Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow Of The Day ❯ The Inevitable Move of a Desperate Boy... Part 2 ( Chapter 2 )

The Shadow of the Day

 

Chapter 2 “The Inevitable Move of a Desperate Boy… Part 2”

 

Ed sighed impatiently, scuffing his foot against the cement. Now, he was pretty damn sure that things couldn't get much worse. It had been a few days since everyone had gone back to their homes, but now just one day later, he found himself at Central because Al wanted to get is fill on the things he'd missed out on.

 

That wasn't the reason why though. It was because Winry had been insistent upon coming along, and now she was doing what she did best; spending every last sen he had while trying to persuade both he and Al into a catch-up session with her… or as he would put it; Edward's session in hell. So while Winry was busy buying out the market, he and Al were currently taking root at a table outside a nearby fruit juice shop.

 

“Well, Nii-san…” Al started up, running his fingertips over the shiny new contraptions she had just made his brother lug over to where they were currently loitering. “It's not like you can't afford it with the money you made being in the military.”

 

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well…” He opened his mouth to protest, but came up blank. “Whatever…” He muttered. “Doesn't she have every damn tool already?”

 

He looked thoughtful, sucking on his strawberry-blended drink. “Well, she said that when a new brand comes out on sale, it's advertised with every monthly issue of her automail subscription. Apparently only some shops in Rush Valley and even fewer in Central carry them.” He stated matter-of-factly.

 

Ed stared at him open-mouthed, and a little dumbfounded.

 

He suddenly felt like his collar was a few sizes too small, and tugged on it sheepishly. “Well, she tells me things.” He gave a tiny shrug. “Automail-related things too.”

 

Ed's facial expression didn't change. “And you actually listen… and remember?”

 

Al sighed. His brother's lack of attention certainly wasn't very inspiring. “Well, we should do something nice for her after all this.” He placed his hand on his chin, his die hard childish habits creeping up on him again. “Why don't we take her to Rush Valley? It didn't go too well last time anyway…”

 

His mouth instantly opened in shock, and he rolled his eyes. “Are you kidding? I'd be broke by the end of the day… or hour… or minute!” He grimaced, leaning roughly on the side of his hand and drummed his fingers against the wooden surface of the table.

 

Time passed by slowly. The sun was burning brightly, causing his brother to dig his head into his arms. Al sat there with a grin on his face as he watched his older brother grimace. `He has all the same traits. He is still the way I remember him…' The fact was that he still couldn't remember everything, even though his brother was there. It had opened some of the pathways of his memories, but he still knew there were blanks and missing pages to he and his brother's journey.

 

“So, Nii-san…” Al began. His brother didn't quite remove his hand from shielding his head from the mid-afternoon sun, but he did make some sort of coherent grimace, so he continued. “I'm still worried about things. I mean, is it really over? I didn't think that we'd ever be rid of the dangers, and what of that `gate of truth' place I kinda heard you bring up?”

 

He heard his brother groan as he lifted his head a little. “Well, I guess we're not totally off the hook. I mean Wrath and Gluttony are still kickin' it around somewhere…” His eyes narrowed as he stared off into the distance. “Tucker and his form of Nina have disappeared, and as for Envy… well, I really don't know what happened to him after I saw him in the gate, and neither does…” He grimaced a bit.

 

Al crinkled his eyebrows. “What was that, Nii-san?”

 

“It's nothing, Al.” He sighed. “Nothing at all.” He didn't hate their father anymore, not really. After all, he had been able to spend some time with him during his time on Earth, albeit a very short time, but he had been able to understand his father's reasons for leaving, but still… if it wasn't for his help, Ed wouldn't be here with his brother and everyone else like this.

 

The real reason behind it was Al. Since he was a kid again, Ed could bet that his childish emotions were running on high, and learning that their dad had been close by would probably make Al filled with regret that he wasn't able to see him, as a human. He knew it wasn't fair, Ed didn't even really like him while Al did, yet he himself was the one who got to spend time with him… sighing, he took a sip of his own drink-

 

“EDWARD!”

 

“SHI-” He jumped about a foot and smacked his head against the pole of the table's umbrella and spit out his mouthful of mango fruit juice- all over Winry. Despite the sun's rays, it felt like the area had gone down a few degrees below zero as Winry calmly wiped the saliva-mixed juice off her face.

 

He swallowed hard out of fear as he tugged harshly on his collar while Al pretended to be invisible. “S-sorry, Winry- didn't really see you there…” He gulped again and cringed as he awaited the appearance of her wrench.

 

“It's fine, Ed.” She stated- still calmly- as she grabbed one of Al's napkins and wiped the splatter from her face.

 

He slowly lowered himself back onto his seat, adjusting his overcoat so it hung on either side. “You're not pissed?” There was a lot of suspicion in his voice.

 

“Nope…” She stated simply and Ed gradually felt the tension in his shoulders lessen. That was until she picked up his cup and spilt the remaining half all over his hair. Al couldn't help but burst out laughing at the look of shock on his brother's face as the icy liquid seeped under his collar and down his neck.

