In this world, the science of Alchemy is the law that governs everything. There is one law of Alchemy that is above all else, and the law of equivalent exchange. To obtain something of equal value, something must be given. Because of this there is one thing that is forbidden: the act of Human Transmutation, because what can equal the value of a human soul.
The town of Risinbull was quiet one day when a new family moved into the small town. The family had a little girl named Grace. She had long, dark red hair that flowed in the wind. She had dark green eyes that seemed to be able to judge the character of the one she looked at. The family was very happy and made friends quickly in the town. Grace made friends with Winry Rockbell and the Elric brothers, Ed and Al.
The family experienced very happy years in this little town. They also welcomed another little girl into the world, her name was Alexandria. She had short dark blue hair that shined in the sunlight. She had the same dark green eyes as her sister but seemed to have a shy personality. The five of the children ran and played together and became closer as the days went by.
On one day, however, the family experienced tragedy when the father was called into war by the state and the mother was stricken with sickness. Shortly after this happened, the two sisters started studying the art of Alchemy to find a way to help their mother.
The sisters received news that their father did not make it through a battle and saw him buried. Shortly after their mother passed because of her sickness. "What do we do Grace?" asked Alexandria. We will become state alchemist to find an answer. "Are you sure, it seems like a big gamble." Soon after, the two girls said goodbye to Winry. Ed and Al already left town on their own journey. " I wonder how they are doing," said Winry. "I don't know" replied Grace "I hope they are doing all right," said Alexandria shortly after. They said their final goodbyes and headed towards the Military's headquarters to take the exam.
The sisters did not know what the test would be like but they did know that the state only accepted one or two a year. This meant that they both had to do well if they wanted to find the answer they were so desperately trying to find. "What do you think the test will be like?" asked Grace, "I don't know but I heard it consists of two different parts," replied Alexandria. Alexandria was correct, it was two parts: a written exam and a field test. The girls studied hard and trained for a year to prepare themselves for the test. Finally, the day had come of the exam. Standing outside the Sate building, Grace took a deep breath. "Here we go," she said,"Best of luck," replied Alexandria. They both walked into the room and sat down. The test began and the girls did their best and advanced to the field test. Here, they were given materials for the alchemy and told to make whatever they were able to. Grace was able to make a weapon out of a pile of steel that was given to her and Alexandria created many weapons at one time with her alchemy. Both doing very well, they earned the title of State Alchemist.
After the exam was over the sisters went to the Colonel, a man by the name of Roy Mustang, also know as the Flame Alchemist. They received a pocket watch proving their status as state alchemist. Along with that they were given names that the military would refer to them as Grace was given the title, Weapon alchemist and Alexandria was given the title of Multi-weapon alchemist. Together, they would be known as the Weapon sisters. After receiving this they were told that they would be under Mustang's command and that they were free to go do what they desired until they were called in for an assignment. Mustang gives them a warning "you girls are now dogs of the military, welcome and don't be reckless" He also told them to go home and get some rest. Grace and Alexandria take the order to heart and head out of the headquarters. "We did it!" they both exclaimed.
After they returned home to show Winry what they had accomplished, they found out that they just missed Ed and Al. After visiting with an old friend, they headed to the library in Central to research the information they have been searching for. Since they became state alchemist they were granted special access to books otherwise restricted. The sisters looked and looked and found nothing but leads. Grace and Alexandria ask Colonel Mustang if they could have time to check each lead out. "Go but you must bring me proof of whatever you find." Having the green light the sisters took a train and headed to East City. "We finally made it," said Grace. "Yeah, but do you think they could make the seats more comfortable," complained Alexandria. After stretching their legs, they headed to the library to get the information they hoped would be there. "Finally, we found the information we came for!" exclaimed Grace. After a long day, they decided to wait until tomorrow to head back to Central to tell Mustang what they had found.
"Good work," said Mustang, as the girls reported their findings. "Now, what are you planning to do with this knowledge now that you have it?" asked the Colonel. Looking nervous, Grace and Alexandria said, "Well sir, we were planning to just hold on to it and use it to further our research into alchemy." "OK then" said Mustang. After checking in, they decided to use what they had learned to finally do what they wanted to from the start. They head back to Risinbull to start the preparations.
