"People cannot gain anything without sacrificing something. You must present something of equal value to gain something. That is the principle of equivalent trade in alchemy. We believed that was the truth of the world when we were young." -Alphonse Elric

Alchemy: the science of transmuting matter from one form to another. Edward and Alphonse Elric thought they'd learned enough to bring their mother back from death, but the laws of nature demand a heavy price. Edward, with an arm and a leg of metal, and his little brother Alphonse, whose soul is now encased in a living suit of armor, begin a journey to restore their bodies by finding the legendary Philosopher's Stone, which holds unlimited power. But they're not alone.

Intro: That was more than six years ago that one night when Ed and Al tried to bring back their mother. Now in search of the coveted Philosopher's Stone, Ed(15) and Al(14) have to pass many problems that stand in the way of them finding the stone. Along their journey, the two young brothers come across Serena, an injured girl that they help. Now traveling along with them, the three uncover secrets that may have been best left unknown, and Ed and Serena develop a relationship that may tests Ed's ability to love, forgive and forget, and come to cope with the un-fairity of this world.

(A/N: He he, I'm so happy right now! I found this website that you can download with English subs, the last Season of SailorMoon called Sailor Stars. So I downloaded the 2nd episode since the 1st one takes 7 hrs to load. Where is the logic, the show itself is only 30 min. long if that! Well I just wanted to see if it works, and the picture comes out beautifully and the subs are easy to read. So if you want the site, leave a comment in my reviews asking for it!)

This chapter summary: After not being able to sleep, Ed stumbles upon Serena late after midnight that night, in the same alleyway from earlier. Ed strikes up a conversation and learns a little about this wounded soul. Even through her hard shell, Ed is able to see the small frail 15 year old girl hidden inside, waiting for somebody to trust and love.

Beautiful Trouble

Ed watched the girl sitting against the wall trying to get the puppy to dry it's milk through a tear dropper. The puppy whimpered and kept moving it's head back and forth.

"I know baby. I know you miss your mama, and her milk is better, but you have to eat." She tried again, then sighed, hitting her head against the wall softly over and over.

"Here, let me try." Ed sat down and Took the eye dropper and puppy from her. "Come on little guy." He cooed, rubbing his back up and down his spine. "Open up."

The puppy finally opened his mouth enough for Ed to feed him. The puppy now greedy for more, slurped up as much milk as possible.

"There you go. Good boy."

The girl, Serena, stared at Ed in a way that told Ed that that was her look of respect. He smiled shyly, his face turning a bit red. Serena stood up and walked to the opposite wall and leaded against it.

"Thank you."

"Oh please, I was glad to help this little guy."

"No. Not for that." She looked away to the street that she had been chased on. "You aren't the 'obnoxious, arrogant person.' I was describing me. I'm sorry I didn't stick around."

"No, it's O.K. I mean if I suddenly woke up to seeing my brother and I sleeping by your bed in a hospital, I would be scared too."

"I was not scared!" She said in a cocky tone, then left out a sigh. "It's just…I'm not one to be trustful. I..I don't tend to be around a lot of people." Maybe I was scared.

Ed looked at the girl's face. He had been right about her sadness. She looked so very frail and tired. Even her barricade that she placed around herself couldn't hide that.

"Well, don't you get lonely? I mean, you have to learn to trust someone in order to gain their love and companionship."

"No. I have no use for people. By trusting in others you only get left with disappointments." She kicked at a stone on the ground. "I've learned that the hard way."

"You are lonely though."

"And what makes you think that hero complex?"

Ed chuckled a little. Another acquired nickname. "Then why save this pup and hold him so close to you?"

She sat down next to Ed, gently rubbing the little pup's head. "It's like this Ed. I'm just trying to prove one of the truths of life wrong. That truth being that the weak and frail always lose. The social pecking order."

"How did you know…"

"How did I know your name? Why your Edward Elric. The youngest state alchemist at the ripe age of 12. State named Fullmetal. You have an automail for a left arm and leg. You come of a little town just outside Central where you lived with your mother and brother Alphonse, who now takes up living in a suit of armor. They say that you are the rarest of alchemist. Not only do you not need a transfiguration circle, you also have been said to be for the people and not for the well being of the state. And unlike most of those dogs-with-their-tails-between-their-legs up at Central, you won't listen to your officials if it means in any way harming someone." She chuckled a little, and leaded her head back against the cool wall. "Your Generals must love you for that."

"Yeah well, there were a few times that I turned over my alchemist watch and quit."

Serena stared at Ed, then packed up the rest of the unused milk and cradled the puppy in her arm. "Don't ever give in to them Ed." She looked at him sincerely.

"So tell me…Serena Kagin. Why does the State have so much interest in you?"

She stood up, chuckling. "Why wouldn't they?"

"So the wings…were they some alchemic set back? A…"

"Ed! I'm not some alchemist mistake!" She sighed, looking at him with his deep golden eyes made her hard shell soften. "If it could only be that simple…Ed, you shouldn't be near me."

"Why?"

"It's your job as a State alchemist to put me under arrest and send me packing on the next train into Central. By you not handing me over I'm just making your job harder. Even if you are the State Alchemist for the people."

Ed smiled at her, standing up and slipping his hand to her arm. "Who said I wasn't going to hand you over?" He chuckled.

Serena smiled gently with sadness still in there. "It's best you stay away Ed. I'll be gone from here soon."

She began to walk up the alleyway. When she was to the street, she turned back and said, "I'm only more trouble for you."

Ed smiled sadly as he watched her disappear around the corner. "Beautiful trouble."

A/N: See now, I told you all that you would like Serena…this chapter will make you (yet again I said hopefully). Now last time I said that Serena is like Serenity, but I couldn't really describe how they are different. Well I think it's more like Serenity is emotionally hurt. Serena is just more wounded. It's not her fault for the way she is. In the next chapter Ed will uncover some lost cover-ups done by the State that ay indeed shed light on why Serena is the way she is.

To my reviewers- Thank you for being so kind enough to review! I feel so loved! So, tell me. Is there anything so far that I should be improving. Anything, seriously. I won't be hurt. Don't be shy!

Next Chapter: Military Secrets: Cover-ups, News Articles, Scandals and Lies