News: I'm sure to my fellow readers/authors; I have no excuse for not updating in 4 years. I was reading another manga while finishing FMA and got sidetracked, and this lead to not updating. I'M VERY VERY SORRY. I just got back into FMA, because some of my guy friends started watching FMA:Brotherhood. This manga has been published since 2001-2003. I got into the manga since 2005. So for us who seen the original Anime of FMA before Brotherhood; I realized my character was mixed into it. I aimed for this story to stay in the manga story line and not the original anime. Since FMA:Brotherhood is over; the story might mix into the anime. I'll see as the story flows. If you still wish to stay with me on this updated version of the story from then on; you're welcome and please give me critics. I love critics. No flame though. Haha XD If you want to voice out of what you think of this updated version; please feel free. I'm open to hearing anything of what you all think of my updated version of the story.

I don't know if anyone haven't noticed in the FullMetal Alchemist fan fiction category on here; there are so many yaoi. O.O' and not a lot of good long fan fiction stories done by other authors on here. _' gah. I just started noticing all of this last week. That week was also when I finally clicked on FullMetal Alchemist. I didn't touch it before, because I knew I had a story; so I held myself back. I went to the other fan fictions: Avengers, Resident Evil; -Man, Spider-Man, Halo, and blah blah blah. So, this is why I decided to start up my story again: Lack of good decent stories for FMA and started getting back into FMA. : )

I have FMA Manga from Vol 1. - Vol. 17. I do not have the last 27 volumes of FMA. So, for those who read the manga online; you might find some of the lines picked up.

Last: I don't know if you guys can see double titles of each chapter. I'm seeing it and when I try editing it; it's not there..so I don't know. -.-'' It's annoying me that I can't fix it..ugh!

My story will have spoilers if you haven't finished the FMA: Brotherhood or the Manga. And I'm rambling. Onto the story, shall we? : D

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Info:

Name: Deception

Description: She's been created by Father.

Disguise Name: Rain

Age:Unknown

Race: Homunculus

Looks: Black hair. She has bangs framing the right side of her face and the rest held up in a loose bun.

Powers and Skills: Telepathic. Inhumane speed just like the rest of the Homunculi and hand-to-hand combat skills.

Clothes. She wears a black tank top, dark blue jeans with black boots. She has black gloves with the red circle on them. She wears a dark blue light sweater to cover her tank top. The lines extend from her upper back and below her chest.

How she came to Existence: Father decided to have another homunculus for back up and have him/her watch over their Sacrifices.

Info: This takes place in the manga.

Pairings: I'm not sure about Edward anymore. I'm sorry for those who wanted an EdwardxOC. I will see how the story flows and how my character develop. Remember, she's a homunculus; so it'll be hard to tell how my character will go.

Chapter One: The Two Alchemists and Meetings

"Children of god who well on the earth...there is no salvation without prayer and faith. The sun god, Leto will illuminate thy path. Behold! The lord hath descended from his heavenly throne to save thee from all thy sins. For I am thy father...I am the emissary of the sun god...

"A religious broadcast on the radio?" An armor asked.

"Emissary of the sun god? What the heck is that?" A boy that looked around 15 years old with golden blonde hair and gold eyes to match his hair sat in a bar stool. He wore a red trench coat with a weird symobol on the back along with a black long sleeve and black pants with black boots as well.

The bartender looked at them weird. "Actually, I was going to ask the same thing about you two...are you guys street performers or something?"

The blonde teen spewed out his drink. "Hey, wait a minute, pops! What is it that makes you think that we're street performers?"

The bartender sweat dropped. "Well..I mean..what else could you be...?" I haven't seen your faces around here before. On a trip?" He asked.

"Uh-huh. We're trying to track something down. Bye the way, what's this broadcast?"

"You've never heard of Father Cornello?"

"Who?" The blonde sweat dropped.

"Father Cornello, the sun god Leto's Emissary!" The bartender said.

Everyone around them started talking about Father Cornello and his so called great miracles.

The blonde ignored them all while the armor listened and the bartender noticed. "You're not listening are you kid?"

The blonde slouched down in his chair while chewing the straw. "Nope. I'm agnostic." He stood up from his seat. "Thanks for the eats. Let's go."

