Xx hello. I thought I would write a FMA story. I… well um. This is my first one. And I doubt the fact it will be very good. But hell, I had a impulse. And my muse had a violent urge. So I wrote this…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arms wrapped around Ed from behind. He looked over his shoulder at his brother. "hey Al." Alphonse smiled as he kissed Ed's forehead.
Ed was still short, even being 17. He was shorter then 5'8... "how come your so tall Al? it bugs the fuck out of me." Al sighed as he rested his cheek on the top of Ed's forehead. Ed smiled at the ground. He felt more then saw Al as he straightened and looked out the window from over his shoulder.
Reaching up, Ed's automail arm clinked just barely. "brother, you should of fixed your own body up." Ed shook his head and his near mid back length blond hair settled over his shoulder in it's custom braid. "don't worry about it Al. your more important then anything." Ed leaned forward and rested his forehead on the cool window.
Al's brownish/golden eyes (you notice that his are actually different in the anime? In the flashbacks especially) flashed and he pressed a hand to Ed's forehead. "you still have a fever brother?" Ed shook his head. "don't be such a worrywart Al. I'm fine." Al looked earnestly at his shorter yet older brother.
Al's body was leaned and toned. Not weak, his hair was short and blond, innocence still lingered distinguishably in his body and soul. For a sixteen year old, he was still very innocent. And still worried a lot for his brother, his friend… and his companion. Al had friends yes, but he would die if something happened to his brother.
Shifting his hand, Al felt how hot Ed's forehead was. His fever hadn't gone down at all in the last few days. "why don't you go to the doctor Ed?" Ed shook his head and rolled his eyes. "those crackpots don't know jack Al." Alphonse sighed as he stepped back when Ed straightened. Ed was a full head and a half shorter then Al, and they both joked about it.
"hey Al, we're late to go meet that baka Mustang." Al nodded and walked to the door. Ed still wore his black pants and sleeveless black shirt with his crimson overcoat. While Al wore a pair of baggy tan pants and a black button up shirt with a white shirt underneath.
Sadly, the only thing Ed couldn't change was the red tattoo on his arm, it remained after Al was given a real body. (the same symbol on the back of Ed's coat)
Al walked out the door when Ed waved him off. "I'll be right back, I'm a little thirsty." Al shut the door behind himself and Ed covered his mouth and coughed, a horridly sick sound. Blood smeared his palm and he wiped it off. "damn. I'm getting worse." Ed cleared his throat before he drank a glass of water.
Stepping outside, Al and Ed started for the central building. (I think that's it…--) when they started up the stairs, Ed accidentally tripped on the steps. He crashed to the ground and grumbled as he rubbed his head. "brother?" Ed allowed Al to help him up. Ed blinked. "what is it?" Al and Ed entered the building. "yes, your prone to explode with your mood swings, attack without warning. Be brash-" Ed's eyes flattened. "are you getting to a point?" Al nodded.
"but you have never tripped on stairs like that. What's the matter?" Ed shook his head. "nothing Al! you just worry too much!" Ed grinned as he opened the door without knocking. "nothings the matter! Merely a little clumsiness!"
"haven't you ever learned to knocking Fullmetal?" Ed looked over to Mustang and his eyes flashed to a glare. "nice to see you too lieutenant."
Roy studied Ed before he looked over at Al. "hello Alphonse. How is your human body holding up?" Al smiled as he lifted a hand and placed it on the back of his head. "it's good Mustang-san."
Al shifted and patted Ed on the head…. Something only Al could get away with. "see you Ed! I'll be visiting Hugh's." Ed nodded and watched as Al shut the door behind himself.
Turning back to Roy, Al saw him with his chin resting on his linked hands on the desk. "here's your report." Ed tossed the manila folder on the desk before he collapsed on the comfortable yet small couch. Roy grasped the folder and studied it. "blood?" Ed blinked and his eyes widened. /oops./ he feigned ignorance. "blood?" Roy brandished the folder, little dots of blood smeared a corner. "oh, sorry. I must of cut myself. Sorry Mustang."
Roy frowned but leafed through the contents. "your report is shit." Ed blinked then shrugged a shoulder. "your report is crap Fullmetal. Actually, lot less quality then your usual low standards."
