A Chimera. In Alchemy, Chimeras are creatures synthesized by alchemically 'marrying' two or more dissimilar living beings into a new, complete form displaying attributes of its 'components'.

Though a legitimate branch of bio-alchemy, chimeric research has seen very few significant strides in recorded history - or at least in Amestrian history - and has been described as a science built upon countless dead ends and false starts. Still, the production of such fantastical beings is possible with the proper alchemical expertise and skill.

As mutant beasts granted the traits of multiple species, standard Chimeras appear best suited for guard duty and are frequently positioned as such. Every time I've ever seen a Chimera outside of the Tucker estate it would be performing guard duties, it's body in eternal pain that took away it's mind and transformed it into a brainless creature of destruction.

While the synthesis of Chimera is an accepted, albeit rare and elusive branch of alchemy, the concept of extending its mutative hand to the realm of human characteristics and abilities falls under Human Transmutation and is therefore strictly banned as a practice under the authority of the military.

On the other hand, though there are alchemists who flout this decree and step across the threshold into monstrous experimentation, it has been publicly stated that all illicit attempts to create a human-animal hybrid have failed. This is untrue.

I, Celina Tucker, am a Human Chimera. I still remember when my 7-year-old body was combined with that of a Thylacine, a supposedly extinct animal, and my life has never been the same since.

I have to wear hats all the time so my ears aren't seen by the public and I needed to start wearing gloves since no matter how often I trimmed my nails, they would grow back and become claws very quickly. I also have to stuff my tail down my pants and that isn't very comfortable. Not to mention, I always have the fear of someone in the military deciding that studying me in a lab would be better than letting me roam free.

But I'm grateful for this body because I know there are others who were far worst of then me. Some didn't last long enough to see their final sunrise either. So I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.


Everyone stood incredibly still and tense after the declaration.

"I see, so that's it." Cornello mused, no longer looking worried or sweating; just a smug grin littered his face, "It's no longer any wonder why a kid like you should bear the stern sounding title of 'Fullmetal'. Rosé, alchemy forbids the transmutation of gold. At the same time, there is one practice that is even more taboo, and that is… Human Transmutation."

Rosé's lungs that were over-timing with gasps gave another one when the news registered in her mind. Alphonse and Edward stared down guiltily while Celina reached out and held both of their hands, not letting either of the brothers go.

"You miserable, foolish children!" Cornello laughed, "You dabbled in Human Transmutation without knowing it's penalties, didn't you? You stepped on the toes of God!"

"You don't know the story!" Alphonse cried, taking a step forward, "We-"

"Al." Edward snapped.

Alphonse remained silent and stared downwards, "We just wanted… We just wanted to see our mother's smiling face one more time."

"But you failed!" Cornello cried, smugly, "Didn't you?"

Celina's grip on their hands tightened, her fingers trembling as she held them as the brothers' bodies sagged downwards.

Then Edward spoke up, his voice thick with guilt, "Yeah, I'd label that a failure alright. My brother lost his body and I lost my right arm and left leg. I ignored every sign post because I was reckless and I wanted it bad enough. This is what happens when two people try to bring a human back to life. Rosé," Edward raised his fist and then clenched it near his face, "this is what it takes to bring someone back to life."

Rosé flinched.

"Are you prepared to go through with that?!" Edward demanded.

No. Yes. Rosé didn't know if she was or wasn't; she truly loved and missed Cain, she'd give up anything to see his face just one more time, but this…

She felt someone place their hand on her shoulder and she turned around to see the Holy Father giving her a gentle smile, "There is no need for concern, Rosé. You forget, I have received this Philosopher's Stone form the great Sun God Leto." He raised his hand and showed the red stone on his ring, "And besides, I am not inexperienced, the way these heretic boys were."

