Hi everyone! There's not much to say, but here's the last part of this chapter! Enjoy!

Sonic ran up the roof as he observed the damage their misfire had caused. "Whew!" he whistled as he looked at the flaming warehouse. "Now THAT is how you blow a pop stand!" Turning around, he addressed his friends. "Tails! Did everyone make it out okay?"

Tails took a look from above as he scanned the area, careful not to breathe in any fumes. He saw the men stumble away. Their clothes were in tatters, their skin more than a few shades darker but not burnt, and they were too shell-shocked to process that large man they remembered from Dublith handcuff them. Flying back to Sonic, he said "I wouldn't call them 'okay', but they're not dead at least!"

Sonic nodded. Those 'humans' may have been scum, but Sonic did not feel comfortable with taking a life. "And the girl?"

"She's calming down some." Knuckles answered as he cradled her. Knuckles was a bit amazed by how big overlander children were; this toddler was his height back when he was 10 years old! "Hey, you okay?" Knuckles asked, ignoring the fact they were exposing themselves to one of these strange humans.

"Mn-hm." Elicia nodded. As the fear she felt left her, she looked at Knuckles' face with curiosity. She then looked at the others. "What are you?"

Sonic and the others looked at one another, unsure how to answer that. Scratching the back of his spine, he decided to be honest. After all, she was not even four years old, right? "Well, uh…"

Suddenly, two gloved hands appeared over the edge. The three mobians turned to see Edward hoist himself up. "There you are!" he said.

"How'd you find us?" Tails asked.

Ed dusted himself off as he said "Actually…" He pointed to Elicia. "…I'm here for her." Elicia's eyes widened as she ran towards Ed and hugged him. "Hey there!" Ed smiled, patting her head.

"You know her?" Sonic asked.

Ed carefully picked her up and cradled her on his shoulder. "Elicia's father is part of our intelligence network. He always keeps showing off pictures of her, often at the most inappropriate of times." Ed chuckled. "Oh, and Al and I helped deliver her when she was born. That was a scary time." Ed then looked her in the eye. "Hey, long time no see, Elicia! I see you met my friends!" He extended his hand to the mobians. "This is Sonic, the fox is Tails, and the weird guy over there is Knuckles!"

"HEY!"

"Listen, I know you've got a lot of questions, but I need you to keep a secret about this." Ed held out his pinky for her. "Promise?"

Elicia looked to them. As usual for a young child, she wanted to tell the whole world about this. But, when the grown ups asked something important…especially ones she liked…she was told to trust them. " Okay. Promise!" Elicia smiled as she wrapped her pinky around his.

"Thanks." Ed smiled. He turned back to his friends. "Listen, I need to take care of her. You guys should head back to the apartment; Sally's worried about you."

Sonic gulped. "Well, worried about Tails, maybe…"

Ed sighed. "Whatever happens, just make sure Winry doesn't hand her a wrench. I know a thing or two about making women mad." Sonic nodded, as he motioned for Tails to take to the air. Tails did so, and Sonic jumped into his hands. Knuckles glided after them in turn. Ed sighed as he looked back to Elicia as he set her down. "Come on. Let's get you back home to your parents." He said.

Elicia's face then began to scrunch up as she began to cry. "WAHHH!"

"Ah! Elicia, what's wrong!? Whatever it is, I'm sorry!" Ed panicked.

"Daddy's gone!" she screamed.

"What!?" Ed asked. He then chuckled slightly. "Don't be silly, Elicia! I'm sure your Dad is worried about you! He's probably harassing the whole city with your pictures looking for you!"

"NO!" Elicia complained. "They put Daddy in a hole! Mama told me it was because he would rest forever! I was there when they poured dirt over him!"

It hit him like a ton of bricks then. There was no misunderstanding, no silly children's story behind this. It was every bit as literal as she said it said nothing; he didn't look at her as he hugged her close. As he patted her head, he realized Armstrong just lied to him then...

And no one else in the military saw fit to tell him.

Armstrong was just about to give up on finding Elicia alive. There was no trace of her; he could only hope that Ed somehow sensed something he didn't. Soon, his eyes nearly burst into tears as he saw Ed walk down the alley towards him, carrying Elicia over his shoulder and patting her on the back. "Edward Elric! You have found Elicia!" The muscle-man was about to strike one of his muscular poses and burst into tears of joy, but then he caught sight of the young Alchemist's eyes. They were angry, and they were directed at him. That could only mean one thing: he had learned the truth about Hughes from her. Armstrong deflated as he addressed him. "Edward…I'm…"

"Save it." Ed growled. "Just take me to Gracia." Ed helped himself to the passenger seat as he helped get Elicia comfortable.

