AN: One corrupted hard drive and a new laptop later, and I'm back. Yes, my Gateway laptop crashed and burned hard- no big surprise though, right?- and I am now saddled with an old gaming laptop that runs Windows Vista. That was a joy to figure out. Why must technology abhor me so?

A giant thanks to all my reviewers, you all are amazing as usual! I would normally take the time to thank each and every one of you but I am far past my own deadline so I'm just going to give you what you really want- the new chapter!

Thank you all again for all of your support. Every time I see a review in my inbox I am either extremely happy or I begin to internally bully myself into finishing the next chapters. xD

Either way, I hope you enjoy this long-awaited Chapter Fourteen of Puppet!

Puppet: Chapter Fourteen

Gray light sputtered down from a sky that was the same color as gunmetal, a chill sweeping through the streets and subtly declaring the entrance of winter on Amestris. Figures huddled deeper into coats and paces fastened on their way to retreat from the skirmish of the wind.

Wispy traces of golden blonde escaped the hood of one such figure that stepped closer to the tall man at his side when a particularly harsh breeze blasted by. The redhead smiled down at the young man and tightened his hold around his shoulders briefly in response.

'You're not too cold, are you Edward? I told you that you should have worn two coats! Imagine how bad it would be if you had worn your red one?'

Mumbling quietly under his breath, Ed shot Artabanus a look of amused exasperation, 'What, you want me to carry everything AND be weighed down by a million layers of clothes? I'm not a pack mule, you know!'

The blonde indicated the bags in his hands with a brisk shake and then ducked behind Artabanus again when the wind howled.

Fucking winter had to sneak up like that! Ed grudgingly pulled his sleeve down further over his automail arm. He just knew his metal limbs were going to give him problems this year. Already the areas around the ports were stinging with the chill, creeping through his nerves like the shock of sugar on a cavity-riddled tooth. They'd only been walking around town for half an hour and already the pain was becoming unbearable in his limbs.

It took him back to the time he spent in the North at Briggs. That awful, constant, burning cold seeping from his automail had made sleep practically impossible after long days of stress and planning. It was both better and worse now… on one hand Artabanus did his best to keep the blonde warm and sheltered. On the other hand, Ed's automail had degraded. It still functioned perfectly fine, of course, but the ports definitely needed maintenance and the problem was becoming rapidly more severe.

Lost in wondering if the older alchemist would eventually remove the automail altogether or try to find a way to do maintenance, Ed nearly walked right into the man's back when he stopped on the sidewalk. A sliver of a smile was flashed at a confused Fullmetal Alchemist before Artabanus abruptly steered them in the opposite direction.

Ed tried to peer back over his shoulder to see what caused that reaction but Artabanus shoved him lightly, silently communicating for him to move forward. Seeing the beads of sweat that were forming on the redhead's brow, Ed swallowed nervously. Something was definitely off now. The morning had been going just fine before… but now Artabanus was reverting back to that angry, sarcastic person that Ed had become slightly fearful of.

They darted into an alleyway and kept moving until they reached the street beyond. Artabanus hesitated a moment, and Ed recognized the sharp, militaristic scan of their surroundings for what it was. The man was looking for enemies. Swallowing tightly, the blonde stepped closer to his companion and waited in silence. Finally, after many tense minutes, they moved forward onto the street, heavy quiet echoing between them. Ed was still confused and trembled with the pass of an especially chilly wind.

All those good feelings about finally getting out of the bunker for a while- the buzzing excitement and velvety relief that had soothed his haywire nerves- were swiftly vanishing in the face of the turn of events. The imbalance in his emotions puzzled and shook him, sending him teetering on the edge of panic once again. He didn't even realize that his hands had buried themselves in Artabanus' coat until worried azure eyes caught his.

'Maybe we should just go now,' was Ed's hushed suggestion. Missing the warmth of the bunker and overwhelmed by the unexpected turn, he wanted nothing more than to leave as soon as possible. His mind just couldn't keep up with everything it was being bombarded with and was shutting down, leaving his body to the mercy of his volatile feelings.

