Chapter One

I looked in the mirror as I washed the dust off of my face once again. I was getting tired of using my alchemy like this, to create things for my own personal benefit. I didn't ever believe in the law of equivalent exchange- sometimes you give more than you get and sometimes your gain outweighs the price you had to pay. That is just how the world works around here. I had always heard of a fabled Philosopher's Stone, one that could bypass equivalent exchange and all of those principles. Those were rumours, and I didn't need anything like that. I was fine with transmuting the way I always had.

As I left the bathroom of some restaurant in Lior, I saw them. Outsiders who obviously didn't belong here, much like myself. They didn't seem to notice me, but I certainly noticed them. I had heard of these two, the Elric brothers. They frequented this town recently, often checking up on it to see how far it had come since they destroyed it. Business had since grown exponentially here, with many new residents moving to town. It was all thanks to the Elrics, whose fame had since made Lior grow in the ranks as well. It was hard to miss them when they visited, people flocked to them like moths to a bright light. They had saved this town from ruin and the people wanted to thank them.

At first, I decided to keep my distance from them as I followed the two from afar. They walked up and down the streets and quietly murmured to one another. It had been quite a few years since the two had killed the Fuhrer, a few years since Edward's wife Winry had died. I didn't know the circumstances of her death, but I knew that she was very important to both of them. After her death I had heard that Edward became a bit of a recluse, but he had recently been adventuring Lior and the other cities he had changed with Alphonse.

The boys were in their twenties now, about the same age as me. I considered introducing myself, but decided that they must have been busy. They seemed to be having private conversations, both murmuring and smirking in turn. Finally, they glanced behind them and I was positive they had seen me. Inhaling deeply, I stopped moving. The men kept walking, their voices low and secretive. I decided to keep following them.

"You know, some might think that it is creepy for you to follow us like this." Edward Elric said, turning around and facing my general direction. My stomach dropped as I realized he had been talking to me. I slowly stepped out of the shadow I had been resting in and waved shyly. I had been caught, and now I had to explain myself. Laughing nervously, I spoke:

"I- I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be… creepy. I'll leave now." I sheepishly turned away and started walking briskly in the opposite direction.

"Wait!" Alphonse called. "What's your name?" I kept walking and pressed my arms tightly to my side, clenching my fists. This was a common reaction for me during an awkward situation such as this.

"Hey! Come back here!" Edward exclaimed as he began to jog after me. I heard Alphonse sigh faintly as he followed his brother. Finally, I gave up and halted to a quick stop.

"Look, I'm really sorry and I don't even know why I had been following you. Please don't think I'm weird or call the authorities- I will leave you alone now!" I told them. I was very nervous to talk to the two of them. I didn't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to look them in the eyes.

"C'mon, it's okay. We wouldn't call the authorities. Please tell Brother and me your name." Alphonse said kindly.

"Um… okay. My name is Akemi." By then, my cheeks were bright red and I was dying inside. I couldn't believe that I was talking to the famous Elric brothers. This was absolutely insane to me.

"Akemi. My name is Edward, and this is my younger brother Alphonse. We are the Elrics." Edward gestured to the younger of the two.

"I know. I mean, I have heard of you." I cursed at myself for being so awkward and creepy again. What the hell was wrong with me?

"Akemi, can you do alchemy?" As Edward asked me those five simple words, I felt my whole face lighten up. I grinned at him and nodded furiously. He smirked at me and plainly said, "Prove it."