Chapter 1: Desert Daughter

2/7/17 it seems I wrote this story 12 years ago now… life time ago. Format is a bit wonky, don't think I'd use the same now and days but going to leave it as is because that's part of it now.. ~ K

Title: Silver Linings

Rating: PG-13

Spoiler Rating - 1 (Low) to 10 (High): 2 – Low

Timeline: 1911 a year after Edward became a State Alchemist

Location: A small desert oasis called Ishmar.

Characters:

Edward Elric – Age 13
Physical Description – Same as in the anime

Alphonse Elric – Age 12
Physical Description – Walking Tin Can … um I mean same as in the anime.

Lillian LeCross is a young healer in the desert town of Ishmar. – Age 16
Physical Description – She has light brown hair which flows past her shoulder to her mid-back, coupled with golden eyes. She wears a veil typical of her village and keeps her body completely covered at all times, with gloves on her hands. All you can see are her eyes.

Louis DePuy is the town's overlord and villain of the tale. He is a short heavy-set man with dark greasy hair and thin-lipped smile which stinks of the cigars he likes so much. He recently seized control of Ishmar and treats the town (and all trapped within) like his personal property. Backed by powerful alchemy and an army of men, the citizens of Ishmar are prisoners in their own homes. However, they keep their greatest power a secret from him, in hope - a certain young girl named Lillian LeCross.

Story Synopsis: Ed and Al Elric travel to a desert oasis called Ishmar, following rumors of a powerful alchemist in hopes of finding more information on the elusive philosopher's stone. However, at their journey's end they find a quiet veiled woman named Lillian LeCross who rebukes their claims she's an alchemist. It isn't long before the Elric brothers figures out something is seriously amiss in this small town and decide to intervene.

Koori's Korner: This is my second FMA tale (2/7/17 - really wish I'd saved the first one!), but my first attempt at one I hope will bridge many chapters. Hopefully if the idea is overdone the tale and characters are a fresh twist. Rated the tale PG-13, though in general will be PG but just in case the battles get intense, will add the 13. The main characters range from age 12 to 16 so no smut. You will have to have some knowledge of the series to understand this tale.

When I started this tale I had no idea having original characters in a fan-fic was a big turn off for some readers. Hopefully you'll give Lillian a chance; I believe she'll develop into a beloved character if you do.

Thank you and enjoy! Koori

***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***

Silver Linings

Chapter 1 – Desert Daughter

"Why are these alchemists always in the middle of nowhere?" Edward Elric's annoyance was evident in his voice. "I'm getting sand in places which it will never come out … the joints to my auto-mail are filled with it."

"Do you really think there is an alchemist out here, brother?"

Ed glanced over at the iron giant walking beside him. "Well, that's what the intelligence reports Mustang gave me say."

The duo looked down on the town from the dune they stood on. "Is this the place, brother?"

"Yep, welcome to the wonderful sand castle called Ishmar."

A short time later …

"There is nothing for you here … you should go."

Ed grabbed the arm of the man before he could run off like the others. "Please, we're not here to cause trouble, we were told there was an alchemist here … can you just point us in their direction?"

"Nothing but loss and hurt here, boy … you and your strange companion should move on to the next town." The villager freed his arm and hurried down the street.

A sigh escaped the eldest Elric. "I'd have better luck talking to this camel here." He patted the beast on the side and was rewarded with quick stomp on his left foot. "Hey!"

"Did da camel hurt you?" A small voice asked.

Ed glanced over at the one who had spoken, a young girl that looked about three. His face softened. "Nah … I have feet of iron …"

"Maybe da lady wif da mawic hands can help."

"Magic hands? Where can I find this lady?" Ed asked kneeling down to her level.

The child pointed across the street. "Lilly live dare!"

"Ruth! You stop running your mouth with those strangers and get inside!"

Ed waved apologetically to Ruth's mother and was rewarded with a dark glare. "Yep, friendly little town. Come on, Al; let's go see this Lilly with magic hands."

"Magic hands, brother?"

"Well … if I was Ruth I'd call Mustang's hands magic."

Their conversation was cut short as two young boys came running out of the door they were approaching. "Hey you two be careful where you're going! And get home, curfew is soon"

"Yes Miss Lilly!" The twosome shouted back as they continued down the street at a quick pace.

