A/N: - I don't know why, but I'm getting used to make incredibly large chapters, I was thinking on dividing this in two parts, but I finally decided not to do it. So, take your time to read it.

- Central City, which is said to be the most advanced city in Alchemy in the world, but it's really only a land of Oblivion. – A black haired human talked to the wind, in the roof of a high building in Central; expecting some kind of answer

- Bosses; Always wanting us to do difficult tasks but never giving us a hint of how shall we do it – a very thin man also dressed in black said to the first one.

- You keep babbling and babbling and you just don't think what to do – Replied a white haired human with a tight black dress – If we don't realize our job, there would be a horrible punishment when we return.

- So what shall we do then?

- Simple, the legend of the Five Alchemists is very well known in cities like this. It's because it's based on a real story, of the five greatest alchemists that this world had ever known.

- But that's only because they don't know the society- the fourth one, a huge and very aggressive man talked grinning to the others

- Yes it is – everyone laughed

- Well – the white haired woman continued - some of us should go to the Library and seek for a book that tells about this story and the places where these alchemists were seen the last time. We know them but we haven't seen them since the time they were officially alive, and it's been a long time talking in normal human's sense.

So this is what we're going to do, Pest and I would go to the Library to search that book, while War and Famine make a distraction on another part so we can search peacefully.

- So we've to make the distraction, pretty fun, but where should do it for it to be very fun? – Famine and War said at the same time – Yes! Of course, In Central HQ, let's see what this new government is able to do…

Date: 12th January, First Certificate Exam for State Alchemists.

Chapter 7: The birth of a new state alchemist.

All on the living room kept frozen for a while when the three military dressed ones entered to our house. Seeing their faces at that time was pretty interesting. Winry and Pinako glared at them as if they completely disapprove their appearance there. Ton looked at them as if they were Aliens coming to greet us from a far world. Al's calm sight revealed that it was nothing surprising to him to see the three of them there.

And mine? Well, I looked him as always looked him. Anyway, how could I describe my relationship with Roy Mustang? He's one of these people that you don't want to accept that is your friend. Maybe because of what a lot of people had told me before; that he's a lot similar to me. He could also give everything for protecting the people that are important to him. And why I sometimes wanted to knock him down? Because he tended to act like he knew everything and as he knew and predicted all our movements; and because he used to hide us lots of things that I thought important; but that was because he wanted us to concentrate on our goal and not to distract on the suffering coming around us. But when this problem was cleared, I broke the hate is swore I'd had against him since that day. This would be our first formal encounter since that day, when our world was being invaded by the Thule Society.

- Long time no see Fullmetal – he said, when he entered the house and the door was closed, with a twisted smile.

I make another; even more twisted as his – Good night Colonel, what business brought you to this small town in the end of the world?

- It seems that you have some kind of dirty pleasure when you downgrade me – Mustang replied, quite annoyed.

- Oh! I forgot, I'm sorry my Omnipotent General – I said, standing and making a fake reverence, which made Havoc to laugh and made Riza to made a death glare to him – Still heading for the Führer's throne. I don't think the parliament would be glad about hearing that.

- You know better than anyone the reasons I had to head for the Führer's throne; but this position is very good for them. And please don't make a reverence. It's just too difficult to see you when you're stood for you to bend over yourself.

- WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT HE WOULD CONTRACT HEIGHT SICKNESS IF HE CLIMBS UP STAIRS!

- HAHAHAHA! There are some things that would never change. Anyway, you've grown a bit since the last time, two years ago. You're not too short anymore, now you're just short.

- GRRRR! – Al slapped my head and I calmed then; then he stood up and offered seats (the ones that we transmuted the first day. We'd already bought more comfortable ones for us).

– Well, anyway – I continued talking – What a general could seek in the land of the oblivions?

- There are only few people now in Central that could give orders to a Colonel – Roy replied – and if I wrote you, I know you'd reply me on another two years.

- And can you blame me? You know I really didn't like the time when I was a State Alchemist and I really don't want to return to that life again.

