Sissy - Thank you for getting me out of my slump! And you should recognize parts of that chapter, you gave me the idea in our roleplay! Anyway, um...here's more for you! Though you may not like it...
PrincessZidet - Don't worry, I don't go. I got a new story plot after all. I hope you'll read that one.
Harryswoman - It was fun but also sad making Alphonse say those things. He just had to though, but you'll see what happens next.
Renneh - There is this chapter and then one more after ward, then it'll be over. You get a double package though so it'll be fun!
miroku-has-darkness - Hehe, yeah really.
MrsEdwardElric47 - Thanks! I'm glad your enjoying it so much! Your a first time reviewer, it's nice to hear from you! I hope you like this chapter and the next one to follow.
Mean Fangirl - Oh don't worry, he gets his pay back. Muhahahahaha!
SmilelyFaceMel - You would hope so... but really things are just going to keep getting worse, but this chapter will be...interesting...
Aevium - Since I won't mention this in the story after all, I guess I'll just briefly mention why he has the problem. His body has been in the gate for four years right? Then he went through it to get to Germany. Now, you'd think going through the gate and hanging out there for so long would do SOMETHING to your body. So that's Alphonses' little equivalent exchange. My explanation anyway. I usually make human Alphonse have some kind of minor lung problem because of the gate. As for what will happen next. Well, let's just say Ed gets his revenge...
soupcan - Because sad stories are the best ones? I find comedy stories are fun, but I like angsty sad stories so much better.
MrsEdwardElric47 - More is on the way! I hope you enjoy the chpater!
Chapter eighteen - What I've done
"Al! Come on, this way!" Edward shouted back to his younger brother who wasn't that far behind. The two were laughing as they ran from their house and off into the nearby field, up to the high hill that overlooked the countryside. Edward was nine going on ten, and Alphonse was still eight years old, but would be nine in a few months.
"Big brother, wait for me!" Alphonse whined as he ran after Edward, still laughing through it all. The two were sneaking out of the house after dark again. Their mother told them not to go out after dark, but Edward's logic was that she only told them that because she couldn't do it herself. When Alphonse asked why she couldn't just sneak out too, Edward said it was because it would just be weird and then they would have to ground her.
Once the boys reached the hill, they fell back and looked up at the stars; it was a clear night so every one was visible. "There!" Alphonse shouted after he caught his breath, pointing up to the stars. He made a circle around one bunch. "The sleeping cat," he said as he put his hand back down.
"Oh yeah, I see it," Edward said, nodding as he pointed to another bunch of stars. "And there's the loving mother!"
"You can always find her because she's by the small boy!" Alphonse said, laughing as Edward pouted.
"That's not nice. I can find her because she's always wearing her apron and she's next to the spilt milk."
"The spilt milk that the small boy knocked over?" Alphonse suggested with a smile. Edward laughed and nodded as he looked for other constellations. They found a few of their favorites and made a few new ones.
"The alchemist," Alphonse said, pointing to a new bunch of stars near the loving mother constellation. Edward frowned and tilted is head as he looked at it. "See? He's clapping his hand or something."
"Why is he clapping his hands?" Edward asked sitting up a little. "Is he happy about something or what?"
"I don't know, he just is," Alphonse said as he sat up and clapped his hands out in front of him to demonstrate. "Just like this," he said nodding.
"That's a weird way to clap," Edward said, laughing as he looked back up at the new batch of stars. "How do you know it's an alchemist?"
"Because he has glasses and is wearing a funny coat. He also has a beard and the rest of his hair--"
"Is in a pony tail?" Edward said frowning. "That's not an alchemist, Al; it's a washed up father."
"Ed, that's not nice to say," Alphonse scolded as he looked over at his brother. Edward shrugged, but said nothing more. After a moment of silence Alphonse spoke up again. "Where did you learn the word 'washed up?'" he asked curiously.
"It was in a book I read once. It's like when something's over with and couldn't go back to normal, even if it wanted to," Edward said, shrugging. That wasn't exactly the true definition, but that was Edward's.
"That's not very nice," Alphonse said frowning, but knew it was true. "Dad will come home soon, Ed; you'll see."
"Ew, don't do that," Edward said, sticking his tongue out. That caught Alphonse off guard; he looked over at Edward confused.
"Do what?" Alphonse asked.
"Call me 'Ed' or 'Edward;' it's just weird."
"Well it is your name, right?"
"Yeah, but you always call me 'brother.' Anything else sounds really weird," Edward explained as Alphonse chuckled to himself.
"Sorry, I didn't know that bothered you so much."