Sighing, Armstrong said nothing as he got inside and turned on the siren, focusing on getting the little girl back to her mother.

Soon, after some rapid searching from both parties, Sonic and company met with the others on top of the Elric's apartment building. "Hey Sal." Sonic chuckled, scratching his spine.

Sally, Bunnie, and even Winry and Al crossed their arms as they looked at the three in disappointment. Sally walked towards him…and suddenly grabbed him by the chest fur and began to shake him. "YOU DUNDERHEAD!" Sally yelled, not caring if they attracted attention. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?"

"Uh…" Sonic struggled to answer through the shaking. "I…wasn't…thinking…at all!" he confessed.

"YOU'RE DARN RIGHT YOU WEREN'T!" Sally shouted back. Finally, she calmed down, and let him go. Sighing, she brought him close and hugged him. "I'm just glad you're okay." She said, rubbing his head spine.

Sonic, stunned, carefully hugged her back. "C'mon, Sal. You know I'd be fine. Takes a lot to get the drop on me."

Sally let him go as she addressed the others. "I think we should head back inside. We've had a hectic day, and I for one would like to rest."

After Winry made sure no one was outside their apartments, Al singled the others to follow him downstairs. "Well, I'm glad we're off the hook." Sonic sighed, wiping his forehead as he walked down for a change.

"Oh, just wait 'till we get back home." Sally warned, him, giving him a devilish smile. "I've decided I'm not going to punish you here. And I'm not going to punish you the instant we get back home. I'm going to mull over it. Find the PERFECT punishment for you, and you won't know WHEN that's going to be. But remember, it IS coming."

As Sally turned back to catch up with the others, Sonic just gulped. "Suddenly staying here doesn't sound so bad."

"Oh, thank you Edward!" Gracia hugged Ed after putting Elicia to bed (who was more than grateful to go back to sleep). "I was so scared!" Gracia broke down. "With Maes gone, I don't think I could've gone on if anything happened to her!"

Ed temporarily forgot about his anger from being kept in the dark about Hughes. For now, he just needed to take care of his widow. "It's okay." He whispered. "I'm sorry we couldn't be there for you when it happened. We can't be there for you all the time. But I promise, when you really need us, Al and I WILL be there for you. Just like the day Elicia was born."

Gracia backed away from him and gave him a sad smile. Ed noticed the black eye on her face; it turned his stomach to see someone who was like family to him hurt. All over a grudge she wasn't responsible for. "Thanks Ed. I needed that." Gracia sighed. "I think I'm going to have some tea and turn in early myself. Would you like some, Ed?"

Ed looked away. "If it's not too much trouble. Thank you." He muttered.

It was pretty good Earl Gray, Ed thought as he took his first sip. As he stared at Gracia's face staring into her cup, Ed couldn't bear it any longer. A part of Ed didn't want to do this, but he had to. He wouldn't get another chance. "Gracia, I know this is probably the last thing you want to talk about, but I have to know: what happened?"

Gracia sighed. "Maes stopped by earlier in the evening to tuck Elicia in. He said he was going to be working late, and wanted to say good night to Elicia before he went back to Central Command. He doesn't give me specifics about cases…professional protocol and all that…and I accepted it. That night was no different. After so many years of being off the field, I figured there was nothing to worry about. The next morning, they found him at a phone booth. Someone shot him in the heart." Gracia began to cry as a tear slid down her face. "…and that's all the military would tell me."

Gracia broke down, and Ed quickly got off his chair to comfort her.

A few minutes later, Ed closed the door to her apartment. Absent-mindedly, he walked down the hall and thought back to the last day he saw Hughes. He had told him he had given up on the Philosopher's Stone, and instead sought a better way. Not only to avoid damning others, but to protect THEM. Yet somehow, Hughes got wound up in this conspiracy, and paid for it. "Hughes…what did you do? Did you stick your neck out for us?"

"Okay then!" Winry said as she looked through the cookbook, and looked at what was simmering on the pan. "Give me a little bit of salt, Al!"

"Okay, Winry!" Al handed it to her as Winry got to cooking a curry she knew of. "I didn't know you could cook." Al observed.

"Granny wanted me to be well-rounded; she warned me I was a bit too into automail." She began to stir the cooking curry. "I'm not as good a cook as her, but I think I've gotten better these past few years."

Sonic leaned over the counter to take a whiff. "Mmm!" He licked his lips. "Judging by what I'm smelling, either you undersell yourself way past too much, or your grandma's a monster! This smells delicious! Once I get the good stuff, I need to teach you how to cook chili dogs!"

"How I envy you guys." Al sighed.

Sonic, realizing how tactless he had been, chuckled nervously. "Sorry, my bad Al! I didn't…"

"It's okay." Al raised his hand. "It's not your fault I can't smell or taste. I don't let that stop others from enjoying themselves."

