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 "Remedy" by Adele, I do not own the lyrics to the song. - Carrie.
"I remember all of the things that I thought I wanted to be,
So desperate to find a way out of my world and finally breathe.
Right before my eyes I saw, my heart it came to life,
This ain't easy it's not meant to be, every story has its scars."
Pain shoots through Carlina's injured ribs and her left leg from the knee down. She feels like she's deep underwater, her limbs heavy and as though her torso is filled with air. An invisible force seems to pull from the center of her chest toward whatever surface she was heading for. Over her is a spot of light, she squints at the brightness and tries forcing herself to get closer.
Her eyes shoot open, staring at the long bright light hanging over her bed. A set of plastic tubes connect into her nostrils to supply oxygen, she blinks before turning and looking to her right. An albino girl who looks to be nine sits in a plastic chair, her eyes going wide. Sitting next to the girl is Carlton, looking dumbfounded with a sandwich frozen before it could reach his mouth. The man drops his sandwich on the end table next to him and rises from his chair as the girl jumps up to run to Carlina's side. The girl giggles and runs her fingers through the long pink hair that reaches down toward Carlina's knees. "Janet, watch the equipment," the guy speaks, his voice wavering a bit before standing behind the girl.
"Brother," Carlina croaks, her throat dry and voice hoarse. "It's okay, we're here. Do you need water," he brushes her bangs from her eyes as Janet rushes from the room. "I- You're here," she manages to say after a few silent seconds, reaching a hand to clasp the back of his neck, playing with the edge of his hair.
"Well, yeah, of course. We come most days after school and on the weekends," Carlton looks puzzled as she speaks, Janet sprinting back into the room with a water bottle and a long straw. Her brother carefully lowers the straw to her lips so she can begin to drink, trying to pace herself despite how dry her throat is. "Where are we," she asks after a short break, Janet laying on the bed next to her, curled into her side. "Fischer Memorial Hospital, downtown New York City," he says, the girl scrunching her face in confusion. "New York City?" "I know it's far from home, considering Boston was the closest major city in Massachusetts to us….but considering the severity of your condition and coma, and with mom and dad commuting to the city anyway, well… They decided to move us outside the city here, cutting down on their travel while increasing our living expenses, but the difference was still great enough to cover your medical bills," Janet nods her head as Carlton speaks, he grabs a chair and pulls it close to sit by the head of the bed.
"Boston…? A city, I assume? What about Central, Risembool," Carlina's brow furrows. Janet looks confused when Carlina mentions the cities, but something twinkles in her brother's eyes. "Hey, why don't you see if the twins are here yet? Tell them Lina is up and to call your parents and say you're staying the night with your cousins," he suggests to the girl, who pouts and huffs a bit before caving in and leaving the room.
When he's sure their cousin is gone, Carlton hugs Carlina tight and buries his face in her hair. "God, you're back with us. You returned, how did you die? Wait, do you not want to remember," he looks relieved until he notices the panic on his sister's face. "Die? What the hell are you talking about," the girl's voice is cut off with a small cry as she suddenly curls up and clutches her left calf. He looks confused, brushing her hair away again, "Yeah...the only way to cross the gate this way, to die. That's how she's back with her parents again...I'm sorry I kept silent the last time we spoke, but I was shocked and couldn't think straight." "Carlton I never died," he looks confused as she speaks, his expression getting more forlorn as she continues, "I've been injured pretty seriously, but I never died. Brother, I have a body over there, probably in a coma right now but-"
"-Wait. A coma? That's where your body here has been the last four years. When I came into consciousness here, it seems we were in a nasty car crash with our whole family and Janet. You were the only one injured enough who slipped into a coma, everyone else healed shortly after but...it seems I'm the only one who remembers our home, our real home," he speaks quickly, noticing Carlina start to clutch her leg tighter.
"I think, I think I'll be slipping back over soon," she says faintly, her vision spinning and blurring before refocusing again. "Dammit, listen real quickly. Tell Havoc the picture tucked into page thirty two of my journal is a girl I told to look him up if he ever makes it to a town named Xenotime. Blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a red lace corset and a silk black skirt. She's got a tattoo on the seamline of her bust of a pair of red lips," he gushes as Carlina lays back on the bed, glaring at him. "Seriously, a description of a booty call? That's one of your last pieces of conversation," her voice grows fainter, blinking a few times to gain her vision back again. "Trust me, you'll figure out why. Listen Lina, I-"
She jolts awake in the fading daylight, sitting up and looking around frantically. The sight of the bare hospital room in Eastern Command makes a strangled sound escape from her throat. "Fuck," she screams hard enough to make her throat feel raw, throwing one of her pillows into a standing metal cabinet with a loud BANG. Carlina grabs the other pillow and presses her face into it, letting out another scream before bursting into tears.
