I stepped off the train and looking around to see if I could find the blondie any where. My search was soon over when I tackled by a girl. I let out a scream and fell over. "Welcome Athena! I missed you!" Kaley screamed happily hugging me tightly.

My face puffed up and went red under pressure from her hug. I felt as if all the air in my lungs were pushed out of me. "Kaley- Kaley..." I croaked trying to break my arms away. "Can- Can't- breathe... Get off!"

Kaley gasped and stood up letting me go. I gasped for air and stood up now hunching over. "So... Kaley what's new?" I asked looking up.

"Smith called! He says you need to visit soon and pay him." She replied.

I glared at her. "What do I owe him?" I hissed.

"Some money, a visit. He needs to check up on your auto-mail, and he's in debt. If he doesn't pay it off he'll lose the house." Kaley answered sadly.

"Oh, your right." I mumbled.

"And you and Ed should be careful around here. Because there's a murder around and he targets on State alchemists. Don't be his next victim." Kaley warned with her voice full of concern.

A murderer that targets on State Alchemists? He must have trained for this, I need to find suspicious figures and behavior around here to catch him. I let a smirk play my lips as I started to figure out my plan of action. "Trust me, I won't."

I'm looking down now that it's over

Reflecting on all of my mistakes

I thought I found the road to somewhere

Somewhere in His grace

I cried out heaven save me

But I'm down to one last breath

And with it let me say

Let me say

Hold me now

I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking

maybe six feet

Ain't so far down

Hold me now

I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking

maybe six feet

Ain't so far down

'Creed

One Last Breath'

Chapter 4- Big sister

When we walked into the work room I noticed Kain Fury was having problems with fixing a radio. I turned to Ed with a smirk. "Alright whose fixin' the radio this time?" I asked looking at the two brothers. Ed raised his fist signaling we had to play for it. I raised my fist with a wider smirk. "Oh you are so on." We pounded our fists on our hands lightly while whispering the rant under our breaths. I had scissors while Ed had rock. I smirked and toke a step back. "After you."

It was Ed's turn to smirk as he walked forward and clapping his hands together then placing them on the radio. The radio was left shinning and looking like new.

"Hey it's Edward, Athena, and Alphonse." Kain pointed out making Ed and I smile.

"Hey Kain, how ya been?" I asked casually.

"Welcome back." I heard Riza greet. "The Colonel is expecting you three."

Ed and I got a annoyed look. 'What the hell does he want?' My mind hiss lowly.

"Well done on the Loire case you three." Mustang complemented. "Nice work, I appreciate you resolving the matter."

"Whatever it's not like we did it for you." Ed grumbled.

"Right, the Philosopher stone. Another false lead?" Mustang asked.

I sighed sadly. "What do you think?"

"Yeah it was a fake. But the power it gave Cornello was real enough. He transmuted a huge Chimera right in front of us." Ed pointed out.

I nodded remembering the cut that big headed animal gave me. If I wasn't strong like that, that thing could've killed me.

"I wonder how he was able to use the stone to do that. I'm not far enough in the field of bio-alchemy to really understand that." Al pointed out.

"I'm curious about that as well. I guess we need to look into it. Right?" I asked lifting my head.

"Yeah." Ed answered. "Who knows maybe we can find something that can restore our bodies."

"Your bodies." I corrected. I knew that I can't get my arm back. I lost it in a accident, there's no way it's at the gate waiting for me while it's not even burnt and destroyed. I've already taught myself to not have hope in something that may never come. I have no doubt on the Philosopher stone, but my arm coming back? It sounds like a fairy tale that my mom would make up to get my spirits up.

Before Ed could object Mustang stopped him. "Maybe you should see a specialist. The Sewing life Alchemist, Shou Tucker. He's done heavy research on Chimera transmutation." Mustang pointed out.

"Oh, you got a good one for these three." A new voice answered. We turned our heads and saw a girl with black hair and green eyes leaning on the door frame. "In Chimera transmutation, nice."

