I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise or any of the character. I do own my OC.

Chapter 36

- Ryan's POV –

I sit up on the cot, hearing footsteps outside approaching the door. I wait, seeing Major Miles enter the room along with the Elric brothers.

"There's been a change of plans," says Miles coolly. "We'll have to have that discussion later."

"Fine by me," I say standing up as he unlocks the door. I look at Edward, smirking to myself. "Em would be so proud, short stack. You haven't pissed Armstrong off enough to kill you yet."

"DON'T CALL ME SMALL," yells Edward.

I won't lie, that give me a headache, but the kids annoying. I'm gonna piss him off when I can.

"Enough," says Miles. I shrug following him and the others outside.

As we walk down the hall, it becomes clear how respected the Major is. Edward's hesitant, and I'm not sure why. I can't imagine his conversation with the General went well, but give me an update.

"So…where we goin'," I ask earning a glare from Ed. I just smile back as he turns towards Miles.

"Hey," he says. "What are you going to make us do as our jobs?" He pauses, but the Major doesn't respond. "Jeez…that's just unsociable. He could at least say something."

"Maybe it's you," I muses earning yet another glare. "You aren't exactly friendly."

"Shut up," he says punching me with his automail arm. I glare at him rubbing my arm. He turns back to Miles. "Earlier…that Doctor was saying that you all have something to hide. You… Major Miles. Do you have something to hide? It's not fair for only our secrets to be heard completely."

I stop as the Major does, watching as he removes his sunglasses.

"You want to know," he says, a bit of distaste in his voice. He turns towards us.

"Red eyes," says Alphonse as I just look at him shocked.

"An Ishvalan," says Edward loudly. I punch him hard.

"Ishvalans don't typically like people yelling about that," I growl.

"Why…," asks Ed hesitantly. I am curious, but I don't pry when it comes to people of my heritage. "I heard that soldiers with Ishvalan family lines were purged before the annihilation campaign."

"It only means that I don't come from Ishval," says Miles calmly. "It's true that Ishvalan blood runs through my veins, but my grandmother, father…, and incidentally, my wife, are of a different race. My grandfather's blood runs strong through me. That's why this is my skin and eye color. You've done quite a number on the land of my ancestors, Amestrian."

"Unlike you," I growl growing angry at Miles, "I was born there and watched them die. And I didn't come back here to join the military. You don't have the right to hate Amestrians, as a whole. Got it?"

"Ishvalans also burned our country town," says Edward calmly.

"Hey brother," starts Edward trying to stop them.

"And killed our childhood friend's parents."

I watch as the two have a stare off.

I'm taken aback as Miles starts to laugh.

"This is the first time someone has struck back at me like that," he says smiling a bit. "Either an Ishvalan or Amestrian. That's quite a bitter thing to say. But thank you for treating me as an equal."

"Ass," I mutter, having little respect for him.

"You…were testing me," asks Edward.

"Pardon me," says Miles, putting his glasses back on. "After that rebellion, whenever normal people see these eyes they draw back as if an Ishvalan is an equivalent to a target of pity…. To be honest…I'm tired of having to explain every time. But you don't fear or pity. You looked at my eye straight on."

"Well," muses Edward, "I've been associating with Ishvalans who've tried taking my life, almost kidnapped me, made compromises with me…you can't help but clash when the entire race is brought together. But I think it's possible to talk as equals between individuals."

I stay silent watching as they continue forward, following them. I'm not sure what to make of him.

"Major Miles," starts Edward having more questions than he'd like is my guess. "Were you enrolled in the military during the annihilation campaign?"

"Yes," says the Major. I just stop myself from letting out a low growl. "I've been General Armstrong's assistant since then. The annihilation campaign started as soon as I was appointed here. Starting with my grandfather, my Ishvalan relatives were killed on eastern soil. I didn't meet the standards for the military purge and was saved."

"Didn't you hate the military," asks Edward. He glances at me. "Either of you."

"You really do ask things directly without fear," says Miles before a can reply.

"Sorry if I offended you," says Edward. He pauses trying to find how to explain this. "Mostly, I ask because I dislike my own ignorance."

"An alchemist who admits ignorance, eh…?" He pauses before looking forward. "I did hate them, and at the same time I held doubt in the Major General who continued to use me as her assistant instead of banishing me. She told me that my various races allowed me to see from other perspectives. That was valuable and to continue to follow her. Those words were truly rational and without deception. When I asked 'but still what if the Ishvalan blood within me could not national military and make a fuss?' How do you think the Major General replied? She told me 'very well, come at me. As representative for the national military, I will accept your duel at any time.'"

"Ugh," complain Ed. "What an awful woman? Saying that will all her troops lined up behind her.

"No," corrects Miles. "Those eyes were saying, she'd cut me down one-on-one. Do you know the law of this place?"

"Survival of the fittest…was it," asks Edward.

"Right," says Miles. "That means we're all on the same balance. Those who are weak and unprepared die. Those who are strong survive. It is the same for the underlings and the bosses. It is a truth that doesn't change in all 24 hours, 365 days a year. It's very simple. Here there's no race, or nationality, or gender."

"Sounds like where I ended up," I remark. "There age wasn't even a factor. I'm the youngest of the group, and the second youngest was second in command. For good reason."

"You never said if you hate the military," says Edward as we go outside.

"Yes and no," I remark thinking of the Devil's Nest. "I hate the mindless soldiers who follow orders without knowing why. I don't hate people like Em. She would fight back without hesitation against those fighting against Amestria, but she was merciful to those who didn't want involved in the war or where to young to have a choice."

"Are you referring to Colonel Ember Havoc," asks Miles. "Her and her men were know for going against their mission. I was in charge of investigating that. Did she save you from Ishval?"

"She saved me after the war," I say calmly. "I was being experiment on at a research laboratory along with her and her men. She was know for her insubordination there and was being tortured. A scientist wanted me to do the torturing, but I couldn't. She was only a little older than me. She told me to do it and protect myself, and kept assuring me that she was okay with it. I couldn't do it, and before I knew it we were rescued by someone."

"You mean to say, she's still alive," ask Major Miles.

"I supposed you can say that's my secret," I remark sharply going up the steps. "That and the fact that I'm a chimera. Part wolf to be exact."

"You too," asks Edward. "Em said she was part wolf."

"Guess they had some extras," I say sharply. I wasn't going to tell them more about Ember than necessary.

I chuckle as Ed trips, just stopping himself from falling.

"That was close," he says.

"Brother," says Alphonse sounding a bit annoyed and worried. "You need to watch where you're-"

We all freeze as an icicle falls where Ed was a moment ago.

"If you hadn't stumbled there, your head would have been cracked open," says Miles a bit amused. "This is survival of the fittest. You survived because you are lucky." I look up as he does at the dozens on icicles hanging there precariously. "Those icicle removers have been slacking. This is your job."

"Cool," I say with a shrug.

"Not you," says Miles. "Your past makes me curious. You'll be working to assist me, and as a result, the Major General as well."

"Fine by me," I say with a shrug. "I may have some information she would want anyways."

"Then come with me," he says. "You should also know the General quite like Obsidian."

"Good, so I have some semblance on an 'in'," I say following the man. "I don't respect you decisions about this country and the military."

"You have every right to think that way."