Title : Whispers of a Nightmare
Genre : Anime/Manga
Category : Full Metal Alchemist
Disclaimer : Nope, this one belongs to someone else as well.
Summary : Takes place after the incident with Nina. Something's wrong with Ed, and Al just can't quite figure out what it is. Serious situations and angst ensue.
Warnings : Angst, mild language, violence, and other issues that shall go unnamed for now. I don't want to give away too much of the plot just yet, now do I? ;)
Rating : T
Chapter 23 : The Waking Nightmare (Beautiful Agony)
He should've known by the color of the sky that morning that things weren't going to turn out quite as he was hoping they would. Even though it was fairly early, it was apparent that a storm was brewing, clearly evident from the yellowish and dark grey clouds that polluted what was supposed to have been a clear blue sky. It was anything but.
"Brother, are you sure we shouldn't just wait 'til the storm passes over? I mean, we're not that far from Renégauld. It'll probably be over in a few minutes," Alphonse tried to reason, that familiar feeling that something wasn't quite right snaking through his soul. His helmet quickly turned as thunder rumbled in the not too far off distance, the eleven year old oddly nervous and shaky all of a sudden.
"Just calm down, Al," Ed played it off, a feeling of silent dread sinking in his stomach. He was hoping that it was just the three donuts he'd managed to eat a few hours before, but ultimately, he knew better. "It's not like we haven't walked in the rain before. Besides, if it does only last a few minutes, what harm can it do?" he asked shrugging, forcing a tight-lipped smile to his pained lips.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," the younger boy mumbled distantly, quietly peering up at the riling horizon.
This doesn't look good...Are we making another mistake again?
The words echoed mercilessly through the boy's metal exterior, unsure of whether or not the excitement of actually getting somewhere with the Stone was getting the better of him.
What could possibly go wrong though? It's just a little town...right?
"About how far away do you think it is?" Edward asked after a minute, a brisk wind gusting past him, lifting his bangs into the air temporarily. The chill brushed against his cheek, forcing him to shudder, albeit involuntarily.
Alphonse quietly removed the piece of paper from his cloth belt, glancing down at it.
"I think we're still about a kilometer away, possibly two," he replied, folding the map back up neatly and sticking it back in between the cloth and the cool metal surface.
"So we're definitely close then," Edward stated, more to himself than his brother. His mind was beginning to drift away from the weather to the possibilities that were awaiting them in the town. Silent thoughts of hope crept at the corners of his mind, though the cynicism that laid dormant in his soul was beginning to awaken.
The only thing he wanted or cared about, for that matter, was getting Alphonse his body back, and if the answer to that question was within a kilometer of their reach, then so be it.
He too glanced up at the sky, fat droplets of rain starting to pour from the brooding heavens. Lightning flashed excitedly across the sky, remnants of a broken nightmare coming to mind. He shivered once more, lowering his brow at his weakness.
Whatever it takes...Don't forget.
His vision traveled to the pocket watch chain that was dangling noisily as he walked, the date inside echoing the memories that were flashing through his head.
Even if it takes me straight into hell...
He gave the spiraling storm one more glance before pulling his hood over his head, not letting a little rain storm keep him from the possibility of bringing his brother back to the way he was before. The sooner they got there, the better.
&&&&&
"Approximately how far away are we from that town?" Mustang asked, anger definite in his undertone, his hardened gaze fixed on the road before him. Time was running out, faster than he could imagine. Thus, leading to the accumulation of an automobile, a poor civilian's no less; but the man had no choice due to the severity of the situation. Drastic times called for drastic measures.
"I would say six kilometers, sir," Hawkeye responded, holding on for dear life as the man swerved to stay on the road, the gas pedal pressed to the floor. She glanced at the map only for a second, inwardly chastising herself for letting the man she was supposed to protect take control of the vehicle. After all, there was a reason why she was the one always behind the wheel. But today, Roy Mustang decided he would be the one in the driver's seat, much to the dismay of the Major and First Lieutenant.
"And the chance that the gas is still toxic?" he questioned to no one in particular. For the first time since the War, his heart felt as though it was about to explode in his chest. The amount of worry that consumed his being was only being showcased in the speed that he was forcing the car to go, other than that, he kept his face expressionless, more for his own benefit than his comrades.
"Due to the fact that it was never properly contained, I would say ninety percent," Hawkeye responded, her cinnamon colored eyes staring straight ahead, silently praying they wouldn't perish before they made it there due to the Lt. Colonel's current state and driving skills.
