'Change only happens when one takes

the first step... and that's

what I'm going to do... Only I can help them...

and her...'

Chapter 43 ~ Battlefield of the Heart

||Safe House||

-Me-

"Do you think Lucas will be okay?" Alice asks after we part ways from the boy.

"He'll be fine! That idiot knows better than to drop dead so early."

In all honesty, I wasn't sure either, I was just lying to Alice and myself. Lucas already told us that he has never ventured outside of Rush Valley. And judging by his reaction the first time he stepped out of the train and entered Central, he's completely unfamiliar with the attitude of Amestrians outside of the 'home of Automail mechanics'. If he plans on going somewhere out of the country's border, then I don't know how well he'll do on his own. From my own personal experience, it takes about a year to get used to new people and experience a new culture. 'He better not die...' I frown at the thought. We didn't really say much after that. Both of us knew that at this point, the homunculi will high alert. With Gluttony kidnapped by the group, they'll do whatever it takes to find him.

And that means they'll be tailing whosoever close to the Elric's. I originally opted for us to split up, but decided not to. If we did, that would individually put us both in danger if we do. They might jump on one of us and question on Gluttony's whereabouts. Eventually, we arrived at our destination. The house was farther than I expected. When we were all separated it was still morning, now it's exactly nighttime. When we arrived, Lan Fan was already in bed with Ling at her bedside, intently staring at the blood-soaked bandage of her now absent arm. "Ling?" I spoke up. His head snaps up, his eyes widen before tears fell down his face. "I couldn't... she-" Unable to finish his words, he buries his face in his hands. Empathetic towards his situation, I slowly approach the bed then Ling's side. The moment he senses my presence, he wraps his arms around my waist and cries.

"I promised I'd tell you... but," I glance over at the three. To see Ling actually cry in front of me, it makes me wonder how he'd react if I were to tell him.

"No..." Ling directly at me with serious eyes. "Tell me. I have to know."

-Alice-

I sat at Lan Fan's bedside as Dr. Knox finishes up the sutures on the surgical site. Lan Fan had passed out from both the pain and severe blood loss. I decided to keep an eye on her for now until Cat finishes talking with Ling, he and Cat need some time alone to talk about what happened this morning. "Are you okay?" I tear my eyes away from Lan Fan and look up at Al, who was holding a metal bowl of cold water. I shake my head and turn my attention back to the Xingnese as Al sets the bowl down at the nightstand and sits at my side.

"She fought so hard Al. I wasn't there when it happened, but I do remember how it all went down. I just wish there was more we could have done."

"You already did."

"I know, Al, but... it just doesn't feel like it."

I stare down at my hands and thought back to the first time I woke up. I couldn't feel anything, and that scared me. My emotions were still there, but when it came to my sensation, it was terrifying.

"Alice," Al suddenly spoke up."There's a lot of things that you could have done, things that I wish I could change. But you decided whether those changes would benefit us or not."Al surprised me when he turned and brings me into a hug."If you ask me, I don't think you need to doubt yourself."

-Back to Me-

"Thanks again for everything Dr. Knox," I said after I close the door.

"It's nothing." He smiles for a brief moment then goes back to being serious. "I'm not liking what's going on. Being called in all the time by Mustang to treat his subordinates was fine and all, but foreigners too? Just what kind of trouble is he trying to brew?

"It's not like he's searching for trouble..." I nervously laugh.

"She's awake!" we hear Al exclaim.

We turn to see Al, Alice, and Ed hovering over the girl as she stirs from her sleep. I run to the other side of the bed and felt relieved to see her open her eyes.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Ed asks.

I lean closer and offer, "We'll take care of everything. Just say the word."

Despite her previous animosity towards me, Lan Fan seemed just as relieved to see me. Glancing over at Ed, she states in a pained voice, "That old trap of yours worked pretty well... but I'm useless without my arm. I'll need a replacement."

"We could introduce you to a great mechanic if you'd like," Ed told her, causing her to smile.

Lan Fan tries to sit up, prompting me to grab her shoulder before she harms herself. I told her as I watch her with wary eyes, "Don't push yourself. If you make any sudden movements, you might accidentally break your stitches."

"The young master... Is he-"

"He's alright. Besides the few scratches he received, it's nothing major."

"I see... I'm glad..." She lets out a relieved breath before her gaze turns serious. Lan Fan stares up at the ceiling. "I must look pitiful to you right now. As the future bride of the young master, you must find this amusing."

What the hell is this girl saying? Does she actually think I'm that cold-hearted? Sure, I've been very vocal in my rejection towards Ling's advances, but there's no way in hell would I actually like to see him or his friends get hurt.

"Now I've had it with that attitude of yours!" I yell, surprising everyone in the room. I take in a deep breath to calm myself before continuing. "Stop feeling bitter over the loss of your arm. I've lost my arm too, but instead of focusing on it, I remind myself of the most important thing. I'm alive." I could see Ed slightly fidget at the corner of my eye. "As long as I can still move and breath, I'll do whatever it takes to protect the ones I love. And I'm sure if Fu was here, he'd say the same thing." I place both hands on the mattress and lean forward. "Your life is just as important as Ling's. You have a duty to fulfill, a duty only you can do while your grandfather's away in Xing. And that's to protect that glutton prince of yours."

Stunned at first, tears began to form in her eyes. And from there, she allowed her emotions to pour out.

+Later+

Being inside that house was getting too suffocating for me, so I decided it was best to wait for things to play out outside. Ed and Ling should be introducing Mustang and Dr. Knox to Gluttony, the homunculus everyone fought so hard to capture. Mainly Ling. I don't want to be there when it happens. Hawkeye should be standing guard, so I don't really have to worry about being alone.

"I'm guessing things have calmed down," Hawkeye spoke the second I shut the door.

I wasn't all that surprised that she knew it was me. She is the best marksman in the military. She was sitting on the ground with the rifle on her lap, her head looking over her shoulder as she smiles at me. I smile back as I approach her side and sat down next to her. "Sort of. Lan Fan hasn't woken up yet, and Ling is pretty much mad at me now."

"How come?" she asks with a raised brow.

I nervously scratch my cheek. I told her, "I may have told him... the truth about Alice and I."

I shut my eyes in preparation for her upcoming reaction. Telling him is a reckless move, especially with what's at stake now that they know about us.

"I know there's should be a limit in our circle of trust, but Ling deserved to know, we endangered Lan Fan's life by not preventing the events that transpired this morning. If we had done something... Lan Fan would still have both arms."

Instead of berating, Hawkeye praises me instead, "It's not my place to judge who you trust, but I think it's good that you told him. After what had happened, I think even he deserves to know."

It was a relief to hear this.

"It's never easy to figure out who you can rely on... But I can tell you from experience, after serving under the Colonel for as long as I have, I learned many things that will benefit anyone. The more allies you gain, the better chance you will have to reach your goal. You need to be prepared for the day you're separated from those around you because you'll need all the help you'll need as the battle goes on."

I hadn't really thought about it. For three years I had to do things on my own, and then for an entire year, I had gotten used to relying on the help of others. The day will come where all of us will be separated. The moment Ed and Al have to travel up North; there's a chance that even Alice and I will be separated from them. Or maybe each other. I don't think I'll be able to be on my own again. The first time was hard enough as it is.

"Your birthday was a few months ago, right?" Hawkeye asks to change the subject.

I nod. "All gave a cross to replace the one Alice got me. Ed..." I trail off as I felt the ring through my glove. "He gave me..." There's no way I'm going to share with Hawkeye something so private. Only very few people know about the ring Ed gave me, and even if they did know I wore one, they don't know it was the Fullmetal Alchemist himself that made it. I was about to say something till I see Hawkeye tense at the corner of my eye. I look up at me with a raised brow. "Everything okay?"

Hawkeye abruptly stands from her spot. "Stay here," she briefly instructs before cautiously approaches a certain direction. I do as I told as I watch her enter the forest. I don't have to worry. Hawkeye can hold her own against anything, even if it's a homunculus.

