Yes, this chapter is very much inspired by Cheyenne Kimball's song "One Original Thing" off of her debut album "The Day Has Come"

One Original Thing, The Day Has Come, Everything To Lose, I Want To, Full Circle are all songs co-written by and featured on Cheyenne Kimball's debut album "The Day Has Come." All rights reserved to the respected parties involved. Artists/Songs/Albums/Labels (Epic/ Daylight)

Luthier - someone who builds and repairs stringed musical instruments.

Ku - are trousers or pants (Chinese culture)

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 25 - One Original Thing

Central, Amestris

Sitting on Roy's sofa at his house, Roy asks Al. "So those were the brothers that the both of you told me about who impersonated you guys in Xenotime, while working for Mugear? " Al nods his head. Roy takes a quick breath. "And both of their specialty in alchemy is nature. Plants, trees, etc." Al nods his head again. "And there's the issue with Russell and what he's learned about the transmutation circles in Siam-Sid, obviously. At least I now have a picture to go along with their faces."

Al sighs. "I'm more concerned about Fletcher. I mean-" He groans then throws his hands in the air. "I don't know what to do!"

Nodding his head in agreement, Roy then changes the subject and asks Al. "So what did Janine needed your help with?"

Al looks at Roy surprised. "Huh? Well ...you see- (He then sighs) She asked me to keep it between myself, my brother and her for the time being. Sorry, but I was asked not to tell anybody."

Roy looks away, buried deep in his own thoughts. 'I wonder why she didn't ask for my help like she always does' His expression drops. Al, who's now confused, asks. "Are you ok? You look like you're sad about something."

Roy sighs then chuckles lightly. "I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind at the moment."

Al smiles. "Work still weighing you down, Sir?" Roy smiles as well. "It's that obvious, huh?" Al laughs.

The next morning, Al and Roy are already in the office waiting for everyone to show up. Al looks at the door and asks. "So who do you think is gonna show up first?"

Roy looks up. "Hm?" He then shrugs his shoulders and returns to his paperwork. Al looks at Roy with a bored expression. Just then there's a knock on the door. "Al, can you get that for me please?" "Sure," Al replies, matching his bored attitude. He walks over and opens the door.

? - "Oh. Well hello there young man, is the Lieutenant General in today?" Al looks back at Roy with a blushed face as he waves for Al to let her in. "Thank you." She says as Al moves to the side. "Good Morning Lt General Roy Mustang." "Good Morning to you as well Colonel Amarosa Wright."

Ama - "I see that for once you are setting the example for your subordinates than the other way around."

Roy lets out an annoyed sigh. "What brings me the pleasure of your visit, Colonel?" Ama smiles. "Well, I was hoping to run into Rambo here. Figured that she would have found a date for the ball by now. Unless..." She turns to look at Al. "Young man, are you her date for the military ball in a few days?" Al looks at her confused.

The door the office then opens up and Hawkeye, Rambo, Fuery, Havoc, Falman, and Breda enter. Everyone exchanges hello's. "Can we help you with anything, Colonel Wright?" Hawkeye asks her.

Ama - "Indeed. Rambo if you can, drop off the documents regarding the current situation of the 'Affliction' case. That would be-"

AJ - "You didn't see it on your desk already? It should be there. I dropped it off last night before I left from work." Ama puts a finger to her lip. "Well, then I should head there now and check. Thank you in advance." AJ smiles and nods her head. Colonel Wright then excuses herself and leaves.

After lunch hour, the Fuhrer calls Janine to his office to make a delivery. She heads out and makes it back before mid-afternoon. When the day is finally over, the group heads over to Madam's bar.

Opening the door and everyone else takes their seats at the table, Roy, and Al head over to the stools. "Guess the kid needs some advice," Havoc says to the others when he sees them walking over and sitting down.

Roy asks Al. "So any plans on what you wanna do? You should think about talking to Ling about training in Xing with those other Alkahastrists."

Al sighs, placing his elbows on the table and covering his face with his hands temporary. "I don't know what to do. I mean I definitely want to learn more about Alkahastry but it's just- what if-"

Roy - "You're worried about running into May, aren't you?" "It's what she did is why I'm bothered so much," Roy asks. "What did she do?"