- But I can assure you, the politics concerning the State Alchemist had changed a lot. Now the State Alchemist has freewill to decide the best course of action for their mission. They don't have to follow foolish orders as in the past. You can ask Al if you want; even only being one for only 6 months, he had helped a lot improving the reputation of the State Alchemists here and on other countries. And thanks to him you earned your second promotion.

Al looked at him and make a smile for the compliment; but I death glared him and he lowered his eyes and made a sigh.

- But why do I want a promotion if I don't want to be in the military again?

Roy crossed his legs, and with the wrists of both hands hiding his mouth he said, very serious – Look, I wouldn't be here if our position wasn't as desperate as it is. I know how much both of you had suffered and that you only want to life as normal people would do. But since the change of government there had been a lack of candidates for State Alchemists and the new ones are just too inexperienced and have so little knowledge that we couldn't let them this missions that are very important for us. And the more skilled ones are already death or they are in jail accused for corruption and waiting the final verdict from the judge.

The situation is critical, although the parliament had managed to firm peace treaties with Creta and Areugo, some abnormal events are occurring on those countries and they want us to send specialists to try to find out what is causing them, according to the agreement. But we don't have the personnel to do those missions. We've also heard that

Drachma is joining a great military force at the other side of the Briggs Mountains; we fear a massive invasion form there; and since the truth of the previous government came to light, our army has lost his morality, but besides I think we could defend against their attack, we can't afford a three or even a two frontiers war, so we desperately need to maintain peace with the other countries.

So Edward, I'm not asking, I'm begging for your help. If we really want to keep peace on this new country, we must maintain at all cost peace with the other countries. We need your knowledge for that. And, do you really have anything better to do? I know you like the adventure; take the opportunity to have new ones without the pressure of before.

Discouraged by my lack of answer, he turned and looked at Al – Anyway, I also could ask for Al's help. He tried to be a State Alchemist 6 years ago and he made a really good job as the Fullmetal Alchemist for those 6 months. There is an exam on the next week and I know he'll pass it with closed eyes. He could also finish his unfinished quest.

- WE'VE ALREADY DONE EVERYTHING WE HAD TO DO.

But then he looked at my right arm. I knew what he was thinking. He couldn't talk and give Al more reasons for his crazy search. I surely had made a horrible death glare that it was the first time he avoided my eyes in 6 years when he was talking. But then Al saved him from my wrath.

- Don't be so stubborn "niisan"; don't you remember what I said when we met each other on the other side? That I wanted to continue our travels just like we did 2 years before, we had a lot of adventures that time and we could have more now. Don't misunderstand me, I also like this quiet life, but we can take this opportunity to learn more. And just like the General said, I wanted to be a state alchemist before, but I couldn't reach that for some reasons. But now I can fulfil that dream and we can continue our travels.

- But if you're a state Alchemist, both of us would have different missions and we would have to get apart for long times.

- If they're going to send expeditions of alchemist to other countries, they must be of more than a single alchemist; we could always go together. Isn't that right Roy?

- Sure, I need more State Alchemist but I know I can't separate the Elric brothers.

They wanted to sound the most cheerful they could. But my uneasiness was reaching unexpected levels, something was to be wanted to return to my military duties, and another was trying to drag my little brother in that too.

- Ok, Mustang I'm tired of this. I can afford that you want me to return to the Military and I promise I'll think about it; but don't dare to drag Al in this madness to.

- That's not a decision you can take Ed. It's Al's. Anyway I'll be waiting you on the Armstrong's Residence tomorrow to for your decision. See you until then.

He then stood up and went straight to the door that havoc had just opened. Then He and Riza made a military greeting to me and followed their superior. Then Al went upstairs without saying anything to any of us. I decided to follow him after a while

- Why are you doing this? – Maybe a really bad question. It was obvious, but it was the only thing that came to my mind before Al entered our bedroom.

- Isn't it obvious – Al made the most logical answer – there is something that is not right here and I have to fix it. – His voice showed some type of annoyance, he was getting tired of all of this just like me and that wasn't a good signal.

- I told you that it doesn't matter anymore

- If we got rid of everything that is important for us just because we are afraid of the consequences it could lead; we'd never feel satisfied about anything we do in our lives.

- You know that I've already achieved that.

