(Age 11)

Edward and Elizabeth laid in bed together, side by side, in pain and apathy. Regret would have also been included, if they were aware of the possibility. Right at this moment, however, thought itself was difficult. The events that had unfolded were unexpected, quick, and drastic. They never could have known that the small, silly transmutation they did as a child could have connected them through alchemic injuries as well.

The transmutation they had attempted to do just hours ago backfired so horrifically, none of the Elric's knew how time could even progress from here. Despite the dozens of letters sent out to contact Hoenheim, Trisha died before even so much as a response was received. Although, no such thing was received at all. They had lost their mother, and in their grief, the Elric siblings dabbled in the taboo.

They attempted human transmutation, to try to bring Trisha back to life. Elizabeth had been helplessly watching from outside the room. She had been unable to refrain from shaking in fear and worry, and the brothers were concerned that her negative thoughts would possibly spark a rebound. Despite shutting her out and forbidding her involvement, she lost the same things that Edward did to the transmutation's rebound.

It took away Edward and Elizabeth's left leg, just above the knee. More importantly, it took away Alphonse's entire body right before their eyes. In a moment of quick thinking, Edward had been able to save the youngest Elric, by binding his soul to a suit of armor. That transmutation cost Edward and Elizabeth's right arm. Alphonse, now in an invulnerable form, had to carry the burden of both of his older siblings to Pinako. They had lost a lot of blood due to their injuries, but she was able to bandage them up well enough to save them.

And so Elizabeth and Edward lay. As the pain dulled to a constant ache, they began to think. It was something done individually, but with the two of them there wasn't much separation anyway. Edward's mind wandered the the transmutation. His sister shouldn't have been caught in the crossfire, she hadn't even been involved in the transmutation. It was only Alphonse and himself. After a moment of thought, guilt flooded him. He was involved, and that was enough. Since he had put his blood in the transmutation, he had put in Elizabeth's as well. They were connected, and the alchemy took them as one in the same.

Elizabeth's mind wandered to a different, but related subject. She had seen it. And if she had seen it, so had Edward. She knew what it was, vaguely. No more than her brother did, but certainly no less. They had seen something beyond their world, perhaps before it. It was beyond the law of equivalent exchange, no, it was the creation of it. Regardless, it was rightfully forbidden. So she forbade herself from speaking of it.

The two, lost in aimless thoughts that would bring nothing but worry, eventually drifted off into sleep to the sound of Winry's amazement of Alphonse's new form.

Such sleep was short lived. There was a loud and forceful knock, followed by the heavy steps of boots and the Rockbell's dog barking. Someone had obviously let themselves in.

Elizabeth woke up immediately, sitting up slightly in bed, albeit with difficulties due to her one arm. From her side of the bed, closest to the door through which the living room was, she could clearly see everything going on. Pinako had placed herself firmly between the Elric's room and the intruder. He was a tall young man, perhaps in his twenties, with unkempt black hair and dark brown eyes. Everything about him screamed military. At only an impartial view, it was easy for Elizabeth to understand he was a State Alchemist.

From the distant look in his eyes, to the navy blue and white uniform, there wasn't much of a doubt. Any remaining doubt would be erased at the sight of the silver pocket watch gleaming in his left uniform pocket. Although Pinako tried to keep him at bay, another person in uniform pushed through the entrance as well. This one, a woman, was a bit shorter than the man and had short blonde hair and brown eyes. Her uniform was the same as the man's, but where he donned white gloves and a pocket watch, she remained bare-handed and wore a gun holster. Between the two of them, Pinako was forced to allow them inside, though she was still visibly closed off.

"What do you want?" she snapped at the intruders. Though her voice was hushed, no anger or hatred was lost in it. The man focused his attention to her, where he was previously observing the room, looking for something.

He straightened his stance as he introduced himself, "I am Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang," he relaxed marginally before demanding, "Where are the children?" Pinako glared at him, willing him to just leave. She didn't want the Elric's in any more trouble, and the military could bring nothing else. Mustang, growing impatient, rephrased with more strength to his tone, "I saw their home, now where the hell are they?"

With a deep breath, and a reluctance to admit defeat, Pinako began her answer with a warning, "Don't disturb them too much, they've been through hell today. The three of them are in the back room, resting." Her voice grew soft towards the end, and Elizabeth felt a twang of guilt. In their desperation to try and revive their mother, they had hurt and brought trouble to the people who were alive and caring for them now.

The old woman stepped aside and allowed Mustang to pass. The woman, still unintroduced, sat down on the couch quietly. Elizabeth couldn't hear any more, nor was she listening to what was probably the woman's introduction to Pinako and Winry, because Mustang had just entered the room she was in.

