All you've forgotten
Rating: T
Summary: Al and Ed have been surviving on the street that is until they are picked up by the police and placed in a foster home, Al adapts quickly but can Ed forgive all those in the past who hurt him and move on?
Author Note: Major AU! No Alchemy but Ed does have automail. Also I do not own FMA, I wish I did but sadly… I don't.
Chapter thirteen
All the people in the court room held their breath, the air becoming unbearable with thick tension as we awaiting the Judges verdict. The man looks at Edward, his grey eyes peering over his glasses and Edward straightens his back and lifts his chin a little higher, acting more like an adult than the young teenager he really is. Finally the Judge sighs and responds, taking off his glasses.
"On the charges presented to this court I find you Edward Elric, not guilty." He says and around the room the collective breath everyone seemed to be holding is let loose and people began to talk, some angry at the idea and others like the ones who know Edward are excited at his new found innocents. The gavel bangs and the room falls silent once more.
"Of course, the matter of you being a public menace is still in need of being addressed." The Judge frowns and asks Riza to stand.
"Ms. Hawkeye, this boy have been living with you has he not?"
"Yes sir, he has."
"Would you be interested in keeping custody of Edward and Alphonse Elric?" Alphonse looks up at Riza, his eyes wide and pleading, while Edward turns slightly, eyes guarded but a small smile gracing his features. Riza ruffles Alphonses' hair and smiles back at Edward before responding
"Yes sir, I would." She says and Alphonse quickly hugs the woman.
"Alright as for your behavior out on the street young man I am going to give you thirty-five hours of community service. Roy Mustang will be in charge of finding you the proper place to perform this service. This court is dismissed." The gavel is banged and the whole court room erupts in a mass of activity. Alphonse quickly jumps the rail separating his brother and they laugh, hugging each other. Riza stands back and watches as the two brothers rejoice, her eyes welling with tears.
Eight years later
Riza sits in the front row at a college graduation, watching as her oldest son walks onto the stage, stopping and receiving his diploma in Auto Mail Fabrication. The young man smiles out into the crowd where Riza sits and smiles, a toothy grin before all but running back to his seat, turning his tassel and laughs with the other graduates. Beside Riza sits Alphonse, clapping loudly.
Five years later (13 all together)
Riza once again finds herself sitting in the front row of a group of people, this time not at a graduation but at a wedding. The ceremony goes on while a light breeze slips its way through the Sakura trees lining the alter. Up front stands both her boys, the oldest standing beside his brother as he slips the gold ring over the finger of his new bride and childhood friend, Winry Rockbell, or now known as Winry Elric. Beside her sits a sobbing Alex Louise, and they applaud the two newly weds as they head down the isle together, starting their new life.
Edward
Edward and Alphonse Elric lived with Riza and Alex for many years after their initial placement. Edward, having been sentenced to community service, served out his hours as a mentor to battle injured soldiers who were contemplating the installment of Auto Mail. This service sparked the interest in designing and producing Auto Mail. Edward went on to get his Bachelor's degree in Auto Mail Fabrication and started his own business, running along side his childhood friend Winry Rockbell and her grandmother. Edward never married but continued to visit Riza and Alex. He now lives contently in a small home on the outskirts of Rush Valley, holding apprenticeships and still sculpting the most sought after Auto Mail.
Alphonse
Alphonse followed his brother to college but took up the science half of the Auto Mail trade, having developed a rot resistant nerve attachment the young Elric soon was working side by side with his childhood friend Winry Rockbell. Somewhere through their working the two sparked a connection and were married two years later. The two now live contently above their work shop within Rush Valley, with their children, a daughter named Trisha, named after Alphonses' mother and a son named Tucker.
Alex and Riza
Still ran their foster care home well into their mid sixties when they finally decided to close their doors. Up till that date they had fostered over one hundred and twenty two children, all who went on to become well know individuals in their field of choice. After closing their doors the two friends toured the world but always returned to their home for the holidays. Alex died at the ripe old age of eighty-seven while Riza lived on for several more years and died surrounded by the two children she loved most, the Elrics at the age of ninety three.
Roy Mustang
Continued to do his work as a social worker and stayed in close contact with the Elric brothers. He was called to do his duty in one of the recent wars and was among the few who returned home. Roy lived out his life happily, having found a woman and finally settled down to leave peacefully in a suburban home with his wife and six children. Roy died at home at the age of ninety nine, he outlived most of his friends and is buried beside Riza and Alex.
The End
Thank you to all those people who reviewed. I couldn't have finished this story without your support.
Completed on October 30, 2006 at 6:56 pm.