ANNOUNCEMENT. ANKÜNDIGUNG.
So to officially make this statement; the next chapter will be the last chapter. Then this story will move onto the Conqueror of Shamballa plotline, which will be posted as another story. I repeat, the Conqueror of Shamballa plotline will be posted as a sequel to The Sulfur Alchemist. Don't worry about adding me to Author Alert just to find out when it will be posted – I'll be posting Chapter Fifty the same day I post The Sulfur Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa. So when you get "Story Alert: The Sulfur Alchemist" in your inbox, you will know I have posted the Conqueror of Shamballa.
END ANNOUNCEMENT. ENDE-ANKÜNDIGUNG.
Guys! Guys! I'm not dead!
You… Didn't think I was dead? Well then. I do apologize for the long wait, though. I had an awful writer's block, family issues, and just life in general. Plus, I'm working on a few new fanfictions (Dragon Age, gah) and a book! If any of you've checked out my FictionPress, expect a chapter or two of Faint to show up within the upcoming weeks. Or if you're a fan of Dragon Age, expect one of my new fanfics, Following Footsteps, to be posted soon. Heh, would you believe I just came up with that title? You would?… You people know me too well.
Oh, and my eighteenth birthday passed. According to a surprising amount of people I know, "Dude, you can go to raves now!" (Why am I friends with these people?)
Anyway, I need your opinions! First: What would you prefer in the sequel – first (I, my, we) or third (she, her, they) point of view?
Second: I do this for all my stories when they reach the end and, while it usually isn't successful, I decided to give it another go. If you have a favorite moment in this story, maybe a certain fight or conversation or whatnot; tell me what it is in the review! I'll be using all of your (or, if it's successful for this story, most of your) favorite moments in the last chapter!
The Lovely Daaaarlings!
IceFire Dragon Alchemist73: Envy's pretty much the douche of FMA. Lawl, Riley's most definitely pissed.
KikiLovesYou: Mwaha, just call me Queen of Suspense. Thanks guys! I'm glad you like it! 8D
Ausumist: I giggled at the mental visualization of you repeating that over and over. And thanks for the awesome review! Seeing through the main character's eyes is the very reason I love writing in first point of view, so I'm glad that you enjoy it!
Sorami Hayashi: Thank you! I appreciate that!
Shiinku: (Drools upon reading review a third time around.)
That was also the first thing I noticed about Brotherhood – it moved so fast that I was kind of thrown off by it at first. Well, that and the different art style which I still have to get used to, lawl.
I freaking loved your comments about Blackburn. My original intention when I added Blackburn was to write him as a mixed character; someone who has been doing wrong but with such a humanity in him that you can't help but relate. As I started writing the Cycle of Blackburn, however, the plan took a turn and I wasn't able to incorporate it. (This is also one of the reasons I want to write a Brotherhood version of FMA. I want to give more of a backstory to Riley and Blackburn that I didn't do with this.)
As far as Rose and Winry, I like Winry alright. At first, I found her a bit annoying (she's a very emotional character and I'm more of a 'Build a bridge and get over it' kind of person, haha,) but over time I understood her better and started liking her. The opposite of this can be said for Rose. I liked her in the beginning, but now she's kind of annoying to me. She can be so intense... But I'm done rambling now. Thank you for the review!
Bloody Bonez Alchemist XD: Haha, I remember getting so pissed at Envy when I first saw it happen. It was kind of humorous, because I hadn't watched a single episode of FMA and I was just browsing through channels when all of a sudden, BAM, some blond dude gets killed. Totally ruined the surprise once I did start watching the series. And no worries, Envy gets his. Hurr...
Katsekala: A snapped Riley is a scary sight, my dear. Keep your hands in the car and whatever you do, don't feed the wildlife.
Myboobseclipsethesun: I UPDATED INDEED. HELL YEAH. Oh noes, I'm sorry you forgot so much. Dx
SuperNekofan: You should've been here when I read that review. I cackled.
Mizunou: That's one reason I kind of find Rose annoying, actually. When I first saw the scene, I was thinking the same thing. And ahahaha, Riley's been quite full of (herself?[shot]) badassery lately!
Hikaru1012: Thank you!
The Esper Alchemist: Oh, it's okay. But yey! To hell with Blackburn! And I don't blame you; FMA really pulls at the heart strings.
