Stand by You

XL

I was in the hospital with Colonel Mustang and Lieutenant Hawkeye, visiting along with Breda and Furey. Lieutenant Hawkeye and Colonel were sitting on in their hospital beds as Colonel recalled every fact he was memorizing about Ishval to Breda. There was an entire section of their hospital room just filled with stacks of books and notes on Ishval. The first thing he was going to do, he promised, once he was released is work towards restoring the country of Ishval before the civil war took place. "The crops that will be planted in the Ishvalan region will primarily be double-cropped," Mustang recited.

"Okay, that's a mistake," Breda corrected. "It's not double-cropping, it's dual-cropping. There's no way you're going to earn their trust like this."

"I know!"

"Okay, okay. So what two crops are they raising?"

"Wheat and cotton."

"Correct. See? You are getting this, aren't you?"

"Give me some credit. I've been looking into this since before it all started."

Dr. Knox and Ross had appeared in the room as Dr. Knox stared dumbfounded at Colonel, despite his creed that state. "He said he was going to solve this Ishvalan problem before he became Führer," Ross smiled.

"Solve it?" Dr. Knox questioned. "For that matter, become Führer, in the first place?"

"That voice...isn't that you, Dr. Knox?" The Colonel turned towards the general direction Ross and Dr. Knox were standing.

"Hey, what can I say, you're doing all right, huh?" Dr. Knox commented as he came up to Colonel Mustang's bedside.

"Yeah, these guys are pests," Colonel joked. "They won't give me any rest."

"No, not that. I meant your eyes."

"Yeah. Apparently, this is punishment that truth gives to those who dream of the future."

"Are you okay with that?"

"Well, who can say? But I can't just stop dead in my track."

"So, Führer. Or before you get to that, Ishval?"

"The Ishvalan War of Extermination. That's where this all started."

"Yeah. Both for you, and for me."

"Now it's time to come to terms with that."

"Come to terms?"

"First, I'm going to open the closed-off Ishvalan areas. Then, I'm going to return the Ishvalans living in the slums back to their holy land. There's still a lot to be done."

"It was because of Scar and the other Ishvalans that we were about to make it through all of this," Furey pointed out as he got up as Breda nodded in agreement. "We have to return the favor for all that they've done."

Falman entered the hospital room carrying a stack of books. "Colonel, I brought the materials you requested," He announced.

"This won't blot out our sins, but we would like to start with whatever we can do," Lieutenant Hawkeye added.

"Good grief, all of you," Dr. Knox sighed. "Hey, Marcoh, looks like they'll save us the trouble of asking."

"Marcoh?" Colonel perked up. "Doctor Marcoh?"

Dr. Marcoh entered the room as everyone stepped back, clearing a space for him to walk through as Dr. Marcoh walked to up the edge of the Colonel's bedside. "Colonel Mustang..." He gruffly started before reaching into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a Philosopher's Stone. "I have a Philosopher's Stone here," He explained. "Might we not be able to return your eyesight with this?"

"Yeah," Colonel looked down.

"This Stone was the one that I created using Ishvalan lives. I think it would be presumptuous of me to ask, but if it were to aid in the reestablishment of Ishval...no, I am not able to hear their voices so this will be a request from me, personally. I would like to heal you with this Stone. For the sake of Ishval!"

"They might be upset over this, Fullmetal, too. But I will use it anyhow. I will devote all my efforts, on that basis. Before I do however...there is someone who needs that Stone more than I do. I will go after he does."

I knew exactly who the Colonel was referring to. "Clockwork," Colonel requested.

"Yes?" I stood up from leaning against the window sill.

"Can you help me onto a wheelchair? I'd like to make a call to Havoc."

"Yes, sir."

*~*~*~*~*~

"Are you sure you have to stay?" Edward asked me. Both of us and Alphonse were at the train station. Just as few weeks ago Edward had resigned his title as State Alchemist and his military status and is now returning back home to Resembool with Alphonse. I couldn't, however.

"Yes," I nodded. "I have no reason to leave, unlike you."

"Really?" Edward pleaded. "Come on. I know you really want to go back."

"Ed," I sighed. "I really have to stay. I have to help the Colonel with the restoration of Ishval and help him move up the ranks to become Führer. It's actually the real reason why I joined the military in the first place."

Edward embraced me as I gently hugged him back. "I understand," he nodded. "I keep on forgetting that you and Mustang have a totally different dynamic between you two than Hohenheim and I."

"Yeah..." I wrapped my arms around him. "I'll write as much as I can, and I'll try to visit whenever the Colonel lets me out of his office."

"Yeah," Edward laughed.

The train pulled up behind Edward and Alphonse and I released Edward. "You're train is here," I pointed out. "You should go. Bye."

"Well, this is goodbye," Edward. He turned to leave before turning back to quickly kiss me on the lips. "See you soon!" He said as he boarded the train along with Alphonse. I waved goodbye at the train as it pulled out of sight, wondering how soon we would see each other again.