A train, Liore bound, zipped past two small towns, whistling loud enough so that everyone in each town could hear it's presence. Watching the green background pass the train by, Edward Elric sat with his eyes placed on the outside world with his fist resting against his cheek. Mostly train rides were conversation filled, the occasional rigged card game, and above all: sleep. Naturally people questioned how both Ed and Yuki could sleep soundly with the seats being their only source of 'comfort'. The seats being as soft as a rocky path way, but over time that's how the two alchemists, Ed especially, became experts on sleeping on train rides with seats that could make anyone's rear sore.

From beside the eldest brother, Al moved his helmet over to Ed and got his attention by whispering the quiet 'brother' he always does. Ed hummed in response now looking over to Al with his fist no longer resting on his cheek. "The stories about this priest in Liore, you think they're true?" He questioned while unintentionally getting Yuki Mustang's attention pulled away from her book.

Ed frowned slightly and placed two fingers on his forehead while turning his eyes away from his brother. "The ones about his 'miracles'? They say he can transmute flowers out of thin air, right? Could be some slide of hands, a cheap trick like that."

"And if it isn't?" Yuki inquired

Smirking in response while shaking his head at the possible thought of this being the actual Philosopher's Stone. In the hands of a priest of all places. The thought being somewhat amusing to him. "Right, if it's not I suppose all that leaves is the real thing."

The Philosopher's Stone is known by many names, but that being it's most famous name in the country of Amestris. It was a blood red stone that destroyed the ancient city of Xerxes in a single night, thus the legend of it was born. Said to amplify one's alchemy greatly. At a young age the Elrics looked into such an object after the blow of a tragedy struck them and held the theory that very stone may be the key to giving Al his body back and Ed his lost limbs. Yuki held no gain as far as the brother's were aware of, but for whatever gain she could possibly have she would hold it off until the Elric's recovered.

The black haired teen closed the book with one hand and a faint smile rested on her cheeks. "I don't know about you two, but I have a pretty good feeling about this one." She stated while placing the book to her left.

Both the boys nodded and a smile found itself on Ed's face. "Yeah…" Al spoke, smiling in his voice. "Me too."

Ten years earlier than these trying times, in the small town of Resembool lived three children: Joslyn, Edward, and Alphonse. The eldest sibling was eight at the time, brown hair with green eyes much like her mother, Trisha Elric. The two brothers greatly resembled their father, one with golden hair and golden eyes that appeared to be made out of the sunlight and fire. Where the man was, no one knew. Not even Trisha herself was aware of his exact location, but she was focused on caring for her three children.

There was one day when the three children snuck into their father's old study and discovered the science known as alchemy. Trisha wondered around the house, calling for her children then opening into the study seeing Ed scribbling on the floor with white chalk while his two other siblings looked through the books. She sighed and held her basket of tomatoes close to her stomach. "Oh you kids. Are you in here messing up your dad's study again? And Ed, you know better to scribble on the floor!" She spoke in her 'motherly' voice.

Ed just remained in his spot, placing the chalk close by to his side. "Yeah, but it's not scribbling. Here, watch!" He said excitedly now shifting in his spot so he was now on his knees.

Clapping his hands together and setting them onto the circle, blue sparks danced out of the ground. The room glowed with blue light as Trisha's eyes widen for a moment at her son's new found abilities. When the light faded a tiny bird made of the wooden ground was created. "Oh my, that's alchemy isn't it?" Trisha gasped now walking closer to her children. She knelt down on the ground, resting on her knees while setting her basket of tomatoes to the side. "Did your dad teach you that?"

"He can't teach us anything when he's not here." Joslyn answered while shaking her head.

Al nodded in response but added a bigger smile in comparison to Joslyn's. "Right, we read about it in these books!"

"I can't believe you've done this…"

Immediately the children looked to each other with a defeated frown, assuming the worst when their mother said that. Their shoulders slouched as the three looked down to the wooden bird with disappointment in their eyes. "I'm sorry…" Ed started. "Did we mess up?"

Trisha shook her head while slapping her hands together with a small smile playing on her features. "Oh no! It's great! You definitely take after your father! My little geniuses, you make me so proud!"

And that was it, Mom gave us all the encouragement we needed. From that moment we were obsessed with learning alchemy. But then, in the summer of that same year an epidemic swept the nation. The sickness came and it took her.

Typically in life the parents are always buried in the ground by the children. It's never the other way around, thankfully that was not what ended up happening. Instead three young children who haven't even reached ten had to attend the funeral of their late mother, someone who surely died way too soon. Life is a cruel creature that takes people and animals away without even batting an eye, yet a creature like that is necessary for the natural law. The living live and then they die.

Post funeral the three children sat in front of the grave marking the untimely death of Trisha Elric. A lone bouquet of white flowers wrapped with pink paper sat on the base of the tombstone and yet the Elrics paid no mind to it, but only to the thought of how this could have happened. None of them spoke, they sat lost in thought, words weren't necessary for them to express their overwhelming sadness. "Hey Brother, Sister…?" Al started quietly. "I'm hungry, aren't you both too? And it's cold here, let's go home, please? Once dad comes back everything-"

"Don't even talk about him!" Ed yelled now making both Joslyn and Al jump and look to the now angry boy. "That bastard doesn't care about us! He's not our dad, he didn't even come to Mom's funeral."