TallerThanThou ShorterThanThou: Hm... I don't think I have! I can't believe neither of those two came to mind. Haha, it's understandable. I'm going through some schooling stress myself. And if you haven't watched the movie yet, I highly suggest you do. The sequel is going to be lined up with that storyline and you might get confused otherwise! (Sucks, doesn't it? Anime and Manga are almost always completely different from each other.)
Kasuki101: HE DIED ON RILEY; CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT SHIT? Selfish brat. Riley should bring him back to just to put him beyond the Gate again. (Giggles.) Chaos-Sensei. I could really could used to that.
Amethyst2241: Thank you! I hope you liked the other chapters as well!
AnimeVamp1997: AHAHAHA. Well, you know me. Cliffhangers are practically my signature move by now.
KarmaHope: A day? I always love hearing when people put so much time in reading my stories. But thank you! I'm glad you think so!
Awesometastic0: Thank you! Riley is definitely going to throw one of her fits. xD
XcrazyXookamiX: First, I want to say asdfghjkl-thank you for the review. I think I grinned for a week after I read your comment about missing ThunderCats for this story. I hate that it's almost over also, but a sequel's coming next! (And maybe Brotherhood version if I want to continue.) I'm glad you like the way their relationship progressed, considering I did it quite slowly and subtle.
And noo, I'm not responsible for any pain! (Well, any pain that Riley doesn't suffer. Of that, I am wholeheartedly to blame.)
Jacika Slevim: Aw, they let the flamer back out of its cage. Glad to see that this story circulated so much, it got back you, my friend! Gave me a good laugh, it did.
Jessica (Or NINJA OF EPIC PROPORTIONS): asdfghjkl- you guys are spoiling me with all these great comments.
And there's no worry. Jacika and I have crossed paths quite a while ago due to this story. (And besides, she said I have an army of girls. Not taking penguins or monkeys or delicious tacos or actual men with guns into consideration, what's better than that? /goes back to watching Psych marathon)
I don't think you're rambling at all! It's totally fine. I'm glad you like this story, and your comments about Riley are awesome. I love it when people put consideration into who a character is; even more so when it's one of my characters. That's one of the biggest compliments a writer can receive.
Tazdevil: He's dead at long last! (...Only to be revived in the sequel cause he crossed over to the Gate-HURRAH.)
Charlotte13245: Lawl, considering I've just spent the past few weeks playing Dragon Age, I'm in no position to say what is and isn't sad. XD You know, I never even realized I always ended on a cliffhanger until everyone started mentioning it to me? I get a kick out of it, now. Thank you for the review!
Boi San: I have replied to you in message, but thank you again for the reviews!
Gummy'Fish'Lover: Haha, I won't lie, I like to have at least a handful of reviews before I post the next chapter, but it really isn't something I base the next update around. Normally, it takes maybe two to three weeks to finish a chapter, but these past few months have been crazy. And ahahaha, my cliffhangers of evil! Everyone despises them. I love it.
Want to Be a Lovely Daaaarling? Review! Bwahaha...
Oh my God, did it just take me an hour and a half to reply to everyone? (Happy Tears Here.)
I don't own FMA or its original characters. Riley Mauler, though, is mine still. Her attempt at Independence fell through the cracks when she realized she would start having to pay for her own food, you see.
Chapter Forty-Nine:
A Final Departure
Edward – he was… Dead.
And Envy was laughing.
I could feel my fists clenching. The shock was dying away and in place of it, was anger. Fury.
Climbing to my feet, I ignored the sting in my knees. I slipped Maes' blades out; I had been holding out on using them and this was worth it. With the metal of the blades pressing between my fingers, I charged for Envy. Dante (it didn't take long for me to realize it was her after her comment about Hohenheim and Envy) narrowed her eyes when she noticed this, "Envy!"
Just as Envy turned to see what it was, he had to dodge one of my blades. His eyes widened slightly at how close the blade was to his face. Pulling my hand back, I swung my foot around. He grabbed my ankle and spun on his heel, tossing me through the air. Once the palm of my hand made contact with the ground, I flipped myself over and landed safely on my feet. Envy gave a smirk as he rested his hands on his hips. "He's dead, Kid. Get lost."
My blood boiled. How dare he!
