Sorry I missed my last installment, I was supposed to get it posted ages ago. But I have a very good excuse, it seems my pet rat Nezumi is sick. The way she's behaving, it's either ear mites or cancer. (sigh) But enough about that.

I'm not entirely sure how long it takes for people to get from City to City on the trains, so I'll just guess, though I fear I've vastly reduced the actual time. (grins)

Also, to anyone who hasn't seen the last episode of the FMA anime series, there's a spoiler in here. I'm not going to mark it, 'cause if your actually reading this story you must have seen the movie, which only makes sense if you've seen the episode, though I figured I'd warn you. (grins)

Chapter 7: Left To Trust And Chance

" Wow. " Alphonse muttered in amazement. " I hadn't noticed it before, but this place even blocks out most of the sound from the street. " Edward paused, looking up.

" Yeah. " Edward replied. " It does. "

It was midday. The brothers were back in the alley where they had been attacked by Envy a few days ago. They had spent the last hour scanning the alley, hoping that there was more a reason as to why Envy had appeared there. Though as time passed they slowly figured that it was merely their presence that once again drew Envy to that spot.

" Maybe we should try and bring him to us? " Alphonse suggested, stretching his back. Edward leaned against the alley wall.

" We've been in a secluded alley way for an hour. " He sighed. " If Envy was gonna come he'd have done so by now. " Alphonse nodded warily.

" Good point. " He muttered. Edward stared at the end of the alley, watching the people walk by, appearing briefly between the two buildings that made the alley. Barely any noise from the city street passed through the area, making everything sound unusually quiet.

" I wonder if it's actually Dante behind Envy's actions..? " Alphonse asked suddenly. Edward glanced at him. He was watching Edward, a curious and worried look on his face.

" It's a possibility. " Edward replied. " Envy would never listen to the orders of anyone else, even if it benefited him. She must be alive.. "

" Didn't she run off five years ago when her plot to use me as the philosophers stone failed? " Alphonse asked.

" Yeah. I didn't see her disappear though. " Edward uttered. " She was still there when-.. " He stopped suddenly. Alphonse's face had fallen and was now staring at the ground, his face turned away from Edward. " Uhh, in any case, she must have disappeared. " Edward continued. " So if she isn't already dead from rotting.. "

" Yeah. " Alphonse replied quietly. He turned his head back to Edward, though his face was blank. Edward frowned. " She might just still be alive... "

" And if she is we need to find her. " Edward nodded. " She's even more dangerous than Envy, in a way. "

" I don't think there is anything here, Brother. " Alphonse looked away again. " I think we should go back to the base. "

" Yeah, all right. " Edward agreed. Straightening up, he began walking towards the exit, towards the crowds of passing people at the end of the alley. Behind him he could hear Alphonse following. Poor Al.. Edward sighed. I remember nothing after Envy's strike... But Alphonse experienced the whole thing...

Envy had killed Edward. But Alphonse had revived him using his body, which was the philosophers stone, eliminating Alphonse. Edward then gave up his body to get Alphonse back. Thinking he would die, Edward ended up on the other side of the gate, stranded. That had been where the whole ordeal had begun, five years ago.. He had been away for so long.. yet nothing seemed to have changed..

I can understand exactly how Al felt when Envy killed me.. Edward decided. And he's still upset about it.. Poor Al.

" Hey, Brother..? " Alphonse interrupted his thoughts. Pity in his heart, Edward stopped walking, turning around to look at Alphonse with a weak smile on his face.

" Yeah? " He asked softly. Alphonse had lost the look of misery, curiosity in it's place.

" I wonder why Envy didn't come? " Alphonse voiced. " He came last time, and we were only here for a few seconds.. What's stopping him now? "

" I don't know. " Edward replied, dropping the smile. " You've got a good point.. Maybe he's doing something else? "

" What else is there to do as a homunculus? " Alphonse fretted. Edward frowned. What else would Envy do..? H wondered...

" We'd better get back. " Edward stated eventually. Alphonse nodded. They began walking to the exit of the alley. For some reason Edward found himself walking faster than normal, as if he was desperate to leave... Suddenly a flash of bright light hit his eyes. They were outside now, the sunlight seeming painfully brighter after such a long stay in the shadows.

" Which ways the base? " Edward asked as he shielded his eyes. He could only squint at everything in front of him. Alphonse didn't reply, no doubt just as blinded as he was. After a few seconds his eyes adjusted and everything seemed to dim. At last he could lower his arm. Edward glanced around the pathways and the street, reminding himself exactly where they were. Ah, he thought, we go left. He turned and began walking when Alphonse's alarmed voice stopped him in his tracks.

