The Alchemist, The Plant, and The Detective

Chapter 1: Truth is Crazier Then Fiction

A Fullmetal Alchemist/Batman Crossover

Disclaimer: Using the Batman cartoon as a premise. Also working off events in COS

How long had it been really since he had found himself here. If you asked him he wouldn't really be able to tell you. Could have been days, or years. Not that it mattered to him much. He had the books in the asylum library to keep him busy. Every book on history and science he had mowed through, researching, studying. Not that he expected to be able to use it any time soon, but it was more then enough to keep him occupied.

The doctors thought he was delusional. And though he hadn't violated any laws he was still held in the criminally insane wing of the asylum. Mostly because it was the only section of Arkham capable of holding someone with his uniqueness. After all, the regular wards didn't know how to handle someone with two metal limbs.

"This is what I get for telling them the truth. You would think the arm and leg would be proof enough that I'm not from this world," Edward Elric thought idly as he finished the history book in his hands. Not that it was a bad arrangement for him at the moment. He had more then enough time for his research, got three meals a day and a warm place to sleep. There was only one really annoying aspect of his situation.

"So, the little wind-up toy finished another book. Perhaps now he'll learn what a joke really is," the taunting voice of that annoying clown he was stuck across said. Edward held back his anger at the insult. All it would get him was a sore throat. Also, it seemed that the clown preferred when he got a rise out of people, found it funny. Edward had discovered that when people didn't react to his joke was when the clown really got pissed.

It wasn't the same as trading insults with Mustang. At least then there was give and take, as well as something creative. Edward may have considered Bastard General Mustang many things he disliked, but unlike the clown everyone here called the Joker, the jests had never been designed to hurt, just tease.

Still, it was getting around time for the regular common area time for all the inmates. He did find it a bit relaxing to discuss scientific theories with some of the more intelligent convicts. Granted, he didn't agree with their actions or their motivations most of the time. The only one who had somewhat of a respect for was Poison Ivy. He didn't agree with her actions or tactics at all, but could at least understand her concerns regarding this worlds plant life.

Fact was he spent most of his free time outside of his cell talking with her. And when Harley was inside she'd hang with both. The Joker's Hench-girl was about as nutty as her boss, but no where near as annoying. She also did one thing that made Edward not dislike her. She listened to him talk about his world and didn't consider him nuts.

"One of these days I'd like to see how you do what you do with your plants Ivy. I never really excelled at Alchemy involving plants," Edward said.

Yes, he had told Ivy about Amestris, Resembool, and alchemy. It kind of irked Edward that it was the crazies locked up here that had no problem believing him, while the supposedly sane doctors couldn't figure him out.

"Well, it does involve some chemical combinations as well as some time intensive hybridization but it gets the job done."

Edward chuckled, "If I could get you back home I'd have to introduce you to the Triggum's. Fletcher, the younger brother of the two, is extremely skilled in plant alchemy."

Ivy smiled, "You still trying to find a way to get back?"

Edward seemed to deflate some at that point, "I just thought there was this world and then my world. But the more I read the more I get discouraged. All those quantum theory books keep telling me is that even if there were a way to cross back over, there are an infinite number of other worlds out there. It would take longer then I have in five life times to find the one I belong in."

That was really all Edward wanted, to go home. He wanted to walk the fields of his home again, to find out if his sacrifice had been enough to save his brother. He wanted to see Winry again.

Ivy could tell her companion was slipping into a bit of a funk, and placed her hand on his left. She bit her lip and decided it might be the best way to help him. She knew Edward didn't care much for her actions, or what she thought was the way things should be to advance her crusade. He at least respected her concern for plant life and that was more then enough.

"You know, you might want to break out of here. The Arkham library isn't exactly the most extensive," Ivy said.

Edward chuckled, "Maybe, but what good would it do? I don't know this world really. I don't even know what half the things I've read about do. Like these computers everyone keeps talking about. What exactly would I do if I was on the outside."

Ivy bit her lip a little, "Well, can you still perform alchemy?"

That was something Edward hadn't thought about. His first trip through the Gate his father had told him Alchemy couldn't work here. Even though he had ended up with his Automail completely intact, he hadn't tried to perform one transmutation.

He answered honestly, "I don't know. I had just taken it as a given that I couldn't."

Ivy decided to take the initiative and wooden object from somewhere, "Give it a try. No harm in that. If your right nothing happens, if your wrong then you haven't quite lost everything."

Edward couldn't reject that logic. So he focused his mind and clapped his hands. At some point Harley had walked up behind Ivy and was watching. Ed placed his hands on the object, and for a moment nothing happened. Then the familiar blue light of alchemic energy pulsed through the object Ivy had grabbed, breaking down and recombining itself into a small wooden wrench.

Edward was amazed for a moment, Harley let out a startled shriek then a cry of amazement, and Ivy had a small smirk on her face as the young man smiled brighter then she had ever seen on his face. She couldn't help but say, "Well, seems you haven't lost your touch at all."

Edward smiled and looked at the wooden wrench for a moment, "Of all the things I had to transmute that into, I choose the one thing that reminds me of Winry."