Ed shifted and looked out the big window just to the right of Roy's back. Yes, even Ed knew his work was failing in quality.
However, when he was writing the report. He was especially spastic and brutal coughs wracked his body. Not even half his mind was on the report when he wrote it. A yelp escaped Ed's mouth when a hand grasped his chin and forced him back to reality. "lieutenant-" "forgive me." Ed's eyes flashed. "for w-" Roy pressed his lips against Ed's.
Ed stared at Roy with wide eyes before they slid shut. He tentatively raised one hand and slid his real hand through Roy's black hair in the back near the nape of his neck. Roy shifted and tilted his head more. Roy slowly lifted his head and stared at Ed. Ed opened his eyes slowly and stared back up at Roy as a blush spread a crossed his pale cheeks… pale cheeks.
Roy's eyes narrowed slightly. Ed was looking paler, thinner… perhaps sicker. "what are you hiding Fullmetal?" Ed shook his head as he stared down at his hands when he set them back down in his lap. "n-nothing Mustang." Roy straightened and stared down at Ed. Ed didn't look like his normal cocky… grinning self. He looked… like some child. "Ed?" Ed looked up at Roy with wide eyes. Somehow… hearing Mustang say his name, his first name… something in him broke.
Tears filled Ed's eyes before he launched himself against Roy. Roy stumbled slightly under the impact. However he straightened and stared down at Ed as he wrapped his arms around his waist. "Fullmetal?" Ed shook his head as he buried his face into Roy's stomach. He didn't cry, he couldn't cry… not Ed.
"Mustang…" Roy's eyes softened and he rested his hands on Ed's back and merely comforted the boy. "what's with the tears-" Roy grinned. "shorty?" Ed looked slightly up at Roy before he gave a weak smile. "yeah…. I'm short. Don't have to rub it in."
Ed straightened slightly and wiped away the unshed tears. "that was pretty weak." Ed had something else to say, but vicious coughs wracked his small frame.
Roy's eyes became concerned as he tightened his hold on Ed. "Fullmetal?" Ed shook his head as he leaned back. He became slightly dizzy and laid down on his side. "just a little cold…." Ed closed his eyes and fell asleep before he could be prompted to answer more questions.
Roy shifted and kneeled down next to Ed. He studied Ed's drawn face as he dozed off. He jumped when a small droplet of blood slid down between Ed's lips and plopped onto his crimson coat, it quickly melded in to it's new home.
Roy wiped away the bloody trail and his eyebrows furrowed. "brother-" Al came in. He stared wide eyed at Ed's sleeping figure. "brother?" Roy shook his head. "let the runt sleep Al. He's in need of the rest." Ed mumbled something.
"don't call me a tiny midget in need of stilts…" Roy and Al chuckled as they exited the room. "how about we go grab something to eat Al?" Al nodded and his eyes sparkled. The most significant similarity between Al and Ed, was their bellies. They never ate a little. In short. They were well mannered pigs. Al missed food so much, he ate all the time like Ed.
The two walked down the street and into the closest café. They sat down at a booth and Al ordered a heaping order of a foot long sub, chips, and a large drink. Roy merely ordered a sandwich...
The two quickly finished their meals before they heard screaming coming from the central building. Al's eyes widened and he leapt to his feet. "nii-san!" Mustang tossed some money on the table and the two ran out of the café, they pounded down the hallways and stumbled into Mustang's office…
Al's face of worry turned to laughter as he looked at the image in front of him.
Elicia was standing on Ed's stomach. Poking him in the cheek while Hugh was grinning wildly from behind the back of the couch, snapping pictures in quick succession of one after another. Ed himself was looking very scared. "Al! get Elicia off of me! She's heavy!" Al grinned as he hauled Elicia up into his arms.
Elicia squealed before she relaxed and wrapped her arms around Al's neck. Ed grumbled something before he sat up and rubbed his cheek. "what is she doing here!" Roy grinned as he looked over Ed. He was still pale, but not nearly as bad. "just because your smaller then Elicia Fullmetal… your older then her. Set a good example!"
Ed glared at Roy. "who are you calling a TINY MIDGET WHO CAN'T BE SEEN UNLESS UNDER A MICROSCOPE!" Al sighed as he sat down next to Ed. Hugh took Elicia and cuddled with her. Little hearts and stars surrounding his head. Soft laughter made everyone look to the door where Gracia had on a purple dress, a hand over her mouth.
