By degree of the Fuhrer King,

Certificate of Bravery.

We hear-by award one Roy Mustang and one Edward Elric Amestris's Silver Lion medallion on behalf of their work in the North and for ridding the State of the Black demons which took the lives of many of the finest soldiers in existence.

Though no longer working for the State Military, they have a choice to return to the military with higher ranks then they both held, or they can choose to leave with honour. The choice is entirely up to them, and will not be influenced by others within or without the Service.

How ever, Edward Elric will still be seen as a danger to many, and so will have to be watched constantly by a member of the State. We cannot forget the crimes he has committed, but we can remember the feats he has preformed.

Honour,

Pride,

Tradition.

His Excellency,

Fuhrer king Bradley.

"Edward! 'Cant catch me!"

"Wanna bet?"

"Catch me too!"

"Hey, this isn't fair!"

Alphonse and Winry laughed simultaneously, and began to race away from the sulking Edward. How was he supposed to catch them both?

"Don't sulk, Edward." Izumi sighed from the sidelines, making him sit up straight.

"Yes, miss." He shuffled away and decided to watch his brother and Winry play around in the long grass, being watched over by the ever alert Izumi. She had returned.

Returned.

But from where, no-one knew. It was completely random when she had appeared in Rizembool one morning. Of course, everyone was overjoyed. But when she was asked where she had been all that time, she replied:

"What? I haven't been anywhere."

It seemed like she didn't remember anything that had happened since the whole Garser incident at the beginning. And even better:

The Gate had returned her organs.

A miracle.

There was no more blood spitting, coughing, or being bed ridden. It was like nothing was even taken in the first place. To her, the last few weeks had been nothing more than an eventful time span in Dublith, with the sudden reappearance of her organs, to which she was grateful.

No-one told her what had really happened.

Edward was suddenly roused from his thoughts as two people exited the house, linking arms and laughing happily. They noticed Edward watching and beckoned him over.

"Mom, Dad?" He questioned, noticing their unusually happy mood. Something very good had happened apparently.

The Drachman's had retreated as soon as Alchemy had been restored, leaving Amestris victorious. Where the Alchemy had gone in the first place was a mystery to everyone else but Edward, Roy, and Alphonse, who of course, knew the truth.

Pumpkin was settling in fast, but she did not like Den. Every time she saw him, she went on a psycho spree and began to try and scratch his eyes out. She did, however, love Black Hayate, who enjoyed sharing company with the cat.

And as for Envy, no-one knew. He hadn't been sighted for a while, and for that they where thankful. It was not like they wanted to see him.

So all in all, they had a lot to be happy about.

"Edward, we finally bought the house! We won't have to rent anymore!" Roy laughed, pulling him into a hug.

"We can be like one, big, happy family." Riza smiled.

"But Mom," Edward turned to Riza as soon as his father let go. "How could we afford it? It was hard just renting it."

"Well… Your father…"

"You rejoined the Military, didn't you, Dad." Edward sighed, folding his arms across his chest.

"Im a General now! I get so much money, I can even afford to keep you now!" Roy laughed, making Edward pout.

"Well then, Im joining too."

"What?!" Roy and Riza cried simultaneously. "But Alphonse is normal now!"

"I know, I know. But If I join, I can use my alchemy for something. Besides," He looked around. "I don't like to stay in one place."

Roy and Riza glanced cautiously at each other, internally discussing it.

"You know, Im going to be 17 soon. Almost an adult, in fact."

"But, you still act like a child." Roy stated, making Riza roll her eyes. She knew arguments between the two lasted for ever.

"If you want to join, then join." Riza nodded, earning a running hug from Edward.

"But, Honey-bun-" Roy stopped as she reached to her side, as if to grab her gun. He knew better than to argue with that.

"If you go brother, I go too!" Alphonse joined the hug, crushing Edward. His speaking had improved, though some times he forgot words for seemingly no reason.

"And when you break your auto-mail (which Im sure you will do) I will be there to fix it for you." Winry also joined the hug, smiling like a Cheshire cat. She finally had the old Edward back.

They all broke apart after an eternity, and turned to the setting sun which was orange and red against the darkening sky. This was going to be another interesting year in Amestris.

The adoptive forms had been signed, and Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye were now parents of the Elric brothers. They had to bend the rules a bit, because it stated that in order for the two to adopt them, they had to be married. But luckily, Riza was known as the best sniper in the whole of Amestris, and Roy was the Hero of the north, and this gave them special privileges.