Ivy could tell the mention of the girl had caused Edwards mood to drop somewhat, but that did not deter the diabolical botanist, "Well, now that you know you have that ability still I suppose what you do if you break out is on you. I just know you aren't going to find your answers in here."

It was then that Edward decided that his time here at Arkham Asylum was at an end.

--

This was defiantly one of the more unusual breakouts this year. That was Tim Drake's, known to the world as Robin, first thought as he and Batman inspected the cells of two of Arkham's most recent inmates. While Poison Ivy was a regular on their to do list, the other escapee neither had even heard of. He had apparently been the one to plot and perform the jail break. Thing was until that point the staff at Arkham hadn't labeled him a problem.

"So this kid did this?" Robin asked as they looked at the perfect hole in Ivy's cell.

"Yes, he's never shown any interest in escaping. He's mildly delusional, yet highly intelligent. Managed to blow through the entire library on site within a few months," the doctor on call, Dr. Trevalian said.

"What was he doing here?" Batman asked. Everything in the file on this Edward Elric said he was only seventeen. That was rather young for an inmate in Arkham. Also he didn't have any previous criminal record, another thing Batman found strange.

"He has delusions, says he from a different universe where he was an Alchemist for the State."

"But why Arkham? This is a maximum security facility, not a place for a child who can't tell fantasy from reality, "Batman said.

"Usually I would agree, however he had some abnormalities only Arkham was capable of dealing with."

Batman looked over the records, "A metal arm?"

"And his left leg. Frankly I've never seen anything like it. The arm has all the fine motor control you'd expect from natural limbs. Though it does possess more inherent strength then a normal arm due to the materials used. Due to this it was felt if he did become violent we'd be better able to control him. In fact he did have one violent outburst we had to ask Killer Croc to help with."

That got the pairs attention, "You had Killer Croc deal with him?" Robin asked.

"Edward managed to over power every orderly we had. The only person around he couldn't was Croc so that's who was involved."

"What set it off?" Batman asked.

"A needle. We were giving the inmates their flu shots. Apparently, Edward is extremely terrified of needles. All Croc had to do was hold him steady and keep his arm extended. Though we never made the mistake of medicating him like that again. He didn't have a problem with pills, just needles. Also despises milk. We just gave him water and added calcium supplements to his medications."

Batman nodded, "Any idea how he pulled this off?"

Dr. Trevalian shook his head, "You have to see the security camera footage. I have never seen anything like this."

The three people entered the security office and watched the tapes of what had happened. Needless to say Robin was rather amazed. The kid just clapped his hands and placed them on the walls or cell doors. After a flash of light there were holes big enough for him to escape. The same with Ivy's cell and several walls between them and freedom. Several walls had popped up as well, and some of the guards and orderlies had actually ended up held by the floor itself.

"Before they actually made their escape they broke into the prisoner property room. The only thing I see in the files he had on him when he was admitted was a silver pocket watch. He took that and his clothes. Ivy grabbed hers as well and they left."

Batman watched the video, Edward Elric seemed to have taken the time to pull on his clothes as well before leaving. Black shirt and jacket, black pants and boots, as well as a red cloak of some kind with a symbol of a cross with a serpent wrapped around it on the back.

Something however bothered the Batman, "Why did he escape with Ivy?"

Dr. Trevalian shook his head, "Couldn't tell you. He did spend a lot of time in her company during the common periods. Didn't seem to really associate with any of the other inmates. Though he did speak with Harley Quinn a few times. But that was only because of her association with Poison Ivy."

Robin couldn't help but quip, "Maybe he's got a crush on her."

Batman didn't say anything, just taking in every clue he had at the moment.

--

It had taken them a bit to get back to Ivy's hideout in Toxic Acres. Ivy made a good point that they would need to lay low a few weeks before they ever tried to consider anything else. Edward couldn't find fault with her logic. After all, she was the dangerous criminal and he was just a wayward alchemist. Also there was the fact that she was the only person in this world Edward could trust at the moment.

He had bitten back and held his inherent fear of needles at bay when Ivy had inoculated him against the poisonous environment around them. That alone had been a major triumph for him. Fact was that even at seventeen he hated needles. Still, Ivy had been insistent that he needed this shot. At least that damned crocodile chimera wasn't around to hold him down this time.

He just looked out the window at the deserted neighborhood around them. He didn't know what exactly this toxic waste that was below the surface was, but from Ivy's description he knew he didn't like it. That such desecration of the land could happen, then someone would try to just bury and let families live over a ticking time bomb angered him. Where was the justice in this?

It wasn't just that though that dragged down Edward's mood. The whole time they had been making their way there he had seen how lifeless this city had seemed. Not that it was devoid of people, but in many places it was more along the lines that there was barely any real hope here. He could see why someone would try to step up and bring some light to this dark world.

That didn't mean he intended to follow in the Batman's footsteps himself. He never would be able to follow Ivy's example though either. Both of them knew that. His best option was to try to find some way of getting back to his world. That was really Edward's primary concern.

"Its so dead here," he whispered to himself.

He was still pretty wired from the escape. So he stepped out of the house he and Ivy were using and stood on the dessicated remains of the lawn. He placed his hands on the ground, his mind and body instinctively analyzing the components of the toxins and heavy metals that saturated the soil. This wasn't the kind of alchemy he was skilled at, and it would take a major amount of work and energy to transmute all the crap out of the place.