" Brother! " He uttered. " Is that a military car? " Edward looked at his brother, who was pointing to a black object on the other side of the street. As if signalled by their stares, the car jumped into gear, expertly swerving across the street and parking on their side, almost right in front of them. Startled passer-by's steered themselves away from the erratic driver until only Edward and Alphonse stood in front of it. Much to their surprise, First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye climbed out of the car, moving to stand directly in front of them.

" There you are. " She smiled, staring at them both.

" What an entrance! " Alphonse uttered, watching her with wide eyes. Hawkeye bowed slightly, as if receiving praise.

" I believe driving skills are important for my job. " She explained modestly. Hawkeye straightened up, and instantly her face returned to serious. " I have been sent to look for you both. " She stated. " Colonel Mustang has requested that you both return to the military base. He wishes to have a word with you. "

" Colonel Mustang.. " Edward mumbled. He frowned. " Forgive me, Hawkeye, for the interrogation, " He stated formally, " But what was the first thing Mustang had said to us when we returned? "

" What? " Hawkeye frowned, giving him a strange look. " Well- He threatened to burn you if you didn't show yourselves. " She recited. " Though that was before we knew it was you. Did you want what he said afterwards? " She asked.

" No, no, " Edward waved his hand, giving her a sheepish smile. " That will do, thanks. "

" May I ask what that was about? " Hawkeye sighed.

" Eh, with a shape-shifting Homunculus around you can't be too careful. " Edward explained. Beside him he could see Alphonse nodding.

" Perhaps I should make sure you both aren't the Homunculus? " Hawkeye pondered, pausing. " No, he'd only be able to imitate one of you. Have either of you gone out of the others view today? " She asked.

" Nope. " Alphonse replied. Now it was Edward who merely shook his head.

" Ok, I'll accept that. " Hawkeye nodded. " Now, please get into the car. I'll drive you to the base, then you must go to Colonel Mustang's office. "

" What does he want? " Alphonse asked as Hawkeye opened the door to the back seat. " I am afraid he did not tell me. " Hawkeye replied. Edward and Alphonse climbed into the back of the military car, Hawkeye gently closing the door behind them. Seconds later she climbed into the drivers seat, closing her door and starting the engine.

" I'm glad I found you this quickly. " She continued, making conversation. She smiled at them through the review mirror. " I had been looking for far less time than I had first assumed. "

" How long? " Edward asked.

" Only an hour. " Hawkeye replied. The car began to move, and the scenery began to move by. " I was surprised when I saw you boys come out of an alley. What were you doing in there? "

" Uh, we were just using it as a shortcut. " Edward lied.

" Is that so? " Hawkeye chatted. " I must work on my tracking skills then, if you had been out in the open that whole time. "

" You should have sent Major. " Alphonse laughed. " He'd have found us quickly! " Both him and Hawkeye laughed, but Edward merely stared out the window as the city flashed by. They shouldn't be far from the military base now..

" Hey, Riza? " Edward asked suddenly. " How come you were parked in the street if you were looking for us? "

" You seem to come down this street often. " She replied, not looking into the mirror at him. " I figured you would appear again, sooner or later. " Suddenly the car came to a screeching halt. Both Edward and Alphonse gasped in surprise. " We have arrived. " Hawkeye smiled at them. Edward looked out the window on Alphonse's side to see the military headquarters looming in front of them.

" Ah, thanks, Riza. " Edward mumbled. They both climbed out of the car, Hawkeye quickly following them.

" I have another errand to run, so I will not come with you. " She informed them. Hawkeye pulled a piece of wrinkled, folded paper out of her pocket. " Here. " She handed it to Edward. " It is from the Colonel. " She added. " Do not open it until you are in his office, as it holds classified information. "

" Ok. " Alphonse nodded. Edward grinned.

" Ok. " He smirked. Suddenly Hawkeye snatched the paper out of his hands and handed it to a surprised Alphonse.

" Here, don't open it until you are in the Colonels office. " She told Alphonse.

" Ok. " Alphonse grinned. Edward sighed.

" Lets go. " He grumbled, yanking Alphonse towards the stairs. " Seeya, Riza! " He waved. " Thanks for the lift. " Hawkeye smirked. But a moment later she had slipped back into the car, starting the engine and screeching away. Odd.. Edward thought. He watched as Alphonse slipped the crumpled piece of paper into his pants pocket. Both of them entered the building, and about ten minutes later they stood out the front of Mustang's office. Edward unleashed his usual entrance.

Wham! The door flew open after being struck by his foot. Behind the desk on the other end of the room, a wide-eyed Mustang sat with his mouth open, clearly startled. A phone rested on his ear, limp in his hand. It took the Major General only a moment to realize who the intruders were and to regain his composure. Now he just looked pissed.

