Author's Note

I don't own SM or FMA. They're just fun to write about!

I have to apologize for my sudden change in my writing schedule. It's going to be a cycle now. I am updating Playing Pretend, Storm of Envy, Sailor Moon and the Alchemic Memories, and Bending Reality, As Told By Nara this week, and next week will be Looks Can Be Deceiving, Dearly Departed Dad, Gundam Wing Renaissance, and Ken and the Chickens. So sue me if it'll make you feel better, but I have found that I cannot update eight chapters a week. It's too much to do.

Oh, and just one question, just for fun (it'll make sense at the end), Ed or Darien? Okay, enjoy!

Playing Pretend

Chapter 8: The Dark Mage

Serena awoke before the morning sun for the first time. She heard the bustling home before the birds even started chirping. She half-expected Mina or Lita to come flying into the room, but then remembered that the two of them were gone, tears threatening to gush. Forcing herself to rise, she realized that she hadn't even changed to her nightgown the night before. She sighed as she straightened out her dress, and went to see if the second had been cleaned yet. To her dismay, it was in the wash, and she was forced to wear her current outfit.

"Milady?" Bastian called. "Have you awakened?"

"Yes Bastian," Serena replied. She stepped out of her room, and followed the house along to the living room, to find the two now feline Chesire sleeping close to one another on a cat bed Bastian might have dug out of their broom closet. She was always shocked at what she could find in there. Although Bastian was a tad protective of it, as it was somehow linked to his original spell. Her mother always said that their ancestors had fused the soul of their dead servant to the mop in order to preserve him. No matter how serious the theory was, Serena had always giggled at the thought of a skeleton in the broom closet.

Tiptoeing past the sleeping feline guardians, she moved towards the main entrance, and towards the kitchen for breakfast, when she saw the lead pipe sitting by the doorway. She jumped, remembering the tea date planned for today. "Bastian?"

"Yes milady?"

"We've postponed this tea date long enough. They should be here sometime in the afternoon."

"Yes milady."

…

For the first time, Ed awoke early. The creatures of the woods hadn't quite gotten their kills in yet.

"Or ravaged our house," Ed thought bitterly. He stood, and brushed off his black clothes, making sure they were straight. Reaching for his coat, the metal in his arm clicked slightly. He winced, and tried not to think about what teacher would do to him when she got a hold of him tomorrow. He then went to his doorway, and yawned.

"Well, Brother, they haven't ravaged the house again," Al muttered, seeing Ed standing in his doorway. Ed grinned.

"I told you that spell would work!" Ed replied, as his grin faded. "Although it did mean we had to step down to using magic."

"How is that stepping down? Serena uses magic," Al pointed out, as Ed sighed.

"We were alchemists before, Al. It's hard to change that level of thought, even after what's happened."

"But we've always relied on magic."

"And look where we are," Ed shot back. With a defeated sigh Al proceeded to the kitchen. Ed grabbed his arm, stopping him. "We're visiting Serena today, remember?"

"Are you really going to keep your deal to that Artemis guy?" Al asked.

"You know what? I think you should tell her," Artemis said, as he walked with them, human once more.

"What? Why me?" Ed demanded.

"She doesn't trust me enough to believe what I say. She'll believe you."

"No way. He can tell her. I'm not in the mood to get beaten by her lead pipe today," Ed replied simply.

"When did she get that?" Al wondered.

"It's always been there," Ed replied with another yawn. "Serena thought her Mom used it to keep unwanted guests away after her dad died."

"Why not use magic?"

"Would you be more afraid of a lead pipe or some sparkling lights?" Ed replied. "Her mother was nothing more than a Cleric Mage."

"Serena does some amazing things for a Cleric Mage."

"I know," Ed said distantly.

"Serena sure is hot," Al said deviously.

"I know," Ed replied, and then clapped his metal hand over his mouth, quickly regretting it. He made a mental note that slapping his metal hand against his face hurt like hell.

"I knew it! You like Serena!" Al exclaimed. Ed blushed some. "You do, don't you Brother? Is that what all this is about? Is it about her?"

"I don't like Serena," Ed said slowly. "I'm just worried, because she's a meatball head who'd be in a world of trouble if someone didn't watch out for her."

"Right," Al said, walking for the door now. "And the creatures of the forest are going to destroy our house at this very moment."

