'Alchemy... is a science where one understand the structure of matter,

breaks it down, then rebuilds it. With it...

we can create anything with just one transmutation.

Something of equal value must be present.

But what if... it was used for something else...?'

Chapter 1 ~ The Gate

-Me-

"Catherine Cairo, are you paying attention!?" my teachers yells, slamming her ruler on my desk. I nearly fell from both shock and fear. I slowly looked up only to see a very pissed off teacher.

I instantly stood up and quickly apologize, "I'm sorry! It'll never happen again!"

She just sighed and continued the discussion which just happened to be science. Seeing that I was off the hook, I sat back down while ignoring the looks I was receiving from my classmates. My name is Catherine Cairo, and yes that is my name. If I was old enough, I'd change my last name to something normal. I can't think of any good ones, but I will change my name, and that won't be through marriage. I'm a scholar at this quote-on-quote 'prestigious' school for the 'gifted'. Though I think the only reason I was even given this scholarship was to make this place look good for the papers. They could have chosen from a dozen other kids from my old school.

But nope, the reasoning on why only I was chosen, was solely because I was the only kid that knew how to behave. Or that's what he admitted when he was drunk on the day of our first meeting in his office. Anyway, for a while now, I've been daydreaming a lot in class, more so than usual. It's been a bit of a problem for me. Mainly because its giving my teachers a reason to call me out during the middle of their lecture. And it's always bad timing on my part since that's the time I would decide to pay attention. I don't know if it's just bad timing on my part, or they've developed a sixth sense due to their years as a teacher. I admit it is my fault for not even trying to listen, but they really need to drop the warden act.

Though, I guess there is a reason on my part. It's not really a good one, but in my case it's make some sense. Tomorrow is my 12th birthday. That might probably why my mind has been elsewhere instead of in class.

'That does make sense. My birthday isn't usually something I look forward to,' I thought sadly as resume taking notes.

"Alright I want all of you to look on page 394 and start reading until the bell rings," our teacher instructs, writing it on the chalk board so we won't forget.

All of us let out an annoyed groan at the idea of having to read more, but it did cause some of us to snicker. Not our fault our drama teacher had us watch Harry Potter this morning. Zipping our mouths shut when she snapped her head in our direction, we quietly did as we were told. None of us want to get on her bad side, again. I took out my science book from my backpack and started flipping through the pages till I reached it. I wasn't shocked at what I was reading, it had information about alchemy and homunculi. Two weeks we've been learning about it, and as off as it is to learn something so old (and borderline useless), we kinda got used to it.

It came to us as a surprise when we were given the books for free, and it was an even bigger surprise when we opened our labelless books to see the subject was about Alchemy and not Biology like we're supposed to be learning. Very few of us liked anime so it didn't came as a surprise when I asked them what this reminded them of, and I received the same answer - Fullmetal Alchemist. As funny as it was to learn something fictional anime characters learned and used to fight, a lot of us were concerned about this sudden unannounced change in the school's curriculum. If they wanted to make their public image good, then why risk it by teaching us something so outdated that it's even made fun of by modern scientists.

Someone contacted their parents about it, but all she said was that her folks were assured that none of what will be discussed will affect our main education. It's very strange on what I was learning, I bet the others felt the same way after the first few weeks, but eventually, we decided to stop questioning the change and just went with it. I can't really say much either since I don't have parents that could also confront this situation with the principal. Going there by myself would either just get me kicked out of the office or detention. As I sat there and listened to our teacher, I blankly stare down at the pages.

It's not that I'm not interested. In fact, I was way more excited than the other kids to learn such an old science. It's just there's something about it that's always interested me. Not because it's related to FMA, that's just redundant.

BBBRRRIIINNNGGG! That was the final school bell for the day. All of us instantly started putting our notebook and textbook into our individual backpacks.

"Now remember class! Tomorrow is the field trip!" we hear our teacher remind us. I wasn't in a hurry to leave while the others started bolting out of the room.

"Oi Cat! You coming!?" one my friends shout from the door, noticing that I was still in the room. Shaking my head, I remain in my seat as I watch the boy leave the room with the rest of our classmates, leaving only me and the teacher. After packing up my remaining notebooks and textbooks, I flung my bag over my shoulders and head for the door. When I was about to pass my teacher, a shiver runs down my spine, causing me to halt right in front of her. She gave off an eerie vide when chose to look at her.

