Author's Note

I don't own Sailor Moon or Fullmetal Alchemist or the random royalty (they come from CardCaptor Sakura, Tokyo Mew Mew, and Tenchi Muyo, not that you need to know anything about the shows). And I'll answer a spoiler question that you provide to the first two people who guess the identity of the angry prince of this chapter, because I definitely don't own him either. If I don't have it written yet, you'll know.

Anyhow, enjoy!

Playing Pretend

Chapter 2: The Royal Ball

They were in darkness. The five had now drawn a circle with the four cardinal directions. Moonlight shone in through a skylight, and fell a few feet off from the circle. The blond-haired mage in the center sweatdropped. She giggled.

"Guess we started too early."

The fairies sighed from the sidelines. Serena was a klutz. Always. Amy the Water Fairy raised a tentative fairy hand.

"You probably have another hour until it'll be time, Bunny."

"Okay," Serena said, as she and her new trinket stepped out of the circle. As the clocks drew closer to the next hour, Serena was watching her circle with the fairies. "We should visit Hotaru tomorrow."

"Bring flowers, Bunny," Mina reminded her with a giggle.

"Yeah, Trista wasn't too happy when you forgot last time," Raye pointed out.

"Neither were Amara and Michelle. They probably won't be too nice to us, Bunny," Lita sighed.

"It's all right," Serena said. "I know they wouldn't want Hotaru to be entirely lonely."

They passed the rest of the hour in silence, and the blond Cleric Mage went back to the center of the circle. Amy, Mina, Lita, and Raye sat on the sidelines. Serena raised the crescent wand to the sky.

"Oh heavenly moonlight, I present you with my newest magical creation."

The moonlight suddenly sparkled. The fairies flew around the circle now, circling once and landing at each of the cardinal directions. Raye to the North, Amy to the South, Lita to the West, and Mina to East. An eerie voice came from the four now glowing fairies.

"We are the wings of this creation, Heavenly Moonlight."

Serena brought the crescent wand to her chest, smiling.

"I call it the Lunar Disguise Pen."

Suddenly, lights flashed from the fairies. Red, blue, green, orange, and then, white from the center of the circle. After the lightshow, a glittering came from the moonlight now to the wand, as it got brighter and brighter. Finally, the light shattered like glass, as Serena held the wand to the sky again.

"Thank you oh heavenly moonlight. Thank you wings of my creation."

The moonlight vanished from the ceiling, as Serena collapsed. The fairies were now in her lap, all five of them exhausted.

"I'd say that's enough for one night," Serena said, smiling. "Let's get some sleep."

…

"Winry, please?" Ed asked for the thousandth time.

"Ed, I can't! I'll get in trouble!" Winry whispered. "You know you're not allowed to hide your automail."

"I already do!" Ed pointed out to her. Winry sighed.

"This is different from wearing that long red coat over your black coat over a shirt, the white gloves, and the black pants to cover it all. You can be exposed the moment you remove your glove. We're talking about putting a skin over the metal and making it look like a real arm. Do you realize how much trouble you'll get into if you're caught?" Winry asked, tapping her shoulder lightly with her wrench. Ed looked desperate again. She hated it when he looked like this. His hazel eyes filled with a fire and his automail arm clenched tightly as he looked to her. It was hard to say no to. "I can't do it without Raye and Amy. You'll have to get them for me, but this is dangerous Ed. If you're caught, I'll never forgive you."

"Yeah yeah," Ed said dismissively. Winry hit him upside the head with her wrench. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"For being insensitive Ed! I'm serious!" Winry replied. "Now go get the fairies."

Ed sighed. He'd have to face Meatball Head sooner than he thought. How would she take him asking to bring Raye and Amy to Winry's, especially after yesterday? He instinctively cringed; Winry and Serena both had very violent tendencies at times. Blonds were abusive. Then it hit. He was a blond too.

…

Morning came quickly for Serena. Amy and Mina were shaking her awake.