" I'll have to call you back, Elizabeth. " He growled. Mustang slammed the phone down onto the receiver, glaring at the brothers. " Fullmetal! " He snapped as Edward stomped into the office. " What the hell?.! "

" Brother! " Alphonse sighed as he entered behind Edward, closing the door behind him.

" Surprised? " Edward jeered. " That's unusual for you, since last time you didn't.. flinch... " Edward frowned, his voice drifting away.

" I was expecting you then! " Mustang yelled, standing up and slamming his hands on the desk.

" But.. " Alphonse stammered. " Lieutenant Hawkeye told us you wanted to talk to us! "

" First Lieutenant Hawkeye was just on the phone with me! " Mustang argued angrily. " She has been on an assignment for the passed two days! " Edward remained silent, his frown deepening. Mustang seemed to recognize the thoughtful expression, for his own shifted from outraged to anger and confusion.

" But Riza only just dropped us off here... " Alphonse replied slowly. Suddenly he gasped.

" Al, " Edward growled. " I think we just met our Homunculus. "

" Ahh! " Alphonse slapped his forehead. " He acted just like her! He even got the test question right! "

" So you suspected him and did nothing?.! " Mustang stated.

" We didn't suspect her- him- whoever! " Edward snapped. " We were just making sure, like Havoc, and that turned out to be Env-...vy... " Edward's face fell in realization in what he had just revealed.

" Awww, Brother... " Alphonse sighed, shaking his head.

" WHAT?.! " Mustang shouted, glaring at Edward. Alphonse sighed.

" That 'outing' we went on a few days ago.. " Alphonse began. " We weren't entirely truthful when we said nothing happened... "

" You ran into Havoc? " Mustang asked.

" Yeah. " Alphonse answered. " Turns out it was Envy. Lucky, too, because Brother stabbed him. " He nodded. Mustang's stern expression did not change.

" At least you figured that one out. " He growled. " Why would that Homunculus drive you all the way here? There must be some motive! " Mustang sat down onto his chair with a thump, folding his arms in front of him and staring at Edward as if he had an answer.

" Brother, " Alphonse gasped. " The note! "

" Note? " Mustang spat. Edward's eyes widened. He turned and stared at Alphonse, remembering the crumpled piece of paper 'Hawkeye' had handed them before 'she' left. Alphonse pulled the paper out of his pocket, handing it to Edward. " Where-? " Mustang began.

" Envy handed it to us as Hawkeye before he fled. " Edward explained, unfolding the paper.

" And you leave telling me this until now?.! " Mustang shouted again. But Edward ignored him. His eyes widened, and he gasped in shock and fear as he stared at the crumpled paper in his hands.

" Brother? " Alphonse mumbled, concerned. Mustang leaned forward, as if attempting to see the words that had scared Edward so much. Edward could only stare, his hands shaking as he read it over and over.

We Have Winry.


" Yes. " Pause. " Yes. " Pause. " Hurry up and find out! " Pause. " When? " Pause. " Damnit! " Mustang slammed the phone down, the sound echoing in the silent office.

" Well?.! " Edward snapped, impatient. Edward sat on the edge of the chair in front of Mustang's desk, staring at the General with a deep frown and dark eyes. Alphonse stood next to him on the right, clutching the back of the chair. He had almost fallen over with shock after reading the note he and his brother had received. How Envy had gotten Winry.. They had seen her off at the station! She had entered the train, how could Envy get her! It was way too early for her to have arrived back at Resembool! Alphonse desperately tried to keep his breathing steady as he stared at the simmering Colonel.

" I've rung the train she had been on. " Mustang began.

" Had been?.! " Edward repeated.

" Had been. " Mustang nodded. He rested his head on his hands which were propped up by his elbow, his fingers locked together. " She was seen leaving the train when it pulled into the station of a small town not far from Central about two hours ago. The Operator says she left the train with a young man with long blonde hair and unusual clothes. " His eyes narrowed. " Sounds like you, Fullmetal. "

" Me? " Edward gasped. " He disguised himself as me?.! " Alphonse tightened his grip on the back of the chair.

" But Envy couldn't imitate both of us! " Alphonse cried. " How could Winry believe that Edward would leave me here! "

" I find it hard to believe myself. " Mustang replied. " He must have had a good excuse. "

" Why would he lure her away? " Edward huffed, folding his arms angrily. " Why not just smash the train and grab her that way? "

" Do I look like an Answer Man? " Mustang snapped. " I don't know! "

" He mustn't have wanted to get the military's attention. " Alphonse suggested.

