See Prologue/Chapter One for standard warnings and disclaimers.

A/N: -shoves her update schedule into a hole and leaves it to die.- I'm mostly uploading this one early (as I've yet to finish section seven, slacker that I am.) because I want to point out I've recently updated my profile with a list of fics and my upcoming fics. Though I probably won't be starting another until I either finish this one, or need a break from it. Which might happen because TSR is less Novel and more Saga. Or maybe Epic...

Oh, and to ShiroAndFubuki, who has been an awesome reviewer so far by the way, I can now say that you'll find out why Act II is named as it is in Section 6.

Until later. Ta!

-makes a get away quicker than the cliffhanger in this chapter.-

ACT II: The Last Alchemist

Section IV

words: 4251

Ed and Al found themselves ushered to the group around the fire, though ushered wasn't really the right term. In actuality Klose caught one of each of their hands and dragged them over. Once there she dropped down onto a half rotten log that was one of many the refugees had obviously moved into a rough circle for their own comfort. The brothers stepped over it and sat down to either side of the girl.

The people who'd led them here had followed and were joining those already gathered and, as they did, they could be heard relaying the news the brothers had given them.

"They said Resembool has been destroyed as well..."

"Where are we going to go now?"

"We were so close...."

Klose tugged on Ed's sleeve to draw his attention and, after a moment, began pointing out people while putting names to faces. Ed doubted he'd remember them all, but he let her do it. When she leaned forward to say something to another person the two brothers exchanged looks over her head. Edward found his faint frown mirrored on Al's face. Neither of them knew what to make of this situation.

"Here you go."

Startled both of them jumped in surprise and looked up. The woman who'd been wielding the curtain rod was offering a couple of bowls to them. She was a plump woman with a no nonsense air that was tempered by a spark of good humor in her eyes.

Edward sputtered as it came back to him. He realized where he'd seen her before. "Karin!"

The formerly morose woman laughed at the surprise on both of their faces, "Yes. That would be me."

As Alphonse accepted the bowl from the woman he smiled, "You're looking better."

Karin winked at the younger Elric. "I was upset, but... Sometimes it's best to just move on. I still love him but..." she waved a hand absently. "There are other people I can help out still."

"Good for you." Edward laughed.

While the food consisted only of a thin sort of gruel it was welcome. They hadn't eaten since lunch after all, and that hadn't been much. Beside him Ed could hear Alphonse and Clause chattering about something. His attention, however, was elsewhere as he sipped from the bowl.

Despite the conditions these people were in the atmosphere was almost jovial, but Ed could still see the shadows in their eyes. They were happy because if they let themselves despair they probably wouldn't be able to go on. While it was awful to see people like this, he knew that for now they were fine. They were still moving forward despite what had happened to them. It was when they gave into despair and became deadened that he would be really worried.

Not everyone was still awake, obviously, it was rather late or rather it was early. One of the makeshift tents had a cluster of younger children sleeping soundly beneath it. Some of them slept fitfully and he could only imagine the nightmares that plagued their minds. The other makeshift tent had been given over to the elderly.

As he emptied his bowl a baby started to cry from where it was cradled in it's mother's arms. The mother was awake in a flash and began to shush her child. Some of the children sleeping in a pile under the blanket tent sat up, rubbing bleary eyes and looking confused. A young girl, no more than four began to sniffle and eventually cry.

Klose stood up from between them and trotted over to the little kids. In an instant she sat down among them and began to gather their attention, to quiet and comfort them. Alphonse finished his own food and, after handing it over to Karin followed after Clause to see if he could help. It didn't take long before Al had the kids enraptured in a story Ed faintly recognized from his past.

The empty space beside him was filled by Karin and a older man he recognized as Klose's father.

"They're all orphans." The man said quietly. "We try to take care of them, but... they miss their parents."

Lips tightening into a deeper frown Ed asked, "Were their parents killed when...?"

