Disclaimers and Warnings: My name is not Hiromu Arakawa; therefore, I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the characters, although I wish I owned Ed!!! This fic is pure Edxwin and some RoyxRiza if you don't like the pairings don't read!
Who is she?
Victoria was a tomboy, and she would never dream of having a crush on anyone. But she did. A boy that was around her age had landed in a biplane in her front yard. He had golden blond hair and his eyes matched. Victoria ran over to him and when his eyes met hers she melted.
"Hi, I'm Victoria."
"I'm Edward Elric; you can call me, Ed." Victoria ran a hand through her brown and blonde hair. She may have dressed funny for a girl, but Ed trusted her.
"Where are you from, Ed?"
"Amestris, I mean Germany." Ed was expecting Victoria to question Amestris and its whereabouts. He was shocked at her response.
"Did you say Amestris? I have read of it in a book. The book said that alchemy can be done there with a simple circle. My best friend and I want to learn, but people tell us it's forbidden science." Without thinking, Ed offered to teach the two. Ed soon disappeared; and Victoria and her friend, Elizabeth had been attempting to go to Amestris.
"How are we going to do this?" Liz asked confused.
"Marco, Ed told me he has the only way to Amestris, a Philosopher's Stone." An hour later the two were in an old tool shed in Liz's backyard. They both pressed a knife to their hands and disappeared. A huge gate towered over them. A man stood at the entrance.
"I am Pride. You two do know that you must have a third person in order for a Philosopher's Stone to work right?"
"No, we didn't know." Liz said quietly.
"Well, you must find someone, I'm afraid that I cannot let you through without the third person." The two appeared back in Liz's shed.
"Who are we gonna bring?" Victoria asked, sitting on a box.
"How about, my little sister, Natalie?" Liz asked.
"Ho no… not Natalie!" Victoria said rolling her eyes. When Victoria and Liz were being trained by Ed, Natalie had met Ed too. She had the same feelings for Ed that Victoria did and they were constantly fighting. As if on queue, Natalie opened the shed door.
"There you are, Liz. Oh, look it's my rival in love."
"Don't start with me, Natalie." Victoria said to the fourteen year old. Natalie rolled her eyes; she was in no way intimidated by Victoria.
"What're you two doing anyway?"
"Trying to go to-"
"Just practicing alchemy." Victoria said nudging Liz in the side. Liz knew that Victoria did not want Natalie to come.
"Like I believe you. Liz do you wanna answer the question this time?"
"Call me a liar will you?" Victoria asked standing up and beginning to pace.
Sarcastic word fight coming up
"If I wanted to hear the pitter patter of little feet. I would have put shoes on my cat." Natalie said.
"If I throw a stick will you leave?" Victoria asked loudly.
"Which dwarf are you?"
"I'm trying to imagine you with a personality."
"Calling you stupid would be an insult to stupid people."
"Have you ever considered suing your brains for non support?"
"Hi. I'm a human being what are you?
"How did you get here did someone leave your cage open?"
"I hear the only place you're invited is outside."
"Is that your face or did your neck throw up?"
"You don't have two brain cells to rub together." Natalie said sticking her tongue out. She was expecting Victoria to say something stupid back but instead she felt a sharp sting against her cheek, Victoria had smacked her. Natalie slapped her back.
"Do it again and I punch you!" Victoria proclaimed pointing to her cheek.
"You wouldn't punch me." Natalie said slapping Victoria again. Victoria cocked her fist back and threw her punch. She socked Natalie in the stomach.
"I told you I'm not a liar." Natalie began to throw punches, Victoria dodging them easily. Natalie put her right hand on Victoria's shoulder.
"Hold still."
"If you punch me you'll regret it." Victoria claimed waiting. Natalie punched her square in the nose; a loud crack echoed the room. Blood began to pour from Victoria's nose. Victoria winced in pain. She grabbed Natalie's thumb with her right hand and twisted Natalie's arm. Victoria then grabbed the side of Natalie's hand with her left hand and continued to twist. A series of pops came from Natalie's arm. Natalie began to cry out in pain, Victoria was breaking her arm.
