Chapter three remembering their mothers:

In the First Library of Central Ed, Al and Trubinya were process of finding more information that would lead them to the philosopher's stone. Al went over to the bookshelf and found a copy of a book titled Alchemy for beginners. Al looked at the book to show to Ed and Trubinya, which at this point were swamped in tons of other books in trying to find the next lead to the philosopher's stone.

Ed with a book in hand sighed, "At this rate we haven't even found one new lead to the philosopher's stone. We aren't even getting any closer to it."

Trubinya replied, "Ed there are so many different books that explain about the subject, but are locked away in the other parts of the library."

Al with the book in hand said, "Hey brother do you remember this book. We started alchemy when we were just boys."

Trubinya taking the book said, "Speak for yourselves. I started alchemy as young you were perhaps younger. I was shunned by my grandparents, and by the people of my mother's tribe. Al what was your mother like?"

Al replied, "Well she was smart beautiful and a kindred spirit. Trubinya why are you down about your family?"

Trubinya said, "Well lets sit at the table while Ed is looking through those books, and we can talk about what life was like before this quest."

Flashback: The city of Ishbal

Trubinya age 2

In Ishbal it was forbidden for a woman of Ishbal to marry a man that was an alchemist. Trubinya was the result of a forbidden union between Alec Mavis and Celina Mavis the two people that disobeyed the laws of the different worlds. Alec was known as the "Cobalt Glass Alchemist" the title seemed to fit him due to the fact that he could transmute anything thing into glass. Celina was a simple woman that had captured the man's heart for her beauty and kindness. Alec looked to his beloved for the time of war was drawing near and in order to save their daughter Trubinya had to taken to a place to be safe.

Celina holding her daughter's hand said, "Alec you'll see that she is well taken of right."

Alec replied, "Of course my darling Trubinya will be staying with my friend Madam D for while until I can someone in Central to care for her. So Celina it's time to say farewell to our daughter until I can send for you."

Afterward Trubinya looked to her mother in such cute eyes to always know her mother's face. As Trubinya was taken by the hand by her father to leave Trubinya missing her mother was crying out to have her go to, but Alec took his daughter in his arms to the jeep and driving away leaving a sad Ishebalian woman holding her arms in sadness. Trubinya never saw her mother again.

Madam D's mansion

Trubinya age 8

Trubinya in the big library looked at the books that Madam D had told her to read. Trubinya as any little kid would be was confused at the sight of all the large words that were in the book of Alchemy that she was reading. In fact Trubinya being advanced for her age took to alchemy like fish to water. The first transmutation was to fix all of the plates that had been broken in the china cabinet. Madam D impressed at the sight of this just smiled.

Flashback Rosemboo

Ed and Al were at Winry's grandmother's place where a chalk circle was drawn in the center of the room. In the center of the circle the two boys Ed age 7 and Al age 6 placed some dust, placed their hands on the chalk circle and in seconds the dust had transmuted into a doll. Winry at the sight of seeing the transmutation had gotten scared and ran out the room. After the doll was made Ed and Al took the doll to give to Winry. Winry frighten at what the boys had done ran away before they could give her birthday gift.

At Pinako's house Winry still frighten at what she had witnessed confronted her father and mother of the events that had happened. Outside the house the two boys Ed and Al sat down feeling guilty having performed alchemy as if they had done something wrong. Ed and Al's mother was also present at the meeting between parents. Inside the house Winry's mother with a gentle smile,

Winry's mother said, "Now Winry the boys were just making you a gift using alchemy. There is nothing wrong with the doll."

Afterwards Winry took the doll from her mother and hugged her to thank him for her advice. Trisha went outside the house to find her boys. Trisha gave her sons a big smile for a reward for such work. Trisha, and her sons left Pinako's house to return to their home for it was getting dark. As Trisha and her sons were walking the boys had asked if their mother was mad at them for using alchemy. Trisha in realty was proud of them for knowing how to do alchemy. Ed told his mother that they learned how to do alchemy on their own. The thing was that Ed was mad at his father for leaving his mother behind. With that said the three of them walked home as the sun was setting. When they returned home Trisha let the boys have access to their father's book as the entered the room the boys went crazy with delight at so much knowledge at their disposal.

Sometime later at Madam D's mansion

Trubinya age 9

At this time Trubinya's alchemical skills had advanced more since the day that she had first become Madam D's pupil. Trubinya had learned about the laws of alchemy in which she had followed to the letter. Trubinya had gone from fixing plates to making different types of shapes using the basic elements. Trubinya's training had advanced to whole other level.

