Thank you to those who reviewed! I spent a lot of time on this chapter so I sure hope you enjoy it! So, I now have the weekend off since the doctor told me I have influenza haha. More time to write now I guess.

I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or its characters!

Chapter Twelve:

The Difference

It was hard to believe how two towns, that were not that far apart, could be so different in temperature. Dublith was quite cool and every now and again there were flakes of snow. Rushvalley on the other hand, was very warm for this time of year. It was understandable though. This town was not surrounded by green but by a vast amount of sand. A place like this hardly ever saw rain so its winter months were not cold and covered in snow, but warm, not scorching hot, and dry. This was a perfect time of year for its inhabitants though.

Children were running around playing with one another and those with automail compared to see which one of them had the best. Adults were similar in this way. Everyone who lived in Rushvalley seemed to have automail and they were constantly showing it off and looking for ways to improve it.

This is why Winry had decided to stay here a few months ago. After meeting the pick-pocket Pinena, we came across her guardian who happened to be a master automail engineer. Winry had wanted to become his apprentice but he roughly refused until she had helped deliver his grandchild. That was one of the most frightening moments in my life and I am very glad that I have no younger siblings. I could just imagine what my brother went through when I was born.

It was very convenient that Winry had decided to stay in Rushvalley actually. After the damage Edward had taken in the battle with Greed, it was easier to travel here than all the way back to Risembool. Which was very wonderful to me since four days on a train did not seem like the best time in the world.

Edward had been sulking since we had gotten off the train. Alphonse and I could not blame him though. His automail was on the verge of being in a pile of scraps. When we had left laboratory five, Edward's automail was only damaged because of a missing screw. There was nothing else that really needed to be fixed and Winry was okay with that, but once she saw the shape his automail was in now, well Edward might not be alive in the next five minutes. At least that is what he thought.

"It's not gonna be that bad Ed." I said for the fifteenth time that day.

We were standing outside of Garfiel's shop which is where Winry was doing most of her automail work. Garfiel was a very flamboyant man but he was still wonderful to be around and did attract a lot of costumers which Winry was able to assist and enrich her skills as well.

Familiar blonde hair came bouncing out of the shop. Winry was carrying a large crate with a small smile on her face.

"Well, start sucking up." I laughed while bouncing over to Winry and surprising her slightly with a small embrace.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" she laughed.

"You're looking in a wonderfully generous mood today!" Edward spoke up with a large smile.

"What are you all doing showing up like this?"

Winry did look truly excited to see the brothers. Her cheerful grin slowly faded however when Edward raised his broken automail. He kept the smile on his face because he was hoping that she would continue to stay in her happy mood.

Next thing we all knew we were inside the shop with Winry rapping up Edward's automail while he was lying down with blood pouring from his head. Winry had gone a little too far with her wrench from hell.

"Honestly, even Pinena is holding down a job and you can't stay out of trouble." Winry mumbled through her work.

"She is?" Alphonse questioned with surprise.

"Yup. She left her life as a pick-pocket and now she earns a living by fixing roofs and doing other odd jobs around town." Her smiled faded and her tone made a turn. "And what about you three? Any progress yet?"

"Yeah we have! It's still slow going though."

Alphonse sounded excited but you could tell that he was trying to hide something. I did not understand why the brothers constantly felt like they needed to lie to Winry. She was their best friend since they were born practically and they wanted to keep secrets. I guess I understood the fact of trying to protect her from getting involved but was the horrible dishonest comments truly necessary every single time? Edward sat up and turned his gaze away from her.

"We're still moving ahead little by little."

Winry sighed and frowned.

"Good glad to hear it."

Winry knew that she could not force the brothers to tell her anything. Actually she has started to come to grips with it all. They would come to her when it was necessary and she would be there for them when that time came.

"Well, I've done all I can for now. I'm missing some parts so you'll have to deal with the patch job for now. I'll get what we need, but until then you've got some time to kill." Winry waved while she started for the door.

"Great. We've never been good at killing time." I whined as we started to wander the town.

It's not like there was a lot to do in a town that was made up of automail maniacs. All we could do was wander and observe those around us.

"What do we do now? Not much to do in a town made of automail shops." Edward sighed.