"hello boys. I got permission from the fuhrur to visit with Elicia. But it's nice to see you two. Especially you Al." Al blushed as he lifted a hand behind his head and chuckled weakly. Ed grumbled as he leaned over and rested his head on Al's shoulder. "every is so darn chipper today." he would of said damn, but Elicia and Gracia were in the room.
Al laughed as he patted Ed's shoulder. "of course nii-san! We finally found the philosophers stone!" Ed's eyes softened as he gazed at Al. "yeah Ed, we finally did it." Ed shook his head before he stood up and stretched. "I'm going to the library!"
Before any denied his decision, or Al decide to join. Ed jogged out of the room, his automail leg making a louder thump as the boot hit the ground. every time it hit the ground, Al gave a little wince. When Ed disappeared, Al sighed and leaned back. "come on Elicia, time to go home." Elicia smiled as she gripped her mother's hand. The two walked off and left the three in silence. Hugh smiled as he leaned over Al and nudged his hands away.
"what is you deal Al?" Al shook his head and stood up. "nothing sir! Absolutely…" Al looked out the window to see Ed jumping over a hedge and cross the large grassy lawn. "is there anyway I can take the next test to become a national alchemist?" Hugh and Roy exchanged confused looks.
"why?"
"because I want to. Need there be a reason?"
"well, no I guess not."
"so, when's the next entrance exam?"
Hugh looked over at the calendar behind Roy's desk.
"two days from now."
Al smiled as he turned. "perfect. I'll take it then." before they could talk him out of it, Al left the room to go to the large two room dorm Ed had.
----------------------------------------two days later (nothing interesting happens)-----------------------------
Ed studied the book for a moment before he opened the worn book and leafed through it. "hmm…" A page caught Ed's eye. He sat down on a chair and leaned forward to block out the waning, obnoxiously bright sunlight.
Fighting in a never ending to create the philosophers stone, no real known cases were ever reported where either the stone didn't break, or the stone's powers to wear off…
Ed frowned and studied the page more. 'please don't tell me Al's only here for a little while…'
Most if not all the philosophers stones have broken however. Cracked into many pieces, and unfortunately absorbed by the maker of the stone. Unfortunately with the horrendous side-effects. The maker of the stone, if able enough becomes a god in many terms. It is said if the maker releases enough alchemic energy then the effects may be reversed. However, no known person has been able to accomplish this before first dying painfully…
If the stone has weakened, the maker's powers will be absorbed by the stone to make it stronger. The things the stone were used on, they may experience pain if it's living. Or may be more the faulty if it's non-living. If it gets weak enough. The living can even be weakened to where they're killed. The non-living will be broken down to nothing again…
Ed's eyes widened. 'what is this book talking about?' before Ed could get back to reading, Al came running through the bookshelves. "brother! I passed! I passed the test!" Ed smiled as he looked up. "I am very proud Al." Al nodded and hugged Ed tightly. Ed closed the book and hugged Al back. "now, why don't you go tell the brigadier?" Al nodded and grabbed Ed's hand. He pulled Ed towards the door. But first Ed checked out the book.
Ed was dragged down the streets. "hey! What are you doing Al!" Al smiled as he easily dragged his older, yet tiny brother. "your coming Ed! You need to get out of that stuffy library anyways!" Ed growled as his gloved, automail hand hit the side of the door as they ran into the building. "Al! stop this madness!" Al grinned back at his brother. Ed's eyes softened and he finally allowed his brother to drag him… after all. Al was happy.
With a quick knock, Al barged into the room. To only see Hugh, Mustang and the new Fuhrer speaking in serious tones. Ed dug in his heels and stopped. "well, they are busy Al. let's wait our turn." Al sighed as he turned and started to follow his brother. "wait." Ed looked over Al's arm (as he couldn't really see over his shoulder at all) "yes Fuhrer sir?" "why don't you wait in here? We're almost done and I have wanted to speak to you two for awhile."
Ed's eyes darted to the side. "well, uh. We have some-" Al grinned as he shut the door for privacy and sat himself, and a unwilling Ed down on the couch. "come on nii-san. He doesn't bite… or at least not that I know of." Ed grumbled as he leaned back and slung his arms over the back of the couch.
