Sorry for the wait again! I guess this is happen when you write so much…all for free…

Anyway, with this chapter we're going to get a partial answer to how Ed and Sonic's worlds are connected (in this fic, of course). I was initially going to reveal the whole story, but I realized the method by which I would tell it would have been impossible to get the whole picture. Don't worry, all will be revealed…eventually.

"You're sure?" Fuher Bradley asked over the phone. He scowled, finding the general's testimony to be borderline lunacy…but Olivia Armstrong was not known for such things. "I'll see to it immediately." He quickly hung up the phone "Get me Colonel Mustang!" he shouted to his assistant, a brunette woman named Julia Douglas.

"Yes sir!" Juliet Douglass said as she rushed out of the door.

Bradley swiveled to face his office window. "This could either be the worst possible turn of events…or perhaps a great boon to us…"

"So…a homunculus can only be killed when it's near the remains of its previous life?" Ed asked as he took notes.

"Yes. I don't know how it works; my guess is the core soul longs to be back with its original body." Greed answered. "Your little blue friend would have never had a chance without them." Sonic, standing on the other side of the door, growled as he felt a vein pop in his forehead.

"So that's why you kidnapped Al." Sally deduced. "You were trying to find a way to avoid that should the worse have happened. But who would have kept your remains?" she asked.

Greed fell silent for a moment. "Well…you wouldn't believe me if I told you…"

"Answer the question!" Izumi shouted, slamming the nightstand.

Greed sighed, and looked at her. "The old lady. The one in the mansion."

"What?"

"You know, old. Wrinkled. Greenish hair?"

Izumi looked away. "Why would my teacher waste time on you?"

Greed's eyes widened in surprise…then his lips turned into a sneer. "Your teacher, eh? Now that is interesting. I suppose she hadn't told you everything about her."

Izumi's eyes narrowed. "What is her link to you?"

"She really didn't, did she!?" Greed chuckled. "Well, I suppose that is quite fortunate for you. I dread to think what would have happened to you had you been aware of her darker secrets…"

Izumi shot up from her seat and grabbed him by the lapel. "TELL ME!" she yelled, shaking him.

"No." Greed shrugged, looking bored. "You're not ready."

"What!?"

"You're not ready to hear about the person your teacher really was. There ain't no point in telling you if you're not going to accept it as truth." The homunculus shrugged. "I ain't no saint, but I'd like to think that if I'm going to do something, I might as well do it right. And until you're willing to accept whatever answers I give you, I'm not going to bother. Go ahead and torture me if you must; I still retain enough of my regenerative powers to endure anything you can throw at me."

Izumi growled, and suddenly wacked Greed across the face, storming off. Sally sighed. "I think that's all we're going to get out of him today." She closed Nicole, and exited the room with everyone else.

Sonic sighed as he and Tails helped themselves onto the couch downstairs. "Great…we're stuck until she decides to hear whatever Greedo has to say…"

"Greed." Tails corrected him.

"Whatever."

"Well, since Greed is refusing to talk for now, I figured we could take a look at this." Alphonse said, holding up an old green book with a gold binder.

"What's that?" Knuckles asked.

"Figuring there had to be some kind of link between our worlds, Ed brought up the origins of chimeras; the combinations between two life-forms. Dante recommended this to Ed; it's a catalog of all of our alchemical mythology." He answered.

That caught everyone's attention. "Ah." Knuckles said. "It's like the Book of Myths I have back at home."

Al nodded. "Well, shall we have a look?"

Sonic shrugged. "Eh. I just hope it's a good story."

Al seated himself on the floor, and motioned for everyone to gather around him. Ed, watching from the other side, joined in. "Okay, let's see chimera…" Al said, as he looked through the index. "Chimera…chimera…lots of pages…" It took a good ten minutes before Al found something relevant. "AH-HAH!" he said, pointing to a page.

"You find something, sugar?" Bunnie asked.

"I think so!" Al exclaimed excitedly. "Listen…"

"….Brigs has been overrun?" Roy asked the Fuhrer. He had seen the wall before; it was high and sturdy. And Olivia Armstrong-! Even her own brother feared her.

"Yes." King Bradley sighed. "Drachma launched a successful attack."

"How!?" Mustang yelled. "Drachma's technology is only as good as ours, their alchemy is behind…"

"Creatures." Bradley growled as he looked out the window.

"You mean…chimeras?"

"So it seems." Bradley said. "But none like we have ever seen before. They appear to be anthropomorphic, with human intelligence, and trained as deadly warriors."

"This sounds like something Chou Tucker attempted to do…"

"No, it's different. Tucker tried to make animals that could talk. These talk, walk and fight, just like we do. And more."

"How many?"

"Two. Maybe Three."

"There's no way that Drachma could overtake anyone with only 2 chimeras!" Mustang shouted in disbelief.

"There's more. Mustang…" The Fuhrer scrunched up his face and breathed deep. "Do you believe in magic?" Silence filled the room. "I was afraid of that."

"Forgive me, my Fuhrer." Mustang apologized. "It's not you, I just…"

"Me too." Bradley sighed as he sighed and pinched his nose. "But Olivia said the creatures turned into impenetrable crystal. She saw a light touch one, and a witness confirmed it. So that somehow came from an external source. I may not be an alchemist, but even I understand how impossible it is to turn organic tissue into crystal. In addition, a blizzard and avalanche completely overwhelmed the wall. I don't think I need to explain the science behind how to make such a thing possible for what was a weather-proof wall."

Mustang sighed. "Your orders, sir?"

"You will be deployed to the enemy up north. Even if they supposedly have magic, your flame alchemy should be sufficient to counter them. I would also like Full Metal to join you as well."

"I'm sorry, sir. I allowed him to go on one of his personal missions. I don't know where he is at the moment."

"Then find him. I respect Full Metal's personal mission, but he is still a dog of the military. We will need all the alchemy we can throw at this new threat. " He said. "For now, we will observe. In addition to the North, we have to deal with Lior in the East."

"I suppose Lior can wait."

"No…it can't." Bradley took out a paper, and began signing his name on it. "But at least there we know what we're dealing with. We have to send our best soldiers to face the unknown." Rolling up the paper and sealing it, he gave it to Mustang. "Prepare yourself, Mustang. We may fighting forces nothing on earth could have prepared us for." Mustang saluted, and exited the office.

Seeing that he left, Bradley put down his pen, and walked over to the grandfather clock in his office. "I suppose it's time we had a chat…" Opening the case, he pulled on the pendulum. The clock moved forward an inch, and Bradley moved it as he would a door…

The origins of the first chimeras are muddled and convoluted, and is based mostly on one testimony, a witness to their creation. The tale begins with Felicia Acorn. Growing up on a small rural farm, she was mostly isolated from other humans, other than her family. Her brothers were often bullies towards her, and her father was a workaholic who too often ignored her needs. She would find solace, late at night, when she would sneak out of home to wander in the forest. There, she would explore, meeting all the creatures that would come out at night. Overtime, she learned to befriend them, even the predators. She would feed them, run with them, and heal their injuries the best she could. For years, that was enough. That was until the day she discovered alchemy…

"Wait a minute! Hold up!" Sally shouted as she interrupted. Moving over to Al, she looked over at the book, making sure a mistake wasn't made. Indeed, it was just as the words said. Sally backed away, sitting down with an expression that could only be absolute shock. "…she has my name…my surname…"

"Maybe it's a coincidence?" Ed asked, shrugging his shoulders, unable to believe what he heard as well.

"After all we've seen…I've doubt it." A bit irritated, Al turned back to the book. "Let's get back to the story…"

One day, Felicia hummed to herself as she gathered flowers; she had learned not only to enjoy nature, but study it as well. She was planning on making a beautiful garden behind the farm... "Hey, there he is!" she heard some boys yell, not much older than her.

Out of curiosity, she dropped her basket to run up the hill. There, she saw three boys surrounding a rabbit. One held a crossbow; she deduced the rabbit was hurt. "Stupid thing trying to get away!" another yelled, kicking it, causing the poor thing to yelp in pain. Felicia's eyes widened in horror! She was not unaccustomed to animals dying; she understood that predators needed to eat and prey would sometimes have to kill to live! But this wasn't nature; this was cruelty!

"I wonder what will happen if I tear off its toes one by one…" another chuckled.

"STOP IT!" Felicia yelled as she pushed the boy away. Quickly, she stood over the poor animal, spreading her arms wide.

"Whoa there, girl! Take it easy, we're just having fun…" one insisted.

"…by torturing the poor thing!?" she yelled.

"Animals kill each other all the time." Another rebutted her.

"Not like this, they don't!" she yelled back.

"Well, step aside." The one with the crossbow warned her. "He's my target, my kill, so I get to do what I want with him."

"No." she growled.

"Move."

"No. You move." Was her only reply.