I nodded in agreement while sucking down a soda we had stopped to get.

"Who loves orange soda? I love orange soda! I do, I do, I dooo!" I laughed while tossing the empty drink in a trash can.

Edward raised his brow and chewed on his straw. I thought that they would get used to my modern quotes but I guess it still made them think I was insane which I very much enjoyed from time to time.

"I don't wanna know…" He muttered while searching the area.

At some point Alphonse had wondered off. It was still strange that he could disappear so easily since he stood out like a water buffalo in the arctic. We found him sitting by an alley way not too far from us.

"Brother…" He spoke with nervousness in his voice.

"What now? Found a stray cat or something?" Edward asked as we made our way over.

"We should keep it!" I laughed and Edward sent a glare my way while taking another swing of his drink.

"Well no…" Alphonse said while holding up an unconscious man which made Edward spew out his drink all over.

The man had long black hair that was pulled back in a pony tail but strands still hung loosely around his face. He wore a foreign, long yellow shirt which was embroidered white that matched the white pants that puffed out like martial artists. My face lit up with recognition.

"The ultimate bad ass!" I shouted with my arms raised in the air.

"We should help him." Alphonse said.

"He just needs some food."

Alphonse and I were off with the unconscious foreigner and left Edward bewildered and confused. I think he was still in shock over the fact that his brother went from finding stray cats to passed out men the in the streets.

"Woo! Thanks a lot! You all are life savers! Your treat right!" The man spoke gleefully after many empty plates lay before him.

"Whoever said I was paying?"

Edward did not seem to like this new comer very much, but when did he ever seem open to new people?

"Let's not quivel over something so small?"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SMALL?"

"How lucky am I come across such hospitality so far from home?"

Edward's fuming dropped slightly as his interest piped up.

"Far from home? You're not from here?" Alphonse asked.

"That's right. I came from Xing."

I laughed to myself slightly and rose from my seat. There were two blades sheathed on the man's back and I wanted to get a better look at them up close.

"The county from the east of the desert?" Edward questioned while eyeing me suspiciously.

"That's right. And crossing that desert is rough let me tell you."

"I bet! Can I see these?" I asked pointing to his weapons.

I had to admit I was very excited at the moment and I was hoping I would not embarrass myself, but I was always amazed by this goofy, annoying yet very skilled character. He seemed a little hesitant but reluctantly unsheathed the two blades.

"So why did you go that route?" Alphonse piped in while I gawked at the swords.

"I wanted to see the ruins of Xerxes since that route goes by there."

"I heard there's nothing but rubble there..."

"This is so awesome! You should so teach me how to use these!" I mused while handing the blades back to their owner.

"Serena, sit down." Edward ordered slightly.

The man laughed and sheathed them back.

"You're a different one aren't you…anyway I was heading here to do some alchehistory research which is what I believe you call in this country alchemy…In Xing it's called Alchehistory and is mainly used in the medical field."

"Different country different customs I guess." Edward spoke thoughtfully.

"Alchemy is mainly used for military here because of the surrounding countries we have issues with." He continued.

"Sounds like you have your hands full."

"I have to say I'm curious about alchehistory. A branch of alchemy that is medically specialized." Alphonse said and Edward agreed with him.

"By any chance...are any of you alchemists?" The man questioned and there was a tone of seriousness that had risen.

"Well yeah. I'm Edward Elric a state alchemist."

"And I'm his younger brother: Alphonse Elric."

"And you?" The man questioned.

"Well, I'm not as great as an alchemist yet as these but…yeah I guess I am. My name is Serena." I answered rather proudly.

"My name is Ling Yao. It's a pleasure."

"So Ling, what can you tell us about alchehistory?"

Edward's bitterness towards Ling had ended quite some time ago. Of course that was all because another branch of alchemy was mentioned so naturally he would open up.

"Nothing. Sorry but I am not an alchehistorist."

"If you don't practice alchehistory then why come all the way here to research it?" And Edward's annoyed expression returned.

"Well you see I'm looking for something. Perhaps you've heard of it? The Philosopher's Stone."

At the mention of the stone, all of Ling's playfulness had vanished and tension rose between the two brothers.

"I'm very eager to find it. Do you know anything about it?"

"No, we can't help you."

