Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. This is Alchemy's first law of equivalent exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.

For the Love of Alchemy

Chapter 12:

Nightmares

She was seven as she ran up the road; the military was four towns away from Chaono. She weaved in and out of the townspeople coming face to face with a crowd. Her mother was yelling while holding a six year old Christian. Christina just watched as the little boy was on the brink of tears and all she could do was try and get closer.

Christina, now eleven, two weeks after the accident she sat up in bed. People were yelling outside of the house. She closed her hands over her ears and glanced out of the window. The military was back and they were posted everywhere. She just stared as her mind began to come up with lots and lots of worst case scenarios. She gripped her ears tighter, her eyes watered and she screamed.

She sat with piles of books and read one after another. No food went into her body as she just kept reading book after book. She slept very little every night and then her birthday came. She stood up and looked at every book on the ground. She took a deep breath and then she picked up her already packed backpack. Turning, she left everything she knew of behind.

Christina sat in Roy's home; she explained everything to him as she remembered. Roy's face never faulted and when Christina was done he handed her a folder. Slowly she opened it fearing the worse. Her eyes blinked slowly and when they were fully open, she was in shock. 'Permission of Alchemy Exam Granted to Christina Clark.'

Christina waited on the other side of the East Headquarters to take her test. She looked up just as the sun was slightly being blocked out. She saw a ring of flowers in the sky, she could hear the cheers and she knew someone had passed the Alchemy Exam before her; she might not have a chance now.

Christina at the age of thirteen came face to face once again with shadow. This was the second time she had seen him. But this time his hood was down and she fell to her side screaming and clutching her head. The shadow laughed as she just kept screaming and screaming.

The shadow grabbed her off the ground by her right arm. He stared at the fading Alchemy circles for a while and then smiled. Taking his other hand he pressed it on to her upper arm and burned it on. He did it another three more times and her screams once again filled the East Headquarters Courtyard. Roy and the others all appeared and the shadows eyes glared at Christina.

Everyone was suited up and ready to go. Mustang, Hawkeye, Havoc, Hughes, Armstrong and Farman all watched in slight horror. All of them came face to face with the shadow but its hood was back up and Christina was wide awake and kicking. The shadow noticed they were coming closer and threw her at them.

Christina thought back to when she was six and standing outside Christian's room. Her mother had just put him to sleep and then started to cough. Christina just watched as her mother stood up and made her way to the middle of the room. No matter how many times her mother did this she was always amazed. She clapped her hands together and then placed them on her neck and heart. Christina's eyes widened at the light.

Roy stood by her as she tried to go after the shadow, but he held her down as Hawkeye shot off eight rounds. Armstrong used his Alchemy to shoot whatever he could get his hands on at the shadow. Hughes threw his knives as he followed Hawkeye. Farman and Havoc took over for Roy and he placed his gloves on.

Flames engulfed the shadow but only the cloak burned; the figure within vanished. When Roy looked around he noticed the shadow and snapped again. The shadow jumped forward, using the flames as a cloak. Hawkeye shouted and shots were fired once again.

Christina knocked Farman and Havoc off her and ran out to Roy's aid. The shadow knocked him back and turned its eyes back on Christina. Biting her lower lip, Christina ran her left hand down the Alchemy circles and after her hilt formed the battle became cloudy.

When the world came back to her, she sat up and noticed everyone in the room. Roy's hands were being treated and Hawkeye was yelling at him, Hughes smiled at Christina and nudged Roy. When everyone looked at her she looked away. Getting out of bed, Christina said nothing as she walked to the door. Hawkeye saw this and stopped her.

"You'll go nowhere."

"……."

"You almost died, do you care?"

"…." Christina pushed past Hawkeye, but was pulled back around. A slap came to her face and everyone gasped, all but Roy's words stood out.

"Bad idea Riza!" Christina turned her head back to Hawkeye and glared; Christina slapped her back and walked out.