Feb 27 1913

Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth.

An' it harm none, do what ye will. That is the Wiccan Rede's Law of Personal Gain. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.

Kuri woke from a long night's sleep in the beautiful desert town of Lior.

"Sis! You're late for mass!" Rei said sternly. She was already dressed and packing the offerings for the Sun God, Leto.

Kuri and Rei had gone to Lior ahead of Ed and Al and established themselves in the church

As Kuri was on my way to the church, she noticed a bunch of kids torturing a little black cat.

"OI! You brats! Leave that kitty alone!" Kuri yelled.

"Oh no, it's Kuri! Run!" they yelled, leaving the cat and taking off.

Kuri pouted. "Dumb kids."

Kuri picked up the cat. "Hi Miss Kitty!"

Kuri took the band-aid off her forehead. "Aw...did they hurt you?"

She jumped and bounced off Kuri's head..

"Hey that hurt Kit-"

Kuri turned, and banged into Al who had caught the kitty.

"Hey you caught her!" Kuri said. "That's my kitty. At least...I rescued her."

"Look Brother, a kitty!" Al said.

"Oi, I said that she's my kitty!" Kuri yelled.

"Cool it, Kuri," Ed said, turning around at the kiosk.

Kuri bit her lip.

"Why you-" Kuri yelled, raising a fist at him. "That's MY CAT!"

"Well you said you just found it!" He yelled back. "And there's no need to yell at Al seeing as he saved your cat's life!"

"SIS LAY OFF!" Rei said, spotting me and grabbing Kuri's hair, sufficiently causing her to fall. "You're late for mass and now this! Fighting again? What am I supposed to do with you? You're lucky Father Cornello is so forgiving."

"Father Cornello?" asked Al. "Who is he?"

"He took us in," Kuri said, rubbing her sore head. "His miracles have given this desert town life again. Definitely worth checking out."

Rei sighed. "Look, why don't we take them to the church with us. We can show them the faith."

"Oh, but we don't-" Al began.

"No, I think it's a great idea," Ed replied happily. "Show us this great faith of yours and turn us into believers!"

Kuri narrowed her eyes, but led the way.

"By the way," Ed said. "I'm Edward Elric. And this is my younger brother, Alphonse."

"Yeah well," Kuri said, laughing.

Rei returned from Cornello's office and asked me to take Ed and Al to their rooms. She handed Kuri the keys. "Don't start anymore fights."

Kuri pouted. "I resent that."

"Okay you two, this way," Kuri said, taking them to their room. "There is food waiting for you in your room. I'm next door if you need me. I don't live here, but I'm staying the night to keep an eye on you two."

"Kuri," Ed said softly, and she turned. "Cornello. He has it doesn't he?"

"Brother-" Al protested, clearly the more sensitive of the two.

"No, it's all right," I said. "Before Father Cornello arrived, this town was a desert. And then...Father Cornello came and took us in. He started doing miracles not long after that. I believe he does have it."

"We...didn't come to take anything away from this place," Ed said to Kuri, his voice fading into a kinder tone. "But we have to expose the truth."

Kuri nodded. "Mass is in the square in an hour."

Rei and Kuri met up again with the Elric brothers. They had already discussed what Ed had said.

"So," Rei said. "How do you feel about the miracles now?"

"It's alchemy," the brothers chimed.

"And what's it to you?" Rei snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "Wouldn't you put faith in absolutely anything to get your brother back in his body?"

Ed's eyes widened. "Don't start with me Rei? You know it's not real what he's doing!"

"But it gives people hope." Rei said. "Can we really ruin this town?"

"It's a lie, sister." Kuri said.

BAM! A gunshot interrupted their exchange as Alphonse, fell to the ground at the hand of Cray, one of the brothers of the Church. He fell into Kuri, knocking her out.

"Rei," Cray said to her. "You should get Kuri somewhere safe. These two are enemies of the Church."

He aimed the gun at Ed. Rei knocked the gun from his hand, and used the base to knock him out.

There was a flame in her eyes that was not there before. She wasn't going to fight for a faith that killed people.

"I'll help you two," Rei said.

Ed looked hesitant, but Al stood up, grabbing his head from the floor and putting it back on. "That's fine with us. We need to get Kuri to safety though. Cornello is probably going to try that again."

Kuri woke in one of the traveler's quarters in the church. Kuri knew it had to be Ed and Al's room, because their things were there.

Had it been a dream? The fighting?

Kuri's sickness was gone and suddenly her body was strong and battle-ready.

"Ah..."

Kuri closed her eyes and saw a vision. It was Ed, and he was with Al and Rei. Father Cornello was unleashing monstrous creatures on them.

Kuri ran in, causing all of them to turn. "That's a chimera..."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Father Cornello asked.

Kuri had arrived just as the chimeras had finished attacking Ed. His jacket was shredded and it showed his automail arm and leg.

"You attempted human transmutation, didn't you?" Cornello asked.

Seeing Ed visibly flinch, Kuri stepped in. "That's enough. I speak for the people of Lior. And your reign here is finished, Cornello."

Kuri grabbed hold of her Pentacle. "Rin. Pyō. Tō. Ja. Kai. Jin. Retsu. Zai. Zen."

She pulled in the chimera then pointed it at Cornello. "Release!"

The chimera attacked him.

Cornello laughed at her, and transmuted a gun to shoot them.

There was a flash of light, and Kuri looked up to see a wall. "E-Ed?"

"For an alchemist, you are such a wimp," he laughed at me, grabbing her hand. "Now let's get going."

"That sure was close, Brother," Al said, carrying Rei with him.

Kuri flinched, realizing that she was starting to go back to normal. Kuri took refuge in the next available room and turned back into Usagi.

Kuri passed out there, and then woke to the sounds of rioting. Kuri left the room and ran into Cray.

"Kuri! Didn't you hear? Rei's been locked up, along with Ed! And Al was smashed up!"

Kuri ran down to the dungeon. "Ed! Rei!"

"We're fine," Rei said. "Father Cornello's a liar."

"I know," Kuri replied. "Ed...you look like you were beat up..."

Kuri touched his face, and he flinched and blushed. Kuri quickly pulled back and untied the two of them.

Father Cornello entered and and hit her hard in the wounded area. Kuri cried out in pain.

"Kuri!" yelled Ed. "Why would you do this to your own followers? There's nothing in it for you right?"

Father Cornello laughed, a deep, evil sound. "Of course there is. They believe in me. They have faith. They'll worship and throw down their lives for me. They're mindless followers of the Sun God."

Kuri sat up, wiping the blood from her forehead and Ed moved to reveal the microphone. In his confusion, Cornello did not notice Kuri escape to her room to bandage herself up.

Kuri went to the edge of the city and met up with her sister and the Elrics. "We're ready to move on."

Kuri smirked.