Last time Bloom and the others welcomed back Layla and Stella from their vacations. However, the reunion of The Winx wasn't a happy one, for both princesses had problems of their own, big problems. Layla's parents have all but forbidden her from being with her one true love, Tatewaki Kuno, AKA the Blue Thunder. As for Stella, she was forced to leave Solaria when she tried to convince her father that getting married again was a big, big mistake. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 6: Pieces of the Puzzle

Back on Xaldo, The Trix and Toro were finishing up their tour of the palace. They met up with Zahidia in the main hallway.

"Well girls," said Zahidia, "What do you think of my humble abode?"

"An impressive instillation," said Icy, "I especially liked the torture chambers."

"Me too," said Stormy, "Can't wait to try them out for myself."

"I thought the training and fitness rooms were a little bland," said Toro, "a wide variety of training machines, but no atmosphere, nothing to get you into the mood. But that's just my opinion."

"Well I liked the number of Farcaster portals you have," said Darcy.

"You noticed," said a slightly surprised Zahidia, "I was assured that the transition wouldn't be noticeable."

"Only to the untrained eye," said Darcy, "But I saw. I think it's wicked that you've got operations set up across many worlds, a room for each world, and each room connected to the palace by a teleportation portal."

"I didn't notice any portals," said Stormy.

"And that's why Darcy and myself do most of the thinking," remarked Icy. Stormy was about to retort, when Vicky showed up.

"Lady Zahidia," said Vicky as she bowed, "I just received word, another piece of the Construct has been located, this one on Arcadium Prime."

"Excellent," said Zahidia, "You know what to do, Vicky. Oh, I do believe your sisters and their friend are up for a little adventure, you should take them with you."

"Arcadium Prime," said Icy, "Never heard of it."

"I'm not surprised," said Zahidia, "Arcadium Prime is a world that exists within the boundary of The Magical Dimension, yet at that same time, isn't truly a part of it. This world, and others like it, exist in and out of our reality, meaning that they simultaneously live in more than one universe."

"I don't get it," said Stormy.

"Figures," said Vicky in a slightly disappointed and annoyed tone. "Let's just say that Arcadium Prime, and many other worlds like it, are different than what you're normally used to."

"That I can understand," said Stormy.

"Same here," said Darcy, while Toro and Icy nodded in agreement.

"Good, 'cause I hope you're ready to get back to work, sisters," said Vicky, "And future brother-in-law."

"We're ready," said Icy.

"You bet your ass," said Stormy.

"Bring it on!" said Darcy and Toro at the same time.

"That's the spirit," said Vicky.

"So what else is so special about Arcadium Prime?" Stormy asked, "Any fairies that need their wings plucked?"

"I'm afraid we won't be destroying any fairies on this trip," said Vicky, "Unfortunately we'll be up against Alchemists."

"Alchemists?" Darcy asked in an annoyed and slightly nervous tone, "Well that's just f#ck$ng great!"

"Is there a problem?" Zahidia asked.

"Yeah, there is," said Darcy in a matter of fact tone.

"I don't understand," said Toro, "What's so bad about Alchemists?"

"Like the name implies," said Vicky, "Alchemists use Alchemy, a form of magic that works differently than our brand of power. I've come across one or two in my travels, they can be pretty tough to beat."

"Alchemy involves understanding the basic structure of matter," said Darcy, "Breaking down an object to it's most basic components, and then putting it back together as something else."

"So?" Toro asked, "Bring them on I say!"

"You won't be so eager to fight when the ground you're standing on has been transmuted into razor sharp spikes," said Darcy, "Or the air you're breathing has been changed into acid."

"Some Alchemists practice transmutation on living organisms," said Vicky, "And a few use Alchemy on humans. You wouldn't like it if you find out you've been merged with a frog or a snail."

"Now I know I don't want to go," said Icy.

"I so don't what to get transmuted," said Stormy. The idea of winding up with facial features of a frog or a snail didn't appeal to the two witches.

