Travelers

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To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost.

...unless you have a Philosopher's Stone. Ha! Ha!

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On Wednesday of the forth week, Roy and Riza arrived in Rizenbul, both in uniform but the dynamics changed between them. She would smile, even in her uniform and he didn’t mind brushing her hair away from her ear.

But it was all business in public. When Pinako had ordered them search for Winry and told them of her disappearance. Roy silently swore and Riza narrowed her eyes. However; Roy refused, point blank, to look for Winry. Havoc and the others were already doing so. He and Riza were going to look for Alphonse. He was a State Alchemist, after all, and he knew what Alphonse, Russel, and Ranen’s strengths were. (Well, less so on Ranen, only knowing from Alphonse that she worked a great deal with sand.) They would concentrate their search on the boy, not her.

On Thursday Noa got the courage to get up from her bed again.

Gracia had been kind enough to let her borrow some of her clothes and so, now, dressed in white, she entered Edward’s room.

She had gone to Alfons’ first. They were both handsome, in a strange sort of way. Completely different….yet similar.

She leaned over him, crouching and touching his forehead to hers and she could see. Her own strange power enhancing images, brightening color and let her see into this world. Was Alfons like Edward, in that he had no home? Well, she found the answer to that was no…but…Alfons dreamed of strange things. A young boy with a striking resemblance to him, working in some sort of laboratory with two others, a lurking presence somewhere around the place and a forbidding and looming one above them. This boy was strong and healthy where Alfons, she discovered, was ill. His body weakening.

She saw him as a tiny boy. His father had swept him up and hugged him.

“Where are you going, papa?”

“I must go away for a time. You, Alfons, must look after your mother. You are the man of the house now.” He had smiled and ruffled his hair.

He and his mother whispered together, faint murmurings that Alfons could not remember or simply didn’t hear.

It was never directly said, during these dreams, just flashes and images of a funeral for his mother and his despair that he had lost both, though he never dreamed of his father’s funeral. Perhaps…he had gone to war? And his body could not be sent back….?

It seemed a cruel irony that this boy should lose his parents so early, living with his uncle and learning something he loved. Science, physics, chemistry—only to have it be what was slowly killing him.

Edward dreamed of something so intoxicating she could hardly believe it. Leaning over him, touching him, she saw a completely different world of science, strange circles--alchemy, they called it. A village, she saw, Rizenbool. A young woman, blond hair with blue eyes and…strangely enough, the same young boy that Alfons dreamed about…but it was not in a physical presence but a spiritual one. For some reason, Edward could not see this boy in his dreams, but the presence of him was the same as in Alfons’ dreams.

Yet, she sensed this place was like no other place in this world. She had said she had no home…perhaps his home…wasn’t even here. She was not so scientific as Alfons to rule it out. If she could somehow be granted this strange power of hers, how could she discount the possibility that Edward had once possessed great power, merely at the clap of his hands and in a place she could hardly imagine?

She had come back to Edward’s room for the last three nights, terrified that each time, he might awaken—but he never did. She released a sigh of both regret and relief when she left his room for her own bed.


Winry hauled her bag back on her shoulder. She had no idea where she was, no idea where Alphonse and Ranen had gone and had no idea of what Ranen could possibly be planning.

I’m going to kill her. This isn’t fair. First Edward, now Alphonse…

She stopped for a moment on the road, dim evening light, clutching the shoulder strap, lip trembling. She closed her eyes and took a very deep breath.

“I’ve been traveling for a little three weeks. It’s been a month since Al left. All over the place. I’ve found nothing.” She kicked at the dirt. “Why couldn’t I be an alchemist like them? Well…not that that would change anything. I still wouldn’t be psychic.”

I am not an alchemist because I am an automail specialist.

She blinked and looked up.

That’s sweet of you. It’s amazing that every man within a hundred mile radius isn’t banging down your door.

Why would they?

Why wouldn’t they? Pretty auto-mail specialist like you

She had puzzled about him. Russel Trigham. His behavior towards her had begun to change. It was strange and flattering…but still….ah, she was beginning to wonder—

Wait a moment…Alphonse had Russel go with him! Was he in on this…?

But surely Russel wouldn’t do tha—but then again he had ‘accidentally’ and ‘coincidently’ met up with Ranen in Central. What if that was a lie too?

She looked down quietly at the road.

Suddenly, not too far off was…something…something like a scream…or a moan. The air was full of electricity, making the hair on the back of her neck rise.