"Something wrong?" she asks me with a seemingly kind smile. But behind that smile, I can sense some hidden malice.

She wore her usual black suit and had her hair tied up in a messy bun, her large chest almost exposed like it usually is. The only thing that's different about her was the piercing red eyes that were behind the lens of her glasses. 'Since when did she wear contact lenses?' I wondered but chose to keep my questions to myself. It's not my place to judge her, she's a grown adult who's old enough to make her own decisions, and means she can do whatever she wants to her body. Pursing my lips to fight the urge to frown, I shook my head and exited the room.

'That women... she's oddly familiar... Er! Don't be stupid Cat, you've known her for a year!' I mentally argue with myself. Trying to shake the odd familiarity feeling away, I left the room without looking back.

I kept passing by other students who were either chatting or getting things from their lockers. I just wanted to get back home before- "Cat!" And that gave me a signal that it was too late. Before I could make a run for it, a pair of arms wrap around my neck from behind, rendering me incapable of escaping.

"Gah! Alice, get off of me!" I yell, trying to push away the hyper girl.

"Geez... you don't have to be so mean..." Alice pouts but reluctantly does as she's told.

"You're the one that always glomps me!"

"Anyway I just wanted to great you an early happy birthday!" she chirps, completely ignoring my complaints. As usual.

"Oh yeah, it's tomorrow..." I responded dully.

"Man... too bad it had to be on the field trip!" She randomly checks her non-existent watch. "Agh! I gotta run! See ya!"

I raise a brow at her odd behavior, then I noticed there were some bandages on her hands. Before I could ask, she bolts right past me like lightening. I turned in the direction she ran off to and watch as she accidentally bumps into some people. That girl has always been hyper but today was on a whole other level. Turning away, I noticed something laying on the floor. I know it's not really any of my business, and I could just leave it for the janitor or hall monitor to turn it to Lost & Found, but knowing how people are like, I can't really leave this.

I picked it up to see it was a small back, there wasn't any wrapping or anything on it.

'This might belong to Alice... Oh well,' I shrug at the thought, 'I'll give it to her tomorrow.'

Shoving it into my jacket's left pocket, I adjust the straps on my shoulder and continue down the hall. The entire floor was bustling with kids and teenagers. The only reason there's a buzz going on around the school is because of the field trip. It's not just my class that's going, the entire student body is going. I don't know if it's mandatory or not because even the sick kids are going. If that's not suspicious, then I don't know what is. Speaking of kids, as I was walking, one kid walk laughing with his buddies and jerked an arm back, accidentally elbowing me in the side.

It didn't hurt, of course, but it did almost make me trip on my feet. He seemed he was about to apologize as I saw the corner of his lips were raised until he turns to see who he elbowed. I wasn't at all surprised

The school buses were lined up, but I decided not to ride on it today. Its gonna be a long walked home but I didn't care, I felt like cooling my head off today. The streets were busy as usual, malls and shops filled up, friends passing by laughing, everything around me was noisy. Can't blame it though it is the big city, it's I stopped in my tracks and looked up a bill-board sign that stood high above me to the right. 'Everyone can accept who you are,' it read.

'Yeah right... everyone but me,' I angrily thought as I look away.

I continue on my way home. Its strange to be different, people around me were either black-haired or brunette while I'm the blonde head around here. They say if your hair is purely red then you're a bad child, or that's what that old lady living at the church's told me. I knew someone like that in elementary when I was a kid, but he disappeared for some odd reason. Nobody knew why, and since then, he was never seen again. Till now, his parents haven't found any information on what exactly happened to the kid. As time went on, people started to forget him and his existence in the world. They've all accepted with the idea that he's dead by now. I wouldn't blame them for thinking like that. It's been almost 4 years since we last saw him and his family, excluding his parents, finally gave in to the though of never seeing the guy ever again.

There are sometimes I would visit his parents since he was almost a friend of mine. I didn't believe in that type of stuff, but these guys do and not in a good way. After a few miles of walking, I finally got home. I headed up the steps searching for the keys in my pocket.

"Is that you Cat?" a voice calls out from above. I looked up to see one of my neighbors Mrs. Russel. So far she's the only one that likes me besides Alice.

