Disclaimer: I don't own FMA… MAKE IT STOP!

I was currently in a very old fashioned car, seated beside Mustang.

"You should've gotten a train to Central by now," Mustang sighed, "The exam is tomorow, you know." I tensed up.

"Oh my god…." I said nervously, "I never got much time to practice!" I felt dead nervous. What was I going to do as an example of my alchemy? Make a chair? Even if I didn't use a transmutation circle, I'd be embarrassed beyond belief. I needed to buy some books! I needed to stay up all night and learn everything in them, and plan the perfect example.

"Are you not prepared?" Mustang asked. I nodded hard.

"I was too busy dealing with the Elric brothers." I said, face-palming and sliding my hand down my face. I sighed heavily. Mustang raised an eyebrow as I straightened my posture and looked at him with twinkling eyes, an idea lodged in my brain.

"Can we stop at a bookstore before we go to the train station?" I asked, giving Mustang my best puppy eyes. He sighed.

"I'm already taking you to the train station!" He sighed again, this time much exaggerated. I nodded, but kept up my sparkling eyes.

"Please? Once I become a state alchemist I'll treat you to lunch or something," I begged. Mustang raised another eyebrow at me. Realizing what he meant, I gagged.

"As friends," I stated bluntly, "Sorry, you're too old for me." Mustang chuckled, letting his eyebrows fall down. Even with that said, he was still an attractive man… AHEM never mind.

"Fine," Mustang said, "Treat me when I'm Fuhrer." I laughed really hard.

"Yes, of course," I said, "When you're Fuhrer. I'll make sure to be on your side," I winked, laughing again. Mustang smiled, and I knew we'd be friends.

Yes! I've always wanted to be friends with the Flame alchemist!

"Boarding!"

I rushed through the train station, bag of books in one hand, suitcase in the other. I darted through the crowd, getting into the train and sitting by a window on the side I had entered.

Mustang joined me by the window.

"Make sure to practice more when you get to Central," Mustang chuckled. I nodded eagerly.

"Don't worry, the next time you see me, I'll have a uniform, an intimidating military nickname, and you'll be my superior!" I beamed.

"Well, just remember, the military isn't all fun and games." Mustang reminded me. I waved him off.

"I'm fine," I said, "As long as I don't have to attend any more hangings and as long as I don't kill anyone I'm alright. I've been beating people up since I was a kid." I laughed while Mustang sweat dropped.

"Just be careful." Mustang said as I heard the train whistle. I saluted Mustang, and he laughed.

"Wrong hand," He said, pointing to my raised left hand. I gave him a sheepish grin before switching hands.

"Better remember while I can!" I said, waving as the train started moving. Mustang waved back, and as the train accelerated, he moved out of sight.

I sighed, pulling out one of the thick alchemy books. It had a nice red hard cover with gold letters that read 'Guide to Alchemic Circles'. It was printed on nice, new paper and it had a quality leather binding. I opened it, sighing again as I glanced at the first page.

Oh, this was going to be a long train ride.

"We have arrived at Central!"

I woke up to hear these words spout out of an attendant's mouth as he walked down the aisle, checking train tickets. I showed him mine and he poked a hole in it before handing it back to me with a smile.

I had read most of my books, but I had fallen asleep early in the morning. I had read seven of the books thoroughly and I still had three more to read. Ugh, too much! But, then again, whenever I had a test coming up in school, I would always cram on the night of the test, being too lazy to study before that.

Its probably early morning, I thought as I quickly gathered all my books and placed them back in the bag I got them in. I rushed into the flow of the remaining people as we filed off the train.

My stomach churned as I exited the train. I was a young girl, alone, in a place I have never been to. Hell, I don't even know where Central is!

In my moment of panicking, I didn't notice someone approach me. He attracted my attention by clearing his throat, making me glance at him.

I stared at him, shocked. Why was he here?

I nearly burst into tears. But I recovered quickly.

"Hello?" I asked. The man smiled.

"Are you Lynette?" He asked me, and when I nodded, he continued, "Hello, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, nice to meet you." He offered me a hand and I shook it, staring a him with a dumbfounded expression.

"But didn't I see you at the Scar issue scene?" I said unsurely. But I was pretty sure he was there in the brotherhood anime…. Oh my, brings back bad memories for this guy. But I made it my mission.

I was going to save Hughes, even if I used my own life in the process.

Now that I think about it, the hummonculi won't be able to kill me anyway, once they find out I've seen the gate. Shit, I don't want them calling me a 'sacrifice'. They'll make me feel like I'm a sacrificial lamb or something.

"Yes, but I took this train here," Hughes said sheepishly, "I was in another car so I didn't see you get on." I sighed good heartedly.

"That's alright. But Lieutenant Colonel Mustang should have told me…." I muttered the last part, but apparently Hughes heard it.

"Oh yeah, he told me you were going to take the state exam to be an alchemist, right?" Hughes said. I nodded, confirming that fact.

"And, before you say how hellish it is," I started, cutting Hughes off right before he spoke, "I know. I've chosen this. Besides, I've had my fair share of hell already," I laughed slightly, thinking about the murderers and Nina and Tucker. I remembered when they heard from Hawkeye they had been killed, but the angel Hawkeye is, she refused to let them see it. I made a mental note to thank her for that later.

Hughes smiled slightly at me.

"You remind me so much of those boys," He mumbled, gesturing me to follow him as we walked through the train station and out into Central.

"Wow," I gasped, "This city is huge!" And it was. You have all heard of New York City, right? Well, this city was much bigger. I was amazed at how this was considered a city. It was more of like a region. My eyes sparkled in admiration. Hughes laughed.

"Yes, its quite a city," He said. I looked at him, nodding hard.

"Wow," I repeated, but turned to Hughes, "Where is Central Headquarters?" Hughes handed me a map of Central. He pointed to a big star.

"Here." he said. I looked at him with a sheepish smile.

"I'm absolutely hideous with directions and places," I informed him. It was true. How I was a whiz in school, most people are amazed at myself being directionally challenged. I can't even follow simple directions right, so how am I going to navigate this gigantic city? Hughes laughed again.

"Don't worry, I'll lead you there."

Hey guys! Wow, that was surprising. Look, since I'm horrible at outside views, in the authors note I will tell you what Ed and Al are up to. They are currently taking a train to Resembool to get Ed's arm replaced and fix Al's body, and if you've seen the show, they are escorted by Armstrong (HAHAHAHA POOR THEM!). And, just to answer a question I'm sure you're wondering, no, Lynette isn't late for the State Alchemist Exam. She arrived early morning, and the exam is at noon.

But what do you guys think? I know I left out some parts in the Scar issue scene, but I was too lazy to wait to finish the chapter after watching that FMA episode again. But it still turned out okay. So, guys, what do you think of the story so far?

Alright, my lovely readers, please review~

Thanks!