Sorry about not posting last week; mid-terms unfortunately took priority over writing.

I'm not sure where you all are hoping this story will go. Will Ed accept his life as a chimera? Will he be restored to his human form? Or will he become half human-half chimera? Or, of course, I could just have him die. I'll have to hope inspiration hits me before next week's chapter is due!

For those of you who aren't familiar with this word:

Pule (v.) to cry in a thin voice; whine; whimper.

Chapter 7: Misery

Joy and despair had intermingled as Ed had noticed Al approaching his cage. There were so many things he wanted to tell him, so many broken apologies, but his mind seemed to work apart from his new body. Ed turned his thoughts to the immense pain coursing through him in an attempt to feel how his limbs and systems worked, then focused on his mouth. He opened and closed it, making odd hissing sounds as the word he tried to speak was distorted by foreign lips.

"Sssss….sssss..."

He forced out the word, and as if a floodgate had opened, he could not stop saying it.

"Sssorry…so….sorrryyy….ssssorry…"

Ed felt a prickle at his eyes that confirmed chimeras had the ability to cry. He had for so long been a symbol of strength for his brother, and had vowed to use that strength to help his brother press on, but now he was weak and disfigured, a pitiful creature splattering tear drops onto the cold ground. Ed lifted his head to look at Alphonse, trying to convey everything he wished so desperately to say. Al evidently hadn't made the connection yet, as he seemed more confused than devastated. Ed tried to form another word, believing it would be enough.

"B….brother…."

Alphonse was unable to process anything. His mind was a complete haze, muddying any logic or emotion. With one word, the creature has rendered him speechless. The fog cleared, exposing a whirlwind of terror, grief, anger, and despair. This poor creature encased the soul of his brother, his only brother. Al wasn't sure whether to scream or cry, but he found that he could do neither. The chimera attempted to stand again as Roy flicked on his flashlight, and every doubt was washed away as the additional light revealed Ed's legs. There were only two of them; one in the back and one in the front. Just like his human form: two limbs missing. Al began to pule as the gravity of the situation settled on him. Beside him, Roy stayed silent.

"Well, well, well," spoke a voice at the doorway. Al and Roy spun around to face a tall sillouhette. Had the scientist returned to transform them into chimeras too? The figure stepped forward into the dim light. He wore a white suit and fedora, and a cynical smile. Kimblee.

"Such pathetic creatures," spoke the Crimson Alchemist with feigned pity. "We may as well put them out of their misery." Kimblee strode over to where Ed and Roy crouched, and upon seeing the golden haired creature, he gasped in amusement.

"Is that the little brat?" He said loudly. The chimera stirred and moaned.

"Lll….lil….lil…not…lil…"

"And still has the strength to claim he isn't little. Well, you're not just little now. You're broken and useless too. Everything that made you special no longer exists. How does that feel?"

There was a sickening crack as a large, metal fist collided with Kimblee's nose. Alphonse had stood up and was trembling.

"You…you…monster…these creatures are animals with human souls, but you…you're a human with an animal's soul."

Kimble brought his hand up to his nose gingerly. The shock and pain had sparked anger alongside his amusement, but there was no need to explode. People broke easiest from the inside. It was only a matter of time. He opened his mouth to retort again.

Alphonse had not finished. With a cry of fury, he swung a hammerfist and Kimblee lay unconscious on the ground. Roy gaped and spluttered, horrified at the realization that Al had just knocked out a State Alchemist and that he had been at the scene as well.

A small flash of light returned his attention to the lab. Alphonse had broken open the lock and was slowly opening the cage door. Ed cowered but never stopped looking into Al's eyes.

Edward had recoiled once the door of his cage opened, acting on the instinct that his removal always resulted in painful experiments. This was his brother, however, and despite his terror, he dragged himself forwards with his front paw. With a pained snuff, he inched out of the cage and rested his head on Al's leg. It wasn't comfortable, but it was familiar, so he savored the cold metal beneath his fur. He was soon shifted, however, as Al wrapped his arms around him and tried to pick him up. Ed whimpered; the motion jostled his already aching body.

As Al lifted him up, he felt his balance waver, and out of instinct he began to flap his wings frantically. The frenzied motion only brought him more pain, but he couldn't seem to stop. The large wings battered at Al's chest and arms, as well as Roy's face when he approached.

"Can you hold him still?" He heard Roy ask. Al somehow adjusted his grip on Ed, despite the thrashing body, so that Ed's back was towards Al and his wings were pinned between himself and the armor. Ed began to pant; the tight hold was causing the pain to escalate.

"H...hurrrrrts..." he moaned. Al breathed a soft sigh.

"If I loosen a bit, you can't thrash around, ok?"

"..Kay..."

Al slackened and Ed pulled one of his wings out from the painful iron grip. He forced himself to keep as still as possible after that, though his body continued to shiver involuntarily.

Roy had seen terrible things in his life, but somehow this was a different kind of terrible. He'd seen lives destroyed and barely blinked an eye, but now that it was a life he genuinely cared about, he was distraught. The creature in Al's arms was so miserable, it seemed the situation was beyond help. Where would they bring him? A hospital was out of the question.

"Why don't we take him to my place?" Roy suggested. He had some first-aid on hand, not like it would be much help.

Ed seemed to fade out as they approached the military vehicle, either fAllen asleep from exhaustion or passed out. Roy helped to lay him on the back seat, and Al squeezed in next to him. Before they began to drive, Al gave a sheepish cough and asked,

"What about Kimblee?"

Roy hesitated. He could get out of a whole lot of trouble if he aided the other Alchemist. He sighed and responded.

"He deserved it."

They drove away.