Chapter Title: Difficulties
Pairings: None! I can't write romance for the life of me!
Spoilers: Yeah, for the Philosopher's Stone (Episode 18) and for Scar's past.
Warnings: Cursing
Disclaimer: I wish I owned it, but I don't. Darnit.
A/N: Merry late Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate)! Ick, sorry this took forever…I didn't really actually get to start it 'til Christmas break (teachers piled work and tests and essays on us like never before…).
Scar: And then she suddenly got very lazy.
Ehe…anywho, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

There weren't many people on the train from East City to Central; the Elrics and Scar were almost alone in their car. The only other people were an older, grey-haired man sitting about seven seats away, and a mother with two young boys sitting all the way in the back of the car. There were more people in the other cars, but Scar hadn't wanted to be around unfamiliar people any more than necessary. Even though there were only three other people, he was wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes and had hunched his shoulders slightly in an instinctive attempt to be inconspicuous.

"Scar, nobody's going to leap out and attack you," Ed was plainly amused by Scar's nervousness.

"I know that," Scar gave Ed a slightly annoyed look, then turned to stare out the window again, watching the scenery rush by. They'd been on the train for about two and a half hours already, and it would be nearly midnight by the time they reached Central. The Ishbalan gave a small sigh; he didn't like trains. This made the fourth train ride he'd taken in the past two years, and the last three hadn't been that wonderful. The jokes that the Elrics had made about hijackers didn't really do much to boost his confidence. After a while, he turned his head back to look at the two brothers, and saw that they were having a conversation.

"Maybe we can see if they recovered anything while we're there," Al was suggesting.

Ed sighed, "Doubt it. Damn…all our research was in there, along with the notes…"

Scar spoke up, curious, "What are you two talking about?"

Ed looked over at him, "Remember how the First Branch of Central's library burned down?" at Scar's nod, he continued, "Well, we'd been in the middle of researching something important before Mustang sent us off on that vacation…and all our notes were in the Branch, so they were destroyed in the fire," Ed narrowed his eyes in frustration, "Our only good lead, gone."

Scar nodded; so that's why they'd been so surprised and upset about the First Branch having burned down. But this explanation had prompted another question, "A lead on what?"

The brothers shared a look, then turned back to Scar. Al seemed amused, "That's right, we haven't told you yet, have we?"

"For the past three years, we've been searching for the Philosopher's Stone…what?" Ed looked at Scar curiously.

As soon as he had heard the words 'Philosopher's Stone', Scar's eyes had widened, then narrowed into the expression he wore when he was angry about something and trying not to show it. Abruptly, he stood, "I'm going outside," was all he said before walking quickly to the exit door of the car.

"Hey, wait!" Al called, but Scar had already gone through the door and closed it behind him.

"Leave him, Al," Ed sighed, "It was something about the Stone, I'll bet. Just…he looked like he needs to be alone a while. He'll come back in here eventually, and then we can try and get him to explain."

It was raining now: not quite a storm, but certainly no light drizzle. Scar didn't care; he wasn't going back in there. It had been hours, and he'd spent the whole time mulling over this new fact that had been brought to light. The Philosopher's Stone…the Elrics were looking for that accursed thing. He gritted his teeth; they didn't know the truth…not if they were still looking for it…they couldn't know…

"Scar-san…please come back inside. It's raining really hard…" Scar looked up at Alphonse, startled by the boy's unexpected presence.

Narrowing his eyes, he looked off to the side and growled, "I'm fine. Leave me alone."

He heard Alphonse sigh, and after a few seconds heard a kind of odd scraping noise that he recognized instantly. But before he could turn around and protest, there was a blue flash of light and part of the train car's wall jutted out a few feet over his head, creating a somewhat decent shelter from the rain. He glared at it for a few moments before turning off to the side again, very pointedly ignoring Alphonse as the boy sat down next to him, "I'm sorry, but you'll get sick again if you sit out here in the rain without any cover," he offered apologetically, "I'll fix it later."

