The next day was an early one, I was up and dressed in some light blue skinny jeans, a long black sleeve top and had a brown leather jacket. My boots were black, and I had my case ready to go as I as my guitar in it and some clothes in another compartment. If you looked at the case that was going to sit on my back it would almost look like a straight coffin. I had breakfast early as I didn't know what time the boys were going to be ready.
A knock at the door took me out of my headspace as I walked over to it,
"Morning," I chimed as I saw Edward, he was surprised as he looked over my body quickly,
"Oh, are you all ready to go?" Edward asked,
"Yeah, had breakfast. Packed up. Let me know when and where we are off to." I grinned and nodded, Edward smirked,
"Well then, aren't you prepared." Edward spoke,
"What's that supposed to mean?" I pouted and put my hands on my hips,
"Nothing," Edward shook his head as I grabbed one of the case handles and put it over my shoulder,
"It better mean nothing." I grumbled as Edward looked at the case,
"Jeez, what are you carrying in there?" Edward asked as I walked out and closed the room door,
"My stuff." I answered as Edward just looked at me blankly,
"What stuff?" Edward asked,
"That's for me to know." I smirked as Edward rolled his eyes,
"Fine then!" Edward stomped down the hallway as I smirked to myself,
"Where are we going?" I asked,
"That's for me to know!" Edward retorted as I moved beside him and stuck my leg out making Edward trip down the hallway, "hey!" Edward yelled as I ran ahead and saw Alphonse was being carried by Armstrong,
"Hey Al! Alex! Where are we off to?" I grinned as Edward was scrambling off the floor,
"We are going home to Resembool. What happened brother?" Alphonse asked,
"Don't worry about it." Edward folded his arms and looked away from me as I smirked,
Alphonse chuckled, obviously getting that I annoyed Edward somehow and we left for the train station. It will be nice to see Pinako and Winry again, it had been so long.
"Have you been in touch with Winry recently?" I asked as I looked at Edward, we were waiting to board the train as Alex had taken Alphonse somewhere,
"Not recently… in fact I can't remember when I last spoke with her." Edward muttered and rubbed his chin as I shook my head,
"You'd have thought you'd keep in touch with your mechanic." I chuckled as Edward shot me a look,
"Well, you aren't that great at keeping in touch either." Edward folded his arms as I frowned and huffed, he knew I had my reasons for leaving,
"I… I can't believe you." I walked towards the train as Edward dropped his arms, I could see him look like he regretted what he said instantly from the reflection on the window,
"Rea…!" Edward walked after me as I walked on the train and found somewhere to sit
I lifted my case off my back and tried to reach the top shelf, Edward came to my side and went to help me,
"Let go." I snapped and Edward jumped back, Alex walked down the aisle as I saw him,
"Here let me." Alex smiled and lifted the case from me and put it on the top shelf,
"Thanks Alex!" I grinned at him and then sat down next to the window.
I noticed Edward sit next to me quietly as Alex sat opposite us. I could see in the reflection of the window as we started to move that Edward kept looking my way and frowning slightly.
"Hey… where's Al? Where did you take him?" Edward asked,
"Oh, I put him with the sheep in a carriage further ahead." Alex smiled as I smirked, "I thought he might get a little lonely by himself…" Alex spoke,
"You jerk! That's worse than the luggage car!" Edward yelled, my eye twitched, he already made me angry with that comment not long ago,
"Hmm… really what's the problem? He's got plenty of room, its cheap, there's lots of living things… woolly friends…" Alex explained,
"Quit messing with my brother!" Edward yelled and threw his arms around,
"Please Edward, shut up, you're causing a scene…" I sighed; Edward glared at me for a second as I looked out the window watching the scenery go by. I sighed and leaned on my hand as my elbow rested on the window ledge. Edward folded his arms as I glanced at him and saw him pouting slightly, I couldn't help but smirk and look away as I sighed gently.
The journey was long, Edward and Alex talked for a bit as I just watched the world go by. The journey was a few hours, I sat back on the chair after some time and leaned against the back, as I glanced at Edward, Armstrong suddenly lunged to the window and yelled,
"Doctor Marcoh! Aren't you Doctor Marcoh? It's Alex Louis Armstrong from Central," he called, Edward and myself both looked out the window and saw an elderly looking man with grey and white hair down the platform, he looked scared as Alex waved and I looked back at Alex as the man ran away,
"Someone you know?" I asked,
"Yes… He's a skilled alchemist that was involved in the research department at central. He was studying the use of alchemy for medical purposes, but he vanished during the civil war." Armstrong explained, I looked at Edward as he seemed deep in thought.
