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crossoverficHi! This is my Fullmetal Alchemist/ Doctor Who crossover. I am working on a what if the Elric's were trapped, not in our world, but the Whoverse set around the time of of new series. How would their Alchemy work there? And ofcourse, I wanted to explain how Captain Jack got his memory erased....
Once finished with this story I have a couple Who/FMA stories plannned (with Daleks, the ninth Doctor and Rose) but I want to finish this one first.
PROLOGUE
Jack
Jack Harkness had to hand it to the kid. He successfully sealed the gate. The portal to the other world was no longer a threat.
It was cold, and a breeze swirled snow around his feet. It was cold and biting, but he didn’t feel it. His warm wool coat easily kept off the cold wet sting off. Captain Jack Harkness lay at a distance with binoculars in hand watching them. Just over the snowy knoll he was hiding behind he saw the object of his new mission. Two young men, no more than boys, standing on the road waving down vehicles as they passed by. They seemed harmless, children in the eyes of his society. The youngest, under his heavy German army issue coat, wore a blue suit jacket, matching slacks and white shirt, with suspenders. His clothes were large on him. He needed a belt to hold up the pants, and both sleeves and pants were rolled up. His long dark gold hair was tied tight at the nape of his neck, and tucked into his jacket. He carried a battered leather suitcase and trailed behind the older boy, occasionally stopping to point at something.
The other boy shared the same height as the younger. A leather thong in the back of his head bound his long yellow gold hair. He was dressed in a long brown frock coat, light brown slacks, a vest, and a white shirt. He was slender, and very pretty. Yet, his features were hardened, revealing a very uptight young man.
Pulling out his communicator Jack spoke steadily to his agency. “I found them, yes, I’m sure its Edward and Alphonse Elric. They both have gold eyes…” He paused checking the gadget on his wrist. “And their readings are off the chart. Should I try to intercept them before they make contact?”
“Your orders are to proceed according to plan.” A voice rippled over the static.
“Damn,“ Jack frowned. They always insisted on doing things by the book. He shook his head, watching the elder Elric. He was darned cute, and legal to boot. Jack shook his head. It was unfortunate that these post WWII types were so narrow-minded. Edward Elric would make quite the catch. Well, he could dream couldn’t he? “Copy, but we don’t want to sit on this too long, I saw what these kids could do when they brought down the Thule Society three months ago. They’re dangerous.”
There was a pause, headquarters wasn’t going to budge on this one. “You have your orders, Captain. Over and out.” With a faint smile Jack Harkness shrugged. He had his orders, but he still didn’t like it. Switching off his device, he continued to watch the youngsters. A truck pulled over and the boys were piling in the back.
Chapter 1
1923
Alphonse Elric
The silver face of the full moon glittered down on the dark streets of Munich. It was an old city with medieval buildings and gabled houses. Electric lights illuminated its cobblestone streets like glittering stars.
People crowded the streets, filling the financial district below. It was normally quiet this time of night. Save for a few bars and beer houses most business were closed, and with the dying economy, people stayed home more often than not.
But tonight was different. Alphonse Elric wrapped his arms about his chest and gazed wearily down at the streets below. In the distance, he saw several men, dressed in gray uniforms with swastika armbands, carrying candles. They marched in rows, parading down the street followed by a few black cars. It was quiet, yet a eerily moving protest.
It churned Al’s stomach and he had to look away. Many in the city were still in an uproar since Hitler’s failed Beer Hall rally in November. Protest ragged regularly in the streets because he and his Nazi party were heroes to the people even though they used armed force in their latest debacle. The undying support of the Nazi party worried Al. With the Nazis so closely tied with the Thule Society, Alphonse was certain they were involved with the failed attempt to invade World of Alchemy two months ago.
Which inevitably would put he and Edward in danger, especially in Munich.
“It seems, we can’t escape power hungry organizations, even here.” Alphonse whispered, closing the window and blinds. It was a shame really; he had hoped he and Edward would find peace in their new home. Even with war looming over the horizon, Alphonse secretly wished the turbulent politics and turmoil shaking Munich would pass with a peaceful solution.
Their wanderings brought them back to Munich, and Edward returned to where he and his friends used to live so he could go through their stuff and lay to rest the last several months he spent with Alphonse Heinrich and his rocket research.
The apartment was the type of place Al expected Ed to live. It was small, with a kitchen/living room combination and one bedroom. It was modestly furnished with a simple oak table, three chairs, a pull out couch and two beds. It wasn’t very homey; Edward had no art or pictures to hang on the white plaster walls. The floors were dark hard wood with no carpeting. The older boy was too much of a wanderer to settle down in one place, and decorating wasn’t one of his priorities and apparently Heinrich was too caught up in his work to care. It was plain, a place to sleep, study, and eat, and nothing more. The only thing of significance was a bookshelf near the window, filled to the brim with books on engineering, chemistry and physics.
