A Promise to Protect

by Sazadon

Ed and Al attempt to use Alchemy to bring their dead mother back to life. But they failed at a price. Al lost his whole body while Ed lost his memory till he see's blue fire. After which he wakes with little to no memory of his past with a new adoptive father and twin brother's. He's happy, until the day he got his memory back. Rated:M

4. Chapter 4: Exam of Intentions

(A/N): HI! I hope Everyone is well, safe and healthy! Please be safe in this time and wash your hands often and clean your devices as well if you take them out and about!

zoepeanut, I hope you have been enjoying where this premise has gone and will go on more.

Bellagunn, I'm happy you liked Ed as an exorcist and Alchemist.

Rercho, I'm glad you enjoy my story a lot. Yes, I figured it wouldnt be the first time they meet. And that Mephisto wouldn't really let a really powerful being like Truth be. But when they get bored... You can see how that ends as where Ed had ended up.

TheBeatles211, Glad to know you enjoy that different starting point for Ed! I sadly took a few hours to think a good point for Ed to be introduced into the story to have the bonds he had. Hard part about having a scene in mind and working back from there I guess, hahah.

Guest, HERE IT IS! THE NEXT CHAPTER! . .. ... (Sweating and internal screaming INTENSIFY about when the next one will come)

With that done I hope you enjoy this chapter like the rest and I will be working on the next chapter as soon as this one is posted here.

Mephisto: "So You should be working on it now, right?"

Me: ... "(whispers) Why must you be like this to me?"

Mephisto: "Who said it was only you dear?"

Me: (Internal screaming increases 3 decibles) "Enjoy the Chapter!"

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"Hi!" = Speaking

'Bye!' = Thinking

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Chapter 4

Exam of Intentions

Cram School

"Summer break is almost here. Which means the Exwire Certification Exam is coming up. Exwires undergo special battle training so the exam won't be easy." Yukio announced to the class. Ed was chuckling as he overheard Rin trying to say exwire and failing a few times. "So next week we will have an intensive study camp." Yukio stated as he walked to Izumo passing out papers as he continued. "Circle if you wish to participate and fill in your desired Meister by monday." Ed looked over the sheet seeing what was on it.

"Meister? What's a Meister?!" Rin asked while Ed sighed at the question.

"Um I-I think it's what you want to be as an exorcist?" Shiemi said not quite sure herself. That's when Rin and Shiemi looked to Ed.

"Hey Ed, what's a meister?" Rin asked as they waited on Ed for his help.

"What the hell do I look like, a Dictionary?" Ed asked flippantly as they both nodded in affirmation. Ed gawked at them until he responded back with indignation. "Figure it out for yourselves!" Ed stated as they both sighed at their question being shot down. "You both need to figure it out yourselves. Rely on your surroundings for information!"

"Is there a problem Edward?" Yukio looked at Ed in that stair that only means trouble if there is.

"No, Mr. Okumura. Nothing's wrong here." He said waving his hands in front of him while sweat dropping. Rin meanwhile looked around at the other students. He got up and walked toward three in particular.

"What's a meister? Would someone tell me please?" As Rin held the sheet passed out to them all in front of himself. He looked at the three monks, only getting a look of shock from some of them, while shima started to laugh.

"You don't even know that?! Gimme a break!" Bon started in on Rin.

Once Shima stopped laughing he also joined into the conversation. "Okumura, you really don't know anything!"

"Aw, come on guys… some people are just like that." Rin lamented not realizing that Ed was behind him burning holes into the back of his head.

"When I said rely on the resources around you for information I didn't mean for you to ask someone else!" Ed yelled while getting worried stares from others in the class. "I ment learn through a book or hell even one of those dumb pamphlets in the back of the classroom! Dumbass!" Ed slapped Rin in the back of the head all the while Bon, Shima and Konekomaru all slightly edged away from said blond's small tantrum.

"Ow! I'm sorry Ed!" Rin said as Ed aggressively pulled on his cheek. "But I'm not really a book person Ed! You know this!" Rin stated through Ed's shenanigans.

"I know." Ed sighed out, feeling a bit defeated as he stopped his assault on Rin who nursed his cheed. "But, I had hoped you would have looked around and tried to figure it out on your own instead of just asking someone." Ed sighed, looking to the side while crossing his arms in front of him before shrugging. "Guess I was wrong." Ed stated as Rin saw what Ed tried to do.

"Well…" As Konekomaru spoke up pulling the two's attention to him. "A Meister is a skill qualification necessary for becoming an exorcist. There are five types: Knight, Dragoon, Tamer, Aria and Doctor. You have to achieve one to become an exorcist. Each meister fights a different way." Konekomaru explained.

"I think I got it! Thanks, Konekomaru!" Rin stated as he smiled. "So which meister are you gonna be?" Rin asked beside said monk.

"When did you two get so friendly?!" Bon asked, looking at the two's interactions.

"Shima and I are gonna be Arias."

As the pink haired teen behind konekomaru lazily waved his hand "I'm Shima!"

"An Aria Recites the Bible and Sutras to fight."

"Bon wants to be both an Aria and a Dragoon!" Shima cut in, amazing Rin and Ed.

"Suguro!" Bon yelled at his friend for saying his nickname in the presence of Rin and Ed.

"Wow! Very Ambitious, Bon." Rin complimented Bon.

"You don't call me Bon!" Bon rounded on to Rin for using his nickname.

"Anyway… Mr. Okumura is a Doctor and a Dragoon." Konekomaru stated.

"Wow…" Rin looked at Konekomaru a bit surprised. "He's Amazing." Rin said with a bit of joy looking at his sheet of paper. "Which one should I choose, then? What's a Dragoon anyway?" As Rin leaned his head on his hand and started to scratch the back of his head with the other in thought.

Suguro had enough when he let out an annoyed, albeit contained yell. "Man, you're a pain!" Bon said annoyance laced his every word. Catching Rin's and Ed's attention. " A Dragoon uses firearms and a Knight uses a sword!" Which caught Rin's attention.

"A sword?!" With a little surprised look on his face which turned into a smile as he started to circle it on the paper. "Then I'm gonna be a knight!" As he then looked to Ed who was deep in thought. "Hey, what are you going to be Ed? ...Ed? Hey, Ed?" As Rin patted said Blonds back, shocking him out of his thoughts.

"Huh, What's going on?!" He looked at the four others with him. "What's everyone staring at me for?" Ed asked as everyone sighed.

"Man. And you're still one of the top students here." Bon commented, receiving a small smirk from Ed.

"What Bon meant to ask was what Meister's are you going to choose?" Rin said, trying to shift Ed's focus.

"Oh that? That's easy, a knight and an Aria." As the others looked at him, surprise and confusion written all over their faces. "What?" Ed asked, wondering why they are looking at him like that.

"Wouldn't what you do be considered Tamer?" Konekomaru asked what they all thought.

"No it wouldn't." Ed stated as he saw all of them lean in for more clarification as Ed sighed. "So, what I do is closer to Aria in exorcist term's, but it doesn't really fall under any of them. And to be more exact it would be closer to a science if anything else, like chemistry." Ed explained as Bon and Konekomaru thought about it, while Rin and Shima looked a bit lost as Ed sighed. "Here hand me a piece of paper." Ed asked as Konekomaru handed the blond the sheet and a pencil. They all watched as Ed started to draw a circle on it.

"What are you drawing there Ed?" Shima asked but didn't receive an immediate answer as said blond continued to draw. Until he looked in shima's pile of books and smiled.

"Shima, hand me that book right there in your pile." Ed asked as Shima looked a bit confused and then soon sweated.

"Uh, how about you take one of Bon's books?" Shima tried to deflect but Ed shook his head.

"Nope! Unlike you he will actually use all of his, so hand me that book there at the bottom." Ed pointed and Shima would have said no but everyone was looking at him.

"Here." Shima stated in defeat giving his manga to Ed who took it and started drawing finer details onto the image. "Ge for a shrimp, he sure is a demanding one?" Shima said to Bon in a hushed voice. But not hushed enough as he got an earful from said blond.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SHRIMP THAT THEY ARE SO SMALL A BACTERIA WOULDN'T EVEN NOTICE THEM?!" Ed yelled at the pinket as Rin calmed Ed down the best he could. Huffing Ed raised his drawing and started to explain. "This is an Array. It is what allows the use of Alchemy. There are alot of things that go into making an array but the main thing is the materials. Such as paper, adhesive, and ink." Ed stated pointing to the respective symbols as he held the manga as an example. As he laid the sheet down along with Shima's manga on top of it. Then he put his hand's to the array and lightning started to jump and they watched as the book started to go into a liquid like state before reforming as a DNA double helix in the form of the Infinity symbol. "This is how Alchemy is manly done." Ed stated as three of the four onlookers looked on in aw, while Shima looked at it in loss.

"M-my manga." Shima stated in a distant, depressed tone.

"Well Shima I hope that's a good incentive to not bring distractions to class." Yukio stated startling them all. "I'll let it pass for today Ed. But, let me take care of it next time. And Shima keep something like that at home in private, alright. I would have let it be fuel for a fire if I got my hands on it." Yukio said before walking off as everyone looked to the pinkette as he was now wallowing in a corner.

Next Class

"We will now Summon Demons." As Neuhaus finished drawing the diagram. "Don't step on the Diagram. Breaking the circle will render it ineffective." Motioning the exwires to keep away with a motion of his hand. "Summoning requires blood and the correct invocation." He said as he cut his hand for blood to spill onto the diagram. "Son of Typhon and Echidna hear my call. Come forth!" He called as an arm started to form from the diagram, ending into a fully formed demon called a Naberius. Shocking those in the room. "Few are those who can summon a demon to be their familiar." He said as he looked over the exwires.

"It smells like sulfur!" Shima commented, covering his mouth.

"I've never seen a Naberius before!" Bon said while he just looked at the demon stunned at how it looks. Ed took a moment to analyze the demon. He noted how the skin looked wrotted and the many stitches throughout its body. Not to mention the additional joints in its legs as well as a tail

"To do this, you must have a strong spirit as well as inborn ability! We're going to see if you have that ability." Neuhaus said, glancing at Rin, which both Rin and Ed noticed. "Earlier I handed out papers with magic circles on them. Drip your blood on it and chant whatever comes to mind." He said as Izumo was already ahead of him.

"Inari, I humbly beseech thee to grant my request!" Izumo said as two white fox demons appeared. Surprising all present.

