Title: The Forged Alchemist

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Summary: The Homunculus have left Amestris in shambles, and the new Fuhrer is an incompetent who is leading the country to downfall. When all hope is lost, Edward puts to the test a theoretical array, and enter Edwin Auric, the son of Hohenheim of Light, and elder half brother to Edward and Alphonse Elric.

Chapter 3

It was a struggle to not stare at the younger self of his former CO. Edwin found himself exercising all of the will power he'd built up in the years before this mission to keep from blurting out everything to this younger version of the man who'd allowed himself to become a shield so the Elrics could search for the Philosopher's Stone in peace. It was only the reminder that this was not the Roy Mustang that had offered a crippled eleven year old a place among the State Alchemists that stopped Edwin from doing something that would result in his being shipped off to a lab for interrogation and dissection, after all, how often do people travel through time?

He swallowed hard and forced his voice to work. "What was that?" the former Fullmetal was relieved to find that his voice did not shake and reveal his inner turmoil.

The younger version of Edwin's former CO looked concerned. "I asked you if you were alright."

Edwin gave the young man a wan smile. "Oh, I'm fine, thank you for asking." He turned away and said amicably, "The sun's rather bright, isn't it?"

The dark haired man gave the blonde a disbelieving look before agreeing quietly. It wasn't his place to get involved with Auric's personal life anyway.

"Yeah, bright," Roy winced as he realized that his tone belied his disbelief. "Don't stare into the sun too long, huh?"

Edwin chuckled. "No, no, I have too much to do to risk going blind. Thank you for your concern anyway." He paused and added as if an afterthought, "and you are?"

Roy blinked and stuck out his hand. "Mustang, Roy Mustang."

Edwin nodded and took his had and said with good humor, "Edwin Auric. It's a pleasure to meet you, Roy Mustang."

Roy had the feeling that he was being made the butt of a joke, but grinned wryly in reply. "Likewise." And the two men parted.

~*~

The next day, Edwin found himself approached once more by Roy as they gathered in the massive open air amphitheater that served as the location for the annual State Alchemist Recertification Assessments as well as the location of the Practical Exam for potential State Alchemists.

"Eager to show off what you've got, Auric?" Roy grinned, "Not that the Military would turn away the eldest of Hohenheim of Light's children."

"Don't be foolish," Edwin scoffed, "When I pass this exam, I will do so because of my own capacity as an Alchemist." He gave Roy a tight, closemouthed smile and added, "I am a capable combat alchemist and I am told that I can be particularly vicious toward those who vex me in close quarters, so anyone who says I passed because of my sire will do so at their own peril."

The Fuhrer greeted them, lined up with other high-ranking officers. "Welcome to the Practical Skills Exam. We've provided you with some nice raw material for your alchemy. You may use them to create whatever you see fit."

"Whatever we see fit?" Edwin smirked, "Well, considering the fact that the unstable East should go up in flames any day now, anyone without ability in combat alchemy will be crossed off the list. I suppose that just leaves you, Mustang, Zolf F. Kimblee over there, and me as the only remaining State Alchemist Candidates that fit the criteria for this years exam."

Roy gave the blonde beside him a cool look. "You seem very sure of this."

Edwin's only reply was an enigmatic smile as a middle aged man stepped out of the crowd and began drawing an array. Edwin's smile vanished and Roy tried not to shiver as the blonde's face turned cold and analytical as golden eyes took in the older man's every movement.

"A soldier must have the courage to be the first to charge and fall," the blonde said as if he was reading off a slip of paper, "And an alchemist out on the field must be able to transmute quickly at need. He not only wastes movement, but he is too slow and wasting time drawing out the array in a large scale when a small scale array would save time and effort. However, if he were to transmute something suitably impressive, he might get a place in the labs."

Edwin was watching the alchemist work, his eyes focused and sharp, not missing a single detail, and cringing at the unnecessary lines and curves and symbols for a transmutation, resisting the urge to howl at the alchemist that he was being redundant and who the fuck had taught him alchemy because not only was this form of alchemy ancient and outdated, it was redundant to the extreme. He was aware of Zolf F. Kimblee sidling up beside Mustang and speaking quietly to him.

"Auric looks ready to kill doesn't he?" Kimblee murmured, never taking his eyes off the blonde's icy expression. "Can't say I blame him. What does that idiot think he's doing?"