Sighing, the younger Elric glanced across the small apartment at his brother. The 18 year old sat at the table, chewing on the back of a pencil, newspaper in hand, scanning the job listings. Puffing a breath of air, he brushed his long blond bangs from his determined stare. After a moment he sighed, dropping the pencil and paper to the table and burying his head in his arms. Edward had changed a great deal since their wanderings in Amestris. Physically he was very much the same man, perhaps a hair taller, and thinner, but he seemed tired if not a little depressed; which worried Alphonse. “I understand Hitler is a little obsessed with the mystical arts, Alchemy included. We’ll have to watch our backs.” Edward said meeting Alphonse’s gaze with moist golden eyes. "We’ll be fine, I’ll take good care of you, Al, just like before.”
Alphonse gave his brother a fond smile. When would he stop protecting him? “And I will take care of you, Brother, just like before. After all, that’s why I couldn’t leave you here, all alone.”
They had arrived in Munich a week ago, and Alphonse was learning a about the new world he was now a part of. Though he didn’t know enough to safely wander about alone. He had enough knowledge of the politics and culture to see there were close parallels to his world. The only major difference was Alchemy didn’t work. This world was the conduit of Alchemical energy to theirs and had no dimensional outsource to let the science of equivalent exchange work.
Instead it was machines that guided this world. They took the place of master alchemists and their powers. As a result, history took another path. Al supposed Hitler existed in their world as well, but perhaps he was the architect he failed to be here.
Shouts outside made Alphonse wrap his arms about his small frame. Nazis didn’t exist in his world. They were by far the most evil force they had encountered here. What made matters worse was they knew of the world of Alchemy and the powers that existed there. The last thing Alphonse and Edward wanted was for the Thule society to track them down.
In fact, they were so concerned about it, Edward hadn’t even spoken to any of his neighbors, save for his landlady and only planned on staying long enough to deal with Alphonse Heinrick’s belongings and leave.
The 17 year old crossed the room and seated himself in the chair across form his brother. Pressing his face in his hand he studied Edward and frowned. His elder brother was pale and too thin. The famine and food rationing were taking a toll on him. “Brother,” he began. “I’m worried about you.”
Edward met his gaze and offered a devilish smile. “I guess that means avoiding those ugly rallies. We better stay in tonight.”
He smiled weakly at Edward as the young man leaned back in his chair. For the moment, a mischievous smile crossed his face, and Edward Elric looked like his old self. He waved a finger in the air. “Yup, Hitler. I don’t like him. Even if he is a short son of a bitch, he has all the makings of a real psycho and I hope he stays in jail until he rots!”
The boy lifted a brow and smiled wearily at his older brother. “I just don’t know why they listen, brother, not at all.”
Edward grunted, and came to a stand. Annoyance crossed his brow and, he looked toward the window. Faint flakes of snow were drifting down, and a cold breeze rustled the curtains. In the distance Alphonse heard the shouts from the crowd below. “He told them what they want to hear. They don’t want to be responsible for their misfortune, he gave them a scapegoat. The last War did a lot of damage to the German people. Hitler boosted their pride and gave them reasons to justify their hatred for the Jews and other outsiders. Familiar eh? People don’t change, whereever you go, no one wants to hear the truth, they’d rather stay in the dark and be blind.”
Alphonse thought of the years they spent together searching for the Philosopher’s stone. Edward was right, sometimes people didn’t want the truth, and they just wanted someone to blame. The boy sighed heavily and shook his head. “Brother, what have we gotten ourselves into? Why can’t people learn?”
Shrugging, Edward came to his feet, and crossed into the kitchen. It wasn’t very large, but it was well equipped with a woodstove, icebox, large sink, wall cabinets, a counter top and an empty walk in pantry.
Next to the sink, Edward stashed the third chair for convenience. He was still unusually short and unable to reach the cabinets over the counter top. Using the chair, Edward reached the cabinet above his head and rooted around until he located a glass. “I stopped asking that some time ago.” He informed jumping down and filling his glass with water. “I just get pissed off.” He took a swallow and placed the glass in the sink. “Don’t worry about it Al, we’re not staying long. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”
With a nod Alphonse watched his brother cross the room to a single door adjacent to the kitchen. He vanished inside, leaving Alphonse alone in the flickering gaslight. They were starting over in a world alien to them, and Edward had already butted heads with the political forces sweeping the land. How would they survive? No wonder Edward was frustrated; they were trying to move a mountain.