And with that Edward rose from his seat and started to drag Alphonse and I with him. Since Ling was after the Philosopher's Stone as well there was nothing that made Edward want anything to do with Ling. He would be just another person in the way of their goal.

"You wouldn't be lying to me now, would you?"

Ling snapped his fingers and two masked figures suddenly appeared. One of them held a dagger to Edward's neck and other held his sword toward Alphonse. Ling was going to force answers.

"Now, do you have something to tell me?" Ling questioned with a smile.

"Why the interest in the stone?" Edward was not even fazed by the danger pointed toward him. This was just another day in life of Elric.

"I want to achieve immortality. Now out with it. What do you know?"

Ling rose to his feet and took a few subtle steps forward.

"Immortality? Please, what a bunch of nonsense."

"Not to me it isn't."

"In any case, I don't say I care too much in your way of asking questions." Edward stated while using his automail to shove the dagger away from him. "Kind of rude don't you think?"

"What about you? You said you're an alchemist right? Do you know anything about the Philosopher's Stone?" Ling grinned while turning his attention towards me.

"No."

I answered him a lot faster than what I intended too and despite the fact that I admired Ling, I was not about to inform Ling on everything the brothers and I had learned on the Stone. They would get their bodies back before I gave this guy the chance for immortality. Ling's head tilted to the side as thoughts and realizations flooded through his eyes.

"You have…a different energy about you…" He muttered.

My brown eyes widened and his words made me step back. Those exact words had been haunting my memory since Envy had spoken them back in laboratory five.

"What's that mean?"

My question was a demand. Ling had the answers to my questions now and I was ready to go through anything to get it out of him.

"She's none of your concern." Edward spoke suddenly while making advancement toward Ling, but the masked figure with the daggers kicked Edward down like he was a piece of paper.

"Brother!"

However, the man wielding the sword refused to let Alphonse rush to his brother's aid and they were soon wrapped up in their confrontation. Both of the brothers soon ended up on the ground next to each other.

"Geez what are these guys? Some kind of acrobats?" Edward chocked.

"Maybe a Xingese fighting style?"

"They're ninjas!" I laughed lightly while giving them both a hand.

"Even so…they're still not as tough…"

"As teacher!" Alphonse finished.

"You got these two. I'll handle Ling. He's not the one looking for a fight." I stated while the two figures started to race towards us.

"Be careful then."

And with that the four of them vanished behind trails of smoke and sparks of alchemy. Ling's laughter broke through clouds of sand and I remembered the task at hand.

"Off they go." He mused while taking a seat and ordering more food which the restaurant owner was very excited to get for him. Ling was now his number one customer.

"You're going a little overboard on food there don't you think?" I inquired while taking my own seat back.

"Well since Edward is being so kind why not?"

Ling's carefree tone was back. Most likely because he felt that his two guards would get the answers he needed in no time flat. However, he was not aware of whom he was dealing with just yet and that made a small smile form on my thin lips.

"You assume a lot."

Ling choked down his dessert and looked back up into my eyes. Our conversation was about to take a turn and I was ready for it. In fact, I welcomed it with open arms.

"So, where are you from?" He spoke suddenly.

"Excuse me?"

"I have come across a lot of people since I left Xing and you are a lot different from any Amestrian."

"You just got here." I retaliated.

"Even so, there is a difference."

"Explain?"

"Tell me about the Philosopher's Stone then? That sounds like a good trade. An equivalent exchange correct?"

Ling was smart. Anyone could give him that much. He may act like a goofy idiot but I think that was just an act.

"Honestly no. The Philosopher's Stone is a rather huge thing don't you think? Just answering a simple question of mine is not equivalent."

Before I would not have been able to come up with this kind of remark until hours later. The months training with Edward had helped out a lot and I made a note to thank him for it later. Ling smiled and leaned back in his chair with crossed arms. Apparently he was not expecting that kind of answer.

"Good point. Perhaps something else interests you then?"

"Let's just start with my question for now: What do you mean by a different kind of energy?"

Ling smiled and opened his eyes a bit wider so I could now see the dark brown irises that could easily be mistaken for black. He rested his chin on the palm of his hand. It was aching me with the amount of time Ling was wasting.

