The Other Exams
By: Bar-Ohki
Disclaimer: I am a poor high school student. How could I possibly own such greatness?
Recap: Roy is a pyro, Armstrong is…Armstrong, and Kimblee is a hometown boy.
Other Stuff: It is official! My speech class is so lame I can write fan fiction in it! Sadly, that's where I wrote most of this chapter. I'd like to thank my reviewers for reviewing and also for coming back to see my next chapter. I hope you enjoy this one.
Chapter 4: It seemed like a good idea at the time
Her hands drifted along the spines of the books. Fingers searching, feeling, trying to select the exact one. Suddenly, they stopped dead, hovering over one book, not quiet touching. The fingers timidly touched it, jerking away as if shocked.
"Yes." She said, reminding herself this was the right choice. She cordially took the book off the shelf and handed it to her son. Young Basque stood there, eyes wide in wonder. He had a mop of black hair upon his head, his jaw seeming somewhat naked without facial hair.
His mother turned to him, her eyes grey in blindness. She knelt down beside him and handed him the book.
"Read this, learn this, and become great." His mother told him.
The book was titled 'A Beginner's Guide to Alchemy, third edition'.(1)
-break-
Basque sat down his alchemy book, thinking, remembering. He was now a Major with a bright future in the ranks of the military. Until now alchemy had been a hobby, not a new job opportunity. With the changed requirements to become a state alchemist in the time of war, it seemed possible to pass.
Basque decided that yes, he would attempt to earn himself a silver watch while the opportunity was still there. It wasn't everyday they lowered the standards and passed multiple people. Basque smiled, if he did well during the war, they would give him a 'certification for life' in honor of his work. He liked the idea. A lot.
-break-
"Those who use alchemy, only gain misfortune." An old prophet had once said. Basque dismissed this as nonsense and turned the page in his text book. Coming from a decently well-off middle-class family, he got the privilege of going to a good school. He had the privilege of getting a good education. This was something his parents, who had not been as fortunate, never let him forget.
Basque had been studying alchemy under the careful eye of private tutors for the last few years. He didn't think that anything bad could become of it.
"Alchemist, be thou for the people." Basque snorted again. What was with this dumb prophet anyways? The guy was full of bull.
-break-
"Sir!" Basque saluted his commanding officer.
"Yes, Major Grand?" General Exacto raised an eyebrow. He was a fat man, with a big ego problem and smelled of onions.
"I know a great deal about alchemy, sir. It's been a hobby of mine." Basque explained carefully. "I thought that I may be of more use as a State Alchemist than as a foot solider, sir."
The General paused.
"I want a demonstration solider."
"Of course, sir!" Basque stood at attention, grinning.
-break-
"Father, I'm going to enlist." Basque told his old man.
"Why?" Was all the man had to say. He didn't even look up from his newspaper.
"Because I want to go out and do things! I don't want to run a store all my life!" Basque cried.
"Then don't come crying home when you loose sight of yourself." Was all his father said. "And don't die on me." He added as an afterthought while Basque walked out the door.
-break-
Basque paused and looked over his gauntlets. He had crafted these a long time ago back when he still was ambitious enough to become a State Alchemist. When he had learned of the requirements of the exam, Basque's firry ambition had been thoroughly smothered. He smiled, wondering what General Exacto thought of this entire thing.
Basque used a small combination of marital arts and alchemy to do some serious damage to the dummy he had set out for the demonstration.
"Its good enough." General Exacto remarked. "Go to Central and get yourself certified. Then get your ass back here and report."
"Yes, sir!"
-break-
"Sorry Major Basque, you're going to have to share a dorm room with Major Kimblee." The dorm office manager explained. Basque had arrived on the 11 pm train and could not take the test until morning.
"It's alright." Basque assured her. He saluted, turned on his heel, and walked down the hall. His feet made short work of carrying him to his lodgings for the evening. Outside the door he looked at two young men, chatting idly. One had raven black hair and onyx eyes, he seemed to be in deep thought about something the other man had just said. The other man had blue hair, the eye color remained unknown to Basque as he couldn't see it from his current position.
"Yes, you're right, you would need more sodium for that." The raven haired man remarked when Basque got within hearing range. That was when he saw that both men had silver chains hanging from their pockets.
"Sirs!" Basque stood at attention. Both men turned to him and there was a quick exchange of salutes. The blue haired man, who had yellow eyes Basque dully noted, seemed uneasy and awkward with his salute.
"Who are you Major?" The raven haired man asked, with an air of authority that irked Basque. He could tell that this man hadn't been in the military long, nor had he seen any real action, his eyes told him that story. But the man carried himself like a leader, as if he understood the hells of war and knew what to do and when to do it. Basque could tell, this man was a natural leader he didn't even have to try when he wanted others to listen and obey. That's why Basque was pissed- people with that much raw talent just pissed him off.
"I am Major Basque Grand. I was told that I would be lodging with a 'Major Kimberley' for this evening." He explained quickly. He opened his mouth to say something more with the blue haired man cut him off, irritated.
"Kimblee sir. I am Major Zolf Kimblee, Crimson Alchemist." Kimblee was more than a little annoyed.
"And I am Major Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist." The onyx eyed alchemist introduced himself. "What brings you to Central Major Grand?"
"I'm here to take the State Alchemist exam." Basque explained quickly. "What were you two talking about before I arrived."
