Last chapter XD
Bet you didn't see that coming XD Hahahaha I'm gonna kill your emotions, my friends, XD ahahah
I feel like these could have been more feels filled. But I was trying something new XD
Hope you enjoy XD
See you all next time XD
Day 7
Chapter 9 - Eyes Tell the Story of Your Life
(Ed's POV)
Ed was surrounded by white walls, a blank space, where he couldn't hide from his oncoming nightmares.
"Hey, Chief." Jean chirped happily, Ed spinning around to meets voice.
There he stood, happily along with Kian, Brenda and Vato. All looking sympathetically at him like he was a beaten puppy.
They all smiled and said comforting words, none that Ed listened to.
"I don't deserve this..." Ed muttered, "I don't deserve this." He said with more strength.
"You killed us," Jean said blankly. His vision flashed, flared with black light.
Blood... Oh god... So much blood...
Holes straight through their chests where their hearts should be. Blood dripping and flowing, pooling at their feet. Their blood dripping red, falling black. Their eyes becoming white with death, blank, piercing his soul.
"You killed us!" They all chanted, "You killed us!"
Their drip of blood began to flow like black water towards Ed, who was frozen in place.
His eyes wide with fear, locking with the white pearls ahead of him.
The blood crept towards him, a roaring consumed his hearing, he felt his heart pump and blood boil. He felt angry, so very angry, full of rage that he didn't recognise.
"You killed us!" They wailed as the blood consumed his feet, climbing up his legs. He couldn't move now if he tried.
His breathing picked up and he flapped his arms around in fear.
"No please! I didn't... I didn't mean! I... I... PLEASE!" Ed wailed. He wasn't sure why he was saying what he was... Memories flying around in his brain. He couldn't seem to grab hold of any.
"You wanted him! But you took us! Why?! Why?! WHY?!" They al chanted as one voice, "WHY?! WHY?!" They stepped towards him, "WHY?!"
Then something cut through his panic, "Brother!"
His head spun around, trying to find his brother.
"Brother! Wake up!"
Ed launched forward in his bed, his arms held back, pulling his chest back towards the bed.
"Calm down, Brother." He felt Al's huge hands pet lightly on his heaving chest.
He continued to pull on his arms frantically.
"Brother, you're handcuffed to the bed, alright. Calm down, Brother. You're safe."
Ed finally going limp in the bed, finally letting his brain configure his bearings.
"Where?..."
"We're at..." Al hesitated, "Roy's house."
"Oh..." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes." He quickly answered. He hadn't eaten in who knows how long and he was starving.
"I'll go get you something."
(Al's POV)
Al had been peacefully reading a novel from the Colonel's library when Ed began to lash out against the handcuffs the Colonel insisted were to keep Ed 'safe'... Safe from who...? And who was safe...?
Ed began screaming and grunting and groaning, "Please... Please! I didn't... Please..."
Al dropped his book and launched to grab his brother's shoulders, "Brother! Brother wake up!"
Ed lurched forward in his bed, his breathing uneven, coming in heaves and his eyes darting around the room. His arms held towards the sides of the bed, he kept pulling, digging the metal into his skin.
"Calm down, Brother." Al placing his hands lightly on his brother's chest, suggesting him to lie down. When he didn't comply Al tried once more to reassure his brother, "Brother, you're handcuffed to the bed, alright. Calm down, Brother. You're safe."
Ed finally let his body fall back onto his bed, his eyes drifting around the room, "Where?..."
"We're at..." Al stopped, remembering how Ed reacted to when he said Colonel, he tried a different angle, "Roy's house."
"Oh..." Ed accepted this, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Al figured he would be hungry, who knows when the last time he ate was, "Are you hungry?"
"Yes." Ed quickly responded
"I'll go get you something." Al left and towards the kitchen. He was met with Riza asleep on the couch, she'd been with Ed all night as well. Roy was sipping on coffee quietly in the kitchen. Doctor Knox had gone earlier that morning. Roy gave him a key and told him to come back tomorrow anytime.
"Morning, Alphonse. I heard, Fullmetal screaming." Not looking from his coffee, his tone was dull, like he didn't care, "I'm surprised he didn't wake the Lieutenant."
"He's awake now, Colonel. I'm getting him something to eat." Al wasn't fond of the attitude Roy had towards his brother. Yes, Al understood that he killed people Roy cared about. But it wasn't his fault. It was those scientist faults. If they hadn't turned him to a chimera he wouldn't have a second personality. Doctor Knox had said that the trauma has forced Ed to create a second personality to protect himself. But he placed his blame on the wrong person... Colonel Roy Mustang... The hate he felt over the years had become all too real in the mix of memories, emotions, and experiences. It wasn't Ed's fault.
