Author Note:

Hello! Sorry it took a while (despair) for this chapter. As I said before paranoia and a perfectionist streak make's it hard to be sure it's to a satisfying level offffffff... things. (Shrugs) But, the paranoia is locked out side and the perfectionist streak had a few meletonin. So I'm satisfied (sweating intensifies) with how this turned out... Sorry if it's borring, I'll try to get the next chapter out faster. (Determined Glare!) So wish me Luck and I Hope you enjoy the (very late) Chapter!

"Hi!" = Speaking

'Bye.' = Thinking

Chapter 3

The Bond's that Tie

Boy's Dorm

"Rin, Yukio?! Either of you here?" Ed yelled as he entered their dorm room. Seeing no one around Ed set his purchases from the market down to start sorting them away. While unpacking, he noticed a note on his bunk, putting away what little purchases he had left before moving to read it. Ed smiled as he read that Yukio went on a mission taking Rin with him. Looking below he saw a manga left on Rin's bed. Wondering if Yukio got it for Rin, Ed looked closer and recognized the title as one of Yukio's, Ed decided not to pry further for his own good, leaving it where it lay. After that Ed moved toward the door to their room for the last thing he bought which was a log. He left it by the door as to keep it out of everyone's way in case someone was here. He wanted something to fill his space that isn't just books. He had an idea and wanted to get it made. So he brought the log into the center of the room and began to transmute the log. He watched as electricity arced from his hands across the floor and onto the log, morphing the block of wood into that of Trisha Elric, Father Fujimoto, and a couple years younger Rin, Yukio, and Ed. Before the electricity finished, it formed one last figure in the likeness of Alphonse Elric before the process stopped. Ed picked up the piece looking it over, liking how it turned out.

"My goodness.~" Said Mephisto making Ed jump as the statue went flying into the air landing in Pheles's hands. "A contractor and a Sculptor, you really are amazing Edward Elric." Mephisto said looking over what Ed had made.

"Oh ya, you creepy clown?! Knock next time! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Ed yelled calming a bit from the scare while glaring at Mephisto.

"We can't have that now, can we then? Who would fix everything your brothers wreck?" Mephisto stated in mock worry.

"They are your brothers too you jackass, so you tell me! Now, give it back!" Ed yelled as he tried to reach for his statue. Which Mephisto smiled at Ed's attempts to get his creation back. But he moved his attention to look the sculpture over, soon focusing in on two figures he didnt recognize right away. "What the hell are you looking at?!" Ed fumed up at the demon.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's your mother and this is your brother, correct?" Mephisto asked as Ed grew irate at the demon.

"Yes. Now hand it back!" Ed yelled doubling his efforts to get his figure back.

"So tell me, in your words how would they feel about your disappearance?" Mephisto asked as he noticed Ed stopped trying to get his statue. He looked at the teen only to see his head angled down like he was sulking. The only inclination that it was anger instead of that was the slight shake of a fist at his side as Mephisto quirked an eyebrow at the blond.

"That's none of your business." Ed stated in a cold, barely veiled rage.

"Well considering that your well being is solely on my shoulders now, I would like to know if something ails you. Which considering your change of mood I would go as far as to say that they cant anymore, right?" Mephisto inquired as he saw the blond try his best to hold back his growing rage by working his lip between his teeth. "Oh it is. I wonder how they wen…" was all Pheles got out before he pushed the wrong button to many times.

"If you want to know about that, I'll be happy to point you to where I murdered him! As for our mother she grew ill and passed away! GOT IT! Now go talk to that bastard Truth if you want to know more." Mephisto noticed as all the joy and calmness the blond held in his eyes normally was replaced by rage, sadness and guilt that's been hiding deep inside him. Mephisto lowered the statue to Ed who took it from him quickly before Mephisto could pull anything else. "Now what else do you want, bastard." Ed quietly stated the last part knowing full well Mephisto heard him anyways, as he moved to put the sculpture in his area.

"Okay then." He said not wanting to make Ed madder than he already was. "I want to know how you went about what you did in class yesterday." Making Ed raise an eyebrow in confusion at the headmaster as Mephisto tapped his chin. "I know it was Alchemy from your world, but I want to know how you did it without a diagram." He watched as Ed started to think on the question as he moved to continue to find a spot for his sculpture.