"Come on Serena!" they exclaimed. "We're visiting Hotaru! Remember?"

"Yeah yeah," Serena moaned, rolling off the bed and onto the soft carpet. She grumbled as she rose from the floor. Quickly dressing in a simple white dress, Serena placed her hair up in her usual style, smiling at herself in the mirror as she grabbed a belt that was fed into her small, light brown satchel. She grabbed her magical items, a broach and the Lunar Disguise Pen, and tossed the two of them in there quickly. With that, Serena ran out the door to the flower garden. She picked up two tulips, as the fairies flew to her. With a quick turn, she was shocked to find herself staring at Edward Elric. "ACK!"

"I'm not that scary, Meatball Head."

"Yes you are!" Serena wailed. Then her face went fierce. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick up Amy and Raye for Winry. She said she needed their help today," Ed replied. Serena pouted.

"But we were—oh, I can't visit her now!" Serena said dramatically. Tears came to her eyes.

"You were going to visit Hotaru again?" Ed asked. Serena nodded, as Ed offered her a handkerchief.

"Don't think I'm being nice to you because I want to!" Ed said, sighing. "Hotaru is my friend too, and I need the fairies. So let's just say you go visit Hotaru, and then when you get back I'll take Amy and Raye with me to see Winry."

"Thank you Ed," she sobbed, suddenly crying into his right shoulder. When she hugged the boy, she noticed something was different. His arm and shoulder seemed—cold. What was this strange feeling? Ed said nothing, but used his right arm to comfort her. Serena dried her tears. "Thank you Ed."

"Don't worry about it. Now hurry up. I don't want to get in trouble for being around fairies again," Ed said dismissively, as Serena huffed, and ran off, smiling some.

"Don't forget, Bunny," Amy whispered. "He's not our friend."

"I know," Serena sighed, looking back. "But what was the deal with his arm? It was cold as ice."

"That's for another day, Bunny," Raye replied.

…

Ed waited patiently. He heard the clanking metal, and quickly turned to greet his brother, Al.

"Al, what's up?" Ed asked nonchalantly.

"You were gone when I woke up that's what! I was worried that you'd gone off to do something crazy again."

"Did you have any luck with finding clothes?"

Al sighed. His brother had that look in his eyes again. The one Winry couldn't refuse. He only hoped that he wasn't into something too dangerous again. Of course he knew about the dare, but this was a little ridiculous. Sneaking into the Royal Ball is a high offense. If he was caught, he would undoubtedly be in bigger trouble than he already was.

"I found some brother, but are you sure we should do this?"

"We made a deal Al," Ed reminded him. "That we'd find the Philosopher's Stone, and return our bodies to normal."

"I know, but isn't this dangerous?" Al asked him.

"Any human who has gotten close to the stone has died. The only beings who know anymore about the stone are the fairies, and they tend to keep quiet. We don't have any other leads Al. We'll have to do the dare."

Al sighed. His brother was right. This was the only lead they had. They'd have to complete the dare and get the information from the fairies. Al could hardly remember anymore what he had looked like. Before… before… Ed laughed some.

"What is it, Brother?"

"Meatball Head is such a strange type of mage. Honestly, who's ever heard of a Cleric Mage?"

"What brought this on all of a sudden?"

"Well, Raye and Amy belong to her. I was just wondering what type of magic she actually excels in. I mean, other mages have more obvious names, yet hers makes no sense," Ed replied with a small laugh.

"Cleric Mages are known for their healing magic Brother."

"Really?" Ed asked, looking to where Serena had run off to.

"You haven't told her yet, have you?" Al asked, as Ed's face went grave.

"I didn't think she could take it. She's too innocent to know the truth," he replied. "You see how she gets about Hotaru. Imagine what she'd say to us."

"Brother," Al said, seeing the now distant look in his brother's eyes.

