Ed knocked on his own apartment door before opening it and collapsing. The door closed itself, lucky for him. Ed dragged himself around. Everything was neat, vacuumed, dusted, and organized completely. He managed to reach his bedroom. His closet was slightly open. A military outfit was inside, the pocket slightly open.

Ed reached his hand inside and pulled the message out. The light was dim, yet the words were clear.

"You are too hasty, my friend. And that might just be your end."

"What's he so worried about?" Ed asked aloud as he climbed onto his rather high bed. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. The last thing he thought of was what echoed through his head all through his dreams:

I have purpose.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Ed woke up with a large yawn. After stretching, he walked out of his room. He was welcomed by the aroma of chocolate chip pancakes. He smiled ear to ear. Chocolate chip pancakes were his favorite. Mom made them all the time. It was the fastest way to get him out of his room.

He quickly replaced his grin with a frown. Mom is bad. He coached himself. He visibly jumped back as he saw Winry in the kitchen. He stared at her for a few moments before snapping out of it. Alphonse was walking into the kitchen at the other end. "Hey Bro!" He welcomed with a friendly smile.

Ed waved weakly. "Hi?"

"We came to surprise you," Winry commented as she flipped a group of six onto a large plate on the side. There were at least fifteen on the plate then. Winry poured more batter on to the little grill with precision even Mom couldn't have.

Ed nodded as he grabbed the mug of coffee by him. "Well... I'm surprised." Ed's voice was full of fake joy.

Al nodded as he hugged Winry and stepped towards Edward. "I take it you've made it to the military."

"Yep. With flying colors."

"Really?" Winry's fake surprise sounded so genuine that Ed almost scoffed with offense.

Ed took a dangerous sip of his coffee. "Yep. And then I saved the life of another officer. A high-ranking one too."

Alphonse smiled. "How am I not surprised?"

Ed tried not to bark back a comment. Surely his brother would never have guessed it. Ed was always being looked down upon. It's because I didn't do anything with Mom left and Dad cried.

Alphonse snapped his fingers with realization. "Oh, I forgot to tell you!" After saying that, his face turned grim. Winry knew what was going to happen and stepped away after flipping the pancakes. She walked behind Alphonse and clutched his shoulders for support.

Al cleared his throat after seeing Ed's confused face. "Dad...uh..." Al looked at his feet for a few heartbeats. "Dad' dead."

Ed stepped backwards and grabbed the wall behind him. He shook his head as if that would make it untrue. "No...No you're lying!"

"I wouldn't lie about this," Alphonse muttered softly.

"No...But that's not fair!"

Alphonse shook his head. "Life isn't."

"Alchemy is!"

Winry clutched Alphonse fiercely as she shut her eyes. She knew where this was going- and it was going fast.

"Ed, you stopped Alchemy."

"Maybe I'll start again."

"Don't."

"Why not? Maybe I can get Dad back."

"That's forbidden!"

"And?"

"What about Mom, Ed?"

Ed froze in place at that. His eyes shook at the blow of the question. Ed's voice quivered even though he tried to fight it. "She's remarried and she's out of our lives for good."

Alphonse stared at the ground and thought about it for what seemed to be hours. Every now and then Winry would clutch his shoulders harder, but Alphonse seemed to be lost in a thoughtful trance. I should be happy for her- she's moved on. Yet, I know she killed Dad. And she's hurt Edward more than anything in this world ever could. How should I feel?

Alphonse finally looked up and peered through Edward's eyes. "I'm going to take Winry out for a bit."

Alphonse grabbed Winry's hand and they walked out of the house without another word. Ed put the pancakes on the plate and turned them mini-grill off. "I suppose I can go see Bradley," he muttered as he grabbed the plate of (now) 19 pancakes.

He sat down and ate each one until only a few crumbs remained. After placing the plate in the sink he realized something he'd been blind to. Alphonse and Winry... How did I not notice? He threw his hand into his hair. "Dammit, Al," Ed muttered softly, on the verge of tears. You're leaving me nothing from Resembool.

Ed grabbed his military uniform and got ready. He was fifteen minutes late, but no one would notice. No, that's not true. Ed shook his head as he locked the door to his apartment-inn room and walked briskly down the hall. Havoc and Fuery and Hughes would notice. After the last name Ed bit the side of his mouth. I'd rather Hughes forget about me.

Ed was welcomed into the military building by Havoc, Fuery, and a crowd of soldiers. "What's-?"

