Choices: Part I

~The plan~

"The intel that your guardian provided us was the truth," Viola Cadence wasted no time in starting this meeting. She owed Lieutenant Breda for his swift work. They had little time and needed to keep things brief. From the unsettled tension in the air and the way nobody could sit still in their seats gave truth to her thoughts.

"The old hag?" Ed snickered. Eyes glared at him but the golden-haired young man held himself as proudly as he could. The alchemy to heal his body had been flawless. Viola had watched the transmutation taking place and a part in the back of her mind was in awe of alchemy's magic. Marcoh and several of his alchemist associates worked together on the project.

But that in itself had left her wondering.

Marcoh was a former State Alchemist. He had fled after Ishval and had not been seen again. She had heard about his 'military abandonment'; she lived in the East Area and was well acquainted with the Eastern Conflict, for many people who lived in the town had been touched by the war as well.

She imagined him to be meek. But the gentleman who had walked into her hospital with this infuriating confidence and lacking the ability to match it.

For surely if one had a Philosopher's Stone, a catalyst for alchemic transmutations and had the title of State Alchemist and was a doctor, Viola had thought the man competent enough to complete the transmutation by himself. He didn't even restore the eyesight or hearing of the Elric brothers, through their stubborn morality.

Fair enough to them.

Therefore, Marcoh had had an even easily task to complete. Viola had noticed that his hands had barely touched the array as if he was not the one activating it. As if the associates were doing all the work for him.

Whether this was a move of arrogance or inability, she could not be sure.

She did not know much about alchemy, but she had a cousin (currently hulking behind her shirtless) who would not stop wittering on the matter. It was inevitable that some of the alchemy waffle would remain infested in her brain.

"Yes, Pinako Rockbell has provided us with invaluable information," Viola replied and Edward beamed a wicked grin. After the Hell he had endured with the transmutation, he was having a good spell. He was doing better and it reflected in his attitude as though he had become a completely different person.

"So what are we gonna do?" the older Elric said.

"I had planned on you remaining at the hospital-"

"Fuck that! Al and I are healed. We're going on this stupid mission to the town centre. There may be something we can utilise there."

Viola made a mental note to challenge him on that after the meeting was over but pushed the thought to the side, "very well. We'll use you.

"Our main task is to separate the Crimson and Crystal Alchemists. Together they create too strong a force for us to handle. Alex is our alchemist here until the Elrics see fit to re-enter commission," Viola locked eyes with Alphonse and nodded, "and we must find a way to expose Marcoh."

"How do you propose we do that?" Alex asked, a concerned expression causing his moustache to quiver.

"I am not sure, but I wonder if one of you alchemists will have an answer," and Viola shared her thoughts about Marcoh. She rarely felt unconfident; uncertain, yes, but she was confident with the measurements she made and the way she viewed the world. When the supernatural aspect of alchemy glittered like a jewel in the horizon, doubt crept its way into her field of vision.

"Hmmm, so you are saying he did not activate the array," Alex confirmed. When she nodded in response, Alex ran his fingers across his chin, something he did when deep in thought, "the Marcoh I know would have been easily able to transmute a wound like that. He specialised in utilising the power of precious gemstones, quartzes and the like. The Philosopher's Stone would have proved no different."

"He was the lead researcher in the Philosopher's Stone trials in Ishval, for fuck's sake," Ed contributed, having met the man and his inhumane research at the Fifth Laboratory. He had not approved of what the doctor had done but Marcoh has trusted Ed and given him answers (while leaving him partly in the dark dammit). He respected the man for that.

"Those weirdos with the tattoos seemed to be involved. They were probably pulling the strings," Ed added. He had not given thought to those individuals. But his gut agreed with his head on this one- they were not good. There was something sinister about them.

"I remember," Alex recalled and shook his head to avoid deviating further, "but yes, it is odd. The man looks like Marcoh but clearly isn't him. The Crimson Alchemist is also meant to be serving in prison. The group with the tattoos could be involved in this."

"Keep an eye out for these tattooed individuals then. If they can be neutralised, make that a priority," Viola silently wondered if these mysterious figures would show up or if they would continue their masquerade from the shadows. She very much doubted them making an appearance on the surface world.

"Maybe he can't perform alchemy," Ed said, "maybe he is an imposter. Alchemy can do terrible things. I'm not the only damn fool to do the forbidden."

"Marcoh is therefore dangerous. We should focus on the Crimson Alchemist," Viola Cadence decided, "Alex- just before we reach the town centre, can you find a way to pull Crimson to the side?"

