'Everything that I knew... everything that I was...

I was ripped away from all that...

but finally being in the place where

I can finally be happy, but is it even worth it?'

Chapter 2 ~ The Auto Mail and the Beginning of the Journey

-Me-

::Dream::

As I was pulled into the gate, my memories and information was forced into my head. "Agh! Stop it!" I screamed, feeling as if my brain was about to burst. My arm was fully ripped off from me. I was almost going insane at that point. I looked forward to see what's ahead of me and saw the gate coming straight at me. With all my might, I tried my beat to get out of the black arms grip and to get away from the gate as it opens but I was still shoved inside. I landed face forward onto the white floor below. "Did you enjoy the ride?" another familiar voice asks. I got up and turned to see who it was. Again it was Fate, or was it Truth thus time? This was confusing. "Are you Truth this time or Fate?" I ask to know who was who now. "I am the Truth," it confirms. I sighed in relief, but this wasn't the time to be relieved; especially if it's the guy who took away Ed's leg and Al's whole body.

"Why was I sent here?"
"To set things straight, just what Fate had told you."
"So you Truth are the one who resides on the gate of Amestris while Fate is for the gate of my side."
"Correct!"

"That answers the question," I groaned in frustration. Truth laughed at this making me glare daggers at it. The Truth stopped and look straight at me, I coudn't tell since it has no eyes. "Now it is time," it informs as the gate opens again. This time I didn't want to run, knowing that even if I struggle I'll still be sucked in. "I'll keep this instead of Fate," Truth smiles as it lifts his left arm and starts to form a human arm, my arm actually. As I was pulled inside, I heard Truth warn me, "There is someone that should've have never been born in that world so watch out."

::End of Dream::

I quickly shot up from where I lay and gasped for air. I started looking around to see if anyone was in the room with me. "Was that all a dream...?" I wonder out loud, still feel groggy. But then I started noticing how different my place is, it seemed... cleaner. Not to mention, animated? It was then I realized that this wasn't my apartment at all. 'If this isn't my place, then where the hell am I?' The door starts to open and I instantly turned my head to see who it was; it was Winry Rockbell. 'What the heck!? It Winry is here then that must mean-!' but I was interrupted from my thoughts when she came up to me asking, "You feeling okay today?" I quickly responded and nodded 'yes' as she puts down a tray of food infront of me. "I gave you a new pair of clothes since your's was all torn up."

Now that I looked at what I was wearing, I wore a long sleeved white buttoned up shirt and pants that hid under the covers. "Well I hope you can eat since..." Winry trails in her sentence, looking at me sadly. I tilted my head in confusion and asked her, "Is something wrong?" She appeared hesitant at first, but instead of answering she just shook her head and left the room, closing the door shut behind her. I looked around my body to see if anything was wrong until I saw something missing. I wasn't shocked, more like saddened as the memories of what happened began to find my mind, bringing me to tears. "So it did happen..." I muttered gripping onto the bed covers with my only right arm. I cried silently muttering, "All those people... are gone..." You know that feeling you get when you feel so empty inside?

Well that's what I'm feeling, and it felt like it was eating away at me on the inside. Winry came back just right after I finally cooled my head and stopped crying. Grandma Pinako was with her this time. Something tells me that the Elric brothers aren't here and have already started on there journey long before I came here. If they were, they'd be coming into the room too out of curiosity and question what happened to my arm. "My name is Winry Rockbell and this is my grandma Pinako and we're automail mechanics," that last part she was really proud about it. "So what's your name young lady?" Pinako asks me, taking a good look at the bandaged. "My name is Catherine Cairo," I reply in a surprisingly calm voice. Usually in situations like this I would stutter but it seems the mental shock from losing my arm made it go away.

"Where am I exactly?" I ask the two Rockbells, pretending to be clueless of my surroundings. "You're in our home," Winry answers getting a needle ready. The needle made me slightly pull away in fear. "No I mean what country," I correct as I try my best no to focus on what's in her hands. I knew I was in the Rockbell home and that I'm in Resembol, but I needed to confirm it for myself. This feels too real to be a dream. "Resembol of course!" Winry exclaims with a smile. I looked down at my lap, muttering, "I see..." My theory was - sadly - correct. Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to be here and meet everyone, but this wasn't how I wanted it to be. For one thing, I could save the lives that Ed and Al wanted to save but that will screw up the whole time line here.

