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Alright, this is my own personal making! ^_^ COPY RIGHT! Lol!

Now, down to the grit...

This is a Fullmetal Alchemist crossover with Fatal Frame II-Crimson Butterfly, and it was a pretty big hit on Fanfiction.net and the Official Fullmetal Alchemist Guild. I'm very proud of this story and I hope you enjoy it, too! ^__^

Chapter 1- Crimson Butterfly- Welcome...

Edward and Alphonse Elric sat in the grass, far into the meadows of Resembool, looking to the sky. The moon gleamed in the late night sky, filling the field with an surreal blue glow. Ed sighed, looking at the stars.

"What is it, Brother?" Al questioned, looking at his brother. "Huh? Oh, nothing, just thinking..."

"What?"

"Well, I was looking into the forest. How many rumors do you think we?ve heard about that place? I know Mom was always afraid of it."

Alphonse followed the gaze of the elder brother, recalling how many things they'd heard about spirits and such penetrating from the deepest realms of Hell from within.

"I doubt any of them are true. What makes you think about that?" Al looked at Ed expectantly, awaiting the inevitable fate of his words.

"Uhhh... nothing. Just, this isn't really a vacation..."

Al groaned and threw his metal arms into the air. "I knew it was too good to be true! You've always got some mission or another! Why does it lead to Resembool though?" Al sighed, shaking his head. They never really did get a real break from the military business. But, what really worried Alphonse wasn't the mission, but why it would lead to such a quiet, tranquil place like Resembool?

Edward turned to the suit of armor, somewhat shrinking under his gaze. Guiltily, he answered, "Well, apparently, this mission has actually been open for a decade or so, but no one had the guts to take it on. In truth, this was supposed to be a break from that stupid Colonel, but it turned into this when Mustang came across this. And you know I can't let anything dangerous go uninvestigated in my hometown... not with all the people we know so close to the problem... I wouldn't have accepted the mission had it been anywhere else?" Ed finished with a sigh. "Sorry if I ruined it...."

"No, Brother, I know what you mean. . I would have done the same thing..."

There was a long pause, leaving silence hanging uncomfortably in the air, only to be ripped through by a long croak of a frog nearest the two boys. Ed jumped, startled by the sudden noise. Al laughed. Still chuckling slightly, the younger brother interrogated, "Okay, if there's a mission, you could at least explain what the rumor is about it that you're investigating!"

Edward turned to Al, smiled, and began to explain. "Alright. The theory is that a village disappeared one night during this weird sacrificing ritual. Supposedly, this service was performed one or two times a year, stopping the gates of Hell from opening into the small town. But to do this, they have to kill off twins each year- that or closely related siblings. Well, one year, one of the twin sisters they were using escaped, and is said to have wiped out the entire town in that one night. Plus, since the ritual wasn't fulfilled, Hell has stopped the souls from going on to the afterlife, and the laugh is still heard throughout the village."

A chill ran down Al's imaginary spine. "What worse, it's said that every night, the ritual is repeated, but only succeeds if two travelers come through it. Unfortunately, we fit the criteria, so we need to be extra careful..." Al looked at Ed wearily, thinking he'd gone crazy. "You really think we should go in there? I mean, if it's true?"

Ed burst out laughing. "What, are you scared? You're a suit of armor! How many times must I tell you you're safe! We need to start as soon as possible and since night just fell, now is the most opportune time. Let's head out!"

The blonde boy hopped up, strolling merrily toward the forest. Al was shocked. "Wa-wait a minute!! We can't just trot in there and expect a warm welcome!"

Ed smiled. "I know! But we need to try!" He turned, his expression growing grim. "I hope we don't get a welcome at all..."

Read and enjoy!!!!


Chapter 3: Crimson Butterfly: Camera Obscura


Ed collected himself quickly before scanning the room, looking for any other zombies that were in desperate need of elimination. Al soon joined him, searching every nook and cranny of the area for anything lurking around uninvited... aside from themselves.

"Hey, Brother, check this out!" Al said in a lowered voice, so as not to catch the attention of anyone in the vicinity. The suit of armor began digging into a box as the elder turned. Ed gasped. "Are you sure you want to pummel through..." Al pulled out the camera he'd been looking at. "...that?" Ed finished lamely, waltzing over to Alphonse to inspect the camera.

The blonde turned the camera over in his hands, making sure it wasn't rigged or anything, before, defeated, he handed it back to Alphonse. Al handed a packet of paper to him soon after. "I found this with it." He announced, as though it wasn'tobvious. Edward unfolded the paper and read:



The letter cut off sharply with that sentence hanging in the air. Ed stared at the paper, perplexed by the words that were obviously laid with the camera on purpose.

"Well, Brother? What is it?"

Ed snapped from his daze as Alphonse shook his shoulder. "Huh? Oh, it's, um, nothing. Don't worry yourself about it." Ed stuffed the paper hastily into his pocket. Al may only be a year younger than me, Ed thought, protectively. But I'm not letting him get his mind wrapped around this junk. Better him thinking it' just a random camera.
He smiled, looking to Al. "Well, since we're here, best to try to find that guy, right? Maybe he's here somewhere? And, while we're at it, maybe we can find a way out ourselves."

Al nodded, taking a step forward... and regretting it.

"AH!" he cried, stepping backward. A woman had jumped onto the platform, her hair hanging deeply into her face. Concealed by the locked of black, her face was nearly invisible, but behind them, Ed knew, he probably didn't want to see... unless...

Ed stepped forward, paying no heed to his cowering brother. He merely chuckled to himself that he was afraid of such a petty joke. "Um, hello? Can you hear me?"

