OK...this is an important chapter, I think all will be well. And don't worry, the flashback ends in this one. :D

Chapter 21 - Return
"He always wanted to do everything on his own...never ask anyone for help...now it's cost him this." Roy looked down at Edward, laying there, not a shred of life in his body. "Idiot..." He muttered.

"Brother was always like that...he couldn't help it...Ed always felt like everyone else's problems were his own." Al's face was wet with tears and they still came, over the sorrow of the loss of what he and his brother had worked at for the past four years. All was in vain. "..he meant well."

The ones in the church at the time who were familiar with Ed, even Riza, seemed to have tears in their eyes. They all sat there, not believing that this young boy had to suffer so, and now to leave his brother behind with what felt like nothing.

"We should go inform everyone what happened..." Roy walked over to the restful Edward and extended his open arms.

Al held up a hand. "I'll carry him."

"Are you sure?" Al gloomily nodded and once again picked Ed up and cradled him in his arms. Just as they were in the main isle of the church two familiar figures appeared in the doorway.

The shorter of the two walked forward. "I think this is it." Izumi's voice rang out in the dim light of the church. "Remind me the thank that boy." She had run into Russel and he had told her where he knew Ed was at. "Hm?" She peered across the church, to the center, there was a familiar face, carrying Edward in his arms. "Alphonse?" Her eyes widened.

Sig, who was standing behind her widened his eyes. "Is it really you?" He seldom spoke, but now seemed like a good time to pipe up.

"Oh my god..." She raised a hand to her mouth and began a walking sprint toward Al. "It's you right?" She stood in front of him and rested a hand on his cheek.

Al nodded in return. "But brother..."

"Edward?..." She touched his cheek too. Though this time, the feeling that came to her fingertips was not that of a warm one, it was the cold feeling of death. "..." Just as all the rest she could believe what she was seeing. "What happened...Who did this?!" She raised her voice.

Al cringed. "Envy stabbed him..."

"What happened to the Philosophers stone? It can't all be gone." Through her speaking with Russel, she knew the whole story about the philosophers stone.

"Actually." Hohenheim piped up. "...that's my fault." He explained what had gone wrong with him coming through the gate.

I have enough of the stone left to heal his body, but not enough to pull his soul from the gate."

"..." Izumi looked at Edward, she looked at Alphonse, and then finally, she turned and looked at her husband. She gave him a sweet smile.

"What are you thinking?" Sig spoke once again.

"You know these boys felt like my own kids...even now they still do." She turned to Alphonse who now had a worried look on his face. "And everyone knows a good mother would do anything for her child's safety."

"Izumi..." He uttered her name softly.

She led Alphonse down to the floor where he placed Edward once again. "That's why I want to offer my body as equivalent trade."

Al was shocked. "WHAT?! No, I couldn't! I can't!" Al clenched his fists. "Ed wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself, that's not how he worked!"

Izumi's face grew fierce. "Well he's dead and doesn't have much along the lines of an opinion right now, so I'll decide for him."

"I can't!" Al screamed, a slight shake in his voice. "I can't ask you to do that! You've done too much for brother and I for you to have to go like that."

This statement was followed up by a loud cracking sound, the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Al stood there, dumbfounded as to what had just happened. "Stop crying and do what you're told!" Izumi's voice boomed through the church. "Regardless if you want to or not, I want you to do it..." Izumi lowered her gaze. "It's not like I have much time left." Al looked at her, he had a rather glowing red mark on his left cheek from where Izumi smacked him. "Without Dante's medicine, I'll be dead in no time. I don't want to suffer Alphonse...give me this one thing." He voice softened to a loving motherly tone. All the soldiers in the room just watched on, some in compassion, some in fear. Most in fear, Izumi's presence was commanding and her voice was strong.

"Heh..." Al had a slight smile on his face. Izumi looked puzzled.

"What could be so funny right now?" She questioned him.

"Well..." Al began. "It's just been so long since I felt pain...it just kind of shocked me a little...and if I don't do this, you'll have to feel pain." He rubbed the still rather sore spot on his cheek. "I imagine more painful than this." He turned and faced Roy who was hanging in the balance. "Colonel Mustang...can you get everyone to move the benches? I don't feel like moving Ed anymore, and I need some room."

Roy snapped out of his stupor and faced his crew. "You heard him men! Move these!" Roy commanded his soldiers valiantly. And in less than two minutes, the church floor was bare with Edward situated right in the middle.

Al walked to the front of the church and stood in front of the alter. "Are you ready teacher?" Izumi sat on the floor, her legs beneath her, and Edwards head resting on her lap.

"Yes. And hurry, he's getting a little stiff." She gave Ed's cheek a rub. "I can't only do this one last thing for you...so don't do anything else stupid. Not everyone gets a second chance." Izumi shed a single tear and it glided down her face and landed on Ed's forehead.

"Ready teacher?" Al's voice sounded.

Izumi nodded. "And try not to cry so much from now on. Ed never cried."

Al blushed. "Ed was always tough as nails though. That's not a fair comparison!" He stuck his arms straight out at his sides as he did down in the old central ruins. "You should look for Wrath when you go through the gate...he got pulled in there."

"I'll do that." She smiled and closed her eyes. Running a blind hand through one of Edward many bangs, she lowered her head.

