Promise

Alright. I’m not entirely sure what the problem is, but I’ve having a horrible time writing Fullmetal. However, I am writing it, along with Weiss and Bleach, so please be patient with me. We’ll be skipping some parts, as I’m still trying to stick to the manga as closely as possible, but I haven’t read it all yet! That means please, please, PLEASE, if there are errors, don’t’ point them out!! It probably means I haven’t read that part and you’ll spoil it for me and I’ll cry. Otherwise, off we go!

(And we’re to the part where the boys are locked up in Briggs’ jail but Winry hasn’t been brought.)


Chapter 7


‘It’s cold, it’s cold, it’s so damn fucking cold!’ Ed rambled away in his head as they waited. First the cold ride up from the train, even bundled so much the could barely move, then screwing around with that big idiot out there, and finally having to wear hi outside clothes inside! “It’s too damn cold here!”

Even here in their cell his breath plumed from his mouth as Al shifted across from him. “Well, Brother, this is the North Boundary. It’s always cold here.”

‘Argh! Al and his damn logic!’ The blond wriggled a little and tried to hide under the thin blanket the guard left for him. With Kimbley roaming around and Scar who knew where, they didn't' have time to be sitting here. “Ok, Al, we’re out of here.”

“Oh, Brother, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Colonel Armstrong told us to wait here.” The suit of armor shifted uneasily while Ed snorted and started to claw through his clothes. “And how are you going to get free?”

The small alchemist snorted again and dug a short nail into a groove in the auto-mail port at his thigh. A tiny door flipped up to release a piece of chalk. It was small but would be good for a couple of arrays; it was one of the first changes he’d made to himself to ensure he’d never be helpless again. A quick scribble and flare of light and he was free, rubbing his wrist briefly before freeing his brother. “Okay, a quick change here and…”

A soft clap and he ran his flesh hand up and over the metal, whispering to himself the formula he’d memorized in the auto-mail shop. “Duralumin, carbon fiber, nickel and copper, 10, 2, 5, 4 parts.” The wince was too much to hold back as his arm shifted and changed, the metal joints and holdings remolding themselves into new material. “Damn that hurts.”

“Brother.” Al sighed. “Why don’t you just make up with Winry? She could make you new stuff in no time.”

“Don’t worry about it, Al. She’s safe down there and she’ll just stay there. No reason to drag her all the way up here for nothing.” Steps sounded in the hall and Ed melted in behind his huge brother. “Just hang on.”

“Hey, how you boys holding up? Too cold?” The guard looked in, one hand holding his gun, the other filled with blankets. “Thought you might get chilled and the Colonel said you were allowed to have an extra blanket.” He grinned. “Guess she thinks you’re a bit on the small side to produce enough body heat.”

Ed gritted his teeth and managed not to freak out. Al spoke quietly, his sweet voice inviting the man inside. “Oh, thank you so much! Ed has been quite cold. Could you set them on the bed please?”

“Sure, sure.” The door clicked open and he turned to maneuver more easily. “You boys sure are lucky the Colonel took a liking to you. She’s not that big on kids, real-ack!” He ended in a squawk as he was tripped and Ed pounced, light flaring around them as the blanket twisted and bound the stunned man.

The blond patted his hands together and smirked at his captive. “Yeah, real lucky. Be nice and quiet until we get back.” Muffled yells followed the boys on their quick run down the hall. “Come on, Al. Not long, I promise.”

“Brother? What are you going to do?”

“I’m getting your body back, Al. This time for sure!” They raced through the empty halls, darting around corners until they reached the outside door. Ed pulled his hood up over his face and stepped outside. “Hey, you guys go in. Shift’s up.”

“Huh. Better be careful being that casual. If the Colonel catches you, she’ll haul your asses out.” The two guards still grinned and started inside. “It hasn’t moved yet, just keep tossing the fuel on it.”

“No problem.” Once they were gone, the hood fell back; the wind wasn’t bad here and it felt warmer. “Ok, Al, throw it all on him.”

“What? But, but won’t that kill him?” Al shifted around unhappily. “brother, this is a bad idea. What if they catch us?”

Ed rolled his eyes and started dragging the cask of fuel over. “Well if you move it, we won't be. The next shift will be here soon, so hurry up!” His brother finally came to help move the heavy liquid and Ed darted off to retrieve the axe leaning near the door inside. “Ok, ready?”

The armor nodded and lifted the cask; with one last look over his shoulder, he dumped the entire thing on the homunculus. Steam started to rise and it seemed to shrink a little. Ed waited, watching for the first signs of regeneration. As soon as he spotted a slowing of the shrinking, he started to hack at the massive chest with his weapon. ‘it’s not alive, it’s not alive.’

Not even Al’s cries of protest could be heard as he chanted to himself until the brilliant red of the stone shone through. The axe dropped to the ground and he leapt forward, digging frantically before the wounds could heal. Once he had it, he backed away quickly, scrambling in red snow to his shaking brother’s side.

“Ed, how, how could you?” Al’s voice shivered with unshed tears but Ed just clenched his jaw and clapped his hands.

Blue lit the snow then shifted to purple and to red. Everything went dark, everything but the door before them. A skinny form sat beside it, shivering as it tried to stand and reach out to them. Al’s body quivered as the armor reached out and touched their hands together. Amber light streamed between them and Ed struggled not to look away. When the bright flare faded, he grinned then shouted and ran forward, ignoring the Gate completely.

His steps slowed as if he were caught in water and finally stopped, leaving his frozen as he stared at the small, round being taking shape before him. “Foolish little human, back again?”

“Leave us alone! We’re only taking what is ours!”

“But he’s mine now. All of him.” A high pitched giggle and Ed struggled to breathe.

His foot edged forward, forced by sheer will. “No. No, I paid for him, with my own flesh and blood I paid for him, and I’ve brought another gift for his body.”

“Really?” A mocking laugh and the being somersaulted in midair. “Can you really justify all those lives for one?”

Another slow step. “They were already dead. I didn’t kill anyone!”

“Then it isn’t really your sacrifice, is it?” The toothless mouth grinned.

Ed growled faintly. “It doesn’t matter if I killed them or not, it only matters that they were formed into this Stone.” He was almost close enough, just another few inches… The metal arm stretched out, reaching for the soft flesh he hadn’t felt in years.

The Gate slammed open suddenly, releasing hundreds of tiny black arms that pawed at the blond alchemist, teasingly holding him back, tugging him to them. “Don’t you want to see? See what would make it perfect? See how to get your arm and leg back?”

“No! Don’t fuck with me, give him back!” There, the tips of his fingers brushed the long hair and the dark blond head turned slowly to him, dazed brown eyes staring back at him. “Al, come!” The small hands were ignored and he pushed through the dark forest of limbs.

“Brrr, oth, oth, errrr?” The low voice sounded rusty, as if unused for a very long time, but unmistakably Al’s.

“Yeah, Al, it’s me. Come on, we’re going home.” A slow, shy smile and a shaking hand reached out, thin fingers weaving with his. There was a crack and the Gate snapped shut, the darkness fading. “We did it, Al, we did it!” The thin body shook in his arms, weak hands clenching at the heavy coat around Ed’s shoulders. “Al? AL!”

Yelling and pounding feet rounded corner and guns shifted to aim at the stunned blond who sat in the swirling snow, cradling his naked brother.



Thank you to everyone who hasn't given up on me completely. It's a self-beta job so there are probably errors in spelling, grammar, etc, so feel free to point them out as you see them.