Hello everyone.

It's been a while hasn't it? I could give you a list of excuses and how much my life has been turned around but that's boring so let's get on the story. ;p

On with the show!

Disclaimer: Atemu'sLotus was walking along the road when she saw a street vendor. She walked up to see his wares when she saw the rights to FMA. Immediately she checked to see if she had enough money to buy them but… She forgot her wallet at home!! Darn you memory!! I don't own FMA.

Sciezska stirred a little as her aching body finally let her regain some conscious. She had noticed that she was moved earlier. She could've sworn that her life was threatened if Ed didn't do something but that had to be a bad dream. Ed wasn't in the vicinity as far as she could see. The only one there was Lamya and she looked to be in deep thought. Sciezska trained her eyes to look closer at her caretaker. It was then that she noticed the tracks of tears slowly running down the Ishbalan's face, along with soft sobs racking her frame.

"Lamya?" Sciezska whispered in a hoarse voice. It crackled a little bit due to its inconsistent use as of late. She turned her head more to look at her friend but she found that that hurt too much so she just nestled further into Lamya's lap, getting a more comfortable view of her friend without hurting her neck too much. Her movement and noise seemed to surprise the young woman.

Lamya looked down at Sciezska with wide hopeful eyes. "S-Sciezska? You're awake. How are you feeling?" Lamya asked while wiping away her tears and sniffling. This was the first time that the woman had actually gained enough conscious to speak to her. It had to mean that she was getting better even though Lamya had no idea why. Maybe it was because she was a Philosopher's stone? Her eyes widened and she wanted to smack her head. She could heal Sciezska with the Philosopher's stone from within her!

She placed both her hands on either side of Sciezska's head and then stopped. How was she supposed to use the stone anyways? She had only heard fairytales about its existence and some information from the Elric brothers' life story but that was it. No one had actually told her how to use the darned thing. A frustrated sigh escaped Lamya's lips as she thought about the situation. She had to admit that this was a nice distraction from the current circumstances. With another sigh she decided that maybe if she imagined the transmutation circles from her self-healing bandages and then mentally applied it to Sciezska, it could work.

Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath before this rush of energy flowed through her. It was like fresh cool water coursing through her body, it was strange and calming at the same time. The area around Sciezska glowed as Lamya focused all of her energy on the injured girl. After she was done, Lamya slowly opened her eyes to look down at her companion. "Feel better?" she asked with a small smile.

'Whatever she just did was extremely soothing,' Sciezska thought as her lungs felt clear and her body more light. When the Ishbalan had grabbed her head she panicked a little bit wondering if she was still dreaming, but then this rush of cool air swept her body. Everywhere she hurt changed from a sharp pain to a soft throb. It felt as if her body was anew. It wasn't perfectly healed but it felt better than it did before. She actually had the strength to sit up and turn to her savior.

"What did you just do?" she asked as she inspected her own body.

"I used the Philosopher's stone that's inside me to help you heal. I see it worked after the first try. Interesting… How are you feeling now?" Lamya asked as she too looked at her body in wonder. It seemed that the transmutation worked both ways as her leg was all healed from the previous gunshot wound.

"Wait. Philosopher's stone? In your body? How… What?" Sciezska said as she gaped at her friend. This was news to her. When did this development happen? Was it when she was captured and unconscious? "What's going on?"

Lamya sighed before smiling sadly at Sciezska. "I can only tell you what I know so far, but I'm still trying to figure out this situation myself," she answered as she went into a long explanation of the current events. Sciezska listened and tried to wrap her brain around what was happening. She found out why her friend was crying. If Sciezska had been in Lamya's position she wondered if she too could volunteer herself for execution.

"Can't you use the Philosopher's Stone to get us out of here?" Sciezska asked. It seemed like the obvious solution but Lamya shook her head.

