AN: This is my first story in this category, so sue me if I get some things wrong. This is how I saw the Ishvalan war. I might change a few things here and there.
Disclaimer:
Me: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist and all...
Ed: You're damn right.
Me: Yet...
Chapter One: The State Alchemist Exam
Roy clenched and unclenched his hands. He was sweating profusely, and his foot tapped endlessly on the floor. He squirmed in his seat.
You see, he was going to take the examination for state alchemists.
He had immediately went to Central once Riza Hawkeye entrusted the secrets of flame alchemy to him. Out of respect, he sketched the design of the tattoo on her back, so she only had to get naked in front of him once.
Roy had to admit he appreciated the gesture.
After that, he had gloves made for him. It wasn't a simple glove. A transmutation circle has been etched on the fabric and the fabric itself was like a matchbox and stick. When Roy rubs together his fingers, it creates a spark. And the snapping sound it made was indeed, awesome.
"Roy Mustang."
He looked up. A soldier nods at him, grabbed his arm and pushed him in the examination room. The generals looked at him with a hint of annoyance, curiosity, and boredom. Roy had never felt so small.
"You are Lieutenant Mustang, correct?" A General asked.
"Yes." Roy replied.
"You may begin." Another General urged.
Roy was about to snap his fingers when a soldier came up to him, bearing a piece of chalk. "Here. Use this to draw your transmutation circles."
Roy waved his hand dismissively. "No need. I appreciate the offer, though."
He turned his attention back to the generals. He pulled his gloves tightly over his hands. " I'm going to have to ask all of you to stand back." He withdrew his hands and closed it in a fist. "What I am about to perform is incredibly deadly and dangerous. I don't want to get blamed for murder." Roy smirks a bit. "Although, I might have to destroy that nice banner over there."
He pointed at the large banner of Central in the center. Instinctively, the generals moved away from it. Roy focused on the banner and-
SNAP!
Most of the generals were surprised when the banner burst into flames. There was a lot of smoke in the room and all men inside where coughing.
Roy's voice rang out, startling the others. "The smoke comes in handy when you're looking for a nice getaway." The smoke started to dissipate. "But, it can also be used as a disadvantage. Your enemies can also hide in the veil of smoke, you see."
When the room was cleared of smoke and the people in it can breathe properly again, he continued. "I used a pinpoint attack. My explosive attack cannot be used indoors, seeing as it could blow up this place. But as you can see," Roy spread his hands, "Flame Alchemy is an incredibly useful skill and weapon."
Oops, Roy thought. I really don't intend to use my alchemy as weapon, though.
All of the generals and other soldiers seemed to have an agreement. They were oohing and aahing like they can finally see the light shed by Roy's brilliant Flame Alchemy. Lieutenant Mustang's skill was amazing. Fire, of course, is a dangerous tool. It can bring joy when it is in its gentle state... And can bring war, destruction and death when being handled as a weapon. Roy Mustang himself deemed it as an 'incredibly useful weapon' after all.
This is what the military needed to end the Ishvalan war. Mustang's alchemy is even more useful than a sniper's attack!
"You passed." A General said. Roy gazed at him in astonishment.
"But sir," He argued. "This is just the first step of my examination!"
The man just waved his hand in dismissal. "Well, I say you do not need to proceed. You've done enough to prove that you are worthy of becoming a state alchemist."
Roy's hand was shook by the General. "You are hereby promoted to the rank of Major. Wait of the Fuhrer's letter. I'm pretty sure he'll deem you worthy."
"Huh, seems like the Fuhrer is really impressed with my skill."
Roy was currently reading the letter to him. He was now known as the Flame Alchemist. Simple, yet dangerous.
Fire is something not to be toyed with.
"CONGRATULATIONS ROY!"
And that simple sentence ruined all of Roy's good mood. He let out an exasperated breath and put his head on the table of his office.
It was his best frien- no, NIGHTMARE, Captain Maes Hughes.
"Roy, my boy, I hear you have passed the state alchemist exam!" Maes ruffled Roy's hair, much to his annoyance.
"Maes," Roy drawled out. "You do not ruffle the hair of your superiors."
Hughes huffed. "Oh, you're no fun, Mustang. You just got a promotion! Let's celebrate!"
"Sure."
So, that's how he ended up in a bar, with Maes ranting on and on about his girlfriend. When he changed the subject, well, it was a depressing one.
"I'm being sent to Ishval."
Roy's hand hardened around the neck of his whiskey. "You can't be serious."
"But I am."
He sighed. "Well, don't get yourself killed then. You got a girlfriend waiting for you. You got family and friends counting on you to help win this war."
"Hey, " Hughes replied, "Why do you sound so emotional? I'm just helping in the strategy stuff. I might need to get my hands dirty, but that's just what is required from me."
"You don't understand, " Roy chuckled darkly. "If it were me, it'll be alright. I have no one waiting for me, anyway."
"There's Madame and the girls, "Maes said in contrast. "And you got me."
"You make it sound like we're going out, Hughes."
The said man laughs so hard. "You do got a point. Besides, you will be sent to war. Rumor has it, state alchemists are being sent to Ishval to help in the war."
Roy almost broke the bottle with his grip. It wasn't even a month since Riza had entrusted her father's research to him.
Better for him to die in this war. After all, he has already betrayed Riza's trust. Because, if the rumor was true, then he'll be sent to Ishval to kill.
He betrayed trust alright. He was going to use Flame Alchemy... As a tool of destruction.
AN: And that is chapter one. Please review if you think my story is off to a good start. Please give me tips and stuff. I'll appreciate your help, guys.
PEACE OUT.