No response.

"Okay... What's your name? Are you hurt?"

Still, no reply.

Ed took another tense step forward, until Alphonse pulled him back. "Brother, don't." he pleaded. "She's not what you think..." "Come on, Al!" he replied instantaneously. "0There's nothing strange about this wo-"

A sharp pain sprang to life in the back of his head. Ed went flying forward, crashing headlong into a cabinet.

The last thing he saw was the distorted face of the woman: blood stains still dripping and fresh on her face; knife wounds ground deep into her eyes; one lip was actually hanging off of her face.

The last thing he heard, on the other hand, was his brother screaming in terror as the monster leaped forward, intent on delivering the final blow to the disorientated boy.

A bright flash of light, strangely, he thought, resembling a camera flash, flooded his vision; then, everything blurred out, and seceded to darkness.


Al shrieked as the monster lunged for his brother. Out of pure instinct, he lifted the camera.

A satisfying CLICK! emanated from the camera, followed by the horrendous cry of the woman as she faded away into the night, leaving nothing but a small, black pendent in the shape of a tear-drop behind to hint of her existence. For a moment, Alphonse stood their in shock. How could a camera kill a monstrosity such as that? He pondered.

That's when he recalled his brother's state.

"Brother!" he called, rushing to the elder Elric's side. He inspected the golden-eyed boy head to toe, only finding a small, but deep gash on the back of his head. He sighed with relief, and sat waiting for his brother to awaken. For when he did, he'd have a lot of explaining to do about that paper... a lot...
About half an hour later, a crackling noise cut through the silence. Al jumped in fright, the cracking almost as bad as a scream in the night. He stood, gathering his courage, and then walked slowly to where the sound was coming from. Pushing aside piles of junk from the desk, he came across a small radio with a small diamond in the middle of it.

It was a curious piece of work: a bubble shaped dome stuck out from the top-middle of it with a slot under the plastic. There were dials to change the bass of it, but no channel dial or volume. Nothing but the one dial. Speakers were built into the device, but were more prominent than normal speakers. Yet another infamous piece of paper- handwritten, I care to add- was placed beneath it, which Al gasped without hesitation.


Al did as he was told and put the tear into the slot. The crackling became louder and he could vaguely make out words from the jumbled mess. It was whispered, as though the voice was weakened, but still heard.

I... have to escape...The gate has... opened! I must get away... before it... is too late. The death is around... ( a sharp intake of breath is heard) It...is damning us all! We are... doomed to the... Repitence! Help... me... Help... us... Get... OUT!!!
The thought ends with an ear piercing cry of such despair and anguish that it pained Al to hear, and he pulled the pendent out.

...Crimson... Butterfly.... a voice rang out. Once again, Al felt he knew the voice, but ignored it.

Sighing, he returned to his spot next to his brother, counting his breaths... it was the only assurance that he had survived, if not only for a moment longer.

Read and enjoy!!!!


Crimson Butterfly- Chapter Five- Edward Or Sae?



Alphonse stared in awe at the radio. These were Ed’s thoughts? His true blue thoughts? Realization struck as he figured out who the voice that had been calling out had reminded him of: Edward.

Al decided that it’d be best to take the radio with him, quickly stowing it inside his armor.

He scoured the house, looking top and bottom for any traces of his brother. Not finding any, he quickly gave up on the house at took to the streets. He found a door to the outside and found the clue he’d been searching for so intently: attached to the hinges were scraps of red material; the exact same material as his brother’s jacket. Well, that gives me something to work with, I supposed. He thought, walking out the door with a little more confidence in finding his brother.

The suit of armor treaded quietly down the unpaved road, looking for more clues to the elder Elric’s whereabouts. A street now lay before him, stretching two directions. He wondered which direction to take, looking intently at the ground for the first time. He mentally slapped himself. Why hadn’t he thought of it earlier? Dirt roads equal footprints. Alphonse was now staring at the shoe prints of Edward, seeing that he’d turned left and continued going.

Now, Alphonse was the tracker in the Elric group. He could tell that Edward had a pebble in his shoe before Ed knew it himself by the small change in his steps. And now, by looking at the footprints, he knew something wasn’t right. He stooped down and looked closer. Sure enough, his right leg seemed to be being slightly dragged, as though he’d been injured in the past and now had a slight limp. Something tugged at Al’s mind, telling him something was wrong with it.

Still, he decided that, for once, his intuition must have been out of panic. If his brother was injured, he could take care of himself until Al found him. But why did he leave in the first place?

The boy began walking down the stretch of land, following the tracks like a hunter looking for his prey.

Ed stopped leaving tracks soon after, when a bridge expanded across an overfilled river. Without hesitation, Al started his walk at a steady pace across the overpass. About midway across, the boards collapsed, taking Alphonse down into the darkness of the water. Soon, he was sinking into the silent depths of the sea. He thrashed out wildly, incapable of swimming against the force of the water filling his armor.

As the light faded from the top of the water, surrounding him in blackness, Alphonse gave up hope. He just curled up against himself, hoping, no, praying to whatever God was up there, that his brother was safe and out of harms way. Then, he began to cry pathetically below the icy cold oblivion.

****
Edward stood up in the dark room, looking over and seeing his brother. He was still at a loss with his senses, he supposed, seeming how he couldn’t exactly pass out. He wasn’t restricted by those human limits. He peered down, the light gone from his eyes, a smirk on his face that was far out of place for his face.

