The truth was bound to come out

someday... I just never thought

it would come out this soon...

All I wanted... was to see them again...

my family...

friends...

the only person who understands...

Chapter 29 ~ Unwanted Events and Truths

||Train||

-Normal-

::Dream::

Hohenheim stood near the front door early that morning, suitcase in hand as he stared down at his sons, almost with a glare.

::End of Dream::

Ed quickly opened his eyes, realizing he had been dreaming. "Brother, we've almost reached the Dublith Station," Al informed as Ed sunk in his seat. He glances over to his side of where Al sat to see Cat was fully awake, staring at the window with a distance look in her eyes. "You were having a dream?" Al asked. Ed groans, "Yeah... I was dreaming about 'him'." Al turned to face the window as it was quiet once more.

-Me-

You can say that our ride to Dublith wasn't as pleasant as you'd think it would be when the idea of meeting the Elric Brother's teacher for the first time is plaguing your mind. I tried to focus on that the entire time since I finally decided to join the rest, but it was hard when all I was getting was a cold shoulder from Alice on my left and a dark glare from Ed on the front. I stayed quiet the whole time and lowered my head so my hat could hide my puffy eyes from view. As much as I want to apologize to the two for the way I've been acting, that same nightmare I had three years ago appeared again in my mind. Except...

::Dream::

"Al! Al Wake up! Ed c'mon wake up! Wake the hell up you guys! This is no time to sleep!" I cried continuously as I shake the two boys repeatedly. The building was collapsing, fire was spreading everywhere in the room, smoke was slowly starting to fill the air... and the scent of blood as well. One part of the ceiling fell a few inches away from where the three of us were, making me panic even more and try to wake the two up. "Ed please wake up! You guys can't just sleep at a time like-" I stop at the sudden bloody hand touching my right cheek, it was Ed's. He was finally awake, but Al continued to lay on the floor without moving an inch in his metal body, scaring me even more. A loud ring enters my ears and doesn't stop no matter how hard I tried to block it from my thoughts.

Ed was talking to me weakly, but his words were only mute in my ears no matter how hard I tried to ignore the loud ringing, Ed's words never came out of his mouth until his eyes clouded over and also his mouth came to a stop. My eyes widen in fear as I felt his body go limp in my arms. I tried to call out his name, but nothing came out of my mouth like I wanted to except that horrible ringing in my ears. "You killed them..." an eerie voice echoes at the moment the ringing stops, finally.

"You did it."
"You killed them."
"Your choices came to this end."
"You're responsible for their deaths."
"They trusted you."
"How could you just let them die?"
"It must've been easy to see so many die after what you've done."

I covered my ears to to try and strain of those horrible accusations from getting into my head to make me a mad person. Just the sight of these two has already has caused me to slightly lose it, like I don't even know what's wrong with Al for starters! "You did it...I know the truth about you Catherine... I've always had known who you really..." the voice was closer this time, but it sounded different from the previous ones. Scared as I already am, I had no choice but to see who exactly this person was if I wanted to punch him/her in the face. The sight of her scared me even more than Ed's sudden death, Jealousy's head was right beside me own, smiling at me with that familiar wild smile of her's no matter how many times I tried to forget it, she always pops up in my head every time.

How could I not? She has the exact same face as mine! I can't tell anymore ever since I've stopped looking the the mirror. She suddenly reappears right in Ed's place, jumps up forward and starts to reach out for my throat to choke me, but I was too fast for her. I used my alchemy to turn her into an icicle at just the right moment when her hands were about get close enough to my neck. I got off my knees so I would be near the frozen Jealousy. Just when I thought I was safe from a sudden near death experience, something warm drops on my face in a single drop. I didn't want to do it, I really didn't want to, I reached up to touch the thing on my face and when I did I almost screamed my heart out. It's blood.

I look up immediately when another droplet fell on my face (Me: Don't read this people! Cat: Why...?). "E-Ed...ward?" I gasp as my legs started to go week. He was... dead... a sword sticking out of his body... my sword... "No... God please no..." I sob quietly as I tried to back away, but I somehow couldn't. I look down at my hand to see them holding the hilt of the blade, and when I trace the blade up it was sticking inside of Ed's body. "No!" I screamed and let go of the blade, causing Ed's body to collapse to the ground. "C...a...t..." my body went completely numb at the voice. I muster up all my remaining strength to turn and found myself tripping backwards on my feet. There was Alice, or at least pieces of her.

Each piece was stabbed up in the air by large spikes of ice sticking out from the ground. I collapse on all fours and cried my heart out as I helplessly stayed in the center while death surrounds me, all of my friends lifeless bodies laid out all around me. "Ahahahaha! Oh my pour little stray Cat... All alone with none of her dear little friends to save her." I felt a cold piece of touch the bottom of my chin and make me to tilt my head up, forcing me to stare straight into Jealousy's abyss like eyes. She sneers at me, "So? How do you like the work we've done? They seemed surprised to see that side of you... As much as I hate that we're both the same being I was actually amused to see your inner monster."