“Give it time.” Alphonse whispered to himself in an attempt to restrain his own doubts and fears. He’d never admit it to his brother, but he was frightened and homesick.
Yet he knew deep down Edward must have been feeling far worse. Edward took full responsibility for Alphonse and would do everything in his power to make sure his younger brother was taken care of. And right now, their lives were far from stable.
The boy cleared his thoughts. To upset himself with things he could do nothing about would not help his brother or himself. With patience they could achieve anything. It paid off in the past, and it would do so now.
Shaking his head, the younger Elric came to his feet and walked toward the Bedroom. He too was feeling very weary.
&&&&
White snow blanketed the streets and buildings. It was lovely, and kissed the windows with delicate patterns of frost and ice. It reminded Al of Central back home.
By midmorning, the streets of Munich were bustling with activity. Residents shoveled the streets and sidewalks, and cleared the path for horse drawn carriages and automobiles. Large barrels filled with wood and coal burned near the alleys, and people huddled about stomping their feet and rubbing their hands over the warm fires. They spoke in low voices, mostly complaints about the weather and economy. The current economy stifled business and very few stores opened, and those that did had hideously high prices. The mark was nearly worthless and inflation was up to an unimaginable high. Yet people, dressed in heavy grey coats, and warm hats were out moving up and down the streets, some wandering aimlessly, others in search of the labor offices or food rationing stands.
Children played in the streets, kicking cans, tossing dice and slipping on the ice without a care in the world. Their play was only interrupted by the occasional automobile or horse drawn carriage passing by or shopkeeper shouting for them to leave his storefront.
The boy exhaled and watched his own breath puff out as frozen mist. It was very cold, and he was grateful for the warm frock coat, gloves and scarf bundled about his slender body. He preferred winter in the country. The city with its dirty snow and smelly streets was an unpleasant sight. Rizenbool on the other hand was beautiful, with its snowcapped rooftops and crystal coated tree branches sparkling in morning light. He missed home in the winter.
“Just see if you can scare up some bread and some fresh fruit!” Edward Elric shouted out the window as Alphonse stepped out onto the sidewalk below. Thanks to their father’s Swiss Bank accounts they had enough to buy food and other necessities. Yet Edward and Alphonse were thrifty young men. They took only what they needed and preferred to work for their living rather than take what Edward called blood money.
“Fruit, right…” Alphonse looked up. Ignoring the strange stares from the people around him, the younger Elric cupped his hand over his brow, and squinted at the sunlight in his eyes. He made out his brother as he leaned out the window, hands curled around the ledge. He was smiling like his old self, but then again, Edward Elric always got excited about food. “Anything in particular?” There was a famine and fresh fruits were hard to come by. Alphonse would be lucky if he found anything.
“Apples.” Edward announced. “Noah likes them. It will be a treat for her when she comes back today!”
The gypsy girl was well known in town, and some people looked away and whispered to each other. An old woman dressed in a gray shall and dark thick clothing glared at Alphonse disapprovingly and mouthed the words “shame on you.”
The boy’s face reddened and he shifted his feet uncomfortably. Why did Edward have to mention Noah? Two young men living with a woman was seen as rather inappropriate and would make them stand out.
Then again, Edward didn’t care about these things, he liked the attention, even if Alphonse preferred the quiet. Cringing, Alphonse tried to ignore the woman, and the stares. It was only a matter of time before Edward noticed. “Yes, brother.” Alphonse looked up through his sandy brown bangs.
Noticing Alphonse’s embarrassment, Edward’s gaze narrowed and he fixed his attention on the on lookers. “Hey… What the hell are all you staring at? Can’t a guy get his breakfast without a audience?” He waved his hands, annoyance flaring in his voice. “God Damn it! You’d think this is a sideshow or something!”
Nope, nothing out of the ordinary here, Alphonse shook his head. With a sigh, the youth puffed out his dark blond bangs. He turned on his heal and swiftly began to walk. Someday, Edward would realize he was a sideshow. “Well, there goes keeping a low profile… Guess I can look at the bright side, no one mentioned his height…”
&&&&&
Edward Elric
“Now, where was I?” Edward Elric asked himself. Wearily, he stared at the notes scrawled on the papers before him. Distantly he heard the shots from the Germans below his window as they cursed his mother and whoever else they could blame for his birth. He caused quite a stir turning a normally mundane morning into one his neighbors would never forget. Not that he did it deliberately. Edward Elric had no idea how to speak with people. He had a short temper and little patience for others. Especially when it came to his business.
