It's a great Saturday afternoon for a chapter! Hope you guys are doing well, and good luck to all of you starting classes in these next couple of weeks! Stay safe! Xx

Envy led the two brothers out of the tunnels, quickly reaching an elevator nestled at the end of the hall. He approached the side and pressed a concealed button, the doors opening just as Ed spoke up. "Hey, where are you taking us?"

He ignored the question and looked back at the two, "Just get in." They followed him into the contraption, a light shining above in the strangely dust-free area as the doors closed behind them. It quickly ascended and stopped with a slight lurch, the bell dinged, and the doors opened with Envy stepping out disguised as a military officer.

The brothers exited and looked around, Al gasping. "This looks like…" Ed began running towards the large window that spanned the floor to the ceiling, gazing out at the grounds below them.

"It's Central Command!" Alphonse stated, surprise evident in his voice. "We were right below it!"

"Hey!" They looked to their right to see the shifter waiting for them looking impatient. "You guys are plastered with filth." He led them to a door near the end of the hall and signaled for them to head inside, shutting the door behind the two. Stepping in they were meet with shiny, beige tiled floors and walls with pipes lining the sides. Showers were situated to their left and Ed perked up, rushing over and began to undress.

He started the water and steam began to fill the area as Al took a spot on the floor waiting, Ed began to wash his hair. "So, they've been there this whole time. I never would've guessed they were beneath the Command Center."

He rinsed off, "So maybe it's not just the Fuhrer. The entire military may be involved." Ed shut the water off, "But hey, there is some good news in all of this." He snatched a towel beside him and started drying his hair.

Al looked over at him, "Wait, you saw it? My body is still in there?"

"It is. I tried reaching out for it, but it said that it couldn't go with me since I wasn't its soul."

Al turned to face forward again, "My body! It still exists! Yes… yes!"

Ed finished with his hair, taking his hands to part a strand and shaped it, making a piece of it stand straight up. "Yes!" He opened the shower door and stepped out, "And now that we know it's there, we're one step closer to getting it back!" He turned his head to face Al, only to notice the small panda perched on Al's shoulder peeking out from the side and quickly covering its eyes. "Al, what's that weird little cat doing in here?"

Al let out a small nervous laugh, "Uh well, you know those girls from before…" He pointed to the chest of his armor.

"Are you serious! They're all inside your armor!"

Al began scolding him, "Brother! Stop yelling!"

A feminine voice spoke up from inside Al, "Yeah Edward, stop yelling."

Ed pointedly stared his brows furrowed in confusion. "Blondie?"

"Ashley, but yeah." A slight patting sound was heard from inside the armor, "And thanks for the rescue Al, sorry we didn't properly get to introduce ourselves before we were stuck inside you!"

If armor could blush, then Al's helmet would be blazing. "Uh, it's not a problem!" He quickly began waving his hands in front of him, "I hope it's not too cramped in there! We didn't really have much of a choice…"

The voice spoke up again, "Yeah it's a little… Tight. Nothing we can't work around though!" Al nodded his head in relief, looking towards Ed again.

"While you're at it, will you put on some pants?"

Ed's confused face turned to shock as the entrance to the hallway burst open, "Hey, what's the hold-up? Get a move on!" Edward's naked body stood in full view of Envy's sight as the two made eye contact and two shrill screams could be heard echoing across the building.

After the embarrassing incident, the trio began making their way down another hallway and Edward glanced towards him brother beside him, "Geez Al, did you really have to bring them all along with us?"

"What else was I supposed to do? They're all hurt pretty bad!"

Envy's shout caused them to look ahead again. "Wrath will take over babysitting you now. Right this way." Envy stopped at a set of large, brown double-doors and placed his hand over the gold-colored handles, pushing them both open and waling inside. He stepped out of the way and let the brothers follow him through where they met the gaze of both Fuhrer Bradley and Colonel Mustang.

"Colonel?" They stepped towards the two where they sat, "What's going on?"