"The only type of alchemy that I know how to use is healing. The last time I tried to use regular alchemy a train exploded…" Lamya mumbled the last part. "I have no idea what would happen if I used the power of the Philosopher's stone in an alchemic reaction that I have no control over. It could kill everyone here, without the intent to." She hadn't really thought of that solution but as she said, she couldn't possibly try it without harming more people then necessary.

"So what do we do?" Sciezska asked as she scooted up to sit next to Lamya. She brought her knees up to her chest, not caring that she was wearing the short skirt that the military required. No one was there to see and she was distressed. If Havoc had been there he would have probably figured out how to get out or at least help calm down Lamya unlike Sciezska. She curled in on herself more when she thought of her love. Was he worried about her? He wouldn't smoke twenty packs of cigs out of worry would he? He always seemed to smoke a ridiculous amount of cigs when his nerves were fried. She glanced at her friend, waiting for her answer while thinking of Havoc wistfully.

Lamya didn't answer though. She just stared at the floor blankly, desperately trying to figure out another way to escape, but came up with nothing. Tears welled up in her eyes at that hopeless thought. She knew it was selfish to act like this now when she had already told Edward to obey the bad guys, but she needed to release this increasing pressure on her chest. So instead of answering Sciezska she began to cry. It was all she could think of doing.

Edward glared at the floor while contemplating his situation. Lamya had told him to go ahead and sacrifice her in order for him and Sciezska to live but he knew better. The bad the guys in this situation were just using his and Sciezska's lives as an excuse to push him to do what they wanted. They were all going to die, this he knew but there was always that voice in the back of his head. There was a way out of this, there had to be.

They had given him a book that no one understood and at first he thought that it was nonsense as well, until he really examined a page. It was in code. Just like how Dr. Marcoh had hidden his formula for the Philosopher's stone, this alchemist had hidden his or her formula for time travel. It seemed impossible to Ed but after combing through the whole book for what seemed like days, even weeks, he realized that it was indeed possible. Of course he believed in the concept—otherwise how did he and Alphonse get back home?—but the actual formula was hard to believe.

In order for this to work, there had to be a Philosopher's stone involved, hence Lamya's position in the plan. They had somehow created a Philosopher's stone with the Ishbalans at their disposal. Ed looked at the corner filled with dead corpses before turning back to the book in his hand with disgust and sorrow. After creating the Philosopher's stone, they implanted it in Lamya's arm, giving it a vessel to thrive in. Ed growled at the thought. They were just using her like an incubator until they needed the Philosopher's stone.

Now it was up to him to create the alchemic circle that killed her and transported everyone else back to their homes in the adjacent universe. The best part of this was that only one of them could return home. That meant that, if Ed's calculations were correct, only the leader of the group would survive the trip back home. Their leader knew this but Ed could bet anything that his lackeys didn't. The bastard was planning on using all of his minions as sacrifices so he could return home. At one point Ed had tried to hint this to the guards, but they had just threatened to kill Sciezska if he spoke any further. Apparently their boss had his bases covered because the guards told him that he had warned them that Ed would try to persuade them this way. So Ed just let them lead themselves to their horrid fates.

He shifted in his position as his glare remained on the ground. And now he back here, thinking about this predicament that they were all in. He had no idea if Alphonse was alive or not but the long days made his hope dwindle. His brother couldn't be this slow in getting help from Roy could he? Ed shook his head. These types of thoughts wouldn't do him well at all. Right now he had to figure out how to save his little group from the grips of the maniac that ran this hideout.

After looking at the formula one more time, Ed sighed. He couldn't figure out how to trick the man into his trap. He scanned the formula again and then a revelation hit him. It was a classic trap but would it work? It was so simple that it might. A smirk crept onto his features as he bent down and went to work on creating the transmutation circle.

"Have there been anymore problems?" the leader asked as he sipped some whiskey. It had been a day at least since the Elric man had started his transmutation circle. In the first few hours the Elric man had tried to mess up the plan by attempting to kill himself but the guards had luckily stopped him. After that there were no instances, it seemed that the guards had broken him so there was no trouble, but the leader was still concerned. It was close to the time that the transmutation circle would be activated and he had no idea what state the Elric man would be in.

