Hey guys, well I'm still ill and was forced to stay at home and recuperate a bit . Can't say I'm at 100% but I'm getting there ;) Meanwhile, enjoy this little one shot long overdue as a request from Panic! BTW: Looks like writing up all the requests in a predetermined order is impossible for me . It just depends on my mood on what request/idea I write first and forcing myself to write another one will only end up in a disastrous chapter! . BUT I'll try to write more of your requests everyone!

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:

Bob: Oh sorry about that, I tend to be stupid af when I'm sick (haha) Well, it looks like I'm just too much of a chaotic writer to really set myself on a order which chapers I'll write next. I could try writing in a specific order but I wouldn't want to write bad chapters if I have to force myself to write you know? That's always the problem with writing .

Lily: Hihi 8 more now! ;)

OtakuGirl: Ohhh I can sing you a song about that T_T

Panic: Thank you :3 FINALLY! I was worried I made a few too difficult to notice. Sheesh, I think I wrote two or three Greedlingfan sniplets already ;) And those "anonymous" sniplets also count as Greedlingfan since I wrote them with nearly all chars in mind ^^

Pouda-P: (grins) Thank you buddy! :D

Disclaimer: Scenes and conversations borrowed from Episode 2 "The First Day" of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood!

Summary: Roy hears rumors centering around two brothers performing the ultimate taboo of alchemy in a rural village called Resembool. Heading out with his trusty Lieutenant to investigate the case, Roy finds something completely other than he expected...

A Fire in his Soul

Roy crossed his hands over the table, his gaze surprised and thoughtful, "This is a surprise to say the least. I've heard reports of a brilliant alchemist living in this town so I came to check them out," as he was explaining himself to the elderly woman of the house, his gaze swayed to the said brilliant alchemist.

It was a small boy, lacking an arm and a leg, bound to a wheelchair operated by a large suit of armor where his brother's soul resided in.

His gaze returned to Pinako, "The last thing I expected to find was a boy skilled enough to attempt human transmutation," he looked up at the large suit of armor, "Or advanced enough to bound a soul to a suit of armor. I'd say he's more than qualified to become a State Alchemist,"

Alphonse froze, the man's words echoing in his mind like a bad mantra, "...to become a State Alchemist," thousands of alarm bells were ringing in his mind, trying to convince him this was a very bad idea, that this man spelled trouble and the offer he was making, that this whole situation was just wrong.

He looked down at his still motionless brother, was he even listening? Why wasn't Ed freaking out?! He can't possibly be considering even joining the military! He hated the military!

"Brother? Becoming a State Alchemist? No way! He hates the military! That's impossible!" Alphonse shook his head, willing the thoughts away.

He was torn away from his thoughts by Pinako who slammed the end of her pipe down against the table, "Whatever that thing was it wasn't human! Alchemy created that abomination and nearly killed them!" her voice was angry and loud, while Alphonse was used to that tone whenever granny Pinako and Ed had a dispute over drinking milk, this was different. She was angry at that man, not Ed, and her eyes were ablaze at the mere thought of the military in her house.

The same military that had taken the lives of her son and daughter-in-law.

The man in uniform remained silent for a while, the angry outburst leaving a number on him too until he started talking again. But Al tuned him out.

"No, no, no! Come on granny do something! I can't believe brother would want to join them! We have enough problems as it is, I can't let brother do something stupid and join the military! He may get killed or...or..." he was at war with his own thoughts, not knowing what to think.

Usually in times like these, he would look at Ed and search for answers in his brother's eyes. But his brother's usual intelligent and lively eyes were now dull and empty, focusing on nothing. It was like not only his arm and leg but also his life and soul had been taken from him and Al thought, that maybe, a small part even had been.

The tall military man now stood before them, gazing down at Ed, Alphonse almost shook in his armor, the words of the man however weren't as vicious as he thought they would be, "I'm not forcing you, I'm merely offering you the possibility." His voice turned sharper, fire lacing every uttered syllable, "Will you sit in that chair wallowing in self pity or will you stand up and seize the chance the military can give you?" Alphonse shrunk back, overwhelmed by the intensity in the man's words, "If you believe the possibility exists of getting your bodies back you should seek it out. Keep moving whatever it takes, even if the way ahead...lies in a river of mud..."

Empty, lifeless eyes gazed up at him, it only fueled the fire Roy was known for deep within him, bubbling just near the surface of his being. It sickened him to see someone so close to escaping death, now looking like just living is punishment by itself.

He left and Alphonse thought that was the last he would see of the military ever again. The broad back of a man whose words had struck something deep within his brother.

