PROLOUGE

Chimeras, these fascinating, one of a kind creatures prowl around the world in search of methods for survival. Humans hunt them down, for their own selfish needs. A capture of these unique creatures (god knows what they do with them) reaps them monetary rewards and unlimited privileges. These unique creatures have an IQ that is higher than normal human beings, always effectively escaping when cornered. But their numbers are dwindling and they know it. Escaping was the only method of survival. So they left, in search of forests and abandoned buildings.

CHAPTER ONE

Strong muscles rippling under the moonlight, Ed posed to strike as he stalked his prey in the thick, dense undergrowth of the abandoned building. Carefully, not even causing a single leaf to rustle under his softly paced feet, he moved in for the lunge. His target was just a few centimeters away. A cool, night breeze blew towards him. Despite his target having a keen sense of smell, he knew he couldn't smell him now. He was upwind, thus having the advantage. Cautiously, he zeroed in, and lunged. His prey gave a gasp of surprise as the air was knocked out of him. Instinctively, he whipped around, baring his fangs at his attacker. Instead of seeing one, he saw his innocent older brother on his back, sprawled on the ground, whom had fallen when his brother whipped around. Ed had a small smile plastered on his face and his hands were above his head in a sign of surrender.

"Al! That was mean! Throwing me off like that!" Ed whined, his long tail swishing from side to side happily, his expression becoming a small pout.

"That's your own fault. Sneaking on me like that, you should just stop scaring me! One day, I might really have a heart attack!" Al said, while fondly ruffling his older brother's head just between his ears. Ed simply loved people stroking his ears thus, he leaned into the touch. Al expected Ed to retort back, it was his nature, but he didn't. Ed was purring too hard to even be able to speak. His half-lidded yellow eyes were glassy and his sensitive cat ears twitched at any touch. It came to a surprise to many that Edward was the older brother. It was just that Ed was pretty small for his size, lean and slender, deceptively muscular in a feminine way, the total opposite of him. Al was tough and strong, easily beating his brother in height by a few inches, but well.. Nobody ever dared mention about Ed's height after he practically dumped that guy into the freezing icy pond during winter. They were sitting on the cool ground just outside the abandoned building, under the full moon. This area was their home. It was off-limited to humans as it was surrounded by steep slopes and waterfalls that were too challenging and also that best suited for Chimeras could scale. A paradise for Chimeras, their parents had thought.

Footsteps approaching them, Ed reluctantly battered Al's paw away and turned towards the sound. His smile faded away that instant.

"Mother," Ed greeted, keeping his expression blank and empty.

"What are you boys doing outside? It's freezing! Come on in." His mother, Trisha, reprimanded.

Soundlessly, Ed got to his feet and padded away towards the little cave where they all lived. It was a little cave, polished inside, and adapted to make space for all four of them to fit into it. Al gazed at his brother's leaving back, wondering what triggered such a huge change in emotion the moment his mother appeared. His brother had always been the analytical one, he preferred to observe, analyzing his opponent's strengths and weaknesses, before making strategies. Only around his brother, would he show his playful and mischievous side, one he never showed in front of his parents. No one could understand why. Ed was intelligent and he knew it. Maybe, he was more intelligent than all of them together.

As Ed walked towards he little cave he caught a warm scent in the wind. Impossible. This scent . . . it was too near. It can't be possible. He turned to see his mother and brother. They hadn't felt any difference in their surroundings. Only he smelled it. He toyed with the idea of telling them about this new scent, weighing the pros and cons of coming to war immediately, but dismissed it quickly. Humans can't scale their mountain. He calculated the odds and was glad to fine it pretty low. He grinned, sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. It should be fine.

Little did the he know, the peace in Chimera's Paradise was about to be broken.

Bright light shone through the partially permeable tent. Roy groaned inwardly as he was exhausted and it was time to wake up. He had spent the whole day yesterday scaling the steep slopes and waterfalls, almost falling off himself. They lost many men in this expedition, but they have yet to give up. They were going to catch a Chimera for their research. Reluctantly, Roy got up from his sleeping bag and proceeded to wake his friend up. Hughes was snoring in his sleep. Roy lifted his feet, kicking Hughes several times before Hughes even registered that he was being kicked.

