Damn, it took forever, and its more of a filler with a cliffy to keep people interested, but thats what writers tend to do, or hasn't anyone noticed the massive Cliffy at the end of -man or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA blah blah.

I hope you all like it and leave me with a review so I can see what you think and how to improve this story.

Hell's Awakening – Chapter 2: Pain and Suffering

Edward's Room, Rockbell Residence

Roy Mustang sat quietly and kept an eye on the young boy and his friends as the news was digested. Roy had told them of his intentions, Winry and Pinako were distraught, Ed had a blank face on, perhaps that was just him, an emotionless front was an easy way to conceal the pain you felt inside. Winry then decided to speak out. Edward didn't deserve this, his life was already going to be hard enough without this adding to it.

"He's not going!" Winry yelled coldly.
"And why not?" Roy asked.
"Because he can't even walk!" Winry yelled, "He's grown weak over the last few months. His muscles have broken down, and in case you haven't noticed, he's missing a leg."
"Nothing that automail can't replace." Roy answered coldly, "He will be joining the Amestrian Military as a State Alchemist whether he likes it or not."
"Automail has been known to kill those who take the surgery," Pinako butted in, "Especially when they're not surrounded by supporting figures. In his weakened state, you'll definitely kill him."
"Then he'll be where he wants to be." Roy stated bluntly.
"Sir," Riza interrupted, "We can't exactly haul him back to Central at the minute anyway. You have a broken wrist, and we need a cover story."
"Riza" Mustang reproached, "He's leaving with us on the first train tomorrow."
"Fine." Pinako spat, "I'm going to make a phone call."

After Mustang and Hawkeye had left the room in order to ascertain the nature of Pinako's phone call, Edward made his first attempt to speak.
"W-w-i-n-r-y, don't let them take me." He said in a whisper.
"I won't Edward," Winry answered, "I'll protect you."
Edward fell asleep after that. His dreams turned to their usual side, less than pleasant recounts of the fateful night he and his brother tried to revive their mother and paid the ultimate price.

In the kitchen, Pinako's Phone Call...
"I don't care if its important to the survival of the country Hohenhime," Pinako spoke clearly, "Your son is about to be taken away by the military."
"Which one?" Hohenhime dared ask, "Edward or Alphonse?"
"Edward." Pinako said almost dumbfounded until a realisation struck her, "You haven't heard have you?"
"Heard what?" Hohenhime asked.
"Trisha died Hohenhime," Pinako let her breath out, "Your sons tried to revive her."
"Oh dear god." Hohenhime exclaimed.
"Alphonse died as a result of their attempt," Pinako added, "Edward lost his left leg."
"I think, its time I came home then." Hohenhime answered before hanging up.
"Thank goodness, Ed needs him now." Pinako thought aloud.

"Sir, did you hear that?" Riza asked, "She called the boys father."
"But he left years ago," Roy mused, "No one had his contact details."
"Obviously she did." Riza answered.
"Hmm, another alchemist is on the move. A powerful one at that." Roy mused.
"Sir, whats the plan?" Riza asked, "Are we taking him now or later?"
"A month," Roy answered, "We'll come back in a month to retrieve him, no doubt his father will still be here. It's not that easy to move a boy with broken spirits."
"Ok sir, lets go." Riza nodded and they left.

Several days later...
A knock on the door woke Winry and Pinako up, after a rather peaceful night, Ed had slept well for a change. A good bit of relief to the struggling doctors. Pinako walked to the door and answered, gasping as she realised who had arrived on her doorstep. Ed and Al's father, Hohenhime.

"Is he awake?" Hohenhime asked, "I need to see him."
"Of course you do," Pinako answered cheerfully, "He's been having restless sleep recently, but he slept all through last night, who knows, he might be awake."
"Where is he?" Hohenhime queried.
"Upstairs, first door on the left." Pinako answered.

Hohenhime proceeded upstairs to the room indicated. He attempted to turn the door handle but found to his surprise, it wouldn't open. Using Alchemy, he deconstructed the entire door handle and mechanism, he then attempted to open the door and still found it stuck. At that point he decided to look through the hole where the door handle had been, he found a stone wall behind the door, jamming it in place. He just chuckled, Edward had no hope of keeping him out with such measly tricks. He clapped his hands, and deconstructed the wall before pushing the door open. He went to step but then decided better of it and looked down, sure enough, Edward had alchemically created a considerably large hole in the floor to send anyone who entered straight to the lower level. Perhaps his son had a more mischievous personality than he gave him credit for.

"Edward," Hohenhime said, "You look like you've grown up a lot since I left. Do you still hate milk?"
"Who are you calling so short you couldn't see him above a blade of grass because he didn't drink milk you old geezer?" Edward ranted.
"Haha," Hohenhime chuckled, "Edward, you haven't changed at all."
"Very funny old man," Edward spat, "You know thats not true."
"Perhaps not," Hohenhime said, adopting a serious tone, "Edward, what you did to your mother..."
"What about it?" Ed asked quietly, "Its been haunting me ever since it happened."
"Yes, so it should be." Hohenhime added, "The dead cannot be revived Edward."
"You think I haven't realised yet?" Edward spat motioning at his left leg, "I think I've learnt that much."
"About how you survived," Hohenhime added.
"What do you mean, how I survived?" Edward asked cautiously.
"I mean, what did you have that your brother didn't?" Hohenhime asked.
"Nothing, the transmutation simply sapped his energy first." Edward stated bluntly, clearly upset.
"I don't think so," Hohenhime stated lightly, "You survived because your body is stronger than his somehow, and I think I know how."

Hohenhime didn't ask permission, he placed his hand over Edward's heart and he felt it, he was sure of it. Souls, souls were circulating through his eldest sons body. While their power hadn't been activated like in his own body, they were still unmistakably the reason for Edward survival, and it sparked an even greater reason to be concerned about the military's interest in Edward. The military was controlled by Homunculus, which meant if he knew that Edward was Hohenhime's son, he may have suspicions about whether or not the boy harboured a Philosopher's stone much alike themselves.

"Dammit!" Hohenhime hit the wall, he hadn't expected either of his sons to be given some of the souls his body harboured at birth, but here was irrefutable proof it had happened to at least the eldest. He suspected Alphonse hadn't harboured any given his death, but he couldn't be sure. It also meant he had to take Edward with him and expose him to the risks of the world, but he couldn't do that while Edward was missing a leg, and the military would be back soon, he was sure of it. How could he solve this?

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Your Friendly Author Joker Oak