Oct 3, 1911
"Kuri, Reiko, you're okay with this, right? I mean leaving everything behind. You don't have regrets do you?"
"There's no turning back now." Kuri said.
"And remember, I'm the one who insisted on coming with you." Reiko said.
"Besides, we both know you'll miss home more than I will sister." Kuri said.
"Good riddance! That's what I say . 'Cause ya know who's on his way to becoming a State Alchemist? Me!" Ed said.
"Me too." Al said.
"And when I become a State Alchemist, the first thing I'll do is fix your body ." Ed said.
"I told you Ed, that's not your burden. You just have to take care of yourself." Al said. "I wonder how one goes about becoming a State Alchemist. Do you think we'll have to take a test?"
"Whatever it takes, I'm sure Mustang'll guide us through it. What am I stressing for, Al, with talent like mine. This'll be a cakewalk for me ." Ed looked at Kuri. "What? Are you thinking about Granny Kaori?"
"There's nothing I can do. You stubborn kids made your choice. But you'll realize your mistake and come back home." Granny Kaori had said as they were leaving
Xxx
Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth.
An' it harm none, do what ye will. That is the Wiccan Rede's Law of Personal Gain. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Nov 26, 1911
Kuri was lying on Ed's shoulder on the bench while Reiko checked train schedules.
"Do you know what time our next train leaves?" Ed said.
"Yeah. Not 'til tomorrow morning."
"Let's get some shuteye." Reiko said.
Kuri jerked awake and Reiko eyed her. She looked like she might say something, but a woman interrupted her.
"My purse! He stole my purse!" A woman said.
"Break's over." Ed said.
"Yep." Al said.
"It's almost too easy. Off to bed with you like good little kids now. What the...?" The purse snatcher stopped as a sacred arrow and two shuriken pinned him by the shirt to the wall and vines held him there, and for good measure, Ed transmuted a cage around him.
"I think you're the one who crawled outta the crib too early." Ed said.
"Nicely done. Now that was something else. Your trick there wouldn't be what they call ''alchemy'' would it?" A man said.
"Uh, yeah." Ed said.
"To think kids your age could be such accomplished alchemists already. Around these parts, the only alchemist I ever get to see is old Majhal." The man said.
"Majhal, huh?" Ed said.
"Yup. They say he does great things for people with his alchemy, like you boys did. He's quite well respected." The man said.
"Where can we find him?" Ed said.
"Oh, next town over. But you really don't want to go there right now boys. I've heard it's become a dangerous place. They say the dead have risen from their graves and are sending the villagers to them." Man said.
"Why are you so interested in meeting this Majhal person?" Kuri asked.
"That name. That same name kept popping up all over those old letters." Ed said.
"You mean Dad's letters?" Al said.
"Yeah, and if I remember, he wrote about human transmutation. I figure if it's the same Majhal, it can't hurt to pay him a visit ." Ed said.
"Yeah! I have a feeling this is going to be a good trip." Al said.
"What's wrong? You seem almost happy ." Ed said.
"Well, we did snag that purse-snatcher, and then everyone was so grateful to us. I guess I'm just starting to see how alchemy has the power to make other people's lives a little bit better." Al said.
Nov 27, 1911
"Are you all right, brother?" Al said.
"Yeah, I'm just peachy. I love turbulent carriage rides in seats as soft as granite. It didn't bother you at all?" Ed said.
"Mm-mm." Al said.
"What about you guys?" Ed looked at the Rockbells.
"No complaints!" Reiko said, trying not to laugh at him.
"Will you look at that? Someone's throwing a party, with torches and everything. But they forgot to invite us." Kuri said and jumped.
"Are you alright young lady? It's dangerous around here, they're testing the fireworks for the festival." Majhal said, helping her up.
"You must be Majhal." Ed said.
Xxx
"Such fine workmanship. That's truly an impressive spirit attachment." Majhal said.
"He knows about me..." Ed said, thinking of the fox spirit.
"I'd expect nothing less from the children of Hohenheim. Apparently, you've inherited his great talent. Now then, tell me what can I do for you all today? Surely you've come here seeking something particular, and I can't very well disappoint the children of a dear friend." Majhal said.
