Chapter 1(Ashton’s POV)

“I’m so sick and tired of chasing you!” I exclaimed, running after the thief. He skidded to a stop and turned into an alley. By the time I had gotten there, he was just standing up from etching a transmutation circle into the ground. “Crap!” I cried, diving out of the path of the concrete pillar. “Well that explains why you want my pocket watch.” I muttered to myself, glancing at my black jacket, which was slung carelessly over his shoulder. “Listen, I’m getting pretty tired, so we can either do this the hard way, or you can hand over my jacket. Since I know you’re not gonna do that, I’m just gonna assume you wanna do the hard way.” I clapped my hands together and slammed them onto the ground. White light flashed and an elemental sword arose.

“That was a neat trick. What’s your name, kid?” The thug asked. I smirked, getting ready to run at him.

“You can just call me the Lightning Alchemist.” And then I ran towards him. My sword slashed down his shirt, barely touching his chest, but that was all I needed. He started shaking and convulsing. I felt the lightning pulse through me once more before he fell to the ground. I laughed triumphantly, grabbing my jacket. “I promise it doesn’t look as bad as it felt.” I chuckled before kicking his hand and walking out of the alley, my jacket slung over my shoulder. As I was walking back to Central HQ, I ran into a certain blond alchemist.

“Ashton, you’re bleeding! What happened?” Ed asked. “Get into another fight with a stray cat?” He taunted. I glared up at him, cursing my shortness.

“Shut up, Elric!” I snapped irritably.

“Now why would I do that, Evans?” He chuckled.

“Because I’m not in the mood, pip squeak!” I shouted at him.

“Twig!” He yelled back at me.

“Idiot!”

“LONER!” I flinched at that remark before turning away from the fuming boy. I pulled my black military cap down over my eyes and draped my jacket around my shoulders. “Ashton?” Ed asked, calming down. “Look, I’m sorry…” He said. I started walking away from my partner. “Ash…?” He called after me. I didn’t acknowledge him, just trudged back to my dorm room. When I got there, I yanked my hat off and set it carefully on the desk. I threw my coat over the chair and sat down on the bed, tears coming to my eyes.

“Ma, Pa, Brian…I miss you guys so much.” I whispered, staring down at my lap. There was a soft knock at the door and Ed’s concerned voice came through.

“Ash, I’m really sorry. Can I come in?”

“NO!” I screamed, throwing a book at the door. “Just leave me alone, Ed. I’m really not in the mood.” I said tiredly.

“Goodnight, Ashton.” He said before I heard his retreating footsteps. It was weird; his left foot always seemed to be heavier than his right.

I curled up under my sheets and let my tears run free, clutching my family picture tightly in my hand.

***

I woke up the next morning to someone shaking me. I blinked and looked up at Hughes blearily.

“Ashton, I need you to come with me right away.” I got up, and got dressed quickly, alarmed by the urgency in his voice. We met up with Ed and Al in the lobby of Central HQ, and we all went to the train station.

“Guys, what’s going on?” I asked curiously. No one answered me. “Come on you guys, seriously.” I said. “This isn’t funny.”

“Do you see us laughing, Ashton?” Al asked in a serious voice. I started to get scared. Al never used his serious voice.

We climbed on the next train to my home town. Fear constricted in my chest, making it hard for me to breathe. Did something happen to my parents?

When we got there, we all got off and they led me to my parents’ house. What I saw made me fall to my knees.

The walls and floors were covered in blood, and my parents’ bodies lay in the center of the living room, covered by white sheets.

“When?” I whispered. No one answered me, again. “WHEN?!” I screamed, my voice rising two octaves.

“Early this morning.” Hughes answered. Tears streamed down my cheeks as something broke inside of me.

“NO!” I screamed, running up to the white sheets.

“Ashton, don’t!” Ed yelled as I ripped the sheets off.

The sight I saw was horrifying. Their eye sockets were empty, and blood still leaked out of them. Their hands were all gone, and they had been torn open.

I fell back on my butt, scrambling away from the bodies. I hit Al’s metal legs and felt his hands grab my shoulders and turn me away. Though the sight was blocked by Ed and Al, I could still see it, burned into my eyes.

Someone’s arms wrapped around my trembling shoulders, but all I could see was the red of their coat. Ed.

I buried my face into his neck as he picked me up and carried me out of the house. I heard a horrible ripping sound and looked around, eyes wide. Then I realized that it was me, sobbing, horrible, screaming sobs.

“Shhh shhh.” Ed whispered, putting me down and kneeling next to me, holding me tightly.

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind me.

“Oh, Ashton.” I looked up to see my older brother, Brian. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.” He whispered, falling to his knees next to me and putting his arm around me. “I really had no choice, hun. It had to be done.” I looked up at him, confused, as Ed gasped.

“What are you talking about?” I asked in a thick voice. Then it hit me. “Y-you…you killed them.” I whispered, scrambling away from him. “Brian, how could you?” I asked in disbelief.

“Well, little sister, you see, they found out.” He said, hate flickering in his eyes. I had never seen hate in his kind, brown eyes. “They found out that I’m not natural.” He yanked his shirt off. A red tattoo shone out at me. An ouroboros tattoo. I gasped as he came closer to me. “But now, you see, I can have you. I’ve always felt an odd attraction to you, Ashton. Something a brother shouldn’t feel for his sister. Now that I know you’re not actually my sister…” He grinned maniacally, grabbing my shoulders roughly. Suddenly, a blade was at his throat.

“If you put one hand on her again, I won’t hesitate to kill you, homunculus.” Ed hissed, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me back behind him. “Go Ashton.” I nodded and scrambled away, running back towards the house where Hughes was standing with Mustang.

“Lightning, what’s going on?” Mustang asked, seeing my scared expression.

“Ed is fighting a homunculus!” I cried, jabbing my finger towards where the two were locked in a battle. Mustang pulled out his gun, ordering his troops to follow him. I followed behind, peering over the heads of the soldiers.

“STOP!” Mustang roared, firing his gun towards Brian. I whimpered and closed my eyes. No matter how evil he was, I’d thought he was my loving, caring brother. I couldn’t stand to see him shot at.

“Don’t worry, Ashton. I’ll be back!” He exclaimed before racing away.

“After him!” Mustang ordered, running after what I’d thought was my brother. I raced up to Ed, my eyes wide with concern.

“Are you ok? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” I asked, prodding him. He shook his head, smirking.

“Gosh, Ashton. I had no idea you cared so much.” My face turned bright red and I turned away.

“I don’t…I just don’t want my partner out of commission, that’s all!” I cried indignantly, rushing back towards the train station.

“ASHTON!” Ed yelled after me. I could hear the smile in his voice as he raced after me.