Check out my prequels while waiting for me to update more on Book eleven. I've got Books one and two started. I'm still working on them.

I disclaim anything that is not mine

BTW… How long do you guys like your chapters? Give me a word document estimate please… and leave guesses as to what is going to happen in the reviews, I like to see how people interpret my work, or just give me feedback on grammar, or plot, or something. Questions are good, too. I don't bite I swear. And thank you to those brave enough to have given them. It is greatly appreciated.

Pictures on Deviant art… search "Amber and Sindey" and "Amber and Sindey 2" my pen name is Angel-sunwalker01

Meet the Shrimp, the Kid, the Tin Can, and the Smart Ass

Amber turned the pages of the book. The train ride had been slow, but the vehicle was crossing the terrain rather smoothly. Scenery sped by in a blended blur. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was dyed in a mixture of red and orange. Watching it descend made the length of the voyage feel even longer.

Sindey dozed lightly while leaning against the window with Jimmy, her cat, asleep by her feet. She had turned Amber's backpack into a pillow to cushion her head. She looked rather comfortable as the arm rest and wall of the train cradled her. Her breathing was long and steady.

Amber sighed as her brain continued to process what the words on the paper were saying. The reading wasn't that interesting, but she couldn't sleep. Her muscles refused to relax in the contorted angles she had to bend into in order to fit into the seat. She envied Sindey who could curl into a ball and enter the world of fantasy and dreams in minutes. If she slept that way her legs would cramp and she wouldn't be able to walk properly in weeks.

Amber toyed with a strand of hair that had fallen loose. Both were still wearing the same clothes they had in Liore. She made a mental note to buy new ones as soon as they had the money. Amber had been overly warm in the desert, but now that they were traveling away from the barren land she was freezing in the air conditioned vehicle.

The train took a sharp turn and Sindey's eyes flashed open as she was nearly thrown out of the seat. She grumbled under her breath as she adjusted her posture and sat up. Amber was busy listening to the people behind them. In all honesty, their conversation was more interesting than her book. Or, maybe she was just noisy.

She overheard the word "Mustang." Strange. Amber didn't think they had that type of car here. No, wait. Amber hesitated as she searched her distant memories. Mustang was a character. She turned her head in order to get a better view and came two inches away from a giant suit of armor.

"Hey," Amber exclaimed as she used her knees to elevate above the seat. "I know you."

"Oh look; it's the shrimp and the tin can from the desert. How lovely?" Synthia sneered.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SHRIMP?"

"Well you obviously. Geez, and I thought I was slow."

Amber casts a warning glance at her smart ass friend. Tormenting Ed was the last thing they needed to be doing. Although, she would admit, seeing him react to the size comment was very entertaining.

It wasn't like he was that short. He was only a head smaller than some of the adults in Liore. Assuming that the average adult was five foot nine and the head added approximately six inches, that would make him about five foot two? Five foot three, maybe?

Amber sighed. He was only an inch taller than her. This would have been so much easier if she had paid attention during her last physical. Wait. Sindey was his height. Damn it! How tall was Synthia, again?

Amber looked between the two teenagers as the argument continued. And, here she thought the train ride was going to be quiet. Her head began to hurt. She massaged her temples trying to make the aching stop. "Okay, time to intervene," she thought while facing the Elric brothers and flashing the most adorable face she could muster.

"Isn't it funny how we all ended up one the same train? How do you think that happened? I mean, we did leave before you, after all," Amber asked. She had emphasized the pleasantries of the situation. Amber's exaggerated excitement and composure eased some of the tension, as it usually did, but Ed was far too agitated to succumb completely.

"I dunno. God must have a sick sense of humor." Edward shrugged as he leaned back in the seat.

"Or, maybe he sent us to stop you from cheating your brother."

"What does she mean Brother? You're not cheating. Are you?"

"No way, Al. Why would I need to do that?"

"It's written all over you," Sindey interjected while examining her nails. She was obviously uninterested in the conversation, but she wasn't about to give up on opportunity to get under Ed's skin. "Your nonchalant behavior, lack of interest, and the fact that your elbows are always bent up."

"That's crazy." He laughed as Amber stood in her seat. She walked over and sat down beside him. Sindey moved to where Amber originally was so that she could get a better view.

"Prove it then," Amber challenged as a smirk spread across her face, "let me play."

"Ha! Like you could beat me?"

"Then, if that's the case, you should have no problem dealing me in."

"Fine, but I gotta warn ya, you're probably gonna lose." Edward smugly said as he began to shuffle the cards and deal. They played, and Edward won again and again. They went around the circle with a new person distributing the cards every turn. And Edward continued to be victorious. The cycle continued in a never ending loop. After two hours she finally gave up while staring dumbstruck at the cards. Amber had hit rock bottom and the worst part was she didn't understand how it was possible.

