Author's note: Hello again everyone! Behold chapter sixteen! I believe we're nearing the end of the story. Now I'm not saying the next chapter will be the last, but I am saying this story might be finished in a few more. Just thought I would warn you all so you are prepared in advance. =)

As always, thank you soooo much for your continued support and comments. It is all truly appreciated. I can't say it enough! Enjoy!

I also apologize that is is shorter than usual, but I think you'll all be excited about the ending.

Roy awoke from restless sleep. The nightmares had kept him up all night. And try as he might, attempting to sleep through the afternoon didn't work either. His body was sleek with sweat from the heat of the day, and the horrors of his dreams. His body was telling him what his mind already knew; that he was worried about Edward. But worried didn't cover the extent of his feelings, Roy was beyond that, and he was helpless to do anything to fix it or help save the blonde alchemist.

It had only been two days since Ed had last been in his sights, and it seemed like an eternity had passed. Not only because Roy cared deeply about him, but also because he didn't know where the blonde was, or if he was even still alive. His command had yet to find any solid leads on Edward's location, and it made Roy's skin crawl with nervousness. Every second could be Ed's last, and no one was there to prevent Pride from silencing the teen's angry rants for good.

Mustang lay in bed, hoping that today would be the day that someone would come bearing good news. And to his good fortune, good news came sooner than expected.

Hawkeye barged into Roy's room, and saluted him before she spoke, slightly out of breath, "Colonel Mustang sir!"

"Hello Lieutenant, is everything alright?"

"We believe to have found the location where Edward may be held."

Roy's dark eyes widened with disbelief, "You did? Where?" he asked desperately.

"In a deserted part of the city near the old train station. We found a van that may be the one you and Alphonse briefly were able to describe to us."

"Why aren't you barging in there now? Ed could be dying!"

"I'm sorry sir, I thought it best to speak with you first and hear what your opinion was of the matter. And besides, I need to gather the others who are home resting before I can conduct a search of the building."

Roy gritted his teeth in frustration, knowing that Riza was correct in coming to him first, and correct at not being able to waltz straight into the building without backup. Regardless, he was itching to find out if Ed was truly in that building, and his Lieutenant was going to have to be his eyes and ears in order for him to find out, while he anxiously waited on the sidelines.

After a long moment of the colonel not responding, Hawkeye spoke again, "Sir? What would you have me do?"

Shaking his head, ridding himself of distracting thoughts, Roy looked her directly in the eyes, "Get everyone who is home, and anyone who was out searching with you. I want you all ready within the hour, and down in that building, finding and saving Fullmetal."

"Yes sir!" she understood as she quickly departed the room to take out Mustang's orders.

Anxiety began to consume Roy's mind and body. He knew where Ed was now. They were going to save him. He would be able to hold him in his arms and finally tell him how he really felt. And maybe, just maybe, he and Ed could see if they would be able to make things work between them. Edward was worth the risk; worth risking getting his heartbroken by the golden-eyed teen. After seeing the look on his face before he ran out of the car towards his brother, Roy knew that the blonde truly cared about him. The deep confusing feelings were mutual, and it seemed they both wanted to make it work, or see where it would lead. And this brought unexpected joy to Roy's heart as he still lay in the slightly uncomfortable hospital bed. He knew he would see the man he fell in love with soon, and he couldn't wait for that moment; it couldn't come soon enough.

The world around Ed was slowly becoming hazier by the hour. His mind grew slow, and he didn't know how much longer he would last in this state. He began to accept his fate; death would take him here. At least he was dying for his brother, just as it always should have been. The young alchemist regretted having put Roy in danger; and that it led to his death. He had been helpless to save him; he would never have the chance to tell him that he loved him. And these were the only thoughts that kept running through the blonde's mind as he slipped slowly, and closer to death's grip.

"Ahhhh dear Edward. Are you going to put an end to our playtime so soon? I was just truly starting to have fun." the cold voice of Pride sneered. "I admit, I'll miss you when you're gone. You were so much fun to torture. Too bad you'll probably be dead in a few more hours. At least I knew you went out in pain."

Ed could hear the smile on Pride's face when he had finished, the evil bastard had won. He got his wish. He was going to die here like he knew all too well now. Edward had wished that he had thought of a better plan than this, maybe one where he was allowed to live. One where he could have Roy for his own. But that life was long gone now.

"What's going on out there?!" he heard Pride hiss.

Ed took what was left of his energy to open his eyes and lift his head to investigate the sound that caused alarm in Pride. He could hear several guns being shot all at once. And angry confused screams that were all being silenced rapidly. A small spark of hope ignited itself inside of Ed; maybe he wasn't going to die here. Maybe rescue had finally come for him.

Shouting echoed throughout the building, and Pride began to pace frantically. He looked scared, and didn't know what to do. Ed smiled, served him right, after all he had done to him. After straining his hearing, he made out the voice of Lieutenant Hawkeye. She was ordering the men to search the building for him, and to take out any enemy that got in the way and posed a threat. He smiled weakly to himself, he was going to live, he was going to see Al's face again.

"I didn't expect them to find this place so soon Elric, it's a shame they're all going to have to die now." he said as the evil glint in his eyes reappeared.

"What can you do to stop all of them? Nothing! You're powerless now! And they're cutting your men down like it's nothing!" Ed reminded him.

"Oh dear boy. That's where you're wrong. You see," he paused, leaning in closer to Ed, and whispered, "I lied."

And with that, an evil grin spread across the man's face, as the familiar shadows that held eyes within them expanded from Pride's body. Horror filled Ed as he watched what was happening before him, it was a trap. Pride never lost his abilities; he had been lied to. Now he, and all of Roy's command, people he cared about, was going to die here. Rage boiled inside of Ed, why did everyone he love die have to die so soon? And around him of all places? He wouldn't stand for it; he wouldn't let their blood stain his hands if he could help it.

With all his might, as he heard many footsteps approach his cell, he screamed, "IT'S A TRAP! RUN!"

But once again, he was too late. Pride laughed and attacked with his shadowy blades. He heard shrieks of pain; shock. He cringed, not wanting this to happen, not wanting it to actually be real.

Pride smirked, turning around to face Ed, and said, "I may have come across another philosopher stone recently. It restored my powers, and now I feel whole again."

"Then why did you even want me if you had the power of the stone already?!" Ed asked in disbelief.

"Edward Elric. The boy who defeated me. Stripped me of my abilities, and left me to rot in that house with that dumb woman. I hated you. And I still do. So even when I regained my powers, I still thirsted for revenge, and now I've got it. Oh but how much sweeter it tastes now that I am going to kill your friends too!"

"Ed? Is that you? You're alright?" the familiar voice of Hughes rang out.

"Yeah Hughes! I'm here. I'm barely scraping by though. I'm sorry I got you all into this mess."

"Roy's gonna be relieved we found you." he responded.

"The colonel's alive..?" Ed asked in pure disbelief.

"Yeah, he-AHHHH!"

"Hughes?! Hughes?!"

"I was sick of hearing your sweet little exchanges. It makes me sick." Pride said disgustedly. "Now, I think it's time to end all your lives." he smiled.

Suddenly, flames burst out of nowhere and raged through Pride's shadows, completely eradicating them. Ed's heart pounded hopefully at the sight of the orange and yellow flames, feeling their familiar heat.

"Not if I can help it." the Flame Alchemist's voice boomed calmly throughout the room.

Author's note: Thanks for reading! I hope you liked the chapter!

I encourage you to comment/review, I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts and opinions of the story! It brightens my day! =)