Chapter 6: Siege

Even the 4 alchemists that were inside Pride's prison were unable to break that block of strange material that trapped them. It was not because their powers were weak, it was other thing: they couldn't understand that material.

- Damn that Homunculus! – Ed shouted frustrated - In what thing he had trapped us! – It was the first time any of them had seen that material, its physic properties were rarely seen on any metal at the same time, and Although they weren't too much fond of Physics, Alchemy told them that the quantity of Protons and Neutrons have never been seen on any other element before.

- Your scientific sense is betraying you – Ling said, sighing hopeless - if you can't destroy it with alchemy, just make a powerful weapon you know and try to destroy it with it.

- Well, I'll make a bomb, so all of you stay on the other side – Ed said, taking initiative for the first time since long ago.

He made a powerful bomb attached to the wall with a small fuse and with some sparks of the contact between his automail and the strange wall he lighted it; then, at light speed, he ran away where the others were and transmuted a big wall from the ground. After some seconds, and horrible loudly explosion was heard and everyone that was there had to cover their ears; even Al Instinctively touched the sides of his helmet, before a sigh and the world "Useless" grunted.

After that, Scar destroyed the wall that were protecting them and all of them looked at the wall covered by the smoke, after the smoke dispelled, hope faded away from their faces, the wall hadn't have got even a scratch.

- ARGH! DAMN IT! – Ed blamed, falling to the ground – even that bomb didn't do even a scratch on that wall

- "Niisan"…- Al tried to gain Ed's attention

- And I've burned a lot of oxygen here, shortening our possibilities –

- Uh. Hmm ... Sorry Ed….

- We're all going to die here, and Al will be trapped forever with a pile of corpses around him…

- Edward! – He was going to slap his "niisan" but he thought a slap with an iron hand will be too painful.

-WHAT! – Ed screamed – Don't you see I'm trying to think what would we do! What do you want!

- The floor is still transmutable, we can escape through there.

-...- then he fainted, it was the work of Al to get out of there then.

- Argh! How could I forgot about the floor – Ed blamed himself, after recovering – and I'm called a genius; sure, if a genius can't notice where he's standing on.

- Just stop blaming yourself about that "niisan" – Al said – All of we were stunned by that rare metal so it's absolutely normal that you didn't find the answer at first.

- Well, if we can't destroy that thing, I don't think that any normal person will do it. So I expect that this remains where when everything of this finished so I could do some calm research on it. Finding such a resistant metal is not that usual.

Ed was grinning. Al was very happy about the incredibly change of mood that his brother had. Since then, he learned how some words talked from the deepest part of his soul, can heal people's heart wounds better than anything

On the other side, Scar was resting on a side and May Chen and Ling were talking like two good friends, although they were supposed to be mortal enemies seeking for the same goal: The Throne of Xing. But it seemed they get on well in most other situations, and more even now, that their resolution was to stop Hohenheim's ambition before it reached other countries, especially theirs.

- Well, I'm hungry and I think everyone of you are hungry too – Ed talked again – and you'll be hungry soon Al, don't worry – he grinned to his "otouto". – I'll go to search food for all of us so stay here and wait for my arrival. SCAR! Don't you dare to hurt anyone here; we have a deal, remember it!

- I'm and Ishbalan, not an Amstresian. I know how to keep my promises.

- I hope so – then he leaved

- How could he dare of talking that way to the servant of my benefactor? I really have a completely mistaken idea of him.

Ling and Al stared at her, but Ling's thoughts were something like "a mistaken idea of Ed? Well, that's nothing unbelievable" and Al's thoughts were something like "Scar a servant of someone? Is that really possible?"

Al sat down trying to think about everything he'd lived in only one day. He believed that his brother was death and had the most wonderful relief when he saw him again; just to learn that the man who gave him life was the responsible of the Homunculi doing and all the bad happenings on this country. To make it worse, a Homunculus excessively similar to his brother appeared as Father's Pride; that, according to his theory (that seemed to be right), resembled so much to his brother that he acquired some type of brotherly love, (but not as crazy as Ed's) that had already saved their lives two times. But in top, Ed had just said that he'd seen his body in the gate, so: his theory was true! But they need a sacrifice to open the door again so he can go to bring the body that couldn't come with his brother, "because he wasn't his soul" and a Homunculus was their prey for that sacrifice. But it was difficult to catch one earlier, and he didn't think it would be easier now, although they had the help of Scar and the Xings now. But he knew that if everything came well since then, he'll recover his body soon, and if they recovered an entire body, it wouldn't be difficult to recover one leg and one arm.

