Warning: More Ed torture…there's gonna be a steady amount in this story. If you're squeamish skip the italicized parts.
I think that's all. Hmm, oh and bad language. I haven't warned about that at all yet, but that's gonna be pretty steady to, especially when I slip into people's pov more. Hope everyone likes!
Ch. 5
Play Pretend
The sage's stone, the celestial stone, the great elixir, the red tincture, the next element—did you really thing such a thing was restricted to a mere stone?
Brigadier General Gran, Fullmetal Alchemist Episode 14
Lady Gyokumen stared down at her guests in irritation. They'd come to her with promises long ago, then disappeared. Now they were back with a new plan and fewer allies. They'd abandoned her for years to work on their own and now they needed her help. She was tempted to refuse them, but knew that it was entirely possible that her plan to use both magic and science to resurrect her husband may fail—using their philosopher's stone would be less chancy. Only now they had another catch—they didn't have and couldn't create a stone. They needed someone from their own world.
The one called Hoenhiem was explaining that the man they needed, the boy, had been spotted in Shangri La by their scouts—with the Sanzo group, of all people. He was heading this way and would soon be in their grip.
"I suppose you expect me to send more youkai out to die to capture this boy?" the Lady said coldly.
"Ah, yes, send more youkai. But don't worry—they won't go alone. Envy will go with them. The youkai just need to provide him with cover. Envy can handle all the rest."
Lady Gyokumen looked at the…creature. Envy did not look very impressive, but she understood that he had abilities that could not be detected easily. Still, her husband's fate resting on this creature?
"Kougaji will go with you and organize the youkai." Her tone brooked no argument.
It had taken time to calm down Sanzo in order to explain that yes, several members of their party were actual alchemists. Mustang himself was suspicious of the Sanzo group—their fighting abilities were beyond human.
By the time Sanzo was ready to listen to explanations, Ed was patched up and helping Hakkai treat the wounded. The gentle green-eyed healer watched in amazement as Ed clapped his hands and created blinding lights that healed the wounded soldiers' gaping cuts and broken bones in an instant. No less amazed was Ed when he watched Hakkai use his Chi magic. As close as the two had grown in their sleepless nights, they'd never discussed their powers.
The soldiers, most of whom had never seen Ed in action, were in awe of the two healers. Several who'd spoken disparagingly of Ed before (We all know that he's just one of the General's bedwarmers) found themselves eating their words when he healed their wounds.
Before long all of the soldiers had been treated and the two healers were in their own little world as they discussed the philosophy and mechanics of alchemy and Chi magic. The two were so engaged in their conversation that they didn't notice how pale Ed had become—fortunately someone else was paying attention and did.
"Edward Elric, you are wounded! You should be resting! I will take you back to the car!"
"ARMSTRONG, WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I'M NOT A KID—I'M NINETEEN! I CAN WALK ON MY OWN, I'M NOT TI—PUT ME DOWN!"
For a moment it looked like time had gone backwards to Al as he fondly watched his brother being carried, kicking and squirming, by General Armstrong who was as overprotective as always. Armstrong had had a special place in his heart for the Elric brothers the instant he'd seen them. While Ed seemed to see his babying as an irritation, it had been a blessing to Al. As an invincible, six-foot suit of armor he didn't get much babying. And Al knew that Ed didn't really mind it as much as he said either. He just didn't want to appear weak.
Hakkai watched Ed being carried off kicking and screaming with an amused smile. He and Ed could finish their conversation later. In fact, he was a little guilty that he hadn't noticed Ed's paleness. No matter what he said, the young man really did need to rest.
While Hakkai may have viewed the scene with amusement and Al with fondness, Ed could only be irritated. Okay, so Armstrong was right that he needed a rest. But couldn't the man do anything normally! He could have just suggested it! He really didn't need to carry Ed across the camp like a bride or a baby or something…in front of ev-er-y-freakin-body! Oh, God, look at Mustang smirk. Ed crossed his hands sullenly over his chest and settled down, red-faced. Armstrong always ignored his shouting and struggling anyway. The only time anything he'd ever said had fazed the man had been when he'd mentioned Ishbal—and he'd never do that again. He understood now that he had no right. No right at all.
