4th chapter! MAN I left this for a while, but I just didn't feel like doing it. But, in the words of AWKWARD ZOMBIE, you are the victim of my negligence. (Grins)

Chapter Four: Aru

A dark corridor... Rubble everywhere... Everything broken... Everything ruined... Barely any of the ceiling lights were working... Those that did had wires exposed... The ground shook... The walls crumpled... A horrific screeching behind him... A frightened chatter beside him...

Not far now, not far now...

Not far, Aru...

Edward opened his eyes to an intense pain. Once again, the whiteness of the room blinded him. Shielding his eyes with one hand, he gripped his stomach with the other until the pain faded to a dull throb. Damnit... He sighed, as he remembered why it was there.

" Morning, Mister Elric, Sir! " A slightly electronic voice filled the room. Edward sat up instantly, startled. Ignoring the new wave of pain, he looked forward through the large, glass window to see the guard named Kerry smiling and waving, oblivious to the annoyed expression on Edward's face. His cheeriness was irritating.

" Morning, Kerry. " Edward mumbled, trying not to roll his eyes.

" Brigadier General Elric will be visiting soon. " Kerry continued. " He said that you should stay in bed until he arrives. "

So, Father's coming.. Edward thought. And from the sound of it, he's already been by.. Edward shuddered at the thought that Hohenheim had been staring at his sleeping body through the glass.

" Screw him. " Edward growled. He yanked back the blanket, revealing his green clothes, as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He felt like he could stand now, despite the pain. All he needed was a good night sleep, it seemed.

" Mister Elric, Sir! " Kerry exclaimed. " Brigadier General Elric said to stay in bed! "

" Why don't you go tell him I'm up, then. " Edward replied as he stood up. " While your at it, you can open the door for me. "

" I will not, Sir! " Kerry stated with a shaky voice. He looked frightened at disobeying. " I have orders from a higher officer to not let you out! I-I'm sorry, Sir... " He added with a whimper as Edward glared at him.

" Suit yourself. " Edward shrugged. Without hesitating, he walked over to the white door, it's outline barely visible against the white walls. With a clap of his hands, he slapped the door, and after a bright, blue flash, it was gone.

" Sir! " Kerry shrieked. His voice no longer had an electronic sound. He rushed over to stand in the doorway, between Edward and the exit. " Y-you can't, S-sir! " He stuttered. Edward sighed.

" Just tell him I beat you up. " Edward muttered.

" S-sir? "

" Tell him I broke the door and knocked you down, and you couldn't stop me. " Edward repeated. " It wouldn't be untrue if you don't move, anyway. " Kerry paused, like he was actually considering it. After a moment, he shakily stepped to the side.

" Promise you'll tell him you attacked me.. " He muttered. Edward nodded, smiling in satisfaction as he walked passed.

" You never knew what hit you. " He laughed, walking off. As he wandered, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity as he looked around. The people he passed stared at him, but whenever he caught their eye, they'd smile and wave, as if happy he was back. They didn't seem surprised, which meant the news about him returning must've spread around the station.

Edward couldn't help but smile back at them.

Soon he came to what looked like an elevator. Despite the familiar surroundings, it looked like there had been a lot of additions made to the station while he was gone. Looking at a floor map beside the elevator doors, it appeared that the station had many floors. One was marked sickbay, which was where he was... One was Control... Bridge... Observatory... Quarantine...

As he stared at the map, the elevator doors suddenly opened.

" Edward! " Hohenheim cried out in surprise. He quickly rushed off the elevator, grabbing Edward's arm. " What are you doing out!.? " He demanded, looking rather miffed. " I got a call from the guard by your room telling me you beat the crap out of him! "

" That sounds about right. " Edward couldn't help but laugh. He should have been more specific with that jittery guard. His reaction seemed to confuse Hohenheim.

" In any case, " He began, " You're going back to your room. " He began to yank Edward back the way he had come. But Edward had other ideas.

" Let go of me, old man! " He snapped, ripping his arm out of Hohenheim's grip. Hohenheim sighed.

" You need rest, Edward, you're seriously injured. " He tried to reason, reaching for him again. But Edward stepped back, out of reach.

" I say when I rest! " He spat, glaring.

"I'm the commander of this station, and while you're on it you do as I say! " Hohenheim stated loudly, seeming to have lost his temper, just like he always did, way back then, when dealing with Edward.

" Well then let me off! " Edward retorted.

" You know I can't allow that yet! " Hohenheim explained.

