Fullmetal Saiyan
"Ms. Ashido." One of the doctors at the hospital said, coming into the room with a knock.
"Hey Doc. Are the test results back?" Mina asked.
"Yes, but I also have someone here who I'm sure you'll be pleased to see." The doctor smiled, stepping out of the way for Kaen to come in.
"Hey Mina."
"Kaen." The pink haired girl smiled.
"I'll leave you two be for a moment. I'm sure you'd like to catch up." The doctor said, leaving the room.
"So, took on a more tan colored skin tone huh?"
"Had to. Wasn't easy, but I managed to get the doctors to think my pink skin and the black sclera were temporary medical conditions I had." Mina said.
"What about the horns?"
"Alchemic rebound I got caught in the crossfires of, and I chose to stay this way because I like them." Mina said.
"Ah, so you know about alchemy now as well." Kaen smiled.
"Thanks to all that stuff that Truth bitch downloaded into my brain." Mina stated.
"If your tail was your toll for the knowledge you gained, what was your toll for passing through the doors?"
"For some strange reason, I didn't pay one." Mina said. "Truth said, that my toll for passing through had already been paid by someone else who was passing through the gate. It wasn't you, was it?"
"No." Kaen sighed, a sinking feeling falling in the pit of his stomach. "But I think I know who did."
"Eri?" Mina asked.
"When I came to, after passing through the Gate of Truth, Eri was right next to me, both her arms and legs, completely gone." Kaen said, pain in his eyes. "She must have paid one of her limbs for her toll, and one for the knowledge she gained. But given how you're bigger and older then her, both her remaining limbs must have been used for your toll to pass through."
"Oh dear God." Mina gasped. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine. In fact she was just fitted for some Automail, and I was there for her, during the entire operation." Kaen said. "Her life was saved by a man, named Van Hohenheim. Someone I believe, is one of the two most powerful beings in this world."
"So you feel that energy too huh?" Mina asked.
"I can, and I don't like it. It's almost, the exact opposite to Hohenheim's."
"Even as new to it as I am, I can feel this Ki, like you can."
"Problem is. I can't pinpoint it to an exact location in this country." Kaen said. "It's as if the one giving off this nasty feeling, is everywhere all at once."
~Elsewhere~
"So you're just gonna let her go Father? Like that?" Envy questioned, standing in front of Father. "We just finished prepping her for augmentations. Why couldn't you have Wrath lie to him and told him he hadn't seen her before?"
"You saw how easily he destroyed McDougal's glaciers." Father said. "We have no idea how strong this new piece on the board, truly is. I'm certain that being honest with him was the right move, as now he's a State Certified Alchemist, and will now be under our careful surveillance. Not to mention, being able to perform Alchemy the way he can, makes him a prime candidate for a human sacrifice, on the Promised Day."
~Train to the Eastern~
"Care to explain to us, why you're tagging along?" Edward questioned, sitting next to Al while looking right at Kaen, who was enjoying a Rockstar, dressed in his hero costume, both courtesy of Mina, who was at his side, resting her head against his shoulder as she slept.
Instead of the worn and torn looking clothes he wore when Kaen first met the Elric brothers, his current attire consisted of a navy blue sleeveless suit made of some sort of metal based fabric Edward had never seen before, with slim shoulder pads, and matching combat pants, with a belt holding several pouches on it, with a pair of vambraces on his forearms that covered the backs of his hands, leaving the rest of his arms up to the shoulder pads exposed, and steel toed combat boots on his feet. (Imagine a sleeveless Captain America Stealth Suit from the 2014 Winter Soldier movie, minus the sleeves and the star and stripes on the chest.)
"I'm coming along, because the Philosophers Stone sounds like something that could help me, Mina, and our daughter Eri get home to our world." Kaen said.
"Right, see I don't really believe you on being from another world, for a couple of valid reasons." Ed stated. "One I'm not an idiot. Two, the idea that you came from another world just sounds too fictional to be real."
"Further proof is needed then." Kaen sighed, reaching for his pocket, pulling out his brand new and shiny State Certified Silver Pocket Watch, and opening the lid, before showing Edward a photo of the concert night with Skillet and Panic at the Disco, with both lead artists in the shot, alongside Kaen, Mina, and Eri. "This photo was taken with a Camera Quirk, by a reporter named Taneo Tokuda. He came to cover the story of how a young man in high school, managed to defeat a known and powerful terrorist."
"Those ears, and that tail. Those are just accessories, nothing but fakes." Ed stated.
"You'll see I'm not lying once you meet Eri." Kaen said. "Even Pinako and Winry can vouch to the ears and tail being real."
"We'll see. But that visit isn't gonna happen until I need some maintenance done on my Automail." The older Elric sighed. "Though I guess it's not entirely impossible. I mean, we've seen for ourselves that you're practically bullet proof, and it would explain how you're able to use energy based attacks with your alchemy when I can't even do that."
"What we don't really understand is, how would you have gotten to our world?" Al asked.
