Cast Iron Alchemist

Final Chapter: Revolution

Simon stood in his office, staring out the window at the people below. His eyes were filled with a feeling of victory. "Soon, Cast Iron Alchemist," he said, "Soon I will rise to victory."

The head alchemist walked in and saluted his Fuhrer. "Sir, the tailor is requesting you be fitted for your ceremonial garb."

Simon nodded and walked away from the window, leaving the room with the alchemist. "have you investigated that book yet?"

the alchemist nodded and handed him a report. After flipping through it, he smiled and wrote down some new instructions, handing it to the alchemist. "I want all of that done before my announcement next week."

the alchemist saluted and left to fulfil the instructions.

The train stopped in Central, and the group got out to stretch their legs. Along with Edward, they made sure they were the last to arrive. The group made their way through the streets of Central, feeling a new atmosphere as they walked down the sidewalk. The town had clearly changed, people felt more determined, less informed, and fliers filled the streets. Walking down the more public streets, the brigade symbol was spray painted and indented into walls. Finally, the group slipped into the sewers in an abandoned alleyway, and made their way through to laboratory 5. waiting there to welcome them was Samantha, smiling and waving. "Yoohoo! Anthony over here!"

Alicia couldn't help but glare as she singled out Anthony, and the group joined up with their comrade. "It's nice to see you again Samantha," Anthony said, smiling. "Has everything been taken care of?"

Samantha nodded and took them back upstairs to the top floor, where their room had been prepared. She handed Anthony a newspaper which read, "FUHRER REVEALS HIMSELF ON MONDAY, WHOLE TOWN EXPECTANT" Anthony couldn't help but smile as he stared out the window. He had a clear view of Central Headquarters. "Monday, we have one week to prepare. Samantha, where's the phone I sent over, I need to make a call."

Samantha smiled and led him out, and the rest of the group began unpacking. Trevor layed back on his bed, smiling at the ceiling. "This is it, we're actually doing this. I can't believe after all this time, all this work, we're finally almost done."

Jennifer smiled and stared out the window, adjusting her glasses. "This time, I'll do my best to protect everyone" she said as she looked down at her mask from the north. "This time..."

Alicia took out her picture of her and Winry and smiled. "This is the biggest risk we've ever faced, I have my work cut out for me."

Zeke smiled and sat down, his abdomen wound still bandaged. "No matter what, I'll help my brother."

the group looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Anthony returned after a while and smiled at the group. "It's good to see you all determined, we're going to need that resolve to win this battle. Alright, we're on a 14 hour training regimen until Sunday, when I announce my plan to the entire brigade. It's now, nearly a year later, when all of our hard work, from the moment I walked off that porch, that we end this."

the entire group hung on his every word until he was done, and then they all got ready to go train.

Laboratory 5 had been turned into an amazing underground citadel by the group that came before them. Using the rubble from the underground city, they were able to build a giant meeting hall, a smithy, and multiple training rooms for the hundreds of brigade members residing there. Alicia was alone, practising her botany, while Trevor worked on his team work with his two dog team mates. Zeke practised especially hard on his swordsman skills, determined to defeat his brother and save him from his fate. Jennifer's practice worked more into books than actual practice of alchemy, studying up on human anatomy and the circulatory system. Anthony was practising the hardest, working his best to master all of the techniques his grandfather had left behind for him. He had been practising for hours before he finally needed to stop for a break. Sitting down, he took out his grandfather's pocketwatch and looked at it, careful to open the rusted hinge. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll turn this into a world you'll be proud of."

Two young black haired boys played in the snow of northern Amestris, fighting with wooden swords. They laughed and danced around as they pretended to fight with each other. They continued to play, until they heard a bell in the distance. The two ran together, smiling as they went home to their mother, a lovely young woman with calm blue eyes. The two boys walked inside and up to bed, where they layed to rest. But the boy on the left was being shrugged awake. He could hear the voice of the woman as she spoke. "Fang? Fang?"

