Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. I only own the plot, a laptop, and a really dark mind.


The train ride to East City was a long one. Neither brother had spoken since they boarded the train, and Alphonse wasn't going to be the first to speak. He knew that his brother was infuriated that they had to stop searching for the Philosophers Stone just to inspect a silly mine. They both wanted to get their bodies back so bad. They wanted to leave this life where if Colonel Mustang ordered Ed to kill a man, he would have to do so, or risk insubordination. They wanted to get back to the sunny summer days of Resembool, and the carefree lifestyle that they once had. But that could never happen. Too much had changed for the two brothers to go back to the lives they used to live.

After what seemed like an eternity the train finally stopped at the station in East City. "It's about time." Grumbled Ed.

The two brothers stood up, and Ed moved to grab his suitcase from the compartment above their seats. Alphonse could barely fight back the laughter that wanted to escape after Ed realized he was too short to reach it. "Dammit!" the smaller brother grumbled along with some other choice curse words.

"Let me get it brother." Alphonse easily reached up to the compartment and pulled the suitcase down. Ed just glared at the suitcase and grumbled a "Thanks" before taking the suitcase and stalking off the train.

This time Al didn't even try to suppress his laughter. Ed didn't like to be called short by anyone, or have it pointed out by anything. Honestly in was a surprise that this older brother didn't try to pick a fight with the poor compartment.

Alphonse was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the tiny woman until they collided. Luckily it takes more than a bump to knock over a suit of armor, and Al remained standing. The woman, however, was not so lucky. Her suitcase was open, its contents lay sprawled across the aisle. A few golden strands had fallen out of her once perfect bun, and she was currently on hands and knees searching for her lost glasses.

Immediately Al bent over and picked up her glasses to return them. "I'm so sorry ma'am," the suit of armor apologized. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Oh no it was my fault," said the woman, putting her glasses back on. "I can barely see anything, even with these glasses. I think it's time I get some new ones. I'm Elara by the way, Elara Powell."

"I'm Alphonse Elric."

"Wait," Elara looked star struck. "Alphonse Elric, like, THE Alphonse Elric? The brother of the Fullmetal Alchemist?"
"Um, yeah." It had been three years since Ed had joined the army and become the famous "Fullmetal Alchemist," but Al was still surprised every time they can into contact with strangers that knew who they were.

"Is this for real? You two are like my idols! I'm an alchemist too you see, and I've always wanted to meet the famous Elric brothers. Wow, I can't believe this is actually happening. Would you mind showing me some of your alchemy?"

"Oh…uh…sure. It's nothing much. Ed is way more impressive than I am, though." Elara didn't look like she cared about that though, so Al took out the piece of chalk that he always carried with him and got to work drawing a transmutation circle. It didn't take more than a few seconds to draw the circle. It was simple alchemy after all. He could do it in his sleep. If he could sleep.

When the suit of armor was done, the woman watched in awe as he placed his hands on the circle and blue transmutation sparks lite up the area. When the sparks cleared, the two could see a tiny wooden bird that sat in a new divot in the floor. Elara picked up the bird and admired Alphonse's creation. The bird was complete with a crank that made the wings flap when turned, and an engraving with Al's name. It was definitely an improvement from the pathetic wooden horses he and Ed used to make.

"You can keep it if you'd like." Alphonse told the woman. "I don't have much of a use for it anyways."

"Thank you so much," He could've just imagined this, but it seemed as if Elara seemed a bit distracted when she responded to Alphonse. "I'll keep this for- "

"Alphonse!" Elara was interrupted by the sound of Ed bursting through the door of the train car, a blade already transmuted to his right arm. "Alphonse, are you okay? I saw the alchemic lightning, and I…" Ed trailed off, noticing the woman on the ground. "Who's that?"

"Oh. My. God!" Elara looked like she was about to pass out. "It's-it's actually the Fullmetal Alchemist! I can't believe it!"

Elara tried to stand up, but one of her heels got stuck in the new created divot in the floor, and she tumbled back down the floor, sending her glasses flying once again. Both brothers rushed toward the woman, trying to catch her. They reached her at the same time, and collided. The force of the impact sent Ed flying, while Al landed unceremoniously on his butt with Elara on his legs. The three were all so caught up in the scene that none of them noticed the tiny cat that left through the back door of the train car.