"The people of Xing…we have this was of sensing people…"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Ling held up a hand as a signal for me to let him finish.

"The way we sense people is by their auras. When I look around now, I can see every single person's aura that passes by. All of them have their own unique difference yes, but there is a similarity as to whom and what they are…your aura does not have the similarity…in fact it has something entirely different. One which I have never seen before."

I did not know what to say. My mind was filled with all these different thoughts and emotions but deep down it did make sense. Everyone around us had a something in common because there were from the same world. I was not. I sighed and leaned back in my seat. But my thoughts were interrupted when Ling opened his mouth to speak again.

"I may not know much about alchehistory or alchemy in this country's case, but the energy that flows through your aura seems to be the same one used in alchemy."

Now I was truly flabbergasted. That one statement made this whole situation a lot different. The only reason what Ling said made any sense to me because of the knowledge I had of this world. In the future, Edward may, or may not depending on which route this journey takes, enter the gate and come through to my world during World War II. Envy would then inform that people in my world were only meant for energy as transmutations, and since Envy was the one to take notice in my difference in the first place this was not a very good thing.

"Now how about the Philosopher's Stone?" Ling questioned leaning forward more with a bright grin.

"I thought we agreed that your information wasn't enough for mine?" I laughed with crossed arms.

"I thought you might have forgotten…" He pouted.

Two large explosions made both of us rise to our feet and observe the two large clouds of debris spiraling upward.

"It seems like they may be going a bit over board…"

"A bit?"

"Perhaps now is a good time to intervene." Ling skipped on a head towards where all the action was.

"And you call me different." I teased while following him.

"So, think of anything else you want for the information I need?"

"Tell you what Ling: I'll let you know when the time comes. For now, let's just ride this thing out."

"Hm, I guess that's fair."

"Just try not to get too greedy in all of this."

And with that I ran a head with Ling behind and a confused expression written all over his face. Edward, with his automail arm ripped off was soon in my view. The once masked, female, was hanging up in a simple trap. Alphonse came trotting up beside me with his opponent tied up on his shoulder.

"You were getting your asses kicked by an old man and a girl!" I laughed while nudging Edward with an elbow. This was a moment I could not let go.

"Oh shut up! You weren't here to see what she did!" Edward started but soon stopped when the blank looked covered my face. Well of course I had seen it!

"All right! Good job everyone!" Ling shouted.

"What are you so chipper about?" Edward hissed.

"Well, you two have some pretty impressive skills. I know! Come work for me and together we can take over this country!"

"I've had enough of your idiotic chattering! Just go back to Xing."

Edward's ranting was cut short was crowds of the town's people began to form. They were commenting on the destruction that had acured because of the bouts the brothers had encountered with Ling's guards and they were not pleased in the slightest.

"Hey hold on! This guy and his entourage should be paying for the damages!" Edward accused while pointing towards Ling.

"So sorry! I do not understand much language of this country. Ok? Bye-Bye now!"

And with that Ling ran off faster than the speed of light, and his co hearts had unbounded themselves and vanished just as quickly.

"You get the hell back here!"

"Smart guy!" I laughed which only annoyed Edward even farther.

"How am I supposed to fix all of this with one arm?"

"Its okay brother, I'll take care of it."

And with a clap of his hands Alphonse proceeded to fix the destruction.

"You mean you can do alchemy without a transmutation circle now?"

"I think it's because of the memories I recovered."

"This is a skill I need to get in on! Drawing circles takes too long!" I whined.

Edward stepped back a minute and the realization that his brother now had the same skills as he did started to sink in.

"With his height…and skill…now…" Edward let out a defeated cry and fell to the ground.

"Brother?"

"Oh come on now! You're still the great Fullmetal Alchemist." I tried to keep my tone in an uplifting way but I was consumed with laughter.

"Let's get back to Winry. She's probably ready to fix your arm now." Alphonse stated after a bit more clean up.

We were back at Garfiel's shop faster than ever. Probably because there was nothing in the town that would make us slow down. Ling's cheerful grin was the first thing that greeted us since he was sitting at a table with Mr. Garfiel.

"Hello! We meet again!" Ling was still continuing his exaggerated accent.

Edward rushed forward and slammed Ling over the head with unattached automail arm.

