To The Ends of Eternity
Chapter 4: Progress
June 9, 2006
By CCD

A/N: I'm so sorry! I've had insane writer's block on this story. BTW please tell me if Athrun is getting to Sue-ish. I don't want him to be a sue. I made him the same age as Ed because I kinda have expectations for him and Ed. Hope you enjoy!

Night fell on the city of Aquroya, Edward and Roy stood on the roof of their hotel. Envy had yet to return and the two of them were waiting to for him to return to get details. They had scouted the city and observed the layout as well as talking to the locals about some alchemists, but there was nothing really special. They were hoping that Envy had some success or they would have to go back to Lady Dante and tell her that they didn't have any success in Aquroya. That would only make her angry and that was something they did not want.

"Boo," came a voice from behind them.

The two of them turned to look at Envy. He was standing there with a frown on his face and that didn't bode well.

"You're not in a very good mood," Lust said plainly.

"I didn't find anything here. Seems that this Psiren woman is the only alchemist here and thanks to pipsqueak we know that she's out for her own self, so we won't be able to use her."

"Don't call me a pipsqueak," Sloth muttered as he sulked at Envy's words.

"So basically, we have to go back and tell Lady Dante that we've hit a dead end and have her take her wrath out on one of us," Lust said.

"Not yet, I want to stick around and show her we made an effort. We could always make an attempt with Psiren or maybe other alchemist will come and we'll have a shot with them. Either way, I could care less what happens as far as progress on the stone goes, but I want to at least have some fun with these humans before we return."

With that said Envy jumped off the roof and down to the town below. He had shifted back into the form of Juliet Douglas by the time he landed and took off walking again.

"There's Envy for you. As apathetic as normal," Lust said as he to jumped off the roof followed by the younger Homunculus.

"What are we going to do now?" Sloth asked in a slightly whiny tone.

"I guess raise some Hell and take these foolish miserable beings to their graves. The faster we do that, the faster we'll return to Central and start to look into our pasts."

"Heh, you sound almost resentful of the idea, Lust; wasn't it you that suggested it?"

"Yes, but part of me doesn't have to like the idea of looking. I want to look because I'm curious as to my life as Roy Mustang, but who knows if I'll like what I find. And if I don't, what then?"

"Yeah, I feel the same, but if I can come to some terms with my memories, I can know that I am me and Edward was Edward. Knowing is a way for me to distinguish between me and the human I was at one point and with the knowledge I can fight back the part of Edward that lives inside of me."

"And if you can't?"

"Can't isn't an option Lust. We are Lust and Sloth, not Roy Mustang and Edward Elric. We can't embrace our former life as if everything is OK. We need the knowledge to push ourselves beyond the limits. At least, it works for Envy."

Out of all the Homunculus, they knew that Envy knew who he was before and still defined himself as Envy. Although it had taken some time, he had become what the other Homunculus wish they could become. So hate driven and apathetic to humans that they could feel comfortable with their existence as Homunculi. A young voice soon broke their train of thoughts.

"Hey, I think I may have found our alchemist," Envy said in his female voice.

"What do you mean, Envy?" Lust asked looking up in the tree where Envy stood.

"Call me Miss Douglas in this form, Mustang. I must say that playing secretary has its advantages. A rising teenage upstart has just passed the state alchemy exam and is said to rival the great Edward Elric," Envy smirked slightly at Sloth, "Anyway, he may be the one we're looking for and even if we can't get him to do some work here, he could definitely be promising."

"So he's in Aquroya now, what could he possibly be doing here?"

"Don't know, but we should keep an eye on him. Maybe we can get Bradley to put him under your command General."

"Maybe, but do we really want to get that close to him," Sloth said in annoyance.

"Jealous Pipsqueak?"

The young alchemist growled before Lust stood between them.

"It would be good for us to get close to this alchemist. What's his name and state alchemist title?" he asked.

"Athrun Daniels, and he's the Illusion Alchemist. He surprised the military by manipulating dust particles in the air to make vivid illusions. Quite a feat even if he does use a circle," Envy said smugly

"He would be an interesting alchemist. Let's get closer to him and see what makes him tick," Lust said.

"Well, I'm going to go check this kid out. Let's see if he really is as talented as the paper's say," and with that Envy took off as quickly as he had come.

"It's your gamble, you would be his superior officer, Mustang," Sloth spoke up from behind Lust.

"You really are jealous, aren't you?"

"Just shut up, what's with all the interest in this stupid kid?"

"He may not only be a key to the Lady Dante's goals, but our own personal goals, Sloth. Despite your jealous tendencies, do you think you can keep an eye on this kid; befriend him maybe?"

"If it helps us achieve our goals, than consider it done."