the way every s.isi adaption featuring young rudolf has a scene with one of his parents hearing him cry at night has me :)))

Captain Bucheon 02

Pairing: Baekhyun x reader (Lee Nari)

Genre: policeman AU; enemies to lovers AU

Warnings:  langauge, mentions of drugs

story masterlist masterlist

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tags: @wooya1224 (if you want to be un/tagged let me know! I forgot to ask last time lol)

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Second: Fears and Desires

Rushing out of the building, you made a quick run for the closest bus stop, trying to supress every urge to look back in case someone could be following you. With their identity being unknown and the box being successfully delivered on your behalf meant huge trouble for you and it left you incredibly nervous to stay in the same place as that anonymous. For whatever reason someone decided to deliver the box. Who could it be?

With your heart racing all the way in your throat, you thought that this situation would be the worst. Turning a sharp corner that led to the main road, you collided harshly with a sturdy chest, the person's arms flying out to catch your falling figure. Hands slid around your waist and steadied you up carefully.

Realizing your eyes were squeezed shut, you opened your eyes to be met with familiar ones. You slowly died inside.

“Careful,” he murmured as he took in your scared expression.

Stepping away from him, you tried to brush off the feeling of pining. You'd been working way too hard to avoid him for you to meet him exactly when you were running away red-handed. “What are you doing here?”

He shook his head gently as his gaze slowly took in your features. It made you shudder. “My workplace is not far away, remember?”

Gulping, you nodded, letting out a breathy snort as you looked down on the pavement. “Right. Silly of me to ask.”

“Are you okay?”

“I missed you,” you blurted at the same time and looked up at him. “Oppa.”

Baekhyun was frozen just for a moment before he stepped closer to you with the gentlest of smiles. Slowly, he reached up with his hand and cradled your cheek. “I missed you too, pretty.”

Pretty. Ah, how you missed that nickname.

“Then kiss me,” you let out boldly and you expected him to be surprised or even scold you for being so demanding but he surprised you.

“Oh, yeah,” he murmured, leaning in. “I will, now that you're finally here.” You helped him out by standing on your tip-toes while you let your arms circle around his neck, and his hands slid back to your waist. His lips touched yours gently, carefully, before you hummed and pushed yourself more into him, urging him to deepen the kiss.

He growled when he felt your chest press up to his and his grip tightened while one of his hands came up to your neck, tilting your head so he could have better access. With a simple lick of his tongue, he was inside and you were whimpering, gasping, panting. So, so needy for him. You groaned, feeling the strong attraction you both shared. It seemed that no matter how much you hated him, it was always present. You would always be bewitched by Byun Baekhyun.

He was still hungrily claiming your lips when he reached up for your arms and brought them down until he had your hands in his. He fumbled with them for a while and you smiled, expecting him to intertwine your hands. Just the feeling of his smooth hands on yours made the butterflies in your tummy flutter their wings.

Then you heard a click.

Baekhyun kissed you one last time, his lips puckering, before slowly leaning back and taking in your scared eyes when you felt cold metal around your wrists.

“Lee Nari,” he breathed, the puffs of hot air on your wet lips, “I arrest you for illegal drug distribution.”

><

Gasping loudly, you sat straight up in your bed, the aftermath of your nightmare still present and fresh in front of your eyes while you tried to shake off the dread and the terrible pull in your lower tummy. Why the hell were you sexually frustrated when he arrested you again?

“What is it?” you heard from beside you, a confused and sleepy Yuyeon. “Nari? Are you okay?” she was next to you within a second, the early morning sun lighting up the room softly through the light curtains. She saw you touching your lips while tears were rolling down your cheeks. “Goodness, was the dream that bad?” she asked again carefully and sat on your bed.

You whimpered, still shocked, and reached out for your best friend, wrapping your arms around her to get a feel of reality. “Just… it was ridiculous. So ridiculous, Yuyeonah,” you muttered, sniffing, flashes of Baekhyun's face ever-present and lively. That was certainly not how you imagined the first meeting with him to go. 

“It was just a bad dream,” consoled Yuyeon gently, rubbing your back in circles. “None if it is real, Nari.”

You nodded and pressed your lips together. 

Just a bad dream.

><

“Are you okay?” Someone muttered to your ear, successfully scaring the living daylights out of you.

You heard that sentence in your dream.

Turning around abruptly with wide eyes, you spot Chul who was smiling at you cheekily.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. You just look a little absent-minded,” he explained, scratching his neck as he looked at the ground.

You sighed. “I’m fine. But thanks for worrying.”

He nodded and wanted to say something before hesitating. You raised a questioning eyebrow, silently asking him what was up.

“Was everything fine after I left?”

Oh. You completely forgot to let him know the mission was successful since you were so freaked out by the unexplainable events. “Yes!” you squeaked. “It went perfectly!”

“Great! I received the confirmation text but you never followed up with an update.” He laughed. “Then we can focus on your run in the festival!”

You groaned and started stomping towards your classroom. “I really, really like REALLY don’t wanna do it.”

He followed you, snickering. “You’re our ace, Nari.” He hugged your shoulders with his arm and pressed you to his side. “If you won’t attend, nobody will come and watch!”

Puffing your hair out of your face, you silently fumed. “I already said okay to the darn MCing with that bitc- singer.”

“Were you just about to call her a bitch?” asked Chul, shocked as he maneuvered you through the crowded corridors. Students were giving you looks, some whispering when they spotted Chul, the famous boy.

“Ah, no, not at all,” you grumbled, not bothering to hide your sarcasm.

Chul chuckled and you stopped in front of your class. “You can be so feisty. Either way, bring this spirit to the running track. We are starting from today!”

“But-but I want to go out to the bar-“

Chul clicked his tongue. “I will gladly take you to a bar if you come to the practice.”

Not even stopping to think it over, you quickly complied: “You’ll buy me a drink, right? Oppa?” you added with a mischievous glint in your eyes.

He observed you for a moment, an amused smile splayed on his face. “Sure, Nari. A drink it is.”

“Deal!”

><

“Faster, Lee!” shouted coach Lim when you finished the second round, heaving loudly like a horse. “If you want to win an award for us you will have to do better than that!”

With bitter realization, you noticed how he reminded you of your beloved math teacher back in high school. Unfortunately, you weren’t that good at sports but you were still better than math.

“Okay, got it,” you exhaled harshly, coming to a full stop.

You saw the sun already setting, the cold air turning your hot breaths into condensation. You could practically feel your nose turning red.

“Hey, Rudolf!” Chul.

You snapped your head at him, glaring. “Do not mock me. You’ve dragged me into this yet you seem very unaffected.”

He laughed, walking over to you. “You already forgot why I am the president of the student council?” He quirked an eyebrow at you. “I’m good at everything.”

You rolled your eyes. “Okay then you win the award for us.”

“Nuh-uh. It’s gotta be you,” he winked at you.

Too tired to bother fighting with him, you quickly went to change into your clothes, deciding you would take a shower once you got back from the smelly bar. Surely you stinking wouldn’t bother people too much. Plus, it wasn’t like you were trying to impress Chul anyway.

Meeting the senior outside, you headed for the closest bar, bickering on the way. Once inside he bought you a drink just as promised and you were fast to gulp down half of the cocktail.

“So, I’ve been wanting to discuss some matters with you,” started Chul, looking at you in amusement when you took another big gulp. “Just some other stuff that has to be taken care of about the festival.”

You whined and leaned your forehead into your palm. “Why now? We should do that at the student council.”

“You’re my right hand, Lee,” reasoned smoothly Chul and took a sip of his beer. The frothy foam left a small white mustache and it made you giggle. You motioned for him to get rid of it and he quickly licked it off. “Anyway,” he started with a laugh, “you’ll take care of the security team of the festival. Make sure to book the bodyguards and police guards around. We will have famous artists there so security should be our number one priority at all costs.”

You hummed, faking thinking. You ignored your rapid heartbeat at the mention of police, some flashbacks of your dream quickly chasing you down. Nodding, you hid your face behind the cup as you took another sip and looked around the place as if expecting to see the familiar face in the crowd just like you did on the night you met him.

“I kind of want to pass on this one,” you finally replied as you put down your glass.

“Why is that?”

Sighing, you pursed your lips not wanting to elaborate on your actual thinking pattern. “Just feels weird to talk to the police and blah blah blah,” you rolled your eyes. “I’m already doing so much for the festival, Chul, don’t you think?”

Chul observed you for a moment. “I’m sorry. I feel like a total jerk for always throwing all the responsibilities at you but I really am only giving you those tasks that require the most able person.”

“Oh.” You didn’t think about that. After all, Chul was right. You were kind of like a right hand to him, doing a lot of jobs in the behind the scenes whenever there were events happening at the school.

“And I heard that you might have connections at the police so I thought we could use that to our advantage,” he continued, hesitating when he noticed your sour expression. “Am I wrong?”

Your slight scowl turned into a frown. “Who the hell told you that?”

He blinked a couple of times. “Well, she told me it’s a secret so…”

“Chul?”