Taking off again, I used the momentum of pushing myself off the floor to come at him with greater strength. I continued to cut and slash at him relentlessly. He was blocking and dodging every one of them, but I could tell he was struggling to do so. Finally, he tripped up. Stumbling backwards, he lost his balance and I leaped at the opportunity. Lunging forward, I reached to grab him by the collar, the hair, anything that would let me get my hands on him.
Eyes widening, Envy slammed his foot onto the ground and spun, narrowly avoiding my grasp. As he skidded away from me, I landed on the ground where he once was. The instant my hands made contact with the flooring, the marble flew into the air from the impact of a small explosion. I flipped over, coming to my feet to turn and face Envy once more. Surprise that I would use alchemy so close to Al was evident on his face as he took a step backward. "Are you insane?" He muttered before exclaiming, "You'll bring the entire building down like that!"
My glare deepened at his words as my fists tightened. I knew I had made a promise to Ed – to get Al out alive. And I would do this, as soon as I killed Envy. "I'll bring the whole tunnel down before I see you walk out alive," I growled, walking toward with no hesitation.
He paused at the tone of my voice. Shaking his head, he frowned at me, "Just give it up, brat!"
I gave him no more time to talk – I raced toward him and he braced himself for impact. He held up his arms to defend his face and when my hand wrapped around it, he grabbed my wrist with his free hand. Shifting his stance, Envy threw me around him and into the ground. I bit back the yell that wanted to escape from the harsh impact, and found myself rolling a few feet before I finally came to a stop. Wincing slightly, I climbed to my knees and froze when I realized I had landed beside Ed.
…Ed's body.
My temper rose beyond its current levels and I jumped back to my feet, swinging a dagger at him. Once again, he grabbed my wrist. Twisting it behind my back, he wrapped an arm around my neck and pressed the dagger in my hand against my back. Even the slightest movement would cause me to become the victim of my own blade. "Stop fighting!" He hissed in my ear. I paused in my struggles and could almost feel him smirking in triumph. "Now be a good girl and leave."
There was a silent moment in the room as I slipped out a dagger in my free hand. "Only once you're dead," I spat back before shoving myself backwards.
I could hear Al gasp in shock. I could hear Envy whispering, "W-What?"
The dagger Envy held against me had pierced my back without resistance. "Pain only reminds you of your goal," I'd muttered. Envy was pressed against my back because of my actions, and I used the proximity to swing my free hand around and stab him in the side. It was his turn to gasp, not expecting my movements. Gritting my teeth together, I glared at the ground as I said, "Pain is only incentive to win the fight." Pulling my hand out from his side, I spun in a complete circle, hitting him in the nose with the butt of the dagger. As he stumbled back, gripping his bloody side, I stepped backward to put some distance between us. Immense pain shot through my back and it only got worse as I yanked the dagger out of my back. I could hear my blood spilling on the ground. "Pain is strength," I finished the mantra I'd been taught at the dojo as I threw my daggers. They pierced Envy's shoulder and I ran forward, spinning to gain momentum.
My foot slammed into his stomach and he yelled at the pressure on his wound before flying back through the air. He skidded along the marble floor, just as I had done, but he stopped against an armored foot. My eyes widened when I saw Al standing. Envy's own eyes widened as well, but he had no time to move. Grabbing a hold of him, Al's other hand slammed onto the circle he had been standing over.
"No, Al!"
. . .
At first, there was nothing but darkness.
Then there was nothing but a bright light.
I could hear creatures whispering, and Envy struggling, and Al yelling.
And then it all died.
Finally, I opened my eyes. There was a high ceiling above me and something about it looked oddly familiar. My brows furrowed as I tried to remember. I was on marble flooring, which felt cold under me. Or… Or maybe it was me that was cold. There was pain; so much of it, my sight began to double. For the life of me, I tried to remember. "E-Edward…?"
At the sound of Rose, it all came back. Gasping, I jerked up to a sitting position, looking around frantically as I scrambled to my feet. Al! Where was he? I saw no signs of him as my eyes landed on Rose, who crouched over Ed's body. "W-Where?" I tried to question her, but my voice only came out in cracks. She looked up at me, and I could see the tear stains on her cheeks. She shook her head, and I knew I was too late. My eyes wanted to avert to the ground in shame, but I couldn't bring myself to look at anything other than Ed. He was still unmoving and I was growing more and more afraid that I had lost them both. I couldn't handle that.
