Chapter 26: Stones from the River

There was a pressure in his ears. A heartbeat. The only sense of the flow of time. When he opened his eyes the images blurred together as if he had been submerged underwater. Light cascaded down from the right of his vision. Flooded everything in a pale golden glow. Was he dead?

Shapes started to take form. He recognized the room he was standing in. A kitchen: white counters, hardwood floor, light blue cabinetry, gas appliances. And a woman with long golden hair that fell like a sheet down her back. She was turned away from him. Hands busy with something at the counter. Envy felt a tinge of recognition. He should know her… Why could he not think her name?

He found he could move. He took a small step forward; bare feet on the cold hardwood floor. It creaked beneath his weight causing the woman to turn. She glanced over her shoulder. Sapphire blue eyes staring at him through a haze of morning sunlight.

Envy remembered the name: Winry.

Felt his heart lighten with memory. Memories of a river, of fishing in Resembool, of meeting her curious gaze on a train to Central, of watching her cower before a beast in a park at midnight, of teasing her lips with his, of the heated nights they spent wrapped up together. He felt a smile curl his lips. Wondered if this was the first time he had ever felt truly at peace.

She returned the smile, and it was the first time Envy noticed she was much older than he last remembered. Thin lines defined her smile and her eyes. How many years had truly passed? And why could he remember none of them?

"Winry…?" His voice sounded distant even to his own ears.

Winry gave him a gentle smile. When she turned to him he noticed she held several polished rocks in her hands. She said, "She's collecting stones from the river. The pretty ones."

Envy furrowed his brow. "Who is?"

Winry did not reply. She only continued, "I told her it's dangerous, but you know she only listens to you."

"Who…?"

White light. It blinded Envy. Forced him to cover his eyes again. He stumbled back and felt the hardwood beneath his feet turn hard and cold. When the light faded, he opened his eyes again and saw that he was inside Father's Lair.

Mustang held Hawkeye in his arms tightly. When the glow of the transmutation finally died down she fidgeted and opened her eyes. He smiled down at her, felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Colonel... Thanks for… understanding my signal."

"We've known each other for a long time," Mustang replied, gently. "I figured I knew what you meant, and if I was wrong then you certainly meant: If you perform human transmutation, I will shoot you to death."

Hawkeye smiled back as if to say, "That's right."

"That's the last of them," said Darius as he nudged the body of one of the doctor's bodyguards.

Mei fidgeted uneasily, staring around the chamber. Mustang looked up at her, and said, "He said he'd pass through the Gate. Maybe he came out somewhere else?"

"I don't like this…" Mei mumbled. Then, she turned to entrance of the chamber. "Wait… I feel…"

Footsteps echoed loudly as someone approached them from the darkness. White collared shirt stained crimson, polished dress shoes scuffed and torn, sword held at his side: Wrath.

"King Bradley," Mustang breathed. He stood, helping Hawkeye up with him. He, Scar, Mei and the chimera's stared as Wrath stood in the doorway. Blood dripped from a wound in his left shoulder. He looked battle-worn, and Mustang was quick to notice he was not healing like the other homunculi did.

Wrath's eyes landed on Hawkeye's wound. "I was almost certain you'd perform human transmutation if someone dear to you was struck down."

"You're right, I might have in the past," Mustang replied. "But now, I have people by my side who are willing to stop me and point me in the right direction."

Wrath grunted in affirmation, and added, "Just when you think you know what humans will do, they evolve and prove you wrong. You humans are unpredictable. And it infuriates me!"

Mei gasped and looked down at the floor. She began trembling as she said, "It's there… right below us."

"Are you sure?" Scar asked. Mei nodded. Wrath narrowed his gaze.

As soon as Scar readied his destructive alchemy, Wrath launched himself across the chamber to stop him. It was too late. An explosion blew a hole right through the floor. Dust blinded Wrath for a moment, but when it cleared the only one standing in the chamber, waiting, was Scar.

"Now," he said, readying his alchemy again, "It's just you and me, homunculus."

"Envy!?" Edward gasped. Envy looked over at him and saw Alphonse, Izumi and Hohenheim all pinned to the ground by a long dark shadow, much like Pride's. Alphonse looked like he was in rough shape. His legs and one of his arms were almost completely destroyed. Envy doubted very much he could perform alchemy anymore.

"How dutiful of you to arrive at such an opportune moment," Father said, and Envy looked up at him with a deep scowl. "Although, I would have liked the fifth sacrifice to arrive instead of you."