Both Joslyn and Al forced their heads back down to the grave, not even bothering on arguing with Ed about where their father stands. The eldest sibling knew Ed was right, part of Al knew that as well, but they both kept an open mind about their father. If he were to return Al would treat him with respect, and Joslyn would be too busy focusing on making sure Ed kept his cool around him. She understood why her brother resented their father and she didn't complain about it in anyway. "You know there might be a way to bring Mom back." Ed stated quietly so the two of them could hear.

Joslyn snapped her eyes over to Ed and gained a serious look to him. "Ed, bringing back the dead is something no one it allowed to do. You know that right?"

"Yeah." Ed responded while standing up so that he towered over both his sister and his younger brother. "That's why it'll be our secret."

Behind them crept two girls, almost identical in appearance and far different in personality department. Both twins, Winry and Wynter Rockbell with blonde short hair and crystal blue eyes, the face of a pure Amestrian. Winry was more outspoken, held thicker skin, and firmer than her sister who was the opposite. Wynter held a cooler head, kept her mind so open her mouth and thoughts were one, and remained silent most of the time. "I thought we'd find you here…" Winry's voice cut through the air with a high pitch.
"What do you two want…?"

"Ya know, Grandma says you shouldn't cry for loved ones who have passed away because when you do it makes them feel sad in the next world too." Wynter recited with a small sad smile on her face.

Al and Joslyn's eyes soften on Wynter, appreciating her kind words even though they didn't specifically come from her. Ed furrowed his brows stubbornly and tightened his fists. "We're not crying! And who are you to talk anyway? Every time your parents go some place far away you cry like a little baby!"

"Edward…" Joslyn scolded.

Instantly Wynter's cheeks flushed with embarrassment with her hands holding each other behind her back. In a low mumble she tried to deny Ed's rather harsh accusation, almost being a miracle that Ed could even hear what she was saying. "Heh, are you sure? Baby?" He taunted which made Wynter's face longer.

Winry pulled Wynter aside and told her to run back home to her grandmother's. Upon the sister's departure Winry shot a glare at the eldest brother. "We were so stupid for worrying about you! We're going home to tell Grandma not to make you any dinner!" She yelled now running away from the entrance of the cemetery after her sister.

"H-Hey! What're you gonna do that for?" Ed whined now running after them. "Hold up!"

"Yeah wait for us too!"

The Elrics sat on the right side of the table while the Rockbells sat on the left side. As Pinako Rockbell, a shorter old woman with grey hair greased into a high ponytail and a pipe sticking out from the side of her mouth, set the table for dinner Joslyn glowered at Ed for his words towards Wynter. With a frown she rose her hand and slammed it at the back of his head almost sending his face into the table. Ed grunted in pain and shot a glare to his sister, "What was that for Jos?"

"You know exactly why I did that." Joslyn retorted while sticking up her nose.

Before Ed could get his swift revenge Pinako sat down in front of him and slammed her pipe of the table. "No violence at the table." She muttered now releasing her pipe. Dinner had finally begun with the children. In unison all the children thanked Pinako for dinner and began to feast on their soup, savor the broth and drink milk straight from the bottle. Pinako glanced over to Ed, noticing right away that his glass of milk remained untouched by the boy. "Come on Ed, drink your milk too." She told him.

"No." Ed spat glaring at the milk. "I hate milk."

"If you don't drink it you'll stay short forever."

"Y'mean like you, you sawed up old hag!"

"What was that, you little half pint midget!"

"Shrunk down mini witch!"

"Micro-peewee!"

"Baby ant baby!"

"Sub-atomic shrimp!"

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Whenever they could the Elrics read and researched Human Transmutation, sometimes reading an alchemy book front to back. Joslyn was still uneasy about the topic and found excuses to get out of reading about it such as homework, class time, even helping Pinako cook was good enough for her. Meanwhile Ed and Al would spend their time reading alchemy books during class, ignoring lessons, refusing to do homework, the boys became obsessed with trying to bring their mother back.

The school bells rang, releasing the children out into the sun filled air walking in pairs or solo back to their homes. All children except for Winry, Wynter, Joslyn, Edward, and Alphonse walking all together in a small clump. "You were reading those weird books in the middle of class again. You need to pay attention to the lessons." Winry told them with a stern voice.

"Leave us alone, will ya?" Ed sighed, annoyance accompanying his voice.

Wynter smiled and looked over to Al with a glow in her eyes. The girl enjoyed reading no matter what, she could pick up any book and get immersed in whatever it said. "So, what books are you guys reading?" She asked with a bright smile.

Al smiled and shook his head. "It's a secret!"

"In other words it's none of your damn business."

"No fair Ed, you guys always keep secrets!" Wynter whined now seeing a stone bridging coming up ahead.

While the Elrics continued their way on the bridge to their quiet little home Winry and Wynter watched them walk away. Wynter sighed and briskly turned to the turn to her left to walk away only to stop when Winry wouldn't follow along. The other twin's eyes widen for moment now holding her hands to the sides of her mouth. "Hey I forgot, Grandma wanted me to tell you she's making stew tonight!"

"Yay stew!"

Joslyn looked over her shoulder and smiled at the two girls with a small wave. "Gotcha, see ya then!"

