Chapter XII

2249

Garth

Ishbal

So his first name's Ed-Rose, eh? Could Ishbal be my hometowns name?

He opened the book to the first page and read: 'Ishbal's religion was against

alchemy. They beleived that alchemy was against God's will. This caused a dispute known as the Ishbal Massacre. Air colony marines were ordered into the peaceful community and would kill anyone who opposed them. At one time, the tensions were so high, the marines would shoot anyone who just as much came out of there houses.'

Garth shut the book. He was positive that Ishbal was his birthplace. And, out of the fact that the marines displayed such malice, he cried. I shall now take a brief intermission to discuss Garth's attitude. He pretends to be a tough guy, mostly for his brother's sake, but that is a charade that is rudely thrown off by his height, which I happen to know, is only five foot four. Now back to the story….

"Oh, Garth." said a female voice, dripping with sarcasm. "I am sorry to interrupt this tear jerking moment but I've been looking for you all day long and I have to tell you something very important."

"Who the heck are you?" Garth asked.

"My name is Desire, and I've come to tell you all about your past and future."

"What do you mean?"

"First, I'll explain why I'm here: eleven years ago, Earth was plummeted into turmoil. The O-Zone Layer was dying down, and skin cancer was on the rise. The United Nations felt it necessary to construct a protective colony suspended in the atmosphere. So they did. They built their air colony, and loaded everyone onto it. But about two percent of the population refused to go. So they stayed on Earth. I was one of them.

"Seven years passed, until the people who lived on Earth realized that the air colony owed them money. You see, the organization who stayed on Earth helped the United Nations build the colony. The air colony ignored its demands. Four more years passed and the colony still hadn't paid any heed to Earth's pleas. Finally, war broke out I am a soldier in the Earth army. And once we got word you were enlisting in the marines, I was sent to assassinate you."

"But why me?"

"Because you possess a natural skill in alchemy, like me and your ancestors. Alchemists believe that the whole universe revolves around science and everything is explained using scientific fact. Alchemy is used mostly by drawing a complex symbol on the object you wish to convert. However, if you make something new, you must make a sacrifice, big or small depending upon the alchemy. Like your fathers, you are the Fullmatal alchemist. I am the Flame alchemist. This alchemy would be useful in battle as you would imagine, which is why I burnt your house."

"You ba---"

"I don't have time for your insults. But, I will say this: If you get out of here alive, we shall meet again."