A/N: Okay so no more recaps. Seriously if you want a previously just read the freaking last chapter. Ha. But anyway, yes! This is a loooong chapter. The longest by far surpassing chapter 4 which is 4,400 words. This is 6,600+ words so...YEAH IT'S LONG! Sorry, but it is a fight chapter and I hope I don't fail too epically at writing it. :S

After this chapter updates will be less frequent due to good ol' school. -_- whoopie.

Me: And now let me introduce some changes I have made:

1) Sloth is already dead and Wrath never thought of her as a mother figure after she clearly abandoned him during the fight. And the Elric brothers did not kill her. Dante did. So Wrath REALLY hates Dante AND Sloth.

2) Pride is King Bradley and he kind of went clinically insane. Well, obviously most homunculi are psychopaths but something made him snap in this chapter.

3) Father is the superior. Dante is just sort of a co-superior. So they are both included in this story.

4) Some BIG, BIG, BIG-MAC SIZED OMG-NESS WILL BE SAID IN THIS CHAPTER! Enemies and friends pairing up BIG! :O shocking!

5) Also, there's some Izumi and Wrath cuteness :3 Along with Royai

6) There are going to be 23 chapters of this story. Sorry, but I must wing it out and torture you! Also, this is by far the longest author's note I've ever done.

7) Also, we find out what sort of cool alchemy powers Wyatt and Luki have developed!

8) Al gets his body back rather quickly! :)

9) I'm including dates and times now! OOH

Me: Thank you to FMAsushi96! OMG I FREAKING LOVE YOU! :D Thanks to guest reviews as well!

…Also, the whole pull-ups thing was a hilarious thing I thought up. Haha. The housewife thing I had to put in which does NOT belong to me!

::I DO NOT OWN FMA::

Chapter 7: The Takeover

~()~()~South HQ, September 7, 1916~()~()~

"This is ridiculous!" Roy exclaimed, hiding behind what used to be his temporary office. Riza stopped peering behind a wall and glared at him.

"Roy…"

Roy flung his head around only to have it flung right back with the loudest smack known to man. His cheek stung worse than the time he got it stuck in a beehive once when he was younger.

"Riza! What the hell was that for?" He exclaimed, rubbing his cheek and wincing.

She grabbed his shoulders and glared at him violently. "Man up, Roy! Take off your pull-ups and put on some briefs! There's an incredible fight out there and you need to stop whining and do your part!" Her eyes were wide and hair was strewn over her face.

Roy stared at her wide-eyed and then sighed, gently taking her shaking hands off of his shoulders. "You're right. We need back-up."

"Already here, Colonel."

Roy and Riza whipped their heads around to see none other than the Fullmetal Alchemist with friends. They were an odd pair—young but seemed rather fierce.

"Fullmetal," Roy said, amused at what a group he had brought to his office. They were a raggedy-looking bunch and he doubted they'd get much farther than he did. "So you brought some of your middle school friends to watch the fun?"

Ed glared. "They're my age! Look, Colonel, we—"

A loud explosion of bricks and stone interrupted Ed. Roy and Riza decided to step farther away from the chunk of wall they were standing.

"We can do it," Ed said adamantly. "The majority of us are alchemists and we can help you out, Colonel."

"Oh and what exactly can they do?" Roy sneered and pointed towards the fear-stricken young teenagers standing behind Ed.

"I can control wind," Wyatt sneered right back. As to prove it, he rushed his hands together and a gust of wind overcame the office as papers flew off the floor and bookshelves in one massive swirl of air. He lowered his hands and the swirl stopped.

"Hmm, nice." Although Roy didn't seem too enthusiastic. His attention turned to a timid Luki standing near Bella and Al. "What about you?"

"I can control electricity," Luki said, staring at his feet. Suddenly, a huge jolt of eletric currents flooded the floor by his feet and he seemed to control the movement with his eyes, moving the jolts up and down left and right and finally frying an old lamp. Sparks flew near Roy but he didn't flinch.

"Now that is impressive as well," The handsome colonel admitted. "What about her?"

Bella gulped. "I can't really do any alchemy, sir." She tried to avoid contact with the dreamy colonel and stared at the ground, blushing like mad.

Roy smacked his head and gave a nasty look at Ed. "So you just bring a helpless girl here to watch the show or something?" Bella sweatdropped.

