(AN) Hi everyone! It sure has been a while, hasn't it? I think I published my first story here when I was a freshman in highschool, and now I'm a junior in college! Time sure does fly but if you couldn't tell, I'm still trapped in the FMA void. I just rewatched a few episodes to wind down after an exam and I thought, why not give the whole writing thing a try again. I'll have to warn you, I'm an engineering major so I don't write in a story format all that often. Be gentle with me please haha! If you've ready any of my other stories, you know I can't write a first chapter to save my life, so this is going to be a bit dry. I'll try to update soon, but I have some work to catch up on and an exam to prepare for. Let me know what you think and I hope you'll stick around to see the next chapter!

(Do we still have to do this? Doesn't everyone already know I'm too poor to own FMA?)

Chapter 1: It's Never Simple

He knew it had been a bad idea to send him on that mission. Sure, he'd been on missions before and they had mostly gone off without a hitch each time, but something inside him had just screamed at him that this was a Bad Idea. Of course, in his line of work, it's difficult to follow your instincts when there are orders given and to be given. Just this once though, he wished he had listened, wish he had caved into his gut feeling. It was too late now though, there was nothing to be done about what had happened.

Roy sat at his desk and let out a heavy sigh as he read over the report once more, recalling the events that had led him to this point...

There had been a series of incidents out west over the past several weeks and none of the men he'd sent out previously had been able to handle it. Of course, he should've realized sooner that it takes an Alchemist to catch an Alchemist. After three failed attempts at apprehending the self-proclaimed "Demolition Alchemist", Roy came to the conclusion that regular military personnel weren't going to cut it. He sent out a summons to any State Alchemists in the city, requesting their presence if they weren't already engaged in another military activity.

Really, Roy should've seen it coming. There weren't many State Alchemist in East City to begin with, but there was no possible way that there was only one other available besides himself. The morning after he sent out the memo, exactly two State Alchemists arrived at his office.

Colonel Roy Mustang had been the first to show up at his own office, as was expected. Even if he didn't want to be the one to go out west to handle some deranged criminal, he couldn't very well not show up to work.

Major Edward Elric arrived not long after, throwing doors open as he went. He definitely didn't want to be sent out west either, but he also understood that he couldn't ignore a summons from a superior. He did have the decency to treat the Colonel's door a bit more gently, after he'd received a particularly disapproving look from the Lieutenant one of the first times he'd ever slammed the office door.

"Good morning, Edward," Riza greeted as the boy entered. She gave him a small smile before returning to handing out the day's allotment of paperwork. "You're here to see the Colonel, right?"

"Yes, I got the memo last night. What's this all about anyways?" Ed hadn't bothered to read the message too thoroughly. He'd just gotten back from buying train tickets with Al, and he wasn't exactly pleased that their plans might be put on hold.

"The Colonel will explain everything in a few minutes. We're still waiting on the others to arrive, but I'll let him know you're here." Riza checked the clock and peeked out into the hall. The summons had stated to be in the office by 9:00 am, and Ed had been fashionably late as usual. Now it was nearing 10:00 and no other Alchemists had yet to make an appearance. Seeing as no one else was likely to show, Riza stepped into the Colonel's personal office and announced Edward's presence. After a moment, she stepped back out. "He's ready for you."

Ed nodded and headed in, eager to get the meeting over with. The Colonel was probably just going to berate him for causing unnecessary damage or costing the military too much money. He made a small noise to get the Colonel's attention, who was currently diligently going over a document.

Roy looked up from the latest mission report and nearly fell out of his chair. 'You have got to be kidding me. He can't be the only Alchemist available.' He sighed and motioned to the empty chair across his desk. "Good morning, Fullmetal. Although, you might disagree with me once we're finished." Roy groaned internally. It wasn't that he doubted the kid's skills as an Alchemist or a combatant, but he was a just a kid and he never did like sending him off to do the military's bidding. "There's an issue out west and I need to send a State Alchemist to handle it. Looks like you've drawn the short straw this week, Fullmetal."

Edward chose to bypass the height insinuation. "What! Why do I have to go? Can't you send someone else?" He wasn't shouting, but he certainly wasn't subdued about it either.

Roy put up a hand to tell Ed to calm down and continued, "You know as well as I do there aren't many State Alchemists in East City as it is, and with the annual exams coming up, and all the skirmishes down south, there are even fewer who are readily available. I know you want to be searching for the Philosopher's Stone, but this should only take a few days. If there was anyone else I could send, I would. But right now, you're the only Alchemist around."

"Whatever." Ed tried to sound casual as he crossed his arms and huffed a sigh, but he couldn't completely hide the disappointment in his voice from his superior. "Just give me the damn details already so I can get it done. Now Al and I have to change our train passes."

Roy pulled out a copy of the mission report and handed it to Ed. It seemed to finally dawn on him that he was sending a child to apprehend a man who caused the destruction of an entire company building, killing three people in the process. He didn't think it would be an issue for Ed to catch him, he was just a man holding a grudge after being fired from his job, but Roy winced at the thought of Ed chasing down this murderer all alone. Sure, he'd have Alphonse by his side, but Roy wanted a little more peace of mind. "I'll be sending Private Walsh with you."

"Oh come on! Al and I have dealt with worse before. We can handle it on our own." Ed rolled his eyes and continued to read the report. He was upset that this man hadn't been caught yet after causing three people to die, but he also didn't need a babysitter.

"This guy may be an amateur Alchemist, but desperation will cause people to do terrible things. Private Walsh is going with you and you do not get a say in it."

Ed got to his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets as he made to leave. "Fine, but he better be able to keep up. I'm not slowing down if he can't handle it."

Just as Ed was about to reach the door, Roy spoke up. "I'll send the full details to your barracks by this evening. You'll leave with the Private tomorrow morning. And watch yourself, Fullmetal. Don't get cocky."

Ed just waved as he walked out, shutting the door a little harder than necessary but still not slamming it. The damn Colonel could at least have sent him with one of his team members. At least they all knew each other and usually got along well. Ed hadn't ever even heard of this Walsh guy before, and figured the Colonel was just trying to stick him with a new guy.

As Ed left, Roy ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. Private Jeremy Walsh was a newer recruit, but he'd ranked pretty high in the academy and had a knack for catching small details in the thick of things. He needed field experience, and Ed needed someone with military training to watch his back. It would be a simple mission. The "Demolition Alchemist" would be captured and in custody, awaiting a hearing for his crimes. Ed would be back in a few days, disgruntled and claiming the whole thing to have been a 'waste of his time', but unharmed nonetheless. Yes, it would be a simple mission.

But really, when was it ever?