Disclaimer: I own nothing and am making no money with this fic. As this is a crossover with well over thirty or so characters owned by others take my word for it, I own only the extras and possibly five other characters and the plot only.

Warning: Heed the rating, read at your own risk. This story is rated MA for good reason. Violence ensues in this chapter.

A/N: Still set in the past and follows immediately after the previous chapter.

Part 1 Chapter 4

A young girl who carried herself as though she were older than her eleven years walked with her brother and friends through the bustling square of the great city. Her brother was only seven years old and his dark hair had a violet tint that stood out more than her own blue tinted black hair. His violet eyes were a deeper contrast from her own bright blue eyes but there was little doubt the two were related. While her brother wore dark clothes that looked as though they were going to fall off his slim figure she wore a simple white muscle shirt and a pair of knee length black shorts with a pair of black boots and gloves to match. Dressing like a girl was not something she liked doing, she found it pointless to wear a dress when doing so kept you from having any fun.

She was walking with two of her friends close by and the others trailing behind them, taking the lead was something she often did even if she had no idea where she was headed. One out of the three girls in their group walked next to her. Aerieth had long, light brown hair, soft features, wore her hair in a braid down her back with a pink ribbon in it, wore and ink summer dress and boots, and had soft green eyes. Cloud, a guy she had to bully into joining their group; had spiky, sandy blond hair, bright blue eyes, a light tan fit with a few freckles on his face, and was wearing a blue t-shirt and black pants and boots. He was usually very quiet and reserved most of the time, too lost in thought to pay others around him any attention. In the short time they had been friends the quiet blond seemed closer to their soft spoken friend Aerieth.

She looked back to her younger brother when his hand tighten around her own and offered him a gentle smile of reassurance, they were supposed to be meeting their older brother Seime somewhere in the square. Her timid brothers' violet eyes was apprehensive, he always seemed to be nervous around a large crowd of people, not that she could blame him, he was still a little boy and their mother was hardly a shining example of an adult. She pulled free of those thoughts and turned to smile at her friends beside her, "At least it's a nice day out today."

As always she was met with a smile from the more girly member of their group, "Yes it is quite nice out today. The sky is a bit intimidating."

This was also expected; Aerieth seemed to be a bit scared of the open sky for some reason. Even when she asked her why that was and it was explained she couldn't seem to understand why anyone would be afraid of the open sky.

"It stretches on forever and there is so much we don't know about it," her friend tried to explain but Tiffa was still at a loss for what she could possibly mean by that.

Behind them walked a tall, built, blond haired friend, Alex. He was a very new addition to the group and one of the oldest among their friends. It seemed that Roy, their unannounced leader because he was good at giving orders and was sometimes an arrogant prick knew the older guy from where he grew up. Thinking about Bevelle always put her in a bad mood she could care less about that city and their religious rule. He was at the moment making a vain attempt at talking to their other quiet member of the group, Squall who had his nose stuck in a book at the moment. He could be studying any number of things or simply trying to ignore the exuberant, loud, energetic, far too cheerful older guy.

Trailing at the back of their group was the acclaimed leader Roy and his closest and most trusted friend in Zanarkand, Riza. Now Tiffa liked both of them, she really did, it was just that sometimes he could be a jackass and at times Riza seemed a bit cold. She did look up to the older girl however because she was strong, firm, and always in control of herself. She rolled her eyes when she caught wind of what the two were talking about, politics and military things again. It seemed that Mustang was obsessed with all of that nonsense. She looked over to Cloud, she was surprised that as he was the same age as the two would be politicians back there that he never seemed to want to talk to them much. He didn't really talk to anyone much either though and who would want to willingly talk about something as boring as politics anyway?

"They are never going to regain their stability or strength if they continue to allow their government to be run by religious heretics."

His sharp minded friend sighed in exasperation as though what she was going to say next should have been obvious to him. He was grateful he'd chosen to wear khaki shorts and a thin white shirt today. His friend seemed to have the same idea in her attire for the day wearing khaki shorts but with a red T-shirt. Before long he and his friends would be going through puberty which would allow for some very nice changes in everyone around him. With the exception of Alex, who was far too energetic and cheerful all the time. He was here to watch over his younger brothers Ichigo and Ryuo who were currently at the Uchiha temple training.

