Hi Guys! So before you send an assassin to kill me, I had to do around 6 projects, just this week alone! Please don't kill me I still have to turn in an essay on animals in captivity. I apologize for taking so long. I'm also watching Turren Langaan and Inuyasha (No spoilers please!) and crap like that for my free time and for inspiration (Mostly for free time). Back to the chapter, I almost cried several times writing and so did FrozenCauze (My editor). If this isn't enough information about Iris (Eye-Reese) than I don't know what else to tell you. Anyway, Ooooooooh Disclaimer! Here Boy!
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, ONLY MY FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BACK PACK!
Chapter 2: Unwanted Memories
I would be lying if I said my childhood was a happy one. I'm 14 years old and I've already made a huge mistake I will forever regret. I can never take back that day. I can never take back the transmutation circle I used that day. I screwed up.
Let me start from the beginning.
~May 14th, 1905~
A quiet cabin is sitting in the snowy woods next to a green field filled with a variety of plants that one could eat. In the field, there was a young woman with midnight black hair braided to the back of her head, and indigo eyes focused on picking the corn she grew in the winter environment. A little girl with short chestnut hair that went to her shoulders ran out of the house wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, a "borrowed" purple scaled scarf, long green pants, and riding boots. The young woman stood up smiling at the girl.
Teresa Kamillia, Age: 17
She has black hair and indigo eyes like her brother. She's also the family doctor. Teresa owns a small white Akita puppy named Socks.
"Hey! Teresa! Look what I made!" The little girl screamed. That was Iris when she was 5. Teresa looked at the little girl, patting the dust off of her overalls, and smiled. Iris ran over to where Teresa was and showed her cupped little hands. Her hands opened, revealing a silver chain and a copper lily pendent. "Wow! You did this?" Teresa asked with admiration. She had never been creative with anything, and yet Iris took to crafts like a fish in water. Iris grinned as if someone gave her million dollars.
"Yep! Maxwell helped me with the flower though"
"It's still amazing! Is that Gracie's birthday present?"
"Uh huh! I was very careful with the circle."
Teresa was puzzled. "Circle? What do you mean?"
"It's called a Transmutation circle. It's used to make something into something else!" Iris explained as if she were a professor.
"Isn't that Alchemy?" Teresa asked. Iris smiled and nodded. I didn't know she knew Alchemy. Where could she have learned it? She thought for a moment before snapping her fingers in realization. Maxwell
A young man came running with two children, one boy in his arms and one girl at his feet. The man had black hair and dark purple eyes similar to the young woman's. His figure was stocky in his coat and winter pants that were both colored a dark brown.
Maxwell Kamillia, Age: 17
Maxwell is Teresa's twin and older sibling by a minute. He's very childish and doesn't follow rules, even if they're made by him. (why the author had to state the minute part? The world may never know.- the editor)
The little boy in his arms giggled as Maxwell set him down and he started wobbling towards the other two children. The boy had light brown hair that mixed with his chocolate brown eyes. His blue coat, green pants and brown boots looked too big for his little figure as he was wobbling after Iris.
Myles R. Kamillia, Age: 1
Myles is the youngest Kamillia. He's an angel when he's in the house. When he goes outside, all hell breaks loose and everything goes in one ear and out the other.
The little girl was wearing a small pink and fluffy dress with purple boots and her purple scaled scarf she had taken back from Iris. Her teal eyes and her short and wavy blond hair were spotted with snow as she picked up a fluffy white puppywith black feet off the ground and smiled at Teresa.
Grace "Gracie" S. Kamillia, Age: 4
Grace is the only blond in the whole family. No one knows why. She's well behaved and very close to Iris, despite their opposite personalities. Iris has been known to take her favorite purple scarf since it belongs to Grace.
"Hey Iris! Give me back my scarf!" Iris ran under Maxwell's legs as a ball of white fluff raced behind Grace.
"I want to use it!" Iris yelled back as she ran into the house holding the scarf.
