A/N: Hey! So this is a work in progress, I've only got a small idea of where I wish to go with it, but I first want to see what everyone else thinks of it. The title is also a work in progress and I'm sorry if this first chapter seems all choppy. :) I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: As much as I wish... I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.
The air was chill, full of morning dew. When she awoke, the sun was rising, sharing its rays over the countryside. Groaning, Shay sat up, hand pressed to her forehead. The last thing she remembered was falling over and hitting her head. Looking around, the area seemed pretty barren, though a little in the distance she could see a city.
"Man, what happened?" She coughed, noticing for the first time that her head was bleeding. Wiping the blood on her jeans, Shay stood, preparing to walk to the city; hoping to figure out where she was.
No sooner did she begin walking the groaning of a car was heard from behind her, coming up fast. Turning, she moved off to the side, ready to let the old-fashioned vehicle pass (secretly hoping she'd get a ride). To her relief, the old man in the vehicle did stop.
"Young Lady, looks like you could use some medical attention." Shay looked sheepish, "why don't you hop on in and we can get you to a doctor."
"But, I don't have any money," Shay professed apologetically. The man chuckled.
"That's alright. Just hop on and we'll get you fixed up!" Considering the old mans' kind smile, Shay shrugged at his enthusiasm, deciding that it was probably a good idea to get her wound checked out.
Though it took at least an hour to drive to the old man's house, Shay was able to learn a great deal about the man. His name, Yun Li, each of his individual family members (including relatives on each side of the family) as well as a bunch of other random facts that Shay knew she never needed to know. Ever. And then, they finally came upon his house (more like a mansion) that stood on the outer edges of the city. It even had a small fountain in the front yard.
"Daddy!" A young girl, maybe three, came racing out to Yun Li, embracing him tightly.
"Hana! You get more beautiful every time I see you." Soon, another, older, boy joined them outside. Yun Li's wife followed suit.
"Dear, who is the young girl you have brought with you?" Yun Li turned towards Shay, having momentarily forgotten that she had come with him.
"Oh, this is-" embarrassment creeped up his cheeks as he realized that he forgot to ask her for her name. Seeing what was happening, Shay quickly intervened.
"I'm Shay," She held out her hand, and the woman took it.
"My name is Hatsumi." She smiled kindly, then turned to her husband, "Dear, why don't we let Shay go inside and lay down while you fetch a doctor. That wound on her forehead looks rather fierce."
"Right! I will head out right now and grab the closest doctor, Hatsuharu. He'll be able to fix you up in no time!" With vigor, Yun Li hopped into his car and sped off. Shocked, Shay could only stare his way.
"Don't mind him," Hatsumi said, "he's a very generous man. And he's right; Hatsuharu is a wonderful alchemist doctor. He will definitely help you recover quickly." She turned around, "now, why don't we go inside and let you rest while we wait, hm?" Without waiting for a response, Hatsumi strode inside, her two children following closely beside her.
An... alchemist doctor? she thought that doesn't make any sense. Did she really say alchemist? Shay stood frozen for a moment before catching up to the other's. Unsure of what to think, and feeling slightly dizzy (not sure what the exact cause of that was at this point), she walked over into the large living room, taking little notice of her surroundings, before slowly sitting on the soft (expensive looking) sofa.
"Are you alright dear?" Hatsumi asked, concern written all over her face. She'd sent her children off to play soon after they entered the house.
"Yeah... yeah I'm okay, thanks." She pressed her palm to her head, feeling a headache coming on. Before she knew what was happening, she woke up in a cold sweat. Deciphering the cause, Shay heard noise over to hear right. Sitting up slightly in a daze, she noticed that a man had entered the home with Yun Li.
This must be the alchemist doctor she grunted, still unable to believe that she was in a world filled with alchemy.
"Ah, there she is! Shay, this is Alchemist Doctor Hatsuharu." Yun Li introduced the man, while walking towards her. She stared at the man coming towards her, hand out. Her shoulders shook, almost afraid of what she might feel when he touched her.