"Of course on my word as an Armstrong!" the muscular man proclaimed proudly.

"What can we do?" Ed asked adamantly, speaking for himself and Al. The younger Elric had a brave expression on his face.

"We cannot leave ourselves vulnerable and exposed," Michael chipped in, "it would be dangerous for you to engage in combat."

"But Crimson will be interested in us. I know he is," Ed shuddered, "he is the kind of man who needs to be at the top of his game. And a State Alchemist with powers that rival his own- whom is half is age- is a challenge in itself. I'm sure he will talk to me. If the Major speaks to him after he shows an interest in me, hopefully that will bide us time."

"I'm sending Michael up ahead to scout and keep watch. He will be our eyes and ears when we cannot keep an eye on the bastards," Viola nodded to her trusted companion and Michael shrugged his shoulders as if risking is life was a daily task.

"While Alex has Crimson distracted, I need you," she gestured at the Elric brothers, "to make a commotion. Make some noise. We capture Crimson, assess how dangerous Crystal is and then neutralise him."

"When you mean neutralise…" Ed said warningly.

"I understand you both have a 'no kill' policy. But on the battlefield it is do or die and I have no intentions of dying. I have a hospital to run," the doctor huffed and that was that.

"Nobody dies!" Ed hissed. Nobody was going to die on his watch.

"I will instruct my crew to do their best to neutralise. Not kill. I cannot make any promises," she said with an almost sombre note to her voice.

"And what about the Colonel and his team?" Alex asked.

"They can come and join the fight. I have faith they will rescue the trapped individuals. As to… Crimson's brother… be cautious."

"If something goes wrong, I'll send a signal," Michael finalised as everyone began shuffling to get ready.

Several pairs of eyes lifted to reach the assistants.

"Listen to the fountain."

They had left a short while ago.

Ed and Al had had their backs to her, walking off into the distance. She felt her fists tighten in her lap. But she promised she would not cry. She held her breath and waited for the feelings to pass. She had to push them aside for now.

Not only was Winry Rockbell an automail mechanic, but first aid trained. Her knowledge of anatomy and medicine rivalled that of the Elrics (they really did have interesting hobbies as kids…). And as Viola Cadence had departed for the town centre with Kimblee's squadron, the mansion was left with fewer medical professionals.

Winry had a gut feeling. It happened anytime she was waiting. It was the understanding that there were going to be casualties, but to what scale she would not know (until it was too late…). She took the time to prepare supplies, double checked and triple checked her stores. She tinkered with some metal. She checked her automail supplies as well (she would not trust that dummy, not for an instant).

Her thoughts were occupied. A heaviness settled on her shoulders, tensing. There was nothing she could do right then. Check. Double check.

Her heart was pounding. And when had she started pacing? She realised she was muttering, her voice a quiet echo through the mansion's hallways. She was listing bones in the body one minute; she listed corresponding components of the automail limb the next.

"If you keep walking like that, you're going to erode your feet sometime," Granny sat in the main entrance, keeping watch out of the window. There was a guard posted but Granny was ignoring him (and any medical professional's advice) and was smoking heavily. Winry watched Granny; the woman was not a heavy smoker. The pipe came out when she needed to think and when she was worried… concerned. Not that Granny would admit to it. But she knew that Winry knew why she was smoking so much. The elderly woman sighed.

"You're going to be of no use here," Granny fiddled with the pipe in her hands, giving Winry her signature side-eye.

The words were tumbling from Winry's mouth before she could stop herself: "what am I meant to do, Granny? I've done everything I can here, everything. If I have to wait an extra minute for those dummies, I'm going to throw a wrench at the first person who talks to me!

"I hate this feeling! This…uselessness!" Winry cried, the heavy weight on her shoulders pausing. And it wasn't from the automail bag she was lugging around with her. She took that everywhere and Granny knew better than to coax her into putting it down.

She would carry it until the job was done and she could slap Ed and Al for being idiots and making her worry.

"The front door is there," Pinako pointed with her pipe matter-of-factly to the front door, "nobody's stopping you. Go and make yourself useful, girl."

"But-" Winry interjected. She had not expected Granny to agree so willingly with her.

"Look, Winry," Granny sighed, eyes gazing out onto the rolling fields outside, "I'm only going to say this once so don't ask me to repeat it. Damn, what would Hohenheim think of me now? Anyway, I love you three with every old cell this old sack of bones has. I'll always be here for you, but I trust you're strong enough to make your own decisions. You always have a home to return to. But you need to listen to your hearts; you're not children anymore."

