The Mercury Alchemist

by AveryScarlet

What if there was someone who traveled with the Elric Brother's that never existed before? And that there was actually 8 homunculi? Meet Catherine Cairo, a once normal girl with the love for anime and FMA, wishing for her life to change. What she didn't expect was to be sent to the other side of the gate! Will she find out who she really is and find a way back home? EdxOC AlxOC

37. Chapter 34

'Those of the same blood are always close...

no matter how far apart you are... They always

find a way to watch over you... Even for

someone like me apparently...'

---

Chapter 34 - Envoy from the East

-Normal-
||Central||
++Night Time++

"So, you dare challenge the Silver alchemist? You've got guts, I'll give you that…" the short man's hands began to glow. "However…" He pressed his hands to the ground, causing chains to rise and fly towards Scar. Scar's hand glowed blue as he destroyed the chains with his alchemy. The short guy created a circular blade and threw it towards Scar, who dodged and jumped into the air to hit the guy. The guy jumped back and used alchemy to create a sword, spinning around like a top and charged at Scar, who decided to charge him. Scar dodged as the guy came back around, Scar charging him once more. They passed each other, Scar's leg getting cut, as the guy stopped on top of a pole on his peg leg.

"Not bad…not bad at all…you got off with just a scratch." "Hmph…you can't say the same." Scar muttered as the guys' leg broke, causing him to fall into the water. Scar then jumped into the water and brought his hand to the guy's face as a blue light erupted. Blood slowly lifted to the surface. As Scar pops out of the water, Damien stands there yawning in response. "You sure don't know when to quit, do ya?" he asked in a bored tone. The Ishvalan ignores this and gets out. Damien shrugs and turns his back on the man as he walks away,"The point of keeping an eye on you wasn't so I can run all over this country looking for you just to watch you murder someone. The boss doesn't want any more unwanted casualties but I'd rather not get in your way of revenge."

"And why is that?" Damien stops in his tracks. "Let's just say... I've faced a lot of sacrifices just to keep what's left of my family safe. Even if it meant banishment."

-Me-
++Morning++
||Dublith||

"You have everything packed?" I asked Alice as she carefully brushes her now short hair. Alice She turns to smile after fixing her new attire. "It's not like I wear much. I practically wear the same thing every day!" Seeing Alice wanting to change was nice, but the problem was the reason why she wanted to change. 'I really wish I had gotten there faster...' As I reached over for my hat, all my hand touched was the soft cushions of my bead. 'Crap I forgot...' I wrinkled my nose as I frown at the reminder. 'Greed took my hat back at the Devil's Den. Guess I have to walk around with a exposed naked head until I get the chance to make a new one, which I really didn't want to. That hat was my first and only successful product of using alchemy on a material object without making it explode.

"Cat, Alice?" We both turn to see Wrath slightly peeking his head into the room. I put a hand on my hip and smile while Alice giggles at Wrath's odd display of shyness. "There's no need act so shy around us Wrath- I mean Ran. We're all in the same boat now so you can act like your normal self." "In the same boat huh...?" Ran looks down at his feet for a brief moment, then grips his hand into a fist and suddenly marches up to me. I blink in surprise when he suddenly wraps his arms around my legs. "Ran...?" He buries his face into my pants, muttering, "This isn't the life any of us wanted but... I think I'm actually glad for Fate to allow us to have this chance... take care of yourselves out there..." Seeing him act like this makes me want to stay a bit longer.

He's still new to this world and the two of us knew exactly how it felt to be in a place we're already familiarized with, but in Ran's case, it's more like being back home except reset to a different start. "Hey now," I lightly push him back and bent down on one knee, "Why are you acting like this is goodbye so soon? We'll definitely see each other again soon." Alice nods and crouches down beside me, happily stating, "Us outsiders gotta stick together!" "Cat... Alice..." He pulls the two of us into a big hug. "Thank you... thank you so much!" There was so much to ask. And what I really wanted to know was how he knew my name even though we've never met before. Could there have been a me on his side? I shook my head, thinking, 'That's ridiculous... I know I shouldn't be thinking any of this is still an anime show anymore, but what we watched has been played out exactly. We're simply people who were never meant to be here. So that means none of this was ever supposed to happen.'

-Normal-

||Outskirts||

"What's going on? Who is this?" Scar questions Yoki as he walks inside the rundown shack. "Oh sir, you've returned! Welcome back," Yoki greets the man. He snaps at his incompetence, "I said who is this!?" Yoki flinched as the little girl smiles, giving him a short bow and introduces herself, "Pleased to meet you... my name is Mei Chang. I was collapsed by the side of the road. Your master, Mr. Yoki, brought me back here?" "Master?" Scar repeats, glancing over to Yoki who quickly averts his gaze. "If you've recovered, then there's no need for you to stay. Be on your way at once." Scar walks past the girl, towards the nearest wall, then slides against it to carefully set himself down. He groans in pain as he does so from the wound in his leg.

