Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist, as much as I wish I did... But I do own Lila

Beginning a Journey

"Daddy, what day is it?!" I asked excitedly, even though I knew the answer.

"I don't know, Friday?"

"No, silly! It's my birthday!" I giggled.

"Oh, no, Lila! I didn't get you anything!" he looked shocked. I knew he was acting, but I couldn't help getting a little bit worried. But then, he groped around in his pocket and handed me a paper wrapped box with a bow on top, slightly bigger than my palm. "Will this do?" he asked. I didn't know what it was, but he usually got me something lavish.

"Oh." I said a little disappointed. I was shocked after I ripped it apart the plain paper. Inside was a transmutation circle pendent. "Daddy, I love it! I'll never, ever, ever, take it off!"

"Daddy, you always buy the best presents," I said, hugging him.

"That's what they tell me!" he exclaimed, smiling the smile that would break any woman his age start to cry. I ran into the kitchen to show my mom.

A week later my dad was shot and killed by a state alchemist. A few days later my mom died of depression after kicking me out of the house. For the three days before my mom died I spent my time in a cave. On the second day I was exploring my cave, when there was a rockslide. I ran and ran. But then, about 500 feet from the entrance, I tripped and fell. The next day my aunt found me. She ran to get my uncle, who is an alchemist. By the time my uncle got the boulder off of my knee, the bones were shattered, and the circulation underneath my knee was completely cut off from there down.

That was my fifth birthday. It was my best and worst. I moved in with my uncle, who taught me everything he knew about alchemy. The first year I was there I was fitted with automail.

Five years later, I left to search for more information on alchemy. The science fascinated me. My dad had always claimed that I was the best and the brightest, and I wanted more than anything to be the best alchemist and live up to that for him. Even when my uncle had no more to offer, I practiced and practiced.

My search brought me to Central's main library. In Central I met Gracia. By this time Alicia was 18 months old.

Sometimes Gracia and Elycia would come visit me. They'd bring lunch and we'd talk and play with Elycia.

Unable to learn anymore from the library, my hunger for alchemy was worse than ever. Even with my knowledge of alchemy, I feared I still hadn't learned enough to make me the best.

After staying with Hughes' family for a year, I heard of Edward Elric, the FullMetal Alchemist. Maes said that he had gone back to his hometown of Risembool, for repairs to his automail arm and leg.

So my journey continued on to Risembool. I watched Ed carefully while he was there. I knew that he was going back to Central, so after he left I got knew automail for my leg.

After being refitted by Winry and Pinako, who told me a lot about Ed and Al, I went back to Central.

Ed and Al were harder to find than ever because of Scar. After I found them, we became friends, and I brought them back to my house.