Hey guys, the update is a little later again, but I understand there was a problem with Fan fiction or something, so forgive me for not realising. I don't really have much to say since nobody really wanted to know anything this time. So as usual enjoy, and thanks heaps for all the lovely comments.
But if this chapter confuses you, it's okay. It's meant to be a little confusing. If it confuses you, then you probably haven't seen to the end on the series, and if you actually understood it, then it would be a spoiler. So it's all good, just smile and nod lol!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Ultimate Truth
"Ed… Ed…" I felt gentle fingers press against my chest softly and dug my head into something soft in reaction. "It's about eight… we can sleep in if you want, I just don't know when you have to meet Al… and I don't want you to be angry at me…"
"Crap!" I sat up with Winry's arms still wrapped around me, and slapped my forehead. "He never told me."
"Hang on a sec." Winry reached over me on the couch to grab her bag which was placed next to it on the floor. She flashed her mobile at me then settled back into my arms before dialing the number.
"Hurry it up." I muttered.
"Al… what time did you want Ed to meet you there?" After a few moments of silence Winry laughed nervously. "Really you have been waiting for an hour? Hahaha well you never told Ed… AND DON'T THINK THAT I'M HAPPY WITH YOU JUST BECAUSE I'M CALLING YOU!" With that she scoffed and hung up on my only brother leaving me concerned and frantic.
"Crap, crap, crap." I grabbed my white shirt and threw it on buttoning it up as fast as I could. Godamn where is the stupid brown vest? I picked it up after discovering wedged between the couch pillows. I then threw it over my shirt and started buttoning it up at an even faster speed. By the time I had finished, and swung the coat over my arm. Winry was standing in front of me with a grin on her face. She was standing there the whole time, and I wanted to get angry at her for not getting ready… but I looked at her short skirt and pink top and realised she already was… damn why the hell does Winry always look so perfect? It makes me so jealous. She was most likely laughing at my hair, when I looked in the mirror it was all over the place, nothing new really.
I begged her to hand me a brush and quickly re-did it before running out the door with Winry hanging off my arm. The pace we had originally started on soon slowed down as it was indeed Winry who ended up leading me to the old place she had picked me up a few nights before.
"Hey Winry…"
"Yeah?"
I pursed my lips together slightly, trying to find the right words in my mind. "Do you know where Trisha lives?" I tried to say as casually as I could. She nodded and pointed her finger down the street we were currently walking down.
"Sure, down there!" She gleamed.
"Oh… can we make a detour?"
Her eyes immediately narrowed and she gazed upon me with suspicion. "Ed… we already said that wouldn't be a good idea, didn't we?" I laugher nervously and sighed, nodding my head in reply. "She isn't your mother."
"Maybe just a quick hello then?" I smiled sheepishly.
Winry's answer came harsh and flat, a simple "No" I grinned suddenly and began bolting down the street. I had no idea where the house was, but it would be enough to annoy the hell out of Winry. "Ed!" She called from behind me. I laughed and turned my head to glance ahead. I froze in my tracks as I saw her emerge from the front door.
"Mum?"
Winry came up behind me panting like a dog when Trisha caught my eye. "Edward?" She blinked. "What are you doing here?"
I was suddenly caught in the spell. My feet could barley move, but somehow I staggered forward holding my arms out. I finally reached her, I finally wrapped my arms around her. I could tell she was greatly confused from her body language, but that didn't stop me. "I have to get to work Edward." She said with a soft voice. I held her tighter and tried to hold the tears inside.
Even though you're not my mother... "I want to let you know that I will always love you, mum," I felt Winry tug on my jacket and pulled away. "bye…" With that I bolted from her face, from my Trisha. When it was safe enough to slow down, and I was convinced that I wouldn't try to run back, Winry once again took hold of my arm. I could feel her worried eyes upon my cheerless face. But I made no move to talk to her.