"You need not worry about Alchemists," said Zahidia. A servant then brought forward a box containing several black disks that were an inch in diameter, yet looked light as a feather. The backs of the disks were blank, but the more interesting fronts displayed the image of Cthulhu.

"These imperial icons will not only protect you from Alchemic energies," said Zahidia as the servant brought the box to The Trix and Toro, "But will also bolster your powers. The best part is that they can transfigure into whatever accessory you wish."

"Nice," said Stormy as her disk and Icy's morphed into earrings. Icy put hers on her right ear, while Stormy placed hers on her left. For Darcy her disk shifted into a ring that went on her left hand, while Toro's morphed into a belt buckle.

"Very fashionable," said Icy as she admired her reflection in a nearby mirror, "But do they work?"

"Oh they work alright," said Vicky as she pulled out the second chain around her neck, which held a Cthulhu disk.

"Any more accessories around your neck," teased Stormy, "and you'll be a hippie."

"Oh shut up," replied Vicky.

"There's another matter I wish to discuss," said Zahidia "While locating the Construct piece, you are also to locate and capture any civilians and alchemists who might benefit the new empire. The energy requirements for the Construct are enormous, so a steady supply of life energy is always a priority. And one can never have too many slaves."

"Right," said Darcy, "Find the Construct piece, kill any who get in or way, and kidnap some for devious purposes. Consider it all done."

"There is just one more thing before you leave," said Zahidia.

"Now what?" grumbled Stormy.

"While the disks can and will offer you some protection from Alchemic energies," said Zahidia, "There are a handful of Alchemists powerful enough who can break through the disks' enchantments. The same can be said for other begins of intense power throughout the cosmos. The disks will warn you if you are near one of these beings, but should you encounter one, do not engage battle. Instead, you are to flee the scene at once."

"Excuse me?" Icy asked, "I thought the whole purpose of all this was to take over the magical dimension and everything else. How are we gonna do that if we run away?"

"Because, dearest Icy," said Zahidia in a tone that resembled a teacher correcting a slow learner, "The new empire just isn't ready to take on these individuals at this time. It's that simple, we're just not ready. So again, you are not to fight these individuals."

"Okay," said Toro, "We'll be careful."

"However," said Zahidia, earning a muted grunt of annoyance from Stormy, "Do not let your caution deter you from the mission. No matter what, the Construct pieces are to be recovered at all costs, remember that."

"We will," said Vicky as she bowed, "I live only to serve you, Lady Zahidia." She then noticed that The Trix and Toro weren't bowing. Quickly giving them a 'do it already!' look, Icy, Stormy, Darcy and Toro soon followed suit and bowed.

"Then go forth and carry out the will of the empire," said Zahidia. She waved her hand in a dismissive jester and left the room with her entourage.

"She sure is full of herself," said Stormy once Zahidia and her crew were out of earshot.

"I wouldn't say such things on Xaldo, Stormy," said Vicky, "the walls do have ears. You might regret it later. But yes, Zahidia is a little eccentric."

"So how are we going to find the Construct piece?" Toro asked.

"Well we know that it's on Arcadium Prime," said Vicky, "And that it's somewhere in Central, the capital city of one of the larger nations of the planet, a country called 'The State' by it's citizens. The rest will be guess work for us."

"Wonderful," said Icy sarcastically, "So we're gonna have to wander across some backwater world to find this Construct piece, lovely."

"It won't be so bad," said Vicky, "Unlike the other Construct pieces that had to be found, those were hard, especially the ones that I found."

"How many have you found?" Stormy asked.

"Two within the last month," said Vicky, "One on Solaria, the other on Andros. And that's something, considering that it has taken Zahidia and her minions over 12 years to collect just 23 pieces. I did find a few other pieces since joining the empire, but it was only within the past few months when the detection methods were improved, that things have really gotten interesting."

A short time later the four witches and dark martial artist reached a long-range teleportation portal. Making sure it was properly set for their desired destination, they stepped through.