The boy growled, and suddenly slugged her across the face. "C'mon, get her!" he yelled. The others joined in, beating her. Suddenly, the earth rose, sending two of the bullies flying while the leader struggled to stand after a pillar nailed him between the legs.

"It takes a lot of courage…for 3 boys to beat up one little girl…" Everyone looked up to see a man in a white hood and robes, carrying a chain of coins around his waist.

"Mind your own business old man!" one of them shouted.

"Old?" Pulling out a coin, he pressed it against the earth, causing the grass to change and ensnare the insulter, bending him down in the most uncomfortable position possible. "I'm only 45. Still, not a nice thing to say your betters." Another one of the boys' friends tried to punch him, but he parried it and swept him off his feet, pinning his foot over his throat. He then turned to the third, who seemed paralyzed with fear. "Now, what should I do to you?" he mumbled as he rummaged through his coins, leaving his last victim to run. "Should I turn you into gold, make a nice profit off of your statue? Burn you alive?" Looking to the rabbit's labored breathing, he turned back to the boy "Or perhaps I should turn you into that? Put an arrow through your new leg while I snap your ribs, one by one?" The boy only screamed and ran off. He released the leader, and took his crossbow. Pressing a coin against it, he splintered it into nothing. The leader just looked on in fright, as the stranger threw the junk away. "Go now. Or would you like to be next?"

He got up and ran, screaming. Looking down at the girl, he held out his hand. "Are you alright?" Felicia, now sporting a black eye only nodded, and took his hand. "I'm sorry for what you went through. Boys shouldn't hit girls."

Her eyes widened, as she remembered why she was here in the first place. She turned away, and kneeled to comfort the rabbit, whose breathing became more labored. "I'm so sorry!" she cried. Turning to the man, she asked "Please! Can you do anything for him!?"

The man sighed. "Medicine is not my specialty. Even if it was…" He kneeled down with her, inspecting the animal. "…I'm sorry. He's too far gone. There's only one thing we can do for him." He gently cradled the rabbit into his lap. "Turn away. You don't want to see this part." Felicia did so, and held back her tears as she heard the neck snap. Opening them, she saw the man lower the now dead creature onto the grass. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner." He said, as he laid the animal to rest. "I may have been able to save it otherwise." He then gave her a warm smile. "But I can at least make a grave for him. Would that be enough?" Felicia cried, nodding. Using another coin, he depressed the earth, and laid the rabbit there, closing it up afterwards. "Come." He said, "Let me take you home."

For the first minute, they went about their way in silence. Then, Felicia asked "Uh, sir?"

"Hm?"

"Was that magic you used?"

"No. It was alchemy."

"How is that different from magic?" she asked.

"Magic isn't real; even if it were, it follows no logic. Alchemy is based on the materials of the world. To obtain, something of equal value must be given."

Felicia thought about it. "…it almost sounds like nature…"

"It is." The alchemist answered. "Not in the sense that most people think of, but alchemy IS nature."

As they walked, the man noticed a dead sparrow on the ground. "See that?" he asked.

"Hm."

Felicia answered, not comfortable with seeing more death (even if it was natural) on the same day. "The sparrow is dead. But notice how the ants eat his flesh? His death provides life for others. Soon, all that is left of him will be absorbed into the earth, becoming one with it, and providing nutrients for the plants to grow."

"So, death makes way for more life." Felicia answered.

"When in balance, yes. Equivalent exchange demands the right amount; not too much, or too little." Soon, they traversed the hill, finding Felicia's farm. "Well, here we are." He said. "Stay well." As he turned, Felicia suddenly grabbed his cloak.

"Excuse me, sir!" He turned, giving her a cold look. Felicia then bowed. "Would you please teach me alchemy?"

"Wow." Ed commented. "That certainly brings back memories to a degree."

"Indeed." Al agreed.

At the time, the alchemist refused. However, he said that should Felicia lose something dear to her, she had permission to seek him out. Within two years, her father drank too much ale and died of an ulcer. As the farm went to her brothers, she felt no reason to stay. With that, she gathered what meager belongings she could, and began her journey. She didn't have much to go on; she discovered the hard way there were many alchemists across the lands. But she didn't give up; eventually she found the man, known as Tywin of the Stars by his peers.

Upon greeting her at his doorstep, the alchemist smiled, and invited her in for tea and stew…"I'm sorry for your loss." She nodded, and then, he asked her a question. "Do you know why I asked you to come to me if you suffered a great loss?"

Felicia thought about this for a moment. "To obtain, something of equal value must be lost…" she gripped her cup. "…so, in exchange for my father…"

"…alchemy is an arduous study." Tywin interrupted. "Most who come before us want to learn alchemy only in order to boast and to take things they feel entitled to." He paused as he chose his next words carefully. "Loss can be a powerful tool to dedicate yourself to the study of alchemy. It helps one to understand sacrifice, to understand that in exchange for losing something, you can use that same loss to obtain something great as well."

Felicia looked into her cup…and bowed. "I am ready…master."

He said nothing, but then another stepped inside. "Dad!" a boy about Felicia's age stepped in, carrying a sack. "I'm back!" he sighed.

Felicia turned, and blushed. He was lean, black hair sporting blue streaks, and green eyes. She blushed at the sight of him. He too stared, and blushed as well; she was quite pretty, with blue eyes and her hazel hair that touched her shoulders.

"Renley." Tywin said. "This is Felicia; she is now my apprentice, and she will be now be staying with us for a while. After you stock the food and supplies, would you please escort her to the spare room?"

Soon, they walked down the hall together in silence. Renley was often too busy to mess with girls; Felicia, living on a farm didn't have much chance to meet any boys other than her brothers. "Uh…here." Renley muttered as he opened the door. The room was bare, save for a pillow and small mattress. "I know it's not much, but dad tends to be very frugal…"

"It's alright." Felicia assured him. "I got that from your dad when I first met him years ago; I don't need luxury. I'm prepared for whatever happens come tomorrow."

Renley sighed. "If only." "Well…good night."

As Felicia sat on her mattress, and called "Renley!" Renley jumped, looking back at her. "It's nice to meet you." She smiled.

Renley blushed…and smiled back before he left.

The next day, Tywin sat her down at a desk in his study, the shelves littered with books and scrolls."It is custom for the apprentice's first test to be that of surviving the wild, in order to understand and respect nature, and therefore, alchemy itself…" Tywin began, as Felicia and Renley were seated across from him. "…but I think you understand the point of it, being so harmonious with nature." He smiled. "We will begin with the written part instead." He then presented her with a stack of books, Renley looking at her shocked. "Some girls have all the luck…"

"What happened next?" Sonic asked. The brothers did not respond. "Well?"

The brothers only stared at the wall. Ed in particular was looking quite sour. "Some girls have all the luck." He muttered, remembering his time on the island…

"WAHH!" Felicia suddenly found herself flying onto her back, staring at the sky. She was doing well with her written studies. However, it seemed she was not doing well with the physical part. "W-why are we doing this?" she muttered, her eyes still spinning.

"To train the mind, one must also train the body." Tywin said as he circled her. The two were standing in a ring of sand surrounded by wooden gates, Renley watching on the side. "Your family may have been content to let you live as a gentle girl. Here, you must become more. Now get up!" he commanded.

Felicia struggled up. As she managed to get on one knee, she took a glance at Renley. She had seen him spar with Tywin; he seemed to hold his own, but Tywin proved superior. Felicia huffed. "I've got a lot of catching up to do…" She charged, only to take a beating again. But with time, she would grow stronger…

One night, Felicia woke up to use the privy. After finishing, she walked down the hall and noticed a faint light coming from the door of Renley's room. She peeked in, inching the door open. Renley was staring through a telescope pointed at the night sky. As Felicia stared, she suddenly stumbled and knocked the door open.

Startled, Renley turned and brandished his telescope. Seeing it was Felicia, he relaxed and sighed. "Didn't your parents teach you to knock?"

"Sorry!" Felicia bowed, getting ready to scurry away.

Renley sighed. "Well, since you're here now, you might as well come in."

Cautiously, Felicia did so. "What are you doing up so late?"

Renley looked back out the window. "Looking at the stars."

"The stars? Why?"

Renley sighed. "It's…it's kind of far-fetched…"

"Tell me anyway." Felicia smiled, placing her hand on his.

Renley blushed, but quickly looked away. "Uh…you remember how we recently discovered our world was round? And that we orbited the sun, and not the other way around?"

"Yes; Master Tywin told me about it. It was quite fascinating."

"Hm. I've been thinking that, given that information, our planet isn't the only one out there." He then pointed to the stars. "See them?"

"Yes."

"Many religions thought they were spirits, or God's way of lighting up the night sky. We now know they're all balls of gas, just like our sun. And if they're like our sun…it must mean there are also other planets out there like ours, giving warmth to planets that carry life." Turning to her, he was met with silence. Embarrassed, he looked away. "Yeah…it's kind of crazy…"

"No!" Felicia interrupted. "I think it's fascinating! You might be onto something!"