"Yeah I just got back!" I yelled out smiling. When I found the keys in my pocket, I unlocked the door only to be greeted by darkness.

"Geez... they still didn't fix the lights?" I wondered, closing the door behind me. Heading up the stairs, more noise erupted through the building. This place wasn't what you call home sweet home, but after staying here for 7 years, it makes a person ignore all the ruckus. Reaching my apartment door, a bottle crash into the wall inches from my face.

I turned my head around pissed off, yelling, "Who the hell did that!?" Normally it was a drunk man but this time it was different.

"Shut up you little girl!" yells a woman who seemed to be in her 40's.

"Little!? Hey, I may be eleven, but I am not little girl!" I retort, glaring daggers at her. She came up to me ready to punch me until her 'boyfriend' came up behind to her calm her down.

"It's okay baby... she's still young and growing alright so let it go..." he whispers, purposely speaking loud enough for me to hear.

He looks over and gives me a wink. I shivered and instantly ran into my apartment. 'God that was gross!' I thought after slamming the door behind my back.

I sighed and flicked the light switch on. The lights turned on to reveal an almost completely empty room; filled with only a single bed, desk, small bookshelf, and an old fashioned TV. Not much to buy when you have only 20 bucks a day at a part-time job. I wanted to take a shower but I was too tired and just walked to my bed jumping onto it. I felt something under my hand. I lifted my hand up to reveal my manga book of FMA. I loved the story, everything taught me how to move on and be strong.

"I don't have homework so..." I trail off as I opened it up and started to read.

So far I was on the 3rd book, knowing how manga worked, it'll take me awhile to collect the rest. Not to mention the fact that I'll be budgeting more of my manga if I want to keep up with the series and the bills I paid for using the internet too much for watching the 2003 series. I haven't even gone past the 1st episode on the latest anime series, but I really want to catch up if I want to watch the finale. While most otakus I've met at some local conventions were into Naruto and One Piece, I personally prefer FMA over all the other anime & manga that are presented for all to see. The ones I have tried to get into were abandoned on my nightstand. Never to be turned again. I laid down on my back and stared at the ceiling, resting my manga over my chest.

"If only alchemy was real," I muttered, lifting my hand up the air. "Maybe living in this world wouldn't be so hard. I could be able to change everything."

++The Next Day++

"Everyone listen up! This is a very important trip today and I want all of you to stay together!" our teacher instructs us as we all board the bus.

From behind, some student was complaining.

"I hear that we're just going to watch some sorta cult today."

"Really? Man, that sucks..." the other complains.

I think our teacher heard it and headed to where those two students were. "If you boys think this is your waste of time then why don't you get off now?" she asks at the exact moment the bus started to move.

"But we can't now ma'am," one responds, noticing how fast we were going.

"We could let you off while it's moving," she offers.

Based on the lack of response, they probably turned white out of fear and kept their mouths shut. Noting their quietness, she headed back to the front but gave a quick glance at me then continued her way to the front.

"Geez, that lady freaks me out... What happened to the kind teacher we used to know," I said to no one in particular. Or, at least that's what I thought

"Yeah she's more weirder than before," Alice blurts out, appearing right next to me.

"Agh! Alice you scared me!" I screamed. She just giggles making me sigh in annoyance. Someday this girl is gonna give me a heart attack. I still wonder how we're still friends at all. I crossed my arms and leaned back in my seat looking out at the window.

"Have you noticed some of the teachers have been acting weird lately?" Alice asks to get rid of the awkward silence.

"Really... I wonder why..." I groan not caring of what she's saying.

All I want is peace and quiet only until this girl kept blabbering how weird things have been going on around school.

"Are you listening?" she asks finally noticing me gazing out the window. I yawned in response. Alice pouts and left my side, saying, "Fine be like that."

Finally alone at last! Usually, at times like this, I would be doing a happy dance, but I gotta stay cool or else I'd look like a complete idiot. Let's just say I have multiple personalities so it's hard to tell what I'm like.

"Everyone please get your stuff ready! We're arriving in ten minutes!" yells our teacher.

