Chapter 9: Reunion

Almost as soon as word got out that the war was over, celebrations began throughout Central and the surrounding regions. A parade was hastily organized by the assembly for the people of Central to congratulate their soldiers on their successful defence of the western border.

Once the Elrics learned that Winry was in Central with Sciezka, they decided to lay low at General Mustang's residence. They figured it would be best to wait until the celebrations in Central were over before announcing to anyone that they had returned.

On the eve of the parade, Roy dropped some news on the brothers that had them staring at him in disbelief.

"What… do you mean… we're in the parade…?" Ed asked when he was finally able to speak again.

Sitting at the table, Roy smirked at them as he rested his head on his hand. "Somebody informed the assembly about your defeat of the western army's second after he made a threat on my life. The assembly considers you two as heroes, so they asked if you would be in the parade. I didn't think you two would mind, so I accepted on your behalf."

Ed glared at Mustang upon fully recovering. "You jerk… you told them on purpose…"

Al sighed worriedly. "Winry's going to kill us if she learns we've been hiding from her… maybe we shouldn't have."

"Don't worry, you two. Winry went home a few days ago, according to my sources. She had some business to attend to and wouldn't be returning for the parade." Roy lied casually. He was curious as to how Winry would react to the Elrics' return, so he decided to lie to lull the brothers into a false sense of security.

"Are you sure, sir?" Al asked nervously hoping he was right.

"I'm sure, Alphonse. My sources are very reliable." He yawned as he stood up. "Get some rest you two. We've got to be up early to get ready for the parade." He gave a backhanded wave as he went into his room, shutting the door behind him with one last smirk.

Ed sighed as he and Al set up their beds on the floor of Roy's living room. "That bastard set us up, I can't believe it. I had almost hoped he'd changed a bit in three years, but he really hasn't. Damnit…"

Al sighed. "There's nothing we can do about it now, brother. Just be thankful Winry won't be there to…"

The colour drained from their faces as they thought of what Winry would do to them if she learned they had been hiding from her all this time.

"G-good night… brother… Try to have peaceful dreams…" Al said shakily.

Ed could only nod in response as they tried to get some sleep.

Winry and Sciezka had fun cheering with the rest of the people gathered along the end of the parade route as it rolled past. "I've never seen a Central parade before! These are great! I should get Grandma to come next time!" Winry said as the last car with General Mustang, his second-in-command, and two others who looked as though they'd rather be somewhere else, passed by.

Despite Roy's protests, Ed and Al had disguised themselves to avoid recognition by people who knew them.

Sciezka blinked in confusion and curiosity. "Winry… those two in the car with General Mustang… didn't they look like Ed and Al?"

Winry blinked at her before trying to get a second look, although the car had already become obscured by the crowd. "I dunno, I must have missed them… but it couldn't have been them… Roy told me himself that they took that last air vessel and used it to go back to the other side to seal the Gate… He said they wouldn't have been able to get home ever again…"

"We should to the pavilion on the stairs to Central Headquarters just to be sure. Besides, we should cheer on General Mustang and the rest of them." Sciezka said, leading Winry over to the stairs of Central Headquarters.

At the stairs stood a large pavilion in which the leader of the assembly stood with Roy and his team, Adran, Armstrong, and the Elric brothers.

Winry and Sciezka found themselves a position where they could see what was happening. Thankfully, the crowd was so large that they wouldn't be recognised by the people onstage.

The deafening cheers were silenced when Director Johnson raised his hand. "I'm sorry to announce that Director Giles, our Director of Military Operations, could not join us in celebrating today. He has fallen ill, but sends his congratulations to our fine soldiers."

The section that had been designated for soldiers burst out in cheers before being silenced with another raise of his hand.

"Earlier, we honoured those that fell in battle and hope they are watching these celebrations with pride knowing their sacrifice helped protect Amestris from invasion." The crowd remained silent until he spoke again. "Now it is time to honour those that are responsible for this victory."

Cheers erupting from the crowd forced him to raise his hand to silence them again.

