Thanks so much to those who have reviewed so far. I hope you like this chapter as much as the first. Just a quick note: I will address this in the story itself later on but just so you don’t get confused the passage of time is different between the worlds. While about sixty or seventy years have passed in our world, only about thirty or so have passed in the other world. Also, I thought you’d like to know, this has become a full-blown project for me and so I’ve gone ahead and created a soundtrack and the whole nine yards for this story. The main theme song for the story is called Heartplace and it is sung by Ayumi Hamasaki. In order to make it available to anyone I made a slideshow with the translated lyrics and put it up on youtube. If you’re interested in checking it out I will put a link to it on my profile along with the OVA link. Thanks for your support and enjoy!

(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)(xxx)

It had been an uneventful and peaceful day. Like most other days he had passed the time by looking at old photographs and reminiscing about the past, or else reading. He was currently engaged in the latter activity when the phone began to ring. Marking his page, he closed his book and slowly pushed himself up from his chair. Metal fingers curled around the receiver as it was lifted from the cradle.

“Hello? Grandpa?” a worried female voice rushed through the speaker.

“Trisha?” he replied, slightly alarmed at her tone of voice.

“Yes, it’s me. Grandpa, by any chance have Ed or Al come by to see you today?” Trisha asked, trying and failing to keep her voice calm.

“No, not today,” was the answer.

“Oh…I’d hoped…” she trailed off devastated.

“Trisha, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just that, I called Ed down to dinner and he didn’t answer. So I went up to check on him and he wasn’t in his room. We searched the whole house and he isn’t here. Then I called Nina and she said that Al is missing too.” Trisha sounded close to tears.

“All right now, calm down,” he tried to sooth her. “I’m sure they’re fine. Sunset was less than an hour ago. They probably just went out to play without telling you and lost track of time. I bet they’re on their way home right now.”

“Yes…” she muttered not wholly convinced, “yes, of course you’re right. I’m panicking over nothing. Sorry I bothered you.”

“Trisha, you are never a bother. Don’t worry. They’ll be home before you know it.”

“Yes…thank you. Good night, Grandpa.”

“Good night, Trisha.” He hung up the phone but did not take his hand from the receiver. A frown darkened his features. He hoped he was right and the boys were safe.

(xxx)

Ed screamed as stringy black arms wrapped around his limbs. He struggled against them in panic but could not break their hold. A nearby cry drew his attention and he glanced up to see Al in a similar state.

“Al!” Ed yelled, fighting even harder against the arms.

“Cousin! Help!” Al pleaded. A new arm wrapped around his head to cover his mouth and a muffled scream escaped the boy.

“Hold on Al!” Ed managed to free his arm, reaching for his cousin who tried desperately to reach for him as well. Another inky arm wrapped around Ed’s forehead to hold him back. “Let go of me!” he growled and forced himself foreword, breaking the arms around him so that they disintegrated and disappeared.

Half-swimming through the sea of arms he reached his cousin and tore off the arm blocking his mouth. Al gasped and took deep breaths, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill out of his brown eyes. Ed continued to rip arms from his cousin until he was free. The black tentacles, as though afraid of the boys who had hurt them, surrounded the cousins but refrained from recapturing them.

“What is this place?” Al asked.

“I don’t know,” Ed answered quietly. There was a roar below them and both looked down to see the snakelike monster struggling through the arms.

“The monster!” Al cried, latching onto his cousin’s arm.

“Hey, it looks like it knows where it’s going. Maybe it knows the way outta here,” Ed pointed out as they watched the monster’s progress. Sharing a glance, both cousins began to make their way through the wiggling arms after the monster. They hadn’t gone far when a familiar head of raven hair came into view.

“Houkahi!” Ed called as he and Al made their way towards the trapped boy. Together they made short work of the arms cocooning him.

“Where’s the lady and that weird girl?” Roy asked when he was freed. Ed was about to answer that they didn’t know when Izumi’s voice interrupted him.

