Fasten your seatbelts, folks, his chapter is going to be quite the roller coaster. But before we lower the safety bar, let's thank kitsune-kitty, YourFavoritePlushie, Tia Ordona, Trinity, Houran, Chibi Hayaku, Guardian Angel o' Wolves, Two Tailz, Bar-Ohki, Katty and Phantom of the Pie for reviewing. Now to respond to certain questions/comments/death threats/desires to die/whatever.

YoFavPlush: Don't die, please? Living's better. Live and read on!
Houran: Hmm...was that sarcasm? (XP) I'm glad I surprise you. I plan to do it again. And, since you convinced me, I'll make more longer chapters. Yay!
Guardian Angel: Man, I just loved your review. You'll see about Dante, Sloth, and Izumi's kids. I think certain things might surprise you.
Katty: Ooh, a guess! I love guesses. They make me so happy. Feel free to keep guessing about stuff.

And now, the bar comes down, and the wheels start to roll. Hang on, everyone!


7: The Kid's Real Name

Silence settled over the combination kitchen/dining room as Pride's words fell, as if he had told them all to shut the hell up, instead of said a name. For a moment, no one moved, no one blinked. There was barely any breathing involved.

"What's going on?" Winry said, finally shattering the silence.

Mr. Clair, or Hohenheim, took a step forward, arms half-raised as if to hug Pride. "You're alive," he said in an astonished tone. "I thought...I thought you were--"

"Dead?" Pride crossed his arms over his chest, scowling. "No. I left the note, all right, but I was too much of a wimp to go through with it. I thought you were still in Risembool."

Roy opened his mouth to say something, but Riza quickly lifted a finger to her lips, keeping him quiet.

"After your...after I thought you died, I was forced to move on," Hohenheim said. "I...had no choice. I had to get busy again to keep my mind off my family."

"Which one?" Pride said, sounding angry and hurt. "Ours or theirs?"

Hohenheim stiffened. "Ours, of course. You don't mean to say--"

Pride held up five fingers. "Five years running. I'm Pride."

Hohenheim looked so stunned it seemed he was having a silent heart attack. Riza, Roy, and Winry, silent bystanders, watched the scene play out.

"Or...or, was," Pride suddenly corrected, looking away. "I'm leaving. I mean, I'm trying to quit."

Hohenheim raised his arms further. "I'm so sorry," he said, sounding grief-stricken. "I didn't know you were alive. If I had, I would never have left y--"

"I know," Pride interrupted, staring at a most fascinating section of the floor.

Silence settled again, weighing heavily. Winry suddenly coughed, and that seemed to snap the two back into focus.

"Oh! I'm, uh, sorry," Hohenheim said, offering a weak smile. He rubbed the back of his head as he turned to face the Mustangs and Winry. "You're probably wondering what's going on."

"That's a start," Roy said dryly.

"It's a long story," Pride spoke up suddenly. "T-This is...um, my dad."

Roy and Riza stared. "Your father?" Riza repeated.

Hohenheim nodded.

"No wonder you two look so much alike," Winry commented.

"If you don't mind," Hohenheim said, "could I have a moment alone with my son?"

"Of course," Riza said, steering Roy and Winry out of the kitchen. "Take all the time you need." She pushed them into the study, which had a door they could close, giving the two more privacy.

Roy sat on the couch. "Well, what do you know. My absentminded boss is the dad of the kid we took in a month ago," he summarized.

"It sounds like they had a hard time," Winry commented, sounding sympathetic.

Riza leaned against the door silently, mulling over what she had just heard. Mr. Clair, Hohenheim, was Pride's father. And he had thought his son was dead. Pride had left him some kind of note, and from what he said, it had sounded like a suicide note. How terrible. It was amazing how Hohenheim had managed to recover. The few times she had met him, she had never even guessed he had a tragic past.

And then to come over to an employee's house for dinner and find his son, alive and well, after at least five years? Riza shook her head, marveling at the coincidence.

And then when he saw him...wait. Riza frowned. He didn't call him Pride; he used a name. What was it? Ed...win? Ed...gar? Why don't I remember? She chastised herself for not remembering Pride's real name.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Winry wondered aloud.

"The good old days?" Roy guessed.


"I wish you had just come home, Edward," Hohenheim said, his words tinged with sadness.

Pride shook his head. "I couldn't. I was still pissed at you. And myself."

"Please, tell me you don't still believe your mother and brother's deaths were your fault. You were a child. There's no way you could have done anything," Hohenheim said.

"You don't know!" Pride snapped, glaring at him. "I heard you talking with M..." he swallowed, the title sticking in his throat.

"With Dante," Hohenheim finished for him, broad shoulders slumping. "So you think it's your fault because you heard what would happen and did nothing?"

Pride stared down at his crossed arms.

"And then one of Dante's minions found you and convinced you to join the family," Hohenheim guessed.

