Ed and I were sitting on the train when Mr. Hughes knocked on the window. Ed glanced at the window, partially asleep. "Hm?" Hughes grinned. "Hey kids." "Lieutenant Colonel?" "The folks at the Eastern Command Center were a little too busy to make it down here today, so I came to see you off instead." Ed sighed and glanced at Major Armstrong, who had him squashed against the window. "Great, but would you mind telling me what the major's doing here?" "For protection. What would happen if Scar came after you again? You're in no shape for a fight now, Ed. The Major's here to help. Just try to grin and bear it." I grinned at Ed. "Yeah and I'm here to save you from the bad man too, shrimpy." Ed struggled to flail his arm around. "WHO'RE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE COULDN'T RIDE AN ANT?!" Maes, Armstrong and I laugh. Armstrong turns to Maes. "Children can be so stubborn." "Hey, shut up! I'm no child!" Ed snaps crossly. "Anyway, are you sure Al made it on board?" Armstrong nods, sparkles floating around his head. "Of course. I thought he might get lonely without a little company." Edward flew into a fit. "My brother isn't some kind of farm animal!"
My mind immediately conjured up a picture of Al in his box, surrounded by sheep.
Hughes glances at the clock. "Oh, it's time. Okay, you kids have a safe trip. Stop in and give me a shout the next time you make it to Central." 'Oh god don't say that!' I mentally glances at me, sitting in the seat in front of Ed and the Major, which Ed threw a fit about earlier. I wave and grin. "Next time we're in central, I wanna meet the rest of the family, ok?" He nods, a grin still plastered across his face. The train pulls out, and we head off to Reisembol. I can hardly wait to meet Winry!
For most of the whole "Doctor Marcoh incident", I was pretty zoned out. Just following along, absorbing everything, but at the same time, not paying a lick of attention...
Until Marcoh shot Al.
I just screamed really loud when the bullet whizzed in front of my face because I was standing next to Ed, which happened to be RIGHT NEXT TO THE FUCKING DOOR. Of course, I'm pretty sure I freaked Marcoh out way more than Armstrong did... I don't think Marcoh actually knew I was there till then.
Then we all went inside and Marcoh and Armstrong talked while Al kept trying to convince over-reactive me that he was ok.
Because I was hugging him and freaking out and anime tears on my face. Of course Ed looked at me like I was nuts the whole time. Not that I was giving him any reason NOT to think that. The only moment I gave Ed even the smallest hint that I was, indeed, quite sane was when Marcoh brought up "it".
"It took so many lives... During the Civil War, so many innocent died because of it. I could spend my whole life trying and still never atone for the things I've done. But I had to do something, so I came here to be a doctor, to save lives instead of taking them." I froze as the Doc said that. Al looked at me, a little question mark over his head.
Armstrong shot the Doctor a questioning look. "Doctor, what exactly was it you were ordered to do research on? What 'thing'?"
Marcoh's sigh was heavy leaden with pain and regret. "The Philosopher's stone."Collective gasp! Big Whoop! Get over it you morons... "The top secret materials I took were my research documents, and the stone itself." Ed jumped out of his chair. "Do you mean you still have it? Its here?!" Ed and Al's excitement was nearly tangible as Marcoh nodded. The old doctor stood and walked to a cabinet behind him. He pulled out a small vile of, to everyone else, looked like a slightly glowing blood red liquid. But Marcoh and I knew EXACTLY what it was. "How can that be the stone? It's a liquid!" Ed pointed out. "The Sage's Stone. The Grand Elixir. The Celestial Stone. The Red Tincture. The Fifth Element. Just as the Philosopher's Stone is called by many names, so it can take on many forms." Marcoh poured the vial's contents onto the table where it formed a sort of bubble.
"It is not necessarily a stone." Ed poked the Stone. "This is an incomplete product, however. There's no way to know when it'll reach its limit and become unusable." "Finished or not, it demonstrated plenty of power during the Ishvalan Civil War, right?" asks Ed. "Huh?" Marcoh seems taken aback by Ed's comment. "It's just like the stone that false prophet had in Liore. It was incomplete, but it still amplified his powers considerably. If imitation stones this powerful can be produced, who's to say a complete product can't be created? Please, Dr. Marcoh. I need access to your research materials!" Marcoh turned to the Major and gestured to Ed. "Major, who exactly is this boy?" "This boy is a State Alchemist, doctor." Marcoh gasped. "What?! But he's only a child! After the war, there were many State Alchemists who turned in their certifications because they refused to serve as human weapons any more. And now a child!" Ed slapped his hand onto the table and ripped off his jacket, exposing his automail port. "You think I don't know what I've signed up for?! I know what I'm doing, but I don't have any choice! If this is a mistake, then it's a mistake I have to make. There is no other way!" He shouted. Marcoh studied the spot where Ed's arm should've been. "I see...so you've committed the taboo." He then studied Al. "Amazing...the ability to transmute a specific person's soul like this. Maybe one as talented as you would be able to produced a complete Philosopher's Stone." Ed grinned excitedly. "So...!" Marcoh shook his head. "But I can't show you my research." "Why not?!" He demanded. "You must not seek after the stone." Ed growled unhappily. "Not even if it's to get our bodies back?" "Never!" Marcoh shouted. "This is the devil's research. If you chase the stone, you will go through hell!"