"You know that can't hap—AL!" Ed shouted, as Al stepped out the door. Ed sighed. His little—his brother made a valid point. He liked Serena. A lot more since that Royal Ball. And a part of him couldn't help but wonder if her fairies had something to do with that. They were far cleverer than Serena herself could give them credit for. They had kept him off task for far too long. He had to get the Philosopher's Stone if he wanted Al's body back, and if he wanted Al to ever get the chance to be normal again. Everyone at the school would know. They'd probably give Ed more hell for doing it, but he had too. Al deserved more than what he had been dealt.

The newest development was with the cookbook. It had brought his mind somewhat back to his task. Ed had only glanced a little, but from what he had read, homunculi were born from a failed "human transmutation," as it had been dubbed by the School of Alchemy. Magical users called it the Forbidden alchemy, and now he knew why. It was a combination of magic and alchemy. An art so difficult to master that there are few things born from it that are useful to the world. Homunculi, strangely enough, were born by a sin, an evil desire of the creator. Ed wasn't sure what his had been. The one he'd met, Lust, she was born because of a person's strong sexual desire for a spouse. It's usually the strongest, darkest emotion a person can muster.

There was so much about the homunculi he didn't understand. Why hadn't his stayed with him? If he was—Artemis' book made him think too. It made plenty of sense. It was a flawless theory. In fact, it explained everything about everything that had changed in him since then. It made sense. He was an exile in both worlds. One would try to put him back on track, but the other ousted him. Did this mean that all of them had been pushed back to the School of Alchemy? Were there others in the crowds who, although not as publicly shunned, were in his situation?

"Brother!" Al called. Ed was snapped back to reality. There was a lot to think about, and he hadn't even gotten back to the tea time he'd be spending with Serena only a few hours later.

…

Serena was sure Bastian could finish the preparations, as she made her way out to the tree beside her home. As she sat by it, she could hear the cats finally, slowing waking from their slumber. She wanted time to herself before they awoke, something no one seemed to want to give her since—since the mages were wiped out. She wasn't entirely alone. She could feel some magical power coming from Ed and Al, although she couldn't quite understand why. Because the other powers she could normally pick up were gone, their faint signals had finally come to her attention. It was strange. They were alchemists. They were raised with alchemy. How did they have magic?

The Chesire. They were her newest confusion. They were her guardians, yet they always managed to be on the sidelines when the Chimera showed up. It was always Ed. How could they protect her if they wouldn't even fight with her? That bell was strange too. Every time she'd use it, she felt like something was changing within her. Actually, a lot of things had been changing, but this kind of change, she was sure it wasn't normal. Should she have so easily trusted the Chesire? Something burning inside of her said yes. It was the same thing that told her Ed was good. That he wasn't a bad person, no matter what the adults told her. She had been right. Never once had it led her astray, nor was she going to doubt it now. The Chesire, however, owed her many explanations, about the revival of magic that she was supposed to lead or the death of it if she died prematurely.

Ed. Something else she was a little confused about right now. She knew with every appearance she was falling for him more and more. There was always something new about him since he'd come back into her life that she was learning. And it was all because of that Royal Ball. Did the fairies plan this from the start? Did they want her to be happy in their absence—wait, she was happy? Yes, yes she was. Even though her best friends were gone, she was still happy. Did Trista tell them about their deaths and did they plan it all out? Serena couldn't help but ponder over this as Ed and Al approached the home.

…

Tea. This was something Ed wasn't ready for as Artemis, Luna, and Serena all were all sipping quietly. Artemis shooting Ed a heated glare, beckoning him to speak. Luna giving a questioning glance, and Serena, oh Serena was sipping away contentedly, as if the guardians' argument was totally unnoticeable.

"Serena, did you get used to owning the house?" Al asked. His tea was set but he did not touch it.

"I think so. Bastian said he's not seen it this clean since my great-great grandparents ran the house. They were the kingdom's second greatest Fire and Wind Mages of all time. Then their grandfather was the most fabled mage in all history!" Serena replied cheerfully, as Luna and Artemis nearly spat their tea hearing this.

"What was his name?" Ed asked, eyeing the Chesire suspiciously. Serena sipped her tea again.

"Mer-lin," Serena said, her voice dancing as she said his name. Now it was Ed's turn to spit out his tea.

"MERLIN?" he exclaimed.

