Chapter 1 (which includes the previously posted prologue) in story form...
Times in Amestris were changing. The Homunculus “Father” had been defeated, along with his seven children: Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, and Pride. The nation was entering a time of peace and prosperity. This was mostly due to the heroic actions of two people: Edward and Alphonse Elric.
Still, things were not all perfect. The bordering country of Drachma to the north posed a huge threat. Long have they been waiting to weaken Amestris, and with the current Fuhrer, King Grumman, giving up his seat to the young Roy Mustang, the
nation wouldn’t be at its strongest. If they were going to attack, it would be very soon.
The door of the Fuhrer’s office opened. Riza Hawkeye, the Fuhrer’s assistant, walked into the room. She was young, with shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes. Sitting behind a large desk in the back of the room was Fuhrer Roy Mustang. Riza looked at him, noticing his short black hair and piercingly dark eyes. She also made note of his mustache, which was tradition for the Fuhrer to wear. She really didn’t like his mustache.
“Fuhrer Mustang,” she began, “I have official reports from Fort Briggs and I—”
“C’mon Riza,” Mustang interrupted, “you know me better than that! Just call me Roy. I’ve only become the ruler of Amestris; nothing much has changed! Besides, we are dating, aren’t we?” Riza, who was blushing, answered,
“Oh, right… Roy, Brigadier General Armstrong over at Briggs reported that Drachma’s forces are stirring. They probably want to strike while the iron is hot.”
“I see… So they’re planning to take control of Briggs?”
“It looks that way, sir,” Riza replied.
“Alright, then we need to do two things. First, since Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong is our only registered state alchemist, we need to conduct a State Alchemy Exam. And second, I want you to see if you can locate the Elric brothers…”
“Dion, have you prepared the troops?” a mysterious voice called out.
“Yes, Cyrus,” a man answered. He stepped into the dim light coming from the window, revealing what he looked like. He wore a crimson colored suit and a white tie. His brown hair was cut short and his pale blue eyes lusted for blood. “Your troops have gathered in the courtyard. We had better hurry, though. The Drachma weather is probably freezing them to death…”
“Yes,” the man said, still masked by the shadows. “I just need one thing: my Philosopher’s Stone!”
“Don’t worry,” Dion said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a violet colored stone. The man walked toward him, stepping into the light. He had a long, pale face that bore no expression. His eyes were green, yet even colder than his friend’s. He had solid black hair that he kept in a long pony-tail. He was wearing an equally black suit with a blue tie, one similar to Dion’s. He rolled up his right sleeve, revealing a type of gauntlet. On it was an alchemy circle, one hollowed out at the center. He took the stone from Dion’s hand and placed it in the hollow part. The whole gauntlet began to glow a bright violet color.
“It is time,” the man said. “It is time to avenge my brother! It is time to destroy Amestris! Soon, the whole world shall know the name Cyrus J. Kimblee!”
“So Al, how were your travels in Xing?” Edward asked.
“They were amazing!” Alphonse answered. “I learned so much about both Alchemy AND Alkahestry! That is, of course, because May was my teacher…”
“Oh stop it, Alphonse!” said May blushing. “You know you would not stop studying!”
“So you haven’t changed, huh Al?” Ed said chuckling.
“Your one to talk!” chimed in Winry. “You
still break your automail leg every other week!” The whole group sat in the Rush Valley Café laughing.
Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric were brothers, so they looked alike. By now both were pretty tall, and they both had their father’s golden hair and golden eyes. However, Ed wore his hair in a braided pony-tail, while Al kept his hair short.
One girl, Winry, was a childhood friend whom Ed and Al grew up with in Resembool. She had long, light blonde hair and big blue eyes. She was also Ed’s girlfriend. The other girl, May, came from the country of Xing. She had helped the Elrics fight the Homunculi, but was now Alphonse’s teacher and girlfriend. She had braided black hair and big black eyes.
The café telephone began to ring. The manager walked over and picked it up. Apparently, the call was for Ed and Al.
“Hello?” Edward answered.
“SALUTATIONS, EDWARD ELRIC!”
“… Major Armstrong,” Ed asked, “is that you?”
“That’s Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong to you now!”
“Is that so? How’d
you get that position?”
Armstrong, laughing, answered, “Well, you can’t have a perfect physique like I do and NOT get promoted! By the way, is Alphonse there?”
“Yea, he’s here,” Ed answered. “So why’d you call, Majo—I mean Lt. Colonel Armstrong?”
“Oh, right. Long story short, a war with Drachma is most likely about to break out. We’re short on state alchemists and we need your help. There is also another matter that we need you for…”
“Well what is it?”
“I can’t tell you over the phone; the line might be tapped. Go to the Rush Valley train station at seven ‘o’clock tonight. I’ll send someone over there to give you the details.”
“Alright,” Ed answered, “I’ll tell Alphonse… Lt. Colonel, is everything going to be okay?”
“… Nobody can answer that…”