Mustang's gaze turned back down to his crossed arms as he shut his eyes. "Where should I begin? Fuery's been shipped south. Falman's been sent up north. Breda's been reassigned to the west." Envy exited the room, shutting the doors behind him. "Lieutenant Hawkeye is now personal assistant to the Fuhrer." Ed gasped and clenched his jaw, looking back up at the Fuhrer.

Bradley sat there looking content with his tea settled in front of him. "Go ahead and take a seat." Ed cautiously sat in the empty chair beside Mustang while Al took the stool that was placed beside Ed. Silently, they all sat, thoughtfully staring at the homunculus before them, trying to gage an attack plan that somehow wouldn't get them all killed. A small cough resonated from Al's armor and the two suddenly went still. Al quickly began a coughing fit to cover the small child's presence as Ed regained his posture.

He rested his automail arm on the table in front of him, "Fuhrer. So, what was that in the hospital that day when you came to visit me? You really had us going, didn't you?"

"I don't recall lying. I instructed you to suspect everyone, and not to meddle any further. The only thing that you need to know is that you're important to us, and there's no need for you to dig any deeper. Accept the importance of your role and keep your heads down. You do that and no harm will come to you." Wrath's body didn't move once.

Ed stared straight at him. "Well that's great for us, but what happens to all the people who aren't lucky enough to be considered sacrifices?"

Wrath's hands stayed clasped together in front of him. "There's nothing you need to know that I haven't already told you. Is that clear, Fullmetal Alchemist?"

Ed's eyes shut and he thought for a moment. "You chose that as my title… Heh," He lifted up his state alchemist watch, "I only joined the military because I thought it might help us get our bodies back. But now… Now I know what the state alchemist program really is. You're using it as a way to recruit your sacrifices." He looked back up at him, "Well I'm not going to let you use me to accomplish your sick goals." Ed tossed his watch across the table towards the Fuhrer. "I resign my title as a state alchemist."

Wrath stared directly back at him. "The symbol of the dog. Fittingly crusted with blood."

"Your plans are going to fail; I swear on my own grave that I'm going to stop you. I'll warn the other state alchemists! I'll tell them- "

"What was that lovely young girl's name again?" Wrath brought his hand up to his forehead, "Ah yes, it's Winry Rockbell." The Fuhrer looked back up at them as the two stared at him in shock. "Your automail engineer and you grew up with her in Resembool as well if I'm not mistaken. She's practically a family member, isn't she? I've heard that she's made quite a name for herself with her customers in Rush Valley. Such a sweet and trusting girl."

Ed slammed his hand down onto the table in front of them, "You stay away from her! Just leave her out of this!"

"Well, that's up to you." Wrath tapped the top of the watch and slid it back towards him, "If you'd rather not take it… I'll simply have to cut her down." Edward placed his hand on the blood-splattered watch in front of him, his fingers clenching around it as he shoved it back into his pocket. "How thoughtful."

Al turned to face him, "Uh, Sir." Wrath looked back at him, "You don't have to worry about us. But I have to ask. If we are going to continue to serve under your watch, will you please allow us to keep searching for a way to get our original bodies back? Please, Sir."

Wrath turned his gaze down and took a sip of his tea, "I don't see why not. As long as you don't interfere with our plans. And what do you have in mind, Colonel? You wouldn't do something so petty as to quit the military?"

"Good question… I'm on a short leash here, and I still find that preferable to giving up. And I still have my ambitions, your plans don't change that." Mustang lifted up his watch, "So, I'll hang onto this, and I'll retain my rank, too."

"That's fine with me. We have nothing more to discuss." The three of them rose from their places at the desk and turned as Ed grabbed his coat off the chair.

Mustang spoke up again, "I would like to ask you one question, Sir."

"Would you now? Go ahead."

Mustang stood facing the door, "Are you the one who murdered General Hughes?"

The brothers gasped and Wrath answered, "No, that was not me."

Mustang looked back, "Then who did?"

Opening his eyes, Wrath looked towards him. "Colonel, I agreed to one question."

Mustang turned to once again face the door, "We'll be leaving now."