Not even thinking, she took off through the trees—strange glimmers of white, flickers of light...

And when she stepped into the clearing, she could only stare. “Alphonse…”

The day was Sunday. The end of the fourth week.

Russel held out the vial of liquid. Fletcher and Alphonse were standing next to him. Ranen was behind them, sitting on her knees on the couch and watching them. Her arms were laid on the back of the couch, and resting her chin on them. Her eyes were not sleepy; they were narrowed, eyes following the vial. Isaac Crane stood in front of Russel, Alphonse and Fletcher with an expressionless face, but there was a spark of smugness in his eyes.

Ranen glared.

Fletcher could feel the tension in the air. If his brother’s eyes could kill, Crane would be six feet under. Probably further.

Alphonse watched the vial, but not with Ranen’s intense concentration, more like a sort of anticipation or masked desperation.

He took the vial. “Let’s get started then, shall we, gentlemen?”


He headed for the door. Alphonse stepped ahead of Russel to go first. It was nearly night—to where he could hardly see anymore. Crane, however, seemed to know exactly what he was doing.

He knelt on the ground and touched the dirt. A golden circle flared into formation around him. “This will summon the spirits. It will likely take some time. So, please, get a drink or sit down.”

Crane knelt on both knees down and pressed his hands into the earth. Yellow lights flashed everywhere. The air felt as though it were full of electricity.

And then moans.

Alphonse could feel them. Souls. He wasn’t sure how. Even his own soul, detachable as it had become, felt a strange urge to lift. He could feel spirits and hear moans and see little flickers and moans. He looked at Russel.

The young man took in a hiss of breath and went into a crouch, ready to draw a Circle, should he need to. Fletcher stood, solid, next to him.

Ranen came outside, taking out a cigarette and leaning against the wall to watch, eyes only looking sleepy. Alphonse could almost feel the tension in her.

He wasn’t sure how long it was they stood outside but suddenly, the light was gone. In his hands, Isaac Crane held a Stone.

A Stone.

From the Red Water and thousands of spirits and souls he’d channeled and transmuted. He could hardly believe it. It had been that easy. He walked up and simply placed the Stone in Alphonse’s hand.

This man is more dangerous then I suspected. Perhaps Russel’s right…maybe we really should kill him. He stared, uncomfortable. What would Ed do? He bit his lip. I don’t know because he’s not here and this could be the only way….

And then he heard a gasp. Actually he heard two, one to his left and one to his right but only registered the one on his right, closer. He looked down at Russel. “What is it?”

But he was jumping up. “Winry!”

“WHAT?!” Alphonse whirled his gaze across the clearing and there she was. “Oh no…”

Winry narrowed her eyes. “Finally! Finally, I find you! After three weeks! You take off and lie to me and—“

“What are you doing here?!” Alphonse and Russel yelled at the same time.

“What’s—that’s Fletcher—“

“Young lady. If I may inquire. Who are you?”

She did a double-take at Crane. “Winry Rockbell.”

His eyes narrowed. “And you’ve been looking for Alphonse Elric?”

She narrowed her eyes in return, standing full height. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“I sent her a letter and asked her to come.”

Everyone looked at Ranen as she stepped away from the wall, flicking her cigarette from the ground. “My directions must have gotten screwed up if it took you so long. Although it did take Fletcher nearly a week and he hitched a couple rides. I suppose you walked the whole way. So that may be just as well.”

Winry stared at her. Alphonse stared, mouth agape. “…what?”

Russel immediately lunged up. “You--!”

“And what was your reason for inviting Miss Rockbell without my knowledge?” Crane’s eyes had gone to slits, icy cold.

Winry was about to speak, looking absolutely infuriated.

Ranen yawned but beat her to it. “I figured that when they got Edward Elric back, he’d probably need a good technician.”

“You informed me that you were bringing no one but Alphonse and Russel Trigham, then, strangely enough, Mister Trigham finds it necessary to call for his brother and now Miss Rockbell has shown up. Perhaps, Ranen, you have had this planned?”

“Little paranoid aren’t you,” she said, yawning but slitting her eyes as he started to circle her a bit. “If I was going to lie that extensively to take the Stone from you, then why would I bother with her?” She knocked a thumb at Winry. “She’s no alchemist. She’s just an automail specialist.”

Alphonse looked back and forth. “What is go—“

He felt a nudge, however and glanced over. Russel was watching the two of them like a hawk; he gave a very, very stiff, short shake of his head.