He was on these thoughts when he saw a very familiar shadow hiding behind a close building "brother?" he asked to himself, but there was something rare with that shadow. It has its hair loose; something that Ed only has when he was sleeping or bathing. So the correct answer came to him.

"Why is Pride doing alone here? Does he try to attack us alone? I know he's powerful but enough to fight with the four of us at the same time? Well he said he couldn't harm me, so I should go to see what he wants"

He went to the place where he saw the shadow but there was no one there, he looked around and saw Pride again climbing to the roof of that building. He followed him and when he reached the roof, there was nobody there, though.

- Could it be just my imagination? – Al said to himself confused – but I can swear that I saw him…

- I want to do some questions to you – said his brother's voice, that obviously wasn't his brother's voice

He turned around and looked at the homunculus; instinctively, he took a battle pose, but then Pride closed his eyes and made a small smile.

- I'd already told you that I don't want to hurt you. I just can't do it.

- Then why do you come here? I won't let you to harm the others.

- As I said, I just want to ask you some questions. As an exchange, you can ask me the same amount as well, I'll answer them no matter what they are. If you don't believe me, you can ask the first question.

Well – Al knew he had a lot of questions that he'd like to ask Pride. But he thought it was better to start with not so compromising ones.

- Your body isn't as the others homunculi ones; why do you have that marks around yours?

- It seemed that Father tried to stop the reaction when he saw I resembled his biological son. But it was too late, in consequence, a rebound chocked at my body and the Transmutation Circle Father used to create me kept burned at my skin. My birth was very painful, but it made a boost on my natural Alchemic ability. And now tell me: How does it feel to be in that suit of armour?

- Well, I really don't feel anything. It's very strange, I feel I can move the armour with the power of my soul but I've no response besides the sounds I perceive with I don't know what; and the words that you heard from me although I don't have mouth, seems more like to be telepathy than any other thing. It seems that a soul is more powerful than anyone had thought before. And now, what was the material that you used to cage us? – His curiosity overwhelmed him and he couldn't do anything else than asking about it.

- Well, it was obvious you didn't guessed what it was – Pride said, quite amused- It was orichalchos

- Orichalchos?

- It's a mythological metal that was supposed to exist in a lost island - Pride answered, as if it was such a normal question – Father likes to create different things, so when learnt about the properties of that metal, he managed to synthesize it with alchemy. Most of Father's temple is made of orichalchos, which is almost indestructible, so you only could enter through the door; unlike the prison I made for you, the floor is also covered by that metal – Al thought that the last comment would have made Ed to kill Pride, as if he really could do that.

- And now tell me, you haven't thought about asking father about your problem?

- Well, when I was younger, I thought about it, but Ed has had always a grudge against him because he abandoned us. And now that I know what father is trying to do, I myself don't want to ask him anything. But I want to know why he is doing this

- I don't know everything, but I'm going to tell you everything I know. Father is very old, older than you can imagine. It seems that was born as a human, but he isn't really a human anymore. As we did, he uses human souls to preserve himself; but how he began, when, and why, that's a forbidden topic. But he does this because he needs to preserve him and because he takes care of us if we're loyal and don't complain about his orders. And although you weren't created as the way he created us, you're still his brother and he'll be glad on helping you.

- But I just can't let that someone that uses human lives as a tool to help me, I'm also a human and I can't stand someone that uses my alike for his selfish purposes.

- But didn't you notice that you're more than a simple human? – He raised one of his arms and pointed Al's helmet; then it started to lift in the air, letting the holy blood seal, the one that connected him to that armour and let him to stay in this world. After a while, Pride still pointing at him, the seal started to bright, letting Al to feel his second sense in a lot of time. Not being used to feelings as he was, he didn't recognize it at first, but what he knew is that he liked it. It was pleasure, but then, he started to feel uneasy about it. It was just ridiculous that the same being that make him feel his fist two physical senses in a lot of time; make them be so different, pain and pleasure, like hell and heaven.

- The blood seal – Pride started talking again, with his arm still lifted – your only weak spot but still the direct connection to your soul. A skilled alchemist would surely know how to stimulate it; even let your soul to rest at nights, to make your suffering more standing. Did your brother do that to you?

- Hmm… no, not really – Al answered, some puzzled. He asked himself why his "niisan" never did that to him. He had passed the last 4 years without feeling anything, suffering so long nights than anyone deserved, and he'd just been taught that it was possible to let him sleep… well, maybe Ed didn't know how to do that, but Pride said that a Skilled Alchemist could do that. But Pride became with the answer, as if he could also read his thoughts with the thing he was doing.

