Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for ocs.

~Road of Hope~

Ed, Whity, Addie, and Armstrong were all sitting on the train, waiting for fit departure, when there was a knock on the window. They turned To see Lt. Colonel Hughes. "Hey, just came to see you off since everyone else was busy." "Great...but would you mind telling me why the Major is here?" Ed asked, annoyed.

Armstrong gained sparkles around his head causing everyone to sweatdropped. "For protection... What would happen if Scar came after you again? You're in no shape for a fight guys..." Hughes glanced over to the two as Ed gripped his auto-mail arm and Aaliyah looked down at her hands.

"The Major's here to help. Just try to grin and bare it." Hughes said. "Children can be stubborn," Armstrong said. "Hey shut up!" Edward said defensively. "I'm no child! Anyway, are you sure Al made it on board?" Aliyah snorted. "Of course... I thought he might get lonely without some kind of company." Armstrong reply.

Alphonse is in with the Sheep. "My brother isn't some kind of farm animal!" Ed shouted. "Uh, is Al with sheep?" Audrey asked Whitney. "Yeah." Whity sweatdropped nervously. Another bell ring. "Oops, it's time." Hughes said. Black smoke came from the train's smokestack. Hughes saluted to them. "Okay, you guys have a safe trip. Stop in and give me a shout the next time you make it to Central." Hughes said.

They all salute at him while the train slowly pulled out. The sun turned a golden orange color s it prepared to set. Armstrong sat in the almost-too-small seat, reading a small book and Addie was sitting with Armstrong. Ed had his head on Whity as they fall asleep.

The train pulled into the station and Ed and Whity stretched. As Armstrong saw a man walk by. He quickly got up and looked at him out of the window while squeezing Addie. "Doctor Marcoh! Armstrong shouted. "Doctor Marcoh! That is you, isn't it!" The man turned around. "It's me, Alex Louis Armstrong from central!"

A fearful look crossed the man's face and he turned and ran away. "Friend of yours?" Ed asked. "Yeah, he looked scared." Whitney said. "He's from Central. A talented State Alchemist. He was researching into possible medical applications of alchemy, but after the Ishvalan Civil War he went missing and just disappeared." Armstrong said.

Ed grabbed Whity's hand and ran off the train. "Let's go, guys! A guy like this doctor might know a few things about bio-alchemy." Ed said. Armstrong walked around town, carrying the large box containing Alphonse in his shoulder alongside Edward, Audrey, and Whitney.

"Excuse me." He said showing a man an illustration of Doctor Marcoh he had drawn, "but do you know who this person is, by any chance?" "Wow, Major." Whitney said, looking at the detailed sketch, "you can really draw." Audrey said as well. A smirk crowd Armstrong's face. "The art of portraitry has been passed down the Armstrong family for generations." "That man looks like Doctor Mauro to me." The man said. "Mauro?" Whitney asked confused. "All of our town's doctors are drafted to help on the battlefields during the Civil War. Then Doctor Mauro came here. He's really been a life saver." He said. "He'll see any patient," another man wearing glasses said cheerfully, "and he never gives up on anybody." He snickered. "We're lucky he's here."

"You see this big, bright flash of light and then you're cured." A adolescent girl said, " just like that!" "So he sound a good guy to me." Audrey said. Edward looked at her and thought about it.

~Time skip~

"This is it." Edward said, standing in front of a building's front door. Whitney is behind him. As Armstrong and Audrey walked up the stairs Armstrong still carried Alphonse on his shoulder. Edward knocked on the door and pull the handle. "Um hell—" Whitney grabbed him before he get hit by a bullet. "Alright! Tell me what you guys are doing here! He said. "Did you come to take me back?"

"Please, Doctor." Armstrong said, lifting his hand to stop the doctor, "calm down." "That's not it, please listen." Addie said. "So you're here to silence me then!" He said. "No, nothing like that!" Whitney said. "I won't be tricked by you!" He replies.

Armstrong sighed. He threw the wooden box containing Al into the room. "I'll ask you one more time! Please calm down!" He said. "Alphonse!" Addie and Ed shouted. Everything settled down and they all took a seat around a square table. Bottles of liquids and various objects sat on shelves around the room.

"So you changed your name and decided to live in hiding way out here in the countryside," Armstrong said. "If the rumors I've heard can be believed, when you disappeared you took top-secret materials with you." Whitney said.

"I couldn't handle it anymore." Doctor Marcoh said, his hand over the other on the tabletop. "Order or no order, to have to dirty my hands researching that thing was too much."

"What 'thing' is that?" Ed asked. Marcoh's brows came together and he gritted his teeth. "It took so many lives. During the Civil War, so many innocents died because of it... I could spend my whole life trying and never atone for the sins that I've done. But I had to do something, so I came here to be a doctor to save lives instead of taking them..."

