Chapter 23: First Day of School

"Ready Anya?" Twilight looked down at the little girl, who was doing her best to stand straight.

"Ready Papa," she answered. She patted down her new skirt, a black outfit with a gold rimmed edge, and then looked up and smiled at Twilight. He had made sure to iron and press the school uniform the night before, and had made sure to have a proper breakfast ready for the day. He'd also gone out of his way to pack her up with all the supplies for the day, new notebooks, fresh pencils. She was absolutely all set for the biggest day so far in Operations Strix.

"Ready Yor?" He looked at his "wife". She smiled at him and nodded.

"I am ready Lloyd," she adjusted her head band. She was wearing a tasteful but clearly well made pale pink outfit over a blue blouse. It wasn't too expensive, didn't want to possibly seem to gaudy, but it was clearly also what one might call, her Sunday best. It was also what would look good for pictures on a date, so when they would take a brake during lunch to go and get pictures for showing off their relationship.

"Great," Lloyd smiled, taking Anya and Yor by their hands, and marching out into the street, to the car he'd rented to take them to the center of Central, and to the school where Operation STRIX would come to a head, "Then we're off."

The ride over was fast, less than ten minutes, but spending the money on this was important. It would mean they would arrive early, a full twenty minutes before the school was supposed to start up, and would avoid any kind of disruptions that could smear their appearances. Making a good first impression was as high a priority as there could be, so he was going to take no chances.

Once they'd arrived, they got out, and looked over at the school house. It was just outside the East Gate of the Central Command Complex. Honestly, that it was this close in was surprising, but he imagined that it was easier and safer to have Selim Bradley be within shouting distance of a platoon of Central Soldiers. The building of the school itself was three stories tall, about one full block in size, surrounded by an eight footwall, with a wrought iron gate out front. There was a courtyard with several playing surfaces in the front, plenty of trees. Ultimately, it fit perfectly with the image of a highly specialized schooling environment. Probably enough room for students from ages six to twelve, one class of two dozen students for each age grouping.

Outside the gate stood a very tall man, with a long goatee, dressed incredibly formally. His hair was white with age, and he was observing the cars as they drove in. Students older than Anya would simply bow and go into their class, while those that were Anya's age were joined by their parents, and pulled to the side alongside the exceedingly tall man. Before long, the Forger's car pulled up besides the group, and the three of them got out onto the sidewalk. Lloyd made sure to do his best to help Yor get out as gentlemanly as possible, and they both lifted Anya out.

"Anya Forger, I presume," they stopped, and looked at the exceedingly tall man, "And you must be Lloyd and Yor Forger," he held out his hand in front of Lloyd, "I am Doctor Henry Henderson, Headmaster of Central Academy," Lloyd took the hand, and made sure to give a strong but not too overwhelming grip, "I will also happen to be your Daughter's instructor this year."

"Oh," Lloyd said, not pushing too much. It would be rude to pry, and obviously it was better to let Doctor Henderson explain.

"Yes," the man nodded, "It was a special request of the Fuhrer himself," there was a hint of pride...though also some trepidation, "With Selim Bradley arriving here soon, it would be a shame to not give him the fullest attention possible," he then looked down at Anya, "Of course, I will strive to make sure that equal attention shall be given to your daughter and her other classmates as well," he then stood up straight, and though he couldn't see it beneath Henderson's massive moustache, Twilight guessed he was smiling, "To do other than that would be quite inelegant."

"We appreciate the opportunity to be here," Twilight gave a slight bow, and smiled inwardly as headmaster's muscles constrained his approval of the gesture.

'Need to make sure that the Headmaster has a positive opinion of us,' Twilight considered, taking in the surroundings, including some dozen or so different students around Anya's age, 'Will make it far easier to ingratiate ourselves into this group of aristocrats and millionaires.'

