The Blue Cloud Stone is a holy stone by the Native Americans. Only a woman with the purest and sinless of hearts could hold and carry the stone. It was placed on her forehead and she was indicated and shown as one with great honor. Mahkpiya = Blue Cloud Stone (Sioux, Native American)

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 28 - The Soul That Knew All Too Well

(By this time, it is sunset) (I should have also pointed out in Chapt 26 that when then gang walks back to Liore, the four chimeras are back in their human forms. Sorry!)

Ari whimpers lightly, whispering and shaking her head, bringing her hands to cover her face briefly. "No. No. No. No. No. This can't be happening. This can't be real. You were (She flashbacks to when Jake was shot dead in front of her) But you died. There's no way-"

Jake - 'Well, well. You do remember me. Although I can't help but wonder if I really was not that much of an importance to you? Why should you care, though? You weren't shot and left for dead."

AJ - "I WAS NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL THEN! WHAT THE HELL KIND OF DAMAGED WAS I GONNA DO TO ADAM!"

Jake - "OF COURSE YOU ARE ONLY THINKING ABOUT YOUR DAMN SELF! THANKS FOR PRETTY MUCH CLARIFYING THAT I WAS DEFINITELY HIS TARGET!"

AJ looks at him with confusion. "W-what? I don't understand? Talk to me. Tell me what happened to you, Jake!" The Metatronic Stone activates on its own and moves itself out from underneath her shirt to now hang from her neck in front of her, glowing a darker blue and changing AJ's eyes to the darker shade of blue as well. Jake himself falls to knees, glowing a dark turquoise color. Ari leans her head down briefly before she corrects herself and stands it straight again.

? - "You need to tell her, Jake." A woman's voice coming from Ari's body. Jake, who has shaky legs, tries to stand. He sighs afterward and then starts.

{[Jake's POV Flashback Begins]}

I remember waking up already in the Armor. I don't how else to describe it but it felt like I was living in a dream. When I finally was able to stand up, I looked around for and found the closest mirror. I couldn't believe who I now was. (This triggers Al's memory of when he first saw himself as the suit of Armor for many years to follow)

I hated myself. I still do. Why would someone bring me back to life? Why would they risk their life to save mine? Why couldn't they just let me die?" Jake says in a pained voice. (More of Al's memories in his own Armor are triggered, Al shakes his head briefly to clear his mind)

{[Jake's POV Flashback Ends]}

? - "Your soul never entirely left your body. You did die but the link that connects the two never broke. That is how whoever did that to you, they were able to do it with ease."

Jake, who has his hands on the side of his helmet. "WHO ARE YOU! STAY OUT OF MY HEAD!"

? - "I am apart of the stone in which she carries. Since he spilled her blood on your bonded seal is why you are able to hear me when you are in solidarity."

Jake - "How do you know that?"

? - "Jake Simmons. How else do you explain how you've been living with an extension in the Armor for the past 3 years. Once the Armor started rejecting your soul, you were told by another on how to extend your sealed bond. And once you found a way, you took it without any care for the repercussions that would affect you or anyone else."

She starts walking towards Jake. "Which brings me to this question that you will answer. Why are you recklessly using the magic, with full knowledge of knowing that the stone drains Marisol's life force everytime a high concentrated amount is used?" She stops walking.

Jake - "SHUT UP LADY! I deserve to be alive! I want to be alive! No one else can understand how I feel! No one knows what this is like!"

Al says in a serious tone. "You're Wrong." Ari turns to look at Al. Jake and everyone else looks at Al as well. Everyone (including AJ) from the group is looking at Al with concern and worry.

? - "The one once completely embodied in metal, knows the darkness that surrounded it. The one whose pain is still in his heart that he still carries within and the one who understands many lonesome nights, staring into distances no one else but the metalwalkers have seen. The pain in your heart, Alphonse Elric. I can feel it and so can she."

Al - "Who are you? Where's Ar- I mean Janine?"

Pointing to her stone. "She is still with us. Just here."

Roy - "He asked you a question. State your name." ? closes her eyes.

(Ari tells the woman."Please tell them. Trust me. You can trust all of them.")

? open her eyes. "I was the carrier of the stone in my lifetime and the first. My given name by my fellow natives was Hento (Dakota, Native American) Lonan (Zuni, Native American) or in other words Blue Cloud."

