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

{Opening song}

Period/Chemistry

(Underground Tunnels)

"This place is like a maze..." Jerso stated after a while of silence. "Try not to get separated." Zampano spoke as May said, "Alright!" Before Winry could say anything, she stumbled over a rock, falling to the ground. "Ow..." Winry muttered, sitting up."Winry, are you okay?" Marcoh asked, kneeling in front of her.

"I'm fine..." May looked to her right, only to find a box. "Huh? What's this stuff?" she asked, picking up the item. "D-dynamite!" Marcoh stated, shocked. Winry and May began to panic as Yoki said, "Nah...these are all sopping wet. Relax, they won't blow up, even if we wanted them to." Marcoh, May, and Winry released a breath of relief as Scar said, "Quit dawdling and let's go. They could be right behind us as we speak." "Right, sorry..." Marcoh stated.

(Baschool)

Aaliyah's POV

"The storm has finally passed. Start preparing." Miles stated, walking from the window. "Yes sir!" "We can't take any risk with Kimblee and his men so the first chance we get, take them out." The men nodded as I glanced at Kimblee. My face saddened a bit as arms wrapped around her from behind. Ed rested his head on my shoulder as I sighed. "He's going to make me follow him around again...I just know it..." "Don't worry, I won't let him do anything to you" "That makes me feel alitter better...but I still have to part from you." I gave a small smile, grasping his hands in mine as he hugged me tighter. "Even though that may be, I'll still come back to you. I'll find a way to get you away from him." I turned my head to face Ed as he said, "I'll never leave you alone." "Me either." She stated, placing my lips to his.

-The Abyss-

No POV

Miles watched as Kimblee gave commands to his men outside with Aaliyah next to him. "You're the only ones to know of this mission. You are to not mention it outside this room." Miles stated. "Hold on! You're not planning on killing them, are you Major?"Ed asked. "Of course we are." "We can't do that with Ally next to him and besides, shouldn't we take him prisoner and ask him questions?"

"Do you really think he'll tell us anything? He's too dangerous to live." Miles simply stated. "We don't know that about his men! For all we know, he could be manipulating them somehow, forcing them to obey." "You could be right, but we can't take such a possibility." "Yet, you're still willing to kill them? This isn't like it was for General Raven! There may be another way!" "Have you forgotten the first law of Briggs? The careless are the first do die. You show mercy here, and I guarantee it'llget you and your friends killed. Have you forgotten?" Ed looked to the ground, a saddened look as Miles and his men walked out the room, saying, "We won't be careless. We're killing Kimblee and the two men withhim." Ed's fist clenched.

~*3*~

"I had almost forgotten he's still a kid." The man stated. "Indeed he is; especially if he's naïve to think he won't have to killanyone." Miles stated. "I have to admit, I used to think the same thing." "Hmph, so did I." Miles smirked. "But once you livethrough a couple of wars like we have, you'll learn some things like killing someone isn't' as hard as letting them live. The Elrics and Martin have certainly chosen the harder path." "I guess they like to go against the grain." "Yeah," Miles smirk grew wider, "but in a way, I envy them."

Underground Tunnels*

Scar and the others decided to take a seat and rest for a while, and took the chance to look over the notes. As Scar and Marcoh spoke, May took notes. "So these terms are others words for Gold." Marcoh spoke. "I guess that's because Mr. Scar'sbrother was influenced by Xingese Alchehistory when he wrote them." "And why is that?" Marcoh asked. "We refer a mortal towhat's called a 'Shito'. It means 'True Being'. These true beings are considered 'Perfect Souls'. Since gold is considered aperfect metal, these beings are also sometimes called, Beralium." Winry, Gerso and Zampano's heads were spinning with all thebig words and other things they didn't understand.

"So in other words...a perfect soul is seen as a golden being?" "In a sense...it comes from the man who brought Alchemy to Xing. The legend says that he was an immortal being with golden eyes andhair. That's where the term first originated." May spoke. "An alchemist with golden hair and eyes...that sounds a lot like Ed and Al." Winry stated as Yoki came from around the corner. "Hey! Over here! It's the exit!"

