When the Elric brothers returned to Mustang's office they were welcomed by a few raised eyebrows. "The transformation is amazing," Mustang noted, and for once, neither of the Elrics said a word. "Are you ready to present your case to the board?" The fuhrer then asked Edward. The elder of the brothers nodded. Mustang led them out of the room and Armstrong trailed behind them. The four came to the large conference room where the top military brass would often meet. Roy paused in front of the intimidating double doors to speak quickly and quietly to the Elrics.

"Listen to me carefully, boys. I may be fuhrer, but you still need to gain the council's approval in order for these plans to fall through. Under no circumstances can you allow your emotions to get out of hand, do you understand me? This is our only chance to earn their support so don't blow it." Ed and Al exchanged knowing looks before saying to Mustang,

"We understand." With this in mind, the fuhrer opened the doors and boldly strolled into the conference room. All the chairs situated around the long table were filled with high ranking government officials, all of whom stood and saluted as Mustang went to take his place at the head of the table. Armstrong motioned for Edward and Alphonse to stand at the end of the table while he positioned himself near the door. Once everyone had been seated again the Elric brothers felt the pressure of countless eyes digging into them. The room's temperature seemed to drop a couple of degrees and it took all of the brothers' resolve not to look away.

"Gentlemen, I present to you Alphonse and Edward Elric, two of the youngest and finest alchemists currently employed by the state. They are here to present their case on a grave matter, one that involves the entire world's security. Their primary request is additional troops and military support in order to accomplish their mission. Speaking for the brothers is Edward Elric," Mustang explained before nodding to the elder of the pair.

"Thank you, fuhrer," Edward said, testing the atmosphere with care. Mustang allowed himself an ironic smile before Edward continued. "As Roy Mustang has already mentioned, this situation involves the entire world's security. While using alchemy, a gate to a dangerous world was opened, and from that gate monsters have entered our world. I fought one of these creatures and so far know of no way to stop them short of sacrificing human lives to feed their appetite. My brother and I plan on returning to Resembol where the gate was opened to take these monsters head on, but without help it is unlikely that we will succeed. With that said, we humbly request the support of the council and assistance of the military." After Edward finished giving the most eloquent speech of his life, a couple of the council members looked to each other. One, an elderly man with a sharp jaw line, challenged Edward smoothly.

"Mr. Elric, I feel as if there are a couple details that you have omitted. Can you kindly explain how and who opened this 'gate' of which you speak? How many of these monsters are there, and why should this involve the military?" Edward paused, resisting the urge to look at Al.

"I've only seen one of the monsters so far and…I opened the gate while attempting a human transmutation," Edward proclaimed boldly. A couple gasps echoed these words and furious whispering filled the conference room. Al reached forward quickly to pinch his brother through his blue uniform, almost as if to ask, "what do you think you're doing?!" The same general who spoke to Edward initially went on to say,

"So, to correct your mistake and cover up your violation of the laws of alchemy, you are requesting our help, is that it?" Edward ground his teeth, biting back the words that immediately jumped into his mouth.

"Sir, I am not asking to be pardoned for my transgressions. All I am saying is that this monster is not going to stop devouring anything that gets in its path until it has reclaimed everything that I took from it—

"So here's a thought," another officer interrupted. "How about we feed you to the monster? The creature will be satisfied, no one else will suffer, and you will be able to pay for your crimes. Everyone is happy," he added dryly. The conference room erupted into mutters of agreement. Mustang watched the conversation unfold, his elbows resting on the table while his hands sat clasped in front of his face. Edward felt a drop of sweat slide down his forehead as he looked to the fuhrer for some sort of support. However, Roy skillfully avoided his gaze in order to maintain the appearance of partiality.

"It's a lie!" Alphonse suddenly blurted, silencing the men.

