Fullmetal Exorcist – Chapter 25 – Conclusion of a Bonfire
Roy panted as he watched the inferno surrounding him. His enemy vanished before him, a beaten man with little identity… A hill of dust.
"You weren't human…" Roy gasped for air. "You… weren't…"
Vision was becoming fuzzy, and the black dots wouldn't stop coming.
Silence…
A small thud could be heard in the burning room.
The Sun and Moon, the two entities of the infinite sky…
The sun fades when the moon calls it away, and night comes…
Nearby a crow with three legs perches on a moonlit tree, since the sun was absent… and it waits…
Two families were blessed with the power of eternal life, the power to co-reside and govern humanity's actions.
Upon the house of Xerxes is the sun.
Upon the house of Noah is the moon.
The day and night never met, only to be separated by a dark wall of nothingness after two centuries of prosperity from the Flood…
Ed watched in wonder as a surprisingly well and healthy Allen approached the weary High Inspector, who was petrified at Allen's condition. But Bradley snapped back to his senses and evaded the Destroyer of Time, leaping down great heights from the building to plan a counterattack. Allen took no hesitation to rush to the side of the roof and only see the departing enemy. Disappointed silver eyes looked from the ledge of the tower to the group standing before him. He smiled weakly.
"I knew you would come…" He laughed. Lenalee couldn't help but run into his welcoming arms, hugging him very tightly… Allen was surprised by Lenalee's strength, but patted her head.
"Lenalee…" He said. "It's been a while…"
"Allen…!" Lenalee's tears flowed freely down her face. "You're alive… Alive…"
Allen smiled at the emotional girl, and he turned to the three other boys. He smiled at the blue ponytailed samurai first.
"Long time, no see… BaKanda…"
"Shut it, Beansprout…" Kanda snarled. "I was saving this sword swipe I've been practicing for your head. You want me to test it out here?"
"It's Allen…" the silvery haired boy sighed. "You still can't even say my name…"
"Che," Kanda walked away. "Whatever…"
Allen turned to Ed, and eyes lit up with recognition.
"Ed…?" Allen asked. "Is that you?"
Ed smiled, folding his arms accordingly.
"The one and only," He laughed. "Told you I'd be coming back… Even if it meant five years… Al's missed you and Cross a lot… You… I can understand… but Cross… I don't see anything great about him, even now…"
Allen laughed at Ed's thoughts about his Master. Dorian watched silently as his vessel's soul beamed once more… Closing his eyes thoughtfully, he hoped everyone would come out alive…
"Enough with the chitchat," Kanda jumped in again. "We need to find that Bradley bastard before he tries killing you or any of us again."
"Oh!" Allen nervously scratched the back of his head. "That…"
"What are we waiting for?" Lenalee was energetic. "Let's get him!"
Allen was about to step off the ledge but Kanda jerked him back roughly.
"Oi, beansprout," He growled. "What the hell is wrong with you! We find your damn body, and now you're going to commit suicide?"
"What's with your mind, BaKanda!" Allen shouted back in Kanda's face. "Who said I was committing suicide! I was going to use Crown Clown to get down from here!"
"Sure!" Kanda sarcastically added. "The tower's about a hundred feet! You think you're gonna go running around just when you got better? We all saw your real condition! Don't you even remember that?"
Allen's shoulders slackened, and he let go of Kanda's coat. His eyes showed understanding. He knew he was wreck in reality… A warm hand made him jolt, and he faced the pure purple eyes of Lenalee.
"Just calm down, Allen," She smiled. "You probably just healed yourself… Let Ed do something for you just once, all right?"
True… It's been awhile since Ed and Allen ever talked… Besides, he wondered what Ed's real Innocence was… Surely in these five years, Ed's skill must have gotten significantly better…
"Ed…" Allen asked. "Will… you…"
"Yeah yeah," Ed smiled. "I'll get you down from here fast… But you're going to have to explain to Mr. Grumpy and Lenalee here about Dorian. Don't worry about me. The General and I did some research before we came to see you…"
"Oh… thanks…" Allen sighed. That's one less person to talk to. Ed proceeded to clap his hands, and everyone gathered around him.
