A/N: So this is the new version of 'My Charge is a Monster!' Hopefully this version is better.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist

Claim: I own this story and My Ocs

Iris M belongs to Atama Ga Kuru Teru

Enjoy!

Prologue-Introduction

Xerxes ruins was the biggest mystery in Amestris, if I do say so myself. I wouldn't say it's the best place to go for exploring, but it's not like Aerugo would let me in their country.

I am an Amestrian after all.

"Leonie! Why do you always have to climb the highest places?" my young friend and partner, Iris Malachi, yelled.

She was only seventeen-years-old yet she acts like a child. Not to mention she has temper tantrums when people try to cut her long brown hair, which reaches her knees.

You can easily tell how much trouble she has when exploring ruins with me, I never get things fully done because she either has hair trouble or gets distracted easily.

I turned to her with an annoyed expression. "Iris, I've told you before, I have important things to do. I have no time to wait for you."

She pouted. "You sound like an old woman."

I felt my hands clench in frustration. I normally ignore a lot of insults, but when someone calls me old, well…

"I'm not old damn it! I'm nineteen!"

She smirked. "~Someone's in denial.~"

My response was to turn away from her and climb further up onto the building.

Xerxes ruins were what was left of a huge city. It had the biggest population and its technology was more advanced then the other areas. Too bad the whole city was wiped out in a single night.

"Leonie! Don't leave me down here! There's Ishvalans around." She whispered the last bit.

Glancing at her, I couldn't stop the smirk coiling onto my face. It was so amusing seeing her whine.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Iris, you know Alchemy, so use it! The Ishvalans won't hurt you, I had a word with Miss Shan before I started exploring."

She smiled before digging into her backpack. She pulled out some chalk and bent down onto the floor to start drawing her Transmutation Circle.

Leaving her to her own devices, I took my bag off from my shoulders and began to go through it. I had brought the simple stuff that I would need. A sleeping bag, some notebooks and pens, my guns, a spare change of clothes and some food with water.

Taking the water out of my bag, I opened it and drank it greedily. Xerxes was located in the middle of the desert, so it was very warm. I had to save as much water as I possible because the oasis there was beginning to dry up. I didn't dare take any water from there because the Ishvalans needed it more.

The sound of footsteps behind me assured me that Iris managed to get on the building. I glanced at her before turning back to glancing over the ruins. I could still make out some of the shapes of past buildings, but most of them were rubble now. The only interesting thing that I had found here was what appeared to look like an image of a transmutation circle.

"Do you think we'll ever find out what happened here?" Iris asked me; her green eyes focusing on the ruins.

I smirked. "Who knows, but I'm going to make sure that I at least discover something big."

After all, eleven years isn't that long to live.

Iris turned to me and smirked. "Leonie, how's your brothers doing?"

I scowled. "Being the twerps that they naturally are."

I have two younger brothers though one of them is adopted. Lewis, my blood related brother, is always getting into trouble. Half the time I have to come up with some excuse as to why he's such a prat.

Rue, my adopted brother, is really shy but he can have a bit of a temper-if you count throwing a table at someone for calling him a girl, a bit of a temper.

Both of them were currently in Briggs, training under Major General Olivia Armstrong. They weren't part of the military, but they hoped to join when they were older.

Iris laughed before gazing at the sky. It was getting dark, meaning that we had to turn in soon. I sighed before setting my sleeping bag out. Iris set hers out before climbing into it and instantly falling asleep.

I dug into my jacket pocket, pulling out a syringe. I rolled my jacket sleeve up and carefully pressed the injection into my skin. I bit back the urge to flinch; it was only a prick anyway. After the liquid from the syringe was gone, I took the needle out and quickly started dabbing the area where it was now bleeding.

Putting the syringe away, I laid in my sleeping bag, trying to sleep. 'Trying' being the keyword. After failing to fall asleep for an hour, I quietly got out of my sleeping bag and climbed down from the building, making sure not to wake Iris.