"Well to be honest I would have to chalk it up as well as the temptaint I have to the bastard." Ed stated as Pheles frowned. "The basis of transmutation is the power of the circle, which denotes the circulation of power. In order to call upon and harness this power, you draw a structural matrix over the circle." Ed stated as Pheles listened. "But for my alchemy I myself am the matrix, while clapping my hands complete a circle. The last thing is alchemy uses tectonic plates as energy. So that's the bare basics, happy?" Ed finished as Pheles rolled this information over.

"One more thing before I go." Regaining Ed's attention from his home decorating. "How big of an area can you work with, and what restrictions are there?" Making Ed put his hand on his chin in thought before explaining as he continued to look around the room.

"Well for the second one the only restrictions I know of is understanding the Atomic makeup as well as the potential and kinetic energy within the material I'm working with. After that its putting in and continuing the flow of energy until the material is in the shape I require. But the Golden rule for all Alchemy is Equivalent Exchange, as in I can't make nothing from something and vice versa something from nothing…. Unlike demon's." Ed deadpanned looking at Pheles who smirked back as Ed rolled his eyes before returning to his task at hand. "And if I'm working with a single material, I can only make that material turn into something else with the same basic makeup and properties of the original material. As for the first one the bigger the object or area the more energy I would have to put in. So say if I were to do 5 soccer fields of space, not that I would mind you, I would either be incapacitated for a few days or tired as all hell. Worse case scenario though, it would rebound back onto me. But if I want to avoid that I would have to draw a large transmutation circle or a network of smaller arrays to supervent most of the cost on me. But the rebound if not careful could... be dire." Ed finished explaining looking at the figure he finished finding a spot for on the wall inside his bunk looking at it like it was in the distance.

"I see. So your body is the circle and the matrix channeling the power for the transmutation. So you can only put forth as much as you can channel, anymore and you start to get a rebound correct?" Mephisto asked as Ed thought for a few second before nodding. "Well thank you Edward, you've been a great help." Mephisto said as he started to walk for the door.

"Hold it!" Ed yelled as Mephisto turned his head to stare over his shoulder back at the boy who was looking at him with a determined gaze. "I answered your questions, now answer some of mine!" Ed demanded.

Mephisto rolled the demand over in his head for a moment before nodding his head smiling his big smile, making Ed relax, if a little worried. "Well, if it was anything other than Alchemy I would have said no. But I guess I'll play Truths game just this once." He said as he twirled his umbrella toward Ed then planting the tip to the ground as he leaned on it. "So what is it that's bugging you, shorty." Mephisto said knowing full well that was one of Ed's sensitive buttons. But was surprised to see it get even more sensitive with his memory back.

"Who are you calling so short they need to climb 40 flight of stairs just to be on top of a Coal tar's tail!" Catching the headmaster off guard a bit by the lungs the boy had.

"Well…" Mephisto said smirking. "Considering no one else is around I would have to say you. Your second question?" Mephisto said as he watched the gears in Ed's head work over what he had said. When Ed realized what Mephisto did he cursed the demon out. So much so Mephisto was considering getting the blond a Gehenna dictionary to see how many words Ed could string together in a single insult or breath. "Fine you can have that one for free, if you're that childish." Mephisto said while smirking at the sight of Ed glaring daggers at him.

"Demon bastard. Now then, why did you want to know about Alchemy? Or more specifically my Alchemy." Ed asked seeing Mephisto grin a bit.

"Well let's just say if you didn't give me the information I was looking for, I would have to go and get it out of Truth. Which thanks to you saved me time, energy and maybe even favors." Which he lightly lied because he would have to use favors to get anything out of Truth for free. "Next?"

Ed went through every question he could think of to ask, but something Truth said didn't sit well with him when it said it. "So what didn't happen according to plan?"

"Come again?" Mephisto asked making sure he heard right with slight confusion

"What plan changed when I gained my memories back?!" Ed all but yelled his question.

