Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for Aaliyah.

{Opening song}

Period/Chemistry

No POV

Briggs*

"So you think General Armstrong had something to do with General Raven's disappearance?" "It seems so, however, she's too smart to leave evidence behind." "Yes, that's true..." "Well anyway, the only thing we have to do is hold down the fort. As for the General...I'm sure the tigers in Central will make sure she's taken care of." Two higher-ups spoke inside of General Armstrong's office.

Central*

Olivier walked the halls of Central, on her way to Bradley's office when she spotted someone. "General Armstrong...how nice to see you." Mustang spoke. "Tch, they posted you in Central Mustang? You're well connected..." "No, it's solely based on merit." Olivier furrowed her eyebrows as she said, "That's rich coming from you."

The two were now walking amongst the halls talking. "What brings you here today, General?" Roy asked. "Furhrer Bradley summoned me...for an extended stay I imagine." "...is that so?" Roy then gained a grin upon his lips as he said, "Well then, sometime we should grab some dinner." "Your treat? I hope you know I could eat you into bankruptcy." "Um...maybe we should skip dinner then." "I see; you're short on both money and nerve, huh?" They reached the corner as Roy said, "Maybe I could offer some flowers instead?" "Hmph." She began walking away as Roy said, "There are many fine flouriest in Central." "Are there..." she waved her hand continuing forward as Mustang turned the corner.

Knock, Knock*

"You may enter." Bradley's words rang from the other side. "Sir!" Olivier called as she opened the door. She walked in and stopped at the coffee table as Bradley said, "Now then general...we need to talk about General Raven's disappearance. Just what have you done?" 'I won't be able to hide it all...' she thought as she stated, "Pardon me your Excellency but I can't see why you would employ someone so incompetent like him."

"Is that the reason you sought fit to dispose of him?" "Surely you don't need him...it can't be good to have someone so talkative on your staff." Bradley clasped his hands together as he said, "You have me intrigued...just what did he speak of?" "Immortality...the history of this country, your Excellency's identity; he told me all sorts of things without some sort of prompting." "Hm...and after learning all of this, you still responded to my summons?" "Yes sir; I assume you'll need someone to fill that fools vacant seat?" Bradley began to chuckle as he said, "Interesting...I like the way you play. Very well, you can have General Raven's seat but my men will take over Fort Briggs, agreed?" Olivier bowed saying, "Of course...as you wish." "My soldiers are extremely strong and well-trained. I guarantee they'll serve you well." "I'm sure they will...I appreciate the sacrifice, General." Bradley grinned as Olivier furrowed her brows.

(Briggs)

"To steal a tiger's cubs, you have to enter her den. It seems like the General has landed herself right in the middle of it." Henshal stated as Buccaneer said, "Yeah...now this place is there too." "But still, there are one things they don't know...although our leader may be gone, we still stand as one. We act with one will; that is the fort Briggs way." Buccaneer clenched his auto-mail fist as he said, "From here on, the bears will fight the tigers."

-'Homunculus' (Dwarf in the Flask)-

Riza sat by herself at a table eating when she suddenly noticed someone in front of her. "Is this spot taken?" the voice asked. "No." Riza stated as Roy sat down, placing his work on the table. "So, how is work treating you?" Riza asked as Roy began eating. "See for yourself...I have to work through every meal or I can't keep up."

Roy began writing with one hand, holding his sandwich in the other. "What about you?" he asked, glancing at her. "I've been keeping busy too, especially with everything I've had to learn. Furhrer Bradley does work efficiently so that helps. He isn't a slacker, that's for sure." Roy's eyes widened a little as he suddenly became gloomy, "This sounds like it's going to be a dull conversation then..."

Riza brought her cup to her lips, drinking, as she slowly brought it from her and to the table. "Well apparently..." she tapped her cup to the table two times before placing it down, "Scar is in the North. The Elric brothers and Martin are there as well." "I see." Roy tapped his pen twice, as he began writing again. "My former classmates Lucy and Ian are stationed up there. They keep me informed." "Hm...? Aren't the North and East doing exercise this spring?" Roy asked. "Yes...I think you're right about that, I forgot. I hope Major Miles and Buccaneer don't show us up like they do every year."

~*3*~

'Miles...Buccaneer...okay.' Roy was in the bathroom stall, writing down pieces of his conversation with Riza. '..and York, Ida, and Sugar all spoke to her too.' He circled the first letter of each word as he continued, 'Havoc, Oscar, Mike, Urey, Norah, Charlie, Urey, and Lucy again.' As he began writing each letter, the realization hit. 'Urey once more...and then Sterling!' Across the top of his paper read something he thought he'd never see. SELIM BRADLEY IS A HOMUNCULUS. Roy quickly set the paper light and flushed it down the toilet. 'I'd say impossible...but then again, there's no such thing. What in the world is about to happen here in Central?!'

