Author's Note: YAY CHAPTER 21!! Whoa, I've already written this much?! Sorta hard to believe…

WHOO I JUST WATCHED THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIE!! I THINK IT'S TOTALLY AWESOME!! Yes, it's a little corny, but I really liked it!!!

miin hoshi- teehee I love being tricky! XD It's so much fun!

ChEbJaMr- whoohoo! Yes, Saya escapes from the hospital with a boom (literally…)

Mitarashi Riku (anon)- XD Kakashi, yup he's like that. Wow, you're as tall as me!!!!

JuniperScaymoore- XD yes, it was something! I had fun writing that up, even though I had to agonize over it a lot to get it right…

EdwardElricsFan4Ever- Not all doctors are evil! Remember, Saya's one! XD

Okay, now I have to 'fess up, I'm not actually writing about the actual escape… but I do drop hints for you to imagine what might have happened. XD Have fun! (Remember, this is SAYA we're talking about here…)

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA

Chapter Twenty One: Setting Out Again

Scar was silent for a moment. In that moment of indecision, the tattoos on his arm suddenly glowed red. He yelled, and clutched it in pain. Marco held up the imitation Philosopher's Stone, which glowed the same red. Saya fell to the wet pavement, her eyes blank.

Ed stared. "Marco-san… you idiot! Didn't you run away?! Hurry, get out of here!"

"I looked up an old document in Ishbal," Marco told Scar, ignoring Ed. "I saw the pattern on your arm written onto that document. This is not the complete thing, but it is the Philosopher's Stone. After all, that arm is-"

"Stop! Don't say it!" Scar roared.

Ed blinked. "What's going on? Marco-san isn't using the power of the Stone?"

Scar charged at Marco, but Marco threw the imitation Philosopher's Stone at him. Scar put his hand out to block it… but instead, it was absorbed painfully into his arm. He yelled as his arm glowed brighter than ever and tried to escape by whirling and running out of the alley…

To face a line of military snipers, led by Roy Mustang.

He scowled, and destroyed the ground beneath him, causing havoc and chaos in the military ranks. When the dustcloud vanished, there was only a gaping hole in the street.

"The sewers, eh?" Havoc said grimly.

"Don't go after him," Mustang ordered.

"I wasn't going to," Havoc grinned.

"Yo!" Hughes called. "Are you done?"

Mustang made a face. "If you were here, you could've at least backed us up."

"Shut up," Hughes pouted. "Don't get normal people like me involved in your parade of weirdoes."

The conversation was cut short by a gasp from Fury, who had just spotted Al… or more, half of Al.

Mustang glanced at Hawkeye. "Lieutenant, take care of the human traffic. Don't let anyone come near here."

"Yes sir."

Ed lurched over to Saya. "Bomb, hey, stand up," he ordered. "Open your eyes. You can take a few punches, can't you? C'mon, wake up."

Saya didn't obey. She was breathing, thankfully, but she wasn't waking up. Ed picked her up with his intact arm and shook her a little. "Al, are you okay?"

"STUPID NII-SAN!" Al shouted, raising a fist and punching Ed soundly on the cheek.

"W-what was that for?" Ed shouted back.

"Why didn't you leave me and Saya and run?!" Al demanded. "YOU were the one in danger!"

"You both would've been killed!"

"I can't speak for Saya, but I can say that's not a good enough reason for you to get yourself killed, stupid!"

"Don't call your older brother stupid!" Ed said, starting to get mad.

But if Ed was just starting to get mad, it was no comparison to Al. Al grabbed a fistful of his older brother's shirt. "I'll call you an idiot as many times as I need to! We need to live, live, and continue to live! And research alchemy, and return to our normal bodies! Don't you dare… don't you dare even THINK about dying alone! I won't let you! And if you had just run away, she may have not gotten so hurt!!"

Ed was stunned. "Al…"

Suddenly, Al's arm fell to the ground with a clatter. There was a silence.

Al tried to punch Ed with his other arm… not succeeding. "Look! My arm fell off, you idiot! Stupid Nii-san! Stupid stupid stupid!!"

Ed smiled tiredly, looking at Al and the girl in his arm. "We're all a mess… totally uncool."

"But we're alive," Saya rasped, her eyes opening a little. She coughed out some more blood, which stained the front of her vest. "We're alive to fill tomorrow with more good times, right?" she asked, with a small smile.