'Since I'm alone...' Looking around to see if anyone's around, I carefully pinch the cloth of my glove and slowly slide it off. I held my right hand up and happily stare at the silver band. I never got the chance to look at it. With all that's been going on, it's amazing how I even remember to keep it on. Parting my fingers, the silver practically glows as the moonlight shone on the metal. The one thing that I love about it the most if the blue rose that was carved into it. Despite how often his sense of style is questionable in his alchemic structure, this is the one time I'm glad he's the one to make my ring. The alchemic marks were barely visible. Almost as if he was trying to be as careful as possible in its creation.

"I wonder why he chose a ring..." I quietly said to myself as I thought, 'We weren't really close at the time to do... certain things.'

Just remembering every intimate moment we've had so far causes my face to heat up. We've held hands, slept in the same bed (ONCE), huddled together next to a campfire... Okay, I'm just going to stop before my heart bursts.

"I really need to keep my emotions in check..." I mutter.

"Where's the lieutenant?" I immediately bring my hand to my chest, practically slamming it against my chest in my panic. I slightly turn and look over my shoulder to find Ed. "S-She went to check something out..." I unintentionally stutter while trying to calm my heart. Out of all times for him to pop up, it was when I was marveling at the EXACT thing he made. Not taking notice of my odd behavior, Ed casually comes over and plops himself right beside me.

"Man it's boring in there!" he said as he stretches his arms. "Glad you walked out when you did, Ling looked ready to pop after you told him."

"Oh... so you heard."

"Yeah," Ed answers calmly.

There was a lot more I was supposed to tell Ling, but when I saw his eyes were starting to darken, I decided it was best to leave the rest out. At least till he's mentally and emotionally ready. I hunched forward and bring my knees closer to my chest while, every now and then, I glance over at Ed. We've been close so many times, yet why is my heart about to burst? He must have noticed me staring as he suddenly turns his head to me. My cheeks felt even hotter, causing me to look away.

"I've been thinking for a while... You know, stuff on what Al and I will do after we get our bodies back." Surprised, I whip my head back to his direction and found him staring at me with serious eyes. "There's a lot I should be thinking about right now. Homunculi, the stone, there's a chance we might get caught up in a war against our own military. But what concerns me the most is after." Ed reaches over and takes my hand, which I now realize is still exposed. "I'm still not keen on the idea that we have to say goodbye someday. You have your own home to get back to once this is over. But... maybe there's something we can do so that we'd never forget."

I know where this is going. I felt overjoyed at the idea he might feel the same way, but with that joy came the fear I've felt since I realized my true feelings for the boy. I see him turn and go on his knees so that he was directly facing my side. I almost felt like fainting. Before he could finish, I slap both hands over his mouth. Ed glares at me as his angry voice is muffled under my hands.

"Before you finish! I want to say something!" I bow my head low enough so that my bangs could conceal my eyes. "I, too, have been thinking about our future. And I've also been thinking... about us."

When he stops moving, I knew that he was finally willing to listen to what I have to say.

"When I was a kid, I dreamed like so many that knew your story to go to Amestris. To be a part of your journey... but to actually be here, is more than I could ever imagine. That feeling, of course, changed after the past three years. When we first met, I was honestly excited. I admit it was a bit childish of me to poke fun of your height-" I felt Ed smirk under my hands, much to my annoyance, at this admission. I ignore this and continue, "But I truly wanted to be your friend. All those times we fought, I did regret my actions. But I allowed my pride to get in the way of admitting my mistakes. There's just one thing that's never changed. In fact, for almost the entire year, those old feelings I felt towards you as a hero in a book... have evolved."

I finally gained the courage to look up and saw his golden eyes were staring at me with a warmth that I am now very familiar with. I peel my hands off his face and press my forehead against his chest.

"Even I've been taking certain things into consideration... and one of them is my feelings. There hasn't been a day when I thought of saying something. And since you're bringing this up, either you've figured it out or-" I gulp. "Or... you..." I couldn't bring myself to finish. God, it feels like my heart will burst if I finish that statement.

Ed gently pulls me away so that we were properly facing each other. I suddenly felt scared. I knew I said too much, but if I didn't, I swear I feel like these feelings completely spill out if I don't let some of them out. "Anyway! Neither of us can just... act on it just yet," I nervously told him, which I immediately regret when I see his eyes narrow. I immediately add, "But that doesn't mean don't want to! If there was ever a better time... if we decided to prolong our stay after figuring out how to get back home... I wouldn't mind seeing where else things will go from there."

He was so silent. I've never known Ed to be the silent type, so to watch him sit there in silence, sinking in every single thing I had to say felt like I was talking to someone else. "Cat..." he starts in a low voice. Ed brings his hands to both sides of my head and presses his forehead against mine. I close my eyes as he does so, no longer resisting as I had always done. He always knew I was lying due to this weird deficiency of mine. I may have gotten good at lying, but only Ed knew how to check whether I was being truthful or not. I hear him sigh. "You better keep your word, because I am this close to switching that ring on your finger to something else."

It's so frustrating. Why did my life have to be on the other side? Why is fate so cruel? I want to tell him. I just want to forget that we have to go back and confess the feelings I've been holding back for so long. But I can't. If I burden him with my feelings, the pain we'll feel when we have to say good-bye will be tenfold. The longer I felt his warmth, the more I felt my chest ache and feel tears about to come out. The only time I felt the urge to open my eyes was when I felt that warmth disappear. As my eyelids slowly started to open, all I could see was his eyes. He was close. If we stayed like this any longer, I know one of us will be the one to take the initiative in closing that gap. It was wrong, yet it felt so right. Before I knew what we were doing, we both started to lean in sync. My lips began to part. All I could hear was my heart beating hard against my ears.

A part of me was screaming that I had to pull away while the other kept urging me to continue. At this point, I didn't care anymore. I kissed him once in his sleep. Though I felt disgusted at myself for doing it while his guard is down, I don't regret it. To be able to do it again, this time him being awake for it, didn't seem so bad. Just as I was about to close my eyes, the abrupt sound of rustling leaves brought us out of our little world. We both pull away, realizing what it was we were about to do. We just sat there; me, my eyes were wide and my mouth slightly gaped, while Ed had his hand over his mouth, just as stunned as I was.

"Ugh... are you two finally done?"

I gasp while Ed immediately creates a blade on his auto-mail arm. I turn not only to see the two Xingnese Alice and I met earlier, but also the one person I was not expecting to meet again so soon. Despite being hidden in the shadows, I could still make out her features. It was definitely her. "Jealousy!?" I exclaim as I shot up on my feet. I was about to draw out my sword only for Fei Hung to appear behind my back and holds her katana close to my neck. "Don't you dare-" Ed suddenly cuts himself off after Xiao disappears.

"Enough Damien!" Jealousy shouts, causing both to tense. "Let them go, we're not here to start a fight."

Both relented and retreat back to Jealousy's side. Ed doesn't think twice about pulling me towards him and taking a defensive stance. She stands for a moment, taking in Ed's quick reaction and my lack of response.

Crossing her arms, she bluntly tells us, "Just like you, Alice and Lucas, I'm not from this side. Actually, I'm not from either one."

When she gets closer, everything started to fall into place the second I saw her eyes. They were exactly the same color as mine, except slightly darker. No longer pitch black as I've known since the first day I met her. She holds up her weapon for us to see before dropping it to the ground. I felt a shiver run down my spine when I see a bit of the metal after the sheath partially slides open. Although not the same one, it was made with the same material that she stabbed me with. The same material that nearly sucked the life out of me. I quickly reach over for Ed's sleeve and tightly grasp it. My body began to quake at the memory. It's not something you can easily forget. Despite having faced death so many times, to be that close to death's door was an experience I never want to see again.

Ed senses my fear and worriedly glances over at me.

Jealousy looks at me apologetically as she said, "I'm sorry for what happened that night. I tried my best to control her, but-" She lets out an aggravated sigh as she scratches the back of her head. "Why don't we talk about this inside? I'm sure there's a lot you want to ask."

+Later+

We just sat there, both of us uncomfortable with the prolonged silence. The others gave us some space, but I could tell they still remained within earshot. I don't mind it at all. To be sitting across the person that tried to kill me is a bit unnerving. She seemed to be sound of mind at the moment, so I shouldn't be all that worried, yet.

