Author Note:

HI! For those who are here and are reading these I hope you enjoy it so far and the ones to come! I wont raddle on like last time. So I hope you enjoy it and leave a Review about anything in particular.

STORY TIME! 8D

"HI!" = Speaking

'Bye.' = Thinking

Chapter 2

Everything Stays, But it still Changes

Gate

Ed awoke not to a blaze of blue, not to his room, not even to the yard. He rose to white as far as the eye could see. The only object was this obsidian slab behind him. He edged away from it getting a weird feeling from it, until he heard a voice speak to him. "Welcome back Edward Elric. Or should I call you Edward Okumura? Edward Fujimoto?" Ed turned around to see the lone silhouette that haunted many of his dreams when he first awoke at the monastery.

"Y...you!" As Ed stood up shaking a bit at the thing. "What the hell are you?! A Demon?! How come I see you in my dreams so often?! Why is that?!" Ed questioned the thing as it sat there.

"Hm? Seeing me in dreams? Well then I must be getting too laxed if you still remember." Truth said to itself. "But don't worry Edward, I am no demon." Truth said as it plastered a grin on its face which creapped Ed the hell out. "But you will remember that which I held for you."

Ed pieced together what this thing said, coming to an idea of sorts. "What do you mean? You say it like you have my memories?!" Ed questioned the figure as a large smile appeared on its face.

"CORRECT!" Truth exclaimed throwing its arms above it.

Ed glared but stopped for to his horror did his memory start coming back to him in a flood, pounding in his head. Everything they ever did in Armestris, their mistake, their cost. Ed was thrust into his personal hell. His brother was dead because of him and here he was living it up in some other world, the thought sickened himself. But not as much as the being in front of him did. "You… YOU BASTARD!" Ed yelled at Truth. "You took Alphonse from me! The only family I had left." He looked down at his shaking hands as the last time he saw Alphonse flash before his eyes repeatedly, feeling only sorrow and disgust.

"What are the Okumura's to you then? Or Shiro Fujimoto?" Truth asked rubbing it's chin in thought as Ed looked up anger clearly pointed at Truth.

"Don't you dare touch them, asshole!" Ed yelled as Truth smiled at the teen.

"Ah I see." As Truth took his actions as a confirmation. "You love them like you did your brother, don't you?" It asked as Ed took a stance to go after Truth. His head spinning still from all the memories.

"I swear, if you touch a hair on any of their heads!" Remembering what he last saw before coming here fear replaced the anger that was there not a moment ago. "Oh no. Let me back they need my help!" Panic running through him as he looked for a way out through the door.

"It's too late." Making Ed turn back away from the door toward Truth. "What you last saw was hours ago. In other words it's already ended." At those words Ed shakily slumped to the floor in a dejected manner. For yet again he wasn't able to help his family in anyway. "But good news for you." Ed cocked his head up enough from the floor to look at Truth with nothing but anger. "Since you've been gone from Armestris for so long things have been fun to say the least." Truth stated but the smile faded. "But it appears that not everything went according to plan when you remembered your past. As much as I would like it to be, you mortals can be tricky to get right in that regard."

"HA! Serves ya' right you jackass!" Ed chuckled dryly at his small victory over Truth.

"Still, the game's changed but the rules are the same." Gaining Ed's attention. "So I'll just take your..." This line made Ed on edge as he moved away from Truth.

"Ah Ah Ah Truth.~" A voice called out which made both Truth and Ed look in this voices Direction. "I think I'd like to collect that favor that you owe me." Making Truth frown at Mephisto, while Ed looked at the strange person that was now with them.

"Favor? What Favor? And how are you even here?" Ed asked confused.

"Well you see here Edward." As Pheles said putting his umbrella down like a cane. " Truth here called in a favor I owed him some eons ago and that is why you are with the Okumura's now. But through our ambitious bets and favors we cause quite a bit of chaos every few cycles or so." Pheles said as he smiled at the confused blond. "But as circumstances stand." As he continued to walk over to Ed before stopping in front of him. "I need you in one piece without a, what do you call it Automail Prosthetic where your from? So yes as for my favor you will wave whatever price he has to pay, sound fair?" Pheles said as he turned to watch Truth get agitated at Pheles.