"You think so?" Renley sighed sadly. "Dad thinks it's a waste of time."

"Renley…I know your father loves you. But sometimes, we have to go against our families' wishes and do things for ourselves…so long as you believe it is worthwhile."

Renley looked back to the stars, and sighed. "Thanks, Felicia. I needed that." He turned back to her, smiling. "Want to see the stars I mapped out?"

Felicia smiled widely. "I'd love to!"

Renley guided the telescope to her eyes. "See that one? How bright it shines…?"

"You two look exhausted!" Tywin exclaimed upon seeing the kids at the breakfast table. Their faces were sour and sported dark circles under their eyes. "What on earth happened?"

"Stars…" Felicia groaned. "So many stars…"

"Begin!"

Felicia drew a standard transmutation circle around several pieces of metal. She closed her eyes, placing her hands on the circle. The lines glowed, and the metal combined to make a small metal statue of a knight on horseback, brandishing his lance. Tywin smiled. "Well done."

"Yeah. It took me much longer than what you did to make my first transmutation." Renley smiled, scratching his head. "You're really something." He chuckled. Felicia looked away smiling and blushing.

"I think that's enough for today." Tywin interrupted. "Why don't you two go to the market? We're running low on ingredients. We need to prepare dinner soon."

As the two gathered some vegetables and grains, their hands touched when reaching for the same thing. Their hearts raced, and they stared into each other's eyes…

Years passed. Felicia had caught up to Renley, and in time both became fantastic alchemists, both specializing in certain fields. Renley put his side hobby of astrology and harnessed the energy from the stars and sun for his creations. Felicia, however, was more grounded in the nature of the earth, altering the plants and earth for her needs. And with time, the two had grown closer, discovering their love for one another.

One day, the two were sitting under the tree, experiencing their first kisses. It may have went further, had something not grabbed Felicia's attention. She suddenly got up, and ran down the hill. "Felicia!" Renley cried, reaching out for her. "Was it something I did!?"

He got up, and ran after her. They stopped down in the city, where he saw Felicia frozen in place. Staring her direction, he saw what concerned her. "You stupid horse!" a man yelled as he brought down a hard club on its back. The horse brayed in pain, as it was brought down to its knees. "We were supposed to get to the market two days ago! And you couldn't push yourself just a little bit more!?" He beat it down again.

"That's enough!" Felicia stepped forward.

The man stared at her; she could smell the booze from him. "Mind yer own business, little girl!"

This popped a vein in her forehead. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE!?" she suddenly yelled, grabbing him by the lapel and shaking him like a ragdoll. "I'M SEVENTEEN! I'M A MATURE WOMAN!" Felicia was rather attractive, but she was often mistaken for being fourteen years old due to her small height.

"Uh, Felicia…" Renley said, nervous about getting in close proximity to her when she was like this. "…I thought we were mad about the animal?"

Felicia stopped, and dropped the man. "Oh. Right." She switched back to her more rational angry mood. "Anyway, I won't stand for someone mistreating another!"

"Another!? It's a horse!" he man yelled.

"Perhaps we should beat you across the back, just for not living up to expectations." She told him.

"Hey, what's this?" Renley said, as he looked into the wagon. "Aw, hell."

"What is it?" the young alchemist asked.

He helped himself in, and came out with a dog in poor health, unable to walk and covered in matted fur. "Sh, shh. I got you." He whispered as he lay it down gently.

Felicia turned back to the man. "So your problems extend beyond horses!?"

"That dog was supposed to be a herder! I trained it and trained it, but it never learned! Its own damn fault that he never learned, and now he's paying the consequences!"

She looked to both animals, and said "We're taking these animals with us."

"Oh?" he leered. "And what are you going to pay?"

"Considering the way you've treated them, they're obviously of not much worth to you. So all we'll give you is a scolding." She told him sternly, like she was addressing a child.

"How dare you, you little-!" He tried slapping her, but Felicia easily grabbed hold of his wrist and spun him around, crashing him into an abandoned cart. "Oohh…" He got up, covered in scrapes and blisters. He pulled out a knife. "Let's see how you handle…"

Suddenly, a lightning bolt came out of nowhere and struck him. Though he was not dead, he was badly singed. Renley stood in front of him, holding up a transmutation coin that was crackling with electricity. "Don't mess with my…woman. Now get out of here." Realizing what he was getting into, the man panicked, and ran off.

Satisfied, Felicia kneeled down to the horse. "There there." She whispered, gently stroking it. "You're safe now." She tried to coax the horse up, but it buckled under its own weight. Gently tracing its spine, she realized the man hit him hard enough to cripple it. "Oh no…" she thought, bringing her hands to her mouth. It looked like this horse was not going to make it. "Renley! How's the dog!?"

"Not much better." He said. "Maybe even worse. He was probably looking to sell him on the Xingese market for food, but I don't think they would want this thing, scrawny as he is." He looked at her solemnly. "I'm sorry, Felicia. We're going to have to end their suffering."

Felicia fought back her tears. Then, her eyes widened. "Maybe not." She said. "Renley…we're taking them to the barn. I've got an idea."

Using a make-shift stretcher, they managed to safely bring the animals to their home, although they both groaned when the back-pains from dragging the horse finally kicked in. "So…what do you plan to do?" Renley asked as he popped his back into place.

"You've read the notes on master's knowledge of medical alchemy?" Renley nodded. "I'm going to graft their flash onto each other."

Quickly, Felicia drew a transmutation circle around the animals. "You sure this will work?" Renley asked nervously.

"I don't know." Felicia answered truthfully. "But I need to try." She stepped out to the edge. "Hopefully, the exchange of some flesh will heal both. From there, we can assist with the rest of their recovery."

Still, she trembled. Renley clasped her hand and looked into her eyes. "Hey." He smiled. "If you want to do this, I'll support you."

Felicia smiled back. "Let's do it to it." They placed their hands on the circle, the lines glowing from the flow of energy. The energy crackled…and they saw the animals' bodies beginning to heal, muscle tissue being exchanged. The dog began to gain a few pounds quickly, and the horse's back was turning back to normal. "It's working!" Felicia cried in joy.

Suddenly, their bodies slammed together. "What's happening!?" Renley shouted. "We need to stop!" They stepped away, but the reaction continued…

Tywin had finally came home from a long trip; a council comprised of the most revered alchemists of all the kingdoms. He was looking forward to a nice meal and a hot bath. He smiled when he came upon his home…and frowned when he saw a large white light glow inside. "What are they doing!?" He dropped his sack, and ran up the hill.

Opening the barn, he looked inside to see Felicia and his son. Though physically they were fine, he could see they were frightened, backing up to the very sides of the barn on their butts. Looking ahead, his own eyes widened. The creature's overall shape was very horse-like. However, instead of hooves, it had paws. Instead of a horse head, the head was a dog's, attached to an elongated neck. It bellowed a sound that sounded like a sickening combination of barking and braying.

"Do you have any idea what you have tampered with!?" Tywin yelled, having gathered his disciple and son in the study.

Felicia looked down on her feet like a child caught doing a bad deed. Renley could only watch helplessly. "I was only trying to save two lives…" she said.

"And now you have created an unnatural creature! I'm not sure it even knows what IT is!" He paced around furiously. "It's as blasphemous as human transmutation!" he continued.

"It's not the same!" Felicia cried. "Had I known this would be the result, I would not have done it!"

"But in many ways, you were trying to defy death! Regardless of whether they were human or not, you took two lives whose end could otherwise not be defied! Be thankful you at least are still whole! You could have endangered my son as well as you! And what's to stop you from doing this again!" Tywin shouted back.

"Master, I'm sorry! I promise, I won't do it again…!" Felicia begged.

"It doesn't matter!" he said, refusing to look her way. "You have discovered this forbidden knowledge! And there is no putting it back! I hereby expel you as my disciple! And take that creature with you!" Felicia was on the verge of tears.

Finally, Renley got up and protested. "Dad, please don't do this! Felicia was simply trying to live by your teachings-!"

"You will speak no more of this!" Tywin shouted "And you will never see her again!"

Felicia stepped out of her seat. Though she was on the verge of tears, she bowed, and ran off.

Felicia fought back tears as she brought the new creature she created with her into the night. "This is my path…" she thought. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned, and saw Renley by her side, smiling and carrying a sack over his shoulder.

"Renley!" she cried. "What are you doing here!?"

"Going with you, of course." He said matter-of-factly, still smirking.

"What are you thinking!?" Felicia cried. "Renley, you must go back! Otherwise, your father may never speak to you-!"

"Good!" Renley shouted back. "The instant he expelled you, he stopped being my father! If he'd rather live a life without a son and heir, so be it!" He clasped her hand, looking at her seriously. "I want to stay with you…"

They stared into each other's eyes, and kissed. Staring back at the animal, Renley asked "So…what are you going to call him?"