"Don't be stupid!" Celina snapped, glaring at Cornello, "There's no way some third rate like you could do what Ed and Al couldn't do! Hell, no Alchemist in the world could bring someone back form the dead, it's impossible! It doesn't matter what price you pay, when a human soul is gone, it can never come back to this world!"

Edward nodded, "She's right, Cornello! You'll only hurt yourself if you try it!"

"Then why do you want the Philosopher's Stone?" Cornello challenged, raising his hand and showing off the stone even more, "You think that if you had this, you could bring about your mother's transmutation, right?"

"Wrong again, baldy." Edward hissed, "All we want is to get our bodies back to normal again. Me, my Brother and hopefully Celina while we're at it. That is, if we can get them back in the first place. None of us lied about what was possible and started a cult either."

Cornello growled.

Alphonse raised his hand, "We'll ask you one more time: Please give us the Philosopher's Stone."

Cornello straightened up and smirked, "You are damned, State Alchemist, may the wrath of God befall upon your head."

"Stop hiding behind that crap!" Edward called, raising his metal fist and placing his human one on his hip, "I dare you to get down here, third-rate, so I can show you the difference in our strength!"

Rosé turned her head slightly and saw the jewel-no, the Philosopher's Stone-on Cornello's hand glow and suddenly, the Holy Father's walking stick was being transformed into a machine gun! Rosé took a good few fearful steps back.

The trio's eyes widened when they saw the flash behind Cornello.

"Wretched fools!" Cornello cried, taking the gun from behind him and pointing it at the travelers, "Die you sinners!"

Suddenly it started firing at them, little spots of yellow light constantly flashing and reflecting on Rosé's sweaty skin. Cornello eventually stopped and when he did, all that was there was a cloud of dust. And when that cleared, Cornello's eyes widened considerable, as did Rosé's.


A thick stone wall had risen out of the ground and Edward, Alphonse and Celina had hidden behind it so they could be protected from the gun-fire.

"That was close…" The blonde girl muttered.

"Edward," Celina called quietly, "are your bandages still in place. Have they gotten lose?"

"No, they don't feel lose. Is anything showing? Did I go over-board with the ripping thing?"

"Your skin-coloured binder is barely noticeable. And considering the distance Rosé and Cornello are, I highly doubt they would see it."

"I still need to make sure I get a new shirt after this, aren't I?"

"That would probably be safer if you still plan on being a male."

"Girls, can we worry about this when our lives aren't in danger?" Alphonse asked, his facial armour tainted pink, "It's kinda embarrassing."

"But our lives are in danger if anyone realizes Edward doesn't have a dick, Al, and you know it." Celina interrupted, "Besides, we talk about this all the time, why you get so embarrassed on the battle field is something I can't understand to be honest."

"Me either, but please girls…" Alphonse begged.

Celina huffed/sighed, "Fine, fine."

"MINISTER!"

Everyone turned their heads to the open door to find Cray and a bunch of other goons in priest uniforms standing outside.

"Why, you!" Cray pulled a gun out and began firing at Alphonse.

Alphonse stood in a protective stance while Celina pulled out her gun, "Hey, that's my friend you're shooting, asshole!"

Celina fired one pullet and it caught Cray in the ear, causing him to drop his gun and grab his ear.

"Guys!"

Alphonse and Celina turned their heads to see Edward making a break for it, "This way!"

The two followed after the eldest teen.

"You fools, there's only one way out!" Cornello cackled, "You're running into a dead end!"

Edward panted as she ran ahead of the group, "Well like I always say, if there's no way out…" She skidded to a halt, clapped her hands and placed them to the door, "you just have to make your own!"

There was a blast of lightening and suddenly, a piece of the wall turned into two large iron doors.

"What?" Cornello exclaimed.

"Later, losers!" Celina called, making a raspberry at the people of Liore as she ran out the door with Edward and Alphonse.

The trio ran down the corridors and as soon as they were out of sight and of hearing range, the girls stopped and panted.