"LOOK, COLONEL!" Ed said getting angry and defensive. "WE CAN MANAGE KEEPING HER SAFE, ALL RIGHT!"

"Not many of us are safe here," Riza said blandly.

"I can see that," Wyatt huffed. "If we're going to do something then let's do it now!"

"Hold on, cocky! Just because you are here now doesn't mean you can take on an army with four of you," Roy said, finding his white gloves and slipping them on his scraped hands. He had a purple bruise forming above his eye, which made him look angrier.

Ed scoffed. "We can when we have Izumi."

Izumi crossed her arms and glared at the colonel. "And who is she?" he asked.

"Their old alchemy teacher," Izumi replied lowly. "And if you doubt what my pupils can do than I highly recommend you think that over."

Roy smirked. "Then be my most honored guests getting yourselves hurt."

Bella smacked her head and sighed shakily. 'This is going to be bad…'

~()~()~

"Are you sure there's a fight going on here?" Envy asked.

BOOM! Stonewalls were soon nothing but crumbled chunks and ash.

Greed smirked. "Uh, yeah! I'm sure." Envy glared and followed the group carefully around to the edge of the building.

"WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME, ROY?! JUST LET ME DO IT!"

"Oh? And being that short? I don't think so, Fullmetal."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE COULD ONLY BE SEEN WITH A MICROSCOPE YOU JERK!"

Envy smacked his head and sighed. "Pipsqueak?"

"Edward Elric?" Camile asked.

"Yeah," Envy said. "How did you know who he was?"

Camile shrugged and thought of something. "He is rather popular."

"Well let's go see that brat," Greed said and walked right into the office where the voices of Colonel Mustang and the Fullmetal Pipsqueak could be heard.

Envy and Camile blinked at each other. "He's bold," Camile stated bluntly.

"He's Greed. He does what he wants." Camile stared at Envy and nodded.

Wrath got in a protective stance in front of his big sister and was ready to attack.

"You're kidding me!" Ed sighed once he saw the three homunculi staring at them as they entered the room. "Greeling, palm tree, devil-child, and some random girl."

Greeling—er Greed made a smirk. "Nice to see you again, kid."

"I'm going to kill you!"

"We're actually here to help, pipsqueak," Envy chuckled lightly.

Edward thrashed out in all directions. "WHO YOU CALLING A PIPSQUEAK YOU JERK!"

Envy smirked, put a finger in his ear and whistled. "Wow. Still a loud-mouth."

Bella and Camile ran to each other in a hug.

"I-I was looking for you!" Bella cried. Camile nodded.

"So… happy you found me?"

"YES!" Bella said. "Of course! Stupid squirrel."

Camile groaned in agreement. "I HATE squirrels!"

Izumi leaned over to Al and whispered. "Friends?" Al tilted his head. "I guess so."

"You!" Camile pointed a finger at Wyatt and glared. He merely stared at her and rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you too," he said sarcastically.

Camile then noticed Luki standing awkwardly in a corner and made a winking face at Bella only to have her make a warning face. Ed, who didn't like that this girl was hanging out with his least favorite homunculi, interrupted their facial communications.

"Who are you?" Ed blurted out rudely and pointed a finger to Camile. He got ready to fight. "A—homunculus?"

Camile blinked her hazel eyes. "No. Vampire." As though her answer explained it all. He didn't really mind that much if she were a vampire. At least she wasn't a homunculus.

Envy groaned quietly. "What does it matter, pipsqueak? We're here to help you."

"Don't start that again!" Ed shouted. "Last time I saw you, you nearly killed me back in the laboratory!"

Envy smirked slightly. "Good memory. Now whether you like it or not you can't take Pride on alone. I know the whole 'phantom' has got you freaked out just like everyone else. But first things first. Got it?"

"Pride?" They all said in unison, staring at Envy. He sighed and nodded. "King Bradley—he's a homunculus named Pride. He's rather power-crazy, hence the name. He finally lost it this time." The thought amused Envy and his sadistic hunger returned.

Ed narrowed his eyes. "How do I know you won't kill me once we're done?"

"Nice point," Envy smirked, closing his eyes and resting one leg as he leaned back on the wall. "I may…but I may not. Depends if Pride claims you as his first."

