Equivalent Exchange: Love conquers sadness

by LunarSun2114

This story follows a person named Isabella Rockbell. And she and Elric brothers and join them on their quest for the Philosopher's Stone. Edxoc {follows the 2003 version of FMA}

6. Chapter 6: The Alchemy Exam

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for Isabella.

*No POV*

The three are at Central Command and inside Roy's office. "So, kids, you're convinced you're ready for this?" Roy asked them. "That's right, just tell us what to wear to graduation..." Ed said to Roy as he smirks. "Careful, Ed. I'd hate for you and Isabella to get cocky." Roy said giving Ed a pamphlet and Ed takes a look at it. "As you know, you find your training, I suggest him." Roy said as Isabella looks at it."The Sewing-Life Alchemist, huh?" Isabella questioned him. "Shou Tucker, practically wrote the book on bringing things to life." Roy said as Ed, Al, and Isabella gasped. at what he said."That's how it started, we spent the months before the exam, living at the Tucker Estate."

"Humankind cannot gain anything, without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we believed that to be the world's one, and only truth."

{Opening Song}

"*The Alchemy Exam*"

Isabella's POV

Ed, Al, and I are in the car as Mustang began explaining this about this "Tucker" person. "Two years ago, Mr. Tucker used alchemy to create a chimera that could speak our language. Quite a feet." Roy said to the three of us. "How the heck did he do that?" Ed asked him. "Beats me, I guess it was some kind of composite using animals with different genes and had the brass in an uproar. Needless to say, he passed the exam." Roy said to him. "Sounds awesome." I said in awe.

*FF*

We finally made it to the Tucker Estate. "Now it's not just the three of you. Mr. Tucker has a four-year-old. So be polite." Roy said to us. "What about his wife, isn't he married?" Al asked him. "Let's go in." Roy said to us as he leads the way, and we see a huge house in front of our eyes. "That's his house?! It's so..." Ed said breathlessly. "Yeah, it's pretty big." Al said to him. Roy then started ringing the bell. "Come on, kids, the door's over here." Roy said to us.

"Right, sorry." Ed said as he walks while we walk with him. "Coming." I said to him. But Ed hears something from the bush and a dog came out and pounces on him. I laughed at this. "Guess everything's big here," I said as we hear the door open to see Tucker and his daughter. "You know that's bad, Alexander." His daughter said to the dog. "Oh my, I'm sorry." Tucker said to us. "No prob. Just don't, scroll over." Ed said to him as I look at Tucker's daughter with cuteness in my eyes. 'That must be Tucker's daughter. Oh, what a cute little girl.' I thought to myself.

*FF*

We're in Tucker's house and he starts picking up some books. "Sorry about the mess. We just lack a woman's touch. Oh, that was sexist, wasn't it? I've been so out of sorts lately." Tucker said as his daughter Nina looks at Al. "Hey, daddy. Bigger brother's clothes are funny, they're like our pot and pans. Aren't they heavy?" Nina asked the two. "That's okay. Bigger brother is very strong." Al said to her.

"Oh." Nina said as Al look towards Tucker who looks surprised and Al gasped. "Mr. Tucker, I'm sure you'll have a chance to talk to these kids about their usual traits. Until then, please, just take them as they are." Roy said to Tucker as he turns to his daughter. "Nina, why don't you play in the courtyard for a while," Tucker said as Nina groans. "I bet Alexander's lonely." Tucker said to her. "We'll play later, okay." Nina said to the two as she ran outside.

"Sometimes I wonder if I have the vigor to raise her right. You're so young to be taking the exam, I'm happy to help." Tucker said to us. "And thank you for it, Mr. Tucker. To start, we'd like to see that chimera you created." Ed said to him. "The talking one!" I said to him as he gasped. "I'm sorry, you've come too late, it died shortly after it was made." Tucker said as the four of us gasp. "Besides, studying for the exam comes first. It's a monster. You'll need much more than an overnight cram session to pass." Tucker said to us.