"Wow! What are those?" Rin just spoke the first thing that came to his mind.

"Two white foxes well done, Ms. Kamiki." Neuhaus said.

Ed more or less just looked at the paper studying it as he heard several others try and fail, until he heard a poof and looked to see Shiemi had summoned a small Greenman. As him and Rin both stared. As Ed looked back to his summoning circle putting it in his pocket shaking his head no when he was looked upon. As Rin just stated he didn't get anything as well. Even though he didn't try as well, knowing if he did and succeeded would prove detrimental, depending on what was summoned.

After Class, Streets

"Hey Ed." Rin asked as him and Ed were both walking back to the Dorm.

"Yeah?" Ed asked as he opened his right eye to look at Rin, while keeping his hands knitted behind his head. "What is it Rin?

"Why didn't you try to summon anything?" Rin asked as it made Ed stiffen a little in surprise, but relaxed seeing as how he was found out.

"I didn't really feel like it." Ed stated as his go to. Which annoyed Rin a bit cause he couldn't really tell whether Ed was serious or not.

"Well then why not when we get back to the Dorm's?" Rin stated more than asked, making Ed open both eyes at him. Putting his arms to his sides.

"Why should I? It's not like I'll become a tamer anyways." Ed shot back.

"Yeah, you might not. But if the chance comes why not see if you can take it?" Rin shot back making Ed sigh. "Besides what's the worst that can happen?" Rin said picking up the pace to get to the Dorm.

"Let's see, if you did try you might summon a powerful demon that would eat our souls as a midnight snack." Ed stated making Rin stop in his tracks.

"You saw that?" Rin said as he scratched the back of his head as he looked back at Ed.

"Yep. Don't worry about it though." As Ed slapped Rin's back as he walked by. "But I guess I could give it a try. Who knows I might summon the son of Satan?" Ed said as Rin gawked at him for the insult.

"OI! What makes you think you'd summon me anyway?!" Rin glared at Ed.

"Your part demon. So, why not?" Ed jabbed at Rin.

"LIKE I'D LISTEN TO A HALF PINT LIKE YOU!" Rin jabbed back with his own smirk.

"What was that?!" As Ed looked back at Rin who started to jog past Ed. "GET BACK HERE!" As Ed started to run after Rin. "WHEN I SUMMON YOU I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN FOR A MONTH, DAMN IT!" At which Rin started running to the Dorm. "GET BACK HERE!" As Ed finally kept pace with Rin, rage fueling him forward.

Old Boy's Dorm

Roof

"Okay Ed give it a try!" Rin said as he sat on the roof looking at Ed with a smile of pure excitement.

"I don't have the paper anymore." Ed said, trying to get out of doing this.

"Liar! I saw you shove it in your pocket before anyone looked." Rin stated, as Ed sighed and pulled it out.

"Man you're too good at calling people out." Ed said as Rin had a huge smile on his face now. "Are you sure Rin?" Ed asked as said person nodded with vigor, while Ed sighed in defeat. "Fine!" Ed yelled in defeat as Rin sat and watched expectantly. Ed pricked his thumb letting some blood drip onto the paper like the others did. Taking a deep breath and thinking about what to say. "I've paid in blood and live with my sin. I pass the Gate and forge ahead. The Truth I seek, for those dismissed. Those who follow will guide me true."

"Huh. I would have sworn you would have said something alchemy related?" Rin said as Ed looked at him and nodded.

"Well, I kinda did. As much as I didn't want to admit it." As he closed his eyes. "But at least I don't have what it takes to be a tamer. Right Rin?" Ed said as he shrugged, keeping his eyes closed. That was until he didn't hear Rin answer, is when Ed opened his eyes to look at him. "Right Rin?" He said looking at Rin who looked shocked for some reason. "What's wrong?" Ed asked as Rin pointed behind him.

"B-behind… you…" Rin stammered out as Ed turned to see an all too familiar Eye in the middle of a black void behind him. It made Ed back away in fear and anger. But before Rin could get up and do anything, Ed stood in front of him. "What the hell is that?!" Rin questioned standing behind Ed ready to help if needed.

"Rin, stay back!" Rin looked at Ed like he was mad.

"Like hell I am…"

"I'm not letting that bastard hurt anyone else Rin. And that includes you too." Ed stated as Rin watched Ed's form. Rin saw Ed was ready for a fight, but noticed that he was shaking from fear. "Rin get away while you can still." Ed said making Rin glare at Ed.

"Are you in…

Ed looked back at Rin making said teen stop. Ed knew Rin could see the fear and anger that was whirling inside him. "This is my problem Rin, none of yours." Ed stated as Rin started to glare at Ed for the comment, but stopped as he looked at what the eye was doing, making Ed turn his head back to it. He expected for those black hands to come for him or on the off chance Rin. But they just stayed in front of the eye. They watched as electricity started arcing between the hands. They continued watching but watched as what started to form took the shape of a body. After the body was fully formed it collapsed onto the ground and the eye disappeared like it was never even there.

"What… Just happened?" Rin stated the question to Ed.

"I don't really know myself." Ed stated as he and Rin slowly approached the lying form on the ground. They jumped as it started hacking and taking deep breaths like it just remembered it needed to. After the breathing evened out to a point they slowly approached it again.

"Big… Brother..." They both heard it talk through it's heavy breaths and stopped cautious of what it would do next. "Did… we… bring mother back…?" It asked between long pauses while Rin looked confused. Rin looked to Ed but said blond didn't move an inch.

"Alphonse?" Was all Ed said to the body as said body didn't move.

"Edward. I'm… tired… please…" The voice was drowned out as it's breathing evened out completely into sleep. Ed then walked toward the sleeping form and turned it over showing its face to him

Ed's eyes had a distant look to them. But after turning the limp body toward them a bit Ed looked it over and saw it had Al's features, and sounded like Al's voice. Ed soon found a note crunched in its hand. He carefully took it out and read it.

"I hope you enjoy this gift Edward. Took quite a few Favors to pry him from Truth. Signed, Mephisto" As Ed crumpled the paper.

"Hey Ed!" Rin tried to get his attention. Getting a quirk of the head as his only response. "What the hell's going on?! How does he know your name? And what did he mean by bringing mother back?!" Rin asked as he watched his adoptive brother look up to the sky almost like it held all the answers. "Ed, ANSWER ME!" Rin looked at Ed, confusion and worry written plain as day on his face. Which only grew as Ed looked back toward him with tears in his eyes.

"Later." He said sniffling a bit while wiping the tears away. "I'll tell you and Yukio later. For now let's go inside and get him into a bed." Ed said while Rin nodded not wanting to pressure Ed anymore at the moment. They both grabbed the body on different ends and walked to their room, laying it on one of the lower beds.

"Okay now thats out of the way, at least answer me this. Who is he Ed?" Rin asked as Ed sat and looked at the slowly moving form. Memories playing in front of him before he took a breath.

"He's my brother. Who I thought I killed when we tried to bring back our dead mother." Ed said flatly as Rin looked at Ed wide eyed, Ed then looked toward the sleeping form. "What ended up happening is Al died and I lost my memories."

"How could you kill your own brother?" Rin asked in a stern tone, confused and wanting to know why.

"We encroached on God's domain to bring our mother back to life. We performed the ultimate taboo to do so. And paid. Severely. It probably would have been worse for me if Mephisto did not intervene." Ed said as he examined Al's face.

"So you two tried to bring your mother back to life and he ended up… dead, while you lost your memories. That's what happened Right?" Rin asked with a slight shock in his voice hoping that's what actually happened. Which after receiving a nod from Ed Rin released a breath to calm himself. "So what was that giant eye looking thing? It looked kinda like that…" He paused as a shiver ran up his spine. "A… A Gehenna gate, I guess if you squint really hard at it?" Rin said as he looked away at the realization of what he just said, making Ed laugh a bit cause it led to the total opposite.

"What you saw was the diagram for Human Transmutation. The same as me and Al used. It also leads to that bastard." As Rin caught the subtle tone of hate through his tone Ed let into his speech.

"Who?" Rin asked as to who Ed was talking about.

"Mr. World Universe God Truth All One And You. That Bastard!" Ed spat as venom dropped with every word as he continued clenching his fist into his pants in anger. Rin stared at Ed processing what he just heard.

"So you mean to tell me you met god?! As in that GOD?!" As Ed never looked away from Al still. "What did he look like? What was around? Come on Ed! This is going to kill me!" Rin said wanting to know what it was like, but stopped as he saw the pain flash across his brother's face. "Sorry." Making Ed look at him in surprise stuffing the pain away. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

"No perhaps you can tell Yukio when the time comes." Ed said as he sighed.

"Tell me what?" Yukio said, appearing behind Rin. Scaring both of them well into their afterlife.

"Yukio! What the Hell?!" Rin yelled at his twin. "You nearly scared me to death!"

"Ya really. We really need to put a bell on…" Ed was stopped as Yukio cut in.

"A bell would hinder me as it would alert whoever I am near of my location." Yukio said as he pushed his glasses back up.

"THE DOOR!" Ed yelled as Yukio looked to Ed with a bit of embarrassment. "The door not you!" As Yukio hid behind his mask a bit at his folly. "But anyways…"

"Who's this?" Yukio asked as he looked straight at Al.

"I'll explain it right now, damn it! Just let me speak!" Ed half yelled as Yukio took a seat on his bed. "Comfy?" Ed asked, getting a nod from the younger twin. "Good."

"I'll go get some food then until he's caught up." Rin said as he went to get a few drinks and snacks.

"Okay. Let's begin." Ed explained to Yukio everything he just explained to Rin, plus what happened on the roof. As Rin came back with food and Drinks. "So there you have it." Ed said as he looked at Yukio who wore a shocked or fearful expression on his face. "Mind you." Getting his full attention back. "He could just be the God from where I came from." Bringing some form of hope to Yukio that that's the case.

"I see." Yukio said as he fixed his glasses again to hide behind his mask. "So then here is my question." Gaining Rin's full attention as he looked at Yukio a bit worried. "How are you both not in hell?" Making both Ed and Rin collapse at what he just asked. "I mean if you committed the ultimate taboo how are you not in hell?" Which to Ed made a bit of sense. But Rin decided to give his brother a good fist to his skull for the dumb question. "Ow! What was that for Rin?!"

"That's for being a dumbass, and this is for trying to be one." Rin said as he slapped Yukio in the head.