Shoved in the back of the car and told to lie down, Ed soon found himself drowsy. He couldn't recover from his wound very fast, and on top of that he was exhausted from the alchemy he'd used. In the lazy afternoon heat of the car, with the conversation and commotion from outside muffled to a low murmur, he soon found himself drifting off.
Envy liked to play pretend. He often appeared wearing different faces and forms. Sometimes these were the faces of strangers, but sometimes…. He'd been Mustang, Havoc, Hughes, Armstrong, Hoenhiem. Once he'd even appeared as nine-year-old Al with an obscenely large penis. It was sickening to say the least.
The first time he'd appeared in a form not his own it was as Roy Mustang. As much as Ed liked to bitch about Mustang, when he'd seen his messy jet hair and sharp coal eyes, all Ed could feel was relief and gratitude. He'd called out to the man, smiling and crying. 'You came for me…you came…". Mustang had chucked and replied. 'Of course I came, Ed. I'll always come for you."
The mocking grin was what let Ed know something was wrong. Sure, Mustang was a smirking bastard—but not at times like this. When things got serious, so did Mustang. Mustang wouldn't act like this. But, no it had to be him. Mustang had come for him—he was safe with the Colonel.
When Mustang had bent over, he'd been sure it was to unchain him. But instead, he'd run his gloved hands down Ed's arms and over his body. The fabric had been rough and Mustang had not been gentle. It stung. 'What are you…'. 'You, know, you're a very pretty boy, Ed. I must admit, I've wanted you since the first time I saw you. You were small and utterly feral. You were missing an arm and a leg, but you still weren't beaten. I wanted to possess you…to break you down.' Mustang leaned over and kissed him roughly, possessively, invasively.
Ed choked and his tears began to flow freely as Mustang molested him. When the man was down to his undershirt and pants Ed had realized what was happening. It was his smile. Mustang smirked and grinned and gave little half-smiles, but not this crazy crescent moon grin. He'd only met a few people with such a scimitar smile (1) and Envy was one of them. This was Envy. 'You're not Mustang, you bastard. Envy, I know its you!'. That didn't seem to faze Envy, however. Despite that fact that Ed knew it wasn't Mustang, it still stung like betrayal.
After that, Envy found ways to make Ed feel that unique pain of disappointment, betrayal, and guilt over and over, with many different people. It didn't take Ed long to stop feeling hope when he saw a familiar friendly face.
"Edward…Edward wake up."
Ed opened his tearful eyes and saw the face of his tormenter. He lashed out, smacking the pseudo-Mustang in the mouth, backing up as far as the limited space would allow and gasping for breath.
"Brother!"
Al's cry broke through Ed's dream induced panic and he realized that he was in the car, safe…and that he'd just hit the real Mustang. The man was staring at him with knowing eyes. Hawkeye, in her usual seat to Mustang's left, and Al, sitting to the left of Ed, facing back towards Mustang and Hawkeye, both stared at Ed in shock. He lowered his face, hiding his eyes behind long golden bangs.
"I…I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"Brother, why did you…"
"It was an accident, Al. Just leave it alone." The last few words were whispered.
"It's perfectly alright, Alphonse. I've had much worse. I should have just let you wake him. It's my own fault." Ed hated how Mustang simply smoothed the problem over and yet, at the same time, he was pathetically grateful. He'd never explained the contents of his nightmares, his past, before, and he didn't intend to now. It was his burden to bear. He got enough pity as it was.
He was glad when Mustang asked them about their progress deciphering the gates. It distracted Al from what had happened and gave Ed a chance to recover his equilibrium. He suspected that was exactly why Mustang asked.
The afternoon passed uneventfully, but the easy camaraderie of the past days was shaken. The soldiers had lost men that day—only three, but it could have been many more. And they were Armetris's elite. The powers displayed by the alchemists and the Sanzo group were also disturbing. The soldiers had known that they were alchemists, of course, but to see them in action was very different from just knowing. The power displayed was amazing. But the small alchemist, Edward Elric—a familiar name, the hero of the people, the Fullmetal Alchemist—and the dark-haired member of the Sanzo group had shown skill in healing equal to their skill in killing.
