Thank you to XHer Ink StainX and toak-f for reviewing, I appreciate it greatly. Alright so let's get started again.
Edward and Alphonse lay in bed later that night after regailing Mr. Tucker of their 'adventure.' Sayla had remained quiet the rest of the night mostly only nodding her head and giving short replies retiring early. Ed stared at the ceiling unable to get the look on Sayla's face out of his head. It had been amazing to watch a new life come into the world and they had all been speechless but Sayla had been more than speechless, she was shocked into silence. There had to be something that Ed didn't know, that Al did.
"Seriously brother I have no idea why she does that. It happened once before shortly after we met her. You were sleeping and I was in another room reading when I heard her crying. When I got to her she was in a corner of the room just rocking back and forth sobbing." Al said.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Ed asked sitting up staring at his brother.
"It had been a long day and I got her to calm down pretty quick so there was no need too." He replied. Ed sighed lying back against his pillow thinking over the days events.
"That alchemy stuff didn't really any at all, nothing a hot water heater couldn't do." He said after a few minutes of silence had passed between them.
"Yeah." Al agreed.
"Now mom's on the other hand; there's your miracle. Gracia did something tonight that alchemists couldn't do in a thousand years no strings attached." Ed said.
"Our mom did…it too." Al said hesitantly. Ed sat up to look at his younger brother his auto-mail clanking in protest.
"Al, you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Do you think I was that soft when I was born, and warm?" Al asked.
"Of course you were, you were still soft when you were five." Ed said with a snicker. Al clutched the blankets closer to him in his gauntlets staring at the ceiling.
"Uh, yeah." He said trying to laugh as well bringing the blankets over his head sobbing tearlessly. Ed looked away and out the window at the snow that still whipped around his heart aching as his stomach churned.
"I'm sorry." He whispered feeling tears burning hot behind his eyelids as he lay back down and closed his eyes.
Day in and day out Edward and Alphonse studied. Ed had tried several times to transmute with out a circle but proved in vain. After several weeks of Sayla's half responses and nods she pulled both boys into the kitchen to discuss the upcoming exam.
"It's always the same, written test, an interview then practical skills. There's no way to know how many people will apply but the state only accepts one or two each year." She stated staring more at the wall then at Ed or Al.
"One or two people; you're kidding me." Ed said.
"It's rough." She replied with a slight shrug.
"Uh, what kind of stuff do they do in the interview?" Al asked nervously.
"It varies I guess, with me they just asked questions but I've heard that physical exams are pretty common too." Sayla replied.
"Oh, you don't say." Al said looking down at the table.
"After that if you pass those two you move onto the third challenge, practical skills." Sayla continued. "Half bring results of their research like Mr. Tucker did and half perform on the spot like I did. You guys have a plan right?" Ed and Al looked up in surprise quickly excusing themselves to the room they shared.
"Damn it, what am I gonna do? I didn't think I'd need a demonstration." Ed said. Al stared at the floor.
"And what about a physical; they could open up my armor and find out there's nothing inside." He said his soul filled eyes dimming to thin slits.
"Hey maybe you could stuff Alexander in there and pretend you're a talking dog." Ed said smiling.
"I don't think that's very funny brother." Al replied back. Nina's tired muffled voice came from the other side of the door.
"Sister, why do you have your ear pressed to big brother and really big brother's door?" She asked followed by a yawn. Sayla heard a one of the beds squeak as foot steps went to the door, Edwards from the sound of it. Sayla scooped Nina up in her arms and quickly ducked down the hallway to the room she had been sharing with the little girl. She laid her down in the bed and covered her with her blankets.
"Well?" Nina asked as Sayla shut off the light and climbed into the trundle bed.
"What?" She asked lying down.
"Why did you have your ear pressed to the brother's door?" She asked again.
"Don't worry about it, just go to sleep Nina." Sayla replied followed by silence.
The day of the exams the three, along with Nina who had thrown a tantrum, were picked up and dropped off in front of central headquarters. Sayla once again wore her military uniform with her hair clipped back on top of her head with a few spiky strands sticking out from the bun it was in.
"Okay I have to go in ahead before the testers do so just sit tight until they unlock the doors." She said walking away. She walked up the stairs giving a tight salute to the soldiers in front of the doors and flashed her credentials gaining access to the building.
"Sayla can be so different." Al said.
"What do you mean?" Ed asked curiously.
"Well one minute she's joking around like a regular kid and the next she's an official. It's just strange it all." He replied. Ed nodded in agreement.
"I get the feeling that Sayla is complicated, maybe even more than what she realizes." Ed said.
"All alchemists taking the exam today please go down the hall into the exam room." An officer stated in a loud clear voice. Edward and Alphonse looked at each other and nodded.
