Hi guys! I wanted to update a chapter today, but my editor didn't send me the next chapter soooo...I edited this. Yell at me later. Also I won't be updating as much since (DRUMROLL PLEASE) I'm getting a new dog. Nunnally (The Dog) will be coming home very soon so please give me some time with the chapters. I promise i'll still write my Fanfiction, it'll just be longer. Anyways,

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST

Chapter 13: Shadows in the Bar

"She did what?!" Iris shouted. Once the trio had come back, the boys were called by Izumi into another room.

"She expelled us" Edward said with his head down.

"Why?" Iris asked as she packed her bag. "Is it because you committed the taboo?"

"Basically, yeah." Edward answered.

"That's hypocritical if you think about it" Iris sighed.

"Well, we can't change her decision." Alphonse said. "We have no choice but to leave Dublith"

"But there has to be some way you can-"Iris protested.

"We can't change her mind, Iris. The best we can do is continue our search" Edward reminded her.

"I guess so"

Dublith Train Station

"Feel free to drop by whenever you're in town" Sig said as the trio prepared to aboard the train.

"I'm not so sure about that" Al said looking down.

"You idiots!" Sig yelled, which made the boys flinch while Iris looked confused. "You're so busy pouting that you can't see what your expulsion means. You're not her students anymore so you're finally free to speak to Izumi as equals, unless you're too chicken to try it"

"Did we really not realize something that big and obvious?" Iris asked.

"Yup." Al answered as Edward slapped his forehead in frustration.

"Damn! We haven't done what we came here to do in the first place!" Edward as he looked towards Sig. "Thank you, we're heading back there right now!"

The trio ran as if hell was at their heels. From behind Iris thought she could hear Sig yell "Don't let her kill you!"

Always so encouraging, Sig Iris thought as she and the boys ran. Outside of Izumi's house was Grace, who was walking Duchess.

"Oh, hello guys. I thought Aunt Izumi said you had departed." Grace said as the boys continued running.

"It's a long story" Iris said as her and the boys ran into the house, panting. Izumi was standing there wearing an apron as she sharpened her knife.

"Teacher-"Edward said as he ducked just as Izumi threw the knife she was sharpening at his head. As far as Iris could tell, she had murder in her eyes.

"What the hell are you doing back here?!" Izumi lectured. "And you call me teacher. I do not teach scum like you, get out of my home!"

"Teacher!" Ed yelled punching his fist into the floor.

Dammit. These idiots are going to get themselves killed Iris thought as she leaned on the door.

"We came to because we're trying to find a way to get our bodies back" Alphonse explained.

"We won't leave without your help!" Edward finished.

"Get out now!" Izumi yelled.

"WE'RE STAYING!" Both boys yelled.

The whole room stayed deathly silent for a moment. Iris felt too scared to release her breath during the silence.

"You idiots" Izumi finally mumbled. Iris felt herself relax as the air she had been holding released itself.

"You guys are going to give me a heart attack" Iris sighed as she looked over at the grinning brothers.

"Al, you didn't see The Truth, did you?" Izumi asked.

"No, I don't even really know what that means" Alphonse confused.

"It must have been harder on him if he doesn't remember." Iris concluded.

"You must lost your memory from the shock" Izumi stated. "We need to get Al's back"

"Oh, I see. Since Al payed with his whole physical being, he could know more than any of us" Iris said as a thought crawled into her mind, giving her the chills.

"That's right. We only exchanged parts of our bodies for what we saw" Edward agreed. "He must have seen more than any of us did"

"So, if I can remember what I saw, we'll know how to get our bodies back?" Al asked.

"But the memory of that thing…" Izumi said. Both Edward and Izumi gave Al a creepy look.

""What?! Is it something bad?" Al asked, obviously concerned.

"No, more like awful!" Izumi said, shaking her arms.

"Yeah horrifying!" Ed followed.

"It could drive you insane!"

"Or even leave you brain dead!"

