Epilogue: Cyclamen

The Cyclamen represents departure as well as sorrowful resignation.

When Roy saw Edward under a tree at the edge of the forest, he saw the boy was fingering a bunch of flowers in his hands. His hair was down, somewhat tussled because of the wind, and he stared in nothing in particular.

"Fullmetal?" Roy called him strangely. "What are you doing?"

Edward was silent for a moment before he blurted, "Did you know that mimosa flower indicates sensitivity? And that chaste tree flower – also known as agnus castus – stands for coldness and indifference?"

"Excuse me?" Roy's brow shot up.

"I guess you didn't know," Edward shrugged. "The meaning is fitting, don't you think? For them? Mimosa and Agnes."

"I suppose," Roy muttered. "Why do you leave your hair down?"

"It doesn't matter whether I braid it or not. It won't stay braided for long," Edward answered. He took a flower and studied it closely. "How… how's Kelly holding up?"

"She's still shocked," Roy replied, staring at the boy. "A kid her age shouldn't deal with something like that. Hawkeye and Havoc are with her, and she's been reunited with her family."

"Oh. That's good."

"How are you holding up?"

Edward paused. "It's not important. How's Al doing?"

"He's still under the weather but is otherwise okay. I'm more worried about you."

"You, worried? About me?" Edward whirled around to stare at Roy, shock evident in his eyes. "What exactly are you trying to obtain, sweet-talking me like that?"

"You wound me, Fullmetal," Roy shook his head in annoyance. "I do care for my subordinates. Just answer me; are you alright?"

Edward looked away. "Better than being dead, I guess," he mumbled. He chucked the flower he was holding aside.

Roy stared at him for a while before holding his hand out. "Come on," he prodded. "Let's get back to town. It's almost nighttime."

Edward casted him a contemplating look before letting the flowers fall to the ground and taking the crutch he used to help him get around since his automail leg wasn't usable. He took Roy's hand and the colonel pulled him up, and both walked back to the town quietly.

Like before, the townspeople stared at them guiltily, but no one bothered to step forward. Roy glared at them. If they had no intention to apologize, they had better go away. Staring wouldn't help anyone, and it definitely wouldn't help Edward.

A boy walked closer to them timidly. He looked up at Edward, muttered an 'um', and looked down at his shuffling feet. Both Roy and Edward stared at him wordlessly, waiting.

A girl who looked uncannily like Kelly, yet had a completely different aura about her came to him and nudged him. "Noll, come on. You said you'd do it."

"But Tahlia – "

"Spit it out!"

The boy sighed and looked up at Edward, looking uncertain. "Um. I'm sorry I threw eggs at you at that time. And sorry I accused you of taking Kelly away. I hope you're not mad." He seemed to want to run away right then and there, but Tahlia gripped his arm and scowled at him. "And, uh," he muttered again, "thank you. For bringing her back."

"It's…" Edward stared, speechless. "It's no problem," he finally settled.

The boy looked up at him. "Really?"

"Yeah." He didn't sound all that sincere, but Roy suppose he didn't have the heart to actually snap at someone that young.

A relieved smile stretched at his face. "Thank you so much, Mister Alchemist!" he said happily. By his side, Tahlia grinned widely and nodded vigorously. The two children then ran away, laughing with one another.

Roy glanced at Edward. There was a small smile at his face. That seemed to be a good sign. He looked around again, but none of the other townspeople showed any sign of stepping up to apologize. With a huff, Roy steered Edward away to the city hall.

When they came into the room they used as their temporary office, Alphonse turned his head to them with a creak. "Brother, Colonel," he acknowledged.

"Hey, Al," Edward smiled at him. It was more of a tired smile than anything. "Didn't you say you wanted to go help the search form that guy named Borya and Agnes? How did it go?"

Alphonse sighed. He had gone with the reinforcement that Roy had requested to scour the woods for the remaining culprits of the disappearances. "Well… we found track marks of a car, so if we follow it we're sure we'll get to Borya eventually, but we're not sure we're going to catch Agnes. There was a track mark of the bike, but she then ditched the bike and continued on foot, it seems. She's good at making sure she doesn't leave anything we can track."

