Chapter Twenty Two-Confrontation

A/N-So I don't know if anyone had ever dedicated a chapter to anything like this but this chapter I'm dedicating to Japan. All of us who like anime can agree that our hearts go out to the country right now. Please remember them in your prayers. :)

It really had been a long time since Ed had originally studied anything on Alkehestry. Before he got back to Resembol, he had studied it quite a bit and had learned more then he realized. But once he got back home and had shown Winry the ring and they had started planning their wedding, things had just gotten busy. Struggling to make even half the money she made and being a newly wed left little time for any research.

So here he was again, racking his mind to try and figure out a science that he hadn't read up on in almost a year. He remembered that chi was something that every living thing had. Almost like a flow. Just like breaking down an object in alchemy, finding the flow of chi was the first part to performing Alkehestry. That would prove to be difficult in his head, when nothing around him was technically a living being. It was just memories. He hoped he might be able to locate himself in reality enough to pull his consciousness back. It was the only theory that made any sense when applying the laws of Alkehestry.

There was a quiet knock at the door and he turned, glasses balancing on the end of his nose. His mother stood in the doorway, holding a mug of hot tea.

"How's everything going?" She smiled at him as she walked in and set the cup down. "I guess you woke up when I was upstairs."

"Where's Winry?"

"She went on a walk to go see Pinako." He nodded quietly back. Trisha leaned over, coming down to his level. At first it caught him off guard but he didn't flinch, knowing that the memory of his mom would never do anything to hurt him. "Edward, I know you've really been upset since you've been home." He looked away from her, realizing he didn't want to talk about his feelings right now, he had better things to do.

"Mom, I'm okay. Really. Just have a lot on my mind and I need to do this research."

"I know there's more to it then that. I see the way you won't look me in the eye. And how you apologized the other night like you'd done something so horribly wrong. You weren't just saying it in general though, you were saying sorry to me, like whatever you had done was against me." He swallowed hard, unwilling to look at her. His guilt had been so obvious and he didn't even realize he had been doing it.

"I'm not trying to avoid you on purpose. I've just got a lot on my mind." His mom shook her head, still smiling.

"Winry told me about the dream you had. Edward, I love you and nothing you could ever do would change that. I just want you to be happy. And that might not be here with me." So much of this conversation sounded familiar to him, like he had heard her tell this to someone else. Finally he removed the glasses on his face and sighed heavily before looking back at her.

"Thanks. I think I needed to hear that."

"I'll let you get back to work, I'll have dinner ready in about an hour." Getting up, she exited the room, leaving him alone with his work. Of course there was no way she knew about everything, he had needed that closure for some time now. As much as he wanted this to still be part of his life, for his mom to still be part of his life, all being here did was make the ache hurt even more. It made the reality that he didn't have this hurt his soul. Shaking his head, he went back to his work.

oOoOo

Pride walked casually behind Alphonse out into the hallway of Central Command, hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face. Finally Alphonse turned around, anger evident in his eyes. Edward leaned his shoulder against the wall.

"So Al, what's going on?"

"Why were you so mean to Winry?"

"I think what happens between my wife and I isn't really your business." Al grit his teeth and let a breath out through his nose. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to focus on Ed's chi. The fact that he couldn't find it, just confirmed that this wasn't his brother. Moving quickly, Alphonse brought his fist forward, going to punch Ed right in the face. Edward remained where he was, still grinning and leaning against the wall. A black shadow grabbed Al's arm, keeping him from making contact.

"I knew it." Alphonse yanked his hand away before clapping and pressing his palm against the wall. Out of the corner of Pride's eye, he saw the wall jut out to hit him in the face. His shadow shifted again blocking the wall. But Alphonse wasn't finished as the ceiling came down as well. It too was blocked however the attack from the wall on the other side of the hall managed to smashed into his cheek. The smile he wore this whole time pulled into a deep frown. "You forgot Pride, I've faced off with you before." The homunculus took a step forward and tilted his head slightly, cracking his neck.

"And as I recall, you didn't do too well last time." Before he could attack, there was the distinct sound of a snap behind him and he brought a black shield up behind him, just in time as the hallway was engulfed in fire. While he was distracted by the attack from behind, Alphonse clapped once more and touched the ground. The floor warped up and smashed into Pride's chest. He wasn't able to block it and was impaled.

"Alphonse, stay down!" Lt. Hawkeye fired over his head, taking several shots at the homunculus. The flames from behind ceased and the fire alarm sounded loudly, causing all personel to hurry outside and avoid the fight in the hallway as they exited. Havoc, Breda, and Fury walked out of the office and were shocked at the scene before them.

"I think they've got this one covered," Havoc pushed the other two further down the hall. "There's no point getting to a fight like that one. Trust me, I should know. It's a freak show."

Pride angrily glared at the Lieutenant, setting his teeth on edge. She never wavered though, keeping her gun aimed right at him. His gaze shifted behind him where he found the Flame alchemist, whose steady hand was extended, prepared to snap faster then Pride could move. All injuries healed rather quickly however the automail had taken a bullet, making it even more difficult to move it.

"How can you all attack someone that you're suppose to care about?"

"Brother would never want you using his body for whatever evil plans you have."

"So you'd rather kill him?" Alphonse slowly got back up, crossing his arms over his chest.

"He doesn't die as easily as you do."

"If you're so confident in that theory then let's try it out, shall we?"
Pride went to take a step forward only to pause when his leg refused to move. He glanced down angrily at the metal limb.

"Thought that might make things difficult for you." Riza couldn't help but smile. Disregarding her comment, he narrowed his gaze at Alphonse.

"Yah know if I hadn't spent all those years trying to get your worthless body back I might have been able to get my real leg back."

"That's not gonna work now." The homunculi's mouth twisted into a malicious grin.

"You're right, guess I'll have to go after that little girl of yours. May was her name?" Al's golden eyes widened in fear at the thought of him hurting her. Looking over his shoulder again to see Mustang still there, he then smiled even more. "You know, something like this." With no other warning, Riza let out a scream as she felt a sharp spike impale her shoulder. Dropping her gun, her legs buckled under her. Roy tried to move, but for some reason he couldn't. Bringing his eyes down, he realized Pride had him by the ankles, keeping him where he wanted him. He felt something slash the back of his hand and he glanced back up to see that Pride had destroyed the array on the back of his glove. The homunculus continued to grin at the General.

"Feels awfully familiar doesn't it?" Alphonse had already moved over to the Lieutenant but was unable to help her. "Now that we've had our official reunion, I suppose an amazing exit is required." The entire building shook around them to the point that it felt like all of Central Command was going to cave in. Al was quick to clap his hands together, reinforcing the area around the Lieutenant and General. After so many minutes of this, the shaking finally stopped. As the dust settled, Mustang let out a cough before looking up to see Ed or rather Pride no longer there. Now that he was able to move, he got back up and carefully made it over to Al and Riza.

"Are you two okay?" Hawkeye was still cringing, holding her shoulder but nodded anyway. Alphonse stood up, trying to see though the dust as it settled. "Al, he's gone." The younger Elric remained quiet for about a minute before finally speaking up.

"We have to find him. He's gonna go after May."