"So how clean the house is determines how strong a mage is?" Al asked, looking around.

"Yup," Serena said, her voice still perky.

"Then you must be really strong!" Al exclaimed. Serena's eyes looked off distantly, suddenly.

…

"No, I'm not," she said softly. "I'm a Class F Cleric Mage. I'm not even a wave on the magical detectors."

"But milady, you were invited to that ball this evening, were you not?" Bastian asked, hopping in with more tea. Serena bound to her feet.

"Oh no! I completely forgot about that! I needed to get an outfit to wear and—"

"Why not just transform with that Lunar Disguise Pen you made milady?" Bastian suggested.

"You have a disguise pen?" Luna asked, looking at Serena now, who was sweating some.

"Sounds pretty cool Serena," Ed said distantly.

"Yeah, but I don't use it except for special occasions, and emergencies," Serena added quickly.

"Milady, I think this qualifies, in any book, as an emergency."

"Bastian, did me taking over the house include you learning everything about me?" Serena asked the mop.

"No milady. I've taken care of you since you could spit."

"Point taken. Remind me to never make you angry."

"Will do milady."

The group sweatdropped at the conversation.

"Serena, is there anything we can do to help?" Al asked. Artemis hid a small, irritated growl.

"I need a color, and type of dress," Serena replied. "I don't know why His Highness invited me, but I can't show up in the wrong color!"

"Black for mourning?" Luna suggested.

"Black is Hotaru's thing. Mourning or not, I cannot take her style and live," Serena said, unconsciously shivering. Even Dark Mages quivered in fear of Hotaru's mighty power. That was why the fairies called her Grim. Other magical children had mocked Hotaru for hanging out with someone the fairies called Bunny, and she proved her namesake many times afterwards. No one mocked her name since, except for Ed, but he never called her Bunny. He called her—

"Meatball Head, why not wear a pale blue shimmering dress?" Ed suggested. The group stared (some with daggers for eyes). Ed ignored them. "Like the moonlight. You seem to like using the moon a lot. Why not use it in your outfit too?"

Serena felt her body go numb. She had confessed that to Reginald only the night before. Did Ed know? Was he testing her?

…

Serena was frozen. Ed wanted to smack himself. Mimi had only confessed that the night before. Did she know it was him? Did she know who he was?

"That's a great idea Ed," Serena chuckled. "I'm a pink and white fan all the way, but let's go for blue just this once. You said like the moonlight, right?"

"Yes," Ed said slowly. Serena pulled out her pen.

"Promise not to laugh?" Serena asked Ed.

"Promise," Ed replied. "Just do it."

Serena reluctantly raised the pen.

"LUNAR DISGUISE POWER! Turn my rags into a moonlit blue dress!"

In an instant, it happened. The simple white dress she once wore had transformed. The group watching was in awe. However, the dress did not turn out entirely as Ed suggested. In fact, the group was even more stricken with the dress. What they held before them was a still that simple dress, but it now was a pale blue shade, that corresponded with the moonlight. The strange part about this dress is that it seemed to literally be like moonlight. It would shimmer slightly, as the sunlight struck it, the color slightly intensified.

"It suits you well, Meatball Head," Ed said, standing up as he bowed before her.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?" Serena asked, getting awestruck stares from the two guardians of hers. Ed couldn't help but smirk, leaving her to interpret his answer. Al suddenly came to life.

"Wow Serena! You look really pretty in that dress!" Al exclaimed.

"You sure the invite said no friends?" Artemis added hastily, with a glare to Ed.

"They only asked for my presence," Serena replied.

"Well, it would seem that you'll be busy preparing for the rest of the evening," Luna said. Ed and Al both were standing now.

"Then we'll be off. We have some studying to do before we go to the school tomorrow," Ed said, shivering at the thought.

"Hopefully that hag won't hurt you too bad," Serena said lightly, as the two boys nodded, starting to leave as Bastian opened the door for them.

"Hey Meatball Head," Ed said, looking back before he exited the door. Serena pouted at the name. "You should wear blue more often. It really is your color."

He knew that she would never accept the name, but it was better than making fun of her like the children used to. Her Fairy name, Bunny, was weak in the magical world apparently. To them, it meant nothing more than a weak spirited rabbit hopping along.