"Would you both quit scaring him?!" Iris lectured. "It's not that bad, Alphonse"

"NOT THAT BAD?!" Izumi and Edward yelled.

"They're just being dramatic. The only thing that drove me nuts was the pressure in my head. It felt like my brain was filling up with cotton balls" Iris giggled. "Sure does give you the chills, though"

"More like your head's being squished!" Edward complained.

"That doesn't matter! If there's a chance that it can help us, then I want to do it!" Al said, determined.

"Alright. I have an acquaintance that may know a way to retrieve your memory for you" Izumi said. "But, let's eat dinner first. Give me a hand" The trio smiled at the response.

"Okay!" The trio shouted happily.

Things are finally starting to look up Iris sighed as a thought came into her head. That won't change the fact that I couldn't save their mother.

The Next Day

"Man, I never thought such a vibrant place could be so quiet" Iris smiled. She was sitting on the front steps of Izumi's home while Alphonse was sweeping the path.

"I know. It wasn't so quiet when we trained here, either" Alphonse agreed.

"I guess it can't be helped. My brother is out doing errands with Rolo, Grace is out with Harmony, and I don't have a clue where anyone else is" Iris sighed.

"I'm sure brother will come by later" Alphonse reassured.

"I guess so" Iris shrugged as a crumpled piece of paper was thrown towards Al's broom. "Alphonse, did you drop that?"

"No" Al said as he smoothed out the paper and read the message.

"What does it say?" Iris walked over as Al gave her the paper. "This is a trap. Sounds fun!"

"Iris, that's not the point. Should I go?"

"Yup. It's just to talk, what's the problem?" Iris smiled. "Mind if I come?"

"If you want to" Al shrugged. Alphonse set the broom against the fence as he began walking away and Iris followed.

As the pair approached the Devil's Nest, which just looked like an old train tunnel, four figures were visible.

The two that caught Iris' eye was a man wearing a martial arts outfit with black spiky hair and an odd man with a tail.

"There you are. 'Bout time, but who's the girl?" The man with spiky black hair asked. Iris walked in front of Alphonse and smiled.

"Don't mind me. I asked if I could come. I was curious as well. Anyways about that note…" Iris trailed off.

"'We know your secret'" Al said holding up said note. "'Meet us at the Devil's Nest if you want to talk' I'm guessing you're the people that wrote this note?"

"That's right, we know a lot about you" The man with spiky black hair said walking forward.

"That's kind of creepy, but okay" Iris said.

"Well, there's a lot about me that I don't know" Alphonse said in an attitude

"Then I'm the guy you want to talk to. Why don't you come with us?"

"But Izumi said not to go with strangers" "But my teacher always said I'm not supposed to go with strangers" Iris and Alphonse said at the same time. The man looked annoyed.

"How old are you two?"

"14" They both answered.

"Well come on, then. I'd say 14 is old enough for both of you to think for yourself, kids. You got to act like adults, start taking some risks"

"I do think for myself. That's how I got grounded" Iris snapped.

"I also said act like an adult" The man snapped back. Alphonse thought for a moment before perking up.

"You think so?! I should start thinking for myself?!" Alphonse cheered.

"Yes! And you can start by coming with- ARGAH!" Alphonse suddenly punched the man in the face.

"So I thought it over for myself" Alphonse said calmly "And I decided that I should make you tell me what I want to know"

"That's it! It's official! Edward is definitely a horrible influence on you!" Iris said, holding her arms above her head.

"That's a little harsh" Alphonse whined.

"Says the person that just punched someone in the face" Iris said nervously.

"So, you want to do this by force" The man Alphonse punched said as he hopped onto his feet. Alphonse just walked up to him and shoved his face, which caused the man's sword to knock off Al's head. Iris ran towards Al's head and picked it up, but not before a woman with short brown hair and green markings hopped on top of Al's shoulders.

"Sorry to drop in!" The woman said as she crawled inside of the armored boy, which caused him to start screaming.