"Rin! You got demon strength remember so it's stronger than you might think!" Was Yukio's argument.

"Ya well, you might want to think about that next time then!" Rin retorted.

As Ed laughed a bit at their antics. "But I could have easily been in hell." Pulling their attention back to him. "I remember our old teacher. Me and Al both learned under her. She could do transmutations with only her hands as well." As he moved his hands mimicking the transmutation. "But she always coughed up blood at some random point for no apparent reason." Making Rin pale while Yukio gawked at the thought of someone just coughing up blood unexpectedly.

"Why is she coughing blood? Is something medically wrong with her?" Yukio asked, hoping this wasn't going where he thought it was going.

"She never really told us but I eavesdropped on her one night when she had an episode." As both the Okumura's were watching Ed in anticipation. "She lamented that she couldn't have given themselves a child." As Ed took a breath to calm himself a bit. "She also regrets the transmutation that took her organs to try and get her child back."

"So then you're saying GOD took some of her organs for trying to bring her unborn child back?!" Rin said while Yukio was in a state of shock.

"I was young and didn't understand at the time. But having gone through it myself." He said looking at Al, as he felt a pang of guilt run through him. "It's something that should be forgotten." Ed stated as he watched Al's sleeping form as Yukio took a moment to look at the time he started to grab a change of clothes.

"It's starting to get late. Let's prepare for camp, and Ed."As said person snapped his head from Al to Yukio. "We will talk later with Sir Pheles about this." As the blonde nodded in agreement Yukio took his clothes and left.

Rin looked away from the door to Ed as he saw said blond was deep in thought. "Hey Ed. You alright?" he asked but could see Ed was really not alright. Seeing a few certain emotions all playing behind Ed's eyes. "Ed!" Rin yelled at the blonde as he grabbed Ed's shoulder snapping him out of his state to stare at Rin. "Whatever it is I'm sure we can handle it, alright?" Rin said in a reassuring tone as Ed looked to Rin. Seeing Ed calm at his words Rin smiled.

"Thanks, Rin." Ed said a bit tired now as he closed his eyes and let a small smile on his face. "Go ahead and do what you need to do to prepare for camp. And untie your tail from my leg!" Ed said as Rin looked at him a bit confused.

"Uh my tail's behind me Ed?" As he raised his tail from the floor to prove a point.

"Then if it's not you then…" As they both looked at the appendage that led from Ed's right leg to under the covers of where Al slept. As they both took a second to process the sight before it dawned on them both. Setting one off as the other was unprepared for the oncoming tantrum. "THAT TRUTH BASTARD MADE MY BROTHER INTO A DEMON!" Ed yelled at the ceiling. Hurting Rin's sensitive hearing. As Yukio popped in suddenly as he forgot something.

"What is he mad about now Nii-san?" Yukio asked tiredly as he looked and heard Ed loudly mumble Truth, Bastard and Demon as he also saw something twitch on the ground. He looked and saw two tails and where each led. Realization dawned on him between the second tail and Ed's muttering, Yukio sighed, not wanting to deal with this right now. "If he wakes up and kills us Ed I will come back to haunt you." Which made Ed look at Yukio for the dry sense of humor.

"Well if you do that the last thing I want on my gravestone is I died from my brother nagging my ear off!" Ed said, making a small annoyed smile appear on Yukio's face. As Rin started laughing.

"You both would too! HAHA" Rin exclaimed as both Yukio and Ed looked to the keeled over teen.

"Whose side are you on anyway?" Yukio asked as he and Ed glared at Rin.

"My own... I guess." He wheezed out as both of his brothers turned their rage on to Rin as they both yelled at him now.

Armestris

Central (Underground)

"Are you ready Envy?" Father asked as Envy was prepped to be sent to where one of the sacrifices were with a very elaborate plan.

"Uh quick Question. How am I supposed to get back if I find the sacrifice?" Envy hadn't thought of that to the fullest. Worried about the implications.

Father sighed at Envy's lack of attention. "Like I said before, If you find the sacrifice, monitor them. If they are weak take them and use the supplies we have given you to come back. if not..." as Father started to walk away. "Wait for us." Father stated as the transmutation circle came to life under Envy.

"Are you sure we should send Envy?" Said a man's voice in the dark. "Why not send Pride? He would be able to find and monitor the sacrifice more effectively than Envy?" As he walked into the light. A Blue uniform with a straight sword attached to his waist.

Father stopped and turned to his Wrathful son. "Because where Envy is headed is a planet most likely not unlike our own. And the offering could have been dropped anywhere on it. So in terms of moving about long distances Envy is the most capable out of you all, as well as blending in with any crowds he comes across." He simply said, turning back around to leave. "As For Pride if we can't keep tabs on those of interest around us then all is for not." As he left, is when the circle stopped reacting as Envy's form was completely disintegrated.

America

Afternoon

When Envy opened his eyes he slowly got up feeling like hell, it also did not help that he didn't know where he was or where to go. "Damn. Father was right I feel like crap." As he looked toward the sky. "Whelp, better get…" As stopped as his back felt lighter then when he last remembered. After taking a quick look around where he awoke he didn't have the supplies he was sent with. " .Shit!SHIT!" He said, starting to freak out when he couldn't find them immediately. Before he gave up looking he noticed a large tan folder tapped to the wall with his name on it. He reached to pull the folder off the wall and examined it. "What the hell?!" He yelled as it was addressed to him. He grumbled as he opened it and started to read its contents.

'No cheating Homunculus. -Truth' Envy nearly lost it. 'How dare he do that! Cheating?! Is this some sort of game to that thing?!' He internally raged until he noticed some writing on the back. "What the hell is this?" He said looking at the weird markings. "Is this written in Xing?!" Envy fummed. Until he noticed different more eligible markings below.

'Greetings Envy. Considering your goal I have left a message for your convenience. But, seeing as how it's unlikely that you can read what I have written above, I have translated just what you need from it for you. Auf Wiedersehen! -XOXO Johann Faust P.S.- Japan'

"What? Is that it? They think they can make fun of MEEE!" He yelled anger clearly evident. "Just you wait Faust I'll find you starting with this Ja… pan!" He yelled heading off into a random direction.

True Cross

Dorm

Dawn

Rin, Yukio and Ed all waited outfront of the dorm waiting to start the camp. Yukio stood with his arms crossed in front of the entrance while Ed leaned against the cement wall, his hands behind his head. "She's just bossing her around!" Rin said a bit disgruntled sitting on the steps to their dorm. As Yukio made a sound that asked Rin to explain. "Oh, never mind." Rin huffed in annoyance. "Is there a reason we're doing the training camp in the dorm?" Rin asked, confused looking at Yukio.

"There's no one here so it's convenient." Yukio stated. As Rin looked back to the road.

"The Dorm is so quiet it's like no one's here." Thinking that the others living here were just quiet.

Yukio understanding what Rin meant, corrected himself to get the point across. "There isn't anyone here." Much to Rin's surprise that the dorm was empty except for them.

"There isn't?!" Rin exclaimed looking at his younger brother. As Yukio turned to explain.

"Were the only three, well I guess four now, living here." He corrected for now until this Al wakes up and is confirmed to not be a threat. But put that away for now as he looked at Rin."You hadn't noticed?" Yukio asked only to see Rin shaking his head, as he looked back down the road. "This is the old boy's residence. The other students live in newer quarters. So it's almost entirely ours." Yukio finished as he looked over to Ed. "Why are you making that face?" Yukio asked worriedly as Ed smiled while rubbing his chin.

"So it's almost entirely ours. So that means we could do whatever we want to it?! Like turning some rooms into usable space?!" Ed said several ideas going through his head. Making Yukio immediately regret telling them all that, especially the one that can actually remodel anything into anything.

"Well the dorms are mostly empty. But that doesn't mean you can start knocking down walls and turn the adjacent rooms into whatever you see fit!" Yukio said, trying to get Ed not to do something exactly like that. "Besides it's all still Sir Pheles's property. You would need to ask him before anything like that happens ." Yukio said, thinking that would save him.

"Ya well if he does have a problem I guess I won't fix his things anymore. And besides knocking down walls is a waste of material." Ed shot back which Yukio had forgotten Ed's agreement with the Headmaster. Yukio started to sweat as he was trying to come up with something to stop the blonde from doing anything to the rooms, but coming up with nothing. "Nice try using Sir Pheles as a shield though." Ed said, much to Yukio's leament.

"Oi, here they come!" Rin said as he got up to greet them.

"Good morning!" Yukio said to the arriving class. As Shima looked at the dorm.

"Whoa! What is this place?! A haunted hotel?!" As he awed the old building.

"This place is spooky! Isn't there anyplace better?" Izumo complained as per usual. "Here. Hold this." Izumo 'asked' as she handed Shiemi her bag to hold, while Shiemi was all too willing to agree. While Rin, Ed and Paku all starred not really liking seeing one of their friends being used like that.

"M… Moriyama… you don't have to If you don't want to!" Paku said trying to help Shiemi, much to Ed and Rin's relief that someone was looking out for her.

"Oh I don't mind!" Shiemi said much to Paku's confusion.

"You don't?" Paku asked, a bit worried.

"Yea, I'm helping a friend!" Shiemi said much to the others' chagrin.

"Oh… Right." Paku said a bit defeated. As they walked in. While Rin stared at them while Ed looked away upset.

—

Night

"Alright times up. Turn over your papers and hand them in." Yukio said, while everyone released a collective breath from the test. "That's all for today. Well go over the answers tomorrow at 6 a.m." Ed looked to all present but stopped on Rin when he swore he was… steaming?

"Rin you alright?" Ed asked as Bon and Shima also looked at Rin as they watched Rin stand and start to shamble toward the door.

"I'm going out for some fresh air." Rin said fatigue in his voice as he opened the door.

"Yeah, go cool off." Bon commented as Rin left. As Ed laid his forehead on the table to relax, as he heard Izumo say something about a shower as Shiemi, Paku, and Izumo all went out to the showers. He opened his eyes as he heard a soft chuckle come from Shima. Looking at the Pinkete with an annoyed glare at what he could possibly say.

"A girls' bath, huh? Nice! I'll have to peek in! Ah, the joys of…" Was all he said as Ed got up and started to leave. In a hurry. "Huh? Where are you off to Ed?" Shima asked, confused.

"Like hell I'm going to sit here and listen to you talk like that! If my sensei found out!" As a shiver ran down his spine at the thought.