Another boom outside.

"Sounds like he's getting angry," Envy mused casually, still remaining the position on the wall. "Kimblee here?"

"Kimblee?"

Envy opened his eyes and didn't drop the malicious smirk on his lips. "He is a rather boom-happy sociopath."

Ed sighed deeply. "I never, ever, thought I'd say this but, Envy, Greeling, Wrath, and whatever your name is—"

"Camile!" Camile huffed and looked the other way.

"Yeah, Camile. Let's do this!"

"May be hard to do," Greed said. "That jerk has an ultimate 'seeing eye'. So we will have to distract him and perhaps ambush him while he's distracted."

"Leave it to me," Riza said and loaded her guns. Roy stared blankly at her.

"Riza…" Roy said, inhaling dusty air. "Let a homunculus do it."

"Colonel…"

Roy shushed her. "Now isn't the time for formalities." He then turned his head in the direction of Greed. "You. Distract Bradley while we take out his little army."

"Man, this'll be fun." Greed's face split into the nostalgic sharky smirk. He cracked his knuckles and got ready for the time of his life that is, until some chick came up and glared daggers at him.

"I'll go with," Izumi said. Greed was digging this woman already. She was a babe.

"Who are you?" Greed said, strangely seductive. Boy did that make Envy gag, and he was right next to him.

Izumi rolled her eyes, got inches from his nose, and jabbed her thumb at her chest haughtily. "I'm a housewife!" 'Aw, married? Darn…' Greed thought.

"I'm coming too," Wrath said. He had a far-off bloodthirsty look in his violet eyes. "I want to see Pride die a painful and slow death."

Izumi stared at the boy and tried not to let her emotions get the best of her. Wrath eventually caught on and stared up at her, innocently now.

"…" Izumi quickly turned her attention to the door and began walking out with Greed. A tiny and strong hand gripped her wrist and she spun her head around.

"…M-Mom?" His voice rang through Izumi's ears, making the tears finally flow down. She didn't hesitate to engulf him in a hug, even if he was a homunculus she didn't care.

Wrath was taken aback at first but made no intentions of furthering his violence; this was his mom—his true mom. Sloth was dead and this was the woman who tried everything to get her son back.

"Wrath…" Izumi breathed, letting fresh droplets of bittersweet tears fall onto the boys shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her at long last and didn't feel like letting go.

Wrath thought a moment and finally came to a conclusion. "I-I can't be with you, Mommy. I…I'm sorry." He pulled away from Izumi and gave her a sincere look. She nodded and wiped away the tears. This was no time for crying; this was a time to be strong.

"Let's do this," Wrath said, holding onto her hand, much to her surprise. "Together."

Izumi smiled and nodded, waiting to see if anyone else was going to join the distraction of Pride.

"Well, we can't just let only three of them go alone," Roy, said thoughtfully. A few seconds of silence passed by before he finally thought of something.

"Okay here's the plan. Envy, and Camile? Is that your name?" Camile nodded and smiled. "Both of you go with the three of them."

"Don't worry, princess, stick with me and you'll be just fine," Envy smirked at Camile, still glued to the wall in his bad-boy position. Camile rolled her eyes and sighed at the infamous nickname.

"I thought we had this conversation?" But the statement met dead ears as Envy already stopped giving her his attention.

'Leave it to him. Attention span of a fly. Attention span OF. A. FLY' Camile crossed her arms and tried to be brave of whatever would happen next. Of course Envy was an incredible fighter, arrogant, yet clever, he would make sure she was safe. Well that's what Camile hoped anyway. He had a tendency for looking out only for himself…

"Riza and I will deal with his soldiers," Roy said. He looked at the remaining carefully. "All of you can get in on the real action once the five are done distracting Bradley. Why don't you take the girl somewhere safe? And keep her out of trouble if they give you any." He looked at Luki.

Luki nodded. "Will do." He grabbed Bella by the wrist and they both blushed as they left to find somewhere safe in silence.

Ed, Al, and Wyatt remained.

"General Armstrong will be assisting us as well," Roy said. "He should be here—"

The door bust down suddenly, making everyone jump. "I AM HERE NOW, COLONEL! I WILL ASSIST YOU! BATTLES LIKE THESE HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN IN THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY LINE FOR GENERATIONS!" Sparkles flew. Lots of sparkles.

