A/N: Based off Bluebird's Illusion, the FMA game limited only to Hongkong. Looking back to the Roy ending, I'm changing it. I'm relieving the former Colonel of his duty to the downcast Edward Elric for the ending, and bringing in somebody else...not a oneshot.

Recall the Other

Sparrow's Grief

"Zawameki wa tooku natte yuku keshiki wa kazunde mienaku naru..."

The phone rang one dark stormy night.

Winry Rockbell feared thunder. So much that it sent her into cowering in her room sometimes until it went away. That was one thing bound never to change about her growing up. And on this particular night, the thunder claps echoed over the valley of Resembool, causing the 17-year old to jump repeatedly in the middle of her task with the automail she was working on. It was only when she nearly punched a hole half an inch off her mark that she decided to stop working for a while. The thunder was providing too much of a distraction for her to be focused.

Winry jumped again at the arrival of another boom. That one sounded pretty close. She descended the stairs slowly, remembering that Pinako had told her that she'd be staying at a client's house overnight due to the strong rain.

"It looks like I won't be going anywhere for the night. Just go fix dinner for Den and yourself. I'm sure you'll manage."

The flaxen-haired teenager sighed, hoping that her grandmother would be alright. She walked to the front window, peering through the glass as water streamed down across its smooth surface. Outside, the sky was dark, terribly. Ominous clouds hung overhead, and every once in a while, there was a brilliant flash of light illuminating the entire sky, followed moments after by a loud clap of thunder, and it sent Winry backing away from the window as she drew the curtains over it.

Then, during a quiet interval between the rainfall lessening and the thunder pausing, the phone rang. Winry wondered if that was her grandmother, double-checking in case she'd forgotten to tell her granddaughter something. Slowly, relieved that the thunder was gone for at least a while, she lifted the receiver and put it to her ear with both hands.

"Rockbell automail, Winry Rockbell speaking." she greeted.

"...It's been a while, Winry-chan."

Her head perked up, recognizing the caller. "Miss Riza...!" Then her forehead creased. What was the First Lieutenant doing calling her at this time of the night? Unless...

"Is...is something wrong?" Winry queried, a hint of anxiety in her voice.

"...I really shouldn't." Riza Hawkeye was hesitating; not a good sign. "But...it's about the Elric brothers."

Her heart almost stopped. What? What happened to Ed and Al? She wanted to ask those questions, but both her voice and lips betrayed her as she wordlessly stared into space.

"Winry-chan...Alphonse passed away two nights ago."

There was a deadly silence, which was broken quickly by the reappearance of thunder and lightning in the clouds. The rain was picking up again, but Winry noticed none of this. She hadn't even flinched at the clap that ensued moments ago. At last, she found her voice, and quietly, in a near whisper, she asked, "H-how...?"

"Edward...he never succeeded in fully restoring his brother. Alphonse...his soul was rejected, by the body Edward gave him."

No way...that's not possible... Winry felt the tears coming, and tried to blink them away. Then, another question came to her, and she felt her heart tighten. "Wh...what about...Ed?"

"...He's safe." was the lieutenant's response, and the constriction in Winry's chest died at those words alone. "But he's not in the best condition right now. Since Alphonse's death, he hasn't been coming to headquarters, and there hasn't been much contact from him either. That's why I called you. I thought...it would be alright for his closest friend to check on him."

Winry tilted her head to the window, its curtains still drawn. She could hear the soft pitter-patter of the rain growing louder now.

"I can give you their address." Riza continued. "I'll arrange for an escort to come pick you up at the train station."

There was a flash of light, and without warning, the loudest thunder clap came, the sound causing small vibrations on the floor beneath Winry's feet.

But this time, the girl didn't react.

"Tomorrow can be arranged if you want-"

"No."

The lieutenant paused at Winry's answer. Then...

"...I'm leaving for Central. Tonight."

TBC