No matter how hard I tried, things just never worked out the way I wanted them to . . .

ONE. SORROW

'Come on, Ed! We're going to be late for the train!'

Oh yeah, how exciting. Mom always said moving from one place to another mean adventure around every corner. She loved making every move seem thrilling, not depressing. She knew how hard it was for me and Al, having to move from one place to another after Dad died. Mom had maniac depression, so it was hard for her to keep a stable income. I still loved her, though, even if Al and I took care of her most of her life.

I jumped in the front seat of our old station wagon. Hey, in 1909 they had cars. At least in Resembool. We weren't driving to our destination, just the station. Even so, no part of me wanted to experience "this grand adventure". I wanted to be home, with Winry and Pinako and Den. No matter how much I loved my mother, sometimes she just… just didn't know when to quit.

Closing the door behind me, Winry almost killed the joy by practically breaking my window, shoving a red coat into my lap. Puzzled, my golden orbs traveled upwards, meeting her watery blue eyes. Tears stained her cheeks, and she fought as hard as she could against the rising sobs I could just almost hear. 'T… take this, Edward. I made it for you. Don't forget me.' She wiped a stray tear from her eye.

How could I forget her? 'I'll always remember you, Winry.'

And just like that Al, Mom and I head for our new lives in Central, Amestris.

The ride to Central was uneventful. I leaned against the glass, Winry's red coat wrapped around my thin shoulders. Resting my chin against my hand, I stared out the window, watching as the shrubs, fields and trees dissipated into small buildings and houses.

Why had I agreed to this? Mom said we were just going on a business trip, not moving. I never liked laving the towns we lived at; I couldn't make any friends. And what was the point, anyway, if you didn't know when the next move would be and where? How were you supposed to stay and feel comfortable when any minute the trap could spring and you'd be gone? These emotions tugged at my head, eating away at the little self control I had. My hands stroked long blond locks of hair nervously, biting my lip as not to cry. Why couldn't we go back? But at the same time I realized I didn't know what could happen. Maybe Central would be fun, give me the acceptance I craved and needed but never felt.

Al, Mom, and I were a perfect family. We loved life and looked after each other. Dad might have been a coward, but my mom sure wasn't. She fought her disorder to the grit, never giving up or making excuses for herself. And when she did need a break, she was sure to let Al and I know so we had time to get out of the house. My younger brother adored me, babying me and worrying as if I was a lost kitten in distress. Three years ago I lost my arm and leg in a car accident that killed my father, so Winry and Pinako put their heads together to make me prosthetic limbs called Automail, mechanical arms and legs that would place my damaged and amputated ones.

Man, was it a painful procedure. And the rehabilitation took forever. Well, three months, but it felt like years. I had some martial art experience under my belt, so Al and I sparred. He won, however. Every match. Not to mention he beat me height wise.

I'm not an out of shape kid, however. My body is tough and lean; I don't break easily. What I lack in height I make up in pure muscle, and I was voted "most fit" at my old school. Pretty impressive for a fifteen year old. I'm fast, thanks to my height, but I do have a temper. Call me small and you'll find out what I mean. Fast. With a black eye and two missing teeth on the side.

The train's peaceful melody calmed me, every rattle and creak sending me deeper into a slumber of no return. Turning my head, I saw Mom and Al sleeping, Al's forehead against Mom's shoulder, eyes closed. How peaceful he looked, with those beautiful locks of light brown hair in his eyes, deep gray eyes shut tight. And that peacefulness I just mentioned? Well, it worked.

I crossed my arms, tilted my head back, and fell into a midnight slumber, while the train rattled on and on, the moon high over-head and smiling down upon us.

'Brother, we're here!'

I mumbled something, pushing my Al's hand out of my face. We couldn't be there already? But yes, like so many others I slept through the night and the morning. Pulling out my dad's old silver pocket watch, I yawned and checked the time. One o'clock in the morning. 'Ngh, still sleepy…' Mumbling, I stood up, stretching my hands above my head, and took my first steps out of that god-forsaken train.

Central appeared more grandiose than I had initially anticipated. A city within a city, I would call it. Large apartment complexes, business towers, and military offices lined the circular roads, expensive and in-style cars driving at top speeds within the park way. In the middle, quite a ways off, I had a clear view of the military headquarters, it's green flag waving briskly yet valiantly in the wind. Though I hated myself for saying this, it was a nice place to live.

For a change.

'Excuse me? Would you happen to be the Elric family?'

I blinked, turning around with burning curiosity. Was someone expecting us? Looking up at my mother, I saw her smile was genuine. Oh, great. She nodded, and cheerfully replied, 'Yes. I'm Trisha Elric, and these are my sons, Edward and Alphonse.' I crossed my arms, sticking out my lower lip, brows furrowed in a scowl. If there's one thing I didn't want to be known as, it was gentle. Al nudged me in the ribs, and I gave in, sending the man slight smirk.

To my chagrin, he wasn't the least bit offended. Grinning like a fool, he bowed to my mother, introducing himself in a very high pitched voice that reminded me of a five year old. 'Welcome to Central, Ms. Elric. I'm Kain Fuery, a solder here in Central.' He smiled at me and Al. 'I've been instructed to give you an escort to the apartment you'll be staying at.' Like we needed an escort. But Mom approved, and so we all followed Fuery forth into the bustling city.

I started feeling uncomfortable as we passed the huge Military base. It reminded me of those castles I read about in school, only with cement. Nonetheless, I charged forth with my comrades, finally reaching our said destination… and groaned.