I sighed and just grabbed my backpack that was on the floor, putting it onto my lap. I looked out the window again and saw a giant black building. It was actually amazing... problem was that it looked like a giant door. Talk about of weird sense of fashion. The bus came to a stop making everyone on board leave as soon as the door opened. I cringe while thinking, 'They're sure in a hurry to get out.'

I threw my bag over my shoulders and started heading down to the exit.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, staring at the huge area in awe. It was so big! Big enough for a king!

"Settle down kids we need to get inside before the performance starts," another teacher orders.

I turned to take a look at the teacher, she almost looks exactly like Lust. Now that I take a better look at the teacher's there was about only 7 of them, even the short kid kinda reminds me of someone, but I can't say yet who it is."Is something wrong Ms. Cairo?" a creepy voice asks me from behind. Of course, it was 'my' teacher who just gave me a very eerie smile. "No... it's nothing...' I muttered and ran to where my classmates were.

-Normal-

"Is it her?"

"Yeah I'm sure of it. It's that midget alchemist's girlfriend."

"Then it was a good idea to do the transmutation here."

From behind the two a girl came up wearing a hood. The two adults turned to her. "When is the party going to start?" she asks in a very bored tone.

-Back to Me-

The whole place was filled up and it was so cramped here. "Agh! Hey watch it!" I screech after feeling someone stomp, and I mean stomp, on my right foot. At the center was a stage, lucky for me I was able to get a front row seat. Lights hit the stage to reveal a man in a white cloak. When we all saw him, we all quiet down to hear what he had to say. He seemed very familiar for some odd reason... I can't put my finger on it...

"Welcome, today is a special day for all of you children of the future world. I am here to introduce you to a new age that will fall upon us on this day, an age different from the one you currently!

I look around, confused like all the others as to what's happening. I know we were going to a field trip, and those boys were joking around that we'd watch some sort of cult. But I didn't think we'd actually be listening to the words of a maniac. An old one in fact. Still, I remain silent and listen what to what this guy has to say. There's no point in making assumptions this early.

"As you know the world is slowly dying thanks to your so called science that is used day by day. Humans wasting they're own precious life when it could be used for something else... something of greater power! During the past few weeks you've noticed a sudden change in one of your lessons, Alchemy." My eyes widened at the words as he continued to speak. "I've watched for years as your world change at every mistake leaders make in hope of changing the world for peace. You lack so much even for a younger generation such as yourselves... and that is, the true understanding of what you humans are meant for." The man places a hand on his chest as he introduces himself. "I am known by my children as Father, and you all are sacrifices for the new age."

I understand now, the purpose of why were here, why this man looks so familiar to me, and why he talks about humans when he looks like one himself. This man, he's Father! I remember what Alice told me about this guy. He's the one who gave birth to the homunculi and named then after the seven deadly sins. Not many in the room didn't seem to get what was going on, except for those who also figured it out like me. Only a few of knew what he meant by sacrifice. I've read bits and pieces of him on the internet to see if what Alice had told me was true, and it amazed me on how much on creature could cause that much destruction. Six of our teachers and an elementary student came to his side as if they were his body guards.

This was really bad now, I can even tell now who they are one by one. Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Greed, Sloth, and also Pride were there standing in front of all of us.

'Damn it, I should've realized it sooner!' I click my teeth and look around for an exit. I started to step away little by little, but one of them caught sight of me and smiled.

"And it seems one has volunteered to start the celebration," smirks Envy, who jumps off the stage and headed towards me. I wanted to run, run away from what's happening but I was too late, Envy grabbed my head and started to drag me back to the stage. The students started to panic on what was going on. I was shoved forward making me fall downwards on the ground.

"Now it's time..." one of them mutters. I was lifted off the ground by the back of my collar.

"Let me go!" I yelled as I tried to get out of whoevers' grip.

But I stopped struggling and saw that it was sloth holding me. Take note: if a huge, tall muscular guys is holding you... do not struggle if you want to not be crushed by a huge hand. Father walked up to my frozen body holding up a knife.

"You're not gonna cut a piece of my body... right?" I asked, scared for my life while the blade got closer. It was the most stupid question ever, it just made Father smile at my weak self and sliced the skin of my right hand. The slicing didn't really hurt but the drop I got did. I was instantly dropped like a ragged doll.