Ed started to speak, but Kuri stopped him.
"I read your letters Majhal. I am trying to create a prosthetic that can do things a human can." Kuri said.
Ed looked startled.
"No doubt you're aware. That human alchemy is strictly forbidden by the laws of the state." Majhal said.
"This and that aren't the same thing!" Kuri said. "I am going to use the power of Reikohaidan to give Al and Ed their limbs back!"
Al came in the room and set plates of chicken and veggies on Kuri, Reiko, Ed and Majhal's places. "Eat up."
"Thank you dear," Majhal said. "Kuri, I think you've already seen firsthand the incredibly high toll of messing around with human alchemy. I know how it feels to lose someone, but the act of molding flesh is better left to the hands of God."
"Okay, if that's the way you feel, then why were you so obsessed with it back then?" Kuri said.
"Youthful optimism or youthful foolishness." Majhal said.
"Hello, Mister Majhal, I made a batch of rose jam and had some extra, so I thought perhaps you might enjoy." Lebi said.
"Of course. You spoil me, Lebi. You're too kind." Majhal said.
"Not at all." Lebi said.
"Was there something else, then?" Majhal said.
"No, I'm sorry. Excuse me." Lebi said.
"Well, all right. Take care." Majhal said.
"So, what is this festival we heard about?" Reiko said.
"Oh yes. The Requiem Festival. It's when the spirits of the dead are sent up on fireworks to be returned to Heaven where they belong." Majhal said.
"And what about all these rumors we heard about the dead coming back to life as murderous zombies on a bloody rampage? Did that have anything to do with it?" Ed said.
"Silly rumors of a superstitious town." Majhal said.
"So what do you make of it?" Ed asked Al, as she sat down. "You went out into the town. What did they say?"
"The deaths were strange. Like the last one: One of the villagers just found a girl, lying there, like she was asleep. But she wasn't asleep. And then, on the night of her funeral her sister saw a woman who resembled someone they call 'Karin' standing next to the grave." Al said.
"Karin? Ah, yes, I remember her. She was a florist and the exquisite beauty of her flowers was surpassed only by her own. I can't believe it's been twenty years now. She had recently succeeded in cultivating the extremely rare blue rose. Oh, the woman's smile at the time was simply... But then... on her way to deliver her, by then famous, blue roses into town...And so as she fell to her death that day, she fell out of all of our lives forever." Majhal said.
"But they say this same Karin has been terrorizing the villagers." Al said.
"Absolutely impossible...We both know the dead don't simply ''come back to life.''And even if they could, if you knew Karin at all, you'd know it would be inconceivable for her to harm anyone in life or in death." Majhal said.
Xxx
"So, what do you think, brother?" Al said.
"Well I don't buy ghosts or zombies or the living dead. But, supposing someone were to perform a human transmutation, the only one around here capable of such a thing would be Majhal, who..." Ed said.
"What was that? You hear that, or am I going crazy?" Reiko said.
"Hear... what?" Kuri said.
Xxx
"Brother! Wait for us!" Ed said.
"What's with you?" Al said. "Scaredy-cat."
"Of course not. There aren't really any zombies around, are there?" Ed said.
"Don't be thick, Al. If Karin is roaming these woods, it would only be thanks to human alchemy, which is the only reason we're here." Ed said.
"Over there!" Kuri pointed at a glowing woman. She lunged at Kuri.
"Fireball Jutsu!" Al destroyed the glowing woman.
"That sound again." Reiko said.
"Majhal's just a two-bit alchemist after all. How disappointing." Lust said.
Xxx
Reiko examined Karin's cart of blue roses.
"How unique." Reiko said. "I've never seen this color before. You truly have a gift."
"Thank you miss—"
"It's Reiko."
"Wonderful to meet a fellow gardener." Karin smiled. "Would you like to meet a friend of mine? He likes flowers too."
Reiko nodded. "Do you think I could get some seeds for that flower? I'd like to study it."
"Of course of course. But first you must give something to me." Karin said, leading her into Majhal's waiting arms.
"Equivalent Exchange after all." Majhal said.
