(Synthetic (Logic) Meaning - Having truth or falsity determinable by recourse to experience.

Analytic Propositions - True by virtue (moral goodness) of their meaning.

Synthetic Propositions - True by how their meaning (character) relates to the world.)

Pitt Renbak is a character from the 4th Fullmetal Alchemist light novel series "Under the Faraway Sky."

Roxy, thanks for your added part!

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 48 - Synthetic Minds

Winry overhears voice on the radio as she's walking into Garfiel's shop in Rush Valley, holding a box of automail parts.

"It's been almost a month since the destruction of a neglected Manor in the west district of Table City and no word yet if anyone behind it has been caught. It was initially stated that no one was injured before or after the explosion occurred, but new details have emerged that not only was there one person injured but that they, in fact, were two Amestrian soldiers. One of them, as we just found out this morning, was the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric."

Winry gasps as she drops the box of tools in front of her. The male voice continues.

"On another note, we do not know the name of the other soldier however but it has been confirmed that the fellow soldier was also seriously injured as well. It has also been determined that-" Winry rushes forward and turns off the radio just as Al makes to the door to the room.

Al - "What happen- Winry?" He asks as he sees her, not moving but with her fists tighten, shaking heavily.

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Ed, who is still on the couch even after a few minutes upon Stone's departure, still looking at the door.

"Did everything he said to me was true, Fullmetal?" Roy asks Edward, adding. "Was she originally apart of the plan or did you automatically made the decision to included her along for the ride?" Ed then turns his head back to Roy, sighing.

Ed then tells Mustang. "I need to head back to Table City." Roy continues to stare at Ed. Rubbing the back of his head, Ed continues. "I uh -forgot something." "What is it?" Roy asks. Ed then nods his head and says. "It's nothing. Never mind. Don't worry about it."

Roy sighs annoyingly and stands to close the door but Ed quickly stands and tries to leave but stops dead in his tracks as he opens the door.

"AL?" Ed asks, surprised to see his brother.

Al, who is drenched in sweat, rushes forward and pushes his brother to the ground roughly. Ed grunts as he lands on his back, rigorously. "Ed! I Told The Both Of You To Be Careful! I-" Al pauses as he sees Roy standing up quickly and rushing over to Ed, helping him up.

As Ed lifts his head as he's rubbing the back of it. He then sees Winry at the door to the office as well with her arms crossed and a worried look in eyes. Ed sighs again, looking away from all of them.

Winry - "Ed." Ed looks at her. "Is it true?" She asks. Ed then quickly stands up and grabs her hand, pulling her away from the office, quickly rushing down the hall.

As Ed and Winry turn the corner, Roy tells Al. "There's something else that he's not telling me. (Al looks at Roy.) Maybe you could get it out him." Roy then walks back into the office and closes the door behind himself, leaving Al alone in the hallway.

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AJ, who is at the bar and sitting on the stool at the counter, facing Chris as she tells her. "I visited the old block while I was over there as well, by the way."

Chris - "Anything?" AJ sighs. "Besides small talk with a few bullshitters. (Chris chuckles at that.) Only pictures of my biological parents. They're at my place." She sighs and she bites her lip gently, looking away sadly.

Chris places her hand on top of AJ's hand. "Work with what you got, kiddo." Chris reminds her. "Because it's hope," AJ adds, smiling. Chris smiles as well, pulling her into a hug.

Roxy then pushes open the door to the bar and rushes right to AJ. "ARI!" She yells as she sees her friend. Pulling her away from Chris and into a hug. "Roxy!" "I miss you! I miss you! I miss you!" Roxy raves. "Ya just saw me not that long ago!" AJ yells back as Chris walks back behind the counter.

Roxy chuckles as she pulls them away. "By the way, I forgot to ask. So how's Nikki?" "She's good. Spent the night at her place while I was over there. You should call her. She misses you." "Yeah, yeah. I know." "And since you're at it, call Savannah as well. She's been asking about a certain someooonnneee."

Roxy - "Ard, yo? Who?" Smirking, AJ replies giggling. "I think you know who."

Chris smiles as well. "Spill, kiddo." AJ turns to Chris. "The name is Ethan. And according to Savannah, he's stunning with long hair." She says turning back to look at Roxy. Putting a finger to her lip, AJ raises an eyebrow. "Hm... I wonder what guy I know that has long hair." Roxy makes an annoyed expression as Chris laughs.

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The next morning...

