So here it is!
The 6th and final chapter of 'Why Would Alphonse Do Something Like This?'
I honestly hope that you all enjoy this! :]
And thanks for the great reviews as well *heart* I appreciate every one of them :D

-Mari

[Chapter 6 Start]

"I was just about to get to that part," Mustang frowned. "You may not like what you're going to hear, I'll go ahead and warn you now."

"I can take it."

Mustang paused for a minute before continuing.

Alphonse looked up at the building in front of him. That is, if you could even call it a building anymore. It's once-red brick walls were destroyed in some parts, leaving a pile of bricks below. Nearly all the windows had been shattered, and the ones that weren't, were darkened by dirt and weather and had deep cracks along the frame. Even the doors hung upon their hinges. Overall, it wasn't a very inviting place.

Al smiled, feeling the carefully folded paper burning a hole in his pocket. He went to reach for it before shaking his head. I can't yet. I have to wait until I can get inside unnoticed...

You want us to be a family again, don't you dear?

"Yes mother! More than anything!" He said under his breath, clenching his fists as he took off headlong across the short walk and through the falling doors.

Once he was inside, he stopped a moment to get used to his surroundings. Things weren't much better in there than they had been on the outside, maybe even worse. The floor was beginning to fall in at parts and it was covered in trash and debris, as well as mold.

He scrunched up his nose before walking carefully across to the stairs that led down to the lowest level. His hand braced lightly against the wall, he made his way carefully down the steps.

"This place is even worse than I remember," Alphonse said to himself as he clapped his hands together and transmuted a lantern from a pile of boxes next to the stairs. He pulled out a match and lit it, seeing that it really was a mess.

It's too late to go back now, Al thought to himself as he pulled the picture from his pocket, as well as a peice of chalk. He then set to work copying the circle with percise detail, leaving nothing undrawn. It took him nearly an hour to get it just right to where he was satisfied. When he stood and looked over his work, he smiled.

Very good, dear. I'm so proud of you Alphonse!

"Thanks mom," Al smiled. "It means alot to hear you say that!"

"Who are you talking to?"

Al jumped, whipping around quickly to see the girl standing on the steps, illuminated by the poor lighting.

"H-How long have you been there?" Al asked, his eyes wide. "Why are you following me!"

"I wasn't following you!" The girl's face became red with embarassment. "Okay, maybe I was, but it was only because you seemed interesting!"

Alphonse frowned, noticing the way her eyes really were the same as his mother's. Those caring eyes..

"Look, I'm kind of in the middle of something, so if you would, could you please go?" Alphonse asked politely, fixing his gloves.

"That's a transmutation circle," She said loudly. "A human transmutation circle."

Al turned and looked at her, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "You know what a human transmutation circle looks like?"

"I'm not as stupid as you think I am," The girl snorted, crossing her arms. "I know a little bit about alchemy myself."

"That's all well and good," Alphonse said pleadingly, his patience with the talkative girl growing thin. "But really, I need you to leave."

"I want to watch," She said stubbornly.

"N-"

Why not let her watch, honey? She's only curious.

Al put his hand to his forehead before letting out a sigh. "Fine, just.. Go over there where you won't get caught in it too."

The girl smiled and went to stand where Alphonse had instructed her, watching intently.

Alphonse, who made sure she had followed his instructions before walking to the circle, lifted a small knife from his pocket and slit his hand, letting the blood drip inside of the center of the circle. When he had a satisfyable amount, he replaced his glove, which was soon stained red.

He walked to the edge of the circle and got to his knees, his hands poised to start the transmutation. He smiled slightly to himself. Are you ready, Mom?

"Why did you put so much blood?" The girl asked, her hand resting on her hip.

"It's part of the process.." Alphonse said softly. "So please, can you be quiet?"

The girl scowled, but did so.

Al clapped his hands together and pressed them to the outer ring of the circle, closing his eyes in concentration as the circle began to glow. For an instant, the image of the mother and son he had seen on the street flashed into his head. He quickly pushed the jealousy away with a smile. Soon, he would have his mother back.

He narrowed his eyes when black tendrils began to creep up from the circle, but didn't panic. He felt them began tug at him, but didn't fight it. They would take him to the Gate. They would take him to where he could bring his mother back.

It wasn't until he heard the pounding of feet on the concrete floor did he break his intense for a split second to see the girl jumping into the middle of the circle and also being engulfed by the searching tendrils that were already overtaking him.

"What are you-"

Al was cut off when he finally was tossed in front of the Gate of Truth.

Winry closed her eyes for a moment as she looked out of the window of the hotel room, enjoying the silence of her children sleeping. The last few days had been so stressful! First, Edward had been summoned suddenly to Central, then she gets a phone call that he's been hospitalized from a stomach injury and had been found bleeding to death!

