#tpwc

Okay so this is a lot of bullshit headcanons that I set up and we're spoiling a LOT of shit but here we go!!

So. I established in the last chapter or so of TPWC that Ed is making a way for Ling and Greed to separate. He's specifically making it so they could do this even if he's not there.

Greedling uses this during the fight when Father tries to reabsorb Greed. The split frees them from his grip and lets Greed live, still with most of his own Philosopher's Stone in tact.

Later once everything's dealt with, Ed's trying to bring Al back and Hohenheim offers himself to trade. Which like. Ed tells him to fuck off like he did in Canon(though they have a bit better of a relationship because of previous events so it's nicer.)

Greed points out how that might not work because Hohenheim is kinda... Fucked up.

I already established the whole Life Energy being like blood and if you loose too much you die. And that's what his problem is. Greed has a solution though! An energy transfer.

Though not really wanting to die right now, Hohenheim would rather die than be Immortal again. But Greed assures him it'll just be enough energy to like. Stablize him. It'll be like he's a normal Human again.

They do that shit which is. Real good for him.

When Ed does the thing of trying to get Al back, Ling's like "hey take me with you so I can make sure you don't do something too stupid and self-sacrificing!". Which Ed's like "fine but you're not about to be stupid and self-sacrificing either bitch!".

And there's a lot of talking and stuff that goes down with this but Ling eventually says "you choose the price, but I'm the one paying". And a lot about how "damn it Ed you need to accept that people love you and are allowed to help you and you don't have to sacrifice something that makes you happy even if it's unnecessary pleasure!", with a dash of "everything that's mine is yours, nd what's yours is mine.". And a bit of threatening "so help me if you don't let me do this I will grab Greed and fix this shit myself!"

So. Since everyone has the potential ability to use Alchemy, even if they never use the talent, that just gets yoinked from Ling instead. Getting out is the same loophole Ed used in Canon.

So yeah Ed keeps the Alchemy and Ling doesn't loose much. You'd think Truth itself would be more pissy about it but 1.) The whole point is choosing your price and 2.) Ed was entirely willing to give up using Alchemy which like. Still counts toward all the lessons learned.