It was time for Trubinya's first alchemy exam. Madam D had decided that Trubinya would transmute a statue of her dead son with the materials provided, a large pile of stone, a personal item of her son, and a body of water. Trubinya took a piece of chalk and drew the transmutation circle that was needed in the room that was to be the location of the test. When Madam D had arrived at the room Trubinya had already drawn the circle in the center of the room. Madam D looked at Trubinya with an impressed smile,

Madam D said, "Well my young student are you ready to show me what you have learned so far?"

Trubinya shyly replied, "Yes Madam D I'm ready to show my skills."

Madam said, "You will be graded on the likeness the statue resembles my son based you own judgment since you have no idea what my son looked like at the time of his life."

Trubinya said, "I will do my best to please you."

Madam D said. "Time to start your exam proceed over to the circle."

With that said Trubinya went to the circle and clapped her hands and placed them on the circle after that a blue light flashed the materials began to transform into the statue of the son each part started to form. First the base, second the bottom of the legs third the body, and finally the head. With the statue of Madam D's son now done. Trubinya was now ready to be trained at the next level of transmutation, which was to make a strange red stone. The training for this was going to take another three years to learn.

Trubinya asked, "Madam D what will be for the next level of transmutation exam?"

Madam D said, "Trubinya in three years I'll tell you, but until that time comes you'll just have to keep on perfecting your alchemy okay."

At the this time the boys Ed was age 8 and Alphonse was age 7 had began learning the basics to alchemy. Ed and Al both were both natural good at the very art that was almost like magic. Their mother was very proud of the skills that were obtained.

Al holding a his statue said, "Mother look at what brother did. I'm still learning this one."

Trisha replied, "I'm very proud of the both of you boys. Your father would also be so proud."

Ed taking his statue said, "I'm going to Winry's for a while."

When Ed and Al arrived at Pinako's house Winry was at the kitchen crying for some the reason that they didn't know about. Ed and Al tried to cheer her up only to find out that Winry had gotten a letter stating that her parents were killed in Ishbal. The exact same time that had taken both of Trubinya's parents as well.

Al asked, "Dead... you mean that your mom and dad are gone?"

Winry tear eyed said, "Yeah Al both of them are gone and that they will never come back. They went to Ishbal to be doctors and it killed them."

Ed said, "Well I was reading in one my dad's books that was saying that there is artificial being called a homunculus they are like a living doll. If one is willing to give up enough that one can be made with alchemy.."

Pinako said, "no you will not speak of that in this house. Alchemy is not some magic that solves all problems. We in the auto-mail industry exist because alchemists cross the lines and laws of their science. "

Ed said, "Stupid old crone."

Al replied, "Brother, we should show Pinako some respect."

Since Ed showed Pinako disrespect the two boys were thrown out of her house. As they both walked home Ed and Al both pondered about Winry was dealing namely the death of her parents. Ed looked at his mom hoping that they wouldn't go through what their friend was dealing with. Ed in hurry rushed to his mother and held her like if all life depended on it.

Trubinya age 12

Trubinya had a second alchemy exam which was a to see how far things had progress along in her skills it would take her exactly three months to prepare for it. The final test for Trubinya was that she had to make a special kind of stone with the materials provided. Trubinya looked at Madam D with some concern at what time that the exam would be taken place.

Trubinya asked, "But Madam D this exam you want me to take. Why are we not taking it here?"

Madam D said, "Trubinya, we are going to take this exam on a island a little ways from the mansion called Yock Island. It is uninhabited where there will no disturbances. Do you understand young one. In all my years of teaching alchemy you by far one of the youngest alchemist I have had under my tutelage. Your skills are way more advanced than some of the alchemist of the state. You should be proud of what you have achieved. Soon we'll find out if you can make a thing called the philosopher's stone."

Trubinya replied, "I understand Madam D what will be the materials that will be needed for this transmutation. If you don't mind me asking."

Madam D said, "Well there are six things to it, first you will need some large containers of red fluid, second will be plant matter, third will be animal bones, fourth parts of the existing sins, fifth vessels of those have passed on, and finally five people who are willing to give themselves to the cause."

Trubinya confused said, "Madam D this sounds like a some sort of thing that involves taking people's lives. It somehow doesn't feel right to me."

Madam D responded, "Trubinya this is your final test before graduating should you not take this exam you'll be automatically failed. Child the ones doing this are old and are already dying they wish to go out without suffering and this is only way."

Trubinya nodded said, "As you say I'll go through with the test and hopefully to the souls involved may peace be with them."

