Roy needed a good laugh on his first day back in the office, and Zidane was giving it, chatting with his sweetheart on company lines. It reminded him of his attempt to fight against the Homunculi, leading to his hospitalization, but his nature was completely genuine.

"Oh, I can't believe that about your master, Dagger, she would never… Ed and Al? Really? You're joking…" His face dropped. "You're not. Still, at least it was only a few days with you. Oh really? Thanks Dagger, you're so sweet. Did you get my present I sent?"

He gave a wide smile and practically wrapped himself in the telephone cord as his voice jumped an octave. "Oh, thank you so much, I hoped you'd like it, since my proposal was a little rushed. Uh-huh… thanks Garnet. Great talking to you. Love you. Not possible. Ciao!" He hung up, unwrapping himself from the cord.

Mustang stifled his laugh at Zidane's confusion with a cough. "Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about, Travers? Like anything you saw?"

"I didn't know," Zidane said. "Most of what I know is pretty far out, other than that, it's rarely more than a feeling of dread the day of, and I get those just when I know the Fuhrer's going to ask me something big, so it's not that relation."

"You didn't know what happened to put me in the hospital."

"Whatever it was couldn't have been that bad. Enough to upset me, but not enough to kill you. I'm guessing you took care of it."

Roy glared at him. "It was much too high of a cost."

Zidane nodded. "I understand."

"I think I know what Hughes meant. And what you did. What put me in the hospital seemed to be part of a group."

"Be careful who you tell that to."

"I just need to think about it some more."


"Be careful," Ling said, turning his head quickly towards the door. "Something's coming."

Ed looked around confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"One of them is coming," Zidane said walking in. "I felt bad about not warning you all about this last time, so I'm here now."

"How close?" Ed asked.

"If you all leave now, you'll be safe. It's a pretty dangerous Homunculus coming to get him, Envy. It would have been Lust but… well, you know what happened to her."

"Get Lan Fan out!" Ling shouted at Roy and Riza. "I don't want her hurt."

"What about you?" Zidane asked. "I think it would be a good idea."

Something was going to happen to Ling, Ed guessed.

"I don't trust people like you."

"That's uncalled for," Al said. "Zidane only has two souls total."

Ling rolled his eyes. "How do you know there weren't once more?"

"He…" Al trailed off, unsure about what to say.

Zidane smiled a bit. "It's okay, I guess I am kind of suspicious. He has reason for his actions. I'm leaving though."

Zidane waved and ran off.

As the fight escalated, Ling's words about Zidane seemed to pop in on occasion. Was he really from someplace else? Sure, Ling confirmed that there was more than one soul, but was it really out of control? Or was Kuja just an act? Or worse, the Zidane personality could be an act. Did Garnet know? Was she in on whatever he was doing?

He barely jumped away from Gluttony in time to not be swallowed for the moment, but only for the moment.


"Hello there."

Fuery looked up from the early morning work. It wasn't the Colonel, despite how strange it was that he took off last night and was yet to return. He was greeted to the smiling face of the young Major. It still surprised him that a nineteen-year-old managed to outrank him (Or a fifteen-year-old as well, but he'd decided that Ed was an exception.)

"I'm sorry, Major," he said, standing up and giving a salute. "But the Colonel isn't present at the moment. Shall I let him know you were here?"

Travers shook one of his hands in the air. "No need, Fuery. I'm here concerning you three."

"Us?" Breda asked.

Travers nodded, giving each a manila envelope with the seal of the Fuhrer. "It's of utmost importance. Any of you three know where the Lieutenant first class is?"

"Sorry," Fuery said, re-reading the letter making sure he didn't misread the reassignment. "She's not here. She left with the Fuhrer last night, but that's all I know. I think he headed for Main Command.

"Didn't see her when I left with these, but I'll check again on my way back, thank you Fuery, for your assistance."

