Chapter 3- the transmutation

I hope you have all enjoyed my story so far….but please be patient I want to give my readers the best experience possible…..

Disclaimer of course….

Why can't we ever be happy? Edward thought as his vision became even more blurry. He could feel Winry's weight shift when her voice tore through his daze. "Edward!" she yelled causing his head to pound harder. He looked up to see her face filled with worry. She could tell he was having some difficulty focusing and that he wasn't going to stay conscious for long. Why don't I just talk to a wall, I'll have the same result. I have to try though. "Ed, listen. I need you to stay awake for me, ok?" it was then Ed took note that Winry did look as though she were about to fall under his weight. He nodded weakly before he put pressure on his left leg. He had almost forgotten that it was once again flesh. Searing pain flew through his body, as he was again reminded that his leg was fragile, more accurately fractured, and covered in grotesque wounds. He wanted to let the darkness take him away, but he couldn't allow Envy the pleasure. He knew that he was watching his every step, every drop of blood that left his body. Ed knew quite well that Envy wanted him to give up. But obviously, he does not know Edward Elric. Edward did his best to take slow steady steps, but with every step he took, he could feel himself fall deeper into the depths of unconsciousness. Forcefully, he tried to keep his eyes open. He could barely see the house, and could almost make out a small figure standing in its doorway. He was losing this fight, his legs were getting heavier along with the rest of his body. He heard Winry yell his name as the ground disappeared beneath him. And then he remembered the false hope…

Earlier that morning…

The train had left early that morning, out of sheer luck for the Elric's. "Brother, I can't believe it! We did it! We're going home!" Alphonse stated out of joy to his older sibling sitting across from him who also couldn't contain his happiness.

"I know, Al. I can finally keep my promise. We can relax and worry about ourselves for once." Al nodded. The two brothers stared out the window in hopes of arriving to Risembool very soon. Before they knew it, they heard the conductor yelling the town's name loud and clear.

"NEXT STOP RISEMBOOL, PLEASE BE READY TO STOP AT RISEMBOOL!!!"

"Brother, we're here!!" Al almost jumped off the train before Ed could get out of his seat. He could see the small station platform come into view and before they knew it, they were on their way down the dirt path. "Do you think we should see them first?" asked Al.

"Nah, let's wait until we're finished. Boy, won't they be surprised." Ed said before looking up at the wary sky. "It looks like it's about to rain; we need to do this quick." Al agreed. The brothers picked up the pace and rain to the remains of their old home. They had agreed that this would be the place that they should make a new start. Ed set to work drawing one half of the giant circle as Al did the other. When the two finished, Ed placed the shiny red stone in the center. "Ready, Al?" he said getting down on one knee and looking over at his brother.

"Of course, Brother. I can keep my promise as well. Let's do it." He said doing the same. The two nodded in agreement before simultaneously touching the edges of the circle as it began to glow. Ed felt himself being pulled away some where, while at the same time feel something happening to his body. He opened his eyes to see his brother's armor being peeled away. He tried to cry out, but his voice seemed to sucked away in the void of streaming light. The armor was gone replaced with that of flesh and bone. Ed could have sworn he shed a tear before everything went black.

Edward's awakening wasn't so great. He very lightly felt the rain drops hit his face before he was fully conscious. Realizing that it was pouring. I searched for Al, finding him on the other side of the circle, unconscious and naked. But human none the less. Ed jumped up in excitement but sat back down in pain. He glanced at his left leg. It was flesh! He looked towards his right arm. It was too! He then realized where his pain had originated. It seemed that the gate did not relinquish them without a fight. They were covered in gashes that oozed with his blood, making him feel woozy t the same time. At the moment, he really didn't care. He had to wake Al and find him some clothes. He took off his red jacket and transmutated it into a makeshift…something. He waked over to Al and gently nudged him. Al stirred slightly before opening his eyes.

"Ugh, ….Brother….I'm….." Al shot up. He looked at his hands. "I'm, I'm, I'm me again!" He looked down and noticed that he was also bare. "And….naked." His face flushed slightly.

"Don't worry, Al. Here use it." Al took his brother's jacket fastening it to his waist. "So shall we pay Pinako and Winry a visit?" Al nodded. The two turned around to return to their family when a voice cut through the darkness.

"Not so fast, Pipsqueak."

The brother's turned around only to see Envy staring them down. Ed quickly stood between Al and the creature, not ready to loose him after just regaining his body. Envy laughed hysterically. "you really think that you can stop me, don't you, half pint?" Ed growled under his breath.

"Envy, i wont let you ruin our lives any more." He said before clapping his hands together. He was about to transmute his automail, until he remembered that it wasn't automail. "Oh crap." Envy didn't waste any time. He punched Edward and kicked him in his gut, sending him flying into the rubble.

"Brother!" Al yelled. Ed landed hard on the piles of wood, lying still. Al looked at Envy with pure hate and disgust. "How dare you hurt my brother!" He clapped his hands and transmutated a rotting board into a long spear, with a nicely sharpened end. Envy grinned.