A delicate wire bridge connected these two hills, when two brothers of gray skin found warmth in the welcoming hands of a young boy of the sun's hair. They share a goal to oversee both night and day. The wire was cut, but these three young men sought to bring the two families together one day…
"W…Whoa…"
Link and Hohenheim stared with dropping jaws… the Silver Shield estate. The blue haired supervisor was dancing around the flower garden.
"See? It's so grand! Just like the Order itself!" Komui laughed.
Hohenheim's mouth twitched slightly… This was where his sons were living? I… Impressive… Reminds him of his first home…
"Now, now!" Komui shoved them through the door. "We can't let ourselves catch a cold, right?"
"Oh… um… yeah…" Hohenheim stuttered, eager to see more of the mansion. He gasped at the foyer… almost the same… A pair of grand stairs, joining into one… Above the point of intersection… a banner of a silver and navy lion… Now who was it that designed this building?
Link noticed Hohenheim's unusual hesitation. "Sir… Is there something wrong…?"
"Ah, nothing…" Hohenheim shook of the thought. Probably this was just his imagination that this building seemed similar to the House of Xerxes…
Komui opened the door to the rest of the building. Shieska, looked up from her desk, and with a rustling start, she shot up from her seat.
"Ah, Komui…" She added. "Leverrier's waiting for you in Mustang's office."
"Oh, that makes things just better!" Komui clapped his hands enthusiastically. Casually, he linked arms with the two newcomers and dragged them down the halls.
A ten year old boy with blonde hair was meandering around a lonely beach, his ponytail billowing. Small strands of his golden hair got in his face, and he brushed them away in frustration. Sunset was gazing overhead, and his golden eyes showed little concern to the radiant beams of light blinding his vision. He only walked, allowing the ocean water to brush past his ankles softly.
Usually he did this alone. Being the next head of the family was usually simple. You don't work for real until your old man kicks the bucket. So far, he finished his chores and tasks in one morning, much to his mother's dismay. His aunt wondered if the boy even bothered to properly do his work, always accusing him of only rushing things to get more time to have pointless walks on a beach.
Today he found nothing… No seashells to take home… No jellyfish to poke and examine… No dolphins to watch… Zilch… Maybe he should've taken more time on organizing the library… Probably missed a spot on the shelves…
Just as he began closing his eyes in bitter disappointment, the boy jerked sideways, noticing something unusual.
A perched figure was resting on a large boulder. His hair, a dark brown mop, nearly cast a shadow over his eyes, which glowed yellow. His white blouse ruffled in the strong breeze, along with his velvet black vest. His feet were propped on the rigged surface, black boots digging into the granite, the near same color as his skin.
The strange boy noticed the blonde, and waved for him to come closer. And friendship blossomed.
"Allen…?" Lenalee looked at the white haired boy. They were walking down a corridor.
"Hm?"
"Why are you so… normal? Are you sure you're okay?"
Allen nodded. "I'm fine, Lenalee. You don't have to worry so much. If it weren't for Dorian here, then I'd be as mad as a hatter."
"Why, thanks, little Walker," Dorian smiled. Kanda snorted.
"Showoff." He whispered. Dorian sighed.
"Don't assume because I'm so great I can't hear you. Besides, I don't see you doing anything for little Walker here, BaKanda."
Kanda was immediately taken back. For this stranger to say his hated nickname so freely… How did he know?
"I told Dorian all about you guys," Allen didn't bother to turn around to face Kanda directly. "He's familiar with the nicknames I gave everyone."
Kanda grit his teeth angrily. "Moyashi… I'm going to kill you when we finish our business here…"
"I doubt that will happen," Ed added flatly. "Alphonse will make you a beaten pulp if you did."
"Why so, short stack?" Kanda snarled. Ed scoffed in annoyance.