“Yeah,” he looked at your hard expression, prompting him to answer you. You swore you would kill Oh Sehun, you were sure it was him.

“Yuyeon. It was Yuyeon.”

Your mouth opened in shock. You thought you heard wrong. “What? What did she tell you though?” And why would Yuyeon talk to a person she didn't like? You knew her well and she voiced, or at least showed, how she didn't like Chul. In her opinion, he was too friendly with everyone.

Chul laughed unsurely, a little perplexed at the change of your behavior. “Nothing! I mean... she mentioned a boyfriend-“

“I never had a boyfriend at the police station,” you declared quickly. “I hardly know anyone there so I don’t think I can help you in this matter.”

Chul nodded, immediately complying while his hands played with the cup in his hands. “Right, sorry. Maybe I’ve heard wrong. You’d be too young to date a police officer anyway.” He took note of your sudden unreadable expression and when you didn’t reply, he added: “Then I don’t see a problem why you can’t take care of the matters! Since you don’t have a boyfriend at the station.”

You sucked your lips in, mulling over his words. It wouldn’t hurt if you’d ask for favors from Yuyeon or Sehun, right? They could call in with your name and that way you wouldn’t have to worry about the possibility of accidentally talking to Byun Baekhyun. Either way, it was hard to win an exclusive chat with the big captain himself, so eventually, you didn’t see that much of a problem with it. And, it was a must that nobody could find out about any kind of connection with him. People would know you were underaged or could think you were too easy and had a beneficial relationship with him. That could totally ruin your image — because you didn’t care about his for sure!

“Okay,” you agreed with a timid nod, avoiding Chul’s eyes. “I’ll do it.” Managing to fake a strained smile you finally looked up to catch him studying you.

“If it makes you uncomfortable—“

“No, it’s absolutely fine,” you chirped in and threw the remaining cocktail into your mouth. If you pretended it was hard alcohol maybe you could slowly start swimming in nothingness and forget about him.

It was unfair that he’d been chasing you in your dream. It felt so real. Even the kissing was so believable it made chills run down your spine. “I’m gonna order another one,” you decided, already standing up. “I need it.”

Chul nodded slowly, hesitantly, and shook his head when you asked him whether he wanted another one.

Walking over to the busy bar, you caught the waiter and ordered yourself another cocktail when a tall figure appeared next to you.

“Is this your fourth already?” He asked nonchalantly, looking around. He was one head taller than you so it wasn’t like you were obscuring his view. “Jez, woman, when was the last time you took a shower?”

Rolling your eyes, you waved your hand to finally bring his attention to you. “You don't even pay attention to me but dare to comment on my hygiene.” You clicked your tongue disappointedly. “I’m right here, Sehun, and no it isn’t my fourth. But I’m getting there,” you rumbled and tapped your fingers impatiently on the worn-down surface of the wooden bar table.

“Why are you here with Chul?”

“Cause you didn’t ask me to hang out,” you pouted and innocently blinked a few times.

Sehun elbowed you gently. “I was meeting someone else today. And anyways, you’ve been always busy during a weekday - you don’t have work tonight, right?”

Making a grimace at the mention of your work, you turned back to the barista, watching him mix your cocktail. “No, tonight I’m free. And I had my first training, Sehun. I will die if I have to continue preparing for that damn race,” you whined, turning abruptly to him.

“I’ll help you with the training. I promise I’m more fun than coach Lim! I hear he is rather hot-headed,” he said with a glint in his eyes. “You know I won’t scold you.”

You frowned like a kid. “Run the race for me then.”

Sehun sighed and when the barista brought you your cocktail he quickly ordered two whiskeys.

Your eyebrows shot up to your hairline. “You’re going hard tonight.” Immediately you took a sip of your drink and felt an instant relief. While still playing with the straw, you looked up at your friend. “Who’re you here with anyway?”

Sehun gave you a look. “Uh, just a friend.” He shrugged. He was thankful for the crowded bar tonight. “We are just catching up.”

“Great!” You smiled brightly and put your cocktail down. “Do I know him? Or her?” you winked.

“Eh—“ Sehun hesitated and his eyes fell on someone behind you, following the person with his eyes for a moment. He then quickly took your cocktail and pushed it into your hand. “Nari, you shouldn’t have Chul wait for you. I’ll see you at school.”

You pouted, frowning. “Yah, are you trying to get rid of me?!”

“No, I'm really not but just go. I’m doing you a favor here.”

You were about to scoff and retort to him something ugly for daring to kick you out like that, when another figure appeared next to Sehun. “I have an urgent phone call. I’ll be back soon, Sehun.”

You stared at Byun Baekhyun with your mouth hanging slightly open. His hair was pushed from his forehead, leaving space to admire his handsome features and the wrinkle-free forehead. His jawline was sharp and you zoomed in on those lips and the way they showed his lower teeth whenever he opened his mouth. He was absolutely breath-taking and he kissed you last night in your dream. He arrested you, too.

Baekhyun finally looked at the person Sehun had been chatting with, intending to acknowledge their presence but maybe he shouldn’t have. Having Lee Nari staring at him that way still pulled on his insides.

It was exactly three seconds and you sensed Sehun nodding to himself awkwardly, obviously thinking well, I told you to leave, but he didn't have to speak indirectly no more. You dashed. You literally dashed along with your cocktail, not bothering about spilling it all over yourself in the process, not bothering to say bye to Sehun, let alone acknowledging Baekhyun's presence. You swore you wouldn't do it. So you didn't.

Your heart was wild and scarily loud as you hastily approached Chul and slid down into your chair, bringing breeze along with you. He locked his phone he’d been playing with while you were away but when he saw your disheveled state, he blurted: “Nari? What happened? Are you okay?”

You were staring at him, desperately trying not to look where Sehun and Baekhyun were.

“It’s fine.”

“Did someone try to do something?” He looked back over his shoulder and he directly spotted Sehun and he must have seen Baekhyun, too. They had their heads connected now, an intense talk going on. “Hey, that’s Oh Sehun with someone.”

“Yeah, I chatted with him for a moment. Anyway, I’m here now. Let’s continue the talk.”

Chul took a moment longer before he finally turned around and faced you. He caught you gulping down half of the cocktail and sighed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I am.” Your eyes wandered on their own accord and you caught eyes with Baekhyun as he was leaving the bar. He was carefully making his way through the crowd, his phone in his hands, most probably tending to that urgent phone call he mentioned. He must have still been a workaholic.

To your utter horror, he wasn’t a coward. You should have known better than to follow him with your stare, for Baekhyun kept his look on you, observing you expressionlessly until he couldn’t do so anymore and until he was out of the bar.

He would hunt you all the time.

And you, as mature and as confident you acted a year ago when you told him there might be a chance of you two starting over again, you realized you probably matured backwards during that time. Anger, hatred, passion - they were all burning up inside of you and all the unwanted memories came flooding back.

Biting down hard on your lip, you willed away the tears. Lee Nari was not someone who would cry just over anyone and she wouldn't get fooled twice.

It was just the realization that you would never be able to build your bridges up with him again that made you want to weep. Even though you wanted to, you found it almost impossible in that moment.

><><><><><

A/N: Whew. I had a little bit of a rough time with this one because it is so slow-paced and already a little complex (in my head). What did you think? I got you fooled there in the beginning heheh It was just a dream in case you are still not sure! Though you never know with Captain Bucheon, hm?

Please let me know your thoughts!! :) 

CuriousCat

// Scans of the new Valentia artbook have started appearing on the Internet. It looks like all the characters will be getting expanded biographies, so I translated Berkut’s. I have to amend some of my HCs, but this new info has given me some new ideas as well.

Below I have the translated blurb and then updated HCs:

Paladin Berkut

“A general of Rigel. His father, who died young, was Emperor Rudolf’s younger brother, making Berkut nephew to Rudolf. As a child, he was so timid that even riding a horse would make him cry, but his mother raised him strictly so that he would not be made fun of for not having a father, and so that he would become a great man worthy of becoming the next emperor. As a result, he developed his ideology that the nobility must take pride in one’s lineage and strength. His mother also passed away before Berkut reached adulthood, so Rinea has taken her place in his heart as his support.

Viewing Emperor Rudolf as a surrogate father figure, and his interest in devoting himself to the military, both come from his strong desire to be recognized as the next emperor. When he initiates the invasion of Zofia, he tries to [?] (probably weaken or stop but it’s too blurry to read) the Deliverance by taking the Zofian knight Fernand captive, but fails. He retreats to Rigel, then loses to Alm’s army again at the border, and is greatly wounded by criticism. He tries to restore his honor by participating in the battle at Rigel Castle, but Rudolf forbids it.”

Gold Knight Berkut

“Discovering that Alm is Emperor Rudolf’s true son, and that everything he has done and all of his ambitions are meaningless, he falls into despair. His heart twists and breaks, and he “offers” Rinea - the closest thing to his heart - to Duma. With power acquired from Duma, he challenges Alm again, but is defeated. Regretting his foolishness, he entrusts the future of Valentia to Alm and departs peacefully for a world alongside the spirit of his beloved Rinea.”

