Ed: Why the hell am i introducing this chapter?

Al: Amy said Tigger would be running late and to start without them.

Ed: Well what am I supposed to say?

Al: I think we're supposed to thank the people who reviewed and favored first.

Ed: I think Tigger likes to use the word favoritied.

Al: The word that isn't a word.

Ed: Yeah that word. So I just tell a bunch of reviewers thanks.

Al: We'll your supposed to list their usernames.

Ed: And stay here longer no thanks.

Al: But brother it wouldn't be fair to the reviewers.

Ed: Fine. I'll thank them.

Al: You should say something nice to them to. Tigger is usually too busy...uhmm preocuppied to do it.

Ed: You mean she is too busy beating me up.

Al: (sweatdrop) Yeah

Ed: Stupid Tigger. Anyway 13Lulu's thanks for the nice short response it gives me less to write. Shadowess 88 Armstrong is scary get over it. Arden Anam guns are a part of life and are no problem if you can duck. anime.storm this is your update. Twilightstorm1993, Tigger is only funny if you are not stuck in her imagination. lilypop8, what is wrong with you people?! Tigger is an evil &!

Al: Brother I think you just got edited.

Ed: Stupid #& editing.

Al: Brother.

Ed: Alright I'll keep going. vampgirl16, life is embarassing be like Tigger and be insane so you aren't affected. Stteph., I'm just glad she didn't spend the entire omake torturing me. The RoseBlade Ninja Alchemist what the hell is a ninja alchemist? Lonelyfairy didn't leave a message. Good now I'm all done. If I forgot anyone too bad.

Al: Brother stop being so rude to Tigger's reviewers.

Ed: Tigger's not here so there is no problem.

(A phone rings)

Ed: When did that phone get here?

(Al shrugs and Ed picks it up)

Ed: Hello?

Tigger: EDWARD STOP DISSING MY REVIEWERS OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE ON YOU!

(Tigger hangs up)

Ed: I'm doomed.

"Frick," Amy cursed, "Now I remember! He has a freaking gun!"

Dr. Marcoh stood in the doorway with his gun facing the group. Amy didn't move as she watched the old man's fingers on the trigger. Her heart was beating frantically and more then anything she wanted to run away screaming, but fear kept her glued to the spot.

"What did you come here for?!" the doctor demanded.

He looked scared and worried but his fingers didn't leave the gun.

"Please calm down doctor," Armstrong tried to settle the old man.

"Did you come to take me back?!" the old man sounded more frantic, "I don't want to go back! Please just let me be!"

Amy felt a bit sorry for the elderly man. He looked so scared. All he wanted to do was in live and peace and here she was helping scare him into a heart attack. Although she felt pity towards the man Amy didn't move. She liked her life very much and she had seen enough cop shows in which they had pushed someone too hard and people snapped.

"That's not true please listen to what I have to say," Armstrong tried being the voice of reason.

"Then you came to silence me by killing me!" Dr. Marcoh accused.

Ed and Al watched the two with some nervous sweat running down their heads.

"First put that gun down," Armstrong instructed calmly.

"I won't be fooled!" Dr. Marcoh bellowed tightening the grip on his gun.

Armstrong seemed to have reached breaking point.

"I SAID TO CALM DOWN!" he yelled angrily while tossing Al's box into the air.

The box hit Dr. Marcoh and nailed him to the ground.

Ed and Amy watched in silent horror as the Dr. moved his limbs around frantically under the box.

"DON'T USE MY BROTHER AS A WEAPON!" Ed screamed at the giant.

"He calmed down," Armstrong pointed out.

"YOU SQUASHED HIM UNDER A BOX!" Ed protested, "AND WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO US IF YOU KILL HIM!"

"I just needed him to drop the gun," Armstrong said as if it was a normal thing, "Let's go inside and we can talk things out."

Ed looked like he was going to protest again, but noticed that the screams and gunshot might have attracted attention. Instead he sighed and slipped past the doctor inside. Armstrong leaned down and picked up the gun.

"Here Ms. Kishi, you hold this," he told her and dropped the loaded gun into Amy's frozen hands.

Amy hadn't moved an inch since the gun had came out and she immediately stiffened when the metal object was dropped into her hands. It was heavier then she thought it would be and was slightly warm from the last shot. Stiffly Amy used her right hand to push the gun onto the palm of her left hand then she gripped the handle of the gun with her right hand. Moving slowly, as if the gun was a rabid animal that could strike her at any second, Amy let her left hand dropped. Then, almost mechanically, she moved her right arm so she was holding the gun as far away from her as possible and so it was facing the ground.

She tried not to think about how the only gun she had ever held before was a Beebe gun or how she doubted guns had safeties in the early 1900's. Her mind tried to push away the fact that guns, even if they were old fashioned, were very dangerous and Amy could take the life of an innocent by just pulling a trigger. Amy also tried to not let the fact that only experienced people should handle a gun and that inexperienced people were likely to shoot themselves. In fact Amy's brain seemed to only be focusing on one thing putting the gun down before she exploded from fear.

Armstrong had already gone inside with Al and Dr. Marcoh. Amy went through the open door always keeping one eye on the gun in her hand.