"Hey Maxwell! Can you come over here?" Teresa yelled. Maxwell ran over while thinking about what to make for dinner. He was never good at multitasking anyway.
"What is it sis?"
"Did you teach Iris Alchemy?"
Maxwell looked confused. "No. She probably read about it. Had no idea she would actually attempt it"
"I wish mom and dad were still alive. They would know what to do." Teresa and her brother looked down, remembering their parents and the war that cost them their lives.
"Well were doing the best we can." Maxwell said supporting his sister. "Don't forget you have patients tomorrow"
From the cabin, a little voice screamed "THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!"
"I thought Gracie's birthday was tomorrow" Teresa said "Looks like Iris gave her the present early"
That was my first Alchemic creation. My family meant the world to me. My parents were already dead so Teresa became the closest thing I had to a mother. I started to learn medical alchemy to help my sister with work, so did Grace and Myles (once he was 4 he started practicing). By then, all three of us knew alchemy by the time Myles had turned 5. Our world was perfect. Until it came crashing down right before our eyes.
~1909~
"Why is it taking so long?" Iris whined. Her shoulder length hair had gone down to her chest and was wavy enough to keep her from using hair clips. She was wearing a teal tang top with a white cardigan she made and khaki pants with her flats fastened on her feet.
"Calm down Iris. It's in the rural area so we have to be patient. Tessa will figure something out." Grace said smiling at her older sister. Grace's sandy blond hair had stayed at its curly shoulder length. Her flowing red dress went to her knees and her arms were covered by a similar cardigan, except this one a red crimson that matched her shoes.
"Girls! We're almost there. Make sure your being sympathetic. These boys' mother is very sick and I'm going to do all I can for her. Okay?" Teresa responded from the driver's seat of her car. Both girls nodded before staying silent.
An old friend of Teresa's had called saying that there was a sick mother with a disease that he couldn't identify. He did mention one thing: The mother didn't have much time left. Iris and Grace had come along since the two of them could identify diseases quickly and could keep everyone in high spirits. The group soon pulled out in front of a yellow house with two boys sitting in front of it with an old woman and Teresa's friend, Dr. Shako.
Iris and Grace climbed out of the car with their older sister and walked up to the boys as Teresa introduced them. The two boys fascinated Iris. They look so much like each other Iris mused.
"Hello. You must be Pinako. I'm Teresa Kamillia and these are my sisters as well as medical assistants, Grace and Iris" She gestured a hand towards the pair.
"Hello Dr. Kamillia. I'm Pinako Rockbell and these are Trisha's sons, Edward and Alphonse" One of the brothers stood up. He had a clean haircut and golden eyes similar to his brother's. His face was not as upset as his brother's but you could easily see that he had been crying.
"Hello. I'm Alphonse Elric, and Edward is my older brother" The boy stuck out his hand as Iris shook it while Grace curtsied.
"My name's Iris and this is Grace. Don't worry, we'll do the best we can for your mother. Kamillias don't give up." Iris reassured the boy and he smiled back.
"What if your best isn't good enough" A mumble said as Iris saw who made the comment and glared. "If your best isn't good enough what's gonna happen to mom?" The older blond boy stood up with fists clenched. This boy had a hard and unforgiving face as the bangs on the side of his head fell to their places.
"Come Ed, don't say that" A little girl said as she appeared near Pinako. Grace held her sister's arm as she saw a fight approaching.
"I'm going to go examine Ms. Elric. Iris, you better behave" Teresa said as she headed inside with Pinako.
"You need to calm down kid. Teresa doesn't give up on a patient with a cold so she won't give up on this either" Iris said still growling.
"Your mother's life isn't on the line" Ed said back with gritted teeth as the little girl and Alphonse was holding him back.
"Your right. I don't know because my parents died years ago. That doctor in there isn't my mother. She's my sister" Iris shot back. All three kids including Edward looked at the pair of girls with sympathy.
"Were sorry. We didn't know, please forgive my brother. Were just worried about our mom" Alphonse explained with pity in his voice.
