((A/N: There will be a bunch of Time Skips to get the story kicked off in the right direction. This chapter is just the Prologue, and for me it's easier to use Time Skips when it's needed so that there isn't just word for word of the same boring story line. The story will only follow the MAJOR PLOT POINTS FOR THE ANIME (2009) AND MANGA!))
Sometimes life comes at you from all angles, you never know what you are really going to be hit. You never know when you are really going to fall in love. You never know when the life you want, the life you wish for is going to come at you and make it all possible. For some people, fighting for their country is the only way. Sometimes for people figuring out the cure to do something, giving people limbs, giving out their own heart to someone in need.
That was the case for Belle Mustang, her uncle is none other than Roy Mustang. Yup. That Roy Mustang, you know the Flame Alchemist, the one who want to rule the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but it's like the same thing. He just wants to be in charge. Ever since Belle was young, she had the power to do Alchemy. It was amazing to have another Mustang who can to alchemy.
Roy with his flames and Belle with her – with her – well, Belle is just a different girl. She can do a lot with her power. It was once said that there will be a girl who will be born one year, who will have the power to do a lot of with her alchemy. The truth – what is it that she can do? What is the limit of her alchemy? Why is the girl so special? No one really knows, until Belle was born, and it was her fifth birthday party.
Belle's 5th Birthday Party – Year 1903
Sure, they were living in the Central City, though there really wasn't much there. Though of course, Roy was visiting, he was going to be shipped out soon. He wasn't allowed to say where he was going – military said so. It had to stay between the branches. Belle was able to see her uncle, while he was able to come visit while he was at the Military Camp. Belle was really happy that he was able to come and see her.
"Where is my little niece?" He asked as he was looking for Bell.
Belle ran over and jumped on her uncle. "Uncle Roy!" She smiles as she hugged him.
"How are you, birthday girl?" He picked her up and hugged her tight.
"I'm good! Mommy and daddy said they didn't know if you were going to be able to come or not." She said as she frowned a bit, "But I knew you would come!"
"Anything that has to deal with my little niece I will always come." He smiled as he set her back on the ground.
"How is camp?" She asked.
Even though she was only five, she knew a lot for a five-year-old. There was a lot that this girl could know. Though there was a chance that she didn't know everything. Of course, the girl was only interested in Alchemy, just like her own uncle. There was a chance that in her near future she would sign up to be a State Alchemist. Though of course, Roy would try everything in his power to stop her from joining to stop her from being able to get herself into trouble. Everyone was talking, there was something in the world that was going on. He didn't want her to grow to know that she HAD to join, that she HAD to become the best Alchemist. She's been showing it off since she the fall, right before her birthday. There was something in her that held her – that had drawn her to become an alchemist.
"Hey! Uncle Roy!" Belle said tugging on his hand. "Come on! It's cake time! You missed lunch time!" She said as she tried to drag him over to the table with her strawberry birthday cake.
"Let me guess, you have a strawberry cake, right?" He teased.
"Yes! I love them!" She smiled brightly.
"I don't want you to grow up in this world thinking anything has to be different. I will make sure that you have a decent childhood. Even if I have to do something." Roy thought as he let his niece drag her off to the birthday cake.
"Uncle Roy! Help me blow out candles!"
"Sure."
As the candles were lit, Belle was kneeling on her chair. Her and Roy both blew out the birthday candles. Everyone clapped – Roy took the empty seat next to her. Ever since she was born, she always had a slight attachment to him. It's more like he was a big brother to her, but she still called him Uncle because it was the right thing to do. He was indeed her Uncle, but he was always treating her like she was his own sister – of course his own sister rolled her eyes – in a joking way.
"Roy, what's going to happen once you finish?" His sister-in-law, Rachel asked as she served him his cake.
"I'm thinking of going back to the Hawkeye place and having him help me more doing Alchemy." Roy admitted. "After that, I don't know what I'll do. I'll just have to wait and see if I can become a state Alchemist. I know for sure that I will be able to it, but I will practice. Even if it means, missing my own family."