 

“WIN-RY!” Eyes aflame, he jumped up as Winry took the seat next to Al.

 

“Oh, and what're you going to do, short stuff?” She laughed a bit, intertwining her fingers together as she rested on her palms.

 

“DON'T relate my height to this because it's got nothing to do with it!”

 

“Nii-san, you're making a scene… again.” Al shielded his face as a few people looked their way, but he still couldn't help but chuckle. Truthfully, it was times like these that were his favourites.

 

“You stay out of this, Al!” He shook his head a bit, trying to get the ice chunks out of his hair. “Damn it, I think you got some in my eye too…” He snorted and rubbed his face with the back of his sleeve and took a step back, forgetting that his chair was still behind him and tripped. Though he didn't fall far because he ended up smacking into the person behind him.

 

In his rage he felt like taking it out on whomever got in his way, until he paled at the sight of a grouchy-looking woman who was either incredibly obese or was wearing a blimp under her clothes. Behind him, Al and Winry were wearing similar expressions. “Look at what you did, you clumsy, little fool! You've broken my compact!” She scowled down at him, very mindful of her belongings that were now spilled all over the ground.

 

For once, one of his lines was lost in the back of his mind. “S-sorry, lady! Hey- uh, just give me a sec.” He turned around to where his brother and Winry were now standing. “Al, get over here!” He hissed. Winry also caught on as she raced up to the woman to distract her as not to bring up the usual questions that Ed was now sick of answering.

 

“What is it, Nii-san?” Al asked in a hushed tone as he squatted down to his brother's level, both of them vaguely overhearing Winry gloating about her new purchases to the clearly dumfounded woman as she helped her put her things back into her purse.

 

“Here, Al.” He pushed the broken pieces of the cosmetic set over to him. “Why don't you handle this one?”

 

He looked at him strangely. “Sure, Nii-san, I don't mind… but, why can't you do it?”

 

He could see an odd look in his brother's eyes, but then he shrugged sheepishly. “It's been awhile since I've done any alchemy, since it doesn't exist in the world I was in, so I'm probably a bit rusty.” Al instantly perked up and quickly nodded, smiling at him in understanding as he pulled a piece of white chalk from his coat pocket and quickly drew an array, as he had many times before.

 

As the alchemic flash grew, Ed looked over at Winry and the woman, who looked like she wanted out from Winry's free advertising campaign and grinned as Al took it over to her. “Here you go, sorry about that.” He smiled politely. All the woman did was grab the compact unceremoniously from Al's hand and stalked off with her nose held high.

 

Ed wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue. “Sour, old bat…” He muttered. Almost immediately, he took out his pocket watch and checked the time. “Shit, it's that late already?!” He shouted abruptly. “Winry, are you done? Can we go now?” He sighed, ignoring the heated glare she was giving him, but as he kept staring at her, the heat eventually found its way to her cheeks.

 

Al looked between them and grinned. It seemed like the effects his brother had on Winry were endless.

 

However, unbeknownst to the whole account, Ed snorted and spun on his heel. There was no way they were going to make it at this rate, so the fastest way to the station would be to cut through the back alleys. He grimaced, that was just asking for trouble, but nothing could be worse than the crap he'd gone through before.

 

Little did he know that in some ways, he chose to leave town just one damn minute too late.

 

----------

 

“Alright, bitch, hand over the money now!” A man sneered pressing his gun further into a young mother's mouth.

 

“M-Mama…” The little girl whispered, clutching tighter onto her mother's skirt as she felt her hand push her small form further behind her body.

 

“Either you hand over the money, or the little creampuff gets it in the head.” He stated calmly, giving the girl a sadistic smile.

 

The mother instantly squealed, but the man holding the gun pulled it higher so she would have to stand up on her tip toes. The girl sniffled and looked from the man back to her mother. Following the demand of the deranged thief, the woman reached into her bag with the barrel of the gun still in her mouth as she felt the quivering form of her precious daughter.

 

“Well, something about this doesn't seem right…”

 

The man frowned at the cocky, but sardonic voice and turned to the side, the barrel of the gun was still in the woman's mouth, but the pressure had lessened. “Ya got a problem, shortie?”

 

“HEY, OLD MAN! DON'T ASSUME THINGS BASED ON HEIGHT!” Ed breathed deeply as he worked out the kink he just made in his arm from flailing around. He then sighed in real boredom as everyone there was looking at him strangely. “Why do people always say that anyway? They usually end up six feet under.”

 

The man growled. “Feh, smartass, little punk! I'll teach you a lesson!” He pulled away from the woman, but Ed's eyes widened as he realized that the idiot certainly had no clue about guns as his thumb brushed harshly against the trigger while it was still aimed at her.

 

Before the man even had time to strike, Ed was instantly in front of them, bringing his hands together as he, without thinking, transmuted his automail arm into his blade and held it up in front as the bullet ricocheted off the surface and grazed the man's shoulder. As he screeched out overdramatically, Ed's left arm came around as he punched him in the jaw, sending him sprawling on the ground.