As Travers left, Fuery swear he heard him mutter "I can't believe Bradley's making me do this" yet Breda, who had to have been closer, seemed to not hear anything that made sense out of Travers.

"So where are you going?" Breda asked.

"South, to the borders of Aerugo," Fuery said. "Are you sure nothing made sense?"

"Positive. All I could hear was the Fuhrer's name. Although…"

"Although what?" Fuery and Falman asked at the same time.

Breda shook his head dismissively. "I'm being paranoid here."

"No, tell us."

Breda rolled up the sheet of paper. "Did he look either of you in the eye? Because he was actively keeping me from looking him in the eye."

Falman paused. "Now that you mention it…"

"He could just be guilty about doing something the Fuhrer ordered," Fuery said. "I mean, he and the Colonel are pretty close friends."

The excuse sounded hollow to Fuery as well. He remembered the exact location of where Hawkeye was and ran out to warn her.


"Hey! Lieutenant!" Riza turned around to see Zidane standing there. Fuery grew suspicious at the sight of him, probably due to what had happened earlier.

"Orders from the Fuhrer regarding reassignments," He said, handing an envelope to her. "Wish I could have given you more notice, but he seemed to want this done quickly for some reason."

"You are to be reassigned to Central Command," She read aloud, noticing Fuery's relieved look. "As the Fuhrer's assistant."

Zidane gave a grin. "It's not so bad, at least now I'll have a familiar face to see every day."

She knew what it meant, Zidane just happened to try and give a positive spin to the news. It seemed one thing Zidane had been quiet about was something that would have helped with the situation.

"I know you enjoy working for the Colonel," he said, letting go of the pretense as the other officer and Fuery left. "And I know you're probably angry at me."

"I'm not just angry at you Travers! Forgive my insubordination, but you were right out of your mind, keeping the news from us, even when you and the Colonel spoke as equals at the end of the day. Does Garnet know about this?"

He looked at her for a moment in shock. Probably conversing with that spare soul he had in his body. "No. Well, more than you do. I told her that the danger came from within this time and I wanted her to have some form of defense. Sent her to Master. Not like I think it would help."

"Tell me Travers, were you there when the Colonel found out his suspicions were confirmed?"

He shook his head. "I am not trustworthy enough to be considered part of his real inner circle. The Fuhrer and I know many of each others' secrets, and have a game of trying to find out the biggest secret the other has while keeping the other from learning ours. Although he seems to be relaxing somewhat on me, now that I have someone else for him to get me to comply."

"Until you're willing to take risks, don't bother trying to help."


"I'm surprised you two never figured out who came up with these ideas," the Fuhrer said, turning around to Roy, Ed, and Al.

Roy and Ed looked at each other and Ed spoke up. "I don't know what you mean, sir."

The man they knew as Bradley gave a wide grin. "I have someone who was amazing at provoking responses from all of you, who you thought you could trust. Thanks to him, I learned what you cared for."

"You speak in riddles, Fuhrer," Roy said. "Even if Major Travers loves to do so as well, doesn't mean I can understand them all."

"Travers!" Al said suddenly. "He's been spying for the Fuhrer. He… he had to have changed sides." Al wasn't certain he believed what he said. It was a coincidence, nothing more.

"That's ridiculous, Alphonse," Roy said. "He had nothing to gain by spying on us."

"If we could believe him," Ed said with a growl. He slammed his hands on the table. "Ling was right to not trust that two-souled bastard."

The fuhrer grinned. It was a trick, or at least, Zidane had hid that fact from Wrath.

Al seemed hesitant in accepting Ed's outburst, but looked back on the events. The off-worlder was always hesitant to open up about his home after he returned. "I believe you, Brother."

"That can't be true!" Roy said. "He's just a private person. You know all the things he had to go through before he joined. He had a high price."

The Fuhrer grinned. "I'm pleased you would love to replace me when I retire, Colonel Mustang. But I fail to see what short skirts have to do with Ishval."