"Welcome Home!" exclaimed Winry, tackling Grace and Alexandria to the ground. "Why would you do that, you just saw us the other day?" they both exclaimed. "Sorry" said Winry. The sisters were setting everything up for the biggest breakthrough they were about to try. After everything was set, a thought popped into Alexandria's head "shouldn't we get a better understanding about how to use alchemy?" Deciding that she needed to get a better opinion, she said to Grace, " Hey Grace, shouldn't we try to get formal teaching on how to use alchemy?" Grace thought it over in her head for a moment and realized that would be a good idea because after all, they hadn't been using it but for a short time. "OK," said Grace," time to find us a teacher."
After searching and searching, they finally found one in the South that was wiling to teach them under the condition that they use the knowledge gained to benefit the nation and not themselves. The sisters agreed to this condition and set out on their journey. "Having to leave an old friend never gets easier," said Alexandria. "We'll be back before you know it," said Grace. "Keep the house warm and ready for us to get back," said Grace with a bitter tone in her voice. This was because those were the last words that her father spoke before responding to the military's order. They got back on the train and headed towards their new teacher in a town called Rush Valley. "This should be a good experience for us," said Alexandria. "Yeah," said Grace, who seemed to be in her own world of thought. "What's wrong?" asked Alexandria. "Oh, its nothing, just thinking about dad," replied Grace. This was true because she was remembering the good times that they had spent together as a family and the reason she became a state alchemist.
Arriving in Rush Valley, they looked for the building that the teacher said they would be in.
Finally finding the building they entered asking where they might find the teacher that promised to teach them. Looking around the little shop off of the main street, they noticed someone reading something in a far corner of the shop. The girls walked up to the figure. "Excuse me, do you know where we can find the alchemy teacher?" asked Grace. The woman looked up from her book and replied, " I am the one you seek. I assume you are the Weapon Alchemist sisters?" "My name is Windy." She seemed to be in her mid twenties and very knowledgeable about alchemy. "Pleasure to meet you my name is Grace the Weapon Alchemist and this is my sister, Alexandria, the Multi-Weapon Alchemist" Windy nodded her head in acknowledgment. "What did you seek me out for?" asked Windy. "We came to learn alchemy," replied the sisters. Windy looked puzzled for a moment and finally asked, "What are two state alchemist wanting to learn alchemy for?" The sisters looked at each other and nodded. They explained their story to her, explaining that they never had the formal training and that they were wishing to have it so they could better serve the state, keeping to themselves the main reason they wanted to learn. "Very well then, I will teach you the basics of alchemy and it is up to you to apply it," said Windy. The sisters simply said thank you and began their training.
The training took months for Windy to teach them all they wished to learn. Windy explained to them that alchemy was not an all powerful art. She explained in depth the law of equivalent exchange. "You must give something in order to gain," she said. She also explained that because of this law the art of Human Alchemy was forbidden because no one could ever put a price on a human soul. Also the flow of energy only goes in one direction and bringing a person back goes against the flow. Windy also had to explain to them in detail why the Transmutation circle was necessary for Alchemy. "The circle creates a matrix and directs the flow to first construct, deconstruct, and then reconstruct. After the training period was over, the sisters said thank you once again and said their farewell. What they took away from the months of training is that Alchemy is a science and it should be treated as such. "Well, that was an informative and interesting experience" said Alexandria. "Yea it was, now we have to figure out how to apply what we learned," said Grace. Heading back to Risinbull after the training seemed like the most logical thing to do. After the long train ride they finally reached their hometown. Seeing Winry, they ran to her looking excited and were ready to show her what they learned. "Winry its so good to see you," said Grace. Winry looked to be happy as well but also deep in thought. "What is it?" asked Alexandria. Winrey looked at her and said,"It's just my work its got me thinking of ways to make it better." Looking surprised the sisters wondered what kind of work she did. Then they remembered that she was a Rockbell and recalled that she and her grandmother and her ran an automail shop. After catching up with her they get invited to have dinner with her and her granny Rockbell. Excited to finally have a hometown meal, they happily accepted. Later that night after they ate, the sisters went to visit the graves of both their mother and father. Grace trying to remain strong for Alexandria, Alexandria on the other hand starting to remember all the good times they had with both of them and wished they could have five more minutes with them. Forgetting what they originally went to Rush Valley to learn, she broke down and cried, which caused Grace to do the same. In their room later that same, night Grace and Alexandria went over the plan they had for years making sure they had all the materials they needed.
