Summary: What if Ed, Al, Mustang, Hughes, and Fuery were an aspiring band in the East? Of course everyone else is coming along for the ride. What successes will be won? What dramas will flare? Enjoy a soundtrack of a WIDE variety of popular songs, pitched to match the voices of the characters as best as possible in this music inspired adventure!

Hello once again everyone.

In honor of FMA day, I have posted this prologue to a new story I've been currently working on.

Does this mean I have abandoned Unexpected Circumstances? No. No, I will not be discontinuing that story. Relax ^u^

So, without further ado, let's begin!

Song: Brainwash (Edward Elric - Brainwash)

youtu . be(slash) 4242fJBy7wI

Fullmetal Rockstar

Prologue: Media Progression

The villains and the heroes are merging

Everything is blurry

Time is standing still

The sky is switching with the ground

My world is turning upside-down

My sense of judgment seems to be compromised

You're too strong to be denied

The lights flash and the crowd dances. The cheers are deafening, as the music pounds in the air.

The music continues faintly as the scene fades into an old interview, where a young, blond, braided haired, and amber-eyed boy sits in a studio chair. He is surrounded by lights, cameras, and an intrigued interviewer.

"So you're Edward Elric, is that right?" A kindly, professional looking brunette reporter aks.

"Yeah." Edward nods.

"So, Edward, how old are you?"

"Just turned twelve last week." Edward answers with a tilt of his head and a twitch of his lip.

"How does it feel to know you are the youngest artist to be signed with East City Records?"

"Uh, pretty great I guess. I'm excited, really." Edward grins widely.

Ooh, I'm brainwashed,

captivated by the fame

"Alphonse, is it?" The reporter asks another young, short haired, gold-eyed, blond boy.

"Mmhm." Alphonse smiles with brights eyes.

"Your brother is Edward, correct?"

"Yes. I'm his younger brother."

"How do you feel about your brother's dive into the music scene?"

"I'm really happy for brother, and I'm really glad I could help him get this far. He and I've been waiting for something really good like this almost our whole lives."

"How old are you Alphonse?"

"Ten. Brother turned twelve last week, but as you know he's been signed on for a little over two months now." Alphonse says all while looking up in remembrance of his and Edward's success so far.

"And an eventful few months it's been."

"Yeah." Alphonse agrees with a closed- eyed smile.

Oh it's taking over me – now

Mighty baby, untamed lover

"So, Roy Mustang, the word on the media scene is that you discovered the talents of Edward, now known as the youngest signed artist to ECR; a title you yourself previously held." The reporter brings up with a raised eyebrow.

A young man with swept black hair cheerfully smiles closed-eyed and chuckles,"Well don't make it sound like I have some sort of hidden agenda." Opening his eyes, he briefly keeps his cheer, before smirking and giving cool, calculated eyes, "As much as I'd hate for him to hear, the kid's a prodigy. His brother, too… The head execs said so themselves. When, I signed on at seventeen, they said I had and have much potential and were glad they could sign me. I could have gone my whole career content with my luck, but imagine my surprise when I'm just scrolling through videos online one free Saturday afternoon and I come across these two boys with a self-fully-composed, original song who've take the site by storm, attention that was worth its weight. They're amazing. Talented. It would have been a crime not to have given them an opportunity to pursue their talents."

"All because you found them by chance. Amazing."

"No."

The reporter is taken back by his declaration and eyes him to continue.

Mustang closes his eyes with a soft smirk,"I may have been the one to have helped them to this point. But I'm sure, no… I'm absolutely positive that those boys would have somehow made it, even without me." Mustang reopens his eyes in certainty. "I have no doubt."

Ooh, I'm brainwashed

Double – oh who, seven digits

Connect me to you,

Sweet Center

"Maes Hughes. You and Mustang are quite the duo the East's music world. How did you feel about his idea to bring these young boys into the mix?"

