Author's note: Hey guys - WAIT, PUT DOWN YOUR TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS! WOAH-WOAH-WOAH! PUT THAT DOWN! I SWEAR I HAVE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION! Okay... I'm sorry for taking so flipping long! I kinda got an extreme case of writer's block - one so bad that... I feel like my skull made contact with a brick wall and went straight through it... ALSO... my second semester of college started - greaaaat. Yeah - hellow Algebra with applications, biology, history, and (I a complete introvert taking) Public Speaking! fan-fucking-tastic! So yeah... its a miracle that I finished this chapter... so I'm sorry if it's complete shit... but I tried! so yeah... *Falls face first into the ground* anywho, before you start reading the chapter itself... you see that mallet overthere? do me a favor and beat me over the head with it... thanks.

"So am I still waiting, for this world to stop hating? Can't find a good reason; can't find hope to believe in." ~ Sum 41 (Still Waiting)

Chapter Sixteen:

Blast From the Past! Can FullMetal Ever get a Break?

"A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body."

"Humankind cannot gain without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange."

Truth stared at the glowering group. It knew that if it didn't tell them, they would find out anyways. It gave the same explanation that it gave to Mustang and his group. The mortals gave him a confused look and stared at it questioningly. It waited for their response.

"Just how different is this world, and what do you mean by blood on the moon?" Ling asked.

Truth merely said, "You'll see," the gate opened and the black tendrils grabbed a hold of the mortals. The god watched as they were dragged to the gate, "Good luck; remember to stay indoors at night."

With that the gate closed and the mortals were transported. Truth sat down and sighed – it was unbecoming of a god to act like this, it really was. It wondered why humans were always so driven and so protective of their relatives. It guessed that it was because of the whole entire social thing – maybe thats why it felt to 'attached' to its favorite alchemists. It looked at the gate and nodded in approval. It really was a good idea to send Edward to Death's domain. There several worlds that were far worse than that one...

It wondered when Death was going to notice... It hadn't talked to him since the whole first true Keishin incident...

FullMetal got off of the train, he looked at the sky, taking note that it was sunset. He made his way to the nearest hotel and booked a room and went to bed.

The next day he went about and did some research to see if he could find out more about the keishin. He stayed up the whole night but didn't find a sign of it anywhere. He sighed and went bed.

He laid there and thought back to the name that bugged him the most, Alphonse. He grit his teeth. That name has been bugging him this whole week end. He thought about that name and the voice that belonged to it. No matter what he did, he felt depressed, especially when the voice echoed in his mind. It was like a storm over his head.

He slowly drifted to sleep, his mood unchanging.

When the morning came he took a shower and changed in to his last pair of spare clothes that he had: the outfit that his parents found him in.

Looking in the mirror he frowned. He hated the sadistic feeling that he got from them, it just didn't feel right but at the same time it felt... natural... He grit his teeth. Now was not the time to let his madness to get to him, there will never be a time to go mad. Not now, not ever.

He looked out the window seeing that there was still a bit of light out, but it looked as though time was standing still. He went out side and began to wait and watch as the light faded to the edge of the earth so that way the monsters could take advantage of the dark. He read his Alchemy notes as he waited. When the last of the light of faded and the street laps went on he began to use his Soul Perception to scour the city to find his prey.

As he was looking for the Keishin he was hunting there was a sudden spark somewhere in the city and four souls with familiar wavelengths appeared – this would surely attract the prey. He hurried over to the souls but decided to stay our of their sight so that way the keishin won't see him either. He went to the rooftops and got to a point where he could see the owners of the souls perfectly.

Alphonse and his team looked at their surroundings and saw that they weren't in Amestris anymore. They found themselves in a strange-looking city. Ling jumped when he saw the sky.

"What the hell?!" he exclaimed.

"What is it?" Izumi asked annoyed.

"T-the moon!" Ling said, "Look at it!"

The group looked up and saw what he was talking about. FullMetal took note of their behavior but also looked up at the moon, it was grinning like always. Suddenly there was blood gushing from between its teeth, signifying that someone died a horrid death. He began looking at his surroundings and concentrated on his Soul Perception and saw that his prey was now seeking the people that were looking at the moon as if it was alien to them.