…

"Hi Hotaru," Serena said, kneeling next to the gravestone. "I was hoping you'd resurrect today when I came. I know that Phoenix Mages can resurrect themselves and all."

"Bunny," a curt voice said, as Serena was face to face with the small Time Fairy, Trista. Serena smiled.

"Hi Trista. I brought flowers today. I didn't mean to forget the last time."

"You're still here?" Amara, the Wind Fairy said, sitting on the grave and looking angrily at the blond teen. Behind her, the other Water Fairy, Michelle, placed a hand gingerly on her shoulder.

"She was her friend after all," she pointed out.

"Well, the time has yet for her to resurrect herself," Trista said distantly. "Your visit was a waste."

"So you still won't tell me who attacked her?" Serena asked hopefully.

"We will not," Michelle answered.

"You guys aren't helping! Bunny can take on whoever has been doing these killings!" Raye shouted.

"Raye," Amy said mindfully.

"Two months is plenty of time to pack up and move on. Why haven't you guys found a new person?" Mina asked thoughtfully.

"Because she is not truly dead; her time has not come," Trista replied. Serena watched the fairy fight distantly. Her mind was on Hotaru.

"They say an alchemist is behind all of this," Serena said finally, breaking the tension. "Can you at least confirm that?"

"We will not confirm anything," Amara replied. Serena sighed, as she stood, the four fairies she had come with rose with her.

"It's all right. Thanks you guys," Serena said softly, as she and the other four walked away.

"We can't let her know," Amara said finally. "She's the purest Cleric Mage we've seen in a long time. This would only break her heart."

"I know," Trista said.

…

Ed saw her in a solemn walk. He also saw that she was going to run into someone.

"Meatball Head!" Ed shouted to her. She looked up a moment too late as she crashed. Ed sighed. "Al, go ahead to the house. I'll change there, but I don't want her to see you yet."

"Okay," Al said, walking away. "Be careful."

Ed ran to meet up with the two. The man seemed infuriated that Serena had run into him.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" he demanded. This man had dark hair and deep blue eyes, and far surpassed Ed in height. That, however, did not stop Ed.

"She said she was sorry!" he exclaimed. He turned to Serena. "Sheesh Meatball Head, why are you such a klutz?"

"Is this your brother?" the man asked coldly. "I ought to have you both—oh forget it!"

And with that the man walked off.

"What's in his pants?" Ed wondered. "He needs to quit being so self-righteous. You'd think he was a prince."

"Thanks Ed," Serena said softly. "Raye and Amy will accompany you now. I would go to see Winry myself, but I have things to prepare for."

"Thanks Meatball Head," Ed said simply, as Serena fumed.

"THAT IS NOT MY NAME!" she shouted to him.

"It's better than calling you ugly," Ed reminded her with a smirk.

"ED!" Serena shouted, as Ed just dashed off; Amy and Raye in tow. Serena sighed.

…

She had never seen a boy with such a nerve.

"I guess this means Raye and Amy don't get to watch you use the Lunar Disguise Pen for the first time!" Mina giggled.

"This will be so exciting!" Lita added. Serena smiled as she pulled it out of her satchel, staring at the crescent moon.

"I wonder why I'm so guided by moonlight," Serena whispered.

"We were wondering that too," Lita replied.

"Most Cleric mages derive their magic from light in general, but yours only seems to work with the moonlit rituals," Mina continued.

"Let's try it out," Serena said, as they moved into her home.

"LUNAR DISGUISE POWER! Turn me into a beautiful foreign princess!"

Suddenly, light erupted from the pen, as it enveloped Serena, and her image changed. Before them now stood a shorter radiant violet-haired girl with golden blue eyes. Her plain white dress had become a stunning blue ball gown, one that looked as if a sea were swimming within its majesty. Her hair had become silkier, falling to her back in long, soft waves. She also had two buns shaped like hearts atop her head, and a tiara that was placed just above her messy, trimmed bangs. Serena spun and giggled with glee.