" Then make an exception! " Edward snapped. " I am your son, after all, you'd think you'd put a bit more effort in! "

" Edward, this isn't a trip to Disney Land! " Hohenheim shouted. " This is a space station! We can't just come and go as we please, it costs a lot of money to get us to and from, this trip in particular, due to all the equipment we need to transfer! "

" So it's money that's driving you, is it? " Edward spat. " Tightwad. "

" It's not just money, " Hohenheim continued. " There's also the issue of you! "

" Me? " Edward repeated. The glare fell from his face as confusion took over. " What about me? " Hohenheim hesitated, looking displeased. It seemed like he had not wanted to say that, his temper getting the better of him.

" Look, just forget it and go back to your room! " He huffed, looking trapped.

" No, you said that there's an issue with me! " Edward pressed. " What is it? "

" I misspoke! " Hohenheim argued. " There's nothing! "

" Answer me! " Edward yelled. " I have a right to know why! " Hohenheim looked defeated. Sighing, he looked at the ground. Edward couldn't help but notice then how old and tired he looked. Bags were under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well, and stress lines covered his face, as if he was constantly worried. A pang of guilt struck his heart, though he didn't know why. His raged expression dropped at the sight. Now he must've just looked sad...

" Listen.. " Hohenheim began slowly, as if he was choosing his words carefully. He looked back up at Edward. " I want you to know, I have no doubt that you are my son. You are just too much like your old self for you to be anything else... But there are others that have doubts. We don't know what can be out here, and everybody just wants to be sure before we let you go.. "

" Wait, you think I'm an alien? " Ed huffed.

" No, I don't, but the suspicion is there, and you can't blame them for it, considering how you arrived. " Hohenheim explained.

I suppose that makes sense... Edward sighed.

" Plus, " Hohenheim continued, " There's also the issue that you came here with that weird creature. We want to know why it was with-.. Ed? " Hohenheim paused as he noticed the horrified expression on Edward's face.

" Where is it..? " Edward mumbled.

" What? " Hohenheim asked.

" Where is it!.? " Edward shouted, leaping forward to grab Hohenheim's shirt, surprising him. " Where's the creature!.? "

" It- It's down in Quarantine.. " Hohenheim answered, still shocked. Without hesitating, Edward shoved him aside, practically leaping into the elevator and punching the button for the floor that was Quarantine. " EDWARD! " Hohenheim shouted at him, moving forward, but the doors closed before he made it, and Edward felt a weird sensation as the elevator moved down. It staid that was for several seconds before it stopped, and the doors slid open. Immediately, Edward was running down the corridor, looking left and right as rooms whizzed by, looking for the creature. Not long later did he come by a particularly large room, the glass filling almost the entire wall, save the space needed for the door. It caught his eye, as there was a particularly large blood stain on the inside of the glass, several guards standing outside near the door. They stared at him in surprise as he neared.

" Mister Elric? " They muttered. Edward noticed that they carried weapons. Edward looked away from them, staring through the glass into the room. A small, smashed, black ship rested on the ground to the right. Edward hadn't realised how damaged it had gotten... What the hell did he hit again...?

" Is the creature in here? " Edward asked the nearest guard. The man nodded slowly, caution on his face. " Let me in! " Edward demanded, moving towards the door. But the guard had other plans, pushing him back before he got too close.

" Our orders are to let nobody in, Sir. " He said with a warning tone. " Especially you. "

" Especially me? " Edward huffed.

" Orders, Sir. " The guard shrugged. " From Brigadier General Elric. "

" That bastard again..? " Edward muttered. " Screw him, let me in! " He pushed forward. Suddenly he had four rather large weapons pointed at his face.

" Please don't make us use force, Sir.. " The guard stated dismally. " We are to keep you out of this room at all costs. "

" Uh.... " Edward uttered in panic. " ...Tell him I beat you up..? "

" EDWARD! " Hohenheim's voice echoed through the corridor. Edward turned to see his father stomp over, looking rather pissed off. The guards behind him snapped to attention, lowering their weapons, to Edward's relief. " What do you think you're doing!.? "

" Tell your monkeys to let me in! " Edward growled.

" Hey, that's mean." The guard replied. " You used to work for him yourself, you know. "

" You can't go in there, Edward! " Hohenheim huffed. " It's dangerous! "

" What I want to know is why you seem to think it's more dangerous for me to be in there than for anyone else. " Edward snapped. " They're supposed to keep me out especially, right? " He added, gesturing towards the guards. Hohenheim sighed, looking defeated again.

" Ok, I said that because you, if anyone, would try to get in. " He explained.