Alphonse got a bad feeling, a very bad feeling.

Suddenly a chimera-like-creature came out of nowhere. The creature had a large arm that seemed to be fused with a canon like contraption. It sent its canon-fused arm down to attack Alphonse, no one had time to react.

*KLANK!*

The group was stunned – they weren't even in this new world for five minuets and they already found their main target... Edward Elric.

Ed was there blocking the attack with a spear. He pushed the creature back, causing it to stumble backwards. He glanced back at the group and in a serious tone he said, "Leave this area immediately."

"Brother!" Alphonse said stunned, "We aren't leaving, we came here to get you!"

"He's right, Ed, we aren't leaving." Izumi said, "Besides when we take care of that chimera, I'm going to skin you alive."

FullMetal sighed, they didn't know what they were talking about. "I can take care of the Keishin myself – but if you keep on insisting, don't blame me if you die."

Ling and May got a strange vibe from Ed, as if they were talking to someone else entirely. They knew his chi very well, but now... his chi was different... very different. Alphonse and Izumi couldn't sense chi, but even they knew that something was off about the eldest Elric brother. Not once did he use such a tone in front of his teacher – but now... the way he sneered his sentence and how he didn't even look at them when he spoke, but kept his eyes on the chimera. It made them wonder what happened to him in this world...

The Keishin got back up and revealed it dagger-like teeth, glowering at FullMetal who held his spear confidently, ready to attack at any moment. The Keishin charged and thats when FullMetal knew that the fight would begin, he wished that those people from his past would've listened to him. He waited, didn't move, he had a feeling that one of his 'old friends' were going to attack if he didn't do so immediately – but he was waiting. Calculating.

Wait for it...

The creature was getting closer. May got her shuriken.

Wait for it...

It was getting closer – Ling was getting into a battle stance.

NOW!

There was a wide opening. FullMetal jumped and tackled the Keishin-egg, his spear's staff was directly on the creatures throat. The speed cause caused the creature to fall back again and allowing the Mizune to do a flip so that way he could land on his feet. The creature would now concentrate on him –

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF-"

FullMetal watched as the boy who looked a lot like him used Alchemy to make himself a sword – and terrifying woman made a hatchet. The other two people already had weapons with them.

The creature got up and immediately Alphonse and his team charged. The battle raged, Al's and Ling's attacks were swift but were out ranked by May's and Izumi's speed – But it didn't take much for the Keishin to blow them away... literally. The cannon on it's arm was... a real cannon. It aimed for the ground and then fired. The blast sent the Amestrians flying.

The creature cackled at their misery. FullMetal couldn't help but thank them for distraction. With swift movements, he cut the beast in half, startling the Amestrians. They watched in horror as the creature's entire body turn black and then into ribbons before fazing into a floating red orb – which Edward grabbed a hold of.

"B-brother what did you do?!" Alphonse asked in shock.

FullMetal realized that the person that looked a lot like him was in fact Alphonse Elric, his little brother. FullMetal decided to be blunt, but not tell the whole truth.

"Collecting. That was number thirty-nine. The infamous pirate: Black Beard." he pulled out the copy of the paper that was on the mission board back at school. He showed them the copy. "I have full authority to take the Pre-Keishin's life – if I didn't, he probably would've killed more people. He probably would've killed all of you."

"Wow, I'm so glad that you have so much faith in us." Ling said, sarcasm dripping from his voice, "But since when do you take people's lives, Eddy?"

"Since I joined the D.W.M.A." FullMetal stated, "I already explained it to Hawkeye and the others, I don't feel like repeating myself. I'm going to be heading back to Death City tomorrow, you're welcome to accompany me – however, you're going to have to wake up very early, since school starts at seven."

The statement confused the group. He knew that it was almost the exact same situation as the one with Winry and Hawkeye. He wasn't going to tell them about his amnesia, just... no.

He began to walk away, but then the woman threw her hatchet at him – to their surprise, he caught it even though he wasn't even looking at it.

He have her a lopsided look. "Be careful where throw this, you could hurt someone..." He tossed it back to her and she caught it with ease. "Are you all going to just stand there? The hotel is this way..."