Edward nodded calmly. "At least you got one of them, right? Oh, and where's Kelly?"

"Her mother picked her up just before I went to get you," Roy told him. "But they've both told me that she might drop by sometime."

Edward nodded and turned back to Alphonse, telling him about his encounter with Nolan and Tahlia. While the brothers chatted, Roy turned away and walked out of the room. He had criminals to interrogate.

The city hall not only served as what the name intended, it also served as the town's police station and thus held two holding cells and an interrogation room. The Fennel siblings were held in the two cells while Mr. Lotus was locked in the interrogation room. Roy had talked with the mayor before and needed no more word with him.

It was scary, what anger and grudge could do to people. Apparently he had been so angry, he lost all control of himself and mindlessly shot Fletcher. He regretted it, but what good would regret do to a lost life? The dead wouldn't come back.

The Fennels, though… he was still curious of them.

When he came into the basement where the cells were held, the siblings were sitting back to back, separated only by the bars between the cells. The sound of his footsteps drew their attention to him.

"Sir," by the desk near the two cells, Havoc, who had been standing guard there, stood and saluted.

Roy briskly returned the salute. "Anything new?" he asked as he put down his hand and turned to Mimosa and Ives.

"None, as far as I can tell," Havoc shrugged. "They're not really willing to give away their secrets so easily. I did, however, find that they both have excellent tastes in card games."

Roy stared at him. "Don't tell me you've been playing poker with them, Lieutenant."

Havoc grinned. "I might have played a round or two. Don't worry, Boss. By playing with them I made sure there was no move they made to escape, and we all managed to spend some good time instead of dying from boredom! It's a win-win solution, I say."

Roy shook his head. "You're lucky you're working under me, Lieutenant." He turned to the two criminals. "As for the two of you…"

"How many years in jail?" Ives asked grimly.

"More like how many months left to live," Roy took out a sheet of paper from his breast pocket, ignoring the shocked looks he got from both Ives and Mimosa, and studied it. "Depending on the circumstances the act of harming a State Alchemist alone will warrant twenty years in jail, at least. Then there is also the fact that you kidnapped him. Also, Fullmetal is a minor, and of course there is a law that details what kind of punishment you will get. Not to mention conning the townspeople, kidnapping minors and young adults in town, and smuggling." He folded the paper and put it back into his breast pocket. "You will be tried, of course, but judging by the amount of crimes you have committed, it's not much of a stretch to say that you will get the worst sentence the judge can think of."

"But there's a possibility that we won't get that, right?" Mimosa asked desperately.

"If it existed, it's miniscule," Roy stated bluntly.

"Not to mention most people like the chief," Havoc added. "Hero of the People, they call him. Might push the civilians to ask to get you a heavier sentence."

Roy ignored how Mimosa and Ives' faces drained of all color and instead added, "And you two are the only two left from the original four! The people would want someone to blame, you know. You two make the perfect pair."

Roy watched as Mimosa's lips curled into a smile. A giggle bubbled from her mouth and quickly turned into a hysterical laughter, that turned into sobs as quickly as it came. "So there is no hope for us, is that what's you're saying?"

Roy smiled inwardly. "Did I ever say that there is no hope?"

Silence draped in the room. Roy felt Havoc's glance at him, and he instantly knew that he understood his plan. It was almost scary, how they could understand each other's plans in an instant like that, Roy thought wryly. But it sure came in handy.

"Are you saying that there is a way out?" Ives asked, voice desperate for any shroud of hope.

Hook, line, and sinker.

"There might be a way to redeem yourself, if you work for the country," Roy replied in faux nonchalance. "I won't guarantee that it's a sure path, but it's going to be better than rotting in jail or sent to the firing squad, I suppose."

"Work for the country?" Mimosa whispered in disbelief. "But… what could we possibly do?"

"Well I'm not certain about your brother, but your skill as an alchemist certainly bears value," Roy answered truthfully.

"What – " Mimosa bit her lip. "But I can't attack! My alchemy is useless in combat. How is it that anyone would want me in their military?"