The heavily veiled woman in the doorway stared at the two Elrics with a curious look. "May I help you?" She was met with silence. "Um … hello?"

Ed was the first to snap out of his trance. "So … sorry," he stuttered. "Would you be the lady with the magic hands that Ruth told us about?"

An unreadable look crossed the golden eyes above the veil. "Little Ruth … she's a sweet thing. My name is Lillian LeCross; I'm the healer of Ishmar."

"My name is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist."

An eyebrow raised at his arrogant reply as her gaze moved to the iron giant behind him.

"I'm Alphonse Elric, his brother," he bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss LeCross."

"Please call me, Lilly. Is there anything I can do for you Alphonse, or your little brother?"

"Little! Who are you calling little? I am the Fullmetal Alchemist … a state alchemist … hero of the people? Come on, surely you've heard of me?"

"I'm afraid not …but we don't really get many travelers out here to bring such news." She added the second part to mend Ed's crestfallen look. Lilly glanced around the street and the brothers did the same.

"Hmm … the streets empty kind of early, here …"

"You two probably haven't made arrangements for the night have you?"

"We just arrived in town, ma'am." Al replied.

"I was afraid of that … well, you'll find none now; Curfew has started. Please come inside, you can lodge here."

"We only need to ask a few questions …" Ed started.

She grabbed his left arm and Al's right, forcefully pulling the startled two through her doorway. "Ask all you want … inside."

A short time later the three of them were seated on the floor in a very sparsely furnished room. It consisted of the pillows Ed and Lillian sat on; a small table with a couple of chairs, and behind a curtain in a corner rested two small cots.

"I apologize for the meager surroundings; I'm sure a state alchemist such as yourself is used to more lavish …"

Ed waved her off. "I didn't come here to appraise your dwelling, Lilly. I came looking for an alchemist."

The eyes behind the veil glanced down at her folded hands. "I'm afraid I can't help you then Mr. Elric. We have a couple camels to be proud of here, but no alchemist to my knowledge."

Ed's face fell. "What about your magic hands?"

"A child's words to describe my touch when she scrapes her knee I'm afraid."

"Another dead end … let's go Al." Ed stood up bowing slightly with Al following suit. "Sorry to have troubled you."

"You can't go!" Lilly shouted.

"Um … hmm"

"Curfew is in effect, you can't go outside."

"Al and I can handle ourselves."

"It's not you two I am worried about, it's the consequences the village will suffer … please, spend the night. Let me get you dinner, a fresh bath, soft bed … and you two can go on your way tomorrow … please?"

"I don't understand." Al spoke up by the door.

"I don't ask that you understand, Alphonse, only that you respect our ways."

"Brother?"

Ed glanced up at his brother as an unsaid message passed between them and his shoulders drooped as he turned toward Lilly with a small smile. "Dinner sounds great!"

***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***

Lillian came out of her kitchen with a small pot; the Elric brothers were now seated at her table. She frowned slightly at Al. "Wouldn't it be easier to eat without the armor, Alphonse? I could find you something more comfortable to wear." The minute she said it, she could tell it was the wrong thing to say. She cut off his stumbling reply with a wave of her hand and changed the subject. "I have to apologize for the stew tonight. Rations have not been kind to me but it should be hardy enough with the bread. And the water there to drink is as ice cold as it gets."

"I'm sure it will taste great," Ed said as he served himself.

Lillian smiled and bowed slightly. "I'll go heat some water for a bath … afraid running water is something else we don't have the pleasure of."

"Aren't you going to eat?" Al asked her retreating back.

"I snacked on dinner as it cooked; you two eat all that you need."

Once back in the kitchen she went about heating various pots of water on her stove. "Not used to doing this without my … magic hands." She thought to herself. She glanced back toward the other room. These Elric brothers … there was something about them … perhaps it was only the alchemy but she couldn't help but think it was something else.

Just then a loud crash came from the main room. She hurried in to find poor Alphonse on the floor, his chair in pieces. "I'm sorry," they said in unison.

Lillian chuckled behind her veil. "It's okay." She turned back toward the kitchen when out of the corner of her eye she noticed Al drawing something on the floor. "Don't!"

