Epilogue: Alchemy's Last Gift
Outside of a Academy, two girls were walking toward the school. One girl looked to be about 12 years old; the other looked to be about 8.
"Hurry up," A girl yelled.
"I don't understand cousin, what are we doing?" A younger girl said.
"We're entering 'The Alchemic Academy'." The older girl yelled happily.
"Isn't this the place that Auntie and Uncle always talk about?" The younger girl asked.
"They sure do, that's why I'm going to take the exam and surprise them by making it in." the older girl said.
"But aren't they the people you would need to see to take it?" The younger girl asked.
"Nope, I snuck around the rules and asked Roy-sensei to sneak me through."
"Are you sure that's the smartest thing to do cousin?" the younger girl asked. "We could get in trouble for sneaking behind our parents."
"Trust me on this; they'll be too proud of our achievements to think about what we did behind their back." The older girl said happily.
"I'm not sure," The younger girl said. "That's what you always say and then we always get in trouble."
"Stop being a worry wart, come on."
"Alright," The younger girl said in defeat.
Roy Mustang or as the girls called him, 'Roy-sensei' was preparing for the girls' exams.
There was a knock on the door, "Come on in, Rachel." The door was opened by a girl with long black hair, and crystal blue eyes. She had peeked in the door, and shyly walked in the door. "What's up Rachel?"
"There are too girls at the front entrance, they look to be about my age."
Roy smiled, 'Right on time, one thing her father was not, I wonder if she brought her cousin along? Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Rachel had never met either or them; this is going to be good.' "Well where are they now?" He asked her.
"In the Lobby, sir," 'Just like her mother, (sigh), will she ever call me by whom I am to her? I blame her mother'.
"Address me properly Rachel," He commanded.
"Yes sir, Father-sensei." Roy laughed and guided her out of the room, to the lobby. "May I ask where we are going?" She questioned.
"To talk with the girls, of course," He responded.
They arrived in the lobby of the large school. "Rachel, I'd like you to meet, Emme and Danny."
"A pleasure to meet you both," Rachel said smiling.
"You too," Danny said politely.
"Whatever, what is with people around here, and all these formalities; I got tired of formalities when I was seven." Roy laughed and smiled at the older girl. 'Exactly like her father, but if her mother heard her say that, she's have his head.'
"So are we approved to take the entrance exam or not?" The older girl, apparently named, Emme replied.
"Of course you to are, two alchemists like yourselves are approved to take the exam, your sure to pass." Roy told them.
"Exam?" Rachel asked, looking at him.
"The Alchemy Entrance Exam, they haven't taken it yet, unlike you."
"She's taken it?" Emme questioned.
"Yes, yesterday, and passed amazingly." Rachel blushed and Emme took this as a challenge.
"Then I'll be sure to score better and beat her." Emme replied. Rachel looked down at the ground, mortified.
"Cousin, that was mean." Danny replied.
"She'll get over it, so where is the exam going down?" Emme asked.
"The Playground," Rachel answered for him.
"Then take me there, let's go; we don't have time to waste." Emme said rushing out to the playground.
The arrived and Emme studied her surroundings and smiled. She studied it further than smiled looking at Roy, "Shall I begin?" She asked.
"Yes, very well; show us you're very best." Emme smiled and nodded. Emme clapped her hands together and turned around in circles and then snapped her fingers and waved them through the air, much like Roy did in his military days. Then she snapped her other hand and water floated in the air. She clapped her hands again and hit the ground. A large pedestal came out from the ground, launching her into the air, she did a few flips, performing more alchemy with her fingers, leaving colorful marks in the air and landed like a ballerina on her feet and stood up. She clapped her hands again and the shy was a lit with fire works.
"Very impressive," Roy said looking at the young performer.
"She does alchemy without a circle," Rachel said surprised.
"Of course I don't use a circle; neither my mother nor father use one; what's the big deal?" Emme asked returning to the group.
"Everyone one else in the world is circle bound; except for a few alchemists around, your mother, father, uncle, your friend Michel and Nick and their fathers." Roy answered her.
"That's a shame, it saves you a lot of work, and it's easier and cooler." Emme answered smartly.
"I never got how you do that?" Danny said amazed.