"Now perform alchemy!" Envy orders and points a gun at my head. Getting on my knees, I looked up at all the people who had terrified looks. I could even spot Alice in the crowd and she was just as scared.

"If you don't start now," Envy started to point the gun somewhere else, "I'll shoot them one at a time."

I let out a gasp and look around the room with fearful eye. These people will die either way. If I don't do something, the longer I hesitate, the more it'll be a slow and torturous process. But if I do, whatever alchemy I perform might kill them. My body started to tremble all-over as fearful thoughts begin to fill my head. I've never been this scared in my life.

I tried to argue, "People cannot use alchemy here! All of us are just average human beings that have no special abilities what so ever! Even I can't perform alchemy!"

A bang echoes through the room as a bullet purposefully flies past my head. Almost a delayed reaction, a scream erupted immediately the second I turn my head. I watch as a body collapses to the ground, causing many to back away while others hesitantly approach him. Thankfully, he was alive, but the boy was now bleeding like crazy from his left shoulder.

"Next one." I take in a sharp breath as Envy aims his gun at another random direction with a big wicked smile.

"No! Stop it!" I wailed.

I don't know what or how it happened. The moment I slam my hand on the ground, a sudden light flashed and the wood from the stage came to life. It wraps itself around Envy's leg, causing my jaw to hang. This seemed to appear more pleased than shocked at the sight.

"So you CAN use alchemy!" he laughs as he easily breaks his leg free. "Looks like the alchemy in this world is too weak. If that's the case, then start the transmutation! If not them I won't just injure the next human! There are plenty of lives here to use."

With no other options, I clapped and turned back to face the audience. My heart was rapidly beating against my chest. My arms were violently shaking, my head was completely clouded as I kept my eyes on the kids. They were all terrified, most of them unsure what was going on. Slowly but surely, I part my hands and placed them on the ground. Red light appeared on the floor the second I touched the surface of the stage. All I could here was the screams of every child in the room. I look around in horror as they all fall to their knees, some holding onto a friend while others claw at their chests.

"Hahaha! Keep on screaming you pitiful low lifes!" a voice laughs from behind me. I turned around and saw another shocking sight.

"You are... me!?" I gasp, horrified at the new person.

There behind me stood a girl who had the same face, same voice and same hair but the problem was... their eyes were glowing pure red.

"I am Jealousy... who once lived as a human but was sacrificed to bring back a beloved..." she said, her voice so cold it sent shivers down my spine.

"Why are you all here!? You all should be fake! Fictional characters from a book!" I yell, receiving but a laugh in return.

"You disappoint me," Jealousy answers as she playfully walks on the edge of the stage. The barrier that was separating us and the children didn't seem to matter. :Back home you were... no... I was the strongest to never give up and believe in almost everything. Too bad you're just a copy."

"Copy... no! I am me!"

"Then how come you are so interested in that so called story?" she asked, stopping in her place without looking back at me.

I couldn't say anything at that point, that question struck a nerve inside me. When Alice showed me my first manga copy of Fullmetal Alchemist four years back, I became so absorb with it that it took me years to read something else.

"You've been an outcast by these people for so long due to your lack of parents. Think of this as punishment for what they have done to you," the girl says with an evil grin and watches as everyone continue to suffer.

There was nothing I could do, they were all going to die right here in front of my eyes, even Alice is going to die. As soon as I saw Alice trying to walk towards me, happiness filled up inside of me and I started to reach out for her. Our hands were inches away from each others grasp until that girl got in the way by grabbing my head, pulling me away from the reach of my friend.

"Alice!" I cried out as I watched her slowly dying. She wanted to scream, cry out for my name but it ended up silent with tears forming in her eyes.

"Yes... watch as your friend dies!" she yells laughing evilly. Soon she gripped onto my head harder and forced me to look up at her, the girl was giving me a dark, happy look. "Seems like you get your wish. Good-bye my dear me..." she mutters.

A blue light suddenly appears and blinds me for a few seconds, then a sudden pain coursed through my body once I regained my sight. I screamed in agony, louder than the people in front of me. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, an eye suddenly opens up above me and familiar black arms began to reach out down to where I sat.

"No! No!" I cried out as I struggled to get out of its grasp. The arms grabs my legs first then my arms.

"Let me go! This isn't what I wanted! I didn't want to go in exchange of others lives!"