Scar just grunted, narrowing his eyes and glaring at nothing. Nearly a minute later he finally spoke, "That's not the point."

"What isn't?"

"Fixing it afterwards. You still changed it."

Alphonse didn't reply, which suited Scar just fine. He didn't really want to get into a debate about alchemy with the boy, who could be even more stubborn than Edward in his own way. He sat there in silence for a while, concentrating on nothing but the rain. Eventually, though, Alphonse broke the silence, as Scar knew he would.

"Why were you so upset when we mentioned the Philosopher's Stone?"

Scar gritted his teeth, "That cursed thing…you don't know how terrible it truly is."

Alphonse was quiet for a few moments, and when he next spoke his voice was completely serious, "You know something, don't you?"

"Not much," Scar's eyes and voice took on a sad overtone, "But what I do know…the creation requires a great sacrifice," his eyes lowered, and he spoke through clenched teeth, "Human lives, human souls…and many of them."

He heard a sharp gasp from Alphonse, "Are…are you sure?"

"My brother tried to create one during the massacre. I do not know exactly what he did, but…" Scar paused for a second, fighting back the pain that came with memory. Once he'd mostly regained control of his emotions, he pushed up the right sleeve of his coat, lifting the arm so that the twining black tattoo was clearly visible, "This is all that remains of him and his effort."

"But…maybe that's not the only way…" Alphonse sounded desperate, more like he was trying to convince himself of this than attempting to argue with Scar.

This Ishbalan was confused, "You still wish to pursue it? Why? What will obtaining the Stone grant you that is so important?"

The boy's reply was so quiet that Scar could barely hear it, "Our bodies back," he turned to the Ishbalan, his voice getting slightly louder and more determined, "Niisan's arm and leg, and my real body. We're going to use the Stone to get them back."

Now, finally, Scar turned to look at the boy. So that was their reason…it was a good one, and the Ishbalan understood now why Alphonse didn't want to stop searching for it even when given the truth. But the fact still remained that nothing but misfortune came to anyone pursuing the Philosopher's Stone. And he would not allow it to destroy these two like it had his brother. He sighed, "If I cannot stop you…neither will I help you."

"But-" Al began to argue, but Scar held up a hand to stop him.

"Let me finish. This only applies to the Stone. I will help you find a different way to restore you to your proper form," the Ishbalan's eyes were all seriousness, and he hoped beyond hope that this tactic would work. He didn't know how else he could stop them, short of threatening them. And that was something he absolutely refused to do.

Alphonse was silent for a few moments, "Maybe we should wait until we get to Central, so we can talk about it with niisan. There's not enough room for all three of us out here, and inside isn't private enough."

"Very well," Scar gave a small shrug. That would give him some time to formulate an argument for Ed, whom he knew wouldn't be very easy to convince, "I will remain out here. You can go back inside if you wish."

"No, I'll stay with you," Al said cheerfully. He didn't want Scar to be out here in the rain at all, but if the Ishbalan had to be then he should at least have some company.

Scar gave a grateful nod, then resumed staring out into the downpour. The pair sat in companionable silence for a while, until, surprisingly, Scar was the one to speak.

"How did you and Edward lose your bodies in the first place?" he asked cautiously, hoping that the question wouldn't make the boy overly uncomfortable or depressed.

Alphonse looked up, somewhat startled by the sudden question, "Well…I guess you deserve to know, don't you Scar-san? Okay, I'll tell you. When we were young, our mother got really sick and died…"

Scar and Alphonse remained outside until the sun had set and the moon risen, as at that point the temperature began to drop significantly.

"Scar-san, you're shivering," Al pointed out worriedly, "We should go in now…"

The stubborn Ishbalan shook his head, protesting, "I'm fine. I'm just…not very good with cold weather."