A sigh brought Ed back to the present, and he looked up to see Artabanus' fond smile, 'Edward the only thing we need now are the smell salts that Nowalski recommended. We cannot leave until we have those. Candy isn't going to be able to distract you enough to keep you in the present on its own. Understand?'

Ed's head nodded and he let his eyes fall to the frosty cobblestones as they continued on, letting the firm arm around his shoulders guide him.

As they walked he tried his best to collect his scattered thoughts and emotions and bottle them back into the tight cage they'd somehow escaped from. He'd been doing so well that morning and it took only one tiny incident to knock him completely off kilter. He hated being so… fragile. Coming undone so swiftly and without warning… it just wasn't like him…

Thoughts drifting no matter how far he stretched to grasp the runaway emotions, the blonde soon found himself zoning out of reality completely as odd images fluttered through his mind's eye. Usual day by day scenes gripped him- sitting at a table and sipping from a mug of bitterly sweet tea while watching Artabanus flip through some journal or text, laying in a bath and focusing on the feather-light touches that skimmed his body and trying his hardest to ignore the numb sickness inside, laying in bed and feeling an arm wrap around his waist possessively…

And suddenly the scenes became… not so usual.

Artabanus smiled and laughed at something as they were sitting in bed before cold fingers gripped his jaw and tilted it upward for a brief kiss. A random, tight embrace that left Ed feeling breathless and numb afterwards, relying on Artabanus' foreign alchemy to keep him moving afterward. Hands sweeping down his side and questing fingertips pressing into his hips before venturing further…

A hand gripping his wrist so tightly that he felt his bones scrape together had Ed ripping himself from the memories. Vacant golden eyes stared ahead at the short line of people in front of him, then slowly scanned up to Artabanus, whose expression was both placid and troubled.

The man's lips moved soundlessly but Ed's mind was still whirling too much for him to want to try and understand what was being said.

Brushing past him with a biting caress, he could no longer feel the chill in the wind- could barely feel the stinging burn of his automail ports. Everything was being swept under that comforting wave of numbness once again and all that scratched at his soul was a faint tingle of gratefulness. Warm hands cradled Ed's face, tilting it back up from where it had apparently fallen to stare down at the ground. Again, the older alchemist was saying something, but no sound reached the blonde's ears over the whispers of the wind.

SLAM.

A body tumbling between the two alchemists snapped Ed fully back to attention, making him struggle to keep his balance. He watched the little girl smile briefly in apology before continuing on her way, followed moments later by a young boy. Ed stepped back, giving the boy more room to pass, barely noticing that his hood had fallen back and an icy breeze was now flitting through his hair. Looking up after the kids were gone, he immediately froze.

The look of complete and utter panic on Artabanus' face had a sudden mirroring effect in Ed, making his heart clench in prickling fear. The blonde tried to identify what was causing the horror in his companion's expression and had no sooner opened his mouth to ask what was wrong when he came to a grinding halt once again.

At least six feet separated the two of them. They were so far apart, yet Ed could feel the elbows and coattails of strangers brushing him as they passed.

'NOW! Run!'

Ed physically flinched at the combined shouts of both Hughes and Mustang that resounded from behind both of his shoulders.

But his legs wouldn't move…

'Ed, MOVE DAMNIT!' 'Fullmetal, get your ass out of there NOW!'

I… I can't. I can't move. Artabanus is-

'ARTABANUS ISN'T CONTROLLING YOU! GO!'

But…

A shrill, girlish voice rose above the crowd, and Ed darted his eyes to the girl that had burst between him and Artabanus. She was halfway across the street but was standing still and staring at him with a finger directed at him almost accusingly.

'Hey! Isn't he the Hero of the People?'

Other murmurs began to arise as people turned his way.

'The Fullmetal Alchemist? Edward Elric?'

'Yeah, it is him isn't it! Look at his hair and his eyes- golden like the ancient Xerxians.'

'No way, he's been missing for over a year.'

'But all these military personnel… it would explain a lot.'

