This Chapter is part 1 of a 5-part plotline to the story.

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 18 - Metal to Metal, Heart to Heart Part 1

Getting off of the train in Rush Valley, Winry heads over to Garfiel's shop. When she's just a few feet away, she sees a group of people huddled around his shop. She then sees Paniya trying to calm them down.

Paniya, with her hands up in front of her. "Can All Of You Just Relax! Winry will be back today. Please just be patient!" Winry walks a little closer until she is for sure that Paniya can see her. Some of the customers start shoving, trying to get into the shop. "HEY, I SAID STOP! Damn it where is- WINRY!" She shouts when she sees her. Winry waves her hand when her friend sees her.

Later on in the day once she finishes with the last customer, she freshens up and returns to the workshop shortly after. Walking in, she sees Garfiel and Paniya sitting at the table. Both of them who immediately notice the ring on her finger.

Mr. G - "Winry darling, is that what I think it is on your finger?"

Winry smiles and starts giggling. She shouts as she puts her hand with her engagement ring up. "I'M GETTING MARRIED!" All of them shriek with excitement.

A week later Janine stops by the shop. Garfiel lets her in. "Tiny J! It's so good to see- Take off that TACKINESS!" (Referencing to her military jacket) She takes it off as she enters. "Hi Mr. G. Its nice to see you again. Is Winry here?" When Winry shows up, Janine and she leave to go talk somewhere private.

Winry - "So what is it? What do you want to talk about?"

AJ sighs. "First off, I already know that Edward is trying to look for Ari and that Al and you are helping him. What I didn't know was that Ed had asked Roy about her and that he lied to your fiance." Winry looks at her surprised. "Don't worry I'll deal with Roy on another day." (She sighs again) "Yes Winry, I am Ari. My original full name was Marisol Meadowbrooke Rambo."

Winry then looks at her confused. "Wait. Original? So that means..."

AJ - "I was adopted, Winry." Winry takes a sigh of relief. "So then that's odd, you only changed your first name?" Winry asks. Nodding her head, AJ replies. "No. I kept my original last name professionally." "So what's your new last name, then?" AJ waves her hand. "Don't worry about that. That's not the main reason why I wanted to talk to you. I uh- I wanted to tell you about my kidnapping that happened after I was held, hostage."

After about an hour or so later, Janine takes a sigh of relief when she finishes. "Sorry I know that that's a lot to take in but-" Winry rushes over and pulls her up, giving her a hug. She whispers sorry to Ari. "You are not the one that has to apologize to me, Winry." Ari replies. "I already told Ed and Al. They already know about it. Just do me a favor, Win. Keep whatever I just told you to yourself. Don't tell anybody." "Yeah sure, Ari." They both smile. Before Janine leaves to head back to work, Winry pulls her in for one more hug. They part ways afterward. Several hours later, Ed arrives at the shop to Winry's surprisement and Al shows up a few hours afterwards.

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"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" Roxy yells, standing up, backing away from AJ and pointing to the stone. She then notices Ari's blue eyes. "Y- Your eyes are blue again just like when we were in Table City."

Ari stands up, facing Roxy. "Relax Roxy."

Roxy - "Relax! Are you crazy!"

Roy - "Calm down, Roxy."

Roxy then glares at Roy. "Neva tell a girl to calm down, asswipe! It never works!"

AJ - "Don't call him that, Roxy!"

Roxy looks at the both of them. Shaking her head, she says. "I knew it! I fucking knew it! You're not Marisol! That whole talk of non-humans and using identities and masks. You're an imposter!"

AJ (who's eyes have returned to normal and the stone stops glowing) looks at Tori confused and raises an eyebrow. "Seriously, Roxy? That's the most stupidest crap I've ever heard in my life. And trust me, this guy next to me since I've known him has said some pretty dumb stuff."

Roy - "HEY!"

Roxy - "Whateva! Don't matter! You're a FAKE and FREAK! I've should of known that you would of cheated when we fought!"

AJ - "I DIDN'T CHEAT! I didn't use the stone when we fought, stupid!"

Roxy - "WHO ARE YOU CALLING STUPID, IDIOT!"

Roy - "ENOUGH!" AJ and Roxy turn to Roy. He looks at AJ. "Now that she knows about the stone, is there anything else you wanna tell her?"

Roxy - "Yeah like does your uncle know about you having a crush on the Alphonse guy?" AJ glares at Roxy.