"Fang!" Simon screamed at the homonculus.

Fang suddenly awoke and sat up, his hand on his sword. Simon looked at him. "What's wrong with you? I've been trying to wake you up for five minutes now."

Fang took his hand off his blade and calmed down. "My apologies sir, I was caught in a deep sleep."

Simon scoffed and walked to the window. "Whatever, I need you to go see the tailor about a change of clothes, you'll be my body guard when I'm on stage giving my speech."

Fang saluted and left the room to go toward the tailor's work room, but was hit with another headache, and another memory.

This time he was in a tournament, facing off with a young Zeke. Zeke seemed wary as he faced off against his brother, but Fang smiled across at his brother. "Don't shudder like that, you're Claw, the fearless swordsman. If you don't show your best right now, I'll just kick your ass later."

Zeke thought for a second and smiled, nodding across at his brother as he raised his sword. "Right, I'm not going to lose."

The horn blew to signal the start of the round, and the two brothers went at each other. Their swords clashed over and over, neither of them forfeiting to the other. Finally, Zeke went in for the final blow, but Fang was able to stealthily evade the shot, and slice him across the chest. Zeke fell, defeated, and the crowd cheered as Fang was named the champion. Zeke took off his torn shirt, the powerful armor underneath protecting him from the lethal blow. He smiled, proud for his brother who had worked so hard to win. Zeke and Fang were both unaware, however, that the winner was going to be immediately drafted into the army. It wasn't anymore than two days later that Fang was dragged off by the military, with Zeke screaming for them to stop and let him go.

Zeke woke up in a fright, breathing heavily after his vivid dream. He looked around the room at the others sleeping there and sighed. It seemed like only yesterday that his brother had been taken away, when in reality it was nearly four years. He sighed and tried his best to get back to sleep, laying down and staring at the ceiling through his closed eyelids. One week, so little time to get ready for the battle that lied ahead.

The next day the group continued their training, except for Anthony, who was decked out in his brigade gear. He had a special mission he had to tend to, something he didn't want anyone else joining in with him for. Using the sewers, he found the underground tunnel and quietly entered into the building's basement. There he met two alchemists of many on the inside, who gave him a quick uniform to put on, so that he would appear inconspicuous. He made his way cautiously down the halls, doing his best not to bring attention to himself. He walked up to the main building, and the Fuhrer's personal guards stopped him at the door. "halt, no entrance without proper reason."

Anthony held up a letter with a forged military wax seal. "This is a message for the head Alchemist from the Fuhrer with instructions that it be hand delivered by me."

he was careful about picking a time when Simon would be outside the main building. His ruse worked and he was allowed in. Once inside, he made is way up the stairs to the Fuhrer's office. He stopped in the Fuhrer's hallway, where he had last had his bought with Simon. He looked around, feeling moderately nostalgic about where he was. The blood had been cleaned up, but the statue Anthony had broken last time he was here had yet to be repaired. Without wasting anymore time, Anthony made his way down the hall to the Fuhrer's office, and walked inside. Seeing that there wasn't anyone there, he began searching the Fuhrer's office, and came across what he was looking for. In a locked top drawer, which he managed to open with some careful lock picking, he found his grandfather's journal. He smiled, and replaced it with a paper with the brigade symbol on it, being careful to lock it again. With the journal safely tucked in his back pocket, Anthony climbed out the window to the balcony, and from there made his escape, transmuting the uniform into shreds of blue cloth. He scattered the rags off the roof behind the building, where no one would find them. With the scraps taken care of, Anthony retreated back into the sewers and laboratory 5.

Simon made his way back up to his office after a long day of preparation for his speech on Monday. As he entered his office, something felt wrong. He ran up to his desk and searched through his desk, taking the key from his pocket to check the journal. When he opened the drawer, all he saw was the brigade symbol on a piece of paper. His rage grew as he tore up the paper. "Elric!" he yelled, clenching his fist.