"No... I'm not you!" I scream and put my hands on my head, clutching my hair as I shake my head. "Haven't you realized it yet?" My breath hitched as a sudden tall mirror slides in front. Scared, I slowly lift my head up only to not find myself staring back at my reflection- worse. I was staring straight at Jealousy, only covered in splatters of blood on the black dress and my long fingerless black gloves covered in nothing but pure red. The image smiles, coming out of the mirror and wraps her arms around my head. "We are the same now..."

::Back to Reality::

Usually I wouldn't make a nightmare faze me. Though to think I'd see that dream again (and with a sudden extension as well), it felt too real for me to brush off as nothing but a simple nightmare. I already get those whenever I get extremely upset or depressed over something and end up trying to sleep it off. 'This one was just...' The last part of my dream flashes in my mind, causing my to grit my teeth and hug myself even tighter. 'Too realistic... It even reminds me of my sudden ballistic state when Scar first attacked Ed and Al...' Sure it may have been long ago since we've encountered the Ishvalan. It was actually the first step to bringing us closer together. I still can't forget the way I acted when Scar threatened the two like that, it felt too familiar to ignore.

I tilt my hate and secretly took a peek at the three as Alice talks to the boys in glee. "So what exactly is your teacher like? I may already know her, but in person I'd rather hear it from someone who's known her personally!" she clasps her hands together as she smiles happily at the idea of meeting Izumi. I wanted to say something to make Alice calm down a bit, but when I remembered the things I said to her, my frown deepens and I huddled myself closer to the window. I don't regret saying that to her. Actually I've been waiting for a long time to be straight with Alice and tell her to know when someone doesn't want to be bothered. It was the way I said it that made me want to take it back.

Too depressed to even bother trying in participating in the conversation, I slightly tilt my head up so I can get a better view of the passing by world. 'Human or monster... which one am I at this point?'

||Dublith||
-Normal-

"Yahoo! We're Dublith!" Alice was almost about to fall out of the train when she stuffed half her body out the train. "Alice you need to be careful next time!" Al half-yells as he pulls the tall girl back in. She shakes her head and magnetically places her face against the glass. "I've been wanting to go to this place for ages! Rush valley was just the first step in going to one of the most amazing places in Amestris." Sticking her nose up in pride, Alice turns to move away from the window only to see Cat's statue-like posture. The whole train ride since she rejoined the group, Cat hasn't once moved an inch in her spot. Alice, and most likely Al, even witnessed how she didn't even once sleep. It surprised her even more that she didn't seem the least bit tired at all.

'I wonder what Cat is thinking about now...' Alice wonders then continues to awe at the familiar peaceful town. Cat, on the other hand, wasn't as excited as Alice as she expected to be. She thought that the air of Dublith would help clear her mind. Instead it did the total opposite, her mood was completely ruined once the train came arrived at their destination. 'Why the fuck did I think it was a good idea to stay up late...? There goes my theory of the catalyst no need for sleep...' a loud sigh escapes Cat's lips as she crosses her arms and glares at the ground. "I'm gonna go on ahead," Ed declares and marches on ahead of us. Alice sadly glances back at Cat then follows after the boy, leaving Cat and Al behind to figure out what just happened.

"Cat? Is everything okay?" Al aks. Even though he slightly figured it out, he wanted to know from Cat herself since neither of the two wanted to talk about it. "It's nothing Al... Ed's just being a stubborn shrimp," she groans, putting a hand on her forehead. He takes a better look at her and notices something off about the girl. Al puts a hand and says, "Cat you look a little pale..."

-Back to Me-

I do feel a bit dizzy now that I think about it. It's been a couple of days since I've taken my pills, but every time I look at them I feel sick to my stomach. Something inside me keeps stopping me from taking those pills the doc gave to stop my body from- "Look Al," I slightly smile at the young boy and said, "sometimes when two people fight... it's not because they want to... it's because they worry so much about the other's well being that it always gets out of hand when confronted... So don't worry about us, he'll be just fine in the future." I can't understand what this feeling was inside my heart, but it felt so nostalgic with the way this conversation was going. I've never felt this empty since that time I first woke up in the pouring rain.

This emptiness... is it my own? I put a fist against his metal chest plate as I bowed my head to let my bangs cover the pain in my eyes, continuing, "This isn't the first time that shrimp and I have gotten into a fight. So just be by their side for me when I can't. There will be time when I can't be around for either of them..." "Cat? Is something wrong?" He probably sensed the hints of sadness in my voice. I lift a hand up and start walking after the two. "C'mon Al! If we fall behind who knows how much pain that teacher of yours will do on Ed alone..." I must have scared the poor boy to death at the sudden reminder of his terrifying teacher. I slightly grin at the possible image of it.

My mouth soon deepens into a deep frown as I thought to myself, 'Philosopher's Catalyst... two gates parallel to each other... one that's an entrance to my world while the other is this worlds'... Jealousy having the exact same appearance as mine... that book my possible father left behind... what does this all mean exactly?'

||Izumi's House||

"Well Al... we're finally here.." Ed muttered. Al nods in agreement, "Yeah..." I cross my arms as Alice and I sweat drop at their reactions. Alice nervously laughs, stating, "It can't be that bad guys... Sure one of you went against your teacher a bit by joining the military... She is the legendary teacher that taught you guys!" I roll my eyes, "I have a feeling all three of you are praying that Izumi's not him..." "Mhmm..." all three agreed. I almost wanted to facepalm when the sound of footsteps resonated as the door suddenly opened, a dark figure standing at the doorway with an aura similar to that of a murderer. The three held on to each other in fear as I eyed them with a disappointed look. "Guys calm down..." The figure steps out of the shadows, revealing to be known other than Sig Curtis.

