"Hohenheim of Light is the name of my father," Ed told the Bloody Baron. "What's it to you?"
"Who are you?" added Temari.
"A long time ago, I had a body of flesh and bone, just as you four do. My name is not important," replied the Baron. "Hohenheim was a philosopher, an alchemist, and, most importantly, my best friend. He traveled to this world from a universe parallel to it. Of course, he's back in his world now, isn't he?"
"How should I know?" grumbled Ed. "He abandoned my brother and I when we were children. His desertion made my mother sick, and it eventually killed her. He never even showed up for her funeral."
"That sounds like him. Hohenheim was a good man, but he never got too attached to one place," agreed the Baron.
"My brother and I searched for him, with no luck. How much do you know about him? What did he teach you? What did he want with this world?" Edward was bursting with curiosity.
"I was very interested in alchemy, but, being of the wizard's world, my abilities in that field were extremely limited. Hohenheim found a pathway to this world. He had 'superb talents' that fascinated everyone. He quickly established a reputation among the wizarding community. I sought him, and he made me his student. He taught me many things about alchemy. One day, I decided I was ready to learn how to make the most sought after substance in the world," the Baron recounted. "The Philosopher's Stone."
"I'm looking for that!" Ed jumped up excitedly. "It's my dream to find it! Did you make it? What happened? How did you get it?"
"You have the same expression I had on my face," the Baron smiled.
"Please, I want to know! I want to complete my journey! I want to obtain the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone!" Ed shouted.
"Are you sure you want to know, child?" asked the Baron. "Sometimes, it's better for a dream to remain that way. Trying to fulfill a dream is what keeps many alive, and what will happen when it is? Then, will you die, having nothing else to live for?"
"Please. It's the only way that… I can pay for my sins." Ed pleaded. He told the Baron his story. Temari, Naruto and Ino, who were hearing it for the first time as well, looked at him in sympathy.
"For someone so young to experience pain so horrible… I understand your desire for that stone. But the Philosopher's Stone isn't the incarnation of immortality, as it is made out to be in myths. Much must be sacrificed to make it… so much that it may not be worth it. Are you sure you want to know?" the Baron looked at Edward severely.
"Yes. Just tell me, so I can right what I made wrong."
"Okay," the Baron closed his eyes. "It still pains me to even think about it. I hope you're ready."
"I am." Edward pulled towards him a piece of parchment and quill that were lying close by. "What are the ingredients needed for the Stone?"
"Souls."
"Souls," Ed repeated, writing down the word. "Okay, next… wait, souls!"
"Souls and lives, Edward. Many of them. Only those with the power of alchemy can create a Stone, so I watched as when Hohenheim created it. He used the lives of the eighty-five house elves that worked for my family. I remember how messy it was. Their blood flew in everywhere. Everywhere," the Baron sighed grimly, motioning at his bloodstained self. "I was so shocked that I died."
"Souls… lives. I understand." Edward stood up and walked towards the exit.
"Ed? Where are you going?" asked Temari.
"I thought that we were getting closer to our goal. But now, it seems that we are further away than ever," replied Edward, stepping out of the Slytherin common room.
"Do you ever do anything other than eat?" Kiba asked his teammate. It was just after lunch, and they were both standing in front of the doors of the Great Hall. The school was relatively quiet, since most of the students were in class.
"What? It helps me keep up my strength!" Chouji told him. "And these fresh, home-made chips are way better than the ones at home!"
"Oh, there's Edward! Hi, Ed! Aren't you and Temari on duty?" Kiba greeted Fullmetal.
"Al. Where's Al? Have you seen my brother?" Ed asked them.
"He's partnered up with Kakashi, isn't he? I don't think they're on duty right now," said Kiba.
"I think I saw him outside," recalled Chouji.
"Thanks." Ed ran outside. He bumped into Iruka and both of them fell over.
"Sorry" Ed apologized, leaping up. "Have you seen my brother?"
"He and Kakashi were near the lake earlier," said Iruka's partner, Vato Falman.
"Thanks! Bye!" Ed ran towards the lake. When he finally reached it, he saw no sign of a large suit of metal. He ran around the shore, desperately searching. In his haste, he tripped over Fuery, Hayate, Breda and Kurenai, who were not on duty. They were relaxing and enjoying the beautiful day.
"Edward! Slow down or you'll hurt yourself!" Kurenai advised him.
"Sorry! I'm looking for Al, has anyone seen him?" Ed pulled himself up.
"He was here a minute ago," said Kurenai's teammate, Fuery. "I think they were headed inside."
"Why are you looking for him?" asked Hayate.
