Hey guys! I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who's reading this fanfic! I know I don't do it often, but all of you give me the motivation to actually finish these chapters!

I hope you like this one!

(Plus I don't own any of this amazing fanart I just share it so yeah)
~Lila Greenwood

Edward's P.O.V.

Everything was going right for once- which was weird in of itself because nothing ever seems to go right for Al and I. After picking up Winry from headquarters, the both of us walked her back to the hotel to pack up her stuff for the trip back to Rush Valley.

"Looks like Scarlett has already been here." Winry remarked, and I looked to the bed where blood-stained clothes lay along with a short note.

Winry-
Thank you for lending me your clothes. I'm sorry they're ruined, but I'll pay you back with new clothes.

~Scarlett Reems
—p.s. how do you wear miniskirts that short!?! They barely cover anything! I refuse to call them clothes.

I snorted, but Winry chuckled a little- which was a good. I can't bear to watch her cry; I don't know what the hell to do or say.

Maybe that's why I was able to get so close to Scarlett- she almost never has breakdowns like Winry. Something in my mind contradicted by saying it's because she doesn't have any breakdowns that I worry so much for her.

Damn brain.

"Hey brother?"

"Yeah Al?"

"I'm worried about Scarlett. I know she doesn't like us worrying about her, but what if she gets into a situation like Winry? Like, she's forced to make a hard decision we don't agree with?"

"Then we stop her, just like Winry." My answer was instantaneous; almost like though regurgitation. "We'll always be by her side to remind her that an alchemist creates, not destroys. Her hands were made for helping the people of this country."

"Just like us?" Al asked curiously.

I couldn't help but grin. "Exactly like us."

~*~

After sending Winry on her way to Rush Valley, Al and I met up at a secret location in the outskirts of Central-where forests dominated the area. It was the perfect place to hide from unwanted eyes, and unwanted attention from any other Homunculi.

We entered the small house and made a beeline for the small like illuminating the bedroom. Lan Fan, one of Ling's bodyguards lay in sweat as a fever started to set in. I sat down next to her and grabbed her only hand. How do I express to this woman that I understand what she was going through? Losing an arm, it's a painful and traumatic experience that will never truly leave. From my seat, I caught tidbits of Ling and Mustang's conversation through the thin walls of the house.

"Hello. Ling, is it? I want to thank you in aiding us in capturing this Homunculi." Mustang's assertive tongue never seemed to leave- even when he wasn't being a total Colonel prick.

"Yes, I must say this beast is something inhuman. I've never dealt with something like this."

"They're very tough. I was able to take one down awhile back. I'm not sure what the wisest choice for destroying this guys is."

"- hold up! I'm the one who captured this beast! I'm taking him back to Xhing!" Ling growled lowly.

"No offense, but aren't you an illegal alien on our soil? How are you going get this guy back to Xhing and -more importantly- keep his buddies from coming after him?"

"Well your no better!" Ling cried out, "your leader is a Homunculus!"

"What?!" I could hear the tenseness in Roy's voice from here.

"Under the eyepatch I saw an ouroboros tattoo on his eye." Ling shared.

"CAN BOTH OF YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH HOLES!" The shout was followed by a mild thud from the other side of the wall.

Alphonse's P.O.V.

There was no doubt in my mind that Scarlett was the one yelling and thudding around.

The Colonel and Ling stopped their argument abruptly, but started up again in a whisper.

I turned to Lan Fan, watching as she struggled to keep a conversation going with Brother. I'm glad she's alright though. I'd feel terrible if anyone was killed in our risky plan.

"Brother, I'm going to check on Scarlett." He nodded, and I headed off. I nodded to the two tense men as I passed, but they were too busy glaring at one another.

"Scarlett?" I called to her as I entered the dark room. The only light that popped into the room was from the hallway where there I could see the Homunculus hog-tied eyeing the door wearily.

"Hey Al." I jumped a little when I heard her bristled words come from beside me. There, in the shadows, Scarlett sat with her legs crossed on a crate. There was something scary in the way she glared at the Homunculus- like there was an unspoken hate.