Jake then sends a barrage of metal shards and tries to attack her with them. Without her even flinching or turning around, the shards fall and melt onto the ground, just a few inches behind her. She then turns around to face Jake.

Blue Cloud - "What mind are you in too where you believed attacking the source of power for those created weapons would work? They will never destroy their creator." Jake stands there in shock. So does everyone else.

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While Ed is in the moving vehicle, he realizes something about the metal sheet that was used as a cover. 'Wait wasn't that the same as-' He remembers the metal sheet on the ground in Xerxes.

Turning to his wife, he asks her after noticing how sleepy she is. "Do you wanna lay down in the back, Winry?" Rubbing her eye, she nods and the both of them lay down in the back of the truck. After a few minutes, Ed moves his arm away from her head, sitting and covering her up with his jacket and taking off her shoes. She tells him thank you. He kisses her on the cheek. "I love you, Win." He whispers to her. In a sleepy voice, she replies. "I love you too, Ed." (who else heard fangirls screaming in their eardrums)

Jean calls Ed to the front of the truck. Whispering to each other, Jean hands Ed a gun and tells him that he knows that Ed wants to go back and help Al. Alex slows down the truck so Jean and Ed can slip out from the passenger side door to the truck. Closing the door gently as Alex pulls away afterward, Jean and Ed run back to the others.

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Blue Cloud tells Jake. "You are not the only one who is scared and confused, unsure of what to do next. It's only natural to be frightened of what your own future may hold."

Al tells Jake as well. "I was once like you. A walking, talking suit of Armor. Although how I ended up in my Armored body is very different from what happened to you, Jake. But I know what it's like to have that body. And If I can get my body back, I know that you can too."

Jake - "I can't. Not anymore."

Al - "Why not?"

Blue Cloud - "Tell them why you can't, Jake."

Jake stays silent for a few minutes. "They told me that they dismembered my body, took out any salvageable organs and then feed whatever was left to their chimera 'pets'."

Roy - "Who told you?"

(By this time, it is nighttime and both Jean and Ed are at the edge of Liore, watching and listening.)

Jake - "They never gave me their names but one of them had a gold tooth." Roy and Riza look at each other with shocked/ concerned expressions. Edward is surprised as well. "I escaped and never looked back. After all, I was just one of their experimental prizes they always called me."

Blue Cloud - "Tell them how many there are in all." 'Wait, isn't that Ari? Why does her voice sound different?' Jean and Ed ask themselves.

Jake sighs. "There were ten specifically suit of Armors supposedly made. Barry was killed. Apparently so were the Slicer Brothers. I found two others up north with their seals smashed up and broken."

Roy crosses his arms. "So that leaves 5 left, not including Jake here."

Riza - "The question still remains of where are the others?"

Al - "Did anyone tell you why all of you were turned that way? Why all of you were made?"

Jake looks at Al. "You were supposed to be one of us until that father guy said otherwise apparently." Al and everyone else gasps in shock.

Russell - "That's enough Jake. You've already said too much." Al, Ed, Roy, Jean, Riza, Blue Cloud and the four chimera's all look up at Russell, who jumps down from a building, boarding Liore. Turning to look at Ed. "Well Ed looks like you finally grew a little. Though I heard you can no longer use Alchemy."

Pissed off at Russell's remark. "I won't even need Alchemy To KICK YOUR ASS, Russell!" Ed puts his fists up, getting ready to fight. Russell smirks and nods his head. "You're not even worth my time and energy, Shrimp." Ed goes in for a punch only for Russell to transport himself near Blue Cloud. Ed falls to his knees but stands back up quickly in shock, looking around trying to find Russell.

Al - "ED! (Ed looks at his brother) He's been to Siam-Sid! He knows how to use the transportation circles from there!" Ed stands there in shock.

"To think Fletcher ratted me out to the rest of you. That traitor." Russell says. "You think you're so tough with that kind of Alchemy! Why don't you fight me without it and see how fast-" Before Ed could finish his rant, Russell snaps his fingers transmuting the sand near himself, turning it into a diamond-shaped glass and shooting it straight at Ed.

