Hello again! Sorry for the long wait. I know it's been a couple weeks. It's just that I've been tight on time and I went away for Christmas. The good news is, I almost have the second chapter complete as well. =] Enjoy! (I'm pretty sure there are no mistakes)

"Oi! Walker! Get over here!" Roy waved to me as the waitress at the food stand handed him a couple of large sandwiches. I laggardly stood from the fountain edge and raised my heavy feet. I somewhat regretted being so stubborn about wearing my colossal, dusty, and extremely ratty leather hiking boots. It was hot in Lior, and I adored my boots more than anything, but I really, really wanted to just kick them off into the horizon right now. They were corpulent, and we had been walking in the middle of the desert all day. Unfortunately, I had put up a huge fuss when Roy suggested that I bring lighter footwear to the desert. Kicking and screaming, the whole damn deal. I would never hear the end of it if I took them off now.

I sauntered over to where Roy and Al where sitting on a concrete bench.

"Here's yours, Walker." Al placed a thick sandwich in my hands. I smiled, despite my sour mood. Al always told me things I wanted to hear, in the way I wanted to hear it.

Isn't my brother really amazing?

I rolled my eyes at Ed's comment. He often said things like that, and I couldn't help but wonder if those comments were just a facade for Ed's deeper adoration of his brother.

I avidly sunk my teeth into the bun, and grimaced as I recognized an unfavourable flavor within the mass of bread. I, disgusted, spat it onto the hard ground, ignoring it when it sizzled angstily. Both Roy and Al watched with cocked brows as I pulled the sandwich apart, removed the abundance of garlic roast beef and threw it to the crowd of seagulls a little in front of us.

"I feel sorry for brother," Al said unhelpfully. "He loves meat."

Al is always so considerate.

I glowered. "Well I don't, and he's the one intruding."

Roy chewed thoughtfully. "We all know you only became vegetarian because Ed didn't want you to."

I didn't reply, because of course he was right. Thankfully, Ed had stopped complaining about the lack of meat a couple months ago.

All traces meat gone, I scarfed down the rest. It wasn't anything special in the way of meals, but it was filling and I felt satisfied. Both Roy and Al took longer to eat, savoring it so unlike me.

Roy stood and dusted of his pants, and picking up his large backpack before slinging it over his shoulder.

"Well, what now? We currently have no leads on the philosopher's stone."

"Don't ask us," I grumbled. "You're the one with the military connections."

Al opened his mouth to speak, but Roy retorted. "You know they're not a strong since I quit the military, to help you. Even so, it's too bad we're in the middle of the desert, Adel." He turned away and began to walk down the road. I glared at him, though he couldn't see it.

I hurried after him, Al at my side. "Don't call me Adel!" I yelled.

"Why shouldn't I?!" Roy called over his shoulder carelessly. I sighed, and didn't reply.

Ed finally reappeared. Adel, he teased.

Milk.

You don't have the money to buy any.

Too bad that was the truth.

You're too annoying, Ed.

Well I had to live a girls head when she was having a rebellious phase.

It wasn't a rebellious phase!

Then what was it? You started to insist everyone call you Walker, started wearing those awful boots, and you made that patchwork sundress that you wear and wash everyday.

I had fallen behind Al and Roy, so I picked up my pace. I wasn't rebelling. I just..... needed something different. It might also have had to do with the fact I had you living inside me. And besides, that was a couple years ago.... I was... thirteen?

Ed didn't reply though. I had caught up to my companions, and they had frozen in place. I blinked dumbly, and then noticed the reason.

There was a procession promenading down the street. At the head was a beautiful woman, clad in extravagant black robes laden with black lace. Her long, elegant, golden brown hair trailed down her back. Heavy, leaden jewels adorned her slim fingers, and a silver Rosary around her neck reflected the bright sunlight.