"What's this? Actually going to stand up for your brother for once. All those times he stood up for you after all." He walked closer to the younger Elric. "I'm rather impressed. you never took any initiative when you were a trashcan." Al was getting angry. 'How dare he question his love for his brother.'

"Shut up! I loved my brother! I still do!" he lunged towards envy and began attacking. Envy dodged easily with each blow. Al was obviously a novice at spear handling but his resolve was winning him over. He continued to lunge towards the homunculus that just kept dodging. Envy laughed maniacally.

"How long are you going to just stab at the air!" he said jovially. Although, al knew it was somewhat true. He lunged once again only to have his attack back fire. Envy moved out of the way and, through slight of hand, caused Al to wound himself. The spear had grazed Al's left side, leaving a freely bleeding gash. He cried out as he fell to the ground breathing heavily while holding his side. Envy inched closer, spear in hand. "I wonder how upset your brother will be when he wakes up to find his 'sweet' little brother is dead." He went to stab Al once more when the ground shook beneath him. He was thrown to the ground with a loud thump. Envy looked over to the pile of rubble. Ed stood in the middle of the wreckage, holding what looked to possibly be a broken rib.

"I would be one pissed alchemist." He said before proceeding to walk out towards Alphonse. "You ok? Al?" Al looked up at Ed and nodded.

"Yeah, what about you?" Ed waved a hand.

"I'll be ok, don't worry." Envy stood, laughing again. "What's so funny, you bastard!?" Envy laughed harder.

"What's funny is, you think that both of you will live. My plan was to come and kill you both. And I will. So don't get any ideas of escape, cause you'll be begging my for a quick death." With lightening speed, he emerged in front of Al. "Let's start with you." He punched al in the face, stunning him slightly, before receiving a punch as well. Ed ran towards envy trying to divert his attention. But envy had his mind set. He was going to hurt Ed by hurting Al first. Ed continued to pound at envy but it was too late. Envy wasn't paying him any mind as he continued to slice at Al with his own spear, causing many cuts and gashes on his torso and face. Envy gave one good punch, pushing Al hard against a tree, knocking him unconscious.

"Alphonse!" Ed yelled running over to his unconscious sibling lying on the ground. "Envy..." he said dangerously.

"Yes pipsqueak." he said toyingly.

"I will, I promise that even if I am unable to this night, I will make you pay dearly." Envy laughed once again. (A/N- he's turned into a hyena!)

"Try, I dare you."

"Careful what you wish for, Envy." he clapped his hands and placed them on an assortment of gravel, transmuting them into a sword. Envy managed to grab a handful of old rusty nails. Ed ran towards him, sword pointed where his heart should be. Envy threw the rusty nails at Ed. He dodged a few of them, but many grazed his flesh while others stuck into his body. But, he was driven by sheer will power alone. He slashed at Envy, missing by a hair. Then, his feet were kicked out from underneath him. Ed lay still trying to regain the air that was knocked out of him, to fatigued to stand. Envy bent down staring Ed in the face.

"What's Wrong, Pipsqueak? This isn't what I wished for. Weren't you supposed to make me pay?" he asked mockingly. Ed clinched his teeth and gritted. Envy put his foot on Ed's already broken ribs, pressing hard. Ed held in his cry as Envy continued to press harder. "Oh, I'm sorry, does that hurt?" He lifted his foot off of Edward's chest and moved to his left leg. "I wonder what would happen if I did this!" He stomped down on his left leg, hearing a small crack.

"AHHHH! GAHHH!!" He cried. Envy loamed over him, continuing to laugh. Ed clapped his hands together weakly and placed on the wet ground beside him. Envy was smashed between two giant boulders of earth. Blood spurted onto Ed as the both pieces collided. Ed fell back against wet earth to relax shortly. Suddenly he remembered Envy's regenerative ability. "D...Damn." He tried to stand but the pain in his leg prevented him from making any quick movement. He limped over to his brother. "Hey…Alphonse." He said, trying to urge his brother to wake up. He knelt down to shake him.

"You're so pathetic." Ed turned to look at Envy.

"I'm not the one stealing people's faces." He transmuted the ground beneath Envy into spikes, but Envy moved away quickly. Ed used the last of his adrenaline

(A/N- experiencing major writer's block now!!!) to run at Envy and swing negligent fists at his face, landing a few. Envy was losing his patience. He grabbed Ed by the throat and proceeded to punch him in the stomach. He was loosing focus, until he felt himself being hoisted on to the spike he had created. Blood was leaving his body at a rapid rate, he couldn't see, couldn't feel. His body was going numb. Envy threw him atop the wreckage of the old home. Ed didn't even have the strength to couch once his airway was cleared. He felt himself slip away as Envy cursed at him and Al's voice was finally heard. Now he wakes up… Ed thought before he was finally consumed by darkness.

A/N- ok so uh yeah….please tell me…..close to the end, I obviously had writer's block. I know im weird but I wanted to make a story with Ed seriously injured….i think I accomplished it but I don't know….feed back is very helpful…..thanks to all my reviewers…please help me out here!!!