Camile stifled a chuckle. "I love this guy."

"And here he is now," Roy said trying to get over the broken door in his office that was half-destroyed anyway. "Let's get this over with. Are you ready everybody?"

"Hold on there." Envy held out a hand as though what he was about to say would answer everything. "Pride has an ultimate eye, he's going to know our advance."

"Then we need to make it as discreet as possible," Roy blinked. "What else would you think we were going to do, homunculus? Run around with a flare gun?"

Envy rolled his eyes and grumbled. "Stupid humans…can't believe I'm helping you."

Another boom and some rather bloodcurdling screams to accompany it.

"We shouldn't stand here forever," Riza said bluntly. She got her guns ready and stood by Roy's side.

"You're right. Everyone know the plan?" Roy went over it one more time just to make sure.

"All right! Let's go! Armstrong you're with Ed, Al, and Wyatt."

"WILL DO, COLONEL!"

~()~()~

Tiptoeing through some corriders proved to be trickier than thought. Riza was losing vigilance by a point. It just seemed too empty to be true. Roy was ready to incinerate with a snap and there wasn't anyone around to do it to.

"I think they know we're here," Riza said.

"Of course they do," Roy said. He narrowed his eyes and searched down the long hallway.

He could hear shouts coming close to the edge of a corrider and he was right—they knew all too well Roy and Riza were there. She began firing merciless shots at them as Roy snapped his fingers and fires were sent to roast the opposing military soldiers.

"I hate to do this," Riza said, her voice sounding distant. Roy had never heard her admit to anything like that. She usually just killed as she was told. Now he could hear guilt.

"They were a threat to the military," Roy said almost soothingly. "If Bradley—Pride—is a homunculus then they are on the enemy's side."

Riza stared at him with her blank brown eyes. She nodded grimly and walked with him down the burning corridor in silence. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination or if when he looked at her he actually cared. He was a good-looking man and she'd figure she wasn't anything compared to the women he dated. Besides, she worked for him, it wouldn't look right.

"Roy?" Riza started. She hadn't meant for it to slip out but it did.

"Yes?"

She hesitated a moment. "Nevermind."

Roy gave her a strange look. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Ok." He didn't know why she started acting so strange.

~()~()~

"Oh, nice to see you again Greed," Pride said rather calmly. He was walking back in forth in front of Greed in a threatening manor. "Good to see you brought friends to this event." Greed pondered that moment. Damn, he knew they were there. Damn eye.

"Cut the chit-chat," Greed spat. "I've had enough of you, Pride."

Pride chuckled as Greed's anger amused him. "And you really think you can stop me now?"

"Of course I can," Greed growled. Izumi looked around and found there were guards being silently taken from behind and most likely killed.

Izumi smiled. 'Good work, Wrath.'

"Now, now," Pride scolded. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." He looked around and inhaled as though he were in a beautiful field of fresh smelling flowers. "I can do what I want now. I killed my wife and son and should do the same to you." He had an evil glint in his good eye.

Greed got furious. "You killed your wife and son?" He knew Pride was always capable of doing anything do get power; even kill friends, but family? He crossed the line.

"They were—a nuisance, really," Pride said as though it were a normal thing. He stopped pacing and gave off a sadistic look. "Nice to see that you'll go down the same way."

That was enough for him. Greed immediately turned into his shield and had a clear advantage on Pride.

Pride only chuckled and got his swords handy. He then began thrashing viciously trying to pierce through his blood seal. With a swing of his arm, Greed sent Pride sending into the ground a few yards away. Pride merely wiped blood from a scrape on his arm and got up, smirking.

"Point for Greed," Greed said. He then charged at Pride again only to have one of Pride's swords break into his side.

Izumi could only stand there and observe her surroundings. That is, when she heard a boom near a wall in the courtyard and sighed when she saw Kimblee standing there in all of his psychopathic glory.

"Ooh a woman," Kimble mused. "Fun. Fun." Boom!

Izumi dodged it just in time and got her alchemy ready, sending sparks hurdling toward Kimblee. It missed by a hair and this made Kimblee very angry.

"How dare you!" Kimblee growled and got ready to send another boom. Izumi whistled loudly and the Elric brothers appeared along with Wyatt.

