"Let's see…" Ed pointed at a random town on the map.

"Aquroya." He grinned.


"Three tickets to Aquroya, please?"

Al paid for our tickets, just as the last call for boarding was heard.

"Hurry up guys!" I called out, running to the train.

Nii-san caught up soon after, and not far behind was Al.


After we boarded the train, we went to the last car, as usual. I began doodling behind some of the paper that got too crumpled to use for letters and stuff, using one of the charcoal pencils I got from Winry just before I left for Dublith. I sat beside Nii-san as always, since Al's armor is bulky. My brothers were playing with a deck of cards that Nii-san always had in his suitcase.

First, I drew Black Hayate, sleeping in his dog basket. Then I drew Nii-san's automail arm, and Al's helmet beside it. I started trying to draw people again, starting with Elysia.

Okay...objects and animals, kinda good. People, not so good. I shrugged and put the drawings and pencil away, and settled on watching the scenery change.

Noon already? I guess I lost track of time. I started to drift off and before long, I was dreaming of events that happened around a year ago.


[Alvin's POV]

"Hey guys." I waved to the crew.

"Hey Chief." Havoc replied. Man, he calls everyone that.

"Boss's at a meeting with the Lieutenant. You can leave a message for them if you want." He offered.

"No thanks, just dropped by to get lunch." I said, searching Riza's desk for my food.

Aha, there we go. I began digging in.

"Hey, you guys heard about that duel that's gonna happen between Wildcard and the Freezer?"

"Yeah? Really now."

"It's true, I tell you. Though they say it's not gonna be as spectacular as that one between the Boss and Chief."

The corner of my lips curved up the slightest bit at that memory. I'd been running late and good thing too, or Rai wouldn't have been able to watch. I ran through the memory in my mind.


[Rai's dream]

"Bye Teacher! Bye Sig! Thanks for everything!" I bowed and picked up the suitcase holding my few belongings, my backpack already on me.

"Goodbye, Rai. Say 'hi' to your brothers for me, will you?" Izumi said.

"Alright. I'm off!" I smiled.


"One ticket for Central, please."

I boarded the train at the last car, and waited for it to start moving.

Nii-san and Al will be surprised to see me, I smiled, counting the money I had saved through the two years under Izumi's tutelage, reminding myself to thank Nii-san for paying the fees for my study.


I couldn't sleep the whole way to Central. The whole night. When I got off the train, I ran l the way to Military HQ, where Nii-san and his CO would be fighting, as Nii-san's state alchemist reinstatement.

I sure hope he'll win! I smiled as I saw the gates of Military HQ, pulling my coat and hood tighter.

I clutched the letter Nii-san gave me before we parted in Dublith, the one with the authorization letter (in case of emergency, he said), as I neared the gates and the soldier on his post.

"Excuse me Sir, will you please let me gain entrance to Military HQ?" I asked the man, handing him the letter.

He scoffed.

"You? Let you in? Why should I?"

I pulled my coat tighter.

"You see...I'm here to watch the duel between the Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flame Alchemist...I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist's younger sister, and he doesn't know I'm here because I wanted to surprise him."

The soldier raised an eyebrow, read Nii-san's letter, crumpled it, and threw it to the gutter.

"Hey! Why'd you do that?!" I yelled at him, barely managing to be docile.

"Like I would believe a scrawny little girl like you. First of all, they're called the Elric brothers for a reason: no girls. Second, this letter could've been written by you, for all I know. I mean, look at the handwriting!"

I glared at him from under the hood of my coat.

"Oh yeah? And how will you explain the color of my eyes, huh?!"

He shrugged.

"Fine. Don't let me in. I'm staying here until either of my brothers or Colonel Mustang comes out." I huffed.

I settled on sitting exactly beside the soldier, despite the ground being a bit wet, and looked at the clock tower towering above the city.

Aw, and I wanted this surprise to be perfect! I pouted. They could already be starting, for all I know.

A boy around Ed's age ran towards the gate, nearly out of breath.


[Alvin's memory]

I stretched and yawned at the same time. I just woke up and wandered around the house aimlessly.

That is, until I saw the clock.

"Oh shit!"

I didn't even have time for a quick shower. I pulled my pants on my boxers while making some toast. I put on my red shirt, the v-neck one with black fake sleeves, while brushing my teeth. I was halfway out the door when I remembered to get my gloves from my jacket and locked up with a slice of toast between my teeth.

I ran out into the streets, my eyes set on Eastern HQ.

It took me ten minutes to run the whole way.

"Hey lemme in!" I yelled as I neared the gates, panting.

Oh great. Newbie. I'd be lucky to get in in time. And who's that kid?