Neither of us talked for a moment.

"Scarlett, what are you doing here?" I asked. Through I was curious, there was hesitance in the question when I said it. She didn't answer and instead let out a soft sigh. I watched as her dark eyes snap onto the Homunculus as he shifted, trying to free himself.

I'm afraid for her; more than anyone I've ever met. She's caught up in a dangerous quest that she's already had to trek down once. Before I could act on my fears, she stood from the crate- eyes dead set on our prey.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you're staying quiet." She spat at the Homunculus. "All your other buddies make jokes about knowing me before this whole shit-show." Her eyes narrowed. "I don't know how all of you remember what happened in another world, but I assure you I'll beat the answer out of you if you don't tell me!"

I watched in shock as there was a mumbled 'what?' before her boot slammed against his large face.

"What are you doing!?" I jumped in shock as she landed another blow.

"This asshole knows about the other world! The one where I came from, and the Homunculi have just been playing with me!" She turned back to me. "It's not just them; I can't escape my past, and the person I used to be!" I locked eyes with the dark, ashen eyes that I've come to care for as our friendship grew.

Now those warm, inviting eyes frightened me with how they held such fear and anguish.

"You don't know how much it hurts to think you understand what's coming next, because you lived and breathed it, but to only realize it's all for nothing! A FARCE!" She screamed before holding her head in her hands. Scarlett said nothing as her breathing slowed and that's when I tried to get closer to her. To hold her, or get brother to make everything better again.

"...I'm tired of looking at the two of you and only being reminded of the Ed and Al I left behind..." she whispered, her voice cracking.

"Scarlett..." please stop, I can't take this. It's like I'm watching this wonderful strong woman unravel slowly. Bit by bit until nothing was left of the person we met in Central months ago.
She didn't seem to hear me; her attention was still casted downwards on the ground. There was only silence in the small house.

"Whatever." Letting out a shaky breath, I watched her walk past me and back towards another part of the house. I was left alone with the enemy.

There's something strange going on between her and these creatures. I thought back to anyone else who cryptically knew Scarlett's secret.
My mind instantly flashes to Scar. He kept stating that they've met before. Greed did as well! He stated she was the girl 'from the other world'! Thinking, I turned to possibly the only thing that could give me answers.

"Hey, Homunculus."

He turned his head as much as the wire would allow.

"Do you know why everyone remembers Scarlett Reems from another world?" There was a pause, and he didn't answer. So I tried another tactic: "Scarlett is important to me and brother. If you don't tell me everything you know about this other world and Scarlett I cannot guarantee any of the other homunculus being safe from the colonel's wrath."

Now that I took a second to think, it was a bad idea to threaten an artificial human. Even if it was to gain information about a friend.

"My Lu$T...y0U to0K h3r 4w4Y." He gurgled out.

Something deep in my subconcise froze. The breaking of steel pipes became apparent, and I backed away in fear.

"Hey, Al I'm so-" Scarlett reentered the room behind me, and I heard her pause as she watched what was unraveling in front of me.

"Well, shi-"

BOOM.

Scarlett's P.O.V.

I was trying to compose myself and apologize to Alphonse for yelling at him when the house went and exploded on us.
I didn't have any time to shield myself with alchemy, so I hoped and prayed that by curling up into a ball with my automail limbs out would be enough. We just caught this damn thing canT WE KEEP IT FOR, OH, I DON'T KNOW,

FIVE FUCKIN MINUTES!?!??

Plus side, after the explosion, I worked quickly to free myself from the wooden boards on top of me and found no injuries. 👌🏻

"Everyone get back!" I heard Mustang yell. "It's only after me, so you should all be able to get away!"

"Just to clarify, you're the reason this shit happened too? Because blaming rights are a big deal with me!" I glared back at the man as he dashed off into the woods, Ed and Al by his side.

ED, AL WHAT THE FUCK IM SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU SAFE!

Ah, shit. Everything was going so well a minute ago and now look where we are.