Saving One More Child

by boss_duck

Summary:

Ed goes back in time to save Nina, and throws the whole operation to fight Father on the promised day into chaos. Now it's up to him to bring everyone back together.

Chapter 1: Going back

The year was 1918. Ed and Al had both returned from their travels and were catching up and comparing notes.

“I found this funny thing,” commented Ed offhandedly, “about the possibility of time travel.”

“Oh wait, I found something about that too,” said Al, flipping back through his notebook. “It was all theoretical, but the notes were really detailed.”

“Hmm, more than one person’s crazy theory then,” said Ed, opening to the page in his notebook as well. “Let’s see what we have all together.”

It turned out what they had was complete instructions.

“Okay,” said Al slowly. “But do we actually have a reason to try to time travel besides curiosity? We don’t know anything about the risks.”

“Well, I know I’ve made my fair share of mistakes I’d like to fix,” said Ed.

“How would we know we wouldn’t accidentally make things worse?” asked Al.

“We don’t, but some things are worth the risk,” replied Ed, looking off into space.

“Brother, even going back in time we both know there isn’t anything we could do to save Mom,” said Al gently.

“I wasn’t thinking of Mom,” said Ed, turning to look at Al. “I was thinking of Nina.” They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, then Al sighed.

“Alright, who’s going back?” he asked.

“I’ll go,” said Ed quickly. “It sounds like it sends you back to whatever state you were in at the time, and I don’t want to make you live in that armour again.”

“Okay,” agreed Al, “but be careful. Don’t do anything too reckless.”

“I’ll be fine,” promised Ed. “I’ll see you in four years.”

“See you in a minute,” replied Al. And together, they tore a hole in time.

*

The year was 1914. Ed was confused, his short-term memory suddenly full of too many things at once. Before he had fully organized his thoughts, he heard a voice from behind him.

“See you two tomorrow,” said Tucker.

Ed whirled on his foot to face him, anger flooding his mind. Without thinking he swung with his right fist, catching Tucker in the face and knocking him backwards.

“Brother what are you doing?!” gasped Al.

“Daddy are you okay?!” gasped Nina.

“What the hell are you thinking turning your own daughter into a chimera just so you can pass your stupid test?!!” demanded Ed. Tucker stared at him, his annoying eyes bulging with shock.

“Brother! What are you talking about?” asked Al, glancing between the two of them.

“This bastard is planning on making Nina and Alexander into a chimera that can talk so he can pass his state alchemist review,” Ed growled, not taking his eyes off Tucker.

“How do you know?” asked Al.

“I just figured it out,” Ed lied. “You made the first talking chimera out of your wife. Didn’t you!”

“We all just do what we need to get by, don’t we?” asked Tucker.

“Shut up! Your actions aren’t justified!” Ed shouted. “And we’re nothing alike!”

“How are you going to prove any of this?” asked Tucker.

“People will believe me,” said Ed confidently. “You just watch.”

Ed reported Tucker to the military, and they arrested him while they investigated Ed’s claims. The next day was full of waiting as officers searched through Tucker’s house and notes for evidence.

“It’s a serious accusation you’re making against Tucker,” commented Mustang to Ed. “What makes you so sure?”

“I just know,” Ed answered simply. Mustang sighed.

The next day looked like it was just going to be more waiting, so Ed, already fed up from the day before, suggested to Al they go for a walk. It was raining outside, and Ed pulled his coat tightly around himself to keep warm. Once they were out of earshot from the military headquarters, Ed turned to Al as they walked.

“So, Al, I’m not going to be able to keep this secret from you so I might as well tell you now,” Ed said.

“Is this how you figured out what Tucker was planning?” Al asked.

“Yes, but there’s more to it than that,” explained Ed. Taking a deep breath, he went on, “I’m from the future.”

“What?” said Al, stopping in his tracks.

“Like, I was in the future, and I went back in time to two days ago to save Nina,” Ed clarified.

“How far in the future?” asked Al. “You look the same.”

“Yeah, that’s because my body reverted back to how it was at the time,” said Ed. “I’m from four years in the future.”

“We invent time travel in only four years?” asked Al.

“Well, we don’t invent it. We were doing research and came across some people’s theories on it and decided to try it out.”

“I see, but why come back here? I mean, why not go back further and stop us from trying to bring back Mom?” Al asked.

“Oh, well, we’ve already got your body back in the future, so that seems less important,” Ed admitted.

“Really?!” gasped Al excitedly. “How?”

“Well, it’s kinda a long story, but I guess I could start- wait is that-?” Ed interrupted himself seeing a figure approaching them down the street, a figure with an x shaped scar over his face. “Dammit! Al, run!” shouted Ed, turning on his heel and taking off down the street back the way they had come.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” asked Al, keeping pace. Ed heard the now running footsteps of Scar on their tail.

“That’s Scar. We need to get back before-” He saw Scar’s hand just in time and turned, throwing up his right arm to black. Scar caught his wrist and there was a flash of alchemy, but nothing happened. Scar looked surprised and Ed took the moment to pull his arm free and run again.

“Your arm isn’t made of flesh,” Scar said, quickly catching up again. “Is it automail?”

“What do you want with us?” Al shouted back to Scar.

“Nothing with you,” Scar answered. “Only the Fullmetal Alchemist.”

Scar was too close and reaching out again. Ed dove to the side and rolled while he clapped and put his hands to the ground to send pavement striking towards Scar. Scar easily destroyed the spikes and lunged towards Ed. Al moved to stop him.

“Al! Look out!” Ed shouted. But too late.

Scar’s hand struck Al’s side and his armour around it disintegrated. Al gasped, falling to the ground.

“There’s nothing inside,” said Scar in shock.

“Get the hell away from my little brother!” shouted Ed, forgetting caution and running at Scar with his right fist raised to punch.

Scar caught his arm.

Ed was flung backwards with the force of his automail arm exploding and he tumbled to the ground.

“Brother!” gasped Al in alarm. Ed remembered this moment: bargaining with Scar to not kill Al. Being rescued just in time by Mustang and the others. How angry Al had been. But wait, Mustang only knew Scar was in town because he had killed Tucker the day before, and that hadn’t happened this time.

“Do you have any last words?” asked Scar, stepping towards him.

“Yeah,” said Ed, jumping to his feet and pulling off his soaking wet coat. “You better run fast.” Throwing the coat at Scar’s face, Ed took off down the street. Scar was gaining on him, but Ed could see the military headquarters up ahead now. “Help!” he shouted to the officers standing outside on guard.

Scar was reaching out again, so Ed dove to the ground and flung out his left foot to try to trip him. Jumping back quickly, Scar caught hold of Ed’s ankle and again there was a flash of alchemy with no result.

“Is that artificial too?” Scar asked coldly as Ed pulled his foot free.

One of the officers from the gate was running towards them now, and Ed jumped up to run. Scar jumped back and to the side as the officer fired his gun, and Ed took the opportunity to run even closer to the buildings. He heard the officer gasp behind him, and Ed turned back to see him falling into a crumbling hole Scar had made in the street. Then Scar was on him again. Ed dove forward, but not fast enough.

Scar caught his left arm at the elbow.

Pain rushed through Ed, searing, debilitating, unbearable. He was being torn apart. He crumpled to the ground as a scream left his mouth. Looking up in horror he saw Scar approaching, saw him reaching down.

Suddenly Scar jumped back again, and Ed registered the sounds of gunshots over his own cries. He looked back towards the military headquarters to see a large group of people rushing outside. A moment later Havoc was at his side.

“Hey, Elric, say something,” Havoc said. Ed looked down at himself, noticing the large pool of blood growing on the ground where his left arm ought of have been.

“I’m alive,” Ed answered.

“For now,” added Havoc, pulling off his jacket and wrapping it around the stump that was left of Ed’s arm. As Havoc tied it tighter, Ed looked up to see Armstrong and Scar fighting. His vision was getting blurry.

“Al is down the street,” Ed said to Havoc urgently, realizing he was probably going to pass out. “His armour is broken. He can’t move. He needs help.”

“One thing at a time,” complained Havoc. “You need help first. Elric? Elric!”

Ed was only vaguely aware of Havoc shouting. Things were getting quieter now, and everything was fading to black.

Chapter 2: Changes

Ed awoke in a hospital. Trying to sit up, he looked down in confusion to see why if was so hard. As the blanket fell away, he realized the problem: he didn’t have any arms. Dammit. Ed let out a frustrated noise and lay back down on the bed. What was he supposed to do now? Hearing footsteps entering the room, Ed turned his head to see Mustang and Hawkeye.

“So, you’re finally awake. We were getting worried,” commented Mustang.

“How long was I out?” asked Ed.

“Five and a half hours,” Mustang answered.

“Whatever, that’s not that long,” commented Ed dismissively. Mustang sighed.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Annoyed,” Ed answered. “I can’t believe I lost my arm.” Suddenly more clearer memories came back to him and he sat up with a jolt. “Al!” he gasped. “Did someone get him? Is he okay?!”