"Alright, I think it's done!" Winry exclaimed proudly as she lifted the skillet. Finally, Ed opened the door to the apartment. "Ed!" Winry exclaimed. "You've been gone a while!"

"Mm." Ed mumbled. He didn't even seem to notice the curry.

"Hey, I made curry- "

"I'm not hungry." Ed said as he threw his jacket onto the coat hanger and kicked his boots off. He then went into his room and slammed the door.

"What happened?" Winry asked.

"Sonic, are you sure everything was okay when Ed found you?" Sally asked.

"As far as I could tell." Sonic shrugged. "The girl was safe, and none of those kidnappers died."

"And he didn't seem to be in a bad mood either." Knuckles said. "Everything seemed fine."

"Whatever is, we better leave him be." Al said. "Ed doesn't react well to interrogations."

While Winry passed the curry around to their friends, she looked to Ed's room, concerned for him.

While the others ate, Ed shoved his face into his pillow as he tried to muffle his cries…

Later that night, Ed felt something rub his shoulder. Ed reacted as he grabbed the hand, but calmed down a little when he saw it was just Winry, sitting by his bed. Ed sighed and lied back down. "Ed." Winry prodded him.

"Leave me alone." He muttered.

"ED!" Winry snapped. "What happened!?"

"Nothing. Now go away!" he shouted back.

Winry roughly grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him up. "Don't give me that bull, Edward Elric! Something happened! Why won't you tell me!?"

"Cause it's none of your damn business!" Ed shouted back.

"None of my business!? After everything we've been through, EVERYTHING you and Al do is my business! Was you becoming a State Alchemist none of my business!? Was Trish's death none of my business!? The time you completely destroyed your automail!? I was there for you and Al through all of it!" When she still didn't get a response, she added another: "What about the time you tried to resurrect your mother!? Who do you think saved you!?"

Something snapped in Ed at the mention of his greatest sin. He tried pulling away, but Winry held firm. "WILL YOU JUST LET ME GO!" Ed yelled as he grabbed her wrists and tried to pry her off physically. Winry resisted, despite how tightly he gripped with his automail, and pushed back. Ed pushed back harder until they were going back and forth to the point where they were on the verge of hitting each other. Finally, Winry fell off the bed and took Ed with her. The shock caused both to snap out of it, realizing their faces weren't even an inch away and they were now on the floor. Ed let her go and scurried to the bed desk in horror of what could have been. "What have I done!?" Ed brought his knees close and buried his face in them, now scared of himself.

Winry slowly got up and approached him. "Ed." She said softly. "You always insist on carrying these burdens on your own. It's like you think you're the only one who can…or should. It's noble of you, but that thinking is flawed. We're all human, Ed. And humans depend on one another. Realizing that doesn't make you weak; it makes you stronger." Seemingly getting no response, Winry looked away.

As she got up to leave, Ed grabbed her by the wrist, gentler this time. "Hughes is dead." He finally whispered.

Winry's eyes widened. "What?" she asked, unsure of her what she her.

"Hughes died." Ed repeated. "He was murdered all because he was looking into my investigation of the philosopher's stone!"

Nothing more was said between them, as Winry embraced him as they tried not to wake everyone with their tears.

Little did they know, on the other side, Sonic and Sally were listening, pressing their ears against the wall. Pulling away, they looked at each other.

"Every time we find something cool here, we get a bitter taste of what Ed's life is like." Sonic sighed.

"Our life hasn't been a piece of cake either." Sally said. The two sat at the edge of the roof, Sally agreeing they had to go outside to process this. They never met this "Hughes" character, but he must have been important to Ed. In the short time they knew each other, they had considered the Elric brothers close friends. And it hurt them they could do nothing to comfort them.

"She was a cute girl." Sonic suddenly said, remembering Elicia. "I didn't know overlanders could ever be cute."

"I don't think Robotnik nor Snively are the prime examples of their species." Sally answered. "Still, I feel for that girl. I wasn't much older than her when…well, you know…"

"Hm." Sonic inched closer, and wrapped his arm around Sally's shoulder. "We'll get him back. Somehow." Sonic dared to tell her. "We have to believe that." Sally nodded as she relaxed her head on Sonic's shoulder.

Ed fluttered his eyes as he sensed light. "Ngh. Must have fallen asleep." Ed was about to try to sit up and stretch, but felt something heavy next to him. "What? Is this a pillow?" Ed's eyes finally started working as he registered Winry sleeping next to him. AND HE WAS HUGGING HER! "AHHH!" Ed rolled back and fell over the bed.

"Mm?" Winry slowly came to as she rubbed her eyes and pushed her body up. "Ed?" she groggily asked. "Is it morning already?"

