Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Guardian ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Guardian Part Five

 

“You know what to do?” Ed stared out the window, resolutely not looking at the young man beside him.

 

“I remember. I still don't understand why you want us to do this, but we will.” Russell Tringham glanced at the Fullmetal Alchemist from the corner of his eye. When the shorter teen had showed up almost a month ago, with a feverish, but human Al, he'd been startled. Even more so when Ed had practically begged for his help.

 

“Good. Here's your passes to get into headquarters. Find Roy Mustang, he's the Flame Alchemist. Tell him… tell him I said it's time. He'll know what I mean. Take care of Al for me.”

 

“We will. We owe you that much at least.”

 

“Take care of yourselves as well. Maybe we'll meet again someday.” Ed smiled at Russ ruefully, then climbed out the window, quickly vanishing into the night.

 

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

“I have come to fulfill our bargain.”

 

SO IT WOULD SEEM

 

“Don't give me that shit. I am not my father. A month after I restored Al was the deal. I kept my word. I am yours now. Do with me what you will.”

 

IT IS TIME FOR THE CHANGING. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS PAINFUL. YOU ARE WARNED.

 

“Aah, I know all this already. I've read the family journals, remember? Just get it done with.”

 

VERY WELL. BRACE YOURSELF, GUARDIAN

 

Ed collapsed to his hands and knees as black and gold energy poured into his body, breaking and shaping him to its whim. He clenched his teeth, refusing to scream, eyes tightly closed as the pain washed over him in wave after wave; until he finally passed out.

 

When he came to, the first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes were the hooves where his hands should have been.

 

“What The HELL??!!!”

 

SO YOU ARE AWAKE. THAT IS GOOD. YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR GUARDIAN FORM; THAT SHAPE WHICH IS MOST SUITED TO YOUR SOUL AND ENABLES YOU TO GUARD US

 

“Uh-huh, what the FUCK am I?”

 

SEE FOR YOURSELF

 

With that comment, the Gate conjured a mirror in front of Ed. He stared at his new body in awe. He was some sort of unicorn, that was obvious, but the coloring was completely different.

 

His hooves were a deep blood red, glistening as though it were fresh blood. His body was jet black, almost seeming to absorb light. His mane and tail were a rich polished gold color, long and flowing. His eyes retained their original color thankfully, and the foot-long horn on his head was a dark steely gun-metal grey.

 

“How do I change back?”

 

YOU HAVE ONLY TO FOCUS ON YOUR HUMAN FORM TO RESUME IT

 

“heh. Thanks.”

 

YOU ARE THE GUARDIAN.

 

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

“Excuse me. Could you tell me where to find Colonel Mustang?” Russ asked the blond man smoking a cigarette on the front steps of Central Headquarters.

 

“Whose asking?” Havoc glanced at the teen in front of him, who had a small kid; probably his brother on one side, and a sickly looking teenager on the other.

 

“My name is Russell Tringham. Edward Elric asked me to deliver a message to the Colonel for him. If you could please, tell me where to find him, I'd be very grateful.”

 

“Boss's been missing for a month. Don't see how you could have a message from him. What d'you really want?”

 

Russell's eyebrow twitched. “I know Fullmetal has been missing for a month. He was with me for most of it. I want to speak to Colonel Mustang. Ed gave me a message for him. Ed also entrusted his brother into my care; and I'm not letting Al out of my site until I speak with the Colonel. Now, can you help me or not?”

 

Havoc's eyes widened. “Follow me.”

 

Twenty minutes later found them in Mustangs office, all of the man's subordinates crowded in as well.

 

 

Russell made sure Al was comfortable on the couch before turning to face the man Ed called commander. “My name is Russell Tringham. Edward Elric showed up at my home about a month ago. He asked us to help him take care of Al for a bit. According to him, you'll be able to help Al better than we could. Ed claims it's a form of shock. He told me when he showed up that he didn't have much time; and since I… know some of the Elric Family history, I agreed to help. Before he left; Ed asked Fletcher and I to bring Al here, to you. He also said to tell you that it's time. That you'd understand what he meant. We owed Ed, he's helped us out before. Our debt is paid. If you'll excuse us.”

 

With those words, the Tringham brothers left the office. There would be no trace of them for several years.

 

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

It took another week and a half for Al to fully recover. Once he had, Mustang called him into his office and gave him the box Ed had entrusted him with almost two months earlier. Unsurprisingly, Al opened it right then and there. The box contained a stack of battered books and two sheets of paper. The first sheet was Ed's will, listing Roy as Al's legal guardian. Both Al and Roy were stunned by that. The next sheet was the letter Ed had penned in Roy's office the night before he disappeared.

 

Dear Al, it read. By the time you read this, it will be too late for you to stop me. I've found a way to give you back your body. I'm not telling you how I plan to here, because I know you'd use it to try and help me. I won't need it. Enclosed with this letter, you'll have found my will, and a bunch of books. They're journals Al, family journals. There's a lot of family history you don't know Al. I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner. Since humanity first learned of Alchemy, our family has been the Guardians of the Gate. That's part of the reason we survived attempting Human Transmutation. When we did it, the Gate pretty much dumped the entire family history directly into my head. Our father was born four hundred years ago Al. He was supposed to be the next Guardian, but instead, he abandoned his duty, he abused his powers. Four centuries the Gate has been unguarded. It's part of the reason things are so fucked up in the world right now. I made a deal with the Gate that night though. I had until my twenty-first birthday to find a way to restore you myself; and a month of time after that to make sure you'd be okay. If I hadn't succeeded by then, the Gate would restore you itself in exchange for my taking the position nine years early. That's the age the Guardian change traditionally happened, you see. The journals will explain it better. That's another thing Al. When you have kids, one of them will be born with a birthmark somewhere on the back. That's the kid the journals need to be passed on to. It marks the child as the next Guardian. I have one too, in the small of my back. You remember it, right Al? Take care of yourself little brother. I love you.

Ed.

TBC