 

He sweatdropped at the guy's haphazard form. Was it just him, or did dealing with these types of guys seem like a cakewalk now?

 

He sighed as he walked over to the woman and her daughter. “Hey, are you two okay?” He smiled, placing his hand behind his back as his automail's blade retracted.

 

The woman stood to her feet, wrapping her hands firmly around her daughter. “Yes, thank you. Thank you very much, young man.” She smiled lightly, gripping onto her daughter's hand.

 

“You're awesome, mister!” The little girl grinned as her mother picked her up. “Mama says that when someone is good they get a treat, um…” She it her lip as she stuck her hand into her grab bag. “Here! Have a lolli!” She held out a cherry lollipop out to him.

 

Ed grinned as she practically rammed it into his hand before her mother carried her off. Really, it was all in a day's work.

 

“Nii-san!” “Ed!” Two voices called in unison.

 

He blinked and turned around just as Al and Winry rounded the corner the mother and her daughter had just went. “What took you guys so long?” He asked sarcastically.

 

Winry's lips were set in a firm line as she jabbed a finger in his face. “You just ran off all of a sudden and there's practically a hundred alleys in this one area!” She took a deep breath as Al bent over to look at something. “What were you doing anyway?”

 

“You certainly did a number on this guy, Nii-san.” Al stated in amusement.

Winry turned around and jumped a little when she saw him, and Ed chuckled. “Yeah, he was after this lady's money, but…” He smirked just a bit ominously. “I taught him a lesson.”

 

Al grinned as he stood up while Winry suddenly looked concerned. “You used alchemy, Nii-san? Guess you're not so rusty after all.” He chuckled.

 

Ed nodded proudly and bowed until his eyes flew open and he shot up straight, hand flying to his flesh hand.

 

“Ed…?” Winry asked, hesitantly walking towards him slowly.

 

“NO!” He snapped, making her stop short. “Don't come any closer!”

 

“Nii-san…” His eyebrows crinkled together as he too came closer. “Nii-san, what's wrong?”

 

A spark ran through his left hand and he grunted, falling down on one knee. “NII-SAN!” He screamed, running over to his side. Winry stood where she was looking fearfully at the spot his automail hand was concealing.

 

“No, Al! I said STAY AWAY!” He cried out again as he removed his hand, revealing a black traced array that Al, and not even he himself had ever seen in any texts. Though Ed's eyes still grew fearful.

 

Al only backed away a little as the same shape reflected on the ground three times its size in a white light as the pain of needles seemed to continuously jab the area on his arm.

 

Just as the white light seemed so pure, lighting up the world, Al's eyes widened as it dulled down into a dark glow in the centre. He screamed and clutched his head as a torrent of memories clouded his vision, the light bringing him back to… that time. Ed's eyes were wide, but he gritted his teeth and snapped his eyes shut. This time, it was he alone who had brought this on, and that he broke the deal so it was only him who would have to pay.

 

Or so he thought.

 

It was different this time, as the light itself seemed to rip the ground in half. No it wasn't the light, something that was much stronger was ripping a hole into that world, and this time, it wasn't just the shadowy hands that were present that time. Al still hadn't moved away, but instead he crawled over towards his brother.

 

“Nii-san, what-” He nearly screamed when he felt something foreign wrap around his ankle.

 

“Al! What's wrong?” Winry clutched onto the textured surface of the wall, trying to resist whatever seemed to be pulling them towards the array. Carefully, she tried to pull herself over to the side they were on.

 

At hearing that, Ed's eyes bolted open. “W-what are you doing?!” He seemed to yell at nothing. “It's not him, it's ME you want!”

 

“Nii-san…” His voice quivered and was in slight alarm as something that was almost transparent coiled around his leg.

 

“AL!” He dove forward just as it roughly yanked his brother back, but he still latched onto his hand.

 

“Nii-san, don't…” Al glanced fearfully backwards as it coiled once more, and he could see exactly what it was going to do. He looked back at Ed who was trying to gain a bit of leverage. “It'll pull you in too.”

 

“Ed!” Winry called out. “Give me your hand!” She cried out, locking her feet around a low-running pipe embedded in the wall.

 

Clutching onto Al's hand tighter, he reached back and grabbed onto hers as he started to pull him out, using Winry's support as leverage. Al looked back again as the pasty object flexed a little while still coiled from the hole behind him. It was taunting him. He looked back up worriedly as they both were trying to haul him out. There was no way he was going to let his brother and Winry get pulled in with him.

 

Ed's eyes widened as he felt Al's hold go slack. He looked back only to see his brother smiling sadly at him. “No, Al, don't do it!”

 

Though it was too late, his fingers had already slipped through his and was instantly pulled back, and into the darkness.

 

He pulled himself forward, the pain in his arm weighing him back. “NO, you can't take him! It was MY fault, you can't take him away from me!!” He screamed, but the light had already dissipated as had the crack, and he slammed his fist into the ground, splitting open his knuckles.