Landing on the ground, I decided to go and check the images on the wall again, maybe it might help me fall asleep.

"Ah, Miss Marshal, you should be resting," an old voice piped up. Turning around, I saw it was the chief of the Ishvalans around here. She had long white hair, red eyes and dark skin-the natural qualities of an Ishvalan. She wore a long sleeved purple robe and wore bandages across her left eye.

"Elder Shan…I can't sleep. I just want to look around." I told her, sending a small smile at her before departing.

Elder Shan always scared me. She had this way of getting people to tell the truth and I had the feeling she knew something that she shouldn't. With a shake of my head, I continued on further into the ruins, feeling eyes watching me from the corners. Although the Ishvalans were nice enough to let me do my research, they still kept an eye on me.

Arriving at the place where the images were, I silently looked at them, hoping that I would be able to decipher them. Sadly they were confusing to me. It's not like I could do alchemy, I tended to rely on my skills more then alchemy.

I hated having time to myself, it made remember that I had problems. I'm not the type that thinks I'm the only one with troubles, because I'm not. Other people in the world have more problems then I do, it's just I wish I could find someway to get rid of the problems.

I have no memories of my life prior to the age of six. At the age of six, I was diagnosed with a fatal disease that has no cure. Because of that, I probably won't live to the age of thirty.

My mother, Sharon Alicia Marshal, died three years ago. She was found dead here in Xerxes actually, she wasn't murdered, but it was strange for her to suddenly collapse and die.

My father, Mark Marshal, used to work in a lab. But after losing my memories, he quit so that he could research more on my disease. The weird thing is, is that he's a total moron. I do wonder how he could get hired to work at the lab with his brains.

No wonder the lab he worked at shut down; the lab was probably full of idiots.

My Uncle Sam, mom's twin brother, was an explorer. He moved to Xing so he could study Alkahestry. I find him annoying because every time he visits, he makes sure to embarrass me in public. Mind you, he likes annoying dad too. So every time he comes over, dad always hides in the bathroom.

So yeah, I think I live a pretty normal life. I like to live my life to the fullest, but because of that, I've been restricted a little.

After all, I'm considered a criminal now for what I do.

'And it's that retard's fault!' I mentally growled, going back to looking at the ruins. It was my mom's dream to uncover the truth of this place, now with what time I have left; I'm going to make sure I uncover it for her.

Eventually I did head back to sleep, upset that I didn't find out anything new. Stupid ruins being to hard to figure out! It's bad enough I have to go back to Central tomorrow…

Oh well, better look next time I come here.

"For the last time Iris, CUT YOUR HAIR!" I yelled, finally losing my patience. Iris had her hair caught in a bush, and because her hair was so dang long, it would take hours just to untangle it.

"No! I love my hair!" She pouted, pulling her hair but wincing when she pulled too hard.

I sighed before glancing at my watch. We were going to be late at this rate! We had left Xerxes early in the morning. I made sure to say my thanks to the Ishvalans before leaving. We were currently in Youswell Mines and waiting for the train to arrive.

Unfortunately, Iris decided to mess around and got her hair caught in a nearby bush. Thus, we were currently arguing about her hair.

"Iris, the train is coming in five minutes, do something or I will cut your hair."

She looked at me with fake tears, her lips pouting out. "Wah! Leonie, you're so mean!"

I shook my head before noticing people looking at us. I glared at them with annoyance, making them scamper off. I admit I have anger problems, but it's not my fault everyone I know are idiots!

I heard a loud snap from behind me. Turning around, I saw that Iris managed to get her hair loose….with half the bush stuck in her hair. I sweatdropped while she glared at the bush in annoyance. Luckily for Iris the train arrived, stopping me from physically hurting her.

Walking over to the train, dragging Iris behind me, I stepped onto the train, showing the train attendant our tickets. I sat down in the nearest seat, forcing Iris to sit down beside me. She started to pull out the twigs, causing nearby people to look at her curiously.

