Hi! Here's the next chapter. While I kinda figured that the SonicXFMA crossover is a rather small appeal...c'mon, dudes! Give some reviews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

The three homunculi stared at the site before them. "Wow...we've really made a wrong turn." Envy commented.

"To be honest...I don't think we're even in our world anymore." Lust said. A great city stood before them. But instead of concrete, the buildings were made of steel, and higher than anything they had seen before. Black smog also surrounded the city, and any vegetation growing nearby began to rapidly decay.

"Whew. Doesn't look like a place I want to be." Envy said.

"Still, we've no other leads, so let's take a look."

"Can I eat people there?" Gluttony asked, sucking on his finger.

"Not until we've got some answers." Lust replied.

"Interesting." Robotnik was doing research on something that occurred on the Floating Island. Something was radiating Chaos Energy; its readings were off the charts, not even the Chaos Emerald that it had maintaining its position in the atmosphere would radiate that much Chaos Energy. However, whatever the source was, it was launched into space. "It seems I'll have to question the little red guardian directly..."

Then, the mechanical door to his war room opened. "You wanted to see me, sir?" Snively twiddled his thumbs, knowing this wasn't going to be good. 3 potential slaves lost, all because of Sonic; what was the BEST that could happen? He already had to spend a day in a cell.

"Yes, Snively." Robotnik replied as he swung his chair around. Just as Snively predicted, he brought up video feed of Sonic's escapade from the day before. "Now, how do you explain THIS!"

Snively sweated profusely, knowing his situation was hopeless now. "S-Sir, I tried to stop him! I called security, but like usual, he escaped and saved them!"

"ENOUGH WITH YOUR MISERABLE EXCUSES, SNIVELY!" Robotnik screamed, slamming his left fist on his control panel. "I will no longer tolerate-"

The alarms then went off. Robotnik took his attention off his nephew and brought up the new images. What he saw shocked him, nonetheless. "Overlanders? In my city?"

This caught Snively's attention too. "Perhaps those that survived whatever disaster befell Megaopolis?"

"We'll find out soon enough." He pressed a button to a channel his swatbots were tuned into. "Attention Swatbots. There are three overlanders in our fair city. Bring them to me."

"Fascinating." Lust commented. "I've never seen anything like this." The technology was nothing the homunculi have seen before, and they wondered what science, if any, made it work.

"It's a freakn' dump. And there's no one around." Envy grumbled.

Lust sighed. "True; I doubt Fullmetal would take shelter here. Let's head back to the temple, and find out if we can-"

"Freeze! Raise your hands, prisoners!" The three looked at metallic suits of armor, more slender and possessing flatter heads than Alphonse did. They were also pointing guns at them, and the homunculi mistakenly thought it was nothing to worry about.

"I take it we just can't walk away from this one, huh?" Envy asked, then smiled. He approached them, cracking his knuckles "Well, I need to blow off some-" Then, the guns fired, but no bullets came, only rays of light. As soon as they hit Envy, he went down.

"Surrender now." The Swatbots repeated.

Lust and Gluttony reluctantly raised their hands, while Envy was picked up like a sack of potatoes. "You'll regret this." Lust warned them.

The three were then put in shackles. By this point, Envy woke up. "So, I assume we're waiting for the big head-honcho to appear?" Envy ventured a guess.

The doors opened, and the three didn't know what to make of it. A fat man in a gaudy outfit and cape walked in, accompanied by what seemed to be a dwarf with only some hair. "Ah, welcome to Robotropolis. I am your host, Dr. Ivo Robotnik, supreme ruler of Mobius." he gestured with his arm.

"Sure doesn't feel like it." The Lust commented.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it soon enough. Overlanders like you and I are rare nowadays; in fact, it's believed by many that Snively and I are the last...until we met you anyway." he grinned, cupping her cheek.

"Loose 100 pounds, grow some hair, and your chances will SLIGHTLY go up." Lust warned him. "VERY slightly."

Robotnik just gave a snicker. "Ah, but you misunderstand. I'm not interested in children, no no no. I normally have a procedure for all organic life-forms on this planet, but for you three, I can make an exception. All you have to do is...obey me."

