Wow, thanks for your comments and alerts. It's not as much as some of my friend's but I really appreciate them! Thanks to those who grew to the 35 hits and thanks Miss Woodford and Cuylerjade! (And yes, I have entwined your names in this plot.)

Warning: You will never look at teachers the same way again.

'..oO(&)Oo..,

Chapter 2 Boy

The adults had wrapped him in a blanket as they talked. It seemed all like blubber in his ears. He only remembered faint noises of ''ward… Elric… … Earth… human alchemy… … turn of the century! … law of science… it's true… … … are you listening? … he isn't listening."

The blonde boy looked up wearily, drowsily… sleepily… this was all too much for him. What was happening? Why didn't anything make sense? Why aren't his ears working? Wait… that's… the anger soon welled inside him and his eyes widened suddenly, they creased.

"W-what…" He began to mutter, or stutter… or falter. Falter. Was he here by mistake?

"YES?" A loud voice boomed.

The boy looked up startled and shot him a withering look, one brow raised. "What do you mean? Take it easy. I'm trying to make sense of this all." He gritted his teeth. "And it's not making sense." He doubted he made much sense either but he had to let off his steam. But the question was still lingering in the air.

There was silence for a moment.

It queued him in. "W-what am I going to do?"

A further silence confused him.

Then a tall, broad man spoke. His mouth broke into a smile. "Nothing." He grinned. "Simply nothing." He began pacing around the boy. Circles. He planted a sore finger on the boy's fragile head. He leaned on it causing a small cry. "Perhaps you should listen next time."

Somehow the pressure point made his mind clearer. The boy's eyes seemed tougher. Almost hawk-like. He glared, his irises glowering their natural gold, thinking to himself how hospitable and excited they had been moments ago. And now they were treating him like a sheep.

He suddenly became sarcastic… felt sarcastic. He twisted his lips. "Do you think I would follow these rules?"

"So you've been listening."

The man's large hand grasped the top of his head. And clamped tight. "Then you would do what you have heard. Do you understand?"

The victim cringed. "Yes, mister."

Funny. That man reminded him of Sloth. He shrugged the thought off. At least his mind was straight again. He wondered why he couldn't make sense of it all at first. Of course he was who he is. He knew everything he needed to know. Alchemy. People. Al, Winry, Scar, homunculi. His goal: philosopher's stone. And why he is here – is a purpose. He is Edward Elric.

The principal smiled to himself pleasantly. The boy is foolish. Then he laughed and some staff cast him funny, but respected, looks. But of course, any sum of human alchemy will cause confusion on the 'human' itself. I am just glad it worked out. Now he will think this world as his. … Just with a few more, odd characters. That will soon come to plan…

… sweetly, perfectly…

Tasha sucked in her breath deeply. Conjured for lunch detention, she waddled towards her usual Chemistry desk. For some reason, the room was unlocked and she'd let herself in. It was a wonder where Mrs Friel could be. Should the teacher be present during a detention session? … She shrugged to herself.

Idunno, she thought. It was her first one, anyway.

Tasha fiddled with a pencil. Maybe chemistry equations were a good start. Teachers always like a good form of punishment by extra work in their subject area.

She opened up her work book, biting at the end of her writing utensil before scribbling on her open notes. Quickly revising the equations she covered them and did a Read! Remember! Write! Method on the next page.

Ohyay, she had got it correct.

The girl considered some more formulas and memorised them. Haha… acin'. Then grimaced. She'd gotten one wrong. Tasha groaned.

She's done it again: substituted a 'totally good' chemistry equation with an alchemic law. You don't need equivalent trade for some big projects like making home-made bombs, right? Or do you…? Her mind wandered off to her loved topic.

Absent-mindedly, Tasha drew a five-point star at the top edge of her page.

Suddenly, the door clicked open. Startled, she slashed a line through her modern alchemic creation.

"Ouch!" Edward Elric bumped his head on a shelf.

"Careful!" A woman hissed. Then softened. "Wow, they say you were one of the greatest alchemists, ever. And look at you being all clumsy?"

He wanted to talk back but decided the better. Anyway, he was sure it was some sort of strange reaction. He couldn't have just suddenly smashed his head onto some random thing. Could he? Wasn't he short? Oh, wow. A fact popped up. Maybe he'd grown.

The woman cleared her throat. "You've finished changing, let's go."

She opened the room's door and she saw him clearly. Edward wondered why they needed a woman outside his door. He was changing.

Mrs. Kriel entered Tasha's room. She was surprised. A star student scheduling her own detention. Rather amusing, but intelligent nevertheless. She smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Tasha. I know you don't mean to."

Tasha opened her mouth to speak –

Mrs. Kriel continued and said something that caused a spark in the student's mind.

"We know that alchemy is… appealing."

Tasha whistled under her breath. "We?"

Twenty minutes of good catch-up Chemistry was glamour in Tasha's surprise. She was glad Mrs. Kriel had lightened and they actually ventured on the topic of the weekend at one stage. Suddenly, in between "shopping?" and "nah, only with friends", the bell rang.

Tasha got up. The girl raced to her lockers, ate her lunch and waved oddly to some of her friends.

"I saw someone weird walking around."

"Hmmph? Weird…" Tasha chewed on her stale, over-cooked pizza. "Hhhmmmmhhm."

"Huuryeah… She was with Ms. Woodford. She has these really nice, golden eyes – or so I've heard. Ahaha, you've got food everywhere! Forget it, eat up and get to form.

"Oooh gold. Heeey, wait up. I-I've just finished!" Tasha through her lunchbox in her locker and caught up with Lyzette. In five minutes they were settled down in form. Lyzette studying for next period chemistry and Tasha respectively teaching her with a tang of alchemy.

Edward tugged on his tie and school blouse. "Why do I have to wear this crap?"

"Unless you want to be a) tortured or b) exposed, I think you should just do as we say. It's a nice school uniform anyway."

He didn't talk back either. Oh, he was so sure he'd been drugged. Suddenly he chirped. "Have I been drugged?"

She smiled wryly. "Why yes, you have."

Edward grinned stupidly. "I thought so." And he entered the form room.

'..oO(&)Oo..,

Wow! It just gets really more fun the more I write. Wrote this on one night. I finished at 12:12 am. Haha. :) 3

Love Stephanie xoxoxo

God bless you!