The sound of multiple sets of footsteps echo off the hall outside her room, the door bursting open as she lifts her head. Mustang and Hughes look relieved, the rest of the foot soldiers departing when they realize there isn't an attack going on. The rest of Mustang's crew step in the room before Riza comes last, closing the door behind her. Carlina instantly locks eyes with Havoc, tossing the other pillow on the ground next to the bed. She staggers from beneath the sheets, not comprehending that she feels no pain where her injuries had been previously. "Where is it," she asks as she begins patting down the front of his uniform jacket, Havoc stepping back with a bewildered expression. "W-What-" "Carlton's journal!"
Havoc blinks as she steps back and stares at him expectantly, watching as he pulls the journal from his back pocket. "Turn to page thirty two and remove the photograph there," she instructs him, watching as he listens. He pulls out a small envelope sealed with her brother's wax insignia.
"Open it," Carlina takes a deep breath as Havoc opens the envelope and pulls the picture out, the rest of the group peering over his shoulder in curiosity. "The girl in the photo has blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a red lace corset and a silk black skirt. She's got a tattoo on the seamline of her bust of a pair of red lips," Havoc drops the photo, looking startled. Carlina looks down at the photograph of the woman on the floor between them. She sways slightly before taking a few steps back to sit on the hospital bed, a hand running through her hair. "He….Carlton was right. He was, real, that wasn't a dream," she mutters to herself, staring at the floorboards.
"What are you muttering about," Mustang raises an eyebrow as Havoc retrieves the photograph, replacing it in the journal as the group stares at the girl. "Nothing, I...why aren't I in pain," Carlina looks at her military family with wide, fearful eyes. Mustang shoos away the others so only he, Riza and Hughes remain in the room with the girl.
"Dr. Marcoh," Hughes answers, making her tilt her head in confusion. "Dr. Marcoh apparently refused to speak to anyone until he was updated on your condition and...Feeling partially responsible, he used an incomplete stone he had hidden on his person to heal you while you were knocked out by the doctors," Riza finishes, making the girl sigh in relief while still looking somewhat guilty. Carlina sighs and looks up at her godparents before turning toward Hughes, "So….I'm completely healed then? God. He's an idiot...he shouldn't have used the stone on me but I am grateful. So, what's next? How long have I been out for?"
Hughes shrugs but smiles, walking over to ruffle her hair, "about two days, kiddo. Look, I'm supposed to head back to Central with the patrol guarding the Furher. The exciting news is Bradley himself has requested you join us on our journey back to Central. I'm sure it's his bid to try and sway you to become Military Police but, it's a ticket back to Central tomorrow, I'd take it if I was you."
She blinks and turns to Mustang who shakes his head and smiles at her, "Don't listen to an old man who has been hell-bent on separating you from your traveling companions, but some would advise you take that free ticket to Central to meet the brothers." Carlina nods her head, "Yes sir. I'll get my things ready and hopefully be ready by tonight in time to rest enough for tomorrow." Hughes makes an approving sound before turning to leave, briefly pausing solemnly with his hand on the door, "And Gracia already has a bed ready for you so don't make any hotel reservations!" The man giggles before leaving the room. The occupants of the room are silent before they start chuckling, the godparents sitting on the edge of the bed.
The week waiting for the Elric brothers passes almost uneventfully, with Carlina staying under the Hughes' family roof, getting to know Elysia well. Four days before the scheduled arrival of the Elrics, the family is just finishing dinner when the phone rings. Maes talks for a little before gesturing to Carlina from the next room, handing the phone off to her.
"Uh, hello…?" She sits on the chair next to the phone, twirling some of her hair around her finger. "Carlina? The Major was right about you staying with Hughes! How are things with your injuries?" Her eyes light up when she hears the voice on the other line, sitting up a little straighter in the chair, "Ed! This is a surprise...Turns out I broke all those ribs that had been injured before, plus a few more, and my leg was fractured too-" "-WHAT!? HOW DID THEY MOVE YOU, ARE YOU IN PAIN? ARE YOU IN CASTS?" She moves the phone away from her ear and sighs, waiting until Ed is out of breath. Her cheeks flush from the concern he shows. "Wait no, nothing like that. Dr. Marcoh felt bad and decided to use another fake stone he had on him to heal me so, I'm actually good as new, what about you? How goes the automail," her voice is sympathetic, knowing the automail process well.