Ed sheepishly greets the tall large man, "Hello Sig... Its been a while..." Al finishes, "Long time no see..." Sig's eyes slightly widen at the brothers presence then walks up to them, placing a hand on Ed's head as he greets them back, "Ed... nice to see you. You've grown a little." Alice tries not to snicker at this while I tilt my hat a bit to hide the amusement in my eyes. Al points a finger to himself as he says, "You probably don't recognize me but it's Alphonse. Sorry we've been away so long." Sig's eyes widen a little at the size of all but soon started to pat his metal head, saying, "You've grown more than a little..." He spots the two of us standing a little bit away from where they were. "And who are these young ladies?" he asks.

Ed glances over to us, flashing a short glare at me, answering, "The tall one is Alice Chronos, a friend of ours. The short one in the weird outfit is my partner Catherine Cairo." Ok I've had enough of this! I calmly walk up to the man, shocking all three of them, then lift my head up and smile as brightly as possible. "Nice to meet you sir," I greet him as I held my right hand out. "I'm Catherine Cairo. I've heard so much about you and your wonderful wife, Izumi Curtis a while back." I think I'm practically sparkling right now. If I was watching myself from the tv I might end up picturing Armstrong in my place instead. I sneakily glance over to Ed with a small smile on my lips, causing Ed to slightly jump at my reaction. He nods in approval, "I'm sure Izumi would love to meet you. And you are?"

As much as I feel bad for Alice to end up being the center of attention now, I was actually starting to like how far I'm taking this little revenge of mine. She bows her head and shyly glances up to look at Sig's stoic face. "N-Nice to meet you sir..." He didn't really have a comment to say to the girl except- "You sure are a tall one. Are you Al's girlfriend?" I bit my tongue to stop myself from laughing at his question. Alice and Al must be steaming right now. "Izumi, the Elric's have come for a visit. They've brought friends with them as well. Do you think you could see them?" Sid asks from the window. I step back a bit, fully knowing what's to come next. "Lying down... that's not a good sign..." Al whispers over to Ed.

"Guess she hasn't gotten any better since last time-" I immediately duck the moment I saw someone fly out the door, cutting off Ed by a foot kicking him in the face. The kick cause Ed to crash into the nearest building behind us. "Hello my stupid pupil... I hear you've become one of the Military's dogs..." the black haired woman trailed off as she turned to her next target. "We're sorry!" Al panics as Alice cowers behind him in fear. Izumi's face softened as she said, "Al..? Look at you, you've gotten so big!" Alice's eyes widen when she see's what's coming next. "Al don't-!" "Teacher, it's really good to-" Al went to shake her hand, only to get flipped instead. "Your skills are rusty..." she comments. I sweat drop, thinking, 'Poor Al... Alice did try to warn him though...'

Ed gets up as Al trails off, "You seem fine for someone who isn't feeling well..." She immediately shouted, "NOT FEELING WELL!? I'LL SHOW YOU I'M PERFECTLY-" Izumi was interrupted by a sudden spurt of blood spilling out of her mouth. The boys scream in fear as Alice faints at the sight. I just walk over to her in concern. "Are you okay...?" I kindly ask the woman, offering my handkerchief from my pocket. "Ca...lla?" She looks up at me surprise, but takes the handkerchief and answers, "I'm fine thank you... You must be his partner, correct?" I watch as she wipes her mouth and extends a hand to me. I cautiously stuck my left hand out, completely forgetting that it was my automail and firmly held her hand.

She eyes me in amusement and questions me, "Oh..? Are you nervous about something?" My face pales as I confess, "Sorry but... I just don't want to end up flying into a building or being judo flipped like those to two back there..." For a second, her eyes went wide until she bursts out laughing, catching all over us off guard until another waterfall of blood spills out of her mouth. Sig comes up by her side as he said, "You shouldn't exert yourself..." "How sweet of you to worry dear..." I had to back away when I saw her bury her face into his chest. All four of us speechless at the romantic sight. All the hearts emitting from the two were bouncing off of Ed's face while my eyes were blinded by the scene. "This is the lady who kicked your asses..." Ed quickly covers my mouth, trying to hush me up, "Shh! She'll hear you!"

||Inside the house||

I decided to wait out in the hallway as the two disguise about the philosopher's stone with their teacher. The last time I sat in something like this, Ed almost snapped at me for not saying anything. Now that he knows the truth about me and Alice, I doubt he'll be pleased to see me once he hears about his dad. 'That's something that will force him talk to me...' I frown at the thought and moved my back off the wall. 'I know he can be a stubborn idiot... but he should learn by now there are things that I HAVE to keep a secret. Telling him everything would endanger his life.' "Cat?" I jump in surprise at Alice's sudden appearance. I calm myself and ask her, "What are you doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be with the others?"

She shakes her head, hugging herself as she glances over to the side and answers, "Listening to that conversation was too painful to listen to... It's no wonder why you didn't want to join us..." "I see..." There was an awkward silence between the two of us. I turn my back on her to leave only for her to suddenly say, "Cat wait! I want to... apologize..."

