The next day we had breakfast and started talking again about the potential with the portal as Alphonse had more questions and ideas about what was happening.
"What if I've started to rot?" Alphonse spoke, "I doubt that my is getting any nutrients or any sleep either? So even if we get it back from over there…" Alphonse started to worry, I looked at Edward as Winry frowned with concern,
"Is he right, Ed?" Winry asked in a worried tone,
"Wait…" I held my chin and stood up, "Edward, since what happened you've been sleeping too much and eating more than normal…" I spoke, Alphonse clicked onto what you were saying,
"Yeah, remember when we did the original transmutation? I've been trying to retrace our process. You remember how we mixed our blood to create a blueprint for mom's soul?" Edward nodded at me and then looked at Alphonse,
"Yeah." Alphonse nodded,
"Well… Right after that we passed through the portal. Where we were both deconstructed. It's a slim chance, but I think our spirits might've got tangled up in the process." Edward explained,
"What are you saying?" Alphonse asked,
"We're trying to say that your bodies might be connected somehow even though Edward's here and your body is in the portal." I explained as Edward smiled at me, he seemed impressed that I understood the whole transmutation and theory he was explaining, Alphonse looked at us both and it seemed to cotton on.
"What if brother is eating and sleeping for the both of us!" Alphonse said,
"That's what I was just about to say… I mean… the amount of food you eat… you haven't really gotten any bigger… meaning weight wise… not height Edward," I quickly explained before Edward protested about being small.
"Then again… it would explain the reason why I'm so… sh… sh… short…" Edward muttered,
"He admitted it," Winry was shocked,
"He's starting to face reality," Alphonse spoke, I chuckled and put my hand on Edward's shoulder.
"So, you think you've been supplying all the nutrients for Al's body too? That seems a little far-fetched." Winry added,
"Well, what's your explanation?" Edward put his hands on the table and glared at Winry,
"You don't grow because you refuse to drink your milk." Winry folded her arms.
"Don't start with that again," Edward snapped,
"Well, it's true…" Winry started, I sighed and paced around the room thinking about what I suggested. It seemed most logical because Edward sleeps a lot and eats more than most boys his age can. I sighed and smacked my forehead; the others were arguing as I bowed my head down.
"I'm going to get some food for tonight." I explained, nobody heard me, "GUYS!" I yelled and they all jumped, "I'm going to get some food." I explained as Edward looked concerned. I walked to the door and grabbed my jacket and bag as I got there,
"Rea…" Edward spoke as I looked back at him, "are you okay?" Edward asked and put his hand on mine as I held the door handle,
"I think so… I just need to work through my memories, things are getting jumbled." I explained as I frowned, Edward sighed,
"I'm here, if you need me." Edward spoke as I smiled and left the three of them.
"How are you and Reaka, brother?" Alphonse and Winry were peering around the corner to the front door, Edward jumped out of his skin,
"What do you mean?" Edward glared,
"You guys keep sneaking off and you keep going in her room at night!" Winry smirked,
"And?!" Edward's face started to go red, "What are you two getting up to when nobodies looking?" Alphonse chuckled,
"Shut up!" Edward was getting embarrassed; he was so used to talking to Reaka about everything he never thought about having to talk to others about their relationship…
"I could hear you guys' last night, what were you doing?" Alphonse questioned as Edward's face went a brighter shade of red,
"N-Nothing! Stop asking questions!" Edward yelled.
I got back from shopping and made the others get ready so we could see Roy and Jean at the hospital, as I learned where they were. I waited outside with Alphonse as Edward and Winry grabbed their jackets and bag,
"My brother is very happy." Alphonse spoke as I looked at him,
"Hm?" I blinked,
"You make him very happy, Rea." Alphonse repeated as I smiled,
"He makes me very happy as well." I smiled and Alphonse nodded, Alphonse put his hand on my shoulder as I smiled at the younger Elric. He was always so sweet and kind, we never really had many chances to talk, just the two of us.