"Look at this!" she exclaimed, her voice in a higher tone. "I'm a young princess from a foreign country!"

"Foreign isn't the word Bunny," Lita said, smiling.

"You look absolutely magnificent! That's an awesome tool Bunny!" Mina exclaimed. "You'll get that favor in no time!"

"As long as she maintains her posture, we're fine," Lita sighed.

"Have faith!" Serena announced, promptly falling flat on her face.

"Faith isn't the word Bunny," Lita sighed.

…

"Brother, how do you plan to hide if you're still the same?" Al asked Ed. Ed showed him his right arm, as Al's eyes widened. "How did you do that?"

"It's a phony skin hiding my automail arm. If I plan to complete this dare I have to go in without anyone looking at me like I'm cursed. Besides, with these clothes fit for a prince, I'm sure with a little alchemy I could get into the crowd just fine."

Ed produced a bowl of black fluid, as he unbraided his hair, and placed the tips into the bowl. With a clap of his hands, his hair was swiftly changing from blonde to black. He picked up the clothing, and placed it on. A pair of black tuxedo, a white undershirt, a navy blue tie, and a matching handkerchief. The collars were adorned with cheap brass buttons.

"How is that fit for a prince? And you look ridiculous," Al said, being the ever faithful critic.

"Quit being such a worrywart Al," Ed said dismissively, as he transformed the brass buttons to gold buttons. Placing his hair into a slicked, loose ponytail, he looked at himself in the mirror. "I'm missing something Al."

"These?" Al suggested, holding up Ed's reading glasses. Ed smiled as he put them on.

"Perfect! That was genius Al! Now all we have to do is come up with a name and story and I'm set!"

…

Later that night, Serena literally walked right into the party. A younger princess with gorgeous looks? One could only assume she was a suitor to the prince. There appeared to be many princesses from around the world tonight, and each seemed to be dressed in some long dress that showed off a figure fit for a goddess. Except for Serena. Hers was old-fashioned, flowing outward from the waist-down, showing a sign of modesty as she walked through the crowd.

"Someone in tune with magic. Someone in tune with magic. Someone in—there! That man!" Serena thought hopefully, as she approached a man with rigid black hair and apparently a very violent temper.

"What do you want woman?" he demanded.

"I was wondering if you would dance with me?" Serena asked timidly, trying to stick to the character Mina had created for her.

"Warriors don't dance! What kind of crazy fool do you think I am?" he demanded angrily.

"I'm sorry," Serena whimpered, tears in her eyes. "I just thought—"

"WELL YOU THOUGHT WRONG!" he boomed, as he noticed the sudden stares he was receiving. To the people around him, he was telling off a young teen for asking a simple question. To Serena, he was yelling at a poor girl who only had to get his handkerchief and she would be free from the dare. To himself, he was merely being a proper warrior prince, but since the culture was so estrange from his own, he didn't know what to do now. Fortunately, another man with black hair and blue eyes got in the way. Serena held back a gasp. It was the man she had run into earlier today!

"Now now," he said softly. "She was only asking for a dance. Around here that is a sign of friendship; during parties it is a formal way to say hello. If you don't mind, I suggest you give her your handkerchief and she'll probably be content enough to ignore you for the rest of the evening. Am I right?"

Serena nodded, looking down at the ground timidly. The violent man handed her his handkerchief, as she curtsied.

"Thank you kind sir," she replied. Without another moment to spare, she ran off from him, vowing to avoid the violent men forever. She looked back, wondering who the other man had been. And on cue, she ran into someone. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry!"

"It's all right."

…

Ed had the hardest time getting in. Apparently, it was common for men who looked like the prince to try and sneak into the Royal Ball in order to abduct the princesses who would attend. He watched many beautiful princesses and dignitaries enter, a few of which he had tussled with before. Sighing, he saw the man in front of him beaten to a pulp for trying to sneak in as the prince. Ed only hoped his rouge would work.