"What's there to apologize for? You're mad at what I said and I understand that."
"No you don't understand! I over reacted again as usual... I know I can be a bit nosy into something when I'm not supposed to but I didn't even notice how you were feeling until you told me. I knew that you weren't really in the mood to talk. I just wanted... to help you for once... I've been trying to tell you how sorry I am, but I just couldn't find the words to say it properly..."
"I'm sorry too Alice... Yes those were my true feelings, but I was hoping to say it in a better way than that. You don't need to help me Alice. I'm just fine on my own."
"No you're not! Cat, you're kind of different now... you've been much more distant than usual... and it's kind of scaring me..."

'So even Alice noticed...' I took my hat off and use my hand to brush my bangs up.

-Alice-

When she didn't answer, I almost thought Cat started to walk away and was going to leave me until I see her stop them look over her shoulder. "You coming?" she asks me. I felt my happiness bubble up inside me and I couldn't hold myself from doing this.

"Cat!"
"Wah! Can't stop glomping me already!"

We both stomp and burst out laughing. It has been a very long time since we've got the chance to act like normal girls. Resembol was a nice place to rest, but I think with all the things that's been going on we've never really got the chance to play around like the American teens we are. Not mature adults. Well Cat probably beat me to that a long time ago when we were kids, but she still acts like her age every now and then if you push the right buttons.

||Outside||

-Back to Me-

"So what are we doing out here?" Alice asks me as we wander aimlessly around the town. I chuckle at her confusion, "I thought you wanted a better look at the town since you always complain how we never go around much? With the two talking back there, it gives us enough time to get a better insight of Dublith!" It is true if you start to think about it. No matter how many times I point it out, any human being who is a fan of a anime, book, or cartoon would kill to get the chance to be in our place. "Hm... that's right... Hey! How 'bout we get some souvenirs then? I really want to buy one of those radios!" My smile twitches as I look up at the girl with an annoyed stare, muttering out loud, "You just want to take it apart to understand the technology here more...?"

Seeing her eyes sparkle like that really scares me whenever she's excited, especially since she knows that she's not the one buying. 'Now I can understand why men are sometimes afraid to bring their wallets when they go out on a date with their needy girlfriends...' Memories of my middle school days play a bit in my mind. It was a little bit scary at first on my first day, but I almost found it funny to see so many already trying to date someone starting at my age. And people say getting married at age 18 is early and doing it as soon as one turns 16 was early. (Me: Well that happened in the town I stayed in the longest before I had to move again... ^^|||) "Get back here brat!" we hear a cry from the distance. I didn't even see it coming!

One moment I was walking beside Alice, trying to avoid the commotion as much as possible (though Alice really wanted to see what was happening), only to get hit directly in the gut by a kids tiny head and ended up on the ground. "Out of the way granny! You too freak" the kid yells at me after quickly recovering from the impact. "Freak...!?" Alice exclaims. "Granny!?" I shot up on my feet right before the thieving brat could get away with not only stealing whatever the hell is he stop, but for flat out insulting us like that. I grab the bottom of his black hair when I saw it, forcefully pulling the boy back to us. I don't care if people see this as child abuse. He verbally abused us for no good reason and head butted me in the gut! Not to mention calling me a granny.

And that doesn't even make sense! "Listen hear brat! I don't care if you're a thief, no more less a kid who has issues- Nobody calls me a runt sized hag and gets away with it!" I rant. Alice looks at me in bewilderment and asks, "When exactly did he call you that...?" I huff in annoyance and didn't answer her, grabbing the kids wrist and force him up on his feet. "Now listen here kid! I-" My eyes widen in a mix of shock and horror after I push his hair aside to see his face. "Cat, what's wrong?" Alice gasps once she peers over my head. Alice and I silently scream at the same time, probably thinking the exact same thing, 'WHAT IS WRATH DOING HERE!?' Not Wrath from 2009, but the little devil Wrath from 2003 is actually standing right in front of us in person.

How do I know it's THAT Wrath I'm talking about and not someone who just looks similar to him like my friends back in New Optain? Who else has a automail limbs attached in places similar to Ed!? Wrathters once he see's my face, "Catherine... Cairo...?" "Eh?" He slaps my hand away and demands, "Why are you back here!? How dare you come back after dragging me out here and leaving me in the worse place possible!?"

"Wha- Hold on a second! I don't even know what you're talking about!? How are you even here in the first place!?"
"I don't know! You tell me old hag!"
"Stop calling me a hag! I'm only 15 soon turning 16!"
"That's impossible! You're probably over a hundred years by now! Even your hair is paler than the last time I saw you!"
"Who the hell are you even talking about!?"

I snap and finally punched Wrath on the top of his head, finally shutting him up. Alice jaw drops as I stayed in placed, huffing as flex the hand part of my automail just to check if I broke it or not. Seeing as how it wasn't broken into pieces like I expected it to be if I was punching the head of a homunculus, I slowly looked over at Wrath who still had his head bow down. "You're... human?" I ask the boy, shocking Alice. "This is the same Wrath we're thinking about, right? He went to the gate after Al transmuted him and Gluttony then rejoined the other Izumi. So how is he here and human..." she trails off as I walk up to Wrath and went down to his level on one knee. "Wrath...? Are you okay...?" I quietly ask him, praying that I didn't crack his skull.