"Agreed. Understand it will entail more than a single favor, Pheles." Truth stated coldly.

"That's fair." Pheles smiled at the being. "While I'm here I might as well collect a few more favors~ while I'm at it." He said before looking back at the blond. "As for you Edward. I suggest you go home and start packing."

Making Ed raise an eyebrow as a response "Why? What happened to Rin, Shiro, Yukio, or the monastery?" Ed's mind was racing again with what he last saw and why he needed to pack his bags when he got back. Which pained him more as the pain hasn't gone away, as his head pounded wincing in pain.

"As much as I like a good Surprise, I believe this is one the Okumura's should tell you. Bye, Bye now~." Pheles said as Ed heard that sound that shook him to his bones, as he turned to see those doors open to reveal that damned eye. As Ed got dragged into it. "My, My how have they not killed each other by now." Pheles mused as he watched the doors close around a thrashing yelling Ed. "Now then down to business, shall we~?" Pheles said in a sing song manner making Truth grimace at what the demon wanted.

"What is it that you want?"

Monastery

"-TArds…" Ed shouted as he shot up in his bed scaring both Yukio and Rin. Rin is on his bed hands in the air while a manga lain on his chest staring at Ed wide eyed with surprise and concern while Yukio was at his desk apparently writing something, slightly turned to him with the same look. "What I'd miss?" Was all Ed thought of and said as he saw Rin look away and Yukio hid his face behind his all too familiar mask, as Ed realized not long ago Yukio had.

"Ed, Father Fujimoto died earlier today. He died to save Rin." As Rin got up to leave.

"Hey Rin!" As Rin stopped in the doorway. "It's…" Was all he got out when Rin cut him off.

"Don't. If that's what you're going to say just don't." As Rin started to continue out of the room.

"Just so you know it does get better!" Making Rin and Yukio round at Ed as he tried to get out of bed.

"Ed, please relax." Yukio asked as he moved to help Ed.

"Rin, I lost my family before I came here." Making Rin and Yukio pause in their tracks and look at Ed a bit confused.

"What are you talking about Ed?" Rin started to get slightly annoyed at Ed.

"Ed?" Yukio stated in a flat tone. "Do you remember your past?" Yukio looked at Ed in the eye concern evident in Yukio's feature's , knowing it was the most likely thing for Ed's case. As understanding soon enough flashed across Rin's face at what was implied looking back at the blond.

"Yes. I do. Every part from the beginning to when we... " Ed stopped as he clenched his teeth and fist as the scenes played out in his mind not helping the headache he still faintly had. He snapped out of it when Rin forcefully slapped his hand on Ed's shoulder.

"Hey you okay?" Rin asked concern for Ed's health.

"Ya, just a headache. Thanks. But yes I remember." As he sat back down to try and nurse his headache. After being seated Ed slapped Rin's back, but felt something that wasn't there before. "Uh, Rin."

"Yeah?" Ed felt Rin shiver at the touch.

"Never mind." Ed waved it off not wanting to make Rin uncomfortable for the moment. "I need to start packing." As Ed started to pack his belongings while Rin and Yukio looked at their brother then each other thinking 'What the hell was that about?'

True Cross Academy

To Rin's utter amazement all three of them were going to True Cross Academy. At the end of the orientation Ed and Rin were together as a white dog came up to them. It acted funny enough so the two decided to follow it. Once a fair walk out of the Academy, the dog stopped and poofed into none other than Mephisto. "Greetings, boys~. I hope you enjoyed the tour?"

"You creepy ass clown, why were you walking around like a dog?" Rin yelled his question.

"Well the Principal can't just walk around his own school randomly. Here." As Mephisto tossed both Ed and Rin matching Keys. "Edward I do hope you know what this is but if not here's a refresher. These keys let you get into cram school. Just put them into any…" As Ed did it before he could finish. "How rude. But anyways it was more for you than him Rin."

"Hold up!" Rin yelled obviously displeased with how Ed was taking this. "How come it's more for me then him?! And why is he being entered into Cram School?!" Rin Rattled off.