(Roy's POV)
I was all Ed's fault.
If he had more self-control. If he had anything to hold on to. Anything at all that would have kept his mental state in line...
But he did not.
Or he wouldn't have gone insane in the first case. The love he felt for his family, his brother, wasn't enough.
He took a sip of coffee, seeing the plate Al was carrying.
"Would giving someone as injured as your brother food like that be a wise idea?"
Al was holding a sandwich, the contents wouldn't matter. A sandwich was a bad idea.
"Um... What else should I give him?"
"Soup. Bottom shelf, second to the right." Taking another sip of his coffee. Though he didn't want that killer in his house... He couldn't let his subordinary die if he could save him. The person who he left asleep in his home was not Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. He was a killer who had leaped into Ed's mind and whispered wicked thoughts.
He heard Alphonse fumbled around his kitchen as he heated up his brother's meal.
Once finished Al stopped beside him, he said with a quiet voice, "Please... He's just lost... He's still Edward Elric, my brother... Somewhere." Al took an echoed step, Roy standing and following the empty suit of armor to a broken child.
He stopped at the door and looked at the boy, their eyes locked...
His eyes were different. They weren't hollow or dark like they were on that day he killed his subordinary's... They were full of life, determination and passion. They were Edward Elric's eyes. Not the eyes of a killer. Though he couldn't ignore the flash of darkness he saw... The kid was just holding on.
"I got you some soup. Roy's here to help you." Roy couldn't help but notice the use of his first name in the presence of Ed. Not 'the Colonel' like he normally addressed him as. He was a smart kid. Ed reacts to any of his names commonly used, Roy never used in their interactions. "We're going to unlock one hand. Only one. Okay?" Al looked at him for an answer, he nodded, Ed had to eat somehow.
He seemed calm. For now. Who knew what could trigger him.
Roy gritted his teeth when the click of unlocking handcuffs was sounded, trying to not show is fear on his face. But he knew it was in his eyes so he shifted his gaze to the window. God, he was a coward. He couldn't even look at a child... A child who needs comfort, acceptance, and support.
He watched closely as the child ate, he was hungry, the bowl finished in a quick time.
Al re-secured his brother to the bed, uttering with his comforting voice, "Go back to sleep, Brother. I'll be right here." Placing his large hand on his forehead, brushing away his bangs, "You're safe now. We'll help you."
Ed's eyes sunk in sorrow, "I... The last few days... I couldn't remember... Not everything..." Tears began to leak from his eyes, slowly falling down his face across his pale face, "But the blood... So much... Everywhere... I... I-I..."
Al pulled his brother close into a hug, his arms locking his brother still as he began to sob into him.
"I don't deserve help!" He cried.
Roy clenched his fists, he was so tempted to yell back, 'Yes you don't deserve help!' But he knew that wouldn't do any good. Moving his gaze to his feet, hearing the sobbing fade as Ed fell asleep.
Al slowly placed his brother down, light snores came from the chimera. The armor took the bowl and left Roy alone with Ed for a moment. In that moment Roy looked carefully over Ed as he pulled the covers over the boy.
He could still see the blood all over him. He swallowed thickly. His brows came together in slight anger.
Then his face softened.
He watched Ed's sleeping face and saw a smile creep onto his, crawling uninvited onto his face.
He shook his head and took a seat in the far corner as Al came back in.
He could tell Al didn't like the way he talked and looked at Ed. He had all the right to his own opinion... And so did he...
But if you looked at both of their opinions... Roy couldn't see much difference.
Al knew that Ed had gone insane, he created a second personality to protect himself. Ed was still innocent and could be saved.
He also knew Ed had gone insane and had created a second personality to protect himself. But Ed was not innocent... But he could still be saved.
He saw one small detail indifference. Ed's part in the deaths of his subordinaries. Roy thought Ed could have tried harder to fight his instincts. Al thought that Ed fought all he could...
But Al himself was innocent... He had not seen murders or suicide or war or killed himself... Roy knew death. Al did not.
That was the difference in opinion.
Experience.
(Al's POV)
He looked up from his book at the sound of shifting sheets, the sound of metal clicking against metal as the handcuffs pulled on the metal rails.
Ed was muttering and groaning, unintelligent phrases were uttered and his head bashed side to side, his nightmare was getting worse. Al had brushed it off five minutes ago... But it was just getting worse.
"Brother... Brother. Wake up. You're alright."
Ed just pulled harder and thrashed more. He began making low growling noises, this frightened him. He was losing his brother right in front of his eyes and he couldn't do a thing.