He called the guards in, doing his best to calm down. "The Cast Iron Alchemist was here! I want him found and brought to me at once!"

the guards saluted and began searching the building.

The group was waiting for Anthony when he returned, all of them tired from a long day of training. They looked at him with anticipation, and he pulled out the notebook from his back pocket, smiling. The group cheered, happy to see their pseudo bible back in the brigade's hands. Anthony smiled and flipped through the book. "Alright, we're almost set, come Sunday, we'll assemble the forces and go through with the plan."

the group smiled, determined to combat the enemy.

Trevor walked through the streets of Central, looking around at the buildings as he walked. Finally, he stepped into the cemetery, walking through the rows of graves to the military area, and up to Maes Hughes' grave. He didn't say anything for a while, and eventually he smiled and sighed. "Thank you." he finally said, and stepped away from the grave.

He moved over a few rows and found his father's grave. "ROY MUSTANG, TRAITOR OF THE STATE" the stone couldn't help but dampen his spirits. He stared at the gravestone for a moment and put his hands in his pockets. "I promise," he said seriously, "The next time someone looks at your gravestone, it's going to say 'hero of the state.' I'll make mom and you proud, and I'll run this country properly."

he pulled his hand out of his pocket. In his hand, he had a pair of flame alchemy gloves, with red silk instead of his blue, and they looked old. He set the gloves down on top of the grave and walked away, trying to hide the tears flowing down his cheeks.

Finally, Sunday had come. Anthony stood on the balcony in the meeting hall, looking down on over two hundred brigade members, separated by their factions, with the leaders at the front. Samantha, the Gemstone Alchemist, Edward, the Devoted Son Alchemist, And Adam, the Flash Freeze Alchemist, substituting for Zeke. Anthony smiled as they all looked up at him with anticipation. "Almost a year ago," Anthony began, "I left Risembool with only a single ally. Now, I have more than a hundred. You are all members of the Fullmetal Brigade, and as such, you are an integral part of this mission. Each and every one of you, North, South, East, and West, are my allies, and my friends. Now listen up, because this is my plan."

all the soldiers in the brigade's army listened intently to Anthony as he continued. "Tomorrow, when Fuhrer Simon stands on his balcony, all the soldiers will be in the streets, and all the civilians will be watching from the rooftops. I don't know how he plans to reveal himself without revealing his secret, but we're going to make sure it gets out anyway. All of you will be on the rooftops, except for our ears on the inside, and when I yell out the signal, you'll transmute your jackets back into your brigade jackets, put on your masks, and split up into your designated assignments. At the start of this assembly you were each given a slip of paper, Team A or Team B. Team A is the combat team, you'll be jumping from the rooftops to join our allies on the inside, I won't lie that this will be a tough battle, but it's the battle we need to fight. Team B, we can't forget about the safety of civilians, you will be in charge of leading all of the civilians of the town out of Central. You have just as important a job, civilian casualties are the last thing we need. Team A, Team B. Both of these teams are required to call this battle a complete success. We are going to save this country, and we are going to make this the country my grandfather saw, and the country I saw as well."

he ended the speech with a roaring cheer of "Alchemists for the People!" and stepped off the stage.

Anthony stood on the roof of laboratory 5, staring out as the sun rose on the clear Monday morning. His mind was deep in thought of all the events that lead up to this fateful day. Alicia climbed the stairs and saw him there, staring out into the horizon. She smiled and sat down on the roof, her legs hanging over the edge. "It's beautiful isn't it?"

he looked over at her and nodded slightly. "Yeah."

Alicia stood up and walked over, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Everyone's waiting for you downstairs, once we finish with this battle and everything's restored, we can find a way to get you home."

she smiled and walked back down the stairs, leaving him alone on the roof again. "Right, home." he said quietly.

