Ladies and Gentlemen, on this day when I upload the 235th Chapter of Fullmetal Kingdom, let it be known that today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Kingdom Hearts franchise! AND on this day, Square-Enix has just uploaded a Trailer revealing the impending ending to the Mobile Kingdom Hearts title, Dark Road! As well as 2 new games, the Mobile game, Missing Link, a 3D Sandbox Style KH title for your Phone, and finally, the upcoming title we've been waiting for to come to a Console (presumably Playstation 5), Kingdom Hearts IV, where Sora is trapped in a prison in the form of a whole new metropolis-based world, watched by new friends and new foes alike while his old friends seek a way to return their friend home!
Stay tuned in the future, as it is reported that more news and videos regarding KH4 and other projects will be revealed soon...
Last time, Sora followed Artemis, Hermes, the Hestia Familia, and the others, to the Temple of Aersos, where the target, Antares, resides with it's spawn near the massive dead pit known to all Amestris as the Atomos Crater, where a Meteor crashed and left nothing but silence and death...
Once inside, Sora accidentally separated form the group during an attack by Atares's hungry children! After escaping the monsters, Sora found a secret laboratory, where he discovered several notes about Amestrian scientists trying to create Keyblades. But it wasn't just Keyblades they were trying to make, but Keyblade Wielders themselves, as Sora read their progress in creating clones of HIM, using Ishbalin DNA! One clone however was liberated by the Ishbalin whose DNA collaborated in it's creation. Despite the news, Sora was concerned with the connections between the experiments done there AND Dante's involvement, as the Notes detailed her ease in controlling Sora himself was the reason the scientists deemed it necessary to clone him, because Dante could control them just as well!
Dante herself was the manager of these experiments!
Suddenly, a blue-haired figure appeared before Sora, wielding a giant blade known as a Claymore. The mysterious figure introduced himself as Sora's older brother, Isax Garland, who revealed their mother was a Dandelion member as well, and was the target of Father, leader of the Homunculi, for some time, as the Keyblade was made through sacrificing a world, Isax deduced that Father would be willing enough to sacrifice other worlds to conquer Shamballa! Since this was a lot to take in, Sora asked if he and Isax could hold off on family legacies and using the power that the Dandelions were killed for. Isax decided to allow Sora a breather from everything that he was told until after he aids his friends. When Sora had time, he would be open to working together with his brother. Before leaving however, Isax reminded Sora of the terrifying possibility that Dante, despite being murdered by Greed, was still alive somehow, while Father was planning to forge a Keyblade of his own, and an army of Sora clones were produced already...
Isax left Sora afterwards, and no sooner did he leave, than Asfi, Hermes's Familia Captain, found him and urged him to come with her to the rest of the group! Before heading after her though, Sora discovered one room, stained with the blood of those who suddenly died...by the blade of Isax!
Sora then followed Asfi to the main group, where Bell, Xion, and Lan Fan were the only ones fit and capable of fighting off the giant Scorpion-like monster, Antares! Noticing the Spear of Orion, the only weapon that could kill Antares, was missing from Bell's back! Hestia alerted Sora, telling him that if they used the spear on the monster, it would kill Artemis, who's appearance was fading out, like she was disappearing forever! And at that moment, Sora saw it, the reason Bell and Hestia were hesitant to use the Spear of Orion...
...because what looked like Artemis, was imprisoned within a blue crystal, lodged into Antares's stomach! Leading Sora to realize that Artemis, however strange the circumstances were, was somehow bonded to Antares!
WARNING!
Kingdom Hearts is licensed by the Walt Disney Company, Disney Interactive Studios, and Square-Enix.
Fullmetal Alchemist is licensed by Bones Inc., Aniplex, Funimation Entertainment, and Square-Enix.
Fullmetal Kingdom: The Fanfic
Chapter 235: Deceived
The Black Bats have infiltrated the main tower of Table City, and have already spread through the tower like locusts, wiping out every Amestrian Officer they come across…
Peter Soryuz of course attempted an escape via the elevator. As he waited with sweat raining from his scowl from fear and worry, Soryuz said, "Those damn Bats, they RUINED EVERYTHING! With them taking my tower, I'll never get that Stone!"
