Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ An Unlikely Allience ❯ Harsh Truth ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

FullMetal Alchemist

Chapter 01: Harsh Truth

“Man! How long has it been since we last saw Aunt Pinako?” Edward Elric asked as he sat back against his seat. He stared out the window and smiled as a herd of cows passed by. Alphonse sighed as small amounts of wind played with the feather on top of his metallic head.

“It’s been at least a couple of months since I started traveling with you guys, so it hasn’t been THAT long.” Winry said. She rummaged through a basket and brought out two blueberry muffins. She handed one to Ed and smiled.

“There had to be another reason for them to attack us.” Al said, changing the subject. Ed and Winry looked at the suit of armor simultaneously. Ed frowned.

“I guess they still want me to create the Philosopher’s Stone, I mean that’s really the only reason they do attack us. They won’t give up until I give in to their demands.” he said.

“Or we kill them.” Al muttered.

“Yeah.” Ed said. Winry looked from one brother to the next and sighed.

“So, Ed! How’s that muffin?” she asked, breaking the silence that grew between them. The small blond sighed and sat the muffin back into the basket. He turned his attention back to the flowing scenery outside the train.

The train came to a smooth stop near a small wooden platform.

“Hey, we’re here you guys. Let’s go.” Winry said as she grabbed her tool pack from the overhead compartment. She looked down at Ed and smiled as she tapped him on the shoulder. He shifted and mumbled something as drool slid out of his mouth. Al looked at Winry. She nodded and the giant walked off toward the back of the train. The girl stared at him until he slid the door shut. The damage stayed clear in her mind even when he wasn’t there. She cringed as she recalled the recent battle with the Homunculi.

(<\/>)

“Give Winry back now!” Ed shouted. Envy laughed loudly and hugged Winry to a body that looked exactly like Hughes. The mechanic struggled and screamed.

“Let go of me, Mr. Hughes! Why are you doing this?” she shouted, her throat raw from excessive screaming. Envy laughed and it sounded more like a harsh bark.

“Fullmetal has already figured it out. Why can’t you?” he said. Winry’s eyes widened slightly.

“You’re not Mr. Hughes. Who are you?” she asked. She struggled a little more, hoping that he would be distracted long enough for her to get her wrench from her belt.

“If you can’t figure it out for yourself, then I’m not going to tell you.” he said with a snicker.

“Humph! Fine!” she exclaimed. She brought the wrench up with full force and slammed it against his skull. He fell to the ground with a thud. Winry smiled and looked at Ed.

“You stupid bitch! You’re gonna pay for that!” the enraged Homunculi screamed. He grabbed her ankle and slammed her up against the alley wall.

“Winry!” Al shouted. He started to make a run for her, when Gluttony appeared out of no where and bit down on his leg. The Alchemic symbol on his tongue glowed and his teeth began to melt through the armor.

“You taste so much better than flesh.” the fat Homunculi stated with a wide grin. Al kicked out with his other leg and caught Gluttony in the cheek. He flew into the other side of the alley and landed with a bone-crunching thump. Ed clapped his hands together and then slapped them onto the concrete below him. Mountainous waves of concrete and earth rose up above the alley itself and fell down toward Lust. She tried to jump out of the way, but the earth crushed her. Envy crawled toward Winry and slapped her into consciousness.

“Stay awake for the show little one. I want you to see the look on Fullmetal’s face when I tell him the news.” he said with a vicious cackle. Winry scrambled back until she hit a piece of still standing wall.

“Tell me what?” Ed asked, keeping his eyes on the huge mound of earth that covered both Lust and Gluttony. Envy grinned.

(>/\<)

“I’ve got the stuff. Wake him up and c’mon.” Al said. Winry nodded and shook Ed violently. Ed clawed at the air and whimpered. The mechanic growled and smacked him upside the head with her wrench.

“Aahh! Shit!” Ed screamed. “What in the hell did you do that for?”