Finally, she speaks up, "Before we start, I'd like to say something so I won't have to answer every single question you're sorting out in your heads." We watch her apprehensively as she stands from her seat. "For the past hundred years since my arrival on this side, I've done whatever I can to prepare for your arrival. However, there have been a lot of setbacks that's prevented me from what I swore to do the second."

"And that is...?" Alice asks, her voice barely audible.

"To prevent you all from suffering the same thing we did," Damien abruptly states, causing all of us to stare at him wide-eyed.

"He's right," Jealousy nods. "Everything I have attempted to do so far... is to prevent the three of you from meeting the same fate Damien and I have." I watch as she places her hand on the table and balls it into a tight fist. "It's already too late for one of us... I wasn't able to save her in time. I thought I had enough, but by the time I had resumed control, she was already taken back. Back to that place alone."

Her body was shaking, as well as her voice, which was laced with anguish.

"You're talking about Alice," I interject, catching them both off guard. "When we got back to Central, we thought we could pay her and Miss Camilla a visit. We met with her, but she was apparently taken back by her grandmother. She told us that..." I couldn't bring myself to continue.

"She died without warning..." Alice finishes, her head bowed.

I still couldn't believe she was gone. Alice was just a child; she had so much to live for. We were never told how she died because even her grandmother didn't even know what the cause was. Silence filled the room again. None of us knew what else to say. Who could? To suddenly bring up a topic like this would render anyone wordless. Jealousy feverishly shakes her head and was quick to change the subject. "That's not what we came here to talk about. What we need to talk about is the truth, the truth that you both deserve to know. Most especially you." Her eyes focused on me. "I know he wanted to be the one to tell you, but I'm not sure how much time Damien and I have left in the world."

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" I quickly ask after immediately picking up on the meaning of her last statement.

"Alice is gone... meaning yours is safe-" She makes a short gesture to the brunette that sat beside me, causing her to stiffen at the sudden attention. "There are laws that govern every side. Whether it's your side and this, or the opposite ends of the gates we're from, there will always be a force that keeps the balance. I'm sure Fate and Truth have mentioned it by now."

The mention of them brought shivers down my spine. As much as it disgusts me that they were the first things you meet when you commit the taboo, they did what they have to maintain order. I reach over for my auto-mail arm and squeeze it. The memory of it being taken away was still fresh. The physical pain has been long gone, but the phantom pain comes back sometimes. It rarely does, and I'd like to keep it that way. I look back at Jealousy with serious eyes, silently telling her I was ready to listen. Whatever it is she has to tell us, I'll listen. She hasn't killed me, yet, and the fact she hasn't made any attempts to free Gluttony speaks volumes. She knows that any moment now, one of her 'siblings' will come to take back their only living black hole. That didn't seem to matter to Jealousy.

Pleased to see my willingness, she brings her gaze to Alice, who's been awfully quiet since Ed and I came in with her behind us. Holding both of her hands together, she brings them to her chest as she stares back at the homunculus with fearful eyes. Her fear was understandable. While I had come to hate rather than fear her, all Alice ever got to feel was fear. Jealousy took her life twice in a row; the first time during my forced transmutation, the second was the events that transpired in Hiessgart. What happened to that is still foggy, but the aftermath is still fresh in my mind. For Alice, it's a different story.

She stutters, "I don't... I can't lie to you. The second I saw you with Cat, I almost wanted to... to shoot you... Both out of fear on what you would do to her... but also because... of what you did..." Jealousy's expression softens and watches the girl with sympathetic eyes. "I always told myself, 'She can't be Cat. There can only be one. She would never act like this' each time someone mentions you. What you did to me... putting me in that body..." Alice clutches her head. "I know I can't feel, but I still remember how I felt in that body. And how you stripped me of feeling at all by placing me in this body."

My head snaps in Alice's direction. She told me she had vague memories of how Jealousy was able to transfer her soul from the stone and into the mannequin. Was she slowly regaining those lost memories after she and Al passed out back in Dublith? I decide it's best to keep those questions to myself and watch Alice with a careful eye.

"You- You-" There was a sudden pause. Then a gasp. Her head sharply looks up, her eyes slowly widening, as if she had finally recalled something important. "You... were the one that saved me."

. . . . What?

-Alice-

I remember. When I was close to being sucked into the stone, Jealousy pulled me out of the transmutation circle. But it was too late. My soul was already halfway out of my body. And she did the next impossible thing. She took and placed me in the body of a chimera she made on the spot. At first, I thought she choice them at random as a part of her cruel nature, but there was one thing that did implant some doubt in her thoughts. Thinking back, the two animals that Jealousy had the other homunculi brought in were sick-looking. Cat continues to stare down at me with a look of disbelief, her mouth gaped open as she tries to find the correct words to react. I place a hand over where my heart should be.

"My memories are still fuzzy... but I think I remember."

After she had taken me from my chimera body, we traveled together for a while. There was a time we were near a city Cat was in when she started to do her missions solo. Then that night...

::Memory::
++One Year Ago++

I couldn't stop crying. Despite how much pain I was in, I didn't want to leave her. Not like this. "There has to be another way..." I hiccup while crying. Jealousy places the mannequin against the side of the house. "I mean, I could just-" She interrupts me, "You have to go. I can't make another human-chimera body for you to use."

"Plus, you and I know what happens if I continually transfer your soul to different bodies. The vessel's deterioration will increase with each transfer; a piece of you will be left behind. We can't risk it. YOU can't risk it."

"But-" I tried to protest, but, knowing it was futile, I decided to keep quiet. Clapping off the dirt off her hands, she stands up straight and then turns to face me. I couldn't see her face properly under her hood so I couldn't tell what exact expression she wore. It was nighttime, and I could tell a storm was coming just from the gathering clouds looming over our heads. "It's time," she said, extending her hand. I nervously look down at the offered hand then back her. She's gone through all this by herself. To leave her just like that... I don't want her to be alone. I try to reach, but exactly after being reminded of the condition of my body, my arm stops working altogether. I helplessly watch as the limb drops and hangs on my side.

I begin to panic. My arm won't respond at all. I can partially move my fingers, but that's all I can do. Unfazed by this, Jealousy takes the initiative instead and takes my other hand. She turns my hand and places something in it but does not move her hand to reveal what it is she is giving me. "Catherine has been mourning your death long enough. I'm fine on my own." Jealousy lifts her hand and reaches to touch my cheek. "I was able to make it for the past two hundred years. The first hundred was absolute hell. For me, that's exactly like her first year. Don't let her go through it any longer."

There was this strange sensation wrapping itself around my body. I was starting to feel drowsy. Before I could understand what was happening, everything went dark.

::End of Memory::

"I have to go..." I abruptly said, standing from my seat and moving to get out of the room. Jealousy didn't seem like she was going to stop me, in fact, she appeared somewhat relieved that I was. I look over at Cat and saw she was deep in thought, muttering something to herself. She probably didn't hear me. Glancing back at the other three, I stare at them for a moment before I make my leave. Once I was out of the room, I shut the door behind my back, lean against the wood and slid to the ground.

-Back to Me-

"We better get going too." Damien was the next to stand up. "The General and I randomly dropped everything before we got here. It's best if I go back first and explain everything."

Fei gives him a smug look. "You just don't want to get yelled at by Joseph again."

I almost wanted to laugh at how embarrassed the boy, further showing that it was true. He silently leaves the room without looking at us, his head bowed and his shoulders raised. Fei silently follows about a minute later, but not before, surprisingly, giving Jealousy a deep bow. That just left us. I don't even know where to start. Casually sitting in the same room as her isn't really something I'm keen on getting used to. If this Jealousy plans on making this a... thing. We sat there in complete silence; Jealousy with her arms crossed and her feet on the table while I kept my eyes on my lap. After all these years, after the number of times she tried to kill me then nearly kills Ed, how does she expect to have a decent conversation with me?

Sure, she helped me save Ed, but that doesn't make up for all the stuff she's done. I feel so FRUSTRATED, frustrated at myself for even agreeing with this meeting, to begin with. Just when I was about to speak up, to my surprise, she says something that I never thought I'd hear from her.