"My brother's going to take over medical operations when we get back," He smiled. "You won't be able to leave the hospital bed until he says so."
"Who said I'm going to get hurt here?" Kanda growled. "I'm not an invalid!"
"Ah, but channeling's going to be very taxing," Allen stated, laced with amusement. "You'll be weak on your feet when you get back, BaKanda. Boy, I'd love to see that."
"Too bad, Moyashi," Kanda shot back. "You'll be an invalid when you wake up, too. You'd probably not be able to see anyone."
"Oh yeah?" Allen was fired up, but Lenalee immediately stopped the argument. They walked down in silence for a moment, until Ed realized something.
"How did you know about channeling anyway?" Ed asked Allen.
"Dorian knows," Allen answered. "I did have an entire year to talk to him. He spent a lot of time talking about alchemy."
"Impressive," Ed nodded away.
"We're close," Allen announced, and everyone prepared their weapons.
As soon as they had walked through the arch into a large stone courtyard earlier, Allen's Claw was met with a pair of long swords.
"So, your name?"
"Van Hohenheim Xerxes."
"Van Hohenheim… I'm Dorian! Dorian Gray Walker! I have an older brother, Mana! But he's busy right now, though."
"So," the blonde boy sat on the chair with the dark haired youth. "You live around here?"
"Nope." Dorian sighed. "My family's here on a vacation. My oldest brother Adam wants to talk with some guy named Anso Hoeinheim Xerxes, a nutcase, he says…"
Hohenheim sweat dropped. "That's… my dad…"
"R-really?" The teen received a nod. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you!"
"It's nothing really," Hohenheim looked out at the beach. "I'm pretty sure the whole house thinks my dad is a mad hatter in a way."
"Mad hatter?" Dorian asked. "That's strange, coming from you."
"He doesn't mind," Hohenheim added. "My old man actually likes the name. Keeps asking everyone to call him that."
"Dorian! Where are you?"
Dorian sat up very quickly, and Hohenheim wondered why.
"It's Mana…"
A boy was climbing the stairs towards them. His wavy brown hair was tied into a small ponytail behind him that bounced as he skipped several steps. He seemed a few years older than both Hohenheim and Dorian.
"You've made a friend around here?"
"Yep! He's Anso's son!"
"I see…" Mana smiled, and briefly held out his hand to shake. "I'm Mana Walker, House of Noah."
"Oh… nice to meet you…"
Lavi winced as he saw a trail of blood dripping down from Kanda's mouth. Al was even more horrified of the large slash that ran down Ed's cheek. A bruise was appearing on Lenalee's leg, and Allen's face had another cut (if it didn't have enough already).
Cross furrowed his eyes in concern at his apprentice. Was the procedure this bad?
"What's going on with them?" Lavi gasped.
"They're probably in a battle," Alphonse explained. "A nasty one, too."
"You'll help them when they come back, Al," Road comforted him. "No worries…"
"Yeah…" Alphonse smiled, but then his weak smile faded. "But I'll have to chain Kanda to his bed…"
"Yep," Lavi sighed. "The guy probably will get out of the hospital if you don't take extra measures."
Road tried to reach out for Allen, but Alphonse's hand was faster and Road was pulled back.
"Please don't touch them," He explained. "If you move their bodies, that will affect them in the battle that's going on in Allen's head."
Everyone watched solemnly as random injuries were appearing on their comrades' bodies, who laid still.
"It's hard to talk with you two, nowadays," Hohenheim smiled, peeling an apple as he leaned back on a large tree limb. Dorian and Mana were sitting opposite him, peeling their own apples.
"Ever since that day we met," Mana began eating. "The heads of the family have butted heads with each other. Remember that disagreement about who gets the immortality spell?"
"Yeah…" Hohenheim nodded. On that fateful day he met Mana, his father and Adam, the head of the Noah family, were to be presented the decision of who achieved the immortality spell. It was nothing important to him, however. But after the decision was made, the two houses became bitterly unfriendly and broke ties.