"BROTHER!" Al yells while everyone else shouts "Ed!" But Blue Cloud and Jake. AJ lifts up her hand that starts to glow and waves her wrist in a styled motion creating a Metatron shield in front of Edward. (Think of Jehuty's guard shield from the Zone Of The Enders video game series)

When the light shines, everyone else but AJ covers their eyes from the light. Once the light starts to fade and the shield disappears completely, AJ looks at and tells Russell as he begins to moves his arms away from his face.

AJ - "Don't you ever try that crap again to any of them. Especially while I'm here." Her eyes change back to dark blue and she tells him this as well.

Blue Cloud looks at Jake. "Just because she didn't show you everything up front, don't ever assume that she never attempted to master the craft." Turning back to look at Russell. "Never underestimate one of pure in heart."

Russell replies in a deepening tone "Oh she'll need more than just that stone to purify her stained soul." Blue Cloud glares sharply at him. "Well, all games must end at some point, right?" (Turning to face Alphonse) Goodbye for now ...Elric." Russell places a hand on Jake's shoulder and teleports them somewhere else.

Jean asks Edward something that distracts his attention from what is going on, across the way. Blue Cloud drops to her knees and places her hands on her chest as the stone glows sporadically. AJ then faints. Roy runs over with everyone following behind him afterward. Lifting her head and checking her pulse, Al offers to carry her on his back and shortly all of them walk over towards both Ed and Jean.

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Making it through Liore, they finally make it to the train station to head to Central. Roy doesn't allow anyone to talk on the train. At Central Station, Ed and Winry stand apart from Al, Roy and the team. Winry asks. "Is Ari gonna be ok?" Alex is now carrying AJ.

Riza - "She'll be fine. She's had a long day so she'll need a good night's rest. (Pausing Temporary) Winry. I ask that you stop calling her by that name. Her name is Janine or AJ, Got it?" "Yeah, I got it." Winry replies, while still looking AJ.

Ed - "Al, you coming with or-" Roy cuts him off. "Al. Go with your brother and sister." "But I-" "NOW!" Al quickly jogs over his family. His voice even scares Ed. Ed clears his throat quickly. "Thank you. All of you for looking out for and taking care of Al while my wife and I were on our honeymoon."

Jean - "Sure. We'll be happy to do it again, but we'll have to charge ya a fee. The kid's definitely an Elric." Ed smirks then brings his hand out in front of Roy to shake. Roy grabs it and they shake. "Thank you, Flame. For everything." "You're quite welcome, FullMetal." Ed then pulls Roy over to him and whispers something in his ear. Roy starts laughing afterward. Moving away from Roy, smiling. "Alright Ladies and Gentlemen, take care," Ed says and waves his hand one last time and walks away from them with his wife and his brother.

Roy - "Oh and Edward." Ed turns around. Roy flicks him off. "That's for the picture of me in Old Hessigart." Turning to look at Al. "IT'S STILL THERE!" Ed shouts. Al bursts out laughing, clutching his stomach.

Walking into the shop in Rush Valley after the train ride, Ed forces Al to sit on a chair at the table. Winry and Ed sit across from him.

Winry - "Talk to us, Al."

Ed - "Tell us everything. Feel free to tell me what the hell is going between Fletcher and Russell. And do not leave out that light and those metal transmutations!"

Al sighs and bites his lip quickly. "When Russell went through Bord'wan, Fletcher didn't follow him. As for that metal and light, That isn't my business to tell. I'm sorry."

Ed - "Fine! Then tell me where?" "Alex needed my help the increased number of chimeras in Old and New Hessigart. That's where we ran into Fletcher." "And?" "He ran away after we fought a chameleon chimera." Ed makes a surprised expression, then asks. "Anything else?" Al looks away for a short time. "Roy's assessment is coming up. I was asked if I wanted to fight him or not."

Win - "AL!" "There's no way in hell I'm gonna let you do that!" Ed shouts at him.

Al - "I don't know why you're so worked up! Especially when you fought him before for your own assessment!" "So what! He's not someone that will go easy on you!" "I don't need to be babied! Especially when it could make me a better person than I already am! And plus do you really think that he would kill me? Especially since I'm dating his adopted cousin?"