"Stop it you two!" Liz said pulling them apart. Natalie pulled away rubbing her arm, Victoria cupped her hand over her nose.
"It's broken." Victoria said, touching it carefully.
"Who cares?" Natalie said angrily. "You're not a very good fighter, I broke your nose and you didn't leave a scratch on me." She said getting in Victoria's face. Victoria said nothing and grabbed Natalie's head and slammed it into her own. Natalie staggered back.
"What about now?" Victoria asked watching a rather large goose egg appear on Natalie's forehead.
"Natalie, do you want to come with us to Amestris?" Liz asked seizing the chance. Natalie looked at Liz and asked,
"Where's that?"
"Up your-"
"Victoria! It's on the other side of the gate." Natalie still looked confused. "It's where we believe that Ed disappeared to."
"Count me in!" Natalie said raising a hand. "Wait, is Victoria going?"
"Well-"
"You better believe it!" Victoria said doing what Liz had done to her earlier, interrupting. Natalie turned her nose up,
"Liz, you better walk between us."
"I was gonna do that anyway; even if you told me not to. Who knows what the Shrip would do if she was walking beside you."
"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you comparing to a shrimp?"
"I didn't say shrimp I said Shrip."
"All because I make one little typo on xanga, I get that nickname for the rest of my life?"
"Yep." Natalie said breaking in to the conversation.
"Who asked you?" Victoria asked angrily. "Let's get this thing over with. Natalie, we have to draw blood from you."
"What? Why?"
"That's how the Philosopher's Stone works, you must have everyone who is traveling with you draw blood." Liz pulled out the knife, but Victoria had her own way of drawing blood from Natalie. "Hold still."
"What are you gonna- ow!" Victoria punched Natalie in the nose just hard enough to draw blood. Liz punctured her hand again and all three slapped their blood covered hands on the circle. A light flashed and they all disappeared. Once again they stood at the gate, this time Pride just opened it without saying a word. He then shoved them inside, and closed the gate just as quick as he had opened it.
------
Colonel Mustang's intercom pierced the silence,
"Colonel Mustang?"
"Yes?"
"Three teenage girls have showed up unexpectedly. They claim they are looking for Ed." Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc reported. Mustang smiled,
"What do they look like?"
"Are you going to attempt to flirt with them, sir?"
"Havoc, don't question a higher authority."
"One has long brown hair pulled back in a pony tail. She looks about seventeen and she's about '5 "7. The next one has long dirty blonde hair, pulled into a bun. She looks about fifteen and she's also '5 "7. Her nose is bleeding. The other one is more of a tomboy than the other two. She has short brown and blonde hair. She also looks fifteen and she's about '5 "3. She's short for a teenager." Havoc was still pressing down the button. Roy perked up when he heard a loud voice in the background.
"WHAT?! Who are you calling so small you wanna step on her like a little ant?!"
"Send them in, Havoc" Roy released the button, "This should be good." The three were escorted in by Riza; she shut the door after they were all accounted for. "What are your names?"
"Victoria."
"Elizabeth."
"Natalie."
"So, you three are looking for Ed Elric. Am I correct?"
"Yes sir!" The three said in unison.
"Where are you from?" Liz and Natalie hesitated, they were afraid that because they were from the other side they might be shunned.
"The other side." Victoria answered bravely. She remembered that when she first met Ed he told her this:
"If you ever go to Amestris ask to see me or Colonel Roy Mustang. Tell him you are from the other side and he will understand and talk with you about whatever you want to know."
"Ah, okay. Did you ever meet Ed in person?" Roy asked turning his attention to Victoria; he liked a girl that didn't lie.
"Yes sir."
"How did you meet him?"