She was flanked by two others, who were identical in appearance with the exception of their gender – one male and one female. A little father behind them was a single file line of men, also wearing black robes though they were far simpler. They all wore their hair cropped short, and a single, uniform diamond pierced their left ears.

We shuffled back as the ominous group passed by. I squinted my eyes at the woman's face, but I couldn't recognize her. Her eyes were dark, and clouded.

A teenage boy shambled past, but I caught his arm.

"Who're they?" I asked him quietly. His eyebrows shot up in surprise mingled with amazement.

"You really haven't heard of Sister Catherine?!" He grinned. "Tourists, eh? Ah, well. That's Sister Catherine doing her daily procession of the city, when she collects donations, heals the sick, repairs things that are broken. That sort of stuff. It's a real miracle that she ever came to this city! It used to be an awful dump, that much I'll say. Anwho, those two behind her are the two Apostles, James and Jamie the Less. They go with her everywhere, I've never seen them apart. Of course, James and Jamie are twins, but-"

"Did you say Apostles?" I asked, the skepticism obvious on my tongue. I glanced doubtfully at Roy and Al, but they looked equally confused.

"That's right. We have all twelve of them living in our church, and Sister Catherine. You know, they can all perform miracles. Like, magic and stuff. It's really cool- they can turn water into wine and everything! I've even seen them bring animals and people back to life."

"That's impossible." I narrowed my eyes. "Life goes one direction, and one direction only. When you die, you're dead forever."

"And what do you know?" He challenged. "Why don't you go see it for yourselves?!" He turned away and hurried into the crowd, muttering, "Damn outsiders."

"Listen, fool-" I yelled after the boy, but Roy silenced me with his hand on my shoulder.

"Something smells."

Al's eyebrows were pulled into a tight line. "Apostles? Roy's right. I think we really should pay Sister Catherine and her twelve Apostles a visit."And that boy said that they could return people and animals to life. They could have possession of a-"

"Philosopher's Stone," I completed Al's thought. Both Roy and and Al nodded.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the boy again. Swiftly, and feigning absentmindedness I stuck out my left foot. He tumbled to the ground in a heap.

A bit unnecessary, Ed pointed out.

Ah, who cares.

The boy stood up stiffly and glared at me from beneath his overgrown bangs. "You again, bitch?"

I ignored his insult and grinned to my ears. "Hey, you know, I changed my mind. I really wanna learn the goodness of god an all that, so can you take me to the church?" I patted him on the head a moment he was astonished, but then shrugged.

"People sure are strange 'round here." He turned to Roy and Al. "You too?" They nodded, smiling also.

"Well, Sister Catherine won't be back at the church for probably another hour, but Jaine will be there."

We began to walk with him. "Who's she?"

"Jaine is Sister Catherine's adviser, though she's an Apostle. Don't worry, she's really nice."

"I'm sorry," Roy asked suddenly. "What was your name?"

"Oh! I'm Clay. You are...?"

"Roy Mustang."

Clay looked pointedly at me. "Walker," I muttered, and Al followed suit.

"So, Clay.... you do know that it's impossible for Apostles to exist on earth? I mean..." I looked away, expecting Clay to explode again.

"I've seen them! They must be real! And the things they can do..." Clay smiled. "You guys could even stay there. In the church, I mean. They have a bunch of rooms for travelers."

Al looked to the ground. "Aren't you a little too informed, Clay?"

Clay looked towards the sky, eyes shining. "Well you see, I spend a lot of time with Sister Catherine. She brought my mother back to life, and I go to the church with offerings everyday."

Al head shot up. "And now? Is your mom still with you...?"

"Well, right after she was brought back, she said that she didn't remember me, or my dad, and that she wanted to leave. So she packed up and left Lior." Clay scratched his head uncomfortably. "But, I got to see her smile again. That's all that I wanted. I just hope that she's living a happy life somewhere else."

We didn't talk after that, but instead mulled over his words. It's possible, that with a stone, that you could possess a dead body, make it talk, then let it leave. A clever way to gain the trust of civilians. We were all thinking the same thing; alchemy.

