Good! I'm actually updating. All your reviewing is actually helping to cheer me up. I hope you review some more!

YOU HAVE TO REREAD THE LAST CHAPTER. I CHANGED Truth, HE'S STILL Ed'S SHADOW!

I REPEAT! HE'S STILL Ed'S SHADOW… BUT WITH TWO ARMS AND LEGS AND STUFF.

Remember, this story starts from the full metal alchemist series. But it differs from the stone and after.

Homunculi are still the mysterious stone wanting creations, but Ed is slightly dense I guess. He has seen the old lady who told him how to kill the creations. But he still doesn't understand why they are there.

/thoughts…/

"speech…"

'emphasizing…'

things such as sweat drops

----------------------------------------------last chapter's ending…----------------------------------------------------

Starting down the street. Ed pressed a hand to his forehead. "I just had a conversation with a evil murderer…" How do you know that I'm not the savior, and the state alchemist aren't the murderers…Ed shook his head. How could he tell? It was true. The state was more vile then they let on, more selfish. But Scar… he still killed many men.

"a man who murders for selfish reasons. That is a murderer." then everyone was a murderer… even Ed.

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Running golden eyes over the disgustingly filthy sidewalk in front of him, Ed sighed. "I am so damn confused."

"about what?" Ed jumped and nearly screamed bloody murder as he tripped over a stray glass bottle. "Mustang!" Roy grinned. His jacket was hanging careless over one shoulder. "your back early!" Roy's eyebrow rose. "it's 1 am." Ed's eyebrows rose and he groaned. "sorry. My mistake lost track of time I guess."

Roy shook his head and patted Ed's shoulder. "let's get home. I hate being out this late." Ed grinned. "I see why." Roy slid a arm casually over Ed's shoulders. "what does that mean?" Ed slyly nudged Roy. "because your never out this late." Roy's eye twitched. But he merely sighed.

"your cheery now Ed. Care to share?" Ed shook his head. "nope. Care to share your once in a while experiences?" the two were inside Roy's house now. "why do you doubt me?" Ed shrugged his red coat off. 'because you're a old man." Ed darted out of Roy's grip and ran to his room. Slamming the door he just managed to catch Roy on the other side, hitting the solid wood with a thud.

"you dirty-" Roy's voice was muffled. While Ed broke out in song, his voice loud and easily heard over Roy's bellowing.

"Roy's so old,

His soul was sold…

He needed some aid

For the chance of getting laaa-id!"

The bellowing grew into evil sounding shrieking. Roy was pissed off it sounded. Ed continued to gloat and poke at Roy as he changed into a pair of boxers.

-------------------narrators POV, but Ed's thoughts-------------------------

Laying down on his bed, Ed closed his eyes and rested his head on his two arms. His voice faded as Roy banged shut his own door, going to bed as he so screamed.

"something's up…" Ed shifted and laid on his side. He didn't have the stone anymore. And hell, he needed it.

He wanted his mother back…

The moonlight glowed through the window and onto the bed, bathing Ed. Keeping him awake… keeping him company. Why was Truth like that. Who the hell was Truth, and how did he know Hohenheim?

Questions circled through Ed's mind. No answers followed though. He didn't have any. And that's what truly threw Ed in his contemplating… serious mood.

Forgetting about Roy… Scar. Everyone. All he thought about was that stone. The true origins of it.

Maybe Hohenheim played a much larger roll in this puzzle…

What was the puzzle?

It wasn't just about the stone, or about Truth. But Ed bet Truth had a larger then known place in the puzzle. What was with the homunculi? They were everywhere. And that lady… Sloth. Why was she so similar to his mother?

Sighing, Ed sat up. His mind was crammed with questions and no answers, he was so confused. Resulting in no sleep.

Running a hand over his face, Ed thought of his brother. His human brother…

----------------------he he he, at the same time…----------------------------

Alphonse smiled as he sat down at the table. Winry passed him a bowl of ice cream.

The two were used to late nights, thanks to Pinako.

Al sighed as he thought over his grandmother like figure. She looked so fragile in that big bed, much unlike the strong willed woman who could have a protective streak of a bear. "she'll be alright Al. just you watch."

Al smiled and nodded. Looking up, he absent mindedly picked up his spoon with some ice cream in it and stuck it in his mouth.

"I know, but just seeing her like this." Winry sadly gazed through the open door leading to Pinako's room. "I know." Al nodded. "I feel so helpless Winry. And my brother. Do you think he's alright?"

