As the train departs Edward and Al eventually settle down. As a bit of a distraction, they start looking at the notes from Dr.Marcoh and comparing them to what we saw within laboratory 5. Sheska might be working through the translation but they don't have much of anything else to do at the moment.

While they do that I work on a few ideas for future encounters. After the last fight, I've had to seriously consider what I could do to improve. The first thing I'd noticed was the lack of incorporating alchemy into my fighting style. Back when I was armless I used the sonic transmutation circle to decent effect. The problem is it's too loud, I might hurt random people nearby blowing out their eardrums and I doubt that's something I can heal. So that just leaves me with fire, water, earth/metal. Considering my automail still function well after the number of volts that were transmitted through them before they are fairly resistant. Likely some sort of surge protector built in to not fry the nerves when touching a live wire. I have a few other ideas to work with.

After a few hours of working on notes, we get a notice that we will be arriving within the hour. Edward perks up at that woredly looking out the window then back to me. He started making various excuses to try to avoid going right to his teacher's place. At first, they were pretty reasonable. "I just remembered! I-I have some other people we can maybe find first! There are these people in the East that owe us a bit. We can ask them before seeing teacher right?"

Then they became more and more desperate. "How about we spar before meeting her? I've gotta test out the new automail after all. A-and we can't meet her after we are tired like that..."

Then they just became downright silly. "Can't we visit a restaurant and maybe stay the night before visiting her?"

Then Al joined in. "What about Scar? The Ishvalin? Maybe he can be an ally. Maybe the people he's been killing worked with these people within the government that are committing sacrifices?" Just another exc- Wait no... that's actually a good point.

"We should look into him more. We considered that he might have another reason for his attacks. After we head back to East city, we can start looking into that more. But there isn't much we can do from here."

Al nods seemingly pleased with himself that he actually had a good idea while Edward sulks in the corner. That's when Zig and I feel a somewhat familiar presence. It's not quite the same as the last ones. Rather than begging or screams and moans it's more of a taste of insane laughter.

I let out a long groan. "Great... there's another one of those homunculi in dublith."

Al and Edward look at each other. "Is teacher not human?" "It would make sense, she could use transmutation without a circle too!" That's interesting... I'll need to ask her about that.

Edward puts a finger to his chin. "She'd probably be wrath or something... I always wondered how she could still be alive after spitting up so much blood." Wait their teacher spits up blood regularly?

Al gets lost in thought for a moment. "Right! Maybe she has more answers... She might have been... scary. But she was always kind when it mattered."

What did she do to them that made them fear her so much? "Guys I doubt your old teacher was a homunculus. Just in case we can check in with your teacher first and if the feeling of it is coming from her house or something then we can address the possibility."

They look at me like they hadn't considered that. "That's good... I'm not sure how I'd feel about beating up the old lady."

Al gasps. "I'm going to tell her you said that." With that, I tune them out for the rest of the trip. It's a long 20 minutes as the train comes to a stop.

Al is currently getting small metal pieces flicked at him by his brother. "Jiang! Tell him to stop!" The last 20 minutes have been a... test of my patience. At some point, since I was the outside perspective they kept trying to involve me in their arguments. People around us are giving us looks like we are crazy. I slide down into my seat slightly and check out from their conversations entirely, retreating into my mind to work on some potential combat moves with Haru to incorporate alchemy a bit better.

Shimada is still not 100% after treatment+ was upgraded. He's still there just his presence is thinner than before and he's struggling to maintain the mental projections he had been able to do previously. I'm sure once healing levels up he'll be better but for now, he's not really up for sparring. Instead, he's taken to wandering around Haru's space or the parts of his island that he can still manifest.

Outside I bump into something turning my attention back to what's going on around me we are in front of a butcher's shop. The feeling of the homunculus is closer to the way we just came from. "Huh, looks like your teacher really isn't the homunculus."

Edward gives me an odd look. "Yeah, we said that like 10 minutes ago. Wait were you not paying attention?"