"Doctor, what exactly was it you were asked to research on?" Armstrong inquired. "What is the thing?" Audrey asked. "...The Philosopher's Stone." Ed, Addie, Whity and Al gasped. "The top-secret materials I took were my research documents and the stone itself—"

Ed stood up. "You mean you still have it! It's here!" Doctor Marcoh reached into his jacket and pulled out a small container. Within the curving, translucent sides was a brilliant red liquid. "How can that be the stone?" Whitney asked. "It's a liquid." Ed said. He removed the lid and pour the liquid onto the table. All of them gasped. The red liquid danced on the wooden surface forming a small circular stone.

"The Sage's Stone, the Grand Elixir, the Celestial Stone, the Red Tincture, the Fifth Element – just as the Philosopher's Stone is called by many names, so too can it take on many forms." Doctor Marcoh said. Al, Audrey and Armstrong looked at the stone as Ed and Whity poked and played with it curiously.

"It's not necessarily a stone." He continued. He put the stone back into its container. "This is an incomplete product, however. There's no way to know when it will reach its limits and become unstable." "Finished or not, it demonstrated plenty of power during the Ishvalan Civil War, right?"

"Huh?" Marcoh said. "It's just like the stone that false priest had in Liore – it was incomplete but it still amplified his powers considerably." Ed smiled. "If imitation stones this powerful can be produced, then who's to say a complete product can't be created?" Whitney said. Ed slammed his left hand down on the table. "Please, Doctor Marcoh, we need access to your research materials!" Ed said.

Marcoh looked at Armstrong. "Who exactly are this kids?" "This kids is a State Alchemists, Doctor." Armstrong replied. Marcoh gasped. "What! But their only children!" He covered his face with his hand and sighed. "After the war, there were many State Alchemists who turned in their certifications because they refused to serve as human weapons anymore...and now children."

"You think I don't know what I've sighed up for!" Ed put his hand over his disarmed shoulder. " I know what we're doing but I don't have any choice. If this a mistake, then it's a mistake that I have to make – there is no other way!" Whity said. Marcoh stared into the three kid's determined eyes. "I see." He finally said, looking over at Al. "So you've committed the taboo. Amazing. The ability to transmute a specific person's soul like this. Make one as talented as you two would be able to produce a complete Philosopher's Stone."

Ed smiled. "So—." "But I can't show you my research." Marcoh said. "Why not!" Ed shouted. "You must not seek after the stone." "Not even if it's to get out bodies back?" Ed said. "Never! This is the devil's research. If you chase the stone you will go through hell." Marcoh said. "I've already been through HELL!" Ed yelled, standing up. Whity had a concerned look on her face. "Edward..." Whitney muttered. "Please, please just leave." Ed and Whity followed Armstrong down the stairs to the streets. Ed looked back at a window sorrow in his eyes. Marcoh sat on his plain bed, a somber expression across his face.

I've already been through HELL!

Ed's voice ran through Marcoh's head over and over.

Whity lay her head on Ed's shoulder. "Are you sure about this, Ed and Whity? Armstrong asked them as sitting on a train station bench. "Huh?" Ed said. "Even an incomplete Philosopher's Stone could be useful. You could have taken it from the doctor by force." Armstrong said. "Yeah, u wanted it badly I could almost taste it. But still..." "But still, Al continued, "We don't want it badly that we'd be willing to deprive this town of their only doctor to get it."

Ed smiled as a soft breeze blew through his hair. "We gained plenty just by finding out the Philosopher's Stone can be made. Now we'll just have to find out a way to do it." Whity smiled at him. The incoming train's whistle blew. They stood up and waited for the train to come to a stop.

"What about you, Major? How do you feel about not reporting back to Central about Doctor Marcoh's location?" Whity asked. "I met a simple small-town doctor today. I can't see any real reason to report that." Armstrong said. Ed snickered. "Wait!" Marcoh stopped a few feet short of Ed, Audrey, Whity and Armstrong. His hands were on his knees and he was breathing hard. The train pulled to a stop.

"Doctor Marcoh?" Ed said. "This is where my materials are," he said, handing Ed a small, folded piece of paper. "If you're certain you won't regret learning the truth in the end, start looking here. Look closely, maybe you'll find the truth hidden within the truth. But," he smiled. "I've said too much already." He turned and his smile vanished. He walked off, waving at the men behind. "I hope the day will come when you can restore your bodies."

Armstrong saluted and Ed, Addie and Whity bowed in farewell.

