Chapter 6. I hope you enjoy it.
Now, onto a small note. Yes, I rushed the plot. I'm sorry, but I had some family read over the first four chapters along with some PM's and reviews about it and I realized that I had to kick this story into gear.
But, I've already solved most of the problems.
On with the story.
Ed sat on his couch, looking through his tattered notebook. It was old, perhaps about 50 or 60 years old, yet using alchemy he kept remaking it into top quality.
He was blatently looking through his old formulas for trying to cross dimensions. He knew they worked, the problem was Truth was blocking them
"I should probably check on Soul, I never have healed someone else to that extent." He closed the book and slipped it into his pocket of his vest, heading for the door.
"I wonder what this 'imbalance' is though. Obviously I have to be thinking big, something that could upset a larger scale. Only thing that rings a bell would be human transmutation or this madness on a wider scale. Problem is, the last time it happened Skully and his friends killed the source of it. 800 years later they're still killing pre Kishin before they get a chance to evolve. Something's not adding up." Ed thought this aloud but quietly.
Sadly, Blackstar was trying to sneak up on the gold haired alchemist, intent on attacking him when he heard him going on about something.
He didn't hear much, but he caught the odd words like 'Truth, Gate, Imbalance, human transmutation.' It was interesting. He followed the alchemist stealthily, for probably the only time in his life span not shouting out his presence.
Ed got to the clinic, walking in and heading for Soul. The albino was still asleep. "Well, it's at least a good sign," muttered Ed.
He lifted the sheet and inspected the scar. Ed found it weird. During the healing he could feel something in the boy that was blocking his attempts at healing. This caused a scar to form.
Close examination revealed it was just a scar, none of the flesh was red or purple or discoloured.
When he put the blanket down, Soul was just beginning to wake up. The red eyes slowly opened, looking around. They settled on the figure of Ed, sitting in a chair.
"Edward?" he croaked. His throat was parched.
"Yeh, you alive, you got a scar for the rest of your life though." Soul nodded, a bit happy about a scar. Chicks dig scars cause they're cool.
"Anyways, do you remember anything from the gate?" asked Ed. Soul thought for a moment.
"Big white place, set of double doors and smoky being?" he asked. Ed nodded.
"Yeh, I remember the conversation and a flash of light, then you're here talking to me."
Ed sighed with relief. This meant that he didn't see anything from inside it, nor did he lose anything.
"Well, that's good. Now, onto a more medical standpoint. Because I'm not sure what side effects there might be from doing such a huge healing job, that and something resisted me, I've informed Skully that you won't be able to take part in any missions or classes for two weeks. This is nonnegotiable." Soul frowned.
"I'm just making sure that I did nothing wrong. It was a bit of a new experience for me, so I want to make sure there are no complications." Soul nodded.
"Well, I suppose I have no excuse to go to that stupid family reunion now," muttered Soul. Ed raised an eyebrow.
"Family reunion?" he asked.
"Yeh, every year there's a family reunion. My parents never invite me but Wes, my brother, always slips me an invitation. As much as I love him, I find it hard to be around my parents. I usually say I have school, but now I might have to actually go." Ed thought about this.
"Actually, it could be good. I would be able to see just how your recovery went along." Soul stopped.
"Who said you were coming!" exclaimed the albino.
"Well, if you want an unseen complication arising during this reunion and dying for no known reason in the middle of the room then be my guest." Soul looked at him. He wasn't sure if the alchemist was joking.
At that point Medusa walked in. "What's this about?" she asked.
"Well, I've decided that Soul here can't do anything mission related until I'm satisfied there are no side effects. He's going to a family reunion and I'm coming with, just in case anything arises." Medusa nodded.
"We should call Lord Death about this. Make sure he knows what's going on." With that, Medusa walked over to a mirror and called the grim reaper.
"WAZZUP?" asked the comedic mask wearer.