[Third person POV, these are Rai's thoughts while these are Alvin's. I'm sorry for any confusion this might cause.]

"Civilians not allowed in premises. I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." The soldier replied.

I watched curiously. He had black hair with streaks of pale yellow, and was wearing a red shirt with black fake sleeves. He looks like he just got out of bed.

I groaned mentally.

"Alright then, maybe I'll just let Colonel Mustang know that his charge wasn't allowed entrance to where he works."

Colonel Mustang? As in, Nii-san's CO? Maybe he's here to watch the duel as well.

"Young man, enough of this. You're the second kid who wanted entrance to HQ."

"What, that girl as well?"

The girl had travel-worn hair, as if she traveled here overnight. She had her cream coat pulled tight against herself.

His black and brown orbs looked into her golden ones.

Wait...golden eyes? And red hair...maybe she's the Elric's sister? But they never mentioned that she'll be coming...

I raised an eyebrow. What are you gonna do?

"Yeah. She's with me." I told the soldier. "Hey girlie, you know your brother's military code?"

I shook my head.

Huh. Guess they don't know then. She'd know the code if they knew she'd be coming. Maybe they'd even wait for her.

Who is this stranger? Why is he helping me, anyway?

As I told the soldier Dad's military code, I noticed her watching me with doe eyes. Just how old is she anyway? Ed's around 14...and she's younger...by two years? Is she seriously just 12 years old?

"You were serious?! I'm sorry for the delay, Sir. Please forgive me. I was simply following protocol."

The boy waved nonchalantly.

Yeah yeah. It's kinda obvious that you're fresh out the academy. The others would've let m in without a second glance.

"Hey. Come on." He pulled her inside. "Alright. I know you're the Elric's sister; red hair, golden eyes. So," he grinned. "What do you say we go watch the battle? I believe it's starting."

She smiled. "Thanks,"

"Ya welcome. Name's Alvin. Chris Alvin Mustang."

"Raied, call me Rai."


"In the red corner: the Flame Alchemist and Hero of the Eastern Rebellion...Colonel Roy Mustang! Give it up!"

"Phew." Alvin sighed. "Barely made it in time." he grinned crookedly.

I smiled back. We found some benches off to the side and stood on one of them, me using my briefcase to add some height to myself.

The man who was announcing the contestants had rectangular glasses on, and sunlight bounced off of'em. He had a bandage or two taped to his face...and several scrapes, too.

Colonel Roy Mustang was there, two people behind him. A blonde woman and a gray-haired man.

The audience boo-ed, and Alvin scowled at that.

"In the blue corner: the Fullmetal Alchemist and Living Legend of the People! Let's hear it for Edward Elric!"

Ed was beside Alphonse, who was holding an orange tabby.

"What? Where? I can't see him!"

"Tiny beansprout's more like it!"

"Grow up, Beansprout!"

Uh oh... I glanced nervously at Alvin.

Here it comes... I smirked. I looked at Rai.

Alvin looked like he knew what was about to happen and he smirked wider when he saw me looking at him.

"Urgh! DON'T CALL ME SMALL! I'LL BREAK DOWN YOUR FEET AND STICK'EM ON YOUR HEAD!" Ed struggled to get away from Al's hold on him.

My companion laughed and I did a classical facepalm.

Al got Ed to calm down and it looked as if they were conversing.

Then suddenly, Ed yelled out "I told you; a fist in his face!"

Oh Nii-san...

Typical. He doesn't have a game plan doesn't he, I laughed mentally.

The blonde woman and gray-haired man behind Mustang and Al went off to stand at the sides, just behind the barricades, getting front row views.

"Alchemists! Get set..." the announcer turned and ran away while continuing "Ready and fight!"

"What?!" Ed yelled out.

Oh crap Nii-san...

This should be interesting. Now that our side has an advantage...

Colonel Roy Mustang smirked and snapped; one hand still in his pocket.

Damn, so that's what Nii-san means when he says that the Colonel was really arrogant.

The audience cheered.

Ed rolled to avoid the explosion. "Dammit, that was a cheap shot!" he shouted.

I can't believe Nii-san is losing...the next explosions of fire were quick! Hey, don't count him out just yet!


[Rai's POV, except these, which are still Alvin's thoughts]

Nii-san ran away from the explosions...and dived into the audience?!

Human shield... I remember that tactic.

The center was already reduced to a pile of rubble...wow.

"Too bad he's such a small target," Col. Mustang called out.

Oh man, not again...

He rose up above the audience and yelled out "Who are you calling small?!"

The Colonel snapped...towards the spectators?! Everyone in that area flew...everywhere. The ones beside ran away.

Now it was my turn to do a facepalm. Seriously? You overdid it.