"Ninety percent?" Hughes inquired from the back seat, disbelief in his tone. He leaned forward, sticking his head between the two front seats, a fearful sensation burning in his chest. He didn't like the fact that the hair on the back of his neck was on end either.
"Since the area was only closed off and never sealed, the gas leak is more than likely still out in the open. It may not be as toxic, but it's still dangerous. The effects it could have would still do a bit of damage, even to a considerably healthy person. Scarring of the lungs would be a probable side effect of prolonged exposure. It might also be highly hallucinogenic. I wouldn't know for sure until we got there," the blonde replied, trying to keep whatever calm she had left.
"I don't understand why this was never taken care of. It just doesn't make sense. I guess I could try to understand the Fuhrer's reasoning behind it, but there's still the fact that it could have been done quietly, judging he doesn't like too much public exposure," Hughes stated, his brow narrowing in thought. "But still, I mean, just leaving the whole town to deteriorate like that...doesn't make sense," he muttered, hoping that they weren't too late.
The engine roared as the car went forward, swerving once more around a curve before reaching a bridge, a broken one at that.
"You've got to be kidding me," Hughes mumbled bluntly, his hazel eyes narrowing on the gap of approximately forty feet that separated them from the other side of the bridge.
Putting it into reverse, Mustang backed the car up, a cry of surprise emanating from the backseat.
"Wait a second, Roy, you're not going to..." Maes voice trailed off as he smelled rubber burning, the tires obviously in pain from the punishment the Lt. Colonel was putting them through.
"I'm in a hurry, Hughes, not insane," Mustang replied, turning the car around, differing to another route.
"Sir, I don't see any other—" Hawkeye began but cut herself off as the onyx-eyed man made a sharp turn into the underbrush. Within seconds, a dirt road formed in front of them, the woman slowly relaxing back into the seat, though still on her guard. The only thing against them now was time, always a sworn enemy.
&&&&&"Alright, next time I'll listen to you...Al," the joking statement was cut off as a broken sign appeared before the boy.
Slowly, he pulledkoff his hood, rain water dripping from it and splattering to the ground. His eyes read the words that were still left, his brow narrowing at the decrepit sight that sat before him.
Something immediately turned in his stomach. Something wasn't right.
"That's strange," Al murmured, stepping up next to the shorter boy, rereading the remnants of the welcome sign. "You'd think they'd keep up with appearances or something. I mean, it's not exactly the right way to welcome strangers," the younger boy added, his gaze drifting to the town, the streets eerily empty.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Ed questioned, glancing up at Alphonse, receiving nothing but sarcasm back.
"Unless the whole town decided to move, I'm pretty positive this is it," he replied, hesitant to move across the invisible threshold.
A gust of wind blew past them, only one of them able to feel the hair-raising chill it brought, though silently, both could hear it's whisper of warning.
"If we stare any longer, we might as well take a picture," the State Alchemist muttered with a smirk, pushing his legs to move forward. But something nagged at him, and the fact that his flesh leg was starting to feel just as heavy as his automail one wasn't helping matters either.
"It's awfully quiet," Alphonse tried to lighten the mood, his feelings of unrest and uneasiness starting to taunt him. As the empty buildings came into view, the feelings grew worse. "Brother, I'm not liking the looks of things," he stated, his voice hanging on the edge of a quiver.
"Stop being a baby, Al!" he laughed off the eleven year old's fear. "Maybe they heard we were coming and they're throwing us a welcome party. I bet they don't get too many State Alchemists all the way out here." He was trying, but his attempts were unsuccessful, that was evident. But what wasn't was the fact that he was nearly scared to death, the faint sound of voices beginning to run through his ears.
"Do you hear that?" the twelve year old asked out of the blue, his confused gaze falling on the street, whispers continuing to filter through his hearing.
"Hear what?" Al inquired flatly, forcing his voice to remain strong, though the strain was apparent.
Edward moved his lips, about to say something but cut himself short when he stopped hearing the usual crunch of gravel underneath his feet.
A loud snap pulsated through his head, curiosity obviously getting the better of him as he looked down, a large bone laying underneath his feet. His golden orbs traced the fine cracks in the two remaining pieces of the object, the yellowing color of it reminding him of something else...so vaguely familiar yet a million thoughts away at the same time.
But he didn't have to time to remember whatever it was at the moment. No, his mind was now concentrated on the wave of nausea that swept through his stomach and up his throat, vomit threatening to part his lips.
