A/N: So this is my first FMA story. Now I don't know how long the story will be but I do plan on integrating it into the FMA:B storyline, so this'll be interesting... for me anyway XD
This is, I guess you could call it a prologue but you can call it whatever you want. And guess what I do love reviews, they make my day when someone says they enjoy my writing.
Oh yeah and summaries... I suck at writing them...
Road to Nowhere
He glares at the glass of water with his chin resting on the smooth surface of the dining table. The glass sits in the center of a drawing on a sheet of paper. The drawing, a circular design, has been proving useless for him. The water ripples as he taps his foot against the table leg, frustrated. He's been sitting here, surrounded by his notes on the very little information he has, for an hour and a half.
For months he's been studying a variation of the science loved by many in Amestris; alchemy, the art of manipulating and altering matter by using natural energy. After his failure of finding the methods of the infamous flame alchemy that the renowned alchemist Berthold Hawkeye is rumored to know, he turned to water based alchemy. But he hasn't gone anywhere with it what with his school studies. Now that he has graduated with the highest marks in his class his classmates assume he will go to some fancy college in Central but many of them have no clue about his true plans with alchemy.
He sighs and lifts his chin off the table. Closing his eyes he takes a calming breath and lightly places his fingers on the Transmutation Circle. He waits for the blue illumination from the alchemical response. But, as expected, nothing happens. A light plop is then heard and a droplet of water lands on the top of his hand. He opens his eyes and sees an ice cube floating in the water. He frowns and lifts his gaze from the glass to the woman looking at him.
"Congratulations Sage! You froze the water!" The old woman says gleefully. Her hands are pressed together to show only more cheer.
He sighs, "Grandma, why do your do that?" His Grandmother Rosa looses the smile and crosses her arms.
"Because, recently it's been the only way I can get your attention besides the smell of food." She begins to walk back into the kitchen, taking the glass of water with her. "Now," she claps her hands, "I want you to get changed and fix your hair, you look like a scientist who's experiment blew up in his face. Then we'll be leaving for the train station to meet your Father."
Sage stands and makes his way to his room. "Oh, tell your Mother as well!" He grumbles at the mention of his Mother. He goes up the stairs two at a time and opens his room door. Flicking on the light, the room lightens. Several books lay on a bed in the far corner of the room, while the blankets have been pushed off the end. A desk sits next to the bed. A small, uncovered lamp sits next to a pile of written notes. Scattered about the desk as they are, they seem to be in some sort of order. A large window is situated just after that, allowing plenty of natural light to enter during the day. When looking through the glass at dusk a person can behold an elegant view of the Briggs Mountains.
Sage takes a step towards his desk chair but stops when he hears a sob coming from the room next to his. He shakes his head and grabs a dress shirt and clean, black pants from the seat of the chair. Walking out of his room and past the next door, he hears sobbing again. Sage enters the bathroom and looks at himself in the mirror mounted above the sink. He laughs lightly at his appearance.
"She's right, I do look like some mad scientist." His hair is sticking up and out in random ways. Before putting it on he shakes the shirt in front of him to get the shed dog hair off. After slipping on the pants he cups his hands under the tap, filling them with warm water. He softly splashes the water on his face, getting a single drop in his eye. "Dammit," he murmurs, rubbing his eye. He opens it and stares at himself in the mirror.
Unlike his late brother, Raphael, he takes after their Father in everything but appearance; except for his eyes. The distinguishable, Ishvalan crimson irises are what set Sage apart from his Mother. His black hair and pale skin are clear traits of his Xingese heritage.
He quickly sets his hair in somewhat order and glances once more in the mirror before going back to his room. Grabbing his coat he starts down the stairs again.
"Don't forget your Mother!" His Grandmother calls from the front door.
"Oh how could I forget... It's not like I meant to or anything..." Sage says under his breath. Walking back up the stairs, a picture catches his eye. He's seen it plenty of times before but this time it just caught his attention.
He slips it off the wall and looks it over. It's of his family ten years ago in 1895, before the accident. It was Amestris's 345th Independence Day and the family was simply enjoying the festivities in North City's main square. The photo was a spontaneous accident. A photographer for the local paper was taking pictures of unprepared people because, surprises capture the purity and excellence of the moment. The photographer had tripped over a bench while she was focusing on something else. The unexpectedness of it caused her to fall forward, loosing her grip on the camera. As she caught the precious item she unintentionally pressed the shutter-release button and took a picture. Once she corrected herself she looked at the picture.
The photo shows his family sitting at a bench. Eight year old Sage was sitting on his Father's shoulders, beaming while his Mother fixes his older sister, Sorina's toque. Raphael is tugging on Adler's leash with the most determined expression, so that the big dog won't drag him through the crowd and to the nearest butcher shop.