“You shouldn’t move so much,” Mustang cautioned, concern on his face. “Alphonse is in my office. He’s mostly just worried about you.”

“Oh, that’s good,” said Ed. “We have to go to Resembool.”

“I don’t think you two are in any condition to travel,” pointed out Mustang.

“I need my hands before I can fix his armour, though, and I need my automail fixed for that,” argued Ed. “And new automail too, I guess.”

“Shouldn’t you recover more first?” suggested Mustang.

“No, it’ll take a long time to install so I better start it right away.” Ed answered seriously.

“Are you really in that big a hurry?” asked Mustang.

“Yes,” Ed answered simply.

“Alright, at least stay in the hospital overnight to recover a little more,” agreed Mustang.

“Fine,” agreed Ed. Turning to leave the room, Mustang paused mid-step and turned back.

“Do you have any questions about the man who attacked you?” he asked.

“No, he’s a bastard and I’m mad at him,” Ed answered without thinking, then realized he probably should. “I mean, he’s the guy that’s been killing state alchemists in Central, right?”

“I hadn’t realized you were following that,” commented Mustang. “Yes, we think now that he is. We also know now that he’s Ishvalan. The Ishval Civil War is before your time in the military so I can fill you in on what happened.”

“I’m really not in the mood for a lecture right now,” complained Ed. He had already heard what Mustang had to say and he was in pain. He knew now that the homunculi had started the war on purpose – that the entire country was formed with their purposes in mind and that the tragedy that was the genocide in Ishval was nothing more than another bloody point in their transmutation circle to them. He didn’t want to hear Mustang’s sad thoughts on the incident again.

“It’s disrespectful to not care about your history,” said Mustang.

“I know, but you really don’t have to tell me about it now,” said Ed. “I’ll explain why later, okay?” He couldn’t tell Mustang what he knew now; he was in a military hospital and anyone could be listening at the door.

Mustang sighed, “I’ll hold you to that Fullmetal. Now get some rest.” With that, Mustang and Hawkeye left the room and Ed was alone. Slowly, he lay back down in the bed.

The next day Ed’s new arm stump hurt even more, but he gritted his teeth and got ready to go as best he could. A nurse had just helped him put his pants on (damn it was embarrassing not being able to dress himself at all) when Armstrong opened the door and walked in carrying Al in a wooden box.

“Edward Elric! I will be accompanying the two of you on your trip to Resembool,” Armstrong announced.

“Right, okay Major,” Ed agreed. He knew from last time there was no point arguing, and honestly, he supposed they needed someone with them to carry Al. “Al, you doing okay?” Ed asked.

“I guess,” said Al sadly. “But what about you? You don’t have any arms!”

“Yeah, I noticed,” said Ed.

“Here you go,” said the nurse, draping Ed’s coat over what was left of his shoulders.

“Thanks,” said Ed, then turned to Armstrong and Al. “Let’s go.”

Walking to the train station turned out to be exhausting, and Ed quickly fell asleep once they boarded. He woke up a little while later as the train stopped in a small town along the way. Opening his eyes, Ed noticed Armstrong intently looking out the window.

“Is that…?” Armstrong mumbled, standing up and leaning over Ed to see better.

“What?” asked Ed.

“I’m sure that man is someone I know,” answered Armstrong. Armstrong looked to be about to shout something out the window.

“Oh, Marco,” commented Ed with a yawn. Armstrong froze.

“How do you know of Doctor Marco?” Armstrong asked with a startled expression on his face.

“Oh, damn, umm…” Ed trailed off, struggling to think of an excuse.

“Edward Elric,” Armstrong said, his voice low, “you seem to know many things with very little explanation.”

“Only, like, two things,” Ed corrected. “That isn’t that many.” Armstrong gave him a look. “Okay fine! Whatever! But I don’t want to talk about it here.”

“Very well,” agreed Armstrong, “I will ask you again later.”

The rest of the train ride was uneventful, and they soon arrived in Resembool. Armstrong retrieved Al from the luggage compartment, and they began to walk. Almost immediately, Ed was exhausted.

“Brother are you okay?” asked Al, his voice full of concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Ed huffed as he tried to catch his breath. “I just lost a lot of blood yesterday. I just need a minute.”

“Perhaps I could assist you,” offered Armstrong. “I could carry you with my other arm and-”

“I’m fine,” insisted Ed. “Don’t pick me up.”

“Very well,” said Armstrong.

It took them an embarrassing amount of time to get through town, and they were going even slower by the time they got out into the countryside. After a while of walking, Ed sat down heavily on the side of the road.

“I- I just need a minute,” Ed gasped out between heavy breaths. The world around him was spinning a little.

“Brother I’m worried,” said Al.

“Edward Elric, perhaps I should go back to town to request assistance,” said Armstrong.

“Seriously, I’m fine,” Ed argued. “I just need to catch my breath. I’ve come way closer to dying then this so trust me that I know I’m fine.”

“I know you lost two limbs before but losing another one is still serious!” insisted Al.

“That wasn’t what I-” Ed began, then realized the time he was thinking of hadn’t happened yet. Ed sighed in frustration, “Why is time so damn complicated?!”

“Edward Elric would perhaps now be an acceptable time for you to explain your mysterious knowledge?” asked Armstrong.

“Fine,” sighed Ed. “Don’t freak out or anything, but I’m from the future. Well, sort of. I’m back in the state my body was in at the time it’s just that I have memories from the future. There isn’t two of me running around or anything.”

“How is that possible?” asked Armstrong.

“It’s complicated. We kinda transmuted a hole in time, and I went through it. I don’t have my notes on it anymore though and it’s kinda hard to explain beyond that without them.”

“Have you also travelled through time?” Armstrong asked Al.

“No, it’s just Brother,” Al answered.

“So that is how you knew the man I saw was Doctor Marco, and how you knew about Doctor Tucker’s plans,” commented Armstrong thoughtfully.

“Yeah, and that one’s the reason I came back – to save Nina,” explained Ed.

“How incredibly compassionate!” Armstrong exclaimed, suddenly in tears. “To risk travelling through time to save a child!”

“Yeah, whatever, I just hope it worked.”

It was late evening by the time they reached the Rockbell home, though the summer sun was still shining. Ed walked up to the door first, then realized he couldn’t knock and stepped back for Armstrong to instead. Pinako opened the door.

“Hello! I am Major Alex Louis Armstrong. I have travelled here with Edward and Alphonse Elric to ensure their safe journey,” Armstrong announced. Pinako stared up at him, her mouth open.

“Hey Granny,” said Ed, squeezing past Armstrong through the doorway. “Sorry about bringing him. Didn’t have a choice.”

“Well, come in, then,” said Pinako. “We were just having dinner.”

“Ed!” Winry exclaimed as he walked farther into the house. “What’re you doing here?”

“Yeah, well, I, umm, maybe broke my automail a little bit?” Ed answered, his words getting steadily quieter.

Immediately frowning, Winry said, “Show me.” Before Ed could answer she had walked up and grabbed his empty right sleeve. “Where is it??”

“Major Armstrong’s got it in my suitcase,” Ed answered, bracing himself for the scream he knew was coming when she opened it.

“My beautiful automail!” Winry shrieked. “What have you done to it?!”

“It’s just in a few pieces. You can put it back together, right?” Ed joked. Winry turned on him.

“I have to rebuild it from scratch! Do you know how much effort it takes to-” Winry shouted, grabbing at where his left arm should have been. His coat fell off in her hand. “Ed!” Winry gasped. “What happened to your arm??!!!”

“Stuff happens,” answered Ed with an approximation of a shrug.

“Ed that is not the kind of thing that just happens!”

“When did this happen?” asked Pinako more calmly.

“Yesterday morning,” answered Ed. “Can you two make me more automail?”

Pinako sighed, “Of course, though I’m sure you’ll understand that we’d rather we didn’t have to.”

“Yeah, I know,” agreed Ed. “It’s not like I did it on purpose.”

“Well, perhaps it would be best for me to leave you now,” suggested Armstrong. “I do not wish to impose.”

“Nonsense, it’s nighttime. You can stay until the morning,” insisted Pinako. She got some food ready for them and, much to Ed’s embarrassment, insisted on feeding him.

“What if instead I just don’t eat until I have an arm to use,” suggested Ed.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Pinako. “Now open your mouth.”

The next day Armstrong left, promising Ed and Al that he would keep track of the Tucker investigation in their stead. Ed sat down by Al.

“Sorry it’s going to be a while before I can put your armour back together,” said Ed.

“It’s okay,” said Al. “Don’t rush your recovery for my sake.” Al paused then continued, “It must be terrible to have to go through it all again.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ed, confused.

“You lost your left arm again, didn’t you? Since you’ve already lived through this time?”

“No, actually, I didn’t lose my left arm the first time,” corrected Ed. “This is new.”

Chapter 3: Recovery

“The installation and recovery will take about a year,” said Winry.