Roy's face fell. He knew the whole truth. There was no denying the conclusion the Fuhrer – Wrath – had hinted at. Even if Zidane's concern about what he wanted to do seemed so genuine.

Reverse psychology. It had to be. He claimed the opposite of what he wanted. After all, he was smiling when he gave the caution to Roy. Tribal was a liar.


"Colonel!" Ed said frantically. "Give me the change you have."

Mustang dug through his pockets pulling out less than ten coins, all small denominations of Cen.

Ed counted it. "This isn't enough. I need more."

"What are you? A thief?"

"We're not starting that again."

"I'm sorry," Roy said. His voice was pained.

"Not enough?" Zidane asked, turning a corner.

"Well speak of the devil," Ed muttered.

Zidane opened up a silk change purse and pulled out two coins. "This should help you out, right?" he asked, handing the coins over.

Roy glared at him. It wasn't just the friendly kind he gave in annoyance. It was more the kind he'd have reserved for someone who just betrayed his friends.

"What's wrong, Colonel?" He said, trying to keep himself friendly. "I bought you that premium beer the other day, I'm not him. Good news, it's my last day as his P.A. maybe we could…"

"You know that the Lieutenant has been given your position, Major," Roy said.

"Yes, and…"

"Do you have any idea what the Fuhrer just told us, Zander?" Ed said. "I'm sure you've known all along what he was."

"W-What are you talking about, Ed."

"Don't you dare call my brother that, Travers. I can't believe you'd keep this from us, no matter orders. When have you been one to follow them?"

He gave a forced smile. "Is that so Elric?"

Al nodded.

Ed shoved the coins back. "Keep your change, Tribal. You can buy a mask with it." He walked off with his brother. The Colonel looked at him for a moment longer before leaving as well.

"Fine, I'll leave you be to go as your winds dictate."

He had failed. Everyone thought he played it too safe, despite feeling he wasn't safe enough. Then again, he was used to playing big crowds back on Gaia. He had a much smaller audience now, with a large amount leaving during the intermission.

"I heard arguing, Travers, or should I say, Tribal."

Zidane nodded. "I delivered the papers you wanted."

Wrath smiled. "Got an equally exotic first name to go with it, Tribal?"

"Let it come naturally, my liege. I tried to be comforting about it. I'm quite fond of the Colonel's crew and all that."

"I don't think you can weasel your way out of giving me your name this time, Tribal. I know right where that sweetheart of yours is. Why do you think I felt I no longer needed you so close?"

"Which one? I'm sweet on all the ladies, you know."

"The one you call your Dagger. Your beloved Dagger, I believe that is your exact line. If you won't tell me, I'm sure she'll scream your name out as the others take care of her."

He swallowed. "Zidane. I'm Zidane Tribal. Need any more assistance, sir?"

Wrath shook his head. "You are dismissed for the day, Tribal. Although know you're still working for my department every day."

Zidane nodded. "Yes sir."


Zidane collapsed on his bed. Wrath had no other assignments for his paper monkey, at least now that he had a new personal assistant. They all looked at him with such disgust when he passed by in the hall, and he had sent Dagger to train with Master, at least in the physical aspects of fighting.

Why call her master? You never trained with her.

Yes I did, millennia ago, she called me all sorts of names, remember?

That was Ed she trained, not you.

He rolled over to one side. I am Ed, it doesn't make a difference.

You're not Ed. You were given his soul, but it was your choice to do with it as you pleased. You two have some similar behaviors and parts of your appearances, but you're not the same. Do you think Ed would ever be willing to steal something just because he could?

No, but I don't remember being happy wi-

He doesn't have your reluctance to fight women.

Don't have it anymore… Lust and Envy taught me otherwise…

Fine, curl up in a ball and die and let everyone here die.

If it means seeing Vivi's face again…

Kuja took over. If you won't do anything, then I will.