In the Dark of the Night
In the Dark of the Night
2:00 am
Edward was alone in the warehouse, surrounded by cages. He recognized the smell, he just couldn't place where it was from, as he walked along the empty rows. The lights flicked overhead as he heard the whirring of a saw nearby. He picked up speed, rounding the corner quickly. He needed to get to Al, he couldn't find his brother anywhere.
At the end of the row lay a body, crumpled unnaturally still, Ed rushed to the body, not looking around. He stopped short as he saw the bright red hair. Something was wrong, he hadn't seen that shade of red in years, not since the night in Godric's Hallow. He leaned over and saw her face. It was the same young woman. He backed up quickly, confused, as she sat up. "You let me die. Let me die to steal my baby." The woman said.
"No, I tried to save you!" Ed said as he scrambled backward, he ran into a sticky puddle and his stomach dropped as he looked over his shoulder. In a sickening and horrifying huddle was Rose and his mother, both glared hatefully at him "You let us die Edward." They accused together, voices joining that of the young mother.
Ed stood and ran from them, their voices following closely behind him. He reached the end of the row he had come from, to see the bodies of Vato Falman and Maria Ross waiting, holding themselves together with their hands pained expressions on their faces. "You didn't protect us; we trusted you and you let us die!" They said in unison. Ed shook as he backed away, bumping into one of the cages and was greeted by the mutated image of Chimera Nina imploring him to play, followed by the still unnamed boy telling him it hurt.
Ed turned to run, and there before him stood Heymans Breda, holding both of his sons to his chest. At his feet laid a still bleeding Winry, her throat slit and her eyes staring blankly clearly dead. Breda held a knife in his hand against Yuery's throat. Ed stepped forward begging him to let the boys go. "You let Vato die. Why should you be allowed happiness that you steal from the rest of us. You deserve to suffer." Breda ignored Ed's pleas and apologies to slit both boys' quickly before dropping them to the ground and pulling his revolver. "Enjoy your time alone, it will last forever."
Edward gasped and sat up in the dark room. He looked around quickly as he attempted to slow his breathing and heartrate. "Just a dream. Nothing but a nightmare. Pull it together." He said quietly to ground himself. The sound of his own voice in the dark silence was too much and he threw back the covers. He needed out of the room, needed to move.
Edward moved silently through the house; his dad's room was empty the door hanging open. Further down Granny's door also hung open which is when Ed knew something was wrong. Granny never left her door open in all of his memory. She had too many strangers in and out of the house that doubled as a private clinic.
Edward walked downstairs in search of a clue on what was happening, he went in the direction of the clinic area. It was the only reason he could think of for them both to be up at this hour. Here he finally found answers. Heymans was sitting up in his bed, pale and alone. Ed took one look at his expression "How bad is it?"
"I don't know. Mustang came in for bed check, but he didn't say anything he just rushed back out and a minute later him and the old lady were back and rushing Vato out of the room. I don't know. Is he going to be okay? Tell me he's okay Edward?"
"I don't know what's going on, I just woke up. I'll go see what I can find out okay?" Ed said. He then went toward the operating room, intent on looking through the window on the door to confirm that was where they took the other man. As he approached the door Roy exited.
"The doctor from town finally got here, I'm just in the way now." Roy said exhaustion clear on his face. "What are you doing up? Nightmare?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter. What happened?" Ed asked as both sat down in the small waiting area.
"Honestly? Not entirely certain, but his blood pressure was dropping and from I could gather from what Pinako was saying into the phone as she worked it sounds like part of his sutures came undone."
Ed hissed through his teeth. It had to be internal for Dad to not know for certain what was happening. Vato wasn't doing well before this, it didn't sound good whatever had gone wrong, with their supplies still low and he was so weak already. "What was your nightmare?" Roy asked, wanting the distraction for both of them, and knowing that Ed would just let whatever he dreamed fester in his mind causing whichever guilt that tripped it to take over his mood. Ed shrugged again before he began describing the dream. They would wait until they knew something before returning to bed, and it could wait a few minutes before the spoke to Breda either. Neither of them expected this to go well and were delaying the news as long as possible.