*FF*

Tucker then took us to a room filled with books and our eyes widen at this. "Wow!" Al said in happiness. "This is the reference room. You're welcome to it." Tucker said as Ed and I ran towards one of those books. "I've never seen so many books. And they're all about alchemy?" I asked him.

"This collection is nothing. You should see the Alchemy floor they have in the National Library, in Central. Books are the best tools we have. Pass your exam, and you'll have access to dozens, no, hundreds of times more knowledge." Tucker said to her. "Really? Brother, Isabella, we should get started." Al said as he sees me and Ed looking through one of the books we just picked out. "They already have," Al said to him.

*FF*

The three of us are now having dinner with Mr. Tucker and his daughter. I was eating calmly. "Edward, Isabella, making progress in your studies?" Tucker asked one of us. "Yes sir, some. But Ed and I have gotta speed up, there's so much we don't know." I said to him. "Yes, the more steps we take forward, the longer we see the path is ahead. But you two are so young, you needn't worry about taking the exam this year." Tucker said to me.

"No." Ed said as Tucker looks on. "I don't care what the odds are. I don't care how long the path is. Roberta and I are going to take this test. We don't make excuses." Ed said to him as Nina looked at Al. "Bigger brother isn't eating his dinner. That won't do. You have to eat to get grown-up." Nina said giving Al some bread.

"I think I'm plenty..." Al said as Ed and I sigh. "Thanks," Al said to her after he took the bread from her hand. Ed and I look down. "Wow, it sure looks delicious." Al said. "Make sure you chew." Nina said to him as he lifts his helmet head and acts like he was eating. "Mmmm. Yeah, it sure tastes great." Al said as he laughs. "Good, now eat this steak." Nina said to him.

No POV

Nightfall hit and Ed and Al are in bed wide awake. "You still up?" Al asked his brother. "My head is too full from all the stuff Isabella and I learned." Ed said to him. "Yeah. Ed?" Al asked as Ed turn towards him. "Get some sleep. You shouldn't worry. You and Isabella are smart and determined. You two will pass." Al said to him. "Maybe." Ed said to him. "It's nice here, though, doesn't it? Kinda like before." Al said to him.

"In those days, the three of us wanted nothing more than to become State Alchemists. We felt like once we did, this great big door would just open up."

Isabella's POV

Ed and I are both in the reference room, looking at a book. I was looking through this book while Ed looks through the one he has. But then we hear a clock ding. "Ah, no, it's that late already?" I asked myself as Ed and I stood up. "Yo, Alphonse, where are you?" Ed called as I hear Alexander bark. Ed and I then walk out. "Let's hope the dog didn't think he was a hydrant." I said as we made it to the door and opened it. "Al?" Ed called out as we shield our eyes.

"Hey, brother, Isabella.." Al said to him. "We made angels, brother, and sister. Come look." Nina said to us as mine and Ed's eyes widen at the snow. But we smirked and jumped in while laughing. The four of us laughed and laid back, looking at the sky. "I wish you could stay. I mean after you pass the test. It gets lonely with just dad." Nina said to us as the three of us sat up. But Ed hatched an idea and starts drawing. "What are you drawing, little big brother?" Nina asked him.

"A Transmutation Circle. See, if I have a wish, it helps it come true. Okay. Now watch this." Ed said as he starts transmuting flowers Nina watches in awe. "You made me magic flowers!" Nina said out of happiness as Ed placed the flower crown on her head. "Decent work." We heard a voice say as we turn to see Hughes here. "Major Hughes!" I said in surprise. "Hey, I came you and Ed, gotta keep you from studying through your birthday, you know." Hughes said to Ed.

