Roy was on the road heading to Shou Tucker's house, with Edward and Alphonse riding in the back seats.
"Uh, mister Mustang?" Alphonse Replied anxiously.
"It's Colonel Mustang!" Roy snapped.
"Colonel Mustang." Alphonse Said more confidently.
"Mister Colonel Mustang!" Roy smirked.
"What is happening!" Alphonse Asked.
"Big daddy Mustang!" Roy gave an evil grin.
"I'm not calling you that!" Alphonse Replied.
"Say it, Metal man!" Roy snapped.
"Nope, not doing it!" There was a long silence afterwards that subsided. "I was wondering if you could help us by becoming State Alchemists." Alphonse explained.
"You want to serve your country, huh?" Roy smugly laughed.
"If by 'serve our country' you mean, use all the resources at our disposal as State Alchemists to get our bodies back and do as little work as possible in the process? Then yeah, that's exactly what we want." Edward scoffed.
"So you're telling me, a Colonel of the Fuhrer's mightiest soldiers, that you plan to use our knowledge and power for your own selfish purpose and do NOTHING to help this country?" Roy laughed.
"No" Alphonse scolded
"Yes!" Edward Yelled,
"I'm so proud!" Roy started crying.
"Uh, Colonel Mustang?" Alphonse Said shyly.
"It's Big daddy Mustang!" Roy Yelled.
"Oh god! Anyway, where are you taking us?" Alphonse Asked, now understandably getting nervous.
"I already told you, we're heading to Shou Tucker's house. How many times do I have to state this fact!" Roy grumbled.
"Because you're being very weird and harsh about everything." Alphonse Replied.
"That's just because that's his personality." Edward laughed. Roy pulled up at a big house with green walls. It had a fancy gate around it, and statues with sage bushes underneath with moss and ivy along the crevices of the statues. The three of them got out of the car and Roy opened the gate.
"And here we are, I should mention that you're not just staying with Shou, he also has a dog and a little girl." Edward gapes in shock. "Why is he making that sound?"
"Ed doesn't really like kids, or animals, or people." Alphonse Replied.
"Ah, introvert?" Roy laughs. "That explains a lot."
"I'm not, I just prefer not socializing!" Edward grumbled.
"So what kind of dog does he have?" Alphonse Asked, Roy however didn't answer, a little girl suddenly walked out of the door. She had dark brunette pigtails.
"Hey daddy, there's some people out there!" The dog on the lawn barked loudly.
"Nina, I thought I told you to keep Alexander tied up." Shou Tucker sighed, he lifted Nina up on his shoulder and waved.
"Wow, this place is huge!" Edward was in awe, suddenly Alexander jumped on top of him. "And so is this dog!" He mumbled.
"I'm guessing you're very dog tired from your road trip!" Shou laughed, Edward however wasn't laughing.
"Ha Ha, very funny." He grumbled. "I can't get out!"
"I'll help you brother!" Alphonse pulled Edward off of the Dog's big body.
"Thanks Al." Edward stood back up, very stiffly. They walked into the house to meet Shou Tucker sitting at the table in the living room.
"I must apologize for Alexander. He tends to act a bit rash when excited. A trait shared by all members of the Tucker family, I'm afraid." Shou laughed.
"Mr. Tucker, I wanted to thank you for taking in these two, if it wasn't for you, the Fuhrer would have them staying at my place!" He sighed.
"Speaking of children, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Nina." He smiled. "She has been the only human companion I've had since my wife left us. We were so poor back then, she just couldn't stand living a life like that." Edward thought back to his father, and could relate.
"Hey Al?" Edward laughed.
"Yeah, Brother?" Alphonse sighed.
"I love this little girl, she's family to me now and if anyone ever hurts her, I'm going to surgically remove their face, turn it upside down, and sew it onto the nearest ape." Edward smirked, Alphonse turned and looked at him in shock.
"Eeeeh, that's oddly specific, Brother." Alphonse Said nervously.
"Gotta have a plan Al!"
"Now now, Nina. Run along and play with Alexander." Shou said to her.
"Okay daddy." She giggled and ran off.
"Let's go to my master Library." Shou said to the Elric brothers. They came upon a large library stacked high with books. "It's the most comprehensive collection next only to the State Alchemists laboratory in Capital City! You can find anything here, from how to skin a camel to how to properly remove a human head." Shou praised, Alphonse raised an eyebrow.
