Hey yo! Mitsuko here :3
Sry if we hadn't been updating for a few months … Sch's started so we're busy again ._. But once the hols are here we'll be spamming chapters (:
Long weekend so I'm taking this chance to write. Whee~
Mind if I get a lil' rusty, haven't been writing stories for quite long. Enjoy (:
Nobody's POV
Amestris
Sewer system
Scar awoke to find himself in an unfamiliar place. Where am I? I only remember fighting those four alchemists. Then there was this bright flash of light. Realising there was someone beside him, he jerked up to look around the shadows around him.
"Awake at last?"
Scar looked around to see no one.
"I'm right here."
He turned back just to see a teen, not more than fourteen years of age. He wore a black cap that covered his eyes and a jacket drenched in the rainwater was on his shoulders. Scar could barely see the sword pendant hanging on his neck.
"Who are you?"
"Just like you, a lonely fighter."
"Do you at least have a name?"
"Sheesh I just said it."
"What?''
"Yeah, I said it. The name's Lone."
Lone threw his jacket and cap to the side, clapped, and thrust his palm on the nearby puddle. Seeing this, Scar stood up and prepared his destructive powers. To his dismay, Lone attacked faster than him as a lightning flashed towards the Ishbalan.
[A/N : Lone's lightning alchemy is learned from Father. Normally it will work because of the water vapour in the air, but now since there's rain and puddles of water, the attack charges up faster.]
Scar managed to dodge the attack with a few scalds on his hand when Lone launched another attack of fire alchemy. Knowing that he cannot fight his enemy with his current injuries, Scar turned to find a safe spot to hide.
Lone got up in pursuit of his target, then he heard a sound.
Rushing water?
He turned around only to see a wave of rainwater gushing towards him. He tried to run but the impact of the water carried him away instead.
All was black after that.
Risembool
Outside the Matsudaira's restaurant/house
Mitsuko took a last look at the restaurant's piano before leading Sozes out. It was back to Central for research of a solution to get her skill back. She started to wonder about the times when her family was intact and leading their normal lives… Without alchemy.
"Sis, are you going to find Shadow?"
Her sister broke her train of thoughts.
"Get Shadow back? If he ever sees me he better prepare some ear plugs." Mitsuko grunted as they closed the door behind them. Chika was waiting for them at the front garden, carrying Sozes' rabbit, Fluffy.
"Ed and Al's waiting for you," Chika shouted to her best friend before handing the long-haired brown rabbit to Sozes. As they walked down to the Rockbell's Mitsuko glanced at her sister who cuddled her rabbit with a laugh. I'm leaving her again. Sigh…
"Chika."
"Yeah?"
"Take care of Sozes will ya? If there's anythin' up just gimme a call."
"Sure."
Mitsuko took her guitar and luggage from Al as they boarded the train, waving goodbye to their friends. Winry and Ed exchanged a smile from the window before Ed sat back at his seat. Mitsuko let out a silent laugh and nudged Al with her elbow.
"Hey hey, looks like your brother's eyein' at someone."
Al answered with a laugh and a clank of his suit of armour. Ed frowned at her as Armstrong laughed at him.
"See major, there ain't really any need for you to come along. Everything went out fine." Ed tried to start a conversation as the train started to jerk to a start.
"Really? If I hadn't come, I wouldn't know that you actually liked that girl."
"Shut up!"
[A/N: Omg I have no idea why I put that part]
Slums of Ishbal
Amestris
"Brother! He's awake."
Shadow opened his eyes to see a little boy looking at him. He had tanned skin and what intrigued him the most is his red eyes. An Ishbalan.
"Hey! Remember me? You are the soldier whom the Rockbell doctors took care of!"
"Sorry, I don't know you."
"Is that guy your friend?" The boy pointed to Scar, who was being treated of his wounds and injuries.
"I don't know him. But… the Rockbell doctors?"
"Yeah."
"As in… Doctor Urey and Sara?"
"Yeah."
Shadow remained silent. Ain't those Winry's parents? Then who's the soldier?
"My name's Ferdinand."
"I'm Shadow. Err… I gotta get moving."
Shadow remembered that he actually had an inner person within him, and he didn't want him to hurt anyone else.
With that said, he stood up and began to make his way to the deserts.
In some town [LOL]
Amestris
Another stop?
Another blow of the engines woke Mitsuko up from her nap. She sat up and adjusted her tie as Ed woke up too. Armstrong and Al were staring out of the window.
A familiar figure walked past as Armstrong shoved his head out of the window.
"Hey! Dr. Marcoh!"
The figure turned around and fled hastily.