Without another word, he walked back downstairs and looked around at the group. It all seemed like such a short time, he had made so many new friends. Botanic Alchemist Alicia, the girly young botanist from Risembool with a talent in alchemy. Blue Flame Alchemist Trevor, the once lone wolf ex heir who lived in solitude in his shack, grieving over his dead mother and despising his heroic father. Now a man who has pride in his family, and a pride for himself. Prison Medic Alchemist Jennifer, the wallflower who lived her life in a prison camp, with a talent in medical alchemy. Spirit Blade Alchemist Zeke, the swordsman from the north with strong family ties. Gemstone Alchemist Samantha, the rough and rowdy earth alchemist with a passion for life. Devoted Son Alchemist Edward, named after a proud hero by his loving foster mother, who taught him to master alchemy. And Cast Iron Alchemist Anthony Elric, the grandson of Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric, and brigade founder, determined to make the world his grandfather strived to create. He smiled at the group and put on his mask, transmuted back together. "Fullmetal Brigade," he said, "Move out!"

the group nodded and they dispersed, getting into position for the plan. Anthony watched from his perch, making sure not to be seen. He stared expectantly at the balcony where Simon would appear. "The stage is set," he said quietly, "This will be the final battle."

The sun rose to the center of the sky, as the doors to the balcony opened. The entire town watched with confusion as Simon stepped out onto the balcony with Fang. The crowd was roaring with whispers. "I'm sure you are all confused." Simon said. "I'm afraid to say that my father, President Fuhrer King Simon, has been dead for some time. To protect the state in this time of need, I, his son, took his place. I am President Fuhrer King Cameron."

Anthony saw this as his chance, and jumped from his hiding place onto the wall next to the balcony. "So that's your game, is it Simon?" he yelled.

With quick hands, he transmuted his wrist blade and ran toward the balcony. Fang quickly ran in front of Simon, but was knocked aside by a pillar of stone from the building, helpfully transmuted by Edward from behind a building. Dashing as fast as he could, Simon didn't have time to draw his sword before Anthony slit his throat. The group was filled with fear as they saw Simon fall dead on the balcony. Anthony looked to the crowd and addressed them. "People of Central, it's not what you think. Watch!"

Anthony turned back to Simon and waited him out. Eventually, Simon had no choice but to repair his wound, the other choice being death. Simon gasped for breath and looked at the crowd with his blood red eyes. The crowd turned into an uproar of voices as Anthony climbed up on top of the building. "Amestrians!" he yelled out, "This is not Cameron, as he would like you to believe, but Fuhrer King Simon, kept alive by means of philosopher's stones!"

Simon glared up at Anthony, holding his neck. "Cast Iron Alchemist."

Anthony turned to his enemy, his glove tightly secured on his hand, and pressed it to his foe's stomach. With a flash of red light, Simon screamed and fell to the ground, and began vomiting red water. Anthony smiled at the crowd and yelled out to them, "Fullmetal Brigade! Now!"

with that final utterance, the brigade members transmuted their jackets, placed on their masks, and moved into their groups. Simon glared at the crowd with defeat and retreated back into the building. Anthony dove down to stop him, but was knocked aside by a vengeful Fang, who retreated with Simon. Anthony fell from the high balcony down to the ground. Alicia saw him falling and and quickly transmuted a collection of soft bushes for him to fall into. She ran over to the bushes to help him up. "Are you alright?" she asked.

He rubbed his head and smiled, removing the philosopher's glove and replacing it with a regular alchemy glove. "Yeah, I'm fine."

she smiled back and the two turned to join the battle.

Simon walked the halls of Central headquarters angrily. He had stripped his ceremonial garb and was left in his normal clothing underneath. Fang followed obediently at his side. "Damn that Cast Iron Alchemist." he said. "he ruined everything."

Fang looked at Simon and saluted. "Sir, what do you recommend we do now?" he asked.

Simon looked over at fang and smirked. "Don't you worry Fang, I've planned something special in case something like this happened. All I need you to do is go down to the base floor and make sure no one reaches me in the basement, understood?"

Fang saluted again and nodded. "Yes sir!"

