabbed a finger in the Fuhrers direction. "And what the hell does Hoenhiem have to do with all of this?"
"Noisy, isn't he." Lust raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, very." Cara nodded.
"This city is the remains of a very old civilization that once stood where Central stands today." Dante said. "The fabled lost city of the east."
"And what happened to it?" Ed asked.
"It's inhabitants were used." Dante smiled "And the buildings were pulled underground as if nothing had ever happened."
"Used." Al repeated. "Y-you mean you used hundreds of people to create a philosopher's stone!"
"More like several thousands really." Dante said. "But yes."
"What kind of monsters…" Ed whispered. "Could do something like that?"
"Those who have an ultimate goal that requires the sacrifice." Dante said simply. "As for how long I've been controlling the military, ever since he rose to power." She looked at Pride. "He is my most successful creation. A homunculus who ages and appears to be a normal human. Definetly my most valuable asset." Cara glanced at Envy. His face was still vacant but she saw his shoulders tense. Dante looked back at the brothers. "I guess I've been in control of the military for thirty five years."
Ed and Al seemed outraged by this prospect. "Then that means… you're the one who ordered the Ishbal extermination."
"Yes, I did." Dante flicked her hair out of her face with a jerk of her head. "And the squelching of those rebellions in Lior."
"Lior?" Ed's eyes widened. Cara wasn't sure what the city meant to him but she could see the rage.
"One topic at a time." Dante smirked. "You asked also about my reasons for using you."
"And about Hoenhiem." Ed said.
"Yes, yes." Dante nodded. "You'll find the answers are rather interconnected. I've been watching both of you for awhile now, even before you became alchemists of the state. That is how I knew your mother had died and you had turned her into a homunculus." Ed flinched but Dante continued on mercilessly. "You have skills beyond many alchemists because you've seen the truth."
"And you were so foolish as to join the state and become our easily moveable pawns." Pride added.
"Yes, but that was only part of my reasoning. Things were made much easier by these factors but much of my choosing you did have to do with Hoenhiem of Light."
There was a brief silence throughout the room as Dante let the dramatic tension hang in the air. Al was the first to speak.
"So… what did he have to do with all this?"
"I'll tell you a story." Dante said, twirling her hair about her finger as if she were a young girl. "A story of over four hundred years ago. You see I'm much older than I look."
"Really, and you don't look a day over a hundred and fifty." Ed muttered. Cara covered up a smirk with her hand. "Alright, tell me."
"Four hundred years ago Hoenhiem and I were both very interested in the production of the philosophers stone. We researched it extensively until we found a proper opening to test our theories. By using the prisoners of the witch trials. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands of them at our disposal. Hoenhiem of Light carried out the transmutation."
Ed gritted his teeth but did not interrupt the story.
"The power of the transmutation sapped his strength however, though it succeeded. His body was failing so I used the stone to attach his soul to the body of another man, saving his life. It was through this desperation that we both discovered a way to live forever, both as the most powerful alchemists in the world. We were together." She smirked at Ed's disgusted expression. "But something happened I'm afraid and he left me."
"Couldn't have been your charming personality then could it?" Ed asked.
"Oh no, it had nothing to do with me." Dante shook her head. "But I resented it none the less. When I got wind of him I wasn't keen to let him out of my sight. I kept an eye on your family. I saw him when he left but lost track of him after that." She smiled. "As you can see, Hoenhiem's involvement and yours are interconnected."
"You knew where Hoenhiem was?" Envy hissed suddenly. "And you didn't tell me?"
Dante frowned and looked at Envy. "This isn't the time. Be quiet."
Cara saw Envy's fists clench at his sides. He looked like he wanted to punch Dante but he didn't.
"So, I've answered your questions." Dante said, turning back to Ed. "Now I have one simple request for you."
"You want me to create a philosopher's stone." Ed said. "So you can keep jumping bodies. But I won't do it."
"We kidnapped your friend for a reason Edward." Dante shook her head. "You don't have a choice."
"Bring her out then." Ed growled.
"No need." Dante said. "Another bit of leverage is inches from my finger tips."
She snapped her fingers. Immediately Lust lunged of Al. The armor barely managed to dodge her fingers but the distraction allowed Gluttony to tackle him to the ground and pin him there.
"AL!" Ed cried, trying to run to him but Envy surged forward and rammed his fist into Ed's stomach. Ed sank to his knees gasping for breath.