Things were a bits strained with the Sanzo group as well. They were well aware of the new caution the regular soldiers viewed them with. Sanzo viewed their caution with disdain, Gojyo with annoyance. Neither were particularly bothered by it. Hakkai and Goku were different, however. Goku never had been able to understand why people feared him. He only fought the bad guys, after all. Hakkai understood all to well, and hid the familiar hurt behind his usual easy-going grin. Not that he fooled Sanzo or Gojyo, or even Ed for that matter. Ed and Hakkai may not have known each other that long, but they understood each other well enough for Ed to see past the smiles.
It was Hakkai's easy acceptance of Ed that led to Sanzo's willingness to tolerate him. Sanzo could respect Ed for his genius, which he'd been allowed to see in the past weeks as they worked on deciphering the gates, but he didn't trust easily. Still, Hakkai was an excellent judge of character. Then again, Hakkai'd trusted Yaone, so maybe Sanzo had better keep an eye on the boy. Still, when Ed showed up to their secluded bathing spot looking for a bit of privacy Sanzo did not protest when Hakkai invited him to join them.
It was customary for Sanzo and Hakkai to bath away from the foreign soldiers. Sanzo did not appreciate the way some of them eyed him and was used to his privacy besides. Hakkai sought to hide the cruel scar on his belly. He also protected Sanzo. It was irritating that Gojyo, Hakkai, and Goku thought he hadn't realized that one of them stayed with him pretty much all the time. They weren't that subtle—particularly Goku.
Camp this night was set up on a cliff overlooking a raging river far below. Crashing magnificently into the water below was the waterfall stream that flowed perpendicular to the cliff, starting at a hot springs.
Most of the men had bathed in the stream, comfortably warm and nearer to the camp and its food. Sanzo and Hakkai had chosen to bathe at the more secluded spring. Ed cautiously joined them at Hakkai's invitation. Both natives sat far enough away from the shore that they didn't get a chance to see much as Ed slipped into the water and, like Ed, stayed low enough in the water that he couldn't see much of them. No one was trying to look, either. They were all safe in the unspoken agreement to ignore each other as they bathed.
Forget his shyness, Ed was finding it harder and harder to hide the array tattooed on his lower back. He didn't want to have to explain what it meant. He worried that Al wasn't circumspect enough. After all, he had an array, too. He'd wanted to bathe with his brother, but found that Al had already had his bath and was sleeping peacefully. Al hadn't had a chance to recover from the fight earlier, so Ed chose not to disturb him.
The three men bathed in a companionable silence, comforted by the knowledge that they weren't interested in each other's secrets nor their bodies. They stayed, perhaps, longer than they should of before they were brought back to reality by the shouts from the camp.
"Sanzo's gone crazy!"
"Sanzo, what are you doing!"
"AAIIIEEEE…"
The shouts and the gun reports from camp had the three looking at each other in a moment of utter confusion. Sanzo was sitting right there, not going crazy in the camp! A moment of confusion was all the men allowed themselves before they quickly climbed out of the water and dressed in the bare necessities. The marks that Hakkai and Ed had been so careful to hide earlier were now completely forgotten. They rushed back to camp wearing only pants and undershirts—or, in Sanzo's case, only pants.
They burst from the trees which had hidden their hot spring paradise into camp only to find… Sanzo, holding his smoking gun and laughing. Several soldiers lay on the ground groaning. A few had stopped moving all together. The camp was in disarray. Mustang, Al, and Armstrong stood to one side near the cliff, but were unable to use their alchemy because of all the wounded soldiers that lay between them and Sanzo. Hawkeye and Havoc were also unable to get clear shots because of Goku, who was dancing around trying to distract the crazed priest from shooting anyone else. He was lucky he moved so fast or he'd have been shot himself. Behind him Gojyo was fighting several youkai at once, holding them off from the main camp. Youkai bodies lay unmoving already.
Hakkai looked back and forth between the two Sanzos, at a loss for words. The appearance of the three had not gone unnoticed. The new Sanzo turned and stared at them, giving a huge psychotic grin. The real Sanzo raised his gun, shooting with deadly skill, but his doppelganger moved lightening fast out of the way. Sanzo grimaced as his bullet clipped Goku in the shoulder, just like his double had intended. He couldn't shoot into the camp.