"Yes." Karin sighed. "When the our village was destroyed. Some of them are from other towns in the area and we just picked them up."

"Klose has been doing surprisingly well. I never expected her to take responsibility like she has..." Said girl's father gazed at his daughter proudly for a moment then glanced back at Ed. "I never did get a chance to thank you for what you did for her back then."

Ed waved it off. It was unimportant. "No reason to thank me. It was the right thing to do."

Majihal had been a lunatic even if he hadn't been one of the worst Edward had encountered. He still wished things had turned out differently and the man hadn't ended up dead, but... It had been a freak accident.

"How did you find out about Resembool?"

Ed leaned forward, arms crossed as they rested on his knees. Bowing his head he gazed at the dirt below, "We're from Resembool originally, and... Well we'd only just made it home after a rather long... trip... When we got back it looked like it had been raided. Some of the buildings have been torched. There was no one there except a group of men who seem to have been filching whatever was left. Maybe they did it, maybe not... I can't say."

Klose's father whistled slightly, "You probably saved us then. If we'd ended up going all the way there and ran into them...?"

Karin meanwhile was scrutinizing the blond, "Are the two of you all right?"

Rueful, Ed reached up and touched the side of his face. "Yeah, I've just got a bruise for my troubles. Nothing too bad, and I've definitely had worse."

Klose's father clapped him on the shoulder, "Get some sleep, son." the man said, not unkindly. "Tomorrow comes too soon, and we've all got to decide where we go from here."

It was sound advice and Edward flashed the man a brittle smile before he stood and made his way over to Alphonse. Sitting down near his brother, who settled cross legged before the intent pile of children, Ed leaned back against one of the trees being used to support the makeshift tent's roof. A few of the kids sent him curious looks before focusing back on Al. Even Klose looked enraptured with whatever tale his little brother was telling.

"...and the next time we saw her she was a school teacher! I still can't believe she fooled us again but..."

As he drifted into a half sleep, listening to Al recount their encounter with Psiren, there was a faint smile on his face as he , too, remembered.

–

The sun was barely up, and only a few lucky shafts of sunlight penetrated the trees when Ed awoke. Despite the early hour, and the fact that he'd had maybe four hours of rest (if lucky) he didn't feel like going back to sleep. One hand came up automatically to paw the sleep from his eyes, and it was only after that that he bothered to have a look around him. The kids from the night before were back in their little pile, sleeping peacefully, and he was amused to see that Klose was curled up with them. A great majority seemed to be using the former (or was she still one?) tomboy for a pillow. Weight, and the fact that his flesh leg was numb, clued him in that he hadn't escaped the fate of serving as a pillow.

A glance down proved it to be only Alphonse however. His younger brother had his head resting on Ed's thigh as he slept and Ed couldn't stop his lips quirking up at the fact. They were still as close as ever; it was a bond most brothers could never boast to have.

He turned his head at the sound of low voices murmuring to one another to find that several of the men were already up. They were seated around the fire which had nearly died out in the wee hours. Klose's father was prodding it back to life though a few of the others were tossing twigs and bits of dry plant matter onto it as well.

Carefully Ed began to try and get up. He was hoping not to wake Alphonse as his brother needed his sleep. Particularly since Edward had skivved off his driving turn after Glastonbury and all. He wasn't feeling too bad anyway. The both of them had gotten fairly used to sleeping little, and in fact functioned very well on that sort of sleep regimen.

His attempts were all for naught it seemed, for a moment later Al groaned slightly and blinked sleep encrusted eyes open.

"Brother...?"

Ed relaxed back and grinned crookedly, "Morning sleepyhead. You can either get up or sleep a bit longer, but I need to get up."

Al laughed then sat up. He was already rubbing at his eyes and trying to right his sleep disheveled hair in some manner of order, "I'll get up. Its best to try and figure things out sooner rather than later, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Ed agreed simply as he stood. Pressing his hands to the small of his back he arched and twisted his spine until it popped. "Oooh, that felt good."