"Its pure talent, mom and dad said I was born having knowledge of alchemy, and being able to do it perfectly; I wonder why they did encourage me more. Oh well, that's their loss and mine until now." Emme said sighing and creating a chair from alchemy in her feet, and sitting in it.
'She's sure a show off,' Roy thought. "Now it's your turn Danny."
"What, I'm doing it too?" She asked.
"Emme insisted I give you a chance is well, don't you want to?"
"I just didn't come prepared but I'll give it a shot as well," She answered.
"Go ahead," She nodded and ran out to the field. She did a hand stand, and took a piece of chalk and while she was on one hand holding her up and the other drew a circle. She put her hands on the ground and a large rock holding her flew up into the air, creating a fence around her. She jumped up again and the fence was gone, then her midair drew a circle with her foot using a liquid and did alchemy in the air to create a bubble out of the gel she used to make the circle and the air. She floated on the bubble and fell to the ground, while falling she drew circles and the shape fell to the ground, and created a large bed which she landed on safely flew up into the air after hitting the bed and she transmuted the bed into a trampoline and landed on her feet.
"How was that?" Danny asked.
"Spectacular," Emme answered standing by her cousin.
"You both pass, it wasn't a hard chance to make." He threw both of the girls a blue necklace to wear. "That's your official AWERA necklace."
"I always wanted one," Danny said staring at it in amazement.
" Roy, what is going on, the alchemic level around here it way too high." Roy smacked his head. He had forgotten to turn off the alarm. The necklaces covered up the signature of the alchemist that was using high amounts of alchemy; it was created by a famous alchemist to stop from being tracked by her and her friends' Alchemy.
"Sorry Riza, I forgot to turn the alarm off, I was testing two girls for their exam."
Riza walked out of the house, "Who is it?" She asked; he side stepped revealing the girls.
Emme was a girl of 12 years; she had golden blonde hair, blue goldish eyes, she was dressed in a white blouse and a solid blue skirt and around her was wrapped a blue cape, and it had the Flamel Crest on the back.
Danny was a girl of 8 years; she had hazel eyes, and brown hair with gold highlights. She was wearing a white blouse and a solid blue skirt as well; and around her neck was wrapped a pink cape with the Flamel Crest on it.
"Are they?" Riza asked.
"Yep," Riza looked stunned and walked over to the girls and hugged them.
"I'm so glad to see you two again." Riza said.
"Do we know you?" Danny asked.
"You might not but I do, nice to see you again Riza Mustang." Riza laughed.
"You treat me like your dad did when he was 20." Riza replied to.
"Emme, manners." Danny told her.
"Its fine, her father was not for manners at all, not like her mother; she was a true lover of the mannerisms of the country." Riza responded.
"But it's still not proper," Danny replied.
"Truly their daughters," Riza answered. "So I so surprised to see you two here, your parents left for the day."
"What do you mean?" Emme asked.
"Don't say that you didn't know your mother and father and uncle work here?" Riza asked.
"No, I didn't; I just heard them talk to this place before and I decided that any alchemy school is my place." Emme answered.
"Those three are sure to get it," Riza responded. "Your mother, father and Uncle all work here, Emme. I'm surprised to see you because your parents keep you and Danny away from here that's why I haven't seen you in so long."
"Dad!" Emme said pouting and running off, and Danny sighed.
"Emme, come back." Danny said running after her.
Danny found her cousin sitting by a rock by a river. "They never tell me anything; I never thought it would be this bad of a betrayal."
"Betrayal?" Danny asked.
"They didn't tell me why the wouldn't let me do alchemy, why brother is so sick and why I can't go to the academy. The never explained why mom was sick either, and why dad had pictures with metal arms, and your father in a suit of armor. They never told me why I have all these birthmarks."
"What birthmarks?" Danny asked.
"Here," Emme slipped off her shoes. "Look at them; I don't know what they are." They were blood seals on feet; that was what they were. "They're some sort of transmutation circle. I think I'm not human, I'm homunculi."
"No way, the books say that they are things with out souls, and they can't do alchemy. You have a soul and you can do alchemy. I think that your feet must have been hurt and they used alchemy to save you."
