Allen's entire body ached.

He'd do anything to go back to sleep, but Khayal woke him up pretty early, saying that he needed to prove himself and get that mine fixed. Pain wasn't really a stranger to him, so that wasn't entirely the problem. He supposed the real problem was Hughes. What if he woke up while Allen was out? What if he didn't wake up at all? What if he died? That last thought scared Allen. He didn't want him to die-especially not after all that hard work of rescuing him. He could always write a note, but what if someone snuck in and snatched it? If I had Timcanpy around, I could just record him a message...Allen thought with a sigh. He tore off a piece of scrap paper from the brochure on the table and grabbed the pen next to it, jotting down something simple.

If you wake up before I return, just know that you are no longer who you once were.

Allen wrote, tucking the small paper in his hand. He prayed that Hughes would understand what he meant. Anyone else that took a look at it might think that maybe he had amnesia, or he changed drastically. If Hughes read it...well, he was in Investigations, so he should figure it out that Allen meant that he should disguise himself as someone else. You see, Allen had an idea. He thought long and hard about that woman last night, how she could change her appearance. She also had a military uniform on and Hughes knew who she was...or who she was pretending to be. That could only mean that she could also transform into others. Which meant that some evil force had infiltrated the military and if they weren't careful enough...Hughes could be targeted again. The only other thing Allen could think of is faking Hughes' death. He had to keep as less contact as possible with him as soon as he left Youswell.

Hopefully these people would let him stay here.

The only thing I really have to worry about is how. I've prepared the room like he was slaughtered, but what if they do checks on the blood and find out it's not his? Or what about his body? I could always say he was cremated here, but then the military might come here and ask about him...ugh, what to do. I can't exactly just trust his life with people I don't know. This place isn't really well-known by the military I don't think...it's not like Liore. All this thinking was making his head hurt. But there was no other way. Unless I burn the house we crashed in and part of his uniform...but then they would wonder how his clothes could survive and not him. There's got to be some other way...I need to erase all evidence that he was ever here...maybe I should find a much smaller town. Allen thought, making his appearance in the inn before telling Halling that he was leaving. He then had Khayal show him to where the mine was, and headed inside.

He was quite surprised to see miners in here. They said that everyone here was angry about men still having to work, even though the mine had collapsed further in...but he didn't think there were this many miners. Khayal was only allowed to go so far in, so Allen had to navigate through the mine himself...which was a bad idea from the start, considering he had no sense of direction whatsoever and ended up getting lost about five times before deciding he should ask a miner for help.

"Excuse me." Allen tapped a man's shoulder. He turned around and gave Allen a not-so-joyful look.

"What do you want, kid? Shouldn't you be doing chores or something?" He asked rudely.

"I...er, actually, I'm here to investigate further in the mine to see if I can help."

"What good can you do? If you-"

"I'm an alchemist." The man immediately shut up after that, and loosened up a little. Looks like these guys adore alchemists...could it be because of that state alchemist Halling and Khayal told me about?

"I see...well, it's this way then...watch your step." He warned, leading him deeper into the mine. Allen had to admit, he was a bit nervous. The mine collapsed before, what if it collapsed again? He could probably use some ore from around the area, but who's to say that it wouldn't make the entire thing more off balance? He had to be extremely careful. The man stopped when it was beginning to grow dark. "I don't want to go any further in, just in case something goes wrong. You understand. Anyways, be careful." With one last encouraging pat on his shoulder, the man left. Allen thanked him and walked deeper into the mine.

It's so dark...Allen thought. Innocence...activate...for once, the Innocence obeyed it's master and his wings gave off a nice glow. It's not like anyone's here to see this. He thought and stopped when he saw crumbling rocks blocking his path. I can't just move these out of the way...and I can't just push them either...man...this would be so much more quicker if I had a working left arm. Thinking of the arm made him wince. He forgot how much it hurt simply moving it...Allen clapped his hands and pressed them to the rocks, creating a small interior tunnel, using his materials to keep the rock up to prevent the roof from falling. He lightly patted his hand on the side. It looks stable...he moved forward and found a mine cart with some ore in it. The railroad tracks had been destroyed from the collapse, so he repaired those up cautiously, paying close attention to his surroundings. He walked deeper and stopped when he heard a rumbling. I should be careful...Allen thought and walked as lightly as he could deeper into the mine. With every crumbling rock he saw, he gave it as much support as he could. Maybe if he did a good job on this...he might be able to get permission for Hughes to stay here.

