Midas Touch
By Jodi Marie Johnston
Disclaimer: Full Metal Alchemist is a copyright program and all characters belong to the companies. However all other characters are my own creative works and creations. Note: This story goes off from the main story line.
Chapter Three: Equivalent Exchange
After a time there was a knock on Aura's door. Aura put the dictionary aside, she had read almost all of it. Reaching for the door it opened and Winry popped her head inside.
"Aura? Sorry to barge in but I thought we'd take your measurements for some automail."
Aura nodded and followed Winry down into her workshop. It was like watching a kid in a candy store. Aura started to look through everything. Winry had to smile.
"What do you think?"
"Good." Aura said.
"Well then I will take you measurements real quick." Winry pulled out a tape measure and walked over to Aura. In a few short moments she took all of Auras measurements.
"Ok we're done. I will start drawing up the plans and tomorrow Pinako will prep you for the procedure. I know you don't understand a word I am saying but hey I thought I'd tell you."
"Good." Aura said again.
"Well at least your learning some words. Do you want to go back up stairs with Al?"
"Aura stay."
"Um ok. But be careful."
"Yes."
At first Winry watched Aura like a hawk. She was just like a kid looking at every bit of equipment and tools that were in the shop. There were a few times where Winry had to stop her from touching things but after the first few hours Winry was content to leave her there. When she returned the entire lab was covered with hand drawn blue prints for automail.
"Aura what is all this?"
"Winry, look." Aura began to show Winry a sequence of papers showing the simplest structures then the next image built upon the first and so on and so forth.
"Aura you designed this?"
Aura thought a moment then nodded her head.
"These are the most advanced plans I have ever seen!"
"Aura automail?"
"Of course I'll make you this automail! Can I keep the plans?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you so much I can't wait to tell Gram! Come on!" Winry said and grabbed Aura by the hand and the plans in the other. The two ran all the way into the kitchen where Pinako was cooking. The old woman turned to look at the children as the rushed in the door. Then something happened. Pinako dropped the spoon in her hand as her face twisted in pain. Pinako grabbed her chest and began to go down. To Winry it was like watching slow motion as her grandmother hit the floor.
"GRAN!" Winry shouted. She dropped the plans and rushed to her side. Aura helped Winry roll Pinako over as Ed and Al burst into the room.
"PIANKO!" the boys said in unison.
"What happened?" Al asked.
"I don't know she grabbed her chest and collapsed." Winry said.
"Get a doctor!" Ed shouted.
Al rushed off as Winry and Ed carried Pinako inside. Not ten minutes later Al returned with the local doctor. The doctor ordered everyone out and began to take care of Pinako. After a half hour he emerged from the room to the eager eyes of everyone.
"What's wrong with her?" Winry asked.
"I'm afraid that it is her heart." The doctor said.
"Is she going to be all right?" Al asked.
"I'm afraid there is really no way to treat her condition. If I had discovered it about five years ago there might have been something but now the condition has progressed too far. All I can do now is keep her comfortable."
"No." Winry said.
"Winry…" Ed said.
"Can I see her?" Winry asked.
"Of course." The doctor said.
"Brother what are we going to do?" Al asked.
"I don't know Al. Hey where is Aura?" Ed asked.
After everyone had left to talk with the doctor Aura had snuck into Pinako's room. She looked at the old woman and touched her chest. In the instant Aura knew what was wrong. She reached out for her and Winry opened the door.
"Aura what are you doing in here?" Winry asked.
"Aura help Pinako."
"What?"
She watched as Aura placed her good hand on Pinako and both were engulfed in a blue light. When she could see again Pinako was awake and Aura was on the floor. Ed and Al burst in the door just as Ed was coming up next to Aura.
"Ed what happened?" Winry asked.
"I don't know." Ed said.
"What did she do?" Winry asked.
"Brother look."
All eyes turned to Pinako who looked five years younger. Pinako opened her eyes and for the first time realized that everyone was gather around her room.
"What are you all doing here?" Pinako asked.
"Pinako you were sick, the doctor said…" Winry said tears filling her eyes.
"I'm all right, but if what you say is true then how?" Pinako asked.
"She did it." Ed said. In his arms he had Aura but she had aged five years.
"What happened to her?" Winry asked.
"Equivalent exchange." Aura whispered.
"What?" Al said.
"Somehow, I have no idea how, it looks like Aura managed to trade years of her life to Pinako. Remember what the doctor said? I think Aura did this to give Auntie the time she needed." Ed said.
"She did what?" Winry asked.
"I know it sounds impossible but look at her." Ed said.
Aura indeed looked older; in fact she looked as old as Ed. The blue dress that had been too big for her now fit her larger body like a glove. Aura looked at everyone with sleepy eyes as she tried to stay awake.
"Aura what did you do?" Ed asked.
"Aura help. Give time. Sleep now." Aura said and passed out.
"Aura!" Ed shouted as she passed out in his arms.
"Get a doctor!" Pinako ordered.
Al bolted out the door chasing after the doctor. Ed held Aura in his arms and picked her up. Carefully he carried her to her room while Winry stayed with Pinako who was trying to get out of bed to go after Ed. Ed placed Aura gently into her bed ignoring Winry and Pinako's shouts. He took up Aura's good hand in his.
"Why did you do it? More importantly how did you do this?"
Aura stirred quietly but did not wake. Ed could hear the metal clanck clanck sound from Al's footsteps as he ran up the stairs followed by the doctor. Ed moved back as the doctor began to look her over. After several minutes Ed finally had to speak up.
"How is she?"
"Exhausted but healthy. I take it Pinako is the one who treated her arm?"
"Yes."
"Then I know she is in good hands. Now I am going to see to my other patient. I hear she has made a miraculous recovery thanks to this young woman's alchemy."
"Something like that," Ed mumbled.
Ed sat down next to Aura's bed again. Pinako was having a rather heated argument with the doctor down stairs but Ed barely heard them. All his attention was on the young woman sleeping in front of him. She was a mystery. A mystery he would solve.