I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist in any way shape or form!
Also, for the sake of this fic, I am not planning on following the "rules" of alchemy very strictly.
I was contemplating the fact that while the women in FMA are strong characters, sometimes I get tired of Winry being so whiney/ emotional. Somehow, this is what popped into my head. Read on!
Today was the day. She had known it as soon as she stepped into the room. She had no fear that she would fail. She knew what she wanted and how to get it, so here she was: Central Command in Amestris, standing before the Fuhrer for her alchemy exam. Most people would have been in awe of Fuhrer King Bradley, standing before them, or at least nervous to see his reaction to their skills. She was nothing but determined, however, because Winry Rockbell knew of no one else that possessed her skill.
"Winry Rockbell of Resembool," The Fuhrer's voice boomed across the room. "You may begin your alchemy exam."
Without hesitation, she set an object the ground in the dusty, empty room. They were only allowed to bring one object into the exam, but, unlike most hopefuls, she did not bring chalk to draw her transmutation circle. Instead, she brought a vibrant potted plant, which she sat in front of her. She pushed her long blonde ponytail back and stooped down to break off a piece of the plant, using the goo to draw a transmutation circle below it. She pushed the plant onto the center of the circle and knelt down, keeping her eyes locked on the Fuhrer's as she activated the circle. The plant began to noticeably wilt. The Fuhrer had not budged and did not look impressed, but Winry was not yet done. She activated the circle a second time, and the plant, which was yellow, brown, and fragile, almost at the end of its life, immediately burst back to life. She had watched the Fuhrer's eyes widen, as well as the guards and the other state alchemists in the room. She had done it.
Now, as she sat in the office, waiting to meet the superior officer to whom she was assigned, she thought back about how she picked up the plant and handed it to the Fuhrer. "It is truly alive." He had said thoughtfully as he examined it. "It isn't temporary. This is unusual alchemy." She grinned now, in her place on the couch of the office, remembering this. Unusual, yes, that she knew. The Fuhrer had wanted to keep an eye on the plant to make sure her alchemy was true, so he had taken it with himself. By the evening he was quite convinced, and she was one of them at last: a state alchemist.
The door to her left opened, and a dark-haired man entered the room. Winry stood, knowing from his uniform that he was her superior officer. She stood respectfully at attention, and he approached her and said, "I'm Colonel Roy Mustang, and you are the youngest state alchemist ever." He looked intrigued. He shook her hand as she said, "Pleased to meet you, Colonel. I'm Winry Rockbell."
"You are assigned to my team," Roy replied. "Everyone has gone home for the evening, but you will meet them tomorrow. We start bright and early."
Winry was surprised. She wasn't even sure what he meant; she was here to get information for herself, and she didn't like the idea of being at the Military's beck and call. Sighing, she thought, well I guess I did sign myself up for this. To the Colonel, she asked, "Tomorrow morning? What exactly will I be doing, sir?"
"You will be conducting important research, Miss Rockbell. The Fuhrer was very interested in your alchemy, apparently. What exactly did you show them during the exam?"
"I brought a plant back to life." Winry replied, believing that to be an honest answer. The Colonel's expression darkened. "You can't bring things back from the dead." He replied, so quietly but with so much dread and conviction that Winry shrunk back a bit. "That's impossible. But whatever you did do, the higher-ups are very interested in learning your secrets."
Winry resisted the urge to scowl. She did not want the military prying into her alchemic secrets, even if she wasn't even sure what they were herself. "I'm sure they are…sir." Was all that she said in response. "Am I free to go?"
Mustang moved to sit at his desk. "Yes. Lieutenant Hawkeye will bring you to your quarters. We have arranged for a place for you to stay here in Central for the night, in case you did not have other arrangements." Winry turned to see a young woman with her blonde hair flipped up behind her head standing by the door. Winry had not heard her enter the room. Hawkeye, she assumed, smiled slightly at her.
Winry nodded at her, smiling back, then turned back to Mustang. She resumed her frown. "What do you mean, for the night?"
"We are not permanently stationed in Central," Mustang replied. He shuffled papers, looking bored. "We will be returning to Eastern Command tomorrow. That is your new post."
Wow, I don't get much say in anything. Winry thought as she followed Hawkeye from the room. Her eyes narrowed. I just hope that they give me a longer leash so I can conduct my research and not just their research…
The next morning, Winry was awoken and dragged down to the train station bright and early by a very alert Lieutenant Hawkeye. Winry could not say that she felt the same; the sun was barely rising, and she hadn't had much time to sleep. She yawned as she walked into the station, where she saw Mustang waiting for them. Hawkeye saluted, and after a moment Winry realized she should probably do the same, but she was a bit too late. Mustang gave Hawkeye a nod and said, "Goodmorning, Lieutenant."
He turned to Winry. "Winry, meet the rest of the gang." She finally noticed the group of soldiers standing behind Roy; a small boy with glasses who was holding a dog, a bigger man with a beard, and a tall man with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. "Everyone else, meet Winry Rockbell-" He reached out and handed her a shiny pocketwatch, which she took with awe as he finished with, "-the Life Spark Alchemist."
