Welcome to the next chapter of 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'. Please take the time to enjoy, or else Armstrong will come after you in a fiery show of vengeance...just kidding! Thank you for stopping by!
Theme songs of 'Party Time': 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' by Tony Bennett and 'The Nutcracker Suite: Op.71'. Please note that songs from 'Confessions on a Dance Floor' and 'Bust a Groove' are going to be used. REMEMBER THIS: I OWN NOTHING. THESE SONGS DO NOT BELONG TO ME, AND IF THEY DID, I WOULD BE THE RULER OF EVERY GALAXY IN EXISTENCE. ONCE AGAIN, FOR THOSE WITH SELECTIVE READING: I OWN NOTHING. ATTACKING ME WOULD PRODUCE NO PROFITS.
All reviews are welcome. However, flames are not. If you wish to get a clear 'picture' of the narration, just watch Jim Carrey's 'Grinch' and listen to the narrator. Please remember that I don't own 'Grinch' either. Thank you.
The four companions finally found a tree, and as soon as they did, little Edward danced with glee. However, no dance was brighter than Winry's; even though she was a bit chilly, she danced willy-nilly, without a care in the world. She and her friends hurriedly made their way out of the park, not wanting to be trapped in the night's dark. The journey was arduous, for the two brothers kept up their brawl, but a threat from Ms.Pinako caused them to fall.
The four of them finally arrived at the place of their friend. What was within? What was beyond the front door? They would soon find the answers to those questions, and more...
"Ed, stop playing around with the tree. If you keep it up, there won't be any left to decorate."
"I haven't done anything to the tree!"
"Yes you have, big brother! Don't argue with me! You almost set it on fire! In some places, alchemy isn't necessary! If you're bored, measure yourself."
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop making fun of my height, little brother?"
Winry gave her old friend a smack. It was even harder than the hardest whack, and left quite a track on her friend's face.
"Do you guys pick fights for fun? Come on! We're gonna be late!"
The two brothers exchanged warm smiles with each other, and then they passed on warm laughter. The two of them enjoyed the memories they created with each other; they wouldn't trade them for the brightest star. Their brawls often ended in smiles and laughter; the end to this argument was no different. They pounced on each other and began to wrestle, laughing in the midst of the bright snow. Their two companions were their guardians; they watched over them as if they were frustrated parents, then warmly gave in and faced the door. What was beyond door number one? They would soon find out, and fall into a world of fun.
A moment passed before the brothers recovered. The older one, the fierce spirit named Edward (Ed for short)-
"I heard that! STOP MAKING FUN OF MY HEIGHT, YOU CHEAP NARRATOR!"
-dusted himself off, walked up to the door, and placed a single knock upon it. He received an answer after that single knock, but it was an answer that was completely unexpected. He was greeted by a horrific sight, one that would haunt him day and night...one that would hold him tight and squeeze the life out of him for the rest of his days...
"WELCOME! WELCOME, DEAR FRIENDS! COME IN, COME IN!"
"Al! Turn away! Close your eyes! It's horrible!"
"What are you so afraid of, little Edward? It's only me, Armstrong!"
Edward (Ed for short) fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the sense of imminent destruction...and released a cry of sorrow...
In slow motion.
"NOOOOOOOOOO..."
The sight truly was a frightening one; no question about it. It was a dear friend of theirs, but he was dressed in the most inappropriate attire...he frightened Edward (Ed for short), but failed to phase his younger brother. Al found the outfit quite amusing. As a matter of fact, he found it so amusing that...
He decided to laugh.
"Ha ha ha ha ha-"
Edward gave his brother the hardest of glares, looking like a cat that his share of misery.
"Don't laugh! This isn't funny! Don't you have any dignity, Al? Armstrong's dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus! This is nothing to laugh at!"