The painstaking chill that wound its way up and around his spine finally made it to his brain, warning him that he and Alphonse should just turn around and run; but the voices that were cascading through his head told him different.
Don't you want your answers, Edward?...
This is your only chance...
If you leave now...
You'll never be able...
To bring your brother back...
Don't go...
It was though an invisible force pushed him forward, propelling him further into the town, Alphonse trailing confusedly behind him.
"Brother! What are you doing? Let's get out of here!" the younger boy tried to reason, the older one having nothing of the kind.
"No, Al! Don't you see? It's here!" he exclaimed, starting to run deeper into the heart of the small city, thunder rumbling overhead. Lightning sizzled above them, igniting the heavens in its fury.
"What's here?" Alphonse screamed back, trying to keep up with his older brother, though his attempts were becoming futile. The smaller boy was becoming a shadow in his vision, that worrying him more than anything.
Just two days before, the blonde couldn't even walk on his own let alone run; and now he was sprinting through the streets at seemingly the speed of light, his leg wound gone and forgotten about.
"Brother, stop! Come back! Or slow down! Brother!" he yelled, watching the older boy disappear into the depths of the town. He continued to run until he realized Edward was nowhere in sight, fear wracking his soul.
Coming to a stop, he looked around, the armor clanking miserably below him. He glanced down at himself, momentarily confused at his trembling.
Am I shaking? But why? I can't be this afraid...can I?
"Brother!" his voice rose, fear plain and clear in his tone. "Brother!" he screamed again, almost shrieking. This was not good. He was alone and without Ed. And for the life of him, he was terrified.
Rain started to pour once more, clattering against his armor. He stood there for a moment, listening to the drops of water pelt against the metal. The only thing that shook him from the strange trance-like state he was in was the sound of Edward screaming, sounding utterly horrified and helpless.
&&&&&
Large drops of water pounded against the windshield, temporarily blocking the three officers vision, only pissing off the driver even more. Hurriedly, he switched on the windshield wipers, but apparently they weren't working fast enough for his liking.
"Sir, according to the amount of time that's passed, we should be entering the town any minute," Hawkeye informed the two men, glancing at her watch. "If you don't mind me asking," she began quietly, her gaze quickly drifting between the Lt. Colonel and the outside. "But how did you know about that road, sir?" she queried. "It's nowhere on the map."
Mustang was silent for a moment before answering, still wondering why the car couldn't go any faster. Lost in his thoughts, a mumble parted his pursed lips.
"It's funny how a mind can remember things when it needs to." She watched as something flashed in his eyes, the deep pools of ebony baring some sort of emotion, though what it was, was left unknown.
"We're here." Two more words managed to escape the dark-haired man's mouth once more, the woman now realizing what exactly it was that sped through his eyes; recognition.
"Sir?" she asked, her voice failing her. The authoritative tone was gone, replaced with something much more soft and fragile. Upon seeing the fearful look on his face, she closed her mouth, preparing for what was to come.
&&&&&
He couldn't understand what had possessed him to run. The pain that seared through his leg the moment he started to was nearly unbearable, it crisscrossing through his nerves and veins, feeling as though it were on fire. But the more he tried to stop, the worse it got. It was as though he was set on autopilot and had no other choice but to move forward, no matter the consequences.
Buildings and paintings of horror raced past his eyes as he flew past them, not yet able to distinguish the bones that littered the streets and sidewalks, decorating the town. They were just blurs in his vision until he finally started to slow down, the vague realization that Alphonse was no longer behind him or near him for that matter.
The twelve year old could feel his pace slow down until it felt as though he were running on empty, everything coming in much clearer than it had before. And when he saw the images that lay around him and before him, he wished he hadn't stopped.
The only sounds he heard were that of the thunder crackling above his head, and those voices. His eyes widened at this, slowly peering from side to side, taking in the sight of skulls and bones that once belonged to the townspeople. And that color...that sickening, yellowish shade.
The minute he realized what it had reminded him of, his whole world slowly crumbled to the ground, the shadows of the nightmares he'd been seeing every night for the previous months becoming a reality.
It was the moaning that first made its way into his ears, creeping into his hearing slowly but surely, sending chills across his small body. His golden orbs darted back and forth, the sounds obviously coming from the remains that were now taking form.
He could feel his breath leave his lungs, they refusing to let anymore enter back in. The wheezing noise that was leaving his throat was by far softer than the song of the citizens of Renégauld, their faces now appearing before him, their arms outstretched for his throat.