Winry and Edward walked out not long after and Winry was laughing as Edward was looking red faced again as I watched them,
"Everything okay?" I asked,
"Oh, yeah. Just asking Edward about you two." Winry grinned,
"Oh?" I looked at her as Edward cringed,
"Yeah! You guys sneak off a lot and Edward comes to your room at night." Winry smirked,
"Oh? Isn't that what most couples do? We spend time together? Nothing wrong with that." I shrugged as Edward calmed down at my reaction, "me and Edward being a couple is no different from your parents, Van and Trisha, and every other couple in the country." I smiled as Winry just looked at me,
"It's no fun when we can't embarrass you." Winry pouted as I laughed,
"Well, when you've been alive as long as I have you begin to realise that relationships and what couples do together are natural." I smiled and moved next to Edward and grabbed onto his arm. The others smiled and I pulled Edward along to the hospital. Winry was going to get a few more bits for the house while we went to visit our friends and colleagues.
Alphonse, Edward and I all went to the hospital to see Roy and Jean.
"Are you here to visit the Colonel?" Kain asked,
"Mr. Havoc is recovering too. We figured we should repay our respects. I definitely owe it to the Colonel; he saved me right at the last second." Alphonse explained,
"Are you also dropping by for a visit?" Edward asked,
"And bringing a little present." Kain smirked and held up a basket as I smiled.
They told us what happened with Alphonse and the fights they had,
"I counted the number of steps it took to get to the basement under the 3rd laboratory and I was able to calculate the approximate location of that doorway, it's not exact as the hallway curved but I was able to deduces a radius with the lab at the centre." Hawkeye pointed at the map, I saw that Central Command fitted in the circle,
"That's Central Command… but this is even more alarming." Edward spoke,
"It's the presidential estate. Right above where we found the homunculi," Alphonse spoke,
"Which means there's a very real possibility the Fuhrer is connected to them," Roy spoke,
"But that doesn't make sense… why did he kill Greed and his group if he's connected to them?" Alphonse asked,
"It's strange he killed them anyway," I spoke,
"Why would he slaughter before interrogating them?" Edward spoke,
"It's strange alright, damn strange. One thing for sure the enemy has infiltrated higher command, so extreme caution is necessary at all times. And Fullmetal, watch yourself." Roy spoke, Edward was shocked at Roy's words.
We leave the others in the hospital and head back to our home as I start thinking about my past and what I learned from the Master. I knew how to preform alchemy… I hadn't tried it in a long time… the understanding and- I bumped into Alphonse as I was walking,
"Rea? Are you okay?" Alphonse asked, I stopped and looked at Alphonse as Edward looked at me concerned,
"Sorry! I was thinking…" I spoke quietly and walked forward again. I used to be exceptionally talented at alchemy, I would make my grandfather statues using the material he would supply so the people didn't have to work manual labour if we couldn't find the workers. I would help the people of the city fix any of their broken- I tripped and Edward and Alphonse, both grabbed me before I fell,
"Okay… what's up?" Edward snapped as he pulled me up to stand.
"I- Erm…" I stalled and looked at the brothers, I took a breath and looked away, I clapped my hands together as I saw both Edward and Alphonse gasp as I knelt, placing my hands on the floor I started to create a walking stick, which on the inside had a blade if I pulled it through.
"Wow! You can do alchemy?! Why didn't you tell us?!" Alphonse asked in shock,
"I… could never remember how to do it…" I held the finely crafted sheath in my hands as Edward frowned,
"So, that's why you've been dazing?" Edward asked,
"I've been trying to remember everything I learned back in Xerxes. With my memories slowly returning I…" I stopped,
"You can also do alchemy without a transmutation circle." Edward glared at me,
"I… yeah…" I nodded,
"So, you saw the Truth as well?" Alphonse asked, I nodded, "did you sacrifice your memories?" Alphonse asked,
"If she did, how does she remember everything now?" Edward asked as I looked at him,
"Your father helped me get them back." I reminded Edward as he frowned. Edward walked by me as I frowned and watched him walk away,
"Ed?" Alphonse called, I sighed, "What aren't you tell us Rea?" Alphonse asked,
"Your dad made me promise not to tell you." I spoke sadly as Alphonse gasped.