"You will agree to help me Edward." Dante said. "Or I will kill your brother here…" Lust kicked of Al's helmet and positioned one sharp finger nail at his seal. "And I will also kill your friend. No exceptions. No loop holes. You help me or they die."
"I don't see a circle here." Ed growled.
"Of course you don't, the circle is currently in development at Lior." Dante said. "I need your agreement here."
"Lior. Who?" Ed demanded.
"That scarred Ishballan." Dante said.
"Scar?" Ed asked. "He would never agree to help you!"
"His assistance is unintentional but it helps us none the less." Dante said. "So Fullmetal alchemist. What will it be?"
Ed stared at the ground for a long time, his hair hanging in front of his eyes. "I think…" He unclenched his hands. "That you shouldn't have given me so long to think of a plan."
He clapped his hands together and slammed them against the ground. Simultaneous stone fists shout out of the ground and knocked both Lust and Gluttony across the room. Al scooped up his head and slapped it back on. Then he too clapped his hands together and pressed them against a transmutation circle he had drawn while no one was looking. A sword rose up from the ground and into his hand. Ed likewise called a long metal poll from the floor and the two brothers stood to face the homunculi.
"I see." Dante sighed before giving a nod.
Pride lunged at Al, his sword at the ready. It was only because of Al's hollow nature that he was fast enough to keep up with the Fuhrer. Envy meanwhile, took to fighting Ed.
"You should have just cooperated pipsqueak." He smirked. "Though I don't really mind. This means I get to knock you around."
"I wouldn't mind giving you a couple of bruises myself!" Ed launched a punch at Envy. The homunculus easily dodged him.
"I don't bruise pipsqueak! Bad news!"
"I'm sure if I hit you enough you will!" Ed stabbed out at him with the long metal pole in his hands. Envy jumped above the weapon and flipped over Ed's head, landing lightly in a crouch on the other side of him. He kicked Ed in the back and the younger boy stumbled forward but quickly spun himself around again in time to block Envy's next attack.
The other homunculi merely looked between each other and Dante, wondering if they should help or leave the boys to their brethren. All except Cara. Cara just stared.
"Happiness is just a word to me
And it might have meant a thing or two
If I'd known the difference"
Something stirred inside her frozen heart as she watched the fight. She knew that Ed and Al couldn't win. No matter how many hits they landed on their opponents, the homunculi would keep on coming. So why did this bother her? After all, she wanted Ed and Al to cooperate didn't she? Or if they didn't she shouldn't care if they died.
"Emptiness, a lonely parody
And my life, another smokin' gun
A sign of my indifference"
So what was it that swam in her chest? Panic? Panic for the brothers? It certainly wouldn't be panic for Envy or Pride because they could take care of themselves. There was something else. The desire to do something; to help.
"Always keepin' safe inside
Where no one ever had a chance
To penetrate a break in"
Cara shook her head, trying to rid herself of these desires. She was a homunculus. She was apathy. She shouldn't care about the brothers who were her enemies. Her enemies who had once been her friends. It seemed like centuries ago but she remembered that they were friends.
"Let me tell you some have tried
But I would slam the door so tight
That they could never get in"
The desires did not disappear. They were not in Cara's head where she had control but in her chest. In her heart and in the place where her soul should be. It was different from the stirring feelings she felt when she was angry, or the feelings she felt when she kissed Envy. She could only define it as need. Need to do something. And not for Dante either. For the brothers.
"Kept my cool under lock and key
And I never shed a tear
Another sign of my condition"
'Stop it.' Cara thought. 'Stop thinking like that. You are Apathy. Stop caring! You need more stones."
Another voice echoed in her head. One that she knew was hers a long time ago, but had long faded. "I don't want more stones. I hate being used as a puppet. Screw this. I still haven't cured my attacks. This is completely useless!"
"Fear of love or bitter vanity
That kept me on the run
The main events at my confession"
"Apathy?" Lust's voice jerked her out of her thoughts. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing." Cara lied. "Nothing at all."
"I kept a chain upon my door
That would shake the shame of Cain
Into a blind submission"
Ed was getting tired. It was apparent he had already been hit several times by Envy and Envy was not tiring out at all.
"You're slowing down pipsqueak." Envy dodged Ed's fist and sent a round house kick to his face. Ed landed hard on the ground, a pained groan escaping his mouth. He tried to get up but Envy pinned him to the ground, wrapping his hands tight around his throat. "You should have cooperated."
