I'm making major revisions to this book in the series just because I'm annoyed with how much I used to suck. Enjoy these spell checked chapters with actual content in them instead of a non stop caps locked screaming fest and Review if you wish.

I sighed and pushed my hair out of my eyes, tucking it behind my ears. The Central train station was bustling with people all rushing around or waiting to meet relatives. I unfortunately wasn't quite sure who I was suppose to meet. The Flame Alchemist, Colonel Mustang said he would send someone to meet me. But how was I supposed to find them in this crowded station?

I twisted my hands together and glanced around. I was a little antsy from the train ride. I never liked trains. They were uncomfortable and so boring that I wanted to bounce off the walls by the end of them. I just can't sit still for that long without twitching. Maybe it was just because I wasn't used to them.

My name is Liz Parker and I am thirteen. A few months ago I had been caught in a situation at the wrong time as I often am, in a village not far from Central. There was a terrorist attack and I ended up saving a man's life by use of my alchemy. It was only afterwards I realized he was a general, but as I love to take advantage of these situations, I mentioned my interest in taking the state alchemy exam.

Kids couldn't normally take the exam but I guess he was impressed (That or he didn't want to owe a kid like me) and he sent a recommendation letter to Central. They were allowing me now to take the state alchemy exam.

"Hey!" I heard a man call. "Are you Elizabeth Parker?"

I turned to see a guy with spiky blonde hair, a military uniform, and a cigarette stub sticking out of his mouth.

"It's Liz" I stressed annoyed. Everyone always called me by my full name which annoyed me to no end. "And yes that would be me. How'd you manage to pick me out of all these people."

"Oh, Colonel Mustang said I'd be looking for a really short girl and-" he stopped short when he saw me glaring viciously at him. My glare usually makes people stop short. Maybe because it's kind of creepy since you can't see the pupil. My eyes aren't black; they're just really dark brown. They kind of look like the color of muddy water if you look really closely. But from a distance they look black. And it's cooler to say you have black eyes then muddy brown eyes.

"You don't like being called short do you?" he sighed.

"How'd you guess" I growled.

The man sighed and scratched his head "Man, not another one."

"What do you mean another one?" I asked curiously.

"Never mind. You'll find out soon enough" he shook his head before sticking out his hand. "I'm Lieutenant Havoc. Nice to meet you."

"Yeah" I took his hand and shook it once. "Nice to meet you too. So where are we off to?"

"Colonel Roy Mustang's office" Havoc explained as he lead me out of the station. "Also known as the Flame Alchemist. You've probably heard of him."

"Yep. The pyromaniac, womanizing guy." I nodded.

Havoc sighed "Yeah… that's him. He's going to discuss where you'll be staying in the weeks leading up to the test. By the way, didn't you bring a suitcase?"

"No…" I shrugged and pulled at the corners of my black jacket. "This is all I have."

"Oh, you're a light traveler." He commented, turning away.

I shrugged but said nothing. I didn't really have anything I needed to take with me but the clothes on my back, money in my pocket, my black jacket and my white gloves, on which I had stitched black transmutation circles.

We got into a car and Havoc drove to Central Head Quarters. There was no denying the immense size of the building. It was a fortress. I had never been to Central city. It really was a sight to see.

Havoc lead me through the maze of hallways until we came to a stop in front of a door. Havoc rapped lightly and called "Hey Colonel! It's Havoc! I brought the Parker girl."

"Liz." I muttered. You'd think people would rather use the one syllable word wouldn't you?

"Send her in" a voice from the other side of the door said. Havoc opened the door and saluted. I crossed my arms as I laid eyes on Mustang. He was attractive. It was easy to see why he would be a womanizer with his black hair and his cocky smirk. But I had a feeling he was going to piss me off one way or another.

Always set the lowest expectations for people and you're never disappointed.

"So you're Elizabeth Parker" Mustang said. Observing me from behind his clasped hands. He gestured to a chair in front of the desk "Take a seat."

I did I was told. Havoc waved and left the room.

"My name is Colonel Mustang" the man said. "That's what you'll be calling me if you're as good as they say."

"Hmm" I replied, deciding I might not want to piss off a future superior… yet.

"I've heard about your alchemy from General Raiven." Mustang continued. "Alchemy with lightning. That is very interesting. How does it work?"

"I don't want you stealing my methods sir" the corner of my mouth twitched.

Mustang smirked "Fair enough. Don't worry; I have no intention of stealing methods from a kid like you."