Germans were nosy and opinionated and made judgments unscientifically. Something that annoyed Edward to no end. Running his hands though his pale golden hair, Edward sighed. With an effort, he tuned the voices out and let his mind focus on his notes. He had recorded their travels and his research into rockets for some time and was finally going through them and wondering if they were any use to him now.
The letters were blurry, and he was forced to lift the notes up close to see them clearly. “Crap!” He cursed, dropping the notebook and rubbing his eyes. Why couldn’t life give him a little break? “I can always use father’s glasses,” he thought, but shook his head. His eyes were horrid yet, and he could see the print perfectly fine if he lifted the notes off the table. But it was inconvenient, especially since research was vital to his very way of life.
Frustrated he pushed aside his notes and studied the pile of books, scatted over the table. Most of the material was based on Alphonse Heinrich’s research. Heinrich and he spent months together working on rocket propulsion under Oberth.
Twitching, Edward lifted Alphonse Heinrich’s personal notebook up and tried to get the gumption to open it. Al was looking through it earlier that morning, curious about his doppelganger.
Edward avoided Alphonse’s notes, they reminded him too much of their time together. A time he spent trying to get home and not realizing how much the people around him cared for him. He had totally disregarded Heinrich’s friendship and only saw him for the face he wore; the face of his younger brother. Carefully he opened it, and flipped through the pages of neat script. He remembered how Alphonse carefully performed and recorded their experiments. Terminal ill Alphonse Heinrich wanted to make a mark and change the world before he passed on. It was what kept him alive.
Tears filled Edwards eyes, blurring the print more and making it impossible for him to see. The young man drew a sharp breath and slapped the book closed. The Thule society murdered the young scientist and in the end he was responsible for the young man’s death.
Struggling to keep the tears at bay, Edward squeezed the notebook in his hands and bowed his head into its leather bindings. Alphonse Heinrich died saving him and here he was going through his work like it was just letters on a page.
Gritting his teeth he looked up, well aware he could easily lay claim to Alphonse’s work for himself.
No, he would send the note book to Obreth, Alphonse would want that and let his work live on.
He placed the book into the box, than stacked the rest of the books on top of it. In good conscience he couldn’t continue Alphonse’s work.
No, rockets would do him no good now; perhaps, he would do some research on Electricity, and travel to America to meet with Edison.
Wouldn’t Alphonse Heinrich want him to be happy if he were stuck in this world?
Edward breathed deep, realizing he was out of breath and feeling weary. Yet the day hadn’t even started. He had to make plans, were would they go? What universities could they travel to and learn from? What science could he make his mark with?
There were many brilliant scientist he fancied to talk with. Einstein for one, or Tesla even Chemist Walther Nernst. What Edward would give to study their research. At heart he was a nomad, and wanted to travel the world learning what ever he could, but now that Al was there, he had responsibilities .
So much to do, he was a genius, but not even he knew where to start.
He side glanced his bedroom, realizing he had collected many books concerning Tesla, and was fascinated with the man’s research on electromagnetic fields and cosmic rays. And what sort of wonders could he do if they harnessed cosmic rays? Was it true that Tesla created a death ray capable of leveling 400miles of trees in 1908 in Tunguska?
“Hump, I could have done it.” Edward said aloud. Coming to a stand, he tightened his fists and smirked manically. “I was an alchemy GOD!”
He smacked his fists against the table. The dull pain of misfiring nerves, vibrated up his automail arm. It reminded him of how foolish he had been in the past. He wasn’t a God, just a child with more power than he deserved.
But he was stripped of it now. He was as mortal and helpless like everyone else.
An ache in his left hand made him frown. Reluctantly he lifted his hand and studied the flesh as a bruise appeared across the soft human flesh. He hadn’t struck the table that hard. If he had, the automail would have damaged the thin sheath of artificial skin covering on it.
Odd, he never bruised that easily. Why now? “Vitamin deficiency.” He thought. He hadn’t been eating well. Clumsily, he rubbed his palm with his artificial hand. He had to eat better and get more rest.
There was a knock at the door. Exhaling, Edward walked over to it. “Hang on Al!” Al was earlier than he planned, but then again it would give them more time to clean the place for Noah’s arrival.
He smiled and realized he was excited about seeing the girl. She was exotic, and good at heart, nothing like Winrey, but a good person nonetheless.
