This Chapter is part 3 of a 5-part plotline to the story.

Armony is a character from the 1st Fullmetal Alchemist video game for the ps2. "The Broken Angel."

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 20 - Metal to Metal, Heart to Heart Part 3

One week before the wedding

(By this time Roxy has already left Amestris and is back in Table City. Zampano, Darius, Heinkel and Jerso are in Rush Valley staying with Mr. Garfiel)

Both Ed and Winry find the packages that Ari gave them not too long ago after she misplaced them. Opening hers up first, she finds several certificates to a few bridal shops in Central as well as a letter and a book from Creta that has blueprints, diagrams, and pictures of different types of automail. Winry reads the short letter.

To Winry

Hope you enjoy your engagement presents.

From Janine.

Winry - "Aww Ari. This is so sweet of her. Ed, aren't you gonna open yours?" Ed nods his head and opens his.

He pulls out some certificates as well. A letter and sealed up framed ether flower that has a faded color to it. Remembering Armony, he sighs sadly. "It's about Armony, isn't it Ed?" "Yeah." "Wish I could have met her." Smirking. "It wasn't until after her passing that we realized how powerful her alchemy really was." After a moment of silence passes, Winry brings up the letter and he opens it. He starts to read.

To Edward, The Former Shortest (Ed chuckles at that) Person in the Amestrian Military

Enjoy the gifts and about that flower. I heard about it from Roy. Anywho, I wanted to give you something that I felt showed not only who you are today but also represented your past as well. Sorry if it comes a little insensitive, it wasn't my intention. The fadedness of the color of the flower is your loss of being able to perform alchemy but the uniqueness of the flower itself means that you are still a unique individual. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise or I'll deal with them myself. Got it?

From Janine.

He smiles as he folds the paper. Winry smiles as well. She then turns to face him and pulls him down for a kiss. Breaking away momentarily, "You are definitely different." Winry tells him. "What's That Supposed To Mean!" Making an annoyed sigh, she pushes some of the stuff on the table to the side and hops right on it as he settles in between her legs. "You silly man. I love everything about you because you're different." Recapturing her lips, he passionately kisses her.

That afternoon

Winry, who is with Paninya in Central, trying on different wedding dresses as Ed is in the groomsmen store trying on tuxedo's as well.

Al - "You look really nice, brother."

Ed - "You think so?"

Al - "Yeah. Winry will like it, I'm sure." Fixing his brother's collar. Ed's nerves get the best of him and his body starts trembling. "You're shaking. Is everything alright, brother?" Ed sighs nervously.

Meanwhile, at the bridal shop, Winry is standing in front of three dresses. She tries each one on again. Paninya notices something with the last dress. "Winry. Pick this one."

Win - "Why? I kind of like the color of this one more. But the material on this other one feels-"

Paninya - "Winry, don't you trust me?"

Win - "Of course I do." "Then try it on again." Win tries on the dress again. Paninya stands up and straightens it out for her. As Winry twirls around in the dress, she stops completely when she notices something as well. She smiles. "He's gonna drool so much," Paninya says. Winry starts giggling.

That night

Walking down the road that leads to her grandmother's house, Winry and Edward hold hands as they make their way there. Al, who left several hours prior to their train ride is already there waiting for them. When they make it to the house, Winry opens the door. "Grandma!" She yells. "Alphonse!" He yells right after. "Hm. Guess they must of left into town or something." Winry says. "Probably. I'm gonna take our bags up to our room." Ed replies. Win then tells him. "I'm gonna get started on dinner." "Alright, sounds like a plan." He kisses her on the cheek before he grabs the bags and takes them upstairs. Later on when everyone is finished with their dinner. Al and Ed are sitting on the patio, chatting.

Al - "Hey brother."

Ed - "Yeah. What is it?" Ed looks at him.

Al - "Are you nervous about the wedding?" Taking a deep breath, Ed replies. "Of course I am. I mean what if I'm not good enough for her. What if I screw up something on our day and she hates me forever." "You can't think like that, brother." "Yeah I know I shouldn't." He pauses briefly. "You're right, Al."

A few minutes pass when Al asks him. "Um, brother?" "Hm?" "What's it like to uh... kiss ...um ... a girl?"

Ed smiles, grinning ear to ear. "It's amazing."

