Fullmetal & Shield

A second chance. An opportunity to make a difference. Some things will change but some things are simply meant to be.

AN. Yeah, three updates in one day is not typical for me. Don't get used to it. I'm just on a roll right now – like butter. So, why did I have Ed lose his arm? Well, like it says in the summary, some things are simply meant to be. Plus, it just didn't seem right for the Fullmetal Alchemist to not have automail. He's gonna need it. Not sure the whole train thing was the best way to do it but I needed it to happen and that's what my brain came up with. Plus, I got in there that he can still do alchemy without a transmutation circle.

From this point on the chapters are going to be more disconnected like I said they would. Each scene will focus on one or two characters, mostly Ed and somebody else though I do have a few scenes planned for just Al, but that won't be for awhile. Obviously, this story has to focus on Ed because he's the one with the memories of what happened. There may be more than one scene in a chapter, but they will be separated. Some scenes will just be dialogue. Actually, this whole chapter is just dialogue, hence the title. I tried to make it obvious who's talking when. I actually had a few more short scenes in here, trying to separate the Ed/Al scenes a bit more, but they were just filler, so I took them out. Oh, and the one scene is just Ed talking to himself. Al is either not there or he's asleep, take your pick.

Disclaimer: Ed, Al, and all their friends are the property of Funimation. I do not own them, but am grateful for the opportunity to use them in the unleashing of my own imagination.

Rating: This story is rated T for violence and injury. Language is very mild.

Chapter 3: Dialogue

"Does it hurt, Ed?"

"A little. The medicine and the ice help though… Don't worry, Al. I'll be fine. You'll see."

"Aren't you scared?"

"What? No way! This isn't anything to be scared of. It's just the way things happen… heh… some things are just meant to be I guess."

"Don't cry, Winry! I'm fine! See!"

"Don't say that! You're not fine! Your arm is… it's gone! How can you be so calm about this?!"

"… I'm sorry, Winry. I didn't want to upset you. I just don't think it's a big deal, that's all. I mean, I'm still alive aren't I? And that little girl, she's alive too. If I hadn't jumped in when I did, she'd be dead right now and some Mom and Dad would be burying their little girl... Besides, this way you can put those new automail parts to good use. No use crying over the arm I lost cause you're gonna build me a new one that's better than ever! Right, Winry? Guess that's one of the benefits of being friends with the best automail mechanic in Amestris!"

"… you're so stupid, Edward… why do you have to be so selfless."

"… I'm sorry, Winry. Next time I'll be a selfish jerk. I promise."

"Hey, Al! Check this out. There's a whole page in here on Flame Alchemy. It's probably not enough to really learn it but still pretty cool right?"

"Yeah, neat… Brother?"

"Mmhmm?"

"You remember back at the train station, when you saved that girl?"

"Kinda hard to forget. What about it?"

"You did alchemy without a transmutation circle."

"… You saw that, huh?"

"Yeah, it was amazing! That's like what Teacher does, right? The clapping thing?"

"Mmhmm."

"But Teacher never taught us how to do that. How did you learn it?"

"… I dunno, Al. I didn't really think about it. It just sort of happened.""

"Like instinct?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Can you teach me how to do it?"

"Um… I don't think so, Al. I wouldn't know how to explain it.

"Hey, Granny Pinako. Seeing as how I'm injured and all, you gotta take extra special care of me, right? That means I get an extra serving of stew tonight, right?"

"No Ed, it means you get an extra glass of milk."

"What!? No way! I'm not drinking that nasty stuff, you crazy old bat!"

"Keep it up and you'll be drinking three glasses tonight, you ungrateful brat!"

"Hmm? Al? What are you doing up? It's the middle of the night."

"Brother... I was thinking… I know we decided not to bring Mom back… that it would be too dangerous and it probably wouldn't work anyway. But... what if we –"

"Al, we talked about this. Mom wouldn't want us to dwell on the past…"

"I'm not talking about Mom anymore. I'm talking about you. I… I was thinking that maybe we could get your arm back, using human transmutation. It's not a whole person – just an arm, so we don't have to worry about the soul or anything. We could make it and then find a way to attach it and –"

"No."

"But Brother –"

"I said, no, Al! We're not doing it, alright! I don't even want you thinking about it! It won't work!"

"How do you know? How do you know, if you won't even try?"

"… I just do. Please, Al. Promise me you won't try anything like that. Promise me…"

"I… I promise, Brother."

"I'm sorry, Al. I wish could tell you. I wish I could explain everything. I'm not used to keeping secrets from you. We used to be able to share everything, but not this time. There's too much – too much that wouldn't make any sense. How do you explain memories of five years that haven't happened yet – that will never happen the way they did before? So much has already changed. The things that give me nightmares… you never have to experience any of that. You'll never have to search for the Philosophers Stone or worry about getting your body back, because you never lost it to begin with. And that's the way it's supposed to be. I can't change everything but I will make sure you're safe and happy, even if it means keeping secrets from you. Someday… someday I'll tell you everything."

"Colonel Mustang."

"Do I know you?"

"Uh… n-no! But, um… I, uh, read about you. In the newspaper! You're the Flame Alchemist, right?"

"Indeed. And you are the Elric brothers?"

"Yes, sir."

"Sure are. So, what can we do for you, Colonel? You here to recruit us to become State Alchemists?"

"Of course not. I came because I'd heard that a brilliant alchemist was living here. I certainly didn't expect to find a crippled boy and his brother. I can see now that I made a mistake. I'll take my leave."

"Hey! Who are you calling crippled?! Just wait till I get my new arm! I'll show you, Colonel Mustang! We are brilliant alchemists and we'll prove it! One year, Mustang! I'll see you in one year at the State Alchemy Exam!"