The night sky covered the town and anything surpassing it, stars fluttered the sky, clouds stained by the black sky shrouded the moon snuffing out a possible source of light. From the hilltop stood the house of the Elrics, the first room on the right glowed with candles so that the people from outside could see from the window. When the three orphans weren't at school or eating at the Rockbells they were in their father's study reading all of the books and notes on making the perfect human. Breaking apart formulas down to the last detail. Each of them were better at the process with a full stomach, even more so when stew was added to the equation. "Ya know whoever made stew must have been a genius!" Ed stated now poking his head out from the book. "It even has milk in it and it's still good!"

Joslyn chuckled and shook her head at her brother's logic. She knew full well that if he could live off stew he would, but it still wouldn't change his height for the better. It was intriguing to not only her but Al that if there is someway to sneak milk into a food that Ed likes he instantly considers them an even bigger genius. "So you're saying just because it has milk that makes it genius?" The eldest sister questioned raising an eyebrow at him.

"Someone came up with the idea to pour milk into vegetable soup for the first time, right? That's a leap of imagination! The kind a scientist needs to make too!" Ed answered.

"I guess that's true…" Al murmured in thought while looking up to the ceiling.

"Sure it is! Just one leap that's all it takes! And it's what we need to figure out Human Transmutation!"

And so we began searching for the key that would unlock the secrets to Human Transmutation and bring Mom back to life. We trained with an alchemy teacher to prepare our bodies as well as our minds. It took years of constant effort, but we wanted to see Mom's smile again. We wanted to go back our lives with her as it used to be. That's what drove us day and night.

The sky was tinted with reds, blues, and purples that colored the town of Resembool with these grim shades. In front of the house of the Elrics a crow let out it's call before sending many like it a flutter along with itself. The study was the set location of the transmutation, a tub set in the center of the room reserved for the elements of a functioning human body. "Water, thirty-five litters. Carbon, twenty kilograms. Ammonia, four litters. Lime, one-point-five kilograms. Phosphorus, eight-hundred grams. Salt, two-hundred-fifty grams. Saltpeter, one-hundred grams. Sulfur, eighty grams. Fluorine, seven-point-five grams. Iron, five-grams. Silicon, three grams." Ed listed off as the two other Elrics prepared the tub of water. Now finishing it off with a tub of water. He turned to the two other siblings, Al being excited just as much as his brother while Joslyn was becoming more nervous as each second passed by. "Right, now the constructional formula." Ed stated now helping Al and Joslyn draw the very intricate and detailed Transmutation Circle, the soft scraping of the chalk against the ground filled the room along with the smell of the fragile substance. "And finally we need some soul data."

When pulling out a knife Joslyn jumped a little upon seeing her younger brother with such a sharp tool. With ease Ed cut into his finger, shedding some of his blood before handing the knife to his younger brother. Holding up the same odd easiness Al cut into his finger, shedding some blood as well. It was then Joslyn's turn to cut into her own skin, to help aid her brothers reach the end of their constant years of reading, training, and building up. She brought the knife to her index finger but stopped when it rested on her skin.

In that moment her blood ran cold, she was ready to back out of all this, have her brothers handle the rest and turn the other cheek. There was war in her mind her versus herself but she was running out of time. A choice must be made. Do this with her brothers or stand aside? Joslyn released a pound of air while she rose the knife and handed it back to Ed. "I… I can't do this…" She spoke while slouching her shoulders.

"What?" Al gasped.

"Why not?"

"Because I...!" She started while shaking her head. "Listen, I just don't think we should… The books say that this is a taboo. It has to be taboo for a reason. They wouldn't just forbid something for no reason. Refuse to listen, read the book so many times you remember what taboo means, or read it and still do this. Do whatever you want, I won't take part in this." At that moment, she strode out of the room and out of the house. The young girl just walked away, to where she didn't know and she wasn't sure how long it would be until she came back to her brothers. Maybe within seconds, minutes, or even hours. Never would she dream about breaking their connection for days, especially when she didn't know what this Transmutation could do.

Ed and Al glanced to each other, not sure if they should go after their sister to see if she was okay. In the end, Ed decided that doing so wouldn't be happening. It would only slow them down after all. Both of them knelt down to the circle, sitting on their knees and placing their hands on the beautifully crafted circle with a bright smile on their faces. "This is it, Al." Ed spoke as the circle began to glow with a bright blue light.

Things started out fairly well, blue sparks of alchemy dancing around to the tin and in random spots in the grand circle. But that only lasted so long, for the light shifted from blue to sickening purple with black shadow like air shifting from the edges of the circle. Instantly Al shifted to his older brother with a look of worry. "Ed, something doesn't feel right." He mumbled now barely noticing the grey eye opening up over the circle with with the tin container covering up the pupil.

Black ominous hands carved from the most inky shadows fired out of the circle and started their mission as well. First it was Al's hand left hand that started to break down into oblivion by the hands that merely touched him. Al let out a cry in horror as he quickly shot onto his feet.

Ed yelled out to Al now feeling the pain in his left leg. The hands stretching out and touching the eldest brother's rather small leg, making that too start to break apart. He let out a cry in pain now tumbling down onto his arms and leg. Looking over he saw the wiggling hands wrapping around his stump and what remained of his left foot. With tears in his eyes he stared with shock. "It can't be… A rebound…?"

"Brother!" Al screamed as he was being dragged to the circle by the hands, slowly being deconstructed as he cried out for his brother's help.