He knew that while Tiffa and her brother had to meet up with their eldest sibling, Squall needed to meet with his younger brother and his cousin, and Aerieth and Cloud had a destination in mind neither would divulge, he agreed to go with Alex only for the chance to meet with the Uchiha family. They were illustrious and well known and he was often curious about how they were since his own brother was apparently friends with one of the boys from that powerful family.

He came back from his thoughts just as Riza finally spoke; "Should the military rise or merely speak against those that rule their city a civil war may break out."

Roy nodded in agreement, of course he knew that. One of Bevelles' greatest weaknesses was their lack of involving the people in their city in government like Zanarkand did. This grand city he was fortunate enough to have come to live in was much more secure not only in regards to their military and government but they the people were happier and felt safer here. If you did not include those who were living in poverty or abusive homes. Despite the laws about abusive tendencies or actions it did not stop that from occurring. "If a civil war were to break out then maybe the city would fall, at least the government would so that another more capable power could go in and take over."

"That is a bit callous and heartless, the citizens should not suffer just because their government is poorly managed."

Alex chimed in, ''If I may, why would their government not be interested in funding for a upgrade in their military power?"

Roy scoffed, ''Because the religious fools think that their god is enough to save them should any threat come their way. They are putting thousands of lives at risk and they do not even grant those whose lives are at stake the voices to speak against it."

Before anyone else could say another word his cell phone in his pocket started to ring, he pulled it out checked to see who it was then flipped it open and held it to his ear. He did not bother giving a greeting considering who it was and merely listened as his best friend from the very city he was talking about came onto the line.

''Heya Roy, what are you up to?"

"Talking politics. What is it Hues?"

"So very cold you are my friend. I was calling to inquire about a pair of brothers we used to know in this lovely city where I am currently at."

"Is that so, I am hardly friends with those two despite having known their older brother."

"You have always had the knack for making friends that are older than you. How is Alex, I'm sure he found you and provided some usefulness for you?"

"Yes, we are headed that way at the moment. How are things there?"

"The same as usual, though my dear Gracia asks about my little brother."

Roy felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation, "Little brother?"

There was laughter on the other end, "Well you are rather small for a twelve year old, though you definitely act as though you're already seventeen."

"Funny you should mention your own age in comparison to mine."

"Yes, a great deal of fun. How is Zanarkand life treating you?"

"Usually very well until you call."

"Again with the cold shoulder. It is very dull around here without Will around. Perhaps you could keep an eye on those younger Elrics for our lost friend, do something selfless for once."

Roy nodded with a smirk at the teasing tone in his friends voice even as he continued walking. Riza and Alex had walked up next to Squall to give him some privacy. ''I will see what I can do Maes, but I doubt that kid is going to like me whether he remembers who I am or not."

"I doubt he will remember you but they need someone to watch out for them, other than a kid in the same position like Tidus Benshi."

Why wasn't he surprised, "It would figure that you would happen to know more about a kid in a completely different city than I would while in the same city."

His friend laughed once more then said, "Well of course, I'm very good at finding out anything about people but it would be nice to have an extra helping hand. It would be very painful to see that all Will gave up was in vain so I need someone capable watching over the two. I'm sure that Edward will protect Alphonse but . . ."

"Yes, I get your drift, someone needs to look out for Edward."

Hues sighed, ''I have another concern, I believe that he was present when that violence took place. I checked the hospital records, Edward was admitted into the S.T.I.C.U. that night and the only one that knew of his condition were the doctors that operated on him and his best friend Rose Kalendo. They would not tell me what his condition was but it had to be very serious given where he was at the hospital. Speaking of that, we knew through Will that Edward spent a great deal of time as a child in and out of the hospital, have you heard of him being admitted regularly since you arrived in Zanarkand?"

Roy was silent a moment as he took in what his friend was saying. If the young Elric was indeed there the night his brother and mother were killed that would explain his secretive nature and why he had only a few friends he allowed to get close. Friends he seemed confident could handle the way his father was because their home lives were similar to his own. Now him becoming friends with the infamous Benshi brothers made more sense. He thought through what he heard and read in regards to what went on in the city, Edward Elric had a powerful name of his own especially as he was friends with the youngest Benshi son so if he were suddenly admitted to the hospital it would have been announced.

"No, I have yet to hear or see that he was admitted as of late. There was one incident where he was hospitalized but that was shortly after he arrived and before I came to this city so I cannot tell you why."

''That will have to do, just keep an eye out. Someone needs to take over what Will was doing for his family even if only in the sidelines."

"There is no need to tell me five times Maes, I understood you the first time."

