Chapter 50

"Hey Pride?"

Pride turned around. That was Greed, and based on his expression, this was pretty important. Pride shuffled away from the door, making it less likely they'd be overheard.

"Yes?" he asked, trying not to sound bored.

"I'm going to go."

Okay, now Pride was paying attention. "What? But . . . why? What happened to taking the galaxy? I thought you'd want to see the invisible planet."

"Oh I do. It's just, if I'm some weird second Greed who can bounce around the universe at will, I've got time. Now that I know you guys are alright, there are a few people in Amestris I want to see. Besides, you can't travel the universe forever."

No, but going home's not really an option either, Pride thought bitterly. Saying he had a home would be a bit of a stretch at this point. "Still hopelessly invested in the humans I see."

"And you're not going to ruin that for me." Greed grinned toothily. "I can't wait to see the prince's face when I show up."

"Bring a camera so you can keep it forever. And he's Emperor now."

"Oh right."

Then Greed was turning away. He was leaving. And he wasn't likely to come back. Why would he? Since both he and Pride currently had the ability to bounce around the whole universe, it seemed unlikely their paths would cross again. Maybe that was for the best. Getting along was . . . tiring, for both of them. But Pride wasn't sure wanted him to leave quite yet.

"Greed."

Greed paused and turned back, looking confused. No. Pride couldn't ask him to stay. Aside from the blow to the ego, Greed would decline. So, Pride would settle for parting on better terms.

"Good luck with your human."

Greed didn't seem to know how to respond to that. "Oh. Right. Hey, if you ever go back to Amestris you know where to find me."

Well. It seemed Greed had had a better time then he'd admit. (Not that he was the only one.) Pride could see some obvious holes in Greed's offer, but it was nice he'd made one.

"I'll bare that in mind," Pride said. "Goodbye Greed."

"Bye." Greed turned away, only to turn back one more time. "Hey Pride?"

"Hmm?"

"That was a pretty good adventure."

The corners of Pride's mouth quirked up a bit. "Yes, it was," he agreed.

Greed smiled. Then he took a step forward and disappeared. The room was still. It seemed so quiet without Greed. Well, there was still a lot going on in the main room. Pride took a deep breath and went to join the Doctor.

Ling had been walking down the hall towards one of his rooms when he paused. Someone was here. It wasn't Lan Fan. She was accounted for. For that matter, it seemed likely anyone friendly would have announced themselves.

Ling grabbed his sword, and whipped around the corner swinging it.

"Woah, hey now! Is that how you treat your friends?"

Ling stopped, just barely stopping himself from stabbing the person in the gut. Ling hadn't seen himself looking that young in quite a while, which raised an obvious, but impossible, conclusion.

"Greed?"

"Vion is a fake planet," the Doctor said.

"Oh, you've heard of it," Nate said, not at all put out.

"Yes, the mythical rescue planet. Supposedly it's a hidden planet, and the people there save people and help them find a new place to live if needed. But emphasis on mythical. Aside from how it doesn't make sense, I've travelled space for a while. If there was this planet, I would've seen it, or survivors who had been there could say where it is."

"Well it wouldn't be a very good rescue planet if people could find it and attack it. Listen, I know you've got questions. We'll be able to explain as soon as you land."

They had in fact entered the mythical planet's atmosphere. The land they were headed towards had a mostly clear sharp divide between a rad canyon area, and a thick green forest. That wouldn't be natural on Pride's home planet, but maybe it was here. There were buildings along that line, and that seemed to be where the ship was headed.

"You two," the Doctor said quietly, directing her attention to Tourmaline and Pride. "Stay on your toes. This could be any manner of trap."

"You really think it's that serious?" Tourmaline asked.

"Yes, I think it's the serious," the Doctor said in an insulted tone. "We'll have to get out, but I'm not walking us blindly into a trap."

Before they could discuss it any further, the ship landed, and it was time to leave.

[I briefly considered letting Greed stick around a little longer, but yeah, no, you wouldn't want me to juggle that many characters. I'll have to bring him back if I write another fic in this universe.]