Mustang had a look of annoyance on his face when she spoke. "Lieutenant, what did I say about knocking?" He asked annoyed.

"Oh come on!" She whined walking to his desk. "How was I supposed to know that you had a meeting? Can't I visit my big brother without him getting on my back about it?"

"Brother?" Ed and I asked at the same time. Oh god, a female version of Mustang!? She's probably ten times worse! I can picture her at her cocky level, annoying level, and everything in between. I need to stop thinking about it or I'll give myself a headache. I bowed my head down and sighed.

She turned to us and gasped. "Oh! Your the Fullmetal Alchemist and Frosted Fire Alchemist! It's an honor to meet you." She replied shaking Ed's hand then going to mine. "I'm Lieutenant Samantha Mustang. But you can call me Sam."

I stared at her. She was so... Peppy. So unlike her brother and she didn't mistake Al as the Fullmetal Alchemist. I'm surprised. "Lieutenant! Shouldn't you have work to do?" Mustang interrupted loudly.

"Oh yeah! I have to go, I'll see you guys later!" Sam called out running out the door.

"As I was saying, I'll introduce you to him." He stated.

"You'd do that?" Al asked shocked.

"Okay! What's the catch!? You want something don't you!?" Ed asked pointing at Mustang suspiciously.

I stood up covering Ed's mouth with my hand. "Please Ed, he's just trying to help us... I say we should take the offer." I calmly reassured.

"I say you should take your girlfriend's advice." Mustang scoffed.

Ed and I jumped five feet in the air. "GIRLFRIEND!?" We both screamed shocked. I crawled into a corner with a deep red blush covering my cheeks like a sheet of snow. Of all people to say that he had to. Why him? Now he won't get off our backs about it. Plus the fact that I like Ed does not help me!

"Two years ago, Tucker transmuted a chimera that can understand human speech. That earned his certification as a State Alchemist." Mustang explained as I watched the buildings pass us by.

"You mean it talks!" Ed gasped.

"It only said one thing. 'I want to die.' After that it refused to eat until it got it's wish." Mustang sadly responded.

Wow, this job is getting more grim. Can it get any worse?

We waited at the front of a huge house as Mustang pulled on the hope making the bell let out a cheered ding. I stared at the house with a sigh. It's even bigger up close. I'm jealous. If only Kaley saw this house. I could picture her grumbling on about us just having a hotel room instead of a big fancy house. I let out a tiny laugh.

"Man this house is huge." Ed acknowledged. Then we heard a loud woof. A shadow crept over Ed's head making him look up and scream. There was a dog throwing himself on Ed, sending him to the ground. The dog was a big white one with big black eyes filled with joy.

I laughed and tilted my head. "You having fun there?" I asked with a smile.

"Daddy!" I heard a little girl call out making me turn to the voice. There was a girl who looked about four with brown hair and blue eyes with a joyous look on her face. "There are people out here! Look!"

"Nina. This why I asked you to keep the dog tied up." A man with light auburn hair sighed.

I laughed at this going back to Ed. "Edward... Do you need help?" I asked kneeling next to him.

"No." He answered.

"Tough luck, I'm helping you out anyway." I countered grabbing onto his wrists. Then I started pulling under the dog's weight gritting my teeth hard. The dog stood up sending Ed being pulled back with more force then I attended. He was sent up then down using me as soft landing. I was sent on my back and Ed landed on top of me. A blush came back to my cheek and my eyes went wide. "Ed? Can you get off?" I asked in a serious tone even though I was screaming inside. His eyes went wide and crawled off of me with a blush. "Thanks."

"I'm sorry about the mess, ever since my wife ran out this place has been a wreck." Tucker apologized. "I'm not much of a house keeper. Now that we're all settled in, it's nice to meet you Edward, Athena. As Colonel explained earlier I'm the Sewing Life Alchemist, Shou Tucker."

I raised my hand for a wave. "Hi." I spoke but came out like a tiny whisper.