Ed suddenly felt himself relax. He smiled at her. "You're awake," he said with some amazement.

"I'm not leaving you two that easily," Saya grinned. "You need someone to make sure you don't do anything absurdly stupid."

"Shut up," Ed snapped, more out of reflex than anything. "I should just kill you myself right now."

She grinned. "I know that you're okay if you can talk back like that."

Ed couldn't think of anything to say to that.

Armstrong stared at Al. "Is that armor… I've never heard of a soul transmutation," he said in amazement.

"He must have attempted the transmutation desperately," Mustang replied. "That's why the bond between those two is so strong." He frowned. "I'm worried about all their conditions though… all three of them are in bad shape."

"Colonel," Hawkeye called. "The Fuhrer's secretary is here."

The woman that had irritated Ed so much back in Headquarters climbed out of a car. "'The Fuhrer's prefecture will take charge of Marco. We will not harm him.' That is the message from the Fuhrer."

Mustang got ready to protest. "But-"

"I understand."

Everyone turned to the Crystal Alchemist. He stood, and was starting to walk towards the car.

"Marco-san!" Ed protested.

"Edward-kun, I told you… I cannot go to your hometown," Marco said, resigned.

"But why?" Saya demanded, before coughing again. More blood. "You'd be safe!"

"The married doctors who died on the battlefield… were named Rockbell."

Ed and Al gasped. Saya didn't immediately understand the meaning of this. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Neither of them answered that.

Marco walked to the Fuhrer's secretary. "Let's go," she said, opening the car door for him.

Al looked up in astonishment. "Nii-san… I just heard Mom's voice…"

"Idiot," Ed said without meeting Al's eyes. "You're just seeing some weird dream because you almost died."

They watched as Marco was taken away. Mustang walked into the alley and knelt on one knee. "Well, you all seem to have quite an adventure," he grinned. "But it looks like your 'bomb' needs to get to a hospital."

Ed, Al, and Saya didn't say anything.

The doctor came out of Saya's room in the early hours of the morning. Ed and Al looked up from where they had been waiting the entire night.

"Is she okay?" Ed asked.

The doctor smiled. "Your friend will be okay. She has a slight concussion and some internal damage. She'll have to take it easy for a while, but she'll recover."

"Can we see her?"

The doctor smiled. "She's sleeping right now, but of course you can see her."

It was the first time either Ed or Al had seen Saya in something other than her usual black shirt. In a white hospital gown, she suddenly looked more vulnerable and fragile, though her now-visible automail arms might have had something to that effect.

Ed wheeled Al in on a wheelchair, since Al had lost a leg with that fight with Scar. "Saya-san looks different when she's sleeping, doesn't she Nii-san?" Al asked.

"Yeah… she's not bouncing of the walls," Ed said sarcastically.

"Nii-san!"

"I was kidding."

They sat in silence for a while as the sun started to climb higher through the windows into the sky. After a while, Al spoke. "Hey, Nii-san, what will happen to Marco-san now?"

"The Fuhrer said he'd take care of him. What can we do?" He opened a ball of waded paper in his hand. In narrow handwriting, it read 'National Central Library, 1st branch.'

"Central Library?"

Ed sighed. "Marco-san intentionally hid all the data near the military."

"But what about this, down here?" Al asked, pointing. 'The genuine truth behind truths.'

"I don't know. Anyway, keep this a secret from the Colonel and the others. I don't know… if we can trust them."

"Well that's understandable," said Saya, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

Both brothers perked up a bit. "Saya-san, you're awake! Do you feel okay?" Al asked.

Saya nodded. "I'm fine. More importantly, what about you two?"

"We're fine," Al said.

Saya's grin widened in relief. "That's good to hear." She met Ed's eyes squarely. "I understand why you think you can't trust Mustang-san… but you've got to remember, I owe him a big one. I'll keep your secrets, but if you're going to do anything to hurt his position or anything like that…" She smiled sadly.

Ed nodded. "I understand."

Saya blinked. Ed sounded different… more sad, somehow.

The door opened, and Armstrong charged in, closely followed by Mustang's group and Hughes. They all called out greetings.

"I have heard that you must leave immediately," Mustang said.

The Fuhrer nodded. "Now that we've found out that Scar is in the East, everyone's getting worried about how things are in Central. I'm sorry for the trouble, but I'm going back."