"This is it." Al said.
"Yeah, moment of truth." Ed said as they walked up the stairs. Nearly two hours later a very disheveled Edward and Alphonse exited the building, Nina promptly ran over to them.
"Big brother's, how'd it go?" She asked.
"I didn't finish and my wrist feels like spaghetti." Ed replied.
"I got through it but next comes the interview." Al said nervously. In Roy's office Sayla dropped the results of Edward and Alphonse's exams on his desk. He quickly scanned them over and sighed.
"I never guessed that the younger would pass it too." Roy stated staring at Sayla in deep contemplation.
"Is that a problem sir?" Riza asked. Roy didn't reply just stared at Sayla who nodded once in understanding.
"Sir." She said with a salute and exited his office. Riza stared at the door for a few minutes after the girl had left before turning back to Roy, it was as if they could read each other's minds at times knowing exactly what the other felt and thought giving her a cold feeling down her spine. She dismissed it knowing well the circumstances they had been through together and left it at that.
Sayla walked over the soft ground where only the day before snow must have been. Spring was approaching fast bringing with it the promise's of new beginning making her feel even worse for what she was about to do. Ed stood up as Sayla motioned for them both to follow her, as usual Al followed suit.
"Alphonse listen to me carefully, you have to drop out of the exam." Sayla said.
"What?" Al asked uncertain if he had heard right.
"Drop out or I'm pulling you out." She said her voice suddenly becoming clipped.
"You can't say that! I've worked so hard for months, you know I have! I'm not dropping out now!" Al said tightly clenching his hand into a fist. Ed stared at the ground his mind working a mile a minute.
"If you want to go on with out revealing your past you have no choice." She said sternly.
"That's not good enough! I'm not getting split from my brother." He replied.
"Easy Al." Ed said his mind finally resting knowing it was for the best. "You remember what Aunt Pinako said right? State alchemists are military and get thrown into service when ever war breaks out. You have to do what they say and even hurt people for some good you don't understand. It means you're a dog of the state with a leash around you're neck." Ed said.
"But…Ed." Al said trying to interrupt his brother but unable to find the right words.
"One of us has to join to get what we need but we both don't have too. Let me go alone and I promise to fix things, get us back the way we were." Ed said determination clear on his face.
"Brother…." Al said knowing well that Edward was right. He could never go to war and hurt, or even kill, another person. Edward was smarter and stronger emotionally then he was. His brother could handle it, with a heavy heart Alphonse gave a quick nod to Sayla indicating he would pull out.
"Come on Ed. You can't be late for you're interview." Sayla said sounding more like herself again. Ed held his brother's gaze for a few moments longer before walking beside Sayla as she led him to the interview room. Ed opened the heavy ornamental glancing around the dark room as a bright spotlight turned on illuminating the center of the room. Ed brought a hand to cover his eyes quickly before taking in what he saw before him.
'A chair with three legs, it shouldn't keep its balance.' He thought to himself.
"Take a seat. Alchemy is the science of balance, if you have the gift it will not refuse you." King Bradley said from his seat. Sayla stood at one end of the desk while Roy stood on the other. Her heart pounded as her stomach went hay wire while Edward simply stood still not moving.
"Go on Edward, state alchemist's can not be afraid." Bradley said. Ed's look of slight surprise turned to determination as he walked forward sitting down on the chair.
"Very good." Bradley said smiling. "Now tell me why you want to be an alchemist for our military."
"Because…" Ed said thinking what answer would be the right one.
"I'm waiting." Bradley said as Roy and Sayla looked on.
"Because I made a promise to the only family I've got left." Ed replied. "I told him I'd become an alchemist and service to the state. Take all the good and bad that comes with it." Sayla nodded in approval but didn't say anything until later that night. She knocked on their bedroom door sitting on the side of Edwards's bed.
"Sayla, do think we did the right thing?" Ed asked. Sayla sighed.
"I don't know Ed but I know this, the two of you don't belong here." She said looking at Alphonse. "You belong at home, where you should be; the way you're both supposed to be and I'm not going to lie to you Edward, being a state alchemist sucks. Being thrown around to where ever they feel like tossing you when ever they feel like it. It's not fun but it seems like it's your best option."
"Brother I don't want to be in this suit anymore." Al said sitting up. "I want to feel things again. It's strange, we've been right beside each other this entire time but I can't remember what your skin feels like or how you smell." Edward and Sayla stared at him for a moment before he began to sob.
"Oh Al..." Sayla said standing up and trying to take him in a hug. Ed clenched his fists knowing that he was making the right decision for Al's sake.
The next day Edward, Alphonse and Nina stood outside central headquarters while Sayla went ahead like the previous day.