"Say Catherine," I hear Winry speak up. I turn to face her only to see a sad look in her eyes. "How did you lose your arm?" These guys sure know how to ask questions. I didn't really know what to answer that. My only excuse is that I either got into a train accident (since this place was based on the early 1800s) or a land slide. Finally I made my decision and said, "I lost it in an accident." Stupid but at least it's ok unless they ask what type. They just nodded in response, I was relieved they didn't ask anymore cause I didn't really know what else to say. "How long will it take for me to recover?" I ask Winry who took the tray away from me. She hums to herself for a moment in thought then answers, "Maybe 3 days or so. You've been asleep for quite a while so you'll be able to walk around in no time."

'Good so maybe I can make up a plan on how I can get home,' I thought to myself. Winry left the room along with her grandma, leaving me alone to my own thoughts and ponder on the situation. I let out a long, bored sigh and laid down on my back staring at the ceiling. "Fate... and then there's the Truth..." I mumble to myself and remember the figure who called itself Fate. I suppose seeing Fate was strange - ok messed up is more like it, but it seems that since the gate I saw was from my side then something else was there instead of Truth as it would have to be on this side. "Hm... If I could do alchemy..." Back then, I was able to perform alchemy so that might be true an since I passed through and entered both gates. 'Now that I think about it... I was able to do it back at home,' I thought. trying to remember how I did it way before I got to the gate.

Now isn't the time to think about that, first I need to think about my arm then how to go home. All I know is that I was sent here by the girl, not to mention that task Fate and the Truth gave me - which I clearly have no idea what that is. I guess there is one way, find the philosopher's stone. 'Now that I think about it,' I thought, 'we were all brought to one location so that probably means they're not really dead... but actually have been turned into a philosopher's stone!' Now it all makes sense now! They couldn't just use that many people as sacrifices just so that they can (maybe) go back to Amestris. That large number was big enough to make one philosopher's stone. "Ok so all I need is an arm, but where am I going to get the information?" I wondered to myself, crossing my arms and tried to squeeze out any information I had in my head.

In truth, I don't really knew if the stone was created from human lives (A/N: I want to make sure that Cat doesn't really know the truth and made a lame excuse so that she'll want to look for the stone.), so my theory earlier was just a hypothesis. I was't that far in the FMA manga so I was in a dead end. All I ever finished at the 2003 anime. I was about 5 episodes into the brotherhood series. "I have no other choice then," I groaned in defeat. I had only one option. And right as soon as Winry came back in, I blurted, "I want you guys to give me an automail arm!" This shocks Winry ,making her protest, "But you still need to recover." "I'll only be in bed for 3 days! That gives you enough to make me an automail!" I said firmly, giving her a determined look. "Fine but why would you need one in such a hurry?" she asks, walking up to my bed side."The truth is I'm an alchemist," I explained but I wasn't really sure. "And I need one to take the state exam."

I know what Winry was thinking, 'Is she out of her mind!?' I knew because that was what I was thinking as well, blurting this out like this meant that I would die if I do what I was telling her. "You can't do that after recovering from getting an automail! It'll take you 3 years till you recover!" Winry yells all the explanation at me. "A few weeks then!" I retorted. We ended up having a little cat fight, weird to fight with someone who you just met.

"That's impossible! Therapy like that takes ages!"
"Then I won't rest! Until I get used to my automail, I'll undergo whatever therapy you can throw at me!"
"It doesn't work like that! Your nerves have to slowly get used to the new sensations of moving a limb that can't feel! If you rush it, you'll just hurt yourself even more!"
"I already lost my arm through a very traumatic experience. I think my body can handle more pain than it already has!"

"Alright fine!" she yells finally in defeat. I smiled triumphantly as Winry sighs. "How fast can you make it?" I ask, although I already knew since I really don't know how long it'll take. Before Winry could answer, Grandma Pinako popped out of nowhere saying, "We will finish it on the day you recover." My smile went wide and my eyes sparkled with joy. I wanted to leap out at them yelling 'thank you!' but since I'm sorta weak right now then that's a no, no.