"Wow...it's so bright." Winry stated, covering her eyes. "I was starting to wonder if we'd make it." Marcoh spoke as Jerso said,"It's clear." "For now...let's head to Briggs before the weather turns again." Zampano stated. "Alright everyone, follow mylead-" Yoki started as he fell into the snow. "Looks like the snow is pretty deep. We'll walk ahead and get ya'll a safe path towalk upon." Gerso stated. "Thank you very much." Marcoh stated as Yoki continued to cry for help.

"Helllllp!" a voice called as Winry stopped and looked back. "Hey...! Is someone there..?!" "Help me, please!":"Help!" Winry spotted a foot sticking out of the snow, only to notice who it belonged to. "THAT'S AL!" "MY ALPHONSE?!" May and Winry both ran to dig him out. Al soon rose from the snow, on all fours as he said, "You saved me. I got stuck in the snow and the blizzard buried me." "What're you doing out here, Al?" Winry asked. May clung onto Al's arm, fan-girling, as Al said, "I crossed the mountain to warn you guys."

"You crossed over? In the middle of that storm?" Marcoh asked, surprised. Yoki pulled out a map and said, "So you went straight through, dogging all the mines twist and turns." Al stood up, May still clung onto his arm as he said, "It was the only way to warn you guys." "Warn us? About what?" Winry asked. "Briggs has been taken over by troops from Central." Winry's eyes widened as Al continued, "General Armstrong's gone. They summoned her to Central Headquarters. You'll be walking into their hands, if you go there."

"Well, then what are we supposed to do..? We can't just hide in the mines." Gerso asked. "I don't know...we'll have to find someplace else." Al stated as Yoki said, "There isn't any place else!" Scar glanced to the mountains as he said, "Just follow me." "Where are you taking us?" Marcoh asked. "There's a mountain village nearby called Asbeck nearby. It shouldn't take us long to get there." Scar began walking as he continued, "I've been told that some of my people have taken refuge there in the slums."

"An Ishvalan Refugee camp?" Gerso asked. "It's not like we have much options..." Zampano stated. "Great idea, sir! Let's get going!" Yoki stated, following after Scar. The group reluctantly followed after Scar as Winry asked Al, "Are you sure about this, Al?" "About what?" Al asked confused. "Won't Mr. Kimblee be suspicious if you suddenly disappear?" "It's okay, don't worry. Brother got it all taken care of."

Baschool*

"Each squad is ready then? Spread out and carefully search your sectors." Miles stated as everyone nodded. Kimblee and Ally walked off with Kimblee's men next to them. Ed watched Aaliyah as Miles said, "Let's go." "Yes sir." 'Alphonse' stated. "Don't getcarried away...'Alphonse'. There's no reason to call the Major Sir." Ed muttered. "It's hard to move around in here. Couldn't youhave made it lighter?" the soldier inside of the 'Alphonse' armor asked. "You're strong, you can handle it. Now come on, Kimblee is watching." Ed began walking with the soldier trailing behind. "Hold on brother!" the soldier spoke in a high voice, causing Kimblee to look back. 'We're so dead...' Ally thought.

~*3*~

"Did you over hear where Kimblee and his men are searching?" Miles asked the man next to him. "You saw that mine shaft inthe center of town, didn't you? Their headed down there to search the tunnels." Ed kept a certain amount of space from themso he could hear the conversation. "It seems he doesn't trust the Northern soldiers so he's only taking his men and Martin, sir."Miles furrowed his brows, "I guess he's figured us out then. We'll head them off...be sure to place snipers around the mineshaft." "Yes sir." The men turned the corner as Ed quickly followed after them with a plan of his own.

~*3*~

"Check the entrance for tracks in the snow. We'll follow them in if you find multiple scents." Kimblee stated as the men nodded,"Yes sir!" they began walking off as Ally thought, 'So they are Chimera...'From a building nearby, men pointed their guns at Kimblee. "Is it clear?" Miles asked. "Kimblee's men have just left, although he is keeping Martin up close." "He must suspect something." "What the? What's Edward doing?" the man holding the gunasked.

