Another chapter to 'A Born Sin'. I am sure that some of you guys have been going 'Hey, where's Ling, Lan Fan and Foo?', 'Where's Greed or GreedLing?' or 'Will Ling, Lan Fan and Foo get a scene in this?' Well, for those who have been wondering any of that, don't worry it will be explained, answered, or even made more confusing in later chapters.
Also just to answer something from one of the reviews; I actually considered having it end up with Envy/Rose, during like Chapter Three, but then I realized that Envy/Rose is a pretty unknown and not popular pairing, even for a crack pairing. So I'm sticking with EnWin/EdWin!Onesided.
Anyways, ignore my blabbering and continue to read the fanfiction.
Discaimer- I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the characters.
Father shook his head slightly to himself. Not only was he short on Homunculi- he had yet to find a suitable container for his Greed- but now he had been given basically two declarations of war.
A few days ago, Hohenheim had found and spoken to Pride, letting him and Father know that he was coming for them. That wasn't the worse of it either. The day after, Envy, yes Envy, had gone to Pride to let him know that he was no longer going to take orders from Father. It would seem that he had regained a few of his memories.
Hohenheim was an expected obstacle that Father had already anticipated and worked out several plans on how to deal with him without killing him, after all, Hohenheim was a needed Sacrifice, he couldn't risk killing the man. But Envy, now Envys betrayal had surprised Father. He was expecting complete loyalty when he gave him Alphonse as a container, he expected Envy to be even more ready-to-kill.
He had been like that, up until he went to Briggs. For some reason, Briggs was where it all went wrong. General Raven was killed by Olivier Armstrong. Sloth stopped working for at least thirty minutes putting the Nation Wide Transmutation Circle behind, but he had gotten that fixed up by sending Envy, Raven and Kimblee there.
Envy, for whatever reason, something happened up there that caused Envy to regain his memories and betray Father.
Not only that, but it was very possible that Kimblee had killed one of Fathers precious Human Sacrifices, not a canidate, but an actual Sacrifice, Edward Elric. That had angered the other homunculi. Wrath offered to go up there and kill Kimblee if Edward had been killed by the alchemist.
The only good thing that happened up there was that Kimblee got that Blood Crest formed, that everyone else seemed to have been having trouble with.
"Is everything alright, Father?" Pride questioned from the shadows of the lair, ignoring Sloths slight snores as he slept a little ways away.
Father nodded, "Yes," He said as he turned to a board that had a pentagam drawn into it along with five small figures.
He picked each one up and placed them on a point on the pentagram, "Edward Elric...Van Hohenheim...Izumi Curtis...Roy Mustang is a possible canidate as well," He said, leaving only three standing and the last two-one representing Roy, laying down at the point, "I just need one more."
Pride tilted his head, "Perhaps Envy?" He offered, "The body he took, Alphonse Elric, he had seen the Gate of Truth just as his brother had, so why not him?"
Father shook his head, "He would have been perfect for it, but we overlooked him and didn't realize he had done it as well. Now that he has Envy in him, Envy acts as a barrier, making Alphonse unable to be used as a Sacrifice," He explained, he wasn't sure who's fault it was that they never noticed Alphonses potential as a Human Sacrifice until it was too late.
Maybe it was because Al hadn't been able to use Alchemy without a transmutation Circle until just a few days before being fused with Envy so no one noticed. If Father could remove Envy from Alphonse then he could use Alphonse as a human sacrifice. But that would involve locating him and bringing him here. Envy was an expert at going undercover making it difficult enough, and with The Promised Day drawing near, he didn't want to risk not being able to remove Envy from Al before that day arrived.
It would be better to have a Human Sacrifice ready in case he could not seperate Alphonse and Envy.
Speaking of Sacrifices...
"Pride," Father said, calling his eldest child to attention, "I think it would be best if you gathered our most reckless and troublesome Sacrifice and remind him of his place."
Pride nodded, "Consider it done, Father," He promised.
"Take one of your siblings with you as well," Father added.
Pride was about to say something about him being strong enough to do this without one of his brothers or his sister getting in the way, but rememebered quickly who he was talking to and wisely kept quiet about that. Instead he just nodded his head again, "As you wish," He said and waited patiently for any further orders, upon recieving none he left to look for one of his younger siblings to take with him.
