The Phoenix Alchemist

What I've Done

Edward's POV

August 23rd, 1917

I sat down at an empty table on the patio of the café. A woman in a black coat approached and sat down. "Lust." I growled. She smiled and pushed her chair in. "Good, you came. I need a favor." I leaned back. "Why would I ever give you a favor? You'd be lucky if I let you out of here alive." She looked out into the sky and closed her eyes. "Today she would be 18." Lust took a deep breath and her smile widened. "It would be in your best interest to take me up on this. I need a skilled alchemist, capable of opening the gate. You are both. Recently, my daughter was taken into the gate. I need to get her back." My eyes widened. "Is her name Ari?" I asked. Lust shook her head. I released a deep breath I didn't know I was holding. "Her name is Fury. She's still alive, and in the gate room. I think she might go by Ari, though. It was what her father wanted her name to be. Arielle Rose Viennant. She likes to set herself on fire." My face paled. "So it is her.. How do you know she's alive?" Lust simply smiled. "I can feel it. We need you to open the gate and bring her back." She held up a red stone. "Use that. It should have enough power to open the gate once." She handed it to me and I put it in my pocket. I started to get up, but turned to Lust one last time. "Why do you want her back so bad?" I asked. She closed her eyes. "She's my daughter. Oh, before I forget, I hope your friend Winry liked her freedom. I guess I won't be able to follow through on that threat."

~

Ari / Fury's POV

I smirked. "So the big bad truth isn't so scarey after all. Such power for just a grin and a door." Truth just continued smiling. "Such power for just a lost little girl with no memory and family issues." I took a shallow breath and tried to sit up more, but winced. Truth's smile grew larger. "You were the one who chose this path, to save your love. Do you regret your choice?" I blushed. "No. I have no regrets. I chose this life. And he's not my love, he's my mentor." Truth crossed his arms. "Deny it all you want. You know it's true." I sighed and closed my eyes. "Now I can never know if he felt the same." Truth stood up. Most of my body was merged into its being. It cupped its hand over my eye. "I will give you a gift." There was a flash of light and my face stung. My left eye was back. I moved it around some. "Thanks." Truth waved its hand and an image appeared. Edward appeared, hugging Winry. I smiled. Al joined in on the hug. I held my arm and winced. Next, I saw Ed pocketing a red stone. "He's still looking for a way to get me back.." I closed my eyes and leaned back. "What will the cost be? Even an incomplete philosopher's stone cannot bring you back." My heart fell. "I'll pay the price again. I can always get automail or retract my wings." Truth sat down. "A life for a life is equivalent." I laughed then groaned. "I paid an arm, a leg, a wing, and an eye for two souls and one body." Truth tilted his head in thought. "It was equivalent. Not only did it take those things, but it took a toll you can't see. A piece of your soul has fallen to your dark side and your healing powers have been damaged. I could take another toll to bring you back, but it will cripple you further. By the time you get back, you may bleed to death." I closed one eye and bit down on my teeth, still smirking. "You have forgotten who you're dealing with. I don't die easily. Not only do I have my life saving wit and incorrigible charm, but my healing abilities are only stinted. I can force my wounds to close, though my limbs won't grow back. I refuse to die now, after everything." I pushed myself upwards, now halfway between sitting and lying down. Blood ran through my fingers. "Oh, before I forget, happy birthday. It was two days ago in their time." I closed my eyes and put my head against the wall. "I am 18." Tears dripped down my face. One dripped onto the floor with a splash. A blue flame ignited from it. I scooted away from it, then relaxed. "My powers are back. Looks like I can close my wounds now." I willed the flames to creep along my body. The wounds on my arm and leg closed up, leaving stumps. My left wing's remnants had completely been absorbed, leaving only my right wing out. I knew I could still bring it out, though. I needed the nutrients it would absorb from my body. It gave me extra muscle and bone fiber to heal with. I felt a surge of energy and leaned my head back. "No, Truth. I'm content with what I've done. I would pay any price to see his smiling face once more." It smiled. "Looks like you're going to get your chance." A flash of red light told me someone was opening the gate.