"Well it does, so don't do it anymore," Edward said shrugging. "Should I call you 'brother,' too? Or should I just call you Alphonse?" Edward asked, looking over at Alphonse, but Alphonse was already curled up fast asleep with a little smile on his face.
Edward laughed a little as he scooted over a little more so Alphonse could use him as a pillow. His head rested on Edward's arm, which was actually quite comfortable due to the baby fat. He looked up at the sky again and watched the stars. He loved nights like this, when the two could just be together with no worries of the war going on in Ishbal.
Edward yawned as he closed his eyes and started drifting off to sleep with a smile on his own face. The two boys would always be together. It'd always be the Elric brothers; and that was just how Edward wanted it…
Edward woke the next morning to an unpleasant start. Jean Havoc was over him, shaking him hard and in a panic. Edward groaned angrily as he swatted at the other male, trying to get him to leave. It didn't work, needless to say, as Havoc started to get mad. "Edward, wake up!"
Edward groaned again as he opened one eye sleepily. "What?" he asked as he noticed everything was still dark. It was way too early; no one should be awake yet.
"It's Alphonse! They took Alphonse!" Havoc shouted in a quivering voice. That made Edward jerk up. Havoc jumped back as Edward looked around frantically. He was right; Alphonse was gone.
"What?" Edward shouted as he found himself getting out of the bed, looking around more as though Alphonse just got up for a walk or something. "Who took him? Where are they?" he growled under his breath as he kept looking; Havoc grabbed Edward to keep him by the bunk, though.
"Edward, calm down. I want to help him too, but…it's just too late."
"What the hell do you mean it's too late?" Edward shouted near the top of his lungs. That woke a few men who weren't awake already. Some of them glared and yelled at him to shut up, but Edward ignored them. "Where is he?" he shouted again as Havoc pushed him back onto the bed.
"Edward, listen to me!" Havoc hissed as he held Edward firmly despite his struggling. "They took Alphonse this morning when they took the dead… He's probably long gone by now--"
"Why? Why did they take him?" Edward snapped, his eyes burning with flames that threatened to lash out.
"I don't know," Havoc said shaking his head. "This morning he was coughing and had tears in his eyes. A SS man saw him and assumed he was dying so they--"
"And you let them?" Edward shouted at the older man, his anger seeping out of his body. "How could you just let them take him?"
"Edward, you have to understand how Auschwitz works. If you can help, you help. If you can't, then you don't. You look out for yourself at all times, even if it means sacrifice."
"That's a stupid reason!"
"Isn't that your reason?" Havoc asked, a little smugly.
Edward's body began to shake as he pulled away from Havoc's grip. He wanted so badly to run away and find the men who took Alphonse, but Havoc was right in a way. The men who took Alphonse were more than likely gone by now which meant…
Edward squeezed his eyes tight as he tried to think of what to do. There was nothing he could do. Alphonse was gone by now and there was nothing he could do about it. He tried to stay focus on the last few hours. What did Alphonse and he do? Did they have a fun filled night of laughing and memories?
Edward felt sick when he remembered the fight they'd had the night before. What was it Alphonse had said last to him? I won't have a murderer for a brother… That was the last thing Alphonse had said to Edward before they went to sleep.
Edward kept his eyes shut as he tried to think of what to do. So many emotions were piling into his being. He thought sorrow and regret would be the two biggest ones he'd feel, but that was not the case. They were actually fairly minor emotions compared the main one he was feeling.
He was hesitant before he got up and started to leave the bunk again. Havoc frowned and got up also. "Edward, what are you--?"
"I have to speak to a doctor," Edward said in a dark monotone voice. Havoc stopped in his steps, a little started by Edward's sudden mood swing. Something was definitely wrong…
A few of the men who had been watching were now yelling at him to just sit down and shut up, but Edward wasn't about to listen to them. He reached the door and was about to open it, but the door opened on its own. Edward stepped back as the barrack guard walked in. "What the hell is all that noise?" he shouted, then paused when he saw Edward standing there. "Ah yes. Golden eyes, I was wondering when you'd wake up."
"I need to see Tucker," Edward said simply, trying hard not to lose his temper. This man knew about his brother…
"Tucker? That crazy doctor?" the man asked with a frown, obviously expecting some other reaction out of Edward.
Edward nodded. "Yes. My leg has been hurting since yesterday; my left leg," he explained. "I think I might have pulled a muscle while running," he said. It was convincing enough; he was just hoping the man would buy it.
"Hmm… And this can't wait a few hours?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, sir," Edward said, shaking his head. "It hurts too much and I can't sleep. If I don't get a good enough rest I'll be useless to Himmler; and if I recall, I am one of Himmler's favorites. Wouldn't it be a shame if I couldn't function tomorrow because you wouldn't take me to a doctor?"