Roy stares at AJ. Before he has a chance to say anything, AJ responds with. "Yeah actually, Roy why didn't you tell Ed who I was? Why did you lie to him?"

Roxy - "Wait. Hold up. Homeboy asked you about Ari and you lied to him?" Roy takes a deep breath then replies, pointing at the both of them. "The both of you, stay out of it." Before he has a chance to say anything else, there's a knock on the door. He answers it.

Chris - "Where are they?" She asks with Riza standing behind her. He lets them in. Separating the both of them, Roxy stays in the living room talking to both Roy and Riza while Chris and Ari both leave and head over to the bar.

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The next day, the Fuhrer, who intended on giving AJ the day off since it's her birthday but she declined. She then heads out on a few runs. On her last delivery, she heads over back to Rush Valley. She makes it to the shop. Before she has a chance to move the curtain, Ed tumbles backward out of it.

Winry - "I TOLD YOU NO, ED! We are not having any of that at our WEDDING!"

Ed stands up. "And why the HELL NOT?" He then notices Janine standing there.

Winry - "You know damn well why. I don't need Al going crazy with his alchemy, using it on everything. I mean come on! Don't I get a say in it as well? It's my wedding too." Ed stares at the ground sadly. AJ makes a sad expression as well at him. Winry asks. "Ed? ... Edward? Are you there? ... Damn it, Ed, you-" She forces the curtain open and stands there, surprised.

Ed sighs heavily. "I need a moment." He then turns and leaves, walking away from the both of them. Winry then spots AJ.

AJ smiles and waves. "Hi! I have a delivery for you!" She pulls out the package and hands it to Winry. Winry signs for it. She then pulls out Ed's envelope as well. "When you get a chance, can you had this one to Ed? It's for him." Winry nods her head. "Sure." "Thanks, Win, see ya later." She leaves and starts walking back to the train station, makes it back to Central before nightfall.

That night at Madam's bar, sitting at the table with the boys as Jean leaves to grab everyone's drinks, Ari tells Roy. "You know, I wonder if he'll even remember me."

Roy - "Who?"

Ari - "My father." She sighs as she looks at the cup that is in between her hands, resting on the table.

Roy - "What about your mother? Are you-"

Ari interrupts him. "I wish that I knew someone who had known her so I could have an idea of what kind of person she was like before she died." She sighs again, laying her head on the table. In a comforting manner, Roy rubs her back gently.

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Two weeks go by when both Edward and Winry have a date and place set for their wedding, they send out the invitations.

Winry - "Okay so we just sent out invites to Paninya, Garfiel, May, Ling, Lan-Fan, Nelly, Pitt, Riza, Maria, Roy, Jean, Vato, Heymans, Kain, Gracia, Elicia, Izumi, Sig, Denny, Alex, Jerso, Zampano, Darius, Heinkel, Janine, and some chick named Roxy. Jeez, the list goes on and on. We sure know a lot of people, huh Edward."

Ed - "Roxy just isn't some random chick, babe. She's also Ari heart sister."

Win - "Her what?"

Groaning, Ed replies. "It's Ari's way of saying 'This is my sister from our built-up friendship, we're not related by blood though'." Win smiles at the thought.

Al - "What about Fletcher and Russell?"

Ed - "What about them?"

Al looks at his brother annoyingly. "Brother, don't be rude!"

Ed - "Fine! ...Only Fletcher." Al groans in annoyance.

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Another week later...

Ed helps some fellow gentlemen while still staying in Rush Valley, who were having trouble lifting some crates and machinery. Giving him thanks as he waves goodbye, he heads back over to Winry's shop. Laying down to relax for a moment outside on a bench out front, Ed takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

Roxy - "Seriously, homeboy? I just got here and already you're taking a snooze?"

Making an annoyed expression, he opens his eyes and sees her hovering over him. "Ever heard of personal space, Roxy?"

Roxy - "Nope." "Well, now you have, so move it." He says as he sits up as she walks over to sit down next to him. "So where's your girl at?" "She's working." He replies.

Before Roxy could say anything, Winry walks out from behind the curtain. "Ed, can you-" She looks at Roxy, then back at Ed. "Who is-"

He cuts her off. "Winry, this is Roxy. (He then stands up and wraps an arm around Winry's waist) Roxy, this is my fiance and my mechanic, Winry Rockbell."

