Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Disaster or Destiny? ❯ An Unwilling Betrayal ( Chapter 10 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

It seemed like only a few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I groaned and pulled the covers over my head, hoping someone else would answer it. I heard Al’s heavy steps move towards the door. A few words were exchanged between Al and who I recognized as the innkeeper, then Al walked over to Ed’s bed.

“Wake up, Ed. The Colonel is on the phone downstairs.”

I snuggled into my pillow, glad that I didn’t need to get up. I peeked over the blanket and watched Ed drag himself out of bed. He did not look happy.

I started to pull the blankets tighter around me until someone yanked them off. I shot an angry look towards the end of the bed and saw Ed standing there with the blankets in his hand.

“If I have to get up then so do you,” he said in an irritated voice.

“It’s just a phone call! We don’t all need to go down there.”

“I need you there so I can give you the phone when he starts to annoy me.”

I rolled out of bed and stormed down the stairs to where the innkeeper was waiting with the phone. I snatched it out off his hands and put the receiver to my ear. “Why did you have to call so early?”

“It’s 11:00 am,” Mustang replied coolly.

“We didn’t get to bed until seven this morning! You know very well that Ed and I didn‘t even get here until three.”

“And that‘s why I waited until eleven to call. You should have gone to bed right when you got there. Now I have a favor to ask of you.”

I tried to keep my voice under control. “What is it?”

“A friend just called me, Lieutenant Colonel James Williams. He lives in Central and is a retired military officer who I worked with for a couple years when I first joined. He helped me get to where I am today, and I feel I owe him a favor.”

“Get to the point,” I snapped.

“Whoa, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” I could just picture the smirk on his face when he said that.

“Mustang…”

“Fine, fine. Anyway he called asking about the Fullmetal Alchemist he’s heard so much about. Apparently he has a nephew about your age who wants to take the exam and, considering Ed’s early admission due to his talents, thought he could come and teach the kid a few things.”

“Here, tell Ed.”

I shoved the phone at Ed, who reluctantly took it. “What?”

Ed listened and answered in a haughty, sarcastic voice, “So in other words, now you’re using me not only to do your dirty work but to pay back the favors you owe as well. Sounds great.”

I heard Mustang start rambling on the other line, but Ed interrupted him. “Fine, I’ll do it. But only for a couple days at the most. None of this week long stuff.”

He scribbled down an address and hung up the phone.

We left the inn and made our way to the house on the address in silence, Ed and I still grumpy from lack of sleep and Al most likely afraid to provoke either of us.

We finally reached a small house on the outskirts of town. Ed looked down at the address again and then back up at the house. “I guess this is the place.”

We knocked, and a boy around our age opened the door. His appearance was striking; he was tall and extremely good looking, with thick dark hair and shocking green eyes.

He looked up at Al and held out his hand. “You must be the Fullmetal Alchemist,” he said in a smooth, enticing voice.

“Uh…well, actually - “ began Al nervously.

Edward stepped in front of his brother. “I am the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric,” he said with an edge to his voice. “This is my little brother Alphonse.”

The boy shook his hand and laughed. His laugh was as pleasant as his voice was. “Sorry about that. It’s just that he’s - “

A vein was throbbing in Ed’s temple. “Just forget about it.”

He turned to me with his piercing green eyes and took my hand, kissing the back of it. Nice to know chivalry isn’t completely dead, I thought. “And you are?” He asked in his velvety voice.

I fought back the blush that was coming unbidden to my face. “Marie Louise,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

His eyes flashed with interest when he heard my name. It was barely noticeable, but bothered me nonetheless.

He released my hand and gestured to us to come inside. “My name is Thomas Williams. I’m James’ nephew.”

Ed glanced in my direction, raising an eyebrow at my reddened face. I turned away, embarrassed.

Thomas sat us down around a table and started making tea. Ed leaned casually on the table, looking none too happy to be there. “So, you’re taking the State Exam?”

Thomas joined us at the table, setting down a tray and pouring tea for all of us.

“Yes, but I have a lot to learn before I do. I’m sorry to bother you like this, I hope you don’t mind teaching me a few things. Colonel Mustang said you wouldn’t mind.”

Ed mumbled something under his breath as Thomas continued. “Your talents are well known, Edward. When my uncle and I thought of requesting a State Alchemist to teach me, you’re the first person that came to mind.”

Ed brightened slightly at this, a smug look replacing the bitter one that had been there only moments before.