He stumbled backwards, his feet slipping on the wet ground, the blonde unable to keep his balance. The loud thwack that met his ears took a minute to sink in, he unable to realize that it came from himself. Landing flat on his back, his eyes widened even more, the air having been completely knocked out of his lungs.
He sat up straight immediately, the noise that parted his lips sounding like the last breath of a dying person's final moments.
Involuntary tears brimmed at his eyes, stinging his tear ducts. Not even bothering to wipe them away, he hurriedly pushed himself backwards, his automail hand scraping against the ground. He didn't even feel the pieces of glass and gravel that were getting caught in his flesh hand, blood trickling from the tiny wounds.
He couldn't speak, the only sounds making their way out of his mouth were hushed whimpers, sounding much more like a terrified child than a certified State Alchemist.
"Why couldn't you save us?"
"You filthy dog! How dare you come here!"
"It hurts...please make it stop...please..."
"Soon, you'll be one of us..."
"Then you'll know what it feels like...to be forgotten about!"
The moaning grew louder, cries and shrieks now interweaving with them.
Tears cascaded down his cheeks at an alarming rate, handicapping his vision as he continuously grabbed at the air, praying that it would eventually catch something. The only thing it caught was a wall, his fingers scratching hopelessly at it, the high-pitched sound doing nothing to deafen the voices that continued to pour through his head.
"It's all your fault! Murderer!"
"Murderer! Murderer!"
"I heard he killed his own mother..."
"And his brother..."
The twelve year old could nothing but shake his head violently at the accusations, his lips quivering harder as the cold rain continued to fall on them and mix fervently with his tears. He tried to push himself up, his legs faltering miserably below him. His heavy black boots slipped in the muddy ground, the boy getting nowhere fast. Murky water splashed up around him, littering his pale face with its dirt and grime.
He quickly turned away from the ghastly images, finally managing to get enough leverage to pull himself up. But as soon as his back faced the harrowing sight behind him, they reached for him, their bony fingers digging into his flesh, the material ripping in its wake.
He screamed, lurching forward and smashing his head into the side of the building he was desperately trying to hold onto.
Dizziness haunted his eyes as he tried to remain standing, everything starting to spin at once. His knees quavered, the weakness almost sending him back to the ground.
Pain found its way into his back, the tips of what used to be fingers continuing to claw and scrape at him, his clothes shredding instantly at the sharpness.
"Leave him awone," a small voice broke through the angry crowd, silence temporarily seizing their voices.
As the blood trickled out of his thin body, so did the sanity as he turned slowly back, instantly recognizing the voice. His terrified golden orbs were met with the sight of the four year old girl he and his little brother had become so fond of not less than a year before.
He traced her face with his eyes, her flesh appearing to be real and nontransparent. For a moment, he tricked himself into believing she was real, no matter how many times the minute voice in the back of his head told him it was foolish to even fathom the idea. He'd seen the blood...so much blood.
A name formed on his lips but the blonde remained speechless, his voice still lacking.
"He's onwe twying to help us. Isn't dat white whittle big bwuthor?" she asked, stepping forward, within inches of him now. Her auburn colored hair even looked like it was starting to get wet, the heavens still not yet done with their tears.
"It's okay whittle big bwuthor. Here, take my hand," the little girl offered, her tiny hand outstretched in front of his face.
Edward stared at the little hand, his brow raising as fear snaked through his nerves. He could see the skin, so pinkish and healthy looking, and the tiny little nails Al had worked so hard to keep clean.
Slowly, he reached his hand out towards hers, and she took it, though her grip was anything but gentle.
He watched in horror as his automail fingers crumbled in her grasp, and even though he drew back, her hold was too tight, the metal snapping easily snapping away.
And all she could do was smile at him, the innocence shining as pure and as bright as the snow on a cold winter's day. Her eyes glimmered eerily in the mist of rain that was now shrouding her, a faint giggle parting her lips.
"What's wong, whittle big bwuthor? Why do you wook so scared? It's onwe me," she laughed, striking him across the face with her other hand, the boy landing helplessly on his side, pain circulating through his quivering body. "I'm onwe pwaying, Edward. I thought you liked to pway with me! You pwomised you'd come back and pway with me!" She was screaming now, tears cascading down her cherubic face. "You pwomised you'd come back and pway! Wemembor?"
This isn't real. This isn't real. This isn't real.