First of all, miss me with that Act 5. Even the background here breaks character (in my opinion), and so I’m still going to continue to ignore the idea that Berkut would ever forgive Alm that quickly.

HC change: Previously I had written that Berkut was related to Rudolf through his mother, but here is canon evidence that it’s actually his father. Very little changes with the rest of my HCs regarding his parents though, because I had decided a while back that his father was absent and he was raised by his strict mother.

HC change: Of all the things I was expecting, crybaby Berkut was not one of them. This definitely will influence some of his past memories, as he was clearly not as much of a spitfire as I had originally thought.

Despite this, Berkut’s confidence and pride isn’t an act. It may have started that way to hide his insecurities and fears, but he eventually internalized it and he’s definitely proud of how far he’s come. Rinea’s shyness comforts him though, because he understands it, and it influenced why he was so drawn to her when they met.

This new info heightens Berkut’s feelings of inferiority around Alm though. He sees Alm as being born naturally charismatic, confident, friendly, etc. whereas he himself had to work hard to develop those traits. And in the end, not even that mattered.

Post-game: Having been told all his life what kind of person he had to be, what sort of dreams he had to have, it’s eventually a relief (once the self-pity begins to fade) when he realizes that he finally - for the first time - has the freedom to do whatever he wants with his life. It’s terrifying as well though, and he’s aimless for months. But recognizing this freedom helps stave off the depression.

New HC: New situations and environments make him nervous. He likes to know what he has to do, what’s expected of him, etc. beforehand, and will fall back on his facade of arrogance - sometimes too much - until he feels comfortable. Rinea is probably the only person who has seen him be as neurotic and anxious as he is under the surface.

Updated HC: He suppresses his emotions not just to emulate Rudolf, but because he’s naturally very emotional. His canon tendency to fall quickly to tears when he’s upset is very much a trait he hates because it’s followed him since childhood.

New HC: He not only hates supernatural shit, he’s absolutely terrified of it. ModernAU!Berkut absolutely would not stand horror films or haunted houses, but you can bet he’d pretend he could handle them.

All Fullmetal Alchemist: Conquerors of Shambala Cut Scenes with Alfons/and or Noah(plus some extra Alphonse and Edward. Wrath too)(read more beneath cut)

When Ed asks if Heiderich thinks it's all made up, Heiderich says he believes Ed's from someplace else, but he can't believe in a world with alchemy actually working. Ed asks if he's heard of Paracelsus, whom Heiderich has. Ed muses that he existed in this world, too. A note on the script says Ed has realized that that's Hohenheim, but since expanding on Hohenheim's role in spreading alchemy would take up a lot of screen time it was all cut, including that line. 

Ed also asks Heiderich to try calling him "Nii-san" but Heiderich doesn't properly hear the request since Ed mumbles and then Heiderich breaks into a cough, which veers the scene back on track with the finished cut movie for a few more scenes. Hanussen (the guy who buys Noah) and Rudolf Steiner (famous metaphysical scientist of the era accused of being a Jew by Hitler and Eckart) meet. Steiner comments on Hanussen's aura. Noah's "sale" scene is rather different, with Steiner there seeing auras and futures and being mystical. There's a scene where Ed and Heid comment on Oberth's book being a best seller even during the inflation because everybody dreams of going into space (condensed in the movie itself to a brief mention of the space boom). They talk about how Ed planned to use a much bigger rocket and to finally go into space; he says "Aa... In the beginning, anyway.... (Mumbling) That was 'cause I... wanted to believe... it lead to a way back..." As Heiderich is called from the conversation to tend to the rocket some more, he mentions that this rocket will fly higher than Zeppelins. That's when Noah comes running through the crowd away from Steiner; she asks people in the crowd to hide her, who jeer at her and wonder who she's running from, if she paid the entrance fee, etc. She runs by and Ed and Heiderich see her. She's being bullied by the crowd.

(Direct scene translation) Alfons: Nii-san, it's the girl from before! We should help her! Ed: It's better not to get involved. Those guys look official, they're probably not doing anything wrong... Alfons: But Nii-san, she's crying! (Noah is being taken away as tears well up. She's hurt that nobody will come to help her. Ed can see that. But, Ed doesn't move.) Ed: ... (Alfons runs towards the stage) Ed: ... Stop it. Young man: Heiderich, what are you... Heiderich: Everyone, please look out~! (End direct translation) Then Heiderich launches the rocket and makes a big commotion sending the people scattering, grabs Noah's hand and away they go. Aikawa notes in the script that when the plan was still to have a love triangle between Ed, Heiderich and Noah, the leader of the rescue was going to be Al. In the final cut it ended up being Ed, but he wanted to give the feeling of Ed doing it more just because he got caught up in it, to emphasize the idea that he doesn't get himself too involved with people anymore. While Heid is running he breaks into a coughing fit again. Ed comes to the rescue and "For a moment his eyes meet Noah's. Each of them have a somehow hesitant expression." Alfons: Edward-san! Ed: It's been too long! There's the sound of him clapping his hands. And in an instant, his movement stops. Ed: .... but.... nothing's gonna happen with that! Ed breaks out running, pulling Alfons and Noah with him. They hide in a circus tent and Ed asks who they are. Heiderich says he recognizes Steiner from the news paper, they're magicians who they say used magic to make Germany lose the war. Then the subordinates break in and find them. Ed: Think more like a damned scientist, Alfons Heiderich! Magic? Like hell something like that exists, it's plain old autosuggestion! Badguy: We have obtained spiritual powers! Ed: In that case.... (Noah screams as he starts operating his automail arm) I'll show you my magic! Noah is originally just cleaning up around the house/room, with the film trying to establish that she's gotten used to living there when she hears Ed talk in his sleep ("Winry... Al is, like..."). This scene was changed to the one in the movie with a different feel since the love triangle was removed; Aikawa supposes that if they focused on a love triangle too much, then the Alchemical world's Al would kind of feel unnecessary to the story, so that aspect of the story was erased. There is a scene the next day that's altered/dropped, too: Ed: Take you with me all day? Alfons said that? Noah: Yes. He says he has a meeting with an important sponsor today, so he can't stay with me. Ed: Hnnnn, he's really taking a lot of interest in you... (Not that he meant anything too deep by that when he said it but... Ed is troubled.) Noah: You won't call him Al in front of me? (Ed stares at Noah.) Noah: Earlier, you had said 'Al' so... Ed: He's... not Al. Noah: Then Al is... Ed: My little brother. Hughes is a little "cuter" with Ed when meeting him, playing around more, being more halting and clearly hiding his own worry behind saying it'd be a problem for Gracia if Ed and Al got taken in by the Gypsy. When Ed suggests he go take care of Gracia himself, Hughes has a more played out stutter response. Noah apologizes for "deceiving" Ed, Ed says he doesn't think she's deceiving him. Ed: You saw that the first time we met, didn't you? What's in me... (Noah casts her eyes down) Ed: I'm not the type to believe in unscientific things like that but when I came to this world, I've been hit like 'bwaaa!' with one thing after another, with everything I've seen. It shows some of the things Ed's seen through the Gate and he does a voice over, probably not said aloud (and that's just what it says in the script notes): Ed: And besides that, there's... this world's magic that I've come to know. In that instant, I was being touched by everything in the world... That same feeling, when you touched me... During the scene where Noah says to call her a Gypsy or a Nomad or whatever he likes, a good line of Ed's that got cut is: Noah: We don't need a name. Ed: Is that why you ran? Noah: ? Ed: Even if it means being poor, even if it's hard, you just don't want to belong to anybody.

Then some more scenes happen more or less just like the movie.

Alfons: It seems like Edward-san doesn't have any interest in anything in this world. Noah: Because he comes from another world? Do you believe too? Alfons: ......I don't know. But he doesn't know how to get back to his world, he doesn't know what to do, and so finally he's lost the will to live... There are times when he looks like that. (Alfons is looking into his coffee.) Alfons: But he... he just wants to go anywhere that isn't here. Noah: Is that such a bad thing? Alfons: But in reality he's living here. That person's home might only exist inside of his own head. Noah: Isn't that fine, too? (Alfons tries to take Noah's arm) Noah: (Gasping) Don't touch me! (An image of Alfons's brain activity floats across Noah's mind. But, Alfons misunderstands.) Alfons: S... Sorry... (Releasing her hand, he stands up.) Noah: Alfons Alfons: I have, work to do... important work. (Alfons escapes and holes up in his own room. Noah, without a word... worries about Ed.) 

Life is the same as always at the meat shop. Sig is selling meat in the storefront.

Izumi’s voice: It was about two months ago… Izumi is laid up in bed.

Winry has come. It feels like she’s become hardier having returned from her training. Her outfit has also changed, wearing an automail technician’s toolbelt and such. Winry is looking worried, talking with Izumi.