Al used his alchemy to create a wall in front of Izumi, ricocheting Kimblee's blast back on him. Kimblee did a somersault and nearly kicked Ed right in the face.

"I really don't like you already," Ed growled as he dodged vicious punches on vital organs.

Kimblee sneered. "And what? You think I like you?"

Envy and Camile were on their way across the courtyard panting as they neared the fight scene.

"I'll help Greed. You get Kimblee."

Camile groaned loudly. "Why do I get the boom-happy psycho?!" she whined and pouted.

Envy ignored her and sauntered off to Pride and Greed. Wrath was still busy taking care of the guards on the rooftops by—ahem carefully breaking their necks and other colorful ways of murder.

Camile looked at Kimblee and decided to freeze his hands. Bad, bad mistake. He shot her the nastiest glare, held off Al AND Izumi and tried to explode her to pieces!

Camile had to control her breathing and use her powers and newbound skills to observe a measure of attack. And just where the hell was Armstrong?

A huge wall of water washed through a courtyard wall and swept through the middle of the courtyard. Armstrong stood proudly beside it with Roy carrying an injured Riza to safety. Roy gave him some sort of gesture and Armstrong left down a broken corridor unnoticed.

"What?! Don't leave me!" Camile groaned and jumped out of the way of another shocking boom. Ed got Kimblee's hair from behind and yanked his head back, sending him on his knees. Camile froze his hands away from each other, preventing deadly booms. Izumi walked over to him and gave him a very pissed-off kick in the face.

She was met by Kimblee's cackling. "You think you've won yet?" He spat, blood seeping down his now broken nose. "Just look over there and have fun defeating the strongest homunculus known to Amestris."

Ed went with Camile over to aid Envy and Greed in defeating Pride. Izumi, Wyatt and Al stayed with Kimblee and kept beating him up for answers to the whole predicament.

"Ah, you brought friends," Pride exclaimed calmly, dodging more desperate hits from Greed and Envy, stabbing Envy here or there. He'd already killed Envy about three times so far and he was regenerating more slowly.

"Bring it," Ed smirked darkly.

~()~()~

"Are you sure we're safe here?" Bella murmered. Her brown eyes were wide with fear and her heart was beating with anticipation.

Luki kept staring at the door of the closet they were in. "I'll make sure you are."

Bella couldn't help herself. The corners of her mouth flit upwards and she felt very comforted at his tone of voice. He'd never been a very confident person as she thought, but his voice was reassuring.

It was even more reassuring when he zapped a guard who saw the door cracked open and Luki completely electrocuted his ass.

"Th…Thank you," Bella whispered and found her arms wrapped around Luki. He stared at her shocked for the moment and then took his arms off of him.

She stared at him a little hurt and taking that as a sign of rejection. She titlted her head downwards slightly and immediately regretted the hug. Luki only chuckled softly and lifted her face to look up at his. Her cheeks were on fire.

He leaned down so that he was nearing her height and she stood on her toes up to meet him for the anticipated kiss. They soon found themselves kissing more intensely and yes, they were making out—in a closet with dirty mops and cleaning products in the middle of a takeover.

A guard saw them and pointed his gun at them. Luki didn't even open his eyes and sent painful bolts of electricity at the guard and continued kissing Bella. The girl he almost died trying to rescue from an evil squirrel. Now his back felt better and the scar was still there, but it was a good reminder of sacrifice for him.

"Hello!" Armstrong nearly missed the lightning bolt Luki had sent hurling at his head. Luki opened his eyes and stopped kissing to see Alex Louis Armstrong staring with a confused face.

..."You almost killed me!"

~()~()~

Pride was pinned to the ground by all four of them. His swords were strewn several feet away from him. He was completely helpless and he knew it, yet smirked anyway. Camile was smart enough to pick up on it and figured he had one more trick up his sleeve.

"Give it up, Pride. You lose," Envy snarled, inching his sword-arm closer and closer to Pride's eye.

Pride merely just chuckled. "No. I think it is you who has lost." Envy glared.

"That idiot made a mistake," Pride continued. "He thought he could challenge me. After I get complete and total control there isn't anything going to stop me."

Greed's glare and death grip intensified. "Who?"

"Why, Colonel Mustang, of course!" Pride laughed as though they were children who were getting an answer to an obvious question. "And now you will all pay for interfering."