XxXxXxX
Envy let out a sneeze and glared at the ground and his feet, he could see his toes as he was in his prefered form, his form he took when he was around only people who he could put some trust into seeing this form or when he was alone, which he was right now.
"Someone must be talking about you," Alphonse noted cheerfully. How could he be so cheerful at a time like this?
The Homunculus just continued to glare, "Shut up," He muttered, "We need to get to that old hide out place you mentioned," He growled out. He was thankful that they were alone or people would look at him like he was crazy.
Right now, they had managed to get from Reole to East City and were now heading in the direction of Resembool, the Elrics had a hide out between the two towns. There he was going to wait and plan what he was going to do after the Promised Day. Becaues there was going to be and 'After the Promised Day'. Amestris was going to kick Fathers ass one way or another and he was going to watch and laugh as Father failed.
But he hadn't thought of what he would do when it was all done with. Sure he could move to another country where the military wasn't going to be watching him because they knew what he was, but Alphonse would whine the entire time and Envy knew he wouldn't be able to survive with Al whining day in and day out. Specially when the brat didn't need sleep in the state he was in.
He could also try and get his own body, find a way to seperate Al and himself into two different bodies. That seemed the best choice, but again the question came up- what would he do after? He was a homunculus, he had an eternity to live. He wasn't sure if he was going to enjoy all of it to it's fullest extent, or just lay in self pity over it like that Hohenheim idiot did all the time.
Thinking of the Father-Look-Alike, Van Hohenheim, reminded him of his conversation with him before the two left Reole.
"So, I'll expect I'll be seeing your ugly mug again in the coming days?" Envy asked with a smirk, he could see Hohenheims face fall, but Envy wasn't regretting it. The bastard looked like his bastard Father and that made him insult-worthy.
Hohenheim nodded, "I would suspect we'll meet again on the Promised Day, after all we are both going to take the fight to your Father. I would assume you would too, correct?" He asked.
Envy smirked again, "That bastard is going to get what's coming to him," He assured the Xerxes survivor.
Nodding, Hohenheim looked out towards the sunrise, "I hope that when we meet again, we remain as allies and the Dwarf in The Flask doesn't drag you back to him," He admitted, "I would hate to have you as my enemy, Envy."
The homunculus just laughe, "If Father drags me back to him, he'll wish he hadn't before the Promised Day arrives, I can promise you that," He grinned.
Hohenheim returned his grin, "I can see that," He said and looked down before giving a soft smile, "Envy, can...can Alphonse here me in you?" He asked.
Blinking, Envy tilted his head as if to focus on hearing something before grinning, "Well, he hears and see's everything I hear and see, so yeah, why?" He asked with a knowing smirk.
The immortal father just rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, this is a little awkward but, I wanted to let Alphonse..." He changed it so he was talking to Alphonse and not to Envy, "I want you to know that I am proud of you and Edward, Al. You both are strong boys and have had to make tough decisions, but you prevailed and I couldn't be more proud to call you my sons," He admitted.
Envy just had a sly smile and Hohenheim laughed, "That...that was just lame wasn't it?" He asked.
The Sin shook his head and held a comedical expression, "Don't look at me, I'm just the homunculus with no experiance on a proper Father-Son relationship," he said raising a hand as if to prove his point.
Hohenheim laughed a little and Alphonse did as well. Envy grinned, he was having good luck lately on finding humans that weren't worthless, proof with Alphonse, Hohenheim, and that Rose girl. Though Hohenheim was basically a living Philosophers Stone, Envy still considered him human, because at the core, Hohenheim was just a human being. Even if the idiot though of himself as a monster.
If he thought he was a monster, then he should take a look at Envys real form. Because that was what a monster looked like. Not some middle aged, golden haired and eyed, idiot.
"Well, I see this is where we will part ways," Envy said, deciding it was time they get going, they were wasting time as it was, "I will see you at Fathers lair, on the Promised Day, you better not be late," Envy said walking away, "No one likes it when the hero is late on things like that, pisses them off. And anyone going up against Father, risking their stupid lives to defeat him, is a hero to Amestris in my opinion."
