"Don't forget to oil them constantly."

"I know…"

"Although it's lighter than your previous models, it's also not as strong; hence the reason I've given you a shin guard. Be sure you don't forget that."

"Right…"

As Winry slowly rattled off what else he needed to know about his new automail for the third time, Edward numbly looked up at her and watched her continue to tinker with his arm. He could see her stress written all over her face, her brow creased a little too harshly for the mundane process of tightening the screws of his automail. He could hear it in her words; her replies just as hollow as his.

He could feel it emulating off of her, mixing with and adding to his…

"Ed…"

Edward blinked a few times and looked back up at her, seeing that she had finished her work and was now watching him. When he caught her sad blue eyes with his, his stomach twisted in knots. "Yeah," he replied a little more weakly than he had intended to.

"You'll be okay, won't you?"

"Of course," he replied as he forced a smile.

Seemingly not convinced, she said, "It's just… You're going up there with him alone. I'll have Alphonse and that girl named May here. But you won't have anyone."

"Not entirely," he gently argued back. "Officer Falman will be up there to give tabs on me, and Teacher and her group will be in the area in case something happens."

"Yeah, she'll be in the area, but she won't be right there if something does happen," she protested as she set her tool down and took his steel hand between her own, looking down at it as she pretended to test the dexterity of his fingers. "And if something does happen… I don't know what we'll do."

"Hey," he muttered as he pushed himself upward, taking care not to yank his hand out of her grasp. "You know that I can handle myself if push comes to shove. And besides," he added as she looked up at him, "Even though he isn't exactly there, Mustang won't let anything happen to me. They need Alphonse and me for something, and even though we don't know what it is, they won't do anything to us."

"How can you be sure? How do you know that this isn't the last part of their plan?"

Edward opened his mouth to respond but then promptly shut it. He couldn't be one hundred percent sure that this wasn't the last step of whatever they were planning. "I guess I don't know," he admitted. "All I can do is trust the General's word that we'll be free to go once I get back."

"I don't trust anything they say," she replied as she looked down at his hand and began to fiddle with it again. "And it might sound stupid," she added, "But they've made me trust the military even less than I had before.

"Miss Riza was the one that gave me a shred of confidence for the military. But now that she's gone, I… I just don't think I can trust anyone now."

"That's not true," he replied in an attempt to convince her otherwise. "She's still in there and fighting. She would never let anything happen to you. And General- er, Fuhrer- Grumman will be in Central from now on.

"They'll probably keep him under close surveillance, but he and Christmas seem to know ways of getting around military bugs. If something happens, they'll get you out of there."

"I guess," she replied as her voice faltered. "It's just terrifying because that isn't Miss Riza and that isn't Colonel Mustang. To me they're unpredictable… and I don't know how I should act knowing that about them."

"I know what you mean," he replied empathetically. "And I know it's hard. But as long as we comply and allow them to maintain their facades, then they have no reason to break their promises.

"I know it isn't ideal, but right now we can't do anything else. Not with the Colonel and Lieutenant's lives at stake."

"I know," she replied half-heartedly as she looked up at him again. After mulling over what she was going to say next, she opened her mouth but then promptly shut it again and averted her eyes from him, earning a curious look from Edward. Winry shook her head. "Nevermind. It's nothing…"

Edward furrowed his brows. "What is it?" When she didn't immediately answer, he added, "This might be the last time for a while that we'll be able to talk, Winry. So if you have something on your mind, you can tell me."

"I don't know if I should," she replied softly. "I don't think if you'll like it."

Now more interested than before, Edward leaned forward and managed to catch her gaze. "Winry, please," he contended. "You know that you can trust me with anything."

"I know," she muttered as he dropped his metal hand and raised hers to her head, pressing it against her forehead as she squeezed her eyes closed. She took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled while she ran her fingers through her hair. When she opened her eyes and looked back at him, she admitted, "I just… Edward, what if they kill Miss Riza or Colonel Mustang without us knowing? What if they do break their promises? You're going to be hundreds of miles away, and Alphonse and I… I just don't think we'd see it coming."

That was a hard pill to swallow. It was a notion that they would have to keep in the back of their minds.

"Or," she continued quietly, "What if they can't be saved? And all of this will be for nothing?"

Edward sighed and dipped his head in acknowledgement. "You have every right to think that way, Winry. But honestly… I can't allow myself to think that way. Because if I do," he continued as he looked down at and clenched his steel and flesh fists, "Then I may not give myself the opportunity to explore every option.

"I have to hang onto that shred of hope the General gave me in regards to saving them. If he had enough gall to mention it, then it must have some shred of truth to it."

Winry smiled, but Ed could tell it was forced. It seemed that even she was losing her positive outlook on the matter. Edward bit and chewed his lip a little, feeling himself begin to crack. Then, without allowing himself to have another negative thought, he curled his automail fingers around her hand and looked down at it. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he said, "I know that things don't look good, Winry. Hell, there have been a few moments where I began to doubt it.

"But still," he continued as he began to absently run his metallic thumb repeatedly over the back of her hand, "I can't give up, not with their lives on the line. You know them as the Colonel and Lieutenant that took me and Alphonse away, and while you aren't wrong, there is so much more to them now.

"They've done everything to help us get our bodies back, even stretching their necks out in some instances. And because of that I just… I need to make sure I explore every option before giving up."

With a sigh he pulled his hand away from hers and continued, "So I understand that you're scared; I am too. And because of that, I can also understand if you want to back out. Just let me know if that's what you want to do and I'll figure something else out."

"Ed, no," Winry quietly admonished him as she shook her head. "I'm not going to run away… Not with everything that's at stake." When Edward opened his mouth in rebuttal, she shook her head and said, "I want to protect the people I love too… And that includes the Colonel and Miss Riza."

Edward hesitated and studied her expression, still able to see the unease in her eyes. "Winry," he began again, "I don't want you going through with this if you don't feel comfortable with it."

She shook her head again. "I don't think I'll ever be completely comfortable with it, Ed. But," she continued as she looked him in the eye, "None of us will be. So we need to make the best of it and keep moving forward, just like you always say."

Edward swallowed hard. "Winry…-"

The clanking of a familiar suit of armor cut Edward off. "Brother…" Both Edward and Winry turned toward Alphonse to find him standing in the doorway. "If we don't leave now, we're going to be late."

"Okay, Al. Thanks," Edward replied with a faint smile as he grabbed his shirt and tossed it back on. Standing up from the table, he offered Winry a hand and helped her to her feet. As she gathered her supplies into her toolkit, Edward gathered the rest of his maintenance gear and tossed it into his bag. After tucking his winter jacket under his arm and going over a mental list of items he might need last minute, he turned back to the pair to see them standing at attention.