"I see." Mephisto stated slightly annoyed and was deciding on what to tell him. "Well then, I guess I should tell you what I know. But as for when you got your memories back, some groups sensed you in a way. I believe they will come for you, but not for certain. So I would suggest you stay diligent in your studies Edward." Mephisto said as Ed's eyes were narrowed with concern and confusion. "Well, I'm going to be late so I'll be off. Thank you for the exchange Edward, I believe I've kept you long enough. Ta ta for now." As the headmaster poofed away before Ed could even lift a finger to stop him.

"Coming for me?" Ed was confused and worried to say the least. Not only did he have a target on his back for whatever they had planned for him, but that also put those around him as tools to potentially coerce him. He didn't want that. No he needed to prevent that. "Fine. Let them come." He said with resolve in his voice. "I won't let my friends or family be taken from me." Ed stated looking at the figures of those he's lost already. "I promise." Looking at the statue as memories flashed of Trisha dying in her bed, of Alphonse being torn apart, and Shiro turning into a bonfire for the god of all demons.

"We're home!" Ed heard Rin yell as he jumped, startled out of his thoughts. Ed fell on his ass looking at the twins. "What are you doing Ed? And why do you look like hell?" Rin questioned Ed as Yukio just listened while he got out of his uniform.

"Oh I was just remembering something was all." Ed waved it off as if it was nothing.

"Okay? Then why do you look like hell then? I mean it looks like you were pissed off at something." Rin commented as he laid onto his bunk while Yukio checked Ed over.

"You look fine Ed albeit you look a little tired. Are you feeling well?" Yukio asked as Ed nodded. "Well just be sure to rest if not." Yukio stated moving back to his closet as Ed sighed.

"Ya, perhaps I'm allergic to something."

"Maybe it's Rin?" Yukio stated jokingly making Rin turn his head to glare at Yukio while Ed was thankful for the change of topic.

"No he's not! Don't make up stupid things like that Moely Four-eyes!" Rin countered as Ed did a fake sneeze.

"I don't know Rin, he may have a point. He is a doctor after all." Ed said hopeful that things won't end badly for them.

"It's not me, I swear!" Rin defended himself sitting up on his bed. "It could be the pollen from the flowers. O-or the plant vitamins from your pistols, or even…" Rin stopped as his face paled looking at his right hand. "I NEVER WASHED MY HAND OFF FROM THAT MANURE!" Rin yelled running to his closet to grab some clothing from it with the other clean hand as he ran to the baths curseing all along the way. While Yukio and Ed laughed watching Rin's Antics.

Cram School Next Day

"This is Shiemi Moriyama. Your new classmate" Yukio finished. Ed watched her until she sat next to Rin and across the aisle from himself. After sitting down she turned and saw Ed].

"Oh, Edward! I didn't know you were here too!"

"Ya I am, how have you been Shiemi?" Ed asked as she smiled at him.

"Oh I'm alot better, thanks to Rin and Yuki." She stated as Ed looked to Rin.

"What happened?" Ed asked as Rin scratched the back of his head.

"Well…"

"They exorcised a Demon in my Grandma's Garden." She stated as Ed looked to Rin who nodded in agreement.

"How is your gra… OUCH! What?" Ed grabbed the piece of chalk on his desk and looked to Yukio who was slightly shaking his head with a shine to his glasses that said don't, pointed right at him.

"Please stop interrupting my class, Miss Moriyama Since today is your first day you will get a warning. As for you Ed, stay after class and I'll go over your extra homework." Yukio stated as Ed grumbled in his seat. "Now, anymore interruptions?" He asked allowed, smiling as all the other students straightened not wanting to get pegged or get handed extra work as well by their dragoon teacher.

Next Day

One, two and three. Three times Ed's caught Rin asleep. Which that means that's three times or more he's heard that Bon guy's blood pressure spike. If only he could find some way to keep Rin awake for his classes, which is why he's thankful for P.E., cause there's no chance for Rin to do that here. So he took the chance to stretch as his turn was next. That was until he heard the teacher yell, when Ed looked he saw a reaper being dragged back to the center while Bon and Rin were on the ground. After the reaper that the class had to dodge from was secured. The teacher soon after took Bon to be talked to, which left the students alone. "What is it with him anyway?" Rin grounded out glaring at Bon in the distance.