"Your perception about State Alchemists is wrong," Havoc interjected. "They don't always have to combat. Research is all good for the State, too, as long as it can be beneficial in the long run. Besides, if you think that your skill is useless in combat, then you're dead wrong."

"Huh?"

"Let's see," Roy rubbed his chin, "you can make the image of pretty much anything as long as you have the energy to do it, correct? And I'm sure other things like the amount of water molecules present in the air and the lighting in the environment also has effect, but that's the gist of it. Was that right?"

"Well… yes, more or less," Mimosa nodded.

"Then I must tell you… it is a very valuable skill to have in the military."

"How so?"

"Say, if we happen to be in a war with a country and are about to launch an all-out attack… wouldn't it be much easier for us if we lower their morale with the image of a large army?"

Ives gaped, Mimosa gasped, and Havoc whistled in awe. "If I were in the opposing army I'd probably throw down my weapon and run away right then and there," he admitted shamelessly.

"You see, what people see have the power to change the course of a battle," Roy shrugged. "Of course it would be priceless to the State."

"But… it's not like I can do anything…"

"Is that so?" Roy sighed and turned away. "Well, that's a shame. I suppose prison or firing squad is inevitable for you two after all."

"Wait! We can do something, at least!" Ives desperately yelled. He turned to Mimosa right away. "Right?"

"W-well… if the situation is right, then it would be easy… I think…" Mimosa fidgeted nervously.

Another rung on a ladder to reach the top, obtained. "I'm glad we're on the same track," Roy declared with a smile. "Of course, you will still be tried for your crimes, but offering to work for the State will be more than enough to help."

"But is it possible if I name my own conditions as well?" Mimosa asked immediately.

"I can't guarantee that it will be fulfilled, but name it and I'll see what I can do," Roy nodded.

Mimosa took a deep breath. "I'm sure… by now, you've already run a background check on me."

"Yes, I have."

"So you must know of my heritage."

"I do," Roy admitted. "Ives and Mimosa Fennel. Child of Poppy Fennel and Pasha Egorov. Part Amestrian and part Drachman."

"Our father… he is a renowned man in Drachma," Mimosa spoke quietly. "While his position in the Drachman royalty isn't really high, he had gained many allies in the past due to his carefree yet kind personality. The people loved him. Then he met an Amestrian maid, and… well, we were born."

Roy and Havoc shifted as Ives caught what his sister had planned to do and took his turn explaining. "In Drachma, marrying someone of a different status is highly frowned upon," he said. "While there is no actual law forbidding it, people will still speak. The support our father had gained began to dwindle over the years, and his popularity plummeted. In the end our family ended up being poor."

"Is that why you moved to Amestris?" Roy asked. "In hope for a better life?"

Curiously, Mimosa shook her head. "Even if we were poor we had each other. For us, it was enough, and Pa said he was about to leave politics anyway. He couldn't bear having to deal with sly snakes all the time." Her eyes darkened. "But for his enemies, it wasn't enough. They staged a crime and framed him. He was hanged for something he didn't commit."

"As if that's not enough, the Drachman authorities threw Ma in jail to rot," Ives snorted. "Apparently having the criminal persecuted isn't enough. His family needs to be cut down, too."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Roy offered his condolences, but it sounded hollow in his ears.

Mimosa shook her head. "The authorities relented on us. They let us go away. So we went to Amestris, but not before we met Borya. He… offered a job opportunity for us."

"Human trafficking," Havoc deduced correctly.

"What else could we do aside of accepting his request?" Ives asked desperately. "We were sixteen. We barely knew anything about Amestris. And… and Borya said we may be able to appease the Drachman authorities enough for them to release Ma."

"You still committed a crime," Roy harshly reminded them.

"We know that," Mimosa sighed dejectedly. "Just… my condition is to keep Ives with me. I don't want him thrown into jail."

"That should be easy to arrange," Roy nodded, and Ives gave a loud sigh of relief.

"And… is it possible to release Ma somehow?" Mimosa meekly asked.