"Al!" The screams filled the empty house while Al continued to fall apart and his hand reached desperately for his only reachable sibling. From where he was Ed tried to reach for his brother not even touching him. There were other matters to be seen.

Without even a moment in between him reaching for his trouble brother and his present, Ed found himself with his left leg completely in tact in an empty white location. It could hardly be called a room. This place was a completely white, shrouded area with no detail expect white. So much of one color could make a person go blind, white no less. Behind Ed there was a large grey door that more than a hundred times his size. "Al…?" Ed quietly hollered almost inaudible. "W-wait… what was I doing? I just…"

Suddenly appearing before the boy was blank silhouette that was about as tall as Ed surrounded by thick black air, it sat before him but wasn't even noticed. It let out a gruff 'hello' and startled the already bewildered child. Looking over he saw to the white figure with wide eyes. "W-Who are you?" Ed stammered.

"Huh, I'm so glad you asked!" It gasped, pleasure in it's voice. "I am called by many names, I am The World, I am The Universe, I am God, I am Truth, I am All, I am One." Then lifting it's head with a grin being the only thing that showed in it's features. Slowly Truth's arm lifted upwards and extended it's finger up to Ed, pointing straight at him. "And I am also, you." A quiet gasp stifled out of Ed's opened lips. The air began to become thick, tense and soaking with trepidation as the door behind Ed opened. His blood went cold as he slowly shifted, turning his head over to sight of the door opening up. A lone grey eye remained surrounded by dooming darkness with the same black hands from before oozing out of the opening. "You have dared to knock on the door, now the door is open." The hands dashed towards Ed who did his best to launch away from the horrendous sensation only to be caught almost in a painfully easy way. Ed let out cries and screams in a nonstop order trying to save himself from the traumatizing ordeal. "Quiet child, this is what you wanted, isn't it? I will show you the truth."

Ed let out another scream as he finally realized he was in the doorway, his eyes widening in horror. Before there was any thought put into how to get out the door slammed shut and the boy was hurdled into pitch black darkness. The screaming boy was then faced with waves of information, things he already knew, things and people he would see in the future, even such knowledge he wouldn't begin to understand.

It was like all the information in the world was being poured into my brain at once.

"It's too much, make it stop!" Ed pleaded loudly. Yet it was no use, there was no stopping the misery of the truth. It couldn't be stopped, especially for him. He could feel his whole body peel away into dust, limb from limb as he kept his eyes forward not bearing to look. "What's happening to me! Stop it! Make it stop!"

My head was about to burst. In an instant, it all became clear. The Truth, of everything.

His eyes suddenly went large as he saw a tall figure with flowing hair in the now white background, almost like this person was carved of the light of day. It was tall, dependent, motherly. Ed pulled his only arm closer in the figure's direction, reaching for her as if his life depended on it. To be fair, in his mind, his life did depend on it. "Mom! Mom please!" Mere inches away, their hands almost touched. Until it stopped.

The grueling episode finally ended. Once more Ed reappeared back into the pitch white room with his limbs returned and his right hand extended to nothing but the air. Heaving breaths that were desperate for air struggled out of Ed's throat as his wide eyes remained so. He only recovered after the Truth asked him how the event went. Ed slowly lowered his hand and turned to the door before walking closer to it. "I see, the theory of Human Transmutation wasn't wrong. It can be done, it's possible." He said now placing his hands back on the bulky stone doors. "It's still just missing something! All the answers I need are right here! The truth about Human Transmutation! Please you have to show it to me again!"

"I can't do that." Truth stated now standing up on his two feet. "I've already shown you what I can with the toll you've paid."

"Toll? What toll?"

"This. Surely you knew." Truth answered now sticking out his left foot which began to grow with human flesh which crawled up his leg while Ed's leg in return disappeared. Ed looked down when seeing this breathing became harder as his face went almost as pale as the area now. "It's the law of Equivalent Exchange, right young alchemist?"

In painful reality, Ed laid on the ground alone in the shadows of the blue sparks of alchemy holding his bloody stump leg while letting out a yell in agony. A pile clothes was all that remained of his younger brother, the body was nowhere to be seen. He was gone. Taken by the very Truth. Ed forced himself back to his arms and lone knee as blood slithered out of the stump. "Dammit! This can't be happening! It can't be! This… This isn't wasn't supposed to... No! He's gone what have I done?" Ed slumped down to his side in pain and screwed his eyes shut. "Somebody help me… Joslyn… Please Mom…"

The lights of alchemy died down which made Ed's eyes shoot open quickly. Smoke faded into the air revealing what they have made. A grotesque creature, with the insides hanging outside but somehow being able to let out heavy breaths. Ed stared in terror with his mouth hanging open. It's hand reached out over the growing puddle of blood and then fell to the ground in the liquidy substance. "No… This is… This is wrong! This isn't… This isn't what we wanted! Al! Alphonse! Alphonse! This is all my fault! Alphonse no!" He knocked down a suit of armor with the helmet falling off after it. Crawling to the hole, blood trailed behind him, which would prove to be the perfect material for what he was going to do. Using his blood he started to draw a transmutation circle and prepared himself to return to the nightmare. "Dammit! You won't take him too! Give him back, he's my brother! Take my leg, take my arm, take my heart! Take anything you can have it! Just give him back! He's my little brother, he's all I have left!" Then clapping his hands, it started all over again.

