Disclaimer: I am afraid to say that I don't own Full Metal Alchemist in any way, shape, form, or fashion.

Author's Note: Hey guys… I'm so sad that this story is coming to an end…but I hope everyone enjoyed it. This is not the last chapter! Please remember that. Also, I'm sorry for the gruesome scene in the last chapter and Colt did die. Yes I know…she was undefeatable before and Ed suddenly kills her. This is because Ed was so pissed off at everything so he was fighting with extra strength. Also, it is said that your "super human strength" kicks in when you're in trouble…so…yeah. Anyway, enjoy chapter 17 and please review!

Lessons in Alchemy

Chapter 17: Final Wish

Ash looked up at him and put on a smile. She used his hand to pull herself up and sat wobbly on the bench. "Ed?" she asked again.

Tears started pouring down the young alchemist's cheeks. He pulled his hand away and threw them around his love's neck, hugging her as close as he could to himself. He was now on his knees in front of the bench, holding the dieing girl.

"Ed?" she asked a third time, returning his hug by putting her hands around his stomach. Ed nodded. "I'm here. It's me. Ash it's okay, we're going to get you help…"

Al, after hearing his brother's last words, immediately jumped up. "Don't worry Ash…I'm gonna go get some help! Just stay here!"

Al ran down the road as fast as he could, trying his best not to run into people.

Ed was still hugging Ash though, and had barely noticed his brother's departure. "Ash?" he asked painfully, praying for a reply.

Her breathing had become heavy and deep now, and it appeared she had to gasp for air, pull it out of the air with her fingers. She could only nod, very slowly at that.

He hugged her tighter, scared of ever letting go for fear of losing her. He stroked her hair against her head, the sight of her pale skin giving him goose bumps.

"I'm scared," she painfully pushed out, as if each word she spoke took life off her. She balled up his jacket in her fists, tears flowing down her cheeks as well. "Is this the end?"

Ed shivered at her voice; it sounded nothing like her at all. "No Ash…it's not. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise you. No matter what, you'll be here with me and Al."

But the girl didn't reply, instead, she buried her head into the crook of his neck and Ed felt water splash onto his neck, knowing she was still crying.

"Don't cry. It'll be okay. I promise you," the last part drowned out though, and his voice revealed that he was saying it to calm himself down as well.

He gently pushed up her head and softly let his lips place themselves on hers. The kiss ended about three seconds later because Ash suddenly lost all the strength she had and could no longer sit up. Ed began to panic.

"Don't leave me. I need you. Please, don't go," he whispered to her body, now lying motionless on the bench. Her eyes flickered open for a brief second, and she managed to put on a weak smile.

"Ed…I want you too… take the stone, and heal you and Al from the hardships. Please do that for me. Please, it's my final wish that you'll do that and be happy…I'll miss you……I…love you Ed…" she whispered, before her eyes flickered closed again. Tears now fell faster down Ed's cheeks, landing delicately on the girl's skin and clothes. He wanted to scream, to yell, to burst out crying. He wanted to reverse time and fix all of this. He wanted to hold her again and never let her go.

He took her lightly on her shoulders and shook her a little. "Ash…wake up Ash…Ash!" he cried, but she didn't move; she was limp in his strong arms.

Ed held her close, not threatening to let her go. He wanted to wake up from this nightmare he was having…this couldn't be happening to him!

"I love you too…" he whispered to her cold body just as Al came back. He saw his brother's tear stained face and the limp girl in his arms and immediately understood.

He took a few steps towards his brother. "Brother…she's not……is she?" he asked, hoping his brother would get the memo.

Ed didn't reply, instead he looked away. Al looked away too, he understood. If he could've cried, he would've. But he couldn't, but he felt the immense pain echoing through him like a loud voice in a canyon.

"She's gone," was all Ed whispered, not daring to look at his brother. His arms were still tightly wrapped around the thin figure of Ash, but…he knew that it was too late…but he couldn't let go.

Al already knew, but hearing the words caused a pain a million times deeper than before. He took a few steps away, looking towards the ground around him, anywhere but the girl in his older brother's arms; the only girl Ed had ever given his heart too.

"She…wants us to have the stone Al…" Al heard Ed whisper; still they didn't look at each other.

Al shook his head. "I don't want it anymore."

