Becoming a hetalian
Chapter 1
"This is the last human transmutation that the fullmetal alchemist shall ever perform" Edward Elric declared before clapping his hands together and touching the alchemic circle.
His comrades could only watch and wait as he was enveloped by the glowing circle…
He was here… he had a plan… Edward smiled as he faced the white, glowing figure known as the truth. He was about to reclaim his brothers body and soul.
"So what price are you willing to exchange for your brother's body and soul; your own body and soul? So tell me, what is your plan fullmetal alchemist?" The truth asked him, grinning the entire time.
"My door of truth, the key to my alchemy, that is what I shall offer in exchange." Ed said certain of his choice.
"If it wasn't for mess that that wannabe God unknowingly created by temporarily stealing my powers; I would accept your offer. However the unusual predicament that I am faced with and your timely arrival has forced me to present you with an offer of my own, an offer that will not only restore your brother's body and allow you to retain your alchemy but it will also give you your leg back." The truth grinned.
"If you already had an idea of what you wanted in exchange for my brother then why did you waste the last five minutes of my time asking me what I was willing to exchange for my brother." It was obvious that Ed was starting to lose his patience.
"Why, is your patience so short that…"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO LOOK UNDER A MICROSCOPE TO SEE HIM SINCE HE'S TOO SMALL TO BE SEEN WITH THE NAKED EYE!"
The truth couldn't help chuckling at the boy's explosive reaction. "Edward, I never intended to call you short and unless you want me to send you back without your brother or your alchemy I would advise you to calm down and listen to me."
Edward narrowed his eyes but nodded; overlooking the truths re-use of the word short.
"Good. Believe it or not Edward, the universe is made up of many different dimensions; the gate is at the centre of those many dimensions. When the father temporarily stole my powers, he also gained the responsibility of making sure that the numerous dimensions stay separated. The father, not knowing about that responsibility unknowingly allowed the different dimensions to merge together. When I regained control over my powers I was able to reverse the merging of all the different dimensions except for yours and another dimension. Each dimension has its own set of unbreakable scientific laws which allows the different dimensions to function in their own way; for example in your dimension the laws of science allow you to use alchemy, whilst in other dimensions it would be impossible for you to do so. When your dimension merged with the other dimension so did the laws of science. Some of the laws were retained; for example it is still possible to use alchemy, whilst others disappeared. The dimension that merged with yours has a very interesting law; the law that ever y country must have a personified being to represent that country. The state of the country and the personified being reflect each other. If the country takes a turn for the worse (for example a recession or a civil war) then the personified being of that country will be affected. If something happens to the personified being then the country it represents will be affected. The personified being will not grow old and will stay alive until the country it represents ceases to exist. This law is one that was retained. If the countries from your dimension don't find a personified being to represent them within a month's time then the country will cease to exist. Being the genius that you are I am sure that by this stage you have realised what it is that I want you do in exchange for your brother."
"You want me to become the personified being of Amestris; am I correct?"
"Almost; you see I don't want you to become the personified being of Amestris, I want you to become the personified being of Xerxes."
"But Xerxes is a dead country, it was destroyed hundreds of years ago, all that is left of it is a pile of ruins. Its people are dead, there is no need for one these personified beings."
"Due to your response it is obvious that you are unaware that about a week ago Xerxes successfully declared itself as a country. You father will have told you that he was the sole survivor of the massacre that created the philosophers stone, he was wrong though. There was a small group of people who survived. Throughout the years they and their descendants lived among the ruins of Xerxes, hiding from the occasional visitor. As you know there is a group of Ishbalan refugees living in the ruins, soon after you left the ruins of Xerxes the two groups came into contact. After the two groups came into contact things began to change. They began grow their own crops, to rebuild the city in a way that the ruins seamlessly merge into houses and other buildings. They began to produce items that would be legible for trade. In the space of a few months the bunch of ruins became a small, but flourishing country. A week ago they officially proclaimed themselves as a country, and were officially accepted as a country."
"But why me? I didn't even know that Xerxes was a country again until a few minutes ago, wouldn't be more suitable for me to be the personified being of Amestris instead."
"I have several reasons for wanting you to become the personified being of Xerxes. One because personified beings tend to have to play an important part in forming alliances. Your knowledge and insight in the way that the governments of countries work could be of a great advantage to Xerxes. Two you're from Xerxes yourself. Three it's easier to ask you then to ask some guy that doesn't even know how to use alchemy to become the personification of Xerxes. So, do you accept my offer? I must add that if you do then once you leave the gate you will forget about what happened during the time you spent here."
Edward thought for a few seconds before coming to a decision. "I accept."
"Wise choice, Edward Elric." the truth said as the boy began to fade away…