Hohenheim smiled a bit, "Well, I guess that means you best not be late either," He agreed as he watched Envy go.
Envy shook his head as he walked, it was getting increasingly more annoying to see in this darkness, "Are we almost there?" He complained
"And here you say I'm the one who always whines," Alphonse joked, "But yeah, we should be coming up to it soon."
"Thank you Leto!" Envy sighed, using that Sun God the people of Reole worship. He'd been around enough to know the names of a variety of gods from different religions, but Leto was the one he heard most recently because he had been in Reole recently, so he was the one that came to mind the soonest. Give it another few hours and the name would fade from his memory like all the other gods and goddess did.
Alphonse laughed a little in his head and Envy decided to change the subject.
"You said that there were around four people who came here from Xing? That May girl, that guy, Leen or something, and his two bodyguards, what happened to them?" Envy asked.
"It's Ling, and well, I'm not sure what happened to May, but Ling is in Resembool, he refuses to leave Lan Fans side until her recovery is done. She did, after all, get automail a few months ago. Her recovery time hasn't ended yet so she's still at Granny and Winrys home," Al explained, and Envy resisted the urge to roll his eyes, he didn't really want to know that much. He knew that Wrath caused that girl to lose her arm, the idiot bragged about it one night when explaining to Envy about the four Xing citizens.
"So I guess they won't be involved with the Promised Day," Envy muttered, "Her recovery time wouldn't be completed yet."
Alphonse decided it was time to finally ask the question, "When is this Promised Day?" he asked, he knew what was going on, well he knew the main idea, but he didn't know when it was. But from what he kept hearing, he could assume it was soon.
Envy's smirk confirmed his thoughts, "Think about it, moron," He said, speeding up as he saw the small cabin, "It's the same day as the Eclipse."
"The Eclipse..." Alphonse repeated and Envy felt his horror at realization, "So...so much sooner then I had expected."
"Yeah, well deal with it, that's all you can really do now anyways," Envy muttered as he opened the door to the cabin, only to find two chimeras, a blade on a certain blonde chibi's automail poised at him, ready to attack.
"...well this is an interesting welcome," Envy said, looking at the three, he racked his mind over trying to remember the Chimeras names, Darius and Heinkel. They were Kimblees chimeras so what were they doing here, with Ed of all people? "And the fact that two of Kimblees soldiers are here is highly supicious as well," He mused out loud.
Ed glared at him, "Envy!" He said in disgust and watched as Envy simple walked to a chair and sat down, "What are you doing here?" He demanded.
Envy shrugged, examining Ed through the corner of his eye. He looked a little different, and as he tried to think of what it was, realization struck him. "Ed! Stand straight!" He demanded, walking up to him. As Ed did what he said, glaring at him and showing slight curiosity as to what it was, Envy couldn't hold it back anymore.
"HOLY SHIT! YOUR NOT SHORT ANYMORE! YOUR TALL?!" He demanded in shock. How the hell had the brat gotten a growth spurt so fast? Hell he was the same height as Envy!
Ed's eye twitched, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A TINY LITTLE BEAN SPROUT!" He demanded, ready to punch him.
Envy glared, yelling back at him, "I DIDN'T SAY YOU WERE SHORT! I SAID YOU WERE FUCKING TALL NOW! YOUR MY HEIGHT NOW!" He screamed and grabbed his hair, "This isn't fair! Your height was the only thing I could think of insults for instantly! I can't do that now that your no longer short!" He complained.
It was safe to say that Ed was surprised that Envy wasn't actually calling his small, but in his own way, complimenting Ed on his new height.
"Uh...yeah," Ed said, completely dumbstruck before shaking out of his shock for that and got into a fighting stance, "Envy, what are you doing here?" He demanded.
Envy switched moods instantly and sighed, "Relax, Ed, I'm not working for Father anymore, I'm on your side," He assured the blonde, but he could tell that Ed didn't believe him and he rubbed his temples, "Look, shri- well can't use that insult anymore... Look, Ed, give me one good reason I should work for the man who killed me despite the fact that I was doing my job and even offering fewer risks to the plans he made?" he questioned.
The Fullmetal Alchemist actually paused to think before shaking his head, "Why should I believe you?" He demanded.