"I'm sorry," she briefly starts. I blink for a moment, my mouth slightly gapped. Jealousy takes notice of my silence and continues, "I wish that simple line could make up for all the things I've done, but you can believe me when I say this. I truly am sorry."

The way she was looking at me, the hurt in her eyes, something told me that she was serious with what she was saying. It shouldn't be that easy. Forgiving and forgetting seemed to be out of the question. But the way her voice trembled while she spoke... there's no way you can easily fake that. At first, I started to feel sorry for her. Jealousy, who so much just being here, personally came out of her way to meet with me. Then there it was that deep-rooted anger that I'm surprised it hadn't surfaced the second we were in the same room.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't begin to cover-" I stop myself when I felt myself lose a bit of my temper. I don't want to cause an uproar and give the others an excuse to barge in. Taking in several breaths, I continue but this time in a partially controlled tone, "Sorry doesn't begin to cover the things you've done. You forced me into transmuting the lives of everyone into a philosopher's stone. You forcefully placed Alice into a chimera's body and then killed her. Not to mention..." I grit my teeth as flashes of me getting stabbed appear in my thoughts. "You... almost killed me, to kill Ed."

Her own temper flew the second I uttered that last sentence. "YOU WERE THE ONE THAT EVENTUALLY STABBED HIM INSTEAD!" she bellows. I felt my own anger diminish and shy away after she raises her voice higher than mine and slams her fist onto the table. Jealousy pants for a moment after raising her voice so high. The realization crosses her face after seeing my change in demeanor.

She lets out a loud, nervous cough then states the obvious, "I provided you the means of moving forward. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have the proper drive to be where you are today."

"What was that...!?" I said in a low growl.

"First was guilt, the guilt of not being strong enough to prevent certain events related to you. The second was anger, anger that will continuously fuel the fire that will encourage you to keep fighting. Even when you lose hope. And last, but not least, fear. Fear of losing the people you care most in the world and the idea of what was to happen if you fail again if you're not careful. I made sure you went through those experiences just so you will be able to tackle them in the future."

I could picture out each event in my head as Jealousy counts them down with one hand. Guilt is the one to create the stone, watching helplessly as Jealousy drove her sword through Alice's chimera skull, killing an Ishvalan by accidentally and shooting one her children in self-defense, rendering one boy an orphan for the rest of his life. When I failed to save Nina and Alexander from her destined fate. And then... nearly killing Ed. Anger being the times I lashed out at anyone that tried to reason with me, refusing to listen to them as I felt annoyed at their continual insistence of not minding their own business. The times I would blame my parents for making me suffer all those years alone. Then there was the fear, the feeling that I've felt since the first day I awoke in the Rockbell home. I was always afraid.

When I came with the theory that Jealousy could easily possess my body, I began to fear for what she might have done while possessing me. Then when I saw Alice's unconscious boy covered in blood after failing in her attempt to save Martel. Another was when I had learned what was within me. My body is made of the catalyst itself and the philosopher's stone flowing in my blood. I was afraid of myself for a while. I started to question if I should even be considered a human. But I sacrificed my humanity in order to gain the strength I need to protect those I love. However, that said power was what nearly got Ed killed. There were so many things that shook me to the core. I would have lost my sanity.

"So you... the reason I'm like this-" I drew a sharp breath when I saw the look in Jealousy's eyes. There was no denial at all in her expression.

"Yes." That alone should have set me off. She was right there, I could make her pay for all the things she's done to me. I stood up and reach for my blade, but something stopped me. We remained in place for a while. Her eyes never breaking eye contact. The longer we stared, the more deflated I felt. My anger subsided as fast as it rose. Jealousy sighs and reaches for something underneath her shirt.

"I never intended on getting you or Ed killed. I just wanted you to avoid the path I took, a path which has led me to where I am today. I don't want what happened to us, to happen to you too."

Slowly, I drop my arm to my side and sat back down. She continued with a pained expression, "I did everything I could to make sure you had every opportunity to gain the bonds you need to move forward."

Then it all came to me. She had bought my tickets to East City, making sure that the two didn't leave before my arrival. The unexplained burst of information during the exam? It had to be her. To have been the gate without payment, there had to be an outside source paying the toll for me. I thought I was seeing things that one time, but it was her watching me as I was pulled back to Amestris. And then Alice... the sword she had used that day was the same she used on me. The one designed by Nicholas Flamel to take in the soul it has slain, slowly creating the philosopher's stone while alchemy is being applied to the weapon. There was no possible way for Alice to be alive. Let alone inhabit the body of a mannequin without an alchemist to be the one to sacrifice and attach her soul with a blood seal.

"Why...? Why did you have me dragged to Amestris?" I ask, dreading on what her answer would be. And what she said next was completely not what I anticipated.

"Because you asked me to."

My mind began to race. Why would I send myself here? Why would I ask Jealousy to do it? Why would I allow her do something so... heartless? The more I thought about it, the more my body began to tremble.
"Hey, you alright?" Jealousy tries to reach out to me, concerned at how her answer was affecting me. Before she could touch me, I violently move away, my eyes briefly focused on her then at the ground.

-Jealousy-

I knew this would happen if I told her. Then again, I don't know if I'll ever get a chance like this again. She needed to know, even if the truth hurts her. I should know. I went through the same thing a long time ago, back when I too thought I had to be the one to shoulder everything. If she continues to believe that only she can make things right, then I know she'll make the same mistakes in the future. Unlike her, I was never prepared for the things that were to occur once we reunited with Ed and Al. As cruel as it may sound, I don't entirely regret the things I put her through. Compared to how she reacted to my presence the first time we met, she's become stronger. Stronger than could ever be.

With nothing else to say, I decided it was best to make my leave. I quietly got up from my seat and walk away from the table. I stop in my tracks for a moment to look back at her. She was still trembling, but has now started to hug herself and mutter. There's only one person I knew she needed to see right now. And that's Ed. Feeling the corner of my lips tremble at the thought, I slowly open the door. What happened next was partially expected. The moment I pull the door, four individuals fall in. Ed and Al, of course, I had expected. It the Xingnese prince and the colonel I had not expected to be the type to eavesdrop.

My eye twitches in annoyance as I ask, "And what is it I owe you the pleasure, gentleman?"

They all freeze after struggling to push each other off. Crossing my arms, I repeatedly tap my foot as I await their answer. Ed struggles to lift himself up to properly look at me then notices Cat at the corner of his eye. "CAT!" I resist the urge to respond and step face as Ed forcefully pulls himself out of the pile. I painfully watch as the boy rushes to the girl's side and checks on her.

"What's wrong? Hey, answer me!"

"She won't be able to talk for a while," I told him, earning an angry look, which I return with a blank stare.

My expression softens when I see Ed immediately turn his full attention back to the girl when Catherine automatically latches herself onto him. I used to be in her exact shoes, both as a child and as a teenager. When I was afraid, or I had experienced something that mentally scarred me, I lean on Ed for moral support. To see it happen before my eyes makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to experience that again. Just as I was about to walk out, Ling blocks the exit with his arm. I don't look at him. Instead, I keep my eyes on the wall of the hallway as I felt his eyes bore onto the top of my head.

"Are you going to take your anger on me for what happen to Lan Fan?" I tore my eyes away and flash him a hard stare. "Or are you going to force me to regrow back the arm she cut off?"

"If I could, maybe both." I unflinchingly maintain my gaze as Ling quickly draws out his sword with his free arm and aims it at the side of my neck. "But right now, what's important is you return what was taken from her from your kind."

"Ling...?" Al slightly raises his voice, cautious at what the prince was going to do.

"Now hold on. We don't know if she can-" Ling immediately cuts off the Colonel, "The Homunculi has the philospher's stone in their bodies. And from what I've heard, you're the only one that's capable of using alchemy."

"I'm guessing Ed was the one who told you that."

"The fact that you're not denying it proves I'm right."