"You mean someone other than at the academy?" Bon interjected. Getting a shaky nod as Ed left. "Ge, what has him scared?"

"I couldn't say. But given that I'm a teacher as well, I would suggest against any… unethical behavior." Yukio stated flatly making Shima look at him a bit depressed.

Shima then moved closer to Yukio in a hushed town. "Your a student too! Loosen up!" He said as he started to prod Yukio as a twitch became visible for a moment from behind his glasses.

"I'm glad Teacher wasn't here. We'd be in the hospital by now." Ed said to no one as he walked in the halls at random. Until Shiemi and Rin ran past him.

"SORRY ED!" As she ran by while Rin was not far behind. Ed sighed knowing Rin would catch her for whatever reason. Ed clapped his hands and laid them on the floor making a wall rise up in front of Shiemi who squealed at the sudden dead end.

"Thanks Ed!" Rin said as he approached Shiemi as a similar wall appeared in front of him as he ran face first into it. "What the HELL Ed?!" Rin yelled as he rubbed his beat red face as Ed walked up to the hole he made in the wall so he could talk to Shiemi.

"So do either of you care to explain what this is about?" Ed asked as Shiemi looked to the corner, while Rin started.

"I'm trying to help her see Izumo is using her!" Rin yelled as Shiemi looked back to counter his claim.

"No she isn't! I'm helping a friend!" She said as red flushed her cheeks. "You two are strong and have friends. I want to be strong so I can help my friends too!" She exclaimed as Rin flinched a bit at the words.

"I see." Ed said as Rin and Shiemi both looked to him. "Well, where I come from when someone does something for you, you do something for them." As Rin cheered at Ed taking his side, while Shiemi looked downcast. "However." As Rin started to look worried as Shiemi regained a bit of hope. "I believe in mistakes. If this is a mistake I believe you will learn from it. I mean ya mistakes hurt, hurt you so much that they never really go away." As he looked down, before realizing he was drifting off topic. "But you learn. So if you believe you are correct go for it. Me and Rin here might not like it, but this is your choice. Just know that we are here for you if things don't end right." Ed said as he transmuted the walls back into the flooring. "Come on, and lets…" he said before a scream echoed down the hall.

"That sounds like Kamiki and Paku!" Shiemi said as she looked toward the sound seeing Rin and Ed were already dashing to the source.

"Shiemi tell Yukio!" Rin yelled out. As Shiemi staired.

'Wow. They go to help without even hesitating! How can they be so strong?' As she moved after the adopted Brothers. "Wait! Don't leave me!"

Izumo takes a step back as her familiars turn to attack her while she couldn't stop thinking about what Paku had said. She closed her eyes as one of them jumped to attack her, next thing Izumo knows is Rin standing next to her while the familiar who attacked is crumpled next to the adjacent wall. While the ground came forth and flipped the demon that attacked them through the thin wall as Ed grabbed Paku to move her to a safer spot. "Rip the circle!" Rin yelled, catching Izumo's attention in a confused state. "The paper!"

"Oh, right!" As she ripped the paper making the fox demons disappear back to Gehenna. Leaving only the Naberius left as it threw Rin back through the hole it made when it was flipped.

"Shiemi?!" Ed exclaimed, surprised to see said girl come around the doorway.

"Ed!" Shiemi said before noticing Paku. Seeing the condition Paku was in, Shiemi acted. "Ed I'll take care of her from here. Put Paku down and go help Rin." She said as Ed did as he was told before he went to go and help Rin. As he walked toward Rin and the Demon he transmuted a chunk of a wooden beam into a baseball bat.

Ed approached where the ghoul had Rin pinned only to hear it speak. "the… will ...of… my ...master." As Ed saw Rin was having some trouble breathing.

"Well then..." Ed said as the Naberius turned to face him. "Tell whoever your master is to leave my family ALONE!" Ed yelled as he swung the bat that made the ghoul go flying. Rin as he took several breaths just stared. "And that they have to go through me to get to them!" He yelled as he transmuted the surrounding walls to latch onto the ghoul restraining each limb to hold it in place. After it was trapped Rin approached his adoptive brother with some slight pants.

"How… the hell… did you hit it... that hard?!" Rin asked through several lighter breaths wondering how Ed did such a thing.

"Oh, that?!" Ed said as he turned to look at the bat. "I made the bat from the wooden beams and I also put an alchemic diagram on it afterwards that gathers the nearby air and condenses it into a ring around the end of it. After which all that needs to happen is for something to come in contact with it to release the built up force behind it." Ed says as he looks to Rin as said teen starts edging away from the potentially explosive bat.

"Is it going to blow up or something?!" Rin asked worriedly, keeping a good distance from said bat.

As Ed scratched the back of his head in thought as he shrugged while Rin worriedly eyed the Bat.

"Rin! Ed!" Yukio came in with his pistol at the ready and trained it at the restrained ghoul.

"Took ya long enough four eyes!" Rin yelled as he accidentally bumped Ed making him drop the bat, as Rin's and Ed's eyes widened in fear. "SHI-" As the bat hit the ground with the seal, it detonated again spreading loose dust and debris into the air blinding mostly everyone in the vicinity.

"Note… ack to self." Ed muttered as he waved the dust away as small pieces of debris slid off him. "Never keep a potentially explosive transmutation going longer than necessary." As he sighed and looked for the others. Everyone but himself and Rin were alright as he sighed a breath of relief that no one was seriously hurt.

"Ed." Ed heard Yukio use that dreaded tone. "Care to explain why a BAT exploded with enough force to make an outline made out of dust of my brother in the WALL." As Ed sweat dropped.

"Uh… Alchemy?" Knowing that was all that needed to be said for Yukio to understand. Hoping as well that it got him off the hook. Rin started to move away from the scene a little shocked and covered in dust. Yukio pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance before he continued.

"Well because of it, the ghoul got away." Yukio said as he turned toward Shiemi and Paku to double check that they were indeed okay. While Ed looked at the spot the ghoul was in and saw it had broken the restraints and was long gone, he soon started ranting about it.

"Ge. Does he ever have anything to not complain about?" Bon said as he looked the small blond over. As said blond stopped his ranting and looked around the area as if something just occurred to him. And yes something did occur to Ed. He realized he was going to have to fix this place because of the ghoul.

"I guess not." Shima chimed in as others found amusement at Ed's antics. After a bit they focused back on Paku in case she needed anything. Rin started to make his way out of the room, but stopped surprised to find Izumo hiding from everyone.

"I'm so ashamed…" Izumo said, stewing in her own thoughts. "I can never show my face again." As she curled into herself further to try and make herself disappear as her thoughts went wild. That was until Rin threw his shirt to her, shocking her out of her self made turmoil.

"Put that on." Rin said as Izumo looked at him before putting the garment on and moving to leave. Rin stayed till everyone was gone till he left himself with Ed who was tired.

True Cross Academy

Dorms

Ed didn't really see his day going the way it did. Sure most of it was par for the course, until he noticed Izumo was distracted by her thoughts. How could he tell? She looked distant, and if that wasn't enough of a give away she failed to answer several of the teachers' questions. It came to a head when her and Bon got into an argument, which ended when Izumo hit Rin in the face accidently. Which left Ed and everyone else with a Bariyon on their laps. Ed hated it.

"All right class, have you repented?"

"Why us,too?" Rin asked. As Yukio sighed.

"It's called collective responsibility. One reason for this camp is to deepen the ties between you students." Yukio explained while everyone was in pain.

"But I don't want to get along with these losers!" Izumo exclaimed much to Ed and Bon's annoyance.

"Why you…" Bon said as Rin started to groan in pain.

"Were in this mess because you always look down on everyone el-se!" Ed spoke but choked out the last as the Bariyons' weight increased again. While Yukio took another sigh from Eds outburst.

"While Ed could have worded it better." As Ed shot him a pained glare. "He is right, for no exorcist fights alone." As Yukio looked directly at Izumo. "You must use each other's strengths and offset their weaknesses. You will usually fight in parties of two or more. If you don't cohere in battle, the result will be much worse than this. Think about that."

"Ya, think about it. If we were on a mission and we failed to cooperate, we would have blood on our hands whether we meant to or not." Ed choked out as he hunched over from pain. As images of Paku flashed in front of Izumo's eyes for a few seconds.

"It's a hard pill to swallow but what Ed said is right." As others in the room blaunched at the thought as Yukio checked his watch. "I'll be gone on a mission for about three hours." As Rin snapped out of his pain induced daze. "Because of the ghoul attack yesterday. I'll lock up every way in and out of the dorm and place it under heavy wards." As Yukio moved toward the door.

"Lock? Then how do we get out?" Bon questioned, worried what the answer might be.

"You don't." Yukio said in a way that made a slight shiver go up Ed's spine.

"You… you planned this." Ed grated out of clenched teeth which made both Rin and Yukio wince as that had to have hurt. But Yukio smiled in any case as he started to move through the door.

"How about you all stay here. Cool off and get along until I get back in three hours." Yukio said avoiding eye contact with Ed as he left. That's when all the Exwires started to groan in suffering.

"Three hours?! He's the devil…" Shima said as Shiemi let out a soft sound of discomfort as Bon was nearing his wits.

"I can't take this anymore…" As he looked to Rin. "Are you two really brothers?" Bon asked As Rin chuckled a bit.

"He's actually a great guy, but…" Rin said but got cut off.

"He just gets… really... into whatever he works on." Ed grinded out more, making Rin swear Ed needed a dentist soon.

"Well at least we know who to blame." Bon said as Shima tried to get him to stop.

"Huh? You grabbed me first!" Izumo defended herself.

"You started it!" Bon yelled with more anger in his voice.

"No more fights with me in the middle!" Rin yelled but to no effect as Ed remembered Rin had better hearing so if they were starting to hurt his ears, he could only imagine how Rin's felt.

"You've got a rotten personality!" Bon said, glaring at Izumo who smirked at the insult.

"Hmph! Tell me something I don't know." She said as Ed looked up to glare at her as well.