Anthony was pinned back by a powerful soldier, but was able to quickly turn the tables and dig his wrist sword into the man's chest. Pulling it out, he turned to the rest of the group, all together fighting. "Zeke, Alicia, Jennifer, Trevor!" he said. "They've got enough strong alchemists out here, we need to get inside the base and hit them where it hurts."

the group nodded and followed Anthony as he made his way inside to the courtyard. They were met with heavy defence, which was split in half as Trevor snapped his fingers. As the cloud subsided, Roy and Riza dove in, fangs bared, and began fighting. They did their best to fight through the courtyard, but the enemy offensive was too powerful. As they prepared to retreat, the enemy soldiers were met with a mighty rock blast. The group turned and saw Samantha, standing there with Adam and Edward, her hand to the ground. "Anthony!" she screamed proudly.

Adam smiled and adjusted his glove. "Get in there and finish this." he said.

Edward made a toothy smile and gave the group a thumbs up. "We'll cover you from here!"

Anthony smiled and nodded. He looked to his group and they all nodded to him too. With that settled, they made their way to the giant secure doors of the main building. With some black powder and a snap of the finger, the doors exploded open, nearly falling off it's hinges. Standing there, waiting for them, was Fang. The group readied themselves as they saw him through the clearing smoke. "You will not get past this point, by orders of the Fuhrer." he said, drawing his sword.

Zeke had his sword ready, pointed at his opponent. "Cast Iron, you find the Fuhrer, I'll face him."

Anthony shook his head. "We don't even know where the Fuhrer is, it's too risky to leave you here by yourself."

Fang looked around at the group. "The Fuhrer is in the basement, if you wish to go, I won't stop you, so long as the Spirit Blade Alchemist stays."

the group looked surprised, it was clear that Fang had his own reasons for this deal, but Anthony was suspicious to trusting him. "Neither of you raises their sword until we're out of sight, understood?"

Fang nodded and kept his blade sheathed and his arms crossed. The group carefully made their way around Fang, all except for Zeke. Anthony looked at him for a long time. "Spirit Blade," he said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Zeke nodded. "It's what we both want. Go, Cast Iron."

Anthony nodded and the group disappeared down the steps. Zeke and Fang both drew their blades, staring each other down. "Your name," Fang said, "It's Zeke, correct?"

Zeke looked surprised and tightened his grip on his blade. "How do you know that?"

Fang shook his head. "Never mind that. Zeke, if you would, please fight me without your mask."

Zeke froze up for a second, and finally nodded, tossing his mask aside. Fang looked at his face and thought to himself for a long moment. 'Their faces,' he thought, 'they're the same.'

Finally, Fang lunged at Zeke, and the two clashed blades. Zeke pushed him back and made a counter attack, which Fang ducked under. The two fought hard, slashing and countering, slicing and parrying. Fang was ready to attack, but another headache caused him to lose focus, and he was instead sliced across the arm. He picked himself up, and suddenly he remembered more. He remembered the torture the government put him through to make him a loyal soldier, claiming his family dead, killed by threats to the state. Fang picked himself up and held his blade in defence. Zeke had enough, he ran at his opponent with his sword forward. Fang stealthily evaded the attack, ready with his own counter, but before he could Zeke side stepped him back, digging his sword deep in his enemy. Zeke stood there, shivering with anger and remorse as he saw his blade driven through his brother's chest. Fang looked up at him, and couldn't help but smile. "Don't shiver like that, " he said weakly, "You're Claw, the fearless swordsman."

Zeke gasped and backed away, letting Fang fall to the ground. "If you hadn't given your all, I would have kicked your ass later."

Zeke shook his head, not wanting to believe what he just heard. Finally, he could not ignore it anymore. "Thomas!" he yelled, running to his brother's side.

He pulled the sword out of his brother's chest and tossed the sword across the room. Frantically, he searched his pockets, putting on his alchemy glove. "It's not a medical glove," Zeke told his unconscious brother, "But it should hold over until your regeneration kicks in."

he began sealing his brother's wound with alchemy, hoping it wasn't too late.

