So, here we are again. This plunnie now has it's own folder on the farm my gdrive has become. May as well embrace the madness.

In this chapter you may notice some inconsistencies considering I said my favorite version of the anime is the 2003 series. But I concede there are some elements of Brotherhood that are better. Considering it's the more faithful to the manga version...cuz the manga was DONE by then and the anime writers didn't have to attempt to make sense of things Arakawa laid the groundwork for but hadn't progressed her story along far enough for it to be apparent. Or make filler. Oh god this was done ad nauseum to sooo many manga based anime resulting in unresolved plot lines or straight up plot HOLES. So... stand back, gonna try to mix the two version a bit. Lemme know if it's a win or a fail kay? You might also wanna check out the end notes.

Um, slight warning for Ed's mouth I guess?

Onward!

*ER*

"Whazza matter? Depth perception fuckin with ya? Still the same horny bastard I see, lettin your guard down for a pretty face ."

"You're dead."

"Not exactly."

Roy stared blankly at the person seated on his desk. A moment ago they had been a rather fetching blonde woman dressed very elegantly on a form fitting red dress. He assumed her at first to be the wife of or a council member herself hoping to get a, ahem, private audience with the Fuhrer. As he had discovered, his missing eye and scar from it had the same effect on the male portion of the government as his predecessor's did. Namely it branded him a war hero and conveyed a sense of superiority and machismo. That second sense came off rather like 'alluring bad boy' to many women due to his age. The number of times he had been outright propositioned by upwardly mobile women (and occasional men) hoping to snag his interest was laughable at best it and the reason Hawkeye remained his bodyguard/secretary as well. While (almost) any red blooded man wouldn't mind catching the eye of a lovely lady, Mustang also knew his new position came with new dangers.

One thing he immediately did was reestablish Ishval as its own sovereign entity. He knew now the only reason for its takeover to be increasing the population pool for plan A to make the stone. The version Dante and her stooges didn't even bother with. They suffered unjustly for nothing and this was the least he could do given his own part in that misery. And immediately Roy had a whole new set of problems.

See the details of the former leader's existence/agenda weren't common knowledge outside the Fuhrer's closest staff. In fact a good number of people saw Roy and his regime as violent usurpers who somehow staged a successful coup. In their minds Bradley's only sin had been his benevolence and misplaced trust in the people who ultimately betrayed him. To the absolute suprise of no one these staunch supporters of the old regime wanted Mustang and his fellow terrorists brought up on charges of treason and assassination among other things. Not sitting pretty as head of state.

Problem two came in the form of corpses, an issue for several reasons. Most obviously there was no proof Bradley was dead as what remained of Pride hardly qualified as human. Nor did anything really remain of the other players on the losing side of this whole kerfuffle. Second came the bodies they did have- of Selim and Mrs. Bradley. No one was entirely sure but the conclusion reached was that the poor woman discovered her dead son in the aftermath. Then overheard the survivors discussing what had occurred; learning that the man she loved and married turned out to be a literally soulless monster that murdered an innocent child whose only crime has been to love him as a father. Hawkeye had heard a gunshot in the distance and found her bleeding out, the pistol still in her mouth. The problem with this being Bradley's supporters quickly painted them as having killed the family then murdered the rightful Fuhrer and had his body disposed of to avoid charges of treason. A small, really stupid but vaguely significant minority believed this for quite a while. Flaws in logic and all. It wasn't until the staggering evidence of the widespread corruption of the previous regime came to light that many of those kinda abandoned the cause. But of course some beliefs cannot be shaken; re: you can't reason with crazies and some still actively opposed Mustang.

Those were just a handful of issues within Amestris. Now, let's talk about those without.

Amestris had burned so many bridges during it's existence it wasn't funny. The revelation that Xerxes had actually been a small city-state that rapidly cannibalized its neighbors over its 400 year existence as Amestris unsettled many. How such knowledge was kept hidden unsettled people even more. So calling out Drachma for their continued conflict and attempts to push into Amestris would be like shouting to the world what big liars the other team were while blatantly ignoring the fact that their own pants were a 3 alarm fire.

Areguro to the south was sorta kinda glad the fighting would stop and the war over borders would end. Except the conflict had occurred so feverishly for so long few to no records of the original borders existed. Then there was the tiny issue of an extended conflict with a superpower having utterly devastated the smaller country's economy. So in 'you break it you bought it' fashion Amestris suddenly found itself supporting its southern neighbor as it tried to rebuild. Not that is amounted to a huge financial burden so much as a 'why are we bothering' issue. War is war and even some of his supporters didn't feel they should be wasting resources on a former combatant. Especially not with Drachma grumbling at their northern door.

Which bring us to issue three. It wasn't his intention to keep Amestris a military state. His initial plan called for a judicial, executive and legislative run government that the military would simply be subject to introduced over the course of 5-7 years. Except the only officials with any sense after the purge were all military men and women on the lower levels of the ranks with few exceptions. A lot of civilian candidates appeared more interested in the business side than the actual governing aspect of politics. This coupled with the shaky relationships all around its borders made depowering and restructuring the military a really terrible idea. At the time; he still firmly believed free elections were the best route though.