"Let's get off!" Edward quickly moved,
"Hmm? Don't we get off at Resembool?" Armstrong asked,
"Why get off here?" I asked and looked at Edward as he ran down the carriage,
"If he uses to do that kind of research, then he might know something about biological transmutation too!" Edward stepped off the train as Alex passed me my case and he went to get Alphonse.
I joined Edward on the platform as we waited for Alex with Alphonse,
"Sorry about that comment I made earlier, I know you didn't have a choice about leaving." Edward put his hands in his pockets as I looked at him in shock, he never used to apologise for things like that.
"I… it's okay. I could have left on better terms." I frowned with a sigh as Edward looked at me,
"Well, you're back now. And we're gonna help you become mortal again." Edward smiled at me gently as I nodded,
"Thanks, Edward." I looked down for a moment and then met his eyes with mine, I couldn't help but smile at him, I noticed his cheeks flush, and he looked away quickly as Alex walked over with Alphonse.
I followed behind them, as they asked questions on where Marcoh was, but we learned that he was the local doctor called Mauro. Alex had done a very good sketch of Marcoh, so it was very easy to find him in the end, the people had guided us very quickly to his home.
We walked up some stairs to his house I leaned against the wall as Edward knocked the door. It took a moment, but I saw the barrel of a gun appear, aimed directly at Edward as I froze, it was fired and Edward jumped just in time and the bullet seemed to hit the house opposite as I turned towards the door in anger and confusion.
"What did you come for?" Marcoh asked, he was shaking as he held the gun, he was clearly afraid as I looked at Edward who was trying to catch his breath,
"Please calm down doctor," Alex said as Edward was holding his chest, I moved behind Alex and in front of Edward,
"Did you come to take me back?" Marcoh held the gun, his grip on it was shaky, "I'll never go back! I beg you! Let me go…" Marcoh begged.
"No that's not it. Please listen…" Alex tried to explain, I sighed in frustration,
"So, you came to kill me and shut me up for good?" Marcoh frowned,
"First if you could please lower your gun," Alex requested as I walked around him and stood in front of Marcoh.
"Doctor, we aren't here to hurt you, or upset you. We just want to talk as we have some questions about your skills. We have no links to whoever is after you, that I promise you." I explained as he stared at me, "but feel free to shoot me… I'd rather take the shot than these two." I pointed my thumb back at Alex and Edward as Marcoh looked shocked, I wouldn't die, and the bullet would pop out my body and heal.
"Rea…" Edward went to take a step forward, but I guessed Alex stopped him,
"I appreciate you being so candid with me… fine… I'll let you in, but I'm not coming with you!" Marcoh said, I nodded, and l looked back at the others and smiled gently.
"I couldn't stand it anymore… having to obey their orders… dirtying my hands to research the things I did… and then used it in the civil war to slaughter hundreds of thousands of people… it was an awful war… so many innocent people died… I couldn't make up my actions if I paid them for the rest of my life. But still, I try to do what I can… that's work as a doctor in this place." Marcoh explained, he had talked about the trauma he experienced over the years from being a state alchemist, I never met him during the civil war, he was kept away from the other state alchemists by the sounds of it.
"What were you researching before you left? What did you take with you…?" Armstrong asked, Marcoh put his head down,
"I was making the philosopher's stone." Marcoh spoke, we were all shocked, most of all me. I had heard rumours about how the philosopher's stone was made but never had it confirmed until now, this was the first time it was mentioned to me. I had no idea this was what Edward and Alphonse were looking for… I tried not to react as I just listened. Who were they using as ingredients… I don't even wanna know…
"I took the stone and the research data." Marcoh explained, he did a good thing, taking everything from the government, who knows what they were doing,
"You have the stone?!" Edward asked, I hated to think that Edward would use it,
"Yeah… here it is." Marcoh held up a small jar then taken the lid off,
"stone'? looks more like a liquid…" Edward spoke as Marcoh dropped it on the table and it solidified.
