Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Um, hi. (Oh no! Another author's note?) I looked up metals to the best of my knowledge to find a malleable one, so if I'm way off track, don't pick a fight, okay? I tried.

More Than You Bargained For

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

My transmutation circles had all been drawn to perfection. I had also transmuted a water sack, in case it took me longer than expected to escape. I had no idea of what to prepare for. I could be minutes from an exit, or miles. It all depended on how desperate Envy was to hold me hostage. He was probably anticipating an escape attempt, so I had to keep my wits about me.

What most perplexed me, though, was the fact he hadn't forced me to do the human transmutation on him yet. I was waiting for him to drag me off into some large room devoted to alchemy to preform the taboo, but it was as though he was holding off until the opportune moment. What could be more opportune than me in a cell and in a weakened state?

There was no obvious answer to that question, so I just hoped for the best, and prepared for the worst. My past experiences with Envy hadn't been all too pleasant. He had plagued my brother and me for years, brutally trying to get me to transmute the philosopher's stone. Not only that, but he had also killed me. I was only alive compliments of Al's quick actions and decisive sacrifices. Sacrifices meaning using himself to bring me back.

I collected my thoughts and finished my preparations. I had alchemized the piece of shrapnel into a rough arm, and had attached it just to the nerves. It was crude, unable to do complicated things like tying knots, but it would allow me to use alchemy by just clapping my hands, using the flow of power between them, and doing the computation in my head; the alternative being drawing a transmutation circle, which contains the computation. The quicker, clapping my hands, was by far the easier.

So far, Envy had passed my prison cell five times a day every day. I couldn't tell how far apart the intervals were because I had lost my state alchemist pocket watch on my journey to the other side of the gate. I had never had reason to get a new one. Even so, I could approximate that each check was at least two hours apart. Using that and judging which way Envy went each time, I could discern where everything was: when he brought me food in the morning, he came from the left, which either meant that's where he slept or that is where the food is kept. The second visit was also from the left. He always had a weapon on him at that time, so I could assume that the armory was on the left. The third visit, he brought me new bandages (when he took my automail arm off, he made sure to take the base off as well) and he came from the right, so any medical supplies would come from the right passageway. That would also be the place where the supplies for a human transmutation would be. The list went on and on, and soon I felt, that even though I had never been out of my cell, I could navigate my way anywhere. But Envy never gave a hint as to where the exit was. I would have to find it myself.

The morning of the fifth day arrived. The day I was to escape. Truthfully, I had no idea if it was morning or evening, (or even the fifth day that matter) but I had to assign each moment a certain time of day so as to not confuse myself. I was strengthened from my recuperation. Sitting around eating and drinking had done me good, versus my furious search for Al. My wound was healed, but had a scar. I could live with that.

Upon waking, I realized that Envy had already visited me once, seeing the meager portion of bread sitting on a wooden plate. I would have to wait until after the second visit for my break.

I scarfed the weevil infested bread, not caring to sanitize it with alchemy. I could have cared less about the crunching of bugs between my teeth. There were more important things going on and I had to be ready at any moment.

I sat and waited, patiently, alertly. My eyes constantly scanned for the trim figure of the male Sin. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he came strolling past my cell. He paused to look at me. I always hid my new arm behind me at this time, but I'm not sure if he didn't see it. Maybe he just ignored it. This was all too easy.

Envy shrugged his shoulders and walked away, whistling. I saw a dagger hidden in his ankle wrapping and a handgun around his waist. It was definitely the second visit. As soon as the Sin had passed out of view, I waited ten minutes more, and then transmuted the iron bars that separated me and the hallway into molybdenum, a weak element. From that point, I just pulled hard on one bar, bent it, and stepped out of the prison.

