Ed claps his hands and turns his automail into a blade. Frowning, I release the Ishvalan from my hold. He drops to his hands and knees, rubbing his arm and scowling at me. I narrow my eyes at him and point his club at him. He and the other Ishvalans gasp.

"Don't hurt him!" Ed shouts.

I sigh and poke the man's shoulder with the stick.

He looks up at me with a scared, yet confused look. I sigh again.

"Just take the stupid stick and back away."

The Ishvalan blinks before gingerly wrapping his fingers around the club. I let go of it and he dashes back among the crowd, multiple others pulling him into the group as if to shield him.

One of the men pulls his hood back, showing that the skin around his eye is scarred, all the way back around his neck. He's even blind in one eye. "Things will go bad if you do not behave and hand yourselves over to us."

I can't help but snort. "Sorry guys, but it'd be easier for you guys to give up than for us to, considering you'd have to beat us both unconscious to take either of us anywhere." I point at Ed. "He's as pig-headed as they come, and I'm what most would call a goddess." I hear someone in the crowd say "She doesn't look like a goddess." before someone hisses them to silence.

"What do you want with a couple of kids anyways?" Ed demands, hands held up should he need to transmute anything. "The government won't do much over two kids."

"Public opinions can change over anything… especially over children." The man says. "The death of a child triggered the War of Ishval. We want our lands back and for the military to leave us alone. That is why we wish to hold you captive."

"Disgraceful, all of you!" A woman's voice cuts in, everyone turning towards where it came from.

It's an old Ishvalan woman with some kind of eyepatch on being supported by an Ishvalan boy with mismatched eyes. The scarred man steps up to the woman and says her name, which I think might just be spoken in their native tongue, but I'm not sure what he said either way.

"Are you fools trying to ruin the good name of Ishval?" She snaps. All the men around us hang their heads in shame and shuffle back.

The boy turns to us and looks like he wants to say something, but isn't sure what. He should be asking Ed to let go of that guy, but of course me butting in has thrown that off.

"Our apologies for the youths' transgressions." The woman says. Ed straightens up and adjusts his jacket. "It's alright." He says. "I know full well how Ishvalans hate Amestrians."

"Ah." She says knowingly. "We were chased from our homes into this damnable desert. You cannot simply expect us to forgive your peers easily."

"Then why help us? If you hate my people?"

The woman smiles softly, her expression softening. "We know that not all Amestrians are evil. Our lives have been saved by two of yours."

Ed looks surprised. "Wha-?"

"When Grandmother and I suffered mortal injuries during the Rebellion," The boy joins in, "we were saved by Amestrian Doctors." His eyes sadden. "After what happened in Ishval and to our people, I bear a hatred for Amestrians like you, but… I and many of us are alive because of them… So I do not completely hate you."

Some of the men behind us start muttering how they were also saved.

"I knew a pair of married doctors who went to Ishval during the War…" Ed's hand closes into a loose fist.

"A pair of married doctors…" The boy repeats. "You couldn't be referring to the doctors Rockbell?!"

Ed's eyes widen and he looks to the boy with wide eyes. "You know of them?!"

"Know of them?! Anyone who got any help during the war knew those two!" He says excitedly. "So you're friends of the doctors! It's amazing that fate let us meet you!"

Ed's face blanks with awed surprise as the Ishvalans around us all talk, some of how the Rockbells helped them, others of how surprised they are that Ed knew them.

" "We have a daughter about your age" they said and treated me as if I were her. I've always wanted to express how grateful to them I am!"

Ed smiles, though there is some remorse in his eyes. "Is that so.." he says, mostly under his breath. "Uncle and Auntie…"

The old woman laughs gruffly, smiling. "Even when the war worsened, when the military ordered our extermination, they never left us, but stayed and saved people until they could no longer."

"... what happened to them?" Ed asks somberly, the soft smile from before fading. Both Ishvalans looks stricken, the boy almost on the verge of tears.

"Those poor doctors." The woman says, wincing and I could swear she shed a tear.

She hangs her head sadly as the boy puts a hand on her back. "They were treating patients and.. They were killed by one of the men they were treating…" I nearly let out a sob and cover my mouth, Ed looking horrified.

"Those kinds of.. unreasonable things happen more than we like to think… I am so sorry… we were not able to stop it from happening."

