Welcome to the Family

Metal

Two Years Later

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If it weren't for the invisible shackles of Alchemy, Ed and Al could be so free right now. Eleven year old Al doesn't have any kind of freedom anyway, Alchemy or none. Ed, well Ed's just an idiot with a mission. He refuses to let his disabilities stop him from walking. He swears he will once again walk on his own to save his brother from damnation.

The rehabilitation is a bitch. Ed can barely stand without bile itching the back of his throat. Al is off to the side, cheering support for his cripple sibling. Ed grips the parallel bar with his only flesh hand so hard, his knuckles whiten. Winry is giving support beside Al, her voice much louder. Ed takes a step, and his automail shakes underneath him. Pinako was about to warn him, but Ed gets the shaking to stop.

"This is interesting," Pinako murmurs.

"What is, Granny?" Winry questions.

"He's willing the automail to work," Pinako claims. "That runt isn't even supposed to be on his feet, yet he's walking on pure will."

Al and Winry gape at Ed in bewilderment and inspiration. Den perks his head up at the change of mood, and whines at Pinako.

"Hush, Den. Everything's okay."

Den, despite the light scolding, is satisfied with the answer. He hunkers back down, and resumes his nap.

"Ed, how are you doing?" Winry calls.

His automail foot scrapes against the wood padding, his concentration temporarily broken. Ed straightens back up to finish his step.

"Peachy," he grunts.

"That's great!" Winry exclaims.

Ed gets to the end of the parallel bars, and wipes the sweat from his forehead. At least he can now stand without too much effort. The glint of his automail arm catches his attention. It rests there casually in its sling, glaring up at Ed from the misuse.

"Hey, Granny?" Ed shouts.

"What, pipsqueak?"

He ignores the nickname. "When can I start using my arm?"

Pinako chokes. She hops out of her chair, and walks over to him. "What did you say?"

"When can I use my arm?" Ed repeats.

"You can barely walk on your own, and you want to start using your arm?" Pinako scoffs.

Ed stares down at her, Pinako being shorter than him. Honestly, that's the only reason the short jokes from her don't bother him so much. What she said though really had him thinking.

"If I can walk from here to Al without any help, will you let me use my arm?" He asks.

Pinako throws her arms in the air. This boys annoys her to no end, and is running her normal rehab procedures to the ground. "Fine! Go right ahead!"

Ed grins, and he keeps that grin on his face the entire time. This is one challenge he won't lose to. He simply will not crash and burn. Step after step across the parallel bars, and like the first law of motion, nothing will stop his force until he loses balance. And he will not lose.