If

I was that scruffy kid, dark haired and dark eyed puny little boy. The alley was my home, and cardboard 'houses' was good enough to live in. Needless to say, I did things that I was not proud of then; stealing and sneaking around in order to obtain food and water. Those were decent people I had targeted; however in my case; I had no time to bother with morals. I had to survive and I would do anything to survive.

I could still remember that fateful day, I was living in my 'house' which was made up from spare pieces of cloth and mountains of tough and sturdy cardboard. And as dawn was breaking over the horizon, I knew it was time to head out to work; in a way that was an embarrassment to society. Yet; I was sure something was wrong deep inside my body and no matter how much I was suppressing the intense aching within. I was defeated, as I lay there on the white snow ground; I heard soft footsteps coming down the alley I was in. Slowly, the image faded away though I was sure vaguely it was a pair of blue eyes I saw.

It was believed to be the end of my existence and truthfully, I embraced the fact of my fading away; from a world which I do not trust. I had not started living, so what was there to be afraid of death…

If…fate was not kind enough, I might have really perished within the flames of coldness. The key to my new life was the pair of blue eyes I had seen. She saved my life, her and her wonderful partner.

I was still that scruffy kid, dark haired and dark eyed puny little boy whom had grown two inches; and was also proud to say that I had just turned seven. Three days ago, I woke up to a surprise; a present from them. As excited as any kid would be; I pounced on the gift tearing apart the wrapper and blue ribbon. When I reached to the bottom of the confetti; I found myself looking at a pair of white cotton gloves. I remember the itching sensation running through my brain to my two shaking hands as I put the comfortable material on. It was warm, and was gentle on my skin. I had to show them, the match of their present on me. I raced down those beautiful wooden stairs, heart pounding wildly as I turned a corner to the kitchen where I knew they would be in.

My adoptive parents, the Mustangs; the owners of those gracious kind blue eyes and this lovely mansion I was brought into to be loved and cared for; sprawled across the floor laying in their own pool of blood. My heart stopped for that one second as I took in the horrific sight before regaining strength to call someone for help.

The 'help' arrived quickly and took care of the bodies while I was pulled away by a governor to a corner of the house to calm down or to ease my nerves; I wouldn't know. All I did was to hide in a shell and pretend that everything was alright. They asked many questions, some relevant while others were less friendly. I was not the Mustang's real heir; I was a kid they adopted from the streets because of pity; where would the riches go if they passed. In such a situation, who was the prime suspect? It was such an obvious and easy answer…

Coldness was a good word to describe the emotions I was feeling then as they placed a seven years old kid in custody. For nights, I was trying to forget scenes, waking up in sweat as nightmares of their death began to haunt me while huddling in the grey cell waiting; and waiting.

I might have been broken, as the nights went on days, weeks and months. I scoff at release and justice, and to the 'help' I was mere garbage. As the third month went by, a guard told me that I would be released from custody very soon, I stared at the man before looking away to the distance; I do not care where they are making me go now.

It was surely to be an orphanage, and if that happened; I will escape. The streets were a much better place to live compared to a metal cage. That was what I told myself silently day after day.

But how far could I run before nightmares catches up?

The white gloves glowed under the moon light that light up even darkness as a distant memory rose, regarding my 'mother' and me talking one day under the same half moon which hung in the sky.

"Roy, have you ever thought of the possibility of running forever?"

"No one can run forever, they will get tired…"

"Not exactly, if you have unlimited strength; you might be able to keep running for as long as you like."

"Why do you want to run?"

"In order to get away from nasty and scary stuff, such as your school work?"

"I mean; if you have unlimited strength then you can beat the person hurting you!"

"…With unlimited strength, you might want to make friends with the person or things that are hurting you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, isn't it better to make friends then enemies?"

"No, doesn't sound good to me."

"Ah well, Roy is still young just like a little flower. Once you grow up and see the world, your thoughts might change."

"Flower? I'm a boy!"

"What's wrong in calling my boy a flower, is just a nickname."

"B…bcos! I'm a boy! Boys and flowers just don't go together!"

"Hmm… How about Ignis?"

The gloves were close to my chest, as my eyes began to burn madly, even my heart was beating quickly.

Ignis was the French word for flame, fire and beacon of light. I was that small light which came into her life, into the lives of the Mustangs and their childless fate.

I was in that exact situation which she had talked about, her words of unlimited strength to run away forever and to make friends with the things which was frightening me.

Will I use strength to run or to stay and attempt to make friends with my fears and guilt?

I was afraid of losing the people I loved, and immensely guilty as I was not able to protect them…

I need courage… and the white gloves were that strength…

If…I had run away; I would not have met the person who gave me hope. If I had ran away from the orphanage, he would not have appeared and take me in; to be his student. I found the answer to strength; it was indeed a powerful tool. With it, no one will have to lose loved ones without putting up a decent fight. I believed it was the truth I was seeking, that is why I stayed to learn…

I was no longer that scruffy kid who had black hair and dark eyes, though my hair was still in a mess; I was decently handsome for an age of eight half and was taller than the other kids in the area. In order to be significantly less targeted from the neighborhood bullies, I went by the name Ignis and proving my strength by a powerful tool which is known as alchemy.

An ability to break down materials to make new ones of equal value and mass, change the appearance of initial to a new one. And I was taught by the Master of alchemy himself; Berthold Hawkeye; the eccentric and estrange alchemist. To be a little boastful, I was talented in this field. Was this strength I was searching for?

In the house of the Hawkeyes, there was the Master and his daughter; six years old; Riza Hawkeye and a nine year old; Kcarl J Fluorite. He was the Master's first pupil and also the governor of his house. To say it in crude terms, Kcarl was a servant of the home. Though saying so, I had no problems being with Kcarl; never once I had though he was a servant instead he was a companion and a collaborator in some sneak like plans we come up with from time to time.

Riza Hawkeye on the other hand, was a quiet girl. She hardly talked or spoke to me, though she can be loud if she was forced to. For example; chasing us from our den to have lunch or dinner, she was a tough cookie but timid at times. She had ember colored irises, they were not blue but they radiate the same kindness that my parents had. It was probably the friendship she had with us that created a soft spot within both Kcarl and my heart.

The den was actually a shed built by Kcarl, to host weekly meetings and discussions. We often talked about alchemy and the power it holds for the world. It was similar to a container filled with our dreams and hope. Riza did not understand the significance of the shed and often put in feminine touch to our den. It was not a big deal, but being boys, we had a thing against her actions. We were living together in that gloomy looking house for years, and it seemed as though nothing was able to break into our style of living. However nothing stays the same for long and it was probably that incident which made me view strength in a different perception.

It was a bright and humid day, and the three of us were planning a trip to a wooded area just behind the house. It was supposed to be a 'family' picnic, though as usual Master Hawkeye refused the offer and retreated back to his lab in the basement. It was a long hike through the forest, long enough for both Kcarl and I; to stop in our tracks; insisting for a break. I admit; it seemed as though we were weaklings but it was not an easy feat to walk with the bags were hauling along and part of what we were carrying was Riza's was no way we would call it unfair as we were the ones who offered to help.

I was gulping down large amount of water, when I heard a piercing scream. It was not the scream which gave me chills, it was the familiar voice. I had a second to spare as Kcarl and I exchanged terrified looks, before tumbling and rushing towards to where the scream had emitted from.

If…I had known, this would probably not happen…