A/N: Wow. Here we are at last. And to think it all started with a crazy idea I came up with while I was in the John… Umm… okay, maybe I didn't need to tell you that bit. But looking back, I'm glad I continued the story when I said I wouldn't. Otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this next batch of insanity that I PROMISE will be even zanier, crazier and more action packed than the others. And all your burning questions will finally be answered, so don't worry. Hang on, folks. It's gonna be bumpy ride…
P R O L O G U E
He stood amongst them as a keen observer and as a student within the confines of a small room made entirely of gold. Its shiny, smooth walls and towering pillars were strong enough to support the powerful force that was raging in between. The four men in white oriental garbs with their hands stretched out and feet firmly on the ground strained under the intensity of the magic that was streaming from them. Each stream of energy had their own different color to identify the significance of their purpose.
The first man, short yet well-built, held onto his blue stream as a trickle of water began to form beneath his feet. The man known as Emir Wren noticed this as his soft white shoes became drenched and stained with a thick coat of orangey brown mud. He grit his teeth and pushed forward even harder, trying to maintain his balance with the magic stream emanating from him.
The other young man with the blond hair, taller and almost bony-like, named Saul Horowitz, maintained his balance with the purple stream as a sudden gust of wind blew into his face. His hair swayed and his clothing waved as his eyes slightly closed from the dry air but still he stood his ground with total determination.
The young woman named Lara Kal, dark-haired and Amazonian in every way, did not stray from the fire that was raging in front of her as her red beam maintained its course. The sweat from her brow managed to creep its way into her eyes but the woman did not falter.
And the older, raven haired Asian man in white, Reiko Jynn-Khan, easily pushed his pulsating green beam forward as the ground beneath him shook and broke apart. Jagged pillars of rock began to shoot upward, nearly missing his face and body yet Khan refused to back down. He held out his hands and continued pushing until his green light was no more.
After a bright flash, a mystical sparkle emanated in thin air, materializing into something completely new. The golden amulet that floated before Khan slowly made its way to its master and landed safely in his palm. The magician smiled as he placed the medallion's chain around his neck and showed his companions his prize.
"You see?" Khan said with a gleam in his eye. "Anything is possible."
By now, the other three had given up their attempt to forge their own amulets thus causing the puddle to dissolve, the wind to die down and the fire to extinguish, solely on their own and without repercussion.
"Worry not, my friends." Khan placed a friendly hand on Saul and smiled at the others. "In time, you will be able to harness the elements yourselves and work wonders with them."
"If only we had more training." Saul sighed, feeling low and defeated.
"And you shall. Mark my words. There is nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it."
Everyone was then pleased to hear a solitary yet loud round of applause coming from behind them. The man wore a red variant of their garb and wore a key dangled from a chain around his neck and smiled at the four with his cat-like gray eyes. The man was Alfonse Tarkin, head of the Mutari council.
"Well done, Reiko." Tarkin shook the man's hand. "You've done an exemplary job."
"Thank you, sir." Khan bowed. "The trainees are still a bit rusty but with enough practice, they'll manage to accomplish their goal."
"Indeed they will." He said as he examined the golden disc. "Amazing, Reiko. Simply amazing. This green gem in the middle? Is that where the magic is stored?"
"Yes, sir. Inside this green gem lies the ability to control the element of earth."
"Wonderful." Tarkin then noticed the youngest of the trainees. The one who had been observing the entire training run.
He stood at the back of the small room, behind a pillar, shyly hiding his face beneath the collar of his teal uniform. Tarkin walked over to the young student and placed a hand on his smooth, golden mane.
"And what is your name, boy?"
"Astral." He said softly. "Astral Fulgore."
"I've taken Astral in as my own personal apprentice." Khan filled him in. "I believe he holds great potential."
"Excellent." Tarkin nodded approvingly. "You'll find that our methods are somewhat primitive and ancient but that's what separates us from the outside world. Out there, they have abandoned the old ways and learned to rely on machines to do their bidding."
"Is that why we're hidden from the rest of the world?" Astral asked with a gleam in his eye. "Within these mountains?"