"Who's he?"
"He's a doctor who a State Alchemist and doctor during the Ishbal War. He conducted research on biological alchemy before disappearing at the end of the war. So he was here all along. I wondered where he actually went."
Without any hesitation, Mitsuko got off her seat and ran to the exit.
"I'm gonna find out more, y'll comin'?"
"Who's there?"
Marcoh answered the door to see a girl with orange hair. Her fringe covered her left eye and her cap was in her hands. A checkered brown jacket and green tie was casual. But something scared him. Her blood red eyes.
"I'm Mitusko. Mind if I come in?"
"What do you want?" Marcoh grunted, spotting the silver watch hanging at her pocket.
"Just a chat?" Mitsuko answered. She turned around to see the others catching up with her.
"Dr. Marcoh! Just a little chat?"
"No." He attempted to shut the door but Ed used his automail leg to stop him.
"We want to know more about the Ishbalan War."
Marcoh eventually gave in as the four alchemists entered the house.
"Why did you run after the War?" Armstrong started off the conversation.
"I just…. Couldn't stand it there anymore." He turned to Mitsuko. "Your eyes are reminding me of what they made me do…"
"Tell me." Mitsuko answered firmly. Al looked at her. She was serious about finding out more. Is she trying to find out what happened to Shihiro?
Marcoh was taken aback by her answer, but he explains everything. How he was forced to do research on the stone that allows one to ignore the law of alchemy. The philosopher's stone.
"I've achieved in making one, but it is half completed…."
"Tell us how did you get it." Ed slammed the table as he demanded for an answer.
"It is something that you will not want to know. I've let you all know more than I should have said now just get out!"
Mitsuko sat in the train, deep in thought. The Philosopher's Stone… I saw it in one of those books I borrowed that day… A shout from outside broke her train of thoughts.
"Hey… Let me tell you something. The answer… It's here." The panting, old man handed Ed a slip of paper. "Since you all want it so badly, but be prepared for what you want to know…"
Dr. Marcoh left hastily with that said.
Liore
Amestris
Shadow dragged his feet behind him as he stared up to the sun, reminding himself of his everlasting thirst. He was stranded in the desert.
He carried on, and he heard the sounds of water. It came from a city from the distant.
Finally…
He made his way to the city.
Standing in front of a fountain, Shadow was about to reach out to drink the water out of it before getting stopped by a voice.
"Aren't you underage or something?"
Shadow turned to see a boy, his eyes cloudy and he was holding on to a walking stick. He had a guitar case strapped to his back.
"Erm… So what?"
"That's wine in that fountain."
"Oh… Ok…" Shadow stood up.
"Are you a tourist?"
"Erm… Yeah… Something like that?"
"I don't think so. You're lying."
There was silence between the two boys.
"Are you really that thirsty? You can come to my place to get a drink."
Central of Amestris
Central Train Station
"Second Lieutenant Maria Ross and Sergeant Denny Brosh at your service Fullmetal Alchemist and Melody Alchemist!"
"Err… thanks and that's not Ed…" Mitsuko tried to control her laughter as Ed flares up.
"I'm Edward! That's Alphonse!" Ed shouted at their new escorts, being mistaken for countless times.
They apologised before leading them to the First Branch Library, where the paper given by Dr. Marcoh stated that the book containing the answer can be found.
"What? It was burnt down?"
Ed let out a grunt of disgust at the sight of the burnt down building. The magnificent building Mitsuko had once entered was now a heap of rubble and burnt paper.
"Okay, now that is just complete bad luck. But I've got some books I borrowed that day."
"Please tell me it's that book."
"What if I tell you it isn't?"
"Then we can screw ourselves."
The two escorts exchanged escorts before interrupting the two alchemists.
"We know of someone who used to work here, maybe she can help you?"
They were now led to a house full of books, all stacked up to the ceiling. Who will read these many books? It looks more like a warehouse than a place where you live in!
"Miss Sheska? Anyone at home?" Ed shouted as no one answered the door.
A faint cry of help.
"Over here!"
It came from a pile of books.
"God she's buried alive!"
[A/N: That was one of the best parts in the anime. =D ]
"Thanks for saving me…" The lady with short brown hair acknowledged them with a bow.
"No big deal. Do you happen to have this book?" Ed showed her the slip of paper.
"Nope." Ed lowers his head in disappointment. "But I can write it out for you."
"What?"
"I remember all the contents of every book I read! Give me a few days and I'll get it out for you."
God she's scary.
"Ok. Thanks!"
Central of Amestris
Central Headquarters
"Hey Riza-san!" Mitsuko greeted the Lieutenant as she entered Mustang's office.