"The Gate of Truth." Mina said, shocking the brothers, as she'd awoken from the arguing. "It's how we can use Alchemy without needing a transmutation circle. Our tolls for our knowledge were our tails."
"Tails?"
"We're Saiyans." Kaen said. "All Saiyans are born with tails. It's where the source of our true power is located. But having them, means no looking at the full moon when it's out."
"Why do you turn into werewolves?" Ed mockingly asked with a laugh.
"30Meter tall Apes actually." Kaen said, making Ed freeze and stop laughing. "The only way to stop a Saiyan in their Oozaru form, is to either knock them out, or cut off their tail. Aside from that we return to normal when the full moon is no longer visible, like on cloudy nights."
"Back to the topic at hand. What were your tolls for passing through the gate?" Al asked.
"Mine… was the soul of my brother, who resided within me as I had absorbed him in the womb before birth, giving me both Chimerism and D.I.D." Kaen said. "As for Mina, we believe Eri might have paid the toll for both of them, loosing all her limbs in the process."
"You gave the gate your brother's soul?" Ed questioned, sounding rather angry.
"Brother, please calm down." Al said. "I don't think that's how it happened."
"It was more like, he committed suicide." Kaen stated. "I pleaded and begged him not to do such a thing, but he was adamant about being the toll for my safe passage through the Gate of Truth, and I couldn't do a single thing to stop him."
"Pinach was Kaen's oldest friend since childhood." Mina said. "So, you could imagine why Kaen is upset right now. Given how Al is."
"You know?" Ed asked.
"That your younger brother's nothing but a soul welded to a suit of armor? It's kinda obvious. Saiyan's can sense Ki, life energy, within every living being. But Al, doesn't seem to have any Ki radiating from him." Kaen said.
"Plus, every time he takes a step, there's just a hollow ringing from inside." Mina said.
"How would you know about the ringing?" Al asked.
"Saiyans have instincts and senses as sharp as an animals. Sometimes sharper. It even allows us to hear some frequencies only dogs can hear." Kaen said.
"That's very interesting." Al said.
"Next stop, Resembool. Next stop, Resembool." The train attendant said, alerting the passengers.
"You sure you don't wanna get off here, say hi to Winry and Pinako?" Kaen asked.
"We're good. If I can help it, I want the next time they see us, being when we have our bodies back." Ed stated.
"So that's why you're seeking out the Philosophers stone." Mina said.
"Mainly for Al, since I don't think this soul bonding thing is a viable, permanent solution." Ed said, knocking on Al's armor.
"I'll catch you in Liore." Kaen said. "First I have to check up on Eri, and see how she's doing."
"It'll be a while before she's able to start using temporary prosthetics to get her accustomed to Automail." Ed stated as the train came to a stop.
"True, but that doesn't mean I can't be there for her, when dropping off Mina." Kaen smiled, getting up from their seat. "I'll let Pinako and Winry know you said hello."
As Kaen left, Ed just looked at the Saiyans back, and tsked as he looked out the window.
"Why do you think he told us brother?" Al questioned.
"Told us what Al?"
"About being a Saiyan? With his abilities it's clear he's not human, and his body isn't the way it is, based on a transmutation rebound. He trusted us for some reason right from the get go, and he didn't even tell anyone about my body." Al said.
"Not that we know of." Edward said, watching as Kaen and Mina walked along the path of the train station. "But you're right. He trusted us with his secret, and has kept yours. Do you think we should trust him with the rest of it?"
"I'd say that's a fair assessment to make Ed." Al stated.
~Kaen and Mina~
"Oh this is such a lovely countryside view." Mina said.
"I know, Eri really seems to like it here." Kaen said. "So, before we get off track, Pinako said you and Eri are free to move in. But she's expecting you both to do your parts to earn your keep, but until Eri can move on her own again, you're gonna have to pick up the slack."
"I always thought it'd be fun to be an engineer." Mina said. "But I'm more then willing to keep up my end of the agreement."
"Now keep in mind, Pinako and Winry do know where we're from, as I did have to explain to them Eri's ears and tail, but she doesn't know that we already know a Winry back at U.A." Kaen said.
"So they're aware of our Quirks?"
"As much as I'm aware. I'm not aware of any other Quirks, Athena might have given you before the whole incident."
"As far as I know, all she gave me was my Duplication Void and the Camouflage Quirk." Mina said. "Other then that, I'm not sure if she gave me any other Quirks."
"Hey, Kaen."
Mina and Kaen looked up to see a farmer and his son waving to them.
"Ah, Mr. Feils." Kaen smiled.
"Hadn't realized you were gone until Pinako told me." Mr. Feils said. "Thanks again for your help with Bessie. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't around."
"Oh please, it was nothing." Kaen said. "My mom was a doctor, so all I did was use what I'd read from her medical books."
"Still, you were a life saver, and the calf is doing great despite the birth being a breech." Mr. Feils said. "Who's this if I may ask."
"Hello Mr. Feils, my name's Mina Ashido." Mina introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh so you found her huh?" Mr. Feils smiled.