Oops... Well, I had more important things to think about anyways. "Sort of? Anyways let's meet your teacher. How long has it been since you last talked with her anyways?" Both brothers look at the ground guiltily. Kicking their feet a bit. "A couple of... years."

Oh... that's why they are so nervous. "And you never called or contacted her at all?"

They had mentioned that she didn't know they were in the military... and that she might kill them for losing parts of their bodies but... okay maybe it would have been more obvious if I'd paid more attention to them when they talked about her. Well, not my problem, she's a master alchemist and I'm curious what sort of things she's learned over the years so I'd like to talk to her anyway.

"We're going to need to find a place to stay for the night and I'd rather we get this part over with, so do you mind knocking on the door?" Edward looks slightly annoyed but just huffs and walks up raising one hand to knock at the door. Just before he does several heavy stomps shake the glass windows. Edward shrinks back slightly like he's about to be sick and a man opens the door.

He's huge, roughly the same size as Armstrong and Al's armor, a thick well kept beard, and short hair. He's wearing a cooking apron and wielding a large bloody butchering knife.

The man just lets out a long grunt. "Hmmmmmmm?"

Edward starts poking his fingers together awkwardly. "H-hey Sid... good to see you." Al joins in too. "Yeah! It's uh been a while."

He breaks into a smile putting a hand on Edwards's shoulder. "Good to see you. You've grown up a bit." There is a brief moment of surprise in his eyes when Edward doesn't flinch from getting pressed down on.

Al lowers his head slightly. "Y-you might not recognize me but I'm Alphonse. Sorry, we've been away so long and... didn't check-in."

The man's smile widens a bit more. "Ah I see, looks like you've grown more than your fair share too." Tucking the knife into a large pocket and moving a hand to rub the top of Al's helmet too.

Letting go of the both of them he looks back in the house. "Wait here, I'll close up shop." he takes off his apron and puts it on a hook inside the shop before meeting us back outside. At this point, he's noticed Zig and I standing around with Edward and Al. He gets a glint in his eye as he stares at Zig and flexes towards him... Is this some sort of weird Amestrian custom?

He does a few more poses and Zig just stares at him. Until he stops and awkwardly coughs blushing slightly. "I'm sorry, judging by your physique I made some assumptions." He puts out a hand for Zig who shakes it normally.

"Names Sid, I own the shop. You friends with the Elrics?" He gives a curious look at my eye cover and flexes his hand slightly after the handshake with Zig.

I put on a smile. "Yeah, we've traveled with them for a bit. We're actually working on something at the moment and they mentioned their old teacher lived in this town. They made you sound like some sort of angry god but you don't seem that bad." His eyes widen slightly at the mention of 'old' teacher and he glances back towards the window like he was expecting something after a moment he shrugs and nods.

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"Sorry, I'm not their teacher. My wife is. I'll let her know you're here." He moves over to the window opening it up and leans in.

"Izumi, the Elric Shrimps have grown up a bit and come to visit. Do you think you can see them?"

From inside we can hear a female voice reply. "I'll be right there, I'm feeling a little better today."

Edward and Al share a nervous glance. "That can't be good... I guess she hasn't gotten any better since last time."

Edwards's eyes snap towards the door as it's kicked open. Al is knocked to the side by it swinging out and a foot comes soaring out at Edward. Before Zig or I have any chance to react he catches the foot with his automail hand and is pushed back slightly.

Edward sports a wide grin as he looks at a woman with medium-length black dreadlocks tied up into a ponytail, a thin frame, and white overcoat. "HA! I've improved a bit since we last me-" Before he finishes his sentence she's twisted in place bringing her other foot up and using her heel to smash into the side of Edwards's head knocking him to the ground.

She glares down at him not even acknowledging anyone else's presence. "Hello, my stupid pupil. You think you're so tough now that you've become one of the military's dogs huh?" I let out a sigh... I'm going to have to check to see if he has a concussion again. No wonder he's a bit airheaded sometimes, he's grown up with every person he knows beating his skull in.

Al's armor clinks as he gently shuts the door and the woman turns towards him. "T-teacher, it's because um..." Her scowl turns into a smile. "Al? Look at you! You've gotten so big!"

