Chapter 1: Team Mustang, Next Generation

Hi everyone! Here's a fun fic that I hope to develop into a multi-chapter post-FMAB story about the legacy of the heroes of Amestris. No, I'm not doing a Legend of Korra move where all the beloved characters are old or dead (love LOK by the way and look forward to each new episode). I foresee this being very fun to write—and hopefully fun to read, too!

For those who don't know me…hi! I'm Maralexa. I've been doing Fanfiction for years, so I'm not new to this. I'm pretty new to the Fullmetal fandom and love it to pieces (as you may see on my Tumblr page, which you can find on my profile). I've done humor fics, adventure fics, one-shots, crossovers…yep. Try me. I've got this!

Whether or not I've got this is up to you. Those who have reviewed my stories before know that if you post a review to Chapter 1 before I finish writing Chapter 2, I'll reply to that review in the next chapter. Same applies to succeeding chapters. I love your feedback and reward it with responses. Also, if you give me suggestions or ideas in your reviews, I take them very seriously and often use them (and attribute you to the ideas, of course)! I never write a first chapter with the outcome of the entire fic in mind; the way I see it, stories write themselves. I write the first chapter and then go with it to see where it takes me. Which means I'm always open to suggestions and ideas.

I'll shut up now. ENJOY, READ, AND REVIEW! :)

This was it. The defining moment. Flame alchemy on a rainy day? Childsplay. Rebuilding Ishval? Piece of cake. The Promised Day? A thing of the past. This moment was far more perilous than near-death at the hands of Lust's ultimate spears or a trip through the Portal of Truth. What General Roy Mustang was about to face was far more terrifying than the Father, the homunculi, the mannequin soldiers, the men of Briggs, and Olivier Mira Armstrong combined. He could face all of it blindfolded. Maybe. But this was more unpredictable than any of the aforementioned forces. This day, this moment, could be his undoing.

"Roy, you're hurting my hand."

Roy looked down at the death grip he had on Lieutenant General Riza Hawkeye's hand. "Sorry," he mumbled sheepishly as he loosened his hold.

"I'm having a baby, not fighting a war," Riza reminded him gently, though her voice was tight.

"Hand me an army of mannequin soldiers any day," Roy said, placing a trembling hand on her swollen stomach.

"You have the easy job!" Riza objected.

A small cough revealed the presence of Dr. Knox in the doorway. "If you can't stomach it, General, I suggest you wait outside."

"Why? Is the baby coming soon?" Roy asked anxiously.

"How the hell should I know?" Knox snapped, putting his hands up in a surrender-gesture. "I ain't delivering it!"

Before Roy could question him, Dr. Tim Marcoh stepped in with the necessary equipment. "If everyone who isn't delivering a baby would please step outside, I'd appreciate it," he told them calmly. "Don't look at me like that, General," he added when Roy made a move to object. "You're more skittish than she is right now; we don't need you to stress her out. You can come back in when we're finished. Dr. Knox, could you help me with this?"

"Yeah, sure, I've got nothing better to do," Knox said, relenting. "Doctor's orders, General; get your ass out of this room before I kick you."

Roy was too edgy to reprimand Knox's disrespectful tone, so he reluctantly obliged without further comment.

"Well, well. The great flame alchemist…scared of a little baby!"

If looks could kill, Edward Elric would be toast. "Shut your mouth, Fullmetal," Roy scowled. "Don't forget you screamed like a little girl when the woman in Rush Valley gave birth."

"Who the hell told you that?" Edward demanded hotly.

"Your wife," Roy said simply.

"Dammit, Winry!" Edward snapped, turning on her. "Blab my weaknesses to the world, why don't cha?"

Winry shrugged. "I couldn't help it. You were kind of adorable; especially when you focused on something beautiful that wasn't created by your stupid alchemy for once. Now hold Vic for me," she said briskly, passing her six-month-old son to her husband.

"It's kinda cute how I had a kid before you, General," Edward pointed out, trying to poke at Roy again. "You're what, 40 now?"

"Well, while you were out sightseeing, I was rebuilding a civilization," Roy said, not missing a beat. "And I'm 34. Don't insult me."

"Yeah, I guess you were," Edward agreed. "Hero of Ishval. You made good use out of that name."

"I didn't do it to change the meaning behind my nickname, but I'm glad you approve," Roy said flatly.

Their conversation was abruptly cut off as a large man, notably shirtless and muscular, burst forth with a theatrical door-busting entrance. "We have arrived at last!" Major General Alex Louis Armstrong announced, flexing his powerful and dramatically-defined muscles.

"You're replacing my door," Roy chided him.

"My sincerest apologies, General Mustang, but I had to be here for your big moment! A father at last!"

"Stop being so dramatic," Edward scoffed. "It's just human reproduction. It happens every damn day."

"That wasn't what you said when I had our son, Ed," Winry pointed out, smirking a little.

She was right, of course. "Yeah, Victor's a little wonder, isn't he?" Edward admitted, smiling at the child in his arms.

