Well I finally finished this fic! YAY! :D It's taken forever, but I guess I'm pretty satisfied. It's probably a little over 5,000 words, but it feels much shorter. Anyway, HUGE thanks to silvers-edge for beta-ing! Check out her stories (particularly Dark Side of Amestris) cause they're awesome! :) The last few chapters are hopefully coming out soon, and they're are going to be so cool! ^.^
If you see any major mistakes or something doesn't make sense, ask in a review or PM, I don't mind.
And also, there is the option of a sequel open. So if you want me to write a sequel, tell me!
Like always, line breaks indicate a change of scene.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist. Why do I even need to say this? Why would I be writing fanfiction if I owned it? XD
The day hadn't started out well for Roy Mustang. It was December 31st, the last day of the year, and people were rushing about, frantically trying to finish preparations for the midnight parties which were always abundant with alcohol, noisemakers, and even the occasional game of strip poker (which was really at the adult-only parties).
For the past 3 years, Mustang had hosted the biggest and most ostentatious New Years' parties at his second house out in the country. Everyone in the city would look to him for party advice, as he was always two steps ahead of the fads at the parties. You could say he was the one who would introduce these fads to the public, such as having champagne right at midnight, and making as much noise as possible (which was always amusing since most people at his parties ended up getting completely drunk.) Chaperones and designated drivers were a must.
This year was the 4th annual Mustang-hosted New Years' party, and he had no idea what to do differently this year. He had been wracking his brain for the past two months that he set aside for planning time, but had come up empty-handed. Now he was wandering the town, hoping that maybe he would get some inspiration for something new in the two hours he had before his party started at 8.
He absentmindedly snapped his fingers, using his alchemy to form a small flame that floated next to him, looking quite unlike the normally untameable fire that Roy conjured up.
His mind wandered, drifting to thoughts about the missing Elric brothers. Nobody had seen hide or hair of the boys ever since that other world invaded Amestris, and Roy had to close the gate from Amestris' side, and watch as Alphonse rushed to catch up with his brother before he disappeared again, forever.
A grim smile twisted the dark-haired man's lips, and he tilted his head back to look at the blue sky, where dark clouds lingered far in the west, crouching and just waiting to pounce on Central when it least expected it.
'Fullmetal could always liven up the atmosphere, wherever he went,' Roy thought dismally. He admitted to himself that he missed the spunky blond, but not quite rivalling the grief he still felt for his old friend, Maes.
He scowled, doing his best to shrug off the grief for both his old friends and continued on his way, unaware of the yet to come, a night that wouldn't cease to present him with opportunities and miraculous feats.
"Please, Brother, don't go! Brother? Brother! Where are you? EDWARD!"
Roy fiddled with the jacket of his tux, tightening the bow tie ever so slightly, and pulled his pants a little farther down his hips to make them more comfortable, and maybe, just maybe, to impress his sexiness onto the ladies a little bit more. He slid on black shoes, shined to perfection, and quickly tied the laces before standing and stretching. He pulled out his silver pocket watch, which doubled as proof of his title as a State Alchemist.
The newly promoted Major General started at the time; five minutes until party time! He snapped it shut with a 'click' and swept out of his bedroom on the far side of the house to stride into the ballroom, where the party would take place.
His black shoes clicked on the gleaming hardwood floors, before he stopped and gazed around at the party set up. Food was gracing many white tablecloths and drinks were due to be brought around by waiters on trays, starting in about 10 minutes. Drinks would start out non-alcoholic and steadily get stronger throughout the night, until at midnight all the guests were so inebriated that they had the best time of their lives, until they started leaving, or being hauled off completely unconscious around 2 in the morning.
A large grandfather clock in the corner of the room tolled out the time in a deep, rich gong and just moments later, the doorbell of the large country house was ringing insistently. Roy snapped at a nearby waiter and told him to go let the guests in. The General inspected his pristine white gloves, which lacked the normal transmutation circle on the back. Alchemy scared drunk people. A lot. Roy learned that his first year of hosting. It was a disaster and that story will not be repeated.