" Then why send us here!.? " Edward argued, shooting a glare at him. Alphonse paused. His brothers voice was harsh, but Alphonse could imagine that Edward was just as upset as he..

" Maybe he didn't want the military's attention until now..? " Alphonse muttered quietly, his heart aching. Edward groaned.

" Yeah. " His brother replied, rubbing his eyes with his hand. " Sorry, Al, I just can't believe I let this happen! I'm such an idiot! " He slammed his automail fist against the arm of the chair, looking away from Alphonse to glare at the wall. Brother must be hating himself.. Alphonse thought gloomily.

" Don't blame yourself, Brother.. " He mumbled. He moved his hand from the back of the chair to his brothers shoulder. Though it was his right shoulder.. Edward wouldn't feel it.. " Winry is able to ride a train herself, neither of us figured we'd need to be there.. We couldn't have foreseen this.. " Edward lifted his automail hand and placed it onto Al's, as if accepting his comfort. Brother must have felt the weight. Alphonse thought.

" Your right. " Edward muttered. " There's no point whining on how it happened. " He looked back at Mustang, a harsh scowl on his face. " We need to find where she is! Obviously Envy is trying to lure us somewhere. " Mustang nodded.

" If they have left no more information with you then they will no doubt try to contact one of you. " Mustang stated. " Though I doubt they will do it while you are here. " He straightened up and swung out his fist, pointing at the office door. " Get out. " He said suddenly.

" What? " Alphonse gasped.

" Get out of the military headquarters. " Mustang elaborated. " Go into the city, go home, go somewhere, just not here. Envy will probably try to give you more information, so stay away from here until he does. But. " Mustang added. " As soon as you get information on Miss Winry's hereabouts you are to return here and deliver it. Understood? " Edward scowled again. " You cannot fight this on your own again! " Mustang snapped, recognising the defiant expression. " You have the full support of the Amestris military this time, and it would be unwise not to use it! "

" Fine. " Edward huffed, rising to his feet. Alphonse removed his hand, stepping backwards towards the door. Without another word, Edward stormed out, not pausing until he reached the office door to wait for Alphonse.

" Make sure you report back. " Mustang repeated to him. Alphonse nodded.

" I'll try. " He stated before walking out himself, closing the office door to a scowling Mustang.

" Come on, Alphonse. " Edward urged him.

" Where are we going to go? " Alphonse asked.

" Mustang is right. " Edward replied. " Envy only grabbed Winry to lure us somewhere. So he's going to have to tell us where. "

" But then we'll be walking into the trap.. " Alphonse mumbled.

" I don't think we have a choice.. " Edward sighed. Without another word the brothers made their way through the hallways of the military headquarters, eventually coming to the front office, and then out the door, once again in bright sunlight. Still there was no words spoken as Edward began wandering down the street, seemingly aimless in direction. Alphonse followed him silently, walking behind his brother, just to the side of him. They did this for half an hour. Every now and then Alphonse's mind would wander, drifting off into his thoughts. But it wouldn't last long, as sometimes Edward would slow down, and Alphonse would almost walk into him. Each time Alphonse would ask his brother why, but Edward would give no straight answer. Alphonse sighed. He had been feeling uneasy since receiving the news on Winry, like panic had finally gotten to him and was digging into his stomach.. Ignoring the feeling, Alphonse turned his attention to the surrounding scenery, only to discover that he recognised the area..

" Brother.. " He mumbled after a moment. " Where are we going? " Edward stopped walking.

" So you know this place too..? " His elder brother asked, not looking back at him. He lowered his head, as if looking at the ground. " I thought I was moving at random, but after a while I realised that I was walking towards one of the entrances.. "

" You mean... ? " Alphonse gasped. Edward nodded. " The underground city.. This area has one of the entrances Wrath showed me.. " Edward turned around, allowing Alphonse to finally see his brothers face. He looked stressed, lines strewn across the usually youthful skin, Edward's expression twisted in worry and sadness..

" I must have thought.. That Dante would still be there.. Or one of them. " Edward sighed, looking away again.

" I say it's worth a shot. " Alphonse nodded. " She's more likely going to be there with Envy and Winry.. "

" Al.. " Edward muttered. " You don't think... If Dante's alive... That she'll use Winry.. "

" As her new body? " Alphonse finished. " I can't lie, she might.. She was going to use Rose five years ago to control you, she might be after Winry this time.. " Edward seemed annoyed that Alphonse had agreed so quickly, for he looked up with anger in his eyes at Al. Though it only lasted a moment. Alphonse watched as his brothers eyes flicked to the side slightly, as if looking passed him. He watched the anger die away, surprise and shock in it's place. He heard Edward gasp, raising his hand slightly as if about to call out to someone.