Al leans towards Roy with a blushed, flustered and embarrassed face. "She um... she uh... (He then mutters quickly) shekissedmeinthehallwayatmybrotherswedding." Roy looks at Al surprised, smiling. "Oh really?" "You understood that!" Roy laughs. "Of course I do. Janine does the same thing when she's either embarrassed or shy." He laughs again.

Al sighs sadly. "And then there's her. I do like her but I'm worried about hurting her like that."

Roy stops laughing and looks at Al with sympathetic eyes. "There's that military ball that is coming up at the end of the week. You could ask her if you could be her date. After all, she's always attended one with us to accompanying her. So I'm sure she would be happy to finally be attending it with someone as the same age as herself for once."

Al looks at AJ as she's laughing to whatever Jean and Heymans are talking about. "But what if I mess up?"

Roy - "Then mean what you say and don't lie to her." (Leaning a little closer to Al) Roy tells him. "You see Al, as I told you before. Girls are very sensitive when it comes to their feelings. I've seen my fair share of broken hearts. Now whether or not if it was because of me or someone else, I'm not gonna admit to anything. But I will say this like I've told you before. Go out and explore your options. If you wanna date, then do it. If you really want to study Alkahastry, then go for it. But you will always need to follow your instincts and intuition, first and foremost, above everything else."

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Imperial City, Capitol of Xing: Imperial Palace

Walking out of their room from the paradise gardens, Lan-Fan takes Winry to the Imperial Workshop as Ling takes Ed to the Training Grounds.

Ling - "I assumed since you can't perform your Alchemy anymore, I figured as much that you would want to enhance your swordsmanship skills since I know you've already been trained to wield a gun." Ed stops walking, looking at Ling. Ling stops as well looking back at him.

Ed - "Hawkeye taught me the same year I joined. It was mandatory for all beginners. Rule of the Amestrian Military. Had to follow orders regardless if I liked them or not."

Ling - "Are you going back or-" "No." Ed nods his head and says in a tone. Then Ed starts walking again. Ling follows his lead.

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Central, Amestris

Roy and Al walk back over to sit with the others at the table. "Well look who finally decided to join us. The kid and Mr. Light." Havoc says. Others at the table start laughing, even Al chuckles. "MR LIGHT! Really, Jean!"

While both Roy and Jean are shouting back and forth at each other, Al walks over and whispers something in Janine's ear. She stands up and follows him to the counter.

AJ - "Did he tell you about his assessment that's coming up?" She says as she sits down. Al stares at her in shock. "No, we didn't talk about that. Does he know what he wants to do?" "I don't know. I'd assumed he was gonna ask you since he'd already fought your brother?"

Al - "Wait? He wants to compare the both of us?" Shrugging her shoulders. "Probably. Maybe. Maybe not. I asked him about it awhile back since he asked me the question himself." Looking at her flabbergasted, he asks. "He wants to fight you?"

She laughs. "It's not like that. Last year it was more of how much of the fire that he creates can he control?" Al looks at her questionably. She laughs again. "What?" She asks him. "So you're saying that last year it was him vs you?"

AJ playfully rolls her eyes. "Again Al, take out the vs. I volunteered myself since he wanted to show the higher up's how much more of his alchemy he can control. The rules are made up to whereas you can choose to show off your improved set of skills or you can fight against a fellow alchemist, military personnel or not." Al puts his finger to his chin as a thought comes to mind.

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Imperial City, Xing: Imperial Palace

Meanwhile, Winry is looking around and admiring the tools and machinery in the workshop, she comes across several stewardesses sewing, making different types of clothing. A Luthier who is surrounded by a variety of instruments. A blacksmith who is forging metal, making a variety of differently sized swords. Tables are spread across one side of the building with pottery and porcelain mixtures, ready to be made.

Win - "Wow. These are so beautiful." She says as she walks over to a display case that has different sculptures and statues of dragons and other glass animals inside of it.

Lan-Fan - "You can make your own if you like. Shall I send someone for Edward?"

Winry excitedly turns around to face Lan-Fan. "You mean it!" Lan-Fan nods her head. "Your so awesome, Lan-Fan." Lan-Fan smiles back at Winry.