Winry gulped. She had promised she would not cry…not cry… next time she cried it had to be cheers of joy. But that was a promise made to her by Ed. Granny trusted her. She let her eyes well for a moment before taking a calming breath.

"Thank you for everything, Granny," Winry bent to kiss the proud matriarch on her cheek but received a sudden slap instead.

"This isn't my funeral, insolent child," Granny snapped.

"But you just said!"

"I said no such thing. I have no idea what you're going on about. Hurry up and get out of here, I will let these folks know where you're going!"

Winry raced towards where the rest of her supplies were. She tottered, still running, towards the entrance. Granny was holding the door open for her already.

"I love you, Granny!" Winry called as she sprinted past without looking back.

"Idiot Rockbell," Pinako muttered while securing her bun. She thought of young children playing and the sound of laughter and dogs barking.

Edward felt his brother slip away from his grasp. He reached out for dear life, for it was life itself he was holding onto. Al Al Al. Everything was all about Al. When had it not been? He lived to protect his brother but he couldn't feel Al or see him where was his brother?

He was slipping.

"BROTHER" a voice called out in the void. The world was chaos. Explosion. Noises. Gunfire.

Where was Al?

There was nothing in his world of darkness. He remembered when he had first started losing his vision. Everything had been white. As white as the daffodils, wilting, dying.

Now it was dark.

He was alone.

Where was Al?

-He's gone.-

No…

-And now your time has come, Fullmetal Alchemist.-

No!

-You knew that this was going to happen. And yet you pretended to live in ignorance. Live live live as your very will to live melted away, sucked up into the realm of God as part of your toll to reunite your brother's body to his soul.-

I will never leave him, dammit!

But then he had to take several deep breaths. The mental protest had exhausted him. He could feel the weight of his Shadow pressing around him and it refused to let go. He could not shake it off and he did not have the energy to fight it and where was Al.

-He's a dead man, Elric.-

-While you live, a pathetic husk of what you used to be.-

-At least when Alphonse dies, there will be nothing left for you to lose.-

-You could even recover from what Kimblee did to you.-

Another wall slammed into Edward. That was it, wasn't it? One word. One fucking little word could turn his world upside down. The threads of sanity he had been holding onto. Convincing himself he was having a fucking good day when everyday was bad every single fucking second in the tunnels was a torture in itself. How could one describe being burnt alive by alchemical voltage? The power of the Universe turned against his foolish self and channelled through his veins, pumping something far worse than poison into his veins. A power that should not be dabbled by the hands of mortal men.

It had been agonising.

Hands?

Hands of men?

-Oh it's all coming out, now.-

-Because you remember, don't you.-

-You weren't fully unconscious when it happened.-

When what fucking happened?! Where the fuck is Al get me to him now you bastard?

He clutched at his chest because it hurt to shout and hurt to breathe. His world was dark and he was alone and fucking shitting himself in fear.

Where was Al GODFUCKINGDAMMIT.

-You know. You fucking know, Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist. And we hope you are prepared. This is going to be the battle for your life.-

-Edward Elric, Hero of the People, Fullmetal Alchemist-

-Major, friend, brother.-

-Sunshine.-

Edward's mind was hurled back. Back and down. Down under the ground into the dirt where the rats and maggots crawled, suffocating in the damp, dark tunnels. Always trying to be free and escape but there was no escape was there? What was the point in holding on no fight it Al Al Al but Al isn't here now you are on your own and good luck you fucking fool.

Sunshine.

That's what the men had called him.

He had been barely conscious. They had surrounded him, smoking those cigarettes and blowing cinders into his face (it tingled like wasp stings but compared to what was to come oh fucking god get me away). They began to wolf whistle and while staring at him they unzipped their-

And-

They-

Oh God.

It fucking hurt.

He couldn't.

No more please.

But on it went.

"Sunshine, sunshine sunshine, golden boy," was all they said.

Again and again and again. Like a lullaby.

But this wasn't a lullaby. It really fucking wasn't it was a nightmare and he was fucking terrified please get him out of here what about Al OH GOD.

Kimblee Kimblee Kimblee.

You fucking son of a bitch.

I'll kill you-

No energy to fight it.

…

…

…

I want to die.

Let me die.

(Al Al Al).

All alone what's the point.

End me.

FUCKING END ME.

Where the fuck are you?