"And don't worry about the payment it's on the house," Grandma said and watched in amusement as my smile grew until it couldn't anymore. "Thank you so much!" I yell cheerfully.

++3 days Later++

Today I was finally going to get my new and first artificial arm. I laid down on the operation bed (A/N: Not sure what it's called) and waited for them to start. Winry came up with a syringe and injects the part where I had no arm. "What's that for?" I asked nervously. I had every right to be nervous, in the manga and anime it seemed to hurt like hell when Ed had surgery as a little kid. "It's just an anaesthesia to help relax the muscles," she said in a calm soothing tone. I nodded in response and got ready as soon as Pinako got the arm, the wires and everything else ready. 'I never realized how much work they have to go through just to give me an arm...' I thought, nervously sweating the more bolts and wires that are laid out on another table. "Are you ready?" questions the old lady as she gets on a stool to stand closer to me.

Clenching my teeth, I give her a quick nod then close my eyes, mentally and physically getting myself prepare for what's to come. I don't know what they started, but as soon as they did, I felt nothing but pain surge throughout my body. It felt like my nerves being pulled out. My body thrashed around a bit in response. Winry had to abandon her part and had to hold me down. "Just hold on a bit longer Catherine! We've just got done attaching the port!" I mentally scream at this, 'That's it!? Just how much longer will that take!' Cracking one eye open, I gasp when I see how tired Winry looked while trying to hold my only arm down. That's when I realized something. 'That's right... she stayed up for days just to build me my arm. Despite how tired she is-' I stop struggling and watch Winry's tired face. 'She still wants to fulfill my wish in giving me the hands I need to push through.'

I make a fist, realizing that fighting back will just make her even more exhausted and pull my arm away, making the girl look at me with concerned eyes. I nod and gave her a look that told her I was fine. Seeing that I was willing to bare with the pain a little longer, Winry goes back to helping Pinako with attaching the nerves necessary to operate my automail arm. But before she does, I grab her wrist and tell her, "Cat... call me Cat..." She stares at me wide eyed then nods, acknowledging my request. "Alright Cat." I fought back my screams and tears for the entirety of the operation. I just laid there, trying to not to move and grip onto the fabric of the bed. It just hurt so much. "Usually people would scream during this part of the operation," says an impressed Pinako but still worked on my arm.

"This is nothing compared from what I've been through..." I groaned, gritting my teeth as soon as I felt the nerves connect. Finally they were done after hours of work. It was hard to move at first, but I was still able to painfully sit up so I could get a better look at my automail arm which started flexing its fingers just like I wanted to. The good thing was the it was move-able. I tried to get off the bed but I collapsed instantly and onto the floor, I thought it was because I was weak until I tried to get up again and the arm stayed on the floor. "Sorry it's heavy but you'll get used to it when you recover," Winry explains and came over to help me up. I rejected her offer and tried again, this time it was a success. Now I regret of ever wishing to have an automail arm cause now that I faced the experience. It hurt like hell! '

Almost feels the same when I passed through the gate the first time and lost my arm to it...' I shook those thoughts out of my head. "Man I thought getting this arm wouldn't be so painful... I take everything back of what I said how cool it was..." I sighed and lowered my head in depression. Winry heard this bonked the back of my head, causing me to crouch on the floor holding my poor head. "What was that for!?" I yelled with a vein pulsating at the back of my head. "Automail is the coolest thing ever! The grease! The oil! All of those metal parts~!" squeals Winry, sparkles dancing in her eyes. I gave her a bored look asking, 'do you think I care?' as I continued to watch her. When I looked at Pinako, she just shrugged and gave me a smile. Now I know how Ed feels when he's around her, she's a pain in the ass if you ask me.

++A few weeks later++

Surprisingly, I recovered faster than expected. Pinako was more shocked than Winry and I after she cause me doing push up. That incident caused her to check me every now and then and kept reminding me not to keep moving. I remember I was suppose to go through therapy for three years or so, but it's like there's something inside me that's healing my body faster. There's no way I'm a homunculi, I was born naturally and my world has absolutely no alchemy in it. Guess I can't say I'm a little surprise my body is healing much more quickly than it's suppose to, I've always been like this since I was a little kid, and trust me I was a little afraid about it at first. But over time I got used to it. All of them were usually cuts and bruises so I thought it was normal at first.