Anthony ran frantically down the stairs, determined to finish this battle. As he climbed down to the basement, he was met with Simon, standing in the center of a circular room. He smiled at his foe, drawing his sword. "Cast Iron Alchemist." he said. "Or should I say...Anthony Elric?"

the group wasn't impressed with his knowledge. They said nothing as they took battle stance. Simon laughed at them. "I must say, you do look menacing. But I'm not going to fall for it!"

he ran headlong at Anthony, ready to slice. Anthony twisted his heel and ended up behind Simon, where he slit his throat and tossed him across the room. As the group turned to leave, saying nothing, a sword flew by Anthony's head. He turned around to see who attacked him and couldn't believe his eyes. There stood Simon, his regenerative abilities healing his neck wound again. "Surprised?" he asked, an evil smirk on his face. "You may have destroyed the philosopher's stones in my stomach, but you couldn't stop the ones already in my circulatory system. As long as I have stone enriched blood cells, you can't beat me, Cast Iron Alchemist, and by my calculations, the last blood cells won't be replaced until midnight tonight. I'll say it again Elric, you've lost. Now let this rubble be your tomb!"

he pressed his hands to the ground and destroyed the floor with alchemy, causing the group to fall deep down into the underground city. Anthony did his best to pacify his descent, but failed, and fell unconscious.

Samantha, Edward, and Adam were standing with their backs in a triangle. They were beaten down and tired, their spirits wavered by the sheer numbers they were fighting against. "I don't think we can win this fight guys." Samantha told them.

Edward's arms hung at his sides, his breathing heavy. "Well, No one can say we didn't do our best, right?"

Adam's eyes were full of determination. "I hate to admit it, but I think this is the last fight we'll be fighting, and I couldn't be prouder. I hope we bought Anthony enough time."

Just as they were ready to concede defeat, a loud gunshot was heard from a nearby rooftop. The three looked up at the nearby wall. Standing there, his military general's coat replaced with a Brigade jacket, was General Kain Fuery. Around him were more than a hundred soldiers wearing the same jacket as the rest of them. "Sorry we're late," he yelled down to them, adjusting his glasses, "Never trust a private to give you your phone messages!"

Anthony awoke amongst rubble, slightly dazed. As he tried to get up, he felt a great pain in his leg. Looking down, he saw the rock crushing it. With some trouble, he was able to push the large rock off, but the leg was broken. Anthony looked through his pocket and found the medical glove he had packed, doing his best to fix the leg. As he stood up, he found it a bit uncomfortable, but he could manage. Looking around, he saw a couple of the others unconscious, but in good shape. Waking them all up, he got the group together, doing mental roll call. Anthony's expression went from relieved to concerned when he realized they were missing someone. "Where's Alicia?" he asked the group.

Trevor shook his head, and so did Jennifer. Neither of them knew. Anthony looked around, trying to find her, when his attention was brought toward a large doorway. His instincts told him to stay away, but he knew, somehow, Alicia was through there. The group entered the building, keeping their guard up as they walked down the long hallway. At the end, they saw a large room with an elevated platform. Anthony walked forward when he heard a familiar voice. "Anthony, you have to leave now! It's a trap!" came Alicia's voice.

Simon revealed himself on the tall platform, his blade held to Alicia's throat. "Alicia!" Anthony cried. "Hold on, I'm coming!"

Simon held the blade closer to her throat. "Not so fast Cast Iron Alchemist, I have a proposition for you."

Anthony paused, his wrist blade held in combat stance. Simon tossed down a philosopher's stone, landing at Anthony's feet. Crouching down, he picked it up and looked it over. "You're bribing me with a philosopher's stone?"

Simon smirked and shook his head. "No. Look at the ground below you, you're standing on a giant transmutation circle."