"I had gone to Central to take the exam that would allow for me to become a State Alchemist. But I never got to take it." Kaen said.
"That's a crying shame."
"I never said I didn't become a State Certified Alchemist." Kaen smiled, showing him the silver pocket watch. "I ended up helping in a case with a rogue Alchemist, and Fuhrer Bradly himself instated me as an Alchemist in part thanks to my efforts, said he considered what I did, as my demonstration for the exams."
"That's great to hear. Good on you kid." Mr. Feils said. "What'd he name you, the Alchemic Saiyan?"
"The Saiyan Alchemist actually, but you were close." Kaen chuckled.
"Wait, you know about Saiyans?" Mina asked.
"This is a small town lady. Word spreads fast, especially when a young man flying overhead towards the Rockbell Automail Clinic, is seen by one of the biggest gossipers around." Mr. Feils's son smiled. "You raised in a barn or something."
"Oi, show some respect to her Rickie." Mr. Feils said. "I apologize for his behavior."
"It's no trouble." Kaen smiled. "Well, we have to get going to Rockbell Clinic. It was great seeing you again."
"Take care."
Heading off, Mina looked back while walking beside Kaen, before looking back at him.
"So… there's more to the story of you just flying overhead, isn't there?" Mina asked.
"Yep."
"An' are you gonna tell me?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not time yet."
"But I wanna know." Mina huffed.
"I'll tell you when Ed comes to visit Pinako and Winry." Kaen chuckled. "But let's just say, the villagers were more then happy to keep quiet about my true identity, when the dust settled. Even Big Mouth Bob, the chattiest guy in town."
"So, you're sort of the town hero after that whole thing, huh?" Mina asked, as they neared the Rockbell Clinic/Home.
"I guess you could say that, and they were even sad to see me go, when I felt that disturbing presence coming from Central." Kaen said. "Took me less then ten minute to fly to Central."
"Well, if it isn't Kaen. Back so soon? An' sporting a spiffy new outfit I see." Pinako jokingly said, coming out the door with her pipe. "An' this must be Mina."
"I'm Mina Ashido, it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Rockbell. An' thank you for having me Ma'am. An' for helping out my daughter." Mina said.
"Oh please, just call me Pinako." She smiled. "Such nice manners you have. I know Eri is excited to see you again. She's been so fidgety since hearing Kaen found you. She's too impatient."
"Well, I'm happy that she's doing a lot better." Mina said. "I just wish…"
"No, none of that line of thinking." Kaen said. "The Gate of Truth took what she offered. I wish it hadn't happened this way either, but Eri has a bit of a hero complex, just like her old man. So she chose to keep you from feeling that pain."
"True enough." Pinako smiled. "During the incident, she…"
"Ahem." Kaen coughed into his hand. "I uh… I actually hadn't told Mina about the incident yet."
"Well why not?" Pinako asked.
"I'd rather tell her, when Ed and Al are around." Kaen said, before catching a wrench that was thrown at him. "Nice try Winry."
"I wasn't trying to hit you. I just needed to get your attention." Winry smiled. "Come on up and I'll show you some blueprints I made, and bring that wrench with you."
Kaen just looked at Mina, shrugging his shoulders before he took to the air and landed on the balcony leading to Winry's workshop.
"Please, won't you come inside?" Pinako asked. "Let me show you around."
"I'd be delighted."
Up in Winry's workshop, Kaen was at the desk, looking over some of the blueprints she made.
"This is incredible." Kaen said. "These look so sleek, and so fluid."
"I wanna try and create the outer layer from a sort of metallic fabric that's strong, but lightweight. Sort of make it one big sleeve on the automail, instead of the normal platting I do for Ed's Automail." Winry said. "Unfortunately, I don't have fabric like that, and getting my hands on it would be near impossible."
"Not if someone were to use Alchemy to make fabric as strong as the metal you're wanting to make the sleeve from. An' Mina's just the person you want for that." Kaen said.
"She knows Alchemy?" Winry asked.
"She and I went through the Gate of Truth, just like Eri. Essentially, all three of us are the equivalent of well seasoned Alchemists. At least in terms of the knowledge we gained when passing through the Gate of Truth." Kaen explained. "She just needs to know what the fabric is made of, and convert it to the metal you need. It'd have to be an inorganic material though, if she were gonna turn it into metal."
"That'd be simple, no problem. I'd just have to order a few roles of the plastic coverings we use in the operation room, to our monthly deliveries, if it's successful. I'll only order one to start out with as a trial run." Winry said. "Other then that, I don't see why not."
"I'll go talk to Mina about it then, get her opinion on the matter." Kaen smiled.
Heading out of the workshop, Kaen made his way to the patient room Eri would be in, and smiled when he saw Mina hugging her. But his smile turned into a frown when he heard her sniffling.
"I'm so sorry baby girl." Mina cried.
"It's okay Mama." Eri said. "I didn't want you hurt, so I did what I had to."
"But that responsibility shouldn't be taken care of by a child." Mina said.