"Al—

"No, Ed. I won't let you take the blame forever," Al exclaimed before Edward could say anymore. "I am the one who opened the gate. My brother Edward was a State Alchemist who disappeared in the line of duty. He also happened to be researching the philosopher's stone, and while doing so, he was transported to what we call 'the gate,' a place that only alchemists who have attempted human transmutation have ever seen or been to. Out of sorrow, or maybe boyish hope, I researched ways to try and bring him back and I succeeded, but at the same time, I was unable to close the gate and now it wants to take him back and kill me for ignoring the laws of equivalent exchange. I know it is unfair of us to ask for your help, and you have every right to be angry… but there is no way to guarantee that once the creatures from the gate have us that they will be satisfied. The only way to be sure is to destroy them and close the gate for good. If you help us do that, I promise I will accept all responsibility for my actions and deal with the consequences, but please, help us make this right!"

Alphonse's passionate words left the council members in awed silence.

"Who is this, Fuhrer Mustang?" The stern faced councilman inquired.

"Alphonse Elric, the Full Heart Alchemist," Mustang murmured.

"Full Heart, eh?" The man mused. Alphonse's gaze locked on him, unwavering and strong. A few moments of heavy silence hung in the air before Mustang stood.

"Thank you for presenting your case, Elric brothers. We will now ask you to leave the room while the council deliberates. Armstrong will see that you are taken care of. A verdict will be given in the morning," Mustang added. Both Edward and Alphonse bowed in understanding before they were shown out of the room. Neither of the boys spoke as Armstrong showed them to a guest room in the soldier barracks. After he had left them with a promise to return at dawn, Alphonse turned angrily to his brother.

"When will you start viewing me as an equal, brother?" He demanded. Edward blinked in confusion.

"What the hell are you talking about? I was trying to protect you!"

"That's exactly what I'm talking about!" Al yelled angrily. "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times! Trust me! I'm not a kid anymore and we're in this together. I don't want to live my life without you!" Wiping away the tears already falling from his eyes, Al turned his back to Ed, who sighed.

"I know, I know, Al… it's just that, some habits are harder to break than others," Edward admitted. Gently placed a hand on his little brother's head, he whispered, "We have a long day ahead of us. Let's get some sleep." Al nodded silently before reaching to turn off the light.

***

When Armstrong arrived at sunrise, the fuhrer was with him. Black bags sat under his eyes and it looked as if he hadn't slept. Before either of the Elric brothers could get a word in, Mustang said, "The council denied your request for assistance." Any greeting that Edward or Alphonse had planned to say left their lips, and instead they were reduced to staring dumbstruck at Roy. All the color drained from their faces and they found it hard to breathe. Finally, Ed managed to stutter a question.

"W-what do you mean they denied our request? How the hell can they just say no?" Mustang shook his head wearily.

"That's not the worst of it. They are calling for your arrest and execution as well. We need to get you out of here now. They've already sent someone to retrieve you. I'm sorry, boys."

"No! They can't be serious!" Edward growled. Clenching his right fist, the elder Elric turned and slammed it into the wall in dismay. From his hand a small stream of blood spurted and raced down the dull wallpaper.

"I know you're upset, Edward, but we need to go. Riza and I will get you and your brother to safety and I will send my men to go with you to Resembol, but that's the best I can do. Soon I will be under constant surveillance. They are going to hold a council to see whether I should be removed from power next week so you have to move fast." At this revelation, Alphonse snapped out of his daze.

"They're going to remove you from office? But why?! You haven't done anything!" The Full Heart Alchemist protested. Mustang smiled sadly.

"I supported you, didn't I? I made you both State Alchemists, too. The transgression is mine as well."

"Bull shit," Edward fumed. How could this have happened? How could the council have spat in their faces and left them out to dry?

"Sir," Armstrong murmured as he glanced down the hallway.

"Hurry," Mustang urged. Edward met Mustang's gaze head on, his eyebrows furrowed in stubborn determination.

"This isn't over yet, Mustang. We'll beat the shit out of these guys and come back victorious—and we won't let anything happen to you or anyone else who helped us," he vowed.

"Just make sure you and your brother come back alive, Full Metal. Do that, and then we'll talk. Now go," Roy ordered. The two Elrics immediately left the room to follow Armstrong while Mustang stood in the hallway and watched them go. Before they turned the corner, Edward turned back and said,

"Hey, don't think I'm following your orders, Mustang. I would have done this without you anyway," Ed sneered. Mustang grinned and raised a gloved hand, his two fingers pressed together threateningly. Edward flashed a grin in return and then the three of them were gone.