Sage smiles at the peaceful memories before he hangs the picture back on the wall. Sure it was an accident, but it was the best kind.
Upon opening the door to his Mother's room he sees her slumped in a chair. He sighs, "You haven't moved from that spot since this morning have you?" He receives no response. Sage walks to his Mother and kneels in front of her. She lifts her head when he gently takes her hands in his on her lap. "Listen Mom, you need to get dressed. Dad is coming home in a bit and you, me, Grandma and Grandpa are going to the train station to meet him."
"I don't want to go." She mumbles.
"Come on, I'm sure he missed you while he was gone. Besides you could use some fresh air. The crisp mountain breeze will cheer you up I'm sure of it!" He tries his hardest to sound cheerful and motivating.
A moment of realization dawns on her at that moment. "Sorina Raphael be with him won't they?!" Sage's smile drops slowly and he looks away as she reminisces. "Coming home from looking colleges in Central... Oh haven't seen two so long!"
"Mom, Sorina and Raphael aren't coming home..." He says solemnly, but she doesn't seem to notice the change in his tone.
"What you talking about? Oh! Understand, they starting school early can't come home." She says, completely satisfied with her answer.
"No I mean... they never graduated. They were killed in a car accident ten years ago." He says tightening his hold on her hands.
"Don't know what you talking about. Just saw you three playing in snow yesterday. Will be there. You will see."
Sage sighs and looks down. "Alright, just get dressed." He stands up and calls his Grandmother for her to help his Mother get dressed. She's gotten worse over the four years that his Father has been in Ishval. The disease is robbing her of precious memories and mobility. Most of the time she doesn't even recognize Sage. It's hard to tell her time and time again that two of her children were killed in a car accident whenever she asks where they are. And she takes it as if it was the first time she's heard the news, when she believes it.
His Grandmother stops him on the staircase, "Can you grab her chair? I doubt she'll be able to make it to the train station." Sage nods. Once at the front door, he opens the coat closet and pulls out his Mother's wheelchair. He sets it by the shoe bench then glances out the windows on either side of the door to see how icy the walk way is. He rubs his temples in disappointment. Stepping into the living room he sees his Grandfather Oliver sitting at the coffee table repairing a radio.
Before he can open his mouth his Grandfather starts speaking, "So, have you finally given up on that infernal science?" His Grandfather has always been a faithful Ishvalan man. Sage's a Great Great Grandfather was a priest in Ishval, so naturally, the teachings of their God Ishvala was passed through the family.
Sage doesn't respond. His Grandfather continues working on the radio, knowing full well that Sage could save him the effort and fix the machine with alchemy. After a few moments he looks back at his grandson, red eyes narrowing. Sage averts his own from his Grandfather's stare. He's a rather intimidating man despite his age. He cared for Sage's Uncles, Aunt and Father with tough love. And he'd treat his grandchildren the same way.
His Grandfather stands and takes long steps towards Sage before he is looking down at him. Sage looks up at his Grandfather. "I don't understand why my son gave you permission to study that method of blasphemy."
"Because he is not a man of god as you are Grandfather," he retorts, "and nor am I."
His Grandfather slightly frowns. His Grandmother comes around the corner at that moment. "Oliver, go get ready!" She scolds, "We're leaving in ten minutes."
He turns away from Sage with one final stare and makes his way to their room down the hall. It's only then that he realizes he was holding his breath. He reaches into the closet next to him and searches for the shovel. "Uh, where's the shovel?" He asks himself but his Grandmother answers.
"You turned the handle into the little chest we put the house keys in and the spade, well, you made that into a frying pan." She says with a little laugh.
Sage rubs the back of his head and laughs a little, embarrassed. He glances around the room and sees the log poker leaning against the wall next to the fireplace. He picks it up and decides that it would work.
"Hey Grandma, I'm just going to go and break the ice on the pathway..." He trails off as he notices that she's not even listening and worrying about his Mother's hair instead.
Stepping out into the brisk world, Sage pulls up his hood to keep his ears as warm as possible. He tests the ice plastered on the walkway with his foot to see if it would break that easily, unfortunately it didn't. With the iron rod poker in hand he begins to jab at the ice, creating unintentional patterns on the surface, and moving the stray pieces into the snow. After a few minutes of this he stares at the remaining ice, thinking.
"Hmm," he kneels and fishes around in his pocket. Finally finding it, he takes it out and presses it against the smooth pavement as his wrist moves his hand in circular motions and curves. Once the transmutation circle is complete he tries to remember everything he's taught himself about this type of alchemy. He takes in a deep breath and places his fingers on the borders of the circle. The alchemic designs glows a rich blue and minor sparks of lightening spread throughout the ice. Within a matter of seconds the solid ice liquifies.
