CHAPTER 2: The Brothers

Ed and Alphonse kept their distances as they walked through miles upon miles of grassy fields to reach the nearest train station. Their destination, Resembool. Edward had decided that the best plan of action was to hide Al in their hometown, a place where the homunculi didn't have much knowledge about in terms of location. As the brothers were on their way there, they kept the talking down to a minimum to keep the silence until Al started talking.

"Hey brother."

"Yes Al?" Ed said a bit concerned.

"Where are you going to store me when we go home?"

Ed nodded his head downward as though he thought carefully about Al's question. He responses,

"I'm going to create an underground bunker in which you will hide out for the time-being. How does that sound?"

"Are there going to be sheep in this bunker?" Al said jokingly to lighten up the mood a bit.

Ed laughed being reminded of how Al, when traveling by train, always settled in the luggage area with farm animals, usually sheep.

"Hey you never know, but let's not risk anything touching you in your current state….and no cats either!" Ed said loudly to get his point across.

"And another thing Al, please do not exit the bunker and wonder off on your own again. You had me very worried when you left that hotel room to seek out Shou Tucker." He said now showing a serious face.

"...Ok brother." Al said in a shameful tone.

Ed could see his brother really regretted that previous decision and sighed. "Look I know you get the point, but we really can't afford to do anything reckless like that anymore, especially knowing there's an homunculus like Envy who can shapeshift at will. That's why you need to stay put."

"But brother, what are you going to do while i'm hiding?" Al said curiously?

Ed really had to think about the question for he didn't think that far ahead seeing as how he was more concerned about keeping Al out of harm's way than anything else. At the very least, Ed wants to learn as much as possible about the properties of the stone to then learn how to destroy it if that's even possible too. After all, it's the right thing to destroy the stone right?

As a response, Ed said, "Well, to be honest, I would like to know how to properly destroy the stone altogether..so I'm going to be doing lots of studying and traveling for the time-being."

Al with a saddened tone in his voice said "Oh, so I guess you'll be away for a while huh?"

Ed felt somewhat bad for eventually leaving his brother in a dark bunker all by himself while he goes exploring. Thus, Ed decides to make it up to him.

"Hey don't worry your head off, I promise I won't die while I'm gone, and I'll try to make this quest as short as possible so that I can check up on you." Ed said reassuringly.

"And who said the bunker had to be dark and boring? I'll make a room for ya" Ed said excitedly as he continued.

"It'll have books for keeping your knowledge sharp, some paper to write on to stay creative, and a punching bag to keep your body and fighting skills from getting rusty….literally."

Alphonse laughed a bit at Ed's joke, and as he started to feel better about the bunker idea, he took advantage of the moment to ask Ed one crucial question.

"That sounds great brother, but can you add one more item to the list please?" Alphonse asked cautiously.

"Hmm yeah speak up" Edward said with a confused look on his face.

"Can I still have a cat for company?! I'll promise not to let it touch the stone! I'll duct tape my chest plate down as a reminder to not open it up! Please Ed, please!?"

Al said trying his best to convince his older brother.

Ed had a feeling this would happen, and he figured he couldn't blame Alphonse for feeling this way since being left all alone in a secluded location can drive anyone insane, even a soul trapped in an empty suit of armor.

With a deep sigh, Ed decided to go along with Al's proposal.

"Alright Al, just make sure that cat has absolutely no interaction with the stone, and be sure always keep your helmet on so the cat can't enter your body through your head slot." Ed said sternly.

"YIPEE! Thank so much brother, I'll be sure not to let anything stupid happen" Al said happily.

Ed couldn't help but smile.

"I know, I can trust you this time considering you've learned your lesson from last time."

And with that the brothers continued their journey to the train station. It took them a day later to finally reach one nearby, and with that, they were on their way to Resembool. The train rides to Resembool were always peaceful when it came to the scenery and the passengers. Although, things were a bit different as they weren't going to their hometown for a family reunion, far from it. The train ride itself was about as quiet as the journey to the train station, and once again, it was up to Alphonse to break the silence with yet another important question that has always lingered in both brothers minds.

"Brother, I know that you want to find a way to destroy the stone, but…"

Ed looked at Al with a zoned out look on his face from looking out the train window for too long.

"If destroying the stone doesn't work, what then?"

Ed chuckled a little as he had didn't know how to respond to a question like that.

"I guess..we'll...shit….I don't really know to be honest. If it comes to that conclusion, then I guess we might have to….no there's gotta be a way to destroy the stone! I swear there's gotta be some way! After all, if Equivalent Exchange is true in that human lives are sacrificed to make the stone, then there gotta be some other alchemic reaction that can break the stone! At least I want to believe…." Ed said with some confidence.

Alphonse looked at his brother with a worrisome gleam in his ghostly red eyes. "Yeah, we'll see."

Al had figured to not bother his brother with anymore questions as they already had so much on their plate to worry about as is. From then on, the train ride was practically silent with the only sounds coming from other passengers or the train riding over the steel tracks. As the passing scenery changed from small urban towns to mountains and open land, the boys knew that Resembool was right up ahead.

Once the train came to correct stop, the boys came off the train along with whatever luggage they had carried along the trip. They were finally home, both brothers taking in the welcoming sunshine and fresh air that the peaceful town of Resembool had before heading off to Winry's house.

"I think we should tell Winry and Pinnaco of our plan first so we don't worry them to death" Ed said with a small smile.

"Good Idea" Alphonse responded.