He saw Alphonse's eyes wander down to his jacket, and Edward's stomach twisted in knots. He couldn't remember the last time he and Al were separated for long periods of time. Even when he went on missions with Mustang and his team, Edward was always back within a few days. But now he was uncertain how long he would be gone.

Trying his best to put his younger brother at ease, Edward shrugged his shoulders and shot him a small smile. "Alright then… Let's get going," he said, watching Al's eyes flicker uneasily before he returned the statement with a half-hearted nod of his metallic head.

Turning back toward Winry, he tried to catch her eye in order to address her again. Instead she kept her focus forward, her eyes hardened and determined. For a moment he feared that she was upset with him. But just as he was about to reach out and touch her shoulder, she turned toward him and gave him a reassuring smile, causing his heart to leap in his chest. All of that worry, all of that stress, seemed to have disappeared, instead being replaced by a newfound confidence. "I'm ready," she said confidently as she looked him in the eye, "Let's go."

A heavy blanket of gloom set in over the trio as they slowly made their way toward the station, the imaginary force weighing them down with every step they took. It would normally have been an optimal time to discuss their next steps, but the uncertainty of what was to come held them back…

"Are you departing now?"

The trio jumped slightly turned toward the voice and found Fu and Lan Fan emerge from the shadows. Edward looked between the two of them, noting that the only things they carried with them were small burlap sacks that had been strapped to their backs.

"Yeah," he muttered in reply, earning a sympathetic nod from the older man.

Winry took a step forward, her eyes scanning down to the empty sleeve of Lan Fan's lack jacket. Looking up at the other girl's face, she asked, "Are you sure you won't stay? I have everything I would need to build you an arm here."

As Lan Fan opened her mouth to respond, Fu took a step forward and shook his head. "We appreciate your offer, Miss, but it is one we cannot accept. Your proximity to the Homunculi would put her in even more danger, or at the very least prevent her from healing correctly. If we want to recover the young prince and your friends, we will need all of the able bodies we can gather."

"I understand," Edward replied as he looked from Fu to Lan Fan, seeing that the latter had subconsciously gripped at her empty coat sleeve as she looked down at the ground. After keeping his eyes on her for a few moments longer before turning his focus back to Fu, he added, "In terms of able-bodied allies…"

"I know," the older man responded with a firm nod. "I will discuss the situation with our friend in Xing."

"Thank you," Edward answered with a faint smile. "The more aces up our sleeve, the better."

"Yes," Fu agreed. "And on the topic of 'aces;' has your teacher and company departed already?"

Edward nodded. "Yeah, they left yesterday. They should be up near the old town of Baschool by the end of today."

"Excellent," he muttered in approval. "It seems that the pieces are beginning to fall into place."

The smile slipped from Edward's face at the thought of the 'pieces' coming together. So much was riding on their cautious, calculated movements that if something were to go wrong, there was no telling what could happen. Trying to hide his uncertainty, he replied with a sharp nod and a "yes."

"In that case," the older man said as he bowed slightly, "We will leave the three of you in good health, and assume that we will return to you in the same condition."

The trio returned the gesture, bowing at their waists as a sign of both respect and dismissal.

Lan Fan, however, hesitated; her dark eyes fixated on Edward. He pressed his lips together in a thin line and suppressed a full out frown. He could see the hesitance in her eyes.

Then, after a few moments of mulling over her own thoughts, she bent at the waist and dipped her head. When she returned to her normal standing position, she looked over each member of the trio before her eyes ultimately fell on Edward. "Please do what you can for my Prince until we return," she requested, her eyes never wavering from Edward's.

At last he replied, "I will," to supply her with some relief. She responded with a firm nod and bowed once again. "Then we will leave you three just as my grandfather said and will return to you the same way. May your travels be safe and without obstacle. And again… thank you."

Edward dipped his head in understanding and watched as the two Xingese guards leapt onto the roof of the nearest building, vanishing moments later.

"Well," Edward muttered as he tore his eyes away from the spot he last saw them, "We'd better get going again. Don't want to be late." When he turned back to Winry and Alphonse, he looked between the two of them and said, "But let's make a promise right here. A promise to fulfill their desire to see us together in one piece." Holding out his automail hand, he curled it into a fist and said, "Do you guys promise?"

Alphonse silently nodded and held his fist in the center of the circle. But when Winry hesitated Edward looked up at her. She shook her head dismissively and quickly added her fist to the circle. "I promise," she said as her expression hardened.

"Alright," Edward said at last after tapping his fist against theirs. "It's a promise then. All three of us, back together in one piece… Soon."

After scanning the crowd that milled around the platform they were to depart from, Edward at last spotted two Amestrian uniforms standing at its center. Swallowing his nerves, Edward took the lead and led Alphonse and Winry over to them, stopping just short of the pair.

"We're here, just like you asked," he announced as they turned around to face them.

"And on time too," 'Mustang' replied as he glanced down at his wristwatch. "I'm impressed."

"You would be on time too if you were put on such a short leash," Edward grumbled back.

Ignoring the comment, the General shoved his hands into his pocket and looked away from them. "No Izumi Curtis," 'Mustang' observed after a few moments as his dark eyes scanned the train station.

"Yeah," Edward mumbled. When the Homunculus's eyes wandered back to him, he added, "So you can stop looking for her."

"Why don't I believe you," the General replied bluntly.

"Because you don't know me well enough," Edward responded. "Trust me. She's long gone."

'Mustang' folded his arms over his chest. "What would happen if I decided to investigate," he asked as he raised a brow. "Decided to send someone to check and make sure she was where she belonged?"

Edward felt a lump form in his throat, but chose not to swallow it back. He couldn't show any hint or sign of hesitance or uncertainty, not without arousing suspicion from the two of them. "Well," he began as his eyes wandered over to Lust, the most likely 'investigator' he would send, "If you went to their home in Dublith, you'd probably find them carving meat for their butchering business. It gets hectic when they aren't there for a few days, so they're bound to be behind on their orders."

He looked back at the General and held his glare, refusing to back down from his partial truth. While Teacher had left, it was decided that Sig would remain behind and return to Dublith in order to maintain the illusion that they both really had left Central. The situation was less than ideal for Izumi, who believed that her husband should remain behind to keep a distant eye on Alphonse and Winry, but she ultimately gave in and compromised when Edward had suggested the possibility of someone 'checking in on them.' And now that the situation was staring him in the face, he was glad that it had occurred to him.