The group exchanged looks but began to fallow him. He was sure that they didn't know nor could sense that he was examining their souls with his Soul Perception – though... he had a strange feeling about the two that already had weapons.

FullMetal first examined his brother's soul. It was large enough to engulf his body, it had the same symbol that was on FullMetal's bag and jacket. That was interesting... The wavelength strongly reminded the Mizune of Marie. Kind, soothing, calm, compassionate, loyal, loving, honest, warm... everything that anyone would ever need. His soul showed that Alphonse was worried about FullMetal, greatly.

Then the tall woman with the box-braids. Her soul was very big, it challenged Steins greatly. Her wavelength was strong and intimidating. Though she didn't know how to hide what she truly felt... Her soul clearly showed that she was in fact worried sick about the Mizune, to such a point that she was tempted to hug him. It was very motherly of her. Her soul also had the symbol that was on Al's soul – that very symbol was also tattooed on her collarbone.

The next soul he examined was the one of the tall black haired boy. It was a fairly large soul... finely turned too... it didn't show that much, he could certainly hide what he felt and thought, but it was still fairly easy to read. The boy was a bit self-centered, but still cared about those around him, the soul was also a bit damaged as if a piece was torn off.

The girl with the long braids, she had a very interesting soul. It was large enough to engulf her torso but no more than that. Her soul was a bit more tuned than that of the black haired boy's, but just like it it was easy to read. She was merely a love stuck girl but strong-willed and would fight to the death for the one she loved and those she cared for. She was still but a mere child but one with that was compassionate yet temperamental.

Little did FullMetal know, his wavelength was being examined.

Ling and May were taken aback by the bipolar swings of Edward's chi. It was like a light switch, but that wasn't the only thing that was bothering them... The chi wasn't the same that Edward had before. In the times of when he was in Amestris, his chi was strong but insecure, always unsure of himself as if he was a mouse in a maze.

Now... his chi was bipolar. For several moments, his chi was like it was just purely unsure about everything that he ever knew – then the next few moments would be as if he was a total sadist, constantly curious about what it would be like to hurt someone so badly that they'd beg for him to kill them.

This wasn't the Edward that they knew.

When they got to the motel, FullMetal merely instructed them when he would wake them up and that when they got to Death City he would direct them to his apartment and they would meet him there after school.

Alphonse had requested to sleep beside him and FullMetal had reluctantly agreed, trying to be a best of a big brother as he could. However FullMetal didn't know what to think. It was in the middle of the night and everyone was fast asleep except him. He looked to the window and saw the moon grinning. He looked to his brother whom was in a deep sleep. He used soul perception and saw the slumbering soul. He then looked at all the other Amestrians... wait... one was missing... therefore awake... He remembered who left... he had ignored them because he was concentrating on Alphonse.

FullMetal got up as slowly as possible. He got ready in is usual outfit except he used his new pants which were like his shirt, black with white rimming, and his old boots rather the paw ones. He quietly sneaked out of the room. Using his soul perception he saw that the soul of the other Amestrian was on the roof. He went to the roof and saw that it was the black haired boy.

"I know I said that you had to get up early, but I didn't mean that you shouldn't sleep at all." FullMetal said.

Ling knew that Ed would fallow him, but this was strange. He had ignored the fact that he had left the room and was on the roof. But he didn't know he was on the roof... there was something off with him.

"I could say the same for you." Ling said.

FullMetal rolled his eyes. "What are doing up here?"

"Nothing," Ling said. He looked up at the moon, "The moon is so weird here..."

"How so?" FullMetal asked.

Ling couldn't help but give Ed a confused look. How so? Either Ed had brain-damage or something happened here.

"It was never looked like this back home." Ling stated, trying to test him.

FullMetal couldn't help but leave the statement in his mind so that way he wouldn't raise any suspicion when they're on the train to Death City. "I guess I've been here too long then..."

"Speaking of you," Ling said, his tone becoming serious. "What happened to you?"

FullMetal raised an eyebrow. "Whats that supposed to mean?"

"You're acting a bit off." Ling stated, "Your chi is acting bipolar. You killed that chimera when back home you and Alphonse vowed to never take a life – human or otherwise! What happened, Ed?"

FullMetal didn't say anything. He turned and began to walk away. Ling wouldn't have that – he grabbed the Mizune's hand.