"Yes but you are forgetful at times."

''I am offended by that. Pass along my hello to everyone, I need to go, we're coming up to . . .'' He was cut off when a scream followed by an explosion a few blocks up the street broke through the peace of the city. He ignored his friends inquiry of what was wrong and cut him off with, ''Sorry, I'll call you later something is going on.'' Roy hung up the phone and pocketed it then made his way to the front of their group to try and see what was going on. He exchanged glances with the tomboyish girl who was leading their group and then glanced at Riza as the blond haired girl came to stand next to him.

It was as though chaos had reigned in the city, only blocks away a building was cast aflame with smoke filling the sky. He could distantly hear Alex speaking with someone on the phone before the older guy ran off ahead of them. He knew that Tiffa would be going with him if her brother were not holding onto her fearfully. He turned to her, "Try and find your older brother and get Ritsuka to safety before you do anything rash," she nodded her understanding then pulling her brother behind him set off towards the very building that was burning to the ground. He didn't have to turn to Riza for her to know what he was about to say, she nodded and then followed after the black haired girl to try and keep her and her sibling safe.

He had no doubt in his mind that his blond haired friend worried about her brother and his whereabouts in the midst of this horror but she would focus on what she had to do until she could worry about her exuberant brother. He knew his own brothers' location, the Uchiha Temple and turned his gaze upwards to try and see the condition they were in but the smoke building up from the fire blanketed the sky in its dark cloud.

He turned to Aerieth only to see her standing next to Squall who looked far away in another realm, his book having fallen from his hands to the ground at his feet. When he suddenly spoke a question aloud Roy immediately knew who he was communicating with. His younger brother was telepathic and needed no cellular device to communicate with others so it was of little surprise when the other boy turned and ran off in the opposite direction cutting down an alleyway. Not knowing what else there was he could really do he glanced to Aerieth who nodded and then the two followed after the usually silent boy.

He ran across the street before he turned sharply down a back alley where he knew led around the main battleground and would take him through the business district where the small bookstore owned by Jimmy Kudo's parents was. He felt some amount of relief flood through him at the sight of his cousin and his unannounced boyfriend Karama standing outside of the shop guarding it. The two were fourteen and fifteen years old and always seemed to wear clothes that complimented their pale features. Fai had pale blond hair that was light and thin enough to have the wind and sun catch it anywhere and helped his crystal blue eyes stand out. Karama had very vibrant, waist length red hair that he always wore lose and wore a dark pink man's kimono.

Fai's smile eased some of the worry in his heart as he made his way over to them. When he stopped in front of the shop to catch his breath he was tackled by his younger brother Roxas. His soft blond hair all he could see. He heard two more sets of footsteps coming up behind him and glanced back to see Roy and Aerieth had followed him. His brother pulled back a little but he could still feel his form trembling even as he checked over the khaki shorts and white T-shirt he wore for any wounds or injuries.

Placing his hands on his younger siblings shoulders he knelt down before the seven year old and asked, "What's wrong Roxas?"

Roxas sniffed and said in a soft voice, ''I felt them, they were fine and then it was as though they weren't there anymore.''

With a nod he stood up doing nothing to stop his frightened brother from taking his hand he asked of his cousin, "Do you know where they are?"

Fai shook his head with a frown before turning to his boyfriend to ask, "Did you happen to see where they went?"

Karama gave the same response, "I'm afraid not. It was over an hour ago that they left with the Kudo's heading towards the Quest establishment."

Fai nodded to him in thanks before offering his younger cousin a gentle smile, "I'm sure that they are fine given who they are with."

Roxas returned the gentle smile but the squeeze he gave his brothers' hand told that he did not believe the reassurance. They all turned to the dark haired boy in their group when he said, "We should probably get out of here, this is a war zone right now."

Aerieth nodded in agreement, "Yes, it would do very little good for your family to be alright and all of us to not be," she received a smile of gratitude for her choice of words when the youngest among them nodded with a brighter smile.

As they turned to move away from the carnage that was starting to cast this part of the city into a hellfire Roy leapt through them without warning and a snap echoed down the street. An explosion of fire had engulfed the shop where they had just been standing and the other was trying to keep the fire at bay. Karama and Fai leapt to his side to assist him even as the magician of the three shouted over his shoulder, "Get out of here you three," his voice strained with the energy it took to try and keep what would have taken their lives from reaching them. He was pulled from his shock at the very close call when his hand was tugged on by his brother and the other was grasped by Aerieth.