'Major Elric…?'

Looking beyond all the stares, Ed craned his neck to peer over his shoulder, where a group of soldiers was tentatively approaching. The soldier that had called out his title was in the lead, the man's eyes darting over Ed's features. An expression of stunned recognition washed over the soldier's face and suddenly the group's pace increased.

Everything was happening too fast.

Could it be considered fate?

'Edward…!'

The stranger in the military uniform at the back of the class that day…

Swinging back around, Ed stared into those crazed blue pools that were beginning to brim with hysteria, now closer than before. Adrenaline struck through the blonde, an old familiar feeling that put his heart into overdrive, his pulse pounding hard in his eardrums and nearly drowning out the cacophony that had sprung to life in the street around him.

The ominously insightful warning from Mustang that became a reality…

All he could see was Artabanus. The man that had been his world and his life for… how long? All the memories, both known and forgotten, lingered at the edge of his mind.

James appearing at the door on the very same day for tutoring…

'Edward, listen to me… come here. Please. Edward,' Artabanus pleaded as he moved closer.

The Drachmans attacking that very night…

One step backwards was followed naturally by another before Ed's body froze once again. Retreating had been completely instinctual and now his mind was tripping over his heart in sorting the situation out. He had no time to think whatsoever, though, and that became clear when Artabanus' body tensed.

And then… Artabanus…

Ed's eyes widened and a sharp breath hissed down his throat. His heartbeat stuttered and he finally just… let go. Letting his body take over completely to the adrenaline coursing through it, his hands rose in front of his chest. Artabanus lunged forward just as gloved, mismatched hands clapped together. Blue and gold crackled and exploded against the cobblestone street, following the palms that slammed the energy into the earth, causing a giant wall of stone to rise up. A blur of red and fiery blue disappeared behind the gray and the impact of Artabanus' body against the wall vibrated through Ed's hands.

Maybe it was fate.

Everything stopped. Ed was stuck; eyes wide, palms planted to the ground, mouth slack in disbelief as he stared at the gloved hands that were undeniably attached to his body. Cold sweat tickled at his temples and ran down his flushed face to collect at his jaw line- just a tiny tinge of aggravation in the whirlpool of raging emotions that was consuming him slowly.

But if that was all fate… then what is this?

The seconds ticked past until something finally… clicked.

'Artabanus! Wait!' Ed shoved off the ground and scrambled to the edge of the wall. His breath was knocked out of him as if by a fist when he frantically searched the frightened crowd at the other side. There was no sign of the redhead. Something crushing, maddening, disjointed and sick took over Ed, 'ARTABANUS!'

One foot went forward, his body intending to sprint after the man, when a hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him back. More hands joined the first and his body lost all its energy, dropping him to the ground and making him oblivious to the soldiers that were both questioning and attempting to comfort him.

No. No no no no. Artabanus, oh god. I didn't mean to. Shit. No! Come back! An ugly blackness swirled in his gut and consumed his thoughts, blanking out everything else. ARTABANUS!

The cold stone disappeared from under his knees as he was hauled to his feet, but everything around him was spinning, was invisible, insignificant. The blonde's lips were moving but he couldn't hear his own voice as it babbled on unconsciously. All that remained to Ed was the empty spot that Artabanus was just standing in.

'You're perfect just the way you are- nothing could make you better than who you are right now, Edward.'

A sharp prick against his neck had his blank eyes turning to meet that of the soldier's that had first recognized him. The man's face was schooled into a perfectly blank mask. Truly it was a gift to have that much control over one's own emotions.

Mustang would be proud of this soldier, Ed thought, his gaze getting both dark and hazy very quickly. Warm gray eyes remained on his even as his vision went completely black, leading the way into the peaceful waves of oblivion.

'I can take care of you, protect you. You will love me, dearest Edward. We're meant to be, after all. No one could ever love you like I do.'

The last thing he was aware of was gravity failing him completely as his body was lifted away from the ground, and a rough voice murmuring, 'Sergeant, notify Central. The Fullmetal Alchemist, Major Edward Elric, has been recovered.'