Allen paused when the earth shifted and nearly lost his balance. Still, he kept trudging on, keeping his hand on the wall. How far does this thing go? The alchemist wondered and paused when he saw a sign. A very bent and beat up sign (probably from the collapse), but a sign nonetheless. No trespassing beyond this point. Area has not yet been looked at. Well, considering my job, maybe I should pass this point...just to make sure everything is alright. He nodded and kept walking. After a few minutes of walking, it was obvious this place hadn't been used yet. In the beginning, there was barely any ore, or even coal to be seen, but once Allen made it several feet past that sign...he began seeing all types of ore he's never seen before. It almost seemed like there wasn't even an end to this mine. They said that before that alchemist came, there was a horrid military official that drove them to poverty...why didn't they keep mining past this point then? Did he forbid it? Allen stopped. Maybe there was a reason he forbid it...I should probably go back.

On his way back, he fixed several walls and made sure to engrave a Do not mine on this wall! sign everywhere he could. If one of them even touched it with a tool...well, it was their funeral. The earth no longer rumbled like it used to. Allen had done it. He honestly didn't think he could do it, but he did. He fixed the mine. He smiled at every miner he passed on the way out, giving them hope. It was nice to be able to do something right for once...well, other than saving Hughes. He went to the inn and stopped a woman to ask for Halling. She pointed at him; as it turned out, he was talking to a customer. Allen waited until he and the customer finished their conversation and walked over with a smile on his face. Halling looked over and blinked.

"You're here...earlier than I thought. I mean, you've been in there for hours, but I expected it to take days before you realized that a collapsed mine couldn't be fixed..."

"Maybe not for normal people." He replied, his smile not failing. Halling's eyes widen. "Though, I do have to ask about that sign. No trespassing?"

Halling was so shocked that his voice was quiet, "that's...a safety hazard...so..you really...I don't know how to thank you...is there anything I can do? I'll let you stay here as long as you want! Or pay for your train tickets! Or anything! Please tell me what I can do to help you!"

"Anything?" Allen questioned.

"Yes, anything." Halling nodded. The younger one hummed to himself. He looked around the inn before scratching his cheek thoughtfully.

"Can I ask you for a favor...somewhere more private. It does involve the entire town, but I feel like they'd listen to the owner over a mere stranger. The favor I'm about to ask...it could get you in serious trouble if someone found out...but this is urgent..." Halling's cheerful expression slightly fell, but he felt determined to help this young alchemist out. They went into the room where Hughes was sleeping. Allen stared at him closely, not seeing the paper anywhere. He panicked for a second, but then thought that maybe Hughes had woken up for a short while.

"So...what is it?" He asked.

"You see...the only reason we are here is because we were on the run...from...I'm not even quite sure to be honest." Allen paused. "I'm actually a recruit for the military. A pre-state alchemist. I was recently injured and hospitalized, so I could not take the exam. Then, Hughes, this man, and I discovered something dangerous and were attacked by people who infiltrated the military somehow. Evil people. Before we left...he was in bad condition...as you may notice. I know this sounds outrageous, but I was hoping we could fake his death here."

Halling's eyes widened incredulously.

"The only reason those people who attacked us haven't been found out is because they have to have some rank higher than my allies. If Hughes were to turn up there...he'd be attacked again. I still have to talk about it with him since he has a family back at home, but I'm sure his family would rather want him to be alive rather than dead, even if they didn't know about it. I have to do this...I still have my own goal to complete, but I can't do this without help...without confirmation...and...I'd like to ask if he could stay here."

"I...this is...really dark..." The older man closed his eyes. "But, without you, we wouldn't have our mine and that's what supports this town, so...as long as Mr. Hughes agrees with this...then I'm up for it. I'll get the whole town in on it so that if the military asks about him, we'll all know what to do."

"Thank you." Allen smiled.