" Her! " He shouted. " There! " Edward jerked forward, charging passed Alphonse while grabbing his sleeve, yanking him with his elder brother. With Alphonse in tow, Edward belted down the street, dodging surprised people as they passed.

" Brother! " Alphonse shouted at Edward. " Brother, what are you doing?.! Where are we going?.! " Desperately he tried to peer passed him, trying to see what Edward had seen. Though Edward merely spoke one word in reply.

" Lyra! "

" Lyra- Dante?.! " Alphonse shouted again. Though Edward said no more, still clutching Alphonse's shirt with an iron grip as they ran down the street after what Edward declared as Lyra. They turned a corner. In front of them, Alphonse could see a large, tall, old church in the distance. Not far ahead of them, also dodging the crowd, Alphonse caught a quick glance of who they were chasing. The woman had short, dark, straight hair and sported a long, brown, formal gown. She was fast, yet moved delicately.

She doesn't look like she's rotted at all! Alphonse gasped. Suddenly they were both outside the old church, the pillars blocking the sunlight and throwing them in shade. Ahead he saw the woman dash up the stairs and slip through the large double-doors. As she turned to close the door behind her, Alphonse caught a brief glimpse of her face before she slammed the church door.

" Lyra! " He gasped.

" Come on! " Edward urged. They both charged up the old stairs of the church and up to the towering door. Edward pushed on it, but it did not budge. " Stuff this! " He growled, clapping his hands together. He slapped the church door, and in a blue flash there was a gaping hole, big enough for them both to fit through. The brothers dashed in, not bothering to close the hole. Everything looked dark at first, but slowly Alphonse's eyes adjusted once again to the sudden shift of light. Inside the church everything looked damaged and dusty. In front of them was a large foyer filled with sturdy, dull-brown, church chairs, set in rows down the room to make a pathway between them. Right at the end of the room, on a slightly elevated floor, stood a single, short, wide podium, looking more like a large step than a thing to stand behind. Lyra- Dante- was nowhere to be found.

" Damnit! " Edward cursed. " We lost her! " Angrily he kicked the rubble and filth at his feet, causing a cloud of dust to rise up and shroud them.

" Ugh! " Alphonse coughed, jumping away from the unsettled dust, his brother not far from him.

" Woops. " Edward spluttered, covering his mouth and nose with his hand. Alphonse squinted through the dust, watching it slowly settle back onto the ground. The dust was very thick on the floor, like the church hadn't been entered in years. On the floor near the door was their footsteps, printed in the dust. Hey..He thought. He could see a third pair of feet leading away from the door. He followed them with his eyes, noticing that they lead right up the pathway defined by the dusty, wooden chairs, stopping at the 'podium' right at the front.

" Brother, look! " Alphonse pointed at the imprints. Noticing them also, Edward followed them passed the chairs, up to the stage. Close behind him, Alphonse noticed as they drew closer that the podium didn't seem to be connected firmly to the ground, a slight gap evident in the wood. There was also transmutation marks on the wood.

" Ha! " Edward grinned, examining the podium. He clapped his hands, slapping them onto the stubby fixture. In another blue flash he completely removed the podium, leaving a large, black, square hole in the floor where it had been.

" This must be one of the entrances. " Alphonse mused, kneeling and peering into the hole beside his brother.

" Not one I've used before. " Edward remarked. They stared, squinting, into the blackness, but no light pierced through it, leaving them to only imagine how deep it ran. Deep down they could hear an odd, rumbling noise.

" What is that sound? " Alphonse asked, lowering his head slightly as if it would light the way. The rumbling was getting louder, closer... Suddenly he noticed a flicker of movement in the hole.

" Ahh- " He cried out in alarm, but it was cut short as a louder voice filled the room.

" Surprise! " A loud, gravely roar pierced his ears. Suddenly there was a large, black serpent right in front of him, rushing up at incredible speed. An instant later there was a horrific pain in his skull. His head snapped back from the impact as he cried out again. Beside him he heard his brother grunt in shock. He squeezed his eyes shut, but still the world managed to spin, the darkness behind his eye lids throbbing to an intensely bright red. He vaguely felt himself hitting the ground. He vaguely heard his brothers body land beside him. The pain was so intense.. So sudden..

Slowly the red throbbing disappeared.. Everything disappeared, leaving only a still, calm darkness..


I hope this is enough to fill your starving bellies after I left it so long to post. (sigh) I'll try to get back into routine, so you don't have to worry about waiting too long to be relinquished of this horrendous cliffe! (grins)

Until next chapter!