Slowly and silently, he began walking toward the door, though it wasn’t of his own accord. In his mind, he was willing himself to stop, but it was futile. He was, evidently, leaving his brother behind, whether he liked it or not. Weakly, he lifted his hand against his chest, and snapped his pendent from his neck. Then, his mind was being controlled again, forcing the child to drop his hand, letting go of whatever it was that he’d grasped. They couldn’t have him unconscious again if this were to work.

Unbeknownst to the spirit, he’d left the crystal pendent his father had left him behind. Yes, he still held it close, no matter how much he despised the man for what he’d done to his family. It was his only connection to him, his only hope that he might actually see him again, meet him face to face, and kick his a**: though it would be regretted most likely later on. He’d had it planned out perfectly. This whole possession thing hadn’t quite fit in anywhere yet.

Al says he can read thoughts from the crystal pendants left behind by people in the village. Ed thought tiredly. Maybe… he can find mine… and help me. He can find out what happened and help me. I hate to need it, but I can’t seem to ward it off… Help, Brother…

He began to lose track of his exact movements, but he knew he’d left the house by this time. Suddenly, his body stopped, and he was given back control. Unfortunately, in a desolate wasteland such as this, all the houses look the same, so it would have taken Edward forever and a day to find the home his brother was in. Besides, he’d probably have been dead before he found it. With all the tricks the ghosts would have waiting for him and his brother, he’d be lucky to escape the first house, let alone how many it would take to find him.

He turned on his heel, looking for some clue to find his younger brother. “AL! WHERE ARE YOU?! ALPHO-?” His voice cut off before he could finish his plea. Edward stared blankly at the butterflies before him, emitting their strange, deep red color. The haze over his mind seemed to return, though it was not the evil he’d felt before. It was almost as if these specks called to him, though trying to help, not harm as the other had. Naturally, he complied to their beckoning, walking forward.

The butterflies crept forward, pulling Edward farther and farther into the village, leading him where he was needed. Visions began to flood his mind, flickering before his eyes, playing out before him.

***

Sae and her sister, Yae, played in a small yard, laughing happily in their youth. Hey, the blonde thought. They’re the girls from that first vision I had back in the house…

The scene changed, a man standing before them with Alphonse’s camera. He quickly snapped a shot, pulling the picture from its slot. Ed peered at it. The two sisters’ were smiling happily, though Sae’s face seemed distorted, twirling into itself within the confines of the square.

Once again, the surroundings formed differently. Now, it was a new version of the escape, as though the other had been how one had imagined it being.

Sae and Yae sat on a small pillow in the middle of a darkened room, men and women all around watching. Yae held her hands beneath Sae’s chin, gripping her neck. “Are you ready now?” Yae whispered with a worried look in her eyes.

Sae quickly responded. “Yes.”

Together, they stood, sprinting from the chamber as a small, blonde haired boy caused a distraction from the girls, knocking over candles and statues alike to let the two escape.

I don’t want… to leave. The thought emitted from Sae. Ed looked on as the two fled, though Sae was slowing ever so much. We must complete the ritual. It is our destiny. If we don’t, we’ll be gone forever. I must stop her. Sae caught her leg and cried out, flying down the mountain side. A deep gash appeared in her leg. “SAE! SISTER! PLEASE: HELP!!” she called, though her plea fell upon deaf ears.

Yae continued running as her sister was captured by the men below. They dragged her back to the village, hoping that one was enough to please the gods.

***
Yae sat outside the threshold to the village, bawling, staining her white kimono on the soil. “I’m… so sorry. I can’t… come back…” she cried, screaming in anguish and guilt at the loss of her sister.

Edward sympathized, looking on and thinking of how it would be if this happened to him and Al. He wouldn’t be able to bear it if he left Al in this place. He could also understand Sae, being the one who was left. He liked being the mediator in the situation, but he was being thrown headlong into the same predicament. He had to put a stop to it before it ended up like this.

***
His vision returned to him while crossing a bridge. Edward didn’t know where he’d come from, but he knew where he was headed. There was a huge spread of land before him, a mansion inside.

A voice echoed from around him, ringing in his ears long after they’d stopped, and chilling him to the bone.

It was Sae.

Calling to him.

Yae…You said… that we’d always… be together. That we’d be one… but everyone… died…

That’s when Ed had a surprisingly connective thought to the situation. “Sae and Yae,” he murmured to himself, not fully realizing he’d entered the mansion. “If they both didn’t complete the ritual, then maybe… they expect us to… But if one’s missing, we can’t complete it. If Al and I are taking their place, who’d be who? Oh, no.” Ed’s eyes widened at the thought. Who would kill who? Would Al run off without him? Visa versa? He couldn’t stand the thought of running away with his little brother, his only lifeline to the world. And if Al left him? Well, let’s just say he’d get a better understanding of the homicidal side of Sae.

He entered a small room in the back corner of the home. A curtain hung off a rack in the back of the room. Behind it were the butterflies.

Ed limped forward, just now realizing he was limping. He looked down at his leg and saw a deep knife wound, most likely from that last fight.

He turned behind the curtain, and say Sae sitting. “She’ll come back. She’s got to. Yae, I love you. Please, save me. I don’t want to die… alone.” With that, the predicate spun around, lunging at the unsuspecting Edward, knife glistening in her hand.

He recoiled, but not quick enough. The knife embedded itself into his chest, then pulled itself out. A wound now bled freely. He knew it should have been a mortal wound, but there was no pain or weakness. In fact, he felt stronger than he had before. Sae looked at him happily.

