Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist characters and universe belong to Hiromu Arakawa, but Daniel is mine.

Rating and paring: Still the same

Note: Parts of that story were in my head long before I started writing fanfiction, but it became only my forth story (in French) because of some unresolved issues (the main one being how Alphonse could get repaired with Edward dead, the plot being based on an alternative conclusion for episode 15). Than my theory of why Mustang was so protective towards Edward and the fact his team would need a new alchemist came to my mind and the mix of both gave birth to Daniel.

Chapter 1: A brother lost, a brother found

After the Fullmetal Alchemist's murder, all the military personnel from Central that had taken refuge in the East had gone back to the main commanding centre. All the fuss around Scar had made the state alchemist exam impossible to organize, especially with the fact that there weren't any candidates because of the fear of getting killed. But Scar was now dead, the exam was able to take place a few weeks late and the candidates, with Daniel among them, were there in a big number.

An orphan since he was eleven, Daniel didn't remember his last name. All he had left from his family was a photo of him with his brother who had participated in the Ishbal war and had few chances to still be alive. He was twenty on that photo, the age that Daniel had today. Confident, he walked in the room prepared for the written exam.

After going through the oral exam where he had been asked about his missing left forearm, he did an uncommon alchemy demonstration.

-A real synthetic soul? said a surprised alchemist present at the exam. And you managed to create a link between it and something else? This is very impressive, young man.

-Unfortunately, I can't make the soul or the link last very long, said Daniel modestly.

-It is still a very high level skill, said the Fuhrer. Thanks for this splendid demonstration, Daniel. You can leave.

As the young man was leaving the room, the Fuhrer said to himself:

-Synthesizing a soul… If he progresses in the army, we won't need the philosopher's stone to become human.

The results of the exam finally got put up after several days of waiting. To replace missing alchemists more easily, two candidates more than the usual number had been accepted. But apparently, even without that Daniel would have been accepted without any hesitation. Next to the "admitted" mention was the place to witch he was assigned: he was going to stay in Central and work under the orders of a certain colonel Mustang.

-You're kidding, right? asked Sloth.

-Not at all. We may possibly become human without the master's help, said Pride.

The naivety of Sloth's question showed off the fact that even though she had the appearance and attitude of an adult woman, she was only four years old. Envy was spying them under the appearance of a cat that was frequently seen around the HQ since a while:

-First Greed than them, he sighed. If that continues, it's "mother" who's going to be missing people.

A bag on his back, another one hanging from his shoulder and a piece of paper in his hand, Daniel was desperately looking for colonel Mustang's office:

-This building is a real maze…

He ran into a young man wearing glasses, with black hair and not much taller or older than he was:

-Excuse me major sergeant, I'm looking for colonel Mustang's office. Do you know where it is?

Lost in his thoughts, Fuery hadn't noticed the young man with long black hair in a ponytail, overloaded with luggage and a hanging left sleeve:

-You're actually walking away from it, he answered. I work with him, I'll show you the way. By the way, who are you?

-Daniel. The state alchemist assigned to your team.

-Glad to know you, sir. It's only Daniel? No last name?

-I don't remember it and don't have any family to remind it to me… he said sadly. Sorry, I shouldn't be disturbing you with that.

Daniel's words made Fuery think of Alphonse that he had just left:

-And you are…

-Major sergeant Kain Fuery, sir.

Fuery took Daniel to his new office and opened the door:

-Is the colonel back yet? asked the young sergeant to the people that were present in the room.

-No, answered a woman with blond hair. How is Alphonse doing?

-Still doesn't speak much…

-At least, he's willing to talk to you, said a man with a cigarette in his mouth. He stays totally mute with most of us.

After staying silent for a moment, Fuery turned in Daniel's direction:

-Come on, come in.

Daniel came in:

-Hi, he said in a shy voice.

-Here's Daniel, our new alchemist, announced Fuery.

They all introduced themselves:

-Warrant officer Vato Falman.

-Second lieutenant Breda.

-Second lieutenant Havoc.

-First lieutenant Liza Hawkeye.

-Glad to meet you, said Daniel with a smile.