He nodded and the three ran off down the street to try and escape the flames only to have their path block when another building was engulfed in flames, it was as though someone was firing missiles into the city. They were knocked off their feet by the impact and instinctively he had tucked his brother close to him to protect him. Before a breath could be taken there was a deafening sound overhead followed by the scream of his friend before their world was cast in darkness and dust. It took a long time for his senses to return and only the shouting of familiar voices and the stirring of the person in his arms pulled him back to the present.

It was gray all around, dark, gray, and filthy, looking around him he noticed that they were trapped under the rubble of a building. The air was stifling and thick with smoke and dust. He tried to move only to have agony lance its way through his entire body centering on his legs and making his lungs constrict in his chest. If his legs were injured then his brother could very well be injured, looking down at the mop of blond hair on his chest he was grateful that only the lower half of his legs seemed to be under the rubble around him saving his brother from being buried. He shook his brother, "Roxas, are you alright?"

The smaller boy shifted causing the elder to grit his teeth and swallow down a groan of pain as another wave passed over him. He looked down as the head resting on his chest moved to gaze at him, "I'm alright."

"Can you move?"

There was some more shifting but it seemed as though the younger of the two was able to move more freely. He managed to maneuver off of his elder sibling even in the cramped space around them. Squall turned his head to regard his brother checking him over as much as he could noticing only a few scrapes marring his cheeks and his arms but otherwise no further injuries. That was good, at least his brother was alright. There wasn't enough room to stand or even sit in the space they were granted but the blond moved away from him sending him a silent message that he was going to try and find a way out.

He watched after him until he could no longer see him and shifted to try and moved his arms and sit up a little to try and figure out how badly hurt his legs were. The piece of rubble laying across his calves and feet was large, too large and heavy to be moved by himself or with the help of his brother. He was officially trapped and while he wanted the luxury of being scared he glanced back the way his brother had gone and could only focus on him. "Roxas? Roxas where are you?"

A few moments of silence followed before his brother responded, "There's an opening ahead of me, I can see light. I'm going to get closer and try to call out for help."

He was going to protest, didn't want to be left alone trapped down here but he held his tongue, if his brother got out of this then that was better than anything and more important than however long he would end up being left down here alone. Only he shouldn't be alone, Aerieth was with them when they were buried in this rubble. Where was she, was she alright, he started calling out for her, trying to decipher where she was and if she was hurt. It took a great deal of effort to shout himself hoarse but it paid off when he heard her voice.

"I'm here, I'm okay just trapped. How are you and Roxas?"

"Roxas went to get some help. I'm trapped too-" he was cut off from speaking anymore when a loud, thunderous rumble shook everything around them. Looking up he inhaled sharply as the small space around him was quickly closed off by even more rubble falling around and in on itself. Another building or the remainder of the one they were already trapped under must have collapsed. The smoke was suffocating and using his arms he covered his head and turned his head away from the spray of rocks and debris. It seemed to take an eternity for it to end and more torment followed its onslaught. He felt more of his legs trapped under an incredible weight and let out a painful cry when something struck through his stomach with sharp precision.

He could hear Aerieth screaming but was blind to all else but the agony coursing through him to understand what was causing her to scream. Just when he was sure the torture would never end a voice spoke into his mind, the frantic fear in the tone of voice ceasing all worry for his own well being; 'Brother, I can't find you. More of the building fell and Fai and Karama won't let me come back to you. It's scary up here, there are guys in black cloaks everywhere and I . . . '

"ROXAS," he cried frantically shifting to try and get up despite the pain and thus making his injuries worse. "ROXAS!" His brother had to hear him, he always heard him, why had his suddenly cut off like that? Where was he, what had happened? "ROXAS! ROXAS ANSWER ME!"

His efforts were draining what energy he had but he didn't care, where was his brother, why did he have to become even more trapped? Where was his brother?

Roy was at a loss for what to do, everyone he had been with was gone, disappeared as though into thin air in the chaos of the collapsing building and the destruction all around. The air permeated with death so suffocating it was a wonder than anyone could draw breath but his body did so automatically. His head was throbbing from striking it on the ground when he was shoved out of the way of the falling building by the older magician but he had not seen him or his red haired friend since. He sat up from where he was thrown back by the aftershock of more collapsing structure falling onto the pile of destruction only a few feet from where he was.

