I do not own FMA or claim too.

Just allow me to tell you a story.

Chapter 2

Permission

The city looks well. Central has spent a lot of time rebuilding after the attempted take over. In less then a hour over half the city was destroyed and two years of hard work has it almost restored. General Mustang is riding in the back of his car. Riza is driving him to the capitol building.

"How do you think this will turn out?" Roy asks.

"I'm not sure sir. This sort of thing hasn't been asked of the council."

"Well lets hope our friend is prepared. He has given up so much to make this happen. Even if the council doesn't approve I'm afraid he will try it anyways."

"If he tries it and it doesn't work. I don't think he can afford to loose anything else."

"This is true. The Rockbells will start to suspect something if he pays them another visit."

They arrive at the capitol building parking by the center stairs. Roy gets out and sees his new friend standing at the top of the stairs. That same long coat with a newer military uniform underneath. He doesn't even know that Roy and Riza have arrived. His nose stuck in a book and mumbling words to himself. This meeting is what he and Roy have been working on these past two years. Roy starts up the stairs and finally catches his attention.

"So, is this going to work?"Roy asks.

"It should I have all the basics covered. Anything that the council can think of I have an answer for."

"I believe you have sacrificed more then you needed too. You haven't yet explained to me why you are so dedicated to those boys. If the council asks they will want an answer."

"I know. General you have been great to me in supporting me threw these long two years. I can only hope that they will allow me to do this."

The three of them make their way into the building and head for the conference hall. Outside the doors awaits Lt. Colonel Armstrong. He salutes the three and opens the doors. The room is filled with military personnel. The center of the hall has a table set up with two chairs and a microphone. In front of the table sits the councilmen waiting for the meeting to start. Armstrong and Hawkeye go sit behind the table and the other two sit at the table.

"Everyone sit down. This meeting will now begin."

Mustang stands to address the council. He hasn't felt this nervous since confronting their former king. He takes a look down at his partner, gives a nod, and starts his address to them.

"Members of council. I, General Roy Mustang the Flame Alchemist am here to request permission to rescue a State Alchemist and his brother."

"Who do you wish to save General Mustang?"

"State Alchemist Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse."

Everyone of the council stops moving and speaking. Behind him Roy hears people mumbling to themselves. The tension grew automatically after he said that. He was hoping for a positive response at this point. This was going to be a little tougher then he thought.

"General Mustang this council is well aware of where those two young men are at. The last time Edward Elric entered this world it almost cost the entire city of central its life. What on earth would make you think such a request will be allowed?"

"My associate here will explain how this will happen and how safe it will be. I will now turn the floor over to him."

Roy sits down and is very pleased he no longer has to speak. A lot more talking is going on behind them now. He looks to his right to check on his friend. Nerves and worry seem to filling his face. Finally he stands to plead his case. The head councilman raises his hammer and slams it on the desk.

"Everyone in this hall will remain silent. This meeting is not a social for you officers. Now I would to like to hear this man speak. Major Edward Thomas, the Energy Alchemist now has the floor."

"Thank you. Members of council I have devised a way to open a doorway connecting our two worlds. Instead of a major gate that would allow large numbers of enemy's to invade our world I have shrunk it down to a normal size door. Using advanced navigation in a transmutation circle I can open it to anywhere in the other world. Using belongings of Edward Elric I can pinpoint to open in a radius of one mile of his location. The amount of time it will be open is twenty four hours then it shuts. Lt. Colonel Armstrong and I will go into this world and retrieve the Elrics in the allotted time. General Mustang and company will be stationed in this world to ensure that no one from the other side will get it."

"Major Thomas how do you know that the doorway will last a full day? How do you know that the transmutation circle will work? Where did you get the information to this knowledge when no one in this room has heard of any technic such as this?"

"The door will be open that long because of the red stones I have recovered from the site of the old gate. The energy in those stones will last for twenty four hours before they recoil. Regarding the information and knowledge I carry on the matter comes from a very reliable source. I have visited the gate twice to acquire it."

"How is it you have visited the gate and stand before us?"

Now everyone in this room is silent. The Major takes of his jacket and his military coat. He removes his white gloves and the unbuttons his shirt. After removing the shirt the hall fills with gasps and whispering. For his arms are not of flesh but of steel. From his shoulders all the way down are automail. He lifts his left leg and places it on a chair. After raising his pant cuff everyone sees that it too is gone. The councilmen aren't even whispering. A wide eyed look of shock and disbelief has struck all of their faces. He puts his shirt and coat back and stands in front of the table to speak again.

"You see you cannot visit the gate without paying a price. What I needed was knowledge. Knowledge that could not be found in this world. My first visit I lost my left arm, the information I got was about a smaller doorway. My second visit was information on how to locate Edward and Alphonse. That amount of information was more advanced so I had to pay a larger price. My right arm and left leg were taken for that. So you see I have dedicated everything I have to bringing those two home. Plus with the new problems this State is facing it wouldn't hurt to have a famous alchemist back to help. Please let me open the doorway and I promise that no one that helps me will get hurt."

Major Thomas goes and sits down beside Roy. Members of council are now talking to themselves about what has just happened. Sitting in that chair feels like hours and days are passing by. Waiting is worse then actually speaking to them. Finally after what seemed like forever they are done talking. Roy and Edward are asked to stand while they give their decision.

"General Mustang, Major Thomas you two have certainly brought and interesting case before us. Never have we had to make such a decision. Regarding what happened two years ago we should throw the both of you out of here and strip you of your State ranking. However Major Thomas has given us quite a bit of information on how this will be safe and overall will be in interest of this State. We will grant you permission to open the doorway only once. If you fail we will not permit you a second chance. For the record Major Thomas before we adjourn this meeting this council would like to know why you went to such lengths to bring back two people who you have never served with."

Roy looks over at Edward and gives a little smirk. Forever has he been hounding him on this answer. The Major lowers his head and takes a deep breath. All the members of council and everyone watching has their eyes fixed on him. He looks over at Roy and gives a returning smirk.. He turns his focus towards the council and says....

"Because I can no longer let those two be stranded. As their uncle and godfather I must bring them back."