Leave A Scar

I sat where Ed had placed me.

I hated waiting.

I hated feeling like I was a statistic outside of the normal range; an outlier outside of the equation.

Look, I told myself, eyes closed and hand clutching chain. That's what your name means, isn't it?

Mirah

And yet I couldn't see a thing.

Nervously tapping my foot, hand on the garter that secured the weapon on my leg.

A weapon that would be so useless, against someone so strong.

I stood to a burst of wind, and it whispered to me, that silence.

Mirah.

I clutched at the necklaces hanging from my throat, resting on my upper-chest. Jewelry, promises of love and friendship...

And then I felt the earth leave me.

I blinked, that blackness filling the space between here and there. Losing me for a moment before I regained myself.

I was no longer in the outskirts of Hohenheim's setup.

I was falling, Ed's scream filling my ears, gravity filling my consciousness and body.

And then gravity stopped, strong arms holding me. I watched concrete ground grow closer, and laughter filled my ears.

"You fool! Your heart is now impaled—oh how weak humans are!"

"Ch'yeah, right." With me on the ground, looking up at him, Ed's ċhėst began to heal. Snaps of powerful lightning, ones that taper out to me, healing a cut on my back. Some graze of whatever had hit Ed.

My worry grew to a triumphant smile. He was healing, after that attack... He wasn't going down so easily.

"And you think bringing her here would weaken me." He tossed his head up, golden hair crazed and splattered with dark blood.

Blood that held the Philosopher's Stone.

I nearly pushed myself to a standing position, but I felt energy settle me back down. Ed's words also, telling me to relax. He had this.

I nearly grinned, hearing the confidence of my future husband. He did. The win was his, especially with me there.

But then he cried out, holding his human arm. It was still covered with his coat, but whatever energy that hurt him was spiraling out like a tornado.

The scar on his forehead—gotten from some battle long ago—spurted open as well. Liquid red gushing down his face as his arm snapped in two. Then thirds, then fourths.

"W-what's wrong?" I asked him, crawling until my own hands settled in to the blood on the ground. A monsoon, a miniature lake.

"I... I can't heal. It's like he's blocking me."

I had to do something.

I began drawing.

It's time we ended this.

"Go ahead and try, weakling. Your energy level couldn't be more low. I'll just absorb whatever you throw at me." Legs were crossed, and I caught the side of his long white hair, curled at the tips. So this...

"You're nothing but a copycat!" And my circle glowed, but my transmutation didn't arrive.

A snap of energy, and I found myself in white.

He...

"Hello, alchemist."

I blinked, seeing a figure across from me. I could feel something behind me as well, my Door of Truth. My gateway that connected alchemy to my soul, my body.

It... was all real. Just like Ed and Al said.

The mysterious figure was hard to look at, resembling me so much. The curve of the waist only reminded me of the feel of Ed's hands; the soft trails his fingertips made against frail skin. I looked away, staring at the corner of my vision. At the white of the landscape.

Something else appeared; three things, actually. I saw Ed stumble out from nothingness, body and clothes full repaired. Except the slash mark against his cheek, dried blood across his face. That was real. It was hard for me to look at.

Our eyes met, his growing wider and mine nearly growing confused. But time sped up, and we both saw a figure sitting with our backs toward us.

Alphonse's body.

That skeleton-like figure turned, long golden hair cast over one eye. Mouth in a smile as he met my stare.

"Oh, hey, Mirah!" he said, color tinting his cheeks. "What a way for us to meet, huh?"

"Sorry to interrupt the reunion."

"Who..." My foot shifted back, every part of me scared to come closer. "Who are you?"

The white arm raised, pointing one slim finger at me.

"I... Am you."

"Why are we here?" Ed's yell was directed at my figure, but somehow I knew he was talking to someone else.

My figure tilted its head back, laughter cackling out of the wide grin.

"You should know that by now, Little Alchemist." These words didn't come from her mouth, seeming to be spoken somewhere unseen. From another figure entirely.

"A... A human transmutation?"

My figure's mouth twisted into a frown. "No, not quite. You're on the right track, though, in terms of transmutation. We can see this one as a work in progress."

"Yes. Like I just said." The figure looked to the left, and I followed its stare to see Al standing by his Gate.

"What's the payment?" I asked quickly. "What do we have to give?"

A smirk; a fragment of a smile, and I was left alone in thought.

What will I pay, for Al's body?

Whatever it costed. but even then, a weight sank into my gut. Here I was, being selfish again.

Is it really selfishness?

"I can't go unless my body is here," Al's voice rang clear, no longer hindered by metal.

"But..." You're showing up. "H-how are you..."

"Take them!" Ed shouted. "Take it all!"

"Not yet, little alchemist. It's not your turn."

My figure turned, looking behind her shoulder. Curled hair catching my focus.

My Truth held up a finger.

"One last thing."

And just like that, some force picked me up, so delicately I may as well be made of glass. Tears pricked my eyes for the hundredth time, and I felt my heart weigh so heavy in my ċhėst.

It all came in a wave.

Memories, cherished moments between the three of us. Laughter and food and expensive drinks.

I had come so far, and it was time my darkness fled.

I was strong enough to face anything. Because I had come so damn far, and there was something inside me that kept my heart beating, my lungs breathing. Even if my mind was a total wreck, I was still standing. Floating on shaking limbs and a destroyed consciousness. I could still be repaired. It just took time, and within seconds I knew I was already halfway there.

The euphoria faded, drifting air back into my lungs. Slowly, I heard my Truth speak. Ed's hand came to my shoulder, tentatively touching while his mouth whispered four words.

"What did he take?"

At the same time, Truth uttered the words I'd been too hurt to tell myself.

"You've suffered far too much. Have some happiness."

Ed was yelling now, one arm in front of me. Stance wide, protective.

"What the hell did you take, you bastard?"

"I took nothing," Truth replied. "I can give, too, you know, if I see that too much has been taken already."

A tight breath sounded from his throat, and I sensed his eyes go wide.

"W... What?"

He turned around, grabbing me by the shoulders. I couldn't look away from the immense amount of fear. Some part of me knew this was his worst nightmare.

"What happened?" Ed asked, face close to mine. "Mirah, speak to me. What did he do?"

I blinked, then looked away. Ed slowly set me down, dainty feet touching white earth. And I thought, my mind clear for the first time in a long while.

"I've... Always been whole," I began, my voice soft but strong. "I just never wanted to see it until now."

"What? Mirah, what're you talking about?"

I thought to shake my head, then thought better of it. I didn't want any thoughts to slip away, be ridden with a movement of the mind.

"I've... Been hurting for a long time," I said, and gave a genuine smile. Enough for my eyes to curve. "And I finally realized it's a choice. That pain can hinder us, or allow us to grow."

Ed stayed silent, eyes a little wide, mouth a little open. Finally, he gave a slow nod.

"O-okay... I don't see what—"

"Goodbye, small Alchemists."

Truth waved, and with that, I began floating, the energy that made up myself disappearing, my sight going black, my mind going to Ed and Al.

I'd sacrifice...