Chapter Eighteen
Author's Note: I love cliffhangers… In this chap Edward sees a good old friend or two, but he looses someone close to him? The voice in the gate place was in the manga so that is who I am referring to, just incase someone doesn't know.
"It's good to see you again, Mr. Elric." a cool voice spoke from no visible source.
Edward rubbed his eyes and groaned as he tried to move the rest of his body. He looked around while lying on the ground, seeing nothing but white and the Gate standing ominously in front of him. "I- I made it ok?"
"You sure did… although you don't look too swell… Is there fighting going on over there? I would like to prepare myself… the last time I received a customer I was in the little boys room..." the voice said, not caring whether Ed was listening or not.
"There's someone -" Edward began as he gently sat up from his position. "I've gotta find…" he stood on his weary knees. "and bring them back."
"Oh really, darn, I thought we were going to have a nice little chat about current events and such, but…" the voice paused, playing with false emotions. "I'll bring her out… you know how to do the rest…" the voice faded away.
Edward swayed back and forth , his tail swinging to counter his shifting weight. I have to make this fast, or I won't have enough energy to take her back. He thought. Ed didn't know how long he stood there, but was sure time had no effect on a place such as this. Glancing up at the door a dreadful chill of reminiscence slithered up his spine. His breathing and heart rate began to rise at an alarming pace. Scenes of his past flashed through his mind like a picture book. Blood, Mother, Alphonse, Winry, Blood, the writhing creature he had brought to life, Alphonse, his hand, the armor and the Gate… These pictures were engraved on his very soul, whether by the trauma or as a reminder of the sin he committed, none could say. Clutching his chest, Edward cried out, not in pain of his body, but by the torment his young life had gone through. "Al!" he screamed just as the large doors of the Gate began to open. The sound of light footsteps caught Edward's ears. He held his breath as a figure approached. The footsteps stopped and there standing in front of him was Nina Tucker.
"Hello little big brother." she spoke, wearing a comforting smile on her face.
"Er-" Edward's voice caught on something. "… Hello Nina…"
There was a long silence between the two. This gave Ed a chance to take in her features. She no longer had her hair in pigtails, but wore it down; chestnut locks brushing against her shoulders. A yellow flower was holding back her bangs. Instead of little denim overalls, a pink and gold sundress clung to her body. Here stood, not the form of the four year old Nina, the one Edward remembered, but herself if she had continued living… Nina at age seven.
Bounding up beside her was a large white beast known none other than, Alexander. She turned to the dog and patted him on the head. The mongrel closed it's eyes, enjoying the attention and displaying a beard full of gray fur.
"So big brother, why have you come here? Do you want to play?" Nina said. Her face seemed to light up at the thought of old times. "My mommy is here too, she would be happy to meet you. I talk about you and bigger brother all the time..."
"No, I'm sorry Nina… I didn't come here to play. I--" Seeing her like this had really shocked Edward's resolve. How could he break the news to her. Uh, Nina, your father, yes the one that transmuted you with your dog, he wants you to come on back and live in some suit of armor for the rest of your life. Ed threw that out of his mind, but his hesitation allowed Nina to get a better look at him.
"You look very different brother…" She furrowed her brow for a second then as if she had been struck by realization, her eyes filled with water. "Big-… big brother…" tears flowed down her rosy cheeks. "Did Papa, did he do this to you?"
Edward looked straight into her eyes. He answered her through his gaze and she collapsed to the floor, shoulders shaking with her sobs.
Ed came up next to Nina, placed both his hands on her arms and helped her to her feet. "Please, don't cry Nina." he said holding her close to his battered body, trying to stop her weeping.
"Why would Papa do such bad things? I thought our life was good…
They stood still for a few moments, once Nina had calmed down a bit she back up and looked at Edward.
"He wants me to come back doesn't he?" An expression of anger and disgust settled on her face.
"…Yes…" Ed replied, suddenly feeling an intense wave of pain in his body again. Times running out.
"He hurt me… not out here, but in here…" Nina pointed to her heart. "…tell him that I am staying her with mommy and Alexander… And that I never want to see him again!…" She sniffed and nodded to herself at her statement. More tears rolled down face.
Alexander, who had been sitting quietly stood up and began to bound toward the entrance of the Gate as if something had called him. Half way there the mutt turned around and barked at Nina.
"I guess I should go back, mommy might need some help with supper." She said with a smile.
Edward smiled back. "I want you to be strong Nina, don't go worrying about my or bigger brother, ok?"
"Ok, but I want both of you to come by and play with me an Alexander sometime." Nina turned and headed back to the Gate.
Edward sighed and turned around only to look at nothing. He had forgotten what to do now.
"Hello?" He called to the voice, but no one responded. "Well, that's just grea--"
He was just about to take a seat when a cluster of tiny black hands shot from the Gates opening. Each one grabbed Edward roughly, ignoring his winces and curses.
"Ah, did you think I'd forget?… No no, this is my favorite part." the voice returned. "You must remember that you have to pay the passage fee."
"But I'm not taking anything back!" Edward shouted, he was being held upside down and the rush of blood to his head gave him nausea.
"That's your own fault. Doesn't matter whether you do anything or not, there is always a price to pay." The voice seemed to be overjoyed by the situation. "Now, what should I take this time… another leg?"
Tiny little black hands wrapped around Edward's furred leg, but they didn't break it down.
"No I don't really like the looks of this one, neither do I like the arm… Hmm."
Fear crept through Edwards mind, he had an idea of where this was heading, but he didn't want to spend the rest of his life like his teacher.
"I know!" the voice shouted as if triumphing over a particularly troublesome issue.
Swiftly and suddenly the tin black hands swathed themselves around Edward. He screamed out as he felt his body burn in a terrible flame. It seemed like his body was being cleaved in two by a rusty axe. As quickly as the pain came it vanished and Edward found himself lying on the cold ground.
"What the--?" He wiggle his arms and legs, then patted his stomach. Everything feels normal… except for the broken ribs. He rolled to his side and pushed himself onto his knees and looked up. Sitting in front of him was a runty golden stripped cat. It stared up at him with its blue and green eyes. Edward looked down at his left hand. It was his real hand! He realized that he had his previous body back, besides the two automail limbs. Edward felt he could flip with joy, but his body was badly beaten, so he settled for smiling.
He heard footsteps approach again and saw Nina coming their way. She picked up the cat and stroked it. The little thing meowed as it was being taken from Edward. He felt as if a vital piece of him was snatched away. "I promise to take care of him." She said and returned to the Gate.
Edward slowly got to his feet. Now that his body was back, his real leg was longer than the metal one, causing an imbalance. Even though this resulted in limping again, he was happy to be at his old height. He began to glance around as if looking for the voice.
"That is all." it said and color began to swirl in with the white scenery. "But I thought you would have at least picked up something else… 'til next time."
And Edward was thrown back into reality.