Chapter 7: Homeward Bound
Ed sighed in exhaustion as the sun set on what they hoped would be their final day in Germany. "Well Al, tomorrow we're going home…"
As the clock ticked down, it became harder for the brothers to hide their excitement of the prospect that they would really be going home once and for all.
Al nodded as they headed away from the city.
To save the money they had earned from odd jobs, they camped out at the location where they had been piecing together the rocket powered car that would help them get home.
"Are you sure the car we got will hold together long enough to get us safely through the Gate?"
"It should…" Ed said warily as Pride appeared from the bushes lining the road, chuckling at the looks on the brothers' faces.
"You do not need to worry. The trip is very short and the engine will be rendered useless as soon as you are on the other side. With how light the car is, you should be through the Gate in no time."
"I just hope those things that live within the Gate don't get us." Ed said, frowning at the homunculus.
The homunculus frowned and nodded. "Yes… the Gate Children are beyond my control. However, you will be going too fast for them to touch you. Do not worry."
Ed muttered something inaudible under his breath as they entered the abandoned farmer's field that had become their hideaway.
Noah nodded to them as they entered. She had kept her feelings about the issue of losing the brothers quiet.
The homunculus had occasionally offered support for her, but she continually refused it and the homunculus finally gave up trying.
"Here…" Ed said, holding out money to Noah.
"We won't need any tomorrow, so you can keep our share." Al said as he held out his money to her.
Noah looked at them sadly before taking their money without saying a word.
"I'll look over the car one more time before we take off tomorrow, just to be on the safe side." Ed said as he lay down to sleep.
Al followed his brother's lead, knowing Ed would want to leave as early as he could.
The homunculus shifted to Sloth once it was sure they were asleep. "Noah, you should not hide your feelings from them, even if you know it will not change their minds."
Noah shook her head furiously. Sloth seemed to be the form that Noah felt most comfortable with, even to the point where she would slip up and start sharing her feelings with the homunculus. "There's no point… I've seen the way they've been acting ever since that car was finished… They can't wait to go. I don't want them to have second thoughts about going. Besides, you said you'd make me forget them, didn't you?"
The homunculus nodded. "Once I find a band worthy of you, I will alter your memories to completely forget them."
"Well then, there's no reason for them to carry around any guilt about leaving me when I won't remember who they are."
"I understand… however, if you want to see them off, I suggest you get some rest. I know they will want to leave early."
Noah blinked in surprise before the homunculus melted into nothing. "All right…" She said before curling up and closing her eyes for the night.
An expression of deep concentration was on Ed's face as he double checked the engine they had designed from the plans Alphons Heidrich's crew left in their care.
Al and the homunculus, now in the form of Wrath, sat and waited until he was done.
"All right, we're all set… as long as the car holds together."
"I'm sure it will, Ed. You've got to have more faith in the technology of this world."
Ed blinked in surprise as he noticed the absence of Noah's presence. "Where'd Noah go?"
"I will go find her!" The homunculus said, jumping up and running away.
"Are you sure we should leave her like this, Ed?" Al asked worriedly.
"I overheard the homunculus talking to Noah last night… it said it was going to erase her memories of us once it found a new band to take her in. There's no point in worrying about her if she won't remember us. It's better this way."
Al nodded in understanding before Noah and the homunculus, in the form of Sloth, returned.
"It's time for us to go…" The brothers looked at Noah sadly.
Noah smiled as she hugged Al quickly before hugging Ed, stepping back as Al went around the car and stood by the passenger side. "Take care of yourselves…" She said, trying to keep her sorrow hidden from them.
"Yeah, you too… You take care of her, homunculus or else…" Ed growled in warning as he stood by the driver's side.
The homunculus nodded. "Do not worry about her, boys, I promise to take excellent care of her… Now please get in the car and make sure everything is shut tight."
The brothers nodded as they got into the car, shutting the doors tightly.
"I will be back soon, Noah. Please step as far back as you can. The reach of the Gate Children is long, and that engine is powerful."
Noah nodded as the homunculus vanished, running away from the car to safety.
"Are you ready?" Envy's voice echoed within the car. Ed and Al looked at each other before nodding.
"Ready when you are…"
"All right…" Suddenly, the Gate appeared a fair distance away from the car.
"Let's go home, brother…" Al said, unable to hide the smile of joy as Ed hit the switch to activate the engine.
The car leapt forward into the waiting arms of the Gate Children, vanishing from sight.
Once the Gate was sealed, Noah allowed the tears to flow. She collapsed to her knees and buried her face in her hands, knowing she would never see the Elric brothers again.