May quickly spots this and rushes over to his side. "What girl?" he asks. "Allow me to heal your wounds." She drew an odd mysterious looking transmutation circle on the ground near were Scar sat. As she placed five kunai's at each point of the star, Scar watches intently as she puts her hands on the circle. Once activated, Scar's wounds started to heal up in response. His eyes widen as Yoki jaw drops in disbelief, "Ah! It's healed!" "It's a skill called Alkahestry from Xing," a voice spoke up from the doorway. May freezes, then slowly turns around as Damien stands there, with his arms crossed and his back leaning against the cement. "X...i...a...o?" she mutters in disbelief. Not long after, she draws out her kunai's and throws them at them in tears.

But none of them made contact. Damien quickly dissipates to the right and dashes out of the shack. May gets up to follow but by the time she got outside, he was already gone. "Damn you Xiao! I'll get you someday! I'll make you pay... I swear on my clan's honor!" she cries out to the sky.

++Later++

"Years ago, we were once a part of the same clan. He was younger than me but we ten times much stronger and more talented in every way possible. I always looked up to him. But that changed one day... when he attempted to kill the emperor. I barely remember how it came to happen, but because of his attempted assassination on our father, my clan has become the most poor, downtrodden clan out of all the rest in the eyes of the emperor..." "So you came out here by yourself just to earn his favor?" Scar asks. May shakes her head, "No! I wasn't alone! I had 'her' with me to!" At that moment, a small miniature panda climbs over her shoulder to reveal herself to the two men.

"Her? You mean that little creature?"
"That's right! Her name is Xiao-Mei!"

Scar had seen the creature and attempts to grab it, only to have May turn and notice the tattoos on his arm. "Wow…your arm. That's alkahestry, right? The art of reading the dragon's pulse of knowing the power that flows through the ground and how to use it; that tattoo matches the flow alkahestry used in my homeland." Scar dropped his arm saying, "My brother was a student of alchemy and alkahestry; ended up with a good bit of research from both fields. The tattoos that I bare are a result of that research." "That's incredible! Your brother must have really been something!" Scar stayed silent as Yoki said, "I don't think I know what you two are talking about but your wound is healed now, sir. Now we can make our way towards Central without further delay."

"Oh that sounds great! I'll go get my things!" Mei ran off to gather her stuff. Yoki questions the girl, "What do you think you're doing? Didn't he tell you to shove off kid? We aren't exactly going for a picnic you know…" "I know but I meant what I told you," she states. "You mean all that immortality stuff you were blabbering about earlier? There's no such thing…" "Yes there is! I came here to find it!" Yoki pointed a finger at her as he said, "Oh shut up! Kids don't know anything-" He was cut off my Xiao-Mei biting his finger. He began to scream out as May thought, 'I already know immortality can't be obtained through alkehistry but it is possible through use of alchemy. That's why I have to find them; the incredible man and woman I heard so much about.

They say her hair is as golden as a field of hay and her eyes glow like the ocean, wearing a brilliant brown coat and hat made from the skin of a demon. Not to mention the guy has hair and eyes of gold, like the sun, wearing a dashing red coat. They both help anyone in need; the brilliant State alchemist, Catherine Cairo and Edward Elric!' Mei then had an image of Ed in her head of what she thought he looked like, a dashing tall prince. 'They say Edward and Catherine are dating... but I will surely be able to win over his heart with my exceptional skills!" She began to fantasize even more as Scar mutters in response to how strange she was acting, "Suit yourself girl…"

||Rush Valley||

-Me-

"Say Alice... I've been curious about something," I point at her hair and ask, "What exactly was Al's to your new look?" "Huh? Well..."

