Chapter 37 –
"I cannot believe this is going to be your last night in Amestris for a while," Havoc said, voice full of disbelief as he glanced at Voltron and Allura. "I also can't believe you're not able to be here for the Chief's 18th," he sighed, earning himself an eyeroll from Ed.
"It's not like anything exciting is going to happen for my birthday anyway," Ed reminded him. "We're literally gonna be going out for dinner and nothing more," Ed said firmly, eyes flicking to the male members of Mustang's main team so he knew they understood him.
"Sure, Chief," Havoc said, voice light and teasing. The glare Ed levelled him with had most everyone chuckling while Havoc just grinned at Ed innocently.
"Do they really have to leave tomorrow? I don't want them to!" Elysia pouted from where she sat against Yellow, who was sprawled with her sisters on Mustang's back lawn.
"We really don't," Yellow said, looking at Elysia with a gaze that told everyone that she would do anything to make sure Elysia wouldn't be sad.
"You have to go home," Ed said, making sure to speak through their bond so Elysia wouldn't know that there was someone on her side and make this process worse. Hunk – though obviously amused – was definitely leaving this up to Ed to deal with. "You have an entire universe who needs you to help defend it and you kinda shouldn't abandon it for a six-year-old," Ed scolded her before facing Elysia, who was still pouting. "You know they have to go home," he said firmly.
"I know," Elysia said, her bottom lip wobbling as she clutched to Yellow's paw like it was a teddy-bear, "but I don't want them too!" she whined.
"El, you know they have an important job back home that they need to do," Ed said, keeping his voice level like he always did when Elysia acted this way. "They can't live here like we do and leave their families just because you don't want them to leave," he said firmly. "Besides, they're gonna come and visit us whenever they can so it's not like they're gonna be gone forever," he reminded her.
"I know, big brother," Elysia said, sighing softly. Her pout was still there but it seemed as though Ed's words and stern tone were doing exactly what he'd intended for them to do.
"Plus, you can talk to the Lions or Paladins or Allura whenever you want thanks to what Pidge did to your brother's tablet," Gracia said, giving Elysia a warm smile that only grew when Elysia immediately brightened up.
"Oh, I forgot about that!" Elysia exclaimed, turning to look at Yellow and the other Lions with unbridled delight. "I can talk to you all the time, even when you're not here!" she told them joyfully.
"Yes, she can and I will eat anyone who tries to stop us from talking to her any time she wants to speak to us," Yellow immediately threatened.
Ed laughed as Hunk repeated Yellow's words out loud and Elysia gave a delighted laugh. "Absolutely not," Gracia said firmly, putting a stop to Elysia's chattering about plans on when she'd be calling Voltron. "There will be rules in place for you using that tablet," Gracia informed Elysia, "and consequences in place for if you decide not to obey those rules. Do you understand, Elysia?" Gracia asked her, making sure to keep her 'mum' voice and look firmly in place.
"Yes, Mama," Elysia said softly.
Gracia relaxed immediately when she realised Elysia wouldn't be fighting her on this, as she is sometimes known to do when her mother becomes strict on situations like this, where Elysia was really excited. "Good. We'll talk about those rules later though, okay?" Gracia said.
"Okay, Mama," Elysia agreed, sounding much happier now that she knew she wasn't going to be lectured or scolded any further.
"Can you please tell Gracia that I'm sorry for accidentally encouraging Elysia?" Yellow asked Ed, sounding a little chastised, even though she hadn't actually been included in that exchange.
Ed repeated the message dutifully to Gracia, who gave Yellow an understanding smile. "I know you were just excited about staying in contact with Elysia since you've grown so close to her but there will be rules in place for you and your team as well when it comes to contacting her," Gracia told Yellow. "I can't have you trying to call her after bedtime or when she's supposed to be getting ready for school, after all," Gracia teased, earning a groan from Elysia at the mention of bedtimes and school that had everyone chuckling.
"So we're driving the whole way to Ishval?" Shiro asked Mustang after a few moments of relaxed silence.
"Yes," Mustang confirmed. "Since General Armstrong wishes to join us so she could get a report from Major Miles before she leaves to resume her command at Fort Briggs and we need to stop in the desert so that Allura can open a portal without causing panic amongst our citizens, Captain Hawkeye and I believe it would be for the best if we didn't rely on the trains running on time once more," Mustang told him. "The fact that we managed to arrive in Resembool on time the last time we headed for Ishval was a rarity."
"He ain't even wrong," Ed said, causing the others to chuckle with his put-on annoyance. "Our luck would not hold out long enough for us to bet that we'd get into Resembool on time on the train," he added with a huff. "But at least we'll be able to split up between three cars this time," he told them, causing the Lions to look much happier about the car trip.
"So who's coming with us tomorrow?" Lance asked, attention back on the adults rather than watching Elysia play with the Lions.
"Fullmetal and I, obviously," Mustang said, "as well as General Armstrong, Alphonse, Captain Hawkeye and Lieutenant Havoc," he told him.
Lance's brows furrowed as he looked at the other members of Mustang's team, Gracia, and Elysia. "So you guys aren't coming?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Falman told him. "Even though we want to, there's no reason for the three of us to go with you guys tomorrow. Not when there'll be three alchemists, an expert swordswoman, an expert sharpshooter, and a gunman/medic to handle anything that might happen," he explained.
"Plus, the military would have to provide another car if we came and they won't do that," Breda added onto Falman's explanation.
"And Elysia and I need to be at school and work tomorrow," Gracia told Lance, a pleased smile on her face at having been included in his question. "That's why I asked Roy to let me use his kitchen to cook dinner for you all, as my way of saying goodbye since we won't be there to see you off," Gracia said.
"It was more like a skilled takeover rather than a request," Mustang said with a smirk that only grew when Gracia nodded in agreement.
"Semantics," the Hughes matriarch said with a dismissive flap of her hand. The action caused her to remember to check her watch, which she did, and she got to her feet. "Speaking of dinner, it's ready. If I could ask for a couple of volunteers, please?" she requested.
"I'll help," Al offered immediately, standing up alongside Fuery, Ed, and Lance.
"The four of you will be enough," Gracia said, gesturing for Hunk, Shiro, Hawkeye, Havoc to sit back down. "We'll be out in a few minutes," Gracia told them before gesturing for the four volunteers to follow her.
Ed, Al, Lance and Fuery immediately did as they were silently ordered and followed Gracia into the delicious smelling kitchen. Ed already knew what was for dinner and he found his mouth watering as he watched Gracia pull the two large roast pork out of Mustang's oven, alongside the large tray of roasted vegetables. Al started moving towards the stove to make the gravy Gracia had asked him to do while Ed rifled through the fridge for the apple sauce he knew Gracia had brought with her. Lance was busy helping Fuery pull plates and cutlery together, making sure they would have enough for the 21 people and Lions outside. It was only thanks to Gracia's clever thinking earlier that day to bring her own plates and cutlery with her that they wound up having enough so everyone would get a plate each.
