Back again!
Now for some more ATLAFMA.
Instead of traveling back to the Earth Kingdom by way of merchants like he had to get to the Water Tribe in the first place, Edward travelled in a medium sized Water Tribe ship that used bending to move and steer it. After assessing Edward's skill level, Master Pakku began to teach the hidden Avatar. To begin with, it was easy things such as controlling the different forms of water such as ice and steam, using the water as an extension of one's self such as using it to make tentacle-like arms that subtly reminded Ed of the homunculi, and various other techniques. It wasn't easy training either. Master Pakku was slowly gaining ground on Teacher for training methods. If he complained about anything or tried to deviate from Pakku's instruction, Edward found himself in charge of waterbending the boat (that held at least twenty people) that usually had at least 3 decent non master benders piloting it for at least half a day.
That said, it wasn't completely bad either. He'd learned life skills like fishing using waterbending that would be useful for when he had to leave the waterbenders and look for the next master which would be helpful since he would have to go for earthbending next.
The two had been working on various ice techniques when the rest of the crew spotted land. Apparently they had to travel through various rivers and canals and the rest of that journey would take another week and a half to reach where the summons would be taking place.
"So what is the summons even about anyway?" Edward asked one day as he practiced his water cloak. Pakku tutted and used his own bending to shift Edward's stance to the correct position.
"Since the most powerful stronghold of the Earth Kingdom, its capitol Ba Sing Se, was taken over by the Fire Nation, the White Lotus is gathering to determine what the best course of action will be. It is also said that Avatar Aang perished in the attack and if so, both Water Tribes will have to be on alert."
Edward held back any thoughts concerning Avatar Aang as he expanded his water cloak to have the tentacle arms to be able to block moves or attack back.
"What exactly is the White Lotus anyway? It seems all secretive and such." Master Pakku replied by promptly shooting five ice daggers at his student who rushed to block them and absorb them into his own defense. Pakku smirked.
"Well, it's a society that isn't bound by any ties to the nations. Masters come together to share experiences and work on solutions that most others would not agree to convene for."
Edward nodded and moved into his next form which took his water cloak and surrounded himself completely.
"Remember Ling: to you release yourself from the ice prison, keep yourself calm and focus your chi on releasing your breath to warm the water around you. If you are unable to do so then I will assist you. This will be your first time practicing this advanced technique alone."
The cloaked blond nodded and began to form the prison, letting out a wince at the cold affecting the joints between his automail and his skin. He was completely encased in ice and for a moment Edward took the moment to experience being completely surrounded and trapped and slowly breathed out, controlling it so he wouldn't run out of air. Slowly, the ice began to liquefy around him until he was in his own personal snow globe before letting the water melt completely so that he could let it drop and gasp for breath. Pakku stood before him as the teen took deep breaths as he lay on the deck of the boat.
"Excellent for a first attempt of both creating and escaping the prison. We're done for today. Don't forget to completely dry out your prosthetics so you don't rust up." With that, Pakku turned and went down into the hull of the ship to his quarters. With an exhausted smile, Edward sat up and waterbended all the liquid off of him and out of his automail and grabbed his travelling back from the side of the deck. He had changed earlier into his tan colored clothes since they were lighter and easier to move in prompting him to just bring his bag with him when he was getting too close to being late. Edward then headed down to the hull towards his 'room' which was a slightly modified jail cell. There hadn't been enough rooms among the crew and only wanted to take one ship so Edward volunteered to stay in it provided they got an extra mattress for him and some pillows that he now flopped onto and promptly fell into a deep sleep…well…
Until the Fire Nation attacked.
Meanwhile, the Gaang had finally reunited with Sokka and Katara's father whom had heard about Aang's demise and now the large group of warriors and benders began modifying plans of attack for the upcoming eclipse…but not before commandeering a Fire Navy ship.
In Amestris, other plans were being made. Mustang's unit, Alphonse, Ling, and Ran Fan all traveled to Riesembool to have Edward's funeral. It had been a few more days since Edward hadn't returned and Roy's high-ups had insisted to list the Fullmetal Alchemist as deceased. This prompted the current funeral in Edward's hometown with an empty grave ceremony.
Winry had been utterly devastated and she and Al had taken to hiding out in her automail workshop with Granny making sure that Winry ate enough. The military crew and the Xingese citizens decided to camp out in the living room and Edward's old room from when he would be in town and needed a place to stay based on Granny's prompting.
The funeral itself was a quiet and short affair. They performed a civilian burial since Edward never wanted to be in the military anyway. The somber crowd stood in the cemetery around Edward's grave, placed right next to his mother's. As the sun set, the rag-tag group of mourners left for the Rockbell household but none of them noticed a tall figure watching the proceedings from afar.
As soon as the figure was sure that he was alone, he slowly stepped into the cemetery towards the Elric graves. Droplets soon watered the ground as the blond bespeckled man fell to his knees.
"Oh Trisha. I couldn't even save our son from those monsters. I should have told you so long ago about who I was and not have left. Maybe then you'd be alive and Edward would be alive too. Now both of you are gone and Alphonse is suffering and stuck without his body. Edward, I am so, so sorry that I wasn't there for you when you needed me. You're dead because of a mistake I made such a long time ago. Please forgive me."
Silence was all that answered him as Hoeinheim of Light wept softly into the night.
Yes, angst angst angst. Also, forgive me for using the cliché 'and then the Fire Nation attacked' business but you try writing something and having that gem of an opportunity pop up for a cliff hanger.
