Disclaimer: I don't own FMA…. I'm tired of ranting about that…. *still hurts*

The next three hours where spent on finishing the books and reviewing what I learned.

I poked my head into the kitchen to find Gracia starting to prepare lunch.

"Mrs. Hughes?" I hesitantly asked. She turned her head to spot me before smiling.

"You can call me Gracia," She said. I nodded, then approached her.

"I need a break from studying," I said, "So can I help you in any way?" I asked, referring to lunch.

"That'd be great, thank you." Gracia said. So, for the next half hour, I helped Gracia prepare lunch.

Once we were done, I called in Hughes and Elicia while Gracia set the table. I joined them for lunch, but ate quickly.

"I'm sorry, I would sit with you longer," I apologized, "But the exam is in thirty minues. Maes," I turned to Hughes as I picked up my empty plate, " I have the map, and the building isn't that far, so I think I can make it by myself. Thank you guys so much for the meal and letting me stay here." I felt Elicia pull on my pants.

"Will you play with me?" She asked sweetly. No one could say no to that face. I crouched down to her height and held out my pinky.

"I promise I will as soon as I get back." I said as Elicia wrapped her tiny pinky around mine with a determined face.

The whole Hughes family walked me to the door.

"Good luck!" Gracia waved.

"Next time I see you, I'll be your superior!" Hughes boasted. I laughed as I waved back, walking down the hall.

"Good luck!" I heard Elicia shout after me. I turned to give her a smile.

"I'll be back soon!" I shouted to them as I disappeared out the door.

I quickly arrived at Headquarters, glancing back and forth from the map, my location, and the book I was reviewing. Most people were staring at me as I made my way up the steps, my nose buried in an alchemy book, reviewing the information.

I entered Headquarters and before I knew it, I was in a meeting room with fifteen other guys.

I was nervous, since of course I recognized this as the performance room from FMA. That, and I was surrounded by strong, buff men that were at least in their twenties. I gulped as I saw the Fuhrer walk up to the front of the room. It was so quiet, I could've heard a pin drop as all the men paid rapt attention to the Fuhrer.

"Welcome!" The Fuhrer's voice boomed through the room, " Welcome, alchemists, to the State Alchemist testing." After that, the Fuhrer explained the process of the test thoroughly, making sure all of us understood.

The test would go like this: All the alchemists taking the State exam would be called in one by one to demonstrate their alchemy. After, they would be dismissed to another room, where they would take the written test. Only three of us sixteen would be able to enter. That made me nervous, but surely I would be able to surpass all the others, with my not needing to use a transmutation circle….

That's when it hit me. The Fuhrer would be watching. He's a hummonculi. He would tell the others I'm a sacrafice. But that worked out partly in my favor.

If you don't remember, or haven't watched the series, let me refresh your memory. In FMA brotherhood, there were two reasons Maes Hughes was killed. One, because he discovered out the shocking truth. Two, because the hummonculi were missing a sacrifice, they killed Hughes, almost completely sure his best friend, Mustang, would be so devastated he'd turn into another sacrifice. But, if they figure out I'm a sacrafice, they won't need another one, and all I have to do is keep Hughes from finding out the truth!

But there was one problem with my theory. Hughes's death was one of the most important turning points in FMA. If I changed that, I changed the whole story. I couldn't do that, but I couldn't bear to watch Hughes die. I just need him out of commission for a while.

Anyway, I was distracted until all the men started filing out, snapping me out of my daze. I quickly followed them, out into the hallway, where we all waited.

I had to say, from the amount of stares I was getting, I felt like I was a new monument or something. And it pissed me off, a lot.

"What?" I finally snapped at the guys staring at me.

"Are you lost, little girl?" One man asked. A vein in my head bulged as I glared at them, my eyes burning in fury. I was NOT little.

"No, I'm sure I'm in the right place," I said, straining to keep my voice calm. These guys really knew how to piss a state-alchemist-to-be off.

"But you're too small!"

"ALRIGHT WHO SAID THAT?!" I growled. "I'm not small, and I am meant to be here. I have special access to the exam." I said, then turning away from the men and ignoring them as they whispered among themselves. Gossipers, much?

"Mrs. Lynette La'va, you may come in." I heard a soldier call me. I nodded and stood up, giving the remaining men a venomous glare before following the soldier into the testing room.

I entered, and I felt my stomach churn. It was like I was in another play, with people watching me. Except these people were probably some of the most important in the country. I had stage fright, and if I felt nervous in front of normal people, I was going through hell now. I walked to the middle of the floor and faced the Fuhrer, which stood between two regular soldiers.

"Ah, Miss La'va, " The Fuhrer said with a nice smile. "So nice to see you again." I inclined my head in respect, smiling. I could see everyone around the room, high ranking military generals and regular soldiers alike, gaping at me, either because I'm a kid taking the test, I met the Fuhrer before, or I'm a kid taking the test that knows the Fuhrer. My nerves shot up considerably, to the point where I felt like I was about to throw up. I stood straight, facing the Fuhrer, as a soldier cautiously approached my on my side.

"Do you require chalk to draw transmutation circles with?" The soldier asked, holding out a piece of chalk. I grinned, shaking my head.

"No," I said.

"I'm going to do this my way."

Hey guys! OHH CLIFFHANGER! I just love doing this to you guys….. I'm so evil! MUAHAHAHAHA! Anyway, I am having a giant debate with myself. Why? I'm trying to figure out what to do about the Hughes issue. I seriously don't want to write his death, because I will seriously start crying. If you've seen it, you would know. My friend thinks I'm deranged enough without seeing me cry over an anime character. So, I'm brainstorming. I need to take Hughes out of the picture. I have two ideas, and I'm debating if either will be good enough.

Anyway, how do you guys like the story so far?

My lovely readers, please review~

Thanks!