12/03/2018 Writing Progress Update

Greetings readers! We're back with lots of new and exciting adventures. :)

MY FICTION

I figured I would put the story relevant stuff at the top! There's a little more about me and my writing below for anyone interested. ;) Or drop me a PM and we can chat!

I post fan fiction to share my musings, so that people can enjoy it if they like what I enjoy. I hope you do. :) I would politely request that major criticisms please come to me in PM instead of being posted on the reviews. PMs are the more appropriate place for literary review and discussion.

Permanent Disclaimer: None of the FMA canon characters belong to me, nor does the world. They belong to Arakawa and the animation companies involved in their production.

A note: The actions and viewpoints of these characters 'do not' necessarily match the viewpoints and morals of the author! This is 'fiction.' I am in no way advocating any inappropriate/foolish/immoral behaviors at any point. Hopefully the morals of the stories will make this clear, but it bears saying!

I have rated most of these T because I wrote for realism. A very large majority of the stories probably do not deserve that high a rating. However, I did not set out specifically to add things to make them a higher rating, but in dealing with the characters at older ages, and in interpersonal relationships, and things like wars, etc... it would have been unrealistic to leave out some of the plot details. When the show is PG-13, it would be difficult to make the story less in some situations.

THE STUFF ABOUT ME

Shortened to save space. ;) I have taught writing professionally, have a Masters in English focused on Creative Writing (novels), and now teach middle and high school English full-time while working on my original writing projects.

I write fan-fiction as I am inspired (and because it's fun!). I don't 'set out' to write it, I like to let it speak to me, then go back and flesh out, edit, play with it only as needed. Often the characters do things I do not expect, or sometimes don't even approve of, but it fits the character. And, after all, it's all about the characters. :)

I love dealing with character psychology and relationships (as you will soon find if you haven't read my work yet), as well as plot! I spend a lot of time studying the human mind and human interaction, and I'm a rabid history buff and study many eras and cultures even though I'm no longer actually a college student and haven't been since I was a Grad student! (Medieval Lit and Modern Fantasy/Sci-fi was my original focus, though my final thesis is a creative writing one. Both of my English degrees are therefore in writing fiction). This is stress relief and play for me. When I'm tired, inspired, or just in the writing zone, the words come and I write them because I can't stop!

THE STORIES

They All Lived - RATED T- Fullmetal Alchemist. Individual but related stories starting after the events of Conqueror of Shamballa. The first one (though there may be prequel bits later as I am inspired to write them) begins seven years after the events of the movie, picking up with Edward and Alphonse still traveling Europe, doing their best to stop the development of nuclear weapons and find a way to permanently close the Gate on that side. In the middle of mission-as-usual, Edward has a run in with 'this world's' version of Winry, which forces him to deal with feelings he has long kept bottled up in regards to the woman to whom he never did get to say goodbye. Could Edward move on? Would he and Winry ever really meet up again? These were questions in need of answers!

The stories continued (though I intended to leave it be after the first part "Not Even Worlds") when my dear younger brother asked me "So, do they ever get back to Amestris?" And my mind started churning and writing without me again! So I kept writing. The world now extends as far as Edward and Winry into their fifties, and spans a large number of stories. I will keep posting them as they are finished. At times, I have had back-story decide to fill itself in as well, so there may be stories labeled "Part 3b" or "Part 8c" ;) They were individual stories in and of themselves and did not fit as direct parts of the others. There are also sections about Alphonse of course! And Roy, Riza, Havoc, Breda, Armstrong, and all the others make regular appearances.

This is a giant amorphous on-going project. With an established time line, there may be stories I write that jump back and fill in a gap somewhere between stories (or in a gap in an existing story). A lot of ideas for possible fill ins have come from suggestions/ideas that came from talking with people who said what they liked about it. So if you read a story and there's something you would 'love' to see, please let me know!