"I, personally, think it's great!" Hughes smiles brightly and comfortably. "You should have seen our faces when we first saw that video of the Elric brothers. Roy called me into the room to see what he was watching and our minds were completely blown. He knew, I could see it from the look on his face, he knew there was something to these two. And I agreed. The moment he suggested pointing them out to the execs, I was fully on board."

"So you're happy with how things have progressed?"

"Absolutely! Edward's brought a lot of flair with his intense personality and brash attitude. Even though he acts like that, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. And Alphonse is a really sweet kid putting a smile on the face of everyone he talks to. The two of them are quite a pair, haha, let me tell you. They've brought a little...uh… I guess, vitality into the mix." Hughes finishes with a wide grin and closed eyes behind his glasses.

Baby-baby, take me with you

Brainwash, Bra-ainwash

Br-br-br-br-brainwash

Bra-hain-wash

"So, you must be Kain Fuery."

"Heh heh, yeah; that's me." A bespectacled boy with a round face, and black, spiked hair answers with an awkward, closed-eyed smile, while briefly rubbing his neck.

"You're the newest edition to IPC. What was it like joining the group, as well as working with your band members?"

"Well, I've actually known Mustang and Hughes for a while. I met them when they were still in high school. Being the nerdy new kid, I thought I was gonna get really teased the first day I got there, but they were the first people to talk to me, they introduced me to their group of friends, and they even encouraged me when I started to nerd out about the mechanics of a soundboard and how I built one from spare parts. Those guys are really awesome… As for Ed and Al; they're pretty cool kids. Ed's a genius when it comes to anything about music and Al's puts so much feeling into what he's playing. It's no wonder that each new song we've put out have been written by them, er Ed at least, Al likes to give him helpful pointers when it comes to bringing it together."

"You're saying that those boys are the ones composing your current songs?"

"Pretty much. Give Ed an instrument and he probably already knows how to play it, and if he doesn't, give him ten minutes, if not, an afternoon and a snack and he's got it down pat. And he's an amazing lyricist, give him the least bit of a melody and he's already got words swirling in his head, though that one personally I've only seen for two or three songs. Al likes to praise his brothers talents. Haha. And Al is amazing on string instruments; violin, viola, guitar, cello, double bass, any electric string – you name it! Al just transfers his talent onto each one. Not only that, but when I see him messing with random instruments, I can see him noodling with the foreign ones and it sounds really good."

"Do you have any idea who taught them such prowess in music?"

"Hmm, no, that's something you'd have to ask them. As far as I know, they're self taught." Fuery answers while crossing his arms and looking up in concentration.

"And I hear you're self taught as well."

"Hm, well, yeah. Soundboarding, isn't new by any means, but I've noticed it's rare to have them during live performances, or on stage. Typical sound boards are used during the editing of songs in a studio or backstage controlling speaker levels and mic input. I'd like to think I take it a step forward by actually doing those things myself, plus adding special sounds and voice effects during performances. We've only done it a few times, but I think the others are enthusiastic about it… well, I am a little more so, hahaha," Fuery laughs awkwardly happy whilst rubbing his neck.

The band on the stage plays with intense energy filled with fun and dedication. The crowds cheers and screams as they jump in waves to the beat.

You're speaking, it's so clear

But all the words are hard to hear

And I think I kind of like it that way

"So Mustang it's been over a year since IPC started. How does it feel?" An older male reporter asks.

"It feels amazing. It feels like so little time has past and there's still time to go."

"Do you feel the fame at all?"

"IPC has been getting a lot of support since we started. In terms of popularity, I would say we're still in the underground stage. We're slowly climbing, but I wouldn't say we're lost in the fame just yet, we're only getting started." Mustang crosses his arms with a smirk.

Mirror mirror on the wall

"Alphonse, how do you feel about IPC's growing fanbase titling you as the sweetheart of East City Records?"