Grumman - "I do not feel comfortable allowing you to return to Table City this soon, Edward. Our agreement when you returned was only for a week but turned into almost two months. I'm sure your wife misses you greatly since your recent trip and I don't believe she was informed about your most recent injury."

Ed dishearteningly looks away briefly before looking back at the Fuhrer. He continues, asking. "Just why are you so eager to return to Table City, soldier?"

Ed clears his throat. "I left something over there. Something that belonged to Janine." With a raised eyebrow, Grumman nods his head for him to continue. "It's her-" "I understand. Need not to say anything else, Mr. Elric. But I will assign a bodyguard to you once you get there. After all, I don't want to put you in a predicament where you may be in danger and there's no one around to help you."

Ed nods his head. "I understand sir, thank you." As Ed stands up to walk away, he stops and turns back. "I would like to talk to you about something when I return."

Fuhrer Grumman - "Until then, my boy." Ed nods his head and leaves.

Once he embarks on the train ride there, he takes a seat near a window.

Several hours later, as the faded sun glares through the window, hitting the side of his face. Ed sits up and stretches as the announcement on the speaker lets the passengers know that Table City is right up ahead.

Ed sighs as he exits the train once it reaches the city. As he's walking out of the station, Niko waves him down. "Hello again, Edward," Niko says as Ed walks towards him and they shake hands. "You as well, Niko."

Niko gets rights to the point. "I was told by a comrade that the Fuhrer himself assigned you a bodyguard. Is that true?"

"Yeah. But I only came back to grab something. Then I'll be out of you guys hair." Ed chuckles. Niko chuckles as well, adding. "Well let's get you going then." Ed looks at Niko surprised.

"I'm not your bodyguard Edward," Niko tells him, adding. "As for who it is, I do not know but you seem like you're in a rush to head back home," Ed asks. "So you don't mind then?" "Not at all, Fullmetal sir." Niko salutes. Ed nods and both men start walking.

Making it to the house, Ed scrambles through it until he finds the stone. Walking out of the house, Niko asks. "It sounds like you were fighting someone in there?" Ed chuckles, replying. "No, I wasn't honestly. I just knocked over some stuff by accident. But I did find what I came to get." Niko smirks. Walking back to the train station, the both of them spot a soldier who appears to be looking for someone.

Niko walks up and asks the soldier a series of questions. Walking back to Ed, the soldier apologizes for his lateness with meeting up with Ed. "Don't worry about it. It happens to everyone." Ed tells the man, patting him on the back as well.

Departing from Table City, Ed makes it back to Central just as night falls.

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As AJ is walking out of the Headquarters, Al spots and runs up to her. She freezes when she sees him. With tears already threatening to fall down her face, Al holds his tongue as he pulls her against him, pulling her into a hug as she wraps her arms around his waist.

Roy walks out of Headquarters as well, moments later and sees them, watching from up on top of the steps.

Parting a short time later, Al holds her head and places his forehead against hers. She tells him. "He still has my stone." "Then let's get it back for you. I'll hit him if he doesn't." Al instantly replies, replacing her frown with a smile. Holding her hand, Al heads over to Gracia's with her.

When they make it there, Al notices Ed walking down the other way of the street with his head down, sadly.

"Brother!" Al yells as he lets go of her hand and rushes to him. Ed looks up and stops. Ed then looks around Al before he walks by his brother and hands her the stone. She thanks him afterward. As she stares at it while it's in her hand, she rolls her eyes at it and stuffs it in her coat pocket.

Al notices both of their behavior. "What happened? Why are the both of you-" "It's hard to explain, Al."

Ed continues. "What we saw over there-" AJ cuts him off, adding. "Just as bad as the castle, Al." Ed looks back at AJ. "Go home, Sargent." She turns her head and walks away from them. "Wait!" Al says as AJ stops and turns to look back at Al. "What's going on here? Why are you asking her to leave?" AJ then looks at Ed. He nods his head to her and she turns and walks away again.

Ed - "I need to talk to only you, brother." Al looks back at Edward, baffled.

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Sitting on the Hughes's couch, Al has his hands over his face and his elbows on his knees. Sitting back up and leaning against the sofa, he asks Ed as he looks over at him. "Did she see what happened to him as well?" "Yeah, but she didn't stop and stare as I did."

Ed continues. "We've seen our fair shares of battles and carnages. But nothing this posttraumatic." Ed adds, trembling a little. "I've already talked with the Fuhrer and I'm signing the papers soon. As far as I'm concerned, this isn't the life for me anymore, Alphonse."