“That’s too long,” complained Ed. “I’ll do it in 3 months.”

“You can’t just pick random numbers!” insisted Winry. “It’ll take at least 11 or 12 month and that’s already considering how quickly you recovered last time.”

“I can’t wait that long though,” said Ed. “But fine, 6 months. I’ll be done by the end of the year.”

“Maybe you could do it in 10 months, but 6 is still too fast.”

“8 months, then. I need to be recovered before next spring.”

“Why are you always in such a hurry?!” demanded Winry.

“Because it’s important!” The two of them stared at each other in frustration. Ed didn’t want to tell her why it was important. He didn’t want to be the bearer of the news that they were all going to die next spring if something wasn’t done about it. He didn’t want to make everything that stressful so early. Finally, Pinako broke the silence.

“Well, Ed was correct when he said he could recover from losing his arm and leg in one year. I say we trust him that he can recover from this in 8 months.” Winry turned her glare onto Pinako and she sighed. “Besides, 8 months gives him plenty of time to feel comfortable telling us why it’s so important.” Ed scowled. But that decided it.

It was a familiar process, installing automail, but that didn’t make it any easier. Ed found himself screaming and crying just as much as he had at 11 years old, which was extra frustrating since he now thought of himself as 19. Days blurred together and he slept so much he wasn’t completely sure when the lines between them were supposed to be anyway. But he needed to keep his strength up, he realized, since he was back to supporting Al through his health as well. Winry and Pinako made him a new right arm and left leg in the breaks where they needed to stop installing to allow Ed to heal, though they didn’t hook it up to him until he was well enough to be out of bed on his own.

By the time Ed was up and walking again, it was already late autumn. Being only without one arm was more manageable though – he could finally dress and feed himself again. Then they started attaching the new automail to him. The weight was constantly throwing him off, and he struggled to move the new arm. Finally, he was sure he could get it to do what he wanted.

“Alright Al,” said Ed, opening up his box. “Time to get you fixed up.” Ed placed his hands together, feeling the spark and crackle of a transmutation starting. He savoured the feeling, knowing it would not be long until he wouldn’t be able to do this anymore. Placing his hands on Al, he reassembled the armour. Al stood up and moved his reattached limbs.

“Thanks Brother! It feels great to be able to move again!” said Al happily.

“Yeah, sorry it took so long,” said Ed, looking away.

“Don’t be, it wasn’t your fault,” said Al.

Ed sighed, “Whatever, there probably isn’t any point arguing about that. Let’s go spar.” They sparred for a few minutes, though Ed quickly found his left arm stump in pain and had to stop. Noticing Winry and Pinako watching from the doorway, Ed called out as he neared the house, “See? Look at me not pushing myself too far.”

“I think you have a twisted sense of what ‘too far’ means,” commented Winry.

“It’ll still be a couple more months before you’re fully recovered, but I’m impressed – your recovery is right on schedule,” said Pinako. Ed grinned. As they all went inside, she commented, “Now, I think it’s best if we had a talk.”

“What’s up?” asked Ed.

Pinako gestured for them all to sit down around the table then said, “You still haven’t explained how you lost your left arm, or why it was so important you recovered quickly.”

“Oh, right,” said Ed. “That’s going to be a lot of explaining.”

“That’s alright. Take your time,” said Pinako with a smile.

Ed sighed, “Okay, so, first of all, I went back in time.”

“How?” interrupted Winry. “And to when?”

“With a variation on a type of alchemy. And to now, or at least, to last summer. And I’ve been living here in the past ever since,” Ed explained.

“What do you mean? Now is the present,” said Winry.

“From your perspective, yeah, but I’ve already lived through the year 1914. In fact, the year was 1918 when I left.”

Winry blinked, “Wait, so you’re from the future?”

“Yup,” answered Ed.

“Then you really don’t grow anymore, huh?” Winry teased.

“Do you mind?! I’m trying to have a serious conversation here without you making fun of me for something that isn’t even true because I’m not short! And for your information, I do grow, a lot actually!”

Winry laughed, “Then why are you still the same height?”

“Because I didn’t come back how I was in the present – I returned to my body how it was in the summer of 1914,” Ed explained with a scowl.

“Okay, so how does this explain how you lost your arm?” prompted Pinako.

“Right, well, I didn’t lose my arm the first time around, so that came as a surprise to me,” admitted Ed. “But I fought Scar and because of something I changed I didn’t get back-up until later this time and he got me in the arm.”

“Who’s Scar? Did you beat him?” asked Winry. She looked ready to hit someone with her wrench.

“No, he got away,” Ed said, picking the easier part to answer first. “Scar is… He’s complicated. On the one hand I hate him and on the other hand he kinda helped us save everyone in the country so…”

“Save everyone from what?” Winry asked.

Ed sighed, “That’s getting into the reason I’m in a hurry to recover. Something big is going down in Amestris and unless people stop it everyone is going to die. Al and I were some of the people who helped stop it, so I think we should be there again.” There was silence around the table as everyone stared at him. Ed gulped.

“Brother! Why didn’t you say something sooner??!” demanded Al.

“I didn’t want to worry you while you were stuck in a box!” said Ed.

“This sounds like something worth worrying about!” Al insisted.

“What do you mean, everyone?” asked Winry. Looking pale.

“Everyone in Amestris,” Ed clarified. “If you get out of the country than you’ll be safe.”

“But why? How?” Winry asked.

“The entire country is actually a transmutation circle, it was made to be one from the very beginning,” Ed explained. “And it’s going to be activated next spring.” Again, everyone was staring at him. Ed sighed, “Look, I know it’s a lot, sorry.”

Ed explained more of the details over the next few days, all the while trying his best to recover fast. He was still dropping cups and braking pens and his stump ached most of the time. One afternoon he was sitting at the table reading his notebook when there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” announced Pinako, rushing by before Ed could get up. He heard the sound of the door opening, then Pinako gasped, “Hohenheim?!” Struggling out of his chair, Ed rushed to the door.

“Hello Pinako, is it alright if I-” Hohenheim was saying, then he looked up. “Edward, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Whatever! You’re a fucking awful dad and I’m still mad at you for leaving and don’t you dare try to guilt trip me about burning down the house because you weren’t living in it anyway,” Ed shouted, pointing at him. There were tears in Ed’s eyes. Dammit. “Now get in here so we can plan how to take down the homunculi!”

With a shaken expression Hohenheim came in and Ed explained for what felt like the hundredth time how he knew what was going on.

“It seems a risky thing to do, going back in time to possibly ruin a plan that worked to save everyone just to add saving one more child,” commented Hohenheim when Ed was done. Ed opened his mouth to retort but Hohenheim continued, “But I understand. And I think it’s the right thing to do.” From there they went to planning. Hohenheim had almost completed his reverse transmutation circle. Ed had a long list of people who they could probably trust to work with them and also who all the homunculi were. With a complex mix of emotions on his face, Hohenheim said, “To think I’ve assumed for so long that I would have to fight him alone.”

“Get over yourself, you’re not that special,” said Ed flatly and Hohenheim burst into laughter.

Hohenheim didn’t stay long, since he needed to get back to making his counter circle in case they didn’t stop the homunculi before the promised day. A little while after he left and everyone else was getting ready for bed, Pinako sat up with a start.

“Oh dear, I forgot to tell Hohenheim something that Trisha told me to,” she said.

“Don’t worry about it,” commented Ed. “He already knows and telling him just makes him cry.”

Winter started. Ed bundled up inside, surprised by how much colder it was to be missing both arms rather than just the one. The pain was getting better, though there were still bad days. Seeing the snow start to fall outside, Ed got up and moved closer to the fireplace.

“You look hilarious,” Winry laughed as she saw him there.

“I’m cold,” Ed pouted. “You know if I go somewhere really cold like up north than you have to make automail out of carbon fiber instead or it’ll stop working and also give me frostbite.”

“Did you get frostbite from it in your other timeline?” Winry asked, sitting down next to Ed and stealing one of his blankets.

“No, we caught it in time, thankfully, but you needed to come to Briggs to make me new automail when it stopped working.” Winry laughed.

“Hey Ed, in the future, are we-”

Suddenly they heard a crash from the other room. Ed and Winry both jumped up and ran to see what had happened. Al was collapsed on the floor, his helmet half a metre away.

“Al!” Ed gasped, “Al, say something!”

“Al!” Winry called as well. There was no answer from Al. Together they turned him onto his back and Ed examined the blood seal.

“It looks fine,” he said in confusion. “Why is he- oh wait.”

“What?” asked Winry.

“It’s his body calling his soul back. Al said it started happening after we went to Briggs. He’d collapse for a little while and see his body. Then wake up here again,” Ed explained. “I guess it’s happening already.”

“What can we do?” asked Winry worriedly.

“For now,” said Ed with a grimace, “all we can do is wait.”

Chapter 4: Decisions

Finally, Al came to.

“Brother! I saw my body! Just like you said!” said Al excitedly. “I look awful.”