Mephisto sighed seeing how he somehow signed himself up to take care of two hotheads. "Well you see here, Rin. When Shiro brought the kid home he apparently could see demons already. So Shiro started training him. He's probably with or ahead of the class if what Shiro said is true." He stated smirking, while Rin looked through the door Ed entered.

"Do you know what happened to him then?" Gaining Mephisto's curiosity.

"Come again?"

"What happened to Edward that led him to us, damn it?!" Rin all but yelled the question.

"Ah, well that's for him to say. But I will say he's had it worse than either of you two, brother." As Mephisto turned back into a dog. "Come now class is about to begin! Don't want to be late on your first day do we?" As they both hurried to catch up with Ed.

"Man, what took you two so long? I worried you two got your tails stuck in the door." Ed said as they approached outside the door to cram school.

"How did you know I have a…"

"When I patted your back. So you both good?" Ed asked staring at Rin as he reddened under the blonds stair.

"Ya, sorry Ed. I needed to ask Mephisto some things was all." Rin said a bit embarrassed. Ed looked at Rin for a moment till he sighed and entered as Rin with the K9 Pheles walked in right behind him. As they entered the whole class except two in the back shift their attention from Ed to stare at Rin for a second before continuing what they were doing. As he made his way to his seat next to the one Ed took at the front. "Not a lot of students huh?" Rin remarked.

"Well exorcists are always few in number, but this is actually a lot." Commented K9 Pheles.

"Understandable. Unless you grew up under someone who has the knowledge of demons or came in contact with one you wouldn't really know about the dangers of them. Am I right?" As Pheles nodded to Ed's explanation.

"Quiet down class." As Ed and Rin looked to see who their teacher was. Rin's jaw dropped open while Ed contained a chuckle at his brother's antic's. "Take your seats, please. Class will now begin. It's nice to meet you. I'm Yukio Okumura. I'll be your Anti-Demon Pharmaceuticals Instructor." Yukio stated to the class as Rin was having several conniptions about what was happening in front of him, Ed rolled his head knowing what was about to happen.

"Yukio? Really?!" Was all Rin blurted out.

'Yep called it.' Ed thought as he sighed.

"Yes. Yukio. Is something wrong?" Asked Yukio catching Rin off at how easily he said it.

"Huh?! Wh-Wh… Whaddya mean?! What's wrong with you?!" Rin said causing a bit of a scene.

"Nothing's wrong. Class is in session. So be quiet." Yukio said having enough of Rin's outburst. Leaving Rin with too many questions.

"Mephisto! Whats going on here?! What's he-" As Pheles cut Rin off.

"Tsk. Tsk. Please address me as 'Sir'. I am your Superior." Pheles scolded Rin who spluttered at the thought of a dog on his lap being his superior while Ed suppressed the urge to laugh, with little success.

"Something you would like to share with us Edward?" Yukio asked as Ed shook his head. After a breath he continued. "Well as you may have guessed. I'm a new instructor who's the same age as most of you. But with regard to exorcism, I'm two years ahead of you. So please call me 'Mr. Okumura'." Yukio went on explaining.

Ed zoned out to look at the class because he learned a lot of this when he first arrived in there lives. He saw three students right next to each other near the windows. He didn't think much of them except two of them had 'interesting' fashion, especially when it came to their hair. He saw two on the opposite side of him who focused on the lesson. The one with purple hair rubbed him the wrong way though for some reason. There were two others one just played a video game, was he even paying attention? While the last one had a puppet on his hand. Ed was snapped out of his thoughts when Rin slammed his hands onto Yukio's desk. "Hey!"

'When did he move?!' Ed mentally yelled as he straightened up in his seat and looked at the twins up at the front.

"Yes?" Yukio returned without breaking character.

"Explain yourself!" Rin demanded annoyed and frustrated at the same time.

'Oh, man.' Ed sighed as he didn't like how this was going.

"We're in the middle of class. Please sit Down." Yukio asked but demanded subtly to Rin. Which annoyed Rin more that he wasn't getting the answers he wanted and was told to basically go away.

"Knock it off, Yukio!" Rin was fuming by this point.

