The Alchemy of Life
In those days, alchemy was believed to be able to explain everything in the world. Alchemy was a philosophy, a practice, a science. It was the law of the world. It was used in everything—in creation, in destruction, in healing, in transformation. Alchemy has brought many wonders into the world. It opened our eyes to many things, helped us understand the hidden principles of the universe. "One is All; All is One." It is the truth. It is life.
Many great alchemists have come and passed this world, and their discoveries helped in developing and shaping the world we have today. Transmutation, immortality, an increase in abilities, medicine—these are just a few of the uses and discoveries of alchemy. Although alchemy is supposed to be used for the good, for the benefit of many, the few who were gifted with it had become blinded at a certain point in time. Human weapons in war, bloodshed for immortality, bringing the dead back to life… this happened, all until a certain group decided to stand up and stop this madness.
In that group was a man with green ideals. He was a man who wanted to change Amestris—to change the world. This man was an alchemist, a soldier, an Amestrian. That man… is a father.
…
"Daddy, why is the sky blue?"
Roy Mustang blinked. A black spot was moving up and down in front him, and it was making him dizzy. Jumping, jumping—lively, energetic—it was as if a new set of batteries had been put inside the young boy in front of him. The black spot was the child's head, moving up and down as he was jumping to get a view of his father. With the pile of paperwork that lay on his father's desk, he could not quite see him any more. "Didn't I answer that before?" The boy only looked at him with the usual eager eyes, expecting to hear his answer.
The Fuhrer sighed. "It's not really blue. It just looks blue because of the air scattering the light." Whether or not his son understood this, he didn't know. For the sake of answering the question, he stated the fact he knew, regardless of its complexity to the child's understanding. Roy moved the stack of papers to the side of the desk; on cue, the child stopped jumping—his father was now in view.
"So the light is blue? Or the air is blue? What about your uniform? Is it blue because of light? Is light colored blue? Why are the lamps at home not blue?"
So many questions all at once! And Roy knew that his son was just at the beginning. He averted his gaze from the report he was attempting to read to the face of his son. "Light doesn't have a color. Well, it's white. When it passes through… things, it reflects other colors—the ones we see." This silenced the child for a moment; he was processing the ideas presented by his father. Seeing his son's troubled expression, Roy smiled, giving a face of reassurance. "Don't worry; you'll get it eventually."
The pout did not cease; the boy was still thinking.
…
Roy Mustang, Jr. –this young boy inherited everything from his father. Not just the name, but even the looks. And eventually, as the child's visits to headquarters became frequent, he seemed to have inherited his father's popularity and charm as well. Although he is not a threat to anyone's love life (as of now), the male population of the military—just as with General Mustang in the past—resented the attention given to him by the female officers. It was generally a chorus of "so cute" and "so like his father" from the females and wails of "why?!"s from the male military personnel—that is, until Lieutenant General Hawkeye (or rather, Mustang, by law) arrives.
It is no different today as little Roy makes his way out of his father's office, his expression showing that he was engaged in deep thought. Another question-and-answer segment had passed between father and son that day, and the boy's last question garnered a lengthy, well-thought of, but shakily-said answer.
In the corridor leading to the Fuhrer's office, two golden-haired youth were walking, papers in hand. They were brothers—this was a fact known since the beginning. The shorter and surprisingly, older one of the men had an automail arm, and the taller one seemed to have all limbs complete. They were the renowned Elric brothers—Edward and Alphonse Elric. Or rather, Uncle Edward and Uncle Alphonse, to the little Roy-boy.
"Hey," the Fullmetal Alchemist said as soon as he was within earshot of the child. "…Roy." It was still quite awkward to call a kid—who he is generally of a higher-level to—the same name as his superior. "Is the General—er, your dad in?" He asked, kneeling to be of the same eye-level as the child. Ed was smiling; only when he talked to this kid that he felt he was so tall—so of course he was happy.
The child nodded, eyes drifting from Ed's face, to the familiar chain that dangled from Edward's side, where his State Alchemist pocket watch hung, and eventually to his automail arm. Another question had popped into the inquisitive child's mind. "Uncle Ed, why do you have a metal arm?" He asked, innocently. There had been many times that little Roy saw this arm of his, but never thought of asking about it until today. Ed was taken aback by the question.
"Oh, this?" He pointed at his right arm; parts of the metal limb glimmered as it was struck by light. "Well… it's… uh…" Edward racked his brain for answers. What should I tell this kid? "It's the price for performing human transmutation." There, I said it. I guess he only deserves to know the truth. Besides, by the time he understands that it's taboo, he would've—should've forgotten about it. Haha!
Little did Edward know that answering this child's questions only led to more. "What's human transmutation?"
"Ah… ah… it's…" What am I going to say?! Al, help me!