The man glared at Edward and would have taken action, but Edward had a good point.
"This way," he said in the end and started escorting Edward to the medical tents. Edward's face showed no emotion as he just followed; he was being careful not to show any pain, anger, or regret. It was hard, but in the end it would be worth it if this actually worked.
As they walked through the camp, Edward couldn't help but glance up at the sky and remember the dream he'd had a little while ago. That time when they looked up at the stars and made their own personal constellations. He narrowed his eyes, just a little, as he remembered. He would give anything, literally anything, to have his brother there with him again. Or even just to undo the last few moments spent together.
"Here we are," the guard said, interrupting Edward's thoughts. Edward looked over at the medical tents and nodded his thanks as he went over to Tucker's usual area. Luckily for Edward, the candle inside was lit. He smiled just briefly as he approached the flap, and opened it, going inside.
"Edward?" was the first thing spoken as Tucker looked over at the blonde who had just walked in. He was surprised that the boy was in there so late; or early, depending on the view. "My, this is a surprise. What can I do for you?"
"You want my auto-mail right?" Edward asked, remaining monotone.
Tucker scoffed. "Of course I do. It could put me in the history--"
Tucker had no time to finish as Edward came forward and punched the older man. Hard. He knocked him down with one hit, due to the blow by the auto-mail fist. Tucker fell and stumbled up as quickly as he could, only to see Edward standing over him. The auto-mail was showing through tiny rips in the skin colored glove, and Tucker only saw it a moment before Edward pocketed his hand.
"Shou Tucker, the sewing life alchemist. The bastard who killed his daughter twice, and is just that much sicker to go after me," Edward said in a dangerous voice; so much that it frightened Tucker, though he tried not to show it.
"Sewing life alchemist? What does that--?"
"The same man who decided to go after my brother and live."
"Your brother? Why, Edward, I have no idea what you're talking about," Tucker spoke with a smile on his face.
Edward made a fist at his side; if it were flesh it would've been white to the bone. "Don't even start to fuck around with me. You killed him; you killed my little brother. You killed Alphonse Elric!" Edward shouted as he jumped the man, taking his fist out of his pocket and began to punch the man into the ground.
Edward showed no mercy as he felt Tucker's blood splatter against his face. The older man let out a scream, but it didn't get far before Edward punched him some more. He kept having flashbacks of the first time he'd done this. Alphonse had stopped him then, but now Alphonse was gone…
After what felt like forever, Edward stopped and panted over the man. His auto-mail hand was bloody and the red liquid was dripping on the tent's interior, also staining Edward's uniform. Edward just stared down at the man, his eyes wide as he looked for any sign of Tucker breathing.
He found none.
Edward froze for a long time before his own breathing calmed. There were tears running down his cheeks as he tried to register what had happened.
Edward and Alphonse had arrived in Auschwitz a few weeks back. The boys had seen things they couldn't have even imagined possible. Edward was trying so hard to protect Alphonse. And then what? Then he was sent to Birkenau and forced to kill to survive; and Edward did it so he could see Alphonse again.
Only, by the time he had left Birkenau and had gotten back to Alphonse, it was too late. Edward had murder in him and, so Alphonse would have nothing to do with him. Now Alphonse was dead and Edward had killed once more. Just one more time, but for what reason?
"He doesn't want this…" Edward whispered to himself as he forced himself to get up. He was shaking badly as he looked down at Tucker's dead body. "A-Al…he wouldn't want this…" he said, shaking his head rapidly. "What have I done?!" Edward screamed on the top of his lungs as he ran out of the tent.
The second he left the medical tent, the sky opened up and rain began to pour.
Edward ran from the medical tents and, even though it was still early and not many men were awake, he didn't get far before men were after him. It took them only seconds to investigate Tucker's screams and found the bloody mess. The barrack guard spilled the news that Edward had been in there, and now Edward was a wanted man in Auschwitz.
They'd find him soon enough, but for now, Edward was just waiting outside. He was somewhere near the barbed wire, hidden in the shadows so that no one would see him until the sun came up some more.
He wanted to run, but there were guards all over the area; ones who hadn't heard the news on Tucker's death. So he was safe for now, but he knew it wouldn't last. He just wanted to sit and think. He wanted to be home in Risembol with Winry, Panako, Den, Alphonse, and Trisha. He just wanted to see his brother one more time, just to say he was sorry…
"There he is!" a man suddenly shouted, cutting through Edward's thoughts. A small group of SS men were there, looking ferocious and ready to kill. They all had guns and one man carried some kind of whip. They ran over to Edward, circling him as he stood up. He looked ready for them, but really he wasn't.