The phone barely made a sound as it was set back in its cradle, for all the care and softness that the gloved hand handled it with. Fingers remaining glued around the slender arch of the telephone, Mustang stood stock-still and stared out the window of his office, eyes not seeing the roiling gray clouds forming for a winter storm.

They found him… they actually found him… The shock had crept its way into every nook and cranny of the General's body, broadcasting disbelief into his mind. He wasn't sure he would be able to believe that… he… had been found, until Mustang laid eyes on the young man, himself.

Warm golden eyes smiling at him as a honeyed jaw tilted backwards and amber liquid touched bow-like lips… white teeth flashing in laughter while steel gleamed from one shoulder… the amusedly irate crossing of steel and flesh and upturn of a perfectly shaped nose… shadows and light…

Swallowing and shaking himself roughly, Mustang had to focus on one action at a time; robotically removing his fingers from the telephone and measuring his steps to the door of his office, barely giving a glance to the mess of papers that were piled on the coffee table from Alphonse's late night research.

Alphonse… I have to get Alphonse and then take the first train to West City. It's only a ten hour train ride and then…

And then…

Well he would figure things out as they came. His mind was too dazed and exhilarated to process much more than the set objectives he had lined up.

The door opened under his hand and he walked into the outer office slowly. His team was busy, as always, rifling through paperwork or holding phones between their shoulder and ear. The only one absent from the picture was Warrant Officer Falman.

Strange how the pale, pastel yellow wallpaper that engulfed the room and hugged the edges of windows and doorways seemed so surreal today. Just like the gray blue that could be glimpsed past the wooden blinds slanting against the glass of the windows. Everything felt far away, unfamiliar, even though he'd been seeing these things every day for a long time now.

Hawkeye rose immediately at the sight of him and gave a quick salute, which soon faltered when Roy could only stare blankly past her. Their commander's unusual demeanor had everyone lowering their phones and looking up from paperwork. Havoc was the second to jump out of his seat and take a couple of steps closer to the General, concern on his features.

'General…?' Hawkeye tilted her head so that she could grab Mustang's attention.

The man blinked and cleared his throat, torn from his haze. Straightening and folding his hands behind his back, he beheld his team with no little amount of pride, his heart swelling at the worry they all now were directing at him. Finally. Finally, he could face them without remorse once again.

'Edward Elric has been recovered in the city of Albupow, just south of West City,' the looks of overwhelming relief and joy were further strengthened when Mustang continued, 'He is alive.'

There was a small commotion when Fuery's command board got knocked to the floor in his excitement but after a minute the office calmed down enough that the General could turn to Hawkeye, 'I am going to see him now… Lieutenant, where did Alphonse say he was going?'

Misty russet eyes stayed locked on his even as Hawkeye saluted once more, 'He headed down to the mess hall twenty minutes ago, sir. He should be there now. I will secure transport for you on the next train heading west.'

'Very well,' turning towards the door to the hallway and beyond, Roy was then confronted by an extremely solemn blonde, 'Lieutenant Havoc?'

'I would like to request permission to accompany you and Alphonse to West City, sir.'

Mustang took a moment to appreciate the utter expression of conviction that was fixed to his subordinate's usually cheerful disposition. Remembering all the months of tension between the two of them, ever since Ed disappeared and Mustang had to refuse the Lieutenant's request to search for him, there was no way the General could deny him this.

'Permission granted, Second Lieutenant. Gather some overnight clothing for both of us and Alphonse before you prepare the car. We'll meet you in the parade grounds in ten minutes,' Mustang rifled through his pockets before withdrawing a keychain and handing it over. Pointing out the key that would allow entrance to the General's private dormitory at Central Command, Roy gave a sideways glance at Hawkeye, who already had a phone glued to her ear.

When Mustang was finally at the door, he paused to look back at his team. Something began simmering inside of him, melting the iciness of shock and causing a glow to bring a smile to his face. His men, all standing at attention, blinked at the quirk of his lips, but immediately gave grins in return.