Jerking the door open, Edward Elric was surprised to see a dark haired man who looked identical to Roy Mustang in a dark pinstriped suit standing there. He smiled down “Guten tag, Herr Elric!” his voice was thick with a strong German accent. “I am Mr. Gustave Kaiser , I understand you are an Alchemist. I would like to hire you…”
Once finished with this story I have a couple Who/FMA stories plannned (with Daleks, the ninth Doctor and Rose) but I want to finish this one first.
PROLOGUE
Jack
Jack Harkness had to hand it to the kid. He successfully sealed the gate. The portal to the other world was no longer a threat.
It was cold, and a breeze swirled snow around his feet. It was cold and biting, but he didn’t feel it. His warm wool coat easily kept off the cold wet sting off. Captain Jack Harkness lay at a distance with binoculars in hand watching them. Just over the snowy knoll he was hiding behind he saw the object of his new mission. Two young men, no more than boys, standing on the road waving down vehicles as they passed by. They seemed harmless, children in the eyes of his society. The youngest, under his heavy German army issue coat, wore a blue suit jacket, matching slacks and white shirt, with suspenders. His clothes were large on him. He needed a belt to hold up the pants, and both sleeves and pants were rolled up. His long dark gold hair was tied tight at the nape of his neck, and tucked into his jacket. He carried a battered leather suitcase and trailed behind the older boy, occasionally stopping to point at something.
The other boy shared the same height as the younger. A leather thong in the back of his head bound his long yellow gold hair. He was dressed in a long brown frock coat, light brown slacks, a vest, and a white shirt. He was slender, and very pretty. Yet, his features were hardened, revealing a very uptight young man.
Pulling out his communicator Jack spoke steadily to his agency. “I found them, yes, I’m sure its Edward and Alphonse Elric. They both have gold eyes…” He paused checking the gadget on his wrist. “And their readings are off the chart. Should I try to intercept them before they make contact?”
“Your orders are to proceed according to plan.” A voice rippled over the static.
“Damn,“ Jack frowned. They always insisted on doing things by the book. He shook his head, watching the elder Elric. He was darned cute, and legal to boot. Jack shook his head. It was unfortunate that these post WWII types were so narrow-minded. Edward Elric would make quite the catch. Well, he could dream couldn’t he? “Copy, but we don’t want to sit on this too long, I saw what these kids could do when they brought down the Thule Society three months ago. They’re dangerous.”
There was a pause, headquarters wasn’t going to budge on this one. “You have your orders, Captain. Over and out.” With a faint smile Jack Harkness shrugged. He had his orders, but he still didn’t like it. Switching off his device, he continued to watch the youngsters. A truck pulled over and the boys were piling in the back.
Chapter 1
1923
Alphonse Elric
The silver face of the full moon glittered down on the dark streets of Munich. It was an old city with medieval buildings and gabled houses. Electric lights illuminated its cobblestone streets like glittering stars.
People crowded the streets, filling the financial district below. It was normally quiet this time of night. Save for a few bars and beer houses most business were closed, and with the dying economy, people stayed home more often than not.
But tonight was different. Alphonse Elric wrapped his arms about his chest and gazed wearily down at the streets below. In the distance, he saw several men, dressed in gray uniforms with swastika armbands, carrying candles. They marched in rows, parading down the street followed by a few black cars. It was quiet, yet a eerily moving protest.
It churned Al’s stomach and he had to look away. Many in the city were still in an uproar since Hitler’s failed Beer Hall rally in November. Protest ragged regularly in the streets because he and his Nazi party were heroes to the people even though they used armed force in their latest debacle. The undying support of the Nazi party worried Al. With the Nazis so closely tied with the Thule Society, Alphonse was certain they were involved with the failed attempt to invade World of Alchemy two months ago.
Which inevitably would put he and Edward in danger, especially in Munich.
“It seems, we can’t escape power hungry organizations, even here.” Alphonse whispered, closing the window and blinds. It was a shame really; he had hoped he and Edward would find peace in their new home. Even with war looming over the horizon, Alphonse secretly wished the turbulent politics and turmoil shaking Munich would pass with a peaceful solution.
Their wanderings brought them back to Munich, and Edward returned to where he and his friends used to live so he could go through their stuff and lay to rest the last several months he spent with Alphonse Heinrich and his rocket research.
The apartment was the type of place Al expected Ed to live. It was small, with a kitchen/living room combination and one bedroom. It was modestly furnished with a simple oak table, three chairs, a pull out couch and two beds. It wasn’t very homey; Edward had no art or pictures to hang on the white plaster walls. The floors were dark hard wood with no carpeting. The older boy was too much of a wanderer to settle down in one place, and decorating wasn’t one of his priorities and apparently Heinrich was too caught up in his work to care. It was plain, a place to sleep, study, and eat, and nothing more. The only thing of significance was a bookshelf near the window, filled to the brim with books on engineering, chemistry and physics.