"Not a minion," Pride corrected irritably.

"Henchman, whatever. And you lived in that gang for five--"

"It's not a--"

"Stop lying to yourself, Edward. Yes it is a gang." Hohenheim leaned forward. "I can see scars on you."

Pride shuddered and rubbed his arms. "It was different then," he said softly. "I thought I was a killer. She offered me a home. I-I was with a new family, since I had lost my old one."

"Dante is very manipulative," Hohenheim said wearily. "Even when sends someone to kill you, somehow she can make you believe it's for your own good. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that you joined so quickly and stayed so long. I am relieved to hear that you're leaving." He frowned. "Do they know where you are?"

Pride shook his head. "Riza saved me."

"Oh, my son." Hohenheim placed his huge hands on Pride's crossed arms. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have stayed with you. I had no idea you blamed yourself for what happened to Trisha and Alphonse, but I still should have been there for you more."

"It's not like it would have mattered," Pride mumbled, not sounding very certain.

"Tell me what I can do to make it up to you," Hohenheim insisted.

Pride started and looked up at him, directly in the eyes for the first time. "Whatever you need, I'll get it for you," Hohenheim went on earnestly, looking into his son's eyes. "I have a lot of money, and I'll use every cent to get you anything you need. I'll see to it that Dante's gang never touches you again."

Pride's vision started to swim. "Old man, you don't..." he trailed off, not bothering to finish the sentence. When Hohenheim pulled him into a hug, he didn't resist and let his head fall on the giant shoulder.

"Whatever it takes," Hohenheim said again.

"I'll be fine," Pride said. "But...Dad, Envy's here."

Hohenheim pulled back and stared at his son. "Envy?" he repeated, as if in disbelief.

Pride nodded. "They...he got beaten up pretty bad. I need to keep him safe too."

Hohenheim pressed his mouth into a determined line. "Whatever it takes," he said again.


When the door to the study opened, all three heads inside looked up. Hohenheim and Pride entered, looking a lot less tense than they had before.

"Caught up on the good old days?" Roy commented, shaking out his newspaper.

"More or less," Hohenheim said, with another sheepish smile.

"Riza," Pride said, and Riza turned her attention to him, "...um, and Roy and Winry, I wanna tell you guys something."

Winry blinked in surprise at being addressed. Pride looked hesitant, but Hohenheim patted his shoulder encouragingly, and he heaved a big breath and determinedly plowed on. "My name is Edward. I want you guys to call me Edward from now on, instead of Pride."

Roy raised his brows in surprise. Winry looked stunned. Riza was also surprised, but she smiled as she stood. "We'd love to," she said. "It's a wonderful name."

"Um--of course," Winry agreed quickly, still looking a little stunned.

"Yeah, sure," Roy agreed also.

Riza took the 15-year-old's face in her hands and tilted his head so he was looking at him. "It suits you very well," she said. "Don't you think so?"

"...I...guess," the freshly proclaimed Edward said, his cheeks flushing.

"Yeah, a whole lot better than Pride or Puraidope," Winry commented in an off-handed way.

"Puree-what?" Roy said, a brow raising.

"We have to go talk to Envy," Edward mumbled, pulling his face out of Riza's hands.

"You don't mind me traipsing upstairs, I hope?" Hohenheim asked.

"Of course not. Go right ahead," Riza said.


Envy painfully stretched his leg muscles, hearing his bones crack in protest. Even as the world's fastest healer, he still had some stubborn injuries. But that was his fault. Mother had said not to come back without Pride, and he had done exactly that. What had he expected?

At least now Pride was with him. Once Envy was finally in the clear, it was back to base. Greed could keep wandering around like an idiot, looking for Pride, but Envy would be set. If only Pride would stop talking stupid about staying with the NRA and her coffee-fiend husband.

As if conjured up by Envy's thoughts, the door opened, and Pride came in. "What up, Pride Jr.?" Envy greeted as he flexed his left knee, wincing at the soreness.

"Envy," Pride said gravely, "we've gotta talk."

Envy glanced at him over a shoulder, then collapsed onto the bed. "Uh-oh," he said, a teasing grin on his face. "You've got your gloom face on. Must be serious."

"It is," Pride said.

"Okay, go ahead, Pride. I'm all ears."

"For one, I'm not going by Pride anymore."

"Whaaat?" Envy said, his brow furrowing. "What kind of stupid are you talking now? Of course you are."

"No, I'm not," Pride said firmly. "It's Edward from now on."

Envy scowled, crossing his legs and ignoring the twinges of pain. "Well that's plain idiotic. All the Chosen go by their titles; it's how we roll, remember? What're they going to call you back home? Oh, I see," he went on as Pride opened his mouth to speak, "you're still spouting that crap about staying here. Well, forget it. We're going back."

