Disclaimer-I do not own the FMA characters. I do, however, have a PrideEd plushie.

Sadie-kun- The crisis has been resolved! I finished Harry Potter so no more jealousy issues, right?

Ed mumbles unintelligibly under his breath

Sadie-kun Honestly, can't you be even a bit mature?

Edward No!

Sadie-kun I'll give you a cookie if you stop pouting.

Edward Alright! snatches cookie

Sadie-kun Guys are so simple.

February 1943

The war seemed to be progressing ever so slowly. Every day, more and more people were herded into Auschwitz. And just as quickly, they were taken to the gas chambers and ashes filled the sky. The worst was when there was an escape attempt. Usually, the escapees made it out of the compound only to be found and shot. The Nazis were ruthless when it came to dissuading prisoner escape attempts. If any family members were left, they were tortured in front of the captives as "examples". Even more dangerous were the random killings. For every prisoner who escaped, ten random people were killed from that block.

Ed and Al had noticed several possible escape routes but had taken none. The risk of endangering so many people restrained them from the light of freedom. Too many people had been hurt on their quest for the stone, and they refused to be so selfish here. Not to say they were sure they could escape. At least not with Noah. She grew more weaker every day. She worked at a plant with many other women where they produced guns and other weapons to supply the German army. Many times she had seen fellow workers lose a finger or entire hand in the machinery. The fear of such a fate caused her to be tense and tire her even more. It seemed nothing in their dismal world could hold a ray of hope.

"Al, eat up. I'm sure she'll be here any minute." Alphonse glanced at his brother before he slowly began to eat. They had been waiting for Noah now a little over a half an hour. Edward took a few bites of his own dinner to encourage Al. A few moments later, Noah opened the door and entered the room. "I'm sorry I'm late. The Germans were doing a surprise inspection." "Inspection?" Al asked. "Yes. Since we work with important materials, they fear we may steal or sabotage equipment. We haven't had one in several months so I wonder why today?" A frail woman nearby heard the question and turned to address it. "Haven't you heard? The Germans are on the attack again in the USSR. There's been a huge battle going on in a city called Stalingrad. An unbelievable amount of equipment is being used on both sides and they don't want any disadvantages. Not that they have a chance of winning. The Russians kill with such brutality that even the Germans are frightened." She smiled a toothy grin, proud of the information she could offer. "How did you find out?" Ed asked, curious. "I may look old and feeble but I have a good ear. I heard the Germans talking about it as they inspected the plant."

The three nodded their thanks and continued to eat in silence. It was good to know the Allied forces were progressing but the pace seemed unbelievably slow. By the time they reached the camp, there might not be anyone left alive. Edward felt a wave of disgust. He had never let himself dwell on morbid thoughts before, even after he had witnessed countless deaths. Why was he letting himself go now? He needed to persevere and keep trying. He was bound to find a way out eventually for his brother and everyone else.

A commotion outside snapped him out of his reverie. He heard screaming coupled with barked orders of German soldiers. He ordered Noah to stay inside before jumping up to see what caused the outburst. Alphonse followed him as Edward weaved his way to the door and ran outside. The scene in front of him was horrible enough to give anyone nightmares for months on end. Seven men and women were kneeling in the snow in front of Archer. Beside them was a corpse laid out with multiple bullet holes. The blood had stained the snow a brilliant crimson. The kneeling prisoners shivered but held a defiant look. Archer merely gave them a look of disgust.

"Oh good, we're getting a crowd. I suppose I'll have to make a speech." Archer said with unrestrained snideness. A few in the front shirked back but couldn't help but stay. Disaster attracts people like a carcass does flies, Edward though cynically. Yet he was also captivated by the display. The explanation was left untouched for several minutes to gather the maximum amount of people. Finally, it looked as though it would begin.

"For your own safety, we've tried to warn you again and again. Do not attempt escape. These pitiful fools thought they could outsmart the greater race. Now you will see what happens to all who don't obey us." Archer nodded to the soldiers who immediately grabbed the prisoners. The seven people were forced to strip to their underclothes. A large soldier approached with a whip. The prisoners were made to kneel again with their backs completely exposed. The massive German proceeded to whip the shivering humans. Screams of pain and anguish filled the air with each strike. Blood flecks stained the snow with their deep vermilion. A monster of hatred reared in Edward's chest, yet there was nothing he could do.

Within a few minutes, the escapees were reduced to blood-covered skeletons. It was amazing that such frail bodies could contain so much blood. Ed could hear ragged breaths coming from the bodies and knew they must still be alive. Archer was stock-still in the snow and Edward realized the punishment wasn't over yet. Seven poles had been erected while the beating had been taking place. Roughly the seven men and women were forced to stand and taken to the poles. There they had their hands lashed behind their backs. "No one is to speak, touch, or help these examples. If caught, the penalty is immediate death by a firing squad." Without another word, Archer departed with a large contingent of the soldiers.

Edward heard rustlings around him and knew the crowd was dispersing. It was sickening that fear kept them on such a tight leash. No one dared even to look directly at the seven. "C'mon brother. There's nothing we can do." Al put a hand on his brother's shoulder as an act of comfort. The idea that he was being consoled while others were tortured repulsed Edward. He remained standing in front of the crucified victims, desperately thinking of ways to help them. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. A dark-haired girl who looked to be about seven was distracting the guards. Her exaggerated arm movements showed she was telling some story, though her green eyes kept darting to the beaten prisoners. Edward glanced over to see what she was carefully watching.

He took an involuntary gasp of breath. Another smaller girl was moving carefully toward the prisoners. Her long brown hair was in two braids. Nina…..Flashes of a similar young girl and a chimera ran through his head. He still didn't understand what was going on. Then he saw it. Nina pulled out a concealed flask and began to give each prisoner some water. Edward could feel Al's eyes following Nina's motions. Edward, who had never been religious, prayed forcefully that she would remain undetected. His prayers were answered and Nina was able to slip away quietly. "Clause, will you stop making up crazy stories! We have jobs to do. I don't care if your father is a higher-up; stop bothering us with your trivialities." The voice drew Ed's attention back to the dark-haired girl. Apparently her father was someone of importance. Although Ed had the distinct impression that he had seen her in a small village dressed as a boy.

Clause left the group of soldiers and met up with Nina. He couldn't hear their conspiratorial whispers but knew they were discussing another plan. The coldness that had seeped into Edward's heart began to melt. No matter how bleak the world was, someone would always be there to offer help and comfort. As Alphonse and Edward turned to leave the scene, they felt a small ray of sunlight warm them. Perhaps the dark winter would soon be over.

Sadie-kun Taa-daa! What do ya think?

Edward Why did you pick seven people to be tortured? Why not just one?

Sadie-kun I thought it could symbolize the seven virtues being punished by evil. I dunno, I like that number.

Edward… right…

Sadie-kun Anyways, I want to mention my historical date was Stalingrad. It was a huge battle in Russia which had the largest tank fight ever. It is also true that the Russians weren't much of god guys. They didn't exactly follow the Geneva convention.

Edward Who was the dark-haired girl, Clause?

Sadie-kun You don't remember her? Episode 4 with Majhal. She was the girl who led the other kids in trying to destroy the Karin doll.

Edward Oh… yeah

Sadie-kun Sheesh! You can't even remember all the people you met! Pathetic!

Edward Yeah, well, it's hard to remember stuff that happened when you were 11.

Sadie-kun 12

Edward Whatever!