"He's right. That's today!" Al and I said to him as well. "How did you know that? I haven't told anyone yet." Ed asked him. "And how do you know that Ed's birthday was today." I said to him as he chuckles. "I'm in the Investigations Department. Wouldn't make much of a major if I couldn't manage that." Hughes said as Nina looks sad at this. "Don't look said, you're all coming." Hughes said as Nina look on. "I can't throw a birthday dinner and not invite their friends, right?" Hughes said as the four of us look on happily.

*FF*

We made it to Hughes' house and he introduced us to his wife Gracia. "Welcome, kids. I've heard lots about you." Gracia said to us. "This is my lovely wife, Gracia." Hughes introduced as we look at her belly. "Your stomach's a melon!" Ed said in shock. "Yes, yes." Gracia said to him."You're having a baby?" I asked her. "Soon?" Al asked her as well.

"Any day. There's a big fuss inside my belly saying she wants to come out and see the world." Gracia said to them as we look at her stomach. "Really?" I questioned her. "Wanna feel?" Gracia asked us as we moved back in fear. "Eee! Heck no!" Ed said out of shock. "I do, Mrs. Hughes." Nina said to her. "Well go ahead, Nina." Gracia said to her as Nina placed both of her hands on her stomach. "I felt it, it moved!" Nina said to her as the three of us look on. "It feels funny." Nina said to her.

*FF*

As we celebrated by Ed blowing out the candles on the cake while everyone claps. Then we all started digging in on some food Gracia cooked, and Nina is having cake. Then Gracia came with a pot of tea in her hands. "Who wants refills on their birthday tea?" Gracia asked us. "Sounds wonderful." Hughes said as his wife fell to the floor and we all looked shocked by this. "Gracia!" Hughes shouted running towards his wife.

"Honey, it's here." Gracia said to him. "The tea?" Hughes asked her. "The baby!" Gracia said to him as he gasped. The four of us looked shocked when Gracia got into labor. "But, but the doctor said next week!" Hughes said to her. "Well, the baby just said now. And I'm pretty sure she gets to choose." Gracia said to him

"Okay. I'll get your bags." Hughes is sad as Al look out the window. "But the snow. It's a blizzard outside!" I said to him. "Right, you can't leave. I'll bring the doctor here! You kids help her!" Hughes said as he runs out the door. "How do we do that?" Ed asked as Hughes leaves, leaving the five of us alone with Gracia. "I guess this counts as p-party games," Gracia said to us.

*FF*

After we all got Gracia on the couch with a blanket over her, Ed came in with the hot water bowl in his hands. "Okay, I've got the hot water bowl." Ed said to Gracia. "Thanks, Edward. Set it on the floor next to me." Gracia said to him as he puts it down on the floor. "Okay, what else?" I asked her. "Well, let's see. I guess I'll need a lot of fresh towels." Gracia said to me.

"Okay. I'm just glad your pain's passed." I said to her almost getting the towels, but Gracia started grunting in pain as we all face each other. The snow continued to blow outside as Al looks out. "He's been gone for so long." Al said to one of us. "Yeah. He probably had to walk." Ed said him while we look at Gracia. "I can't do this! I'm dying!" Gracia shouted as the four of us panicked. "What are we supposed to do?! She said she's gonna die!" Al asked out of shock.

"That's just an expression!" I said to her out of shock as Gracia groans and passes out. Nina screams at this and the three of us panic again. "Listen, she's not dead, she just fell asleep!" Ed shouted at us. "I don't know. If you think of it like alchemy, making life expensive. You'd have to give something up!?" Al said to him. "Childbirth is not alchemy, you dope!" Ed said to her. But then Gracia wakes up and starts grunting again. "Look, she's alive! Can I do anything, Mrs. Hughes?" I asked her.

"You could all stop yelling!" Gracia said to me as Ed began to stammer. "Damn it all. Alchemy's the ultimate science. There has to be some way it can help her!" Ed stammered to himself. "Little big brother. The water's very cold." Nina said to him as he sighs and put his hands on the bowl while I do the same, but it transmuted to hot again. Ed gasped at this as I do the same. "Ed, Isabella, what did you two do?" Al asked us. "I have no clue!" Ed said to him. "Same here!" I said to him as well.