…

SO EVEN YOU'VE ABANDONED ME. EVEN MY SHADOW IS DISGUSTED AT WHAT A FILTHY WHORE I AM.

Reborn from the fucking ashes of cigarettes.

That's what I'm worth.

Shit.

Let me die already. GET IT OUT OF THE WAY.

…

I'm tired.

Please.

…

…

…

The ground was cold beneath his body. He knew he was shivering. They had left him to rot and die on the ground and he wondered if he would be buried next to his mother. Edward would have liked that.

Not that he deserved a grave.

He had become nobody; he was NoName.

Let Al go, I beg of you.

Whether his plea reached the realm of God, Edward would remain ignorant.

And like that, he spoke his Truth. His simple and painstaking Truth:

I don't want to be here. I want to be home.

Home was Resembool and train stations and Central and nights- late, late nights- studying in the library. Home was his mind, setting it to work on projects impossible to some, but not to him.

He was-

Well, he was nobody. And he was just going to have to accept that.

Take me away.

Keep him safe for me. I wasn't able to.

Oh my God Al I am so so fucking sorry.

…

-Is that it?-

What?

-You've remembered. You've endured. And you choose to accept the inevitable? You choose death?

-It's a choice, you fool.-

-Live or die.-

-Create or destroy.-

-Nothing…or everything.-

But equivalency. I am meant to die, to become nothing. That's the deal I made. I bargained for Al's life and I will allow nobody to pay the price but me.

-Look.-

What now you bastard?

-Listen.-

-You made a choice, just then. Save Al.-

Always.

-Is that what you want?-

Don't you ever fucking suggest otherwise. Always always always for Al.

-So make the choice.-

-Overcome equivalency. Save him.-

-Save yourself, Edward.-

-You didn't become the Fullmetal Alchemist by doing nothing.-

Should he take the risk?

One more time. And for the hundreds and hundreds of fucking times he would have to live through these flashbacks, dragging and carrying the trauma around with him, becoming triggered by a whisper in the breeze, the dripping of a tap, even the discharge of alchemy?

Would he want to drag himself from Hell the infinite number of times living would require? He couldn't accelerate his recovery. Not like automail. He would have to live the lifetime he had experienced in the tunnels on repeat, a vicious tandem eating him alive and it would be torture and he would never sleep soundly-

He would never be himself again.

But…he would do anything to protect Al.

He was going to do anything to protect Al.

That was the choice he made. The choice he always had and always will. The Elric brothers saved each other.

No matter fucking what.

A whimpering sound.

"Brother…"

He heard it. It was real. Without a shadow of a fucking doubt. Certainty washed over him.

…

Al.

And that's all it took for Edward Elric to begin struggling against the tide of darkness surrounding him.

For as long as he could remember, he had always been by his brother's side.

But Alphonse is gone. He understands. He knows me better than I know myself; he is life and love and I love him so fucking much. He deserves everything even if that means I deserve nothing. I have nothing left to lose! There is nothing left to me. So do what you have to do, Truth. Come, I am here. Waiting. Haven't you left me waiting long enough? Al will be good for humanity. He wants to save the world. Don't leave humanity waiting- they deserve him- I am so selfish for keeping him to myself for all of these years.

And for the first time in an eternity, he felt ready to move forward in his newly reclaimed body.

His smile… it means the world to me. You cannot understand humanity; you scorn emotion. I am…was an alchemist and a pioneer for that sort of shit. Do you understand? Even Al broke down my armour. He taught me how to feel, how to connect with the world and people in a way that I could understand- science. He took the time to save me. He is compassion and light. If you dare take his body away from him, I will find you in the next life.

They had done it. They had got his body back.

And nothing will take that away from him, do you understand me? If you so much as look at my brother, I will come and hurt you in a permanent sort of way. You would suffer a thousand eternities while living. That goes for the others too- Winry, Granny, the bastard and his team- they may have done bad things but they deserve to live. They want to make amends and isn't that the fucking point of living? To make mistakes, to rise up and move forward?

But…fate wasn't on their side.

I will make it happen. I am not about to be defeated by any arrogant arsehole who crosses me or Al.

Nothing seemed to be on their side.

That's what we are, brothers. Despite the odds, despite the number of times fate kicked us down, we rose right the fuck back up.

And that makes you nothing.

And with his automail fist, Edward could feel the dark void shatter, pieces ripping into nothingness, oblivion- but that's the difference this is his oblivion, his choice- scattering into a thousand dancing butterflies, blindly chasing for the light.

