Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Stone ( Chapter 23 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 23: Stone

 

Walking down the dark hallways, Ed frowned. They were far into the mountain by now and he was beginning to wonder if this weren't just another wild goose chase. “Al, are you sure about that map? We've been wandering these halls for an hour now and still haven't found the main room.”

 

The armored suit nodded, clutching the torch. “Yes brother. It should be somewhere just up ahead.” At that moment a large door came into sight. It would have been uncanny had the alchemist not asked the same question four times prior. This time it was simply luck that they'd found it.

 

Pulling open the door Edward stood back in awe. The whole room, which was like an empty stone cathedral, was covered with an alchemic array. It had been carved into the walls, ceiling, and floor. In the middle of this large expanse stood a lone pillar, and on that, a red stone.

 

“Brother, that's it.” Alphonse whispered, as though speaking too loudly would break the spell and they would wake up. But when he looked down he could see that his sibling's brow was furrowed. He was obviously deep in thought. Now that they'd found it, how would they use it?

 

He motioned for Al to follow. As they both took a step in, the flame was blown out by and unseen wind and the doors slammed shut. Turing around quickly, Ed saw that they too had the symbols etched into them. Alphonse on the other hand was staring at the stone, which was now giving off a red glow allowing them to see.

 

An energy pulsed along the lines as if setting them afire. “Brother…” The suit watched as the whole of the symbol began to turn blood red. For an instant everything stopped leaving an eerie feeling hanging in the air. Suddenly it was as if all the lines began to radiate outward all around the Elrics. “Brother!”

 

The room became so bright the alchemist had to such his eyes against the light. “AL!” He screamed, reaching out with his right hand toward where he'd last seen him. Without warning he felt a strange feeling taking hold of his automail. Something was beginning to change. “AL!” He screamed again before succumbing to the darkness.

 

 

“Winry do you think the boys are ok?” Briana came into the kitchen, using her new crutches. Her hair was drawn back into a braid to keep it out of her way. A pained expression was on her face as she took a few steps. It still hurt, but she was willing to endure the soreness.

 

“I'm sure they're fine.” The mechanic told her, trying to make it sound as though she believed it. `They'd better be. If he breaks that automail one more time I'll break him.' Her grasp on the spatula tightened. `They have to be alright. What are we supposed to do if they're not?'

 

Pressing the levers at her knees Brie sort of fell down into the chair. It had been just one day since she'd spoken with her husband and she didn't expect to hear from him again. But she hoped by the time he made it back to Resembool, that she would be able to stand and move without the nauseous feeling rising into her stomach. “You're probably right.”

 

Turning back to her, Winry smiled. “Of course I am. Just like I said you'd be walking in no time and just look at you! I'm sorry about not being able to bend at the knee. But at least you can stand. And with those crutches I made you don't have to hold on to them!” They clamped onto the upper arms easily without having to be fastened.

 

“Yeah.” The brunette grinned. It was true that when she strolled, her legs were held straight by the braces. But at least she could flex at the hip without trouble. In fact for that joint there were wires running between muscles just under her skin. It would leave a scar but she didn't care.

 

All that mattered was that she could walk. That was something she wanted to do, to show Edward she hadn't given up hope; that they could live like normal again. At least as close to normal as they ever had. She wanted the shadow of despair to leave his eyes for the last time.

 

 

Staring out the window, the alchemist felt a tight knot in his throat. His sibling sat beside him, stiff and unmoving. When he'd woken up in that dark chamber four days prior, Ed thought he'd lost him. The fear of being left alone had returned until he'd found the old suit, which had been lying close by.

 

“Brother, she'll be happy won't she? We are coming back in one piece.” Alphonse tried to sound lighthearted. He knew how much the elder had wanted to restore the use of her legs to her. For the moment at least, it wouldn't be possible. That much had failed, and it weighed heavily on them both.

 

“Yeah Al, she'll be glad of that.” Glancing at his right hand he flexed it several time. He frowned. “Winry will be upset though. She thinks automail is better than flesh and bone. But I guess she'll get over it. She's got plenty of other clients, even if they don't break theirs as much.”

 

The younger grinned slightly, silver eyes gleaming. His body was the same age as his mind. He looked strikingly similar to what Envy had predicted. The only difference was that he was slightly taller. The homunculi had remained the height of Ed. However his sibling was actually just slightly shorter.

 

Because of the resemblance he feared Briana's reaction. She'd seen Envy's face just before he'd stabbed her. It was those same grey orbs that had been trained on the alchemist. In a way he thought that might have been why, after the first joyful reaction, there had been no celebration.

 

 

“Al!” In his mind Edward could see himself reaching out to his younger sibling as he was being torn from him. “AL!!!!” He screamed again, sitting up and finding himself in a dark room. Tears stained his face as he realized it had all been a horrible nightmare. If only that were true, but no, it was a hellish memory that had plagued his thoughts for years.