"-Wouldn't happen to be the Philosopher Stone you're talking about, would it?"
Alphonse's question immediately threw off Soryuz as he saw Al standing next to him! Soryuz attempts to pull a gun, however, Alphonse was quick to swat it out of his hands! In a fit of rage, Soryuz pointed at the Younger Elric and said, "That stone was mine to create, and your 'friends' took the chance away from me! As long as I live, YOU WILL REGRET TAKING AWAY MY-!" Al then grabbed the Major and asked, "The Black Bats, where are they?" Soryuz, fearing for his life, answered, "TH-THOSE CAVERN RATS ARE HEADING TO THE TOP, LIKELY TO ACTIVATE WHATEVER SECRET CONTRAPTION WILL SACRIFICE THE LOT OF THIS DAMNED CITY!" Al pushed Soryuz aside and used Alchemy to Transmute a Cage to keep Soryuz from going anywhere!
Soryuz screeched, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! THIS ENTIRE TOWER-!" Al however explained, "Relax, you'll be fine as long as you're in the Center Tower, plus, I won't let them activate the Transmutation. Everyone will be safe, especially you. Of course for your attempted murder of your own citizens AND two fellow officers, you will have to be arrested. Sorry!" And with that, Al dashed up the stairs while Soryuz sweated waterfalls, worrying about what the Amestrian Government would find out…
Elsewhere in Table City, Ed made his way to the Train Rail Bridge, and next to it, he created another bridge to the other side. Ed then yelled, "EVERYBODY, HURRY AND RUN THIS WAY, YOU'LL BE SAFE!" Kairi, alongside Ed, did the same thing and called out to the frightened townspeople, "HERE'S OUR EXIT, RETREAT THE CITY THROUGH HERE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!" The civilians noticed Edward and Kairi's bridge and took the heroes' invitation, thus running through the bridge! As the people evacuated, Ed asked, "Kairi, do you see Winry or the others anywhere?" Kairi answered, "No, but they HAVE to be around here somewhere!"
In Table City, Ling Yao just rescued a family from a burning building. As he said goodbye, he hopped onto the rooftops and found the townsfolk running on a bridge to safety, herded by Edward and Kairi. "Well look who's joined the party." Ling said as he rushed over…
As Ling Yao did seconds before, Winry and Riku spotted Ed and Kairi as well, escorting the civilians out of Table City. The two then rushed over to them while waving to get their attention, "EDWARD, KAIRI, OVER HERE!" Winry yelled as she and Riku ran to them. Riku then said, "Glad you guys are evacuating the city better than us, but where's Al?" Ed answered, "He's up there, trying to talk some sense into Julia. After all, they're both dead-center of the Transmutation Circle, if Al doesn't stop her, we've attempted this evac for nothing!"
Back in the tower, the Black Bats reached the top of the tower, which resembled a birdcage. Julia, Miranda, and the other Black Bats watched as Ashleigh approached the center of the room, where 4 speaker tubes were located…
"This control room is where we will obtain the power we seek." Miranda however said, "This place? It's a microphone system, no different than the ones in other military bases." Ashleigh then continued to explain, "The Speaking Tubes here are spread all across Table City, and although they are what they are now, these tubes had another use. And that is the secret of the Holy Land, the true key to the Sanguine Star…" Julia approached the speaker tube, eager to learn or discover that secret…
"JULIA, LOOK OUT!"
Suddenly, Julia was attacked by the Black Bats, Miranda immediately disarmed the soldier and knocked him senseless while one of the others pointed a gun at her! As Julia questioned the actions of her fellow members, Miranda asked, "You…you're not one of my Bats, WHO ARE-?!"