Winry smiles and puts her hand out for Roxy to shake. "Hi. Nice to finally meet you." Roxy shakes Winry's hand. "Hello to you as well, Winry." Roxy smiles back at her.

Ed - "Good. Now that you two have met. We should-"

Roxy tells Winry. "You know he wouldn't shut up about you when he was in Creta for those few months during his travels."

Winry turns to Ed looking at him surprised. She then grins at him. "Oh really?" Ed rubs the back of his neck, looking to the side and blushing madly. "Is that true, Ed?"

Slightly nodding, he replies. "Yeah, I did. I wasn't lying to ya when I told you that I missed you."

Winry stares at him in awe as he smiles at her. "Look. If you two wanna kiss and whatnot, be my guess. Pretend I'm not even here." Roxy says. The both of them look at her, questionably.

Later on, that night, laying on the bed in the spare bedroom, Roxy remembers what she and Ari spoke about a few weeks ago.

{Dream Flashback Begins}

While sitting on Roy's sofa, Roxy asks Ari. "So that light from the other day, was it alchemy?" Ari nods her head. "Yes, to an extent. But it's suppressed by the stone. It's not easy to control Roxy and I have to be careful every time when I use the stone." "Why?" Taking a deep breath, she turns to face Roxy. "Because if I use too much of the stone's power, It uses my own life force." Roxy looks at Ari with a surprised, confused expression.

Roxy's eyes widen. "WHAT IN THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY!" "Roxy." "No I'm serious, Janine. (Roxy stands up, facing Ari) The hell- What the FUCK!" Ari stands up as well with her arms outward, in front of Roxy. "Roxy, calm down!" With her chest rising and falling, trying to calm down. Roxy asks Marisol. "How long?" (Ari puts her arms at her sides) "Since I was eleven. I wasn't seeking the Stone, Roxy. It chose me as its carrier." "Then make it CHOOSE someone else!" "Roxy. That's not how it works. If this stone gets into the wrong hands, it could be more worse than with what happened on that day of the red light. It's more powerful than a Philosopher's stone... A least that's what both the Fuhrer and Roy themselves believe, anyway." Roxy looks at her confused. "Just promise me that what I just told you, you cannot tell no one." Roxy nods her head understandably.

{Dream Flashback Ends}

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The next day Al walks into her workroom holding an automail arm. "Winry! Mr. Watson wants to know when can you finish his arm? He mention over the phone that he can stop by later if you are done with it today."

Winry wipes her forehead with her glove. "Al, have Paninya call Mr. Watson back and ask him to stop by tomorrow at four." Al leaves to relay the message to Paninya.

Walking out of the shop, Al heads over to where his brother is. "Ed!" He calls out once he sees his brother who is holding up a block of cement over his shoulder on one side while another man is behind him holding up the other piece.

The both of them gently lay the block on a similar one and walk away afterward. "Hey, Al." Ed says. "What's up?"

"Can I ask you a question?" Al asks his brother.

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Back in Central, AJ is sitting on a barstool at Chris's bar. Roy sits next to her. "Roy, my boy. We need to talk." Chris tells him.

Roy - "Alright. What is it?"

Chris looks at him and talks in a serious tone. "Ari told me that she heard something on the train earlier today when she came back from Fotcett." She then looks at Ari.

AJ asks him in a serious tone. "So what's this "Promised Day" about and when did it happen?" Roy looks at her flabbergasted. "I don't wanna hear it from anyone else. I only want you to answer my question."

Holding his tongue shortly, he sighs replying. "Alright. Meet me at the Fuhrer's office tomorrow. I'll tell you what I know." She bites her lip quickly before she stands up and leaves the bar.

The next day, Riza steps into the Lieutenant General's office to start her day. Noticing immediately that everyone else is there but Roy, she asks. "Where is the Major General, Havoc?"

"He and Ari are in an involuntary meeting with the Fuhrer this morning." Jean replies.

Riza - "Is everything alright?" They all shrug their shoulders.

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Walking over and sitting side by side on a few chairs near the construction site, Ed asks. "Alright, so what's the matter?"

Al sighs. "I would like to go back to Xing... but-"

Ed - "You wonder if you'll run into May?"

Al nods his head. "Yeah. I mean before I left, Ling told he knows other Alkahastists besides May. But what if they're not as good as her? I mean..."

Ed - "I get it. You still have feelings for her even though she's engaged to be married to another man. What's the guy's name anyway?"