"Hi. Your cat is there with Black Hayate." The lady with long yellow hair and bangs gestured to the corner of the office.
The cat and dog greeted her as Mitsuko approached them. The black and white dog barked as its friend was lifter up by the owner.
"How's it goin' my buddy? I haven't given you a name yet. You'll be called Lycoris, the flower that Sozes gave me years ago." Mitsuko cuddled it as it let out a purr.
"Mitsuko. I have a mission for you."
"What! I just came back and I have a mission?" Mitsuko turned to the colonel who was sitting on his desk.
"No choice, since Fullmetal's screwing everything I give him."
Mitsuko grunted as the received the details of the mission.
"To Liore?"
Back on the train… Again. How many times so far? I've lost count.
The train left Central as Mitsuko waved back at her friends. Lycoris was fast asleep on her lap as Mitsuko did not want to trouble her friends by taking care of it. Mustang did tell me that I might find something I want there. Might as well give it a shot.
Liore
Amestris
Strolling along the roads in the heart of the city, Mitsuko heard a song. A guitar to be exact. It came from the fountain at the centre of the town. A boy with short dark brown hair and slightly tanned skin sat at the edge. A guitar on his lap and his eyes closed, he played a song.
The notes was recognisable in the bustling city, where people were ordering food, selling their goods and chatting as they walked down the street.
Hey, let me join him!
She took out her guitar which she carried with her on every trip she went on, and took a seat beside the boy who was engrossed in his song. She wore her glove, and prepared for her alchemy.
She joined in with chords to match his notes, and transmuted sounds of violins and cellos to accompany them. The boy did not look up, and a girl with pink bangs and long brown hair joined them, she performed a short dance and claps that ended the song.
[The song, btw, is Requiem, one of the sounds in First season's OST. Loved it so I kinda threw it in (: YouTube it, it really is nice if u enjoy classical music]
The boy looked up, and stretched out his hand. "I'm Ralf. Nice to meet you."
"Mitsuko's the name. Erm… dude I'm sitting here, not in front of you." Mitsuko stammered, only to realise that he had cloudy eyes that stared at nothing.
"Oh I'm sorry." Ralf apologised. The girl who danced greeted Mitsuko next. "I'm Rose; I take care of Ralf when his siblings are away. How did you do that music? Is it one of those miracles?"
Rose led Ralf to the church, signalling Mitsuko to follow. "Father Cornello's going to perform his miracles again. You must watch!" The people of the city gathered around the church to see the man in a black robe perform. With a flash of bright red light, the finest of ruby appeared all around him, and with another light, he revived a dead dove that a girl handed him. The crowd ooed and ahhed, but Mitsuko frowned at him.
Its alchemy and what he did was impossible. Unless... he has the Philosopher's Stone.
The crowd dispersed as the Father went back to his church. Rose signalled the two to enter the church, where she prayed and Ralf played the organ.
"Father told me that if I prayed and obeyed him, god will give me a chance to bring back those I want." Rose told Mitsuko as she took a last bow in front of the statue of god.
"Bring back the dead?" Mitsuko asked.
"Yeah. I'm going to bring back my boyfriend who passed away because of a disease that struck the city two years ago. I'm sure he'll be back soon!"
"It's impossible."
There was silence between the two girls, before a creak of the door broke it, and a familiar voice started reading out from a small book.
"35 liters of water, 20 kilograms of carbon, 4 liters of ammonia, 1.5 kilograms of caustic lime, 800 grams of phosphorus, 250 grams of salt, 100 grams of saltpeter, 80 grams of sulfur, 7.5 grams of fluorine, 5 grams of iron, 3 grams of silicon, the indegredients for a adult human body. If these can be found at any market, does this mean that life isn't that precious after all?"
It was a boy, wearing a black cap and tee. His red jacket on his shoulder and his brown fringe covered his eyes; He looked up as the book was kept in his pocket. "Hi sis."
"Hi Shadow." Ralf called out to his new-found friend.
Then they were interrupted before they could start their conversation.
The organ sounds were transmuted to a loud screeching sound as Mitsuko's glove shone with light.
The sound startled the boy who landed on the floor due to the sudden sound he was unable to stand.
"Shadow! You are so dead! Where did you go!" Mitsuko grabbed her brother by the collar, which sent Ralf and Rose looking at them blankly.
"I don't know. I just blacked out and when I woke up, I'm just here."
"Don't tell me that you don't know when I wanna know! Did you know that Sozes had to stay with Winry alone when Winry's all busy with her automail business till Chika returned? And I told you to stay home till I came back!"
