The Iron Arm Alchemist

Chapter 1

(Light's POV)

January 3rd, 2001

"I'm sorry sir. The book you're looking for has classified information."

"I'm a State Alchemist. I need it!"

"Unless you're a Brigadier General or you possess a rank higher than that then you can't have it."

"But I need it!"

"You never change." That voice sounded familiar. I turned around to see who it was.

"Lieutenant Colonel Ripley!" I didn't need to hear his name from the librarian. I'd recognize him anywhere. He had brown hair and eyes and a round face. He was only a bit shorter than I was. He was wearing a State Military uniform.

"You've become a Lieutenant Colonel?" That was surprising. Last time I checked he was a simple State Alchemist working for the Investigations Division.

"Hello to you too Light."

"Why are you here?"

"You know I've always loved to read. However, since an old friend is here I think it can wait. Would you join me for coffee?"

"I thought you didn't drink coffee."

"And your memory hasn't changed either. I can have some tea."

Later

(Thomas' POV)

"How did you end up becoming Lieutenant Colonel?" Light Flamel, my best friend. It had been an entire year since I had last seen him. His black eyes and his brown eyes hadn't changed of course but he had let a thin chinstrap of scruffy beard grow around the chin of his oblong face. He was wearing a blue shirt and white gloves. His pants were also white and he was wearing black trainers.

"When teacher became Brigadier General, someone had to become Colonel. My predecessor was that someone. Teacher put in a good word for me and here I am. I've heard stories about the legendary Iron Arm Alchemist. Even here in Central you're considered as a legend. Some even call you the second coming of the Fullmetal. When I saw you today at the library I was surprised. What brings you in Central?"

"Mercedes is coming back here."

"Did you stop looking for it?"

"I will never and you know that?"

"That book you were looking for, was it about the stone?"

"Yes."

"If you ever create a stone what will you use it for?"

"To turn back to normal."

"In that case I'll help you."

"I thought you hated the idea of me creating a stone?"

"Because you wanted to bring her back to life even after what happened to you. She wouldn't have liked it. That and I feel partly guilty for not stopping you."

"It never was your fault. I had already decided that I would bring her back."

"The past is history so let's not talk about it. What book were you looking for?"

"Thirty years ago, an Ishvalan tried to create a Philosopher's Stone. He was stopped and outcast from Ishval for the usage of Alchemy. He died soon after and his research for the stone was taken from the military. I heard that it had been turned into a book and that it was put in the library."

"You came to the right guy!"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ripley and the head of the Investigation Division. I'll find you a way to read that book."

"How's that supposed to help?"

"Remember who helped in my promotion?" after thinking a bit he finally understood what I was saying.

"Your teacher!"

"Who just happened to get promoted to Brigadier General."

"But he'll never allow you to search for the Philosopher's Stone."

"And here comes the part where I use my position in the military. We're investigating the death of that Ishvalan."

A/N: How did you like it? For OCs see my profile.