“Good choice,” he said, his voice practically dripping with arrogance.

I sipped at my tea, giving Ed an annoyed look over the cup.

“My uncle had to leave for a few days,” Thomas continued. “My room is in the basement, so you’ll practically have the place to yourselves. There are two guest bedrooms upstairs. I’ve also got quite a collection of articles and books on alchemy, so feel free to look around.”

He must have seen how tired we were, because he let us take it easy the rest of the day. The next day Ed started teaching him, most likely things that wouldn‘t even help him on the exam. I could already tell that Ed didn‘t like Thomas. Al and I spent the day looking over books and records. I was thoroughly surprised at the amount of information he had, and wondered why he even needed Ed’s help.

I was digging through a pile of articles when I found one about the wreckage of a boat, and how none of the bodies were ever found. Looking at the date of the article, I put two and two together. ‘The accident’ that my ancestor had written about became clear. She had used those people to create the Stone.

I guess I’d always known it, but the fact that I was related to a mass murderer finally hit me. I showed Al the article and told him what I thought about it. He put a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. “Try not to worry about it. It has nothing to
do with you.”

Later that night I was sitting on the couch reading when Ed slumped down next to me.

“How’d it go?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the book.

“I don’t know,” he answered in an exasperated voice. “There’s something weird about this guy. It seems like he already knows everything I try to teach him. I really don’t know why he wants my help. But, he’s asked me to stay a few more days, and he’s paying a lot for the lessons.”

I glanced over at him and saw his expression was dark. “I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about him I don’t like.”

I glanced at him over my book. “Oh Ed, you just don’t like him because he’s so much taller than you are.”

He instantly sat up, suddenly full of energy. “That is NOT the reason! Anyway, haven’t you noticed the weird way he looks at you? It’s creepy.” He looked at me with slanted eyes. “Then again, you’re probably to busy drooling over him to notice.”

I threw down my book and faced him. “I am not!”

“You like him.”

“No I don’t!”

“Liar.”

I grabbed my book and stomped up to my room in a huff. I was too annoyed to tell Ed so, but I had noticed the strange way he looked at me, and I didn’t like it either. Sure, he was one of the best looking guys I’d ever seen, and he was way more of a gentlemen that Ed would ever be, but I didn’t like him. When I pictured the person I liked, I saw amber eyes looking back at me, not green ones.

I tried to clear my head and get back to reading, but finally gave up and went to bed early.

The next morning I found Thomas sitting at the table alone. Ed and Al must have still been asleep.

He gave me one of his dazzling smiles. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you,” I replied with a shy smile.

I sat down across from him. “So are you and Ed making any progress?”

“Yes, actually. He’s a very talented alchemist, but I’m sure you know that already. Are you an officer as well?”

“Hell no. It‘s bad enough that Edward‘s forced to be a dog of the military.”

He chuckled and added, “Then are you Edward’s girlfriend?”

If I could’ve seen myself I’m sure I would’ve been beet red. “No, Ed’s got too many other things on his mind to think
about things like that.”

He flashed another seductive smile. “Then I take it you’re single?”

The question caught me completely off guard. If it was possible, I turned even redder. “Yeah, I guess you could say that . . . “

He rested his head in his hands. “Then tell me, Marie, if you’re not either of those, why are you traveling with the Elrics?” When I hesitated, he added, “I see you reading all the time. What exactly are you looking for? If you told me maybe I
could help.”

I frantically tried to think of something believable to tell him without giving away anything that I shouldn’t. But as I was searching my mind for a plausible answer, I looked up at him and my mind suddenly went blank. I started to feel slightly dizzy, and from that point on I couldn’t control anything that came out of my mouth.

I told him everything; how Ed and Al had attempted to transmute their mother and were now searching for the Philosopher’s Stone to get their bodies back to normal. I even gave him the details, how Al’s armor was hollow, his soul attached to it by a seal made with Ed’s blood. I told him about the homunculi and why they were after us. I told him all about my situation, and how I had come to be in Amestris. I revealed every secret we’d learned about my ancestor, the Stone she created, and how I was the only one that could bring out the full power in that particular Stone.

I tried desperately to stop myself as I went on and on, telling him everything that I had promised Ed I would keep secret. My free will felt like it was taken away, it was as if I was listening to someone else speak.

When I finished, my mind went hazy again and the same feeling of dizziness took over. I had a horrible feeling in my gut, like I’d just done something terribly wrong, but I couldn’t quite remember what it was. Thomas’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Are you alright, Marie?”