Felicia looked at the creature. Stroking his mane, she announced "I think I will call him…Chimera…"

Al quickly closed the book. "That's how it happened." He gasped, astonished.

Sally then mentioned "Felicia's creation of the chimera…it reminds me of you."

Ed nodded. They both tried to save lives that were deemed impossible to save through alchemy. And in doing so, Felicia had revolutionized the world of alchemy. Then, the similarities between them described in the book. "I'm going to need a break." Ed got up, and walked off.

Ed sighed as he sat on the roof, staring into the lake in the distance. He could see the island from there. "Seems like you weren't enjoying the story much."

Ed turned to see Winry standing behind him. "Kind of." He admitted.

Winry walked and sat next to him. "I do understand though."

Ed nodded in agreement. "Things that hit too close to home will do that to you." He sighed. "Still, I have to admit. Felicia's transgression was…selfless."

"And yours wasn't?"

"Of course it wasn't!" Ed exclaimed. He held up his automail arm. "Look where it got me! Look where Al is now!" He calmed down, and sighed. "Felicia was trying to heal two creatures that got the short end in life. Me? I didn't give a damn about the rest of the world when Mom died! Yeah, you could argue I risked what I did because I loved her! It was certainly true! But I wanted her to be there for me! To cook my meals, to do keep our house maintained, to hold me whenever I'm sad and tell me everything will be alright! I did what I did, because I still wanted to be a child! It's no wonder Felicia got off the way she did! She actually tried to help, even if they weren't human!" He sighed, stopping his tirade. "I'm sorry. I must be so pathetic in your eyes…"

Winry scooted closer to him, wrapping her arm across his shoulder. "You remember when we got news about what happened to my parents?"

Ed nodded. "It was hard on us too." Ed said. "Al and I never wanted to see you cry like that again."

"It was terrible." Winry continued. "I'm not sure I would call it the worst day of my life. But it was bad. I felt all alone; it seemed to take me forever to remember I had Granny and you two. Truth is, if I was into alchemy instead of automail…I probably would have done the same thing you did." Ed only looked at her in silence. "We all go to extremes for the ones we love." Winry said, looking at him in the eyes. "Don't think you're such a bad person for wanting your happiness back. It was wonderful, what you had back then…and no matter what your laws of equivalent exchange say, what happened to all of you the day she died was NOT fair." Ed suddenly turned away, refusing to look at her. "Ed? Did you-"

Winry stopped when she saw tears were flowing down his face. He was doing his best to keep himself from bawling out altogether. Winry closed the gap, and hugged him tight.

Sally impatiently tapped her fingers on the table. "I can't believe I'm the one saying this Sal…but give Ed some time." Sonic said.

"I know, I know Sonic." Sally sighed. "I…I just…"

"Felicia's surname?" Al asked. Sally nodded. "I know it's disconcerting." He sighed. "It's bothering me a little bit too…Felicia."

"What…why?" Tails asked.

Al took a moment to put it into words. "When Felicia met that animal abuser…that tantrum…it reminds me of Ed whenever he's called short."

"It has to be a coincidence." Sally suddenly interrupted. "The odds of Felicia being your ancestor are slim. Being mine…impossible."

"6 trillion, 4 billion, 10 million, 9 hundred thousand, five hundred and twenty-four to one." Nicole suddenly said out of nowhere. "But not impossible."

"I'm a mobian!" Sally shouted out of nowhere, beginning to pace. "Felicia was human. I don't know if it's possible to crossbreed our species…I don't think I want to know…but it has to be impossible."

"Sally." Knuckles suddenly stood, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I have a good idea of what you're going through."

"Oh really!?" Sally snapped, pulling her arm away from him. Knuckles only stared at her, while Sally brought her hands to her face in shock of what she just did. "I…I'm sorry. I'm just…"

"The unanswered questions are getting to you, aren't they?" the echidna asked. "I know. Cause recently, they've been getting to me."

"What?" Tails asked.

Knuckles sighed. "You claim to have met my…Great Grandpa? Right?"

"Uh-huh. Athair. Brown fur. Dreadlocks with life-savers. Wearing a fur coat and coconut necklace." Tails confirmed.

Knuckles sighed. "Did he tell you about echidnas in the past?"

"A little." Tails said. "Something about how echidnas were advanced, and how they got your island in the sky themselves."

Knuckles nodded. "Well, ever since I've met Enerjak, I reviewed what my dad taught me and what is recorded in the Book of Myths. When Enerjak was defeated 400 years ago, the echidnas destroyed all their traces of technology. Tore down echidnaopolis. With the inauguration of Edmund as the first guardian, there have been dozens before me."

"Your point?" Sonic asked.

Knuckles gave him an irritated look. "Aside from my supposed great grandfather, I'm the last echidna near as I can tell. My father went through some suicidal rite of passage when I was nine, and I don't know why! I never knew my mother; when I asked about her, all my dad told me was that she was gone. I never thought to question him where all the other echidnas went. Did they all die of a plague? Scatter across the globe? What's more, the former site of where echidnaopolis is nothing but rubble. Surely, some sustainable buildings, remnants of their past had to have survived! I had the opportunity to grill my father on all these inconsistencies, get real answers, and now I realize I really have no clue what happened to my people! How do I live with that!?" Everyone was staring at him. "Sorry." He sighed, sitting down. "History has a way of messing with people's minds, apparently."

Al sighed. "So what now?"

"You want answers, right?" Sonic asked. "I'm not the intellectual type, but if you want answers, you have no choice but to push forward." He smirked. "Heh. It's kind of like me and running."

"Of course you had to bring up you." Sally rolled her eyes.

"Hey." Sonic raised his arms innocently. "It's what I do."

Finally, they heard Ed and Winry enter the room. "Sorry." Ed said. "I just needed a break."

"I think we all did." Alphonse said. "Well, I think what's going to happen next is going to drive us insane as well. But I don't feel right leaving things as they are."

"I agree." Ed said as he and Winry sat down. "You ready?"

"No. But I'd rather not wait any longer." Al walked over to pick up the book, and prepared to continue…

Felicia and Renley began to live together as small farmers, caring for Chimera. Eventually, they married and Felicia gave birth to a baby girl. It seemed their happiness would be secure.

However, it was not to be. One day, both were hard at work at the fields, while Chimera grazed away (he was omnivorous) and looked after the baby playing outside. Then, they were approached by the royal army; they could tell because of the knights' armor and silver cloaks. "Did you create this creature?" they asked, pointing to Chimera.

"Who's asking?" Renley demanded. For anyone else, this was a bad move; talking back to knights was punishable by imprisonment. Many others who did the same were killed on the spot.

Indeed, a bloody brawl was about to break out, when Felicia stepped forward. "You know who they are." She calmed him, and addressed the captain directly. "I'm sorry, but our pet is not for sale, and no others like it exist in the world."

"We're are not here to buy." The soldiers parted ways as a hooded figure approached them. Revealing his aged, bearded face, the couple gasped! The one before them was the king, distinguished by his red and gray beard!

"I apologize, your majesty." Felicia said as she poured the king some home-made juice, seating him at their kitchen table. "We don't have much else."

"It is fine." The king said politely as he took a sip. "In fact, what I'm proposing could give you so much more." The couple's interest piqued. They weren't poor, but they could always use more money.

"As I'm sure you're aware, we are at war with Croit." Indeed. Croit was a major competitor economically and militarily. No one knew who started it, but it was hard on them, having made friends across the border. "We haven't been able to gain an edge over one another." The King continued. "However, our casualties cost us much more. We need our men more than they need theirs!"

Felicia breathed deeply. She felt that she and Renley should help out in the war, but they did not want to be directly involved on the front line. "What is it you wish us to do?"

The King looked out the window, seeing Chimera peeking through it. It was apparent it maintained some of its dog-behavior, observing its masters with curiosity and staying on alert with the stranger in the house. "We heard rumors. Of an alchemist who managed to combine two creatures…"

"It was an accident; I intended to save both of the original creatures." Felicia trembled, shaking her cup slightly. Renley touched her shoulder, comforting her. "I haven't done it since…"

"But if asked, could you do it again?"

Felicia's eyes widened. "Why on earth would you ask me to do that?"

"I need soldiers. And hounds. No…better than either!" the king said, clenching his palm like a mad-man. "Imagine, soldiers with the strength of a lion! Hounds as fierce as wolves! Spies who can fly! The possibilities are endless!"

"You want her to make more cross-species!?" Renley asked in horror.

The king sneered. "If what I heard about the term she made up is true, I believe you called them 'chimera'."

"NO!" Felicia slammed the table, giving the king a death-glare. "My transgression caused my master to expel me! And I will not create creatures only to have them be used as tools for the army! I don't even know what happens to the original hosts' minds and souls! I could be killing your men!" Felicia finally composed herself. "I am sorry, Your Majesty. But beyond helping those who have been hurt during the conflict, neither I nor my husband wish to take part in this war. I must politely decline your request."