"Alphonse, can you bring the vegetables with you when that gravy's done?" Gracia asked once she'd finished checking everything was cooked to her standards.
"Sure thing," Al said as he stirred the gravy so it would thicken but wouldn't clump.
"Edward, please take one of the roasts. I'll take the other one, so long as the two of you are okay with the plates and cutlery?" Gracia asked, her focus on Lance and Fuery and her brows furrowed in concern.
"We're good," Lance told her, arms holding onto nearly a dozen plates topped with just as many sets of knives and forks. Fuery was in a similar position but offered Gracia a nod and a smile.
Gracia didn't look too certain but she did nod. "Alright. How about you two go first?" she suggested, obviously not wanting them to be burdened for longer than necessary.
"Okay," Fuery agreed before he led the way out, Lance following dutifully behind.
Ed tucked the apple sauce jars in the crooks of his arms before he grabbed the second large roast Gracia had asked for him to carry. "There's nothing else, is there?" Ed asked before he and Gracia left the kitchen.
The eldest Hughes looked around in thought before she shook her head. "No, just what Alphonse needs to bring out," she told him.
"Will you be alright with both the tray of veggies and the boat of gravy?" Ed asked his brother, who gave him a flat look.
"I'll be perfectly fine carrying them both," Al told him before gesturing for both him and Gracia to leave. "Go and put those down before someone thinks something's happened," he ordered.
Ed rolled his eyes before he followed the amused Gracia back out to the now-set table. "Wow, Gracia!" Havoc exclaimed, eyes on the pork. "Those look amazing!"
"Thank you, Jean," Gracia said with a smile. "Alphonse is bringing the last of it out," she told them as she and Ed placed the roasts and jars of apple sauce on either end of the table.
Just as she and Ed sat back down, Al came out of the kitchen with the tray of vegetables resting on a tea towel on one hand and the other clutching the gravy boat. He placed the tray in the middle of the table and the gravy boat next to it. "There's more gravy in the kitchen if we run out," he told everyone as he took his own seat.
"Thank you, Alphonse," Gracia said before looking over to her daughter. "Elysia? It's time for dinner," she told her, getting a pout in response that did nothing to sway her. "You can keep playing with the Lions after dinner. They have to eat as well," Gracia told her.
Elysia gave a sigh of defeat before she got to her feet. "Okay, Mama," she said as she took the seat between her mother and Allura.
"Thank you cooking such a marvellous looking dinner, Gracia," Allura said as she watched Mustang and Ed carve up the roasts expertly.
"You're most welcome," Gracia said with a happy smile. "I'm just glad I had the time this afternoon to pull all of this together," she told them.
"I was wondering about that, actually," Mustang said, glancing between Ed and Gracia. "What were the four of you up to this afternoon? The Lions wouldn't tell their pilots," he asked, looking at Ed, Al, Gracia, and Elysia as everyone started helping themselves to the food in front of them. Everyone else paused in their movements to glance curiously at the four who had been spoken to.
Gracia gave Ed a clear look that told him it was up to him what he told them as she helped Elysia load up her plate. "We'll tell you about it after dinner," Ed told them before he went back to helping himself to dinner. Mustang didn't look pleased but he also knew that pushing the matter wouldn't do anything for him so he left it.
The first few minutes of dinner were silent as everyone tucked in and enjoyed the delicious food Gracia had cooked for them. When they did start talking, it was when Al asked Allura how her conversation with Grumman earlier that day went. Allura had been happy enough to talk about the details of what happened between her and Grumman and Voltron listened intently since they needed to know all the details as well. Elysia was happy enough to just focus on her eating while the adults talked about things she had no interest in.
The discussion about Allura and Grumman's talk, as well as what the Paladins and Lions had done to entertain themselves while Allura, Ed, and Al were busy, lasted for the entirety of dinner. Gracia had excused herself towards the end of it so she could put the apple pies she'd made into the oven so they could cook, since they'd only take an hour to do so. Elysia had – with her mother's permission – left the table so she could continue playing with the Lions, much to the Lions' delight. The five of them had all but stolen Elysia the moment they'd arrived at Mustang's that afternoon with Ed and Al. Gracia had been grateful since it meant Elysia wouldn't be under her feet and trying to help with cooking dinner or making the apple pies. She loved her daughter dearly but it took twice as long to cook everything with Elysia's help and she'd needed to get everything organised and ready to cook as soon as possible.
"So?" Mustang's voice caught Ed's attention just as the blonde had starting thinking about maybe taking the dirty plates and cutlery inside. Ed's raised brow told Mustang that he was gonna have to use a few more words than that. "What were you, your brother, and the Hughes' up to this afternoon?" Mustang repeated himself and Ed's expression cleared.
"Oh right," Ed said before he nudged Al and got up from the table. "We'll be back in a minute," he said before the pair left the table and headed back into Mustang's house.
Mustang just watched them leave in bemusement before he shook his head. One day he was certain he would figure the blonde pair out. He caught sight of Black looking at him, her expression filled with enough disbelief that Mustang was worried that the Lion could actually read his mind. The sound of footsteps coming back towards them caught his attention before he could stress too much about Black's potential mind-reading abilities. "Well?" he asked, a touch of impatience in his voice that had Ed giving him a flat look.
"I don't get why you're so impatient, Mustang," Ed said, shaking his head at the man. "It's not like anything we did today had something to do with you. I didn't even cause you any extra, unexplained paperwork!" he exclaimed as he and Al handed each Paladin a large overnight bag, each one matching the Lion the Paladin given it piloted before giving Allura a bag, which she looked surprised with.
"What are these?" Shiro asked as he watched Allura and his fellow Paladins look at their rather weighty bags curiously.
"Survival packs," Ed told him as he and Al sat once more. Shiro's confusion and curiousity peaked even further at those words, causing Ed to laugh at him. "You're allowed to open them," he told the five humans and Altean princess.
Ed rolled his eyes as they immediately did so, their excitement getting the Lions attention and causing them to put a pause on play time with Elysia to investigate their pilot's bag alongside their human. Lance was the first one to reach the bottom of his bag and laughed delightedly when he found the three large bags of roasted and grounded coffee beans Ed had bought for him. "Dude, you're the best!" Lance told him, grinning widely enough that Ed thought his face would split.
"I know," Ed said with a smirk.
"There's more in there!" Elysia piped up from Gracia's lap, where she was now sitting since the Lions were checking out their pilots bags themselves.
"Plant seeds?" Pidge asked, producing a couple of the small packets.