"Grace, Iris. Your sister needs you" Pinako said as she stepped outside, interrupting the argument. Iris and Grace ran as fast as they could to Teresa. If Teresa was having problems, then it was serious. Both girls burst into a bedroom and looked at the patient. Her hair was darker than Iris' and her teal eyes were similar to Grace's but they were blank. Grace took the patient's hand and felt her pulse. A weak little beat could be felt as Grace looked at Iris.
"What symptoms have you found so far?" Teresa asked. The girls didn't answer. They looked at each other and knew what disease it was right away.
"This disease is Enteric Fever, without a doubt" Grace said quietly. "It's also known as Typhoid. You have to get some antibiotics in her fast."
Teresa rushed to her bag quickly as she pulled out different medicines and needles. Iris ran out of the room and to the back of the house, leaving Grace baffled and everyone else confused.
Iris was at the back of the house playing with the chain she had in her pocket. When she was worried, she would practice her alchemy on that little silver chain, turning into things like a horse or into flowers, specifically roses. She did it until Edward came running with tears in his eyes. By then it was late at night. Grace had already drifted off into sleep on the couch and Teresa had stayed with Trisha, making sure her body was responding to the treatment.
"YOUR BEST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH" Edward shouted at Iris as she looked up.
"What do you mean?" Iris was confused. His mother she thought in realization. Iris wanted to cry but refused. She didn't lose her mother moments ago, she didn't deserve to cry. Iris ran to the car just as Grace and Teresa were seen climbing in. She didn't deserve to be there while her sons were grieving. The ride back was silent except for the tears and sniffles that could be heard.
"We were just too late you guys. Her immune system was down and there was nothing else we could do." Teresa said before going into a fit of coughing.
"Teresa are you okay?" Grace asked warily
"I'm fine Grace. Just a little cough"
Iris dozed off to sleep, not knowing whether to believe Teresa or not. Wasn't one of the symptoms of Enteric Fever coughing? That last thought slipped out of her mind as sleep crept up and pulled her in.
After that, Teresa had a harder time working. We were all concerned for Teresa's wellbeing but she refused to see a doctor. We never heard from those two boys again. I assumed Pinako took them in and that was that. I soon forgot about the boys as life went on and alchemy got harder to master. Unfortunately, luck would not be on our side. No more than a few months later, Myles, Grace and I would learn how it felt to lose someone close to you.
~One Year Later (1910)~
"Don't forget to water the carrots, Grace"
"Right"
"Myles, grab the corn before it dries out"
"On it!"
This is how the next few months,after Maxwell died, were, taking care of the crops while Teresa was sleeping. We were always careful during spring, which was the worst time to handle crops. But we weren't careful enough. A little over a month after the death of Trisha, Myles almost got bit by a red and black garden snake. Myles was pushed by Maxwell just in time, but the consequence was high. Myles was saved, but Maxwell died shortly after. Teresa was in bed when he died, while we were at his bed side.
"It felt like a cord was snapping" Teresa said a few days after Maxwell passed. You guys are gonna outlive me! He would joke. It didn't seem so funny now.
Reliving those last few moments by his bedside is what Iris was doing.
"Iris" Grace's voice broke through her day dreaming as she stepped off the train with Myles and Grace. All three kids had changed in the past few years. Myles had become more controllable. His spiky brown hair and curious cocoa eyes spoke otherwise. His tang top, shorts and boots spoke of running when they were really picking up items in Dublith. Grace's sandy blond hair was lighter and a little past the shoulders still curled as could be. Her soft white dress and cardigan was elegant enough to look as if she was going to a fancy dinner. Iris' hair was now in a pony tail that went to her mid back. Her tang top, long pants and boots spoke of the adventure and rebellious life she craved for. The Dublith markets and shops were full of goods that made any person drool to the floor.
"I'm going to head to the butcher shop. Myles you go to the vegetable stand and pick up some seeds while you're at it. Grace you pick up Teresa's medicine. We'll meet up at the train station at precisely 3:30. Are we clear?" Iris explained.