"C'mon," Ling said, "I'm your friend, Eddy. You can tell me anything."

FullMetal frowned, "You wouldn't understand. Wirny didn't – neither did Hawkeye or the others. If they cant understand – then what would make me think that you, Alphonse, ANYONE could understand?!" he pulled his hand out of Ling's. "I'm sorry but... I guess you could say that I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"Really?" Ling said, "Ed, I became a homunculus and became greed incarnate! I know whats it like. Just tell me!"

"HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW THAT WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THE HELL YOU ARE?!" FullMetal shouted. It took him a whole minuet to realized what he had just said. He put his hands over his mouth and nearly teared up. He knew that he wasn't going to be able to avoid this one.

"What..." Ming said, his eyes wide. "Ed... what do you mean by that?"

The Mizune put his hands down before looking to the side and sighing. "L-lets pretend that that whole thing never happened..."

"No." Ling said firmly, "I'm not going to let that slide – what do you mean that you don't know who I am?"

FullMetal sighed and looked up at Ling. "...Well...you see... I... – I kinda... lost all of my memory..."

There was a long pause that made the air around them feel thick. Ling stared at Ed for what felt like a few minuets. The silence unnerved them both.

"You're not joking, are you?" Ling said, sounding as though he was making a statement.

FullMetal began to pace. "Why would I? I don't know you, I don't know that black haired girl with the panda, I don't know that woman who threw that hatchet at me – hell, I don't even know Alphonse; I only know his name and that he's my brother. I don't know Winry and the others – they know about my amnesia because my friend Tsubaki told Winry about it. They've only been here since yesterday – and I didn't feel like hearing them offer to tell me about my past or how I got my amnesia or ANYTHING! So I took this job to get away from them... We both see how well that turned out..."

Ling cringed from hearing what Ed had said. In a worried tone the former homunculus asked "Well, what do you remember?"

"I remember, that I'm known as FullMetal Alchemist, my real name is Edward Elric – I'm sixteen years old – my little brother is Alphonse Elric – and I know some girl named Winry Rockbell." there was a slight paused, "That is what I remember – its not information that I got from Hawkeye and the others – though they hadn't said anything to me yet... I barely even talked to them..." he crossed his arms.

"I see..." Ling said sadly, "And I'm guessing that you want to remember everything about your past on your own, right?"

"Thats right," FullMetal said, "Its one thing to hear about your past than actually remembering it..."

There was a long pause.

The Mizune couldn't help but ask, "Are you going to tell Alphonse and the others?"

In a blunt tone Ling responded, "They're going to find out anyways..."

"Do you mind telling them after I leave you guys at my dorm? It will be easier that way." FullMetal stated.

"Why?"

"I'll be at school."

Ling nodded, "Yeah, Curtis will probably try to kill you when she finds out...?"

"Who?" FullMetal asked.

"You know that woman that was with me Al and May?"

"Yeah..."

"That woman is Izumi Curtis, she was the one who taught you Alchemy." Ling stated, "When you had your memories, you were always terrified of her. Heck, you never even referred to her by her name – you always called her Teacher. I remember Winry saying that every time she asked you and Alphonse about what it was like training with Curtis, the two of you will freeze up and look as pale as a ghost."

FullMetal thought about what Ling had said. His mind flashed.

"Hey old lady! We want you to teach us Alchemy!"

"You two have to the end of the month to figure out what All is One, and One is All means. If you can't figure it out – you both have to go back home – however if you do find out what it means – you both will become my students."

"In order to train the mind, you must also train the body!"

"Now lets get to the next lesson: Lesson from Hell, number fifty-eight!"

"I AM NOT A TEACHER! I'M A HOUSE WIFE!"

The Mizune got a chill down his spine. Some of the memories that he remembered couldn't help but make him wonder if he was already insane before he became a keishin and the cause of the first spawned madness was because of his teacher. He knew one thing for sure – she was terrifying and was the house wife that he knew that he told Ragnarok about.

"I think I remember why..." FullMetal said shakily. He then remembered something. "Oh, also, you never told me your name..."

Ling then realized the same thing, "Oh – yeah. My name is Ling Yao."

"Well... its nice to meet you again." FullMetal said.