++Yesterday++
-Alice-

"I can't believe she just kicked me out like that! Ugh... well," I come to a stop as I smile, "at least she doesn't have to feel alone anymore." "Alice?" I turn around only to see Al, who just stands there wide eyed and his finger shakily pointing at my head. "Y-Your hair...!" I tilt my head in confusion then realized what he meant. "Oh! This? I asked Cat to help me get all of the blood out but it just wouldn't come out of my hair. So I just decided to cut it!" I tried to sound as cheerful as possible, but I think I made it even worse when I saw Al silently bow his head. I panic, trying to change the topic, "I wanted to cut my hair from the start anyway! Always having to rely on the mirror to help my tie my hair up in those twin tails were getting really annoying! Not being able to feel it really-" I was cut off when Al suddenly pulls me into his arms.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to put you in that situation… I'm really sorry…" he apologizes, guilt ridden over what had happened. "Al…" I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him how it all wasn't his fault but I knew that nothing I would say would make him stop feeling guilty. "I should the one to apologize… It was- bound to happen anyway… I just wanted to be there for you when it did…" It's not fair. The only time I can ever tell him about these events is when after it happened. Now that I think about it, I could have just waited around for it to happen like Cat usually does, but to remember all of that in that way isn't something nobody should go through. "You know it's funny," I finally spoke up much to his confusion. "When I was a kid… I've always told myself that if I ever met you and gained the ability to use alchemy, I'd sacrifice myself so that you'd no longer had to suffer. Now look at me. I can't do that. I can barely help anyone like this."

Al sighs and mutters something, but was too soft for me to hear.

"Hm? What was that?"
"It's nothing. Just remember Alice, you're already helped me so much. You protected me now let me protect you."

-Back to Me-

I jaw dropped at the story. "Wow… I guess you're wish really did come true Alice," I smile to myself as I picked up the pace. She didn't get it but I knew that she'll remember someday. 'You've truly fallen for him and the same goes for him. But…' I look up at the sky and place a hand on top of my head where my hat should be. 'When we leave this world, do you think you'll be able to say goodbye?We reached Garfiel's shop right at the moment we spot Winry walking outside. I just step away in preparation for what's next. "Hello there Winry! You look like you're in a generous mood today!" Ed said in a happy tone. "Hey guys! What are you guys doing here?" Winry asks, happy to see us. That's going to go away fast once Ed shows her his broken arm and Al and Alice pointing at it.

Winry kept her smile but I could clearly feel the intense evil aura rise up around her, almost as if a demon had just been released.

||Atelier Garfiel||

"Even Paninya's got an honest job and you four still can't stay out of trouble?" Winry asks as she continues working on Ed's arm. Thank god I know how to keep my arm in one piece longer than Ed. Poor guy got knocked in the head a little too hard for ones comfort, especially with the amount of blood coming out of his head. "Really? She is?" Al perks up at the mention of the former thief's name. "Not surprising after what happened last time," I pointed out, earning a short nod of agreement from Alice. Winry continues while still working, "She's given up pick pocketing and now repairs roofs and other things. What about you four? Made any progress?" "Yeah... we have," Al quietly answers. Alice finishes, "It is a bit slow going though..." Ed finally sat up, saying, "We're still moving, little by little I guess."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it! Alright, I've done all I can do."
"Thanks Winry."

Ed stand up as she continues, "It's missing some parts so you'll have to do with a patch job for now. I'll go get what you need but until then, you've got time to kill." "Sounds good," I said as the boys get ready to go out. "Wait! We should visit Lucas!" Alice suggests. I couldn't help but smirk at the idea of visiting the pervert, "Yeah... It'd be nice to see good ol' Luke Skywalker again." She giggles then reminds me, "It's Luke Walker." "I know," I turn around and crack my knuckles (or knuckle since I only have one hand), "but I still want some pay back for all those years ago." Winry over hears this and informs us, "If you're looking for Luke, he's probably around town somewhere looking for some parts for Mister Dominic. He usually does come over and see me."

We both eyed her suspiciously when she said that, and our suspicions rose with the way she kept avoiding our gazes. Then I spotted something odd. 'Are her ears...' It instantly clicked. Alice suddenly grabs my arm and starts dragging me out of the shop, waving the mechanic goodbye as she rambles, "Uh... Ithinkwe'regonnagolookforLuke! SeeyaWinry! Bye!"

++Later++

"I can't believe Winry actually likes that pervert... I mean I know he's good with words, but Winry?" I ask, still trying to comprehend what exactly just happened back there. Alice, on the other hand, was extremely ecstatic about this, "This is great! Lucas has Winry, I have Al, and you can now stop worrying about the future and be with Ed!" "Woah there Alice don't get ahead of yourself. Think about it," I took out my pocket watch for her to see. "We're not from here. Someday, I will find a way to get us all back. And when that time comes we have to say goodbye. I know you love Al, and the same probably goes for Winry if he focused so much effort on making her blush like that, but we have to do the right thing." "Is that why you never wanted to get close to them?" Alice questions me, at the same time, reminding my previous intentions when I first started out on my own.