Instead of following Pinako's instructions, I kept on training myself for combat. Hand to hand combat was definitely not one of my expertise so I decided to stick what I think suited me best. Sword fighting. It was hard at first since my arm would either freeze or just stop working altogether. Winry already bonked me on the head several times for over-exerting myself. You see back at home, I used either a wooden or metal baseball bat to defend myself from people in the streets. They got the picture not to mess with me after awhile. Now it's been a few weeks since I first found myself in the house of the Rockbell's and I still couldn't figure out a way that'll give me a nice start to my road towards heading home. 'Just waltzing into the military and proclaim that I want to take the state exams will be crazy!' I clap my hands together in frustration.

I just got done striking the tree with Winry's personally crafted sword. I told her to make it blunt so I don't accidentally hurt myself or any random person that's stupid enough to approach me from behind. "Gah! This is stupid!" I slap my hands on the tree out of frustration. "In this world, alchemy is the only way to survive without getting killed by something immortal. If I can't do alchemy, how am I supposed to find the information I need? The military doesn't accept kids like me all willy nilly!" Just as I was about to pull away, I was shocked when I see a small familiar blue spark. The entire tree starts to light up, causing me to slowly smile as the tree starts to shrink bit by bit. I step back and marvel as the woo starts to take shape into what appears to be... a wooden sword.

A very good replica version if you ask me. Just as I was about to reach for it, I jump back and bring my arms up when it suddenly explodes in the same blue light from earlier. I lower my arms and lower my head in defeat. "Guess my alchemy is too unstable to make a proper construct..." Then I let it register in my head a bit longer. "Wait, I actually mad an alchemic construct. And without a circle!" I start to jump around like a kindergartner that just got a bag of candy and ran straight to the Rockbell home, excited to tell them of the good news.

-Normal-

Cat bursts into the house and finds Winry just about to set the table. "Winry! I can do alchemy without a circle!" She smiles brightly for the first time in weeks since she arrived. The girl suddenly runs and gives Winry a tight bear hug, causing her stumble on her feet, a bit shock at the girl's outburst. They had to sit and talk about this for what see what seemed like hours until Granny called them over for dinner. Excited at the sudden development, Cat was so excited that she couldn't eat. "Sorry! I just really need to get my stuff ready! This may be my one ticket to become a state alchemist!" Cat ignores them and runs straight to her room to start packing. Winry puts a hand on her hips and shakes her head, "Geez... That girl just can't sit still, can she?" Granny just chuckles at her grand daughters words, "Reminds you a lot of a certain someone."

Winry warmly smiles at the reminder, "Yeah. Things are going to be pretty quiet again when she leaves." While they were busy talking about Cat, the said girl was busy grabbing whatever she needs for her upcoming journey. Cat did feel a bit nervous at the idea of travelling to various unknown parts of Amestris, but she had to reminds herself that she was in Amestris. That's the one reminder that's what made her more excited than nervous. Despite all that's happened, Cat wanted to focus on the brighter side rather than the darker. "I will find them... All of them," she vows and takes out the small wooden cross pendant from underneath her shirt. "I swear I'll get us home."

-Back to Me-
++Two days later++

Outside, I was preparing a few things before I make my departure to East City. I was lucky I saw the gate, even though it was a horrible thing to experience firsthand, I won't need a transmutation circle. I hated those things, especially at times when it's useless during battle that no alchemy can't use it. Thank god for science! If I never payed attention in class I would never be able to fully understand how to use alchemy and what elements I have to put together without causing an unwanted alchemic reaction. I stood up after placing leather materials on a white cloth that was laid out infront of my feet Clapping my hands, I slammed them down onto the ground and watch as alchemical lights formed around the materials.