"Just cut him some slack." Shima said as Rin turned to face him while Ed came up to Rin's side to join them. "Bon is too serious. Sometimes he just won't budge. He came here with a great ambition." Fully getting Rin and Ed's attention.

"Ambition?" Rin asked.

"Bon wants to be an exorcist so he can defeat Satan." Shima finished stunning Rin while Ed looked to said teen.

"Huh, isn't that neat." Ed stated getting a questioning glare from the two monks.

"What do you mean by that?" Konekomaru asked a bit taken aback by Ed's lack of surprise.

"What I mean is he shares more in common with someone here then I first realized." Ed stated getting confused looks until they looked at who was next to him, at which point Shima proceeded to suppress a chuckle.

"Was your home attacked as well during the blue night?" Konekomaru asked looking at both Rin and Ed. Seeing both of them give a confused look to each other then back to the monk.

"Can't say that we have. We haven't had an attack on our monastery as long as I've been there." Ed stated with as much truth as he thought they needed as the two monks nodded while Rin still looked confused. "But then again I only showed up a few years ago."

"So what happened on this Blue night?" Rin asked suddenly as the monks looked at him.

"You both don't know?" Konekomaru asked as both Ed and Rin shook their heads.

"That's odd." Shima stated as Konekomaru proceeded to explain the Blue night.

"The Blue Night refers to the slaughter of powerful Clergymen all around the world 16 years ago. He attacked our temple, too. That night 16 years ago powerful exorcists like the head monk at the time started bleeding all over, spewed blue fire, and then died."

"Blue fire is the mark of Satan." Shima stated as Ed and Rin listened.

Bon's dad was still in training at the time. He hid in a corner of the temple until morning. Later he took over the temple, but… Because of the deaths, everyone thought the temple was creepy and it lost patrons and visitors. They started calling it the Cursed Temple. The temple soon fell out of use.

"Oh, their back" Shima cut in as the implications of what Konekomaru and Shima said to Rin and Ed sank in as a replay of what happened to Shiro played in front of their vision.

Next thing Ed knows the instructor is running off yelling something about a cat. "Uh... did. Did I miss something?" Ed wondered as Shima sighed.

"What the hell?! He calls himself a teacher?!" Bon started to talk to nobody in particular. "I thought True Cross Academy… was a holy place of learning with serious teachers! And the student's suck, too!" As everyone turned to look at him, while bon stared at Ed and Rin.

"Get off it would ya?! How would you know how serious we are?" Rin shot back.

"Yeah, how would you know? Yeah, he could do better in areas but we both want to become exorcists!" Ed shot back as well while getting a slight gawk from Rin.

"Ed you too?!" Shima stated surprised by how similar Ed was to the other two teens.

"It's your attitudes in class! You sleep through all the lessons, Okumura! And you... " Bon rounded onto Ed. "Your always slacking off in class, it's like you don't even want to be an exorcist?!"

"Hey leave Ed alone!" Rin said taking a step toward Bon.

"Bon you're acting like a child." Konekomaru said.

"Yeah, give it a rest, man." Shima chimed in.

"Shut up, you two!" As he glared at his friends. "I've got an idea!" Bon said looking back into the ring. Then looking back to Rin and Ed "If you're both serious, then prove it to me!" Getting a surprised look from Rin and Ed while the rest were wondering how he'd do that. They got their answer when Bon pointed to the reaper in the pit. "There!" he exclaimed "Go near the Reaper and touch it without getting attacked!"

"Hm, Reapers attack when they sense negative emotions if I remember correctly. Which if that's the case you would lose given how you are right now. So no thanks" Ed stated off the top of his head.

"What do you mean by that, runt?!" Bon shot back at Ed, making Ed a bit annoyed at the runt comment. Which Ed turned stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets and started walking away from them.

"Fine don't blame me when you get attacked! Cause you will get attacked if you head down there." Ed Stated walking along the pit.

"Fine then! Your too small to even be an appetizer for it anyway!" Bon shot back at Ed.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT THEY ARE TOO SMALL TO FEED A MOUSE!" Ed turned to yell back at the teen, surprising a few teens as well.