"You know people are sent to jail for that kind of thing in my world…" I muttered and Alphonse snickered beside me.

"What the hell is your sorry butt doing here?" Edward shouted.

"Now, now: We're all friends here." Ling sat up while rubbing his injured head. "Hey Serena!" He greeted with a wave.

"Hiya Ling." I skipped over and took a seat while taking the cup of tea Mr. Garfiel offered me.

"What are you two best friends now?" Edward hissed.

"We just had a good conversation while you two were off fighting his ninjas." I laughed.

"Yeah well those two didn't go easy!"

"I'll give them a good talking to later." Ling started. "The girl's name is Lang Fan, and the old man is called Fu. Their family has served mine for generations. As you can tell, they are quiet good at what they do."

"So you shake down strangers for food but you manage to afford two personal attendants?" Edward stated bewildered.

"Well I am the Emperor's son after all."

"Then that makes you….a prince?"

Both Edward and Alphonse broke off into fits of laughter. It was kind of hilarious if you thought about it. When you pictured a prince you always see riches and covered with fine gold, but here Ling was nothing like that image.

"That wasn't the reaction I expected." Ling pouted.

"Get used to it." I yawned.

"I'm sorry we just didn't expect that." Alphonse spoke through laughter.

"Yeah, the son of an emperor collapsed in the street and mooches food off of us is pretty nuts." Edward continued but was cut off by a flying dagger which found its way inches in front of his nose.

"Do not speak to Master Ling that way."

Lang Fan peered through the window and stared dangerously at Edward. He had already started off on the wrong foot with her by insulting her master over and over in their battle moments ago.

"Great to see you…" Edward mumbled.

"No, you're probably right. It's actually not that big a deal. The emperor has a lot of sons. It's like this: My country, Xing, is broken up into fifty different lands with an emperor at the top reigning over all of them. The daughter of each clan's chief becomes one of the emperor's wives and bears his children. The current Emperor has nineteen daughters and twenty-four sons. I come in at number twelve in that line up."

"Forty-three kids? That's incredible!" Edward spoke the shock that all of us were feeling.

"The issue of succession must be a tricky one."

"Indeed it is! That's the problem we're facing right now. The emperors health has begun to deteriorate lately and each clan is doing everything they can to carry favor. And I'm no exception."

"You want to up your chances by discovering the secret to immortality." Edward thought aloud.

"Exactly! So, the Philosopher's Stone! What information can you offer?"

Ling's whole expression changed from serious to his goofy tone we had met at the restaurant.

"Not happening! The stone isn't a tool for some political gain." Edward muttered between clenched teeth.

Ling pranced forward and attached himself around Edward's neck with a large and sheepish grin.

"Ahh! Then I'll have to stay with you until you tell me!" he sang.

Edward shoved him off and slapped Ling around with his automail.

"No you don't! Get off of me you-"

"I'm back! Did you see that? There was some kind of fight on Main Street so it took a while to…"

Winry entered with a box full of supplies and a genuine smile, but it slowly faded as she took in the room around her. Not only was there a foreign person but what mattered more was the completely ripped of arm Edward was shaking around carelessly as a slapping device for Ling.

"What happened to your arm? Edward Elric you careless little jerk!"

Wrenches and other items flew around and found themselves landing on Edward. The rest of us stayed away from Winry's wrath and Ling soon climbed out the window when Fu called for him. After Winry had settled down, she began work on Edward's arm.

"So, where are you off to break your automail this time?"

"You just assume I'll break it?"

"We're thinking about doing some digging back in Central." Alphonse answered.

"You're going to back to Central? Take me with you?" Winry's anger had fully been replaced by pure excitement.

"What do you want to go for?" Edward inquired.

"I'd like to go see the Hughes family again!"

"But don't you have a lot of work to do here?" I asked while winking towards Mr. Garfiel which he acknowledged with a smile.

"It's ok if you want to go Winry. You should take a break every once and awhile." He spoke.

"Okay then we'll all go!"

"Central here we come!" I laughed with a fist punched into the air.

"We're going to Central! How exciting!" Ling said happily while peering in through the window upside down.

"I told you you're not coming with us!"

"Oh come, Ed? It'll be fun!" I begged latching onto his arm.

"Yeah come on!" Ling echoed while latching onto him as well.