"If Auric attacks him, I'll help," Mustang murmured in reply, "Whomever taught that idiot alchemy was stupid to the extreme. Some of those lines are unnecessary. I'll bet twenty Cenz that the circle doesn't activate at all."

"Thirty that it blows up in his face," Kimblee grinned.

"That's not alchemy," Edwin said evenly, not even bothering to keep his voice low. Kimblee and Roy glanced at the other prospective State Alchemists who were now giving the three Cadets venomous looks. Edwin ignored them and continued, "Its archaeology. That particular circle is outdated and redundant in the extreme. Ten says the idiot succeeds in forcibly activating the array but wastes so much energy doing so that he can't stand up afterward and another ten if he didn't add a protective circle and rebounds."

Kimblee grinned, "Guess you're not as much a stick in the mud as the rumors say. You're on, Auric!"

Mustang shook his head, "I thought you disliked socializing?"

"I don't," Edwin said evenly, "But sometimes when I find an absolute fool and someone who agrees with me, I try to make friendly. Besides, who knows what sort of fun can come of a five minute friendship?"

~*~

"I think he's done!" one of the three Cadets called.

The kneeling alchemist was sweating. Everyone knew that Military Academy Cadets who were also Alchemists had access to the latest alchemic news and materials. They had alchemical writings taken out of the National Library, worked freelance for enlisted men and lower ranked officers for pocket money and practice, received the best raw materials to work with, and had access to the newest alchemical equipment. The lucky ones studied with State Alchemists with the time and resources to tutor an aspiring State Alchemist, and if special permission was sought and granted, Cadets under the tutelage of a State Alchemist accompanied their tutors on missions, learning the work of an Alchemist of the State firsthand. Cadets studying alchemy were practically State Alchemists already; they only lacked the watch and papers that identified a certified Alchemist of the State.

To have three Cadets who were taking the exams place bets on his failure had unnerved the man and judging from the smirks on the faces of the gathered officers lined up behind the Fuhrer, the Cadets were not the only ones laughing at him. He had no choice. Being mocked or no, he'd already drawn the array, he needed to have something to show for it. He pressed his hands to the circle.

~*~

Yellow energy flared and the ground rumbled. A spire of rock rose into the air, trembled, and the alchemist screamed as he lost control of the energy. Edwin darted out of the crowd and clapped as the array exploded and the spire crumbled. The ground shook and he dropped to the ground, slapping his hands down on to the ground as he visualized his own circle, the way it would spread, calculating and making minute changes as he estimated how much energy he would be trying to block and channel elsewhere. Pale blue alchemical energy arced into the air and around the occupants of the stadium even as the spires being generated by the other alchemist's rebound (The other alchemist still hadn't stopped screaming, Edwin noted absently.) punched out of the ground only to be split around the designated protected areas and the pale blue lightening prevent the yellow from harming others. He grit his teeth and slammed his energy into the array, and sighed as he felt the uncontrolled alchemical energy from the rebound slow and smooth as the array channeled it and let it disperse gently into the ground and air.

Edwin leaned back and tilted his head up, lifting his hands off the ground as he rose to his feet, his eyes taking in the graceful arcs and loops of the massive pavilion of ice and earth and metal that had been formed overhead while he was busy dragging the uncontrolled energy from other alchemist's rebound under control. He recognized the array he had visualized earlier suspended over their heads in smooth lines, delicate arcs, loops and swirls.

"Hmm… That's never happened before," he murmured absently, "Perhaps a result of overlaying the original Othyim Circle with the new Hanover Circle with the addition of the modified Carey Diagram and an inverted octahedron for grounding? Hmm. This bears some considering…"

"Alchemy without circles?" Fuhrer Bradley said wonderingly, "And he controlled the other alchemist's rebound too. Looks like we have found our Alchemist…"

Roy shook his head as he pulled on his arrayed gloves, "You knew already that he wouldn't put up protections, didn't you?"

Edwin didn't answer. He was watching the other alchemist whose complexion had gone ashen. The blonde alchemist was within arms reach of the alchemist but made no effort to help the shaky man as he attempted to lever himself to his feet, only to collapse, preventing his face from meeting the ground with shaking arms.

"Damn,' Kimblee growled, "Guess you won this round, Auric."