She thinned out, turning herself into a small whip and burrowed herself into his heart as Edward cried out in agony. He stopped screaming suddenly, his head downward, bangs hiding his eyes from view. Then, slowly, he lifted his head, his eyes a dark brown… so dark, they nearly blended in with his pupils. Edward smirked contently, then whispered to himself:

“Yae, or should I say, Alphonse. I knew you’d come back for me. I knew you’d help me finish the ritual. Now, we can become… one…”

***

Edward was now in a dark expansion. “Wha-?”

“Yae, or should I say, Alphonse. I knew you’d come back for me. I knew you’d help me finish the ritual. Now, we can become… one…”

Ed pounded his fists into the black ground. “Like Hell we’ll be doing some outdated ritual for you, b***h!”

Using all his will power, he fought Sae out of his mind, if not only for a moment. His vision returned to him, along with the control over his body. A sharp pain attacked him in his chest, and he gripped it with a yelp of pain. When he pulled his hand away, to his surprise, there was no blood, nor traces that there ever was any. In fact, when he looked down, there wasn’t even a wound, as if no knife had stabbed him at all.

The pain returned, and he fell to the ground, clutching his heart with new resolve. “You can’t win.” Sae whispered to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her, sweat dripping from his brow. “You can’t control me, so if that’s winning, then yes… I… CAN!” He screamed as a wave of agony washed over him, tears springing into his eyes. But no matter how much she devastated his body, nor how much she tugged at his mind, nor how much she broke him down, his will kept her from penetrating again. “You’re strong.” She mumbled. “But not strong enough. I’ll get you soon.”

Sae disappeared, leaving Ed to himself. Fatigue and anguish overwhelmed him, beckoning him into the dark abyss of unconscious, but he wasn’t ready for it just yet. He stood, pretending to still have enough strength to take Sae on once again over his body and mind. Edward peered around for any signs of the spirit, but the only thing he saw were the tables and books on the shelves, his only hearing consisted of his labored breathing, coming in short, panting breaths. Satisfied, but still worried she’d come for him, he sat behind the curtain, staying as alert as possible. Maybe, he thought. If I wait long enough, Alphonse will find me. Sae wouldn’t dare attack again with him around…

He chuckled to himself. Well, that’s a first. He’d never thought he’d need Alphonse as protection! He thought he’d just be a help in a tight situation, and, at first, a reminder of his burden and something else to protect. But now, he realized how much he needed him. As a brother and a guardian.

Then, for the first time in a long time, Edward laid his hands together and prayed. “Dear Lord, if you are there and if you can hear me, please let my brother be safe.” Tears flowed down his already sweat drenched cheeks. “And please, let him come for me, and save me, so that we can be together again. Please, Lord, I need him now more than ever. And please, let us get out of this alive. Together. I can’t do this alone…”

With those last few words spilling weakly from his lips, he succumbed to the darkness, plummeting to the ground behind the curtain.

***
Somewhere in the distance, a water soaked suit of armor catapulted from the river, landing back on the bridge. The armor did a little happy dance, then sprinted toward the mansion. God had granted his wish. The sinful children would be reunited soon enough.

Read and enjoy!!!!!!!


Crimson Butterfly- Chapter 7- Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

Edward finally collected himself; he began to answer Alphonse's questions of what happened. He told the whole story of Sae and his visions-everything. A chill fell down Al's imaginary spine.

He and Alphonse soon began to search the room for any clues to Sae's past and/or whereabouts. Finally, deciding that there was nothing in the room, they exited to the next.

Dolls lined the wall, two with missing heads and orange kimonos. Those stood out the most against the dark, velvet colors to Edward. An aura encircled them, glowing with an enchanting blue mist. They sat Indian-style. One was placed at the very top of the shelves, the other opposite on the bottom.

Ed reached out, preparing to take the doll nearest, but decided better of it and reeled back. "Hey, Al," he mumbled, never taking his eyes off the shelves.

"Take a picture of these dolls."

The suit peered back at his brother from the recesses of the armor.
"Brother, wouldn't that just be a waste of film? I mean, shouldn't we save it for better things? Like-?"

"I know what it should be used for, but… but I'm getting a weird feeling…" Ed's eyes looked glazed, as if he were staring into the far distance to
what was beyond.

Alphonse sighed. He says that he's got a knack for this… that he's been getting these 'vibes' all night… so… maybe he's right? Why not try
it… it couldn't hurt anything…

The suit lifted Camera Obscura up to where his eyes should have been, focused, and then clicked the camera.

Unlike normal photos, this one printed immediately, shooting into Ed's waiting hands. He inspected it.

"Just like I thought," he announced. "Take a look at this."

The younger brother grabbed the picture, looking closely. The dolls had rearranged themselves, placing the orange dolls both on the top, side by side, their heads now in place. A small frame had opened beside them…

Suddenly, another photograph popped out of the camera, shocking the two boys.

Ed stooped over to pick it up.

"Maybe it's, uh… a misprint?"

The picture was portraying a corner in a long, musty hallway. The door on the left was propped open slightly, a small, feminine hand clinging desperately to the frame. Bloody handprints and streaks decorated the wall, illuminated menacingly by candlelight. Claw marks were etched deeply into the wood- the signs of a struggle that got out of hand.

"What is it?" questioned Al. He glimpsed over the blonde's shoulder, taking in the image.

"I've been there…" Ed mumbled. Al tilted his head to the side.

"What? No we haven't! Well, you might have, but you never said-"

"That's not what I meant!" the golden-eyed boy snapped. "I mean, I know where it is… I can lead us there.."

The suit of armor, naturally, was skeptical of his brother. Brother's been acting weird ever since we got into that field… he thought mildly. He's tense. Well, so far he's known what he was doing, but this… this is a little far fetched… sigh… I guess I'll just have to trust him. Besides, what harm can it do? Hm… I've been thinking that a lot lately…

"Alright! Lead the way, Brother!" Al exclaimed, gesturing wildly toward the door.

