Ok! I just wanted to tell everyone that this story line is similar to that of the movie 'Waterworld'. With alterations of course, but the whole lone wolf is forced to travel with two people deal I got from the movie. I thought it would be cool to do something like that. I guess that means I should make a disclaimer for 'Waterworld' also, all right then!
I don't own FullMetal Alchemist or Waterworld! There!
Chapter One: Young Man from the Wood
It's been two years now, I can't say that I've enjoyed it. The world has changed so much sense the incident, completely covered with mutated plants and animals, one comes to learn that no matter how smart you think you are, nature is always one step ahead of you. When I found out that most of the human population was wiped out when the plants over took everything, the first thought that crossed my mind was 'Is my brother alright?'. That was, like I said, two years ago. There's no chance that Alphonse is still alive after what happened, to think I played a hand in this disaster.
But all of that is in the past; those who did survive learned to adapt to this new harsh environment. This is how we humans should live; our technology only handicapped us, made us slow and stupid.
I looked up into the canopy of branches and vines, there was only one way to tell if it was day or not and that was to climb the trees. The trees had grown to be a dangerous place, their leaves and branches hide creatures only your darkest imagination could comprehend, that and the were close to over a hundred to two hundred feet tall. That was a nasty fall if you weren't careful. If I wanted to make it to the nearest village by sun down I had to check, if it was already dark then I had to stop and rest, if it was still light out then I kept going. That's how life is now, I stop and wait for nobody.
I grabbed onto the closest vine I could find, giving it a sharp tug to make sure it was secure and could support my weight. It was a good vine so I pulled myself up and started to climb. It didn't take long for me to reach the top; I'd had lots of practice climbing vines and was fairly quick about it. Grabbing hold of a nearby branch I pulled myself into the treetops. That's when something yellow caught my eye, I froze instantly.
"Damn…" I muttered. That yellow color belonged to a very beautiful flower, I've only ever heard of these flowers from other villages. They say that it's as lethal as it is beautiful. It's called 'The Kiss of Death', which I find to be a rather odd name for a flower but it did make some sense. When someone so much as brushes against its' petals, it will stick itself to that person and inject them with poison two times stronger then arsenic. You don't feel it when it happens, the only way to tell is if you get a large welt wherever you were stung.
Lucky me, my hand was inches away from it, if it were any closer I would have been dead. I slowly pulled my hand away from it and continued climbing, when I reached to top I had to shield my eyes for a moment. It was most definitely daytime, when my eyes adjusted to the light I noticed I wasn't alone. There was another guy up here as well; he looked at least in his thirties or forties.
"Well hello there stranger!" he called. I didn't say anything at first, I wasn't sure if I could trust this guy. If there was one major thing I've learned in this world it's that you can't trust anybody.
"Beautiful day isn't it?" the man continued, "Say, did you see that 'Kiss of Death' down there? First time I've ever seen one, up close anyway. Beautiful flowers, wish they weren't so poisonous though."
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing really, I just came up here to see what time it was. But then I was distracted by the beauty of the sun, we humans weren't built for the darkness of the underbrush." The man answered, he turned to face me and smiled.
"Whatever…" I huffed, I started to make my way back down when suddenly the man appeared just above me. He'd moved so swiftly and silently I didn't even hear him, I nearly fell but he caught my hand.
"Young people are so careless," he smiled, "That's the advantage of growing older, you gain experience." The man the let go and I fell. Crashing through the branches I tried to grab hold of something, anything, that would slow my fall. I couldn't get a good grip on anything, that is, until I managed to wrap my hand around a vine. It went taunt when my full weight caught it. I looked up and saw the man climbing down, he probably thinks that the fall killed me and he'd be able to steal what I had. I smirked to myself and swung back and forth so I could jump down.
You see, I wasn't like most people, I'd learned that as well. A person may get wiser with age, but there's just one thing older people don't have that the younger do, and that's evolution. They're the old models, as some would put it, a new generation has its quirks…me, I just happen to have one of the more…noticeable quirks.
When the man reached the forest floor he looked around, I was hiding in the bushes. It was amusing watching the man look around for my remains, considering he wasn't going to find any. I was just about to make my move when somebody else came out of the shadows.