"Ed is interested in the field of Bio-alchemy, along with his partner. They would like to have a look at your research lab." Roy pointed out with his tone never changing.

"Oh yes, certainly I don't mind." Tucker assured. Ed, Al, and I turned to each other with happy looks until Tucker decided to make a condition "However if you want me to show you the tricks up my sleeve then it's only fair to show me the tricks you have up yours." He restated making me bite my cheek down hard. "It's the code we live by, Equivalent Exchange. Why are you guys interested in bio-alchemy?"

I looked down and nodded. "Ed, I think you need to explain..." I whispered to where only he could hear. Then Ed's tale started. I cringed as each part got stronger and stronger.

"You transmuted your own mother?" Tucker asked shocked. "As an eleven year old child? I see so that's how you got the title, Fullmetal Alchemist." He trailed off. "Is it the same with you?"

I gasped looking up to him. Then I naturally shook my head. "I'm just wanting to help. I didn't try human transmutation, I lost my arm in a train accident when I was eight." I answered sadly lifting up my sleeve and showing my auto-mail.

Tucker stood up from him chair. "Why don't you take a look at my laboratory."

When we walked into the lab were surround by snarling and screaming deformed creatures. Chills covered my whole body and made me stand frozen at the door. I shook the fear out of me and walked forward looking at all the books and animals. "It's kind of embarrassing I'm fairly widely regarded as an authority on Chimeras But to be honest, it hasn't been going that well lately." Tucker stated.

My breath went silent in fear of one of them breaking out and chewing my leg off or something. I hate Chimeras like these! They scare me half to death, and they're sad to look at. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder making me snap back into reality. I turned my head and saw Ed giving me a tiny but reassuring smile. It was a smile like that I couldn't help but smile back at.

Then we walked into the huge library that had what seemed like thousands of books on each shelf. In the back of my mind I thought I could hear a choir sing the most beautiful song I can remember. I've always loved books but I never have time to read them. Ed seemed pretty impressed with the size of the room like me.

"This is my library." Tucker introduced. "Feel free to look around."

"Alright! Let's dive in! I'll start with this shelf!" Ed exclaimed happily grabbing a book and opening it wide.

"I'll start with this one!" Al chirped grabbing onto another book.

I smiled grabbing a blue book from the closest shelf to me and started to read through the book. And when my eyes first met the words everything around me seemed to vanish. I was in my own world with this book. Book after book the pile around me grew. When ever I was done with one I would grab another and look over Ed's shoulder to see what he's reading. It seemed the pile around him would grow as well like mine did, but only two new ones would be there. Our ability focus just shocks me.

Then I heard tiny laughter over my concentration making my head perk up. I put down the book and followed the noise, when I found it I saw Al and Nina playing pattie cake. The girl looked up to me and beamed. "Do you want to play too?" She asked cheerfully.

I smiled sitting down with them. "Sure. Plus I need a break. My shoulders are starting to ache." I complained rubbing my left shoulder with my auto-mail hand. Then Al put Nina on his shoulders and started to gallop like a horse. Nina squealed with laughter as I just laughed in amusement. This is so break worthy.

"Al! Athena! What are you doing? Your supposed to be reading!" I heard a angered voice complain.

I turned around and saw Ed looking rather annoyed. "Umm, Nina looked like she wanted to play." Al explained.

"And my shoulders are starting to hurt. Since when have you been a party pooper?" I asked with a smirk.

"Well in case you two forgot we're not playing horsie." Ed grumbled as the familiar shadow crept over his head. The big white dog woofed and threw it's self on Ed yet again. He let another scream making me laugh again. The dog licked his head making Nina giggle.

"Alexander says he wants to play too!" She chirped.

"That's what you want is it?" Ed asked now crawling out from the weight of the dog. "You've bested me twice dog. But play time is over. I WILL NOT LOSE THIS TIME! I, EDWARD ELRIC WILL MY CONSIDERABLE POWERS TO VANQUISH YOU!" Ed screamed chasing after the dog.