"How do you keep winning?" She whined as he shuffled the deck. There was no way that her losing streak could have been this consistent. Amber was accustomed to winning. She never lost whether it was poker, go fish, uno, or Yu-Gi-Oh (even if that was when she was ten).

"'Cause I'm better than you." Edward bragged.

Amber snorted and crawled over to him in the seat. Ed didn't pay any attention as she looked in his sleeve. He must have been silently gloating to himself since he didn't notice her until she began pulling out the hidden cards.

"Oh, that's why."

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Proving me right, see." Amber dangled them if front of his face. "One truth prevails!" She announced while she held her "prize" before them. Ironically, when she repeated the line in her head the voice didn't belong to her. In fact it sounded like- "I hung out with Jimmy Kudo too much." Amber concluded as she placed the cards back in the deck. One look from Synthia confirmed what she was thinking.

"Brother, how could you?" Al's accusation brought her back to their current situation.

"Well, it's quite simple really. He just shoves the cards up his sleeves and, whenever you're not looking, he… well, you know." Sindey explained as she rested her head in her arms. Good thing they weren't playing for value. The girls would have surely been cheated in that previous round. Of course, knowing Amber, Ed would have regretted it.

"So, do you think you can actually beat me without cheating for once?"

Then again, maybe he was going to regret it anyway.

"Like I would lose to a kid!"

"Oh, he's done it now." Sindey whispered to Al. Yep. Amber was definitely going to get back at him for that one.

"What do you mean?" Alphonse asked as Edward start shuffling the deck.

"I would fold if I were you." Synthia said as she put her hand comfortingly on his arm. He nodded as he noticed Amber's face. He could see the twitch in her forehead. Edward's comment had hit a nerve that had been struck so many times it may as well have become dynamite. She recovered while swallowing her anger and pride as she forced herself to breathe and remain calm.

"Alright, wanna up the stakes?" Amber questioned. Ed's ears perked up and Sindey could see that he was going to make a mistake he would remember for the rest of his life.

"How so?"

"We play for cash."

"You're on."

The game continued. Amber won every match. Edward was easy to deceive. The subtle hints she dropped while playing were often the one's she wanted him to see. But, she varied them every other deal so Ed would never know the cards in her hand. Amber never lost. Everyone at home knew that. No one in their right mind would want her as an opponent in a card game.

It also helped that her mindreading and clairvoyance (which had developed considerably on their journey) was at a point where she could read her opponent flawlessly. Which was an accomplishment compared to the whisper it had been before they left. To think that those abilities stemmed from the same one that would only bestow a few visions while she slept. Ed had no idea that he had provoked her into using them relentlessly. The poor alchemist didn't know what hit him as Amber continuously defeated him without remorse.

She pulled the money towards her, content with the mass she had won. Amber would have kept playing; unfortunately, Edward had nothing else to offer, more unfortunate for him than her. Collins giggled playfully when she saw his shocked expression and his inability to speak.

"What was that you were saying?"

He slouched in defeat with his appalled expression sill etched on his face.

"This isn't fair," Ed stated as he found his voice, "you must have been cheating somehow."

"Right, so where am I hiding the cards, exactly." Amber smirked as she relished her victory. Technically, the rules of poker never banned her natural psychic abilities.

"Where is she hiding them?" Edward scowled angrily while his cheeks turned a little pink.

She jerked back. Ed's thoughts surprised her since she wasn't intentionally reading his mind. But, his baffled nature was humorous and she enjoyed toying with his analytical brain. Scientist were amusing that way, always attempting to explain the unexplainable and breaking down when they couldn't.

"Guess you won't call me a kid anymore, huh, shortie?" Amber mused while counting her earnings.

"You are a kid."

"What?"

"You're what, like twelve? That qualifies you as a kid"

"Here we go," Sindey sighed under her breath. She could see the spark and the rage building inside. It appeared that Amber would continue to be referred to as a child. Especially since most assumed she was two to four years younger than her current age. Ed, being only an inch taller than her, had broken down the last restraint and released all of the emotions that originated from the tiresome comment.

"Twelve? TWELVE!" Amber screamed as she stood up in the aisle. She had officially cracked. "Listen buddy, cause I'm only gonna say this once, I'm fifteen! Grind it into your skull, get it memorized, and don't you forget it! And don't ever, EVER call me that again! GOT IT?"

Ed blinked, completely disarmed by her rant.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Is it really that hard to believe?"

"Well, actually-" Al started before being silenced by Amber's deathly glare. "Never mind."

She turned back to Ed, "And what do you mean you've got to be kidding me?"

"See, I told him, four was a compliment." Sindey mentioned as she shifted position to rest her head in her palm. She could see that Amber was trying to fume but it appeared the remaining frustration was gone.

"I'm not a kid." Collins pouted as she slouched back into the seat.

"It was bound to happen sometime."

"What do you mean?" Al inquired.

