AN: The characters and concepts of FullMetal Alchemist belong to Hiromu Arakawa. This story revolves around the first anime of FullMetal Alchemist, not the manga. Do not flame because of that small difference, I've read the manga and seen the real anime that follows it, but the first anime is what captured my heart about FMA, so this story is tribute. Enjoy the story. The lyrics are "Miss Jackson" by Panic! At The Disco, I do not own the lyrics to the song. - Carrie.
"Way down 'til the fire finally dies out,
You've got 'em wrapped around your finger.
Watch 'em fall down,
There's something beautiful and tragic in the fall out.
Let me say it one more time,
Tragic in the fall out."
Alphonse gasped while the shocked expression on Edward's face melted into something determined and somewhat scary, "Philosopher's Stone? That thing?" Basque turned toward the three teens with the red object clamped between his fingers, "Experimentally at best, roulette at worst. You never know when it will reach its limit, backfire. An unstable, defective product different from the true stone. But during The Rebellion it did augment our abilities, and make us tremendously powerful." Flashes of her sisters' faces after returning from the war filled Carlina's mind, their gaunt expressions and vacant eyes. She had chalked up their appearances to the normality of war, but what if they had used these stones? What about her parents? How would their abilities have changed when powered by the fake stones?
She remembered Marcoh mentioning what they had endured throughout the war, causing her to look at the expression of shame on his face. Her thoughts were cut short by Alphonse. "You're saying the military hasn't just looked for the stone? In the past, it's worked to develop it?" Carlina cringed away from Edward as he began to speak, visibly getting excited, "Never mind that it isn't perfect, it was made by human hands and it worked...That proves the concept is possible; the Philosopher's Stone is not a myth, where are the design specs!?"
The rage boiling under her skin is quelled when Basque glares down at Ed, "And what do you mean to do with it when you see it, increase your meddling, Fullmetal? This research is top secret and falls under my jurisdiction, I can't permit you access to it." Momentarily Edward's face falls, making Carlina feel sympathy. His face quickly contorts into what looks to be annoyance, anger, but from knowing about their mother, she can tell there's pain in his eyes. "Let's go," the Brigadier orders, some of the lower rank soldiers crossing the room to grab Doctor Marcoh. "No! Let go of me, please, I'm sorry I ran, have mercy," Doctor Marcoh struggles and protests as the two drag him along, down the stairs and toward the waiting automobile.
Carlina stands at the top of the stairs between Ed and Al, covering her mouth with a hand while the other absentmindedly grips the sleeve of Ed's jacket. Doctor Marcoh continues to protest, villagers lining the pathway and watching the spectacle, "You can't take me back...I can't go back to that place- it's too much I can't take it; the testing, the experiments, my hands are already stained...please." She glances to the side at Ed, seeing him looking crestfallen.
"This is just like Nina," she hears him say barely above a whisper, causing her to tilt her head. His eyes gain more of a faraway look to them, and he looks even more conflicted than he was before. The girl from the farm looks close to tears as the vehicle pulls away. Ed takes off down the stairs after it, causing Carlina to stumble and break her hold. She begins running after him down the road, Al close behind, "Brother?" Edward is sprinting, looking determined, "Maybe I...haven't grown an inch since then but, I can't let my heart stay stunted too!" The car skids to a stop in the middle of the town, and Ed lets out an audible gasp. A man in black pants and a plain white shirt stands in front of the halted automobile, a dark yellow jacket. His hair is cropped short and white, with red eyes behind dark glasses. There is a large white 'x' shaped scar on his forehead, and chills run down Carlina's spine when she notices his skin color is only slightly darker than her own.
The man reaches a hand out and places it on the front of the car, the entire thing glowing red. As a result a large cloud of steam obscures the view of the scene, the teenagers stopping short of the billowing smoke. When it fades, the twisted ruins of the car are visible, with Basque and Marcoh sprawled on the ground. "Who is that," Ed manages to ask as the man advances on the two older alchemists.
"Finally, Iron Blood Alchemist, Basque Grand," the stranger speaks as the Brigadier rises to his feet. "Your timing's too bad, just as I got my hands on this," the alchemist speaks, going into his pocket for the confiscated Philosopher's Stone. His words are cut short as the stranger bends slightly, shoving the palm of his right hand into the Brigadier's face. Carlina is confused but Ed looks horrified, yelling, "Get away!" A fountain of blood erupts from the back of Basque's head, blood pouring from the orifices of his head. The blood spray falls just short of the teenagers, the body of Grand falling on its knees before slumping backward. The makeshift stone bounces and lands close to Ed's feet, the stranger staring at them with the blood of Basque on his palm.
