Journey

by ButterflyMiko

On the night of the failed transmutation, Ed saw another door. With different Guardians. Saturn was the one who gave him the knowledge to save Al, and then disappeared from his sight and his memory. On his way to see Shou Tucker, Ed saw Hotaru again, and she promised to join him on her journey.

2. Rebirth

Hotaru had been prepared for many things on her way to get to Ed, but she had not been prepared for this.

Her hands went to her mouth as she witnessed the little girl merged with the dog. Nina. Hotaru had just played with her yesterday.

And Tucker. Hotaru was tempted to let Ed finish him off, but when Nina intervened, she remembered what it was like to watch your father descend into madness.

"I'm sorry." She said to Nina. "ED! STOP!"

Ed's hand stopped as Al grabbed him.

"He's still Nina's father." Hotaru said sadly. "Don't do this in front of her."

Ed knelt in front of Nina. "I'm so sorry. We can't save you."

"There is something I can do for her soul." Hotaru said softly. She hated to say it. "They will be freed in death, and with the power of your alchemy combined, it's possible she can be reborn."

"Reincarnation?" Ed said hopelessly. "Rebirth? That's not scientific."

"Do it Brother," Al urged. "It's their only chance."

Combining their powers, a purple and blue light glowed around the chimera, and they vanished. Their souls hung around for a while, then solidified into a baby and a puppy.

Ed hugged Hotaru, crying his grief and relief into her shoulder. "Thank you. Thank you."

"Without you, there would have been no hope for rebirth." Hotaru said. "Only death."

Together they surveyed the adoption of Nina and Alexander, and left with them to make them comfortable in their new home.

That was their mistake. They never should have left Shou Tucker alone.