He'd never been in Central city before. It was incredibly alive, a wild buzzing bee hive. Everyone went in every direction to somewhere or to someone. Edward felt a sliver of frustration expanding, feeling childlike in the manner in which he stomped. All these tall people! Unnecessarily tall! They frequently bumped straight into Edward, claiming they had not seen him. Fuming, Edward tried convincing himself that it was not because of his height.

Reluctantly Edward asked for directions to the military's headquarters in Central. He hoped that Colonel Mustang has received his letter of request. Today was the day he had asked for a state alchemist exam to be reserved for him. Edward had not included a return address, not wanting for the man to know where he had been. The military didn't need to know about his... other connections. Those bastards burned both witches and saints alike.

The exam should be set for three o'clock. Edward couldn't imagine who exactly would be supervising or watching on the side lines.

Things had gone smoothly. At least in his perspective.

The security at the entrance to headquarters had treated Edward like a lost child at first but when he had mentioned the state alchemist exam a look of realization slapped the man in the face. Edward was happy to see that the Colonel had arranged things. If not for him then the golden haired boy would have never made it inside.

The written portion was suppose to take at least two full hours. Edward has completed it in twenty minutes. The officer that had been hovering over the boy's shoulder had been breathing heavily for some time, witnessing the impossibly fast movements of Edward's hands as they scribbled like a madman across the exam sheets. Edward had paused for a second to smile at the officer before returning to his work. If the military wasn't taking him serious yet, then they might be now.

You sign and sign, writing the Devil's book.

For a moment, the boy frowned at himself. He was signing himself to dogs.

Book of thoughts and narration, it puts together what you see.

The soldiers that led him towards the next exam room blinked with confusion, shrugging at each other. The room had a high ceiling, balconies lining the four walls. The main balcony was packed with major, generals- correct Edward if he was wrong- and the Fuhrer. Edward slightly frowned at the amount of officers that had shown up for his exam. He tilted his head. Maybe this was a rare occasion that they wanted to be part of. Better give them a fucking show.

His mind nagged at him persistently, urging him to look more closely. Eyes scanned the rows of officials one more time. There... Edward couldn't stop himself from staring at Colonel Mustang. He had a knowing smile annoyingly across his face, arms patiently folded across his chest.

And then the exam began.

The officials leaned forward in their seats, a scrutinizing gaze examining the golden haired boy. So, this was the talented little alchemist that Mustang had found a year ago. Over that period of time some of the officials had the audacity to tease the Colonel. Since he had returned empty handed from Resembool, the military had concluded that Edward Elric had not been up to the challenge.

They couldn't be any more wrong. Roy remembered the fire that had burned in golden eyes as he exited the hospital room. He had walked away from there satisfied. That sight alone guaranteed Edward Elric's comeback. He gave an amused smiled at the officials that turned their heads towards him and back to the boy. The Colonel did wonder how Edward was able to present himself with no signs of past physical injuries. His arm and leg... He wore a black light coat, black leather pants, black and red combat boots, and white gloves. His hair was much too long for the likes of most men, but admittedly done beautifully in a long braid. The conductor raised his hand.

Things were about to get interesting.

The first stages of the exam consisted of transmutations. That would be followed by hand-on-hand combat, and then full fledged battles. Some soldiers lined up across the arena, awaiting their turn to engage with the potential state alchemist. Others retreated through a door near the end of the vast room no doubt gathering surprises.

"I need you to transmute a weapon... . Do you need something to write with?"

"Nope."

Roy was taken aback by the response. How...?

In a second, the boy clapped his hands together and placed them on the ground. Immediately spirals of electricity sprung from the ground. The air changed as it did with any transmutation. Soon, Edward Elric held a deadly spear in his hand.

More than raised eyebrows was what the little alchemist received. No one, and Roy meant no one, had ever completed a transmutation without drawing out the arrays first. Shit, this kid looked like a wizard straight out of children's books.

The conductor remained quiet seconds more than he should have. All the transmutations that were asked from the boy were beautifully done. Roy wondered why the boy had transmuted those fearsome statues around his hometown when he could have done a dozen of other things. More crtitcally, why hadn't he used his alchemy to save himself on that faithful day...

Edward looked more than happy to have surprised every adult in the room. Roy reminded himself that this alchemist was only eleven years old. Despite his age, the boy didn't seem to be looking for approval. No, this boy wanted to force feed the unexpected straight down the throats of anyone who got in his way.

