Hey everybody! I'm going to continue these updates daily for a while but I may get a little distracted (just a little) since I kinda just got Goat Simulator…

Yeah…

And now back to our regularly scheduled crossover


Edward was doing surprisingly well on the boat with the mix of Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe merchants and couldn't help but feel a little relaxed. Yes, he wasn't with Al and didn't get his body back yet but currently, he wasn't even in the correct part of the universe to do so. The homunculi were still a problem but, again, he was unable to do anything about it. Even so, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it at least not for a while.

He'd been tempted to try alchemy and after a few attempts with both transmutation circles and his non-circle method, it hadn't worked so learning bending was the only way to learn how to defend himself. An added bonus would be that when he did eventually get back (because not being able to ever get back was something he was going to continue to refuse to acknowledge) would be that Ed would have the advantage of a new fighting style that circumvented the usual flow of alchemy. According to Aang, he would be able to fly if he had a glider and learned how to use it without killing himself.

Still, Edward had learned a fair amount of stuff from the waterbenders on board the ship providing protection in case of a Fire Navy attack. He'd learnt some basic water manipulation, what Aang called 'streaming the water' which was essentially a whip made out of water, and wave creation from the Avatars…well he learned the proper movements and willpower. After experimenting and practicing in the mortal realm he'd gotten the moves down well enough to defend himself against other benders. The waterbenders on the ship however taught him more offensive and defensive moves such as a water wall that he'd finally learned how to freeze to make a shield and how to make a water bullet by using the water pressure to create a dense but small amount of water to shoot at attackers.

He'd made some friends on that ship, enough to keep in contact and to get a ride back to the Earth Kingdom as soon as he studied up on more waterbending. They'd even gotten him some Water Tribe clothes that would keep him and his automail warm in the frozen tundra.

The city itself was huge and he'd never seen anything like it. Entire buildings were made out of snow and ice with rivers flowing through canals connecting everyone with their native element. He couldn't help but feel content at how bending could be used just as much for providing services and items to people and now just focusing on fighting.

It had taken him two days to find Master Pakku and three to convince him that he was worth teacher rather than leaving for a summons by some white flower whatever council.

"Fine. I'll take you since you're as stubborn as a buffalo-yak." Pakku grumbled and Edward couldn't help but let out a cheer. The old master tried not to let a small smirk appear on his face. "You're lucky you at least caught me between when I returned from my trip to the Southern Water Tribe and leaving for the summons."

"I get lucky every once in a while!" Ed boasted as he did a small happy dance. He couldn't help it. He was one step closer to seeing his brother again.

"Well, while you may know of me, I do not know of you and yet I am aware of all of the benders of the Northern Water Tribe."

Edward froze for a moment before sighing. He hadn't expected to be caught out. Luckily, he could think on his feet.

"My name is Ling and I've been living in the Earth Kingdom with my mother and brother. Well, until there was an attack. I lost both of them and that's how I got my arm and leg. The back of head got severely burned and that's why I keep it covered up." Pakku had immediately inquired as to why his arm and leg were extra bundled and covered when Edward first approached him and luckily Roku had reminded him a while back to start thinking of various cover stories for each nation. It wouldn't be hard for him to show that he was missing a lost brother. Not hard at all.

Pakku hummed and turned back to his bundle of supplies.

"Well then, since you're nearly as stubborn as the last waterbending master I tutored and you'll probably not take no for an answer for waiting to learn, then you're just going to have to join me."

Ed blinked. "What?"

"I have to leave for the summons immediately and you want to learn waterbending so you'll learn it while we travel to the Earth Kingdom so go grab anything you'll need because we're leaving at dawn tomorrow."

At that, Edward quickly bowed and ran out of the room and left Pakku chuckling. He'd never be rid of stubborn but enthusiastic teenagers.


Meanwhile in Amestris, only a day had passed to Edward's 2-3 weeks. Alphonse stood in front of Colonel Roy Mustang's desk with Ling at his side. The Colonel himself along with 1st Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, 2nd Lieutenant Jean Havoc, 2nd Lieutenant Heymans Breda, Warrant Officer Vato Falman, and Sargent Major Kain Fuery all were shrouded in silence after hearing the report back from the two non-military members.

"So, Fullmetal didn't return?" Mustang asked, breaking the tense silence. "No sign whatsoever?"

"Not that I'm aware of. We were too busy running away from the madman who is in charge of the homunculi problem your country seems to have." Ling shot back. "Besides, he said something about opening up a gate or something to get us back and he looked resigned."

Roy let out a hum in response. The rest of his team simply stared at their feet, unable or unwilling to speak. The only noise was the quiet rattling of Al's armor as it shook with emotion. He may have not been able to cry over the loss of his brother, but it was the closest he had.

No one spoke for another couple minutes until Havoc sighed.

"So what now boss?"

Mustang turned his chair so it faced the window.

"First, I have to list Fullmetal as MIA or even as KIA. From there…we just continue on doing as we're 'supposed' to here. We can have our own ceremony for him soon though."

Vato piped up, "I can contact Major Armstrong. He'll want to know."

"Alphonse." The young teen looked up at Riza's voice. Her eyes were soft as she stared at him. "Would you like me to call Riesembool for you to let them know?"

Alphonse responded with a nod and the various people went off to do their appointed or self-appointed duties leaving Roy alone with Alphonse and Ling. He stared at the bloodstained teens and sighed. Since Fullmetal wasn't around anymore, and as much as the kid got on his nerves he loathed to admit that Fullmetal could actually be dead, they wouldn't be able to get military housing and with Alphonse's emotional state and the Xing prince's illegal entry into the country, they wouldn't find a place to stay easily.

"All right you two, come with me."

Alphonse looked back up from the ground again to stare at the Colonel. "Why sir?"

"You're both staying at my place tonight. Don't break anything and you'll be fine."

With that, the three shuffled out of the office, through the building, and out onto the streets of Central.