"Good thing you told us where to find you," Dorian laughed. "Didn't know you love to visit the apple orchard here."
"I like apples," Hohenheim defended. "At this time of the year, they're pretty good."
"Well, the gatekeeper held us up again," Dorian laughed. They were now somewhere in their late twenties, having had talked and laughed behind their elders' backs. A bit secretive for friendship, but it suited them well.
"About this immortality thing…" Dorian began the real discussion. "It looks like your family got the bigger bite out of it than mine."
"Looks like it…" Hohenheim sighed. "You're not mad, are you?"
"Nah," Mana laughed. "I'd rather live my life honestly and die happy. I'd rather not watch the world to its end."
"Me neither…" Hohenheim nodded, putting away his small knife, and beginning to eat his apple. "I guess things are meant to last for only a moment. The thing is… my father plans to use this immortality thing on me…"
"W-What?" Dorian nearly fell off the tree. "Is it because you're going to take his place soon?"
"Looks like it…"
"Haha," Mana joked. "You get to outlive both of us."
"Not necessarily," Hohenheim thoughtfully ate. "This immortality spell isn't exactly going to make me live forever… I'm just going to have a few centuries extra to live."
"That's still kinda like immortality, no matter what way you see it." Dorian took a large chunk on an apple he found. "Although, Adam probably is just jealous of your dad."
"Why so?"
"You see…" Mana explained. "The Noah technically is immortal itself. Only the fourteen strongest Noah members have this power. If they die, their souls are reincarnated in another Noah member, and the cycle goes on… Well, Dorian's one of these fourteen special members…"
"Wow," Van stopped eating. "That's… intense…"
"I'm not as talented in Dark Magic like Dorian," Mana added. "So he'll go on, and I won't…."
"That's… even more reassuring…" Hohenheim sarcastically snorted.
"Anyways, how's your Magic training going?" Dorian jumped the subject.
"Boring," Hohenheim sighed. "I seem to know everything they teach me, and I exceed expectations, as usual. And we call it alchemy, Mana, not Magic."
"Well, I'm doing pretty well for my age… my Dark Magic, I mean," Dorian smiled. "I've even surpassed Tryde and Joyde. Adams always congratulating me about possibly being the next head of the family!"
"That's nice…" Hohenheim started eating again.
"But Adam always says something about a flood," Dorian scratched his head sheepishly. "Everyone who's older than me won't tell, for some reason."
"Maybe when you start getting gray hairs they will," Mana sighed.
"Yeah, possibly so," Hohenheim nodded, staring at the apple core he left behind. Then an idea struck him.
"You know," He began. "I really wish we'd be allowed to see each other."
"Hm?" Dorian looked up. "You mean, restore the alliance or something?"
"Yeah… something like that…"
The fight had already begun for a while. The courtyard was even more ruined, and the team was heavily injured. Allen probably had a broken arm, but he wasn't feeling any pain. Adrenaline, he supposed. Ed's arm was close to breaking, and Lenalee was tired from battle already. Their enemy remained unscathed. Kanda was busy battling alongside Allen, who was holding back Bradley's sword that was meant for his head.
Kanda took the opportunity to jump over Allen and slash down on the perpetrator, who backed away at the last minute. Bradley lurched forward to send a gale of wind their way, intending to immobilize them, but before the stream of wind could make it, Ed formed a rising wall of stone from the ground.
"As troublesome as always, Elric!"
Ed was shocked to hear the voice right behind him, and he spun on his feet, seeing pointed edge of a sword straight for his nose, but a pair of red boots pushed away the metal, while Ed fell on his bottom, having been hit with recoil from the strong winds produced. Lenalee landed with a flourishing flip, deflecting another pair of blades with the heel of her of Dark Boots. Allen took over as withdrew his large sword (Ed's jaw drops at the size of the thing). Lenalee rushed to Ed's side, helping him up.
"Ed!" She shouted over the deafening clangs. "You all right?"