Izumi: (With a coughing fit) I eventually become unable to move… I told Al to go. There wasn’t anything else I could teach him. Winry: Is… that so…. Izumi: He… had a terrible talent for absorbing alchemy… now he might even surpass Ed. Winry nods. Winry: But… he still hasn’t given up on Ed, has he. Izumi: He believes. …That Ed is alive, somwhere…At first I thought maybe he just didn’t really understand how he’d disappeared, but… That’s not it. It seems he… feels… something. Winry: …

Izumi has a coughing fit. Izumi: It seems he’s seeing, in dreams…. Dreams of Ed… Himself, in the body of a sickly 17 year old boy, living with Ed. There’s a rocket or something like that that they’re… working on… Winry: Izumi-san, that’s enough, please rest… Suddenly Izumi’s eyes flare open and she stands. Winry: Izumi-san? Izumi staggers outside. Izumi comes out of the back door looking ready to collapse. Winry and Sig follow her. Sig: What are you doing? Winry: If you don’t sleep…! Izumi brushes them off. Izumi… desperately walks forward. Izumi: So you’ve… come…. Looking ahead along Izumi’s line of sight, Winry gasps. Winry: …. There is Wrath. He stands, with rusted and broken down automail. Izumi: …Son… Izumi reaches her hand towards Wrath and… like that, collapses. With a start, Wrath starts to flee. Winry: Wrath. Wrath jerks to a stop Winry: You can’t go… Isn’t she your mom, after all… Wrath: Homunculi don’t have mothers… We’re… fake lives made with alchemy… Wrath, with a look of suffering, approaches Izumi. Izumi takes hold of Wrath. Izumi: Then… I’ll give you… a real life… Wrath: … Suddenly, Izumi hugs Wrath tightly. Like that she dies. Winry: Izumi…-san? Izumi-san?! Izumi has taken her last breath, holding onto Wrath with a smile. Sig’s tears overflow… without a word. Wrath is spaced out. Winry bursts out sobbing. (End direct scene translation.)

Then the armors start going back into the gate, back to the final cut script. Gracia is pretty different in the original cut: they originally wanted to emphasize that, face aside, Shamballa Gracia is a completely different character, it says in a footnote regarding why she talks about war happily. Gracia: We haven't seen much of Edward-kun lately, have we? Noah: Yes. He said that he was just going out, but then he's always... Gracia: But Alfons-kun is kind, so you're doing all right, right? Noah looks at Gracia, surprised. Gracia: But I guess it's no good if someone's just kind, is it? Noah turns her face away and stirs the cooking. Gracia: How long do you plan to stay here? Noah: Eh?? Gracia: It'd be best not to be in Munich. Noah: Why is that? Gracia: (Sounding happy) Because, a war might be starting. Noah: War? Alfons returns home and Gracia serves them stew then leaves them be, cue the scene where Hughes get the door shut in his face, as in the final cut. When Alfons and Noah are talking about war, Alfons says he just wants to make rockets and adds on "Unlike Ed, I'm realistic." (scene translation pickup) There's something that could be considered cold about those words. Noah:... Ed... He couldn't possibly have returned to his own world, could he. Alfons looks surprised. He forces himself to smile. Alfons: Noah fully believes him, then. As for me... I half believe him, half doubt him, still. Noah: .... But, there no people who can lie with those eyes! Alfons turns from that gaze. Alfons: That person... has never gotten a proper job and won't get too deeply involved with anybody but myself. I'm sure it's because he plans to return to his world some day... Because he's thinking this is a dream.... (Alfons starts to seem annoyed.) Even if you say to him that Germany's going to beat France and even England... All he ever says is that. "War is meaningless. No matter how many times it happens, Germany will lose" ... he says. According to that perosn, this world is all somebody else's problem. Noah becomes uneasy wondering if Alfons doesn't hate Edward. (End scene) When Ed is snooping around before the Gate opens and he meets Al again, he first runs into Alfons and co., but trips off an alarm. A soldier comes along while Ed hides and Alfons passes it off as a stray bird tripping the alarm. The soldier tells them to take care and heads off; Alfons idly wonders about the heightened security and if something is happening. The soldiers smirk at each other. Al's friend: It's been a while, Edward-san. Ed: Aa. So this.... is your guys's rocket workshop, huh. Alfons: Yes. Al's friend: It's incredible! There are plans for the father of rocketry, Oberth, to come here soon! Ed: .... This's Haushofer's villa, isn't it? An occultist's taking interest in your guys's rocket research? Ed, making use of the model rocket as a footing, skillfully climbs up. Alfons: Shamballa... have you heard of it? Ed: Only just recently. Alfons: (As if reciting from memory) It is a kingdom more expansive than any that's been above ground. Protected by the surrounding snowy mountains, it is an utopia without war, without sickness, without suffering and without sadness. The inhabitants' perfect knowledge assures their peace, and their mysterious power enables their military. In the final war, they will user in the golden age... Ed: What a fairy tale, huh. On top of that, I heard this group believes in a northern island called Thule. Alfons: It's the same thing. Haushofer-san and the others are seeking an utopia somewhere other than here. It's possible that that's at the brink of outer space. Ed, while listening, climbs on the rocket near the ceiling. Ed: What are they looking for that for? Alfons: ...There are legends all over the world of an utopia hiding an amazing power.... with that power... They want to give peace to the world... so it's been heard. Ed: Do you believe that? Alfons says nothing. The smiles on Al's friends faces speak for them. Then Al tells him the guard is coming again and they need to get to work, and Ed slips off to get back into the movie plot. The information exchanged and gotten from the scene with Eckart and the others is about the same, but it flows a little more slowly but smoothly in the original cut. Eckart feels more fleshed out somehow to me. (When Hess is aiming the gun at Ed) Haus: But, he can open the Gate once it's been closed. We are in need of his knowledge. Hess, nevertheless, keeps his gun aimed. Eckart: Indeed... Edward-san, you are... interested in the other side of the Gate, are you not? Ed: What are you talking about? Eckart: The two of you, you and your father, do come from there, do you not? Ed: ....Aa. Eckart: Don't you wish to return? Ed: .... Hess: Answer her! Ed: ... You guys... don't know anything. Hess: How futile. Hess shoots, and we're back in line with the movie script. It's the same, other than Alfons and his friends hearing the gun shots and Alfons seeing Ed and the armor fleeing, hearing Ed call it "Al" and him pondering about it briefly. Originally during Ed and Al's talk, there was also a cut of Al's body back in the Rockbell house reacting to a part of his soul being elsewhere, complete with a transmutation circle on his neck as proof of his soul's binding? I wonder how that all works when he's doing it while awake like he did in Liore a few scenes ago... Anyway, Aikawa thought it was a bit strange, so it was cut. But Winry originally walked in on it, so this scene takes place with Al in the bed, unconscious but talking. Winry pops her head into the room and: Winry: Tahdah! I'm home, Al! What's this, why'd you come back, I was looking all over for you... Winry spreads out souvenirs gathered from all over. But, Al, like someone engrossed in a long phone conversation, continues to lightly cough. Al: But, why did you come to a place like this? Winry: Al....? Winry is coming downstairs, her face not shown. Winry: If Sciezka-san were here, she'd say: "Al-san is is talking to alieeeeeeens!" about now. Pinako is feeding Wrath, who Winry brought home. There's a quick scene were Wrath comments that he smells like the Gate. Winry knows what the Gate is and that Homunculi are born from it, as she explains it to Pinako. The script says she can't quite say it all, but doesn't really say where she cuts herself off. Noah also eavesdrops on the conversation as Ed and Al talk, now at Ed's home. Ed:: They're armored soldiers, they were lost over there. If your soul rode back on one of them that means... They've really obtained a way to open the Gate. Al: That's great, Nii-san... Then, Nii-san can come back here! Noah is listening. Ed: A... Aa. Al: I always believed! That Nii-san was alive somewhere, that you'd definitely come back... Ed: Al... But, I.... Al: How do you think we can open the Gate? Ed: They used Envy... They used a Homunculus's body. Since they're something that's originally pulled from inside the Gate, they might be able to open it. Al: ... A Homunculus, huh... Ed: But, I Something makes a noise and they notice. Noah is standing there. Ed: Noah? Noah: Ah, uhm, should I buy dinner for your little brother? Ed: It's fine, it's late. Besides, he can't eat. Noah: I'm going! Noah leaves as if escaping. Al: She's cute. Winry would be mad, I bet. Ed: What are you talking about? Al: ... Because... I'm... now I'm years apart from Winry, already.... Ed: .... Al... And, Noah cries out. Ed is surprised. He's going. Al follows. Al: Ah, Nii-san, wait. There's still something important to... (not a direct translation of the action, but they go outside to see Shutner's followers trying to take Noah) Ed: You guys are... Noah: Ed! Ed: Che, so you finally found her. In that case I'll make it so you can't ever come back again! Ed fights them and uses his metal hand to bend their blades. Ed: Al, you can tell by looking right, these guys are bad guys! Al: Mou! Don't talk to me like a child! I'm twelve years old! Ed looks with a start. Ed: (With a pained smile) Is that right, twelve huh. Then let's do it. Al: But, Nii-san (cutting some action description, some of the enemies are afraid of a talking Al and shout that he's a devil, an armored devil.) Al: I am NOT a devil! And, Ed, who is covering for Noah, is surrounded by the followers. Al: Nii-san! Al approaches to save them. Ed: (Happily) Al! But in his approaching pose, he freezes to a stop. With jerking movements, he moves slowly. Ed: ... Al.... what's wrong? Al's voice, like a radio with bad reception fading out, cuts away. Al: Nii-san, I tried to tell you this before but... The technique to attach my soul... It doesn't last very long... It looks like I'm out of time... Ed: Al... Al... You're going back? Al: But... I know... how to bring Nii-san back... I'll open... the Gate from here, too.... Ed: ...Al! Al's armor has completely stopped moving and the light is gone from his eyes. Noah: ... Ed... (short description again, Ed goes into a fit and wails on the guys surrounding them until Gracia comes out.) Gracia: Ed-kun, what are you doing! Looking at the scene, the followers are all defeated, but Ed continues to hit one of them. Gracia: What's wrong, Ed-kun, Ed-kun, please! Gracia embraces Ed. Ed, at last stops, with a breath. With a clang, Al's armor falls to the ground. Slowly, a humongous smile breaks out over Al's lips. Suddenly he bursts out laughing. Surprised and watching are Winry and the others. Winry: Al! Al: Winry... It's Nii-san, I've found Nii-san! Winry: Ed?! Without thinking, Winry becomes happy. But, Wrath looks on, uneasily. Al takes Den's paw and starts to dance. (Next scene summary: Al is taking notes while talking to Winry) Winry: Wh, why are you asking something like that all of a sudden....? Al: I want to know, anything. Anything about me and Nii-san. Nobody is telling it to me clearly, are they? Al looks at Winry. Al: Me and Nii-san... We tried to revive mom and performed human transmutation... But, that failed and Nii-san lost his limbs... and I lost everything. Winry nods. Al: But, Nii-san attached my soul to some nearby armor. And... What happened after that? We went on a journey... and then... Winry: Al. It's just like I told you before. Your body returned... and Ed... disappeared. Al: Where at? Winry: In Central... Underground, they said.... Please, stop, already. Winry, unable to bear it, leaves. Al crumples up and throws away his remaining notes. Al: Underground in Central...? But, the Gate opened in Liore. Liore and Central... Earthquakes... What is... Wrath: Liore... That's where Scar died, isn't it. Al looks to him with a start. Al: Scar? Wrath: Aa... you don't remember that either? You were on the brink of death, so he transmuted you into the Philosopher's Stone.... They said he saved your life. Al takes hold of him. Al: You are... What do you know? Wrath: Let go. Al: You... What are you? Nobody would tell me about you properly! What on earth are... Wrath: ...I saw it... All of it.... Like the end of a play, the scene of the final battle. Wrath can only watch. Wrath: You brought Edward back to life... And after that Edward... transmuted you and disappeared. Al looks at him. Al: ... (Enduring his racing heart and at last) .... Then you... know where that place is, don't you? Wrath: ...You wanna go? To where you were transmuted. Al nods. (Scriptwriter's note: I wanted to use this scene to show how much of Al's memory was lost and how much he had heard from people, but for people for whom the movie was their first exposure to Hagane, it might be an awful lot. And if Wrath talks this much, it might make Wrath's last scene difficult, so it was erased.) Ed goes to Shutner's where he comments on Ed's aura while Gracia hides Noah and questions if the armor had spoke earlier. Hughes comes during this scene and Gracia comments on how horrible it was that she was attacked. Hughes awkwardly agrees while saying she just needs to come down to the station to talk about what happened. She uncomfortably goes with him, and Gracia calls after him to protect her. Hughes says nothing. Shutner talks to Ed about a mysterious power that exists deep inside and insists it's a different internal power his society is after. Ed snarks: "In other words, you all've got no interest in reality." (The script writer ads, though, that Ed's look of vague interest despite himself is because if it were real, it would imply alchemy could be done in the 'real' world.) Shutner says they're different from the Thule Society, but Ed says they attacked Noah; Shutner says they were trying to protect her, it's the Thule society that wants to take her to get the power from Shamballa to conqueror the world. He who conquers Shamballa conquers the world, it's said; Ed realizes, in shock, that Eckart wants to conquer that world. It's discovered that Eckart got ahold of the bomb when Envy came through and, through analyzing it, determined that the land beyond was Shamballa with science and culture different and more advanced than their own. Ed gets pissed, denting the desk and demanding to know how they got that far in opening the pathway and analyzing that bomb int he first place. The answer is Hohenheim. Ed decides that he can't let them open the Gate again no matter what. The script writer points out that at this point int he prototype, Ed doesn't know if his enemy is Shutner or the Thule society, but much of Shunter's role was hefted off onto Fritz Lang in the final cut. Cue a scene of Ed walking through the streets at night: Ed walks. He's worn to his limits, with that face. That is the expression, the emotion, of having lost all hope.