- Don't be so selfish with yourself "niisan". I'm not the only one who had suffered about our mistakes in the past. A terrible injustice has been committed here and I'm the only one who can fix it.

- I'll only say that I don't agree with the idea of you to become a state alchemist!

Bad idea. Al finally turned around and looked at me, with his new, profound and wise eyes spotted by traces of Anger.

- I don't know why you are giving so many problems about it. 6 years before both of us wanted to be it, and I just don't reach my goal because I didn't have a body to show. Why now that I'm older and more powerful than I was, I can't be a state alchemist?

- In that time, we really don't know what being a state alchemist meant. You know how much we suffered, even that you weren't one of them. Do you want to life that hell again?

- I only fear two hells, but I'm not trying to lose you or to return to be a suit of armour, I just want to be a state alchemist; and that's not a decision you can take. I only wish you go and see my practice exam. – He then turned and went downstairs leaving me talking alone. I stood still for a while until I decided to follow him, but he wasn't downstairs anymore. There was only Ton and Winry. By a signal of her, Ton wished me good night and headed to our room. After a while, Winry started talking.

- Al is going to pass night in my house, he said that you were so stubborn and he didn't want to pass all night hearing your negatives about him being a State Alchemist. Why do you deny?

- It's because…- it was just difficult to say it but I've to clean my conscience in some way - … it's because…I'm afraid … I'm very afraid Winry … I'm very afraid.

- But… Afraid of what?

- Isn't it obvious? – I turned and saw here eye to eye – Don't you remember what do we promise 6 years before when we burned down our house?

- That you wouldn't stop until you recover what you've lost

- Well, at my point of view, I've already returned what is really important to me. But his point of view is the same of six years before, and not everything is settled yet. – Then I raised my right arm, letting her to see it.

- … Your limbs … I see, you haven't recovered your limbs yet. So, you're meaning Al wants to be a State Alchemist to try to find a way to recover our limbs.

- He thinks that it's not fair that I'm the only one who carries the proofs of our acts.

- But … you don't think he's going to do something crazy … do you? – The idea was starting to scare her.

- That idea is why I don't want him to become a State Alchemist, he's seeking knowledge, just like 6 years before; and I know he'd be able to sacrifice even his life for achieving his goal, he had done it before. No, this time I won't allow a chain of sacrifices just like the last time – I said, punching the wall.

- And what are you going to do then?

- I know I can't convince Al of not doing it, he's as stubborn as me, it's just impossible. So my only choice is to return to the military so I can watch him and protect him, and to look he's not going to do anything crazy. Anyway, he could also be a good alchemist, but he doesn't have the knowledge of the gate, he'll need the aid of the legendary Fullmetal Alchemist! – I exclaimed laughing.

- Well, at least you feel well enough to say silly things – I glared at her then – Well, you should go and sleep now. We'd have a long trip tomorrow

- We? What? Are you going to go, too?

- Do you think I'm going to stay crossed arms here while one of my best friends is going to decide his destiny? Al needs now all the support we can give to him and I'm going to be there to give mine

- Don't you have to work?

- Oh! I can return whenever I want, I'm not Garfield's employee, I'm his partner. It's one of the advantages of being the granddaughter of the tigress of Rizenbul

- Oh well see you tomorrow then

Then I went upstairs to finally rest, there Ton was waiting for me sitting on his bed

- It's better that you rest now Ton; we'll make a long trip tomorrow.

- Central, State Alchemist Exam, Right?

- Yep

- But before I sleep, please explain some things to me, I'm quite lost

I explained him about the Military and the new government, about the work of a state Alchemist and a lot of other things.

- Interesting, so he want knowledge for… well, it's obvious, you should take care of him, if he is at leasthalf as crazy as you are, he'll end with automail very soon. OUCH!

- I don't need you to remember that to me – I punched his head – now shut up and sleep.

When both of us were in bed, he said – don't worry now Ed, things between you and your brother would be Ok soon – he must have seen me staring at Al's empty bed – I only needed one month to realize that there's no power that could separate both of you

I then smiled and thought: "do we really are such as crazy?"