"Fine!" Ed shouted back, and he clapped his hands to turn his automail arm into a switchblade. He sprinted behind Bradley and slashed down, but grit his teeth in annoyance as Bradley kicked away his blade.
"Damnit," He snarled. "There's five of us fighting this thing, and he's still standing?"
Ed's resolve burned as he got up again to make another attack. Allen changed his sword back to its claw, preparing for Edge End. Kanda rushed forward, his sword flashing blue. With a sharp battle cry, they attacked Bradley in all three directions.
She cannot see this.
Dorian, who wasn't doing anything yet, made his way quietly to Lenalee at the same time. He heard Allen's command, and he nodded, placing his gloved hands over Lenalee's eyes, just when the three Exorcists were centimeters from Bradley.
A sickening pop of splashing liquid rang through her ears, and the nasty sound was followed by a loud rumble. Then a clap was heard, and a crackling of lightning. Dorian uncovered her eyes, and Lenalee saw Allen, Kanda, and Ed, panting softly as they stood in front of a large hold in the ground.
"Bradley…" Allen panted. "He fell through the hole as we stabbed him… Ed was quick enough to help us out of there by alchemy."
Dorian looked thoughtfully at the hole, and he decided to take action. The 14th bounded to the edge of the hole, but Allen stopped him.
"I'm going to finish him," Dorian answered the boy's silent question. "Take it as a favor for the nice talk last week."
Kanda snorted. "Showoff."
"Hey," Dorian frowned. "I'm not a showoff."
Kanda "I don't see you doing any help to Moyashi over here this time, you self-centered idiot."
Dorian glared daggers at the Japanese samurai, who glared back.
Lenalee sweat dropped. "Gee… Kanda has another person on his hit list…"
Ed sighed impatiently. "All right. Enough tension."
"Go already," Kanda spun on his heel. "I don't care, actually."
"All right then," Dorian turned to Allen and nodded promptly before descending.
Bradley snarled to himself as he climbed down the vertical corridor. Blood was flowing freely from his torso. He could hear the chaser gaining on him quickly. He let go of the ladder he was hanging onto and landed on the cold stone surface.
"You make your escape routes far too easy to find, Bradley."
Bradley was on high alert, drawing out a sword.
"Come out, Allen Walker," He frowned. "I don't like it when my prey hides."
"And why so?" the voice reverberated, and a bright white light flashed upon the Inspector, who noticed a figure stepping into view. Gray skin, brown hair, and golden eyes threw him off.
"Dorian Gray…" He sighed. "So little Walker doesn't want to dirty his hands."
"I guess you could say that," the 14th shook off the comment. "But I guess I'll just make this quick."
A large bang echoed in the room, and an a small object ripped through Bradley's torso, leaving only a strangled gasp as the corpse faded from existence. Dorian pocketed his hands, satisfied at his clean job. He took out his pocket watch, and grinned.
"Coast is clear, Walker."
"Good."
A dark moonlit room contained several people, all silent as they watched the foremost leader stand up, setting done his fist like a final gavel. Everyone held their breaths, not wishing to anger the eldest Noah any further. Adam's golden eyes turned cold as he stared at his gloved hands.
"I want to eliminate the House of Xerxes," Adam frowned. "Leave no one behind when we begin the Flood."
Dorian and Mana listened and departed. Execution… has the bitterness gone this far? They fled from the hallway and into the bedroom they shared, not sure of how to deal with their eldest brother's orders.
"Are we going to leave, brother?" Dorian asked. Mana simply nodded.
"We are to leave nothing behind."
Now the clock was stopped, and Allen found the moment to tell everything... and finally…
"I'll be saying goodbye for now…" Allen smiled, and Lenalee gasped.
"What do you mean?"
"When we all wake up," Allen explained. "I won't be the same Allen Walker you see now… I'll have Dorian here to guide you on my recovery."
"Thank you, Allen," Ed smiled, and the white haired boy smiled back.
"Thanks to you, too, Ed."