"Roy, Belle is going to miss you, I'll miss you, hell even Michael will miss you, that damn husband of mine." Rachel muttered under her breath.
"Hey, don't worry. I'll try my best to send some letters." Roy ruffled Rachel's hair. Even though she was just his sister-in-law she was as close as being his real sister.
"I'm just worried, being in the military, and even being a stat alchemist is still going to be difficult for you to even come home." Rachel frowned a bit as she sat next to Roy.
"You know, I'll be okay. Training is difficult, but also trying to do alchemy now, and work with Hawkeye is also difficult." Roy said he looked at his older sister.
"You'll do great!" Michael said as he took the other seat next to his daughter.
"Uncle Roy the best!" Belle said as she ate her cake.
"That I am!" Roy laughed.
"Belle, don't say it too often, you'll make his head grow." Michael said as he looked at his daughter.
"Yes daddy," Belle said as she started to eat her cake.
Of course, her birthday went on, though she was sure that there was going to be less of her uncle coming around the bend, as he was going to be going off and doing some military stuff. She just wished before he left – he would come and say good-bye to her.
The Ishval Civil War – Year 1908
Roy took a deep breath as he was told, because he was a State Alchemist he had to be front lines for the Ishval Civil War – he just needed to stop home had hug his niece one last time – who knows – if he'll come back alive. He knew that Belle was going to be a crying mess.
"Uncle, please don't go…" Belle begged as she hugged him tightly.
"Belle, I promise you – I will come back." Roy said in her ear. "I am a very good alchemist."
"I-I'll miss you…"
"Yeah, I know."
The train was whistling – signaling it was time to go. All the people going to war, all had their family at the train station, wishing them well, praying that they will come back home.
"Uncle Roy…." She muttered as he pulled away.
"I love you my little Bell." He said as he kissed her forehead and got on the train.
Belle stood there with her parents, the train started to pull out, families were on the platforms. Parents crying, siblings crying. Families were praying that they would all return safety. What no one knew was what really happening there. They were at the disadvantage. They would never know who was going to be coming home, they were never really going to find out what was going to be happening. As Belle and her parents left, after the train was long gone. All she could think about was that –
Will he come back? He was more of a brother than anything else. He just had to come back home.
Of course, during this time, she took her time learning all about alchemy and practicing, making sure that one day she will be able to join the ranks of being in the military. Becoming a State Alchemist. Of course, while he was gone, she made a few friends, and waited for the day that her parents would allow her to join. There were times that she wished she could just join at a younger age, but that wouldn't be able to happen.
Belle was just worried about her uncle as she would read up all the books on Alchemy. Of course, she was praying for everyone to come home – to make sure that no one was going to be hurt, that no one would die. As she studied away on the different kinds of Alchemy there were. Looking at all the different ways she could transmute, it was so much work. Then she remembered how – Roy had marks on his gloves that will help better to do his flame alchemy.
It was going to be a while before could master all the different kinds – see which one she likes best, which was one was going to be the easiest. Which one would be able to help her fight – she had to learn combat as well. Though the question is – would it be better to do something dangerous? Alchemy was dangerous, but what could that possibly mean? She had the ability to do small things but trying to do something big – big. She had to think outside the box. There was no way that she wasn't going to be able to.
The Troops Come home – Year 1909
At the lonely age of 10, Belle heard that the Troops were coming home. She had to go meet her uncle at the train station. She had to know. Sure, it's been a year, but she missed him. Where was he going to be placed? Central? The Western Command? North? South? East? There were many choices, but she wanted to meet him – make sure that he even made it back. What kind of state was he going to be in? That was the key. Once at the train station – with other people, Belle watched as the train pulled in.
She was holding her breath as she watched people get off the train – all soldiers, all depressed. Most of them with bandages. Belle stood on a bench and she spotted him. Of course, she pushed her way through the crowd.