The armor got up. "Okay." He bumped into the ceiling causing the radio to fall and break into pieces.

The bartender freaked out. "Oops." The armor said looking at the broken radio.

"Hey! Could you please be more careful, sir? Frankly, you shouldn't walk around wearing that suit...!" The blonde interrupted.

"Our bad. Don't worry, we're fix it right away." He said holding up a hand.

The bartender scratch his head. "You think you can fix it...?"

"Just sit back and watch." The blonde said while the armor drew a circle around the broken radio.

"Okay all set. Here we go..." He put his hands out and activated the circle.

BOOM! "Wha..?" The bartender and the others gasped around. The smoke cleared to reveal a fixed radio.

"How's that?" The blonde asked pointing to the radio.

"That...That's amazing!" The radio continued. "Can you work miracles?!" He asked.

"Miracles?" The blonde asked sweat dropping. "We're just alchemists." The armor said.

"We're the elric brothers. A lot of people have heard of us."

Everyone soon realized and they all started talking about them. "They say the older brother is a state alchemist they call... The FullMetal Alchemist, Edward Elric!"

Everyone crowded around the armor guy while the blonde guy just showed a pissed off look. "Uh, no...it's not me. It's him!" The armor said gesturing toward Edward. "You mean the little guy?"

Edward popped a vein. "I'M NOT LITTLE! DON'T CALL ME MIDGET! OR SHORTY! OR SHRIMP!" He yelled pissed off scaring the people.

"I'm the younger brother, Alphonse Elric." The armor, Alphonse pointed to himself. "It's ME!I'm the "FullMetal Alchemist"! Edward Elric!" Edward said with two veins and had pointed to himself.

Everyone was on the ground startled and scared from his outburst. "Sorry about that..."

They heard running footsteps. "Good day, sir. My, you're today." The bartender looked up. "Oh, hello, Rose." The young woman stopped infront. "Going o the temple today?" The bartender asked?

"Uh-huh, with some offerings. The usual please." She said taking some money out. She noticed Edward and Alphonse. "Oh, some new faces." She said. Edward and Alphonse said hello. "Yeah, they alchemists...they say they're looking for something." The bartender said putting stuff inside the bag and handing the bag to Rose. "I hope you find what you're searing for. May Leto bless you!" She said and walked away.

"Rose's become so happy lately." One of the customers said. "Uh-huh, and it's all thanks to the father."

"Huh?" Edward asked confused. "Not only does that girl have no family, but she lost her boyfriend last year in an accident." The bartender said. "It was hard to see her so sad. I felt really bad for her." "That's when she was saved by Father Cornello. He taught her about the sun god, Leto." "Preach on! he rases the dead and the souls of his faithful live forever. Cornello's miracles prove it." "You should see them for yourself! IT's definitely the power of god!"

"Raise the dead huh?...I don't like the sound of that." Edward muttered.

'They're really here...' A figure thought from behind the building watching the two Elric brothers walk away from the group of people. They turned away and hid into the shadows to find a way to follow them.

- The church -

"And the grace of his light shall shine upon all of his children."

- click -

" A fine sermon your holiness." A man dressed in church clothing complimented with politeness toward a bald man as he walked forward to present him a drink.

"Yes, thank you, your holiness! An honor to hear you preach." Another one said.

"Your holiness!" The three men looked over to see Rose.

"Oh, it's you, Rose. My, so dedicated! you're an example to us all." The holiness said.

Rose smiled. "No, I'm just doing my duty. Um...by the way, father. When will you be able to...?"

The man nodded. "yes, I know what it is you ask. God has seen your good deeds." He said smiling.

"Then..." Rose started, but the man put a hand on her shoulder. "But it is not yet time, Rose. You understand, don't you? Hmm?" The man asked giving her a smile?

"Yes, father. You're right...Not yet..." She said as her hopes gone down a bit.

"That's good girl, Rose." The father said. Rose turned away, but she didn't know he had an evil look on his face unnoticed by others.

- Inside the church below -

Rose walked in to see Edward and Alphonse. "Oh, you two again!" She said happy to see them.

Ed and Al saw her. "Are you going to join the church of Leto?" She asked. Ed looked at the statue again. "Naw...sorry, but I'm not religious." Edward said smiling.