Well, I was supposed to be early in the morning at, Armstrong's Residence? Well, it must be that weird new mansion on the cliff of the highest hill of Rizenbul. One month there and I didn't realize that Armstrong had that mansion. When I reached the residence, I was conduced to the library room. There Mustang was sat behind a desk, protected by both Havoc and Hawkeye. Al was also there, standing in front of the desk. I greeted him but I only received a weak reply.

- Well, Ed, What's your decision? – Roy asked, staring at me.

- Well, first, I've decided to return to my military duties because I don't want to life alone in a big house. And second – I then turned to Al – I want to apologize about my stubbornness Al. I have to respect your decision of being a State Alchemist as a good brother should do and to help you on everything you need.

He then made a big smile and hugged me repeating "thank you very much "niisan"".

- Well then it's decided, we should then take the 12 o' clock express train to Central prepare your luggage, we'll met in the train station in 3 hours.

After leaving the house Al turned around and asked me – what makes you to change your opinion?

- One of us had to give up, and you surely won't do it – I firmly said

- No I won't, this is really important to me. It's not just because what you're thinking, I also had to prove that I can do something by myself and not always at your shadow. I'm also an alchemist and I want to protect the people that are important to me from the changes and dangers of this new country. I don't want that the history books said only a few lines of the little brother of the Fullmetal Alchemist; I also want to be in those books as one who helped and not only as a supporter or a shadow of another being

Those were some words that I would never expect from Al's mouth. Well, maybe there were consequences of growing up. Fame wasn't something that I didn't like, although it wasn't my first priority

- Al, you can count with me. I'll help you on everything you need. Just ask about it.

- I'll have it in mind

- Let's go, we have some wallets to do.

After walking some meters, he stopped and turned around and told me with a teasing tone – "niisan", you're becoming an Adult at last.

- Uh? Tha……..WHAT, I'M AN ADULT SINCE A VERY LONG TIME?

- Oh really? You're seeing the facts in a very "short" way

- WHO ARE YOU CALLING A FLEA SIZED SUPER SHRIMP!

- Oh! It seems that I had false hope

- WAIT YOU….

- Catch me if you can!

We ran until our house, and Al won this time, saying that it was because shorter steps makes one to feel tired faster (GRRRR!)

Eight hours in the express train that was built thanks to Armstrong solicitude. There, we took two cabins, in one, were Al, Ton, Mustang and I; on the other, Hawkeye, Havoc and Winry (Granny Pinako wanted to stay besides we invited her for the trip). There we explained Roy how we met Ton and how we returned to this world.

- The appearance of this boy is very mysterious and incredibly fortuitous for you, considering the luck you used to have. – He said, after we finished - Do you have any idea about what happened to this kid?

- Well, Ton, please tell him your story.

-Uh? ...hmm…..well….

He started telling mustang everything that he'd said to me a month before, avoiding for some reason the fact of his death friend. It was difficult to him, as painful memories usually are, but I couldn't ignore some kind of uneasiness when he spoke to Mustang, I wondered why?

- Hmm well, his name is Anthony, he's 10, and had suffered a lot. Well, pretty easy to fit in your family.

Ed, Al and Ton made a disapproval Glare to him.

- Anyway – he continued – I'll help you so he can be officially Anthony Elric. I'll set up a story so don't worry. But tell me, do you have any idea why this boy has that stone?

- Well, I have a theory about that– I started saying – I think that he was studying alchemy in that academy, and also that the alchemists that attacked them used Philosopher's stones and the one that Ton has was grabbed from one of those Alchemists. And in someway he managed do escape from that hell, maybe with the help of his masters, using the gate; and the travelling trauma causes him to lost the majority of his memories. But I think he's an important mission, and I'll help him to remember what he has to do.

- You're talking as if it was pretty easy to make a Philosopher's stone.

- The history of this world is also filled with uncountable wars and bloodstained battles. Now that we know the truth of the last government, could we really possible avoid the fact that the other wars were also only provoke for resource gathering?

- What? When? How? – Winry started to shout, her face filled with joy and happiness, when we finally were on central HQ, in Mustang's new office, Mustang, of course, wasn't there. Something interesting: it was the one who Bradley used. The question was directed to Riza Hawkeye

- Four months before, when he returned to his military duties and was promoted to General – Riza replied, showing to everybody a beautiful wedding ring with a big diamond on its centre

- He said he finally reached his goal, and he could finally think in his own happiness – Havoc said, and almost weeping he added – at last I can freely search a girlfriend!