He had some time to kill though, no reason not to give it a shot. He clapped his hands and started working.

--

Bruce Wayne ate breakfast while looking over the file from Arkham on Edward Elric. Aside from the diagnosed condition, Bruce didn't see anything that would lead him to assume the boy was dangerous. There also wasn't any indication from the files at least that pointed to why he would associate with someone like Pamela Isley.

The transcripts on Elric's sessions always showed he had at the very least an aversion to criminal activity. His delusions, as the doctors on site considered his ailment, always had him as some sort of hero. It seemed to be a very well constructed fantasy world. Though honestly at this point Bruce was starting to think there maybe more fact to this then the psychiatrists gave credit for. It still didn't explain why he'd break out a convicted criminal like Ivy.

"You seem perturbed sir," Alfred said as he poured a cup of coffee.

"Just trying to figure out why someone who thinks they are a servant of the people would break a known convict out of jail along with himself," Bruce said.

"A peculiar conundrum I agree," Alfred said.

"I still say he's got the hots for her," Tim chimed in.

"A reasonable assumption considering. He is a young man and Ms. Isley is a rather attractive woman," Alfred conceded.

"Maybe, but I don't think so. Elric's profile show him to be unforgiving of the sort of crimes Ivy's committed. He has engaged her in scientific discussions as well during periods at Arkham. Then there are the specifics of his delusions. If you go from that then in his mind he doesn't know anything of the world outside of Arkham. He might think he needs someone to help him understand things that to everyone else is normal," Bruce said.

"But why Poison Ivy of all people?" Tim asked.

"He knows Ivy, knows what she's capable of, knows what she thinks. He didn't associate with any of the other inmates to the extent he did her. He might not agree with her tactics, and in other circumstances would help bring her in. However, she is the closest thing to someone he can trust right now."

"And his method of escape?" Alfred asked.

"He mentions being an Alchemist in the transcripts. In his mind Alchemy is a science and not some form of magic. When he was asked how such a thing would work he answered very specifically, and very technically. Assuming that he's doing what he claims in the sessions, then he was able to break out by recombining the molecular structure of matter."

"Whoa, time out. It almost sounds like your starting to believe him," Tim said.

"I don't know if I believe he's from another universe just yet. But I wouldn't rule it out completely. There is still the matter of his arm and leg," Bruce said.

"Another conundrum to be sure," Alfred said.

"Yes, this Elric is just one mystery after another."

--

It had been a late night, but Ivy didn't mind waking up in a nice bed and not the bunks of Arkham. She could enjoy some of the benefits of freedom, even though the area was completely unforgiving. Of course she had taken care of that through her own methods to maintain some usable utilities. Like clean water for the shower and the kitchen for some nice herbal tea. She was just about to start a pot for tea when she looked out the window to the backyard. She nearly dropped the kettle.

The backyard of their hideout was filled with healthy green grass. The trees and several flowering bushes were in full bloom and completely untainted. Ivy couldn't believe her eyes. Even her most advanced experiments couldn't have achieved this in one night. She ran to the front door and looked out, and saw the same thing in every yard down the block. This made no sense at all. The ground here barely supported plants at all. The other amazing thing that stunned her were the large stacks of metal ingots and a few vats of what appeared to be mercury. Ivy couldn't believe what she saw. This was miraculous beyond anything she could ever conceive.

Ivy ran straight to the room Edward was using and threw the door open. He was laying there draped across the bed in his clothes, the black jacket and red cloak hung over a nearby chair. She tried to shake him awake. All she got was him mumbling, "Just a few more minutes, Winry."

Ivy just shock him harder until he fell out of bed. Edward shot up and still looked pretty out of it. He looked up at whomever had dared woken him vowing pain upon their person when he saw the state of dress of his housemate...

Or state of undress as it were. Ivy had completely forgotten that she was only wearing a button down shirt, that she had really only buttoned the minimal number of buttons on. Because of this Edward got a very decent look at Ivy's legs and bust as it peaked out of the shirt. He blushed rather horribly and looked away. "So what's up?"

Ivy would have smirked at the young man's reaction if she wasn't still in a state of shock. She grabbed his left wrist and dragged him through the house to show him the view from the front windows. He mouth just kept opening and closing, "Wha... how... di... "

"Oh that? I was still wide awake when we got in last night and decided to do some transmutations. Wanted to make sure I wasn't out of practice. Getting all the heavier metals and inorganic materials out of the ground took a while, not to mention compressing it all into a usable form. I didn't know silver, gold, and platinum ended up in toxic waste around here."

That was something Ivy hadn't bothered to notice before. She had just seen the massive stacks of ingots up one side of the block and down the other. She hadn't taken the time to actually see what kinds of metals there were. Several stacks were precious metals, as well as metals that could be used for several useful things like iron, copper, and the most prevalent stacks of lead.

"I would have thought someone would have come up with a way to break chemicals at the molecular level by now in this world. Did you know that there was so much of that waste down there that when I transmuted it and recombined it into a fertilizer that it pretty much laced the entire ground at least fifty feet down."