Considering how I punched him with my automail at full force without thinking, there's a slight chance he might either be brain dead or I just sent him into a coma while still standing. "So you're not really her then..." Much to our surprise, few droplets of tears fall down to his feet and then he lifts his head up to reveal a waterfall of tears. "You didn't have to hit him so hard Cat!" Alice scowls me, running up to my side and digs around for something to wipe his face. I look at her dumbstruck, mentally asking her 'what did I do!?' Wrath wipes his face with his arm, sniffing really hard for him to suck up his snot through his nostrils. Alice backs away in disgust while I just stare at him blankly. "Sorry it just felt... nice..." I sweat drop, thinking, 'Since when has this kid been a masochist...?'

"What do we do now Cat?" Alice glances over at the crying boy worriedly. "We can't just leave him here like this. If we do, something will bound to happen to Wrath now that he's a normal human boy. I nod in agreement as I stood up, "You do have a point there... but we can't just bring him to the home of where she is. He might have a break down once he see's her alive and well. After the things he's gone through just to see her again at the gate, it won't be pretty." This is a boy who knows his mother is dead and he chose to join her in the next time, so to come back to a place where he never existed might have a big impact on him."What are you two talking about?" I sadly gaze down at Wrath while Alice looks away in shame, earning confused looks from him. "Wrath... about your mother..."

I didn't even get the chance to explain to him when, out of the corner of my eye, the man who screamed earlier starts dashing towards our direction. "Hey! Catch that kid! He stole my two layered cake!" he shouts. "Cake?" Alice and I glance over to the squished white box beside Wrath, frosting already splattered on the floor. "You stole a two layered cake!?" Alice screams in disbelief. I face palm at this information, muttering out loud, "No wonder you got caught... you stole something so big..." Alice grabs Wrath and runs off with him in her arms as I dig in my coat pocket, throwing whatever spare change onto the floor. "Sorry! He won't do it again!" I apologized as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me when I see the raging bull getting closer.

++Later++

"You were dragged out of the gate!?" I yell in disbelief after hearing his story. Apparently, his body taken out of the gate by someone and found himself on the streets of Dublith for a few days now. Alice nods, just as shocked as I am as she presses on the topic, "So you've been stuck here for days before we arrived?" Wrath shrugs as he points out, "I guess so! With my alchemy gone and my body acting the same as it was before I ate the red stones, I had no idea what to do next. The first thing that came on my mind was food." "So you decided to take advantage of your small stature and steal stuff..." I dead pan, putting my hands behind my head as I look away to avoid his gaze. "Hey! It's the first time I've ever felt hungry since I got out the gate the first time! Being immortal sucks knowing you don't have to worry about death..." his voice trails at the last part when he mentions 'death' to us.

Alice pats his shoulder as light as possible. She glances up at me, unsure of what to really say to the boy. I was at a loss of words too. When he told us where he came from and what he is (or used to be), we didn't know what to say. We're talking to a boy who's the product of a failed human transmutation attempt by Izumi back in the 2003 anime. Then I thought back to my friends in New Optain. 'Does that mean... it goes for them as well? No that can't be! The Trigham brothers never died, Clara also, and Dante died in the body of Lyra by Gluttony so there's no way she could have crossed here! None of them could!' "This isn't my side, right?" Wrath asks us, still not really comprehending the information after we thoroughly explained to him.

"Well it is but it's not," Alice answers. I add to help the boy understand a little bit better, "From what you're telling us, I think there's an alternate timeline in the gate... Think of this as a world parallel to the timeline you're from where you came from." "So what you're saying things are different here then...' he hums then goes back to licking the ice cream I was forced to buy him. He almost stole an ice cream cart when we passed by one. "I have a question for you," I tense up when Wrath starts checking out my body in different angles and lightly pokes my stomach. Wrath looks up at me with his innocent purple eyes, asking, "Is my mom still alive?" "That's uh..." I glance over at Alice for help, knowing she's better when it comes to stuff about Brotherhood.

Even if Truth gave me information about everything that happened, it's not really something you can really explain if it just appeared in your head once. Alice must have repeated watching the show after it ended. She tried to put it as light as possible, "Your mother is indeed alive Wrath it's just that... the possible you in this side... was never brought back to life when Izumi tried to resurrect her child." Wrath comes to a complete stop when he hears this. "Something or someone else was created, but it died the moment it was created. When an alchemist attempts to bring back a loved one from the dead using human transmutation, what comes back isn't that cherished person. It's someone else. A random human is born. A life that only survived a few minutes in this life before it dies. Alchemy works differently so-" I stepped in and finished, "The birth of homunculus' are different here. You never came into existence.

I thought it would take him a moment to process this when he flat out starts to ask me unrelated things, "How old are you? And why is your stomach softer than a regular persons?" I turn red at his unexpected questions, forcing me to grab him by the top of his hand and place him back in between us. "Fifteen. Alice over here is fourteen..." I rub my stomach area, remembering the incident as I thought, 'I never thought that incident would still affect me. That collision felt like one of Major's bone crushing hugs, except his arms were made of pure steel... If that's the case, I have to be careful whenever I get a blow to this spot. I might end up collapsing if anyone touches this sensitive area.'