"Heh! Interesting…" Rin smiled at the challenge gaining their attention as Ed turned his glare at Rin in annoyance, wondering if he should drag Rin away. "But... no thanks." Rin said not wanting to do it to Bon's dismay while Ed smiled at the monks misfortune.

"What?!" Bon exclaimed as his challenge was shot down by both teens.

"What if I failed and died? Are you stupid?" Rin retorted.

"But…" Bon was lost for words.

"I've got the same ambition that you do so I can't die over something ridiculous like this." Rin said as he turned to follow Ed putting his hands behind his head as Ed smiled back at Rin.

Bon was processing what Rin just said till it clicked. "You TOLD them…" Bon grounded out glaring at Konekomaru and Shima who just shrank a bit. "Ambition, you say?" As he turned to the teens. "Both of you are just scared!" Catching Rin and Ed's attention as they turned to face the monk. "Why won't either of you fight?! Aren't you both frustrated?!" Seeing no change in Rin or Ed's features Bon had enough. "I'm gonna do it!" As he turned to the arena edge but stopped as a wall appeared in front of him. "What the hell?!" He said taking a step back.

"Bon are you ok?" Konekomaru asked slight worry lacing his words.

"Ya." He said as he looked and saw the wall was only in front of him.

"Look I don't know why I stopped you." Ed said as he walked back over to them. "But if you go through with this you will be attacked in your current state of mind. Cause negative emotions include anger idiot, and I don't think that vein in your temple is cause of the thrill to do this." Ed pointed out much to Bon's annoyance. "But if you go down there and get attacked in any way. Know that WE all tried to stop you." Ed said motioning to Shima, Konekomaru, Rin and himself as he clapped his hands and put a hand to the wall as it sank back into the floor before their eyes. Surprising most there. "So you still want to go through with it, cause I'm not gonna save your dumbass if it goes south." Ed stated looking at Bon.

"Like hell I'm just gonna back down because a little shrimp told me too!" Bon stated as Ed turned and laid on the nearby bleacher.

"Well see you at the hospital or grave I guess." Ed said as he lazily waved at them as he started getting comfy.

"Oh ya, BRAT!" Bon said as he jumped over the edge into the arena as Ed glared at him. Bon walked, much to the others protest, toward the lone Reaper. As Bon reached the demon everyone watched as Bon stared into the Reaper's eyes. Ed started to move to help just in case things did go south. But he was too slow as the Reaper jumped at Bon to bite him. Ed Watched as the Reaper moved but relaxed a bit as he saw Rin moving to help as well. He would later regret that decision as Rin let the Reaper bite himself instead of Bon.

"RIIIINNN!" Ed yelled as he watched the Reaper bite into Rin, only for images of Yukio killing him, reviving him only to kill him again and again as punishment played in his mind. Ed snapped out of it when he heard Rin's voice.

"Cause I'm going to be the one to beat Satan!" Rin declared to a bewildered Bon.

"Rin! You better start running cause I'm going to kick your ass for this!" Ed yelled as he transmuted the concrete underneath the dirt to form a cage for the Reaper as Rin backed up a bit at Ed's rapid approach.

"Uh why?!" Rin questioned as he backed up some more as Ed drew closer.

"For Scaring the crap out of me! You could have died you DUMBASS!" Ed yelled as Rin started running away knowing full well Ed would do it too, and not wanting to see the blonds Alchemy used on himself this time.

Bon for his part looked at the two teen's as they ran around the place. Rin begging for mercy but to no avail from the blond. Something about dumbasses needing the idiocy kicked out of them. He watched them before looking back at the new cage for the Reaper before getting up and walking away without a word to anyone as the other two monk's followed not far behind.

Armestris Central (Underground)

Underneath Central in a grayscale concrete room, sat a figure garbed in a white robe reading a book with a glass of wine next to him. Behind him were several pipes that ran from him across Armestris. These pipes fueled the countries Alchemy sealing them from the true source to perform transmutation. He's been perturbed for a few day's as he's felt something. He knows what it is no matter how faint it is, but the where seemed like it was everywhere. After a bit of searching for the source he came to a conclusion. "Envy, I have a task for you." Father said allowed for all to hear. As Envy fell from above to the floor into a kneeling pose.