(SHUCT)
To Julia's horror, Ashleigh stabbed Miranda, with a sadistic smile on his face…
Alphonse arrived a few minutes later, where he saw Julia, trembling in terror as Ashleigh finished massacreing the Black Bats soldiers! As the strange change of character shocked Al, he asked, "Ashleigh…how could you?! They were Julia's friends…your teammates!" Ashleigh then turned to Al and said, "I'm ashamed Alphonse, you struck me as the wiser and more careful of the Elric duo, but you're as slow as your elder brother it seems." Ashleigh then released several bolts of electricity, trying to fry Al on the spot, but Al managed to dodge every bolt and strike Ashleigh in the face, then, he managed to toss him several spaces away, almost completely out of the caged room!
Alphonse then checked on Julia and said, "Julia, are you-?" Julia suddenly shouted in pain, and revealed to him that her right hip was bleeding!
Using the supplies in his pouch, Al managed to bandage Julia's wound. Julia then said, "He's…He's insane, Alphonse. My brother…he just…slaughtered my friends…even the Black Bats who…who worked for him…" Ashleigh of course glared smugly as Juli suffered. Al hugged Julia and wiped her tears, he then said, "Stay safe Julia, I'll get you to a doctor as soon as I can. First, I have to make sure this creep gets a piece of my mind…" Ashleigh then gloated, "Such tragedy, wouldn't you agree, 'younger brother'? This girl lived a life of loss and betrayal, and even with the truth in front of her eyes, she STILL CALLS HER FAMILY'S MURDERER, 'BROTHER'! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAAAAAA!"
Julia and Alphonse were startled by what they heard as the madman before them continued, "The Crichton Family were FOOLS, hiding a secret that creates a power relative to God and the Drachmanian Royal Family, all because they were afraid of it! Drachma was no different of course, protecting what they never understood, but of course, we had to dig deeper, didn't we, little Chrichton? We had to see Alchemy's secrets, it's makeup, and it's results. THESE WERE THE VERY RESULTS I PREDICTED WHILE BABYSITTING YOU BRATS! Running through the books in your 'getaway' home like a fine-made comb through hair, I learned of a beautiful crimson-red-stained secret the government, OUR government, tried to hide under Cretan noses, the secret was in reality a Transmutation Circle made with Human Blood! The blood spilt here AND EVERYWHERE ELSE in Table City, which as we speak, is reacting to this very tower's so-called Speaking Tubes, and forcing the collapse of every street and floor in the city…would you like to know what happened to those 'loyal' Amestrian Dogs still rushing to this tower, 'little brother'?"
Alphonse suddenly heard a mass amount of screams and rubble-crumbling below the tower, so he looked form the tower, and saw the city, suddenly collapsing, as several buildings and streets were breaking down, and to Al's shock, caused several Amestrian Soldiers to stumble and fall into the openings made from the chaos…
"...the Transmutation, activated by the blood here…is causing Table City to cave in…and kill every last person on the streets…"
Al's horrified voice made 'Ashleigh' break out in laughter, the man then said, "Your father was kind enough to have the blueprints of what was waiting underfoot in Table City in his library, 'MY DEAR JULIA'! Their mangled bodies there matched the humor I felt, anticipating the fear on the ingredients' faces as they fell into the collapsing roads, and met a fitting and glorious death by Grinders and Buzzsaws! HAVE TO GET THAT BLOOD SOMEHOW!"
"...mangled…bodies…" Julia suddenly stood up, surprising Alphonse. He rushed to help Julia, but Ashleigh simply said, "Are you still talking, girl? I already took the seal on your body to mix with your brother's, so do us all a favor…and JOIN YOUR IDIOT FAMILY IN HELL-!"
Julia however remembered, at that very instant, what happened to her family…
"My brother…wanted to use father's book. He told me that night, he could use it's knowledge to make a world like no one had ever seen before…he was a good person…but then…we heard…noises from the library! We found our mother and father, HANGING FROM THE CEILING…DEAD…because you…tore them to pieces…with that disgusting smile on your face…" Julia then GLARED, angrily at the man who looked like her brother…
"...Security Chief, Silvergrale Atlas!"