"Wh...A…o…t?"

"Get up. The sun has already grown old and died while waiting for you to get up."

Hughes rubbed the area where he had been kicked brutally.

"No. the Sun's still up there..." Hughes replied drowsily, pointing at the Sun high in the sky, before collapsing back to sleep.

Roy muttered something under his breath before picking Hughes by the collar and throwing him out of the tent. A resounding crack could be heard as Hughes landed head first into a huge tree. After a while, the cursing came.

Roy washed his face and got ready all of his equipment for the rocky climb up the slopes. After a while, Hughes followed him up the hill grumbling about something like violence doesn't solve anything or something like that. The rest of his men slowly picked up their bags and followed. The climb was long and strenuous. Roy wondered how all the Chimeras managed to climb all the way to the top in the first place. After hiking up the hill for 5 days and 6 nights, they finally reached the top of the hill. It was snowing. Roy lifted his hand and a snowflake settled in his palm. Finally. He could capture a Chimera.

A flash of white shot past him, Roy immediately grabbed his gun and pointed. There was no one. Was it his imagination? No it can't be. There it was again. Another flash of yellow. Wait. Was it gold? Faster than his eyes could catch it, Hughes was already knocked out and had fallen to the ground. What? What was happening? He couldn't catch up with all the movement at once. And then, it was gone.

"What?" Roy exclaimed. What the hell just happened? That was a Chimera, wasn't it? could it be a messenger? It might have gone back to alert the rest of the Chimeras. He had to hurry.

"Someone! Help Hughes! I'm going in."

Roy barked out his orders to his men as he dashed towards the direction the Chimera went. He stumbled into a large area with many abandoned buildings and vegetation. Without warning, a heavy weight landed on his back causing him to fall onto the ground. He looked back but couldn't see anything except a long brown tail swishing just above his cheek. The men that followed him where also taken down by two other Chimeras. One was a yellow male Chimera with sparkling yellow eyes, while the other was a brown female Chimera with piercing eyes. He grabbed the gun in his hand tightly before pointing it at the light brown Chimera above him. Before he could even fire a shot, a loud snarl filled the air.

"Stop!"

Roy whipped his head around to see another Chimera. This breathtakingly beautiful golden Chimera was looking at him with his fangs bared. His ears were flat on his head and his tail was swishing side to side in agitation.

"Hurt my brother and you will regret it for life." The golden Chimera threatened.

Roy could not take his eyes off this Chimera. It was so breathtakingly beautiful, even the most beautiful girl could stand beside him and look only plain. His eyes were the most breathtaking eyes he had ever seen. It was cold with anger now, but still had its beauty in it. It was like staring at two orbs stunning of gold.

Slowly, Roy lowered the gun. He placed it on the ground and held his arms above his head. But throughout, his eyes never left the golden-haired beauty. At that second, the rest of Roy's man came rushing into the clearing, lifting up rifles and pointing at every Chimera in sight. Roy didn't move. He watched as the golden Chimera bristled at being out numbered and then looked as if he was deep in thought. He looked around, seeing the terrified faces of little Chimeras crying as their mothers hugged them. He frowned. After just a moment of hesitation, the golden-haired beauty spoke.

"Please ask your men to lower your guns. We will not hurt you just as long as you do not hurt us. " He said in a soft, calm voice.

"Lower your guns." Roy gave the order as the golden-haired beauty nodded to the brown Chimera who he had claimed as his brother. The brown Chimera released Roy and backed off.

Slowly, Roy got to his feet. The golden Chimera was looking directly at him now.

"Could you all leave this place? Can't you leave us in peace? Haven't we been hurt by humans enough? " the golden Chimera snarled, with an edge to his tone.

Roy considered this. This Chimera was negotiating with him. Slowly, he answered.

"No. We can't. We have journeyed so far to find this place and we will not leave here empty-handed."

"I see. Then what do you suggest?"

"...How about a deal?"

"…A deal?"

The Chimera thought about it for a while before motioning for Roy to continue.

"Do you speak for all the other Chimeras?" Roy asked

"No…" The golden Chimera replied hesitantly. Roy confused, asked "Then who are you?"

At this, the golden Chimera's eyes shone with pride and said,"I'm the successor to be the next Chimera Ruler."