"Bite me!" Envy yelled. He broke free of his shackles, surprising everyone except his comrades, and wrecked the Swatbots to junk, this time wary of their lasers.

Snively was already panicking; while Robotnik was surprised, he didn't panic just yet. "Well done, well done. I certainly wasn't expecting that; I most certainly can use you. But disobedience will not be tolerated, and I'll show you why." Pressing a button on his arm, he had Lust's contraption move into a platform, and a cylinder descended upon Lust. "My policy is that any organic life found is roboticized to become my slave." The Roboticizer activated, causing Lust to scream in pain.

"Lust!" Gluttony cried before a swatbot pointed a gun to his head, stopping him.

"It's no use!" Robotnik yelled. "In a few minutes..." The computer then began to erupt sparks, triggering the alarm. "Snively, what's happening!"

Snively quickly tried to get an analysis before permanent damage was done to the console. "Sir, I don't understand! The robotization process is being halted by the lady's own cells! The machine's trying to put more energy into it, but her cells are regenerating faster than it can replace her flesh with metal!"

Finally, the cylinder blew up, forcing the two overlanders to shield themselves. Lust came out as some half-mechanical monstrosity. However, everything metal fell off to give way to organic tissue. Finally Lust was back to normal. She moaned, and fell to her knees. "That was...strange." She immediately stood back up, extending her nails to pierce Robotnik's shoulder and pinning him to the other side of the room. Envy released Gluttony, who proceeded to grab Snively and hold his head in his mouth.

"W-Wait!" Robotnik yelled, hoping to abate the situation. "Perhaps we can strike some kind of deal. After all...you are lost, are you not?" Lust pulled back slightly, allowing Robotnik to pull the finger-spear out. "Surely, you must've heard about me if you're from this world! And you're no mere overlander. I think it's...best that we hear each other out, don't you agree?" Despite the pain and surprise, he managed to put on a confident smile, even though he was bluffing. "I've a feeling, in the near future, we'll need each other."

Lust stared at him, not completely trusting him. However, it looked like he was the only one who could help her at the moment. Figuring she dominated him for now, she decided to go through with his proposal. She retracted her spears, and signaled at Gluttony to let Snively go. "Tell us everything about this world. Everything."

Edward and Alphonse had a good look around Knothole village. They still couldn't get over the variety of creatures they saw. It weirded them out even more that the supposedly different species could breed together without producing weird hybrids. Clothing also seemed to be optional and worn more for fashion than function or modesty; it probably didn't matter to them as the Elrics didn't find anything on the under dressed residents they weren't supposed to see (nor would they want to). "Our journey just keeps getting weirder and weirder." Ed commented.

A full day had passed since their intrusion. None of the villagers trusted them, and the Elrics made it a point to give the mobians their space unless approached. The glares he got only proved his point. The Princess didn't put Ed to work the other day, citing his injuries. His headache was gone, and the doctor proved to be quite competent and was able to remove Ed's stitches once he sealed up the wound with alchemy again. However, there was something that bothered them...

"Brother...you think we should tell them about the homunculi?" Al asked.

"I don't know; we haven't been told anything much about them either. It's probably best to wait and see if we can trust them. Even if we could, there's a possibility that in doing so we'll give them an encounter with those 3. I think it's best for now we keep our mouths shut on that one. Besides, they're murderers, but I doubt that they would go out of their way to hurt these guys, so long as they stayed out of each others way."

"Yo!" Sonic suddenly stopped in front of them, causing the brothers to brace themselves out of instinct. "So, just taking a tour of the town?"

Ed answered "Yeah...you could say that. We're still not used to this world." Ed was still rather uneasy around Sonic, given the battle they had.

The feeling was certainly mutual. As per usual with anyone he got in a fight with, Sonic did not trust them, and only addressed them now because he was told to. It wasn't much; he could do this and get it over with "Well, anyway, Sal's found a job for ya. Follow me...if you can!" Sonic took off, leaving a brief trail of flame on the dirt.

"Hey, wait for us!" Ed cried, as the two tried to follow him.