The guard indicated that there were no problems and the leader smiled, "Good time to return home," he said as he stood, swigging the last of the alcohol down his throat. He sauntered into the dark room that held his most precious subjects. The pile of Ishbalan bodies was still in the corner, taking up a rancid smell, but that didn't bother him. Soon he would be home and to his fuehrer. Everyone was brimming with excitement, thinking that they too would go home to their loved ones or jobs. He wanted to laugh at their foolishness but kept it inside.

"Where do we stand?" the guard asked the broken form near the edge of the circle. As the leader came closer he realized with some amusement that it was the Elric man. Those dead eyes were most becoming on him. The broken Elric man instructed everyone with a raspy voice to step on any circle, sharing was permitted if there wasn't a lot of room. However, the leader knew that he had to be in a special circle so he stepped forward to inquire. The broken man instructed him to the center of the transmutation circle. There were two large circles in the center, one for him and the other presumably for the Philosopher's stone.

'Speaking of the Philosopher's stone…' he thought as he saw the girl being dragged out of the shadows. She looked drained and why shouldn't she be? She had signed her own death certificate by letting—no, ordering—the Elric man to create the transmutation circle. It made the leader chuckle as she was dragged to her circle. Her dead eyes sparkled as she looked at the Elric man. What happened next amazed even him. She smiled at the Elric man, smiled! Under such conditions she smiled at him. The leader looked at the Elric man to see his reaction but wasted his energy. Mr. Elric showed no emotion towards her.

"Enough. Start it now," he said in a commanding voice. The Philosopher's stone didn't need any comforting from the broken Elric. "Start the transmutation Mr. Elric. Home awaits," he ordered the broken man. Everyone around him cheered in satisfaction not knowing what was to come. Only he had something to cheer about. His plan had gone quite smoothly, except for the attempted suicide, everything was on schedule. He could hear footsteps from above and quickly ordered the man to start. The transmutation circle glowed a beautiful blue that warmed everyone.

The glow grew more intense as the power seeped through them all. Suddenly, the door burst open and shouts could be heard but the intruders couldn't do anything to stop the transmutation, it was too dangerous. That was when the blue began to have black specks enter its glow. A man screamed out in pain as a streak of black pierced through him. The group in the circle was shocked and appalled. All except the leader. He smiled as the process continued, people screaming from the sheer agony and his cackling filled the air. They all felt betrayed but what did he care, he was getting what he wanted. Through the light he could see the other Elric brother kneeling beside the elder, pleading with him to stop, to do anything to save the Philosopher's stone beside him.

With another flash of light a black streak pierced the leader's chest. His eyes widened as he looked over at the Philosopher's stone. Her screams filled the air as her eyes burned pure red and a white streak of light pierced her heart, making her screams louder if that was at all possible. The last thing he saw was the evil look in the elder Elric brother's eyes as the leader's mouth opened to scream his last scream.

Edward watched as the bastards paraded into the room. He knew their pain, the want to go home at all cost but Ed would have never done this. He wouldn't have blatantly killed so many innocent people just to go home. No, he stayed where he was and took it like a man. With some self disgust he couldn't wait to start the ceremony just to get rid of some evil from the world. As the leader entered, his blood boiled but he refused to show it. If he had shown anything in his eyes then his whole plan would have been ruined. Lamya would be lost, or at least the chance to save her would be lost.

Hours beforehand, he attempted suicide just to ward off any suspicion. Edward was going to finally believe in any god if his plan worked, any god. It was such a simple plan and yet complicated in its own way. When La-la entered the room his heart clenched. She looked like hell, not that she was supposed to look like fresh flowers under the circumstances, but still. There were tear trails down her face, somewhat smudged as if she tried to hide them before she saw him. It was then that he started to pray to any deity that would listen to him. This plan had to work, he had to save La-la and Sciezska. He had to.

