Welcome to the third chapter. The party is taking place in a huge white house, a two story house with exuberant décor. Please note that I am aware of the anime; I know Hughes doesn't own a huge house. I also know that Nina was killed at a certain point in the anime. The reasons for these developments will be explained at the end.

Please enjoy. I hope all of you are having the happiest of holidays. And once again, NO FLAMES. Remember, I will be using several songs in 'Christmas'. I OWN NONE OF THEM. NONE OF THEM ARE MINE! If they were, I would be the Ultimate Ruler of the Galaxy. Please note that the 'let it rip' saying is from the Beyblade anime; I don't own that either.

The party began with a smash. Gifts were tossed under the tree, smiles were shared with blissful ecstasy, and delicacies were made for all to see. The tree was placed into the center of the living room, and it glimmered with an unspeakable beauty. The newest challenge presented itself as soon as it was raised; it needed decorations and it needed them fast. How long would it take, and how long would they last? Those questions were on the brink of their minds, but there was no time for hesitation. The room became quiet as the latest challenge loomed over their minds...but one mind was filled with another conflict of devastation...

"Hmmm..."

Ed (who had Nina's dog in his arms) tapped Roy Mustang on the shoulder, and tilted his head. He bore the look of a small, curious child, and had a voice that met his facial expression.

"What's up?"

Roy was lost in thought. His eyes were closed, his hand was on his chin...there was a large burden on his mind, and he was unable to find a way to remove it. Something was wrong, something was up; something had to be done, or else he would have no fun.

"Roy, you okay?"

"Hmmm." the young soldier repeated, then gave his friend an explanation.

"I see you found the perfect tree. That's too bad."

Confusion bloomed in the Alchemist's eyes. He had the look of a curious puppy about his face-it was a hard look to replace.

"Why?"

A sly smile bloomed on his friend's face-

Then he whipped out the smallest tree in existence.

It was a potted tree; one that was suitable for dolls and action figures. It was a source of great amusement, a source of delight and pleasure.

"I found this tree for you. It's the perfect size for you; what a glorious treasure. I guess it no longer has a place. What a tragic waste."

"What-the perfect size! I'll show you 'perfect', pretty boy! And stop rhyming!"

"Ed! No alchemy in the house! Mind your manners!"

"Who do you think you are, Al? My grandfather? Get a grip!"

"If you want to see alchemy, I'll show you true alchemy!"

"Colonel, not you too! Set an example for my poor, misguided brother! Don't encourage him!"

Loud music began in the midst of their confrontation. It was an exuberant sensation, one with scintillating exhilaration!

Time goes by, so slowly...

Time goes by, so slowly...

Armstrong (who was still dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus) appeared in front of Edward and began the most ridiculous dance-he danced about like a child that had consumed too much sugar...and then...the most beauteous strobe light began to dance with him. It was the perfect accompaniment to the current choice of music; vibrant lights danced throughout the room, smiled upon the Christmas lights and brightened the pace of the song. Armstrong swept his young friend into his arms and dragged him all over the dance floor, which gave his brother the greatest amusement; the two of them made such a perfect pair, it was so hard to compare them to another.

An hour elapsed. The tree was now lit with the most perfect of decorations. That challenge was no longer present, but there were other tasks that had to be done...other adventures that had to be taken...

Edward's newest adventure was one that he would always remember. It was an adventure that required great strength, endurance and agility...a journey that required the highest amount of skill and speed...

"All right. Today we're going to bake vanilla snowmen."

The young Alchemist was in the kitchen, right next to his younger brother Al. There were several pairs; he wasn't alone in his newest adventure. All of them were willing to take a venture...into the darkest depths of the unknown.

"First, take a cup of flour and place it into the bowl."

"Ed, she said a cup, not a bag. Learn how to comprehend the ways of the human language."

"It's not my fault everything I touch is cursed!"

Roy and Riza were present, of course: one was the light, and the other was a shadow. Armstrong and Nina made another pair; they were too cute for words. They were in a competition, a survival of the fittest. The silent soldiers got off to a perfect start, and the second pair didn't do too bad themselves.

"Next, take three teaspoons of vanilla extract, and add them to the flour. Allow the extract to siiink into the flour...there we go..."

"Do I have to tell you everything, big brother? She said three teaspoons! You used three tablespoons!"

"Give me a break. I'm new to this, remember?"

"Now we're at the eggs. Take two eggs and place them into the bowl. There we go."

"Okay, now you're just being RIDICULOUS. Crack them, Ed! Don't leave the egg shell in the bowl!"

"Is this really enough flour? I mean, this looks kinda skimpy..."

"Now it's time to add sugar. Take four cups of sugar and place them into the bowl."

"Four cups of sugar? Won't that overpower the teeny cup of flour?"

"Okay! Now it's time for the blender. Take your blender, and let it rip!"

"Give me that! You'll destroy the entire kitchen!"

Massive chaos ensued! The contents of Ed's bowl made their way from the bowl and to the walls-Ed was unable to end the annihilation, despite all of Al's calls-

"Turn it off!"

"I can't-it's going too fast! Why don't you do something?"

"Me? You're the alchemist!"

"You told me not to use my alchemy in the house, dimwit!"

"All right! Now, ball up your dough!"

In the midst of the chaos, the light and shadow carried out their journey in the most beautiful silence. They went about their business as if there were no distractions around, even though there was more than silence around. Accompanied by 'Snowfall' of Tex Beneke and the Glen Miller Orchestra, the two of them followed the instructions perfectly. Nina and Armstrong were the perfect 'father-daughter' pair; they went about the task with the brightest of smiles. The chaos continued-it even became louder...and louder...

"You're getting dough all of the place! Do whatever you have to-just turn it off!"

"This is all your fault, you know that? Cut it out already!"

A moment later, the hilarity increased. A small old woman and a middle-aged man ran throughout the kitchen, accompanied by green strobe lights and vibrant dance music. The small woman had the attire of a sage about her-the other was dressed as a Jedi Knight!

Bad to the bone

You should have known I'm in my own zone

Good lucks and no need for a crew...

Riza nudged her silent companion gently.

"Wasn't that Hughes?"

Roy didn't remove his eyes from the task at hand...but there was a small smile on his face.

"Yup. Sure was. And that must've been Pinako."

The song followed the two combatants at their heels, but another song immediately took its place. A handful of Roy's subordinates dashed throughout the kitchen, and all of them were dressed as samurais-

Some days, some nights

Some live, some die

In the way of the samurai...

Riza exchanged glances with her dearest friend, and then the two of them went back to their task.

Roy sighed a moment later, with frustration's mask.

"I'm about to lose a couple of people."

The chaos ended, the competition came to a close.

The two brothers fell to the ground, covered in laughter and tears-

And the other pairs removed their snowmen from the ovens.

-Hughes and Pinako's duel was accompanied by '2 BAD', Heat's theme song from the 'Bust a Groove' game. The second set of lyrics came from the opening song of Samurai Champloo, 'Battlecry'. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!