WARNING: Gratuitous use of FMA themes, characters, and ideas. FMA DOES NOT BELONG TO ME! IT IS NOT MINE! ALL credit goes to the creators of FMA.

"What's up, dad?" Edward asked.
Mooney looked up. For a moment he had forgotten where he was - surrounded by brush and fallen trees in a moderately dense forest, a camp fire in front of him where fish was cooking and his sons were both staring at him. His blue eyes focused on them for a moment and a sheepish grin broke out across his face.
"Ah, nothing. Why do you ask?"
"You're being more spacey than the moon itself." he said wryly.
"Hey, nice analogy! Well, everything is all right. You boys ready for dinner? That fish is smelling pretty good now."
"Yes, please!" Randy said eagerly.
As Edward and Randy picked up a stick with a fish on it eagerly, Mooney really only picked at his. They were only a day away and already he missed his wife badly. True, he could speak with her telepathically, except this late at night - they normally didn't hamper down for camp until well after dark, trying to cover as much distance as possible - she was already asleep. He hated not being able to be by her side as she slept, but there was nothing to do about that. They had to get their wares to market, and someone had to stay back and take care of the farm. That someone was Aurora, being kept company by Edward's new girlfriend, Winry. The blond girl was strong and upbeat, and some how seemed to hamper Ed's fiery temper. He liked the girl well enough, but Aurora had a hard time trusting her. He just figured it was his wife being a mother hen to her son.
Suddenly something small, flying at a pretty good velocity, hit him in the forehead. It was almost nothing, really, but it did drive him back to the present again. When he focused once more on his surroundings, he saw Edward with a small pile of pebbles in one upturned hand aimed at him, the other positioned to flick another rock at him. Both were snickering.
"Bulls eye!" Edward declared proudly.
A devilish grin spread across Mooney's face. Two could play at that game. The pebbles in his hand suddenly began floating in the space above his palm, then began to pummel him from all angles. Randy was now on the ground laughing so hard that his hands came to his sides, as if they were hurting.
"Hey, cut it out!" he whined as little pebbles hit him over and over again, "That's not fair, dad!"
"Sure it is!" he declared proudly.
"Knock it off, Randy! It isn't funny!"
"Yes it is!" Randy replied between gales of laughter.
Suddenly, a handful of the pebbles bouncing off of Edward repeatedly turned their attention on Randy, making him share in his brother's 'punishment'. This time it was Mooney's turn to laugh until his sides hurt.
"Very funny, dad." Edward said, clearly annoyed.
"Wasn't it, though?" Mooney said, still snickering.
"So, are you going to tell us what's wrong?" Randy asked, surprising his father.
"I just miss your mother." he said.
"But we've only been gone a day." Edward said, pointedly. "Besides, you two have that whole mental thing going on, so you can still talk to her."
"She's sleeping now, so I can't. And I know all this, son. I'm quite aware of it. But that doesn't mean I don't have the right to miss her. She is, after all, my wife. You'll understand when you get married."
"Yeah, and they way mom is going that will be never."
"Be fair, Ed," Randy said, "Mom's just trying to protect you. She doesn't want to see you get hurt."
"Quoted from mom, I see."
"He's right, Ed," Mooney said seriously, and suddenly Edward's spine straightened and he paled visibly. He knew what that meant. He had definitely gone too far. "Aurora is just trying to keep you from being hurt. She doesn't want you to see heartbreak, so she has to test the girl herself. Be more patient and understanding. Anyway, you know how she is."
"Yeah, I know. Mother hen and all. I know she's just looking out for me, but does she really have to be so scary whenever Winry is at the farm?"
"It's part of the test." Randy spoke up. "Just relax, Ed. We both know Winry will win her over. It's in her name, remember?"
"All right, all right, I get it." Edward whined. "I wasn't meaning to back talk mom, I'm just annoyed at the whole situation."
"Understandable," Mooney said, still serious, "but no excuse for disrespect. I'll leave you to clean up tonight and break camp in the morning."
Edward heaved an inner sigh of relief. He was SURE his punishment would be far worse than that. After all, his father was extremely protective of his mother, just as his mother was so protective of him and his brother. Anything even remotely disrespectful was punished harshly. At least this time he just got away with hard labor, and even that wasn't so hard.
"Oh, and you're keeping watch all night. No sitting, reclining against trees or rocks, or laying down. And you will cook breakfast before we wake up."
Drat. Thought too soon.
"That's pretty harsh, dad." Randy pointed out.
"You want to join him?"
"Well, no, but..."
"Then leave it, Randy. You both know better than that."
"All right." Randy said reluctantly, "Sorry, Ed."
