Envy was furious. Of course he'd be. What else would he be after the Fullmetal pipsqueak and a gloveless Mustang with a lightning stick ganged up on him and knocked him out? When Envy saw that bastard without his famous gloves, he thought it would be so simple to just take him out! But no, instead he found himself locked up in some impenetrable glass cube!

To add insult to injury, they'd been so gracious to wrap a collar around his neck that electrocuted him every time he attempted to shapeshift! How the hell did that even work? It wasn't plugged up to anything! It shouldn't have that much power!

And yet, here he lay, panting on the bottom of his transparent prison, having failed yet another attempted escape. At the very least, he could say that the collar did not activate when his body set to healing the nerve damage.

Envy's little cell was hanging in some kind of laboratory, where several scientists were pondering before various displays, a few of which were showing him in various angles. He'd quickly figured out that they were hooked up to miniature cameras fastened to the walls. Yet another sign that, wherever he'd ended up, the technology was far more advanced than anything in Amestris or beyond its borders. Other displays showed his body's systems; cardiovascular over there, nervous system over there.

The scientists were ignoring him entirely. They had been, even before he'd run out of energy to scream indignantly at them. This infuriated him even more. He was a homunculus, for god's sake! A higher being, far superior to these little humans! And yet, Envy was in a cage, and they were not.

He grunted, forcing himself to his feet. If he couldn't aggravate them into letting him out, or even trying to kill him, he could at least get a good look at everyone.

Envy's eyes narrowed as his gaze fell on one scientist in particular. Was that who he thought it was?

His ruminations were cut short by the metal door at the far end of the room sliding open with a hiss. Two figures stepped inside, both wearing black suits. He recognized Mustang's bitch, Hawkeye, right off the bat. But the other... He had no earthly clue. Judging from his facial structure, he was probably Xingese in origin, but there was no telling if Xing was even a thing in this world.

Envy folded his arms, scowling as he studied the pair, who were clearly scrutinizing him in return.

Hawkeye stopped a few paces away from his cell, crossing her arms and scowling at him. "Clear the room," she announced to the staff.

Most of the scientists started for the door. All except one. A balding man in glasses and a white lab coat. "Uh, excuse me," he called out, his voice timid, almost unheard.

But Envy saw. And heard. It couldn't be. But it was. Envy fought to conceal a smirk, turning his gaze back to the agents.

The Xingese man kept watch on him, but Hawkeye turned to regard the scientist. Her scowl turned into a contemplative frown. "And you are?"

The scientist adjusted his round spectacles. "Uh, Doctor Shou Tucker, ma'am. Head of Anomalous Studies and Medical Applications."

Hawkeye sighed, nodding. "Let me guess, you need someone to keep an eye on his vitals?"

Shou blinked. "Y-yes, ma'am. You see, he's-"

"Just a yes would have sufficed," Hawkeye grumbled, rolling her eyes. "You can stay. But none of what you hear leaves this room."

"Oh, I-I know the drill, ma'am," he answered, turning back to the displays. "But, perhaps, afterwards-"

"Oh, don't you worry," the other agent interrupted with an all too cheerful laugh. "I'm more than certain your insights will be most useful."

"... Right," Tucker said with a nod, clearing his throat. "In one ear, and out the other."

Hawkeye turned back to the homunculus, studying him quietly for a moment.

Envy raised an eyebrow, taking in a deep breath. Now that he'd gotten a chance to breath, he was back in full fighting form. Not that it would do him much good in this moment, but at least he wasn't drooling on the floor.

Hawkeye pulled some kind of small, black tablet, tapping at it a few times. Finally, she handed it over to her partner, taking a deep breath. "I hear you tried to tangle with one of our agents."

Envy scoffed, smirking at them. "Quite a way to start a conversation. Then again, I guess it's always straight to the point with Riza Hawkeye, no matter what world she finds herself in."

Her eyes narrowed. Far less of a reaction than he'd expected. "I also heard you knew the names of some of our people. Including the man you attempted to murder."

Envy waved a hand. "Oh, Mustang's just lucky the little pipsqueak was there to save his hide."

The Xingese man started hopping from one foot to the next, waving a hand like an excited schoolgirl. "Ooh, ooh, do me! Do me next!" he cried out, actual tears falling from his eyes with all the anticipation. Envy was rather shocked to note that he hadn't even wet himself.

Envy just glared at the man, clearly annoyed. "I have no idea who you are."