"Brother," Alphonse said. "What does the note say?" "National Central Library 1st Branch." Ed says. "I get it." Armstrong said. "Like a hiding a tree in the forest. Finding one book in that giant library will be difficult, indeed." Ed smirked. "Finally another clue about the stone." Whity said. "A closer clue." Audrey said.

*Marcoh's house*

Marcoh had just returned home from giving Ed and them the note to help them. "I've been looking for you, Marcoh..." A woman's voice said. Marcoh's eyes widened as the woman smirked.

*Resembool*

Den barked loudly in front of the Rockbells' house. "Winry?" Pinako said, "Winry! Our best customers here."

Winry stopped sharpening her tools and took off the protective goggles. "Yo, Granny!" Ed said, walking down the dirt road alongside the Ally and Armstrong still carrying Al. "Hey, Granny. How are you doing." Whity said. "I'm doing fine, Whity." She said. Audrey went to hug Pinako and she hugged her back "We're home!" Al said. "Oh dear, what have you two done now?" She asked. "Heh, a lot has happened. Can ya fix us up?" Ed said. Armstrong set down Al's box and shook Pinako's small hand.

"This is Alex Louise Armstrong." Whity introduced. "I'm Pinako Rockbell." She took a few steps back, her pipe still in the other hand. "I know I haven't seen you in a while Ed, but you've gone and grown smaller." "Granny." Ed said through gritted teeth, "you've got it wrong. You're supposed to say 'how big' you've grown lately, Ed."

"And why would I say something that is unclearly untrue." Pinako said. "I'm still taller than you ya MINIMUM HAG!" A two wrench flew through the air and hit Ed and Aaliyah forcefully on their heads. "Whitney! Edward! I thought I told you two to call first when you're heading back here for maintenance!" Winry yelled on the balcony. "WIRNY!" Ed yelled. "Are you two trying to kill us!"

Winry smiled and laughed. "Welcome back!" Winry said. "Yeah." Ed said angrily. "Oh no!" Winry screamed, looking at the all broken pieces of her's beautiful Auto-mail arm.

"Yeah, uh, sorry." Ed said, sipping his mug, "it's a little smashed up." "A little smashed up'? 'A little'? Ed, do you see what you've done to my beautiful creations? I slaved over this!"

"It's the same, it's just in smaller pieces." Ed stated. Whity nervously laughed. Winry's fist met Ed's face. Then she looked at Al. "Don't tell me– you a little smashed up too, Al? What kind of trouble have you four been getting yourselves into?" Winry asked. Al nervously laughed. This time Winry's foot collided with Al's face. "You idiots! She said, looking at the two boys laying on the floor and twitching. "All you ever do is worry us." Winry stated. Winry at Whity's injuries. "And you wounded my sweet Whitney, you jerks!" She yelled at them. "Are you not hurt, Addie?" Winry asked. "I'm not hurt." Audrey told her.

~Time skip~

"Alright." Pinako said, tapping her pipe against a bowl of ashes. "I see. To get this information you need, you have to go to Central as soon as possible, am I right?" Winry stated. "Yeah," Ed said. "This is kinda a rush order." "Hmm." Pinako said, measuring Ed's flesh and metallic legs side by side. "It's not just the arm, your leg needs adjusting, too. You're too Whity." Pinako says. "Hai!" Whitney said.

"Looks like your growth's not stunted completely after all." Whitney teased. "Oh, shut up!" Ed yelled back. "Leg aside." Pinako continued, tapping her pipe against his metal knee and hers too. "The shape's the arm in, we'll have to build it from scratch."

"Is there any chance you can have it one in a week!" Ed asked. "Give us some credit, Ed." She said, standing up. She puffed out some smoke and smiled. "Four days." Pinako removed his and her leg and replaced it with a smaller, weaker model. "But you'll have to make do with these spares for now." They nodded. "Looks like all-nighters..." Winry said. "I'm sorry for all the trouble." She turned to look at Ed as she said. "Well, you need to get Central as soon as possible, right? Then I would my butts off for you but you better believe you're going to pay a fortune in rush order fees." Winry said.

"Big brother, where are you going?" Addie asked him. "I'm visiting mom's grave. Want to come?" Ed said. "Of course, I will!" Audrey said. "I'm coming to." Whitney said as she run towards him and held his left hand with her right and went out. They head there with Den carrying flowers in his mouth. They run towards some townspeople on the way to the grave and put the flower down.

Then say some words. Then left there, and head to their old house. Whity stared to sunset. "No turning back huh?" He muttered. "Yeah." Addie reply and looked at him. Ed looked at Whitney and pulled her closer to him so that he can kiss her. He lean in as she did as well they kissed each other and part away. Den whine. "I guess it's time to head back." Ed said. Whitney and Audrey nodded.