Hawkeye gave him his silver watch:

-Since the colonel isn't here…

She looked at the name on the watch:

-So it's only Daniel.

-Yes.

He noticed the dog next to her and bent down to pet it after putting his watch in his pocket:

-What an adorable little dog! Is it yours, lieutenant?

-Yes.

-What is his name?

-Black Hayate.

-Hi, Black Hayate. You have a nice name.

-You think so? said the other men, surprised.

-Just by curiosity, how old are you supposed to be? asked Havoc.

-Twenty.

Daniel immediately put his hand in front of his mouth ; one usually needed to be at least twenty-one to enter the army.

-Don't worry, said Breda with a smile. You're certainly not the first one to pretend to be a year older to get into the army. And if you don't say it out of that room, there won't be any problem.

-Gee… I was scared for a while…

-Sergeant Fuery, could you please show Daniel his room? said Hawkeye.

-At your orders!

While he was following Fuery in the hallway leading to the dormitory, a question came to Daniel's mind:

-Sergeant, who is this Alphonse you were talking about? Is he part of the team?

-More or less. He's under the colonel's protection.

-Under his protection? Why?

-Since you would have learnt it one day or another… You know that all the alchemists recruited this year replace some of Scar's victims, right?

-Yes, I knew it. So what are you trying to tell me?

-The one that you are replacing… was his older brother, he revealed with a sad look.

-I see… but why is he staying here? Doesn't he have other family members?

Fuery's head movement indicated a negative response.

-Maybe I could talk to him.

-It's not a bad idea. The problem is that he is… a little shy. But I'm that once he's better, you'll get along very well.

Even if he didn't know Alphonse, Daniel could perfectly relate to him.

Fuery had left Daniel to change and settle in his room. It was almost noon when Mustang finally came back with a few books under one of his arms and notebooks under the other. He piled them up in a corner of his desk, the only place apart from what was visible of the desk mat that was not covered with late paperwork or other objects and dropped in his chair:

-Colonel! Where were you all morning? asked Falman.

-At the library. I have the right to go there, have I not?

-If I have a good memory, it's the first time you use it, said Hawkeye.

-Yes, confirmed Havoc.

-Otherwise, did I miss something?

-The new alchemist has arrived, said Fuery.

Mustang stayed pensive. He knew that he'd have to turn the page at moment or another. He filled out a few papers while waiting for lunchtime.

Daniel, who had managed to put on his uniform, succeeded on finding the office on his own. He walked in looking at the time on his watch:

-What would you think of going to have lunch? I hope it's alright for you to invite me, I didn't get my paycheck yet.

Mustang who had just got up from his chair turned towards the door; Daniel looked up and let go of his watch:

-Roy!

He ran into Mustang's arms, which squeezed him tightly:

-Daniel!

The young alchemist seemed to be crying:

-Roy! I thought that you were… that you were…

-So this why I didn't find you when I came back. You know, I also thought something had happened to you when I knew about mom and dad. After two years, I stopped looking for you.

The others were surprised to see tears come out of their superior officer's eyes and having such a warm attitude with someone:

-I heard that a lot of soldiers were dead in the war, I thought that I'd never see you again.

-Don't worry, I'm here now.

Mustang took Daniel's shoulders and parted him away form him slightly. Everyone noticed the striking resemblance between the two men at that moment:

-Now let me look at you a little. It's incredible how much you've grown! Even if you're still a little short for your age.

-This all you find to say after not seeing each other for nine years?

-You're right, it's been nine years. That means that you're only twenty.

-Don't tell me you're going to criticize me for doing the same thing than you!

-Certainly not! By the way, when are going to do something about that?

He was pointing at Daniel's left arm:

-Don't worry. I found a way to replace it but it tires me to use it when I don't need to.

-I trust you…

Mustang put of his gloves on, took Daniel's watch, closed it, used alchemy to carve something on it and gave it back. Where his name was written, one could now read "Daniel Mustang".

-I hope you'll remember it, this time.

-Colonel, do you know that boy? Who is he? Havoc was finally able to ask.

Mustang had forgotten his subordinate's presence for a moment:

-My little brother.

-What? they all shouted.

-This is what you could call a great coincidence, don't you think? said Daniel with a very happy expression.