Alright, you're going to hate me... THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPTER! Yes! I finished the story! WOOHOO! Or, it could be... -tear,tear-
I really enjoyed writing this. Trust me, this is the fastest I've ever completed a story, even with the four month pause.
I just want to thank everyone who helped me: SylverGryphon, Random-Ed-Fan, Lalics, WhiteWillow, RAD5005, Frozen, EVERYONE! Thank you for following through to the end, helping me, and giving me support through till the end!
This chapter is dedicated to all of you! Thank you, and please, enjoy the conclusion of 'Crimson Butterfly... '
Chapter 11- Crimson Butterfly- A Bitter Reunion
The man's hand landed hard on his desk, a hollow banging echoing off the walls. "Where the Hell have you been, Edward? You can't just disappear for three weeks and not expect to be in trouble!"
Roy Mustang ran a frustrated hand through his jet-black hair. His attitude had changed dramatically since Ed's arrival. At first, he was overjoyed. He'd even been worried about Ed's injuries, demanding to have them treated and what had caused them. But when Ed had tried to explain, Roy got angrier and angrier, not believing Fullmetal's crazy story.
"We called everywhere: the Rockbell's, East HQ, even Southern HQ! Where were you, really?"
Ed sighed, "You know where I was. I've told you before, I was-"
"In All God's Village? Taking out evil beings with a camera? That place vanished centuries ago! No one can find it! And you say it's there, and not only that, haunted by the vengeful spirits? Ha! There's no such thing as ghosts or zombies or whatever the hell you claim! It wasn't real. You either imagined it or you were doing something you weren't supposed to be doing…"
"It was real, though!" Ed yelled, ragingly. His eyes glowed furiously. "Look at me!" He pulled up his left sleeve, showing the long scar flowing down his pale arm. He pointed to the large bump on the back of his head, even the cut on it. "Do you think I just did this to myself- this is genuine! Those… Sae and her little cronies did this!
"And Alphonse, my little brother, is blind! You hear that, Mustang? Honest to God blind!"
"You said yourself it could be temporary. And how do you- never mind." Roy shook his head. "Ed, do you have any proof- aside for your wounds- that this place exists?"
Ed started to reply, then bit his tongue. "No, sir."
"Then you can't just expect me to accept that! We're alchemists, Edward, scientists! How can you believe that I'll trust that ghosts, curses, and the living dead truly are among us without cold, hard proof? I give you a simple mission, two weeks to complete it, and you come back a week late with some cock-and-bull story about whoever 'Sae' and 'Kusabi' and whatever the hell you said! I just need a strait answer: where were you really and what did you find?"
Ed bowed his head, his gold eye hidden behind curtains of blonde. He stood, swaying slightly as he attempted to catch his balance.. "I can't tell you anything more. You won't believe the truth; I'm not going to fed you crap in its place." He bowed. "Sorry for wasting your time, Colonel. If you want to find out the answers, go investigate it yourself." With that, the eldest Elric escorted himself from the room, leaving Mustang to himself.
The man's black eyes were troubled as he sat. He cradled his head in his hands. What am I supposed to do with those two? he wondered.
He couldn't be telling me the truth… could he? The Flame Alchemist shook his head as though trying to rid himself of the thought. No, Edward's hiding something from me. But what? What could have happened to the boys in those woods that would bring him back in this condition? What could have happened that he wouldn't tell me up front?
The Colonel thought back to what Edward looked like when he'd waltzed into his office: scratches decorated his face and skin. His clothes were torn and tattered, hanging tiredly off of his body. Hid golden eyes were dull and worn, circles under his eyes showing that he'd gone many sleepless nights. His head was blazing hot with fever and he'd nearly fainted upon arriving. Yes, terrible condition.
And yet… Mustang thought.
Roy stood and began pacing. Maybe and animal attack? No, he still would have been back in time… and he'd have been able to tell me…
"Gah!" he cried out in exasperation, scratching his head violently.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Hawkeye questioned, raising and eyebrow in question.
Mustang jumped, spinning about to face the Lt. Colonel. "Oh, it's just you…" he mumbled. "No, I'm just pondering…"
"What happened to the Elrics?" Riza offered, pushing her blonde bangs from her eyes. "I recall he turned in a report explaining… Something about ghosts, wasn't it?"
Roy's charcoal eyes narrowed. "Exactly." He plopped into his chair. "You and I both know ghosts don't exist. And even if they did, how could they physically injure you?"
"I'm afraid I don't know, Colonel."
The two sat in silence for a minute.
Roy quickly stood, gathering his coat in his arms.
"And where are you going, sir?" Riza questioned, though she already could guess.
"I'm taking a vacation." he answered, slamming his door.
The amber-eyed girl sighed, smiling. He can't let it go… she thought. He has to know what happened to Edward and Alphonse.
"Just know," Hawkeye called out the door. "you're going to have a lot of paper work to do on your return!"
-----
Four days later, Roy stood the countryside of Resembool. The forest expanded before him; the moon bathed the wooded area in an eerie silver light across the grass and through the treetops, setting shadows dancing on the green foliage.
The Flame Alchemist sighed, rubbing his temples. Why am I even doing this? he wondered, brushing his black hair behind his ear. "Well," he grunted. "Here goes nothing…"
Mustang walked calmly into the wood, stepping carefully over fallen limbs and stumps. He occasionally ducked leaves-dodged squirrels and other fauna darting by.
Two pillars soon stood tall before him, décor being of blood red butterflies. This was in the report… he thought, taking a cautious step forward.
I'm… so sorry… a voice moaned, voice hitched in sobs. I… can't go back…
Roy cocked his head to the side. "What… was that?" he murmured. He thought nothing of it, continuing forward.
You said… that we'd always… be… together… that we'd be… one… but everyone… died…
Finally, the Colonel stepped through the threshold. The surroundings changed.
Buildings began to take shape; the sky turned a hideous gray color, though the moon shone a gratefully bright yellow light. The buildings towered over him, and a dense fog rolled in, coating the ground in its mysterious mist.
Blood was all over the buildings: the handles, the walls, the doors, everywhere. Scratches were etched into the lumber, showing prominent signs of a struggle.
"Shit…" Roy swore. It was real… he thought. This place. It exists!
"Okay, that's enough for me!" he announced, turning to leave.
Roy jumped back, hands protectively guarding his face.
A young girl stood there, white kimono hanging loosely from her frame. Even her clothes were contaminated by the awful color of blood that surrounding the village. Her raven hair hung in front of her eyes, a wicked grin gracing her lips. Her pale hands were stained and she laughed lightly and happily- a chilling sound in a place as foul as this.
"Yae…" she whispered, though it seemed as though she were talking right into Mustang's ear.
"I knew… you'd come back… for me…"
Roy felt an odd sensation in his chest. He cried out in agony, falling over as the pain of fire burned at his skin, every breath he took felt as if it held thousands of white-hot knifes, the wind burned and stabbed at his skin. His eyes rolled restlessly in his head and his body convulsed, as though trying to escape the anguish it was being put through.
And then, Roy Mustang stopped moving. He sat perfectly still on the ground, his eyes dull and staring at the ground.
A small, silver orb penetrated from his chest, flying calmly into the Kusabi's waiting grasp.
Sae grinned, still glaring. "We have no use for single children such as yourself."
The girl with a heart as dark as her hair, a mind as evil as Satan himself, stepped carefully over the deceased man, whistling merrily and smiling with glee.
The End!