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Central, Amestris

Al - "You know, I just remembered and can't help but wonder what that Oritronic thing that the suit of armor was talking about a while back?" AJ folds her arms across her chest, playing a role. "Dang. I completely forgot about that." "Do you know if anything has come to fruition?" AJ nods her head. "No. But I hope Big Blue is close though." She sighs.

She then notices the time on the clock. Grabbing her jacket and putting it on, she stands. "Well, I gotta get home and get some sleep. I'm off tomorrow and I gotta get up early to train with Alex and Becky." Al taps her on the shoulder and asks. "Can I come with? It's not like I've got anything better to do." AJ nods her head and the two of them leave after saying goodnight to everyone else.

Closing the door to the bar, Al and AJ start walking. Inside, Jean asks Roy. "You sure about that? Letting him be her date for this weekend's Ball?" Smirking, Roy replies. "Of course. I trust that she won't make a rash and immature decisions. Not to mention his gentle approach on things especially regarding my niece."

Jean takes a quick breath. "So when are you gonna tell them about you and Janine's relationship?" "That's none of your concern, Jean." Jean turns his attention back to his cup, resting on the table, in between his hands.

Outside, AJ asks. "So Al?" "Yeah?" "Was there ever a moment where you had to give Ed a piggyback?" Al chuckles. "Plenty of times, though he'll never admit to it," AJ smirks. "I wonder if Roy's ever given him one as well?" They both stop and stare at each other before breaking into laughter.

The next day at the Armstrong mansion, one of the housekeepers lets them in. Waiting in the living quarters, Alex opens the doors quickly, scarring both of them.

Alex, who rips off begins to flex his muscles in front of them to give them some encouragement. "BEHOLD THE STRENGTH OF YEARS IN TRAINING. COME! ALPHONSE ELRIC AND JANINE RAMBO! WE SHALL SEE WHAT EACH OF YOUR POTENTIALS HOLD AND YOU SHALL EACH AQUIRE IT USING VITALITY!" Picking up each one of the children, he takes them to the mansion's outdoor field.

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Imperial City, Xing: Imperial Palace

At the training grounds, Ling and Ed are engaged in a practicing sword-fighting match. The both of them are shirtless, wearing only their Ku's.

Ling - "Gotta say I was worried about you being not up to par with training." "Jeez cut me some slack, Ling. I'm still training with Al." "That's good to know. I wouldn't want you getting your ass kicked!" "Shut up!" Ling swings his sword but Ed blocks it, kicking Ling in the stomach. "Aagh!" Ling yells, clutching his waist.

Smirking, Ling shouts to Ed. "Is that the best you got, short stuff!" "DON'T CALL ME SHORT!" Ed yells back, rushing towards Ling.

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Central, Amestris: Armstrong Mansion/Central Headquarters

Laying on the grass outside on their backs, both Alphonse and Janine are trying to catch their breath, panting from exhaustion. Al groans. "My arms feel like two pillars of goo." AJ groans as well. "My legs feel like two blocks made from gelatin."

Alex - "WE SHALL CONTINUE OUR TRAINING CHILDREN! GROWING STRENGTH FOR THE BONES OF GROWING BOYS AND GIRLS ARE IMPORTANT INDEED!" A housekeeper taps Alex on the shoulder and the two of them engage in a conversation.

AJ - "He's completely bluffing." Al replies. "I don't think so." Al turns to look at AJ. "I have a plan and it's worked before." They roll over and start whispering to each other as Alex is distracted.

Back at HQ, Roy who is furiously filling out piles on piles of paperwork, tossing any completed ones off of his desk and scrambling to organize them afterward.

Roy - "DAMMIT! Where is the-" Hawkeye cuts him off, handing him a piece of paper. "Why thank you, Colonel." "You're welcome, Sir." At the end of the day, Roy uses his sleeve to wipe his forehead. "Finally. I'm done." Taking a sigh of relief, Roy stands up and takes a look out the window. Stretching, he yawns and then says. "Man, I'm tired. Hey, Hawkeye. Did Clover say where she was going since it's her day off?"

Riza - "Both her and Alphonse, I believe are training at the Armstrong Mansion. They should still be there." "Remind me to head over there and pick them up shortly." Hawkeye picks her head up and looks at him. "What?" He asks as she's just staring at him. She then makes a circle in the air. "Full Circle, Sir."