"Are all these books like that?" He Asked.
"I have my interests." He smirked.
"Woah... this book has some crazy ass Transmutation circles in it." Edward gasped.
"Hey, where I'd the Colonel go?" Alphonse Asked.
"He probably just booked it, he said he didn't wanna baby us or whatever, I'm pretty sure he just dropped us off here." Edward Replied.
"Great, just wonderful!" Alphonse sighed.
"So how are your studies going? You were in there all day." Shou laughed, once they came out of the library for dinner.
"Really? Cuz it only felt like two seconds." Edward Replied.
"Did you find anything... interesting?" Shou Asked.
"Yeah, actually. There was a book on the Philosopher's Stone. Said it could do a lot of miraculous things like giving limbs back or whatever. I'm interested, ever heard of it?" Edward Asked, Shou's face changed from a smile to a frown.
"Yes." He Replied.
"You gonna share what you know about the Philosopher's Stone?" Edward questioned.
"Now do you boys know the basics of Alchemy?" Shou Tucker Asked.
"Oh you mean Equivalent Exchange?" Edward laughed.
"Humankind cannot gain anything without first sacrificing something in return. To obtain something of equal value must be given." Alphonse Replied.
"Oh my god, Al, we all know, you never shut up about it." Edward groaned.
"That's the first time I said it."
"Well it feels like the thousandth, just please... never say it again!" Edward continued, Alphonse Groaned. After a few hours of nothing they went to the guest room for the night.
"Finally, we're on our way to getting our bodies back Al." Edward laughed, crawling into the covers.
"Hey brother, don't you think this place is a little... weird?" Alphonse Asked.
"I mean, a little I guess."
"But... Mister Tucker. There's something wrong with hi-."
"Go to sleep Al, there's a lot of books in the library, and I need to get up early so I can spend the next three months reading them tomorrow." Edward mumbled.
"First of all, That made literally no sense Brother!" Alphonse sighed. "Secondly, I don't sleep, I don't have a body remember? I just sit here all night and wait till the sun rises while I hear you snore!"
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking, you're right Al, I'm going to get our bodies back okay." Edward felt guilty, this was the first time in a while when Alphonse had been angry with him.
"Well, tomorrow's the exam, and we'll need every advantage we can get." Alphonse laughed.
"Do you think people will hail me as their king?" Edward Said aloud.
"Good night brother!" Alphonse put the blankets over his face and turned to the side.
"Wait, I thought you said..." Alphonse started fake snoring. "I know you can hear me!"
The next morning they got ready for their exam, and we're happy to be eating some breakfast.
"So today's the big day! Are you boys prepared?" Shou Asked the Elric Brothers.
"Yeah, I sure hope we do, there's three trials after all." Edward sighed.
"Well, whatever plan you boys have hatched, I hope it works. For your sake. This exam can be... a monster. You're going to have to sacrifice friends and family alike if you want to pass." He Replied.
"Well that sounds unnerving." Alphonse shivered.
"I'm not worried, at least about sacrificing friends and all that. Well, we'd better get going Al." They arrived to see Roy and the other officers at the front gate, they walked into the building and got ready for the training.
"Welcome to the State Alchemist Exam, here you'll be tested across multiple courses on your aptitude to become State Alchemists. Sadly only a very few applicants will be accepted each year. Those who pass will be granted the title of State Alchemist. Those who fail will be taken out back. The written portion is now commencing, there's only one rule, don't cheat, now begin." Fuhrer Bradly Replied. Alphonse looked at the piece of paper and read the passage. How could anyone understand how to answer these questions? He wondered. After a long hour they got their test results.
"What! I got 43%! I studied hard!" Edward shouted.
"I got 78%!" Alphonse laughed.
"You didn't even study!" Edward Yelled.
"Brother, you read one book for three months. Do you really consider that studying?" He scoffed.
"Yes I do!" Edward Groaned,
"It's okay, little sister. You still have two more tests right?" Nina laughed.
"I'm not a girl!" Edward Yelled. Roy was standing Guard listening in to The Elric Brothers conversation when his lieutenant Riza Hawkeye came up to him.
"Sir, these are the written results for the Elric Brothers." She handed it to him, and he accepted it.
"Well this won't do at all." Roy walks up to them, interrupting them.
"Children, I desperately need something from you, and I refuse to take no for an answer, Susie!" Roy laughed.