Ed watched as Yukio kept up with that damn mask of his as he talked to Rin. It annoyed Ed to see how often Yukio hid behind it. He watched as they traded words to silent for anyone to hear. Ed caught a few words Yukio said and by Rin's next words he guesses Yukio told him everything and sighed. "But if you knew… then why didn't you tell me?!" Rin was pissed off as he grabbed Yukio accidently making him drop the fermented animal blood. All Ed could do was pinch the bridge of his nose in irritation as the blood vial broke on the floor, "Ew that stinks. What's that smell." Rin commented as the ceiling busted open as Hobgoblins spewed into the classroom. Ed watched as Yukio drew his pistols and shot a few of the Hobgoblins.

"Evacuate the classroom." Yukio dictated to the rest for a bit before turning to Rin and Ed. "You two, hurry." Yukio told them, right before Rin slammed the door shut with his foot.

"WE'RE NOT DONE TALKING!" Rin all but yelled "And it wasn't your fault. It was mine! I'm sorry." Rin apologized as Yukio sighed.

"There's nothing else to say." Yukio started.

"What?!" As Rin was not expecting Yukio to say that.

"Anyway I'm busy right now, so save it for later!" As Rin got swarmed by the Hobgoblins.

"Listen to me Damn it!" Catching both Yukio and Ed by surprise as his flames burst forth burning the Hobgoblins away. "We've hardly talked since Father Fujimoto died. If you knew all this time then how did you feel about me?!" This caught Ed's attention ready to intervene if the need arises but was distracted as Mephisto plopped himself on his head to get a better look.

"How did I feel?" Yukio said deadpanned as light shined off his glasses. "Well, since you're a demon I thought you were Dangerous." Taking care of several demons as he spoke. "You're such a fool, Rin. Why do you want to be an Exorcist?" He asked as several larger Hobgoblins Dropped into the room. "Revenge? Or to atone for what you did to Father Fujimoto? Well, it's too late now! If that's really what you want…" As he dodged an attack from one of the larger ones and unloaded into it. "...then turn yourself into headquarters or just DIE!" Ed cringed at that. Knowing full well he would never say that to either of them or Alphonse if he was still there with him.

Ed soon had to start chanting the Fatal verse for the Hobgoblins, thanks to his great memory at least he knew of the one and said it loud enough to take care of any that got too close for his comfort. But between his chanting, the gunshots, and the Hobgoblins the twins conversation was drowned out for Ed he watched as they talked, only stopping when Rin drew his sword letting his flames spew forth. "I didn't kill Father Fujimoto. I can understand your hard feelings… but why point that thing at me? Hm?" Rin started to run at Yukio sword ready to strike as Yukio was ready to shoot Rin. "If it'll make you feel better, then shoot!" Rin yelled as Ed almost had his hands to the floor, but stopped as Rin passed his brother to strike a King Hobgoblin alight as he sheathed his sword. "Don't insult me. I'd never fight my little brother!" Rin stated staring at Yukio, while Ed let out a sigh thanking any god, but that one, that he wouldn't have to restrain them as things finally settled.

As Yukio lowered his gun and gaze to the floor, giving off an air of remorse. "What was Father Fujimoto like at the end?" Making Rin look from Yukio to Ed. Rin saw Ed's eyes on him wanting to know as well before he looked at the ground with a small smile.

"He was cool. He died protecting me. I don't want to become an exorcist to get revenge. I just want to be strong. I don't ever want anyone to die for me again!" Rin said with his head angled up, looking out the window.

"That's... just like me." Making Rin and Ed look at Yukio surprised. "I also became an exorcist so I could be strong." Yukio stated as he physically relaxed letting that mask fall away.

"What about you Ed? Why do you want to be an exorcist?" Rin asked as Ed shot up in surprise as the twins both looked at him.

"Well after getting my memory back and remembering my old family that I lost..." Ed sighed as he got comfortable in his chair again. "I swore I wasn't going to lose anyone else I care for."

"So then... we're ALL fools. Foolish Brothers." Rin jabbed at both of them.

"No, don't lump me in with you." Yukio Shot back.

But before Ed could shoot back with his own choice of words he saw one last Hobgoblin stumble, dazed from behind the desk. Moving he clasped his hands and put a hand to the floor as electricity flew from him, past the twins to the Hobgoblin trapping the demon in a small cell. Making all present look at it then to Ed. "Heh, I guess we can continue the Ritual now?" Ed said as he shrugged.

