After a delay I have a new chapter for all of you. I hope it pleases you all. I know that it is insanely short but I couldn't think of anything else. I decided I'd devote an entire chapter to something very important in this story. I can't tell you what it is because I want it to be a surprise. I've been getting tons of people adding this story to their favourites and a ton of people adding me to their favourite authors list. I never thought this story would get so popular. I'm so happy because of this. The only reason why I wrote chapter 9 and didn't put up a hiatus note was because of: You. You being my lovely readers. Now before I start to cry tears of happiness I'm going to do my little "Author Shout Outs" now

Darkness of Yami: I'm glad you liked chapter 8. I tried to add in some funny lines to lighten a very serious chapter.

Kyashidi-san: I can finally spell your name without having to look it up! I'm so proud of myself. That's alright if you can't review as often as you did. I'm just happy knowing you're enjoying the story.

Ephemeral Dreamer: YAY! A new reviewer! I'm glad that you like "the epical inner voice. Don't worry it will be making many more appearances. The next one should occur very, very soon. Since you showed me all the things I have left to write about, I have new inspiration. One of those things occurs in this chapter.

Evil Robina: I'm glad you like EdxAria. I tried to make them into a realistic pairing. This update took a little longer than normal but I hope you like the chapter.

Aria had been in the hospital for about six weeks before she was released. When Armstrong saw her, he almost sent her back to the hospital. Mustang had to separate Armstrong from Aria with a giant spatula. Karlin had been following Roy around for a while now and Aria had noticed. One morning at breakfast Aria asked if Roy had a kid she didn't know about. Roy nearly choked on his coffee.

At the moment Aria was sitting in a café with Roy and Karlin. Karlin was reading a book on alchemy that Roy had bought her. Aria watched the little girl with amusement. She had no inkling about her relationship with Aria. To her, at that moment, Karlin was just an adorable little girl that follows Roy around.

Aria lifted her teacup and took a sip. The blueberry iced-tea tasted good. Roy was drinking coffee and Karlin was drinking apple juice. All three of them had two scones in front of them. Roy was racking his brain for a way to drop the bomb on Aria about her "sister." Nothing came to mind so he decided to just go with the direct route.

"Aria, there's something you need to know," Roy said, breaking the silence.

"What is it?" Aria replied while taking a bite of her scone.

"Well you see, Karlin is your sister. Not really your sister, but she's your clone of sorts."

"Hmm, I guess that was to be expected. I wasn't perfect enough for him. That's why he left. I was only half a soul."

"What do you mean half a soul? Shouldn't a person have a whole soul?"

"No, it's not required. A successful transmutation like myself or Karlin, only needs half a soul. The other half is kept for insurance."

Aria turned to Karlin and observed her for a few minutes. The younger "Aria Davies" didn't look a think like the real Aria Davies. The best way Aria could describe Karlin would be "a cherubic child." The little girl looked like a cherub sent down to earth. Everything about her screamed "angel" that Aria found it slightly disturbing. Her blond corkscrew curls framed her face like a picture frame. Her eyes were an ocean blue and she had rosy cheeks with dimples. Karlin was uncomfortable under Aria's scrutinizing gaze.

Karlin looked back at Aria with a similar gaze. She observed "Aria Davies" senior with wonder. The only was Karlin could describe Aria would be "Aphrodite." Her eyes were the oddest colour, sunset. She had never heard of that colour before. Her hair was the richest colour of auburn possible. It almost looked like liquid copper. Her skin was creamy but slightly tanned. Karlin remembered seeing women like that in a book that her father had given her. It was a book on Xerxes. Only the skin matched. For all Karlin knew, Aria could have a mother from Xing or Lior.

"Karlin," Aria began. "What happened to father after her created you?"

Karlin was slightly taken aback by the question but still answered. "He went crazy. Why?"

"That was the price he had to pay. He paid dearly for you. He probably thought he would get the perfect child. If he got the perfect child then there was no price to great. Even his own life would be fine."

"He didn't die though. He just went crazy. After about two years he decided to create another child. That's how he died."

"Makes sense I guess. He didn't have anything left to give except for his life. The first law of human alchemy is "Only perform one transmutation as long as you live. For every other transmutation, the price becomes higher and higher." He defied that law and decided to create two more humans."

The three of them fell into silence again. Drinking their tea and eating their scones. Roy couldn't figure out how Aria could be so calm about finding out that Karlin is her biological clone. He understood why Karlin could be calm. She had lived with that knowledge for her entire life. She always knew she had been second best. If Roy had been in Aria's position, he would have thrown a fit. He still had much to learn about this remarkable girl.

Well what did you think of this chapter? Did you love it? Hate it? Do you think the characters are Mary-Sue's? I'm trying to make them realistic but sometimes I might slip. Sorry about that if it happens. If it does, you must tell me ASAP! Anyway, what do you think should happen in chapter 10? Next chapter I promise the surprise character will appear. Somebody has already guessed who they are so the next chapter will be dedicated to them. I have a new question for all of you: What information do you think the homunculi got out of Aria?