Carlina tenses up, her entire body ready to fight or flight. She tries to ignore the churning in her stomach at the sight of the blood, the memories of bodies littering the ballroom floor coming to the forefront of her mind. Edward seems locked in his own personal mental Hell, staring at the Ishbalan man with terror in his eyes. The stranger stares at the two teenagers before looking over their shoulders at Doctor Marcoh, still kneeling on the ground.
"Crystal Alchemist, Doctor Marcoh...I heard you were dead. I'll have to take special care," the man begins moving forward toward the alchemist on the ground with a hand outstretched, "To wash you out of this world, for your transgressions." "I...see," Doctor Marcoh bows his head toward the ground but doesn't move, "Yes, go ahead. How can I protest?" The stranger doesn't acknowledge the doctor's words as he speaks, "In the name of the Great Almighty One, thou shalt perish…" He lowers his hand toward Marcoh's bowed head as Carlina and Ed each grab one of the doctor's arms, pulling him to his feet and away from the man. "It's okay, leave me behind," Marcoh says, mostly to Ed, as Carlina lets go and runs alongside them. "You've really got to work on that, attitude," Edward retorts back, Carlina looking over her shoulder to see the Ishbalan turning toward them.
"Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric. You won't escape either," he speaks as he begins pursuing the group. "Do you think now would be a bad time to flaunt my new title," Carlina muses, her face still set neutrally despite the joking tone she attempts to speak in. Edward only rolls his eyes, seemingly lost in his thoughts. But seriously, how does this guy know about Ed? Is this someone he's encountered before...why didn't he tell me they were going after the stone, she thinks to herself, the small group turning one of the corners off the alley they were running in.
They start running past a small outcropping in the wall, Al poking out and waving them down, "This way!" Once inside, Al activates the small transmutation circle and uses stone to close off the entrance. "I didn't know you could do alchemy," Carlina mutters, blinking up at the suit of armor. The three runners catch their breath, Ed shooting his younger brother a small grin. Al looks down at him just as the stone begins to glow red, exploding into dust and filling the corridor with a cloud. As the dust clears, the Ishbalan stands on the other side, the light surrounding him, Carlina stands between the brothers with Doctor Marcoh kneeling behind Al. They all gasp before turning to run, Al scooping up the doctor in his arms.
A line of crackling red light shoots through the wall from the palm of the stranger, surpassing the group and collapsing the ceiling of the tunnel ahead. "We're fucked," Carlina breathes out, turning around and gritting her teeth. Al places Marcoh back on his feet. "Who in the Hell are you, and what're you coming after us for," Ed asks angrily, stepping slightly to the side so he's angled in front of the group.
"If you're the creators of society, there must also be destroyers," the man answers in a cool tone, standing and staring them down. "You can't understand, please Ed, leave me and run," the doctor pleads as Ed claps his hands together and grabs a nearby pipe. There is a flash of blue light and Ed holds a blade in his hand. Clapping her hands together, Carlina grabs as many pieces of pipe that she can hold, and presses them against her legs. When the blue light clears her legs from the middle of her calf down are encased in almost an inch of metal, the girl taking a fighting stance between the Elrics. "You have a kind look in your eyes, my older brother's were exactly the same...Eyes that were strong, and peered into the endless distance, as if seeing something you could not," the Ishbalan speaks, looking at Ed from a distance, "It was three years ago, yes, I was glad to hear you had given up being a State Alchemist so I could take you off my list, but now…" Ed chuckles a bit, "Yeah, I know, too bad isn't it?" The older Elric darts at him with his blade, missing as the man dodges. "Too slow," he says, his right art reaching for Edward's exposed side.
Carlina moves quickly and kicks her left leg up between his hand and Ed's side, in the background Al cries out, "Brother!" The right hand touches the metal casing and in a flash of red light, fractures the pieces inward, some blood trickling out from between the cracks in the metal.
The impact of Carlina falling forward throws Ed to the ground on his chest, rolling over and standing. Lina crouches on the ground, ignoring her leg completely to prepare for his next move. "Carlina," Ed exclaims, holding his blade and ready to charge again. "Don't mistake your fortune, that alchemy was designed for human flesh, that's why you escaped with only a dent, this time….Lucky girl, stay out of this! My only enemies are State Alchemists, and those who stand between," the Ishbalan regards her with cold eyes before turning to Ed, making her thankful that her Alchemist watch is tucked within the folds of her jacket, her certification so new the stranger probably had not heard her name yet. "But why, why are you after us," Ed asks, staring directly at the man and not letting his gaze flicker to Carlina.