"Don't call me that!" Edward grumbled.
"I need you to become a State Alchemist and since you have the lowest score and your brother has the highest, that means you two need to swap your papers!" Roy Replied.
"Wait, why do I have to be the one to become a State Alchemist?" Edward Asked.
"Because, Susie! You have something that none of the other applicants have." Roy Replied.
"Ouch, dude. Harsh!" Alphonse sighed. "So I don't even get a say in this, huh? I worked hard on that test and all I get is this?"
"Now Susie, this is very important, when you go into the next part of the exam, I need you to repeat what I'm about to say, exactly how I say it." Roy Replied, Edward swallowed in fear. He whispered the sentence and his eyes grew wide.
"Fine I'll do it, it's really dumb but fine!" Edward Groaned.
"What did he tell you to say brother?" Alphonse Asked, Edward whispered it in his ear. "Oh." He chuckled. "Well good luck with that!" Edward waved and walked into the building again, it was time for his turn for the second test. He opened the two big doors and saw a Transmutation circle underneath a golden chair with a light from above.
"What kind of test is this?" Edward asked himself. He guessed He was supposed to Sit down so he did so.
"State your name." Fuhrer Bradly Said coldly.
"My name is Susie Elric and I'm a little girl!" Edward Replied, He was starting to get really angry at Roy at the moment. Bradley arched an eyebrow.
"I see, Roy has been pulling stupid jokes again hasn't he." He chuckled.
"How did you... sir?" Edward Asked.
"Because, I know him, now you see that chair you're sitting in?" Bradly Asked.
"It's made of gold, it's in the middle of the room. There's a Transmutation circle underneath. And there's also a giant spotlight on it." Edward sighed.
"And what do you think of it?" Bradley Asked.
"I think there's someone out there with a bright future making furniture for people with multiple sclerosis." Edward smirked.
"I made that chair." Bradly scolded.
"Oh, it's um lovely, Mr President King Fuhrer Bradley." Edward Said.
"How much do you know of the properties of alchemy? Only the best and most knowledgeable can join my military, you know." Bradley grinned.
"Yes uh, Alchemy is the magical science of understanding and constructing the structure of matter. By breaking it down, then reconstructing it into something else. It can turn gold to lead. But alchemy is a science. So it must follow the natural laws In order to create, Something of equal value must be sacrificed. This is the principle of Equivalent Exchange." Edward explained. Fear crept into his mind and haunted him. He felt himself shaking with fear.
"But what could equal the value of the human soul! That's the question." Bradley continued.
"Yes sir!" Edward nodded.
"What is your real name?" Bradley smirked. Edward gulped.
"Uh, my name is Edward Elric, my brother is Alphonse Elric, we grew up in Resembool. I turned fifteen a few weeks ago, and my brother is fourteen." Edward explained nervously.
"Tell me young Edward, why do you want to become a State Alchemist?" Fuhrer Bradley Asked, Edward was suddenly nervous. I can't exactly tell him I'm trying to get me and Alphonse's body back, he'd pry in too much. I gotta think of a reason fast! He thought to himself.
"Why? Well, Why the hell not." Edward shrugged, pretending that wasn't a hard thing to answer.
"Alright then works for me, dismissed." Bradley Replied.
"Seriously, that was the entire second test?" Edward scoffed. A while later it was the third.
"This is the final Exam, you're going to use whatever we have laying around to make whatever you are capable of. Impress me!" Bradly announced. Edward looked around at the nature around him. The man next to him drew a Transmutation circle and clapped his hands which created a statue.
"Let's see, we got trees, a mountain, a lake, ice. We've got a lot of Hydrogen and Oxygen to work with." Edward clapped his hands and created a flower wreath in the sky. Bradley's eyes narrowed and he smirked.
"Well then, Edward. You pass!" Edward gasped.
"Wow, thanks." Edward laughed, trying to play it cool. "Oh hey uh Roy." Roy hands the pocket watch to him.
"What're you doing, you passed, get out and go home!" He Yelled.
"Yes sir!" He Met Alphonse outside the gate. "Look at what I got." Alphonse looked away. "What, what's wrong?"
"I could've gotten a promotion, I got the test right, you didn't. Do you think this is really fair brother?" Alphonse Asked.