"I did not come alone," Alex informed them. "Behold!" He stepped dramatically aside so Alphonse Elric, Maria Ross, and Denny Brosh could step in.

"Hey, Al, I didn't know you were in Central," Edward greeted his brother.

"Is that a ring, Maria?" Winry asked, pointing eagerly at her finger.

Maria blushed a little. "Oh, this? Yeah, we're getting married in a few months," she said, hooking arms with Denny. "General Mustang started a trend in the military when he married Lieutenant General Hawkeye."

"Congratulations," Roy told them, smiling. "Now Major, can you do us all a favor and put a shirt on?"

"You do not wish to admire my flawless physique, sir?" Alex asked him.

"Maybe another time. The only physique I'm interested in right now is my child's," Roy commented, starting to grow worried again.

Edward frowned a little, realizing he'd forgotten his mission to distract Roy from his apprehension. "Hey, General," he said, trying to call his former commanding officer's attention away from the childbirth in the other room, "where's your team?"

This immediately caught his interest. "Hey, you're right. Where they hell are they?"

At that same moment, four men rushed in the room to join the ever-growing crowd. Brigadier Generals Jean Havoc, Heymans Breda, Vato Falman, and Lieutenant Colonel Kain Fuery all lined up and saluted.

"About damn time," Roy scolded. "At ease, men."

"So you're really going to be a father?" Fuery demanded eagerly. "Can I tape it?"

"You've been taping everything since that damn video recorder was invented," Havoc told him, putting out his cigarette so as not to irritate the Elrics' baby.

"Well yeah," Fuery said. "It records memories."

"I've got all the memories I need right up here," Breda said, tapping his skull. "I don't need any reminders, thanks."

The once-quiet house was bustling with activity. Winry sharply took her crying baby back from Edward so she could console him. Alex continued to flex his muscles, much to Maria and Denny's dismay, and Alphonse was chatting with Falman about discoveries he made during his trip to Xing. Fuery was insistently informing Havoc that technology would prevail, and Breda just wanted to take a nap.

Much time passed, and the commotion was almost enough to distract Roy, but he couldn't stop himself from periodically glancing at the closed door where the love of his life was bearing their child. He should be there with her, holding her hand…but then again, she was stronger than him in this respect. She would likely end up comforting him, and he wasn't even doing the work!

"It really is okay," Edward said, lightly punching Roy's arm. "It's pretty terrifying at first, but you'll get used to it."

"I never thought I'd end up taking parenting advice from a kid," Roy mused.

"I'm not a kid anymore," Edward pointed out.

"Yeah, I've noticed," Roy said, glancing at the former alchemist. "You're not as short as you were a few years ago."

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK! I WAS NEVER SHORT!" Edward shouted, throwing a punch that Roy easily caught in his hand.

"Take it easy, Fullmetal." Roy couldn't help but laugh a little. "Some things never change."

"Call me short again and I'll change you face," Edward growled. "Anyway, what are you naming your kid?"

"Elizabeth if she's a girl," Roy told him. "If a boy—" He was cut off as the door to Riza's room opened, revealing a tired but satisfied Marcoh.

"You have twins, General," he informed Roy, stepping aside so the new father wouldn't mow him down to get to his children.

Forgetting his anxieties, Roy rushed into his wife's room to see for himself. Riza was sitting in bed, looking more exhausted than he had ever seen her, but her eyes were shining. "You're a father, Roy," she said softly, smiling down at the two tiny newborns in her arms. "Elizabeth," she whispered, nodding to the baby nestled in her right arm.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Roy gently took Elizabeth from his wife and kissed her tiny head. "She's beautiful," he whispered, unable to find the right words to fit this moment. This was his daughter…his little girl. He would do anything and everything to protect the little life in his hands, and one day, he may end up torching a few sorry young men who dared break her heart.

"She has a brother," Riza told him, nodding toward the little boy held close to her chest.

A son. He had a son. Roy directed his attention to the quiet little bundle who had a hint of black hair plastered to his head. His eyes met Riza's; they both knew exactly what to name their son. Smiling, the couple simultaneously whispered the new boy's name.

"Maes Mustang."

Diclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or its amazing characters.

AN: This fic was the spawn of my fanart, so if you want to see what Maes and Elizabeth Mustang look like, check out my deviantART profile (you can find the link to it on my profile).

To put things in perspective, this childbirth is taking place two years after the series ends with 18-year-old Edward. At this point, Ed and Winry are 20, Al is 19, Roy and Riza are 34, Victor is six months, and Sara Elric is not yet born. Yes, I do keep track of ages for quality assurance purposes. :)

The childbirth scene was more to set the stage. The real fun begins in the next chapter! The parenting struggle is real, though I haven't had the joy of trying it yet.

The names of the children all have special meanings. Sara Elric is named after Winry's mother, Sara Rockbell. Victor Elric is actually named after Edward's American voice actor, Victor Mignogna. Elizabeth Mustang comes from Riza's codename, Elizabeth, and Maes Mustang is, of course, named after the late Maes Hughes. May he rest in peace. ;(