"Winry!" Ed shouted as he stood. "What happened!?"

Winry blinked. "Well, you told me about…that…I tried tucking you in, and just-" Winry's eyes finally widened in realization. "AHH!" Out of nowhere, she grabbed a wrench and flung it at Ed, nailing him right in the forehead.

"What was that for!?" Ed shouted as he put pressure on his head to stop the bleeding.

Seeing that they were both fully dressed, Winry sighed in relief. "Sorry. Force of habit."

Ed calmed down as well, sitting back in the bed. "I guess we just found ourselves in a situation neither of us are used to."

Winry nodded. Remembering what Ed shared with her earlier, she scooted over and took his hands. "Ed…thank you."

"What for?"

"For telling me."

Ed looked away. "You were right. I shouldn't have kept that from you." He then looked back at her. "I thought I was protecting you and Al, not telling you. I didn't want you to feel as I did." Ed sighed. "But…I realize that sadness isn't a bad thing. It hurts…" He then remembered his brother, back when he still had his real body. And his mother… "But sadness is just a reminder that we cared." He finally choked out. "Whatever we may regret, it reminds us that we truly did treasure those who left us…" Winry moved in to hug him. Without hesitation, Ed gently hugged her back. He thought back to what Winry said the other night…and decided it would be best to let her in the loop. "Winry." He whispered. "There's something else. Something else I have to tell you…" Winry's eyes widened as she listened.

As the mobians gathered to eat their cereal in the living room (without milk…none of them felt right drinking milk from COWS), Ed and Winry stepped out.

"Ed! Morning!" Al said as he looked up from his book.

"Morning." Ed said, still a bit in shock at what just happened.

"Did anything…happen?" Al asked.

"Hm?" Ed asked. Then, he realized he saw both he and Winry exited HIS bedroom. The two turned to each other, and turned red. "AH! NO, NOTHING HAPPENED!" they both waved their arms frantically.

Al panicked at what he was insinuating. "I mean, it's none of my business, but- "

"QUIET!" Winry screamed as she threw her wrench at his head, knocking it off.

"Sorry!" Al squeaked as he leaned down to pick up his head. Ed sighed as he went to the fridge for some eggs.

"Do we want to know where THOSE come from!?" Knuckles asked, still not over the fact these overlanders seemed to eat just about anything.

"You probably don't." Ed sighed as he got out a pan and turned the stove on. "Anyway, no thanks to you guys, I missed an entire day."

"Sorry." Tails said sheepishly, rubbing his head.

"Still, it was probably for the best. You saved that girl." Ed said. Looking down at the pan, he sighed. It was also because of Sonic's recklessness he learned the truth. A harsh truth, but one he was thankful to learn nonetheless. "Anyway, that kidnapping threw off everyone at Central Command. I expect I'll have to go back and see what the Fueher's official statement on the war is today. We'll probably be deployed by tomorrow. I'll let you know about specifics later tonight, but we need to make some plans. I'm going North, that much is certain. But that doesn't mean Alphonse HAS to go with me."

"But brother-!" the metal body protested.

"I can't help them, Al!" Ed countered as he put his omelet on the plate. "So, I'll need you and Winry to." Ed looked around the room. He knew Robotnik was watching. But, could he really do anything to them if they left? Could he stop it? And if he could, why didn't he the other day? "I just need to check on some things. I'll let you know."

Ed entered Central Command as he walked past all the petty officers like he was on a mission. In a way, he was. Most would assume he was heading to Colonel Mustang's office, but for now, he was heading someplace else: The men's room. He made his way there, thankful that no one was using the stall he was aiming for. He quickly transmuted the tile he hid the ore in, and pulled it out. He smiled smugly as he saw the familiar casing. He pulled out just to be sure, opening it. Quickly, he slammed it close. "It's still there!" Ed sighed with relief. Quickly, Ed packed it in his coat. "Soon as I'm cleared, I better give this to Al!"

As Ed exited the room, he finally heard the announcement he was waiting for over the loud speaker. "Attention all personnel! All active duty officers and State Alchemists are to report to the Auditorium immediately!"

"I apologize for the delay yesterday; we had an urgent matter to attend to." King Bradley announced over the microphone as everyone in Central Command gathered to listen to their leader. "Thankfully, the kidnappers were dealt with, and with the late Brigadier General's daughter safe, we can focus on the enemy we know is coming!"

Ed sighed as he breathed deep. Colonel Mustang stood not far away from him. He momentarily panicked; seeing Ed's expression not change made him realize he found out. Mustang sighed. He was going to get an earful later.