Alphonse was surprised by what Julia said as she revealed the enemy's true identity. Atlas smiled and nodded, "So glad you remembered me, my dear 'sister'-." Julia, fueled by rage, continued speaking, "You massacred my family for their secrets and ripped Ashleigh's face off, leaving him to bleed to death! I'LL KILL YOU, MURDERER!" Julia suddenly pulled out a soldier's knife and swung it like crazy, every attempt nearly struck Atlas's vulnerable spots, but he was too quick, she couldn't even scratch him as she attacked. Alphonse however surprised Atlas with a swift jab to the shoulder, giving Julia the chance to slash through his neck! Atlas however was quick to close the wound with alchemy, and said to Julia, "Such a brutal attack, my dear, wouldn't you wish to preserve the brother's face? I took REAL good care of it after all, the least you can do is thank me-."
"YOU MONSTER!"
Atlas immediately threw his hands out and unleashed multiple shots of lightning, forcing Julia and Al to back away while he made his escape through a hidden manhole cover near the speaking tubes! As he slipped away, Julia rushed over with her blade in hand to try and follow the murderous villain. Eager to finish the job and slit her enemy's throat, she tried to open the manhole cover, unfortunately, she was surprised to find it unmovable.
Al then explained, "Atlas must have used alchemy to seal the manhole shut…I'm sorry Julia, but we can't stay here, we have to escape-." Julia however said, "I-can't-let-him. I can't let him escape me, not for what he's done! That bastard took everything from me, all just for a stupid-...Oh my God…" Julia immediately grasped Alphonse's hands and begged, "OPEN THE MANHOLE, ALPHONSE, PLEASE! I KNOW WHERE HE'S GOING NEXT!" Al then asked, "You're…talking about the place the Sanguine Star's creation is taking place, aren't you? I followed some of what Atlas was saying-." Julia then pulled Al to the manhole and said, "-Then you understand why Atlas, a man who slaughtered his own minions for the Star, should NOT have such a power in his hands! Please Alphonse, we have to keep the Sanguine Star out of his hands!" Al nervously nodded, and used Alchemy to break the manhole off, then widen the tunnel leading down…
Minutes later, Atlas had just finished using an unseen wet slab of some sort to open a doorway. As it's seal was unlocked, and it's ruins glowed red, and started disappearing, Atlas tossed the slab and said, "And with that, 'dear sister', your skin and your brother's have opened the pathway to true power. And now, I have a REAL Philosopher Stone…now I have…THE SANGUINE STAR!"
The doors then opened then revealed a red glowing chamber, lit by volcanic magma, with a ceiling with tubes sticking out of them, with small drops of blood coming down on a stand with alchemic ruins drawn on them, and in the center of that stand, was the result of the massive Table City trap that took the lives of any and all remaining in Table City: A Philosopher Stone! A small red and wet ruby, glowing with an enchanting light that awaited someone to take it…
"ATLAS!" Julia screamed as she and Al found him.
The villain then gloated, "YOU'RE TOO LATE, BRATS! THE STAR SHINES, AND MY FUTURE SHALL FOLLOW (takes the Philosopher Stone), FOR WITH THIS ROCK, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH! AND I WILL BE WORSHIPED AS A HERALD OVER A NEW LAND THAT I SHALL RULE! AMESTRIS, DUBLITH, NOT EVEN FANTASIA ITSELF WILL BE BEYOND MY RULE! ALL WILL HAIL THE GREAT KING ATLAS, AS THE GOD-SCORCHER, KILLER OF MOTHER AND FATHER! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Al shook his head and said, "Power can do a lot of things Atlas, but with a mind as twisted as yours, I guarantee that Power can't keep you safe! What you've done, who you've hurt, power will only entice your enemies' hatred for you! So please, before it's too late…" Atlas however laughed and said, "What, do you WANT the Sanguine Star? I can see why, after all, without it, you'll never be human, you'll just be a ghost in an empty suit of armor, lingering until you rust. (chuckle) Perhaps I can offer you your wish…but…I'll need…(looks at Julia)...some leverage. Kill the girl, and you're flesh and bone again."