 

Winry stared at the back of him, frozen to her spot on the cement as he shook. She didn't understand what had just happened, but Al… she watched him only for one more minute as coppery fluid ran down his hand before crawling over to his side. She rested half on her hip as she looked up sadly and confused into his eyes. He didn't even know she was there as he stared down at the spot blankly, mouth quivering.

 

Gods… what had he done?

 

----------

 

Pinako had always been able to sense tension, and it was certainly deafening within the Rockbell home.

 

She glanced over at Den who was laying down by the door to the workshop, where Winry currently was, only she wasn't actually working, the heavy silence from the room being the clue. They say that animals can sense the moods of others better than anything else, and all the old boy seemed to do for the past few days was follow Winry around, but still give her space. That, or he would sit outside of the room Alphonse had resided in…

 

Her eyebrows crinkled as she lowered her gaze to the ground. She had instantly known that something was amiss when her granddaughter and Edward had come home. Not because Alphonse wasn't with them, heck he could've just gone to visit the boys' old teacher or perhaps stayed with the Hughes' a little longer. No, it was the look in Winry's eyes, and she could always tell when something was bothering her granddaughter. Edward held the same look, but he had locked himself up in his room before she could question him.

 

Winry was the one who had broken the news to her.

 

It had been a week since they returned, and for the first five days, Edward never left his room, but Winry still went in there to visit him. Then after awhile, he started coming out on his own, but spent his days either on the porch or going for walks. Either way, he wasn't mindless, he still deep in thought. At least he hadn't completely isolated himself, he still let Winry in, even if he didn't speak much, if at all.

 

She was fully aware of the changes in them lately, and the fact that they seemed close. Nothing was said, but she also knew about the solitary night they'd spent together, after all, she did have ears. Some things were better left unsaid though, especially at a time like this. Besides, Winry and Edward were not stupid, they knew about the potential consequences and that they would have to take responsibility for their actions, as does everyone else, and she would expect nothing less of her own granddaughter.

 

For a moment, she stood in the doorway of the workshop, watching in concern as Winry, clad in her mechanics attire, sat at her workbench with her head laying on her arm as she mindlessly held a small screw between her thumb and index finger, flipping it back and forth. She had already suggested that Winry should take a break from all this and visit Rose or another friend, but she flat out refused to leave Edward alone.

 

She sighed as she walked up to her quietly. “You shouldn't fall asleep down here, kiddo, you'll wake up feeling older than me.” She stated softly, placing her hand on the girl's head, rubbing it gently.

 

“I know…” She dropped her hand on the desk, her fingers still curled around the screw, but didn't make a move to get up.

 

Pinako stared into her granddaughters hollow eyes, as though life itself had been taken away from a beautiful misty meadow, leaving behind caverns of emptiness. She wondered if Winry was too broken to return back to the way things were, if that was even possible. Not when a member of the family had been taken away from them.

 

The same look was in Edward's eyes, but not emotional.

 

It was the worst feeling in the world, one that only a parent should feel, but she did as well. To have to sit back and watch as these two, who were like her own children, fall further apart and not being able to do anything about it. A feeling of helplessness, as it was, for the strong-willed Elric boy and her own son's beautiful daughter.

 

Winry glanced to the side until a flicker of light caught her vision. “Granny…” Winry whispered in a sultry voice completely not her own.

 

She nodded. “I'm here.”

 

Winry stood up, smoothing the creases out of her pale lavender pants as she looked out the window in front of the desk towards the darkened fields that held a strange light to them. “Do you see that?”

 

Pinako turned towards the window. “What is it, dear?”

 

Winry furrowed her eyebrows, squinting through the window, but there was nothing but a twinkling night sky and pastures. “It's nothing, I guess.” Although her grandmother knew better and sometimes tried to coax to the girl to eat more than she had been.

 

Pinako sighed as she picked up the phone and began dialling in a number she thought she'd never use. If Winry didn't want to leave Edward's side so she could visit a friend, she would just have to get them to come to her and perhaps open her eyes.

 

----------

 

She was coming… Winry was so excited that she'd spent the entire morning pacing back and fourth in the house like a hyperactive kid who'd had more than their fair share of sugar. Ed had grown exasperated from her anxiety and was now currently taking root on the porch swing. She was never a patient person, her grandmother had always told her. Winry was the kind to rush downstairs in her pyjamas and tear open her birthday presents.

 

When she heard Den's barking, signalling that someone was coming up the dusty path and was almost at the house, she about ripped the screen door apart. “Riza-san!” She squealed, seeing the older woman stop at the foot of the steps and smile up at her. Taking the porch steps two at a time, she leapt up, wrapping her arms around the former First Lieutenant.

 

Riza was startled as she felt the full brunt of Winry's assault. She wasn't used to such contact and enthusiasm, but then again, this was Winry Rockbell, so she smiled and patted the young woman on the back. She looked up at the porch and was a bit disturbed to see Edward gazing mindlessly at the horizon, a look of perpetual nothingness within his eyes.

 

“Riza-san, I've been waiting for you all morning.” Winry took her hand and sleeve, pulling her up the steps and into the house. “Come on, do you want some tea?”