The man froze in place, then cleared his throat. "Ah," he said, making a poor attempt to hide the actual pain in his voice. "I see." He sniffed, turning on his heel. "I... Need a moment, Hawkeye."

Hawkeye closed her eyes, doing her best to hide her own annoyance. "You can have a minute," she told him after a moment.

"Thank you," he answered, walking over to an unoccupied corner, where he set up a chair, sat in it, and proceeded to weep silently.

Envy watched him go, then turned his gaze back to Agent Hawkeye. "Quite the help you have," he remarked sarcastically.

Hawkeye's eyes opened once again, glaring daggers into the homunculus. "My partner is no concern of yours."

Envy pulled back, placing a hand on his chest and grinning wickedly. "Oooooo, now that's a surprise! I always thought you were a naturally occurring remora, latching forever to Mustang's shark."

Hawkeye's fists clenched for a second, but her gaze remained steady.

Envy giggled, pointing down at her hands. "Ah, ah, ah," he chided gently. "I saw that. Don't tell me I actually struck a nerve."

She remained still for a moment, then smirked, pulling out another small box. "Answer my questions, or I use this. A simple request, no?"

Envy's smirk turned upside down, studying the strange device. "And what exactly is that ugly little thing?"

"Oh, it's quite simple," Hawkeye answered, a little too cheerily as she held it up. The box bore five buttons, all at the wrong angle for him to read. "But I don't think you want to find out."

As much as Envy wanted to, he realized he was in a terrible situation to be calling her bluff. So he resigned himself to growling quietly, resting his head in his hands. "And what kind of questions do you have for me?"

"It is October 4th, of the year 1942, in the Common Era," Hohenheim was saying, adjusting his glasses. "Not quite where you last left me, I know. However, these are quite strange times. And strange places."

Edward glared at the image. So the old bastard had left him on his own yet again. Typical. It was shocking he hadn't seen it coming.

No, that was unfair, said the voice of a little boy in the back of his head. The voice of Alphonse. Always kind. Smart, but forgiving to a fault. Still, logic agreed with it thus far, so Edward settled in for the old man's explanation.

"I am afraid to tell you that this is not the world you saw with me the last time you came through the portal," Hohenheim said, snapping Edward out of his own thoughts. "I cannot tell you where this world even is to compare for you." He sighed heavily, shaking his head. "It does bear similarities, though. Names, places, certain events." He then smiled at the... Were they even using a camera for this? "But there are such wonderful differences in this world. All waiting for you to discover them."

Hohenheim sat down in a chair, his limbs starting to shake. "But I... Won't be there to help you along. I'm..." He placed a hand on his chest, smiling weakly. "I'm dying, you see. This body is slowly giving out. But..." He turned away from the camera, staring off into space. "But that's alright. I'm an old, evil man who's lived far too long. All I can hope is that what I leave behind is good enough to aid you." He returned his gaze to the camera. "Starting with the agents of SHIELD. The Supernatural Hazard Intervention Espionage and Logistics Directorate. The shield I leave behind for humanity's sake. If you're seeing this, they have found you, and you are in good hands." He smirked, adding, "No matter what faces they wear."

Edward snorted. He'd be the judge of that. Still, he was holding off all the questions that were burrowing away at the back of his brain. He could ask them later, and it wasn't as if Hohenheim could see it.

"If I am gone by the time you arrive," Hohenheim continued, "SHIELD will provide all the credentials you need, as well as the manor these people insist I deserve, and everything held within. I trust that you'll adjust like a champion."

Edward glanced around at all these people, and their strange technology. He'd never known as much about mechanics and engineering as Winry, but he certainly knew enough for Amestris. And he was the youngest alchemist to pass the State Alchemy Exams... Yeah, Hohenheim had him right there. He'd be fine.

Hohenheim glanced off camera as a muffled voice called out. "I'll be right there," he called out, getting back to his feet. "Just finishing up." He turned back to the camera again, smiling. "I'll leave behind some notes, if you have more questions. I'm sorry I can't help you more, children." He then bowed to the camera. "Please, forgive an old man for rushing back to work."

He then stood up, blinking at the camera. "Uh... I believe this is where we cut?"

"Oh, righ-" said the voice of a younger King Bradley, just as the video came to a halt.

Edward stared wordlessly at the tablet, hands clenching and unclenching as he processed the words of his father. So. This was not the world he'd briefly visited. And now, Hohenheim was undoubtedly long since dead. Gone too soon for Ed to slug in the face. Edward was here, now. Along with Envy, who was probably facing more grueling interrogation than he was.