Ivy was just stunned. A brief breeze of wind however kicked her night shirt up a bit causing her to shiver. This was nothing short of a miracle. The ground and soil of the area known as Toxic Acres was supposed to be so saturated with toxins that even super fund clean up protection couldn't begin to clean up the place. Ivy didn't even know if her more robust plant strains could have done this.

"Um... you... really want to be out like that?" Edward asked.

Ivy looked down at her state of undress and finally realized she was dressed in her night shirt... and nothing but the thin fabric of that night shirt. Ivy was many things which included murder, fanatic, thief, kidnapper, and seductress. So instead of running inside as fast as she could, she pressed herself against Edward and ran her arms around his neck. She just couldn't help herself and smirked at his rapidly spreading blush. She ran her fingertips along the back of his neck then planted a steamy kiss that could have melted his automail right on his lips.

She still had that smirk on her face as she left him standing stunned on the front lawn and went inside with an extra swing in her hips. He might not agree with her tactics, and would turn her in if he thought it was just, but she at least knew where he stood in regards to what she felt was important now.

Edward's brain took a bit to reboot. And when it did all he could say was, "I guess she liked it."

--

It went like that for the next several days. Edward felt a little awkward around Ivy after the kiss on the lawn. He kept himself busy ensuring the entire area was completely cleaned out. It took him about a week to declare his little project complete. When Ivy took soil samples from all over the entire development and analyzed that she was shocked to find that the soil was now more nutrient rich then any she had ever seen.

They still had the matter of what to do with all the metal ingots Edward had made out of the metals that had poisoned the earth beneath them. He had been thorough and in front of ever house in the development you could see stacks of lead, iron, steel, vats of mercury, and copper. Ivy had insisted that they secure the precious metals Edward leeched to the surface. Dealing with getting rid of this sort of thing defiantly wasn't the sort of thing Ivy was good at. That's when she decided that it was time to introduce Edward to one of Gotham's other rouges.

Needless to say when Oswald Cobblepot saw the restoration of the area and the stacks upon stacks of materials his first reaction had been similar to Ivy's. He was stunned and amazed by what he was seeing. The sight of the bars upon bars of precious metals left Oswald speechless. Not much could keep the man known as the Penguin off his game.

Ivy invited Penguin in for a cup of tea to discuss what to do with the sudden wealth that had been literally dropped in her lap. Edward sat with them, but left most of the talking on this to Ivy. It really didn't matter to him one way or the other.

"I can see why you insisted I come and take a look instead of coming to me as usual. This is defiantly not the sort of thing you can just spirit in without being noticed."

"So what do you think," Ivy asked.

"Without an exact measurement of what is out there this is just speculation, however I believe you have at least several hundreds of million dollars worth if not a few billion with the precious metals alone. That isn't taking into account all the other metals stacked up around the neighborhood. Taking that into account you have several options. Considering that not a single bar was stolen we could actually go through legitimate channels to sell off the majority of the material here," Penguin said.

Ivy wasn't certain what that would mean as she was still wanted. Cash was the preferred currency for most any criminal in Gotham. What Penguin was suggesting would be completely legal, but also result in needing things that could get her caught and sent back. Edward chimed in at this point, "What would be involved in us just buying the entire development area?"

Ivy's head whipped around and starred at him. She wondered what he might be thinking. Penguin dutifully answered, "Well, if you wanted to do such a thing I could set up a dummy corporation and carry out the purchase under that name. I'm not sure why you would want to do such a thing though."

Ivy knew something was going through Edward's head though. So she asked, "What exactly are you thinking?"

Edward crossed his arms across his chest and lowered his chin to his chest in thought, "I was just thinking that maybe we could do something here. Maybe turn the area into something like a botanical garden or something. Would be rather fitting considering this was a wasteland last week."

Ivy was impressed at his idea. It was both in line with her views, and poetic justice as well. Penguin was the first of the two rouges to speak, "That is certainly doable. You could purchase the land here for that purpose and still have more then enough for any construction work you would need for such a thing. You would even have enough afterwards to finance the site for years to come almost."

Edward nodded then asked, "Where in this city would I find advanced research in quantum physics?"

It seemed unrelated, but Penguin answered, "Your best options would be Gotham University or Wayne Enterprises. Though I don't see how a botanical garden would relate."

"Does Mr. Wayne make it a point to attend functions like say a grand opening of a large public site like say a botanical garden dedicated to advancing the cause of environmental reclamation?"

Penguin and Ivy both saw the method to his madness, "Why yes he does, especially events that advance causes of public benefit." Penguin answered.

Ivy smirked, "Are you planning to get Wayne here and pump him for information?"

Edward couldn't hold back a smirk of his own, "Why take the time to break in and bring down the law on our ears when we can find out if it's even worth our time by asking."

The two rogues had to hand it to the young man. He did have a cleaver mind, and if they went with his plan then they wouldn't have to risk encountering the Batman in what might be a fruitless break in. At least Edward and Ivy wouldn't have to risk it. Still, Ivy wasn't exactly thrilled with the way Edward was taking charge of the situation and assuming she was on board. Edward then leaned forward and looked both Ivy and the Penguin in the eye.

"I need to know I can trust the two of you. I know that might be asking a lot considering that neither of you have reason to trust me. I know I probably shouldn't trust the both of you as much as I'll need to, but fact is if I even have a chance to get home I'm going to need to trust someone. Right now, you two are the only ones I can," Edward said.