"Damn that hurt." Complained Ed, rubbing his head. "You alright lady?"

Elara was already on her knees, looking for her lost glasses. After realizing that Ed's question was directed to her, she answered. "Huh? Oh, yes I'm fine. I just need to find my glasses."

It only took a few more seconds of searching before Elara's hand found her glasses. As she put them on, she tried to stand, and Ed rushed over to help her up. "Thank you so much Mr. Elric. Both of you. You have no idea how much this encounter means to me. I'll never forget this day."

With that, the woman grabbed her suitcase and the bird Al made her, and made her way toward the exit. "You're staying in East City for a while I presume?" Before either of the brothers could respond the woman continued. "I hope we will run into each other again."

Then she was gone, leaving the Elric's alone in the train car. "Let's go Al, I'm getting kinda hungry. You don't have to come if you don't want to." Ed knew how much Al longed to eat something, and didn't want to put the suit of armor through any more pain than he had to.

"Okay," said Al, not wanting to leave his brother, but also not wanting to watch him slurp down bowls of noodles. "I'll just check in with Eastern Command and let them know we're here"

With that, the brothers exchanged goodbyes and, went their separate ways. In some ways Al was glad that he wouldn't have to watch Ed devour the entire stock of some unsuspecting restaurant. But the younger Elric also felt a sense of dread in his soul. Ed definitely had a knack for getting himself into trouble, and something felt off in this town. What if something happened?

No. Al was just being paranoid. Nothing was going to happen. This was going to be like all the other mine inspections the brothers had gone through. They'd finish up in a few days, and they'd leave completely unscathed, ready to pursue the Philosopher's Stone again.

Al's thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched scream. The suit of armor sprinted towards the sound, causing citizens in the street to move or risk getting plowed over. Al could only hope that his brother had heard the sound too, and was rushing to the same spot.

Eventually Al slowed to a walk, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the scream. Only when he passed by an alley did he find the source. She didn't look like she could've been any older than 10. She was probably an orphan too, considering there didn't seem to be any adults looking for her.

Al took a step towards the girl. The metallic clank that followed alerted the girl to his presence, and she turned to look at him. It looked like she had been crying. Tears stained her puffy cheeks, and her blown eyes were bloodshot. Other than that, she seemed to be alright. "Um, are you okay?" Al asked.

"No," the girl tried to compose herself, but a tear escaped and rolled down her cheek as she talked. "Mr. Fluffy was chasing a mouse and he…he climb up there," she pointed to a fire escape where, like she said, an orange tabby cat with and automail leg sat looking down on the two. "And…and…and now he won't come down!" As she finished, the girl broke into a loud sob.

Alphonse was flustered to say the least. Sure, he could get along with literally any living creature, and maybe he was the politest person on the face of the planet, but Alphonse Elric could not stand crying children. He just couldn't bare seeing any creature that could bring so much joy to the world in this much pain.

Despite his discomfort, however, Alphonse knelt down as gently as a suit of armor could next to the girl. "It's okay, I can't get Mr. Fluffy down from there."

The girl sniffled, but turned back to face the armor, eyes wide. "Really? You could do that?"

Looking into the girl's tear-filled eyes made all trace of discomfort leave Al's soul. Something about the girl reminded him of Nina. The way she looked at him with those wide hopeful eyes that were all too trusting, and she how she seemed so optimistic even when she was in despair. If Al could cry, he would've been soaked. "Yeah, just give me a second."

Al stood up, and pulled out the piece of chalk that he always kept with him. He quickly scribbled down the appropriate transmutation circle, and then activated it. The ground below him stretched until the alchemist was face to face with the orange tabby. "Hello there, I'm going to help you get down now. You can hop on my back it you'd like."

The cat did as he was told, and hopped onto Alphonse, resulting in a clank of metal as it's automail leg made contact with the armor. Within seconds, the newly created tower was deconstructed, and the two were back on the ground. "Here you go." Alphonse said, handing the cat over to the little girl.

The girl's eyes lit up as she reached to take the cat. "Thank you so much Mr.- "

"Alphonse. My name is Alphonse."

"I'm Anika, and I'm so glad you got Mr. Fluffy down for me. Mr. Fluffy and I both thank you for being so kind."