"Uncle…" She said as she tried to make her way through.
Of course, Roy heard this and looked around. "Belle?" He looked for her.
She made her way to him and hugged him tightly. "You came home…" She muttered – having a few tears run down her face.
"I told you I would come back." He whispered in her ear. He pulled away to look for his sister and his brother-in-law. "Where are your parents?" He asked looking at her.
"They are at home, I came by myself. I'm 10!"
"That you are. How about I come home with you," He suggested.
She looked at the others who were with him, "You all can come, Mom will be happy to cook for all of you." She smiles.
They all agreed and followed Roy and Belle back to the house. This was the first time that they would really meet his family, and get to know Belle and her alchemy, that was coming along slowly. Hopefully with help, that they would help her with alchemy and whatever else they did. They arrived at the house.
"I'm home! I've brought people!" Belle said.
"Belle, why did –" Her mother started to say as she saw Roy.
"I'm home." Roy said
Rachel ran over to him. "Welcome home, and I see you've brought some friends over, good. I just started cooking, why don't you take Belle and go on to the backyard."
"Thanks." Roy said as he hugged her back. "Sure." He nodded her head.
Belle was interested in to learn more about his friends that came back with him. They were – Riza Hawkeye, Alex Louis Armstrong, Maes Hughes, and a few others that Belle couldn't remember. She was just happy to see her uncle again. During the war, she was worried about his safety as she was didn't want anything to happen to him.
"Uncle Roy! I wanna show you something!" Belle said as she grabbed his hand and led him to the patio.
"What is it?" He asked, as he watched her grabbed some chalk.
"Is she going to draw me a - wait….She is trying to perform alchemy!" Roy thought as he watched her draw a circle.
As Belle finished, she placed her hands on the circle and contracted, as there was a light glowing. Everyone else gathered around, to watch. Soon enough the small light produced a stone stick, that started to making a shape of a heart. Once that was done, Belle picked up the object and gave it to her uncle.
"Tada!" She smiled. "I can use Alchemy just like you!"
Of course, it was different, but of course, Roy still had a smile on his face.
"You did," He said as she took the heart. "I will keep this with me."
The party had ended and Roy had stayed the night. Wanting to stay closer before he went off to find out where he was going to be stationed now that he had become a Lieutenant now. Of course there were was something that had happened before they headed home.
Ishval War – Military Base -1909
"We're done!" Some people shouted.
They were all State Alchemist, who were placed on the front lines. It was rough for them to kill people – innocent people.
"I see that some of you are upset –" Someone else started to say.
"That's a way to put it…" Maes muttered under his breath.
"We were forced to the front lines because of using alchemy!" Another Alchemist was pissed. "We lost more people from the Alchemist side of things."
"You know you guys were the only ones who were able to hold them off until we could get shots!" A sniper said.
"Well no one told you take forever to line up your fucking shots!" A State Alchemist screamed.
"EVERYONE STOP! The war is over a we won, tomorrow we head out and go home." The leader said. "Now, in three days of rest – that means the day after tomorrow starts your rest, I want everyone to head to Central City to hear where they will be placed."
The day ended.
It was the next day and everyone gathered their belongings and headed off to the train station to go ahead and head home to their families. Everyone who had someone waiting couldn't wait to go home – those who didn't have anyone – felt heartbroken as there was no one waiting for them. Some of the State Alchemist, threw in their pocket watches as they couldn't deal with the idea of sticking around to kill people. The guilt was too much. They – they took lives away from people. It wasn't right there was no reason for it. This war didn't have to go on. Whoever started it was stupid! It was reckless. Everything could've been avoided.
Mustang House – Central City – 1909
The next day, Roy woke up in the spare bedroom, and heard noise going on. He wanted to sleep longer – but because of the War, his body was used to getting up and going on to check on the noise.
"Belle, come on you have to go school." Michael said, looking at his daughter who was still in her Pjs.
Roy came down the stairs, "Good morning everyone." He said.