The Elric brothers ran to keep up with Sonic...in vain...and came across a ruined hut. Sally was already there with some tools. Ed noted her bandages from yesterday had been removed; a part of him was relieved that he didn't hurt her badly from their encounter. "Sorry to put you to work so soon boys, but we've got a lot on our hands, and I figure you could help out with this. We had a storm a couple of days ago, and the family living here needs it fixed. We have quite a few more that weren't so lucky." Sally handed Edward a hammer. "So..."

Ed handed the hammer back. "Oh, don't worry your highness. Those won't be necessary." Ed walked over to the hut, and took note of everything laid out before him. "This is everything you need?"

"Uh...yes, but Edward, I don't understand how..." Ed clapped his hands and placed them on the hut, causing a bright light emerged. When it vanished, the hut was back to normal; in fact, to Sally it looked better than ever! "How...how did you do that?" Sally asked, stunned beyond belief.

"Is that the same magic you pulled when we fought?" Sonic asked, equally in awe.

"It's not magic; it's alchemy." Edward replied. Then, a thought occurred to him. "You guys...do understand what alchemy is, right?"

Sally replied "A little; the ability to transform lead and other material into anything you want, correct?"

Ed corrected her "Not quite, princess. It's the process of determining the construction of a given object, breaking it down and reconstructing it. You can make most any shape you want, but you can't increase the mass without supplemental materials. Making it smaller means you're eliminating unnecessary elements. Also, whatever you create, it has to be made up of whatever you started with. To obtain, something of equal value must be given. That is alchemy's law of equivalent exchange."

Sally followed it just fine, but was nonetheless awed by it. Sonic, of course, was totally lost. "That's what you said in the infirmary..." the princess noted.

"It's also the philosophy we Alchemists live by..."

They turned to see Alphonse drawing a circle around another hut that was damaged. "Okay, tell everyone to stay out of the circle." Alphonse warned the villagers. Alphonse held is hands up, and immediately the hut was surrounded by a bright light, and the hut seemingly put itself back together.

Needless to say, the villagers were amazed. "Wow!"

"How'd ya do that!"

"Are you some kind of magician?"

Sonic, for once demonstrating observation skills, took note of the different techniques the brothers used to do their alchemy. "What was that he was drawing there?"

"A transmutation circle. It's the space that allows the energy within ourselves to flow and make a controlled alchemical reaction."

"How come you don't have to do it?" the hedgehog asked. Ed seemed to struggle for an answer, and just walked away. "What was that all about?" Sonic asked, slightly miffed.

Sally looked at them suspiciously too. "I don't know. It seemed like he didn't want to say; he looked hurt, in fact. It seems like something bad happened to him." Sally looked at Sonic and said "I don't think we should worry about it for now." The two then saw that the Elrics were surrounded by the villagers, asking them to fix various objects. It seemed it was more to observe their alchemy than to have anything important fixed. Sally's lips curved into a smile, and she said "Sonic, get everyone in the kitchen! I think we can actually trust them!"

For once, Sonic was inclined to agree, but only just. "I see where you're coming from, but Sal..."

"Don't worry Sonic; the limits I put on them will still be in place, and we'll know for sure once Dulcy comes."

"Mobius. " Lust stated, staring at the screen in front of her and still having trouble believing everything she was told. "Yes." Robotnik replied. "Though, I must admit: I am rather skeptical about how you came here, and I've experimented with different dimensions before. I don't see how a portal to another world could possibly be achieved through a mere temple."

"I find it hard to believe such things could exist, but here we are." Lust replied.

"Quite." The conversation was interrupted when a bluish robot with spines and a mustache came in with a tray of food. "Ah, unit 2275. Place the tray over there. Our fat guest is quite hungry."

The unit did so, and Gluttony ate it all, including the utensils and tray, in one bite. "He will never be satisfied; perhaps you could capture one of those animals?" Envy asked.

"I'm still hungry, and this tastes bad." Gluttony whined.

Robotnik sighed, realizing he already had a problem on his hands. "I prefer to robotocize them, my dear. So many projects, so little help. But I'll be sure to feed my next batch to your friend there."

While she pretended to be impassive, Lust was still in awe of the world around her. The technology in front of her would certainly come in handy. And the chaos emeralds...could it be even more powerful than a philosopher's stone? She couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. Though there was no doubt in her mind that Robotnik would try to betray them, but as long as she kept an eye on him, she figured it would work out quite well in her favor. She turned and smiled at him. "Well, why settle for one world when you can have two?"