“We’ve gotta get off the train. Al’s already gone.” she said. She turned around and left without another word.

The train station was small and made out of mostly brick and wood. Small groups of people made their way in and out of the train. Outside, the sun shone on a green and purple field off in the distance. Winry looked at her watch and heaved a sigh. The long hand ticked its way onto the twelve and a loud whistle blew. Ed jumped as the metallic gray train began to move away from him. Winry laughed.

“Let’s go find Al.” she said.

“Alright.” he muttered. Al pushed off from the wall as Ed and Winry walked out the door.

“We should make it to Risenbull by dusk.” he said. He clutched a burlap sack close to him with his only remaining arm and sighed.

“It’ll be okay, Al. I’ve got more parts at the house that will suit you nicely. Ed will have you fixed in no time.” the blond said with a smile.

“Yeah, I guess.” he said. The trio then began their long trek to Risenbull.

(<\/>)

Al stood and looked down at his leg. Gluttony had taken a huge chunk out of him. Luckily, that was all he took……so far. The suit of armor then turned his attention toward Envy and Winry. Envy shifted back into his original form and cackled as a small trickle of blood flowed down his cheek.

“You’re just going to love the news I have for you.” he said, obviously playing up the moment.

“Spit it out already, damn it!” Ed shouted. The spiky haired Homunculi stood with a sort of liquid grace and brought Winry up with him. He held her out at arms-length so he could watch her expression as well. Al stood in complete silence as he watched the words, ‘I killed Hughes,’ form on Envy’s lips. The metallic armor turned to see his brother. Ed was wide-eyed and speechless, as well as Winry.

“What did you……just say?” the smaller blond whispered. Al shook his head.

“No……” he muttered. He took a couple of steps back until he came to another section of untouched alley wall. He began to tremble as the new knowledge sank deep into his thoughts. Hughes was dead. He was dead and there was nothing Al could do about it. His soul began to cry as he thought of Gracia and Elicia and the pain they must have been going through. He drew and Alchemic circle into the ground and looked at the mountain of earth. He slammed his palms onto the circle and screamed as power rippled through the air.

“Winry move!” he shouted. Winry screamed as three giant earth-like hands shot up from the ground and crushed the three Homunculi. Envy took Winry up with him, but the pressure was too much for him to handle, and he let go. She fell to the ground roughly.

“C’mon! It will only hold them for a few minutes!” Al shouted as he rushed over and picked up Winry. Ed stood motionless as the two ran past him. An angered grunt was heard as the hand that held Gluttony collapsed into a pile of sand. The fat one ran straight toward Al.

“I will devour your soul!” he shouted. He jumped on top of the suit of armor and took a chunk out of the back of his head. The mechanic screamed as she was dropped to the ground once again. Al turned to deliver a killing blow to Gluttony’s head, but he bit into the metallic hand, ripping off the arm in the process. The tall one swung out with his remaining arm and rocketed Gluttony into the stone hand that held Lust. It crumbled on top of the two. Al ran over to Winry.

“Can you run?” he asked. She nodded and stood. The two ran toward Ed. Al picked him up and tucked him under his arm like a rag doll.

“Wait!” Ed shouted, suddenly able to speak again. The group stopped in their tracks. “Take me over to the edge of the building.” He did so as Ed clapped his hands. He slapped the building and it crumbled down on top of the three Homunculi.

(>/\<)

Dusk came swiftly as the trio approached Risenbull. Ed sighed heavily as the ’Rockbell Mechanics’ sign peaked over the crest of the nearby hill.

“We’re finally here.” he said. Winry jumped up and down with a squeal.

“Let’s go! The sooner I get my lucky screwdriver, the sooner you to are repaired!” she exclaimed. She ran off ahead of them and dove into the house. Ed blinked, then continued to walk.