Al - "Mao Xianyong."

Ed - "Mao and May. Hmmm..." Ed puts a finger to his chin.

Al - "What? What is it, brother?"

Putting his hand back on his lap. "You know. I wonder if she already knew about the engagement when she was over here looking for the stone. You think one of the reasons why she wanted to find it, was to use it to get out of the arrangement that she's in now?" Al sits there contemplating on what Ed just said.

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Walking out of the Fuhrer's office and into the elevator. As it begins moving, Roy asks Janine. "Do you now understand why you were concealed for years?"

With her hand over her face, she sighs and replies. "Honestly..." She places her back down at her side. "It all makes sense to me now. The light, the hands, and that shadow figure. I knew it. I knew alchemy was in some way involved with everything. (she leans her head against the wall, looking up) But damn. I didn't think- No I didn't know that about the philosopher's stone... Living human beings though, jeez."

He places his hand on her shoulder. The elevator then stops and the doors open. They both head back to his office. Walking in, they both notice everyone staring at them. Then they look at each other before turning back to the others. "Good morning." They both say as they walk to their seats and sit down, finishing up their work.

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Later in the day, Al walks out of the shop, wiping his hands off with a towel. He turns around quickly when he hears footsteps behind him. His eyes widen when he realizes who it is.

Ling waves his hand. "Hi there, Al! Long time no see!"

Al - "LING! What are you doing here? Where's Lan-Fan?"

Ling pulls out his invitation to the wedding. "So where is he?"

Gathered at the dining room table, Al, Ling, Paninya, and Garfiel are talking amongst themselves when Ed and Winry walk through the door. Noticing Ling right away. "JUST WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!" Ed yells.

Settling down, Ed watches as Ling stuffs his mouth with plate after plate of food. "Jeez Ling. Can you be any more of a fat ass!"

Ling - "It's rude to insult your guest, Ed."

Ed - "It's rude of you to eat all of the food in the house but you did it anyway, jerk." They both glare at each other.

Al sighs. "Some things never change."

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Roy - "Janine." She stops with what she was doing and looks up at him.

Ari - "Yes, sir?" He nods for her to walk over to him. She heads over and he whispers something in her ear.

Before she has a chance to walk away, Roy grabs her arm. "Oh and one more thing. Find out where they're at." She nods her head and leaves.

When the door closes, Riza asks. "Is everything o-"

Roy - "Don't worry about it. She took it better than I expected. (sighing) Didn't think that spark would ignite from Fotcett though." She looks at him confused.

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Ed - "Where's Lan-Fan?"

Ling - "In Xing. I left before the sun started to rise."

Winry - "You crossed the desert by yourself?"

Ling - "Wouldn't be the first time." Winry looks at him baffled. Ling then asks. "So Al, when do you want me to take you back to Xing? I've found some pretty good Alkahastists that are ready to train you when-"

Al mumbles. "No thank you." He stands up and leaves the room.

Ling then looks at Ed. "You'll have to excuse him, Ling. I think he only wants May to train him." Ed tells him. Ling folds his hands together.

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There's a knock on the door. Before Riza has a chance to answer it, Roy quickly stands up and rushes to the door. He opens it and leaves.

Havoc - "Is it me or is the General being awfully quiet than usual?"

Riza - "Something must have happened. The question is, what is this 'spark'?" Riza eyes widen when an idea comes to mind. She looks at Havoc. "You don't think? It couldn't be ... ?" Everyone looks at each other with concerned expressions.

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In the Fuhrer office, Roy, Janine, Alex, and a few other soldiers are standing in the room, saluting Grumman as he enters and sits down in his chair.

He begins. "It seems that the situation in Liore has escalated within the past several hours. I just received a phone call not too long ago from Rose about sightings of that suit of armor Alphonse Elric clarified, as well some of our friends from Xing for that matter who appear to be in battle over there as well. Flame, I'm gonna send you and the Sargent here to go out and collect Alphonse Elric since he is familiar with the situation. Leave Edward there, even if he wishes to join. Afterward head straight to Liore. That is all. Any questions?"

Roy looks at Ari with a concerned expression. Grumman tells Roy."Miss Rambo can take of herself and will be alright. You are to only follow Mustang's orders, Sargent. Are we clear?" AJ salutes. "SIR!"

