why am I still at work

[cornerofmadness]

oh right they won't freaking close the school down. I'm gonna die on the way home. This is stupid.




a chapter in which really only three things happen but the fall out of these three things is sweeping and incredible.

the three things

1) the eclipse happens
2) our heroes fail
3) Homunculus the First succeeds.

This is a chapter of epic, frightening almost Hieronymus Bosch-esque artwork. The real story is in the art and its impact which is profound. As we leave this chapter, we're left knowing that almost every character we loved is dead or seemingly so.

We start off typically enough Ed fighting. Mei of course not dying. Izumi finally giving over on coddling Roy and getting into the brawl. For a moment there I thought Hoho might actually get free and do something.

I'm still unsure how the hell Greed got there. But obviously that was planned on (wondering where Bradley/Scar went)

Watching the eclipse and the alchemy sweeping over them was particularly hard since the reader knows what most of the characters don't, they're going to be destroyed on a fundamental level. Pinako and Winry's 'last' words are particularly cutting.

We're left with the sacrifices, who know that they've failed. Ed, Roy and Izumi are left knowing the people they love most are gone as far as they know.

That Homunuculus looks so much like young Hohenheim is very neat (and hot which makes it very wrong)

I'm left wondering if the two philosopher's stones can cancel each other out. If so, would the souls return to their bodies? It would be too late for the xerxes souls inside of Hoho but not for the ones in the Eclipse.

Also something is very different here. Xerxes completely was ruined. I don't remember there being bodies lying around. Here they look like they all just went to sleep. I could be wrong. My memory isn't what it was.

I'm just not sure that this will all end with no one being left alive but Ed, Al, Roy, mei & Izumi

ETA - Also more needed to be done with Scar. I mean last month it was all duh duh duuuuuhn with his new arm and then it doesn't get used? that was a let down but ELD had a point that's probably going to interact with Mei's circle and who knows...it's not like Scar really knows what he's doing. he's going on instinct

Comments

[enemytosleep]

Xerxes was all bodies sleeping (Hoho calling to everyone as he walked out to the balcony). But yeah, major nail biter. I agree that it doesn't seem like she'd end it this way, but man am I ever nervous.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

were they?I couldn't remember and was blending it with anime 1 where it had a different fate

I don't think it will end like that because...you know in some ways that makes the reader distrustful of your next work. seriously, or at least it does me. I feel like I can't trust this person now

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Was Xerxes in anime no. 1? Are you thinking of Scar's philosopher's stone a-thon in Lior? I can't even think of that episode without chuckling at Scar's amazing Pythonesque death sequence.

[enemytosleep]

"It's just a flesh wound!"

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I think the city undergruond where insane!Rose and Ed waltzed was Xerxes but it might not have been named.

God, don't start me on Scar's death scene

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

I've been nerding about this in ELD's journal. I don't think she's going to wrap it up like this. Besides the fact that an apocalyptic ending like this wouldn't really fit FMA (unlike, say, Evangelion or Akira or Phoenix 2772) and would seem nihilistic and negatory of everything that came before.

Besides, the Ishbalan transmutation circle hasn't come into play, our heroes haven't done anything yet. This is the inevitable moment before the final confrontation where things get as bad as they possibly can. I think we've got a rug-pull and a massive boss-fight coming up.

On a side note, I'm pleased that I called the fact that Father's plan was to usurp the Truth.

Oh, and as I keep mentioning, the Great Cow has been quoted as saying "everyone who deserves a happy ending will get one".

Oh yes and despite all this rationalising I'm still on tenterhooks. Not quite as bad as Riza-gate, but still. Damn you, Arakawa.

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yes, that circle really needs to come into play - especially since we don't see Scar's body. He made it through the circle, I'm thinking, and he needs to plant and activate. Like, NOW.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I need to go back and edit this since i forgot something about scar that I wanted to say

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

There was more I wanted to say, too, but I forgot it in scribbling notes for something else.

Phone BTW, is dead...cellphone works but I have to pay special for those minutes.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Besides the fact that an apocalyptic ending like this wouldn't really fit FMA (unlike, say, Evangelion or Akira or Phoenix 2772) and would seem nihilistic and negatory of everything that came before.

Points to my comments to Enemy, this is the thing that makes you not trust an author. It doesn't really fit and if it is the ending and if i followed this for years i would never trust her again

I think you're right. They did have some sort of plan. Hoho seemed to be just about to do something

yes now i have to wait another freaking month

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Oh I know. *bites nails*

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

I don't want to think that would happen - no. Though it appears Riza may have lived, as she got swallowed up with Bradley, Scar and Darius.

You're right on the Bosch artwork style. With a bit of Dali thrown in.

Pinako's words are seriously shippery enough, aren't they?

We won't go into Winry. Just...not.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Won't go into Winry's fate, or into the fact that Pinako's last words indicate that Ed may be about to get physical with his own niece? XD

(I agree, they've so done the deed. I just hope Amestris had condoms in the year 18whatever)

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

COM often tells My!Ed that he's Winry's uncle/grandfather/whathaveyou/blood relative. My!Ed is suitably freaked.

(I agree, they've so done the deed. I just hope Amestris had condoms in the year 18whatever)

Historical evidence supports condoms way before vulcanized rubber/latex, so....

(Though it would explain why there is no Mr. Pinako ever mentioned.)

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I remember CoM's Hoho/Xerxean lady deflowering story for kinkmeme, in which I believe condoms made with rushes or pigskin or something were used. You sort of imagine from the rumours of young Pinako's shaggery that there was some kind of available contraception. Or ... as you say, we never hear mention of Mr Pinako. Maybe she's not entirely sure who Urey's papa was?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yeah i always tease ELD about the fact that Ed is Winry's uncle.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yes I'm wondering about those swallowed by the black bubble.

Dali works

I have every confidence those two did the do at some point

yeah, geez, poor Winry

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

My!Ed has his ears covered, screaming, "LALALALALALA!"

...over much in your comment.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Oh yes and sorry to ignore the fact that you're stuck with a perilous journey home from work just because I was nerding. That really sucks! Drive safe.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

luckily it's a short drive populated with deer, 18 wheelers and morons

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Oh shit?

At least you won't have to feel too bad if you hit one out of three? "Oh no, I hit a deer! Oh, wait thank goodness, it was only a moron."

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

RUN OVER THEM ALL. NARU CAN HANDLE IT.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

How bad is it that they're not closing the school? We're supposed to have blizzard conditions starting tonight.

[corposant.livejournal.com]

I wish we could fast forward one month and get the next chapter!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i know!