Scar walked up the street, his eyes focused on the man sitting alone at an outside table. It was late in the evening, and few people were out on the streets. The man at the table was reading a newspaper, his expression cool and unconcerned. He seemed unaware of Scar's approach.

When Scar got close, however, he set the newspaper down and looked up, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Scar's face darkened. "Are you Frank Archer, known as the Silver Alchemist?"

Archer lifted one eyebrow. "Yes. But who are you?"

Scar raised his hands. "Prepare to receive judgment."

Archer's eyes widened, but his expression remained unconcerned, and he looked at Scar with interest.

"So you're the Ishvalan targeting State alchemists."

He stood up. "I appreciate the chance for a good fight. I'd hate for my skills to get rusty."

He pointed his left arm at Scar. A port opened up just above the wrist, and a projectile was fired.

Scar dodged the attack, and rushed toward his opponent. Archer clasped his hands together and sent several chains toward Scar in an attempt to ensnare him. Scar nimbly avoided most of them, and destroyed the rest with his right hand.

Archer transformed his left arm into a sword and swiped at Scar. For a few minutes they ducked and weaved, trying to take each other out while avoiding the attacks of their opponents.

Eventually, Scar found an opening, and destroyed Archer's arm. He flew backwards, eyeing Scar warily.

Scar stepped forward. "Before I send you to God, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

A cold fury came onto his face. "Tell me, who was the one who ordered the massacre of my people?"

Archer seemed surprised by the question, but replied. "The one who came up with the order and who enforced it was Fuhrer King Bradley."

Scar's eyes widened.

It was him? I knew the Fuhrer was complicit in the massacre, but I didn't know he was the one who actually ordered it and carried it out.

"But why?"

Archer shrugged. "How should I know? It's not my place to question orders, only to carry them out."

Scar took a deep breath, and asked another question. "Do you know who shot the child on that day?"

Archer frowned. "You mean the incident that started the Eastern rebellion?"

Scar nodded.

Archer tilted his head. "I remember him. His name was Joseph, I believe. I don't remember all the details, but I do remember how shocked everyone was by the shooting. He'd always been against annexing Ishval, and had always appeared benevolent toward the people. Even after he'd been kicked out of the service for the death of the child, he still claimed that he hadn't done it, and that there was some sort of misunderstanding."

Scar's fist tightened. It seems I was right. There was more to it than at first glance. But what really happened that day? And how were the homunculi involved?

Archer took a step backwards. "But why do you care about this after all this time? It's all over and done with, so what does it matter what the exact circumstances were?"

Scar glared at him. "If you honestly can't understand why I still care about what happened to my people, I have nothing more to say to you."

He raised his right hand. "All you can do now is pray to God."

Archer smirked. "That's where you're wrong."

He spun around and sent his left leg toward Scar. Scar dodged, but grunted in pain as he felt his right leg being cut.

He looked at Archer, and was shocked to see a knife protruding out of Archer's left leg.

Archer straightened up, retracting the knife. "I lost my limbs thanks to your people, but I've been able to adapt."

He raised his right hand, and it glowed with alchemical power. A moment later, the broken fragments of his left arm flew back to him and put themselves back together.

Scar's eyes widened as he saw Archer's left arm was good as new.

"And thanks to my alchemy and a special alloy I created, I can reconstruct my automail limbs instantly."

He transformed his arm back into a sword and lunged forward at Scar. Scar dodged, and managed to break the tip of the sword, but Archer raised his right hand and the sword fixed itself almost instantly.

Realizing that he no longer had the advantage, Scar decided that it was best to run away and fight another day. After destroying part of the road and throwing up a large amount of dust into the air, he used the lowered visibility to make his escape.

Archer didn't bother pursuing him. "Running away? That's surprising. Well, don't expect to get far Ishvalan. As a soldier of Amestris, I'll take care of you, just as I took care of the rest of your kind."

Scar ran, wincing slightly with each step.

Damn. First the homunculi, now this. I'm not doing too well at the moment. At least I was able to get a few answers out of him though.

