SailorStar9: This is Chapter 5 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 5: Holy Mother

"This 'chimera' is more complete than the ones Tucker was making." Havoc remarked, pulling the covers over Martel after they removed the corpse from Al's armor. "I guess this must be what's left of the Laboratory 5."

"You and Marshall Archer knew about these things beforehand, didn't you, Major?" Riza pressed.

"What exactly are you two hiding?" Havoc insisted. "Just tell us…"

"Stop it." Ranko pleaded, holding Al into a hug, her 'Rain Flame' pacifier's power radiating.

"Major Armstrong has nothing to do with this." Al defended. "I was the one hiding Martel."

"What are you talking about, Alphonse?" Fuery questioned.

"There's something I've begun to understand; why my 'Life Flames' were of the 'Rain' attribute." Ranko whispered. "I can't tell you right now, but please stop fighting each other."

"Major," Roy voiced. "I know that you are following in Hughes' footsteps. 'You should just be heading for the top.'" He quoted. "'I will support you from below.' Is that what you want to say?"

"I must humbly apologize, but I cannot tell anything at this time." Armstrong apologized.

Roy simply gave him a friendly punch to the chest and walked off.

"It's Alphonse." Al knocked on the door.

Havoc opened the door and pulled both civilians in.

"He came from Reole with a letter addressed to me." Roy informed, the group turning to the exhausted messenger boy asleep on the sofa.

"From my brother?" Al echoed. "Then he's safe."

"According to Ed's letter, Scar has turned the entire city into a transmutation circle." Riza read off the letter. "He also warned us to stay out of the city, no matter what."

"Is Scar trying to lure the soldiers in to make them components for the Philosopher's Stone?" Al wondered.

"What are you talking about?" Riza blinked.

"In order to create the Philosopher's Stone, one must sacrifice human lives." Ranko explained. "A great number of lives."

"That's what really happened at the Laboratory 5?" Falman realized.

"So, the top brass has been experimenting on humans?" Riza breathed.

"Al, head for Reole." Roy instructed. "Once you get there, you should be able to rendezvous with Ed. If we don't make the first move, Reole will eventually surrender. Then, we can arrest Scar before the conflict begins."

"I understand." Al stood to leave.

"Al," Riza stopped him. "Here, this is Ed's." she handed Ed's pocket watch over. "The Major got it back earlier."

Ranko was alerted by the pattering of running footsteps outside the door and stood up when the door swung open. Archer's soldiers hurried into the room, saluting as their commander entered.

"By orders of the Führer," Archer declared. "The 'Requiem Rain' is to accompany us to Reole."

"I refuse." Ranko glared, preparing to activate her pacifier's powers.

"You don't have a choice, girl." Archer retorted, grabbing her wrist. "There are the Führer's orders. You are coming with me, whether you like it or not. The Führer wants to confirm if the rumor about your pacifier is true; that you can nullify the Philosopher's Stone's powers. Mustang won't be able to save you this time, Princess." He sneered into her ear. "I wonder what he'll say if I brought you back… tainted." He smirked. "Move out!" he told his troops.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.