Roy shook his head. "Not by way of joining the military. You will have to fight on your own. Our authority doesn't cover Drachma, I'm sure you know that." Upon receiving Mimosa's nod, he smiled. "Well then, Mister and Miss Fennel. I will arrange it so that you can join the examination right away. It's possible that you will be assigned under my care since I was the one to recommend you, if you were to pass."

"Thank you, Mr. Mustang," Ives told him sincerely, clearly grateful that the threat of death was off his neck.

"My pleasure," he answered truthfully. This was a risky move on his part, taking in criminals under his wing, but honestly? He was sure the impossible to handle Edward was the hardest hurdle he had ever had to face in his long career in the military. And he had been to Ishval. If that wasn't a testament of how hard it was to handle one boy, he wouldn't know what was.

Roy clicked his heel against the floor before turning away. "I should go. There are still things I need to do."

"Wait, Mr. Mustang. I have a question," Ives interjected. Upon Roy's silent beckon to continue, he asked, "What will happen to Mr. Lotus?"

"He will be tried for his crimes, same as you," Roy easily answered.

"Oh." Ives licked his lips. "Is it possible for us to go out for a while? To attend Fletcher's… uhm…" he swallowed hard.

"Yes, you may come to his funeral," Roy nodded, ignoring how the siblings winced at his words. "I have asked. It will be done tomorrow morning. I suggest you rest."

"Thank you," Mimosa muttered. In response to that, Roy nodded curtly and went out of the room.

He headed straight to the interrogation room, not to speak with Lotus but with Riza, who interrogated him before and was tasked to basically guard him. He opened the door to the room and came to the sight of Riza leaning to the wall right next to the door while the man was sitting down at his chair, head down, staring at the lacquered wood as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. He glanced at Riza and signaled her to come out.

She stepped out and Roy closed the door. "Did he say anything?" Roy asked immediately.

"He is prepared to face any and all consequences of his actions," Riza answered. "He was defensive at first and thought that Nash had it coming but in the end he admitted that he shouldn't have lost his cool. Though, I think it might also be because he thinks he has nothing else to fight for."

Roy nodded in understanding. "Well, the Fennels have agreed to my proposal. We'll need to arrange them to be moved soon. And I got a call from International Relations Department. They had discussed things with Drachma's ambassador. He was prepared to ask the higher-ups in Drachma to help search for the sold Amestrian. He was disgusted that the nobles could do such an act, apparently."

Riza nodded. "I hope they can find everyone."

"As do I," Roy agreed. "The Fennels want to attend Nash's funeral tomorrow. The Elrics will also be there. I want you to guard them with Havoc. I'll come with you. I'll have someone watch over Lotus."

"Yes, Sir," Riza nodded curtly.

They stood there for a while more, letting each other's' presence washing away their worries and relaxed their muscles. Not long after they parted ways, Roy to make sure the Elrics didn't make any trouble and Riza to guard Lotus once more. In all actuality, Roy had wanted to swap jobs with Riza, but the lieutenant wouldn't let him guard Lotus by himself.

The funeral was somber.

The townspeople attended the procession with grim realization. Their acting sheriff was one of the perpetrators of the disappearance of their children all along, and the mayor is responsible for his death. They came to the funeral procession to respect the dead, but not completely willingly, not after they found out what he did.

In the midst of it all stood Edward and Alphonse. They both stared at the freshly filled hole that Fletcher's body then resided in. Seeing Alphonse behaving so well in the procession wasn't something out of place as he was always a well-mannered child, but watching Edward in the same behavior felt really bizarre for Roy. In his mind, the boy clad in red was supposed to be loud, brash, and disrespectful. This version was so off from his own that it felt like a scene out of a dream.

Then he remembered that they both had lost their mother at a young age. Suddenly it wasn't as much absurdity as it was pity.

"Why do you think he did it?" Edward piped up all of a sudden.

"Who did what?" Roy asked back with a raised brow.

"Fletcher," Edward glanced at the tombstone. "Why did he say all those things?"

