Illusion of Bluebird
By Gozilla
A/N: I read the story outlines of the fan-made game "Bluebird's Illusion" and found them extremely interesting. I must say those who have created the game and the storylines are a group of people with great talent and creativity. A big Thanks to all who have involved in the creation of such wonderful game!
The following is a fic which is based on some of the storylines in the game. I have made some significant changes to the storyline (as pouring tea and wondering around the military buildings may not be too exciting for a fic). Hope the creators of the game would not mind this humble fic created by a silly fan of their work.
In addition, in order to connect it to the TV series, I have assumed that, instead of being involved in the making of the philosopher's stone with Scar (and became the stone) in episode 42 "Nameless", Al was along with Ed to evacuate the people of Lior City when Scar activated the transmutation and created the stone.
Most importantly: All credit goes to http / hagaren ocean-x com/ hagaren/ and http / www livejournal com/ users/ midnightbanshee/ 3511.html and to all the people who created this game.
Summary: (Spoiler to Bluebird's Illusion and the TV series) The Elric brothers had finally found the philosopher's stone and Al was finally restored. But there was something wrong with Al's body. Would Ed find the solution in time?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!
Please excuse my poor English. -
Reviews are most welcomed!
Enjoy!
Chapter 1 – The Beginning of the End
-Outside of the Lior City-
"You are sending the soldiers to their death!" Ed shouted angrily at Archa, "Are you that willing to sacrifice everyone for you to be promoted in the military?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Archa said in annoyance. He was surprised to see the Fullmetal Alchemist to be alive. His original plan was to send Kimberly to kill the Elric brothers in the town and announce that the town people had killed a state alchemist as the initiator of the war.
However, instead of Edward, the body of Kimberly was dumped in front of the whole army by Scar.
'Well, who cares about who is being killed.' Archa thought, smiling in his heart, 'As long as I have the excuse to initiate the war, I don't care if it is this chibi's or Kimberly's dead body.'
"Attention, troops!" Archa shouted, "The town has rebelled against the country and killed one of our valuable state alchemist! In the name of the President, I order you to attack!"
The soldiers and the tanks started to march towards the town.
"No, don't!" Edward shouted in desperation, "Can't you hear what I said? Scar will use the troops as the ingredient for the transmutation of the philosopher's stone! They will be killed!"
Archa frowned in anger and punched Edward in the stomach. Edward fell to the ground and curled up in pain.
"Niisan!" Al was shocked by Archa's move. He stood between Archa and the fallen Edward, "Why are you doing this?" he asked Archa, "Niisan is just trying to save you and the others."
"Do you really expect me to believe such crazy thing?" Archa spat in annoyance, "If you are afraid, then stay here with the backup troops."
Archa turned to one of the soldiers of the backup troops, "Keep them here and don't let them interfere."
The soldier saluted, "Yes, sir."
"Watch carefully, kids." Archa said as he walked towards the town with the other soldiers, "As this war will be my major stepping stone for my career in the military."
As Archa walked away from the brothers, Al knelt beside Edward, arms spreading around his brother protectively. "Niisan, what should we do now?"
"I... I don't know." Edward said, enduring the waves of pain from his stomach, "But we must stop them before Scar activate the transmutation."
Suddenly, a group of ten soldiers surrounded the brothers. The leading soldier stood out and said, "You shall stay here as Colonel Archa as commended. Please don't make us to keep you here by force."
The brothers looked at the troops surrounding them and the other soldiers standing nearby, who were also watching the brothers' move. Not wanting to hurt anyone, they sighed in defeat as they struggled to think of a way to get the troops out of the town, without hurting anyone.
A minute later, sound of gun shots and distanced shouts could be heard from the town. Before the brothers could figure out what was happening in the town, an eerie strong red light shot through the sky and quickly spread from the centre of the town. The light soon consumed the whole town and moved in incredible speed towards the backup troops.
"Damnit!" Edward shouted as he clapped his hands and put them on the ground, creating large bright blue sphere against the red light and protecting the over 200 soldiers of the backup troops standing near the brothers.