They were stopped once more, this time by Wrath, "Ah, just one moment Alphonse." He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and lunged towards the suit of armor, stabbing the tip of his sword into the side of Alphonse, shoving it through as Al gasped. Wrath stood there for a moment, the sword still stuck inside Al's armor, and focused his gaze on the blade as he pulled it back out, looking clean.

"Uh, is that all." Al uncertainly asked.

Wrath turned facing the desk and examined the blade. "That's all. You are now dismissed." And he sheathed it back in its's place.

The trio stepped out of the door and Mustang shut it behind him just as the brothers began whimpering, "That was too close!"

"I almost got stabbed in the head!" Whispered Mai.

"Well, I'm pretty sure he was closer to hitting me!" Emily whispered back, their voices echoing from inside Al.

They began calming down and Ed turned towards Mustang, "Oh! Hey Colonel, help us out, you got any change?" Ed walked up to him and held out his hand.

"You want my money now?" He pulled some coins from his pocket.

He snatched it from him, "Just give it!" He looked down at his hand and began counting, "Geez, that's all you got, really?"

Roy glared and looked at him, "It's apparently more than you've got!"

"Sure, whatever… See ya!" Ed and Al turned and began running back down the hall.

Roy turned to stop them, "Hey!"

Al looked back at him, "Sorry Colonel! We'll explain everything later! Roy stared dumbfounded as he watched them turn the corner.

They ran outside, heading towards the nearest phonebooth as Ed started preparing the coins in his hand and shoved them into the slot, where he picked up the phone and quickly began turning the dial. While Ed was busy waiting for Winry to pick up, Al was dealing with the three struggling girls inside of his armor.

"Will you wait just a minute"

"Ow! No, you just stepped on my hand!"

"She stepped on your hand? You've had my hair trapped under your arm for the past thirty minutes!"

"Can you just move out of the way already!"

"Girls!" Al attempted to interfere, but they just snapped back at him simultaneously.

"What?!"

Alphonse sighed, opening the chest piece of his armor and three bodies tumbled out of it onto each other, the princess catching her balance immediately.

"Winry!" They all looked over at the phone booth where Ed was located and watched as he pulled the phone closer to his ear. Hearing a muffled voice coming from the phone, Al closed his chest piece and moved closer to listen to their friend. "What? No!" Edward almost looked offended by whatever it was the Winry said. "I'm calling because… Is everything alright? Have you noticed anything weird? Like, any suspicious people following you?" Alphonse leaned in closer and Edward suddenly had a worried look on his face, "What is it?"

Whatever she said on the other end made both boys almost fall over before Ed regained his composure, "What's creepy!" His face tightened and his teeth were clenched, "Well fine! Maybe I won't worry!" His face quickly softened and he turned towards Al, his eyes closed. "Uh, sure. You certain everything's okay?" He briefly paused, listening to her reply before nodding, "Okay, 'kay. Bye." He turned back and placed the phone back onto the receiver before facing back towards Alphonse and stepping out of the box. Both brothers let out a heavy sigh and Ed spoke up again. "I think she's still safe for now."

A voice to his left interrupted him as the two let out a startled scream, "Ya know, it's that kind of desperate worry they're going to manipulate you with."

"Ling!"

"No, it's Greed. Still."

The three girls stood guarded; Mei slightly hid behind Al's suit of armor. The older sister spoke up, "We sort of tried to warn you he was there but you two were a bit distracted."

The sin glanced at her before a smirk overtook his face, "I didn't mind. After all, I have your lovey face in my presence." Ashley's face quickly became red and she grimaced.

Ed stepped forward, his automail hand balled into a fist. "What do you want?"

Greed stuck his hand out with a cloth held in it. "Your pal asked me to bring this to you."

"Ling did?" A surprised look overtook his face as Ed quickly snatched it out of his hand and held it in front of him to read. "What does it say?" He looked back up at him, "It's in some other language."

Greed turned his head to the side, "Yeah, it is. But he just wants you to deliver it to some girl."