Unable to look at her in the eye, I shove the watch back in my pocket and keep both hands in my pocket. "Kill some time, huh? How do we even do that in a town full of automail shops?" Ed asks as we walk past every automail shop. "Say," I spoke up. "Alice and I are gonna look around for Lucas. You guys gonna be fine on your own?" "Huh? Yes sure..." Neither boys were expecting us to leave, but Ed seemed to understand since he knows the both of us want to catch up with Lucas like them with Winry. "We'll me right back!" Alice waves as she runs after me. "Hey Cat... isn't this the time where-" I raise a hand to stop her. "I'm in no mood to meet his heinieness yet. I'd rather wait for Ed and Al to partially destroyed the town first than seeing that royal pain in the ass." "Hm... you do have a point," Alice nods once she remembers how Ling is when he's not serious.

-Ed-

The moment the girls left, Al started to eye me weirdly when he caught me staring at Cat. "So... how was it?" he asks, causing my to spew out my drink in shock. "What are you- Wait... you saw!? I thought I was able to chase you off when I caught you two peaking!" I yell as I remember exactly how that night went. His eyes smile to reflect his amusement to my reaction, and that caused me to turn red even more by the minute the longer he looks at me like that. "Will you quit it! I don't like Cat that way!" No matter how hard I try to deny it, Al just rolls his eyes and just says things like 'I get it already' and 'You don't have to react like that'. "Well what about you and Alice?" Now it's my turn to mess with Al. Steam comes out of his helmet not long after I ask him about that. "Brother!" he whines. Well at least I'm not the only one.

"Did you at least return her hat?" Oh crap... I forgot! I quickly dug into my inner coat pocket and brought out Cat's folded hat. I was supposed to give it to her back in Dublith but-

::Flashback::

My previous attempt flashed into my brain, causing me to blush even more. "Er! Fuck it!" Frustrated, I march back up to her and move to give her a quick peck on the cheek. But at the exact moment I was about to do that, Cat adjusted herself in her sleep at the worst time. My lips... landed straight onto hers! There was this sudden brief electric current that rushed through my body. There was no describing it. Her lips were so soft that it was nearly impossible to turn back now. I just stayed in place, eyes closed and focusing on her. I only pulled back once I felt reality closed in on me. "Shit... I've really done it now..."

::End of Flashback::

My face turns red and I quickly shove it back inside then started walking ahead of Al.

-Back to Me-

"I hope Lucas is free right now. It'd be nice to see how he's been doing!"
"Don't get your hopes up Alice. Winry said he's only in the market part of Rush Valley to get some stuff for Dominic. And there is no way in hell I'm going to go all the way to that isolated place!"
"Aw! But I wanted to see the baby!"
"Nope. Not for a while."
"Why not?"
"You weren't the one covered in blood and witnessed the miracles of childbirth twice."

While talking, I could have sworn I saw someone watching us from one of the roofs. I stopped and stared at the spot for a while, causing Alice to stop as well and follow my gaze. "Something wrong?" she asks. Still unsure if I was seeing things, I decided not to worry about it too much and continued walking much to Alice's confusion at my odd silence. 'Is Lucas even still around?' my thoughts wondered as we both continued aimlessly walking around Rush Valley. I had to stop every now and then when Alice spots something 'fascinating' then drag her away when she's about to take it apart, and also pay for the damages when she was able to successfully do so while I wasn't paying attention. "Can you stop already!? If you keep this up we'll either never find Lucas or I'll be flat broke by the time we even spot the bastard!" I scold the girl while awkwardly pulling her by her wrist.

If we were the same height it would feel as awkward as it is now since it looks weird for someone of my stature dragging a giant behind my back so easily. "Where is there- moron..." I slowed down once we came across the only normal looking shop out of all the others, and a certain someone was inside buying some sort of present with a small bouquet in one hand. We look at each other with the same mischievous glint in our eyes, smirking as we slowly slid down the window. We waited for a while until Lucas finally steps out of the shop, proudly looking down at whatever he bought and moves to leave, he freezes on the spot once he spots up crouching on the grown. Both of us smile evilly up at him. "So... is there something you'd like to tell us?"

++Later++

Alice bursts out laughing while I just walk along side him with my jaw hanging, and I swear that I almost felt running over to Winry and ask all of the billions of questions that were popping into my brain ever second that passes by. "When did you become a thing!?" was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Lucas' face turns red and instantly answers, "We aren't a thing! I was just looking for stuff for Dominic and saw the shop!" I bluntly point out and look at the bouquet, "And you just happened to also see a flower shop too then bought the nicest looking flowers." He turns pink but is quick to change the subject, "What about you then!? I see you're finally showing off that ring of yours!" Now it was my turn to turn red. "I never told you about that!" I quickly look over at Alice, who instantly turns her head away to avoid my gaze.