"I'll let Alphonse explain this one," Envy muttered, "I honestly don't want to deal with you right now, so I'll just let Al have control," he said and Ed watched as Envys form started to change back into Al's and twitch a little and then the familiar and well missed voice ran through the air.
"Brother!" Al said happy to be able to talk to his brother again after so long.
Ed just eyed him supiciously, "How do I know your the real Alphonse and not just Envy trying to fool me?" He questioned.
"Because I'm a better fighter then you in hand to hand combat," He said, then gave a apologetic grin, "Or, do I have to tell you every time I tried to seceretly keep a stray cat during our travels?" He offered.
The elder Elric nodded, "Alright, your the real Alphonse," He confirmed, "So, mind telling me what Envy has in plan?" He asked.
Al sat down where Envy had been sitting a few moments ago, "Well, Envy is telling the truth, he went rogue and left his Father," Alphonse explained, "He got back enough of his memories to remember how and why Father killed Envy and that was enough to make him decide he was going to fight Father instead."
Ed raised an eyebrow, "You believe him?" He asked.
Alphonse just smiled, "You have to be in my position to really understand it," He said, "What matters is that Envy isn't exactly a bad guy anymore. I don't think he's a good guy yet but he's no longer your enemy."
Edward rolled his eyes, "What's next? Your going to be telling me I should team up with the monster that started the Ishvalan War and got Winrys parents killed?" He demanded, he knew that Al didn't like him bringing Winry into this, but there was no way he was going to let go the fact that Envy was the reason her parents were dead. He cared to much for Winry to let that fact go by.
There was a pause then, "That's actually a good idea, Brother," Alphonse said in surprise at what Ed had suggested, intentional or not, "We should be having you and Envy team up, with you, it'd make for a great team," He said.
The older Elric stared at him in shock, "WHAT?!" He demanded.
Alphonse raised his hands in defence, "Brother! Think about it! Envy knows the most about the other homunculi and Father, he knows more about them then we do and that means that we have an advantage if we all worked together!" He said.
Edward glared but then Heinkel spoke up.
"You know, it wouldn't really make much of a difference. I mean what difference is one human-homunculus thing joining going to make when two of the other three members are chimeras?" He asked.
Darius nodded, "I see no problem with him joining, it'd be better to have one on our side then to have all of them fighting us," He agreed.
"What?" Edward snapped then froze, "Wait...a homunculus, two chimeras...am I the only normal person in here?!" He yelled out in surprise.
"Brother...your not exactly normal to begin with," Alphonse offered with a laugh.
Ed glared at him, "How could you say that to me, your own brother?!" He cried out in horror.
Alphonse just laughed, "So, Brother, will you team up with Envy? I promise you that Envy promises to tell you everything about Fathers plan and the other homunculi and answer all your questions if you guys team up." He swore, "Envy seems to not care one way or the other though, so you need to decided," He added
Sighing, the Fullmetal Alchemist just shrugged, "Fine, I'm outnumbered here already. Besides, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?" Ed said and watched as Alphonse grinned in victory.
"Hn?!" Heinkel suddenly growled, growing tense as he turned to face the door, "I hear something, heading towards us," He said in a low voice.
Darius jumped up and tensed up, "Same," He muttered, both Chimeras glared at the direction the noise was coming from.
"What?" Ed asked jumping up and he heard Al let out a light groan and saw out of the corner of his eyes Al stood up and the familiar glare was on his face.
A small flash of light was the only hint given to the three looking towards the door as Envy slipped into his preferred form upon regaining controls over the body.
"Great," Envy muttered, obviously knowing what was happening, "Looks like Pride and Gluttony are here."
So, what did you guys think? Did I make some spelling, gramar, punctuation errors?
Also, for Ed's height, I'm not sure if I got the time period exact, but around the time he fought Pride for the first time, Ed had grown taller compared to chapter one/episode one. That is correct, right? If it's not, just ignore it or pretend that it really was around this time.
Also, I've a questin for all of you. If Envy is a shapeshifter and is able to turn into seel, as shown in his fight against Ling where he turned his arm into a blade. Wouldn't he also be able to mimic Greeds ability and use his shapeshifting powers to change the arrangement of carbon in his body to mimic the Ultimate Shield?