The first thing Icy and her sisters saw about the world they arrived on was that it was rather primitive in terms of technology; gas-lights along the streets, no buildings above seven stories, and cars that ran on gasoline. Even Toro, who was born and raised on Earth, this world was all too quaint for his taste. To his eyes, Arcadium Prime resembled Earth in the 1920's.

"Would you look at this pathetic excuse for a world," said Darcy, "Not a cell phone or a PDA in sight."

"All the more easier for us," said Stormy eagerly, "Let's cause some havoc."

"Patience, dear sister," said Vicky, "We're on a mission, remember? The Construct piece comes first, then we can have some fun."

"And just where is the Construct piece?" Icy asked.

"Right across the street," said Vicky as she held her Cthulhu disk out in the manner of a scrying tool, the black disk pointing to a large marble building that was more than obviously a museum. "Easiest one we've located; when I looked for the one on Andros, I had to swim to the bottom of the ocean floor through a swarm of unhappy mermaids. I was lucky not to attract any more attention from the natives, but I sure taught those mermaids a lesson they'll never forget. And don't get me started with the trouble I had on Solaria."

"You can tell us later," said Toro, "Right now we've got other things to worry about."

The sudden appearance of four witches and one dark martial artist had attracted a large crowd of curious onlookers. At least two hundred civilians had gathered.

"What, no press?" Darcy asked as if she had been insulted, "And I thought we were famous."

"If we're not famous on this world," said Icy, a wicked glint in her cold blue eyes, "Then we'll become infamous!" With a wave of one hand she cast a spell that froze several people in place, turning them into meat popsicles. With her other hand, Icy sent a wave of razor-sharp ice shards into the crowd, killing a dozen and wounding a dozen more.

At the same time Stormy cast a tornado spell with one hand and shot several bolts of dark lighting with the other. The combined spells killed another 20 and wounding at least 30 more.

By now the civilians had realized that the newcomers were dangerous. Unfortunately this revelation came too late to prevent a panic. Those at the edge of the crowd managed to get away, but for the ones in the middle were pushed, shoved and trampled about by the ones behind them, proving that fear can turn an innocent gathering into a stampeding death trap.

"It feels so good to be bad again," said Stormy with delight.

"It's about to get better," said Darcy. She then cast a darkness curse that blinded many in the fleeing crowd, creating even more panic and chaos.

"Very nice," said Vicky, "But time is pressing. Shall we?"

"We shall," said Icy as she, Stormy, Darcy and Toro followed Vicky towards the museum. They didn't get very far, for several men who were obviously police officers arrived on the scene. They were wearing bluish gray uniforms and carried revolvers.

"Freeze!!" shouted one of the cops as they aimed their guns at the intruders.

"As you wish," Icy said idly as she turned the offending policeman into a meat popsicle.

"That was so funny I forgot to laugh," said Toro in a disappointed tone, "Honestly, you could have done much better."

"Oh yeah?" Icy asked in a daring tone, "I'd like to see you come up with a cool line."

"Later," said Toro, "I got to go to work now." The cops, shocked at the fate of their comrade, had regained their composure and prepared to shoot.

Of course Toro wouldn't have any of that. Before any of the policemen could fire, he was among them delivering a wide combination of death blows. Before long all the cops were dead, all but one that is.

The one cop who was a little slower than the others getting there witnessed the demise of his comrades. However, none of the intruders had seen him, so he aimed his service revolver at the intruder with the gold eyeshade and pulled the trigger.

The crack of the gunshot startled Icy, Stormy, Darcy and Toro, but what was even more startling was that even though the bullet hit Vicky near the heart, it didn't penetrate her body. Rather, the bullet flattened itself upon impacting the witch, its energy spent, it fell to the ground.

Panicking, the cop kept firing until his revolver clicked empty, but he still pulled the trigger, he was that afraid.

As before, the fired shots hit Vicky but didn't even leave a mark. As if picking up a flower, Vicky bent down and retrieved the six spent rounds. She looked at them as if they were marbles.