The king looked at her furious. "Who do you think you're talking to!? I am the King, I get what I want! I ORDER YOU! MAKE ME CHIMERAS!"

"NO!" Renley shouted back, stepping forward. "You may be the king, but you have no right to force this upon us!"

"GUARDS!" the king called. The knights kicked down the door, preparing to apprehend them, their daughter crying in fright.

"I don't think so!" Renley activated a transmutation coin, knocking several down with lightning bolts.

Others stormed in, but vines erupted from the floor and entangled them, Felicia activating her own coin. "You don't have nearly enough men on hand to defeat either of us." Felicia said with confidence. "Your army may be able to overcome us, but I promise you we'll take out your best men! Not a good idea for a king at war." She then looked down on the king, who had fallen over in shock from their display. "And it won't protect you from us."

The King nervously backed away his men helping him back up. "This isn't over!" he hissed, as he retreated and ordered his guardsmen to follow after him. "You may not want to participate in the war, but one day, it will come here. And when it does, you will have no choice."

When they were out of sight, Felicia fell to her knees, crying. Renley kneeled to comfort her as best he could. "I can't escape it…" she choked.

"Do you think I did the right thing, Renley?" Felicia asked later that night, after a quick repair of their home and putting their daughter to bed.

"Of course." Renley rubbed her shoulder as he inched closer under the covers. "No one has the right to tell you what to do. Besides…" Renley growled. "…the King is an absolute asshole. Wish there was some legitimate way to get rid of him…"

"Hm." Felicia giggled. "Irritable as always." She said, stroking his cheek affectionately. "Still…I'm worried. I don't think the king is going to give up so easily."

"Don't worry." Renley said, giving her a cocky smile. "I'll protect you."

"Oh?" Felicia pouted. "And I can't you?"

"You can…" Renley sighed. "But it's embarrassing!"

"You said you love the fact that I'm strong!" Felicia argued back.

"Yeah. I just don't like you showing off at my expense!"

Of course, their arguments always ended in a happy ending, and they put the event behind them…

Al looked up to see Sally covering Tails ears', much to the fox's annoyance. Al would have blushed in embarrassment if he could. "That's as detailed as it gets…."

Sally let out a breath as she released Tails. "Oh thank goodness."

"What was the big deal?" the fox asked.

As the King warned them, the war came to them. Croit hurled flaming balls with their catapults, and sent their troops in. While the kingdom's troops were present, they were outnumbered, and the many peasants were left to fend for themselves. Fortunately for Felicia and Renley, they were well-equipped to defend themselves.

Felicia cracked the earth, swallowing up the troops. Renley unleashed two coins, unleashing a fury of lightning and fire. "These guys don't know when to quit!" he yelled as he observed his smoking opponents collapse.

"So I've noticed!" Felicia answered as she turned a pike against its owner. Chimera came by, biting at the soldiers and kicking them away. Felicia cartwheeled away as she transmuted the grass into a thick whip, with a rope-dart made of earth at the end. She threw it at an armored soldier, piercing his neck, and drove her other attackers away as she cracked the whip. Renley tossed one over his hip as he observed, and blew another one away. Felicia turned back to look at him, seeing his disapproving look. "What?"

Renley looked down at the alchemy made rope-dart. "Nothing." He said, looking away embarrassed. He suddenly gasped in surprise when a sword went through his belly.

"RENLEY!" Felicia screamed. Chimera ran to attack the soldier, while Felicia quickly cradled Renley. "Renley! Renley!" The color in Renley's eyes were quickly fading. He managed to move them to look at her. With a shaky hand, he moved to caress her cheek. His arm went limp, as he left a trail of blood across her face. "NO! Renley, you have to stay alive! You must live!" Felicia screamed. Renley remained unresponsive. "Remember our vows!? That you would give half your life to me…if I gave half my life to you! That was our equivalent exchange!"

Chimera licked his master, as Felicia bawled over. "No….I can't accept this…" "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" she screamed to whatever gods existed in the sky. "WHAT IS IT I CAN GIVE YOU!? MY LIFE!? MY SOUL!? WHAT CAN I TRADE FOR MY HUSBAND'S LIFE!?" Felicia finally collapsed over Renley's dead body, and cried. Chimera continued to lick its deceased master's face. Felicia looked up at Chimera and stroked his nose, trying to find solace in her pet's touch. Then, she remembered how it was created. Her eyes widened. She swore she would never do such a thing again…but…!

After making sure her own child was okay in the basement below, Felicia quickly dug through the debris of their home, searching for any animal she could find! "There has to be something in here…" She looked around, and finally found a hedgehog. Upon seeing her, it curled up into a ball. She carefully grabbed hold of it, ignoring her bleeding hand and quickly ran back into the field, where she had put Renley's body in the middle of a transmutation circle. She restrained the hedgehog next to him, and got to work. Outside, she placed her hand on the border, and began to channel her energy. She feared that she might be risking more than her soul this time around. "Renley…if I somehow change you forever…or destroy you…please forgive me!"

She started the transmutation, the circle glowing. The same strong reaction started; Chimera brayed and kicked his front legs, as if reliving a traumatic memory. Finally, the light faded, and Felicia's eyes widened at what she saw. The being in question looked mostly like a hedgehog, but its eyes were huge, its mouth looked human. It looked to be about a meter tall, and while its hands and feet looked mostly human, their proportions had changed to become especially large. What especially caught Felicia's attention was its blue color; Renley's blue hair must have turned to fur. Finally, the creature's eyes fluttered. "Ooh…"

Quickly, Felicia ran over, digging her fingers into the back of its head. "Ow!" Its spines had grown as well; she adjusted and carefully cradled him. "Do you know who you are!?" Felicia asked frantically.

"My…my name is Renley…" he muttered.

Felicia's eyes watered in joy. "Oh, Renley, you're back!" She hugged him.

"Y..yeah. What happened, Felicia?" Felicia's eyes widened, realizing now the hard part would begin. Renley cupped her cheek…and his eyes widened as he realized his hand had changed…

Felicia explained what happened as quickly and honestly as she could. Though she was glad he was still alive, she certainly could understand what he must have been going through. "I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I was desperate!"

Renley sighed, dressed in clothes now too big for him as he looked at himself in a hand mirror. "I…I don't know Felicia! On one hand, I'm glad to see you…" he said, reaching out to her. The two were about to touch hands, when Renley withdrew his. "On the other, you should have just let me die." He growled, looking away.

"Please, don't despair." Felicia clasped her hands in prayer. "We're together again…!"

"Really?" Renley asked, smashing his fist against the table. "I'm not even a man anymore! Can we go out in public again!? Can we be close again!? Can we even have more children now!? Would you even want to!?" Renley suddenly smashed his cup against the wall. "Would Maxine even acknowledge a freak as her father!? Did you not consider consequences of any kind!?"

"There was no time-!"

Renley said nothing, as he stepped down, and turned away to face her. "I have half a mind to run off…" He then came upon Maxine, crying in a makeshift basket. Carefully, he went to pick her up, and though it was now far different for him now than he was used to, he managed to calm her down. After a tense moment, he breathed deeply, and turned, walking back towards Felicia. Suddenly, he inched on his tippy toes and hugged her, careful not to drop their daughter. "…but you're still my wife." He said as a single tear ran down his cheek.

"I swear, Renley, we'll work this out!" She tried hugging him back, wincing at the spines. "…I swear I'll reverse this!"

After fleeing their home and settling into a new one (all the while hiding Renley), Felicia worked tirelessly to undo Renley's transformation. She had many theoretical calculations, but they were too risky to test out. As she was trying to burn a hole through a textbook with her eye, Renley put a cup of tea next to her. "It's late. You should sleep."

"Every hour I sleep is an hour I can spend helping you…" she groaned.

"You're not helping anyone pushing yourself like this. Take a break. Your mind will thank you." Felicia ignored him. Renley huffed, and placed his hands on his hips sternly. "Felicia. Go to bed. That's an order."

Felicia finally turned, and just looked at him. "The wife is the one who's supposed to give absolute orders."

"I think my condition grants me special privileges." Renley shot back; he didn't mean to hurt her, but he was at his wits end. "Now-"

"HELP!" someone screamed outside, banging on the door. "PLEASE, HELP! MY CHILD IS DYING!" Felicia, now fully awake, ordered Renley to hide. Grabbing a dagger as she ascended the stairs, she cautiously inched towards the door. "HELP! I HEARD YOU COULD HELP MY CHILD WITH YOUR ALCHEMY!"

Felicia opened the door, seeing a woman cradling a child covered in blood. She quickly checked for a pulse; it was fading fast. Felicia knew some medical alchemy, but this was beyond her skills. "I'm sorry, I can't help him…"

"You're lying! I heard! I heard how you can save people! By combining them with animals!" the mother shouted.