Mustang stood a little straighter. "Before that, please state the punishment."

The Fuhrer looked up. "Punishment?"

"I knew the whereabouts of the Crystal Alchemist, Dr. Marco, but I left him alone."

There was a short silence, then the Fuhrer smiled. "Good work."

Mustang blinked.

"I was thinking of protecting him. My direct subordinate, Gran, was against it, but he used Marco's research in the battlefield and as a result, caused Marco great suffering. I know it's a bit late, but I wish to compensate him for that."

"Yes," Mustang nodded. "But the research-"

The Fuhrer put a hand on Mustang's shoulder, cutting him off. "That is all. I'm counting on you."

Mustang saluted. "I wish you a safe journey," he said politely, before leaving the room.

Hawkeye met him outside, a concerned look on her face. He smiled. "I'm okay, as you can see."

She looked relieved for a fraction of a second, before her face hardened and she walked up to him. "Maybe you will straighten up more if you get punished once."

Mustang ignored that. He narrowed his eyes and looked back in the direction of the Fuhrer's office. "He shows no weakness at all…"

Suddenly, a loud "NO!!" from the building across the street burst through the open window. Both of them looked towards the hospital with some foreboding. Mustang sweatdropped. "I'll bet that came from Saya's room…"

Armstrong ripped off his shirt. "Creation exists after destruction! Alphonse Elric, I will now beautifully repair you!"

Al yelled. "NO!! I mean, no thank you…"

Saya blinked. "It's the State Alchemist…"

Armstrong held out a hand, his little pink stars floating everywhere. "Hanabi Saya, I am honored to meet you. My name is Major Alex Louis Armstrong."

Saya hesitated before taking the hand. "Nice to meet you…" she said uncertainly. I wish he would put his jacket back on…

"NOW!" Armstrong roared, flexing all his muscles. "I WILL NOW REPAIR YOU WITH THE BEAUTY OF THESE MUSCLES, ALPHONSE ELRIC!"

Al looked positively terrified by this display. "NO! I mean, no thanks…"

Everyone sweatdropped. Saya glanced at Ed. His forehead was slightly furrowed, like he was thinking hard about something…

"The method to affix a soul to armor…" Everyone turned to the newcomer: Mustang. "Only one person knows it, and that's Fullmetal over there."

Ed looked away. "Yeah. And to do that, I need to do something about this arm first."

Hawkeye raised her eyebrows. "That's right, if Edward-kun can't use alchemy…"

"He's just a foul-mouthed brat," Havoc grinned.

Saya winced, anticipating the explosion… but it didn't come. Ed just sat there, his eyes downcast. Saya blinked, then sighed.

"Anyway, I'm going to see my mechanic," he said. "Are you going to come?"

Saya grinned. "Of course! I'm probably due for some updates myself. It has been three years after all."

"You know her, right Colonel?"

Mustang waved his hand. "Yeah. I saw a useless alchemist cry out in pain there. 'Ouch, ouch! I'm going to wet my pants!' Something like that."

Ed still didn't respond to the goading. Saya looked at him strangely. It wasn't like Ed to be teased so much and still not respond.

"What are you going to do after you fix it?" Hughes asked.

"I want to look something up at Central Library," Ed said.

Hughes whistled. "That'll be a long trip. If that's the case… I have to accompany the Fuhrer and his party."

BOM went the chest muscles.

"I cannot leave East Headquarters," Mustang said.

"I have to keep an eye on him," Hawkeye said.

BOM went the arm muscles.

"I don't think I can protect those three from that dangerous guy," said Havoc.

"Same for us!" yelled Breda, Fury, and Falman.

"Then it is decided…" Armstrong said, his little pink stars everywhere. "During your journey, I will escort you all!"

"I don't need an escort!" Ed yelled.

"What will you do if Scar attacks you while you're like that?" Hawkeye asked.

"I should be able to take care of him," Saya argued. "I still have all my arms and legs. This time I'll beat the crap out of that guy!"

Havoc raised his eyebrows. "You're still in pretty bad condition though. If you do any fighting, all the internal damage that Scar gave you is going to just rebound. And can you carry Al and defend Ed at the same time?"

Ed scowled. Saya blinked, then looked sheepish.