"Alfons's sickness is lung cancer. He got it because he breathed in damaging gasses every day." (if anyone needs to cite this, it's footnote 1 on page 105 of the Shamballa Scenario Book. )

Alfons tells Ed he has no right to say anything about him wanting to leave proof he lived. "In truth, more important than Germany, more important than Ed's world, the rocket is, more than anything to Alfons, simply proof that he had lived. He wants to impress upon Ed that he really lives here, even while Ed himself lives here as if he's in a dream." There's a comment that the scene where Noah comes into Ed's room and presses their foreheads together would probably make fans wail. They had her fully dressed, but they did consider having her come in in a nightgown too.

While Al is still a child and has straight forward thoughts like "if Nii-san is on the other side of the Gate, it just needs to be opened again" without any thoughts of what it might entail or how dangerous it would be, Aikawa didn't want the reunion to be too happy, and he wanted to show that there was the problem of whether it was right to open the Gate again or not. The scene when Ed mentions he may be able to go back to Alfons. "Ed couldn't be sure if Al was really still alive, so he stayed with Alfons as a source of trifling reassurance he needed to get by. But at this point he's met with Al in the armor and has confirmed that he's alive. so at this point Alfons's own existence has become a moot point for Ed. In this scene, Alfons gets a sense of this. In short, Alfons has quickly and already just become something unnecessary for Ed at this point." At this point Ed is only thinking about going home and also hasn't realized what it may entail yet. 

(When Alfons tells Ed he wants him to go.) "Alfons doesn't have anything else on his mind other than that he finished his rocket and the sentiment that he can send Ed home. He's telling Ed to look at reality. After all, he hates seeing Ed so listless and idle. Ed keeps saying 'I might be able to return home, if I can just find out how' and Alfons is, after all, able to show him that how." Alfons tells Ed not to forget him. "Because Ed and Alfons have a special relationship, this line doesn't mean to remember that he existed. It's a message to those who can't affirm the world they live in, that Alfons wants--- that those who feel how short their lives are want to convey. No matter where we are, the place we're born into or the place we make a living is ours. For someone to refuse to even recognize that place of his is very irritating to Alfons." As Noah screams for Ed, being left behind in a world with no place for her and doomed to be shuffled out yet again, Ed's feelings are completely different. As he goes back to the world he was born into, a part of him wonders how he should face it again.

For the scene where Alfons proudly says they'll show that Germany isn't defeated (which was a line not in the Prototype) he brings orders to get the rocket flying by the 11th. His friends argue it's impossible but he insists it has to be done. In the final cut he's inspired and his friends seem to silently agree and want to also try to meet that deadline. In the Prototype Noah gives Ed a pat on the head when Ed's finished saying it's fine if he can't go home because it will bring war, as he at least knows Al is alive. In the final cut, Alfons comes in instead. In the Prototype, there's a little scene of Alfons coming in which sets up some subtle differences relating to the original love triangle plot: Alfons returns looking exhausted. He's coughing. There's blood. He wipes it away and goes on up. Alfons enters. He notices a headless armor. Alfons: This is... Edward-san? You made it back? Saying such, he turns towards Ed's bedroom. Opening the door, Alfons gasps. Within the darkness, Noah is draped over Ed. (Ed is asleep and Noah is pressing her forehead to his to read his memory, but Alfons doesn't know that.) Noah notices Alfons. Looking at Alfons, she gives a sad smile. Al breaks into an unintentional coughing fit. Ed wakes with a start. Al turns away. Alfons pulls on his coat and heads down. Ed follows, sleepily. Ed: Alfons, where're you going? Alfons: Work is extremely busy. I will be staying at the workshop from tonight onward. (Translator's Note: Alfons is speaking in keigo/desumasu form, which is unusually polite for him with Ed and Noah, and thus cold.) Alfons intends to leave with that but Ed stands in front of him. Ed: Alfons, stop that job. Alfons: We are going to be launching the rocket, you realize? Ed: Those guys... They're planning a war. With my original world. That rocket's a part of that. Alfons gives him a sidelong glance. His eyes meet with Noah's, who has come downstairs. Ed: .... Don't get the wrong idea about Noah. You of all people oughtta know. This world... isn't real to me. So... like hell I'd be doing anything with some girl. Those are words Alfons decidedly does not want to hear. He breaks out into a vicious cough. Blood comes from his mouth and nose. The scene goes just like the movie from here, besides Noah adding that since the door won't open that Ed should just let Alfons do what he wants, and Ed lets him go.