Felicia's eyes widened in horror as she stood in shock. "How…how did you know?"

"PLEASE! HE'S DYING!"

"YOU DON'T WANT THIS!" Felicia tried to reason with her. "If I do so, your child will be changed! Forever!"

"But he'll live!" she protested. "Please! He's all I have left!"

Felicia hesitated. Taking a look at his form, she reluctantly made a decision. "Do you have a live animal? Preferably a mammal?"

"I don't believe this!" Renley yelled, not bothering hiding since their secret was out. "You merged two animals. That was mistake. Then you fuse me with a hedgehog. That was desperate. But in the span of less than four weeks, you're about to do it again!" Felicia said nothing as the mother gave her a fox in a cage. Renley tugged at her dress, like a child would his mother. "Please, Felicia. Don't do this; don't damn yourself any more than before."

"But he'll live." Felicia said softly, silently agreeing with Renley. "She knows the consequences."

Quickly, she drew the transmutation circle around the nearly dead boy and the fox. As a tear ran down her cheek, she began. "God help me…"

The light shone…and when it was gone, in the place of the two was a small, humanoid fox with a large bushy tail. His eyes fluttered, and he whispered "Mama?" as he sat up, not realizing his state.

"Oh, Peter!" the mother ran over to hug him.

Despite her tears of joy, Felicia could not find it in herself to be happy. She turned to Renley. "It's done."

"If only." Renley sighed. "I fear it's only just begun."

Indeed, it was just as Renley said. More with sick or wounded came. Felicia could not turn down any of them, and transformed each and every one of them, eventually large enough to make a small village of their own. Though Renley recognized the lives saved, the rift between him and his wife only grew. He spent most of his time talking with the other transformed chimeras. "I know my wife did it to save me…" a deer man began. "…but I don't know if I can stay with her! How could I walk with her and the children in the market! Sometimes, I don't even know who I am! I have 'memories' of eating grass and running on all fours! And to share the bed…it feels impossible, for both of us!"

"I wish I knew how to help with all that." Renley sighed, as they all gathered around down in an underground cavern Renley made for them. "At least you don't have memories of eating worms!" The circle was dead silent. "Yeah, my wife told me my jokes were pretty bad too." Gathering his thoughts, he said "Look, it's hard on all of us. My wife was trying to find a way to reverse the transformations. Unfortunately, as long as the war goes on…I'm afraid we're only going to grow in number." Seeing Peter the Fox run down the stairs, he said "Peter! What's going on?"

"There's someone coming! I think it's the king!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"The king!?" Renley ran up the steps, and stood up on a stool to peek out of a keyhole. Though his beard had grayed and his skin began to wrinkle. But Renley still recognized him, clear as day. "Him…" he snarled.

"It seems you're doing fine." Felicia said as she did a check-up on a man turned into a rabbit. "Just take the time to get adjusted to your new body." The Rabbit Man nodded, thanking her.

"You said you would never do this again. And yet, here you are."

Felicia turned to see the king before her. She stood, but did not bow nor smile. "Your majesty." She said.

"It seems you've been busy." He said.

"I figured you would be busy to. Fighting your war." Felicia shot back.

"Indeed, I have been." The king sighed. "I have been very busy. We've finally pushed the enemy back. And now, I feel we have time to talk."

"I am not interested in being in your service. I believe I have made that clear." Felicia said.

"You did. But please, allow me to convince you otherwise." He stepped aside, revealing a carriage. "Come. I just want you to choose. After you see the whole story."

Felicia breathed deep, conflicted…

Months had passed; Felicia never returned home. She sent a letter home, which Renley read. She assured him that she was fine, and intended to return as soon as her work was finished. If only Renley could believe her. "She should be back soon." A deer-man named Bran said, handing him some cider. "This war can't last forever…"

"But it is." Renley said. "To me, at least." Renley got off his chair, pacing wildly. "Something's not right."

"What do you mean?" a raccoon asked.

"The King visited us before." Renley said. "He wanted chimeras. As weapons." He then looked at them. "Why would now be any different?"

"But surely, there's no need for so many! Croit is a smaller country in area and population!" Peter said.

"You're right." Renley agreed. "Not unless he's creating a NEED for them."

A soft cry echoed in the room. Renley ran over to a crib, ascending some steps he made for himself. "Hey. Shh." He cooed, stroking the Maxine's cheek. She had grown; she had already begun to speak, and would turn two years old soon. "What's wrong?" Renley scooped the baby in both hands; her weight felt even more awkward in Renley's new hands. It hurt him even more, knowing that she was flesh and blood that he no longer had. It reminded him of the humanity he had lost. Suddenly, his nose wrinkled. "Phew!" he blanched. "Well, if there's any benefit to this body, at least we don't have to play as many guessing games!"

As he quickly changed her diaper, he sung her a lullaby and put her back to bed. After that, he continued on to his friends. "It can't be a coincidence." He said. "He visited us before. Then Felicia is forced to save me via this…this…sewing life alchemy." Standing up, he suddenly announced "I'm going on a trip."

"You can't do that!" a porcupine yelled. "You could get caught by god knows what!"

"I don't plan on going alone. But even so, the risk will be great. What I need with me are…chimeras…who want to find the answers to our origins, and, just maybe, save our country. However, I will not force any of you to go." Breathing deep, he asked "Any volunteers?" Peter, a robin, and a mole raised their hands. "Okay then." He nodded, smiling. "Get what supplies you need. We're taking a trip to the border." He then walked over to Bran. "Bran, look after Maxine for me."

"Of course." Bran replied.

The chimera scurried through the bushes and forests. They had been lucky so far; no one had spotted them. Soon though, they came to the border. From here on out, they were in open fields. Good thing Renley elected to go out in such regions only at night. As they stayed low to the grass, their feathered friend took to the sky, waiting for his report.

"I didn't know he could fly." Peter whispered, starting a conversation.

"He's a bird; makes sense to me." Renley sighed.

"But he should weigh too much for flight…" the mole began.

"Can we please just go with this?" Renley asked, burying his face in his palms. "I'd imagine we will be seeing all of us being able to do unusual things very soon."

Finally, their friend flew back down. "There's a battalion preparing for battle!"

"See anything unusual?" Renley asked.

"The soldiers…" the robin began. "…the soldiers look more like farmers and scholars."

Renley stood up in surprise. "Lead the way."

Quietly, they followed him, coming to the summit of a hill. Indeed, they found the so-called "soldiers". Peter had good night vision; he was able to make out their features. "Some seem to be actual fighters and knights…" he whispered. "But most of the others look too small. Too scared. Some of them aren't much older than me."

Soon, the battle begun. Peter wanted to run down to help, but Renley held him back, nodding no. "There's nothing we can do for them." He wished otherwise, but it was the sad truth. It was a one-sided blood bath; everyone on "their" side fell. Just before the Croitian army could retreat, the vanguard of proper soldiers showed up. Taken off guard and exhausted, the enemies were dealt with quickly. Instead of pursuing the enemy, the knights turned their attention to all the wounded on the field.

This is where Renley's hearing came into play as he listened to the general's orders. "How many alive?"

"About a dozen, sir." One replied. "Not for long by the looks of it, though."

"Take them back to the castle." The general replied. "We have others to prepare." The injured were put out on carts and dragged towards the capital.

"Let's follow the general." Renley whispered. Quietly, they sneaked through the grass, like predators in the night.

They followed the general to a campsite, scores of tents and torches occupying the land. Renley signaled for Peter and the robin to stay put and in hiding. He and the mole sneaked in, avoiding the patrols. Good thing they were all keeping their eyes at head level, looking for men at full height. "Which way?" the mole whispered as they pressed themselves against a tent.

"There." Renley pointed to a red tent, with the country's flag on it. They quickly sprinted over to it, and lay flat on their bellies. Gently, they lifted the side of the tent to peek inside.

There, the general was addressing a rather large man. "It will make me stronger?" he asked.

"It should." The general said. "The King selected a gorilla for you. I think it suits you well." He then drew his sword. "But it will require you to risk your life. After all…she won't help you if you're not wounded."

Renley's eyes widened. He was about to charge in, but the mole held him back, shaking his head no. "For King and country…and for a greater power!" the big man exclaimed as he kneeled. "For that, I would gladly risk my life!"

"We are in agreement, then. Men!" The other soldiers in the tents impaled him with their pikes, making sure to avoid any immediately fatal lacerations. The general brought his sword down on the man's arm, severing it. "Bandage him up and press against that." He ordered calmly. Obviously, he had already done this several times before.

Seeing all they needed to see, the chimeras retreated.

"It's as I thought." Renley told the others. "It's not Croit that is causing these heavy casualties. It's the king himself. He's sending men to die, sometimes having his own soldiers mortally injure themselves." Renley clenched his hands. "They've got my wife…"

"Let's go get her." Peter said.