"What do you need of me father?" Envy spoke.

"I've found a sacrifice that has reappeared." Gaining Envy's full attention. "I want you to look into it." As Envy's smile grew.

"Where will I be sent to father! Just tell me and I will head there at once!" Envy said with a bit too much excitement in his voice.

"No. For now you will stay while I have Lust and Wrath gather the necessary materials." Much to Envy's confusion. "You see Envy, the sacrifice is no longer here in our world." Father stated as Envy became more confused.

"So like they're dead?" Envy stated much to father's annoyance.

"No. They went through the Gate and instead of coming back here Truth dropped them somewhere else. Perhaps another world." Father questioned.

"Whoa, hold on, another world like another planet?!" A shake of the head was all Envy got from father.

"No. Another reality, probably much different from our own, or the same. So I'm sending you there to learn about this world, and if possible learn where our sacrifice is." Father stated as Envy was looking forward to causing more trouble, in another reality no less. "However." Bringing Envy back to the conversation. "The trip might leave your stone weakened, so be careful when you first arrive." He warned knowing Envy doesn't like to wait around doing nothing. "And be careful." Gaining Envy's attention at his Father's concern. "If you get into trouble there, none of us will be able to help you. I have written down what you need to make a similar gate like what you will go through when you get their. I want you to make it, so you can return with information or the sacrifices if the situation allows." As Envy nodded. At this Father stood and began walking toward Envy. "Good. They should have the supplies ready before long. Come Envy. We have much to do." As Father walked past Envy, the homunculus got up and turned to follow Father.

True Cross Academy: Cram School

Ed was a bit surprised at what Rin had in front of him to say the least. "Uh… Rin? What are you doing?" Ed asked as he and Yukio watched still perplexed at the sight next to Shiemi.

"I'm studying." Was the answer he received. Shocking both Ed and Yukio.

"Could this be an omen?" Yukio said under a clasped hand.

"Are we sure Rin isn't possessed?" Ed asked afterward.

"Got a problem with that?! Four-eyes and… and…Antenna!" Rin shot back as they all looked at him confused.

"Antenna? Where and Who is Antenna?" Yukio asked the question for both him and Ed as Rin pointed to his adopted brother.

"His hair!" Rin stated as Yukio started to chuckle as Ed started to glare at Rin. Soon though Bon walked up to face Rin. "So? You gonna make fun of me, too?" Rin bit out as he and Ed turned to watched the teen.

"Look, Yesterday I forgot to tell you both Thanks." As Bon pulled out a hair pin for Rin. "I use this to hold my hair back. I'll lend it to you." Bon said handing it to Rin. "And you." He said looking toward Ed, who snapped out of his thoughts on what changed in the teen in front of him. "Thanks for helping. I realized after a while you were right and that I'm sorry." Was all he said as he walked to his seat.

"That's… sorta creepy." Rin said as he looked back at Bon.

"What?!" Bon said looking back at Rin pissed off. "What did you say?! You… Monkey! I was being nice!" Bon yelled at Rin.

"Is this another omen?" Yukio whispered.

"Ha! At least I'm not the only one now that thinks you act like a monkey Rin!" Ed Laughed much to Rin's disappointment.

"Ya well, at least I'm not a short janitor!" Rin shot back. As Ed looked at Rin, fires of retribution in his eyes.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch that." Ed said shaking a fist at Rin across the aisle.

"I think it was quite down or I'm giving you three extra work. Especially you Ed." Yukio said to the three of them, collectively making them shut up.

Author Note:

Again apologies for the long wait. I hope You enjoyed the read, sorry if not (Shrugs). I'll get the next chapter out as soon as I can. So please, coment what you like, hate, the ungodly amount of mistakes I may have missed... Or not. Your choice, your time, I hope you enjoy it all! :) Have a wonderful da...mon... You know what make it a Quarter Year. Have a wonderful Quarter Year!

((God! I'll try and hope it doesn't take THAT long!) T.T )

Mephisto: "I can tell them when you do~."

Me: "Shhhhhhhh, I'd die before I hear that number!" (-.-" )

Mephisto: "Humf, spoil sport."

Me (Sweating intensifies more)