"That's not a real answer! If you believe in god, you can live with hope and gratitude every day. It's wonderful! If you have faith, you'll grow taller for sure!" She exclaimes as a Miracles Do Happen sign showed above her head...

"What was that?!" Edward asked with angry veins showing on his face. "Easy, easy Edward. She's not saying it to be mean." Alphonse said trying to calm Edward. Edward gave a scowl and sat down in the front row.

"Sheesh! How can you honestly believe in these things? Ed asked. "Do you really believe that if you pray to god the dead will come back to life?"

Rose closed her eyes. "Yes. I do!" Edward sighed again. He took out a book.

"Water: 35 Liters. Carbon: 20 gG. Ammonia: 4 Liters. Lime: 1.5 Kg. Phosphorus: 800 grams. Salt: 250 grams. Saltpeter: 100 grams. Sulfur: 80 grams. Fluorine: 7.5 grams. Iron: 5 grams. Silicon: 3 grams and 15 other elements in small quantities..."

Rose had a confused look on his face. "...Huh?"

"That's the total chemical makeup of the average adult body. Modern science knows all of this, but there has never been a single example of successful human transmutation. It's like there's some missing have been trying to find it for hundreds of years, pouring tons of money into research, and to this day they don't have a theory. They say science is a lost cause, but I think it's better than sitting around praying and waiting for something to happen."

"For that matter, the elements found in a human being are all junk that you can buy in any market with a child's allowance. Humans are pretty cheaply made." Edward said laughing. "Aha ha ha!"

"People are not objects!That's an insult to the creator! God will punish you for saying things like that!" Rose exclaimed a angrily.

Edward laughed again. He calmed down after another moment. "Alchemists are scientists. We don't believe in improvable concepts like "god." Rose "hmph"

"We strive to uncover the principles of creation in the matter of this world to pursue truth...it's ironic that we scientists...who don't believe in god...are in a sense that closest things to him." Edward said looking at the picture of Leto.

"What pride...are you saying that you are god's equal?" Rose asked still angry that Edward insulted the god.

"Well...it's like that myth about the hero. He made wings out of wax so he could fly...but when he go too close to the sun...to god," Ed corrected. "The wax melted and he crashed to the ground." Ed said.

Rose had a question mark over her head. Edward got up. "Well, let's go Al." Ed said walking toward the door. "Okay, big brother." Al said following Edward.

Unknown to them, three shadowed figures were up on top of the ledge near the ceiling to conceal themselves from being seen. The smaller one was sitting on the ledge and swinging her legs, the other two stood by each other.

"When are you going to make your move?" Another figure said from the side in the shadows. The taller one lifted her hand to move her hair while the small, larger one drooled at the humans down below.

"Leave me alone. I'll figure it out." The younger one said. She stood up and walked away. "Don't get in my way." She muttered and left the two figures.

"Let's go." The woman said after a moment looking where the younger one was standing and went the opposite direction while the larger one looked conflicted.

"What about-" He started, but the other one interrupted. "Leave her be. She said don't get her way." She said and continued on while the larger one followed a bit upset.

- Next day -

The entire town gathered in front of the church. "Hurray!" Everyone in the crowd cheered as the father transmuted or did another miracle believes in. The transmuted a rose into a sunflower. In the back of crowd, Edward and Alphonse were inspecting the so called miracles.

"What do you think?" Edward asked. "That kind of transmutation has to be alchemy." Al said. "That's what I thought too." Edward said agreeing. "But what about the laws...?" Al asked.

A person not too far noticed them. Rose saw Ed and Al watching as well. "So, you came to see him after all! See!? He does have miraculous powers. Father Cornello is the sun god's, child." Rose exclaimed.

"Naw, that's alchemy, no matter how you look at it. Cornello's a fraud." Edward said. Rose had a anime vein pop. "But he can bypass the laws for some reason." Al stated. "Yeah...that's the problem right there." Ed said scratching the back of his head. "What laws?" Rose asked.

"Most people think that alchemy can do anything and create whatever you want, but in reality there are certain concrete laws. I guess two big concepts are The Law of Conservation of Mass" and "The Law of Natural Providence." Although some alchemist conjure with the four elements, or with the three principles." Al said.

Rose had question marks flying around her. "Um..Let me try..." Al said pondering for a moment. "A substance can only be created from the same type of substance. For example, if something's mostly water, you can only use it to make other things with the attributes of water." Al said as Ed cut in.