Edward felt Alphonse's soul-fire eyes fixed on the back of his head. He knew that he could keep up the illusion of confidence, but whether or not Alphonse could would be the deciding factor. Despite the fact his younger brother was incapable of producing facial expressions, his words and gestures were what ultimately gave him away.

And unfortunately, Mustang knew this too…

Edward allowed himself to swallow back the bolus in the back of his throat as the General's eyes scanned over to Alphonse.

"Is this true, Alphonse?"

Edward braced himself, preparing himself for a long pause or falter in his tone. Instead, however, he heard his younger brother confidently answer, "Yes, General," allowing Edward to relax slightly.

"Well, that does save you the trouble of having to check up on them, right Lieutenant," 'Mustang' asked with a smirk as he glanced over his shoulder and toward Lust.

"It does," she replied with a faux smile. "Especially since these next few weeks will be so busy, what with all of the changes that will be occurring at Central Command. And besides," she continued as lavender eyes scoured over to Alphonse and Winry, "I have these two in my care. Uprooting them from all of the tasks they'll be working on would be unfair to them."

Edward tried his best to suppress the feelings of disgust that had begun to rise within him, but was ultimately unable to as he felt his face twist with revulsion. Her feigned compassion was appalling. Even the way she inflected her words was dismissive.

Still, he had to put on a brave face. Show them that he wasn't afraid. Because in doing so, he might be able to rally Alphonse and Winry as well…

The shriek of the train's whistle startled Edward and caused him to jump, bringing him back to reality. Glancing over his shoulder and toward the train, 'Mustang' announced, "It looks like our train is just about ready to go." Turning back to Edward, a faint smile crossed his lips. "Are you ready to go?"

Edward gripped the handle of his bag tighter, suddenly feeling reluctant about going with the supposed General. Reminding himself what was at stake, he pushed his feelings down and took a step forward. "I'm ready," he confirmed.

"Excellent," the General replied as he bent over and grabbed his suitcase. "Then let's go and secure one of our two compartments."

"Two," Edward echoed.

"Another General will be accompanying us," 'Mustang' elaborated. "General Raven, to be precise. He has more experience with northern affairs and has graciously volunteered to come as a segue between Central and Briggs."

"I see," Edward mumbled as his eyes wandered over to the train. "I didn't realize that."

"You'll get the opportunity to meet him once we're on the train," 'Mustang' added hurriedly as he looked down at his pocket watch again. "Which we should be getting on momentarily." As if on cue, the train's whistle shrieked again.

Pushing back the uneasiness that had begun to settle in his gut, Edward turned back to his brother and Winry. I'll talk to you later, Al," he murmured as he tapped his fist against his brother's armor.

"I'll talk to you later, Brother," Alphonse replied softly. "Be sure to bring back some of that northern snow for me."

Edward managed a small smile. "I'll give it a try." When Alphonse nodded in reply, he turned to Winry. Forcing himself to smile larger, he reached out and rested his flesh hand on her head. "Don't overwork yourself, automail freak. Remember to take a few breaks now and then."

A small smile crept across Winry's face. "I will, Ed. Only if you promise to keep up with your maintenance. I don't want to have to come up there to fix it for you."

"Alright, alright," Edward replied with feigned annoyance. "I will," he added as he pulled his hand away and took a step back.

Lust took the chance to step forward to stand beside Winry and place a hand on her shoulder. With an impish grin, she looked Ed in the eye and said, "No need to worry, Edward. I'll make sure they feel right at home."

Edward bristled when he saw her hand on Winry's shoulder. No doubt seeing his, her smile broadened, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. But after receiving a pointed glance from the General, she drew away and dropped her hand at her side.

'Mustang' nodded toward the train. "Our car is the one nearest us. I'll meet you inside."

Ed began to reluctantly move in its direction, dragging his bag behind him on the ground. After taking a few steps, he looked over his shoulder to see the General and Lieutenant hastily throw the other a quick salute before dropping their hands and averting their eyes. When the General turned away from them and spied Edward, he quickly turned away and stepped up to the train.

Edward gripped the handrail and was about to hop onto the train, but paused with his foot on the step. Turning to look over his shoulder, his eyes wandered over to the trio before finally settling on the tallest of the three. His expression hardened as he caught Al's soul-fire eyes. They held each other's focus for a few moments before Alphonse broke the connection by nodding, signaling to Ed that he understood.

Protect themselves. No matter what.

Edward dipped his head to relay that he too understood and turned away, climbing into the train car and stepping to the side to let the General pass him.

'Mustang' followed him in and shot Edward a knowing look before brushing past him and walking toward the front of the locomotive. Just before he got to the cabin nearest the front of the train, the door to the one before it opened and out stepped a man with a salt-and-pepper beard and olive skin. The man smiled and dipped his head. "Welcome aboard, Brigadier General."

"Thank you, sir," 'Mustang' replied with a crisp salute. "And thank you for securing the two cabins," he added as he nodded toward the seats behind them, occupied by men dressed in Amestrian uniforms.

"Of course, of course," the General replied cheerfully. "After all, security has to be tight. What with the Flame Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist onboard. Which leads me to say," he continued as he looked past 'Mustang' and toward Edward, "'Hello.'"

"Hey," Edward replied mildly as he took the General's hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to finally meet you too," the older man beamed. "I've heard a lot about you and your brother."

Edward tensed, his mind immediately going to the taboo, wondering how much 'Mustang' told him.

Seemingly seeing his tension, the man chuckled and said, "You two are quite the researchers for General Mustang, aren't you? Always traveling and wandering the country. It must be difficult being gone from home for so long."

Relaxing slightly, Edward's lip twitched and he nodded as he let go of the General's hand. "Yeah, it is. But it's also nice getting to see the rest of the country and its alchemists."

"I bet it is," Raven replied loudly over the train's whistle. Drawing back, he nodded toward the two of them and said, "Well, looks like it's time to take our seats. We've got a long journey ahead of us."

Edward dipped his head and eased his way past the two Generals, making his way toward the front of the train car. Opening the door of the private cabin they had reserved, he honed in on and slid into a spot nearest the window, looking out in time to see Winry and Alphonse wave as the train came to life beneath his feet.

He raised a hand in farewell, watching them begin to move from his line of sight as the train pulled away from the platform. When they had disappeared, 'Mustang' stepped into the cabin and took a seat across from Edward. After watching 'Mustang' study him out of the corner of his eye, the older man at last said, "I hope you brought enough for reading. It's going to be a long ride."

"Don't worry," Edward replied bluntly as he pulled a book out from his bag and opened it on his lap, eyes scanning down to it to avoid looking at the Homunculus, "I did."

"Right on time," Lust murmured as a train pulled up to the platform behind the three of them, moments after Edward and General Mustang left in theirs.