"Roy, you should go back to sleep." Rachel said.
"Eh, the war did a lot, I can't really sleep that well. It will take a while." Roy admitted. He looked at Belle. "Hey Little Bell, how about you go change and I'll take you to school." He suggested.
"Roy you don't have to do that." Michael said.
"I want to. Besides, I don't know where I'll be stationed, and I rather spend time with Bell, before they send me off somewhere – I know I probably won't be stationed in Central." Roy said.
"But you just got back – you can't leave…" Belle pouted.
"Hey, we're Mustangs, we don't pout." Roy said as he looked at her. "Besides, when you become older, you can come visit where ever I'll be stationed."
"You promise?"
"Of course."
Eastern City – Military Headquarter – December 1909
Roy looked at his desk, of where the little charm that Belle made him a few days ago. Her alchemy was great – she would make a great -
"NO! Don't go there Mustang. She's your niece! She's like a little sister to you. You can't be thinking about her joining the ranks…" Roy thought.
"YO! Mustang you okay?" One of the members of the Mustang Unit said.
"Ah, Havoc, I am." Roy nodded his head.
Jean Havoc walked over and saw a picture of a little girl, who was ten years old, with Roy. "Who's the little girl?"
"My niece, she's in Central City with her parents."
"You going to go see them when you get time?"
"I never thought about it." Roy looked up at him, "Do you have something else to do?"
"I mean, I could do that pile of paperwork – or I could just go out on the town." Jean hummed.
"…Paperwork. NOW!" Roy demanded.
Jean Havoc is more the officer in charge for the Mustang Unit. He's in charge of the other members of the team – minus Riza Hawkeye. Jean has no real talent unlike the rest of the members, really doesn't have that much of combat under his belt either - he's more of a ladies man than anything else. He rather do anything else than be stuck in the office all day. The one thing that he's good at is when it comes to the field missions – he is at the top with Riza Hawkeye.
Riza Hawkeye – the Adjutant of the Unit. Now you may be thinking, what is an Adjutant. Well, an Adjutant is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of human resources in army unit. She is a weapons specialist whose job lies in parallel with the unit's hierarchy. She answers to Mustang alone and works as his secretary, bodyguard and personal aide. She is the only member of the unit who was acquainted with the colonel prior to the war in Ishval, and the two have known each other for most of their lives. Considered to be one of the top sharpshooters in the State Military, Riza is highly regarded for her serious demeanor and discipline, though sometimes it makes her seem unapproachable and aloof. Contrary to that image, however, those close to her enjoy teasing with her temperament and often state that she is a lot sweeter than she seems. She is the highest ranked subordinate in Mustang's unit, being a first lieutenant.
Soon enough, a letter came upon his desk. It was given to him by another member of the Mustang Unit and someone who he went to the Ishval War – Riza Hawkeye. She looked at him as the letter was placed on his desk. From the writing it couldn't haven been written someone who couldn't be any older than ten or eleven. Someone looking for their father – Roy didn't know who these boys were, or really know their father – but the last name Elric, seemed to ring a bell, though Roy was more to putting the War behind him. He didn't want anything to do it. It was December, and the new year was going to be coming close. Roy leaned back in his chair as he didn't want to go back to the hell hole he was in. It was a dark time for him – and everyone he fought along side.
While Riza was still in the room, watching Roy – she also had troubles with what happened during the war. She was terrified – there were so many deaths that she was the killer of. It haunts her. It haunted everyone who was in the middle of the battle field. Riza snuck out of Roy's office and headed next door to where the other desk were for the Mustang Unit.
Mustang Unit.
It was what they were called behind their backs. No one knew that's what they called them. They didn't know they had a name like that. They were just a group of soldiers under the Colonel.
Riza looked at the paperwork – that was meant for Roy to fill out and started to fill out for him so he could just sign it. Riza was more like his sectary than anything else. Though it was of a role she brought on to herself.