"Now then, onto our main concern: the invasion from the North!" The screen descended as it revealed a map of the country. "Despite their penetration of Brigs, our forces have managed to contain them within the North. However, our forces there need help." Bradley sighed. "I know this all sounds rather outlandish. But according to our sources, the mysterious enemies have the ability to crystallize their bodies into an impenetrable substance."

Mustang quirked his eyebrow. He remembered the temple he investigated when he went looking for Ed. "That sounds familiar…"

"In addition, our army is bombarded by a constant blizzard. Though the North is notorious for being cold year-round, at this time of the year the skies are normally clear. In addition, the blizzard's intensity seemed to vary in direct relation to an enemy attack. As absurd as it is to suggest this, some claim another source is somehow manipulating the weather." Bradley then pounded his saber-sheath into the floorboard. "However fantastical the enemy and impossible the odds, we will prevail!" The curtain behind him dropped, revealing rows of combots. "The combots will be our first line of attack, defense, and intelligence! Of course, all combat personnel will take over once they fall. And finally, the State Alchemists will even the playing field. Just like they did in Ishvall 8 years ago!"

Mustang blanched at that. He once again found himself about to snap his fingers, as he stared down an Ishvallan woman pointing a gun at him. She was scared for her life; he didn't want to burn her. He would say he had no choice; but deep down, he always knew he did. And in the end, he chose the coward's way out.

"Dismissed!" Bradley announced as he slammed the sheath on the platform again. "We depart at dawn tomorrow!"

Mustang breathed deep, relieved that he wasn't reliving that horrible memory again. As the other soldiers went about their business, Mustang felt Ed bump past him. "Fullmetal!" Mustang shouted. Ed ignored him. Roy gritted his teeth, as he approached him. "Fullmetal, stop! That's an order!" Ed finally stood in place. Ed ignored many military protocols and etiquette, to the irritation of many of his superiors. Mustang usually didn't make a big deal of it; after the incident where Ed ignored his first assignment as a State Alchemist, they came to something of an understanding. When Mustang explicitly ordered something, Ed did not disobey. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." The Colonel finally said.

"Maes died." Ed growled, refusing to face him. "Maes died because I stuck my nose where it didn't belong!"

"Hughes was an intelligence officer! None of the things you found out where going to stay hidden forever, and he would have wound up investigating them anyway!" Mustang said. "Hughes didn't die because of your actions, or mine! He died because he was doing his duty." Mustang paused before he continued, softer. "And he found something no one wanted him to know."

Ed didn't speak for nearly a minute. Then, he broke the question. "Any leads on who did it?"

"The military knows the identity of his killer." Mustang answered honestly. "And that's it."

Ed finally turned around. "They didn't tell you!?"

"If I don't know, it means this goes high up."

Ed turned around. "You know, a few years ago, Havoc admitted you were ambitious. But he then said that if that's all you were, he and the others wouldn't follow you." Ed looked him dead in the eye, and breathed. "To be quite frank, after all these years, I fail to see what it is about you that inspires such loyalty." Ed finally turned around to leave.

Though Mustang didn't show it, truth be told that stung quite a bit. After Hughes' death, he himself doubted if his subordinates should follow him either.

As Ed prepared to make his way back home, a familiar voice called out to him. "Ed!" Ed turned around to see Riza.

Though he was currently mad at everyone in the military, he could never hold a grudge against Riza. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Before you get ready, we need to make an adjustment to your automail." She said.

Ed blinked, flexing his automail arm. "It's fine…"

"That's not what I meant." Riza clarified. "Your automail was made for a more temperate climate. But in the North, where it is practically winter year-round, that metal will give your flesh frostbite."

Ed blinked. "Really?" Pulling the sleeve, he inspected its contents. "I never thought about that."

"Central Command was in such a panic from the kidnapping yesterday, they probably forgot to tell you." The lieutenant explained. "Thankfully, the Fuher was able to keep a cool head, and had materials for you on reserve. We better start the assembly and attachment today."

For a moment, Ed wondered who the engineer was…until only one face came to mind. Gulping, he asked "Um, Winry is staying at my place. Would it be alright if I called her over? You know, just to supervise?"

"I don't see a problem with it." Riza replied. "Let me clear it with the Fuher first."

Al and Winry were teaching the mobians to play cards. It seemed it was enough to keep them occupied for today, even the hyperactive Sonic. In the middle of a new game, the phone rang, and Al went to pick it up. "Elrics." He paused as he listened to the other end. "Brother? Anything wrong?" Al listened for a bit, and then he asked "You're getting new automail?"

"WHAT!?" Winry shouted across the room.

"Yeah, seems my limbs aren't built for snow. I don't want to go through it unless Winry's there to watch." Ed explained over the phone. "Could you ask if she could come over?"

