A/N: One shot song fic for Ed, lol. Like? Not like? Let me know please!
~Rae

Ed stared at the outside of the gray mansion, sheets of rain pelting against the steel roof. Al beside him, Ed approached the gate that stopped their passing. This cursed place filled with painful memories; the Tucker’s mansion that was spit from hell.

If I could tell the world just one thing,

It would be

We’re all okay

“Let ’em have it, Daddy!”

Her little voice rang in his head. Why had he savored those words? Ed mulled thoughts over in his mind time and time again, but still couldn’t understand. He couldn’t understand how anyone could call that monster, ‘father’.

And not to worry

‘Cause worry is wasteful

And useless in times like these

Ed felt a slap of pain sear across his heart upon remembering her; he forced a blank look onto his face. Nina.

I won’t be made useless

I won’t be idle with despair

The thought of her brought a smile, despite the ache in his heart. Little Nina, always wanting to play just one more game, color one more picture, giggle at one more joke, or smile at a simple circle in the sand.

I’ll wrap myself around my faith

‘Cause light’s the darkness’s most fear

But she was gone. By the hands of an Alchemist. And knowing that, only that cut Ed to the core.

My hands

Are small, I know

There was nothing he could have done, neither him nor Al. They had been too late to save the little girl that they had loved so dearly. All the alchemy in the world, all the power in his hands couldn’t bring her back now.

But they’re not yours

They are my own

Ed hung his head, clenching his hand into a fist, and slamming it against the iron gate.

“I’m so sorry.”

And I am never broken

Poverty

Ed and Al had been living with the renowned Sewing Life Alchemist, Shou Tucker, while Ed trained to take the State Alchemist test to join the military. Ed needed to be a State Alchemist, even if it meant being the military’s lap dog. He had to fix what he had broken, and that was his arm, leg and his brother’s body. Along with Mr. Tucker’s daughter, Nina, and their dog, Alexander, the brothers lived comfortably, studying and playing, almost as their lives used to be.

Stole your golden shoes

It didn’t steal your laughter

Ed had passed the exam, after so much hard work. It was such a great day, he remembered. Nina jumped and laughed, shouting:

“Hooray!! Yay, Big Brother!!”

Ed smiled, despite the pain. No matter what, Nina would always have a laugh, always hold a smile.

When heartache came to visit me

I knew it wasn’t ever-after


That night, there was a great feast; in honor of Ed. Everyone ate bountiful platters overflowing with food, much to Ed’s delight. The conversation turned to Mr. Tucker’s upcoming alchemy exam, and the fateful question was asked.

We will fight, not out of sight

“Why don’t you make another talking Chimera?”

Where there’s a man that has no voice

If Ed had only known that in saying these words, he was sealing Nina’s fate…

There the shadows sleep

The very next day, they were kicked out. The Iron Blood Alchemist, who sponsored Mr. Tucker, came and threw out the Elric brothers, for ‘snooping’. Ed doubted it, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt that was profound in his soul. Nina was simply heartbroken.

“You’ll come back and play with me soon, promise?”

My hands

Are small, I know

“Of course we will.”

Al replied, stroking her hair with one of his great metal arms. Ed smiled down at her.

“Yeah.”

But they’re not yours

They are my own

That night, Ed couldn’t sway the feeling that something was going to go horribly awry.

And I am never broken

“Daddy…?”

Ed ran faster than he could ever remember, Al trying to keep up behind. Something was wrong.

“Are you hurting somewhere?”

In the end

Only kindness matters

Nina’s little face; Ed could picture it. So kind and loving, she would do anything for her father. Her eyes sparkled and danced with love when she was around him, and she giggled happily every time he’d tell her a story, kiss her goodnight, or pick her up. She would do anything for her daddy.

In the end

Only kindness matters

But that love wasn’t returned.

In the end

Only kindness matters

And that love was all he needed to take advantage of her.

My hands

Are small, I know

Ed pulled his fist away from the iron gate. He motioned Al to leave; he had only come to see this place one more time. The two started the walk back to the State Alchemist offices.

But they’re not yours

They are my own

They returned to that mansion the night they had been forced to leave on Ed’s suspicion. He and Al had raced to the place, bounding and gagging the guards that blocked them. He climbed rigidly through a window and raced for the basement.

And I am never broken

“You could lose your certification for this, brother!” Al protested. Ed’s face was set hard as he tore through the door.

“If that’s what it takes to prove me wrong tonight, then so be it.”

Then he saw it. The Chimera.
He tuned out the senseless babble of Shou Tucker and stared hard at the beast. Al was so impressed that he was oblivious to what was right in front of his eyes. Ed stared numbly in horror at the creature.

“Ed… why does it hurt here?”

Ed felt his heart shatter. Nina.

“Where have Alexander and Nina gone to?!”

Ed’s horrified shout of fury didn’t even faze Tucker. He smiled a little and almost seemed to shrug. To Ed’s absolute horror, he indicated the Chimera and replied:

“I hate prodigies like you Ed. Too damn perceptive.”

He had done it. He had created a human speaking Chimera, as he said he would. From his daughter. And his dog. He used alchemy to fix his life to see if he could and he succeeded. And he had no reason to.

My hands

Are small, I know

“Alchemy… isn’t meant to…”

Ed had stammered for words, his anger screaming. His face was dark with fury, and his fists clenched tightly with rage. It was because of this man that Ed vowed to always use Alchemy for good. With his own two hands, he would use the best thing humans had going for him and make a difference.

But they’re not yours

They are my own

He was not like Shou Tucker. He would fight for the people he loved, to fix what he had broken, and for everything he was, and everything that Tucker wasn’t.

And I am never broken

For Nina.

We are never broken

Very sad and very well written. Those are lyrics from a song correct? Well, I'm suprised nobody has posted here yet. Great job and keep up the good work^_^

-Phyco girl

Thank you ^^; yes, the bolded lyrics are from a song called "Hands" by Jewel.

i don't understand how i could've never read it before. the combination of lirics and tha particular episode of brothers' life is brilliant. and that little hope left at the end, that we're not broken. excellent work!!!

sorry, that one was mine, i forgot to register

Wow, that was so powerful and beautifully written. A topic like that needs emotion and you delivered what was needed.

Thank you for the great compliments ^^ <3