All the people in the room sweated with that revelation. I then tried to imagine a Roy Mustang married with Riza Hawkeye, and the only thing that came into my mind was a wall filled with bullet holes stained with blood. I almost felt pity of him. For some odd reason, I then imagined how would be a man married with Winry, and also the only thing that came to my mind was a colossal Wrench that used to be silver with a new colour: red.

Then we visited the other ones that we knew on the HQ. It seemed that everyone there had obtained a raise when we were away. Now we have to greet, Second Lieutenant Farman, Officer Fuery, and so others.

We used that day and the other ones to meet a lot of people that we missed in central for so many years; we first went to visit Gracia, (Al kept apologizing the three hours that we were there for not coming in two years; and I said that I was in a very very far country) Winry was playing with Elysia, who had just returned to the school. We then decided to pay a visit to Hughes's Grave. When we reached there, we found an unexpected visitor there: Roy Mustang.

- General! – I exclaimed when I saw him

- Bah! C'mon Ed, you can call me bastard with incredible easiness and you can't call me by my own name?

- Oh well! Let me to get used to that…Roy – I answered – you weren't used to come here, what make you to change your mind?

- I think… because I can finally say that I reached the goal we promised… that day – he left the flowers he brought with himself and then headed to the road – this world is filled with sentimental idiots, isn't it?

We smiled about his own look of himself then, after some prayers (for some odd reason, I prayed too), Al and I alchemized some flowers with the seeds we brought with ourselves and we put them

For not delaying this, I would say that we visited Schetska the next day. She was working in the Central Library again, but as a living reference section. She was allowed to read everything that she wanted with the conditions that the books she was reading were of different subjects and that she said to everyone that asked her where to find what they wanted, who was the genius who thought about that wonderful Idea? I got surprised when I discovered that it was Al's Idea, when he heard about her interesting ability. She only had to improve her order a little….Well … Not a little … a lot, but it worked, it really worked.

We also tried to find the Thringham Brothers, but they weren't in central anymore, they travelled to an unknown destiny one year before, according with what the people said to us. They weren't in Xenotime too, as we called there to ask.

And after a lot of meetings and a lot of shopping (I won't be exaggerating if I say that Winry finished with Central's supplies of nuts and screws) then the day of the exam finally came. In the presiding desk was Mustang in the middle, General Haruko on the left side, and, believe it or not, me on the right hand. It seemed that I was the second State Alchemist higher graded before Mustang. The situation really had to be very difficult.

Oh! I haven't explained how the country was being ruled then. First there was the parliament, who was elected by the habitants every 5 years. Then, The Military had been divided in two sections: Regular Army, With General Haruko in Charge; and Alchemic Army, With Roy in charge. There was also a general in charge of every HQ, General Grumman came from east HQ to take care of Central's as the Eldest and most experienced of all the generals (he didn't want the post of commander of the regular army, so it was conceded to Haruko)

Anyway I stood out from everyone there, as I was the only one that wasn't using the uniform. "I hadn't used it in those four years and I'm not thinking on starting now" that was my final answer.

I returned at my old fashion in some way, as I began to use black clothes again. But then I used T-shirts, as I got used to them in the other world, and I modified an Overcoat that I had, making it dark red and putting the Alchemy symbol as my old overcoats used to have.

In the case of Al, although the constants protests of Winry, he didn't want to get rid of the old red overcoat or his black clothes, besides it wasn't necessary to try to resemble me because I was there again. He even let his hair to grow again (hmm… did I have to say that I cut his antenna?) I try to convince myself to change his outfit, he only answered that he'll change there "when that day came".

I was so bored then that I started seeing the face of the candidates, all of them showed a lot of anguish, edginess and desperation except one; Al was even yawning when he unwillingly wrote some words on the answer paper. I saw the exam and it wasn't difficult, but at least he should have tried to show more respect to the other contestants, who death glared him when we handed over the exam at the first hour, leaving me there for other two.

I then tried to think in other things and I looked at Roy; there was something that was bothering me for a long time and I wanted to ask him about that.