Coughing to try and dislodge the smoke from his lungs he wiped at his head wincing when his forehead stung with the action and pulling his hand away to see his own crimson blood on his hand. Brushing his fingers through his hair he forced himself onto unsteady feet and looked around once again. He could have sworn he'd heard screaming of shouting from the pile of rubble in front of him. Before he could take a step forward a voice shouted his name and he turned to see Riza, Alex, and an older guy he knew to be Tye because of the older teenagers' popularity. They were all covered in scrapes, bruises, cuts, and dust much like that he was covered in from head to toe.

"Is anyone down in that," the older one asked of him.

He wasn't sure but he nodded, "I think so, I could have sworn I heard someone shouting before that other building fell on top of it."

"Fuck," the brunet swore under his breath. He looked around and took notice of the destruction and carnage around them and then turned back to Roy to ask, "Who were you with?"

"Myself and Aerieth had followed after our friend Squall to try and get to his younger brother Roxas-"

"Roxas Leonhart, the telepathic kid?"

"Yes," Riza interrupted, "Given that Roxas was not with his elder brother their cousin Fai would have been there with him."

"Yes as well as his friend Karama."

"Karama was more than Fai's friend," Tye commented before running a blood stained hand through his bangs making them stand up even more. He took a deep breath, "Alright then," he turned to regard Alex, "You focus on getting these two to safety and anyone else you can find. I'm going to check this for those that are missing. I'm counting on you to keep everyone safe."

"Of course Tyereke," Roy stepped back when the far too large for his actual age blond turned to him, "Let us be going then."

Before he could protest Riza had grabbed his arm and he was being pulled along behind the two. He cast a glance over his shoulder to the one they were leaving behind. Instincts were telling him to stay behind with him but he couldn't place why that was. He was a novice alchemist at best and everyone knew that Tye was no novice in nearly everything that didn't have to do with music, art, or public speaking. He reluctantly turned away when he saw a flash of red and heard his blond haired friend say softly to him, "That is Angela, I'm sure things will be just fine with those two working together."

He turned sharply where he stood having felt an all too familiar and sinister presence approaching him and Angela. He could hardly turn very much as deep into the rubble as he was but his head had turned. Sharp green eyes locked with his despite the rubble blocking their path and in a blink she was gone, he could feel her energy moving away from him. This was a helpful skill he had spent a great deal of time training to gain, filling out the energy of others. He knew he was getting close to one of those trapped in this hell and once he reached him he could move him to safety and return to get the other child trapped in this.

He just had to hope that the love of his life could stand her own long enough against his uncle for him to save the lives of those trapped down here. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt the energy of his best friend and a few others overhead and turned his focus back to his task. Crawling, clawing, pushing and pulling his way through the maze of metal rods, cement, concrete, and brick he managed to get to one of his charges. He swore as he saw how he was trapped, a large piece of rubble covered his legs and it looked as though one of the beams had impaled him through the midsection. He could tell that it was only a part of a beam but just as sharp and lethal. It was going to take some very careful work to get this kid out and he would need a healer immediately.

He could train and practice and study all he wanted, healing was not something he was good at. That was Angela's expertise, damn it would be nice if he was telepathic then he could have her come down here and help him. He put his hands palm down on the ground right next to Squall and concentrated, imagining the kid in his arms and having to draw out a lot of energy before his image was realty. The cry of agony ripped from the kids throat was choked as it echoed around them. Thinking of the open sky above him he was gone above ground in a short moment.

He froze in calling out for his girlfriend when he felt a sharp tug at his chest from the inside and a flare of negative energy before what was once his angel's life force faded from his detection. He tightened his hold of the unconscious kid in his arms and through his determination to save his life he forced himself to turn away and not run to her aid. He had to run quickly to find a medic just outside the scene of destruction to hand the kid over to. Just before he was going to rush back to his loves' side he heard a scream that was distinctively hers and ignored the shout of a familiar boyish voice calling after him.

This was hell that was the only way to describe it. How his best friend managed to drag him off to this battle zone was beyond him but when the loud cry escaped his friends' throat he knew why then. They weren't here to play hero's or engage in the fight they were here because neither one of them could stand to be on the side lines waiting for news of what was going on. The square was nothing but fire, destruction, and death in every corner. Not only were children and entire families in the midst of this they were losing their best fighters and warriors in this terrible catastrophe.

