Mustang: The Road to Redemption

Chapter 37: Renewal

As she said that line, the brothers were immensely shocked.

"Y-You sent us six years into the past!?" Asked Alphonse as Akari laughed a bit and shook her head no.

"No not quite. To be more specific, I'm showing you all a vision of the Slums six years ago. Kinda like a flashback. Nothing we do will affect the flow of time so no need to worry there. Now come and follow me. There's a misunderstanding I need to clear." She said, beginning to walk off as the Elrics followed her.

Eventually, Akari would lead the two into a room, her old family home as the three walked in and saw quite the bizarre scene in front of them.

There standing was a younger Akari and a younger Akira, Alex's father, as the two sat on their knees.

Behind them stood a younger Alex, holding a sword by his side.

As Akari had stated, the three paid no attention to the spectators meaning this truly was just a vision she was showing them.

Before any of the brothers could say anything Akari held a hand up, signaling them to stay quiet and watch the scene unfold first.

"W-What is this?" He asked.

"Even if I had opted to battle you, what would be the point? All of my people are dead. I'd be fighting for nothing." Said Akira as yhose words shocked Alex to his core.

'He's just giving up? No. This doesn't make sense.' Thought Alex.

"In the end, You've aligned with the neglectful goddess huh? You do realize that there's no turning back right? You can't just kill me. You must also kill your mother." Said Akira.

That was the part that pained Alex the most as he slowly looked at his mom, unable to say a word.

Akari turned to face him with a smile as she spoke.

"Take off your hood. I wanna see my baby boy one last time." She said.

Alex quickly obliged as he took off his hood before finally talking.

"M-Mom. I'm sorry." Was all he could say as Akari simply smiled and sighed as she shook her head and turned back to face away from him.

"Don't be. I already knew what your decision would be before tonight, and I'm okay with it. Really, I am." She said as Alex raised his sword, ready to slice them.

"I hope you understand that you have everything to lose by going through with this boy. One measly mistake, and all of this would be for nothing. You would have stained your hands with countless amounts of blood for no reason." Said Akira making it clear that even with his imminent death approaching, he still imposed a small amount of doubt into Alex's mind.

Alex stepped up, and stood directly behind them, as he responded to his father's words.

"Even if I fail and make a mistake, this outcome is still better than the war you would enact. I didn't have a choice, old man. I had to do what I had to do. Now, it's time I finish the job." He said with confidence.

Now was the time to strike. The time to end all this.

Alex knew that it had to happen now, but he began to hesitate.

The thought of slaying his mom in cold blood all because of his father's wrong doings just didn't sit right with him.

For a moment, he was tempted to just slash across his father's back and spare Akari, but he didn't wanna burden his mom with survivor's guilt.