She uses the wall to stand herself, the pain piercing her consciousness, but doing her best to ignore it in case they have to run again. "Alchemists are those who take things away from their natural form and convert them into something grotesque. In hubris, they profane God, Creator of all, claiming they have a better design. I come as a right hand, an agent of God, to carry out his judgments," the man raises his arm as he says this, Al comes closer to stand next to Carlina as Marcoh sighs.
"I'm an alchemist, too. I may not have a state certification, but-" "-Why do you seek death," the man cuts Al off when he speaks, Carlina focusing too much on standing to try and open her mouth. "I don't. But you mentioned you had an older brother, didn't you? Then you should understand why I can't just sit by and watch my brother get killed. Even you should," Al is once again cut off by the Ishbalan speaking, "I do. I understand exactly how it feels to watch your brother murdered before your eyes, when you can't do a thing. In fact, maybe... I'll show Ed!" "No," Carlina shouts but sways on her feet, being hugged against Al's chest as he turns his back on the man. At the same time, Ed lets out a cry and rushes, his right arm being caught in the man's right palm as he swings the sword.
Al and Carlina turn when they hear the man speak again, "I told you you're too slow." "Ed, no," Carlina cries out as a red light flashes before them. The older Elric is blasted back against the wall Al and Carlina are against, the female alchemist helping him to his feet. His cloak is torn, revealing the metal underneath.
"Auto-mail. So your right arm begets nothing but destruction, also," the man says, cut off from the glare Ed shoots in his direction. "Don't you start with that. We're nothing alike, pal," he transmutes his automail into a blade and rushes at the man, Carlina struggling against Al holding her back, "Ed, don't!" The wall to their right blows apart in a cloud of dust, spikes of stone flying at the Ishbalan and forcing him to jump back, away from the group. The cloud clears to reveal Major Armstrong, Carlina's face lighting up despite his solemn expression. "That State Alchemist, what's he doing here," Ed asks, putting up his guard. Al settles Carlina against the wall and gets into a fighting stance, "You've come for Doctor Marcoh?" Armstrong ignores both of them as he walks forward, stopping with his hand on Ed's shoulder before speaking, "I'm sorry I'm late. The Lieutenant Colonel ordered me to tail you as protection."
Ed gasps a bit before realization dawns on his face, "What? You mean Hughes did?" Carlina smiles at this revelation when the Major nods his head in confirmation. He turns his attention from the group to look at the man, "I heard you on my way in here. You say you're an agent of God. Well, then why don't you try passing judgment on me? That's Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong Arm Alchemist!"
The man stares blankly for a moment before smirking, "What a righteous day this is turning into. That you would come here, and save me the tribulations of finding you. Blessed God, full of grace." Armstrong holds a block of rubble in his hand, "Don't pray just yet. You're facing the technique that's been passed down the Armstrong line for generations. That's hardly a blessing." He punches the block at the other man, who easily dodges. "Next shot," the major declares while punching the ground, spikes flying up on the side next to the Ishbalan. He stares at the Major before breaking the nearest spike with the red alchemy from his right palm. "Go," Armstrong yells at the group as he shoots another block, Al picking Carlina up and carrying her as they run.
The small group finds themselves in sunlight, the doctor throwing himself on the grass, breathing heavily. Ed takes a minute before holding the red piece of stone out to Doctor Marcoh, "You dropped this." Marcoh blinks at the outstretched stone and takes it, looking up at the teenagers before his eyes rest on Ed, "But isn't this what you're after? Didn't you think about taking it yourself, and leaving?"
Without missing a beat, Ed replies nonchalantly, smiling a bit, "Of course. And a younger me would have walked with it, without a second thought. But I can't forget the faces of all those people we saw today, and you use that in their treatments, right? That Stone belongs to them. So do you." Marcoh stares down at it before looking up at the small group, Ed places his hands on his hips and looks down, "You ready?" The doctor grunts in response and Ed nods slightly, "Then let's head out. We've got to find someplace where the military and that killer won't find us." "You think we can escape," Marcoh asks, Ed smiling down at the man, "You've got legs, don't you? Let's put them to work!" Al nods his head and Carlina narrows her eyes, smiling, "You know, I currently take offense to that." They chuckle as the doctor stands, looking from the stone to her injured leg.
"Don't. I've had worse. Let's save that for someone else who needs it," Carlina says softly, truthfully not wanting to make the doctor more distraught by using the stone. He seems relieved and smiles, Al putting the alchemist down on the ground. She slings her arm around Ed's shoulder, and he helps support her as they walk away from the tunnel and the sounds of fighting within.