'Let's bring him home,' Roy smiled, his spirits only lifted higher at the responding cheers that echoed around the room.

Once he was out the door he was half-sprinting to the mess hall, dignity be damned. He ignored every odd look thrown his way and barely gave pause to salute the one superior he came across. Internally he was a mess of emotions and thoughts that he couldn't put in order or make any sense of.

What has Ed been enduring all this time? What will we find when we get to West City? Who was holding Ed captive in the first place?

When I find out who it was…

Roy's fingers tingled and he resisted the urge of rubbing his fingertips together, trying his best to push everything to the back of his skull as he arrived at the mess hall. His entrance went mostly unnoticed by the three or so dozen soldiers milling and lounging around and he took that moment to scan the room for that dark golden hair.

There.

He worked his way swiftly between the tables, nodding at soldiers as he passed but never taking his eyes off of that mop of blonde for a moment. Within seconds Roy was beside the table in the right-hand corner of the mess, clamping a hand down onto Al's slumped shoulder. The boy jumped in his seat and jerked his head up, eyes wide as he took in Mustang's expression.

Now that he was there, Mustang didn't know how to proceed. He hesitated and then took the seat beside Al on the bench, releasing his hold on the boy's shoulder to take his hand tightly in replacement. Fear, concern, and trepidation played across the younger Elric's features as Mustang gathered himself.

'Alphonse… they found him. He's alive.'

Those weary slate gray eyes slowly widened as they searched Roy Mustang's. It all boiled down to that moment- all those difficult nights the two of them spent up together, pondering over Edward's fate. All those times that Roy awakened in a cold sweat, body shivering and heart clenching at the sound of sobbing from his living room. Alphonse spending day after day poring over maps and visiting Intelligence for any possible information while Roy watched from behind his desk, burdened by his overwhelming regret and guilt.

All that darkness, all those shadows that haunted the both of them no matter where they went or what they tried to do…

That all ends right here, right now.

Roy barely had time to brace himself before he had both of his arms full of the tall, lanky teenager. Mustang's arms closed and held tightly, feeling the boy's body shaking uncontrollably and trying to hold his own emotions in check. The sobs being wrenched out of Al were interrupted by the occasional laugh. The laughs are what stung Mustang the most- they were so full of relief, light, and just pure happiness. He couldn't remember the last time he heard Alphonse laugh…

Roy held Al for a couple of minutes, allowing the moment between them to draw out and letting himself take comfort in the shared relief. Gently prying Al off after those few long minutes that seemed to have contained an eternity, Roy took his shoulders so that the boy looked at him with tear-reddened eyes and a quivering smile.

'He's in Albupow, you know where that is right?' At Alphonse's slight nod Mustang smiled, 'We're heading there now. I don't know about you but I need to see him for myself.'

The air turned heavy between them and a world of thoughts and conversation was communicated through their locked gaze. After a few long seconds, Al's brow tightened in resolve and he gave a hard nod, hanging onto the General's arm as they rose together, as if the boy couldn't move on his own after this long-awaited revelation.

Mustang wanted nothing more than to carry the boy out of the cafeteria but he was aware that most of the soldiers were now regarding the two of them curiously. He wasn't ready yet to broadcast the news, and so he put a supportive arm around Al's shoulders and lead them to the hall.

Havoc was waiting at the main entrance, leaning against a car that was already humming and ready. The Lieutenant strode forward to meet them halfway down the steps, clasping Al's shoulders before enveloping him in a strong embrace. Roy waited patiently, occupying himself with stitching his mask back together before they moved to the car and got in.

The ride to the train station was short and getting on the correct train even quicker. Hawkeye had made sure they had their own transit no matter what- and if that meant depriving a train traveling south of its original course, then so be it. Few others got on the train so the trio had the freedom to set their sparse luggage on the empty seats around them.

Strangely enough, they didn't speak much at all, other than Mustang filling them in on all that General Tulson had told them.

'Edward was spotted in a market in Albupow and was taken into custody. He is now being transferred to West City Hospital for treatment. Tulson refused to give out any further information than that. We'll get more details once we arrive at West Command.'