"There is a reason why ancient alchemists worked in teams, you know," Edwin said. "Their arrays were so inefficient and difficult to control that they needed more people to supply the energy to perform a simple transmutation. Back then, performing alchemy was like using a butcher knife and a pair of fireplace tongs to perform delicate surgery." His face was impassive once again, "I've done my transmutation. It's your turn, Kimblee, Mustang."

"Quick question," Roy said, and continued as Edwin fixed him with an impersonal golden stare, "What would happen to the array you made if I were to, say, destroy part of it? Would it set off a reaction of some sort?"

"No. What would happen would be the same thing that would happen if you tore up a sheet of paper on which an array was drawn," Edwin replied coolly, "Render the array useless. Were I you, I would be less concerned about backlash from harming the array and be more concerned about falling debris on the off chance your transmutation does damage the array. One way or another, there should be a rather spectacular explosion."

Kimblee and Mustang grinned as they turned toward the judges. Edwin's smile faded and his face turned calculating. 'The foundation has been laid,' he thought, 'It will be several years before things come to a head, but it's a start. It's only a matter of time…'

He turned his eyes toward the Fuhrer, who was watching Mustang and Kimblee with sharp, eager eyes. The Fuhrer would know which of the Alchemists among the Cadets had the most potential. Any Cadet who took the State Alchemy Exam was almost guaranteed to be certified, after all, the spies in the Academy would know who was studying what type of alchemy, and which branches would be the most useful to the military as a whole. Hohenheim's letter had practically guaranteed Edwin a place in the Academy, and his most recent display meant that no matter how poorly he was scored, he'd still receive certification. Mustang was a living cremation furnace, and Kimblee was an explosives expert. All three of them would be invaluable to the military as State Alchemists. They would pass, and then they'd be shipped out to Ishbal, and that would be when the mission really started.

But the next step was to bring Maes Hughes into the circle. Approaching him would be easy enough. Edwin and Hughes had been in the same Academy Class due to their age, and Edwin's so called genius. Convincing him, however, was not going to be easy, the man would be in investigations for a reason, and he'd know immediately that something was up. Edwin shifted his shoulders slightly to release some tension. Difficulty was no concern. His mission was, and if Hughes doubted him for a single second, then he'd likely bring each carefully laid out plan tumbling down. It seemed that maybe, just maybe, the papers that Olivia Armstrong had given him would be needed after all.

~*~

Major Edwin Auric, the Forge Alchemist. Edwin closed the file and tucked it under an arm as the Military Academy Headmaster, one Brigadier General Humboldt placed a pocket watch on top of the desk. Edwin reached over and took the watch, cradling it for a moment in his automail hand before slipping it into a pocket.

"You will report to Brigadier-General Stadt for your posting tomorrow at 0900, and you may pick up your new uniform from the quartermaster. You have the rest of today and tomorrow to clear out your dorm. Dismissed, Major."

Edwin saluted and left the office quickly. Edwin sighed as he leaned against a wall in the hallway. There was just one more step to take before Ishbal, and that meant convincing Hughes to help out. Easier said than done. Edwin wondered how Mustang would have gone about it.

He shook his head and pushed off the wall as a jovial voice called, "Hey! Hey Ed!"

"Speak of the Devil," Edwin muttered as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned to face the green eyed, bespectacled man coming toward him. "Cadet Hughes," he greeted levelly.

"I've told you before, Ed," Maes said, slinging an arm around Edwin's shoulders, "Call me Maes. So I heard you befriended a pair of underclassmen during the exams?"

"Roy Mustang, specialty, fire. Zolf F. Kimblee, explosives specialist." Edwin agreed. "Both have potential and would be useful if things in Ishbal go bad."

"Ah! Lay off the soldier act, will you?" Maes gave a one armed flail, "So did you pass?"

Edwin rolled his eyes. "How much did you win, Maes?"

"Ah, but that would be telling!" Maes tugged on his friend's shoulders, leading them both toward the mess.

"You know the deal, Maes," Edwin pulled his left hand out of his pocket and wiggled his fingers in a pay-up fashion. "I don't complain and help out when you bet, and I get a cut out of your winnings. A fifth isn't all that much. Now divvy up."

"How about I spot you lunch instead?"

Edwin laughed, "Fine," he stuffed his hand back into his pocket, "was class really that boring?"

"You got off easy!" Maes complained, "we had an actual state alchemist come in and give a report on his past research as a taste of what we'd put up with after we get a unit under our command! It was horrible! I only understood one word out of fifty!"

