The City Under Central (Edward Elric x Reader)

A strange noise rang throughout the hall, causing Envy to freeze in his spot halfway. His eyes grew wide and he whipped around just as Dante started to panic across the room. She was clinging to Rose's arm, watching something with wide eyes.

"That sound," she sputtered, completely aghast. "What did he just do?"

Everyone's eyes, even Ed's, were now fixated on the glowing transmutation circle in the center of the ballroom. Next to him, Envy let out a strangled growl. "Gluttony..."

The fat homunculus raised his head, saliva running off his tongue like a fountain and lolling out of his mouth due to the sudden lack of teeth in his bottom jaw. Edward let out the shaky breath he didn't realize he was holding in. Alphonse must've used alchemy to remove Gluttony's teeth.

"He used alchemy with the stone!" Envy screeched, starting to stumble his way towards the circle and completely forgetting about Ed.

Alphonse Elric slowly rose from the floor. The streaks of bright red were still snaked across of his body in the intricate alchemical pattern. A major chunk was gnawed out of his side, revealing the blinding fluorescence of the Philosopher's Stone underneath. He grunted and began to walk in the direction of your lifeless body.

Dante was thrown into a panic. She shoved the baby that she had still been holding into Rose's arms and stepped forward, a scowl across her face. "Insolent boy! Look at the damage you're inflicting upon yourself! Sit down before you're wasted completely-"

"STAY BACK!" Alphonse harshly cut her off, waving his hand threateningly. "You can't make me do anything!"

Dante gasped in surprise and stepped back at Al's boldness, but recovered quickly before fixing him with an acid glare. "And what do you think you can pull off?"

Alphonse ignored her and instead continued walking over to you with heavy steps, his armored feet clanking against the tiled floor. He knelt down next to you and curled his arms under your legs and back until he was cradling you carefully and protectively against him. With everyone's gaze still laid on him, he carried you over to Edward. Ed's eyes started to tear up as he reached for you with a metal hand that was severely bent.

"(Y/N) hasn't been dead for long," Al's voice wavered as he slipped your body into Ed's arms. "Her soul might still be at the gate. We just have to pull it back... The same way you did for me."

Edward's eyes widened, but said nothing, allowing his brother's words to process in his head. "Don't be a fool," Dante hissed, stepping forward once more. "You know what would happen to your-"

"Yeah I do!" Alphonse interrupted, swinging his head around to fix her with a look that made her freeze in her spot. His voice was filled with passion for his decision. "A lot of people died to make this stone and I would've died too, if not for them. And it's time I gave my share and made my own choice."

Al looked back at his brother, who was now hugging your body to his chest, and let his gaze soften. Ed's golden eyes were wide and staring at Al. He opened his mouth to say something, but Al cut him off.

"Brother, I know you must think this is a bad idea. I know it's risky. I know it might not work in a way that will allow us to be completely happy. But I made a promise to myself. Ever since we started this mission, people have been dying for our sake. I promised that I wouldn't let anyone else die for our cause."

He knelt down next to Ed and placed his large metal arm around his brother's shoulders as tears dripped down Ed's face. He looked so vulnerable. So... beaten. Al wasn't used to seeing him this way. He was usually the strong older brother who made rash decisions and got the pair of them into trouble. It was usually Ed who comforted Al, not the other way around.