I pinch the bridge of my nose and stop, grabbing Alice by her shoulder and whisper into her ear, "It's no good... he must have been in that gate way to long... he must have data dumped all that information..." She tells me in a happy tone, "This is a good thing then! Maybe we won't have a hard time talking to him not as 'Wrath', but as Izumi's son!" I raise an eyebrow at her suggestion, asking her in utter confusion, "What are you even going at?" She pumps two of her fists as her eyes began to sparkle, excitedly ranting on and on about the most dumbest ideas ever known to man. "Caht..!" I felt someone tug on my sleeve. When we both look down, we were horrified to see that his who fist was stuffed in his face and his mouth area covered in white.

"What happened to your ice cream!?" Alice gasps. "More like what happened to his fist! That whole thing is in there! And you even got all that white stuff on your face!" I jaw drop, then slightly blush when I soon came to realize, not long after, how embarrassing that sounds. 'Me and my teenage mind...' We ended up spending the next out trying to pull his fist out of him mouth. I swear I have no idea how he was able to do it. But now he can't get it out. What now!?

||Izumi's House||

I peek my head a bit through the door before sticking it all in, nervously checking is anyone was nearby to see us. I sigh in relief then look back at the two, signaling that the coast was clear. Hiding underneath my coat behind my back (and almost touching my butt), the three of us quietly tip toed our way inside with Wrath in the middle. "Okay if anyone asks tell them we were just having a long walk and ran into some... old faces... got it?" I remind her for the second time as I peek over to Alice. She nervously answers, "S-Sure! Got it!" Not even one second and- "And where have you two young ladies been?" Izumi suddenly appears on the walk beside us, scowling us as she hold her pink slipper in hand. And she was pissed. "Ah! Well you see..." I nervously glance up at Alice who looked like she was going to pissed herself any minute now.

Good thing she isn't in her human body... "Do you know how late it is? I had Ed and Al search all over town for you! The next time you girls decide to go out on your own you-" Wrath struggles around from underneath and accidentally grabs my butt, again. I yelp and kick Wrath on his shin, at the same time, trying to hold back a blush from appearing on my cheeks. I grit my death and took a short glance over behind my back. 'Shit... he must be freaking out to hear his mom's voice!' This makes Izumi stop and start to give me a suspicious look. "What's going?" Al asks as he peeks his head in from the door in the hallway. "Alice you're back!" Al steps out, sounding extremely happy just to see only Alice. "Hi Al!" she waves at the boy. I face palm at their reactions.

"Who's back?" The moment I saw a bit of gold hair behind Al's giant body, I completely forgot all about the boy that was hiding underneath my coat and immediately tried to escape through the door behind us. Except that's another thing I forgot... I forgot that the door existed. My face collides hard against the wooden surface. At least it's not a large hunk of metal. I slid down on my knees as I peel my face off the door. "Ow... That actually hurt" I groan, praying that there were no splinters sticking out as I took my glove off to use my real hand to check. That's when I noticed the eerie silence in the room. I lift my head up to see Alice jaw dropping as her eyes widen in horror. I follow her gaze only to turn back when I see Wrath facing everyone, probably shocked to see so many familiar faces at once.

Alice and I jump in front of the boy to try and think of a perfect explanation. I blurt out first, "It's not what it looks like! We just wanted to help!" Alice follows, "Yeah! He doesn't have his parents so we though of helping him for a while! We couldn't just leave him out there and starve!" Oh crap, I just realized we both sound like little girls begging our mom to keep a stray puppy or kitty... As we ramble on and on without thinking, Wrath slowly steps in between us. We both finally shut up and watched to see what he would do next. "Mommy...?" he murmurs, staring up at the middle aged woman in tears. Alice attempts to try and stop Wrath but I extend an arm out, shaking my head then go back to watching the two.

For Wrath, it was like reuniting with his mother again in the living. Izumi, on the other hand, was a whole other case. I know that I should have stopped Wrath, but I think for once I should stay on the sidelines. Wrath wraps his arms around her legs, burying his face while Izumi and all the rest try to comprehend what is happening. Sig finally comes in and see's the child, looking at Izumi for answers only for to raise her hand up to signal him everything is fine. She lightly pushes him away, bends down to his level and asks him, "What's your name child?" "Wra-" Alice and I quickly stop him and blurt out at the same time, "Ran! His name is Ran!" Alice and I look at each other in bewilderment then silent nod in agreement of the name.

"Ran... that's a wonderful name," she compliment. Alice whispers of over to me, "Should we tell her Ran is a girls name?" "I-I don't think you should..." For a second there, I thought I caught staring at me.

||Dining Room||

I stare at the boy with large horrified eyes as I watch Wrath shove in everything from his plate to his mouth. At first I was thinking I'd eat a little out of courtesy, but this is just disgusting. I look at all five of them to see none of them were fazed at this. 'Why do I have to sit next to him!? I swear I think he's more of a glutton than a wrathful kind of person...' Izumi reaches down and wipes off the sauce from Wrath's cheek, saying, "Don't eat too much or you'll get a stomach ache." Alice and I tense at this and look down at the boy in concern, who was just as shocked at the nostalgic line. 'Oh Wrath...' I could tell that Wrath still regrets what he did to Izumi, or pretty much what he's done to everyone.