Robotnik wasn't quite buying it, but that was to be expected. "And what does your world have to offer? From what I've gathered, your world's technology is inferior to mine. Once I enslave this entire planet, that should be enough. What could you possibly offer that I don't already have?"

"You are a brilliant scientist, Dr. Robotnik, but in our world, it is alchemy, not this technology, that drives our world. It can become a great weapon and asset for you; using nature's own elements against those that oppose you, the ability to fix things or create them all by yourself...the possibilities are large. Also, has immortality interested you?" Now that caught Robotnik's attention. "My comrades and I are attempting to create the Philosopher's Stone, an item that can bypass the laws of equivalent exchange. Even give one eternal life."

Robotnik moaned at the mention of that. "Yes. Yes! Now you're talking!"

"So, we have a deal then? You find a way for us to go back to our world, and we will share our resources with you. The downside is, you'll have to leave your city unguarded..."

"No, no." Robotnik waved her off. "It's not a problem at all. I can make arrangements to keep it safe."

Lust had him there. "Excellent. My master will be pleased."

This took Robotnik off-guard. "You mean...?"

"You'll meet her soon enough."

Robotnik got over it quickly. "No matter. I believe this will be a worthy partnership." He took the homunculus's hand and the shook.

Little did either of them know, the robot that had just served Gluttony heard the entire thing. "I need to warn Sonic, now!"

"Princezz, you are being too generouz!" Antoine protested as Sally helped everyone with preparing the feast.

"Antoine, they're not bad people; at this point I'm simply following protocol. Besides, they certainly took a lot off our hands with their Alchemy." she noted while setting the table.

Sonic was making chili dogs in the kitchen (the only thing he knew how to make) and spoke for Sally. "Hey, I'm not sure what to think about them much either, but they ain't nothing like Buttnik. Besides, I nearly fell into it too, but I don't wanna judge them just because they're overlanders."

"Sugar!" Bunnie called Antoine while trying to prevent the cookies from catching on fire. "Come an' give me a hand here!"

Edward poured some water from the well over him, and sighed. The villagers had exhausted him; once they were put to work, EVERYONE had something to fix. "Jeez, they're worse than some of the other small towns I've been to."

"Brother!" Alphonse called, running up to him. "The Princess invited us to dinner! I guess this means they trust us now."

On one hand, Edward was famished. On the other, he had NO idea what these creatures ate; in fact, back home he technically ate a good portion of these creatures. He could only imagine how horrified Bunnie would be if he mentioned the time he and Al spent on the island catching rabbits. Not to mention he was worried they would be fed grass, bugs, or if they were lucky, raw meat. Still, she could've locked them away as she saw fit, and she was giving them the benefit of the doubt. Besides, ever since they came here and the misunderstanding was sorted out, she was being perfectly reasonable. He figured that if it was something he couldn't eat, he could just politely turn it down. Quickly, Ed put on his shirt and jacket. "Well, let's go then. Wouldn't want to keep our hosts waiting."

"Welcome!" the Freedom Fighters, even Sonic, said as the Elrics entered.

Ed looked at the table, impressed. These "Mobians" really went all out. While it looked mostly vegetarian, it all looked fresh and ripe. There was some meat as well, although Ed was suspicious about the source, but at least it was clearly cooked. Edward's stomach practically roared. Sally beckoned them. "Edward, Alphonse, please; have a seat."

The two Elrics squeezed into the chairs they were given (thankfully Al's seem to have been custom made), and realized they had a bit of a problem: Al! "Oh crap!" Ed thought. Alphonse would try to fool everyone by lifting his helmet and plopping the food in, but everyone was suspicious whenever Al did that; he doubted these aliens would be any exception. "Wow, this looks great!" Ed exclaimed hoping to take the attention off Al.

"Well, after how much you and your brother helped out, I figured it was the least we could do. At this point, any restrictions placed are simply protocol! I would like to officially welcome you both to Knothole Village!" Both brothers could tell she was being absolutely sincere.