"I guess, but I just want to know the truth." Emme said.
"I know, dad hides things from me too, but remember those books we saw in the library that they said were only for special purposes, that can only be used by Alchemic Students and State Alchemists; it's an account of our parents' lives until now. We can read it and find out." Danny said smiling. She hugged her older cousin. "I'll be alright, I know you will."
"Thanks, let's go back. We better get home." Danny and Emme ran home, through the streets.
They ran into the huge two family house. "Hey mom, dad, auntie, uncle," The both chimed.
"Where were you two, we were worried?" Emme's mom said.
"Taking the alchemy exam," Roy said from behind them.
"You promised." Emme said, surprised he'd tell them.
"I know, but I lied. I need to talk to your parents, both of your parents, without you two." The girls nodded and got their parents and Emme went to her room, and made a mad dash for her bed.
(The living room) "You let my daughter take the alchemy exam?" Her father yelled. (You should know who this is by now, if you don't you're stupid.)
"Deny her, her destiny all you want but I won't let her talents go to waste. What if someone kept you from doing alchemy?"
"I'd probably smack them." The man answered.
"Brother, I think Roy's right, we can't keep our daughters' from their destiny any longer. You've hidden her whole life from her too long, she's 12." A slightly younger man said to his 'brother'.
"I agree with them both as well." A women added.
"I don't understand why you protect them from it in the first place so I'm not saying anything." Another women added.
"Edward Elric, your daughter has the most amazing abilities of any alchemist I've met to today, she could do so much good for everyone. Why are you hiding her?"
"I'm not hiding her, I just don't want to tell her the truth… I don't want to hurt her." Ed said looking at his wife, Winry. "I'm sorry I just can't."
"Well then I am," Winry said standing up.
"I'll go with her." The other man added, going with Winry.
"No Alphonse, I need to tell my daughter the truth, she deserves to hear it from me." Al smiled.
"Good job brother, I know you'd snap out of it." Winry took Edward's hand in her own and smiled.
"I better share my story with my daughter as well," Al added. Ed nodded.
"I'm glad I could be of help." Roy said letting himself out of the house.
(Emme's Room)
There was a knock at her door. "Come on in, mom and dad."
"I never got how you can tell it's us." Winry said to her daughter.
"Emily, I'm here to beg your forgiveness. I'm made a big mistake."
"Really, I didn't notice." She said sarcastically and looking out the window. Winry laughed and Ed was annoyed.
"You know you act like both your mother and I and know I know why they think I'm annoying." Emme rolled her eyes.
Winry sat next to her daughter, and took the stone necklace from her daughter's hand and tied it around her daughter's neck. "There, beautiful; now Emme, listen to your father."
"Why should I, he won't let me do anything. He doesn't answer anything of my questions. I don't know who I am, who am I?" Emme yelled; Crying into her mother's arms.
"You're Emily Eliza Elric, Edward and my daughter; you're extremely talented and special. You need to understand that Edward just couldn't face telling you the truth. Just give him a chance, please."
"Fine, just, can I ask questions at the end." Winry looked at her husband and he nodded, sadly.
"Yes, you can; why don't we start with the questions."
"Why is my brother, always in the hospital?" She looked. Winry and Edward looked at themselves.
"I'll take this one, Edward. I messed up, I couldn't meet equivalent exchange for him being born."
"What, how could you not, tons of families have more than 2 kids." Emme yelled.
"In order for you to live your mother had to give a lot of things up, but she doesn't have anything else to give in exchange for him." Edward filled in.
"So, is that why I have those birthmarks on my feet?"
"Sadly, yes, it's where I traded in a lot of myself for you."
"Then why did you try to have another child, if you could barely have me?" Winry was crying, she wanted everyone happy, she wanted her daughter to have what Edward had, a loyal sibling.
"I messed up, I thought that I would be strong enough this time, to meet the normal requirements, I was wrong. I was just too weak to handle it."
"Is he going to die?" Winry shook her head.
"I'm going to give the last thing I have to give, and hopefully that will be enough." Edward looked sad about this.
"Are you going to be alright mom, I wouldn't want to lose you." Emme said crying.
"Of course I'll live, someone needs me alive; and I wouldn't let that thing down, he won't allow it?"