Winry shifted her gaze to Al. "I know he's alright. It's Ed. Remember?" Al gulped.

"I think that scares me more then reassures."

Winry and Al shared a look, then laughed out loud. Quickly quieting it to keep Pinako from waking up.

----------------------------back with Ed!----------------------

Ed sneezed suddenly (1).

Grumbling, Ed wiped his nose absently with a tissue. Roy seemed to have the habit keeping Kleenex everywhere.

Tossing the tissue away, Ed ran a hand through his unbound hair. The questions seemed to recede surrounding homunculi and Ed thought he'd finally be able to sleep.

Only for more questions to pop up, only this time they were about Scar, Al… all his friends/ crazy murderer acquaintance person.

Scar…

He confused Ed to no ends. One day, he's trying to kill Ed. The next… he… comforts Ed?

Ed groaned and slammed his fist into his pillow. "so confused." Ed groaned. His anger and frustration suddenly disappeared. He landed on his bed laying down, and gazed up at the dark ceiling.

"How do you know that I'm not the savior, and the state alchemist aren't the murderers…"

Ed shook his head and the sentence replayed itself over and over in his mind. Turning, flipping. He could make no real plausible thought from it. The only thing he could say. Was what he believed a murderer was.

"a man who murders for selfish reasons. That is a murderer." but that couldn't be right…

Ed wasn't a murderer. Was he?

Over the years he took to injuring those who apposed him and Al in their search. He never wanted to kill anyone. He hasn't killed anyone. But…

Ed knew he'd have to go to war. It was inescapable. Hell. Either he goes and kills. Or he stays and gets killed.

It wasn't the best situation…

Ed hated it…

But what could he do?

Ed wasn't going to give up. He had to find a way. He couldn't leave and go to that war. It killed Ed to think of all the massacres and such that have happened. How could he escape the fate of a… murderer. While help the Ishbalans?

Daemon was such a bastard…

Moving his eyes to look out the window, Ed sighed. Such heavy thinking…

But Ed had to come up with a plan. He just had to.

-------------------------------------------

Hugh shifted and stared down at the tons of books on his desk.

Urg…

Hugh was starting to realize why Roy ditched his office so often.

Paperwork… reading. Books in general sucked right now.

Hugh tossed a longing glance at the picture of Elicia and Gracia in the frame at the corner of his desk. But Hugh couldn't stop working right now.

Something was off about Daemon.

The old Fuhrer had retired (isn't he the one with the grin and eye patch… well I hope so). Leaving the position open to Daemon, who at the time had been a commanding general among the ranks.

Hugh was frustrated in a sense. Roy deserved that position. He really deserved it.

Despite Roy's almost everyday behavior.

Perverted…

Laid back…

/Let's face it Hugh/ Hugh's mind whirled with his thoughts. Roy was a kid. Pure and simple.

But Roy also had a fire burning hotter then alchemy in his eyes. He deserved that position. He had the ambition that could really turn around the rep. of the state alchemist. Change things. For the better…

Hugh's thoughts turned to Ed.

That's why he was working.

Something made Hugh edgy about how persistent the Fuhrer was for Ed to get in the front lines. Almost like he knew something the others did.

It made Hugh frustrated…

So here Hugh was, searching for a answer.

Maybe it was something to do with the philosophers stone…

Or perhaps the last war.

what was Daemon hiding?

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Ed couldn't believe how mad he was.

He couldn't join the Ishbalans…

It would be the simple answer, one Ed had turned over in his mind and studied. But joining the Ishbalans. Not only was it vital that he remained alive. But he not only worried over his life, but Al's. Fuhrer Daemon would have nothing of the sort.

Hell…

And then there was the thought of being labeled as a full time traitor. He wouldn't have access to information he so vitally needed.

Or the funding he so needed.

So what the hell could he do?

Ed fell asleep with a racing mind, it was a whirlwind of questions… and he had no answers.

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Well, I updated.

Sorry for the delay, and short chapter.

I lost interest for awhile. But now I'm back.

Review please, it really makes me feel appreciated, and want to update.

I'll try to update ASAP. I hate those people who let a story fall. it's frustrating.

What will Ed do? He he he. Review and find out! XD.

Review or the dreaded (still) PMS'ing Riza Hawkeye will get you with her Trigger Happy gun.

Blame it on the gun… right.