After running for a while, he felt that he had put sufficient distance between himself and the alchemist. He was about to head back for the camp he and Yoki had set up when he noticed something by the road.

He frowned, and walked closer to see what it was.

His eyes widened. It's a little girl.

He knelt down, and checked her condition.

She seems okay. It looks like she collapsed from exhaustion, perhaps a little dehydration.

He stood back up with a sigh. Well, I can't just leave her here. I'll take her back to our camp until she awakes.

He picked her up and carried her, and carefully skirted around the town to avoid being spotted.

A short while later he arrived back at the camp.

Yoki looked up. "Hello sir, welcome back."

He looked at the girl with a puzzled expression. "Um, who is this?"

Scar set her down gently. "I found her collapsed by the road on the far east side of town. Hopefully her parents are somewhere nearby."

Yoki looked at her closely. "I don't think she's from Youswell."

Scar looked at Yoki sharply. "What?"

Yoki gestured at her. "Just look at her clothes. I'd say she's from Xing."

Scar frowned. "Xing? The country on the other side of the desert? But why would she be here by herself?"

They both froze as the girl began to stir.

She slowly opened her eyes, and rubbed her face.

"Uhh…"

She looked up, and her eyes widened when she noticed Scar and Yoki.

"Oh, hello. Where am I?"

Yoki looked uncertain. "You're in Youswell. We found you collapsed by the road."

"Oh, I see. Thank you very much."

She stood up with a smile. "My name is Mei Chang. Pleased to meet you!"

Scar walked away and sat down. "Hmm. Well, if you've recovered, there's no need for you to stay."

Mei watched him, and noticed the cut on his leg. Frowning in concern, she walked toward him.

He looked at her. "What girl?"

Mei knelt down beside him. "Allow me to close your wound."

She drew a circle on the ground near the wound, and set down several Kunai at different points along the circle. She pressed her hands to the ground and the circle glowed with power. A moment later, the wound closed.

Scar's eyes widened in surprise.

Yoki looked shocked. "It's healed!"

Mei smiled. "It's a skill called Alkahestry."

Scar tilted his head thoughtfully. "Alkahestry. So, Yoki was right, you are from Xing."

Mei nodded. "Uh-huh!"

Yoki gasped. "Wait, you crossed the desert all by yourself? That's crazy!"

She huffed. "I wasn't all by myself, I had her with me."

A little black and white animal crawled out of one of her pockets and perched on her shoulder, looking suspiciously at Yoki.

Yoki eyed the animal. "You mean this little creature?"

Mei nodded. "Yeah, her name's Xiao Mai."

She noticed Scar's tattoo, and bent down to examine it more closely.

"Your arm. That's alkahestry, isn't it? The art of reading the Dragon's pulse, of knowing the power that flows through the ground and how to use it? That tattoo matches the flow of Alkahestry used in my homeland!"

Scar looked at her in surprise, then back at the tattoo. "My brother was a student of alchemy and alkahestry, and he conducted a great deal of research into both fields. The tattoo I bear is the result of that research."

Mei clapped her hands together. "That's incredible! Your brother must have really been something."

Scar stared at the ground sadly. Mei looked at him uncertainly.

Sensing a change in topic would be prudent, Yoki interjected. "Did you have any luck with the Silver Alchemist?"

Scar shook his head. "I was able to get some information out of him, but I underestimated him, and he got the better of me."

He stood up. "We should head back for Central."

Mei's eyes widened. "You're going to Central? All right! I'll come too."

Yoki scoffed. "Don't be absurd. We aren't exactly going to Central for a picnic you know."

Mei frowned at him. "I know, but I came to Amestris to find the secret of immortality."

Yoki looked at her with amusement. "Immortality? Come on, there's no such thing."

Mei looked annoyed. "How do you know? I know it can't be accomplished through Alkahestry, but it may be possible through alchemy."

Her expression became dreamy. "And of course, there's the chance that when we're in Central, I'll get to meet the dashing hero of the people, Edward Elric."

Yoki looked at Scar for help.

Scar shrugged in resignation. "Suit yourself, girl."