"Sounds fun," Edwin mused, "Which Alchemist?"

"Crystal."

"Really?" Edwin smiled, "His latest research was in a crystal form that could amplify the powers of an alchemist. The process of creating the crystal in question is supposed to be very difficult, and the materials are said to be highly unstable. Rumor is that this mysterious amplifier might actually be the Philosopher's Stone. Even if it isn't, the things an alchemist could do with that amplifier…"

"Ah!" Maes threw himself off Edwin and waved his hands in a warding gesture, "Stop, stop! My brain can't take anymore of the alchemy talk!"

"Maes, you're going to have to get used to it," Edwin's voice was wistful. "You're friends with an alchemist after all."

Maes laughed, "No, I meant I've been listening to The Crystal Alchemist ramble on about crystal form all morning. Can we talk about something that won't have you going all off tangent?"

Edwin smiled. "Sure, but there's something I need to tell you. Help me pack after lunch?"

Maes' features turned serious, "Help you pack? You hardly have anything in your room! Is something wrong, Ed?"

"I'll tell you later. Please, Maes?"

"Alright. But I'm still going to bug you about it."

"You wouldn't be you otherwise," Edwin muttered.

"Ha! Now, if I had known you'd be on good terms with Roy Mustang, I'd have introduced the two of you earlier. Have you ever seen him shoot? Point blank range is no problem for him. Put a little distance between him and the target, and a shot aimed for the shoulder will either hit the groin or miss all together…"

"Odd. From what I saw, he certainly passed his shooting assessment."

"Oh, that's only 'cuz Hawkeye keeps at him! Her father taught him his alchemy, you know. If she left him alone, he'd probably manage to shoot himself in the foot."

Edwin laughed as they entered the mess. "I can't imagine anyone being such a horrible shot."

"Speak for yourself Mister-I-Broke-The-Gun-The-First-Time-I-Pulled-The-Trigger."

"How was I to know that was going to happen? I'd never fired a gun with my automail hand before!"

~*~

"So, you said there was something you wanted to tell me?" Maes sat on the cot, green eyes expectant as he watched his friend and former classmate putter around the small dormitory, opening drawers and shifting books and papers.

He'd often mourned that Edwin's genius had won him one of the few single rooms in the Academy Dormitories. Not that he blamed him. Edwin was the son of Hohenheim, and therefore it was likely that he'd want privacy to work on his extra curricular projects without worry that someone might steal his materials. Not that anyone could. Edwin's alchemical protections on things he wanted to keep secret were perfect and almost vicious, and were such high level that it completely went over the heads of most State Alchemists. They'd only known about the attempt that State Alchemists had made on the young man's belongings when Edwin had raised a fuss and the writing case had mysterious reappeared after its disappearance.

"Ah, here it is," Edwin pulled a lacquered mahogany box from under a pile of books and papers. "What I'm going to tell you is very important, Hughes," he said as he lightly touched different parts of the box almost randomly. Maes only knew that Edwin was disabling alchemic protections from the brief flaring of painstakingly carved miniature circles under the blonde's gloved hands. "It's going to sound incredible and at times downright outlandish, but I want you to know its all truth. I have proof for you if you decide that you need convincing…" He gave Maes a pleading look, "Personally, I really do hope you'll believe me without needing this proof, because I need your particular skill set, and I can't do this alone."

Maes frowned. He'd never seen his friend like this. Sure, Edwin was prone to fits of intense depression and his mood could swing from one spectrum of the extreme to the other with very little provocation, but to see him with so few defenses up was scary.

"Tell me whatever it is, and let me decide, Ed," he said gently, hoping that he was being reassuring.

"Would you believe me if I said that Amestris is on the verge of becoming another Babylon and Xerxes?"

Maes raised an eyebrow. What the hell did two legendary cities said to have mysteriously vanished overnight have to do with anything? "That depends, Ed. Do you have proof?"

"Yes," Edwin opened the box and pulled out a sheaf of papers which he tucked under an arm as he walked over to stand in front of Maes. "I have more than enough proof, all in different forms, depending on who I'm trying to convince." He took a deep breath and said finally, "allow me to properly introduce myself."