Ed grits his teeth, going full on rage for a moment. "Who and where is this bastard?"

"His face was bandaged so we don't know who he was. His right arm bears the tattoos of the Ishvalan Warrior Priests." I bite back the urge to say who it was… Another reason to fight that damned man… God there's so much against him but he's TOO DAMN COOL AHHH!

I huff but suddenly realize I missed out on the rest of the conversation. Ed's starting to walk away and I stride after him easily. "-please visit the tombs of the Rockbells for us." The woman calls as we leave. "To express our thanks… and our apologies…" Ed nods back at her. "I will."

"I promise you that."

-bip-

We return back to Amestris with Breda and Armstrong, both of us happier to be in our normal clothes instead of those itchy cloak things.

"We'll return to Central soon." Armstrong says as we take our supplies from the back of the cart we'd rode into town.

"Actually, I've got to go see Granny for repairs." Ed holds up automail, which is still kinda busted from Armstrong's "invitation".

"Oh, yes, right."

I sigh and put my hands in the pocket of my sweatshirt, following Ed through Resembool. "You could go with them and check on Al and Winry." He says, carrying the clothes Armstrong had given him.

I smile and shrug. "I could, but I don't wanna ride the train back with the two of them. It'd drive me nuts." I giggle and elbow him. "'Sides, what if you get into more trouble? Who'd bail you out with Al not around?"

"Eh?!" Ed huffs and looks away, grumbling. "I do not need someone to bail me out of trouble. 'M fine on my own."

I roll my eyes and laugh out loud. "Sure Ed-ster, sure."

After awhile, the graveyard comes into view. "Might as well visit Uncle and Auntie's tombs.." Ed says quietly. I nod, despite knowing he didn't think I'd hear him. "You did say you would." I remind him.

He doesn't respond, looking confusedly at the figure standing in front of one of the graves. If I recall, that's his mother's grave.

Ed suddenly sucks in a breath so quickly he nearly hisses. Then he speeds up, nearly breaking straight into a run. I yelp and jog after him.

'Who the hell is that? Wait a minute.. I've seen that coat before… Is that?!' I nearly gasp. 'This early in the series?! He didn't show up til the end of the '03 series, why would he be here so soon in this 'verse?! God, what the hell have I not seen?!'

Ed marches straight over while I stop at the front gate.

"... Hohenheim! Van Hohenheim!" Ed shouts angrily.

"Ed..ward?" Hohenheim looks mildly surprised.

They talk, Ed getting increasingly more pissed, practically yelling at one point. Suddenly, the conversation turns, Hohenheim turning and speaking at Ed directly. I still can't hear them from this distance, but Ed starts to look positively horrified and generally freaked out.

"I've had enough of this." I mutter and start to walk towards them when Ed shouts. "What would a bastard like you understand about that!" They exchange a few more words before Ed turns on his heel and storms back over.

"Uh… I'd ask what but.." Ed walks right past me, growling with both hands stuffed in his pockets. "My thoughts exactly." I sigh tiredly and follow him.

Ed glances back and then growls. "Stop following me!" He snaps. I glance back to see Hohenheim following us with a weird blank look. It's a bit un-nerving to be honest.

"You're going back to Pinako's, aren't you? I'm going there too since I don't have anywhere else. Can't be helped, I guess."

Lengthening my strides, I walk up beside Ed as Hohenheim walks closer behind us.

"... You grew your hair out… the same style as mine too."

Ed growls and braids his hair faster than I honestly thought was possible before shooting his father the strangest shark face I've ever seen. He walks faster, putting more distance between them. I squeak and hurry after him, not really wanting to be stuck with the old man right now.

When we get back to Pinako's, Ed goes straight off to bed while I take over kitchen duty for Pinako. To be honest, Ed's dad kinda creeps me out, something doesn't feel right with him… I shiver, realizing that the air around him is nearly the same as how I felt while we were at Xerxes.

I barely overhear Pinako and Hohenheim's conversation as I head upstairs and to Winry's room where Pinako told me to stay since it'd be weird for Ed and I to share a room.

The only thing I really catch is overbearingly heart-wrenching. "-their current bodies was just their mistake!? What an awful thing to suggest!"

