"Whether one loses or wins is all up to who is judging the match. What that person decides is final. No ifs, ands, or ,buts. What is decided, is decided and that's that. But how exactly do you judge a match without a judge? Do you guess? Do you assume? I don't quite know and I don't think I ever will. But I think I can get by without a person like that. After all, I've never had one in my life before."

555

The fight had started but so far the two had yet to make a move. The strong, chilly wind blew the trees so forcefully that leaves were sent in and about the surrounding area. From Roy's point of view it seemed as if Edward and Ren were fighting each other with deadly glares instead of with their fists and their alchemy. It was a fight that could not be seen by eyes alone. Both of them weren't about to make a move any time soon. Roy undoubtedly noticed this and let out a sigh. Now he knew what the other soldiers were talking about when they said Ren was Full Metal's 'look-alike'.

Stubborn...They're both so stubborn. Roy thought still awaiting the moment when the boys would stop glaring and take some action. For him it was getting quite boring watching two lifeless statues.

After a few minutes of listening to the wind howl and the leaves fall to the grassy ground Roy's wish was finally granted! In a blink of an eye both boys bolted forward as if on cue.

Edward transmutated his mechanical arm into a sharp blade. The afternoon sun shone brightly off it. Edward aimed for Ren's neck, planing to pin him to the ground. But right as Edward was inches away from his target, Ren ducked and kicked his blond opponent in the shin. Edward flinched and took a swift step back. Now the two were where they first began the fight.

Both boys, Edward and Ren, took in heavy breaths of air. The tension was making them nervous and they began to sweat.

I want to win because there is no way I am going to loose to an amateur, that's for sure. But what is he doing this for? I know why I joined the military but--Arrrgh! Never mind he probably just wants all the damn power that comes with being part of the military! Edward's thoughts were getting all jumbled up as he stared down his opponent.

"C'mon, we're not getting anywhere, you know?" Edward asked while one of his trademark smirks appeared on his once serious face.

"Heh. I guess you're right." Ren answered as a smirk came across his face as well.

"Let's go then." Edward suggested holding his blade-like arm infront of himself, positioned to attack.

"You sure you're ready?" Ren teased as he made sure his black gloves were on tight.

"Sure as hell." Edward said confidently.

Ren looked up and gave the blond-headed teen another serious smirk.

For the second time the boys lunged forward. Ren quickly transmutated a sharp spear and Edward let his mouth fall open slightly.

"How the-!" Edward cursed under his breath as he dodged Ren's slashes. The spear got dangerously close to cutting him but Edward managed to evade it with just a torn coat. "Damn!" Was all he could say. Ren, this boy, was good as much as Edward hated to admit it.

"That spear! You...what!" Edward tried to ask between blocks and dodges.

"Remember, I am no amateur!" Ren hissed.

Edward decided he should start taking this fight seriously. Or else it could turn out bad. Real bad.

I'll aim for his glove. It probably has a transmutation circle on it or something that allows him to summon things like that spear. That spear like mine! Edward had his plan laid out clearly in his head.

He rushed up to Ren and positioned his blade at the right angle, he pulled down his blade-like arm with force. Force and speed so unbelievably fast that he just managed to snag Ren's glove. His spear fell to the floor with a silent crash as it snapped in two.

Yes! Plan A accomplished. Edward thought as he faced Ren with a smile. Ren looked as if he were in a daze. He continued to stare at his torn glove that slid slowly off his hand. His metal hand...

"What! You-you!" Edward couldn't form any words. After all it had come as a shock to him that Rem also had an auto-mail arm. But it was his left arm unlike Edward, whose auto-mail was his right. But it was still quite the shock.

Ren looked up partially awake from his dreamlike state. Pain reflected in his now clouded silver eyes.

Roy who was, still after all this time, watching from afar saw what had happened. From the beginning till now. And he was a little surprised by the sudden turn of events.

Who would have thought that Ren would also have auto-mail? What a strange coincidence. He thought quite amused.

"Do you think losing that glove will stop me?" Ren asked Edward as his eyes returned to it's former state, bright with a fire burning within them. Much like Edward's golden eyes.

Edward didn't know how to respond. He was still in shock to have learned that the boy also had auto-mail and now he was saying he was still going to win! HOW? Was the question of the day for Edward Elric.

Ren reached down and placed his metal hand over the broken spear and with a bright flash of light restoring it to its original form. Brand new. Not broken, no scratches, and a sharp tip that was sure to draw blood with a soft brush of the skin.

"But-but..." Edward sighed. This was too confusing for him to comprehend. Even if he was a genius this was far beyond the border of intelligence and insanity.

Without warning Ren bolted forward, spear in hand. Edward too much in shock stood there like an idiot and got pinned to the ground in a matter of seconds.

"Uhhh..." Was Edward's intelligent statement.

"I win!" Ren teased still holding the spear to Edward's neck and drawing out his words so he could hear them clealy.

"No. It's a tie." Edward said calmly.

Ren turned his head slowly to see that Edward also had his blade pressed lightly against his neck. Not nearly hard enough to cause pain or to draw blood. Ren sighed. "So close."

Edward grinned although he was not happy about the tie either.

Roy grinned from afar. I thought so. A tie. But Ren's actually pretty good. I bet Full Metal thinks this so well, although he'd never admit to it.

A young girl with long blond hair stood infront of the door. The door to the colonel, Roy Mustang's office. She could hear voices from the inside. It sounded like a person yelling. The person was obviously upset about something. She sighed and mustered all the courage she had to knock on that sturdy wooden door. Three knocks was all it took until someone opened the door.

"Um...Hey." She heard a boy say.

"How dare you, Edward Elric! Is, 'Um...Hey' all you can say? Some greeting!" She fumed while she turned to look up anger forming in her blue, azure eyes.

"I'm not Edward." The boy answered once the girl had realized this.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She apologized with a blush.

Wow. Even if I didn't look at him I could of sworn he sounded like Ed. He even looks like Ed! Weird... She thought.

She backed up a little so that she could look him in the eye, his silver eyes. "By chance do you know where he might be?" she asked.

He scratched his head as if he were trying to remember something. "Hmm...Well I actually am not so sure."

"Okay then. Can you tell him 'Winry' was looking for him?"

"Sure." He answered and turned to leave through the open door.

"Wait." Winry stopped him. The boy turned around with a questioning expression on his face. "What's your name? You know mine so it will be even if you tell me yours."

"I'm Ren. Just, 'Ren'." He stated with a smile and he continued to walk away. His blue coat blowing freely around himself as he made his way down the hallway.

Winry sat down on a nearby bench. "Ren..." She kept repeating to herself. "Ren..."

A/N:

Thanks to all of those who were kind enough to review! I luv ya all!

I hope this chapter was okay. From my point of view it was boring to write and to read. I don't think this chapter was all that good. But I'm promising you that things will start to get good! Especially since Winry has made her way to this part of the story.

Review please and I'll update! The more reviews the longer the next chapter!

P.S.

Forgive any spelling or grammar corrections.