"Hello Lord Death, we have some information to relay. Edward has decided that Soul should not go on any missions for the time being until he has decided his... teqnique... that he used to heal Soul is complete. To this Soul has decided to go on a family reunion. Edward is going in case anything arises."
"I don't really remember saying I was going to go," muttered Soul. No one heard him.
"Well, I think this is a splendid idea. I have two points to bring up. First, in order to strengthen the soul resonance between Maka and Soul they both should go. Second, Medusa, you should go as well, just in case." Medusa paused.
"Umm, but I'm needed here," she started.
"Nonsense! We have Stein and Nygus here to take over. Besides, think of it like a date!"
Ed coughed. He still hadn't gotten around to telling Medusa about his past or given her the Q&A period.
"Um, Skully, honestly, does there have to be two of us there?"
"Yes yes yes, but think of it as a chance to get to know each other better. Oh, and Edward, in regards to school, don't worry, I've seen your grades. If you skipped for the rest of the year it wouldn't make much of a difference. Have fun!"
The mirror winked off.
"Well, guess there's no way of getting out of that." That summary by Ed was all the group needed.
3 days later.
Ed walked toward the large house with Maka, Soul and Medusa.
Maka was a bit... clingy... to Soul, probably resentment for letting Soul down and letting him get hurt.
Behind the two of them was Medusa, hanging off of Ed's arm. It was decided they would act like they were on a date just so it didn't look weird.
"So, your last name is actually Evans. I met an Evan's once. He was a stupid stuck up prick." Soul grinned.
"Might have meant my grandpa or father." Ed nodded. The reason Medusa wasn't giving a questioning look was because Ed explained... some... aspects of himself.
When the group got to the front door they were met with a very snobbish guard.
"And who might you be?" asked the man in probably the snobbiest voice one could create.
Soul just smiled and handed 4 invitations to the man. He had gotten three others for when he was told he was having to bring the medical people and Maka.
The door guard looked at the invitations. Grudgingly he opened the doors, letting the group of four walk in.
"Well, I if I ever decide to kill someone for fun, he's on my top ten."
"Yeh, he seemed cheery. He must be one of those people who lives with his mother," commented Medusa.
When they got in Ed was assaulted with many things at once.
Being an alchemist actually was a genetic trait. The genetic trait was part of a higher thinking area of the brain that allowed people to perform alchemy. Coincidently, this area was responsible for managing the input gained from the five senses. Therefore, the more active the higher thinking area was of the brain, the more a person could respond to their senses. Now, Ed was usually able to calm that section of the brain down, keeping his sense response low.
Sadly, 300 people in an enclosed space with various catering companies competing against each other with various scented candles, various music and lack of ventilation was overwhelming.
Ed wavered on his feet. "Edward, you alright?" asked Medusa, feeling him shift.
"Yeh, just a bit overwhelming," he replied. Working to reduce his senses even more, except touch, he managed to get it to a level that wouldn't leave him with hangover like effects later on.
Feeling a bit better he continued on.
Soul and Maka proceeded to a person in their early twenties, same albino look to them. Soul and this stranger started talking, obviously on good terms.
"Ok, twenty something albino boy is Wes, he's ok. I'm going to say 40 something albino male is probably pops, he would be the ass," muttered Ed discretely. Medusa nodded.
While both didn't know it, they both despised party gala type events like this.
"Well, there's what looks like Mr. Evans, oh look, he's heading straight for us," stated Medusa, directing his attention to his right. Ed looked and sure enough, 40 something albino male and a copper haired woman on his arm.
Ed turned to face the 'hosts.'
"And who are you? I don't recognize you from anywhere," stated the older Evans male. Ed grew an immediate dislike for him. His voice spoke of an upbringing where he was entitled to everything.
"Well, I'm here with your son, along with my date here," explained Ed.
"Wes? I don't remember him saying anything about you."
"Well, that's where the problem lies, your other son, Soul, invited us here," replied Medusa.
The air around them grew cold. The elder Evan's obviously disliked their son.