"Well," Sindey explained, "the way I see it, she can only bite her tongue for so long. I think the kid comment has definitely worn itself out"

"It's not funny," Amber whined, "Jimmy, Sora, Mr. Weasley, Leon, and you! I thought you'd be the last one to open you're fat mouth! Ugh! What kind of man are you anyway! Guys are supposed to be tall."

"Well compared to you I think I fit the standard."

"Compared to me, everyone fits the standard. You don't count." Her anger subsided.

"You better watch it." Edward growled. His eyebrows were beginning to twinge.

"I think you better watch it. I'm the one that cleaned you out." Amber began to shuffle the deck of cards. "Of course if you want to play again."

"No, no, I'm good." Ed said as held his hands up in surrender. He looked like she was about to hit him upside the head.

"Does Al want to play?"

"No thanks." Al laughed nervously as he shrunk into the seat.

"Don't be silly, Al. She's harmless."

"What?"

"Yeah, I only took his money." Amber announced proudly. She pointed to Ed and a grin spread wide on her face. "Compared to him, I'm a saint."

"How do you figure that?"

"I never took out a priest." She said. There were few times when she wasn't in trouble. It was those times that she took the sick pleasure of harassing the ones that were. Since she didn't normally have the luxury, she dove for the opportunity whenever it presented itself.

"He wasn't a priest. He was a liar and a con." Fullmetal corrected.

"Yes, he was, and you're a felon."

"What's that? A felon, how so?"

"You broke out of jail, didn't you?"

"It wasn't jail; it was imprisonment under false pretenses." Edward stopped, realizing the absurdity of the conversation they were having. "How would you know that anyway?"

Amber opened her mouth and closed it. The color had drained from her face. It was a good question. They weren't in town when the Elric Brothers started chaos. Any normal person wouldn't have known about the situation unless they witnessed it firsthand. The only problem was that Amber and Synthia couldn't describe themselves as normal since they both had powers of their own. Besides, in their world, this was an anime series meaning everything that would happen, they had already witnessed. But, they couldn't exactly explain that to Edward, at least, not at this point.

"It's complicated," Sindey interrupted. "We wouldn't want to wear and tear on your brain tissues. It's a bit of a stretch."

"What is she psychic?" Ed asked sarcastically.

"What are you, stupid?" Synthia snorted. Fullmetal tensed as he attempted to control his rage.

"Sindey." Amber said in a warning tone.

"I can't help myself. He's too easy."

Amber sighed. She was going to be difficult again. The amount of pleasure her friend got from torturing the poor boy concerned her. Sure the older one enjoyed it when someone else was in trouble for a change. But, Synthia was having too much fun making him despise her.

"So, you're going to Aquroya?" Amber addressed Fullmetal to distract from Sindey's twisted amusement.

"Yeah, aren't you?" Ed responded. She was confounded. He was smiling when he answered. Amber swore that he would have been sulking or throwing a fit with the way they had been abusing him. But, maybe he was just grateful she was giving him a break from Sindey's endless insults.

"Well, we're stopping there."

"Tie up a few loose ends, make a quick buck, you know, the usual."

"Finally got your hands on that wine, huh?"

"Yeah," Amber's face lit up as she held up the bag. "Want some?"

"I was kidding!" Edward exclaimed. His face was to die for and she had to suppress her giggles as Fullmetal looked from her to the bag.

"I'm sure we're all tempted Amber, but we need that for later."

"Oh," Amber smiled sheepishly as she set the backpack down, "never mind."

"Well, I'm going to retire. Night Amber, Al… shortie." Sindey yawned as she returned to her previous spot and curled up in the seat. Jimmy looked to see what had disturbed his slumber. Realizing it was his master, he laid his head back down and rested against her leg.

"Aren't you tired Amber? It is getting late." Alphonse politely mentioned. He was right; the sun had completely set, encasing the world in darkness. The only light available was from the train lantern that hung dimly overhead.

"Oh? No, I'm fine."

"But, you should get some sleep. It isn't healthy."

"I know. I just don't sleep well on trains; that's all." She looked over to Fullmetal. He had leaned against the window and looked like he was ready to doze off. "Ed, do you want me to move?"

"I don't care. Do what you want."

He must have been sulking about the card game. It wasn't like she and Sindey were making their lives any easier at that particular time either.

"I'll leave then. Night," Amber walked back over to her seat. It was surprising how much she could stretch in the tight compartment. She wondered if Al slept. He was a giant suit of armor after all. Alphonse was lecturing his brother. Her eyes were closing. She was beginning to yield to her body's needs.

"Funny. The brain sends electric currents through our central nervous system to the autonomic and somatic division in our peripheral nervous system. The autonomic is divided in three categories; sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric." Amber mumbled without realizing that she was speaking allowed. Edward and Alphonse stopped arguing. "I wonder how," She yawned, "he moves." Amber wondered. But, those words never left her brain.