InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Into the Well and Through the Gate To Edward’s House We Go ❯ Ed's Story Part 1 ( Chapter 2 )

Into the Well and Through the Gate To Edward's House We Go

 

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or Full Metal Alchemist.

 

Chapter Two - Edward's Story Part 1

 

Munich 1923

 

“Son of a bitch!” was heard muttered from somewhere beneath a mass of blonde hair.

 

“Really Edward such language doesn't become you.” A deep voice resonated from the doorway of the small rundown room that served as their temporary home.

 

Golden eyes met their twins, as the one now known as Edward or Ed as he preferred to be called, raised his head to glare at the unwanted disturbance. It was Hohenheim, his father, the bastard that he was stuck with in this world on the other side of the gate. Although that wasn't entirely true, because he could have gone off on his own or his father could have refused to help him find his way back.

 

In the time that they had spent together in post-war Europe, they had even bonded to a degree, but not to the point of full forgiveness on Ed's side. No matter what his father's reasons were, it still didn't excuse him from the blame that Ed believed he deserved. As far as Ed was concerned, everything bad that had happened to his mother, Al and himself was a result of his father's abandonment.

 

If Hohenheim had been there, their mother might have let someone know about her illness before it was too late and even if she couldn't have been saved, he would have been there to take care of his two young sons. With one of their parents still there, it would have been highly unlikely that they would have attempted a human transmutation. The consequences of the attempt being loss of limbs for himself and his brother's soul bound to a suit of armor to keep him from dying after the loss of his entire body. Furthermore, he would never have become a dog of the military and never encountered all the atrocities that he and Al had seen and experienced together. Granted he had a lot of good memories, but he didn't want to think of those at the moment. Hell, he was going to hold on to his grudge against his father come hell or high water.

 

Taking a quick glance out the small lone window, he noted that it looked to be early evening and he had once again lost track of time while researching. As he returned his gaze to his father he couldn't help but note that he looked a little too smug as he leaned against the doorframe with a slight smile on his face. `Hell, what does the bastard have on his mind? I don't care. I'm going to ignore it just to drive him crazy. Stupid Taisa! Shit did I just refer to my father as the asshole colonel? I must be going through colonel withdrawals again. Nobody puts up as good of a fight as Mustang and it was so much fun to piss him off. God I miss them, especially Al. I wish I knew how Al was. I believe the transmutation worked since I'm here, but is he okay? Damn it, I need to get my mind back on research or I'll have to keep myself content with missing them and I am not about to let that happen'

 

Pulling himself from his reverie, he decided to mess with his father for a bit. Hoping that it would brighten his mood and get his creative juices flowing.

 

“Well Pops,” he began, noting his father's wary expression. He always used that form of address when he wanted to get a good dig in. “Sorry if you are offended, but it is the father's job to teach his son how to behave in polite company as he raises him into adulthood. Oh, but that's right, YOU WEREN”T THERE were you?” `Hah! Take that asshole!' Ed inwardly smirked.

 

Hohenheim winced at the reminder. You would think after the year and a half that they had spent together on this god forsaken world, he would have become immune to Edward's taunts, but his guilt would not allow him to. He knew his reasons for leaving his family were important, but seeing as how everything turned out, maybe they weren't important enough.

 

Dante may have wanted him to create another Philosopher's stone in order to aide her life prolonging measures (in other words body to body soul jumping), but he had enough connections that he could have taken care of her if he wanted. And that was the point, “if he wanted”. For even though he did not harbor any romantic feelings for her, they did have a past and he had even sired a son with her. Unfortunately, their son had died and then was returned to life as the Homunculus known as Envy when Hohenheim himself performed a failed human transmutation. Guilt governed so many of his actions afterwards. `Like father like son they say.'

 

He was certain that Trisha would have accepted him if he had told her the truth about his true age and probably even forgiven him for creating the Philosopher's stone four hundred years prior, since he was nowhere near the same man that had performed such a horrific act. They certainly had loved each other enough to overcome those obstacles. Eventually, he had to acknowledge that it may have been more his pride at the thought of his loving wife turning in disgust from his slowly decomposing body that fueled his actions in leaving.

 

So as any guilt ridden parent would, he let the comment pass. Instead, he walked over to the table that his son was situated at and lowered himself into the remaining chair. Studying his son, he couldn't help but feel an enormous amount of parental pride. Edward had been through more trying times at his young age than most, even in this war torn world that they were presently in. Granted Armestis had its own wars, but nothing compared to what had happened here. He also knew that Edward blamed alchemy for the troubles of this world, since it was the souls of its inhabitants that fueled transmutations. However, he knew that equivalent trade came into play somewhere and maybe if it wasn't for their alchemy this world would be overly populated causing starvation and plagues which in turn would result in war anyway.