He pulled up a chair to the bed. Elizabeth was surprised that Edward was still sound asleep, although she could understand. She was also exhausted. The man sitting next to the bed shook his head, "What did you three do?" Elizabeth placed her left hand gently on her right shoulder.

She suddenly felt very small, and alone. "We," she began, then stopped. She was surprised at her voice, meek and strained. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked the man in eyes, "We made a mistake." The man's eyes didn't change, they stayed focused on her with an unclear intent that made her uneasy. Would telling him everything be right? Or would it put what was left of her family in danger? Would he try to study Alphonse, and keep them separate?

Tears stung her eyes, and she knew that it wasn't something that she could keep to herself. It wasn't something that she could keep secret without help from someone in a position of power. She felt that she needed to take a leap of faith to keep her brothers safe. "We tried," she blinked away tears quickly, "We tried to bring our mother back." She refused to let the tears fall. Not now, in front of a stranger and in front of Alphonse.

Mustang nodded, not letting on his reaction. It made Elizabeth wonder if she made the right choice in telling him. "And, you have a second brother, right?" He asked, as if just verifying common knowledge. Elizabeth nodded quietly. "Was he also involved in this? Where is he?" Though Mustang's eyes remained on her, Elizabeth darted hers to the corner, where Alphonse had been sitting. She had been wondering earlier if he was asleep, if he could sleep.

Bringing her eyes back to Mustang, she replied, "He's in the-" she cleared her throat to correct herself, "He's the suit of armor." She kept her voice even, trying to gauge this man's reactions to something. "Alphonse, come here please." She asked quietly.

Alphonse stood up from his sitting position in the corner, making Mustang react properly for the first time. He jerked back in his seat and the chair screeched against the hardwood floor. Alphonse stopped, and waited to move forward until the man had stopped moving. Elizabeth looked at Alphonse and tilted her head at him, gesturing for him to show the man. With a soft word of agreement, Al removed his helmet to reveal the blood seal on the inside of the armor.

"Empty," Mustang said in a sad wonder, "How did that happen?" he asked, opening his hand toward Alphonse's body and looking back to Elizabeth.

Her eyes cast down, and she spoke through the ache in her wounds, "There was a rebound when we tried to..." she trailed off, though she had already said what they had done. She brought her eyes back to the state alchemist and elaborated, "The rebound took Alphonse's body. It also took our left legs."

Mustang's eyes darted to the girl's absent right arm. She had omitted that part, so he wanted that explanation also, "And your arm?" he prompted, to indicate he wanted her to continue.

Elizabeth brought her eyes to Alphonse and spoke, almost to him, "That was Edward's quick thinking. Without his body, Alphonse would have died." Elizabeth closed her eyes and turned her head back to Mustang. Opening her eyes again, she continued, "He bound Al's soul to the suit of armor. I couldn't do anything, I was scared out of my mind and writhing in pain. But he was able to make that seal with his own blood, despite all that." She touched her right shoulder once more, "Our right arms were the price for that transmutation."

Mustang sat back in the chair, unsure of how to proceed next. These children had really seen hell, like the old woman had said. He had also seen it, both his own and the one they left behind in their home.

"Sir," She said softly, breaking the silence and his train of thought, "Let me just, explain a little more." She glanced at Edward, to make sure that he was still asleep, and at Alphonse. Her little brother nodded awkwardly in the giant suit and left to join Pinako and the soldier that accompanied Mustang. Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Our father has always been absent in our lives, for almost as long as we can remember. Our mother was, everything to us. She was all we had and our whole world. There was nothing we could do to help her as she lay on her deathbed, and there was nothing we could do as they buried her."

Mustang remained silent, and Elizabeth sighed. She felt like bearing her soul to a stranger was a wager, and one that she had just lost. "I guess you wouldn't understand, State Alchemist. We didn't think this was a game, we didn't go into this blind. We researched and trained, and we thought we could bring back the only person in this world we thought we had. But people don't come back from the dead." Elizabeth scoffed humorlessly, "I guess we learned that lesson the hard way."Her attention drifted, not really expecting much of a response from the Alchemist. Her eyes and hand found her shoulder once more. Being without an arm was an uncomfortable and eerie sensation, even if the pain had severely decreased.

"Come to Central." Elizabeth heard him say, though it was a bit muffled. She turned to look at him, to see that his head was resting on his hands, as if in deep thought. Her expression was of surprised and apprehension, easily read by Mustang. "Between you and your brothers, you three children have more raw talent with alchemy than many candidates I've ever met. Not to mention your self-motivation and determination is obviously unparalleled." He brought his face up, to look at Elizabeth with hard, calculating eyes. "Human transmutation? Binding souls to armor? Unheard of, and will remain as such. I can promise secrecy in exchange for service." Elizabeth's eyes widened. Although she had not expected a proposition, per se, secrecy and protection was definitely something she had been aiming for when she decided to tell this man everything.