"Who else are we meeting," Winry asked cautiously as she gripped her day bag tighter.

"Central Command's special guest," came the Homunculus's reply as she took a step forward and toward the train car.

The trio stood in a mist of awkward silence as they watched the train's passengers pile out of the train car. But after a few minutes of watching, and after the flow of passengers tapered off, it was clear the person Lust was waiting for hadn't gotten off.

Just as she made a move toward the train car, a final passenger stepped out and onto the platform. Recognizing the man, Alphonse rushed forward and took his suitcase as he set it down.

General Grumman's eyes were instantly drawn to Lust, however. His expression soured as she and Winry approached them. "Had I known that you would be the one to greet me here, I would have walked," Grumman stated bluntly.

"Now, we couldn't have that," Lust replied as she shook her head. "We need our Fuhrer-elect to remain safe."

"Then why did they send you," he shot back.

She brushed off the question and gestured for them to follow, which they all reluctantly did. "Hello, General," Alphonse quipped as Grumman fell into step beside him.

"Hello, my boy," the older man replied languidly. Looking over at Winry, he added, "You must be Miss Winry Rockbell."

"I am," she replied with a small nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, General."

Grumman gave her a faint smile and turned away from her, narrowing his eyes toward their guide. It was incredible, Alphonse thought as they stepped over to the car that was parked outside of the station, that the General was so quick to turn against who had appeared to be his granddaughter. But then again, he reasoned as he opened the door and invited Winry to slide in before him, after seeing her display and their descriptions, it wouldn't be too difficult to hate her. Still, it hurt to think that what relationship they had built since finding each other was destroyed in a matter of moments.

When all of them were settled into Hawkeye's car, Lust started it and shifted it into gear. "So General Grumman," she began as she turned away from the station, "How does it feel being the Fuhrer-elect?"

Alphonse could see the General purse his lips from the front seat, turning toward the window to look out the window.

Lust frowned but chose to not prod him further. Instead, she decided to turn her attention toward Alphonse and Winry in the backseat. "I hope you don't mind, Winry," she said as violet eyes peered at them through the rearview mirror, "But most of our active servicemen with automail are currently stationed elsewhere. Hopefully we'll have someone for you to work on within the next few days or so."

"That's fine," Winry replied meekly. "I'll do whatever you want me to, Miss—I mean, Lieutenant Hawkeye."

"Riza is fine," Lust responded as her eyes wandered over to Winry.

"Okay, Lieutenant," Winry replied as she looked out the window, moving herself closer to the car door and curling into herself.

Alphonse saw Lust twitch agitatedly but quickly followed suit with Winry, opting to look out the window before she could target him with any of her questions.

The rest of the short ride to Central was silent, with the sound of the car's engine or an occasional cough being the only noises they heard. Once they stopped in front of Central, they were quick to get out of the car and away from the gloomy cloud that hung over them. But before they could relish their freedom, Lust cleared her throat and beckoned for them to follow after her and up the steps of Central Command.

Leading them inside, she navigated the halls of the command center as easily as Lieutenant Hawkeye had, saluting passing soldiers when appropriate and muttering greetings to others that were of similar rank or lower. A tightness formed in the belly of his suit, almost tangible enough that he could have convinced himself that his stomach was really there. It pained him to think this, but he couldn't help it.

It was almost like having Lieutenant Hawkeye back…

He nearly ran into her, however, when she stopped outside a small office. Stepping back so she could push the door open, Lust motioned for them to step inside. When they did, they found themselves face-to-face with two soldiers: one with dark skin and cornrows in his black hair, and the other taller and paler.

"This is Lieutenant Jerso," Lieutenant Hawkeye explained, gesturing to the shorter, darker man. "And this," she continued as she pointed out the taller, spiky haired man beside the former, "Is Lieutenant Zampano.

"They have been assigned to escort the two of you during your time here."

So they're babysitting us, Alphonse thought as he looked from one man to the next.

"For now I would like the two of you to get acquainted with them while I accompany General Grumman to his first meeting with the other Generals."

"Alright," Alphonse replied for the two of them as he cast a glance toward Winry to see that she was watching the two men warily. "It'll be nice getting to know them better. Especially since we'll probably be spending a lot of time with them."

"Indeed," she said as she nodded toward the two men, signaling them to take a seat in one of the room's chairs. When they obeyed, she turned back to face Alphonse and Winry. "We should be back shortly. Take this time to acquaint yourselves."

Alphonse and Winry slowly nodded in reply and watched as she ushered a rather reluctant General Grumman out of the room. When she had closed the door shut behind them, Alphonse slowly took a step forward, raised his gloved hand, and managed to squeak, "Hi. I'm Alphonse Elric…"

"Where are we going," Grumman asked warily as she fell into step beside him.

"The Fuhrer's office," she replied matter-of-factly. "We need to prepare it for when you take power."

"There won't be any need," Grumman muttered. "Because as soon as I meet with the other Generals, I am going to renounce my temporary position as Fuhrer."

"Oh," she replied. "And what makes you think they'll accept your rejection?"

"Because they should respect this old man's right to refuse such a position," he mumbled as she guided him down another hallway.

"I'm sure they respect that decision," she replied. "However, their decisions were unanimous and, unfortunately, there were no other candidates for the role."

"What," he gasped as he jerked around to face her.

"That's right," she replied with a light grin. "Their decisions were entirely unanimous. They only saw you as fit to take over the role."

"That's… impossible," he replied in disbelief. From the list of Generals that immediately came to mind, there were at least three he had strained relations with. To have all of them vote for him was as he had uttered… Impossible.

"Don't be so surprised," she responded, interrupting his thoughts. "After all, you're the only one capable of handling the job. The most strategic of the Generals, as well as the most calculative."

The General pursed his lips, unconvinced by her words. It didn't add up. There was not a single person that held the role of General that would have gained every single vote. Unless… "They're all working for you, aren't they," he uttered as he looked away and down toward the floor. "Everyone in power here in Central… They're nothing but your pawns."

"'Pawns' has such a negative connotation associated with it," the Homunculus hummed. "They chose to follow us of their own free wills. Well, most of them anyways."

"And those who don't…?"

"They learn to cooperate," she replied with a sinister smile. "And eventually bow to our whims, just as you will."

"So that's why I'm in this position," he realized. "So that you can keep an eye on me, keep me close and under your thumbs."

"There's the strategist we all know and respect," she replied as she stopped outside the doors of the Fuhrer's office.