This new person was dressed in what looked like a black Chinese top and black pants. They didn't smell right, the air seemed to still for the situation. I waited, and watched. The man looked at them for a moment then said,
"Nice…day were having, isn't it?"
"Indeed…but not for you." The other person replied. The man backed up slightly and asked,
"Who are you?"
"I am a member of New Genesis, and you…you are a Useless. Do you know what that means?" the person said.
"New…Genesis? You mean that group that goes around killing all those they say are inferior!"
"Yes, that is us…you are a Useless, therefore, you must die." It happened so quickly that I barely had time to see it actually happen. The person from this group called New Genesis just flicked their wrist and the man dropped to the ground. He had what looked like a throwing star embedded in his forehead.
I figured this was as good a time as any to get moving, I sure as hell didn't want anything to do with these people. Stealthily, I slipped away and continued walking. Some time pasted and I came to going over the things I'd need from the next village, like, more paper, a new pen, maybe a book or two, I needed to get some more rope. There were a lot of things I wanted to get, most of which I really didn't need and it all would just slow me down. Personally, I wasn't really sure why I was traveling around so much lately. I don't like being around people; I can't stand how incompetent the human race is.
I finally came to a village, it wasn't much, it was very small and seemed to have more people then it could hold. Most of the resident housing was up in the treetops, not the best place to build a home. On the ground were mostly small tables with things to buy or trade, economy didn't have much of a hold on things as it used too. Now it was, if you have something good to trade then you trade it, or if you just so happen to have some form of currency, didn't matter which, then you used that.
People started to take notice to my presence and gave me questioning looks as if they'd never seen some one like me before. I didn't take much notice to them, I didn't really care. Finally someone stepped in front of me and asked,
"You know who I am?"
"No," I answered, "But I know what you do."
"Good, then you know not to cause any trouble. I want you out of here by sundown." The man said.
"Sure…whatever…" I walked passed the man and made my way over to the nearest table. This place really didn't have much, just some rusty old utensils and whatnots. The only thing they had by way of paper and writing tools were a few pages of sketch paper and a red colored pencil. I figured it would have to do considering I was all out of paper and my pen was dead. There wasn't anybody standing around so I stood and waited for a moment. The table was set up just in front of what looked like a small cabin, just by looking at it, this cabin couldn't hold more then three or four people.
I shifted the messenger bag around my shoulder slightly so I could rummage through the contents to see what I could trade for the paper and pencil. All I really had was a used note pad, a dead pen, a pocket watch and knife I found, some old books, a small stuffed toy dog and a photograph. The photo was faded slightly and was getting warn, I really should find a frame for it. As much as I knew the impossibility that my younger brother was alive, I still liked having the picture around and it would be a shame if I let it get any more tattered.
Taking out the books, I figured I really didn't need them anymore considering I've read them all at least twice. I put the not pad back into my bag though, it had all my notes and journal entries, I couldn't possibly let that fall into someone else's hands. I then twirled the dead pen around in my fingers for a moment then set it down on top of the books, nobody else knew it was dead. The pocketknife was a useful tool so I stuck that back in my bag, along with the toy dog, the pocket watch though I stuffed in my pocket. As much as I was detached from that place, a small memory couldn't hurt.
Just as I was closing off my bag somebody came out of the small cabin and walked over saying,
"Those books better be in good condition and that pen had better work."
"The books are fine, though one of them has a torn page, that was my fault, and the pen is…more or less fine." I said, it really wasn't such a good thing to lie, but I figured if I didn't get rid of the pen I'd have to just toss it. If I were to just toss it that would make the plants angry, considering they seem to have a mind of their own and don't like it when people just drop stuff and leave it.
"You better not be lying about the pen," a young lady said resting her crossed arms on the table. I looked up at her to retort but stopped. "What are you liking at? Listen, I already know you're lying about the pen. Nobody just gives up a working pen in trade unless there's something wrong with it."
I took out the photo again and looked at it quickly then back at the young lady behind the table. She had long light brown hair pulled back in a high ponytail and tanish brown blue eyes. If it weren't for those small details she was almost a spitting image of Winry. Same attitude to boot.
"Ok, so the pen is dead. But the books are still good." I grumbled, she straightened herself out and examined the books. While she was doing this she asked,
"You're new around here aren't you? What's your name?"
