~~Chapter nine~~

"Ed, why do you have to leave so soon? Your brother needs you, I mean, I know I said that I have everything planned out... But..." Winry paused, looking deeply into my eyes. Her blue eyes sparkled with plea, almost making me drop my bags and go back with her right then. I sighed, reaching up and cupping her face.

"Win, you know I have to. If Envy is allowed to run free, Al will just be put in more danger." I leaned closer, placing my nose against her forehead. "You'll be put in more danger."

Her face flushed, her cheeks burning a bright red. She lowered her eyes, lowering her head in turn. My nose then ended up on her hair. I breathed in, savoring every last scent I could catch.

"Ed, I know you feel like you have to do this, but please... Don't leave me again." She looked back up, aligning her face with mine. Her eyes were brimming with tears, sparkling with love as well. I sighed, clasping her hand with mine, my other hand cupping her face.

"Win, believe me when I say, I want to stay. But I can't. There's a possibility that you and Al and May... There's a possibility that I could lose you. I won't go through that again." My voice changed, almost taking on an oddly threatening tone. If she thought I was threatening, I was ready to apologize immediately. She only nodded, looking to me again with sadness.

"Okay... But you better call!" She gripped my hand tighter. I smiled, leaning in to kiss her. She kissed back eagerly, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I promise I'll call, okay?" I mumbled as I pulled away. She gave me a satisfied smile, laying her head against my chest and pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back, then remembering something. I dug in my pocket, pushing her away so I could show her.

I pulled out a locket of pure gold. The heart shaped locket had a rose in the middle, its petals falling to cover the rest of the locket. She gave a surprised gasp when I pulled it out.

"I put something in here that I may need later. If you promise not to open it, then I may just have to come back and get it." I looked her straight in the eyes, watching as her smile grew. I slipped the locket over her head, placing the heart right over hers.

"I promise I won't look!" She spoke eagerly, clasping the locket gingerly in her hand. I laughed; kissing her one more time before the whistle blew.

"I have to go." I pulled away, grabbing my suitcase and climbing aboard. Looking out the window, I smiled as she waved happily, blowing a kiss as the train pulled away.

I leaned back in my seat, sighing to myself. Now I had to come back, she would want me to. She needs me, Al needs me. I knew that if Envy was still out there though, no one I loved would be safe.

I had to make sure they were. I had to make sure that I could protect everyone I love. Envy would not slip through my hands again. He would not escape again.

I would make sure that God and Envy would pay. They had no right to do this, and now I had the power to stop them. I had alchemy again.

A sudden jolt from the train ripped me from my thoughts. I looked out into the aisle, watching as everyone else analyzed what was happening. I stood, going towards the front of the car.

"What are you doing kid?" someone asked me. I smiled slyly, showing off my silver pocket watch. The man who asked that hid back in his seat, giving a small tip if his hat.

"Fullmetal Alchemist!" A flustered conductor came running through the doors. I nodded, waving my hand and walking a few steps closer.

"He wants you up front." The conductor looked to me, complete horror in his eyes. I watched him carefully, an odd nagging feeling in my stomach. The conductor fled from the car, leaving me to run after him. I did so quickly, transmuting my gauntlet into the blade.

"Fullmetal! Where are you? I know you're here!" a voice came from the intercom system in the train. Even through the heavy static I could recognize that voice. It was definitely Envy.

I stopped in my tracks, finally paying attention to where I was. The train car was dark, all of the lights flickering out. No one was in this car, and that was when I knew it was a trap.

I spun on my heel, rushing towards the door. Behind the glass I could see the conductor.

"Hey! Keep the door open!" I hollered for him, but only a laugh escaped his lips. He slammed the door right as I crashed into it. My hands slapped on the glass, I pounded once more, cursing him mentally.

I spun around, looking into the dark car once more. This wasn't normal; this was like something out of a horror movie.

"You fell for my trap young Alchemist!" A menacing voice cackles above my head. I sighed, annoyed with Envy's antics. Slapping my hands against the nearest wall, I made an intercom of my own.

"Cut it out Envy! This isn't working!" I tapped my fingers on my leg, waiting for his reply.

"Oh, but isn't it?" The microphone went dead for a second, then a voice coming back on.

"Ed! Don't fall for it! Don't-" Winry's voice rang across the train. I stepped back, horror covering every cell in my body.

"H-how do I know it's her? You shift you idiot!" Anger filled my voice as I yelled back.

"Because, only I know..." He trailed off, no doubt trying to plan some excuse. "You know what, why don't you tell him Winry?"

"No! No I won't! I won't endanger him!"

In that instant I knew he really had her. He couldn't shift that fast, I knew he couldn't.

He really had Winry hostage.