One of the members – Kain Fuery who was a Sergeant within the ranks was more of a Tech type of person and is known for the communications. To sum up what Kain really does on the unit, he is the Mechanics and Communication Specialist of the unit. He looked over at Riza as she filled out the paperwork and started to file in within the importance it was to Roy.
"Hey, Riza, should you really be doing the Lieutenant Colonel's work?" Kain asked.
"No, but I know that he wants to go see his family for the holidays – so I thought that I would do this for him so he could get home to see Belle." Riza admitted.
Riza would just stay at her place during the holidays– though he was going to ask Riza to come along as Belle made an impression on her. And Riza made on an everlasting impression on Belle. Riza didn't know if she would really go. This would be the first time that she would go somewhere for the holidays. She would stay put in her place as she didn't want to intrude on the reality of doing something.
Roy looked at the photo of his niece, he picked up the phone and called the house to tell them that he was going to be heading over for the holidays.
At the Mustang house in Central, Belle was reading up more on Alchemy as she wanted to learn as much as she can. Even reading about the forbidden alchemy – human transmutation – the thing that brought her out of her reading was the phone ringing. She got up and answered.
"Mustang Household, Belle speaking." She said.
"Hey Belle." Roy said.
"Uncle Roy! Hi! What are you doing?"
"I was hoping to speak with your father."
"Ah, okay."
"I promise, when I'm done talking to him, I'll talk to you."
Belle sighed, and called for her father to come to the phone, as Michael took the phone, he pats Belle on the head and she goes back to the table to finish up her reading.
"Well, if it isn't my little brother." Michael teased.
"Look, I can still kick your ass." Roy pointed out.
"If you say so, what did you need?"
"I'm thinking of coming there for Christmas."
"Well, you know you could just show up you didn't need to call –"
"I wanted to call to see if it was alright if I brought Riza with me."
"Her? Sure, she made a great impression on Belle."
"Alright, is there anything that Belle would want for Christmas?"
"Hmm, you know, I was actually going to head my way out to East City to pick up her gift."
"I'll pick it up, where is it?"
"At a jewelry shop, it's a necklace of a pink heart with diamonds around the outside."
"What the hell? Why would you get her something like that?"
"She wanted it, and she never really asked for jewelry, mostly she's been asking for books, and mostly on Alchemy."
"I think I know what to get her, and no don't worry it's not going to be anything dangerous."
"Well, call me if you have any trouble looking for the necklace."
"Alright, do you think you could Belle back on?"
"I suppose~" Michael sets the phone done, "Belle, Sweetie, your uncle wants to talk to you."
Belle got up from her seat and ran to the phone – thinking that he might not have much more time to talk to her uncle.
"Uncle Roy! Are you going to be coming home for Christmas?" She asked.
"Of course, I would love to see you little Bell, plus I'll ask Riza to come along." He said, and soon enough there was a knock at the door, "Come in –"
Riza entered the room with paperwork that he had to sign. "Sir, you have to sign these papers, and then I can have them delivered to where they need to go."
"Thank you Haw-" Roy was cut off by Belle talking.
"Tell Riza I said hi!" Belle said.
Roy sweat dropped and looked at Riza, "Belle says Hi."
"Tell her I said hi back." Riza left Mustang's office.
"She said, hi. And I should get back to work little Bell. I'll see you soon, I promise."
"Alright." Belle said. "Bye Uncle Roy!"
"Good-bye Belle."
Roy hung up his phone and looked at the stack of paperwork. "Hawkeye." Roy called.
"Yes?" Riza said as she walked back to the office.
"I would like to extend and invitation to have you over at the Mustang house for the holidays. I'm sure Belle would like to see you. You left an impression on her."
"I would like that. Is that all?"
"Yes. You can go back to work – or whatever is you do."
Riza walked back and everyone looked at her.
"What did he want?" Jean asked.
"It's none of your business." Riza said to him.
"Oh come, is it anything good?"
"He wanted to know what to get his niece and his sister-in-law, that's all."