"I don't suppose you know how he got in?" asked the 'mother.'
Ed broke in. "You know, he never said. We're here really just for medical reasons. He was injured a while back. Think of us like the schools traveling medical team." There was no argument from Medusa. Obviously his argument worked.
"Well, I hope you enjoy yourselves," stressed the 'father.'
As they walked away Ed realized something. "You know, we should find Soul. Maybe there was a reason that he skipped out on these." Medusa nodded.
"Yeh, I'd skip on these thing too if I had such 'loving' parents as him."
The two of them walked around, making sure they were in sight of Soul the entire time. When people asked who Ed was, he replied in a thick Russian accent that he was a special guest. Medusa nodded with these explanations, not really liking the large crowds.
Ed noticed that the older Evans was walking up to Soul.
"Hey, looks like the bastard of a father is going to talk to Soul. Perhaps we should stick close?" suggested Ed.
"Sure, could be interesting," replied Medusa.
As the two of them walked towards the obvious confrontation, Medusa thought on some things.
When she first saw Edward, she liked him from the start. He seemed so easy going, yet quick to defend himself or others. He had always listened to her on their talks. The only reason she didn't get too close to him was partly because of his reasons, when you 814 years old, it's hard to find a man who would be able to live with you. But here, he said he was 211 and could probably outlive the sun. Maybe she could try her luck with him.
"Listen boy, I don't know how you got here or past the doorman but I will say this, when you abandoned your career as a piano player you forfeited all rights to this family."
"Well, it was in fact Wes who invited me. I guess he loved me enough that he thought I should come. And of course I had to invite my Meister, and for medical reasons the two other people."
This seemed to tick off the mother.
"You mean to say, the most exclusive gala in the whole world, open only to a select few, is being attended by commoners?" This was all but shrieked to the room.
"You know, It offends me and my date that you call us commoners when us 'commoners' clearly have better manners," interjected Ed, making his presence known.
The two parents turned around.
"You can stay out of this conversation you imbecile, it does not concern you," brushed off the father.
Ed bristled. "First, no one called me an imbecile, second, it does concern me when you're harassing my patient which could raise his stress level resulting in death. How would that look? The most exclusive." This was said with as much sarcasm as present in this world. "The most exclusive gala in the world, though I doubt it, happens to have a child dead right after the hosts harass him?"
Ed let the words sink in.
The elder Evans seemed to be thinking about something. A malicious grin spread across the wife's face. She leaned into her husband's ear and whispered something that only him, and Ed, could hear.
"How about a duel then?" asked Evans Sr.
"Alright, one in the chamber at twenty paces? You should know I've fought in three wars," exclaimed Ed.
"No you idiot, a piano duel. I play a song, you play a song and the guests decide who is better."
Ed smirked. "Yeh, of course there is some sort of prize or consequence for losing, right?"
"Yes, if I win, you four leave. You never come back as well."
"And if I win, you make a generous donation to Soul's school in excess of 2 million dollars. Publicly." Mr. Evans glared. Ed smirked. He was obviously far too confident of his piano skills.
"Fine. I'll announce it in 15 minutes. I suggest you pack your bags." The husband and wife walked way, leaving the group alone.
"What are you thinking? He's one of the top piano players in the country!" exclaimed Soul. "He's been playing since he could walk!"
Ed grinned. "Yes, and I've been playing since his mother was an embryo in her mother's womb. I think I'll do well."
While the three of them knew by now Ed was a bit older than meets the eye, they were all curious as to how the 'duel' would play out.
15 minutes later.
Ed stood on the small stage, the 'older' albino across from him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests, may I have your attention?" he spoke to the audience. The low rumble of conversation died down, everyone looking at him. Ed smirked, it was painfully obvious that these people didn't like the host either. At a guess, this was more of a social thing, a status.
"Mr. Elric here has decided to challenge me to a piano duel." There were a few laughs. Apparently, even though he wasn't well liked, his skills weren't something to laugh at.