Kimblee glanced over his shoulder as Ally asked, "Ed?" "Hey Kimblee, you should probably let the Briggs soldiers check thetunnels instead. You could get lost in there pretty easily." Ed stated. "The fact that you're here proves we're in the right place." Kimblee spoke. "And how's that?" Ed asked. "Look I want to catch Scar and-" "You're trying to buy some time for your snipers toget into place, aren't you?" Kimblee asked. "You knew about that?" Ed asked, a little shock on his face. "I can practically smell the murderous intent here...why do you think I've been keeping Martin here close as well."

"They're just talking...what should I do?" "Can you still target, Kimblee?" Miles asked. "Amaya's still too close." Miles clenched his fist. Kimblee suddenly raised his arms into the air and then touched the ground, causing red sparks to erupt. The move, caused steam to rise and cover the area like a thick fog. "Damn it...Martin! Where are you?!" Ed called. Before she could answer, a hand was placed over her mouth and she was dragged along with someone. Ed, was able to spot Kimblee and Ally walking into themine shaft. "Kimblee!" Ed shouted, getting ready to charge until something tried to claw at him. Ed managed to dodge and turned, only to have someone throw a fist at him. Through the fog, Ed was only able to catch glowing eyes. "I should've knownyou were Chimera."

~*3*~

Kimblee continued to drag Ally down the steps. "Now then Martin, I know you know where they went, so why don't you go ahead and tell me." Ally glared at the man as he suddenly noticed something. "Hm...looks like you won't have to tell me." Ally glanced down, only to find lots of footsteps left in the snow." Her eyes widened as he said, "Looks like we're in the right place."He continued to drag her into the direction the footsteps followed.

~*3*~

Ed got into a battle stance as he tried to locate the Chimera. The only thing he could rely on was the footsteps in the snow."Damn it, Kimblee..." Ed muttered as he remembered that Kimblee had ran off with Ally. 'I have to hurry!' "Even though I can'tsee them, that means they can't see me either." As Ed spoke those words, a hand grasped his throat, tightly." "There's no pointin trying to run, Fullmetal Alchemist." The tiger looking one spoke. "You can't hide from us here...we may not be able to see you, but we can still smell you." Ed clapped his hands, forming his signature blade and stabbed through the arm that held him. After that, he kicked the man, causing him to let go. The other Gorilla Chimera decided to take that as his chance to attack.

Miles and his men appeared outside the building, only to find the steam still there. "What's going on in there?" "Edward, answer me!" The two soldiers stated. "I would guess guys are Chimeras! They know how to fight in low visibility!" Ed shouted, trying to defend himself the best he could. "Stay out of here! Trust me!" Ed shouted as his foot suddenly slipped, causing him to fall down the shaft. In other words, the place Ally and Kimblee were except he didn't take the steps. "Ow...falling like that will stunt my growth even more!" Ed held his bruised head as he looked around. "Dynamite? There's one perk to fighting in a mine..."

The two Chimera jumped down, landing a ways from Ed as he said, "Better watch it! These aren't exactly cigars that I'mholding!" "You idiot...that stuff won't do you any good; it's too damp." "You sure about that? Do you happen to know whatdynamite is made of?" Ed asked. "Its nitrogly cerin isn't it?" the tiger asked. "And nitro-glycol...saw dust...isn't there ammonia nitrate to?" the gorilla asked. "Yes there is!" Ed sung as his back faced the two. "What's ammonia nitrate made out of?" Ed asked. "That's easy! Nitric acid and ammonia-"the two suddenly realized what was going on. Ed turned around with an evil grin, something stuffed up his nose as he clapped his hands. "OH NO!" the chimera cried.

"Hm?" Kimblee and Ally turned to find an explosion from the room they just came from. "What's that disgusting smell?" Kimblee asked as he looked to Ed, who was next to two unconscious Chimera. "That's ammonia," Ed stood up as he continued, "I feel sorry for their strong noses. I doubt they'll be much use to you now." "Hmph...your attitude has changed although you seem toforget I still have a hostage." Kimblee stated as his grip tightened on the girl. "Let's just make this easy...tell me everything youknow and let Ally go."