Ed looked at the shop nervously. He knew Winry would come back out any minute now, and he was somewhat dreading the moment she did.

Ed and Al had gone back to Rush Valley. They'd said goodbye to Izumi, and decided they should head back to Central to tell Hughes what they'd learned from Greed. But first, they needed to fix Ed's automail. And for that…

Winry walked out into the street, carrying a box of tools.

Ed and Al walked up.

Ed tried to act confident. "Hello there, Winry. You look like you're in a very generous mood today."

Winry looked at them in surprise. "Hi Ed, hi Al. What are you doing showing up like this?"

They pointed at Ed's automail, and her smile swiftly left her face.

After smacking the two brothers, she began to work on Ed's arm with a sigh.

"Even Paninya's holding down an honest job now, and you two still can't stay out of trouble?"

Al looked up. "Really, she is?"

Winry nodded. "Yeah. She's given up her habit of pickpocketing and now earns a living by fixing roofs and other odd jobs around town."

She looked at the two of them seriously. "And what about the two of you, huh? Made any progress yet?"

Al nodded. "Yeah, we have. It's slow going, though."

Ed sat up. "We're still moving ahead, little by little, I guess."

Winry looked as though she could tell that they were hiding something, but decided not to comment on it.

"Good. I'm glad to hear it."

She set down her tools. "All right. I've done all I can for now. I'm missing some parts, so you'll have to make do with a patch job. I'll go get what I need, but in the meantime you have some time to kill."

A short time later, Ed and Al walked along the streets, and Ed looked bored.

"Yeah, and how are we supposed to do that?"

Ed realized his brother was looking into an alleyway. "Al?"

Al looked at him. "Brother?"

Ed walked over to Al, looking impatient. "What now? Did you find another stray or something?"

"Uh, well no."

Al held up a foreign looking young man who had collapsed from hunger. Ed's expression changed to shock, and the two brothers seemed uncertain of what to do. Al suggested they should get him something to eat, and Ed reluctantly agreed.

After eating some food, the young man appeared to have recovered his strength.

He grinned. "I feel so much better. Thanks a lot, you guys are lifesavers! Your treat, right?"

Ed scowled. "When did I say I was paying?"

The young man waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not quibble over something so small."

Ed snarled. "Who are you calling small?"

The young man laughed at Ed's reaction. "How lucky I am to have found such hospitality so far from home."

Al tilted his head. "Far from home? You mean you're not from here?"

The foreigner nodded. "That's right, I came from Xing."

Ed looked thoughtful. "Oh Xing, that's...the country to the east of the desert?"

"Yeah, and crossing that desert was rough, let me tell you."

Al seemed surprised. "Why in the world would you take that route?"

The foreigner shrugged. "I wanted to visit the ruins of Xerxes."

Ed frowned. "Xerxes ruins? I've heard there's next to nothing out there."

"I wanted to see for myself. Anyway, I came here to do some Alkahestry research."

Ed looked curious. "Alkahestry?"

The foreigner nodded. "Yes. I believe it's what's called alchemy here in Amestris. In Xing, it's called Alkahestry, and it's mainly used in the medical professions."

"Huh. Different countries, different customs I guess. Here alchemy is mainly used for military purposes. It's not hard to see why. We still have occasional skirmishes with Creta to the west and Aerugo to the south. North of us is the huge country of Drachma. The briggs mountains stand between us, making invasion difficult, but tensions are still fairly high."

"Sounds like you've got your hands full all right."

Ed nodded. "Things started to move more toward the militaristic when the current Fuhrer, King Bradley, came into power."

Al turned to Ed. "I have to say, I'm curious about Alkahestry. A branch of alchemy that's medically specialized?"

Ed concurred. "I'm curious too."

The foreigner looked at them. "By any chance, are the two of you alchemists?"

"Yeah, we are actually. I'm Edward Elric, a State alchemist."

"And I'm his younger brother, Alphonse Elric. It's nice to meet you."

"My name's Ling Yao."

Ling extended a hand. "It's a pleasure."

