Edward Elric looked out over the water and thought about his life. He and his brother Alphonse were traveling to a previously unknown area of the world to scout out a good area for a colony. Colonel Mustang had been told to send someone, so naturally, he sent them. Edward wondered, not for the first time, if Mustang was out to get him. All thoughts, however, were erased when the boat hit a large wave and everything (and everyone) was knocked to the starboard side. Ed almost fell off the ship, but someone caught him. “You should be more careful, brother. I won’t always be here to save you.” “Lay of Al.” Ed retorted, “I don’t need you to save me.” Al laughed. “You can’t swim any more than I can. That automail weighs you down, and you know it.” Ed had a disgruntled look on his face, but he stopped arguing. He hated being wrong, even though it happened quite often. “What are you doing here anyway, Al. I thought you were going to stay in the cabin to protect the blood-seal.” “The captain asked me to tell you that we’ll be to land soon, and they’re going to need a port.” Ed nodded. “Do they have enough wood?” Al nodded. “They received word that the advance team has cut down everything we need, they just don’t know how to build a port.” “All right then Al, let’s get going.” They made their way to the dinghy, and rowed to shore. There, they met an unexpected person. “Greetings, Full Metal Alchemist!” Ed looked up. “Lieutenant Hawkeye? What are you doing here?” First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye was the only female officer that Mustang was ever seen associating with, and most people considered her his right hand. “The Colonel asked me to assist you. I have been temporarily placed under your command.” Al was surprised. “Ed outranks you?” Hawkeye nodded. “All State Alchemists start at the rank of major. That is two ranks above me.” “Yeah Al, didn’t you know that? The only one at eastern command who outranks me at Eastern Command is Colonel Mustang. Now, let’s get that port built.” Ed walked over to the pile of wood that the advance team had made, clapped his hands together, and put both palms on the wood. Almost immediately, the wood began to glow with white alchemical energy. It sunk into the ground, and sprouted out of the beach, making a perfectly formed port. Almost immediately, there was a great, blinding light. Ed felt himself losing consciousness. The last thing he saw before he blacked out, were several dark robed people walking toward them… When Ed awoke, he was strapped down to a metal table. He looked around, trying to see where he was. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything beyond the table. Panicking, he tried to break the metal bonds, but they weren't budging. Next, he tried calling out. "Al! Lieutenant Hawkeye! Is anyone there?!" "Why, yes." an unfamiliar voice answered, "I'm here." Ed looked around, but he still couldn't see anyone. "Who's there? why am I here? Where's my brother?!" The voice chuckled. "I can answer your first and third questions. The second is reserved for the leader of our group. My name is Jonathan, but you can call me Jon. Your brother is in the next room over. He'll come around eventually. And now I'm going to answer a question you didn't ask. Lieutenant Hawkeye is currently being tortured." Ed gasped audibly. "Why? What could she know that you need?" Again, Jon chuckled. "Who said we needed information? We happen to have some sadists in our ranks, and everyone except you and your brother is expendable. Of course, we saved her for last. The boys do enjoy working on a female, and we see so few." Ed's look of shock turned to disgust and anger. "What kind of beasts are you? If I could move, I'd turn you into-" "Now, now," Jon interrupted, "No need for threats. You will soon be in our service, even though I'm sure you won't go willingly." Ed spat in the direction of Jon's voice. "I won't do anything you want me to do. I'd die first." Jon laughed, but this time, instead of a chuckled, it was a full throated, deep laugh. "You will do exactly what we want, since what we need from you doesn't require your participation. Also, it will quite likely end in your death." Ed heard Jon get up, and walk past the table. "I'm sorry we can't chat more, but I have other duties to attend to." Ed heard a door open and close, and began to scream until he passed out. Ed wasn't sure how long he had been out, but when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see a well lit chamber. He was now tied to a wooden post, with a large collar around his neck. He saw several people around him, dressed in black robes and forming a circle. One of them stepped forward. "Hello again, Edward. Nice to see you're awake." Ed recognized his voice. It was Jon. "Well, I said our leader would tell you why you are here, and I'm a man of my word." Another man stepped forward. This one also wore a robe, but it was decorated with the image of a large green dragon. The Dragon was long, coiling from the neck of the robe to the foot. It was green, with red eyes and two horns, and at the end of it's tail was a starburst. "This truly is an honor Full Metal Alchemist." The man's voice was as deep as a canyon, and reverberated in the large chamber. Ed looked up at him. "What do you want with me?" The Leader stood for a moment before answering, almost as if he thought the answer should be obvious. "I assume you have seen the gate. You are able to perform alchemy without a circle, and there is no one who could teach that. It takes innate knowledge. Well, I have seen a vision of the other side of that gate. That is where I saw the dragon. I put his image on my robes. He seemed to come right out of the earth. It has been 27 years since I saw it, but I recall it now as if it were yesterday. All that time I have been studying alchemy. The only thing I need now is someone who has already been to the gate for a sacrifice, and I can cross." Ed started laughing. "You really think you're going to cross the gate? You'll be lucky to come away alive." At this, the leader became very agitated. "Shut up! You don't know anything! I will cross over and meet the dragon!" with that, he turned and walked back into the circle. "Look down, Elric! What do you see?!" Ed looked down, and realized he was in the center of an incredibly large transmutation circle! "I'm going to meet the dragon, right now!" Suddenly, there was a loud BANG! Ed whipped his head around to see Al running towards him, Lieutenant Hawkeye slung over his shoulder. "Brother! Are you all right?" "Fine Al! Get the guy with the dragon! He's the leader!" Al changed course, but he was too far away. The Leader dropped to his knees, and started the transmutation. By this time however, Al was inside the circle. The Leader realized this too late. Suddenly, all four of them were in front of the gate. The Leader began laughing. "I told you! We're here!" Ed looked at him. "You haven't crossed yet." As Ed spoke, the gate opened, and black tendrils erupted forth to drag them into the gate.
There was a flash of light, and Ed found himself in a beautiful field. He whipped around, and saw both Al and Lieutenant Hawkeye.