Operations STRIX had a huge budget for a singular operation, and it had meant that any of the costs that he encountered during the mission could mostly be written off. But the simple fact was that their family was designated as part of the middle class of Amestris, it was easier to fake someone not from high society, and because of that, it meant that he and his family were entering a situation far outside their current social status. All of these students would come from highly connected or super wealthy families, the ones who could afford the best tutors and could devote the money to supporting pushing their children into this program. As the lowest member of this group, he was going to need to form as many favorable relationships as possible, and having one with the head teacher would at least offer a connection to the other families.

'Still,' Twilight smiled as he saw Anya curtsey like she'd been instructed, and Henderson nod in approval, 'This is only step one,' they marched up to the other students, and stood next to them, 'We need to be ready to charm anyone who shows up.'

"Ah, Mr. Desmond. It's a pleasure to see you once again," the name immediately pulled Lloyd out of his inner thoughts. His fears were confirmed when he saw a tall , exceedingly thin man with a squarish hair cut above shaved down sides. He had a massive moustache that seemed to cover his entire mouth. Yet it was his eyes that were undeniable. They seemed both to sink into his head, yet always be open, like one was looking at the eyes simply sitting in Donovan's skull itself. They mixed with the scars along his temples to make him appear as though he were a corpse.

'Donovan Desmond,' Twilight remembered the man's dossier from an earlier mission, "Retired Captain from the Amestrian Army. Honorable discharge after a grenade nearly blew his head off during the Second Southern War,' the scars on his body certainly seemed to indicate that he still hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal, 'Former Head of the National Union Party before disbandment of all political parties by Fuhrer Bradley in 1907,' it was a fairly obvious power move by the Fuhrer to declare all factionalism dead, one that allowed him to rule Amestris with an iron fist, 'Still the most vocal critic of Fuhrer Bradley due to this issue, and his own imperial nature,' he glared at the man, 'Wants to invade and conquer both Cresta and Drachma, declaring Amestris as the world's greatest Superpower.'

"Your school has proven to be an institution capable of guiding skilled youth to their potential," Donovan's voice was quite deep, and even Twilight felt like her was hearing the sound of the reaper himself, "Demetrius was able to master his skills enough to become a state alchemist after studying in these halls," he then waved his hand down at a small boy next to him, "This should be the correct place for Damian to find his talents moving forward as well."

The boy next to Donovan was thus surprisingly normal. Well, normal for an exceedingly wealthy and well dressed boy, but normal all the same. He had somewhat curly black hair, and a small smirk on his face. Yet Twilight could tell he was doing his best to be disciplined next to his father. The comparison to Demetrius, Donovan's first son, caused Damian to stand just a bit straighter, to make sure he was measuring up to his older brother. His father didn't seem to look down, but the two marched over, and stood next to one another. And in one of the most unusual moments, Twilight noticed something.

For all that it was Damian who was trying to measure up to a standard, he could see that it was Donovan who was actually stiffer. His walk was stiff, he eyes were constantly moving back and forth, and his fingers were gesticulating back and forth slightly. He was doing his best not to look anyone directly in the eye, but it wasn't because he thought he was better than them...well not fully. Rather...

'He's nervous,' Twilight could see the stress in Donovan's movements, 'He's not comfortable being out in the open like this,' he remembered what he could of Donovan's profile, 'He's actually famously private. Yet it's also a reason he is unable to make allies, especially since most people who he would ally with get most of they want from the far more gregarious Fuhrer,' he almost sighed to himself, 'Trying to form an opposition is hard enough, but even harder when it turns out you are an introvert.'

"Ah, welcome," Once again Henry's voice cut Twilight out of his thoughts, and his eyes widened, as Operation STRIX's target was finally in his view. A small boy with short black hair and a big smile was walking alongside an older woman with tied back brown hair and a few wrinkles around her mouth. Selim Bradley and the Fuhrer's wife were standing in front of Doctor Henderson, "I must say, it is a pleasure to finally meet you Lady Bradley."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," the woman gave him a small nod, her smile remaining in place. Her son followed her motion, and smiled up at the tall man, "Selim, will you introduce yourself?"

"Yes Mother," the boy's voice was earnest, and inherently respectful. His expression didn't change at all, before raising his hand up to Doctor Henderson, and shaking it when the old man took it, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm looking forward to this school year."