He chuckled. "It's good to know how appreciative Central's people are."

A few cheers were heard from random parts of the crowd.

"Without further ado… presenting the man who led our forces to victory: General Roy Mustang!"

Jeers, catcalls, and scorned boyfriends made themselves heard amongst the cheers of the crowd as Roy stepped forward.

Winry snickered at his bored, only slightly irritated expression. "He gets this sort of reaction every time, don't worry about it." She explained to Sciezka who looked around at the crowd in surprise.

Roy stepped back into line as Director Johnson introduced Roy's team, Brigadier General Adran, and Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong. "…And finally, we have the last minute heroes who saved General Mustang's life when it was threatened and helped put an end to this senseless war: Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and his brother Alphonse Elric!"

"See Winry, I told you it was… eeek!" Sciezka squeaked in fear as Winry produced a large wrench from her bag, a furious glare on her face as she threw it.

The wrench hit Ed square in the center of the forehead, knocking him backwards.

Al caught the wrench instinctively before helping Ed stand. Sweat broke out on both brothers as a look of terror appeared on their faces once they realized what it was that had struck Ed, both of them frozen in place by fear.

Roy smirked knowingly as he approached Director Johnson. "Director, there is a very mad woman in the crowds who wish these boys' lives. Can they be allowed to flee for their lives?" The amusement was hard to hide in his voice as Director Johnson broke out in laughter.

"That is perfectly fine with me, go on and flee for your lives." He said to the Elrics.

"We're going to get you back for this Mustang!" Ed yelled as they bolted off the pavilion and into the crowd.

"Those jerks!" Winry yelled as she produced another wrench and ran after them.

The crowd parted to let her through out of fear of the wrench.

Once they felt they were a safe distance away from Central Headquarters, Ed and Al collapsed from exhaustion in an alleyway. Their disguises had been shed as they ran, knowing they were no longer of any use.

"When did Winry get so fast…?" Ed grumbled as he rubbed his head.

"Are you all right, brother? She hit you pretty hard."

"I'm fine… what wrench was it?" He asked as curiosity took over.

"It's one of her larger ones… one of the ones you bought for her at Rush Valley. This is definitely one of the heavier wrenches you got for her, brother." Al said as he examined it.

"Great, one of the ones that'll leave a dent in my skull…" Ed grumbled. They stood to leave. Suddenly, panicked expressions crossed their faces when they heard panting at the entrance to the alley.

"You… jerks…" Winry growled as she tried to catch her breath, blocking the alley to prevent them from running. When she recovered, she walked towards them threateningly. "You came back and you never came to see me?" She growled as she put her hands on her hips, tears shining at the corners of her eyes.

Ed and Al looked down at the ground. "Sorry Winry, we figured it was better to wait until the celebrations around Central died down before coming to see you." Al muttered.

Winry shook her head. "You idiots… knowing you were back would have made the celebrations in Central more enjoyable."

"Besides, Mustang lied to us; he said you had gone home." Ed said, shaking his head.

Winry laughed. "So Roy wanted to see you get in trouble? Maybe he thought you deserved it for not coming to visit me when you returned from the west."

Ed and Al cringed at the thought.

Winry sighed, shaking her head before she hugged Al. "It's good to have you back…"

"It's good to be back, Winry." Al said, returning the hug while passing the wrench off to Ed, who could only look at his younger brother in confusion.

As they broke apart, she looked at him curiously. "Do you…?"

Al nodded. "I remembered everything as I passed through the Gate."

Winry smiled happily before turning to Ed, who held her wrench out while looking away. "I don't think you want to be losing this…" He said.

She nodded as she took the wrench from him before giving him a hug. "Thanks… welcome back. Try to stick around this time?" She asked into his chest.

He blinked down in surprise at her before nodding and returning the hug. "Don't worry, I will…"

She pulled away from him and turned to look out of the alley. "Come on you two, let's go back."

Ed and Al nodded, glad to know they were still alive as they followed Winry out of the alley.