Ed leaned forward eagerly. "So Ling, what else can you tell us about alkahestry? We'd sure love to learn more."

Ling shook his head. "Not much. Sorry, but I'm not actually an alkahestrist."

Ed and Al looked momentarily disappointed, and Ed once again began to look annoyed.

"If you don't practice alkahestry, why come all the way here to research it?"

Ling tilted his head back. "Well you see, I'm looking for something. It's possible you two have heard of it before."

His expression became serious. "The philosopher's stone."

Ed and Al stiffened.

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

Ed shook his head and stood up. "No. We can't help you."

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

He snapped his fingers, and out of nowhere two masked bodyguards appeared in front of Ed and Al, their weapons out.

"So, do you have something to tell me?"

Ed looked at the two guards warily. "Why the interest in the philosopher's stone?"

Ling stood up. "I'm trying to find the secret to immortality. Out with it, what do you know?"

Ed shook his head. "Immortality, please. What a bunch of nonsense."

"Not to me it isn't."

Ed glanced back at Ling. "In any case, I can't say I care too much for your way of asking questions."

He pushed the weapon of one of the guards away with his right hand and tried to kick them.

"Kind of rude, don't you think?"

But the first guard easily avoided his attack, and retaliated, sending Ed flying backward.

Al looked alarmed. "Brother!"

He tried to push the second guard away, but also ended up getting knocked down.

Ed grimaced. "Geez, is that guy an acrobat?"

Al glanced back at the three people from Xing. "Must be a Xingese fighting style. Could be tough to beat."

Ed stood up with a small grin. "Even so, they're still not as strong as Teacher."

Before long, they had become embroiled in a fierce sparring match, with Ed facing off against the first guard and Al facing off against the second.

Ling watched the fights from afar with amusement. "Off they go. Let's see what they can do."

Ed's fight took them onto a roof covered in large pipes, and despite his combat training and alchemy, he was unable to gain any ground against his opponent.

Ed glared at the masked guard. "Damn. You're persistent. Picking a fight like this just because I won't give you information? What are you guys after? You and your boss with the freaky closed eyes."

The guard rushed at him, but Ed easily avoided the attack. He saw an opening, and was able to get in a hit. The guard grunted in pain and retreated back.

Ed felt surprised. I managed to land one. That's strange. As soon as I insulted Ling, this guy completely lost it.

Ed's eyes widened, and a sly grin came onto his face.

In another part of the town, Al was busy running away from his opponent. After covering some distance, Paninya leaped from a nearby rooftop and waved at him, keeping up with him.

Al glanced at her. "Hey, long time no see Paninya!"

Paninya smiled, casually putting her hands in her pockets while she ran.

"What in the world are you doing here Al?"

She glanced back at the masked guard. "Uh, besides getting yourself into more trouble?"

"Yeah, about that, can I ask you a favor?"

Behind them, the guard frowned. That's strange. Every living person emits a flow of chi, yet I don't sense one coming from this suit of armor. What is he?

Al and Paninya stopped and turned around to face him.

His eyes narrowed. "You think the aid of one person will do you any good? How very foolish of you!"

On the other side of town, Ed's fight was going well.

Ed taunted his opponent. "What's the matter? You're starting to slow down. If this is the best his flunkies can manage, then that bastard Ling must be pretty pathetic too!"

The guard narrowed their eyes, and rushed at Ed.

Ed easily dodged the attack.

Just like before. As soon as I insult his boss, this guy completely loses his cool! And when that happens…

Ed took advantage of the opening, and kicked his opponent hard in the chest. The guard grunted in pain.

"Now then, I think it's about time for me to have a look at your face!"

He clapped his hands together, and used his alchemy to destroy the mask. He was taken aback at what he saw, as the face under the mask was distinctly feminine.

"A girl?"

She glared at him, and grabbed a bomb from her pocket.

At the other side, Paninya launched her cannon at the guard.

The two explosions happened at the same time, and as he watched the drama unfold, Ling seemed impressed.

Paninya's attack forced the guard to retreat.