"I know Mama. But I don't regret what I did. I'd do it again if I had to." Eri stated.
"Eri." Mina cried.
Kaen stayed outside of the room, leaning against the wall right next to the door. He grit his teeth in frustration. He wished that he could change what had happened to Eri, but he doubt even he had the power to take back, what Eri had offered up to the Gate of Truth.
"Eri, eat a Senzu Bean." Mina said, pulling a bag of them from her Duplication Void. "I doubt it'll return your limbs, but it should heal your surgery wounds faster. Was the operation painful?"
"It was. I had to be awake for it, because they had to connect the nerves to the fittings." Eri said, eating the Senzu Bean. "But Papa was by my side the entire time, so I was able to fight through the pain. Even though I nearly passed out several times. Having to go through the operation four times, was very hard."
"I'd imagine it was." Mina said, wiping some tears away. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here to help support you when you needed me the most, I'm a terrible mother."
"No you're not Mama." Eri said. "Papa told me you were in a hospital too. An' you were in Central, so you don't have to feel bad, or call yourself bad. You're the best Mama." She smiled, leaning into Mina.
"Oh Eri." Mina sniffled, wrapping her arms around the child. "I'm so sorry, and I'm just happy that you're alive."
Out in the hall Pinako was standing in front of the door, her hand on the knob, before she gently closed it barely making a sound.
"What was that bean she fed Eri?" Pinako asked.
"A Senzu Bean." Kaen said. "It's not a drug or anything, just a natural healing plant."
"How potent is it?"
"Quite potent. I'd say if you removed Eri's bandages now, you'd find all her surgery wounds scarred up and healed." Kaen said. "Not to mention, they'll keep a perfectly healthy and uninjured person fed for ten days if they eat just one."
"That's quite impressive. I wonder if…"
"Bad idea." Kaen stated.
"Excuse me?"
"Selling the Senzu Beans is a bad idea. No one outside this house should know about them." Kaen said. "If the military got word that Mina was capable of using her Duplication Void to create an endless supply of these miracle beans, what do you think would happen to her?"
"I see what you're saying." Pinako said. "Very well, then how about this? We turn them into powder and mix fragments of them into some medicine."
"That wouldn't be a bad idea, the healing effects would be watered down enough, depending on the amount mixed into the medicine, and they'd be practically undetectable." Kaen said. "I'll work on making that solution and bring the samples back with me the next time I visit."
"So why aren't you in there with them?" Pinako asked.
"I thought I'd give them a moment to themselves. Let them catch up." Kaen said.
Pinako just looked at Kaen, before she sighed and turned away from him.
"I recognize that look in your eye." Pinako said. "It was the same look Ed had before he was fitted for Automail. You're gonna try to find and use the Philosophers Stone to return Eri's body back to normal, aren't you?"
"You barely know me, yet you can read my mind. Am I that obvious?" Kaen asked.
"Only to someone who's seen that drive and the fiery passion in your soul, some time before." Pinako said.
"Don't tell Mina or Eri about what I intend to do with the stone, alright?"
"I promise. But you be careful, and watch your back out there."
"I will." Kaen stated. "No matter what it takes, I will find a way to return Eri back to normal, and repent for the sin I brought upon her."
~Liore A Few Days Later~
"Mmm, it's great to be off the train again." Ed smiled, stretching out.
"Do you think Kaen will be able to catch up with us before we head out again?" Al questioned.
"I doubt it. It's a two day train ride from Resembool to Liore. There's no way he'd make it here before…"
"Before what Half-Pint?" Kaen questioned, putting a hand on Ed's head.
"Who are you calling so small you need a microscope to see them?" Ed questioned turning around and kicking at Kaen, to which the Saiyan only blocked each strike.
"Geeze, Winry wasn't kidding when she said you hate being called short." Kaen smiled, drinking from his soda.
"Putting that aside, how the hell did you get here anyway?" Ed questioned, calming down.
"I flew here." Kaen said.
"You what?" Ed asked.
"Saiyans are natural Ki manipulators, so we have an inherent ability to use that Ki to make us fly. It's the first technique every Saiyan learns after mastering Ki manipulation." Kaen explained.
"Fine, don't tell me. Keep your damn secrets for all I care." Ed tsked.
"Come on, let's get something to eat." Kaen said, patting Ed on the shoulder.
~Café~
"So you have a new goal in searching for the Philosophers Stone, huh?" Ed asked, after catching up on the things he missed with Kaen.
"Yep. I'm gonna find it, and use it to force that Truth Bastard, to give Eri her limbs back. An' if we find more then one, then I'll use the one I find, as the toll for letting Mina, Eri, and myself, pass back through the gate to our world." Kaen said, putting away another plate of food.
"You sure do eat a lot." Al said, seeing the stack of plates.
"I'm a Saiyan, Al. My metabolism is cavernous, and equivalent to that of a bear or elephants." Kaen said. "I hold back when I'm a guest at someone's house, but when I'm at a restaurant without anyone to judge me, I eat to my hearts desire."