On the train, Roy asks. "Are you sure you want to do this?" "Quit making me nervous! Jeez!" "Sorry. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you, do you have any idea to what is this Oritronic thing that Al-" She sighs. "It's an incomplete version of the Metatronic Stone." Roy looks at her in shock. "What I don't understand yet, is it a part of something that the Armor is carrying or is it the Armor itself?" Roy starts to wonder about that as well.

Making it to Rush Valley, Janine takes Roy to Winry's shop. She knocks on the door. Then knocks a few times when nobody answers. "Well, that's weird?" Janine says. "You sure it's the right place?" Roy asks. She glares at him. The both of them then hear an explosion in the distance. Making it to the scene, Ling and Ed are sparring with Paninya trying to separate the two. "Alright boys, that's enough. Ed, Winry is waiting for you in case you forgot." Sighing, he replies. "Yeah, yeah. Tell her I'll be there." "Ed. She means like NOW!" Groaning. "We'll finish this later, Ling." As he turns his head, he sees both AJ and Roy.

Pointing to Roy, Ed shouts. "Just what ARE YOU DOING HERE!"

Roy - "We're not here for you."

AJ - "Where's Al, Edward?"

Ed raises an eyebrow at them. Then replies. "What? Wait, wait wait. There's no way in hell-"

Al - "Did someone call me?" AJ waves to him, then calls out for him to come where she's at. When he is near her, he asks. "Ok? So what's going on?"

AJ - "Do you mind helping us with something?" Al looks at her confused.

Roy - "We won't need your brother, just only you." Al turns his head to Ed, who nods (no) to him.

Turning his head back to face them. "What do you need help with?" AJ mouths 'Liore' to him. Taking a deep breath, he agrees to Ed's dismay. Biting his lip as he sees Al leaving with the both of them.

Ed - "YOU BETTER COME BACK IN ONE PIECE, AL!" Al waves his hand. He then looks at Ling. "Ling-"

Ling - "Sure. I'll look out for him, but you will owe me." "Fine."

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Back at HQ, Someone knocks on the door. Riza answers it. "1st Lieutenant Mccartney, it's been awhile."

Nathan - "It sure has. May I come in?" Riza nods and holds the door open as he walks past her. She closes the door afterward.

Riza - "The Lieutenant General is out at the moment, can I help you with anything?"

Nathan - "Yes, I am aware of Mustang's and Ari's sudden mission that the Fuhrer just sent them on." Everyone stares at him in shock. "Didn't they tell you guys before they left?" She nods her head.

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When they make it to Liore, AJ immediately turns around and points her gun at Ling, who is on top of the train. Roy places his hand on top of her gun, lowering it. "He's alright." She looks at him. "He's one of the allies that we told you about." She takes a deep breath and puts her gun away.

Roy - "What are you doing here, Ling?"

Al - "Brother sent you, didn't he?" Roy raises an eyebrow to Al.

Ling - "More or less. But I am curious of this vibe I'm getting from an Aerugian."

AJ in a serious tone. "Stay away from me." He looks at her surprised.

Roy - "Don't take it as a joke, Ling. Take it as a warning."

Ling smirks and shakes his head. "Anyways, let's get moving then shall we?"

Upon walking through the city, the Stand Owner points them to the direction of the battle. "You guys take it easy. I've seen more than just that suit of armor over there." Roy thanks him and they head over to the battleground.

When they make it to an alleyway that leads to the area, AJ pulls out her gun and prepares herself as she walks slowly through it. She pauses to peek around the corner, then turns back to switch to her rifle, loading it with its ammo. Before she could make any more movements, Roy grabs her shoulder.

Roy - "Janine."

She looks at him and replies, whispering. "Big Blue, Aero, and Elle." He smiles at her.

Roy - "Go on, then." Before she has a chance to do anything, Ling walks by the both of them and stands at the corner.

Making a surprised face, Ling tells them. "Ah, Lan-Fan is here." He then starts laughing.

Roy and Janine look at each other confused. Al asks Ling. "What's so funny?" He calls Al over to where's he's at. When he walks over and stands next to Ling, he sees...

Cliffhanger!

End of Chapter 18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(A.N.)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Because Roxy is living in Creta, she hasn't really experienced any ordeal with any kind of alchemy related-stone, only just regular alchemy itself.

Aero is referencing to Olivier and Elle is referencing to Hawkeye.

Ling can sense the power coming from The Metatronic Stone, hence why he says 'But I am curious of this vibe I'm getting from an Aerugian'