AN: The prologue was originally written in first person, but has been edited to third person. The characters and concepts of FullMetal Alchemist belong to Hiromu Arakawa. This story revolves around the first anime of FullMetal Alchemist, not the manga. Do not flame because of that small difference, I've read the manga and seen the real anime that follows it, but the first anime is what captured my heart about FMA, so this story is tribute. Enjoy the story – Carrie

A young girl, about six years old, sits on a wooden bench. To her right is an older boy, ten years her senior. On her other side sit twin sisters. The sisters giggle as they watch the fire show in front of them. The young girl's green eyes dance in the light of the fire. "This is boring," a young boy with flaming red hair whines. He sits in front of the wooden bench, blue eyes focused on the ground. "What if papa lets us go do something else," the girl stands. The children link hands and skip away from their siblings. Crowds of people block the streets of the city, gathered for the harvest festival. As the two weave through the sea of people, the girl tightens her grip on her brother's hand. In a second she feels the hand slip from hers with a shout, "Carlina!"

Turning, the girl doesn't see her brother through the gaps between the people surrounding her. "Jeremy," her voice rises in panic. Someone bumps her from behind, sending her flying to the ground. Breathing hard, she crawls toward the edge of the street. She stands in the opening of an alley, turning back toward the crowd. When she doesn't see her brother she sighs. Tears well in her eyes and she begins sobbing. "My, my, child. What has you so distraught?" The voice from behind causes her to freeze. She turns while wiping her cheeks. "My brother," she cuts herself off as she looks at the old woman.

Her clothes are in disrepair. The shoes on her feet are threadbare, holes and scuff marks visible from every angle. She wears an old skirt that almost reaches the floor. Her shawl smells of musty perfume and dried flowers. The skin is tan, her eyes red. Her hair is the color of a raven's wings with streaks of silver. "I'm Belinda, little one. Who are you," the woman smiles, extending a hand. Carlina shuffles, clasping her hands together against her chest. She shakes her head at the woman, unsure if she can trust her. "Tell me child, are one of your parents Ishbalan," Belinda questions but does not come closer to the girl. Again, she shakes her head to respond to the woman. Her eyes drift to her tan skin, a few shades darker than the rest of her family members. "May I," the woman holds a hand out toward the girl.

Hesitantly, Carlina places her left hand into the woman's palm. Belinda nods and turns the hand over, tracing her fingers along Carlina's palm lines. "Is pink your natural color," the woman speaks, noting the cotton candy hair. "No, my sisters help me," the girl's voice lowers. "Ah, she speaks," the woman chuckles, Carlina blushes, "But does Carlina know what is in store for her?" Before she responds, the child remembers she never gave the woman her name. While she thinks of a response, the woman nods to herself. "Some of my people call me a shaman. Fortune telling, but it is something I'm good at," Belinda looks down at the girl.

When a few moments pass without Carlina responding, the woman sighs. "You are not going to have an easy life. Things will get hard, then they will stay neutral for a while. After that, your life will spike. You will be happy, but feel great weight from the events that will haunt you. As you think things cannot get worse, they will. You will suffer, but if you don't give in, you will find yourself alone but fulfilled. Your choices will determine happiness for yourself and for others. Do not think too selfishly or selflessly. Make good choices," the grip on the girl's hand loosens. Carlina tears her hand away, running back into the sea of people. She does not look behind her, weaving through the crowds. Crying reaches her ears and she stops.

In the middle of the street, Jeremy stands, bawling. "I'm so sorry," Carlina runs to her brother, wrapping her arms around him. "You left me," he continues to wail, earning stares from the surrounding adults. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again, okay? I promise, I won't leave you again," she holds on to her brother's shoulders. "You promise," Jeremy sniffles, wiping his nose. "Yes, I promise," she extends her pinky to him. They link pinkies and nod heads. Hearing their names, the children look around. The boy and twins from earlier stand by one of the food stands. Next to them stand a middle aged couple with an albino toddler. The toddler coos and reaches out toward the lost siblings as they run toward their family.

Years pass without incident, until the night the girl remembers the old woman's words.

AN: Annnnnd so the story begins. Thanks to my friend Larken, whose writings have inspired me to continue my own. Read her stories on her account Larkbyrd, and visit her youtube for excellent videos: SacridiaDarque