Winry - "Cousin? But they called each niece and uncle?" Al tells Winry. "His aunt adopted her which makes her his cousin, but I've talked to the both of them and they don't look at each other like that. To them, it's always been more of a niece and uncle kind of relationship."

Ed sighs exhaustedly. "And that's another thing. Damn it, Al. Out of all of the people you choose to date, it had to related to that guy?"

Al stands up. "She's not an 'it', Edward! She's a girl and an awesome one at that! All of you told me to forget about May and date someone else, and I am! She's funny, smart and nice. Not to mention, she just saved your life earlier in case you forgot, brother! You don't have to be a jerk to her just because she's a Mustang!" Al turns and runs out of the room.

Ed puts his head down, laying it on the table. "Edward. What did Alphonse mean when he said that she saved your life earlier?" Winry asks him. Ed sighs.

The next morning, Paninya walks out of the shop holding a box with broken metal parts in it. Ed taps her on the shoulder. "Hey there, Ed." "Yeah, hey as well. Listen, have you seen my brother?" "Yeah, he left in a rush about an hour ago. He seemed pretty pissed about something as well. Wouldn't spill the beans though, ya know?" Ed sighs. "Hey, is there something going on between you two?" Nodding his head and shrugging his shoulders. "Teenaged emotions, I guess. Thanks anyways." He waves his hand and heads off to work. Paninya raises an eyebrow and then shrugs her shoulders, walking in a different direction.

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Walking off of the train in Central, Al is stopped by an officer who recognizes him from the village where Majhal once lived. "How's Claus doing?" Al asks. "Oh. That girl. No one's really seen her as of late. I hope she's doing well though. She decided to just leave the village one day a few months ago, not saying a word to anyone."

Al sighs sadly. "Hey don't feel bad kid." The officer tells him. "I'm sure she's fine." Al unsurely nods his in agreement. Making to the Command Center, Al waits outside for AJ to show up. To his surprise, Amarosa comes walking up the steps by herself. "Well, this is a surprise. It's nice to see a young man waiting outside for a young lady, such as myself." "Uhhh..."

Roy - "With all due respect, Colonel. Shouldn't you be at your desk finishing the report that the Fuhrer wants before this evening?" He says holding the door open for her. She nods her head gently as she walks past him. Gracia comes walking, stopping right next to Roy afterward.

Gracia - "Good morning, Alphonse." "Good morning to you as well, Gracia." Placing a hand on Al's shoulder. "I could use a hand at my shop if you aren't too busy today, Al?" Al looks at Roy. "Go on, I'll pick you up when I'm done work."

Al - "How is she?" "She's fine. Go on ahead with Gracia. We'll see you later, Al." Gracia pats Al on his back and the both of them, start walking down the steps.

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Opening the door to the bar, Roy, Al, and the others hear a familiar voice in the distance. Looking up, they see Ed, who is sitting next to and chatting with Chris's other girls, Vanessa, Natalie, and Kimberly.

Ed - "Yeah, so there he was, surrounded by a bunch of chimeras. Now mind you, he told me not to head over there, but ignored his own advice as always." "He stills ignores his own words to this day!" Natalie tells Ed. Every one of them laughs.

Roy - "Well if it isn't the other Elric." Ed looks up and grins. "It's about you showed up." Roy looks at Vanessa. "He's been here for about an hour." The girls stand up and walk away. Ed then notices Al standing behind Roy. Al rolls his eyes at his brother and walks over to sit on a stool at the counter. Ed looks the other way with a stilled expression. Roy notices and sits down across from Ed. "Care to explain what's going on between you two?"

Ed - "I said something stupid as always. I didn't mean what I said." "Did you apologize?" Roy asks. Al chimes in. "No, he didn't." Ed then looks at his brother, who still has his back to him. "Alphonse, look at me," Ed says in a stern tone. Al rolls his eyes again before he swings himself around to look at his brother.

Al - "So? (Al waits a few minutes) C'mon then. Talk Brother." Chris clears her throat, then walks over and holds open the door behind the counter. "I am sure that the conversation the both of you intend on having doesn't require an audience. Roy-boy, take 'em to the back." Roy stands up and the brothers follow him.