"Oh is that all you need? I've recently just got out of the hospital and don't want to get banged up by a kid. Not to mention I don't have the time either..." Kimblee pulled something from his pocket, showing off the red Philosopher'sStone. "Guess I'll speed things up with this." 'At least I won't have to search for it now...' Ed thought as he charged at Kimblee.

"Have you forgotten your precious girlfriend?" Kimblee stated as a foot suddenly kicked him in the face. "What the-" Ally used that chance to get out of his grip, as Ed ran up to him and knocked the stone from his hands, causing it to fall lower down theshaft. Kimblee then went to clap his hands as Ed shouted, "Too slow!" Ed used his blade to slice Kimblee's circle on his righthand. 'He's lost his circle and can't transmute.' Ally thought.

"You think you've won?" Kimblee asked. "So you're determined not to kill...how admirable of you. You do realize theadvantage this gives your opponent now, do you? Instead of killing me, you've given me a second chance to kill you." Kimblee opened his mouth to reveal a round Philosopher's Stone. "That sense of mercy is about to get you in a load of trouble."Kimblee stated as the stone dropped from his mouth, to his left hand. "No!" Ally ran forward, only her efforts wasted. Red sparksshone bright as an explosion occurred.

~*3*~

"I must have...fallen down the mine shaft..." Ed muttered as he glanced around. He found the two Chimera under a bunch of rubble. He turned to the left only to go wide-eyed. Aaliyah laid unconscious under a pile of rocks. "A-Aaliyah!" Ed shouted, trying to get up, only to feel a great amount of pain. He looked down to see lots of blood falling from him. He turned around only to find a pole stuck inside of him. 'You're kidding me...no...' Ed thought as he fell to his side in pain. Soon after, he passed out.

Briggs Mountains*

Al suddenly dropped to the ground. "Al? What's wrong?" Winry asked as May and she walked up to him. "Alphonse!" Maycried as everyone stopped. "Al!" Al slowly got up as he said, "Oh no...I'm being pulled back again..." "What?" Winry asked confused. "My body...it's pulling my soul!" An image of his body appeared in his thoughts as he fell to the ground, lifeless. "Al!" Winry cried. "Do you know if something like this has happened before, Winry?" Marcoh asked. "I don't know! Al! Please wake up! What do I do...what do I do..."

Baschool*

'Is this really how it all ends? Surely you must be capable of much more...' Ally's eyes slowly opened as she grunted in pain. "Am I...at the bottom...of the shaft?" she asked no one in particular. She tried to sit up, only to feel a great weight pressed against her. She turned, noticing a huge pile of rocks atop of her. She tried to breakfree, only to find it a worthless effort. She did the one thing she could think and used alchemy to lift the pile of rocks from her body. Once freed, a rush of air hit her lungs.

She began to cough from the suddenly intrusion but then realized it wasn't from the sudden air. 'Everything hurts...' She thought as bleed was sliiping from her forehead, after the deed was done, and she looked over, only to spot Ed against the ground. "Ed!" she cried out as he stayed lifeless. "Edward!" she tried to get up, only to cry out. She felt a sharp pain run through her back and right leg. She looked back, only to find a two huge gashes. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she realized she couldn't stand.

Aaliyah slowly, although painful, crawled over to Edward. Well it wasn't crawling, more like, dragging her lower half while her arms pulled her about. As she got closer to the boy, her eyes widened at what she saw. "No! Edward!" She reached him, only to find blood coming from his wound, a pole was stuck right though him. "N-no...please don't let him be..." she couldn't finish hersentence. "Please wake up...please..." she cried.

"You promised you wouldn't leave me alone...the moment I need you themost...please wake Ed!" she cried into his chest. She suddenly felt a hand pressed to the back of her head as a faint voice said,"... I promised I wouldn't make you cry again...and over something this stupid..." Aaliyah lifted her head to find Ed's eyes gazing onto her with a saddened look, which only caused more tears to fall.

"Please don't cry Ally..." Ed muttered, placing his gloved hand to her cheek, wiping away a few tears. "How can I not...I thought you were dead!" "Didn't I make a promise to you? I told you I'd never leave you alone, right? I do intend to keep my promises to you." Ally gave a saddened smile before placing her lips to his. "...don't ever leave me..." she muttered against his lips as he wrapped his arms around her saying, "The thought never crossed my mind." He gripped her tighter as she let out a small cry.