 

Hawkeye stared at the back of Winry, knowing that something was wrong with her. Her eyes were lacking the usual sparkle and were more the dismal colour of slate. She also looked too thin and too pale to be well. Before she followed Winry inside, she looked over at Edward again. Now he was glaring over at her as if she was a known enemy instead of someone he had befriended along his journey. His behaviour was certainly more than a little disturbing.

 

“Winry-san, are you okay?” She asked the next morning. Winry looked so tired as of late, so that morning Riza pulled the reluctant girl out of her workshop to go on a short walk. Now the two of them were sitting on the steep, grassy hill by the old river that ran through the town. It was the only time so far when Ed was not standing two feet away from the poor girl. Why was he so guarded all of a sudden? Even more than he used to be. His strange over-possessiveness of Winry bothered Hawkeye into wondering why he was acting like this, like he was afraid of something…

 

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Although Winry's smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

 

Hawkeye frowned. “I know something's wrong.” When Winry bowed her head, shielding her eyes with her bangs, she went on. “Edward's not acting like himself.”

 

“I know…” Winry whispered.

 

“How long has he been acting this way?” Hawkeye wondered, especially seeing the girl so thin.

 

“Three months.” Winry mindlessly picked a dandelion, letting the pollen glide off their pedestal into the breeze.

 

“About the time you, him and Alphonse visited Central.” She furrowed her eyebrows. “That reminds me. When your grandmother called, she said that Alphonse decided to go visit the boys' teacher. He still isn't back yet?” She was fully aware of Winry's short in-take of breath and narrowed her eyes in concern.

 

“No… no, he hasn't.” She let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around her knees, bringing them up snugly against her chest. She felt the intensity of Riza's eyes drilling into her. She knew she couldn't fool the older woman, she really did, but…

 

“Don't tell anyone else a word, Winry.” She sometimes wondered why his golden eyes seemed to repel her own sapphire ones, instead of melting into them like she'd wanted. “They'll only interfere. I'm going to bring him back, at any cost.”

 

And she really believed him.

 

“Winry…” Riza's firm yet comforting voice brought her out of her thoughts. “Tell me what's really going on.” Her tone was slightly demanding too. The strange shudder she noticed running through Winry's body, the fearful expression in her eyes took her back. Only one thing could dampen the young woman's spirits so much. Riza knew the answer… Edward.

 

But there was something more…

 

“Oh, Riza…” Winry's voice was shaky and muffled as she buried her face in the crook of her knees, and Riza could tell that she was crying. The girl was never one to conceal her emotions, yet she was still very strong. It was heart-wrenching to see her breakdown.

 

For the next little while, she spilled out everything to Riza, despite what Ed had told her. To say that the older woman was shocked was more than an understatement. Yet her expression remained indifferent as Winry spoke her mind, every word that slipped out of her mouth seemed to be laced with grief. She remained silent until she finished confiding in her. Riza really felt honoured at that, considering they had only become friends as of late.

 

She exhaled deeply, keeping her head bowed towards her knees. “And now… I don't know what more I can do for him, but I will always give my life to him.” She blinked when realization hit that she'd used the word give instead of share, at the same time the woman next to her narrowed her eyes for a sliver of a second.

 

Riza waited a moment longer before she reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Let's go for a walk, you need a break from all this.” Gently, she pulled the broken girl to her feet to continue along the path. She knew that it must be hard on Winry as well, Alphonse was like a little brother to her too. She could only imagine what Edward was going through…

 

“But, I'm afraid…” She reached up, wiping the evidence of her despair from her eyes. “I'm afraid of w-what he might do. They were always inseparable, and now… I just don't want to lose them both…”

 

“Elysia's starting her first year of school in a few days.” Hawkeye knew that would get the girl's attention, since the two seemed so close.

 

“How… is Elysia doing?” Winry asked, regretting the fact that she couldn't visit the young girl herself. She just couldn't leave Ed in the condition he was in. She needed to be there so he didn't completely lose his mind.

 

“She's very intelligent, despite her age.” She glanced over as the gleeful shouts of children playing in the lush fields made her smile. “She likes to visit Roy… and ask about Maes. He is careful with his choice of words of course.” A wave of silence settled over them for a moment as they reminisced in the late afternoon sun. Nothing but the casual sounds of the rural town filled their ears as their walk drew to an end, as the yellow house came into sight.

 

“She's growing up so fast. I bet she'll do great things.” Winry paused in her walk and smiled sadly, knowing she was missing out. She had really taken what Hughes had said to heart; about them being like sisters.

 

Riza stopped as well a few steps ahead and looked back at Winry who stood shakily, holding her middle while fiddling with the material of her shirt. It felt so wrong to her. Winry had waited so long for the return of the Elric brothers, and now something else had to happen to screw things up for them. The girl really had been cheated on more than one occasion, and now she was being robbed of her happiness again. “Winry-san, I'm leaving in the morning. You should come with me and I can take you to stay with the Hughes' for awhile.”