"No," Pride said firmly, sounding more authoritative than Envy had ever heard him. "I'm not going back, and neither are you."

Envy's violet eyes narrowed. "Okay, this junk wasn't funny the first time, Pride. Knock it off."

"He said he isn't going to leave. You should be enough of an older brother to respect his wishes."

Envy froze at the familiar voice, wanting to pretend he didn't hear it, hoping it wasn't attached to the person he was thinking of. His prayers went unanswered as Hohenheim stepped around the door, still tall enough for Envy to have to crane his neck back to look him in the face.

"Oh, hell no," Envy spat, all jokes aside. "What is your problem, Pride? You brought that bastard here?"

"Look, Envy," Pride said. "Going back is dangerous for both of us. Dad can help us get away."

"You are out of your damn mind if you think I'll let that turncoat bastard within ten feet of me!" Envy yelled. He pointed a menacing finger at Hohenheim, followed with a piercing glare. "You get the hell away from me."

Hohenheim didn't look angry. In fact, he looked as if he understood Envy's reaction, which made the 20-year-old's blood boil even more. "Envy, you don't want to die," he said. "You don't want Edward to die. That's exactly what will happen to the both of you if you go back to Dante and her gang."

"Don't talk about Mother like that!" Envy yelled. "And it's not a gang!"

"Yes it is!"

Stunned, Envy turned to stare at Pride, who seemed surprised at his own outburst. "You are insane," he said dangerously. "Both of you, leave me the hell alone."

"Envy, I--"

Pride cut himself off as his gaze flickered to the window. Immediately he hurried over to it and peered out.

"What is it?" Hohenheim asked, taking a step forward.

Envy watched as Pride's face turned white. "Dammit, they found me!" he cried, spinning away from the window. "I have to warn Riza and the others!" He threw open the door and bolted through.

"Not good," Hohenheim said grimly, approaching the bed.

Envy knew who Pride meant. Greed, and probably some lower-ranked minions. For a moment, a flash of genuine fear passed through him. Greed was reckless. He'd blow up the whole house just to get Pride. And he and Envy really didn't like each other anyway.

"We have to go," Hohenheim said, snapping Envy back. The man had crossed the room in a few short strides and was next to the bed.

"No, you stay the hell away from me!" Envy ordered, trying to stand up so he could put some distance between himself and Hohenheim.

"Envy, we really don't have time for this," Hohenheim said. In a flash he had reached out, grabbed Envy by the arm, and slung him over a shoulder. If Envy had been at normal health, he could have dodged with minimal effort. But even the world's fastest healer was currently too riddled with injuries to dodge much.

"IF YOU DON'T PUT ME DOWN, YOU BASTARD--!" Envy started to rail.

Hohenheim grabbed a sheet off the bed and kind of wrapped it around Envy's head, muffling the screams and curses. "What if we have to sneak away?" he said as he started moving. Envy's muffled curses grew more colorful as he tried to pull the sheet off.


It was a nice house. A really nice house. One of the fancy types. Two stories, relatively clean-looking, a nice spreading lawn. Probably the perfect place to raise a family and a dog.

Too bad for the people inside, Greed thought as he strode up to the door. Lust was waiting for his signal. In mere moments, everyone in the house would be dead. Including the runaway Pride.

A little smile crossed Greed's face. And Envy, poor Envy. He would get caught in the crossfire. What a shame.

Greed casually sauntered up the porch steps and to the front door. A worn welcome mat lay at his feet. Greed was courteous enough to wipe his shoes off before reaching up and knocking solidly on the door. Then, he pulled his gun from his holster and aimed straight at the door.

Whoever answered would get the honor of dying first.


Riza heard the knock on the door and stood. "I'll get it," she said to Roy.

"Okay," Roy said, half his attention on his paper.

Riza made her way out of the study and down the hall. She wondered if Pride--no, Edward--and his father were still talking with Envy. Everyone downstairs had heard Envy screaming and yelling. When it had stopped, Riza had hoped that meant they were talking in a more civilized way.

What was it Envy had against Hohenheim, Riza mused. It had to be some kind of dispute. Envy had called Hohenheim a bunch of names. So why did he hate his father? What had happened in their past? And had he been there when his mother and brother died?

It was a confusing muddle of events, Riza finally admitted to herself as she walked up to the front door. Maybe at some point, Edward would trust her enough to tell her the story. If he ever did, she would be there for him, no doubt about it.

Riza looked into the peephole, but couldn't see anyone. Was this some kind of stupid prank? Riza remembered those kids sticking a pin in the doorbell about a year ago. Frowning, she turned the knob.


Edward fairly flew down the stairs, knowing that things would probably turn bad soon. He halted at the study door, but only Roy and Winry were there.

"Where's Riza?" he asked.

Roy looked up. "She went to answer the door. Someone just rang."

