Chapter 1

Evenfall

Ed admitted that Winry was acting a bit strange ever since she got a mysterious bite on her arm. She refused to talk about it, and wouldn't let anyone touch or observe it. "I think she'll be okay," Al said to him. "She is Winry, and a little dog bite's never stopped her."

"I can't help it, Al, I always worry about her. We grew up together, and she's been so unlike herself lately," Ed replied, looking at Winry, who was hard at work on a new device. She suddenly stood up, facing Ed. He flinched, ready for an angry reaction.

"Ed, I want to go on a date," she chimed happily.

"Huh?"

Winry smiled softly, "I dunno. I just thought… We could go out like all other people do, and experience a good evening together."

Ed paused, unsure if this was a test or not, and looking for any clues from Winry's face, which looked at him in longing. "Sure. I can take you on a date, as long as you pay half, and I pay half. That is how everything works."

"That isn't how a date works!" Winry snapped at him. "The boy always pays the expenses and gives the girl a fun time!"

"But, equivalent exchange…"

"Alchemy isn't used in dating!" Winry replied angrily, huffing at Ed. "Forget it. Why did I ask you anyways?" She went back to work, now frustrated. Ed didn't know what to say, or do.

"Alright, I'll take you, and… I'll… Pay full…" he muttered, slightly concerned and out of his comfort zone.

Winry instantly hugged him. "Thank you so much…" she whispered in his ear, making Ed blush slightly.

Ed took Winry out to dinner that evening, and did she look spectacular. Her hair was put back into a nice bun, and she wore some of Granny's old jewelry, along with a silvery dress. "Do you like it?" she asked him, looking a bit shy.

Ed barely stuttered a reply, "Y-yeah…"

She giggled and took his hand, walking into the restaurant. It was a fancy place near Central, and it made Ed feel a bit cheated out of his money, but the smile on Winry's face was worth it. She hadn't looked so happy in a long time, watching couples on the dance floor, and happily trying the appetizers. As the evening turned into night, however, Winry's happy demeanor was slowly turning to sickly. She slowly got up. "Sorry, Ed… I need some fresh air…" she said, walking out the door.

Ed, now very concerned about the sudden mood change, quickly followed her outside. "Winry?" he asked softly.

Winry was starting to sweat, gripping her head, almost as if she had a headache. "What is wrong with me tonight?..." she asked herself, panting heavily.

"Winry, are you okay?" Ed asked, a bit louder.

"Yeah… I've just got a… headache…" she replied. She was quickly getting paler.

"Winry, let's get you home," he said, picking her up and getting her into a cab. Winry gently grabbed his arm, looking rather nervous.

The cab ride felt rather quick, but Winry seemed too sick to walk. Ed picked her up and brought her inside. As soon as she was in the door, Winry suddenly jerked violently, crying in pain and falling to the floor, her body shivering violently.

"Winry?!" Ed cried, reaching out for her. He noticed blood slowly leaking from under her nails, something pushing them out of her fingers. Ed reacted, helping her up and running her upstairs.

Winry's body shuddered in his arms; her dress ripping as she slowly began to grow. There was a loud cracking sound and Winry's mouth was forced open as her teeth were shifting into fangs. Winry pulled out of Ed's arms once again, her ears slowly stretching. Her bones were cracking and shifting under her skin, her heels slowly rising off the ground as they stretched out. Ed could only watch, terrified and confused. Winry thrashed around, her cries of pain slowly getting lower and more inhuman, her fingernails removing themselves as large black claws burst from her fingers. The transformation was coming to a slow climax, Winry's head slowly staring to stretch and change.

"C-Chimera?" Ed tried to reason, but it was impossible that that could have happened.

Winry's head fully transformed into a powerful, muscular, wolf-like maw. Her eyes slowly faded to a dull black, and she began to wander around the room aimlessly. Ed fell against the wall in disbelief of what he was beholding. Winry slowly wandered over, noticing his movement. She gave him a curious sniff, making Ed grab tighter to the wall. Winry slowly began to freely roam the room, sniffing at everything.

"W-Winry?..." Ed asked. Winry's ears twitched, and she turned to face him. "Winry?" Ed asked again, hoping to get an answer. Winry slowly wandered over and gave him a few more sniffs, not seeming to recognize him. "Winry, it's me," Ed said, reaching out for her. Winry huffed softly, losing interest and leaving the room.

"Chimera!" Al's voice announced downstairs.

That can't be good… Ed thought.