 

“You make it seem like I'm unhappy.” Winry looked up at the placid older woman, searching her bronze eyes for an answer to her own problems.

 

“Are you?” The intensity in Riza's eyes had returned as she looked down at the girl with wistful concern.

 

That was the last thing Riza told her…

 

And Winry knew that she should have listened.

 

It had been another couple of weeks since Riza had last come to visit. Winry had started to lose track of time as she watched the man she loved sink further and further away from reality. She wasn't even sure if she knew what day it was anymore.

 

----------

 

“Ed…?” Winry opened the door quietly, careful not to let the hinges squeak. It was late already, almost eleven o'clock, and she hadn't seen him since the day before. “Sorry I woke you.” She opened the door a little further, letting the light illuminate his room better. She blinked when she realized he wasn't there. The blankets were a jumbled mess, but his bed was empty. She released the door handle and rubbed the back of her neck, something about this seemed wrong.

 

She looked around the room he was currently taking root in. There were a few articles of clothing scattered on the carpet and a bunch of what she presumed to be alchemy books lying open on the floor as well. She walked over and bent down to clean up some of his clutter. She picked up one of the books, upside down at first, but didn't bother flipping it around. After all, what difference would it make? It was all gibberish to her. She lowered herself on her knees as she slung his clothing over the crook of her arm, at the same time she looked around. There were papers scattered across the desk and bedside table, and the blinds were drawn partway, still allowing some of the moonlight to seep through.

 

She sighed. Life in the rural town certainly sucked as of late.

 

After she shoved the clothing into one of the drawers, which was just as disorganized, she left the room and went downstairs where her grandmother was standing by the kitchen window, looking outwards at the sky. “Hi, Grandma.”

 

Pinako turned to her, looking over her inquisitive stare. “Winry, what are you doing up at this hour? You don't have any late jobs tonight.”

 

She shook her head, placing a hand on her hip. “No, but…” She paused as she looked to where Pinako had been staring at so intently. “Have you seen Ed?” It was late, and she was worried that he hadn't even eaten since yesterday.

 

Though Winry didn't like the look on Pinako's face as she turned back to the window. “I haven't seen him, but there is a strange light hovering over the fields.” Winry followed her gaze and just about froze. Not because of the dark light that seemed to flicker red, but because of where it seemed to be coming from.

 

She turned on her heel and immediately bolted for the front door. “Winry? Are you all right?” Pinako asked, seeing as the girl was acting very strange, this situation somehow seemed familiar. “Do you want me to go with you?”

 

Den perked up his ears and lifted his head from where he had been lying in the foyer, whimpering as Winry rushed passed.

 

Winry stumbled a bit as she pulled on her shoes, tying them into a mess of knots. “I'll be fine, Grandma, you know I can take care of myself.” She gave her a brilliantly nervous smile and shoved the screen door aside and shot down the porch stairs into the brisk night air.

 

She shivered as she strolled through the gloomy shadows and followed the familiar trail leading up the hill, wrapping her thin clothing tighter around her body. She blinked as the light disappeared momentarily when she neared the top, fully aware that she wouldn't let her eyes move over to the charred remains. When she looked over to the far side she ducked behind the burnt tree on the property.

 

Edward flexed his fingers a few times before taking a deep breath. It had taken him forever to figure out the array used to open the gate, since he had only seen that evil bitch do it once. He exhaled finally as he clapped his hands together. `Please let me have my brother back, please give him back to me…' “HE'S THE ONLY LITTLE BROTHER I HAVE!” With every bit of strength he could muster, he slammed his hands onto the circle.

 

Too close. Winry felt her blood chill as a strange light illuminated the area, and she suddenly felt confined and much too close to where he was as she felt herself being pulled forward as a piercing white light filled the area, engulfing everything within the radius of the Elric's property.

 

When the light faded, she felt her heart stop as she fell to her knees at the sight she was beholding. It was more than a little daunting, and the image that pieced itself together in her mind of a thick stone structure with ancient inscriptions along the outside of the frame only added to it. The inside of it was dark, but soon it seemed to come to life as huge stone doors swung open, revealing countless sets of the glossy eyes you would see on someone who had just died.

 

And in front of her was Ed, as tense as ever, staring murderously up at the spectres. As far as she knew, he still didn't know she was there.

 

“You're back again, foolish human. You've become a regular, haven't you?”

 

She found the voice to be strange. It was cold and warm at the same time. The feeling of chills crawling up her spine made itself known as she felt drawn towards the voice all the same. It was far from any tangible thing she'd encountered.

 

“Give me back my brother.” The dark tone of his voice even made her shiver as did his firm stature.

 

“That's going to take a fair bit, Edward Elric.”

 

He growled, grounding his metal fingers together. “This isn't about him, it's about me. I'm the one who broke the rules, so I'm the one who'll pay the price!” Unbeknownst to him or Winry, one of the gate's many shadowy hands had slithered out of the opening.