But I think this is a chance to properly redeem himself. Being here is like a clean slate for him, he could make up for what he's done here. I shook my head and glare down hard at my meal, thinking, 'No that still won't be right... he's not meant to exist here... just like me and Alice. We're just people who were simply thrown in to a world we were never meant to exist in.' "You aren't eating Al?" I almost had a heart attack there until I realized that Sig only noticed Al and not me. Al stats with his hands raised up, "Oh no I'm fine! I had a big meal on the train ride here." Sig hums at this then turns to Alice and I, "And you two? You both haven't even touched your meals once. Alice nervously laughs, "I also had a big meal too! I didn't want Al over here to stuff himself all by himself! Hahahaha..."

Now all eyes were on me. "Ah! Um... Sorry," I bow my head in shame. "I guess I'm just not feeling too well is all..." "Do you need to see a doctor? I could call one over for you-" I stop Izumi from leaving and said, "There's no need Mrs. Curtis. I guess the train ride just got me is all." "You haven't been taking your pills again," Alice's stares straight at me, causing me to turn my head away. "You're taking pills? What for?" Al questions. I swear I can feel myself shrinking bit by bit the longer they all stared at me. Guilty for bringing up an unwanted topic, Alice tries to change the subject, "Why don't you guys tell them what happened back in Rush Valley? I'm sure Mrs. Curtis would love to hear it!" "Oh that! Hey Al, you should tell them about the baby being born in Rush Valley," Ed stated, relieved to change the subject in order to expose Al.

Al happily tells their teacher, "Oh yeah! We helped deliver a baby. There was a big storm and we couldn't get the mother to a doctor!" This earned a small giggle from Alice, who adds, "All you two did was scream in fear when the baby was delivered. You should have seen Cat in there! She was an expert in helping deliver the baby!" They all glanced at me as I slowly blushed at their sudden attention and comment, "I didn't do much... I just gave out some pointers to help Winry since I delivered a baby before for another family." Alice bursts out laughing at the reminder. "And then she became the god mother of the child!" Izumi warmly smiles as she listens to our stories, nodding in approval, "Yes, that's right. That same miracle brought us all into the world. Always take pride in the lives that were given to you."

-Normal-

"I think I'll turn in early," Cat stands up and leaves. Before leaving the room, she glances over her shoulder and said, "Thank you for the meal." Once she disappeared around the corner, Al couldn't help but check how his brother was to see Ed glaring at the doorway and gripping onto his fork firmly. "Is she feeling alright Edward?" Izumi questions her student. He scoffs, "As if I know... that girl has a knack for keeping secrets. Alice scowls Ed for his unwanted attitude, "Ed will you just stop. You already know by now she has to keep things from us. There are just something that aren't meant be said, and she thinks that's what's best for us." "What? You guys are best friends again or something?" He was trying to joke about it lightly there, but when he saw her slowly bow her head down Ed felt anger boil up inside of him.

Opening his mouth to say something, Ed kept his mouth shut after remember he was in the presence of his teacher. Not wanting to stay around any longer to make things even more awkward, Alice excuses herself, "I'll go look for Cat. I don't think she knows where our room is." Unbeknownst to the group, Wrath silently left the room by quickly zooming past Alice right as she opens the door to leave.

||Hallway||

Cat barely even made it out when she started to violently cough. She leaned against the wall on her left and slid down to the ground, continuously coughing as she covers her mouth with both gloved hands. After her coughing fit subsides, Cat pulls her hands away with shaky hands. "Oh god..." Holding her tears back, she pulls her hands close to her chest as a small bit of black liquid drips out. "18 years my ass... This thing inside me feels like it'll die out in a matter of days..." Then she remembers the container in my coat pocket. Cat reaches down and took them out. But the moment she took them out, she felt a knot wrap around her stomach moment she saw those small red beads that almost resembles blood.

She threw it across the floor in disgust then brings her knees close to her chest, slowly finally letting the tears she's been holding back since Rush Valley.

"Fate... Truth... is this some sort of sick joke to you? Messing with people's lives is like a form entertainment for you two... You are probably the things that created the way humans are both to see what world will progress further than the other. Ed's tale was over... and yet you thought it would be just fine to add me into it... Everything runs on equivalent exchange, so simply taking my arm wouldn't suffice... what else did you take from me? You already destroyed more than one persons life! What kind of sick beings are you...?"

-Back to Me-

"I remember," my head shot up when I heard Wrath's voice. He stands before me and continues, "I remember why I was brought here. They knew something like this would happen someday." "What are you-" I felt a sharp pain on my chest, accompanied by an intense loud ringing in my ear that completely wiped all of my senses on the spot. All I knew is that I was one the ground in pain as I continued to scream. I don't really know if I was screaming at all. I couldn't hear a thing at all except that stupid ring, both the pain and being deaf to what's going on around me almost made my soul snap. "Gah... Agh! Aaaaaaah!"