'What a polite young man,' Twilight was pretty sure that the kid had been instructed to say that, but he managed to say it with what seemed to be complete sincerity. Still, he had to wonder-

"I must ask," Henderson spoke up, looking around, "Where is the Fuhrer. Will he be able to make it today?"

"Oh," the Fuhrer's wife spoke up, a frown forming over her face, "Unfortunately, my husband is busy this morning. There is currently an investigation of the burning of that library, and he's been working on it for a bit," she looked to the ground in disappointment, "He's been working so much lately, I'd wish he'd take some time off, he's not as young as he used to be," she then forced a smile, "Still, I think he will try to catch up as soon as he can."

"I hope he will as well," Henderson nodded, and then waved his hand, and Selim and his mother walked over, and joined the group. Twilight looked specifically at Mrs. Bradley, and tried to comprehend this woman as the wife of one of the most vicious dictators in the world. She seemed so much like an ordinary, if rich, woman you would encounter on the street.

However, he was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts, when he felt something shaking in his hands. He looked down at Anya, whose eyes were glued to Selim Bradley. And they were filled with fear. Twilight felt his eyebrows raise. He was about to reach down, and ask Anya what was wrong, when suddenly he was interupted.

"I believe we have ever-," Henderson said aloud, only to stop, and look over the crowd, "We are missing one student."

And then the single largest limousine of the entire day showed up. It was almost as long as two other cars, and on it's front, was an ornament of a very muscular figure with a cowlick on it's for-

"Oh no," Twilight said, only to blink, and turn to face someone who had said the exact same thing. It had been Donovan Desmond, who was looking at him with shock.

"You to-"

Donovan was caught off, when suddenly the door opened, and out came the most unusual boy. His face was actually quite normal, short brown hair and well made but common glasses. What was shocking about him was the rest of his body. He was as tall as most ten year old's, and it wasn't just height, but actual muscle. Twilight could almost swear he could see the creases of the uniform clinging to the boy's arms. He looked up at the headmaster, and stuck his hand out.

"Good morning, I am William Watson," the boy stuck his hand out, and spoke with a voice far too deep for a child his age, "Though my friends call me Bill."

Twilight almost felt the weight of the world come off his shoulders. Watson, so he wasn-

"Hello William," Henderson said without even seeming to consider to use the shorter version, looking around, "May I ask where the major and your mother are?"

"They unfortunately couldn't make it today," Bill said, also ignoring that the professor had ignored his request to use his shorter version. He then grew a massive smile, "However, my uncle was able to be here today. Uncle Alex!"

"Oh g-"

Twilight's curse was cut off as out of the limousine came the familiar massive hulking frame of Alex Louis Armstrong. He was in his military blues, and looked quite presentable, but there was not mistaking that man. He smiled, and reached out and grabbed Henderson's hand for a shake, who was clearly somewhat stunned to have run into a man who was taller than he was.

"I must offer my family's gratitude for taking Bill here into your program," Major Armstrong said aloud. Twilight could see that Bill was actually looking up at his uncles, and the trademark sparkles were reflecting off his eye glasses now, "My sister couldn't make it, but I am always proud to spend time with my nephew, and make sure he gets the best schooling he can," and then he was flexing, the sun shining off his massive pecs, "High Educational Attainment is a value passed down the Armstrong Line for Generations!"

...

"Why did he take off his shirt?" Twilight heard Mrs. Bradley asked while he held his face in his hands.

'And just when I thought I'd finally made it past the hard stuff.'

Anya wasn't doing well.

She really wasn't doing well.

Why?

'I can't believe I'm still stuck here with these brats,' she heard one mind in particular speak behind her, as they were shown to their main room, where she would be expected to be studying for the rest of the year, 'If I could, I'd slice them all up and end this whole charade right now. But I can't until I find out which brat opened the Gate...'

'No one said I'd have to go to school with a dark person!' she internally screamed at her Papa, who unfortunately couldn't read minds himself, so he couldn't realize just in how much danger they were in, 'He wants to kill us!'