"Just a sec." Al covered the phone as he turned to Winry. "Hey, Winry. Ed wants you to-" He stopped talking as he saw the door swing open and heard Winry sprinting down the hall.

"And I thought I was the fastest thing alive." Sonic mumbled.

Turning back to the phone, Al said "She's on her way."

"IS MY AUTOMAIL NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU NOW!?" Winry yelled as she wacked Ed across the head with her wrench.

Ed quickly put pressure on the wound to prevent the geyser of blood that was about to squirt out. "It's nothing to do with you! The military wants me to have frost-proof automail!"

Winry sighed. "I just wish you thought of that on your own. Don't give me a heart attack like that, Ed!"

Ed turned and mumbled "Would it kill you not to attack me for real?"

"WHAT WAS THAT!?" she growled as it felt like her head began to eclipse the background.

"NOTHING!"

"Ms. Rockbell." Riza approached them, giving a small smile to the girl. "It's nice to see you after all this time. How have you been?"

"Oh, Miss Hawkeye!" Winry smiled. "I've been okay. Just busy helping Granny with the automail shop!"

"I'm just glad your life has been relatively peaceful." Riza extended her arm behind her. "Anyway, Ed;. If you'll follow me." She then addressed Winry. "I've checked with Fuher Bradley; he said you were more than welcome to observe the procedure."

Winry and Ed looked at each other. Silently, Ed mouthed "Be careful."

As they made their way to the operating room, Ed was greeted by a familiar and unwelcomed sight. For Winry, this would be her first time seeing him in person. As the rotund figure turned, he gave him his best smile. "Ah, Mr. Elric! Thank you for coming." Robotnik approached him as he placed a large case on the table. "I do apologize for not informing you of this procedure sooner. It has been rather…chaotic." He then looked across from him as he laid eyes on Winry. Feigning surprise, he asked "And who is this lovely lady?"

Winry blinked nervously. "Um…Rockbell. Winry Rockbell." Hesitantly, she held out her hand.

"A pleasure. Julian Kintobor." Robotnik returned the handshake.

"If you don't mind, sir, I would like to observe the operation." She explained. "I'm Ed's regular mechanic, so as you can understand, I am a bit concerned."

"Of course." Robotnik replied. "His automail IS impressive. However, for the environment he will be departing for soon, it could become problematic."

"Yes." Winry nodded. "Unfortunately, automail engineers have had trouble adapting their patients to colder climates. We usually recommend long sleeves and insulated clothes, but I can imagine it would not do for a State Alchemist in combat."

"Quite right." Robotnik agreed. "But it seems an automail engineer up north have found a solution. It's not strictly classified, per say, but at the time they wanted to keep it a secret so Drachma wouldn't learn of it either." Opening the case, he produced a leg and arm. The leg seemed almost identical to the one Ed had, but the arm sported what seemed to be some kind of projectile weapon at the wrist, similar to a Swatbot laser. "I was able to make appropriate calculations for his height and proportionate limb length. According to the notes from Briggs, the proper mixture is an alloy of Copper-Nickel, Chrome, Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber and Aluminum. Not as temperature-sensitive as steel."

Winry nodded. "And…is that a weapon?" she asked, pointing to the attachment on the wrist.

"Indeed it is. I'm afraid I can't disclose the details to you; classified information for now." Placing them on the table, he said "I would love to continue having this conversation with you, Miss Rockbell. But unfortunately, time is of the essence. We must begin the procedure now." Winry nodded and backed off a little. Close enough to help Ed if something happened, but out of the way so the doctor could do his work.

It was done fairly quickly; Robotnik expertly detached Ed's original limbs, and quickly attached the new ones. Ed, of course, winced in pain at the attachment. "I think that was worse than usual."

"There. All finished." Robotnik rubbed his hands, obviously pleased with himself. "Please do take care of those limbs, Elric. I will not be accompanying you to the North; my work is needed here in Central."

Ed nodded, not wanting to do so much as say "Thank you" to the dictator in disguise. Without another word, he helped himself out, Winry following after him.

"That was him?" Winry asked as they walked down the hall. Ed only nodded. Winry shuddered. "I can't describe it, but I can just FEEL the evil off of him."

"You haven't seen anything yet." Ed mumbled. "Still, I think I learned some things."

"Like what?"

Ed looked around, and suddenly grabbed Winry by the wrist as they made a sharp turn down the hall. Then, he took her into the utility closet. "What's going on!?" she hissed.

"Shh!" Ed shushed her. "First, I'm POSITIVE that Robotnik has no surveillance here in Central Command. Not like at my apartment, anyway. Second, whatever his methods, it seems he's letting everyone go about as they please as long as he believes they aren't a threat to them. Or as long as I don't go directly against his wishes."