"Got it!" both of they yelled before walking off. Iris walked into a red colored butcher shop. It was a nice little set up with a counter and different displays of meat from Steak to Nuggets. A burly man appeared behind the counter as Iris walked in. He had a large mustache and sideburns not to mention the top of his hair looked like a crew cut. A young woman with dreadlocks appeared next to him smiling at Iris.
"Welcome. How can we help you?" the woman in dreadlocks asked with a smile.
"I was wondering if you carried Ground Chuck." Iris responded nicely. The man behind the counter grabbed a tray with Ground Chuck piled high.
"How much little lady?" A deep voice from the man asked.
"3 pounds if possible" Just as Iris reached for the bag, yelling was heard from the back of the shop. Two boys around her age came running from behind the counter. The woman with dreadlocks had death in her eyes.
"I DIDN'T TAKE IT!"
"BROTHER! QUIT YELLING!"
"YOUR YELLING TOO!"
"AM NOT!"
The dread locked woman grabbed the two boys and bonked their heads together as she dropped them in front of Iris. "Boys behave. We have a customer."
"Sorry teacher…" both of them mumbled.
"Here you go miss. Excuse the boy's behavior" The young woman handed Iris her meat and smiled.
"It's no problem. Do you, by any chance, know a place that sells medicine?" Iris asked. The woman looked confused.
"There's a remedy shop a block from here. Why would you need that?"
"My sister has a long term sickness and this is the first time I'm getting her medicine since she's too sick to get out of the house now" The woman looked at me with pity.
"Well go down to the Dublith hospital and ask them. Tell the doctor Izumi sent you" The young woman said.
"Thank you" Iris said as she paid for the meat and ran out of the shop.
Izumi looked at her husband as the girl left the shop. "Poor have to take care of her sister at such a young age."
"I wonder what's wrong with her sister" Alphonse said attracting Izumi's attention.
"Aw yes. You boys were rude to my customer, how could I forget?"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
On The Train Ride Home
Picking up her sister's medicine had taken no time at all once she followed Izumi's directions. Iris was now sitting on the train with Myles and Grace as the train got closer and closer to their destination. Iris looked at the bag she had been given and sighed. This medicine was the reason her sister was alive. Iris daydreamed until her brother's voice broke through her thoughts, and they stepped off the train.
"Hey you guys" Myles said as that drew their attention.
"What is it Myles?" Grace wondered
"What would you say if I wanted to have a race home?"
"I would say bring it on!" Iris started running leaving Grace and Myles behind as they started running after their older sister.
"Hurry up! I've seen snails faster than the two of you!"
"No fair! You got a head start!"
All three made it home in record time. Iris opened the door shouting "Teresa! Were home!" only to be greeted with silence. All three kids stepped in the house looking for their sister, but were disappointed. Grace slowly crept towards Teresa's room as she opened the door and saw a motionless Teresa lying in bed. Iris saw Teresa, ran over and grabbed her wrist, searching for a pulse. Instead of the constant beat that was life, there was nothing, only the silence of death rang out.
After calling several doctors, they confirmed the horror Myles, Grace and Iris had been dreading: Teresa was dead. They confirmed it was Enteric Fever that took their sister out of this cruel world. All three children stood by as military officers and doctors tried to clean up what was left of Teresa Kamillia. Grace's puppy (A small white Akita puppy they had gotten after Socks died not long before Maxwell's death), Duchess tried to comfort Grace but it's attempts were futile as it laid down beside the grieve struck children. A military soldier came to the trio stating "Grab your things. You're leaving to a foster home"
"WHAT?!" Iris yelled "THIS IS OUR HOME! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"
"Iris, we can't live here without an adult. You're only ten and were younger than you" Grace said solemnly.
"We just lost Teresa! They can't do that do us!" Iris shot back.
"Iris, just obey orders for once in your life. Just please" Myles asked with tears dripping down his face.