The instant Selim Bradley, the one her Papa had always wanted her to befriend, had stepped into view, she had realized that he was just like those other two she'd run into, Lust and Envy. This one called himself Pride, and he was bigger and scarier and darker than either of those other too. She wanted to throw up. She wanted to run away. She wanted to cry.

But if she did...

'He'd kill me if he found out,' she thought, desperately clinging to her mother's hands, as she knew she was probably the only one in the whole room who might be able to get away. Not even her Papa spy could stop that, and Mama could only probably take her away, 'And...he'd probably be able to find me and kill me as soon as he could.'

"Hey," her mind was pulled away by a new voice. It was a little girl's voice, rather than the voice of the dark person that was pretending to be a child. She looked over to her right, and saw a young girl with brown pigtails and a nice hat, "It's okay to be nervous. You don't look like you're used to this sort of thing?"

"Th-this sor-" Anya blinked as she looked at the other girl, who gave her a big smile.

"I mean," she said quietly, pointing at Anya's shoes, "Those shoes are nice, but they also are really out of style," Anya looked down at her black shoes, and then over at the girl's own pure white ones. She looked around, and realized that all the other little girls had the same white shoes, "Your parents aren't in the know about Central Fashion, so I'm guessing your lower class."

"Ummm..."

"It's okay," the girl flipped her hair back, "I may like fashion, but I'm not stuck up about it," she then smiled, "I'm Becky Blackwell, nice to meet you."

"I'm Anya," Anya tried to smile back, and the way that Becky nodded, she must have pulled it off.

'Blackwell,' she heard Papa's thoughts, 'The arms manufacturer,' he looked around, 'We really are surrounded by the elite of the elite.'

'Papa,' Anya wanted to scream at him, 'Focus on the dark person who can kill us.'

"Are you okay?" Becky asked, before pulling up at Papa's arms, "Excuse me, Anya's Da-" when Papa turned around to look at her again, she stopped.

'He's gorgeous!' she shouted in her head. Anya blinked a few times.

"Did you need something?" Papa asked, looking at Becky intenstly. The girl blushed, looking away.

"Um...Mr. Anya's dad," she then pointed to Anya, not looking Lloyd in the face, "Anya doesn't seem to be doing well."

"Really," Papa looked over at Anya, his eyes growing wide, "Is something wrong?"

'Is she sick again,' his mind seemed to race so fast that Anya could feel her head spin, 'Maybe stress causes her to get sick. Like getting on the trai-but what about the exam. She got through that just fine. Someth-' Anya, desperate to get away just for a second from the Dark Person who was mere feet away from her, leaned forward to her Papa.

"I have to go to the bathroom," she said as secretively as she could. Lloyd blinked, and then slapped his head.

'Of course, I forgot to make sure she went b-never mind,' he then looked over and was about to reach out to the tall teacher, when Becky pulled again at his coat.

"I know where that is," she said shyly, not wanting to look Anya's papa in the face. Her Papa smiled, and then nodded at her, which suddenly caused Anya to hear a massive string of symbols and numbers. Becky then grabbed Anya by the hand, and dragged her down a hallway. Anya, while not feeling better, did at least feel a little better as the thing known as Selim Bradley disappeared from her view. It took only two minutes, but soon they were inside the girls bathroom.

"How are you so lucky to get such a handsome dad?" Becky complained from outside the stall as Anya sat inside it. She still felt woozy, and honestly a little sick, "I mean, I want to have a dad that good looking...okay, I don't want a Dad that good looking," honestly, Anya couldn't tell exactly what the girl was getting at, so she just ignored it.

She finished up, cleaned herself, and then got off the toilet. She flushed, and for a moment, she just stared at the whirlpool that occurred when the toilet was flushed. As she stared at it, she felt her head begin to spin. A second later, she fell forward, too dizzy and sick to stop herself.

When Anya woke up, she was back in the white place. The great void, where she had gone the last time she had gotten sick.

No Place.

And as before, she could see the door, the still open door, hanging in the air. She felt herself shudder, and quickly turned around.

"Hi there!"