"He was in a biplane and landed in my front yard, I went over to see if he was okay. Then we got to talking and I asked if he would teach me alchemy. Ed agreed and now me and Elizabeth know alchemy." Roy held his hand up for Victoria to stop.
"Elizabeth-"
"Please, call me Liz."
"Okay, Liz. You met Ed too correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Victoria, how old are you?"
"Seventeen, why?"
"You're awfully short for a seventeen year old. Don't you agree Riza?" Victoria clinched her fists and turned toward Riza.
"Roy, stop being immature and get to the point." Riza said looking up from polishing her gun. Roy sighed.
"Why do you want to see him?" Victoria and Liz had never really thought about why they wanted to come to Amestris in the first place. Natalie thought of a reason.
"They never finished learning alchemy, before Ed disappeared." Roy turned toward Natalie and looked her square in the face. He couldn't tell if she was lying or not.
"Is this true girls?" Liz and Victoria nodded. Roy believed them.
"Riza would you like to come with me to escort them to Ms. Rockbell's home?" Riza stood up and saluted. Roy looked at his watch, it was nine at night. "Why don't you take them to your room instead, Riza?" Riza paused.
"Sir?"
"Nine is a bit late to disturb them don't you think? We should wait till morning. Get to know these three better; you're a girl, they're girls. Do girly things. You know paint nails, play truth or dare-"
"Roy, shut up." Riza said closing his office door and leading the girls to her room. The four walked down the hall and went into Riza's room. Riza pulled out three sleeping bags,
"Make yourselves at home."
"Excuse me, Riza if I can call you that…" Natalie asked sweetly.
"Yes?"
"Do I have to sleep in the same room as Victoria?"
"Oh, get over it Natalie." Liz said unrolling her sleeping bag. Victoria put her hand over her nose and grimaced from the pain.
"Lights go out at nine-thirty." Riza said looking at her watch.
"What?" Natalie asked.
"In the military we have to get up early." Nine-thirty came fast and soon everyone was asleep except Victoria. She lay in her sleeping bag for two solid hours, and she didn't get one minute of sleep. Victoria got up and went out on the balcony, it was warm for nighttime.
"Hey, what are you doing up?" A voice asked from a couple of windows over. Victoria looked over and saw Havoc with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
"Can't sleep."
"Yeah, me neither. I didn't catch your name."
"Victoria, I'm the major tomboy." Havoc climbed over his railing and got on a ledge. He walked the ledge three balconies over, to the one Victoria was standing on.
"So, have you ever been on a date?"
"No."
"Tomboys don't date huh?"
"Well, I would date if the right guy came along. What, are you asking me on one?" Havoc smirked causing his limp cigarette to stick up.
"No, but I know someone that might want to date you."
"Oh, really?" Victoria asked looking out at the sky. "I doubt anyone would want to go out with a tomboy. No one has ever liked me like that." Victoria said sounding somewhat sad. Havoc just sighed.
"Well, I'll talk to him. So, I hear you and that blonde haired girl don't get along."
"Who told you?"
"No one told me exactly but I can tell by the way you two act around each other."
"She's just annoying that's all."
"What do you classify as annoying? Someone hyper active and crazy?"
"Why are you asking me all of this?" Victoria said looking into Havoc's blue eyes. He was cute too but not like Ed.
"I'm trying to see if that guy I was telling you about would be interested in you."
"Alright, Havoc. Let me ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Why do you want me to date so badly?"
"I can tell that you like Edward and he's already taken by someone else."
"What? How do you assume that I like Ed?"
"When I say Ed Elric what is the first word that comes to mind?"
"Sexy."
"See? I just don't want to see you disappointed."
"Okay, who is this guy that you want me to hook up with?" Havoc smiled.
------
Roy, Riza, Liz, Natalie, and Victoria walked in a single file line to the parking lot. Roy pulled out his keys and unlocked the vehicle. They all piled in, the teenagers sat in the back.