Ed and Al, in the earlier years, had hunted the blasted things. It was the hardest task he'd ever done. And no matter what he did, the effort to kill that little rabbit was outstanding. His heart had turned to ice before he could even consider harming that creature. His remote, distant feminine side said it was too cute to kill, and it reminded him too much of Serena's hair. He wondered if anyone else had ever hunted a rabbit. They'd realize how strong the name was in the first place. She was hard to kill, and was signed by the magical world as a being they'd protect. He'd never use that name to make fun of her. It was far different from it's degratory meaning. So instead, he'd made one up so that it was his special nickname. Ed wondered if he'd liked Serena long before he'd gone to that Royal Ball. He wasn't sure of much in the matters of love anymore.

…

Serena looked at her two guardians.

"What do you have against those two?" she asked them calmly.

"I don't like that Edward boy," Artemis said simply. "He's getting too close. Did you know those who practice the forbidden alchemy are considered evil?"

"Have you tried to see him for who he is?" Serena replied. She left the house promptly afterwards, turning back to shout for only a moment. "Bastian, I may be back late. Please make sure everything is tended to."

"Of course milady."

She had hoped the Royal Ball would raise her spirits. She hated it. This entrance she was given, it was fit for a no one.

"Make way for the last remaining Mage in the kingdom!"

Her name wasn't even called.

"Serena Tsukino!"

Alas, her name didn't matter. All they heard was "last remaining Mage." She might as well have been Merlin and they wouldn't have seen her as such. They would have only seen the brutal reality. She was alone—in political terms anyhow. No one came to greet her, however she glowed or smiled. No one asked her to dance, save for the prince, even though she was the apparent guest of honor. She was thankful the crowd she had seen several weeks ago was not present. In fact, the group here seemed to all descend from this kingdom. Several alchemists and nobles were there, as well as their wives and their children. Serena felt even more alone as she danced with the kindhearted prince who had decided to keep her company, regardless of past situations between them. She saw this as a mere gesture. The other guests may have been staring, but they weren't focused on him. This wasn't a Royal Ball at all. It was a circus, and Serena felt like the freak show. This was not how she had planned to spend her evening. Not at all. Finally, before their last dance drew to a close, the prince knelt to Serena.

"I have something I'd like to explain to you, Serena," the prince said softly. "There is a way to save the magic in our beautiful kingdom."

"There is?" Serena asked calmly. She had the distinct feeling Luna and Artemis wanted her true identity to remain hidden as long as possible.

"Yes," the prince replied. "When all of the magic is lost, only one of royal descent can bring it back."

"So?"

"We interpret this ancient code to mean that the remaining mage must marry one in the Royal Family. Will—?"

"HOLD ON A SECOND!" a voice roared. Serena felt her heart racing, as a familiar Dark Mage came out of the shadows. She felt sick just beholding this redheaded woman, whose evil eyes were a sign of any true intention. All Dark Mages were a sight to behold. "I'm Queen Beryl of the Dark Mages. Does this mean that I will revive magic?"

"No Dark Mages will ever be of any use to our people!" the prince roared. "Now dismiss yourself this instant!"

"Oh, but I think you were about to propose to this young—Cleric Mage when in fact, there are still at least two mages in this kingdom," Beryl spat, her voice hissing at even regarding Serena. She felt her own rage kicking in. This woman—this woman—she took away everything—she took away her family—she took away the fairies—she'd never felt such hatred for someone in her entire life, and just as quickly she realized the futility of her anger. No amount of rage nor hatred would bring back her loved ones. She could only stare at this woman now, her anger subsided and replaced with the depression she had been forced to suffer. "You know that magic is not dead until there is only one remaining. Your actions cannot be followed through otherwise."

Serena had so many questions, but Beryl seemed to be in a mood to dismiss anything she said, not even looking in her direction. Lustful eyes watched the prince, and Serena knew what was coming.

"What are you after?" the prince said sternly, as Serena saw the dagger.

"Oh Heavenly Moonlight," Serena whispered.

"The throne, isn't that much obvious. If she dies, you have to marry me," Beryl replied, her lustful, power-driven eyes turning to the moonlit girl before her. Serena felt her throat run dry. The words wouldn't escape her lips. "Now now, no magic for you. It would make this difficult..."

Next time…

Serena is in need of a hero, and the search for Marcoh begins.

Chapter 9: The Truth