Naturally, the first people to walk through the door to the ballroom were his subordinates. All the men were wearing dark suits and Riza was wearing a stunning baby blue dress, which greatly complimented her hazel eyes and lightened her hair, which was hanging down around her shoulders like a curtain. Mustang trotted over to greet them, giving them all a handshake, besides Riza, who he gave a light hug. The two had gotten closer over the last few years, as he continually lost more of the people he loved, he began to cherish the ones he still had that much more.
"So, General, what's the big thing tonight? What's the new 'champagne at midnight' idea?" Havoc asked, his mouth twisting at odd angles every once in a while, obviously grieving the loss of his trademark cigarette.
"Havoc, call me Roy. We're off-duty." Roy corrected, amused, as the Captain shrugged nonchalantly before turning his eyes to the food table.
"See ya guys, I'm going to raid the food table!" Havoc called and Breda nodded politely at Roy before scurrying off behind him.
Riza chuckled, and Roy turned his attention to the Major. Her eyes were lit up with laughter and the blonde glanced at him before following, departing with a, "I'll make sure they won't eat everything!" Her hips swayed slightly, subtle enough that Roy didn't think she realized she was doing it. So there really was a woman behind the tough exterior. But he already knew that.
Before Roy could strike up a conversation with Fuery and Falman, the doorbell rang again. Moments later, a mass of people flooded in, instantly making the formerly quiet and empty room erupt into happy chatter and laughter.
Roy couldn't help but smile softly as the room brightened. The man gestured at a passing waiter, who quickly walked over with a smile and questioning look in his eyes.
"Yes, sir?"
"Will you please tell the band they can start anytime now? The guests look a little jittery. Dancing will help greatly with the energy level in the room."
The waiter nodded with a slight bow, and moved off to the corner where the band had positioned themselves after checking the sound in many places, deciding that spot was the best one. After a few moments, the piano broke out into the familiar ragtime song "Maple Leaf Rag". Many people cheered, and a space was automatically opened for people to start dancing, whether it be the jitterbug, a popular dance from a year or two ago, or the One-Step, a basic form of the foxtrot, or any other kind of dance that could keep up to the quick tempo.
Some people clapped along if they didn't have a dance partner and Roy, always being the good host, went off to find a nice girl to dance with, leaving his subordinates behind. Fuery and Falman shuffled awkwardly in their spots, before two ladies walked up, both around the men's ages. They asked if the two military officers wanted to dance, and Fuery nervously responded yes to the younger girl, who appeared to be sisters with the girl who was trying to convince Falman not to use his book knowledge of dancing and instead get out there and actually do it. Falman followed with a meek nod after the woman promised to help him.
The night wore on, full of joy and laughter, talking and flirting thick in the air. Women gossiped about what Mustang's surprise of the night could be, while the men glared enviously around at the country house obliviously as their wives spied on the bachelor who hosted the party with longing glittering in their eyes.
It was quarter before 11 when the earthquake hit. It wasn't greatly destructive, just enough to shake the room a little, making the dancers stumble, before picking up their pace once again as the aftershocks passed. There was a crashing sound upstairs, and Roy sighed, apologizing to the red-haired woman he was dancing with and turned to make his way upstairs.
The sound seemed to have come from his room, and he hoped that his priceless family heirlooms hadn't been smashed.
'I really ought to put those somewhere safer,' he mused as he treaded up the stairs and slowly opened his door, wary of any falling objects.
The room was just as he left it, nothing out of place, and nothing broken.
'What the hell did I hear th-' Roy's thoughts and breath stopped simultaneously. There was a lump on his bed. It was just lying there, on top of the dark navy blue comforter.
'Damnit. Why does everyone at these damn parties think that they can use my bed for their sick ideas?' Roy thought angrily as he strode quickly over to the side of the bed to yank the person off the mattress and onto the floor.
The figure on the bed was in complete shadow, so Roy groped around in the dark until he found an arm and pulled. The body fell on the floor with a muffled gasp of pain, the light brightening his appearance, which made Roy do a double-take.
Blond hair fell to chin-length, and sun-kissed skin graced features that told that this man had been through hell and back. Brown pants fell to the man's ankles and a white buttoned up dress shirt rested beneath a brown jacket that was thigh-length. Roy hesitantly reached out to flip the figure over, already mentally confirming his identity.
