EDWARD

He didn't understand. Scarlett had told him he didn't want an answer.

She really is confusing... He didn't understand her. What was she hiding?

They had to arrange to go to Rush Valley, because his arm was slightly banged up...

Slightly being an understatement.

Scarlett was silent on the trip to Rush Valley. She had retreated into the depths of her mind. Occasionally, she'd have a maniacal grin on her face, or frown as if something was wrong. A few times, she murmured about black moons and silver stars, and the small demon she dreamed about.

Even when they'd gotten to the shop, Scarlett was quiet. She chuckled a little when he got nailed with a wrench, but other than that she was silent.

"Oi, hold up you two."

Winry had needed to shop for a few parts needed for his arm, so they had walk-around time. Scarlett had stopped in front of an alley and was looking at something collapsed in it. "I think ya may wanna look at this." she said, leaning down and picking it up.

It was a young man.

SCARLETT

She'd just decided she liked this character. Ling Yao, a Xingese immigrant. He seemed likeable enough, unless you happened to be his enemy. Which she wasn't!

"You are attracted to him because of his confused character!" the demon laughed.

"Don't listen to her! He's not like she makes him out!" yelled her friend.

"Follow your own path." the mysterious children chorused.

"Gah, shut up! All of you! I'm not listening!"

She wasn't going to listen to any of them right now. She was the one in control.

Ed and Al both froze as Ling suddenly produced two body-guards out of nowhere. "Pity I'm not fighting. Otherwise you'd have to get off you ass and fight me yourself." she sighed.

"Scarlett, you traitor!" Ed snarled.

"I'm not a traitor, I'm just not fighting. Maybe I'll jump into one of your fights and stab someone with my blades, or whack the nearest person on the head and knock them out, but that's about it." she waved his verbal abuse off.

"So you're not one of them?" Ling asked curiously.

"Nope. I'm only really a tag-a-long. I'll help them if it suits me. Which it doesn't right now. I'm just sitting here and listening to the voices in my head. Interesting characters. all they do is argue over who gets to control me."

As Ed and Al ran off, she remained with Ling.

"Your chi certainly is interesting. I've never felt one so strong and unbreakable. You wouldn't happen to know anything about the Stone, would you?" Ling queried.

"Other than the fact that it's a vile thing made using human souls and that I spent a good time of my life as a test-subject in a lab where they were made. Disgusting thing." she growled. "Hey! Get me some too!"

"Sure thing!" the restaurant owner said enthusiastically.

Ling had almost choked on his food. "H-human souls? Are you serious?" he stuttered.

"You really don't wanna know too much about me or the purpose I serve, so I'd suggest putting a zipper on it, pal."

Sighing, she stood up. "Well, I think I wanna go knock someone out. Seeya, prince. And before you ask, I can tell just by looking."

She followed the smoke and dust-clouds to where Ed was. She watched from the shadows, as he and his female opponent danced closer and closer...

EDWARD

"What the- Look out!" he yelled.

She spun around, but too late. Scarlett swung her arm, and it collided with the base of the girl's skull. "Scarlett! Why the hell did you do that!" he screamed angrily.

"You want some of this too?" she asked, raising her arm.

"No, but that wasn't right!"

"The world isn't fair or right. If was, neither word would exist. And anyway, I just won the fight for you."

"Oh, so Scarlett decided to help after all?" Al asked, coming up with his opponent tucked under his arm.

"No, just to knock her out!" he yelled.

"Quit yelling. You're stretching my patience." Scarlett sighed.

"That was really something! How'd you do that!" Ling was crouched a little behind Scarlett.

"Wanna punch me and see how many fingers you break?" Scarlett asked simply, turning to face him. "Edward, punch me as hard as you can."

"Good idea!" he growled. He drew his fist back and struck- and his arm fell off. "Gah! Winry's gonna kill me! You did that on purpose!" he wailed.

"That didn't even budge her! And what's wrong with her chi?" gasped the old man body-guard.

"I'm a Chimera and I'm a little at war with my inner self. Quit being nosy or I'll bite you or possibly knock you out too." the teenager threatened, her tattoos glowing brightly. "Shit!" she yelled as all of the blades she had ripped through her body.

"What the..." Ling gasped.

"She can do that. She was experimented on and combined with some rare metal called titanium. It's supposedly the strongest stuff ever." Ed informed him.

"It is! One one millimeter wire made of titanium can hold up to one ton before it breaks!" Scarlett snapped.

"So... That means you're... Stronger than the major?" he yelled in shock.

He was answered with a fist to the face and a snarky reply. "Theoretically, yes! As soon as I get the chance to test it, I'll let you know!"

"Oh, ow... I think your knuckles are spiked or something..." he whimpered, twitching on the ground.

"They're reinforced, that's all. Get up and haul your ass to the shop, 'cause you look like shit."

"He'll look worse when Winry's done with him."

Al's comment was also met with a fist to the face that threw him to the ground.

SCARLETT

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" she screamed, sick of listening to the squabble in her head.

"You two! You want me to follow my own path, correct? Well, here's my path: A zig-zag between these two! I'm working them in day-in day-out shifts! Now everyone shut up! Today I'm following the demon's path, so shut up and leave me alone!"

Her instructions having been given out, the two children and her old friend faded out. The demon grinned, extending a hand. "I'm not releasing all fear. I'm just gonna be a little bit worse every day I have you, a little bit better every day I have my friends."

She smiled. So she was gonna be a little bad... Not like she was killing anyone or anything!