Iris felt powerless. She finally gave in and started packing everything. Once her green bag could fit no more, she put on her trench coat and waited outside for her siblings. Grace then walked out of the house wearing a purple coat similar to Iris' and her purple scarf while holding her red suitcase. Once Myles walked out of the house with his bag, a soldier walked up to him and grabbed his bag, which received a "Hey!" out of Myles.
"You won't be going to a foster home. A man in Dublith has already decided to take you in. You'll be going to his house"
"What!" Iris struggled against Grace's grip. "Were siblings! You can't separate us!"
"Iris just let it go…" Grace begged with tears in her eyes while trying to hold back her sister.
"Just let it go!? He's trying to take our little brother!" Iris looked at Myles only to see him crying and waiting to leave.
"Fine then. If you want to go so badly, then nothing's stopping you from leaving us" Tears flowed down Iris' face as she spoke. "Goodbye Myles Russet Kamillia."
Myles didn't struggle as they led him to a car drove off. Iris thought she felt what Teresa had described as "A cord snapping" when a horrible empty pain filled her chest when the car drove away, taking the last brother Iris and Grace had left.
"Let's go girls" the soldier behind Iris spoke as he led them into a military car. Both girls looked at the home they had known for 10 years. As Grace started to drift into sleep, she thought she heard Iris say "We'll see you soon Teresa. I'm going to bring you back"
We ended up in an orphanage in Dublith. No one was interested in adopting us, which we were grateful for. Grace tried to stay positive. I was determined to bring Teresa back so we could go back to living happily in our little cabin once again. I thought everything was perfect, that no mistakes were possible. I wish I knew how wrong I was back then.
~1912~
"Water 35liters, Carbon 20kg, Ammonia 4liters, Lime 1.5kg, Phosphorus 800grams, salt 250grams, saltpeter 100grams, sulfur 80grams, fluorine 7.5 grams, iron 5 grams, silicon 3 grams, along with 15 other elements in trace amounts" Iris stood up smiling. "It's perfect. There's no way this could go wrong. I'll see you soon Teresa"
Iris crouched to the floor with her paint brush caked in white paint. The Transmutation circle had no mistakes or faults. Iris picked up the gray tray filled with human ingredients and placed it in the center of the circle. Iris placed her hands at the edge of the circle and a spark surrounded her hands. A gold light filled the room as the substances in the tray started to morph. Iris felt something go wrong, something…Unknown. The gold light turned into deadly purple and black smog. A gray eye appeared in the middle of the circle and the ingredients vaporized as pain spiked up her leg. Iris screamed but it wasn't answered. She had chosen to go to the house she grew up in, the place where Teresa raised all of them. The eye got bigger until Iris could feel herself getting pulled in.
Iris awoke in a blank space. No color existed at the moment, only white nothingness. Where the hell am I? Iris thought.
"You're in the realm of truth" a creaking voice said. Iris turned around to find an all-white figure. The only way to know where he was was by tracking his shadow. Iris glared at the figure. She expected to find her sister, not some white figure that happened to be a smart ass.
"Where's my sister?" Iris demanded "Where's Teresa"
"She's dead child" the figure said "She's been dead"
"But my Transmutation should have brought her back!" Iris yelled with rage in her voice "I followed the laws! She should have come back!"
"Do you know what it's called when you perform alchemy on human souls?" The figure asked, smiling "Human Transmutation"
"S-so? I want Teresa back."
"Child, alchemy isn't the answer to your problem." A gate opened behind Iris as the figure spoke another sentence "Let me show you The Truth"
Hundreds- no thousands of black snake-like hands reached out for Iris as she ran away from the gate. One of the hands got ahold of her ankle and the others followed, dragging Iris and giving no other choice but to scream out for her sister. Iris saw a slideshow of images- some from her life, some was information she never even knew. She felt pressure in head growing with every image, her head felt like it would burst. She looked in front of her and found a familiar figure that she hadn't seen in years
"TERESA! TERESA HELP! PLEASE TESSA!" Iris screamed at the top of her lungs. Just as their hands were about to touch, Iris was back in front of the gate. She could now see that the gate had a carving of a tree with elements and certain things she felt like she knew but couldn't say. Iris turned around to see the white figure once more. It grinned at her like it was a clown at the circus.