Underground/Central Command*

Father kept his eyes closed as he thought back to the past, where everything began.

A boy with long blonde hair and gold eyes sat sleeping against the broom he held as a voice called to him. "Hey!" the boy or slave, opened his eyes only to shout, "Oh no!" "It's alright..." the voice stated. The boy stood, looking around as the voice spoke again, "Look! Over here!" the boy turned to the flask which held a mysterious black being. "Um yeah?" the boy asked, not too interested. "Hey now...can't you at least bring yourself to act a little surprised or something?" "What do I get for acting surprised?" he asked, hand on his hip. "Mm, you show no fear; I like that. What's your name?" "I'm number 23." "Not your number... I want you to tell me your real name." "I'm a slave, I don't have one." "A slave? Do you mean a person without any rights or freedom? Someone trafficked and deeded as a possession?" "Deeded? What's that?" the boy asked confused. "It's when a piece of property is transferred to another person." "Huh?" the boy asked, still confused. "It seems you're not all that bright, are you?" "Hey! Get out of here!" the boy shouted, annoyed.

"How could I have possibly been born from someone as stupid as you...?" the black mass asked himself. "Hm?" "You are the one who gave me blood, right?" the boy looked at his bandaged arm as he said, "I guess so...he said he was going to use it for an experiment." "I exist today because you gave me your blood...thank you. Let's see...number 23 just won't cut it; I think I'll give you a name of your own." "Give me a name? Who are you?" "You'd want a noble-sounding one...let's see...Theophastris Bombastis."

"That's too long." "Oh yeah...you're not that smart. Maybe it shouldn't have too many syllables in it..." "Hey, you! I'm plenty smart!" "Well...how about Van? Van Hohenheim...how does that sound?" "So Van Hohenheim, huh? I think I can remember that." "It's spelled oh! You don't know how to read or write, do you?" I don't need to read or write to do my work!" "Your slave work..." the black mass trailed off.

"Don't you even want freedom? Are you going to live out the rest of your life as a slave, without the rights of a real man?" "..." Van was speechless. "In that case, you're no different from me. Trapped inside this stuffy flask. Let me teach you, Van Hohenheim." Van nodded without hesitation. "Hey...who are you? What are you? What do I call you?" the mass gained arms and a face as he said, "I'll tell you what Van Hohenheim... you can call me the dwarf in the flask Homunculus."

~*3*~

Day in and out, years even, Van studied everything there was to know about anything. "All things are made from one and in the end, all things return to one." "In other words, one is all." Van spoke to his master. "Indeed...and all is one as well." "All is the ultimate 'one'. So if all isn't included in the 'one', then all is nothing." "...you have passed. You are now and alchemist, Hohenheim. Well, done child." Van gave a small grin as he said, "I'm still only fit to be an assistant. My skill is nothing near yours, Master."

~*3*~

"I'm grateful to you..." "Oh, for what?" the dwarf asked. "I live as well as I do now because of the knowledge you gave me...and I've also earned the Master's respect. Thanks to you, maybe one day I'll be able to get married and have a family." "A family, huh? How inconvenient for you humans...unless you form communities and breed, your species can't continue to exist."Don't call it breeding...and whether or not it's a concept you're able to understand, that's where humans find happiness. We live for our bonds with friends and family members, that's who we humans are." "Sure...whatever you say..." "Okay then... what is it that makes you happy?" Van asked. "Well...I'd hate to be guilty and ask for too much...but I think I'd be happy if I could just leave this flask."

~*3*~

"Immortality...? Why would someone who has everything need something like that?" the dwarf spoke. "Watch your tongue!" "You are in the Royal presence!" the two guards spoke. "If you continue with this insolence, I'll smash your flask!" "You wouldn't dare to destroy such an important source of knowledge." The dwarf spoke, causing the two to gasp. "That's enough chatter...immortality, is it possible or not?" a voice bellowed, The King of Xerxes. "Growing impatient in your old age, are we? How lamentable, King of Xerxes..." the King furrowed his brows as the dwarf gained a huge grin. "Okay, I'll tell you how you can achieve immortality."

~*3*~

"What are you digging here for?" Around the whole country was a circle dug into the ground. "Irrigation canals...the King'sordered them to be dug all around the country." "Heh, that's the King for you. He even cares about the wellbeing of us commoners." "Yes, he does."

~That Night~

Men rode in on horses with torches and swords. "Remember...there must be no survivors!"The men set everything in a blaze while killing anyone who filled their sights.

~The Palace~

"Hurry! Quickly carve out the crest of blood while there's still time!" the King spoke.