"In other words, the basics of alchemy is the "Equivalent Exchange." "That means to obtain something, something of equal value must be lost. But that old guy is making too much out of too little...alchemy-wise, that's breaking the law." Edward said.

"See? So why don't you two just have faith that it's a miracle already?!" Alphonse looked at the ring he had on his left middle finger. "Big brother..Do you think?" Alphonse asked. "Yeah, I do." Edward said. "I think we've found it."

The figure shadowed behind the man behind smiled. 'I guess it'll be over for the old man soon.' She thought. She took her hood down to reveal her hair in half bun and half down. She doubled check to make sure she was presented in a normal fashion and headed over the trio.

"Excuse me miss?" She asked walking up to Rose. "I wish to speak to his holiness. Can you take me to him after this?" She asked. "Yes. Are you a traveler as well?" Rose asked smiling. "Yes." The girl nodded. "Okay. Follow me after this okay? I'll take you to father Cornello." The girl nodded.

"Hey lady, I'm starting to get interested in this religion! I'd love to speak to his holiness. Do you think you could take me to him too?" Edward said giving her a cheesy grin. "Oh my! So you're finally starting to believe!" Rose exclaimed happily.

The black haired girl gave a small smile. She walked up to the armor. "May I know your name?" She asked. "Oh, I'm Alphonse Elric." The armor said giving a small bow. "And I'm Edward Elric, Al's older brother. I'm also known as the FullMetal Alchemist." Edward said pointing to himself with pride. The girl smiled. "Nice to meet you. My name is Rain." She said.

Later, the three followed Rose. Alphonse and Edward were talking to Rain about alchemy. Apparently Rain only knew a little bit of alchemy, but never tried performing alchemy.

- The church -

"Your holiness, there are some people here who are requesting an audience with you. It's a boy, a man in a suit of armor and a girl with black hair. The boys said they're the Elric brothers and the girl said her name is Rain."

Cornello turned away from his tea. "I'm busy, send them away. Wait, hold on. The Elric brothers? Edward Elric!?" Cornello asked shocked. "Yes, it was the boy who called himself that...do you know him?"

"Aaggh! This is bad! IT's Edward Elric...The Fullmetal Alchemist!" "Wha...but he's a little brat, only this high! You're joking right!?" Cray asked. "Fool! Alchemical skill has nothing to do with age! I had heard that he obtained the title of state alchemist at age 12. So...the rumors about this brat were really true." Cornello said troubled. "What is a state alchemist doing here!? Could it be that our plan..." Cray started, but Cornello cut him off.

"It seems the dogs of the military have good noses." Cornello said. "Shall we chase them away?" Cray asked. "No, that would cause more suspicion. And even if we did chase them away, they'd come back...and bring more. Let's just say...they never came here. The girl may not be from the military, but she's with the Elric brothers. Get rid of her too. How does that sound?" Cray noticed the evil look. "It shall be as god wills." Cray said smirking.

- The doors -

"Please come this way. His holiness is very busy, so it's not easy to get an audience with him. You two are very lucky." Cray said leading the way.

Rain and Rose were walking behind Edward. Al turned to look behind to see the doors slammed closed.

"I'll try not to talk for too long." Edward said.

"Yes, let's end it right away. Like this!" Cray said pointing the gun at Al's left eye. He shot causing the helmet to fly away and land as the armor land on the ground with a bang. Edward looked shocked along with Rose and Rain. Edward tried making his way to Cray, but was stopped by two guards sticking their staff like an "x" in front of him. Rain ran toward Al and kneeled next to him.

"Brother Cray! What are you doing!" Rose cried.

"Rose, these are heathens that were trying to entrap his holiness. They're evil." "What?! But his holiness would never let you do this...Let you..." She was cut off.

"He did allow it! The words of his holiness are the words of god. This is the will of god!" Cray said pointing the gun toward Rain and Edward. "Rain has nothing to do with us!" Edward said shielding himself in front of her.

"Hmm. Guess there's some really bad gods out there." A hand gripped the gun upward from shooting at Edward and Rain. "WHA?!" Cray yelled shocked.