Once Alex is flipped onto his back. Al and AJ cheer. "Yay! We did it!" "Great plan, Alphonse!" They high-five each other then give each other a hug. Her arms are wrapped around his back as his arms are over her shoulders. Blushing as both of their heartbeats are beating rapidly. AJ looks up as Al looks down at her. Blinking several times, before leaning their faces towards each other, Alex stands back up.

Janine notices Alex's movement and breaks apart from Al's grip. She blushed deeply, looking away from Al. Alphonse, looks away from her, blushing deeply as well.

Alex - "Good work, the both of you. Now onto to other matters-" Both Al and AJ's stomach growl at the same. "Well, I suppose we can save that for later. I'll have the chef's prepare lunch." Al and AJ cheer with happiness. Alex smiles at them.

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Imperial City, Xing: Imperial Palace

Ed and Ling who just walked into the workshop, Winry runs over and hugs Edward. He, in turn, hugs her back. Greeting his wife with a kiss on the lips, he asks her afterward. "So... what do you want to do?" She tells him about the pottery and shows his the case with the glass animals.

Ed - "So when can we get started?" Winry, who gives Ed her sexy smirk causing him to blush, tells him. "Well, I was thinking what if I made you something and you make me something in return. Then we can surprise each other with a gift." She giggles at his priceless reaction.

Grinning at her, he tells her in a seductive tone. "The day has come, Ms. Elric. Expect to lose this challenge at your request."

She smiles while leaning closer to his face. "I want to see you try but it won't even be close, Mr. Elric." She turns and heads in a direction of the workshop, he does the same.

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Central, Amestris

After eating, Al heads over with Alex to the mansion's indoor gym, While Becky picks up AJ and the both of them leave for the shooting range.

Riza excuses herself and heads down to the gun range as well, joining AJ and Becky. About an hour goes by when Roy himself decides to head down and join them. When he makes to the entrance, all three of them are there already. Becky leaves as soon as Roy walks over to the girls. "You ladies ready?" They nod their heads.

Arriving at the Armstrong Mansion, Roy parks the car, waiting for Al to walk out. After a few minutes, Al comes out and sits in the back seat next to AJ. "Who else is hungry?" Al asks.

At an outdoor stand ramen restaurant, the four of then sit down for a chit-chat amongst themselves. "So AJ?" "Yeah?" "What's the deal with you and your necklace? You seemed a bit too attached it earlier at training?"

Looking away shortly, she replies in a soft tone. "It was given to me by someone that I care about deeply, so I get paranoid when I can't find it or if I think that I've might have lost it. Everyone has something special that they have that they cherish the most because it means a great deal to them. Don't you have something that means the most you, Alphonse?" "Yeah, a few things actually. (He pauses then sighs) Sorry."

AJ - "It's fine. I know you meant well. Your curiosity was nagging you, wasn't it?" Al looks her, surprised. She laughs at his reaction. "Speaking of something that people cherish. Is there anything that you cherish, Roy?" Riza asks him.

He raises an eyebrow at her. "Of course I do. In fact, I have more than just one thing that I love dearly. Something sacred or as one's safe haven as I like to call it." "It's like that one original thing like I've got, ain't it?" AJ asks him.

Roy smiles "I'll have everything to lose if anything happens to any of them." AJ and Riza share an endearing smile at Roy. Al smiles as well.

AJ then tells them. "I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion, I think someone is their most beautiful when they show any kind of love and kindness, not with their hands but with their soul." "Wow, that is a good point," Al says smiling at AJ. She smiles back. "Everyone has that one original thing that no one else has and that's just one of their differences from everyone else."

Riza smirks and says. "Don't expect to find any diamonds in a pile of stones though, Rambo." "That's so true!" AJ and Riza burst into laughter. The two boys there are looking the girls, confused.

Al looks at Roy. "Do you know what-" "Not a damn clue. I can only guess girl talk, maybe."

Back at her place, with her legs crossed sitting on her bed. AJ pulls out The Metatronic Stone from underneath her shirt. Holding it in her hand, it glows lightly. 'Even after all of these years, it still amazes me that you chose me as your carrier. I wonder what's to come. Even though I'm scared and nervous, I know I'm gonna be ready for all of it.'

End of Chapter 25