"We were trading tips." Kimblee began, "you see he's an expert in flames and combustion, while I'm an expert in bombs and demolition. A lot of our expertise over laps."
"And what is your expertise Major Grand?" Mustang asked innocently.
"I use my alchemy to manipulate the iron in my blood and other objects." Basque explained, with a confident smile.
"Isn't that human transmutation?" Mustang was a little stunned, shaking a bit in his boots.
"Not really." Basque said quickly. "Now if you two don't mind I'm going to get some rest."
"Oh sorry!" Kimblee timidly got out of the way and let the larger man enter the dorm room.
"What are you going to do about using your alchemy in combat?" Basque heard Mustang ask Kimblee through the paper thin door. Basque sighed, hoping the men would finish soon so that he could sleep.
"What do you mean?" Kimblee asked innocently. Mustang gasped then sighed loudly.
"Look here," there was a pause, "these gloves are made out of ignition clothe, or 'pyrotex'. They create sparks if I snap my fingers." Mustang paused again. "And that's my transmutation circle, this way I can call my alchemy forth whenever, wherever, and get quick results. This is key in a battle."
"Oh I see." Kimblee said these words slowly, as if his mind was still sucking in all the new information. "I guess I won't have time to draw circles…."
"Yes, and if you lost your chalk, you'd be pretty useless." Mustang warned him. Basque had to give the man some credit at least he knew what he was doing when he signed up.
"Ah. What do you suggest I do?" Kimblee asked. There was an awkward pause.
"I'm not sure."
Basque sighed and realized that these men would spend all night brainstorming if someone didn't shut them up. So, out of complete desire to rest well that evening, Basque opened the door.
"I heard you two through the door." Basque began. "I am of the understanding that Major Kimblee is in quiet the fix at the moment, is he not?"
"Well, yes." Kimblee dropped his head, not bothering to lie.
"Do you have a circle that can cover most of your transmutations?" Basque asked.
"I have two." Kimblee looked up into Basque's eyes. "Why does it matter?"
"Well then, why don't you tattoo them onto the palms of your hands?" Basque pointed out. "I've heard of many alchemists that are fans of that. You can't lose it and it can't be torn or destroyed. Ignition gloves have these problems." Basque eyed Mustang.
"I'm well aware of that Major." Mustang huffed.
"…Tattoo?" Kimblee asked meekly.
"Don't tell me you lack backbone! Go get your circles tattooed onto the palms of your hands!" Basque shouted at Kimblee.
"Hey! Don't go pushing people around just because they're shorter than you!" Mustang stepped between the other two. "Major Kimblee is highly capable of deciding what he's going to do without you yelling at him."
"I bid you two good night." Basque huffed, not wanting to deal with Mustang.
"Good night sir." The other's chorused and saluted.
-break-
Basque made his way to the registration area. He observed Mustang, Kimblee, and some other man with glasses talking on their way to the garage. (2) He just snorted and approached the officer at the desk.
"I'm Major Basque Grand, I'm here to take the State Alchemist exam." He told the man.
"Ah yes, just go out back and demonstrate your skills." The officer responded lightly. Basque did as told.
-break-
Now is such a wonderful time to get nervous. Basque thought sarcastically. His gauntlets glistened in the sun. Basque took a deep breath and punched the ground. The earth exploded in a furry of sparks, alchemic arcs, and sheer force.
With a quick grunt, Basque circled quickly and blasted the ground again. And again. Each transmutation grew more complicated, more deadly, and far more destructive. The observers gasped in awe at the Major's amazing abilities.
"There." Basque breathed out, deciding he was finished. There was a around of frantic applause when he was done.
You were right mother, alchemy does lead to glory and greatness. Basque smiled.
"Major Grand, please come this way." One of the proctors requested. Basque saluted and followed quickly.
He came into a room with two generals and the Further. Basque sat down and twiddled his thumbs quietly.
"Why did you hide your alchemic skills?" One of the generals attacked.
"It was a hobby. And to be honest, I thought the test was extremely hard and I doubted I could pass." Basque explained truthfully.
"And why did you decide to take the exam now?" The Further gave him a narrowed look.
"I decided I would best serve my country if I could do the work of many men, rather than one." He picked his words carefully. "Even though I still was in doubt as to whether or not I would actually pass, I thought that this time of crisis in our country was enough motivation to try."
"Fair enough Major Grand." The other general nodded in understanding.
"As of now you are Lieutenant Colonel Basque Grand, the Iron Alchemist." The Further stood up and shook Basque's hand. "I trust you will do well with Ishbal."
"Of course sir!" He saluted.
-break-
On the way to the train Basque observed a particularly interesting sight. Kimblee was standing in the middle of the street, whimpering while Mustang was yelling curses and glaring at some old fellow, and the man with glasses was sitting there laughing. Basque shook his head and walked on ignoring them. (3)
1- Edward and Alphonse learned their alchemy from 'A Beginner's Guide to Alchemy' with no editions printed on it (implying this was an original printing of the first edition). With margin notes handwritten in by their father (who was also one of the editors, not that the boys ever bothered to look that far).
2- Hmm I wonder who this is? Hugs for anyone who gets it right!
3- The old man in this scene is Galiero Ecrevan, the official tattoo artist for the military. They pay him big money to tattoo state alchemists. And convicts. And really drunk military personnel (though he'd rather not talk about that).
I'll be honest, I don't like Grand so I portrayed him as a bad guy. Anyone who authorizes things like Lab 5 are just born screwed up.