"Edward Elric. You're finally back," Roy whispered, awed at the sight of his old subordinate who had disappeared again two years ago. A small cough emerged from Ed's mouth and he drew in a deep breath as his eyes flashed open, alarm flashing like lightning through them as he gazed around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
A gasp of surprise drew his eyes upwards, and a gasp similar to that of the man standing above him toppled out between his lips.
Ed gaped at the man looming above him, desperately trying, and failing, to ignore the hopeful throbbing of his heart.
'This is a dream, just another hopeful, homesick, dream.' Edward thought to himself, attempting to squash the excitement he felt, so that when he finally woke up from this wonderful dream of being back in his home world, disappointment wouldn't gnaw away at his breaking heart.
A murmuring sound of amazement brought him out of his sad thoughts, only for him to look up at his former commanding officer reaching down to pull him to his feet. Edward hesitantly gripped the man's wrist and was yanked to his feet, and snatched into a hug.
'It's warm,' Ed thought. 'My dreams about Amestris have never been this vivid before….'
Roy squeezed tighter, making the air 'whoosh' out of Edward's lean body, leaving him gasping like a fish to get some relief from this choking. His ribs and back screamed in agony at the stress of having to change ages in such a small amount of time.
That thought made Edward blink as he pushed Roy away, and lifted his index finger to tell him to wait a moment for him to recover from the bone-crushing, almost literally, hug.
'That dream about the gate wasn't just a dream either! I'm really back!'
The blond's breathing finally evened out to a normal rate, while Roy shifted his weight from foot to foot awkwardly. Racing footsteps pounding up the stairs once again broke Edward from his thoughts, and he jerked his head around to stare warily at the door. He had been living in that hell of a World War for too long to not be worried when feet pounded urgently through your house. Roy was simply switching from staring curiously at the door to at himself, his hair whipping in different directions from the constant motion.
The door burst open, its frame now occupied by none other than Riza Hawkeye and Jean Havoc.
They scrambled inside, guns at the ready, until they noticed Roy and lowered their weapons. Then Roy shifted over a little to reveal Edward's presence to them. He couldn't keep the young blond to himself. The boy- no, man, he reminded himself as he stared at the tall figure next to him, was not his to claim. He was almost eye level to himself, something that Roy would never have expected.
Edward wobbled on his feet before Riza and Jean rushed over and grabbed him in a hug, Riza stroking his back in a motherly way while Havoc straightened and started patting him on the shoulder, chattering happily. Ed gave them both a weary smile before wavering and collapsing on the floor.
Riza immediately worried over him, and Roy scrambled over to pick the bo- man, Roy had to once again remind himself, off the floor and onto the bed. He noticed Edward was being awfully quiet, something that was so out of character that it blew his mind away now that he'd noticed.
"So, Edward. What happened? How did you get back on this side of the Gate?" Roy inquired, taking a seat next to him on the bed while Riza and Havoc decided to stand.
Edward coughed a little, and then opened his mouth to speak. His mouth formed the words, but his voice wasn't working. He cleared his throat and tried again to no success. The young alchemist grabbed onto his throat, a desperate look in his eyes as he looked back and forth between the occupants in the room, as if they had the answer.
"Can you not speak, Ed?" Roy asked in low tones, sadness making his voice quiver. His eyes, the one that had been under the eye patch had long ago been healed by Dr. Marcoh, gazed sadly upon the younger man next to him.
Ed tried to force sound out of his mouth once again, to no avail. He shook his head and made a writing gesture with his hands. Roy nodded in understanding and moved over to the desk on the far side of the master bedroom, and withdrew a notebook and pencil from its drawers. He moved to sit back on the bed and passed them to his former subordinate.
Ed nodded his thanks and began scribbling frantically with his left hand. Riza, Jean, and Roy all shared a glance, obviously having come to the same conclusion; the Fullmetal Alchemist had changed a lot over the past years.
A few seconds later, Ed passed the notepad over to them. The first few tries to write what he wanted to say were illegible, so Ed had had to try 3 times to get it right.
I died. It said.
Roy's eyebrows scrunched in confusion and Havoc gasped in surprise, while Riza remained motionless, and carefully emotionless.
"But Ed, you're here with us! Alive! You're clearly not dead! Right?" Havoc asked quickly, glancing between Ed and the notepad.