Madam D said, "Good the test will be in three months keep training til then, also we have the materials ready so that you don't have to gather them."

Trubinya bowed before Madam D and left the main hall, but little did she know that Madam D's son was watching her. Envy came out the shadows to greet his mother with news of the status on the materials.

Envy said, "Mother we have all that was needed, the island has the plants, animals, we have set up in the center of the island, we gathered about fifty dead bodies thanks to the war, the fives pieces of us homunculi are as follows, a lock of lust's hair, a bone from greed's body, a tooth from gluttony's mouth, a fingernail from prides finger, and finally a vile of blood from me envy. We have placed the vials of red fluid on the circle as told. We also found the five willing souls for the test as well they are prisoners to be executed from lab five."

Madam D grinned said, "Excellent my envy and we have the perfect one to do the transmutation as well. Make the final preparations for our trip to Yock Island, also Envy you'll need to take the form of Trubinya's father as well to make her think that he will be there to watch her test."

Envy transformed into Alec Mavis and was ready to put a show for Trubinya who at the time was preparing for something that would change her life forever.

Back in Rosemboo Ed was now age 10 and Al was age 9 they had just come home from getting some fruit from the market. When Ed and Al entered their home Trisha their mom laid unconscious on the floor of the kitchen. Al was so scared that he went to get the doctor to help. By the time that the doctor arrived it was to late whenever it was that made her sick Trisha Elric had already ran it course. Trisha Elric from the doctor had said that what she had was a sickness that spread over period of several years. The sickness was to incurable and as well as to be fatal. Meaning that Trisha was dying from it. Ed and Al in their dads study found various letters and began writing hoping that their dad would come back to see their mom before it was to late. It was late in the evening when Trisha began saying her last wishes,

Trisha said, "Ed, Al, you both have to take of each other now. You have to remember that I'll always be with you."

Ed holding his mom's hand asked, "Would you like anything done?"

Trisha softly said, "A ring of white flowers...your father always use... to make them... for me."

With her last breath Trisha let go of her sons' hands to where she had passed away. The next day Ed and Al put their mother to rest in the ground at the cemetery. Both Ed and Al stricken with grief. At the grave Al was crying wondering about how they were going to live without their mother.

Al sobbing asked, "Brother without mom what are we going to do?"

Ed looking down said, "Al we are going to bring our mom back from the dead."

As Ed and Al were reading their dad's notes concerning about the transmutation of humans. What they didn't know about were the consequences involved of what they were after. Ed kept blaming his dad for the death of his mom. Al was trying to convince his brother about the whole deal, but instead Ed and him began studying under a teacher to further their skills for the time of what would change their lives forever as well. For fate would have three people cross paths.

The time for the final test had arrived Trubinya, Madam D and Alec/Envy went Yock Island where the test would take place. When they arrived it was in the evening and it was dark. Madam D stayed in the boat while Envy escorted Trubinya to the where the circle was marked. There was the smell of death everywhere as around the circle were shallow graves; there were no signs of any life at all. the trees were blowing in the soon to be stormy night. Trubinya went to alchemy circle to start the transmutation when Envy took out a dagger and cut her left hand with that done the blood spilled on the dust that was in the center of the circle. After that Envy was quick to vacate the area as Trubinya place her hands on the circle and began the transmutation. The transmutation circle glowed a red color and surrounded her in a large flash as it pulled her and all of the materials into the void. From inside the void Trubinya felt like that her life was being drained as a bunch of dark spirits started to try and consume her. The dark beings had already taken her left arm.

Trubinya heard a voice saying "Do you wish to live and what you willing to exchange for it?"

Trubinya floating said, "If you are wanting to exchange here is my offer for me to live I give you my soul."

The voice in the gate said, "For you to give your soul deems you worthy of the stone and so when you return the stone goes with you. The stone senses life, death and to find those who are apart of the gate. With this agreement you and I are bound through life, death and forever."

Trubinya holding her heart said, "Through this contract we are bound now and forever."

From the boat Madam D and Envy saw a blue light beam from the center of island and in split second it was gone. All that was left was some burnt trees, the graves were empty, the prisoners were also gone, and the red fluid was turned clear, and in Trubinya's right hand was a red stone. Envy seeing that it was safe went to get the stone out of Trubinya's right hand only to find when he touched it shocked him. The stone in Trubinya's right hand turned from red, to purple and finally to blue. Envy picked Trubinya and took her back to the boat where Madam D looked at the stone and was very displeased at the results for instead of the philosopher's stone. The stone turned into a different type of stone namely the spiritualist's stone.