The Freedom Fighters raised their mugs, and the brothers did the same. "Uh...thank you. It's been quite a harrowing journey for us, and to be honest I don't know how we'll get back home. But, we'll definitely remember meeting some kind...and interesting people!" Everyone brought their mugs together, and drank.

Ed was relieved to taste some very good cider; Al of course lifted his helmet and poured it in.

"Uh...Al..." Sonic commented. "You know, it'd be easier if you TOOK OFF your helmet."

Al seemed to panic for a moment. "Uh...sorry! I really can't! I need this armor to stay on at all times!" There was silence at the table. "Oh crap! You really blew it for us, Al!" Ed thought.

"Wow...that's gotta suck." Sonic commented.

Sally however, knew something was wrong; she didn't even catch a glimpse of Al's face. She didn't believe Alphonse to be robot though; Ed would have probably said so otherwise. "Something's not adding up here..." She put it in the back of her mind for now, and said "We apologize. Please, do what you need to; after all, we don't want to force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. As you were."

Everyone resumed. Ed found he rather enjoyed the fruits and vegetables they had gathered, and the meat was not bad either. Al, of course, simply plopped everything into his armor. "What's this?" Ed asked, holding what seemed to be some kind of sausage in a bun with something on top.

"A chili dog!" Sonic exclaimed. "Try it you'll love it!"

Edward took a bite. It was incredibly spicy, but very tasty as well. "Wow! You weren't kidding!"

Ed had some more, as did Al in his usual fashion. "Mmm. Yeah." he replied, trying his best to act like he was actually eating. Just then, Nichole emitted a beeping sound.

"Incoming call from Sir Charles, Sally."

Sally got up from her chair and excused herself. "I'm sorry, but I must take this call."

"Mind if I listen with ya, Sal?" Sonic asked.

"Of course not, Sonic; excuse us please." With that, the two mobians left their comrades to keep the Elrics company.

"Come in, Uncle Chuck." Sally spoke into Nichole's speaker.

"Princess, we have some new guests here in Robotropolis! Apparently, Robotnik has formed a new alliance!"

Sonic groaned; he only hoped at least that whoever it was would betray and humiliate the fat overlander. "With whom?"

"I've never heard about individuals like these. Three overlanders...or that's what they look like; they seem to have abilities above any normal overlander I've ever encountered. But from what I gather, they're apparently from another world. They're talking about combining forces to conquer both worlds!"

Sally and Sonic just looked at each other, realizing that it could only mean one thing. "They weren't alone!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

"What!" Uncle Chuck asked over the communicator.

Sally said "We've got visitors of our own. And their origin sounds awfully familiar. We'll get back to you on this one. Sally out."

Sally closed Nichole while Sonic ranted. "Damn it! I knew I should've gone with my instincts! They can't be trusted!"

Sally, as usual, remained calm while Sonic was itching for a fight. "I don't think that's the case...not yet anyway. It seems they have a complicated past, and the three that Uncle Chuck mentioned might be connected." Sally then turned to face the dinning room door. "Nonetheless, I can't afford to be generous anymore. We need the truth, and it seems we'll have to do it without Dulcy."

Sally pulled Nichole back up. "Nichole, did Uncle Chuck send a recording?"

"Affirmative, Sally."

Sonic then walked towards the door. "Alright, time to see what those two are really about."

"So, this Alchemy allows ya to make anything you want?" Bunnie asked.

"Most anything, as long as you start with the same components you had." Edward replied, explaining Alchemy to the other freedom fighters. "Some specialize in certain types of Alchemy, like some windbag we know." Ed added, thinking of Mustang. "And there are some taboos as well; for example, making gold is forbidden, as it would cause a country's inflation rate to sky rocket out of control."

"Hey, can I have you do some tests with this Alchemy?" Rotor asked. "I doubt we could learn it, but I bet I can whip up something to duplicate the effects."

Alphonse replied "I don't have a problem with that. Just-"

The conversation was interrupted when Sonic and Sally came in. "Yo! What's the big idea, forgetting to mention you brought friends along with you!"

Edward knew who Sonic was referring too. If they were here... "Where are they!"

"So you ARE working with them!"