"Someone...? Oh, dammit!" Edward exclaimed. "It's probably Greed. He's going to kill her!"

At this, both Roy and Winry jumped up, though Roy was faster. "What?!" he exclaimed, but Edward had already taken off for the front hall.

"Who's Greed?" Winry wondered fearfully.

"I don't know," Roy said, his face grim as he hurried out of the study. Winry followed, clutching her wrench nervously.


Edward was running as fast as he could. He wheeled into the front hall just in time to see Riza at the other end, pulling open the door.

"Riza, DON'T!" he cried.

Click. BANG!


Hohenheim heard the gunshot as he approached the top of the stairs, Envy still kicking and squirming on his shoulder. His face turned grave as he started down.

A crash behind him made him whirl, and even Envy paused. Finally pulling the sheet from around his face, Envy looked around. "What the hell was that?" he said, his voice instinctively lowered.

"We shouldn't stay to find out," Hohenheim said, turning back to the stairs. There was some commotion going on downstairs, one that involved repeated gunshots and what sounded like people running into walls and furniture. He hurried down a few more steps. Envy suddenly sucked in his breath, and Hohenheim paused, hearing a click.

"Not so fast," a smooth voice said from behind him. Hohenheim turned and saw a tall, slender woman with dark hair, in a low-cut dark dress and matching opera gloves, pointing a gun at him.

"Who are you?" Hohenheim said warily.

"I'm the new Lust," the woman said, smiling scarily. "And I know who you are. You used to be Wrath, didn't you? I wasn't expecting you here."

Hohenheim glared. "Am I to assume you're here to kill us all?" he asked.

"More or less," Lust said. "Envy, Mother is very unhappy with you. How could you abandon us like your stupid little brother, hmm?"

Envy's body stiffened. "It's such a shame," Lust went on, seeming to enjoy herself. "And after so many years of loyal service to us. Mother will be sad to lose you."

"I'm sure she will," Hohenheim spat. "Just like I'm sure she's been sad every time she killed one of her 'children'. Or had hem beaten to within an inch of their lives. I'm certain it tears out her heart everytime she takes time out to personally murder--"

"That's enough from you," Lust said, raising the gun a bit so that it was aimed at Hohenheim's forehead. "Mother will be pleased to hear of your death."

"Bitch," Envy snarled.

"Think what you like." Lust slid her finger over the trigger. Suddenly her attention was momentarily diverted. Hohenheim sensed something coming behind him and ducked, just as a chair went sailing over his head. It nailed Lust straight on and knocked her down.

"Come on!" Edward was at the bottom of the stairs, waving frantically. Hohenheim hurried down the steps two at a time. "What's going on?" he asked.

Edward grabbed his wrist and tugged him towards the back hall. "Greed ambushed Riza at the door," he said, face dark. "He had his gun out."

"She was shot?" Hohenheim said, anguished.

"Oh. No. Riza had her gun out and fired before he could blink. Unfortunately, he took cover, and they're shooting it out now," Edward explained.

They made it to the back door, where Winry was waiting, wrench clenched tightly. "Where's Roy and Riza?" she asked the moment she saw them.

"Holding off Greed," Edward explained, opening the back door. "Riza told me to get you guys and get the store van." He opened his hand to show he had the keys to the van.

They all rushed out into the night. Edward unlocked the van, and Winry climbed into the back seat. Hohenheim sat Envy down on the seat next to her, then climbed into the passenger seat as Edward jumped in the driver's seat and started the car.

"Mr. Clair, you're not driving?" Winry said fearfully.

Hohenheim shook his head. "I'm a bit too reckless behind the wheel," he admitted sheepishly.

"So's Pride," Envy commented sullenly, a split second before Edward mashed the gas pedal and sent them screeching out of the backyard. Winry screamed and Hohenheim grabbed his seatbelt. Envy had already buckled himself in. "Buckle up, everyone!" Edward ordered as he barreled through the yard.

"We're not going towards the gun fight?" Winry cried.

"We have to get the Mustangs," Hohenheim explained to her.

Winry swallowed hard and gripped the handle on the door for support. Edward drove straight through a low hedge and swerved towards the front door. There, they spotted a dark figure pointing a gun inside the open front door. He was firing repeatedly, but was suddenly grabbed by the collar, jerked inside, and then flung outwards on the lawn. Edward screeched to a halt next to the porch steps, and the back doors of the van were flung open. Roy and Riza quickly climbed inside, and Edward was off before they had even gotten the doors closed. He somehow got onto the main road after cutting across a stretch of unowned land and mowing down several innocent plants.

"So...where are we going?" Edward asked about five tense minutes later.

"Keep going this way," Hohenheim instructed. "We'll go to my house."


Pfft. Ride's over. Well, I hope that was exciting enough for the thrill-seekers.
Anyhows, reviews are loved. So send them in bulk. Please and thankies.