I met Al standing in front of the two large doors sometime later. I caught him staring at it curiously. Come to think of it… I didn't realise. Something terrible daunted on me. I screwed my face up with frustration trying to hide the pain from Winry.She clung to my arm desperately glancing at my brother with tears in her eyes. How am I going to open this gate?
Al turned around at the sound of the woman's tears, and his heart-broken eyes met mine. "Al I know you… have to go…" Winry sobbed. She clutched to my coat and shook her head violently. "I know! So just go okay! I hope you have a nice life." She somewhat strained those words, and I think it had a worse effect, on the both of us. Al looked at me with a heavy sigh escaping his lips as I watched her with concern. There was silence for a few seconds, and I thought that Al was just about to burst into his own tears when Winry suddenly let go of me.
"Just come here and hug me." She held out her arms and glanced down at the floor shyly. Al broke into a huge energetic smile and ran into her arms. She caught his embrace, slightly stumbling with surprise. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and Winry smiled weakly, wiping her tears on Al's shoulder. "You just be happy Al, happy with your brother." Winry whispered. Her eyes suddenly wondered to mine… she glanced at me for a few seconds; her eyes became full with passion. She was seeing her lover once again… but within seconds that passion had turned into a sisterly sort of affection, the affection of a sister who was going to miss me. I smiled at her in return and watched her tighten her grip on Al.
After a few moments of embracing Winry let Al go with a slight sniff. Her body then turned towards me and I watched as Al smirked out of the corner of my eye. "And don't think you're off the hook." Winry grinned glancing up at me. I blushed slightly and backed away on instinct. "Come here, Mr. State Alchemist." Winry winked. I brought my hand up to the back of my head and shrugged slightly.
"Man haven't been called that in ages… come to think of it, Winry used to always say that to me hey Al?" I watched as Al nodded and purposely tried to change the subject.
"Ed…" Winry said dangerously low. If she wants to have a teary goodbye she can come here.
"You come here!" I complained.
"You really are still immature when it comes to Winry brother." Al sighed with exhaustion.
"Well so is she when it comes to me, errr him." I corrected.
"JUST HUG ME YOU IDIOT!" She yelled. "Say goodbye to me you cold hearted jerk."
I sighed and took the young woman in my arms. I wanted to argue some more, but I decided against it, Winry was after all hurting terribly. "I don't want to let you go, Al too."
"Winry, we will always be with you." Al suddenly spoke up. He laid a gloved hand on her shoulder. Winry raised her head from my chest and wiped her tears away.
"Al… it's easy to say that but it doesn't take away the hurt."
There was a long silence as the cool morning breeze flew down the alleyway. "Well… I have to go to work, some of us need to work for a living around here too… and I will be seeing you again, Edward," Winry tensed. Her face was slightly posed but I couldn't help but smile at her determination and strength. She was about to turn and walk around the corner… when she suddenly stopped. She placed a hand on the wall and took a few steps back before turning to face us. "If you ever find a way to see me again… I'll be waiting Al…" With that she was gone.
I turned to Al to see him smiling peacefully. So things went his way after all. I stared at him for a few moments with content when he turned to me with confusion. "What?"
"Nothing, it's just nice to look at you…" I laughed, my head falling to the floor in slight embarrassment. Al laughed and agreed, he then turned to the doors again.
"So brother… how do we get these doors to open? How do we get to the gate?"
"I don't know…" I sighed.
"Brother don't you know? Didn't you think ahead?" Al asked with astonishment.
"No, I haven't planned ahead." I sighed with shame glancing back at my brother whose mouth was wide with disbelief. "But… the gates need some kind of fee…"
"Something needs to be sacrificed?" Al asked his eyes wide with shock. "Like that time… Dante… Rose's baby…"
"Mmm…" I turned my head slightly, in one of my thinking moods again. "Your Zeppelin got through you know…?"
"That's impossible brother, machines can't go through the gate… I was in London at that time"
"Hmm, it's his world and according to him they can. Guess why he allowed it to go through?" I turned to face Al with a serious look on my face.