"I don't get it," said Darcy, her voice mixed with awe and surprise, "I didn't sense a shield spell, and there's no way you could have psycho-flexed those bullets without my sensing it. Just what have you been up to over the years, Vicky?"

"I'm afraid that's one secret I'm not ready to tell you, dear sister," said Vicky. As if tossing pebbles into a pond, Vicky flicked the spent bullets back to where they came from. However, that simple wrist flick had enough power to cause the bullets to slam into the terrified cop and exit out his back. He fell over dead as a doornail.

"Damn, girl, you are strong," said an impressed Toro.

"You think that's cool," said Vicky, "You ain't seen nothing yet." It was then that Vicky noticed that one of the bullets had torn a small rip in her jacket.

"That son of a bitch!" spat Vicky as she glared at the slain cop, "My favorite jacket!" She snapped her fingers, (insert finger snapping sound) and the body burst into black flames which consumed the deceased policeman within seconds, leaving only a pile of ashes which blew away with the wind.

"Wow!" said an awed Stormy, "She is strong."

"Let me guess," said Icy in a slightly suspicious tone, "Another secret you're not ready to give up." There was something weird about those flames, weird and a bit familiar, but Icy couldn't put her finger on it.

"Right in one, Icy," said Vicky, "But enough fooling around, let's go."

They reached the museum without any further interruptions, having cleared the streets of any potential victims, much to Stormy's disappointment. Inside it was a typical museum, complete with historical artifacts and books.

Darcy and Toro quickly dispatched several security guards who tried to be a hero, while Stormy and Icy went to town blasting several priceless ancient pieces and books, just for the heck of it.

Vicky meanwhile was interrogating one of the museum curators as to where the Construct piece was. She knew that the helpless, terrified man had no information, but she still enjoyed scaring him half to death.

"Where is it?" Vicky asked as she used her magic to hoist the curator upside down.

"I don't know what you're talking about!!" exclaimed the curator, "Why are you doing this?!"

"Don't play games with me," said Vicky as she used a low level torture spell to make the curator cry out in pain, "The sooner you tell me where it is, the sooner it'll all be over."

"I don't even know what you're looking for!?!" shouted the curator.

"The Construct piece, you moron!" spat Vicky, "Where is it?"

"That what now?" the curator asked in a confused tone.

"I guess you do know nothing," Vicky said idly, "what a senseless waste," as if tossing litter into a trash can, she sent the poor man crashing into the wall, killing him instantly.

"Okay then," said Vicky, getting her sister's and Toro's attention, "That's enough fooling around for now, time to get down to brass tax." Holding her Cthulhu disk in one hand, Vicky cast a locator spell, using the disk again as a scrying tool. The disk pointed towards the inner vaults of the museum.

One of the vaults, marked 'Unknown,' was secured by a simple rotary lock, which Stormy blasted off easily. Inside the vault were rows upon rows of weird looking objects, but Vicky followed the pull of the disk to one particular object, a white stone the size of a basketball but shaped roughly and at odd angles. Carved onto one side was the same strange symbols that covered the Construct back on Xaldo, while another side had the Cthulhu symbol engraved on it.

"You sure this is it?" Toro asked.

"What do you think?" Vicky asked in a smug tone. The proximity of her Cthulhu disk to the object had caused the symbols to glow and shift across its surface.

"Not too shabby," said Vicky as they headed to the museum exit, with Toro carrying the Construct piece, "Not shabby at all."

"How come I have to carry this thing?" Toro asked in a slightly strained tone. Despite it's relatively small size, the Construct piece felt like it weighed half a tone, if not heavier. Toro had carried heavier loads, but only for short distances.

"Because you're so big and strong," said Darcy in a sweet, admiring tone that was all too fake, but it had the desired effect on Toro, "You wouldn't want us girls to break a nail, would you?"

They reached the doors and went back outside to find hundreds of soldiers and various men and women wearing blue, military style coats. The soldiers were armed with automatic rifles, while some of the blue coated ones carried large caliber pistols. A few others carried primitive RPG launchers.