This was quite the understatement. He hated cold. After growing up in the desert heat of Ishbal, he'd found that once he was in Amestris he was extremely susceptible to any kind of drop in temperature. He'd spent his three freezing winters in this country in complete misery, even going so far as to halt his mission until spring came. It was definitely one of his few weaknesses, fortunately one that the military had never discovered. But even though he was really starting to get cold, he didn't want to go back into the train car.

"You're going to get sick again! Come on, we're going inside," Al stood up and grabbed Scar's arm to pull him up as well.

Scar, however, wasn't going to give in that easily, "I said I'm fine," he practically growled, pulling his arm away.

"Don't make me pick you up and carry you in, because I will," Al warned, holding out his hand again.

"Hnn," Scar grunted, narrowing his eyes. But he took the offered hand anyway, pulling himself up; he nearly hit his head on the overhang, but remembered that it was there just in time to avoid that. He very pointedly looked the other way as Alphonse fixed the wall back the way it had been, allowing the rain to briefly soak them in the few seconds before they hurriedly stepped inside.

As they drew closer to their seats, Ed turned around, "Finally! I'd been wondering if you guys'd fallen off the train or something. And you're both soaking wet. C'mere, Al, you're going to rust."

"Right, niisan," Al said sheepishly, walking over to his brother. A clap and a flash of blue light, and a cloud of steam rose from Al's surface into the air, where it dissipated quickly. Al was left completely dry.

"Hey, Scar, I can do it for you too," Ed offered, "I'm only evaporating the water, so it'd happen naturally anyway. This is just faster."

Scar's eyes widened slightly at the idea, and he very nearly took a step backwards, "No. Absolutely not."

"You're going to get sick again, sitting in wet clothes," Ed held out his hand, "At least give me the jacket," he saw Scar's confused look, and a metaphorical light bulb was switched on, "Oh…you thought that I was going to…oh. Well, I wasn't. If I did, you'd wind up with some nasty burns. I can only do it to your clothes," he grinned, "So don't worry, no alchemy is going to be touching you in any way. I wouldn't do that to you."

Scar gave a barely audible sigh of relief, mentally berating himself for his paranoia. Of course Edward would know better than to even consider transmuting something right on him, no matter how rash about alchemy the boy was. But even so, for that brief moment he could have sworn that his heart skipped at least one beat at the idea of contact with another transmutation. Briefly casting his eyes about to alleviate any lingering nervousness, he realized that the other occupants of the car were staring. Knowing full well that Ed wasn't going to be giving up any time soon, the Ishbalan sighed, his desire to remain inconspicuous now warring with his aversion to alchemy. In the end, being inconspicuous won. He slid into his seat before taking off his coat and wordlessly handing it to Ed, not looking at either of the brothers.

The train rumbled on.

It had stopped raining by the time the train pulled into Central's station, although heavy clouds still obscured the stars and moon. Unfortunately, Scar thought as he pulled his coat closer around him, it seemed to have gotten even colder. He and the Elrics were currently heading for a hotel where they could stay while they were in Central. They wouldn't be starting their 'mission' until the next morning, and Scar was dreading it with every fibre of his being. And he still had to convince the brothers to stop their search for the Philosopher's Stone, too…he could only pray that he would be able to manage it.

It had not gone over well with Ed. It had started as a calm discussion, then escalated into a shouting match which had climaxed when Ed had grabbed the nearest thing available (fortunately, it had been a pillow rather than, say, a chair…) and thrown it at Scar's head. The irate little alchemist had then stomped out of the room, leaving behind a somewhat stunned Scar and Al.

Now it was the next morning, and the trio was on their way to the first of the four alchemic research labs that they were to inspect. Ed had been incredibly quiet and moody the entire morning, and hadn't spoken a word to Scar. Said Ishbalan was wisely keeping his distance from the elder Elric brother, not wishing to provoke any further argument. He was beginning to wish that he hadn't brought it up in the first place; this feeling only intensified as they were greeted at the entrance to the first lab by an older man who looked like a scientist.