Currently, Joslyn sat at the train station waiting for either the train or for Roy and Riza to come by. Beside her was Penelope who was also told to head to Eastern City for to further her research after a very lengthy call with Basque. The timing was perfect since her 'family' resided in the location, it was the best time to pop by for a visit. Both of the girls sat in solemn silence not sure what to use as a conversation starter. Joslyn sighed and looked over to Penelope. "So, you found out?" Penelope already knew what the Elric was referring to. The brothers, one missing an arm and a leg while the other lost his whole body. Forever cursed to walk the earth as a hollow shell. She wetted her lips and nodded. Joslyn looked over to the teen with distress apparent in her eyes. "Say something Pene… Anything."

Penelope sighed and sat up straight. "Well, there's nothing I can say." She told her with a small shrug.

"I'm surprised you're so mellow."

"What else did you expect?" The Elric sister sighed in response and shook her head while shrugging. Joslyn lowered her head and stared down at the concrete ground with soft eyes. She didn't need to worry about Penelope gossiping about Ed and Al, it wouldn't make sense for her to blabber on about it. Penelope let out a huff of air and leaned back on the bench. "I do have some questions though." The alchemist confirmed with a frown.

Joslyn whipped her eyes over to her direction. "You know more about the topic than I do. Why do you intend on bothering me with questions you already know the answer to? Your memory's bad but not that bad."

With a shrug Penelope's lips pressed together into a thin line while melting her body to the bench. Busy people passed by, either briskly getting onto trains or saying hello to loved ones they haven't seen in quite some time. This day could be considered extraordinary to these people but to these two girls it felt normal or like a chore. To Joslyn it was another day where she lay wondering how her brothers were doing under the watch of Yuki, to Penelope is was just another day lost that she would never have back. "So… What was it like for you?" She started off quietly.

A rather foolish question in the mind of Joslyn, but part of Penelope knew that it was dumb to ask herself. Yet, she felt the need to question Joslyn about it. The Elric sighed and shook her head. "Well, I didn't even witness the mess I walked in after it was done. I walked out on them and they paid for it. When I came back home after refusing to bring my mom back with them my dad's study was covered in blood, Ed had already lost his left leg and his right arm and my brother was gone. Whatever they made was hardly considered alive, there was no saving it and there was no way in hell it was our mother. They didn't get what they wanted, they got some other… Beast. Al and I had to carry Ed's bloody body back to a friend's house so he could get fixed up. They asked me what I was doing at the time, why I wasn't there for them. Can you even begin to imagine how difficult that was for me? I wouldn't be surprised if those boys, my brothers, my only family left hated me for not helping them. Nothing can atone for not being there for them, the amount of tears I've shed for my brothers won't fix them. Family are supposed to fight and go through hell together, they've seen hell and they're going to see more of it, but even now I can't be there for them."

The next day was bright with sunlight on the surface but digging underneath all people find is dread. A horrific thing occurred the night before, shaking the Rockbells and the Elrics. But the three children were nowhere to be seen, leaving behind the ruins of their sin. Human Transmutation, the very thing three failed to do. Roy Mustang, a man in the military came to Resembool to see a gifted alchemist, but instead came across the ruins of the study. He stared in horror as his trusted subordinate stepped inside after searching the house. Riza stepped into the room looking over to Roy. "Lieutenant Colonel, they're not in back either." She stated now looking over to the transmutation circle soaked in blood. "What is this…?"

"Where are they? Where are the Elrics, I want them found!" Roy yelled now feeling anger boil in his blood.

It wasn't long until they found themselves at the Rockbell household which was also the location of their Automail making business. Roy knocked on the door firmly which triggered the dog behind the door into a barking frenzy. From behind the door Pianko tried to appease the dog while tending to the guests. "Oh hush Den, don't bark at our guest!" She scolded as she opened up the door to see Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye. Then without any hesitation Roy fully opened the door and pushed himself inside the house. "Hey! What is this! You have no reason to come barging in here!"

Roy's eyes searched the room, finding Ed sitting in a wheelchair with Al behind it with Joslyn close by in another room. The poor child looked beaten up, hollow eyes the remained unmoving. His sister was no better, red shot eyes, bags, with a rather pale expression looking like she hadn't slept in days. Yet that didn't stop the man from charging forward and grabbing Ed by the collar of his shirt, practically pulling him off the chair. Joslyn jumped and her eyes widen now jolting to her feet to come to her brother's aid. "We went to your house, we saw the floor! What was that! What did you do!" Roy loudly interrogated.

Not even holding a trace of bewilderment Ed looked up to Roy before clenching his teeth and looking back down to the ground. Before Roy could finish Al walked around and rested his metal hand on his arm along with Joslyn. "We're sorry…" Al whimpered now throwing Roy right off guard. "We didn't mean it… We're sorry…" Over and over becoming quieter Al told Roy that they were sorry for what they've done. Throwing Roy out of his fiery rage and pulling him off guard.

Everything finally grew calm, Roy sat at the dining room table with the Elrics and Pinako holding heavy matters. It was clear that the Lieutenant Colonel wouldn't go around telling his colleagues what he's seen here today. "This is a surprise to say the least. I'd heard reports that there was a brilliant alchemist living in this town so I came to check them out. The last thing I expected to find was a boy skilled enough to attempt Human Transmutation or advanced enough to bond a soul to a suit of armor. I'd say he's more than qualified to become a State Alchemist. Should he choose to accept the position he'll be required to serve the military in times of national emergency. In return he'll receive privileges and access to otherwise restricted research materials. Given time, they may be able to get their bodies back and maybe more."