Don’t speak.

“So now the party to travel beyond the Gate has at once, extended and changed.”

Ranen flicked her gaze up, though it was barely noticeably. “Hmm?”

“Alphonse Elric and Mister Trigham intended to cross the Gate. But now you’ve started acting suspiciously. I think you should go with them, Ranen. And take the automail specialist with you.”

Everyone froze for a moment.

The Russel snapped, “WHAT?! Absolutely not! You can’t force Winry to go!”

Crane looked at him. “You are in no position to negotiate. One alchemist for another. Equivalent Trade.”

Suddenly, Fletcher was lifted right off his feet and whisked to Crane’s side. “This boy will be my hostage to ensure your return. If you fail, he knows how to make the Red Water—so he will make me another. In exchange for his powers as an alchemist and his obvious knowledge, Ranen and Miss Rockbell will accompany Mister Elric and Mister Trigham.”

Russel surged forward, Alphonse had to nearly tackle him and take him to the ground. “Stoppit,” he whispered in his ear. “You’re only going to make things worse.”

Ranen was quiet for a moment and then she shrugged. “Fine. If you’re that stupid.”

“You’ll go at first light. Do you understand?”

Alphonse, from the ground, nodded. He locked eyes with Fletcher for a moment. He’s been bound by Crane’s souls. Fletcher nodded.

He got off of Russel very slowly. “Yes, I understand.”


Crane went inside, behind him Fletcher walked, head held high, unable to struggle, a dark look on his face.

The rest of them remained outside. This was at Crane’s…’request’, as he termed it. Russel immediately ordered for Alphonse to use the Stone or kill Crane but he refused. Either way, Crane threatened to kill Fletcher if he made such a move.

The two of them had looked at each other and then Winry had come up behind them, touching their arms. They looked at her.

Russel looked at Ranen. “Were you trying to protect Winry or were you just getting him to make her go?”

Ranen had her eyes closed for a moment. “I was trying to get her out of it. I was afraid he’d make her a hostage. I hadn’t exactly expected her to show up.”

“If you knew he was going to do that, why didn’t you tell us?!” Alphonse snapped.

“Would you have believed me? You all had a very broad view that he might be untrustworthy; it isn’t my fault that you were naïve. I was afraid something like this would happen when you,” and here she looked at Russel, “sent for your brother. But how would it have looked if I’d spoken up? Crane is a suspicious guy. As in, suspicious of everyone else. He already doesn’t trust me. He didn’t trust me the moment he met me.”

“And just as well,” Alphonse shot back. “You lied to us and him!”

“Oh I knew it!” Winry walked up to her then, grabbing her by her shirtfront. “I should kill you!”

Ranen looked at her. “If you do, he’ll kill Fletcher.”

“How does he kill?”

Winry didn’t wait for her answer. She wound back and slammed her hand into Ranen’s face. The alchemist stumbled over a few steps but did nothing in retaliation. She answered as she straightened. “When he touches someone, he can force a spirit into his or her mind and destroy them. Or, he can absorb the spirit for himself. He has many trapped souls all over this place.”

They all froze.

Alphonse clenched his fists. “We underestimated him.”

Russel looked ready to kill. “If you hadn’t tricked Alphonse into thinking we could cross that Gate, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

Ranen wiped blood off her nose. “I didn’t trick him.”

At the same time, Winry said, “WHAT?!” Her bag thudded to the ground.

Alphonse looked almost sheepish. “He just created a Philosopher’s Stone. We’re going to cross the Gate with it.”

“To get Edward. No. We can’t do this. Alphonse. Not again. We can fight this weirdo!”

“No. You make a move and he’ll kill Fletcher. You think he’s gone to bed or something? He’s probably watching right now. And if he’s not, he’s probably showing Fletcher that he can back up his threat.”

Russel looked about ready to bolt again but Winry and Al grabbed him at the same time. “You bitch!” he spat at her.

She looked away.

“We may get lucky. A week after you left, I called Central. I know that you lied to me, that’s why I came looking for you. Riza promised to contact Roy Mustang.”

Alphonse stared at her.

She glared. “After all the lies I got out of you and Edward and everyone else for that matter, did you think I’d just let that slide?”

He looked away.

“In any case. We’re stuck now, unless you want Fletcher to die. So we have to wait until morning.”

“How do we know that once we’ve crossed this Gate or whatever, that you just won’t take the Stone. What do you care about Fletcher?”

