Veritas

A/N: A big thanks to Lalalupin (check out her latest fic, Mysteries of the Past. It's awesome ), vampiressbella2009, Lunakatsuma, and Vermillion-Panda (I suggest his story too if you'd like to read something different) for reviewing the last chapter! Enjoy the latest one

Chapter 3: Solf J. Kimblee

The wind rushed through Selim's dark hair. He threw his arms up as the convertible sped down the country roads.

"These convertibles are so awesome!" He said, turning to Edward, who was driving at a ridiculously fast speed.

"I know right?" He yelled, temporarily taking his hands off the steering wheel.

"Edward! Are you trying to get us killed?" Shouted May from the back. Edward grinned.

"Aww come on! How would we get killed?"

"I don't know about you May, but I like dangerous guys," said Anna, sitting next to her. Selim rolled his eyes. Edward's latest "girlfriend" was about as dumb as they come. She had no intellectual sense and was more or less his latest sex toy. She was pretty though, with unusual fiery red hair and creamy skin.

"Thanks Anna. I'll show you dangerous," winked Edward in the mirror.

"Wait!" Shouted May. Edward spun the wheel to the right, turning scarily fast down another road. The car could barely handle the turn and nearly flipped over. May shrieked. Edward and Anna gave exhilarated shouts, and Selim remained silent. Clearly Edward had no regard for his own life.

"That was fun," Selim smiled, lying.

"Tell me about it!" Said Edward. "I love this car!"

"I will kill you someday Edward," said May.

"Aww lighten up!"

"I'm regretting coming on this trip," grumbled May. "I'd prefer to live out my days with a handsome rich guy." Selim laughed. She almost hadn't come on the trip at all.

"Are you joking, May?" Said Roy Mustang, completely emotionless.

"Yes," replied May, emotionless as well. Like father like daughter.

"With those boys? Why would you even suggest I let you do such a thing?"

"Because I am seventeen father. I have the right to make my own decisions."

The two had argued for about an hour before Riza intervened. Though she was a bit against the idea in the beginning, she eventually joined May's side and the two ganged up on Roy, coercing him into agreement. May had quickly gone up to him, kissed his cheek in thanks, and went to pack her things. Roy had been grumbling about the road trip ever since.

"What—you want to stay home with daddy?" Sneered Roy.

"Shut up."

"Quit it guys," snapped Selim. "This is supposed to be fun."

Silence.

Nice, complemented Kimblee. It's good to be in a position of authority.

"I know," whispered Selim. "So," he continued, looking up to his friends. "Where are we going next?"

"I feel like we've been all over Amestris," said Anna. "We should drive up to Drachma!"

"Hell no," said Selim. "It might be home for you, but the subzero temperatures are too much for us."

"Agreed," said May, who shared Selim's sentiment toward Anna. "We've already been to the West and sort of the North. Umm… we could go East and then South?"

"Ishval?" Asked Edward.

"Why not?" Said May. "It sounds like an interesting place."

"Yeah except that we massacred them." The two started bickering again. Selim looked out the window. Christ, wouldn't they just stop?

"So Kimblee," he whispered. "What do you think of Ishval?"

It's a place like no other. That was all he said.

"Ishval it is!" Declared Selim.

As it turned out, there wasn't really much to Ishval. The region was dry and rocky, and cities were spread out at great distances. However, the four were enjoying the trip and the vast amount of freedom. They spent three days driving around the region, passing through small towns. The people were still slightly wary of them, but their attitudes seemed to have recovered much from the days of fear and suppression. Most were eager and curious to talk to them.

Kimblee, on the other hand, didn't speak a word since his comment about Ishval. Selim was getting rather annoyed. Having a sadistic soul inside of him actually made life a little more enjoyable—and now he wouldn't talk, no matter what Selim said. So, he decided to say nothing.

Old habits die hard, however, and Selim occasionally found himself wondering about something in his past or laughing at someone far too stupid—Anna, for example. Kimblee wasn't giving any input, which left the comments somewhat empty.

At the end of the third day, with no town in sight, the three were forced to camp out on rocky terrain. They set up camp next to the car and talked late into the night. Eventually, they all dozed off, the small campfire still burning.

Only Selim was awake. He gazed intently at the fire. Flame alchemy—how weird. He wasn't sure how Roy Mustang could control such a powerful force. He held his hand in front of his face.

For the past three years, he had wandered Amestris alone, searching for answers. Kimblee had contributed along the way, and eventually Selim had learned the full truth. He wasn't human. He was the Homunculus Pride, the only one who hadn't been incinerated or destroyed. He had no true family or friends. He had killed hundreds of people with his hands and tried to turn Amestris into a portal of Truth. Ironic, wasn't it, that he was forced to learn the truth all these years later?

Instead of traditional alchemy, he had used shadows as his weapon. Kimblee said that his shadows were more powerful than the abilities of the other Homunculi, except, perhaps, Bradley's all-seeing eye, which could have proven extremely capable, had the two ever fought. Selim was curious about his former powers. Shadows. No one ever spoke of shadow alchemy, probably because it wasn't actually alchemy, just some ability that father had created; therefore, it had died with him.

Or had it? Kimblee knew how to restore Pride's powers. While the idea of being Pride again was daunting, Kimblee had given him a purpose for his own life, not just being the perfect King's son. His sheltered and wealthy life tired him. It was time for a real adventure.