Al and Wrath walk in the underground waterway. Wrath: (referring to the prior scene (TN: Where the guards are blocking off the church entrance and the elevator is nailed up.) ) All of the ways to this city have been blocked off, so that nobody else tries to go after the Philosopher's Stone.... They're trying to wipe out all memory of it. But there were other ways in we used. Al: Why did you bring me here? Wrath: You plan to bring Ed back, don't you? Al: What are you doing to do when Nii-san returns? Wrath: .... Al: .... Well, whatever. Either way, the likes of you wouldn't be able to lay a hand on him. Al and Wrath come down to the city. It seems even more wrecked than the aforementioned area. Al takes in that sight. Wrath: You remember anything? You and Ed died here, and then... Al stops him. He's looking at the old city. The old town seems entirely in ruins due to the earthquake but, it's spread out circularly. The entirety of the fissures would call to mind a transmutation circle. Al: It's the same as Liore. Al runs down and checks the condition of the fresh cracks. Wrath: These... When did this happen? Al: In that quake. Wrath: ....? Al: The epicenter wasn't Central. The biggest effect was definitely here. Al seems as if he expected it to be like this. Al: There's one point this underground former city and Liore have in common. No matter how you think about it, the obvious connection is that they were places large scale human transmutation took place.... That's what it comes down to... That's why, going through the Gate here or in Liore would be.... in essence, the closest point to that side. Al hurries into the building. (In the Opera House) It's in ruins. Al comes inside. Al: The way through from there... If we open it through here, too... If we do that, Nii-san will definitely be able to come through. Wrath follows in after him. Wrath: You... don't tell me, you're planning on human transmutation? Al: .... No. Al claps his hands. He creates an outline of the same array as was at Eckart's location. Behind them is a crumbling noise. Wrath notices it. Next scene follows directly after, cut from the final cut: Munich, Gracia's shop. Ed comes out with Noah following. Ed's expression is pathetic and forlorn as if he's lost everything. The people around have unabashed smiled. He just walks. Noah seems to be suffering just seeing Ed like that. Noah: ... Al, hasn't come back has he? Ed: He's wasting his time and effort. Not like the Gate's gonna open. Noah: Ed... What will you do? Ed: .... Who knows. ... Guess I'll eat. Ed picks up his pace. Noah follows. Noah is surprised. Something is strange about the atmosphere in town. The stare from the surrounding men is strong. They are sitting around as if waiting for something. Many men are wearing a certain button on their jackets. There are men brandishing guns. There are many such figures all about town. Back to the movie cut for a while. Essentially the same Beer Hall scene other than Ed snapping that Noah should know who the people she's going with are and that they're planning a war. Hughes explains that Noah agreed to work with them. The big difference is that instead of Lang's car showing up to to whisk Ed away, the bar crowd takes Ed prisoner as he resists. There's a note that for the final cut they decided to have Lang show up because, in the way they did etch it out, it kept things moving quickly, both to save time and to keep up the pace as the movie was now approaching its climax. The related scenes will follow, but keeping to chronological order.. Only difference in the scene where Hess brings Noah and Alfons sees her is Al asks why Ed isn't with her. Hess smiles. A few shuffling of lines with Eckart, Haushoffer and Noah, mostly with them prompting her for information rather than her just dumping it all at once (no magic words, etc.). There's a scene where Falman is guarding and refusing to allow Winry into the former Fuhrer's quarters. Sciezka insists there was a passage to the underground city, there. Havoc walks by and recognizes Winry-chan, then there's the crumbling noise. In the distraction that causes, Winry and Sciezka rush past to get to the underground passage. Obviously, the scene where Winry and Sciezka are sneaking about in tunnels to get to the Fuhrer's area isn't in the prototype. A few cut lines of Al lamenting that there's something missing so he can't open the Gate to get to Nii-san. Hess's speech about the Beer Hall was originally Eckart's. No significant changes, other than Eckart insisting soon the Fuhrer would see and believe in their power. Prisoner's room. Ed is locked in. He bangs on the door. Ed: What're you doing?! What are you planning with Noah?! Alfons comes in the door. Ed: .... Alfons. Alfons: Edward-san Ed: Your rocket... you finished it? Al coughs, his coughing becoming his answer. Ed looks at him painfully. Ed: Alfons, Noah's been captured. Alfons: It looks like Noah... accessed your memories and knowledge. Ed !s (TN: Yes. That's how it's written.) Ed: That's it... Alchemy... Alfons: No matter how much you try to look like you're not involved on the surface, the reality is that that Gate is going to open. And it'll be your fault. Ed: What are you... trying to say... And with that armored soldiers enter. Alfons: !? The Serpent's Hall Armored soldiers escort Ed in. Eckart, Hess, Haushoffer, and of course Noa are there. Ed is looking pointedly only at Noah. Ed: Even I don't have a fucking clue how to get to the other side. Hess: What's that? Ed: Envy's a Homunculus, something that's born and lives in there, so there might be some kinda connection, but... You know I'm not lying. Since you've seen into my memory. The last part of the line is said to Noah. Noah gives a small nod. Haushoffer: But you have once opened the door which was once shut. Ed: .... Eckart calmly points a gun at Noah. She gives a chipper smile. Ed: ... Let me look. Ed is released by the soldiers and approaches Envy. He looks at the part Envy's head is covering. Noah, unable to endure it, calls out to Ed. Noah: Just beyond there is your world, isn't it? Ed: ... Who knows. Noah: I just wanted to see it. No, I wanted to go! After all, that's all that we have! It's a place where we can live in peace! Ed: ... You wanted a country? I thought it was your guys's pride that no matter what country you go to, your journey goes on. Noah: I wanted... to dream. Ed: My world... isn't a dream. In saying such, Ed realizes he doesn't have the qualifications to say that. During the conversation he's checking on Envy's condition. The Wrath vs. Gluttony fight goes identically other than a slight change in Wrath's final line. Final cut: You're planning to exchange yourself to save your brother... I don't want to see that, not again. Prototype: I don't wanna see it again... You two brothers, erasing yourselves for each other's sakes... You can't keep doing that! When Ed points the gun when the Gate begins to open, Alfons comes in in time to notice Ed screaming "Old man!" Hohenheim's speech about Envy is a little different in the Prototype. There's a writer's note that says while they changed it, the sentiment or thought didn't change, but as he is being chewed on by Envy him talking too long is a bit hard to pull off and with the movie at the climax they want to keep the pace up. Hohenheim: Envy here is... also my son. Ed: ...He's a Homunculus. Hohenheim: Without so much as a single display of affection for him in his life, I abandoned him... So, if it's what he desires then... I want to be killed by him. Rather than Haushoffer saying he doesn't think it's Shamballa on the other side and being shot by Eckart after she tells Hess to go relay that it's been confirmed, Haushoffer questions she herself really being the one to go 'confirm' it, she asks: "Is there any other who will conquer Shamballa?" Alfons's final scene is a little different and there's a note appended to it about his development as a character by the staff and writer: Ed: Wait, I never said anything about going to that side. Alfons: I want you to go. Ed: ... Alfons.... So, I'm in the way? Alfons shakes his head and breaks into a cough. Alfons: I... we... aren't parts of your dream. Ed: .... Alfons: I am... definitely... here... Even as my life fades out, I'm not a dream. Ed: Al... I.... Alfons: Don't... Don't just write us off as a dream!* Alfons decisively pulls down the hatch. He operates the machine. *Without Alfons's "Don't just write us off as a dream!" line the final copy has a rather different feel, I think. But, Al's sentiment and the essential point doesn't chage. It's just that when writing the Prototype, there was an established love triangle between Noah, Ed and Alfons as well, so when that was removed in the final draft the line also had to be changed. Alfons was written in the prototype with the possibility of Kugimiya Rie-san acting the role, which is to say as an extension of the TV series's Al's character. So at that time there wasn't a clear grasp on Alfons's own unique character, he was unclear. In the final script, Alfons was shifted to the role of a 17 year old who was able to live on his own. In other words, he needed to be drawn as ana dult character. Thus, points that made him too much like the TV series Al were adjusted.

Only change until the end of part C is that when Alfons is shot, he says a line: "I... we.... are, here." before dying.