"I can't remember whether the Castle-Ship is equipped to grow them but I'm sure it'll be easy enough for you to find or build something that will," Ed told her. "Al picked the plants he thought would be easiest for you to manipulate or that would actually be a useful plant for you to use in an attack," Ed explained. "Worst comes to worse, you just have to wait until the first diplomatic visit to pick up some soil and fertiliser and whatever else you need," he said.
"Thanks, guys!" Pidge exclaimed, looking at the seeds with renewed happiness. "I think the Castle-Ship's nursery will have what we need to get these growing," she told him but looked at Allura questioningly.
The princess thought it over, pausing in her investigation of her own bag. "I believe you're correct, Pidge," she said finally. "I think the only reason Coran hasn't been able to get the greenhouse up and running as of yet is the lack of seeds to cultivate," she told her. "With those, you'll have what you need to practise your ability," she said with a smile.
"Awesome," Pidge crowed gleefully. "Now I can finally whoop all your arses in training!" she cackled merrily, gesturing wildly at her fellow pilots.
"You wish, Pidgeon," Lance taunted right back.
"Did you guys buy the whole grocery store out of spices just for me?" Hunk asked, breaking up Pidge and Lance's banter before it could really start.
Ed glanced over at the Yellow Paladin to find him taking the spice bottles out of his bag and looking at them as though they were now the most precious things in his possession. "Just about," Ed admitted with a shrug. "Though we were nice enough to ransack three grocery stores so we wouldn't completely deplete one's stock," he added.
"Thanks, man," Hunk whispered and Ed was a little worried to notice tears in the bigger teenager's eyes.
"Don't worry," Lance said, spotting Ed's worry. "He gets emotional like this sometimes," he reassured the blonde. "You're lucky I didn't burst into tears when I saw the coffee you bought me. I'm gonna have to safeguard it now," he said with a chuckle.
"Oh, everyone got their own supply of coffee," Ed told him and the other Paladins proved his words right when they held up their own coffee packets, "so you should be safe," he laughed.
"Awesome. I'd hate to have to stab a teammate for trying to steal my coffee," Lance chuckled.
"What'd you get, Keith?" Shiro asked, looking over at the Red Paladin who had been silent since the bags were given to them and immediately found out the answer to his question and reason for Keith's silence. "You got him knives," Shiro said, looking at Ed, who looked pleased with himself.
"A set of half a dozen throwing knives," Ed corrected him. "They're made by one of the best weapons makers in Amestris," Ed told Keith, who just nodded.
"I can tell," Keith said as he tested the balance of one of the knives. "How'd you get him to make a set so quickly?" he asked, finally looking away from the knife.
Ed shrugged. "Actually, I ordered them weeks ago," Ed told him, earning himself several surprised looks. "I was getting them made for me but when Miss Allura turned up and I realised that you going home would coincide with when my order would be ready, I decided to give them to you and order myself a new set," he explained.
"You didn't have to do that," Keith said with a frown but Ed waved off his concerns.
"Don't worry about it. It's not like I absolutely needed them as soon as they were made. I can wait a few more weeks," Ed assured him.
Keith still didn't look pleased but he nodded in acceptance and turned his attention to Shiro. "What'd you get?" he asked.
Shiro pulled out a couple of books. "How'd you know that I'm interested in history?" Shiro asked Ed, who grinned.
"I noted those were the books you usually picked on the Castle-Ship whenever we were in the library and Black confirmed my suspicions," Ed told him.
"He's a complete history nerd," Black said affectionately, earning a laugh from Ed and reprimanding glare that was ruined by his own amusement from Shiro.
"Sorry that it's only on Amestris but between us having no friendly neighbours up until a year ago, no trade agreements until a few days ago, and one neighbouring country being wiped out of existence before books could be written about it, the only ones we've got have been written by Amestrians who managed to infiltrate another country and gather information on them and their history so I trust those books about as much as I trust Alphonse to not tattle on me when I get injured," Ed told Shiro completely straight-faced.
"I'm not even ashamed," Al sniffed at him. "Someone has to make sure you aren't gonna bleed out or get some awful infection because you're too stubborn to go to the hospital," he snarked.
"Please, I know enough first aid that that probably wouldn't happen," Ed said flippantly.
"What do you think to yours and Coran's gifts, Miss Allura?" Gracia asked before Ed and his brother could continue their bantering.
"Oh I love mine!" Allura exclaimed, looking up from the necklace, bracelet, and earring set Gracia and Elysia had found for her. "These are simply stunning!" she told her. "Thank you all so much for them. I look forward to wearing them at future dinners," Allura said, glancing down at the pink amethyst stones set in her gifted jewellery. "And I'm sure Coran will enjoy his gifts as much as I enjoy mine," Allura assured her, imagining her friend's delight when Allura presented him with the cufflinks studded with citrine stones and the book that was undoubtedly from Ed on moustache care and different styles.
"I'm pleased to hear that," Gracia said, looking a little relieved at Allura's words.
"There's stuff in your bag for your dad and Matt," Ed told Pidge, who looked intrigued and went back through her bag, trying to find what she'd missed. "There should be some basic alchemy and alkahestry books in your bag as well, Miss Allura," Ed said, turning his attention to the princess. "I know our alchemy isn't the same as yours but it could be useful still. Alkahestry is possibly the closest thing that we know of to your alchemy and Princess Mei had sent Al some books on alkahestry. Just basic stuff but it helped us get a better understanding of it," Ed explained. "Of course, those books were written in Xingese so we've had to translate them. You've got a translated copy of one of those books. If it ends up being helpful for you, we can get you copies of the other ones we have," Ed told her.
"Thank you, Ed. That was really thoughtful of you and I'm sure I'll be asking for those books soon," Allura said, giving him a sunny smile.
"You're welcome, Miss Allura," Ed said, giving her a smile back. He was as relieved as Gracia was that everyone seemed to really like their presents. If he was being honest, he had been worried that the four of them had missed the mark on most everyone. Really, the only present he felt confident about was the coffee.
"You did good, Ed," Blue reassured him, sending her mental version of a hug through their bond.
The other Lions sensed what Blue was doing and mimicked her. "You really did," Green said when she'd caught onto what Blue had told Ed. "Pidge is so stoked with hers and she's so touched you thought to include presents for her family," she told him.
"So is Keith," Red swore. "I think he's still processing the fact that you gave him your knives," she told him with a chuckle.
"Lance is already devising plans on places to stash his coffee," Blue told Ed, rolling her eyes and causing Lance to look at her with suspicion. "Even though you got everyone some coffee, he's still gonna treat his like gold and ration it," she said.