* * *

There was a loud, coherent knocking on the thick oak door. Jaine looked up from her paper work and adjusted her monocle.

"Come in," she called harmoniously. The door swung open.

"Oh, Clay! It's good to see you again. I'm sorry, but sister Catherine is out."

"I know," Clay said. "I have some friends who want to learn about Christianity."

"Oh?"

Clay stepped aside, revealing Roy, Al, and me.

Jaine smiled sweetly. To my eyes, she was an innocent old woman. Her grey hair was pulled into a bun, and her face hung with wrinkles. "I welcome you to our church, friends. Is there anything specific I can help you with?" she offered kindly. I wondered what sort of person was beneath her obvious facade.

Roy stepped forward graciously. I couldn't help but feel jealous at his elegance that I lacked so utterly. "Roy Mustang at your service, good lady. Well you see, we've heard so much about you and your Apostles. I was raised a Christian, but abandoned it after taking up alchemy. I think now, it would be good to refresh my memory." I was sure that something extra had flashed behind her eyes as Roy mentioned alchemy.

"I'm glad to help such a courteous man as you," she folded her hands in front of her, and my eyes were drawn to the gaudy, silver ring on her parchment fingers that sported a large, reflective red stone.

The Philosopher's Stone.

I automatically took a stride toward her cheerfully, and taking my place next to Roy.

"Hello. I haven't introduced myself- how rude of me! My name is Walker Rockbell. I'm an eager learner, The Eiderdown Alchemist, and I want to become the smartest girl ever! So can you please show me a miracle?"

I didn't dare look at Roy expression of what I knew would be exasperation. He insisted the fact that I was the Eiderdown Alchemist was a complete embarrassment.

"I see I have a State Alchemist on my hands! And so you too! You are such a cute child! Well-" It took all of my willpower not to mutilate her innocent little raisin face right then and there. "- I can show you this." Jaine picked up her delicate china teacup, and for a moment all I could see was a familiar iridescent blue. When it faded, she held in her hands a shiny, beaver felt top hat. I almost gasped in spite of myself.

She had ignored the alchemic law of equivalent exchange. She had performed alchemy without a transmutation circle, just as Alphonse could. Were those privileges given by the stone, or what she simply some creepy exception?

"That's surely a miracle. Do you think... maybe, you could bring an insect back to life? I've always wanted to see it, and I'm inyerested in bio-alchemy." I needed an answer to my most important question. This would determine everything.

Jaine beamed, and her hand became a blur as it slammed palm down on her mahogany desk. For a moment, I had thought that she was angry at my request, but I saw upon closer inspection that she held a common house spider between her thumb and forefinger. With her remaining hand, she extracted a sewing needle from a pin cushion in a drawer, and slowly speared the arachnid. I winced as the spider squirmed in pain.

"Shhh, my child," Jaine whispered soothingly to the spider as it curled into a ball, dead. Carefully, I watched her cup it in her hands. The blue light returned, and when it had gone the spider was scurrying up Jaine's arm. I gaped in amazement.

"You're truly amazing!" Clay exclaimed eagerly. I glanced for the first time in nearly five minutes to Roy, but there was no longer doubt on his face. Al had also come up beside him, and the boys face was sad, and grim. I saw him clench his hands into fists. I then remembered that Ed was being strangely quiet.

Edward? What do you think?

I think this 'Jaine' person is a bug fat phony.

A sophisticated was to put it, Ed, but yes, I agree. The stone on her ring, it's the Philosopher's Stone. But what about the spider? Did it actually come back to life?

Nah. That was only a temporary illusion. It's probably dead again by now.

As I thought. After all, Alphonse and I knew better than anyone the price of human transmutation. It was the same with animals and insects. And, Clay's mother had left town immediately following her resurrection.