I didn't mind the fact he was digging the tip of his blade into my flesh. I've been shot, stabbed, crushed, lost my limbs several times; basically, every single form of mutilation the other homunculi was put through. We glare at one another for a moment. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't done anything till now. I was sure the second he heard a homunculus wanted to talk to Catherine, he'd try and force me into healing his female bodyguard. A hand gently grabs Ling's arm. I had expected it to be Ed, but I was surprised that it was actually her. Her eyes were vacant, dark circles now forming under her eyes.

"Stop... what's done is done," she said in a flat voice.

Ling hesitantly lowers his weapon upon seeing her face. He was shocked to see her like this. I watch her with worried eyes as her hand slides off and falls to her side. It was like she was a robot. This isn't what I wanted. I didn't want to be the cause of her own self-destruction. "Catherine-" I start only for Ed to place his hand on Catherine's shoulder. As if it was instinct, she leans against him while tiredly staring off into space. I knew then and there I no longer had a reason to stay. I effortlessly move Ling's arm away so I could get through. But before that, there was something I had to say to Ed and Al. It may not be the brother's I grew up with, but this is something I've always wanted to get off my chest even before my family and I left Resembol.

"There are a lot of things I want to apologize for," I spoke up, surprising all of them. "So many times I had wished to take back the things I've said and done, but we're here now, and that's what matters. But if you still don't have the heart to forgive me, then I encourage you to keep that hate in your heart. So when you see me next time, it won't hurt as much when you see my face. A face you've now come to hate."

I could see the recognition cross Ed's face at that last line. I force a smile, further confirming his suspicions. Looking at Catherine one last time, I silently leave the room, finally content in saying everything I've been wanting to get off my chest. Now comes the difficult part on Catherine's part. Will she be able to bare it? Just as I was about to transmute a tunnel on the ground so I could sneak back to the city, running footsteps were approaching from behind. I look over my shoulder to see Catherine, her hair loosely falling over her shoulders. Her hair ornament must be loose now from all that action today.

She leans against the wall closest to her and pants. "The stone... the lives that were taken from my side... Is it still with you?"

Ah, so that's her main concern. The least I can do for putting her through hell was to remove that one burden from her shoulders. The guilt I had forced upon her.

"No," my brief answer caused her breath to hitch. I continue in the same monotonous voice, "I canceled out the transmutation right after you were taken by the gate. The only soul I had sent after you, was Alice. It was the only thing I could do to ensure her safe passage. We both know that only so much of you can be taken and tossed to the other side."

I turn my attention back to the floor. With a clap of my hands, I transmute a large hole through the wood and create the tunnel. Where it leads depends on if I accidentally made it all the way to the sewers or close to the military building. Without seeing it, all I could do it picture how much earth I want out of the way. Just as I was about to jump in, I could hear a loud thud from behind. She must have collapsed on her knees from shock, especially with that last line. Biting my lip, I force myself to refrain from turning back and slip into the hole. What happens is up to her. I've intervened enough as it is.

-Back to Me-

I was grateful for everyone giving me some space. But when it's all said and done there still leaves this lingering question, what do I do now? I told everything to Alice, and even she had a hard time stomaching it.

"She said I was the one that sent me here... and if she's right..." I look up at Alice with a grim expression. "That means you and Lucas were dragged here because of me."

"But that doesn't make sense. How would you be the one to ask Jealousy to bring you here? Didn't we meet her for the first time back on our side?" Alice has a point.

I couldn't have talked to her. It was my first time ever meeting her, knowing that I had a doppelganger in the form of a homunculus. Now that I think about it, she seemed to already know who I was the first moment I laid eyes on her.

::Memory::

With no other choice, I slowly bring my quaking hands together before forcing myself to clap. I look back at the crowd before me. There were very few adults. Most of them were children, but they were all terrified at the event that was happening before them. Shutting my eyes and biting my lip, I bow my head as I slam my hands on the wooden surface of the stage. I felt a disgusting sensation flow through my body. When I finally brought myself to open my eyes, all I was was a red light around the stage. Everyone started to scream in agony, several children crying for their parents.

"Hahaha! Keep on screaming you pitiful low lives!" a voice laughs from behind me. I turn my head in the direction the voice came from. Once my eyes fell on the person, my eyelids practically became non-existent as I continue to take in her appearance.

"You are... me!?" I exclaim, horrified beyond belief.

There, a few feet from my side stood a girl, who had the same face, spoke in the same voice, and hair similar to my own, but the problem was... her eyes were pitch black.

"I am Jealousy... who once lived as a human but was sacrificed to bring back a beloved..." she spoke with a dark expression.

I was hysteric at this point. "Why are you all here!? You all should be fake! Fictional characters from a book!" I yell, never removing my hands from the ground.

"You disappoint me," she said, staring down at me with cold eyes. "Back home you were... no... I was the strongest to never give up and believe in almost everything. Too bad you're just a copy."

"Copy... no! I am me!"

"Then how come you are so interested in that so called story?"

::End of Memory::

She had already known with my previous obsession with Fullmetal Alchemist. Not to mention she already knew the wish I made the night before my birthday. Just what is she? A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts.

"You two alright?" Al asks after opening the down.

I was a little disappointed that it wasn't Ed but seeing corners of Alice's lips finally turn up.

"We're alright Al," I said with a small smile. "Just had to discuss a few things." I noticed Al and Alice were maintaining complete eye contact. "Why don't just leave you two alone? I'm sure there's a lot you two want to talk about."

"But Cat..." Alice trails in her sentence when she sees me stand up.

"C'mon Alice, you and I know we both need a break from this topic. And I know Al's very willing to help ease your mind."

Although reluctant at first, she looks at Al for a moment before giving me a nod. Relieved to see this, I move from my seat and walk past Al, but not before giving a light pat to his arm. I trust him to know what to say to Alice. As I left, I slowed in my footsteps for a bit when I hear the door lightly close shut. I can't help but feel a little jealous. There's no way I could open myself up that easily to Ed.

"As kind as he is when helping others... he's the worst person to convey your feelings to," I said to myself, accompanied with a small laugh.

"Wow, is that how you think of me?" I yelp when I felt a sudden arm plot itself over my shoulders. "And here I was thinking you were actually professing your love to me." Ed brings me closer as he bows his head, his other hand on his hips when he sighs. "Either that or maybe I was really full of myself to think you're that bad in being honest about your feelings."

I could barely form a sentence as my cheeks completely heat up. I can't believe he's pulling that card on me! Just when I was about to react, I was caught off guard when he presses his forehead against mine. I remain still as I try to process what was happening. Our faces haven't been this close for this long since I kissed Ed in his sleep. What should have been something to embarrass me, this simple act actually felt soothing. Seeing that I wasn't moving, Ed takes the initiative to hug me. I've been the one to bug him several times, each one to comfort him whenever he was experiencing his most stressful moments.

"You know you can always talk to me."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Wish you can be my psychologist when we're not under the same roof of a homunculus with a void for a stomach."

"I'm being serious," he said thoughtfully. "You acted as my emotional anchor. Now is the time I do the same for you."

"Ed..." I utter his name, touched at his words.

"You did a lot of things for the past three years, and in the end, I only learned the vanilla version of it. After you told me a portion about it, I can see it removed some burden on your shoulders. If you can't bring yourself to talk to Alice about it, you can turn to me. I won't say anything or tell anyone."

Where do I begin? I want to object, lie to him that I'm fine, but I promised to stop keeping things from him. I was about to say something till Ling came out from a nearby room. While I was red in the face, Ed was surprisingly calm after being gently pulled himself away.

"Something up?" he asks.

Ling stares at me for a moment, too deep in thought to realize Ed had noticed him. Seeing this, Ed lets out a loud cough, snapping the older boy back to reality. "Oh... right." It was obvious Ling was still upset about earlier. I don't blame him. I knew their lives would be in danger if they proceed with the plan, but I had no other choice. If I could, I would have gone against Wrath myself and allow the other to capture Gluttony. But what's done is done. I'll do whatever it takes to take responsibility for the loss of Lan Fan's arm. Tightening my hand into a fist, I narrow eyes as I stare at him with stern eyes. I march up to him, surprisingly Ed and Ling. I was about a foot apart from him before I lean forward and stare into his eyes. He doesn't respond, instead, Ling remains in place.