"Are you serious Alice!?" I yell but quickly covered mouth when I got disapproved looks from nearby townsfolk. It's true. Instead of wearing my ring under my gloves like I'd usually do, I just decided to wear it out in the open. Just for today! "Why aren't you making fun of Alice for her feelings for Al!?" I ask the two in a cocky tone. They both deadpan at the same time, "It's been obvious from the start." "W-Well I-" I didn't get to finish as there was a sudden explosion not too far from where we were. "Oh shit…" I mutter as I stare at the rising smoke in the distance. "What the heck is going on!?" Lucas panics. Alice tries to calm the boy down, "Don't worry! Ed and Al have everything under control!" Then there was another explosion.

Alice just freezes on the spot while trying to maintain her smile, but quickly hides behind me once she realizes she failed to calm Lucas down. "That's it! I'm going to check out what's going on!" Alice and I automatically tackle the boy before he could even take a single step, causing all three of us to fall to the ground. "Aw c'mon!" Lucas struggles to get out of our grasp, but soon stops once he sees my automail ready to punch him where the sun doesn't shine and Alice sitting on top of his stomach. "Make one move and you either lose the ability to have children or have the air crushed out of you," I threaten, with Alice lower her weight even more to make a point. Lucas repeatedly slaps the floor while trying to gasp for air. "Un…cle…! Un…cle…!" Alice finally lifts herself off his body, allowing him to breathe again. But not before punching him in the balls.

"Ow! What did you do that for!?" I turn around and just shrug. "Just felt like it." As Alice helps him up while Lucas carefully stands up with his hand in between his legs, I soon start to notice how the smoke was finally starting to clear up. "Looks like they're done… that was faster than I-" I was cut off when I see a certain prince jumping off the roof of the building in front of me and runs straight in my directly. He wasn't paying attention where he was going as he kept looking over his shoulders to see is anyone was following him. Taking advantage of this, I step to the side with my automail arm stretched out and wait. Ling turns his head and see's my arm, but was too late as he was already inches from my arm by the time he noticed. As his face collides with my arm, Ling falls on his back, hard.

He was about to get up only to find himself pinned to the ground at gun point by me and Alice. "And where do you think you're going?" I question as pulled the hammer spur down with me thumb. (A/N: Hey I looked up the parts of a pistol and any other gun, and apparently that's what it's called. *shrubs* :/) "H-Hey now! There's no need for violence!" I instantly caught sight of Lan Fan and her grandfather already charging at us from over Ling's shoulder. I shove him down and started firing.

"Lucas knock him out for me!"
"Wait what!?"
"Unless you want to be beaten up by a prince who most likely has ten stomachs, I suggest you do it now!"

Lucas does so, but with a god damn wrench. Alice just stands there with a sweat drop at the back of her head as I yell, "I said knock him out! Not send him to heaven! Jesus you're almost like Winry now!" Lucas retorts, "This is the only thing I have with me that could do the job! What? You want me to hit him with a rock instead?" "I'll hit you with a boulder if you ever pull a stupid stunt like that again!" "Young master!" I was barely able to draw out my sword when Lan Fan suddenly came flying straight at me. "Hey calm down Lan Fan! We're not gonna hurt your precious prince!" That only made her intent to kill me even stronger. "Who are you!? How do you know my name?" she ask as she continues to slash her kunai at me. I duck when Lan Fan went for my head, with only a few strands of my hair getting cut in the process.

"I said hold on!" I quickly took out my pistol, only for a sudden shuriken to knock it right of my hand. Fu was able to help his grand daughter but Alice was quick enough to pull her gun (the one I lent her before) behind his head. "I think it's best for you to stay out of this fight," Alice gives me a thumbs up as shee continues, "unless you want your own granddaughter to watch her own family get their brains blown off." I wanted to face slap myself at her threat and I think Alice realized too the sudden foreshadowing she just did right there. "Don't take your eyes off your opponent!" I nearly lost my footing when she decided to slash at my stomach. "Oh no! I am not getting another stomach wound!" I took my water flask out and quickly used alchemy on it before tossing it at Lan Fan.

She cuts it in half but was surprised at the sudden burst of hot steam that exploded right in front of her face. Clapping my hands, I dove straight into the steam cloud and transmuted it all back into water to freeze her legs together. Lan Fan yelps in surprise as she falls to the ground. "Man! You sure did a number on her!" I heard a voice to my sight, accompanied with a short whistle. I jump when I see Ling suddenly standing at my side. "What the- When did he-" Lucas looks down in confusion to see Prince had escaped. Fu just casually walks away much to Alice's confusion. When she tried to fire, the barrel of the gun suddenly came off from a clean cut. "When did he cut it!?" Alice jaw drops. "I like you! Want to become the next empress?" My eyes went wide in horror as Alice and Lucas try their best not to laugh.