“You children were swallowed as well then?” They turned to see Izumi struggling through the arms with a limp Rose under one arm. The girl appeared to be unconscious.

“Is she okay?” Al asked worriedly.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Izumi admitted. “Have you seen that dragon?”

“Yeah, it went that way. We think it might know the way out,” Ed answered, pointing in the direction the monster had gone. Nodding, Izumi took the lead and began to force a path through the arms. The monster’s roar rang through the air ahead of them and Izumi hurried to follow it.

“This way!” she called to the children behind her and with one final push the arms fell away and she was falling again.

The last of the arms gave way and the monster found itself in open space. It fell for a moment before regaining its senses and realizing where it was. With a triumphant roar it twisted through the air just before hitting the ground and soared high into the dark sky. Its senses were immediately assaulted by a welcomed and long forgotten tingle of power pulsating through the nearby river. The weakened body was drawn to the promise of revitalization and the monster nosedived into the polluted water.

A dark sky and a strange vision of ground came into focus for an instant and then were lost in the confused tumble of falling. It was only a short fall to earth, hardly fatal but bruising none the less. Izumi and the children lay still for a long moment after they landed, the jolt of the sudden impact echoing painfully in their bones.

“Ouch,” Ed moaned as he sat up and rubbed his head.

“What was that?” Roy asked as he too sat up, watching as a bruise formed before his eyes on his arm.

“Forget that, where are we now?” Ed gasped. It was clear now why the ground had looked so strange from above. The grass was not a lush green but blood red. The few trees in sight were stained scarlet as well and most of them appeared to be dead. A city was visible in the distance, but the damage to it was clear and it was obviously disserted. A river ran by the city and curled off towards the horizon. Its waters, like everything else, were a sickly crimson. The sky above them was dark with angry clouds; a storm that appeared to be concentrated directly above the city.

‘This isn’t right…it isn’t supposed to be like this…can this really be Shamballa?’ Izumi thought as she stared with the children at their frightening surroundings.

“Why is everything red?” Al wondered uneasily.

“This place feels wrong,” a dazed voice made them turn to see Rose sitting up looking fearfully at the distant city, the first real emotion they had seen her display.

“What’s with you and ‘feeling’ things anyway?” Ed muttered darkly. He turned to face her and deliver another nasty remark, but stopped when he noticed his cousin fishing something out of the tall grass that waved all around them in the slight breeze. “Al, what are you doing?”

“Look, Cousin! A kitten!” Al smiled as he pulled a small gray kitten into his arms.

“Al, put that thing back!” Ed reprimanded.

“What? No!” Al replied fiercely, wrapping his arms protectively around the kitten.

“I said put it back! It could be dangerous!”

“Dangerous? It’s just a little kitten!”

“Everything here is weird. What if that thing is too?”

“It is not weird, it’s normal.”

“Nothing here is normal!”

“He’s all by himself. I can’t just leave him out here.”

“If you won’t than I will.”

“Cousin, let go! You’ll hurt him!”

“Give me the cat, Al!”

“No!”

“Al, give it!”

“No!”

“Al!”

“Explain yourselves!”

The group froze, Ed’s hand still outstretched to grab the kitten, and turned to see a man in blue uniform standing there glaring at them. Though none of them had ever seen such a uniform before it was obvious even to the children that this man belonged to some form of military. The black handle of a gun hung dauntingly at his hip.

“Who are you? Where do you come from? What is your business here?” The man appeared fearful of them and for a moment the children were confused. He was bigger and stronger than them and certainly had an advantage with his weapon. Why would he be afraid of them?

The man unconsciously reached for his gun when Izumi stood up, though he did not draw the firearm. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her head. The children were her responsibility while they were here, this she knew, and now she had to do her best to keep any of them from being shot by this edgy officer.

“My name is Izumi,” she said calmly. “These children and I are…refugees. We lost our way a few days ago, I’m afraid.” Ed, Al, and Roy all glanced at Izumi but said nothing. Rose ignored the officer and continued to stare fearfully at the city.