"Papa look! I did my first transmutation!"
"Hey stop messing up my circle mama! You know it took me hours to draw it! Ah- Don't cry now! It's not really that important anyway... Like you said it's simply a circle drawn with chalk..."
"Just a little more... Got it! This formula must work! I bet the bunny will feel much better once I feed this to her. She'll be so pleased to know her baby bunny will be alright..."
"Wow! Look at the view mama! Papa is really missing out on this trip... I've never been on a train before!"
"Mama... where are you? Is anyone there...? Please help me!"

I felt my mind completely snap when a sudden image of a train wreck appears inside the last memory. Right smack in the middle of the burning inferno... was me? "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

-Alice-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

The moment I heard that scream break the silence from all around me, I felt myself bolt towards the direction of where I heard it come from. Once I got closer to the where the voice was coming from, I felt my blood run cold when I see Cat lying on the floor writhing in pain while Wrath just stands there and watches, staring down at her with blank eyes. "Cat!" I slide over to her side and took a better look at her to see what was wrong. I tried to touch her forehead but I pull away immediately at the horrific temperature she had. "She's freezing...! Wrath what did you do to her!?" I demand. He slowly raises his arm and points at her chest, answering in a deep monotone voice, "Her clock is running faster than usual... a few droplets of the elixir cannot save her now..."

"Elixir...? Cat!?" I lifted her head then placed her in my lap, helplessly watching as Cat twist and turns in pain. It was like she was fighting something inside her sleep... I almost forgot to breath when markings began to show on her skin, appearing and disappearing every now as she continued struggle. Wrath seemed to finally snap out of whatever trance he was in, because the next thing I knew, he was scampering over to something and runs up to my side then slightly shoves me away. In his hand was Cat's pill bottle. Not caring at how much he took, Wrath poured as much as his small fist could hold and shoved whatever he had into Cat's mouth. Her eyes finally opened. Except instead of her normal greenish-blue eyes, they went from black to red then to dark blue.

Wrath clicks his teeth as he curses under his breath, "She hasn't been consuming it on a daily basis... Even I knew as a homunculus it's suicide not to..." After a while, she began to calm down and ended up passing out on my lap from exhaustion. "Get her to bed," Wrath instructs as he stands up and leaves, "she'll be out for an hour. After she does, Catherine won't be able to go back to sleep for the next three days. Keep an eyes on her."

-Jealousy-
||Abandoned Mansion||

I sigh in relief after the pain started to finally subside, "Looks like she finally took them... Stubborn human. Even a normal person would know it's wrong to go against the doctor's orders if they don't want to die." The placed looked as old as abandoned like the last time I saw it, or at least that's how I remembered my old home. Brushing my fingers against the old rotten decaying wallpaper, I come to a stop when one finger touches the edge of what looks like a picture frame. I carefully took it off the wall, so that the old building wouldn't collapse, and gazed down at the familiar photo. It was a family photo. A man with golden hair and eyes stood on one side in his gray short sleeved button shirt, black pants, and brown shoes.

The one on the other was a woman, her blue-green eyes smiling just as brightly as her own smile, brown curly hair tied up in a messy bun, wore a long pink dress with a short jacket, and long shoe laced boots. Sitting on a chair in between the two was a little girl. Light golden hair, eyes similar to the woman on her right, and wore a small cute blue dress. "What a sad family... almost like mine except... different..."

To Be Continued

Sorry this is late! But if you've seen the poor excuse of a chapter in Forgotten Hearts, my laptop has been screwing me over. Hey everyone! Guess what? This month I'll be opening a Q&A next month... that means you can ask a question to any of my OC's! Just make sure to point out who you're asking coz it'll get confusing once we start answering stuff. You can ask me a few things if you like, but just make sure to not ask things about future chapters coz we wouldn't like any spoiler to happen now would we?

Me: I'm starting to get a little concerned about how there's a drop of followers every time I check... Well it's only those from 2012 that left I think...
Cat: Maybe they're tired of having to wait every month for an update?
Me: Like I said before... -_- It's not my fault that I keep making ongoing fanfics...
Cat: Wasn't it before you handle 7 fanfics and almost updated every day during your first year?
Me: They had only about a 1,000 or more words every time I finished a chapter! There is no way I'm doing that again!
Cat: Right...
Me: Anyway! Cat and I will be talking here about how the Q&A works!
Cat: Ah that's right! Usually, questions are usually sent through PM by you (the readers/fans) to the author.
Me: Then when we have enough question's, we'll be able to put up the first chapter! Or uh... I don't really know what to call it anymore...
Cat: You can say whether or not you want you're name to be mentioned. If not you'll be labelled as anonymous no. 1, 2, 3, and etc. so people will know it's a different person asking.
Me: I really want you guys to participate in this! I feel that as a proper 'thank you' I should allow all of you guys to get a chance to ask things to a certain character that not many get a chance to do. And you can also tease them a bit if you like...
Cat: What was that?
Me: Nothing! So instead of updating my other fanfics, I'll be focusing on this one for a while (and the Q&A) since we're getting to the deeper stuff at this point.
Cat: Wanna do the honors?
Me: Yep! I do not own FMA, all rights belong to Hiromu Arakawa-sensei. I only own my current OC's Cat, Alice, Lucas, Jealousy, Camilla, and many other oc's that I can't name cause there's too many! O_O Please R&R and we'll see you on the next chapter!
Cat: See ya guys!