"Envy…" squeaked a voice from the edge of the chamber. Envy's gaze slid over to a dark corner and landed on Winry bound by pipes to the wall. His eyes widened. So it was true what pseudo-Envy had said…

"Ah, yes," Father said, sounding seemingly unconcerned. "Now that you're here, I suppose this human has served her purpose. Instead of killing her, I'll give her the opportunity to live for eternity in my new philosopher stone."

Envy balled his fists, but before he could react the ceiling above them exploded. Pipe and debris landed all around them. Envy saw Mei jump down through the hole and land nearby. She spotted him immediately, and said, "So, that's where you went…"

"Mei!?" Alphonse shouted. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Alphonse!" Mei ran over to him. "Are you okay? What happened to you? You're legs and arm!""

Envy turned away from them and attempted to cross the room to Winry, but Father said, "If you approach, I will kill her."

He stopped. Winry stared across the chamber at him, blue eyes wide and fearful. He knew he could do nothing against Father. Knew deep down no matter how many people stood by him, Father would win. Is this how it would end? Had he spent the last seven months of his life scurrying around like an insect trying to survive, only to be stepped on?

Father was talking: "Have you all ever thought of this planet as one life form? Well, it would be more accurate to call it a system rather than a life form."

Blue eyes. It is the first thing he sees when he wakes up. Blue eyes staring up at him. Sunlight pouring arcoss the sheets. He feels a warm touch. Fingertips along the side of his face. A moment he cannot forget. Not even if he wants to.

"A system that records a tremendous amount of information taken from the universe… which is incomparable to the tiny amount of energy that each of you humans possess."

Is that all this world is…? Just a system of energy waiting to be used…? When he looks up at her he does not see what he thinks he is meant to see. Does not see what he used to. He no longer possesses the jagged edges of hatred. Does not carry around a grudge against those who have more than him. When she looks up at him, he knows he has everything he could ever want. His hands tremble before he touches her again.

"If one were to open that gate," Father's voice rung through the chamber, "how much power do you suppose they would gain? Ever thought of it?"

How long has he loved her to only now face his fear of falling…?

"Stones from the river…" Envy whispered to himself. He looked down at his hands. Strong and capable. Had the Truth really shown him snippets of his future…?

And did that mean… Envy looked back up at Father, considered what he might have to do. …that this crazy plan would actually work?

"Hey, brother!"

Envy's eyes widened as Greed jumped down from the pipes in the ceiling and lunged at Father. With his carbon fibre claws he slashed at his chest, saying, "Let's take the center of the world back from him! Together!"

"No, you idiot! Stop!" Envy shouted, but it was too late. Father reached out and buried his hand into Greed's chest. Greed froze, eyes wide. His mistake, his final mistake acknowledged on his face.

"I knew you'd come, Greed, my son," Father said, frowning. "You're the avarice that was born from me, just as Envy was. It's only natural that you'd want everything I'd want."

"Maybe at the end of all of this, if we're still alive, we'll have family to speak of…" Envy eyes widened as he realized this was just the same as when he had watched the old Greed burn alive in the bubbling pit of lava. He remembered the feeling of shallow guilt, remembered wondering why he had no feelings against one of his family being killed before his eyes. He pushed down the fear, the nagging at the back of his head. He would not sit back idly and watch Greed be murdered by Father again! Not this time!

He lunged forward. His speed took Father by surprise as he grabbed hold of Greed and pulled him away. The two of them put as much distance between themselves and Father as possible. Panting, Envy let go of Greed, and they both readied themselves for an explosive counterattack from Father.

But it never came.

"Well…" said Father, "that was unexpected. Envy, you've developed more emotions than I anticipated. That is… troublesome."

Envy turned to Greed, and growled, "If you want to help me fight him, don't be such a reckless idiot. Keep your distance until the time is right."

"Time is right?" Greed asked. "What are you going on about?"

Father looked up at the ceiling as if something they could not see had appeared there. A deep frown settled on his face.

"The eclipse will be ending soon," Hohenheim suddenly said. "Your plan is falling apart. Without a fifth sacrifice you will not be able to proceed. How does it feel to be outmanoeuvred by those you look down on as worms?"

Father's eyes narrowed. A silence lingered as everyone seemed to wait on a reply.

"There are other ways to make a philosopher stone," he said, though the tone of his voice hinted that it was not a preferable way. His golden eyes landed on Envy, and he added, darkly, "For your disobedience, Envy. Let me show you…"

Wondering what he was up to, Envy flinched slightly when Father held out his hand, palm up. Red sparks shot out the center of it. At first, nothing seemed to be happening, and then Winry grunted. Envy's eyes widened as her head fell forward and her body went limp against her restraints. The golden strands of her hair, like wisps of thread, hung down around her face. Her eyes closed.

