Yoshhh, Shadow and Mitsuko here :D
Back with another chapter~ Some of you kinda rushed us but we were busy so soz. "
Shadow and Mitsuko [not us, once again] story now. Hope you'll like it (:
-FMA DOES NOT BELONG TO US [lets say this at every chapter]
Risembool, Matsudaira family restaurant
Nobody's POV
Shadow gazed out of the window, sighing. It's raining. Wonder if there's gonna be any thunder. As if answering his question, lightning flashed through the sky and thunder roared. Shadow heard a scream. Oh no, Sozes! He ran to his room, to check on his sister.
There, his sister was covered in her blanket, shivering. Shadow looked at his sister. Had the war never start, Nii-san will never be killed. Had Nii-san never been killed, we would not have done human transmutation. Had we not done human transmutation, this wouldn't have happened. Sozes lost her courage. Mitsuko lost her piano skill, and now she has to burden herself with finding a cure for us. I would also…still have my emotions…
Watching Sozes, he hoped to feel even a tinge of guilt, but he can't. I can't just stay here and watch Sozes and Mitsuko Nii-chan suffer. I promised otou-san to watch over them, a Matsudaira always keeps his promise. Shadow walked over to Sozes. Sozes saw her brother, then gripping him, hugging him in the process.
"Do you want a story, Sozes?" Sozes loved to listen to stories from Nii-san. Hopefully it found calm her down.
"Anything, just don't leave me."
"Okay, after I tell you one, you will have to go to sleep."
"I'm scared, I don't want nightmares either."
"I'm here. Shadow's here." Shadow calmed his sister, who loosen her grip and went to her bed, while Shadow grabbed a storybook from his bookshelf.
Shadow forced a smile at his sister before starting to read. As he read, he beagan to realize what he could do to help his sister. I will leave Sozes with old lady Pinako and Winry, then I go to Central and maybe investigate about the philosopher's stone, without Mitsuko Nii-chan knowing. If I find out anything, I can tell her and maybe she won't scold me. That's it! I can do that!
Shadow looked at the clock. It's late… I'd better get to sleep then. Tommorrow, I will need to do a lot of convincing Sozes. Shadow lied on his bed, knowing that he will get to sleep soon. That's one of the benefits he got for having no emotions.
Risembool, Winry's house
Nobody's POV
"Thanks, grandmother Pinako."
"Being polite because I'm helping you?"
"Yeah."
"Not even a scowl for me?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then, Sozes will be in good hands. You'd better come back soon."
"Yeah." Shadow nodded.
"Shadow, are you leaving me too?" Sozes appeared in the doorway, having unpack all her stuff in the guestroom.
"Yeah. Don't worry, I'll be back."
"You promised. Don't die like otou-san and nii-san. All of us will be sadder, Chika too."
"I promise. Remember, a Matsudaira…"
"…will always keep his or her promise." Sozes grinned while she finished her twin's sentence.
Shadow forced a smile and turned around, walking out of the house. He gazed at his family's restaurant, which was forced to close after the human transmutation, as Sozes was also scared of fire and therefore could not cook, and Mitsuko was in no mood to go on with its business as she was still depressed over the loss of her older brother. The restaurant will open again, but not soon.
Sozes gazed at her brother, who was looking at the restaurant. I want to cook and garden again. Why can't I? She watched her brother walking away, his back growing smaller and slowly disappeared. It reminded her of how her older brother and father had gone, a tear rolled down her cheek. She don't want to lose her twin brother, just like how she had lost her older brother and father.
In central of Amestris, train station
Nobody's POV
"I'm Mitsuko Matsudaira, 15 this year. Have a strong passion for music and will never stop playin' till even if I drop." Mitsuko smiled, reaching out her hand to Al, supposedly Ed's apprentice.
Al reached out his hand, shaking her hand.
"Don't ya have a name?"
"Er… It's... Esnohpla… Yeah…"
Mitsuko stared at Ed, raising an eyebrow, "What kind of name is that?"
"How would I know? Ask the person who gave that name to him!" Edward retorted. Wait, she's asking me. I'm the one who came out with it.