"No wonder people run away from you." Bon said calmly. Which to Ed looked like it hit a sour nerve as Izumo flinched. That's, much to everyone's surprise, when the lights went out as everyone moved in the dark making noises of confusion, fear, and pain. That's when Shima turned his phone light on so everyone could see. Izumo with a foot in Konekomaru's face as Shiemi clung to Bon for dear life. While Rin had one of the Bariyons fall on his foot that he was currently clutching while on his knee, while poor Ed somehow ended up with two bariyons on his lap as tears started to run from the strain as Rin tried to help his adoptive brother. Ed took a breath after the bariyons were moved off him as he started to think about what to do. That's when he got a strange feeling in his gut. He knew something was wrong, very wrong. That's when he turned toward the door Shima was at as he slid it open, then closed.

"Are my eyes bad or did I just…"

As Bon yelled at Shima. "It was real! REAL!" Shima jumped out of the way of the ghouls arm as it came through the door toward them.

"It's the ghoul!" Izumo exclaimed. Shocked that it appeared again.

"Yikes! What about the wards?!" Konekomaru asked no one in particular.

As Bon yelled in pain as his legs had apparently fallen asleep. The ghoul came fully through the door is when Ed clapped his hands, gaining several pairs of eyes on him as he slammed his hands into the floor. After which electricity moved across the floor to the ghoul as several spikes of concrete sprouted through the wood floor into the ghoul. Much to everyone's disgust the second head chooses then to burst open revealing its face as well as coating everyone in a mucus. That's when Ed saw Nee come forth sprouting a branch like substance from its midsection out toward the ghoul which surprised everyone including Ed as he, Rin and Bon just looked at the little Green Man saying cool. But, Ed Quickly looked back to hear the ghoul was working its way free and fast at that. Ed paled as he heard another ghoul walk in from the doorway as both demons started to work on Shiemi's barrier. Ed soon felt very unwell. A similar emotion varied to everyone as well but Rin. Probably due to his demon half Ed thought, as he pulled out a small bottle of aloe to take care of the burns, thankful he had the foresight to get some after the ghoul attacked the first time as he started to treat his burns.

"What happened to everyone?" Ed heard Rin ask as he took care of any mucus left. It wasn't a complete fix but it helped him feel at least a bit better. But he had to get proper attention later.

"It's the fluid from the ghoul Rin! Just like how it affected Paku." Ed stated as Izumo looked to the blond a faint pain crossing her eyes for a moment. "I thought ahead and got some aloe, but I didn't think to get enough for everyone, sadly." As he handed it to Shiemi next who took too little, but he knew she wanted her friends to be safer more than her own well being right now.

"Nice work Ed. But Moriyama bought us some time. But if her strength gives out or if the ghouls break through the barrier…" Bon said out loud.

"Then were dead meat." Shima lamented.

"Well I can at least make a second barrier. But it won't hold up to those two if they keep going at this pace." Ed said as he transmuted the Concrete underneath the boards into a wall.

"Why can't you just make the wall thicker?!" Izumo said in a voice that Ed was really starting to hate.

"Sure, would you like me to use the Concrete underneath you first and let you fall through the floor?" Ed asked with a demented smile as Izumo shook her head as fast as she could, making Ed sigh. "I can bend things to fit my needs. But I can't make things appear out of thin air. If I were to try I would hurt myself, severely." As Bon felt a bit of a darker tone underneath Ed's words as he looked at the blond.

"Well don't strain yourself." Bon said as Ed stared at him like he just grew an extra arm. That's when Rin moved toward the wall.

"I'll go out and draw them off." As everyone looked at Rin. "If they both follow me, run away." As Rin moved to the wall. "If they don't follow me I'll get help or turn on the power." Rin said much to everyone's worry.

"Are you crazy?!" Bon yelled at Rin.

"Fine…" Ed said, shocking everyone present. As he clapped his hands making a makeshift door to the hallway.

"Ok you're both insane! And why isn't the miasma affecting you?!" Izumo yelled as Rin paled at the small oversight.

"Uh, well... you see…" Rin tried to come up with a decent answer but was failing.

"Rin's an Aloe freak." As said person gasped at Ed for the convenient lie as others snorted at the thought.. "But... I trust Rin. So if he thinks he can do it, I'm putting my faith in him." Ed said as Rin had a soft smile on his face as others retorts died before they could be spoken. "Besides if he dies Yukio would kill me for sure. So just don't die, kay Rin?" As Rin rolled his eyes as he went through the makeshift door which Ed promptly transmuted shut.

"You do know you just left him out there to get mauled by those ghouls right?! Don't you care if he gets hurt?!" Izumo was questioning as she stared at Ed.

"Of course I do!" Making Izumo flinch at the sudden rage in Ed's voice. "But I also know what he can do. And, as I said, I have faith in him to do what he thinks is best. He may be blunt and short tempered but his priorities are in the right place."

"I'm with Ed." As everyone looked at a tiring Shiemi. "If he thinks Rin can do it. Then, I believe in Rin too!" Shiemi said with as much confidence as she could muster, putting extra effort into holding up the wall.

"You two are giving the guy too much credit." Bon said as everyone looked at him. "But he's on his own now. And it didn't sound like…" Bon was stopped as they heard footsteps run past them. "I guess he did get them to leave?"

"Cool! Then we can leave and get some help!" Shima commented as he went to the wall. That was until he heard a gurgling moan on the other side as he pailed again.

"What's wrong Shima?" The bald monk asked. As the Pinkete just sat back down where he was previously.

"So what do we do if say one went after Rin while the second one kept us company?" Shima said with a smile on while trying his best to keep fear from slipping into both his face and voice, but failed in both as everyone sighed at the news.

"What about it's fatal verse?" As eyes went to Ed. "Does anyone know it?" As some eyes went to Bon who felt it like a literal brick.

"I don't know the exact verse but a Naberius' fatal verse is in The Gospel of John. I've memorized the whole book so I'm bound to run across it at one point." Bon said much to Shima's horror.

"The whole book? That's more than 20 chapters!" Shima yelled fear finally taking its hold in his facial feature.

"Twenty-one, to be exact." As Konekomaru finally spoke up. As Shima looked at him clearly scared. "I've memorized up through chapter 10. Let me help." As Bon nodded to his friend.

"Now just hold on a second!" As Bon turned to face Izumo. "Once you start, they'll focus on you!" Izumo stated, irritating Bon and Ed both.

"Who cares?! When a girl is in need…" As Bon pointed at Shiemi who looked worse as the minutes ticked by. "...a man can't just stand around and watch!"

"You said it, Bon." As Shima found some confidence. "You're a true man." As he reached into his shirt to grab something, then put it together in one solid fluid motion. "I haven't memorized anything, though so I'll defend you with this." As he held his staff which shocked everyone in the room.

"It… It'll never work!" Izumo cried out in protest.

"Bon. Konekomaru. You two go ahead and start. From the looks of it Shiemi won't last for much longer." As said girl tried to feign wellness by waving a hand in front of her. "As for you." Ed said as he got in Izumo's face making her uncomfortable. "You talk like you know what's best. But when things get tough you try and chicken out?" Ed said as Izumo scowled.

"Who do you thi…" Izumo tried to retort back but Ed cut her off.

"I know everyone here is trying, unlike you." Ed said with a stare that made Izumo clamp shut. "We all want to survive through this. Everyone is trying. But you want to sit there and complain while not helping the situation. You may talk like you're better and know more than everyone, but when things don't go how you like them you try and take everyone down with you. This may be the reason Paku is leaving Cram school." Ed said with a slight sneer.

Izumo eyes widened at that. How did he know she thought. But that soon got buried under all of her hurt feelings. "How would you know that?! It's not like she told you!" Izumo was furious with Ed right now. If she could, she would have burned holes into his smiling face right now.

"Really? Could have fooled me." Ed said as he closed his eyes and shrugged. "Cause I don't see a descendent of a shrine maiden in front of me. I see someone who wants to run." He stated catching Izumo off guard at his choice of words as he settled his glare at her. "So are you going to run? Or be the Descendent of a Shrine Maiden you like to boast about and fight for a change!" Ed said as Izumo was torn as he was right. She wanted to run, but she wanted to prove him wrong as well. They were suddenly pulled from their argument as they heard a hiss from behind Ed as they turned to see Shiemi collapse from exhaustion as Nee disappeared. "Shiemi!" Ed yelled as they both moved to the girls side as the ghoul started to work on the wall Ed had put up.

"She's not dead is she?!" Izumo said frantically as Ed shook his head now letting her release a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Ka… miki…" Shiemi spoke weakly making Izumo move closer.

"Stay with me, Shiemi!" Izumo yelled, worry plastered over her features.

"Today… you didn't seem like… yourself… are you… alright?" Shiemi asked much to Izumo's surprise. As the second ghoul finally broke through the barrier catching Shima off guard as well as making Ed move to help.

Ed smirked as he heard Izumo start to say the words that she used to summon her familiars. While she got ready Ed transmuted spikes into the ghoul as its head burst open spraying even more mucus as its face was revealed. Everyone watched as the familiars attacked the ghoul. The ghoul took a few steps back before taking a step forward as the lights came back on making the ghoul flinch and conceal its face once again.

"The lights came back on!" Konekomaru commented, amazed Rin actually did it.

"And we know that his testimony is true. I suppose that even the world itself…" As the ghoul lunged at Bon as a last effort to try and stop him, but was slowed as Ed transmuted some floorboards to restrain the ghoul to the floor to stop it for a few mere seconds before it freed itself from its weak restraints. "...could not contain the books…" As the ghoul lunged, breaking the few boards that still held it one last time for bon. "that should be written!" He yelled, his heart racing as the ghoul faded, it's rotting hand mere centimeters from his face. After it was gone he then hunched over glad to be done with it.

"Bon!" The two other monks in the room yelled in unison at their friends' close call.

"I th-th-th-th-thought I was gonna d-die…" Bon spoke if barely. As Rin bursted into the room.

"Hey!" Rin yelled as he stepped fully into the room. "You guys alright?" As everyone stared in shock seeing Rin relatively unharmed even though he had a Naberius follow him.

"Ya for the most part. How about you?" Ed asked as everyone was still in shock.

"Oh, fine I guess. You guys defeated the ghoul?" As he looked around. "Nice, mine gave me some problems." He said not wanting to sound too obvious. But failed to notice Bon running at him as said teen clothes lined Rin into the floor.

'I swear he may have better hearing but he's still thicker than a rock!' Ed lamented in his head. "Hey Rin what took you so long to get the ghoul to follow you?" Ed asked as Bon stopped yelling at him for him to speak.

"What do you mean? It followed me right after I left you guys." Rin stated as if it wasn't obvious.

"Then what made those sounds?" Ed asked.