"Same old, same old. They reconnected my nerves earlier today and I just figured I would call you since dinner was done and all, I mean, I kind of snuck a call here but...I was worried and I had time and it's great you're actually doing better." She blinks before giggling a bit, twirling the cord for the phone around her finger. "Snuck a call in, eh? You just know Winry probably wouldn't be too pleased if she found out you called me after a few days apart, but she goes months without getting a call."
The sound of something covering the mouthpiece is followed by a few seconds of silence before she hears Ed clearing his throat, "Look, you know how she is and I just...Al mentioned you today and I felt bad not checking in with the condition of your injuries, alright?" Carlina stops playing with the cord of the phone and is silent for a few minutes, her stomach knotting itself up. "Lina?" "Sorry Ed, yeah. Thanks, it means a lot, but you should probably escape now while you still can, okay? Don't want you getting in any trouble with the handy mechanic," she laughs, happy to hear him chuckling low on the other side. "Alright, but I also called because of what you said, about no more secrets? We're going to be looking for some of Dr. Marcoh's research notes in the Library. Probably old, handwritten, either self-bound or journals. Just in case you get to the Library first the day we meet, you know what we're looking for."
Carlina smiles, touched by the gesture of faith, "Thanks Ed. I'll probably check out the library tomorrow and try to find his notes, okay? Would save us some time if I can get them from the library ahead of schedule." A relieved breath comes from the receiver, followed by a sigh, "No, don't trouble yourself. We'll be there before you-uh, ah...Winry, hi!" "Goodnight Ed," she speaks loudly into the phone, hanging up and hoping Winry won't use her wrench to beat the name of the person he called out of him.
Hughes peeks around the corner at where Carlina hangs up the phone, being pulled away by his ear, Gracia shaking her head and muttering, "You complain the kids aren't making moves but you people watch them like hawks waiting for it to happen! No wonder they've got such cold feet all the time…" The girl sits by the phone a little longer, looking down at it with a toothy grin from ear to ear. She smiles and shakes her head before going to bed, vowing to herself that she'll visit the Library the next day. Ed wakes up in the middle of the night, realizing he had passed out on the couch after dinner and the beating Winry gave him. He goes back upstairs to their spare room and climbs into bed, grinning at the thought of starting the return trip to Central the next day.
The day of the brothers' arrival in Central comes, Carlina slumped at the desk in the spare bedroom over piles of paperwork. She wakes with a jolt and realizes she is going to be late, frantically changing into a black skirt and throwing her tank top on, not caring if her automail is visible as she yanks her boots on. Grabbing her pocket watch, she shoves it into her pocket and sprints out of the house. Her appointed guards, Second Lieutenant Maria Ross and Sergeant Denny Brosh, jump and run after her when she takes off.
"W-Wait," Denny wheezes as they chase the girl all the way to the train station, the enthusiastic teen bouncing on her feet while waiting for the train to pull in. The locomotive finally pulls into the station, the short alchemist craning her neck and scanning the crowd. When Major Armstrong walks off the train she runs through the crowd, appearing a few feet from the group as Ed steps down on the platform. The boy barely has enough time to drop his suitcase before Carlina flings herself on him, her arms around his neck. Ed laughs and wraps his arms around her waist, spinning them to try and compensate for the momentum she built up when she was running. He fails and they end up falling into a heap on the ground, laughing and sitting with their arms around each other. "Did you dye your hair," Alphonse manages to ask before the girl pounces off the ground to hug the suit of armor around the waist.
Carlina nods her head, reaching a hand out behind her to help Ed stand before grinning at the brothers, "Mhm. Got some pointers from the biochemical alchemists and was able to get a brighter pigment that hopefully lasts longer, or maybe never fades. I hope it's the second one." Her long hair hangs straight but is neon hot pink, instead of the faded cotton candy color it had been the week before.
"Well, it's good to be back, especially with such enthusiastic welcome," Ed snickers and rubs the back of his head, a light blush matching between him and Carlina. Armstrong picks the girl up and hugs her tight to his chest, causing her to giggle and kiss the top of his head. As he puts her down Denny and Maria finally snake their way through the crowd. "Major Armstrong, sir, we've been sent to meet you here with the Electric Alchemist, as you requested," Ross says as the two personnel salute the Major. Ed and Al look at Carlina as she scrunches up her nose and makes a funny face, all three teens giggling together. "Well done, troops. I need to go directly to H.Q. and get back to my other duties. From now on, these two will be guarding you," Armstrong sweeps his arm toward the two as the brothers let out an exasperated groan.