I slowly stood up, holding the chair to keep my balance. “Yeah…I ‘m sorry, I think I just need some fresh air.”

I’m not positive, but as I made my way to the door I thought I saw Thomas wearing a triumphant smile out of the corner of my eye.

I stepped outside, still feeling slightly woozy. Ignoring the steady fall of raindrops, I ventured onto the road, hoping a walk would help clear my mind.

Unfortunately, I just got more frustrated the longer I walked. I had just barely spoken to Thomas, yet I couldn’t remember what I had told him. I remembered only that it had something to do with Ed and Al, and that it was not something I wanted him to know.

If that was the case, then why did I say it? Something had made me say those things, whatever they were. But what could possibly have happened, what could he have done, to get me to reveal whatever it was I had said? And why did he want to know it in the first place?

I racked my brain for nearly two hours, trying to remember the details of our conversation. It was extremely unnerving, not being able to remember the words that had come out of my own mouth just earlier that day.

I avoided everyone the rest of the day, only going back for a moment to tell Al I was going out. I spent my time skulking around town, looking around at shops but not really seeing them. I was to absorbed in my thoughts.

I didn’t return until nightfall, and refrained from entering the house when I heard arguing coming from inside. I peered through the window to see Ed and Thomas, the former looking fierce and the latter wearing the same calm expression he
always did.

“You mind telling me what the hell’s going on?” came Ed’s infuriated voice.

Thomas’s face was expressionless. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play stupid. Al just found out that Colonel Williams has no nephew.”

I don’t know how Thomas looked so relaxed, being stared down by Ed’s penetrating glare.

He sighed in defeat and folded him arms. “Alright Ed. I wasn’t being completely honest with you. James is a friend and I got him to talk to Colonel Mustang for me because I wanted you to teach me alchemy.”

Something in his eyes made me think that wasn’t entirely true.

Thomas shifted his gaze to Edward. The change was alarming. His eyes looked colder. “But it seems you haven’t been completely honest with me either.

Ed’s glare was unwavering. “What are you talking about?”

Thomas sat down, keeping his eyes on Ed. “You see, Marie and I had a little chat this morning.”

I looked upon the scene with trepidation. Even though I couldn’t remember what I had said earlier, the feeling of guilt that took over when I had spoken to Thomas returned tenfold.

Ed’s face changed from angry to anxious. ’”What do you mean?”

Thomas remained casual, as if none of it really mattered, as he relayed to Ed all the information I had given him. It all rushed back to me, every detail of the conversation. I gasped in horror at the things I had told him.

Ed’s expression was a blend of doubt, shock, fear and anger all at the same time. In the midst of everything else that was running through my head, I wondered why Thomas was telling him all of this.

Looking at Ed after Thomas’s explanation, I saw that his face was downcast, his fists clenched. “Marie told you this?” he asked in a shaky voice that was barely audible.

“I wish you would have told me, Ed.” Thomas replied, his calm exterior unaltered. “I might be able to help you.”

Ed looked up at him. An overwhelming feeling of guilt and regret overtook me when I saw his face. The fact that the anger that showed on it was partly directed at me made it all the more unbearable.

“What did you ask her? You have no right to know any of that!”

He simply shrugged. “She told me without hesitation, it didn’t seem like it was that big of a deal to her.”

Ed slowly approached Thomas and grabbed him by the neck of his shirt. “If you tell anyone, anyone at all, about what you know, I will see to it you regret ever meeting me.”

Amazingly, Thomas lost none of his composure. “But I can help you Ed. I know more about this than you think.”

Ed looked at him suspiciously for a moment before shoving him roughly back into the chair. He turned to go up the stairs. “We’re leaving first thing in the morning. You’d better keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you.”

He walked up the stairs, and I turned away from the window. I hadn’t even noticed the rain had started again, and I was completely drenched.

I stood out in downfall, debating whether I should go talk to him or just turn and run. I finally decided to go inside and saw that Thomas was gone. I treaded slowly up the stairs, dreading what was coming. I stood in front of Ed and Al’s door for what seemed like hours, listening to the hushed murmurs from the other side. Taking a deep breath, I apprehensively raised a shaking hand and knocked softly on the door.

When no one answered, I opened it slightly and peeked inside. The lights were off, but the moonlight pouring in through the window allowed me to see Ed sitting on the bed, his icy glare fixed on me. Al looked at me from the corner, his
face, of course, unreadable.