So about half the people were pretty okay with Roy in charge. But the other half was split. Once group still believed an unjust coup had occurred. Another agreed the old regime was corrupted but remained skeptical of the new one due to how suddenly and violently it came to power. Those who were well aware of how unjust things had been but had lived it up and were a bit peeved their gravy train had pulled out of the station, were kinda psycho and saw nothing wrong with the status quo or planned to do what Mustang and Co had done to serve their own needs. Did I mention the fact that some people were more or less ok with the new Fuhrer only because they didn't really care what all fuss was about unless the changes affect them in a negative way?

Yep. Only Xing and it's isolationist stance hadn't been affected.

Because of all this, the Flame Alchemist had had at least 3 attempts on his life since taking the position. The most recent of which had been a lovely lady with a gun and back up dagger. Luckily she had to be the worst shot in the world; unloading the entire clip and hitting nothing but an unarmed wall then fumbling with the blade holster on her thigh before Havok cuffed her in the head with the butt of his own pistol. Yet some how this woman managed to get past security. Riza's vacation just started-

Then her form started to ripple and change before his eyes which brought to mind Envy. Who had the nerve to take that form!

"How are you alive homunculus?!" Roy growled ready to snap and summon a spark. He rarely took his gloves off nowadays. This was all the proof he needed. First Sloth now this one.

"Calm down Fuhrer Bastard. Envy not being dead has more to do with Al being a bleeding heart than any failing on your part. You've done well for yourself since I've been gone. Country seems to be on the upswing, congrats."

Snap.

The figure was engulfed in flame. For like two seconds before a familiar blue light erupted around it, swallowing up the inferno. This was really Ed?!

"Nice try. So how do you like your new assistant? I picked her just for you."

And...the little hamster running the wheel that kept Mustang's brain functioning had a full on corollary. Ed was alive but so was Sloth. And he knew it, had sent her to his office. Envy was still around too? Why?! What about the rest?! Had he somehow become their new master?!

"As amusing as watching your impending meltdown is I'm sorta on a timetable." Ed slid off the slightly charred desk. "I came here to offer you a chance to make sure your legacy isn't just holding the bag for Bradley's cluster fuck. Been watching and I gotta say, this shithole took 4 centuries to get into. Your lifetime isn't long enough to dig out of it. No one's is."

"So you can help? At what cost?"

"Well, for some helpful knowledge and more time all I want is your soul. I'll even toss in your eye if you want."

"My soul?!"

If anything that sounded more like a deal with the devil than a friendly offer! Alchemically speaking it was. The greatest taboos dealt in manipulating human bodies and souls and only the naive or complete monsters did that. If he could accept such a payment, it stands to reason whatever his subordinate had become could just take it should he refuse-

"No Roy. It doesn't work like that." Ed sighed. "Whether or not I'm a monster depends on whom you ask but I can't just take what I want from you. There's rules. Even talking to you like this would be breaking them if not for your special situation. And really all things considered." That last bit was mumbled too low to hear.

"My situation? Stop talking in riddles Fullmetal! What the hell is going on!? Everyone thinks you and Al are dead! We found his mangled armor but not your corpse! There are two headstones in Risembool over empty graves!" Roy exploded pure and simple." Suddenly you're alive and asking for my soul which I'm pretty sure I need to exist!"

"Calm down. I can't answer you unless you take the deal hothead. Knowledge is part of the trade. What use would it be to you if you weren't able to use it? Exchange has to be equivalent. But equivalence is sometimes relative."

"I'm not agreeing to anything until I know what I'm signing up for."

"The ability see your dream come true. When have I ever given you reason to distrust me?"

"Distrust?! Plenty of-!"

That look stopped him short. That pleading look from golden eyes boring into him. Begging him to understand. But understand what? This made no sense. What the hell was the shrimp not telling him? If this was even the pipsqueak at all...

"WHO ARE YOU CALLIN A MICROSCOPIC PLANKTON TOO SMALL FOR THE NAKED EYE TO SEE? I AIN'T SHORT YOU BASTARD!"

"Yeah. You're Ed alright." Mustang couldn't help but laugh. Even though having his mind read seemed rather creepy. "I assume once I agree I can't back out."

"Nope." The blonde popped the p sound.

"Fine. I just better not regret this." For all he knew this was just that bad sausage he had for lunch coming back to haunt him during his nap. This could be a stupid dream.

Edward smiled at him as he closed the gap been them to stand directly in front of the Fuhrer. He hadn't grown at all since last they me. That smile though...was the same one Fullmetal always gave right before he caused him all sorts of paperwork and headache as a Colonel.

"You prolly will. But you'll get over it- no take backs." A gloved hand came to rest against the left side of his throat too fast for him to question or object to and his vision turned white. At the same time pain erupted at the base of his skull.