"What does it matter?"
"Stubborn…alright fine, what do you want for these books?" she said setting the books down.
"The paper and pencil…"
"…" She just glared at me for a second then said, "You've been out in the woods too long haven't you?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" I snapped.
"It means, you're gonna have to come up with something else if you want to trade. I'll give you the pencil for these books but that's it." She said.
"You know what…whatever…I'll take the damn pencil." I grabbed the pencil and turned around.
"Hold on," the lady then said.
"What?" I hissed.
"You look familiar…what did you do before all of this?" she asked.
"You mean before the plants decided to fend for themselves and take over the planet?"
"Yeah."
"I guess you could say I was an engineer."
"What's your name?" she then asked.
"I thought I said what does it matter?"
"Is it really that hard to give your name! Listen, you give me your name and I'll toss in the paper how's that?"
"Heh, your loss." She tossed me the sketchpad and I caught it, I quickly stuffed it in my bag and turned to leave.
"Hey! What about your name?" she shouted.
"It doesn't matter! I'm leaving town anyway so you're just going to forget it!" I shouted back. As soon as I was far enough away from that shop I couldn't help but be both amused and irritated. I left that place a long time ago, it doesn't matter any more.
"I didn't even ask her what her name was…Dammit." Not that it really mattered, it would have just proven what I already know is true, and that's the fact that no matter what, I can't go back. Forward is the only choice I have and I'm sticking with it.
I was making my way towards the edge of the small village when some people stopped me. They all seemed kind of old, one of them, an old man, took a step forward and said,
"You seem like a strong young man, what do you intend to do now with all your supplies?"
"I'm assuming that was a compliment," I said, "as for what I plan on doing is none of your business."
"Well, I guess your business is your business, but would you consider taking our daughter along with you?" the old man asked. I raised an eyebrow at this; they weren't serious were they?
"Why would I do that?" I asked trying to get past them; they only managed to get in my way yet again because I didn't feel like hurting an old person, though it was growing more tempting every minute.
"Because, our people are dying and we…"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I don't think so…I got what I came here for and I'm leaving. It's a very nice offer but no…" I interrupted raising my hands up defensively.
"But…"
"No, if I wanted that, I would have said so…" I managed to squeeze my way out of the small crowd and hastily made my way towards the edge of the village. I hadn't known that the daughter I'd just turned down happened to belong to one of the villages' 'elders'. He must have taken offence of my decline so he had some men stop me again. They surrounded me, one of them, a man about thirty or forty, said,
"You can leave when you've fulfilled the elders request."
"Excuse me? I'm honored by the request but I'm busy…" I shoved my way past him. He then rushed forward and grabbed my wrist, twisting it behind my back and shoving me towards the ground. I caught myself and swung around kicking him in the temple. The rest of the men then attacked, it was a rather short fight considering they caught me slightly off guard and managed to overwhelm me. They managed to pin me down to the ground, I had to get out of this crazy village, there was only one way out of this. I managed to take a deep breath to calm my nerves, and then I inhaled quickly. By doing this I was able to slide myself out of three of the three guys restraints.
"What the? Where'd he…" one of the men said, he looked around quickly then spotted me standing a few feet away, I was glaring at him, the look on the mans face though spoke more words then I wanted to hear, he saw.
"He's one of them! One of those freaks who changed like the plants and animals!"
That's right, thanks to the damn radiation my whole genetic structure was mutated. I am able to adapt to just about any environment,
"Heh, well freak is kind of a nasty name isn't it?" I said in a sardonic manner. The reaction from the surrounding crowd that was gathering was certainly a major surprise though; everyone seemed to be giving me very venomous glares. Then suddenly someone shouted,
"Kill him!" and that set it off, never had I seen such an uproar. I couldn't attack the towns' people, well I could but I wasn't going to hurt people needlessly. They all stormed at me and managed to drag me down yet again. I felt like a bone being tossed into a pack of ravenous dogs, somebody had managed to slip a rope around my neck and was pulling back cutting off my breathing.
Without realizing I was fighting back, as best I could with the decreasing oxygen to the brain. Finally somebody pushed their way through the crowed and started forcing them back, away from me. One of the older men looked at the man, who'd come to my rescue and demanded,
"What are you doing!"