The two Rogues of Gotham City weren't used to someone being so honest with them. Though any reason to stab the boy in the back really wasn't there at the moment. Ivy had no reason to betray him yet, and Penguin really wasn't one to do so as it would harm his reputation. Besides, even at his usual ten percent fee he was standing to make a considerable amount of money. It wasn't lucrative to him to simply betray the two.

Ivy however had no such concern. She just really owed the boy. Both nodded their consent. Edward looked the two in the eyes and decided that it wasn't going to get any better then this. "First things first. I want to get everything set up and ready. Penguin, I'll need you to setup the dummy corporation as well as papers establishing my identity. So far I only really exist in Arkham's records. Once we have that taken care of as well as the money from the sale of all that stuff outside we move on to phase two. Ivy, this is where you come in. I won't ask you to do this, and you might end up back in Arkham for a while."

Ivy wasn't so much concerned. It wasn't like she couldn't pull a few months on her head. "This is your show. I just hope my trust isn't misplaced."

Edward smirked, "Good. Then while I'm here setting things up for the garden, Penguin is going to use as much of the money as needed to assemble a legal team for your defense. I want them to get you free and clear of anything that would bring Batman after you. Like I said, you might have to spend some time in Arkham while we work on that. But if everything goes well then you'll be back out and free and clear."

It was a risk, but the reward was defiantly worth it, "So what do you plan to do after that?"

Edward smirked, "If I have to have a public face then I suppose I'll have to come up with a convincing story about who I am. And considering how much we're going to have at our disposal that should put me in a position to at least appear as some sort of philanthropist. With the type of work the company will be doing then I'll need the best botanical scientist in the world to head that up."

A greater compliment the young man couldn't have paid her. "I suppose I could bring myself to work for someone that understands my field of research."

Edward chuckled, "I'm glad to hear that. You'll be able to do whatever you want in the lab after that. Though I do want you at least working on something to simulate what I did out there. I can't exactly go to every toxic waste site in the world and transmute them."

"If I may ask, how do you plan on subverting our local winged adversary. Surely he is on your trail after what I've heard was a spectacular escape," Penguin asked.

"Unlike Ivy I don't have a criminal record. I just have the psychiatrists opinion that I'm delusional. Depending on how you spin that you could say that in my deluded state I saw Ivy as an unjustly imprisoned woman. And since my 'delusions' have me thinking I'm some sort of hero I just had to get her out of there with me," Edward said.

Penguin chuckled as Ivy slightly scowled at Edward, "I can't say I've ever seen you as the damsel in distress my dear. It does have a sort of romantic quality to it, and that would certainly play to your advantage my boy. I suppose you could claim Ivy used one of her more medicinal plant strains to bring you to your senses."

"I hadn't thought of that, but it works," Edward said.

"Well, I see I have a massive amount of work to do. It will be advisable for me to start right away. For now I suggest you two remain hidden until we're ready for the next step in all of this. I'll have Raven and Lark bring some necessities from town to you so you can stay out of sight," Penguin then arose from his seat and proceeded on his way out of the house.

Edward stopped him though when he asked, "Penguin, you don't seem to be questioning me about whether or not I'm actually delusional. The shrinks at Arkham were pretty convinced that I was when I told them I was from another dimension where Alchemy was possible. You think I'm crazy as well?"

Penguin smirked, "My boy, regardless of the money I stand to make helping you in this what I've seen proves to me that you are not a normal man. Even if I hadn't seen the results of your hard work outside, the arm and leg are defiantly not of this world. I'm surprised they didn't see that and immediately give you the benefit of a doubt when they saw that."

"So all the proof you need of my truthfulness was the evidence they just wrote off. I appreciate that," Edward said.

Penguin tipped his hat and left the two on their own. Edward looked over at Ivy and asked, "You alright with this? I know I pretty much assumed you would, but you don't have to go along with this."

"Kid, I don't usually like people making decisions for me. Fact is I can't find any reason not to go along with you on this. You broke me out when you didn't have to so I sort of owe you. Besides, if your plan works out I'll be free and clear of the Batman for a while at least," Ivy said.

"At least until I start trying to break in to Wayne Enterprises trying to find that information so I can get home. If it even exists there," Edward said.

Ivy got up and set her hands on Edward's shoulders. She felt Edward tense at the contact but didn't remove her hands. She started kneading the muscles there softly as she said, "You mean we. You don't know anything about computers so you don't know how to get what you want from them. You'll need me with you if it comes to that. Trust me, girls like to be wanted for their talents as much as for their looks."

Edward couldn't help but relax into her touch. He didn't know how tense he had been the whole time, and the gentle pressure of her fingers forced him to relax. Edward wasn't certain why he was letting his guard down with a known criminal but he couldn't help it. He'd spent so long just going from place to place, trying to find the stone. Trying to get Al back to normal, keep the homunculi from destroying everything. Trying to protect the people and places he cared about.

Fact was after all of that he was just tired. He had gotten dropped into this world just to be locked up as a nut job. He was sick of people trying to keep him from doing what he thought was best, doubting him and his sanity. Even back in Amestris he knew several people thought he was out of his mind. Only two people ever truly believed in him without question. Alphonse and Winry, the two people he wanted to get back to more then everything.