I chuckled while staring at the blondie. "Yeah, that's more like it."

"Hey chief! Your ride has arrived." Havoc introduced.

Once again Ed was used as the dog's play toy. I knelled next to him with a chuckle. "What happened to using your 'considerable powers to vanquish him'?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Shut up Athena." Ed grumbled.

I smiled as Havoc looked more confused than ever. "What are you doing down there?" Havoc asked looking down on us.

"Let's say I'm taking a break of a long day of research." Ed grumbled as the dog got of his back. He stood up making me do the same.

"After that you must me dog tired." Tucker pointed out making me chuckle for a sec. Ed sent me a playful glare. "Maybe you guys should come over tomorrow."

"Are you guys really coming tomorrow?" Nina asked excited.

"Yeah, we'll play some more tomorrow." Al stated.

"Your mother left two years ago?" Al asked as I peeked my eyes over the book nearby while still listening carefully.

"Daddy say that she moved back to live with her parent's house." Nina explained.

"Must be lonely..." I whispered sadly.

Nina shook her head with a smile. "Not really. Daddy's so nice and I've got Alexander to play with too!" She chirped burring her face in Alexander's white hair. "But lately, Daddy's been studying in his lab; I guess that does make me a little lonely."

I looked down closing my eyes for a second. I know how she felt. Everyone around me was busy while I was left for myself. "Oh..." I whispered.

I would remember Mom cooking when I told her I had something to show her. Dad would work and never answer me when I said a word. And Smith just shooed me away saying he had homework and not having time for my crap. Kaley's parents wouldn't let me around her house at anytime. I felt neglected.

Then Ed and I closed the book and stood up tiredly. Ed yawned loudly. "My shoulders are killing me!" He grunted moving his arms around.

"Try moving around. Hmmmm... Play break?" I asked with a smile.

Ed smirked. "Hey that's not a bad idea." He pointed at Alexander. "Hey, you mangy mutt! Looks like you could use some exercise!"

"Let's go Nina." I replied cocking my head to the door. She was silent for a second before smiling and giving a laugh.

Ed's main game outside was chasing Nina and Alexander around with this bizarre contraption he made out of his auto-mail Alexander seemed to run at the speed of lighting with Nina on his back with her screaming in excitement Then he glanced at me and stopped. A smirk then played his lips making my eyes go wide. "No. No." I hissed playfully. Then he started to charge at me making me run to the left. "Edward!" I screamed as he continued to chase after me.

"You can't run forever!" Ed called out behind me.

"Your right about that!" I answered looking over my shoulder. He's gotten closer. I need to do something to slow down. Alexander. I looked up and gasped. "Alexander alert!" I screamed, but instead of making his get slower, he just got faster. "Oh come on!" Then I felt him jump on me sending me crashing down. He struggled with me for a bit before pinning me down. I was breathing heavy then I let out a laugh. "Well, you got me. What are you planing to do now?"

Ed's look became devious. He was planning something and I need to figure it out! "Not sure." He whispered evilly.

I turned my head to right and gasped. "Is that Al picking up a stray cat?" I asked lifting my head up.

He rolled his eyes. "Nice try Athena. But your not tricking me this time." Ed assured making me look down.

"Damnit." I hissed.

"Brother! What are you doing?" I heard Al ask in the distance.

We turned to him who had Nina on his shoulders and Alexander on his side. Then I noticed Ed's position on me. He was sitting on my stomach lightly with his legs on each side of my hips and him towering over me with his hands grasping my wrists and having them on each side of my head so I wouldn't escape. My eyes went wide and a blush surfaced my face. Then Ed seemed to notice because he crawled off of me with a blush on his cheeks.

"Big brother and big sister like each other!" Nina pointed out with a smile.