Pinako slammed the rim of her pipe on the closest surface she could find, cutting off Roy from any other offer he had in store. "Right after Joslyn brought him to my door half dead and covered in blood, I went over to their house to see for myself what happened. What was there, whatever that thing was it wasn't human! Alchemy created that abomination, it nearly killed them, and you want to throw those boys head long into it! Would you really have them go through that hell again?"

In another room Riza Hawkeye sat alone on a couch, waiting for Roy return from talking with Pinako about the boys. Wynter stepped inside the room with Winry right next to her while holding a tray with three cups of tea for the other guest. The quieter Rockbell extended the tray in which the cups of tea rested. "Some tea…?" She murmured quietly. Riza accepted the tea and thanked the young girl for the kind offer.

Winry took a cup from Wynter's tray and sat down on the other end of the couch from Riza. Instead her sister sat in the middle of the couch while holding the cup of tea. The air was tense, thick with silence. Part of Wynter was still stunned by the events of the night before, seeing her friends coming to them in a panic holding Ed who was on the brink of death. The other Rockbell on the other hand kept all the worry and distress internal in the best way she could, it was only a matter of time until she breaks. "Say… Lieutenant…?"

"Just Riza please, Riza Hawkeye." She replied with a smile before turning to the two and holding out her hand. "It's nice to meet you both."

Instead of shaking hands with the woman both of the girls glanced away much to Riza's astonishment. "Lieutenant?" Winry started quietly. "Have you ever had to shoot anyone?"

The day was full of surprises for the militants, each were different. Roy in the sense that he came across the Elric Brothers, then Riza in which she was immediately asked if she ever had to shot a person by a child. Glancing away from the two she answered. "Yes I have…"

"I hate what you soldiers do. Soldiers like you are the reason why our mom and dad left during the war and soldiers are the reason their dead." Winry spat. "And now you… Now you're here to take Ed and Al away too."

"If they go that decision will be theirs and theirs alone. Yes, it's entirely up to them now."

"I'm not forcing you." Roy clarified. "I'm merely offering you the possibility."

"Whether to move forward or stand still."

"Will you sit in the chair and wallow in self pity or will you stand up and cease the chance the military can give you?"

"It's their choice. They choose their own path."

"If you believe the possibility exists for getting your bodies back you should seek it out and keep moving. Whatever it takes even if the way ahead lies through the river of mud."

Winry stared down at her cup of tea, her face reflecting in the clear oak colored tea, rubbing the rim with her index finger. On the other side of her Wynter clenched onto the handles of the tray firmly so the flat surface wouldn't shake in her hands. She swallowed hard and stared at her untouched tea surely becoming colder the less she touched it. " , why is that you became a soldier?" Wynter questioned quietly while inspecting her features from the cup of tea.

A smile came across Riza's lips as she lightly relaxed her shoulders and closed her eyes. That was a question that part of her expected to get at some point from one of these girls. "Because there's someone I have to protect." Riza answered. Both Winry and Wynter's eyes widen now snapping their gaze to the woman.

Not even before a silence could be created Roy opened up the door stepping inside the room with his unchanging poker face. He told Riza that it was time to head out in return she obediently stood now placing the tea back on the tray while grabbing her jacket. Wynter set the tray where Riza sat at before and stood watching her with awe much like Winry did. They couldn't help but to follow the two to bid them farewell outside. As Riza walked to their ride she smiled and turned to the two girls. "Well I guess this is goodbye young ladies."

Winry rose her hand for Riza to shake her hand trying to repay the refusal to shake hands before. "It's Winry." She mumbled quietly.

"And I'm Wynter." Wynter butted in.

Riza blinked at the two for a moment but the surprise took control and was replaced with a soft smile. Now taking Winry's hand she shook it with a strong grasp. "Right bye Winry, Wynter. I hope we meet again someday."

With all that done and out of the way both Roy and Riza left in the back of a cart, most likely to be taken back to the train station. There was work to be done. Roy couldn't talk with the Elrics all day after all. Riza glanced at Roy with narrowed eyes. "Will they be coming?" She questioned, even though part of her already knew the answer. Roy could prove to be very persuasive if need be, especially given the condition of Ed and Al.

"They'll come."

Riza's eyes looked off to the distance, to the fields filled with nothing but tall green grass. "That boy, I've never seen anyone look so defeated."

Her commanding officer smirked when hearing the word defeated. It was rather unfitting for the boy's look. Sure that's how he appeared, but after the talk things changed. Roy lit something in the boy that's for sure. "Is that what you saw?" He inquired. "No, there was fire in those eyes."

By nighttime Ed was returned to being responsive, while speaking with Joslyn he mentioned that he wanted automail as soon as possible. Of course wanting to fulfill his wishes she informed Pinako and the Rockbell sisters of this news. There was no doubt that Ed was preparing himself for his State Alchemist exam. His mind was set and no one could talk him out of doing what few have been successful at doing, especially for someone is age. Becoming a State Alchemist. Edward Elric was set to be the youngest State Alchemist Amestris will ever have. "You're sure you won't regret this?" Pinako questioned now preparing the first out of many operations.