"Great, we lost them, but," Edward panted, "I still need a new shirt."

"Not to worry, Ed." Celina panted and held out some red and black cloth, "I held onto your shirt and jacket after you dropped it. You can fix it with Alchemy, right?"

"Celina, have I told you how much I love you today?"

"No, but you can prove it when you get Al his body back so I can finally make you two that 3 course meal I promised to make."

"It's a done deal, Celly."


The full moon made the world around them glow blue as Edward, Celina and Alphonse sat near a statue of Leto, having finally gotten away from Cray and his men.

"Why did they treat us like we're evil?" Alphonse asked his female companions, "If we really wanted the stone at all costs, we would have taken it by now."

"Humans are creatures who jump to conclusions because they need the security of an idea in their heads so they can handle a situation properly, Alphonse, that's all there is to it." Celina explained, "Cornello created the image of us being evil so his mindless drones could go after us. That's all there is to it, really. Humans are really stupid, huh?"

With that, the Chimera girl burst into laughed.

"Oh please, you damn hypocrite," Edward playfully punched her shoulder, "as if you're any less human then me or Alphonse are?"

"True." Celina nodded, "Very true. But you guys aren't your everyday kind of kid on the block, either."

Edward sighed, "Guilty as charged."

The screeching sound of a microphone being turned on filled the area, causing Celina to howl it out and cover her ears in pain.

When it finally stopped, Cray's voice could be heard over the radio, "People of Liore. This evening, a trio of unbelievers tried to take the life of the Great Prophet Cornello. One short and blonde, another wearing armour and a girl with ears and a tail like an animal. Father Cornello asks you all to stay in your homes, out of danger. He's much more worried about the safety of you all. Please, take all necessary precautions."

The trio of friends stood up and prepared for what was to come.


Rosé went out to see if she could find Edward, Alphonse and Celina as well. And she found them indeed; surrounded by nearly everyone in Liore.

"No question about it, that's them-the armour kid, the cat girl and the short blonde on-"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A CAT?! I'M A THYLACINE, YOU BLOODY INCOMPETENT BASTARD!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SUPER-ULTRA-HYPER-MOUTHY-LITTLE-PIPSQUEAK?!"

"Shut up, you freak of nature! I don't care if you're an elephant, a mouse or a frog!"

"Nobody said that, now back off! Why don't you two just simmer down?"

"What kind of depraved souls are you? How could you go after the Prophet?"

"We welcomed you here, you made us believe you were good."

"Look lady, 1: we never told you we were good people, you just assumed that. And 2: that 'Great Prophet' of yours is nothing but a phony."

"She's right; his miracles are nothing more than Alchemy."

Rosé was tired of this heretic talk, "Liar."

People turned their heads and the crowd parted, allowing the girl who had her miracle happen see Edward, Alphonse and Celina standing down there, looking at her in surprise.

"Moments ago, my boyfriend spoke to me. Cronello's bringing him back." Rosé declared, glaring defiantly at the brothers and… what the hell was Celina anyway?

But while the trio seemed skeptic, the people of Liore were happy for her.

"You mean old Cain we lost in the accident?"

"Honey, that's terrific!"

"He was a good kid!"

"He's really come back to life? Finally."

"Good for you Rosé!"

The rosy and brown haired girl smiled; then the crowd started up again.

"There, ya see? And it's not just him, there's been plenty others who were brought back, too!"

"She's right!"

"If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is!"

Edward flinched, "Has anyone actually seen any of these people close up? Cause I heard they all left town as soon as they were brought back!"

Celina nodded, "And with all the parrots here, human voice imitations wouldn't be all that ha-"

"SILENCE!"

STOMP! STOMP!

Everyone turned their heads in wonder as several statues of the Great Creator Leto stepped forwards the travelers, Cray right behind them. The statues first began battering Alphonse and soon got to Edward and Celina.

Once the two were unconscious, they were taken away, along with Alphonse.