Unknown to the three, Shadow got off the next train. Upon seeing his sister, he hid behind a wall. Then he recognized Ed and the armour. Ed and Al? Bet Mitsuko already realized, just like what I told Al that time.
Flashback
Risembool, beside the Elric's house
"Shadow… I would like you to keep this from Mitsuko…"
"But… why?"
"She'll probably kill us for leaving, judging from her personality." Al said with a laugh.
"Mark my words. The Matsudaira family never goes against their promise." Shadow gave a thumbs-up to Al.
"Thanks."
"But if you get seen by her, I would think she would find out about your identity, Alphonse." Shadow stared at the armour.
"How would you know that? You know how to predict the future?" Ed cut in, asking.
"Mitsuko nii-chan is alert, more alert then Shadow. Since Shadow can see that you're Al, she'll definitely know, we know it." Sozes piped up.
"Yeah. That's what I had thought too."
"I see. Oh, we've got to get going or we are going to miss the train."
"Go by that way. Mitsuko should be coming soon." Shadow pointed to a longer yet safe-from-Mitsuko way.
"Right, thanks Shadow." Ed waved and took his luggage, walking off.
" No problem." Shadow grinned while waving back.
"Come back soon." Sozes waved.
"Shadow, listen to me. Never commit human transmutation."
"Why?"
"You don't have to know, just listen." Al said, disappearing as he went to catch up with his brother as Mitsuko's voice rang into their ears.
Flashback end
In central of Risembool, train station
Nobody's POV
I'd better go first… before Mitsuko Nii-chan realized I'm here. Shadow pulled down his cap and tried to walk off, in search of a place to go, but the only way out without getting seen by his sister is blocked by a big size man.
"So ya a state alchemist now?" Mitsuko asked Ed, recognizing the silver pocket watch on his belt.
"Huh? Oh… Yeah." Ed broke out of his train of thoughts and answered Mitsuko.
"That's awesome. I came here to be a state alchemist too." Mitsuko stood up, grinning.
"I could teach you how to be one, interested?"
"Yeah. Let's go talk this over tea." Mitsuko stood up, about to reach for her luggage, when a metal arm took it for her. She gazed at the metal armour and grinned, "Thanks."
Shadow gazed at the trio move off, before coming out of his hiding place. Now, to find a place to live while I'm here in central, and funds too…Shadow walked about, then he saw a notice pasted on a lamp post, "Musician needed" He further examined. The address is not far from there. He'd might as well have a try.
A few months later
In central of Amestris
Nobody's POV
"You've done a good job again!" The boss patted the ever-not-smiling Shadow on his back.
"Thanks." Shadow replied.
"Your guitar skills are top-notch! And for someone that didn't attend music school, you're good!"
Shadow managed to get away from his new boss, who was still ranting words in his drunken state. His wife would get him, but not without some nagging, which he would not like, so he left the house, after applying for another day off.
He had received a good pay out of the job and was able to rent a room near his workplace, life was perfectly normal, boring in fact.
On his days off, he would go out to the Central Library and borrow books, hoping that he'd find out more about the legendary Philosopher's stone, which makes it possible to cure even him and his siblings' states. But to no avail, he failed to find out information about the stone again. Guess the stone can't be revealed to normal citizes huh?
Shadow had heard about it in his father's tales, in fact his father is also not sure about the existence of this very stone, nobody does.
Shadow can only sigh, this is getting him nowhere. In fact, the only place that seems possible to have the information he needs is the central base of the state alchemists. Maybe he can try to bust in… Wait…That's an idea, I can try to bust in, that old man did say that the state alchemist exam is gonna be held there around this time. Shadow gazed at that huge building, is it possible for him to try? No harm in trying… Shadow shrugged. He shall try to sneak in that night and formulate a plan to get in.
In the night
"The examination starts now."
The exams start today? Such a coincidence. Shadow sneaked about the building, then noticing a orange-hair girl and observed closer. No way! Mitsuko? I think it'd be better to let her do this job then.
With that, Shadow resign to his fate, he'd better get away in case his sister saw him and came after him. Over in the distance, he saw a great piece of armour. Al came to see her? That's better than a brother who's hiding out there, secretly watching…
Shadow climbed down and walked away, oblivious to the two pairs of eyes now observing every of his actions.