Two minutes after the red light disappeared, all the people, including the Elric brothers, could only watch in disbelieve at the empty desert in front of them. The whole town, together with over 5,000 soldiers and Archa inside it, had disappeared in the red light.
Edward was the first to recover from the shock. He ordered the remaining troops to retrieve a hundred meters from the scene and to take care of the wounded while he and Al went to the area to search for any survivors.
The soldiers were more than happy not to go into the area as the incidence was too much for them to comprehend.
The brothers went into the used-to-be town and search for any sign of life. After half an hour, they were disappointed to found no trace of any of the soldiers or the buildings. They were about to give up when they noticed a slight movement under the sand not far away from them.
Quickly, they rushed to the spot and dug vigorously.
It was Scar. He was unconscious with his right arm gone and bleeding heavily. The sand around him was dyed red with the blood. He was near-death due to the massive blood loss.
Edward immediately tore a long strip from his black jacket and bandaged the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
Scar slowly opened his eyes.
"Scar-san!" Al called, "Please hang on there! Niisan is trying to stop the bleeding. You will be fine. Just hang on there."
"No... Alphonse." Scar said weakly, "I am going to die here... as a punishment from god."
"Don't say such thing." Edward shouted, his forehead covered with sweat as he tried desperately to stop the bleeding.
"I have never thought... that I would be... giving this... to you two..." Scar held out his left fist, "But there is... no one else... I could trust around here..."
Scar release his fist, revealing a small shining red stone in his palm.
"The philosopher's stone..." the brothers were shocked.
"Make... good use... of it..." Scar said as he closed his eyes and stopped breathing.
"Scar-san!"
"Scar!"
-Two hours later-
"Where are the Elric brothers?" Mustang asked the first soldier he saw as he got out of the car.
"Sir, they are over there."
Mustang followed the direction and walked toward the brothers, who were sitting on the desert ground, heads and shoulders lowered.
"Fullmetal." Mustang addressed as he approached the brothers. He then noticed a body laid in front of them, "Is that Scar?"
"Yes, Colonel." Al replied in a whisper.
"The town and over 5,000 soldiers have disappeared." Mustang said, "It seems like the Scar has succeeded in making the thing."
Edward shot up and looked at Mustang in alarm. He was not about to give up the only hope to restore his brother's body easily.
Mustang looked interestedly at the tensed Edward, with a teasing smile on his face. "Don't worry, Fullmetal." Mustang said, "I have no intention to take anything from you. Besides, your letter about Scar's plan to make that thing with the use of the town is only read by me and Hawkeye. I don't want to torture myself by making a 10,000 word report to the superior explaining all the alchemy things which they will never understand."
Edward looked at Mustang in surprise. Being released from the situation was the least he expected from the one person who always seemed to be taking advantage of him.
"Keep that thing away from me and any other military people." Mustang said, "And I don't care whatever you want with it. So don't waste any of my time on that."
"But whatever you want to do, you will have to do it in the Central." Mustang continued.
"Why?" Edward asked, worried. He was planning to study the philosopher's stone and probably perform the transmutation in Rizenbul.
"The President has received the preliminary report on the incidence and he is very impressed that you have saved over 200 soldiers with your alchemy power." Mustang said, "He has announced that it is confirmed true by investigation, he will specially promote you to be a Colonel."
"Colonel?" Edward said, surprised, "But I don't want to stay with the military after Al is... hmmm... I mean, after we have completed what we have to do."
Mustang gave the young state alchemist his famous smile, "It is not really a choice for you. If you run away now, you will be hunted by the military for the rest of your life. I guess it is not the life you wish to live with your brother, right?"
"That..." Edward was speechless. He had to admit that he did not think about what they should do after restoring Al's body.
"Also, and more importantly," Mustang continued, "The President has also announced that, upon your promotion, I, as the one who introduced you as the state alchemist and your superior, will be promoted to be a General."
"What?" the brothers shouted in unison.
"You are using me as your stepping stone!" Edward shouted.
"Equivalent trade, young alchemist." Mustang said as he turned to walk towards the troops, "I helped you to come to this... stage. I am just getting my reward."
"Ah..." Edward was completely speechless this time.
"You two will go to Central with me." Mustang said as he walked, "I will arrange a more private place for your tow to continue with your research."