Anthony looked down and saw the lines engraved deep in the floor. "We rebuilt this circle using the design in your grandfather's journal, it's the same one that you took here, but it's built to go back to your home, where your grandfather lived. You can go back to your world Elric, back to your life on the other side. All you need to do is offer that philosopher's stone to the portal. You can live there, or die here, in a world you weren't even supposed to know about. It's your choice."

Anthony thought for a long time, staring at the philosopher's stone. Finally, he crouched down, placing his palm on the ground. Simon laughed ghoulishly, watching Anthony activate the circle. "That's it, leave Amestris to the Amestrians, Cast Iron."

Alicia did her best to struggle against her captor. "Anthony no! We need you!"

Anthony said nothing as the eye opened up beneath him, and the room filled with steam. When the steam cleared, Anthony was gone. The group stared at the spot where he stood, feeling betrayed. For a while it was silent, until finally Simon cackled in victory. "It worked, he's gone. Is this the bond of your 'Fullmetal Brigade'? Pathetic! I've won this round!"

just then, the circle began to glow again, and another cloud of steam was created. From the steam, a large piece of cast iron was thrown, slicing across Simon's arm. As he pulled away from the pain, the cloud subsided, and there stood Anthony. "You haven't won yet Simon!"

Alicia lit up as she saw him in the steam. "Anthony!" she said happily, jumping from the high pedestal.

She ran up to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. He hugged her back, smiling. "miss me?" he asked.

She smiled and looked up at him. "What happened? I thought you left for your world."

Anthony sighed and shut his eyes. "My world...I've been thinking about that for a while now. Earth, where I was born, where my family is. Amestris, where my family comes from, where I've made a lot of friends. Even so, neither of these are my world."

Alicia looked up at him, confused. "Alicia," he said, smiling down at her, setting a hand gently on her cheek, "you are my world."

Alicia's face lit up as she heard him say that, a blush running across her face. "Anthony..."

Just then, they heard a groaning from on top of the pedestal, Simon had finally recovered. His regeneration ability had slowed down a moment, the philosopher's stones were starting to wear off. He jumped from the pedestal and landed across the room. Anthony beckoned Alicia to go back and join the others, and she quickly obeyed. Simon looked up, just as the last of his arm was regenerating. "Why do you continue to be a pain in my side?" he asked angrily.

Anthony smirked and transmuted his wrist sword. "I guess that's just how I am."

Simon growled and drew both his swords, getting into battle stance. "Give up Elric, you can't beat an immortal."

Anthony ran headlong at his opponent, ready to strike. "You're only immortal until midnight, I just have to wait you out!"

Anthony dug his blade into Simon's stomach, but received a painful strike to his side, getting kicked back. As Simon went in for a second strike, Anthony blocked with his sword. Simon's blade broke right through Anthony's wrist sword, breaking it off. As the blade flew through the air, Anthony jumped backward away from his enemy, pressing his hand to the ground. He began transmuting as Simon ran at him. Just in time, Anthony was able to block, raising the mighty griffin spear against his opponent. He knocked Simon away, lunging in with the spear. Simon knocked the spear out of his hands and dealt a lethal blow to Anthony's abdomen. Anthony fell to the ground in pain, and collapsed. Alicia's eyes were filled with tears. "Anthony!" she screamed.

She tried to run to his side, but Trevor and Jennifer held her back. "No!" Trevor told her. "It's too dangerous, you'll only get in his way."

Simon smirked and sheathed his swords, turning away. "Hey!" came Anthony's voice. "We aren't done yet!"

Simon turned around, and saw Anthony, forcing himself up on two feet, a philosopher's stone against his wound. He smiled a proud and victorious smile at his opponent. Simon glared and drew his sword, walking up to Anthony. "This time," Simon said, driving his sword through Anthony's stomach, "Stay dead!"

Anthony smirked and wrapped an arm around Simon's neck. Simon looked at him suspiciously, unable to back away. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

using his other hand, Anthony drew a transmutation circle on his leg with his blood. "A little trick I learned from one of your generals." he told Simon.