"That's the boy you're talking about, Wrath?"
"Yeah, he doesn't seem to have any emotions. Perfect for the job."
"I'll try him out."
"Why don't you observe him first? There's no hurry after all."
"Hmph, alright, since you said so."
After the exam
Central base of State alchemists
Nobody's POV
"Hey Mitsuko!" Upon hearing someone called her, the orange-haired girl turned around.
"Hi Ed!" She waved at Ed, who's running towards her.
"How's the exam?"
"This sort of exam is nothing to me, since I have such a great teach' like you."
"Haha. Thanks. Confident about the next test?"
"Yeah."
"I heard the Fuhrer is coming to see your exam, just like mine!"
"The Fuhrer himself? Sweet!"
"Yeah, I have a mission, but I'll be back before your exam next week."
"Sure, good luck in your mission!"
"You'd better train more, I'll like to see your alchemy at work when we go on missions together!"
"Got it!" Mitsuko said enthusiastically, as she waved to her friend good-bye.
"Now… what should I do…" Shadow began loitering around the dark alleys of Central. Nii-chan will be walking round' the streets now. If I get out I may be spotted. He didn't notice the dark shadow behind him, as it came closer and closer.
"Hey Kid! You better give me all of ya money, or your little life will be sliced outta ya." Shadow felt a cold blade on his neck. Jeez, can't the state do something bout' this high crime rate? Upon having no emotions, he didn't feel scared at all, but instead reached out to his pocket, grabbing his glove.
"Don't play tricks on me, kid!"
Inflicting a kick on his enemy, the robber's knife made its way towards his face. As an attempt from shielding himself, his glove was ripped by the knife's sharp blade. Crap, and I don't have a sword to fight. Oh well…
Clapping his hands together, Shadow ignited a flame that caused a small explosion.
Terrified, the robber fled.
Shadow took his torn glove off and kept it in his pocket. I just hope that Nii-chan didn't see that explosion…
But someone else was watching him. Hidden in the shadows, his stalker sniggered and changed his form to a girl that was the same age as Shadow. Her eyes were the same as his and her hair brown just like her mother's.
During the exam
Central base of State Alchemists
Nobody's POV
"Mitsuko Matsudaira?"
"Yeah, that's me!"
Mitsuko was lead to a dark room with the afternoon's bright sun as the only source of light. The officials stood at the far end of the room, along with the Fuhrer. She stood in the middle of the room as the sun shone brightly at her. Finally, the last test of the exam.
"You're young for an alchemist." The Fuhrer spoke.
"If I'm young, what's Ed?" Mitsuko laughed.
"You're a bright one. Now let's begin with the test."
Mitsuko became serious and looked at the examiners, waiting for their instructions.
"You're job is to… Show us your alchemy."
"What? What kind of test is that?"
"Just do it."
Mitsuko sighed. Wearing her glove, she knelled down and put her hands on the floor. A bright light flashed as she performed a transmutation. Within seconds, there was a guitar in her hands.
"That's it?"
"If that's it, what's the point of takin' the exam?" Mitsuko retorted, as she took out a guitar pick from her pocket.
Strumming a bright chord to check the tuning, the examiners remained silent. A pause, and she began to play a song. But this time, there wasn't just a guitar playing. There were sounds of many other instruments too. There was the violin, the flute, the cello; violas, drums, all those instruments that can be found in a normal orchestra. They were all playing different notes, but there was only one person playing, it was Mitsuko, with her guitar. The examiners stared at her with awe, and the Fuhrer smiled.
As she came to the end of the song, she looked up at her examiners.
"You wanted to look at my alchemy, so that's it."
"That's your alchemy?"
"How's it going to be of any help to us?"
"You just asked me to do my alchemy, not show you how it helps you."
The Fuhrer was standing at his position with a smile.
There was silence as Mitsuko stood there waiting for someone to answer her. She heard footsteps. They were at a fast pace. They were coming towards her, coming closer and closer. She turned around and strummed a chord she could play as fast as possible. No sound was produced, but her attacker collapsed onto the ground, defeated.