Julia trembled in fear, unsure of what would happen next…
Al then said, "...the Sanguine Star…or the Philosopher Stone…two names, yet it's the source of the same crime! It stole too much, it should never be used for selfish reasons! The best thing to do with a rock you murdered for…is to drop it in the lava, AND TAKE YOUR SOUL BACK!" Atlas laughed in mockery as he said, "The key to ruling a country rests in my hand, and you would cast it away?! I suppose you've cast away worse, RIGHT Julia? After all, the creation of the Sanguine Star certainly made a mess of Table City…AND the Valley those rats still fester in!"
"(gasp)...no…he's…he's talking about…the Magma!" Julia said…
Back outside, Edward and the others suddenly noticed several cracks coming down from the city down to the Valley, where, to his shock, the cracks were starting to release volcanic magma, enveloping anything it touched below and consuming it into masses of molten, burning, lava! "DAMN-IT, Al was too late!" Ed yelled as he rushed over to Table City, but Winry grabbed him and said, "Have you seen where you were headed?! The city is either on fire, or crumbling into pieces! I hope Al's OK too, but go in there, and you'll be the one in need of a rescue!"
(R-R-RUMBLE)
Just then, the bridge started to shake, mainly sourced to the platform connecting the bridge to the city! Ed looked around and noticed something unusual about the platform…
"Funny, I always noticed two rows of stairs leading under the bridge…but Al and I never…" Ed rushed over to the stairs and knocked over a 'Closed for Construction' sign. Walking to the end of the stairs, Ed suddenly noticed a doorway, with windows letting out blinking red beams of light…
"This leads somewhere, and what better place to make a Philosopher Stone than under everyone's noses?" With that, Ed kicked the door down and rushed inside…
After a minute of running through the hallway, Ed finally reached the chamber where the Stone's creation was completed, AND where Atlas attacked Alphonse and Julia while cackling madly! Edward however surprised Atlas by tripping him and kicking the stone out of his grasp! As Ed noticed the Sanguine Star on the floor, he looked at his opponent and asked, "Mind explaining how a Philosopher Stone came into your possession, and why you're trying to kill your sister AND my brother?!" Alphonse however alerted Ed, "BROTHER, THAT'S NOT JULIA'S BROTHER, IT'S A CRETAN TRAITOR NAMED ATLAS! KEEP THE STONE AWAY FROM HIM!THAT'S THE SANGUINE STAR!" Atlas however pushed Ed aside to get the stone back, but Ed grabbed him by the ponytail and threw him away! Ed then grabbed the stone and said, "Well assface, you made a gamble, and you lost the game!"
"GIVE ME MY STONE!" Atlas screamed as he shot a bolt of lightning at Ed!
Edward dodged his attacks, and then threw the Sanguine Star to Al! As Al caught it, a rumble beneath the ground was felt! Julia then said, "IT'S THE MAGMA! THE VALLEY, IT'LL BURN AND MELT IN SECONDS IF WE DON'T-!" As the chamber shook and interrupted Julia, Ed yelled, "AL, TAKE THE STONE AND USE IT TO SAVE THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE!" Al nervously nodded, until Atlas attacked with another blast of lightning, which caused Al to trip and nearly fall into the pool of lava under the platform! Julia however caught Al and said, "Please hurry Al, the people of the Valley need you more than they need him!" As Julia helped Al to the hallway Ed came out of, Atlas glared angrily towards her and said, "I've killed families for that rock, WHAT'S ONE LAST PIECE OF GARBAGE?!"
Shooting a massive bolt of lightning, Atlas caused the hallway to cave in, forcing Al to run from the falling debris behind him!
After running outside, Alphonse sees the cliff sides from both Table City AND Creta, breaking open and letting out Volcano Lava! Al hurried up the stairs, but suddenly, he noticed something missing…
"The Sanguine Star…(gasp) JULIA-?!"
Back inside, Julia shocked Atlas by revealing that SHE had the Sanguine Star in her grasp!
