Stop!

'Stop being so dumb, shorty! ' the seven year old boys, called out to another five year old. 'WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SMALL ANT WHO COULD BE CRUSHED UNDER YOUR FEET! ' The said five year old yells at them, at the top of his lungs. 'Well you're the only child around here, are you not? Of course we are talking about you! Grow up already! Shorty' He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, while turning away, their laughter was the last thing he hears before running away from the scene.

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By the time Ed turned ten, he had mastered the science of alchemy. He knew exactly what he has to do to get back his Mom. He knows it's dangerous but not impossible, and he's willing to do anything to see their mother's smile again. Laying on the cot next to Al's, in Teacher's house, he was thinking about the equations for the transmutation, when he heard some noise out of the door. Teacher was talking to someone '..just a child honey, go easy on him.' he heard Sig saying. 'He may be just ten, but he's not a child. He's has to become a man, if he wants to protect his brother and survive this cruel world, he needs to grow up. And I know what.. ' he couldn't hear anymore... Man... He is a man, not a child. Not anymore. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. He will be a man.

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The first time Ed met Maes Hughes, he was shoving a photo of his wife in Colonel Mustang's face. The second time he met the lieutenant Colonel, he was being shoved into a car to celebrate his birthday. He tried to make the man understand that he wasn't a child anymore and birthdays were for children. But the said man would have none of it. He put a hand on Ed's shoulder and says 'I don't care if you joining the military gives you the title of an adult. You're still a child and you're free to act your age. ' All conversations ceased after that. Ed didn't know what to think anymore. Was he a child or an adult? He didn't know. He again clenched his fist. But this time he was very confused.

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'It's okay to cry Ed. You're still a child and I know Nina's death has affected you a lot. It's okay to grieve.' Riza softly says in a rare show of affection, to a distraught Ed. Who had just witnessed the splashed blood on the wall, which was once a sweet little angel. But he hears it again. The world "Child ". Was he really a child? He didn't know ,but trying his best to hide his confusion and anger for the word ;he quietly nods. But fooling Riza is impossible. She notices his clenched fist and knows something else is bothering him too, but she keeps quiet and lets him grieve.

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'Grow up brother! You're not a child anymore. And this.. This isn't a child's game. You can't just walk into a warehouse full of murders and defeat them without a plan! ' Al yells at his brother for the fifth time that week, after Ed gets into another compromising situation and comes out with a few broken ribs and a concussion. He is so tired that he doesn't bother answering, but on hearing the dreaded word "child" he clenches his fist. And turns his bandaged head away so as to hide his emotions from his younger brother.

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Walking through the halls of central command, he could hear those stupid comments aimed at him. 'Such a freak' 'Pup of the military' 'I heard he is half metal. ' This month had not been the best for them. Another false chase for the stone had left them drained both physically and mentally. And the dreaded October 3rd was just a week away. So none of the brothers were having a good time. So he told his brother to stay at the forms and relax while he submits the stupid report to Colonel Bastard. He tried his best to ignore the comments , but one moron crossed his limit. 'What a freak! I'm sure his mother slept with his C. O. to get him the rank. ' the said moron whispered to another . A lieutenant of the same rank beside him. Both of them laughed loudly.

Ed couldn't take it anymore. Nobody, he means it, Nobody could insult his mother and get away with it. He shoved his automail fist directly into that lieutenant's face, effectively breaking his nose and a few teeth. The man stumbled back and fell on his butt. Picking him up by the collar he darkly whispered in his ears. 'I can show you exactly what I did to deserve these dog tags'

'What? Let me guess. You're mother slept with your C.O. and then disgusted by having you, left you on the streets. ' The man chuckled. Blood pouring out of his bloody nose. 'HOW DARE YOU!' he punches the older man in the eye, leaving him unconscious. He lifts his fist to hit the man again when a familiar voice was heard 'FULLMETAL! MY OFFICE. NOW!' saying this, Roy turns on his heels and returns to his office, his lieutenant in tow.

Ed curses softly before getting up and glaring at the ground. The others clear a path for him, and wisely so. Nobody wanted to get on the bad side of Ed, specially after seeing the condition of their comrade. Ed walks in long strides before reaching the office door. He knows he's in trouble but doesn't care. Nobody insults his mother. He kicks the door open and enters without looking up.

Well folks that was the first chapter. Review and tell me my mistakes so that I can improve. And tell me how the chapter was.. See you all in the next chapter