“She’s only been gone for two months and she’s THIS excited about coming home.” he said with a laugh. Al stayed silent as scenes from the recent battle played through his thoughts. The two walked through the door and spotted Winry with a huge blush on her light tan face. She laughed nervously.

“What?” Ed asked.

“I found it.” she said.

“So? That’s a good thing, right?” he asked.

“Um……I had it with me the whole time.” she said. Ed’s eye twitched.

“What? !” he shouted. “We wasted a whole train ride over here just for a stupid screwdriver that was already with you?”

“Hey! That’s my favorite screwdriver! I can’t work without it!” the girl shouted.

“Whatever.” Ed muttered. Al walked past them and into the living area.

“Major Armstrong.” he said with some surprise.

“Ah, Alphonse! It’s so nice to see you. Where are Ed and Winry?” the huge Alchemist asked, turning on the pink sparkles.

“Hey! Armstrong!” Ed exclaimed.

"Edward! There you are!" the huge man exclaimed. He pulled the two in for a death hug and laughed. "Winry!" He let go of them and glomped her.

"Hi!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "Umm......I can't breathe."

"Oh! Sorry about that." he said. Ed grinned.

"So what brings you to Risenbull?" he asked. Armstrong straightened his posture.

"I was actually looking for you three." he said.

"Yeah? What for?" Ed asked.

"You heard about......Hughes right?" he asked, the pink sparkles disappearing. Ed nodded.

"Yeah. We had a run in with the Homunculi before we came here. They told us that they were the ones who killed him." he explained.

"They told you willingly?" Armstrong asked with surprise. The three nodded solemnly. "So there was more than one killer."

"Yep." Winry said.

"Well then, since you already know about that, I'll tell you the other news." he paused, not sure if he should tell them or not.

"Well?" Al said. Armstrong sighed.

"I bumped into a friend of mine on the way here and we started to talk. I mentioned you two and he knew who you were." he said pointing toward Ed and Al.

"So?" Ed said.

"Well, he told me that he knew your mother and father for a really long time." Ed flinched.

"Take me to him!" he exclaimed.

"I knew you'd say that." the huge Alchemist said with a weary smile. He dug through his pockets and brought out a piece of paper. "He said that if I find you guys, I was to give you his address. He wants to talk with you. He says he knows the truth about what happened to your mother." This caught Ed and Al's full attention. They exchanged glances.

"Let's go Al." Ed said. Al nodded.

"I'm coming too." Winry said. "And don't even say no, Ed. I loved your mother just as much as you two did. I have the right to know." Ed nodded. The three headed toward the door.

"At least get yourselves repaired first." Pinako scolded. The trio stopped.

"Oh yeah." Winry said with a laugh.

"In all the excitement, I guess we forgot." Ed said.

"I didn't forget." Al mumbled.

"Then how come you didn't say anything?" The eldest brother asked.

"Because the truth about mom is more important than fixing me up." the youngest replied. He stared at Ed with glowing eyes.

"I think they're both equally important." Winry said. "I'll get started on Ed right away so he can repair you." Al nodded and walked outside.

An hour passed slowly as Winry tinkered with Ed's arm. Three vertical gouges trailed from the top of his shoulder to his wrist. They were deep and jagged. Ed sighed.

(<\/>)

The alley exploded into a cloud of dust and rubble. Al and Winry ran for five blocks until they stopped. The mechanic collapsed to the sidewalk and began taking in large gulps of air. The metal armor sat Ed down and turned around to see if they were followed. When no threat was detected, Al relaxed a little. Winry finally broke down and started to cry.

"I can't believe it." she sobbed. "I just saw him at Elicia's birthday party. I can't believe he's gone." Before Ed could place his arm around her, impossibly long claws raked his automail arm, leaving deep gouges from shoulder to wrist. He stood up, his arm suddenly immobile.