~Next Day~

People in the town, whispered to one another about what happened the night before. "What an awful tragedy..." Van spoke as the dwarf muttered, "Yeah...real tragic."

~Time Skip~

As time passed, more killings of villages and such went on. The King was nearing his end as if finally came time for his plans to come to light."You're Majesty! At long last, your transmutation circle is complete." The King rose from his bed as he muttered, "Hm...took long enough. Finally, it's done." He glanced at the dwarf who was in Van's hands and asked, "Everything is ready?" "Yes~ you'll now become immortal."

Everyone took their positions as the King used the dagger to slice his finger. Blood fell into the urn as a few steps away, Van spoke, "Incredible...the King will achieve immortality." The King looked into the urn, only to panic at what was happening. "Yes...this is an amazing moment indeed." The room began to glow an eerie purple as black smoke filled the room. The smoke soon cleared, only to have black hands rise.

"This is immortality...no! You must be wrong!" The King spoke one by one, and his men dropped down, dead. "I don't understand it! You said if we stood in the middle of the circle, we wouldn't be harmed!" the Kingsoon fell to his death as Van said, "What the what's going on here?! Hey! Homunculus!" the dwarf faced Van as he grinned saying, "The true circle for the transmutation circle is right here where you're standing." "It is?" "Surely you remember that your blood is within me! I used it to open the doorway, blood brother of mine, Van Hohenheim. Right now, we are at the center of everything!"

An eye soon opened from beneath Van's feet, sucking him and the whole Xerxes village with it. Van found himself in a white void, being disintegrated as he screamed out.

~Next Day/Morning~

Van awoke, only to find everything in ruins and everyone he once knew, gone."Somebody...there must be somebody left." Van spoke as another voice spoke from behind him. "It's no use...all of their souls have been taken from them." "Majesty! Are you alright?" Van knelt down as the man continued, "Tell me..." Van looked up as the man continued, "Your body...how is it feeling?" "It's...me?" "Using your blood, I created a reciprocal for myself. Finally, I can walk on my own two legs." Van's eyes widened. "Are you...the Homunculus in the flask? What is this? What have you done?!" "To thank you for your blood, I've given you a name and I've given you knowledge. Now...I've given you a body that will live forever."

"...I'm immortal?" Van asked shocked. The Dwarf pointed to Van saying, "Focus within yourself Van Hohenheim." Van did as told, only to hear voices. He held his head as the Dwarf said, "You hear them, don't you? Those are the voices of everyone that was sacrificed, everyone you once knew. They were used to make you immortal...wait, half of them were used for me, actually." Van looked down at his hands, shaking as the man continued, "I appreciate your cooperation, Hohenheim." Van held his head as he screamed out, "Ah!"

Train*

Hohenheim awoke from his sleep, startled. "You're Van Hohenheim, right?" a woman's voice asked. Van turned only to see a middle-aged woman with dreadlocks. "I knew it!" she smiled, looking back at her rather large husband.

Somewhere*

"Finally, I get the chance to meet Ed and Al's Father." "And I get to meet the one who taught my sons and their friend. I'm sure they were a handful." "Oh no, they were fine children-"The woman, or Izumi, suddenly dropped to her knees, coughing. "Izumi, are you alright?" Sig asked, next to her. "Let me get your medicine-" May I have a look at her? I know a bit about the medical field." Van asked. "Sure." Sig stated. Van placed his hand on her lower back as she muttered, "I'm alright... this happens..."Van gasped before saying, "No, you're not alright. Mr. Sig, find us a car quickly! Hurry!"

"Right!" Sig ran off as Van placed his hand on Izumi's shoulder asking, "Mrs. Izumi...you have seen the truth? What did you sacrifice?" She looked away as he said, "Please, I need to know." "..My insides were taken...I was trying to bring my child back to life." "...I see." Van took in a breath of air before drawing his hand back. "I'm sorry..." he then dug his hand into her, causing her to cough up blood. Sig, watching the whole thing, ran to Van and punched him square in the face.

"Izumi, hang on! Izumi!" he helped her to stand as she said, "Calm down dear, please...I'm alright." He shoved his hand into you!" "But my breathing...it's easier..." Sig gasped as he asked, "How can that be?" Izumi looked down at her blood-stained shirt as she felt around. "...there's no wound..."

"That's impossible..." Van picked up his glasses, placing them onto his face, standing up as he said, "Your insides were taken as a testament to your sin and can't be brought back...but I did rearrange your entrails to make it easier for your blood to flow. Mrs. Izumi...you can't give into your fate just yet." "You're the boy's Father...but who-who are you?" "Who am I? I'm a Philosopher's Stone...in the form of a man...that's what I am."

{Ending song}

Sentimental Moment (Shunkan Sentimental)/SCANDAL