Ed agreed silently. He wanted more than anything to give Al his body back and fulfill the girl's final wish, but, it was too painful to.

"It was her final wish. I don't want it either though," replied the elder Elric. He was still shaking with sobs and tears still fell from his eyes, and still, he held the girl.

Al finally walked over to his fallen friend and gently touched her cheek. "Brother, I want more than anything to be able to feel again…but…I can't do it…

"And human transformations are impossible…" Al added quietly. Ed put on a little smile.

"No brother! You can't! You know what happened with mom! What if you die brother?" Al cried, hoping his brother would start thinking clearly again.

But he didn't…

"I don't care Al! I'm willing to try it. She's worth it!" he yelled, then realized how hurt his younger brother looked. "I just mean…I can't explain it. You'll understand when you fall in love one day. It's hard to let go…so hard."

Al put a hand on his older brother's shoulder. "I already know…I loved Mother so much…more than I'll ever love any girl…that's why I had to try. But even if I did fall in love some day, I'll never try it again. You really wanna leave me brother?"

Ed calmed down, and silently apologized. Al didn't need to hear it though; he knew how Ed felt about her. He knew…why did this have to happen.

"She said her final wish was for us to take the stone and restore our bodies Al… I promised you I'd get you you're body back…no matter what happened, I promised you. I'm gonna keep that promise Al."

Al looked at his brother, a shocked look in his eyes. "But what about Ash?"

"She's dead Al…" tears were falling down his cheeks. "She's dead Al! Don't you understand!" he fell back to his knees, the water from an earlier rain staining his pants, but he didn't care. "Don't you understand?" his voice was smaller that time… he placed his head to Ash's chest, crying softly as he touched her.

"You…you were in so much pain…but now you are happy and the pain is gone. You're back with your mom and dad now…" he whispered to her body.

Tears rimmed his eyes as he changed his arm into a dagger. Al ran to him, trying to stop him, but Ed pushed him away. "I'm so sorry Ash… I… love you so much…"

He gently used his arm to cut a small line in her chest, then, finding the stone he was looking for, pulled it out of her body. Her hair immediately turned dark grey, her skin was whiter than before, and she seemed a lot smaller.

Ed held the stone up to his eyes, and then put it on the ground. His arm changed back to normal and he clapped his hands together then put them back on her chest. The wound closed up, and Ed picked her up bridal style.

"Get the stone," was all he said. Al nodded, and sadly picked up the stone. He followed his brother down the street, grimacing every time he looked at Ash.

X

They arrived at Ash's cabin and were greeted by Arkilus, who jumped joyously at Al's legs. Al picked him up and began to pet him, but the chimera's ears drooped when he saw Ed walk in, Ash still limply in his arms.

Ed put the girl down on her bed, covering her with a light green quilt he found on a chair. He then turned towards his brother. "Where's the stone?"

Al handed the stone to Ed sadly, taking another glance at the girl who made it all possible. He wanted to get his body back, but he didn't want to give up Ash for it.

"We both get a wish…" said Ed, his voice drowning off. Al nodded, he seemed to understand, it was basic information.

Ed handed the stone back to Al. "You go first…you get your body back first…"

"No brother…I think you should," Al protested, but Ed shut him up. "Just do it Al! Please, just do it."

Al nodded, seeing how hurt his brother was. This was all so sad. He enclosed the stone in his hand and closed his eyes, making a silent wish to himself.

Light surrounded Al and engulfed him completely. For a full five minutes, the lights swirled around him, but when they subsided, a suit of armor was no longer their.

A boy that appeared fourteen was standing in his place instead. His hair was light brown, and went just past his ears. His eyes were soft and warm, and he was about as tall as Ed.

He looked at his hand and smiled. "Ed! I'm human! I actually have a body back!"

Ed smiled at how happy his brother was, but still deep inside of him he was so scared. He began to slightly shake but didn't let Al see it.

"My turn?" he asked and a happy Al nodded. He took the stone in the palm of his hand and closed his fingers over it. He let his eyes flicker closed then began his wish.

"I wish Ash was still alive…" he wished. If the stone had enough power to save her before, maybe it could now…

He opened his eyes and looked around the room, wondering if his wish had worked…

X

Yes, I know, sad chapter. I almost got teary eyed writing it. Yes, Ash did die and Al got his body back. Will Ed's wish work? Find out next chapter!

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Fox Kitsune