"Ed?" Ed froze at that tone. He turned to the door Rin ran through to see the last thing he thought to see.

"Al?" Was all Ed could say. As he hurried over to said person. As they both embraced each other in a hug all the while Ed spewed an I'm sorry to his brother.

Bon staired seeing how Ed's demeanour had completely changed. "Who's this? You know him Ed?" He asked as he got grabbed by Rin. "What the Hell, what are you doing?!" Ryugi yelled.

"Calm down, well explain, but it's a bit complicated. Just know everything is alright." Was all Rin said as Bon looked the teen over, eyes widening at the sight of a tail.

"But he's a…" Bon tried to protest. But was stopped as Rin turned him so he could look straight at him covering his mouth.

"We know. Just… like I said it's complicated." Rin said, sighing. Making Bon huff, too tired for this right now. As he turned his head to watch the two as they just sat there.

"What's going on here?" Yukio announced as he walked in, catching everyone's attention.

"Mr. Neuhaus!" Yukio said, glaring at him. As Rin tensed while Al held Ed tighter.

"Y-Yukio! He's an ene-moof!" As a boot struck Rin between his shoulders as Mephisto made his dramatic entrance, making all eyes fall on him.

"Hiya! Good work, Pages!" As he dropped from the ceiling, laughing. While the students talked amongst themselves confused as to why the dean was here.

"MEPHISTO?!" Rin yelled, still pinned under said person who seemed to not hear him.

"You don't think I'd let a mid-level demon get in here, do you?" Pheles asked, looking towards the class as he snapped his fingers. Letting several exorcists come out of their hiding spots, confusing the pages. "That's right! The intensive study camp itself was the Exwire Certification Exam!" He said throwing his arms open to 'surprise' them. "The faculty hid themselves and observed your performance." He said gesturing to the Exorcists. "I will determine who passed after reviewing their reports. Look forward to my announcement of your results tomorrow!" He said as he waved his finger and winked.

"Hey!" Ed yelled while trying to get out of Al's grip. "What if I accidentally killed someone in one of my transmutations?! They were everywhere!" Ed asked as the others looked at him realizing the very real possibility. Ed really didn't like it as that smile grew.

"Well I guess they're lucky you didn't." Mephisto stated as Ed gawked at the answer. "Oh by the way I'm going to need you to fix this room and the halls that were damaged." As the blond seethed at him.

"You give me a half assed answer like that and have the gall to ask that of me?!" Ed fumed.

"Well if you don't like it, I guess I can recall that favor I did for you?" Mephisto said looking at Alphonse as he shrugged. Making Ed stand in front of Al to protect him.

"Like Hell I'd let you do that!" Ed yelled. "So you can…"

"That's great to hear, oh and by the way there's some damage in the basement that needs to be fixed as well." Mephisto tacked on as he left in a puff of smoke.

"The basement none of us was in the… wait a minute." As Ed turned to stare at Rin who was trying to sneak away. "RIIIN!" As said teen hid behind Bon.

"What the hell I'm not your meat shield?!" Bon protested.

"Rin!" Ed stated as he somehow towered over them menacingly as they froze like statues. "What happened in the basement?!"

"Uh the ghoul kinda snuck up on me… But he helped me beat it." Rin pointed to Al who shrunk from Eds stare.

"This true Al?" As said demon nodded furiously out of fear. "Damn. Well what's done is done. I guess I'll fix it once we get back." Ed said as he threw a blanket over Al as they were all escorted out.

"HOW COME HE GETS A FREE PASS?!" Rin yelled at Ed who smirked back.

"No offense Rin, but your family scares the crap out of me sometimes." Shima commented as all Rin could do was sigh in defeat.

"And why did you have to drag me into it! As a meat shield no less?!" Bon asked as he glared, annoyance clear as he turned on Rin.

"Uh… hide behind something to avoid shrapnel?" Rin offered.

"Ya and now that thing is going to explode on you!" Bon yelled as both of them got into a scuffle. Which ended promptly with two gunshots and two thuds hitting the floor.

"WHAT THE HELL MR. OKUMURA?!" Shima yelled in fear.

"Relax, I shot them with darts that will put them to sleep for a while." Yukio said as everyone relaxed, but made a silent vow to not piss their teacher off.

Hospital

"How have you lived so long with those two?" Shima asked Rin.

"I guess I'm just used to it." Rin said offhandedly as he laughed.

"Hey Rin." Bon said as Rin looked at him. "Do you know where Ed is?" Realizing what Bon wanted Rin sighed.

"He's in the next room over." Pointing to the wall as Bon excused himself to find him. He went to the door next to the one he left and knocked on it, waiting a bit before entering. "Hey! Ed, you here?" Bon asked as he soon found Ed resting in a chair with the demon next to him asleep on a cot.

"Damn. Can you be any louder?" Ed said, catching Bon as he tried to leave.

"Sorry." Bon said, a bit ashamed.

"Nah don't worry about it." Ed said, waving it away. "So (Yawn) what did you need?" As he watched Bon look to Al and back down. "You want to know about Al, huh?" Ed asked much to Bons surprise.

"Ya." He said looking at his fisted hands.

"Take a seat." Ed offered as Bon took it. "Well I can guess a few questions you might have like who he is. Well, his name is Alphonse Elric. Is he related to me? Yes he is. Why is he a demon when I'm human? That's where things become long and a bit confusing. Hell Yukio barely got his head around it. But the short of it is we messed up, and he paid a high price compared to me. So after summoning class Rin talked me into actually trying to summon anything and now he's here. Anything else?" Ed asked. As Bon sat there surprised and perplexed.

"Alright." Bon stated as he looked to the floor in thought. He liked that Ed was being upfront with him, but didn't want to push his luck with him as well. "Um. So… what did you two mess up?" Bon asked, wanting to know how this happened. As he saw Ed look at his brother.

"You remember the two rules for my alchemy?" Ed asked as he raised his head to stare at Bon who nodded. "Well we messed with one of those rules unknowingly. And it rebounded. It took my memory, but it took everything that was Alphonse. Only when I remembered did I realize Al and even alchemy existed. It filled me with guilt that I was living a nice life with Rin and Yukio and Al was… basically dead." As Bon looked at him listening to every word.

"Ed." The two turned to Alphonse who was awake at some point.

"Sorry Al. Did we wake you?" Ed asked worried.

"No, I was awake for awhile." Al said as Ed looked at his lap. "Don't feel guilty, brother." Al said, making Ed and Bon look at him.

"What did you say Al? I think I misheard ya." Ed asked feeling the guilt sit in his stomach that was like a stone heat up as a meek smile spread across his features.

"You know what I said. Don't feel guilty. I'm glad you were happy again!" Al said as Bon stared at the two. As Ed trembled as he stared hard at Al.

"So what you're saying is you were happier wherever the hell you were before?!" Ed said anger and guilt pouring into his voice.

"Of course not! Ever since dad left and mother's death you were never really happy!" At this Ed flinched back at Al's observation from the time. "We tried to bring mother back and we failed. But I'm glad that it let you have a chance to be happy, even if it was for the brief time I wasn't there!" Al yelled back as Ed stared at his brother. "Don't you get it, I'm happy you were happy. I'm glad you had some time to where you could enjoy things again. Things we didn't have at home." Al said as he looked at the floor.

"What about you then?" Ed asked. "I mean I got three or four years where I ended up. But you? You just came back to me yesterday! You lost 4 years of your life because of me! Hell you're a demon now for crying out loud?!" As Ed snapped his eyes to his lap. "You should hate me! For taking everything away from you!" Ed stated which made Al and Bon stare at him.

"But I don't hate you, Ed. It was our idea. Even if it was a dumb one it was still ours." Al said as Ed scoffed. "But here we are. Together again. Just promise me to stop feeling guilty about what happened. Alright? I'm just glad you're safe." Al said.

"How. Can you be so forgiving Al?" Making Al look at Ed.

"How? That's simple! I love you, Brother! Just don't forget that." Al said hugging Ed who had tears rolling down his face. "But you need to drink more milk like granny said. You're still short." Which Bon backed up a bit at that.

"I'll drink that stuff when pigs fly!" Ed stated flatly as Bon staired before moving back into his spot next to the bed, swearing Ed was going to explode more than he actually did.

"So, you two tried to bring your dead mother back to life? And he died while you lost your memory. And now he's back because you summoned him?" Bon said, as if to confirm what he heard. As the two brothers both sweat dropped at what they said forgetting momentarily Bon was there. Ed sighed as he nodded. "And this all happened why?"

"Because you can't trade anything for a soul. It's priceless, so nothing we could have given would have brought our mother back" Ed lamented. "We tried to bring our mother back to life with Alchemy. But we didn't know a soul was priceless at the time. So it rebounded onto us. The bast- the process took Al completely, while it took my memory." Ed said hoping Bon didn't catch the slip up from his mental fatigue, sweating a bit.

Bon heard however. He wanted to know what Ed tried to cover. But wondered if it was just a mistake on Eds part, or if there was something more behind the slip up. "Well I guess you know what you're doing." Bon stated as he got up holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Just make sure it doesn't rebound onto any of us. Some of us want to live for a long while, preferably human too." Bon said as he reached the door.

"Well, as long as there is enough material you won't have to worry." Ed said as Bon turned to face them.

"By the way." Bon started as he fidgeted. "My name is Ryuji Suguro, some call me Bon, sorry for suspecting you to cause some harm." Bon said as he looked at the demon.

"Oh, thanks. My name's Alphonse Elric, you can call me Al for short." Bon nodded as he started to open the door. "Um if you don't mind me asking. Why would you think I'd harm someone?" Al asked, bewildered by the claim. While Bon nearly face planted into the floor, as Ed laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. "Uh are you alright?" Al asked, a bit concerned.

"You're a demon!" Bon yelled as Al just cocked his head, in a questioning manner. "You gotta be kidding me!" Bon said to no one in particular.

"So?" Ed said, catching both teens' attention. "Just means he's a bit different from the rest of us is all. He's still Al, my younger…"

"But still taller." Al chided in making Ed grit his teeth.

"MY YOUNGER ANNOYING BROTHER." Ed said as he glared at Al, who acted like he did nothing wrong.

Bon rolled his eyes at the two as he left to the other room with the others. "Welcome back Bon! Decided to come back to the rest of us?" Shima spoke aloud to Bon as he sat back down in his spot.