In an instant it all forms into a nicely shaped tricorne hat. When the transmutation was finished, I picked it up and checked for any flaws on it. During the whole night of packing, I've been practicing alchemy and also learning how to do self defense with it. I learned how to perform water alchemy and I was able to create a unique version of flame alchemy that does the opposite of the usual properties of your normal heated flames. "Hey Cat I got the things you wanted ready!" I hear Winry call out. I turned and yelled an 'Ok' before putting everything away. I approached the house as Winry laid down all the stuff I needed on the table. "Is that all?" I ask looking what she was able to get. She silently nods at me and gives me a thumbs up. I clapped my hands again and transmutated everything into two individual weapons.

Winry watches in awe as the transmutation completes. I lift it up and reveal it was a sword and a barrel gun (old model type). I smiled happily as I held both of my fine works of alchemy in my hands. I don't know a place in this coutry that has a blacksmith and that would take up too much time. According to Winry, the state exam is still open for applicants so I need to gets things ready on the spot before I leave. I don't wanna transmute my arm into a blade or I'll get hit on the head by a wrench like Ed does. "Your leaving today aren't you...?" Winry asks in a very low tone. I looked at her but gave her a huge grin saying, "Don't worry! I'll write to you right as soon as I become a state alchemist." She looks up at me surprised then returns the smile and laughs. I laugh along with her even though there was no reason.

"You remind me so much of him," she said still laughing. "You mean those two boys?" I ask making her again surprised. "How did you-?" "I saw there pictures," I state before she could finish her question. I did know the Elrics already but I didn't want to tell her. 'The less she knows the better,' my thoughts instructed at the back of my head.

"Those boys are my childhood friends... they left a night before you came."
"Guess I missed them, huh?"
"Yeah and if you guys did meet you'd make friends differently."
"In what way?"
"Well you and Ed have the same height problems."

That struck me like an arrow which just pierced my head. I crouched down depressed and kept on mumbling random things, "I not that short... It's normal for a girl like me... Am I really that little compared to people...?" "Now now there's nothing to get all gloomy about," Winry laughs nervously. I'm glad she changed the subject though without questioning me more. I always hated keeping secrets, like right now I was already trying not to kick myself for lying. "So when are you leaving?" Winry asks taking a look at my automail. "The earliest today," I informed. I bet I was making Winry sadder by the minute.

++Later++

I walked to the train station desk with Pinako and Winry to buy my ticket. "Excuse me sir I would to by a ticket for anywhere that's the farthest or near Central," I informed. An old man with small glasses looked up to me from his paper work. "What might be your name?" I raised an eyebrow and replied, "Catherine Cairo." The old man quickly started looking around his small room and when he found what he was looking for, he stuck his hand out in the small opening. "These tickets were reserved for you, one heading to East City and then the other will take you to Central when you arrive at the station," he explains to me. My eyes almost popped out of my head. A ticket like that costs so much. Heck, I didn't even know that it was possible. "How much are these?" I asked, panicking of the unexpected tickets. He just shook his head saying, "Someone already paid for it."

This shocked me, a lot actually. Some stranger paid for a ticket and I didn't even know who it was. After thanking the old man, I came up to the two Rockbell's who were waiting for me. "Thanks you guys. Sorry for being a burden," I apologized scratching the back of my head. "Not a problem! If your arm breaks then come by again!" Winry smiles and puffs out her chest. I laughed at this. "But really... thanks for everything guys," I say sincerely, giving a soft expression. "Just don't forget to come by, okay?" Pinako asks. Before I could say anything, the train started to whistle signaling its leave. "Agh! I have to go now! Bye!" I shout, turning around and running toward the slowly moving train. I passed by a couple of people and jumped right in between the two train carts before the train itself got faster.

I stuck my head out a bit and waved good bye yelling, "See ya guys!" Winry waved back at me while Pinako just smiled. I pulled back and enter the train cart with ease, so far no trouble. 'I'm finally going to travel around Amestris, the world that everyone had to survive in,' I thought happily while looking for a vacant seat. I never thought I would actually get out to see this world so quickly,. It's quite exciting now that I think about it. All that wishing sort of did pay off besides the point where I lose my arm. The arm was off my problem list, next was how to become a state alchemist. I sat down on a vacant seat near the window with arms crossed thinking, 'The only way I can get in is if the Furher sent a military guy to recruit me to take the test or if someone higher up made a recommendation.'