I looked down blushing harder. Why does everyone have to rub it in? I like Ed, I get that, but I have no freaking clue if he feels the same! How am I supposed to know? I sighed standing up and extending my hand to Ed. He gladly toke it and let himself up. Just forget that it ever happened, then I'll talk to Kaley later.

"Before I got my State Certification our lives were terrible." Tucker explained. "We were so poor in those days. My wife couldn't stand living that life. So she left us." He had a pained expression on his face that seemed to remind me of mental scars. The looks of people's faces at my mom's funeral. The look on my parent's face when they just finished an argument Each time one of them looked like they were about to cry. I could see it on his face. "I can't afford to fail this assessment." He sighed. "I don't want to go back to those days. I don't think I could."

"Don't worry Daddy! If they say no then Alexander and I will growl at them until they say yes." Nina chirped.

Al and I chuckled. "You tell them Nina!" Al replied with a smile.

Then Tucker lifted his head. "Hey Nina, I got an idea. How bout you play with Daddy tomorrow?" He asked.

"Really?!" She asked with her voice booming in excitement.

I couldn't help but smile. Father and daughter relationships always made me smile. Just knowing that some one you know can care so much. And Tucker is starting to show.

"Yeah." He replied. Nina cheered jumping him and hugging his neck.

"Did you hear that Alexander? Daddy says he's going to play with us tomorrow!" She beamed. Ed smiled while mine just grew wider. Tomorrow will be a good day for them.

The next day was a dark and grey one. The sky was a rainy grey making me sigh. "Looks like it's going to rain. If I need to take a break then I'll just practice." I replied.

Al then opened the door poking his head inside. " ?" Al called out. "Thanks for having us again today!" There was no response making me worry. We stepped in wondering around the house calling Tucker and Nina. We opened the door to the lab and saw Tucker sitting in the middle of the floor with Chimera.

"So you are home." Ed replied.

He turned to us with a smile. "Yes. I did it boys. I finally did it." He mumbled. "A Chimera that understands human speech."

When I looked at the Chimera carefully and the wind was knocked out of me. I can't believe it. I stood frozen staring at the Chimera shocked. "Here let me show you." Tucker started kneeling in front of the Chimera. "Listen to me, that person there: That's Edward."

"That person Ed-ward." The Chimera shuddered making my blood freeze. This can't be happening!

"Yes very good!" Tucker acknowledged cheerfully.

"That's amazing." Ed complemented.

While I just stood there shocked with tears wanting to break out of my eyes. "Now I don't have to worry about losing my certification " Tucker replied happily. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to punch him till he begs to die. How could he even do this and all he can say is that he won't lose his certification What kind of sick mind does he have!? I dropped on my knees bowing my head so low no one could see me cry.

"Athena?" I heard Ed ask his voice getting closer. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head not even looking at him. Staring at the ground. "No... This isn't right! This... This..." I whimpered wiping my tears away. I felt sick to my stomach, scared, and just devastated.

"That person Ed-ward." The Chimera shuddered. "That person Ed-ward. Big brother Ed."

Ed's eyes widen staring at the Chimera/Nina&Alexander shell shocked. I felt his eyes go to me for a second then back to Nina&Alexander. "You knew?" He asked to where I could hear.

I nodded. "When I first laid my eyes on her." I whimpered sadly.

I could sense the angry flares flying off of Ed it was so strong and deadly that I could feel it. " when did you get your State Certification " Ed asked trying so hard not to punch him there. Like me I was fighting every fiber in my being to not kick his ass.

"Let's see..." Tucker trailed off. "Two years ago."

"When did your wife leave you?"

"That was two years ago too."

I got one more question for you." Ed hissed. "Wheres Nina?"

Al gasped in shock while my head was bowed so low that it almost touched the ground. "The damn brats figured it out so quickly " Tucker gasped now in fear. Oh he has EVERY right to be scared! He has NO idea!

Ed then lunged at him pinning him to a wall with his left arm on his throat. I shot my head up and turned to Ed. "Ed!" I screamed.