Al clapped his hands together and touched the floor. As if form nowhere, a large transmutation circle appeared and surrounded his brother and his teacher. Al took a deep breath and then activated the array. A bright light surrounded the two of them and then the room grew hazy and light. Izumi looked around and before her stood the gate, an ominous sight to behold. It's doors slowly opened revealing an endless dark void.

Izumi stepped closer and was inevitably sucked in, the doors slowly closed and upon their closing the room returned to normal. Instantly, after the light died, Ed's eyes shot open. There was a light feeling in the whole room. A sigh of relief could be heard from several of the soldiers, Ed was back.

"Huh?" Ed rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Ah!" He clenched his stomach. "What the hell? ...Oh yeah." He remembered that Envy had stabbed him, but why was the wound gone? He could see through the hold in his shirt that it had been healed, was it all just an illusion, or maybe he was dead. Looking off to either side he could see the piled up church benches littered with soldiers sitting and standing around them. In the midst of all of them he spotted Roy and Riza.

"Uh...How did I get back here?" Ed recognized the church, it was the one Russel had told him about that led down to the underground. Roy, who Ed was looking straight at, pointed in the direction of the alter. "Hmm?" Ed looked forward, and he couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. "A...a-a...Alphonse?" He stuttered.

Al, who was trying to catch his breath, looked up and smiled. For the first time in a long time, Ed could look his brother straight in the eyes and see the eyes of the brother he grew up with his whole life. "Hey brother." Al spoke, a rather weak tone in his voice. The transmutation took a lot out of him.

"AL!" Despite his pain, Ed sprung up and ran full speed at his brother knocking him over in an overdone hug. "AL! I can't believe it!" He sat up and looked at him. "Your hair..and you...you're so thin. There's not much to you...Oh I don't care your back!" He hugged him again. "Al..." Ed sat back and rubbed his eyes. Ed, though he prided himself on being like a rock in many situations, allowed for this one moment of weakness. Tears streamed down his face. "God damn it...you'r here."

"Don't cry...come on, I just got yelled at for that." Al smiled as he put a hand on Ed's shoulder.

Ed sniffled, he didn't care who saw, his brother was back, and that's all he cared about right then and there. Roy had since approached the Elric brothers to lend a hand in case one was needed. "Crying like a little girl...that's pathetic...sorry." Ed had his head down and was laughing and crying at the same time as he spoke. He clumsily wiped tears from his cheeks with both hands.

Sig stood behind him and couldn't help but smile, Izumi had lived a good life and she devoted her last moments to these boys. "Ed..." He gave him a pat on the head.

Ed froze, then without a hitch quickly wiped his face of any remnants of tears. Izumi always got after Al for crying, so she would probably give him a swift kick if she caught him doing it. He looked behind him to see Sig towering over him and almost everyone else in the room. "Sig...what are you doing here?" He looked around to find his partner. "Where's teacher at?"

The room went silent. Ed looked to his brother who's smile had since faded. "Ed...there wasn't enough of the Philosopher's stone left to bring both of us back...she offered her life to return your soul."

Ed's face grew dark and through it all, he smiled. "I'm sorry for your loss Sig...but you know teacher, always having to go out her way just for us." Ed, with the help of Roy, rose to his feet. "She was suffering though...I imagine Dante's gone, without her, Izumi would have had a hard time living in her condition." Ed folded his arms. "..."

"Who's Dante?" Al asked as he stood up next to his brother.

Ed was confused. "What? Al, we fought her down in old Central, she was the one giving medication to teacher, she took over Lyra's body...you don't remember?"

Al shook his head. "I guess I messed up something with the transmutation...I don't remember all that much that's happened. I remember how I came to be in that suit of armor...I remember fighting down below...a few little memories in between and what happened here...but that's it."

Ed half smiled. "Oh well, it's probably best you don't remember most of it...I wish I could forget it sometimes." Ed gave Al a nudge. "Don't worry about it, let's get going."

A baby's cry could then be heard in the church. "Shh, little Ravi...it's OK, I'll get you something to eat soon...shhh..." Rose tried to sooth Ravi who, just as quick as he started, stopped crying.

Al looked over to where the sound was coming form. "A baby..." A flash happened in Al's mind, he raised his hands to his temples. "Ah...I remember something." He turned his attention toward Rose. "We met you in Lior right? I remember something from that town now."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you didn't lose your memories, maybe they're just repressed."

Ed turned to Mustang. "You never know. The shock just might have been a bit much for you."

Al approached Rose and held out his hands. "Mind if I hold him?" Rose nodded and handed the baby to Al who in turn cuddled him snuggly. "Hey there...so cute." Al booped the little baby's nose lightly. Ravi reached up and took hold of Al's finger; his little hands were so soft and warm.

Ed smiled. "It's good to have you back Al."

"Yeah." Al nodded and flashed the ever noticeable Elric smile.

OK. so it sucked, sorry. I know it was a little half-assed, but I don't know, it just wouldn't come out on it's own. This was one of those chapters where I know what I want to happen, but it just won't happen for whatever reason.

Stupid brain.

Oh well, tell me what you think. And just so you know, I'll be getting into Al and Ari's relationship after this. I'll touch on Ed and Winry, but for now, I'll give Al these next few chapters. I have something planned for Ed and Winry later on...hehe. But you'll have to wait.
Aria's character needs a little more to it, so I'll let you guys get to know her a little more.

Thanks for sticking it out with me. :D I love you all! (In the only way that a writer can love her readers...yeah...that works.)