Al, who is already in tears, flies over to Ed and hugs him greatly.

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As Janine opens the door to her bedroom, she tosses the stone onto the bed and it floats up, stancing back at her.

She asks Blue Cloud. 'You already know my question. Answer it.' AJ stares at it, fiercely. 'You cannot keep every part of you the older you get, Marisol. Some memories come back forever or briefly. Eventually, everything will fade into obscurity, Marisol.' Blue Cloud tells her.

She adds. 'I am also one without bounds of limits and therefore will eventually fade as well. The answer you seek isn't the dearest one you wish for.'

AJ fists start to shake as she asks. 'You said you can see the passed, right? H-have you seen his or Nara's?' Blue Cloud sighs. 'Once a spirit is at peace, communication is impossible.' She continues. 'As for others, some do not want anything to do with the living. Regardless of ways.' She then adds. 'I cannot link signature any other bodied spirits, Marisol. Only yours.'

AJ then sits on a chair, across from her, asking. "So he's alive?" The stone floats back down onto the bed as Blue Cloud nods her head.

Janine - "How do you know that?" 'I haven't seen him on the other side.' Blue Cloud replies.

Standing up and walking over to the bed, she slowly reaches for the stone but stops her hand just short of it. "I'll beat her next time." She tells her.

Blue Cloud - 'Two wrongs don't make a right, Ari.' Janine rolls her eyes and replies. "Ya know. I have a bad habit of dragging things around that bring me down. Should I just let go, Blue Cloud? I'll let you sit on that." Then she leaves the room, leaving the stone on the bed.

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Back inside of Grumman's office the next morning, Ed and AJ are sitting next to each other.

Grumman asks. "Before the month is over, I want the both of you to return to the Manor, with a team that I've handpicked myself. I would like to meet that young lady. Bring her to me. As I am curious as to how she ended up in there, to begin with."

Grumman continues. "I am also aware of the chimeras. I want you to pick a trustworthy alchemist -State or not- to take with you, Fullmetal. It is against my wishes to pick either Flame or Strong-Arm for this mission as I will need the both of them to remain in Central. If you choose your own brother, Fullmetal. Explain to him what the risks of the domain are, prior to the send out."

Ed nods his head, unwillingly. Grumman carries on. "As to your families about your absences, leave that to me. I'll handle it. And one last thing, Edward. You can help Janine with her deliveries prior but not your brother."

Both Edward and Janine stand up and salute to him once the Fuhrer is finished.

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Walking out of the entrance of the building, the both of them breathe a sigh of relief as they head home. As AJ starts walking away, back to her place, Ed calls out. "Hold on a sec." AJ stops and turns around. Ed walks over to her and whispers something in her ear.

AJ - "Are you sure? I don't wanna be invasive - or well, unexpected ya know?" "But that's the point," Ed replies, smiling.

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As Al and Winry start walking down to hill from the house to meet up with Ed, Al stops once he sees someone walking beside his brother. Squinting his eyes a bit until he realizes who it is, Al's eyes widen and he starts running towards them.

Hugging her immediately as he lifts her up and swings her around when he reaches her. She hugs him back, dropping her bag and squeals with delight at seeing him as well. Ed then heads over to Winry, pulling to hug as well.

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The next morning once Ed and Winry make it downstairs and walks into the kitchen.

Pinako - "About time the both of you came down. I have tea and coffee ready if you want any." Winry smiles and heads over, giving her grandmother a kiss on the cheek, then sitting down next to her with her cup next to her. "The kids left already. Taking care of my errands for me. It's not polite for one to say no when asked."

Ed smirks, countering. "And let me guess. She asked?" Pinako nods her head. "Well, you certainly wouldn't have." She replies, earning a laugh from Winry and an annoyed expression from him.

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In the market, Al and AJ look at the list Pinako gave them. "Well, that's about everything on here," Al says. "Yeah, but we still need to grab a few more things that she said she needs," AJ says.

Recounting the money, Al tells her. "I don't think we have enough here." He sighs. Placing her hand on top of his, she tells him as Al looks at her. "It's fine Al. I'll chip in if need be. No sweat." Al looks at her as she smiles back at him.

AJ - "I mean. After all, she did welcome me into her home so I don't see why I can't return the kindness." Gently holding the side of her cheek, Al leans in and kisses her as she drops the handle to the pull wagon and wraps her arms around his neck. He, in turn, wraps his arms around her waist. Either of them doesn't notice the person who is walking towards them.

