After this, there'll be an epilogue, and then it's finished.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Out of Hiding

"Tell the whole world. It's time all of this was out in the open," said Edward. "Alchemy shouldn't belong to just a few select people, but to everyone. And Al and I... well, Izumi said it was time we stopped hiding, and think she's right."

"We're going to present our father's findings to Central Imperial College," said Alphonse, "As well as our own research. We hope- well, we hope that you'll be willing to donate some of the profit from your publication to funding an alchemy academy of sorts."

Well, of course we will." Roy said without a second thought. "We'd be sending you a good share of the profit anyway. This is your life story we'd be publishing..." he trailed off. "This has come as kind of a shock," he admitted. "I'd hoped you'd let us publish at least some of our findings, but we didn't expect this..."

"They shouldn't have to live in hiding," explained Izumi. "It's time to come out and tell the world. The boys were too young before, but now... they're ready."

Riza felt slightly overwhelmed by the turn of events, but did her best to keep a calm front. "I'm glad you've decided to do this," she said. "We'll send you our drafts for approval before publication, and personally, I'd like to offer you my full support for the future."

"No kidding!" said Jean. "This is the biggest story in a century- you ever need a favour, just call."

Maes grinned. "The same goes for the rest of us."

"Thank you," Alphonse treated them to a sunny smile. "Now... did you have anything you wanted to ask us? Any loose ends you need tied up?"

The group exchanged glances.

Roy grinned.

"Well..." he said. "There is one thing..."

Kain gave them a hopeful smile. "Can we please see some alchemy? I've been dying to ask ever since we got here."

"That," Edward smirked, "is no problem at all. Chalk, Al?"

"Here, brother." He handed over a white stub. "What shall we transmute?"

Ed looked thoughtful, and then turned to their guests. "Any of you got a suggestion?"

Maes's face lit up.

"Could you make something for my daughter? She is just the most precious-"

"Stop there, Maes," said Roy. He turned to the Elrics. "Maes here is the incredibly proud father of one three-year-old girl , and if you get him started he'll be singing her praises for hours."

"We could make a doll," suggested Ed. "I'm sure we had some leftover fabric, and we could use the stuffing from that pillow that got torn yesterday..."

Al nodded. "That'll work. Alright, brother, I'll get the materials."

Ed chalked a perfect circle onto the tabletop with practiced ease, quickly filling in geometric shapes and a few strange symbols. Alphonse left the room and returned just moments later with a pile of scrap fabric and a torn cushion.

"Alright, on three... I'll warn you, the light can be kinda bright... One, two, three!"

Roy had seen movies with alchemists. They would draw bizarre circles and then there would be a great crashing sound and the circle would practically explode with light.

This was smaller, but a thousand- a million times more impressive.

The transmutation seemed to go on and on as Roy stared in absolute astonishment. He'd known that the Elric brothers could perform alchemy, but... to see it actually happen...

Alchemy. Real alchemy. This is- it's-

Beautiful. It's beautiful. I've never- never in my life- seen anything like this. The movies have nothing on this- I can't even...

I would never have dreamed that alchemy was so beautiful.

The light faded and a completed doll lay in the centre of the array. Still mesmerised by what they'd just seen, nobody spoke, nobody even moved for a moment- until Roy gingerly reached out to the array.

He looked to Ed and Al for permission, and after receiving an encouraging nod, he picked up the doll.

It was just a doll. Just a kid's toy. It weighed maybe a few grams in total... but it felt heavy in his hands. He turned it over and looked into its smiling face.

"Maes," he said, a little hoarsely, "Your daughter is going to have the coolest doll in the world."

"Yeah," Maes agreed, stunned. "I think I'd have to agree with that."

Ed smirked. "Impressive, isn't it?"

"Definitely." Riza nodded.

"I've seen that a thousand times or more, but I never get tired of seeing it," said Izumi. "It's incredible."

"I don't think there are even words for it." Kain said.

"I'm glad," beamed Al. "But it's getting kind of late. We'll set up somewhere for you to sleep, and we'll answer your questions tomorrow."