Madam D said, 'Trubinya has failed in producing the stone. Envy you may do as you please with her."

Envy holding Trubinya in his arms said, "Mother, thanks for my new toy."

Madam D said, "You are welcome my Envy now get rid of her. Wait lets send her to Central that is where He lives. Pack our things we are leaving."

Trubinya woke to find her left arm missing said, "Ah What happened to my arm? Father is that you?"

Envy said, "Yes my child its me. You had an accident at the test and I'm afraid to say that you have failed the test so you must take your stone and all of your elixir with you. Also you have lost your arm in the process. I'm sorry, but there is nothing more for Madam D to teach you. So you're leaving I have contacted Lt. Colonel Mustang. He has to go Rosemboo for some urgent business that is where you'll be going farewell my child."

Three weeks later in Rosemboo Ed and Al began the transmutation that would bring back mother from dead. Ed and Al traced the transmutation circle on the floor in their barn where it would be out of the rain. With the dust in the center of the circle Ed took a knife and cut both his and Al fingers for blood needed. At this point Trubinya and Mustang were headed to Rosemboo for the business. Trubinya's stone on her neck began glowing a strange color.

Mustang said, "There is something very fowl in the air."

Trubinya looking at the sky said, "I agree Mr. Mustang from the looks of this storm something bad is about to happen."

Ed and Al placed their hands on the circle and began the transmutation. The circle began to glow and it began the transmutation began to form from the materials, but Ed felt something wrong as something was missing. Al was the first to his body being broken down as he was being pulled into the gate. As Ed tried to get his brother it was to late Al was already gone inside the gate. Ed had lost his left leg and used his right arm to try get his brother back. After the transmutation was done Al woke to find himself that he had no feeling at all. Al found his brother covered in blood from his left leg and right arm.

Al asked, "Brother why am I in a tin suit of armor."

Ed barely moving said, "Al something went wrong, it wasn't enough your body was lost. So I used my arm as material and locked your soul to the armor to keep you in tact."

Al busted through the door with his older brother in his arms pleading for help. Pinako took Ed from Al and bandaged him ASAP. Winry and Pinako didn't even know that the boys had returned from their time away from home. Ed lay in bed hearing them talk about the situation. A knock came from the door and Winry answered to find a soldier with a young girl with him. The soldier saluted and decided to introduce himself and his companion.

Mustang holding the letter and removing his hat said, "I'm Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang and this here behind me is Trubinya Mavis. I came in concern of this letter that was written."

Trubinya walked out from behind holding her left side. Pinako noticed something about the young girl as she walked over to get a closer at Trubinya's left side to find that she had no left arm. Trubinya shy looked down with tears in her eyes. Trubinya fainted on the floor due from the loss of blood from her missing limb. Mustang placed Trubinya in a bed across from Ed. Ed looked at Trubinya seeing that she also lost a limb in an accident, but didn't talk to her about it. Mustang placed Trubinya's bags down by her bed.

Mustang opening the door to leave said, "Oh should you three show in Central look me up."

With that said Mustang left Pinako's house leaving Ed, Al, Winry and now Trubinya in Pinako's care. Trubinya had not fully recovered from what happened to her only three weeks prior to Ed and Al's accident. While Winry cared for Ed, Pinako cared for Trubinya. Trubinya still could barely speak since her alchemy test.

Pinako smiling asked, "So your name's Trubinya huh. Can you tell how you ended up in this state you're in?"

Trubinya getting up softly replied, "It was my test for alchemy. All my memories of the what happened during the test are as a blank. All I remember was hearing the voice in my head and I woke up in Central where Mr. Mustang had taken me here."

Pinako cleaning the wound said, "Well Trubinya it seems that not only suffered the loss of your left arm. You have also suffered from some type of amnesia as well. Until you have regained your memories. Trubinya you can stay here with the boys, Winry and me."

Trubinya smiling said, "Thank you Lady Pinako."

Trubinya drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face as a way to say thanks to a kind old lady and her granddaughter. The next day the storm was over and the sun was shining bright as Winry came into the room to check on Ed, Al and Trubinya to see if they were doing okay. As Winry walked by Al as he was sitting down. Winry was curious about him so she began by looking around his tin armored body not knowing that he was awake.

Al loudly greeted, "Good morning Winry."

Winry having heard Al was caught off guard by his loud yet gentle tone. From the loudness of his voice had woken Trubinya from her peaceful sleep. Trubinya trying to get up from her bed, but couldn't Winry went over to her to see what she needed.