Pinako joined them as Ed finished talking, the whole thing had taken him less than five minutes to explain. "Does he have an emergency contact? Family?" Pinako asked gruffly.
"So, there's nothing you can do?" Ed asked as he shook his head. Falman's only relative had been his mother, but she was one of the few who died on Promised Day, the stress of having her soul removed and returned had caused a stroke.
"He's lost a lot of blood. We have him stable again, but it's not looking good. If he pulls through the night, perhaps…it would be better to let him go if it happens again, but I would prefer to talk to his people if they are available. "Pinako said with a tired sigh.
"Heymans Breda is his next of kin." Roy said, as he stood. "He's a patient as well, and normally it would be avoided since we wish to keep him calm, but Vato's only blood relative passed away last spring, and Heymans will know what his wishes were."
"I'll get a sedative, just in case, you boys go talk to him." Pinako replied.
Ed and Roy walked back toward Falman and Breda's room. Roy attempted to send Ed back upstairs, but he refused. These men had been his friends and subordinates long enough that he felt it was his responsibility to be there. Ed would feel that way about anyone working with him, which is why Roy felt he would be a great general. Breda was still waiting on word, though Ed had been gone less than ten minutes the man had been getting agitated with the wait.
Roy sat down beside him, as Ed leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Breda knew it would not be good news by their expressions. "Is he dead?" Breda asked in a quiet voice.
"No, not this time." Roy said. "The problem is, according to the doctors, they don't know if they can pull him back again from this. His body is fighting, but it's failing, and they want to know… should they keep fighting or should we make him comfortable and leave it up to fate? Which would he want?"
"I'm not ready to lose him…but I can't let him suffer needlessly either." Breda said, before his breath hitched and they knew he was trying not to cry. "Is he going to wake up at all?"
"It's possible." Ed said with a frown, worried about both Breda and Falman. "It depends really on how much fight he has left in him."
"Okay. Okay." Breda said. "Give me a bit to think please."
Roy and Ed nodded, and left him alone. Neither of them felt he should be by himself for long but wanted to respect his wishes. They went back out to the waiting area, to find Pinako had disappeared again. Ed sighed heavily as he slumped back onto the couch. Roy joined him silently and was pleased a few minutes later when Ed slumped against him asleep again.
Pinako and the doctor wheeled Falman out a few minutes later. The man was paler than he had been earlier this evening but seemed to be breathing better. Roy found himself hoping for a miracle. Pinako said she didn't think he would survive another surgery, so Roy simply hoped that he would not require another. He also hoped the other man would wake soon, if for no other reason than to have Breda calm when he had to decide.
Roy nodded to the doctors but didn't move, he hoped Ed would sleep awhile longer. His son did not sleep enough anymore, and nightmares often haunted him. Roy wanted to find a way to help him but was unsure where to begin. So instead he just offered his comfort when Ed needed it and ignored the boy's protests.
Granny finished with Falman, and joined Roy in the waiting area, apparently Breda asked her for time as well.
East City
Military Hotel
Room204
Winry, Riza, and the boys were all sleeping when Jean knocked quietly on the door. He hated to disturb them but had agreed it couldn't wait until morning. A man had been stopped at the front desk and had stated he was here to see Colonel Elric but would not give any identification. Jean happened to be heading outside for a cigarette at the time, and recognized the man, though he couldn't place his name.
It had been the same one Ed had allowed to help them find Ms. Thomas' body, so he did know them, but he was strange. A wizard, according to his bosses. Which was to be kept quiet. Jean sighed heavily but returned up stairs to get Hawkeye. It only took a moment for her to head downstairs and look at the man herself.