Thoughts of Winry flooded his mind and distracted him from the world around him for a moment. Of all the things he wanted to say but could never bring himself to either due to fear for her safety, or his own stubborn pride. He didn't know what he would say to her if he ever got the chance again, but he knew how he felt.

He was pulled from his thoughts as Ivy wrapped her arms around his chest and pressed herself into his back. Ivy ignored his blush as she asked, "Any reason you are helping me?"

Edward thought about it for a moment, "Everyone deserves a chance at redemption. Even those who have committed the worst sin of all."

The way he said that, the hushed whisper, the unfocused eyes. Perhaps he had seen something, done something himself that in his own world would have landed him in that version of Arkham. She didn't know, but it seemed to run deep in his eyes. Ivy's maternal instincts kicked in and she tightened her embrace. She wasn't going to kid herself about turning over a new leaf. She'd probably end up back at Arkham after having committed some other crime. For now, the best option was to enjoy the ride.

--

Weeks without a sign of Elric of Ivy. They had holed up somewhere and were making it a point to stay out of sight. Batman had called Nightwing in to help search for the duo. They had covered the entire city, trying to locate Elric or Ivy. Batman couldn't help but think that Ivy was manipulating the boy. He didn't like the idea of someone who had his abilities being in the grasp of someone like her.

He still didn't know what to make of the files Arkham had given him. If Elric was delusional Ivy could easily manipulate him for her own purposes. If he wasn't, and was telling the truth then he would be taking everything he knew of this world from books and Poison Ivy's point of view. That would not be beneficial for the boy.

Why help Ivy escape? Why did he stay in Arkham for so long if he could have escaped all along? The simple answer was that he didn't think he could, or that it would matter. His genius was obvious from the records. Ivy could easily turn him.

"Nightwing to Batman, I think I got a sighting," Nightwing said over the com-link

"Where is he?"

"He's making his way with Ivy over towards the Iceberg Lounge. I can't confirm it's him yet, he's got a hood up obscuring his face. But the description of his clothing you gave me from Arkham fits. You want me to grab him?"

"Negative, follow him. I'll meet you there," Batman said. He took out his grappling hook and fired. The whole time wondering what would draw them to the Penguin's.

He meet up with Nightwing on the roof of the Iceberg lounge, Penguin's legitimate front for most of his activities. They saw the red cloaked figure and Poison Ivy walk in the back room, the cloaked figure pulling back the hood to reveal Edward Elric.

"So that's the kid huh?" Nightwing asked.

"Yes."

"If you were trying to get to him first you might be too late."

Batman didn't answer, just listened in on the conversation.

Below them Edward took a look around his surroundings. Ivy seemed relaxed which set him at ease a little bit. Still, Edward couldn't help but feel on guard. Someone was watching them, but he wasn't certain from wear. His instincts never let him down before, so he kept his guard up. Cobblepot's entrance with a briefcase did little to sooth his nerves.

"As requested I have setup the dummy corporation per your specifications. You are now the sole stockholder in Resembool Industries. The funds from the sale of the materials you provided has been transferred directly into an account in it's name. Minus of course my fee. As I thought you have made a very hefty sum. The sale of the Toxic Acres property has been completed and is in the companies name as requested."

Batman and Nightwing were both bewildered by that. No one wanted to be connected to Toxic Acres. No one wanted to even try to touch the property because of the cost of cleanup. Edward looked the documents over, handing them to Ivy as he did. The financial records showed their standing balance of 1.3 billion. He was rather impressed, though not sure how how it compared to the currency of Amestris. He assumed from Ivy's reaction however that that was a considerable amount.

"And the other documents?" Edward asked.

"Yes. I have produced all the necessary papers to prove your identity, citizenship, and psychiatric history. I even made sure to get a diagnosis clearing you of the dementia the cretins at Arkham said you have. I felt that would help in the event that someone tried to get you sent back." Penguin noted. Batman listening in however wondered where they had gotten the item's Penguin had fenced for them. They hadn't been active at all since the escape.

"The legal team is also assembled and ready to begin on Ivy's defense. As predicted the lead did recommend she turn herself in voluntarily. We can arrange for that in a few days. I was told that it could be up to six months to a year before they actually get her out."

Edward nodded and looked over towards Ivy, "You still okay with all this?"

"No turning back now is there. I can hold out," Ivy said. Batman noted she seemed rather at ease with the idea. That didn't fill him with any reassurance though.

"Alright then," Edward continued. "We'll deal with the legal aspects of everything and get you out as soon as possible. Penguin, you and I will have to work pretty hard on a lot of things in the interim. I don't exactly fit in with the rich and famous crowd."

Penguin chuckled, "True, but under my tutelage you will be more then capable of associating with people of higher society. That may come in handy should you achieve your goals in the long term."

Edward grinned, "As long as I don't end being like Bastard General Womanizer I'll be happy."

The group seemed to have a laugh at that. Nightwing couldn't help but quip, "So much for Bruce Wayne being a role model."

Batman just grunt back at him.

"I expect you haven't been resting on your laurels these last few weeks either," Penguin said.