All he could do was run after Tidus as he plunged head long into the war zone ahead of them and hope he had the strength to do something. Maybe his alchemy could help or possibly the strength he had acquired because of the automail could pull some poor soul from the ruins around them. As he followed blindly into the clouds of smoke and dust he had a sinking feeling there was little either of them could regardless of their intentions or determination.

It wasn't long before they came to a large pile of rubble and their path was blocked by an older kid, someone his friend seemed to know given the glare he was giving the other. He ran over to join the two just catching the end of what the elder was saying; " . . . be here, get out of here before you get hurt kiddo."

"Go to hell Johny, I have friends and family out in this shit. I have to do something!"

"What can you do? Right now we don't need more lives to worry about-"

The older blond was cut off when what Ed recognized to be Nate called out to him; "A.J. said that Aerieth is still trapped in that rubble. Take care of her and I will look after him."

A pained expression passed over Johny's face as he turned back to them, "Fine, you two can help me get Aerieth to safety then."

"Something happened, I could see it on A.J.'s face and hear it in Nate's voice."

"T. Right now we need to focus on saving that girl's life. Save the bad news for when you three are safe and sound alright?"

"Fine, but only because of this Aerieth girl."

Johny nodded to him and Ed shoved his friend in the shoulder to get him moving behind their older companion. Now really wasn't the time to be standing around arguing anyway. They had a mission to do and a life to save. But he could admit his friend was right about what he had said now that he thought back on the expression on Tye's face, or as those close to him referred to him A.J. Nate had also sounded tormented and in the midst of grieving but like some of the strongest they were still fighting to defend the city anyway.

They had to go around the rubble to try and avoid any more of it caving in on itself. They walked around to the northern reach of it before locating a way in but of course the hole was too small for either of the two he was with so he was volunteered to go in first. He was told to be extremely careful and despite the urgency to take him time moving around.

"Don't use any alchemy to try and shift anything around or move it, you could cause a cave in."

"I'm not an idiot, if it's too unstable to even walk on then there's no way I would risk using alchemy to make it more unstable," he replied haughtily feeling a bit offended by the common knowledge advice. Any alchemist knew to watch their surroundings before performing alchemy and he wasn't any different. He took a deep breath and got down on his hands and knees before crawling forward to shimmy down into the hole, it was a slow process and after going only a few feet in he found his path blocked. Looking around in the crammed space he was given he noticed that there was a big enough hole that he could squeeze through to his left but he was likely to end up with some cuts given the beam and copper poles sticking out in every different direct through that path.

Checking around him again he couldn't find another passageway so he inched his way towards that small opening. As he pulled and pushed his way through he forced himself to ignore the slices through his clothes and skin that tugged at him. His left leg got caught on one of the sharp pieces but he pulled and let out a low hiss as the metal cut deep into the outer part of his thigh. He finally came to a bit of a clearing that allowed for some acutely better breathing only to have any easy access paths blocked. Taking in a deep breath he called out the name of the girl he was searching for. He stayed where he was calling her name for a few minutes until he heard something over to his right. It was muffled and strained but it was something and told him which way he needed to go.

"Hello, Aerieth keep talking to me so I can get to you alright?"

He crawled and clawed his way towards her voice pausing as his path was blocked to push on a few rocks to test whether they were lose enough to move. Luckily he came across some just a little to the left and managed to pull them free without causing what was overhead to creak or whine in warning of another cave in. He kept telling her to talk to him, asking what injuries she had, how old she was, if she had any family members, anything to keep her talking and awake. He knew from experience that if someone had internal injuries you had to keep them awake or they could end up dying that much faster than they could trapped in this labyrinth.

As he cleared more rubble and rocks away and finally made a clearing that allowed him to keep moving forward towards her he learned that she had a sister. Her name was Sakura and she was very sweet. She had a caring mother and father, he told her she was lucky for that so many were not so fortunate. She agreed with him telling him that a good friend of hers had a schizophrenic mother and a negligent father. He asked more about that friend, still clawing his way towards her, she must be deep he thought to himself because her voice was still muffled.

"She is really strong and protects her younger brother who is a very sweet boy but independent and outspoken when he wants to be. They have an elder brother that takes care of them both more than their mom does."

"That's good, seems to be a fashion for the older siblings to look after their younger ones."

"Yes, what about you, do you have any brothers' or sisters?"

"I do," he said with a grunt as he shoved a rock blocking his way aside. Another cut was added to his amassing number as a sharp part of some concrete slab scraped along his face and then his arm and leg as he kept moving towards her. "I had an older brother but he passed away. Now it's just me and my kid brother Al, we're pretty close though."