"That's all I can show you for your exchange, child" The figure smiled.
"What exchange?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Iris looked as the figure stood. Something had changed, she knew that for sure. She looked at the figure's legs and saw her right leg forming on the figure in pieces like shredded paper. Iris looked down and froze, her own right leg, up to the knee, had vanished. Iris saw a flash of light before she returned to the real world, back to the pain she had created. An unbearable pain took over Iris' leg as she fell to the ground onto her blood seeping out of the stump that was her right leg. "IRIS!" a voice yelled at the door. Grace.
"G-Grace… I'm sorry" Iris mumbled.
"Hold on!" Grace looked for the remainder of her sister's leg but it was nowhere to be found. Iris coughed as Grace looked at her wound. She's going to bleed out Grace Thought as she took out her transmutation gloves and put her hands on her sister's stump.
"Oh boy. This is going to hurt" Grace said as sparks flew from her hands. Grace could feel the ripping pain of her own leg being taken from her and transferred to her sister's stump, which was now growing as her own leg shrunk. When the sparks stopped, Grace put her hands on her own leg as the sparks closed her wound with a horrible pain before she blacked out.
"I….Iri….Ir….I….Iris!" Iris could hear her name being called as she started to wake up. She sat up as she looked around her setting. She was in a square room with all white walls and gray tiled floors. As she attempted to rise from the bed, she felt the rustle of two legs, one was a normal left leg and the other was a right leg covered in bandages.
"Good. You're awake" Iris turned to see her sister sitting in a chair next to her as she sighed in relief. "I was worried there for a second. How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine but… What happened?" Iris asked unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.
"You tried to bring back Teresa, that's not hard to figure out. Right now were in the clinic part of our old house. You blacked out and so did I after I sealed your injuries and dragged you out of Teresa's old room." Grace explained
"I don't get it. If I tried to bring back Teresa, then why do I-"
Iris' question was answered as Grace hopped into a wheel chair and wheeled over to Iris. The delicate pink dress she was wearing was not long enough to cover the stump that was her sister's right leg. Iris quickly unwrapped the bandages on her leg and was greeted with a jagged white line going all the way around her leg- no her sister's leg.
"Grace… Why did you do it?" Iris asked with tears flowing out of her eyes. Grace shrugged.
"It was my choice. Either give up my leg, or let you die"
"You should have just let me die. You don't deserve this. You did nothing, you didn't majorly screw up"
Grace chuckled. "What I DID do was make that decision myself. But since alchemists have that little law, equivalent exchange, you gotta pay me back."
"What can I do to repay your sacrifice? I didn't ask for this Grace." Iris said not looking up
"You can repay me by becoming a state alchemist." Grace responded smiling.
"State alchemist…?" Iris looked at Grace's smiling face as Duchess, now a full grown dog, licked her and yipped. I have to do this. For Grace Iris thought before nodding her head. "I'll do it."
Nothing could have outshined the smile Grace showed at those three words.
"Here" Grace said as she took part of her purple scarf and placed on a Transmutation circle. When sparks flew from her hands, the ripped scarf piece was transformed in a beautiful purple ribbon with white flower stitches. "This will remind you of your goal" Grace said as she tied the ribbon around her sister's neck.
After Grace had fallen asleep, Iris carried her all the way to Dublith with Duchess not far behind. Iris ran through the city looking for a certain shop she had seen years ago. She stopped at a red butcher shop that pulled at her memory as she walked inside.
"Who's there?" a familiar and deep voice asked. He walked beside a woman with dreadlocks as they approached her.
"I know this is a lot to ask, but can could take care of my sister?" Iris asked with desperation in her voice. Both adults looked at her as if she was insane.