“You have no bags with you,” the officer remarked, his voice thick with suspicion.

“Our supplies ran out yesterday morning,” Izumi replied smoothly. “It was troublesome to carry empty bags so we left them behind.”

“What country are you from?” he asked. Izumi was silent.

“We have no home here,” Rose lamented monotonously. Everyone turned to look at her. The officer looked more scared than ever. Ed suddenly remembered the rumors concerning Rose’s family and blurted, “Gypsies! We’re gypsies. Yeah, that’s what she means. We just, you know, wander all over the place and don’t really have a home.”

“It has been a long time since I have heard news of this place,” Izumi added. “I remembered there was a city here, but it is obvious now that it is of no use to us.” The officer, obviously disbelieving, opened his mouth again but was interrupted.

“Is there a problem here?” The officer turned to address his superior while Izumi and the children stared in shock at the new arrival. Even Rose tore her gaze from the city to take in the stranger. He was tall with blonde hair and steely black eyes set in an eerily familiar face.

“Major Mustang,” the officer greeted with a salute, “I was just…”

“Harassing a woman and a bunch of kids?” Major Mustang finished with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey Houkahi,” Ed whispered to the raven haired boy beside him. “This guy looks just like you, only the hair’s different.” Roy only nodded dumbly.

“But, sir, you must admit it is suspicious,” the officer was trying to explain.

“You mean to tell me you’re scared of a bunch of children, lieutenant?” Mustang asked almost mockingly.

“What? N-no, sir, but for them to be wandering here, this close to Red City…” He officer stopped and lowered his voice, turning his back to Izumi and the children. “Strange things happen around here. And that lady, she said she didn’t know about what had happened here. How could she not know?”

“I see…” Mustang murmured, glancing over his shoulder at the children. He gazed at them all carefully in turn, an act that caused the boys to fidget and stare down at their feet. Rose, as always, remained unaffected. “Lieutenant, I think you’re long over due for some R and R. No, no,” Mustang cut off the officer as he tried to protest, “I must insist. You are to take a full week’s leave as soon as we get back, and that’s an order. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the officer muttered resentfully.

“Good, now go back to the trucks. I will handle this.” The officer saluted once more and started glumly towards a few dots on the horizon that Izumi and the children assumed were the trucks.

“Now then,” Mustang said cheerfully as he turned back to the children. “You don’t appear to be from around here. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Major Royce Mustang.”

“Hello,” Al replied happily, hugging his kitten. “I’m Alphonse and that’s my cousin Edward,” he pointed to Ed. “This is Izumi-sensei, our teacher, and our friends Roy and Rose.”

“Don’t call weird people my friends,” Ed retorted.

“Be quiet, bean,” Roy huffed.

“WHO’RE CALLING AN ULTRA-SUPER SHORT MIDGET!”

“You’re so annoying,” Roy sighed as he lowered the hands he had placed over his ears.

“Yeah, well you’re—”

“ENOUGH!” The bickering stopped at Izumi’s command. Once there was silence Mustang cleared his throat.

“Judging by the story you gave to my officer,” Mustang said with an amused smile, “I’m guessing you don’t have anywhere to go.” The group was silent. “I thought as much. In that case, you are welcome to come with us to New Central. I have a friend there who will be more than happy to have you as guests.” The group exchanged looks.

“Thank you very much. Consider us in your debt,” Izumi bowed. Mustang nodded and turned in the direction the officer had gone earlier.

“Al, you’re not bringing that cat with us,” Ed hissed as they followed the Major.

“I’m not leaving him here, Cousin,” Al replied curtly.

“Al!”

“My friend that you’ll be staying with rather likes cats,” Mustang offered, overhearing the argument. “You’re free to bring it if you want to. I’m sure there won’t be any objects.” Al stuck his tongue out at his cousin.

They walked in relatively comfortable silence for a while after that, the trucks growing steadily larger in the distance. Now the children could see people moving around the giant vehicles, all of them in the blue military uniforms.