"Has this place ever considered police? Or night guards, or something?" Iris muttered to herself.

"YOU'RE INSIDE ME?!" Al panicked.

"Hey! Be a good boy and hold still!" The woman shouted. Iris knew she was cornered. She could attempt to grab the woman out, but she could be hurt by Al's spikes. She could attempt to knock the woman unconscious, but that would put Alphonse at risk since she was so close to his blood seal.

"Al! Hold on!" Iris said. As she began running to get Edward, she was caught by the man Al had punched earlier.

"Oh no you don't, girly" The man said as he grabbed something and tied Iris' hands behind her back. Iris still held her grip on Al's head. Suddenly, Al stopped moving, with his arms held outwards.

"So what's it like having someone control you from inside?!" The woman asked.

"YOU CAN'T STOP ME FROM MOVING AND YOU'RE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THIS UP FORVEVER!" Al screamed.

"You're right, but all I'm trying to do is slow you down a little"

"Now, my turn!" A deep voice said as a burly man with white hair appeared. He grabbed Al's arm and twisted it back as he slammed Al on the ground.

"Alphonse!" Iris shouted. As one of the men held her back.

"You alright in there?" The man asked.

"Oh, I'm wonderful" The woman inside said sarcastically.

"You're making this way too hard kid" The man Al punched earlier told him.

"Who the hell are you people?!" Iris yelled.

"Iris, I don't think they're even human!" Al yelled.

"Good guess" A new voice yelled. Suddenly, a strong grip yanked Al's head out of Iris' hands. "They're chimeras and they happen to work for me"

A man wearing a leather with sunglasses and black hair walked out grinning.

"Cool, you're actually hollow" The man wearing leather said as he put Al's head back on. "The name's Greed and I want to be your friend"

"If you want to be his friend, why the hell did you kidnap us?!" Iris yelled as she struggled against her restraints.

"That's none of your business, girly" The man with spiky black hair told her.

"Why don't you tell me what you really are?" Alphonse asked. Iris knew what Al was getting at. He was comparing between Nina and these "chimeras". Iris was comparing them and Bandit. "You're not chimeras. It's impossible no one's made a chimera that can talk"

"You can't believe everything the government tells you kid" Greed said, kneeling beside Al. "You got all the proof you need right inside you. The girl in there is part snake, and this big guy here" Greed said referring to the one who brought down Al earlier "Roa, what were you made with? Cow?"

"Yeah" Roa answered in his deep voice.

"We've also got a lizard and a crocodile. And the little runt you took down earlier tends to lift his leg when he pees"

"Only once!" The dog man yelled.

"You're part dog?!" Al asked, clearly surprised.

"Yup. It's really not so bad"

"I don't believe it. It's not possible. Who would even be capable of creating one?" Alphonse asked.

"The military" Greed answered.

"Nice to know I work for a bunch of mad scientists" Iris said sarcastically. "So they've kept this hidden?"

"You got it. There's a shadow world beneath yours that's jam-packed with the impossible" Greed answered. "Hell, I'm more uncommon then they are. I'm a homunculus"

Greed showed his hand to Iris and Alphonse, both of them were very surprised.

"A homunculus?" Alphonse asked nervously.

"You know what that means, right? I'm artificially created human. Really, no joke"

"You're lying! A homunculus is just a theory! Nobody's made one!"

"Alphonse, I think what we've seen here is prove enough there is no such thing as the impossible" Iris sighed.

"Your friend there's beginning to understand. But since you'll be tougher to convince, how about a demonstration?" Greed said as Roa smashed his hammer into Greed's skull, knocking away everything above his chin away, spilling the floor with blood.

"Alphonse!" Iris yelled. She struggled against her restraints. If these guys are willing to kill their comrade they won't hesitate to kill Alphonse

"Why would you do that to him?!" Alphonse asked, horrified. Greed held up one finger as red sparks surrounded his head and he stood up.