Suddenly, he began to shift. Breath caught in my throat and I tried to prepare myself for what was coming, but I knew it was useless. "Edward? Can you hear me?" Rose asked in a soft tone, looking down at him with worry.
"…Yeah," He mumbled, "…But why am I crying?" It was true. Tears ran down his face – and as much as I loved to hear his voice again, it hurt more than any dagger to the back. He moved his hand to rub them away but he, and I as well, noticed the flesh on his right arm. He paused, pulling it back to stare at it in confusion. "What…?" He murmured, sitting up.
The wait was killing me. Rose looked down as she said, "Alphonse used alchemy to bring you back, Ed… After you died."
I could tell that the next few moments of silence were him adjusting to the facts. He had to make himself understand, otherwise he likely would have stayed in his state of confusion. But then it began to dawn on him. "The Philosopher's Stone… He used it to fix my body and pull my soul from the gate…," He murmured out in realization. His eyes widened as he leaned toward her with a new look of panic. "But then what happened to him?" Rose hesitated, but her eyes already told him the answer. She looked away and Ed's expression morphed into one of horror.
A lump formed in my throat and I had to choke back a sob as I finally managed to avert my gaze. "I'm… I'm so sorry…" I wanted to speak, I knew I had, and I heard myself, but it didn't feel like it. A part of me wanted to have an excuse for not keeping my word, and the other part of me hated that. Ed's gaze spun toward me and for a minute, I felt like we had gone back to the Rockbells', when they found out about Maes and Ed turned his anger toward me. As quickly as it came, it went away and he jumped to his feet, yelling for Al.
Rose's baby began to cry. I jumped and I could feel Ed do the same in front of me and he looked to the bundle in her arms with a sullen expression. Looking at him, I could tell. Reality hit him. His moment of emotional panic had died down and he took on his rational side. I'd seen him do it many times before, but none were quite so painful to watch. Ed was quiet as he walked past me. Standing, Rose watched his movements as she calmed her baby. I didn't turn to see. I could hear him searching for something. In those seconds, Rose and I caught each other's sights. The look in her eyes… Pity? Blame? I didn't know. If I did know, I didn't acknowledge that I knew. My eyes cast downward again and I let my bangs hide me from her view.
Edward came back and looked to Rose with a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. He didn't look to me, as if it would be too hard to. "You should get going. I hate to ask this, but can you take him with you?" Ed questioned, turning his sights onto Wrath who lay no more than ten feet away from us.
"…But what about you?" Rose asked, keeping her attention on him.
Turning to face the rest of the ballroom, Ed's response was simple. "I'll destroy this place down to the last plank. So no one ever gets the idea to create a Philosopher's Stone this way again."
The corner of Rose's lips twitched upward in bitter acceptance. "Very well," She murmured out, "I'm sure whatever happens, you'll find your way out. You've got strong legs. You'll get up and use them, won't you, Edward?"
Ed looked to her in surprise before smiling. He gave a light chuckle, "Yeah…" Rose finally approached Wrath and bent down, offering him her arm. He grabbed hold of her and, struggling, they made their way out. Rose turned to look back at me, but a knowing look graced her features. Nodding at me, she left with Wrath.
I did not move. I wouldn't, not then.
"…You need to leave with them, Riley."
Just as he couldn't look at me, I couldn't look at him. Keeping my eyes focused on the doors Rose and Wrath left out of, I shook my head, my jaw clenched. "No."
I could hear him sigh from behind me. "Don't fight me on this, I won't-"
Shaking my head once more, I looked over my shoulder and saw him in the corner of my eye. "I know." The words implied more than they stated. Ed was going to bring Al back. He would do nothing else regardless of what we told him, and I was in no position to tell him anything anyway. "I will leave then. But until then, I will stand right here." Another moment passed, before Ed's features softened. He nodded in understanding, and set to work. My shoulders dropped as soon as he turned away and I looked forward to hide my face.
. . .
The circle was done.
Its bold lines were painted and, in some places, etched along the floor and formed a large transmutation circle. Ed stood in the middle, his shirts discarded to make room for the smaller circles painting on his torso. Circles I painted on him myself – I didn't think I could, but I knew I had to. And likewise, he didn't feel comfortable at first, but he knew I had to. Ed still looked upset, but there was a more peaceful atmosphere about him. A sort of acceptance.