Now he stood... nowhere? It was hard to tell since there was nothing to see. No ground, no sky just a colorless void.

"What the fuck?!"

"I'm told it hurts more if you're still alive. Long time no see huh?"

Roy spun around so fast he almost face planted from the torque. Casually standing behind him was Hughes. Looking not at all as if he's been dead for over two years. Wearing civilian clothes.

"Wha, how.."

"I couldn't tell you until you agreed."

Ed stood near by, somehow. Had he been here the whole time? Wherever here is?

"A blood vessel in your brain was set to pop killing you before you hit the floor today." The blonde said calmly. "Your vision for Amestris dying with you."

That explains the whole being on a schedule thing. And the pain he felt moments after Edward touched him.

"It's a long involved story but short version goes like this. I was right, our dad's a dick who caused our mom to die just not how I thought. Al and I are Truth's children, basically born to help Truth keep balance. But since he was kinda a lazy retard, we were made wrong and a shit ton of people got fucked over as well. It's his fault all this shit with the stone happened so me and Al get the 'privilege' of fixing his fuck up. And to do that, you have to be the one to lead the country."

"You're making less sense than usual." Roy deadpanned.

"It's really not worth arguing right now Roy. Just roll with it for now. Took months for me to get the whole story and even then it was from Al and Scar. Not the guy who made me." Maes half heartedly glared at the blonde who merely rolled his eyes. Neither acknowledging Roy's bewildered expression at the casual mention of the serial killer. Who also should be dead. "Technically we are neither alive nor dead. We exist outside of time and space so it's rules don't affect us the same way anymore. Our job is to make sure reality doesn't go to hell. Huh, yours is a lot more conspicuous than mine..."

"You got shot in the chest. Mustang had a biological bomb go off in his head. Still I wanted him to be able to hide it until he learns to cast illusions." Ed smirked.

"I still say you've developed a rather cruel streak since I died." Hughes huffed. "And Alphonse agrees with me."

At Roy's puzzled expression the dark mage clapped and touched the space near his feet. A full length mirror sprouted from the ground? Floor? Trying to piece that together however took a back seat when he observed the bright red mark peeking out from under his high collar. Ripping the buttons clean off to get a better look he screamed at the sight. Staining the skin Fullmetal had touched...

...was an ouroboros.

*ER*

Yup. Ed is still being a little shit. Oh well, Roy's got eternity to get used to it now.

So, explaining.

Firstly, I had to incorporate the nationwide transmutation circle because that's the only logic I could see in Amestris trying to absorb it's neighbors so urgently. Without that detail, the Ishval annexation makes no goddamn sense even on it's own. But it was only Plan A- they eventually had to settle for one small town when Ed and Company started to catch on. So the 2003 Grand Arcanum was Plan B and the one actually activated. But Ed's choice that would have sent him to WWII Germany was disrupted by Sylphine being detoured there at the same time.

I haven't really seen many fics where Roy becomes Fuhrer that actually deals full scope with the messed up situation he has to fix. To be fair I haven't looked all that hard so that might be why. But even the animes both kinda gloss over the fact that the damage done could even hope to be resolved over one guy's term in office nor would a sudden shift in political power be nearly that smooth should the state demilitarize. Anyway, I have said before that Mages can only directly interfere in times of near cataclysm. Ed didn't break any rules talking to Roy before he died because he didn't actually tell him anything at first. Still, because of the radically different way Truth's initial actions caused it's reality to work (literally anyone who understands Alchemy can tap into its power though on a severely limited scale; in hindsight this was REALLY dumb) Edward and Alphonse have a free pass to do pretty much whatever they want; they are still bound by the affinity though. So while directly forcing people and events to act as they wish like kids playing with dolls is within their new found power it's not necessarily a good idea. Free will still has to exist no matter what. Even though they have determined a mere mortal couldn't solve a problem set created be things that weren't even human themselves.

This is not the first time a reality has been shown to deviate from the standard because of mistakes or bad decisions on a Guardian's part. In the Road To Hell, the Danny Phantom reality is still kinda broken even after the crisis is averted. It's even plainly stated by the characters that the only way to fix it to function properly would be a cosmic reset. Basically a big bang, take two. No one liked that idea very much so they just made do with the status quo and try not to screw things up further instead.

I love Kid Wrath so he stays too n_n

Lastly the homunculi are what happens when someone who has no clue about their place in the universe tries human transmutation. But what if they turned out so messed up because originally they were supposed to be the priests and priestesses created by mages? Remember the ability to make them or perform any type of alchemy can be gained simply from studying, trial and error. The ones Dante and Hohenheim created/got ahold of were only higher functioning because they had SOME knowledge of how they should be since the two were splinters of Truth?

But yeah, Ed let Roy freak out over becoming one just for shits and giggles.

So, what do you guys think of the world I've established for FMA in my Reality of Chaos series? Love it? Hate it? Questions? Let me know. Reviews are like hugs! Sirensoundwave out.