"Will you both knock it off?"

"It's not that big of a deal Ed. Besides we might be able to learn something from them and-"

"Well ask him to be your teacher then!"

And with that Edward went marching out of the room. Ling and I were really just joking with Edward. Winry and Alphonse knew that as well so when Edward reacted the he did well it through all of us off.

"What's his problem?" Winry questioned with a brow raised.

I sighed and followed after him. I knew Ling annoyed him but not that much. I found Edward leaning against the shop with a new soda in his hand.

"Heya Ed!" I greeted cheerfully, hoping to earn a smile, but he didn't even turn my way.

I pursed my lips and slid down the wall next to him. Our silent moments were always comfortable ones but right now it was the most uncomfortable I had felt. I looked up at Edward and began to recognize the look which was plastered on him.

Years ago, my mother's brother Jason had come to visit us from Australia. I was young and had so much fun being around him. He did impersonations very well and was all in all great to be around. I always spoke of how "awesome" he was and it soon got on Aaron's nerves. "I thought I was your favorite." He said. We were very young then…and that look Aaron had on his face during that confession was the same Edward had now. Ling was great and everyone seemed to think so and that took some shine away from Edward that he very much enjoyed. I smiled up at him and tugged on his sleeve forcing him to sit down next to me.

"Ninja or not: Nothing compares to the Fullmetal Alchemist." I said staring up at the silver stars.

Edward finally looked at me with a dazed expression. I guess he was not prepared for me to fill his ego.

"Yeah I'm pretty awesome huh?" He considered with a large grin.

Rolling my eyes I elbowed him lightly.

"You adjust fast."

We laughed together and sat outside for awhile losing track of time while we continued to share stories, laugh and even explain difference between worlds. That all eventually ended as we sat in the contented silence staring up at the sky.

"Can I ask you something?" Edward spoke suddenly.

"Sure." I answered slowly.

"Back in lab five…something happened to you."

My body tensed at the memory and since we were so close I assumed he had felt it.

"I may have been out of it, but I saw…part of you disappear."

"I'm not really sure what it's all about. Besides, it only happened once."

Edward shook his head and crossed his arms. He had a look in his eyes that screamed he had secrets up his sleeve and it slightly bothered me.

"Al and I saw it happen when you were sick at Teacher's…you were asleep and your whole body just turned into a ghost."

I did not understand what he was trying to get out of revealing this to me. Yes it was something I needed to know but it was not like I could give him the reasons why.

"You're not…going back to your world…are you?"

That was something I had not taken the time to think about. It did make sense. I had come here out of nowhere. I guess it was possible to return the same way. It was bound to happen at some point. My chest felt heavy at this thought. I wanted to go home eventually. I honestly looked forward to seeing my family again and being with friends, but that meant leaving everyone I met here behind. Would I ever be able to see them again once I was home?

"I dunno…it's gonna happen at some point." I whispered sadly.

"Do you want to go back?"

My head started to pound. This was too much to take in at once and I would have rather been reading an intense alchemy book then figure this one out. I wanted to go home but there was something about Edward asking me if I wanted to or not that made me think otherwise. Turning my gaze to him, I found Edward staring at me. He was waiting for an answer I was reluctant to give.

"I don't know."

It was the honest truth. I was torn between two worlds. One I had lived in my whole life and cherished and this new one I had grown to love. Edward's lips pursed together and he turned away from me once more.

"But, if I have to…saying good-bye is going to be the hardest thing I'll ever have to do. Even if I compare to all the training you've put me through." I admitted with a tiny laugh.

This made a small smile form on his face. Edward let out a sigh and rose to his feet. Giving me his ever growing common, gentle smile, he offered his hand.

"Time to head in?"

I took his hand and felt heat rise in my cheeks. He seemed to notice since he poked my face with a laugh.

"What's that for?"

"Oh shut up…"

"Am I that much of a 'bad ass' now?"

"I said shut up!"

I had a lot of fun with this! Haha Ling is just a wonderful character and I know a lot of people like him and he is a very skilled fighter haha. So, I made Serena pretty excited about it lol. So, how about some more reviews! I see a lot of you are reading now let me hear…read… your voices! Lol

~TwilightRoseAlchemist