"Young master! You must reconsider!" Lan fan objects. I quickly nod in agreement, "She's right! You can't just flat out ask someone to marry you! You need to get to know the person first!"

"We have enough time for that after the ceremony~!"
"I never said yes!"
"You amestrian women are really hard to please..."
"C'mon guys! Let's go back to the automail shop!"
"Wait for me~!"
"Leave me alone!"

For some odd reason, I ended up 'capturing' the heart of the prince because of how I was able to fight off against Lan Fan without getting hurt according to Alice. It's nice to think of how I was able to fight against a highly trained bodyguard without getting any injuries, unlike Ed, but I definitely don't like the idea of being the love interest of his royal pain in the ass.

++Later++
||Garfield's Shop||

Ed just stands there with his jaw hanging and Al frozen in shock as I sat in place with a look of disgust as Ling sat at my side. His arm slung right around my shoulders. After trying to get him to shut up, he only agreed so if Ling was allowed to put his arm around me. I wanted to protest but Alice seemed to really like the idea for some odd reason. Now I see why. "Welcome back you two," Garfiel casually greets the pair. "Why the hell is that guy here!? And get your hands off her!" yells the alchemist as he drops his broken automail, marches over to us and practically rips me away from the prince. "What? Can't a guy get all close with his girl?" I put a hand on my face to hide the blush on my cheeks as Ed steams at Ling's words. "She's not your girl! If anything, she's my girl!" Now my whole face was completely red.

"Oh yeah? Prove it!"
"Fine! I will!"

I was surprised when Ed grabs my hand and shows off my ring not only to Ling, but to everyone else. I quickly shot a glare at the three once I see them snickering in amusement at my current situation. "See this ring? I gave it to her so she's mine!" "Oh my god Ed!" I exclaim as I pull my hand away, even more embarrassed than ever. How the hell is he just saying that without turning as red as I am!? Everyone witnessing this just smirks in amusement. "Don't just stand there! Could you guys at least make some effort to say something!?" I yell at the group. All of them turn their heads and whistle as it pretending that they weren't paying attention to what's happening. "Oh for the love of-" I was cut off when Ling suddenly walks over with his usual happy disposition. "Now now! We're all friends, right?"

"Is that how you treat your friends... you sick your dogs on them and treat my gi- partner as if she's your property!? Those two didn't go easy! And will you take your hands off her already!" I instantly jump to the side when I notice Ling's arm around my shoulders again. "Will you quit that!" I yell, covering my face with my hand to hide the pink on my cheeks. I wasn't blushing because I'm not used to having a guy get all touchy with me (I've had my fill already from captain sparkles), Ed's sudden outburst and shows off the ring he gave me. I didn't even think he noticed at all! "I'll make sure to give them a good talk. Besides," Alice and I automatically shut up and tried to hold back from laughing with what's coming next, "I am a prince after all."

"A prince!?" both brothers exclaimed. Alice and I tried not to laugh as well since we both clearly knew how they were picturing Ling right now, even I almost pictured the same thing when Alice told me about Ling one time. To think this guy- a man who probably has a black hole for a stomach- is one of the many prince's of a large country like that. Ling muttered at their reactions, "Not the reaction I thought..." Lucas crosses his arms and raises and eyebrow, asking the teen, "Dude, you honestly think anyone would believe a guy who goes around constantly begging for food?" "He does have a points," Alice sweat drops as I nod in agreement. "S-Sorry... we just... didn't see... that coming!" Al said in between laughs. "Yeah! The guy who mooched off of us is the son of an emperor!" Ed yelps in surprise not long after when a kunai was suddenly thrown near his head.

I would have warned him, but I decided not to say anything else that might make this stupid prince interested in me. I don't want to make the guy think I'm some sort of psychic. Al and Ed hug each other in far as Lan Fan spoke darkly from the window, "You will not speak badly of Master Ling..." "Great to see you too..." Ed mutters. Now here comes to part that would make anyone's pants drop. "Lucas I hope you have you belt on tight..." I whisper over to him as I went over to where Ed if. Lucas looks over at Alice, confused. "And why?" She smiles and states, "Let's just say this makes you realize just how busy their emperor is."

