Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Village by the Sea
The waves crashed against the rocky edge of the shoreline, a sound that brought comfort to the young girl standing on the beach. Her toes mingled in the sand as the salt water hit her nose and sent her yellow hair flying upwards in the wind.
“Winry! Hey, Winry!” Edward called from the top of the hill where he and Alphonse were waving their hands wildly to get her attention.
“What is it?” She called, her long dress billowing around her.
“There is a pirate ship coming into port!”
“You’re not still on about that are you?” Winry trudged up the hill towards the boys and crossed her arms. “How many times do I have to tell you, just because it is a large ship that does not make it a pirate ship.”
“Winry! I really looked at it this time!” Edward scowled. “It’s a big ship with black sails! That’s a pirate ship!”
She sighed, letting the older boy take her hand and drag her towards town with his little brother in tow. Winry had just turned twelve and was becoming far too sensible for these childish things. Edward was also 12 and was nearly ready to start working either in town, in the fields, or on a local fishing boat. Alphonse however, was still only ten but would be turning eleven in just a few short months. The three of them had known each other since they were babies in their mother’s arms.
Winry lived with her grandmother while her parents were off in neighboring towns, healing the sick. Ed and Al lived with their mother, and their Father had not been seen for a few years. Most of the townsfolk said Hohenheim had deserted his wife and children to return to the sea from whence he came. Trisha reminded the boys that their Father had a very important quest and had set out to make the world a better place. Edward had scoffed at this and sided more with the townsfolk, but Alphonse remained hopeful that his Father would return.
The children ran through the entrance to town, making their way down the street. Resembool was a small town with a small dock, littered with sheep on the green hillsides and had formed a close knit community. Though the dock was not large like some other towns and villages, Resembool managed to stay decently busy since any other seaside village was incredibly far away in either direction.
After a few streets the trio reached the pier where the ships came up to dock, lined with mostly fish merchants and the town pub. Winry picked up the ends of her dress so she would not trip, following the boys and trying to keep up. Once they reached their destination, Alphonse pointed to the sea and turned to his childhood friend.
“See? Do you see it? Ed was right!” He exclaimed happily.
“I don’t see anything.” Winry huffed and crossed her arms.
“Look closer!” Ed grabbed Winry’s arm and pulled her up onto a nearby crate so they could have a better view of the incoming waters.
Much to Winry’s dismay, the boys were correct this time. A large ship made of deep, dark wood and billowing black sails was making its way towards their little village. She chewed her lip and gripped her dress anxiously.
“If those really are pirates...a-are they going to hurt us?”
Ed looked over to his friend, seeing her eyes widening with fear and her lip beginning to tremble. He grasped her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “Don’t worry, Winry. We won’t let anything happen to you. Will we, Al?”
“Of course, we’ll protect you! And Grandma Pinako and our Mom too!”
Winry hopped down off the crate and looked worriedly at the boys. “I-I think we should head home, it’s almost suppertime.”
Ed looked out to the open waters where the massive ship was waiting for the tide to pull it into port, it wouldn’t be here before nightfall anyways. The golden-haired boy sighed. “Alright Winry, we’ll walk you home.”
“But-” Al began to protest, stopping at the earned glare from his brother.
The three made their way back through town and out onto the hillsides where their houses sat in the green grass, surrounded by the sheep farms and overlooked a different view of the sea. As they approached Winry’s house, Ed had noticed she had remained quiet and a look of worry had etched itself onto her features.
“Hey, Winry…” Ed began, his words getting caught in his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I wouldn’t worry about that ship, it’s probably just a regular ship with regular old sails…”
Winry halted and looked at him. “That ship had black sails, you even said it yourself...Pirate ships wave black sails.” Her mind raced with memories of all the stories the boys had told her over the years about pirates. She remembered that Ed and Al’s father, Hohenheim, had been a sailor and had actually seen pirates. He would tell the kids how dangerous pirates could be, especially to small and vulnerable villages.