Al snickered at him, "Getting old, Brother?"

Ed quirked a brow down at Al and growled playfully, "Don't start that now. Save it for Mustang."

As Alphonse laughed at him Ed wandered off into the woods to take care of his morning needs. On his way back he ran into Al who had apparently had a similar idea, and had stopped to collect some kindling. Ed joined him, and after they had what they estimated too be enough they headed back to the camp.

They and the men were still the only people up, but for the addition of Karin who was stirring what remained of the gruel for breakfast. There was no wasting things when in a situation such as this.

Klose's father smiled at them as they set the wood down within easy reach, "Thank you, boys. My name is Patrick, by the way. I don't think we were ever properly introduced."

"And we're Edward and Alphonse, of course!" Al said cheerily.

Patrick patted the log next to him, "Now that we're all properly introduced why don't you have a seat."

The two brother's took the offered seat and fell in to listening to the quiet murmurs and the escalating bird song as the sun moved further into its daily rise. While both of them wanted to ask about the state of the country, neither of them could ask these people. They'd already been through enough as of late; that much was obvious. Asking those sorts of probing questions would, no doubt, only dredge up things they'd rather not think about at the moment.

"The only choices we have are to turn around and head back north." An older man growled. "Resembool might've been closer, but obviously it wasn't the right choice."

"No one could have predicted this." Another said, voice gently placating. "We just have to make do and think all our choices through."

The older man glared sharply at the younger, "Don't you patronize me, Ivan."

"I'm not trying to..."

"IF..." The old man said loudly cutting off Ivan's words. "If the god damned military was doing it's job we wouldn't be in this mess. But we all know they don't give a lick about the common people."

Ed turned his head slightly to look over from under his lashes at the arguing pair. The rest of the people were watching them as well, though no one had bothered to speak up. A low murmur of agreement rippled through most of them at the old man's words. Ed barely breathed out a sigh. He couldn't help but wonder if all the work he'd done to get people to see the military in a better light had gone to seed now. Alphonse's finger's found the wrist of his flesh arm and gave a slight squeeze before retreating; he was obviously well aware of what Edward was thinking.

"Well..." One of the others piped up at last. "There was that one... That State Alchemist."

The old man made a rude noise at that, "You all know that the alchemists are the worst!"

"Not this one!" Karin said sharply. The woman looked up from the pot and set the lid back on it with a sharp clang. It was so far from the rather meek and quiet woman they'd encountered all those years ago that both Elrics couldn't help but stare at her. "We've all heard the news from other towns of the Fullmetal Alchemist. He's an alchemist for the people."

"Yes. That's right..." Ivan mused. "They call him the Hero of the People, don't they?"

Karin nodded sharply. "That's what they say. That he helps the common man."

Edward shifted uneasily. He'd never been in this position before where he wasn't recognized. Given, these people had met him before he'd gotten certified, and he didn't think they'd ever given their full names to anyone here... They only knew him as Edward, the kid who'd shown up for awhile and given them a hand. Still, he found it a bit odd though maybe it wasn't. Rumor had a tendency to warp any story into unrecognizable proportions after all. It was likely they'd never connected the rumors to the boy and the armored person who had come through their home. Ed was just contemplating saying something when the old man spoke up again, his voice was heavily laden with derision.

"So they say, but I don't see him here now do you?" The man lifted his hands to indicate where they were. "He wasn't here to save our home, and he wasn't there to stop Resembool from suffering the same fate. Some hero."

It felt like someone had poured ice water down his spine. The back of his skull prickled unpleasantly. Edward had never encountered this aspect of being a well known hero. One where people could turn on you for not being there to help them. Some of the others were nodding, some withheld judgment, and still others looked disapproving.

"One person can't be everywhere!" Karin said forcefully. "You can't always rely on others. You've got to help yourself."

"There hasn't been any news of him anyway. He's obviously run off as soon as things started."