"So what are you guys, like street performers or something?" The eatery owner asked, bringing Kaen another plate of food, causing Ed to spit take into his cup.
"Not a very nice thing to insinuate about your customers pops." Kaen said, finishing his drink. "We're Alchemists. We're here following a lead on something we think might help with a personal project of ours."
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean anything by it." The eatery owner said, filling Kaen's glass again. "As an apology the drinks are on the house."
"That's very kind of you." Kaen said putting money on the counter for the food he and Ed ordered. When they got up to leave, Alphonse bumped into the ledge above him, knocking the radio down, only for Kaen to catch it. "Careful Al, you could have broken it."
"I'm sorry." Al said.
"It's fine, just be more aware of your surroundings." Kaen said, putting the radio back up on the ledge.
"So how do you have the money to pay for all this?" Edward asked.
"I had a surprisingly high quality diamond, and I got a practical fortune out of it when I exchanged it in Central." Kaen said. "So what's with this guy on the radio?"
"That's our leader Father Cornello." The eatery owner said.
"We were lost until he came to town, and began teaching us all the ways of Sun God Leto." Another civilian added.
"He grants eternal life to the souls of the faithful. He can even resurrect the dead. His miracles are proof that what he says is true." A third said, adding more praise on top of the other.
"So this guy's claiming he can bring the dead back to life? Now that's something I gotta see." Ed exclaimed.
~Afterwards~
"So that's it huh? What do you think Al?" Ed asked.
"There's nothing to think. It's alchemy." Al questioned. "Unless he somehow used Ki to amplify his Alchemy."
"No, Ki can amplify alchemy, but not to the extent of breaking the laws of Equivalent Exchange. It just makes the Alchemy more effective and hold stronger. I didn't sense any Ki coming from him. But when he used the alchemy, I caught a sense similar to that of death, coming from Cornello." Kaen stated.
"Putting your crazy ramblings aside, do you think his miracles could have something to do with the Philosopher's Stone?" Ed asked. "It would explain how he's ignoring the law of equivalent exchange. He should have only been able to transmute that flower into an object of equal mass."
"Plus, he's changing organic matter into inorganic matter, he shouldn't be able to do that." Al said.
"We don't really know how the stone itself is made, so there's a possibility it requires something similar to a sacrifice, like an animal sacrifice." Kaen said. "Let's head into the church and see what's going on in there. If we're lucky, we can have a meeting with Cornello himself."
~Inside the Leto Church~
All was quiet within the church of Leto as a young woman was kneeling down, and praying to the Sun God.
"Oh merciful God, please hear me, hear my prayer I beg of you. Please bring him back." The woman said.
"So this is the all mighty Leto."
The woman turned around and saw Ed, Kaen, and Al standing behind her, Ed with an amused smile on his face.
"Welcome, are you interested in Letoism?" The woman asked.
"Nope, can't say that I am, not really the religious type." Ed stated.
"I follow a different religion." Kaen said.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that." The woman said with a sad smile. "To know God, is to know Hope. If we believe in divine grace, then through him, all things are possible. If you believed, I'm sure Leto would bless you and make you grow taller."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ed questioned with Al holding him back.
"Easy brother, she's just trying to help." Al said.
"He doesn't like being reminded of his height." Kaen said.
"Putting the problem of my height aside, what about bringing the dead back to life?" Ed questioned sitting on the bench. "Do you think that's possible to?"
"Yes." She said.
'She truly believes, Cornello can bring the dead back. She believes it with all her heart.' Kaen thought, as Ed sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a research journal of his.
"Water, 35 Liters. Carbon 20 Kilograms. Ammonia 4 Liters. Lime 1.5 Kilograms. Phosphorus 800 Grams. Salt 250 Grams. Saltpeter 100 Grams, and various other trace elements." Ed read off.
"Huh?" The woman questioned.
"That list, represents the complete chemical make up for the human body for the average adult. It's been calculated to the last Microgram, but still there's never been a case of successfully creating a human life through human transmutation!" Ed exclaimed. "An' you're telling me, something modern science can't do, you can do with prayer?"
"Lift thy voice to God, and the prayers of the faithful shall be answered." The woman said.
"Did I mention all those ingredients I read off? Down at the market, a kid could buy every one of them for the spare change in his pocket. As it turns out, humans are pretty cheap." Ed stated.
"No that's blasphemy." The woman said.
"Atheism actually." Kaen stated. "While I myself am an Alchemist, I do believe in a God, just not Leto."
"You have to understand, Alchemists are Scientists; for most of us, we don't believe in unprovable concepts like creators or Gods, unless shown physical proof of their existence." Ed explained. "We observe the physical laws that govern this world, to try and learn the truth. It's ironic really, that through the application of science, we have in many ways been given the power to play gods ourselves."
"So you're putting yourself on the same level as God? That's just, sheer arrogance." The woman exclaimed.
"You know there's an old myth, about a hero who flew on wings made of wax." Ed began. "He thought he could touch the sun, but when he got too close, his wings melted and he came crashing back down to earth. Right Al?"
