The Phoenix Alchemist

Truth

A few months later - Resembool

Edward's POV

I sighed and scratched the back of my head. "This is really confusing. Al, what have you got?" I looked over at my brother. His walking stick was leaning next to him. He looked up from his book. "Nothing useful. Do you remember anything she said that might help us?" He asked. I paused and remembered her backup plan. "We need to go see Havoc."

~

"The stars have fallen." I said in a hushed tone. Havoc wheeled into the back room and we followed him. He handed me a package of infirmation. "What happened to her?" He asked. I sighed and explained. "Ah. So she's technically not dead?" I shook my head. "She got sucked into the gate. With her injuries, she could be dead. She might even be on the other side. I need to know." He nodded and wheeled back to the main room. I thanked him and we went home.

~

I tore open the thick package. On top was a handwritten letter.

Dear Edward [and hopefully Al],
By the time you're reading this, I will be dead or worse: back on the other side of the gate. You remember that secret I was keeping for 'her' safety and yours? Well, I am leaving the instructions to save 'her' in here. There is a map that will show you where I suspect the homunculi are holding her. Their weakness is fire, so bring Mustang. If you're still wondering who 'she' is, it is none other than Winry Rockbell. On my adventures as a captive, I managed to rescue her. It ended with a threat from Lust: tell you and try to rescue her, and you would die and she would join you in the afterlife. Now that I am gone, I am trusting you will make the right decision.
Love,
Arielle

I was shocked. Winry, alive? We were shown a picture of her body, lying in a puddle of blood. I realized it was probably Envy or her while unconscious. The map had a circled point near the ruins of Ishbal. I passed the letter to Al and he grinnned. His smile hadn't changed in around six years. He hugged me tight. "Let's go save Winry!"

~

Mustang paced beside me. "Are you sure she's here?" He asked. I nodded. "Ari seemed sure of it." I heard screams and ran towards them. They led me to a metal door. Mustang came up beside me and looked at the lock. "It's locked." I pressed my hands together and transmuted the door away Winry was lying on the ground. I ran to her side and picked her up. "Let's get out of here." Mustang nodded and we heard a loud thud. "Looks like they know we're here." I sighed. "We might be able to make it out."

~

After a successful escape, Winry woke up. She hugged me. "Ed? Is Al there?" I nodded and Al came over. She hugged us both and sat up. "What happened?" She asked. "Well, after you were captured, Al's body went back to his body. When I tried to pull him out, Arielle got pulled out instead. I trained her to become an alchemist, which she acceled at. She became a state alchemist and got captured a few months ago. Long story short, I got stabbed through the heart in a rescue attempt. She performed the first successful human transmutation, since I was still in the gate. She pushed Al out when she retrieved my soul and brought me back. She lost her arm, her leg, her arm.. and her wing. Now, she's either dead, in the gateway, or on the other side of the portal." Winry pouted. "She saved my life, kinda. She was nice." I nodded. The doorbell rang and I went to answer it. "Letter for the Fullmetal alchemist. Is he home?" The mailman asked. I grunted and showed him my pocket watch. He handed me a letter and I shut the door. I tore open the letter and pulled out a small piece of paper.

Edward Elric,

Meet me in the Central Cafe on the west side of the city on the 23rd of the eighth month at noon.

"Who is it from?" Al asked. I shrugged. "It doesn't have a name. Well, I'm going. They might have information." Al gave me a 'you're kidding, right?' look. "The 23rd is tomorrow. I'll go alone." Al pouted. "Fine.. don't get killed. You don't have an arm to transmute anymore. Be careful."