"What does it mean to be king?" I ask.

Ling wasn't expecting this, but he still answers me, "Putting the your life before your people, that way the entire kingdom can prosper."

"You're wrong," I said firmly. I clap my hands and then draw my sword out, creating the blue flames with my alchemy. "Yes, to be king you must think of the well-being of your people, but you also need to think of yourself as well. You think Lan Fan will be the first to risk her life for yours? No. And if you do become King, she won't be the last to do so."

He grimaces at my words, but judging from his lack of response, Ling knows that I'm right.

I continue as I hold the sword up higher, "If you start to lose faith in yourself because you see one chose to put their lives for your sake, then it shows that you really are not fit to be king."

"What was that!?" Ling grabs the front of my shirt, causing me to drop my sword as he lifts me off the ground. I remained unnerved at his reaction. In fact, I was actually pleased to see Ling was releasing some of his emotions towards me. Ling may have been able to come in terms with what happened and aimed to become stronger in the original timeline, but this time it's different. To be around someone that knew what would happen, even I would hate that person and start to feel that no matter what I would have done, nothing would change. 'Ed's reaction taught me that...' I thought to myself, recalling the way Ed had confronted me about it.

I continue, my face and tone remaining neutral, "If you can't believe in your own strength to protect your people, then you can't become king. Lan Fan didn't put her life before yours just because you're her lord. She can see that you are capable in become Emperor, that you can protect your clan." I purposely lean closer and stare deeply into his eyes. "Do you believe that?"

We remain in place for a moment. Finally, Ed gets in between us and places his hand on Ling's arm. No words were exchanged. One look from the boy and Ling knew it was enough. He lowers me back down and lets go of my shirt. I let out a relieved sigh. At the back of my mind, I thought for a moment that he was actually going to hurt me. At least get his payback for what I hadn't done. Ed comes up to me and fixes the buttons on my shirt. I hadn't realized there was anything wrong with them until I saw him fix it with alchemy.

"Thanks," I said with a small smile.

"Sure." Ed moves his head so that his mouth was close to my ear. He whispers, "But the next time a guy looks at you like that, I will punch them."

"R-Right..." I nervously laugh.

It was a little surprising to see him act possessive. 'I'm starting to think I shouldn't have said anything at all,' I thought to myself. We didn't say it, but our actions before those three interrupted us was as clear as day.

"Catherine..." Ed turns so I could get a better look at Ling, his eyes completely downcast to his feet. "Lan Fan... does she ever recover from this?" he quietly asks.

I pause for a moment, at a loss for what I should say. A part of me had expected Ling to ask me that, while another had expected he would question if he does become emperor. Ed, his eyes remaining on the prince, reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze, silently supporting me. I press my lips together before briefly answering, "She does." That's all he has to know. He doesn't react. Instead, Ling silently turns a heel and marches on ahead. Ed lets out an aggravated sigh. "What the hell did he want anyway?"

Oh right, Ling must have been looking for Ed so that he and the others would talk about Gluttony. Plus the knowledge of their leader being a homunculus. "Say, Ed, did you guys talk about Gluttony yet?" I ask, just to see where we are in the timeline.

Ed shakes his head. "Not yet. Dr. Knox wanted to keep an eye on Lan Fan a bit longer. She keeps trying to get out of bed, but he and Alice keep making sure she remains in bed."

"Looks like she's ready to go out and kick the King's ass..." I nervously laugh.

He stares at me wide eyed at what I just said. This time I didn't care. It's already known by many that I know certain things others shouldn't or have yet to learn. Sometimes I wish my knowledge had remained limited before it was all dumped into my head by Truth. Though, I guess it was another of Jealousy's plan to keep me prepared to face this world. I couldn't help but feel bitter about all this. All this time, I had thought it was my own wit and skills that had gotten me this far. In reality, all this time, it was her doing. She manipulated events to mold me into who I am. I only developed into this person based on her what she sees fit. Ed seemed to notice something was wrong and, instead of saying something, puts his hand on top of my head and presses his forehead against mine.

The only times he did this was when he wanted to see if I was lying or not. To see Ed do this act other than that felt uplifting. "It'll be alright..." Hearing that from him meant the world. If he said this to me three years ago, I'd just laugh it off and brush it aside. "Mmm..." I close my eyes and hum.

||Central HQ||

-Damien-

"And now returning~" Louis makes a weird sound of a drum roll from his mouth. "Our beloved GA and the ex-con!"

Fei Huang immediately tosses one of her hidden kunai straight at the brunette. It partially stabs right in the center of his forehead. Didn't penetrate his skull, but it was still enough to make him bleed. He screams and tries to wipe the blood running down his face while Richard and Emit try to remove it. Jack, although his eyes were blank, slow claps as he grins at his friend's suffering. "Dude, you did it to yourself."

"What was your trip?" Helga asks as the General sat on the couch.

"I would say it was fulfilling, except for the few bumps we experience on the road."

Whenever we're inside the base, Jea- I mean, Katelyn would talk about things that didn't relate to Catherine. None of the other soldiers know why, but they've learned to understand the meaning behind her 'casual' talk and how to respond. Only Fei Huang and I understand its purpose. There's this sickening presence that always followed them. Whenever I'm forced to talk to another soldier outside of my unit, the feeling's not as strong compared to when I'm with them. It's like something is keeping a close eye on us. Or more specifically, their leader. From what I learned before my infiltration, these guess were the worst soldiers. Hard to believe it after spending time with time. Joseph, although he's too old to run, he makes up for it with his sharpshooter skills.

Louis and Jack make me look older with how childish they act, but it's compensated with their surprisingly compensated with inept adaptability in spying while in plain sight. He can't properly describe how they do it. Each time they're sent out by the General to gather Intel. And they do so by mingling with a separate unit. Tyler's more like an errand boy. A really... dangerous errand boy. Let's just leave it at that. Wilson used to have the same job as Joseph, but ever since Katelyn learned about his pregnant wife, she's been keeping him away from action until the kid's born.

"So, I'm guessing she's fulfilled a part of her promise?" Auron asks me while still scanning over some documents. It's been a while since I last heard him speak, so it did surprise me.

I cross my arms and lean against one of the desks as I watch Fei Huang casually takes her weapon back from Louis' head.

"Yeah... she hasn't been able to rest properly. Both her mind was too preoccupied with so many things." I look over at her to see her sitting with her eyes closed. I add with a pleased smile, "But after finally getting rid of one burden from her shoulders, I think she can finally sleep."

"Huh..." Was all Auron said before turning his full attention back to his paperwork.

It's amusing how one track minded this guy is. Reminds me of how she used to be. Whenever that girl promised to finish something, she'd be so engrossed with her work I rarely saw her off that old work bench she was given. 'Win... I hope you're doing alright...' I thought as I tilt my head back to stare up at the ceiling. "Hey kid-" I heard something come flying in my direction and immediately caught it before it struck the side of my head. I lower it so I could get a good look at what it is. "Soda...?" I read the label of the bottle out loud.

"Heard some kids going crazy over the stuff," Joseph said as he stood there with several more in his arms. He continues as he passes the rest to the others, "Apparently, it's supposed to be like juice but it has some fizzy bubbles inside it when you drink."

I stare back down at the bottle. It did appear to have some small bubbles whenever I turn it. Still, the stuff inside is brown. Who'd drink this? I hear Joseph clear his throat, gaining everyone's attention. He holds ups his bottle of 'coke' in the air. "I want to make a toast to our General!" Hearing her title roused the girl from her sleep. She looks around the room with confused eyes. When her eyes fall on me, I simply shrug and gestured for her to listen.

"Many of us were considered the worst soldiers in the military, refusing to give us a chance despite the amount experience some of us have and the promise others have shown. But Ms. Douglas has accepted us, even though at the beginning it was forced on her part."

I had to cover my mouth to muffle my laughter when I see her sink in her seat.

"Though that doesn't matter. She has been nothing but kind and a great leader to us, and for that, I am proud to pledge my loyalty to her."