Grumman swallowed the lump in his throat and walked stiffly into the room as she pulled the door open for him. He did not stop, however, choosing to slowly wander toward the Fuhrer's desk. His hand went down to his waist, his fingers brushing over the gun that sat in his holster. He slowed his pace as he got to the center of the office, stopping on top of the Amestrian military emblem embroidered onto the floor. When he heard the soft click of the door closing behind him, he took his chance and gripped the gun. Drawing it from its holster, he whirled and around and clicked off the safety, raising it to eye level.

The Homunculus stopped in her tracks, eyes wide with surprise. She recovered quickly, however, and smirked. "You're finally decided to fight back, hmm?"

His finger found the trigger and he snarled, "What makes you think I never was?"

"True," she admitted as she took a step toward him. "You and Christmas did manage to unite Mustang's ragtag team, and you were even able to secure a few allies outside of them. While it is impressive, it was something that was to be expected from an elite strategist such as yourself."

When she took another step toward him, he growled, "Then you should know what a strategist would do when given an opportunity like this."

"Of course," she replied as she continued to advance toward him. "An elite strategist looks for every opportunity handed to them as long as it advances them in the game. And right now you have the perfect opportunity to eliminate a key piece."

"Indeed," he said unwaveringly. "I have. The Queen, to be precise."

"I'm flattered," she said as she stopped just short of him, her eyes never leaving his gun. "I had assumed the title was stripped from me."

"I wouldn't be too flattered," Grumman replied flatly. "The title has a variety of meanings to it, and you do not hold the title the same way Riza did. The way I see it, you are one of the most powerful pieces we are currently facing. The moment you leave the board, the assignment will either be eliminated or reassigned."

"Ah, going with the literal chess definition then. Well," Lust taunted, "How do you go about removing me?" Nodding toward the gun, she observed, "Execution-style, perhaps?"

"Yes," he answered. "And if I wasn't the one to do it, then one of the men that came looking for my assistance would have done so."

"So you gave the order then," she asked as her eyes narrowed and that loathful smirk reappeared on her face. "How cruel."

He stifled a bitter laugh. "The only cruel one here is you, Homunculus. Taking my granddaughter and Colonel Mustang hostage and manipulating them is far crueler than me ending your reign of terror."

"So sacrificing your last of kin in order to take me off the board is far more important than saving her?"

"You know just as well as I that she would prefer death than remain imprisoned while you use her appearance for your gain."

"Would she," she asked as she folded her arms and raised her brows.

"You know she would," Grumman growled as he steadied his hand again. "Edward and Alphonse Elric confirmed what she said. Both she and Colonel Mustang wish it."

She exhaled and nonchalantly moved her shoulders up and down. "Very well then. If that is what you believe, then by all means try. And should you succeed, you will erase her and at last return your life to the way it once was."

"What are you getting at," he demanded warily. "How would killing my granddaughter give me anything in return?"

"It's really nothing too difficult to figure out," she said with a smile. "By 'returning your life to what it once was,' I mean that you are being given the opportunity to rid yourself of her once again. After all, you chose to remain nonexistent for most of her life, essentially ridding her from yours in the process."

"I did it to protect her," Grumman spat as his grip on the gun tightened.

The Homunculus laughed. "Really? To protect her? Then by all means enlighten me. Because the way she saw it, you neglected to make your presence known when she needed you most."

"My records paint a different picture," he countered as she took a step toward him. "She was raised almost solely by her father. The Colonel and a few other sources cited him as an unusual, erratic man, but he nonetheless ensured that she was well cared for and received a proper education. We may not have seen eye-to-eye, but she was his daughter."

She seemed taken aback by his response. "And you think that the fact she didn't die or her 'proper education' paint the entire picture?" When he furrowed his brow, she elaborated, "Did your 'records' tell you that she was afraid of her father? Did they tell you about the emotional abuse she endured? The nights she cried herself to sleep from the pain of what he inflicted upon her? Or about how he branded her like an animal?" Now seeing that he was vastly overwhelmed, she slowly continued her advancement, her words tinged with more and more bitterness with every revelation she revealed.

"Did they mention the helplessness she felt when her only lifeline left her to join the military, the one entity her father despised? Or the fear of not being able to survive after her horrendous father died?"

"You're… you're lying," he sputtered as he took a step back.

She quirked a brow. "You honestly think I'd be lying after all of the time I've spent inside her head?" When Grumman clenched his jaw and did not immediately respond, she shook her head in disbelief. "Your lack of understanding is appalling, Grandfather."

"That's enough," he snapped as he backed into the Fuhrer's desk, the Homunculus stopping just short of his weapon. "Don't come a step closer! And don't you dare address me that way!"

"Why," she asked with a twisted grin. "Is it because you finally realize that you did nothing to protect your only granddaughter? Or is it because you've begun to understand your own failures? Both as a strategist and a grandfather?"

Grumman's finger moved down to the trigger of his gun. But just as he began to depress it, his hand locked up and he froze, fixated by the woman that stared back… The woman that resembled his daughter so much.

He had always asserted that she was a near carbon copy of her mother: the same long, blonde hair, always worn up to keep it from falling into her face; the same jawline he always had teased mirrored his in his younger days; and the same large, brown eyes that both his daughter and late wife had.

Even as he told himself that the person standing before him wasn't his granddaughter, the General couldn't help but notice the striking features he had always attributed to his late daughter. All of those features… except for one.

Instead of seeing those beautiful brown eyes she received from her mother and mother's mother, he was faced with cold, ruthless violet eyes. Eyes with pupils sharply slitted and more reminiscent of a serpent's than of a human being's.

Just as his finger pressed against the resistance of the trigger, her silky smooth voice, so unlike Riza's and yet so like it, permeated the air around his ears.

"What's the matter, Grandfather? Are you having second thoughts?"

"I…" He began to protest, "I…"

He had promised himself that, when faced with this situation, he would have no second thoughts. But hearing his granddaughter's voice calling his name…

Before he could even comprehend what was happening, his grip on the gun loosened, and the object slipped from his hand, clattering harmlessly to the ground. His knees followed suit immediately after as they buckled beneath him, causing him to crumple helplessly to the ground.

Through the tears that had begun to well up in his eyes, he saw the toe of her boot kick the gun away from his reach. "Pathetic," Lust sneered as she stepped away from him and sauntered around the Fuhrer's desk to a tea table beside the wall. "You humans are sad and weak, foolish creatures; allowing your emotions to get the best of you at the worst possible moment."

Grumman squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his trembling fists, silently damning himself for falling apart in front of it.

She returned and crouched down in front of him, raising a cup that was filled to the brim with steaming tea beneath his nose. When he jerked his head away and refused it, she frowned. "You'll have to suck it up quickly, Grandfather. The other Generals will be in shortly to further discuss your role in the coming days."