Atlas then snarled, "Give that to me, girl…IT'S MINE-!" Julia however argued, "YOU MURDERED INNOCENT PEOPLE, MY FAMILY, FOR THIS…it's only fitting that I take your results with me, as far away as possible!" Ed however said, "What are you, insane?! Throw the Philosopher Stone into the Lava! Throw it, Julia, then you've beaten him!" Julia shook her head and said, "...I'm sorry Edward, I-I can't. This stone…it DOES have unlimited power, and Alphonse can't evacuate everyone in time before the Magma destroys everyone…but with power like this…I can save the Valley…Alphonse…and even Kairi!" Ed argued, "Don't do anything hasty, Julia! Power may be in the name, but it's unpredictable, even I don't know what you'd lose by using it! Human Transmutation stole my brother's body, AND my arm and leg! Do you realize what I'm telling you?! USE IT, AND YOU'LL BE TORN TO PIECES-!"
"-YOU'VE BLATHERED LONG ENOUGH, GIVE ME BACK MY SANGUINE STAR!" screamed Atlas as he lashed out another blast of alchemic electricity! Ed however managed to disrupt his aim with a spear and punch him away! Ed then turned around and saw Julia making the insane choice to swallow the Star itself…
"JULIA, STOP! YOU'LL LOSE YOUR SOUL! STOP-!"
On the bridge leading out of Table City, Alphonse explained everything to Kairi, Riku, Winry, and Ling Yao. Kairi then said, "The entire city's remaining civilians…were killed by the hidden contraption in the main tower?" Al nodded and said, "The result was the Sanguine Star, a Philosopher Stone, presumably inside the chamber under me. I don't know who has it now, but right now, we have to evacuate the Valley down in the pit between the city and Creta."
Kairi then said, "Then the next move is obvious, isn't it?" Kairi then looked to Winry and said, "Winry, I need you to stay with Riku and Ling, they'll keep you safe. Al, WE are heading down to the Valley. Use your alchemy to bar the lava and keep it from setting the polluted water below on fire. I'll evacuate everyone in the Valley."
"NOW WAIT JUST A SECOND, KAIRI! YOU MAY BE ALRIGHT WITH WALKING CLOSE TO A VOLCANO, BUT AS YOUR FIANCE, I GOTTA SAY: YOUR HUBBY DOES NOT APPROVE!" Ling argued.
Ling then said, "The chances you're taking to play hero has no way of ensuring YOUR safety, Kairi. As noble as your intentions are, you're not invincible, so this time, I'll be your back up!" Ling's confident smile made Riku a bit nervous, until Al said, "Riku, we wouldn't trust Winry with anyone except those we trust, and you're Sora's oldest friend after Kairi…please, keep her safe for us." Riku nodded and said, "We'll be here and waiting, but in case anything occurs-."
"THAT will be our cue to join the fray." Mustang said after walking onto the bridge, followed by Hawkeye and Armstrong! Winry gasped in surprise as she saw them, "C-Colonel Mustang, Major Armstrong, and Lieutenant Hawkeye?! How did they-?" Hawkeye explained, "A situation occurred where the Colonel couldn't ignore the threats that seem to surround the Elric Brothers, so he rushed over here before certain threats like Homunculi, Demons, and Golems could leave their mark ("THIS WASN'T ABOUT THEM, LIEUTENANT!" ~ Mustang), and also, the man who claimed to be 'Melvin Voyager' was recently revealed to be the same Silvergale Atlas, whose fingerprints were left several years ago in the mansion of the late Mr. and Ms. Crichton. He evaded capture for some time, but recent exams and tests comparing the prints and actions have all but sealed his fate AND his true identity. He's a war criminal, so we're here to attempt an arrest-. W-wait, weren't there…where's Alphonse and the princess?"