"You shouldn't be out late this night" The woman with dreadlocks walked over to a phone saying "What's your house phone number? I can call them to-"
"My parents are dead. My older siblings were my guardians but one died of a snake bite and the other of sickness. The military already took my little brother and I know my sister is next if she can't find a home. I came here years ago and you told me to get medicine. I need one more favor; I promise I'll repay you. Your name is Izumi, right?" Iris was in tears by now as she continued. "Please Izumi. I don't want to lose her. She means the world to me." Duchess came up beside Iris and licked her hand, trying to offer some comfort.
Izumi looked at the girl as her memory of her resurfaced. "Your sister- the one who needed the medicine back then- is that her?"
Iris shook her head sadly. "That was my older sister Teresa. She died that same day. The sickness toke her and then the military stepped in."
Izumi sighed. She couldn't just turn this girl away when she had already been through so much, not to mention the military had its fair share of hurting her as well. She looked at the blond and noticed something.
"Your sister, she only has one leg. Was this the military's doing?"
"No. That's my fault, no one else's." Iris reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope with a flower design wax seal on the front. "When she wakes up, give this to her. Don't worry her too much. Even in a wheelchair she'll insist on working. Her dog, Duchess, will protect her"
Iris handed Izumi the letter and her sister's bag. Grace shuffled slightly in her sleep as Iris came closer.
"Don't worry Grace. I'll be back soon. You can depend on that." Iris said as she walked out of the shop saying "Thank Izumi" as the tears feel down her face. Iris didn't stop walking, no matter how much it broke her heart. So this is what sacrifice is? It feels empty. Empty and painful Iris thought as she climbed on the train and left Dublith.
Leaving my little sister was the hardest sacrifice I ever made. I trusted Izumi to take care of Grace. After leaving Dublith, I set my sights on training and studying for the State Alchemy Exam. I was determined on completing my sister's wish. I couldn't look at my leg for a while after I started training. I eventually took of the bandages and got serious about becoming a state alchemist. I knew I needed a recommendation so I went to the first place I read about: Fort Briggs.
~January 4th, 1913 (7 Months since Leaving Grace) ~
Iris stood before the great Fort Briggs wearing a thick green coat that reached her thighs, brown pants, riding boots and ,of course, her purple ribbon. She looked at the soldiers pointing their guns and smiled. Just as expected from Fort Briggs.
"State who you are or prepared to be killed" a loud yet feminine voice yelled. A blond woman appeared surrounded with soldiers. Her hair was swept over her eye and curled at the ends. As for her outfit, she had the specific Military General Rank's uniform with a navy blue fur coat over it.
Iris smiled. "You must be General Olivier Armstrong. I'm Iris (Eye-Reese) Amethyst Kamillia and I would like to speak to you." The General lower her hand signaling her guns to drop their guns.
"Are you of the military?" General Armstrong questioned.
"No ma'am. I'm an ordinary alchemist who wants to speak with you." Iris spoke calmly.
"Miles, escort her to my office." The General ordered as a man with brown skin, sunglasses, and white hair with sideburns walked me inside.
"You're wondering about me, aren't you?" Miles spoke after walking a while.
"I'm curious, but I will not pry"
"Why do you want an audience with General Armstrong?"
"I wish for her to give me a recommendation for the State Alchemist Exam"
"Aren't you a bit young?" Miles asked.
"I'm thirteen and I can fight as good as any soldier. I believe age is just a number when it comes to one's abilities" Iris stated proudly. "I am curious about what's under your glasses. I shared my information with you, I request the same"
Miles stopped walking and removed his glasses. Underneath the glasses was a pair of strong red eyes that made Iris wonder how such a beautiful color could be a possible eye color.
"I'm Isvalan. Anymore questions?"
"I could ask 'what's an Isvalan?' but it can wait." Iris said smiling.
"You don't know?" Miles looked surprised.
"Nope, it can wait." Iris said as the pair walked to General Armstrong's office. Inside her office were two black couches, a large desk, and a coffee table littered with papers. General Armstrong was already sitting at her desk as Miles ran over to her and whispered in her ear, causing the General Armstrong to smile.
