Ana blinked. All around her was white. Except for the giant stone doors. She made it. She was actually here. At her portal of truth. But where was-
"Hello Ana Elric," said a mischievous voice.
Ana spun around towards the voice. She spotted a white figure surrounded by a black shadow. She could not hide the surprise in her voice as she said, "It's you…Truth."
The being grinned as it heard its name. "That is one of my many names. But tell me how do you know that?"
"My uncle, Alphonse, used to us tell stories about his adventures. And sometimes he talked about the 'Truth'."
"Ah. Little Alphonse Elric. That must make you the daughter of Edward."
The knowledge of the white being was starting to creep Ana out. Not to mention that it looked just like her. Except for the face. The creature had no facial features, save for a wide grin. But Truth just kept talking.
"Ah, yes, Edward Elric. The boy who beat me," Truth mused. "But enough of the past, tell me, why are you here?"
"I wanted to see it," Ana whispered.
"What was that?" asked Truth.
A little louder this time, "I wanted to see it."
"Wanted to see what?"
"My portal of truth."
Truth laughed. Edward's daughter was just as amusing as the boy himself. "Did you now? Well it's right behind you."
Ana turned towards the big stone doors. She reached out to touch the carvings that decorated the doors.
"Do you like what you see?" Truth inquired.
Ana turned to look back at the white figure. "What sort of payment would I have to make to go through?"
"Ah, so we already know the rules as well. It depends," Truth gave Ana a smile that sent shivers down her spine. "What are you willing to pay?"
"Ana! Ana! Wake up!"
Ana woke to her dad's voice. He was shaking her. What happened? He sounded worried. Why was he-?
Then it came flooding back. The knowledge. The power. The portal. Truth. Then she remembered what she had done to get there. Her head hurt.
"Dad?"
"What were you thinking?! You could've been killed! You're 14 years old Ana! What if-" started Winry.
"Mom, I'm fine." She had not even realized her mom was in the room. Ana tried to sit up but fell back down as a wave of dizziness crashed over her.
"What were you-? A human transmutation circle….." Ana knew better than to hope her dad would not recognise the patterns on the floor.
Even without alchemy he was still the best at creating transmutation circles. Ed had done numerous jobs for Fuhrer Mustang. He created the first Anti-Alchemy transmutation circle, if an alchemist stood inside they could not transmute. Mustang had used that little experiment to build an alchemist prison. It was called "the Inferno", or something. The regular ones were not strong enough to house the more dangerous alchemists. Ed had also fixed the Fuhrer's little "moisture" problem.
"Who taught you this!?" Ed demanded.
"Nobody taught me anything. And for your information," she retorted, "this isn't a human transmutation circle."
"Then what is it?"
"Part of it is a human transmutation. But it isn't designed to create a homunculus," she said quickly. "It's only purpose was to take me to the Truth."
Ed was horrified. And understandably so. His daughter wanted to see Truth? "The Truth? How did you even find out about that demon?"
"Uncle Alphonse told me about the Truth, the portals, everything."
"That brat," Ed said under his breath. "But didn't he tell you about the cost? Why would you try it if you knew the risks?"
Ana was annoyed by Ed's attitude. "Dad, that doesn't matter anymore. It's over and done with. And we can't change anything now."
Ana was leaving. She had to. She just could not stay in this little farm town any longer. She loved her parents but she needed out. She needed more. It had been two years since Ana had visited Truth and since that day….
Well, things were different. She had grown distant from her older brother Liam and closer to her dad. She and Ed had sparred, much to Winry's dismay. Ed had also become more accepting of her desire to practice alchemy. The part of the reason she had wanted to visit Truth was because Ed had refused to teach her. Before all she had to go on was Uncle Al, Aunt May and some stolen books from her dad's study, now she knew more than ever.
But she wanted more.
"Are you sure this is the choice you want to make?" Ed asked.
They were standing outside their home in Resembol. Ana was about to leave for the train station. She was traveling to East City and then on to Central. She was packed and ready to go. There was no turning back.
"Yeah," she said.
"Why?" Winry asked, almost in tears.
"Mom-" Ana began.
"Winry, she has her reasons," said Ed.
