Chapter One-

Truth's Request

The Gate stood menacingly over the young blonde, a faceless, white being in front of said Gate. The blonde looked at the white being, seemingly fearless. However, if one looked close enough, one could see their shoulders quaking slightly. The blonde's amber eyes burned with a courage and determination that was so intense, their quaking became less and less noticeable. The faceless figure stared back.

"I see that you've returned, little girl." The figure taunted. "I have returned your arm and leg. What more do you ask of me? Did I, perhaps, miss something, Edward, that is to say, Edwina Elric?" The girl, known as Edwina, kept her unwavering eyes on the figure. She then spoke.

"Give him back, Truth. I came for him, and with a proper sacrifice. Now, give me my baby brother back!" Truth only stared at her.

"Oh?" It stated mockingly. "Do you really have a sacrifice that will be equal enough for your brother?" She nodded once, her gaze still unwavering. She gestured to the gate behind her.

"I give up that." She declared. "I give up all of my alchemy, the ability to create, in order to restore my brother." Truth looked at Edwina curiously, as if it couldn't believe she was giving up something that had taken her all of her time and energy to master.

"Are you sure, Edwina? Are you prepared to give up everything you've worked for, just for a body?" Edwina's face shifted, her emotionless mask melting into a smile.

"Who needs Alchemy when I have the people around me?" Truth smiled. Someone had finally figured it out, have they?

"It's about time someone figured it out. But you know what? Just taking your alchemy would be boring. I think I will let you keep it." Edwina frowned.

"What do I have to do to exchange for that? I know you, Truth. You won't let this happen so easily. What do you want in exchange?" Truth's smile lessened a bit, until it looked almost sad.

"As Truth, you know that I can never lie," It explained. "There are some places out there where equivalent exchange isn't practiced. Alchemy is dead there, and all those with the talent rely on magic instead of doing things the way life intended them to do those things." Edwina nodded, signaling that she understood and for Truth to continue.

"There is a man, who can't even be called a man, who is trying to commit genocide of those without two 'Magical' parents. There is also a prophecy about a young boy who will vanquish him. In exchange for your brother's life, I will age you five years, take away most of your memories, and send you to this world to help the young boy. I will let them keep their prophecies, but I am sending you to prove that Alchemy is not a 'dead magic'. You will have a few things with you to help get your memories back, as you must do that on your own. With all this in mind, do you accept this trade?"

"Will I ever see them again?" Edwina asked. Truth knew that she was referring to her beloved little brother and all the friends she had made over the years, especially a certain man. Truth nodded.

"Once you regain all of your memories, you will see them again."

Edwina contemplated everything that she could, and gave her answer.

"For Alphonse, I accept." Truth gave her a smile that she had never seen on its face before; a kind, apologetic smile.

"I will give you a chance to say goodbye, and anything else you want to say." There was a bright flash, and Edwina and Alphonse Elric appeared just outside of the transmutation circle.

Al opened his eyes to see his sister holding him. He felt weak and heavy, and he was very hungry. He could feel Edwina's tight, warm embrace, and he lifted his hand to rest on hers as she covered his naked form. Hohenheim walked over a moment later.

"Ed, I take it that Truth took your sacrifice?" Ed looked at him, a smile on her pretty face.

"No, he didn't accept it." She said simply. Hohenheim looked at her, shocked, as did the rest of the people there. With Al in Hohenheim's arms, Ed stood and walked over to the circle. She turned to her friends and family and recounted what Truth had told her to do.

"Instead of my alchemy, Truth is going to age my by five years, considering that's how long Al was in the armor, and send me to another world to teach them alchemy. Truth is also going to take the majority of my memories. I will be able to see you only after my memories return. So, before I leave, I have a few things to say," The people around her were too shocked to say anything. She looked at her father.

"I forgive you, father." She looked to her brother.

"Al, you really are the best little brother in the world. I'm sorry for everything I put you though, and thank you for putting up with your selfish sibling." She looked to Ling, the money-mooching prince.

"You'd better pay off that bill with your own money by the time I get my memories back. I will kill you otherwise." She looked to Major Armstrong.

"Stay youthful, sir." She looked to Riza Hawkeye, the pretty, gun-happy Lieutenant Colonel.

"You always were the woman I looked up to the most." She turned to Havoc, Fury, Falman, and Breda.

"Enough with the short jokes already, dammit! I'm going to be aging three years, so I'm going to get taller. Oh, and Fury? You really are the sweetest man in the military." Fury blushed, though every one of them was confused. Edward was a boy, right? Does this mean he was… homosexual? (1) Finally, Ed turned to her superior officer, Colonel Roy Mustang. Her gaze lingered a bit before she smiled. Roy looked from side to side before realizing that her gaze was on him. He sighed.

"I know what you're going to say, Fullmetal." Ed looked slightly surprised, but happy.

"You do?" She asked, looking rather hopeful. Roy sighed.

"The answer is 'No'." Ed froze.

"I am not a homosexual, Fullmetal."

"How dare you?" Someone shouted. It wasn't Ed, though. It was sweet, mild-mannered Alphonse.

"You don't know anything, do you Colonel? Sister was hiding her gender because it was hard enough getting into the military at twelve, but if the higher ups discovered she was a girl, things would have been worse! She's always been a girl, and she's always been-"Ed held up her hand to stop her brother.

"I've always been in love with you, Colonel. Though, even if you don't feel the same way, I'm very glad I could say it before I left." She stepped into the center of the circle. The circle began to glow and Ed began to grow. She was about a foot taller, and her feminine physique was more pronounced. Her baby fat was gone. Where sixteen year old Ed Elric once stood was a beautiful young woman. The circle began to glow brighter, and Edwina began to fade. Even so, when she turned to look at them one last time, everyone could see the tears streaming down her face, and how they flowed faster when she met Roy's gaze. She turned away, but Roy didn't miss the hurt in her eyes as she turned.

And just like that, Edwina Elric was gone.

A/N: (1) For the record, they all still think that they are talking to a young man named Edward at this point, if you didn't get it.

I have a feeling that you have all noticed that I didn't make a new chapter. Honestly, I have just gotten my wisdom teeth removed on New Year's Eve, and had a few minor complications after the surgery. I have been very sick, but I've been steadily getting better and should have the next chapter up as soon as I can. I am trying my best for this story, so please think about what you want to say when you review, because I got a few reviews that kind of hurt my feelings. It was like they were insulting my intelligence and questioning my drive. I happen to like the name Edwina. It sounds sophisticated and feminine, bit with a light hint of boyish charm. And it fits, because Ed's sudden aging, combined with severe personal amnesia and culture shock, is going to be really rough on her, and she's going to mature a lot. I do hope you tolerate my lateness and continue to read this. I'll be a little rusty on the HP stuff, but I'm working on that. Thank you all for your support.

Lots of love and cookies,

TPU