Though, in reality I hadn't gotten any closer to escape, taking that one step outside of my dirt cell made me feel empowered again, like I did when I was flashing about my state alchemist pocket watch years ago. I yearned to touch its cold silver surface and feel the ridges of the dragon embedded into it; to feel it resting in my pant pocket and feel it jerk on its weak chain when I jumped about; to open it and remember: there's no turning back, ever.

I clenched my hands and pushed away my more blissful memories. It pained me to shove them into the back of my mind, but I didn't want to be distracted with such petty things if I was to run into Envy. I had no intention of doing so, but the Sin could be lurking anywhere in the depths of his cavern.

Keeping that in mind kept me alert as a headed towards the armory. It was my first destination among many. If I somehow stumbled upon the exit, however, my plans would easily be varied. It took all of two minutes to reach an old wooden door. It hadn't been sanded down and knots from the once-tree turned hideous door protruded out in awkward ways. It was far from craftsmanship.

It encouraged me when I saw a brass doorknob, which had been discolored from use. I grasped it confidently and pulled. It didn't budge. What trickery was this? Was it alchemized shut? I tried pulling again. The same result. I was about to kick the door down, a noisy but sure option. Then I realized the obvious. I grasped the knob again and pushed. The door swung open so easily it felt as though it was mocking me. Perhaps I had gone insane.

Focus! I screamed to myself. Danger is nearby and Al is either in the military's clutches and on trial for attempted murder or in Envy's clasp, in which case, most likely dead. Or he could be far away, safe and in hiding... I could go and find him and- Focus!

My mind wandered more than it had ever before. My thoughts were fleeting and sporadic, having nothing to do with what I was trying to accomplish. I hadn't had anything besides bread for the past few days and perhaps it was affecting my concentration.

Soothingly, I rubbed my temples, which was worth a pat on the back because of the automail. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I finished entering the room and silently shut the ancient door behind me to not arouse suspicion. Only now did I see how many weapons were in this room. And it left me with my mouth hanging agape.

Rifles lined the wall, taking up the majority of the fourth row of shelves that lined the walls. A large bin squatted in front of the shelves and upon investigation, I found it chock-full of fragmentation grenades. My eyes bulged. Even the military couldn't afford all of those! I backed away, afraid one might go off unprovoked. I backed right into another row of shelves and turned to find it crowded with the new rave of the military: rocket launchers. Above, the rockets were snugly napping in thick wool compartments attached to the wall. I spun around the room gawking in disbelief. I noticed pistols, sniper rifles, shot guns, knives, throwing knives, daggers, cans containing noxious gases, poisonous gases, lethal gases, and laughing gases, complete with masks for the assailant. I also saw a brand new fire alarm near the door. I thought this was kind of funny because a) Envy was the only one down here; who was there to alarm? and b) if a fire was lit in here, there would be no time for the alarm to be triggered. Half of the tunnel would be blown up.

All I could do was gape in amazement and partly, horror. If Envy unleashed this on the world, even the military would be helpless. Except for the state alchemists. They could probably unleash power enough to match and disable all of these mechanisms.

An idea formed in my head and I eagerly checked around for a fuse. If I could blow this up at a safe distance away, after checking for Al, of course, I would eliminate a gigantic threat to mankind.

To little surprise, I found a fuse long enough to give me time to escape. I wouldn't light it right away, however. The plan was to raid Envy's little bunker, find Al, if he was here, and leave blowing it to smithereens. Easy enough.

I had rolled out the fuse and lead it back to a rocket, which would set off the others. Standing, I looked at my work pleased. Envy was in for a little surprise.

On my way out, I grabbed a pistol. My knowledge in gunmanship was less than experienced. I knew how to click off the safety fire, and click the safety back on. That about did it. So, without the cognition of how to reload, taking spare rounds would have been pointless. I was a little more skilled at the blade, and to my liking, I found a short sword, just in case I needed stealth. A transmutation to my arm would have created noise and light andwould have alerted the enemy to my presence. I wanted my freedom to not be noticed until Envy was being blown apart by the force of thousands of explosions.