I glared at the stone, I could sense the lives inside it, I heard all their screams. I rubbed my ears in frustration,
"Rea?" Edward looked at me,
"I'm fine…" I lied and looked away from the stone.
"The Sage's stone, the stone of heaven… the great elixir… the red tincture… the fifth element. Just as there are many names for the philosopher's stone, it seems that it might not be a stone at all. But this is just something that was created for experimental purposes. It's an imperfect compound, and it's impossible to know when it will reach its limits and cease to work. But even so, compounds like these were secretly used throughout the civil war, and they were tremendously successful." Marcoh explained, I'd hate to think what a successful stone would bring,
"It may be imperfect… but the fact that you made it means that it must be possible to make the perfect stone someday, right? Doctor Marcoh! Can you please show me your data?" Edward asked, I looked at Edward,
"What!? What do you mean to do with such a thing? Major Armstrong who is this child…?" Marcoh asked he looked at Alex as I just stared at the stone and folded my arms,
"He's a state alchemist." Alex answered,
"This boy… he has a state license at his age…? He must have been lured by the promises of privilege and research money… how foolish! Do you know how many alchemists threw away their licenses after the war? I wasn't the only one who hated myself for being used as a weapon… but you still…" Marcoh spoke, he didn't know how to react to such news and looked at me,
"I know it was foolish! But I had to! I have to achieve my goal… even if it means sleeping on a bed of nails." Edward explained, I sighed as Marcoh watched me for a moment.
I sat in silence looking at the stone the whole time as Edward explained why he needed the stone, I still could hear the souls from inside the stone crying out in pain,
"So… you committed the ultimate sin… I'm surprised that you were able to transmute a soul… if you have that kind of talent, you might even be able to create a complete philosopher's stone." Marcoh explained,
"So then…" Edward smiled,
"But I can't allow you to see my data!" Marcoh concluded,
"But why not?!" Edward snapped,
"I've said everything I'm going to say. Getting your original body back… the stone shouldn't be used for something so trite." Marcoh stood up,
"Trite?!" Edward stood up in protest,
"Doctor! Isn't that a little harsh…?" Alex spoke, I agreed with Marcoh, his words were harsh, but I thought that Edward should learn the truth about the stone so he would find another way to get his and Al's body back,
"No one will ever see my research. It's the work of the devil. And it can only lead straight to hell." Marcoh explained,
"I've already seen hell." Edward snapped,
"No… please go." Marcoh spoke.
We packed up our belongings and I let the others leave the house first, I sorted the straps on my shoulders as I glanced at Marcoh,
"Doctor…" I spoke, he looked up at me from the table, "I knew the stone was real before today. You see, I'm immortal, I can't die and don't know why. There's a huge chunk of my life I can't remember." I explained, "but… deep down I know those boys. They won't make the stone if they know how it's made. I'm begging you. Give them some clue, some hint to lead them to the answers you don't want to speak of and that I'm too afraid to say." I looked at him,
"Who are you?" Marcoh asked,
"As I said… I'm immortal. I've been around for over 200 years, and I'm tired, I want to be mortal again so I can live a normal life. I'm not one to beg for help, but I do think this can lead me a step closer to becoming human again." I frowned, "I know Edward, I know he won't go through with the stone if you just guide him." I added, "and those people who made you do those terrible things, are probably the people who made me this way, so we have a common enemy." I put my hand to my chest,
"You're trying to stop them?" Marcoh asked, I nodded,
"I wish I knew who they were, but when I do find out. I'll do my best." I explained,
"Good," Marcoh nodded, "I'll think about what you said, if that's okay." Marcoh added as I nodded,
"Thank you for at least hearing me out." I bowed lowly to Marcoh to show my thanks.
"Rea! You coming?" Edward yelled,
"Yea!" I waved out the door, I smiled at Marcoh and walked down the stairs as Edward was scratching the back of his head,
"Jeez, what was taking you so long." Edward muttered,
"Sorry, asked to use his bathroom." I lied as I smiled, I walked between Edward and Alex back towards the station as I just stared at the floor as we walked. I could feel Edward watching me every now and again.