"Oh, good; because I was worried; so will brother be able to do everything then?" Emme asked.
"Yes," Winry responded smiling.
"Why wouldn't you let me go to the school?"
"I don't know the answer to that." Winry said.
"Dad?" She asked.
"Alchemy has messed up my life pretty bad when I was young, and I wanted to keep you away from it until you understood it well enough. Then I was, and am going to let you." Edward said.
"Why did you have automail?" She asked.
"I committed a taboo, forbidden alchemy, Human Alchemy." Ed answered.
"What?"
"I wanted my mom back after she died and left Alphonse and I so Alphonse and I used Human Alchemy to bring her back. All we got in exchange for our trial was Alphonse in a suit of armor, being in the wrong side of the gate, my lost arm and leg, and a homunculi." She gasped.
"How was it all undone?" She wondered. Ed looked at Winry.
"Winry is the answer to everything, human alchemy can be done by all females but Winry had three alchemy that no one else can do, Airlité Alchemy, Defensive Alchemy and Will Alchemy. Anything she wanted she got, she was the gifted alchemist from prophecy that was gifted with the rare alchemy that was lost for ages. I can do Will Alchemy a bit, but not without her, and Airlité and Defensive Alchemy is something she as well as you can do. I've seen you perform Airlité Alchemy which is a gift from Alchemic Nature for Winry for having an Alchemy Prodigy."
"So that's why you've hid it from me, to protect me?" They both nodded. "That's silly, you didn't need to, I know all about everything. Even I know what people can and can't do."
"Then we're glad to have you at our school. I'd like to see your entrance exam show if you're willing to show me?" Ed asked.
"Sure dad, you want to see it to mom?" Emme asked.
"I think I already know what it is, because I did the same thing for mine." Winry said.
"Really, I was watching your performance from my office window. I did that exact routine when I entered the military."
"It's really cool, isn't it? I wondered where I got such cool ideas."
"Yep, that was mine. Danny's was good as well." Emme nodded and hugged her parents.
(Danny's Room)
"I can't believe that you were in a suit of armor for so many years." Danny said.
"Yeah, but I was just like you are now when I was in there, no different."
"Yep, she's definitely your daughter, Al." Al's wife, Molly said watching him.
"She's our daughter; she's just more like me." Al answered.
"So can I go to the academy with Rachel and Emme?"
"Of course you can," Molly said.
"What?" Al asked.
"Alphonse, let her do it, she passed so she's as deserving as any other student."
"I was just wondering why she was asking, of course you can go. You made it, good job." Al said to his daughter.
"Wait, Rachel?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, Rachel, she's Roy-sensei and Riza Mustang's daughter." Danny answered.
"Man I haven't seen her for a while, she's very shy like Riza; Roy's younger boy, Mark is a lot like his father, he's 8 and she's?"
"12, like Emme."
"Yep, because Riza was pregnant with her, after Winry gave birth to Emme. That's right."
(Hospital, Next Day)
"Winry, you sure you're ready?" Ed asked.
"Of course I am, all I really wanted was two kids in the first place; isn't that what we agreed. I just feel that we wasted 11 years of his life."
"No you didn't, he went to school until he got extremely weak when he was 9, when he was 10 he went into a coma, you only wasted 1 year of his life. I wasted 4 of my brother's lives, but don't blame yourself."
"I know but what if he doesn't forgive me." Winry asked.
"Then we could alter his memory." Ed answered. Winry smacked him. "I was joking plus, you're his mother, he wouldn't blame you. You're the one who gave birth to him, and saved his life. Of course, he'll forgive you."
"Thanks Edward, I'm ready."
Winry sat next to her son in a chair and laid him in the middle of the Will Alchemy Circle. 'Hello, Alchemic Nature,'
It's been a year, wait long enough?
'Yes, I'm ready.'
And your okay with this, me taking that away from you?
Of course I am, I want him to live like a normal child, Ed and I promise that we'll give you these to you, anyway.
I don't want your alchemy, stupid. I won't take anything.
Then where's the exchange on it?