And as if reading Edward's mind, Alphonse began to talk, falling into the same position his older brother had as well. He too knelt by the little boy. "Well… it's kinda like… making a person." It's… sort of true, isn't it? It is, although there's the fact that it's taboo, and the fact that it will always be unsuccessful.
"Making a person?" Little Roy tilted his head to the side. Like a sudden flash of lightning, a smile surfaced on his face. A realization hit him. "Oh! So that's what Daddy was talking about!"
General Mustang told his son about human transmutation?!
The brothers had the same thought, but it was Edward who spoke. "W-What did he tell you, anyway?"
"He said that people were made by alchemy!" The boy declared happily. This only brought shock to the Elric brothers.—The General said what?!—"He said something like a woman has this super secret, hidden transmutation circle. And a man has the formula. And they both have the ingredients to make a person. There's a special circle and formula in each person, and there's only one formula for one circle. So the only way a person is made is if the formula and circle match~! Then I asked him if he and mommy were a match, and he said yes!" The child narrated, full of vigor. The brothers almost toppled over with the gravity of the child's story.
"Oh." That was all that Edward could manage to say. There was a moment of silence between the three, until Edward found his voice again. "What did you ask him, again?"
"I asked him where I came from, and where he came from, and where mommy came from, and where everyone else came from!"
Edward mouthed an 'o' and nodded slowly. Kids are so… innocent. "And I asked him if he would teach me that kind of alchemy too!" Ed and Al's eyes widened in shock, their mouths forming an even bigger 'o' with every statement the little Roy uttered. "But he said, no. He said when I get older, I'll understand it, even if he didn't teach me. And… he said that it's a very difficult kind of alchemy that only adults could know."
"Well, I didn't think I'd say this, but I have to agree with the General—your dad," Edward laughed, patting the boy on the head. "You'll get it eventually." With that, Edward and Alphonse stood, as the door to the Fuhrer's office opened, revealing a face familiar to all three of the males. Mommy, the Lieutenant General, the Fuhrer's wife, secretary, assistant, aide—Riza Hawkeye.
"See you around then," Edward and Alphonse smiled, as the child waved a hearty goodbye. Riza had told them that Roy was waiting for them inside. They ushered themselves in as Riza went over to the child, cradling him up in her arms and saying something about lunch, to which he responded happily.
…
Of all things, why alchemy? He could've just said that old stork story or something. Edward thought as the door closed behind him.
On that day, a new alchemical philosophy was born: humans, whether or not they were alchemists by profession, could be alchemists by nature. It is because of that certain kind of alchemy that was passed down from generation to generation, a secret from the beginning of time—the secret to an immortal name. It was not written down, there was no guide to it, nor did it have set of instructions. "This is what it is, how and why it is done"--no, it was not passed that way, but it was understood and known by everyone. It was greater than any Magnum Opus; greater than the Philosopher's Stone, or the Elixir of Life. It was far greater than transmuting lead into gold; it was the creation of life.
So figuratively, General Roy Mustang's theory on the creation of life could be correct. But it wasn't really a theory, it was… an excuse? No, it was an explanation of the complicated way of life. It was an explanation in the view of an alchemist, a soldier, an Amestrian… of a father whose audience took the form of an inquisitive five year old.
おわり。
Cherry: Haha, I didn't know how to end it.
Ed: So it was all your idea? Your twisted, twisted mind. Poor kid; poor Colonel. Er, General.
Cherry: Yeah. Haha. I'm sorry. XD Just popped into my head. I was curious about the possibility of Roy dealing with a kid who asks so many questions that it eventually falls to that topic. XD So yeah.
Ed: Why Roy Mustang, Jr.? Couldn't you have thought of a better name?
Cherry: Let's just assume that's the name Riza gave. 8D
Ed: Why Riza?
Cherry: Because Roy said Riza had no naming sense. (laughs) Remember? The part about Riza saying: "My beloved dog is named… Black Hayate." And then Roy goes: "You have absolutely no naming sense." (laughs)
Ed: Oh. Riiiight. 8|
Roy Jr.: Uncle Ed, since you said your arm was the price of human transmutation… does that mean you found your match too, just like daddy and mommy?
Ed: H-Huh?! W-What--?! Oh! No! No! It's not what you think! (image of Winry appears in mind) N-N-No! That's impossible!!
Roy Jr.: But you said…
Ed: Forget about what I said, ahahahaaa… (nervous laugh) (Riza appears in thoughts) "You love her, don't you? Don't you? Don't you?"
Roy: It's a kind of alchemy only adults are allowed to do.
Roy Jr: Why?
Roy: Uh… because… you have to be prepared for it. It's very… complex. And… if you try to alchemize—transmute at a young age, there could be… problems. Complications. Accidents. You could lose a lot in your life.
Roy Jr.: Like what?
Roy: Something much worse than losing a couple of arms or legs. It's definitely not something your Aunt Winry can fix with automail.
Roy Jr.: Uncle Ed said--
Ed: I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!