"Why?"
"Because it amused him, he wanted to see it crash, he wanted to see it fail."
"What is he?" Al asked with fear, turning to stare at the large doors in front of us.
"He is a monster… I'll beat up that bugger of a truth and get us out of here."
"Brother, how will we go home?"
"You better open up! It was a promise! Equivalent trade you bastard! Open up!"
"OPEN UP!" I yelled
Before I knew it a blinding yellow light could be seen from behind the doors and Al and I backed away. The doors no longer led to the old warehouse but home. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to Al. "Let's go."
"But brother… is it really okay?"
"Just go!" I yelled running towards it. After we had entered a great light engulfed us. All I know is that I encountered a large amount of pain. Theair was thensucked out of the room and I was suddenly standing on ground.
I glanced around and noticed it was merely some scenery, but I seemed to be standing on the sky. I glanced around frantically searching for Al… " AL! WHERE ARE YOU?"
"It was unnecessary to yell like that you know, all you had to say was please open the doors."
I turned around to see the shadowy figure of my nightmares grinning at me. Once again the world changed with a huge amount of pain on my behalf, and I was right before the two gates.
"Where is Al you bastard!" I yelled taking a step towards him. He was sitting in front of the door on his hind legs with a smirk.
"Did you forget Edward? Your brother no longer has a body back home…" His wicked laughter ran through my head and I turned around to see Al standing behind me.
"Brother what's going on?" Al asked taking a step forward.
"You don't want to put him back into that suit of armor do you?"
I screwed my face up with anguish as I took a step back. "NO! NO! This isn't how it was supposed to turn out."
"Why didn't you just leave him there, Edward, he was happy enough without you, now you come back to screw his life again."
I cupped my hands over my ears and fell to the ground with a thud. "No Al… I didn't mean to."
"Time is running out Edward… and I am afraid you do not have so many lives left in this stone." He held up the ring which had now turned a sort of black colour, the black to match his body, and I shuddered.
"Brother don't listen to him, we will find away." Al said quickly running up to me. He placed his hands on my shoulders while I almost had a mental breakdown and supported me. No, Al will not go back to being armor.
"Time is lives Edward… for every bit of truth you see you loose more precious seconds."
"I offer my four years of hard work!" Al suddenly yelled. "All the pain, all the love for my brother, I offer it all."
"How adorable, but it's going to take more than that I'm afraid."
"I also give my four years… no my entire 21 years of pain and hard work! Everything I have done in order to regain my brother… all the sacrifices, the sins…" I dropped my head to the ground. "Anything for my brother, return him to me, return me to Winry."
"What about your love for Winry… are you going to give that to me as well?" The young boy smirked.
"No!" I yelled. "Leave her out of this."
"That's no fun… but it takes more than you brother's petty suffering… I want your power." His unidentifiable face twisted with want and desire.
"Give me your alchemy… never use it again! It's mine!"
This shocked me and I almost fell backward. "My power?"
"Yes give it too me!"
"Brother, you can't give up your alchemy." Al said stubbornly shaking his head. "He wont do it! It's his!"
"You will give it to me then! You will give it all to me Al!"
Before I knew it there was a dark flash and I could no longer feel my body. Can I really return? Can I make it back to Winry… Who am I?
"I'll make you suffer! A thousand memories!"
"Edward Elric…" Her smile… her laugh… "You really cause some trouble coming back so out of the blue…"
"I'm back Winry… for good."
"Brother, lets revive mum."
"But brother, it says here that human transmutation is forbidden."
"Taboo has never stopped us before, forgive me brother."
You have been lonely haven't you Winry? Does it hurt? Where? How?
"You midget just drink your milk! If you want me to make your automail for you!" Her hand touches mine slightly before she pushes the milk down my mouth.
"Winry! I am going to become a state alchemist… don't do that!"