"Open fire!!" shouted one of the soldiers. The air was filled with the roar of thousands of bullets shooting at Vicky and her group, as well as the roar of a dozen or so rocket propelled grenades.

The elder Trix merely raised her hand and cast a shield that deflected the bullets and grenades away from her family and potential brother-in-law. Most of the shots ricocheted into the air and nearby buildings, while some found their way back to the shooters. One or two of the explosives detonated among the soldiers, while a few more found their way into buildings. The rest detonated harmlessly in the air.

"Cease fire!!" ordered one of the blue coated ones. The shooting stopped as several more wearing blue coats stepped forward.

"I'll bet they're Alchemists," said Icy.

"You're all too correct, dear sister," said Vicky. One of the Alchemists, who wore white gloves with red symbols stitched onto the backs, clapped his hands and placed his hands onto the ground. Yellow energy lines crackled across the ground and shot at Stormy. Before the witch could react, the energy lines converged around her and produced a large explosion.

But Stormy was alright. When the smoke from the explosion cleared, there she stood, looking both scared and confused, but completely unharmed.

"Oh, I'm okay," said Stormy in a tone that showed her surprise at the effective protection of the Cthulhu disk. She then regained her composure and shot a bolt of dark lighting at her would be killer.

Icy followed up by freezing two more Alchemists before they could react, while Darcy blinded two more.

But then the remaining Alchemists and soldiers parted their formation, revealing one very tall, very muscular, very bald Alchemist with a bright blond handlebar moustache.

"You five," said the Alchemist in a strong, deep voice, "Whoever you are, I suggest you surrender and answer for what you have done."

"Tempting," said Vicky in a playful tone, "But no thanks."

"I wouldn't be so cocky, young lady," said the tall Alchemist, "Despite your abilities, you are obviously outmatched."

"Oh yeah?" Toro asked in a daring tone, "And just who the hell do you think you are to think you can stop us from doing what we want?"

"Who am I?" the tall Alchemist asked as he put a pair of metal gauntlets on his hands, the gauntlets engraved with what Vicky would later identify as Alchemic symbols, "Who am I indeed. Permit me to introduce myself; Brigadier General Alex Louis Armstrong! The Strongarm Alchemist!!"

From the ranks of soldiers and Alchemists came a chanting of 'Strongarm! Strongarm!'

"Really?" Toro asked, "Well then, my name is Toro the Destroyer, and I can kick your scrawny, mediocre ass any day of the week!" He set the Construct piece down near Vicky, "Watch that for me, will you? This won't take long."

From the ranks of soldiers and Alchemist came hushed statements of 'He called Strongarm scrawny,' 'He called Strongarm mediocre,' and 'He's in for it now.'

"'Scrawny'!?" exclaimed Armstrong, "'Mediocre'?! I'll show you who's scrawny and mediocre!!" he ripped off the top of his coat, revealing enough muscle for more than four men.

"Oh that's just gross," said a sickened Icy.

"That makes me want to throw up," said Stormy, who was looking a little green in the face.

"This perfectly sculpted form," said Armstrong as he flexed, "This symbol of male perfection, is the product of a training regimen passed down through generations of the Armstrong family. Look at it! Look at it and tell me again that I'm scrawny and mediocre! Well? Am I?! AM I!?!"

"I don't care if you've got more muscle than every Hollywood action star put together," said Toro as he stretched for the inevitable fight, "I'm still gonna kick your ass into next week."

"Such bullheadedness will be the end of you, young one," said Armstrong, "So be it!!" He then punched the ground, the engraved gauntlets sending Alchemic energy through he concrete of the street at Toro. He jumped out of the way just in time to avoid getting impaled by several spikes that erupted from the ground where he was standing.

Just as Toro landed, he had to jump again to avoid another eruption of spikes. This time when he landed, he barely had enough time to jump out of the way to avoid Armstrong's punch, a blow that would have taken the head off of a lesser man.

Armstrong threw another Alchemy enhanced punch at Toro and missed as Toro sidestepped, who then delivered a counter kick to the Alchemists' midsection. The Alchemist barely noticed the blow as he threw more punches at Toro.