"Al! Over there!" he shouted. He watched as his brother drew a circle into the dirt. As soon as his large metal hand hit the ground, a wave of concrete from the road caught the two distant figures and crushed them. "Let's go!" Ed looked at Winry and she nodded. The three jolted off into the darkness.

(>/\<)

A few hours passed, and the repairs on Ed's arm were finished. Winry sighed and wiped her forehead with her arm, leaving a big smear of grease arching over her eyebrow.

"Well I'm finished. Now rest for a while before you fix Al." she said with a wag of her finger.

"Alright, alright. The mechanic knows best." Ed said with a grin. Winry smiled and walked toward the door.

"You want anything to drink?" she asked.

"Sure." Ed said.

"Okay. I'll be back in a minute." the girl said. The door shut and Ed layed down on the sofa.

The mechanic made her way to the bathroom to wash up. She closed the door and looked into the mirror. She laughed when she spotted the grease above her brow. She washed up and then stepped out of the bathroom. She made her way toward the living room and stopped when she heard a hurried conversation.

"Are you really going to let them go see that man in Central?" came Pinako's voice, obviously tinted with slight rage.

"They need to know. Maybe knowing the truth about Trisha's murder will stop them from seeking the Philosopher's Stone." Armstrong said. Winry gasped and put her hand over her mouth.

"I just don't think they're ready for that kind of knowledge. They're only boys." the old woman said disheartend.

"I know you're only thinking of what's best for them, but they would have found out anyway. It's best that they find out now, that way they'll have more time to get over it."

"But what if they don't get over it?" she asked.

"Then it will be one more burden for them to bear." Armstrong said. Winry backed up a few steps, her eyes wide.

"Oh my god." she whispered. She stood up straight and replaced her shocked expression with a smile. She walked into the room and stared at the silent adults. "Has any tea been made?" Pinako stared at her and nodded.

"Winry?" she said. The blond simply smiled and walked into the kitchen.

"Do you think she heard us?" Armstrong asked in a hushed voice.

"I'm certain she did." the woman said, her voice just as quiet.

As soon as the blond was out of sight, she picked up the teapot and stared at it. Her mind fluttered with thoughts of Trisha. She remembered how she stood at her grave with Ed and Al, and the expressions of saddness she saw on the young boys' faces. Ed's face also held a tinge of anger. The teapot began to shake as her hands started trembling. A tear fell into the empty cup on the counter and she poured the tea. Pinako and Armstrong walked into the kitchen and blocked Winry's escape route.

"Yes?" she asked, a cheery smile on her face once more.

"I know you heard us talking about Trisha." the old one said. Winry flinched.

"Um......I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play stupid with me Winry." Pinako scolded. "You absolutely cannot tell them what you heard. They need to hear it from Mr. Armstrong's friend. Am I clear?" Winry's eyes began to water as she nodded. Armstrong took the tea cups from the girl's hands and stood back as the two mechanics hugged.

"I'll go take this to Edward." the taller man said. He sat one cup down on the table and began to walk off when the blond stopped him.

"No. I'll do it." she said. He nodded and Winry grabbed the cups and walked off, her face happy once again.

Another creepingly slow hour passed and finally Ed was able to repair Al. The blond assembled spare armor parts around Al's waiting body and smiled as he clapped his hands together. Upon slapping his palms on the floor, a bright flash of light followed and disippated, leaving Al whole.

"Alright! Now we can head back to Central!" Ed exclaimed. Al stood and flexed his repaired arm. The trio headed toward the door and stopped.

"Goodbye Grandma. I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer." Winry said with a smile. Pinako smiled back and nodded. Her eyes held an unsaid warning though. Winry nodded slightly. Ed smiled.

"Well I would say it's been fun, but these last few hours have been a bitc..." Pinako glared at him and he stopped his sentence and laughed.

"C'mon. Let's go." Al said quietly.

"Alright." Ed snickered. The three waved to Armstrong and walked out the door.

<>||<>||<>

End of Chapter 1: Harsh Truth