" And we were told to keep you out incase you were actually an alien and this was your partner. " The guard chimed in, though quickly flinched and shrank back as Hohenheim glared at him.

" Again with the alien thing? " Edward growled again.

" I told you, " Hohenheim uttered, " People- "

" I know, I know! " Edward waved him off. " Gotta be sure. " Dumbasses. He thought. " Well I'm one hundred percent human, so let me in the damn room! "

" Edward.. " Hohenheim began. But he said nothing else, as suddenly something slammed into the glass window beside them, screeching a muffled screech. Startled, everybody leaped back a few feet, including Edward. But he took one look at the creature inside...

Edward leaped forward towards the door. It had a key pad for a lock, meaning he had to punch in a numbered password. Before Hohenheim or the guards could react, he entered the first thing that popped into his head:

339273.

Edward.

Bingo. The door made a loud buzz. Edward slammed into it, and it swung open, but before he could get any further, a pair of arms grabbed him, and he was yanked backwards.

" Damnit, close it! " Hohenheim ordered as the guard struggled to hold onto Edward. But it was too late. A moment later, the creature came flying out of the room, it's long, sharp teeth sticking outward in it's radial pattern, screeching loudly. It slammed into Edward's chest, it's teeth around his head. The guard shrieked, letting go of him and leaping to the side.

" Shoot it! " Hohenheim yelled. Guns were cocked, but none fired.

Edward was grinning.

" Damnit, Aru! " Edward snickered as he pulled the creature off his head. " What did I say about tackling? " He grinned broadly as he hugged it, the creature making a chirping sound, sort of like a cross between a bird and a monkey. It's teeth were still extended, but it seemed to simply scratch at Edward's cheek instead of biting.

" Edward, what the hell? " Hohenheim muttered, astounded.

" Can't you lot do anything without damaging something?.! " Edward snapped at them. He held out one of the creatures wings, the one which had the bullet hole. " Look what you've done, this'll take ages to heal! " The creature made a sighing sound. " Settle down, Aru, " Edward cooed, " It's just a hole. "

" Edward, " Hohenheim tried again, " What is going on? "

" This is my pet, Aru. " Edward explained, as the creature moved to sit on his shoulder, it's teeth back inside it's mouth.

" Pet?.! " A guard exclaimed. " That thing is a pet?.! "

" Aru?.! " Hohenheim exclaimed. " You named it after your brother? "

" Yes, and yes. " Edward replied. " They are extremely friendly, but can be over protective. And if any of you lay another finger on it you're mince meat! " He added.

" I suppose that explains why it was protecting you... " Hohenheim sighed, still looking baffled. " I can't begin to guess where you found that.. "

" None of your business. " Edward huffed, folding his arms. The creature seemed to sense his mood, as it hissed angrily at Hohenheim.

" You have a lot of explaining to do, I think. " Hohenheim replied.

" Whatever. " Edward huffed. He turned to walk away.

" Edward, that thing can't roam the ship! " Hohenheim reached over to grab him, but hesitated as the creature named Aru hissed again.

" Look, I know more about this thing than you, so back off! " Edward snapped.

" Look, " Hohenheim snapped back, " I'm in charge, and I say- "

" You need a new go-to excuse! " Edward shouted over the top of him. " You'd think after four years you'd have come up with something else! " Snarling, he shoved Hohenheim out of his way, dashing off back down the corridor towards the elevator.

" Edward! " Hohenheim shouted after him, but Edward didn't stop. He ran until he reached the elevator, surprising a young woman who had just stepped out. He pushed passed her and punched some random button, watching Hohenheim try to catch up to him yet again as the doors closed.

Now all he could hear was his heavy breathing, and the chittery sounds of Aru. He suddenly felt so tired... He shouldn't have run so much... Aru leaned forward to stare at him with it's two, large, solid black eyes. He scratched it's head absent mindedly, ignoring it's obvious concern.

" It's OK, Aru.. " He mumbled to himself. " It's all Ok... " His heart felt heavy. Like a huge weight was on it. His anger slowly subsided, leaving Edward feeling depressed. He sighed heavily. " I finally make it back home... " He muttered, " And the first thing I do is throw a tantrum... " Aru chittered in reply. " Why do I feel so down...? " He sighed, looking up to stare at the ceiling. Aru chittered again, as if explaining something. Edward chuckled to himself, scratching Aru again. " You always have an answer to everything.. " He told it, smiling weakly. He felt the elevator come to a stop, and the doors opened.