Camile was right—the magician was about to reveal his grand magic trick.

The blocks of ice on Kimblee's hands were broken as soon as he managed to squeeze them together to create another boom. Izumi and Wyatt narrowly escaped out of the way, but Al was the one who was hit.

"AL!" Ed screamed and found himself rushing over to him on instinct. He knelt down the nearly destroyed remains of Al's armor and found his blood seal almost gone.

"It's ok, brother," Al assured weakly. "Just help them. They need you."

"Really thought you could contain me?" Kimblee glared and found himself engaged in brutal contact with Izumi. Wyatt became furious and sent the strongest rush of wind he could muster and used his new air alchemy to send Kimblee flying into a wall and snapping his neck in two.

"He was annoying," Wyatt said simply and went to inspect Izumi's arm. Only a few cuts and scrapes were left on it, fortunately.

"Thank you," Izumi embraced Wyatt into a quick hug.

"WHAT?!" Pride roared. "THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!"

Greed had a very scary, bloodlust look. "And that's what happens when you're outnumbered. What good is your eye now?"

Pride managed to get hold of a nearby sword and was about to hurl it into Greed's Ouroboros when the brightest flash of white light blinded everyone.

…

"PRIDE!" The loudest, frightening, and most powerful voice the group ever heard was ringing through the courtyard.

The white light dissipated and everyone was able to open their eyes. No one was standing from the white light. Greed was no longer a shield and was now his typical, 'cool' looking form.

"F-F-Father!" Pride was on his back and staring at the furious entity above him.

"I GOT HERE AT THE RIGHT TIME! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO KILL EACH OTHER!" Father looked furiously between Greed and Pride.

"BUT—POPS!"

Father shot his attention to the pathetic homunculus who had guilt mustered all over his face. "SHUT UP! I AM SICK OF YOUR MOUTH!"

"AS FOR YOU," he turned his attention to Pride. "YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN DEFY ME?! I GAVE YOU POWER! I GAVE YOU A HOME! YOU'RE GREEDIER THAN GREED!"

Camile chuckled lightly to herself. "Greedier than Greed…heh."

"THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR! NOW YOU MUST PAY THE PRICE, PRIDE!"

Pride merely shook his head in a pathetic attempt at denial. "This—can't happen! I'm sorry!"

"It's too late," Father said darkly. And with that Pride was painfully diminished into nothing but dust. His screams radiated the air in a skin-scraping sound.

"HOW COULD YOU LET TWO OF YOUR SIBLINGS JUST DIE? YOU SELFISH, WORTHLESS PIECE OF SCUM! I WISH YOU COULD BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR FAMILY! BECAUSE YOU CAN GAIN THE ENTIRE WORLD, GREED, BUT LOOK BACK AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND CARED FOR ARE GONE! YOU WOULDN'T THINK A HOMUNCULUS HAS FEELINGS BUT YOU DO AND I EXPECT YOU TO STOP BEING A WORTHLESS PIECE OF HUMAN SELFISHNESS BEFORE I SEND YOU BACK TO THE WRETCHED BONES YOU ONCE CAME."

Father left with one more flash of light and left everyone there shaking. Greed was in shock, trying to process the words Father had used.

Greed stared at the spot Pride and Father had been. "Pops…"

"It's over…" Ed breathed. He then turned his attention to his brother, who didn't seem responsive. "Al? AL!"

Everyone rushed over to the remains of Al's armor. "He's…gone," Izumi said sadly, as though she was trying to convince herself otherwise.

"NO!" Ed screamed banging his fists on the ground next to Al's armor. "I CAN'T—" tears choked him up. "You can't leave me."

Izumi started drawing a circle in the ground. "What are you doing?" Ed asked.

"Equivalent exchange." Ed attempted to grab her arm, but she gave him a slap across the face.

"Stop it!" she shouted. "I know what I'm doing."

"You can't trade your soul for my brother's!"

Izumi sighed but ignored him as she put her hands on the ground. The familiar blue light lit up from the ground.

Ed pushed her out of the way just in time, transferring his body to the Gate.

"Hello." Truth's chilling voice greeted Ed in an air that sent shivers down his spine. The Gate opened to reveal Al in his body and soul. He was aged to fifteen, like he should've been.