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5 days before the wedding

Ed heads over to Central Headquarters. He makes it to the Fuhrer's office. Sitting down on the couch, Ed thanks the Fuhrer for the weddings gifts. "Your very welcome, Edward. I must say I was quite nervous for a young man such as yourself to get married at such a young age." "Yeah it's been crazy with all the wedding planning and such. But you know ... I wouldn't change it for anything." "Anything you say, hm?" Ed looks at him a little nervously. "Not even for alchemy?" Sighing sadly, Ed replies. "I'm not gonna lie. I do miss it. But then I think about my brother and how he has has his body back for a few years now. I can't help but smile everytime he smiles. It was my fault he was even in that suit of armor to began with." Grumman stays silent out of respect and understanding. He then asks Edward. "I am aware of your parents passing. Do you have anyone else that can take their place?" Ed closes his eyes and takes a sad deep breath.

Closing the door behind himself as he leaves the office, He runs into Ari. Startled at first, they smile at one another.

He stops by Dubith before he reaches Rush Valley. Making it to his teacher's house, he tries to knock on the door but before he has a chance to, Sig opens the door and bear hugs him, pulling him into the house. He then tosses Ed onto the couch. Izumi kicks open her bedroom door. Ed screams in terror before he shields his face from any strike that Izumi might attack him with.

Izumi - "Edward." He flinches when he hears his name. "Stand up." He slowly stands on his shakey legs and puts his arms down to his sides. He sighs, then takes a deep breath. "I need to know can the both of you take the place of my parents at my wedding!" He shouts with his eyes closed.

Sig walks over and places a hand on Edward's shoulder. Ed turns to look at him. "Of course I will. ... Izumi?" He asks when he looks back at his wife, who is emotional at the moment. She quickly walks over to Ed and pulls him into a hug. "Thank you, Edward. It would be my pleasure." Ed smiles at her answer and hugs her back.

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3 days before the wedding

Making sure all of the preparations are in order. Both Ed and Winry go over everything with Garfiel once they make it back to Rush Valley. Releasing an exhausting sigh, both of them collapsed on the bench out front of her shop. "I'm exhausted." "I know, me too." She replies. "I didn't think planning for a wedding would be this hard," Ed says. "I was kinda hoping for it to be a little bit easier than what I've heard." He sits up looking at her. She sits up to look at him as well. "What?"

He sighs. "I ran into Ari the other day." Winry sighs sadly. "Did she say anything?" He nods his head. "No, but she put on a forced smile though. ... Al, you're such an ass." Putting a finger to her chin, she ponders. "I'm only guessing here, but what if he only wants May to like him." "He can't be serious. You and I both know that's just stupid." "Yeah well it is, but it may also explain his behavior." Ed rubs his chin a little. "When Roxy stopped by my job a while back and said my name, I knew it was serious. The only other time she said it was when I pissed her off back in Creta." "Yeah she told me about that." Winry starts laughing. Ed makes an annoyed expression at her.

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The day before the wedding

Winry, who is back in Risembool with her grandmother, was awaiting the arrival of Roxy and Paninya, until... "Jeez I can't believe those two. How could they miss the train! I'm not buying them another ticket! They better not miss my wedding or so help me I will-" The doorbell rings. "Coming!"

She opens the door. "Riza!" Winry shouts. "Hi! What are you doing here?" Riza smiles. "I came to come get you. Tomorrow is your day but tonight is girls night. So are you ready to go? Ari and the rest of the girls are waiting for us in Central." With her bag in hand, she waves goodbye to her grandmother.

Making it to Central, Riza takes her straight to Ari's place. Walking inside, Riza introduces her to Rebecca. She then sees Paninya, Roxy, and Maria with Sheska sitting at the kitchen table eating. "PANINYA! ROXY! The both of you missed the damn train! You better not miss my wedding tomorrow! Wait- Where's Ari at?" "She'll be here in a few hours. Anyway, to be fair I was the one who dragged them off of the train when it pulled into Central station. We planned a girl's night not too long ago so I figured why not have it tonight." Riza replies.

Winry looks back at Riza, confused. "Come on Winry. Don't be such a downer. It's your night mostly, so enjoy it." Paninya says. Winry sighs then enthusiastically says. "Alright. Let's have some fun!" "Alright thatta girl!" Paninya replies.

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Meanwhile at the bar. Ed, Roy, Havoc, Breda, Kain, Vato, Al, and Denny are celebrating.