"So that's the plan then...I kinda understood that after reading your note." The two jumped when the previous unconscious man spoke his thoughts. "I hate to leave Gracia and Elysia on their own...but I suppose this really calls for it, huh? Allen, I understand completely. I'll come up with a new name for myself and I'll fake my death; but I must ask you one favor in return: to call here often and report to me how my family is doing. Don't do it on a military line..."

"I...yes, sir." Allen smiled. He looked at Halling. "Now...are we going to do this or what?"

"I...should probably call the colonel first...he's probably confused out of his mind right now..." Allen insisted. Hughes nodded in agreement.

"That would be wise..."

"Actually, we did get a newspaper from Central today." Halling spoke up and left to retrieve said paper. He came back and showed them the front cover. The two of them blinked.

Military Officer Presumed Dead After Going Missing. His Body Has Yet to be Found.

Allen read the title aloud and smirked slightly. "Well, this somewhat gives us an advantage."

"What about the body? They won't believe us without proof." Halling said.

"We'll have proof." Allen assured. "We can take pictures."

"Oh...I suppose so."

"Just file them with whatever department you have. Police, perhaps." Allen said. "Write a short report. It doesn't have to be perfect, it's not like you're an investigator or anything. You could always have to police write it." He said dismissively. "When the military shows up, give them the report and it'll be obvious."

"They still won't believe us without a body."

"They will if it's a cremation."

"But..."

"Back at the house we crashed in...like, stayed there for a couple moments," Allen quickly recovered, "I buried his clothes there...er...uniform there. We can burn it there. Just make sure you don't get the walls in. I kinda made it look like someone had slaughtered him but changed my mind to a more reasonable story."

The two men sweat dropped.

"Okay, okay, but he needs to put his uniform back on then."

"Eh...I'm not sure he wants to wear it now honestly...there's a lot of blood on it...I kinda used it to stop the bleeding." Allen laughed nervously.

"Well, in that case, they'll think that he bled to death." Halling replied. The younger of them blinked.

"I suppose so. Okay, so let's go." Allen stood up and the two followed him. Halling stopped by his wife to grab a camera and then continued his trek towards the cabin-like house.

"How did you get me into the town? Did you leave and have someone come get me?" Hughes asked.

"No, I carried you."

Hughes blinked.

"You're a lot stronger than you look."

"...thanks?"

"Wow...you really did a number on this place..." Halling observed, impressed. "Where did you get all this blood?"

"Uhhh...myself." Allen replied and walked over to Hughes' uniform, picking it out from under the wreckage and then handing it to him. Halling looked up at the ceiling.

"What the..."

"It...uh...collapsed..." Allen lied.

"It does seem a bit old, huh?" He nodded. Hughes sweat dropped at the gullible man. He changed into the uniform and crawled over to a puddle of blood on the floor. Halling lifted the camera and looked at Allen.

"You a good actor?"

"To make this story more believable, I can be." Allen replied and headed over. After taking a few pictures, they had more people join in, and made it look like Allen wouldn't let anyone get near him. Later they set the house on fire (no one lived there, and everyone agreed upon it) and took pictures of Allen kneeling in front of it as if broken.

"Well, I think that does it." The larger of the trio said.

"Yeah...now I have to call the colonel." Allen mumbled. "I'll check in with you guys later." He said and walked to the inn, going for the phone. What should I say? Maybe he'll ask me questions...he thought and dialed Roy's number (he memorized it from the time everyone left him in Risembool). After giving his military code to the receptionist, she put him through the line.

"Allen?! Are you there?!" Roy asked quickly. "What's going on...what happened?!"

Think of something sad...think of home...think...you'll never see your friends again. Allen choked up just thinking about those thoughts. "I...I'm sorry, Roy...I...tried to..."

"...where are you?"

"I...I don't know...some mining town..." Allen mumbled, his voice breaking. "They almost didn't let me in here...they don't like the military...I don't...Hughes is..."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"I see...Allen...I want you to head to Dublith. On your way there, write your report. Write one for a file, and write one for me."

"I...y-yes, sir..." He sniffled.

"Tell me everything you saw that night. Everything."

"E-everything...Roy, what I saw...some of that..."