Edward clenched his hands into fists. How did he respond to something like this? How many people were thinking the same thing? Al's fingers were wrapped around his wrist again and his gaze was drilling into the side of Ed's head.

"Brother?" He asked, voice carrying no further than the two of them. It was laced with sadness and concern.

"I'm okay." Ed responded, obviously lying.

"I think this hero you're all nattering about is just a coward who gives pretty promises and can't do anything real!"

Abruptly, Edward stood up surprising the argument into silence. He wanted to rant and rave at them: to yell and say that they didn't know anything, but he was so angry, and so upset that he couldn't say anything at all. Instead he just whipped around, black jacket and ponytail swaying with the motion, and stomped toward the edge of the camp.

He must have made enough noise to wake Klose as the girl sat up as he passed, looking at him in sleepy confusion. Her curious call of his name was lost to the ringing of his ears.

Alphonse jumped up and trotted after his brother, ignoring the curious looks Patrick and Karin were giving him.

"Al?" Klose asked as she crawled over the children and stepped out from under the makeshift tent. "What's going on?"

Stopping, Al wavered back and forth for a moment then said, "It's... a long story. I'm going to go talk to Brother."

Without waiting for a reply the younger Elric tore off into the forest after his elder sibling. There was no telling what could be wandering the area. Wolves, cougars, bears... While all of them were more common further up north there was still a possibility. There were definitely wild boar in the area as well. Not to mention the possibility of hostile people.

It wasn't hard to follow Ed considering how thick and mostly untouched the brush was. His brother wasn't bothering to be careful. Broken twigs, and heavy footprints in the soft loam lead him. Alphonse was still a bit surprised at how far Ed had gone, and was just beginning to wonder if he ought to just go back and wait when he heard a sharp cracking sound from ahead.

Al pushed through a few more thick tangles to find Edward standing beside a tree that he had obviously just punched. The side of his fist was still resting against the wood which had splintered slightly from the force behind Ed's automail. Al didn't even have to speak up, as soon as he arrived words started spilling from his brother.

"They don't know anything." Edward hissed, his voice a thick rasp that was stuck between agony and sorrow. "They don't have any idea what I, what we went through and... How can they sit there and say those things?!" Ed pulled his fist back and slammed it against the tree again. The wood splintered further. Bits and pieces of the broken bark and pulp began to stick in the fabric of his glove. "Despite that... I can't help but wonder how many more people are thinking that..."

Edward turned around and slumped back against the tree. His head fell back, hitting against the trunk with a solid thump. The eyes he turned on Alphonse were guilty and despairing: It was a hollow look he hadn't seen since he and Ed were still looking for the Philosopher's Stone.

"Did I really abandon them?"

Those last words were barely more than a whisper, but they were the crux of the matter. Edward was thinking about what the Gate had said. Had his choices meant he abandoned them? Could he have prevented this if he'd chosen not to cross back over. Or worse, was it his actions then that doomed them to this? He couldn't see how that could be, and yet...

Those words haunted him so.

Revel in the consequences of your choices.

"Don't think like that!" Alphonse spoke up suddenly, his voice sharp. It made Edward jerk in surprise. "I know what you're thinking, Brother... I can see it in your eyes. You always..." Alphonse sniffed, eyes tearing at the corners. He hated seeing Ed like this! "You always take so much on yourself.... You always accept the guilt for things you can't control. If you have to accept guilt and responsibility for this... Please... You're not alone."

Wide eyed Ed stared at his distraught little brother and slowly his face relaxed into a wan smile. "Al..."

"You aren't, Brother... There are so many people who are willing to help you... To share the burden with you. Why can't you see that?"

"I can see that, Al. I just... Sometimes I forget."

Al dashed his hand across his eyes and sniffed again. "You're such an idiot."

Edward grinned, then, unable to fight it back. "You still love me though."

"Brotherly obligation." Al groused teasingly. "Now, are you feeling better?"

