Story: It Is What it Is, Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA
Replies to reviews
AEW Dragon said: It makes sense to get the mission finished first since it is the reason they are in that town. It seems to me that Kanon is being forced to do something. Maybe ed and him will get along after it all. And I'm excited to read about Ed's situation. I always liked stories where he had issues that came to light (for once in his life) and roy and Riza help him. Parental stuff is great. Can't wait for more!
Kanon is definitely being forced into a situation he doesn't particularly want to be in. And I do plan to have Edward and Kanon make up to a degree. Looking forward to writing for the situation between Riza, Roy and Edward too and getting him to slowly reach out and trust others! Parental Royed and Parental Rized is the best! x3 (Parental RoyAl and Parental RizAl too, though!)
MachuPichu310 said: The family dynamic you've built is just the best. It always makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
I'm so glad that I've wrote the parental stuff in a way you like, and that my interpretation is heartwarming. I sometimes worry that it's not enjoyable enough haha. XD;;;
Guest said: I love this so much, I can't wait for the next chapter!
It's good to know people love my story. Hope you stick through with me! =^w^=
heartbreakerninja said: So this has been popping up in my inbox for my email for a bit and truthfully I ignored it at first because I hadn't really thought about fullmetal since I finished the manga back in high school lol. I usually dont read fan fiction for that particular series just because the anime sucked in my opinion; especially that weird one that didn't even follow the manga at all; and alot of fans watched the anime and never read the manga. So I usually just skip over them.
However, you stories summery intrigued me and so I put my usual misgivings aside amd read the first chapter...needless to say I gor hooked and love it so far. Congrats your one of the few fullmetal alchemists fan fic writers to get me hooked on their story. Cant wait to see where you take this.
:)
Keep up the awesome work!
I'm really happy to hear that my story is so enjoyable for you. Your praises genuinely mean a lot to me, and it's nice to know that you take my story that serious and gave it a chance.
While I thoroughly loved both FMA anime series, there were a lot of tid bits from the manga that I do wish had made it to at least one of the anime(LIKE ALPHONSE, MY BABY, THREATENING TUCKER), and certain things that I wish had been different. But it is what it is, right? :'D (YEss, pun intended...)
I am really considering the manga more while writing this, though.
...
(Also, I should probably clear this up, since I'm sure there are some people that's been wondering about it. I don't hate Hohenheim, unlike Edward, as I know he's a very flawed human being that had the majority of his life forced on him(at least in Brotherhood and the manga, which is what I'm basing this off of), but I strongly understand why Edward feels the way he does. No matter how you look at it, Hohenheim still abandoned him and Al, and left them to grow up and deal with things alone, and nothing can ever change that, even if he did plan to come back. Both Ed's and Al's feelings on the matter are human and relatable. To be honest, I might have been more like Alphonse and tried to reason with him, but I'm also applying a bit of my own feelings regarding the absence of my own father in my life, and the way it's made me feel. Edward is the easiest to write when it comes to that, and I tend to relate more to his snarkiness and system of thinking at times(I'm quite cynical, like Edward, but I do like writing uplifting things at times) though I relate to both of them. You know it's a good story when you can find a way to relate to two characters who are basically polar opposites at times. XD;;;)
One other thing, I hope it didn't feel like I short-handed Roy or Riza at all in this chapter. The reason I went the route I did is because Roy didn't want to get Edward involved with such a matter if he could help it. And it kind of goes along the lines of the fact that Edward is still a kid and things still go on around him whether he's witness to it or not. I'll stop, because I'm probably making it sound stupid or not making any sense.
WARNING: This is super anti-climatic and I'm sorry. I'm feeling very insecure about posting this chapter, because I have never completed writing mysteries before. So this was a new experience for me and I hope it was written well enough. (It's not the absolute end of the ordeal, but it's enough so that I can move onto the other matter at hand, being Edward's self harm.)
...