"What? Wait – they really call me that?"Alphonse asks the reporter incredulously, to which the reporter nods. "Oh, wow… Aww, that's so nice of them! Geez, who could've guessed, huh?" Alphonse, closed-eyed, smiles brightly, embarrassed, rubbing his left shoulder.

Says you'll catch me when I fall

"So, Mr. Hughes…" The reporter starts word on the street is that you've got yourself a lady."

"So you've heard!" Hughes excitedly smiles.

A crash is heard behind the camera as a door is burst into. The reporter and Hughes face towards the noise to which Hughes responses by digging into his pocket with urgency.

"No!" Mustang's voice sounds from behind the camera as well as running footsteps.

"Stop him before it's too late!" Ed is heard heard as the two tackle Hughes to the floor from his studio chair. A struggle ensues between the three, both Edward and Mustang trying to keep Hughes down and Hughes struggling to rise. Edward is heard shouting,"For all that is good and right in the world don't let him up!" Which goes in vain as Hughes manages to get atop both his assailants… with photos in his hand?

"THIS," Hughes holds up the photos,"is my beautiful Gracia!" Hughes shoves several photos into the reporter's face. "Isn't she lovely? She's amazing, and oh man can she cook! Do you believe in true love because I think I've found mine!" Before Hughes could show the cameras the photos of his girlfriend, Ed tackles him once more.

"I've got 'im! Quick, shut off the camera!"

I've always been the hunter

Not the other way

"Edward, how do you feel about yours and IPC's progress and success in such a short amount of time?"

"It feels… well, it's hard to describe. It's an effort on both sides; we put the effort into the music, and the supporters put their energy into helping us get to where we are. If anything… I'm amazed."

"Fantastic. And, am I supposed to understand that you were the one who came up with the band's name?"

"No, actually, that was my brother Alphonse. Mustang, Hughes, and I were sitting around trying to think of a good name to call ourselves, when Al came in and saw us tossed about the room like bored rag-dolls. After discussing it a bit, Al just tossed it out there, Mustang and I looked at each other, then we looked at Hughes, we knew Al had it. When we told Fuery, he was so psyched about it. From then on, we had an identity."

"But why IPC; why Idealism Plus Cynicism? It's definitely different to other artist names."

"Well, I'd rather let Alphonse tell about his reasoning, but all I have to say is that catering to Al's sense of humor can pay off sometimes." Ed smiles with eyes closed and a dismissible wave of his hand.

Now why do I feel like the prey?

"You prefer to be called Fuery, yes?"

"I suppose so, it's what my friends call me at least. I did sign on with the stage name K. Fuery though, so I guess people can call me that too." Fuery states with a contemplative face.

"Now, Fuery, a lot of fans have been wondering, since you signed on while in the middle of your high school career, how touring has been affecting your education."

"Well, I'm getting to do what I love for a living and I'm really happy about that, as for school, it's tough. Juggling it all, oh man… Well, I'm in school for about a semester and in the second semester I'm working or on tour. I've arranged a learning-slash-homework schedule with my teachers and the administration of my school. During the semester I'm not in school, I have a list of things I'm supposed to be learning for that semester and I'm taught by a tutor. It's a little complicated, but it's worked so far." Fuery ends with adjusting his glasses.

Ooh, I'm brainwashed,

Captivated by the fame

Oh it's taking over me – now

Mighty baby, untamed lover

Ooh, I'm brainwashed

Double – oh who, seven digits

Connect me to you,

Sweet Center

Baby, baby, take me with you

Brainwash, Bra-ainwash

Br-br-br-br-brainwash,

Bra-hain-wash

"Edward, is it true IPC is starting its second tour in just a few weeks?" A young, male reporter asks with a smile.

"Yep. We've only done a small tour, circuiting various small locations in East City and Southeastern towns. This time we'll be doing a tour of the southern half of the East. We'll be playing at bigand small locations. Even though we want to do a bigger tour, we're still trying to get a rhythm for this sort of thing, plus we're not as big as doing these interviews makes us seem. This is how it is for now but if things go right, we'll be able to do bigger tours in the next few years."