"You two heated the water. Alchemy! How did you two use alchemy without a Transmutation Circle?" Al asked us. "I don't know! Isabella and I just used our heads!" Ed said to her as Gracia cries out in pain. "I can feel its head now!" Gracia cried out as the four of us moved back in shock, and we panicked again while screaming our heads off. "She can feel its head! What's that mean?!" Ed asked one of us out of shock. "Deliver it!" Al said to him. "I'm not touching baby stuff!" Ed said to her. "I can do it!" I said out of fear.

*FF*

The snow began to slow down after Hughes got back with the doctor, and the baby started crying after it was born. It began crying in Gracia'sarms while Hughes watches all teary-eyed. "I can't believe she's so beautiful, Gracia." Hughes said to her all teary-eyed. Gracia then faced us with a smile on her face.

"It's all thanks to you kids. I couldn't have done it with the other then birthday boy and their friend." Gracia said to us as Ed laughs. "Wedidn't do anything." Ed said to her. As the baby continues to cry in Gracia's arms. "You were right by my side." Gracia said to her baby as the four of us look on at this. Ed looks at this and started smiling.

No POV

Ed and Al are in bed thinking about the birth. "This alchemy stuff didn't help her out at all, nothing a water heater couldn't do." Ed said. "Yeah." Al said to him. "Now moms, on the other hand, there's your miracle. Gracia did something tonight alchemists couldn't do in a thousand years, no strings attached." Ed said about today. "Our mom did it, too." Al said as Ed sat up. "Al. You okay?" Ed asked his brother. "Do you think I was this soft when I was born? And warm?" Al asked him. "Of course you were. You were still soft when you were five." Ed said to him. "Yeah. " Al said to him shyly as he hides his helmet face in the covers.

Isabella's POV

I was laying on my bed looking at my hands after what I did tonight. I just looked at them like it was, the same thing. 'Did I deliver Gracia's baby?' I thought while looking at my hands. 'Maybe the others helped me.' I thought to myself.

No POV

"After the birth, we dove into the alchemy books with new determination. We were going to pass our exams, and get our bodies back the way they were."

Isabella's POV

I was studying in Ed and Al's room for the exam. "I've been thinking, brother. That night at the Hughes'. You and Isabella changed the water without a circle. Most people can't do that." Al said to him. "But it was just a fluke. Isabella and I haven't been able to do it since then." Ed said to him. "Okay. How 'bout I quiz you to twice as much?" Ed questioned them. "Okay!" Al said to him.

*No POV*

"E-day, as we called it, was fast approaching."

*Isabella's POV*

The three of us are in the dining room with Tucker, talking about the exam. "It's always the same. Written test, then an interview, then practical skills. There's no way to know how many people will apply. But the state only accepts one or two each year." Tucker said to us."One or two people? You're kidding me!" Ed said to him out of awe.

"It's rough." Tucker said to him. "Uh, what kind of stuff do they do in the interview?" I asked him. "That varies, I think. With me, they just asked questions, but I've heard the physical exams are pretty common, too." Tucker said to me. "Uh... You don't say." I said to him. "After that, if you pass the first two, you move on to the hardest challenge, the practical skills. Half bring results of their research, as I did, and half perform on the spot. You, kids, have a plan, right?" Tucker asked us as the four of us faced each other.

*FF*

We were in Ed and Al's room thinking about a plan for the exam. "Damn it, what are Isabella and I gonna do? We didn't think we'd need a demonstration." Ed said to Al. "And what about the physical? They could open up my armor, and find out there's nothing inside." Al said to him. "Hey, maybe you can stuff Alexander in there and pretend you're a talking dog." Ed said to him. "I don't think that's very funny." Al said to him.

No POV

"With our anxiety pilling high, E-day finally came. We hoped if we could pass the written part, Colonel Mustang would help us through."