- That's an automail eye, isn't it? I didn't know that there could be made, eyes are too complex.

- Areugo developed the technology some years ago, and now that we're in peace, they share it with us. A very talented mechanic copy the ability and made this one for my.

- It is awful! You surely chose a cheap mechanic for saving you some coins. You looked better with the patch.

- I hope she never hear you or you'll be death

- ………….. Did you say "she"? Was it made by …?

(A/N: In the hotel they were staying, Winry opened the door of her room and suddenly thought: "I don't know why, but I'm having an insane necessity of killing Ed")

After Roy answered with his head I could only said, with incredibly fear in my heart – I'm death…I know that I'm death.

I incredibly survived, making Roy to promise a thousand times that he wouldn't open his mouth, or I would leave the military (and everything else, because death people don't work)

15 of 100 people passed the exam; Al made it perfect, 100 out of 100.

And the day of the Practice Exam Arrived, Al stood up early and headed to the HQ before any of us. After we had lunch, we get prepared to go to the HQ to give support to him; I also had to be in the examiner's desk. We were ready to go out when Ton noted something very important.

ED! Al had forgotten his gloves! – He said running with the pair of clothes with him.

- Damn it Al! He making that kind of negligence! How does he think he'd do a good impression without those gloves? Give them to me – I started running towards the HQ; hoping to find him before the exam started. The gloves were the basis of his alchemy, without them, he'd have to draw circles and that won't made a good impression in the exam, although they were desperate to seek new state Alchemist, he'd only be treated as a novice.

I reached the HQ halls searching for my "otouto" when an officer intercepted me.

- Oh! Colonel Elric, everyone is waiting for you in the examination to begin, come with me please.

- But…

- Please Colonel, it's too late and we must begin the examination now.

I was literally dragged to the HQ grounds. There was a balcony specially made for us, as they were somehow frightened about some accidents that could happen.

After a while, the candidates started to go out. Al was among them, with his face not showing any type of edginess. I tried to call his attention in some way, so I started to wave my hands as crazy.

- I didn't imagine that you'll be so excited with the examination of your brother – Roy said, with his particular sarcastic face, looking at me jumping for Al's attention.

- Err…well, it's because… he's going to follow a family tradition…you know…our father was also a State Alchemist.

- Hohenheim of Light… I wonder what is he is doing now.

-…he is death.

-Oh! … Sorry.

- don't worry…you know…….I …hate him.

- Your face accuses you

- Shut up, the examination is about to start.

And the first one started, he used some kind of gloves with a TC printed in the forehand and transmuted an Ice sculpture from the floor. I was starting to get worried.

Again some ridiculous waves, now General Haruko was the one that looked weird at me; but Al was still not responding. The second one began his presentation then. He had some type of arm steel protector on the right hand, and Automail in the left arm (interesting, isn't it?). Both protector and Automail, had twin TCs marked on them. He then did something similar that Armstrong used to do. He punched the ground and lots of spikes came from the epicentre. But there was a big difference then, the spikes landed circumscribing the Ice sculpture that the first one made and they suddenly became crystal. I was worried then.

After other ridiculous waves and strange glares from General Grumman now, Al finally looked at me. Sweating he waved me back, but before he could turn his look away, I showed his gloves to him. He seemed quite worried then. But then he raised his shoulders as a way of saying "what could we do?"

A third alchemist began his demonstration. He had black gloves with alfa and beta TCs (with this I mean two TCs that needed each other to work) and after clapping, a light started glowing from his hands ( he was doing something similar that Lyra (not Dante, the original Lyra) used to do, but 10 times more powerful). And he pointed it to one of the pillars of crystal that the last Alchemist made. The light bounced between all the pillars and then from the eight pillars that were there, all bounced towards the central sculpture and everything was covered by light then, after some seconds everything exploded.

I was really worried then. Why, in that day, at the same time, had to be dragged such skilled Alchemists? Al was the only one that haven't TCs to help him, so he would have to draw, but that won't be as impressive as the three other performances. He wouldn't be able to fulfil his goal; or perhaps….

It was Al's turn, but something happened then. The wall that headed to the street suddenly fell down, and from the dust appeared two shadows, a big one and a small and thin one.