For the next few minutes the fight progressed as such; Toro would avoid Armstrong's' punches, yet none of Toro's attacks had any noticeable effects on the muscular Alchemists.

But then Toro stepped on a piece of loose concrete and overbalanced. This gave Armstrong the opening he needed to deliver a devastating punch to Toro's chest, sending the dark fighter crashing to the ground several yards away.

"Oh dam!" exclaimed Icy.

"That's it," said Stormy, "He's finished."

"Your lack of faith in my boyfriend is disappointing," said Darcy, "He's alright."

"No offense, little sister," said Vicky, "But…"

"But nothing," said Darcy as she pointed at Toro, who was getting up. The dark martial artist didn't look hurt, just covered in dust and small pieces of concrete. Then he noticed a cut on his chest where Armstrong punched him. The assembled soldiers and other Alchemists cheered, ecstatic that Armstrong had drawn first blood.

But Toro didn't care. He touched his fingers at the cut, which would be completely healed in a few hours, brought the bloody fingertips to his lips and licked at the blood.

"Not bad," said Toro eagerly, "But let's see you do that again!" He charged at Armstrong, only to be knocked down twenty seconds later.

"Now would be a good time to pull out the stops, darling," Darcy called out to Toro as he picked himself up again.

"Not just yet, my precious," Toro called back, "I'm not ready yet, I think I can handle this pathetic wimp without the use of my gift."

"What gift is he talking about?" Vicky asked as Toro got knocked down again, then got back up for some more.

"That's right," said Stormy, "You don't know about Toro's curse."

"All the other Earth losers call it a curse," said Icy, "But for our Toro, he calls it a divine gift."

"I still don't get it," said Vicky.

"It's a long story," said Darcy. Indeed, how could she tell her older sister of Toro's gift without telling the whole story? A story that started when Toro was only a few minutes old, and was baptized in one of the cursed springs of Jusenkyo.

"You sure you can handle it?" Darcy asked after Toro got knocked down for the fourth time.

"Come to think of it," said Toro, "It would really put the fear of hell into these fools. Alright, I'll do it." He then glared at Armstrong, "Hey, muscle freak! Check this out!!"

During their time wandering the outer reaches of the magical dimension, Darcy had helped Toro gain some control over his curse to that he can change back and forth without needing to get splashed with hot or cold water. Concentrating on his inner darkness, Toro transformed into a monstrous creature that was a cross between a yeti, a bull, an eel, a crane and an octopus.

The transformation and sudden appearance of such a monster had caused many of the soldiers to panic and retreat, some of them shouting 'He's a chimera!!' and 'That guy's a homunculus!!'

"I care not what manner of creature you are!" exclaimed Armstrong, "I will stop you no mater what!!" He charged at Toro. The transformed martial artist roared and rushed at the oncoming Alchemist. They met halfway in the street, or rather, Toro grabbed Armstrong with his octopus tentacles and threw him into a nearby building. The force of impact caused the building to collapse.

At he sight of their champion defeated, the remaining soldiers and Alchemists panicked and tried to get away from the area, while Toro went on a rampage destroying one nearby building after another.

"I think our work here is done, sisters," said Vicky, "Or, it will be in a minute." She raised one hand and chanted a spell. Several small beams of purple light shot from her hand and sought out targets among those fleeing. The beams hit their targets, but did no damage. In fact, nobody even noticed that they were hit.

"What was that about?" Icy asked.

"I just tagged some victims," said Vicky, "That spell I used marked anyone within range that meet the requirements for the empire's energy needs. When we go back to Xaldo, those marked will teleport with us, but they'll wind up in a more 'interesting' place, if you know what I mean."

"I don't know what you mean," said Stormy.

"Of course you don't," said Vicky in a slightly disappointed tone, "I'll explain when we get back."

Darcy, meanwhile, was in the process of getting Toro to calm down and revert back to his human form. When he was back to normal, Toro looked at the devastation wrecked upon the city; at least twenty buildings were demolished, while dozens of fleeing civilians were either trampled or ripped apart.