Isabella's POV

We were in a room filled with several people sitting in their seats, and some soldiers watching. Ed and Al are in their seats while I was on my own as the Fuhrer began judging our written part of the exam. "We'll now commence the preliminary exam. Good luck." The Fuhrer said to all of us. "Begin!" The soldier said out loud.

*FF*

Nina and Alexander are waiting outside for us as people began walking out and the four of us came like we were a mess. Nina then came up to us. "Big brothers and sister! How'd it go?" Nina asked us. "I didn't finish, and my wrist feels like spaghetti." Ed said to her like he was a mess. "I didn't make it to the last one, and my hair feels like it's about to fall off." I said to her like I was a mess. "I made it, but the interview is next." Al said to her. "I got through it as well, but next comes the interview." Al said to her as well.

*No POV*

Roy is in his office with his subordinate, Hawkeye. "I never imagined that the younger one would pass it, too." Roy said about Al. "Is that a problem, sir?" Hawkeye asked him but he didn't answer.

*Isabella's POV*

Nina is playing with Alexander as we sat on the grass thinking about the upcoming interview. "There's gotta be a way." Al said. But then we hear footsteps coming and see who it was.

*FF*

The three of us are in the alley with Lieutenant Colonel Mustang after he forbade Al from the interview and the final part of the exam. "No! You can't say that! Al have worked so hard, for months! We're not dropping out now!" Al said to him "If you want to go on without revealing your pasts, you have no choice." Roy said to her.

"That's not good enough! We're not getting split from our friend and my brother!" Al said to him as well. "Easy, Al. You remember what Aunt Pinako said, right? State Alchemists are military, and get thrown into service whenever wars break out. You have to do what they say, even hurt people, for some good you don't understand. It means you're a dog of the state, with a leash around your neck." Ed said to him.

"But Ed..." Al said sadly. "Only the two of us have to join to get what we need, but we all don't have to. Let me and Ed go alone, and I promise I'll help you fix things, get you back how you were." I said to the two as they look on. "Brother... Isabella..." Al trailed off.

*FF*

Ed and I are in front of the door and we stepped in we're in a dark room, and it lights up and we blinded our eyes. Then we see two chairs there. "Two chairs with three legs. They shouldn't keep their balance." I said out of amusement. "Take a seat. Alchemy is the science of balance. If you two have the gift, it will not refuse the two of you. Go on, then. State Alchemists cannot be afraid." The Fuhrer said as Ed and I took our respectful seats.

"Very good. Now tell me why you two want to be alchemists for our state." The Fuhrer said to us. "Um, because..." I trailed off. "I'm waiting."The Fuhrer said to us as an image of Al, Winry, Granny, and my parents appeared in our minds. "Because we made a promise. To the only family, we've got. We told them we'd be alchemists in service of the state. Take all the good and bad that comes with it." Ed stated to him.

"And I made a promise also. The only family I've got are my sister and Grandmother. I have to protect them. But I will do my best to serve you all, and with Ed by my side, even if it costs me my life." I stated to him as well as Ed blushed at what I said. 'Isabella...' Ed thought to himself.

*No POV*

Nightfall came and Ed and Al are in bed. "Al. Do you think we decided right? Chose the right path?" Ed asked his brother. "I don't know, brother. But I do know this." Al said as he sat up from his bed in a sitting position. "I don't wanna be in this suit anymore. I wanna feel things again. It's strange. We've been right beside each other all this time. But I can't remember what your skin feels like, or how you smell." Al said to his brother.

*The next day*

"And then, the day of the practicals."

The four of us are in front of the HQ building and we turn and face the two. "We're off." Ed stated as we leave, but Nina stopped us. "Uh...Not yet!" Nina called as she looks too shy to tell us something. "Go on, Nina." Al said to her as she nods. "I made something for you and little big sister." Nina said as she gives something to Ed.