"Not exactly hidden, my boy. Any of us may choose to leave when we wish, should the life of an alchemist prove to be overwhelming. Others may come and go to visit and study our ways and the ways of others for their own intellectual benefit. We're here to uphold a peaceful fraction of the earth and keep its heart and soul burning forevermore. Should the outside world become too villainous, corrupt and wrathful, keep in mind that there will always be a place on this earth that will remain the way it was before. When all the world was young, peaceful and just."
"That's why Mutari is so important to us." Khan said in agreement. "Do you understand, Astral?"
"I do, sir." The young man smiled.
Khan nodded again and turned to his students, dismissing them all back to their homes. As they left one by one, Astral stood by his teacher's side until the middle-aged man glanced at him.
"You can go, too." Was all he said.
Astral didn't need to be told twice as he ran off to be with his friends and enjoy the rest of the day. Tarkin and Khan then left the training room and walked along the halls of the great city of gold as its tallest and oldest monument stood proudly in the kingdom square. The Golden Eagle of Sannindi with its wings spread out, face lunging forward and talons grasping the rock that stood above the surrounding waterfalls always made Tarkin beam with pride of his Mutari heritage.
"Just look at it, Reiko." He said. "Our forefathers would have been proud to see what a city we've become. We've come such a long way."
"Indeed we have." Khan then turned as he walked away. "If you'll excuse me…"
"Of course."
"… I have to start planning my own future."
Tarkin wandered the courtyard in the lower chambers of the city center, his eyes never leaving the beauty of the shrine. It was then when one of his colleagues approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Sir?" He said. "You have some visitors in your waiting room."
"Thank you." Tarkin nodded as he took off.
Past another hallway, under an arch, through the golden curtains and onto a crimson carpet, Tarkin was pleasantly surprised to see a man he had known all too well. He stood tall and well-built, a small black mustache that matched his hair and held his wife closely. She was a slender, youthful looking woman with a body of her own. Hair as gold as the walls that surrounded them and her bright blue eyes stuck out more than her husband's casual gray.
"Hallbjörn. Jezelle." Tarkin shook the man's hand and hugged his wife. "Welcome."
"It's good to see you again, Alfonse." Jezelle said with a gleam in her eye.
"What do I owe the pleasure of your company this fine evening?"
"We're on our way back from a visit to the Trinity." Hallbjörn explained. "We were making sure everything was under control."
"Under control? Has something happened?"
"No. But God forbid anything bad should happen to a peaceful group of towns like those. They're so much like this place."
"That's excellent news."
"I was hoping I could talk to you about a sort of… project of mine."
"A project?"
"Yes."
For a brief second, Tarkin glanced over to Jezelle and noticed her hand was placed over her belly and her gaze pointed downward. Changing the conversation only briefly, he turned his attention to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Jezelle?" He started. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes." She chuckled. "I'm doing fine."
"We have some wonderful news, Alfonse."
Tarkin just stood there, raising an eyebrow, anticipating her next word. "Yes?"
"Hal and I are to have our first child."
His expression widened with joy as he gloriously wrapped his arms around the woman and shook hands with the proud father-to-be.
"That's excellent news, Hal! Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
"What are you going to name it?"
"I don't know." The young blonde bubbled. "It all depends on what we have. But maybe I'll name her--"
"You mean you'll name HIM," Hal playfully interrupted. "Him, dear. We're having a boy."
"Oh, don't you start. We're having a girl!"
"Well whatever you name him or… HER." Tarkin winked at the mother-to-be. "I'm sure the baby will be in good hands."
Tarkin turned away and led the happy young couple to his living quarters, where they each took a seat on a gold satin armchair. Hal could see the look of curiosity on his old friend's face and decided to jump right back to their previous conversation.
"About my project, Alfonse…" He went on.
"Yes." His eyes fixed on the man.
"I know you and your men are capable of achieving such wonders with your magic abilities."
"Yes, that's right."
"Tell me." He paused for a second. "Would it be possible to transfer some of that magic and store it into something small. For protection, that is."
"I don't understand."
"Like for instance… a crystal?"