She closes the door behind them. "Follow me." Roy orders and takes them to the room. "The both of you can finish talking in here. Exit out the same way you came in." "Wait. Roy." Ed says quickly, once he sees Roy turning to walk away. "Do you mind staying? I need to talk to you too." Roy nods his head and sits on the chair to the side.

Ed takes a deep breath. "Look, Al, you're right. All of us did tell you to start dating but speaking only for myself. I don't want you to think that I want you to forget about May. It's pretty obvious how much you still like her like that. But at the same time, I'm worried about you putting May's face over every other girl that you like or wanna be with."

Al - "I would never do THAT! Especially not to Janine."

Ed - "I never said, Janine."

Al - "Oh that's right. Of course! (Al throws his hands up in the air) How could I forget! After all, she is related to him." (He yells, pointing to Roy) "You know the guy who was like a somewhat father figure to us since our real dad was out there, planting his stones and in the end, saved the world and whatnot. The guy who stuck his nose out for us even though behind the curtains, anyone allied with Bradley wanted to just rip us both to shreds or use us until we shriveled up and died. But I guess none of that matters to you because you still have your dignity to hold on to and all."

Ed bites his lip, looks down and away. "Alphonse," Roy says. Al looks at him. "How do you feel Janine? Especially after learning that me and her are related?" Al sighs. "I mean don't get me wrong. At first, it was awkward and weird but it didn't make any sense to think that the both of you would be the same when that's clearly not the case at all."

Roy - "And just makes me and her so different, Al?" "Her one original thing," Al says smiling. Roy smiles back as well. Ed looks at his brother confused. "Just what the hell are the both of you smiling about?" Al ignores his brother and asks Roy. "Does it bother you that I'm dating Janine, General?" "If it did ever bother me, I got over it after I'd seen the way she smiled at you when she asked if you wanted to walk with her out of the office a while back. Not to mention, Roxy didn't help by blunting it out like the way she did. It only made it more obvious. As long as she's happy then I'm satisfied with whoever she chooses to date."

Taking a quick breath Roy turns to look at Ed. "If they make each other happy, Edward. (Ed looks back at him) Then why get in the middle of it? Why take it away at all? Weren't you always talking about wanting to see Al's smile again?"

Ed sighs. "Well jeez, when you put it like that way. ...I'm sorry, brother." Al smiles. "It's ok, brother. Just stop being a dumbass." He says with an exhausted sigh.

Ed - "Don't curse, Al!"

Al - "Do not tell me not to curse especially with your track record!" Roy starts laughing. The brothers glare at each other.

Opening the door to bar, Roy sees the girls huddled around Janine who is sleeping on a table. "I would yell at her or even push her off, but she's had a long day. Hell, she came in here literally dragging her feet. Poor thing." Chris tells him. Patting him on the shoulder. "Take her home. I still need that table for potential customers." Roy smirks and walks over to her, picking her up and giving her a piggyback. Al holds open the door for him when he leaves the bar. Ed follows suit.

As Roy is driving, AJ is laying next to and leaning against him. They are holding hands underneath Roy's jacket that is covering her. Ed notices how quiet she sleeps. "Well, at least she doesn't snore like you." He whispers, pointing to Al. "Like you're one to talk, Ed! At least she doesn't sleep in a weird position with her stomach all out!" Al whispers back. "He's got ya there, Edward," Roys says.

AJ sturs in her sleep and murmurs something. Roy chuckles. "Sounds like something the Fuhrer would do." Ed and Al look at each other. "Uh, General, who are you talking too?" Al asks. "Huh? Don't worry about it. Janine just mumbled something that caught my attention, that's all."

Roy drops off Ed and Al at Gracia's. Before he pulls away, Roy tells Al. "My assessment is taking place up north in two days Al, see you there." He waves his hand and then pulls away leaving the brothers with worried expressions on their faces.

AJ in a sleepy tone. "You didn't tell them that you are gonna be fighting someone else, huh?"

Roy - "Nope. But you've should of seen their faces." He starts laughing. She nudges him in his stomach. "Alright, Alright. I get it, kiddo." The car takes off into the distance.

End of Chapter 28

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Shout out to Roxy for her edits and own personal touches on this chapter! Luv ya sis!

Roxy - Ed's whisper to Roy. "My wife calls me FullMetal in the bedroom." Roy starts laughing.