"None of that, either. He got himself stuck in the mud, and you have nothing to do with it, so you don't need to apologize." Mooney said crossly as he unpacked his blanket roll, laid it on the ground and curled up on it. In moments he was asleep.
"That's why I don't like going to market." Randy said as he began to help his brother clean up from dinner. "Dad gets so cross just because he misses mom."
"Well, I can't blame him, actually," Edward said, "I really miss Winry right now. Hey, don't go helping me out, or you'll get into trouble. It's my punishment, and I brought it on myself."
"I know, but still...Dad was pretty hard on you."
"Well, I deserved it. Mom has done her best to raise us, and we're not even her kids, even though she treats us like we are. I know she's just looking out for me, but that doesn't mean I can't be annoyed about it. And being annoyed is no excuse for being like that about her when she's just looking out for me. She's looking out for all of us, really."
"Yeah, I know." Randy said, finally backing off.
"On the lighter side, once we get this stuff sold off, dad usually gets us something good, right? And he gets all cheerful again 'cause we're on our way back home, so it's not all bad."
"That's true. I wonder what he'll get this time?"
"Hey, you think if we do really well he'll get us those books we want?"
"We can hope, can't we?" Randy said, his eyes now looking bright, as usual. "But, since this is our first time doing this on our own, it will be difficult."
"Nah, we'll be fine. Dad taught us pretty well, and knowing anything, he has everything set up for us already. Just relax and get some sleep, okay?"
"But you're going to be so tired tomorrow."
"I'll sneak in the back of the wagon and sleep on the way."
"Okay. Good night, Ed."
"Good night, Randy."

The city was nearly in upheaval. True, usually it was bustling with hawkers and merchants selling their wares, wives scurrying about getting errands run for their husbands, husbands going off to work in the fields or out in their boats to catch fish, but this was madness. People weren't just scurrying, they were running in fury, carrying torches and pitch forks, scythes from the fields and even an occasional sword. It was happening again, and it sparked an insatiable rage and sorrow in both Mooney and Edward.
Neither was sure how it started or what had gone wrong, but somehow Randy and Edward had been spotted in the company of a strange little black cat, after just having sold all their harvest they had come to sell. No one knew who it was that tipped them off, saying that the cat was not normal, that it was a demon, that the boys that it hung out with were it's demon spawn, and now it no longer mattered. What mattered now was getting to safety. The wagon had been left behind, and now they raced to get to their horses in one piece.
Unfortunately, Randy had not been so quick as his father and brother. A hatchet had been buried in his fiery red locks, soon stained crimson with his own blood just before he could reach Mooney and Edward. He was dead before he hit the ground. Mooney had managed to pick him up with his mind and was now carrying him through the air. In his rage filled sorrow, he almost missed the post their horses were tied to. It was Edward who had alerted him, and it was Edward that had slung his brother's body over his horse before quickly climbing on to the back of his own. Mooney, as well, hopped into Firestorm's saddle, taking the reins for Springbreath, Randy's horse, from Edward. They galloped forward, not minding the people that jumped in their way to try to stop them. Those that did were trampled, and he felt no pity or remorse for them. They had killed his son! They deserved to rot in hell for it.
"Dad, they're closing the gate!" Edward warned as his horse, Swift, tried to keep up with Firestorm.
It was true. The bronze gates that closed off the walls from invaders had once been wide open, and were now closing quickly. As they approached, only an opening narrow enough for a single wagon wheel remained between the two heavy doors, and Edward was almost surprised when they suddenly flew open, as though pushed by some great, unimaginable force. They galloped through the gates and out of the city.
It wasn't until they were sure that the forest around them hid them well enough that they finally stopped. They had slowed earlier, to keep from foundering the horses, but had to keep in a steady pace of walking, then trotting, then brief galloping. Still, the city was in view, and they were sure the guards would send out horsemen.
"Why did they do that, dad?" Edward asked, his voice only slightly wavering, but his eyes full of terror and sadness. "Why'd they kill Randy? Randy didn't do anything to them."
"I don't know." Mooney lied. He knew fully well it was the boy's connection with him that got him killed, just as he and Aurora had feared. Oh, Holy! How was he going to explain this to her? "But for whatever reason, they all deserve to burn in hell for it!"
Mooney's gaze focused on the city. Fire may be his strong point, but something that big took concentration and energy, and somehow, Edward knew what was coming.
"No, don't dad! Don't lower yourself to their level!"
"I'm already below their level. In their eyes I'm a demon, right? I'll prove just how much of a demon I am to them!"
"Do you think that would make mom happy? What about Randy? Do you think my little brother would want you to do that? They murdered him. There's no excuse for that. But there's no excuse for murdering them back!"
