*** Author's Note ***

So wow Jezus Christ, it's been 2 freaking years and I have no excuse. Sorry guys I promise you won't have to wait another 2 years for an update. I'm putting myself on a schedule, mind you not a great schedule, but at least a chapter a month if not more.

I'd like to thank Stormy Vixen (love your name!) for being my first and only review on the prologue chapter. I appreciate your support and I'm very sorry for the long wait!

Anywho if you're new to this story or the few who have been waiting for an update, I'd like to say hello and get ready for the storm!

Third Person

The Colonel was in his office talking to Edward and Alphonse about there being a serial killer killing State Alchemist currently in Central. Breda and Falman were playing a game of chess while Havoc took a smoke break . Fury was tinkering with an old radio while it made static noise . Hawkeye was reluctantly taking Black Hayate for a walk after the Colonel forced her to leave so they could stop doing paper work .

"Sir, i really don't think Black Hayate needs a walk" almost a plea, but she spoke it as more of a statement. "Come now look how hyper he's being", they both looked over at the dog calmly licking his paw. A nervous chuckle escaped the Colonel's mouth. "Whatever you say Sir" she commented in an amused tone as she called Black Hayate to follow her. A relieved sigh echoed throughout the room from all parties left as they all set down their pens and papers to be signed in a rush later.

Back to the present conversation.

"The serial killer is being called Scar for the x-shaped scar across his face" Colonel Mustang said . "Why is he killing State Alchemist?" Edward asked while Alphonse stood beside him with a small nodding jester. "We don't know why, actually we don't know much about him" Musang mused "all we know about him is his scar, he's targeting State Alchemists, and the fact he uses an unusual form of killing". "Unusual form of killing?" the look on both the teens faces clearly showed their curiosity.

"He explodes their heads from the inside". The grim chill that settled into the room did nothing more than make the conversation hold a slightly disturbing atmosphere. "We'll keep that in mind if we run across him" Edward said in possibly an attempt to lighten the mood. "I'm serious he is a very dangerous person" Mustang said with a sigh. "Alright we're lea- " Edward was cut off as someone entered the room.

First person

I worked under direct order of Colonel Riley Branston. He was an older gentlemen in his early forties with two sons and a wife at home. He was tall and had brown graying hair on his head. The man was kind but, stern with a cruel sense of humor. He liked to send me on errands and missions i was rather against doing or just disliked, not to mention some of his more notorious "office pranks". As of late he was going to send me on one of those errands now .

I was staring at his rusty green eyes almost pleading him not to send me. "Why can't you send your assistant?" i asked. "He's busy right now" was his response. "He's always busy when you need someone to talk to that pyromaniac" i mumbled under my breath. His grin widened ever so slightly showing he caught what i said.

"Why me?". "Cause its fun to torture you" he said in a matter-of-fact kind of voice. I sighed "i don't have a choice do i?". "Nope it's a direct order from me!" he said with a big smile, a little to happy at my misery.

I turned on my heels and walked out the door, Ace following close behind. We were being sent to tell Colonel Pyromaniac, cough cough i mean Colonel Mustang, that Colonel Branston has been transferred to East Command. I was also supposed to invite him to come play a game of chess with Branston. I hate speaking with Mustang or even interacting with him. He was worse than Branston and he got under my skin just the right way to make me consider how bad it would really be if i got court martialed for hitting a soldier of higher rank.

Ace was at my side walking at an even pace with me. We reached our destination all too soon and i threw the door open.

"Colonel Mustang" i said walking into the office and standing in front of his desk. Ace sat at my side. There are two other people in the office i didn't recognise. One was in a tall suit of armor made of what appeared to be some type of metal, and the other was a short kid about my age with golden hair. I spared them a glance but, decided to focus my attention on Mustang. Lets just hurry and get this over with.

"Hello Elizabeth, what luck i have to get a visit from you today" he said with a smirk curling onto his face. "Colonel Branston wanted me to inform you he's been transferred to East Command" i said in calm tone trying to ignore his smirk. "Oh really and you decided to come inform me yourself, how nice!" he said smirk still present if not bigger. "No the Colonel has a sick sense of humor and made me come talk to ya bastard" i said dead serious and a bit peeved off . "Is that the only reason you came was to curse at me" he said exasperated. I smirked "actually no he also wants you to come play a game of chess with him when you get a chance" before he could respond the short blond kid spoke up.

"WAIT WHO ARE YOU?!" he asked clearly frustrated and confused. "This, Edward is Elizabeth Ridel The White Light Alchemist" he stated my full title. The short blond kid i now know is Edward gasped. "But she looks my age!" Edward said. "I'm thirteen years old" i stated matter-of-factly. "I'm twelve" he said still gaping like a fish. "She was the youngest State Alchemist before you Edward" Mustang cut in.

"Ohh so your The Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric" i said finally coming to the conclusion. He gave a big smile before it fell off his face in an instant at my next words. "You're a lot shorter than i thought you would be" i clearly ticked him off.

" WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE FALLS IN THE SHADOW OF AN ANT" he started to rant the person in the suite of armor grabbed him before he could attack me. Ace stepped in front of me and growled at Edward. He stopped ranting and looked at Ace. I almost forgot he was there. He growled again. "Ace" the German Shepherd immediately sat down at my side recognizing my tone meant there was no danger. The only reason he was allowed to be here in the Military building with me was because he was so well behaved just like Black Hayate.