Allen turned to Kanda, who snorted and averted his gaze. Allen smirked and placed his hands on his hips.
"Come on, BaKanda," He laughed. "I know you want to say something."
"Like hell I would," Kanda snarled, and looked at him. "If I really need to talk to the likes of you, I might as well wait for us to get out of here."
A tense atmosphere followed, and Kanda's shoulders slackened.
"You better be alive," Kanda added. Allen nodded in response. Dorian checked his pocket watch, and pointed to the sky.
"Your 'ride' is coming," He alerted them. A large hole erupted from above, and everyone but Allen and Dorian were lifted up towards the black chasm.
"Bye, Allen!" Lenalee shouted, and Allen waved. When the three were out of sight, Dorian turned to Allen, who looked longingly at his departing friends.
"Have a good time, invalid," Dorian joked, getting a punch on the arm from his vessel's soul, and the two faded also. And the mind went black. Allen Walker was awake again.
Hohenheim dropped the basket of apples he had planned to deliver to the kitchen that day… Dorian and Mana, who secretly helped, gasped at the scene.
"W-What… is this…?"
The house of Xerxes was in fiery uproar, ashes fluttering at his feet. Dorian and Mana stood in silence before they could comprehend what had happened. So Adam had truly went along with his plan.
"Hohenheim…" Dorian placed a hand on his shoulders, and a small shock made him pull back. Van Hohenheim turned around, facing the two brothers. Mana realized this. Hohenheim witnessed their memories… from contact. Channeling was performed.
"The Noah had done this," He spoke over the fire. "My family is gone…"
Mana and Dorian bit their lips, but were surprised with a small smile from their friend, who closed his eyes in understanding.
"But it's fine… because I saw it all…"
Hohenheim placed a heavy hand on his heart.
"They're all with me, and I'll grant their wishes to avenge them, with your help, of course. You'll follow me for the next couple centuries, will you?"
"But Hohenheim…" Mana raised an eyebrow, doubting his claims… which Hohenheim countered by showing a small bottled potion.
"The spell had already been performed," Hohenheim answered. "A bottled potion was made specifically for drinking and gaining immortality. I drank enough for a thousand centuries. I suggest you do the same, Mana. Dorian already has his contract written."
Mana gasped at the bottle, and took it with shaking hands.
"Very well," He nodded, uncapping the bottle. "To the Promised Day."
Kanda woke up with hospital lights staring down at him. He hated this… He looked to the side to see Lavi with an arm cast, Ed getting yelled at by Winry as his automail was being fixed. Lenalee was getting her bandages on her legs, and Roy was out cold on the bed in the far corner. Crowded. He didn't like it. He made a move to get up, but felt a clinking metal holding him back. Chains… tying him onto the hospital bed. This was new.
"Ah, Kanda!"
Alphonse was looking down at the Japanese Exorcist, who was struggling.
"Alphonse…" Kanda growled. "Who did this…?"
"I did," Al sighed. "I transmuted some extra steel from the lab to keep you here."
"What? Who said you could do this to me? I'm perfectly fine! Ow!"
Al resorted to slamming his face with a mallet. Within that moment Kanda noticed that Alphonse's entire arms were bandaged thinly.
"Shut up!" Alphonse snarled back. "I'm the doctor here!"
"I don't have injuries!" Kanda bellowed. "I'm- Ow! Don't hit me like that! Not my arm!"
"That wasn't me, Kanda," Alphonse set out his daggers. "It was your arm hurting itself. You broke it during your fight with Bradley."
"What? Why didn't it heal?"
"I put a transmutation on your body so it won't start healing itself when you woke up." Alphonse began his healing procedures. "I'm quite talented at alchemy, too, you know."
"But-"
"No, Kanda," Alphonse sternly replied. "I'm going to heal you, and you're not going to use your abilities you told me about. It's for your own damn good!"
Kanda stared unblinkingly at Al. This was the first Al had sworn in front of him. He glanced at Ed, who was busy healing himself, but the blonde Alchemist said nothing. Strange… Al seemed to hold a lot of authority when it comes to medical situations, it's not even worth speaking up against him.