The words repeated over and over again in the boy's head as he struggled to get away, grimacing as he heard pieces of his automail arm getting pulled off, flying quietly into the mud.
"Where are you going, whittle big bwuthor? I'm not done pwaying yet!" she shrieked, her brow narrowing as the signs of a tantrum were starting to show, the twelve year old oblivious to it all.
Relief flooded through him as he felt her let go of his arm, but that quickly dissolved as a loud crunching noise could be heard coming from his leg.
Blonde, stringy bangs flew from his face as he turned back, the child having stomped directly on his leg, wires and metal flying in all directions. Suddenly, he found his voice.
"Stop!" he cried out, his voice quavering weakly, tears streaking through the dirt that was now caked on his face. "Please!" He hung his head, breath leaving his lungs at a fairly steady rate, rain soaking his small body through and through. He was at the end of the line now. It wouldn't be much longer. He just couldn't take it anymore.
The faint noise of footsteps slowly made their way into his hearing, the boy barely having enough energy to raise his head up. They were coming closer, but for the life of him, he just couldn't do it. He was too weak.
&&&&&
Brother! The immediate shout rang through Al's thoughts, instantly recognizing the scream as Ed's. It only took a second for the boy to force his heavy metal legs to move, the clanking noise that resonated off of them growing louder with each step he took.
What is wrong with me? How could I have just let him run off like that? We've got to get out of here!
The eleven year old easily followed the footprints that Edward had left behind in the now muddy ground, forcing the metallic suit to run faster than what was possible. Turning a corner, he came upon the sight, a sad one at that.
Oh, no...Brother...
The State Alchemist was on his hands and knees, panting heavily. Dirty blonde locks that had been golden just twenty minutes before hung around his face, a loose ponytail left of the braid Alphonse had tied just hours before, the gusting wind threatening to blow that out of place as well.
The boy's red coat was torn and tattered, hanging too loose on his tiny frame, the wind making it billow hurriedly around his small body. His pants and the material covering his arms were shredded, looking like dead leaves about to fall from an autumn tree.
"Brother?" Al questioned sadly, his voice wafting through the air like a gentle breeze lost in a rainstorm. He took a step, freezing upon seeing his older brother tense at the noise. "Ed?" His voice was still soft yet sad, completely and utterly sad.
The twelve year old raised his head ever so slightly, peering at the origin of the sound that flooded his ears through his bangs. His weary golden orbs took in the sight of his brother, though the vision that he saw was not the sight that lived in reality.
The boy's eyes widened, forcing what little adrenaline that was left in him to make himself stand, his balance horribly handicapped.
"Al! Al, get out of here! Go! She'll get you!" he cried out, a shaking, bloodied hand pointing to absolutely nothing but air, except for the mist that was currently occupying it.
"Who'll get me, Brother?" The confusion in the eleven year old's voice was obvious to himself, but not to Ed.
"Her! Nina!" Edward shouted, his golden orbs transfixed on something only meant for his eyes to see. "Get out of here!" he screamed, his voice trembling wildly. He looked up, seeing the flesh and blood Alphonse, not the metallic one which only made the pain worse. "Please, Al...just listen to me..." His voice trailed off, fear searing through it.
"Brother..." The eleven year old was on the verge of crying now, his tone on the edge of a whisper. There was nothing there where the State Alchemist was pointing, absolutely nothing which was scaring the younger boy out of his wits. "Stop, Brother..."
Edward turned back to the spot where the little girl had been, the sight now just out of Al's view. And what he saw sent him reeling.
Standing before him was the image of his father, staring down at the boy with a disapproving look in his eyes, a hardened expression on his features. Though as the boy continued to gape at the sight, he soon took in the man's appearance, the flesh starting to peel and fall from his face.
Edward's mouth dropped open, tears hanging in his eyes. Anger tried to flood through his system, but he was too weak to notice. All he could do was stare, watching as the man bent down, just a few feet away from him and whispered words only he could hear.
"You'll always be a failure. No son of mine would ever be that incompetent. You couldn't even bring back your mother. No wonder she died hating you."
A wicked grin crossed the man's lips before his image disappeared, transforming into that of Trisha Elric, her pain-stricken expression staring Edward dead in the eyes.
"I loved you...And you did this to me...and your brother...How could you, Edward? How could you? Why didn't you save me? It hurts, Edward...It's your turn to feel my pain!"