“Look,” Al observed when they were nearly halfway to the trucks, “the red is going away.” They looked and saw he was right. The grass beneath their feet steadily grew a lighter and lighter shade of crimson until finally it gave way altogether to a dull green. As they continued the green progressed to a healthier shade until it was at last familiar and recognizable. The few trees around them no longer looked dead and even had green leaves to clothe their boney branches. Only the river in the distance and the grass at its banks was still red.

The entire group felt lighter and more at ease now that the world no longer seemed so alien. The dark clouds of the storm above the distant city had been left behind and the sky above them was blue and welcoming. Mustang noticed the boy who mirrored his younger self walking just behind him and slowed his pace to be even with him.

“You’re name is Roy, is it not?” he asked. The boy looked a little startled that the comment was addressed to him, but nodded.

“Ah, that’s a good name. A good, strong name,” Mustang said nostalgically. “My father’s name is Roy.” Roy felt he should say something but was unsure what.

“Oh,” he said, cringing inwardly at the idiotic comment.

“He was a military man once also. So was my mother. They are both retired now,” Mustang continued. Roy nodded, wondering why the Major was telling him this. An awkward silence settled between them. After hearing Mustang’s family history like that Roy felt almost guilty that they were lying to this man who was helping them.

“You know…” Roy began quietly after a moment, “you know we’re not really gypsies.”

“I figured as much,” Mustang nodded. “But let’s not talk about this now,” he added in a whisper. “When we reach my friend’s house it will be safer to talk.”

“Major, there you are,” an officer greeted them as they finally reached the line of trucks.

“General,” Mustang returned with a salute. “I apologize for my absence. I will be taking these civilians with me to New Central, sir.” The general looked past Mustang to Izumi and the children. They were relieved when he didn’t display any of the earlier officer’s nervous suspicion.

“Very well, Major. We will be departing now.”

“Yes, sir,” Mustang replied with another stiff salute.

“Oh, and Major,” the General added in a more casual tone, “next time you feel the need to run off, I’d appreciate it if you warned me first. Just because I know you would never go AWOL doesn’t help me convince them when I don’t know where you are.”

“Yes, sir,” Mustang smiled sheepishly. The general nodded and turned to walk towards the jeep at the head of the convoy of trucks. Mustang also started to walk towards the vehicles at the front of the line, waving his hand over his shoulder for the others to follow him. He led them to the first truck just behind the General’s jeep.

He turned to help Izumi into the truck only to find her already climbing up herself. Surprised for a moment, he then smiled and shook his head. When she was safely in the high back of the truck he bent and seized Al by the armpits.

“Up we go!” he called while Al yelped in surprise and gripped his kitten until it yowled in discomfort. Mustang passed the boy up to Izumi before turning and repeating the process with the other children. Rose took a step back from him, as though reluctant to be touched. When he did grab her she went limp and remained that way until she was in Izumi’s grasp. Then he himself climbed up into the truck.

There were twenty or so soldiers in the truck with them, all of which turned their attention to Izumi and the children. Some looked nervous while others were merely curious. The boys felt uneasy under the soldiers’ heavy stares, but Mustang’s carefree attitude put them at ease a bit.

“We should arrive in New Central in about half an hour,” he told them as the truck rumbled and sputtered to life. They jerked forward once and then again before the metal beast settled into gear and rolled smoothly down the road. Ed peered curiously at the trucks behind them, trying to count how many there were.

“Are there soldiers in all of those trucks?” he asked.

“That’s right,” Mustang nodded.

“Wow,” Ed breathed in wonder. “Are you guys at war with someone or something?” Any soldiers who hadn’t been staring at the children turned towards them now at that question. Mustang laughed rather loudly.

“It is hard to tell who we’re fighting these days, isn’t it?” he joked, his voice loud enough for all of the soldiers to hear. “Sometimes it seems all we do is fight. It’s rather difficult to keep track of it all. And I’m sure you gypsies don’t have much of a chance to keep up with the news, do you?” Most of the soldiers’ suspicious looks died, though some lingered.