Edward grabbed the guy from his right and rammed him into the ground. Then he grabbed Al's helmet and hit the other guard in the head knocking him unconscious. "All right! Strike!" Edward said with thumbs up. "My head!" Al said angrily. Edward ignored Al and walked over to Rain and helped her up. "You alright?" He asked. Rain nodded.

"Wh...wh..whw.. What is is this?!" Rose asked shocked pointing at the empty Al.

"Nothing special." Edward said knocking Al's pointed armor chest plate. Rain looked at him in amazement on the other side of Al. "It's just what it looks like." Al said pointing to himself and kneeling over to reveal an empty suit of armor.

"There's nothing inside! It's empty!?" Rose said gasping as Alphonse put his helmet back on. "You might say...that this is what happens when you commit the greatest sin...when you trespass in god's domain. My big brother and I both..."

"You too...Edward?" Rose asked as Rain waited for the answer as well. "Well, let's just save that story for another time." Edward said scratching his head. "Anyway, I guess your god showed his true colors." Edward said changing the subject.

"No! It has to be some kind of mistake!" Rose said refusing to believe that he let Cray to kill Edward, Alphonse and Rain. "Aww, man...She's seen all this and she still believes in "his phoniness"? Edward said as two anime veins popped up on his face.

"Rose...Do you have the courage to face the truth?" Edward asked as Al stood by him. Rose gulped and didn't say anything.

Rain went over to stand beside them. "Stay behind us Rain." Al said. Rain nodded and hid behind them. They made their way to the room where Cornello was suppose to be. "Let's see..." Edward started, but the door opened. The doors opened wide open. "Hmph. I guess that means "come on in." Edward said.

The three made their way in. As soon as they were inside, the doors slammed shut.

"Welcome to the church of the Great Leto." Someone said from the side in the darkness. Edward, Alphonse and Rain looked to side to reveal Cornello as the lights lit up. "Did you come to hear me preach? Hmm?" Cornello asked.

"Yeah, by all means teach us. Like about how you use your lame alchemy to deceive your followers!" Edward said smirking.

"Well...I'm not sure what you mean. Please don't confuse my miracles with alchemy." Cornello said innocently. "If you saw for yourself you'd believe..." Cornello started, but Edward interrupted. "Yeah, I've seen it all right...and what I couldn't understand was how you're able to to do transmutation that goes against the laws."

"That's why I'm telling you it's not alchemy." Cornello stated. "And then it came to me. The Philosopher's Stone. That's how you do it right?" Edward asked. Cornello twitched. "Like maybe...just maybe it's that ring?" Edward asked smirking.

Cornello twitched again. "Heh...the government gets their money's worth out of you, don't they? I guess you saw through the whole thing. Correct! The Philosopher's Stone, the Legendary Catalyst, the Amplifier of all alchemical processes. With this, I can conjure at the minimum price, for the maximum result!" Cornello said.

Edward's smirk widen. "How long I've searched for that."

"Hmph! What's the jealous look in your eyes!? What do you want the stone for? Money? Honor?" Cornello asked smirking as well.

"What about you? What do you get out of founding this phony religion? If it's money you want you can make as much as you want with the stone" Edward said.

"It's not about the money. Well, I do want money, but I can get that with almost no effort in the form of donations from my flock. What I really need are followers who will happily give their lives for me. Think about it! An invincible army of fanatics with no fear of death! Soon I'll have more than enough people! Just watch! Within a few years time this entire nation will be mine!" Cornello stated as he started laughing.

Rain peered from behind Edward with no interest. She glanced at Edward to see he had same look. "Well, fine, but I don't really care about that. Let's move on..." Edward said motioning his hands in a way, get-a-move-on motion.

Cornello gave a startled shocked look. "What! Don't belittle my ambition by saying, "Don't care"! You'd better care! You're a member of the military, after all!" Cornello said with a frantic shocked look from Edward's with little care reaction.

"You know, to be honest, I could care less about my country or the military. I'll be blunt! Give me the philosopher's stone! If you do that, I'll stay quiet about the scam you've been pulling on everybody."

Cornello scoffed. "Hmph! You'd try to bargain with me.? My followers would never believe the words of an outsider like you! The people of this town love me! They think that my words come from god! no matter how much noise you make, no matter what evidence you have, they'll never listen to you! Those idiots will believe everything I tell them! I've completely fooled them! Cornello yelled laughing.

