The moment Edward felt like he was being squeezed through a straw, panic ate at his soul. The sensation only lasted for a few seconds, but Ed was afraid to open his eyes, because when he does, he knew that all he would see would be white. For he could feel the Truth's eyes on him.
"Hello Mr. Alch-em-ist! Wait a moment you are no longer an alchemist, now are you?" The thousands of voices said. Edward shivered.
No, no, no! this cant be happening! My life is finally perfect! That was all that was running through the former state alchemists mind. He finally raised his head and glared straight at the Truth, right where his eyes should be. His golden eyes, courtesy of his Xerxes heritage, burning with anger and defiance.
"What the hell am I doing here, you bastard?!" Edward yelled at the thing that claimed to be god. His famous anger lashing out without thought. "Better yet how did I get here?"
"Well see, we both have some issues that would be in our best interest to have solved as soon as possible, so I sent Mr. Wi-er-Diggory as an envoy to collect you and bring you here so we can discus things. You will need your alchemy to save someone very close to you. And I need...a favor... so what do you say? I will give you your alchemy back and you will do me a favor?" Truth said in a way that made it seem like no big deal.
Edward, the poor guy, was baffled. It was all too much happening at once for even a prodigy like him to handle. All he managed to say was a very delayed and confused "...what?"
"In the semi-near future, someone you care deeply for will be in danger. If you have your alchemy you will be able to easily save that precious, dear person you love and cherish with all your heart, but without it they will di-"
"what do you mean someone I love will die? Who? Alphonse? He can't die we just got him back? It can't be Winr-"
"I am not telling you who, Mr. Al-chem-ist! Just be quiet and listen!" The thing claiming to be god said with anger like no other in his voice. His eyes on his eyeless face flashing with fury for being interrupted by a mere mortal such as Edward Elric.
Edward decided he should probably listen to someone who could easily kill him and wisely kept quiet.
"Good. So, as I was saying, there is another world I am in charge of- yes, I said another world- I am in the processes of explaining so be quiet! In this other world people who are not yet due to die, are dying. I need you to save their lives. All five of them. in exchange I will give you back your alchemy and with that alchemy you will be able to save the life of you loved one. If you agree I will give you further details otherwise this is where we part ways." Truth said in his all business voice. In a slightly more desperate voice he added, "I'll even throw in your leg."
"How the hell am I supposed to say no to that? Knowing if I don't six people will die?"
"Possibly more. Five people died so far but I will send you back in their time to change that and by the time you finish I should have fixed the problem."
"How long would I be gone?"
"That really depends on you, Mr. Al-chem-ist! But time does travel differently in these two worlds. A week in this world is a day in the Alchemist World." The Truth said, purposefully leaving out a key word.
"Ok, fine I will do it. But through in my leg too." Edward said defeated. Knowing that if he didn't agree someone he loves will die. 'always being the hero.' he could here Winry saying in his head, like she has so many times before.
"Great! I am glad we came to an agreement!"
"Agreement my ass." Edward mumbled pathetically while crossing his arms.
"The things you should know about this world is that it's the complete opposite of yours. Like ying yang. Where you have alchemy, they have magic. While anyone in your world can learn alchemy, only few can perform magic. While everyone knows about alchemy, only few know about magic. While Amestris is ruled by a competent military, Magic England is ruled by a foolish incompetent Ministry. Naturally, you will be a wizard. But only as long as you are in this world. All the other necessary information about this world I will supply you with as you enter it. Now on to your mission- "
"Hold up!" Edward up to this point was still stuck on the magic bit. "what do you mean magic?! Magic isn't real!"
"Please don't tell me the only thing you heard out of that whole speech was magic?" Truth said with a weary sigh.
"I will add the whole 'how magic works into the information that will be supplied to you as you enter the wizarding world. Okay? Can we move on? We have more pressing issues." Truth said exhaustedly.
Ed was already regretting his choice but the tragic death of Winry and Alphonse kept playing over and over in his head. So, he put the crazy and insane idea of magic out of his head telling himself it will be explained in due time. That it probably has a reasonable explanation and isn't really magic.
"Fine." The golden-haired youth said like it was the hardest choice he has made in his life time.
"Finally. As I have said there are five lives you need to save to complete this mission. The list and the date of death for each person will be given to you in the information you will receive as you leave here. You will have both alchemy and magic at your use but be warned, this world does not have the same alchemy as you do. Their version of it is just a cheap imitation so do your best to not use it all that often. You may use it in front of people but not explain it or teach it. You also cannot tell anyone of where you come from, nor this meeting. So be sure to get creative with your lies. I will also give you a wand but only you will be able to use it and you will only be able to use this wand. I suggest starting at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Year five. You will have to lie just a tad about your age, but it shouldn't be a problem, since you are going back in time, you will look a bit younger but not too much because like I said, a week there is a day for you. I should mention that even though you will age differently than them, it will still feel like a week passes while you are there. Stay close to Ginger Boy, Chosen One, and Miss. Smartypants of Gryffindor. They will lead you to the first life that needs saving. "As Truth finished his long and slightly vague instructions Edward opened his mouth to speak but Truth decided to cut him off by sending Ed on his merry way. The last thing Edward heard before being overloaded with even more information was,
"Have Fun, Mr. Al-chem-ist!."
Edward woke up, well woke up isn't really the right word, more like became aware if his surroundings after he rematerialized, behind an ice cream shop.
"Ewe, gross, ice cream." he muttered to himself, as he saw the empty tubs behind the shop. He leaned against the wall and sat down with a happy sigh as he felt his leg ache. Ed stretched his leg and pulled up the pants sleeve to look at his new left leg for the first time in about six years.
"We finally did it Alphonse. Finally completed our mission." Edward whispered to the air. Thinking of his brother made him realize that he is on his own for this mission. No Al to bounce ideas off of, to watch his back, to support him, or help him in the many ways only Alphonse Elric can. Nor is their Mustang for him to rely on as back up or supply him with information, to protect him, or his team. Edward Elric is truly on his own, for the first time in his life.
" I am Edward Elric. The Fullmetal Alchemist. The youngest State Alchemist ever! The youngest Major there ever was! I'm one of the last Xerxes descendants there is. I've survived automail surgery, homunculus, a few serial killers, and Truth (too many times to count)! I've killed the closest thing to god there is! I'm not scared to do this on my own! I am Edward Elric!" with that quick pep talk to himself, ignoring the fact that he's had help with all of his accomplishments, he stood up and walked to the front of the building and froze. Diagon Ally was amazing. All of the colors and strange things going on was a huge shock for the misplaced alchemist. He needed something familiar or else he will have a panic attack, despite his pep talk. Spinning around he quickly glanced at everything until he saw The Second-Hand Bookshop. Quickly he went in and almost completely calmed down.
Ed heard a women's voice calling out to reprimand her children, "Fred, George stop that this instant!" Followed by identical laughter. He was then almost toppled by two red haired teens as they rushed out the door, cackling. With a quick shout that was ignored aimed at the teens and a short sorry from the mother, he dove into the warm shop and read to his hearts content. Needing to calm his aching head and mind before he tackled this near impossible mission.
*Big thanks to EggfaceManUno for the review! Glad you enjoy the story, saw your comment today and thought I'd update.*