I glared at him and crossed my arms "Don't speak so soon. Lightning makes for an awesome, dramatic entrance. I'm sure you like to draw attention."

Mustang seemed amused by my remarks, instead of getting angry and up tight. At least if he was my superior he wouldn't me a complete stiff. "Regarding your living situation" Mustang drew out a file from his desk and pushed it across to me. "You will be staying with an alchemist named Shou Tucker. He is the Sewing Life alchemist."

"Fancy title." I remarked.

"He transmuted a talking chimera two years back to earn his title, it was quite impressive" Mustang informed me.

"Talking Chimera?" I blinked. "Damn."

"There will be a lot of things to learn about alchemy if you are to pass the test." Mustang said. "Shou Tucker has access to hundreds of different alchemic texts in his library that you will be able to study. Also, you will not be alone. Two brothers your age have also proved their exploits and were recommended to take the test. So you have competition."

"We'll see about that" I muttered.

"Yes… like you, one of them is also a pipsqueak." Mustang smirked.

I slammed my hand on the desk "I am not a pipsqueak damn it! I'm NORMAL sized!"

"Of course you are." Mustang smirked. "Havoc will drive you to the Tucker's mansion. Good luck with studying."

"Thanks… sir." I added the formality with great difficulty. He did annoy me. He was so incredibly cocky.

At least I had set low expectations for him.

"We're here" Havoc said pulling to a stop in front of a mansion of a house fifteen minutes later.

"... big..." I mumbled awestruck.

A howl came from my right and a giant dog came soaring into view, practically blotting out the sun. I was barely able to roll out of the way to avoid being squashed.

"Heh. The same thing happened to Elric when he came" Havoc gave a laugh "Except for he got landed on. You have quick reflexes."

"Yep" I muttered "Good thing too."

"Alexander!" a little girls voice whined, not quite able to pronounce her R's.

I looked up to see a balding man with glasses and a little girl with braids standing in the doorway.

"Oh my, not again. You must be Elizabeth Parker am I right?" the man said.

"Liz" I stressed.

"Yes of course. Sorry about that" Shou Tucker scratched his head "Come right on in. This is my little girl Nina."

The little girl looked up at me and beamed "Hi!"

"Hey kiddo" I smiled down at her. She was cute. I wasn't so good with interacting with kids lately though.

"The Elric brothers are in the library already studying. Your welcome to go there." Tucker said "It's just down the hall, to the right, to the left then at the end of the hall."

"Yeah, just" I muttered as I followed his instructions.

I reached a set of double doors and pushed them open. Inside was a large library of books.

... A very large library of books. All on alchemy? Geez. This guy did have an extensive collection.

"Tucker? Is that you?" I heard a boy's voice.

A boy with long blonde hair pulled back into a braid peeked out from behind the book shelf. I guess he was supposed to be the pipsqueak...

... and he was a fricken inch taller than me! NOT FAIR!

"I'm Liz" I said "Liz parker."

"Right. You're the other girl studying for the exam" the boy said, his eyes narrowing slightly. I knew we were both thinking the same thing.

'Competition'

After all, only one or two people passed the exam a year and became state alchemists.

"Who's there?" another voice asked, this one sounding younger. A huge suit of armor walked into view "Oh hi! I'm Alphonse Elric and this is my older brother Edward."

"Older?" I raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't the older brother be… taller?"

"Who are you calling a pipsqueak so small you crush him like an ant you little twerp!" Edward yelled at me.

Not exactly what I said but… whatever! He called me short!

"I'm not a twerp! You're the dwarf!"

"Am not shrimp!"

"Are to Elf."

"Bug!"

"Flea!"

"Microscopic organism!"

"Atom! HA! I win!"

"You do not!"

"Do too! Atoms are the smallest basic form of matter idiot!"

"You're an inch shorter than me!"

"Bite me!"

Alphonse sighed "This is not a good combination."

"SHUTUP!" we shouted in unison.

"Dinner is ready you three." Shou Tucker opened the door, only to see us spewing negative energy at each other. "Glad to see we're making friends."

No… no we weren't making friends. This kid and I would never be friends. Not in a million years.

You set low expectations, you're never disappointed.

Changes made:

I didn't use the caps lock key alot

I gave a reason for Liz being able to take the alchemy exam

I added in a discussion with Mustang

I tried to be less clunky with my description of her appearance

I added descriptions.

Yeah... this first chapter origionally sucked.