Yukio was first to come out of his stunned silence as he put that mask of his up again. "Yes, I guess we can."

"Mr. Okumura! Are you alright?" Suguro spoke through the closed door.

"Yes. Were fine. The classroom though…" As Ed cut in.

"Let me take a crack at it." He said as he got up and stretched, getting several confused looks from all even Pheles. "Ready?"

"Ready For what?" Rin asked confused. As they watched Ed Clap his hands making that sound again as he again slapped his hands to the floor and electricity sparked around him as they watched the room fix itself as the fires were extinguished, the desks put back together, and the roofing coming together like it was all brand new when the sparks ceased. All stood still gawking at Ed's work.

Ed expected someone to speak up. Just not Mephisto. "Oh my... If he didn't take body parts, I could absolutely kiss him." Mephisto all but yelled poofing out of his dog form, grabbing Ed and hugging him, in a bearhug no less. As Ed's survival instincts kicked in for air. "Ed my boy, if you ever need anything, just ask me. In return I want you to fix whatever I need. Got it?" Pheles stated but to his disappointment he unintentionally choked Ed unconscious. "Oops I must have gotten a bit over excited from all the money I could possibly save from Ed's help. If you excuse me I'll take Edward here to his dorm. Ta Ta for now." As Pheles and Ed disappeared leaving Rin and Yukio amazed, worried, and scared for their brother.

"Right... Class can continue then." Yukio yelled to the class outside.

Boy's Dorm

Night

Rin was very surprised when he entered his bunk room. "Hi. Surprised?" Yukio said to his brother.

"Uh… Why are you here?" Rin asked confused as he thought he would live alone.

"First years are four to a room, but I got an exception." Yukio explained. "Besides, you're dangerous. Someone needs to keep an eye on you." He finished with a smile.

"Keep an…" Rin started to process what Yukio said.

"It was my idea." Yukio said as if it was nothing, before Rin figured out what his twin meant.

"What is this, a prison?!" Rin exclaimed shocked seeing himself as an inmate.

"Yeah. And I am the prison guard." Yukio said going along with Rin's train of thought.

"So what does that make me? A strike team?" Ed deciding now to make himself known from the door Rin entered from.

"Huh, Ed's here too?! Wait… You mean you're going to detain me?!" Rin felt even more like a prisoner now as he stared at his two brothers despondently.

Yukio sighed. "As much as I tried, Sir Pheles decided to put us all in the same bunk." He sighed as he fixed his frames annoyed.

"Ya! Now we're all together again, isn't that neat." Ed stated as he went to go lay down on his bunk.

"Yes it is. But, I think you're more of a janitor then a strike team Ed. Given the offer Sir Pheles gave you." Yukio stated as Ed shot up from his bed giving an insulted look, while Rin started to roll on the ground laughing.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU FIND SO FUNNY?!" Ed all but yelled at Rin.

"You a…" As he tried to breath. "Janitor!" Busting out into another laughing fit as Yukio joined as well from his own joke..

"I'M GLAD YOU TWO FIND IT SO DAMN FUNNY!" Ed tried to come up with an insult to come back with but was not getting much.

"But joking aside, you want to be an exorcist, right Rin? Then you can live with a few restrictions." Yukio stated getting his laughter under control.

"Heh… heh heh heh… why... you… bring it on!" Rin remarked back his own laughing fit ending. While Ed was busy mumbling to himself about not being a janitor.

"That's the spirit! Now, about today's homework…" Yukio said changing the subject, gaining both Ed and Rin's surprised attention.

"Huh?! Homework? There was homework?" Rin Remarked bewildered.

"Was it assigned after I was kidnapped?" Ed asked worried he actually missed something. While Yukio stared at them both silently dumbfounded, as Ed jumped at Rin who shrieked at the attack. Ed's 'attack' as Rin would put it, only succeeded in them fighting. "What happened?! Tell me what happened you damn blue monkey!" Ed demanded causing Rin to defend himself while Yukio took his glasses off to rub his eyes.

"You two I swear…" Yukio whispered under breath as he chuckled.