If it would have been another woman, one who hadn't have been through what she had been through, things would have been different. After losing her parents, then nearly losing Ed and Al, she had learned what it was like to be strong.

Compared to what she had been through, this was just another bump in the road.

And she would get through it with Edward by her side.

And eventually, Alphonse would come back from Xing and the three would be united again.

Winry was snapped out of her thoughts as the children woke up.

"It's been a while," Truth smiled. "Hasn't it Alphonse?"

"I'm here for my mother. I want to give up my alchemical powers for her!" Alphonse said sternly.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. It seems someone has already been brought back through the gate. And you've already paid a fine toll for that." Truth smiled. "Goodbye, Alphonse Elric."

"NO!" Al screamed as he fought against the tendril that erupted around him to pull him back to his world. "NO! I want my mother back! PLEASE! Just give me my mom! NO!"

Al felt himself snap back into his world as gasped for air, coughing when he felt sharp pains erupt up his sides. He slammed his fist onto the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks as he fought for breath. "NO! All that I worked for.. And I couldn't-" He coughed, feeling something warm dribbling down his chin. "-Even bring her back.."

He wiped his chin, blinking when he saw the crimson stain.

Was that.. blood?

His head jerked up when he heard a soft chuckle that made him remember. That girl had jumped into the middle of the circle. Had she not been affected?

"Hello?" He asked softly, getting to his feet weakly.

"Hello Alphonse Elric.."

Al's eyes grew wide as the dust began to clear and he could see a familiar being standing there, a smirk on it's face.

"H-how did you?" Al shook his head. "No! It can't be! I tried to bring my mother back! NOT YOU!"

"You let your jealousy consume you," It smiled, popping it's neck. "And when you first tried to bring your mother back, I took advantage of your weakness and encouraged you to pursue it so I could use a weak human body as a sacrifice to bring my better self back. So thanks, I really appreciate it." It said sarcastically.

Alphonse shook his head more fiercely. "I don't get it! How did I bring back a Homunculus! And of all the ones to bring back.." He looked up with regret-filled eyes. "It had to be Envy.."

Al coughed, feeling more of the liquid seeping from his mouth.

What in the hell had Truth done to him?

He had to get away.

He had to find his brother.

Mustang.

Teacher.

Anyone.

Alphonse straightened before taking off up the steps, stumbling every so often from the strain it put on his torso. Whatever had been taken from him, it was hurting him. And it was hurting him badly.

The train station... I'll get to Risembool.. Brother'll know what to do. Brother always knows what to do! Alphonse had to stop halfway there and cough again, sending blood splattering against the pavement and catching the attention of many passers by.

He didn't care though.

He had to get to the trains.

Maybe the guilt would waver a bit once he had time to think.

"One ticket to Risembool. please," The lady behind the counter looked at Alphonse's blood-stained shirt skeptically, hesitant about handing him the ticket.

"I had a nosebleed earlier and didn't have another shirt to change into." Alphonse rubbed the back of his head. "It's a bit embarassing actually."

The lady smiled understandingly before handing him the ticket and wishing him a nice day and safe travels. Alphonse thanked her and walked towards the awaiting train, a smile on his face. He didn't know what Envy was going to do, but he would be sure to call Mustang as soon as he talked to Ed. After all, who else would the Homunculus go after besides the one who tried to kill him?

Alphonse let out a deep breath, putting his hand on his stomach as he tried to catch his breath again. He really needed to get that looked at.

BANG.

Alphonse felt pain explode in his chest and for a moment saw nothing but images that flashed by at lightning speed in front of his eyes as he swayed before hitting the ground with a thud. Even though he knew that people around him were screaming, to him, the world was silent. The only thing he heard, was his own slowing heartbeat.

I'm coming home, Mom.

Ed swallowed, feeling a lump forming in his throat. "So that's how it happened then?" He said brokenly. "He wanted Mom so bad.. And his jealousy of a young child brought him to do the things he did.."

Mustang and Hawkeye both remained silent as Edward's shoulders began to shake and tears began to spill down his face. It was an unusual sight. Someone like Ed spent their entire life trying to hide their emotions. But it just took one event, one tragedy, to show how truly human they really were.

The End.

To be completely honest, I teared up while writing the ending XD
I really hope you enjoyed this Alphonse fanfic as much as I enjoyed writing it *heart*
Your awesome reviews motivated me to keep going and not give up on it ;]
Well, I guess it's on to the next one ;D

-Mari

Oh, and there's going to be an Epilogue as well.

Just sayin.

;D