I tried to reach out with my left hand but something happened that nearly broke my sanity. At first, I thought I was seeing things. In reality the hands were slowly taking my arm in the same manner Ed lost his leg and Al lost his body. Before I could pull it back, the process was already complete and my arm was gone, causing blood to spurt out in where my limb once was. I don't remember anything at that point except for the agonizing pain after my arm was taken. All I know was that I kept screaming and thrashing as I was brought closer to what I know is the 'Eye of God'.

++The Gate++

I gasped for air and pant heavily. 'What happened?' I thought trying to piece together of what I can remember. Then it all came back to me in one second. The people, the transmutation, and that girl. I collapsed on my knees and start shacking all over as the images of all the screaming people entered my head like a shock wave. "Yo!" a voice greeted. My head shot up to see the last person I wanted to see, the Truth. It sat the in its usual spot, smiling widely at me like it has done to all that comes to face it and the Gate's judgment. I finally noticed where I was now that I a better look at my surroundings, I was in front of the gate itself standing there high and tall. "Y-You're the Truth..." I stuttered in fear still staring at it. It smiles and cackles, "Hahaha! So that's what you call my other?! Well sorry kiddo, you're wrong!"

"Huh!?" I gasp, taking a step back and look at the figure from head to toe with suspicious eyes.

"Why am I here?" I question.

"Someone offered you to me," it answers as if it was obvious. "But I will only take one thing from you and then you will pass through."

"Pass through..." I repeat quietly, then let out a gasp. "You mean enter the gate!?"

"Yes, right now you are the other side of the gate and your side is where there is no such thing as alchemy. Just think of it as the opposite as the other."

"If so then does that mean that those people are who they say they were!?"

"Sadly no, they are copies of their past selves that were able to escape their fate and entered this side to redo what they were suppose to do. It just so happened you are exactly identical to someone on the other side who died which wasn't suppose to happen."

The gate started to opened and a huge eye appeared in the center. But this was different, the eye was blue and lifeless in the darkness. Arms shot out coming towards me making me panic and try to run for my life.

"No! I don't wanna go!" I yelled as I tried to run away from the arms.

I knew it was useless but I didn't want to go, I know I've always wanted to go to Amesteris except... this wasn't what I ment! Soon enough my body was being dragged in while I struggle to get out of it's grasp. As I kepted being pulled in, my left arm slowly started to disinegrate. I screamed louder trying to get out and to keep my arm. "Don't worry you're going to make everything ok," Fate reassures, smiling at me. Everything at that point went black as soon as the gate doors shut.

-Winry-

It was stormy outside, even thunder was added to the pouring rain.

"Geez it sure is gonna be a long storm..." I muttered looking out the window.

It makes me curious how Ed and Al are doing now. It's only been a few hours since they left and it was kinda lonely not to have them around. Al was suppose to stay but he suddenly changed his mind. He decided to go with his brother for support. I continue to watch the storm until I spot something in the distance. I squint my eyes to focus my vision on the figure. Outside the rain, a figure started to properly form. I was scared a bit when I notice how the figure was limping. When thunder boomed in the sky, a short amount of light illuminated at the figure;s body. I was shocked to see the face of a girl who seemed to be in pain.

The girl collapsed on the ground, making me instantly react and run towards the door. Without thinking, I ran outside without any cover. I ignore the mud that began to cover my legs and rand towards the fallen girl.

"Hey you alright!?" I ask as I go on my knees and shake her shoulders.

She didn't respond. Panicking, I grab one arm and bring it around my shoulders as I tried to lift her up.

"What is it Winry!?" Grandma Pinako shouts from behind.

I couldn't respond because as soon as I was able to lift the girl up, I noticed she was missing an arm and bleeding a large amount of blood. I gasped and instantly started carrying her inside.

"Grandma she needs medical attention!" I yell as soon as I was able to get inside with her with me. Blood was dripping onto the floor. Her sides were completely drenched with red, it seemed she's been bleeding for awhile and that can't be good. "Hold on you're gonna make it...!" I whispered as I carried the limp girl down the hall.

To be continued

Sorry I had to redo it again! I was debating with myself if I should make her from our world or born and raised in FMA. Hope you like it! Oh, and the image above is how Cat looks, except a little younger and a smaller chest.