"Why," Edward's gurgled voice came through from beside Elizabeth, "Why should we?" he managed to challenge, even in pain and half-asleep. Elizabeth helped him sit up to be able to converse more easily with the man offering protection. "What do we get for joining up with the likes of you?"

Mustang scoffed, "Protection and secrecy isn't enough?" Elizabeth cut her eyes at Edward. She had been willing to make the deal right then and there to protect her brothers. The man smiled, clearly amused by the twins and their ability to bargain and make snarky comments in the wake of tonight's events. "The State has extensive libraries and other research materials, available only to State Alchemists. There may be information or leads on how to find a way to restore your brother's body." he offered.

The twins took in a sharp breath. Their minds began wheeling. Sure, the two of them can live with automail and deal with the minor inconveniences that come with it, but Alphonse can't stay a suit of armor forever. Elizabeth was terrified of his armor being broken or melted beyond repair. Edward suddenly became every aware of the fact that blood can easily be washed off of metal, meaning that although Alphonse seems invulnerable, he is in fact very easily harmed if not carefully protected.

Mustang smiled slyly, "Then I hope to see the three of you in Central once you're healed up and ready."

Elizabeth laid nervously on the bed. She was ready for the pain, but knew that it was going to be unbearable, even if only for a split second. She had heard the wrenching of metal and wires when Pinako and Winry attached Edward's automail, but there were no cries or shouts. She hadn't expected any, either. Elizabeth knew that Edward felt like he didn't deserve to express pain for himself. He felt as though he was at fault for Alphonse being unable to eat, sleep, or feel anything, so he felt guilty for feeling extreme things, even pain.

Winry had given Elizabeth a towel to bite on. The girl on the bed was less than excited as Winry and Pinako began to get ready to attach the nerves. They would be trying to attach them simultaneously, to limit the pain. It didn't seem to make any difference to Elizabeth, who screamed bloody murder into the towel as the flash of pain rushed through her.

Elizabeth watched as her brothers sparred. It was a little disheartening for her, seeing her younger brother in such a state. Although he seemed better off at first to some, in that body he could not enjoy the warmth of the sun, the cool summer breeze, flavorful dishes, a refreshing drink. He couldn't sleep, or dream, and nights were full of his personal time. That, however, she did not know if it was alright for a ten year old boy to be left to his own devices, his own mind alone to keep him company. It worried her.

Elizabeth also wanted to spar with one of her brothers. She watched as Alphonse moved quickly, surprisingly deftly for his bulky figure. His size could be a definite advantage, as he could force his way through things and intimidate many. Edward's smaller figure certainly wasn't a disadvantage, though. It allowed him to jump, dodge, and move more quickly that Alphonse. In this fight especially, though, Alphonse had no need for defense. He was a suit of armor now, and was able to be completely offensive in a spar with Edward. The older brother was left to use his automail arm as a constant shield to protect the rest of his body. The sound of metal on metal was nearly comforting to Elizabeth.

One misstep was all it took to end the spar. Edward had slipped on the gravel beneath his feet and fell, leaving himself vulnerable. Now Elizabeth finally had a turn.

Alphonse was reluctant to fight with his sister, especially in his new form. Instead, Edward took the opportunity to try and redeem himself from his previous loss. The twins clashed metal the entire time. It was no surprise, as each had a metal arm and leg. Each tried to gain an advantage, but to no avail. Their training had always bee the same, so the differences between them were purely physical. Edward was stronger, something that would likely never change, and Elizabeth was more nimble and quick. Though they were nearly equal in all things, this only made them more suited to be sparring partners. Being so close in skills forced them to try and think of new techniques and ways to gain the upper hand.

They bounded around with ease, each struggling to find a weakness. A leg sweep. Jump. Pinned. Rolled. Kick. Shielded. The dance continued without reprieve for nearly an hour, and the sky had begun to streak with reds and oranges as the sun set. Finally, there was a change.

Winry came out of the house to call the Elric's in for dinner. As she captured Edward's attention, Elizabeth grabbed him from behind and dropped her weight suddenly, to bring him to the ground. She had nearly gotten him on his chest and in a pin when he reached up and pinched her side. It startled Elizabeth so much that she yelped and released his arm. He took that opportunity to tackle her to the ground. Pinned and pissed, Elizabeth admitted defeat.

"Cheating bastard," she grumbled to herself, getting up and dusting off a bit. "Who does that in a fight?"

Edward shrugged and dusted off as well, "When you're in a fight, you do what you have to in order to win. There's no such thing as a fair fight," he retorted, grinning at his sister.

Edited.