Edward gasped in amazement at the room before him. It was small, and circular, the walls made of glass so you could see out through to the stars. Stepping out of the elevator into the circular room, Edward could see hundreds of thousands of little lights twinkling throughout the black, empty canvas beyond the glass. It was so pretty... Not taking his eyes off it, Edward continued until he stood in the centre, lost in thought. He couldn't help but remember when he first looked out at the stars from the space station.... It was so many years ago... He had been astounded at how clear the image was, at how many stars he could see...

He suddenly felt dizzy.

" Maybe I should sit down.. " He muttered to Aru. Edward sat down where he stood, not taking his eyes off of the stars. He rested his head on his arms, which rested on his knees. He faintly realised his stomach had been paining the entire time. Aru jumped down off his shoulder, curling up on the floor next to him. He looked down at the creature as it napped. It make small squeaking sounds as it slept. A sound Edward had grown fond of. Now it was rather soothing... He could feel his heavy heart lighten a little, and he couldn't help but smile...

Edward heard the elevator open behind him, and the sound of foot steps grow closer, but there was no sound of his fathers shouting voice. Maybe he's not mad anymore...? He pondered.

" I can't seem to find my way around this place anymore... " Edward muttered, looking back over to the stars in front of him.

" Is that so? " A different voice greeted him. Surprised, Edward looked behind him to see not his Father, but Colonel Mustang standing before him. Both his hands were bandaged halfway up his arms.

" You..! " Edward gasped.

" I'm guessing you were expecting me to be your father? " Mustang replied, walking over to Edward, who was still seated, to stand next to him. " I'm surprised you didn't verbally abuse me, then. "

" Now what makes you think I'd do that? " Edward sighed, turning back around.

" Why do you think I'm here? " Mustang answered. " Hohenheim has his entire staff searching each floor for you and your pet. "

" Is that so. " Edward replied dully.

" That is so. He's quite concerned. " Mustang continued.

" Worried Aru would eat somebody? " Edward huffed.

" Actually, I'm surprised it's here. " Mustang stated. " All he said was your pet was with you. "

" Well I suppose you can go tell him where I am, then. " Edward muttered.

" You don't seem to be in any trouble.. " Mustang replied. Edward looked up at Mustang, who smiled down at him. " Long time no see, Ed. " He added.

" Likewise. " Ed replied, looking back down to hide a smile of his own.

" So, " Mustang began, " Hohenheim told us that you chucked a hissy down in Quarantine. "

" Is that so? " Edward uttered through gritted teeth.

" May I ask why you're acting like you're twelve? " Mustang continued.

" Bite me. " Edward growled.

" Hohenheim is concerned. " Mustang said again.

" Like I care about that bastard! " Edward snapped. He rose to his feet, stepping away from Mustang, his back to the Colonel. " All he's done so far is rant on about money and work! "

" You still fail to see anything outside of your little bubble. " Mustang stated harshly. " If you looked a little harder, you'd see how worried Hohenheim is for you! He was deeply affected by your disappearance, just as was the rest of your family! Who else would let a midget brat as young as you come along on space missions so dangerous! You WERE doing it since you turned 18! A man who didn't care about you wouldn't even bother! I sure as hell wouldn't have! " Edward whirled around, fists clenched.

" MIDGIT?.! " He shouted in blind rage. " Well you've got a rod so far up your ass your breath smells like copper! "

" Excuse me?.! " Mustang huffed, his arms folded. He looked ready to blow. Edward was ready. He'll take down this stuck up asshole. No one calls him midget and gets away with it!

But before Mustang replied, a light off to the left of him caught Edward's eye. It looked like a star, but it was getting bigger rather quickly. Sort of like a comet, if you were looking at it head on...

But then why was it green?

Mustang noticed his expression, giving him a furious, yet confused look.

" What the hell is that? " Edward muttered. Mustang turned around, taking a moment before he spotted it as well. They both watched it for a moment as it grew bigger. As it neared, it's features became visible.

It wasn't a comet. It was a green craft.

" Oh...." Edward moaned unintentionally. " Oh CRAP! "

" What is it? " Mustang asked looking back at him, though was shocked at the look of absolute horror on Edward's face.

" Aru! " Edward shouted, his voice waking up the little alien. He pointed at the light. " We've got a Bug! "

That was about all he had time to do before the craft slammed into the space station.

CLIFFE. HA. You better hope I don't leave it just as long to post the next chapter this time, ay?

I feel like i might have rushed this a bit, especially around where Ed meets up with Aru. I dunno.

Until next chapter!