Ling freaked out and said, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH, MY SWEETHEART KAIRI JUST RAN OFF WITH ALPHONSE! HANG ON HONEY, YOUR FUTURE HUBBY IS COMING!" As Ling bolted down the new set of stairs, transmuted by Al, Armstrong then asked, "Did that young man say, 'hubby', as in-?" Riku nodded and said, "They had an arranged marriage set up before all of this happened, but yeah, we all know she has the hots for Sora." As the remaining group nodded, Riku looked at Winry and said, "The Elrics trust me to be their Bodyguard, as well as their friends', so I promise, I'll protect you until they return safe and sound." Winry nodded and said, "I guess they put the right guy in charge then-."
(KRA-KA-THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM)
Suddenly, a humanoid figure, made up of flame and red electricity shot out of the ground, thus destroying the bridge! Riku, Winry, Mustang and the others rushed off the Bridge onto the Cretan border, avoiding the grisly fate of falling to their deaths. Mustang then commented, "One surprise after another, we're already losing control! Now Volcanic creatures are flying around…" Riku however said, "That's…not a volcanic creature…that's…oh my God, it's Julia!" As the flames and lightning disappeared, Julia's form was seen, landing on the platform formerly connected to the bridge. The girl suddenly collapsed as Edward was rushing up the stairs from the chamber to find Julia. As he found her, Ed took off his coat and wrapped it around her to keep her sleeping form at peace.
Edward then noticed Winry, who called out to him, "EDWARD, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Ed then said, "W-what's Winry doing here?! (ahem) ALL OF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE FROM HERE! THE HILL OF MILOS IS COMING APART!" Winry however argued, "I CAN'T JUST LEAVE YOU HERE! YOU AND ALPHONSE ARE IN AS MUCH DANGER AS WE ARE!" Ed shook his head and said, "WE'LL BE FINE! WE DON'T USUALLY FAIL IN RESCUE MISSIONS AFTER ALL! BUT CAN ONE OF YOU TAKE JULIA HERE? SHE NEEDS HELP-!"
Mustang however yelled, "EDWARD, THE GIRL IS GETTING BACK UP!" Ed turned back at Julia, who began to get back on her feet. Ed sighed and said, "Jeez Julia, you're a crazy chick! Making me worry like that, eating a Philosopher Stone isn't something a sane man would consider! But look, Alphonse and I can help the Valley, you just wait for the authorities to-...uh, Julia, are you listening to me?" Julia then opened her eyes, revealing glowing red pupils.
Elsewhere, Kairi acted quickly, trying to evacuate the Valley while the Magma poured down to their homes! As she guided several citizens away, Kairi began to sweat in terror as the Magma was covering the area much faster, "Damn-it, I should be moving faster, but even I can't outrun this much lava! I'll be buried and dissolved in that mass in seconds!"
"Hey…miss…are you OK?" asked a bandaged little girl. Kairi wiped the sweat from her forehead and answered, "I-I just got a little scared, that's all. I'm alright now." The little girl smiled and tugged Kairi to follow her and the other villagers. Kairi then thought to herself, Here I am, sweating like a pig, and this kid's calmer than I am? I'm the one trying to save her, why am I so scared?!
"Hey Kairi, here's a bunch more!" Ling said as he carried an old man and guided a couple and a baby with him. Kairi then said, "Th-thanks Ling, just help them move along with the others. We'll save as much as we can and hurry back up to Table City."
Elsewhere, Alphonse arrived at the waterwheel, where the location was nearly oozing with masses of Magma, spreading from his side to the other side of the Valley!
(CLAP)
Alphonse worked fast and transmuted a wall to try and keep the Magma out of the Valley, unfortunately, the heat ate away at the wall's crust and broke through it! Alphonse then rushed to rebuild the wall with alchemy, again and again, trying as hard as he could to stop the Magma! But as he struggled, the futility was starting to become clear as the walls he transmuted were breaking even faster with every attempt!
"ALPHONSE!"
To Al's surprise, Julia flew down with Ed in her grasp. As she dropped him, Ed explained, "OK…I guess she DIDN'T lose her soul." Al was confused as to how one of his friends was hovering before him, so Ed explained, "Julia ate the Sanguine Star Al…and so far, all she could think of was-."