I saw this coming,

but did nothing

"Fuery, do you feel IPC's first tour was successful enough to do a second tour so soon? Even considering that the first tour was at smaller scale than this planned one is?"

"You'd have to ask Mustang about all the technical details, but I feels like the first tour was a real success. And I don't think it matters that it was at a smaller scale. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? Well, that was our first start. As for how close the tours are in timing; we sort of want to stay relevant. We want our supporters to feel like we want to see them, which we do, but that's also one of the reasons why we've sort of sectioned each of our tour plans."

I saw this (I saw this)

I want this (I want this)

"Maes Hughes. You've been making a statement as a drummer, I hear."

"Hm? How so?" Hughes asks with a confused smile and leans forward in interest.

"Not only are you a drummer; a percussion expert, I've heard, at that. That you also, sing as back up for many of the band's songs. And rapping. You've graced us with it only a few times, but fans are going nuts over it."

"Oh, that, haha. It's funny, I mean I've tried my hand at it a few times, I'll admit, but I never thought I was that good. Back when it was just Roy and I trying to find a sound, I tried it in a couple of our songs, but that was it. One day when I was noodling with a beat, I started this really dumb rhyme, then I tried to 'rap' it to the beat I was making. Ed, who, was lying on the couch, shot right up and looked at me. I stopped but he urged me to keep playing, I thought it was kind of weird, but when I started up again, Ed looked like he struck gold. He rushed out of the room and later told me he was stuck with a new song and that something was missing from it. Apparently my playing 'knocked a screw in place,' or so he says. He wrote what would be the first song I rapped for IPC."

Found out how to make it now

Take me over, take a vow

"Roy Mustang. Your bandmates seem to think you have the band's entire future planned out."

"Well, I wouldn't say I have it all planned out." Mustang and the reporter both share a jovial laugh. "The current plan for how we're approaching our next couple tours does happened to be outlined. I had to take into consideration my bandmates' outlying circumstances, in and out of the group."

"Wouldn't that be something more for an agent to cover?"

"Typically yes, but we need our own say in how we'll progress in our careers, too. Besides, our agent readily agreed to our plan; considered it well thought out."

What you waitin' for

What you waitin' for

Take me over now

"Alphonse, are you excited for IPC's up coming tour?"

"Absolutely!"

"Many people are asking how your career is affecting your education. Do you feel that doing these tours gets in the way of learning."

"For me, personally, not at all. Ed and I are kind of on the same education track Fuery put together for himself, but it's molded towards us specifically."

Ooh, I'm brainwashed

The energy of the concert is full of high energy and pounding into the night. The band's lead singer runs across the stage, high-fiving front row fans.

Captivated by the fame

"We're just outside of the finished concert site where hundreds of fans are waiting for a glimpse of the boys" – wanton cheering – "Oh, and there they are – Boys! Boys! You're coming up to the end of your third tour! How does it feel?" A reporter questions keeping up with the group as they walk through the crowd, waving and smiling, Edward and Fuery signing autographs.

"Pretty good!" Alphonse exclaims.

"Awesome!" Fuery cheers.

"A-mazing!" Hughes smiles to the reporter.

Mustang merely offers a cheerful smile while Ed gives a thumbs up.

Oh it's taking over me – now

"This tour was amazing," Alphonse happily claims.

Mighty baby, untamed lover

"I can't wait for the next one," Fuery closed-eyed smiles behind his glasses.

Ooh, I'm brainwashed

Double – oh who, seven digits

"It's gonna be awesome," Hughes determines with a confident look.

Connect me to you,

Sweet Center

"I hope everyone will be ready," Mustang smiles from beneath his brow.

Baby, baby, take me with you

"Because we'll be there." Ed starts.

Shots of the group's concerts, signings, pictures with fans, previous interviews, and success appear and collage.

"And it's gonna rock."