“Yeah, you’ll start recovering once we get you back,” Ed promised.

“Brother, how do we get out bodies back? You’ve explained a lot of other stuff but not that.”

“Well, it’s all about exchanges,” Ed said a little nervously. “And to get you back I needed to give up my alchemy.”

“Like your ability to not use a transmutation circle?” asked Al.

“No, all of it – in the future I’m not an alchemist anymore.”

“How, how do you manage without alchemy?” Al asked in a concerned tone.

“I was still getting used to it,” admitted Ed. “But that happened after all the fighting was over so there weren’t people trying to kill me anymore at least.”

“Okay, so we should wait until after the promised day to do that then,” commented Al.

“I guess…” Ed said sullenly. “But I’m worried about you spacing out. I wasn’t with you when they started last time, so I don’t know exactly when that was. What if it’s starting earlier this time? What if we have less time now?”

“Why would that be?” asked Al.

“Well, your body is getting it’s nutrients and rest from the food I eat and the sleep I… sleep,” Ed explained, trying and failing to think of a better way to word that. “But in this timeline, I lost a limb and needed more of my energy to recover. What if that means less is going to you?”

“I- I did look bad,” commented Al worriedly. “But you weren’t surprised by that – I looked bad in your timeline too, right?”

“Yeah, really skinny and frail,” Ed agreed. “But how do we know if you’re the same amount skinny? Maybe it would be better if I brought back your body now.”

“Brother, I- I really do want to have my body again, but if the price is your alchemy, I don’t think it’s a good idea to do it now when you still need to fight. Besides,” Al went on in a lighter tone, “you said my spacing out was going to happen multiple times, right? This was only the first time. I bet we have lots of time still left before we need to worry about me.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Ed.

Ed continued to recover, and as winter neared its end, he finally felt he had his new automail under control. Al continued losing consciousness occasionally and it made Ed panic every time, but so far, he always came back on his own. Finally, it was time for Ed and Al to go.

“I know it all worked out before,” Ed said, turning back to Winry and Pinako. “But just in case we don’t win this time, maybe you two should head out of the country for a while.”

“As if,” laughed Winry. “I know you two and going to save everyone.”

With that, Ed and Al made their way away.

“Aren’t we stopping in East City?” asked Al as Ed led the way to their next train.

“Nope, the colonel’s been transferred to Central by now, so we’ve got to meet him there,” Ed answered, and they boarded the train.

Arriving in Central, Ed led the way to Central Command and towards where he knew Mustang would be. Ed heard the officers in the hallways whispering about him as they passed. He ignored them, staring straight ahead, barely noticing the familiar person approaching from his side until he spoke.

“Ed! Al! I didn’t know you two were in Central!” said Hughes. Ed froze. Slowly, he turned his head to face Hughes, see his cheerful, carefree smile.

“Hughes! It’s great to see you again!” answered Al happily. Ed hadn’t told him. He didn’t know.

“Ed, I heard you were really injured from your fight with Scar. I’m glad to see you doing better,” Hughes continued. “Ed?” His vision was going blurry, and Ed realized it was because he had started crying.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” asked Al.

Wiping at his tears quickly with his sleeve, Ed said to Hughes, “I need to talk to you. But I’m getting the colonel first, so I only have to explain once.”

“Hey, hey, that’s fine,” agreed Hughes. “Why don’t I go get Roy and then come meet you? Where do you want to talk?”

“Outside,” answered Ed. “We can walk.” Ed and Al went back outside to wait.

“Brother,” began Al as Ed sat down to continue crying.

“It’s fine,” Ed choked out. “I- I just didn’t know he’d be alive.”

Quietly, Al asked, “Does Hughes die in the future?”

“No, by this time in my old timeline he was already dead.”

It only took a couple minutes for Hughes and Mustang to join them, and Ed hurriedly wiped away the remainder of his tears.

“Fullmetal, it’s good to see you recovered,” said Mustang as he and Hughes approached. “I hear you have something to talk about?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” said Ed, and began walking. Ed waited to be away from Central Command, then looked around to make sure they weren’t being followed. Then, taking a deep breath, he launched his well-practiced explanation.

“That’s a lot to take in,” commented Mustang when Ed was finished.

“You know it’s bad when the time travel isn’t even the wildest thing,” agreed Hughes, pushing up his glasses to rub his eyes.

“Yeah, sorry I couldn’t warn you sooner – it’s not really something to talk about over the phone. I can tell you who in the military helped us last time so you know you can trust them and then, I don’t know, you can organize something?”

“Hopefully it’s a long list.”

They continued talking for a while longer, Ed answering Mustang and Hughes’s questions as best he could. Eventually they decided they had been gone long enough people would be getting suspicious.

“Don’t get caught,” Ed told them as they turned to go.

“We won’t,” Hughes assured him.

“Where are you two going now?” asked Mustang.

“Dublith,” Ed answered. “We’re going to go talk to our old alchemy teacher.”

“Okay, I’ll make up something for me to have sent you to Dublith for,” said Mustang.

“Thanks, we’ll come back and check in after,” said Ed, and the two groups parted ways.

Ed knocked on the door to Izumi’s house, then quickly stepped to the side to avoid her kick to his face.

“You’ve gotten faster,” commented Izumi, standing up again and turning to him.

“No, I just knew you were gonna do that,” Ed admitted. “Can we come in? I have something to tell you.”

“So, you’re telling me,” Izumi said as Ed finished his explanation, “that you performed human transmutation and you didn’t go back in time to stop yourselves from doing that?”

“Yeah, so, another thing – the person you create when you try to bring someone back isn’t the person who died; you don’t make them die twice by doing that,” Ed explained. Izumi stared at him, both horrified and hopeful.

“I- I need some time to think about this,” said Izumi.

“Of course,” Ed agreed. “Do you want us to wait outside?” Izumi nodded. Ed and Al sat in the front yard, waiting. They could hear Izumi crying from inside, but they pretended they couldn’t. They heard Izumi and Sig talking but couldn’t make out the words. Finally, Izumi opened the door again.

“Okay, back to this threat to everyone in the country – tell me more about that.”

Going back inside, Ed explained, “Yeah, so the entire country is a transmutation circle and the bastard behind it needs five human sacrifices – people who have performed human transmutation – to make it work. So, like, the obvious choices for you are to either get out of the country so he can’t find you or go to Central and fight him.”

“What are you two doing?” Izumi asked.

“Al and I are gonna fight him. We think with enough people we can defeat him before he activates the circle,” answered Ed.

“If all three of us left, wouldn’t that also stop his plans?” asked Izumi.

“For a bit, but we know he can force people into performing the transmutation so it might take him longer, but he will be able to make more sacrifices.”

Izumi sighed, “If all my leaving does is delay, then I might as well fight.”

Ed went over the rest of the details with her: when and where things would go down, who was on their side, who they were up against. It was late by the time they were done so Izumi insisted they stay overnight. The next day, they returned to Central.

“Back already?” commented Mustang as Ed and Al stepped into his office.

“Yup,” answered Ed.

“So, what now?” Mustang asked.

“I was hoping to take some time off between missions to do a little alchemy research, you know, like I used to do a lot?” It seemed like a good excuse.

“Right, makes sense,” agreed Mustang. “Is there any support you need from me?”

“No, but do you know off hand where Hughes is? I have a question for him.” Mustang directed him and Al the right way, and Ed managed not to cry this time when he saw him.

“Ed! Al! How’ve you been?” asked Hughes enthusiastically.

“Great,” answered Ed. “I have a question though. You’re still in charge of the Scar investigation, right?”

“Well, the information side of things yeah – I’m not the one in charge of actually bringing him in,” Hughes answered.

“Great, then you know where abouts he is?” asked Ed eagerly.

“Yeah, he was last seen up by North City,” said Hughes. “But why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason,” lied Ed. “Thanks.” He turned to leave.

“Edward, you be careful,” said Hughes, his tone turning serious. “Kimblee is the one sent to take down Scar and he doesn’t like people getting in his way.”

“I know,” answered Ed. “We’ll be fine.”

From there, they got on a train to North City.

“You’re sure you can convince Scar to help us?” asked Al quietly.

“He helped last time, so I don’t see why not,” Ed answered. “And if he doesn’t then I’ll beat him up – it’s a win-win.”

“Brother, I don’t see why you’re so confident. Scar almost killed you last time you fought.”

“Yeah, but this time I’m more prepared,” Ed grinned. “Seriously Al, it’ll be fine.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Al, and the train trundled on.

Chapter 5: Turning cold

They arrived in North City and Ed began shivering uncontrollably.

“I need another coat,” he said, his teeth chattering, so their first stop was to a clothing store to buy more layers. “Damn it’s cold,” Ed said as they stepped back outside.

“So how do we find Scar?” asked Al.

“Well, we could wonder around looking for him, or we could make a big scene and hope he comes to us,” answered Ed. He looked around down the street and a short figure caught his eye. “Wait, I think we’ve got him.” Ed started running, and before she could get out of his sight, called out, “Mei!” Mei froze and looked around.