Ed couldn't stop his laughter, though he did manage to keep it at least somewhat quiet. "He doesn't need to," he chuckled. "It's not like you guys are never coming back to Amestris and I will happily send whoever visits back with at least one bag for everyone," he told her.
"I know and he knows. He also knows he's being ridiculous but it's one of his most redeeming features," Blue said with a fond sigh.
"I think I should let you know that Hunk is planning on hugging you to death the moment he can," Yellow informed Ed.
"I appreciate the warning," Ed said, his voice as amused as Yellow's was.
"So is Shiro," Black warned the blonde. "He's thrilled about having something to read in English without his translating app on his tablet," she explained.
"I'm really glad they all like their gifts so much. Al, Gracia, and Elysia will be happy to learn that," Ed told them all. Not to mention that the small ball of worry still in his gut had now dissipated entirely thanks to the Lions.
"You're a big softie," Blue cooed, causing Ed to flush lightly which then cause all of the other Lions to join in on Blue's teasing.
"You're all horrible and I hate every last one of you," Ed grumbled, ignoring Al and Mustang's amused looks. He just thanked everything he could think of that the Paladins were too busy talking about their presents to be paying attention to their Lions or to Edward.
"Yes we are and no you don't," Yellow said smugly, tailing swishing behind her as she gave him a pleased, toothy smile.
Ed glared at her but had to concede to Yellow's words. "You're lucky I don't," he told them, rolling his eyes at the gratification that oozed off them. "Keep it up and I'll tell Miss Gracia you're allergic to apple pie," Ed threatened.
The Lions, bar none, gasped in shock. "You wouldn't!" Green asked, eyes filled with disbelief. Ed just gave her a look that made her jaw slacken slightly. "You would!" she accused.
Ed kept that look aimed at her for a couple of heartbeats before he grinned at her. "Of course I wouldn't," he chuckled at her. "There's no way I'd deprive you guys of Miss Gracia's apple pies. I'm not a monster!" he told them.
"You are so lucky we love you," Black grumbled at him, swishing her tail so it connect with his arm as she switched from Shiro's left side to his right under the pretence of wanting a better look at his books.
Ed didn't bother hiding his laughter at her petty behaviour. Those who noticed it gave him querying looks that Ed just waved off dismissively as he pulled his attention from the Lions and back to the others around the table. As he watched everyone interacting, trading teasing barbs and softer exchanges while relaxing after an excellent dinner, smelling the delicious scent of baking apple pies, Ed couldn't help but feel immense joy that – unlike the dinner with the BAU before they left for America or the dinner with NCIS before Ed and Mustang returned back to Amestris with Moore – this wouldn't be the last time he got to sit and eat with at least one set of his inter-dimensional friends. From what he could sense from the Lions, he knew he wasn't the only one feeling as happy as he was and that knowledge just added to the happy and content feeling in his heart.
"How far from Resembool do you want us to stop?" Havoc asked Ed, who hummed in thought.
"An hour's drive from Ishval should be enough," Ed finally said. "There's no way anyone should be able to see anything from that distance," he added.
"Sounds good to me, Chief. You'll have one of the Lions tell the others right?" Havoc asked.
Ed rolled his eyes. "Blue already is," he told him.
Havoc snorted as he kept his eyes on the road. "Of course she is," he said with a chuckle.
Ed grinned as he glanced back into the backseat. Lance, Blue, Yellow and Hunk were travelling with them while Green, Pidge, Red, and Keith were with Mustang and Alphonse. Hawkeye was driving the first car with General Armstrong, Allura, Shiro, and Black as her passengers. Ed hadn't even intentionally tried to avoid Hawkeye's car. It had just worked out that General Armstrong had wanted to speak with Allura and Shiro during the trip and hadn't indicated that she would've welcomed anyone else other than whoever ended up as her driver. Mustang was quickly demoted to driving the other car with Alphonse as his passenger since everyone had deemed it a bad idea for Ed and Mustang to ride together, especially with Pidge, Green, and Red as added passengers. Ed hadn't argued and volunteered to ride with Havoc, who was more than happy to have him along with him.
"They know and Mustang, Hawkeye, and General Armstrong have agreed to stopping at that distance," Blue reported back.
Ed repeated what she'd said to Havoc, who merely nodded. "Which means we'll be on the road for another hour before we stop," Havoc told them. "I hope you guys still have plenty of things to talk about for the duration," he said, a teasing grin on his face that had Ed roll his eyes at him.
"You know full well that I can talk anyone's ear off if I have to and you're the one who said Lance was similar to me and since Hunk is his best friend, I think we'll be fine," Ed told him, causing Havoc to snort in amusement.
"That I have no doubts about," Havoc chuckled even as Ed glared at him before turning around slightly so he could see both Paladins so he wasn't talking at them for the next hour while Havoc continued driving towards Ishval.
"We're about an hour and a half out of Ishval, Chief," Havoc said, interrupting Ed's, Hunk's, Lance's, and the Lions' conversation as soon as there was a pause for him to do so nearly an hour after Havoc had asked Ed how far from Resembool he wanted to stop.
"That's a good distance. Let's stop here," Ed told him. "We can walk over a dune or two just in case," he added.
"Sure thing, Chief," Havoc said as he tapped the brakes, telling Mustang's car that they were about to slow down before he actually applied them properly and pulled the car as far off the road as he could without risking it getting stuck in the soft sand.
The two other cars quickly followed suit and soon all the occupants were getting out of them and stretching their arms and legs after being stuck in the car for several hours with minimal breaks. Ed glared up at the sun as though warning it to not get too hot while they were in the middle of the desert while the Lions shook themselves to get their blood moving since they'd been mainly lying down in the cars. Allura was looking at the desert with an interest that Ed thought was unnecessary until he remembered the tales of her home planet she and Coran had told him and that there were no areas on Altea similar in nature to a desert. Usually it was only Voltron who saw most of a planet they were defending, fighting on, or asking to join the coalition while Allura and Coran saw only the capital city or leader's home since they didn't usually join in on the fighting unless the Castle-Ship was needed as back-up. Seeing something like a desert was still rare enough that Allura was obviously fascinated by it.
"Everyone good?" Ed asked, mainly speaking to Voltron and Allura and received nods from them all. Even Armstrong had given him a curt nod, though it was accompanied by a sneer, as though she thought his query was ridiculous. "Cool. Let's get a bit further into the desert just in case someone does manage to stumble across the cars," Ed said. The chances of that happening were slim to none but there was still a chance and Ed, for one, did not want to be the one to tell Grumman that his efforts to keep the Lions' shape-shifting abilities a secret were for nothing.