She then interrupted the argument going on at the front desk to ask the man, Snape apparently, why he was looking for Elric. Snape shrugged and replied. "I learned there had been trouble out in the desert and felt I should once again offer my aide."
"Well, whoever your source is was wrong, Edward Elric isn't in East City, he's still out at the site helping where he can." Riza said.
The man frowned, he knew the boy was here, that's how he had found them, was following the Trace. He had seen about the trouble in the papers however, and if it had been as bad as implied it was no surprise Elric would have sent the children away for their safety. The Trace was weak on this side of the shield, Snape had not been able to track it until he was well inside of Amestris.
Still he was concerned the boy was apart from Elric, Snape trusted the man could protect the child, however this woman didn't seem to have any form of magic. It would be better to keep the boy as hidden as possible. Snape dug threw his pockets, until he found what he was searching for, an amulet of simple design. He muttered a spell over it quickly before handing it to the woman. "Here, please keep this on or near Colonel Elric's elder son. It will help keep him safe. I will go now and speak to Elric."
"I will call him to inform him you are on the way then." Hawkeye said as she placed the amulet in her pocket. She also had no intention of putting it anywhere near the boy without talking to Ed about it.
"I will wait here, seek permission to give me his current location, it would make the process easier." Snape replied patiently. A few minutes later Riza returned, having spoken to both Roy and Edward. She gave him a slip of paper with an address on it, Snape thanked her politely before walking out of the hotel.
He found an empty alley, before taking the paper out of his pocket, and read the address. Luckily for him, he had been near by before when searching for background information on the Elrics. He looked around to insure he was unseen before apparating out of the alley, to reappear on a hill near the Rockbelles.
Meanwhile, Riza returned to her room, and placed the amulet on the night table next to the bed. Ed had said to go ahead and trust that Snape meant the child no ill will, something about a vow that she didn't really understand, but trusted Ed's judgement on keeping his children safe.
Resembool
Snape arrived as Edward stepped out onto the porch, shutting the door firmly behind him. It was still dark out, but there was enough light from the windows to see each other clearly. "Good evening." Snape said simply.
"You promised before to leave my children out of our dealings, then you show up right where they are." Ed said instead of returning the greeting. "What do you want this time?"
"I found them by following the Trace. I had assumed you would be with them, the amulet I provided the woman will prevent any other wizards from using the Trace to find the boy. It is weak, and will wear off eventually, however it should last a few months." Snape said as he climbed the stairs to join Ed on the porch. "I read the papers and came to offer my aide as it is needed."
"You have any magic spells that can heal internal bleeding?" Ed asked sarcastically, not expecting help.
"I'm not a healer, I could send for one if you would like." Snape said with concern. "How badly were they injured?"
"We have two critical patients, one isn't expected to survive the night. Unfortunately, the only thing I know of that could possibly save him would be a Stone and we do not have access to one at this time." Ed said with a sigh, as he looked back at the door. "I don't believe in miracles, I wasn't expecting you to be able to help."
"I could bring a healer. If I leave now we should be back by morning. I can not say with certainty that she can help, however I am sure she is willing to try." Snape offered again. He hated the idea of not trying. "What of the other one?"
"Sepsis has set in. Granny is fairly confidant we can bring her back around but it's going to take time. I can't make that call on my own, wait here, I will see what the others think." Ed said before stepping back into the house.
He found his dad and Granny still in the waiting area, listening for Breda who had promised to ring when he'd made his decision. Ed walked right up to them and began without waiting for them to notice him. "The wizard is offering to go get a healer to look over Falman and Ross to see if they can help."
"Do we trust him to bring someone in like that?" Roy asked as Granny frowned. She wasn't sure how to feel about magic and medicine it seemed close to alchemy in medicine and she had seen that go terribly wrong before, however, if there was a chance they could save Falman then it was better than his current chances, which she was sure to point out.
Roy suggested whoever Snape brought in would need to be asked to do the same vow Snape had given to keep Yuery safe. Ed nodded in agreement before he returned to the porch. They had all agreed not to offer Breda false hope. If this wizard could help Falman they would all be grateful but they weren't going to say anything that wasn't certain.