Riza sat in the carriage with her superior, her gaze returning to the small house they had just been in, "Will they be coming?" she asked curiously.

The determined, familiar look on her long time friend's face spoke volumes, "They'll come," the words were so sure, like he was, and yet a sliver of doubt nagged at her mind.

"That boy...I've never seen anyone look so defeated..." her own gaze was sad at the brief glimpse she had caught of the small blonde boy sitting in the wheelchair as they headed out. His head bowed down, one white long sleeve of his shirt hanging limply by his side, empty.

The forming smile on Roy's face startled her, "That's what you saw?" she couldn't find a explanation for why he was grinning, "No...there was a fire in those eyes,"

After Alphonse had gone back inside with Winry and granny, his brother's eyes seemed different.

They seemed...

alive.

"What brought you here Alphonse?" Roy's hands were in his pockets, looking at the sitting suit of armor situated by the stairs, right outside of the State military building, "It's far too late for you to-" he cut himself off, biting his lip.

"I'm sorry I-"

Alphonse turned his head, "It's alright, don't worry. Force of habit, right?" Roy nodded mutely, still feeling ashamed of the slip up.

Of course the poor boy couldn't sleep, not because something was plaguing his mind but because he was unable to by not possessing a physical body.

"What are you doing here Colonel? It's too late for you to be up too," it looked like Alphonse was smiling but maybe the glow of the moon was playing tricks on Roy.

"Ah, I've just taken a stroll through the building and made sure the Lieutenant has retired for the night," Alphonse lifted his head to look up at him.

"Miss Riza is still here?" if he could, he would raise an eyebrow in surprise.

Roy smirked, settling down on the steps next to Al, "She tends to stay late to fill out my paperwork," he laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

Alphonse released a giggle, but quieted soon after. The lack of optimism coming from the youth surprised Roy and he had to inquire, "Something on your mind?"

He watched the expressionless face of the armor come to life, as if Alphonse was giving it face expressions every time the boy wanted to express his feelings. A pang of guilt hit Roy.

Alphonse shook his head, "Not really...but..." he looked up at the dark sky, "Today...you've shouted at a soldier that treated me for what I was...why?" red eyes turned to look at the Colonel with a questioning glow.

Roy had expected this question to come sooner or later, "Because, he didn't treat you the way you were supposed to be treated. He treated you the way he saw you, understand Alphonse?" when the boy shook his head Roy smiled sadly.

"That soldier treated you like a empty suit of armor, he called you a freak and told you, you weren't human. He was lucky the Lieutenant was there otherwise I would have fried him on the spot," Roy grumbled under his breath, "I was surprised Fullmetal didn't decapitate him,"

"I was holding him back actually..." Alphonse rubbed the back of his head but focused on Roy again, "Colonel?"

Roy closed his eyes, "Treating people for what they seem them for and not for what they are is a common flaw, one humanity can't help but make. It's a damned cycle that is cursed to continue for as long as we live, I suppose." His dark eyes met Alphonse's, "You may appear to be a empty suit of armor, but there is a soul inside of it, Alphonse. Your soul, a human soul. You and your brother have been through many things children your age aren't even supposed to hear yet about, let alone experience. I'm sorry to say you've had to join the military and be their dogs in order to achieve your dreams of getting your bodies back, but it's the best bet you have."

Roy stood up, dusting off his pants, looking up at the dark sky, "Prejudice is an ugly thing. And while not many would like to admit it, is the main cause for every war."

There was a moment of silence before Alphonse spoke softly, "You're talking about Ishval aren't you?"

There was a faraway look in Roy's eyes, "I'm talking about all the wars that had been, that are and that are yet to be Alphonse. People's instinctual fear of the unknown causes them to think irrationally, they get tunnel vision for only the thing they think they are afraid of and not the circumstances surrounding it." His voice turned low, "The State Military has only issued the one sided annihilation of Ishval because they were afraid of the unknown power the people had. The murder of the child by one of us has started the conflict, but prejudices is what led to signing the annihilation order in the end."

Roy started walking back inside, but stopped in his steps by Alphonse, "Colonel..."

"Yes, Alphonse?" Roy turned his head slightly to the side, indicating he was listening.

"Thank you..." the kind, gentle voice of the boy he grew fond of rang pleasantly in his ears and caused a smile to light up his face.

Eh...maybe not AS parentish as I originally intended for Roy to be...PANIC! I can write another one shot with the same request and write up a different setting if you like! I tried keeping them both in character though (sweat drop)