"I'm glad I'm not sitting next to Victoria." Natalie said loudly, Victoria just looked out the window. Riza turned to face them.
"What's wrong, Victoria?" Riza asked.
"Nothing." Victoria said sighing deeply. Liz poked her
"There is too, shorty." No response, Roy looked in his rear view mirror; he could see Victoria in plain view. Something was wrong.
"Whatever." Natalie said looking out her window; she didn't care what was wrong. They rode for a while, in silence.
"I gotta pee." Liz said bluntly, Roy pulled over at a gas station. Riza, Natalie, and Liz got out. Roy stayed with Victoria.
"Hey, what is it?" Roy asked turning in his seat.
"Havoc wants me to go out with someone in Rush Valley, the place we're going."
"Who could he possibly want you to go out with?" Roy asked thinking of the people in Rush Valley, there was no guy he could think of that would be right for her.
"He is not a citizen of Rush Valley he's just there on vacation."
"Oh, I know who it is." Roy saw the others approaching the car. He put his hand on Victoria's head and rubbed it. "Don't worry you'll like him." Roy turned back around and unlocked the doors. Victoria smiled at Roy in the rear view mirror, Roy returned the favor.
------
Roy stopped at Dominic's place, Paninya's guardian, he smirked. This was where Victoria's 'date' was staying. A boy that looked eighteen walked around the corner
"Is that Alphonse?" Liz asked pointing to the brown haired boy. Liz and Victoria had also met Alphonse; Liz loved him like she would a little brother.
"Yes." Riza said. Liz flung the door open and jumped out running toward Alphonse.
"AL!" Liz proclaimed knocking him to the ground.
"LIZ! Wow, I would never expect you to be here!" Al said getting up and brushing off the seat of his pants. He smiled.
"Hey, Alphonse."
"Sir!" Alphonse proclaimed as he saluted.
"Where is Wrath?" Roy asked putting his arm around Victoria.
"I dunno, Wrath!" Al called, "He should be here in a few seconds." A boy came running from inside the house.
"Yeah?"
"Roy wanted to see you." Al pointed out. Wrath walked over to Roy and Victoria. Riza took Natalie inside, for Roy had told her to get everyone away so they could talk. Al and Liz went inside too.
"Havoc told you about a girl that you might like, right?"
"Yeah, who is she? That girl that Riza walked in with? She seems annoying." Victoria laughed,
"She is annoying."
"Whoa, what happened to your nose?" Wrath asked turning his attention to Victoria.
"The annoying girl broke it."
"Really, my nose is broken too. My jaw is also broken but I've gotten better at talking." Roy started to walk away,
"Maybe Havoc was right for a change. Maybe Wrath is the one for her." Roy said going into the house.
"Havoc told me that there is a girl in you guy's group that I should go out with her name is Victoria. What's your name?" Victoria blushed. "Are you Victoria?" Victoria nodded.
"Look, Wrath. You're cute and all, but I don't know you that well. I think that instead of rushing things we need to get to know each other better."
"I was gonna say that too! Wait, did you say I'm cute?" Victoria blushed again, which she didn't do often.
"Yes, well you are. You have big eyes and you look innocent. Anyone who has big eyes and looks innocent is cute. Ed Elric for example."
"Thanks." Wrath said kicking the dust up. He was shy when it came to compliments; he began to have a crush on Victoria.
------
Wrath and Victoria walked inside the shop, where everyone else was.
"Hey, Al. Can you call me big sister in Japanese?"
"You mean Onee-chan? Sure, I can call you that." Al said unsure of why she wanted him to call her that. He saw Victoria walk in with Wrath, Wrath had talked with Al like Victoria had talked with Roy. Wrath had also been worried about what Victoria might be like. Al smiled and Wrath caught a glimpse of the infamous Elric smile. He walked over and stood next to Al. Victoria stood over next to Roy.