"It's no problem really. I'm just happy I could help." Al didn't know how much time had passed, but he figured that Ed would be nearly finished by now. If he wasn't at Eastern Command before Ed got there, his brother would be worried. "Well, I should go now. Try not to get stuck again little guy." Al reached down to pet the orange tabby one last time before he turned and walked away.


Anika was still standing there in the alley, staring at the suit of armor as he departed. She noted how the loud clanging of metal on the ground seemed to drown out the softer uneven one behind it. The girl watched in silence as the tiny tabby slowly approached Alphonse. She did nothing to alert him as the once helpless feline lunged toward the unnoticed transmutation circles on the armors legs. She even smiled as the metal legs blew to bits, leaving the rest of the boy's body to fall helplessly to the ground.

"Ahh! What happened? Help! Somebody help!" Anika watched as the hollow boy clawed at the ground, trying to escape. But that would not happen. They'd been planning this exact moment out for years. There was no hope for this boy, or his brother.

The cat stalked closer to the armor. He was in no hurry. You could only go so far without legs after all. Plus, the transmutation circles had already been drawn on the arms. Elara made sure of that. Yes, there was no way that the Elric brothers were leaving East City.

The cat finally decided to pounce, making both arms explode just as the legs had. Having no other means of staying upright, the suit of armor clanked uselessly to the ground. "You people are going to be in big trouble when my brother gets here!"

"Oh, are we now? Well then I guess we'd better be on the lookout." Everyone turned their heads toward the man who seemed to have magically appeared from within the shadows.

Anika smiled wider when she saw who it was. "Did I do good Lucas?" the tiny girl sprinted toward the older boy and embraced him in a hug.

"You were great Anika." Lucas smiled down at the girl in his arms.

"Um, excuse me!" Everyone's was once again drawn to the limbless Alphonse. "Would like to explain to me what exactly is happening?"

Lucas set the girl back on the ground, and moved to kneel next to the armor. "I truly am sorry Alphonse. We like to avoid harming civilians if it's possible. Unfortunately, this encounter was not preventable. You see, your brother is the one we're really after, and once we're done with him you are free to leave. However, we have been studying him for a while now, and Edward can be somewhat," he paused, trying to search for the right word. "Destructive at times. So while we could've still acquired your brother without you, we figured we could lose a few less men with this method."

"And what do you want with Ed?" Lucas's once kind eyes were clouded with anger, and he abruptly stood up at turned away from Alphonse, leaving the armor to look at the back of his raven black hair.

"What do I want with your brother you ask?" His voice, too, was tinted with a deep hatred. "We want justice." When he said we, dozens of figures started to step out of the shadows. "You see Alphonse," Lucas turned to face the armor once again. "All of us are highly skilled alchemists, much like you and your brother. The difference between us, however, is that all of us took the state alchemist exam, and for one reason or another we all failed."

Lucas knelt down next to Alphonse once again. Somewhere in the middle of his spiel the murderous look had disappeared from the mans eyes and was replaced with the much gentler from earlier. "But you see Alphonse, none of this makes any sense. All of us have skills on an equal level, maybe even higher, as a state alchemist. It's not right that one of two people with equal skill is turned down while the other is greatly rewarded. But do not fret, we will get our revenge on all of them. We will show all of the state alchemists what true power looks like!"

"Brother is a good fighter! He will never to captured by you people!"

"Oh, but that is where you're wrong Alphonse. Once your brother finds out we know about that little blood seal of yours, he won't put up much of a fight at all."

"How do you-"

"Alphonse!" Al's question was interrupted by his brother's frantic call.

"Ah, just as planned." Lucas smiled, but it was a cold, cruel smile. "Elara, you know what to do." With that, the woman from the train walked up to the suit of armor and threw a dark sack over his head and breast plate, and the world went dark.


A/N: I'm sorry that the end of this chapter seems kind of rushed. I wrote most of the chapter on Saturday, and waited until about an hour ago to finish the chapter. I'll try to edit this chapter in place of another chapter next week since I'll be on a mission trip without Wi-Fi this week. I'll try to make the next chapter 5 million times better. Well anyway, I hoped you liked this chapter and will continue to read my story.