Roy passed the notepad back over, and Ed went back to scribbling. It didn't take as long this time, but the message was longer.
I've died multiple times, Jean. When I first left this world and technically died by the hands of my half-brother, the homunculus Envy, I was sent to the Gate. Alphonse resurrected me since he was the Philosophers' stone and he disappeared inside the Gate. I brought him back in his real body by sacrificing myself. I should have died then too. But I was sent to the other side of the Gate, to a world parallel to our own.
The other people in the room simply frowned at the eldest Elric's strange tale. The notepad back in his hands, Edward continued his story.
I was there in that world for two years. There isn't any alchemy there, but I studied rockets while I was in that world, for a lack of anything better to do. Then that world tried to invade this one. I assume you remember that incident. What year is it?
"No alchemy? That's...crazy," Roy muttered. "And it's 1919."
So that means the last time I came here was two years ago. You all know what happened then. I went back to that other world, and died 2 years later, in 1945.
"But it's only 1919, Edward. How can you have died in 1945?" Riza questioned. Edward shrugged, but made a motion for the notepad.
When I went through the Gate to the other world for the first time, I saw into that world's future. A large bomb called an atom bomb would detonate during a World War, and kill tons of people. I think the Gate wanted me to stop that from happening. It would create an imbalance of the worlds. The energy to fuel alchemy is the souls of the people in that other world. When they die, they come here and are used for all of our transmutations. If that many people died, all that energy would come to this side of the Gate and tilt the scales. So I guess it sent me forward in time. I tried to stop that bomb. I truly did. I flew on the plane that was carrying the bomb, and tried to rig it so that it wouldn't release off the plane itself, but while I was standing on it, trying to rewire it, the Americans released it from under me, so I lost my footing and fell to the ground, killing me and sending me back here.
Roy and his two subordinates were silent; the only sounds were the laughs and merry chatter from downstairs, from the long forgotten party. The three military officers were too intent on Edward's story.
After I died, I went back to the Gate. The Truth talked to me, said that while I was rewiring the bomb, I managed to change something that somehow changed its path so it landed in a less populated area. Ironic, huh? But I guess since I basically did what it wanted me to do, at least in one perspective, it decided to send me back to try and live the remainder of my life in this world. But in exchange for once again continuing to live my life, I lost 6 years of it. I was 22 when I died. I'm 28 now. It's stressful on your body to age 6 years, did you know that? My body's kind of achy. Do you have any pain medicine?
Roy nodded mutely and stood to go to his bathroom's medicine cabinet, thoughts whirling from what the eldest Elric just told them. It was mind-boggling. He rummaged through the cabinet, until he happened upon a small red vial with a piece of paper fastened to it. Confused, Roy lifted it gently out of the basket it was settled in.
Opening the note and quickly reading through it, Roy gasped, and gripped the vial tighter.
'Roy Mustang,
This is one of my red stones. I put it here so that you can use it in a time of need, whenever that may come. I owe you much, old friend, and I hope that I may repay you with this small thing.
Tim Marcoh.'
Marcoh had disappeared long ago after he had healed Roy's eye, and now, years later, he was once again helping him with another issue. Roy opened the hand holding the vial and gazed amazedly at the sloshing viscous liquid inside. The red caught the glare of the light, and it wobbled enticingly, and Roy knew what he had to do. Although it wasn't powerful enough to give Ed those 8 years he missed back, Roy could at least sew together those cut vocal cords. He nearly laughed out loud at the coincidence.
He stumbled out of the bathroom, and saw Riza murmuring to Edward quietly, with Jean sitting nearby in a plush armchair. The happiness of being back in his true home glittered in Ed's bright gold eyes. The trio glanced up at the sound of Roy's unsteady footsteps, and Edward immediately found the vial in Roy's hand. His eyebrows furrowed and he stood, shaking his head back and forth, still mute, but Roy knew exactly what he was trying to convey.
'Save that for someone who needs it.'
"Fullmetal, I'm fixing your voice, whether you like it or not," Roy commanded through gritted teeth, and Ed's eyes widened at the tone in his voice; the tone of near-desperation and utter determination.