- Well, he surely didn't know how to do that. Giving an arm for a soul binding is just not very skilled. But besides, that's your own weak spot and you're almost immortal; however, I can offer you something with the same immortality but with all the feelings and advantages of a human body. Claim loyalty to father and become a homunculus; become the eighth of us and keep your place as a being superior to humans, and you'll be far more special from the others, the first homunculus with his own soul.

- I'm sorry, but I can't accept your proposal. I'm not like my father; I was born like a human and I want to end like one. I just can't stand the idea of having a lot of souls beneath me; because I know more than anyone that the soul is the most important part of a human. And I also can't help Father with what he's trying to do. I must stop him. And "niisan" had just discovered is still in one piece in the gate so I don't need a new one.

- And this is not just a weak spot – Al continued, grabbing his flying helmet, distracting Pride and making the stimulation to stop – this is a prove, a prove of a unimaginable sacrifice. It's a reminder that I'm still here because of his desperate resolution; not every brother is able to sacrifice his own arm for his brother. That's why it's important to have my body back, so I can still search for a solution for retrieving his limbs with more conviction and resolution

The last words made Pride to lower his head – Well, it seems that anything can't be do now. I know you'd try to enter Father's Palace again, so I'll be waiting for you, I think I could do something more for you before the end – he then saw to a place before Al and raised one of his eyebrows.

After saying this Pride prepared to left. But Al have one more question – Wait Pride! Why are you doing al this? What is your reason?

- I'll probably answer you before the end, until that, goodbye – and then the Homunculus melted into the shadows

- Al was trying to assimilate everything that Pride had said to him, but then he realized that he had passed a lot of time there and probably his brother will be desperately searching him.

He returned and saw that Scar was still sleeping and May and Ling were still in a funny conversation; but there wasn't a trace of his brother. According to Ling and May Chen Happiness, it seemed that Ed hadn't returned yet, so, he decided to wait. But he hadn't to wait so long; after 5 minutes a grinning Ed with two big bags filled with different types of food appeared and approached them.

- Sorry for lateness but too many people was buying food and everyone looked weird at me as dirty as I was – he said very cheerfully. Hope had reached his soul again, just as when they begin their journey. "The end is near; Al is going to recover his body, and nothing is more important than that now" he thought. Then he approached to them.

- I don't know what you use to eat, so I buy something of everything. I know that you eat everything Ling, but this is food for four people and for two days so don't eat much! Take what you want May Chen, there wasn't cat food for your pet, but I don't think she won't eat your own food

- XIAO MEI IS NOT A CAT!- She shouted – how many times I've to say that; and she only eats one type of food – she drew a small TC and put a small seed in the middle, then she used alchemy to make it growth. From the TC emerged a small green tubular plant. She gave it to the small animal.

- Xiao Mei is a panda and she only eats bamboo – she said, feeding her small pet – and it only growths in Xing, so I had to bring this seeds with me, I only hope they last until the day I return.

- Well Whatever – Ed sighed. He could only sigh every time May Chen looked at him with that disappointed eyes; not knowing why they were. He approached to Scar then.

- I don't know what the ishbalans use to it, so grab from there what you want – Scar just grabbed some bread and started to eat.

Finally, Ed grabbed a bag where he separated food for him, four sandwiches, a bottle of juice and some fruit and he approached to Al

- Take – he grabbed an oil can and a cloth from the bag – you should also prepare yourself for tomorrow battle.

- Yeah, you're right – Al took the oil can and started to grease his junctions.

After everyone finished eating (and greasing), Ling started saying – It's better to sleep right now and attack early in the morning. But still, it is better that we take guard turns to not to be ambushed while we are sleeping

- Don't worry about it, I'm a 24 hours sentinel – Al said laughing – you can sleep calm.

But then Ed approached him, with a face filled with some kind of sadness, contrasting the face that he had some minutes ago

- What's wrong, "niisan"? – Al asked quite concerned.

- Al…sorry…but I heard a part of the conversation you had with Pride

- You what?

- Yeah! … And I'm sorry. I saw what Pride made to you and I'm sorry I didn't make it to you in all this years. I've some idea about it but I was frightened that I made it wrong and hurt your TC and that would surely kill you. But if you want I can try it and make your soul to rest. I'll put the risks against me so you don't have to be worried about your life.

- Don't worry about it "niisan" – Al replied - I thank your offering but it is better that you won't do it if you aren't sure about your success; and I'll be more worried if I know that you'll be the most harmed if you fail doing it. And if everything goes well, I'll have my body back tomorrow and one more long night long won't be more. And you need me awake to take care of you. I don't suffer physical tiredness but you need to sleep.