“Nothing’s gonna happen. Maybe Hohenheim was wrong! Afterall, he said he’d come back and it's been two years now.”
“I suppose that’s true…” She sighed, still not fully convinced.
Alphonse shuffled his feet in the dirt of the path, unsure of how to comfort his friend. His hand instinctively reached for his pocket, grasping onto the cold bronze of the tiny telescope that his Father had given him. He suddenly perked up and looked at Winry with a big smile.
“Winry, hold out your hand!”
She looked at him skeptically before putting her delicate hand out towards him. Alphonse placed a tiny telescope made of bronze in the palm of her hand. She stared at it for a moment before looking at the brothers.
“What is this, Al?”
“It’s a magical telescope! Father gave it to us before he left. He said that it protects whoever holds it, because it knows the biggest secret of the ocean!”
“The biggest secret of the ocean?” Winry asked as she turned the telescope over in her hands. She slowly put it up to her eye, seeing an array of colors in its view. “...pretty…” She whispered.
“It’ll keep you safe.” Alphonse nodded assuredly.
“But what about you two?”
Edward thrust his hand in his pocket, using the other one to wave her off casually. “Don’t worry, we got another one at home. Hohenheim said that the telescopes were brothers and when they are used together, all is revealed-blah, blah, blah…”
Alphonse shot his brother a quick glare before turning back to Winry. “And now you can hold onto this one for us.” He beamed and waved his hand to say goodbye. “Good night, Winry!”
“Night, Winry!” Ed called out as he turned and followed his brother, only looking back to shout at the young girl once more. “Everything will be fine! Keep it safe!”
Winry watched from her doorstep as the two boys ran farther up the hill towards their house. She smiled and clutched the telescope, relishing in the silly comfort.
A few hours later…
Winry scooped the rest of her stew into a smaller bowl, walking towards the wood door of the cottage house. “I’m going to feed Den! I’ll be right back!”
“Alright, be careful!” Pinako called out to her granddaughter, watching her smile and shut the door behind her. Den began to bark as soon as he heard food was coming, all was well.
Winry was met with the brisk wind of the night, looking up to the stars with a sigh before stepping down the stone steps of the cottage and onto the grass below. Den came up to greet her, prancing happily at her feet. She smiled and lowered the bowl of food to him and watched him eat. Movement in her peripheral caught her attention. She turned towards the direction of the path that weaved past her home and into town. Two small figures were running down the path, nearing her house.
Her heart began to race as she ducked into some tall grass by the wooden fence that outlined her yard, clutching the telescope tightly. ‘Is it...Pirates?’ She wondered.
As the two figures ran past her house, Winry was able to make out their forms a little better in the dim moonlight. A sudden annoyance cast over her face realizing it was Ed and Al heading in the direction of town. She stood with a huff, running over to Den to pat his head.
“Those boys are going to be the death of me, I swear! I bet you anything they are going to get a closer look at that pirate ship!” She raised her arms in exasperation. “I guess I’ll just have to go stop them myself!” Winry pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, ordering Den to stay put and watch over Granny. She hurried past the fence and made her way to the path stretching to town.
She picked up her pace, realizing she wouldn’t catch up with the boys as well as she had in the past. Her skirts were now longer and constantly threatened to trip her on every step. Winry grumbled and hiked up the petticoat underneath, increasing her speed. In the darkness, she could just barely see the two boys run under the lamps of the shops in town as they made their way to the pier.
Ed and Al reached the docks, unbeknownst to them that they were being followed. They ducked behind some crates with just enough view to watch the large black ship being tied to one of the docks. Winry smiled in success as she had nearly caught up to them, only to be stopped in her tracks by the ominous ship now in port. She clung to the side of the nearest building to avoid being seen by the mysterious people walking down the gangplank.
The mysterious group began to speak to each other, just loud enough for the boys and for Winry to hear.