- Hello everyone – the small shadow began to talk – we've come to see what this new government is able to do – and lots of chimeras started to appear from the crashed site, attacking everyone there

- GUARDS! - General Haruko called and he started to retreat along with general Grumman. Everyone there started to defend themselves of the attack of the hell animals.

- Let's go and help – I told Roy, he adjusted his gloves and we headed to the grounds, after transmuting my automail, I started killing chimeras.

There was a ballade of flames, crystals, light and metal there, as more and more chimeras appeared from nowhere to attack us. I was searching for Al, who seemed to be lost in the confusion; I wondered how he was defending himself. After searching for a while, I found him fighting along with Ton, who climbed down from the spectators seats (since the parliament time, alchemy practice exams were public, as a way of trying to change the way normal citizens saw the state alchemists) with his stone shining like sun. He was fighting with a dagger (he was very skilled with it, I found it some way I would tell later) but Al was fighting bare hands.

- AL YOUR GLOVES! – I shouted him. I then approached more, but then, a giant boulder fell down. Ton was able to dodge it, but it squashed Al.

- ALLLL! – I desperately shouted, but then one of the shadows, the biggest one, stood between me and the boulder where Al was. I can finally see him, A very big man, but more similar to a monster, with wary eyes and a horrible need of bloodlust. But what most impressed me, was a symbol that he had on his left shoulder: an uroboros tattoo, but crossed by a four winged sword.

"Could he be…?" I thought, expecting the worse; but then the other shadow stood at his side. He was very strange, incredibly thin; he resembled more a death person than a life one. He kept walking on a mild-crouched position. He had the same symbol, but printed on his right arm.

Suddenly he began talking – you were more energetic than we thought. Well, I'll increase the difficulty just a little – he raised both of his hands and proffered an incredibly loud sound. Suddenly all the chimeras started to behave even more crazy than they were already. They started to knock down every one that they encountered and viciously started to eat them. The air was impregnated by shouts of pain and desperation, as they were eaten alive.

I myself found quite difficult to avoid the attacks of that vicious beasts. I finally achieved to kill the last chimera that looked at me as its prey when the biggest invader, stood in front of me.

- You're very energetic, midget. You'll be a better feed for my axe than for those animals

- WHO'RE YOUR CALLING… - Bad Idea; the monster suddenly turned back and wielded against me a incredibly big axe; there was no way to dodge it. "I'm death" I thought at that moment, but suddenly a big projectile appeared and landed on the head of that monster, making it to explode and launching him away. From the direction that the projectile appeared, I saw a woman grabbing a pistol, but now she was using mittens with arrays grabbed on them.

- I forgot to tell you Ed – Riza Hawkeye said – now you can also call me the "Divine Sight Alchemist".

It was really a revelation. Riza Hawkeye was dangerous without alchemy; but I can only think one thing about Riza Hawkeye with it: massive destruction.

- Now go and search for your brother – she said, preparing for the next shot. I answered with my head, heading then to the place where he was. But suddenly, the headless big body stood up, making all the soldiers who had just came with Riza to scream frightened. From the neck a new head started to emerge and the same horrible face was looking at me again.

- Damn it! I was right! – It was horrible now to see that my feared thought was in fact the reality

- That was good, but you took me off guard – he then struggled and another giant axe appeared from his arm – but now…

Before he rushed against Riza, a voice that calmed all my nerves shouted.

- HOMUNCULI! – He said, with an authoritarian voice – you've been incredibly bold to attack a Military Headquarter without knowing about everyone that was there. I won't let you to flee unharmed before this.

Suddenly a clap sounded and the rocks that were there started to float; they suddenly turned into spikes and attacked a lot of the crazy chimeras that were there. From the corpses, spheres of light started to emerge and headed to him. Some of them passed near me, and they were warm, and made me feel peace when they touched me. The lights started to surround him, like the moon around the earth.

- That boy is dangerous – the smaller homunculus said – everyone attack them!

He shouted again and the chimeras were even crazier than before. At an incredible speed they rushed against him with desires of eating him.