“Who said that?” she asked. Ed waved.

“Hi,” said Ed as he caught up to her. “I’m Edward Elric.”

“You mean the Fullmetal Alchemist?!” Mei said excitedly looking at him more closely, then frowned, “I thought you’d be taller.”

Ed scowled. “I’m still growing!” he insisted. “And I’m not even short! But that’s not the point,” he said regaining his composure. “I need your help.” Mei listened intently as Ed explained how he had come from the future and there was a huge threat to everyone in the country and that she had helped before and would she help again?

“Of course!” she agreed energetically. “But tell me, do I become emperor in the future?”

“Sorry, you don’t,” Ed admitted. “Ling does though, and I think he promises to look after your clan.”

Mei pouted, “Ling Yao? He’s here too? Why can’t it be the other way around?”

Ed shrugged, “Maybe it can – you two can figure that out when you meet. I haven’t found him yet in this timeline.”

“Alright, so where do we start with this people saving business?” asked Mei.

“Well, we want to get Scar on board too, so you could go explain it to him or you could show us where he is and we could,” Ed answered.

“Oh! Okay, I was just going back to him now – you can come too.” Mei skipped of down the road and Ed and Al followed quickly. Turning down into an alley, Mei called out, “I’m back!” Ed turned the corner after her, and there was Scar.

“Scar!” shouted Ed as Scar tensed to lunge, “Can we not fight for a minute – I need to talk to you.” Scar lunged towards him.

“There’s nothing I want to hear from a state alchemist,” Scar announced coldly as Ed dodged to the side.

“No wait! I get it – the military is fucked up. I’m quitting soon. But that’s not the point,” Ed struggled to explain while dodging. “But that’s because there’s homunculi secretly running the whole thing. The Fuhrer’s a homunculus. The country’s a transmutation circle. They’re gonna turn everyone into a giant philosopher’s stone.”

“And you expect me to trust you – dog of the military?” asked Scar.

“Yes! I’m from the future – I know it’ll all work out and we can stop them, but we need to work together.” Scar lunged for him. Ed dodged to the side, but there was a wall in the way. He collided with it hard, throwing up his arms to block Scar’s attack. Scar grabbed his right wrist.

“So, I’ve finally found you, Scar,” said a voice from the end of the alley. Ed turned his head to see Kimblee and the four chimera who were currently working for him. Scar let go of Ed’s wrist.

“I was wondering when I was going to fight you again, Crimson Alchemist,” said Scar, stepping towards Kimblee.

Jumping back to his feet, Ed shouted, “Heinkel! Darius! Zampano! Jerso! Kimblee and the bastards he’s working for are planning on sacrificing everyone in the country to make a giant philosopher’s stone. If you don’t want everyone you’ve ever cared about to die, then you better change sides fast.”

“What?!” gasped Darius as the rest of them made various expressions of alarm.

“Funny, I didn’t know you knew about that, Fullmetal Alchemist,” smiled Kimblee.

“Wait, it’s true?!!” gasped Jerso.

“Enough talking!” shouted Scar, throwing his hand up against the wall of one of the buildings and collapsing it towards the group at the end of the alley. Dust filled the area and Ed began coughing.

“Brother are you okay?” asked Al, running up to him.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Ed answered. They ran towards the end of the alley to see Scar and Kimblee now fighting in the street. Heinkel had been trapped by the rubble and the others were trying to dig him out. “Let me,” said Ed, clapping his hands together and transmuting the rubble out of the way. They all stared at him as Heinkel got up. Ignoring them for now, Ed stepped into the street just in time to see Kimblee sending a huge explosion rocketing towards Scar. Clapping his hands together again, Ed transmuted a wall out of the street to block it. Scar and Kimblee both turned to him with startled expressions from either side of the wall.

“Stay out of this!” called out Kimblee holding up his hands towards Ed. Suddenly the air was exploding towards him. Ed froze, remembering the collapsing mine. Was he going to die here?

“Brother!” Al shouted, tackling Ed out of the way just in time.

“Thanks Al,” Ed stammered, sitting back up.

Scar had taken the moment of Kimblee being distracted to get behind him, and now he reached out his hand. Kimblee whirled around to face him, holding up his own hands with the transmutation circles on them. Kimblee was fast, but he wasn’t fast enough. Scar had Kimblee’s head in his hand.

Blood splatted across the snow. Ed felt his stomach lurch as he saw Kimblee’s now lifeless body drop to the street. His blank eyes were staring, staring at Ed, glossy and empty and dead, and his head had been split open from the inside. Ed couldn’t take his eyes away, couldn’t stop staring at Kimblee’s distorted face. He couldn’t see anything else, couldn’t hear anything, was hardly aware of how he was shaking. Suddenly, he felt something touching his head.

Looking up, Ed saw Scar.

“Tell me why I should trust what you say, state alchemist,” said Scar coldly, his fingers clenching around Ed’s head. Ed snapped back to the moment, panicked. Scar was going to kill him. He was going to die just like Kimblee. He was going to die in front of Al. He needed to say something, fast.

“I didn’t want to work with you – even though I knew we needed your help,” Ed stammered out. “It took me a long time to forgive you, even longer than Winry.”

“Who?” asked Scar.

“Winry Rockbell,” Ed answered, and Scar’s face immediately shifted into shock. “Yeah, she’s the daughter of the doctors you killed. And she’s my best friend. It takes a long time, but she will forgive you when she sees how you work to change, how after everything settles, you’re on the side working for peace. She doesn’t know you killed her parents yet because I haven’t told her. And she’ll hate you when she first finds out. But I know in the future, in the time I came back from, she will forgive you – if you trust me.”

Ed closed his eyes, bracing for the blow that might still be coming. He didn’t know if that convinced Scar. He didn’t know if he was about to die. Then, slowly but deliberately, Scar removed his hand from Ed’s head. Ed opened his eyes.

“Alright,” said Scar, stepping back. “Tell me about these people I need to fight.” Taking a deep breath, Ed cautiously got to his feet.

“Okay,” he said, “but let’s get out of here first.” The now large group of them snuck away from the scene to find another alley to talk in and Ed explained the situation. Scar stared at him as he talked, his expression hard to read. Finally, Ed was done explaining.

“Very well,” said Scar, turning to leave. “I will be there.”

“We can fight too,” offered Zampano, “I don’t want everyone to die.” The others nodded agreement. Scar was already walking away by this point, and Mei hurried after him.

Turning back with a wave, she called out, “See you later, mysterious time-travellers!” and then she disappeared with Scar around the corner.

“Alright,” said Ed, taking a deep breath. “Back to Central?”

The six of them together boarded the train back to Central. They debated what the best course of action was for the four chimeras now that Kimblee was dead – whether they should go back to the military and pretend everything was normal until the fighting started, or if it was better to run and hide out until then. They still hadn’t come to a clear conclusion by the time they arrived in Central.

“I guess we’re going back to the military,” commented Heinkel as they got off the train. “Since that’s where we are.”

As they walked down the street, someone caught Ed’s eye.

“Ling!” Ed shouted, taking off at a run.

“Who are you?” asked Ling as Ed ran up to him. “How do you know me?”

“I’m Ed. There’s time-travel,” Ed answered with a shrug. “Wanna save everyone in the country from a secret military plot with me?”

“What?” said Ling, a dumbfounded expression on his face. “I- wait, I have my own country to worry about first.”

“Yeah, well, I bet lots of the evil bastards behind the plot have philosopher’s stones so if you help you can probably get one pretty easily,” said Ed.

“Well, that’s another story,” grinned Ling. “This is sounding much more promising than talking to that homunculus more.” Ed took a step back in alarm.

“Which homunculus?” he asked.

“Greed,” Ling answered. “He’s been very open and honest about telling me about philosopher’s stones and how he sort of is one, but he doesn’t actually have a way to get me one.”

“Greed’s around, that’s great!” said Ed. “Can you help me find him? I think he’ll help too.”

“Sure,” answered Ling, “I’ve been keeping close enough to him to find him through sensing his presence, as disturbing as that is.” Ed followed Ling and the rest of the group somewhat skeptically tagged along. It didn’t take them long to come to a little rundown bar off a side street. “He’s in here.”

“Thanks,” said Ed, and opened the door. The bar was small and dimly lit – a stark difference from the bright snowy city he’d been in only a few hours before. Giving his eyes a moment to adjust, Ed saw Greed sitting at a table, the original Greed. Ed walked up to him. “Hey,” said Ed, sitting down at Greed’s table without asking. “Can I talk to you?”

“Looks like you already are,” answered Greed. Ed noted the two people with him – the lizard chimera and the snake chimera. Ed shuddered at the memory of pulling her dead body out of Al’s armour.

“Okay,” said Ed, steadying himself. “So, your father’s going to kill everyone in the country by making them into a philosopher’s stone and I’m guessing you don’t want that to happen.” Ed watched Greed’s carefree expression turn serious.