"I am Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Six years ago, I was given a mission from my superiors, the Madame Fuhrer Olivia Armstrong and my Commanding Officer, the Brigadier-General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, to return to the past and ensure the well being of Amestris, to eradicate the rot that weakened our country, and prevent the chaos that came with the Drachman War to ensure that this country does not crumble. I am a State Alchemist from ten years in the future. Cadet Maes Hughes, in the future, you will be one of the investigators who uncovered discrepancies in the personal records of Military personnel. The late Brigadier-General Hughes was considered one of the best officers to hold command in the Investigations Department. In light of that potential, I wish to have your assistance in the completion this mission."

Maes stared in shock at his friend as the blonde held out the papers in his hand. He took the papers, noting absently that his hands were shaking, and slowly flipped through them.

"This… This is all real?" he whispered as he stared at a report concerning his death.

"Yes," Edwin agreed.

"How?"

"There have been theories that Alchemy could be used to preserve or transport materials and biological organisms by bending space and time. Until we got desperate enough to send someone back in time to perform this mission, those theories have only ever been just that, heresy."

"Could you replicate the array to move forward instead of back?"

"Negative. I was on the frontlines in Drachma while other Alchemists, my brother and CO included, researched and planned the array. The only Alchemists involved in the project that I know of were my brother and CO, and I deliberately did not look at the array in its entirety for security reasons."

"To prevent that information from being used by the corrupt aspect of the military?"

"Affirmative."

Maes took a deep breath as he laid the papers on his lap and laced his fingers together over them. He looked up at his friend, noting the military posture and the distant expression on his face and the golden eyes that were fixed on the far wall. A mission… Maes found that he had to be sure…

"Was any of the friendship between us real?"

Edwin winced at the betrayed tone in Maes' voice. "Yes," he said firmly. "I have a vested interest in keeping you and my CO and his staff alive. Both for the sake of this mission and for sentimental reasons."

"Well, I'm not your superior officer," Maes' tone was tight. "And it's unlikely that I will be so for a very long time to come unless I somehow become Fuhrer somewhere in the next few decades."

Edwin gave him a dry look. "That can be arranged." Maes knew that he had a horrified look on his face, because the blonde added hastily, "You will always be Brigadier-General Hughes to me," he said firmly.

"So what do I call you? Edwin or Edward?"

"You believe me?"

"Would I ask such a weird question if I didn't?"

A wide, exhilarated grin appeared on Edwin's face, lighting up his eyes in a way that his previous smiles hadn't. "I'm going to hug you now."

Maes blinked. "Um… Okay?" and promptly found himself with an armful of suddenly ridiculously bubbly blond.

~*~

Forty Five minutes later…

"Okay, let me get this straight," Maes said, "You want me to get close to Mustang and be his friend? Won't the sudden interest be kind of strange? I mean, we're passing acquaintances at best!"

"But you talk," Edwin pointed out patiently, "You socialize a lot more than I do. I'm the reticent genius who only socializes because he has no other choice. I'll get close to Mustang in Ishbal, and we'll bond in a way only soldiers in the front lines can, but I think we might clash a bit, if only because of how similar we are to each other."

Maes snorted. "Similar? Hardly. You're much more jaded than he is."

"You know that, and I know that," Edwin said, "But does he?"

"If this blows up in our faces, I'm blaming you."

~*~

October 15, 1895; 1900 Hours

Central Military Headquarters, Central City, Amestris

Fifty State Alchemists stood at attention in five ranks in the office of Fuhrer King Bradley. The Fuhrer was seated behind his desk, and standing behind him on the left was a dark skinned State Alchemist who wore the stars of a Brigadier General. The Fuhrer surveyed the assembled force of Alchemists with his sole good eye critically. Some were experienced in the field, and others were greener than the grass outside the Headquarters. All of them, however, had field experience, and were proven combat alchemists, even though at least a quarter of them had only had their State Alchemist Certification for three months, among them, the oldest son of Hohenheim of Light.

"Ishbal," the Fuhrer said, "as you all may know, has always been a source of tension. Their beliefs clashed often with our use of alchemy. Three days ago at approximately 1700 hours, an accident occurred. One Lieutenant Julia Douglas was attacked by insurgents, and in the process of defending herself, her firearm discharged into a crowd of civilians. A child was killed, and the crowd erupted into violence. This afternoon at 1300 hours, a request was sent to Eastern Headquarters requesting assistance, and it has been decided that along with the troops already dispatched, State Alchemists will also be sent to put down the insurgents. This mission has been assigned to all of you in this room. Your commanding officer from this point on will be Brigadier-General Basque Gran, the Blood Iron Alchemist. (Bradley waved his hand toward the Brigadier General behind him.) You may pick up your supplies from the quartermaster and you leave for Ishbal tomorrow morning at 0600 hours."

