Black-Angel-001: last chapter! no joke! no lie!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Anna.

Killing Me Softly

"Are you alright Ed? You're kinda quiet."

Snapped out of his rather depressing thoughts, Ed flashed a lopsided grin at Winry and waved his hand. "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

Winry frowned but said nothing. Slowly his grin faded and he stared at the wall again. For the first time in hours, he wasn't at the hospital keeping a vigilant bedside guard over his brother. Ever since his conversation with Anna the night before, Ed had contemplated telling someone, anyone. But he knew that she would find out somehow, then do something to punish him, like killing Winry or setting off another bomb in the city. So he couldn't take that chance. That meant he had no choice but to accept her challenge and face her, without the knowledge or support of his friends.

So, at seven o'clock that night, he met Anna at the front of the hospital.

"I'm actually a little surprised," Anna said softly from the shadows as she stepped out. "I couldn't really be sure you would show up, even with all of my threats."

"And is that all they were, threats?" Ed asked, his voice low.

"Not exactly, more like threats that are promises." A pause. "I assume you are willing to do this?"

"What choice do I have?"

"None."

"Exactly."

Anna began moving, motioning for him to follow, which he did. He had no idea where she was leading him, but he knew it was far from the general population, which he could agree to. The evening was falling quickly, the stars coming out, and the wind picking up. The air was crisp and cool and didn't help to sooth his jumpy nerves. All he could think about was how Al was. Was he doing any better? Was he passing peacefully? Edward didn't even want to think about that. The night wore on and Anna was still leading him to some unknown destination. Finally, she stopped. Ed took a good look around him and nodded, satisfied. They were out in the middle of nowhere, far from any people.

"When I said that it was now just between us, I meant it," Anna commented.

"Fine. So, how does this start?"

"Well, I left a note at Central Headquaers about this, but they won't find it until later. It will tell them where to find us, and there is some money in the envelope to pay for a few things. As for starting, well, however you want."

Ed considered. "How about go a few paces away from each other, then charging head first? Or if you know martial arts we could start like that."

Suddenly, Anna started laughing. She doubled up as her laughter shook her body. Ed frowned. "Are you laughing at my idea?"

"No, but do you realise how absurd this is? We're supposed to be mortal enemies but we are deciding how to start our final battle like it was a business deal!"

Edward's eyes grew wide, his mouth hung open a little. Then, he started laughing too. She was right, it did seem absurd. Once they had control of their laughter, Anna asked what they were going to do, seriously.

"Can't we just go our seperate ways and live our lives?"

Anna's smile disappared in an instant. "No. You could, maybe, but I cannot. The path that I have been on can't be changed and I'm sure that even if I repented completely, which I can't do, I would be put to death by your government." She shook her head. "No, for me there is no hope."

"But-"

"Enough!" Ed jumped a little. She had changed so totally, so completely, that he couldn't be sure she hand't been acting up until that moment. Anna pulled out a knife. "Edward Elric, this battle must be fought and only one of us may walk away."

Ed grimaced, clapped his hands, then slammed them into the ground. As he pulled his hand up a spear followed, brght blue lights sparking and dust swirling around him. He grabbed it with both hands at the same time Anna charged and lunged for his neck. He blocked her effort and slashed at her, tearing her shirt. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she regained her footing and balanced on the balls of her feet. They circled each other, keeping track of the other's movements to judge where they were going next. Edward jumped to the right and feigned an attack to the left. Anna responded with a low leg sweep. Ed hand vaulted into a crouching position, spear at the ready. They stared at each other for seconds, then charged at the same time. Anna swept the knife at his middle and Edward heard fabric rip. He grimaced. She was faster than he had expected. Using the pole he hit the weapon from her hand. When he used the end of the spear to jab at her, she jumped back but not before taking a hit in the gut. She grunted and stumbled back, reaching behind her back for something. When she regained her balance, she pulled out a gun. Ed took a chance.

Where was he? Winry stared out the hospital window worridly. Al didn't have much longer and Ed wasn't there. She brushed the tears from her cheeks. Around the bed was the Mustang family, Sheska, Roy's subordinates and Al's friends. Everyone was crying openly and unashamedly, just as they were remembering all of the ways Alphonse had touched their lives. Winry took his still and cold hand in hers and waited.

It was like a firecracker going off. First came the noise, then the pain. Edward blinked, stared at Anna. Her eyes were wide and blood bubbled from her lips. She smiled.

"I-I guess that neither of us are going to wa-walk away." She coughed. More blood. Ed looked down. His spear had gone through her chest, so she had no chance. But she had shot him in the chest, too. He wasn't sure if he was going to make it either. He smiled back at her.

"Guess not." She opened her mouth to say something, but instead her eyes dulled and she fell forward. Ed didnt' let go of the spear shaft so she fell on top of him. Her momentum knocked him down but aside from the sharp pain in his chest, he didn't register pain. The stars glittered brightly against the black sky. Suddenly, he remembered so many nights when he, Al, and Winry had lain together and just watched the sky at night. Al...Tears fell down his face. By now, Al was gone. Again. He felt himself slip into darkness.

The machines beep slowed. Winry gripped his hand tighter. The nurses had already taken the tubes out of him, at Ed's written request.

"My God," breathed Breda.

"What?" Roy frowned. Breda pointed at Al.

"His eyes, they're open."

Indeed they were open, but not completely. Alphonse's gray eyes grew darker and darker as he gazed at all the people who loved him, had cared about him and his brother. His lips formed into a small smile as his breath escaped in a sigh and his eyelids fluttered down.

Ed's breath came in gasps, his pulse erratic. Finally, there was just cold. The air in his lungs rushed out all at once and his heart stopped. In the cold silence, Edward died alone.

A nurse started shutting off machines. The figures huddled together in the small room began to comfort each other over the loss of their very good friend.

To Roy Mustang:

I don't expect that you would understand. I don't even expect you to try to, either. But, to the point. At the outskirts of Central City, due west of the Cathaderal tower. There, you will find either the body of myself or of Edward Elric. The one who survived will have done what is best for them; in my case, I will disappear and never bother you again. Along with this note, you will find a bit over two thousand dollars. I would apologize but it wouldn't matter. I feel that I have nothing to apologize for and if I did it would not change anything.

My best regards,
Anna Ropke

Dear Edward,

The whole reason I'm writing this is because I can't tell you myself for some reason or another. One might be because I'm already dead. I always knew somewhere in the back of my mind that I wouldn't live to grow old, but that's okay. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I really do believe that you're my brother. I may have doubted it at first, but ater that visit with Winry in Resembole a couple of months ago, I believed what you were saying. I at least knew you well enough that you wouldn't lie about stuff like that. But, that's what I wanted to tell you. That, pluse I never blamed you for anything, past or present. Anything that happened we got into together, so we suffered together, as we should have. In spite of all the pain, the years we traveled were some of the best we had. I'm glad I was able to find you again. It makes everything else more bearable.

Your Forever Loving Brother,
Alphonse