The inside of the house was slightly dark, as if someone didn't bother to turn on the lights. Ed, Al, Armstrong, and Dr. Marcoh all sat at the table in the center of the room. To Amy's left sat a small table in which people put their keys on when they enter the house. Amy turned herself one-hundred and eighty degrees, so her right side was next to the table and she was facing the door. With her left hand she closed the door, so no one could see inside. Slowly she lowered her right hand and placed the gun on the table. She let go and there was a small thunk as the handle hit the table. Amy jumped as if she had been shocked and darted over to Al, whose box was place on one side of the table.

She tried to make herself appear as small as possible while warily keeping one eye on the gun. Amy decided that she didn't like guns and had no will to ever hold one again. The others gave her some looks but Amy ignored them.

"Dr. Marcoh could you please explain why you ran away from the military?" Major Armstrong asked.

"I couldn't bear to do it," Dr. Marcoh began, "Even though it was an order I couldn't get my hands dirty with it, I… And then it was used in the Ishavalan war as a tool for murder…."

Amy was silent as the man tried to get his point across. It sounded like he wanted to explain to them, to finally get the truth off his chest, but he couldn't. Instead he was rambling and going in circles.

"Such a horrible battle. Too many innocents died," Dr. Marcoh murmured.

Immediately everyone in the room looked downcast. The war was a personal thing for all of them and an outsider like Amy couldn't understand. Her throat tightened as she viewed the expressions of the others.

"What I have done are things that cannot be atoned for, even by taking my own life," Dr. Marcoh admitted with sadness, "Still, I am acting as a doctor here for as long as I can."

A heavy silence fell on the group.

"What research did you do and escape with?" Armstrong asked.

The doctor didn't reply right away as he used his hand to support his head and looked at the table. He looked at the table as if he was going to cry, as if he regretted everything he ever did.

"I researched the Philosopher's stone," he told them.

It was if someone had shocked them. Ed and Al looked surprised while Armstrong managed to keep a neutral look on his face. Amy just stared at the man. She was unsure of how to react. She knew it was coming but it was still a slight shock for her. Did he really make a Philosopher's stone? Could she really go home? It couldn't be that easy, could it?

"The research and a stone are what I took from the military," Dr. Marcoh said.

"You have a stone!" Ed managed to vocalize, even in shock.

"Yes," the doctor answered, he walked over to one of his medicine cabinets and took something out, "It's in here."

He held out a small bottle filled with what could be mistaken as red cough syrup. Ed, Al, and Armstrong looked at it in disbelief. Amy stared at it in awe. It was the Philosopher's stone! All of her answers right in front of her. Her way home! The little bottle could take her back to her family and friends!

"A stone isn't liquid," Ed pointed out.

The doctor didn't pay anything but took the cap off the bottle instead. Instead he began to pour it on the table.

"Wha?" Ed voiced but was stopped by the liquid forming a stone shape.

He and the Major peered at it. Cautiously Ed poked it with his left hand. The stone jiggled like jell-o.

"The Philosopher's stone, the Sage's Stone, the Stone of Heaven, the Great Elixir, the Red Tincture, the Fifth Element," Marcoh listed, "Just as he stone has different names it had different forms as well. However they remained experimental creations till the end. They are just imperfect objects that will reach their limitations and burn out. Yet they were secretly used during the war and their overwhelming power was shown."

Amy's felt her stomach drop. The Philosopher's stone was right in front of her, but if she pushed it too much there could be bad aftereffects. She had to get home to her family, but what would happen if she used the stone?

"Even if you say they're an imperfect creation, making it means there will be further research. Meaning we could make a perfect one!" Ed grinned, "Mr. Marcoh please show me your files!"

Ed looked at the man eagerly.

"Uhhh," the doctor looked flabbergasted and looked towards Armstrong, "What should I say to him? Major Armstrong, who is this boy?"

"A State Alchemist," the Major answered.

A look of horror and regret fell on Dr. Marcoh's face.

"Now even children.." he muttered with a grimace on his face, "You probably were lured in by the research funding and obtained the license foolishly. After the war so many couldn't stand to be a living weapon anymore and left. And yet you!"

Marcoh let his sentence hang in the air. Amy looked at Ed. No one had ever called him becoming a State Alchemist foolish. They always congratulated him on doing something no one else had done before. Those who knew his reason for becoming one never dared to call his decision a foolish mistake. The understood the pain and pressure that was put on Ed's shoulders. Yet this man had called Ed a fool without a second thought. Was the military really that bad? Did Marcoh know something so horrible about the military that he couldn't bare to see others fall victim to it? These thoughts made the hair on the back of Amy's neck stand up. Just what was she getting herself into?

"I know it was a stupid decision but," Ed objected loudly, "I will continue to sit on this bed of thorns until my goal is accomplished."

Marcoh looked at Al and a look of understanding appeared on his face.

"So you ignored the ban," he sighed, "I am surprised. I didn't know it was possible to successfully transmute a soul. You might as well be able to create a perfect Philosopher's stone."

Amy's eyes brightened. They could create a Philosopher stone! One that would work! And Amy would get to see her family!