"I..." For a moment he thought about telling him all the things on his mind: about the Gate and the possibility that maybe this really was all his fault. He couldn't bring himself to, couldn't find the words. "Yeah, I think I am."

It was clear that Al didn't really believe him, but was willing to let it lie for the moment. "Let's go back then. Klose is worried."

"Yeah, okay..."

Ed pushed off the tree and moved over to Alphonse's side. Before they could make it more than a few feet a loud snarl broke the silence. It was only well honed reflexes and the notion to quickly back peddle that saved them. In a blur of motion a furry gray creature dropped from the tree limb above and hit the ground on all fours. On closer inspection it revealed itself to be something like a wolf. It was obviously not a wolf, but instead a chimera: The furry body terminated around the hind quarters which looked more lizard-like and were covered in deep green scales. The claws on the hind feet were easily as long as a man's middle finger.

More growls and hisses echoed around them. The two brothers immediately turned and put themselves back to back with one another. An entire pack of the wolf-lizard chimera were emerging from the brush around them their lizard like tails straight out behind them for balance. All of them were salivating with eagerness.

As Alphonse slid into a familiar fighting pose, legs apart and hands held up with fingers together and palms flat, Ed growled, "What the hell are chimera doing loose around here? I am going to fucking kill Mustang."

"Why do you always blame things on the Colonel?" Al asked, exasperation clearly tinging his voice.

"Because it covers all my bases. If I start blaming things on him when they happen I don't have to be as pissed off later."

"That... That makes an odd sort of sense."

Edward scoffed, deciding that didn't warrant an answer and clapped his hands together. Dropping to one knee he set his palms against the ground on a convenient patch of rock. Standing slowly he kept one hand lowered as he stood. The rock rippled, raising and sprouting in the middle in a crazy light show of alchemic energy to spawn his preferential spear.

He didn't want to get any closer to those nasty things than he had to.

Grabbing the spear he brought it around to grasp in both hands and held it there, the tip pointing slightly downwards, out toward the circle of chimera around them.

With a snarling hissing sound the chimera that had tried to ambush them finally shook off the slight confusion they were obviously feeling from the failure and launched itself at the two brothers. Edward immediately brought the spear lashing around and caught the beast in the side with the shaft and, as the arc of the attack continued, the chimera's forelegs forced up as it was knocked back and to the side, the blade scratched across the beast's side and belly.

Squealing in pain it hit the ground and forced itself back up on shaking legs while it's head thrashed from side to side.

Alphonse stepped forward into an on coming attack and brought his arm to the side, backhanding the chimera in the head hard enough to knock it unconscious.

No matter what motions they took the two brothers always returned to the same spot intent on keeping their backs to each other against the superior number of attackers. Neither wanted to get caught with their backs undefended in this kind of situation.

Jumping up Al unleashed a kick on a pouncing chimera that landed hard against it's rib cage and sent the beast flying into a nearby tree. Spinning with the momentum of his attack he landed and lost his footing on a patch of loose soil. His hands shot out to brace himself on his fingertips but before he could scramble back to his feet a pair of teeth latched onto the leg of his pants.

Al yelped in surprise when a sharp backward tug pulled his legs from under him and he hit the ground again. He could see as Edward turned to see what the matter was. The chimera Ed had been fending off latched onto his spear and began to drag his brother in the other direction snarling and mouthing the weapon angrily.

Getting his hands under him Al flipped himself over and kicked out his free leg at the chimera's head, once, twice, thrice. It snarled angrily in pain and backed off, head swinging from side to side. The creature stopped and lowered it's head to paw ineffectually at the hurt.

Quickly Alphonse began to scramble backwards to put some distance between him and the chimera, but the chimera recovered faster than he'd been expecting. It lowered to the ground slightly then sprung, arcing through the air with it's jaw's parted and saliva flying.

Al brought his right arm up to shield himself, eyes screwing closed as he waited for the pain of it biting into him.

Ed's voice came to him almost distantly as he yelled in a voice laden with terror and desperation.

"Alphonse!!"