Ran was stunned. This petite, innocent little Chimera was fit to be a ruler? It looks like it was more than it meets the eye. The Chimera seem to have read his thoughts as he started bristling and snarling. The fury only added to his looks. God, the Chimera looked like a freaking angry angel. It was only because of the brown Chimera's hand on his shoulder that was preventing the golden Chimera from running up to him and tearing him apart with those sharp canines. Roy decided to continue questioning. "So where is the Chimera Ruler now?"

The Chimera grounded out."He's not here.."

"ok. So this is the deal. I will leak no information about this place and promise never to come again only if…" he trailed off.

"Only if?" the golden-haired Chimera prompted.

"Only if one of you agrees to come with me for research purposes."

Hisses of outrage could be heard all around; many Chimeras were bristling with anger. The golden-haired Chimera was silent throughout, only his eyes showing a hint of irritation.

" …Only if you promise to prevent anyone else from entering this area" the Chimera continued.

"I can see that someone with such high status like you shouldn't have a problem with this…" he added observing the badges on his military uniform.

"Consider it done." Roy said.

"So who do you want to follow you?"

"You mean I can pick anyone?"

"No, only if that Chimera agrees to follow you."

"…….Then…. how about you?"

The golden Chimera impossibly widened his eyes at this as the female brown Chimera shouted.

"No! No! You will not take my son!"

The golden Chimera looked at his mother before turning his gaze back to Roy.

"Me?"

Roy nodded.

"Will I be able to come back again?"

"No." Roy's answer was curt.

The Chimera's eyes shadowed with grief. He looked at his mother.

"It's ok, mother. Al can take over my place. I'm too soft with intruders anyway."

The Chimera addressed his mother softly and then immediately turned his attention back to Roy.

"Deal." The Chimera said.

"Deal." Roy replied.

"I'll give you sometime with your family. We will take you away when night falls," Roy said.

"Thank you. We can provide you with lodging for the time being. That Chimera will lead you to it. Please follow."

As Ran followed the other Chimera, he didn't miss the scene of the crying brown Chimera hugging her son so tightly after her son had just sold himself for the sake of his people. He couldn't miss the sadness in the golden Chimera's eyes as he hugged his mother.

"What the hell was that, Ed?" Al snarled angrily, his usually gentle face overshadowed by anger.

"There was no choice. There was no other way." Ed replied in a calm tone.

Al was simply amazed. How could someone who had just sold himself be so calm now? But, he knew, despite his calm outer appearance, Ed was feeling the same as him. Worry, sadness, grief and so many other emotions that cannot be described by words. Despite hiding his real emotions so well, he still couldn't hide the sadness in his eyes.

"But…" Al began but Ed cut him off.

"There was no other choice. To protect the safety of the rest of the Chimeras here, a sacrifice must be made for peace and security. Don't you understand?" His eyes flashed with irritation although it wasn't shown in his tone.

"Damn." Al muttered unable to argue with his brother anymore.

Throughout the whole conversation, Hohenheim kept his eyes on the floor. He didn't know what to say or do. Even though Ed was his son, he never really understood him. It wasn't his place to say anything now. His son was the one who decided on everything in their territory. It was his foresight and intelligence that kept them from any danger so far. How could he doubt Ed's judgment? He looked beside him where his mate was sobbing sadly. He felt so worthless.

Ed sat down beside his mother and drew her into a big hug. His mother couldn't stop her tears.

"Mother… It's ok." Ed soothed patting his mother's lower back in circles.

"No.. it's not…it's not!" Trisha shook her head non-stop, tears flowing freely. She put her palms on Ed's cheeks and said.

"No. No one can take my son away from me..!" she sobbed. Ed hugged her tighter and whispered in her ear.

"I will come back one day. I promise you."

Trisha looked up at her son.

"Promises can't be broken." She whispered stubbornly.

"And it will be kept. I will come back." Ed replied soothingly.

The sun was starting to set. It was time to leave. Slowly untangling himself from his mother, Ed stood up and said to everyone else in the room,

"Goodbye."

He walked out of their little cave house, hearing shrieks of agony and sadness behind him. Al was standing outside the cave, staring at the retreating back of his brother.

Edward Elric knew that day, part of him had died.