"Well, Uh... Fine, you're right. I don't know why they all want me either, but I'm doing this because we'll get our bodies back in the long run okay. I don't know how this is going to go to be honest with you, but we should probably get back to Shou Tucker's again. Let's get going Al."
"Hey brother, come outside, it's snowing!" Alphonse shouted from outside the Library.
"How the hell is winter already?" He asked. "I haven't even finished this book." Edward walked out the door to the sunlight. "How is it this bright in December?" He Asked.
"That's What happens when you don't leave your house for three months." Alphonse laughed. "You know, most of the time it's you getting me to get out and socialize, now it's reversed, how do you feel." Alphonse smirked.
"Strange, I feel strange." Edward Said.
"Hey, Little sister!" Nina Smiled.
"I like you, so I'm gonna let that pass." Edward laughed.
"You're an Alchemist right?" Nina asked.
"Yeah why?" Edward Asked curiously.
"Can you do tricks like Daddy?" Nina Asked.
"What kind of tricks does your dad do?" Alphonse laughed.
"He makes screams come from the basement at night." Nina Replied.
"What?" Alphonse gasped, Edward wasn't listening.
"Hey boys, you finally made it huh!" It was Maes Hughes.
"Who the hell are you?" Edward Asked.
"I'm Maes Hughes, we took the train here together." Edward tried to regain his memories, but still looked confused. "We fought two terrorists... Mustang burned the man alive?"
"Oh yeah, that was awesome." Edward Replied.
"So do you remember then?" Hughes Asked.
"No." Edward stated.
"Look, I'm important, whatever, just keep me posted okay." Another soldier came out of Hughes car, he dropped his cigarette on the ground and stood next to him,
"Lieutenant Hughes and Lieutenant Havoc. Nice to see you visiting, however short it may be." Shou Smiled.
"Oh god, hide me!" Havoc sighed.
"Why so hostile Havoc? I just wanted to chat." Shou laughed.
"Because you freak me the hell out, every single thing you say makes my skin crawl." He shivered.
"Well, that's just the price we pay for having skin." Shou chuckled.
"See, you're doing it again, at least think before you say it." Havoc sighed.
"Yeah, Shou. You should probably not say that." Hughes added.
"Well, Anyway, you'd better put that brain power of yours to use, there's an assessment coming up in a few days and you need to have a demonstration to present to the Fuhrer." Havoc Replied.
"Well, I have been working on my demonstration quite tirelessly, would you like to come into my basement and be my research?" Shou Asked.
"What?" Havoc blinked with a tinge of fear in his gut.
"I said see my research!" Shou Chuckled.
"Really, because that's not what I heard." Hughes said.
"See i'm not going crazy!" Havoc sighed. "You know what, we're just gonna go, before you tell us to put poisonous lotion on our skin okay."
"That's preposterous." Shou laughed. "No one would use lotion for poison." Both Havoc and Hughes immediately got in the car, Havoc starts it and they drive away.
"So Shou, What was all that you, Hughes and Havoc we're talking about outside? You have an assessment coming up?" Edward Asked.
"Ah yes, the annual assessment. As I'm not a Field Alchemist like yourself, they'll want to see my research. Last year, I did not fare so well, so I presume this year I'll have to do something... drastic." Shou Replied.
"Why don't you just make another Talking Chimera?" Alphonse Asked.
"Because I haven't been remarried."
"Wait what?"
"Because the results have been buried." Shou continued. "I'm afraid none of my test subjects have survived the initial trial."
"Well, What kind of test subjects have you been using?" Edward Asked.
"Female mostly, middle aged blonde, about five seven." Shou explained.
"Well, that could be your problem right there. The animal is way too old!" Edward Said blankly.
"Yes, So it was." Shou Replied.
"Mister Tucker?" Alphonse Asked.
"Yes bucket man?"
"What?"
"I said, yes, Alphonse?"
"That's not what it sounded like." Alphonse Replied.
"Well, it's what I said. Now, what do you need?" Shou Asked.
"You said your wife left you a year ago, right?" He questioned.
"Yes, before I became a State Alchemist." Shou explained.
"Why? And where did she go?" Edward Asked.
"Well, we were both scientists. Me, Alchemist and her, an engineer. When my profession began to prove... unfruitful. She decided she would be better off alone. As to where she is, I'm sure she's found someone to be... close to." Shou Smiled.
"An Alchemist and an engineer. Now where have I heard that before." Alphonse stares at Edward, Edward glares back.