Roy looked up from his book, but stayed where he sat, that look in his eyes... He was scared too.
Ed just progressively got more violent, made more noise, pulled on his handcuffs more.
Riza had ended up being woken and was trying to calm Ed down as well...
Nothing was working.
He just got more and more aggressive. Then Roy spoke up, "I'll get some water. To splash on his face."
"I'll help." Riza moved out of the room with Roy.
"Please hurry. He's getting worse."
Ed was sweating, he was pale, some of his wounds ran red with blood, Al didn't want to admit it but he heard 'Bastard Colonel' in his slur... He would normally call him 'Colonel Bastard', that was just proof of the jumble his mind and memories had become.
Then a sound echoed around his armor, a sound that chilled him to the core.
Snap
The chains had broken.
(Ed's POV)
"You must recognise him?" He told himself, two of himself stood in a blank room, memories occasionally filling the space when they were required. The one who spoke eyes were dark and hollow, his chimera enhancements shown off with pride. Blood covering his hands when you watched him out of the corner of your eye. Clean when you looked right at him.
"Who? Roy?" The innocent half said, his eyes bright, fire dancing within them. Anything chimera nowhere to be seen. No claws, no wings. 100% human. Automail and all. Ed before his mind became corrupt.
"No Bastard Colonel!" His innocent side tensing at the name spat at him.
"Colonel Bastard?" He questioned back. His dark side tensing at the mention of the name.
"Different name, same man! The tormentor! The one who did this to us!" Bring his arms outside to show his chimera features off.
"He didn't do this!" He barked back.
"Then who did?! Those scientists? Ha! Don't make me laugh. You're smarter than this! You're smarter than me! You should realise as easily as I have! They just took the opportunity Bastard Colonel gave them!" He barked back
"What?! Why would you think-"
"-He sent us on those missions!"
"How is that-"
"-He put us in the light!"
"What are-"
"-He drew attention to us! He sent us out that day! He caused this! He didn't even come to save us! We saved ourselves!"
"Why are you so stubborn?!"
"I should ask you the same!" The room echoed his voice and they stood in silence.
"I don't understand why you don't see this!" The chimera voice boomed inside and outside of his head, "Where do you place your trust?! Have you placed it rightly?!" Ed placed his hands over his ears and fell to his knees and the chimera approached, "What he has said to you?! Put you through?!" Memories filling the space around them, "Nina! Scar! The homunculus! Now this! What would be next?!" His voice beating at his head, pulsing at every word. "You must hurt him before he hurts you even more!"
"No! I can't! I've hurt enough people!" He wailed back.
"Bastard Colonel! Make him pay! Hurt him! Kill him!" He chanted, "Hurt him! Kill him!"
"No! No! I can't!"
"Hurt him! Kill him!"
"No!"
"Hurt him! Kill him! Bastard Colonel! Hurt him! Kill him!"
"Please!" The pain felt like someone placed a clamp onto his head and was twisting shut, tighter and tighter with every word.
"Hurt him! Kill him! Bastard Colonel! Hurt him! Kill him! Hurt him! Kill him! Hurt him! Kill him!"
Then the pain felt as if it split his head open right in two. With the chimera inches from him, he fell limp into his arms.
A wicked smile creeping into his face, "I shall set us free, Edward Elric. I shall set us free."
Ed's eyes snapped open, darkness swimming in his eyes. He gave a single tug, the binds that held his wrist broke from their hold.
"Alphonse!" A scream came from the door, the of splashing water came from the same location.
"Brother! Calm down!" He wildly turned to see the large suit of metal. His arm collided with the chest of the metal man, sending him into the wall.
"Alphonse!" Sounded once more.
He rapidly launched towards the scream, his foot catching on the foot of the bed. His chin collided with the floor. He laid there for a moment before his head raised quickly as his feet dug into the carpet and launched himself at the screams from before.
His elbow pulling back before his eyes focused on what was before him. His claws sharpened and launched into what he hoped was his target. A rip didn't sound but rather a loud clunk.
He wasn't familiar with the tough flesh he drove into. It was hard, sharp and cold... This kill was different from earlier.
He felt the sharp skin dig into his own, his own blood the only warmth he felt. The pulse of his heart beating in his arm.
The metal man fell at last like the rest, pulling him, ripping back down his arm.
He pulled his arm violently out... it wouldn't move.
He heard another whimper and a quiet, "Alphonse..."
The sound of pounding feet sounded from behind the women he saw in front of him. Her blond hair fallen over her face as she shook violently, her arms over her mouth. She was frozen in place.
He heard his own heaving breaths, elevated by the silence. She herself was breathing quickly, her head slowly looked up, their eyes meeting. Pure terror filled her eyes, looking right into his.