As they head back. "We're bac–" "Oh Edward Elric and Whitney Rockbell!" Armstrong hugged the two as soon as they walked in, as he cried. "What undying love to try and bring your mother back to life! What a tremendous sacrifice for you to give up your arm and get Al's soul! What determination to burn down your house to make sure there was no turning back!" Armstrong then ripped off his shirt saying. "Come Edward, Whitney! Let me hold up in this comforting embrace!" "No, stay back! Don't rub your chest on me!" They both screamed.

*Next Day*

Ed walked out of his room and into the room Winry worked in, walking up to them and saying "Look at you, working hard so early in the morning." "Been up all night..." Winry trailed off as she went silent. Ed sweatdropped and exited the room.

It was dark and Ed had gone to check on his arm to find Winry still working on it. "You're still at it, busy as a bee. At this rate, you must be almost done." Ed said. "One more all-Nighter..." She went quiet again so Ed left catching Whitney in the hallway. "Hey, Eddie." She said cheerfully. Ed noticed her hair was wet, meaning she just got out of the shower.

"You still annoying Winry?" Whitney asked him. "I just want my arm to hurry up and be finished already!" Ed said. "Don't worry; it'll be done soon. For now, just relax. You know we won't get another day too." She walked towards him and grabbed his hand to their room. "Come on Ed." Whity said. Ed sighed. "Yeah, night." Ed said. Whity said night as well.

*Next day*

Ed, once again, went into Winry's workplace to check on his arm. He stood there watching her for a minute before she angry and threw him out. "You finally drove her, huh?" Whitney asked walking past Ed. "What gave it away?" Ed asked as she chuckled. Whitney walked outside, Ed following her. They saw Al and Addie sitting down on the grass. They say next to them. "I can't wait any longer!" Ed stated. "They said it would take three days, so give them three days." Addie assured him. Ed sighed as he said, "Yeah, I know...it's just when I think about that clue to the stone could be in Central Library somewhere, I get impatient." Den barked as the sound of running was heard. "Here you go! It's all ready!" Winry said happily.

Ed sat down, ready to get his leg and arm connected. "Are you ready?" "Yeah..." "One...two...three." Winry and Granny connected it as he made a pained expression. "That's the worse part..." He muttered. "Just think, when we have the Philosopher's Stone, we can kiss that pain goodbye!" Whitney said as Ed agreed. "Our biggest source of income...it'll be sad to see you go."

"Hold still; do you want me to do this right?" Winry asked Ed. as he cried out in pain again. "It's so lovely!" Winry began gushing over her auto-mail. "Done." Before Winry tells them about their auto-mail. Ed runs out of the door. "Al, it's your turn!"

Ed got prepared to fix Al up. And try out some sparring Ed says that they can wait until they arrived at Central. It was night time and somehow, Whitney and Ed had fallen asleep on the couch together. Whity's head was on his shoulder as his head lay on hers and his hand on his stomach, and Addie laying below them. "Ed, with his tummy out again...what are we going to do with him?" Al asked with a giggle. "It's like you're the older one, huh Al?" Granny asked. "Two of them can be a handful at times but someone has to look out for them." Al reply. "How old are you four now?" She asked. "I'm 14, Addie is 10, and Brother and Whitney are 15." Winry came with blankets, covering the three as Winry says. "To think, someone as small as them could be used as weapons; it is almost funny." "Thanks..." Al said as Winry raised a brow saying, "What this?" "Why so formal?" Granny asked.

"Granny, Winry... We're so grateful for you welcoming us like we're family...I'm sure Whitney feel the same and even though Ed will never say it, I know he feels the same way." Al said. "Don't worry dear, we know they do. They don't have to say it." Granny said.

*Next Day*

Ed, Al, Whity, Addie, and Armstrong were leaving early that morning. "Thank you again for everything." Ed told Granny as she said, "Sure." "Hey, where's Winry?" Al asked. "Resting; she and her sister stayed up three nights in a row...want me to wake them." "No that's okay; they just nag us." Whitney said. "Make sure to do your maintenance or whatever..." Ed said as they started to walk down the path. "Hang on guys...you should come back once in a while and have dinner with us." Granny said as Ed said, "Hmph; you want us to come all this way into the mountains for some dinner?" They both smiled as they then heard voices say, "Ed, Addie, Whity, Al!" They looked up to see Winry, her hair a mess, still sleepy. "Come back soon, okay?" Winry said. "Yeah." Ed said as Addie and Whity waved, "Bye Winry, and Granny!"

It was late afternoon when Winry woke up and walked downstairs. Then She shows her one screw that was supposed to be in Ed's arm. "Huh? Oops..."

{Ending song}