No one looked thrilled about walking up a couple of sand dunes but no one argued with him so he and the Lions led the way up the closest sand dune with everyone following close by him. The Paladins were carrying the bags they'd brought with them and the bags filled with gifts while Alphonse was carrying Allura's, at his insistence. Considering the fact that they were walking up a sandy hill and her shoes weren't truly built for that kind of situation, Allura was grateful she'd accepted Al's offer. Shiro was carrying an extra bag that contained the urn that held Lotor's ashes so that they could give the Galran prince something of a funeral when they were back in their dimension. Havoc, Mustang, Hawkeye, and Armstrong brought up the rear with no complaints that Ed could hear, at least.
"One dune or two?" Blue asked Ed as they descended the first dune.
Ed looked at the flat expanse in front of them between the two sand dunes and considered it. "Is there enough room for the five of you to transform here?" he asked the five Lions as a whole.
Green was the first one to answer him after looking at the small, flat clearing herself. "I think it should be fine," she told Ed while her sisters nodded in agreement.
"Okay. In that case, we'll stop here," Ed said, speaking out loud for the benefit of the other people in the group as they got to the flatter ground. "Miss Allura, whereabouts will the portal open up?" he asked the Altean princess, wanting to make sure everyone was well out of range of the portal's pull.
"With both me and Voltron on this side of the portal, it won't open on ground level," Allura told him. "I only managed to do so when I came over because I could use the Lions' signatures to direct the portal. Being on this side, I don't have that control over it. From everything Doctor Holt, Matthew, Coran, and I uncovered during the trial phases of the teleduv, this time, the portal will open mid-air, like it did when Voltron and Lotor appeared," she explained.
Ed gave a nod of understanding. "At least we don't have to worry about the Castle-Ship finding itself full of sand from the portal pulling it through," he joked.
Allura's eyes twinkled. "Yes, I think most everyone will be happy to not have to try and rid the Castle-Ship of this sand," she told him with a small chuckle.
"When do you want to open the portal, Princess Allura?" Mustang asked, knowing that if he didn't, Voltron and Allura wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.
"I can open it whenever I'd like to but because of the energy required from myself, I'd like for the Lions to have transformed and for myself and the Paladins to be in them, ready to go at a moment's notice before I open the portal," Allura said, catching onto the reason for Mustang's question.
"You guys are coming back in three months' time, right?" Ed asked, unable to help himself.
"Yes," Allura confirmed, giving him a smile. "It won't be the whole team. We can't afford to lose all of the Lions, even for only two or three quintents, not after how lucky we were these last 20 odd," she reminded him. "It's very likely that they'll arrive close to where they arrived last time, if we can't figure out a way to lock the teleduv onto something specific," Allura told him.
"Maybe you could try using the bonds the Lions and I have?" Ed suggested. "If not all of them come on the one visit, it could be possible to use your link with the other four to find me?" he added.
"Maybe," Allura said with a nod. "I'll leave that to Doctor Holt, Matthew, and Pidge to figure out though," she told him, giving Pidge a warm smile.
"We'll see what we can do," Pidge promised, earning a nod from both Ed and Allura.
"I'm sure I'll hear all about everything as it happens," Ed said with a laugh that most the others joined in on.
"More than likely," Pidge said, a smirk in place.
There were a few moments of silence where no one really did or said anything. Unlike when the BAU had gone home, Voltron, Allura, and the Amestrians had ample time to say goodbye to one another but both sides were as reluctant to so as the other, it seemed. Well, with the exception of one person. Ed truly thought that Armstrong was going to snap at them to stop stalling their goodbyes so she could see the Lions transform and so the Amestrians could get back on the road to Ishval so she could get the report from Major Miles that was most of the reason she'd even agreed to travelling to Ishval with Mustang in the first place but Shiro was the one to end up breaking the silence first.
"I know we've already thanked you but I'm gonna do it again," Shiro said. "Thank you for finding us so quickly in the desert when we first arrived and thank you for everything you've done for us over the last three weeks," Shiro said once more. "We couldn't have done anything about Lotor if you guys hadn't come to our aid and we would still likely be trying to figure out what the hell we should be doing," he commented with a dry chuckle.
"The Lions would've been able to track me down," Ed told him.
"True but I still appreciate the fact that you saved us the trouble of walking through hours' worth of desert landscape by coming to our aide straight away," Shiro said, ruffling Ed's hair and earning a grumble from the blonde. "I know the others are as grateful as I am that everything went as well as it did. Even though we accidentally crashed-landed in your country, bringing a genocidal, disgraced alien prince with us, I know that if we had landed anywhere else, in any other dimension, this situation wouldn't have been resolved without so little violence or loss of life," Shiro said with complete surety.
"Well, we'll certainly look forward to seeing you guys in the future without the genocidal maniac with you," Mustang said with a smirk that Lance returned.
"We'll do our best to leave the next one behind," Lance told him.
"We'd appreciate that," Havoc chuckled. "I gotta say, I could've believed meeting the BAU or NCIS teams General Mustang and Ed made friends with if someone had said they were turning up but for whatever reason, I never figured we'd actually get to meet you guys. It's been a real trip," Havoc said with a grin.
"We hadn't thought we'd get to meet you guys either. Not for several more months at least," Hunk told him. "I'm still really glad that this all happened. It was really nice meeting you all and seeing Ed again," he said.
"I'm glad you lot managed to get caught in that rift's pull. Coulda done without the heart attack you lot almost induced but I'm still glad," Ed laughed.
"Yeah, sorry about that, man," Pidge said. "But at least we got your attention."
Ed gave her a flat look. "Yeah, that's the main thing," he deadpanned, earning several chuckles.
Allura gave Ed and the other Amestrians an apologetic look before she addressed her team. "Are you ready to leave?" she asked, bringing everyone back to the entire reason they were currently standing in the Ishvalen desert.
Shiro took in a deep breath as he looked at his team and their Lions before he looked at Allura and nodded. "Yes, I think we are," he told her. At her nod, he turned back to the Amestrians who he counted amongst his friends and family. "We'll see you in a few months," he said.
"Yeah, you will," Ed said with a grin, elated that in three months he would get to see at least one pair of Voltron back in Amestris.
"We'll be back in no time, cub," Blue told Ed, barely giving him any warning before she wrapped him in a hug, much like the hug she first gave him when they met once more in the Ishvalen desert three weeks ago. "I think there'll actually be a fight about who gets to come on the diplomatic visits, we'll be that excited to see you and Gracia and Elysia and everyone else again," she told him, causing Ed to chuckle as he tightened his grip on Blue's fur.
Ed could see the Paladins and Lions slowly start making their way through their goodbyes with everyone else while Blue kept Ed hostage with her hug. "I wouldn't be surprised if seeing Elysia was your priority for coming back to Amestris," Ed joked.
"Nonsense. You will always be the main reason we come back here," Blue assured him as she reluctantly let him out of the hug before one of her waiting sisters forced her to.