Al immediately calms down and gives a glance at Edwards dizzy prone form before shaking his head and sighing in relief. They both move to handshake. "It's really good to see you aga-" Before she grabs his arm and throws him on the ground too.

She crosses her arms looking away from the two of them. "Your skills are rusty. Edward at least caught my first attack until he got too cocky."

Al just moans on the ground pretending to be in pain before sitting up. "You've got lots of energy for someone that's not feeling well."

Her eyes widen and she begins to yell. "Not feeling well!? I'm feeling perfectly fi-" Before vomiting blood... like a lot of blood at least half a pint.

Shit shit shit... she's vomiting blood, possible causes, a tear within the esophagus, it can't be bronchitis she'd have coughed first. I rush over to check her condition only for Sid to also move to her side.

He holds her shoulder to help prop her up. "You shouldn't exert yourself. That was a big one."

I just stare slack-jawed as she acts like nothing happened. As they stare into each other's eyes lovingly. "Ma'am, are you okay? You need immediate medical attention. Spitting up blood, especially that much..."

Her smile looking at her husband's cramps and she looks at me with annoyance. "Who the hell are you? I understand the brats but I don't remember teaching you two? Also, I'm perfectly fine." She makes a waving motion for me to calm down.

Does she not understand how important blood is? Or how serious a significant tear within the esophagus can be? "Ma'am I'm a medical expert from Xing. I've been traveling with Edward and Al for a while now. If you'd like I'd like to have a look at your condition?" At the mention of me being a medical expert from Xing, her husband's hand clenched on her shoulder and he gives her a serious look. She looks back at him in an almost annoyed sigh. "Fine! But just a check-up, nothing weird okay? And my husband will watch the entire time so no funny ideas." Sid nods seriously next to her. Giving me a look, it's a serious glare... almost like don't get my hopes up.

The woman looks over at Al. "Al dear do you mind dragging your brother inside with you? I'll put on some tea." Al nods and picks up Edward who's still delirious while Zig and I are led inside.

"So! I'm Izumi, those brat's teacher. I'm not Ma'am or teacher or anything to you so you better call me by my name." She starts to go towards the kitchen when Sid stops her and moves in himself. She growls in annoyance before sitting down at a table instead of as he starts making some tea.

She sits with her legs crossed and a look of annoyance at me being here. Like she's gone through this all before. "Now... who are you and what sort of check-up do you have in mind? Also, how can you even help if your eyes are covered? Are you trying to seem mysterious or something like those other fakes?"

I can't help but chuckle at that. "No no I cover my eyes mostly because it makes other people feel uncomfortable. If you want I can take it off?" She nods a slight frown turning into slight interest.

I pull off the thin band and reveal the scarred tissue underneath and her hand reflexively goes over her stomach as she lets out a slight gasp. "You are blind? But... how?"

"Well... one day when I was performing some Alkahestry to save someone I saw a little bit more than I was expecting." I sit next to her.

"Now, may I see your hand? All I need you to do is touch my face and I'll be able to see what's wrong with you." She hesitantly places her hand on my forehead and I use Analyze on her.

After a few moments, I can't help but sit there in wonder. She's missing entire parts of her uterus and several deep gashes along her intestines. She's suffering internal bleeding but somehow her muscles are clenched to prevent it from bleeding as heavily... How is she still alive?

"How did this happen?" She slowly withdraws her hand and looks down at her lap. Her husband comes in with some tea and holds her shoulder in support... Edward and Al are set up in chairs nearby looking on in interest.

"It's a bit hard to discuss if you don't mind... Years ago Sid and I... we..." her eyes get slightly teary. "We attempted to have a child. Unfortunately... they were lost." Sid gives her a slight squeeze.

"Now... I was a young alchemist at the time. I'd studied and knew about some of the darker things that were possible and so I broke the Taboo." She glances between my eyes then turns towards Edwards's arm and Al who both look at her shocked.

She lets out a shivering breath for a moment. "I know you have broken it too. Which is why you two are no longer my students." She turns back to me as Edward and Al share a concerned look.