"Thanks, Al. You were right, Victoria is not that bad. In fact I think I like her more than a friend. She just said we need to get to know each other better."
"Yeah, that's obvious, Wrath." Meanwhile Victoria and Roy were talking.
"Thanks for comforting me back there, Roy. I think that Wrath and I can get to know each other better." Victoria said gesturing toward Wrath. Roy nodded,
"No problem." Roy said slapping Victoria on the back. Liz looked over at Victoria. They were friends true, but Liz didn't really know that much about her. Sure she knew that she had brown eyes, brown and blonde hair, and had a crush on Ed. But what was she really like? What was her true personality? Liz wanted to find out. However, Natalie interrupted.
"Hey, Liz what's up?" Natalie asked blocking Liz's view of Victoria.
"Nothing, just thinking."
"About why you and Victoria are friends?" Natalie guessed not expecting to be right.
"Yeah, I don't know why I chose to be her friend."
"What did she even do to deserve your trust? I don't like her one bit. And yes, I would repeat that to her face. I don't care! She can get so annoying and-"
"Enough, Natalie, I hate it when you chew people out!"
"So? Victoria deserves it don't you think?" Natalie asked looking at Victoria, who was still talking to Roy. The sisters then noticed something that they hadn't in the five minutes that had passed, Victoria was crying. Roy put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. Riza seemed suspicious then realized that Roy was only comforting her. Wrath walked over to Victoria and gave her a hug. Victoria buried her face in Wrath's shoulder; Wrath stroked her hair.
"What's wrong, Roy?" Wrath asked.
"She claims she's tired of people not liking her for who she is. She says that people expect her to change for them and when she does this she doesn't realize who she is anymore."
"Aw, Victoria are you crying?" Natalie said sarcastically.
"Back off, jerk." Wrath said squeezing Victoria tighter. Natalie perked up at Wrath's reaction. She didn't expect him to respond so bluntly. Wrath continued to stroke Victoria's hair. Natalie wanted so bad to make Victoria feel worse.
"I didn't know such a huge tomboy could be such a baby." Victoria said something into Wrath's shoulder and Wrath repeated what she said to Natalie.
"She said: I advise that you shut up."
"Why don't you tell her if she wants to say something say it to my face?" Liz made her way over to where the two were arguing. Natalie kept on pushing it. "Unless, of course, she's to scared." Natalie said with a smirk. She knew that Victoria hated to be called a scared wimp; as a matter of fact Victoria hated that as much as she hated being called short. That was Natalie's next step. "Scared like a tiny, micro-small, ultra-short, little bitty, shrimpy ant." Without a warning Victoria pulled away from Wrath and grabbed Natalie's shirt collar like she was going to pick Natalie up. Natalie wasn't scared, "Wait, you need a step ladder to pick me up!" Victoria became enraged and pulled Natalie towards her and down, they were nose to nose.
"Don't ever call me…" Victoria said in a whisper, she hesitated as Natalie held her breath waiting for Victoria to continue. "SMALL! OR I'LL BREAK OFF YOUR FEET AND STICK THEM TO YOUR HEAD! THEN WE'LL SEE WHOS A WIMPY, LITTLE SHORTIE!" Victoria shouted letting go of Natalie's shirt, Natalie almost fell back. Wrath's mouth fell open, as Victoria stormed out of the shop. Wrath had never seen anyone get as mad as him, ever. If he was ever gonna have a girlfriend she would be the first on his list. He liked her for who she was, why should she care about other's opinions?
------
Victoria walked out into the bright sunlight and squinted. She was tired of this, she missed Ed. That was the whole reason she wanted to come to Amestris. Not to argue with Natalie, not to meet Wrath, not to meet the military. All she wanted to see was Ed's smiling face, his golden eyes, and… wait. Havoc said that Ed was 'taken by someone'. Who could it be? Victoria honestly thought that they were eventually getting together. She had to meet this other girl and find out what was going on.