"I imagine that the three of you will be needing a room?" Jaine stood up, and smoothed the unnatural pleats in her skirt. "Or perhaps two?" she delivered an implied look in my direction. I almost stuck my tongue out at her sickly sweet face.

"One will be enough, miss," Roy said without expression. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, and smirked at me. I scowled.

"He's not a paedophile, you know."

She ignored my comment and proceeded to lead us out of her office.

* * *

"Ah," Roy sighed as he sprawled face-down on the bed. I came in behind him, setting the large leather suitcase that we all shared against the wall. The room was simple with stone walls and wooden floors, a rug, a chesterfield and a queen sized bed. The faint aroma of cinnamon and cloves hung in the air. Nice, considering I knew Jaine was suspicious of us.

Suspicion lies only in the minds of the guilty, Ed told me.

Touche.

"So?" Alphonse laid down wearily on the couch. "What's the verdict?"

"Did you see her ring?" I asked, leaning against the wall and tucking a lock of brown hair behind my ear. "I think it was her Philosopher's Stone."

"Her ring?" Roy turned over and propped himself up on an elbow. "I didn't notice, though that's a plausible hypothesis. For sure, she's a phony alchemist. That spider resurrection was only temporary, but she ignored the laws of equivalent exchange. I don't know what else it could be."

I nodded. "Ed said as much. So, we have to get it from her somehow."

"Isn't that rude to steal it from her, though?" Alphonse asked apprehensively.

"Are you kidding?" Roy blurted in disbelief. "That old hag smelled like Turkish delight. Somehow I think she doesn't deserve the stone. Besides, each man for his own. That's my motto."

I scratched my head. "Hey, if it's each man for his own, then why are you here? It's not like you have anything to gain from help Al and I." Not that I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with Roy, but I thought I had a pretty good point.

He sighed. "There has to be someone to supervise you monkeys. Who knows what sort of trouble you two would get into if I wasn't here to set you straight?"

I folded my arms stubbornly. "We can get off just fine without you here slowing us down! Ed thinks so too."

I didn't say a word! Ed objected crossly.

But it helped my argument.

To what gain, Adel?

When are you ever going to stop calling me Adel? I sighed exasperatedly.

"I'm sure Ed's right, whatever you two are arguing about," Al told me in a helpful tone, though it was very unhelpful.

"Ah, never mind. So when are we going to steal it?"

I just noticed then that Roy was standing near the door. It heard a rattle, and he scratched his head. "Locked."

"Well, maybe we should try gaining her trust first," Alphonse said. Roy sauntered back to the bed. "Okay. That'll make things easier. We'll try in a couple days. In the meantime, I'm tired."

"That's right," I remembered. "We only have one room, Roy."

"Do you mind sharing the bed with Alphonse? I'll take the couch tonight, but I will just stay here for now. I'm only napping after all." Roy yawned and turned over on his side, and was snoring within seconds.

I went and sat on the couch beside Al, and stared out the window behind it with him. All was calm.

I really didn't mind sharing a bed with Al. He was still on the verge of puberty, and he was more like a brother to me. Anyways, I was more focused on other issues- like the stone that would be soon in our possession. I hadn't mentioned the fact that we could easily create a new, unlocked door, the three of us being fairly accomplished alchemists. I wondered why Roy had accepted a long wait so easily. I knew he couldn't overlook making a new door. He wasn't dumb, despite his outer character. Besides, it didn't matter. I would just sneak out tonight, and take it from the old lady in her sleep. Piece of cake.

You never stop looking for trouble, do you?

This is for your benefit as well as mine.

You should really learn how to be patient.

You learn how to be less irritating!

Are you saying that I am never annoyed by you?

Even so...

I recognized a change in his attitude. It's funny... you'd think that we'd be able to put up with each other easier since we've been together 24/7 for four years. We are constantly analyzing each others actions, emotions and thoughts. We probably know each other better than anybody in all of Amestris. Yet, we are still so distant...