I knew why Edward was upset; it was because I couldn't tell him anything. I walked back with Alphonse as I attached the sheath to my hip,
"Can you use a sword?" Alphonse asked as I nodded,
"Yeah, I used to- oh yeah! I never told you, one thing I did learn is that I am the Princess of Xerxes." I smiled as Alphonse gasped,
"Huh?!" Alphonse was shocked,
"Yeah, my grandfather was the king!" I chuckled as Alphonse just listened as I told him what I could about my upbringing. I told him that the destruction was something I couldn't clearly remember. I couldn't remember what happened for me to get this body. Alphonse listened as we made it home and Winry was sat on the sofa.
"Where's Ed?" I asked as we walked in,
"He left not long after getting back…" Winry frowned as I looked in the rooms,
"Where did he go? Did he say anything?" I asked, Winry frowned,
"He said something about wanting to clear his head… to get above a clear view." Winry mumbled as I realised, she could mean the roof, I ran to the door, "Rea?!" Winry and Alphonse called as I ran down the corridor and up the stairs.
I ran as quickly as I could, I found the door to the roof and saw it was slightly ajar. I opened it and walked out to see Edward standing at the edge of the roof, the building was a floor higher than the hospital.
"Ed-" I started,
"You know, it's actually nice to get away and get a clear head." Edward spoke as I walked forward, I looked at him as he turned around, "I know your memories returning are good, and I know you don't want to tell us how you became immortal. Which is fine, tell me when you are ready. But all the new things you are remembering, it's going to take some getting used to." Edward admitted as I nodded,
"I know… it's freaking me out." I explained as Edward sighed,
"Can you use that sword?" Edward asked as I looked at the sheath, I nodded. Edward clapped his hand and created the blade on his arm, and ran at me I pulled my sword out and as Edward brought his arm down, I spun to the side and tripped him up, Edward rolled on the ground and I held my blade horizontally as he charged back at me again and kept an attack on,
"Ed!" I yelled at him as I swiped his arm to the side, and he tried to swing his leg under, but I jumped to the side and took a few steps back. Edward swung at me again as I held my blade against his automail again, "Edward, stop! Before either of us get hurt!" I snapped at him, Edward just smirked and then he pushed my blade away with his arm and as it slipped out of my hand, I tripped backwards but Edward caught my hand and stopped me from falling. I glared at him as he pulled me to stand straight,
"Not bad." Edward spoke,
"It's been a while… I'm a bit rusty." I glared at him,
"I'm sure that's the reason." Edward smirked as he pulled me to him and wrapped his arm around my waist, keeping his automail arm down because the blade was still there. "You need to definitely start sparring with me and Alphonse." Edward smirked as I looked over his face and nodded.
Winry and Alphonse walked through the door to the roof and saw us together. We both looked at them and smiled, Edward let go of my waist and put his blade away. He walked over to my sword and picked it up and handed it to me as I put it away,
"Thanks." I nodded as Edward smirked,
"We'll spar whenever we can so you can build up your strength," Edward spoke as I smiled and nodded,
"I'm sure as memories of my training come flooding back… I'll be able to kick your ass." I smirked, Edward laughed,
"We'll see about that!" Edward smirked and we walked back to my home to head to bed.
The next morning, I woke up and Edward was already gone, I woke up as normal and headed to wash up and get dressed. I grabbed some shorts and a long sleeve top. Once I put my hair into a high ponytail, I went to Winry who was sat on the sofa.
"Where's Edward and Alphonse?" I asked, Winry flinched and looked at me, worry on her face, "Winry?" I questioned, she stood up,
"Ed and Al have gone…" Winry spoke, I walked around the sofa,
"What do you mean? Gone…" I glared at her slightly,
"Apparently the man who broke Ed's automail is back in Central, a soldier came to the door this morning and Alphonse answered it… Edward and Alphonse left with Ling and Lan Fan. They didn't say anything else to me." Winry admitted, I gasped and looked away,
"Scar…" I muttered, I ran to my room, grabbed my leather jacket, my sword and boots.