Ranen looked away from Russel. “There’s no way I can prove that, except for that if I’d wanted the Stone, I’d have taken it by now. But it wouldn’t matter what reasoning I gave you, you wouldn’t believe me.”

“And why the hell should we?! All you’ve done is lie!” Winry snapped.

Ranen shrugged. “Think what you want.” She shrugged away, leaning against the side of the house and opening up her coat for another cigarette and scowled to find it empty.

Alphonse, Russel and Winry went to the other side and sat down. Winry was trying to stay calm, battling rage and despair.

Russel had her sit between them and they both held her. Russel put an arm over her shoulders and Alphonse took her hand.


Was it too soon or not when the sun rose? Alphonse and his two friends had hardly slept at all. Ranen was bunched up in her coat, so who knew.

Crane came out, marching Fletcher behind him, who looked exhausted and grim, and pleasantly offered coffee. It was all Russel could do not to jump up and kill him on the spot. It was all Alphonse could do to put on a serious, calm face for Winry.

“Alphonse. If you will. Draw a Circle in the dirt.”

Inwardly, he seethed, outwardly he nodded grimly. He squeezed Winry’s hand and held the flickers and memory of that Circle in his mind. He reached down, touching the ground.

Blue light sizzled, sparked and leapt into life, blasting open.

The Circle that had, at once, saved and ruined his life.

“All of you. In the Circle. Now.”

“Can I have my bag? I’m out of cigarettes.”

Crane glared at her. “I already searched your bag.” He smiled and tossed her a pack. “You’re lucky there was nothing of interest in it or he,” and he gestured to Fletcher with a hand, “might not have made it through the night.”

Ranen didn’t say anything. She just grabbed the cigarettes from the air and went to stand in the Circle. Reluctantly, the other three followed.

Alphonse was shaking with anticipation. Winry was trying to get a hold of herself. Russel had an arm around her, glaring, but he was trembling himself.

Russel was afraid but he wasn’t about to admit it. Winry seemed to be battling with her own terror. Alphonse looked anxious. Ranen looked like she didn’t care but when the boy stood with her in the Circle, he could sense her tension

Alphonse took out the Stone.

“No! No!” Winry was suddenly yelping. “I remember what happened last time! That thing will—“

“How could you remember—“

Suddenly, Ranen was taking the Stone right from his hand. “Let’s get this done.” She knelt down, Stone in one hand and activated the Circle. She grabbed onto Russel, who grabbed onto Winry, who was holding onto Alphonse.

There was a flash of light and all four of them stood in front of the Gate.

“Where are we?!” Winry yelped.

Alphonse looked up. “This is the Gate…”

Russel stood, in awe and then suddenly seemed to snap back to his senses. “Give us back the Stone!”

Ranen glared at him. “No.”

“Let’s kill her, Alphonse.”

“You heard Winry. She knows what happened to Alphonse when he was in that suit of armor.”

They both looked at her. Winry was staring at the doors.

“Winry!” Alphonse and Russel both went to her

“How could you remember what—“

“Rose told me. You had become a container for the Stone. It started to eat away at you.”

The boys blinked.

“That’s why I took it.” She looked down at the Stone. “I never told Crane that the Stone deteriorates as you use it. So we need to hurry up.” She looked at Winry. “It’s a proof of my goodwill. If it eats at anyone, it’ll be me. When we get to wherever we’re going, take the Stone back.”

“That doesn’t prove anything! You’re a liar!”

“So’s he and his brother, evidently,” she said to Winry.

Winry stopped short.

Ranen ignored her and walked forward. She looked at the mighty monolith. Terror jerked up into her throat and she couldn’t speak for a moment. She swallowed; glad her back was to the rest of them. “Hold onto me.” She opened a hand behind her. Someone took it, Russel, from the feel of the hand. She raised the other hand with the Stone and took a deep breath. “Hey! We’re going across to get Edward Elric! Open up!” She hoped she sounded bolder and braver then she felt.

The Gate opened. Winry shrieked. Russel yelled, nearly jerking away. Alphonse though, he stepped towards it, pulling Winry with him, bringing them into a line. He stared at the eyes, not afraid, almost drawn to it. “Let’s go.” He walked forward.

Winry followed, shaking. Russel held onto her, staring, and Ranen came, swallowing hard.

They jumped into the blackness, the Stone flared, whirling golden light flaring past them.

Then darkness.

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