Connor jumped out of the way as the Fuhrer landed hard on the ground. Mustang clapped his hands together and put them on the ground. Connor had little time to react, causing him to be thrown off the path and barreling through the air. Lily scowled and used her transmutation gloves to move towards him. She plummeted to the ground. Mustang transmuted a wall as he jumped away. Lily broke through it without issue. Lily did have one problem though. Roy smiled as Lily fell through the hidden trap hole he had put in the ground moments earlier.

"Gotcha," he said snapping his fingers. Lily punched the ground flying high up into the air as the flames burned the ground below. She took out a small dagger as she landed behind him. Mustang held out his right hand just as Lily cut through the transmutation circle on his glove.

He then took out his left hand. "...my glove," he muttered. Lily smiled as her right fist hit the ground. The gravitational field changed, and Mustang was floating. Lily slipped on her father's transmutation glove over her metal hand. She snapped both of her fingers as flames surrounded her father.

"Do you surrender yet?" she asked.


Lily looked at her state alchemist watch. She earned this. Now it was time to find out the truth. But she had no idea where to start. Lily looked up all the records in the military, but they were straight up lies. She needed to get a philosopher's stone. It was the only way to fix all of this. She'd have to dig deep.

No need for that, someone said inside her hair. It was Lily's voice, but her thoughts weren't her own.

Who are you? Lily asked.

Your true potential, it responded.

To be myself stuck inside my head? Lily mused.

Haha… no. I want to help you become powerful. I'll help you find the philosopher's stones and bring your mother back to life.

Lily stopped. "Stone-s? Plural?"

Your father really didn't tell you anything did he… not to worry. I shall inform you of his shameful history now. Lily listened closely. Your father, stole the throne from Fuhrer Bradley. In fact, your father and Bradley were enemies.

"Enemies?"

Yes. The reason your father did this was to obtain the philosopher's stones. That way he could become the most powerful man in the world.

Lily scowled. You mean… this whole time he's had many philosopher's stones and now you're telling me he never used them to resurrect Mom!

Exactly. He gave some of these stones to rulers of other countries to establish treaties, such as the country of Xing. The philosopher's stone make Emperor Ling immortal, as well as your father.

Tears were running down her face. Is this why you never told me father? Is it because you only care about yourself? But… what about the Elrics? Ed and Al, are they in on it too? Lily asked frantically.

Yes. They helped your father overthrow the military leadership.

Lily's eyes widened. "What about Mom?" The voice in her head didn't respond. "Did you hear me? What about Mom?"

The Ishvalan who killed your mother…. Was sent by Roy Mustang. She began to figure out his secrets.

Lily gasped. She couldn't breathe. Snap out of it Lily! Why would dad do such a thing?"

You don't know your father.

Lily swallowed. It was true. She barely knew anything of her father's past. Follow me. I will show you the path to true power.


Connor stared down at his state alchemist watch. This was an honor he didn't deserve. Lily… where have you been? he asked in silence. She had been missing for almost a week now. And the last person she talked to was him. Why? He closed his eyes.

"Connor?"

"Lily! Um… my parents aren't home, they just left for the capital,"

"I know," she said sitting on the deck.

"Then… why are you here?"

Lily sighed. "I'm leaving. And I won't return for a long time,"

"Lily… where are you going?"

"To find myself," she said eerily.

Connor found himself dozing on the same porch he had once spoken to Lily.

"How long?" he asked out loud. Lily wasn't there to respond.


Roy ran his hand through his hair.

"Any sightings?" he asked Havoc.

"Not yet," Havoc said.

"I have to go," Roy said pacing.

"You can't leave Roy! You're the leader of this country! Lily could be across the world at this point!"

"My daughter's more important,"

Havoc grimaced. "If only you said that a couple days ago,"