Mustang watched as his words seemed to both absorb and deflect off of the younger men sitting across from him in the rickety booth. He could understand completely.

They were all in a state shifting between reality and some dazed surrealistic land.

'Is Brother hurt? Do you know?' Al asked- the first thing he'd said since finding out Ed had been found.

Sighing regretfully, Roy shook his head, 'All I know is he was put in immediate medical custody and is being transported to West City for medical attention. I am not sure if he is harmed, or how badly, if he is. We will just have to wait and see. Just focus on the fact that he's alive. He's safe now.'

Alphonse nodded and turned to stare blankly out the window. Roy's lips twitched briefly as he could practically see the cogs in the boy's mind turning. And then he turned to face forward, only to meet Havoc's serene gaze.

'Thank you, sir,' the blonde murmured quietly, leaning forward, 'this means more to me than you know- letting me come along.'

'I owe you this and so much more, Lieutenant… I can only hope that you will one day forgive me for my weakness and incompetence.'

Mustang took in his subordinate's stunned look and smiled briefly before turning away once again. It had always been hard admitting his own faults to others, but Havoc deserved to see that Mustang knew when he fucked up. He should have just let Havoc search for Edward. Havoc was by no means stupid and with his stubbornness, Ed probably would have been found much sooner.

The Flame Alchemist truly had his priorities backwards. Blinded by his militaristic ambition, he continually failed himself and those closest to him by not listening to his own heart. He was just so tired of failure.

'Sir, excuse me for saying so, but you're an idiot,' Havoc intoned, making Mustang's attention swing back around to where the man was smiling smugly, 'of course I forgive you. I have no idea what you have to deal with day to day so who am I to judge your bone-headed decisions? Yeah, I was angry as hell before, but I know how much you care about Chief. We found him. That's all that matters now, right?'

Turning that over, Mustang understood everything that was not being said, but nodded nonetheless. He and Havoc did not have so different views, the General knew. And perhaps the blonde knew that as well. Yet another weight began to slide off his shoulders at the knowledge that all those months of frustration and resentment between him and his subordinate was ending.

Of course it would be Edward to make everything alright again, no matter how indirectly.

Damn brat.

The rest of the ten hour train ride was endured in silence, each of the men lost in their own thoughts. Somewhere around the six hour mark, Mustang's own thoughts began to turn darker. The euphoria and total relief was morphing into gut-wrenching worry as those questions from before began to plague him.

What were they walking into? Just how badly was Ed injured and what had he been through in the past year?

It was rare, but Mustang remembered seeing cases of victims held captive for a year or longer. Every single one of those people were subjected to torture of some form. Oliver Campbell, a young soldier taken hostage back when the Ishvalan rebellion was beginning, came to mind. He was held for over two years and tortured to such an extent that when he was rescued, he had changed completely. The poor man didn't even remember his own name and was eventually committed to permanent hospital care because of attempted self-harm. It was a terrifying thought that something similar could have happened to Edward.

Mustang wasn't sure what he would do if Ed was so damaged.

No. Ed's stronger than that. He could withstand the harshest of tortures and survive it with his spirit intact, Roy's thoughts assured him.

He could only hope that it was true.

Outside the dingy, warped glass of the booth's window, the hills began smoothing out into flat fields, green slopes transforming into stretches of wild brown grass. The West always seemed so barren and sucked dry compared to the East or South of Amestris. Even during the best rises and falls of summer the grass was rotten brown and longer than a man's leg.

In what conditions was Ed kept? Did he ever get to walk around in these fields, or was he confined to a cell for a year?

They passed through two more small, countryside train stations devoid of any prospective passengers before finally reaching West City. The sun had long since set, making the silhouette of West City a beautiful spattering of geometrically-contained lights.

The trio shared one long, lasting glance that communicated their excitement and unease before making their way off of the train and into the bustling train station- oddly brimming with commuters for the late hour. Although smaller than the one in Central, there was a definite sense of animated elation that reverberated in the air. Several people saw them and cheered as if in celebration and Mustang immediately understood.