The place was, eh, can we say … old? Years of wear and tear were pulling this place apart at the seams, paint chipped on the outside, including a few broken windows and tons of graffiti. I'm going to just love it here. Internally, I swore and stamped my foot and cursed my mom for bringing us out on this useless journey. My want and need to be with Winry escalated, and I felt my cheeks grow hot with sadness. Why couldn't my life be normal.

Mom thanked Fuery, picked up our bags, and headed inside to who-knows-what. Timidly, I followed behind my family, taking a good look at my future. Empty. The entire apartment was empty. Not a soul to be seen, not a lobby desk installed. No elevator, no electronics, and definitely no books. Oh great. The stairs didn't even look that stable.

But something saved me that day. I don't know how or why, but soon I found out we weren't the only family living here.

'Hello?' I turned around, only to meet the eyes of… another human being! All right. Score one for Ed. Smiling at him, I face the young man full on, blinking in surprise. His features closely resembled me and my brother's, but he was taller and slender than both of us. His hair was a light shade of blonde, and had the same doe eyes as my brother but with blue irises. Smiling, the boy stuck out his hand, light and pale. 'I'm Alfons Heiderich. Live down in 203.' He blinked, looking down and my heavy suitcase. 'Want some help with that?' When I nodded, he took it from me and started to climb those unsteady stairs with gusto. Man, was this kid on the ball. Was everyone in Central eager to help foreigners?

Treating each step as if it were my last, I managed to make it up the two flights of stairs it took to reach 205, our apartment room. Alfons and I lived just across the hall from each other, and I finally felt human contact after being stuck 13 hours on a crowded train. Well, if he could survive in the place I called Hell, than surely I could as well.

As Al put his stuff away, I shied away from my unpacking duties to meet with Alfons in his room just across the hall. He led me to a comfy red armchair, and I noticed his complex was just as gray and boring as ours. Must run in the contractor's family. Grinning, the elderly blond ground up some coffee, proceeding to interrogate me on my previous life.

'So, I never caught your name,' he mumbled from behind the kitchen counter, fully concentrated on making the best batch of coffee I would ever taste, I'm sure. Shrugging sat back in the chair, trying to look casual.

'I'm Edward, Edward Elric.' Alfons turned around, seeming suddenly excited.

'You wouldn't be related to Hoenheim Elric, would you?' At the mention of that name, I tore my gaze from him, staring down at the empty cut he'd presented to me earlier.

'Yeah, he was my dad…' And I honestly don't want to talk about this. Lucky for me, Alfons picked up on my displeasure and veered a different course. He asked where I originally came from and I replied with Resembool, even though that wasn't entirely true. Then there was the subject of age, school, likes, interests, and I replied with Alchemy, my father's old blood and tears hobby.

Alchemy made him stop, eyes suddenly narrowing. 'You'd better be careful, Ed,' he muttered, looking around suspiciously. Wait, did Central bug the apartments, too? 'Alchemy is very popular here, but not for the reasons you would think.' What other reasons, then?

I wanted to ask him why, but he told me to go back to my apartment; he had things to do. 'But you should come down and meet my buddies by the square. They'd die to see you.' Again, the question of 'why' sat at the edge of my tongue like a burn.

'I'll see you at school, then,' I finished, closing the door behind me. The reality of being "kicked out" didn't exactly register until then, but I attempted to shrug it off. He'd been decent enough, right?

But why did Alchemy send him into an angry craze like a rabid dog?

I went back into our room, unlocking the door. As I entered, a young woman with choppy brown hair proceeded in giving my mother the lay of the land.

'… and if there is ever a problem with any household appliances, you can call Mr. Mustang. He's our maintenance man, and an ex general.' I wondered how he made that big of a skip backwards. Heh, must have been court marshaled. Mom wrote down his name and number as the woman attempted to wave goodbye. At me. I didn't respond, resulting in her frowning, brushing past me as if to prove she wasn't shaken. What odd people they were, Central… ians.

I waltzed in as if nothing had happened and proceeded to plop myself in front of our sixteen inch radio. Al gave me a glare, but continued instructing my mother the proper way of folding bras. How would he know?

Fiddling with the switch, I couldn't seem to get the radio working at all. I pressed every button, flipped every switch, shook it, banged it, even screamed at it. No cigar. Oh great.

'MOM! WHAT ROOM DOES THAT MAINTENANCE GUY LIVE IN?'

My mother stormed out of the bedroom, a bag of tampons clutched in her left hand. 'Honey, I'm right here. And Mr. Mustang occupies the garden area downstairs.' She put her hand over her eyes, exhaling in exhaustion. 'Good grief, Edward. I thought I'd raised you to be more polite. The way you're treating this new situation and the people involved, you'd think I have a chimer as my son.'

I knew she hadn't meant it in a negative way, but my anger flare up faster than a burning forest. I sneered, glaring at her with all the hatred I could muster. 'Well, sorry you have a cripple as a son. Is that what you mean?'

I slammed the door before she could answer.

A/N: just saw the new karate kid. I am officially in love. If movies were human this one's be my husband. So, this is a fan fiction based on the karate kid 2010, with sprinkles of the 1980's version here and there. Gonna try and incorporate the fly bit, 1980's way. Mustang portrays Mr. Miyagi or Mr. Han or whoever you invision him to be. This is eventual royed, but it'll start as parental. Yes, there will be a tournament and the bad dudes, but it's not kung fu nor is it martial arts. This story is 'the alchemy kid' which I have renamed as 'the full metal alchemist' for plot reasons, not just the fanfic genre.

Enjoy!