The only time someone was allowed to take the exam was when Mustang came to Ed right after he lost both his arm and leg. Now that I think about it, this was harder than I thought it would be. This seemed way easier for the Fullmetal Alchemist when it comes to planning. Though if he was able to become a state alchemist, why not me? Me not needing a transmutation circle should make up for my lack of skill since no one has this feat., except for those who saw the gate. And I'm one of them. I looked out of the window to see a clear blue sky. "Once I become a state alchemist there's no turning back..." I mutter already getting filled with determination. I have evnough time to think, this is going to be awhile until I arrive at East. I have to impress at least Mustang of my skills or he'll never take me to Central with him.

I guess this second ticket is in case I failed to do so and go straight to Central to take the exam. I have not choice but to wait and see what'll happen as soon until I get to the East.

||East Train Station||

I walked out of the train while people behind just passed by me or gave a little push. Pushy aren't they? If they're in that much a hurry don't take it on an innocent bystander. I followed some people since I don't know where the exit is. 'This place is huge!' I thought in amazement as I looked around the whole area. Central is bigger now that I think about it, but still, East is big enough to leave me in awe. When I finally found the exit, the city wasn't as busy as I thought it would be. Though there were a few things I expected to see, first was that I saw military men walking by in a few places while civilians just did whatever business they had. 'This is sort of boring,' I thought, slightly disappointed. I scratched the back of my head and looked around to see if there was anything to do. For once, I actually wanted something life threatening to happen.

That's not really something I should wish for, but if I want to show off my skills to any high-ranking soldier like Mustang or Halcrow (or Hakuro) to become eligible for the state exams, then something has to happen. First things first, finding our where the military establishment is. I started asking people around for the location of East HQ was so that I could go there. I asked a nearby padestrian, "Do you know which way the East Military Headquarters are?" "Now why would a little girl like you want to go to such a place?" he asks with curiosity dancing in his eyes. "I'm not little! I happen to be 12 years old!" I retorted, very pissed off enough to already pounce on the dude. He just laughed at this making me even more pissed. I swear this guy wants an early death sentence, and it won't be from the grim reaper himself.

"I'm just messing you kid," the guy points out. "Eastern HQ is that way." "Thanks!" I yelled before heading to where he directed me. I was uneasy about that guy though, he was way too nice. I shook the feeling off and thought, 'That's ridiculous! Everyone is way too nice! Besides Mustang and Ed...' When I continued running, I was getting even more lost by the second. That guy's directions sent me somewhere else I can feel it! My legs were starting to give up so I just decided to look for a way for a military officer nearby to allow me to take the exam. If I just head to the Military HQ I'd be kicked out for being a kid. I should've planned this a little bit better than the original one, which was just looking for a way to impress my potential superiors.

"Ugh... if I could at least take out one bad guy..." I groaned in defeat. I just decided to keep walking or I'll end up a statue doing nothing but sulk. I ended up a few feet away from the station and was walking aimlessly around wondering what to do. "Grr! Something happen already!" I yelled. As if on cue, there were guns shots heard a few distance away. I gasped in happiness and started running to the commotion thinking, 'It's time to shine!' I kept on running but when I was so close, a huge object fell infront of me. I tried to cover myself from the huge gust of wind. When it stop, I turned my head and saw a tall pillar had fallen down all the way to where I was almost squished. 'I almost died...' I thought with a sweat drop behind my head. "Wait a sec," I kneeled down to the fallen pillar. I put my hand on it and started to feel around it finding marks of a transmutation.

Whoever made this must be a really good alchemist. There was another loud bang, I shot up from my spot and followed to where the commotion was. "Don't let him get away!" one of the officers orders as he kept on firing at whoever it was. I just stood in amazement as their target uses alchemy to encase them in a cement dome. I don't know if I call this a good time or bad cause right as soon as the dude saw me, he started running towards me for the attack. In sheer panic, I clapped my hands toward and extended them outwards as water began to come together. I made the water freeze and change into pointed shards, shooting at the dangerous man. 'Damn he's good!' I cursed as I watch the attacker dodge every shard that came at him. I stepped to the side to dodge his mid-air punch. In slow motion, I gave him a dirty look while he turn his head to look at my dirty gaze.