"Haha!" He exclaims. He claps his hands once, proud of his first accomplishment. "I knew it, it's not impossible after all. Although, slightly complicated." At the sound of the doorknob turning he washes away the transmutation circle, in case it is his Grandfather. He stands up as they exit the house.
"Good work Sage!" chimes his Grandmother.
He grins and broadens his shoulders. He walks slightly ahead of the other three as he's always done. The night is clear and cold. The moon shines down on them, offering the only source of light aside from the occasional streetlight. Snow crunching beneath their feet is the only sound to be heard.
As they walk, Sage thinks to himself. If it took me that many times to finally get the transmutation right then I was clearly missing something before... If I want to get further with this I need to study and practice more. I should, no, I need to get better with this alchemy before I turn to the Freezing Alchemist himself...
The journey to the city's train station is not a long one whatsoever and they arrive within twenty minutes of leaving the comforts of home. Once they arrive they find the station to be quite busy for North City. On a normal there are only a couple of people on the platforms because this is North City after all. Tourists aren't generally found up here. But tonight isn't exactly normal. Many soldiers are returning from the civil war in Ishval after years of service. And Sage's Father is no exception. He had been sent to the region five years ago in 1900 when Sage was thirteen to help suppress several riots and uprisings. When the war began he served in the front lines. Thankfully he is finally coming home.
All the people in the building has flustered and confused his Mother so his Grandmother tells her husband and Grandson to go on and that they'll catch up. They make their way to the correct platform and find the train has already arrived. Families are reuniting with tests of joy all around them. His Grandfather goes one direction while Sage goes the other so they can find the missing soldier. Could it be possible that he got held up in East City? Or maybe ordered back to Ishval? He pushes his way through the crowd until he makes it to the train itself. Just as he stops by the car door a man in a wheelchair makes his way off the train.
Sage lightly puts his hand on the man's shoulder, well aware of the effects of PTSD in soldiers, "Excuse me sir, have you happened to see Second Lieutenant Pavel Lancaster? He's supposed to be on this train."
"Well my boy, you're in luck," he says before looking up, "Because you're speaking to him right now." He lifts his head to look at him, grinning.
Sage's eyes widen with shock and his jaw slightly drops. "D-Dad..." The same shock pulses through his Father at that moment. As they both start to recognize a grin spreads on both their faces. Sage throws his arms around his Father.
"You've grown up!" His Father says when Sage pulls back.
"Well, yeah," he laugh, "I'm not gonna be some 4'5 kid at eighteen years old. But what happened to you-I mean-your legs... they're gone." He stammers, running his fingers through his hair.
"Yeah, let's wait to tell your Grandparents that story." He says with a smile.
"S-Sure."
"Speaking of them, where are they?"
"Grandma is at the entrance with Mother and Grandfather is probably with them."
"Well then, let's go see them." He says putting his hand on Sage's shoulder. Sage nods and offers to take him there. Taking the handles of the wheelchair, he steers them towards the entrance of the station.
After a few seconds his Father starts talking, "Hey, I'm sorry I wasn't here for your graduation. It's not everyday you graduate school after all." Sage only laughs at that.
"I sure hope you weren't thinking about that the whole time you were out there," he jokes. "Besides I think 'I was fighting for my country' is the best excuse for not being there." This seems to reassure him for now.
After they reunite with Sage's Grandparents and his Grandmother stopped crying, they returned home. In that time his Father explained what exactly happened to him. He and several other soldiers were ordered to eliminate an Ishvalan camp by Lieutenant General Fessler. They fulfilled their duty and killed the Ishvalans. While checking the area for any survivors, as they were ordered to do, Sage's Father unknowingly detonated a land mine.
As they step up to the door, clawing and whining comes from the other side. Deep barks turn into high pitched squeals as he becomes frantic. Sage turns the doorknob and pushes the door slightly. The rest of the work is done by their dog Emil as his head pushes its way through the barely open door and forces it open. He bounds towards Sage's Father; tongue hanging out and tail wagging uncontrollably. Emil leaps forward and lands his two huge fore paws on his lap. Emil licks slobbers all over his Father.
Once Emil has calmed down they enter the house. Sage's Grandmother helps his Mother- who didn't show much emotion to her husband's arrival, it seemed like she didn't know who he was and forgot why they had left the house in the first place- up to her room while Sage runs about the house trying to find extra blankets. He makes a bed, the best he can, on the living room coach for his Father, seeing as the guest room is upstairs.
"So, are you considering automail? I mean, there's plenty of shops back home to choose from." Sage says as he fluffs out the pillow he took from his room.
"I had been considering it but then I thought about the money issue."
"We have enough don't we?"
"Well, with my low rank in the military I don't get a high pay and if your Mother had been working for the past ten years then we might have had enough."