The following morning they woke up before anyone else and snuck down to the basement they prepared before leaving for Rush Valley. "Everything seems to be in order," said Grace. Alexandria looked worried and said, "Yeah but do you really think we should do this, I mean it is forbidden," Grace looked at her sister and reassured her that whatever happened they would always have each other till the end of time. After they had finished talking they made the final preparations by drawing the circle and placing everything in the middle. Both taking a deep breath and placing their hands at the edge of the circle. There was no turning back at that point. They had committed to forbidden act of Human Transmutation. After a few seconds, it was evident that the transmutation was not working the way the other ones they did before. Dark energy filled the room and smoke surrounded the sisters. "Sister where are you?" exclaimed Grace. After a few moments, they both found themselves standing before a gate of some sort but one sister could not see the other. The gate opened and dragged each of them in. After being dragged, in they were filled with knowledge that even their teacher didn't know. After a while they reappeared before the gate. A figure stood before them this time without form or a face. "You must now pay the price for what you have seen," is all it said. Soon after that Grace's left leg was taken and Alexandria's right leg was taken. After they both regained consciousness, they both realized what had happened because of what they saw they lost their limbs in the equivalent exchange. Alexandria's screams woke Granny Rockbell. After taking a look around the basement and feeling the dark energy she realized what happened. "You girls didn't try to bring your parents back did you?" The girls looked at her scared out of their minds and also had a sense of regret about them. Both of the girls realized how lucky they were. After the initial shock wore off, Grace was finally able to speak. "Granny, I hate to ask this but do you think you could fit us both with automail? "Of course don't insult me child," replied Granny. Later that day Winry woke up and started working and realized what had happened. "What have you done you idiots!" she exclaimed. Both looking ashamed they looked at her and said,"All we wanted was to spend a little more time with them and feel like we used to thats all." After the operation they both realized just what they had done. Regret started to sink in especially for Grace because she was the older sister and it was her job to protect Alexandria. Alexandria tried to explain that it was just as much her fault as it was Grace. It was time to finally try to walk around and try everything out. Both of them walked around and it felt as natural as if they never had to get automail at all. Winry was a great mechanic and it showed through her work. Alexandria then realized, "Sister, do you think we are still able to conduct alchemy?" Grace looking concerned clapped her hands together and said, "I don't know." Squatting down to the ground to draw the circle, she accidentally put her hand on the ground and a sword popped out of the ground."Wow!" exclaimed Alexandria. Both looking shocked, "Do you think I could do that?" asked clapped her hands and struck the ground. The transmutation began and two swords popped out of the ground. Realizing what had just happened, they were wondering what gave them the ability to do this. Finally, they realized that it was what they saw on the other side of the gate that allowed them to conduct alchemy without a circle.
After a good time in Risinbull, it was time to head back to Central to check in with the Colonel and tell them what they had done and what they discovered. After checking in with Mustang they were told not to tell anyone what had happened because of the nature of the subject. They were told to find the Fulmetal Alchemist, not knowing that it was Ed andAl Elric that they were searching for. A new journey began for the Weapon Sisters Grace and Alexandria
Beginning their journey to find Fulmetal. They find out that the last place they were seen was Rush Valley. Nervous Grace and Alexandria decide to head there. "What do you think teacher is going to say," asked Alexandria. "I don't want to think about it because I know she won't be happy," replied Grace. After arriving in Rush Valley they avoided the alley where they first met their teacher. They knew that if Windy found out that they used the information to commit the forbidden act, she would not be happy and she would do one of two things. Either expel them from her teaching or work them so hard that they collapsed from exhaustion. Either way they didn't want her to find out. The girls searched and searched for Fulmetal and came across a suit of armor sitting at a table,assuming that it was him they approached. "Excuse me sir, are you the Fulmetal alchemist?" asked Grace. The suit of armor replied, "No, that is my brother" the suit of armor pointed behind them and there he stood the Fulmetal alchemist. Grace and Alexandria realized who was standing before them it was Ed Elric,the old childhood friend. "Hey it's