Chapter 1
Edward flopped down onto his bed with an alchemy book, he had already read 14 times. After cleaning the tower, cooking, taking a nap, practicing alchemy, reading, and practicing alchemy again. Edward finally came to the realization… he was bored out of his mind. He sighed and just laid still, he closed his eyes and decided to take an afternoon nap.
Something moved on his shoulder, he reached and plucked off a green lizard-like creature. He set it on the bed and looked down at it.
"Envy, you know that I don't like you on my shoulder like that." Edward opened his book to read.
"You are always so boring pipsqueak." Envy sat down by curling his tail under him and crossed his little arms.
"DON'T CALL ME SMALL!" Ed yelled.
"Always so touchy." Envy laughed in a weird gurgling way.
"Edward!" A voice called from a distance.
Edward jumped off his bed and ran to the window to see the man who had raised him, Father.
"Make me a stair case." Father ordered.
Edward clapped his hands together and transmuted the stones of the tower into a staircase.
Father walked up and climbed through the window. "Did you do your alchemy homework?"
"Yes Sir."
"How about your science homework?"
"Finished it."
"Your math?"
"Done."
"What element has the atomic mass of 12?"
"Carbon."
"Good." Father smiled and sat down at the small table in the kitchen. "What's for supper?"
"I made stew."
"Ah! Very good."
"Father, can I talk to you about something?"
"Of course, but not right now. Can you perform a transformation for me?" Father sighed and leaned back tired.
"Yes sir." Edward rushed to collect the supplies he would need for the transmutation. He drew a giant transmutation circle on the stone floor with chalk. He then sat in the middle of it.
Father activated the circle, making it light u. Ed's hair and eyes glowed; Father felt the stone's power flow into him. Eventually the light died and the glow from Ed's hair and eyes disappeared.
Father not only looked younger, but he felt younger too, and powerful.
Edward stood up. "Can I talk to you now?"
"Of course." He walked over and sat down in an armchair. "What is it my son?"
"Well… umm…I … uh…" Edward stuttered, not knowing where to begin.
"Spit it out, I am getting old here Edward."
"I was wondering if you could take me to Central for my birthday."
"Why would you want to go there?" Father asked, uninterested.
"Father, please? I have never gone beyond the clearing around the tower."
"Edward, it's a dangerous place and you are so fragile."
"But I can defend myself!" Edward countered.
"No Edward."
"I'm not weak, please let me go." He begged.
"I ALREADY SAID NO!"
Edward glared at his father, his golden eyes blazed with fiery anger. He stormed to his room and slammed the door behind him to show that he was upset. He collapsed on his bed and screamed into his pillow. He wasn't a child anymore, in a month's time, he would be 16. All he wanted to do was to go to Central, nothing more.
"Moping never solved anything."
"Shut up, Envy." Edward muttered into his pillow.
"I am just speaking the truth." He said as he crawled closer to Edward.
"Why does Father not want me to go to Central?"
Envy shrugged, but in truth he knew.
Father had created Envy to be a companion for Edward when he was away. He was supposed to be Edward's protector. But since he was created from Father, he shared the same thought processes.
Edward closed his eyes; he didn't want to think about anything right now.
####
Edward woke up when someone knocked on the door to his room. "Come in."
Father walked in and sat on Edward's bed. "I am sorry that I yelled."
Edward nodded. "I forgive you."
"Just don't ever ask me that again, please?"
Edward nodded.
"On a lighter note, is there anything else you would want for your birthday?"
Edward thought for a second and rolled up the right sleeve to show his automail arm. "I was wondering if you could get me a new arm plate, mine's a little… worn." The plate was severly scratched, dented, and a piece of it was missing so you could see the gears underneath.
Father examined Ed's arm. "I can get you an arm plate. I can go to Rush Valley, it is a weeklong trip. Are you sure you would be fine alone for a week?"
Edward nodded. "I think I can manage."
Father stood up and ruffled Ed's hair. "I would do anything for my son." He walked out of the room and smiled.
"Thank you."
"Goodnight."
"Night!" Edward called.
Edward prepared for bed and unbraided his hair. He brushed it out and curled up underneath the covers of his bed. Edward placed Envy on a pillow beside his. Together to two fell asleep.
####
"Listen, I am stealing the Prince's crown at sundown. Are you in?" A man with a giant x-shaped scar on his forehead asked.
The man listening to the proposition smirked, "What's in it for me?"