Too late … her small room flashed with a brilliant light as the chair became whole again. Ignoring the stare from Ed she hurried to the front of the house and glanced out the window holding her breath. The street was empty. Lillian sighed in relief and turned back toward her startled guests. "Sorry …" She didn't even try to explain her actions as she walked over and erased Al's transmutation circle with her foot. "The water should be hot, who wants to bathe first?"

"That camel outside smelled better than me … a bath would be great." Ed spoke up.

"Great! Give me thirty seconds in the kitchen then it's all yours."

***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***

Ed waited until she retreated. "What do you think that was all about?"

"She seemed really upset when I fixed her chair didn't she?"

"Yeah … for a town that has never seen an alchemist she seemed to know what you were doing."

Al nodded. "Brother …"

"Hmm?"

"Her voice … it sounds like Mom doesn't it?"

Ed's sigh was audible. "Al you think every woman sounds … looks like Mom."

"I do not" The hurt was evident in his reply.

"The lady at the library, the ticket taker at the train station …you're grasping at ghosts Al."

"You heard it too when we first met her … I know you did."

Ed shook his head. He was about to respond, but fell silent as Lilly came out of the kitchen. "All ready Mr. Elric."

"Call me Ed, please. And thank you."

Walking into the kitchen, he found a large tub filled with steaming water. Behind him he heard Lilly push the door shut giving him privacy. "Looking forward to getting all this sand out." With his left hand he tested the water. "Hmm, a little cool for me … but easy to fix." With that he clapped his hands together and placed them on either side of the tub. A blue light flashed for a moment as the water heated.

"Ed!"

"That woman is a bit overexcited," Ed whispered as he disrobed and slipped into the tub.

He was just starting to relax in the hot water when a commotion came from the other room. It sounded like someone was breaking down the front door. The kitchen door opened and Al was shoved inside. "Please you two … just stay in here and stay quiet and no more transmutations … please." Lilly pleaded as she shut the door once more.

Ed stood up and grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist moved closer to the door. He could hear voices coming from outside the room.

"I'm sorry for the lights Mr. DePuy. I was working on some foreign herbs and they had an unexpected result when I heated them."

"Little Lilly … I'm not an unreasonable man am I?"

"No, Mr. DePuy."

"I don't ask for much … just a little here and there … you know to make sure my men can continue protecting the town."

A soft grunt answered him and Ed put his hand on the door. Al placed his hand on his brother's shoulder and shook his head.

"Lights out Lilly don't make us come back tonight."

As soon as Ed heard the front door shut he rushed out of the kitchen. Lilly was sitting on the floor adjusting her torn robe. "Who the hell was that?" he demanded.

Lillian looked up, whatever reply she had died on her lips as she stared at Ed.

"Brother … your clothes."

Ed's cheeks flared. "Um …"

"Your arm and leg …" Lilly whispered.

He moved his auto-mail arm. "Yeah … it's where the Fullmetal Alchemist came from … um I'm going to go get dressed now."

Ed hurried back into the kitchen shaking his head. "Full naked Alchemist is more like it."

***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***XX***

Lillian accepted the hand up from Al. "Lilly, who was that?"

"Not a nice man, Alphonse." She kept a firm hand on her right shoulder, keeping the torn robe in check. "Should I heat some water for your bath?"

"Lilly … I … I can't take the armor off."

"I don't understand."

"I don't ask that you understand, Lilly, only that you respect my wishes."

Lillian bowed her head slightly as Ed came back into the room; his shirt was off hung over his auto-mail arm.

"Lilly … what the hell is going on in this town?"

"A nightmare …" She sighed. "Ed, Alphonse, I owe you an explanation but it's late and I rather not attract any more attention from the watchdogs tonight. Let me grab some oil for that arm, I know how harsh the desert can be on machines. And then you two can crash on the cots back there."

She could tell Ed wasn't happy with that answer but with a sigh of his own he nodded his head. "Okay, Lilly, your town … your house … your rules. But if you don't give me answers tomorrow I'm ripping this town apart until I find them."

Chapter 2 - Alchemist of the Sands

"Sorry, boy … but you are in my element now."

All Fullmetal Alchemist /Hagane no Renkinjutsushi characters are copyright © 2004, 2005 HIROMU ARAKAWA/SQUARE ENIX, MBS, ANX, BONES, Dentsu
Fullmetal Alchemist copyright © 2004, 2005 FUNimation Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.