She has a cannon in her prosthetic leg! This country is a place to be reckoned with.

Al emerged from the dust, clapped his hands together, and tied up the guard with alchemy.

Al looked at his hands. "Hmm. Not too bad, considering it was my first time."

The guard looked shocked. "It's alkahestry, but without an array!"

Al turned away from his opponent. "Now, I wonder how things are going on brother's end?"

The female guard looked at the wreckage sadly. "I overdid it. Look at this place. Master Ling will be furious."

She noticed Ed's automail arm amongst the wreckage. Feeling she should help uncover him, she approached it. When she got close, she pulled on the arm, and was surprised to find that it wasn't attached to its owner. Before she could react, a rope wrapped around her and pulled her up into the air. He eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey girlie."

She looked down to see Ed standing beneath her.

He looked up at her seriously. "You should be more careful about where you use that thing. It would have killed anybody else."

He knelt down and picked up his arm.

She looked surprised. "But how? You removed your own arm?"

"I spent a fair amount of time hunting rabbits when I was a kid. Setting a trap for you was easy."

"Brother!"

Ed turned to see Al walking up with the other guard held underneath his arm. Paninya stood next to Al.

"Oh, hey Al!"

Ling popped up. "Oh hey, good work guys!"

Ed glared at him. "Why you, what are you so chipper about?"

Ling smiled. "You guys have got some pretty impressive skills. I know, come work for me and together we can take over this country, what do you say?"

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

"Look, there they are!"

Ed, Al, and Ling looked around to see that a large group of angry looking people had gathered nearby.

"Look at the mess you've made! You're covering the damages!"

Ed waved his hand frantically. "Hey wait, hold on a second, this guy and his little entourage should be paying for everything!"

Ling began to back away, feigning confusion. "So sorry, I no understand much language this country, okay bye bye now!"

Ed became furious. "Hey, you get the hell back here!"

Al looked down and was shocked to find that the guard he had tied up had disappeared.

"He ran away!"

Ed looked up and saw that his trap was now empty. "The other one did too! You've got to be kidding."

He looked around with a sigh. "How am I supposed to fix this place up with only one arm?"

Al raised his hands. "It's okay, brother. I'll take care of it."

Ed looked surprised. "Wait, you mean you can do alchemy without a transmutation circle now?"

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

Before long, they were able to put the town back in order.

Once that was done, they headed back to the automail shop where Winry worked.

As soon as they entered, they spotted Ling sitting at the table.

He raised a hand in greeting. "Hello. We meet again."

Ed's face twisted with anger. "What's your sorry butt doing here?"

Ling looked slightly nervous. "Now, now, we're all friends here right?"

"That's how you treat your friends? By sicking your dogs on them? Those two didn't go easy!"

"Let it go, I promise I'll give them a talking to later."

His face became thoughtful. "The girl's name is Lan Fan, and the old man is called Fu. Their family has served mine for generations. They're quite good at what they do."

Ed raised an eyebrow. "So you shake down strangers for food, but you can somehow afford two personal attendants?"

Ling shrugged. "Well I am the emperor's son after all."

Ed tilted his head. "Huh? Emperor's son? That makes you…"

"A prince?" Al finished.

The two brothers abruptly burst into laughter.

Ling looked slightly taken aback. "Not the reaction I anticipated."

Al shook his head. "Sorry, we just didn't see that coming."

Ed snickered. "Yeah, the guy who collapsed on the side of the road and mooched food off us is the son of an emperor."

A kunai landed a few inches away from Ed's face, causing him to yelp in surprise.

Lan Fan glared at him from the window. "You will not speak badly about master Ling."

Ed looked at her warily. "Great to see you."

Ling shook his head. "No, you're probably right, it's not actually that big a deal. The emperor has a lot of sons. It's like this. Xing is broken up into fifty different clans, 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 on that lineup."

Ed looked amazed. "Forty three kids? That's a little extreme."

Al put a hand to his chin. "The issue of succession must be a tricky one."

