Chapter One - Names and Faces

A cool evening breeze rolled over the grassy, hallowed land. Tombstones stood tall and proud, bearing the names of loved ones that lay below. Amid the dead stood a tall man, gazing at one tombstone in particular.

He was pushing a hundred…and looked more like he was forty. His golden hair was always pulled back into a ponytail, his overgrown bangs falling into his mystical, matching eyes. He felt like everytime he gazed into a mirror and saw his reflection, he saw his father staring back, not himself. His over-sized maroon trench coat flapped in the wind, making him seem larger than life to passers-by. But he hadn't always been this tall…In his gloved hands were a bouquet of red and white roses.

"Your favorites, Seiren." He placed them down beside the rock, reading the inscription.

"Seiren Elric. Born May 2, 1904. Died July 28, 1999. A loving Mother and Wife."

He could not hold back the tears that he'd been hiding anymore. Large, warm gobs of water escaped his golden eyes and splashed onto the ground. He squeezed his eyes shut, his hands balling into fists. He wanted to shout, scream, anything…but simply bit his lip. He felt doomed to roam the earth until his final days…alone. Placing a gloved hand on the tombstone one last time, he uttered a good-bye before turning and leaving.

The world had changed after World War II. Things were much more advanced…but he felt as though he saw many similar faces around him everyday. It hurt to see them, yet it was a strange comfort. His own orphaned great-grandchildren, no doubt still up watching TV, were exact clones of himself and his little brother.

Passing on through town, he saw a group of children running down the street, laughing as they tried to chase one another.

"Colonel…the Lieutenants and Sergeants…" He looked away. He'd grown accustomed to their glowing, smiling faces – he just faced them on with a blank stare, his eyes void of emotion.

It was just easier that way – don't get attached to anyone. It pained him to do it to his own great-grandchildren, but he didn't want to risk losing them and having his heart ache all over again. That's what happened to him every time – his wife, his children, his grandchildren…they all ended up being yanked away from him and placed in the ground. But he'd learned to move on, to live with it…

"Earth to Edward Elric!"

He stopped in his tracks, his mind returning to the present. Slowly, he turned his head, catching sight of Officer Mike Hughes. He blinked, then allowed himself a small smile. "Michael…shouldn't you respect your elders?"

Hughes laughed, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the toll booth he monitored. "You remind me of my grandfather…care to join me for a nice hot cup of coffee?"

"Not tonight," he shook his head. "I've got to get back to Ted and Hal."

Hughes smiled at this. "You really care for those kids, huh?" Ed shrugged, guilt pulsing inside. He loved those kids, but he couldn't allow himself to express that. His only hope was to provide for them as long as he could…and hope that they would understand one day. "How's the baby-sitter thing going?" said the officer, drawing Ed from his thoughts again.

Ed sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm pushing a hundred, Mike. I don't have the energy or skill to find the right person to keep watch on those boys. But I can't keep asking my neighbors to take turns watching them."

"I'll keep a look out, if you'd like," Hughes offered. "If I find anyone who seems worthy and capable, I'll send them your way."

Again, Ed smiled at him. "I appreciate that. Thanks."

Hughes nodded and grinned back. "Well, I'd best be off. My little Elicia is waiting for me at home!"

Ed's smile became distant and sad at this, memories flooding back. "All right…take care, Hughes." He trudged away, never looking back. His eyes pricked with unshed tears, as they often did, but he was a master at holding them back. The trip home was uneventful, and the sitter left at once after he paid them. Six-year-old Ted was an exact copy of himself as a child: blonde hair, golden eyes, a fiery spirit, and an inquisitive mind. Five-year-old Hal was also another replica…one of his brother, Alphonse. His short dirty blonde hair fell over his brown eyes, his smile and nature gentle and thoughtful. He looked up to his older brother and loved him dearly. Ted was also protective of his little brother, always keeping watch and always beside him.