"You're better off dead if you do not." Dante said simply. It was an order. It was an order to Envy. "There are plenty of other alchemists I can use. Scar being chief among them. I gave you your chance."
Cara knew Envy would snap Ed's neck right there. But at that point a familiar voice echoed throughout the huge room.
"YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
Someone flew from the rafters and propelled themselves into Envy with a force that sent him flying off. He rolled a few times before coming up in a crouch, a snarl on his lips. Meanwhile Chloe straightened, positioning herself between Ed and him. She had a look of pure fury in her unseeing eyes. "No one touches my friends."
"The burning ghost without a name
Was calling all the same
But I wouldn't listen"
"She did this for you once too." The voice that had once belonged to Cara said. "Remember? Her loyalty. She cared about you."
"I need no one to care about me" Apathy insisted.
"You're so full of it. Of course you do." Cara said. "I realized that, so why the hell won't you?"
"You're different from me."
"I AM you, you idiot!"
"The longer I'd stall
The further I'd crawl
The further I'd crawl
The harder I'd fall
I was crawlin' into the fire"
"You little…" Envy stood, his eyes narrowed. "That was a bad idea little blind girl."
Chloe slammed her foot against the ground. A stone spear rose up from the floor and into her hand. She pointed her weapon at Envy with grim determination. "I don't think so"
"How did she get out?" Dante asked coolly, turning her gaze on Cara.
"Don't look at me." Cara said. "I had nothing to do with it." Over Dante's shoulder Cara saw Wrath shift uncomfortably but she chose to ignore it.
Dante looked back at Envy. "You have my permission to kill her Envy."
"No!" Al cried, but he was too engaged in his fight with Pride to come to Chloe's aid.
"I'll be fine Al!" Chloe's hands clenched on her spear and her eyes narrowed. Her eyes were so filled with anger she looked like she might start crying. But she didn't. She held her ground. Cara thought this was a stupid move. A stupid, brave, move.
"She would do that for you too." The voice echoed in her head. "She cared so much for you. She still does."
"No she doesn't." the voice of Apathy returned. "No one should care for me after what I did."
"But she does all the same."
"Naïve, innocent, brat."
"The more that I saw
The further I'd fall
The further I'd fall
The lower I'd crawl"
Envy smirked and held his arm out to the side. The appendage melted into a wickedly sharp blade. "Do your worst little blind alchemist."
"Oh I will." Chloe lifted her foot and slammed it against the ground. A series of stone spikes shot from the floor and flew at Envy. He leapt into the air, flipping over each one, before landing lightly on his feet and charging towards Chloe. She sent yet another projectile his way but he just moved to the side and kept coming.
Chloe seemed to realize that once Envy got too close to her, she wouldn't be in good shape so she pressed both hands against the ground. A stone pillar shot up under her feet and carried her into the air. She used the momentum to propel herself onto the rafters, high above Envy's head. Then she pressed her hand to the roof and sent a rocky shower down on him from above. Envy danced out of the way of each one before he too lept for the rafters. His hand caught one beam and he easily swung himself up.
"Taking the high ground won't help you." Envy said. "Your domain is the floor, little blind girl."
"My domain is wherever I have a solid ground." Chloe tapped her foot, sending a crack through the rafters. The beam where Envy was standing broke in two and it was only his speed that saved him from a very far plunge. He grabbed another rafter and swung himself onto it.
"Nice try."
"Thanks!" Chloe created another spear from the roof and hurled it at Envy. He caught the shaft in his hand and spun it around to face her.
"You can only avoid the confrontation so long."
Chloe's lip curled in a way that reminded Cara very much of herself. "Screw you, palm tree!"
Envy snarled and lunged forward.
It was a precarious situation they were in, fighting on the rafters. For one thing they had to balance and keep from plunging to the ground. For another thing they had to avoid getting skewered. High above, Cara could see the fight was intense and several times she saw Chloe almost fall, only to catch herself with a new rocky platform. She had gotten much quicker and more dangerous in her alchemy, so much so that she was actually managing to hold her own against Envy.
"It won't last." Apathy's voice thought.
"Oh stop being so negative. Chloe always hated it when you did that." Cara's voice said.
"Shut the fuck up."