She looks around in amazement, utterly speechless at all the looks she was receiving from every soldier in the room. "Guys..." Was the only thing she could utter. After everyone share a look and individually nod at one another, they all lift up their drinks. It was amusing to see her act all flustered. Almost reminds me of the old days. "You should decide what your alias should be from now on," Fei told me as she extends an offered hand to open my drink. I wave her off and use the desk to pop the cap.

"Can't do that," I said as I take a whiff of the drink. It smells sweet, but I have no clue what it actually tastes. "You're so used to calling me 'Xiao' that it's nearly impossible. Plus, these guys already have this other name drilled into their skulls."

"But to be called under the name of the man that shot you is less than pleasing on your part." I scowl at how easy it was for her to say it so openly. It had taken me ages to remember everything. For that to be one of the first things to pop back into my head, I almost wanted to shoot myself. I thought I had chosen this Amestrian name at random. Never thought there I had some kind of attachment to the name until later.

"So, what's your decision?"

For Fei to believe my story without question surprises me. Then again, she's always served me without question even after I told her of my plan is killing the emperor. "When I met Alice, she told me that Damien did suit me. How ironic..." I let out a low, pained chuckle. She was gone, and I didn't remember her until after the fact. Though, I guess for Katelyn, it was better that way. I guess she was hoping I'd never remember. That's why she ordered everyone to keep my identity and mission a secret. She wanted to keep a close eye on me, even if she wasn't sure it was 'me'.

"Hey Dammy!" Cardio grabs my arm and pulls me down to his level, putting his large arm over my neck and starts grinding his fist on top of my head. "You little brat! You think you could get away with what you did to me earlier!"

I force myself free and yell, "What the hell did I do!?"

"You know what you did!" he accuses, jabbing a finger right at my face.

-Jealousy-

I was starting to see the old Lucas as he starts arguing with Cardio. Fei Huang remained silent, observing the scene closely why smiling directly at the boy. 'She still wants what's best for him,' I smile sadly at the thought. If only I hadn't interfered when I was in Xing.

+Several Years ago+

||Xing||

The area was far different than I imagined it would be. To be surrounded by this many individuals with similar facial characteristics made me feel out of place. Thanks to my black eyes, all I had to change was my hair color. This was all I could do to avoid suspicion. "Please! You have to help me!" I heard a woman beg. I look over my shoulder to see a man shove her away, causing her to fall back from the harsh force. She made sure that whatever was in her arms was alright. Before the man turns his back, she grabs the bottom of his pants.

"Please...! You can't forsake the young lord! Take the money, I'll pay you the rest soon! Just please, heal him!" her desperate cries only annoyed the man.

Ticked off, he kicks the woman's face. He tells her with cold eyes, "I have nothing against you or Chang clan, but herbs are scarce enough as it is. I know a lost cause when I see one, and I will say this many times, I will not waste precious resources on him. Especially since he's not even the first born of your clan."

She clenches her teeth and angrily glares at the man. Thinking she had finally relented, he was just about to leave till she spoke up.

"First born or not, this child does have the potential in bringing prosperity to this land." The woman stands back up, her eyes blazing with determination. "But before me, I see a man whose potential is wasted. Instead of healing those he promised to serve, all he wants is to be paid for his services." The way she spoke peak my interests even more. I began to approach her as she continues to belittle the man's pride. "That just shows you're not confident in your abilities."

"You bitch!"

Before he could lay a finger on her, I grab the wrist of his raised on, forcefully pulling it towards me as I swiftly twisting and pressing it against his back. Just as he was about to yell, he lets out a small gasp as I press my hidden dagger against the back of his neck. I couldn't lean forward as my height was stuck to when I was 12. I mutter loud enough for his to hear, "Just give her the necessary medications and go back to your shop. We wouldn't want your skills to be wasted upon your death." I step back when I see his entire was quaking. Fearing for his life, he quickly takes a pouch from the pocket of his robes (?) and practically throws it at the woman before running into his shop. I smirk when I see him slide the door shut and hear the lock snap from the inside. Least he knows how fast to react.

If he had taken his time, I would have scared him enough to have him piss himself. I put away my weapon as the woman holds the pouch as she stands up.

"Thank you..." she said with a grateful smile.

I shake my head. "It's nothing. I'm just glad to help."

It was surprising how well I was able to pick up on their language. I had only been here for a couple of days, and yet I had learned simple phrases in no time. I can't really speak their tongue, but I can understand to an extent. Could this be the affect of this version of the philosopher's stone implanted in my body. I notice the little bundle of cloth held in her other arm.

I point at it and ask, "Infant?"

"Yes," she answers, the corners of her lips partially twitching into a frown. "The prince of my clan."

She steps forward and partially moves the cloth, revealing a small, pale infant sound asleep. But that's what concerned me. These people have a slightly whiter complexion, but this infant shouldn't appear like that. Worried, I reach over to check the child's temperature. However, only a second of contact, I felt a strange sensation course through my body. There was only one mental image that appeared in my mind. I retract my hand as stare down at the infant. Speechless, I continue to stare at his face, slowly recognizing the face. Finally, I spoke the one name I never thought would come out of my mouth ever again. "Lucas...?"

The woman cocks her head and narrows her eyes. Looking around to see if there was anyone nearby, I grab the woman's arm to have her walk beside me. I whisper while keeping my eyes forward, "Guide me to your home. I'd like to help your child... but to do that, it must be within closed doors." She does so without question, walking ahead of me after I let go of her arm.

||Chang Residence||

There wasn't anyone present in the area so it was easier to sneak me in. After placing the infant on the mat, I slowly unwrap the cloth that covered his body. My eyes nearly popped out the second I laid eyes on his skin. Just like his small face, he was extremely pale, his chest rapidly moving as he struggles to breath. There were some bruises on his body. It couldn't have been from when that man kicked her. He was wrapped up too well to be harmed. I place my finger into his small hand. I was for a moment then pull away. He barely responded to my touch. He's weak, far too fatigued for his age. One look at the woman and I could tell he's been like this for a while.

I talk with her for a bit to ease her mind. She told me her name was Fei Huang, a servant of one of them many clans that reside in this country. Apparently, the Emperor favored the head of the clan so much that he fathered another child with her. But once the child was born and quickly showed signs of illness. Lucas- I mean, Damien was denounced on the spot. The only way he can be accepted back into his clan is if he showed signs of improvement. Till then, he's just a sick infant with no family. Fei is the only one trying to find a cure for his illness.

"It's pretty pathetic..." Fei said with a sad smile, her eyes almost appearing lifeless. "In the culture of Xing, families are always rejoicing when a son is born into the family. Despite the many princesses our emperor has produced, the male lines are far more favored by the people as they continue to carry on the family name. The women will be married off to another clan once their use is up."

Reminds me a lot of my mother's family before my father took her away.

Sympathetic of her plight, I offer, "I can help heal him."

I could see the life returning to her features as she looks up at me with hopeful eyes.

"But there's a catch," I told her somberly. "What I give him will help fight his disease. It will increase certain systems in his body, but there will be issues in term of what will be affected. There's a chance he may die if his body rejects it, but if he lives, he either lives a long life or..." I trail off, hesitant to finish the rest.

"Tell me," she said, now more determined than ever.

I take in a short breath before continuing, "He will grow at a faster rate. I don't know if it will affect his mental development as well, but he won't be a child for long. If ever, he might appear older than his sister."

The red stone isn't something that any living being can easily ingest. Unlike the Philosopher's stone, there's a chance a rebound might occur while repairing whatever damage is in his small body. I don't like to risk his life, but there's a chance it could be him. I don't want him to die a second time. Fei pondered for a moment. She's spent so much trying to find a cure for the young prince. To finally find it only to learn it could kill him or cause several unwanted side effects, even I would have a difficult time making a decision. Fei finally directly looks at me in the eye, her expression alone telling me she's come to a decision.

+Present+
||Central HQ||

And now here we are. For someone that's meant to be only 10 years old, he appears and acts almost exactly like a teenager. I don't know what Fei did, but he was able to live his life without anyone questioning his sudden growth. Though, since his sister and half-brother are here in Amestris in search of the same time, someone must have caught on. Fei catches me staring and sends me another grateful look, earning a small smile from me before I stare at the window behind my desk.