There was silence as the Fuhrer finished, and noting that he was going to say no more, Basque Gran barked, "Dismissed!"

The fifty alchemists immediately saluted and performed a perfect about face before marching out of the office in pairs. Once out in the hallways, the alchemists split into groups, speaking quietly and urgently in lowered voices.

Edwin Auric was well aware of Roy Mustang hurrying down the hall toward him. He slowed his steps and was pleasantly surprised to find himself joined not only by the Flame Alchemist, but also the Crimson Alchemist and a large man whom Edwin recognized as the Strong Arm Alchemist.

"Looks like you were right about Ishbal, Auric," Kimblee said.

"Of course I was," Edwin said blandly as he started walking again.

"What do you think of this, Auric?" Roy asked, "and so soon after the Exam too."

Edwin shook his head. "Anyone with two eyes could see that things weren't going well in the East, Mustang. It was only a matter of time before things turned ugly, and even more inevitable was the dispatching of combat alchemists in Ishbal." He paused and said dryly, "So, Flame, are you going to introduce us to the newest addition to your coterie?"

Roy flushed and Kimblee laughed at his discomfort. Roy was saved from further embarrassment when the Strong Arm chose to introduce himself.

"I am Alex Louis Armstrong," the large man stated proudly, his moustache quivering, "The Strong Arm Alchemist! Indeed, I am a part of a long line of Armstrongs in this esteemed Military!"

"A pleasure, I'm sure," Edwin said dryly. "I am Edwin Auric, the Forge Alchemist."

"Wonderful to meet you!" Alex boomed, "Since we are comrades, and soon to be brothers-in-arms, let us go out and have dinner! We shall get to know each other better!"

"I apologize," Edwin interrupted, "however, I have neither the time nor inclination to socialize at the moment. We only have a few hours to prepare for our departure, and as such, I must pack and call my step-mother to let her know of this change in circumstances. As she is ill, I must also make accommodations for my brothers if she should, Gate Forbid, get worse and should I be for whatever reason rendered unable to perform my duties as son and brother."

"Don't be a stick in the mud!" Kimblee cried, "We have all night! You'll meet us in the mess when you're done right?"

"I highly doubt it," Edwin said, "As for getting to know each other; we have the entire distance between Central Command and Ishbal to socialize. Now if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have a trip to the quartermaster's to make, after which I shall turn in. Good evening and I will see all of you on the platform in the morning."

Edwin lengthened his stride, and as he put distance between himself and the other three alchemists, he heard Kimblee say, "Damn if he hasn't gotten more uptight."

Edwin turned a corner and crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, adopting a nonchalant attitude as he listened in on the conversation.

"There are rumors that Hohenheim recently left his family," Armstrong said, disapproval evident in his tone, "and if his stepmother is ill, it is likely that the Forge was left as the sole bread winner in his family. With all of that and being dispatched to Ishbal on such short notice… He is understandably agitated."

Roy's shrug was evident in his next words, "Auric and I have a mutual friend in Maes Hughes. He'll know if that's all that's making Auric so tense."

"Do you think that is wise?" Armstrong asked, "Cadet Hughes may not divulge what he knows about Auric even if you asked."

"Maes worries about Auric, Gate only knows why. Last month, he was actually a part of the honor guard that accompanied the Fuhrer to Creta, which should tell you just how skilled and powerful he is," Roy replied.

"If Auric's so great, why not just send him to Ishbal?" Kimblee snorted, "Naw, I'll bet that he was chosen to go to Creta because our great Fuhrer wanted to show off that Amestris has a son of Hohenheim serving in our military. Just another power play."

"Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask," Roy said. "Maes must have a reason to worry about Auric. And if he tells us to keep an eye on him just in case, then all the better. I mean, he can't not socialize in Ishbal or he'd fall apart all together."

Edwin allowed a small satisfied smile to cross his lips as he pushed off the wall, uncrossed his arms and slipped his hands into his pockets and strode away. Now to find Maes who would be in his dorm at this time of the night. Lucky him that the Academy Dormitories weren't too far away.

~*~

TBC…