Everything regenerated. The muscle began weaving together above the growing bone as the skin followed until his whole head was returned to its former state. Only two streaks of blood from the corners of his mouth remained, which he wiped away. Greed groaned as he twisted his neck and blew out any leftover blood in his nose. Greed held up his pointer finger and thumb.

"That's one time I've died" Greed grinned.

"No way" Alphonse gawked.

"What the hell is going on?" Iris said, equally surprised.

"You get it yet? Nothing is impossible alright?" Greed said. "I'm a little surprised you would have such a hard time accepting that considering you're just a soul in a suit of armor"

"Who told you that?" Alphonse asked petrified.

"People like to talk in the shadow world. I've got plenty of friends. Let's skip this casual chit chat. I'm more interested in hearing what it's like to have a body that'll never die" Greed said as he got face to face with Al. "An individual soul transmuted and bound into an object? Sounds like that's the perfect recipe for immortality to me."

"Get away from him!" Iris shouted as she struggled against her restraints. She could felt the material digging in her skin as she struggled.

"Noisy, isn't she?" Greed smiled. "Let me explain, see I'm Greed. I want everything you can think of. Money and women, power and sex, status, power, glory, I demand the finer things. And of course, I crave eternal life!"

"Aren't you already immortal?" Alphonse asked.

"I guess I was put together sturdier than most" Greed answered. "I am nearly 200 years old. But I wouldn't exactly say that I'm immortal. So I've spilled my guts all over, told you my darkest secret, now it's your turn. How'd you get your body?"

"Just make this easy and tell him" The woman inside Alphonse said. "Unless you'd rather be examined. Which means he'll have to take you apart"

"Leave Alphonse alone! He didn't do anything!" Iris yelled. Iris heard a snap and she could move from the pipe she had been tied to, despite her hands still being bound, but the dog chimera quickly seized her before she could reach Alphonse.

"I wish I could tell you. That would mean I actually remember how I got it" Alphonse answered. "But even if I could, I'm not the one who did the transmutation"

"That's not a problem, in that case, I'll just ask the person who did" Greed said. "Was it the girl who's tied up over there?"

"No"

"Then who was it?" Greed asked. Alphonse turned away his head. "Not going to talk, are you?" Greed walked over and held Iris by the chin. "Then you don't mind if I play around with her?"

"Leave Iris alone, she had nothing to do with this!" Alphonse yelled. Iris slammed her head into Greed, which gave her a headache and knocked him a foot back.

"Disgusting pig" Iris muttered as Greed cracked his neck.

"Feisty one, aren't you? I'll ask again, who was the one that did the transmutation?" Greed said as he started towards Iris again, which made Alphonse panic.

"No! Leave her alone! I'll tell you, just leave Iris out of it!" Alphonse yelled as he lowered his head. "It was my brother"

"Your brother, huh? Bido, you're in charge of getting the kid, understood?" Greed said to the lizard chimera.

"Yes sir!" Bido said as he ran out of the room, leaving the rest of the group to guard Alphonse and Iris.

The room was filled with silence and glares until the door slammed open revealing a beat up Bido and a pissed off Edward.

"Brother!" Alphonse said as an annoyed Iris attempted to shake off her chains.

"It's about time you go here!" Iris complained.

"Sorry, it never crossed my mind that you two could get kidnapped" Edward said

"Brother, this guy's a homunculus!" Alphonse yelled.

"Not to mention his chimera goons that tied me up, no offence" Iris said to her captor, who just shrugged.

"Are you serious?" Edward said, obviously shocked.

"Hey! Way to ruin it!" Greed whined.

"We might be able to get some leads on him on how to get our original bodies back!" Alphonse cheered.

Greed walked in front of Alphonse and showed Edward his hand. "An Ouroborus tattoo" Edward stated with anger in his expression.

"Wow, aren't you observant" Greed said sarcastically. "I was hoping that I would only have to deal with the little armored giant and his little friend."

"Why don't you just ask your partners whatever you want to know?"

"Partners?"