"I'm paid to keep the peace aren't I? This doesn't look like peace to me, I'm just doing my job." It was the man from before.
"He should die, he might be one of the New Genesis." One person said.
"Yeah, and he turned down my daughter!" the 'elder' man added. I just scoffed and said,
"Don't get me wrong pops, I'm just not lookin' at the moment!"
"You'd do best if you didn't speak kid." The man said.
"Kid...ha…kid…right." I grumbled.
"He needs to die!"
"That maybe, but not here or this way. Tomorrow at noon, he'll be taken to the sand pit." The man said.
"What?" the man the took out some rope and started tying my hands behind my back, "You've got to be kidding, I've got to die because I turned some old guys daughter down! Geez, I'm losing faith in the human race faster and faster."
"Sorry kid…" the man replied, he then led me away towards what looked like a one story tall tower with a cage at the top. The cage was attached to a pulley system and was hanging over a rather large pit of quick sand. He opened the cage and shoved me inside; he then shut the door. After locking it he stuck his hands inside the cage and untied my hands.
I slumped down grumbled; though it was fortunate that nobody took any of my stuff. Normally I would have been robbed under the circumstances, but that didn't happen. To think, I could be out there, alone, not have to deal with the stupidity of the world, just my own. I boardly banged the back of my head off the metal bars and took out the pencil and paper. This was one of those moments were the only person you could possibly talk to is yourself.
--
Journal Entry # 2543
Well, I've been tossed in a cage and sentenced to death for turning down a girl. I really can't see what the big deal is anyway; it's not like I'm going to be the only person coming through this village. They also discovered my little secret, though I did play a hand in its discovery, not the brightest move in the world. This is the first and only time I've ever going to come to this village, the people here are crazy. First there's this lady that runs one of the small little shops here that looks just like Winry, I can't say that I'm happy about it though. And then there's that crazy old 'elder' man who tried to hand off his daughter to me…heh…heheh…yeah. Then finally there's this lawman, who saves me from a near rioting mob then agrees with them that I should die. I just want to get out of this place and back on my own again…
--
"What are you writing?" someone suddenly said, I nearly jumped out of my skin by this sudden interruption. Turning in the direction of the voice I noticed it was the lady from the shop.
"Oh, it's you…what do you want?" I said coldly, I was in less then a good mood.
"You still have to pay me for that paper you're writing on." She said.
"You said I could have it."
"Yes, if you gave me your name, you didn't do that. So I'm here to get what I asked for."
"What is it with you people? Persistent aren't we!" I hissed.
"Well?"
"Tell me yours first…"
"How do I know you're not going to pull another stunt like last time?" she asked.
"It's not like I can just get up and run away." I said, I couldn't tell if she had said that just go get on my nerves or she really wanted to know.
"Fine, my name is Carmon, I'm from the U.S." she said.
"Figures…"
"What?"
"Oh nothing…"
"I'm waiting…"
"Edward, from Munich, Germany."
"You're German? Wow, you don't even have an accent!"
"That's because I just live in Germany! I wasn't born German, besides all that doesn't matter now does it? Considering both countries no longer exist, at least not in terms of being an actual country anymore."
"Right…"
I glared at her for a moment the scooted away, why wouldn't she leave now? I told her my name, and were I came from which was not apart of the deal, so why didn't she go away?
"What do you want!" I snapped.
"Is it true, what I've been hearing. That you're one of those people that evolved with the plants and animals?" she asked.
"I guess so…now go away."
"You don't like people do you."
"What ever gave you that idea?"
"Fine…" she then huffed getting up from her spot, "One last thing, is it true that all of you are led by a giant monster?"
"Giant monster? Heh, and I thought this place couldn't get any crazier." I muttered, she turned and left in a huff. I couldn't help but wonder though, what was this monster she was talking about?
-To Be Continued-
Neyahahahaha! I just loved that scene in 'Waterworld' where the village elders ask the loner dude (Costner) if he'd make their daughter or whoever she was pregnant and he said no. They were all like, 'nobody stays out on the water that long and turns down a woman'. Ha! I just thought it'd be funny to put Ed in that situation and see what happens!
Ed: You will pay for this!
Me: I lobve you too Ed!