The others began to notice the appearance of the three bathers as well. Most looked utterly confused, but Hakkai did not fail to notice the looks of grim recognition on the faces of the alchemists. He looked at the boy standing next to him wearing nothing more than his black jeans, thick metal bracelet, and a thin black tee shirt, clinging to his wet body. The boy's long, soaked hair was down, making him look shockingly seductive. But the look on his face was anything but seductive. Grim, it was full of dread, loathing, even hate. And fear. Ed hid the fear behind the other emotions, but it was clearly there. Hakkai saw his mouth move, what he said was too quiet to hear. Hakkai was able to read lips, but what Ed had said made no sense. Envy?
"Oh, well, I guess the jig is up!" the false Sanzo said with manic glee. He began to change, his golden hair lengthening and darkening to a dull black. His fair skin became pasty, and his face younger, rounder. The expression on it kept it from looking more innocent. The figure became shorter, about Goku's height, but more muscular in a wiry way. The long white robes shortened into a stomach bearing, tight shirt and a…skort? Black fingerless gloves and black foot-wrappings completed the picture. Before anyone had time to adjust to the appearance of the creature, youkai poured out of the woods as if a dam had broken, led by none other than Kougaji and his people.
Ed ignored the newcomers, focusing on the figure who so frequently haunted his nightmares. He clapped his hands quickly before touching the bracelet on his right wrist. The bright blue spark of an alchemical reaction lasted only a moment before Ed had a foot long blade sticking out over the back of his hand. Moments later he was dodging, ducking, punching, and kicking as he engaged Envy in battle.
Before he restored Al, Ed's fighting style had consisted of more offense than defense. He would dodge what blows he could, but if it came down to taking a blow and making a hit or evading the blow but missing the hit, he'd take the blow any time. When he had fought Greed he'd been thrown around the room like a rag doll, but had gotten up time and time again. Losing his health had been a serious blow to his fighting style. He'd had to relearn everything better, more skillfully. He couldn't rely on his grit, strength, and stubbornness. He'd become fast, precise, and elegant in his fighting style. It was something he'd learned in Xing when he'd realized his Sensei's street-brawler fighting method no longer suited him.
Ed ignored Envy's taunts as they fought across the campsite, flowing over obstacles and around other battles like dancers. It was a far cry from their previous battles and neither could make any headway. Envy's superhuman flexibility and nimbleness was an equal match for Ed's skill and speed. The fight was too fast for even Ed to use his alchemy, and all of the others were engaged in their own battles.
Time had no meaning in the chaos of battle and before he knew it Ed was standing on the edge of the cliff, far above the raging river below. Envy stared at him in satisfaction.
"No where left to run Kitty-cat. Did you miss me? I missed you."
"Fuck you," Ed whispered hoarsely.
It is impossible to say how the battle would have ended had the two of them fought on the cliff's edge. Perhaps Envy would have captured Ed. Perhaps Ed would have killed Envy. Perhaps they would both have died. But at that moment another stepped in. Roy Mustang had kept a careful eye on the two fighters during the battle, fighting his way towards the pair. Now he had his chance. Coming up behind Envy quickly, he snapped his fingers, sending out a scorching snake of fire that Envy nimbly avoided. Roy took the opportunity to move to Ed's side, so that the two of them faced the homicidal sin with their backs to the cliff.
CRRAAACCCKK.
The whole battlefield froze for a moment as the combatants sought the source of the ominous noise. Smaller crackling noises drew Ed's attention downward and he was horrified to see a long spidery crackline appear on the small outcropping of cliff on which he and Roy stood. The cliffs were made of crumbly, soft limestone and the stress of the battle—for Armstrong and Al had both created spikes and shockwaves through the Earth using alchemy—was too much for the delicate stone. There was only a moment between Ed's horrified realization that the ground he and Mustang stood on was about to fall, before the Earth under his feet slid and he and Roy tumbled gracelessly down to the water far below.
(1) Scimitar Smile is the name of an FMA and Nurato fansite—good fiction. Just go to www. scimitarsmile .com without the space. I think its actually referring to Ed's smile, but it works for Envy too.