“No, I don’t,” admitted Greed. “But who are you and how do you know about this?”

“I’m a time-traveller from the future who will become friends with you eventually,” Ed answered. “So how about we work together to stop him?”

Greed laughed, “Friends?”

“Yeah, actually,” Ed huffed. “You and me and Ling end up pretty good friends.”

“Me, friends with you and the annoying brat?” Greed confirmed. Ed nodded. “Nice try, time-travelling kid, but I’ve got my own plans.”

Chapter 6: Captured

Ed argued with Greed for what felt like hours, but Greed refused to join him and didn’t even give in when Ed tried to turn it around and claim it was really him joining Greed. Greed also refused to say anything about what his plans were. Finally giving up, Ed just ended up telling Greed all his plans in case Greed wanted to coordinate on his terms. Then he got up and went back outside.

“I forgot how much I hate that stupid bastard,” Ed complained to the group waiting for him outside the bar.

“Yeah, he can be incredibly difficult without actually lying,” agreed Ling with a smile. Then his face fell into a frown and he stared off into the distance. “I sense other large groups of souls,” said Ling, “like Greed.”

“Dammit,” said Ed. “Are they coming this way?”

“Yes.”

Ed flung open the door to the bar again and shouted in, “Greed! Other homunculi on their way! You might want to get out of here.”

“Thanks for the heads-up kid,” replied Greed.

Closing the door again, Ed turned to the rest of the group. “Do we want to fight or run?”

“These are some of the people we’ll need to fight eventually, right?” asked Ling, drawing his sword. “Let’s fight.” The others nodded, and so, they waited. After a couple minutes, two figures approached them down the side street.

“Well, well, so you are back in Central, little Fullmetal Alchemist,” commented Lust.

“I told you I could smell him,” said Gluttony.

“Don’t call me little!” shouted Ed.

“Oh, don’t be upset,” drawled Lust. “We were worried about you when we heard you were searching out Scar. We don’t want two of our important human sacrifices dying on us.”

Sniffing the air, Gluttony said, “I can smell Greed.”

“Well, now that we’ve made sure our human sacrifices are okay, maybe we can finally track down our missing sibling,” commented Lust.

“Don’t even think about it,” announced Ed. “You’ll have to get through us first.”

“Oh cute, they want to fight,” laughed Lust.

“Can I eat them, Lust?” asked Gluttony.

“You know which ones are important, don’t you Gluttony?” asked Lust.

“Of course, Lust.”

Lust smiled, “Then go ahead.”

Gluttony lunged forward aiming for Ling. Ling jumped to the side, slicing off Gluttony’s head. Gluttony tumbled to the ground, beginning to regenerate. Lust shot her fingers out towards the group of chimeras, and Al dove in the way to deflect them.

Running forward, Ed clapped his hands together and placed them on both his arms, drawing out the large protective pieces into blades. He swung at Lust with one arm then the next, slashing into her both times.

Gluttony was up again, and Al kicked him into a wall. Darius, Heinkel, Zampano, and Jerso, had all transformed now, and Darius and Heinkel ran over to where Ed and Lust were fighting. Ed noticed Lan Fan and Fu drop down from the rooves of the buildings to start fighting Gluttony with Ling.

It took a lot to kill a homunculus, Ed knew, but together they were a lot. They just needed to keep attacking. They could do it. They just needed-

Ed heard a crash. Turning around in horror, he saw Al collapsed on the ground.

“Al!” Ed shouted, turning from Lust and running towards his brother. Suddenly pain rushed through his left shoulder. Looking down, Ed saw one of Lust’s sharp fingers sticking through him just next to where his automail connected to his shoulder. He felt his knees wobble. Lust’s finger sliced back out of him and Ed dropped to the ground.

“Ed!” shouted Ling, running over to him. Ling threw up his sword just in time to deflect another of Lust’s attacks. “Ed, say something!”

“Ling, you should run,” Ed managed to choke out through the pain.

“What?! And leave you?”

“Yes! They want us alive, but they’ll kill you!” Ed insisted urgently. “You should get out of here.” Ed coughed. “But if you feel bad about it later you can come rescue us.”

“Dammit Ed, I don’t even know you!” Ling shouted down at him, deflecting another attack. “Fu! Lan Fan! We’re retreating!”

“Try and get along with Mei – you two are on the same side here!” Ed called after Ling as he jumped back.

“Mei?” Ling asked in confusion.

“Your sister.”

“Mei Chang is here??” Ling asked. Then had to jump back again and run before Ed could answer. Ed watched as Ling and the others all fled down the street and Gluttony sadly walked back up to Lust.

“I didn’t get to eat any of them,” he complained.

“I’m sure you’ll get another chance,” Lust assured him. “Now we’ve got to get these two somewhere safe.”

Ed looked down at himself, taking in the large pool of blood that was forming around him. He bet Lust would feel pretty dumb if he died now. Interrupting his already muddled thoughts, Lust picked him up. He heard Gluttony picking up Al behind him.

“Where are we taking them Lust?” Gluttony asked.

“To Father,” answered Lust, and the two of them carried Ed and Al away.

Ed spaced out for most of the trip there, though he didn’t think he ever lost consciousness completely. When they arrived, Ed saw the homunculus, the dwarf in the flask, the one who looked so much like Hohenheim, looking at them disapprovingly.

“What is this?” asked Father.

“We went to check on our little human sacrifices and they insisted on fighting us,” Lust explained. “This one is injured, and I don’t know what’s wrong with the other one.” Father held out his hand and Lust held Ed up to him.

Feeling his wound closing from Father’s philosopher’s stone, Ed coughed out, “Bastard.”

“That is surprisingly rude,” commented Father. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Yeah, well, I can tell you’re a bastard anyway,” Ed replied. He heard Al stirring.

“What happened?” asked Al.

“He’s awake!” announced Gluttony happily.

“Good, then we haven’t lost any human sacrifices,” commented Lust.

“Put me down!” said Al. “And, where are we? How did we get here? Wait- Dad?!!”

Father blinked. “I am not your father,” he said.

“But you look like- oh wait,” said Al, no doubt remembering what Hohenheim had said about him.

“Odd,” commented Father. “Now what am I to do with you until the time is right? It seems you two are getting into too much trouble, so we’ll have to keep you here.”

Lust put Ed down then dragged him by the arm down a dark hallway of sorts. Gluttony pushed Al along behind them. They were both shoved into a lighter room and the door was closed behind them. There was a man standing in the room already and it took Ed a moment to recognize him.

“Marco!” said Ed when he realized it – he hadn’t seen Marco with his unscarred face for a long time.

“Do I know you?” Marco asked nervously.

“No, but I know you because of time-travel,” Ed answered. There was a little table and a chair in the room and Ed stumbled over to sit on it. He was exhausted.

“Time-travel?” Marco asked.

“Yeah, but it’s complicated and I don’t think I can explain it well right now,” Ed admitted. “What are you doing here?”

“They want me to perform human transmutation so I can be one of their sacrifices,” explained Marco. “I’ve told them no, but now they’re threatening to destroy the town I was living in. I don’t know what to do.”

“Huh, sounds like we need to get you out of here, then,” said Ed. Looking up to an air vent in the ceiling, he added, “That looks like a good route.”

“Yes, but how do you-” Marco began, and Ed clapped his hands together.

In a matter of minutes, they were running down tunnels, fighting off creepy chimeras. Ed had lost a lot of blood, but he could still stand for now. They had to be reaching the surface soon. Suddenly, a door banged open behind them.

“There you are!” shouted Envy.

“Dammit!” said Ed. “Marco! Al! Keep going!” Stopping where he was, Ed transmuted the tunnel closed between him and Envy. Envy quickly smashed his way through it and Ed stabbed him through the chest while he shook the dust from his eyes. Envy threw Ed to the ground and Ed pushed out his leg to trip him as well. Jumping back up, Ed began punching Envy in the face.

“Cut that out!” shouted Envy, shoving him away. Ed watched as Envy turned to look down the now empty tunnel. “Annoying shorty! You made me lose them!”

“Don’t call me short!” shouted Ed, punching Envy again.

“Shorty! Shorty! Shorty!” shouted Envy, grabbing Ed by his shoulders and leaning over him.

“Stop it!” shouted Ed, trying to break free.

“No! And to stop you from getting away again-” said Envy, grabbing Ed’s right arm and, with a horrible crunching and screeching sound, ripping it off at the elbow. “There,” Envy concluded smugly.

Envy dragged Ed back to the room he had escaped from, now with a large stone pillar in the middle of it under the air vent. Envy gave it a quick look, probably determining if Ed could climb it, then left and closed the door behind him. Ed sighed and sunk down to the floor. The adrenaline had worn off now and he was tired. Maybe he’d think of a way out of this after a nap.

Ed awoke to Envy opening the door again.