Winry turned and ran into the house, trying to hide her tears. Ed hated to see his wife cry. He hated it when she was sad. She always said she cried because he could not. She was right. When it came to Winry, she was always right. He could not cry. He would not cry. He had to be the strong one. For her. For Al. For Ana.
"Dad, tell Mom I'm sorry," said Ana. Ed could tell she was just as upset as Winry. Hell, she was probably upset because of Winry.
"What are you apologizing for? This is your choice. Your future," he said. "Just remember, this is the point of no return. You know what Al and I did when we left."
That made Ana laugh. "I know, Dad. And don't worry I'm not going to burn down the house. But I'm not coming back until I know the truth."
Ed had no idea what "truth" she was talking about. Ana had already gone through her portal what truth was there left to find? But she obviously had an idea in that head of her's, so he might as well support her.
He ruffled her newly colored red hair. He had taught her that little trick. And instantly regretted it. Ed already missed her gold hair.
"I love you, Ana," he said as he pulled her into a hug.
"I love you too Dad," she said before pulling away. "Now I gotta go or I'll miss the train."
Ed watched as his daughter run down the hill, away from her home. Her red ponytail bouncing and swinging as she ran.
"Good luck!" he called. She turned a little and waved, before starting again on the road she had chosen.
My little girl.
In his office in Central Command, Roy Mustang waited. He was thinking about what to do with his son, Savon. The boy wanted to be a state alchemist but he had absolutely no skill with flame alchemy.
Savon's my son, how could he not be good at flame alchemy? Mustang wondered. His musing was interrupted when one of the large wooden doors opened. A soldier stood there. He cleared his throat.
"Ana Edwards. For her State Alchemist Certification."
Ana walked through the door that the soldier held open for her. Mustang was a little shocked to see Fullmetal's daughter standing there. She looked different from when he last saw her, but the golden eyes gave her away. She could change everything about herself but anyone who knew Ed would recognise her right away. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail and unsurprisingly, she wore street clothes. Her father had done the same. She wore a bright blue, button-up blouse with the sleeves rolled up to her elbow. The blouse was untucked and her legs were covered by a pair of those new-fangled things that Savon was always going on about…. What were they called…? Jeans. The pants were tucked into a pair of combat boots that came up to her knees.
Mustang thanked the soldier and dismissed him. The soldier saluted, left and closed the door behind him. As soon as the soldier was gone, he turned his attention to Fullmetal's daughter.
"Sit down," he commanded. Mustang searched through the all the papers sitting on his desk. Finding what he was looking for, he held up a manila envelope. "Ah, yes. Here we are. This is your State Certification." He handed it to Ana.
Ana opened it up and scanned the contents. She skimmed the fancy piece of paper that made her an official State Alchemist. Finally she saw it. Her code name.
"Iron Rose? That's my code name?" she asked.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Ana thought for a second, then said, "No. Not at all. It actually sound pretty intimidating. I'll take it!"
Mustang rolled his eyes. She is just like her father, he thought. But he said, "Good. You'll find the company you were assigned to in there. As well as your commanding officer. You are required to report to them when you leave here."
"Okay. Then if that's everything, I guess I'll head out." Ana stood up and made to go.
She was halfway across the room when Mustang said, "Excuse me, but aren't you forgetting something?"
"What? No. I don't think so."
Mustang picked up a silver State Alchemist pocket watch. It dangled lazily from his hand. Ana facepalmed. She rushed back over to the desk and attempted to grab the trinket. But Mustang pulled it out of her reach.
"I don't think you understand what exactly you're getting yourself into Miss Edwards."
Ana raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I'm sorry Fuhrer Mustang, but you don't know me or who I am or what I've already been through to get-"
"You misunderstand me, Ana. Alchemy is a vocation. A calling. A calling from god to find out the truth of the world. It goes beyond simply transmuting basic needs and wants. It'd understanding the flow of the Universe. All is one and one is all. That truth is what drives every alchemist to discover new, better, more effective ways to transmute. State Alchemists recognize this calling and pursue it."
"I know that sir, but-"
Mustang brought his voice down until it was barely above a whisper. "I know who you really are, Ana Elric, and I'll keep your secret just like I did your father's. And I'll tell you the same thing I told him, 'As long as your little secret stays under wraps, we both win'."