Snape agreed to get the healer to make the same vow, in front of them to be sure she had done it, then left the property once more before disappearing. Once he was gone, Ed returned to the house. He wasn't holding his breath, the man might not make it back in time as it was. With a tired sigh he sat in one of the waiting chair near his Dad to continue their shift. Granny returned to bed, if something else were to happen she needed to be sharp.
Hogwarts
Hospital Wing
Snape slunk through the halls silently, not wanting to answer a lot of questions, nor feeling that he had the time to do so, as he reached Poppy's office and knocked quietly. She answered a moment later, alert as always, working with teenagers. "Poppy. I have a special request." Snape said quietly, slipping passed her into her office where they would not be overheard.
"What is it Severus?" Poppy asked kindly. It was unheard of for him to approach her in the middle of the night like this. Generally they only spoke when she was in need of potions to be replenished.
"I need a Healer, and I will need to ask you to take a vow of secrecy." Snape said calmly. "I can not give any details until after the vow is made, or people could be put in danger, all I can say is there are several people who are severely injured. One they are not certain will survive the night."
"Very well, allow me to gather a few things and change. How is the person injured? Will I be in need of potions or will wandwork suffice?"
"I am not entirely certain. I suggest at least blood replenishing potions. There was also mention of infection." Snape replied. Poppy nodded before shooing him out the door with a promise to meet him just outside the gates within the hour.
Snape paced back and forth where he stood at the gate, the longer it took to return to Amestris, the less likely it was they would be able to help them all. As it was, he wasn't sure if Poppy would be able to do much. Magic wasn't miracles anymore than alchemy. Soon Poppy arrived and He wordlessly offered his arm, she knew nothing of Amestris and he wasn't going to explain it to her.
Journal Eight
1800 to 1805
16/12/01
Xing is as I remembered for
The most part. Though I am
Unhappy to find that some of
The clans are beginning to
War with each other once more.
I have decided to confront Emperor Ping
To discover the causation of this turn of events.
It is unacceptable that all of my effort and planning
Go to waste. It is far too important to allow this
To continue. I will arrive tomorrow in the
Imperial City. Casual inquiry has assured that
I will be welcomed.
I have left Perenelle behind to settle matters in France
I am glad that she is not here after the way I spoke highly
Of my homeland. I would be embarrassed to have her see
It in shambles like this.
_T.B.V.N.F.H
31/07/03
How I resisted temptation, alas I have
Succumbed. Ping so resembles Hiro, in
Both appearance and temperament.
He is not to be blamed for the turn of tides.
He was born into this tragedy and deeply
Agrees that it needs to be repaired.
I am ashamed to admit that I had
Nearly forgotten Perenelle, in the arms of
My love. She appeared yesterday in the royal
Court, and I remembered her face for the first
Time in nearly a year.
I must take her away from here before they realize,
That I love him, but not her. It isn't fair to her.
_T.B.V.N.F.H
16/04/05
My house was in good condition when I returned.
My student had aged more than I had considered.
How time moves differently for those who age.
I was happy to return however, Perenelle too
Seemed happy to be here. Soon I will need to return
To planning, however I need to know how HIS plans
Have progressed.
HE has initiated a State sponsored Alchemist program.
He seems to be searching for a particular trait. I need
To look into it Further because, unfortunately, Hector
Never bothered to pay attention to how the selection
Occurs.
_T.B.V.N.F.H
12/12/05
He is seeking those who survived
Opening their Gate. Who have tried to
Bring back the dead. The only real taboo.
Whatever purpose he has for these poor souls,
May they be smart enough to avoid him. Though
If they are strong enough to survive opening their
Gate, they may be strong enough to defeat him without
Magic. One can hope.
I still intend to find the right combination however,
The irony of turning his generals against him appeals.
_T.B.V.N.F.H