"Though Elysia is admittedly our second reason for wanting to visit as soon as possible," Yellow told him as she wrapped Ed up in a hug before he could respond to Blue.
"I knew it. You've replaced me as your favourite non-pilot," Ed joked, even if an irrational part of him was actually a little worried and jealous about that.
"Don't be silly," Yellow chided as she felt Ed tighten his hold on her. "No one can replace you," she told him fondly.
"You're sweet," Ed told her, feeling far more relieved by her words and her tone than he really thought he needed to be.
"I know," Yellow said cheekily before she was being pushed aside by Red, who had a determined look on her face. "You could've asked, you know," she grumbled even as she moved aside so she could say goodbye to the next person on her list.
"Yeah, I could've," Red said as she grabbed Ed in a tight hug, resolutely ignoring all of her sisters, who were teasingly cooing at her for her open show of affection. "I somehow don't think Keith will be the first one to act as our diplomatic representative but I'll make sure we're back here as soon as possible," Red promised.
Ed saw the look Keith gave Red, like he wanted to call her out but knew he really didn't have a leg to stand on but he decided not to comment on that part of what she said. "I can't wait. I still need to whoop Keith's arse in a spar. Our last one got interrupted," he said.
"As if you could," Keith muttered as he joined his Lion to give Ed a quick hug, letting go almost as soon as he'd got his arms around the two of them. "I'll be an expert with those throwing knives you gave me in no time and you'll be eating those words," he swore, face completely serious.
"We'll see who eats their words when you're next here," Ed snarked back, forcing Lance to step in between them so they wouldn't start that rematch right then and there.
"And that's enough of that," Lance said, tugging Keith aside. "Stop hogging Ed," he ordered when Keith grumbled at the manhandling.
"I wasn't," Keith muttered but he did move, following Red – who had also been a victim of Lance's insistent nudging – so that they could keep saying goodbye to everyone.
Ed barely got a huff of laughter out at Keith's scowl when his breath was almost punched out of him from the grip Lance had on him. "Dude," Ed gasped, "you guys were the ones reminding me that it's only going to be a few months before I see some of you again and I have my tablet hooked up to all of yours now so I can call you whenever I can," he reminded him.
"I know but you won't be right there and I've kinda gotten used to you being in the same universe as me," Lance told him, whining slightly and causing Ed to chuckle.
"I've gotten used to you lot being around as well," Ed said. "It won't be the same without you guys camped in Miss Gracia's loungeroom or at Mustang's house," he told him honestly.
Lance sighed slightly. "I'm gonna try and convince Allura to let me and Blue be the first ones to visit you guys in three months," he told him, sounding very determined about this idea.
"I can't wait to hear about the fights that happen because of that," Ed told him, laughter in his voice.
"We'll keep you up to date on it all," Lance promised before yelping and jerking away from Ed, who was looking at Pidge in surprise. Lance, however, was rubbing his side and glaring at the Green Paladin. "Use your words instead of just pinching me next time, gremlin!" Lance scolded her.
"I'll keep that in mind," Pidge told him, though her face told both Lance and Ed that she definitely wouldn't be doing that. "Besides, it's my turn to say goodbye to Ed," she told him, leaving no room for argument.
Lance raised his hands in surrender. "I'll go and say goodbye to those I haven't yet," Lance said before looking at Ed. "Make sure you call us soon," he ordered.
"Yes, boss," Ed said cheekily, earning a light punch to his left arm before Lance moved away to let Pidge have a minute with Ed. "Thank you," Ed said to the Green Paladin before she could say anything first, "for upgrading my tablet. I know," he held up a hand to stop her from speaking, "that I've already thanked you but I need to thank you again for doing that," he told her, voice filled with gratitude.
Pidge rolled her eyes at him. "I couldn't have left here without hooking your tablet up to ours. Do you know how much whining I would have had to put up from Green, Lance, and Blue when they discovered that I could do that, assuming we worked out how to dimension-hop?" she asked rhetorically. "I would've ended up smothering them before long," she grumbled, though Ed could see the flush on her cheeks that told him she was only posturing.
"Well, I really appreciate the tablet upgrade and I appreciate the fact that you won't end up smothering any of them," Ed told her with a laugh.
"Yeah, yeah," Pidge said, pushing at Ed's shoulder lightly. "Green wants to say goodbye so I'm gonna go do the same with the others," she told him. "Don't get killed before we get to see you again," she ordered, pointing a threatening finger at Ed.
"I'll do my best," Ed laughed. Pidge seemed to accept that as a satisfactory response because she simply nodded before she moved so her Lion could enthusiastically pull Ed into a hug. Ed returned the hug as he stumbled back from the force of it.
"I'm definitely going to have Pidge fight Lance for the first visit," Green told him immediately, causing Ed to laugh as he hugged her back.
"Now I really want videos of what happens when these fights start," Ed told her.
"I'll make sure Pidge sends you them," Green promised him. "We'll see you soon, okay? Stay safe in the meantime," she instructed him, pulling back to look him in the eye.
"I'll try my hardest," Ed swore and, just like Pidge, Green gave him a nod as she pulled away.
"Good because I'll be joining the others in making Allura open another portal so we can come back here and kick your arse if you don't," Green informed him.
"I'd expect nothing less," he told her, giving her a grin.
"Do you mind if I say goodbye now, Green?" Hunk asked, interrupting the two. Green looked up at him before she nodded and – once she'd nudged Ed's cheek once more – left to join her pilot, who was over with Alphonse. Ed was quickly pulled into a hug on par with Lance's earlier one. "We'll see you when we see you again. Though, knowing Yellow, she'll do her best to make that happen as quickly as possible," Hunk told him.
Ed chuckled as he hugged Hunk back. "Yeah, she's really attached to El. I wouldn't be surprised if she hijacked the portal in three months' time, whether you two are the ones chosen to come over or not," he said, grinning at Yellow's indignant huff. Her agreement was hidden underneath her annoyance so Ed didn't take it to heart.
"Yeah, she probably will," Hunk said with a put-on sigh, grinning when Yellow made a protesting noise at both of them. Hunk pulled away from the hug but didn't go far, placing his hands on Ed's shoulders. "I'm gonna be cooking up a storm with those spices you gave me so you can expect a tonne of new recipes sent to your tablet in the upcoming weeks," Hunk promised him.
"I'm looking forward to it," Ed told him, a genuine grin on his face.
"Edward!" Allura called just before she wedged herself in between Ed and Hunk to give Ed a quick hug. "I'm sorry I couldn't allow us to stay any longer but I am so happy that we got the chance to see you again and so soon!" Allura said, squeezing Ed tightly and briefly before she pulled away.