Word of Edward's recovery had already been spread all around West City, no doubt. By now it was probably being circulated to Central as well. In any case, there was nothing they could do about the hysteria now other than smile politely and weave their way through the crowd. Mustang headed the group, trying his best to use his body to shield Alphonse from all the excitement. It was already an emotional day for them all, especially for Al. The poor boy didn't need these crazy people battering him for information on top of everything else.

Luckily once they got past the thickest of the crowd, the throng of people that remained parted to let them through, respectfully passing along their well-wishes. Mustang, with his mask firmly in place, nodded his gratitude and let out the smallest of relieved breaths when they made it to the street outside the station. A military vehicle awaited them, bathed in the ethereal glow of streetlamps, only undisturbed by a crowd of bystanders because of a soldier holding a rifle in front of the doors.

'General Roy Mustang,' he greeted as they approached the car.

The soldier dipped his chin and moved to open the back door of the vehicle for them. Before he knew it they were speeding through the streets of West City toward Western Command. Mustang looked at Al and Havoc, the latter of whom was concealing his tension admirably.

'As soon as we get to the command center I'll get you to a telephone so that you can contact Ms. Rockbell and Madam Pinako,' Roy told Al quietly.

Graced with a grateful smile in response, Roy was left to struggle with sitting still for the rest of the ride.

General Tulson was waiting outside the command center when they arrived, and happily pointed Al to a phone. Havoc stayed back with the teenager while Mustang fell into step with Tulson.

The anxiety that curdled in Mustang's abdomen multiplied tenfold when Tulson waved off all his questions, insisting that they move to a secure room before beginning this conversation. It only took a minute for them to reach a private room and lock the door behind them, but by that time Roy was practically shaking, desperate for details about Edward. As much as he had wanted to rush right to the hospital, he knew that he had to talk to Tulson first. This was just taking too much time.

Tulson went across the somewhat barren room to take a seat on one of two couches that faced each other- the only furnishings other than a long, slim table between the brown leather monstrosities.

'Please come and sit with me, Mustang,' Tulson said kindly.

Tulson had always been a softhearted man that seemed to actually care about his subordinates. He was quiet and unimposing despite a tall stature and sharp features. Those dark hazel eyes regarded Roy warmly when the alchemist sat across from him.

Curling his fingers into the legs of his pants, Mustang straightened his spine and took large, calming breaths as he maintained eye contact with the western General. The apprehension was gripping him tightly enough now that he felt as if he wasn't getting oxygen from the air he was inhaling with discrete desperation.

Shit, it's bad isn't it… how am I going to tell Al?

After a few long seconds that he recognized as Tulson giving him a moment to collect himself, Mustang nodded.

'Tell me.'

Tulson folded his hands on top of his knees as he leaned forward, rocking slightly from side to side as he began to speak,

'At approximately 1130 hours this morning, a group of patrolling soldiers- as ordered by you, General Mustang- were alerted to a disturbance on the corner of Autres and Catte Street in the town of Albupow. Apparently onlookers recognized Edward Elric as the Fullmetal Alchemist, and as my soldiers approached they noticed a few things,' Tulson looked down at this and began rubbing the inside of his wrist with something like discomfort, 'Major Elric was with a man- tall, auburn hair- who appeared to be trying to coax the Major away. Major Elric began to retreat and when the unknown man tried to follow, Major Elric activated some sort of array, creating a wall between them using the street as compounds…'

Tulson abruptly looked back up at Mustang, who had been sitting perfectly still and silent to absorb every word, 'Now remember, Mustang, this information is purely through eye-witness accounts. I don't claim to say this is exactly what happened. You'll have to get the whole story out of your Major when you go and see him but…' the man sighed, 'My soldiers reported that the Major seemed to go through an immediate reaction of regret. The Major tried to run around the wall and into the crowd to search for the man, who he was calling "Artabanus". When my men reached him they immediately stopped him from chasing after this Artabanus character. Major Elric then began to call out for the man, and apparently was in a state of shock. He was saying strange things and was unresponsive to my men, so he was sedated and hurried to Albupow's Mercy Hospital.'