"It's alright, I am not going to hurt you. Just hold still. This won't hurt one bit." Shay closed her eyes, afraid to look. Alchemist Doctor Hatsuharu place his palm on her forehead, then she felt a strange force vibrating on her forehead, before noticing that her vision was suddenly more clear. "There, looks like you're going to be fine." He turned to Yun Li and Hatsumi, "I shall take my leave," he tipped his hat that he'd been wearing when he walked in, then left.
Shay stayed where she was, contemplating what just happened. If she was in Amestrist, then that would obviously mean that she had left her own world and came to the Elric Brothers' world.
"Are you feeling better? Alchemist Doctor Hatsuharu is brilliant, isn't he?" Yun Li gushed, hoping to receive the same reaction.
"So... this is what it feels like to be in a world filled with Alchemists." It was more of a mumble, but it nontheless caused both Yun Li and his wife to stare on in confusion.
"Young lady, if you are in need of help beyond what a doctor could do, you could call upon the Elric brother's. Well, more specifically, the FullMetal Alchemist. I've been told that he's been back in the city for a while. Though I hear he'll be leaving soon enough."
"Ah, no! No... it's alright. I'll be fine." Shay stood, feeling the need to leave this home as soon as possible. Though Yun Li was a nice man, his wife made her feel a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. I really appreciate you helping me to get better. But I must be going now." She bowed before quickly hurrying out the door. Luckily for her, the only thing they did was rush out to give her some food for her travels.
"So... if Edward is travelling by himself, that could mean one of two things..." she munched on a piece of bread, "either this is the world where Edward lost his alchemy, or it's the world where he's been going back and forth between my world and his. Except... I am from the future. How would I be able to explain that?"
Shay was walking on the side of the road, heading towards the city, not knowing what her next move would be.
"Maybe I should contact Edward. If so, maybe he really could help me. Oh!" A strange thought occurred to her. "If his alchemy was stripped when he was on earth, maybe that means I could have the gift of alchemy in this world." Though she was nervous about being stuck in this world forever and not having the chance to ever see her family again (that thought causing her to hunch her shoulders a bit) if she could use alchemy, her abilities to help this world in any way possible would make living there worthwhile.
Placing the knapsack with bread on the ground, Shay took the stance that she remembered Edward taking when he stood still. Feet slightly apart, she looked around to make sure no one was watching, clapped her hands together, then touched the ground with her right hand. A strange feeling vibrated and as she stood, she saw that she had produced a spear just like the one she'd seen Edward do in both series.
Shocked but excited about this new development, Shay tested out the spear, poking it forward, trying to break it, but it seemed to be the real deal.
"So... I was right. You come to this world and you can really use alchemy. You go to my world, you lose that ability." Deep in thought, she didn't notice someone gaining on her.
"Hey!" An irritated voice called out to her from ahead. Shay looked up from her fascinating inspection. "Who are you? How do you know how to use alchemy without a transmutation circle?" Guilt was instantly certain on her face. She could've sworn that she was by herself. Stopping short, Shay took a look at the man in front of her.
"You look... familiar." Hesitating, Shay took notice of the hair color. Of the way it fell on the man's face. Of the braid going down his back, and the red coat And though he was taller then she had expected, there was no mistake. That man was Edward Elric. The FullMetal Alchemist.
Shay gasped, "You're... You're... Edward Elric!"
"Ah, so you've heard of me, eh?" he did not look very amused.
"You look taller than I thought you'd be," Shay couldn't help but say what was on her mind. Though Edward perked up slightly, he kept his composure.
"How do you know how to use alchemy without the transmutation circle? Have you seen it, then?" Blinking, Shay thought back to what that meant, exactly.
"Well, if I did, I don't remember ever seeing it."
"I see," Edward said softly, "where are you from anyway?"