"And better yet, I know just the right spot to place the bunker!" Ed said with much enthusiasm

"I'll make the bunker right below their house, so that way, either Winry or Pinako can check up on you, and you'll be close enough to family without being out in the open!" Ed finally finished, feeling like a superhero after coming up with this new realization.

This made Al feel ten times better than he did before. He suddenly started to praise his brother for this rather comforting proposition.

"That sounds great brother! I was under the assumption that you were going to place me in some remote cave or forest somewhere." Al said chuckling at his own ideas.

Ed chuckled at the remarks as well. "Oh c'mon Al, I can't do that to my one and only brother. I gotta make sure that you're safe and sane, and I'm sure that Winry and them won't mind the idea."

"Alright brother" Al finishes with a happy tone as the brothers continue their walk to their destination. Once again, the mood was rather peaceful, yet uplifting for the brothers as they walk through familiar territory. The nice breeze always reminded the brothers of their childhood, and once they saw their burned down home, they were reminded of their mother. Not only that, but they were reminded of a certain homunculus...Sloth?

"Hey brother. Do you think the homunculi are redeemable?" Al asked with a hint of sadness. Being reminded of Sloth haunted him especially.

"Well, considering they're constantly on our asses, I can't say for sure...although." Ed said cutting himself off as he thought back to Greed who helped him learn of the homunculus weakness, and Lust who temporarily assisted him in battle.

"Although what?" Al asked with curiosity.

"Hmm never mind, I don't trust them." Ed said in hopes of silencing this uncomfortable conversation.

Al still continues "But-"

Ed cut his brother off quickly "No Al, you remember our previous encounters with them. Did they seem friendly to you? To us? It's hard to imagine that these creatures who embody humanities sins could ever be redeemable. They're dangerous, ambitious, and simply put, merciless to human life, that's why we have to watch out for them."

"But brother, aren't we also the same way? You didn't hesitate to kill Sloth, that's not the merciful brother I used to know." Al rebutted.

"Yeah, but that was a life-or-death situation Al, and you know it. The moment we go soft for these homunculi may be the moment we lose the fight altogether." Ed said with a serious tone.

Al couldn't combat that statement as he knows his brother is right, so he finally gave up this short clash of ideals as he nodded his head in response to his older brothers last words. Moments later, they were finally at the house. It looked as it always should, tall and standing. When Ed knocked on the door, the brothers were greeted by none other than Pinako.

"Oh, would you look at that, Edward and Alphonse, welcome home." Pinako said with a warm smile.

"Hey Pinako, it's good to be home, although, we didn't come here for a visit." Ed said, ready to get to the point.

"Hmm, then why the visit?" Pinako said with eyebrows up and arched.

"We came here to store Al away safely from harm's way, and we decided that your house would make for a great location." Ed said.

"Ok, but what's going on? Did Al get injured or something? Pinako said.

Al got ready to respond. "No Pinako, I'm fine..,sort of." Afterwards, Al took off his chest plate to reveal the shining blood-red Philosopher Stone in front of Pinako. She responded with a gasp.

"You see, I house the Philosopher's Stone in my body, and for the time being, I'm gonna hide out here at your house while brother goes out to look for information on how to destroy the stone." Al said.

"My-my, well come in first; we'll talk it over some tea and porridge. You two must be hungry after all." Pinako stated.

Afterwards, the two brothers settled in the house after the welcoming. Ed took a shower to clean off while Al helped Pinako with the meals as well as conversate with her for a bit.

"So, its almost my birthday, and a philosopher stone as a gift wouldn't be so bad" Pinako said jokingly while Al was setting the silverware on the dinner table.

Al laughed softly. "Yeah if only the stone wasn't so corrupt, maybe I would consider."

Shortly after, Ed walked to one of the sits at the table to sit down and wait for the food to be ready.

"Hey Pinako, where's Winry?" Ed asked.

"Oh, she's gone to a nearby town to pick up some automail parts." She replied.

Ed nodded his head in understandment.

"Oh, by the way, Al's going to settle inside a bunker underneath your basement, but don't worry, it's going to be hidden and closed off by alchemy, and it can only be opened up by alchemy." Ed said bluntly to Pinako.

Pinako was cooking some type of stew the meanwhile. "Is that really necessary, the basement should be enough."

"Well, we can't be too careful, and I wanna make certain that Al will be alright and well-hidden from any danger." Ed said having a guilty look on his face.

Pinako nodded her head. She seemed to understand to the severity of the brothers situation.

"And Pinako, we're sorry for bringing this on you. Should you let us do this, you'll be a potential target for the homunculi if they ever show up here. For that reason, I've requested access to a small apartment for you and Winry to go to just in case." Ed said.

Pinako was rather flattered at Eds offer. "Well, while I appreciate the offer, I'll take my chances here; wouldn't want to leave your younger brother here all alone, would ya?"

At that moment, Ed looked at Al, and Al looked content with Pinakos decision.

"Alright, fair enough, but the apartment request will be there for about 2 months just in case." Ed said finally.

Afterwards, everyone ate their meals, chatted a bit on other topics, and cleaned up after themselves. Funny enough, Ed decided to have a sparring match with Al because it may be their last for a while; of course, Ed lost the fight as always. Later on that day, Ed transmuted the bunker, and added on what he said he would for Als sake. By the time he finished, it was time to go to bed. It was a long day for both brothers, and Ed already decided that tomorrow would be his time to depart from his family in search of more information on the stone, but rest came first.

END OF CHAPTER 2