'Is he injured?' Mustang managed to ask, head whirling with all the information and trying to piece the scenario together in his own way. Why in the world would Ed try to run after this Artabanus guy? Was he another captive of whoever had taken Ed? If so, why didn't he try to escape with Edward? Mustang was honestly not too surprised that Ed had gone into shock after the soldiers got to him. He'd seen worse reactions in many prisoners of war after they were freed.

Yet it feels wrong to put Ed in that same category… Ed has the strongest spirit I've ever seen.

'Major Elric was hospitalized due to shock and emotional trauma mainly. There were no obvious physical injuries that my men reported. However they did say that the Major has scars around his wrists and neck. They could not see more than that. You will have to talk to the doctors at the hospital for more information about any injuries that my men might have missed.'

A thoughtful silence fell over them as Mustang leaned back and released his stressed hold on his uniform. The anxiousness was still there, but had been dampened considerably, thankfully. Now Roy could actually organize his thoughts without panic disrupting and scattering them. He was slowly starting to relax back into himself.

Scars around his wrist and neck. Most likely due to being restrained. But if they were just scars that means they're old injuries.

Breathing a long sigh of relief, Roy met Tulson's sympathetic eyes once again.

'Is that everything you know?'

The man's expression darkened a bit and he rose to his feet, Roy immediately following, 'Mustang… he's not right. He came out of sedation a few hours after being recovered and began to panic, yelling at the hospital staff that he needed "Artabanus" or he'd lose his memory and never wake up again. Something about fate and alchemy was mentioned as well. He continued ranting nonsense and terrifying the hell out of the nurses before he was sedated once again. Excuse me for overstepping my boundaries a bit, but I would highly suggest that Major Elric undergo therapy immediately. That was his brother Alphonse that walked in with you, correct?' Mustang nodded after a moment's hesitation, 'Good. I think it'll be helpful for Major Elric to see his family.'

'Agreed,' Mustang murmured, following Tulson to the door and remaining at his side as they returned to the front of the command center, where Al and Havoc were waiting with questionable patience.

The General wasn't sure how to feel now. He had feared that Edward would be affected by his captivity but maybe…

Maybe Ed is just confused right now. He must be overwhelmed at being free after so long, after all. Why would he think he'd lose his memory if he doesn't see that Artabanus man?

It was a concerning thought but Mustang pushed it away in favor of joining back up with Al and Havoc.

'Winry is taking the next train out of Resembool,' Al notified him. Roy was further put at ease by the blinding smile that was adorning the younger Elric's face again.

Havoc smiled and winked as well, 'I also called Hawkeye so Ms. Rockbell should be arriving within just a day or so.'

Smirking at the two of them, Mustang nodded and motioned for them to follow as he went back outside, giving a wave to Tulson, who followed them out and gave a sympathetic farewell.

Sliding into the backseat of the car once again, Mustang faced a more relaxed and highly exuberant Alphonse Elric and couldn't help smiling. The pure celebration of finding Ed was addictive, and Al was like a sun that was shining on all of them. Blinding, golden, soaking into Mustang's dark, most somber of thoughts and chasing away the shadows.

Alphonse really was so much like Edward…

Mustang resolved to stay quiet about Tulson's concerns until he spoke with Edward himself.

Until I talk to Ed…

Something bright and hot flared in his chest, roaring like the flames of his alchemy and searing away every remaining doubt he had. His fists clenched and eyes narrowed at the sleeping city beyond the windows of the car, ears becoming deaf to the lighthearted conversation flowing between Havoc and Alphonse.

Ed is safe. He's coming home. That's all that matters now. We can work everything out later. All that matters is that he's alive and I can see him again. Talk to him again. Hear his voice and see him smile again…

Nothing else matters.

AN: Thank you for taking the time to read this very important chapter of my humble story. Let us all breathe a big sigh of relief just like Al and Mustang. *Sighs*