"One of my better works, don't you think?" he asked. It should be noted that Toro's new skill at controlling his curse allowed his clothes to remain intact upon his return to his human form.

"On a scale of 1 to 10," said Darcy, "I'd give this a 7."

"Only 7?" Toro asked, his voice full of mock hurt.

"Well," said Darcy, "Maybe 8, or at least 7.5."

"You're such a tease," said Toro, "And I like it." They kissed lustfully.

"Since when have they been so lovey-dovey?" Stormy asked in a disgusted tone.

"We were dead for a while," said Icy who was also disgusted by this, "They had plenty of time to get close. Oh get a room, you two!!"

"I have to agree," said Vicky, "It's time we left this outhouse of a planet."

"To be continued?" Toro asked as he and Darcy walked back to the others.

"Without a doubt," said Darcy as she admired Toro's backside as he bent down to retrieve the Construct piece. Both dark souls grinned in anticipation of the 'fun' to come.

They teleported back to Xaldo, arriving in the main hallway, where Zahidia was waiting for them.

"Lady Zahidia," said Vicky as she bowed, "I present to you another piece of the Construct," she held up the artifact.

"Outstanding!" Zahidia said with much pleasure and satisfaction, "One step closer to ruling all." she signaled for a servant, "Take this to the assembly room, our engineers will know what to do with it." The servant bowed, called for another to bring over a special cart that easily carried the Construct piece out of the room.

"I also wish to report," continued Vicky, "That I tagged at least three score civilians and soldiers that can serve the needs of the empire. They should be arriving in the dungeons as we speak for processing."

"Splendid," said Zahidia, "Well done, Vicky. Well done, all of you. Tell me, were there any unforeseen difficulties?"

"Nothing we couldn't handle," said Stormy.

"These Cthulhu disks really worked," said Icy, "Some of those Alchemists were good at what they did, but we were better."

"We did meet one Alchemist who was harder to deal with," said Darcy, "But Toro dear removed the problem, didn't you?"

"He was strong, that one," said Toro as he rubbed a still tender spot where Armstrong hit him, "But what he had in sheer power, he lacked in strategy. But in the end, I proved to be the better."

"Again, splendid," said Zahidia, "You younglings have outdone yourselves, and on your first assignment no less. I'm sure you will appreciate some of the finer creature comforts my home provides."

"Now you're speaking my language," said Stormy.

"If there isn't anything else that you need me for, Lady Zahidia," said Vicky.

"Nothing that comes to mind at this time, Vicky," said Zahidia.

"There is something I'd like to clear up," said Toro, "When those pathetic innocents were running away from me, they called me a chimera and a homunculus. I get it that some of them thought I was a chimera, I guess that's what I am in my other self. But what's a homunculus? Is that even a word?"

"It's a word alright," said Vicky, "From what I know of Alchemy, a homunculus is an artificial human created when someone is stupid enough to use Alchemy in order to bring the dead back to life. But why they thought you were such a creature, that I don't know."

"Some homunculi possess strange and bizarre abilities," said Zahidia, "Some are shape shifters, others can use their own bodies as weapons. I admit I'm not as learned on the subject as others would be, I tend not to use homunculi in my projects, they tend to act on their own without any regard for authority other than their own. But enough about that, you younglings have earned some pleasure time."

"Any time is pleasure time," said Toro as he swept Darcy into his arms, "Especially when we're together." with Darcy giggling like a lust-filled schoolgirl, they went off for some alone time.

"Those two are gonna make me throw up," said Icy. It was then that her stomach rumbled, as well as Stormy's.

"I just realized," said Stormy, "we've been alive for nearly two days, and we haven't eaten anything."

"I'm so hungry I could eat the ass of a dead dragon," said Icy boldly.

"I wouldn't be so eager to eat any part of a dead dragon," said Vicky, "But I do know a shortcut to the palace kitchens."