"The rules are simple, if he wins, I make a substantial donation to whatever charity or school he chooses. If I win, then he and his companions are to leave and never come to this place again."
There was a cough from the audience.
"COUGH LOSE COUGH!"
Ed chuckled, oh yes, he had every intention of 'losing.'
"Let's begin then?" suggested Mr. Evans. Not waiting for a reply, he walked over to the piano and sat down.
Silence filled the hall, all awaiting for the pianist to play. Finally, the notes began to drift from the instrument.
They were soft, playing something Ed didn't know. It was a calming sort of song, making one feel happy.
Problem is, it was simple.
Ed knew for a fact that based on the note count, it was perhaps on the child's section of piano music. Never the less, the song was nice.
When he was finished, there was strained clapping from the audience. Unfortunately, this was not how Mr. Evans heard it.
In his ears he heard a glorious thunder of applause, coupled with people cheering and wanting encores.
"Now, onto my friend Mr. Elric." Ed nodded, taking his place behind the piano. Turning to the audience, he spoke just a bit.
"I'm sorry, but I'm still working on this song, what you're about to here is what I have finished." The audience were a bit surprised he was going to be playing an unfinished song but hey, as long as it was better than the last one. Honestly, of all the songs this great pianist could have done, why choose a child's nursery rhyme?
Ed looked at the bench. "You're more of a hindrance than anything," he muttered before giving it a swift kick with his left foot, cracking the wood and sending it off stage. There were a few gasps from the crowd.
"What's he doing?" asked Maka, not having a clue what he was doing. Soul couldn't reply, but was puzzled. Why would he kick away the bench? Medusa sat there just observing.
Finally, he began to play.
He launched into the song immediately, not pausing for a low entrance. It was rough, wild, loud, complicated. His hands danced across the ivory keys with presiscion and grace. As they flew, Ed generated some alchemy to turn the pre existing wires from the base copper(1) to a mix of metals that were guaranteed to make the notes ring purer and louder than anything else. The red light from the alchemical reaction was not lost on the audience, seeing the red glow on Ed's face. He continued with his song, everyone in the room finally realizing why the bench was kicked away.
It was such an arrangement of key strokes that having a bench would hinder you from reaching.
The song picked up even more, if that was possible, two hands flying over the keys at such a rate that they were mere blurs.
When he finished the song abruptly, obviously that being the part he was done, he took a look at the crowed.
Half of it, the male side, was torn from looks of admiration, and looks of envy. The other half, the female population, were all giving him lusty stares, wondering the same thing.
"I wonder what else he can do with his hands," was the thought on the women's minds. They were also noticeably breathing heavily and hands were either over their chests or brushing at the front of the dress between the legs.
Even Mr. Evans was shocked. He had obviously under estimated the gold haired alchemist.
"Well," he stammered. "That was, decent." Ed snorted.
"Sure, it's a work in progress. Let's ask the audience what they think?" Mr. Evans nodded.
"Now honoured guests, you decide, did I win or did I lose?" he asked to the crowed.
2 days later, on a helicopter to death city.
Ed was trying to sleep, leaning against the helicopter's seat. Medusa was across from him, Maka beside her while Soul had the seat next to him. His light sleep was inturupted by Maka.
"Edward, I still don't understand, even though you played so well, why did the audience say you were terrible?" The voice came over the speaker in his headphones.
"Easy," he replied. "If you didn't see it, quite a few of the people there didn't like being there. To them, sparing a person from having to come to that 'reunion/gala thing every year would be the kindest thing they could ever do. Hence, they 'spared' me."
A look of understanding crossed her face.
[A.N.] There you have it, chapter 6. Now, I'm not too proud about the ending, but it's 1:40 and I'm tired and I don't feel like prolonging this another day.
As for my FMA Harry Potter crossover, it's hit a stall, but the chapter is ever so slowly coming along. For my Fullmetal at War, I'd expect a chapter within two weeks.