"Brother."
"I'm sorry Miss, this is difficult for me to ask, but do you think that your Father Cornello could even save an arrogant Scientist like me?" Ed asked.
"Laying it on a bit thick there, aren't Ed?" Kaen questioned.
"Of course that's wonderful. If anyone can lead you to the creator's light, he can." She said.
~Cornello's Office~
"Father Cornello, there are visitors here who wish to see you. A child and a man wearing a suit of armor, they would only give their names as the Elric Brothers, and they're accompanied by a young man who seems like he's ready for a fight." One of Cornello's priests said.
"I can't be bothered now, just send them away." Cornello said. "Wait, the Elric's? You're sure that's what they said, you're positive?"
"Yes Father, that's what they call themselves no mistake." The Priest said.
"Damn, then this is a problem, he's the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric." Cornello tsked.
"That's him, the man in the armor?" The Priest questioned.
"Hmm, dressing the part it would seem." Cornello said.
"But why would a State Alchemist be here in Liore?" The Priest inquired. "Surely they couldn't have found out about our plans."
"It's possible this dog's nose is too sharp for his own good." Cornello said.
~1 Hour Later~
"This way please, Father Cornello is a very busy man, as you can imagine. But you're in luck, he's decided to spare a moment for you." The Priest said, leading Edward, Alphonse, Kaen, and the church girl Rose, into a dark and dimly lit room.
"Yeah thanks, we understand, we won't take too much of his time." Ed stated.
"Good then it's agreed we'll make this quick." The Priest said, before the doors closed behind them, and he turned around pointing a gun at Al, with Ed and Kaen being held back by two spear wielder.
"Brother Cray what is this, what do you think you're doing?" Rose questioned.
"Rose, these heathens have come to ensnare and discredit the Father. They're evil, this is Gods will." Cray said.
"Brother Cray." Rose said.
"Well like you said, let's make this quick." Ed said, kicking the asses of the two who were holding him at spear point.
"What he said." Kaen stated, appearing in front of Cray from out of nowhere. "SMASH." Slamming his fist into the priest's face, Kaen sent Cray flying across the room, causing his body to slam into the wall of the platform above them, making the man drop his gun. Picking himself up, Cray ran at Kaen before he was stopped as the Saiyan jumped over the man, with his hands gripping Crays shoulders and pulled him backwards and down, causing him to bend over his knee as he landed on the ground, and the priests spine cracked, before Kaen twisted around, and threw him into a wall, the air pressure caused by twisting motion causing the gun on the ground to slide to Rose's feet.
One of the guys who was holding Ed back with a spear tried running off, but was stopped as Ed threw the spear right back at him, causing the man to trip up as it tangled with his feet, and he fell to the ground, his face hitting the wall, before the spear hit him in the head.
"Oh yeah, strike." Ed smirked.
"What's this commotion?" Father Cornello questioned, coming out to meet with them. "Ah, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Welcome to the home of our sacred order."
"Father Cornello." Rose smiled, thinking he'd straighten things out.
"I must apologize for my disciple's behavior. It would seem they were misguided." Cornello said.
"I highly doubt it. Attacking two State Alchemists is a highly punishable offense, even if it was just from a misunderstanding." Kaen said.
"But let's say we believe you weren't the one guiding them. What next?" Ed questioned.
"Have you come to learn the ways of Leto?" Cornello questioned.
"Well there are a couple things I'm curious about, like how you've been using second rate alchemy to deceive your followers." Ed exclaimed.
"My dear boy I don't know what you mean. What your doubting eyes see as alchemy, are the miracles of the Sun God Leto." Cornello exclaimed, raising his clasped hands, as a red light began emitting from them, and he produced a small statue of Leto in his hands. "Look again, could mere Alchemy create something from nothing in this way?"
"Yeah, that's what we didn't get at first. How can you perform transmutations that ignore the law of equivalent exchange?" Ed thought rubbing his head in ponder.
"As I said, because it isn't alchemy." Cornello said.
"But then I started thinking about it. If you'd somehow managed to acquire a certain object to amplify your alchemy, one that's said to make the impossible possible, that would explain everything." Ed stated.
"What?"
"He's talking about the Philosopher's Stone on your ring." Kaen said.
"I've been looking for that."
"The ring is just a ring. I am Gods humble servant, it is from he alone that I derive my power." Cornello said.
"Still trying to sell that line huh? If that's the way you wanna play it, I guess I'm gonna have to come up there and beat some truth out of ya." Ed exclaimed.
"My you really are quite the incorrigible heathen aren't you?" Cornello said. "Rose Dear."
"Yes Father?" Rose asked, her faith obviously shaken.
"That gun there beside you, pick it up." Cornello said.
"Uh, okay." Rose said hesitantly.
Before Rose could pick up the gun however, an energy attack came from out of nowhere and destroyed the weapon, causing Rose to jump back, before she looked up and saw Kaen with his hand stretched out, steam coming from his palm, and a glower on his face, directed at Cornello.