Edward grinned slightly, then waltzed masterfully out of the room, continuing down the hallway. He took a left, another, a right…

Finally, candles began popping up on the walls, and soon the door, painted in blood, appeared before them. Just as the picture had shown, claw marks and hand prints were strewn all over the walls and door, not to mention the floor.

"Well," Ed claimed, smiling at his brother. "Let's go!"

The brothers strode through the doorframe (Though it was a little resistant. It felt almost as through something, or someone were holding it closed).

Like most other rooms, boxes were the décor, along with some portraits lining the walls. Tables were overturned, burns etched deeply into the woodwork.
Wax rushed down the tabletops and splattered on the paper walls, which were now scorched. They had a nice little draft in the room.

Al began to explore recklessly, looking for what he expected to be in the room: the doll heads.

Ed, on the other hand, was a little more cautious. He looked carefully in drawers, behind tables, into the closet…

"AL!" Edward cried, sprinting away from the threshold to seek refuge behind his brother.

"What? What is it?" asked the suit of armor, fishing the camera haphazardly out of his chest from within the mass of papers.

Just as the lens was visible, a body toppled carelessly from the darkness. It was a woman.

She was covered from head to toe in cuts, bruises, scorch marks- anything you could think of. Her skin took on a purplish tint, probably from a mix of oxygen depravation, blood, and bruises. Her eyes were but empty, lifeless sockets, staring into the endless night. Hair of red- though Ed and Al both assumed it had once been blonde- was now matted to her head in a pompous lump.

The woman began crawling to her knees, then to her feet. She limped sloppily toward the brothers.

Al pulled the camera to his eye and snapped a photo quickly.

She reeled back, holding her sockets as though she had actually seen the flash. The red-head ducked to the left. The lens followed.

Unfortunately for Alphonse, he wasn’t the fastest moving piece of metal. Also, he was out of film.

She dove through Al- yes, THROUGH him- and attacked the one of flesh as Al dug through his chest to get a new roll of film

Ed yelped and danced away, distracting her long enough for Alphonse to reload and let him get a decent shot.

The woman screeched in agony, clawing helplessly at her eyes. She hurtled forward in frenzy, latching onto Edward’s arm as best as she could and tearing at him eyes and skin.

He cried out as cuts and gashed appeared on his body; Alphonse spun around and snapped the picture.

Once more, the lady screamed as she flickered once-twice- three times, then disappeared, her screeches still echoing in the children’s ears. In her place were two small, oriental doll heads- beautifully painted and smiling with whimsical black hair falling from their crown.

The suit of armor stooped over to pick up the heads, then turned to tend to his brother.

“Brother, are you okay?” he asked.

Edward nodded, smiling. He whipped a small sum of blood from under his eye. “I’m fine,” he responded. “Did we get what we came for?”

Al showed the heads to Edward. The blonde grinned. “Good.” he cooed. “Now, back to that room.”

---

The two walked back in silence with long, determined strides.

“Al, the doll heads for the nice ladies,” Ed chuckled giddily as they stood in front of the shelves once more. Al handed the items to his brother.

Carefully, the golden-eyed boy set the craniums upon their bosoms; he stepped back quickly, expecting something big.

Nothing happened.

Al knocked on his armored head. “I don’t understand,” He pulled the picture back out, Ed gazing at it intensely beside him.

Ed snapped. “Of course!” he announced, stepping back up to the dolls with new resolve. “The orange ones need to be at the top of the temple!”

He began rearranging the dolls around the orange-kimono doll on the bottom row.

Left-up-right- right-up-left-back right twice- up and once more- up.

There was a small distinct click then a small slot appeared to the right of the figurines.

Gold orbs followed his pale hands as he reached into the opened. He pulled the key out. Light glistened delicately off it.

“Well,” Ed mumbled. “Where does this little one lead?”

The two at in silence pondering.

Edward ruffled his hair in frustration.

“I don’t get it! What are we supposed to do- run around trying each door?!”

He sighed and handed the key to Al. “Hold onto that. It may come in handy later.”

Alphonse nodded, tying it loosely to his cloth belt.

The two continued to ponder over what to do next.

Interrupting their thinking, the floor began to quake violently. A shimmer behind Ed burst to life, throwing the boys for a loop.

They flew headlong across the room, Black light cut even deeper into the night. Then, poof! A large, burly figure with long white hair and ash colored skin hovered over them. Spirits danced forlorn around him.

Ed rubbed his head. “Nice entrance… slightly flashy… Good for parties, I’m sure…”

Al yelped as he once again recognized the figure. He grabbed hold of Ed’s hand and heaved him to his feet. “Run!” he cried.

Ed attempted to catch his footing to keep stride with Al, but failed. He sprawled out on the floor. The Kusabi was not tight on their heels.

The suit of armor hunched over, grabbed Ed once again, pulled him up- this time, he impatiently waited for his brother to gain his balance- and sprinted as fast as his armored legs would carry him. Edward did the same.

“Stop,” a feminine voice ordered.

The Kusabi stopped the chase and stood stock still. Ed did the same- only, he stopped out of curiosity-, and Al followed his lead.

“Brother…?”

“SH!” he commanded. “Who’s there?” he called, though he was pretty confident he knew the answer.

“Come now, Edward, how do you sleep at night? Forgot my name, already? Tisk, tisk…”

Sae wrapped her arms around Edward from behind, nuzzling her chin into the nape of his neck.