'Catherine... protect your friends. Do what I failed to do.'

-Back to Me-

"Glad to see you're alright Mercury," Roy said as soon as Ed and I came to view.

I respond with a mocking smile, "If you think a little sunburn can hurt, then you really are losing your touch."

He was relieved to see us but seemed guilt-stricken when he stared at me, more specifically the side of my face and my neck. I almost forgot. The last time we properly spoke was when I had snuck out of the hospital and met him in disguise. Ed seemed to remember too and was not at all happy about what happened. Guess they didn't address it after we temporarily split up.

"Has Gluttony made any attempts to escape after his capture?" I ask, reminding the group why we're here.

We can discuss what happened to me another time. What's important is that we get through the night in one piece. 'And then meet their creator...' I almost shivered at the thought. Briefly shocked at first, most of them regained their composure, recalling my secret. Knox was visibly confused at how calm everyone was.

"Wait, how does she know what that thing's called?"

"It's a bit complicated..." Al nervously answers.

Seems like Colonel kept him out of the loop. Smart, but it's going to be a little difficult to explain my situation. We've only met a few times so there's no reason to fill him in. However, there is an issue to that.

"I can explain another time, but for now-" I turn to Gluttony, taking in his appearance for the first time. "We need to discuss about him and his siblings."

This is my first time meeting Gluttony in person. I never got the chance to ask Alice what it was like to meet Lust. Then again, after the trauma she went through while I was away with Ed, I can't have her recall what could have been the last day of her life. When I met Scar, I wasn't scared yet. I could only focus on Ed and Al's safety and the relief I felt once the military arrived to our rescue. Now that I look back, he was far scarier in person than on screen. The same feeling must have crossed Alice's mind during her encounter with the homunculus.

"She's right," Ling states as he gazes down at large humanoid creature with contempt. "He's not the only homunculus in the city." Dr. Knox was taken aback at first, but then became wary as beads of sweat began to appear on the side of his face.

"He and his friends appear to have some connections among some of the military senior staff," Mustang states as he holds up the lamp higher.

I let out a nervous gulp. "Oh you wish..." I mumble.

"It's far deeper than that..." Ling trails off.

"Huh?" Both men were confused. Ed instinctively grabs my hand. I let it slip earlier, but he must still be mentally preparing for the truth to hit their faces. Ling was too upset to continue.

"He means your King is actually one of them," I bluntly told them, receiving mirroring surprised looks from the three. I continue while looking at them individually, "As most of you know, the only way to identify a homunculus is by the tattoo permanently embedded into their skin. It's basically like a birth mark for them."

Ling adds, "Or in his case, it's in his eye." He points the exact side he saw on his own face. "The one under the patch had an Ouroboros tattoo. He and Gluttony came after us and they were working together."

"Our ruler? A homunculus?" Al asks in disbelief.

"There is only one way of creating a homunculus..." I spoke up. I hug myself with my free arm as I felt a shiver run down my spine at what I was about to say. "And that's by injecting a Philospher's Stone into a living body. Mainly humans." I bow my head as I mutter the last part, "Which basically means the same for me..."

They were all dumbfounded at the things I was saying, but that last part was not something Ed had realized until now. In the beginning, when I was told I had to give up my humanity, I thought it meant my morals in sacrificing human lives for my own personal gain. Now that I'm talking about the homunculi, I'm starting to realize I'm almost the same as them. I'm clearly not immortal - Thank god for that - but I have the stone in my blood stream. Judging from Ed's expression, even he hadn't considered it. We both know that it's inside me. Heck, I've offered for him to use it once to restore his and Al's body.

"You have... the stone in your body?" Ling asks, utterly horrified.

I look up at him with sad eyes as I force a smile. "Sorry for not telling you, but I had to keep it a secret. In fact, only a very few know."

"How long have you known?" Mustang was the next to ask.

I shrug, my eyes never leaving Gluttony's body, "Not long. I came up with some theories, but when I was given the choice if I was willing to sacrifice my humanity for the sake of saving others, it basically became confirmed almost everything." I stare down at my hand as I tightly squeeze Ed's.

"Now hold on a second," Dr. Knox spoke up, utterly lost at where this conversation was going. "Besides the fact that thing is real and inside you both-" I cringe as the way he addressed it but kept to myself. "Does that mean you're the same as them?"

"No," Ling answers before I could. I stare at him with wide eyes as he explains, "She and Bradley don't have the same sort of inhuman presence that get from Gluttony. At their core, they both still feel like a regular person."

Although it wasn't his intention, I felt so relieved to hear this. I so relieved that my legs began to feel weak, causing me to a collapse on my knees. "Cat!?" both brothers exclaim as Ed kneels down to my level. This whole time, I had been calling myself a monster, thinking I was almost just like them. "Cat?" Ed asked hesitantly, this time keeping his calm. Seeing his eyes filled with worry, I knew this wasn't the place to act like this. There will always be another time. For now we have to focus on the homunculi. Shaking my head and giving him a short smile, I stood back up, this time with a stern face.

"Don't worry about me," I told them. "Let's just focus on Bradley and his relations to the homunculi."

"Speaking of relations, doesn't he have a son?" Al asks, recalling the Fuhrer's publicly known family. "It was said in the book that the homunculi have no reproductive capabilities."

I was glad to see that they were all still willing to continue with the situation about the Fuhrer. While it is interesting how I'm both the catalyst and the stone, least I know they have their priorities straight. Especially since it's about their own ruler.

"No..." Dr. Knox pauses as he holds his chin, as if only remembering about what he was about to say. "The Fuhrer's son Salem is adopted. There is no real relation between him and his father."

I almost had to bite my own tongue to keep myself from adding more information about their relationship. While it is true that they're not related, they are, in a way, the same species. I want to tell them, warn all of them that Bradley isn't much of a threat compared to his 'son'. But if I do that, they might actually try and do something about him. I clench my teeth as I mentally struggle in figuring out what I should say.

"Catherine." Mustang's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. The fact that he had called me by my first same is surprising alone. "Can you confirm this? Is the Fuhrer really one of them?" he asks seriously, causing all eyes to fall on me.

I slightly turn my body so that we were making direct eye contact. I give him a confident nod. "Yes, your King, the man whose throne you someday want to take is indeed a homunculus."

Although stunned at this revelation, he was somehow able to maintain a strong face. Beads of sweat appeared on the side of his face as he forces the corners of his lips to raise up.

"Heh. Whether he's monster or human, either way, these new developments will make it easier to remove him from his seat," Mustang muses, while also trying to hide his wariness.

It's understandable, considering that person is not only a person who controls power but is literally powerful man. Even I would feel intimidated at this new found knowledge. Their conversation was blocked out of my head for a while. My attention was on Gluttony as Ling and Mustang began to argue who has the right to take the stone from his body and use it. There were so many questions swimming around in my thoughts. But there is only one that I need to figure out, how did Father retrieve Jealousy and make her into a homunculus? By the time I had snapped back to reality, Dr. Knox already excused himself while Ed and Al struggled to keep the two from fighting.

"WAIT-" I was about warn them of what's to come until Gluttony loudly groaning. His body was expanding, trying to break free of his bonds. Getting on two feet, he yells out Mustang's name as a familiar eye open up on his stomach.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I shout as clap my hands and shove my way past them. At the last second, I created a large body of water around us as Gluttony creates gale-force winds and sends them directly at us.

To Be Continued

Hi guys, in light of what's happened to Vic right now, I just want to say this. Good people NEVER deserve to be blamed for something they did not do. If they did, don't wait for years to speak up. Now I'm not saying Vic didn't do anything, in fact I'm absolutely appalled to think anyone would think that. Like people say, provide the evidence before speaking. Alright? Now, I know it has taken me a lot longer than planned to finish this chapter. But I did get some lessons in a small seminar a few weeks ago! I promise to improve and fix previous chapters! With nothing else to say; I do not own any FMA characters except my own. All rights belong to Hiromu Arakawa! Please R&R and I'll see you in the next chapter! Enjoy!