Envy felt his mouth go dry. "Winry…?"

"Winry?" another voice questioned. It was Edward. His golden eyes were trained on her still form.

"Winry!?"

No. Envy did not want to believe it. "Say something! Winry!"

"It is troubling, this connection you have to the humans," Father was saying. "I did not create you with such emotions."

Envy's hands were trembling. Crossing the distance of the chamber to get to Winry, he touched her face. Felt the warmth there. Still. She did not stir. Did not react to his touch. He felt a tightness in his throat, remembered only seconds ago that she was alive. Her blue eyes staring up at him.

"Winry…?" He said, voice cracking. His whole body trembled. "Please…"

"I don't want you to die…" There was a time when he knew he had said this to her. Remembers fearing it completely, throughout his very being. Not once did he imagine she would be taken from him so soon.

Edward was screaming angrily at Father in the background. His voice bouncing off the piping around them. Envy tried to tune him out. Tried to remember why he was there in the first place. If not for Winry… was there purpose to the plan anymore? Did it really matter who won this fight? Did he care?

She twisted the soft fabric between her hands as she talked. "It was so risky for you. Just the thought that you might get caught by the other homunculi… terrified me. That I might never see you again. And that's when I realized, I didn't have anything to remember you by. If you never came back, if we never saw each other again…"

A warm tear slid down his face. He did not even realize he was crying until he felt it leave his chin; collect and drop. His fingertips touched her silken hair. Still, she remained. Motionless like a doll.

"So, this is the strength of humans?" Father said. His voice cut through Envy's thoughts like a sharpened blade. Intrusive. Hateful. Infuriating. "In great numbers you remain disorganized. You divide and fight amongst yourselves, time after time after time. And when you stand alone, you are torn down easily. Insects. How can you ever think that humans could amount to anything and defeat me? No matter what, whether they stand together or alone, humans will always be fragile."

"I know you'll keep me safe…" Winry smiled up at him. He felt the heat of her body as she wrapped her arms around him and leaned in, whispering, "You're my guardian, after all."

Envy leaned over and kissed the top of her head, gently. He whispered into her hair, "Don't be angry with me, if this doesn't work. Winry… wait for me."

"Envy…" Father said, "throwing away your pride as a homunculus like that… how disappointing."

Envy turned away from Winry and narrowed his gaze on Father. It was time. He did not think he had courage enough to fight Father, but now he did not care if he lived or died. But if he died, he wanted to go out and take that bastard with him!

He rushed forward to attack. Either Father misjudged Envy's speed or Envy was stronger than he originally thought he was, he stuck Father across the face and landed a few paces away. Spun, and attacked again from the other side. Red sparks shot out to heal Father, but he did not seem to be making any counterattacks.

"Save some for me!" Greed growled and jumped at Father. He and Envy attacked together, at once. They landed kicks and punches, sprang apart, and did it again. Over and over. Envy wondered why Father did not seem to be fighting back. Envy was using all the strength he could muster into his assaults. He jumped, intent on slamming down on the top of Father's head.

A black tendril caught him mid-flight. Greed too. It wrapped around their legs and midsections tightly. Keeping them suspended in the air.

"Do you really think you can defeat me?" Father asked, tone lingering between boredom and arrogance. He glared up at Envy, who could not help but grin back.

A dark shadow-spear pierced through Father's chest. Father gasped, eyes widened in shock. Envy and Greed were released, as well as Edward, Alphonse, Izumi and Hohenheim. Blood dripped from the hole in Father's chest, the corners of his mouth. Before he could heal, Envy stabbed him again. This time with two shadow-blades; one through his neck, the other through his abdomen. He sliced him right open.

"Pride's powers are great!" Envy sneered, stabbing Father a few more times. Red light ignited and lit up the chamber as Father tried to heal before Envy sliced him again, and again.

Then, a wave of energy blasted everyone off their feet. Envy slammed against a stone pillar. Felt his spine shatter as white hot pain seared through him. Red sparks healed him in time for him to watch Father escape up through the hole in the ceiling.

"He's getting away!" he heard Edward shout. Envy did not waste any time going after Father. He and Greed climbed the piping and exited out through the ceiling, level by level, floor by floor, until they reached the surface of the Central Headquarters courtyard.

Sunlight touched Envy's face when he climbed out after Father. Noticed the eclipse was now over for good. The courtyard was surrounded by soldiers. Briggs soldiers. Father held out the palm of his hand and absorbed some of them into his new stone.

Envy jumped forward and attacked him from behind. Fueled by fearless courage and anger. Greed continued his assault as well. They worked together, but their attacks were simply bouncing off Father. Envy knew he could not use the shadows to his advantage here. There was too much sunlight. He gritted his teeth. That might have been why Father escaped to the surface.