The Fuhrer, for some reason he made Ed wary… and Ed could unwillingly admit that he was… scared of him. He had straight black inky hair to his shoulders. With crimson eyes that put a person from Ishbal to shame. Ed gulped when the crimson eyes turned to him. "um. Well Fuhrer Daemon, uh sir. I don't want to-"
Al groaned. "nii-san! You need to get out of that stuffy library." Ed rolled his eyes as he shifted and tilted his head back. "you sure are getting outspoken little brother." Al blushed as he laughed weakly. "it's not that bad of a thing Al. you should be. Your… so compliant most of the time." Al grinned and they waited patiently. However, after a half an hour Al's grin faltered and he yawned. "sleep some Al. this might take awhile." Al nodded and then laid down on the couch, his head in Ed's lap. He closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly. He wasn't yet used to his human body.
Ed threaded one hand through Al's slightly long blond hair and the other flipped his book open, he stroked Al's head absent minded like as he read some more of the book. A memory interrupted his reading however.
Al shifted slightly, and without the three noticing at all, whispered to Ed. "mom used to stroke our hair back like this… didn't she?" Ed nodded and spoke softly. The three couldn't hear him either. "when it stormed. We ran into her room and got into bed with her. She used to laugh and hold us both with one arm around each of us until morning. You always stayed awake until the storm passed. Listening to mom as she hummed some lullaby or something."
Smiling softly, Al closed his eyes. "you always fell asleep after a few minutes. Didn't you nii-san?" Ed laughed and nodded. "always." Al nodded and shivered as Ed's mechanical arm bumped into his shoulder slightly. He gazed at the hand with pity. Ed couldn't feel anything small like that.
Ed shifted and grumbled angrily when his feet didn't even touch the ground. Mustang's couches were to deep. With a shrug, Ed returned back to the book.
"…ttle small?" Ed looked up and shut his book. "who are you calling a pips-" Ed gulped when he saw Daemon standing over him. "well?" Hugh chuckled as he shifted to lean his weight on his other foot. "the younger one is Al, he's the one sleeping. The older is Ed. He's the one who's short." Ed was about to yell. But seeing Al sleeping he merely spoke quietly with much venom. "who are you calling a guy who looks like a freaking five year old!" Mustang chuckled as he sat back slightly. He was still sitting straight, still wary of Daemon's presence. "a five year old is taller then you Fullmetal."
Ed's eyes widened. "who are you calling so small that HE CAN BE A SPECK OF DUST BETWEEN SOMEONE'S FINGERNAIL!" Ed calmed down when Al shifted. "I'm not short." Daemon leaned over and grasped Ed's chin. "your short. Deal with it." Ed's eye twitched when he heard the man's smooth talking.
Daemon straightened and released Ed's chin. He turned and sat down on the couch a crossed from Ed. "so Edward Elric. Tell me, do you still have the philosophers stone?" Ed shifted. Yeah, he had the philosophers stone. It was actually hanging around his neck at that moment. However, the powers had weakened slightly from infinite, but still well beyond that of red water. Way more powerful…
Ed shifted and idly pulled the small stone out. It was about the size of a coin. But rounder. A perfect oval, smooth. Ed even found himself merely rubbing the surface. He held it up in the light and studied the stone. It was beautiful, no one could say it wasn't. The stone was a light red, pinkish color. But it seemed to always shift from crimson to pink, to white sometimes. Like water reflecting off light. Always shifting, never fully one color.
Daemon leaned forward, his eyes widened. "that's it?" Ed stared at Daemon. "what did you expect Fuhrer? A stone the size of my head?" even Hugh and Roy were leaning forward to look at the stone. No one had ever seen it before, Ed only allowed Al to see it… even touch it. (with Ed's watchful eye) "well, yes."
Putting the stone back down so it was resting under his shirt against his chest, Ed gazed at Daemon. Daemon stood up and slowly walked to the door. "we will be taking that stone soon Edward Elric. No power should be left in the hands of a careless child." Ed's eyes widened and they watched as Daemon disappeared and shut the door behind him.
The last thing anyone heard was Ed screaming.
"I'm not a fucking child!"
--------------------------------------------
Like it? Hmmm?
Review and tell me! Flaming is accepted (but not appreciated) no reviews, no update…