"Uh... heh," Shay rubbed the back of her head, "yeah, about that..." taking a look at him closely, Shay couldn't tell which version of the fullmetal alchemist she was getting. "I have a question for you, first." Curiosity caused Edward to forgo getting his answer straightway.
"Alright, what is it?"
"Are you able to use alchemy?"
"Who wants to know?"
"Just me." His hesitation in answering made her believe that he wasn't able to.
"Well for your information, yes, I am able to use alchemy." His brows knit together, feeling more frustrated than anything. "Now, tell me why you would ask such a question?"
"Wait, you are?" Shay said, surprised. "So... wait. Is your brother still just metal armor with a soul transmitted into it?" This time, it was the Fullmetal's turn to be surprised.
"How did you know about that? Who are you?" He took a step forward, as if he was gearing up for a fight.
"Please," Shay begged, " I just need to know."
"Okay then. No. Al is back in his original body." Shay gasped.
"How is it possible!? How are you in this world and still have your alchemy?" Desperately (or possibly more out of fear), Shay searched the surrounding area's. Trying to see if Central was in shambles deeper into the city. From far away, she saw no signs of war. "How is it that you're here? I don't get it." Shay forgot for a moment that she was standing in front of Edward. And because he sensed no dangerous vibe from her, Ed couldn't help but cross his arms, feeling irritated that she kept dodging his question.
"Are you going to tell me where you're from, or what?"
"Ah! Yes. Uh, well, you see, the thing is... uh..." Shay almost felt like it was pointless to tell Edward about her being from the parallel world. And yet, she felt an inner desire to see her family again. To not give up. If she learned anything from watching the anime about Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric, it is to never give up. No matter what.
"Well, get on with it!" Edward said impatiently.
"Okay, here goes. It just so happens that I am from earth." Ed gave her a look as if she were stupid. "What I mean is... I'm from a place that you may have heard of before. It's called America." She cinched her eyes closed, not sure if she wanted to see what his reaction was.
It might have been a good thing she closed her eyes, for the response out of the FullMetal Alchemist was one of pure shock and fear.
"There's... there's no possible way you can be from that world!" He proclaimed, softly. She finally did open her eyes, only seeing the shock on Edward's face.
"Well... somehow it is possible because here I am." Shay could only shrug. "What I want to know is... how are you still in this world?"
"I should be asking you nearly the same question! What did you do to get here?" He was closer to her now, about a foot away.
"I don't know," Shay replied, honestly. "All I remember is hitting my head and waking up about an hour away from Central. But seriously, why aren't you still in my world?"
"Why would I have stayed? All of my family are here. This is my home. My country."
"But I thought you were going to stay to help absolve the war that Adolf Hitler was trying to do!" Ed laughed, smugly.
"True, if I had stayed there, I would have done everything I could to stop that war. But," he looked around the neighborhood they were in, "there was still a lot that needed to be fixed here. In my world. How could I abandon that?"
"Hm," Shay grunted, "that is a very good point."
"And anyway, how do you know so much about me if you're from that world?"
"Ah, well... that's a little more difficult to explain..."
They were driving in a car, headed for the Eastern Command Center. And it was all because of what she told Edward. Thinking back, she wondered if she should have told him.
"Where I'm from, you story is legend. It's quite famous. It's a manga and anime." His blank stare almost made her laugh. "Comics, or rather, stories that have pictures with them. But freaking awesome pictures! And the story-line is pretty great too." Remembering the Elric Brothers' story and all the action, adventure and emotion caused her to giggle with slight delight. But only for a moment.
"But because it is in this form, no one ever thought it to be real. Not even I had." She stared at Fullmetal, "That is, until now."
Edward contemplated what she said, not really sure what she meant.
"What year are you from?" He finally spoke. Surely she wasn't that far into the future.
"I am from the year two-thousand fourteen."
"Two-thousand fourteen?" He stared in shock.
"Yes." Shay said bluntly.
"I think... I think I should take you to see Brigadier General Roy Mustang."