"Yeah, the rest of the Ouroborus gang from the fifth lab." Edward explained. "They had a couple of armor bonded souls with them as well"

"You don't say" Greed said, mildly surprised. "Well it's kind of a long story, but we don't talk much anymore. I've got a little proposal for you. If I'm correct, you two are desperate to get your bodies back and your friend here wants to help her little sister, am I wrong?"

"Who told you that?!" Iris yelled, gritting her teeth.

"I have my ways" Greed smiled. "Anyways, I could teach you how to fabricate your own Homunculus in time at all. In return, all I ask is that you teach me how to transmute a soul. Classic equivalent exchange." Greed turned towards Al, chuckling. "But I really don't understand why you would want your other body back. Seems like you've got one that's perfect already"

"No I don't!" Al yelled.

"You're joking right?" Greed chuckled. "You don't need to eat, you don't need to sleep, and you don't even need to use the toilet! Sounds great to me!"

"Do you know the negative side? He can't feel warm, he can't feel cold, and he can't feel anything! It's my fault to begin with so why would you want to go through the hell he's been through?!" Iris suddenly froze.

"Iris, what do you mean it's your fault?" Alphonse asked.

Damn it. I'm an idiot, aren't I? Iris thought as she pretended not to hear Al's question.

"I think he can live with that if he gets a body that'll never die." Greed smiled.

"That's enough. SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!" Edward screamed. "SOUNDS GREAT TO YOU?! SEEMS PERFECT?! YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE HELL HE'S HAD TO GO THROUGH STUCK WITH THAT BODY! AND YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO TRANSMUTE A SOUL?! YOU KIDNAPPED MY BROTHER AND OUR PARTNER AND YOU WANT TO TRADE SECRETS WITH ME?!"

"I think you already know this, but you kind of screwed up Greed" Iris said, gawking at Ed and his little performance.

"You don't think I know that?" Greed said sarcastically.

"I'M GOING TO CRUSH YOU CREEPS, I'LL SMASH YOU, END YOU! AND I WON'T GIVE YOU SLIME, IN ADVANCE! IN OTHER WORDS I WON'T BE DOING AN EXCHANGE WITH YOU, YOU SCUM!" Edward finished.

Greed slowly clapped his hands. The dog chimera reached for his sword, leaving Iris chained to the pipe next to him.

"I guess we're doing this by force again" He said, drawing his sword.

"Don't kill him, alright?" Greed mentioned.

"Yeah, yeah." He said swinging his sword. Edward jumped, dodging the sword.

"You're a lot slower than a prisoner I know!" Ed yelled as he kicked his attacker in the face and transmuting his arm. "Next?"

"Roa, get the armored kid out of here. Dolcetto, you're in charge of the girl" Greed ordered. "Guess we'll have dismantle him and use his friend as a hostage"

"Alphonse!" Iris called as Dolcetto grabbed the chains holding her to the pipe and ran, dragging her along as well.

Roa picked up Alphonse as Dolcetto was dragging Iris away.

"Hey, hold on!" Alphonse yelled. Edward charged with his blade.

"Hey, drop him and bring her back!" Edward demanded. Edward's blade struck Greed's hand, but his hand had turned gray and hard as a diamond. Edward continued attempting to harm him as they dragged Iris and Alphonse away.

"That should make you go faster" Dolcetto said as he tied Iris' hands in front of her instead of behind. She hadn't attempted to break free since if she did, they would most likely dismantle Alphonse, then Ed would kill her. Alphonse was still being carried by Roa. She had no choice but to play along, for both Alphonse's safety and her own.

Edward, you better kick that guy's ass soon. Iris thought as she walked into the sewers, praying for Ed to hurry up.

Next Chapter 14: Regrets & Returning Thoughts

Anyway, I hope you guys understand that I need to make some time for my new dog. If you guys watch Fairy Tail, guess what? The creators of FUNimation are now dubbing Season Two of Fairy Tail! I'll see you guys soon, Bye!

Jackie C.A.