Al ran as fast as he could away from the area where Scar and Kimblee were fighting, but he didn't get very far. Standing in his way were several military policemen. Al turned around and ran away from the soldiers, failing to see his brother standing behind them. He turned a corner and found himself facing another group of them. Before Al could turn around, they tackled him to the ground and tied his hands behind his back. Al struggled in vain to get away from them.

He found himself being dragged through the streets to a car, where his brother was already sitting. Ed's right hand was free, but his left was tied down. He looked up at Al for a moment.

"Well, I guess we're stuck now," he said as someone sat in the driver's seat and started the car. They drove quietly to East City HQ, and the driver opened Ed's door. Al got a brief look at his face and gasped. It was the same man who had interrogated him in Central weeks before.

Al didn't get a chance to react, because someone had opened his door and was making him get out. Al walked with this person into the building. Ed had gone off with the other man. They brought Al to a small room and had him wait there. He felt like a prisoner.

-----------------

Ed was made to sit down in a small room containing a table and two chairs. The soldier locked the door and sat down across from him. An eerie feeling of déjà vu came over Ed as he stared at the soldier.

"Hey, why are we being treated like criminals?" he asked, shifting his right arm slightly.

The soldier folded his hands and smirked at Ed. "We have a slight problem. Word has gotten out that the two of you have lost your memories, and several terrorist groups are looking for you, in the hopes that they can turn you to their side and make you regain your memories. There is also the possibility that this could happen with other countries as well. Therefore, we are putting the two of you under strict surveillance. Understood?"

"Yeah, but why-"

"You two were found living with a dangerous criminal. It would create quite a problem if you were found to have been helping him."

"What makes you think we were helping him?" Ed asked. "Did you see what he did to my arm?"

"Ah, yes, your arm. That brings up another question. Have you regained any memories at all?"

"No. I remember things in dreams, and for a minute or two at a time, but then it's gone."

"So you don't remember anything about the military?"

"No."

"You do realize that lying to me won't do you any good."

"Yeah, and I'm not lying."

"How can I be sure of that?"

"I don't know."

The soldier stood up and slammed his hands on the table. "You're just as aggravating as ever, pipsqueak."

Note: the following scene is incredibly violent and pickle-flavored, so it has been censored.

Ed glared at the soldier as someone held him back. The soldier smirked and walked up to Ed. "You know, you could get in serious trouble for attacking a soldier. But, since you're obviously not aware of who I am, I suppose I have no choice but to believe you. You will still have someone keeping an eye on you, however."

"Why? Al and I can take care of ourselves, and we're not stupid enough to join a terrorist organization."

"Sure you aren't." The other soldiers let Ed go, and the one gestured for Ed to sit back down. "Now, I have another question for you. Are you willing to rejoin the military as a State Alchemist?"

"If I do will it get you off my back?"

"Possibly."

"Then maybe. I'd have to think it over."

"Good. I'll give you a week. Give me an answer by then."

-------------------

As soon as Ed got out of that room, he was led to a small room where his brother was waiting. As soon as they were alone, Al turned on his brother.

"What did he say to you?" he asked.

"What? Um, well… he just wanted to know if I remembered anything. And if I was interested in joining the military again. We're also going to be under surveillance or something. Al, what's up? You're acting weird."

"Ed, that guy's the one who attacked me in Central."

"Wait, you mean…"

"Yeah, he's the one who was asking all those questions earlier."

Ed sat down on the couch. "Well, what do you think he wants? I mean, he was a jerk, but he wasn't exactly evil when I was talking to him."

"I don't know. But brother, do you think you'll end up joining the military again?"

"I don't really want to, but if I have to…"

"You should."

"Why?"

"Think about it. If you're in the military, there's less of a chance of us getting into trouble. Besides, whoever our enemies are won't expect us to be working against them if we're just going to be searching for a way to regain our memories."

Ed yawned. "I guess you're right. Anyway, we have a week before I have to give an answer, so we don't have to decide right away. For now, I think I'm going to bed."