Kanon had never got along with people or made friends easily, even back in school. His white hair and pink eyes always caught negative attention from others, as it caused him to stand out, so he often got teased by his classmates. His older sister, who was an Ishvalan and also had white hair, was the only one that went out of her way to tell him that there was nothing wrong with having white hair, that his hair was beautiful because it was white as snow, nor was their anything wrong with his eyes.
Even though she didn't follow the teachings, his mother, Lilith, just like Lyra, was also Ishvalan. However, he only seemed to share her hair; their skin tone and even eye color were different, and, because of low pigmentation of melanin, the doctors had amounted it to Albinism. Lilith, however, died of a 'mysterious heart attack' when Kanon was about two years old, so he didn't remember her that well at all, except in vague memories of her holding him in her arms.
Lyra, over time, had become more of mother to Kanon than a sister, as she would sometimes tell him stories about their mother, defend him against bullies, encourage him when he was down, read him books, sing him lullabies and even tuck him into bed. She was everything to him.
His father, Gerhard, however, was the total opposite. He had always played favorites towards Lana, for being the non alchemical user in the family. Gerhard was often abusive towards Kanon and Lyra, but tended to project more of his frustrations onto Kanon because he was the smallest. Lyra would typically step in to protect him, getting beaten herself in the process.
When Kanon was ten, Lyra died in a similar manner that Lilith was said to have. Heart failure.
While there was no proof, Kanon was certain that Gerhard was behind it, but Lana didn't seem to believe him. Lana had never dared to stand up to her father or question him. Even when she didn't like to see Kanon or her family get beat, she didn't stop listening to him, afraid of getting beat herself. Sometimes, Lana did get Kanon to fix things for her, but as a result, if Gerhard found out, it would lead to Kanon getting hit again.
At the age of 11, Kanon was truly alone and began to become more and more anti-social, not to mention low key resentful of his father. Kanon tried to bring Lyra back when he was 11, and as a result, lost his left arm. Gerhard, after that, only became more abusive, seeing him as nothing but a disgrace to the family. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he had never defended himself against him, even though he had both parkour and had martial arts training on his side.
Kanon began to wear long sleeves to hide not only the bruises caused by his father, but also his automail. And he realized it eventually; he couldn't hate his father, no matter how much he wanted to. He figured he had his own backstory and motivation, having been in the military, but he never bothered to ask. Instead, he only tried to rationalize it in his head to distract himself. He hadn't the emotional capacity to form an actual opinion. He closed his heart off and just detached himself when it came to being beaten, taking things as it came, especially when Gerhard got drunk. In some sense, it helped numb his pain. Not that it didn't hurt, but he chose not to focus on that.
When it came to others, however, Kanon was quite misanthropic no matter you define it, even though he masked it well at times. Just like right now.
"So... I've been meaning to ask." Edward's eyes met his wary gaze.
He had been an inch away from beating the shit out of Kanon himself after enough banter before he remembered why he wanted to meet up with the guy in the first place. "Know anything about The Suicide Forest?"
Kanon's eyes flashed in surprise for a moment, before he shrugged, turning his head away in a snarky manner. "Yeah, I know some things here and there, but I don't feel inclined to tell you anything."
"Sorry, kid, but I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice in this." Roy said, stepping in his way as he tried to walk off.
"Oh? And what are you gonna do if I don't talk?" Kanon rose an eye brow, as if daring him to start something.
"I don't think that's something you particularly want to find out." Roy said, in a low threatening tone of voice.
Kanon gave him an unimpressed look, certain the man couldn't do any worse to him than his own father had.
"We only have a few questions to ask you, so try to bare with us." Riza assured, giving a small smile.
Briefly, Kanon was reminded of Lyra and he caved. "Fine, what do you want to know?"
"First off, what is your father's name?" Roy asked.
Kanon looked at him confused. "Gerhard Rösch, why?"
It was at that moment that everything began to click in Roy's head. He knew he had recognized the man's face, he just couldn't place who he was right off hand.