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Back in Central, Roy is at the bar on his day off out of the office. "She told me everything about her recent trip. Even visited another bar over there regarding her biological mother. Found out some unpleasant stuff about her father as well." Chris tells him.

Roy asks. "Like what?" "Ask her yourself. (Roy makes an annoyed expression to her.) As for Roxy, she told me about yours and Ed's trip as well. He sounds like a solitary ass by her perspective." Roy lets out a deep chuckle. "He said that he wanted to figure it out on his own." "It'll be forever before that time comes. I feel sorry for her, Roy." Chris sighs sadly.

Roy - "I do as well. I feel like dragging him out but-" Chris interrupts him. "Don't get any more involved. If push comes to shove, I'll handle it. Besides Roxy already told him about her adoption, just not to who." Roy looks at her surprised.

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Pitt - "Hey Al! Long time no see, buddy!" Breaking apart, Al and AJ smile at each other before Al looks away and smiles at his childhood friend. "Hi there, Pitt," Al shouts back.

Walking up to the both of them, Pitt tells Al as he places an arm around Al's shoulder, pulling him away from Janine. "So you finally got yourself a girl as well, huh Al? Now I'll admit, I was worried you but I'm glad to see you doing well, my friend." Al playfully rolls eyes and pushes Pitt away from him as AJ chuckles at Al's expression.

Turning to AJ, Pitt asks her. "Weren't you at his brother's wedding not that long ago?" "Yeah, I was. I recognize you as well. The name's Janine Rambo. And you are?" She extends her hand towards him and he grabs it, shaking it, replying. "Pitt Renbak. It's nice to meet you, Janine." "Likewise, Pitt."

Al bends down and grabs the handle to the pull wagon. "Alright. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Pitt. (He turns to AJ.) You ready to go?" She smiles at him and nods her head. AJ and Al excuse themselves as Pitt waves them a fair off.

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That night after dinner, all of them including Den are sitting either by or at the dining room table.

Pinako - "I'm surprised short jokes don't bother you at all." "At first it did and then just became annoying on the regular. Eventually, I just got so used to it after a while, that honestly, I don't really care about it like that anymore." AJ replies.

Pinako then looks at Ed. "And yet you made fusses and pouts back in your hay day." Ed looks back at her with an annoyed expression.

Winry - "He had to upheld his ego that was taller than him at the time." The others laugh as Ed glares at his wife. Den barks in approval, sitting up and wagging his tail.

Just then, both Ed and AJ stop and look out the window quickly, believing that they just heard something rustling outside.

Winry - "What's the matter?" Ed then stands and walks over to the window, looking out of it. "There's nothing out there, Ed," Winry tells him. Al adds. "If there is, I'll check-"

Ed quickly looks back at AJ as she looks at him as well. "Head front. I'll handle the back." "Got it." She replies, jumping up from the chair and moving as quickly as Ed in said directions, leaving the house.

Pinako sighs. "Well, Edward certainly does seems different than before since his last visit here, Winry."

Winry - "He's retiring real soon, Grandma." "I wouldn't be surprised if the agreement lasts for a full year this time," Pinako adds. "Gran-" Pinako cuts her off. "He's been newly trained recently. Haven't you noticed, Winry?"

Winry sighs as she walks over to the window and watches Ed give a hand signal to AJ before the both of them head in different directions. She turns her head just as Al walks next to her.

Al nervously asks her. "Did he show you the scar of the bullet?" Winry, who looks back out the window before she puts her head down sadly. "Yeah. He took me to that empty office and showed it to me back when we were in Central. When he made it back home last night is when he told how it happened." She sighs sadly.

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As an hour goes by, Ed and Janine make it back into the house. Al heads out of the kitchen as he hears the front door open. "We're good, probably a gust of the wind or tree branch hitting the window or something," Ed tells him.

Al walks over to AJ. Ed turns to AJ, asking. "Do you wanna tell her about the stone now? I mean, I know we've talked about it before but I think it's best if she hears it from you rather than me." AJ nods her head, takes a deep breath and starts walking toward the kitchen with the both of them behind her.

End of Chapter 48

Sorry for the almost 2-month wait. I've been pretty busy in my personal life so unfortunately the chapter didn't get put out as planned because of it. However, I am eagerly excited that I am able to put it out this month and I honestly hope that all of you enjoy it! Thanks for reading!