Recap: The homunculus Father attempted to devour God by turning all the souls in Amestris into a Philosopher's Stone. However, a reverse transmutation circle Hohenheim prepared years prior put the souls back into their proper bodies. Following this, Scar activated a second nationwide transmutation circle that destroyed Father's ability to control Amestrian alchemy. Father escaped with the others chasing him while Edward was dragged back by Pride.

(!)

Pride growled at the scene above him as he coiled Ed in his shadow tendrils. "Damn you, Greed! Have you forgotten that you're one of the homunculi? Where's your honor?"

Ed scoffed at him. "So he should just be a good boy like you and do everything his father tells him, is that it?!"

Pride's remaining eye narrowed. "Do you need to ask such a ridiculous question? It's only natural children obey their fathers no matter the order."

"Pah! You're the one who's ridiculous! 'Only natural', huh? So it's natural to be a brainwashed puppet who doesn't try to think for himself?!" Pride slammed Ed down, knocking the wind out of him. "Explain it to me," he groaned. "Why are you so eager to be his willing lapdog? He's wearing you ragged, breaking you down. He doesn't even care!"

Pride thought back to how Father just left him behind without a second glance. Then he shouted, "Why should I care that Father doesn't?! I am not a puny weakling like you! I AM ONE OF THE HOMUNCULI! WHAT DO YOU KNOW, HUMAN?!" He buried his tentacles into Ed's wounds and poured himself into him. Ed screamed and writhed in agony, but Pride continued to keep that neutral expression on his face. "This container won't last much longer," he said. "But still, like my Father is, you are of Hohenheim's bloodline, so we're virtually brothers. Which means, Edward Elric, I can use your container! Your body belongs to me!"

And he thrusted more of his tentacles into Ed, silencing the screams. Pride smiled as he felt himself grow lighter as more and more of himself transferred from his shell of Selim Bradley and into the shell of Edward Elric. "Well," he said to no one. "Think of it this way. I as Selim Bradley, always wanted to be a great alchemist. By doing this, I get my wish. In the process, I can no longer go back to being Selim Bradley. Equivalent exchange, after all. Right, Ed?" But Ed's consciousness was gone. When the last of the shadowy mass slipped into Ed, Selim Bradley crumbled to dust until nothing remained but his clothes.

(!)

Second later, Ed's body convulsed before finally standing up. He opened his eyes, revealing not the golden eyes of his human self, but the purple eyes of the homunculus, Pride. "This is good," he said, as he inspected his new container. "This is very good. I wonder, can I still perform alchemy in this body. Let's see."

He clapped his hands and pressed the ground. Sparks flowed, then a small cow model appeared. Pride's smile widened. "This is really good! My old abilities as a homunculus, plus the alchemy of Edward Elric!" He looked up and smirked. "Now, to join Father." He clapped his hands and formed a pillar that started to rise up to the surface. Quickly, he jumped onto it, that wicked smile not leaving his face.

(!)

When Pride reached the surface, he was shocked to find Hohenheim, Izumi, Alphonse, Greed and Mei Chang surrounded by the forms of the people of Xerxes Father absorbed centuries ago.

"Ed," Alphonse cried out.

Mei Chang instantly shivered upon seeing Ed. "No, something's not right."

"Ah, Pride," Father said, making everyone gasp in horror. "So glad you could join us."

"Ed..." Izumi shuddered in horror.

"Brother," Al cried out. Then he roared in anger, pushing through the mob of Xerxians to punch Pride, only to have his legs removed by his newfound alchemic powers. Al struggled, but shadow tendrils extended from Ed's shadow and pinned him along with the others.

"Copycat bastard," Greed growled.

"Maybe so," Pride's voice leered through Ed's mouth. "But it does have its uses. I have both Ed's knowledge and usage of alchemy plus my own powers. I should have done this a long time ago." He heard footsteps and turned to see Father approach him. "Now, Father, shall we destroy them together?"

"Indeed we shall," he said. "But first, there is one more thing you need to do." And then he plunged his arm right through Pride's stomach, much to his shock. "Give me your Philosopher's Stone!"

"What?! Father, what are you doing?!" Pride tried to transmute or use his shadows to break free, but Father's alchemy stopped him.

"You disappoint me, Pride," Father continued. "Using another shell like a human's when you're on the brink of dying. And you're supposed to be proud to be a homunculus?"

"Father...what are you saying?!"

"You always boasted on how proud you were to be a homunculus, a superior being, and yet you would stoop to using a human as your container in such a cowardly way? You are a disgrace!"

Pride squirmed and tried to break free, but he could feel himself being sucked into Father's stone. "No! Help me! Someone! Help me! Mama! HELP ME! PLEASE, HELP MEEEEEE!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Father gasped when Ed's automail arm punched him directly in the face, knocking him on his back. "I won't let you," Pride said, Ed's voice being more audible. "I won't let you use anyone else for your selfishness!"

Father became enraged. "I don't know how you're still able to retain your individuality, Elric, but it changes nothing!" And he blasted a wave of alchemy at Ed and his friends.