"I refuse," he growled as he looked up at her.

"Unfortunately that isn't an option," she replied harshly as she thrust it toward him again. "Just as we discussed beforehand, you are here for a very specific reason." When he slowly reached up to grasp the handle of the tea cup, she added, "Should you cooperate, I may even let you speak to your granddaughter again."

At that he looked up at her, searching her expression for the truth he had heard in her words. Seeing that she had his attention, she smiled. "And," she suggested, "Should you muster up the courage, you will already be here to end her yourself.

"So really, it's a win-win situation for you, Fuhrer Grumman."

Reaching behind him, he clumsily set the still full tea cup on the desk behind him and placed a hand on it to stabilize himself. He felt her arm snake around his and for once he decided not to fight it, instead allowing her to help him rise to his feet.

"See," she purred as she returned his cup of tea to him, "Was that so hard?"

He chose not to answer as he raised the trembling cup to his lips, silently hoping she had spiked it while he had been incapacitated.

With a hollow sigh, Wrath slammed the book in his lap closed, silently hoping he wouldn't have to refer to the notes again for a long while. The concept of alchemy bored him; the subject failing to capture his attention entirely. The only thing that motivated him to flip to the next page was the promise that Mustang's mind would absorb it like a sponge. For the time being, though, he had had enough of it.

Wrath turned his attention back to Mustang, seeing that he had withdrawn into the deepest corner of his subconscious. Frowning to himself, he looked up at Edward Elric to see that the boy too had removed himself, keeping his eyes locked on the alchemy book in his lap. Not feeling particular chatty with the young boy, Wrath crossed his arms and focused his attention back on Mustang.

Leaning back in his seat, he brought forth his most recent memory of Riza Hawkeye, or rather, her body. The Colonel instantly recoiled and pressed further away from Wrath as his soul quivered. Smirking inwardly, Wrath mused, "I wonder what she's doing this very moment… Maybe sitting down for some peppermint tea? Or perhaps readying herself for bed after such an eventful day?"

"How would I know," Mustang responded bitterly. "After all, that is not my Lieutenant."

"But you've idly wondered it before," Wrath pointed out. "And even now your mind has begun to wander back to her." Outwardly, he took a deep, full breath and then quietly exhaled through his nose. Closing his eyes, he inwardly taunted, "I can almost smell the chamomile tea she makes for herself after waking up from a nightmare about Ishval—"

"Is there a point to your rhetoric," Mustang hissed.

Wrath smirked. "Just trying to get in your head, Colonel."

"Like you haven't already," came his reply before he drew away again.

But by that point the damage was done. Mustang's mind had already begun to slowly stray toward his beloved Lieutenant and her current status. Worry and stress began to cloud Wrath's mind as memories of Riza Hawkeye began to slowly trickle in. Memories ranging from their youngest of days to their more recent, with bits of the intimate moment they shared beneath Central and their goodbyes at the train station sprinkled about.

After a while, however, his chest began to ache. With a frustrated huff, Wrath reached up and clutched his jacket, twisting a handful of it in his fist.

It had happened before at the train station and he had managed to keep it at bay then. But it seemed that the greater the distance between them was, the more anxious Mustang became. "Separation anxiety, really," he scoffed inwardly toward the Colonel. Mustang refused to answer, putting a feeble mental wall between the two of them.

He was about to poke more when he registered a familiar voice.

"Lust."

Recognizing the name and the tone, Wrath looked up to see Edward's hardened golden eyes locked on him.

Seeing that he had his attention, Edward continued, "Gluttony. Envy. Greed. Each of those relate to the Seven Deadly Sins, right?"

Wrath quirked a brow and smirked. "Perceptive. Indeed, they are."

Golden eyes narrowed. "So, which one are you? To my knowledge there are only three left, and I highly doubt that you're Sloth, given your ambitions."

"If I told you that," Wrath replied as he leaned his elbow against the windowsill and rested his chin on his hand, "Then what would be the fun in it?"

"Well, I need something to call you," the teen replied bluntly.

"'General Mustang' is perfectly acceptable," Wrath replied coolly as he leaned back and draped his arms over the back of the train bench. "Or, if you'd prefer, 'the Hero of Ishval' or 'Flame Alchemist' will suffice."

"How about 'leech,'" Edward replied coldly. "Because you didn't earn any of those titles."

"Let's stick with 'General' why don't we," Wrath responded agitatedly. "For appearance purposes."

Edward scoffed and leaned against the window. "It would be more unusual for me to refer to you by rank, seeing that I rarely gave his the time of day."

"Then 'Mustang' as you had been calling him will suffice," he bit back as he settled back in his seat.

Edward huffed and sat back in his chair as well, closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest.

No longer in the mood to pick at Edward or Mustang, Wrath followed suit and leaned against his window, turning his attention to the darkening northern sky.

Edward had no desire to confront the Homunculus again, especially since he foresaw more time on the train. However, something urged him to ask the question he had long been mulling over. "Answer me this," he muttered as he placed his elbow on the windowsill and rested his chin on his balled up fist, locking his eyes on the Homunculus's reflection, "How do you know so much about the Colonel and the Lieutenant?"

The General grinned mischievously. "It isn't hard doing research, Fullmetal. You of all people should know that."

"It isn't about research," Edward mumbled in reply as he narrowed his eyes. "Some of the things you've mentioned haven't been recorded in their files. So how is it that you knew about Mustang's aunt and the Lieutenant's relation to General Grumman? They weren't willing to share the information with their friends before, and they certainly wouldn't want to share it with you."

'Mustang' shrugged. "When you're inside someone's head for long enough, you begin to learn a thing or two about them."

"So it's true," Edward asked as he turned toward and fixed his hardened glare on the General. "You're inside their minds."

The General raised a brow. "When did I ever say anything about that?"

Edward scoffed, "You said that you're inside their heads, which leads me to believe that you're inside their minds too. You know too much about them for it to be a coincidence or 'good research.'"

"Impressive," the General replied as he folded his arms and smirked.

"But it's more than that," Edward continued as he grimaced. "It's so much more…

"The way you talk about them and the way they're fighting back… It makes me think that it's more than you trying to get inside their heads." Gesturing to the Homunculus, he said, "You're essentially a Philosopher's Stone with thousands of souls locked inside of you. Your entirety is based on these souls. And now that you're dwelling in the bodies of two people with souls, you're more than eager to snatch them up and make them part of you."

The General's face darkened, and Edward knew that he hit the mark. Removing his arm from the windowsill, he laced his fingers together and bowed forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Still keeping his gaze locked on 'Mustang,' he said, "I hit the mark, didn't I? The best way for you to get inside their heads is to consume their souls; to make them a part of you. I can see it in your eyes, 'General.' I've got you two figured out.