 

“Al?” He whispered into the darkness, hearing nothing but his own breath in response. Hot droplets were still running down his cheeks as he shifted into a crawling position. Every muscle in his body ached, making it impossible to stand. He hardly noticed the lack of automail.

 

Fumbling he managed to find a lighter that had been in his pocket in case of emergencies. Locating the fallen torch, he lit it with one quick flip. “Al?” He called again softly, seeing the pile of armor on the floor a few feet away. Overcoming the pain he managed to rise and stumble toward it.

 

“Please Alphonse, answer me.” Sobs began to break through as he knelt down. There was no glow in those eyes, and he knew the armor didn't allow sleep or even fatigue. In a last desperate attempt he ripped off the front metal plate to see if the anchoring seal had been broken.

 

To his amazement, there lying inside was a human body. It was pale, but the steady rise and fall of the chest proved it to be alive. “Al.” The alchemist's voice quivered as he reached out with his right hand to touch the flesh cheek. It was only then that he realized he too had been restored.

 

“Ugh…” The man mumbled, turning his head and blinking a few times trying to adjust. “Brother?” He mumbled glancing up at the blond who only nodded. Lifting a hand to his head, he brushed back his bangs. Instantly his eyes snapped wide open. Bringing his palm before him he stared at it.

 

Setting the flame aside, Ed reached both hands under his sibling whose flesh was becoming covered with goose-bumps from the cold. “Come on, let's get you outta there.” However once the younger had sat up, instead of helping him to stand, he wrapped his arms around him.

 

Alphonse was stunned to say the least. The sudden influx of senses was almost more than he could bear. But gratefully he returned the embrace, noting that both hands on his back were flesh and blood. Tears welled up in him and began to flow. `We did it. We finally have our bodies back.'

 

 

“Brother, do you… how do you think she'll…” Frowning he shook his head. The thoughts that plagued his mind horrified him, making it hard to voice his concerns. “Do you think she'll be upset with the way I look? I mean… are you?” He hadn't asked before, but now he felt he had to know.

 

Turning to him, Ed studied his face for only a second, his brow furrowed. “No of course not. Why would you think that?” When he saw the light in those eyes change he realized what was meant. “It wasn't you Al. You haven't done anything but help Brie since you met her. Even before I would.”

 

He sighed heavily and laid a hand on the man's shoulder. “I guess I haven't been in a very cheerful mood lately. But it has nothing to do with the way you look. It's her. Since the stone disappeared after changing us back I can't use it to fix her legs. I'd take my automail back if it would do that much for her.”

 

Stretching Alphonse yawned unwillingly. He was tired of sitting in one spot. “I know brother, but it still is a time to celebrate. We have our bodies back. If you want we can search for a way to repair the damage done to her nerves. Maybe it won't take a stone to do that. Maybe there's another way.”

 

Edward smiled as the younger Elric leaned against him. It was obvious that he was worn out. They'd been traveling for a while and still wasn't used to having to rest. “Yeah Al. We'll do that.” He shifted so they were slouched against each other, each drifting off to sleep with the gentle swaying of the train.

 

 

Sitting outside in her wheelchair, Brie was busy sketching a flower that had bloomed the night before. She wore a long skirt to hide her braces. Glancing up she noticed two people coming over the horizon. At first she thought nothing of it. But as they neared her eyes became wide for one wore a red jacket.

 

Ed was studying her with a sorrowful expression as he came closer. `I would've given the limbs I had left to have you walk again. I'm so sorry I couldn't do it.' But as he watched she put something down and took hold of a strange pair of metal rods. Fastening them to her arms, she lifted herself out of the chair.

 

A smile crossed over her lips as she slowly began to hobble toward him. `Don't be angry Love. I know it's not much but I can move again.' She pleaded with her soul to him, taking each step slowly but without too much pain. She'd learned how to use the crutches well.

 

The alchemist stopped and stood still as he took in the sight. Behind him Alphonse also paused. `She's walking.' Their thought was as one. Tears came to Edward's eyes. Wiping them away he took off running toward her. `She's walking, she's actually walking!' “Brie!” He called out joyfully.

 

“Edward.” Briana breathed once he was close enough to hear. He stopped just short, giving her room to take a few more steps before reaching him. When she did, he looped his arms around her waist, pulling her lips to meet his in a passionate greeting. She allowed him to steady her as she shrugged off the crutches.

 

Backing away they both gasped for air. His breath was heavy as he ran his fingers through her hair. “I've missed you so much. So much…” He mumbled, kissing her neck. He needed her like he needed water. She was what now fuelled the fire in his soul. Her walking seemed to strengthen him a thousand fold.

 

She laughed with joy as he pulled back. “Can you get my crutches?” She asked, pointing down at them. Keeping her hand on his shoulder served to help her keep her balance as he leaned over to gather them up for her. When he had, she replaced them on her arms. Looking past him she caught her first glimpse of her in-law's new form.