Chapter One

A Hero’s Best Friend

Edward Elric trudged through the gravel, his long, blonde hair stained with mud and blood which dripped down onto his red robes, but he didn’t bother to wipe it off. It would only come down again anyway. Not that he cared. He had no one waiting for him to tell him off for not keeping clean. He had been living alone for the last few years, and had only moved to this new country just a few days ago. He had heard a lot about it from his close friend Lightning, who also lived in these parts.

            The small, wooden hut in the distance was what hue now called home. Ever since the death of his mother, father, and brother, he had been forced to care for himself, ever since the age of 15. He was now seventeen, closing in on eighteen, and more independent than any of his family would have ever hoped. Sure, he had been tactless as a kid, trying things without first checking all the precautions…it was what had resulted in him losing an arm and a leg to a freak accident. Cringing on that thought, he opened the door to his hut, stepping in. The wall facing him was decorated with pictures of his friends and family: on the left, his mother, father, brother, and him standing side-by-side in a forest near their original home in Japan; next was him and Lightning as kids, the hedgehog was towering over him at that point; next was a wedding picture of Lightning and Lavender; the one following that was of his late brother, Alphonse, who had died trying to save Edward in a fight two years ago; and finally, a picture of his parents on the far right. He smiled at these as he entered, closing and locking the door behind him. Sitting at the small, square table in the middle of the two-room house, he leaned back on his chair, closing his eyes.

            It’s been two years, he thought, two years since he died. I can still see it plainly in my mindscape…Alphonse, as he jumped up to block the blast, and losing everything. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about it…that’s why I had to leave…start a new life for myself in the wilderness of A-U’s outer boundaries. I decided to follow Lightning’s advice for once, and found myself thanking him for providing me a Plan B out of misery.

            “I should go thank him,” he said out loud this time, “After all, it’s the only reason I’m-“

            “Suilad,” said a voice from the corner.

            Edward jumped up, raising his fist, which was being circled by Alchemy (his natural talent and power since birth) as he approached the voice. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

            The figure stepped out of the shallow darkness, only a mouth visible under the shade of the hood. “I am a friend,” the figure said in a soft voice, “here to warn you of some ill fate.”

            Edward raised an eyebrow. He’d been in this kind of situation before.

            “What?” Edward asked cautiously.

            “You know Lightning Bolt, of the West Wood, yes?” asked the figure.

            “Yes.”

            “I regret to inform you that he has been reported missing by Westminster officials.”

            “WHAT!?”

            “He was abducted by the new lord’s armed forces last week.”

            “How do you know…?”

            “I am friends with his wife, Lavender. I can see, by your ornaments, that you know her as well.”

            “Yes…”

            “Help me. We must get him back.”

            “…”

            Edward looked at the figure as the robe was removed to reveal a beautiful young elf, with long, flowing silver hair, sapphire blue eyes, and pale skin.

            “My name is Milieul,” the elf said in a sooth, flowing voice, “Nice to meet your acquaintance, Edward Elric.”

            “You…know my name?” Edward asked.

            “Only from Lightning.”

            “Then let’s go get him.”

The cold, damp floor met my bare hands before I could really register what was going on. The click of the metal door locking me in was heard, and I silently cursed to myself. So the new authorities thought I was a threat, eh? Well, I’d prove them right, that’s for sure. Sighing, I pulled myself off the grimy floor, and sat on the damp, stone bed in the corner. Never mind, I’ll take the floor instead.

            Sitting back on the floor again, I decided to look out the bars of my cell out onto the corridor of, oh what a surprise, more cells. Several prisoners stared at me, giving me sad but knowing looks, and slunk back away into their own prisons. I could hear a small child screaming for his mother on the other side of the hall. How badly I wanted to help that kid…adults he could understand, but punishing kids? That was beyond cruel. God, the head of this place was going to get one hell of an ass kicking when he busted out.