"Chika's back?"
"Don't ask me if Chika's back, tell me why did you leave!"
The two siblings quarrelled, but Shadow just answered his sister with a calm tone, with no expression or feelings.
"Erm… is everything alright?" Ralf asked from the organ, startled by the sudden sound.
"I'm just here to see Father Cornello." Shadow got up to his feet.
"You saw his transmutations?" Mitsuko asked.
"How can I not notice that transmutation? It was impossible. Unless with…"
"Let's just find him shall we?"
"Sir. There are two alchemists that want to meet you."
"Hmm? Who are they?" The priest turned his gaze from the window.
"Mitsuko Matsudaira. The other appears to be her brother."
"The Melody Alchemist? Seems like alchemists alike all desire for power."
Mitsuko and Shadow were being led to a dark room. The walls were made of brown, old bricks and torches of flames lit up the area. Rose followed them to meet her beloved priest, leaving Ralf at the organ.
"Greetings Melody Alchemist and her brother. What brings you here?" The priest greeted them from a raised platform, which Rose and Ralf joined him.
"Father, they are alchemists too. They said that it is impossible to revive the dead…" Rose stammered as the priest turned to her. "Isn't god able to bring back my loved one after I had done so much for him? Tell me it isn't true…"
"Rose, don't believe him. And I think you know what we're here for Cornello." Mitsuko grunted.
"Just hand it over dude. You know that we ain't leavin' till we get it." Shadow said with a no-expression tone.
"You want it? Just try and get it." Cornello laughed as his ring shone with bright red light, and the walls from afar crumbled. Two chimeras stalked towards the siblings, both with lion heads but the body of zebras.
"Zebras and lions? Can't you make up a better combination?" Mitsuko started laughing at the weird looking; roaring chimeras broke into a sprint towards them.
"Sis, watch out!" Shadow pushed her sister aside before snapping his fingers, igniting a flame that burned the chimera's body as it ripped the sleeve of his jacket.
"Shadow! What's that on your hand?" Mitsuko grabbed his hand after transmuting another force of sound as a shield from the chimera's jaws. It was a red dragon tattooed on his arm.
"I don't know."
"What kind of reply is that?"
Cornello observed the tattoo closely. It's the same as what the others had. And how did they get that? He laughed.
"So you did it huh? You are all despised by god. Rose, take a look at those who failed to bring back the dead as they are hated by our god. They're creatures and monsters that do not deserve to be in this world!"
"What? How did you know that?" Mitsuko turned her attention to the priest before the second chimera attacked her. Another sound transmuted sent the creature taking steps back before Shadow attacked it with his flames.
A flash of bright red light.
A missile flew towards the siblings as Mitsuko clapped her hands and transmuted a wall for protection.
"No transmutation circle! So you did it too huh?" The priest laughed once again before firing another missile from his transmuted launcher.
"Shadow, I've got a plan." Mitsuko whispered to her brother as the smoke covered up their positions.
"What?"
"More smoke please."
With that, a dark cloud of smoke sent the visibility of the room to zero, and Rose felt a tug of her hand that brought her out of the building.
[A/N: LIONS AND ZEBRAS =D I was bored so I came up with this combination. Shadow agreed to it too (: It's just a joke who wants a lion and zebra chimera? I can't imagine it too O_O )
"Your sister actually left you to be caught. Such a nice sister of yours." Shadow tried to loosen the chains that held his hands together. Being caught by the priest, he was locked to the corner of the room as the priest sat on his chair.
"Ok, now let's have a chat then. Tell me why you wanted that."
Shadow glanced at the ring in the priest's finger. A bright red stone reflected the sun's rays as the priest looked at it admiringly.
Mitsuko handed Lycoris a microphone and sent her off to the inside of the church as she waited at the roof. Rose was with her, taking in the view of the city.
"You failed to revive the dead?"
Mitsuko remained silent.
"Yeah. I thought it was possible too. But I was wrong. And the price we had to pay isn't that bad. Compared to the others…"
Rose gave Mitsuko a curious look.
Mitsuko let out a sigh and decided to tell Rose everything. "We just wanted to see the smile on our brother's face when we welcomed him back home. I had to pay with my ability to play the piano, which brought the two of us together. Shadow had to pay with his emotions. My sister had to live a life in fear. My two friends who also tried it lost his arm and leg, the other his whole body. Is that what you want, Rose?"
Rose lowered her head in disappointment.
"For power! Don't you find it amusing when those peeps look up to you as god when you perform a miracle? They'll all obey my every command! Come on it really is easy, just tricking them with a few jewels appearing out of thin air."