"Give me...your youth."
Reiko blacked out.
xxx
"Come on hurry!" Al yanked Ed and Kuri along.
"Where are we going?" Ed demanded.
"A strange woman led Reiko away!" Al said. "She was in some sort of trance. I think it was the blue roses!"
"Majhal's workshop!" Kuri said. "He could be hurting her!"
"Not every alchemist is evil Kuri!" Ed scowled.
"Yeah, all the ones except you and Al." Kuri retorted, throwing open the door.
Xxx
Inside Reiko was tied to a chair sitting back to back with an old woman—Lebi.
Her body was withering as Karin started to grow younger.
"Ed quickly get me some rope!" Kuri shouted. "Al! Break the circle!"
Al transmuted and broke the circle to pieces, stopping the reaction and returning Reiko to normal. Karin lunged at him, but he knocked her to the ground.
Ed handed Kuri the rope. "What are you going to do?!"
"What I should have done!"
Ed looked alarmed then released her. "I trust you."
"I know." Kuri tied Majhal's hands.
"Ut me manus tua
in mea
Et cum hoc filum
Et se insinuent
tuae potestatis
Et alligabunt in sempiternum
Ex hoc usque
ad consummationem saeculi!"
The rope glowed and vanished.
"W-What?!" Majhal shouted. "I can't transmute! What did you do girl!"
"I stripped your power Majhal." Kuri said. "You will never transmute again. You will just have to grow old with Karin the old fashioned way."
Karin ran to his embrace but he pushed her away.
"Stay back hag!" Majhal said. "You old crone, you aren't my Karin!"
"This is all your fault!" Karin whirled and drew a knife striking out at Reiko.
Al grabbed the knife and transmuted it so that it was broken. "Don't touch my girlfriend!"
Reiko turned to Karin and placed a seed in her hand. "Rest, and grow your beautiful roses."
"She's right. Life is too short to waste time crying over some man." Kuri said.
"Besides that." Reiko held Al's hand. "Someday you'll find a man who loves you for who you are, not what you look like."
Karin stood up, slapped Majhal, and headed back to her rose cart.
"Wh-what about me?!" Majhal said.
"You!" Ed shouted. "After what you've been up to, I'm thinking what Kuri did is almost to lenient. You know what, you should run. Right now."
Majhal scrambled up and took off running.
Nov 28, 1911
"Good to see you're depressed and back to normal." Ed said to Al.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking how alchemy has the power to delude people, too." Al said.
"Yeah... Guess it does." Reiko said.
"Thanks for saving me you guys." Kuri said.
"Please, you saved yourself." Ed said.
"Not really." Reiko said. "She walked into it. Didn't you Kuri?"
"I don't know what your talking about Sis." Kuri said in a tone that meant she wanted her to shut up.
"What do you mean?" Ed said.
"Well Ed you know ever since she was little, Sis has had the Sight. She got it from mom's side of the family. Anyway she gets this funny jerk when she has a vision. I didn't know what she saw, but that was it, wasn't it?" Reiko said.
"He's right." Al said before Ed could start in with the questions. "I saw her jerk too. And she used to say things to me, like she "saw death" on animals or even people. It would scare her until her mom and Granny Kaori had this long talk with her about it. After that... she would come be with them when their time came."
Ed stood up in the middle of the train and went over to where Kuri was sitting. "That's why...you sat alone with Mom after she died. You weren't just saying goodbye! What did you—"
Kuri looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "She didn't want...to go. I had to stay a long time. Much longer than other people. I had to promise I'd look after you guys. I-I told you I promised."
Ed sat down, all the fire gone out of him. "That's why you walked into Majhal's lair today, even knowing he'd try to draw out your soul. You thought we'd learn something useful, huh? How could you be so unbelievably reckless and selfish! Don't you know...if anything happens to you...what would the point be then?!"
Kuri put her hand on his hand. "Y-Yeah I guess so. I don't wanna see that look on your face ever again, Ed." She drew her hand back, then extended her pinkie. "No more being reckless. We do this together or not at all. Promise."
"Promise!" Ed's smile was back as they rode on to their destination.