Edward, Alphonse, Mei and Hohenheim appeared at the edge of Envy's vision. Edward charged Father foolishly and was sent sprawling across the courtyard and into a cement block. Alphonse shouted for him, but Envy noticed Edward's flesh arm was pinned. An iron rod having gone right through it. His automail arm seemed to be hanging limply at his side.

Greed launched himself at Father, but was easily deflected in the opposite direction. Envy figured Father's stone was starting to wear down, that he could feel it slowly weakening, because Father turned to Edward and started walking towards him. He held out his hand, palm up. Narrowed his eyes on him.

"Brother!" Alphonse shouted, but he was damaged so badly all he achieved was falling over. Mei ran to his side. "Brother! Get up and move! Brother!"

Edward struggled, but it was no use. Envy rushed forward to distract Father, but he was deflected as easily as Greed.

"Brother!"

"Give me your soul," Father said, darkly. Edward's eyes widened on his approach.

Five daggers suddenly embedded themselves in the cement block next to Edward's right shoulder. He stared at them with a blank look. A blue light blinded them momentarily. Father paused. When Envy looked up again he saw Edward staring down at where his automail arm had been. Now, a real arm had replaced it.

"Move, Edward!" Izumi shouted from across the courtyard. Envy glanced over and saw Mei hovering over Alphonse's soulless suit of armor trapped within a transmutation circle.

No way… Envy thought, He tranmusted his soul for Fullmetal's arm…?

Edward freed himself from the iron rod, tears glistening in his eyes, a new fire ignited in the depths of his glare. He ran forward and landed a solid punch to Father's face.

There was a moment of pause as everyone watched and waited. A red pulse pushed Edward back and away from Father again, but that did not stop him from attacking a second and third time. Envy and Greed exchanged signals and continued their joint assault.

Everything they tried landed, but they were continuously forced back with equal power. Envy found his strength starting to wane. Sweat ran down his face, his hands were trembling, muscles burning with the effort to keep moving. He looked over and saw Edward panting just as hard. Greed also looked battle worn.

Envy decided to rush at Father to give Edward and Greed time to regroup, but Father caught him headlong with an alchemic spike. It tore through his chest and forced him to the ground, where he kneeled over in pain. Red sparks tried to heal him, but he was weakening. His stone was not as great as Fathers.

He could taste the copper tang of blood in his mouth. Panted and tried to stand, but his legs shook and wobbled beneath him. He fell back down. He glanced up and saw Father walking towards him. An itch of fear seeped into the back of his mind.

He was going to die. This was it.

"Isn't it disappointing that after everything you've done, all the ways you've tried to defy me, you're still going to die?" Father said. "You should have seen this coming, Envy. You, even as a homunculus, were weak."

Envy's throat was suddenly dry. His eyes widened as Father came closer. Then, an orange blast of flames erupted around Father. Envy felt the superheated air brush against his skin, the tingle of hot ashes caught in the wind. Father grunted in pain. When the flames went out his healing tried to recover the charcoaled flesh.

Mustang stood behind Father with both hands ready for another burst of flame alchemy. He frowned as he said, "He doesn't stand alone!"

Snap! An explosion engulfed Father again. Envy watched as though strangely disconnected from the scene. Mustang was standing up for him? Protecting him? Him, Envy…? The murderer of his best friend?

"Alright everyone!" shouted an unfamiliar voice from the edge of the courtyard. "Take aim! Fire!"

The sky lit up with more explosions. Gunfire and missiles forced Father back from Envy. Even his healing abilities did not seem to be keeping up with the amount of fire that he was under. The humans were working together, as one. This was as much their fight as it was Envy's.

Envy stared in amazement as Father was forced back and away from him. Felt a twinge of pride towards the humans inspired unity. Fragile they might be, Envy realized, but together they were stronger than anything. He looked up at the shouting faces, some people were cheering him on. "Leave the homunculus alone!", "Give it to him, Envy!", "Stand up! You can do it!"

This feeling… He had never felt such a sensation. Like he could accomplish anything, despite his injuries. People he did not even know were giving him their support. Even now when he was beat down, they were helping him stand back up. Even after all he had done to them in the past…

This, he thought, this is the strength of humans. Their undying willpower. This is what I will fight for.

A hand was on Envy's shoulder. He looked up and saw Edward. "Let's finish him off," Edward said.

Envy nodded. "Right!"

Father was screaming now. Mustang was snapping his fingers constantly. Envy and Edward rushed in just as Mustang paused his attack.