"Ya. Figured I bugged him enough. After all, some of us need more rest than others." Bon stated as he glared at the two that did absolutely nothing. "Which reminds me you two didn't do anything! While the rest of us did something! What do you have to say for yourselves?!" He demanded glaring at the other two students.

Coast Near a Port Town

"Finally!" Envy stated as he flew inland. "Tired of just sitting on that damn boat. Now where can I find that damn sacrifice?" Envy stated to no one as he flew.

"Yes I do fancy boating myself but I do long for land after a while." Envy squealed as he looked behind him and saw. "A Flying clown…?" Envy stated as the clown frowned at the comment of his clothing.

"Really now. You too? People these days can't fathom true fashion." As Envy started laughing at the mention of fashion. "Well then I guess I'll be seeing you off then." Mephisto stated as Envy laughs died down.

"Oh, and what are you going to do? Tie me up with a handkerchief rope?" Envy stated getting himself into another laughing fit.

"Nothing of that nature." Mephisto stated to Envy as he smiled. Before Envy knew it he was plastered into the ground. "Simply give you a message to send back to daddy is all." Mephisto stated as he laughed as he walked away.

"Bastard!" Envy roared as he charged at Mephisto's back. "I'll make you PA-" He was stopped as he met the ground the second time that day. After dislodging himself Envy looked up to the human and glared.

"Now then if you would be so kind as to relay this message to your father, that would be splendid." Mephisto smiled as he looked down to Envy.

"Don't you look down on me HUMAN!" Envy roared as a green limb shot from the floor and circled Mephisto. "Now I'll make you pay before I kill you." He said as Mephisto sighed.

"As much as I would like to play your games, Envy the Jealous…" Mephisto disappeared out of Envy's grasp as he appeared behind the homunculus. "I sadly don't have time to play with you."

"How did you...WHY CAN'T I MOVE?!" Envy yelled as he tried to move but to no avail. "Grrrr What did you do to me you lousy human!" Envy yelled as he was stuck on his knees while his green arm held nothing but air.

"Close but I'm no human. And as for the message. Tell your father if he wants his chess piece's back he'll have to come himself. Any questions, little Envy?" Mephisto stated smiling right in the Homunculus face who strongly glared back.

"Who the hell are you clown?" Envy bit out not being able to move at the moment.

"Oh silly me. I'm Johann Faust or Mephisto Pheles the dean of True Cross Academy and local Demon. Anything else?" Pheles asked as Envy glared at him. "Great off you go now." Mephisto said as he snapped his fingers letting Envy move but soon went flying into the sky. "Until next time Envy, I look forward to meeting your Father!" Mephisto said as Envy disappeared in the sky with a puff of pink smoke. "Kids these days."

Armestris

Central

"Envy?" Father asked a bit surprised to see his son again especially since he appeared in a puff of pink smoke. As said sin realized where he was now. "How are you back?" Father asked a bit annoyed as his surprised state faded.

Envy flinched at his father's tone, as he got into a kneeling position. "I'-I'm sorry father! After I arrived, the gate took all the supplies I was given. After which a note told me to head to a place called Japan. But as soon as I hit land this clown confronted me."

"A clown confronted you? As in…" Lust said much to Envy's embarrassment.

"NO! A smart ass named Mephisto Pheles. He knows who we are and what we are after but he… did thing's. I tried to kill the human but he made it so I was frozen in place. After rattling on he sent me high into the air before I ended up back here!" Envy ended in a flustered tone.

"So your saying he was powerful enough to send you back here?" Pride questioned as Envy grabbed the arm which had a hold of the man, nodding.

"He froze me. I was just stuck there only able to listen, watch and speak before he sent me back. He also said he wasn't human but a demon." Envy said as he looked down to the floor.

"So you got your ass handed to you from a Clown?" Lust jabbed at Envy. Who was about to retort but didn't get the chance to.

"Good work, Envy." Which made the three homunculi look at their father in confusion. "Although I wish you had learned more...economical information. What you have learned is sufficient enough." As father drank out of his wine glass. "I will see to it that next time you are more adequately prepared for the next trek." Father stated.

"What are you thinking father?" Pride asked, wondering what their dad is thinking. Who just sat there.

"Pride inform Wrath that we need another batch of those supplies, Envy…" Said Sin looked to father "I want you to head to the Library and use what you learned to improve upon the next trek." As both homunculi nodded and began to leave. "And lust." As said sin turned to face her father. "Go with Envy. Whatever he learns could help us in that world." As Lust nodded and left but was grimacing on the inside. As father sat there pouring more wine. 'As things stand. We can't lose this sacrifice. There are too few Alchemists as is. And the replacement offerings have been captured already.' As he looked to a wall sensing two bodies on the other side of it. One a lady with her black hair braided into a bun, while wearing a white long coat and black pants with a strong personality. While the other wore a standard military uniform with black hair as well, but his face was full of worry and despair as his blind eyes looked at nothing. Both restrained as to not be able to move their hands. Father sighed as they had other candidates, but due to recent events there really isn't much room to lose any tributes now. Since the Scar incident never got resolved, things went to hell fast. As Armestris had been invaded by several fronts by countries that have grown long past tired at their actions. And with the amount of Alchemists left, it has been a trying time as the Day draws closer but the pieces he needs are gone or broken.

"Father!" Envy yelled as he ran back in.

"What Envy?" He said annoyed at how things have become.

"I'm sorry but there was something this guy said to me that bugs the crap out of me." Envy said much to his disgust.

"Get to the point." Father said tiredly.

"He said if you want your chess piece's back, to come and get it yourself." Envy relaid the message stressing that it was pointed at father.

"And are you sure?" Father asked, staring at his son.

"Y-yes I'm sure. It was only one of three options I had at the time. Being frozen and all." Envy said. But realized his father was smiling.

"Well then. He knows about me." As his smile grew smaller. "And he knows about our tribute. Go and rejoin Lust. I'll call you when you are needed again." Father dismissed his son. 'Mephisto Pheles. You stand in the way of me becoming God! Fine then. Let's see what you can do against me?' Father thought as he finished the last of the wine in his glass.

Old Boys Dorm

"ED! ED, GET UP!" Yukio yelled waking Ed Up.

"Wh-what's going on? What's the rush?" Ed asked groggily as sleep still had a hold of him.

"I fear someone is going to attack Rin and I can't get him up! So I need you and… Al to get him out of here." Yukio said, keeping who from Ed as he looked at Shiemi. "Go with them Shiemi. And please keep an eye on Rin." Yukio asked as Shiemi nodded walking out along with Ed and Alphonse.

"Um excuse me. But, who are you?" Shiemi asked Alphonse as they walked a few rooms down Making Al stumble a little.

"Oh, he's my little brother!" Ed blurted out, focusing on not dropping Rin and silently thanking Yukio for giving him money for him to get Al some decent clothes, while Shiemi looked at the two and noting the similarities. "Hey Shiemi mind getting the door?" Ed asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Oh. Uh Sure!" She hurried trying to hide her slight blush as she opened the door for the teens to walk in before closing it behind them. After which she grabbed a pillow for Rins head.

"Shit, we forgot Rin's Sword!" Ed shouted much to Shiemi and Al's confused looks.

"Why does he need his sword?" Shiemi asked.

"I'll go and get it." Al said as he left, leaving Ed and Shiemi alone.

"Why does the sword matter?" Shiemi repeated a little more forcefully.

"It. It was a gift to him from our old man. He'd kill us if we let anything happen to it." Ed said knowing it was an excuse Rin used a lot.

"I'm back, here's the sword." Al said surprising Ed and Shiemi at his quickness as he laid the sword next to Rin.

"Nice work Al." Was all Ed got out as he was shushed by said person. "What's the big idea?!"

"Brother someone is coming!" Al said as making both exwires stop talking and listening to their surroundings. Soon enough they heard footsteps coming from the hall as it soon passed them to their shared room.

"You two stay here and watch Rin. I'm going to greet our guest with Yukio." Ed said while Shiemi looked like she was uncertain but nodded nonetheless. While Al was too uncertain. "Hey Al look at me." Making Al look at him. "When we figure out what all you can do you can help as well. But for now I'd rather you be safe, okay?" Ed asked hoping his brother would agree. Al seemed to think this over until he nodded agreeing to what Ed said. "Good, glad to hear it." As Ed moved to the door opening and closing it gently and walking to their room. Walking as carefully as he could to their door. That was until he heard a gunshot that was when Ed started running but got knocked over when someone left. Only then did Ed see Yukio run out of the room and saw him start running after the perp, as Ed followed suit. "Who is this guy?" Ed asked.

"It's Mr. Neuhaus. He tried to kill Rin in his sleep but realized we moved him." Yukio said as they moved slowly through the stairs.

"Alright then got an extra grenade?" Ed asked as Yukio handed him one.

"What are you going to do with that?" Yukio asked as he turned to look back up the stairs.

"Simple." Ed stated as he clapped his hands. "Make myself a weapon!" Ed stated as Yukio turned back to watch as the grenade changed shape taking some of the metal railing with it. "Done!" Ed exclaimed as he held up his weapon. Yukio noted it looked like a short sword. The blade being made from the railing till the flat which looked more like the metal from the grenade. Ed turned a piece on the crossguard that was part of the grenade and soon holy water poured forth from small holes along the flat of the blade. "Alright now I'm ready!" As Yukio nodded as they charged forward. Yukio shooting some summons while the closer one's Ed cut down. When they made it to the Roof they caught Neuhaus in the middle of making a circle. "Neuhaus, what's the big idea?!" Ed yelled.

"Was killing Rin Pheles's order, too?" Yukio yelled at Neuhaus while Ed looked at both of them. Neuhaus only muttered as he sent more hands after the two. Yukio and Ed took care of them until two grabbed Yukio by the leg dragging him away while some grabbed Ed in his moment of distraction restraining his arms. That's when he looked at Neuhaus and saw he was done with the summoning circle.

"You two are too slow." He said as he jabbed his compass into his arm causing his arm to bleed heavily onto the circle. "Look you here where so ever the body is, thither will the eagles refuse to gather together." Neuhaus said the words to summon another ghoul while Yukio took the chance to free Ed by shooting the ghouls holding him aloft making Ed drop to the ground ungracefully before shooting his own.

"Hey! Watch it you could have hit me!" Ed yelled as he watched the ghoul that came from the summoning circle. "I got-what the?!" Ed said as another pair of hands grabbed him and restrained him in the air while the summon pinned Yukio to the wall. "Let me go! Bastard!" Ed fumed.