"Lighten up, big brother. I heard that stress raises your blood pressure, and places you at a high risk for cardiovascular diseases-"
"It also gives you wrinkles at an old age..." Winry said to her young friend, and nudged him in the ribs. Both of them shared laughter, even though Ed was drowning in the darkest disaster. The radiant Mrs. Santa Claus took their tree and tucked it under his left arm, ready and willing to give it a place in his friend's home. He smiled, and lit the whole world with his exuberant smile; it was a smile of grace, profound beauty and exhilaration. Unfortunately, not everyone would agree with me, for it caused Ed's world to fall into devastation. Before the Alchemist had a chance to release his opinions, the vibrant beauty grabbed both of his hands and blew on them-
"Why don't you come in, Edward? Baby, it's cold outside!"
Edward looked at his hands as if they were the most horrific tarantulas. He was paralyzed for a moment, completely frozen with shock...then he found a way to unlock. He released another cry, a cry that was heard by everyone within a 200 mile radius-
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! LET ME GO! AL, HELP ME! DON'T LET HIM TAKE ME! NO!"
"Oh, don't be such a crybaby. We're right behind you."
Armstrong dragged the unfortunate Alchemist into his friend's house, wearing the most triumphant smile...Al, Winry and Pinako followed, unable to restrain their own smiles of triumph. Their friend's wail echoed into the skies, and scorched their ears; it was a cry they would remember, a cry that would stay with them for years.
The wail soon came to an end. One could have made the most grievous assumptions; he could have died from shock, or he simply could have died from disgust. The young one was still in the world of the living, however, and there was no desire to relive that atrocious experience. After he recovered from the horrific shock, he realized that he was in the midst of more friends. His tormentor walked away with the tree, looking like a child that had been filled with glee...and his other companions took the time to savor their surroundings. Their friend's house was a grand sight, a realm filled with every delight. Christmas lights, delicacies and smiles were bountiful; one couldn't have asked for more. It was the perfect utopia, a Winter Wonderland of wondrous dreams. Dreams and promises had the house filled to the seams.
Familiar faces were present, and all of them were basking in the glow of the joyous holiday. Roy Mustang and his close friend, Riza Hawkeye, were standing side by side. The two of them were born in different worlds, but they were perfect reflections of each other. They looked, sounded and acted like each other-they were the perfect pair, and they were perfectly aware of the bond they shared. Armstrong, of course, was present, and he had enough cheer to share with the world. Many of Roy's subordinates were present, and there was even a little girl; a small one that went by the name of Nina. She had a little dog too, and he followed her everywhere she went, mind you.
The host of the party, who went by the name of Hughes, was in the center of the crowd. As usual, he had a warm smile about his face, and there was a little girl at his side. She was evidently his daughter, and she was deeply attached to him; that was clear to everyone around them. Conversations filled the living room for what seemed like an eternity; old friends made new friends, and connections were strengthened. Some marveled over the tree, others placed their gifts with the same glee. The living room was quite loud for a while, and then the party host finally calmed it down.
"Hey, out there! How is everybody?"
The answer was both unanimous and simultaneous. It rang out loud and clear, like a true Christmas song of cheer.
"Great! How are you?"
The gentle party host released soft laughter. It was firm, yet inexplicably warm; he was a soul that captivated many on first contact. His eyes were hidden behind glasses, but there were perfectly clear to his friends; they were portals of never-ending kindness, portals that would never meet any ends.
"Just fine, thanks. I'd like to thank you all for taking the time to come here. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome!"
"Keep your voice down, big brother. Show some manners."
Edward nudged his brother playfully, and delivered another warm smile. The speech continued without a pause, and it continued without any flaws.
"I know we're all kinda busy and everything, even at this time of year...but I think it's pretty nice when we all take the time to hang out with each other. Life's been throwing a lot of hardballs at us, so we never have enough time to actually enjoy each other. Today we can take all of the time we need to share each other, though. This is a day for memories, a day to be remembered. I'd like to begin this party in honor of my closest pal, Roy Mustang-"
Both of them exchanged salutes at this moment, and it was a moment that tied their bond even tighter.
"-and in honor of life's greatest treasure, love. Enjoy yourselves, everyone. Make yourselves at home, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
The party began with a blast. Confetti was thrown into the air, cheers were passed all around...it was going to be a party to remember, a party that would keep all of them together throughout the years.