"You remind me, a lot of a man I know, and hate." Kaen growled through gritted teeth. "He used his power, to amass an army of villains. But you, you're forcing innocent people, to taint their souls and murder those who oppose you. I won't stand for that."
"An' just what are you gonna do about it boy?" Cornello questioned. "My word, is the word of the Sun God Leto himself."
"What am I gonna do about it?" Kaen questioned, before the ground at his feet began to tremble, and to the surprise of everyone there, Kaen's feet left the ground, as he began defying gravity and floated up into the air, his eyes meeting with Cornello's. "I'm gonna show you, what real power looks like."
"No, stay away from me, you freak." Cornello said.
Running to the wall behind him, Cornello pulled a switch and from out of a secret trap door in the room, came a beast unlike anything Kaen or Ed and Al had ever seen.
"Do you still doubt it Rose? This unholy thing before us is an abomination. Evil of this kind must be purged. An' I believe my Chimera should be up to the task."
"So this is the kind of thing you do with the Philosopher's Stone. That's just twisted." Ed exclaimed.
Kaen was unphased, as he flew down to the beast, surprising it as he stopped right in front of the Chimera, and with a Ki blast from his finger, shot a pencil sized hole in its head, granting it a merciful, and painless death.
"No it can't be. My Chimera had the DNA of all the Apex Predators I found to be compatible and complimented one another." Cornello said. "How could a monster like you, be so powerful?"
"As I said." Kaen growled, suddenly in Cornello's face. "I am going to show you what true power is."
"No, stay away from me, you shall not leave here with your lives." Cornello said running away from Kaen, and turning his cane into a gatling gun and began shooting at them. "I'll send you to meet God personally."
Kaen's attention was immediately on the three bellow, and without warning, and with a wave of pressure destroying the wall behind him, Kaen instantly charged at them, and turned his back to the three, using himself as a shield as the bullets hit him.
"No." Rose cried out as a wall of dust built up.
As the dust built up, Cornello's vision was blocked as he smirked, but when it settled, he saw Kaen still standing tall and proud, the bullets that had hit him all crushed and littering the ground. Though there was still some blood on the ground, as one of the bullets had reopened the wound in his shoulder from the attack McDougal hit him with.
"That hurt." Kaen hissed, putting pressure on the wound as he dug out the bullet.
"Impossible." Cornello gasped. "That many bullets should have killed you all, and sent you to face God's wrath."
"Nah, me and God don't get along too well. Even if I did meet him, he'd probably just send me right back." Ed stated.
"An' this is where you meet your end Cornello." Kaen said, pulling his shield off his back, and extending it to its full length with the blades visible. "You're gonna face the law for your crimes."
"No. You won't take me in so easily." Cornello said, raising his gun to fire at them.
Before the preacher man could pull the trigger, Cornello's gatling was severed at the barrels, as Kaen threw his shield and sliced right through it without a problem, his glare intensifying as the Saiyans shield returned to him.
"I am without rival." Cornello said using the stone on the broken gatling, trying to create a blast of energy that would kill them. Unfortunately the Stone on his ring had reached its limit and an alchemic rebound occurred, merging the parts from the cannon with Cornello's arm.
"It's a rebound." Ed exclaimed.
"No, I won't be disgraced like this." Cornello said, as he used the stone on his own boy, to make him grow monstrously large. "Now children, behold. The chosen Emissary of the Sun God Leto."
Jumping down from the risen area, Cornello threw a punch at them, slamming his fist into the ground, with the pressure knocking them all back.
"Not good." Kaen hissed putting his shield on his back. "Ed, Al. Get Rose to safety."
"What about you?" Al questioned, before his head was knocked off.
"Al." Ed cried out, as Rose just stood in horror at the sight she saw of Al, being an empty suit of armor. "It's a long story Rose."
"I can handle him. I've handled bigger, but I can't when trying to protect you and Rose. So Rose is under your care."
"I'm your superior you know." Ed stated.
Without responding, Kaen charged up 30% of One-for-All, and ran right at Cornello, slamming him in the gut with a double kick, sending him flying through the walls of the church, and to the main chapel.
"My word, is the divine word of God himself, my fist is the fist of judgement." Cornello exclaimed, picking himself up as Kaen flew into the room. "You will tremble at the might of Leto."
"Sorry, but there's only one God who truly terrifies me." Kaen growled, a red diamond shaped gem coming out of his chest, as it began glowing with power. "An' his name is Beerus. But if you want the fist of God so bad, I'll give it to you." Kaen landed on the fist of the Leto statue and took a wider stance, and cupping his hands to the right at his hip.
"What do you think you'll be able to do from up there?" Cornello questioned before his eyes widened, as Kaen created a concentrated amount of Ki in his palms.
"Kame-hame-HAAAA." Kaen cried out, sending the massive attack at Cornello.