"What is it?" I asked her. But it was revealed to be a drawing she made of the three of us, her dog, and herself, with a circle on it. I was surprised by this. "It's a circle to help your wishes." Nina was sad to us as she laughs. "It's great. Thanks, Nina." Ed said to her as he and I face Al. "Well, we're off." I said as I started to walk off.

*FF*

The two of us are on practical grounds while other people are talking about something. "Welcome to the practical skills exam. We've provided you with some nice raw materials for your alchemy." The Fuhrer stated as every single material is there in front of us. "You may use them to create whatever you see fit." The Fuhrer stated as Ed and I look on. "Gee, nice guidelines. What the heck are Isabella and I supposed to create to impress them?" Ed asked himself.

"Who knows?" I said to him. But then one man used a material to transmute a tower with no entry. He tried to stand back up, but he couldn't. "Impressive detail. But he used so much energy, he couldn't stand up." Hakuro said out of amusement. "You can't get tired?" I asked all stunned. "Outta the way. I'm next." Another man said as he went for his turn, and set two trees and some water on the circle."What's he cooking?" I asked myself as that man started to transmute something.

*Alphonse's POV*

I was with Nina, and she worries about Ed and Isabella. "I hope that little big brother and sister are both okay." Nina said in a worried tone."Don't worry. You gave them your circle, remember?" I said to her.

*Isabella's POV*

Everyone including me and Ed is stunned by this creation that is man-made. "Nicely done." Hakuro said in awe. "Trees and water into a hydrogen paper blimp." Ed said in awe. But then the blimp began to pop and blow right towards the tower that the other man-made, and is getting ready to crash right into it. Mustang got his glove on when he saw this.

"That's not good." Roy said as everyone started telling that man to look out the blimp crashes into the tower, and that man ducked. Ed and I couldn't take it anymore, we started running towards that man's transmuted tower, so we can save him from getting crushed to death. We finally made it, and we both clapped our hands simultaneously and started using alchemy, while my alchemy makes my mind go to a blank state.

*No POV*

*Isabella feels the plants talking to her*

Isabella opens her eyes and sees that she's seen everything frozen. "Wh-where am I?" Isabella asked herself as she looks around but then hears something. "Save them." Voices were heard.

As she see a flower that was shaped like a mouth saying, "Use the power and save them." As Isabella look as if she was filled with determination. She nodded as she hold her hands out and feel the plants call for their help.

Isabella's POV

*Back to Reality*

I came back to reality and the transmutation made both the tower and the blimp into flower petals in seconds and a lot of vines merge from the ground to hold the tower. Everyone was shocked by this including Mustang. "Alchemy without circles and alchemy can control plants and flowers." Roy said in awe at what we did. "I think we've found our alchemists. Youngest we've had." The Fuhrer said as Ed and I looked at our hands at what we did after we saved that poor man's life from getting crushed.

*Alphonse's POV*

The two of us saw what the two did and started smiling at this. "Magic flowers!" Nina shouted out of happiness as I smiled at the amazing turn of events. "Good work, you two. I knew you did what you did. And Isabella, your parents would be proud." I said to myself out of happiness.

*Isabella's POV*

Sunset came and the four of us started walking back to Nina's house, and Nina is sleeping on Al's helmet head. Ed and I stared at our own hands and we clutched them and stopped and Al stopped. "Al." Ed called. "Hmm?" Al hummed. "Today marks a big turning point for us, you know. It's full speed ahead now. And if dead ends come, we'll find another way." Ed said while raising his fist for a fist-bump.

"Someday I swear, I'll get you back the way you were." Ed said to his brother. "And I'll be by his side, and your side all the way." I said to him. "Uh-huh. And when that day comes, your full body will be there, too." Al said to his brother as their fists meet. "I had no idea what just happened, but it was incredible." I said to myself as we continue to walk back.

-Isabella: Age: 12-

-Edward: Age: 12-

-Alphonse: Age:11-

{Ending song}