I was at a loss for words. How was I possibly going to explain this? “Ed, Al…”

“Don’t waste your breath,” Ed growled in a voice I didn’t recognize. There was a hint of sadness mixed in with the anger. “You got your wish, Al and I are leaving in the morning and you can stay here, since that’s apparently what you want.”

It was nearly impossible to answer him, what with the lump forming in my throat and the tears already trickling down my cheeks. “Ed, you don’t understand. Please listen - “

He stormed over to me, and I flinched under his withering glare. His voice was replete with resentment and anger. “You have a lot of nerve. You get some schoolgirl crush, and all of a sudden it’s okay to tell him everything that we’ve tried so hard to keep a secret. You knew I didn’t trust him, and yet you did it anyway!”

The tears were falling freely now. “It’s nothing like that! This has nothing to do with him Ed. You don’t understand what happened…”

He roughly grabbed my arm and moved his face closer to mine. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve given a complete stranger every bit of information I specifically asked you to keep secret! I let you come with Al and I because I trusted you to keep that promise!” I cowered under his infuriated gaze. He shoved me away and turned his back to me.

His voice was quieter now, but had lost none of its former malice. “You’ve put my brother in danger, and I cannot forgive you for that. As much as Thomas knows about alchemy, he undoubtedly knows about the Philosopher’s Stone and its power. As eager as he is to become better at alchemy, he would jump at the opportunity to improve it. Thanks to you, he now knows that there is indeed one existing, that we’re looking for it, and he has all the information he needs to take us out of the picture, us and the current holder of the Stone being the only competition.”

He turned to face me, and for the first time since I‘d met him, I was scared of him. “He knows Al’s weakness, and he knows our enemies. He lied to us about his uncle, and for all we know everything else he told us is a lie. This guy knows way too much to be what he says he is. As shady as he is, I thought you’d take even more precaution to make sure he stayed ignorant of our situation, but I see I was fool to believe that. You’re nothing but a shallow little girl who can’t resist a typical pretty boy.”

Fury and desperation had been building inside me during all of this, and I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “As much as you dislike him, how can you believe him over me! I would never tell him anything like that about you and Al!”

“Then how does he know all of it!”

The arduous task of keeping my voice steady was steadily growing more difficult. “Well…I mean…I suppose I must have told him, but I can’t remember doing it.” I reluctantly met his gaze. “Something was wrong, Ed. I didn’t even know what I was doing until…I got this horrible feeling but I couldn’t remember anything I’d said.”

His unaltered expression showed me he didn’t believe a word I said. “In other words, he seduced you into telling him and you didn’t realize it until it was too late.”

“Damn it, will you get that idea out of your head! I don’t like him and there’s no way I’d tell him anything!” I knew I wasn’t making any sense but I was too frustrated to care.

“What the hell are you talking about? You just admitted to telling him everything!”

“But I’m telling you it wasn’t my fault! You have to believe me!” I dropped to my knees, the never ending tears cascading down my face.

“I already made the mistake of trusting you once. I won’t do it again. Leave.”

“No, please…” I could barely hear my own words.

“Leave, now.” I shifted my gaze to Al, who had finally spoken. I’d never heard him speak like that. The way he said it made it almost impossible for me to believe the demand was directed at me. Al had never been so cold toward me before.

I looked at both of them with pleading eyes, but to no avail. I slowly rose and made my way toward the door, hoping all the time that this was a bad dream I would wake up from at any moment.

Before I shut the door, I managed to clear my throat enough to speak. I kept my back to them. “I want you two to know,” I had trouble finishing the statement, “that I would never purposely do anything to hurt either of you.”

Neither responded, and I left.

I stayed up for hours, never getting more than a five minute break between bursts of tears. I hated Thomas for what he did to me, and I hated Ed and Al for not believing me. In the back of my mind I understood how ridiculous my excuse was, and that I myself probably wouldn’t have believed it, but putting some of the blame on Ed and Al somehow made it easier on me.

I thought about leaving right then and there, but realized I had nowhere to go. I was alone in a strange world, and without Ed and Al, the intensity of how frightening and hopeless my situation was hit me like a brick wall.

And then there was the problem with Thomas. I wasn’t leaving until I figured out what he had done to me. I couldn’t imagine what it was, but I remembered the way I fought against myself when I was speaking to him, and I was positive he must have done something. He was going to pay for taking Ed and Al away from me.