Click.

What the? Allen looked at the phone questionably. Did we disconnect? Did he hang up? That was weird...he put the phone down and headed back to the fire, watching it burn and occasionally talking with Hughes about where he was to go next. "Roy and I are close friends." Hughes said suddenly. Allen looked over at him. He looked miserable.

"I'm sorry...this is the only way...after we expose those in the military...I'll find you a way back okay? I promise."

"Promise?"

"Yeah." Allen smiled. He paused when he saw something quite peculiar past Hughes. "Well, I'm going to get some rest...I've got to head to Dublith as soon as possible. I wonder if Ed and Al are there yet..."

"I'll see you off when the time comes then." Hughes mumbled, watching the fire and slightly praying that it didn't get out of control. There wasn't really much green and everything here was practically dead so it'd be easy to catch something else on fire...but it was also isolated, so it should be good, but he was staying here, just in case. Allen walked off and looked behind him, following the music-note-like spirits. Was he the only one who could see them? No one else even paid any attention to them. The notes looked familiar somehow...

He kept following them until they led him somewhere...odd. It was almost like a forest, but it was dead. He pressed on a little further and found quite a weird sight. Before him, where everything else was dead, was a patch of green. There was a white piano with opposite colored keys. The notes he'd been following before laid out in front of him. The piano itself looked almost transparent. Isn't this...Mana and I's song...? But why would it be here...? What's going on? Allen wondered and put his fingers on the piano. He never really learned, but it was like his fingers moved on their own.

"Soshite bouya wa nemuri ni tsuita
ikizuku hai no naka no honoo hitotsu futatsu to
ukabu fukurami itoshii yokogao

Daichi ni taruru ikusen no yume yume
Gin no hitomi no yuragu yoru ni
umare-ochita kagayaku omae

Ikuoku no toshitsuki ga
ikutsu inori wo
tsuchi e kaeshitemo

Watashi wa inori tsuzukeru
Douka kono ko ni ai wo
Tsunaida te ni kiss wo"

"What is it that you truly want?"

What do I want? I want...my friends to be safe...if they're in danger...I want them to be okay! Allen thought, pausing. But who are you? He never got his answer. After playing the rest of the song, he was filled with immense satisfaction. He had a feeling that he did something important just now...he felt...nice...so nice that he could probably fall asleep, and so he did.

When he woke up...well, he wasn't back at that patch of grass. He was at the inn. "Was it...all just a dream?" Allen said quietly to himself, looking around. Hughes was writing things down on a piece of paper. He had some of the photos they took at the fire. Is he writing the report for them? Allen wondered. He wanted to ask Hughes about it...but how? "Hughes? Where...when did I get here?" He asked. Hughes looked up from his work.

"You fell asleep outside. After fixing that mine, it's no wonder you're exhausted You've got to keep an eye on your health you know." He smiled. "You are still just a kid."

"...what happened...to that piano...and the-" Allen shut up when he saw the look of confusion on Hughes' face. So I was dreaming...what a weird dream...and to dream of that song at a time like this...I've got to focus on helping the brothers. "When does the next train leave?" He asked, changing the topic. Hughes looked at the clock.

"In an hour or so." He replied.

"I see...I better get ready then...by the way, what's the name you'll be going by?" Allen asked, looking over at him curiously. "You know, so if we ever talk over the phone?"

"Lee."

Allen blinked at the ironic name, but nodded. "Alright." He showered at the inn and ate a nice meal before heading towards the train station with Halling, Khayal, and Hughes in tow. He stopped a few feet away from the entrance and turned around with a smile.

"Thanks for all your help, Halling. We couldn't have done it without you. I'll see you around. And I'll be sure to call, Mr. Lee." Allen sent Hughes a wink. Hughes chuckled, but nodded.

"See ya around, Allen; and thank you, for saving my life."

...I can't remember if I showed this chapter to my beta or not...oh well! :D Many thanks to GoldenLombaxGirl, ultima-owner, DeeRoseWalker (still actually unsure about that part...I've got to talk it over with my beta...heh...), Asuka1920, CAt46743, and V1ol3tC4teye5 for reviewing and all the others who favorited/followed this story!