Raising his glass, Havoc starts. "To Edward. The once smallest kid with the biggest ego we know and is still annoying as can be-"

Roy - "He's still short." Ed glares at him. "I'm not short!" "You're still shorter than me!" "AM NOT!" Al chips in. "Brother just admit it. It will make you feel better." Glaring deadly at his brother. Clearing her throat, Ari puts her pocket knife in Ed's hand. "I just sharpened it earlier. Just give it back when you're finished with it." He looks at her shocked/confused expression. Roy tells her. "He's not gonna do it." She then slowly removes the knife from his hand and walks away from the table. "She was serious, wasn't she?" "Probably. It's difficult to say. She's been pretty mixed as of late." "You mean ever since..." Roy gives him a look. Ed looks away silently.

Havoc, who's confused, asks. "Everything alright there, chief?" He asks Ed. Ed waves his hand. "Don't worry about it. Anyway Al. You planning on taking Ling up on his offer?"

Kain - "Offer? For what?" Ed replies. "Ling apparently told him that he knows a few other Alkahastrists that are willing to teach my brother Alkahastry, but..." "But what?" "Al hasn't given him an answer yet." Everyone at the two tables looks at Al. Al glares at his brother. "If I wanted any one else's import, I've would of ask."

Vato - "Then ask away, Alphonse." Al looks away in nervousness.

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Back at Ari's place, Rebecca grabs her wine bottles from her carry bag. "So girls, (Asking both Roxy and Paninya) Have you ever tried this?" Paninya nods her head. Roxy replies. "Nope, I'm from Creta. Something classy like this can cost you at least a hundred over there." "A HUNDRED!" Becky says. "Yup. Don't go to Creta for your liquor, Mz. Becky." Everyone laughs at her remark.

Becky - "Jeez. So what's it like to live over there? I've had fellow soldiers tell me some stuff when they stationed over at the border, but..." "Aside from the homies, everything else sucks. Got a house in Table City not too long ago, though."

While Becky and Roxy are chatting away. Winry tells Riza. "You know, I always wondered what he would have looked like in uniform," Sheska asks. "Who?" Once she realizes who she was talking about, the girls couldn't help but start giggling.

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Chris taps Ed on the shoulder. "Come with me. I want to have a chat with you And you as well, Roy." They both look at each other. Ed then shrugs his shoulders. "Alright. Well then let's go." The both of them stand up and follow her.

Breda - "So Al. Talk to us. What's going on with you?" Al tells them what happened. Taking a relaxing breath, Havoc starts. "So let me get this straight. You kissed Ari on the cheek the night before we ran into you guys at the train station awhile back. Then Roxy, later on, tells you about Ari having a crush on you, probably because of that kiss. (Al blushes) On top of everything else, you never told Ari about May. So my question to you Al is. What in the Hell were you THINKING!" "I don't know!" "That's exactly the point! Jeez, Alphonse. You can't like one girl and kiss another!"

Breda then asks Al. "So why did you do it anyway? Why did you kiss Ari on the cheek if you still have feelings for May?" Everyone looks at Al. "She- She said I was cute," Al replies. Havoc then says. "If you kissed a girl on the cheek because she called you cute. I honestly don't even wanna know what you would do if a girl called you beautiful." Al replies. "She- She also said I was beautiful when I was in the armor." Confusing everyone at the table, Denny asks. "When did that happen?"

Ari, who startles everyone, stands at the end of the table and tells them. "I first ran into Al when he and I were both 12. I was on my way to the old bar. Turned the corner and we smacked right into each other. He did help me up of course and apologized." Al looks at her with a stern expression. "I've always wondered why you called me that?" Closing her eyes briefly, she replies. "In the tribelands, we have a saying. It's always the most damaged spirit that will always have the most beautifulist of souls. And when their inner strength shines, that is when their brightest of light will glow." Al stays silent momentarity before he stands up, walks over and wraps an arm around her shoulder, whispering something in her ear. Then the both of them leave the bar.

Minutes later, Roy and Ed walk back to the table. Sighing, Ed starts. "You know Roy, Izumi already talked to me about that. I really didn't need to hear that from you. Did you really think I'd miss you that much?" "Well, Edward. I'm flattered to hear that you miss me." "Miss you? Don't make me sick before my wedding day, ya prick." Turning back to the table, Ed notices Al disappearance. "Where's my brother at?" "He just walked out with Ari. Hey, boss, did you know the both of them first met each other back in 1912?" Breda tells him. Roy looks at him surprised.