Sonic pounced on Edward, knocking him off his chair. Edward threw him of with a sacrifice throw and transmuted his arm again. "What the hell's your problem!"

Alphonse restrained Sonic while Bunnie did the same with Edward. "Calm down, everyone! What in tarnation is going on, Sugar-hog?"

"Everyone, stop!" Sally commanded. Ed and Sonic managed to calm down, but were still sending each other death-glares. "Edward...I have just got intel from one of my spies. Three overlanders have joined Robotnik, and their origin sounds similar to yours." Sally had Nichole project what Uncle Chuck recorded, showing the three individuals.

"It's them!" Alphonse said.

"So, when'ya gonna leak our location!" Sonic yelled.

"Sonic, that's enough!" Sally snapped. She put Nichole away. "I'm guessing there's more to this than meets the eye, correct?" Sally asked Edward.

"It's a very, very long story." Ed replied, thankful that someone in the room was willing to listen..

Sally continued "I wanted to avoid inquiring too much about your past, especially lately today with everything you've done for us. But these three are now working with Robotnik, and now we need to know everything about you...and about them."

Ed and Al looked at each other. "Brother, we have to tell them. We can't let our problems bring harm to them."

"You're right, Al." Edward faced Sally, and bowed. "I apologize, your highness. We intended to take care of those three and drag them with us back home without getting you involved. But I suppose it's too late for that." Edward straightened up and looked her in the eyes. "However, we need to know about this world too. I doubt you are in any way bad people, but if we're going to help, we can't risk giving our strength to the wrong hands."

Sally just commented "Equivalent exchange, huh?"

Ed smiled. "Now you're catching on."

Later that night, Sally gathered everyone by the fire, deep in the forest. "So, who goes first?" Sonic asks.

"I think we should, Sonic." Sally answered. After all, they're strangers here." Sally took a deep breath, preparing a tale that was not only relevant to everyone in Knothole, but personal to her as well. "We were not always hidden away in this village." Sally began as she pulled out Nichole and pulled up a holographic projection of the old Mobotropolis, as Ed and Al stared in awe. A brief scene of a battle between what seemed to be humans and the Mobians was played as well. "This was our home, ruled by my father, King Acorn. We ended the Great War, and were finally at piece. However, it was not to last." The image then brought up armored figures, capturing the citizens and ships fouling up the air. "Warlord Julian staged a coup, renaming our city Robotropolis and himself Robotnik." The brothers found an obese man overlooking the city with sinister eyes that gave the homunculi a run for their money. "Soon afterwards, he overthrew and exiled my father." The image then showed what seemed to be a bird put into a tube. When it came in contact with some weird energy, it changed into an armored form similar to Al. "Those who disobeyed were roboticized, transformed into mindless slaves."

Ed just looked at the transformation in awe. "It's just like Al...only..."

"We were children at the time, and our guardians took us here to Knothole. We've remained hidden since, but slowly Robotnik is cutting down the Great Forest. It's only a matter of time before he eventually comes here. He's also been trying to take over the whole world, roboticizing everything he can. That's why me and my friends became Freedom Fighters; we haven't been able to do much to overthrow him, but we've at least stopped him from staging an outright takeover of the planet."

"How old were you when this happened?" Alphonse asked.

Sally looked taken aback by the question. "Most of us were all 5 years old when it all happened." Sally replied, looking away, obviously disturbed by the memory.

Ed elbowed Al in the side; while he couldn't feel it, he got the message. "Way to go, Al." he muttered.

"It's alright." Sally said. "It was a long time ago."

"He also roboticized my uncle and my dog." Sonic interrupted. "They regained their freewill, but he's now staying undercover as our spy."

"My family is now a herd of mind-controlled slaves" Rotor added.

"He's also tha reason mah arm and legs are like this." Bunnie chimed in, pointing to her robotic limbs. "If it wasn't for Sonic, ah'da been gone entirely."

Ed met some bad people, but to do this to an entire race...the only thing comparable was the Ishvalan war, but even then the government came under criticism and policies were made, however mediocre and half-hearted, to reprimand what had been done.