"That makes up for everything," Stormy said adoringly as she and Icy followed Vicky to a well-earned feast.

"Satisfied, Vo'kar?" Zahidia asked as her lizardman bodyguard emerged from the shadows.

"Not quite yet, Lady Zahidia," said Vo'kar, "True, the new ones did recover one Construct piece, but that was only one, and I'm sure that it was luck that played a major factor in their success. There are still many to find, and luck isn't a certain factor."

"True," said Zahidia, "I admit, I'm curious as to how long their luck will hold out."

…Arcadium Prime, The State, Central, a few hours later…

The area around the museum had been cordoned off by the police and soldiers. Several Alchemists wearing badges that marked them as forensic experts were examining the scene for any clues as to the identity of the intruders.

At that time several official looking cars pulled up to the perimeter of the crime scene. About half a dozen army officers in blue uniforms stepped out, displayed their identification badges to the guards, and entered the area. At the lead of the newcomers was a man with short, jet black hair, a pale face, wearing white gloves and a patch covering his left eye.

"Where is he?" asked the man with the eye patch.

"Over here, sir," said one of the guards. He lead the newcomers over to where several medics were attending to Armstrong, he was relatively unharmed, just shaken.

"General Mustang!" said Armstrong as he stood to attention and saluted, "I had heard that you were back in Central, and may I be the first to congratulate you on your reinstatement."

"It's nothing to brag about, Alex," said Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist, "Not now anyway. I see that you're alright."

"Nothing hurt but my pride," replied Armstrong, "That creature, whatever it was, was no homunculus, or a chimera, not one that we're familiar with."

"It's worse than that," said Mustang, "From what I heard, the intruders that attacked the city today, some of the forensic experts are speculating that they were from another world, and I'm starting to agree with them."

"If that is true," said Armstrong, "Then what can we do about it? This atrocity must be avenged!"

"It will," said Mustang, "That I promise, whoever is responsible is going to pay dearly." Just then one soldier handed Mustang a message, "It can't be!"

"What is it?" Armstrong asked.

"It would seem," said Mustang, "That this day is just full of surprises. If you'll excuse me, I have to get to Resembool."

"Resembool!?" Armstrong asked, "You mean…?!"

…Resembool, one hour earlier…

Winry Rockbell sat back from the latest batch of Auto-Mail she and her grandmother had been working on today. She sighed at all the hard work accomplished, but for some reason her heart just wasn't in it recently. Publicly she would deny any knowlege of that reason, but in her mind and heart she knew the truth.

Just then she notices something outside the window. There in the front yard, was a large glowing Alchemic symbol.

Hoping against hope that this was what she thought it would be, she ran downstairs and outside, just as the glowing lines faded. In their wake were two individuals. The first was tall with short cropped dark blond hair with a ponytail. He had bright hazel eyes. He wore a red coat over a black shirt and trousers.

The other was somewhat shorter, with lighter blond hair and the same hazel eyes. He wore a brown coat over a white shirt, light brown vest and trousers.

"What now, Brother?" the taller one asked, "Where are we?"

"I'm more worried about 'when' we are, Al," said the shorter one. Just then he noticed the house and girl, "Al, is that…?"

"Edward Elric," said Winry, "Is it really you?"

"Winry," said the shorter one.

"Ed," said Winry, before her face contorted with rage, "You dumb bastard!!" Quick as lighting, she reached into her shoulder bag and threw a wrench at the shorter one; the chrome tool impacting him in the head and knocking him to the ground.

"Brother!!" exclaimed the taller one.

"No doubt about it, Al," said the smaller one in a dazed tone as a huge lump formed on his head, "We're finally home."

Edward 'Ed' Elric. Older brother. Age: 22

Alphonse 'Al' Elric. Younger brother. Age: 21, but looks 17.

The end of chapter 6.

As the young dragon princess and her friends continue their academic studies, a call for help emanates from the home of the water princess. The forces of light and darkness shall clash once again.

Next chapter: The Tides of Sorrow

'For those with wings, fly to your dreams.'