"I've already been through hell!" Ed shouted.
"Ed." I say quietly, though it somehow echoes. I look down at my feet. "Dr. Marcoh is right. This is the devil's research. Going after this will bring about consequences not even Mustang could foresee." Ed glares at me. "And how in the name of Truth could you know that?" he demands loudly. "I know things." I reply. "Lots of things. If I told you, it could rip everything you know to shreds." All four of them stare at me, surprised at my burst of seriousness. That's how everyone reacts the first time around, though it's normally further along in the journey than this. Marcoh shook his. "Please, just get out."
********************At the station*******
"Are you sure about this, Ed?" asked Armstrong. "Huh?" "Even an incomplete Philosopher's Stone could be useful. You could have taken it from the doctor by force." Ed sighs and nods, putting his hand in his pocket. He grumbled and looked up at the sky with a slight remorse. "Yeah. I wanted it so badly, I could almost taste it. But, still..." He trailed off and Al picked up for him. "But still, we don't want it so badly that we'd be willing to deprive this town of their only doctor to get it." The blonde nodded in response. "We gained plenty just by finding out the Philosopher's Stone can be made. Now we'll just have to look for some other way to do it. What about you, Major? How do you feel about not reporting back to Central on Dr. Marcoh's location?" Armstrong adjusted Al on his shoulder and started towards the train. "I met a simple, small town doctor today. I can't see any real reason to report that." Ed sighed and we all start towards the train. I quietly counted under my breath. '1...2...3...4...5...' "Wait!" called Dr. Marcoh. Ed spun around in surprise as I grinned, slightly triumphant. "Dr. Marcoh?" The doc quickly scribbled something down on a piece of paper, folded it, and then gave it to Ed. "This is where my materials are. If you're certain you won't regret learning the truth in the end, start looking here. Look closely. Maybe you'll find the truth hidden within the truth. But... I've said too much already. I hope the day will come when you are able to restore your bodies." He turned and left. Ed glanced at the folded paper before closing his fist and grinning happily. It physically hurt me to see his hopes so high. 'If you think you've been through hell already Ed, you're in for quite a ride.'
***********On the Train**********
Al got to sit with us on the Train this time, since it was the double seats facing each other. Al sat with Armstrong, still in his box. Ed and I sat opposite of them. Ed opened the note to read it. I glanced out the window, thinking about what Marcoh was about to go through because of us.
"Brother, what does the note say?"
I can imagine Lust in her stupid dress with Gluttony, adorable little demon that he is.
"National Central Library, First Branch."
Poor unsuspecting Marcoh walking into his home.
"I get it...like hiding a tree in the forest. Finding one book in that giant library will be difficult indeed."
Lust scaring the poor old man with her slutty voice.
"Finally, another clue about the stone!"
God, I hate that bitch.
*********Reisembol (or how ever that's spelled, I'm sorry)
The four of us make our way up the dirt road that leads to Rockbell automail. "Yo, Granny!" Ed calls to the short old woman standing at the end of the drive, waiting for us. "Oh dear, what have you done now?" Asks Pinako. I roll my eyes. 'Can't WAIT to see this play out for real.' Ed scratches the back of his head. "A lot has happened. Can you fix us up? This is Major Alex Louis Armstrong and... Lisa..." The major sets Al down and nod to the tiny woman. I grin and shake her hand. "Lisa Green, ma'am." She nods and holds her pipe. "I'm Pinako Rockbell." She studies me and I fell the tiniest bit uncomfortable. "Glad to know Ed and Al have made some friends." I grin. "Eh, well, you could say I dropped in on a fight." Pinako nods and then turns to Ed. "I know I haven't seen you for a while Ed, but you've gone and grown smaller!" Ed clenches his fist and growls. He and Pinako go into their short people fight, I glance up to the balcony where- ahh! There she is. Cue the flying wrench. Ed flies backwards a few feet. "Agggghhh..." Winry glares at him from upstairs, wearing her normal attire. Black bra-shirt thing, green over-alls with the top hanging around her waist, goggles atop her head. "Edward, I thought I told you to call first when you're heading back here for maintenance!" she yells. "Winry!" Ed yells, jumping back to his feet. I'm half tempted to throw the wrench back, like some girl did in a fanfic I read. "Are you trying to kill me?!" Winry huffs before grinning. "Welcome back!" she calls happily. Ed grumbles unhappily and rubs his head. "Yeah." NOW then...