In the original cut where they're flashing people responding to the Earthquake (Gracia, the Armstrong family, etc.), there are State Alchemists from the committee trying to fix tings quickly with alchemy, but it's not going well. When Ed's going through the Gate, the black things clawing at him do get his automail hand. The scene after Al says he just wanted to open the Gate changes quite a bit, so I'll just script it out here.. Al: I... I only... I only wanted to open the Gate! Winry: Gate? Sciezka: Uhm, maybe if we go investigate where that crash was, we'll find out something! * * * Ed and his rocket have fallen near the crumbled opera house. Al, Winry and Sciezka enter. But, the rocket is unmanned. Winry: Al, what's this 'Gate'?" What does it have to do with Ed? Al: O-over there... Al points into the Opera House. * * * Al and co. enter the ruins of the Opera House. In mid-air floats a gate that calls Envy to mind. That Gate somehow seems to have features reminiscent of Wrath and Gluttony. Looking up at the gate, a human figure standsat Gate. Looking on... Al and Winry are speechless. Sciezka: ... Eh? That human figure approaches, and it's Ed. Ed: This Gate... Did you make it, Al? Al: ... Nii-san... Winry: Ed! Winry rushes over without a thought. Winry: Ed! It's really Ed?! Al is motionless, seeming lonely as he sees her like that. Winry manhandles Ed. Winry: Why are you here, where have you been, what the heck have you been doing, hey, have you grown, what are you wearing? Uwa, that's TERRIBLE automail! Just who made that for you? C'mon, answer me! Ne, ne, ne...* Ed: Give me an opening to answer and I.... Ed says and... is surprised. Winry, who appeared to be smiling while manhandling him is... crying. Ed: ... Winry... Without thinking, he pats her on the head. Al: Nii-san, welcome home. Ed: Yeah. Al: That thing earlier.. what... was it? Ed: A weapon from that world. Al: ! Ed: They came to attack this world. To use its power over there. Al: I.. I did that.... * Sciezka: Al-kun? Al... suddenly runs off. Feeling responsible, he can't stand to be there. Soon he is completely gone. Ed: ... Al! *Al was feeling overwhelmed by the realization of the meaning of opening the Gate. In the final cut, we made Ed the reason that Al was able to realize that as we felt he reacted too sharply for something he was able to realize on his own. Then we're back onto the final cut script for a bit, until Armstrong topples the Armor. As a former part of the former State Alchemist committee, there are other State Alchemists around on scene: Armstrong comes running onto the scene, but as soon as an escape route is made, the alchemists all flee. Armstrong: (Shocked) Wh, what is this? Art thou not former State Alchemists? Where are you going? Hawkeye: It is no use. Even if they are a part of the military, they are functionally scholars. They can't do something like this. Falman: What on earth are they? Armstrong: This armor resemble that which appeared in Liore, but... Then back to the armor who almost attack them, with Roy's interruption. No changes, other than instead of Roy asking for something to handle higher up enemies, Armstrong says he will take the former State Alchemists to find something that they can make or use before heading off, leaving it to finish with Hawkeye the same way as in the final cut. Though this little sub-scene afterwards was cut: Combustible materials rain down from the sky. At those falling materials... Mustang snaps his fingers. The flames Mustang unleashes erupt in midair. Hawkeye provides cover for Mustang from behind. Mustang: Whatever the enemy may be... it doesn't matter at all... I will move forward... Hawkeye, happy. No real changes besides one of Ed's lines ("Yeah. It's your fault." just before the rest of his 'it's all our fault' monologue), one cut/shortened Al line (Al says he was going to transmute the Gate out of himself, "but Wrath..." and generally explaining to Ed what the audience knows about that) and two of Roy's lines changed when he meets them. Instead of saying "This is why I came," he says "You two, hurry and bring this to an end!." Instead of Eckart's speech about fearing the other world, we get a pretty different take. I wonder if people would prefer the purely evil bitch or the evil Noah variant bitch? Transmutation arrays form one after the other in the air. Eckart: Kh! What? Why has my magic been stopped... And there are footsteps. Ed arrives. Eckart: .... What a splendid world, is it not? Ed: That right? There's no real difference. People live, cry, laugh... and die. Eckart stiffens her posture and... suddenly, a battle array forms in the air. As she does, one of the armor surrounding Eckart change and move to attack Ed. Ed uses his right hand into a shield to block those attacks. Ed: I've got one question. Why are you suddenly attacking this so-called "splendid world"? Eckart: ... Ed: Weren't you going to bring this world's alchemy to your side to support the Nazis? For war over there. The two are mutually fighting each other with the armor. Eckart has the advantage. Eckart: I will destroy this world... and own it. Ed: For what... Eckart: The conqueror of Shamballa is the conqueror of the world. Ed: Really... You believe that? Eckart: I... have been searching for it all my life. My Arcadia. A world I rule, the world of the power of God! Ed: So you're the same. Ed brushes Eckart aside. Ed: No place is an Arcadia or a dream world! As long as you live there, it's all real! Ed rushes forward. Ed: As long as there are people there! Ed viciously attacks Eckart. Eckart escapes. Eckart goes towards the interior Gate. There stand a row of armored soldiers. Eckart: People love war. They don't even need a reason. From there the script goes the same as the final cut, Ed smirking, Al's armors surrounding her, etc. Ed clarifies a little more on why he has to go back (because the Gate has to be closed on that side), cut for time. Interestingly, Winry's line about Ed not letting her wait anymore isn't in the Prototype. When Al pops out of the armor, there's a cut line by Ed: "I-idiot! Hurry, go back!" Al says "It's no use," then goes into his line about the Colonel destroying the Gate from that side. Lang's scene about going on making movies doesn't exist in the prototype. In the final cut the scene with Ed and Al has some extended lines (Al doesn't ask about the war, Ed brings it up on his own; Ed doesn't mention the bomb.) After the shot of the photo of Ed and Al, this is the original ending scripted: As she helps her child take teetering steps, Roze whispers. Roze: Stand and walk... Move forward... The wagon rides on. Ed and Al ride in it. We were incredibly unsure how to end it. In the prototype, it ends with Roze's line. But, it's abrupt, isn't it? With that said, there was something off about ending it on Ed's line too... In the end, like many things, I left some elements there for the director to decide on for me. In two ending notes, Aikawa says, in summary (1) that this time the story he told with FMA had a main theme of the relationship people have with the world. We should take responsibility for the world we live in. People can't just reach one conclusion, confirm it fits and make as if that's the end of it,. They'll keep making mistakes. There's no human being who can always do the right thing. That goes for anime characters as well. He wished to include that obvious human trait in the characters. Special note 2: "Watching a movie talks about an hour to two hours out of a person's life. But if that's all the time it takes from a person's time, I personally believe there is little point. With that in mind, this time I thought in writing Fullmetal this time I'd like to make it a movie-like movie. When you finish viewing a movie, it shouldn't end with the viewers who return to reality going "Aah, that was fun!" There is no meaning to that, I think. From there on what kind of color does it leave on their world, I want to make it like a book that leaves something with you. I hope you will take this movie it an opportunity, to take interest in the various things the world has to offer..."

When Ed asks Al if he opened the gate, he's not particularly accusing him. After all, it wouldn't have really been a problem if not for Eckartand co. on the other side. With no ill intent, he had just wanted to open the Gate and did so, but the end result could be called sin. It makes ita question of whether the one who committed the act is responsible or whether they're not responsible. And it becomes a story of whetherone accepts it as their responsibility or not, beyond whether it actually is or not. That was a key point within the series, and it's also centralagain here. Winry actually only brought the automail with her this time because she had a feeling that Al's actions were going to be related to bringingEd back to Central, though she let that be believed without contesting Sciezka's statement, to which the prior and this note were appended."It's not as if she normally goes carrying it around everywhere. But it is at least true she made it in case the day ever came when he returned.She might not have been as sure as Al was that he would return, but it does show she believed in her heart that Ed was still alivesomewhere." In the final WRITTEN script (and the prototype), after Armstrong runs off, Roy asks Hawkeye if she's coming with him. She replies: "A foolishquestion." Regarding the "foolish question: exchange: "We had to revise this exchange between Roy and Hawkeye so many times. They'requite stiff and distant, but it should still warrant a smile. It's that kind of line." The final cut came out to the "We have been waiting." line asseen in the movie. Originally Roy came onto the scene with a cane (mentioned in the prototype script's graveyard scene, also seen at the end of the series).There's also a note about it, though it was entirely cut from the final cut: Roy's injuries, besides his eye being gouged, weren't utterly crippling, but he was in fact completely pierced, so it was thought he wouldindeed need to show some prognostic symptoms. They decided to show him using a cane rather than crutches, and the writer felt that thecane becoming a permanent fixture in his attire wouldn't be unusual at all. But it would get in the way of finger snapping, he was told. So inthe end his cane was cut entirely because it would confuse people or be otherwise unnecessary. Ed deciding to abandon the Alchemical world and telling Al to make sure the gate shuts so it can never be opened again is to show acontrast between he and Eckart. While she can't accept other ways of living or even other living things, Ed can't deny that any world he's livingin is 'his' world anymore. The contrast and the meaning of defeating her was key. "It's difficult to say say whether Ed's decision was necessarily all that hard on Winry or... She, in her own way, has passed these two years byby training and completing Ed's new automail. In being able to give that to him she has moved on from him, I think. I wanted her to developan identity beyond her brothers, so I tried to develop it thusly. " Hughes taking the action he does against the mosnter Eckart "has countless meanings but, of course one of them has to be 'for Noah'ssake'. His final act brings out his humanity and a return to being able to feel his human emotions again for the audience. At least as far asemotions are involved, this is the 'correct' choice, and this character has returned to the point where he can do the right thing. "This time Ed and Al's ending is living on together in the real world. This isn't just for Ed and Al and the cast, the people watching must alsoreturn to THIS real world and think of whether they've gained anything, they must go on living in the real world, which I hoped to denote" While the wagon scene still exists, Alfons's funeral got moved to the closing scene, and it was a little different: Ed looks at his mechanical hand. In that hand, he begins to tap a stick making a subtle sound. It's like music. At last, other Roma also beginplaying their instruments. They sing. Children's smiles return. Ed and Noah, as well as Al dance and stretch their hands to the sky.  Itappears to be a burial service for Alfons. As for the note on it: "I talked with Director Mizushima about this ending. "I didn't write any part where Ed acknowledges Alfons's death after he returned, so I want to have Noah's dancing included because it has the nuance of sending off that Alfons" In the end we made so many minute adjustments and fixes. I really wanted the movie to be something that could stick with you. So, the final cut is still not quite final. The moment I put Alfons's death into the script, it was the same as deciding absolutely that Ed and Al would be returning to the real world, I suppose."