"Maria Ross, Second Lieutenant. Denny Brosch, Sergeant. Both hard asses with hearts of gold that need more cardio in the mornings," Carlina introduces, met with protests by the military personnel as Armstrong waves and walks away. The group chats on their way to the National Central Library's First Branch.
They round the corner where the library stood the day before, all three alchemists freezing in their tracks when they see the smoldering ruins of the building. "It...It was fine the last few days I visited," Carlina says softly, blinking at the military workers clearing rubble and ash along the way. "You've gotta be kidding me….Our only decent lead is a pile of ashes," Ed gets closer to the scene, shaking his head. "Several eyewitnesses saw Scar in the area just before the fire started," Ross says, looking sympathetically as Ed goes off to talk to one of the Librarians, the rest of the group browsing the small pile of books salvaged from the fire. He returns to the group and starts walking off, the others trotting to catch up with him.
"Uh, Ed, where are we going?" "To find a woman named Sheska who worked here, always had her nose in a book. Since we don't know if anyone had Dr. Marcoh's notes checked out, we have to see if she knows anything." "But Ed-" "-and hopefully she knows something-" "-Ed, wait-" "-I haven't been this excited about a lead-" "-Brother Carlina is trying to-" "-Ed please-" "-guys we can talk later," Ed rolls his eyes and Carlina narrows hers, sighing before keeping her mouth shut.
They find Sheska buried under stacks of books in her apartment, helping the woman out. Ed discusses Dr. Marcoh's research notes with her while Carlina peruses the books on the walls. A few minutes go by before Ed and Al get excited with Sheska, their eyes sparkling and making Carlina's eyebrow raise. "Back to the Library," Ed calls with excitement, dragging everyone back to the Library's ashes. "Oh, so you plan on transmuting the books back to normal," Carlina asks, Ed nodding in response. Before he can transmute anything, a strong wind blows the ashes away. "Wow! Strong wind! Is that what I was supposed to be watching for," Denny asks, Carlina pulling Ed away toward Sheska's house before he can throttle the Sergeant. Once back inside the former Librarian's apartment, Carlina zones out to browse her book collection again.
Seeing one on the history of Central's military forces, she picks it off the shelf and becomes engrossed in the pages. After what seemed like forever, but was really a few minutes, a hand shakes her shoulder and snaps her out of her reading. "Hey, we're gonna come back here in a few hours, five or so," Ed says as she puts the book away.
They begin walking down the sidewalk, Denny and Maria leading the small group with Al in the middle, the two State Alchemists bringing up the rear. Edward takes a moment to whisper something to Alphonse. The younger brother shakes his head violently a few times before sighing and nodding reluctantly. When they pass through a back alley on the way back to Central Headquarters, Ed quickly shoves Carlina into one of the small side alleys, covering her mouth and peeking to watch the others walk off without them. When he finally uncovers her mouth she puts some distance between them, "What are you doing?" "Well, you know Al doesn't eat, and I never got to take you out for dinner when you passed your certification...plus throwing your leg up between Scar and I that time and tackling him too...We've got time to kill and I think I'm long overdue to take you out," he runs his fingers through his hair, staring at the ground and speaking slowly.
Carlina blinks and looks at him with wide eyes, her hands flying up to start playing with the tips of her hair. "Uh, yeah, sure...I mean, you- don't have to do that but, if you insist," she squeaks out, her cheeks turning pink. Ed blushes but looks up to grin at her, "No, I don't insist, I want to." He offers his arm to her and she takes a second to breathe before linking her arm with his, the two teens sneaking out the other end of the alley.
AN: I'm sure there is a collection of people going "FINALLY" by the end of this chapter, haha. Remember folks, it's only dinner, but I'll throw you a bone and say it's something. Shoutout to E.C.K (every time I try to type Ed's Curious Kitten's name the way it should be, my doc editor ruins it so I'm sorry if the abbreviation is offensive!) for reviewing the last chapter! I have some more downtime before the semester begins. My plan is either to add more updates before classes resume on the 19th this month, or to stockpile a nest egg of chapters to send out throughout the next few months during the semester. Please leave reviews or messages about the chapter, you guys are awesome and I hope you enjoyed! -Carrie.