"EH-5582, you have been charged of murder and are to be reported directly to Himmler. When he gets back to Auschwitz, you will be--"
"Punished?" Edward asked, narrowing his eyes a bit. "Is that what will happen to me? I'll be punished like before? A little beating, then forced to slaughter others; and why? Because I killed a doctor? Isn't that the law in Auschwitz? Kill or be killed?" The men just looked amongst themselves then back at Edward.
"You are to be reported directly to Himmler. When he gets back--" the man repeated, but Edward just shook his head.
"I'm not going to Himmler. I'm not going anywhere," Edward said, shaking his head. He was slow in movement, trying to focus on the men before him. He wasn't sure what was going on anymore. His goal had been just trying to live, but without Alphonse, there was no point.
"You are to go with us or we'll be forced to take drastic action," one man said as he approached Edward. Edward ignored the man as he looked up at the sky to let the rain fall over his tears; maybe then he wouldn't feel so guilty. It didn't work, to say the least, but at least it gave Edward an idea. Now he knew what to do.
"Go ahead, shoot me," Edward said, looking at the men who looked like they wanted to, but knew they had orders to keep the boy alive. "Well? I killed Shou Tucker, did I not? Shoot me. It's only fair," he said with a sad and weak smile. "It's equivalent exchange."
"We have orders to keep you alive until Himmler gives us orders otherwise," one man said. Of course all the men looked confused as to what to do. If Edward tried to run away or something, they couldn't just ignore it; they had to do something.
"I don't care what Himmler said. I've been deceiving all of you. I've been lying to stay alive, but now I'm done with this." He used his left hand to reach over and grab a hold of his right and pulled on it; it didn't take much for the auto-mail to snap. Not only was Edward strong, but the auto-mail was weak and worn from time.
He took the metal limb and threw it down with a small chuckle. "You see? I'm a cripple," Edward said, shaking his head. "I should have died a long time ago; now do it!" The men just stood there, still unsure of what to do. "I lost the only family I had; I have no reason to live! Now shoot me!"
Edward's eyes suddenly widened as a shot rang out through the camp. A gun had been fired, and it didn't miss its target. Edward stood for only a second, enough to say a weak, "Thank you…"
Then he fell.
As he lay there, he could feel the warm red liquid slowly leak from his body. It was a small wound, but it hit close to his heart. He'd bleed to death in a matter of minutes; a slow and painful death.
Edward's eyes were half lidded by now as he just looked out at the camp. The rain made the ground soft and muddy under him and the voices he heard were all muffled. The men around him were in a panic, shouting about things, but Edward couldn't understand any of them.
All he could hear now was his heart beating and a loud ringing in his ears. He knew he was dying; he'd done it twice already.
The first time had been in London. That time was quick and painless, especially since it wasn't his body he was in. The second time had been when Envy stabbed him, but that death was almost as quick and painless as well.
This time, it was slow and allowed Edward time to think. 'I wonder…if Alfons died like this…?' he asked himself as the pain in his chest stopped; his body had gone numb. 'I wonder…how they killed Al… I hope it was quick…' Edward told himself as he closed his eyes. They stung with tears, but he knew that it wouldn't be long now.
'I'm sorry, Al… I promised to protect you…but I only ended up…hurting you… I'm so sorry…' he whispered mentally.
The men were still running around frantically as all the noise stopped. Edward heard nothing. He no longer saw anything. He no longer felt anything.
"I'm sorry…" Edward whispered with his last breath.
So, there you have it.
The last chapter to The Holocaust Series.
I hope you all enjoyed it because I sure did. I loved writing this, I loved reading it all later on. I loved hearing from you all and getting to know you! You guys were the best!
After this chapter there is an Epilogue, but it's not much.
Anyway, please please PLEASE review to this chapter, the Epilogue and/or the story in general. I want to know what you guys liked, hated, or any questions you had about something I may not have explained well.
Then I'll go ahead and reply to them and post that for you all to read.
Be sure to go on my Youtube account because I'll be posting an AMV that goes with this fic to a song I thought was fitting. If you saw my 'Stop crying your heart out' video, it'll be a lot like that. So be sure to check that out! It won't be a while until I post it, but just be sure it check in once in a while to see.
Also, quick apology for anyone out there who got upset over the fact I had Edward say 'fuck'. I never use that word when I talk and I generally don't like to use that word in stories, unless it is absolutely needed. And, well, that was needed for that scene. So in case anyone got offended over it, I'm very very sorry. Don't hate me!
I am starting another FMA fic if you all want to hear. I'll post a summery on the review page. So if you want to read more of my stuff, just check back.
RxR
- Kori