Edward started clapping as Rain stared at him with confusion. "Just listen." Edward whispered noticing her confused face. "Wow...You are smart! Thanks for telling me how you do it. You're right. Your followers would never listen to a word I say. But!" Edward started as Alphonse unclasped his chest plate of his armor and took it off and kneeled down revealing Rose inside. "But what about her words?" Edward asked jabbing a thumb toward her.

Shocked and confusion showed on Cornello's face. "Rose!? What is the meaning of this?" Cornello shouted.

Rose climbed out of Alphonse's Armor. "Father! Is everything you said just now true!? Were you fooling us this whole time!? Your miracles aren't real? The power of god can't grant my wish? You can't bring my darling back again!?" Rose cried.

Cornello showed a frustrated look , but then he smirked. "Hmm...It's true that I'm not god's emissary. But with this stone, it may be possible to transmute living beings, which so many alchemists have tried and failed. Rose, I will resurrect him!"

"Rose, don't listen to him!" Al said. "Rose, be a good girl and come here." Cornello said. "If you go, you can never come back!" Edward said gritting his teeth. Rose looked unsure as she gazed back and forth. Rain went up to her and grasped her arm."Don't go Rose. If these two are right; Cornello won't be able to bring him back." Rain said.

"What's the matter? you belong with us." Cornello said. "Rose!" Al said. "I'm the only one that can grant your wish. Isn't that so? Think about your darling and come!" Cornello said grinning.

Rose grasped Rain's hand and gave it a light squeezed. Rain looked down as Rose made her let go and she looked toward Edward and Alphonse. She started walking away and Rain put her hand back down by her side. "Rose..." Rain started as she tried to follow Rose, but Edward grabbed her arm. "She made her choice, Rain." Ed said. Rain looked worried, and looked back to Rose's retreating back. Edward sighed and scratched his head. "I'm sorry you three. But this is the only choice I can make." Rose said.

"You truly are a good child. Well then, now we must eradicate these heathens who threaten the future of our faith." As Cornello pulled a hidden switch behind him.

A door in the shadows opened and then a bang. Something snapped at the ground in the shadows. Edward, Rain and Alphonse looked around for the source. Something slowly came out of the shadows. "The philosopher's stone is truly incredible. It can even create new life...like this." Have you ever seen a chimera?" Cornello asked. The chimera revealed to be a part lion and some kind of lizard.

"Oh boy!" Alphonse said. "Looks like this one might be tough to play with empty handed. So..." Edward clapped his hand while Cornello had a questioning look on his face. Blue lightning started by Edward's hands. Edward slowly lifted his hand to reveal a spear.

"Ergh! You made a weapon from the floor without using a transmutation circle?! So you deserve the title of the state alchemist after all! But that still won't be enough!" Cornello said as the chimera ran toward Edward. Alphonse pushed Rain behind him. Rain peered behind Al to see the chimera slash at Edward's spear. "Oh no!" Edward said as he grasped his leg where it the claws hit.

"Wa ha ha ha! Well?! How do you like the taste of claws that can cut through iron?" Cornello yelled. "Edward!" Rose said worried. Rain looked at the Edward's leg to see no blood coming out.

Edward grinned. "Psych!" The chimera lifted it's paw to reveal the claws broke off. Edward kicked the chimera. "Sorry, these are custom made!" Ed said.

"Wh-what's the matter! If your claws won't work, then bite him to death!" Cornello yelled at the chimera.

The chimera ran at Edward again as he bit onto Edward's right arm. The chimera tried gnawing his arm, but nothing snapped. "What's the matter, kitty? Tastes bad?" Edward asked glaring. He kicked the chimera.

Rain came out from behind Alphonse, because the chimera was knocked out and had no more sense to be hiding behind Alphonse.

"Look at me, Rose. This is what happens when you use alchemy on humans. This is what happens to sinners who trespass in god's domain. steel prosthetics." Edward said as he ripped off part of his shirt and his trench coat.

"Fullmetal" prosthetics. So that's why, the Fullmetal Alchemist!" Cornello said.

"Come down here and face me, you third rate fraud! I'll show you there's no comparison between us!" Edward said motioning Cornello forward with his auto-mail arm.