Short blond hair twisted as Ed once again shook his head, backing away as Roy took a step forward. The man whirled and rushed through the bedroom door, and retreating footsteps bounded down the stairs to the nearly-forgotten party below.
Roy yelped in surprise and, sliding the vial into a pocket that he buttoned shut, leapt after the younger alchemist, with Riza and Havoc on his heels. The group heard cries of surprise erupt from the party guests, and Roy pushed himself faster down the winding staircase. Edward was probably running straight through the crowd, and naturally, people would freak out after seeing a boy-now man who was declared dead weaving between them.
The music cut off with a harsh squeak, and a booming laugh was heard. Roy let out a relieved sigh, knowing Edward was not likely to get away now, since he was probably once again in a bone crushing hug from a giant.
Mustang, Hawkeye, and Havoc walked into the ballroom and immediately saw Armstrong spinning in circles with Edward in his arms, whose mouth was wide in a soundless scream as he squirmed to get out of the older man's grip.
Roy chuckled, and strode across the floor, and party guests followed slowly, murmuring amongst themselves.
"Oh, young Elric, you have finally returned!" The sparkling man bellowed as he squeezed tighter, and Edward coughed as the breath once again whooshed out of his body.
The young alchemist began smacking Armstrong's bicep, only to wince in pain from the rock hard muscle he felt beneath his flesh hand. He changed tactics, now punching Armstrong with his automail, which creaked its protest as it made contact with the bulging wires of muscle. Edward ignored the groaning metal and punched again, and a crack resounded around the room, only to be followed by a clang.
Roy stared as Edward's automail fell from his shoulder and landed on the ground, instantly breaking into pieces. Edward watched its descent to the ground, feeling as if everything was going in slow motion. His mind was screaming that Winry was going to kill him. He almost smiled at that thought. That automail was too small for him and barely worked as well anymore from his own personal repairs. A new one would do him good.
Roy cleared his throat, and the surprised guests simply stared.
"I'm sorry that Mr. Elric has interrupted your evening, ladies and gentlemen! He has just returned from a long mission, and wanted to try and catch the party before it ended. He just got a little excited," Roy lied smoothly, smirking as some ladies near him fluttered their eyelashes, trying to get his attention. Edward snorted, but didn't struggle to get out of Armstrong's grip, who seemed to have forgotten the man was in his arms. Once realizing this fact, he set Edward down with a pat on the head, but Roy protested this movement.
"Armstrong, grab Fullmetal again and bring him back upstairs please."
Armstrong's eyebrow twitched upwards, but he grabbed the blond and saluted, before following the General upstairs. Pants of air escaped from Edward as his eyes squished together and he beat his fist on the older alchemist's back, who took no notice.
Roy instructed him to hold Edward down, and Armstrong obeyed hesitantly, and Roy poured the red liquid onto his hand. A spark of power flowed through him, and he couldn't help but relish in the energy boost he felt, but he pushed the feeling away. He needed to help Ed.
He held the red stone gently over Edward's neck before pressing his fingers to the tanned column. Medicinal alchemy was not his forte, but he wasn't necessarily bad at it. Everyone in the war had to have at least a basic idea of medicine and first-aid, so Roy knew the human body well enough to understand what he needed to do.
He sewed the cleanly cut vocal cords back together, and after a quick inspection of them, nodded his appreciation of his own work. He pulled back, eliminating the bright light that had flooded the room from the transmutation, and Edward lay still for a moment, dazed.
"Ed? Can you say something?" Roy asked softly, though unsure of why he was being so quiet.
Edward blinked rapidly and pushed himself up, coughing quietly.
He groaned, rasping slightly, and froze in surprise.
"R-Roy?" He whispered, but there it was. His voice. It was back. Mustang nearly whooped and hugged his former subordinate, but he restrained himself.
"Better, Fullmetal?" Roy smirked. And Edward had said- er, implied with his actions- that he didn't want or need his voice back.
"I suppose, Col-er, General." Edward was still speaking quietly, but that was to be expected. It would be painful for him to talk for too long for the next coming weeks.
Roy chuckled, and laid his hand lightly on the man's shoulder.
"You should get some rest, ok?" Roy suggested, but Edward shook his head.