Source of info: start from http://sinnesspiel.dreamwidth.org/1141.html and use the arrows to direct through stuff.

And about Envy:

“In exchange for getting through of the gate Envy exchanged his transformation ability: he can only return to his original form (and?) the shape of a serpent. He’s lost all of his powers as a Homunculus.” (I’m not actually sure if it means his original form as in the form he came to that world in: it’s written “true form * serpent” so I’m assuming it means that, but one could argue it means his original human Hohenheim’s son form AND the shape of a serpent. My own opinion aside, either way is grammatically supportable.) “At this point Envy by and large has no reasoning left. In other words, he’s become a monster.” “Envy fled here from the Thule Society. Trying to sacrifice his body to open the Gate, I think that he went through something akin to torture at the hands of the people in Thule. It was incomplete, but when they had some success in opening the gate, that was likely what allowed Haskin’s bomb to come through.” When Hess comments on all the Lances of Longinus (Lance of Longinuses?) throughout the world they strove to collect, “It was meant to be a scene to make viewers understand how caught up in Occult delusions Hess and company are. But, in a twist that’s either interesting or just strange, there are rumors that Hitler was also trying to get the Lance of Longinus. However, who knows if that was true or not?” The script note further emphasizes that it’s not anything supernatural holding Envy back; it’s purely the mechanical aspects at work. Script note says that in reality it’s very unlikely that Lang and Haushofer met, it might be an interesting idea to people familiar with Lang to imagine he did know such people, as he spoke of Japan, though likely didn’t go. In the end this too is all noted to be fiction. This note gets made a lot. In short, this world is not an actual pure parallel to ‘our’ world even if it’s called “our world” or reality frequently in staff interviews and notes. The director made a note to have the people in 'our world’ call it a 'Door’ rather than a 'Gate’ because it would be strange to have two people in two worlds call it the exact same thing. The script is intentionally vague on whether the Gate opens as a result of Hohenheim or Eckart’s “magic.” Eckart’s variety of magic certainly does something but whether it’s properly functional is unknown. “Hohenheim was originally cooperating with the Thule Society but as he found out what their plans were and was wavering on what he should do, Envy appeared through the Gate. Since Envy’s body is made up of materials from the other side, Eckart and company believe it may be able to call to something to make the Gate open up. By the way, Envy’s lost his mind. Once they realized they could control Envy by using Hohenheim as a live offering, he ended up a prisoner of war. That would be the circumstances around why Hohenheim disappeared from Ed.”

And one last cut scene with Roy, Riza and Winry:

Beneath a cloudy sky, one man stands before a tombstone. It's Mustang. He is not in uniform. He's just staring downwards at Hughes's grave. He suddenly notices behind him, crisply in uniform, is none other than Hawkeye. She was walking slowly and came to a stop at a respectable distance. It's their first meeting in some time so while there may be many thoughts she wants to speak, ultimately she remains cool. Hawkeye: I am certain you were sent orders to re-station, so why have you not reported in to headquarters? Mustang says nothing. Hawkeye: A special assembly has been called for former State Alchemists in regards to the simultaneous earthquakes in two separate cities and the armored figures that appeared in Liore. There were those saying you would be chairman of the committee. Mustang takes out the envelope with his orders, holding it up as it is without offering it out to her at all. Mustang: I have no such right. Hawkeye: Parliament decided on it. Mustang: In refusing this I am saying: I no longer intend to serve the military. Hawkeye stares at him, as if to question his determination. Mustang drops his envelope on top of Hughes's gravestone and walks off as Hawkeye watches. (At the entrance to the graveyard) Mustang passes by with a cane. He passes by a lone girl. He realizes it's Winry. Mustang: ... WInry: It has been a while. It seems you chose a very remote station. Mustang: It seems I'll be parting from that station as well. Winry: You're quitting? The military? Mustang answers without a word. Winry: To stand at the top of the military, and to change the nation, to make sure another war doesn't break out. Wasn't that your dream? Mustang: For that dream, there were many casualties. Hughes was one. ....Edward Elric was another. I have no right to even talk about dreams. Winry: Ed... isn't dead. Mustang looks up in surprise. Winry: Al... has always believed that, and even now he's looking for a way to see him. Mustang: .... That... must be hard on you. Winry glares sharply at Mustang. Winry: It is hard, but even so we're moving forward one step at a time. What else can we do besides that? We're still alive. Mustang gives a short laugh and walks off. Winry continues to glare at his back. Source: http://sinnesspiel.dreamwidth.org/3394.html

Karma 5 or 12 or Ama 1 I hope no one has done these for you!

Their crying

Pre....slimeman they actually found it kind of hard to cry? Like they felt sad but years of denying their own emotions and trauma made it to where they’d have to put effort into crying or be push way beyond their limit to have anything start to surface. If they did cry it’d usually start with tears flowing without them even noticing, crying is very tiring for them and often ended up making things worse so they avoid it like the plague. Since their change it’s been all the more easier to hide their tears since there needs to be even more effort put in to show it. (Actually forming the tears with slime and using the telepathy to make the crying noises)

Them in their favorite outfit

Despite them always wearing meme outfits their favorite kind of clothing is actually?? Really based in 90s fashion with lots of pastels, bright colors, and shiny fabrics. Lots of decals and logos too especially the whole 90s cartoon graphic shirts despite them not even growing up with those things, especially older magical girls like the original sailor moon. Aliens and Illuminati stuff on top of cutesy pastels are also A+. Despite this they never really wear much of it? They were self conscious about pursuing more of what they liked and stuck more to things that were comfy/made them blend in with the crowd more. And now it’s memes.

Them as a child

I. u sure about that buddy bc it’s. bad jim. long and bad

SHE WAS. Similar to how she is now of course because it’s still Ama but everything that’s bad was amplified by like 100000.

FOR STARTERS IT WAS. Bad from the get go let’s just get that out of the way. Life is kinda hard when your father literally thinks you’re a disappointment from birth and wishes you were never born. Acting like you’re just a burden and shouldn’t even be here. So that’s where a lot of her issues stemmed from...

The way she spoke was?? Much more stuttery and sounded like she was on the verge of tears constantly. She was absolutely terrified of social interactions and even when she was spoken to she couldn’t bring herself to speak a lot of the time? Due to her own anxieties but also the time it took to give simple answers felt like too much of a burden let alone debating against people.

Bullying was definitely a big part of her childhood and with bad dad it led her to be super super submissive to the point if someone told her to die she’d do it. And ofc that only attracted MORE bullies to her since she was such an easy target and could be made fun of/humiliated/abused so easily. But even before that she was a big target for mocking because of how she looked?? (This mostly applies to main verse Ama but a BIG thing was people straight up viewed her as demonic because of her eyes being reddish which. u know. for an angel is kind of the worst thing to be) Like she always tried to just keep to herself and stay in the shadows p much to avoid them (kinda like at home w/ her dad h u h.) but if they went to her she’d just fall back into submission (KINDA LIKE AT HOME W/ HER DAD H  U  H.)

HELL even when people who wanted to be her friend or talk to her she found herself to be paranoid about their true intentions instead and tried to actively avoid them and distance herself just as much as she did with bullies. And generally being seen with the weird girl is a social death sentence so not a lot of people actually went out of their way after initial tries?? or even got to that.

tl;dr: She’s been anxious/paranoid/depressed since the tender age of 0 and is just Rudolf but with red eyes instead of a nose