He had to confront the Truth.

Alphonse stared at the alchemy, spurting its crackling blue energy like the fountain, rising and twisting in rock and flame and power, raw, sheer power; this sight was a wonder in itself.

He couldn't help himself. He was drawn to alchemy; it was his life, his breathing; it was his friend in the lonely nights when he had inhabited the empty shell that was the armour; it was his fate- set into stone by the his father had left behind in his textbooks; alchemy was everything. To compare it to a drug or addiction was a crime.

A lifetime passed in seconds; eternity passes in the blink of an eye.

Alphonse watched as at the centre of the orderly chaos, he squinted at the two figures that seemed to occupy this space- this heavenly zone where mortals dare not tread. But no… the people at the centre…they were people…

Colonel Mustang and Mr Hughes!

As they had ascended from the tunnels, they descended. But the world seemed to freeze. The rocks and debris did not pummel to the ground; they lowered themselves carefully, with ease. Complicated alchemy was at hand here.

Suddenly, he felt someone grab his shoulder. He turned around and saw Hawkeye pressing a hand gently on Alphonse. He watched Havoc jump off what appeared to be a stone-projected tail.

So they were all alright!

Alphonse's heart sank when he didn't see Fuery there.

He felt something else missing.

His squeezed his hand, expecting a familiar touch to squeeze back in return. But Ed was not there.

For the ten seconds he had not been paying attention, Ed had vanished.

Who else could have emerged from the tunnels through the tectonic maelstrom?

Oh no no no no no nonononono.

"BROTHER" Al screamed and the anxiety clawing at his chest hurt more than losing his fucking hearing.

Channelling the power was a feat in itself. Roy could feel the power close to consuming him and it took every ounce of his willpower to control it. But he had mastered his hellfire and in comparison this would be nothing.

"BROTHER!"

No time.

He grabbed Hughes, careful not to damage the man's torn skin and leapt out of the maw of the draconic stone beast he had forged with alchemy.

His soul. His own damn soul had been the conduit for this monster.

But the power had not faded. It was there, pounding inside his chest, next to his soul, resonating against his ribcage like a second heartbeat.

Every pulse hurt and he lapped up the pain. It helped him to focus. He had rescued Hughes. He had helped collapse the tunnels, ending the nightmare.

Helped… because it had not been him alone.

He had found Alphonse.

But he needed to find the smaller brat.

Where was he?

The power in his chest wanted to crawl out greedily and claim a new vessel- Edward Elric.

Fucking insatiable bastard.

"Sir, thank you for saving me. You must come quick, it's Alphonse," the Lieutenant ran up to him saluting, "Edward, he-"

Roy didn't have spare brain cells. He was running on pure adrenaline. His attention was occupied. His mind was here there everywhere.

So he hesitated.

"Quick, Roy!" Hughes attempted to push the Hawkeye out of the way but it was too late. 'Hawkeye' grabbed for Mustang and he felt his hands and fingers being splayed as if blocks were manifested out of thin air. No drawing transmutation circles for him

Roy stared at the ground and watched as a couple of Marcoh's associates constructed this prison for him. A dust cloud rose from the dirt, preventing anyone else from seeing what was occurring from inside. It was a cheap and essentially lame tactic to prevent…unwanted interference.

He could free himself if he wanted to.

But his feeling was uncertain, hesitant. As if he was being encouraged to wait.

And then he heard the sound of crackling alchemy. The sparks than emanated from the figure were crimson.

Because Hawkeye was still with Alphonse. She wouldn't have left the vulnerable Elric's side. The colonel would have been expected to move his sorry ass over to them. Not the other way around. Goddammit this was simple logistics. His crew knew how he worked! And he had let them down on this one simple thing- he wasn't a fucking child anymore dammit!

The monster laughed. The androgynous figure cackled, their spiky black hair, as if charged, stuck outwards like a palm tree. They wore strange clothing. But there on their thigh was the serpent tattoo.

"So we meet at last, Colonel Mustang! Well, you've known me for a while now, but I am a little shy," and with that the figure's body crackled red again. The face of the Crystal Alchemist appeared, "and I am so glad you've decided to show up! Our plan would have been hindered without ya!

"I miss taking my true form… oh well I guess this shrimp body will have to do for now," they transformed back into their spiky hair-self, "the name's Envy by the way. And where's the real shrimp at? We need him. Let's get the party started- oh we're going to have such fun, Flame."

