The hospital noticed the absence almost immediately, but thankfully, Lis was pretty far away when all hell broke loose. Using alchemy, she had died her gold hair black, but there had been nothing she could do about the hole in her side. She limped rapidly through the alleys of Central. Her senses were working overtime, figuring out what different smells were, if there was anybody around, and most of all, if Scar was around. Lis did not want to encounter Scar right now. She heard a person running towards her. Lis flattened against the wall, hidden in shadow. When the person appeared, she shot alchemy through the ground and tripped him. The shout of surprise did not belong to Scar. Lis moved out of the shadows, prepared to attack if need be. A kid knelt on the ground, shaking his head. There was a large suit of armor standing behind him.

"Brother! Are you okay!?" The voice that came from the armor was echoing. It was the voice of a young boy, probably about 13.

"Ya, ya, I'm fine Al." The kid who tripped over Lis' trap stood up. He was short, shorter than Lis. He saw Lis and exploded. Al, the armored guy, had to hold his brother back as he shouted at Lis. Lis couldn't help being amused. She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest, smirking slightly.

"Al, was it?" Both guys froze. "What's with the body? You're younger, but you're taller than that," she motioned to the older brother who twitched in anger, "and your voice echos more than it should in that armor."

"My name is Ed, by the way." Ed was sulking, the anger having faded when nobody paid any attention.

"Um, well, I'm just thin! That's all! So there's more space in here!" Lis frowned slightly. Ed made a face like it was his plan.

"Ya, Al's the thin guy, he's like a sti- HEY!" Lis had quickly crossed to Al and pulled his helmet off, holding her self up on his chest plate with one hand, peering inside.

"Cool! This is really advanced alchemy! Who did it?" Lis looked around as if trying to find the alchemist who could have attached Al's soul to a suit of armor.

"I did! It was me, Edward Elric!" Lis jumped away from Al and studied Ed.

"Where have I heard that name before...?"

"I was just named a State Alchemist, that's probably how! I'm famous!"

"Ah! You're the kid Mustang told me about!" Ed's jaw dropped open. "I'm Elisabeth, or Lis. I'm the Frozen Rose Alchemist." Al gasped. Ed looked annoyed.

"Never heard of you."

"Ya, you wouldn't. The military doesn't like to admit they let a 10 year old join up." Ed's jaw dropped. "Oh well, it suits me just fine... Hey, we should not linger in an alley... There's a guy out killing State Alchemists. Let's go to Hughes' place."
"You know Hughes?"

"Who DOESN'T know Hughes? He looked after me when I first joined up. Lis put her hands on her hips and cocked them. "Why does it matter to you?"

"It doesn't..." Ed grumbled.

"Good, then let's go before we get attacked." Lis headed off in the direction of the Hughes house. Al followed willing, glancing back.

"Come on Brother, we'll stay with the Hughes' tonight and head back East tomorrow!" Ed huffed in annoyance and ran after them.