Chapter 1: The Letter, An Accident, and Her Last Light
April 1, 2307
Viridian City Streets
21:18
(AN: I do not own FMA either)
31 year-old Edward C. Elric, was driving to the hospital, where his daughter was going through her operation, with his wife, 39 year-old Riza H. Elric, and his younger brother, 30 year-old Alphonse Elric. Unfortunately, it seems like Ed is more concerned with what punishment should he inflict on that son-in-law of his for missing something this important, than to pay attention to the speed limit.
"Hey Al, skewered or boiled?"
"Um, what?"
"That bastard James?! How dare he not be there when my only daughter is suffering at the hospital?! I knew letting her marry that orphan was a stupid idea!"
"Calm down now Ed. You know it can't be helped. The League called in all of the Rangers, no exceptions."
Riza just sighed and turned to both of the brothers.
"Al, just drop it. He's just still mad about that time James called him short."
"I AM NOT SHORT! It's not my fault he's 6'4"! He probably thinks everyone he knows is short."
"Ed, our daughter is taller than both of us, and you don't see me complaining. Get over it already."
Edward just grumbles and turns to the road again, only to see that he was about to crash into another car. The force caused the passengers to get knocked unconsious, and their car to flip to the side, turning it over, and then continue to move as the car skidded on its roof. Meanwhile, gas was starting to leak from the car. It was only a matter of time before the sparks would ignite the gas and proceed to suffocate Delia Ketchum's only blood relatives. It then crashed into a nearby building, letting the nearby pedestrians witness the unfortunate incident, and inform the authorities.
April 2, 2307
Viridian Hospital
07:46
Delia had woken up from her anesthetic-induced sleep, hoping that when her father, her mother, and Uncle Al arrive, she would be ready for them. Her sight slowly became clearer, as she began observing her room. It was white, what you would expect from any other hospital. It had a window on the right, 2 end tables on each side of her bed, one had her hospital beakfast, and the other had a lamp and a remote for the TV that was mounted on the upper left corner of the room, and a door to the left going to a bathroom, and another in front of her to the right, which lead to the hallway.
She decided to open the television, before reaching for the tray of food, only to drop it on the floor, alerting the nurses and Blisseys nearby, when she heard the news.
"-ound 9:20 PM, a car accident had occured, injuring 3 children and 2 adults, and killing 3 individuals. Recent investigations have identified the deceased to be Edward Elric, Riza Elric, and Alphonse Elric."
"No... No... I-It can't be true. IT CAN'T BE!"
As the faces of her parents and her uncle appeared on the screen, tears started to run down the sides of her face, clutching her chest, wishing her beloved James was with her right now, trying to ease the pain she was experiencing at that moment. However, she couldn't contain her sadness anymore an proceeded to cry out loud.
"WAAAAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA... MOOOM! DAAAAD! UNCLE! WAAAAAHAAAAA..."
Nurse Joy entered Delia's room along with a Blissey, and proceeded to try to calm her down. After 20 minutes of crying, Nurse Joy led her to a wheelchair, pushing her towards the nusery, hoping that it would cheer her up a bit.
"Here we are Mrs. Ketchum. Would you like to see your newborn son?"
Delia proceeded to wipe her tears, and gave a strained smile.
"I would... *sniff* like that *sniff* very much. *sniff* Please... let me carry him... just a little bit."
Blissey entered the nursery, only to come out shortly after, carrying a sleeping baby boy wrapped in yellow cloth. This baby had a tuft of black hair showing from the cloth, and 'z' markings on each side of his face. When Delia looked at her sleeping child, her smile became more natural.
"... You look so much like your father."
She turned towrads Nurse Joy and asked...
"Can you please let us go out to the gardens for a bit?"
Nurse Joy merely nodded, then Blissey proceeded to push the wheelchair outside. They were led to the garden outside, which was riddled with different colors and species of flowers, and a largee fountain in the middle. Delia stopped and thanked Blissey after she was positioned in front of the fountain.