"So now my question is, what are you planning to do with them?"

The Homunculus sat back in his chair and clenched his fists, loosened his grip, and then clenched them again. Finally, he shook his head and chuckled. "That shouldn't be your top concern, Fullmetal. Right now you should focus on the task at hand, which is to complete this mission and eventually retrieve your bodies."

"Well, I'm making it a top concern," Edward replied hardly.

"The Colonel and Lieutenant will be around for a while longer," the General stated.

"How much longer," Edward pushed.

"I've given you more than enough, Fullmetal," 'Mustang' replied with a tinge of hostility in his tone. "Accept that as your answer for the time being."

Edward pressed his lips together and glared at the Homunculus, hating the smug expression that began to form on his face the longer he stared it down. Before he could rebuttal, however, the door to their cabin opened and General Raven stepped inside. Flashing the two of them a faux smile before ultimately allowing his eyes to fall on 'Mustang,' he announced, "We will be arriving soon, General Mustang. Before we do, I'd like to share a few words with you."

"Of course, General Raven," he replied as he got to his feet and straightened his uniform. "I'd be more than happy to discuss the details with you in your train car."

Raven nodded in approval before turning to Edward. "We'll be back shortly, Major Elric. In the meantime, why don't you get your belongings together so that the transition from the train to the car is relatively short. After all," he said with a more genuine smile, "It's freezing up there."

Unimpressed by his display, Edward muttered, "Alright," as he leaned forward and grabbed his bag out from beneath his chair, opening it to slip his books and notes inside.

When the two left without another word, he hurried zipped his bag back up and shoved it onto the seat next to him, slumping down in his chair with an agitated huff.

So it was true. The Homunculi were absorbing the Colonel and Lieutenant's souls, integrating them into their Stones while stealing their memories. He should have been relieved that he had figured it out, had figured them out. But at that moment he wasn't, because his worst suspicions were confirmed. Wrath and Lust now knew as much about everyone as Mustang and the Lieutenant knew. Every secret or story shared with them was now as easily accessible to the Homunculi as a library book was. And now that they were separated from each other and forced to work alongside the Homunculi, there was no telling what would be used against them.

As his thoughts lingered back to Alphonse and Winry and their security, Edward languidly moved his head to the side and peered out the window, noticing for the first time that it had begun to snow…

Just as Raven had said, the northern air was harshly cold, quick to stab at Edward's automail despite having been fitted with winterized gear by Winry before leaving. He was the first to clamber into the car, quickly followed by 'Mustang' and Raven, both of whom sat on either side of him in the backseat. In the seats in front of them were two soldiers with hardened expressions that muttered simple greetings toward them, which were returned with equally enthusiastic salutations by the two Generals.

Edward pulled his limbs closer and kept his eyes locked on the front windshield, watching as the soldier that was driving drove them down a series of winding, icy roads as the snow continued to fall faster and faster.

After what felt like hours, Edward at last saw a large form looming through the darkness and the snow. Squinting, he leaned forward and tried to make out how large the fortress was when the car came to a sudden halt. He pitched forward but managed to himself before he rocketed into the front seat.

The two men in the front seemed unfazed by his action, instead focusing on the guard that had stepped out from the post they had stopped next to. After exchanging a few quick words with him, the man returned to his hut and signaled the for the fortress to open its doors.

A loud groan caught Edward's attention and forced him to look back through the windshield again. He watched as two massive steel doors creaked open to allow the car access to the interior of the fort. His eyes widened as the inside of the fort slowly opened up to them, revealing the hustle and bustle of its inside. As the car crept into it, Edward looked back and forth to try and take in the scene before them. The instant the massive steel doors of Fort Briggs slammed behind them, however, the car doors on both sides of their car opened and uniformed men appeared to usher them out. Edward slid out after Mustang, his eyes instantly drawn to the massive interior of the fortress.

Countless soldiers adorned with coveralls continued to mill around them and the car, continuing their duties as if they did not realize that a monster that had just stepped into their domain. All around he could see them on top of cranes and vehicles, whether they were moving large cargo boxes or shoveling coal into the beds of trucks to fuel the engines that were hard at work on the opposite side of the loading bay.

Feeling something brush past him, Edward was brought back to his senses in time to see 'Mustang' turn around and eye him critically, his stare demanding that Edward follow. Clenching his jaw, he followed a few steps behind the two Generals, keeping his hands in his pockets as he continued to take in the sights.

After they left the bump and grind of the compound behind them and maneuvered down countless hallways, the group was eventually led to a room that housed a massive conference table. And at the end of it sat a uniformed woman with long blonde hair and steely blue eyes, flanked on either side by two additional men in uniform; one with a mohawk that bore a scowl and stood so tall that Edward could have mistaken him for a bear, while the other was shorter with dark skin and stark white hair, his eyes hidden behind perfectly round spectacles.

When they had all entered the room, General Raven strolled over to the woman and smiled as he extended his hand and said, "Hello, General Armstrong. Thank you for hosting us."

"My pleasure," she replied, unenthused as she rose to her feet and tightly gripped his hand, squeezing it harder than the General had expected. When she released it, he pulled his hand away and tried to discreetly massage it as he chuckled and said, "You still have a grip that could rival your brother's."

Upon hearing the comparison to her brother, she curled her lips back and focused her attention on 'Mustang' as he too stepped forward and extended his hand toward her. "It's been a while, hasn't it, General?"

"Trying to compensate for something, Mustang," she replied as she brushed his question off, her eyes instead wandering down to the saber that was hanging on his hip.

When he saw that she wasn't going to return his handshake, he dropped his hand and smiled. "Nothing at all. Just taking advantage of the privileges of being a General."

She clicked her tongue and scowled as she turned away and toward Edward. "And who is this," she asked as her icy blue eyes wandered over to Edward.

"This," 'Mustang' announced as he clapped a hand on Edward's shoulder, causing him to tense, "Is Edward Elric, better known as the Fullmetal Alchemist."

Clearly unimpressed, the female General raised a brow and replied, "You thought it best to bring a child to Amestris's most active military base?"

Trying to replicate Mustang's signature charm, the Homunculus replied, "I know it may not seem like it, Major General, but Edward is a very important member of my team. He is a very skilled alchemist and may prove helpful during our time here."

"Which I hope isn't long," she replied in rebuttal, "Because alchemist or not, you still brought a child into an operating fortress."

Edward bit his tongue and decided not to reply, instead nodding warily as he eyed the General and 'Mustang,' the tension between them increasing with every passing moment.