"Wait… Rea? It could be dangerous!" Winry called,
"They need all the help they can get, Winry. I can fight now." I explained and ran out my home.
As I walked through the streets, I kept hearing people mentioning Edward, I followed the discussions, and the happy people down the streets. Edward was doing this to get Scars attention, people were going to talk about him so Scar would be able to find him easier.
I saw a flash of my parents dead on the floor…
The people of Xerxes on the ground…
Hughes' smile…
I didn't… I couldn't lose Edward.
I walked through the city until I heard explosions in the distance. I stopped and looked at the smoke, I took off and ran through the crowd and as I got close, I saw Edward. As I ran out, I saw Scar on my immediate left as he grabbed my arm,
"Rea?! What are you doing here?!" Edward yelled,
"Trying to help you! Idiot!" I snapped as Scar pulled me toward him, but I pulled my sword out it's sheath and into his side. Scar groaned and tried to grab my head as I pulled it out again and tried to slash at his chest, but Scar jumped back quickly.
"Those who get in my way shall die also," Scar spoke as I moved my blade to my side. "Newsflash… I can't die!" I charged at Scar, I swiped my blade across and then down as Scar kept dodging my attacks, "I won't let you hurt Edward!" I yelled and ducked down as Edward ran over me and pushed Scar back.
"Edward, I don't want you to get hurt. Stay back," I spoke,
"No, the reason we lured Scar out was so we could lure the Homunculi out, if he's just fighting you then the homunculi won't come because they know you'll live whatever happens," Edward explained quickly, I was shocked,
"Hiding your plans from me… making me worry sick… I had a right to be frightened," I jumped back as Alphonse came out and made a barrier that Scar soon destroyed,
"You were frightened? Why?" Edward asked,
"Because… I don't want to let someone else I love die, because of me not doing or saying anything!" I ran up to Scar dodged him by stepping to the side quickly and then smacked the hilt of my blade against his cheek as I jumped back and sheathed my sword. Edward ran in and pushed Scar back between us as I noticed Scar look back at me.
Scar ran back at me again and as I swiped the sheath across Scar slid along the floor, kicked my leg making me fall on my face and as I rolled on my back, he grabbed my chin.
"REA!" Edward yelled; Scar glared at me as I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes as I heard the alchemical reaction take place and the pain was unlike anything I ever experienced.
"REA!" Edward and Alphonse yelled as Reaka's body started to bleed. Scar looked up at Edward.
Seeing Rea on the floor, blood surrounding her body. Edward was stunned for a few seconds as Scar stood. Edward noticed a small alchemical spark come from Reaka's face as Scar charged at the brothers.
"Great, Rea doesn't wake up for a few days after being killed." Alphonse spoke,
"I know, this is bad…" Edward just managed to dodge an attack from Scar.
Where are those Homunculi?! Edward thought.
Behind Scar, he saw Reaka suddenly lift herself off the ground to sit up.
I wobbled as I stood up from the ground, turning and looking at Scar I stepped and almost lost my footing as I felt dizzy, he looked back at me and his eyes went wide in horror,
"Like I said… I don't die easily…" I stood up and glared at Scar. Edward and Alphonse were both shocked, blood covered my face, my hair was stuck on my skin because of the blood, and I could only see red, literally.
"What are you?" Scar glared,
"I'm a monster…" I glared. Scar ran at me; I ducked down leaned back on my hands and kicked both my legs out at Scar kicking him in the stomach and pushing him back. Edward and Alphonse didn't hesitate, and they attacked once again. The brothers took the fight for a while. I tried to wipe my face clean of blood. It was so difficult to remove.
I followed the brothers through the town and Edward started climbing a pipe, but Scar managed to break it off. Alphonse clapped his hands and caught Edward from falling. Edward was getting tired, that much I could tell as his breathing was heavy.