"What about your parents, are they nice."

"My mom was when she was alive, but my old man is an asshole. Al doesn't think so but I know different."

"Hmm, that sounds a bit secretive, siblings shouldn't keep secrets from each other."

He had to use his arms to pull himself through another opening and paused to catch his breath and look around for another opening; "Yeah well sometimes it s better to keep a few secrets if it saves them any pain."

"But it will cause them more pain in the long run when they learn that you were suffering and lying to them about it."

He had never thought of it that way but he would rather keep Al in the dark about the true nature of their father than risk him ever being hurt by the bastard. "How hurt are you, what aches or whatever?"

"Well my head is pounding and my chest hurts but I believe that is because I've been down here breathing in this dust for so long. I can't tell anymore what hurts, everything feels mostly numb. I am indefinitely trapped however, can't move more than my hands."

"Well keep moving your hands to try and keep your blood circulating and don't close your eyes."

"Okay . . . " he paused at hearing some coughing and a faint whimper of pain. Whoever this girl was she was brave and much stronger than she sounded. He had to be nuts to be down here, he was a damn kid himself but he was burrowing through all of this thinking he could make a difference. He pulled himself through the narrow passage and asked of her to try and figure out how much further he had to go; "How about you tell me what your other friends are like?"

"What makes you think I have a lot of friends?"

"You sound too nice not to."

"Thank you for the compl-" another fit of coughs then, "iment. There is Cloud, he is very quiet and reserved but he is also strong and kind hearted. He is my cousin as well but my parents nor my other cousin Gippal's would adopt him when his parents died so he lives at the orphanage. He lies that he is going to one of the Dojo's so he can spend time with all of us even though he isn't very social."

"Sounds like the exact opposite of my best friend."

"I'm sorry to ask this so late but who are you?"

She was only a few more feet away but he could not see her yet, he had to worm his way through and around some beams and rusted bars to get closer to her; "My name is Ed."

"Ed? As in Edward Elric?"

"Yes, don't sound so surprised."

"I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting you to come down here and rescue me."

"Well I was sent down here by Johny, whoever he is. T. knows him so I guess I can trust that guy."

"Oh, that's right your best friends with Tidus Benshi. That makes it easier to understand why you feel so much resentment towards your father."

He had just managed to see a bit of pink amongst the thousands of pounds of rubble when he froze at her words. How in the world-"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm not so blind that I don't see what Tidus and his brother must go through every day. My friend Tiffa doesn't have a very pleasant home life either after all," she paused to cough once again, this time sounded more worn out and ragged than before now that he was closer. He had to crawl towards her and she offered him a smile as he came before her. "You're all dusty and dirty I can't tell what color your hair really is."

He smiled at that, here he was trying to save her life and she was insulting him about the dirt and dust covering him from head to toe. "Yeah well it's not a palace down here," he looked at everything that was burying her and moved down to where he guessed her legs were to test the rocks. Most of them were just medium sized rocks that had to weigh a tone laying on top of one another so it was easy enough to move them. Once he managed to remove the cement and concrete slabs covering her lower half he noticed the dried blood covering her dress and her legs and let out a sympathetic hiss.

"They really don't hurt very much, but now that the air has hit them once more I think I feel a bit of soreness in my back."

He moved around her legs to look to where she had mentioned and inhaled sharply making him cough because of the diluted and dusty air around them. She a rod sticking out of her back which was most likely where most of the blood on her dress had to have come from. This was going to be really challenging. It took him a good hour of digging before he managed to clear the rest of the debris that was holding her trapped because he had to be careful of the rod impaling her. It was at an angle but had missed her spine but not her kidney or her intestine. She had to be really hurting, or was before her body had gone numb under the pressure of the cement and concrete that had buried her.

He could use alchemy to break off the pieces of the metal rod enough so that he could move her a bit but he was no medic or doctor in the slightest. Somehow he had to get her out of here but how could he move her when she had that kind of injury? There was a high level of alchemy that he knew was in the back of his mind and counted as human transmutation that he could use to heal her but that could go terribly wrong. He knew that very well and his left leg throbbed as if casting a reminder. He sighed heavily and brushed his hand tiredly through his hair. His skin was coated in damp sweat which made the dirt, dust, and debris around him cling to his skin like a coat. He had to be down here for hours already and she had to have been down here for hours more.

"Now that you have managed to get me untrapped perhaps you could find your way back and call someone that could help me."