I almost replied with a smart ass remark to ease the uncomfortable tension between us, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Ed was being truly sincere, a rare occurrence, and I thought I might as well savor it.

I heard that, Ed chuckled.

* * *

You really shouldn't do this without Mustang and Alphonse, insisted my friendly little conscience, i.e. Edward Elric as I dressed quietly. I could hear Roy's loud snores behind me on the bed (he had not bothered to move after his nap as he had reassured us- instead I had slept on the couch) and I hoped to keep it that way.

Well it doesn't seem as though they really give a damn, so I might as well get it myself! I lectured Ed, though I knew he was only worried I'd get caught or hurt. I wasn't so good in hand-to-hand combat, if you weren't counting the use alchemy. I could beat almost anyone in alchemy. The only downfall was that I couldn't transmute without a circle, unlike Al who had passed through The Gate itself. However, I had a pair of scruffy brown gloves that had white transmutation circles on them just in case. I carried an extra pair in the pocket of my dress.

I still wore my old boots, because, no matter their inconvenience, I had really learned how to clonk someone in the head with them. Underneath were some tall, thick, grahy and black knee socks that I wore when it was cold. I turned to make sure Al was still curled on his side beside Roy before carefully pulling my hair into a tight bun, not overlooking a single strand. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about my bangs.

This is a really bad idea.

I sighed. Ed was such a bother. I'm not going to listen to you.

I scrupulously crept toward the door. Pressing my hands against the bare wall beside it, the wall instantly transformed into another door. I opened it, and changed it back into a wall on the other side.

I can't believe it! Ed shrieked. You don't even have a weapon!

I have a brain. Besides, what an old lady gonna be able to do to me?

I have a feeling that she is more dangerous than you seem to think. Don't you have anything metal and sharp?

I have a screwdriver hidden in my left boot.

What the hell is that? A screwdriver?! God, you are hopeless.

Thanks. You too.

I focused in on my surroundings. The hallway continued on either side of me, and completely identical.

"Which way, Ed?" I whispered out loud as I glanced apprehensively in both directions.

QUIET! How would I know?

I quickly came up with a solution. Chose a number between one and ten.

Uh... seven.

Left it is then. I turned and began cheerfully down the corridor.

How in the world did you come up with that?

Easy. Right is the the even numbers, and left is the odd numbers.

I didn't think Ed was expecting such a simple explanation. Oh.

I had to block out Ed temporarily, and listened as I walked.

The only sounds were the harsh wind against the windows, my ragged, ecstatic breath and my footsteps. I remained undiscovered, to my relief. Too bad I had a very long way to go.

***IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!!***

Okay, so it turns out I made a few mistakes in the prologue. I have gone back and edited them accurately. To make it easier for those of you who read the prologue before I updated it, here is what I changed;

I'd thought that Ed was eleven during the transmutation, and Al was ten, when they were both supposed to be a year younger. I wanted to make Adel/Walker one year older than Ed, so I said she was twelve but she is actually eleven.

I had mentioned that Mustang was 32. I've decided that 32 is too old. So I changed it to 23.

I SPELLED HOHENHEIM WRONG! So I fixed it.

Here is a summary of everybody's ages.

ACCIDENT:

Ed= 10 years

Al= 9 years

Adel/Walker= 11 years

Roy= 23 years

REALITY:

Al= 13 years turning fourteen

Adel/Walker= 15 years turning sixteen

Roy= 27 years turning twenty-eight

Ed's frozen as a ten year old, though same intelligence level as Adel/Walker

Feel free to ask any questions.

I previously believed that it was irritating to readers to always ask for reviews. Recently, though, I have decided otherwise. This is because I always feel really happy when I recieve a review r when someone favorites my stories. I know that there are those of you out there who are reading my stories and NOT REVIEWING. Maybe this is because you don't like them, or because you are lazy. Whatever your opinion, I would still like you to review with your honest thoughts.

So I ask you now; PLEASE REVIEW!