"Welcome, Major Elric sir. I'm to escort you and your…charge," he briefly gave Scar a look of thinly veiled disgust, as one might give a run-over squirrel or something of the like. Scar clenched his teeth in anger, but let it pass, remembering Mustang's warning; he couldn't afford to lose his temper…the consequences were too great. The scientist continued, "around the laboratory as you make your inspection."

Ed just nodded, "Right then, let's go. C'mon, Al, Scar."

By the time the trio had gotten around to the fourth lab, Scar wasn't sure how much more he could take. Al had been like a pillar of support and reassurance the whole time, and the Ishbalan couldn't be more grateful to the boy. But now…

"No civilians," a soldier outside the lab held out his hand to stop Al from continuing, "Only the State Alchemist and his charge. Sorry, but those are my orders."

Ed sighed, and turned to Al, "No getting around that, I don't think. Do you mind waiting out here a while?"

"No, I'll be fine. It's not the first time, after all," Al didn't seem upset at all, accepting it in stride.

Scar, however, was far from pleased. Edward, although he didn't seem to still be angry or frustrated at him, had yet to speak to him; he would essentially be going into that place alone, and this unsettled him.

"Go on, Scar-san, it'll be okay," Al whispered, briefly placing a hand on Scar's shoulder and giving it a reassuring little squeeze before letting go.

Scar gave a grateful nod before walking after Ed, who'd already started towards the lab. He'd handled the last three labs, and he'd do the same with this one; he just wouldn't think about it, wouldn't let any of it actually soak in. He could do this. He would do this.

He couldn't do this. They'd been led around through the stark hallways and lab rooms, and the occasional researcher hurrying past would give Scar a disdainful glance. This was no different than the last three labs had been. But then something different happened; their guide was talking excitedly to Ed (and being ignored by Scar), and brought them into a larger room. And in the center of the room…a cage containing a chimera. Scar wasn't sure what it was made of, it looked like a mix between a large cat and possibly a reptile of some kind, but that didn't matter.

"It's nearly perfect, quite a breakthrough…" their guide was babbling away, but Scar wasn't paying attention.

A chimera. A nightmarish abomination created from alchemy…Scar's expression was one of barely-concealed horror. So this was why no 'civilians' were permitted inside; the other labs had been researching simpler things, like amplification and plant growth…but this…he felt a stinging pain in both his palms, and he looked down to discover that he'd been clenching his fists tightly enough for his nails to draw blood. Unbidden, images of the pain-filled creature that was once human flashed through his mind; the first time he'd used his right arm had been to give it peace. But he couldn't do the same for this poor beast.

'If you cause an unnecessary amount of trouble, you will find yourself reassigned.'

He gritted his teeth, remembering Mustang's words. Destroying this chimera would be seen as 'unnecessary trouble', he was certain of that much. He had to endure this…he didn't have a choice.

When at last Scar and Ed walked out of the doors of the Fourth Lab, Al was there to greet them.

"Niisan, Scar-san!" he waved at them from behind the fence. Once they reached him, he looked down at Ed, who had become somewhat withdrawn and sad-looking after seeing the chimera, "Niisan, what is it?"

"A chimera. They're making chimeras," the young alchemist replied quietly, "They're obviously not going as far as Tucker, but you can't help but wonder how long it'll be before…"

Al cut him off, "Stop it, niisan. That's illegal, they can't do that kind of thing. Tucker was executed for it, remember?"

"What kind of thing?" Scar asked, curious at how the Elrics seemed to be as adverse to chimeras as he was. What reason did they have?

Al sighed, "Three years ago, before niisan became a State Alchemist, we stayed at the home of a man named Shou Tucker while niisan waited to take the test. He was a State Alchemist, because two years before he'd managed to make a chimera that could speak. He had a little girl named Nina, and a big white dog named Alexander," Al's voice was so sad by now that Scar was sure the boy would be crying if he could.