After all these years you haven't learned, there isn't equivalent exchange on an innocent soul that has been wrong. Like Edwards was when I gave him his arm back, or Al's body, or when you had Emme, but the trade for the physical was different. I'm just rearranging his structure so he'll live, it's nothing.
So I could have another?
You could but that would cause more danger, so I wouldn't recommend trying.
That's fine with me, I was expecting that, well what do we do.
Just like normal, just will it.
Winry laid her hands on the transmutation circle and then he was healed using the power and ability that Alchemic Nature had given her.
"Do you believe we actually finally got our hands on these books?" Emme asked Danny.
"Yeah, it's surprising. It will tell us the details of our parents' lives." Danny answered.
"Three books, three hours of reading; better get started." Emme said picking up one of the books.
"What are you ready Emily, can I join in?" Alex; Emme's brother asked.
"Sure, grab a copy," Emme advised. Alex grabbed a book entitled 'The FullMetal Alchemist'.
"What's this about?" Alex asked.
"Uncle Alphonse's and Dad's journey while they were trapped in their automail and a suit of armor," Emme informed.
"This fiction?" Alex asked.
"Nope, it's the total truth, it's a good one, but the next to are all gushy with our parents' love stories; it's sickening." Emme said.
"Yeah, I'm reading the second one and Emme's on the last one already."
"What are they called?" Alex asked.
"First one is called The FullMetal Alchemists, the second is: Finally, Both Human, the last is: The End Result. They're all really good." Emme added.
"They're our parents' lives, of course they'd be good." Danny commented.
"Who are you to again, I'm having a hard time remembering." Alex said.
"It's fine. I'm Emily Eliza Elric, your sister."
"And I'm Danielle Marie Elric, your cousin."
"I don't think I'll ever remember."
"Of course you, I know you will. We have class tomorrow, so study hard Alex." Alex left the room and returned to his room.
He looked at the back of this book. "In three books contain my whole life, the love of my life, my brother, my sister-in-law, their two children, and my own daughter along with everyone else's children and life along the way. You'll feel whatever I feel when you read this. I hope you enjoy it Brother, Winry, Emme and Alex."
"I know I will." Alex answered.
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Final Commentary:
Roy Mustang: I grew up on my own with my wife, Riza. We joined the military because we had no family and we are and have always been the only family we've ever had, besides our daughter Rachel now. Riza and I think that Rachel is our safety from our crimes, her beauty and innocence is our safety from the crimes we did in war, that's why I gave it up after Riza had her. I hadn't been Fuhrer very long but I became Principal of the Alchemic Academy so I was happy with that, and I learned what was truly important, my family. Nothing is more important than that and that's a lesson Ed learned the hard way, unlike his wife and brother who had always known that. That boys is still quite slow when it comes to that stuff but the Elrics are a rare breed of people, perfect in so many ways.
Riza (Hawkeye) Mustang: What can I say about the Elrics and my life; it's all been extremely complicated and hard. The Elrics had a hard life and that's all I'm saying. Winry and Edward have a daughter and son named respectively, Emme and Alex. Alphonse and Molly have a daughter as well named, Danielle. I have a daughter around Emme's age and a son around Danielle's age, his name being Jake. Jake is extremely outgoing like Roy, and Rachel is shy and contempt like I was, and still am. I guess that's how kids are, adapting their parents' behavior but how they get some traits I don't know. I just know that I'm happy with the way things turned out.
Rachel Mustang: I guess that I'm finally seeing what this world has to offer now because I see all the wonderful opportunities there are for me. My parents warn me not to go into military, but why would I? I'm an alchemist and a shooter, now a warrior. I absolutely hate blood, and seeing people in pain. I would do well as a police officer though, that would be good but for now, I'll stick with being a student, and I'm good at that. I have 4 close friends, Alex, Emme, and Danny Elric and my bro, Jake. I don't see them much outside of school but when I do we have so much fun, I'm not big into parties but Emme says they're good for you, whatever. I just know it's a good life.
Alphonse Elric: Brother, Winry and I all grew up in Reisenbool. It was a small city so when our mom died Winry and Pinako were the only ones we could turn to, to care for us. They took care of us, and Winry still does take care of brother to this day, I have begun to take care of myself though. I got married soon after brother by about 4 years or so, and then thanks to my darling wife, Molly. I was gifted with a daughter, Danny or Danielle. Then we all took place in an Alchemy Academy where we all improved ourselves and we still are enjoying each other's company and fun.