Ed cried out and tried desperately to pull away, but Sae pulled him back against her. “No, no, no, no, no… We can’t have you get away again, now can we?” Sae teased. The raven haired girl snapped, and the Kusabi appeared behind Alphonse, who had become strangely silent, standing still; he seemed totally unfazed by the Kusabi’s appearance.

“Alright, I’ll strike a deal with you,” she whispered. Ed waited for more. “You come with me quietly… and no harm will befall your dear brother.”
Edward chuckled. They really think they can hurt Al? He’s a hollow suit of armor! What could Sae and freak-show here possibly do to hurt armor? No way. We gotta break for it. This is our chance to run. If they’re distracted by the camera, then we can get out! At least we’ll have a good twenty foot lead on them before they realize where we’ve gone to…

“Go ahead and try to hurt my brother, he’s strong as steel!” he said. The blonde elbowed Sae in the chest, then dove away. “Al! Come on! Snap a picture and let’s go!” The camera fell out of Al’s grasp as Ed turned to leave. “Al! Come on!’

Time stood still.

A hand jutted out of the armor’s chest now, a small, grayish ball in its grasp. It much resembled the souls spiraling around his head.

Al fell to the ground. His red eyes had turned a suspicious black color…

Ed’s eyes widened in horror. “Alphonse…?” he whispered, his voice cracking.

No response.

“Al!” Edward rushed to his fallen brother, shaking him violently, “Al! Al, get up! Come on, Al! Al! ALPHONSE!” Tears streamed down his cheecks by now.

“No, Al!” he sobbed, burying his head in the armor’s shoulder.

Sae smirked with satisfaction. “Did you really think I hadn’t investigated your brother before this? I knew he was hollow… and how do you get rid of a soul tied to an item? Disembody the soul. Now he’s dead, and it’s your fault. You must have thought so much of your abilities. Even in that shell of his, he wasn’t invincible. Too late now. Come on.”

Al’s not getting up… he realized, sorrowfully. He’s dead… for real this time… It’s all my fault… A numb feeling grew in the pit of his stomach.

My fault… he thought. My fault, my fault, my fault… He continued to cry.

Charcoal eyes burned into Ed as she hauled him to his feet. “Now, come.” she cooed. “We have a ritual to finish.”

Ed put up no fight. He followed in silence, repeating those two words to himself the whole way. Then, another thought entered his head. I’ve... got to finish the ritual… he thought. For her… for… my sister… The voice was not his own.

Sae smiled. The preparations are complete. she thought wickedly. Now that Ed thinks he has nothing to live for, he’ll do my bidding. And now, my sister, I can see you again. We’ll become one, at long last…

---

Ed cried out and tried desperately to pull away, but Sae pulled him back against her. “No, no, no, no, no… We can’t have you get away again, now can we?” Sae teased. The raven haired girl snapped, and the Kusabi appeared behind Alphonse.

Al jumped in fright and tried to get away, but his feet seemed as though they were glued to the floor.

“Brother!” he called, lifting his head to see Ed.

Ed was not himself. His eyes were glazed, staring unseeingly to the ground as Sae whispered intently in his ear. He mumbled back a few times, but mostly just let her talk. It was almost trancelike…

“Brother! Brother, don’t listen to her! It’s not true! I’m here! It’s a-“

“Stop.” Sae commanded, eyes glistening angrily. “Love, stop him.”

Al felt a presence as it penetrated his armor. He looked down. The Kusabi was holding a spirit in his hand, but, contrary to what Edward believed it wasn’t Alphonse’s.

The Kusabi dropped the soul to the ground, where it crystallized.

White light- the same light as when he first met Sae- cut into his vision, and Al fell over, unable to control his functions.

Then, the room disappeared all together, leaving the armor alone in the blackness. But, before he passed out, he heard his brother’s tortured voice, called longingly out to him.

---

When Alphonse awoke, he felt just as alone. The only other thing in the room was the crystal the Kusabi left.

The idol glowed ominously, holding a deep, crimson color.

Al picked up the gem, inspecting it closely. Maybe this will fit into the Spirit Reader! he thought.

The suit’s chest plate opened wide; random papers spilled out of it.

The radio and camera sat on the hardwood floor. Al placed the jewel into the slot and listened.

A small light appeared and shown behind him, but the young boy leaned in closer to the woofer, waiting for a voice.

“Ahem,” The voice cleared its throat.

Al heard the tap of nails on metal. “Behind you.”

Alphonse jumped and spun around.

A young boy with soft, gray hair stood in the place where the Kusabi had stood a little while before. His violet eyes were soft, as was his voice. His skin was a pale white. He towered above the kneeling metal, though we all know he wasn’t that tall- only about 5’3” Al guessed.

“My name is Hiro Shakyou. Thank you so much for freeing me.” Hiro bowed deeply, leaving Al only to wonder where he’d come from… and what he wanted now that he was here.

Read and enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 9- Crimson Butterfly- Too late...


“Wow…” Al whispered. The room was awe-inspiring. Intricate carvings decorated the walls; tapestries of inscriptions spread out on the roof and floor. The room itself was solid gray. A large opening was sliced into the wall, blackness pouring from it like a liquid.

A tiny oval-shaped pillow covered in a quilt of black and red sat in the center of the room. All around the futon were candles of striking gold and silver.

The suit of armor and the blonde waltzed forward. Alphonse, upon approaching the small pillow, noticed a shimmer of turquoise, almost like heat was wafting from the futon… but it was so cold, there was no way. It had to be…

He silently lifted the Camera Obscura and click! In the silent room, the noise might as well have been a gunshot.