Edward and Alphonse wanted to keep their name's, since 'the Mustang brothers' didn't sound as good as 'the Elric brothers'. They were both happy to be in family.

And as for the whole Riza/Roy situation… they were happy together. Forget the fraternization law.

"So, General, what's the next move we make?" Edward queried, enjoying the last of the light.

"I figure we should go back to Central and gear up for an assignment… and paperwork…" Roy trailed off with a loud sigh.

"Don't worry, dear. I'll make sure you do it." Riza patted his head softly, earning a glare from her companion.

"I'll go back to Dublith." Izumi said bluntly, looking forward to seeing her husband again.

"So, were settled then?" Edward smiled, tucking his hands into his pocket.

"I guess so. Lets see if we can stop the Full-metal alchemist from getting into trouble." Roy joked, making everyone laugh.

"You can try." Edward pouted, trying to suppress a laugh himself. "Trouble finds me."

And they all stood together, and watched the sun sink into the backdrop. It was a beautiful moment, one they wanted to last forever. And hopefully, there lives would be better after this: No more Homunculi, no Philosophers stone, no crazed Alchemists.

No death.

No destruction.

Just quiet.

And hopefully, peace.

Life.

You can mess with it, destroy it, play with it, make it or embrace it.

Unless you were made to do those things, you shouldn't mess with it. Its something everything has; the greatest gift of all, and to take it is to rob someone of meaning and existence.

Which is ok, if you belong to the Gate.

"Oh goody, here comes another one."

The voice was low and gruff, and had a throaty edge to it. Pitch black on a yellow canvas, the Gate loomed over it as it stood in a slouchy manner, trying not to get distracted.

"Name." It said to the man in front of it, who was cowering before it.

"Please don't hurt me! I beg of you!" The man pled, getting on his hands and knees.

"Stupid mortal, you are already dead. Begging will not get you anywhere."

The man shivered unpleasantly at the voice and jolted backwards as the thing turned its head to him. It was ugly; a giant canine looking creature with no eyes, six legs and antlers. Its fur was blood soaked, and the bored expression it held told the man it had done this before.

"Fine. Be gone." It said, the Gate behind opened, and black tendrils engulfed the man in a flurry of movement, leaving the beast there alone once again.

"How boring… I can't believe Im stuck here…" It sighed, clicking its claws against the floor. "How many people are dying today, for god's sake…"

This time, a woman appeared, but she didn't cower like the others before her, even when she saw the creature. This fascinated it.

It heaved itself up, walked up to her and sniffed her over, causing her to take an involuntary step backwards.

"I've seen you before…" It pondered, opening its many eyes to see her better. "What is your name?"

"Izumi." She stated, glaring at it. "Why am I here?"

The beast ignored the question and mulled over the name in its mind. She was linked to someone… blonde hair… gold eyes... but who was it?

"E….E…" It couldn't remember. "Do you know someone? Gold eyes?"

Izumi blinked and wondered where this was going.

"Edward...?"

The beasts mind clicked. Yes, It was Edward who had gold eyes. But, what was this person to him?

"Go. And take what the Gate took from you." The beast waved her away with its paw, causing her to look up in confusion.

"Go back to the mortal world, and remember nothing."

And then she disappeared, leaving him alone again. That was odd, it thought, where did she come from in the first place?

It didn't really matter though, for she was a mere human, and he was a beast of divine creation. But, it still couldn't get that name out of his head.

Edward…

So familiar, yet so unfamiliar. It ignored the nagging feeling in its mind and closed its eyes, resting its head on its paws. Maybe one day, he would meet this 'Edward', and sort things out.

"Do you here that, Gate?" It said aloud, listening as the Gate creaked behind him.

"One day, I will know why I am here, and what my purpose is. And one day, I will find 'Edward'."

The Gate creaked in acknowledgement, making the wolf smile evilly. It let out a low laugh and let its claws scrape the floor, emitting a metallic sound.

"Edward… I will meet him."

The laugh grew wickeder.

"And he will give me answers."

And the beast sat with a smirk on its face, content with its new knowledge.

This wasn't the end.

It was only the beginning.

It's finished… -Cries-

All reviews will be answered in my super-special Authors note next chapter!

Reviews will be used as tissues for WhiteWolfKitsune… -Is still crying-

Ps: WhiteWolfKitsune has a deviant art:

http/whitewolfkitsune. Deviantart. com/

She has drawn a picture of Zeit death howling, which she will upload soon! If you want to talk to me or ask me something, you can catch me on there and we can have a leisurely chat! XD (Dont be shy, I can talk forever)