"Then," Ed started with excitement in his voice.

"I cannot show you the files," Marcoh spoke sternly.

Amy's eyes widened. Why couldn't he show them? Why did he keep getting her hopes up and then crushing them? She wanted to go home damn it! What gave this guy the right to stop her?! Why were adults always telling her what to do? She had no guardians here, yet she had been bossed around every second! Amy was perfectly capable of taking care of herself! She didn't need adults to put her down! No one was going to stop her from getting home! Amy wasn't going to rely on adults or others to do her work for her! She was going to accomplish her goal with her own two hands!

"Why not?!" Ed demanded

"This is the end of the discussion," Marcoh said dismissing them, "Go home. I will not let you have the stone for something as minor as restoring your bodies."

Ed's glare turned up in intensity at this comment.

"Minor!" he growled.

"Doctor that isn't fair," Armstrong objected.

Marcoh turned around and began walking away from the table.

"It is better if you didn't see it," Marcoh told them, "It is the devil's research."

Anger rushed through Amy's veins. How dare he accuse her of not having enough guts to do what it took to complete her goal! How dare he insult Ed and Al! She had been through enough torture! Her naïve life was stripped from her in a matter of minutes! Everything she had loved and cared for was gone! And if she didn't do something about it they would be gone forever!

"I'll go to the Devil himself to get that research!" Amy shouted slamming her fist onto the table, "The Devil cannot make me suffer anymore then what I have gone through! So get over your damn self and fork over your notes!"

Marcoh was startled by her outburst, but retreated into his resigned state.

"Once you see that research you'll see the face of hell," he told them.

Amy growled. He was doing it again! She had seen Hell's face! He didn't wear a face! He wore a stupid grin! Ed was having a similar reaction to Amy.

"If you're talking about hell," Ed seethed, "I saw it a long time ago!"

Marcoh looked at Ed with surprise and fear, but sobered up quickly.

"I can't let you…" he whispered, "Please go home."

The doctor looked at his medicine cabinet intently, refusing to turn around.

Amy felt her anger dim. She wanted so much to throttle the man and demand his research, but somehow she couldn't bring herself. She couldn't even bring herself to yell at him. A feeling of hopelessness began to settle in. She had come so close yet she couldn't go home.

The others gathered their things in silence and left through the front door, but not before giving one last look at the man. They walked down the road towards the train station without saying a word. On the way back they passed by an old woman who was walking around. She was using a cane, had white hair, and a shawl was wrapped around her upper body even in the warm weather. The old woman took one look at the group and walked over. She stood in front of Amy and the group stopped to see what she would do. Amy was unsure of how to react. She felt too bitter to be polite but couldn't bring herself to be rude to the old lady either that would be wrong of her.

'Don't look so downhearted, child," the lady told Amy, "I'm sure whatever is wrong the doctor can fix it. He's a good man. Saved my grandchild he did. Give him time and I'm sure he'll fix up your problem too."

The lady then gave Amy a genuine smile.

"Here darling, this will fix you right up," the lady said taking an apple out of her purse and placing it into Amy's hands, "Now cheer up. It will be such a shame for the world to miss such a beautiful smile."

Amy looked from the apple to the woman filled with gratitude. The grandmother had just made Amy realize something important. God Amy was such a fool and a bad person too. Amy hung her head looking at the ground.

"Thank you," Amy mumbled pulling the apple closer to her, "I'm really grateful."

Amy's voice cracked as she held back tears. Such a fool. Such an inconsiderate fool.

The woman gave her a smile of understanding, "You're welcome, dear. Have a nice day."

Then the woman began to wobble down the street in the opposite direction of where Amy was going. Amy was an idiot. Dr. Marcoh wasn't being mean. He wasn't underestimating them or taunting them. He couldn't let them have the research because he was protecting them. Just like he protected all the people in this town. All of the people who he cares for and heals.

"He really is a good person," Amy thought looking at her apple.

"Amy, are you okay?" Al asked.

"I'm fine," Amy sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve, "See fine."

She lifted her head and gave them a smile. The smile wasn't one of happiness. It was more of one of understanding. The others gave her thoughtful expressions and Ed gave Amy a small smile.

"Let's go to the station," he told them.

The others nodded in agreement and headed forward.

"Wait," Amy stopped moving, "Does this mean I have to go back in the box?"

Amy: Hey we're here!

Al: Hi Amy, where's Tigger?

Amy: I have no idea. Where's your brother?

Al: He ran off in fright.

Amy: Oh! What Tigger did makes sense now.

Al: What did Tigger do?

Amy: She whiped out a cellphone and tracker.

Al: Which cellphone?

Tigger: The neon green and black one with purple swirls.

Al: Isn't that the one with all the contacts being villans?

Amy: Yep.

(Ed goes running by followed by Armstrong, Mustang, Winry, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, and Tigger. All with some form of weapons.)

Tigger: THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR INSULTING MY REVIEWERS!

Ed: I SWEAR TIGGER THAT I'M GOING TO GET YOU FOR THIS!

(Only a dust ball is left after they all run by)

Amy: Yeah it was that phone.