- Well, but anyway, let me look at your TC to see if he didn't spoil it –

- Nnnno…. no…. please. You don't need to do that "niisan". DON'T….

But it was too late. As swift as Ed was, he jumped and took Al's helmet off, and then the inevitable happened. Ed kept petrified for a while, staring at the blood seal; but suddenly, he rushed so fast to the exit of the alley that it was nearly impossible to Al to grab him

- I'M GOING TO KILL THAT BASTARD! – Ed screamed like if his soul wanted to go out from his body – I'M GOING TO CUT HIS BODY INTO SO SMALL PIECES THAT EVEN AL THE GOD'S TOGETHER COULDN'T REJOIN HIM!

- Calm down "Niisan", calm down – Al said trying to calm his brother. It was difficult than never to grab him; he crazily twisted to try to free himself. He was hurt in the place that pain most. His "otouto".

- HOW COULD YOU BE SO DAMN QUIET IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS! YOUR SEAL IS DAMAGED, IS DAMAGED! YOU COULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND IT

By this time everyone in the alley (and maybe a lot of people nearby) noticed Ed's uneasiness. Ling was the only one with enough guts to approach that pair, tough.

- Calm down Ed! – He said with a strong tone – you're compromising our hide spot!

- AND WHAT I CARE! HE PUT AL'S LIFE IN DANGER AND I'M GOING TO INCINERATE HIM FOR WHAT HE'D DONE!

- CALM DOWN "NIISAN"! – Al said strong enough to compete with Ed's craziness – don't talk nonsense, you know that you're not rival to his powers and he also doesn't like you. You'll be the one who'll be incinerated before you could blink!"

Al's new determination made Ed to calm down a bit. – I can't understand how you can take such a delicate fact so easily

- I've never liked to make a scene, you know that

- But you could have died there, and it would be the end of…

- The most important is that I'm still here; and it was only a small scratch on the circle so it's still connected; nothing to worry about.

- Hmm! Anyway he'll pay for that…. Could you please let me down?

- Just promise that you wouldn't do anything crazy.

- OK… promised. – Then Al left Ed on the floor and with all his determination Ed looked at Al and said – you can't be anymore time on that suit of armour and with that damaged seal. No matter what it takes, you'll recover your body tomorrow.

- Ok "niisan" I understand – Al replied – just don't think on crazy sacrifices just like putting yourself as a payment to open the door, I won't accept a body brought with that method. Not more self-sacrifices, not me, not you, understood?

- Yeah! Understood – he answered, making a profound sigh after it.

- Well, now go to sleep, we'll have a very hard morning?

- Yes mom – Ed replied Al grinning. He could only sigh with the bad joke.

He waited until Ed was completely slept. He knew better than anyone when Ed was sleeping and when not. Looking him sleeping for the last four years give him that knowledge. He then stood up and looked the surroundings nobody was in sight. He then left his thoughts to invade him. What did Pride exactly mean by "doing something before the end"? What he was trying to do? And did his brother would permit him to help them? He wasn't sure about that last, but he'd remember Ed about the last promise he'd made "no matter what it takes, you'll have your body back tomorrow". Another thing that was bothering him is that Ed would be able to fulfil his promise but he wouldn't. He wondered if Pride would help him on that problem. He thought that maybe not, but he'll still try.

But he suddenly get bored about that thoughts and the "unnecessary things" which he was very used to started to invade him. he could only hope "I'm sure… this would be the last long night I have".

- So, they're finally here – Pride said, going out of his bedroom. The explosions were stronger every minute that passed. They came from the entrance. The floor was shaking and everything that wasn't made with orichalchos started to crack and fall.

- Well it's the time, the end is near and I have to do it before it comes– he ran and reached the next room to the one where the explosions came. The other two homunculi were already there.

- They're trying to draw out our attention – Envy told Pride – What shall we do? Going and killing them before they notice

- Just be patient, they'll be in this room soon. As always I'll go against the brothers you too take care of the other three as you want to do it.

After some minutes of patience, a big explosion destroyed the gate between the two rooms. From the dust five shadows appeared and faced the three homunculi. Some seconds later. Pride looked directly at Ed's eyes as if he was trying to read his thoughts

Good morning gentlemen – Pride said very confident – We were waiting you.

A/N: How weird I didn't put this notes before. But well, two more chapters and the first part of this Fic will be finished. I promise you will like the end and you'll plead for a second part. Please Review.

Next Chapter: His only Desire.