Ling nodded. "Indeed it is. That's the problem we're facing right now. The emperor's health has begun to deteriorate recently. Each clan is doing everything to curry favor. And I'm no exception."

Ed frowned. "You want to up your chances by discovering the secret of immortality."

"Exactly. Okay, the philosopher's stone, what information can you offer?"

Ed shook his head. "Not happening. The stone isn't a tool for some political game."

Ling smiled. "Then I'll have to stay with you until you tell me."

"No!"

"I'm back."

Ed froze, and turned around in fear.

Winry stepped in. "Did you hear? There was some kind of fight on mainstreet…"

Her voice trailed off as she took in Ed's appearance. He was looking at her nervously, and he was clutching his now completely detached arm with his left hand.

All at once she began to yell. "What happened to your arm?! You careless little jerk!"

While Winry chewed Ed out, Ling, Fu, and Lan Fan convened on the roof.

Fu looked at Ling. "Why do you put up with this boy? There's no need to bow to someone so far beneath you."

Ling smiled slightly. "If all it takes is a little bowing, then I'll consider it a small price to pay. The fate of 500,000 Yao clansmen rides on this. We can't worry so much about appearances."

He glanced down. "In any case, he's no ordinary boy. He's the Fullmetal Alchemist, and from what I saw when he fought today, he certainly lives up to his reputation. And despite what he said, I'm pretty sure he knows more about the philosopher's stone then he claims."

A few hours later, Winry had finally managed to repair the damage Ed had inflicted on his automail, but was still rather miffed at him.

She huffed. "So, where are you headed to break your automail this time?"

Ed scowled. "You just assume I'll break it."

Al answered. "We were going to do some more digging in Central."

Winry looked up in surprise. "You guys are going back to Central? I want to come too! I'd like to see the Hughes family again."

Al tilted his head. "But, don't you have a lot of work to do here?"

Garfield chuckled. "It's okay if you want to go. It's good to take a break every now and then."

Winry looked incredibly grateful. "Oh really? Thanks so much Mr. Garfield!"

Ed smiled. "Okay, we'll all go."

Al stood up. "Central, here we come."

Ling poked his head through the window. "Oh, we're going to Central? How exciting!"

Ed gripped his right arm like it was Ling's neck. "I told you, you're not coming with us!"

Scar, Yoki, and Mei Chang were also headed to Central. They were in a horse drawn carriage they had managed to acquire, and Youswell was far behind them. Mei had fallen asleep, while Yoki was directing the horse.

Yoki looked at the sleeping girl and shook his head. He then shifted his gaze to Scar.

"Sir, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. You never did tell me what your name is. If you don't mind, I would very much like to know it."

Scar's face became reserved. "Ishvalan names are sacred. We take great pride in our names being said out loud. They are gifts from God."

"Well then, your name must be a special one indeed."

Scar closed his eyes. "I have renounced my Ishvalan name."

Yoki looked shocked.

Scar opened his eyes and glared at Yoki. "Now go, keep moving!"

Yoki shifted his gaze forward and obeyed. Scar looked up at the sky, the stars staring back at him.

I am walking down a path of no return, so I will leave behind every gift I have received from God.

Author's Note: So now the people from Xing have been introduced, and things really start getting interesting.

This was pretty similar to Brotherhood, with only a few details changed here and there. And I'm afraid that's going to be the case for the next several chapters. Things will deviate a fair amount later on, and I hope you'll stick around for that, but for the immediate future don't expect any massive alterations from the original.

When it comes to Frank Archer, I thought he was a decent antagonist in the 2003 anime, but when he became half robot, well, that was pretty stupid. Here, I've made him an alchemist who simply lost his left arm and leg, rather than all of the left half of his body. He will be important later, but he won't be a major character, and he's not going to make another appearance until around the time Kimblee gets out of jail. He's mainly going to be a plot device, though for what you'll have to wait and see.

Not really sure what else to say. One thing I found incredibly interesting was that the English voice actress for Mei Chang also voiced Dante. Quite an interesting contrast.

Edit: Made a few minor changes, corrected a few grammar errors, but otherwise kept this chapter pretty much the same.