"That's not an option, I'm not leaving you down here by yourself. This could all collapse and then my freeing you would be pointless. Not to mention, there's no guarantee I would be able to find you again or make it back in time with how hurt you are."

"This isn't all that horrible-"

"Yes it is, you have internal injuries because of the pressure of the rubble that fell on top of you. You definitely have a concussion, are dehydrated, and that metal rod in you pierced through your intestine and your kidney."

"Are you sure you're not a medic?"

"Yes, I just know the human anatomy really well."

"Okay, well I will trust you to get us both out of here safely then."

He nodded and shifted to lay on his back and try to look up, there was a bit of light about twenty feet up. This small enclosed space was way too small to maneuver freely in, but if there was an exit above them . . . he shifted again moving into as much of a kneeling position as he could. That hole above them was small but he could make it bigger and there shouldn't be anyone else down here right? If the rest of this collapsed around them but not on top of them then they could get out of here. He could make a tunnel that went straight up out of all this material around him.

"Do you think anyone else is down here?"

"I'm certain there isn't, not anyone that is alive unfortunately. I spent most of my time calling out for anyone else. I think Squall made it out alright and something happened to Roxas after he got out of here."

"Okay then, I'm going to get us out of here then," he moved himself closer to her so that he didn't have to worry about her possibly being caught by a backlash or any of the debris collapsing on top of her. He gave himself just enough space to work without casting her inside the circle he was going to make and closed his eyes to focus. He had to picture what he planned to create before he could build it and he ran through the material around him, metal, copper, aluminum, steel, concrete made of sand, rocks, glue, tar, cement made of water, sand, dirt, rocks, shells, wood and nails, glass made of very finely ground crystal and diamonds.

He clapped his hands together and pulled the energy to his center before pushing it through to his finger tips and the palms of his hands feeding it into the ground under his hands. He could taste the electric current in the air, crisp as though lightning had struck and thick with power as it stirred and crackled around him. He could hardly hear anything more than the energy circling and building around him. But it was loud none the less, the way everything shifted and moved and melded together. Once the tunnel was made they would have to move fast, it wouldn't hold long.

He pushed more energy into the ground to build it higher to use the metal components around him to hold the cement and the concrete in place and to provide a way for them to climb up. He kept going until he felt it tug one last time signaling to his brain that his image was created. Opening his eyes and pulling his hands away he took in a deep breath of fresh air and looked around him. Only the tunnel constructed like a well surrounded the two of them and the ladder that stretched up to the open sky did not lead to a clear one. There was smoke thick in the air and even as far down from the surface as they were he could tell that even more suffering and death awaited them up there.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine," he hoped that his careless best friend was alright wherever the hell he was. He turned back to her, this was going to cause her a lot of discomfort but unless someone sent something to help him out he had no choice. "Alright, you're going to have to hold on to my neck so I can carry you out of here. It's going to hurt you with that injury-"

"That's alright, let's just get out of here alive. Thank you very much."

"Don't thank me yet," he moved to kneel down in front of her and helped her sit up enough to put her arms around his neck. He could pretty much expect that the rod stabbed through her might decide to stab right through his back or push itself out but if they were lucky it would just shift a bit. He moved slowly to stand up, he was really fortunate to be stronger than most his age because of the automail at this moment because she wasn't that heavy. As long as she could manage to hold on they would make it out of this mess.

He walked over to the ladder he had transmuted into the tunnel wall and pulled himself up apologizing for the whine that passed through his companions lips from the movement and started to make his way up. It was long, grueling, and tiring but when they made it outside he was never so grateful to see a battleground in all his life. Enclosed spaces would forever bother him, too exposing and vulnerable, too many shadows and secrets and dangers around him that he wouldn't notice until it was too late. They had just made it to safe and sturdy ground when the debris they had just escaped crumbled in on itself. He scanned his surroundings but couldn't see anyone around them.

Damn it all, where the hell was everyone? He needed some help moving Aerieth to safety and he was worried about his idiot best friend. He looked up at the sound of shouting and let out a sigh of relief as he held Aerieth upright when he noticed the medics making their way down the cracked and up heaved sidewalk littered with pieces of rubble. Once he was certain the person he was sent into an underground maze was going to be alright with the medics he stood and ran off through the torn apart city in search of his friend ignoring any of the shouts for him to come back to safety. He had to know that Tidus was alright no matter what hell he managed to stumble across on the way.

To Be Continued . . .