"Brother!" Al was able to run right out of the Gate to hug him, much to Ed's surprise. His voice—it was deeper and it seemed as though Al had matured five years in ten minutes.

"You're letting him go?" Ed asked Truth and almost immediately cringed and regretted saying something so blunt.

"Yes." Was the reply from Truth. Pure and simple as day. "You rid me of Pride who was on his way to rule your world. He was trying to become God-like, thanks to Mustang questioning his authority."

Ed simply blinked. "So Colonel was only suspicious."

Truth laughed. "That's right. And Pride didn't like that."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, human. Take your brother and go. It is equivalent exchange; you gave me Pride and I'll give you your brother."

Ed was pulled back into the courtyard where he once was. Al was laying on the ground next to his armor in clothes that looked ragged and much too small for his older body.

"Al!" Ed encompassed him in a hug and nearly cried. "I'm so glad you're back."

Al looked down at his hands, his fingers, his feet. His whole body. How he missed it, being able to feel, to touch, to breathe, and the feeling that almost seemed foreign—hunger.

"You're back," Izumi giggled and hugged both brothers in her arms.

Roy suddenly came out into the open with Riza being dragged with one arm around his shoulder and looking very pale.

"Good work," Roy said, sounding out of breath.

"Roy…" Riza said weakly. He laid her on the ground and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. She found it hard to control the pure shock that made its way onto her face.

"What are you doing?" She asked incredulously. "Hugging you. Because I don't want to let go." Riza found her cheeks heat up at the incredible romantic colonel that was in front of her. She pulled his arms off of her gently and made him look into her eyes to see if it was all just a trick of the mind. His black eyes were burning with a passion—of love. He was in love with her.

"I think you need to rest," Roy said softly. Riza gave him a hard slap across the face even if her arm was probably broken.

"Wha…?"

"Do you…" Riza found it incredibly hard to talk. "Are you in love with me?" she asked in a wispy voice.

Roy nodded. "Yes. I am."

"About damn time, Roy!" Riza grabbed both of his cheeks in her hands and lead his lips into a game with hers.

Ed cleared his throat loudly. Roy pulled away to see Ed standing there staring smugly and smirking sheepishly. "Ooh la la, Colonel."

Roy shot him a glare. "Oh grow up, Fullmetal!" Riza pulled him into another fiery kiss.

Ed rolled his eyes. "I suddenly realize I'm tired. I think I could sleep for a week."

Wyatt rubbed the back of his sore neck. "I feel like I could sleep for a year."

"And so," Camile said in an announcer voice. "The heroes saved the day. After teaming up with some enemies they finally managed to get the bad guys and blah blah blah!"

Envy gave her a weird look. "You okay…?"

Camile smiled at him. "You know that answer." Envy just increased the perplexity on his face.

"Camile!" Bella came running from across the yard. "I was watching you from a distance!" Armstrong and Luki were following shortly behind.

"Yeah?" Camile asked, grinning.

"How did you do that?" Bella asked.

"Do what?" Camile asked.

Bella groaned playfully and punched her arm lightly. "Do the cool freezing stuff?"

"Oh. This lady named Dante gave me powers…back," Camile said, feeling very uncomfortable for an unknown reason.

"Wow! I had no idea she'd give you powers!" Bella exclaimed ignoring the 'back' Camile had added purposefully. "So she didn't kill you? You're not a homunculus?"

Envy started to raise an eyebrow. Camile laughed nervously. "Of course not," she said.

"To think us humans…" Bella exclaimed and suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Camile slapped her head and slammed her eyes shut, just waiting for it.

"You're…a human?" Camile turned around to see the homunculus staring at her. No glaring, no death threats, just simply staring. Camile looked around to see everyone staring.

"Funny story…" Camile laughed nervously, although no one thought it was funny. She suddenly felt very…odd. A mixture of emotions welled up inside of her.

Camile sighed and looked Envy straight in the eyes. She licked her fingers and led it over the 'bite marks' she drew with a sharpie and it came off on her neck and fingers.

"Yes. Now, go ahead and kill me," Camile sighed, averting her eyes to the ground. Afraid of what creative murder Envy would do knowing she lied to him. Honestly, she was still amazed any of them bought it. But then again, maybe they knew all along.

Bella gave her a shocked look. 'Why on earth would she say that?'