"Well, I suppose that makes sense, he is a dude after all."
"Can you two stop chitchatting and work on the paperwork." Vato Falman said.
Vato Falman is the teams warrant officer who specializes in intelligence. He has extraordinary memory and knowledge, especially in history. Vato is the information Specialist on the team.
"We really should let everything wait until next week – it is Friday." Heymans Breda stated as he just wanted to hit the bar to get something to drink.
Heymans Breda is an extremely talented soldier and is specialized in all sorts of information gathering, especially those that require travel and speaking different languages. His unimpressive appearance allows him to pass by unnoticed (or underestimated) by most military personnel, a trait he uses to his advantage in stealth missions. He is also known as an Investigation Specialist.
"Look, we can go out for drinks when we finish. Mustang wouldn't like if we left everything for next week." Jean stated as he really became a slight twitchy since he ran out of cigarettes and had to go out and buy more.
"Jean is right, just get the work done, and then you guys can relax during the weekend. Hoilday is coming up next week, so you won't have time next week." Riza put her input in as she finished her work and Roy's work. "Since I'm done, I'm leaving now." She left the office and headed out into the hallway to go see her Grandfather – to tell him that she was going to be in Central for Christmas.
Her grandfather is Lieutenant General Grumman, who's the commanding officer of the East HeadQuaters. Grumman was her mother's father, as she didn't really remember her mother, and he was the only family he had, but being with him, it hurt a bit to realize that this was going to be the only time that they would see each other. She knocked on his door.
"Come in." Grumman said.
"Hello, Grandfather." Riza said as she walked into his office.
"Hello, Riza, what can I do for you?" He asked as he placed down his work.
"I've come to tell you that for the holidays I will be in Central City."
"Why is that my dear?"
"…Roy Mustang's niece Belle, had asked if I could come over, and I said yes."
"Ah, Belle Mustang, I remember you telling me about her. She's an alchemist like her uncle."
"Y-Yes."
"Is that all Riza?"
"It is Grandfather."
"Then you have a nice weekend."
Riza smiled and left the office as she headed back to Roy's office to see if he had finished signing the papers. Riza opened the door to see –
Roy had not signed one of the pieces of paper. Of course not. Though the one thing he had to do! It was just to sign all the papers!
"SIR!" Riza yelled.
"AH! Hawkeye, what the hell?"
"Were you taking a nap…."
"Of course not. I was just finishing up signing the paper –"
"You didn't even start!"
Roy muttered something about having a spy. He started to sign his papers, so that Riza could drop them off.
Mustang House – Central City – Christmas Day 1909
Belle got out bed and went downstairs to see Roy and Riza up already. Rachel and Michael were in the kitchen. It was odd – Kids are usually the first ones up and today Belle was the last one up. She walked over to her Uncle as she hugged him. Roy and Riza got in late last night, they were a bit delayed –
Flashback – Eastern Command – Two days before Christmas
"Roy! We have to catch our train." Riza looked at him. "You can stop with trying to figure out the letter from the Elrics. It's probably something that can be dealt with after we get back."
"Riza," He got up from his desk and hugged her. "I know that, but it's bothering me. The last name sounds familiar, I can't place it though."
"Roy…"
"You should go ahead, I'll catch up later."
"I'm not going without you." She pushed him away.
It was at this point the two knew that there was going to be something happening. There was a loud explosion. Roy and Riza ran out of the building and saw smoke coming from the train station. Roy got into a veichile as Riza got in the passenger seat and the two sped off to see what happened. There were people running everywhere. Out of the station. Some covered in soot, some just coughing. Roy placed on his gloves and walked into the smoke, looking around.
"What the hell is happening here?" He demanded.
"Who wants to know?" A voice said.
"Roy Mustang, a State Alchemist."
"M-m-m-m-mustang!" Another voice said as they were shaking in fear. "He's also known as the Flame Alchemist!"
"That's right, now tell me what do you want." Roy demanded.