"Need more?" the Colonel called out behind him, ready to snap. When the smoke cleared...everyone saw it was a dummy!

Ha! The Elric Dummy. They always fall for it. I grinned.

And...Nii-san jumped out from behind and slashed the Col.'s gloves. He made a HUGE cannon under himself, aimed towards the Colonel. He was about to fire it up when Col. Mustang brought his hand out...and it had another glove on.

Oh great.

Don't count him out just yet.

The Colonel snapped and made the cannon explode, sending Nii-san flying.

I coughed from all the dust and smoke. Damn asthma.

Rai started coughing but when I looked at her she just waved me off. I looked toward the battlefield and saw Roy standing victoriously in front of the Fullmetal Pipsqueak. He was about to snap when he got that haunted look in his eyes again.

The nightmares...

"Ishval." I heard Alvin mumble.

In that second, Ed had transmuted a sword onto his arm and was pointing it at Dad's neck.

When I stopped coughing, I saw Ed holding his blade toward the Col.'s throat. The Furher was approaching them.


In the end, it was declared a tie.

Oh, and they both had to clean up the mess they made.

I saw the same blonde woman from before, holding the Colonel's military coat, talking to Alphonse, who was still holding the same orange tabby and Nii-san's coat.

Alvin and I had spent the rest of the afternoon talking. He asked about why I was there, where I was before I came, stuff like that. He introduced himself properly to me in return. He told me that he and my brothers actually knew each other. Friends, he told me.

I saw a girl that looked like Alvin's opposite. She had waist-long blonde hair with black highlights, and was wearing a dark blue turtleneck and dark green skirt. Her hair was tucked into a green camouflage beret and she had combat boots that reached her knees.

"Chris."

"Hey Aly."

"Who's that?"

"The Elrics' sister."

"Hi, I'm Rai." I greeted her.

"Aline Carey Hawkeye, call me Aly. Heard a lot about you from your brothers. Come on, let's wait for them in the office.


We went to Colonel Roy Mustang's office and we were greeted by his men.

"Hey Alvin, who's the girl? Finally got a girlfriend?" a blond, blue-eyed lieutenant asked.

"What are you talking 'bout?! I just met her! She's the Elrics' sister!" Alvin shouted, looking like a tomato.

The rest of them laughed.

"Yeah, okay whatever you say. I'm Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc."

A roundish redhead guy licked his fingers clean of chicken grease. "2nd Lt. Heymans Breda."

A young man with round glasses looked up from the radio he was tinkering with. "Sgt. Kain Feury."

An old dude with grey hair cleared his throat, holding a thick book. "And I'm Warrant Officer Vato Falman."

"Hi everyone. I'm Raied Elric, please call me Rai." I bowed. "Nice to meet you all," I smiled.

The next few hours were spent with them "procrastinating on their paperwork" as Aly called it. It was already night, and I was getting sleepy because I hadn't slept the night before.

My head bobbed as I was startled awake. I rubbed my eyes for the millionth time.

"Hey Rai, you okay?" Alvin asked, shaking my shoulder. "If you want to sleep, at least get some dinner first. Here." he said, handing me a sandwich.

"Thanks," I mumbled. Aline was making the men do paperwork again by using her gun. Why does she even own one?

I ate the sandwich quickly.

"You can sleep on the couch," Alvin suggested.

I nodded sleepily, tugged my hood close to my face, and hugged my backpack like a pillow, falling asleep.


"Hey Rai, wake up," I heard a metallic voice.

"Al?" I rubbed my eyes, yawning.

"Yup, it's me."

"Where's Nii-san?" I asked, sitting up.

"Washing up. The Lieutenant Hawkeye told me you were here."

"Mmm."

At that moment, I heard a deep voice.

"Al, why don't you go ahead and pack your things? I'm sure you have only a few, but I want to be out of here as soon as Fullmetal is ready."

"Yes Colonel. I'll leave Rai here, then."

What was that about?

"So... You're their little sister."

"Mmhmmm." I nodded. "Where are Nii-san and Al going?"

"Well, the reason your brother chose to battle me for his reinstatement is because we had bets. If I won, I won't take care of Al's new cat. If he won, he won't have to live with me."

"Why would they live with you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Since your brothers are minors, as are you, and have no legal guardian, that makes me the legal guardian, according to the law. I was ordered to do this, but Fullmetal pleaded, so we bet on this. You will be staying with us as well."

"Oh." I said. Wow.

So I guess that we will be living with Alvin and Colonel Mustang. Huh. From one charge, he now has four. Hope we won't be too much trouble...

I curled back up on the black leather couch and fell asleep waiting for my brothers to be ready.


A/N: Wildcard belongs to KarmaHope's Shades of Grey.