Without even a trace of hesitation he nodded. "My mind's made up." Ed said with a solid voice.

"How long will the surgery and the rehabilitation take?" Joslyn asked with concern reaching higher upon seeing the tools that Pinako began to pull out.

"I'd say about three years, more or less."

Ed took a deep breath through his nose while closing his eyes and grabbed a fistfull of the clothed sheets. When opening the eyes the fire appeared once more. Flames as apparent as the sun during the summer day. "I'll do it one." He muttered.

The three Rockbells couldn't help but gasp at Ed's sudden statement. For the most part it wasn't the best to just decide cut the recovery time from such a slow torturous ordeal down to size. Many have wanted to stop even before the first operation was completed, getting automail was already a huge feat. But to do everything within a year is unheard of. "You'll have yourself spitting blood, you know that?" Pinako sighed now shaking her head.

The boy only nodded and looked over to Al with a startling smile. Now that was a miracle itself. A smile like that after enduring such a traumatizing experience. "Al, just hang in there a little longer. Okay? We'll get you your body back."

Al nodded in response with an affirmation that was as soft as bricks. "Right, and while we're at it we'll get yours back too." His brother nodded in response and his smile grew.

One year, to everyone's surprise was enough for the eldest Elric brother. A metal prosthetic now replacing his left leg and right arm, his hair growing long enough for it to be put in an braid and the fire in his eyes grew more powerful. Blood and pain wasn't enough to put out the flames of determination that Ed had locked away. To test out the movements of the the automail both Ed and Al sparred, pulling out moves that seemed to come out of thin air. All the while the eldest Elric watched with a soft smile at how her brothers have grown.

Ed dodged a punch from Al and powered up jump with his feet slamming into Al's wrists that covered up his metal helmet. The older brother jumped back and landed on his feet just in time to block a punch, Al dodged a kick and slammed both of their wrists together. With a grin Ed stood tall and tightened his metal hand. Joslyn smiled and walked to the two of them. "Looks like you're finally in perfect shape." She stated.

"Yeah, now I need to try some alchemy." Ed stated now looking to his hands. "I guess it's been awhile since the last time I used it."

"No, not since the night we tried to bring mom back. Right?" While Al spoke, Ed closed his eyes and raised his hands up to his chest. A soft breath of air was pulled into his body as his hands slammed together, creating almost an echo then placing his hand on his automail arm. The blue streams of light instantaneously surged out from the contact and created a blade that stretched past his hand. "Brother!"

"Ed!"

"Yeah, I'd say that's right on the money!"

Al's armor shifted with excitement. His brother could finally transmute without the use of a circle, an achievement that they adored from their teacher. It was what drew them in, and now here Ed was. Able to clap his hands and touch something to get what he desired, within reason of course. "That's amazing!" Al cried out. "You didn't even use a Transmutation Circle, you can perform alchemy the same way Teacher does!"

Ed rose an eyebrow and glanced over to Al. "You can do it too, can't you?"

"Me? No, no way!"

"So, you didn't see it, did you?"

Joslyn blinked while crossing her arms over her chest. "See what?" She asked now raising an eyebrow at him.

The boy's eyes shifted to the tip of the automail blade while mumbling quietly. When letting out a quiet 'nevermind' a wrench suddenly went flying in Ed's direction, slamming right into his skull. His look shifted from wonder to pain as he fell straight to the ground while holding the place where he got hit. On the patio Winry and Wynter stood, Winry holding a look of anger while Wynter held a shocked feature. "Hey you!" Winry screamed to Ed. "Don't mess up my automail! Do you know how hard I worked on that!"

Ed lifted his head and shot a glare at the Rockbell sister. Trying to force himself back onto his feet, Joslyn helped him stand but being careful not to accidentally cut her hand on Ed's automail blade. "If it's half as hard as you throw a wrench I'd but surprised! For real, you can try acting more like a girl and less like a gearhead…"

Winry's face flushed with anger now looking away from the three siblings. "If you think I'm a gearhead, that's fine but you'd better get used to it! 'Cause as long as you're wearing my automail you're stuck with this gearhead whether you like it or not!" She scolded. Behind her Wynter quietly corrected her sister when saying it was just her automail.

The realization had finally struck him, that Winry was correct in the sense that he would have to deal with her random strings of anger. It was much to Ed's dislike and Al and Joslyn's delight.

Quite some time had passed since Roy heard from any of the Elrics, he knew that they would come, but it was only a matter of when. Yet the day finally came. The State Alchemy Entrance Exam. People from far and wide to test their luck and try to become a State Alchemist, or a dog of the military as it's been called on the streets. Ed trying to become a State Alchemist brought some attention, but none of the attention was as grand as that of the Fϋhrer's. In fact he went out of his way to see a portion of Ed's exam.

Upon seeing Edward, not even a brow was raised by Fϋhrer Bradley unlike the other observers. But his attention was caught onto Ed's automail arm. "Would that be a steel prosthetic?" He asked.

Ed glanced down to the metal limb now reaching up and rubbing his wrist. "It happened during the Eastern Conflict." He lied.