Winry nodded. "So, what now? Why not tip off the Fuher?"

"Robotnik obviously had help getting into the military." Ed answered. "I don't know if the Fuher himself is responsible, but it's definitely a strong possibility; unless I find out exactly who I can and cannot trust, I can't risk telling anyone. All I know is that it's someone high up in the chain of command helping him. So we have to play it his way for now." Winry nodded, still disturbed by the implications. "Lastly, I still need you and Al to do the research on Alicia. He'll probably keep tabs on you, so be careful. Whatever you find, try not to be too obvious about it."

"Okay." Winry agreed. "Anything else you need from me?"

Ed then reached into his pocket and put it into Winry's hand. "I managed to hide this away from Robotnik. Give it to Al, discreetly. It could be the key to restoring him."

Winry's eyes widened, and she nodded. "Right." She whispered. "We should get out now."

"Yeah." With that, the two teens exited the closet.

Riza made her way down the hall as she knocked on the familiar office doors to a certain alchemist. "Come in." Mustang said from the other side. She opened the door as she saw Mustang on his desk, working for a change. "I take it Fullmetal got the new limbs." The Colonel noted as he continued on finishing his paperwork.

"He did." Hawkeye replied, closing the door behind her. "If I may say, sir, Ed didn't seem to like Mr. Kintobor too much."

"How so?" Mustang asked, still not looking up from his desk.

"Ed gave him a certain look. Only the look you would give to an enemy you fear." She said. "After what we experienced in Ishvall, I think you know the look I'm talking about."

Mustang's pen stopped. Looking up from his desk, he said "Go on."

"I'm certain he knew him. His friend, Winry, though she feigned ignorance, clearly knew him too. I could see it in her eyes."

Mustang put his hands together. "Now that's interesting. And did you find anything else on Kintobor's past?"

"I found documents on his place of birth, his record, everything seems in order." Riza took a deep breath before she continued. "And yet something does not feel right." She said. "Sir, with the technology he has provided just in the last couple of days, he's obviously an expert. He just didn't come up with this in the span of a single day! He's done this for most of his life!"

"I agree." Mustang said. "Something is most certainly amiss." Looking at the map of Amestris on his wall, he declared "And I've a feeling we may find at least SOME answers, up North."

The next day, Ed was at the train station. However, he was not alone. In addition to Winry and Al seeing him off, Ed was surrounded by military men. Administration officials and reserve soldiers were to remain at Central Command; the military's newest privates, veteran soldiers and State Alchemists were boarding to battle up North.

"Edward Elric!" Ed turned to see Armstrong walk up to him. The teen half expected Armstrong's usual nonsense, but Armstrong remained passive. Ed only stared at him for a moment, and turned away, not interested in hearing what he had to say. That didn't stop the Major from saying it though. "Elric, I apologize for not telling you about Hughes. There was no time at that moment." Armstrong breathed. "I knew I couldn't keep it from you for long. I just hoped to tell you at a more appropriate time."

"And what WOULD have been a more appropriate time, Major!?" Ed snapped.

"When you would have time to mourn." Armstrong sighed sadly. "The time to mourn a fallen comrade is rare, a chance too few of us will ever get. I lost many friends during the Ishvall war. It took me several years to finally find both the time and the courage to finally place flowers over their graves." Armstrong looked back to the train. "It will take two days to reach our destination by train. Maybe you can use that time then to clear your thoughts, and decide how you will proceed from there." With that, the Strong Arm Alchemist walked away.

As Ed looked stared at his back, Winry nudged at him. "He has a point, you know." Ed looked to Winry. "There would never have been a 'good' time. They were just trying to protect you…and keep you focused on your goal."

Ed nodded reluctantly. "Okay then. Thanks." Ed was about to reach out to her, but hesitated. As did she. Reluctantly, they both withdrew their hands. "See ya."

"Yeah." Winry whispered, hiding her disappointment by brushing a stray bang back. "See ya."

Ed then looked to Al. "I know you want to come with me…."

"…I understand." Al finished. "The research. It has to be completed." Ed smiled, and bumped fists with his brother.

"All aboard for Briggs!" the conductor announced over the megaphone.

Ed blinked as he picked up his briefcase. "See ya!" Ed ran aboard the car.

"Bye Ed!"

"You better come back!" Winry shouted. "You know my automail's the best, so when you come back, we're putting it back on! Remember that!"

Ed smiled outside the window, as he saluted with two fingers to her. The train horn whistled, and the wheels began to turn. Ed sighed, as he looked forward. This was going to be a huge risk. He had no choice but to accompany the military to the North, leaving Al and Winry behind. But he needed to remind himself of two things: one, Al could handle himself. Second…Robotnik always failed to do the Freedom Fighters in before. He won't succeed now.