Ed," exclaimed the sisters. Ed just as surprised as they were ran up and hugged them both. "How have you been?" asked Grace. "Good but busy," Ed replied. Alexandria looked around and asked "Where is Al?" Ed pointed to the suit of armor, realizing that it really was Al the sisters shifted their attention to him. "How have you been Al?" asked Grace "Good I've been traveling around with Ed for the past couple years." "You've gotten taller," said Alexandria. Grace took a look at Ed and Al and noticed Ed was very short and said, "Wow, Ed you haven't grown much since last we saw you did you?" Ed got a very disgusted look on his face said, "Who are you calling so small you need a microscope to see?" Taken back by the sudden outburst the sisters remembered, that Ed hated being reminded of his hight and promptly apologized. The sisters began telling the Elric brothers the reason they were in Rush Valley. Ed, Grace, and Alexandria were all state alchemist. "You both are state alchemist?" asked Ed. The sisters both nodded their heads. Ed then looked and noticed that their legs were automail. concerned Ed asked, "What happened to your legs?" The sisters both became shy and withdrawn. Finally, Grace spoke, "Well we lost them in equivalent exchange." Ed and Al both looked at each other and realized what happened. "You tried human transmutation didn't you," remarked Ed. The sisters shocked didn't say a word. "I thought so," said Ed. Ed then revealed his right arm. The girls shocked and then realized that he himself had committed the forbidden act. They both then looked at Al. "Al did something happen to you when you helped Ed?" asked Alexandria. Ed and Al both looked down, the mood suddenly changing. The sisters then realized that something did happen. Al then took off his head piece, revealing that the suit of armor was hollow. The Elric brothers then explained them looking for the philosopher's stone. The girls then explained that Colonel Mustang sent them to aid them in their search. Taken back, the brothers looked confused. "Why do you have to follow his orders?" asked Ed. "We joined the military as state alchemist," replied Alexandria. "Yeah, we were put under the command of Colonel Mustang," said Grace. Understanding they welcome the girls on their journey.
Leaving from Rush Valley headed towards their next destination the girls are filled in on the Elric's story. The girls understood where they came from. Suddenly the train stops. Shocked the group looks outside the window and sees that they have not reached the station. "Whats going on?" exclaimed Grace. Then over the loudspeaker the group hear a warning " We are the rebellion group, taking this train hostage" "Here we go again," said Ed. Speaking as if he had dealt with this situation many times before. "Al you know what to do," said Ed. Al understood what he meant and headed toward the front of the train. Ed headed the same way but on the roof. The girls not knowing what to do, stood at the back and prepared themselves for battle. Clapping their hands together they created what they could from the train. Grace was able to make a small sword from the frame of the seat. Alexandria however, made multiple spears from the floor and side panels of the train itself. The girls hold their own in the rear of the train. Ed and Al finally return to their seat and the train continues its trip.
The group decided to get off at the next station. This station was outside of a huge desert to reach the next town. Crossing the desert was an interesting task, because Al was a hallow suit of armor, they had to stop periodically. Finally reaching their destination on the other side of the desert, they stop for a drink of water. Little do they know that they were being watched by the head of the town. The group found out that their preacher preformed miracles that resembled alchemy, concerned the gang checks into this. They found out that it was indeed alchemy. By finding this out however, it caused trouble for them. This trouble resulted in a fight with both the towns people and the preacher himself. Durning this conflict the girls found out that Ed could conduct alchemy without a transmutation circle just like them. They also realized why the state gave him the name Fulmetal alchemist. Ed was able to transmute his automail into a blade. After a very long and exhausting battle they finally defeat the preacher, open the eyes of the towns people to his deception.
Realizing that this lead to the philosopher's stone was a fake. The group had to head back to Central to keep the Colonel up to date. On the train ride back the girls found out why Ed could transmute without a circle. They also found out that Ed and the Colonel did not get along so well. "Hey Alexandria Grace didn't you realize your the only female state alchemist?" said Ed. Grace and Alexandria thought it over in their heads and realized he was right. "Well, what about you your the youngest to ever earn the title," said Alexandria. This was true because Grace was three years older then Ed and Alexandria was a year younger then Grace. "No big deal to me," said Ed. "this to me was just a stepping stone to get Al's body back," he continued.