Edward smirked, "I've managed to clear out all the old houses and used the materials to transmute most of the physical structures we'll need. The central green house is completed and all we need is to finished the perimeter wall and stick a sign on the place. Then once we get Ivy taken care off we'll be ready to open the Amestrian Gardens and proceed with phase three."

They both saw Penguin nod at that. Ivy was unusually close to Elric as Penguin packed on the documents into the briefcase and handed it over. Ivy took the briefcase and held it as one of Penguin's hench-girls walked in with three glasses of champaign.

"Far be it from me to be as gauche as to contribute to the delinquency of a minor. A glass of champaign however to toast this achievement seems in order."

Ivy and Elric both took a glass and with Penguin gave a toast, "To getting you on the road home my boy."

That set off alarms in Batman's head. Both the Penguin and Ivy seemed to be indulging Elric's fantasies. Either that believed him, or that they were using him and his delusions to their advantage. Being the cynic he was Batman was betting on the latter.

Edward pulled the hood of his cloak over his head after thanking Penguin for his services. He and Ivy made their way out and Penguin returned to his work. Nightwing and Batman took everything in and Nightwing couldn't help but ask, "Why would he want to own Toxic Acres?"

"More to the point, what does he plan to do with it. The entire area is far too contaminated to be habitable let alone usable."

Both made it a point to go and investigate the area, and left the roof on their grapples. They didn't notice Edward looking up and seeing them pass by the moon.

"So someone was watching. I hate being right sometimes," Edward thought. He and Ivy headed back home.

--

Batman and pulled in to what used to be known as Toxic Acres far away from where Ivy usually set up shop. The difference from his last visit to the chemical wasteland was more then noticeable. The houses from the development had been completely leveled, not even a trace of the original construction remained. Even the many streets that should have connected streets and houses had been replaced with paths and grassy areas. Batman took several soil samples from around the area for analysis later.

He saw the massive greenhouse at the center of it all. He took out his binoculars and looked inside. If he were Poison Ivy, then the inside of that greenhouse was paradise. Batman was certain she had a hand in it as the entire area had been turned into an impressive landscape. He sighted Elric leaving the greenhouse and walk to the edge of the area he now owned. Needless to say he didn't quite understand when Elric clapped his hands and placed them on the ground. That was until a flash of blue light appeared and a ten foot stone wall sprouted from the ground surrounding the entire area. Fortunately the batmobile was on the other side of the wall.

Elric went to what could only be called the front gate, dragging what looked like a pallet of scrap iron. He did the same thing at the gate, producing a wrought iron gate as well as a sign with the words, "Amestrian Botanical Gardens" on it. Ivy was no where to be seen, and Batman might not get another chance to confront the boy until he was throwing a batarang at him.

Elric wasn't wearing the cloak or the black jacket, and he took the boots he was wearing off before stretching a little. The moonlight glinted off the metal of his automail as he looked around. Ivy had really outdone herself with the garden. He couldn't help but think of the rolling fields of home, or the large yellow house that was home to Winry and Pinako. It was comforting in its own way. He ran himself through several routines, training his body to try to keep other thoughts at bay.

That sense of being watched returned, that uneasy feeling of someone behind him. Edward stopped and closed his eyes as he stood there, calming his breath from his training. He didn't turn around as he ask, "You might as well come out. I don't care very much for people skulking in the shadows."

That impressed Batman, he had to admit. The kid was good. He stepped out and approached the boy but kept his distance. Without the cloak or jacket Elric's metal arm was clearly visible. He saw the boy turn and face him, his face set in what Batman recognized as the same look hardened veterans had after serving years at war. That was something he didn't like either.

"So you are the Batman Ivy has been telling me about. You can call me Fullmetal, nice to meet you. Why are you following me," he said.

So he knew they were watching him at the Iceberg, "You broke yourself and Poison Ivy out of Arkham. That's something that catches my attention."

"You work for the state?" Fullmetal asked.

"I work with the authorities, not for them," Batman said.

All Fullmetal did was nod, "Can't say I liked Arkham. All it was good for was the steady supply of food and enough books to get myself up to speed. Told them the truth and they just automatically declared me crazy. You'd think the arm and leg would have been proof enough."

Batman couldn't fault that logic, "So you decided the help a known criminal escape?"

Edward glared at the Dark Knight, "She maybe a criminal, but she's the only one in Arkham who didn't write me off as nuts when I told her the truth. She even managed to keep my mind off my problems and kept me sane. I owed her, equivalent exchange."

"You shouldn't have been in Arkham in the first place. It's a maximum security criminal institution. No place for a child."

"Maybe, but I could understand their concern. My automail is much stronger then normal limbs. Still, I don't like being treated like my life didn't happen. At least Ivy had the courtesy to give me the benefit of a doubt."

So that's why he broke Ivy out, she had played her hand well. Batman was certain Elric was being used. Especially after the display he had just witnessed. He said as much to the boy.

"She maybe using me for her own purposes. I can't say I'm innocent of that myself. Still, if I'm going to survive in this world long enough to find a way home I need someone I trust. She's earned it to an extent. I know what she's done in the past. It's not the first time I've had to associate with someone wanted by the state for one reason of the other."