"We can't. There's too many of them; no doubt he's got his own chimera guards." The Robin warned him. "Even if we're quiet, their new senses will probably catch us before we got there…"

Renley's eyes narrowed as he stood. "Then we won't sneak in…"

"So, we're all in agreement?" Renley asked the rest of the free chimeras in their hideout. "We could be captured for war…or worse." He warned them.

"I am alive because of Felicia." A wildcat-man declared proudly. "I would gladly lay my new life on the line for hers!"

"Our lives may be different; things may never go back to the way they were." A rooster added. "But we can always rise up and learn to appreciate being alive. Her intentions were pure; that's enough reason for me to help you rescue her!"

More declarations of agreement reached Renley's ears. "Thank you all." He choked. "I don't know how, but we'll find a way to repay you all." He breathed deeply, and gave all a dangerous stare. "Prepare yourselves. Carry any rations and make-shift weapons you can. We march upon the castle now!" They all gave a war cry, raising their fists.

Renley walked away, into a room. There, his daughter slept. Careful not to wake her, he gently cradled her. Suddenly, he heard Bran come in. "Renley, I made this for you. Since you're a hedgehog, I-" He stopped himself upon seeing Renley fasten the sleeping baby to his back, mindful of his spines. "Renley!" the deer hissed. "What are you doing!?"

"It's stupid, I know." Renley agreed. "But there's too much at stake. If something were to happen to us, I'll have left her here to starve to death. If she's with us, she will at least have a chance to live. Bran…" he gripped the deer's hand. "Can I count on you and the others to look after her should the worst happen?"

"Yes." Bran smiled, a single tear falling from his eye. "Any of us would gladly raise her as one of our own."

"Thank you, friend." Renley said, touching his shoulder.

"Renley!" Peter came to him carrying a very large book.

"Peter; I don't think a book is going to help us much." The hedgehog sighed.

"It's not for us to carry." Peter explained. "It's something of a biography. About you. Felicia. Us." He said, pushing it to him. "We may not succeed in destroying the knowledge completely. I think it would be best for future generations to understand how we came to be and why this must never be done!"

Renley stared at him, blinking. "Peter…that's a great idea!" Taking the book from him, he said "I'm going to bury it. Hopefully, this will be a story that will be lost until the right generation finds it again…"

Alphonse flipped the pages, seemingly skipping ahead. "Well, what happens next?" Sonic asked excitedly.

Alphonse looked up. If he had a real body, they would have seen his confusion. "It just stops there."

"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted.

"From there, the book just says that nothing more was recorded."

All the mobians just stood, their minds blown from everything now that they had time to process the story. "We were so close to figuring it all out…" Knuckles said.

Sally breathed deep. "Either way…I think we all need a break. We…we all need time." With that, the brothers watched the mobians went their separate ways.

"I'm going out." Sonic said. "Don't worry; I'll go fast enough not to be seen. Once I reach the wilds…well…" Sonic gently opened the door…and they heard him zoom away.

Indeed, for once, Sonic avoided whatever trouble he could, running into the mountainous hills miles away; no large populations of people were around for him to freak out. He didn't talk, he didn't think; he just ran. Ran and ran in circles, for how long he didn't know. Finally, he began to feel fatigued, something that rarely happened; never before had he run for so hard for so long. Only the incident where he pulled that carriage could have trumped this. "Whew…" he wheezed, wiping sweat from his brow. He hunched over, seeing he was at the top of a mountain somewhere, giving him a view of Dublith, the farms and the forests below. From there, he just sat on a rock, admiring the view the best he could. Now that he got all that frustration out of his system, the infinite questions began to bombard his mind.

"Sonic!"

Sonic looked up, seeing Tails fly down to meet him. "Hey little buddy." He said. "Where you following me?"

"Only just a while ago." Tails explained as he touched down. "I went off on my own at first. Then I heard the sonic booms."

"Ah." Sonic nodded as he lay on his back. "That was some story, wasn't it?" he sighed.

"It was." Tails agreed. "I have so many questions…but most of all…how did it end?"

"That's definitely the worst of it." Sonic agreed. "You know what also gets me?"

"What?"

"That everything we believed about our origins…our evolution…was wrong."

"Did you even pay attention in school?" Tails asked skeptically.

Sonic chuckled. "Despite what Sal may have you believe, I did pick up on SOME things." He then got back on topic. "Anyway, it just rubs me the wrong way that not only may we have come from another world…but we came from a tragic accident as well."

Tails nodded. "Do you resent…Felicia? For creating us?" he asked.

"No." Sonic sighed. "If what that story said was true, she was a good person. She couldn't have known what her alchemy would have led to." Sonic growled. "If anything, I'm angry at the King and Prince. They forced her to create more."

Tails nodded. "I feel sorry for her. She was only trying to save lives…both human and animal."

"True." Sonic sighed. "And it gets me that…Renley just might be my ancestor."

Tails nodded. "It's still so hard to believe."

"Where we come from, that says a lot."

"And Felicia…" Tails began. "…she must be Sally's…"

"Maybe." Sonic said. "But that would mean she somehow transformed herself…or…" Sonic dreaded to think of the alternative.

"…she transformed her daughter?" Tails finished the thought for him.

"I wouldn't be surprised, after everything we heard." Sonic reluctantly agreed. "I wouldn't put it past those royal jerks that they harmed her baby and she was forced to transform her." Sonic then noticed that the sun was beginning to set. "Come on, little buddy." He said, patting the fox's shoulder. "We can postulate all day, and we'll arrive at the same non-conclusion. Let's get back to the others." Sonic rubbed Tails' head fur, distracting him. "Race you there!" Sonic zoomed away, leaving a trail of fire behind.

"Hey!" Tails yelled as he got his tails going. "No fair!" he yelled as he took flight after him.

Sally sighed as she settled Nicole on her lap, playing a holographic game of solitaire in the guest room. Nicole said nothing; as not only her personal computer, but also her friend, Nicole knew Sally needed her thoughts to herself. After a few minutes, she heard a knock on the door. "Sally girl?" Bunnie whispered from behind the door. "May I come in?"

"Sure, Bunnie." Sally sighed. "I think I've been sulking long enough. Some company now may do some good for me."

Bunnie went in, taking a seat next to her. "That story…sure was somethn', huh?"

"No kidding." Sally sighed.

"It's Felicia' surname that gets to ya, huh?" Bunnie asked.

"Perceptive as always." Sally smiled sadly. "It…it's just all so overwhelming. Not just my possible ancestry, but…well, all of ours."

"True." Bunnie said. "If we all really came from here…Felicia must've created an awful lot of us."

"True." Sally agreed.

"Mobian and Overlander DNA are not as far apart as one would think." Nicole added, giving her own knowledge. "Even our best biologists and paleontologists have been unable to figure out why that is. The story at least gives us a clue."

"It does." Sally agreed. "But it's incomplete."

They heard another soft knock on the door. "Hey." Knuckles said. "Uh, is it okay for me to come in?"

"Of course." Sally said, inviting him to sit on the bed with them.

Knuckles helped himself in, sitting across from the girls. "You're right about all the things you said. But there are other things have bothered me about the story."

"What?" Bunnie asked.

"Well, the story at least partially explains how we came to be. But not how we got to our world." Knuckles said.

"That was the earliest record they had on the Chimera of this world." Sally said. "If it was indeed left for Ed's people, they may not have had time to write the end of their story."

"There has to be other sources." Bunnie said. "No way somethn' that big can get buried completely."

"Still, to accomplish bringing us to another planet…through means I assume have nothing to do with their vehicles…the energy must have been enormous." Knuckles postulated.

"An' the odds of gettin' us all there to beautiful Mobius…ah ain't no mathematician, but ah know a long shot when I see one." Bunnie rubbed her head.

"You're both correct." Sally agreed. "But I have a theory. A flimsy one, but it's all I've got."

"What?" Knuckles asked.

"The form of ultimate power in this world is the philosopher' stone. It would probably have to be a big stone, but I suppose it can be accomplished. That's the only power source I can think of to breach time and space." Sally sighed.

"Those ruins though…" Knuckles interrupted. "…they were consistent with the use of Chaos Emeralds and Power Rings."

"Maybe the philosopher's stone was the precursor to the emeralds and the rings." Sally suggested. "And as for how we got here…the story mentioned that Renley was an astrologist."

"But all Renley had was telescopes! Home-made telescopes!" Bunnie said. "There was no way he could've pinpointed a planet that could support life with those things!"

"I know, it's a big hole." Sally agreed. "But it's all I've got."

"I know what it's like, to come up with ideas but it still doesn't add up." Knuckles sighed. "There's got to be more clues in this world. Somewhere."

"Our priority is gettn' home though…" Bunnie said.