The sky begins to darken as the small group weaves through alleys of a neighboring town, steady rain falling from above. Despite the protesting of her companions, Carlina is walking on her own two feet, despite the pain. Transmuting the shattered metal casing back to normal, she uses the rain to wipe the blood off, making it look good as new. They rush across the street to a small cafe, ducking under the awning away from the rain. "Brother? What are we gonna do now," Al stares at Ed, Marcoh and Carlina directing their gazes at him as well. "I don't know. Let's just get some distance from that guy with the glasses," Ed trails off as a dog starts barking, the group seeing the military convoy approaching from down the road.
"Get down," Ed hisses, Marcoh and Al hiding behind the potted plants. Carlina presses herself into his side and links her human arm with his, her hood up to hide her pink hair. Ed holds his exposed automail against his chest, watching from the corner of his eye as the trail of automobiles passes by. He looks up at the waitress as the rest of the group relaxes, "Ma'am? Have you got a back door?"
A few minutes later, they slowly but steadily make their way down another alley. "What about Eastern Command, and the Colonel," Al asks into the silence, Carlina looking at Ed as he shakes his head and sighs, "Nah, there's no way we can go there. With the Brigadier General showing up like that, I get the sense not even Mustang can protect Marcoh right now." Al nods and looks ahead, "Oh yeah, all those people from Central are there. Maybe you're right." Carlina frowns a bit as Marcoh looks distraught, "People from Central have been deployed here?" "Just the Fuhrer and his entourage, yeah," Ed cracks a grin back at Marcoh. "I don't understand. Is this for me," the older alchemist looks even more distraught. Lina places a hand on his back and smiles at him as they continue, "No, it's not like that. Don't worry."
They come across a group of kids playing and laughing on the playground. Standing and watching for a few minutes, Ed smiles and turns to leave. "I can't do this. I've run away from it long enough. I won't do it now. I don't care if that man kills me. How can I when it's something I deserve," Marcoh asks no one in particular, the group standing in silence as the children run away laughing. After some time, Ed turns to Marcoh again, "I'm missing the connection. Why do you deserve death just 'cause he's from Ishbal?" Al chimes in, "The rebellion, right? Ed told me Mustang was sad about that, too. But why? Ishbal started that war for independence. They lost lives, but so did the military."
Carlina takes a deep breath and stares at the ground before looking up at her companions, "If all of us swore revenge every time we lost a war, there'd be no end to it. It'd be a cycle without a point." Marcoh takes a deep breath before speaking, staring at the children playing, "You're not listening. That was no war. It was a massacre. The people of Ishbal are an ethnic tribe in the East, who worship Ishbala as the one and only creator. They draw from a different history, so they see the world through a different lens. Our world is sulfurs and nitrogen, science and math. We believe everything can be explained with numbers, and Equivalent Exchange is our sacred cannon. But to them, alchemy is a perversion of the world god has given us. The devil's miracle, corrupting man by putting us in Ishbala's place. As a result of this collision of views, resistance movements would pop up from time to time…" They watch as the girl playing gets hit in the face with mud, running after the culprit.
"One day, during a house inspection, an officer in the military accidentally shot and killed an Ishbalan child. The incident became a rallying cry. Massive riots and uprisings broke out all over the region. It was too much, too fast. The military couldn't control its soldiers in the chaos. More fuel for the fire. It escalated into a full-scale rebellion that lasted seven years, until the Fuhrer had had enough. He sent in the problem solvers. The State Alchemists," Marcoh pauses, and Carlina covers her mouth with her hands.
"My parents," she trails off, Marcoh nodding his head. "Your father helped me with quite a bit of my research, especially with field testing for his abilities. Your mother befriended the Rockbells in the medical tent, as far as I know; your brother was just a baby. They were desperate to survive, some of the best State Alchemists to fight on the front lines. The Siren and The Tank, code names for the Hypnotic Alchemist and the Steel Will Alchemist," he answers her, Carlina clutching the front of her cloak to her body from the names. Ed moves and places a hand on her back, looking up at Marcoh, "So what happened? How did the Ishbalans respond to your weapon?" "They didn't," he answers quickly, Carlina feeling week in the knees.
"What," Al asks, Carlina's hands moving from her cloak to cover her mouth. "Every gathering-point of resistance the State Alchemists were sent to, they were all wiped out in a single night," Marcoh answers, Carlina sways on her feet and Ed catches her to keep her stable.
AN: So, wow, it's been like a year and a half since I updated. I feel terrible but, here's an extra-long chapter. Ignore 60% of it being dialogue, still trying to balance fitting in canon content without needing four chapters for one episode of the show. Thank you to all followers who are still with me! Shoutouts to Ed' .Kitten and Dez10d2Rite for reviewing the last published chapter. I hope to be more active with this, and I'm sorry for such a long period of inactivity. I sincerely hope you guys are still with me, and still enjoying the content. Hope to have another chapter up soon! -Carrie.