Julia grabbed Al by the hand and tugged him along while she said, "...I was thinking of what I put you two through. I-...I led you and Edward to where they captured me, without telling you all because I wanted the power…now I have it…but…"
(CLAP)
Julia immediately used her new boosted abilities to shapeshift Alphonse's transmuted walls into a massive crater to gather all the Magma into without letting a trace of it near the Valley.
Al was astonished by Julia's power, but before he could give her words of praise, he saw tears gushing from her eyes as she continued…
"I sought a power given through massacring hundreds of innocent people and swallowing it! I might as well have thrown my friends away for such a stupid trifle! I-...ALPHONSE I AM SO SORRY FOR DECEIVING YOU AND EDWARD! AND ESPECIALLY KAIRI, WHO MUST HAVE BEEN THROUGH MORE BETRAYALS THAN I CAN IMAGINE! PLEASE, I LOST MY MOTHER, MY FATHER, AND MY BIG BROTHER, ALL BECAUSE A LAUGHING MAN WANTED THIS STUPID-STUPID-STUPID STAR! I HURT YOU ALL, AND YET I SHOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO BETRAY YOU ALL, YOU'RE ALL SO IMPORTANT TO ME! I AM SO SORRY ALPHONSE! I-I'M SO…PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
Julia was clearly put through a traumatic event…
So Alphonse hugged her…
"We've all been hurt by something or someone close to us…but what makes us strong…is how we recover while holding each other's hands. Ed reached out with his and brought me back, and even tonight, he hasn't stopped looking out for those he loves. You were the same when you met me, you wanted, and you did reach out to me. Starting off with a few questions regarding what you wanted, but even I could tell, you wanted to help me out of that prison cage earlier. Having a friend who cherishes my feelings this much…is why I am so thankful for the friends in my life, that includes you, Julia."
Ed sighed as Julia wiped her tears and smiled at Al, the Fullmetal then proceeded to walk next to them and say, "You two are adorable, now, while Kairi and Ling are evacuating the Valley, what do you guys say to some REAL construction work? For instance…that Creta Military Tower Base seems to be blocking a massive amount of water…"
Julia then explained, "During Creta's attempts to overtake the Hill of Milos, they constructed a dam to keep the Milosians from drinking from their clean water supply. I guess it's held it's own for so long that Creta felt comfortable enough to build a base there." Ed then came up with an idea, "...crazy idea, but what if we do MORE than save the Valley townspeople? Now that Table City is deserted…maybe we could set things back the way they were?"
As Julia and Al wondered what Ed was thinking, he continued, "The pollution in this water can easily be managed through alchemy, I can clean the river water in the Valley, of course we'll be working on a tight schedule, so I'll need you to back me up Al, and then Julia, you can use the Stone's power to control the Magma, and break down the Dam AND the Cretan Tower!" Julia thought for a second and said, "...I suppose giving the city back to the Milosians isn't a bad idea. After all, it's what the Black Bats have been striving towards since the start." Al then said, "We have no time to waste then!" Julia then asked, "Mind if I help out too? It would be boring to simply wait with the Magma until you boys are done. Plus, the town has a few fishing nets here used for removing garbage from the river water. Maybe our alchemy can-?" Ed smiled and said, "WAY ahead of you, Julia! Now let's clean-house before the Magma breaks out!"
As the heroes rushed to make preparations, the Magma started to overflow Julia's transmuted giant bowl…
End of Chapter 235
Next Chapter...
"Hi folks, if you've read Fullmetal Kingdom THIS far since Disc 1, CONGRATULATIONS! TANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND INTEREST IN THE REBOOT/CROSSOVER OF KINGDOM HEARTS AND FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST! As a token of my appreciation, I will steer from the Roxas Arc this time and make a chapter based on the recent Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Trailer!
If you have a few ideas of what could work for the next chapter, please let me know, and please share this with friends so they too can contribute and get mentioned in the next chapter! I will mention you and many others who contributed to the concept for the chapter! In the meantime, I hope you loyal readers will still be around and look forward to more Fullmetal Kingdom!"