Sighing, the younger Elric glanced across the small apartment at his brother. The 18 year old sat at the table, chewing on the back of a pencil, newspaper in hand, scanning the job listings. Puffing a breath of air, he brushed his long blond bangs from his determined stare. After a moment he sighed, dropping the pencil and paper to the table and burying his head in his arms. Edward had changed a great deal since their wanderings in Amestris. Physically he was very much the same man, perhaps a hair taller, and thinner, but he seemed tired if not a little depressed; which worried Alphonse. “I understand Hitler is a little obsessed with the mystical arts, Alchemy included. We’ll have to watch our backs.” Edward said meeting Alphonse’s gaze with moist golden eyes. "We’ll be fine, I’ll take good care of you, Al, just like before.”
Alphonse gave his brother a fond smile. When would he stop protecting him? “And I will take care of you, Brother, just like before. After all, that’s why I couldn’t leave you here, all alone.”
They had arrived in Munich a week ago, and Alphonse was learning a about the new world he was now a part of. Though he didn’t know enough to safely wander about alone. He had enough knowledge of the politics and culture to see there were close parallels to his world. The only major difference was Alchemy didn’t work. This world was the conduit of Alchemical energy to theirs and had no dimensional outsource to let the science of equivalent exchange work.
Instead it was machines that guided this world. They took the place of master alchemists and their powers. As a result, history took another path. Al supposed Hitler existed in their world as well, but perhaps he was the architect he failed to be here.
Shouts outside made Alphonse wrap his arms about his small frame. Nazis didn’t exist in his world. They were by far the most evil force they had encountered here. What made matters worse was they knew of the world of Alchemy and the powers that existed there. The last thing Alphonse and Edward wanted was for the Thule society to track them down.
In fact, they were so concerned about it, Edward hadn’t even spoken to any of his neighbors, save for his landlady and only planned on staying long enough to deal with Alphonse Heinrick’s belongings and leave.
The 17 year old crossed the room and seated himself in the chair across form his brother. Pressing his face in his hand he studied Edward and frowned. His elder brother was pale and too thin. The famine and food rationing were taking a toll on him. “Brother,” he began. “I’m worried about you.”
Edward met his gaze and offered a devilish smile. “I guess that means avoiding those ugly rallies. We better stay in tonight.”
He smiled weakly at Edward as the young man leaned back in his chair. For the moment, a mischievous smile crossed his face, and Edward Elric looked like his old self. He waved a finger in the air. “Yup, Hitler. I don’t like him. Even if he is a short son of a bitch, he has all the makings of a real psycho and I hope he stays in jail until he rots!”
The boy lifted a brow and smiled wearily at his older brother. “I just don’t know why they listen, brother, not at all.”
Edward grunted, and came to a stand. Annoyance crossed his brow and, he looked toward the window. Faint flakes of snow were drifting down, and a cold breeze rustled the curtains. In the distance Alphonse heard the shouts from the crowd below. “He told them what they want to hear. They don’t want to be responsible for their misfortune, he gave them a scapegoat. The last War did a lot of damage to the German people. Hitler boosted their pride and gave them reasons to justify their hatred for the Jews and other outsiders. Familiar eh? People don’t change, whereever you go, no one wants to hear the truth, they’d rather stay in the dark and be blind.”
Alphonse thought of the years they spent together searching for the Philosopher’s stone. Edward was right, sometimes people didn’t want the truth, and they just wanted someone to blame. The boy sighed heavily and shook his head. “Brother, what have we gotten ourselves into? Why can’t people learn?”
Shrugging, Edward came to his feet, and crossed into the kitchen. It wasn’t very large, but it was well equipped with a woodstove, icebox, large sink, wall cabinets, a counter top and an empty walk in pantry.
Next to the sink, Edward stashed the third chair for convenience. He was still unusually short and unable to reach the cabinets over the counter top. Using the chair, Edward reached the cabinet above his head and rooted around until he located a glass. “I stopped asking that some time ago.” He informed jumping down and filling his glass with water. “I just get pissed off.” He took a swallow and placed the glass in the sink. “Don’t worry about it Al, we’re not staying long. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”
With a nod Alphonse watched his brother cross the room to a single door adjacent to the kitchen. He vanished inside, leaving Alphonse alone in the flickering gaslight. They were starting over in a world alien to them, and Edward had already butted heads with the political forces sweeping the land. How would they survive? No wonder Edward was frustrated; they were trying to move a mountain.