“I heard you don’t like milk,” said Envy. “So, I brought you some with your dinner.” Ed scowled and Envy laughed. He placed the food and milk on the little table then left Ed alone again. Getting up stiffly, Ed went over to the table and ate the food. Then, he set about finding the right kind of rock in the ground he could use like chalk. It took a while, but eventually he found a kind that was soft enough. Scratching out a transmutation circle with a sharp bit of his broken automail, Ed transmuted the soft rock into a small stick he could hide in his pocket. Then he sat back down.

“Do I try to escape now?” he asked himself aloud. Ed was so tired. He had been beaten and bruised and lost a lot of blood from when Lust had stabbed him. Shaking his head, he decided to have another nap first – just a little one.

Chapter 7: Final preparations

Ed woke up to Envy opening the door.

“Get up,” he said gruffly. Reluctantly Ed got to his feet. Envy led him up into Central Command and into Bradley’s office.

“Ah, Fullmetal,” said Bradley cheerfully, “I haven’t had the chance to see you since your recovery.”

“Yeah, that’s ‘cause I didn’t want to see you,” answered Ed grumpily.

“Now, now, no need to be rude,” said Bradley. “But I hear you’ve figured out some things about what’s going on. Would you mind explaining them to me so we’re on the same page about what you know?”

Ed sighed, “You’re a homunculus. You’re taking orders from the bastard you call Father. So, the whole military is basically his puppet.”

“And do you know what he’s planning?” asked Bradley.

Now was the time to lie. “I know me and Al are some kind of human sacrifices to you, which makes me think you’re gonna kill us. And I don’t want anyone killing my little brother, so I want to stop you.”

“I see, a very personal reason,” commented Bradley. “Humans are such predictable creatures.”

“Whatever,” said Ed.

“Now, I don’t want you ruining our plans. And it seems likely locking you up will just motivate you to escape and do just that. So, we’re trying a different approach. You already know you and your brother are going to die, so give up. But, to keep you motivated to not ruin our plans, perhaps a little threat: if you make any moves to interrupt us, we’ll start killing other people you care about too. Perhaps starting with your automail mechanic back in Resembool?”

“Don’t you dare!” shouted Ed.

“Ah, good, so you are motivated by other’s lives as well,” commented Bradley. “So, how is this: you behave, and we’ll leave your mechanic alone.”

“Fine,” growled Ed.

“I’m glad we found an agreement,” smiled Bradley. “You may go now.”

Ed stomped his way out of the room, doing his best to make his act believable. If they knew he knew everyone was dying anyway, they wouldn’t believe they could control him. He needed to fool them to get them to leave him alone. Envy left him finally, and Ed made his way to Mustang’s office.

“Hey,” Ed said, walking in.

“Fullmetal, you’re back soon,” said Mustang, turning to him. “What happened to your arm?!”

“Broke it,” Ed answered simply. “I need to go see my mechanic.”

“Okay,” agreed Mustang. “Do you need anyone to go with you? Where’s Alphonse?”

“He’s around somewhere,” Ed shrugged. “And no, I’ll be fine.” With that, Ed left to catch a train.

“Ed! You’re back!” exclaimed Winry as he arrived at the door. “Does that mean it’s all over? Wait, where’s Al?”

“No, it’s not over yet,” Ed answered. “I’m not sure where Al is.”

“Then why are you back here?” Winry asked.

“Broke my automail again,” Ed admitted. “And also, I’m being threatened that if I do anything to fight the homunculi they’re going to come after you and Granny. So, like, if you two could hide somewhere for a while…”

“You’re not just making this up as an excuse to get us out of the country again, are you? Because we already decided to stay,” Winry teased.

“No, I’m serious,” Ed replied.

“Okay,” Winry sighed, “I guess we could find somewhere else to go for a while.”

“Thanks,” said Ed.

Winry and Pinako worked making him a new arm, and three days later, it was complete. Then they decided where to go and told Ed where to find them when everything was over.

“But really,” said Winry as Ed was leaving. “Go and save everyone, okay?”

“Of course,” said Ed with a smile.

It was early spring. Ed had talked to everyone, told them all the plan. Now it was time for it to all play out

The first thing to happen, was the Briggs soldiers attacking Central. Ed had been talking to Hughes at the time, and at the sounds of chaos from outside they both ran to look out the nearest window.

“I hear we’re under attack,” said a voice from behind them and Ed and Hughes both jumped. Ed turned to see Bradley walking swiftly by them. “Fullmetal, I order you to come with me.”

“Yes sir,” Ed answered, giving Hughes a worried look. He quickly hurried to catch up to Bradley.

Stepping outside onto the open area at the top of the main stairs, Bradley asked an officer standing by the door, “What’s the status?”

“Sir, they’ve breached the lower doors and are on the stairway.”

“Alright, I can handle that,” commented Bradley. “Fullmetal, I want you to-”

“Stop right there, Bradley,” said a voice from above them. Ed looked up in surprise to see Greed sitting on a windowsill. “You’re not going to handle that, because you’re going to stay right where you are.” Jumping down to the surface with them, he continued. “Because it’s time for payback for what you did to my people.” The officer by the door pointed his gun and Greed, but Bradley waved him down.

“On second thought, I’ll deal with this first,” Bradley said, drawing his sword. Greed and Bradley began to fight.

“Hey,” said Ed to the officer nervously holding his gun. “Don’t you think they’re both moving a bit too fast to be human?”

“What are you talking about?” asked the officer in alarm. “Of course the Fuhrer is human!”

“Just keep watching and decide for yourself,” said Ed causally, then clapped his hands together to send spikes of concrete hurtling towards Bradley.

“Fullmetal, stand down!” shouted Bradley, jumping out of the way.

“What’s that? I can’t hear you over all that gunfire!” shouted Ed.

“I don’t need your help time-travel boy!” shouted Greed.

“Can’t hear you either!”

Ed transmuted the outer piece of his right arm into a blade and ran in to the block a blow aimed at Greed. Bradley kicked him out of the way and Ed tumbled to the side. Greed was completely covered by his ultimate shield now, so the worst Bradley’s blades could do was push him back. However, he was pushing him towards the edge of the platform. Clapping his hands together, Ed placed them on the platform surface and transmuted it open beneath the three of them, dropping them all to the floor below – a floor not open to a huge drop to one side.

“What was that for?” demanded Greed.

“Didn’t want you falling off the side!”

“You’ll pay for that, Fullmetal,” announced Bradley, then lunged again at Greed.

Hearing a commotion down the hallway, Ed turned to see people shouting and running. Behind them, he could just make out the forms of a tall man and a short girl.

“Scar! Mei!” Ed shouted to get their attention and they both turned. “Bradley’s over here!”

“I told you I can fight him on my own!” complained Greed to Ed as Scar and Mei joined the fight.

“Well, too bad, you’re getting help anyway,” Ed replied. He hadn’t seen Bradley and Greed fight at the Devil’s Nest, but he had heard from Al that Greed lost. They were all fighting together now, Greed slashing with his claw-like hands, Scar reaching out with his arm of destruction, Mei using her alkahestry, and Ed, sometimes using alchemy and other times just throwing himself in the way to make Bradley pull back his attacks. It looked like they might even win.

Suddenly, a familiar eye opened up beneath Ed.

“Edward!” Mei gasped.

“Time-travel boy!” shouted Greed.

“Finally,” sighed Bradley.

And suddenly, Ed was gone.

Ed reappeared in a dark room, feeling shaken. Looking around him, he saw Izumi, Hohenheim, and Al. This had all happened before, he remembered now. They needed to defeat Father now or it would soon be too late.

“What happened?” asked Izumi, sitting up.

“Oh dear,” said Hohenheim.

Al said nothing.

“Al, are you okay?” Ed asked, rushing over to him. Al was silent and motionless, the eyeholes in his armour dark. “Al!”

“Four,” said Father from a darkened corner of the room. “Still one more to wait for.”

“Forgive me, but I’m not a fan of waiting,” said Hohenheim, standing up and attacking Father.

“Amusing,” chuckled Father, who Ed now saw looked not like Hohenheim but instead seemed to be made of shadow. “You really think you can defeat me?”

“Of course, you bastard!” shouted Ed, and he and Izumi jumped up to fight too.

Father laughed at them, mocking their attempted. Simply standing there and letting them hit him. Then one of Hohenheim’s strikes seemed to do something, and Father frowned.

“Enough,” he said, and encased Hohenheim in shadows.

“Dad!” gasped Ed without thinking.

“Wait, Van Hohenheim is your father?” asked Father. “Then why is your name Elric?”

“Damn you! Elric’s my mother’s name,” Ed shouted. He didn’t want to have this conversation now. He didn’t want to talk to Father at all. “Now let him go!”

“No, his attacks were boring me,” said Father.

“Damn you!” Ed shouted again, running up and slamming his fist into Father. It felt like hitting a brick wall. Suddenly, a door to one side opened and Pride walked in carrying Mustang in his shadows. “Colonel!” gasped Ed.

“Finally, all five sacrifices,” announced Father. “It looks like this is the end.”