"Hey, just because I'm an Alchemist and Winrys an engineer doesn't mean there's any correlation between the following!" Edward Growled.
"Right..." Alphonse Chuckled. After a long weekend Edward had been done reading in the library so he went out to stretch his legs. He then saw a door creaked open in the middle of the hallway. He walked in and what he saw shocked him. It was a burnt drawing on the ashtray. He held it in his hands and started to undo the crumbling and what was shown was a drawing of Nina, Shou and a blonde lady he assumed was her mother.
"Somethings very wrong here."
Edward, after having researched all he could about the Philosopher's Stone, decided it was time to talk to Hughes, so he went to his house to talk.
"Would you look at this wittle angel? Her little nose, her eyes, she's absowutely perfect in evwey way!" Hughes Said, gushing over a baby photo of his daughter.
"You know what else is perfect in every way? The Philosopher's Stone." Edward Replied.
"And her wittle fingers, and arms and legs?" Hughes continued.
"Yeah um, Speaking of legs!"
"And her blonde hair and light green eyes."
"Aaand you're not even listening to me, I realize that now, I could say anything I want, and you'll just keep on going!" Edward sighed.
"She's so squishy and cute!" Hughes laughed.
"So uh, where is your daughter anyway, just curious." Edward Asked.
"Oh you're going to be such a little prankster when you grow up aren't you? Just like daddy, yes you are!" Hughes continued.
"Now that's enough of that!" Hughes' wife took the photo away from him.
"Ah damn It. Oh hey Ed. What're you doing here?" Hughes Asked, now realizing Edward was there.
"Honestly to Nicholas Flamel, I don't even remember at this point." Edward sighed.
"Isn't Flamel the first guy to create a Philosopher's Stone?"
"Yeah right, the Philosopher's Stone, how do I get one?" Edward Asked loudly.
"Well, if you want to try and get your limbs back with some John Carpenter body horror type shit, talk to Shou. I mean, he is called the Sewing Life Alchemist for a reason." Hughes Smiled.
"You're telling me that I could've just asked him this anyway, well whatever, I'd better get going." Suddenly the phone rang. Hughes picked up the phone.
"Pizza Hut, whatcha ordering?"
"Hughes, shut up and Listen, there's been another Chopper victim." Roy snapped.
"Oh, okay I'll be right there. Oh, you need Ed? He is with me already, Kay bye!" Hughes drove to the crime scene with Edward in the back seat.
"It's been the third victim this week, this is getting insane!" Roy Replied.
"Mommy, I want my mommy!" Edward saw a child clinging to a woman under a sheet. His memories of his mother flooded back into his mind. "I want my mommy!" Riza Hawkeye, Roy's Lieutenant pulled the child away, the child clung to the blanket. And Edward was shown a dead bloodied corpse in front of him.
"Sir, I don't know how to deal with this child, he won't stop crying."
"Hey, what's going on with Ed?" Havoc Asked, noticing Edward was hyperventilating. He then crashed and fell to the ground.
"Someone, get some help!" Riza Yelled.
"On It!" Roy Replied. And everything else was distorted sounds. Two days later and Edward woke up in his bed he's been sleeping in at Shou's house.
"What, where am I? Oh, hey Shou." Edward gasped.
"I was told you passed out after seeing a corpse of a woman. You were brought here by Colonel Mustang and have been talking in your sleep. Asking for your mother." Shou explained.
"Why did you listen in? Anyway that's besides the point, where's Al?" Edward Asked.
"Your brother is downstairs with Nina, have some fun." Edward went down stairs to talk with Alphonse while Shou went down to his basement.
"Daddy? Why are you down here in the basement all alone?" Nina Asked.
"Nina, my sweet girl, daddy is just... contemplating." Shou explained.
"Contemplating What Daddy?" Nina questioned.
"There is something I've known for quite a while that I must do, and I will require your assistance." He exclaimed.
"Is this like when we played hide the body that one time the policeman came over?" Nina Asked.
"No, I'm afraid not Nina."
"Well, whatever it is, Alexander and I will help you! I love you, daddy."
"Yes, thank you."
That wasn't too bad was it, it's the next chapter see. But trust me, it will pay off. Especially if you read it closely. Anyways these two chapters were the hardest and yet fastest to write. I don't really know why. But anyway enjoy.