I felt my eye twitch and my firsts clench but I chose to look out the window instead.

"Those Elric brothers have been in the newspaper again." Iris commented, yanking more twigs out.

I glanced at her boredly. "Elrics? As in the Fullmetal Alchemist?"

She nodded before getting stars in her eyes. "The older brother, that looks like a shrimp, is simply adorable! Too bad he's younger then me."

I shook my head. "Kids joining the military, how stupid. I think the military has been corrupted, especially after the Ishval civil war."

She smirked. "Bet you're glad I haven't joined or your brothers."

I scowled. "Yeah, instead of joining the military, you follow me everywhere. At least think about getting a good job, being a criminal is just as bad as being part of the military. About Lewis and Rue, it's up to them what they do."

She smiled going back to getting rid of the rest of bush pieces in her hair. I dug through my bag, making sure everything was there. I then went over what I needed to do for when we arrived in Central.

"Oh my God! Leonie, look! It's that dude from that magazine about that dude!"

I stared at her blankly. "What?"

She sighed. "Honestly, do you not know anything? I wonder if I could get an autograph…"

Before I could stop her, Iris shot up and walked towards the man she had seen. In the end, it somehow turned into a brawl, with Iris and some other girl, his girlfriend most likely, getting into a fight. Half the train's occupants got in on the fight, including the train attendant.

I silently slid down my seat in embarrassment. It seemed that only two other people and me were the only ones not involved in the fight. The other two occupants were a woman with long black hair and violet eyes. She was dressed in a long black coat, covering her skin to her neck. The other person was a small podgy man with no hair. He was dressed in a black jumpsuit.

Ignoring them, I attempted to control Iris. "Iris! Get back here now!"

"No! Not until I teach this bitch a lesson."

I twitched. "Iris, please don't indulge in childish fights!"

She glared at me. "Childish fights? That's something my grandfather would say!"

My fists clenched. "Are…Are you calling me…old?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh, no! I'm not! Please don't get angry! Okay! I'll behave! Just put the guns down!"

Central city, the center of Amestris, was a thriving town. It was also the place where the military's HQ was based, unfortunately for me. Getting off the train, I apologized to the train attendant for Iris's actions. Iris didn't apologize because she convinced herself that she wasn't in the wrong.

"Just don't let it happen again." He said, before walking back onto the train. I shot a pissed off look at Iris, who sheepishly waved.

"I'm sorry Leonie! How many times do I have to say it?" She whined.

"Whatever. Just get home kiddo, I have to and get groceries." I mumbled, pushing her towards the exit.

She nodded before leaving the train station. She waved before disappearing into the crowd. As soon as she was out of my sight, I sighed out of relief. She was a handful but she was a good person at heart.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I exited the train station and began walking through the town. I had enough money on me to get this weeks shopping done, so I might as well get it done.

"Stop struggling you stupid kid!" A man's voice growled, grabbing my attention. Turning around, I saw a man dressed in a hoodie, holding a child in a headlock. By the looks of it nobody was going to help out.

I couldn't just leave the kid alone; I wasn't cruel like that. So I reluctantly turned and headed towards the outbreak. Once I was behind the man, I noticed that some people had stopped to stare. Grumbling, I stealthily took my gun out and made sure to conceal it with my jacket. I pushed the gun against his back, turning in a direction so nobody would see it.

I don't want to cause a scene, mind you; the man was already doing that. What pissed me off was the fact that nobody else was doing anything about the situation.

"Let the kid go." I whispered harshly, pressing the gun deeper into his skin.

He froze before side glancing at me with a scowl. He then smirked, pushing the kid closer to him. "Ah, Leonie Marshal. I see that they haven't caught you yet."

"Cut that crap, just let the kid go." I responded.

"Maybe I don't want to. And you won't shoot me, not with so many witnesses around."