Pressing his palm to the circle, the alchemic energy ran down his leg and across the ground, kicking up the ground near the griffin spear. It flew gracefully through the air, flying straight through both Anthony and Simon, embedding itself in their flesh. Simon smirked at the frivolous plan. "You fool, I already told you, I'm immor-"

he was unable to finish as he coughed up blood. Shakily, Anthony pulled the watch from his pocket and opened it up. He smiled a proud smile. "Well, would you look at the time." he said victoriously. "Midnight..."

the two fell to the floor together. Simon's face had a look of fear and surprise. "It's not possible," he said, "Just what the hell are you?"

Anthony smirked and looked Simon in the eye. "I'm Anthony Elric." he said as he hit the ground, falling unconscious.

Anthony layed in the darkness, staring up at nothing. "So this is it." he said to himself. "At least, I got to save your world. And...I got to meet her."

Suddenly, a bright light enveloped the dark space. For a moment, it was hard to see, but as he adjusted to the light, he saw a figure. As he continued to adjust, he saw a young figure of his grandfather. He couldn't believe his eyes. He stood up, and faced his grandfather. "It's you..."

Ed smiled and nodded. "It's me Anthony. I'm proud of you."

Anthony smiled and wiped his eyes. "Well, at least I get to spend eternity with you."

Ed shook his head. "it's not your time yet Anthony, You've got someone waiting for you, you need to return to your world."

Anthony smiled and nodded. "There were so many things I wanted to tell you before you passed, but I never got to. Now all I want to say is...thank you."

Ed smiled and held out his automail hand. "I knew you'd put my old things to good use."

Anthony smiled and clasped his armored hand in Ed's automail one. For a while, the two just stared at each other and smiled, but eventually a door opened behind the two, and they knew it was time to say goodbye again. Anthony could hear the voices of his friends beyond the door. He smiled and turned back to Ed. "I have to go now, I'll see you around."

Ed nodded as he watched his grandson walk through the door, and the two shared one final smile between them. "Will you quit it with the sappy goodbyes? You know I always hated those. Get going, your world is waiting for you."

Anthony rose steadily from his bed, and before he could get a good look around, Alicia's arms wrapped around him. He smiled and hugged her back tightly, and looked around the room. Everyone was there. Trevor and his dogs, Zeke and Fang, Jennifer, Edward, Samantha, Adam, and even General Fuery. Anthony smiled at all of them. "We've done something really great here, we should all be proud."

he looked around the room and started on the left. "Fuery, without your help we couldn't have even taken those first steps. It's good to see my phone call made it to you, and thank you for all the help. Adam, Samantha, Edward. Thank you all, without your help and your friends, we wouldn't have been able to even fight this battle. Fang, I assume you've regained some memories, I'm glad to see you on my side this time. Zeke, you've been a worthy swordsman and a helpful ally, I'm glad I could bring you back together with your brother. Jennifer, you've had a hard life, it's time for you to relax. Trevor, I can't say much more than this, congratulations President Fuhrer King."

he smiled and looked over at the bright eyed chestnut brunette sitting near his bed. "Alicia, when I saw you on that day, when I saved your life, and when you saved mine. Thank you."

she smiled and held him tightly, resting her head in his chest. "You're welcome." she said softly.

The next day, everyone in Central was called. A funeral service was held for all those that died. Afterwards, everyone went back to Central headquarters. Trevor and the rest of the group stood on the balcony of the main building, looking out onto the courtyard. All the alchemists of the Fullmetal Brigade stood on the walls, watching as Anthony and Alicia stepped onto the teleportation circle. The two smiled at each other, and Anthony dropped the philosopher's stone to the ground. As the circle lit up with a red light, the couple shared a kiss, disappearing into the truth.

When they got to earth, it turned out to have only been 11 months in his world. When he climbed up from the basement with Alicia, his mother was hysterical upon seeing him. It took some time, but he was able to explain to her what had happened, and after being able to ease her into it, she was happy to see him again. Anthony was happy to be home, to see his family again, and happy that he was with Alicia.