"Name?" the man asked. Ed hoped his voice would play along.

"Prince Reginald of Eastbury."

"You may pass," the man replied, not even bothering to look at his list. So that's how it worked.

"As long as I don't pretend to be the prince, they don't even bother to check the list. This is really poor security," Ed thought. As he stepped in, he saw the festivities were well underway. There was drinking, dancing, and general enjoyment of the whole group.

"Hi there!" a high-pitched voice exclaimed from behind. Ed swerved to see a girl his height with chin-length brown hair and teal eyes. She had bangs similar to his own, that went to each side, and fell to her shoulders.

She was adorned in a pink—dress, if Ed could manage to call it that. It had a sleeveless vest of sorts that at the waist, broke off into two tails that became her train. She wore a long, pleated dark pink skirt, but over that was a short, plated bright pink skirt. She wore dark pink gloves, and around her neck was a strange key that reminded him of a stick with a circle with wings atop it, and a giant star in the center.

"Hello," Ed finally said. "I am Prince Reginald of Eastbury."

"Hoe?" the girl exclaimed with a curtsy. "I've heard that there's a princess from Westbury around here somewhere! I am Princess Sakura of Clow."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Ed said, as she suddenly grabbed his left arm, dragging him along. He went along quickly, not wanting her to notice that he was heavy for a person of his frame.

"Come Reginald! You have to meet my friends!" she exclaimed. Ed was thankful. This girl was doing his work for him. After moving through the crowd, Ed found that he was now in the presence of two other girls. One had short bubble-gum pink hair and cat ears, whereas the other girl had seeming short purple hair, until you saw the ornaments that took two long locks that traveled to her ankles. Ed hid a sigh. Fashion statements in other kingdoms sure were strange. Princess Sakura pointed to the pink-haired girl.

"This is Princess Ichigo of Mew," she announced, and then pointed to the other. "And that's Princess Ayeka of Jurai."

"Pleased to meet both of you. I am Prince Reginald of Eastbury."

"Eastbury? I don't think I've ever heard of it," the purple-haired one, Princess Ayeka, said, in a gesture of deep thought. Ed felt cornered. If they figured out he was sneaking in, boy was he in trouble.

"Well, there is a princess here from Westbury," Princess Ichigo, the pink cat girl said. "Maybe the kingdoms are related."

"Did you two forget? Eastbury and Westbury are just a little ways north of here! I've always wanted to go see them!" Princess Sakura announced. Ed needed out, now.

"Really? What do they look like?" Princess Ichigo asked. Ed felt like a trapped rat. The cat girl was not helping his situation. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"You're scaring the poor lad Sakura."

"Oh, hello Prince Darien."

If there was ever a moment Ed wanted to fall off the face of he universe, it was now. His prince was right behind him. The host was right there, and he was intruding. Oh how he wished not to be caught.

"I believe you three have scared off enough of the princes for one night. Prince Tenchi is still recovering from the catfight and Prince Syaoran will not stop crying like a little boy. I can't even begin to describe Prince Masaya's state. So enough for one night, all right?" he said softly. Ed bid a quick farewell, as he turned to face the man who was behind him. Yet, he was gone. That man knew how to fade away, that was for sure. Walking along aimlessly now, his mission complete, he eventually ran into a timid looking girl.

"Oh! I'm terribly sorry!" she replied. Ed looked at this girl. She had long violet hair, a tiara, and a beautiful blue gown on. She was a princess.

"It's all right," he said, bowing to her. "I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. It is all my fault."

She looked flabbergasted at him, her eyes sparkling like stars as the recently dried tears resurfaced. This girl already had had a rough night.

"I truly am sorry for running into you," she whispered. Ed felt sorry for her.

"Why don't we dance? It would seem that would only be fair," Ed replied. One dance wouldn't hurt. Especially if he was leaving immediately afterwards.

Next Time…

Enemies of old resurface with a violent desire for destruction.

Chapter 3: The Tragedy