"You're probably right. It's not that big of a deal. The emperor has lots of sons. It's like this- My country, Xing, is broken up into 50 different clans with an emperor on top, reining over them. The daughter of each clan chief becomes one of the emperor's wives and bears his children. The current emperor has ninteen daughters and twenty fi- I mean, twenty four sons. I come in at twelve in that line up."

The fact that Ling almost said 25 was very suspicious. 'There's no way I'm going to ask that guy about it... Guess I have to do some research when I have the time.' "43 kids!? That's incredible!" Ed exclaims. I shudder at the thought, muttering out loud, "I feel sorry for the mother... all 50 of them actually..." "Issue of succession must be a tricky one..." Alice just shrugs, adding to what Al said, "If he didn't have so many kids than none of this would have happened. Isn't ONE child enough to continue the bloodline?" Lucas almost wanted to vomit at the idea. "50 wives? That man must be really busy to be able to keep that much energy... I may like women but that's too many in my lifetime. " I glare at him, "Let Winry hear that and you'll definitely end up in a coma."

He flinches and quickly turns his head away. "You don't have to get all feisty with me..." "So, what exactly are you here for?" I just want to get straight to the point now. The longer that prince continues to stay here, I swear I can hear the strange sound of wedding bells getting closer and closer with each minute passing. "The emperor's health has begun to deteriorate recently." Alice and I slightly back away at this familiar part. "Each clan is doing what they can to curry favor, I'm no exception." "You want to up your chances by discovering the secret to immortality, isn't that right?" I asked, crossing my arms and sharply glaring at the older teen. Ling smiles and rubs his face against mine, "Exactly! As expected of my future wife!" Ed tries to punch him but as expected, Ling's reflexes were too fast.

"Okay, the Philosopher's stone, what information can you give?" He is so full of himself. "Not happening! The stone isn't for some political gain," Ed and I said simultaneously. Ling goes straight for Ed and hugs the poor boy, begging him, "Then I'll have to stay with you until you tell me!" We all just watch as Ed senselessly beats Ling with his broken automail arm, shouting, "Oh no you don't!" "I'm back!" Winry chimes. Ed freezes in place and cease his beatings on the prince. "Uh oh..." Alice mutters, taking a few steps behind Al. "Did you see that? Some kind of fight on main street..." she trails off once she turns her head in our direction. Ed just sat there, holding his broken automail up in plain sight for all to see. "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ARM!?" "AAAAHHHH!

++Later++

"So, where are you guys headed off to now?" Lucas asks me, adjusting the wires in my arm and replacing a few parts. I requested to go in a different room for a certain 'reason' that even Alice understood. "We're heading off to central. The boys need to do some digging so while we're there, maybe we could find other ways to get back home." Alice adds, "And find a way to revert the philosopher's stone and get everyone back." "Central, huh? I heard that place if pretty nice from Win..." mutters the technician. I just roll my eyes while Alice giggles at his response. "Well Winry will be going with us anyway," she starts. He looks at her in confusion then at me. "She's going to be excused my Mr. Garfiel don't worry! She only want to go there to visit..." I trail off, unable to completely bring myself to say it out in the open.

Alice silently stands there, closing her eyes and bows her head. Finally, I finished but with a slightly cracked voice, "To visit the Hughes family. You're really going to like Gracia, she really knows how to make... the best apple pie. That's one of the reasons her husband loved her so much and smiled through the pain." I couldn't hold it in anymore. I brought a hand up to cover my eyes as the tears started to come out. I just silently sat there and let it all out while Alice grips onto her pants, shaking all over to reflect the amount of pain she was feeling right now.

-Ed-
||Room||

We were given separate rooms since there wouldn't be enough room. Garfiel thought it would be best to put us in two's, but what I never expected was for this to happen. "S-So..." I tried to strike up a conversation but it was nearly impossible without making myself look stupid. Cat sat on one end of the bed while I sat on the other. 'Those guys... they set this whole thing up! I can't sleep with a girl right next to me!' I take a small glance at the girl's turned back and spot how red her ears were. 'Especially with the one I like!' "Y-You can take the bed Ed... I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight..." Seeing her like this, it's actually ironic that she's stuck around me for this long. I silently scoot over and leaned my back against hers as I stared up at the ceiling.

"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it Ed?"
"Back then... when I gave you that ring and told you about how I met you as a kid under that tree, did you stop?"
"Stop what?"
"Waiting for me."
"... No. I didn't. I continued going back just like you did. Even though I lost hope of ever seeing you again, I still went to that tree. I knew you weren't the type of person to break your promise, but it hurt... I honestly thought you had forgotten me."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because... I was afraid how you'd react. I mean looked how we met for the first time in the East! We were already at each other's throats the moment we had a formal introduction. I didn't want to disappoint you with how much I've changed."