Mooney stopped what he was doing. Edward was right, and he questioned within himself why he was being so blinded by rage. He had a right to be enraged, dammit! But he knew that, if Randy had been able to see it, he would be horrified. Both sons would, and rightfully so. That wasn't what they called 'equivalent exchange'. However, he still felt the need to punish them.
Suddenly, tall stone walls rose around the city, just outside the gates. The walls were so smooth that they reflected the moon light, and they were so tall that most of the palace - the tallest structure in the city - could not be seen. No one could go in or out, unless they learned to fly somehow.
"Let's go home, Ed." Mooney said, surprised at how even his own voice was.

The ride home had been quiet and sullen for both of them. Mooney kept Randy's body from rotting by freezing it, though he had to keep it bent so it could be carried on his horse's saddle. When they returned to the farm they lived on, Edward ran into the little house. He didn't care how much he looked like a crying child right then. He had a right to! Right now, all he wanted was his mother.
Standing in the kitchen, laughing and chatting with a young woman with blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes, was his mother. Edward didn't say anything. Instead he ran up to her and hugged her, nearly knocking her over in the process. He didn't care how he looked in front of Winry right then. All he wanted right now was his mother's comfort.
"What's this?" Aurora said, concern obvious in her emerald eyes. She knew Edward was very focused on appearances, and would never look 'childish' in front of Winry, and yet here he was in her arms, and apparently crying now, as sobs racked his body and tears stained her emerald green dress. "All right, emo boy, where's Ed and what did you do to him?"
Aurora heard another set of boots enter the house, and looked up to find her husband approaching her. His eyes looked angry and sad at the same time, and the first thing he did was wrap his arms around her. Strangely, Randy didn't show up.
"Are you two going to explain what's going on, or do I have to pry it out of you?" Aurora said, trying to sound stern, but failing. She was just glad to see them, though worried about Randy now. Randy was usually the first one in the house. "Where's Randy?"
"He's gone." Mooney whispered in her ear.
"Gone? Where? Usually he's happy to be home."
"He's dead, dear." Mooney said, and Aurora realized she was feeling wetness dripping on her head.
The words rang in her ears, but she couldn't quite register what was being said. Randy couldn't be dead! He was just fine when they left! Yet he wasn't there, and she couldn't sense his brainwaves anywhere. She looked to the young woman that Edward was so fond of, and found her holding Edward from behind, her face buried in his bright red coat. Her shoulders jerked with silent sobs.
Edward looked up when his mother went silent. His father was beside her, resting his chin on her head with tears streaming down his face. That was the first time he ever saw his dad cry. Even more strange, his mother was not crying. Her smile had disappeared, and there was something in her eyes like shock, as though she couldn't register, or couldn't believe what they told her was true, but no tears fell. Still, he could feel her holding them all close to her, even Winry. He had never seen her cry either, but he was sure she would on her own time, when it finally registered in her mind that Randy was, indeed, dead.
"Don't be like that now!" his father said suddenly, his voice cracking from the tears and sobs he shed, but still firm with her, "We need you here with us, so don't be like that!"
That seemed to shake her from her shock. Tears started streaming down her face, and piteous wails came from her mouth. Indeed, her son was dead. The only thing she could think of was that their fears had come true. Their sons had been connected to them, and one of them was killed for it. Her heart ached so badly she was afraid it would explode. She would never see her son again. She would never see him study, or hear him laugh, or watch him try to transmute some of the things his older, and more talented, brother made. She would never see him play with his brother, and never be able to reward him for his sweet and caring nature. He truly was gone, and she couldn't accept that. She didn't want to. Still, Mooney was right. Edward needed his mother, and Mooney his wife, to be strong for them. It was all too easy to go back to what she had been for so long, lost in the past, but she could not do that to them.
"Let's go into the living room and sit down and you two can explain what happened." Aurora said when they all finally got a hold on themselves. "Winry, please prepare some tea."
Edward looked at his mother. Emotionally he was drained. At first, he wanted to be mad at her, for treating Winry as a servant, but he couldn't. He had nothing left in him right now. Then he realized that that small request was her way of saying she had accepted Winry. His mother was always the type to do all the little chores, especially when there was a guest. She didn't ask anyone who wasn't family to do even the smallest task, such as making tea. By asking Winry to do so, she had said she accepted the girl into the family. Edward should have felt happy about this, but he couldn't find it in himself to do so.
When they reached the living room, it was Mooney that began explaining. Winry had joined them moments later with the tea, serving each of them - even herself - a steaming, aromatic cup. She was learning the art of herbs, obviously from Aurora, as was apparent from the sweet, flowery scent of the tea in the kettle that sat on the tray. By the time Mooney had finished, though, the tea was cold, and no one had even taken a sip. Mooney and Edward both looked haggard, their eyes empty and haunted almost. Winry was crying again on Edward's shoulder, and Aurora seethed with rage. It wasn't enough for humans to murder her or her husband. They had to murder her child - her innocent child who never did anything to hurt them and was by no means their real child - as well? That was the last straw. She HAD to find a way to do purify the human race, just as Holy wished.