“Hardly anyone around, are you sure this is the right place?” One of them said in annoyance, his stature was short and his long hair stuck out in wiry formations under a tied cloth.
“This is the town that was circled on the map, Envy.” A woman’s voice, despite being low and sultry, also carried an air of irritation.
“Envy, Lustie!” One of them laughed, his figure was much taller and he threw up his arms in a friendly gesture. “I say we hit the pub and see what the townsfolk know, if this is where he settled down then someone is sure to know him, right?”
“Quiet down, Greed!” Envy clenched his fists. “Besides...you just want to get a drink and flirt with young ladies.”
“Exactly.” Greed said casually as he started to walk. “Now let’s head over there.”
“It’s not like we have much of a choice.” Lust sighed. “Hopefully someone here knows Hohenheim.”
Ed and Al’s eyes widened as they looked at each other, silently agreeing to follow these strange pirates to the local pub. ‘What could these people possibly want with their Father?’ The two of them both thought.
Winry gasped as she watched the two boys poke their heads above the crates before running and dodging behind various mountains of cargo, following the strange group. She took a deep breath and clutched the telescope tightly before carefully tying it around her waist with a string, so she wouldn’t lose it. Regrettably, she followed the same path as the boys, ducking behind crates and barrels until she reached the pub.
Ed and Al watched the group enter the pub before the oldest brother motioned for his sibling to follow him, skirting around the side of the building where a stone square could be slid to the side and ones who were small enough could slide through the opening into the cellar.
Winry followed their example, frantically looking around to be sure she wasn’t being watched. She grunted quietly as she slid the stone slab to the side and scooted her way inside the opening, feet first. Hopping down onto a table with a clatter, she stilled and eyed the room carefully. The cellar was musty and dim, full of barrels and the smell of wine and ale permeated the walls. Winry knew the boys must have gone upstairs already, sliding carefully off the table and then stepped over to the staircase. Each step made the staircase groan and her heart began to race, would she be caught? Would she be in trouble?
The young girl swallowed her fear and let out a deep breath. She had to make sure those boys didn’t do anything rash, especially since the mysterious people had mentioned their father. Her palms rested on the hatch above her, slowly pushing it up and giving her a sliver of a view.
The pub was full of its regulars, now joined by the freshly arrived group from the dark ship. They seemed to have broken off to talk to the townsfolk, covering more ground separately. Winry quickly spotted Ed and Al, crouched under a table and listening to the conversations in the room.
The one she recognized as “Greed” had walked over to the table where the bar maids were and ordered a drink. The one she heard them call “Envy” walked up to a table of fish merchants and slammed his hand on the table, Ed and Al were currently eavesdropping under the table nearby.
“So...they call this town Resembool, correct?”
The fish merchants looked at the strange, short man up and down, noticing his long sailors jacket and the sword attached to his hip, glinting in the dim lamp light.
“That’s right.” One of the locals offered. “You ain’t from around here, are ya?”
“Just docked in this evening.” Envy smiled with fake friendliness. “In fact...I’m looking for someone in particular, maybe you know him?”
The locals at the table looked at each other before resuming the conversation. “Who might you be after? We don’t take kindly to strangers coming in to rough up our fellow townsmen.”
Envy put a hand on the hilt of his sword. “Just looking to talk about important matters.” This dangerous gesture and change of tone caused the merchants to glare and slowly reach for their weapons.
The woman that went by ‘Lust’, as the other two had called her earlier, walked up and put a hand on Envy’s shoulder.
“Now, now gentlemen...let’s not be so hasty.” Her voice was low and sultry, but it sent a chill down Winry’s spine nonetheless. The woman came to sit on one of the merchant’s lap, cupping her hand on his cheek. “We are simply looking for an old sailor friend of ours, we heard he may have settled down here in this little town?”
The merchant gulped nervously, looking her over as he put his hands up to avoid touching her.