After Blissey left, she began to tear up a bit as she reminisced the days she had growing up with her parents. She remembered her 7th birthday, when her dad, Ed, tried to impress her friends by doing one of those fire-breathing tricks, but her mom bopped him on the head before he could do it. It led him to accidentally swallowing the fuel and vomiting the contents of his stomach afterwards in the nearest bathroom. Of course, she was a bit worried for him, but then she found out that the gas he used was non-toxic, so she and her friends just laughed afterwards.
She then remembered the time her mom feeding her Pidgey soup when she got a cold from playing with the water pokemon at Professor Oak's Lab. Riza scolded her that it would have happened eventually, but then she just smiled and gave her a kiss on her forehead, telling her to get better soon.
She also couldn't forget the times uncle Al tried to teach her magic. Though those always ended up singing her hair, or a powder cloud in her face, she had lots of fun. She looked at her child and made a promise.
"I promise you that as soon sa your father comes home, we'll take care of you, Aar-"
"Look sir, I don't think this is the right time to tell her. She had just lost all of her relatives."
Delia overheard the nurse behind her, but decied to ignore it for now, she couldn't handle talking about her now deceased parents and uncle.
"Then that is more of a reason to tell her. Postponing this will only make it even worse for her. It's about her husband, James Ketchum."
She heard the name of her husband and looked behind her, spotting a man in a black suit and shades talking to Nurse Joy. She then saw Nurse Joy reluctantly nod, and the man in black then walked toward her in a formal manner, stopping in front of her and asked...
"Are you Ms. Delia Ketchum?"
"Yes, I am. Who are you? What about my dear James?"
"That is not important. I have come sending a message from the Pokemon League about you husband."
"Oh my. Is he in trouble?"
The man stayed silent for a while, giving Delia a foreboding feeling, before finally deciding to speak up.
"... It is not my place to answer. I was only told to send this message to you."
He showed Delia an envelope with no other writing on it than the words at the back, "To: Ms. Delia Ketchum". She reluctantly accepted the letter, then the man just left. Wondering what the letter was about, she opened the envelope, unfolded the note and began to read it.
Pokemon League HQ
April 1, 2307
Dear Ms. Ketchum,
I have written this letter to inform you that, unfortunately, James M. Ketchum, Elite Pokemon Ranger, has passed away in the line of duty.
At around 8:50 PM, he had ran after the poachers into the dense forest at a certain location, which the name cannot be disclosed due to the mission's confidentiality, before the forest was set on fire by the poachers' pokemon. The poachers were captured, but unfortunately, Mr. Ketchum was trapped in the burning forest without any Pokemon that could deal with the situation.
Due to the forest fire, his body was burned to the point that it could not be recovered . All of his savings has been transferred to your account, as well as an additional compensation.
He will be remembered among the Ranger ranks as a brave and selfless man who fought for a good cause. On behalf of the Pokemon Rangers and the League, we offer you our most dear condolences for your loss. May Arceus watch over you.
Signed by,
Charles Goodshow
President of The Pokemon League
Delia's hand froze, letting the note drop to the ground. Sadness once again welling up inside of her. She couldn't stop her tears. This time though, she didn't cry loudly, only letting her tears express her heartbroken state while whispering to herself.
"No... No... No please no... this can't be happening please no... nonononononononononononono..."
The man just left, leaving the now widowed woman crying in complate turmoil.
"Why? Why me? Why oes it have to be me? Whywhywhywhywhywhywhy?"
One of her tears landed on the baby's eyes, agitating his sleep. He opened his eyelids to reveal a shade of auburn eyes, and proceeded to cry. Delia looked down at her child for a moment, and started to rub his head repeatedly in a loving manner, lulling him back to sleep. He was all she had left now. She didn't want to be alone. She couldn't bear lose him too. She can't lose him. She won't lose him. She won't let him be taken from her.
He was hers only.
Then, for that moment, her eyes took on a hollow shade of maroon, as she let herself come face to face to her son.
She gave her baby a chaste kiss on his small lips, and then continued rubbing his forehead.
"Don't cry... Mommy's here... Mommy hates it when you cry... Mommy wil take care of you... I promise you..."
She then made a smile, and kissed his lips again.
"Yes... I promise you... Ash... Because you're my precious son... Only... Mine..."
TO BE CONTINUED...