 

“Tell me something…” The voice queried. “If I take your life, what next? You'll be dead and all your troubles will be over. No, Mr. Elric, I want you to suffer. You've come and gone by this area way too many times to be ignored. Why do you think I did that to your brother in the first place all those years ago? It would have been the fastest way to drive you into a pit of perpetual sorrow.”

 

His eyes widened, unmindful as the black silhouette slithering around his feet before eventually passing by. “What are you?” He suddenly took a step back, fear etching its way into his voice. “ANSWER ME!”

 

“I'm a collector, Edward Elric. You could say that I collect the souls of beings who have lucked out one too many times or can't afford to pay the price.”

 

“And what gives YOU the right to decide who goes?!”

 

The voice was silent for a moment, but not because of his question, but because the hand had just found its mark. “Alright, boy, we'll play things your way.” In the next moment, another hand emerged as it flung something straight at him and almost knocked the wind out of him.

 

When the shadow hand slunk back into the doorway, he pulled himself up rubbing the side of his head as he glanced to the side. “Al…?” His eyes lit up as he saw him shifting slightly, his eyes starting to peel open. “You're okay…”

 

Winry's eyes widened as she smiled, eyes brimming a bit with unshed tears. He was okay, Al was fine, even after these past weeks.

 

“Oh, Mr. Elric…” The voice taunted. “We still have our little deal to discuss, and you broke your end.”

 

He ground his teeth together as he finally tore his gaze away from his brother. “Right, I'm the one you want… but you can't have my brother…” He pushed himself forward onto his knees and stood up. He glared up at the entrance, firmly standing his ground. “So take me.”

 

`Ed, no!' She longed to say it out loud, but she couldn't find her voice for some reason. She just didn't want to lose one more person.

 

“Nii-san?” Al finally pulled himself up so he was sitting. “What's going on?” He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes. “That-…” His eyes widened at the ominous sight of the gate.

 

“It's fine, Al.” He stated tightly through clenched teeth without turning around. “I'm handling it.”

 

“Handling you say?” The voice mocked. “Well, let's see how well you handle things in this realm, boy.”

 

“SHUT UP!” He screamed. “Let my brother go and never put him in jeopardy again! I want…” His mouth curled into a smirk.

 

“What is it, boy?” The voice actually sounded curious.

 

He lifted his gaze again, steeling his expression. “I want you to leave and never come back, and for the gate to be destroyed so that it can't harm anyone again.”

 

Once again the voice was silent for a moment. “It can be done, Mr. Elric, because you're such a fun target, but…” It was then that Winry felt what could only be described as bitter ice, feathering against her ankle. “What do you say we call this day with one final twist?” He furrowed his brows in anger, wondering what it was the spectre meant until a high-pitched squeal made him jolt.

 

Both he and Al whipped around and stared in mute shock for a moment as they watched Winry trying to untangle her feet from the black arm wrapped around her ankles. “Winry!” Al was the first to snap to it as he raced to her side and tried to pull the it away from her, but when he touched it, a spark shot through his veins causing him to yelp.

 

“Harmless as it seems, doesn't it, little fool?” It chuckled haughtily.

 

Ed's temper broiled even further as he followed over to Winry's side. “Leave her alone, you bastard! She's got nothing to do with this!”

 

“Ed…” The icy feeling that had started at her ankles had now spread throughout her whole body, making her quiver horribly. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have followed you…”

 

He gently placed his hand on her forearm. “Winry, this is serious, and by being here you've put yourself in big trouble.” Even he felt his nerves getting to him while being in this place.

 

Suddenly she cried out as the slack of the arm tightened and yanked her forward roughly a bit towards the open door as both of them dove forward and latched onto her arms, Al falling right onto his stomach. “Knock it off!” Ed seethed. “DON'T FUCK WITH ME!”

 

“You'll want to close your mouth and listen to this, boy.” Oh, how Ed would've loved to punch him in the face if he had a physical body. “This has turned into a rather interesting scenario. It seems that I have the boy prodigy, his kid brother, and his closest friend all in my domain.” His statement was followed by his notorious laughter that Ed was starting to get mighty sick of.

 

“This is my proposition for you, Edward Elric. I'll do as you wish and ensure that no one else can get to this place, and I'll let you go free without a price, but… now, this is my favourite part.” It chuckled as another one of its seemingly infinite arms came forward and swerved at the entrance, flexing its ghostly fingers in Al's direction.

 

“You have to make a choice; who will go home with you and who will stay here with me? Will it be your precious baby brother or your darling best friend?” One of the fingers on the arm wrapped around Winry tapped her lightly on the knee, but she was too shocked at the entity's words to feel the daggers of ice shooting up her ligaments.

 

And nothing but a bitter silence rested over the room.

 

“… … … what?” His voice was hoarse and raw and he felt like he couldn't breathe. “You can't be serious… you can't expect me to choose!”

 

“Choose you will, Mr. Elric.” The voice replied coolly. “Unless you would prefer to lose them both that is, hmm?”

 

“This is insane!” He bolted up. “You aren't a guardian, you're the devil's right hand, you MONSTER!”