Edward asked "you have a dog?". "This big guy is Ace" i said patting Aces head. The suite of armor bent down to pet Ace. Ace looked at me to get permission. I nodded to him and Ace walked over to the person in the armor and let he or she pet him. "Hi Ace i'm Alphonse" Ace wagged his tail slightly. Hmmm male voice so this must be Edward's brother i've also heard about.

I turned to Mustang. "I have to be going" he nodded and i gave him a crisp salute. He nodded once again and i took my leave Ace right at my side. I heard voices in the room as i walked away and assumed the boys and Mustang were talking. I passed Hawkeye on the way to Branston's office. We said hello while Ace and Black Hayate greeted each other for a second. We departed after that both of them surely heading back to Mustang's office.

Continuing on my path to Branston's office which i suppose is technically my office as well, or at least a desk in it. I knocked on his office door as i heard a "come in" from the other side.

I stepped into the office quietly closing the door. "Did you speak with Colonel Mustang?" curse that cheshire grin on his face. Sigh "yes i did Sir". "Good i think that's enough torture for today and seeing as we just got here we don't have stacks of paperwork yet so you're free to leave for the day" he said with a real smile on his face. "Thank you Sir" i saluted. He laughed "you don't have to always be so formal with me". "Right, sorry it'll probably happen again though" que more laughing. "Get out of here kid!" i may have pouted slightly, but if you ask i'll deny it. "I'm not a kid" i mumbled as i walked out the door. Through the whole ordeal Ace never strayed from my side.

Deciding to not risk my life with cafeteria food, i opted to go find a local take out food joint. Outside the sky was stormy and it appeared as if the skies were just waiting to pour down and flood the streets.

I thought about my dad. It felt like forever ago when i last saw him alive but i soon realized it was forever ago. It has been about five years. I smiled the rain might remind me of his death but also the good memories too. Even before the rain reminded me of him i loved it. The way it looked on a rainy day, the way it felt, and even how it smelt. I preferred a rainy day over a sunny one any time. The thunder and lightening were powerful when they took over the sky. Maybe that's why i use the type of alchemy i use, to feel powerfully and free. Ohh if i forgot to mention, i use energy alchemy or more precisely lightning alchemy. Pretty cool right!

I started to notice it getting lighter out. It had been five am when i left East Command. It was almost 7 now, wow that was a long walk. I'm just now noticing my fatigue. I walk down an ally taking a shortcut to get to the hotel I'm staying at, figuring i can just eat from the breakfast bar there now. Apparently an "issue" occurred with the room i was supposed to get in the barracks, so for now i'm in a hotel. Of course all expenses paid for by yours truly. I suppose i make enough money so i shouldn't be complaining but, what if i hadn't of been a State Alchemist. Continuing down the alley, out of nowhere the wall beside me was blown up sending rock and rubble flying in all directions. I jumped along with Ace out of the way. The light of a alchemic transmutation dies away. I looked over and see a man with an x-shaped scar on his face.

"The White Light Alchemist you die today"

Third Person

"So shes a State Alchemist?" Alphonse questioned turning his attention from Edward to The Colonel. "Yes Elizabeth Ridel, she became a Certified State Alchemist last year at the age of 13" Mustang nodded as he shared this information with the bothers. "I briefly remember hearing about that last year, but i haven't heard of her since" Edward was slightly baffled that another State Alchemist almost as young as him was stationed in East Command.

"She has been stationed up in Briggs since becoming part of the military under the command of Colonel Riley Branston". "Branston? Never heard of him " curiosity struck Edward at the news of these people he didn't know. For some odd reason unknown to Edward, he was intrigued in this girl. Questions like 'What reason did she have for joining the military so young', 'if she's a State Alchemist how good is she' and many of the same flashed through his mind. Shaking his head he turned to Alphonse who was still conversing with Colonel Mustang. "We should get going Al" he stated promptly interrupting The Colonel. " Brother that was rude " Alphonse quickly turned to Mustang. "Sorry Sir " a smirk rose to The Colonel's face "I'm used to your brothers attitude, he has such a short fuse ". Alphonse had to grab his brother before he could lunge and do God knows what to Mustang. "DID YOU JUST CALL ME SMALL YOU BASTARD OF A COLONEL LET ME COME BACK OVER THERE AND SHOW YOU- "Sorry Sir we'll just be on our way " a nervous laugh escaped Alphonse mouth as he drug his ranting brother out of Colonel Mustang's office. Mustang just shook his head after they left clearly amused.

The boys made their way outside heading towards their hotel. A drop of water hit Edward's nose starting the light rain storm. Thunder cracked across the sky as they entered the hotel and Edward couldn't seem to drop the sudden foreboding yet excited feeling for tomorrow.

*** Author's Note part 2 ***

So please leave a comment and all that good stuff. I'm gonna leave some songs at the beginning of each chapter in the author's note section so look out for those if you want. They will relate to the chapter or a character in the chapter. I'll start doing that next update.

For all the luck that rains down from the clouds I'll see ya next time!

TheDreamFlareAlchemist