Once again, the picture instantly shot from the open slot and zoomed to the floor. Hiro turned his head, startled. “What the…?” he began.

“A feeling… that’s all.” He mumbled, bending over to grab the photo.

The image was disturbing, to say the least. Two identical girls sat on their shins on the futon. The one on the left sat patiently, her hands crossed in her lap. He piercing green eyes, though, were wide and full of fear, pain, and tears. He muscles were rigid and tensed. He lips were pulled into a tight, frightened line. Hair of inky black hung over her pale face. The other girl had her hands cupping the child’s chin, fingers resting gently on the girl’s throat and pressure points. Alphonse couldn’t see her face. She was looking downward, her curly black hair hanging in the way of her face; her shoulders were hitched in sobs.

They wore simple white kimonos, the arms hanging low off of their slim appendages. A red rope that seemed to glow maliciously was knotted carefully around their waists, connecting them.

Hiro whistled. “It took Sae and Yae quite a while to untie that… then they had to make it look like it was still attached. Ha! That was a riot in itself.”

“I’ll bet… they tied that so no one could escape, right? Like Sae and Yae did?”

Hiro nodded. “Now, come on. The actual chamber is in the next room.” The suit of armor clambered forward, Alphonse following closely.

Suddenly, a feeling of dread hollowed in the pit of his stomach. It washed over him. What if… he wondered. What if they’ve already done that part of the ritual? With the futon? What if… they’ve already killed Brother? How would we know?

Lightheaded and scared, Al fell to his knees, moaning. The camera plopped down next to him. Al heard a quiet tick. He looked down, noting a small, clear wire, broken in half. “Wha…?” he mumbled. A trip wire…?

“You oka-” he stared, but was cut off by a strong, and equally loud, gust of wind.

Alphonse’s head shot up, and he put his arms protectively in front of him. Hiro shuddered violently then collapsed, the hollow clanging echoing loudly. His blue eyes were black like the shadows in the corner.

“Hiro!” he called, scurrying forward and moving his bangs from his eyes. Fog crept over the floor, rolling toward Al.

Silver orbs swept upward. There stood the Kusabi; he was the last guardian on the way to the chamber. He hovered menacingly over Alphonse, spirits dancing around him. He must have disembodied Hiro. he pondered, standing and backing away. He ungracefully tripped over his feet, though his eyes remained locked on the messenger of Hell.

The ash-skinned predicate followed, lashing out at him one arm at a time.

If he’s so intent on guarding the chamber… Al thought as he shimmied backwards, avoiding the Kusabi’s attacks. Then the ritual must not have been completed yet… and if it hasn’t been finished… then…

“Brother’s alive.” He murmured excitedly, his eyes brightening.

Before he even realized it, the camera was in front of his eye, focused, and the picture had been shot.

The spirit hurled back, howling with rage. Alphonse smirked with new resolve. Brother’s alive…! he repeated, taking another shot and walking forward to push back the ghost.

He continued to shoot, and the Kusabi continued to reel back- attack- reel back- attack.

But, alas, each fight must come to an end.

The Kusabi lunged forward, intent on taking Alphonse’s life for himself.

Al lifted the camera for the final time…

Click.

The Kusabi screeched terribly, lashing out toward Alphonse. The creature’s rotted and disgusting fingers grassed Al’s slight arm, sending a deadly chill through him before he evaporated, leaving the spirits to finally be free.

Al convulsed violently, eyes dancing and stomach twirling to the song’s deadly beat. His heart beat erratically with an unsteady tempo.

Visions flashed before him.



Al’s body thrashed wildly against his binds. He still convulsed and gagged; his eyes still were rolling in this head and his brow was drenched with sweat.

Suddenly, all became calm, then he sat up, panting and yelling, “No!”

Hiro held him fast. “It’s about time you calmed down.” he announced, nodding.

Alphonse shook his head, trying to clear the fuzz from his brain.

He recalled the visions.

Brother…

“Brother!!” he yelled, trying desperately to escape from Hiro’s grip. “Brother!- I’ve got to save him! He’s going to- he’s going to do that-”

Hiro didn’t relinquish his grip. He shook his head and furiously snarled, “There isn’t time!”

Thank you for reading, and please, enjoy the conclusion of Crimson Butterfly...

Chapter 11- Crimson Butterfly- A Bitter Reunion



The man’s hand landed hard on his desk, a hollow banging echoing off the walls. “Where the Hell have you been, Edward? You can’t just disappear for three weeks and not expect to be in trouble!”

Roy Mustang ran a frustrated hand through his jet-black hair. His attitude had changed dramatically since Ed’s arrival. At first, he was overjoyed. He’d even been worried about Ed’s injuries, demanding to have them treated and what had caused them. But when Ed had tried to explain, Roy got angrier and angrier, not believing Fullmetal’s crazy story.

“We called everywhere: the Rockbell’s, East HQ, even Southern HQ! Where were you, really?”

Ed sighed, “You know where I was. I’ve told you before, I was-”

“In All God’s Village? Taking out evil beings with a camera? That place vanished centuries ago! No one can find it! And you say it’s there, and not only that, haunted by the vengeful spirits? Ha! There’s no such thing as ghosts or zombies or whatever the hell you claim! It wasn’t real. You either imagined it or you were doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing…”

“It was real, though!” Ed yelled, ragingly. His eyes glowed furiously. “Look at me!” He pulled up his left sleeve, showing the long scar flowing down his pale arm. He pointed to the large bump on the back of his head, even the cut on it. “Do you think I just did this to myself- this is genuine! Those… Sae and her little cronies did this!

“And Alphonse, my little brother, is blind! You hear that, Mustang? Honest to God blind!”