Gerhard Rosch had been a solider who worked with herbs and medicinal treatment in the military, as well as concocting poisons for weapons during the war. But after several other soldiers died in his care from unnamed causes, he was relieved of his duties and put in jail for prison time. Apparently, he'd either been released or escaped.
He was not an alchemist, but he had exceptional knowledge and skills when it came to botany and toxicology. And it made perfect sense now how murder had not been suspected.
"Elizabeth, I think we've found our culprit." Roy decided, turning to look at Riza, who nodded in response, having the same train of thought as him.
"Are you guys detectives or something?" Kanon deadpanned.
"No, we're not." Roy said, before looking at him. "But your father is now under suspicion for manslaughter."
Kanon's eyes widened for a second, before he smirked. "Ahhh, you think he's behind the deaths at Selbstmordwalt, don't you?"
"Well, isn't he?" Roy rose an eyebrow, surprised by the boy's apathy. Furthermore, Roy didn't know why he was even asking him, because it was possible the boy was an accomplice, or at least knew something, and would just defend Gerhard. What Kanon said next, however, threw him off.
"Well, see, the answer is a lot more complex than yes or no. It's like this. Gerhard is responsible, but yet he's not."
"Explain." Roy said sternly.
Kanon grew silent, a conflicted expression on his usual smug face. He had already let out more than intended, If he said anymore, he was sure that he would just get beaten again by Gerhard.
Edward recognized the look. Kanon was afraid, whether or not he tried to mask it. He was afraid of betraying Gerhard; of betraying his father.
"You're scared, aren't you...?" Edward muttered, looking away, catching the attention of both Roy and Riza. "Of being hit again. That's why you wear long sleeves, isn't it...? To hide the bruises."
Kanon was a little taken aback at how quickly Edward had made the deduction. He smirked, but his face grew melancholic, before he turned away.
"Well, It's not like there's anything I can do about it. He is my father, after all..."
"No, a normal father wouldn't beat their child just because they're different." Edward muttered. "I know it's painful... wanting somebody's approval... But if he's treating like this, you can't keep allowing him to keep doing that to you..."
It was at that moment that Kanon snapped, lunging at Edward before Riza or Roy could respond, grabbing him by a choke hold. "What would you know?! You have two loving parents who... You have people who actually do care!"
In an instant, Kanon's usual calm exterior was beginning to unravel and his true feelings were starting to show, jealousy for Edward's situation consuming him. Roy and Riza reached out, pulling him off of him.
"You're wrong...!" Edward didn't want to resort to these means of getting his way, but Kanon needed to hear it. Kanon's eyes narrowed.
"Elizabeth and Alastair aren't my parents..." Edward's hair shadowed his eyes.
"What...?" Kanon genuinely hadn't expected his response. He did know that Edward was in the military, but didn't know too much beyond what he and the latter had discussed the day prior. Though come to think of it, Edward had tried to bring somebody back before sealing his brother's soul to a suit of armor. A parent perhaps...?
He calmed down, wondering what Edward had to say.
Roy and Riza were shocked when Edward had basically blown their cover in a single sentence. Neither of them really even knew what to think, and while Roy wanted to speak up to prevent Edward from saying more, something stopped him.
Edward suddenly felt a lump in his throat, barely able to speak again. "They aren't... my family either..."
"It's true..." Riza added in a low voice, as she placed a hand on top of his head. "His real father left when he was very young and his mother died sometime after."
"She died waiting for him to come back, Kanon..." Edward muttered. "You can't go down the same path as her, waiting for your father to change, or clinging to the prospect that he will ever see you as his son... Because it's not worth those bruises nor the pain."
Kanon studied him with an unreadable expression, before looking away wearily.
His mother... That must have been who he tried to bring back... Just like... Lyra...
"...I only know so much, but I do know that my father has been forcing people to commit suicide..." he murmured, low enough that nobody except those he wanted to could hear him. He decided it was time that he told somebody.
"Have you told anybody before now?" Riza asked.