“Give it time.” Alphonse whispered to himself in an attempt to restrain his own doubts and fears. He’d never admit it to his brother, but he was frightened and homesick.
Yet he knew deep down Edward must have been feeling far worse. Edward took full responsibility for Alphonse and would do everything in his power to make sure his younger brother was taken care of. And right now, their lives were far from stable.
The boy cleared his thoughts. To upset himself with things he could do nothing about would not help his brother or himself. With patience they could achieve anything. It paid off in the past, and it would do so now.
Shaking his head, the younger Elric came to his feet and walked toward the Bedroom. He too was feeling very weary.
&&&&
White snow blanketed the streets and buildings. It was lovely, and kissed the windows with delicate patterns of frost and ice. It reminded Al of Central back home.
By midmorning, the streets of Munich were bustling with activity. Residents shoveled the streets and sidewalks, and cleared the path for horse drawn carriages and automobiles. Large barrels filled with wood and coal burned near the alleys, and people huddled about stomping their feet and rubbing their hands over the warm fires. They spoke in low voices, mostly complaints about the weather and economy. The current economy stifled business and very few stores opened, and those that did had hideously high prices. The mark was nearly worthless and inflation was up to an unimaginable high. Yet people, dressed in heavy grey coats, and warm hats were out moving up and down the streets, some wandering aimlessly, others in search of the labor offices or food rationing stands.
Children played in the streets, kicking cans, tossing dice and slipping on the ice without a care in the world. Their play was only interrupted by the occasional automobile or horse drawn carriage passing by or shopkeeper shouting for them to leave his storefront.
The boy exhaled and watched his own breath puff out as frozen mist. It was very cold, and he was grateful for the warm frock coat, gloves and scarf bundled about his slender body. He preferred winter in the country. The city with its dirty snow and smelly streets was an unpleasant sight. Rizenbool on the other hand was beautiful, with its snowcapped rooftops and crystal coated tree branches sparkling in morning light. He missed home in the winter.
“Just see if you can scare up some bread and some fresh fruit!” Edward Elric shouted out the window as Alphonse stepped out onto the sidewalk below. Thanks to their father’s Swiss Bank accounts they had enough to buy food and other necessities. Yet Edward and Alphonse were thrifty young men. They took only what they needed and preferred to work for their living rather than take what Edward called blood money.
“Fruit, right…” Alphonse looked up. Ignoring the strange stares from the people around him, the younger Elric cupped his hand over his brow, and squinted at the sunlight in his eyes. He made out his brother as he leaned out the window, hands curled around the ledge. He was smiling like his old self, but then again, Edward Elric always got excited about food. “Anything in particular?” There was a famine and fresh fruits were hard to come by. Alphonse would be lucky if he found anything.
“Apples.” Edward announced. “Noah likes them. It will be a treat for her when she comes back today!”
The gypsy girl was well known in town, and some people looked away and whispered to each other. An old woman dressed in a gray shall and dark thick clothing glared at Alphonse disapprovingly and mouthed the words “shame on you.”
The boy’s face reddened and he shifted his feet uncomfortably. Why did Edward have to mention Noah? Two young men living with a woman was seen as rather inappropriate and would make them stand out.
Then again, Edward didn’t care about these things, he liked the attention, even if Alphonse preferred the quiet. Cringing, Alphonse tried to ignore the woman, and the stares. It was only a matter of time before Edward noticed. “Yes, brother.” Alphonse looked up through his sandy brown bangs.
Noticing Alphonse’s embarrassment, Edward’s gaze narrowed and he fixed his attention on the on lookers. “Hey… What the hell are all you staring at? Can’t a guy get his breakfast without a audience?” He waved his hands, annoyance flaring in his voice. “God Damn it! You’d think this is a sideshow or something!”
Nope, nothing out of the ordinary here, Alphonse shook his head. With a sigh, the youth puffed out his dark blond bangs. He turned on his heal and swiftly began to walk. Someday, Edward would realize he was a sideshow. “Well, there goes keeping a low profile… Guess I can look at the bright side, no one mentioned his height…”
&&&&&
Edward Elric
“Now, where was I?” Edward Elric asked himself. Wearily, he stared at the notes scrawled on the papers before him. Distantly he heard the shots from the Germans below his window as they cursed his mother and whoever else they could blame for his birth. He caused quite a stir turning a normally mundane morning into one his neighbors would never forget. Not that he did it deliberately. Edward Elric had no idea how to speak with people. He had a short temper and little patience for others. Especially when it came to his business.