"You are different, girl." The Fuhrer took a step forward and spoke to Mitsuko as she turned around to face him. "Others use normal transmutations, you use atmosphere as your source and an instrument as an amplifier. Your skills are made for stealth, that's what we need. But where's your transmutation circle? The one you did for your music alchemy was not on that glove right?"
Mitsuko smiled and brought up her guitar pick. "It's right here." The small circle carefully carved by her at the face of the guitar pick was barely visible to the examiners.
"And thanks for the compliment, Fuhrer."
Central base of State Alchemists
Nobody's POV
"Hey Mustang, long time since I saw you, huh?"
"Yes Mitsuko. How's my stubborn disciple?"
"As stubborn as usual."
They laughed.
Mitsuko was summoned to Mustang's room. She was here to receive her results of the exam. She had came to Central with high hopes, and she will not let her siblings down.
"Congratulations, Mitsuko Matsudaira."
"Yes! I'm a state alchemist!" Mitsuko celebrated as she punched her fist into the air.
"So I'm gonna receive some fancy name for as an alchemist yeah?"
"You're the youngest state alchemist now, Melody Alchemist."
"In your face, Ed!" Mitsuko laughed as she received a certificate, along with her silver watch from Mustang, who was beaming at her.
I'm finally one step closer to finding the answer to getting our normal selves back. Mitsuko began to be deep in thought as she read her certificate.
Hey, Melody Alchemist. What's a melody without a song?
Central of Amestris
Nobody's POV
Shadow made his way back to his rented room. It was late at night, and his sister would probably be sleeping by now. I just hope that she does well in the exam. As he opened the door to his room, he looked up to see his twin sister sitting on a chair beside his bed.
"Sozes, why are you here?"
"To find you of course."
"Winry and Pinako actually allowed you to look for me? Now we're gonna get into trouble if Nii-chan finds out."
"She won't if we told her I found something that might help her!"
"What did you find?"
"Follow me."
Sozes dashed out of the room, pulling her brother's hand along, while Sky flew overhead, wanting to see what is happening to both of his owners.
Sozes doesn't act like that. Since when was she back to her normal self since she lost all her courage?
"Hey Sozes, where are we going?"
Sozes did not reply as she led him to a small door that led underground. Though it was beside a building, it was apparently unlocked. Shadow found himself walking beside walls covered with pipes. They were big and stretched along the whole pathway, and they don't look like the normal ones that contained water or gas.
A door opened.
"Here, brother."
It was a room where all the pipes were connected to one chair, and an old man sat on it. He was wearing a white robe and had a white beard. He looked like someone he had saw before long ago, but he couldn't remember.
"Welcome, Shadow." The old man spoke, as Sozes closed the door behind them, which disappeared with alchemy.
"I am Father."
"You ain't my father."
"I will be." Father smiled as he looked at Sozes, who changed form. He had long green hair and eyes. I knew that it wasn't Sozes all along.
"You want to help your sister right? Well I have the key to it."
He held out a small stone. It was red, blood red, like a human's blood.
"A Philosopher's stone?"
"Yes."
"I'll take it."
"On one condition. You become one of us."
"What?"
"I did say I will be your Father." Upon saying that, Father approached Shadow and struck his arm right through Shadow's chest, inserting the stone into him.
Shadow felt an excruciating pain, as if there was someone else taking over him, controlling him. He felt a rush of energy. He let out a cry, but the pain ended quickly and he was left gasping on the floor. Sky landed beside its owner, nudging his owner's ears, seeing if he is still alive.
What is this? It's as if I'm being controlled. There's someone else inside of me. I can feel it…
Beyond control of himself, Shadow spoke, in a voice that was not his.
"Lone is back."
For those who watch FMA, kinda different now eh? :D hehe.
Be sure to review so we can see your views~
Next chapter, "Reunion".
Mitsuko: What kind of a name is Esnohpla?
Shadow: You will not want to know... Maybe I will reveal it next chapter...
Mitsuko (Raise eyebrow at Shadow): Okay... Make sure ya do that!
Shadow: Trust Ed to come up with such a name... Troublesome...
"I'll be your star if you'll be my sky, I'll live to let you shine all night."
Ed and Al meets up with a unexpected friend, and trouble ensues with an alchemist. Lone appears with a mission. Will he meet up with his three friends?