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Roxy, who is just a giggling mess from the wine, tells Becky and everyone else stories of her and Ari when they were younger."Damn girl, even me and Riza didn't know that." "Yeah, Ari is one tiny strange chick." "So who are these Crayton and Borgan women?" Making a serious face, Roxy starts. "They were the reason why back when Ari was eight, she ... she started hurting herself."

"She Did WHAT!" Becky replies. Taking a sigh, Roxy tells them. "Look, those two bitches didn't give a crap about Marisol ok. They only wanted the paycheck that came with taking care of her. Which they didn't mind you. Every day for her was insult after insult. And her father, who was still reeling the lost of his wife, Ari's mother. Couldn't do anything probably because he still doesn't have that kind of money to help him put his own damn foot down. Solana was the only one who ever gave a crap about Marisol but then again that's just the type of person she was. She helped anyone who needed it."

Winry says sadly. "Ari." Sighing sadly. "Do you think she still remembers any of that?" "Of course she does. All the talking me and her has had, definitely. But here is where I'm the most proud of her. Instead of wallowing, she's out there wanting to make the world a better place. Damn girl is making me look like the little sister." Winry chuckles at that.

Roxy then asks Riza. "I uh- I haven't yet asked Ari if-" Riza replies. "Don't finish that sentence. I can assure you that she hasn't. How else would describe their relationship?" Roxy blinks a few times. Waving her hand. "Alright. Alright. I get it." Roxy smiles at the thought.

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Breda - "So boss, is that why you and she have been keeping quiet as of late?" "Huh?" "Al told us about Ari's crush on him. That's probably why the both of them stepped out to talk and what not." Waving his hand, Roy replies putting a hand over his face. "That's not the only reason." "Then what is it then?" Ed asks.

Roy, who lays his hand back down on the table. "She knows about The Promised Day." Everyone looks at him petrified.

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Walking down one of the sidewalks in Central, already a few blocks from the bar.

"So Ari, can you take me there?" "To where?" He sighs. "To the tribelands that you were-Huh?" He pauses when she suddenly stops still. "What's the matter?" He asks her. She looks down the alleyway. Then quickly walks to the corner to look down the street and guns it down the sidewalk. "Hey wait!" Al yells out to her and starts chasing her. She turns the corner and stops in the middle where a wall is blocking the other way of the alleyway. Stopping as soon as he reaches the corner to catch his breath a little, he looks up and sees her. "Ari, That Was Rude!" She shushes him. As she's walking towards the wall, she stops and looks down in front of it. "I remember this place."

{Flashback Begins}

1909

When both of them are walking past, they hear gunshots in the distance. He then grabs her hand. "Come on!" He yells. They start running. Stopping just a few blocks away from where they were just at, catching their breath. "What were those noises?" She asks. He replies. "Those were gunshots." Marisol stares scaredly at him. He smiles as he grabs her hand. "Don't worry. Let's just hurry up and make it to my brother's place, k." She smiles back and nods her head. About a block later. He stops. Ari asks. "Are you ok?" Letting go of her hand, he starts trembling. "Why is it so cold all of a sudden?" He says. A shadow looms from overhead. They look up.

Adam looks down at them, grinning evily from ear to ear. He then licks his lips. "New Prey." He says in a dark tone. Petrified and scared to their cores, he steps in front of Ari, trying to protect her from Adam. "Stay back! Don't come near us!" He yells. Making a crazed face. "YES! YES! SCREAM LOUDER! I love it when my victims scream in TERROR!" He shouts. Jumping down from the wall, he then slowly walks to them. Backing up a little bit with her behind him, she grabs onto the back of his jacket. "I'm scared, ..." She tells him. "Look, mister, we weren't bothering anyone. Just let us go. We won't tell anyone! I swear!" Adam laughs. He then pulls out his pistol and shoots the boy in the chest. Ari covers her face as some his blood splashes on to her. He falls to the ground and doesn't move. Adam laughs again. When Ari slowly moves her hands down to her sides, Adam grabs her by the mouth. "If you scream, I Will Kill You. If you try to move or run, I Will Kill You. So are you gonna be a good little girl or a dead one?" Trembling, she nods her head. "Good- Hm?" He says as he hears footsteps approaching in the distance. He then grabs her, spinning her around and grabbing the back of her jacket with a gun to the side of her head. "Now watch as my audience arrives to see my show."