And in front of her, was a little white girl. No, not a girl with light skin color, but a literal girl made out of white. The girl waved her hand for a moment, and on her face was a big smile. It was too big, much too big. Anya felt her stomach drop, and was really glad that she had already peed. She took a step back, before suddenly the smiled disappeared, and the girl held her hand forward.

"Wait," the voice was high pitched...but also deep. It was like nothing Anya had ever heard before. Even the thoughts of the dark people hadn't sounded like this, "Just stay still for a moment. I need to talk to you."

"Who are you?" Anya finally spoke up, pointing at the white girl, "My Mama told me to not talk to strangers."

"No she didn't." the girl said, the smile returning, "And even if she did. Our Mama's an assassin who lies about her job. I'm not she's the best person to ask about proper behavior."

"Don't talk about Mama like that," Anya snapped, before covering her mouth. The thing just stood there for a minute, before it burst out laughing, slapping it's knee, and continuing to smile. And yet...Anya was feeling better. Despite this thing being as creepy as any of the dark people, she felt like she was okay. Like she wasn't in the same danger as before. But just to be..., "I can't read your mind."

"Of course not," the little girl pointed up to Anya, look at your ears.

Anya blinked, and then twisted her head. Where her ear had been, was a black cloud, that seemed to follow her ears. She twisted again, and again she saw the miasma around the sides of her head. She then turned around, and saw that the cloud extended from her ears, into the middle of the door. She stared at it, before remembering what she had seen the last time in the door, and turning back around. The thing was smiling, but different now, smaller, and...sadder.

"You see little one," suddenly, the form began to morph, where once was a little girl, now just existed a great white cloud. The smile was gone...but it felt better to look at it now, because it just seemed more right, "Your gate of truth is stuck open. Everyone has a door, but most of the time it's shut. By some accident of birth, you were born with it open, and that allows you to have constant access to the Truth."

"The Truth?"

"Or rather, a connection to it," the thing continued, not bothering to explain, "This open connection allows you to connect beyond the normal parameters of a human being. You can hear their mind and soul through the Gate. You can connect to the minds of other humans, and doing so you can see how they interpret the truth. So you read their mind."

"So...was that what they were trying to do in the Dark Place?" she asked. For her whole life, she'd always wondered why she could read people's thoughts. If this was the reason, she had to know more, "They made it so I can read peoples minds by going through this thing?" she pointed up at the Gate again. The blob of white seemed to smudge, like it was seeming to consider the question.

"They were trying to open the gate, but in a different manner than you constantly having access to it being open. Such a thing has not happened before...at least in your time," Anya stopped, and nodded. So something strange had happened. That's why the scientists had considered her a failure at the dark place. So...they'd probably gotten really close to what they wanted.

"Wait," she then added, "Is this the gate Selim was thinking about. Were they looking for me?"

"Yes."

"But I don't want the Dark People to look for me!" Anya shouted. She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes, "I want to have a family. I want to go to school. I want to make friends. I want people to like me, and to never have to deal with these stupid jerks ever again," her tears were flowing freely now, "I just want to be left alone."

...

"I know."

And then the cloud grew, and for a second, it got so big, that it filled the whole void. Anya began to look around, but the door was no longer there. The big blog suddenly picked her up, and surrounded her. But it wasn't scary...okay it was scary, but not scary like it was when Pride or Lust looked down on her. No, just that there was something this big.

"I know this is far too much to ask of a child like you," the voice wasn't just big any more, but it suddenly sounded different. There was Papa talking, and Mama too. There was Edward and his brother. There was Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, and little Elicia too. Becky, Henderson, Armstrong...Lust, Selim, Envy? There were so many voices, like every person there was was speaking to her, and just to her, "You asked for no part in this. There was no ambition. No arrogance. No hubris...just a small girl, born to an unfair world."

"That is the Truth," the infinite voice continued, "And the Truth is unfair. You are owed nothing...," Anya felt her heart break in two.