"That's really all I have to tell you about this world." Sally finished

"No wonder the villagers were so hostile to us before. These overlanders have given you bad memories, haven't they?" Ed asked. He doubted he would behave much different had he been more involved in the Ishvalan war to some degree.

Sally answered "I really tried hard not to judge you based on your race, but..."

"Don't worry about it." Alphonse interrupted. "We have plenty of bad people in our world too. Not to mention our own government has done some terrible things too."

Edward threw some more wood into the fire and began his tale. "The beginning of our lives wasn't much. Our father abandoned us when we were really little, leaving our mom to raise us. All we had were each other. However, I took an affinity to the alchemic research our dad left behind; me and my brother studied it all the time, showing off our skills to Mom. However, we didn't know that Mom was sick, and one day she just couldn't take it anymore. She eventually died, leaving us alone." Ed stood silent, as the others beckoned him to continue. "Then, Al and I made a vow, to see Mom smile again."

Al continued for his brother. "We found us a teacher who could teach us the true ways of Alchemy. It took months of hard work, but it paid off, as both Ed and I were accomplished Alchemists at the end of the training."

Feeling he had to tell this part, Ed took over. "Then, we proceeded to perform the worst taboo in alchemy: Human Transmutation."

Sally looked at them stunned. That could mean only one thing..."You mean...you tried to bring your mother back to life?"

Ed looked down in shame. "You're too smart, princess."

Allowing his brother to gather up the courage to tell the most important part of the past, Alphonse began. "We gathered up all the components of the human body, plus our own blood."

Ed was able to continue from there. "We began the process, but something went wrong. I should have seen it coming; after all, to obtain, something of equal value must be lost. But what could equal the value of a human soul?" No one knew where this was going, but it wasn't going to be good. "When the process began, I saw Al taken into a portal, being taken apart by dark tendrils. Those same tendrils took me, and I was brought before a gate."

"What kind of gate?" Antoine asked.

"No one knows. But the doors opened, and I was pulled in. And that's when I learned the truth: How molecules are connected, the truth of Alchemy...all poured into my head. At first, I was ecstatic to have learned so much...it seemed that if nothing else, I was on the verge of performing human transportation properly. However, I was returned to my world. Al was nowhere to be seen, and I realized my left leg was gone." Ed pulled his pant leg to emphasize his point. "And I witnessed what we brought to life...it wasn't our mother. It was just a disgusting concoction of human body parts, nothing was how it should have been had we done it correctly." It took him a moment to continue. "I realized that Al's body was taken to the other side of the Gate, and I didn't have much time. I crawled to the other side of the room, knocking down a piece of armor. Using the blood pouring out of my leg, I drew a transmutation circle inside the armor. I offered up everything to the other side of the gate, even my heart. So long as Al was returned to me, I didn't care." Edward pulled the sleeve of his right arm to show them his metal prosthetic. "I lost my arm in the process..." he sighed regretfully. "But I was just glad that Al was by my side again."

"...and now...I'm like this." Al stood up and removed his helmet, causing everyone to gasp in shock, seeing nothing was inside the armor. Except Antoine of course, who fainted. Sonic started to feel like a jerk for going off on them again like that. Most everyone in Knothole knew the pain of loosing someone, but to pay so dearly just to see lost loved ones again...

Sally had her head hung low too, regretting that she asked them only to be rewarded with such a tragic tale. "You don't have to say anymore. I-"

"No, you need to hear the rest of this. Equivalent exchange means you have to take it all when you give it all, like it or not." Edward continued. "My attempts at human transmutation caught the eye of a State Alchemist. Apparently, he was looking for my father, but upon learning of my own talents as well, he offered me a chance to become a State Alchemist. Alchemists of the State were given the highest privileges in alchemic research; with that research, I could find a way to get Al's body back and my own limbs." Deciding he could leave out the part about Tucker, he continued. "I passed the state certification, becoming known as the Fullmetal Alchemist. For years, I've been trying to find a lead to restore what we lost. The latest clue I've come upon was the Philosopher's Stone, a compound that is said to be able to bypass the laws of Equivalent Exchange and amplify one's Alchemical Powers. That's when we met the homunculi that are now working with that Robot guy."

Sonic asked "What's a Homunkulaye?"