Ed picked up the story, "Soon after I passed the test to become a State Alchemist…I started finding some things out, and got suspicious. When I tried to look into what Tucker had done with the talking chimera at the First Branch, we were told to leave the Tucker residence by Brigadier General Gran. We snuck back in the next night…and Tucker had created another talking chimera…using Nina and Alexander. It turned out that he'd used his wife to make the last one. The sick bastard wasn't even sorry…" Ed clenched his fists, voice shaking with anger, "Gran came, and Tucker was arrested. They were going to cart Nina off to some lab, but I overturned the truck and she got away. By the time we found her…it was too late. She'd been killed…" Ed trailed off, eyes widening slightly in stunned realization. He turned to look up at Scar, his gaze accusing, "…in exactly the same way you killed people, Scar."

Al made a kind of stunned noise, speaking in a tone of disbelief, "Scar-san…?"

Scar didn't reply at first, staring at Ed in something very close to horror. It all made sense now…perfect, terrible, horrifying sense. The half human creature running loose…someone had turned their own daughter into that thing. And apparently, the Elrics had been very close to this 'Nina'. He swallowed dryly; he wasn't ashamed of what he'd done, but things had just gotten very, very difficult. He spoke cautiously, "Yes, I did send a chimera to Ishbala's side three years ago. It…she saw me, and came to me…she was in more pain than any living thing should be made to bear, and there was no way to restore her. I gave her peace, and I do not regret doing so."

Ed didn't move for a few seconds, head down and shoulders shaking. Then without warning, he aimed a punch at Scar's face, shouting angrily, "Whether she lived or not wasn't for you to decide!"

Scar could have dodged the punch, could have done so easily. But he knew better; to dodge it would have only frustrated Ed further. And besides, if him getting hurt could help the boy to accept what had happened and move on, then he would allow himself to get hurt. So he let the punch connect with the side of his face, allowing a small wince when he realized that Ed had used his automail arm. That was going to bruise and swell up nicely…

"Niisan!" Al shouted at his brother, shocked.

Fortunately, further confrontation was avoided for the time being when an out-of-breath soldier ran up to the trio, and saluted, "Major Elric sir! There's been a slight change in your mission. Lab Four was supposed to be your last inspection, but now the higher ups have asked that you inspect the abandoned Lab Five as well."

"What? Why?"

"There have been several strange occurrences around that Lab lately; they want a skilled alchemist to investigate. You are to go tomorrow afternoon, and look around inside. Those were the orders they told me to give to you."

Ed sighed, his voice betraying his current foul mood, "Fine, we'll be there."

The soldier saluted again, and turned to walk away. But as he did so, Scar thought he saw a glint of malice in the soldier's eye, and a faint smirk of triumph. But it was gone so quickly that the Ishbalan soon dismissed it as nothing more than his imagination.

A/N: DUNDUNDUUUUNNNNN…muahahaha, Lab Five…of course, it'll be a lot different, due to the altered timeline and the fact that Scar's there and whatnot. I'm going to try to keep it similar, but not as though I've just pasted Scar in (well, he was there anyway, but you know what I mean…) Still trying to figure out what exactly is going to happen, so next chapter might take a while. Anyway, so now most of the skeletons are out of the closet for our most favorite trio. And also, I've managed to mostly dig myself out of the giant timeline hole I dug myself with Illness. What happened was that the Elrics got to the First Branch after getting Ed's automail fixed, started working on Marco's research, and then Illness happened before they found out that the Philosopher's Stone was made of people. So now Scar had to tell 'em, and Ed wasn't happy about it. He was about to apologize to Scar for freaking out and throwing a pillow at him, but then he found out about Nina and…yeah. So now he's really mad at poor Scar-san. Think that's all I was gonna say for now…so until next time!