Molly ( Logan) Elric: I was born in a small city nearby Reisenbool where I met Winry, my closest and best friend. She then introduced me to her husband's brother, Alphonse Elric and then years later we were married, then we had a beautiful daughter, Danielle. I learned quite a bit of alchemy while studying it with my daughter, and husband as well as Winry, Edward, Alex, and Emme. Talk about a perfect family, that's what Winry has, mine is perfect too but Winry and Edward have the family they've always wanted and I have the family I've always wanted. I never was gifted with a family so now that I have one, I'm extremely happy and I couldn't ask for more.
Danielle (Danny) Elric: I've had an exciting 8 years, I guess. I don't have an advanced vocabulary like Emme and Alex but I just would like to tell you that I enjoy the basic things, the arts, talking, alchemy, cooking and dancing as well as gymnastics. I am constantly comparing myself to Emme because she's so amazing and cool. She is exactly what any girl would want to be. She's popular, kind, smart, talented, a natural leader, beautiful and all around a great person. I want to be like her, she says I am just like her, just a little different but her having a clone isn't good for her karma she says.
Winry (Rockbell) Elric: I could have had a better life, like anyone. You could always have like better but for equivalent exchange on the bad, for the good. I'm certainly glad it all worked out. I have a husband, Edward Elric at my side forever. I have two children, Alex and Emily. They're extremely healthy now, and are very gifted in alchemy like their father and I. I've always been glad to have a life gifted with things that no one else could. I was glad that I could bring Ed and Al back to I so that we could all live a happy life. I know that we all, but could have they without me? I'm not sure but from Al's book, it didn't seem like it. I needed Ed every bit as much as he needed me, honestly. I love Edward and my two children and I love Molly and Al's like the family that they are and I don't know what I'd do without any of them.
Edward Elric: I had a hard life, from the start of my development, to the last days; even then I'm sure I'll still have problems; it's normal. I lost my mom, then Al and I committed a major taboo (Human Alchemy), I lost my arm and leg, and Al lost his body for that time period. Then we had to deal with tons of deaths of everyone close to us, because of the curse of the stone and then as equivalent exchange we were sent back through the gate, and we lived their in contentment. Then Winry using her alchemic ability pulled us back through, amazingly. Then I realized how truly how much I love her, and then we got married, and had two kids. Both required a sacrifice from Winry; I really wished that she would have never had to go through that pain, but she assured me from seeing the children, she was glad to bear it like any mother. Winry is the single most amazing person I've met. Alex and Emme remind me a lot of Winry and I as well as Alphonse a bit too. It's funny how things turned out; but they turned out for the best with everyone happy and healthy.
Emily (Emme) Eliza Elric: I was out in Reisenbool like my parents and uncle. I moved here with my parents when I was like 5 or something. I was never told anything about my life until I was 12. I attended an all girl private school until I was 12; then I was allowed to go to The Alchemic Academy with my cousin, friend: Rachel, and brother. My parents are teachers and they say I'm a natural prodigy like my parents. I'm glad I'm like then, because they're amazing people. I have a brother named, Alex. He is mentally unstable and doesn't remember much of his life, but I help him out. He is my little bro after all. He's considerably short but both he and dad go off when I call him short but he'll grow, because mom says dad was short too but dad got taller. I live happily with my giant family, friends, and anyone else who stops by, it's the good life.
Alex Elric: I was born in Reisenbool like everyone in my family practically, except my aunt, but she was born nearby. I don't remember anything before this past year. I was in a coma because I was physically deformed and my mom sacrificed herself to cure me, like she did with my sister. I owe a lot to my mom, she treats me like a child because that's what I am practically, because I don't understand what people are getting at because it's all new to me but mom helps out. Dad is a big help to defend me, he likes that after only months of being conscious I could do everything my sister can, he says that was a real task like catching up to mom was for him. My sister is extremely helpful and kind to me as well as my cousin, Danny and uncle, Alphonse. I'm sure I'll get used to everything soon, I better.
The End, for good, good-night!