"I wish you could have stayed for a little longer as well, Miss Allura, but I'm glad you were still able to visit us," Ed told her, giving her a smile. "Will you be joining on the diplomatic visits?" he asked her.
"So long as I don't have any more pressing matters to deal with, then yes I will," Allura told him.
Ed grinned. "Then hopefully we'll be able to introduce you to more of Amestris the next time you're here," he said.
"I look forward to that," Allura told him earnestly. Black and Shiro had joined them as Allura was talking while Hunk had headed over to Hawkeye to say goodbye to her. "You make sure you call us at every chance you can now that Pidge has connected your tablet to all of ours," she instructed.
Ed grinned at the repeated orders. "I will," he promised once more.
Allura patted his cheek gently. "Good," she said, giving him a smile. "I'll leave the three of you to say goodbye," she said, looking at Ed, Black, and Shiro. "Then we really should be going. We don't want to be keeping Edward and the others from making it to Ishval before dark," she said firmly.
"Of course, Allura," Shiro said with a nod. "The rest of the team are just about finished with their goodbyes," he added.
"Then I shall finish mine," Allura said before turning back to Ed. "Hopefully we'll speak to one another soon," she said, smiling at him.
"I'm sure we will," Ed told her, returning her smile.
Black barely waited until Allura was out of the way before she brought Ed into a hug. "You need to watch out for yourself. Don't get hurt being reckless," she ordered.
"Yes, boss," Ed laughed, hugging the Black Lion back tightly. "You guys need to stay safe as well. I don't wanna be forced to dimension-hop because you guys get into trouble," he told her.
"We'll do our best but you know how reckless some of our pilots are. We'll be hard-pressed trying to keep them out of trouble," Black told him, sighing as she did so in a way that reminded Ed of Al.
"I heard that," Shiro said, giving Black an admonishing look that was undermined by his amusement.
"You were meant to," Black informed him, glancing over Ed's shoulder to look at her pilot, eyes sparkling with laughter when Shiro swatted one of her ears. "Don't be rude," she sniffed at him, swishing her tail up to swat him on his back, causing him to laugh.
"Come on, let me say goodbye to Ed now," Shiro said, trying to coax Black to let go of Ed.
For a few moments, Black resisted his efforts. Then Allura looked over at her and gave Black an admonishing look that had the Lion sigh before she nuzzled Ed's cheek and squeezed him tightly once more before she let him go. "Fine," she huffed, releasing the blonde with a pout.
"You can smother him with affection the next time you see him," Shiro promised her.
"Damned straight I will be," Black sniffed at him, relaxing when Ed scratched her behind her ears.
"I'll miss you too," Ed told her, amusement in his eyes at the exchange happening in front of him.
"I'll miss you too, young alchemist," Black said, butting his left shoulder once before she backed off. "I'd better let him say goodbye before Allura forces us to leave," she told him.
"It's probably a good idea," Ed said with a nod before he grinned at her and gave her another scratch. "Thanks for everything you did while you guys were here," Ed said to her.
"You're welcome, Ed," Black purred before leaving to join Allura – now with her bag over her shoulder, having taken it from Alphonse – who merely gave her an amused look as Shiro wrapped Ed into a tight hug.
"Thanks for all your help, kiddo," Shiro said as he felt Ed wrap him in a hug as tight as the one he was giving the blonde.
"Thanks for all your help," Ed echoed back. "Seriously, I don't know what I would've done or how I would've coped with that talk on the anniversary of Promised Day without you guys there running interference. It probably would've ended way worse than it actually did," Ed said, pulling from the hug to look at Shiro. "I can't thank you enough for helping me out with that."
"You don't have to thank us. We wouldn't have stood by and watched that go down without stepping in. You wouldn't have deserved anything that might've happened if we hadn't been there but I would like to think that your teacher or Gracia or Captain Hawkeye would've stepped in, even if we didn't," Shiro told him. "Just remember you're not alone, okay? You don't have to keep secrets from everyone all the time now. You've got a good support system behind you and I'm not talking about me and the team," Shiro said. "You've just gotta remember how much you trust them," he told him.
"Yeah, I know," Ed said, glancing around at Mustang, Al, Hawkeye, and Havoc, who were talking to Allura, the rest of Voltron, and Armstrong. "I'll try to remember that," he promised Shiro.
"Good," the Black Paladin said, pulling Ed back into a tight hug, "because I don't want to have to use part of my visits here to remind you to remember," he informed the blonde, who snorted.
"As if you'd wait for your visit to do that," Ed said, rolling his eyes and earning himself a sharp poke in the shoulder.
"You may be right but I still don't want to have to remind you that you can trust them with everything," Shiro said seriously. Ed nodded and Shiro ruffled his hair, getting a swatted hand and scowl for his troubles. "And don't forget that you can talk to any of us at any time. We'll be there if you need us," Shiro promised him.
"Thanks, Shiro," Ed said gratefully. "The same goes for you. If you ever need to talk or need some help, hit me up," Ed told him.
"I'll make sure we do," Shiro swore before he looked around at where the others were waiting. It seemed like everyone else had finished saying their goodbyes, which meant it was time for them to go back to their dimension. "Looks like everyone else is ready to go," Shiro told Ed, who gave a nod.
"Don't think it'd be a good idea to keep Allura waiting or prevent Pidge from seeing her dad and brother any longer than necessary," Ed said thoughtfully.
"You are definitely right about that," Shiro told him with a chuckle before leading Ed over to the group. Squeezing the blonde's flesh arm, Shiro left his side and joined his team and leader. "I know I've said it before but thanks again for everything," Shiro said, addressing all of the Amestrians. "If you need our aide, don't hesitate to ask for it. We'll do our damnedest to get to you and do what we can," Shiro said, Allura nodding beside him.
"The same goes for you," Mustang said seriously. "If you're ever in need of an alchemist or two, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm sure we'll always be able to spare a couple," he told them with a smirk.
"Thank you," Allura said, voice polite and professional. "I'll make sure to keep you up to date with everything that happens with the interdimensional teleduv and what progress we make with getting the portal to open on ground level when I'm not on this side of it," Allura promised.
"Thank you, Princess Allura," Mustang said with a dip of his head. "We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on your diplomatic visits," he said.
"I'm sure there'll be a battle to see who gets to see you guys first in three phoebs' time," Allura said with a small grin, "but we look forward to those visits as well," she said. "It was wonderful meeting those of you we hadn't met before and to see you, General Mustang and Edward, once more. I hope that you are in as good spirits and health as you are now when we see you next," she said.
"As we hope that for you and your team," Mustang said.
Allura gave him a smile before she turned to Voltron. "Let's get ready to leave. Lions, please spread out so you can transform," Allura requested.