"But what about Scar-san?" Al said, looking at Scar's body.
"The investigation unit will take care of him." Mustang said, without turning back, "I will make sure the nothing will be mentioned about that thing, if you would come with me quietly."
The brothers looked at each other, helpless.
"Well, niisan," Al eventually said, "I guess we don't have much of a choice."
"I... think so..." Edward's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"At least Colonel is on our side." Al said as he stood up, took one last look at Scar and waited for his brother.
Edward signed heavily as he stood and followed Mustang in a distance, "I hope that he is really on our side."
Mustang had indeed found a good and private place for the brothers to stay in the Central. The house was located in a quiet suburban area. In addition, Mustang kept his words that he would not ask a question about the philosopher's stone.
The brothers were able to search for the way to use the philosopher's stone quietly for three months as the investigation went on. They were approaching the completion of the theory when Mustang came with an expected news.
"Tomorrow?" Edward asked, not happy, "Why is it in such short-notice?"
"It is not short-notice." Mustang said as he sat comfortably on the sofa in he Elric's house, "I received the information two weeks ago."
"Then why don't you tell me earlier?" Edward asked, very unhappy now.
"What's the difference?" Mustang said leisurely, "I have arranged everything, from your uniform to everything in the ceremony. You just need to attend. That's all." He said as he walked out of the door, "I will pick you and Al up at 8am tomorrow."
Once Mustang left the house, Al asked, "What should we do, niisan?"
Edward thought for a while, "We will go according to the original plan and perform transmutation tonight."
"But you have to attend the promotion ceremony tomorrow morning." Al said in concern.
"I will take care of it." Edward said as he reviewed he theory again, making sure they did not missed anything, "The ingredients are here and everything is ready. We can't risk letting any change to the plan. We will do it tonight."
Al did not argue as he knew it was true. They have planned this for over a month and everything was ready. He could only hope that everything would go smoothly.
-Night time of the same day-
A large transmutation circle was drawn in the middle of the basement of the house, with a pile of materials placed in the centre of the circle.
"Al, lie beside the materials."
"But what about you, niisan?" Al asked.
"I will be all right." Edward gave his brother an assuring smile, "We need someone to activate the transmutation, right? Now, get in there."
Though still feeling suspicious, Al obediently lied beside the materials.
"Let's start, Al." Edward clapped his hands, with the philosopher's stone in his left hand, "Don't worry, it will succeed this time." And he put his hands on the transmutation circle.
Bright golden light emitted from the transmutation circle. Edward closed his eyes and focused on guiding the tremendous power hidden in the small red stone in his hands towards Al and the materials. A golden whirl appeared around Al and the materials.
Suddenly, blinding golden light emitted from the philosopher's stone. A strong wave of energy exploded from the stone and hit Edward, almost knocking him to the ground. Steadying himself, Edward struggled to control the extremely powerful energy flooding out from the stone.
Panicked, Edward looked up at the transmutation circle. In the middle of the circle, violent alchemy reaction was taking place around Al and the materials. Knowing that Al could become a monster like his mother six years ago if the transmutation stopped at that moment, Edward grunted his teeth and concentrated.
Fighting against the waves of energy attacking him ruthlessly, Edward used all his strength to control the flow of energy towards the transmutation circle. But he was losing the battle very quickly as the energy from the stone was getting stronger and stronger. Edward held on to the very last drop of his strength until another wave of extremely strong energy hit him in full force.
Just before Edward lost his last hold to his consciousness, he faintly heard someone speaking in the thin air.
"The transmutation is incomplete." the voice whispered, "What price are you willing to pay for completing the transmutation of your brother?"
"Everything." Edward replied mentally in determination, not knowing who was speaking to him and what was the purpose of this. He felt as if he had heard of this voice a long time ago but he could not remember who it belonged to. The only thing he knew was that he was willing to sacrifice everything he had in order to restore his brother and he answered without a trace of hesitation to the unknown voice.
"Very good." the familiar and, yet, strange voice came again, "I have your words. I will give you a month's time and you shall come to me."
Before Edward knew it, he fell to the ground, unconscious.
End of Chapter 1
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