Ana wasn't even surprised by the fact that Mustang had seen through her disguise. She knew her eyes would give her away. Not many people, as in nobody, still had Xeresian eyes. What did surprise her was how Mustang had dealt with her dad.
"Y-You blackmailed him!?"
"Call it what you will. But I'm serious. I can't help you if you get found out. Lying to the military is never a good idea."
"Okay. I get it," Ana said, a bit surly.
"Good. Dismissed."
Ana snatched the pocket watch out of Mustang's open palm and headed towards the door. Once she reached it she called over her shoulder, "By the way, Dad still wants you to pay him for fixing your little 'rain' problem."
"GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!" he yelled.
Ana was walking down a hallway in Central Command. She was looking for the commanding officer Mustang had told her about. She was on the third floor of the building. She glanced up at the signs on the doors every once in a while. The officer was named Amelia Rackem and was apparently ranked a colonel. She found the right door and knocked.
The door was opened by a man in his late twenties. He wore the standard issue Amestrian military uniform. His hair was short, brown and spiky. He looked down at Ana with a bored expression as he asked, "Do you need something?"
"Um…..I'm here to see the colonel," said Ana.
"Rackem, there's some kid here to see-"
"I'll have you know that I-"
A shout came from inside, "Let 'em in Jaroue."
Ana stuck out her tongue and Jaroue sighed. But he let her in.
When she entered the room, she saw a woman about the same age as the man who had let her in sitting at a desk. If Ana had to take a guess, this would be Rackem.
"Who are you? And what do you want?" the lady asked. She obviously wanted nothing to do with the girl standing in her office.
Ana decided to take offence at the woman's tone of voice. She marched up to the desk and proudly stated, "My name is Ana Edwards. And I was sent here by the Fuhrer."
"The Fuhrer?" asked one of the men in the room
"Warrant officer..." Rackem said in a warning tone. The man turned his attention back to his empty desk. Rackem turned back to Ana. "Why?"
"He said I was to report to my commanding officer after I received my State Certification. Your name was on the paper." Ana held out the piece of paper that had led her to Rackem's office.
The blonde woman snatched it from her hand skimmed it and shouted, "CADMUS!"
"Yes, ma'am?" he asked cautiously. He was almost cowering in the presence of his superior.
"Why was I not informed of this?"
"Um...well...err...I-"
Rackem gave a frustrated sigh. "Go find it, Cadmus."
Cadmus turned tail and practically ran from the room.
"Now then Iron Rose, let me introduce you to my subordinates." She pointed to each in turn. "That's my 1st lieutenant, Blake Jaroue, 2nd lieutenants, Sara McCall and Felix Smart, and warrant officers, Jason Arnott and Arthur Cadmus, who just left."
Just then a knock came from the door. It opened to show a young woman carrying a large rifle on her back. She was barely 18. The girl had blonde hair and wore a military uniform.
"Colonel, you wanted to see me?" she asked.
"Ah, Reed." An evil smile appeared on Rackem's face. "I'm glad you're here. I have an assignment for you."
"Me?"
"Don't sound so incredulous. It doesn't suit you," said Jaroue.
She just rolled her eyes.
"I'm putting you on bodyguard duty," said the Colonel.
"Bodyguard? With all due respect Colonel, I'm not trained as a bodyguard. I don't-"
"Nonsense. You'll do fine. This is your charge, Ana Edwards, also known as the Iron Rose Alchemist." She pulled Ana in front of the other girl.
Ana was shocked. "What?! I don't need-"
"An alchemist!? HER?!" said the blonde.
"Yeah I'm an alchemist. You got a problem with that?!"
The rifle girl took a deep breath and turned her focus on Rackem. "Why am I babysitting a kid alchemist?"
Ana was offended. "HEY!"
"Naomi, may I remind you that as your superior you are required to follow my orders without question," said Rackem sternly.
"You didn't ORDER me to do anything."
"Well I Am NOW!" When Naomi did not respond, Rackem sighed and said, "Out. Both of you. You're dismissed."
Ana and Naomi walked out, glaring at each other.