 

It was his most heartfelt wish that he could help Edward return home to his remaining family and friends. He knew how much he missed his brother and even someone known fondly as “that bastard colonel”. Inwardly he grimaced. If Edward knew how much he spoke in his sleep it would just give him something else to hold against his father.

 

He wished he could see the faces of those closest to his son, when he returned to their world, but he knew he couldn't. Dante had separated his sole and body and there was no returning for him. He could imagine their shock when they saw how tall is eldest had grown, although they really shouldn't be surprised considering he was well over six feet himself and he and Edward shared many of the same physical attributes.

 

He fondly recalled how during the beginning of their life here, how easily Edward was riled up when someone would even hint at his small stature. The things that came out of that boy's mouth during those moments were extremely amusing. That is if you weren't on the receiving end of his tirade.

 

Reflecting back, it was probably the removal of his automail that helped his son's growth spurt. Without the stress of the extra weight on his small frame, his bones were allowed to grow and acquire the height that Edward so craved. Even though the fake limbs were useless in this world, he knew that his son still dealt with separation anxiety when it came to his automail. Using a wooden leg and a pinned up empty arm sleeve just wasn't the same.

 

Unfortunately, it was necessary to hide what would have been considered technology far advanced for this world. There were too many people in power that wouldn't have thought twice about experimenting on Edward. So for now, the automail was hidden beneath the loose floorboards under the bed in the corner until the time his son would return home. Unless it was one of the few times that Edward needed an automail fix and reattached them in the privacy of their “home” or when they were on the move.

 

Which brings him to where he is now, sitting across from his eldest son and knowing that said son is dying to find out what his father has interrupted his research for, but is too stubborn to ask. Although, it was that same stubbornness that helped him accomplish the many great deeds that Hohenheim had heard of during the short time he had returned to Rizenpool prior to the fight with Dante. He fondly remembered the short, but informative moments that he spent with the dark haired Second Lieutenant Maria Ross. At least, up until the point when Edward returned and decided to introduce his father to his automail fist.

 

It was also his son's stubbornness that was the reason he was interrupting him. Edward's research for all the time he had been here was only directed towards this world's science. He steadfastly refused to even consider any of the rumors he had heard regarding the mystical practices of this world. Hohenheim knew that the rumors Edward had heard were regarding the more darker form of what this world considered magic and that it was too close to the only way that their world and he himself, he was ashamed to admit, had created the Philosopher's Stones. However, being the older and much more experienced of the two he was well aware that even though there were individuals and even entire groups that practiced “black magic”, there were also those that practiced a “pure” form of magic or “white magic” as some called it.

 

Therefore, he had taken it upon himself, as part of his penance to his son, to follow through with researching the areas that Edward had an aversion to. He had thought he would have had a tougher time than Edward considering what avenue his quest was taking him, but it wasn't the case at all. While Edward's main source of information came from circulars and library books, it was said library books that were the hardest to find. During the war too many buildings, including libraries, were looted and razed to the ground, making it very difficult to collect information unless it was extremely current.

 

His research, however, was something that this world would not have kept in its libraries. Too many people thought as Edward did in that anything mystical was evil and therefore, shouldn't be available to the public. So, he found himself frequenting small out of the way shops that dealt with the occult and antique bookstores in order to acquire the knowledge needed to get his son back home. It wasn't until today though that he had his first real success.

 

It was in one of the more eclectic bookstores that he found some hints to a possible solution. It was one book in particular or rather it wasn't actually a book, but an ancient scroll-like parchment that referred to a jewel of unsurpassed power and its guardians. What he found ironic was that it took a powerful soul to create this Jewel also. Fortunately, in his view point at least, it did not take a whole city to create it. Just one powerful woman and the demons she was fighting. Maybe knowing that this was the case, Edward would at least consider further research.

 

Clearing his throat to gain his son's attention he waited patiently for Edward to look back up from the papers he had returned to. Once again Edward's gaze turned to his father.

 

“All right old man, what is it?” Edward reluctantly asked.

 

“Well Edward” Hohenheim began but then paused for a moment. `Might as well get this over with. Hopefully he won't blow a gasket when he finds out what this entails' “Well Edward…what do you know regarding the term miko?