Lust cooed into the merchant’s ear. “Perhaps you know him? Van Hohenheim?”
“Van Hohenheim? What do you want with him?” Another man at the table asked.
“So you do know him. Tell me where he is.” Envy spat.
Other pub customers began to overhear the conversation, turning their heads to watch the tense scene unfolding.
“Why would you want a guy like that? He’s long gone by now.” Someone at the bar offered to the discussion.
“What do you mean long gone?” Lust asked, her eyes narrowing.
The man at the bar took a swig of beer, shrugging at her question. “He just up and left one night, packed a satchel and headed out to sea. That was nearly two years ago, lady.”
Greed approached with a barmaid hanging on each of his arms, his grin stretched across his face. “Well it looks like we are about two years two late then...”
One of the barmaids looked up at Greed. “Terrible man, he is. Up and left his wife and two sons all alone!”
The other barmaid interjected. “He probably got swallowed up by the sea for it!”
“So he has a wife and two children then?” Lust smiled, sliding off the merchant’s lap and turning to Envy. “Perhaps we should pay this wife of his... a visit.”
Envy gripped his sword with a devilish smile. “I think that’s a great idea-”
“Hey!” One of the men stood, reaching for a weapon. “You leave that family alone!”
Greed watched intently, slowly putting his hand up to a hidden coat pocket to reach for his pistol. His ruffled sleeve slid down allowing the barmaid to get a good view of his hand, a red tattoo etched on the back of it. An ouroboros.
The barmaid screamed and released his arm. “He’s a pirate!”
The room erupted into chaos. Pistols were fired, swords were clashed. People shouted and the sound of glass shattering and wood stools breaking echoed through the room. The townspeople were somehow out matched by the three pirates, each with their own unique weapon and fighting style.
Winry winced at all the noise, but nearly shrieked as a merchant was shot and fell to the ground next to her. She opened her eyes again to see Alphonse struggling to hold Edward back from joining the fray. The younger brother was strong but his grip wouldn’t last forever.
Taking a deep breath, Winry climbed out from underneath the cellar door and began to crawl towards the two boys, dodging people and furniture being thrown. She was nearly halfway to the boys when a bullet impacted the wood right in front of her, causing her to yelp loudly.
Greed looked over at the sound, seeing a young girl with her hands over her face in fear. He tilted his head and kneeled in front of her, surprisingly calm amongst the chaos. His eyes caught the glint of something tied around her waist, a small telescope with very intricate markings. She looked up at the pirate, her blue eyes wide with terror as Greed grinned and suddenly scooped her up and over his shoulder despite her screaming.
Ed and Al stopped their tussle at the sound of their best friend’s scream. They looked up to see Greed calling to his mates for a quick retreat, with Winry slung over his shoulder.
“Winry!” Ed called as Alphonse finally released him and the two boys ran after them. A swift kick to Edward’s stomach caused the two boys to tumble backwards just before reaching the exit.
Envy snickered. “Out of the way, pipsqueak!”
The three pirates made their escape towards the docks, leaving the townspeople to reel from the aftermath of the fight.
Ed groaned as he held his stomach, trying to catch his breath and rolling onto the ground. Alphonse kneeled by him, shaking him.
“Brother! Are you alright? Ed!”
Once he finally managed to sit up, Ed turned to his brother. “W-We’ve got to go get Winry.”
“Oh no you don’t…” A gruff older man walked over to them and picked them up by the scruff of their collars. “You boys are going home, Trisha must be worried sick about you two.”
The two boys yelled and squirmed in protest, giving the man a hard time trying to drag them away from the scene. The doors to the pub suddenly swung open, revealing a woman from town and her husband. Izumi and Sig Curtis, the local butchers of Resembool.
“What is going on in here? I heard all the commotion from down the street.” Izumi said, then she eyed the two boys. “Why is it that it is always you two getting into trouble?”