He slumped back, snarling as Alphonse began to heal him.
"How's the beansprout?" Kanda asked.
Alphonse sighed. "He's in a separate ward. I've yet to report a full diagnostic, but he's banged up really badly, though. I've just healed myself a few hours ago. The Matron already worked with Lavi and Roy, so I decided to work on yours. You probably were the most wounded, since you fought Bradley for the most time. But Allen tops you in the most injuries."
"You think?" Kanda snarled sarcastically. A small silence was broken by Winry hitting Ed with a wrench. A loud yelp echoed across the room. Kanda relaxed his head as it sank into the soft pillows.
"Hello Yuu~!"
A certain redhead jumped his way to Kanda's bed.
"Aw… you're chained up!" the Bookman Junior teased. "What might happen to you…?"
"Shut up, idiot rabbit," Kanda spat. "It was Alphonse here who did this."
"And I was the one to suggest it~…"
This made another vein pop in Kanda's forehead.
"You! STUPID RABBIT! I'LL SLICE YOUR HEAD OFF AND HAVE JERRY COOK YOU FOR DINNER WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS THING!"
"Whoa…" Lavi sighed. "Well, you'll be recovering like everyone else. Soooo… You're not gonna get me!"
"Grrr… damn you…"
Alphonse smacked him hard with a mallet again.
"Stop this!" He shouted, and kicked Lavi back to his bed on the other side of the room. "Kanda, if you're going to get any angrier, your injuries are not going to heal any faster. I'll need to be seeing Allen after this, so don't waste my time!"
Kanda scowled, and closed his eyes, planning to go to sleep, but an idea sparked through his head. Alphonse, who was currently dealing with his broken wrist, noticed a new aura from Kanda.
"What do you want, Kanda?"
"When you're done, please let me see the bean sprout."
Alphonse stared shockingly at Kanda as if he grew three heads, but he smiled happily. Lavi, who popped out of nowhere again, was laughing like crazy.
"Kanda? What happened to you!"
That's it! Alphonse had had it!
"GET BACK TO YOUR BED, LAVI!"
Lavi's snickers was replaced with squeaks and screams as the Matron angrily dragged him away, chains in hand. Kanda sighed at Lavi's spontaneous appearances. The idiot didn't know when to stop…
"I see." Alphonse answered Kanda's request. "You want to your dear little-"
"That's not implying anything, Alphonse!" Kanda growled, relieved his hand was normal again. "I just need to see him and-"
"See?" Alphonse pointed out. "You're like his brother! You care for him!"
"Shut up!"
A/N: Woohoo! Big grand finale chapter for this arc! Ah, yeah... I know... missed out a lot of action, but the rest of the fight spans out in the next chapter. Oh right! I've been wondering if any of you guys noticed that I made a small Yullen implication throughout the chapter (brotherly love... not!). Yep, when I remake this story, those moments will probably turn out to be more romantic (cue fangirl squee). Alphonse really has a temper, does he...?
Ah, right! I made something new on DA about yullen (not really, but they're just close together). Check in on it if you have spare time.
Tomorrow, school starts for me, so updates will definitely be super slow (to monthly give or take). but I'd appreciate the support through reviews. Thank you!
Preview: To Hear But Never Say
Kanda visits a sleeping Allen and helps Alphonse treat to Allen's wounds. Alphonse decides to read through Allen's mind, taking Kanda with him. Roy's team visits an unconscious Roy, encountering Ed, who has finished channeling through Roy's memories, and recounts what had happened to Roy. Hohenheim tries to find the courage to see his sons, who are stuck in the infirmary for the week, while Link talks with his superior in Roy's office. Komui is despairing over the fact that Lenalee got injured. Meanwhile, Kanda and Alphonse discover something that will make Allen's recovery even more difficult. Roy finally wakes up, and sees Alphonse, who is ready, yet uneasy, to address Allen's full diagnosis.