- AAAAL! – I desperately shouted, but before the hell animals could reach him, a fire wall blocked their way and scorched them just there; other light spheres emerged from the bodies and surrounded Al

- Thanks Roy – I turned to him, but his face showed pure shock and unbelief

- I think I'm gonna faint…… – and he fainted. So he wasn't the one who made the wall, could it had been made by Al?

- And now, BEHOLD THE POWER OF THE SOULS! – He shouted, and the light spheres flew towards the two homunculi, piercing their bodies many times, and them they returned to Al's side. That demonstration of power wasn't something that I've been expected. As I thought Al really wasn't worried because he knew that he'd gained a big knowledge, as he remembered his past in our trip to our world, he also remembered what he'd seen in the gate; but it was surely a lot compared to what I saw there; caused probably by the Law of Equivalent Exchange; In repair of losing his body for 5 years, he gained a big knowledge (just enough to make a big brother to be very proud) compared to with I have gained by losing my left leg, although I haven't recovered it; or at least that was what I thought.

After a while, the bodies of the Homunculi raised again, fully restored – That boy! He can control souls at will. Masters will be very glad of hearing this – but some seconds after, two women appeared at the roof of the HQ and talked to the Homunculi

- We've what we wanted, time to retreat! – The woman with white hair ordered, she also had a crossed uroboros tattoo on his head. The other woman, black haired, had the tattoo on his right shoulder.

- Ok – then, looking at us, the thin homunculus said – Pretty interesting, pretty interesting, we've found here a Knower of Advanced Inorganic Alchemy and another that, among his abilities on Inorganic and Elemental Alchemy, is an Expert on the forgotten Soul Alchemy. Masters will be glad to hear about your existence. But before that we've to make some very important issues. We'll met again, but until then Farewell

- Everyone shoot! – Haruko ordered, but before one of the bullets could harm one of them, they melted into the shadows and disappeared. But we couldn't be off guard yet, there were still some crazy chimeras that wanted to eat us at all cost.

"Thank you" I thought I hear Al saying when the light spheres that surrounded him suddenly disappeared – Well, the rest is quite easy

Touching his head, a blinding light appeared on his hand. Then he launched five light spheres to the Lions that decorated the ground. After they were touched by the lights, they started to move and headed to the chimeras, killing the rest of them.

- Well, I hope that was enough to pass – Al said to me, grinning; I only could respond with a small smile.

- Well it was, indeed – Roy said, after recovering from his faint – Please Riza: order the soldiers to clean all of this. Well, I think this prevents us for a bigger ceremony, so: I announce that, being disabled to do any other test to another candidate; because all the others are death, the four vacancies for State Alchemists of this year have been taken by: Gerard Icen, Ferham Barckrof, Arond Stormwalker and Alphonse Elric. Please all of you follow me to my office.

And then the three skilled alchemists that were the only ones that could do the practice exam and my brother followed him to his office.

Winry, Ton and I waited for Al outside of Roy's office. I was glad to hear that Winry was able to flee from that hell with the help of my youngest brother. After some minutes the three alchemists went out of the office, all of them with silver chains on their pants. They were mumbling something

- So that young kid had also been elected as a state alchemist, but he didn't do the practice exam

- And before that demonstration of power, do you have any problem with it?

- No, not really.

After some minutes, Al also went out from the office; all of us greeted him with a smile. He started talking then.

"Some time before, the only thing that I could do was taking the place of the Fullmetal Alchemist while he wasn't here. But he had finally returned and it was imperative to me to search my own path, and I finally found it. It's time to change"

He then clapped and touched the old red overcoat. It suddenly changed its colour to blue, and the Alchemy symbol changed to another one: Two serpents wrapping a shining sphere, seeing each other. Then he touched his hair, and after a light of transmutation, he cut his hair similar to the way as he had it when he was a child.

"I'm Alphonse Elric, the Soul Alchemist"

A/N: -I know that after reading this chapter, Ed fans would want to kill me, but I promise you that I'll balance the powerof the brotherslater on the fic. Please forgive my life!

- I hope you like Al's revelation, I tried to make it the best I can do it.

Expect the next chapter on the next week (I hope it won't be as large as this one) please Review.

Next Chapter: The Legend of the Five Alchemists