(enjoy!)

As everything calmed down, Edward and Alphonse sat down on the steps of the library.

"So, brother, are we REALLY going to search for the Philospher stone?"

Edward nodded lightly, then he looked up as a black cat drove up, and as it stopped, Armstrong and Hughes looked out from the window.

"Morning Elrics!"

Edward climbed to his feet, and Alphonse smiled softly. "Good morning!"

Hughes then climbed out of the car, and he placed his hands on Edward's shoulders. "I heard what happen, and sorry Roy did that to you, but you've passed the test and your now a state Alchemist!" Hearing this, Alphonse cheered and Edward gave a thumbs up.

"Where finally moving on Al.."

Hughes then began to lead Edward to the car. "The Colonel wants to visit with you, come on, I'll take ya over."

Edward nodded, then he turned. "Will you be alright alone Al?"

Alphonse nodded, and he watched happily as the three drove off, then he looked down the road quietly.

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As a train came to a stop at the train station, Winry ran out of the cart and she looked around. "It's about time..I haven't been here in so long." She then quickly booked it down the road. "Here I come Edward and Alphonse!"

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"The Fullmetal Alchemist has arrived sir!"

Mustang looked from his spot at the window, and he nodded as Armstrong left the room, leaving Edward to stand alone. "Have a seat Edward..."

Edward quickly sat down, and he watched as Mustang reached into his desk. "This is for you." He then jumped as Mustang tossed him something, and as he caught it, he gasped seeing a BEAUTIFUL metal pocket watch. "Try not to lose it, I don't hand out seconds."

Edward quickly stood and he bowed, and as he ran out of the room, he crashed into Hughes.

"So your now an official State Alchemist?"

Edward nodded and he gripped the watch as he looked to it.

"Yeah...it seems like everything is falling back to normal..." Edward then slipped the watch into his pocket and he looked up. "I've got to go!" He then vanished down the hall.

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Still at the library, Alphonse continued starring down the road then he looked to the side hearing foot steps, and approaching was none other then Winry.

"Hello Al!..Where's Ed?"

Before Alphonse could say, a black car drove up and Edward stepped out and Winry smiled. "Winry, aren't you a sight for soar eyes."

Winry quickly walked up, and she chuckled. "Atleast your taking care of your arm, anything new?"

Edward smirked, and he quickly whipped out his watch. "I'm a state alchemist now, pretty cool huh?"

Winry then snatched up the watch. "I'll say! Oh Ed, it's beautiful...just look at the details, texture!" As she went over the watch, Alphonse stepped up.

"We can finally search for the stone!"

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Later, the three began to head for the base.

"What's up Winry, how's old lady Pinako?"

"She's doing great, but she wants you guys to atleast send a post card, she's lonely without you..I'm lonely."

Edward stopped walking, and he smiled softly. "Heck, I had all that time before to visit..but now I'm a state alchemist."

Hearing this, Winry lowered her head and broke into tears. "Why'd you have to go in the first place, even if you did lose your family you still had me and grandma!"

Edward and Alphonse both said nothing, and Winry continued to cry.

At night time, both Edward and Alphonse lay in bed wide awake.

"Brother?"

Edward looked up, arms crossed behind his head. "Yeah Al?"

Not getting the right words, Alphonse just turned onto his back. "Night brother..."

Edward slowly sat up, and he looked over in confusion, then he looked to his metal arm and sighed.

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"Come on Colonel, just say it, you love her...she's adorable is she not. Beautiful eyes, eyes of her mother...but her own voice, an ANGEL'S VOICE!" As Hughes went on, Mustang gripped the receiver tightly, ready to burst into flames at any moment.

"Luietenent..people have REAL work here..."

Hughes smirked hearing the anger, and he looked to the side. "Yes I know Colonel, but I'm just throwing in a mood, the mood...the FEELING were you just want to go out there and..."

CLANG, Hawkeye cleared her throat softly as Mustang kept a tight grip on the phone. "Temper Sir..."

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"I'm working on an upgrade Ed, your going to need it since your a state alchemist now."

Edward smiled softly at her, as he and Winry sat at the fountain, while Alphonse played with some pet shop puppies. As Edward looked over, his gaze stopped on a figure in a near by alley and as he continued to look he stood and slowly made his way over, and as he did he gasped seeing a dismembered body lying infront of a bloodied wall, eyes wide in fear and mouth agap, Edward stared in disgust.

"Edward, look at these puppies there...brother?"

Winry looked up, then she blinked seeing Edward no longer next to her. "Ed?"

Suddenly there was a loud scream, and when the two found it, Edward was against the wall, hands placed firmly against it, and his bangs were over his eyes. "Edward?" Edward slowly lifted his hands, and as the two stepped foreward they gasped. Blood covered Edward's hands, and a blood drawn transmutation circle was before him.

"Brother?..."

As Alphonse stepped up, Edward pushed him away.

"Stay back..."

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Back at the base, Mustang stood at the window starring out it quietly, then he turned quickly "Where the hell is he!?" Hughes jumped up, and fumbling, he soluted him. "Sorry sir, haven't seen him since he left, so then he must be..." Quickly Mustang turned and looked outside and he smirked, and then he left the room, Hughes fast behind.

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Once again as Alphonse tried to get close, Edward again pushed him away. "Edward, what's wrong..why won't you let Al near?" Edward, ignoring her, slammed his hands on the wall, but nothing happened and just as he was about to do it again, gun fire was heard..and all stopped.

"What are you doing Edward?"

Just as Edward was about to do alchemy one more time, Mustang stepped up, grabbed a hold of him then he turned him around, and he punched him hard in the face. Then as he fell, Mustang punched him once more. Winry watched in shock, and the tears began to fall, and as Alphonse watched sadness took over, and though tears didn't fall...you didn't need them to hear his sobs. After a few beatings, Hughes and Mustang left, leaving a bruised and bleeding Edward on the ground crying. Alphonse quickly nealed at his side, and he sat Edward up and he hugged him.

"Brother..."

It then slowly began to rain, drowning out Edward's sobs and tears.