I lean away and turned, going on my knee's on the mattress and hugged her from behind. "You idiot..." She freezes at first then relaxes. Honestly, this girl has so many secrets.

||Trail||

Yoki steers the horse carriage as May and Scar rode in the back. "So, the little one is coming after all...?" Scar stayed silent as he gripped the walnuts in his hand tighter. On top of the shack which the trio hid in earlier, Xiao stands on top of the roof with his arms crossed and watches the carriage getting smaller in the distance. "Got the answers you need?" a familiar voice spoke. He looks down to see Jealousy, who was leaning against the wall and watching as well. "Yeah..." There was no way he could go back after what he's done.

::Memory::

In the dead of night, rain started to pour down, accompanied with brief flashes of lightening in the dark sky. When one struck against a nearby tree, a scream broke through the thunderous sounds of the storm. The emperor goes on his knee's and coughs up a mouthful of blood. A man with a mask walks up and swipes his sword to the side, removing the blood from the blade and onto the floor. "Y-You brat! If you kill me then your clan with suffer the consequences! Your sister will lose the opportunity of becoming the next ruler!" The old man holds his breathe when the end of the blade was aimed in between his eyes. "You honestly think you can stop me with that excuse? Every clan is suffering because of the laws this country made-" the masked intruder raises his weapon high up in the air. "-which is why it must end with your dying breath."

"Stop it!" A kunai was throw across his face to stop him from moving, cutting the mask in half in the process. The mask snaps in half to reveal it was non-other than Xiao Chang. He silently looks over at the exact moment the light of lightening explodes in the night, illuminating the shocked expression of his sister and the dead look he had in his eyes. The sound of the guards voices were heard in the distance. Unable to finish what he came for, Xiao sheathes his sword and disappears the moment the lightening struck again.

::End of Memory::

||The Gate||

Fate sits in her chair and stares down at her hands in boredom. The gate opens behind her back but she didn't pay much attention to it as she already knew who it was. "How much of their memories have you scrambled?" It was her long time 'friend'. Fate chuckles while thinking out loud, "Seems like someone's not appreciating all that work in making sure the events go as planned." The man grabs the chair from behind and forces her around, glaring deeply into her eyes. "She won't remember anything at all if you keep interfering!" "Isn't that what you've been doing?" He froze while Fate stand up from her seat. She trails her finger across his chest and said in a seductive tone, "I'm just doing as paid. You know how difficult it is the twist the memories of so many all at once? That death of that Chimera was the most difficult as she held onto that memory like her life depended on it."

"And then you only erased her mind when she finally gave him the letter?" This caused Fate to frown. "Now that wasn't my doing. A certain someone decided to stick inside her body a little bit longer than she should have. It's not my fault the catalyst lost some parts of her memories due to the former wanting to see him in person."

To Be Continued

Hey guys! Now I know my uploads haven't as frequent the past few months... But I've been trying to keep my old monthly flow going! I've been so focused on MA that I have forgot to work on my other fanfics... Q^Q But any who, guess what? My stupid ass brain just created another fanfic. XD IKR! I know what you're probably thinking. Why are you making so many if you don't have the update almost all of them? Simple. I want to make as much fanfics before I reach complete adulthood. It's like I have this strange urge to do something that I really love while I'm still... me. I know this sounds confusing but if you think about it, when you step into another part of your life you want to leave something behind to remind you of before things started to change. I know I won't be writing fanfics forever. I'll graduate and get a job, forcing me to focus solely on making money rather than what i love to do. I will most likely finish MA but the others? Heck I can't even finish a single chapter of Forgotten hearts without listening to a reference to the game!

Cat: Why are you so serious on finishing our story? You won't be the first to stop midway.
Me: Well sadly i'm not like that. Once I start something I really want to finish it till the very end. Don't you agree?
Ali: Yeah! I really want to see how this all ends! I remember you had a grand ending for the previous one before 2009, right?
Me: Mm... honestly it actually hurt trying to finish it like that. But it made so much sense to end things that way. Sadly, with quizilla gone and the original copy in my virus infested computer... None of you will get to see it.
Everyone: AW!
Me: Well if I ever still have the passion to write... I could make a short story of it since it will be the one to tie together the story of MA.
Everyone: YAY!
Me: Anyway-
Cat: AveryScarlet does not own FMA! All right go to Hiromu Arakawa! She only owns me-
Alice: Me!
Lu: And me!
Me: And my many other OC's! Please R&R and we'll see you in the next chapter!