Grasshopper: I agree. Ed and Hakkai are both such fascinating characters. I love the driven-genius-who-committed-a-sin-against-god-and-nature thing Ed has going on and Hakkai…what's not to like about this incredibly sweet guy who, btw, had an affair with his sister and killed 1000 youkai and the people of his hometown? And yet he really is sweet, not a sociopath or anything. I was a little worried that they wouldn't match up at first (Since they are nothing alike), but, when you think about it, Hakkai's kind of like Al (an older, more angsty Al). Really nice and a natural peacemaker (when he's not kicking ass). I also thought making them friends would bring out a more mature side of Ed's character. I'm trying to keep him in character and yet make him more mature at the same time. After all, he would be more mature at 19 than at 15 (or so I would hope).
I know what you mean about Al and Winry—Ed would be in a coma or, horror of all horrors, suffer brain damage (I have this thing about really smart guys…so sexy, especially with the hair and the abs!). But I've rarely seen Winry violent with Al. Really Winry and Ed seem to have more of a brother/sister thing going on.
I know, I totally like Envy until he killed Hughes (I like smartasses, too. Like in the episode with Majinhal when he was expaining the whole thing where he put the souls of village girls in manniquins and Ed says "Well, its shocking that plan ever went awry" Hahahaha, the best part of that episode!). Well, I have to admit the whole skort thing bothers me a bit. I like that he has a weird, androgynous thing going on (an androgynous shapeshifter makes sense), and, as a tee shirt and jeans type of gal I really shouldn't comment on the fashions of others, but, really, a skort! Envy is so much cooler than a skort! Now, Envy in tight leather pants…
Anyways, glad you like my fic and that my pairings click for you! Hope you liked this chapter too!
Maaya: I know what you mean about chapters getting too long. I've stopped reading stories before because they were all in one huge chapter (usually late at night when I should be sleeping and don't have enough brain cells awake to do that much processing). So I tried to break the chapters up in this chapter. I'll keep an eye on that from now on. I'm really bad about long chapters, but getting better. I used to write chapters that were over a page long and, like, three sentences. So I am improving! Thanks for your comments, constructive criticism is always welcome!
Schizo the Mentally Disturbed: I know! I feel so guilty for torturing Ed…but I'm gonna keep doing it. It really does pertain to plot! I'm glad you like the Ed and Hakkai thing. I thought they'd work out because Hakkai is like an older, angstier version of Al in a way—both are really nice and natural peacemakers. Plus Ed has a hard time pushing away people who avoid making him angry. And Hakkai goes out of his way to avoid making people angry. So they can sit and be angsty together.
Sorry about the fight paragraph. It probably jumped around too much for one paragraph. That's one of the problems editing your own fiction—it may make sense to you but no one else, know what I mean? I tried to break the paragraphs up more in this chapter, and I'll keep an eye out for that sort of thing in the future. Thanks for letting me know!
See, now, I like Winry fine. She's smart and feisty. I just don't like her with Ed. That wrench is a menace! I'd have to kill her off if she brain-damaged Ed! His brain is too cool to mess up! (I like smart guys). Ed and Roy, on the other hand, have that nice, sexy tension which can help drive a story, but are less likely to actually kill each other. Threaten, yes. Minor damage, yes. Serious injury, no. I keep thinking about this scene in the episode with Psiren when Ed's thinking about having to report and really dreading it. He's bitching, but when he pictures Roy its with him looking all handsome in front of a window with the light shining all around him…its not the way you picture someone you really hate. There's something there.
Hughes lives on in the land of fanfiction!
Yes, long-haired Ed is all kinds of yummy! And, no, Roy wouldn't be able to keep eyes (or hands) off. After all, I'm pretty sure he has a thing for blondes (hello Hawkeye and Havoc). Which reminds me of a funny fic I read called 'The Fuhrer's Prerogative' on http:archive. index2.html (minus the spaces). Royxblondes. I recommend it.
Yes, I have gotten Volume 7! Pretty good, very angsty (like all of them). I couldn't really get mad at Gojyo—I mean, I've bitched about my friends or family or roommates plenty of times when I was feeling irritated. I was just lucky enough not to be bitching to a naïve kid who was worshiping a false psychotic god who had convinced him that his pet monster was really his brother. I felt so sorry for those poor kids! I hope the Sanzo ikou really kicks that jackass's butt—slowly! I know what you mean about a bad way to spend months, though…cliffhangers are evil (but I just ended this chapter with one…hehe, sorry).