Roy stared at the tombstone for a while. "You know…" he started, "I spoke with the Fennels yesterday, as soon as they are put into custody. They said at first it was their idea to get children and young women to Borya so they can get money. Caster volunteered to help so that she can get her revenge. Nash… he joined in their plan just so Caster would be safe." He shrugged. "The way I see it, the pressure of it all finally became too much. Caster was gone, the other two of their group are arrested just like him, and he didn't really have any reason to really help them in the first place. Perhaps Lotus' questions finally drove him over the edge and he snapped."

"Why would anyone do such a thing if they never had any intention of it in the first place?" Alphonse muttered softly.

Roy shrugged. "Amazing how far someone will go to ensure their loved ones' safety, isn't it?"

Edward glanced at Alphonse discreetly. "I guess…"

"Let's get back," Roy told the brothers. "We will go back to Central soon to process those three. And you should get a new automail, too, but I'll need to take your statement first."

"Please, take as much time as you want," Edward told Roy with a pale face. Roy smirked in response. He had heard about how vicious Edward's mechanic could be whenever he as much as scratched the prosthetics. Given his track record, Roy wasn't surprised.

"Excuse me."

Roy turned, surprised to see one of the townspeople standing a few feet away from the boys. The young woman shifted her feet, took a deep breath, and handed an envelope to Edward.

"It's something we all wrote together last night," she spoke. "We didn't know how to say it directly. So we opted to write everything down instead."

Edward opened the envelope and took out the piece of paper inside. His eyes scanned the paper as Roy peeked at the content from the boy's shoulder. It was a letter of apology directed at both brothers, though mainly Edward. The young alchemist calmly folded the paper and put in back in the envelope before handing it back to the woman.

"The gesture is appreciated," he said. "I understand why you were hostile to me. You needed someone to blame and I happen to fit the bill. But I can't forgive you this easily."

The woman nodded. "We figured as much… we simply wanted to relay the message."

"I understand. Thank you for that."

The woman nodded again, dejected, and walked away. Roy watched her, although he glanced at Edward every now and then, impressed at how the boy handled the situation. By his side, Alphonse stared at Edward with something akin of disbelief, possibly surprised that Edward managed to handle the situation so civilly.

Edward turned to Fletcher's tombstone. "The dead can't come back and you've probably gone… but I need to get this off my chest." He eyed Alphonse and the younger brother nodded, pulling Roy away.

"Sorry, Colonel. Brother probably wants to yell or something," he apologized, and Roy complied.

But he could still hear Edward's words from afar. "You probably can't hear me… scratch that, you won't be able to, since you're already dead. But let me say this at least. I think… I understand why you did that. I have people I love too. I'd do anything to keep them safe, too. But I can't forgive you for what you've done, the same way that I can't forgive the townspeople. You've caused enough misery for these people. Death was probably your only escape." There was a snort. "Sometimes I wish it could be that simple for me. It's a shame god doesn't really like us."

With that, Edward Elric turned away from the grave and hobbled back to where Roy and Alphonse were waiting, eyes blazing as usual. "Come on. Let's go back."

A/N: finished at last! Woohoo!

I wanted a somber mood so that's how it's all wrapped up. If you feel curious, let me tell you this... If the story were to have another chapter, it would consist of Borya getting arrested, the Fennels working under one of the military big-shots (not Roy though. He's got Ed, the boy's a handful already), and most of the sold people are sent back home. Chrysan would be reunited with her baby and Cadie would go back to her house... only to know that her father was in jail. Agnes... she would still be a runaway. It's up to you to think what will happen to her.
And a bit of something... If any of you ever wonder who the changeling in this story was, it refers to both Agnes and Mimosa. They did the disappearing while not actually being kidnapped. Faeling is, of course, Ed.

As for the reason why I write this kind of epilogue, it's because I want to create something that still kinda looks hopeful but not really... I mean life isn't really all sun and rainbows all the time, and Ed's still going to face all that fiasco with the Homunculi and nearly dying and everything. But life goes. He just gotta stand up and move forward.

Anyway, thanks so much for reading this story. Thanks, Brenne, for allowing me to write this. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it! It's been fun, and I'm honestly pleased at how it turns out to be.

Please let me know what you think about this. Leave a review! And hope you have a great day!