Disclaimer shite : FullMetal Alchemist belongs to the makers of said Anime. This fanfiction belongs to Sarah Deva and Sique Morgenthau (Sique).

Prelude

" It is always a tragedy when death befalls us, but it is especially sad when it strikes an already divided family…"

Fitting for such an occasion, the skies of Central hung low, casting darkness over it's grieving people.

" John Parker was a kind soul; a competent man who supported his family even in the most desperate of times."

Bitter wind stung at the paled cheeks of the small reception, hassling the features of the observers.
" No doubt we will all miss John," The Priest's gentle gaze travelled across the two women watching, fixing upon the younger of the two, continuing,

" But it is especially sorrowful for his younger sister, Lucy Parker."
The older of the two females shifted her gaze from the coffin, letting copper orbs rest on Lucy's features. The pretty young girl made no attempt to return her stare, oblivious to it as the cold weather stung her tear-stained face, emerald eyes cast downwards.
" Please, God, take this gentle soul into your arms in Heaven, so that you both may watch over this grieving girl."
It was as the first clump of soil was scattered over the coffin that Lucy's stare was broken, the realisation shaking through her petite and humbled form.

Behind straight, face-framing locks, a smug smile found Dante's weathering face.
Ah, it's about time I got a new body.
This will be easier than I thought.

Chapter One : Witchcraft

It was a few nights later that Lucy Parker was called to Dante's expansive estate, having received an informal letter requesting her audience. The architecture and grand nature of the place was a stunning sight to the modest orphan, and so, by the time Lucy found Dante's functions room and stood face-to-face once more with her, Lucy had been shocked to silence.
" How does life treat you, Miss Parker? I hope you have been managing."
Although not particularly sharp, Lucy was aware of the arrogance masked faintly behind Dante's smile.
Green oculars held Dante's gaze, crimson locks framing her stern expression;
" For what reason have you summoned me here, Dante-san?" Lucy's stare continued, flicking across the vast gardens of the estate.

" John Parker was a great man; a simple man, but a great one."
Lucy's pretty face snapped back to the older woman, replying with defiance;

" I wasn't aware that you knew my brother, ma'am."

A small smirk crossed Dante's tight lips, a jewelled hand raising to tuck her fixed hair behind her ear, elaborating. "You're the only one left in your family, no?" Cold brown eyes held a new tone; "I can help you out." Dante fell silent, leaving Lucy to query.

" And how is that?" Lucy turned on Dante, long red waves twisting in momentum as she did so, "Do you think that by lending me funds you can replace my brother?"

The response was more than Dante had expected, having put Lucy down as a meek character.

"I have no intentions of replacing your brother," Dante barked her reply, tiring of Lucy's stubborn nature. Her eyes narrowed, smirk regained "I can bring your brother back."

Lucy's green eyes shook slightly as she hung onto Dante's words. Dante remained calm, letting the young woman come to her own conclusions.

Lucy shuddered and looked at Dante, nodding in respect as she turned to leave.
" Do you believe in life after death, Miss Parker?"

Lucy's hand stopped on the door handle, " I believe in heaven and hell, virtues and sins; that once you die you may not return to the land of the living."
" Is that what the Christian Faith teaches?" Dante smiled contently.

" I beg to differ. Would you care to see? Do you really have anything else to lose, Miss Parker?"

Gaze travelled across the luxurious interior of Dante's reception, creeping back to her senior with a numbed expression, reality sinking in.

" Interested, are you?" Dante rose from her elaborate chair, stare feeding off the form before her, calculating. Bony fingers rose around her face as she offered,
" You know of alchemy, ne?"
" Alchemy," Lucy's round face held a stern expression, voice trembling somewhat, " Until recently, it was considered an act of witchcraft."
" Only because it was new to humanity." Dante interjected, a cool smile played across her tight features.
" Maybe so, but much tragedy befell our people because of Alchemy. If that is the way in which you intend to help me, I refuse your assistance."

" Do you not want your brother back, Lucy-chan? Do you not miss John?"
A glaze came to Lucy's green stare, and she turned her back on the mysterious figure, uttering;
" I thank you for your offer, Dante-san, but I refuse.
My brother would never want for such a thing."

" A shame," Dante mused, sighing a little, " I'll have to open your eyes to the truth of this world."

" Man, this is annoying. Why do I have to come along?"
Voices were all that Lucy's blurred senses could focus upon, head spinning as she tried to gather her thoughts.

" Calm yourself, Envy-kun – We don't want to make our guest uncomfortable."

Dante. That was the last person that Lucy could remember.

" No, that would be bad, Dante-san."
A third voice, laid back and somewhat sarcastic, but lacking in the mocking nature that the voice of this 'Envy' person possessed.
This voice was the loudest for Lucy; clearly the owner of it was closest.
" Shut your trap, kid." Envy sneered vocally, hissing somewhat in irritation.
" Watch your tongue, Envy."

Slowly, Lucy's sight was returning, nurtured ground bobbing blurrily under her, passing by. Dante and Envy's minor conflict faded into the background, more important matters now available to Lucy as slowly she desperately tried to piece her consciousness back together.

An attempt to raise her head only caused a pulse of throbbing pain to Lucy, making her hack weakly against Greed. The muscled arms loosened their hold on her slightly, allowing slight movement for the redhead as he observed her.

" Ahh, a good choice, Dante-san,"

The voice of Greed cooed above Lucy's skull, welcoming her to the waking world with a sharp-toothed smirk,

" She's a pretty one."

Inside, Lucy was panicking, but a numbness prevented her from struggling. Something genuinely calm washed over her senses, leaving her to stare helplessly into Greed's lilac orbs.

" Tch," Envy sneered in the direction of Lucy, shrugging, " It's just a human, they're all the same ;"

Envy neared Greed and Lucy, peering at the sedated form.

Expressive features holding an arrogant smirk, his androgynous face held inches from her own, he elaborated;

" Annoying and Pointless."

" Envy!" Dante snapped, halting her footsteps to turn her stern face in the direction of the slender figure, silencing him with a single word.

As the group continued, Lucy's numbed mind traced over the events before she came to… What was the purpose of this?

Something about John… Alchemy.

Even in her sedated state, a frown fell over Lucy's freckled face as her mind crossed that word.
" Alchemy…" She murmured, managing to find her voice, having regained her senses.

What had happened to her? Something was influencing her, rendering her eerily calm despite her compromised situation.

" Alchemy?" Greed mused, facing the girl he carried before addressing the middle-aged form woman in front of them, " Oh, she's smart, too!" He feigned impression.

" Don't get too attached, Greed," Dante returned coldly, despite his obvious lack of authenticity, " We're here."

Sique's Note : Dear Readers,
We thought we should inform you right about now that Lucy Parker isn't the main character, so, like Dante advised, don't get too attached.