The blow to his head sent him to the ground, darkness closing in quickly. The last sounds to invade his ears were his brother's cries, gradually fading into the background of the black velvet. Slowly, he felt himself sink into the never-ending ocean of shadows, they consuming him from the inside out.
&&&&&
The sound of tires easing onto ground that wasn't meant to be driven on drifted quietly through the car, dread filling in the rest of the space left unconsumed by the noise. All three occupants watched in silent desperation as they came upon a seemingly lone figure, hunched over and shaking, holding something in its metal arms.
"We're too late," the words mercilessly left Mustang's lips, his tone filled with dreaded honesty. His onyx eyes took in the sight of Alphonse, rain still bouncing off his steel skin.
Stopping the vehicle, the three departed the haven of the car, transparent water pouring down on them from the heavens above. Lightning continued to electrocute the clouds, the sky seemingly glowing with blue and purple streaks.
Upon hearing the sounds of the vehicle approaching, the eleven year old peered up, his soul-filled eyes flickering with woe. Whimpers emanated from the large suit of armor as his gaze met Mustang's.
"Please, help him," the boy pleaded, his voice going in and out. "He won't wake up."
Hawkeye immediately knelt down to calm the boy, Hughes joining in as well, quietly trying to pry Edward out of Alphonse's strong hold, the task seemingly fruitless; but the Lt. Colonel didn't move at all. It was as though he was temporarily frozen, taking in the sight and forcing himself to remember every little aspect and detail of it. From the gunmetal color of the sky right down to the broken pieces of metal that now littered the muddy ground, obviously once belonging to the golden haired boy.
The guilt that had made its home in the pit of his stomach multiplied tenfold, the man inwardly taking responsibility for the situation at hand.
No lecture of reasoning would be given today, none that would come from his mouth anyway.
&&&&&
"That was quite a show," Lust declared, her jet black locks being picked up by the wind, a few blowing across her pale visage. "But how did you know what he was seeing?"
"I rather enjoyed it myself, thank you; and to answer your question, it was quite obvious, really. He saw their bones so naturally he added their faces, and I added mine," the homunculous grinned, transforming from its usual form into that of a four year old girl.
"Pwease, whittle big bwuthor! Oh, pwease!" Envy mocked, turning back to its original androgynous self.
"It was like taking candy from a child really," the violet-clad figure admitted with a laugh. "Now where was it we were supposed to go to again?"
"To Liore. We weren't exactly done there in the first place. I suppose we have a few things to wrap up, now that you're done with your playtime," Lust stated, a tiny grin turning up the corners of her lips.
"That brat deserved what was coming to him, and I don't want to hear anything more about it. Shall we go?"
"Lets," Lust replied, catching a glimpse of the black vehicle hurriedly driving away. Something stirred within her, yet what it was would go unnoticed for the moment. Perhaps, she'd recall exactly what it was later. After all, homunculi didn't have consciences, did they?
&&&&&
"Edward? Edward, wake up..." A voice was calling to him from the darkness, so faint yet clear.
"Edward..." It tried again, coming in much louder and so close to his ears. It was so familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on whom it belonged to.
"Edward, this is your last chance. Come on, now..."
"...Mom?"
Author's note : Sorry for taking so long to update everyone. Work and sleep have pretty much consumed me for the most part so...
Hope you guys liked the chapter. I tried not to make it so confusing. Hopefully, it wasn't. ;) If it was, drop me a line in a review or PM me and I'll explain what doesn't make sense.
And sorry for all the jumping around too, hope it didn't take too much away from the story, or the suspense for that matter.
Once again, the support I've received has just been overwhelming. You all have been so kind to me, and I really do appreciate it. I never, ever would have thought I'd ever reach over 400+ reviews, so honestly, THANK YOU, and I hope this chapter sufficed.
THANKS goes to Mistress of Darkness, Harryswoman, Roy-Fan-33, ThePatheticWriter, Hitokiri Musei, Shattered Mirror01, Mistress of the Night5, JChrys, Legendary Chimera, DarkAmber112, ssj2raider, hyperdude, iceprincess421, CrystalMind, queenstrudel, Niver, Aemilia Rose, Akamori-chan, marufu-chan, ArraMidnight, Edshrimp, stvv, and EVERYONE who has reviewed previously or has me on a list. I apologize for not replying to everyone. As I said, it's been crazy, but I will next time.
The next update probably won't be until after Thanksgiving, so I hope this chapter will due until then. Oh, yeah, I already have a sequel planned out too! Happy Thanksgiving!!! XD