"Lan Fan?" Edward's brows raised and quickly furrowed, "If this is some kind of trick? Cause if you follow us and try to kill her…"

"I've got more class than that. And as a rule of thumb, I don't fight women. And another rule of mine is to never tell a lie." He raised a hand and gave a small wave as he turned and began walking away. "But hey, it's your call. By blondie!"

Ashley blushed again and Ed looked like he was about to stop him, "Hey wait! Ling!"

Greed raised his hand up again with his back towards them. "It's still Greed, kid."

They stared on as his figure disappeared in the distance and Emily turned to look at the group with a bright smile on her face, "Well I'd say that was a success!"

"Well, it was definitely better than last time…" Alphonse's voice echoed.

"Let's get this delivered, come on!" Edward began walking in the other direction while Alphonse gently picked up Mei and began following him, the two girls racing to catch up with the group.

Emily and Ashley watched from the corner where they sat as Dr. Knox placed a damp cloth over a resting Mei's head, her small panda laying beside her as she slept. "It's nothing serious, just a mild concussion. She'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Alphonse let out a sigh, "I'm so relieved!"

Dr. Knox whipped his head over to look at Alphonse, "Well I'm sure as hell not! You seem to think this is a hospital!" He pointed a finger at the three girls around the room and continued, "You fill my house with patients! Where am I supposed to sleep now? Tell me that!"

Alphonse cowered down with fear, "Sorry! I'm sorry!"

At that moment, Lan Fan stumbled through the doorframe with a large coat draped over her shoulders. "You're back, Alphonse?"

Dr. Knox continued rambling on, "I'm not running a halfway house for injured young girls!" Alphonse ignored his complaints and turned to look at her, quickly running over.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't be out of bed!" He caught her just as she stumbled, grasping her ribs.

Lan Fan looked back up at him, "The young Lord, is he with you?"

"Uh, he's not, but he's still alive. I've got a message from him!" Alphonse pulled out the cloth handed to them by Greed and she eagerly took it, holding it in front of her face as she focused on the written text. Her eyes suddenly widened as she let out a gasp and looked over the text once more, not believing what she saw. Lan Fan turned and began shakenly walking over to the corner where multiple stacks of books were piled high, gently dropping to the floor on her knees.

"Lan Fan?" Alphonse stepped forward, concern evident in his voice.

"It says… It says he found a philosopher stone!" Al's raised arm fell to his side. "The young Lord has saved our clan. And now, we have to return to our country! We've got to get the news to our people!" She looked up, turning to face Alphonse, "Where is he? Can you take me to him?

"Uh…" Al looked down to the side towards his feet, uncertain of what to say.

"What's wrong? Why are you being so quiet!" She crawled over to him, worry overtaking her face as she placed a hand on the leg of his armor. "Has something happened to the young Lord? Please talk to me Alphonse, where is the prince!"

Alphonse let out a quiet sigh as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "Let's lay you down to rest and I can tell you everything." He had her rise off the floor and began guiding her towards the door, while Emily and Ashley stayed quietly chatting with the doctor in the room where Mei laid.

A short while later, the girls found themselves in front of the door where Lan Fan was located. Knocking lightly, they made their presence known as Alphonse looked up, nodding and welcoming them with a quiet greeting. Lan Fan laid under sheets on a bed in the middle of the room as Alphonse and Ashley finished up their explanation to her about Ling's body being taken over and how they managed to get back here. A serious expression remained on her face as she contemplated the new information. "I see. He accepted the stone and let the beast take control." She looked over at where the girls sat nearby, "And he helped you two escape, did I hear that correctly?"

Ashley nodded, "He did, and put his life in danger to do so. We are quite grateful."

Alphonse sat with his legs crossed on the floor, turning his gaze to look at the girl in the bed. "I'm sorry. I wish we could've stopped him."

She shut her eyes, "Don't apologize. I'm only upset with myself for being unable to protect him." Opening her eyes again, she turned her head to look at him. "But the prince, he's not gone. He's just trapped inside this Greed creature, right?" She began to lift her upper body off the bed, clenching her teeth at the pain as Alphonse moved to stop her. She brought a hand to rest on her shoulder where the missing limb was located. "I need your help. I want a new arm, as soon as possible."