"Don't forget about me," a voice seethed and a second later, a knife was impaled in Envy's forehead. Envy choked, their eyes going blank for an instant. And then the violet eyes filled with light and malice and Roy and Hughes paled consecutively as the man plucked out the fucking thing, filed to a deadly point like it was a feather and kicked it away with their tattooed leg. Envy's hand morphed into a steel rope and wrapped around Hughes, tightening the man.

Roy blinked but there was no time to process how the freak could do it.

He gritted his teeth and had to accept the fact for now- this monster could shapeshift and was fucking deadly.

"Oh you, you're the annoying one. You were trying to find out about the Fifth Laboratory, weren't ya?" Envy got the reaction they were seeking as Maes' eyes widened in shock and the monster was eoncouraged to continue, "but you stopped chasing the lead. All because the Elric brothers went missing! Who knew it would be so easy to stop an Investigations pro all because two little boys went missing?

"We needed those brats alive, but they were a fucking pain."

"Don't you dare talk about them like that!" Roy struggled against his restraints. Envy smirked- the expression the definition of evil. They carried on with their little victory speech or whatever they thought it was.

Wait…

"What we hated them the most for was how they got everyone involved. Including potential sacrifices! The audacity those snivelling infants had- all you damn humans are the same- a fucking pain in the ass!"

"What are you doing here?" Maes asked.

"Lieutenant Colonel, Hughes, ever trying to get involved! Are ya trying to wheedle information out of me, in the state that you're in?" Envy laughed and tightened the restraints holding Hughes, "you don't know how close you came to being killed."

Mustang and Hughes shuddered.

"You got to live this long though! To witness us carve this crest of blood! And then there will only be one left. And God will walk the land and the Homunculi will rule," and Envy had not looked more serious until that moment.

"Those Kimblee brothers were so easy to fool," Envy sniggered and raised their free hand. A signal. Suddenly, the dust cloud lowered and the bright, bright Sun landed upon Roy's face.

He saw Turinene. Usually a bustling tourist town in the East Area. Famous for its fountain and clock tower that used to ring before the war. Since Ishval however, the tower rarely chimed, as if waiting for a day when it could celebrate, when Ishval was restored and the military dictatorship ended and democracy was restored. The people in Central were soft, but the folk of the East Area had lived through the war. They had every right to feel the way they did. There were disagreements and squabbled, but they were led by one unanimous belief: they fucking hated the military.

Turinene, with its cobblestones and warm summers and excellent to-die-for ice cream.

While below people had their lives torn and hearts broken.

By the man standing at one end of the plaza. NoName. Einar Kimblee, doctor, madman, scientist. Standing there with a smile on his face, holding Edward close to him with a gun pressed against the blond's forehead.

Wait… Trust…

He didn't understand: what for?

But his gut feeling persisted.

Roy and Maes, contained, at the other end of the plaza. There was silence, a ghostly chill rising in the air, the quietest the town had likely ever been.

"Brother…" he heard the younger Elric whimper. Alphonse too, captured, and held in the grip of the other Kimblee brother- the Crimson Alchemist.

Hawkeye, Havoc and Armstrong restrained like he was by Marcoh's supposed associates.

How had it happened so quickly?

Before Roy had a second to register what was going on or for Kimblee or NoName or Envy to speak, there was movement across the plaza.

Edward's head, lolling and drooping like a flower ripped off its stem, twitched. The barest of movements. Once. Twice.

And his head rose.

Fucking rose despite falling again and again.

And Roy was thrown back to a memory from years ago. Something that had changed the course of his life forever. Travelling to Resembool to recruit the acclaimed Elric brothers, magicians in their own right, matching the power of their father Hohenheim. Instead he had found a suit of armour and a boy who was wheelchair bound. A boy that people pitied, felt sorry for and sent well wishes to.

Roy didn't see that. Not fucking ever. And the same applied to now, as if nothing had ever changed despite all that had.

There was fire in those eyes.

And they stared across the space at Al, lovingly and fiercely protective of his little brother, and then they landed on Roy's.

The knot building in Roy's stomach dropped, the waves of power riding his body's life current, filling every ounce of his being once again.

Now.

No more waiting.

And as if stepping out of a nightmare, Edward Elric forced his palms together, the crash of metal on flesh resonating throughout the plaza, and he transmuted.

First half of the final chapter! So one more update and the main story will be over *cries*. It's going to take a bit of time to order the second half, so bear with me folks!
Merry Christmas and thank you for your patience.