"Bradley just summoned you." Havoc interrupted as he grabbed Ed's uniform and dragged him into the room. The crowd of soldiers were mumbling about Ed, obviously curious. Bradley never summoned in the morning, but the soldiers were unaware that Bradley was too busy to summon Edward last night.

Ed hurried towards Bradley's office, Havoc and Fuery following him. "You're a lucky one, Ed!" Fuery smiled warmly. "Bradley's almost never summoned a normal officer."

Ed smiled back. "How do you know this won't end in disaster?"

"I have a feeling your karma has changed for the better, Ed." Fuery was incredible at comforting people. Havoc recognized it immediately.

Nice one, Fuery. Havoc grinned to himself as Fuery kept pace beside him. Way to brighten his mood. He really needs it. Havoc flicked the unlit cigarette in his mouth.

Ed finally found Bradley's office. He placed his hand on the handle. "It was pretty difficult to get here, you know." He turned to his two friends.

Havoc grinned. "Took some work, did it?"

"No, I meant it was difficult to travel through all the hallways to get to this place."

Fuery chuckled and Havoc grinned ear to ear. "Good luck," they cheered in unison and started walking away. They both waved goodbye and wished him luck.

Ed gave a confident sigh before opening the double doors. There was no going back.

Bradley welcomed him warmly, but Edward wasn't hearing. The room was elegant and fancy and utterly perfect. The windows provided the best view and His desk was made of flawless black wood. Each paper on his desk was placed and stacked neatly. The blue rug that touched all four corners of the room was velvet and felt like clouds. The black seats everywhere in the room made it look more luxurious. There were black coffee tables per group of four seats.

Two bodyguards were on the sides of the room and the man Ed had stopped yesterday was sleeping in the right corner by the door- away from the windows.

Bradley welcomed Edward again, understanding Ed's awe. "Welcome to my office, Edward Elric."

"It's amazing," Ed blurted out before thinking.

Bradley motioned for Ed to come forward, so he did. "I've heard you've made some good friends. Roy, Hughes, Havoc, Fuery, and so on."

"I have," Ed grinned, not realizing Bradley put emphasis on Roy.

"Good." Bradley cleared his throat as he stood up. "Because you saved the life of an officer- and a very important one at that- you are being promoted all the way to Second Lieutenant."

Ed's jaw dropped and hit the floor. He was speechless, so it was a good thing Bradley kept talking. "I would like you to be my assistant, Edward. You work here or patrol the military building, and that's about it. Run some errands for me and small stuff. You can still see all your friends."

"I'd love to," Ed smiled and tried not to freak out. Promoted and a huge job on the second day! Is it possible?

"Good. To be in this job, you have to sign up for the military, which you've done. However, my assistants have an automatic promotion to a higher level so they have access to certain areas within the military. You're now a Colonel. Your new badges and such will be awarded some other day this week. Congratulations."

Ed almost fangirled. Did he seriously just get promoted to Roy's rank in a matter of minutes? "I...uh..er..."

Bradley chuckled. "You start tomorrow. I'll have my retiring assistant talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy yourself today."

Ed nodded, mouth still agape, and walked out of his office, gently closing the office doors. Havoc and Fuery were waiting there. They had just arrived.

"Guys..." Ed sounded breathy, but he was too surprised. "I'm Bradley's assistant. I'm a Colonel."

Havoc and Fuery stared. Havoc gaped and his cigarette fell. Fuery's glasses slipped off his nose. "COLONEL?!" They both shouted in unison.

"Shhhh," Ed ushered them to Roy's office. "Don't scare Bradley."

Ed knocked and entered Roy's office. Havoc and Fuery flew to his sides. Ed opened his mouth but didn't have a chance.

"ED'S A COLONEL NOW!"

Ed cringed at the loudness of their voices.

Roy stood up, slammed his hands on the desk, and glared at Edward. "You're kidding."

"Nope," Ed grinned ear to ear.

Riza whispered into Roy's ear. Roy finally calmed down and didn't look on the brink of anger. "This is good."

Ed nodded and left, wondering where Winry and Al went. The door closed quietly.

Roy laced his fingers and put them to his mouth. He can be my spy on the inside to get to Bradley.

At the same time...

Bradley laced his fingers and put them to his mouth. He can be my spy on the inside to get to Roy.

Yay for evil plans and super promoting? ;3