Finally arriving in Central Ed was dreading the meeting with Mustang because of previous encounters. Alexandria couldn't help but try to loosen the mood "Hey Ed look on the bright side, you still have Al, Grace and Me," she said. "Yea,thats true but even still Mustang isn't going to be happy with us," he remarks. Grace didn't seem to mind the meeting with Mustang all that much, to her it was just another chance for another mission, to keep her mind off of things. Noticing Ed, Al, and Alexandria look at her and ask "are you all right you seem troubled" they inquired. "Its nothing guys really just thinking about the good old days," she replied. Her statement made the group stop and think about the times when they were kids. Al remembered the times him and Ed fought, Grace remembered always getting Alexandria out of trouble, Ed and Alexandria remembered the times that they would spend hours just running and having fun. Finally arriving at the state building they head into the colonel's office and fill him in on the details of the search. "I see it was another fake," he said. "How am I supposed to fund all of these wild goose chases Fulmteal" he continued. Ed looked blankly at him with disgust "Alright, thanks for checking in you four you are now free to go" the colonel said. "See you the next time you need us," said Grace.
The group headed back to Risinbull because Grace and Alexandria needed to see Winry for repairs to their automail. Ed and Al headed with them just to keep them company. Ed knew that by going back home he would have to face what he had done, it also held memories that he did not wish to remember. Al on the other hand went along to keep the girls company but he missed his home. The one thing they all looked forward to tho was the home cooked meal waiting for them at Granny Rockbell's. "What do you think Winry's up to right now?" asked Grace. "Knowing her she's probably hard at work," replied Ed. "I don't know about that she seemed relaxed the last time we saw her," replied Alexandria. The group boarded the train headed to Risinbull. "I guess we'll find out soon enough," said Al.
Finally arriving at the Risinbull station Ed and Alexandria complained about the seats. Al and Grace just looked at each other and shook their heads. While walking to the Rockbell's house the group shared memories of walking down the road years ago. After reaching the house they called out "Granny Winry we're home." A very happy Winry poked her head out the door and waved and said, "Welcome home guys." She then took a look at the automail on Grace and Alexandria, and her mood changed drastically. "What happened to my automail?" she exclaimed. The whole group explains the story that they were in a big fight, and the girls had to move a little more quickly then their automail would allow. After the repairs Winry had an idea, "Hey guys how about we spend the day like we used to when we were younger?" "That sounds like a good idea" replied Alexandria and Al. Grace and Ed both replied "Shouldn't we wait till tomorrow i mean it is getting late, and we all had a long hard day." Realizing this they all agreed.
The next day was a wonderful day of memories for the five of them. Being called home for lunch, and running free reminded them all of how simple life was. The five of them after they ran just sat on a grassy field and talked about the old memories. Finally, the gang took a trip down to the cemetery to visit the other members of the family. They were finally called home by a lantern hung from the second story window of the Rockbell home. They all enjoyed a home cooked meal and said goodnight.
The next morning Ed, Grace, Alexandria, and Al had to say goodbye to Winry and Granny. "This never gets easier" said Alexandria. "We'll be back soon" said Grace. "Thanks for everything" replied Ed and Al. The four of them had been called late the night before by Mustang to come in. They all reported in, they received the news that a federal prisoner had escaped. "What is his name sir?" asked Grace. "The man we are searching for is named Kimbly," replied Mustang. "Be careful he is known for making human bombs" said Mustang. Having received the warning, the four received their orders to find and restrain the criminal. The gang then headed out into the city to do just that.
The group began looking around the city. This escaped criminal was a danger to everyone in the city because of his ability. "The colonel said that Kimbly could make bombs out of people, i wonder what he meant," said Alexandria. "I don't know but I hope we never have to find out,"replied Grace. Ed and Al walked along thinking to themselves. Alexandria noticing, asked,"Something on your mind?" "Just thinking about the composition of the body is all," replied Ed. "You might be onto something about this guy," said Grace. Putting more thought into this the group realized that Kimbly was using alchemy to cause a reaction between the air around them and an element in the body, turning it into a bomb. Durning this time of thinking the group heard a loud explosion. "That must be him," said Grace. "Yeah, lets get moving," replied Al. Grace, Alexandria, and Ed prepared for battle, Ed turned his automail into a blade, Grace Created the sword, and Alexandria created two spears. Al decided to wait until the time was necessary to use alchemy. Arriving at the sight of the blast they saw a figure standing in the smoke with a smirk on his face.