This being said, he was still in the dark about Kimblee's true intentions. Still, Selim turned a blind eye to the somewhat troubling situation, so long as he would get what he wanted.

It's finally time, said Kimblee, suddenly.

"Welcome back," said Selim, slowly. "Time?"

To construct the transmutation circle. Selim smiled.

"To resurrect the Crimson Alchemist."

If you can spare the time.

Selim stood up and stretched. Tonight was the night that his life would change forever.

BREAK

Selim had spent the entire night constructing the circle under Kimblee's guidance. They had planned this for a while, and Selim had brought all of the necessary elemental ingredients along with him. Though it took the entire night, the circle was ready by morning. Selim paused to stare at his work in the light of the new dawn. The sun emerged into the Ishvalan sky, shining its light over the barren landscape.

The two had constructed the circle a ways away from the group so that they would not be overheard and discovered. The intricate design lay at the top of the valley where the group had spent the night.

All they needed now was a sacrifice.

"Anna!" Whispered Selim, gently prodding her awake. Anna opened her eyes and sat up clumsily.

"Yeah?" She asked sleepily. Selim moved in closer, and kissed her gently. Despite being Edward's girlfriend, she kissed him hungrily back.

"Let's go somewhere private," whispered Selim. Anna stood up, and the two made their way to the transmutation circle.

"What's this?" Asked Anna.

"Nothing in particular," Selim responded. He hugged her, and then pressed down hard on the pressure point behind her ear. She fell in his arms, unconscious.

"Finally," muttered Selim, setting her in the middle of the circle. He moved to the edge. Here goes nothing, he thought.

Flashes of beautiful light danced through the air. Selim focused with all of his ability, and then, there was a lovely, blinding flash. At the same time, something was ripped out of Selim with such force that he lurched forward, colliding with the ground, knocking him out cold.

When Selim recovered, he found himself staring at a black-haired man in a snow-white suit. Solf J. Kimblee, the Crimson Alchemist, stood before him. He had done it.

"It's so good to see you again, Pride. I must thank you for your hospitality."

"I prefer Selim these days," he answered. "At least, until I get my powers back."

"Very well then." The man in the white suit took a few steps over the rocky landscape. "Ahh it feels so good to be in a body again. It's as though I am truly alive!" He stretched his arms toward the cold sky.

"I'm glad you feel that way. Now can you help me come up with an excuse?" Selim motioned to a charred area of earth. "In case you haven't noticed, Anna isn't exactly here anymore."

"Just tell them the truth."
"What, that I used her for a sacrifice? They'd never believe me."

"No, they wouldn't want to believe you. But you are Pride after all."

"Tch. I told you not to call me that."

"You'll get used to it, in fact, you used to find it much more suitable than the human name you're calling yourself by now." Selim smirked. Human name. That would still take some getting used to.

"Hey Selim!" Selim spun around, seeing May and Edward running up the hill.

"Hello May," said Selim carefully.

"We saw a huge flash and heard—," May began, stopping once she noticed Kimblee standing close by. She gave a curious look.

"Who's he?" Asked Edward, suddenly defensive.

"A pleasure to meet you both. My name is Solf J. Kimblee, better known as the Crimson Alchemist," he said eloquently, making his way over to the two newcomers. Kimblee held his hand out to May.

"Get away from me! You're dangerous! How are you even alive?" She gasped, darting over to Selim.

"That's a good question," added Edward, reaching for his sword.

"Why don't you ask him?" Said Kimblee, motioning to Selim. May and Edward both glanced over to their friend. Selim stared at the ground momentarily before regaining arrogance. .

"I transmuted him using Anna as a sacrifice." There. He had said it.

May and Edward looked puzzled, unable to fully comprehend what had just been said. Selim remained emotionless.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Whispered May. Tears came to her eyes and her hands flew to her face. "Selim! How could you?" Selim felt pangs in his heart as seeing May so scared. He moved closer to her.

"May…"

"Get away!" Growled Edward. Selim felt a sword on his shoulder, and glanced up to see Edward staring at him with fury in his eyes.

"Unforgivable," he began.

"Oh, look at the time," said Kimblee. "We should go." He clapped his hands together and pressed down to the earth. Immediately, earth flew up all around them, red light intertwining between the rocks. May screamed. Selim and Edward fell through the air. Selim breathed a sigh of relief when he no longer felt Edward's sword.

Finally, the earth came to a standstill. Selim found himself uninjured, and stood up, staring at the torn landscape. This power of Kimblee's, it was truly amazing. The damage it could do! He took another look, and saw he bodies of May and Edward lay at his feet, unmoving. Selim wasn't sure if they were dead or alive.

Kimblee stood nearby, his arms crossed.

"Well?" He asked. "Are you coming?" Selim glanced at his friends. They didn't deserve this. Had they actually died?

"This isn't the time for second-guessing yourself," said Kimblee. "Do you think they would ever forgive you if you backed out now?" Selim shook his head.

"No, they wouldn't."

"Then become Pride!" Encouraged Kimblee, smiling. "Live for yourself and your power." Selim smiled in response. He took one last look at Edward Armstrong and May Mustang. They had been good friends, he told himself, but they were not necessary anymore. Selim turned his gaze to face the cold blue eyes of Solf J. Kimblee.

"Let's go," he said.

A new era had begun.