A final blow. They punched a hole right through Father's chest. The screams that erupted from Father were enough to deafen them.

Envy and Edward fell backwards and watched as a flood of red light cascaded out of the hole in Father's chest and into the sky. Thousands of screaming voices; men, women, children. It seemed to go on forever. And then, finally, it ended.

Father's soulless body stared down at them. It started first from the tips of his fingers; he crumbled. Dust to dust… swept up in a light breeze and blew away. Gone forever…

A silence settled on the courtyard. The sound of several hundred people holding their breath.

It was over.

Father was defeated.

"He's… gone," Envy breathed. They had really done it.

Edward got shakily to his feet, and walked over to where Alphonse's body lay. They had won, Envy realized, but at a cost…

Winry…

Envy dropped to his knees, arms hung at his sides. Let his gaze fall to the ground. He had lost the one thing he had been fighting for.

He felt his throat tighten. Is this what ultimate failure felt like? He had been tasked with keeping Winry safe from the very beginning. She had even called him her guardian.

Envy punched the ground, felt tears well up in his eyes. She was not supposed to be the one to die! He fought Father, he was the weak one, the one everyone wanted dead for one reason or another. Him! Why did Winry have to die!? It was not fair!

"Envy."

Envy glanced up, felt a tear slide down his face. Mustang was holding out a hand to him. There was no smile. No hint of remorse. Envy remembered the promise of revenge, and suddenly wanted Mustang to go through with it.

"Why are you waiting?" he asked. "Just do it now. Please…"

Mustang's eyes widened in surprise, but he did not lower his hand. "Stand up, fool."

Envy stood up, stubbornly without his help. Mustang let his hand fall to his side. "Are you expecting me to thank you for saving my life?" Envy spat. "You should have just let me die."

"You saved my lieutenant," Mustang replied. "A life for a life. That's equivalent exchange."

Envy frowned. "But aren't you forgetting I took a life from you to begin with? Don't tell me someone as hell bent on revenge like you forgot."

Mustang drew his shoulders back and straightened. "Consider the debt repaid."

Envy stared at him, uncertainly. "I… don't get it. You're letting me off the hook? What's the catch?"

"Envy, look around you," Mustang said, sharply.

Envy bit the inside of his lip and reluctantly did so. He scanned the courtyard and saw the hundreds of Briggs soldiers rejoicing. Izumi, Hohenheim and Mei were blocking Edward and Alphonse from view. Greed stood with Lan Fan off to the side, smiling widely. A few of the Central military Envy recognized were cheering loudly.

The smiles. The joy. Envy felt disconnected from it all. This time, not because he was a homunculus, but because he simply did not feel happy. The loss of Winry had torn a deep gouge into him. A wound no amount of alchemy could recover.

It was bitter sweet, he thought. Just as he had told Greed it would be.

"This is your doing," Mustang said, drawing Envy's attention again. "Without your help I don't know how we would have defeated him. I'm willing to set my personal grudge aside, if it means sharing in the peace that is soon to come."

Envy stared at him. He did not have the heart to nod or agree. A part of him was disappointed, appalled that Mustang would let him linger in sorrow like this. Maybe he knew this was worse punishment than death.

There was a collective gasp from the group surrounding Edward and Alphonse. A flash of blue light faded and Envy saw Alphonse in the flesh, lying on the ground. Hohenheim bent down and covered up his naked form with his coat.

So… Envy thought bitterly. Everyone gets what they want… Maybe this is the Truth's way of making me pay for all those things I did while I was following Father. But why does Winry have to pay too?

"Envy," Mustang said again. This time, Envy met his stare with anger. But it soon faded when he saw that Mustang was pointing across the courtyard.

Blue eyes.

Envy pushed past Mustang and went to her, feeling as though he might be dreaming. In all the years he had known her he could not remember a time when she looked more beautiful than she did now. His throat tightened again.

They stopped about a foot apart. Winry staring up at him with wide eyes, and he gazing down at her. At first he did not know what to say. His lips parted slightly, but his throat was so tight no sound escaped.

He wanted to tell her everything; how it felt to lose her, how the emptiness inside him was suddenly replaced, how he was sorry he did not protect her like he should have. All these thoughts swarmed his mind. And in the end, he could say nothing.

Tears were running down Winry's face. Slowly, she stepped into him, wrapped her hands around his waist, rested her head on his shoulder, buried her face in his neck. He held her tightly. Promised himself that he would never again let her go. His face was set in a deep frown. He could not help the tears. Did not care if he looked weak. He felt the strongest he had ever felt in his life in that moment.

Holding her, in the silence. No words were necessary…

Author's Note: This is still one more chapter to follow...