"HOMONCULI." Edward corrected him. "They are beings that are created from Alchemy. They have superhuman abilities, and cannot be killed by normal means. Lust, the woman, can extend her fingers into spears. Gluttony can eat anything, LITERALLY. And Envy can shape shift into anything."

"Oh great, Buttnik was bad enough as it is..." Sonic groaned. They fought some tough customers, but he knew this new batch was going to be a whole other mess of trouble.

Ed said "Here's the thing. We've given up on the Philosopher's Stone, at least, in the traditional method it is made..."

Sally didn't like where this was going. If they gave up on it...that could only mean something bad was behind it. "How is the Philosopher's Stone made?"

"With live human beings." Edward replied. "Or overlanders, as you call us." Everyone gasped in shock, wondering what kind of a world Ed and Al could have come from.

"So, they want the philosopher's stone for power?" Sally asked.

"Not exactly." Ed replied. "From what I've read, homunculi cannot perform alchemy. So, a philosopher's stone would be useless to them. However, if what Lust told me was correct, they want it to become human again." This certainly through the freedom fighters for a loop. Everyone they've fought either wanted riches, power, or immortality. But...to simply be normal? How could any sane person live with that?

"And they're willing to sacrifice other people to do it?" Sally asked, certain the answer was yes.

Ed replied "They nearly got ME to; I was desperate to return Al back to normal."

"So, where does this all lead to you coming here?" Rotor asked, reminding them of the most relevant part for them.

"We were on our way to meet Teacher." Alphonse replied. "But we go caught up in arresting a rogue alchemist. Brother found he had a map, and wanted to check it out. Apparently, the Homunculi didn't want us there. We fought, and then this light shone over us. I was the only one who wasn't disoriented by the light, so I took Ed and ran. And that's how we met you."

Sally then asked "Do you have any idea how you got here? How you or the homunculi activated the portal?"

Ed thought about it for a minute, and remembered something. "Both Envy and I got cut in the scuttle. Our blood mixed, and that's when the reaction started."

"So, all ya' have ta do is do it again, right. Ah mean, I don't want ya to hurt yourself, but..."

"It's possible, but it wouldn't be easy." Ed answered. "Especially now that they teamed up with that red fatty."

"Brother, with that technology, he could conquer all of Amestris! We can't let that happen!"

"You're right Al." Edward sat up from his log and faced all the Freedom Fighters. "Normally, we try to avoid getting caught up in others problems. But we'll get those 3 away from here. Once we do that, we'll destroy the temple on our side to ensure this doesn't happen again, ever!" It was then that everyone noticed the embers had died out.

Sally stretched her arms, both from fatigue and depression from listening to the Elrics' story. "It's late. We're going to have to pull out all the stops for this, and that means we have to wait for Dulcy the day after tomorrow. Edward, are you sure nothing can stop these Homunculi?"

"If I did, I would have told you, gladly." Edward replied.

Sally then said "That was quite a story you told us.. I almost feel as if what we've been through..."

"Don't say that, Princess." Alphonse interrupted. "Ed and I are pretty disheartened to hear about what Robotnik did to your family, your city, and this planet as well. Right, Ed?" The living suit of armor looked to his brother.

Ed nodded in agreement. He then stretched and yawned. "Well, I think we should turn in. Wouldn't you agree, Princess?"

"Yes, I think so. It's past Tails' bed time anyway. "

"Aunt Sally, I'm not a kid anymore!" The young fox protested.

"Come on, Tails." Sonic patted his shoulder and walked with him to his hut. "G'night everyone." he said, still at a loss for words for what the Elrics told him.

One by one, the Freedom Fighters retired for the night, some expressing their remorse for what the brothers went through. "Antoine, would you mind showing these two the guest hut?" Sally asked him as she trailed behind the others.

Antoine groaned at the prospect of playing chuffer, but his upbringing and yearning for her affections would not allow him to disobey her. "Afollow me." he told the Elrics as they trailed after him.

The Freedom Fighters would lay awake later night, the shock they went through hearing Ed and Al's story still fresh in their minds. They all knew that both the Elrics and the Homunculi would forever change their world, for better or for worse. All they could do was to ensure that the future would be a bright one for both.