"Curtis residence."

"Teacher! It's me, Edward!"

"Why did you call me? I got a message from the military that if I see you, I should inform them." came the icy tone.

"I'm a bit of a wanted man… But listen, the senior military staff, they're gonna turn Amestris into a Stone!"

"But… doesn't the Stone require… Oh no!"

"Yeah. Me and a few other people are working to stop them. We've allied ourselves with the Briggs soldiers and a bunch of Ishvalan survivors. I was wondering… If you would join us." he said.

"Yes. I will. Should I meet you somewhere?"

He looked up at General Armstrong. She nodded. "Come to Fort Briggs. We'll be waiting for you." he said. "Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up the phone, then looked over her shoulder. "You heard the whole conversation, didn't you?" she said.

"Teacher, it was brother, wasn't it?" Alphonse asked.

"I think you already know that."

"But… The military senior staff… They can't really be planning to—"

"I have never known your brother to lie. I choose to believe him, even if you won't." she snarled.

"Okay. Then I guess… I'm going with you. I should have listened to him. He wouldn't ever intentionally hurt me…" Al said softly.

"Al? What's wrong?" she asked.

"I yelled at brother. He was trying to get away, and I yelled at him, accused him of abandoning me. But… He was just trying to protect me… To protect everyone… I feel so cruel now!"

"You shouldn't. You didn't understand. Now c'mon. Let's get Sig and get going."

"Great. Our tiny army has just gotten larger. By one." Cathrine said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Shut up. 'S better than nun." Daisy sneezed.

"You sound like you have a cold. You okay?" Violet worried. Daisy nodded, wiping her nose.

"She's right. Teacher is a powerful woman. I'd hate for the State to employ her instead of us!" he nodded. "Not only does she know how to fight, she's a powerful Alchemist."

"Maybe… I could possibly employ the help of my family… Not all of my friends and clan are loyal to the emperor! And we have some pretty good weapons. I just need a carrier pigeon…"

In no time, a small pigeon was on it's way to Xing with a message from Terios. Four days later, they got a reply—Several Xingese warriors showed up at the fort. They were introduced as Hikaru, Nalai, Koi Sai, Ylassa, and Er-rin. Hikaru was a powerful and lithe young man introduced as Terios—formerly Prince Hayatae—and Er-rin's little brother. Nalai was a rather tom-boyish girl with short black hair and large scars down her back. Koi Sai and Ylassa were twin Xingese rebels. They were identical in every way accept gender—Koi Sai was a boy, and Ylassa was a girl. Er-rin was Terios's twin, and it definitely showed.

The five came with a small wagon of weapons, most bombs and gas-bombs. But, for Er-rin's Alkahistory, there was a supply of ku-knives as well. About at the same time the Xingese warriors arrived, so did Izumi…

And Alphonse.

He stared in shock at his little brother. "Al… why are you here?"

"I was with Teacher when you called. I heard the whole conversation. I'm sorry I got mad at you…" Al apologized.

He smiled. "Hey, it's okay! Welcome to our fighting force!"

But the group was still small. The Briggs soldiers, Ishvalan survivors, six Xingese warriors, and eleven Alchemists only totaled up to about one-thousand, two-hundred. Actually a sizable force, but compared to the Central forces, it was puny.

"Why don't…" Al said smally when they discussed that problem.

"Go on." Lyn said forcefully.

"We could ask Mustang to join us. He's got quite a few friends that could help us…"

"As much as I despise that idiot, I agree with you." General Armstrong nodded.

"Amen! Finally, someone who shares my opinion about that foolish nit-wit!" Strawberry sighed.

When he was called, Mustang agreed. The force of resistance… had just increased in size.

By about four-hundred.