Trubinya softly said, "Ah Winry is it. Could get me my bag and some water?"

Winry smiled and handing the bag to her, said, "Sure why is that you need your bag?"

Trubinya struggled getting up said, "There is something that I need to get out."

Trubinya finally sitting up in bed opened her bag and was looking for what she needed. Trubinya dumped out her bag in which contained, a pouch, a few days' rations of food, a key, and a strange vile of clear fluid, a leather mat, and a large bag of gold. Winry just stared at what Trubinya was doing as she removed her stone from the pouch then taking the vile of fluid putting in a dish and dipped the stone in the fluid. The stone in the fluid glowed a little and stopped with that done Trubinya put the stone on a string and placed it on her neck. Ed now awake looked at the stone and was curious about it,

Ed looked at the stone asked, "Hey Trubinya girl where did you get that stone?"

Trubinya holding it said, "I'm not sure, but I think I made it. I have little memory on when and where, all that I know is that it cost me my arm."

Pinako entered the room said, "Edward stop badgering Trubinya. She's been through a bad time like you."

Pinako went over to Trubinya and changed the bandages on her left arm. Trubinya felt the sting of how they tighten the bandages on her now what remained of her limb. Trubinya looking down at the large bag of gold decided to ask Pinako a question.

Trubinya shyly asked, "Pinako, I have here a bag of gold in my possession. I want to you to have it."

Pinako said, "No dear you don't have to pay me for the help I'm giving to you."

Trubinya shaking her head said, "No I want you take it as a payment. Make me an arm to replace the one I lost. I need to find out what happened to me."

Winry changing the bandages of Ed's leg and arm smiled as well as wanting to cry for the whole deal that the brothers had went through. Ed feeling helpless at his problems looked at Pinako as well,

Ed said, "There's some money at my house. I want to pay for you for auto-mail. I need them to carry out my plans. I have decided to take Mustang on his offer and become a state alchemist."

Pinako said, "You need to recover first and will see about it okay, but first I have to do Trubinya's limb. Did you know that you'll be labeled as the states dog to go to war and kill who they tell."

Ed replied, "Look I don't want to tied to them either, but I have to do this in order to start my plans for Al and me."

Trubinya getting up said, "Well if you're going to Central than I'm coming with you. There is some things I need to find out about me that happened on that night."

The process involved with installing an auto-mail was a slow painful ordeal that would make the strongest of men cry for their moms. Trubinya was to the second to go under the procedure after Ed. Ed was to be the first to go for he had to have two limbs done. From the outside of the room Ed could be heard for he didn't scream at what was happening to him, Trubinya didn't bother them as the process was being performed. Al concerned for his brother tried to go in, but Winry shooed his tin ass out. After several hours of work Ed was done. Trubinya was the next one to go in her installation wasn't as long as Ed's for all she needed was an arm. Trubinya lay on the table as it Pinako started her work. Pinako began by cutting the area where the arm was once attached, with the metal limb customized. The auto arm had to be attracted to the nerves of the body in order to work the mechanism. Trubinya felt the pain course through her body as the process was being. Showing no fear Trubinya endured the surgery of her new arm. After the arm was installed she was taken to a room to recover. By the next day Trubinya was up and about using the arm.

Ed age 11 Al Age 10 Trubinya age 12

It took several weeks for Ed and Trubinya to be able to get the hang of their new limbs. Over the period of three months Trubinya had learned to what it was to have friends. Ed and Al trained their minds and their bodies of they could do. The training Trubinya had learned was to be able to use her alchemy with out the use of a flesh arm. Trubinya had also set up a place to hide her alchemical fluid feeling that she could trust Pinako and Winry she hid the elixir she made in the basement of the shop. Trubinya took about five gallons of it and locked up the rest. When it had been enough time Ed, Al and Trubinya had decided that it was time to start their quest. Trubinya watched as they both trained on the side of hill both talking about who would a state alchemist and would not be. It was at that moment that Trubinya decided that she would help them in the quest that would either make them or break them.

With the plans discussed Ed, Al and Trubinya packed what they would need on the journey to Central. Trubinya handed Ed a gift, which was a red colored coat, with a cross and snake sewed on the back. Trubinya dressed herself in a blue colored long coat similar to Ed's only hers had alchemy circle with the same designed as well. With everyone dressed, packed, Ed had one more thing to do. Saying good-bye to Winry and Pinako Ed, Al and Trubinya went to where Ed and Al lived took a torch and burned their house to the ground as a way to leave no trace of their past.