"Aren't you supposed to be on duty? I know that Ino and Naruto aren't," added Hayate's teammate, Breda.
"Long story. See ya!" Ed dashed off inside.
"By the way, your brother was just looking for you," he heard Kiba's voice as he neared the entrance.
"Al! Al!" Ed shrieked. He put on some speed, and dashed inside so fast he was a blue of red. He braked in front of Al, panting heavily.
"Big brother? What's wrong?" asked Al.
"Al, I have something to tell you," Edward panted. "You won't like it."
"What is it?" asked Al.
"Please don't hate me for this," Edward looked up.
Al's face was trained intently on his own. It struck Edward that, even in a suit of metal, Al looked very… innocent. Very naive. His little brother was still a child. His brother wanted the Stone as much as he did, but he was much too kind to collect the ingredients needed for it. To restore their bodies was Al's dream, too, but Al would never kill to achieve it. Perhaps Al would give up? Perhaps, after losing his dream, Al would… die? Ed's insides curled at the notion. No, he couldn't tell him. He couldn't shatter his brother's dreams.
"What do you want to tell me, brother?" Al inquired.
"Nothing. It's nothing, Al." Ed forced himself to smile. "I'm sorry I bothered you."
"Brother, what is it? Tell me!" Al demanded.
"Edward! There you are!" Temari raced to the group, with the Baron following her.
"Temari?"
"Ed, there's more to it! The Baron told us after you left!" Temari announced breathlessly.
"More to what?" asked Kakashi.
"What's going on?" demanded Al.
"Hohenheim waited for me after I died. I came back as a ghost, and we both went and hid the Stone. We never used it. After that, I never saw him again," explained the Baron.
"Hohenheim? Stone? What?" Al, Kakashi, Kiba and Chouji looked at the phantom questioningly. Ed trained his eyes on him, too, begging him not to tell Al. The Baron understood that Ed wanted to protect his brother.
"This man once worked with father, and they made a stone. They hid it afterwards. We've found it, Al," Ed grinned. "We've found the Philosopher's Stone."
"What's this meeting for?" asked Asuma. "Shouldn't I be on duty?"
"This will be rather short," McGonogall told the members of the Order of Phoenix who were gathered in the Great Hall. "It seems that Edward has found the Philosopher's Stone."
"Really?" Lust, Wrath and Sloth sat up straight.
"He has requested time off to find it, and I will comply," continued McGonogall. "But I don't want him to retrieve it alone. We are all here so that I can assemble a team for him."
"It's only in the Ministry of Magic," said Ed. "Al and I can go alone."
"This is a strange universe for you. You are not familiar with it. Death Eaters roam this world, and the Ministry can't even stop them. No, you must have a team," McGonogall decided. "Last time Order of Phoenix members went to retrieve something from the Ministry, the results were disastrous," McGonogall looked pointedly at the Golden Trio.
"Fine, fine," Ed grumbled.
"Gluttony and I will accompany Fullmetal," announced Lust.
"But you're a teacher. This mission may last longer than one day," McGonogall informed her.
"Then I'll get a supply. Sloth, can you do it?"
"Fine," agreed Sloth.
"Okay, Lust and Gluttony will go with Ed and Al. I'd also like to assign Harry, Naruto and Gaara to the mission," continued McGonogall.
"What? Why me?" Naruto demanded.
"Your hidden talents may come in handy," McGonogall's eyes sharply conveyed the message.
"Can I go, too?" asked Luna.
"I suppose," McGonogall complied. "Okay, I guess that's it."
"Um… is it okay if… can I go?" blushed Hinata. Her first day of guarding with her cousin wasn't very pleasant.
"Why?" asked McGonogall.
"Just because…" Instead of glancing at the Kyuubi-holder like the last mini-mission she went on, her eyes were trained on Alphonse Elric.
"Let her go," said Kurenai. "I think it will be a good experience." She smiled encouragingly at her student.
"Alright," sighed McGonogall. "We really don't need this many, though. Anyone else?" No more volunteers raised their hands.
"So, this will mean that Neji, Shino, Temari and Ino's partners will be away. But you can handle one or two days of guarding by yourself, right?" asked McGonogall. The Genin nodded. "Good. Sloth will take Lust's place… I guess I can send Winry and Rose back to the Grimmauld Place with Molly… Tonks, you can be Kakashi's teammate for a while… and we're all set. You will depart tomorrow, once Alphonse finishes his shift. Dismissed!"
"I can't believe it, brother!" Al grinned in excitement. "We're finally going to get our bodies back!"
"Yeah, Al," Ed grinned back, although he still felt uneasy. "I thought it was going to be much harder, but I guess not."