When she walked to her place, her face strained as if in pain, and looked up to lock eyes with him, he was startled when she smiled, complete trust in her eyes. She had accepted her fate. Ed wanted to scream out that she was wrong, that everything would be all right, but his face remained apathetic. This had to work out or his sanity would leave him. Losing Lamya again, losing a little sister again would destroy him. He dragged himself over to the edge of the circle and knelt down. At the leader's command he clapped his hands and began the transmutation.

Someone burst into the room as the first person was struck by the powerful black light. Ed recognized the voices behind him but he refused to break his concentration. He had to save Lamya, he had to. A form appeared next to him, begging him to stop but Ed ignored his brother and continued. The screams got louder and louder as Ed's heart rate increased with every second. Doubt filled his mind, wondering if he had done anything wrong, if he had messed up the plan somehow.

He was answered when a black streak of light stabbed the leader's chest and a white one stabbed Lamya. It had worked! Ed could feel his sinister glare as he stared down the leader bastard, screaming for his life. Another sound entered the air and then Ed figured out that it was himself, he was laughing, taunting the dying leader. Ed's resolve broke as he felt arms grab his shoulders, which shook from his hysterical laughter. His laughter died down though when he saw Lamya's form drop to the ground. The transmutation ended and everything was silent for only a few seconds. Then all hell broke lose and Ed fell to the ground unconscious.

So? What do you think? The plot thickens no? I wonder if Lamya survives and if the leader finally goes back to his country…

I would write a Bonus but I have a feeling that my beta-readers have a lot of pent up comments waiting to leak out so I'll just let them do the talking. ;p

BONUS!

Sadly dantecell will not be joining us in the Bonus festivities because his computer rejected this document… (What does that say about this chapter? O.O)

So let's go MangoSorbet!

I could give you a list of excuses and how much my life has been turned around but that's boring so let's get on the story. ;p NO EXCUSES!!!

Atemu'sLotus was walking along the road when she saw a street vendor. She walked up to see his wares when she saw the rights to FMA. Immediately she checked to see if she had enough money to buy them but… She forgot her wallet at home!! Darn you memory!! I don't own FMA. That's when you procede to attack him . (HA! YOU SPELLED PROCEED WRONG!! AHAHAHAHA!!)

It was like fresh cool water coursing through her body, it was strange and claming at the same time. Claming? Yes, I love clams. I love clams very much.

This was news to her. When did this development happen? Was it when she was captured and unconscious? "What's going on?" Get with the times Sciezska!! You're falling behind! Of course, I would be too since your creator hasn't worked on this since like a millenium ago!! ( SPELLED MILLENNIUM WRONG!! AHA! I'm enjoying correcting my editor a little too much…. .)

If Sciezska had been in Lamya's position she wondered if she too could volunteer herself for execution. Hells no.

She brought her knees up to her chest, not caring that she was wearing the short skirt that the military required. Pedos!! (I think you mean Pervs.)

Ed growled at the thought. RAWWWRRR!!!!!

Everyone around him cheered in satisfaction not knowing what was to come. Idiots.

He smiled as the process continued, people screaming from the sheer agony and his cackling filled the air. JEJEJEJEJEJEJE!!!!!

She looked like hell, not that she was supposed to look like fresh flowers under the circumstances, but still. One must always look like fresh flowers when they're about to die because of a maniac. "YOU!" *points to anonymous reader* "WHY DO YOU NOT LOOK FLOWERY!?!?"

This had to work out or his sanity would leave him. Im surprised it's still there ( I want to point out another grammatical error but I won't….)

Ed's resolve broke as he felt arms grab his shoulders, which shook from his hysterical laughter. KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE!!!!

The plot thickens no? The plot is thick like cheese!!!! I must now get some cheese...

I would write a Bonus but I have a feeling that my beta-readers have a lot of pent up comments waiting to leak out so I'll just let them do the talking. ;p Indeed.

Wow. MangoSorbet made a very nice Bonus. :'D

Thanks for reading!

See ya soon!