 

“Nii-san…” Al was holding Winry's hand as he stroked her wrist, as the cold was threatening to make her pass out.

 

“I tire of your insolence, boy. Choose now, or lose them both.”

 

“Nii-san…” His voice was a bit more forceful this time as he gently placed Winry's hand on her stomach.

 

“You're insane! You have no right to play with people's emotions like this! Who the hell do you think you are?!”

 

“Nii-san!” Al's voice finally got through to him, only Ed didn't turn around quite yet.

 

He dipped his head down, golden bangs fanning over his face, shielding his eyes. His kid brother had that tone in him again, the same tone he used when he was trying to be strong. Hesitantly, he turned his body partly around to face him. “Al?” The hesitance was in his voice too.

 

“I'll go.” His jaw was set firm, indicating there was no room for discussion.

 

“No way, Al.” He took a few steps towards his little brother, but stopped at the steeled look on his face. “I'm not gonna lose you again.”

 

The arm around Winry's legs went slack and she took the opportunity to pull herself free, letting the warmth return to her body as she pulled herself onto her knees. “He's right, Al, you can't! You're his-”

 

“I've already made up my mind, Winry.” He smiled down at her weakly. “This whole thing is messed up anyway, and you don't even use alchemy. It's not fair that you got mixed up in this.” He walked over to her and gently let his fingers run over her temple and cheek before glancing over at his brother.

 

Ed's eyes were wide and he couldn't seem to find his voice. “Al… no, y-you-… you can't.” He swallowed with a bit of difficulty as his mouth was dry. His eyes fully focused on his little brother as his heartbeat seemed to beat steadily in his ear.

 

He smiled but turned away quickly, looking back at Winry. “Take care of him for me, okay Winry?” He really had no doubts about that. Her eyes had already begun to spill over with tears as she gazed up at him desperately. She swallowed as a few more slide down her cheek as she nodded very slightly and leaned over, embracing him firmly.

 

He was the one who reluctantly pulled away from her and turned towards the entrance to the gate as she stood up behind him.

 

Ed stood there numbly and completely incoherent as he watched his younger brother's movements, eyes fading to a rusted gold. The shadowy hands were now waiting at the entrance, shifting back and forth like snakes in anticipation, and Al was walking towards them. He swallowed hard once again as voices emanated in his head.

 

“This pain's nothing… compared to what he's given up…”

 

The air around him seemed to freeze completely as he clenched and unclenched his hands, eyes twitching anxiously.

 

“No, Nii-san. I'll take the alchemist exam so we can get your body back…”

 

His foot slid forward as did the other echo his movement after a hesitation.

 

“Al… it's my fault… return him, he's my little brother; my arms, my leg, my heart… just please… RETURN HIM TO ME! HE IS MY ONLY BROTHER!!!”

 

His steps turned into a run as his brother turned to look at him, and he expected to see the same smile he did when they were both children. Only it wasn't happiness, it was one of confusion that soon melted into horror.

 

“Maybe no life has equal trade. Maybe you can give up all you've got and get nothing back. But still, even if I can't prove it's true, I have to try… for your sake, Al.”

 

He felt soft material against one of his hands as he reached out with both.

 

“Edward…?” Her sweet voice was laced with fear towards him, but he had already fallen to his knees.

 

“Nii-san! What are you-?!”

 

As if on cue, the shadowy hands curled and shot forward, wrapping themselves around her arms and looped around her middle.

 

“Winry, WINRY!” Al screamed as he reached out, instinctively grabbing her hand. Winry's eyes widened as she felt the familiar prick of the hands securely wrapping themselves around her and pulled her back slowly and tauntingly. She opened her mouth, but nothing but an inaudible scream came as she fell backwards easily from his grasp as the doors slammed shut.

 

He stared vacantly forward as the resounding noise of the doors echoed in his ears. “Winry…” Al slowly sank down to his knees inches in front, reaching out with one hand and placed it on the textured surface on the cold, stone door. His fingers curled into a little fist as the tears he'd kept bottled in the whole time came out before his voice broke into a scream of her name that shook the foundations of the gate.

 

“It seems you have chosen, haven't you… Edward Elric?”

 

The area around the gate was usually blinding, but now it had darkened to a mere glow, it reminded him- both of them- so much of back then. The image of the gate dissolving as a sharp gust blew through was the last thing Al saw as they were pulled from the yellow void and into darkness.

 

All Ed could do was stare down at his hands as the wind tore into his clothing.

 

----------

 

Disclaimer: I actually don't want to own FMA. It sounds like too much work.

 

You probably know that Ed and Winry are both sixteen to start off, and Al is in his ten-year-old body. “(…).” means that whatever is being spoken is in a different language, and translated in the brackets.

 

Salina: Now who else thinks it was better to split it into two parts? Come on, who had a good idea?

 

Tashi grabs popcorn and begins to shove them into her mouth: Who had what now?

 

Please Review!

 

It will be greatly appreciated because I want to know what the fans on this site think of it. Believe it or not, this was technically my first story for FMA.

 

And if anyone cares, the original date I started this was:

 

01/12/05