"You take the real bed, brother. I can sleep on the couch."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, since you're hurt. I don't mind."

Ed looked back at his arm. "Right…"

-----------------

A week passed, and the soldier came again. He came just as Ed was trying to pull a shirt on without having his arm hurt. He watched the attempts for a while with amusement before speaking.

"So what did you decide?"

There was a muffled grunt from within the shirt. Al looked at his brother, who had definitely managed to get himself trapped. "He said he'll do it."

"Good. Now stop looking like a moron and we'll go to Central."

"Now?" Ed asked as he beat the shirt at its own game.

"Yes, now. I'm not going to wait around any longer."

"Right…"

As soon as the two were ready, they left the building and headed for the train station. Halfway through, Ed realized something.

"Hey, what happened with Scar?" he asked.

"There is a large amount of uncertainty in that case. He disappeared, and we found Kimblee dead two blocks away from where you were found."

"Wait, you mean he killed him?"

"Yes."

Ed was rather surprised. Even though Scar was a scary person, Ed had never imagined that they had been staying with a killer. The soldier, whose name was still unknown to the brothers, noticed this and laughed. "Is it really that surprising? Or were you not told about what he did to you in the past?"

"What?"

"The first two times you met him, he was trying to kill you."

Ed was caught off guard again. "Wait… kill us? Why?"

The soldier gave an aggravated sigh. "Because, he's a State Alchemist killer, and you were a State Alchemist at one point in time. Or did you not know about that either?"

"Why would he do that?"

The soldier slammed on the brakes and turned off the car. "Okay, we're here. Get out."

"But you didn't answer the question."

"Damn it, the sooner you get your memory back, the better," the soldier said as he got out and slammed the door. As Ed opened the door, he could hear the soldier muttering something along the lines of "Last time I'll agree to deal with a couple of brats."

As they sat in the train, Ed noticed a strange look on his brother's face. The soldier was talking to someone out in the hall. Ed turned to face Al. "What's up, Al?"

"Why is he acting like this? Is he just going to ignore the fact that he freaking attacked me, or what?"

"I have no idea," Ed replied as the soldier came back into the compartment. He sat down across from the brothers with a gun in his lap. After a moment, he turned to face Al.

"I'd like to apologize for my treatment of you in Central. I wasn't thinking straight at the time, and I was going about things the wrong way."

"Yeah, sure," Al replied sarcastically with his arms folded.

"It's true."

"Uh-huh."

The train ride to Central was a long and awkward one. Finally, they arrived, and the brothers breathed a sigh of relief before coming to realize the next problem they faced: having Ed become a State Alchemist for the second time.

---------------

From the station, the brothers got a ride to Central HQ, and from there, someone led Ed into a medium sized office. Several people were inside already, and they all seemed to be important people. It wasn't until after the whole process finished and Ed was given a silver watch that he was told just how important some of the people were. Ed was amazed that the Fuhrer himself would bother to deal with a kid like him.

Colonel Mustang had been given instructions to bring the boys to a military hotel. As they drove through the city, he looked back at the two. "So you came back to the military. I suppose that's a good thing, since now you'll be able to move around with less questions asked."

"Guess so," Ed replied. "Hey, what about our past? Didn't you say there was a way to get it back?"

"I did, but that way lies with your friend."

"You gave whatever it is that we need to Winry? Why?"

"Because I didn't think it'd be such a problem. I assumed she'd get it to you without any problems, but things didn't work out that way, did they?"

"Obviously not," Ed snorted.

Roy smiled. "Well, you're starting to act the way you used to. By the way, did they give you the same name as last time?"

"Um, yeah, I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist again."

"Good, that makes things easier." Roy stopped the car in front of a hotel. "As soon as you can, I would recommend visiting Ms. Rockbell. Don't make it too soon, though. And as soon as you regain your memories, you need to get very good at acting."

---------------

The next morning, Ed was surprised to hear that he had to report to the Fuhrer's office at noon. He went alone, not quite knowing what to expect. As he approached the doors, someone greeted him. It was Riza Hawkeye. She quietly let him in, whispering a warning for Ed to say nothing about having met before. This put Ed even more on edge.