“Mrs.Curtis! You have to help us! They took Winry and now we have to go stop them and-” Edward began as his brother began to talk at the same time. “It was pirates! They were looking for our dad! We have to stop the boat before they sail away!”
Izumi put her hands up to silence them. “Quiet! I can barely understand you two when you talk so fast over each other!” She looked at the man holding the boys by their collars. “You can hand the boys over to me and I will make sure they get home safely.”
The gruff man handed the two boys into Sig’s burly grasp and the couple began to carry them outside and down the street. Edward squirmed as he saw the road towards the docks, the ship with black sails already in the distance and headed towards the open waters.
“You don’t understand! They’ve got her and we have to go!”
Sig put the brothers down but held their shoulders firmly. Izumi kneeled to their height. “Tell me what happened.”
The boys briefed them on the situation, about the pirates and who they were looking for. How they took Winry and how the boys had vowed to protect her.
Izumi listened intently to the story, looking at her husband with concern. “Pirates? I can’t believe I would ever see the day that Pirates would enter our port. And why would they take Winry?”
“I don’t know, dear, but we should alert all the townsfolk and get the town council involved.” Sig nodded to her.
“But what about Winry? If we are gonna catch up to them, we need to leave now!” Edward pleaded with them.
Izumi sighed. “I’m so sorry boys, but there isn’t anything you two can do right now but to go home and stay safe with your mother.”
“But-!” The brothers protested.
“No exceptions!” She said sternly, her face slowly changing into a look of reassurance. “You two run home, Sig and I will make sure the whole town gets together to plan a rescue for Winry. I’ll send for Pinako to come to my house and hopefully the town council can contact the Amestrian Royal Navy by morning.”
The two boys slumped in defeat, knowing they had no choice but to wait for now. The two began to run up the road towards home, only for Edward to turn back to Izumi, calling out to her.
“Oh! And one of the pirates had a funny looking tattoo on his hand! It looked like a snake eating its tail!”
Her eyes widened in realization as she waved them off to go home before turning to Sig, who matched her grave expression. “This is worse than I thought.”
Later that night...
“Come on, Al!” Ed’s hushed voice sounded in the night. “Let’s go!”
Alphonse followed but looked around nervously. “Ed? Are you sure we should be doing this? Won’t we get in trouble for stealing a boat?”
“We aren’t stealing. We’re just borrowing.” He responded, gently lowering two oars into the small wooden boat.
“But you don’t even know how to sail a boat by yourself…” The younger brother looked up at the sky, the moon and stars were concealed by thick clouds. A storm was brewing. “...and it looks like a storm might hit-”
“Do you want to rescue Winry or not?”
“I do! But maybe we should let an adult-”
“You heard them! They aren’t going to send out a search party until morning and the pirates will be long gone by then!” Edward whispered harshly. “It’s now or never, Alphonse.”
Alphonse took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
Once they were inside the small wooden boat, Edward untied them from the dock and the two brothers began to row out to sea. The water was black as the night sky and its waves were already threatening to tip them over, but the brothers remained on course. Alphonse took out the compass they had once found in their father’s study and Edward checked to make sure the second telescope was securely tied around his waist.
As the small boat sailed into the open waters, Ed released the sail. A crack of lightning lit up the sky and a roll of thunder sounded above, sending a gust of wind into the sail. It didn’t take long into their voyage for the sea to become turbulent, the storm was upon them and their little boat was tossed around in the cold waters.
“I can’t see a thing!” Alphonse cried as he clutched onto the oars, still trying to row in a particular direction.
“We just have to hold out! Hold on tight!” Ed yelled.
“What?” Al struggled to hear his brother amongst the crashing waves and howling wind.
“Hold on!” The eldest brother looked out ahead only to see a wave so large, it would topple the boat completely. He let go of the sail and jumped towards his younger brother, grabbing onto him tightly. “Hold on, Al!”
They screamed as the wave covered the boat from above, capsizing it and sending the two boys into the dark, ravenous waters.