Aurora was jerked from her thoughts when she felt herself being lifted up by strong, but gentle hands. A body plopped down where she had been sitting, and she was set down on someone's lap, their warm, strong arms around her. It was her husband, and he held her tightly in his arms, his face buried in her hair. "I almost made a big mistake once we got to safety." he said quietly, "It was Ed that kept me from burning the place down in the blink of an eye. He had a very good point, that we should not stoop to their level, and that Randy wouldn't like it if we did."
"What are we going to do then?" she said, her voice surprisingly calm, "Our son is dead because of them! And for what? He's human just like them, but was killed because we raised him? What kind of screwed up logic is that? You should have turned them all to ashes!"
"Don't be like that, Aurora. Doing that would only feed that darkness in us and make us just as bad as them. I don't like it either. I hate that they murdered our son just because of his connection to us. I wanted, and still do want, to burn them all, but that wouldn't solve any thing. It wouldn't bring Randy back either."
"We could bring him back." Ed said softly, "I read about it in a book. With the Philosopher's Stone, we could do anything, even bring Randy back."
"No!" his father snapped, "Don't you EVER consider something so horrible again! Don't you realize what that does? It turns that person into someone like us, but far worse! It's better to let the dead have their rest. At least that way they don't feel pain any more."
Aurora suddenly squeezed him in her arms. She knew exactly what he meant behind those words, and she was afraid for him. Would he break his promise? She hoped not, because - even as they needed her right now - she needed her husband and her son there.
"Winry," she said quietly, her voice shaking now, "I'm sorry you had to see all of this, dear."
"It's okay, Aurora. Randy was my friend, and hearing what happened to him makes me upset, too. I was going to find out eventually, and it's better to find out now than later. But why? Why was his connection to you so dangerous to him?"
"She didn't tell you, did she?" Edward said calmly, "I've known it since I was old enough to know I shouldn't tell anyone about what they really are. Though I had hoped she would tell you while we are gone. People think they are both demons, because they never age and they can do things with their mind that only alchemists would be able to do, and without any transmutation circles or anything. They don't even use alchemy to do it, and some of the stuff they do not even alchemists can do. Mom told me once that they can't stay dead either, and when people see they're not aging, or if they catch my dad with his illusion down - the one that covers his ears and tail - they become afraid. They don't even give a passing thought that, if they were going to be a threat that they would have by now. All they see are two freaks who can do what no one else can. No offense, mom and dad."
"None taken." Mooney said calmly, and Winry noticed that, somehow, he had sprouted black cat-like ears and a black tail.
"Are you like that too, Ed?" she said, her eyes wide with fear.
"Nah. Randy and I were adopted. Mom can't have kids, so she and dad adopted us, and they've done a damn good job raising us. They don't hurt people. They're capable of it, but they choose not to."
"We understand you are afraid, dear." Aurora said softly, "And we understand why. We've seen it countless times through the millenia that we've lived, and we should have known that we would never know peace or happiness for long in this world. Humans are just too narrow minded. They fear what they don't know, and seek to destroy it before understanding it. We raised our sons to be more open minded, to understand what is going on before they act. In a way, we hoped they would help change the world, or, lacking that, at least a small area. Winry, we have seen how happy you make our son, and if we had not accepted you, we would not have told you any of this, so we trust you to keep it in confidence. We will not harm you."
"How do I know that's true?" Winry said, fear clear in her voice, "How do I know you won't kill me in my sleep or torture me?"
"If they were going to do that, they would have by now." Ed said, "They don't believe in beating around the bush. Winry, you just got the highest honor they could give you. They don't trust humans at all. EVER. And yet they trust you with this, and only after knowing you a few weeks. Mom wouldn't have asked you to make the tea if she didn't accept you."
"Well, I guess..."
"She wouldn't have taught you about herbs, either." Mooney said as he rocked Aurora back and forth in his arms.
"Mooney," Aurora said, growing very much tired of the direction the conversation was going. They didn't need to tell her all of that. "Have you taken care of Randy?"
"Yeah. I'll put him in his room in a bit. We can have the ceremony tomorrow."
"Sounds good. Mooney, what did they do on our home planet when someone died?"
"The high priest and priestess would hold the ceremony. It's not much different from what they do here."
"Should I have Holy attend tomorrow?"
"That's up to you, sweetheart. I can't think of a greater honor for our son."
"Who's Holy?" Winry whispered to Edward.
"I'll have to explain it all later. But, like mom and dad always told me and Randy, you have to listen with an open mind, because it's really quite incredible."