Chapter One

by Sakuram0chi

-F.L.A.S.H.B.A.C.K-

"Who are you? Where am I?" I ask

"I am Truth. Some call me god, the world, or the universe," the intangible white figure laughs and places it's finger on my lips.

"But where am I?" I repeat.

"A suspension of time. A metaphysical continuum. Tell me would you like to see the world? Would you like to see the universe?" Truth asks me.

"I don't know," I reply. "What will the world show me? What is the universe?"

"Let me show you," Truth says lifting his hand up as a large door made of stone tablets materializes. The door creaks open slowly and I am sucked in.

I scream as pure knowledge about the world, the universe, alchemy and everything is forced into my mind.

Truth laughs cruelly as the door dematerializes and I collapse. Truth reaches for my chest, but it's hand passes clear though and he grabs my lung, then pulls.

"Truth, NO! STOP!" I scream and grab it's wrist. I can feel the air being forced out. Truth pulls and they pop out of my chest easily.

"This will be my payment for letting you see the universe."

A sudden searing pain shoots through my left leg.

"And now you'll never be able to stand on your own two feet without help."

"Truth please..."

"Good bye Emilie'," Truth sneers waving.

I blink and Uncle is standing over me. "Go back to sleep Emilie'."

Strangely, I think I see tears streaming down his normally stony face.

"Welcome to Rush Valley," A tall man with a wrench says from behind a shop counter. "Are you looking for anyone in particular?" he asks.

"Dominic LeCoulte," Uncle tells him.

"Oh, you're looking for old man Dominic? You're in luck! I just happen to be the most respected blacksmith in Rush Valley!" he tells us pridefully. "Mr. LeCoulte will be here in a few minutes to pick up some new pieces.

As promised, an older man arrives a few minutes later. "Hello. My name is Brigadier General Grand. I believe that you are Dominic LeCoulte. Please make my niece an automail."

"No," he tells us flatly.

My chest tightens, literally, and I slowly wheel myself over to the man. "Please, sir. Please help me."

"No," he tells us again.

I feel tears well up in my eyes. I stuggle out of my wheelchair and onto the floor in front of his widening eyes. I slowly, shakily place my forehead on the cold hardwood floor.

He stares at my bandage stub of a knee and listens to my labored breathing.

"Emilie'!" Uncle barks. "Get back in you're wheelchair or you'll faint," He scoops me up and rearranges me in the wheelchair. He securely wraps my knit blanket around my leg.

"What happened to this child?" Dominic asks Uncle.

"She lost it to an unfortunate accident," he shoots back cooly.

I breath deeply and fold my hands. "Please. I just want to be able to stand again. I just want to... to.. I just want to be able to live freely again!" I exclaim, fat tears rolling out of the corners of my eyes.

"Pitiful thing," Dominic grumbles. "Fine I'll make you automail- if you promise to never have that look in your eyes again."

I wipe my eyes and thank him. "But sir, what look did I have in my eyes? Desperation?"

"You had the look as if you wanted to give up on living. Child, life is precious; never forget that."

-E.N.D.-

Every morning, when I wake up, I put my mask on. It covers my nose, the lower half of my face, and my neck. I wrap my stigmata in snow white bandages that are always blood red by the end of the day.

Every morning, I swear to myself, that no one shall pierce my barrier. The wall between myself and the rest of the world. The shield that prevents me from being hurt.

"Colonel Mustang, this is your new Lieutenant now that your former Lieutenant has been reassigned to my command," Fuhrer Bradly says to Colonel Mustang with a hint of smugness in his level voice.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Emilie' Grand. Please take care of me," I bow shallowly.

King Bradley places his large hand on my shoudler. "Good-bye Emilie'. Take care of yourself now."

I turn and bow deeply. "Thank you for all that you've done and thank you for taking care of me for these past years."

He smiles and leaves Colonel Mustang's office.

Colonel Mustang glares back. "Is this all that you're giving me for my unit? After you took 5 of my men?" he asks angrily. He slams his fist down on his desk. "Damn!" He stares at me and leans back in his chair. "I suppose you're here to keep a close eye on me, eh?"

"I requested to be here," I say sharply.

He narrows his eyes slightly. "I doubt that. No need to sweet talk me," he smirks. "Why else would you go from the Fuhrer's personal assistant to mine?"

"Why else would I choose to be demoted from Brigadier General to Lieutenant Colonel?" I throw back in his face.

He stays quiet. "I guess you've got a point. But I still don't trust you," he says sharply.

"Well then, Colonel jerka$$," I slam my hand down sarcastically. "Just accept my help already."

"I don't want your help," he sniffs.

I grab the front of his unform and twist him closer to me. "Oh, but you're going to want it. Do you know how much power I have?"

"Less now that you've decided to team up with me," he retorts.

I smirk. "I think that you're starting to understand me now."

"What do you mean?" he asks raising his eyebrow.

"That I don't want anything to have to do with you or this military. I just want my revenge. My revenge on this twisted country."

"You know, Emilie'. You're a beautiful woman. If only you weren't such an angry wretch," he says smiling.

"Well, I won't be so angry once this government is set straight."

"What do you say that once we're done, that I take you out to dinner?"

"Save it Colonel," I say rolling my eyes. I head to leave the room. "I'll be back tomorrow morning."

He smiles. "You're a tough nut, Emilie'. How about I walk you home? It is raining and I have a spare umbrella."

"Don't you have work?"

"I don't have much paperwork left."

"I'm going home."

"And punch two, three, four. Kick. Punch two, three, four. Kick," I bark, pacing around my students.

"Miss Grand! Is it true that you're now the subordinate of Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist, Hero of the ishvalan War?" Malia coos.

"It doesn't matter. Please get back to your punching bag."

"Roy Mustang? He's a hottie," Anne says approvingly.

"I think he seems like a jacka$$," James says.

I roar at them. "Get back to your punching bags! Your here to train, not to gossip!"

"Yes Miss Grand," they all say in unison.

"Miss Grand?" Charlie asks. "I've always wanted to know, why do you have metal covering half of your torso?"

"I lost my lung and heart to, ummm, an unfortunate accident and an operation helped me live. A man named Doctor Marcoh installed an iron lung powered by a red stone that keeps me alive."

She blinks. "Red stone?"

"Have you ever heard of the Philosopher's Stone?"

"No. Never," she replies, continuing to punch her punching bag.

"Do you know what alchemy is?"

She nods. "I do."

"Well, the Philosopher's Stone is also called 'The fifth element.' It is a powerful amplifier for alchemy. The law of 'equivalent exchange is the theory of alchemy' and Philosopher's stone gives the illusion of overriding the law."

"Can't say that I really understand, but okay."

"Now back to punching everyone! Punch two, three, four, kick!"