"Edward... your mummy wants you to be a big boy, so drink your milk." My beloved mother places the milk in front of me.
"Going away? Where? When are you and Al coming back?" Her hands drop with her sadness. "I know your part of the military now… but what about me? Al say something to him!"
I can't be with you Winry… I can't, Al I will return you no matter the cost.
"Winry… let's get married when we grow up okay?"
"Married… what does that mean?"
"When to people like each other enough they get married."
"Sounds boring!"
"It isn't you get to dress real pretty! I know you will like it"
"Okay Ed!" Her hands reach out for mine and caress me softly.
"Edward... you can't just marry Winry, it's going to take more than that..." Mother laughs to Pinako as Winry and I stand there hand in hand.
"I know, how bout you and Al fight for Winry, the best man wins." Pinako grins.
I'm sorry Al, I cheated... I now have Winry, but you wern't here to compete with.
"Ed don't leave today… leave tomorrow, I haven't seen you for so long."
"It's complicated Winry…"
" AL WANTS TO STAY!" She begins crying terribly. "Why don't you realise? You're so thick!"
How much pain had I caused this one woman?
"You really are like your father, do you want me to tell you a story?" Mother holds out her hand and I grunt and turn away. Running, far, far away... I don't want to hear it.
"Please save me brother!"
"Ed if you want an auto-mail you will need three years!" Winry argues, bashing me over the head.
"One year!" I say stubbournley.
"You'll be coughing up blood." Pinako chimes in.
Was this the true face of my determination?
"You know Ed… I just noticed but perhaps you are finally a man."
I turn my with confusion.
"It's your shoulders are really broad… and well your mature eyes… well…" She blushed slightly. "You're short but…"
I glare at her and stand up. "Of course I'm growing! I won't stay a child forever." I walk past her just hearing the soft whisper escape her lips.
"That's right… you won't stay a child forever will you?"
"Are you sick Edward? A big boy shouldn't cry anymore." But I don't care, I dig my head into her stomach and cry my eyes out.
"How so?"
"Well I just thought that maybe Ed has other issues to deal with?"
"Well I don't really want to, but I guess I can take you down to see the river." I smile lightly. "Nostalgic huh?"
"Yeah nostalgic."
"Ed… I love you…"
"Winry… I have fallen in love with you."
Her eyes grow wide, the world stops as our lips meet, as we make love.
"He's dead Winry…"
"Al say it's not true! Tell me you guys are lying to me."
"It's true Winry."
"When will you learn to clean up after your god damn mess!" She yells, towering above me. "Your sixteen and you can't even finish what you started!"
"What did I start?" I ask with astonishment. Her eyes wide.
"You started… just forget it you jerk!"
Confusion, absolute confusion, that's all that can ever come from our relationship.
"Fullmetal, do you plan on killing me?"
"Yes, I definitely plan on killing your sorry arse Colonel shit!"
I will return to her, I will return to my brother. We will be together once more.
"Hey Ed… do you want children… a family?"
Do I?
"What if I was pregnant with your child?"
"Mmm if you were…?" I scratch my head. Wait this has never happened! Am I dreaming the future? "Al would be happy."
"Would you…?"
"He has always wanted a lil nephew…" I cough.
"Edward…"
"Brother thank you for coming after me."
"Al?"
"Don't think of it anymore, the past, our sins… think of the future now."
"Al… where are you? I can't see anything." I said frantically. I was walking, but I wasn't reaching anywhere… was I really blind?
"Follow my voice brother! Come back to us brother you can do it!"
I held out my hands and suddenly grabbed something in the darkness… a hand… a soft hand… a familiar hand.
"Edward please wake up!"
"Winry?" I muttered holding onto the hand pathetically.
"Edward is this what you really want?" I turned to see a gold figure standing amongst the darkness. So I am not blind? "A life…?"
"Truth… the ultimate truth." I whispered. "How can I obtain it?"
Saturn Stars