~Chapter 2~

Laurin sat at the steps of Eastern Command, every few minutes getting up and pacing around then sitting back down. She heard people running up the stairs, looking at her as they passed. One was too quick for her to see when she looked, only seeing a red coat waving behind the person. The other person was in a suit of armor, his metal exterior clanking as he hurried in behind the shorter person. She sighed. "I guess I'll see them around if I pass," she said to herself. A soldier then walked down the stairs and tapped Laurin's shoulder.

"Colonel Mustang would like to see you," was all he said as he motioned her to follow him. She nodded, got up, and followed him into the winding corridors of the huge building. There were so many rooms and hallways she couldn't keep count. Dorms, offices, lunch rooms, etc. They soon reached two double doors. The soldier opened one of the doors and nodded. Laurin thanked the man and walked in silently. She then saw Colonel Mustang and the two she saw earlier, which they stopped talking and turned to her. The soldier then closed the door, leaving her to defend for herself.

The Colonel was the first to speak. "Hm? Oh, seems that you're here. Sit down and make yourself comfortable," he said. She nodded as she took a seat on the small couch. She switched her gaze from Mustang to the others. She now got a good image of the two. The one with the red coat had blonde hair and was around her age, as far as she could tell. The one in the armor she couldn't make out, for all she could see from the inside were two red eyes, but that was all. She then faced Mustang once again.

"I am glad to tell you that you have passed your State Alchemist Exam, congratulations," he stated. A large grin formed on Laurin's face. She couldn't express how happy she was, and even a reason why she was so happy. She fought back the grin and kept a straight face as he continued, felling the stare of the other two on her. "From this day forward your title will be Dragon Soul, or the Dragon Soul Alchemist," when he finished, he handed a piece of paper signed by the Fuhrer and a silver watch with the Fuhrer's seal. "Congrats, you're now officially a dog of the military."

"Wait, she's a new alchemist?" the boy in the red coat questioned. Mustang sighed and faced him. "Yes, Fullmetal, lucky for us she might be of some use to us," he replied, then facing Laurin again. "These are the Elric Brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric." Ed then added, "I'm also known as the Fullmetal Alchemist! So who are you?" Laurin hesitated then said, "I'm Laurin Saphiran." Alphonse then extended a hand. "Pleased to meet you," he said. Laurin took his hand and shook it firmly.

Suddenly, Riza entered the room. "Sir, you're needed outside," she said. Roy stood up. "Tell them I'll be there in a minute," he said. Riza nodded and walked out. Roy then looked back at Laurin, Edward, and Alphonse. "You guys might as well come along," he said as he walked out. Laurin got up and walked out with the Elrics together.

"So how old are you?" Alphonse asked. Laurin looked up at him. "I'm 14, how old are you two?" she replied. "I'm 14, and my brother's 15," Alphonse said. Laurin looked unconvinced. "Really? I could believe your brother's 15, but your 14?" Edward then replied, "Yup, he's my little brother." Laurin was confused. 'I thought it was vice versa,' she thought. Laurin then asked, "So why do you wear a suit of armor?"

The Elrics looked at each other. "It's a…hobby," they both said in unison. Laurin shrugged. "Ok…whatever," she mumbled. "So, hey, why did you join the military?" Edward asked. Laurin sighed. "Well, I was offered the opportunity, and I need to find out how my dad died…see, my parents were in the Ishvalan War..," she broke off. Ed then butted in, "Hey, you don't have to tell me if you don't wanna, I know someone with a similar situation." Laurin gave a soft smile. "Nah, it's fine. I'm used to telling people. My dad was actually an alchemist too," she explained. "He was called the Scales Alchemist."

Edward gave a questionable look. "Why's that?-" he was about to ask, but they already reached the stairs outside. Mustang stood at the end with Riza and a few other soldiers. "Is that so? I see," Mustang said to one of the soldiers. "Hey, what's wrong?" Edward asked. Riza turned toward Laurin and the Elrics and replied, "The was an incident outside of the city, there-" She stopped when Laurin looked over her, seeing a few soldiers dragging a creature by chains to a large cage. Her eyes widened when she saw the animal.

"Oh my God…," Laurin gasped. Mustang and Riza looked at each other, fearing the worst. "Lieutenant, get her out of here!" Mustang commanded. Riza replied with a "Yes, Sir!" as she grabbed Laurin's arm and took her back inside. "What was that about?" Edward exclaimed. Mustang sighed. "I'll tell you later, but right now we need to get this sorted out," he said. Alphonse looked at the creature, its eyes staring back at him. "But why was she taken away?" Alphonse tapped Edward's shoulder. "Brother, look," he motioned. Edward turned his head to the chained creature. He couldn't believe what he saw.

It was a dragon, no bigger than a large dog.