Bitter Work

"Why are you called Cyclops?" Shego asked.

"I'll show you why I got that name. Step to the side please." Shego complied with the request.

Scott then removed his visor and red energy tore a small trench into the ground before he forced his eyes shut and put the visor back on.

"Whoa." Winry was left speechless.

"Your energy blasts are more powerful than mine." Shego noted.

"It comes with a catch though. I'm unable to control this power." Cyclops told them.

"How come?" Al asked, confused.

"I suffered a injury that damaged the part of my brain that would allow me to control my optic blasts after being shoved out of a burning airplane. As a result my beams are constantly active." He explained.

Elsewhere Cyborg was inspecting the automail arm Winry created for Kim.

"Hmm." He placed a hand on his chin in thought. "Let's make this a lot more durable."

Cyborg approached Winry and whispered into her ear.

At the same time...

"Is it almost ready?" I asked.

"Yup. So here come the part you might have been dreading."

I sighed and picked up a glass of water.

Ron stepped over and said, "It will be okay, I'll be right in the next room if you need anything."

I smiled and said, "Thanks Ron." I put my hand on his helmet. God, I wish I could kiss him right now.

Winry got up and said, "Alright, all other boys are to please exit the room. Mrs. Possible, Cyclops, Shego, and Riza are the only ones allowed in here from this point."

Mom looked at Izumi and said, "Do you want to stay Izumi?"

Izumi smiled and said, "You have your job, I have mine."

She looked at Jim and Tim. Looks like they'll get some training in either discipline or alchemy. Either way the boys won't underestimate her again.

Ed gave a weak smile said to me, "Good luck, and listen to Winry's instructions carefully and you will get through this as fast and painless as possible."

All the guys got up and started leaving.

Jim, Tim, and Dad came up and hugged me before leaving.

Ron was the last one out. He nodded at me and closed the door.

"Okay Kim, we need to take off your t-shirt." Winry said.

Cyclops removed his visor and sealed his eyes shut to keep his optic blasts at bay.

Mom pulled off my shirt, revealing the nub that was my shoulder. It had healed a lot but, still I feel the pain of my missing limbs. At times it was unbearable and made me physically ill.

I can't believe Ed live like this for a year.

I looked down at my body.

Now I understand why Cyclops is the only male allowed in this room. He can't open his eyes without destroying everything in front of him. Which is a good thing as all I'm wearing is my bra and a pair of shorts that covered up my nub of a leg.

Winry had me lie down with my back on the table.

She picked up the automail arm and placed it down. I looked at her and said, "It looks like Ed's"

She smiled and said, "That's because it's almost the same. This style is an alchemist automail, it's all made of one material for easy transmutation."

She moved the fingers and said, "I made it to where you can transmute your claws more easily."

I looked at Riza and she said, "Winry took everything into consideration when making your arm. And Cyborg made it a lot more durable."

We all laughed a bit.

Mom looked at me and said, "Now is probably the best time to talk."

I turned my head to her as Winry began getting things into place to attach my arm.

I asked, "What about?"

She smiled and said, "Like what are these marking or tattoos on your arm for starters."

I gave a small chuckle and said, "They're called transmutation circles. In alchemy you have to have this basic matrix or it won't work. Before I went through the portal this was the only way for my alchemy to work, but now my body is the matrix. So all I have to do is clap my hands together and then transmute."

Mom looked at me and said, "I'm still pretty confused on the whole alchemy thing. How does it work?"

I sighed and said, "It's a science where an alchemist can deconstruct and reconstruct objects..."

"OWWWWWWWWWWW! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

I turned my head to see that Winry, Riza, and Shego had began attaching my nerves to the automail with a pair of pliers.

Winry smiled and said, "Well looks like our distraction ploy worked for a while."

Mom sighed and said, "How much more of the nerve need to be attached to the automail?"

Winry smiled and said, "We're half way there."