"Scar! You say you believe that Alchemists defy God! Isn't that hypocritical? You use alchemy just like we do." Alphonse spoke, I smirked, Alphonse was trying to delay him and give Edward a chance to catch his breath,
"I explained it when we met in East City. Its balance. Where there are creators there must be a destroyer." Scar spoke,
"LIAR! You're just using the name of your God to try and justify murder! Revenge is what this is! When you killed… Shou Tucker and… and Nina. Did you believe you were doing God's work then too?!" I yelled,
"Interesting. you three saw that abomination as well, did you? Alchemy created that tragic creature. So, that is the science you have spent your lives following?" Scar explained, "That Chimera was made because a man thought he could create, when creation is the providence of God alone." Scar explained,
"Maybe you're right, but why did you have to kill her? You stole what little life she had left!" Edward snapped,
"Foolish as you are, but you should still have known that the Chimera would have never returned to her human state. It would have lived out its life as a laboratory specimen treated as a test subject, but never again, as a human being." Scar explained. The truth was painful, I clenched my fists as I thought about Nina, I missed the young girl.
"It's true, State Alchemists have made some serious mistakes. But despite what you think that doesn't make what you're doing right, and we can't let you continue. You're so self-righteous, but do you remember two Amestrian doctors named Rockbell?" Edward asked, Scar stood still as he listened to Edward, "The order came down to end the uprising and exterminate Ishval but that didn't stop them, they kept right on helping your people!" Edward explained, I saw Winry appear on the side,
"Wait, brother!" Alphonse called, seeing her too,
"Edward don't!" I snapped,
"Don't you remember them? Those Doctors saved your life! And you killed them!" Edward snapped; I saw the horror on Winry's face as the words left Edward's mouth. I could only imagine the pain and confusion she was feeling right now.
"Edward!" I pointed at Winry, Edward looked and saw her in shock.
"What are you talking about Ed?" Winry asked.
"Winry, I…" Edward was shocked to see her,
"You mean… he's the man who… killed them? My parents, he killed them. What's worse… they helped save you. And you killed them. Why did you? They were my mom and dad…" Winry fell on her knees, "What did they ever do to you? They were doctors; they helped people… they didn't deserve to die! Give them back! Give me back my mom and dad, you monster!" Winry grabbed her head and cried, she then reached for the gun,
"Winry… hold on, you can't, don't do this…" Edward spoke,
"Winry!" Alphonse spoke,
"Don't do it!" I urged, and Winry placed her hand on the gun.
Winry aimed the gun towards Scar,
"This girl is the doctor's daughter? You have the right. Shooting me would be justified… Go on shoot," Scar clenched his fists.
"Don't do it Winry, put down the gun!" Edward spoke,
"You know you don't want to do this!" Alphonse spoke,
"Winry please, don't shoot," I begged,
"Shoot girl. But know… the moment you pull the trigger there's no going back. You will be my enemy!" Scar glared,
"Scar!" Alphonse yelled,
"If you think I'll let you hurt one hair on her head!" Edward yelled,
"Will you kill me? That'd be fine with me, until one of us dies boy, this chain of hatred will continue. But don't ever forget! don't ever forget it was the Amestrian's who first pulled the trigger in the Civil war! It was your people!" Scar yelled,
"Winry, don't shoot!" Edward spoke,
"Just put the gun down and get out of here! Winry!" Alphonse added,
"If you can't shoot, then do as they tell you," Scar spoke, "You're in my way!" Scar added and slammed his hand on the floor and attacked Edward. Edward jumped out the way,
"Don't Shoot!" Edward yelled and jumped in front of Winry.
Scar froze.
I saw an opportunity and pulled Scar away, Alphonse clapped his hands and created an attack, Scar jumped back and then blown a hole through the wall.
"Ed, you idiot! What are you doing? Both of you will get killed!" Alphonse yelled,
"Hurry and get Winry somewhere safe, we'll handle Scar till you get back," I spoke,
"Al… Rea…" Edward spoke,
"Just go!" I yelled and then turned and went after Scar.
Winry needed the support right now; I could see she needed someone to comfort her for the moment. I took a drop breath and continued to chase after Alphonse who was already after Scar.