"I'm off." Ed said glancing back at Al and Nina.
"Uh, not yet." Nina said. Ed turned back around glancing at her. She giggled nervously putting her hands behind her back.
"Go ahead Nina." Al said. She hesitated before walking closer to Ed holding out a piece of paper to him.
"I made something for you." She said. Ed took the paper unfolding it and gasped. Staring up at him were crayon drawn pictures of himself, Al, Nina, Sayla and Alexander; complete with a transmutation circle. He lowered the paper to see her blue eyes sparkling brightly.
"It's a circle to help you're wish." She said with a giggle.
"Its great thanks Nina." Ed said with a smile. He glanced up at Alphonse nodding his head once before walking into the headquarters. The alchemists were led outside to a courtyard where a large area was set with grass, tree's and water. A small mountain even jutted out of the ground sitting next to a glacier surrounded by snow.
:"Welcome to the practical skills exam. We've provided you with some material for your alchemy." Bradley said as he stood before them once again with Sayla and Roy standing towards the end of the line. "You may use them to create whatever you see fit." Bradley continued. Ed listened intently taking in his surroundings.
"Geez, nice guidelines but what am I supposed to create to impress them?" He wondered aloud. He heard the hissing sound of alchemy and searched until his eyes caught a large stone pillar shooting out of the ground. The alchemist sat on the ground and forced an exhausted smile. Sweat shone on his face as he tried to stand up but faltered.
"Impressive detail but he used so much energy he wore himself out." One of the officers commented. Sayla walked over to stand close to Ed and glanced at him.
"You can't get tired?" He asked her quietly.
"Out of my way." A man said walking past the two. Two large trees' fell onto the array he had drawn and tossed some water on top of it.
"What's he cooking?' Ed wondered staring intently. The alchemist put his hands down on the ground as the light of transmutation shone brightly around him. A large paper balloon rose out of the transmutation and into the air slowly.
"Nicely done." Sayla whispered impressed.
"Tree's and water into a hydrogen paper blimp." Ed said softly to himself. A small corner of the blimp ripped open sending the air gushing out as it spiraled out of control hurling towards the alchemist that had created the tower as he sat horrified watching it come closer still unable to stand.
"That's not good." Roy said placing a glove on his left hand as the blimp ended up speared on the top of the cement column the tip cracking dangerously. Sayla put a foot forward to run as she clapped her hands brining them to her throat.
"Sayla wait!" Roy shouted grabbing her roughly by the shoulder to stop her. Sayla looked up at him her hands halfway to their intended destination point when Roy motioned towards Ed whom was running full force to the column clapping his hands. He placed his hands flat against it as a brilliant transmutation took place causing the onlookers to shield their eyes. In a flash the column and blimp were gone as a rain of flower petals fell to the ground. The onlookers gasped staring at the spot that had nearly turned deadly amazed.
"Alchemy with out circles…" Roy stated impressed.
"I think we've found our alchemist." Bradley said equally impressed. Edward stood in silent awe staring at his hands as a satisfied smile crossed his lips. Sayla could barely contain her excitement as Ed was congratulated by the fuehrer as well as many revered military personal and alchemists alike. It wasn't until they were outside of head quarters and she saw Alphonse and Nina that she ran over happily nearly tripping over her own to feet.
"Edward passed! Ed's a state alchemist! He won!" She yelled excitedly jumping up and down. Al laughed his eyes brightening as his brother smiled at him giving him a thumbs up. After some celebration high fives the four made their way back to the Tucker estate.
The sun set as they walked coming to the bridge as a warm breeze passed by. Ed continued to glance at his hands from time to time still amazed.
"Al today marks a big turning point for us." Ed said stopping to look back at his brother. "It's full speed ahead now and if dead ends come we'll find another way." He continued. Al nodded securing Nina better on his shoulders. Sayla smirked walking ahead a ways figuring to let them have their moment.
"Hey where do you think you're going?" Ed called after her. Sayla turned letting her hair down in the process so it hung down to her shoulders.
"I was letting you two have you're moment." She said smiling.
"You're still going to help us right Sayla?" Al asked. Sayla's smile faded as she stared at him.
"You want me too?' She asked.
"Well you technically started this journey with us so why not?" Al asked. "Unless you don't want too." Sayla ran back over to them shaking her head.
"How could I not want too?" She asked happily. Ed smiled nodding his head once.
"That's it then, it's settled together we'll find a way to get back you're body." Ed said putting his hand up in a fist towards the center of their small semi circle.
"And when that day comes you'll get you're body back as well." Sayla said placing her hand against his in a fist as well. Al nodded joining in on the oath. No matter what they would prevail.