"Why would I? He threatened to kill me himself." Kanon said smoothly, as if it was obvious. But, now, he decided that if he got killed by Gerhard for this, so be it.
Roy clinched his fists at knowing that a father was putting his own son in this kind of position, aside from the physical abuse. Edward was no happier and Riza felt sick.
"Do you have any idea why he's doing it or what his goal is?" Riza wanted to know.
"He's a lunatic." Kanon shrugged. Even if he didn't hate his father, he wasn't beyond stating the facts. "Thinks he's worshiping a god named Ishvala by sacrificing people who have served in the military, and alchemists in general... or something like that."
(Which was kind of hypocritical since Gerhard himself had been in the military.)
The Ishvalan teachings didn't have to be carried out by just Ishvalans themselves, as they could be undertook by anybody of any racial background, so that wasn't even a dispute. But just like any other religion, different people practiced beliefs differently at times, and in some cases, there happened to be extremists that would even distort and twist doctrines as justification to commit murder for their own 'cause', and see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Edward realized it then.
"...your secret about being Fullmetal is safe with me..."
Kanon hadn't told Gerhard about him being an alchemist because he was protecting him. If it had been any other time, Edward would have smirked.
"Elizabeth, I want you to get Kanon to a hospital to get his bruises looked after, to make sure there's no internal damage." Roy said, a dark expression on his face, ignoring the few looks they were receiving from a distance. Fortunately, most of the people had already walked off and were minding their own business, however.
"What are you going to do?" Riza wanted to know, not entirely sure she trusted Roy not to kill Gerhard himself.
"First, I'm going to make a call to get some men out here to investigate this further, Given that Gerhard cooperates, he's undoubtedly going to be held for questioning and his children are going to be taken from his custody at best. But if he doesn't... well, let's just say he's a fool if he thinks I'm just going to let him get away with what he's done." Roy clinched his fists.
"I'm going with you." Edward said. He wanted to beat the shit out of Gerhard and figured that Roy might could use some back up anyway.
"Absolutely not." Roy said sternly, meeting his gaze. "You're to stay with her."
"Hey, this is my business too!" Edward retorted.
"And it's even more so Kanon's. But he's staying with Elizabeth anyway, just as you will be." Roy replied with ease. "Since Gerhard isn't an alchemist, he shouldn't pose a huge threat, so that isn't something you need to concern yourself with. Rather... You should be focusing on the welfare of your friend at this moment."
"What? We aren't 'friends'! I barely know him!" Edward argued back, denying it.
"Are you sure about that?" Roy rose an eyebrow.
Edward didn't have an answer.
...
Edward was pissed.
Kanon hadn't wanted to go to a hospital, but decidedly went along with it.
And Riza was at a loss of what to do. Making sure that Kanon had no broken ribs or anything of the sort was most certainly important, but that didn't stop the uneasy feeling on her stomach, because she could sense just how angry Roy had been before he walked off, even if he was good at hiding it.
"Are you going tell them about it...?" Kanon suddenly spoke up after Riza had stepped out to make a phone call and give her own side on what she'd witnessed and the conclusion she and Roy had come to.
Kanon had just got an X-Ray and was waiting on the results.
"Tell them about what?" Edward asked, not following.
"The cuts." Kanon specified.
Edward's eyes widened for a moment before he looked away.
"No..." He answered bitterly, in a low voice.
"I don't blame you..." Kanon admitted, not facing him.
"You're quite agile for somebody covered in bruises." Edward commented, changing the subject.
"I've got used to it." Kanon dismissed it, as if it wasn't a big deal. In reality, Edward knew it was not fully true. One never got used to bruising. They could only become used to hiding it and trying to detach their self from it. But he didn't bother mentioning that.
Kanon didn't bother asking anything else, and not much was said after that.
...
"Gerhard Rosch, you're currently under suspicion of manslaughter. I suggest you come with us without resistance. Although we could go a much more painful route, if you'd prefer that." Roy said. Behind him stood several men from the nearby military base. They were holding guns, while Roy himself had his ignition gloves and was more than ready to light him up if need be.