-the next morning-

I find myself waking up early, just as Hohenheim is walking down the front path. I watch him from Winry's bed until he's far enough down the path he vanishes down the hill. I throw back the covers and get out of bed.

"I hope Ed's up." I grumble, rubbing my eye with the back of my hand. "A good spar before breakfast would be great…"

I walk into the kitchen to see Ed messing with his shirt, automail fixed up, he and Pinako making small talk about Winry's work.

"Yo, Blondie!" Ed yelps and looks up at me surprised. I chuckle and lace my fingers together, stretching them above my head. "You up for a one-on-one before breakfast cause I'm startin' to feel rusty."

Ed's expression becomes somber and he looks at his automail, ignoring my question. "Hey Granny?"

"What's the matter?" She asks.

"I...I have something I want your help with."

-...-

And that's how we ended up at the spot Ed's childhood home had been, armed with shovels, a bucket and various gardening tools. I glance at Ed. He's been constantly looking more and more sick with every step we take.

"There's the back of your house." Pinako points to a spot where some burnt rubble remains. We walk over, my stomach swirling more with the building anxiety of what's about to occur. "Right about here." Pinako stops and points to a small area, scarcely big enough for me to lay on. "This is where I buried it. "

Ed grips his shirt and nearly starts shaking. I frown and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ed, you don't have to do this, you know."

"Yes I do." He looks down, those stupid little bangs of his shading his upper face. "My joints are hurting. It's going to rain soon so we'd better hurry this up."

And then we start digging, Ed and I with the shovels we brought and Pinako with her gardening tools. The rain starts coming down, barely even a sprinkle. "We won't be able to finish this-" Pinako stops when Ed keels over and vomits, looking like he's on the verge of dying.

"ED!" We both hurry over, Pinako rubbing his back. "We have to stop." She says in a 'No-ifs-ands-or-buts' tone.

"My stomach.. feels like it's being yanked out." He grunts.

I glare up at the clouds and slowly move my arms up, then quickly snap then to the sides. The water forms a bubble around the area, shielding us from further rain.

"That's expected!" Pinako snaps. "...Ed, let's stop this, you're going to get sick if we keep this up!"

"Ed please, let's just go back." I say, closing my fists and freezing the bubble before kneeling beside him. "This is ridiculous and does no good if you pass out in the middle of all this.."

"I can't… go on unless I make sure… Alchemists are those who pursue the truth. Letting things be settle by seeing only the good points of the situation is not good enough." He wipes his mouth with his short sleeve, determination filling his golden eyes. "I will not… run away!"

We go straight back into digging, the bubble melting within minutes and drenching the area further as the drizzle quickly turns into a full on rainstorm.

Ed pukes again off to the side, leaning on the tree, Pinako staying by the spot and, the moment I take a step towards him, desperately wanting to make him stop all this and get out of the rain, she grabs my arm and shakes her head. I grit my teeth and look back over, surprised to see the same determination from before remains, if not turning into a raging fire in his eyes.

At some point Pinako and I stop, letting Ed go at it, letting all of the pent up anger his body can handle out.

I can't tell if he's crying or it's the rain streaming down his face, but it makes me feel sick to my stomach.

"I can't watch this anymore." I whimper, putting a hand over my eyes, hoping the pained liquid running down my face is as hard to distinguish from the rain as I think it is.

"Granny…" I look up to see Ed has some pulled some hair from the apparent grave and washed the dirt from it, now kneeling and shaking slightly. "My mother's hair was chestnut brown wasn't it?"

He looks back at her, his face utterly horrified. "This is black."

I turn and walk over to the tree as they unbury the rest of the corpse, barely able to stop myself from retching and then losing the rest of whatever was leftover from dinner. I hear Ed start laughing nearly uncontrollably.

I know that laugh. That is the laugh of someone who has just lost themselves, broke their mind and soul. It is truly the most painful thing to ever hear.

I walk further away from the whole scene as the rain starts to clear. I can't… God, I can't. I knew I was a little squeamish, but a full up corpse is too much. Carrying the shovel with me, I return back to the house and sit on the porch. I know Ed and Pinako will be back soon, they probably left not long after I did, so waiting is no problem.