He just smiled wickedly at this. Her pulps dilated as she took a step back. He took two forward. His arm reaching through her chest before she could move another step.
He heard blood cough from her mouth, "P...Please... Don't...Ed... you..." He looked up just to see her eyes turn dull with death.
His smile widened and he began to laugh, "No more." He sang cynically, "No more! Your turn! Your turn! You're gonna die now!" He continued to sing, "Bastard Colonel." He whispered angrily has he pulled his arm out of Riza.
He leaped towards the sound of crashing papers and thunking furniture.
"Where is it?! Where could I have put them?!" Roy whispered ferociously.
He leaned on the door frame and his smile increased when he spotted the gloved beside him on a table in the hall he just left. He picked them up and paraded them before him, "Looking for what, Bastard Colonel?" He said with venom.
The man looked up slowly, his eyes wide with horror and fear as he dug his claws into the material.
He took a shaking step back, "You... You killed them..."
"All your fault, you Bastard Colonel. Your fault they're dead. Your fault that you're going to die now!" He took a step forward, Roy took a step back, he was shaking. Good. He should be scared at his last moments.
Roy's eyes drifted to the door, Ed kept his eyes on Roy. He was closer to the door. He had no escape.
Ed wickedly laughed as he launched towards Roy, he had no time to move.
Ed planted his sharpened fingers around when his heart was, making Roy crumple to his knees and wail with pain. He smiled once more, keeping it in place.
He squeezed his hand together and made Roy shake, even more, Roy placed his hands tightly around his arm, "Please... Ed... You don't have to do this. Please. Ed, I know you're in there!"
Ed just pushed his hand further into Roy's chest, twisting as he pushed.
"Try again later. No one's home." He said dully.
Blood rushed out of Roy's mouth, coughing over Ed, "Please..." He pleaded, "Ed. I know... I know you can fight this!"
His smile turned into a grin and he pushed his hand all the way through Roy's warm, blood covered flesh, "Goodbye, Bastard Colonel." He closed his eyes and listened for a moment.
Silence.
It was perfect.
He then opened his eyes like he had just woken from a deep sleep. They fluttered for a moment, fire blazing within them.
His eyes locking onto where his arm still laid.
HIs breathing caught in his throat. He couldn't breathe, the smell of iron thick in the air.
Be began to shake violently, his vision blurring in and out of focus.
"I... I... Roy?..." Tears welling in his eyes, he called for him once more, "Roy?..." In a weak voice, "Al?... Riza?... Anyone?..."
He clenched his fist inside Roy, taking a deep breath, he pulled his arm out with a horrifying splash of blood.
He lightly screamed and back peddled, tripping over his feet and falling into the hall. His head facing the room he was in.
"Al?... ALPHONSE!" He stumbled to his feet, guiltily looking down past Riza as he fell intentionally next to Al on his knees, "Hey! Hey?! Alphonse! Oi! Alphonse?!"
The tears finally escaped his eyes, "I... I did..." He collapsed onto the empty armor.
"Please! Come back, Al! I didn't mean to... I don't want this! Please!" Be began to hit the armor with both arms, he ignored the pain, splattering blood over the metal. "Please!" He pleaded, "I didn't mean for this to happen..." He whimpered, "I just want you back..."
He clenched his good fist, taking in a deep, shuttered breath.
"I'll make this right... I'll..." He gave up on his words and extended his claws. He looked down at his shaking bloodied hands. Taking another breath.
"I'm sorry, Roy... Riza... Jean... Kain... Vato... Brenda... Alphonse..."
Ed killed once more, the fire in his eyes fading as he collapsed onto what was once his younger brothers body.
Riza screamed
Roy ran
Alphonse protected
And Ed walked into hell without hesitation.
(Doctor Knox's POV)
Doctor Knox had found them... That afternoon when he opened the door with the key he was given.
He was knocked back by the smell before he walked in, he fumbled with the key as he unlocked the door. He went dead pale when he saw the blood that coated the floor.
He carefully wandered the house, finding the others.
He left the house and called the military. It wasn't his business any longer. His patient was dead...
He no longer had a reason to be there.
But he had a reason to go to each of their funerals. Because none of them deserved to be dead.
Just a sick child who needed help... Another who needed warmth... Another who needed compassion... Another who cared too much... The others had no crimes...
And the only one left was the one who had regrets...
The military searched for Alphonse for two weeks before giving up... No leads... A suit of armor wasn't a body, was it? But soon they held a funeral for him too...
A way to avoid it all was far too simple.
If they had sucked up their pride and admitted they cared... Blood wouldn't have been coating a child's hands.