The soldiers that were watching from the sidelines stepped forward. The first in line walked towards Edward, at a distance of eight feet. Instructions were given, and then a whistle was blown. The soldier lunged at impressive speed, hand preparing to grasp the opponent's throat. With a sly smile, the little boy ducked, not having to bend down much to connect an elbow to the side of the soldiers knee. The larger body crumbled to the ground.

It was unbelievable. He made it look so simple and easy.

Every soldier after that met a similar fate.

This boy was a war machine.

Even after the boy was faced with armed opponents, he remained standing. The chimeras that were unleashed from the back room didn't faze him either. He had swiftly dodged their attacks and had easily immobilized them with his alchemy as instructed. The men and woman in the balcony were no longer sitting. They struggled to get a better view. Even Roy had a hard time staying glued to his seat.

After the exam officials were whipping their venomous tongues, arguing over who will receive the young Elric. Roy was certain that Edward would stay in Central command. It was true that the boy would fit in any of the government protection groups. The military was where state alchemist were usually assigned to. On the other hand, those skills were also useful to the Iscariot, who were in charge of "inhumane conduct" . Roy secretly hoped that Edward would be put under his command. As long as another war didn't break out the boy would never have to be declared a human weapon. Anyhow, many officers feared the Colonel's power. He was a considerably young lad to have the rank of a colonel. Being able to gain such a position at his age had caused for many enemies to rise.

A conference was hastily arranged between the military and Iscariot.

What the fuck...

Roy was extremely skeptical as to why Iscariot had showed up. They only received people who had been raised and trained by titled members of the church. It was true that Edward's parents had been obsessively involved with the church in their home town. Still. No one knew just how religious the boy was. Anyways, it was obvious that Iscariot frowned upon alchemy. They made no saint from the work, a science that had evolved from religious and philosophical beliefs.

They definitely weren't going to make a saint out of Edward Elric.

"Congratulations, you're now a dog of the military."

"Couldn't you put some more zest in it?"

"Afraid not", Roy responded with a cold voice. After a few seconds he spoke with a cheerful undertone, "Maybe once I'm promoted I'll throw you a party, Fullmetal."

"Eh... with honor I bestow upon you the name Fullmetal..." Edward read from the thick fancy parchment.

"All state alchemist are not only given the pocket watch as proof of their potistion. They are given a second name. I admit that's a heavy alias. Fullmetal Alchemist."

"You don't say. I like a heavy name. I'll take it" A mischevious grin already settled in.

He didn't know whether he was a fool or the growing future. Roy had almost been convinced that he was not entitled to learn his Master's flame alchemy, something he dedicated his entire life to. Contented he was with his accomplishment yet he claimed that he had died long ago.

"So in the end you became a soldier. Someone like you is unworthy of learning even the basics of alchemy."

"Shouldn't alchemy be used for the benefit of the masses? Master Hawkeye, we're currently under threat of neighboring countries. We're in urgent need to strengthen our forces. Alchemy is essential for protecting the people."

"I'm sick of hearing that same excuse!" The gruffness of choking coughs confirmed that his Master's end could come any day now.

"I can't just sit and watch this. I hate to see someone so talented be crushed by squalor and illness. Please, if only you became a state alchemist you could complete your experiments-"

"I completed my work long ago. I created the most powerful, possibly the most deadly alchemy... I perfected it and have become satisfied. Alchemist are creatures who continually strive towards the truth as long as they're alive. They die as soon as they stop the process of thinking. I died a long time ago." The remaining life drained away from those tired eyes. With the need of his last wish he spoke, "Take care of my daughter. Every detail of my experiment is with her..."

In the sands of Ishval he had made use of the alchemy that was entrusted into his hands by his former master and daughter. She too could be a fool for following him out to this hell. Riza had chosen this path herself. There was no one else left in this world she desired to protect but Roy. Together they carried the same childish dream. That woman had believed it was an admirable dream. What had become of it now..

The burning of the masses he thought were supposed to be protected proved that he lived for something so very wrong.

"Did you put on that uniform without being ready to kill. You should look forward to death. When you kill, look them straight in the eye. Do not forget them because your enemies will never forget you."

"I fight simply to stay alive. Not all reasons have to be complex."

What was the reason behind this war? What was the reason behind any bloodshed?

"We soldiers are nothing but trash."

"Even so it should be possible to protect the very few that we love, right? Puny humans like us should be able to do that at least. That's why I'm going to do everything to protect the ones who are important to me..."

"We must carry the corpses and trudge though a river of blood in exchange for a new generation of happiness, isn't that so? That's what this equivalent exchange means in the alchemy that ravages this world."

Roy wondered what the future held for that boy.