Sage sits on the coach's armrest, "What about the money you and Mom saved for Sorina's, Raphael's and my future college savings? There's enough in there for two automail legs and a bit more, we'd just need to find an engineer that doesn't charge a huge amount."
His Father shakes his head, "We still need that for your education. You're heading off to college soon aren't you?"
He bites the inside of his lower lip and looks down, "Well, ah no."
"I thought you mentioned in one of your letters that you and your Grandparents went to Central to look at schools?" His Father says pressing a finger against his temple.
"We did and I found two schools, the University of Amestris where I'd major in psychology or medical sciences, as Grandfather would want," Sage pauses and considers his next words.
His Father laughs heartily, " See, we'd need as much of that money as possible for that! And you're worried about getting me legs! You will always come first." He says grinning. His Grandparents then come around the corner and take a seat on the sofa opposite of Sage and his Father.
"Or," Sage continues, " the Enns Institute of Alchemy of Amestris..." His Father's eyes widen slightly but he settles with a considerate smile. This is the first his Grandfather has heard of him considering this school and he does not look pleased in the slightest. Narrowed, red eyes stab at him with the owner's displeasure. His arms have crossed.
"But, I've decided that I won't be attending the Institute. Or the University." Confusion sticks itself to all of their faces.
"Then what do you plan on doing Sage?" His Grandfather growls.
"We all know that Mom has gotten worse since you left last," he says to his Father. Now including his Grandparents he says: "Back then she could walk, feed and dress herself now she needs assistance with everything. She was able to recognize us. She could remind us of happier times before Sorina and Raphael died, now she thought they were coming home with you."
His hands tighten into fists around a handful of the sheet he placed on the sofa, " She's getting worse and worse and I can't sit by anymore. Stella Havener and I have been researching any possible cures but Mom's condition hasn't even been named yet."
"I have my alchemy and I've been getting better. I have a lead on someone who may be able to help me improve. He's living in a Central and specializes with the water alchemy I've been practicing."
"What does this need to do with not attending either of these schools?" His Grandmother asks, moving to sit next to him. She places her wrinkled hand gently on his.
Sage takes in a deep breath and holds it for a few moments before releasing it, calming his anxiety a little.
"I want to become a State Alchemist."
The room falls absolutely silent. The wind and crackling flames in the fireplace even seem to still. The color from his Grandmother's face fades and her once warm hand seems to grow chill. This has even caught his a Grandfather off guard, his jaw has fallen open slightly. His Father's smile has disappeared and has been replaced by an open jaw with shock.
"If I can get a state certification I can get access to more materials and maybe help Mom-"
"No. Absolutely not." His Grandfather grates through his teeth. "I don't understand why you insist on pursuing that damn sorcery!"
"It's science-"
"It's people playing God and that's all it is!" His Grandfather roars. His Grandmother finally stands up with tears in her eyes and walks into their room down a hall. After the door clicks shut gently, he hears soft sniffling and whimpers. Running his fingers through his black hair, he sighs deeply.
"Are you satisfied with the response?" His Grandfather snorts and strides in the direction his Grandmother took, leaving Sage and his Father alone.
"I just want to help Mom." He says, almost a whisper.
"Are you sure this is the best way? You could just go to medical school and get knowledge that way." His Father asks with his chin resting on his fist.
"No, I'd be in school for six years, if not more, and I honestly don't think Mom has that long if I don't find an effective way to cure her..."
"What makes you say she won't last that long?" Sage's hopes rise. If he's asking all these questions then he may be considering it.
"Stella and I have been looking into her condition for several years now, and have found that all the patients that share her symptoms have all died from... whatever they call this."
His Father groans, "I'll talk with your Grandparents. I want you to succeed in whatever you deem necessary for her recovery but I do hope you realize that taking the path of a State Alchemist won't be a life of luxuries. You will be bound to the military and carry out orders that will go against your morals."
Silence lingers between the two of them for a long while. Sage breaks the ice by dipping his head slightly, "Thank you." He looks at his Father again and finds a smile.
"Now, when do you plan on meeting this alchemist in Central?" A huge weight lifts from Sage's shoulders as he realizes that his Father truly does want him to succeed.
"I've already contacted him and he said the end of this week. He's a State Alchemist. But I must admit he didn't sound joyous at the prospect of an apprentice."
"I imagine not, many alchemists either go to school to learn or teach themselves. Not many, that I know of, have been taught by a State Alchemist and they have their military duties to take care of as well."
Sage yawns as his Father is talking then rubs his eyes. "We'll talk about this later, for now you need to sleep. You and I are going to buy your train ticket then find an engineer."
He tells Sage a few more things before the teen finds his way to his room. After clearing the books off the mattress he settles in under the covers. The faint arguing of his Father and Grandparents drifts past his ears. He strains to hear it at first but quickly gives up and falls asleep.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the canon characters