"Brother!" Al screamed along with me.

"Damn right I figured it out! You did it again! Two years ago it was your wife, this time you used your daughter and her dog to transmute a talking Chimera " Ed lectured. "You can only do so much with animals after all! It's much easier to start with a human, isn't that right!?"

"I don't see what your so upset about." Tucker assured making me lose my own battle. I wanted to join the beating but I know I can't. I can't put Nina through even more pain. And if I don't then... I have to stop him. "This is how we progress. Human experimentation's is a necessary step, this something a scientist should understand."

"Shut up!" Ed screamed. "Do you really think you can get away with this? Messing around with someones life like that! Your own daughter!"

"Someone's life you say?" Tucker asked then scoffed. "You'd know a lot about that would you? Look at you Fullmetal Alchemist! Look at your leg, your arm, your brother! Those are results of messing with someone else's life, aren't they?!"

"SHUT UP!" Ed screamed throwing a punch at Tucker. I let out a gasp covering my ears.

"We are the same! Your just like me!" Tucker pointed out.

"No we're not!" Ed objected.

"Oh yes, when it was right in front of us we toke it! We did it even when we knew it was against the rules!" Tucker shrieked.

"No!" Ed screamed not throwing punches at Tucker. He yelled at him over and over after every punch. I have to do something. Then I decided.

I ran to Ed and grabbing his wrist to stop him. "Stop!" I screamed looking down crying. "If you continue he'll die! You can't cause Nina more pain then she's already in!" I whispered sadly now tears streaming down my cheeks. Then Nina sat next to the scene with tears in her eyes. I stared at her with such undefined sadness.

"Edward... No." Nina stuttered. "Daddy... You hurt Daddy..."

Al walked to Nina while I just stared at her. "I'm so sorry." I sobbed before running out of the room. I ran to the next hall so no one could see me cry. My head was buried in my knees and my arms wrapped around my legs. I hugged them hanging on to dear life. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I repeated over and over.

Then I heard it. "Can we play now?" Nina asked.

I then let out a loud sob starting my water works. My eyes were screwed shut and my whole body quivered. Then I heard Ed scream making me cluch on my legs tigher and my eyes squeeze shut.

"If there was an example of the devil's work, this would have to be it." Hawkeye muttered.

"The devil huh?" Roy asked.

"I feel bad for them, a little girl's life is ruined, and three of our people are broken. Well Athena is probably the worst." Sam whispered sadly. She kneeled next to me sadly. "Are you okay?" I was silent staring at the ground. "Your not wearing a jacket, aren't you worried about getting sick?"

"I'm fine." I muttered emotionless.

"But your soaking to the bone if you don't get warm then you'll-"

"I said I'm fine Sam. I- I just need to be alone." I whimpered.

"There's worse cases you know. Some may be the same, some may not compare. But you have to fight through it." Sam whispered stroking my wet silver hair before walking off.

I shivered starting to sob again. Then I felt a wet yet warm cloth get drapped on my back. I then clutched the edge of the jacket not even looking up. "Are you okay?" I heard Ed ask next to me. I was silent again. I'm not replaying this game. I refuse. This is all too much for me to handle. "Athena, talk to me. Do something, anything." Ed begged sadly. Then I did something I thought I could never do. I then hugged him tightly putting my head on Ed's chest sobbing loudly. He stood frozen before wrapping his arms around my tiny figure as I just shook and quivered.

If I smile and don't believe

Soon I'll know I'll wake

In this dream

Don't try to fix me

I'm not broken

Hello

I'm the life

Living for you so you can hide

Don't cry

Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping

Hello I'm still here

All that's left of yesterday

Hello Evanescence

Chapter 5- Rain of sorrows

This chapter was a very sad one to write, I was crying by the time I was done.

But I need help with Original Edward Elric short rants. Write a review with your short rant and I might use it in a chapter. This would be greatly appreciated.

Until next time and Merry Christmas because I can't think of a Christmas Special.

T.T