In that he trusted the Freedom Fighters.

Robotnik watched the train depart from a computer screen in his office. He twiddled his fingers as he thought about what he just heard the brothers say. "What is this research he needs to complete?" he wondered. Robotnik learned of Ed's quest to restore himself and his brother. Yet he felt that wasn't it. He doubted it would be a threat…but he was curious. "Luckily for me, my combots can follow them anywhere." Indeed, that was EXACTLY what Robotnik used to spy on Ed until his departure; two Combots were observing them on the train station, their cloaking technology rendering them undetectable to the human eye. Others would watch Ed's friends wherever they went. He had given them orders not to capture or kill any of them…not yet. Right now, he just wanted to observe them and keep them in check. They couldn't spy on them directly in the apartment without bumping into any of them; a minor set-back he figured wouldn't amount to any major problems. "I'll see what happens for now…I need to restart some research of my own."

With that, Robotnik rose from his chair as he pulled on the pendulum of a grandfather clock on the wall. The clock then slid to the right, revealing an elevator that opened up for him. Robotnik stepped in, as the elevator closed and took him to a swift decent down below. Soon, he was treated to a view of an ancient city, underground of Central. "This was the price of a philosopher's stone…" Robotnik sneered. "…though I personally see this as a prize…"

Upon the elevator's end, Robotnik made his way into an old mansion. As Robotnik opened the doors, he entered the library, currently occupied by the homunculi. "Enjoying your days as a military scientist?" Envy asked as he ate his steak.

"It brings me fond memories." Robotnik smiled. "And I cannot wait for Phase 2 to begin." Robotnik looked around. "Is the Master not here?"

"She's off preparing a new body." Lust replied as she turned a page in her book.

"Already?" Robotnik asked. "She just transferred to a younger one not too long ago."

"I suppose the current body isn't quite to her liking. She did say it was more of a…'transitional' form until she completed the philosopher's stone." Lust explained.

Robotnik waved her off. "Anyhow, the military has left for the battle. I have research of my own to do in the meantime."

Robotnik entered another room, with more familiar faces. A multitude of Swatbots were out and about, doing labored tasks like mining. The master allowed Robotnik to do as he pleased in this place "You there!" Robotnik called to a Swatbot with a pickaxe, the automaton walking towards him. "Have we made progress on the excavation?"

"We have made 10% progress."

"Only 10%?" Robotnik hissed. He suddenly grabbed the robot by the collar, pushing it down and crushing its metal hide. "What did I program you Swatbots for!?"

"I-It's not our fault!" the Swatbot cried. Though they were originally designed as mindless automatons, in time Robotnik learned that didn't suit his needs. He then programmed them with a greater capacity for independent thought and even some emotion, albeit with an overriding directive for obedience towards him. "Your designs, sir…we've never designed something so…monstrous!"

Robotnik sighed as he pushed it over. "Go fix your breastplate, and get back to work!"

"Thank you, sir!" the Swatbot saluted.

Robotnik simply sighed. Pulling out a small portable computer (similar to Nicole) Robotnik observed the blueprints of the machine he planned to build on the screen. "I too dread what you are building."

Robotnik turned to see Crocbot approach him. He couldn't help but notice a brand-new set of legs under him. "I see you finally completed yourself." He commented.

"Well, I'd like to think of it as more of an upgrade." Crocbot replied as he patted his right thigh. "I can now merge with my tank like it's always been a part of me. But legs are generally more practical for smaller matters like going from one room to another."

"Indeed." Robotnik said.

"So, what now?"

Robotnik frowned. "Well, Fullmetal is off to confront Naugus."

"Can he win?" Crocbot asked. "If he could, I doubt you could have gained such leverage over him."

"True…" Robotnik rubbed his chin.

"Perhaps we should get that thing you keep in the capsule and put it to good use."

Robotnik slowly sneered. "I've already thought of that...and agree!" Robotnik roughly patted Crocbot on the shoulder. " THIS is why you've always been my favorite Sub-Boss!"

As Robotnik walked off, Crocbot sneered. "Just you wait…"

Robotnik then approached a capsule he kept hidden in a room. "This is a huge risk…I don't know how well I'll actually be able to control him once he goes off…" Hesitantly, Robotnik pushed a button on a remote. "…but perhaps magic is the best weapon against magic." The capsule opened, revealing Enerjak inside, lying in the fetal position. Quickly, Robotnik activated his collar, causing the echidna demi-god to spasm. As Robotnik took his finger off the switch, he allowed Enerjak to slowly stand. "I've a job for you." Robotnik said.

And that brings this chapter to a close! I hope you all enjoyed it! I will do everything I can to bring the next one up even faster!