He definitely didn't expect to see the Fuhrer sitting at a table that was set up for what seemed to be a tea party. Ed sat down, a look of sheer confusion on his face. Bradley smiled.

"It's good to see you doing well."

"Ah, yeah…" Ed replied, still wondering why Hawkeye had a very serious look on her face. She stood at attention behind Bradley until he waved her away.

"Ms. Hawkeye, would you mind leaving the room for a while? I would like to speak to Edward alone."

"Of course, sir," she replied as she saluted and walked out of the room. Once she was gone, Bradley turned back to Ed.

"So, if I understand correctly, the two of you have completely forgotten everything from the past five years and are currently the same as you were back then?"

"Yeah, that's about right."

"I assume you're going to attempt to regain your memories, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"That may not be the wisest course of action."

"Huh? Why not?"

"The two of you witnessed some very brutal events. If you were to suddenly regain those memories without any help, the results could leave your minds in a worse state than they are in right now." Ed could hear concern in Bradley's voice.

"Oh. I guess that makes sense."

"So you agree not to go out of your way to find those memories that you have lost?"

Ed was quiet for a moment. "Yes."

Bradley smiled a friendly smile. "Good. Now then, there's the matter of what you should be doing now. Your mind is the same as when you were eleven, right?"

"Yeah."

"This brings up another problem. Many of my subordinates don't believe that you're ready to go on missions like you did when you were younger. Because of that, I find that it would be best if you were given some time to do what you wish. However, if I let you go, and I find that you're searching for your past, then I won't give you as much freedom the next time around." Bradley paused for a moment. "I know you think it's unfair, but I'm only concerned for your wellbeing."

"R-right. Um…"

"Is there something wrong?"

"N-no, not really, I'm just wondering… That man, Scar or whatever, why does he hate me?"

Bradley started at this question, but he recovered quickly. "You are familiar with the Ishbalan Civil War, right?"

"Um, yeah, sorta…"

"Scar is an Ishbalan. He is going after State Alchemists because they killed his people."

"So it's for revenge? Then why would he come after me?"

"Some people take their hatred a step too far. Recent information from Scar's latest victim states that he also killed two doctors that saved his life."

Ed slammed his hands on the table. "What? Why would he do something like that? That's…"

"It's cruel, isn't it? They had a daughter, too. In fact, I believe you know her very well."

Doctors… I know their daughter… it couldn't be… why would he kill Winry's parents? Why Winry? How could… Ed's eyes widened, and he stood up. "That bastard!" he shouted before remembered where he was. He quickly sat down and stared directly at the table. "Sorry."

"No, I understand. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Ed shook his head. "No, sir."

"Very well. The two of you are free to go where you wish, but remember what I said."

"Right," Ed replied as he stood up. "Thank you."

The Fuhrer opened the door and signaled to Riza. "Would you mind walking him out to the gate?"

"Yes, sir," Riza replied as Bradley closed the door behind them. They walked silently down the hall.

"You didn't say anything about us meeting before, did you?"

"No, I didn't."

"That's good." Riza looked down at Ed. "Is something wrong?"

Ed looked around. The hallway was mercifully empty. "I ended up staying with Scar for a while in East City. Is he really that bad of a person?"

Riza looked straight ahead. "While he does have his reasons to do what he does, it's no excuse to go as far as he goes. Actually, I don't know anything about his mind. He did save your life twice, though. I guess it's actually three times now."

"But if he hates me, why was he nice to me?"

Riza shrugged. "It could be guilt."

"From killing Winry's parents?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"From the Fuhrer."

"I see. Yes, that's what I meant. Since they saved his life, he was probably acting without thinking."

"Who would be able to do that?"

"Most people in the military are that way, Edward. Even me."

"But why does it have to be like that?"

"I don't know. All I know is that we're trying to change it." They were at the gate. "I have to go back now. Good luck with everything."

"Yeah, thanks," Ed replied.