I glared at him. He was right, I couldn't shoot him without risking getting into jail. So the next best thing to do was hand-to-hand combat.

I quickly kicked him in the back, grabbing him by surprise. He dropped the kid onto the floor before turning on me. He aimed a punch at me but I quickly sidestepped him. More people were turning up, making the hooded man grumble. He smirked at me before dashing down an alleyway, gripping his back in pain.

I huffed before glaring at the crowd, who scattered off. Dusting myself off and picking up my bag that I had dropped on the ground when I attacked the man, I turned around to regard the kid.

It was a young boy who looked no older then ten. He had short black hair with violet eyes. He was dressed in a white blouse with a black vest and shorts.

To sum it up, he was adorable.

"Are you okay, kid?" I asked him, relived that he wasn't hurt.

He smiled. "No miss, thank you for saving me."

I nodded before looking around. "Where's your parents?"

"My father is at work, but I've lost my mom. I can't find her anywhere." He replied, looking ready to cry.

I sighed before reluctantly deciding to help him. "Okay, do you remember where she said she was going?"

He nodded excitedly. "Yeah! She said she was going to the boutique!"

Well that was a relief. In central, even though it was huge, there was only one boutique store around. "I know where that is, let's go."

He grabbed my hand, surprising me, and started running in the direction I told him the boutique was.

I had a feeling I wasn't going to get the groceries done for the rest of the day.

I felt uncomfortable walking into the boutique. It was a clothing store for the rich and I wasn't from a high status family.

It wasn't like the ruins, where you don't need some special status to go there. Oh Xerxes, how I long to visit there again!

"Your mom should be in here." I told the young boy.

He smiled. "I hope so. Oh! I didn't introduce myself! My name is Selim!"

He was certainly a sprightly child.

"My name is Leonie Marshal." I replied, looking around the store for his mom. It didn't help that I didn't know what she looked like. I did notice that an emotion crossed Selim's face when I had introduced myself before disappearing. I chose to ignore it though, focusing more on my current task.

"Selim? Selim! There you are!" A woman's voice yelled.

Selim smiled hugely. "Mother!"

A woman who looked to be in her late forties appeared. She had long brown hair tied back and bright blue eyes. She was dressed in a long light purple dress with a long dark purple cardigan and a light coloured scarf. She looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I had seen her.

"Selim! I'm glad you are okay. I was so worried when I couldn't find you." Selim's mom said, hugging him closely.

"I'm alright mother, Miss Marshal here helped me find you." Selim said, pointing at me.

Selim's mom looked at me and smiled kindly. "Thank you for finding my son, I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't of found him."

I shook my head. "No, it's alright. I should be going though, I have to go and get the groceries."

Her eyes suddenly widened in realisation. "Leonie Marshal, is that your full name?"

I nodded. "Yes, it is."

She squealed. "Ah, I've heard of you, you're a babysitter, aren't you?"

"Yeah?"

"My name is Edna Bradley! Could you please come to this address next Saturday? I want to repay you!" She asked, grabbing my hands.

Repay me? But all I did was bring her son back. Bradley, I've heard that name before! Why can't I remember?

"So long Miss Marshal." Mrs Bradley said, Selim waving at me with a smile before both of them left.

It then came to me. Bradley, that was the name of the Fuhrer! And I knew why the woman was familiar, because she was his wife!

Wow, didn't know they had a kid.

So yeah, this was just an introduction. Leonie won't be connected to the Elric's in this.

Sorry if there are any grammar errors. I have gone through it but I may have missed some.

As you probably know, Mrs Bradley's first name is unknown so I'm going to call her 'Edna.'

I've been watching more FMA and checked the Wikipedia. Pride, when he's disguised as a child, actually acts nice. So yeah, character change for Pride XD. But don't worry, he will start insulting her soon.

Anymore questions feel free to ask them. I will try to answer them without spoiling anything.

This story will be updated on: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

R&R