It hadn't taken long to locate Gerhard.
"What's he talking about?"
"Has somebody been killed?"
"Not that I know of..."
People started to talk, gathering around to figure out what was going on and why the military was here.
"Roy Mustang..." Gerhard turned around to glare at him. Lana was at Gerhard's side, confused and obviously a bit scared.
"Ah, so you remember my face and name. Then you should have no problem knowing why you should back down while you still have the option." Roy said coolly.
Gerhard gave a smug look. "I bet you've got bored since the war is over, so now you're accusing innocent civilians of things they didn't do, just so you have an excuse to show off and cause unnecessary drama."
Roy ignored his comment, not caring to bother with arguing against trivial accusations towards himself (he'd dealt with far worse before, after all), asking the men to detain him, and bring him to a place he could be watched until the next day when he would have more leeway.
Gerhard, fortunately, didn't resist, certain that he was going to be able to prove himself innocent. In truth, he didn't even know what murders he was being accused of, because he had taken so many lives already.
Lana was left, uncertain of what to do, as she watched her father being hauled away. She knew that his actions were finally catching up to him, but she herself had been no better. After all, she had allowed it to continue without speaking up about it.
"'Lana', was it?"
She nodded, as she gazed over to see Roy kneeling in front of her.
"And you're... Roy?" she inquired. Roy figured there was no point in hiding it anymore.
"Yeah, I am... Do you mind coming with me?" Roy asked, in a bit of a harsher tone than he had intended. Yet, it didn't seem to phase her.
"Sure, where do you need me to go?"
"Well, for starters, why don't we visit your brother at the hospital?" Roy gave a small smile.
"...Alright..." Lana looked away, assuming that he had been admitted for the bruises. A part of her couldn't help but feel a little guilty. In truth, she wondered if Kanon was mad at her, for not defending him against their father. She'd never been as courageous as Lyra, and she knew that it must be painful for him to go through that alone, but she was too afraid to stand up to Gerhard.
And she hated it.
...
"I'm sorry..." Were the first words she spoke. Kanon was taken aback by the apology, before he looked away. They didn't hug; they had never hugged to begin with. Their conversations were always awkward, not affectionate like his bond with Lyra had been.
He didn't ask what the apology was for. He didn't say anything. He couldn't.
...
Outside the hospital room, Roy, Riza and Edward sat.
"So what are they planning?" Edward asked, a downcast look in his eyes.
"They're going to be transferring him to CBH, so they can find placement for a better home." Riza explained.
"CBH?" Edward inquired.
"It stands for Central Behavioral Health... It's a psychological institution over in Central." Roy clarified.
"Huh..." Edward mulled over it. "What about his sister?"
"She'll be going with him." Roy said.
"I see." Edward mused, getting the gist of it. "So what's going on with that Gerhard bastard?"
"He's been taken in for questioning." Roy answered. "I'll be going over to the nearby military base tomorrow to talk to him myself."
He then smirked. "But at least now, two out of three of our answers were solved."
"What do you mean?" Edward asked.
"Think about it. Former and present Military officers start committing serial suicides. Somebody is eventually bound to start spreading distorted rumors about conspiracies." Roy put it into words that made perfect sense. "Though I still have my doubts that the rumors about the weapons of mass destruction have any credence to them at all. But I guess the only thing we can do is keep our eye out."
Nobody said anything after that for a while.
...
A/N: So... This whole matter has pretty much been brought to a close, I hope it was satisfying enough, because this was hard as heck to write. I've never been one for writing mysteries, but you can thank Sherlock's "A Study in Pink/Scarlet" for the serial suicides idea.
Also, this isn't the end of Kanon, he will occationally be showing up again, and also play a fair role in later chapters. I won't spoil how, though.
Again, I've literally NEVER finished a mystery in fanfiction before, so this is the first one I've carried out. Please try to be understanding and don't hate me for how badly it was written. T-T
Now, we'll be getting to the main stuff.