"I can help you. Ivy is just using you for her own means," Batman said. He had to try to get Elric to see reason.

"Again, not the first time that's happened. I know your reputation. I completely understand the concept of 'Be thou for the People' and I don't disagree with what you do. But I don't know you, and I am not willing to trust you just on your word. All I want is to get home," Elric said.

"And you think Ivy can get you there?"

"No, it's not the sort of thing she would understand. She's a botanist, not a quantum theorist," Edward said. So he wasn't under the impression that she could get him there.

"Then why all of this? You don't actually think you can reform her do you?" Batman asked. It wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.

"She's responsible for her own choices like everyone else. I'm just giving her a clean slate, what she does with it is on her own head," Edward said.

A very logical point of view Batman assumed. Elric turned and started walking away, saying nothing as he grabbed his boots and returned to the green house. Batman had a lot to think about.

--

Edward sat on his bed contemplating his encounter with the Batman. Pretty much it was everything he had expected. Someone treating him like a child who couldn't comprehend what was going on. That really annoyed him but he wrote it off. Batman had no reason to know he was a genius. He had no reason to think the idiots at the asylum weren't right about him. That didn't mean Edward was happy about it.

He had been trying to relax and that encounter had done nothing for him. Even a hot shower hadn't returned any sort of peace to him. Batman reminded him too much of Izumi for his liking, but without the maternal air. He tossed on a shirt with his boxers and sat on the bed. Everything was going well, of course something like this had to happen.

He didn't notice Ivy enter his bedroom, but he did notice when he felt her pull him into a comforting embrace. He hadn't been lying to Batman earlier, Ivy had helped him maintain his mind during the whole time. He knew he didn't love her, his heart belonged to Winry and no one else. Ivy understood that, didn't bother trying to pursue that course with him. Still, she didn't shy away from sexually teasing him. Overtime it had desensitized him to things like that. Edward understood he was changing biologically, and that imperative in all humans was kicking in.

"Batman showed up while I was outside. Tried to get me to turn on you, or distance myself."

"Not surprising, he has every reason to think the worst of me," Ivy conceded.

Edward let out a mirthless chuckle, "Maybe, but he kept acting like I couldn't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Just like those bastards at Arkham."

Ivy just rubbed Edwards back some and then wrapped her arms around him in a soft hug. "You remind me of a colleague of mine when I was in college. Brilliant scientist, had all sorts of theories on how plants could be used to restore the earth. He once told me that he would make forests out of deserts. He was a brilliant scientist, and had his heart in the right place. But some things happened and I lost track of him. I heard he got married and there was a fire but nothing else."

"Did you love him?" Edward asked.

"I was young, but I couldn't help but admire him. It was one of those things. I couldn't help but think that he couldn't possibly see me the way I saw him. And then, before I knew it it was too late. Kind of like you and Winry, only you still have a chance when we get you back," Ivy said, in almost a comforting motherly tone to her voice.

"Now will you tell me what's really weighing on you?" Ivy asked.

Edward let out a shuddering sigh, "I feel like I'm losing myself. Everything I've done in the last month has been completely against who I was before I came here. It's all starting to feel like a dream, and all I'll ever see is this nightmare I'm trapped in."

Ivy took that moment to move around and straddled his waist. He could see what little she had decided to wear tonight, some thin nightie that left barely anything to the imagination. If he wasn't feeling like he was he might have been aroused. Ivy wrapped her arms around his neck and looked him in the eyes. She kissed his forehead and said, "You spent six months in Arkham Asylum. You were surrounded by the worst of the worst this city has to offer, myself included, and doctors trying to get you to believe that everything you knew was a lie. You're lucky you didn't completely lose your mind while in there. They really should have tried to adjust more for a kid but they didn't. I know they tried to convince you your brother was just a figment of your imagination," Ivy said. Edward nodded at that, reminded of the damage Barry the Chopper had done to Al by trying to imply he never really existed.

"You just need to reaffirm who you really are. You are Edward Elric, The Fullmetal Alchemist, the Hero of the People of Amestris. You have people waiting for you to come home with open arms and nothing is ever going to change that. We are going to get you home," Ivy said.

Edward could only smile at that, "So Dr. Isley, what do you think I should do about this feeling at the present?"

Ivy smiled seductively and pulled Edward into a deep passionate kiss. She held it for as long as she could, allowing him a chance to enjoy every moment of it. Edward had over time begun enjoying this, returning the kiss as passionately and softly as Ivy gave. She pulled back enough to see Edward's golden eyes. Everything about him was other worldly, especially those eyes of his. "I may not be a medical doctor, but my prescription for you is spending the next three days in the company of a beautiful woman. No working, no straining, and spending every moment you can relaxed and learning about the pleasures women offer aside from the intellectual. Trust me, Winry will appreciate the experience later."

She silenced anything he may have said in objection with another kiss and pressed him into the bed. They spent the night like that. Ivy enjoying every moment she could showing Edward the mysteries of women, and Edward committing this night to memory. They spent the next three days barely clothed, enjoying what they could even in the comforting green of the gardens.

To Be Continued

Author's Notes: Extra Points for whoever can identify the young scientist Ivy is talking about.

Pre-read by Ryan Slicer. Spell check by