Chapter One: The Legend Continues
Edward
Thursday, August 13th, 1917, 11:35am....
Edward stared out the train window at the passing scenery. Two hours ago he said good-bye to Winry for the millionth time. Twenty-four hours ago he said good-bye to his brother for the first time. He couldn't imagine how many people were shocked that the brothers were parting ways. For now. he smiled. We'll see each other soon enough.
He hadn't realized the train had pulled up to the station until the station master called out, "West City! Now stopping at West City Station!" Yawning and streching, he picked up his suitcase and deboarded.
"Well. If it isn't the famous Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist." he heard as soon as he set foot on the platform.
Edward looked up. It was the station master. "Alchemist? Not anymore. I'm just like every other person now."
"If you say so." said the station master as Edward strode off waving.
He glanced around for the gate where he was supposed to catch the train out of Amestris, when something rammed into him. Books and papers scattered around and he realized someone had bumped into him. He looked up to see a girl with longish brown hair and emerald green eyes.
"Uh, sorry. I should have been paying attention." Edward said kneeling down to pick up the girls things.
"No, it's my fault. I'm so clumsy. I trip over my own feet."
Edward looked down at the book he just picked up. Jeez. My past is haunting me already. In his hands was a copy of Introduction to Alchemy. He picked up another book to find it was also about alchemy. As was the next one.
"Are all of these about alchemy?"
"Oh! Umm. Yes. I-I don't know much though. I've only been at it about a month. I'm starting to think I don't have the talent for it." the girl explained standing up. The girl held her hand out. "Carson. Carson Pickett. But my friends back home call me Aurora."
"Edward Elric." Edward said shaking Carson's hand. "And don't give up on alchemy. It may seem hard at-"
"Wait! I know who you are! You're the Fullmetal Alchemist!! Wow! Do you think you could teach me alchemy?! O-or even a demonstration?!" Carson almost dropped her books again from excitement.
"Whoa. Hold on Carson. For one I travel a lot and I'm never in one place for long. And two even if I had the time to give you a demonstration I couldn't. I'm not capeable of doing alchemy anymore."
"Oh. Sorry. I guess I'll be on my way then." Carson's shoulders slumped and she looked at the clock behind her. "Besides, the train heading further west is going to be here soon..."
Edward noticed she had a backpack around her shoulders. West, huh? Well it does look like she's ready to go... "Wait..."
Carson turned back around.
"You are going the same way as me. And it would probably be a good idea to travel with an alchemist. So I guess I could teach you what I know."
"Yes!!!" she shouted punching the air with both fists. Which, of course, made her drop her books. Carson gasped and her hands shot to her mouth. "Oops."
Edward sighed as a sweatdrop ran down his forehead.
~~~~~~~~~
Carson sat across from Edward on the train. She was lucky. Running into the Fullmetal Alchemist in West City. Even though he wasn't really an alchemist anymore. But how long would she remain lucky?
"Uhh. Edward?"
"Huh?" he said looking away from the window.
"How long can I travel with you?"
"As long as you want. You're my apprentice now. It's not like I'm gonna teach you alchemy then say 'go away'." He turned back to the window.
That was reassuring. Carson smiled and began digging in her backpack. She pulled out a small notebook and a pencil and begun writing.
"What's that?" asked Edward.
"It's my journal. I like to record my experiances and adventures and look back at them later. Kind of like my own story." She pulled out another notebook and handed it to him. "Here. I have lots of others, so I don't need this one."
Edward examined the notebook. It was relatively larger than his travelouge and had no metal edges. He smiled. Carson's habit gave him an idea. If Al's not here to experiance things firsthand, I'll just have to write everything down for him. He set the journal down next to him. He'd write in it later. For now he'd concentrate on getting some rest. The encounter with Carson had completely tired him out.