Germans were nosy and opinionated and made judgments unscientifically. Something that annoyed Edward to no end. Running his hands though his pale golden hair, Edward sighed. With an effort, he tuned the voices out and let his mind focus on his notes. He had recorded their travels and his research into rockets for some time and was finally going through them and wondering if they were any use to him now.
The letters were blurry, and he was forced to lift the notes up close to see them clearly. “Crap!” He cursed, dropping the notebook and rubbing his eyes. Why couldn’t life give him a little break? “I can always use father’s glasses,” he thought, but shook his head. His eyes were horrid yet, and he could see the print perfectly fine if he lifted the notes off the table. But it was inconvenient, especially since research was vital to his very way of life.
Frustrated he pushed aside his notes and studied the pile of books, scatted over the table. Most of the material was based on Alphonse Heinrich’s research. Heinrich and he spent months together working on rocket propulsion under Oberth.
Twitching, Edward lifted Alphonse Heinrich’s personal notebook up and tried to get the gumption to open it. Al was looking through it earlier that morning, curious about his doppelganger.
Edward avoided Alphonse’s notes, they reminded him too much of their time together. A time he spent trying to get home and not realizing how much the people around him cared for him. He had totally disregarded Heinrich’s friendship and only saw him for the face he wore; the face of his younger brother. Carefully he opened it, and flipped through the pages of neat script. He remembered how Alphonse carefully performed and recorded their experiments. Terminal ill Alphonse Heinrich wanted to make a mark and change the world before he passed on. It was what kept him alive.
Tears filled Edwards eyes, blurring the print more and making it impossible for him to see. The young man drew a sharp breath and slapped the book closed. The Thule society murdered the young scientist and in the end he was responsible for the young man’s death.
Struggling to keep the tears at bay, Edward squeezed the notebook in his hands and bowed his head into its leather bindings. Alphonse Heinrich died saving him and here he was going through his work like it was just letters on a page.
Gritting his teeth he looked up, well aware he could easily lay claim to Alphonse’s work for himself.
No, he would send the note book to Obreth, Alphonse would want that and let his work live on.
He placed the book into the box, than stacked the rest of the books on top of it. In good conscience he couldn’t continue Alphonse’s work.
No, rockets would do him no good now; perhaps, he would do some research on Electricity, and travel to America to meet with Edison.
Wouldn’t Alphonse Heinrich want him to be happy if he were stuck in this world?
Edward breathed deep, realizing he was out of breath and feeling weary. Yet the day hadn’t even started. He had to make plans, were would they go? What universities could they travel to and learn from? What science could he make his mark with?
There were many brilliant scientist he fancied to talk with. Einstein for one, or Tesla even Chemist Walther Nernst. What Edward would give to study their research. At heart he was a nomad, and wanted to travel the world learning what ever he could, but now that Al was there, he had responsibilities .
So much to do, he was a genius, but not even he knew where to start.
He side glanced his bedroom, realizing he had collected many books concerning Tesla, and was fascinated with the man’s research on electromagnetic fields and cosmic rays. And what sort of wonders could he do if they harnessed cosmic rays? Was it true that Tesla created a death ray capable of leveling 400miles of trees in 1908 in Tunguska?
“Hump, I could have done it.” Edward said aloud. Coming to a stand, he tightened his fists and smirked manically. “I was an alchemy GOD!”
He smacked his fists against the table. The dull pain of misfiring nerves, vibrated up his automail arm. It reminded him of how foolish he had been in the past. He wasn’t a God, just a child with more power than he deserved.
But he was stripped of it now. He was as mortal and helpless like everyone else.
An ache in his left hand made him frown. Reluctantly he lifted his hand and studied the flesh as a bruise appeared across the soft human flesh. He hadn’t struck the table that hard. If he had, the automail would have damaged the thin sheath of artificial skin covering on it.
Odd, he never bruised that easily. Why now? “Vitamin deficiency.” He thought. He hadn’t been eating well. Clumsily, he rubbed his palm with his artificial hand. He had to eat better and get more rest.
There was a knock at the door. Exhaling, Edward walked over to it. “Hang on Al!” Al was earlier than he planned, but then again it would give them more time to clean the place for Noah’s arrival.
He smiled and realized he was excited about seeing the girl. She was exotic, and good at heart, nothing like Winrey, but a good person nonetheless.
Jerking the door open, Edward Elric was surprised to see a dark haired man who looked identical to Roy Mustang in a dark pinstriped suit standing there. He smiled down “Guten tag, Herr Elric!” his voice was thick with a strong German accent. “I am Mr. Gustave Kaiser , I understand you are an Alchemist. I would like to hire you…”
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