The Lions hesitated, looking at Ed for a moment before they did as they were asked. Once they were in position – spread far enough apart to cause no issues when their pilots got them moving – Ed spoke. "Everyone needs to cover their eyes," he said, mainly for the Amestrians benefit. He saw Armstrong glare at him for ordering her but she did close her eyes. When everyone had, Ed gave the Lions the mental go ahead just as he shut his.
A few seconds later, Shiro called for them to open their eyes and in front of all of them were the mechanical forms of each Lion. Ed grinned when he heard three simultaneous gasps from the Amestrians who hadn't seen the Lions' mechanical forms and relished momentarily in the fact that even General Armstrong hadn't been able to keep her surprise and awe hidden at the sight of them. The Paladins and Allura hadn't moved to the Lions just yet but Ed knew that they soon would be. Even the knowledge that they wouldn't be unable to visit him once they left wasn't enough to soothe the sadness Ed felt at seeing them mere minutes away from leaving.
Shiro and Lance must've seen the look in Ed's eyes or their Lions tattled on the blonde because they both wrapped Ed in a hug, obviously unaware that the other was going to. "I'm gonna try and convince Allura to open the portal to kidnap you for a few days when none of us are busy so you can come and say hello to Coran and the Holts. All three of them would love it," Lance told the blonde.
"If you can convince her to do that, I'll literally drop whatever I'm doing to take you up on that offer," Ed told him with a laugh. He wasn't entirely convinced Allura would open a portal for no reason other than to let Ed and whoever else visit, not with what she and the Holts had said about the material that powered the teleduv.
"Deal," Lance said with a grin that told Ed the Cuban had accepted the challenge.
"Call us as soon as you can once you're in Ishval so we know you arrived safely," Shiro said, earning himself a chuckle from both Lance and Ed.
"Such a space dad," Lance muttered under his breath to Ed, who only laughed in response. "But you gotta call us asap. I doubt Allura will have us out on missions immediately so we'll be able to talk," Lance said.
"I promise I will," Ed told them, patting the reinforced pocket of his black jacket out of habit and feeling the solid shape of his tablet in it.
Both Shiro and Lance gave Ed a smile before Shiro squeezed his flesh shoulder. "We'll talk to you tonight then," he said and Ed gave a nod, the feeling of sadness that had been weighing on him slowly melting away.
"Yeah you will," Ed confirmed. "You'd better go though. Allura and your Lions are waiting," Ed told them, gesturing to the three aforementioned Alteans and Lions.
"See you later, Ed," Lance said before he backed away and headed for Blue, who lowered her jaw in anticipation for her pilot.
"See you soon, kiddo," Shiro said, getting Ed's attention back from the Blue pair.
"Yeah, definitely," Ed said, giving him a large smile before gesturing to Allura. "I'll talk to you tonight and I think Miss Allura is about to come over here and drag you over to Black," Ed told him. The glint in Allura's eyes told him he wasn't far off the mark.
Shiro chuckled. "I think you're probably right and since I don't want that to happen, I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you tonight," Shiro said, echoing Ed's words.
With Ed's nod, Shiro headed for Allura and joined her in waving at everyone else one more time before they headed for the Black Lion who – just like Blue and her other sisters had done – lowered her jaw to permit both them entrance. Once Shiro was in the pilot's seat, Black's jaw closed and her eyes lit up bright yellow, indicating she was ready to be flown. It didn't take long for Ed to feel a mass of energy appear far above their heads and – judging from their faces – Al and Mustang had felt it as well.
"They're about to leave," Ed said to everyone. "Cover your faces or you're gonna be blasted with sand!" he said before pulling his red jacket up over his face to stop sand from getting in his face.
Five loud roars told him the Lions were about to leave and Ed could only hope everyone had listened to him as he felt his body being peppered with sand, softened by the clothing he wore. The second he couldn't feel it anymore, he looked up in time to see the five Lions flying in a wide arc, aiming for the barely visible blue and pink swirling mass of alchemic energy and quintessence. A glance told him that everyone else was watching them as well and Ed held his breath as, one by one, the Lions vanished through the circle with Black going last so Allura could keep the portal open.
It took a couple of moments for Ed to do so but he did manage to sense them once the portal closed and he breathed a sigh of relief, overjoyed his bond with the Lions was still intact. "They're going into the Castle-Ship now," Ed told everyone.
"Good," Mustang said in a way that told Ed that his boss knew what Ed had been fearing. "Well, now that they're home, how about we continue on our way to Ishval? We really don't want to be driving in the desert at night," Mustang said.
"Major Miles will be expecting us well before sunset so we do need to get a move on," Armstrong told them. "We've wasted enough time here as it is," she said, looking at Ed who, for once, didn't let it affect him.
"Let's head back to the cars, Sirs," Hawkeye said, glancing at Ed to check on him, only turning away when Ed gave her a nod and a reassuring smile.
"You okay, Brother?" Al asked as the six of them started heading up the sand dune they'd climbed only a few minutes ago.
Ed could see that both Havoc and Mustang were watching him out of the corner of their eyes, obviously waiting for his answer. "Yeah, Al," Ed said, giving his younger brother a smile. "I'm completely okay," he said honestly.
Al watched him for a few moments before he nodded. "Good. Then let's get to Ishval so we can bring Scar up to speed on everything and ask him whether he'd be willing to act as a pretend messenger for us," he said, catching Ed's elbow and all but tugging him along with him.
"Sounds like a plan," Ed said as he heard the Lions laughing in his mind at his brother's antics, causing Ed to grin. "Let's go do that."
A/N - And here is the last chapter, finally! I hope the few if you who have stuck with this story long enough to reach this point enjoyed it and I hope the ending wasn't terrible. As I've previously mentioned, this will be the last story of this series that I'll write for a while, if I even do write the FMA/CSI: Miami story I had been thinking about. The lack of reviews I've had on this story and the lack of motivation I had during the last few chapters to write it all tell me that either no one's interested in this series any longer or that everyone's sick of the same basic storyline and I'll be the first to admit that I felt it was a little repetitive, plot wise. So this story will probably be it for the AMA series. It was fun for the most part and I really am thankful to everyone who commented on the stories throughout the series and to those couple of you who reviewed this story. Thank you all!
I do have a second series for Medic Lance written and that I will start to release today. It'll be 7 chapters in total and will follow my usual posting schedule. After that, I have a How To Train Your Dragon/Rise of the Guardians crossover partially written so once the second Medic Lance story has been posted, I'll start posting that one. At some stage I will start posting the drabbles/extra scenes and 'what if' scenarios I have for Spirit Animals but they will probably be updated infrequently rather than on a strict schedule.
One final time, thank you so much for making it to the end of this story and I hope you have an awesome day! If you follow my works, I hope to see you around! TheFullmetalBitch xx
