Ed frowned as he made his way to the Inn. He had to pass a huge central area (nicknamed the quad) with a fountain in center. It was a circle, and the entrance to the military was on one side, and everything else in town was on the other.

Damn, Hughes. Ed slouched as he staggered through town. You're a nice guy. You are. But why did you have to invite me to your house? Edward looked at his feet and felt his side. The gun.

He had a gun. He had completely forgotten: with his suit and code, he received a gun. What an idiot I am. He grasped it but didn't pull it out. He'd rarely touched a shotgun until the test.

He looked up to the sky to watch the sun fall below the rooftops and leave red sky to turn to black. At the same time, a wild screeching noise streaked the air. He immediately jerked to see it. A black automobile was shaking side to side to get some big man on top off. Ed pulled his gun and shot each tire. The car stopped so fast that the big man went flying to the nose of the car, landed on his ribs, then fell to the ground. Ed dashed over and pointed his gun at the man. He knew it was loaded.

An old, old white man came out of the car. He had a high-ranking military suit. He wobbled over to Edward and patted him on the back. "Good job, soldier."

"Grumman!" The driver yelled as he got out of the car. "Get into the military building now!"

"I'll take my time getting there," he muttered in reply as he put one hand behind his back and wobbled over to the building. "I'll vouch for you, soldier. What's your name?"

"Thank you, sir. My name is Edward Elric, Sir." Ed remembered how to answer to superior officers. Even if Hughes, Havoc, and the others didn't expect him to. A sea of officers came out, narrowly avoiding crushing Grumman, covering Edward with their guns trained on the man. A few of the officers left to check on Grumman. One of the officers outside with Ed called in to King Bradley and asked for instructions.

Bradley came out himself, taking merely five seconds to get down there, and grabbed the man. "I'll be handling him, soldiers." He smiled, though his voice was threatening. Before leaving the wave of soldiers, he turned to smile and salute at Ed. "I'll talk to you in a bit, soldier."

Ed gulped as he put his gun away. I'll talk to you in a bit, soldier. What did that mean? Was the man a good guy? Bradley did take him inside.

The wave of soldiers left inside, discussing what just went down. The driver pushed the car, and Ed slowly wandered into the military building to wait for Bradley's summon.

Havoc ran up to him and patted him on the back. "Great job, Edward! You just got on Grumman's and Bradley's good side."

"Really?" Ed sounded out of it. He just wanted to head home.

"Yep. Bradley was mumbling how good it was that you didn't just shoot him. You waited for back-up and orders." Havoc grinned as Fuery came out to join them.

"Ed? I thought you were going over to Hughes'."

"Yeah, about that..." Ed looked at his feet and put his hands in his pocket.

Havoc frowned. "Bad news?"

"Very bad," he muttered as he started walking slowly. "I, uh, found my mom."

Havoc and Fuery followed. "Isn't that good?" Fuery adjusted his glasses.

"She's, uh," Ed tried not to stutter or feel emotion, but it was his mom. "She's getting married to Hughes."

Havoc and Fuery stopped in unison wordlessly. They looked at each other with shock.

Ed rolled his shoulders. "It is what it is."

"How can you be so okay with this?"

"I'm not. But if I beat myself up over what I can't change, I'll only end up blowing up in someone's face- and I don't want that to be Hughes or you guys."

Havoc whistled lowly. "That's pretty mature of you, Ed."

Ed frowned. "I'm just trying not hurt anyone. Especially Hughes. I couldn't live with myself if I punished him for my mom's decision."

"Are you letting go?" Fuery asked.

Ed didn't answer, walking ahead of them with his head down.

Havoc and Fuery whispered to each other for a few minutes before running down the hall to catch Ed. Havoc spoke first. "Would you like a new goal, Edward?"

Ed looked up so fast and the desperation in his eyes was screaming at Havoc. "What kind of goal?"

"One that could change the country," Fuery replied as he adjusted his glasses.

Havoc smiled as he added on. "A certain someone has a goal for this country- to improve it like no one has before."

Ed's eyes didn't lose their fierceness. "Who?"

Havoc and Fuery dove in and whispered. "Roy Mustang."

"Wh-" Ed cut himself off as he remembered the powerful man. "He wants to kill the Fuhrer?"

"No!" Fuery interrupted loudly.

Havoc sighed as he straightened his posture. "Roy plans on rising the ranks until Bradley steps down."

"Roy needs help?"

"Absolutely."

"Hm..." Ed looked at the clean, white tile. I need some purpose in life. I can't waste my time because I already achieved my first goal. I want someone or something to miss me when I'm dead. I need purpose. I can always find love- Winry is the ideal woman. Yet, what would I do if I didn't have her. My brother? I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being worthless.

"I want to talk to Roy."

Havoc and Fuery just eyed each other and grinned.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Ed knocked on Roy's office door. He tried not to look scared. A female answered. "Come on in."

Ed took the invitation and opened the door, stepping inside with Fuery and Havoc behind him. Ed had his arms by himself, showing proper military etiquette. Roy sized him up for a second before returning to his paperwork. Roy always seemed disinterested, though. It wasn't a surprise to Havoc or Fuery. Riza didn't look surprised either.

Ed recognized Riza, but kept his mouth shut. Roy looked up one more time. "How can I help you, Edward Elric?"

Ed almost commented on the fact Roy knew his name, but decided against it. "I would, uh..." Ed found himself losing confidence. Why was he here?

Havoc decided he needed to help. "Ed would like to talk to you privately." Havoc motioned to Fuery and Riza. Fuery opened the door and the two men left. Riza sighed before walking out. Before leaving, she whispered just to Edward.

"Choose your words carefully."

Ed froze until Riza shut the door once more. The lock clicked.

Ed stared at Roy for what seemed to be eternity until getting the courage to take a few steps forward, in front of the series of small desks in front of his large one. "Roy Mustang, Sir, I would-" He interrupted himself as a spark ignited in himself. As if he was developing a new personality. But it felt like the one he was... meant to have.

"Screw this formal act," Ed growled as he placed both his hands on the desk in front of him. "I want to help you be Fuhrer. I'm not particularly sick of the Fuhrer we have now, but I am fond of Havoc and Fuery, whom seem to look up to you. I want to make a difference. The chance I had to do so has flown through the window- I was too late. It isn't too late for you to change Ametris, though." Ed paused to swallow his emotion. "I want you to be my purpose."

Roy stared at him for another eternity before standing up. He walked around the desks and to the door before turning to Edward, who was following Roy with his eyes. "Welcome to the team, Elric."

Edward paused before giving a smile. "Thank you, Colonel."

"I won't be one for long," he declared as he returned to his desk and allowed Ed to leave. Ed left wordlessly, ignoring the questioning looks of Fuery and Havoc, and not replying to Riza's knowing smile.

Ed smiled to himself as he left the military building. I have purpose.

Meh, I wasn't so pleased with this chapter. I never catch Ed's epic personality. Then again, he's just getting it back. ^.^ Keep reviewing guys! I got a huge wave of reviews (it almost doubled) so I'm going to update super fast just for you guys.