The attack pushed Cornello to the ground, with the pain of the impact causing him to let go of the power from the stone he had coursing through him, reducing him back to his original size as he was slammed into the ground, before Kaen landed on the ground, the gem having sunk back into his chest, and grabbed Cornello by the back of the head, headbutting the preacher, and breaking his nose.
"Now shut up. Just give me the Philosopher's stone." Kaen stated as Cornello grabbed his face in pain. The stone on his ring dimmed until it was dark, and fell to the ground from the ring, before turning into dust. "What the hell? The stone. From the books I've read, that shouldn't happen, it's supposed to be perfect material. How did it just break like that?"
"I don't know. I don't know anything about it. Spare me, please." Cornello pleaded. "I was wrong. Spare me, please I beg you."
"It's a damned fake." Kaen sighed as the only conclusion possible came to him.
"Please don't, I'm helpless without the stone, spare me please." Cornello said.
"You meant we went through all this, risked our lives for this one possible chance, and it's a fake?" Kaen questioned, clenching his fists in anger.
"So uh… what about me?" Cornello asked.
"You are gonna confess to your sins. Or I will send you to hell, personally." Kaen growled, grabbing Cornello by his throat.
~Cornello's Office~
"My loyal followers." Cornello began, tied up in his office as Kaen stood behind him with a Ki blast ready to fire at him, and the Radio Equipment on and set in front of him. "It is with a humble heart, that I confess to you my sins. Over the years, the true goals of my claims of Leto had been to slowly amass an army, a legion of holy warriors, unafraid to die. I come confessing this to you today, as my plans would have come to fruition, in a few more years, had everything gone to plan, I'd have been ready to unleash you all upon the world. The miracles you'd seen me perform, were nothing more then the work of Alchemy, enhanced by a fake Philosophers Stone, and I had planned on using that stone to tear this country apart, and rebuild it in my image."
With those words said, Ed cut the feed and Kaen just hit him in the back of the head with his shield, blades retracted, knocking the false preacher out cold.
"You sure we shouldn't bring him in?" Ed asked.
"I've already notified Eastern Command. Besides, I think it best we leave him to face the music of all those he deceived." Kaen said. "Let's get going."
~Later at Sunset~
"What about the stone?" Al questioned.
"As was stated in the broadcast, the stone was a fake. Just like Cornello." Kaen sighed, running his hand through his hair as he sighed. "I'm sorry you two. For a moment there, I had hope that I'd be able to help you get your bodies back, and I could get Eri's back as well."
"It's not your fault." Al said.
"Give me the Philosophers Stone." The trio turned to see Rose, pointing a gun at them, a saddened and desperate look on her face.
"Rose."
"Like I was just sayin' Rose. It was a fake. It was destroyed when Cornello was beaten." Kaen said.
"Liars. You wanna keep it for yourselves, don't you?" Rose questioned. "So you can use it on your bodies, and so you can bring back your mother." She said this, turning to Ed and Al.
"You shut up." Ed shouted. "People don't…"
Ed stopped when Kaen turned around completely and walked up to her.
"Rose. That's enough, give me the gun." Kaen said in a calm and gentle voice, putting a gentle hand on the shaking gun, and gently taking it from her. "People don't come back from the dead Rose. Not now, or ever. It can't be done."
"But he promised me." Rose said, falling to her knees. "He said if I prayed it would happen. A miracle. That was all I had left, what am I supposed to believe in now? Tell me what to do. Please."
"I can't tell you that." Kaen said, a solemn look of sadness and sympathy on his face. "What comes next is something you have to figure out for yourself. Stand up and walk, keep moving forward, even if it's difficult. You've got two good legs, so use them, and be strong, stronger than your pain. You're strong enough to make your own path, so do it already, and go beyond, plus ultra."
With With his piece said, Kaen turned away from Rose and began making his way down the stairs with Ed and Al following.
"That was really kind and brave of you for doing that Kaen." Al said.
"No kidding, at gun point and everything. Not that the gun would have done anything to you though." Ed stated.
"It would have Ed." Kaen sighed, tossing away a ball of metal. "At point blank range like that, inches away from my body, the gun would have done more damage to me, then Cornello's gatling."
"So… are you gonna be flying or taking the train with us back to Eastern Command?" Ed asked.
"I think I'll take it easy for a bit, and join you on the train out of here. C'mon, I think it's best we get out of here, before we're run out of town like a pack of wild animals." Kaen said, none of them noticing, his shadow taking on the shape of a muscle bound body builder figure with longer hair, and a tail.
~Elsewhere~
"Hmm…"
"Father, what seems to be the matter?" Envy questioned.
"It appears I've made a miscalculation." Father said. "I've sensed a taste of that boy's true power all the way from Liore, and it is frightening, even to me. It might have been a mistake to let him roam freely. But unfortunately, to do something about it through Wrath now, would only arise suspicion, and that might lead to our plans being discovered and foiled."
"Shall we keep watch over him and the pipsqueak?"
"Yes. An' make sure you report to me on everything you find. He's proven to be an important candidate for sacrifice, as he's able to use Alchemy, without a circle."