"Children should listen to adults," Armstrong said, sticking his face into Ed's.

"'Children'?!" Ed yelled. "Al, say something!"

Al was in no position to do that though… "Nii-san, someone's treated me like a child for the first time since I got this body!"

Ed and Saya sweatdropped. "Al…"

"Now then, Edward Elric," said Armstrong. "Let's begin packing."

"Is the hospital going to let you go though?" Fury asked, directing this question at Saya. "I mean, we're not stupid enough to try to stop you… but the hospital staff don't know you like we do."

Saya hopped out of bed, her automail feet clacking sharply against the wood floor. "Well if they don't, they'll have no choice," she said, glancing at her clothes, which had been washed and folded up next to her bed. Grabbing them, she walked into the bathroom to change.

Ed had an alarmed look on his face. "Hey Al, we'd better get out of here," he said. "If we don't, we might get caught up in whatever she plans to do."

Al suddenly started sweating. "O-okay…"

Ed knocked on the bathroom door. "Bomb? We're going to head out first."

"Okay," said Saya's voice. "I'll be out of here soon, so wait for me at the station."

"Got it," Ed agreed. He got Al out of there as fast as possible. Everyone else followed the same example, falling over each other in their attempt to escape.

In the train station, their train was preparing to pull out. Al sat, staring at a sheep. "Baa…" He started crying. "Someone's treated me like a package for the first time since I've gotten this body…."

Ed sat in the train compartment, squished between the window and Armstrong. Saya sat on the opposite seat, facing them.

"Jeez," Ed muttered. He glared at Saya, whose mouth was twitching. "Don't you DARE laugh."

Saya's mouth twisted, and she was barely able to contain herself.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Did your escape from the hospital have to do anything with all those fire truck sirens we heard earlier, by any chance?"

Saya grinned evilly. "Maybe."

Fortunately, she was saved from Ed's wrath by a knock on the window. Hughes poked his head in with a grin. "Yo."

"C'mon, newspaper! I have tea as well!" a newspaper boy bugged Hughes.

"Shoo," he told the boy, before turning back to Ed and Saya.

"Major, that was mean!" Saya chided.

"LIEUTENANT COLONEL!"

"Right… sorry," she grinned. "Here," she said, flipping the boy a coin, who caught it.

"Newspaper or tea?"

Saya smiled. "Neither. Just keep it," she said.

"Hey you two, I've got a message from Roy," Hughes grinned.

"The Colonel?" Ed asked. Saya sweatdropped.

"'Taking care of the details and paperwork is troublesome, so try not to die within my jurisdiction.' That's all," Hughes grinned.

"Okay. Here's the return message," Ed grumbled. "'I will NEVER die before you do, damn Colonel.' Tell him that."

Saya snorted. Hughes chuckled. Ed continued to grumble. "While you're at it, take this escort with you."

"Hey now…" Hughes chided. Then he caught the look on Ed's face and sighed. "I don't know what Marco told you, but let me tell you one thing. Three years ago, the corpse of a girl who was transmuted into a chimera was found."

Saya didn't understand this, but Ed gave a small gasp. "Nina?"

Hughes nodded. "It was determined that the cause of her death was the same as Scar's method of alchemy."

Ed slowly grinned. "Thanks. Now I can fight him."

Saya blinked. So that's what had been bothering him, he had understood Scar's rage, so he couldn't make himself fight… until now, anyways. She frowned, wondering who Nina was.

Hughes grinned and saluted. "Let's meet again in Central. I'll submit a request to enter the First Branch Library for you."

Ed, Saya, and Armstrong all saluted in return. "Excuse me for using my left hand," Ed grinned.

The newspaper boy ran off as the train pulled out. He had heard it all. Running behind a stack of flour, he yelled, "Central! Central City's First Branch… something…" He was almost crying.

Scar leaned against the flour sacks. "Central City's First Branch Library?"

The boy tearfully nodded. "Give her back now!" he screamed.

Scar grabbed the back of a little girl's dress and let her go.

"Nii-san!" she screamed, running into the boy's arms. The two children hugged.

"I'm sorry…" Scar said, before punching the flour sacks and creating a white cloud. When the two children's eyes cleared, he had disappeared.

Next: Ed and Al lost everything that day four years ago… everything, except the promise to get everything back. That was all they had left… or so they thought. Saya's will is tested.