{Flashback Ends}

Al stands there in shock, completely mortified by what he just heard. Ari continues as she turns around. Pointing in different directions, she tells him who was there and where they were standing at. Ari finishes with. "I don't- I can't remember his name though.

After a few minutes, she sighs sadly. "What's the matter?" He asks her. She then turns to look at him and asks. "Do you like me as well, Alphonse? You know... Like that way?" She blushes as she turns her head away. Feeling a little bit uncomfortable, he takes a deep breath. In a serious yet emotional tone, he replies. "Yes, I do. But-" She cuts him off when she hugs him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Al, (she blushes) it means so much that you just said that." She backs up from him a little. "I guess I still owe you one from before." She then kisses him on the cheek. Al's face lights up with a dark shade of red. "I like you too, Alphonse,"Ari tells him. Rubbing the back of his head and blushing like crazy, Al says. "M-Maybe ... we should ... um, head back?" Giggling at Al's blushed face. "Yeah, let's go." They start walking back.

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Ed - "Who told her?"

Roy sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair. "Both me and the Fuhrer. She said she had a conversation with an Aerugian soldier in Folcett that brought it to her attention a few weeks ago." Ed takes a relaxed breath. "The Fuhrer asked me, Al and Winry not to say or tell her anything about it at all." Havoc tells Ed. "Yeah. We all figured as much since after you met her, she didn't ask us anything about it. Thank you for keeping your mouth shut... for once." Ed glares at him.

Roy then sees Chris leaving the bar. Vanessa taps him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, she's keen." He nods his head. Ed raises an eyebrow to him. "What?" "So when are you and Riza gonna tie the knot?" Roy spits out his drink. The door to the bar opens. Ari, Chris, and Al are all smiles as they walk to bar stools, taking a seat while Chris walks behind the counter. Roy, Ed and everyone else is watching them as Al says something that gets a laugh out of both Ari and Chris.

Eventually, when Al makes it back to the table, he taps his brother on the shoulder. "AJ wants to ask you something." Ed stands up and starts walking to her as Al takes his seat. Sitting at the counter. "So what's up?" "I've been wanting to ask you if you ever noticed it or well I should say his behavior around certain people or just in certain places..." "Who?" She raises an eyebrow at him. "You mean the General?" "Yeah." Ed begins thinking about it.

Roy and the others are watching Ed and Ari talking. "Are you curious as to what they are talking about?" Havoc asks Roy. "A little, but I trust her." Al looks at Roy confused. Sighing. "Anyway..." He stops as he is staring at back at Al. "Is there a problem, Alphonse?" Tapping a finger on his lips. "Hmmm... I can't help but wonder... (Al stays silent for a few moments) What her adoptive mom is like?" Laughing bolding shortly, Roy replies. "She's a strong woman, Al. Where do you think Janine gets her strength from?"

"So yeah. That's pretty much what they told me about the Promised Day. Well, Al also told me some things too, but from what his accounts were... well you know..." She says sadly. He pats her on the back gently. "He's like 'I would of never thought of comparing myself to you Ari, but I guess it makes sense in a way'. Anyway aside from that, I'm glad that he feels the same way about me as I feel about him." Ed catches Ari's blush as she shyly turns her head. Ed can't help but smile at her. He leans over and whispers something in her ear. She couldn't help the giggles that escaped her lips.

Chris walks over to them. "What's with all the chuckling, kiddo. I can hear you all the way the other side." "Sorry for being too loud, beautiful." "Oh don't worry about that." "Thanks for the advice from earlier, Madam," Ed tells Chris and she nods her head.

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About an hour later, There's a knock on the door to Ari's house. Riza opens it. "General! Hm..?" She notices Ari standing behind him. "Hi! Where is every-" AJ looks behind Riza. The girls are chatting away in the kitchen at the table. Ari quickly ducks under Riza's arm and lets herself in. Riza, who makes an annoyed expression and sighs. He whispers to her. "She talked to both of the Elric brothers earlier." "Ok." She replies, nodding her head. Cheers and laughter are heard when Ari makes it to the girls.

Later on that night, they each take separate trains back to Risembool. Winry and the girls stay at her grandmother's house. Pitt meets up with Ed, Al, and the others at the station and lets them stay at his place.

End of Chapter 20