"I really should have finished watching." I mumble. "I don't know how to help anymore and I don't want to hurt them… What's the use of powers if I can't help anyone with 'em?" I sigh and press my hands on my face, hanging my head sorrowfully. "How can anyone call me a hero when I hardly make any difference…"

I jump slightly when I feel a buzzing in my pocket. "The hell-" I pull out my phone and gasp.

With a swipe of my thumb, I hold up the phone. "H-hello?"

"Lisa! How's it goin' kiddo? We ain't heard from you in awhile! How're the boys?"

I feel my eyes water as I smile. "W-we're doin' ok Mr. Hughes. Ed and I are back in Risembool taking care of some things and Al's back in Central with Winry. How's Elysia and Gracia doing? Did they get to the safe house alright?"

"Yup! In fact, a little somebody's been wanting to talk to you!"

I rub a pesky tear away with my thumb as Maes calls for Elysia.

"*huff* *puff* Hewo?" I smile at the sound of Elyisa's voice.

"Hey 'Lissie."

"Sissy!" She giggles. "I miss-ed you!"

"I miss-ed you too kid." I giggle and grin. "How's mommy?"

"Mommy makin' noodles! You come eat too?"

I sigh and shake my head a little. "No, sorry itty bit. I won't be able to come over for awhile."

"Awwww!"

"But as soon as I can, I'll come get you and Mommy and Daddy and we'll all have a big party!"

"Big brovers too?"

I laugh. "Big brovers too."

"Yay!"

I chuckle and sigh. "You still have that dollhouse I got you?"

"Yeah! It's in my room! Oh- okay Daddy! Wuv you sissy!" She makes a kissy noise and I hear Maes laugh.

"She misses you a whole lot."

I sigh and nod. "I miss you guys too."

"Miss who?" I glance up to see Ed and Pinako walking up the steps. "Uh, hang on a second." I say into the phone before turning back towards Ed, covering the microphone. "Come here!" I hiss.

He sighs and walks over, sitting on the chair beside me. I set my phone down and turn on the speaker. "Hey, Ed's here and I put the phone on speaker so we can both hear you."

"That's cool! How're ya doing Edo!"

"Mr. Hughes?!" He gasps and leans forward, looking at my phone in surprise. I stifle a giggle as Maes explains what happened to Ed, even telling about when Gracia and Elyisia showed up at the safe house.

"So how's everything on your end? Keeping Roy out of trouble?" Ed huffs and flops back in his seat. "That douchebag-" "-'s been out to find the guy who "killed" you and Havoc received an injury to his spine that took his ability to walk so he's bed ridden."

"When did this happen?!" Ed and Maes both exclaim. "If I'm right, just last night or while we were in Xerxes. One of the two times, but either way, it was while we were off and Mustang and his gang were snooping. Also, if memory serves, Mustang's burned Lust to death until she was dead-dead and it was fucking brutal. When we get back to Central I wanna have a talk with him."

Ed blinks several times, staring at me with his mouth hanging open. "A-are you serious? Mustang killed one of the homunculi?!"

I sigh and cross my arms. "Abso-freaking-lutely he did. It hurts me to say this, but it's because he wants to know who killed you Maes."

He sighs on the other end and I get the mental image of him rubbing the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. "Dammit Roy."

"Well if he wasn't going off on his crazy rampage, we probably never would kill her. Plus, I wouldn't simply cause she's cool in another universe and I've been stuck with that as my perception of her anywhere."

"Well you're in this world and they are the way they are here." Ed says. "Different worlds or not, you need to stop thinking about other worlds and focus on the one you're in now!"

"Sorry, I try not to, but you know, when there's only one version that delves into how the homunculi were brought around and their individual-ness instead of them as a group, it's hard to think of them as a group when you've seen them as individuals."

I sigh and lay back on the chair. "You know…. I just realized I hate not being able to understand things, especially people."

"Makes two of us.." Ed mutters. "Uh, so Mr. Hughes, we'll, uh, call you later."

"Alright, you two be careful and try not to kill each other." Maes chuckles and Ed sighs.

"Alright, we'll try." Ed told him before hanging up.

I stand up and sigh. "Alright, well, I'm gonna take a nice hot shower, you better dry off before you start tryin' to get ahold of people."

"People?"

"Don't even Edo. I know what you're thinking." I poof up a towel and toss it at his face. I smile and laugh at him fuming over it as I walk back inside.