Anyways, glad you're still enjoying! Thanks for reviewing again!
Climax: I hope you get to read the whole chapter! Yeah, Roy would have wanted to give the car to Ed, but Ed never would have taken it. Ed wouldn't want to admit he needed it…and taking the car after Roy left would be admitting that he was only sleeping outside to avoid Roy, which he was, but would never admit. Good idea about the Roy being jealous of Al thing…I'll try to add some more of that in there. I know I'm sick. And I apologize before your next review for the comment about 9-year-old Al, but it adds to the story! I couldn't help it! I'm glad that it's a compliment anyway! Thanks for continuing to read and review! I really like hearing what you think about it! Hope you like this chapter too!
Kurome Shiretsu: Glad you like this chapter! Most of my reviewers like the Ed and Hakkai thing…yay! I thought they complimented each other and that Hakkai was like an older, angstier version of Al—nice and a peacemaker. I think its therapeutic for Ed to have someone to angst with, ya know?
Envy won't get his ass kicked yet, but wait for it! I might have Ed do it, though…that would be therapeutic too. Plus I owe him for torturing him so much!
I'm glad you like the battle scene! I was trying for the whole panoramic thing, as opposed to this chapter where I focused mainly on Ed vs. Envy.
I haven't been putting enough Ed-Al interaction in this fic, which is an important part of their characters! I'll have to work on that…you may see more in Ch. 7 (Ch. 6 is a surprise!). I'll also put in more Saiyuki in Ch. 7. Its hard, there is so much going on in this fic! So many cool characters, but I'll do my best to bring them out more!
Yeah, I need more Ed-Sanzo interaction, too—since they are supposed to be working together! Ed riding with the Saiyuki group…interesting idea. I may see if I can work that in down the road.
Yeah, I love the whole mutual denial, sexual tension thing. It's a classic, but it still works! Hehe.
Oh, I know what you mean about the crossovers. I particularly hate it when like 15 different anime/manga series from COMPLETELY different universes are smashed together. I mean, I can maybe buy two different universes if there is a reason (after all, that's what is happening in this fic), and up to three or four different anime/manga series if they are in the same universe, but that's it! You can only stretch Deus ex Machina so far!
Crossovers are fun to write! Before I discovered fanfiction (poor, deprived little me), I used to imagine what it would be like if characters from whatever I was reading met characters from another book or movie or tv show. It was so neat when I found fanfiction and realized I wasn't the only one who did that!
No I haven't seen Fushigi Yuugi. I've heard a lot about it though. If I ever do get a chance to see it I know better than to get attached to Nuriko! They really shouldn't sneak the doomed, loveable non-main character in! Its so unfair! At least let us know so we don't get attached! Rest assured, I have no intention of doing that in this fic! (some of the villains may die, though, I haven't decided yet).
Long hair, long hair. I don't know if I'm turned on by guys with long hair or if I envy them. No, I'm pretty sure its both! I really like the whole long-bangs-falling-into-the-eyes thing too (see Tsuzuki from Yami no Matsuie!). Awe, man, I just love anime and manga hair. Its too cool! Like Daisuke's spiky hair in DN Angel. Its not long, but its so cool—and he's so cute.
When I started this fic I hadn't thought that far ahead, but I had before I posted it. I get so many fic ideas, but I try not to post them until they have a definite direction. Its so annoying when I find the wonderfu first chapter or two of a fic, then find out the author hasn't updated for years or decides to go on hiatus or something! I try not to do that.
Yes—the secret is to add in character building elements without tangents, or with only small tangents. I'll work on that, but this is an Ed-centric fic! We'll have to see how that works out.
I'm really glad you like this so much. As for being on your alert list, favorite authors, favorite stories, and being highly recommended—I am truly honored. I know that sounds kind of corny, but that's how I feel. Thank you.
Lazeralk: Glad you like! Its nice to get new reviewers! Hope you keep on reading, I'll update as frequently as I can!