"I kept fallin' into the fire
Into the fire
Into the fire"
Then Chloe made a misstep, her foot dropping off the rafter. She wobbled unsteadily and before she could regain her balance, Envy knocked her in the stomach with his spear and sent her flying off of the edge.
"Chloe!" Ed clapped his hands together and pressed them against the ground. A stone hand rose up and caught Chloe before she could take too far a fall. Obviously winded the girl scrambled up, gasping a quick. "Thanks Ed." Before sliding back down to the ground. She looked around for her spear and spotted it sitting on the other side of the room.
Cara knew she probably could have just made another spear, but for some reason Chloe didn't think of that. She just ran for her old weapon. It was that miscalculation that cost her the fight. Because at that moment Envy dropped down in front of her and kneed her in the stomach. Chloe gasped and dropped to her knees, curling in on herself.
"You're just not fast enough kid." Envy said. "None of you humans are."
Chloe rolled away from him and scrambled to her feet trying to run but Envy was already there. He kicked her in the chest with a force that sent her flying across the room. She smacked into the wall and Cara was sure she heard a bone crack. She definitely saw a bit of blood fly from Chloe's open mouth. She could see the girl's eyes water in pain but she didn't have the breath to cry out.
"She's going to die." Cara wasn't sure which voice in her head thought that one. Maybe it was both. Maybe it was just hers. Either way a sense of panic came with that statement. And the burning feeling in her chest amplified. She had to do something.
"Kill her and be done with it Envy." Dante said.
"No!" Ed tried to run to her but Sloth was quick to block his path, encasing his body in water and holding him in place. Pride likewise blocked Al's path and no matter how hard the armor tried to reach Chloe he always ended up going a step backward instead of forward. Chloe tried to raise herself but she only ended up collapsing again. When she coughed, blood spattered the ground.
"Suddenly it occurred to me
The reason for the run and hide
Had totaled my existence"
Images started flashing rapidly through Cara's head as Envy approached Chloe. Images that had for a long time carried no emotion. No feelings. Now they suddenly had a meaning again. Images of Chloe protecting Cara from Scar, coming to her aid at the fifth lab. Images of Chloe laughing and smiling, trying to counter Cara's cynicism. Images of Chloe that were accompanied by so many good feelings.
"Friends. We were friends."
"Everything left on the other side
Could never be much worse that this
But could I go the distance?"
There were other images too, images that were now newly coupled with emotions. Ed being ornery, Al laughing, Winry smiling a serving tea, Hughes… Hughes with his daughter, Hughes smiling at Cara as he talked with her, the music box that Cara once loved so much. She saw all of them and cared again. She remembered how much she cared though she had tried desperately to hide it. And suddenly the red stones were the only thing that meant nothing to her. This twisted immortality was the only thing she felt Apathy for. It wasn't really helping her at all. She still had the attacks. She was still truly dead. Why had she ever wanted the red stones so badly?
"I faced the door and all my shame
Tearin' off each piece of chain
Until they all were broken"
"There's got to be another way. And even if there isn't I don't care."
"But no matter how I tried
The other side was locked so tight
That door, it wouldn't open"
Cara's voice had longed drowned out Apathy's. Apathy wasn't even there anymore. Cara found her hands clenching at her sides.
"Gave it all that I got
And started to knock
Shouted for someone
To open the lock
I just gotta get through the door"
Envy tossed away his spear and let his arm morph into a blade again. He was just a foot from Chloe now, looking down on her, fully prepared to end her life. He raised the blade. Chloe closed her eyes in defeat.
"And the more that I knocked
The hotter I got
The hotter I got
The harder I'd knock
I just gotta break through the door"
Envy's blade met metal instead of flesh. His eyes widened as he saw Cara suddenly standing in front of him, one knife raised over her head, deflecting the blade that had been aimed for Chloe's neck. She looked up at him with a renewed fire in her gold eyes.
"Gotta knock a little harder
Gotta knock a little harder
Gotta knock a little harder
Break through the door"
A fire that had been rekindled when Cara returned.
"Gotta knock a little harder
Gotta knock a little harder
Gotta knock a little harder
Break down the door" -Yoko Kanno
That song was Gotta knock a little Harder by Yoko Kanno. it's from the anime Cowboy Bebop and it fits Cara's situation perfectly.
Cara: my situation depressingness.
Yep. Now I promise to update with part two of this chapter sooner than the last time.
CHloe: SO basically if you update in under a century then we're good.
Shut up. REVIEW!