A/N: Just something that's been rattling in my mind. This is NOT a one-shot. I'm pretty sure this will have multiple chapters. Each dotted line is the starting of a different POV. I won't write their names before going into their prospective, but I make it pretty clear who's talking so it doesn't get too confusing. Except for this first one, but you're not supposed to know who it is:

He looked down the left hallway, then the right. No sign of anyone. He listened closely, but heard no oncoming foot traffic. He grinned. It was almost like Envy's, though Envy's was less human than his. Perfect, he thought. No one will be here to witness the end of the world.

It was an ordinary day for the Elric. His long hair dangled in a braid. His red jacket shown bright in the sun's rays. He hummed a small tune as he strode down the street toward home. An oncoming car waved him over as it stopped and he crossed the street without hesitation. He didn't want to be late for his own birthday party. He kicked up a small pile of leaves and they swirled into the breeze.

He arrived home to his father and his puppy, Ralph. "Hey, Dad." He had just gotten used to calling his commanding officer 'dad'. Though for a long time Mustang had been a father figure, after Ed's dad left and his mom died, he thought he would never call another person 'dad' again. But he was wrong.

"Hey, Ed. Got you a present." Roy held out a small package.

It was wrapped in a gold metallic paper which matched his eyes. Ed took it eagerly. His eyes widened and the corners of his mouth turned up. "No way! It's so… Aw thanks." He examined the pocket watch further. He looked up to Roy's hopeful gaze.

"They're for state alchemists only." He nodded.

"Why didn't I get one sooner?" Ed was puzzled by this. He hadn't known he would get a pocket watch.

"Seeing it was so close to your birthday, I decided to wait and give it to you then." Roy explained.

Ed pulled Roy into a hug. "I love it." He said. Ralph nipped at his heels playfully. Ed turned to see the dog's tail wagging in a huge arc. The big, white shepherd bounded in circles. Ed patted his hands on his knees then held his arms open. Ralph jumped onto the boy and proceeded to coat his face in an inch of saliva. "Good boy!" Ed said while laughing.

Ed hadn't realized Roy had left until he was coming through the kitchen door with a cake full of candles in his arms. "Fourteen's a big number. Almost didn't have enough candles." Ed laughed. Roy began singing the traditional carol for this occasion as he lit each candle with his fingertip. "…Happy birthday, to you." Ed blew out the candles. "Well, what'd you wish for?"

"I can't tell you, otherwise it won't come true!" Ed began to slice the cake. It was his favorite: Chocolate cake, vanilla frosting… and no milk. He served up three pieces. He handed one to Roy and set another on the ground for Ralph.

"Ed, Ralph doesn't need any more food. He could live a month just off the fat he's stored." Roy chuckled and set down the forks.

Ed glared but decided it wasn't worth arguing over. He sat at the table accompanied by Roy and a glass of juice.

He sat down at his workbench and began to work furiously at his new project. A new gun that would fire small bombs. This had never been perfected before. All the prototypes had failed, but he had a gut feeling this one was going to pull off.

"Al, it's past midnight. You need rest. You can work on that in the morning." Elyza, Al's latest homunculus, slipped her arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Al ignored her. "Alphonse, come to bed now." Her voice was demanding, but kind.

"Lizzy, five more minutes!" Al pleaded. He really just wanted to get this done and over with. As soon as it was finished, he could present it to Father and he would be so proud of his only real son. He was the only fully human being in their entire underground laboratory.

Elyza's nose scrunched at her nick name. She hated it, but she didn't object. Whatever made Al happy. She kissed his cheek. "Please?"

He sighed. "Fine, but I'll have you realize this is jeopardizing my mission." He said playfully. He turned and Elyza's grip loosened enough for him to spin in his spinny chair. She then tightened her grip again as Al was pulled into a hug. She leaned away and kissed him.

"I love you." She whispered.

Ed rolled over and off his bed. He landed with a thump. "Ow!" He yelped. He sat up and rubbed his head. Ralph came from his bed and began licking Ed's face. "Stop it!" He laughed and pushed the dog away. "How 'bout some breakfast?" The dog's tail thumped against the floor. Ed stood up and ruffled Ralph's hair. He grabbed the clothes he planned to wear for the day. His usual black leather pants, black tank top, a black long-sleeve, and his red jacket. He slipped them on and pulled his hair back in his usual braid.

"Mornin' Ed." Roy said as the boy padded down the stairs. "Want some cereal?"

"Dry." Ed replied. He sat down in his chair at the table.

"Of course." Roy nodded and poured the cereal in a bowl and set it next to Ed. He ate the cereal vigorously. "Where's the fire?" Roy asked. He held up his fingers.

Ed laughed. "No, I just wanted to get to the market before I went to my mission in the east." He pulled on his black boots and unlocked the door. He stopped. It was silent. Normally Roy would send him off with a goodbye, but it was silent. He turned. Horror spread across his face. He clasped a hand around his mouth to keep from screaming. "D-dad?" He stammered.

"Don't say anything, or you're dead too." An unfamiliar voice said.