"What is it?" he asked, worriedly. "It's nothing..." She stated as he said, "To hell it is! Your head is bleeding, badly may I add!" "I'm fine compared to the amount of blood falling from your wound." She retorted. "Ally...I'd hate to ask such a thing but, willyou help me heal my wound?" "Of course I will!" "You do understand the price for using that type of alchemy, right?" "I don't care! A world without you would be death!" she shouted as Ed kissed her. "If we weren't in this mess, I can honestly say I'd have my way with you." Ally blushed as she said, "Ed, focus here!" "Right..." he muttered as he used alchemy to help the Chimera and shorten the pole that was inside of him.

"Damn...Kimblee's going to pay." The gorilla stated. The two looked to the two kids as they asked, "Hey Fullmetal, Blue Flame,you still alive?" "What made you decide to rescue us?" "Don't get the wrong idea...we can't pull this out of my stomach yourselves...I could use a bit of your help..." "We were just enemies a few seconds ago and now you want us to save your life?" "Basically..." Ed muttered. "We weren't given orders to kill you so..." the gorilla grabbed Ed as the lion asked, "Are you able to stand Martin?" she shook her head sadly. The chimera helped her next to Edward as he said, "You know kid, and you'll bleedto death quickly if we pull this out of you." "Not if I heal it...as soon as it's out of me, we'll close the wound...with alchemy." "What? Have you ever performed some kind of medical alchemy before?" "We've done research on it..." Ally trailed off. "Just research? Your guts have got to be all messed up! You'll need a Philosopher's Stone to make this work."

"We'll have to use ourown life forces the same way we'd...use a stone." The two gasped as Ed continued, "It'll probably take a...few years off our lifespan..." "And you're fine with doing that, Blue Flame? Giving up your life like that?" "It's like I...told Ed...I can't live without him. Iwouldn't be able to go on knowing he'd die before me..." "...ready?" the lion asked, placing his hands to the pipe. Ed took a breath of air as he closed his eyes. "Yeah..." Ally closed her eyes and her hands started blowing so Ed get ready as he began to pull on the pole. "Ah!" Ed screamed out in pain. The sound of his screaming brought tears to Ally's eyes but she knew she had to be brave.

'I must picture myself as a single mass of energy...''I must use that energy...just like the stone...''I am a single Philosopher's Stone in the form of a person!''Remember what it felt like at that moment...remember how it felt to use souls to harness life!' The pole was removed as Ed and Ally used their alchemy, blue and green blending throughout he room."...don't ever leave me...""The thought never crossed my mind."

The lights eventually faded at the two chimera sighed. "Did he make it...?" "...you can't count me out...that easily..." Ed muttered. "You mean it worked?" "I've managed to stop the bleeding and rejoined my damaged organs..." Ed trailed of the lion said, "Then you need a doctor!" Ally began to feel light headed as she muttered one last thing, "...I'm glad...you're okay...Edward..." she then fell to the ground.

"Aaliyah..!" Ed slowly stood up as the man said, "...you can't be up!" Before he could takea step he dropped to the ground, next to Ally. He reached his hand and laced his fingers through hers as he muttered, "...from here on, I'll always be next to...you..." his eyes closed. "Idiots..." the gorilla muttered. The lion took a step, noticing something red glowing from the corner of his eye. "What is it?" the lion picked it up as the gorilla said, "The stone? Mr. Kimblee must have dropped it."

"Quit calling that freak 'Mr.'. He's not our boss...not since he almost killed us." "That is a good point...how aboutwe make our resignation official?" "Let's just hold onto our freedom and let him think we died in the rubble." The lion spoke."Well, what do we do about them? We can't just leave them here to die..."The two picked Ally and Ed up, carrying them out of the area as the lion said, "We do owe them our lives after all..." "First things first, we have to find them a doctor." "Right."

{Ending song}

Sentimental Moment (Shunkan Sentimental)/SCANDAL