***************Rockbell house*******
As Winry chews out Ed for breaking her automail...AGAIN. 'And Truth knows this won't be the last time...' I start exploring. Normally I'd be super uncomfortable in a strange house and just sit quietly, but Den wanted to play so now I'm chasing that ridiculously sized dog around the yard. At some point Ed heads off, probably to see his mother's grave if I remember. Den chases after him, but slows when she catches up to him. With nothing else to do, I tag along, hanging back some, though Ed doesn't notice me for the most part. When Ed stops by his mother's grave, I hang back by the entrance to the grave yard. I have this problem with places like this. Weirds me out.
Then he heads up to his old house. I follow with Den close behind. Ed stands by the wreckage, probably remembering. I bite my lip, wanting to say something, but nothing helpful comes up. I can't hug him either. He still doesn't trust me so... you know awkwardness. Den nuzzles Ed's hand and I feel horrible because the dog's better than I am at comforting people. Ed's bangs shade his face, making me feel that much worse. He nods and smiles sadly. "Yeah, you're right. We should head back." I turn and walk ahead. My head's down as I hurry along the dirt path back to the Rockbell's. I can feel tears falling down my cheeks.
How?! How can they deal with all of it without breaking down?! I can't watch the show without crying! HELL, I'm crying right now and I've only been here a day! I used to think I was strong but these guys... I realize that, even after all I've been through; I'm nothing more than a child living a fantasy.
I finally look up to realize that its dark out and I have no clue where I am. I growl and furiously wipe the tears out of my eyes. I snap and a bench appears. I flop down and pull my legs to my chest. My whole body is shaking and I hate myself for it. Why can't I just be strong again? Even if it was an act that I fooled myself with, it's better than feeling like I'm a weak piece of shit. I pull my legs closer and bury my face into my knees. I summon up a white stuffed dog with big brown eyes that hide in its fur and squeeze it. It's just like the one my Grandma gave me when I got my tonsils out. I feel 10 years old again...
"Bark!"
I glance up to see Den romping over. She hops up onto the bench and tilts her head. I reach over and ruffle her ears. "Hi Den." My voice sounds kinda cracked. "The hell are you doing out here?" I glance up to where Den came from to see Ed standing next to the bench. He's not glaring at me like he normally does. His brow is scrunched up and he's frowning. He looks kinda... worried? About me? My stomach flips and not in a good way. I sit up and rub my eyes with my arm, slightly harsher than I meant to. "I-I... I got lost." God what a lame excuse. He shakes his head and offers me a hand. I glance from his outstretched arm to him. He rolls his eyes and grabs my arm, dragging me to my feet. "C'mon, Winry and Armstrong almost strangled when they noticed you disappeared." He sounds kinda annoyed, kinda I-don't-care-ish. I nod and rub my eyes again. Damn these tears! Go back! Stop making me look like a 5 year old! He turns his back to me and hands me his coat. "Stop crying and c'mon." He says, and I notice he's blushing. Oh right. He's bad with girls crying. I glance at his jacket, confused. "It's chilly out for a summer night." I finally notice the Goosebumps on my legs and arms. I snap and the bench and doll disappear before placing his coat on my shoulders.
Then the three of us head back to the house. Perhaps Ed and I will get along sooner than I thought.
I WROTE THIS IN TWO FUCKING DAYS GUYS. TWO. FUCKNING. DAYS. RECORD-NESS! Plus Ed and Lisa get to have awkwardness. Yay!
Lisa: *smacks author* STOP DOING THAT!
Author: I WILL DO AS I PLEASE! NOW GET BACK IN THE DAMNED STORY BEFORE I MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT!
Lisa: YOU ALREADY DID!
*fights*
Al: Uhm, well, while they're doing that... Bye! Thanks for reading and please review! We enjoy reading them!
Ed: *joins Lisa and Author fight*
Al: BROTHER!
Ed: SHE MADE A SAP OUT OF ME AND CALLED ME SHORT A TON OF TIMES!
Author: I ONLY USED IT AS DESCRIPTION! AND IT WASN'T EVEN FOR YOU HALF THE TIME!