The priest laughed heartily as he told his objectives to Shadow.
"Isn't it fun to watch those fools applauding at something and believing that whatever they did to me can bring about joy and happiness when they see their deceased loved ones? It is forever impossible. Fools!"
Another laugh.
"Hey. You are the fool yourself."
"What?"
Shadow moved to the side to reveal the cat sitting comfortably behind him, a microphone in his hand. "Let's see what the people of Liore thinks about this."
With a clap of her hands, Mitsuko amplified the voice of Father Cornello. "Isn't this the best way to prove I'm right, Rose? Your dear priest said it himself!" She laughed as the people of Liore gathered outside the church to see what was going on.
Another clap, and she transmuted a guitar. "Let's watch a show now, shall we?"
"You bastard! You are going to pay for all of this!" The priest let out a grunt at the sight of his followers demanding for his appearance outside. Shadow loosened his chains with the help of Lycoris before it scrambled to safety.
The priest transmuted another missile launcher before chasing Shadow to the main room in the church.
Ralf, who was still at the organ, was startled by the sudden explosion and crumbling of walls before feeling a tug at his shirt as Mitsuko brought him to a corner of the room.
"Mitsuko. What's happening with all that noise?" The boy asked but Mitsuko just shouted an apology before joining her brother.
Holding to any chord she could think of, she strummed the guitar and the force transmuted sent the priest flying towards the main door. Another missile launched was stopped by Shadow's flames.
Cornello let out a shout as he transmuted yet another launcher to aid him. "Feel the power of god's fist!" A boom sent the missiles flying towards them.
"You should be the one having a taste of it!" Mitsuko strummed again that sent the fist of the god's statue flying towards the priest.
The priest frantically tried to transmute a wall for protection, but the red light flashed once and a shatter of the floor he stood on greeted him.
Rebound?
Cornello let out a cry as he turned into a monster that was barely recognisable. His hands and legs were increasing in size and his body and face became distorted. But the flying fist hit him with a great impact and Shadow ignited yet another flame that burnt him.
"Ok, now I think we kinda went abit too far." Mitsuko turned to Shadow, who was staring at the ground, his cap covered his eyes and he did not reply.
Ok now he's just being annoying again.
She took a closer look at the knocked-out priest's ring, but the stone dropped off and vanished into the air slowly. "A fake? We did everything to get it and it is a fake?"
Her grumbles were stopped by the protesting people outside the half-destroyed church. She clapped her hands and transmuted a statue similar to the ones in the church.
She transmuted a voice.
"Peace, people of Liore. This is no time for all of us to be fighting. Father Cornello may be fake, but God has never given up hope on anybody."
The crowd let out a cheer.
Walking down the stairs of the church with her guitar and Lycoris in her hands, Mitsuko wondered where Shadow had gone.
I just turned back after dealing with those people and he just disappeared. That's very nice of him. Now he'll be deaf when I see him next time.
"Mitsuko!" Rose called her from behind as she ran towards the alchemist,
"Hey Rose, is Ralf alright? He ain't hurt ain't he? And sorry for being so rash just now, I…"
"Mitsuko! What am I suppose to do now?" Rose stopped her from continuing as tears welled up in her eyes. "He's been everything that kept me going, now what am I suppose to do?" She dropped her knees to the floor and began to cry.
The alchemist stared at the girl for a moment before giving a pat on her shoulder to comfort her.
"Hey, you ain't like us. You have proper legs and a body to help you stand up. You hadn't lose any skill that you had. You still had your emotions and bravery to help you find out your path."
Her voice trailed off to a whisper as she heard the church organ echoing through the evening sky.
"You still have you sight unlike Ralf to walk down your path. If we found our path, why can't you?"
With that said, she stood up and continued her way down the stairs.
"Help me say good-bye to Ralf, tell him to continue playin'! I'll love to strum with him soon." Mitsuko turned to Rose for one last time before making her way back to the train station.
Rose looked up to see the alchemist disappear in the scarlet evening sunlight.
Yeah… This is quite a long chapter with many dialogues since I am getting abit rusty in this =/
Btw, we've decided to make a character biography just for some info. (: I'll be drawing out the Matsudairas and Chika oki?
Ralf was inspired by some song I listened to while walking home… I forgot what song it was… oh well.
Ok that's bout' all. Shadow's writing the next chap. [At least that's what he said]
Signing off~ [studying off]
-Mitsuko /Shadow
P.S. Do not care about You're So Wrong's comments. She's our not so happy friend of ours since we used her nickname in this Fanfic (: