Chapter 7: Something Old, Something New

IROH'S P.O.V.

"I've never seen a train like this... The ones I'm used to riding are moved by earth benders not machines." I said as I sat down in the compartment.

We had a private car to ourselves thanks to Edward and Alex.

All of us, with the exception of Aang and Katara who decided to fly Appa, sat in the car as Ed called it.

Zuko sat close to Edward and Alphonse.

I learned many things about my new nephews during the last week.

Edward is very strong willed, a excellent scholar, at times a bit hot headed, and very protective.

Alphonse is quite gentle, kind to others, very forgiving, but will do anything to defend the ones he loves.

I also learned of their mistakes...

The taboo that took away Edward's limbs and Alphonse's body...

It was noble thought to wish to see their mother once more, but their actions had consequences...

As my eldest nephew had already learned from his actions past and present.

I looked at him as he wore a his traveling clothing, but the right sleeve of his shirt remained empty...

He no longer had an arm to fill it... But he was not alone in this...

From what Edward told me, his prosthetic was destroyed in the fight that nearly killed all three of them.

Edward and Zuko had fallen asleep in the seat their heads resting upon one another.

It looked like they haven't had a decent sleep since we got here.

I got up and took a seat next my youngest nephew who was still awake.

Alphonse looked at me and said, "Oh... Mr. Iroh, I didn't see you there."

I smiled and said, "That's quite alright Alphonse, but please just call me Uncle."

He nodded and said, "Alright Uncle..."

He looked at his brothers and said, "You know they haven't slept well since we left Liore... Zuko was having bad dreams about us getting hurt and Ed... Ed always got bad dreams when the anniversary came around."

I nodded and said, "Well luckily they seem to be sound asleep now."

Al nodded and said, "They'll need all the rest they can get if they're going to deal with Winry..."

He gave a small chuckle and said, "Knowing her, the first thing she going to do is throw a wrench at Ed's head and call him and idiot for breaking her automail."

I began to notice we were slowing down.

Then I heard a voice over the speakers say, "We appear to be having engine problems at the moment and we'll be making a temporary stop in Trost* for the next two hours. Thank you for your patients."

The Major looked out the window and began yelling at a man, "Doctor Marcoh! Doctor Marcoh, that is you, isn't it? It's me! Alex Louis Armstrong from Central!"

My nephews woke up in a bit of a stir and Ed yawned out, "Friend of yours?"

Armstrong nodded and said, "He's from Central. A talented State Alchemist. He was researching into possible medical applications of alchemy, but after the Ishvalan Civil War, he went missing. Just disappeared."

Ed smirked and said, "Let's go, Major. A guy like this doctor might know some useful things about bio alchemy."

Zuko nodded and said, "The rest of you guys stay put, we'll be back."

May stood up and said, "Uh yeah, you're not going anywhere without me..."

Ed smiled and said, "Alright just try to keep up."

I looked at them and said, "Be safe my nephews."

They all nodded and Ed, Al, Zuko, May, and Armstrong ran out of the train car and into the streets.

MAY'S P.O.V.

"Excuse me, but do you know who this person is by any chance?" Armstrong asked while holding up a well done sketch.

Ed looked at it and said, "Wow, Major. You can really draw."

The Major replied, "The art of portraiture has been passed down through the Armstrong family for generations."

A man looked at it and said, "That man looks like Dr. Mauro to me."

Zuko raised a brow and said, "Mauro?"

The man nodded and said, "All of our town's doctors were drafted to help on the battlefields during the civil war. Then Dr. Mauro came here. He's really been a lifesaver. He'll see any patient and he never gives up on anybody. We're lucky he's here. You'll see this big, bright flash of light and then you're cured just like that!"

Armstrong and Ed looked at each other and nodded.

We walked to the house where they directed us to.

I looked at the door and said, "Hm... It's really small."

Ed knocked on the door and said, "Um, hello."

The door opened up the Marcoh was holding a strange device toward us.

He yelled, "Alright, tell me what you people are doing here. Have you come to take me back?"

Zuko looked at him and said, "Please, Doctor. Calm down."

He yelled, "I don't ever want to go back! Anything but that!"

Armstrong shook his head and said, "That's not it. Please, listen."

Then Marcoh yelled, "So you're here to silence me, then!"

The Major replied, "No, nothing like that!"

He pointed the thing at us and said, "I won't be tricked by you!"

Zuko looked at him and said, "Doctor please put the gun down... They caused me and my brothers enough trouble as is..."

Marcoh looked at Zuko's missing arm as well as Ed's.

Al said from his create, "We just want to talk..."

Marcoh looked at Al and said, "Come inside..."

"So, you changed your name and decided to live in hiding way out here in the countryside. If the rumors I've heard can be believed, when you disappeared, you took top secret materials with you." Armstrong said as we sat down at the table.

Marcoh nodded and said, "I couldn't handle it anymore. Order or no order, to have to dirty my hands researching that thing was too much."

I asked, "What 'thing' is that?"

Marcoh whispered, "It took so many lives... During the Civil War, so many innocent died because of it. I could spend my whole life trying and still never atone for the things I've done. But I had to do something, so I came here to be a doctor, to save lives instead of taking them."

Ed looked at him and asked, "Doctor, what exactly was it you were ordered to do research on? What 'thing'?"

He looked at us and said, "The Philosopher's Stone. The top secret materials I took were my research documents, and the stone itself."

Ed and Zuko's eyes widen and Al said, "Do you mean you still have it? It's here?!"

Marcoh pulled out a vial with a shining red liquid in it.

I looked at it and asked, "How can that be a stone? It's a liquid!"

Marcoh opened the bottle and poured it on the table.

Instead of leaking everywhere, it stayed together in a semi solid form.

He looked at it and said, "The Sage's Stone. The Grand Elixir. The Celestial Stone. The Red Tincture. The Fifth Element. Just as the Philosopher's Stone is called by many names, so it can take on many forms. It is not necessarily a stone. This is an incomplete product, however. There's no way to know when it's reach its limit and become unusable."

Ed replied, "Finished or not, it demonstrated plenty of power during the Ishvalan Civil War, right?"

Marcoh then said, "Huh?"

Ed looked at him and said, "It's just like the stone that false prophet had in Liore. It was incomplete, but it still amplified his powers considerably. If imitation stones this powerful can be produced, who's to say a complete product can't be created? Please, Dr. Marcoh. I need access to your research materials."

Marcoh looked at Armstrong and said, "Major, who exactly is this boy?"

The Major replied, "This boy is a State Alchemist, doctor."

Marcoh gasped and said, "What?! But he's only a child! After the war, there were many State Alchemists who turned in their certifications because they refused to serve as human weapons any more. And now a child!"

Ed slammed his hand on the table and said, "You think I don't know what I've signed up for?! I know what I'm doing, but I don't have any choice. If this is a mistake, then it's a mistake I have to make. There is no other way."

Ed and Al began to tell their tale to him...

God... It's just seems worse every time he tells it...

Marcoh looked at Ed and said, "I see...so you've committed the taboo. Amazing...the ability to transmute a specific person's soul like this. Maybe one as talented as you would be able to produced a complete Philosopher's Stone."

Ed smiled and said, "So...!"

He shook his head and said, "But I can't show you my research."

Ed yelled, "Why the hell not?!"

Marcoh replied, "You must not seek after the stone."

Zuko then yelled, "Not even if it's to get their bodies back?"

Marcoh replied, "Never! This is the devil's research. If you chase the stone, you will go through hell!"

Ed yelled, "I had to pull my younger brother's soul back... I had to watch my older brother lose his arm to save us... I've already been through hell!"

Marcoh whispered, "Please... Please, just leave."

"Are you sure about this, guys?" I asked as we headed toward the train.

Ed looked at me in question and the Major said, "Even an incomplete Philosopher's Stone could be useful. You could have taken it from the doctor by force."

Ed looked up and said, "Yeah. I wanted it so badly, I could almost taste it. But, still..."

Al nodded from his create and said, "But still, we don't want it so badly that we'd be willing to deprive this town of their only doctor to get it."

Ed nodded and said, "We gained plenty just by finding out the Philosopher's Stone can be made. Now we'll just have to look for some other way to do it. What about you, Major? How do you feel about not reporting back to Central on Dr. Marcoh's location?"

The Major looked at the train and said, "I met a simple, small town doctor today. I can't see any real reason to report that."

"Wait!"

I turned and saw the Doctor running toward us.

Zuko looked at him and said, "Dr. Marcoh?"

Marcoh handed Ed a piece of paper and said, "This is where my materials are. If you're certain you won't regret learning the truth in the end, start looking here. Look closely. Maybe you'll find the truth hidden within the truth. But... I've said too much already. I hope the day will come when you are able to restore your bodies."

Ed smiled and said, "Thank you Doctor..."

He nodded and said, "Goodbye and take care."

We all boarded the train and Ed opened the note.

I looked at him and asked, "So Ed, what does the note say?"

Ed read it aloud, "National Central Library, First Branch."

Zuko nodded and said, "I get it...like hiding a tree in the forest. Finding one book in that giant library will be difficult indeed."

Ed smiled and said, "Finally, another clue about the stone!"

I then heard the speaker said, "Next stop Risembool!"

EDWARD'S P.O.V.

"Yo, Granny!" I yelled as we approached the Rockbell's house.

Granny stepped up and said, "Oh dear, what have you done now?"

I smiled and said, "A lot has happened... I mean a lot... Can you fix us up?"

She nodded and asked, "Who are these people?"

I replied, "Well... That's a bit of a story... but this is Katara, Aang, Toph, Sokka, May, Iroh, and Major Alex Louis Armstrong. Then this is Zuko, a new client... His automail is on me, alright?"

She nodded and said, "I'm Pinako Rockbell. I know I haven't seen you for a while Ed, but you've gone and grown smaller!"

I growled out, "Granny...you've got it wrong. You're supposed to say 'how big you've grown lately, Ed'."

She looked at me and said, "But why would I say something so clearly untrue?"

I yelled at her, "I'm still taller than you, you mini hag!"

Then it hit me... literally.

I felt the iron fury of a wrench against my skull and I yelled, "Agggghhh... Winry!"

I looked at her and she yelled, "Edward, I thought I told you to call first when you're heading back here for maintenance! And a new client! You really should have call me!"

I yelled, "Winry! Are you trying to kill me?!"

Winry smiled and said, "Welcome back!"

I nodded and said, "Yeah."

"So this guy is your older half brother who is from another nation?" Winry asked as we walked into the house.

Zuko nodded and said, "Yeah, we were a bit shocked too, but it's nice to know I have more family."

Winry nodded and said, "Alright Ed... Let's see the damage..."

I gulped as I pulled out the bag with my broken automail.

She opened it up and yelled, "OH NO!"

I rubbed my head and said, "Yeah, sorry. It's a little smashed up."

Winry's brow twitched as she said, " 'A little smashed up'? 'A little'? Do you see what you've done to my beautiful creation?! I slaved over this!"

I sighed and said, "It's basically the same, it's just in smaller pieces."

Winry looked at Al and said, "Don't tell me. You a little smashed up too, Al? Then there's Zuko who missing an arm... What kind of trouble have you three been getting yourselves into? You idiots! All you ever do is worry me!"

Granny looked at us and said, "All right, I see. In order to get this information you need, you want to go to Central as soon as possible, am I right?"

I nodded and said, "Yeah. This is kind of a rush order but we also need to get Zuko here suited up too... His needs to be heat resistant."

Winry tilted her head and asked, "Why?"

Zuko smiled and said, "You remember how me and my friends come from a different land? Well in that land we can manipulate the energy in our bodies to bend the elements..."

He produced a small flame in his hand and said, "I'm a fire bender and if the metal begins to get to hot..."

Winry nodded and said, "Hey no problem, I built a couple furnace workers arms before, completely heat proof but the down side you arm will be a bit heavier."

Granny tapped my leg and said, "Hmm...it's not just the arm. Your leg needs adjusting too."

Zuko looked at me and said, "Guess your growth's not completely stunted after all."

I yelled, "Oh, shut up Hot head!"

Zuko laughed and said, "Take it easy, I'm just kidding."

Granny looked at me and said, "The leg aside, the shape the arm's in, we'll have to build it from scratch and we'll have to begin his automail surgery immediately."

I looked at them and asked, "Is there any chance you can have it done in a week?"

Granny smiled and said,"Give us some credit, Ed. Four Days."

Granny took off my leg, put on a spare, and said, "But you'll have to make do with this spare for now."

I stood up with a wobble and said, "It's a little difficult to walk on a leg I'm not used to."

Granny looked at me and said, "We'll be finished before you get used to it."

Winry looked up and said, "Four days, huh? Between machining, assembly, connecting, finishing, and installation of new ports... That's four all nighters."

Zuko shyly smiled and said, "I'm sorry for all the trouble."

Winry smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all Zuko... and Ed... Well, you want to get to Central as soon as possible, right? Then I'll work my butt of for you. But you better believe you're going to pay a fortune in rush order fees!"

Granny looked at Zuko and said, "Come on, let's get you ready for the surgery... It's going to be a long day and you'll be in pain for the majority of it."

I watched a worried look roll over my brother's face as he stood up and followed them to the back room.

The surgery is incredibly painful... but he'll make it...

He's like me and Al... Tough as nails...

AANG'S P.O.V.

"Wow, this place is really beautiful... I've never seen anything like it..." I said looking over the grassy hills with Ed, Sokka, and Al.

Ed nodded and said, "The places you guys describe... I've never seen places like that..."

Sokka looked at Ed and said, "Tell you what, once we're ready to head back, why don't you and Al come visit for a week or two..."

Al nodded and said, "Yeah..."

Ed looked up at the sky and said, "Katara is a healer... That should help with the remission..."

I looked at him and said, "Yeah, you never really talked much about the surgery... What's it like?"

He moved his shirt where we could see the scars near the metal cap.

"It is the most painful experience I've ever been through... This surgery is not for the weak hearted, it makes harden war veterans scream in agony but I pushed through it..."

Sokka and I looked at him and I said, "So Zuko..."

Ed nodded solemnly and said, "The basic idea of the surgery is wiring his nerves into the machinery, but in order to get to the nerves they have to pull them through the port with a pair of pliers... It hurts like hell... But if anyone can do it,it's Zuko..."

Al looked at him and said, "I remember the night after your surgery Brother... You were coughing up blood the entire year."

Ed laughed and said, "That's because I rushed the recovery... Winry is a lot better not than she was then. Got the remission down to a year, and with the help of Katara, Zuko should be fully recovered in six months."

Katara came out of the house and out towards us. She sat down in pure exhaustion and shock.

Sokka looked at her and asked, "How did it..."

"It's a complete success... With the help of my healing they not only got the ports on, but the arm itself... He's inside on the couch... Not going to lie he in some serious pain right now...But the blood... It was sickening..."

Ed and I jumped up and began heading toward the house as fast as we could.

Ed stood in the doorway of the living room looking at his brother in shock.

I was too, because frankly... it was shocking...

Zuko lied down on the couch with a sweat rolling down his brow.

His skin seemed a shade paler than before and he writhed in pain.

But was was most prominent was his new automail arm...

The blackish grey metal arm rested at his side twitching ever so slightly, the area near his ports was covered in bandages and we're already caking with blood.

He looked at Ed and said with a deep breath and a raspy shudder, "You...didn't... lie... Ed... It hurt... It hurt... like hell..."

Ed nodded and said, "Yeah... I know..."

He gripped his port and said, "I know..."

Ed looked at Pinako and said, "Is at all possible to get him in a wheelchair... I wanted to take him..."

She nodded and said, "I'll go get it, and take it slow..."

I watched as Pikano walked out and back in with a wheelchair, set up and ready to go.

I helped Ed get Zuko in the chair as gently as possible.

As soon as we sat him down he began coughing up blood.

I stepped back shocked until Ed said, "Relax, just a side effect of the surgery. He'll be fine..."

Zuko looked at Ed and Ed said, "You ready?"

Zuko nodded and said, "Yeah... Let's go..."

Ed and Zuko walked out the front door and began heading down the trail.

I wonder where they're going.

Then the Major and Toph came walking in with a huge bundle of firewood.

Armstrong looked at Pikano and said, "The wood you requested."

Pinako replied, "Oh, thank you two."

Toph then said, "I haven't felt Metal Butt and Zuko anywhere around the house in a while. You know where they went Twinkle Toes?"

I looked at her and said, "They just left... Hey Pinako, do you know where they went?"

She nodded and said, "Yeah. He said he was going to take Zuko off to visit their mother's grave."

Pinako looked at the Major and asked, "Major, what kind of lives are the boys leading these days? They have yet to send us so much as a single letter."

Armstrong replied, "Ed and Al are well known for their alchemy, even in a high profile place like Central, and since they found Zuko they seem a bit happier. Sometimes that gets them into trouble being as popular as they are. They seem to have a knack for finding it. But don't worry, they're all right. The Elric Brothers are strong boys and they have older brother just as strong."

Toph smirked and said, "Strong, huh? Yes, I think you could call them that."

Armstrong looked at Pikano and said, "I'm curious, Madam Rockbell. You speak of the Elrics as though they were your grandsons."

She nodded and said, "Of course. I've been watching over them since they were born. I'm a friend of the family, you boys' father is an old drinking pal of mine. One day he up and left the village. Abandoning his wife and sons. I don't even know whether he's alive now or not."

I looked at her and said, "Come to think of it, where are Winry's parents?"

Pinako looked down and said, "Gone. They both died in the Civil War. My son and his wife were surgeons. They went to the battlefield to do what they could. There were never enough doctors for all the injured soldiers."

Armstrong shuttered and said, "It was... terrible... the war."

I looked at him and saw the dark circles lining his eyes...

He was there... He must have seen the true hells of war...

Pinako stood up and said, "Yes, it was indeed. Oh, it looks like it's about time for me to get supper started. You look like you could eat a lot, but don't worry; there's plenty. Even for your guest."

I smiled and said, "Oh no, please don't trouble yourself on my account. I'm a vegetarian, and..."

She smiled and said, "Well it's a good thing I making vegetable stew then. Food always tastes better with guests anyways. We also have some empty patient's cots and some spare bedding if you'd like. The boys don't have anywhere else to stay but here. Adding a few more guest won't be any inconvenience to us."

Toph replied, "Aang, Sokka, Katara, and I usually sleep on Appa. I'm sure Iroh and May will appreciate the beds."

Armstrong the asked, "What about the house the Elrics grew up in?"

She sighed and said, "It's gone now. The brothers don't have any home to return to. The day they left, after Ed had gotten his state certification, they burned down their own house. My guess is they did it because with no house to come home to, there could be no turning back."

ZUKO'S P.O.V.

"How your arm now?" Ed asked as we headed down the road back to the Rockbell house.

I looked at it and said, "It still hurts... Just not as bad..."

Ed nodded and said, "Alright, let's try something... I want you to bend each finger in individually and touch the center of your palm. It's a basic therapy to get your nerves working."

I nodded and tried to do as he directed...

3 out of 5... that how many I could do before my whole body was aching.

Ed looked at me and said, "I know you can do it Zuko... just work through the pain. That's how you over come this, you work until it's done, even if you have to swim through a river of blood to do it."

He's right... No more excuses...

Pain or no pain, I'm going to do it...

I tucked in each finger over and over with the pain increasing over time, until Ed said, "Alright, you've got it..."

I sat back and let my arm rest from the exercise and watched as we pulled up to the back door.

Ed opened it and said, "We're back..."

"Oh, Edward Elric!"

The Major jumped out with his shirt off and Ed yelled, "Gyaah! Gyaah!"

The Major had tears on his face as he posed and said, "What unyielding love to try and bring your mother back to life! What a tremendous sacrifice to give up your arm in order to transmute your brother's disembodied soul! What determination to burn down your house! To make sure there was no retreat! Come, Edward, allow me to offer you this comforting embrace!"

He began hugging Ed and Ed yelled, "Just stay back! Don't rub your chest on me! Ahhh!"

I gave a small laugh before feeling the pain in my arm again.

Uncle looked at me and said, "It's good to see you up Zuko."

I nodded and said, "I may not feel the best but It's getting better."

Ed nodded and said, "Come on Zuko, Granny made stew and I'm starving!"

I heard my stomach growl and said, "Yeah... food sounds nice."

We got up to the table and Winry looked at me.

"Hey it's good to see your hungry. Not many people would eat after what you just did. Just take it slow and you'll be fine."

Pikano handed me a bowl and using my good arm I began to eat the steaming bowl of stew.

After I finished Katara walked over and said, "Alright, let's do a quick healing session and then we can hit the hay."

I nodded and said, "Yeah... That would probably be for the best..."

Ed sighed and said, "Four more days... Then we'll be ready..."

FOUR LONG DAYS LATER

"Hey Zuko! We're over here!" I heard Ed yell from the porch.

I walked over to him with a smile.

My arm wasn't hurting like crazy anymore, but it still stings with a sharp pain...

I had it pulled into a sling to minimize the amount of pain I was getting from it.

According to Ed, if I keep healing up like this, my remission would be over in no time.

Ed smiled and said, "You're definitively looking a lot better now."

I smiled and said, "So I'm guessing Winry hasn't finished yet."

Al looked at us and said, "They said it would take four days, right? So, give 'em four days."

Ed nodded and said, "Yeah, I know, I know. It's just when I know there's a clue to the Stone sitting in Central Library somewhere, I get so impatient!"

Winry came running out with an automail arm in hand and said, "Here you go! It's all ready!"

Ed smiled and said, "Then lets get it re-attached!"

We all went inside and Pinako and Winry went to work putting Ed's limbs into place.

Pinako looked at him and asked, "Ready?"

He nodded and said, "Uh, yeah."

She nodded and said, "On one..."

Then Winry said, "Two..."

And at the same time they moved their wrenches and said, "Three!"

Ed growled in pain and said, "Hnnnnnggggg... That's the worst part every time... When the nerves have to connect like that. Once we have the Philosopher's Stone, I can kiss that pain goodbye!"

Pinako sighed and said, "Our biggest source of income... I'll be sad to see you go."

Winry moved a bolt and Ed yelled, "Yagghh!"

Winry groaned and said, "Hold still. Ugh. Do you want me to do this right or not?"

She said down her wrench and said, "It's just so lovely! The smell of oil! The hum of the ball bearings! The rugged yet amazingly beautiful form created through anatomical engineering! Ah, how wonderful you are, my automail!"

Ed mumbled out, "Crazy gearhead..."

Winry smiled and said, "You'd be lost without me, alchemy freak."

Pinako nodded and said, "Alright, we're completely done with you and Zuko. Well?"

Ed smiled and said, "Yeah, it feels good."

Winry nodded and said, "I increased the amount of chrome this time, so it should be less prone to rusting. The trade off is that it's not quite as strong, so don't try anything crazy-"

Ed had already ran out the door dragging me and Armstrong with him.

He ran up to Al who was out of his create feeding chickens with his good arm.

Ed smiled and said, "Al, its your turn!"

Armstrong looked at Ed and said, "You can fix him right here?"

Ed nodded and said, "Yup. You have to know the trick to it, though."

Al looked at me and asked, "Nii-san, can you hold my head?"

I nodded and gently lifted up his helmet showing the blood rune inside the armor.

Ed then said, "Major, you see that seal on the inside of his back? That's the medium between Al's soul and the armor. So I have to be sure not to ruin it."

Ed clapped his hands and began transmuting Al's Armor, mending the holes and broken pieces until they was as good as new.

Ed smiled and said, "There you go! You're good as new! You ready to try it out?"

Al nodded and before I knew it, my brothers were throwing fist at one another.

It wasn't a hateful fight or anything like that, in fact Ed was grinning ear to ear as he through punches at Al and Al returning them right back.

Uncle walked out and said, "They seem to be in quite a spar..."

I nodded and said, "Ed told me that his and Al's Teacher told them in order to train the mind one must also train the body."

Uncle nodded and said, "A very sound lesson."

After a while Ed wore out declaring Al the winner of their spar.

Ed smiled and said, "You know it's not fair considering you don't get tired."

Al giggled and said, "Maybe when Nii-san is recovered you can spar him."

I smirked and said, "Sounds like fun... But I do have a question for the both of you."

My brothers looked at me and I then said, "As you well know I live in a place called the Fire Nation, where I am the current leader..."

Ed snickered and said, "Oh man... I just realized this... That make me and Al princes!"

Ed and Al just burst out laughing at the fact how un-prince like they were.

I smiled and said, "Well as I was saying, I have to go back their rather soon to check on the nation and what not. I know you want to get to Central as soon as possible and check on your lead, but..."

Ed smirked and said, "So, when do we leave for the Fire Nation?"

I smiled and said, "Tomorrow morning..."

Ed yawned and said, "Well then, why don't we get some sleep?"

I nodded and followed my young brothers into the house.

ALPHONSE'S P.O.V.

"Brother's sleeping with his tummy out again and Nii-san fell asleep sitting up again. What am I going to do with them?" I said as I placed a blanket on to Ed who felt asleep of Zuko shoulder.

Katara looked at me and said, "It's like you're the older one, huh, Al?"

I looked down at them and said, "They can be a handful. Someone has to look after them."

Pinako looked at me and asked, "How old are the three of you boys?"

I replied, "I'm eleven, Brother's thirteen, and Nii-san is seventeen."

(Yes I am aware of what I said in earlier chapter but I'm terrible at math... Zuko is actually 17, Azula is 15, Ed is 13, and Al is 11... Aang is still 12... Sorry for the confusion...)

Winry smiled and said, "To think someone as young and as small as he is could be used as human weapon and someone so young to be a leader of a nation. It's almost funny... especially watching them sleep."

I looked at Winry, Pinako, and Katara and said, "Thanks... to all three of you."

Katara looked at me and asked, "What's this? Why so formal?"

I looked at them and said, "Granny, Winry... I'm so grateful to you always welcoming us like we're really family. He won't ever say it but... I know brother feels the same way... And Katara if it wasn't for you and your carring nature, I may not have any brothers left..."

Winry whispered, "Al..."

Pinako smiled and said, "Don't you worry, dear. We know he feels that way too, he doesn't have to say it."

I smiled and said, "Granny... Winry... Katara... thank you."

THE NEXT MORNING

"Thank you again for everything, Granny." Ed said as we stood outside with our group, except for the Major who was already on his way back to Central.

Granny smiled and said, "Sure."

I looked around and asked, "Hey, where's Winry?"

May looked at me and said, "Resting. She stayed up four nights in a row. Want me to wake her?"

Ed smirked and said, "No, that's okay. She'd just nag me. Make sure to do your maintenance or whatever."

We were about to leave when Granny said, "Hold on a second, boys."

She held out a small leather bound book and said, "Your mother wanted me to give this to you when you were older... I can read a word of it but... I feel it's the right time."

Ed opened up the journal and revealed the foreign language.

Zuko looked at it and said, "That definitely Napajesne**, the official writing style of the Four Nations."

Pinako smiled and said, "You should come back once in a while and have dinner with us."

Ed looked at her and said, "You want us to come all this way into the mountains just for some dinner?"

I nodded and said, "Sure thing..."

We began to walk away when a very tired Winry waved a wrench and said, "Edward, Alphonse, Zuko. Come back soon, 'kay?"

Ed nodded and said, "Yeah."

We walked off into the distance and climbed aboard Appa.

Aang took the reins and we began soaring through the clouds...

The next time we would touch ground we would be in our mother's homeland...

We'll be in the Four Nations.

*Trost- Did anyone call for Titans?

**Napajesne- the word I made up for the Japanese script in the Four Nations.