I am Weakness

Be thou for the people

Yuki’s POV

The train was forced to stop in a town called Fergana due to some repairs, so I might be stranded here for a while. I suppose Penelope could be found later, I’ll just hope that nothing bad will happen to her, but it’s not like there’s any harm coming her way. The town was quiet and relaxed which smothered it in a peaceful aroma. I looked over to a girl who looked about my age with a little child in her arms walking next to me but at a quick pace. “Excuse me, do you know where I could find a hotel?”

She smiled and walked me to a hotel that seemed like a three star that didn’t seem too fancy or too poor. “You're welcome to stay here as long as you like.” The woman replied with a thick Southern Accent. “So where ya from darlin?”

I smiled softly and set my stuff down at my feet. She cradled her child in her arms as he let out a tiny cry. “Well, I came from Risembool and I’m going to Central to see my friend there…”

“That’s mighty exciting. What’s your friend like?” She asked eagerly before quietly trying to keep her baby from crying the way he was now.

My eyes were locked on the child until I snapped my sense back to the woman and her question. With a firm swallow I stood tall. “Well… Her name is Penelope Cruze, but prefers to be called Pene… She can be really picky about that.” I chuckled softly and smiled.

Her eyes widen as she sat down and her face held pure shock. “Penelope Cruze? Like that woman on that radio show that pretty much the whole town is listening to?” She asked with the volume in her voice growing. I blinked and then nodded slowly. “So are you Joslyn, or Yuki, or-”

I laughed and stopped her endless guessing of my identity. Then I straightened myself and smiled at her. “I would be Yuki, Yuki Mustang.”

The woman nodded and smiled brightly while closing her eyes. “The name is Marley and this is my son Michael, my husband would be around but he’s in Central right now…” She stated sadly. “So, I would like to hear a story from your side. Why did she leave her home as she says it?” My smile went down as I looked down sadly. I know humans aren’t perfect but I’m absolutely not perfect. If I didn’t talk to her the way I did then she wouldn’t be damaged as she is now. I could fix her and return her to her bouncy behavior, but not completely. She noticed my saddened expression and understood. “Oh… I see… Ignore that last request but… I would like to hear a story from you…”

“Then I have the perfect one for you.” I stated with a small smile. “It all starts a day after Penelope and Ed had been attacked by Barry the Chopper. We were assigned to work at Youswell and check on the mines. It was an easy job for someone like Ed who was new to start out. Our catchphrase as a member of the military was ‘Be thou for the people’ and no matter what, we would stick to it.”

Human kind cannot gain without first giving something in return. To obtain something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we thought that was the world's one and only truth.

-Alphonse Elric-

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word 

Now in the morning I sleep alone 

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice 

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes 

Listen as the crowd would sing 

"Now the old king dead. Long live the king!"