She was chosen for a reason. Not simply because she was the Fuhrer's adopted daughter, but because of her amazing talent. She was able to transmute without a circle. Never before had the State seen anyone who could do that. Everyone needed a transmutation circle somewhere, it was the Law. But Elise broke that Law, bent it, and proved herself a deadly tool. No one knew where she came from, or how she was able to do it. With the rank of Major she was a force to be reckoned with, often leaving her opponents near death. She was selected to be one of the State at age 8, the youngest they'd ever seen. Few liked the idea of a child joining the ranks, but the Fuhrer would hear nothing of it.

And that's when she met Mustang. It was love at first sight. He was young, strong, and the most handsome man she'd ever seen. And, he liked her. Didn't mind her being around. Helped train her. He was one of her few friends in the rankings, and she was grateful for it. It was an awkward, hidden, relationship. What would the Fuhrer say? What would everyone else say? An 9 year old and a 15 year old… It simply wasn't right. But it was love, and love knew no limits.

So when Mustang heard she was chosen as one of the few to come clean up Ishval, he was appalled. He fought, day in and day out with the Fuhrer, begging him to keep his only daughter home. But the Fuhrer refused, and often reminded Mustang that: his daughter was not the type to simply stay home, even if ordered. So she went along for the mission, even against her lover's wishes.

:::

The sand rocked back and surged forward, a large wave of the tiny pieces of rock. The enemies recoiled instantly, and tried to run, though it was futile. The sand was faster. It was always faster. With one fell swoop, the entire village vanished. Disappeared under the sand. But that wasn't enough. Elise wouldn't have them suffer, it was bad enough that their lives had to end tonight. She stood, and raised her hands once, before making a pushing motion towards the ground.

The sound of building's breaking, crumbling, becoming dust, filled her ears. The screams stopped, finally, and at last all was quiet. Elise was panting as she dropped to her knees; the sand was level, flat, no longer the rolling hills of sand that once covered the tall stone buildings of the village. She had crushed them, literally. What was sand, other than stone weathered away with time. She just sped the process along. And buried all evidence of a village ever existing there.

"Impressive, it looks like you're good for something after all."

She didn't bother to look, she could already tell who it was. "What do you want, Lt. Colonel?" Elise's golden eyes slid to her right, gazing upon the Iron Alchemist's cold face.

"Why, it's time to go home, dear. Can't you see that?" The man grinned devilishly and held a hand out.

She didn't take it. Instead she stood on her own and made her way back to the jeep that had taken her there.

"Your power exceeds your age. You should be proud of that." Grand muttered, his eyes gazed out into the distance, clearly he was lost in his thoughts.

Elise didn't respond, simply took the compliment and let it fly away, when Grand was nice, something bad always happened.

:::

Mustang was waiting, as always at the edge of the camp. "Elise." He breathed, sweeping her out of the jeep. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, never wanting to let go. "Are you hungry? I saved you dinner. It always takes you so long-"

"Shh, lets go eat."

Mustang nodded and let her lead him back to their tent. Soup. It was always soup and bread and water. He could tell Elise was getting sick of the army food. "Sorry…" Mustang sighed, sensing the annoyance rising within Elise.

Elise turned and looked at him, one slender eyebrow raised.

"I know how you like to eat-"

"Most girls would take offense to that." Elise teased, pulling apart her bread to dip in the warm liquid.

Mustang grinned, "But you're different from all those girls. Just remember that, Elise."

She nodded and continued to eat, working all night was tough, and she often came back to base starving.

"Anyways, as I was saying, I know how you like to eat, and the same meal day after day must be… tiring for you."

Elise nodded and shrugged, "It's what you have to do. The Military isn't going to serve steak and potatoes every night either. Soup is good enough for me." She gently squeezed Mustang's hand, "and I appreciate it that you always save me some, and wait up for me. You don't have to do that, you know."

Mustang chuckled and grabbed her now empty tray, "I'd do anything for you, Elise."

:::

Scouting mission. At dawn. So much for sleep. Elise tossed and turned, planning out everything she would need for this mission. Mustang wouldn't be accompanying her today either, she would have soldiers with her, and that was all. Grand was definitely up to something. But what could she do? He was her superior, and in the military, that was all that mattered. So she rose before Mustang, kissed him lightly on the cheek and slipped from her tent, finding her soldiers all ready for her.

"Morning, Major Elise." Kimblee stood outside the tent, tracing the tattoo on his right hand with his left.

Elise turned and glared, her hands ready at her sides, "What are you doing up so early, Zolf?" She growled.

Kimblee walked towards Elise, hands held out in an innocent sign of submission, "What, a guy can't be up before the sun?" He chuckled, coming dangerously close to her, "I heard you were going on a mission all by yourself. Be careful little girl. There are monsters that lurk in the desert, waiting to pounce on delicious things like you." Kimblee was towering over her now, his eyes glittered with the unbridled malice that danced through his veins.

"You're not scary. Now go away before I force you to." Elise warned.

Kimblee grinned, revealing his pointed teeth, "As you wish, my lady." He bowed and turned, disappearing in a cloud of dust.

Elise turned, and nearly ran into her Superior, Basque Grand. "What do you want?" She groaned, taking a step backwards.

Grand motioned for her to follow and she did, as did the rest of the soldiers. "Go, the caravan knows where to take you. Destroy everything, and return to base."

Elise nodded and jumped up into the back of the caravan. She was quickly followed by several soldiers.

"Major, where are we going?" One of the soldiers asked.

Elise sighed and stared out the back of the large truck, watching as base grew smaller and smaller. "We'll find out soon enough."