Chapter 8: The end

Pride dropped a dazed looking Mustang onto the floor and Father grabbed them all with his shadows to pull them into a circle. Father had been smiling obnoxiously, but suddenly he frowned.

“One of you isn’t really here,” he said thoughtfully. “Who is it?”

Ed gulped, taking in the implications of that. “Al sometimes goes away, but he comes back,” he answered reluctantly.

Peering at the armour, Father commented, “No, he seems gone permanently. It seems I need another sacrifice.”

“He can’t be!” argued Ed, struggling against the shadows. “Let me see him!”

“Very well,” Father sighed, letting the shadows around Ed loosen. Ed jumped up and ran over to Al. How long had he been gone now? Perhaps he wouldn’t come back this time.

“I can bring him back,” said Ed, trying to keep his voice from shaking. “Just give me a minute.”

Father eyed him curiously, commenting, “It seems as though you now want my plan to succeed.”

“No, I just want my brother back.” Ed pulled out the soft rock stick he had made before and drew a human transmutation circle on the ground.

“Edward, what are you doing?” demanded Izumi.

“Don’t worry,” said Ed. “I’ll be right back.” And so, he activated the circle.

“Well, well, I never expected to see you again, Edward Elric,” said Truth. “I hope you’re not planning on making a habit of ripping holes in time – it makes it much more difficult to keep track of.”

“So, you remember the previous timeline too?” asked Ed.

“Of course,” smiled Truth. “Wasn’t it nice to be able to use alchemy again.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ed admitted reluctantly. “But that isn’t why I did it.”

“I know,” said Truth. “You wanted to save a little girl – the one you mentioned when you gave up your alchemy the first time. So, tell me, do you feel like more than a regular human now that you’ve done that?”

“Well, I don’t know if it even worked or not yet,” grumbled Ed. “Everyone in the country might still die, her included.”

“You have so little faith,” laughed Truth. “Where did all your confidence go?”

Ed sighed, “I think time-travel is a fucked-up thing for a person to do to themself.” Taking a deep breath, he continued, “But you’re right, I should still be confident – of course we’re going to win.” Ed smiled.

“That’s more like it. Now, I expect you want to make the same trade?” asked Truth.

“Yes,” answered Ed. “Exactly as before.”

“Perfect, then goodbye Edward Elric!” said Truth, waving as he disintegrated along with Ed’s door. Behind him, Ed now saw Al.

“Brother!” gasped Al.

“Don’t worry Al – I’m here to bring you back,” said Ed, offering a hand.

Taking it and tentatively standing, Al asked, “Does this mean all the fighting is over?”

“Not quite, but it’ll be okay,” said Ed confidently. “We can do this.”

And together, they left through Al’s door.

They were back in Father’s lair.

“So, you really did bring him back! How convenient!” exclaimed Father. His shadows extended towards them and suddenly Ed and Al were being pulled apart.

“Brother!” Al gasped in alarm.

“It’s finally time!” announced Father, starting the transmutation. There was a flash of red sparks. And then nothing. “Why didn’t it work?” demanded Father, turning back to them. “What has one of you done now?!”

Ed laughed, “I gave up my door to bring back Al – I’m not an alchemist anymore.”

“Why you little-” growled Father. “Pride, kill him – we no longer need Edward Elric.” Father’s shadows dropped Ed on the floor and Ed quickly held his arms to block the worst of the attack from Pride. Pride’s shadows were fading at the edges, disintegrating into dust from when he forced Mustang into human transmutation. For a moment, Ed thought they weren’t strong enough anymore to get through his automail.

Suddenly a sharp pain hit the right side of his chest as one of the shadows pierced his right arm. Ed cried out in pain. The shadow broke off and disintegrated, leaving Ed tumbling to the floor, gasping for breath.

“Brother!” he heard Al shout.

“Ed!” he heard Izumi gasp.

Ed’s eyes were locked on Pride, who was sending out more shadows. The all broke and disintegrated before reaching Ed. Pride took a small step forward, then collapsed to his knees.

“Useless!” complained Father.

“That’s a rude…” Ed coughed, wet and painful, “thing… to say… about… your son.” Reaching up to his face, Ed saw as he moved his hand away that he was coughing up blood.

Father scowled down at him. “No matter, you’re as good as dead,” he said. “Now it seems I must find a new human sacrifice. So, what shall I do with you four while I-”

Suddenly, there was a commotion from the floor above them. The ceiling bulged, then was rearranged into a hole as dozens of mannequin soldiers fell down onto them. With an annoyed expression, Father removed his shadows from Al, Izumi, and Mustang and used the shadows to absorb the artificial soldiers into himself. Ed looked up into the hole in the ceiling to see Mei peering down.

“Woah! I told you dropping them down a level would work!” she exclaimed, then jumped down as well. Ling and Lan Fan jumped down after her.

“Who are you?” asked Father, looking at the three newcomers suspiciously.

“We’re here to defeat you!” announced Mei. Ed watched as she glanced over at him. “Actually, wait, they’re here to defeat you. I’ll be right back.” Ling, Lan Fan, and Izumi began to fight Father, and Mei ran over to Ed. “Lie down,” she instructed him. “Where are you hurt?”

“My chest,” Ed coughed. Mei drew a quick Alkahestry circle next to him and closed the wound. Ed sat up. “Thanks.”

“Thank you, Mei!” exclaimed Al, who had crawled over here when Ed wasn’t watching.

Mei blushed, “Who are you?”

“I’m Alphonse – Ed’s younger brother. I have my body back now,” Al answered.

At that moment Hawkeye, Fu, Darius, Heinkel, Zampano, and Jerso ran in through the door Pride had entered from earlier.

“Colonel!” Hawkeye shouted, running over to where Mustang sat.

“We defeated the one called Lust,” Fu reported to Ling.

“Great!” said Ling. “Now we take down this one.”

Mei jumped up and rejoined the fight. Father looked around at the large group of people now attacking him.

“There’s not enough space in here for this,” he announced with a scowl, then leapt out of the hole in the ceiling. Mei transmuted a set of stairs up and the people fighting ran after him.

“What happened?” asked Hohenheim, now free of Father’s shadows. Then, looking over at Ed and Al, his eyes grew watery. “Alphonse, your body- Edward you’re hurt!”

“I’m fine,” Ed announced. “Mei closed my would. Now go fight that bastard who’s running away. We’ll catch up later!” Hohenheim nodded, getting to his feet and running after the group.

Hawkeye was helping Mustang to his feet as well. “Which way did they go?” he asked.

“Forwards and up the stairs, sir,” Hawkeye answered. As the two of them walked forward, Hawkeye asked. “Edward, what are your plans?”

“Al and I can just wait it out here,” Ed answered. “I don’t think either of us can fight at the moment.”

“Okay, we’ll come down and look for you when it’s all over,” Hawkeye agreed.

Ed and Al sat in silence as the sounds of battle retreated. After a while, Al asked, “Do you think we’re going to win?”

“Of course,” said Ed with a smile. Then, taking a deep breath, he stood up. “Hey Selim,” Ed called out, walking over to Pride, who was now lying on the floor.

“What do you want?” asked Pride.

“You can’t hold that form together forever. If you let go of the rest of your philosopher’s stone you can revert to the form of a baby and grow up from there.”

“Why would I want to do that?” Pride asked.

“So, you can live with your mother,” Ed explained. “Your father doesn’t care about you and Bradley was only ever pretending to be you dad, but your mom really loves you and thinks of you as her son.”

Prided nodded slowly. “I guess I don’t have anything left to lose.” With that, the rest of his body disintegrated, leaving behind the tiny curled form of a baby.

Ed didn’t know how long they waited, but eventually, he heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Ling walking down the stairs.

“Look at that,” said Ling with a grin. “I’m here to rescue you after all.”

The battle was finally over. It was time to go home.

*

The year was 1918. Ed and Al were catching up after and comparing notes after their travels. Suddenly, Al dropped his notebook.

“What’s wrong?” asked Ed.

“I’m suddenly remembering things – It’s like something different happened in my life. It’s like- it’s like you just left!” Al exclaimed. “Brother! Welcome back! How was the time-travel?”

Ed laughed, “It was a lot.”

“I bet,” said Al. “It’s very confusing having two sets of memories.”

“You have it worse than me – at least I got to get the memories slowly,” said Ed.

“Brother, do you think…” said Al slowly. “Do you think we can go see Nina?”

“I say we give it a try – though she probably won’t remember us.”

True to his word, Armstrong had paid close attention to the Tucker case. When he was found guilty, and it was decided that Nina should be taken away from him, Armstrong had convinced his own parents to adopt her. Nina Armstrong was now nine years old.

“Hello,” she said politely as Ed and Al greeted her.

“Nina! These are the Elric Brothers! The one’s I told you about!” announced Armstrong.

“Really!” asked Nina excitedly. “So, you really did time-travel to save me?”

“Yeah,” replied Ed. “It’s good to finally see you again, Nina.”