"We shouldn't be too long," 'Mustang' replied as he raised his hands. "If anything, it'll be about a week at most."

Hearing that, Edward relaxed. Just one week was all he had to endure. If that ended up being the case, he, Alphonse, and Winry would be free after that.

"Inspections normally take a few days," she replied hardly. "I do not see the point of an entire week."

"True," 'Mustang' replied amicably. "But there are also matters in Central we must convene on."

"I see," she replied as she folded her arms again and scowled. "Waiting it out up here until the Fuhrer kicks the bucket, then?"

'Mustang' shook his head, "Not at all. Though that is the topic of many of our discussions."

She scoffed and pursed her lips, and then turned to the smaller of her two guards and said, "Take the boy to the barracks while we discuss the rest of their itinerary."

"Yes, sir," he replied with a crisp salute. He walked over to Edward and took his bag from his hand and headed toward the door without another word.

Turning away from Mustang's glower, Edward quickly followed after the man and out into the hallway. When he fell into step just behind him, the man said, "You must be hungry, having traveled from Central." Before Edward could respond, the continued, "We will have someone drop off a plate of food for you to your room.

"You are to not leave your dormitory under any circumstances unless called for by the General or anyone under her direct order, understood?"

"… Yeah," he replied grimly as the man stopped outside a door and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket. After flipping through them, he chose one and stuck it into the lock and turned, the door clicking in response as the key unlocked it. He pushed the door open and stepped to the side to allow Edward to walk inside.

It was a small room with a twin-sized bed and a bedside table, and aside from the small porthole window on the wall beyond it, there wasn't much else to the room.

"That door right there," the soldier added as he nodded to it, "Behind it is a small restroom.

"If there is anything else you need, just let the corpsman that brings you the food to let Major Miles know."

"Thank you," Edward said as he turned back toward him, "But what—" He was cut off by the sound of the door closing behind him and the jingle of keys as they rattled and knocked against the door.

He had locked him in…

Telling himself he could alchemize it if need be, Edward tossed his bag onto the floor and sank down onto the bed, sprawling out over it with his legs hanging off the edge. Staring up at the steel ceiling, his mind immediately wandered to his brother and Winry, wondering how the two of them had fared their first day without him there as his eyelids began to grow heavy…

"I'm impressed," 'Mustang' said as he stepped forward from the darkness and clapped his hands together. "You've actually followed orders for once."

Edward clenched his fists. "Well when your brother and best friend are held captive, you tend to become more compliant.

"Now," he said as he raised his steel hand palm up and curled his fingers toward himself, "Let us all go. We've done what you wanted."

'The General quirked a brow. "I never said you were done, Fullmetal."

"What are you talking about," Edward growled. "You said that once we were done at Briggs, you'd let us go. You promised!"

"I did," 'Mustang' replied, "But sometimes even the best of people can't keep their promises."

"What're you—" he stopped, however, when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching them. He turned toward them and his stomach plummeted.

Lust was sauntering toward them, one hand crossed her her body and the other twirling a larg,e metal object around by a purple string that was attached to it. When she got closer, however, he recognized the object.

Alphonse's helmet…

Seeing that she had his attention, she let go of it and allowed it to bounce and roll toward him until it stopped in front of him, its hollow black eyes looking up at Edward.

"A-Alphonse," he choked out as he dropped to his knees and grabbed the helmet in his hands. He never wandered around without it. Never. Trying to control his breathing, he looked up at her for some form of explanation, but found himself at a loss for words when he saw her face. Small, red flecks dotted her cheeks and uniform in a pattern strikingly similar to…

"Where's Winry," he snapped as he hugged Alphonse's helmet to his body. "Where is she?!"

Lust raised a brow and smiled. "You mean that little girl from Resembool? I haven't the slightest clue."

"Liar," he spat as he lunged forward. "Where are they?! What did you do? Both of you!?" Before he could reach her, a force slammed into him, thrusting him up against a wall.

"Is that any way to treat Lieutenant Hawkeye," 'Mustang' mused as his grip on Edward tightened.

"She isn't the Lieutenant! Just like you aren't Mustang," he spat as he clawed at the General's hands and struggled against his grip.

"Soon enough we will be," the General replied amusedly.

Trembling with anger, he pushed against 'Mustang's grip again and snarled, "You'll never get the chance. You won't. We'll end you before then—" A blow to his stomach caused him to double over, gasping and heaving for breath. Before he could catch it, his head was tilted upward and he found himself peering into the Homunculus's eyes: one iris as black as coal and the other in the form of a red Ouroboros.

"It won't work," 'Mustang' answered with a twisted grin. "You'll never get them back.—"

Something had him.

Feeling a pressure on his shoulder, Edward twisted and writhed in an attempt to roll away from it. When he swung at it, it grabbed his arm and forced it down onto his bed, forcing Edward's eyes open… and forcing him to stare into the cold black eyes of a monstrous man the size of a bear.

Before he could utter a word, the mohawked man yanked him up from the bed and tucked him under his arm, swiftly turning out of the small dorm room and into the darkened hallways of the Briggs fortress.

When Edward at last gained the ability to speak, he began to mutter, "Where are we—" but was cut off when the man grunted and quickened his pace, effortlessly weaving through the hallways as they descended deeper and deeper into the catacombs of Fort Briggs.

When they had at last made it to a small, unassuming door, the man thrust it open and stepped inside. Edward blinked a few times, trying to process what and who he was seeing.

One one side of what appeared to be a steel throne was the same man he had seen before: Major Miles, if Edward remembered correctly. On the other side was a familiar face: Warrant Officer Falman.

And between them was the lady General from before, her sword drawn and its tip pushed into the ground with her hands pressed against the tip of its hilt. Seeing that they had arrived, she looked up at them from beneath her long blonde fringe and said, "Welcome, Fullmetal Alchemist. I've called you here so you could tell me everything you know about the imposter wearing Roy Mustang's flesh."

A/N: Sorry for the wait! I hope the extra length of this chapter makes up for it! So now we are at Briggs. This is the second arc of the story, and I've actually decided to name it "Hellfire," with the first arc being "Hellbound" and the third being "Hellbent." This is the arc that will have most of the action and will feature most, if not all, of the characters. Next chapter look out for a lot of Fort Briggs and some Central and Eastern Command teams.

I have the next 4-5 chapters completely plotted out, so hopefully I will be finished with the next one sooner! For now, though, I have finished the next chapter of "Engraved" and will post that in a few days to a week, and will be working on other updates too!

Again, thank you so much for the favorites, follows, and reviews! It truly means a lot! And if you see any OOCness or issues, please don't hesitate to let me know!