"But neither are those "Dark People"," the infinite continued, and she blinked, "At this moment, they are committing crimes that deserve justice. Their victims deserve retribution...and you deserve to survive away from them," she blinked, "This is an opportune moment girl. For the first time in millennia, I am able to speak to someone who has not earned divine punishment. Whose hubris hasn't lead them to arrogantly claim the throne of God," and then, a smile appeared in the massive void around her. But it was not a massive creepy smile, but a content, sad one, "I shall help you."

"Really!"

"I said I would, didn't I," it laughed. Suddenly, a hand seemed to appear, and grabbed the cloud around her ears. It twisted and turned it, and then slowly inserted it into only her left ear. She blinked.

"That should concentrate it so it won't mess with your equilibrium," the All declared, "You will be able to read their thoughts without getting sick again."

"Awesome!"

"These things are looking for you, for their Father's plan revolves around access to the Gate," it continued, "You must ensure they do not discover it is you that has access. The Gate being still open gives you a window into the secrets of alchemy that they crave."

"Was that why I was able to pass the test?" Any couldn't help but ask.

"Correct. That test is why they know to look for you. You must be careful. You have not seen the truth, so you do not have access to the powers of alchemy beyond mortal comprehension. You are unable to use the alchemic skills to defend yourself, and must not give them information they may use to capture you."

"Okay," Anya had already been planning to not reveal that she knew any of the alchemy stuff, it was weird, and she didn't want to be noticed.

"Finally" the infinite added, "Do not fear the thing calling itself Selim Bradley when you are in the open. He is attempting to remain passive, and should news of his existence get out, the "Dark People's" plans would be made far more difficult. If you feel the need to confront him, do so, but without alchemy."

"Ummm...," she took a step back. She hadn't been planning on even getting close to Selim. She'd already had enough of them, and the thought of maybe fighting the worst of them made her feel a bit sick.

"I understand your fear," the voice continued, "But what they are planning will destroy all you hold dear. Be prepared to oppose them when the time becomes right, and strike him."

Anya still felt fear, but she nodded. If this thing, who helped her not be sick anymore, said she would have to strike out at Selim, "She would."

"Now go," the voice said once more, and Anya felt herself be pulled from the back of her neck, "And say hello to Edward Elric for me. I should be seeing him again soon."

"Wait, I don't even know your name!" And once again, a massive smile appeared before her eyes, one that seemed to cover the whole of the horizon. It opened it's mouth, and laughed one last time.

"I am the Truth!"

"Uh," Anya groaned, holding her head just where she had landed on the toilet. She rubbed the spot, and groaned. Yet she was still standing, like hitting the toilet had bounced her back up.

"Are you okay?" Becky asked, worry in her voice, "You sound like you hit yourself."

"I'm fine," she said, turning around, and coming out the door to the stall. She walked over to the sink, and washed her hands. Becky walked up and joined her, looking over her for a second, before shaking her own head. As she finished washing her hands, Anya looked over at Becky, and asked, "How long has it been?"

"Oh," Becky looked up for a second, and thought, "About five minutes since we left the group," she looked back at Anya, "You were pretty quick in there."

'But I was speaking with the Truth for a long time,' Anya thought, 'Was that all in my head?'

"Come on," Becky grabbed Anya by the sleeve, "We can go and try and find everyone else."

"Right," Anya nodded.

It took a few minutes of searching to find the rest of the new class. Because the group had been moving, they had made it to the main classroom. The two girls opened the door, and Dr. Henderson looked over, and nodded at them. He pointed up a flight of stairs to two desks, where both their sets of parents were standing. Becky nodded, and then grabbed Anya by the sleeve and dragged her up the stairs, and to their desks. Following Becky's lead, Anya quickly pulled out the chair, and sat down. She looked over to her Papa and Mama, both of whom nodded as she sat down. She sighed, and looked forward.

Sitting down, still maintain his outward composure, was Selim. He was in the front of the classroom. He was smiling, his mother keeping a hand on his shoulder, all the while he was raging inside, 'Shut up old man. Let us go on break so I may begin my interrogation.'

Anya gulped, but tried to force herself to sit up straighter. Truth had already helped her, and she was probably going to have to deal with Selim anyway, she would need to be strong. She tightened her hand into a fist.

She would be ready for him.