[A/N: Just so you know, I really like reviews. I smile at EACH and EVERY one, and my boyfriend looks at me like I'm crazy.

Speaking of him... my boyfriend is my Roy Mustang. Without him, this story would not be. Along with introducing me to Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, he fights for me just as Roy fights for Riza. So, before I go any further, I'd just like to dedicate this story to him. -A.O.S.-]

As soon as Roy realized what he had seen, he had become the definition of speed and raced to the hall he knew Envy was hiding. The weariness and weakness he felt in his bones was forgotten in a moment. He didn't have time to rest or gather his strength. Adrenaline coursed through his body, making some parts numb and some feel on fire. Sweat pooled around his eyelids and his eyes burned when he went to wipe it away. All he could think on was the simple and horrible fact that Riza was hurt and there was going to be hell to pay for the monster that had done it. Was she even still alive? Roy's anger boiled and threatened to engulf his mind with rage. Panic and desperation struck him when he heard screams and... roars? from deep within the hell he was in.

He was sweating heavily when he rounded the corner of the D hall. It was a long black hall with doors lined symmetrically on each side. The smell of rotting meat was ferocious and the air tasted of sickness. Surprisingly, it was quieter here than the other halls.

The fire from the lamp's above gave Envy's short figure away. He was standing in front of another heavily fortified door, not unlike the one from Roy's own prison, and was turning a gold key in the lock. He had barely had the chance to turn and recognize Roy before he was upon him, his face being intimately greeted by Roy's closed fist. This brilliant display of strength would have made even Alex Armstrong proud, but his fist sure hurt like hell when it came into contact with bone.

Envy fell to the floor, dazed and confused. He had definitely not expected to see Roy. The Underground, as he and his fellow homunculi called it, was huge and vast. How had Roy found him? Holding his broken jaw in his hand, he watched his own grotesque blood pour down his black gloved hand.

"...How... dare you..." Roy huffed, completely out of breath. His abs glistened and his lips trembled from exhaustion and frenzy. Fingers twitching, he felt vulnerable with the unfamiliar absence of his gloves.

Before he could finish his sentence, however, red flashes of lightning flew across Envy's face. Envy smirked boyishly and stood, showing off his completely healed jaw.

"You never learn!" Envy threw his head back, laughing. He laughed so hard, he had to balance himself, putting his bloody hand on the door beside him.

Roy ground his teeth in frustration. Riza was hurting and needed his help now, while this indestructible monster stood in his way. However, he realized now with foolishness, he had not even stopped to think of a plan. Exhaustion was clear on his face and his gloves, his one source of immense power, had been stripped from him. Envy, however, was at full strength and could recover from any blows he could throw, as well as dish out many of his own; not to mention his creepy face changing power. His anger had gotten in the way of logic once again, and this time Riza was not there to help him rectify his mistakes. Roy silently scolded himself for Riza's sake.

"So what now, Roy Mustang? How many more of those pitiful punches can you throw? Can you even stand much longer? Or do you need these to do any real damage?" Envy pulled out Roy's gloves, holding them in front of him with obvious pride and satisfaction. The red transmutation circles caught Roy's eyes and he stared viciously. Envy laughed again upon seeing this. "Priceless!" he managed, nearly in hysterics. He had to hold onto the door again for support as he giggled like a small schoolgirl.

In an instant, a feminine hand shot out from the bars of the window and snatched the gloves right from Envy's own finger's. It took him a full moment to register in his mind that they had disappeared from his clutches.

"Hey!" he was cut off from further dialogue when the heavy metal door that he had conveniently unlocked flew open and knocked him back.

Roy took no time in rushing in to check on Riza while Envy was down. However, once he stepped into the doorway, he realized that the woman in front of him was not blonde. He froze. The shadows were long, but he could tell that this woman was shorter than Hawkeye and dressed in what might have once been professional clothes. As the woman stepped forward into the light from the hall, Roy was floored.

Mrs. Bradley stood in the middle of the prison room, staring hard at Mustang, holding his precious Flame Alchemy gloves in her hands. A wave a pity washed over Roy when he saw her face, lined with bruises of purple and yellow. Her small feet were shoeless and heavy bags underlined her eyes, while her brownish gray hair hung down to her shoulders. Roy suddenly came to the realization that he had never seen her without her classic makeup. He resisted the urge to salute.

"Colonel." she said quietly, her voice shaking, "I believe these belong to you."