As we arrived at the station, I went to a small shop next door to buy something to eat, I got myself a small bag of three apples and two bananas as I got something for Alex and Edward. I paid the cashier and as I got to the store door, I saw Marcoh walking away from the station, he glanced back and saw me. I smiled at him gently and he returned the smile and continued back to town.
"I just saw the doctor, did he come by?" I looked at Edward as I pulled out an apple and offered it to Alex who smiled,
"Thank you!" Alex took the apple as Edward went into his pocket,
"Look, he just gave me this note." Edward smiled as I saw the piece of paper in his hands,
"What's on it?" I asked,
"It's a clue! We can investigate it when we go to Central." Edward explained as I nodded,
"That's great!" I beamed,
"I wonder what changed his mind." Alphonse muttered as I looked at him,
"Whatever it was, I'm glad we are able to move forward." I grinned,
"Yeah… I wonder." Edward spoke as I noticed Edward was half looking at me as I just continued to smile.
I pulled an apple out my bag and offered it towards Edward as I smiled,
"Apple?" I questioned,
"Thanks." Edward took the apple from me, and I pulled the last one out. The train pulled up as I took a bite and hopped on once again.
Getting back on the train I sat down as Alex put my case in the overhead compartment again, I continued to eat my apple as Edward sat next to me. Alphonse went into another carriage away from us due to his current condition of being a bunch of pieces. I leaned back on the seat as Edward looked at me,
"What is in that case?" Edward asked again as I smirked at him,
"Why are you so curious about a woman's belongings?" I looked at him with suspicion as Edward's cheeks suddenly flushed bright red,
"I… it just seems like a massive case for you to carry around, that's all!" Edward tried to defend himself as Alex chuckled,
"Even from my perspective it does have a bit of weight to it, especially for a woman your size." Alex spoke as I smiled,
"I guess you could say it helps me stay strong physically, it gives me chance to build my muscles every now and again." I explained as I took a bite of my apple, "I need to be strong for the journey I'm on, and every now and again I like to push my body, so I'll carry this box. Normally I have it either stored at Roy's or Riza's place and when I want to bulk some muscle, I'll grab it out. I've got some personal belongings in there and some special items to take around the country with me." I smiled and took another bite out of my apple. "I'm not going to rely on men to fight my battles for me, I'd rather be able to fight and kick some ass myself, and because of my condition, a lot of men tend to try and take advantage of my size, not even realising how old I actually am." I added as I looked down,
"What do you mean?" Alex asked, I frowned and looked out the window,
"When you are a young woman, being targeted by men is a common theme, especially when I'm by myself. So, I like to be strong enough to defend myself. So, when I say no, they know I mean no." I explained as I finished my apple and put it on the side so I could find a bin later. "I learnt my lesson after being assaulted many years ago." I half laughed, this stunned Edward and Alex as I smiled with my eyes closed, "I'm fine. Was a learning experience that I have grown from and took action to protect myself." I explained as Edward was frowning but looked sad as I wiggled my nose in thought, "At least I'm not alone though now, so I don't have to worry about it as much." I looked at Edward as he looked up at me, he smiled gently,
"Yeah, I won't let anyone hurt you, Rea." Edward nodded, I smiled gently and then nudged my shoulder against his gently,
"Thanks." I smiled as Alex smiled as he was watching me silently.
I told a half-truth… I had been assaulted, many years ago, but one time was during the civil war. It was after a large explosion happened as I was trying to help some Ishvallan's get out of the area… I remembered the cold glare through his blue eyes, and his slick back black hair, his smile was twisted and wicked as he had cornered me and trapped me. He was a state alchemist who was thrown into jail for his atrocities in the war… only person who knew about my encounter with him was Roy… as that's how he found me after so many years.
Bloodied, beaten and half naked…
I took a shaky breath and looked out the window, thinking about it made me sick, it made my stomach turn and my blood boil all at the same time. I wanted to rip that man's throat out and shove it up his own ass. I felt a hand gently take mine as I looked down, Edward had put his hand on top of mine but was looking away, I felt my cheeks heat up for a moment as I smiled and turned my hand over in his and held his in return. I noticed Edward flush slightly as Alex was smiling genuinely at us.
I looked out the window, Edward didn't need to say anything, but that small action, that meant so much more to me than anything anyone could say right now. I smiled to myself and closed my eyes. I felt my heart jump slightly as I held onto his hand.