Full Metal Alchemist: "Tin Soldier"

[aviatrix]

Yeah, I wrote Full Metal Alchemist fanfic. Be afraid. Be very afraid. -_-;

This is just a short piece of introspection from Al's point of view, which wouldn't let me sleep last night until I had written it (damn you, inspiration!) For those of you familiar with FMA, please, please, let me know if I have all the details right, and if I've kept everyone in character.

This has spoilers for episode... Um, I can't remember. ^_^; Needless to say, it's got spoilers for the episodes that have been aired in the U.S., so far.


I remember when I was little, me and my brother used to play with tin soldiers. We'd line them up in rows, while Brother and I would act as Fuhrers, and order them to attack.

After we grew up a bit and learned alchemy (and before we learned about the harsh reality of war), we started to make our own crude soldiers, out of scraps of metal we found.

However, little did Brother and I realize that those particular skills would become part of our fateful destiny...

*

It's ironic, though... Even though I am a 'tin soldier' in truth, Brother feels like one as well; as a state alchemist, he constantly feels like he's under the military's thumb. I know he despises Col. Mustang, whom he is required to report back to periodically; Brother thinks he's a little too smug and all-knowing for his taste.

Personally, I don't think Col. Mustang is all that bad; hasn't every place that my brother and I have been sent to, been better off after all our help? Still, Brother doesn't quite see it in that light...

But I don't see how the Colonel could manipulate our every move... Even if he does seem to know about everything that we're up to.

Yet... Sometimes, I wonder if we're being manipulated as well... Not necessarily by the military (although Brother would say that would go without saying). No, I'm just remembering that one time, when I thought I heard Mom's voice; I could've sworn it was coming from that woman who was the Fuhrer's secretary. Could it be... That the military are just pawns as well? Not just for the King, of course, but for some other diabolical scheme...

Perhaps I am just imagining things. Still, I can't help but feel that Brother and I are just pieces in some grand game of chess, sometimes, being manipulated by God knows what... Perhaps God himself. Playing with our lives, like a child with his toy soldiers...

No, that's not true. Brother and I brought our fate upon ourselves, by violating the laws of nature, if not God, in trying to bring Mom back to life. It was our decision, in the end... I mustn't forget that.

God gave us both free will... We all have free will; it's part of what makes us human.

Even I have it... Even if I am just empty armour.

Comments

[emptybackpack.livejournal.com]

Dude-oh, the POV style on this is nifty. Like PBS. Those documentaries. Yeah.

[okami-hu.livejournal.com]

Aww, this was cute. ^^ You get cookies. I like, how you brought out Al's faith in goodness, how he tries to believe that things are right even though he feels that something is going on behind the scenes. I'd like to see your future works too (although I'm not up to crack. No-no.).

[aviatrix8.livejournal.com]

Aw... My other FMA fic isn't actually that crack-y; it certainly starts innocuously enough... Then turns into a Gilbert and Sullivan song parody! Mwahahahaha!

*cough* Sorry, got a little carried away over there... ^_^;