After all the time I had spent in the armory, I felt rushed. Envy would be checking on me soon. But I still had another stop plus I had to search for Al. And if possible, kaboom! But that was at the end.

I shook my head. My thoughts were becoming so sporadic that I had nearly forgotten that Envy was lurking around here somewhere. The usual awareness in my spirit was dampened, and I felt the darkness of the cave finally closing in on me. The artificial lights were little comfort to me. I longed to feel the sun against my face, the wind in my hair, to hear Alphonse laughing just because he was happy to be alive...

I nearly cried. I came so close. But not quite. I shuddered and choked instead. No more pain, no more tears, no more sadness. Alphonse would not have liked it. This world would be bright again. Without Envy, antagonizing us, attacking us, and forcing us roughly about like rag dolls. Alphonse would never slip from my reach again.

Determination gripped me like the sadness had before. Only this feeling put power in each of my steps instead of draining it. I would find Al.

I stepped away from the armory and pulled along the fuse a good deal. When I felt that I had enough time, I dropped the coils and cut it at the appropriate length. The rough tread dropped to the ground and I tossed the extra aside nonchalantly. It was all set up.

Using the knowledge Envy unwittingly gave me, I retraced me steps to my dirt cell and made my way down the other passage. Blankets and medical supplies were kept somewhere down this direction. Even though my old bullet wound was mostly healed, I still feared infection. Somewhere down this passage, I could get disinfectant.

It took me three minutes of a fast-paced creep to reach another ancient wooden door, same as the last. The knob didn't trick me this time, as I pushed the door open. Looking about, I scowled to find Envy's bedroom. The room was floored with shiny gray tile and the wall was paneled with a rich cherry wood. A plush bed rested in the corner, complete with purple satin sheets and black pillows. A cherry wood bed stand squatted by the bed, complimenting the paneling. A large Ishbalan rug covered half of the floor; it was woven with rich colors like royal purple, a deep red, and forest green. It was a luxurious in comparison to the rest of the underground tunnels. But what freaked me out was the fact that most of the wall space was covered with newspaper pictures of me, drawings of me, intercepted mail, and photographs, all of them had my face circled in red. Had Envy been stalking me? A took a closer look at a familiar photograph. How did Envy get this? We gave it... to... Al... How long had Alphonse really been missing? Had Envy been posing as Al ever since I returned? I had been wondering how Alphonse had brought me back without sacrificing himself. But now I thought I knew.

Al had sacrificed himself. Al was dead. When I woke up, Al had already been gone. The grinning, teary face that I remembered so fondly had been Envy, pretending to be Al. Alphonse was dead.

A fire burned within me and I felt hot tears splash down my face. My throat began to close up and I gasped for breath, trying to suppress screaming in pain and sadness. Hatred burned inside of me and I felt like destroying everything. I just wanted to kill, destroy, deconstruct. I clenched my fists until they bled. But as quickly as the anger came, it left. I bent down onto my haunches and shuddered as I rocked myself back and forth, choking as fiery rivulets of water dripped form my chin onto the tile. I never wanted to move. I just wanted to stay like that forever and rot away. Al was gone... I was all alone... I wanted to die.

Then a thought struck me like a slap on the face. I had sacrificed myself for Alphonse and had been sent to the other side of the gate, alive and well. Could Al be..?

"Yes," I whispered to myself quietly. "Yes," I said a little louder. "Yes, yes, yes!" I cried hysterically. "Alphonse is alive!"

A passion I had only felt the day I had been separated from Al by the gate possessed me. It controlled me and made me calmly walk out of Envy's bedroom with an air of confidence. I grasped the gun I had stolen from Envy's armory and flicked the safety off, and began a blunt search for an artifact of the Sin's life. His only weakness; the way I was going to destroy him.

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

Please review. More to come.

How do you like that for a longer chapter! -beams-

Please REVIEW? Please..?