"If memory serves you can only transmute if you clap your hands. So if you're restrained, you can't do anything." Neuhaus said as Ed just grew angrier. "Now tell me. Why would you protect the son of satan? You have no blood relation with him either?" Neuhaus asked Ed. "You're clearly smarter than how you act. So why?"

"Why?!" Ed stated as his rage grew. "H-here's why! HIM AND YUKIO ARE LIKE FAMILY TO ME, JACKASS! AND LIKE HELL I'M GOING TO LET ANYONE HURT THEM!" Ed yelled, making Neuhaus glare at him. As Yukio grew a small smile at Ed's words.

"You can't be serious?!" Neuhaus interjected.

"Wanna find out?" Ed shot back.

"Well then I guess I'll take care of all of you then!" Neuhaus stated bringing his compass up to point at yukio. "After all these two were born from the same mother. And if you consider them family." Neuhaus said as he leveled his compass at Ed. "You might as well join them." He said as he walked toward Yukio as the Naberius hands moved and pinned Yukio in front of him. "Any last words?" Neuhaus said as he had the compass above Yukio.

"You forget, Exorcists work in groups of two, or more." As Neuhaus backed up as a sword flew by hitting the large ghoul, setting it alight.

"I knew you were the enemy!" Rin yelled, falling at Neuhaus ready to strike with his fist as Neuhaus pulled out and held a holy water grenade between them as it went off. Making Rin flinch as he hit the ground clutching his face as smoke rose off him.

"Hahaha! You may look Human, but it affects you just the same!" Neuhaus let out boastfully. As the ghoul charged and grabbed Rin in its many hands. Neuhaus smiled until he heard two gunshots come from behind him. As he turned he saw Yukio over his summoning circle while Ed was moving his hands to the ground with electricity coursing between them.

"Who's too slow now?" Yukio said as he smeared the circle, still catching his breath. As the electricity circled Neuhaus as it formed pillars holding his hands away from him. He looked at his hands trying to free them until a sword with blue flames was put in front of his neck which made him freeze.

"What are you?" Rin asked as he stared at Neuhaus.

"I am…" As he looked straight at Rin. "... a survivor of the Blue Night." Neuhaus said as Rin's eyes widened at recognition of the subject. "Satan possessed me for mere moments but I lost my left eye and my family who tried to save me. He used my own hands to kill them! I can never forgive Satan or any demon, let alone Satan's son!" Neuhaus spat at Rin who narrowed his eyes at the man as he looked up. "I will kill you…" As he flinched as one last hand sprung forth at Rin. "...even if it costs me my life!" He yelled at the demon as his summon disappeared leaving a gaping hole and blood pouring from his mouth.

"Feel better now?" Rin asked as Mr. Neuhaus gawked at Rin as both Yukio and Ed yelled his name. "If that's not enough…" Rin said as he looked down to sheathe his sword. "I'm used to stuff like this so I'll put up with whatever you can dish out." As he looked up straight at Neuhaus' eye. "But don't involve anyone else in this!" As Neuhaus just stared at him stunned at his words. "Ed. Please, release him." Rin asked as Ed begrudgingly complied.

"Why are you letting me go?" Neuhaus asked as Rin just stared at him.

"Let's just say I understand." Was all Rin said as Neuhaus got up and started to hobble away clutching his bloody arm. Before he turned to Rin.

"You think this settles it? Others will follow. So be ready!" He warned as he turned away again and left through the staircase.

"Rin you dumbass!" Ed yelled as he made his way to Rin.

"What did you do that for?!" Yukio said as the two wanted to make sure Rin was okay.

"I'm fine! It's healing." Rin said as he lifted his shirt to show it was closing already. "I always did heal quickly and now I really am a monster!" As Rin faux laughed at the statement much to Yukio and Eds displeasure.

"Even so! Don't worry us like that!" Ed started on Rin as he smacked Rin in the back of the head. "What if next time you get stabbed like that and your demon powers can't heal you?! What then?!" Ed raved as Rin hadn't thought about that.

"Well I guess…" Rin tries to come up with an excuse while he nervously pressed his fingers together.

"You're not using me as an excuse." Yukio pointed out. Making Rin's jaw drop.

"Well some brother you are!" Rin yelled while he looked back at Ed. "By the way Ed." As Ed stopped his brooding over the earlier matter to look at Rin. "I heard you earlier." Rin said as Ed looked confused. "Thanks for thinking of me and Yukio as family." Rin finished as Ed turned a light shade of red as Rin chuckled.

"Ya well how else would I put it?" Ed said, trying to cover his embarrassment.

"Rin! Ed! Yuki!" Shiemi yelled as she made it to the roof as Rin grabbed his tail and hid it behind him. "What happened to Rin?!" She asked worriedly as she saw the blood on Rin's shirt.

"I'm okay." Rin tries to calm her down as she just looks at him.

"It's a ghouls temptaint. I better treat it, before you get ill.

"No, No I'm fine…"

"Silence!" Shiemi yelled, cutting Rin off as she was kneeling on the ground pointing at the spot she wanted Rin to lie down. "Now lie down! Stop acting tough! Nee! Get Sancho!" She ordered as her familiar made itself known as Rin complied.

"Haha… Thanks…" Rin said a bit uncomfortable. "Is it all right now?" Rin asked until he heard Shiemi sniff.

"Rin… I've decided!" Shiemi said as Rin's worry increased. "I've decided!"

"Decided what?!" Rin questioned as he started to fluster not knowing why his friend is on the verge of crying.

"I just can't beat him…" Yukio said as he wiped under his glasses.

"Ya, you are correct." Ed said looking at the two interact. While Yukio jumped at Ed's sudden comment. "I mean here he is, the son of Satan, enjoying the life that was given to him even if said life throws everything at him to try break and or kill him. And yet, there he is, content with those around him." Ed said as Yukio looked at Rin. "You know, out of everything I've been through. Meeting everyone at the monastery is honestly the best thing that could have happened to me." Ed said as Yukio had a small smile on his face again.

"Thanks Ed-ouch! What the hell was that for?!" Yukio questioned Ed as he looked at the blond in confusion while holding the arm that Ed had punched.

"That's for firing bullets in my direction! I nearly had a heart attack!" Ed fumed as Yukio looked at the blond.

"Sorry I'm late." Al said as he stepped out of the doorway.

"Oh, what took you so long? I thought you were with Shiemi?" Ed yelled as he looked at Al as said person scratched his head.

"Well. I was but when that guy passed by us Mrs. Moriyama ran up to the Roof while I followed him till he left the building." Al explained. As he looked at the scene between Rin and Shiemi.

"Well at least he's gone then." Ed said as he let out a sigh of relief. "How are you then Al?" Ed asked.

"I'm fine besides feeling a bit tired." Al said as he moved next to Ed patting him on the shoulder. "Ah! That burns!" Al said as he held his hand.

"What's the matter Al?" Ed asked as Al showed Ed and Yukio his palm which slightly blistered before healing back over.

"It's the holy water." Yukio stated after touching the spot Al touched. "A lot was used in our fight. So be careful moving around. And I guess we should go change before either one of them touches us again." Yukio said as he moved into the stairwell. As Ed and Al followed suit.

"Ya just so you know Al." Ed spoke as he pointed to one of the forgotten grenades. "Those canisters over there are holy water grenades. So if someone has one try to avoid being near it or anyone with it. Cause I don't want to see your whole body blistering." Ed stated with a sigh as Al nodded. Ed relaxed until a thought came across his mind and he slouched "Damn it all." Ed moaned as Yukio and Al looked at him. "I've had three years to learn all this. And we've got to catch you up to the classes as well as help you learn what you can do." As Ed sighed at the amount of work ahead of Alphonse.

"Well I guess there's no time like the present. Here Al hold this." As Yukio handed Al a small Idol.

"What's this small trinket supposed to do?" Ed asked while they both stared at it, examining it. They both grew confused as the small figure looked almost brand new.

"Um, why does it look new all of a sudden?" Al asked in confusion.

"Hmmm… So it looks like you are part of Sir Pheles's Kin." Yukio stated as Ed and Al looked at him.

"Um, I'm sorry but who is Pheles?" Al asked as he looked to Yukio.

"Sir Pheles is the dean of True Cross Academy." Yukio stated, but saw that Alphonse was still unsure who that was. "He was the guy who landed on Rin in the white suit." He specified as Al remembered the weird man, only as Ed started to moan in annoyance. "What is it Ed." Yukio asked, agitated as he glared at the blond.

"I don't want Al to be related to that weird clown!" Ed belly ached as Yukio sighed.

"Anything else I should know about Pheles?" Al asked as Yukio started to face palm but stopped as he realized Al might not know much of anything about these subjects.

"Besides that he's the king of Time, not much." He stated ignoring Ed's protests while Al looked at Yukio, surprise written on his features. Yukio pulled out his phone and turned to leave. "If you excuse me, I need to go take care of something." Yukio said as he left.

"I wonder what got into him?" Ed said while Al nodded in agreement as they both watched Yukio leave.

---

(A/N):

Hi!

...

( ＞﹏＜) I'm again sorry for the long (LOOOOOOOOONG) wait.

Mephisto: "I did say I could tell you when you would post it. But you didn't want to take my little nudge. Shame too, you might have hit that quarter year too instead of what was it now...?

Me: "Stop. (* ￣︿￣) I will literally ask Truth to punch you everyday you live."

Mephisto: "Hmmmmm... One year and three months now?"

Me: "IF IT WASNT FOR YOU NUDGEING ME INTO DIFFERENT FANDOM PITS I WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ALOT SOONER PHELES!"

Mephisto: "Sounds like a personal problem to me."

Me: (╹◡╹)"WhErE iS tHe ChAlK!"

Mephisto: "Excuse me ladies and jents, but I need to go stop our lovely author before he doesn't have a brain cell left after visting our good friend Truth."

Me: "FOR THAT IM MAKING IT A PUNCH AND A KICK! I know I had some here."

Mephisto: "Well then until he posts the next chapter. He hopes you enjoy the chapter and leave a lovely review as well as have a Marvolus time!~ Auf Wiedersehen!"

Me (Shcreches in rage at the missing chalk in the distance)

Mephisto (Holding his laughter, he calm's the author down even when HE had infact moved the chalk ahead of time.)