"I tried to bring our child back." She chokes back a sob. Ah, a miscarriage and they were desperate. I suppose if someone was desperate enough and they thought they had the means.

"After seeing the truth... they demanded a price. For attempting the taboo they took my ability to have children..."

I nod but ponder on that for a moment. "Well... that's not entirely true." both her and Sig's eyes widen.

"W-what do you mean? Is there still a chance I can?" Just a faint bit of hope in her voice.

"Yeah, I haven't worked on it personally but I know through a process of stem cells incorporating DNA from a host someone could artificially create a fertile egg with the donated DNA." Honestly if not for Analyze I wouldn't even consider it possible in this lifetime. Poking and prodding cells to make heart tissue is one thing. It's just the same molecular structure repeated thousands of times in a specific way. Even that took a couple of years for me to fully mesh out. Thanks to Analyze and Alkahestry for fine-tune manipulations I can copy the exact process required for a growing embryo.

Izumi looks in shock. Staring off into the distance. "Y-you could give us a child? H-how? When? How do I know you aren't lying?" Near the end, her gaze had hardened and rather than whistful she considers that I might be lying.

"Well, I just need a few things none of them should be especially expensive. The harder part is just mixing them properly with Alkahestry. Xing's version of Alchemy. It would need to be kept in a proper storage container and given nutrients." Damn... I don't have my milestone perk that sterilizes anything I work on. If I had that It would be much easier. "I won't be able to work on it anytime soon though. As I just don't have the tools."

The hope in her eyes dims slightly. But there is still a little bit of hope there. "That's... understandable. Honestly, if you had told me you could do it right now I'd believe you less."

I nod. "You understand then. As for how I might help you? I can work up a patch for the gashes along your intestines and improve your day to day living." Thanks to the automail material I now have the perfect substance for patching organs and internal prosthetics. Normally you have to worry about rejection and infection. My healing skill is only level 40 at the moment so I can't rely on that to make everything sterile for an operation but as long as I properly sanitize everything it should be fine. She needs immediate help soon, it's frankly a miracle she's even still able to walk around let alone beat Edwards ass.

She blinks for a moment. "Right... how soon can you do that?"

I'd need to make a batch of the automail material and make an appropriate blend... "Probably around a week? I'd need to pick up some supplies then spend the time mixing to to make sure it."

Sig speaks up from beside her. "What would you want in exchange for this then? We can't pay much..."

I shake my head. "I'd rather have your help. It might sound a little odd but we've ran into two different sort of monsters recently."

She quirks her eyebrow at that. "Monsters? Like what?"

"Well one of them was a woman that could extend her fingers like spears well over two meters long and healed from any wound we inflicted.The next was an person that's form changed into a massive beast full of thousands of eyes and screams." She turns towards Edward and Al for confirmation.

Edward nods rapidly. "Y-yeah we ran into the first one following us over in a small town while on our way to meet our friends in Resembool. The second in a lab in central. We were investigating a way to... well make a philosophers stone. We found out some part of the government has been doing experiments with prisoners turning them into those stones... Which have been used to make these monsters."

Izumi nods seriously. "I see, well... I'm not sure how much help I would be. I'm just a housewife." Edward cringes at that.

"Well you can use transmutation without a circle right? Alchemist have been picked off from the military left and right. If we are going to figure out what's happening we are going to need all the help we can get. I'll be able to help you with your health and you can assist where you can."

She shares a look with Sig. "So you'll heal me and help us have a child only if I go to war with you? I'll do it... if I really have to."

I shrug. "I'll heal you regardless, I just want a favor in return. As for helping you with the kid? I'd like to help with that regardless too but I don't really know you and I think we really need the help." Sig and Izumi share a glance with one another briefly. Before nodding.

"Well, it's not like we have much of an option anyway. We have a guest room you are welcome to stay in and the couch if you don't already have plans... I hope everyone can stay for dinner?"

Edwards stomach growls. "Great! Wait, where are Al and l staying then?" Looking at us. "I guess you're just going to need to find somewhere else to stay." I'm sure he can find something.