The television was on low, the images flickering on and off the screen. The two boys lay asleep on the couch, softly snoring as they leaned on each other. Again, Ed allowed himself a hidden smile before turning his gaze towards the strange device. His smile evaporated upon seeing what they had been watching.

"FullMetal Alchemist" was a manga – later an anime – created by a Japanese woman for millions of people to read. Though she got most of the information correct, there were some tweeks in the story that no one knew of…except for himself of course. It was strange, being the object of his grandchildren's obsession. Since they first found out about the show, they were convinced that he was THE Edward Elric. He always laughed it off, but they had no clue how right they were.

Pressing "eject", the DVD disc popped out of the DVD player. He took it and placed it back in its box, sliding it back onto the shelf. God only knew how many volumes of manga and anime he'd bought for these boys…but he loved to see their faces brighten up. It was the most he could do for either of them…he was ashamed to admit it, but he was too afraid to even hug them anymore. He knew material possessions were temporary means of delighting them…but he just couldn't handle it.

Gingerly, he took the boys to their room and placed them in the large twin bed they had to share. He had lived in an apartment for so long, he hadn't imaged he'd be using the guest room for his descendents. Tucking them in, he hesitated, wanting to kiss them good-night…

He pulled back instead, patting them on the head before leaving for his private study. The room was connected to his bedroom, both plain and barren. The only difference was that the study was packed with picture, article clippings, sketches, and artifact that reminded him of home…his true home…Amestris…Heaving a sigh, he sat in the swiveling chair before picking up a sketch. A tall suit of menacing armor stood behind a young boy, about thirteen years old, wearing a red overcoat. A much smaller boy stood in front of him, about ten years old. He looked identical to Hal…Ed had never been an artist, but he'd had a lifetime to work on that. A tear escaped his eye as he gazed upon the picture.

"Al…I've said it once, I'll say it yet again…I wish you were here with me."

~FMA~

"Granpa, can we go to the park?" Hal asked, looking up at his great-grandfather with his big brown eyes as they ate breakfast.

Ed held back a sigh. "I can't…I have to go to the library, and then I have to get groceries."

"We can go by ourselves, Gramps, we're not little kids," Ted informed him.

Ed frowned, biting his lip as a vein popped out from his forehead. "Who're you calling 'Gramps'?"

This drew giggles from the boys. Whenever Ed happened to be irked by something, he showed it in a way that the boys found hilarious. Ed knew he'd never understand why, so he didn't bother to ask them.

A knock at the front door grabbed his attention. His brows furrowed. "If that's Kolby asking for more money, I'm going to strangle him," he hissed under his breath. Getting up from the table, he headed for the door, leaving the children to finish their cereal. He swiftly unlocked the door and pulled it open, bracing himself for the worst.

Before him stood a person no more than five feet tall. They wore short charcoal boots, dark faded jeggings, and a vibrant crimson hoodie. The hood covered his…or her head, their face a mystery. Ed's mind flashed a thought…

He stood atop a hill with his younger brother, nothing more than a soul attached to a suit of armor. Edward Elric, the FullMetal Alchemist, stood tall and proud though he was only 4'11". The wind mussed his hair, his bright red coat swirling around him…

"Um…I'm sorry if I woke you or interrupted breakfast, but…are you Edward Elric?" said the figure, bringing him back to the present.

Shaking his head clear, he noted how soft the voice was. "A girl," he realized. "That's me. How can I help you?"

"Officer Hughes sent me, sir. I'm…hoping for a job." Reaching up, she pulled her hood down. Her skin was not tan yet not pale, rather a combination of the two. Her mid-length dark chestnut hair was pulled into a braid, resting on her shoulder. Her eyes were a warm shade of brown, looking like melted chocolate. Her pink lips pulled into a polite smile as she offered him her hand. "My name is Syren Turner." Instead of his hand, however, all she got was a shocked expression, blank golden eyes staring at her as though she was someone that had come back from the dead.