Camile finally looked up to meet blank violet eyes staring at her. His face usually went blank and thoughtful when he was shocked. 'He had no idea…'

Camile turned around to walk away, in shame. 'Now no one would trust me! Great!'

~()~()~

Ed sighed nervously and got into the phonebooth to call Winry. He made a promise to her two days ago to call and let her know he was okay after this. And she also promised to call him, but he decided to be a gentleman and call her.

"Hello?"

"Winry, hey. It's me, Ed."

"ED? Oh my gosh are you okay?"

"Yeah," He played with the cord on the phone. "Everyone's okay. Bradley turned out to be a homunculus named Pride. Isn't that something?"

"Wow. That's…something."

Ed hesitated a moment. "Al got his body back…"

Silence.

"Winry?"

"…What? A-are you sure?!"

Ed smiled to himself. "Al's back. A psychopath named Kimblee destroyed his armor. Al's bloodseal got damaged and Izumi tried to do equivalent exchange. I pushed her out of the way. Heh. Looks like I got him back."

"Al…wow…hey, Ed? You didn't lose anything did you?"

"No. Surprisingly. I guess getting my brother back as a whole was payback for helping defeat Pride."

"I can't wait to see you all again…" Ed could hear her starting to choke up on the other end and only sadly smiled to himself.

"We, uh, didn't see TMK here."

"Who?"

Ed sighed and then remembered. "'The mysterious killer'. We call him TMK for short. He's the phantom going around."

"Oh."

"I expected to find him here, but…I guess he has no links to Bradley, apparently."

"Don't tell me you're going to do something stupid are you?"

"Winry."

"Ed."

"Have you not heard of what he's done? It's absolutely horrifying. Someone's gotta stop him."

Ed could hear a loud huffing sigh on the phone. "All the more reason not to go! What ever happened to the Philosopher's Stone you told me about?"

Ed looked at his shoes. "I'm not sure that's much of a worry anymore…"

"Huh?"

"Winry," Ed said a little guilty. "Envy, Greel-Greed, and Wrath along with a girl who said she was a vampire…well apparently she's human and somehow got Envy to believe it. I have no idea how but anyway! They helped me!"

…"Um who exactly are those people?"

"Homunculi." Ed could practically feel the tension on the other end.

"ARE YOU INSANE?! YOU'RE TEAMING UP WITH HOMUNCULI NOW?!"

Ed had to throw the phone off his ear momentarily to avoid going deaf. "Yes, apparently I am and as much as I hate Envy, his perverted buddy, or that devil-spawn who used to be Izumi's baby, they helped me. So, I guess they do have a heart somewhere."

"YOU'RE LUCKY I'M NOT THERE OR I'D BEAT YOU SENSELESS EDWARD!"

Ed remembered the wrench. He was not fond of the wrench. "I still have my doubts, but I saw they weren't lying when they said they'd help. And so far it's been a day and I haven't been killed yet."

"Just be careful, Ed!"

"I will." Ed said and then paused a moment. "…Winry?"

"Yeah?"

Ed felt a blush going to his cheeks and his heart rate decide to speed up on him without his permission. "Nothing, never mind." He knew if Al were there, he'd slap him for being so gutless.

"Okay then. Well, a customer just walked in. I have to go adjust their automail…bye, Ed. Be safe…"

"I will. Goodbye, Winry." He hung up the phone and heaved in a sigh. Ed slouched against the walls of the phonebooth and then finally making his way back to the hotel.

Me: Ok, so I hope that wasn't a fail. It took me literally all day to write this plus two, so I'm tired also my hand hurts!

Wyatt: Oh, really? Writing?

Me: NO! Who knew detergent could be heavy?!

Wyatt: I don't know.

Me: AH! I am NEVER doing laundry again!

Wyatt: Ok

Me: I almost broke my freaking hand! I am NEVER lifting a heavy basketful of detergent above my head onto a shelf ever again!

Wyatt: *walks away*

Me: You insensitive jerk! *Throws banana at*

Wyatt: *passes out*

Me: Ugh…prissy little nerd. I should kill him off just for that. :) muahaha

::I hope you liked this and I would most definitely appreciate some feedback! Also, elections are soon so let's say reviews are as vital as voting! SO REVIEW! YOU can make a difference ;)