As the light dissipated Ranma's vision began to focus. The first thing he saw was the front of a uniform. He tilted his head back until he could see a face. This person was huge, muscle over muscle. Ranma gave a weak smile and a sick laugh at the mountain. The soldier looked down and smiled. "Hello there, I'm Major Alex Louis Armstrong! The Strong Arm Alchemist!"

Ed whipped around and grinned, "Hey Major! Thank god for a friendly face,"

Ranma continued to twitch as he saw the sparkles around the major. Kasumi had an almost dazed expression, I thought I was cheerful. She thought.

Armstrong turned towards Ed and the sparkles returned, "Edward! Your brother had been beside himself with worry! We were almost about ready to give up hope!"

Ed laughed, "How long have I been missing?"

Armstrong paused, "About two weeks. How long do you think you were gone?"

The major was treated to a sight he had never seen before; Ed grabbed Winry and proceeded to dance around like a madman. Winry seemed happy as well. Ranma watched with a bored look. If you've seen Tofu, then this was just another day. He waited for Ed to calm down when a suit of armor tackled the two dancing fools. "BIG BROTHER! YOU'RE OK!"

Ranma developed the twitch again. His brain was telling him that someone was in the armor, but his senses were telling him another story. The armor only had an aura around one point. It was beginning to bother the living hell out of him. It was just the seal, and that was all he could see. He was about to speak when a hand fell on his shoulder. he turned to come face to face with another uniformed soldier. "Yea?"

"My name is Roy Mustang. Do you know why Full Metal over there is acting strangely?"

"Ed? Yea, I know why. You won't believe it though. You better ask him you're self."

Ed had pried himself from Al. Kasumi helped Winry up. "That is Ed's little brother?" she asked.

Winry gave a sick laugh, "he is um, it's a long story Kasumi. Ed explained it remember?"

Kasumi thought for a moment. She did slightly recall the tale. She looked over at Ranma, "Who is that next to Ranma?"

Winry looked at the Flame Alchemist in disgust, "That is Roy Mustang. He is called the Flame Alchemist and has a slight obsession with women. Avoid him, he is nothing but trouble,"

Not long and Ranma was introduced to the rest of Roy's little army. Even Hawkeye seemed to like him. He had gotten past the creepiness that is Armstrong when he poses. Ranma and Kasumi introduced themselves and Ed began to explain what happened. "Winry was tagging along on our search for the pholosiphers stone when we ended up caught in a dead end. Several pipes were pumping red water through the far wall. They burst and we started running for our lives. Al came up with the idea of turning the water in a red stone. Next thing I know, Winry and I are in a world that was definitely not home. Ranma here got us back."

Havoc shook his head in disbelief, "Sound crazy to me. Did you enjoy your two week vacation with Winry?"

Ranma was restraining Winry from swinging her wrench. Ed developed a twitch, "Two weeks? We were there for FIFTEEN YEARS! Do you realize how hard it was to make a living when we knew nothing? No money, no place to live, NOTHING! If it wasn't for that nice elderly couple we'd be worse off. Ranma was six when I met him! I've watched him grow taller than me! I've been married for eight years!"

Six soldiers and one suit of armor stood in shock. Ed was gone for fifteen years and got married. Havoc was hiding behind Armstrong. Winry developed a slight blush as she played with the ring on a silver chain around her neck. Roy was the first to speak. "Fifteen years? And you never grew an inch."

Ed leveled a glare, "I may be vertically challenged but at least I got the woman I love."

Roy looked like he had been struck, "Cheap shot Full Metal."

Ed smiled, "Cheap? maybe, but you're the one taking shots at me using my height. I was simpily returning the favor. Tell you what Roy, untill we get setted being back, truce?"

Roy studied Ed for a moment. He physically hadn't changed, but he had matured too much for only two weeks. "Alright Full Metal, truce."

Back in Nerima,

Colonge sat looking at the Naban mirror with a mix of emotions going through her head. On the one hand, Ranma had pulled a desprate move to escape everything with Kasumi no less! But he had gotten that blond man to fix the mirror right before her eyes. She wanted To get Ranma back for her grand daughter, but now he would truly fight it tooth and nail. She was getting old in years and she knew she couldn't push her luck with Ranma. "Looks like son-in-law never truely does lose. I guess I get to tell everyone that those two are gone. That Tendo male is going to flood the district."

In Town noth of Ishbal

"Look, Roy, I appreceate you coming and looking for us. But I need to try and get back to what I was doing. Winry and I are safe and sound, You can go back to Central."

Roy had been pestering Ed about WHERE thay had been and who they brought back, especally about Kasumi. Ranma's patience was beginning to wear thin. Kasumi saw that and was restraining him. Armstrong was conversing with Winry when she mentioned Ranma's skill. The major looked at Ranma with an appreasing look. "You mean to tell me that the dark haired young man could take on me and turn me into a pretzel?"

Winry nodded as the Major rose up to test the merit of Winry's claim. Ranma noted that the sun was suddenly blocked. Ranma looked up to the Major, "Yea Major? What do ya need?"

"Miss Winry has informed me of your massive fighting prowless. I wish to test it myself. Care to test yourself against a fighting style thats been passed down for generations?"

Ranma stood up and bowed slightly to his opponent then took a brutal stance, "Come when ever your ready. I'll try not to leave lasting injuries."

I'd like to thank ss4-link for his help.