Al seemed uncertain, "Are you sure? You haven't healed yet!"

She turned her head to look directly at him. "I need an automail engineer now! Please help me!"

Alphonse stared at her, realizing how serious she was and gave in, "Yeah, okay. I'll introduce you soon, but you need to get your strength back first." He gently pushed Lan Fan's shoulders down, urging her to lay back as he tucked the blanket back over her. "I'll ask Dr. Knox to make you some food." He and the sisters rose, turning to face the exit and stopped to see Mei peeking through the crack door with Xiao-Mei on her shoulder. Alphonse startled, spoke up. "I don't think you should be up yet! It's uh, Mei Chang, right?"

Lan Fan's upper body quickly rose off the bed, "Mei?"

The small girl held a kunai tucked in her hand which she then threw with accuracy toward the bodyguard who blocked it with a discarded book. It lodged into the cover as Alphonse stared in confusion at the two warriors glaring at each other. "What's going on?!"

Mei put her hand down, crossing it in front of her. "You're a watchdog for the Yao Clan"

Lan Fan slowly put the book down, "I know you too. You're the Chang heiress."

Mei began walking towards the bedridden woman, "Very good. I'm the seventeenth daughter, Princess Mei Chang."

"I also know why you're in this country. To obtain immortality."

"Too bad you won't live to see me get it." Mei declared confidently. Lan Fan threw the sheets off her as she hopped off the bed, holding a previously hidden weapon in her hand.

"You won't even leave this room, princess." The two stood facing each other, weapons at the ready as Al attempted to stop them.

"Hey, just hold on a minute! I don't know what this is about, but you just can't fight like this!"

The two girls retaliated, breaking their death stares at each other to quickly look at him. "Quit trying to interfere in the affairs of our country!" Alphonse, at that point, fell over as Emily and Ashley took a step back.

They looked back towards the other as they held their weapons up, "My wounds won't slow me down."

Mei glared at her; the panda ready for a fight standing on her shoulder. "Is that so? Well, neither will mine!"

Despite their abilities, the girls didn't notice the doctor approaching them as he raised two bowls of soup above their heads. "What the hell do you two think you are doing!" He slammed both bowls on top of their heads as they fell to the floor, hands covering their new injuries. "You're supposed to be resting in bed!"

Mei stopped cowering to look back up at him. "Quit trying to interfere with the affairs of our-"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE AFFAIRS OF YOUR COUNTRY, DUMB ASS!" That shut her up quickly. Dr. Knox turned and began walking towards the door. "Geez, it doesn't matter where you're from, you're both my patients." The girls began glaring at each other once more and he turned to look at them, "You're not planning on making an even larger mess around here, are you? Because if you do, you might release an unknown pathogen from the floorboards, and kill everyone in the house." Everyone in the room looked at him in shock, the two enemies hugging each other for protection, and with that, he walked out of the door.

After getting them settled back into their beds, Alphonse met up with the doctor, Emily, and Ashley downstairs and began helping them clean up the surrounding area. Organizing the books around him, Alphonse noticed a discarded picture lying on the floor and picked it up, seeing a younger version of Dr. Knox standing next to a lovely blonde woman and a younger boy posed in front of them. Turning towards him, he held up the picture, "I found this on the floor!"

The man turned to face him, "Huh?" He took the photo out of Alphonse's hands and held it up to his face. "Hm, so that's where it's been all this time." He stood up and turned, walking away and dropping the picture into the trashcan.

Alphonse watched in shock as it fell to the floor. "Hey! You can't throw away a family picture!"

Dr. Knox turned back to face him, "I don't speak to my wife and son. What's the big deal? And who're you to decide what I do with my own stuff!" He attempted to snatch it back only for Alphonse to move out of the way, still holding the picture in his hands.

Dr. Knox let out a sigh and turned away, "Why don't you guys go and get some coffee or something." He walked away from the three of them and left the room.

Emily scoffed, "Well he's not very jolly, is he?"

Al looked down at the photograph, "No, he's not." Al looked back at the door Dr. Knox left through, "I wonder…"