He glanced up at the men across from him. Hughes and Bradley. A mix he'd never even imagined before.

No matter what faces they wear, Hohenheim had said. Well, Granny and Mustang had been wrong about Edward. He always listened to his elders. It was the obeying part that didn't come as naturally.

He studied Bradley for a second, doing some quick, mental math. "You're, uh, looking pretty spry for someone who knew Hohenheim."

Bradley chuckled, shaking his head. "I always wondered who that recording was made for," he remarked wistfully. "And you match his description to a T."

Ed's eyes narrowed. "Nice eyepatch you got there," he stated. "I wonder what's underneath."

Hughes winced, but Bradley burst out in laughter. "You certainly don't beat around the bush, young man," he pronounced, as if congratulating him. "Very well," he added, reaching up to his face. "If you're that curious..."

Ed and Hughes' eyes widened as Bradley removed the patch, and a scarred, blue eye, clouded over in a cracked, frosty mist.

So this Bradley wasn't a homunculus.

Bradley simply smiled on through the tense silence. "Are we satisfied?" he asked after a moment.

Ed sighed, folding his arms and scowling at the man, trying his darndest to look somewhat unimpressed. "We're satisfied," he grumbled.

"Wonderful," Bradley answered, donning the patch once again. "Even after all these years, it's so weird to open up my eye and see..." He waved dramatically. "Nothing."

"I can imagine," Ed snarked. Damn it. Could he never shut up?

Bradley didn't seem offended in the slightest. He got to his feet, taking the tablet from the table. "I don't know how the old man lived most of his life," he said with a sigh, staring down at the screen. "But he ended it a good man." Bradley chuckled, giving Edward a smart salute. "And he told me of you. You may not trust us, but it is an honor to meet you, Edward Elric."

Ed stared openly at Bradley, even when Hughes mirrored his commander's pose in panic. He then scowled once more, waving a hand. "Oh, please, don't do that. You'll make me barf with all of these... Theatrics."

Bradley chuckled, shaking his head as he turned towards the door. "You're free to go where you wish, but I would suggest you stick with Agent Hughes for a moment. I've assigned him to handle your accommodations and whatnot." He glanced over his shoulder, adding, "Not to mention the fact that most of this building is off limits to the public."

"Color me surprised," Ed grumbled, rolling his eyes. He then shrugged, standing up himself. "But I guess I got no choice. Looks like it's just you and me, Hughes."

Hughes smirked, adjusting his glasses. "Not on a first name basis yet? I got ya, Elric." He strolled over to the young man, patting him on the back with a bit too much force. "You and I are gonna get on like a house and a fire."

Elric took a deep breath, nodding. "Right. Let's hope the old bastard didn't leave me a pile of ruins."

Bradley chuckled again, leading the way out of the interrogation room. "Please. Give the man some credit for seeing this coming at all. I certainly didn't when he told me." He stroked his chin in thought. "But, if I'm being honest, that wasn't the only reason we all thought he was crazy."

"Sounds like him," Ed muttered.

Bradley waved it off. "I'm sure you'll be wanting some rest, and I have other business to attend to. Do enjoy yourself, mister Elric."

Ed glanced up at him with a frown. "One more thing before you go."

Bradley raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"Envy," Ed said plainly. "What do you plan to do with him?"

Bradley tilted his head in thought. "Well, I think we can both agree that he is far too volatile to be released to the public. What would you suggest?"

Edward's frown deepened. "You're asking me?"

"Envy is a creature of alchemy, is he not?" Bradley asked. "I was assured that you were an expert in such matters."

Ed studied Bradley for a few more seconds, then sighed. "As long as you don't try to replicate him or anything crazy like that, I don't really care what you do with him. Just know that he won't die, no matter what you do."

Bradley nodded. "Thank you for your cooperation. If that's all, I believe you have a home to survey."

"Right," Hughes piped up, obviously glad for the end to a very awkward conversation. "I can take you straight there, unless you'd rather check something else out?"

Ed turned to regard Hughes for a moment. "Think there's an open library somewhere?"

Hughes grinned from ear to ear. "Oh, have I got the perfect spot for you!" Without so much as a how-do-you-do, he grabbed Edward's fleshy arm, practically dragging him away. "Come on," he said cheerfully, "You're gonna love it!"

Edward could only helplessly return Bradley's wave, watching the old man disappear around the corner as Hughes laughed like the good old maniac he was.