"So you want a recommendation from me?"
"Yes ma'am. I'll be as loyal as your soldiers if you want me to"
"Okay, you have my recommendation. You better show then the pride of Fort Briggs or you'll be digging your own grave"
"Yes ma'am!"
When General Armstrong decided to recommend me, she made me work like a dog to work off the debt I owed her for recommendation. A few days before the exam, I traveled to Central to take it. I was ready.
~Exam Day~
"I'm not ready!" Iris screamed as Selene, a soldier with short, white hair, tried comforting her.
"Don't worry. You'll do just fine" Selene reassured.
"That's the thing! I don't want to do 'fine' I want to show them the pride of Fort Briggs!" Iris shouted. "I can't use some old tricks. I have to think of something new!"
"Don't chain yourself down Iris! Try to think of something if you're that determined!" Selene said.
Chain… That's it! Iris scanned the rule book for the alchemy exam. A smile crept on her face.
All items will be provided for an alchemical demonstration
"I've got this" Iris said as she ran up to the building entrance.
"SHOW THEM THE PRIDE OF FORT BRIGGS, IRIS!" Selene yelled just before Iris disappeared though the building doors.
Before the Exam began, Iris was escorted to a flat room where an old man with tanned skin and an eye patch stood with two others beside him. "State your name"
"Iris (Eye-Reese) Amethyst Kamillia" Iris stated with pride.
"You may proceed with the examination" the man with the eye patch stated.
"This floor has metal components correct?" Iris asked. One of the men nodded and Iris grinned. She clapped her hands and placed them on the ground as her thoughts formed her weapon.
A long silver snake emerged from the ground. As the sparks grew, thorns popped out one by one on the snake, except for the end which morphed into a handle. Iris grabbed a hold of the thorny whip struck it against the ground, causing a large crater, leaving a few officers dumbfounded.
"Well isn't that something" The eye patched man said grinning.
"What's next Mr….?" Iris' asked
"That's Furher King Bradley!" one of the officers told her. She muttered a "Thanks" to him and continued.
"What's next Mr. Bradley?"
The Furher chuckled. "You'll see. I wish you good luck on the rest of your Exam"
A few more tests and Iris had gotten the results: Iris Kamillia- PASSED
She ran to the office of Roy Mustang with her papers. He gave state alchemists their pocket watches and titles.
"Congratulations, you're now an official dog of the military, Silver" Mustang stated with a chuckle.
"Silver?" Iris picked up the paper and started reading.
By order of Furher King Bradley, this document certifies that Iris Kamillia is appointed the post of State Alchemist and that she is hereby granted the title "Silver"
"Nice!" Iris cheered
"Here's your pocket watch. It's evidence that you're an official state alchemist. From now, you'll be known as the Silver Alchemist" Roy stated
"Awesome and all… but this is just the beginning!" Iris shouted
I was right. That was just the beginning. I may have completed Grace's wish but I was far from done. I know it may seem stupid to join the group of people that separated my family, but as a wise man once said; keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
~Two Weeks Ago (One Year Later) ~
"You wanted to see me General?"
"Yes. You're being under someone's command starting next week"
"Who's the officer?"
"Roy Mustang. He's in charge of catching Issac McDougal and the Furher put you and some other brat at Mustang's disposal. This means that you have to be in Central Command in a week"
"I can handle that" Iris said proudly.
"You better not screw around. I want you to show them why Fort Briggs is number one!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Iris ran out of Armstrong's office with her state alchemist watch in her pocket, and her purple ribbon tied around her neck. This is just the start
Are'nt I mean leaving it at a cliff hanger? Actually, this is where you would she the start of Chapter One. I know I rushed the ending, but do we really need to spend more time with the "Lovely" General Armstrong?
General Armstrong: DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME 50!
Me: Why the hell are you in my office?!
General Armstrong: I SAID GIVE 50!
Me (drops down crying): I live here... Why do I have to do push-ups? WAHHHHHHHHH
-Jackie C.A.