"I see… So you had a rough time in Ishval hmm?" Without even confirming his own lie Ed leaned over to one of his escorts asking who this man was. Naturally the man was shocked and quietly but briskly explained who the eye-patched man was. Ed furrowed his brows and his lips bent into a smug frown. "Thank you, you may proceed with the examination."

"Do you need something to draw Transmutation Circles with?"

In the middle of one of the men's question, Ed just clapped his hands in return. "No it's okay, I got it." He assured now clapping his hands together and setting them onto the ground. Once more a blue light peered out of the ground around him sending everyone into a state of disbelief. Even Roy wasn't aware of Ed's abilities. With ease Ed started to pull a spear out from the ground, not even touching the tail of the spear until the tip of the blade was formed.

"My, that is quite something isn't it?"

Keeping his cool Ed charged in Bradley's direction with the blade pointing right at his bare neck. All the soldiers pulled out their guns and started to point them at Ed even after he quickly stopped right before the spear met with Bradley's neck. The only two people who weren't tense was Edward and the Fϋhrer who was surprisingly relaxed. "You know, there's some people who would see this as a good way to assassinate a VIP. In the future you might want to rethink the way you conduct these examinations." Ed stated.

Just by a flick of his wrist, Bradley called off the men and their guns. The men straightened themselves out and pointed their guns back to the ceiling before stuffing the gun back into their respective holders. Meanwhile Ed lifted the spear and pulled it to his side away from the leader of Amestris. Bradley's smile grew. "That's good, you clearly have nerves of steel young man. But, I say you have much to learn about the world." He stated while walking off. While the Fϋhrer's back was turned the whole blade of the spear slid off the tail of the weapon and plopped onto the ground. Ed looked down and gasped in shock at the discovery. When lifting his head once more he saw that Bradley's blade was out suddenly as he waved to the boy. "You put on a show my naive alchemist! Good luck with the rest of your exam!"

Ed's jaw dropped upon seeing the gleaming sword that was held out beside him. "W-When did he draw his sword…?"

Back home things were quiet, the loudest thing around was the very wind. Softly blowing a nice breeze that seemed to relax both Winry and Wynter. Possibly Ed and Joslyn as well if they were present in Resembool. Ed was off taking his exam and Joslyn watched over him while he did so. Winry stood in the grassy fields with Wynter and Al sitting close by. "I wonder if Ed is doing okay on his exam…" Wynter mumbled now pressing her cheek onto her knees.

"Say Al?" Winry started.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"If Ed does become a State Alchemist does that mean he'll be going away?"

Al's gaze drifted away from Winry and tried his hardest to avoid Wynter's peering gaze. He just had to look forward into the grassy green distance. "Yeah." The boy replied.

Everyone who took the test just saw a child playing an adult's game doing something that is reserved for true men. No one who took the test along with him expected to lose their chance of a certification to Edward Elric. A twelve year old with metal limbs and a mouth on him. Yet Roy called him into his office to give him the very symbol of the dog of the military. A silver pocket watch with a lion crest on the top which rested in a wooden box with purple silk sheets. "The Silver Pocket Watch will serve as proof of your State certification." Roy stated showing off the watch and then pulling out a piece of white paper from a manilla envelope. "This envelope contains your certificate of appointment. Huh, and it would seem our Fϋhrer isn't without a sense of irony."

Ed rose an eyebrow at Roy's statement. "And why is that?"

"Nothing." Roy quickly responded with. He extended the paper to Ed so that it was closer to him. "Anyway, congratulations you've officially become a dog of the military."

This official document certifies that the nation of Amestris, Prefecture of the Generalissimo appoints the name FULLMETAL to EDWARD ELRIC, in the name of Führer King Bradley.

The State Alchemist shall follow all orders and policies of the military.

A research assessment examination shall be held once every year in the case that the State Alchemist does not show signs of progress in his research as result of the examination, he shall be discharged from the services of State Alchemist.

The State Alchemist is entitled to the use of ample research funds, unrestricted access to classified documents, access to various governmental facilities, and a military rank equal to that of a ''major''.

King Bradley

When reading the first paragraph of the Elric didn't even bother reading the rest, he lifted the paper upwards and gave Roy a weird look. He repeated his state given name with an eyebrow raised. Roy smirked slightly and linked his hands together on the table. "That's right, along with their commission, State Alchemists also receive a code name. Officially you will be known as the Fullmetal Alchemist." He explained.

Ed held a ear to ear grin when hearing the name being said by someone else. "I like that, it's nice and intimidating. I think that'll suit me just fine!"

The train charged onwards, the sun rising in the light blue sky and beyond the location Ed, Al, and Yuki were heading for. While Al remained wide awake the State Alchemists were fast asleep, prepared to wake up either if close or in the town of Liore. In the distance there it was, the quaint town with the church being it's most defining feature, standing out from the barely lit sky. Al leaned over to Ed and Yuki now shaking them awake softly. "Hey, both of you. Wake up, we're almost there." Al whispered softly so that they could hear.

Their eyes peeled open and they saw it, a church tall like a tower watching over the townspeople with a keen eye. "So this is Liore…?" Yuki asked with a quiet yawn while stretching her arms and legs to the best of her abilities.

Could it really be there? The key to finally getting Al his body back?

Ed's eyebrows knitted together as his eyes remained locked on the town, set on the prize. Never had he been so prepared to get through this and get Al his body back. It was so close, he could almost taste the reward on his tongue. "The Philosopher's Stone."