"We got it." A voice said from behind Roy.
Luckily the smoke was cleared and Roy could see that there were four people sneaking up on Roy. He had time to react and knock out the four bad guys, and soon enough more Military personal came, arresting the four of them.
The Head Railroad engineer saw the damage and sighed. He made an announcement. "Due to the damages these crooks made, the train won't be ready until late tomorrow night."
End of Flashback
"I'm happy to see you!" Belle said to Roy and Riza.
"Well you know what, I'm happy to see you too." Roy said as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm just happy we go all our work done." Riza smiled.
"Are you dating~" Belle teased,
"W-What?" Riza asked, her face flushed.
"Ruin a surprise why don't you." Roy tickled Belle.
"Wait – what?" Riza looked at her commanding officer.
"Riza, I would like it if you became mine." Roy said.
"That's no way to ask out a girl!" Michael shouted from the kitchen.
"Ugh," Roy rolled his eyes. "Riza, we've known each other for years now, I can't imagine anyone else by my side. Would you do the honor of becoming my girlfriend?"
"That sounded more like a marriage proposal." Rachel said.
"I would love to be your girlfriend." Riza said as her cheeks were flushed.
Around the Christmas tree, presents were being opened. Belle got a necklace from her parents, a matching bracelet from her uncle, and from Riza, she got a book about the history of Central City – it was a rare military edition. Everyone else opened up their gifts, of course there were a few other gifts for Belle, but she was happy about the ones that mean the most to her. The holidays were always the best when you are around people who care about you.
Central City – Central Headquaters - September 1911
Belle went to go bring Roy something to eat, while he was in Central. She heard about him bringing someone from a small country town, Resembool. Belle never really seen the country side, but she always wanted to. There she saw Roy with a boy about her age and…a suit….of armor?
"Hey Uncle Roy!" Belle said as she looked at him.
"Belle, what are you doing here?" Roy asked as she looked at him.
"Mom told me to bring you something to eat, saying that you might not have time to stop." She said as she looked at him. She looked over at the two of the people with her Uncle. "Uncle Roy, who are these people?"
"UNCLE!?" The two shouted at him.
"Mustang you never said you were Uncle," The short one said – though he had more height on him compared to Belle.
"I don't have to tell you anything about me." Roy said as he looked at the two boys. "Belle, this is Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse. They are candidates for the State Alchemist exam – no. I will not have you sign up yet. You have more training to do."
"I though you had to be a lot older…." Belle hummed.
"We have extraordinary alchemy abilities." Edward said.
"Really?! That's so amazing." Belle smiled.
Of course, Edward blushed slightly and looked away. Roy coughed to bring their attentions backed to him.
"Alright, well next is a talking session to see why you want to be a state alchemist. Since both of you had passed the exam part." Roy started talking.
"Wow, I hope to be able to become a State Alchemist too….I wonder why Uncle Roy didn't tell me about the testing…." Belle thought.
Soon enough the two boys left while she was deep in thought and Roy turned to look at her.
"What are you doing here?" Roy asked her.
"I could ask you the same thing…Dad said that you were here in the city, and I came to find you – to give you a late birthday present…" Belle muttered.
"What's wrong Bell?"
"What's wrong?! WHAT'S WRONG IS THAT YOU SAY MY SKILLS WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON PAR WITH YOURS!" she screamed at him. "And….and yet…here I am…and I see you with two boys who are about my age and….and you didn't even ask if I wanted to take the exam…"
"Because –"
"Because why!?"
"GOD DAMNIT BELLE! BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU BECOME A MILITARY DOG!"
That was the first time he yelled at her.
That was the last time he was going to yell at her.
That was the first time she cried because of him.
That was the last time she was going to cry because of him.
That is what started the riff in their relationship. Of course, Roy thought he was too harsh on her. He wanted to protect her from the dangers of what was going to be happening with her as they found out who she was – a Mustang. She would be put through hell because of who she was related to. He didn't want that at all for her.