Time came back and I slid backwards. Before I could regain my posture, the attacker quickly drew a dagger from his pocket and threw it at me. I didn't even have enough time to dodge. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact of the blade, but all I heard was a loud clank. My left eye slowly opened to take a peek of what was happening. All I saw was a metal wall infront of me. 'A metal wall...? Wait that's Al!' my thoughts scream. My eyes shot open and saw it was true, Alphonse Elric was right infront of me as a protection from the blade. Al turned to me asking, "Are you alright miss?" "Y-Yeah I'm fine," I stammered while still shock who was infront of me. "Al I need help here!" a familiar voice calls out. I looked pass Al's large body, a red coat and the sound of clashing metal was all I could see since it was so fast.

"Just wait here, okay?"
"Thanks um..."
"Alphonse, Alphonse Elric."
"Al hurry up!" the person calls.

Al left my side to help, you guessed it, Edward Elric. Who thought that the two coolest people are right there fighting infront of me! I nearly squealed like a fangirl at the thought, Ed saving me was a dream come true. (A/N: As you can see, Cat is a fan of Edward.) I shook my head, 'Get it together Cat! I have to help them!' Ed and Al we're having a hard time holding this guy off so I had to help. Seeing that they weren't paying attention to me, I clapped my hard again and slammed the on the ground, gathering whatever water is present from the ground and make it slowly crawl to where the fight was. "You're dead you brat!" the attacker yells thrusting his blade forward to Ed. The water suddenly bursted up before Ed could even get stabbed, forming into a cage around the attack. I charged towards the water cage before the guy could get out. I used my alchemy to freeze the water to make a now frozen one. I was relieved to see that the attacker couldn't break it, even with one kick.

"Hmph! Never under-estimate a water alchemist!" I exclaimed in triumph. I already forgot that the Elrics were right behind me. "You there girl!" I froze as military officers came up to me. Maybe I should have known they would arrest me. Too bad for me then, but I did help these idiots. "Hey wait a sec she was only trying to help!" Ed yells defensively, getting infront of me along with Al. I only met this guy for the first time and he's helping me? I can understand Al, but him? I probably should take back what I said of Ed not being nice to strangers after this. "I just helped your sorry asses back there! Besides without me you would've had to clean up a whole lot more than what's been destroyed," I explained and pointed at the broken roads and messed up houses. "I thinks that's enough," someone states from behind me.

I turn around seeing the very person I wanted to impress. Colonel Mustang stood there high and mighty right behind me. He walked up to my piece of alchemic work with the man still inside it. He quickly looked at me with a very scary look, asking me, "Did you do this?" "Y-Yes si-sir!" I stutter and gave him a salute. I must look like an idiot to him, Mustang was already laughing at this. Too bad I can't kill him. As much as I find the very presence of the man annoying, I need him to approve me of taking the state exam. "I was actually heading here to have an approval for the state qualification exam," I explain to him, "and it just so happened that the military needed help." Not the best explanation, but in this situation I needed a reason, besides wanting to impress the military of my abilities.

Mustang stared at me, visibly shocked along with others around me. "So what you're actually saying that you just needed this chance for an approval," Mustang corrects me. A shiver came down my spine along with a small ball of sweat rolling down my cheek. 'Was it that obvious?' I thought nervously and kept looking at Mustang with my best determined look. "Hmph, I like you kid. What's your name?" he asks. "Catherine Cairo sir!" I say still saluting. "Easy kid, I don't want someone who's going to join the military to be so uptight," smiles Mustang. I was surprised at his, he was actually letting me join. "Hey colonel! Is that even allowed?" Ed asks following his gaze while Mustang walks past me. "The military need strong people like her and besides," he stops in his place to look at Ed, "she has a lot of potential."

To be continued

And there you have it! Cat gets to become a state alchemist! Well not really... but I will continue on writing FMA and others along the way. I know this isn't ok to say it here, but for those that read the intro of my Fairytail story I'll explain it here since I'll be way busy on FMA. Keep reading!