And silence.
"Riley." I didn't want to turn, because I knew it would mean the end. But I had to. Finally turning, I faced Ed and saw his eyes still cast to the floor. "Do you remember what I was saying to you before, after Mustang and Hawkeye dropped us off?" He asked, his tone already telling me of the deeper thoughts he was going through.
"So… You… Feel the same?"
"…Yeah. I do," Ed finally replied. "I wasn't going to say anything about it cause I didn't think you felt the same way. Even when Hannah hinted at it, I couldn't bring myself to think you did. My father even said something about it. I just… You're too important to me to just throw away because of something like that. If you didn't feel the same-"
The lump came back to my throat. Of course I remembered – how could I forget? I began to shake my head, already feeling the tears building up. "No… Please, Ed, don't…," My voice only came out as a whisper, but he heard me.
His fists clenched at his side and his shoulders hunched as he exclaimed, "Listen! I need to finish what I was going to say then!" I still wanted to refuse, but it was another one of those many things I knew I had to do. No calm after the storm would come if I refused to face it. Ed looked to the side to hide his face even more from me. "Riley, you're… You're important to me. It's always just been Al and me, but… It didn't have to be that way. You taught me that. I always wanted to change my past, fix things. I felt like I gave up so much and got nothing in return… I wouldn't change any of it, now. I gave a lot, but… I met you." Finally, for the first time since he'd come back, he looked me in the eye. "Nothing I could give would have been worth that."
It took all I had to not cave in on my weakening legs. "S-Stop," I muttered, frowning as I refused to look away from him. But he ignored my protest as he neared me. I jumped when I felt his palm on my cheek. His right palm. "Please, I can't ta-"
"I love you, Riley…," His grip tightened as he frowned, "Don't forget that."
The strength in my legs finally began to give out, so I moved forward. Leaning into him, my hands found his face as my lips found his. In any other situation, he would have tensed and stood there like a dummy; or blushed and yanked away, yelling at me for being so abrupt. But then, at that moment, I felt his hand on my back and he was okay with it. I wanted him to know that my anger and my fears and my happiness were all because of him. His hand shook on my cheek. He wasn't used to feeling from that hand anymore and this was new. It was like he wanted to remember what he hadn't been able to feel all that time.
Pulling away, but only just enough, I gripped his arms. "…I love you." He smiled, if only just a little, and nodded.
I looked away before letting go, stepping backwards and turning for the door. I could hear his footsteps echo through the room as he made his way back to the middle of the circle. The door was not far away, but it sure looked like it was. My hands still trembled. The pain was overbearing. My first step forward was slow and shaky. Closing my eyes, I began to focus on the dojo's mantra as I pushed forward.
In a short but painstakingly long time, I had reached the door. My hand rested on it and I debated on looking back. Somewhere in my mind, though, I knew if I did, I'd refuse to let him do it. So I kept my gaze at the door and pushed it open. It slid to a shut behind me as I left, and I saw Rose and Wrath waiting at the bottom of the porch steps for me. They both looked up at me and there was even sympathy in Wrath's eyes.
I stepped forward and began to descend the steps, when my legs finally gave way. Collapsing in on my own body, I fell to the ground and did not bother to break my fall. Rose rushed to her knees beside me, placing a well intentioned hand on my shoulder. There were no words spoken between the three of us as she pulled me to my feet, or as I slapped on a blank face and helped Wrath stand, or as we all headed for the entrance.
Walking away was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Oh my damn, that hurt to write. Riley's all sad and broken now. But it's not over yet!
This chapter number's language is Macedonian. If it's wrong, let me know and I'll correct it.
Be Responsible. Don't Flame and Drive! Rawr.
ANNOUNCEMENT. ANKÜNDIGUNG.
So to officially make this statement; the next chapter will be the last chapter. Then this story will move onto the Conqueror of Shamballa plotline, which will be posted as another story. I repeat, the Conqueror of Shamballa plotline will be posted as a sequel to The Sulfur Alchemist. Don't worry about adding me to Author Alert just to find out when it will be posted – I'll be posting Chapter Fifty the same day I post The Sulfur Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa. So when you get "Story Alert: The Sulfur Alchemist" in your inbox, you will know I have posted the Conqueror of Shamballa.
END ANNOUNCEMENT. ENDE-ANKÜNDIGUNG.