"I just got back; I'm not going to sleep. What's with...the party...down...stairs?" His voice gave out between words, but he was able to finish his question eventually.
"It's New Year's Eve, Ed. I always have a celebration here, in my home in the country. I normally have something major planned, but I haven't come up with anything yet. Guess I'll have to use your appearance as the big event. We 'officially' buried you about a year and a half ago, but I can always tell everyone you were on a secret mission farther east than Xing and that was your cover...yeah, that could work." Roy mused to himself, tapping his lips with a single finger.
Edward chuckled weakly, before his eyes glazed over and his brows pushed together.
"I may have something that you can do for your 'big event' this year, if you would be so kind as to hear it."
Roy smiled at his former subordinate, and feeling as if they were intruding, Riza, Jean, and Armstrong slipped out of the room to give the two their privacy.
"I would love to hear your idea."
"So, in that parallel world, they would use these colorful explosions as a way to celebrate large events, especially New Years. They were called fireworks."
Roy's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, and Edward immediately began to explain.
"The other world was much more advanced than this one. Using different combinations of elements, and fire to set it off, these shells would fly into the sky, and burst into sparks of different colors. They are completely harmless."
The elder alchemist debated this for a moment before his slightly pyromaniac side came out, and he grinned.
"I like that idea."
Roy gazed down at the large piece of wood that housed dozens of Edward's 'fireworks' and he braced himself for the so-called 'harmless' explosions that would soon occur. The guests had long since come outside to see what all the commotion was about, and were dressed warmly in coats, scarves and gloves.
Edward was bent down on the board and fixing a few last things before he stepped back and climbed the stairs up to the balcony to stand next to Roy.
"You ready?" He rasped, and Roy nodded, slipping an ignition cloth glove on. As the clock struck 12, he snapped his fingers and directed the pure oxygen molecules to lead the spark to the first row of fireworks.
Edward quietly counted backward from three to zero; on zero, the fireworks launched into the air and exploded hundreds of feet above their heads. The guests at the party gasped and started squealing amongst themselves about the colorful explosions. Roy snapped again with a flourish that made Edward snort in amusement, and the next row of pyrotechnics flew into the air a few seconds later.
The crowd 'ooh'ed and 'ahh'ed and any guests who were inside rushed out onto the patio to see what the noise outside was. They were initially shocked, but soon they shook themselves out of their explosion-induced stupors and went to mingle with the other guests and gossip about whose idea it was to use these new explosives at a party.
10 minutes later after round after round of fireworks and an awe-inspiring grand finale, Roy drew attention to himself with a loud, "Ladies and Gentlemen!"
The crowd quieted and turned their attention to their host who beamed at their slightly intoxicated faces.
"Happy New Year! I'd like to thank my subordinate and long-time friend Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, for helping me with this year's surprise! Mr. Elric has just returned from a land east of Xing where he was on a secret mission for me. So please, give Edward a warm welcome back and a big round of applause for the show tonight!"
Roy finished with a beam and he stepped back and gestured widely at Edward so even the drunkest of the crowd would know where he was and clumsily slap their hands together to thank him for one of the best ways to start out the New Year.
Edward grinned and waved sheepishly and the crowd roared louder until they finally got bored and went inside to get even drunker until their rides got to Roy's country house. Roy convinced Edward to socialize with some of the party-goers and Edward caught himself enjoying himself.
A large grandfather clock chimed 1:45 and Edward blinked tiredly. Many of the guests had already dispersed, heading back home to crawl into bed and get the first night of sleep in the New Year. The blond haired man stared out of the window at the full moon and he smiled sleepily.
Footsteps caught his attention and he straightened to see Roy near him, smiling slightly.
"C'mon Ed. I've got a room set up for you. You're probably exhausted," Roy suggested quietly as he began to slowly guide the younger man up the stairs. Edward merely yawned and nodded and as soon as he reached the bed, he collapsed on it without even changing and he melted onto the mattress, with only happy thoughts drifting around his brain as he fought back the nostalgia. As his mind shut down, his happy thoughts were only marred by lingering doubts, but he grumpily pushed them away.
He was finally home, and that's where he was going to stay.
So, there you are! Please review! It would make the authoress very very happy!
And if you do want that sequel, let me know. ^.^
Until Next Time!