"Unless we find an ancient spaceship here, finding out how Renley and Felicia took the rest of the chimeras to our world is our only chance to get home." Sally then looked around. "Knuckles? Where'd Geoffrey go?"

Knuckles sighed; something about the skunk rubbed him the wrong way. Even more so than Sonic. That was saying a lot. "I think he went on the roof." Knuckles said. "It looked to me like he took the revelations harder than any of us."

Geoffrey fiddled with his arrows, as he looked to the horizon, thankful that the setting sun between their worlds wasn't much different as far as he could see. He couldn't believe it. No…he couldn't ACCEPT it. To think that they were descended from overlanders-! "What is this world coming to?"

Ed, Al and Winry sighed together as they sat together on a park bench, admiring the trees. "It's scary, isn't it?" Winry asked.

"To you." Ed answered. "It should be to us too. But after what we went through…"

"It's not. It's kind of messed up that nothing surprises us anymore." Al finished for him. "They must be taking it pretty hard."

"As they should. A revelation like that must be soul-crushing." Winry said.

"No kidding." Ed agreed. "But…I'm glad we looked into it."

"I guess they had to know." Winry agreed reluctantly.

"Yes. But that's not why we're glad." Al said.

"Huh?" Winry turned to them.

"It told us a lot about ancient alchemy, things that not even we knew." Ed said. "Chimerism has been experimented with greatly with mixed results; usually a whole new animal is created with little resemblance to its predecessors. No one has created such perfect combinations like Felicia did. The story may be regarded as myth by most, but that's only because none have been able to duplicate her research. She must have destroyed it…and taken that knowledge to her grave." He said solemnly

Al seemed to hesitate before speaking. "Ed, do you think Shou Tucker was trying to duplicate that research?"

Ed's eyes widened in realization. "Of course…not just any chimera would have helped him pass the alchemy exam. It was the fact that his chimera…the one he made with his wife!...could talk…" Ed gritted his teeth as he struggled to control his rage at the memory of his next victim.

"How awful." Winry whispered, knowing the story of the Tuckers. "Felicia did it to save lives. Tucker used it to play with lives, and what's worse, those closest to him." Winry turned to them. "Ed, Al…that won't get your bodies back! It hurts to see you as you are now…but I can't accept you if you willingly turn yourselves into monsters!"

"That's not what we meant, Winry." Al said. "The chimerism alchemy may answer some of our questions of the mobians' origin. But there's something else."

"What?"

"You know Knuckles?" Ed asked. "He lives on an island floating in the sky. We went there before we returned." Winry seemed to be at a loss for words as she tried to denounce that as madness, but gave up as she threw her arms up in the air. "Yeah, that was kind of my reaction too." Ed said in sympathy. "Anyway, according to Sonic, what keeps that island afloat is something called a Chaos Emerald. It apparently emits a powerful energy, said to be without limit. We saw similar inscriptions in that temple."

"So, you're going to use that instead of the Philosopher's Stone?" Winry asked.

"No." Al said. "Knuckles' needs it to keep his home alive. We would never rob someone of something they need."

"Besides, if we manage to get them back to their world, there would be no feasible way of us to obtain another." Ed added. "But if they're as powerful as they claim…it could in fact be the precursor to the Philosopher's Stone." Winry only stared at both of them, a pit forming in her stomach. "And that's why we need to know how Felicia's and Renley's story ended." Ed said, as he finally stood up from the log they sat on. "We need to see how they got to…or maybe even created Mobius." Ed raised his left hand to the setting sun, closing it. "If they can do that, then anything is possible."

"And what price will you two have to pay to get it?" The two turned to Winry. "You were so certain when you tried to bring back your mother from the grave!" Winry shouted. "And we know what it takes to make a Philosopher's Stone! If it's even more powerful, what would it take to make a Chaos Emerald!?"

Ed seemed taken aback by her outburst. He was about to issue a retort, but the two of them only stared at one another, as if they were having a silent screaming match. Finally, Ed turned away. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there." He said as he turned away, walking back to the town, his brother following after him.

Sonic quickly dove into the bushes, making sure no one saw him. "Did you really need a head start?" Tails said as he followed in after him.

"No." Sonic smirked. "It's just fun ta' mess with you." Tails rolled his eyes. "It's clear." Sonic said as they helped themselves in through an open window covered with the drapes.

"Welcome back, sugar." Bunnie said.

"Hey." He said. "Please tell me I'm not the only one who threw a hissy fit over all that."

"Ah'd like to say yes, but truth is, we all did. That…that was just a lot to take in." Bunnie sighed, scratching her head.

"Hm." Sonic nodded. "Is Sal here?"

"Yeah." Sonic turned to see Sally approach him slowly. He knew the look; she was a million miles away. He understood. "Hey." She said.

"Hey." Sonic replied. The whole thing about Renley and Felicia…it suddenly made things awkward between them. "But we're not them." Sonic reminded himself. "We make our own choices." "Uh, Sal?" Sonic asked, taking hold of her hands. "You know I'm still here for you, right?"

Sally slowly smiled, and squeezed back, placing her own hand on his. "I know. As I am for you."

The door opened, revealing the Elric brothers. "Hey." Ed said.

"Hey." Sonic said back.

Ed scratched his head, at a loss for what to say. "I'm sorry." Al said for him. "For telling you that story."

"Don't apologize." Sally said. "You did us a favor telling it, even if we do have more questions than answers now. We had to know."

Ed sighed, and smiled at them. "I know things are getting more complicated. But this story isn't over. There has to be other records; we're going to find them. And we're going to find out just what connected our worlds."

Sonic smiled, and reached his hand out. "Appreciate it."

Ed smirked, and shook it in return, careful not to squeeze too hard. "No problem."

"Please don't tell me we have to do you Equivalent Exchange mumbo jumbo." Sonic said. "I wouldn't know how to do the math on all this impossible stuff."

Ed rolled his eyes. "Well, given the circumstances, I think we can let it slide."

Before anymore could be said, someone knocked on the door. Everyone staying at the house was accounted for. Which meant they had a visitor. "Quick!" Al whispered. "Hide!" Like rodents caught in the basement, the mobians quickly hid in the most obscure corners, out of sight.

Ed only hoped whoever it was, they didn't need to come inside. Ed opened it, and saw Alex Louis Armstrong, blocking the sun's final setting rays before night fell with his mountain of a body. "Major Armstrong!" Ed yelped in surprise, saluting. "What can we do for you?"

"Edward Elric." Armstrong began. "Is your teacher well?"

"She's doing better." Al replied. "How's your injury?"

"Oh!" Armstrong replied, back to his joyous self, patting his side. "How kind of you to ask, Alphonse! I am fully recovered now! I know of a healing technique and medicines passed down the Armstrong line for generations!"

Ed gave off a forced chuckle, put off by his declaration. "So, you just came here to check up on us?"

Armstrong's face turned somber once again. "Mustang has called for you." The giant soldier handed him a letter, sealed with a stamp. Ed took it, opening it and reading it. "Drachma has attacked the North, and overrun our forces. They're coming for us, and we need to prepare for war." Armstrong explained.

Ed's eyes trembled. As a state alchemist, he was told over and over again how he would contribute to the military in times of war. But this-! He wouldn't admit he was afraid. But he needed to know something. "Major!" he said. "Fort Briggs has held Drachma back for years! How were they able to get past them!?"

Armstrong turned away, giving him that reluctant look he was known for in serious situations. "Do you believe in magic and monsters?"

"What!?" Ed explained.

"My sister, General Olivia Armstrong, has said the enemy attacked with strange creatures hard as diamonds and with a blizzard unlike anything the world has seen." As he began to walk away, Armstrong called back "Steel yourself for battle, Elrics! Even for justice, war is a terrifying experience! It will ruin you if you're not careful! And whatever happens, you must stay alive!"

Ed quietly closed the door, looking at the letter, Al reading over his shoulder. "What's going on?" Knuckles asked.

Ed stared at them as he set the letter down. "We're going to war. Against your own people…"

Roy Mustang stared out of his office as night fell, drinking a glass of scotch. In his other hand, he held a letter with a description of the attacking creatures. One seemed to be giant lion-man with a giant axe. Another was a creature with six arms and covered in black. If he were to guess, he would assume it to be a spider. The other though…a creature with a horn and claw? He had no way of telling what it was. As his thoughts drifted, he then remembered what Ed said about finding chimeras in the sewers. "You know something, don't you, Full Metal?"

I think we'll stop here for now. There were originally scenes from Felicia's point of view that were in here, but upon realizing there was no way they could have been told by Renley, whether upon here say or what he witnessed, I cut them out. Those will be saved for another chapter, and I figured it would serve the story well if the whole thing was kept a mystery for now.

Ed, Sonic and everyone won't encounter Naugus just yet; after all, they have to get to Central first. And that's what we'll be doing next chapter! See you then!