“You said yourself it could be temporary. And how do you- never mind.” Roy shook his head. “Ed, do you have any proof- aside for your wounds- that this place exists?”

Ed started to reply, then bit his tongue. “No, sir.”

“Then you can’t just expect me to accept that! We’re alchemists, Edward, scientists! How can you believe that I’ll trust that ghosts, curses, and the living dead truly are among us without cold, hard proof? I give you a simple mission, two weeks to complete it, and you come back a week late with some c**k-and-bull story about whoever ‘Sae’ and ‘Kusabi’ and whatever the hell you said! I just need a strait answer: where were you really and what did you find?”

Ed bowed his head, his gold eye hidden behind curtains of blonde. He stood, swaying slightly as he attempted to catch his balance. “I can’t tell you anything more. You won’t believe the truth; I’m not going to fed you crap in its place.” He bowed. “Sorry for wasting your time, Colonel. If you want to find out the answers, go investigate it yourself.” With that, the eldest Elric escorted himself from the room, leaving Mustang to himself.

The man’s black eyes were troubled as he sat. He cradled his head in his hands. What am I supposed to do with those two? he wondered.

He couldn’t be telling me the truth… could he? The Flame Alchemist shook his head as though trying to rid himself of the thought. No, Edward’s hiding something from me. But what? What could have happened to the boys in those woods that would bring him back in this condition? What could have happened that he wouldn’t tell me up front?

The Colonel thought back to what Edward looked like when he’d waltzed into his office: scratches decorated his face and skin. His clothes were torn and tattered, hanging tiredly off of his body. Hid golden eyes were dull and worn, circles under his eyes showing that he’d gone many sleepless nights. His head was blazing hot with fever and he’d nearly fainted upon arriving. Yes, terrible condition.

And yet… Mustang thought.

Roy stood and began pacing. Maybe and animal attack? No, he still would have been back in time… and he’d have been able to tell me…

“Gah!” he cried out in exasperation, scratching his head violently.

“Is something wrong, sir?” Hawkeye questioned, raising and eyebrow in question.

Mustang jumped, spinning about to face the Lt. Colonel. “Oh, it’s just you…” he mumbled. “No, I’m just pondering…”

“What happened to the Elrics?” Riza offered, pushing her blonde bangs from her eyes. “I recall he turned in a report explaining… Something about ghosts, wasn’t it?”

Roy’s charcoal eyes narrowed. “Exactly.” He plopped into his chair. “You and I both know ghosts don’t exist. And even if they did, how could they physically injure you?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, Colonel.”

The two sat in silence for a minute.

Roy quickly stood, gathering his coat in his arms.

“And where are you going, sir?” Riza questioned, though she already could guess.

“I’m taking a vacation.” he answered, slamming his door.

The amber-eyed girl sighed, smiling. He can’t let it go… she thought. He has to know what happened to Edward and Alphonse.

“Just know,” Hawkeye called out the door. “you’re going to have a lot of paper work to do on your return!”

-----

Four days later, Roy stood the countryside of Resembool. The forest expanded before him; the moon bathed the wooded area in an eerie silver light across the grass and through the treetops, setting shadows dancing on the green foliage.

The Flame Alchemist sighed, rubbing his temples. Why am I even doing this? he wondered, brushing his black hair behind his ear. “Well,” he grunted. “Here goes nothing…”

Mustang walked calmly into the wood, stepping carefully over fallen limbs and stumps. He occasionally ducked leaves-dodged squirrels and other fauna darting by.

Two pillars soon stood tall before him, décor being of blood red butterflies. This was in the report… he thought, taking a cautious step forward.

I’m… so sorry… a voice moaned, voice hitched in sobs. I… can’t go back…

Roy cocked his head to the side. “What… was that?” he murmured. He thought nothing of it, continuing forward.

You said… that we’d always… be… together… that we’d be… one… but everyone… died…

Finally, the Colonel stepped through the threshold. The surroundings changed.

Buildings began to take shape; the sky turned a hideous gray color, though the moon shone a gratefully bright yellow light. The buildings towered over him, and a dense fog rolled in, coating the ground in its mysterious mist.

Blood was all over the buildings: the handles, the walls, the doors, everywhere. Scratches were etched into the lumber, showing prominent signs of a struggle.

“s**t…” Roy swore. It was real… he thought. This place. It exists!

“Okay, that’s enough for me!” he announced, turning to leave.

Roy jumped back, hands protectively guarding his face.

A young girl stood there, white kimono hanging loosely from her frame. Even her clothes were contaminated by the awful color of blood that surrounding the village. Her raven hair hung in front of her eyes, a wicked grin gracing her lips. Her pale hands were stained and she laughed lightly and happily- a chilling sound in a place as foul as this.

“Yae…” she whispered, though it seemed as though she were talking right into Mustang’s ear.

“I knew… you’d come back… for me…”

Roy felt an odd sensation in his chest. He cried out in agony, falling over as the pain of fire burned at his skin, every breath he took felt as if it held thousands of white-hot knifes, the wind burned and stabbed at his skin. His eyes rolled restlessly in his head and his body convulsed, as though trying to escape the anguish it was being put through.

And then, Roy Mustang stopped moving. He sat perfectly still on the ground, his eyes dull and staring at the ground.

A small, silver orb penetrated from his chest, flying calmly into the Kusabi’s waiting grasp.

Sae grinned, still glaring. “We have no use for single children such as yourself.”

The girl with a heart as dark as her hair, a mind as evil as Satan himself, stepped carefully over the deceased man, whistling merrily and smiling with glee.

heart heart heart