Crimson Stones (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood fanfiction)

The girl; her story (part 2)

Ed slumped back into his chair. 

Cerys is the Philosopher's Stone. 

Why, how? The revelation puzzled Ed. He glared at Hohenheim, his eyes demanding more explanation. 

"Old man, I am not joking here. You know I have been searching for the Philosopher's Stone!"

"WHY?" Hohenheim planted a fist on the table. A hole formed through the wooden table. Regaining composure, Hohenheim faked a hearty smile and waved at the gaping innkeeper. "I'll pay for it, don't worry."

The innkeeper nodded but eyed him warily. Hohenheim waited for the innkeeper to return to the kitchen and allowed the level of noise to return to the room. As other men chatted lightheartedly, Hohenheim laid back in his chair and ran a hand through his fringe. Gold strands, the same gold strands inherited by his eldest son, now sitting opposite him. How fast have they grown, Hohenheim thinks to himself, looking blankly at the windows.

"How's Trisha?" Hohenheim asks, hands back on the table. Ed twitched a little uncomfortably in his seat. The man he had blamed for all his misfortunes - was ignorant of his mother's death. Trisha was his wife, for goodness' sake, why couldn't he stop this nameless journey he was on and come back to them - just for the funeral and to assure them they were fine? Better yet, take them on his journey to wherever?

"Went to heaven." Ed replies stiffly. Hohenheim face turned downcast. "I see. Trisha ... " he trails off. 

"That was years ago, old man, don't you know that?" Ed tries to insert guilt into his father's heart.

"No..I'm sorry, I don't." Hohenheim shook his head, his voice quivering a little from the shock. Trisha, dead! Why were Ed and Al in search of the Philosopher's Stone? Why were they involved in alchemy? A state Alchemist even.

"You don't need the Philosopher's Stone, Ed." Hohenheim continued. It must have been every Alchemist's dream to gain the Philosopher's Stone,  

"You don't understand what you did to us." Ed growled, pushing the sleeves up on his right arm, revealing the shiny lustre of metal.

"Automail." Hohenheim noticed, a pang of guilt hitting his heart. 'What happened?'

'Tch.' Ed didn't answer. Who would be so charitable as to tell his estranged father the truth after he abandoned them for practically most of their childhood? And never returned for their mother's funeral at that too. What he needed now was not a reunion with Hohenheim, but an explanation of Cerys' existence. 

'How can Cerys ever be a Philosopher's Stone?' Ed asked aggressively.

Hohenheim turned silent. 

*************************************************************************************************

It was a quiet day. Eeriely quiet. Hohenheim had just finished fashioning a swing from a leftover plank of wood and sturdy strings. Crows loomed over the horizons in a group, migrating from the North.

'Winter is coming,' Hohenheim thought as he wiped the sweat off his brow. The black crows chattered in cacophony, breaking the eerie silence. Suddenly, they veered off course and started straight towards Hohenheim. Before he could perform any form of defence, the crows melded together and a formless black figure was shaped.

Gold hair protruded out of the black figure, followed by gold eyes, a pronounced jaw, and finally, a near-exact replica of Hohenheim stood before him. Hohenheim was not surprised, he knew him.

'Dwarf in the Flask. How pleasant of you to greet me.' Hohenheim retained his composure, offering a handshake.

His doppelganger smiled, 'I see you have been enjoying yourself.'

'Hohenheim. Is it a visitor?' A lady's voice rang from the back of the house.

'No, Trisha, it's fine. Just an old acquaintance.' Hohenheim called back, 'He will be leaving shortly.' He hinted at the Homunculus. 

The Homunculus grinned, 'Trisha? Wife? Do you love her?' 

'Yes.' 

'Let's grant her immortality shall we?'

The Homunculus shifted into his shapeless form and with the speed of light touched Trisha's shoulder. She fainted, but nobody saw the black shadow leave the open windows and out into the sky. 

'TRISHA!' Hohenheim yelled, running back into the house. She was lying on the floor, her body sprawled lifelessly. He tripped on Ed's woooden rocking horse and fell palm first on the floor next to her. 

'Trisha! TRISHA!' He yelled, bringing her up into his arms. As he calmed down a little, he felt her heartbeat, her breath. She was still alive, that was a relief, but why did she faint?

***

Pinako Rockbell came over as Ed ran to tell Winry 'Mom' had fainted. Pinako set Trisha on her bed, propped her hand on her laps  and examined her pulse.  She smiled. 

'Well, why aren't you a lucky one?' Pinako tooth-grinned at Hohenheim, her round glasses shining. 

'Trisha is with child again.' 

******

Hi Hi Guys, it's Crimson Rain. 

I am so sorry I have not been updating this story (after 11 months! whoops!) I was extremely busy with studies and other activities and because I have not read or watch FMA for some time. Now I'm back ! :D

How is the story so far?? :)))

Making any sense yet?

:DD

Seeya next time guys! :))