“We’re not at war, at least not yet,” Mustang said with a more normal volume. “There was a civil dispute in the west and we were sent to keep the peace, but that’s all. No one even had to fire a single shot.”

“That’s good,” Al smiled, stroking his kitten.

“Yes, it is,” Mustang agreed. An odd, almost regretful look came into his dark eyes.

“Who is this friend you’re taking us to?” Roy asked, feeling a change of subject was in order.

“Yeah, what’s he like?” Al asked eagerly.

“She, actually,” Mustang corrected with a smile. “We’ve been friends since childhood. Actually, our fathers were good friends as well. She can be a little…eccentric at times, but she’s a wonderfully dependable and loyal friend. I think you are going to enjoy staying with her.”

“Sounds like you like her,” Ed smirked. A blush spread over Mustang’s face. Before he could stutter a response, however, Ed cried out in pain as Roy elbowed him in the ribs.

“Don’t be rude, bean,” Roy said.

“WHO’RE YOU—”

“He’s right, Cousin. That wasn’t nice. You should apologize,” Al interrupted.

“Al, you’re agree with this guy?” Ed asked in a betrayed tone.

“Edward, listen to your cousin. Apologize,” Izumi said sternly.

“But—”

“NOW!” Izumi glared at him darkly. A shiver ran down the blonde boy’s spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

“Man…I was only teasing…” Ed muttered, turning back to Mustang. “Sorry.”

“Um…that’s alright,” Mustang said bewilderedly. A few of the soldiers snickered but stopped when he shot them a glare. As he turned back from the soldiers he noticed the girl sitting silently next to him.

“You’re rather quiet to be with these guys, aren’t you?” he asked her. She glanced at him but said nothing. He suddenly felt uncomfortable under her gaze and turned nervously to stare out the back of the truck. The rest of the ride was short and free of anymore outbursts.

When the trucks pulled to a stop Roy got out and helped the children out of the truck, except for Rose who avoided him and jumped down on her own. The children stared in wonder at the city around them. The tall white buildings and the people on the street all seemed normal and that was a tremendous relief after the shock they had received from their initial surroundings.

“This way,” Mustang told them as he led them away from the trucks and the soldiers. They walked down what appeared to be the main street, passing stores and merchants with carts. The street was busy with people, many of which paused to offer them greetings and a smile.

They passed from the commercial district to a residential district where Mustang led them to a large white house that looked very welcoming. Izumi and the children stayed back in the front yard as Mustang climbed the steps to the door and knocked twice. A woman with blonde hair and green eyes answered the door.

“Hello, Royce,” she greeted him warmly. “I heard you would be back today. Who are your friends?” she added looking past him.

“They’re gypsies we met on our way back. I was hoping they could stay here for a while, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

“Oh, of course,” she smiled. “It’s always nice to have someone to keep me company in this big house.” Mustang smiled and turned to introduce his friend.

“Everyone, this is my good friend who you’ll be staying with, Elicia Hughes.”

(xxx)

Envy struggled out of the river and onto the crimson grass. His long green hair was matted down with the red water and he was too tired to wring it out. Collapsing on the grassy bank he felt exhaustion sink in and fell into a deep sleep without noticing the three figures that were making their way curiously towards him.

“Falling asleep on the bank…he’s almost as lazy as you, Sloth,” one of them commented.

“Can I eat him?” another asked.

“I don’t think so. He’s one of us. Look,” the third yawned, pointing to the red ouroboros tattoo on Envy’s thigh.

“How interesting,” the first remarked. “So someone besides Father is making things like us?”

“I don’t know,” the third said, yawning again.

“So I can’t eat him?” the second one asked.

“No, but you can drag him back to Father,” the third replied.

“Because we all know you’re too lazy to do it,” the first grinned. The third one gave no answer as the second hoisted Envy over his shoulder and they turned towards the ruined city.