Currently Posted (listing in chronological order within this story continuum. Some stories pick up directly after others, and others there are time jumps. Read in order for best comprehension and most enjoyment!):
Story 1: Not Even Worlds - Edward must deal with his emotions regarding leaving Winry behind...
Special 1: Two Weeks - the two weeks skipped in story one now available for those who want more EdxWin and some added plot information
Story 1b: Reunited - Even the world beyond the Gate has marvels worth sharing!
(a note for people wondering: There will eventually be a 1c to tie this all together. It's taken a long time to work out details. ;) )
Story 2: Period of Readjustment - Nearly eight years is a long time. Ed and Al must figure out what to do with themselves in an Amestris different from the one they left behind.
Story 3: Unsettled - Just when things seem to be reaching a routine, life gets shaken up again in ways Ed wasn't expecting!
Story 3b: United Front - Edward must convince Olivia Armstrong, and the soldiers of the North, that he is worthy to be their commanding officer as war with Drachma threatens.
Story 4: Exoneration - Edward finds himself in a deadly alchemy battle against a Drachman alchemist!
Story 5: Restless - Healed up from wounds sustained up North, Edward is ready to get back to work; and what a job Mustang's got in mind for Edward and Alphonse!
Special 2: Gratitude - Roy and Riza have a reason to be grateful.
Story 6: Little Revelations - Edward, Alphonse, Winry, and Roy all come to some little realizations about life, and have a few surprises!
Story 7: The World is the All, I am the One - An unexpected event brings Edward, Alphonse, and Winry back to Resembool. The visit is much more dramatic than they expected when danger threatens a family member.
Story 8: Inner Turmoil - Edward finds himself dealing with health issues he never expected, and Alphonse comes to a startling realization he's not ready for!
Story 9: Foreign Affairs - Edward, Winry, Roy, Riza and their families travel to Creta on a diplomatic mission that takes an unexpected turn, framing Edward for actions he cannot account for.
Story 10: Someone to Watch Over Me - Alphonse has found the woman of his dreams. He still has to propose though!
Story 10b: The Fullmetal Alchemist and The Urn of Andrixos - Edward and Alphonse go to Creta to investigate a possible ancient alchemical artifact while dealing with other 'interested parties' who would like the artifact for their own reasons!
Story 11: Holding Out - Aug-Sept 1936. A freak accident brings things in the Elric household to a stand-still.
Special 3: Rain and Coffee - Oct 1936. Breda meets a lovely woman standing alone in the rain.
Story 12: Unexpected - Just when things seem calm life tosses another surprise at the Elric family! Sara has an interesting question for her Daddy. And just what 'do' Roy, Edward, and Alphonse do during their late night 'strategic planning meetings?
Story 13: Defiance of Fate - A Xing Army invades Amestris seeking ' the key to immortality.' When they enemy uses alchemists, Amestris meets 'fire with fire.' But what might it cost them?
Story 14: The Long Road - The Xing War is over, but sometimes it'snot so easy to move forward.
Story 15: New Horizons - Ed wants to get back to duty, Sara steps boldly into her teenage years, Breda's getting married, and Roy has a surprise for everyone!
Story 15b: What Are We Doing Lonesome? - Jean Havoc's traveling the world. In a little mountain bar he finds something he never expected.
Story 16: Catching Rainbows - Edward and Alphonse have a little fun, just the two of them.
Story 16b: Wild Mustangs - Roy, Riza, and their son Maes take their first 'real' family vacation; roughing it in the woods!
Story 17: The Stone Is Not Enough - Edward goes undercover into an Aerugo Casino to get a hold of an uncovered incomplete stone fragment! Can he handle a mission with a new partner?
Story 18: Twilight - Sara's 18 and going for the State Alchemy exam, Aldon's a teenager, and Ethan's a kid with big dreams. Edward and Winry have their hands full as the Elric family gets handed a whole new series of challenges.
Story 19: I Should Tell You - Sara's a busy State Alchemist with more guy problems than she ever wanted. Aldon's off to Fort Briggs for some engineering training with his best friend and his girlfriend. Ethan's finished his last auto-mail surgery, and Edward's turning 50! Seasons Pass. Life continues..
Story 20: Pushing Limits - Edward and Winry become Grandparents. Aldon becomes a father. Sara finally confronts Cal Fisher and she and Maes figure out their feelings. The world changes for the Elrics in a lot of ways, pushing people to their limits and having limits pushed by them.
Story 21: Mutual Interests - Roy, Alphonse, Edward, and Ethan go on a diplomatic mission and alchemical research trip to Xing. They become embroiled in Imperial politics while learning Xing's healing alchemy.
Story 22: When it Rains... - Life is never simple. It has its challenges: illness, injury, and sometimes death. Love can be just as complicated. Difficulties tend to come in batches. The Central crew gets shaken up by events that are often beyond their control.
Story 23: I think, You think - The 'good old boys' deal with the realities of middle age. Sara finally confronts her male issues, and the entire Elric family takes a little vacation.
Story 24: Alchemists and Generals - A coup d'etat in Aerugo leaves Amestrian civilians trapped within the country's borders. Given few options, Amestris' military goes in to get their people back and to deal with the self-proclaimed 'new government.' Herein is the account of the Aerugo War.
Story 25: All Out of Love - Coming back alive does not mean coming back unchanged. War is like alchemy; for everything gained something is also lost. Getting on with life is easier for some than others, especially if the world feels like it's falling apart.
Story 25b: For Remembrance- Edward and Alphonse takes steps to move past the war and its aftermath with a little brother bonding activity that serves as a reminder of all there is to lose so that they always remember what matters.
Story 26: Knots- Growing up and moving forward can be painful. Accepting that others are doing both can also be painful. Yet this does not make either of them bad things in and of themselves. Whether tying the knot or feeling tied in knots, life goes on!
Story 27: Coming to Terms - Life changing events are not always of epic proportions. Edward deals with the realities of trying to get life back together and Sara and Franz come face to face with impending parenthood.
Story 27B: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back - Winry encourages Edward to keep moving forward. This is sometimes easier said than done.
Story 28: Life's Little Lessons - Ethan starts his college away-from-home experience and the entire Elric clan spends Harvest Festival in Resembool.
Story 29: Holiday Heat - It's the winter season, a time for warming hands, warming hearts, and being with family. The college crew heads home to Central, new romances aren't always easy, and Edward learns whether or not there is anything that can be done to improve his condition.
Story 30: Heart and Soul - Edward and Winry travel to Xing to see what can be done to heal or improve his condition. Will gets to meet his girlfriend's illustrious family!
Story 31: Boys Will Be... - In theory all boys grow up eventually. Ethan's learned a lot about himself. Will's got his research and a beautiful girl. Edward gets the chance to jump back into life and finds himself in an unexpected new role. Life has plenty of lessons at all ages.
Story 32: Boom - Edward and Winry enjoy a trip to Resembool to welcome another grandchild into the family. The Mustangs are preparing for a similar happy event, when Maes Mustang's past comes back to bite in the worst possible way, threatening his career and more.
Story 33: Unity - Alphonse's son is getting married to a very special girl! Pre-wedding festivities, a lovely ceremony, and the first visit in over a generation of the Xingese Imperial Family to Central!
Story 34: Crush - Life is full of ups and downs, changes and choices. As people get older there are always new lessons, as Ed well knows and observes. Breda contemplates resignation, and has Al's daughter finally found a guy who can keep up with her?
Story 35: On the Virgin Snow - Edward, Alphonse, Roy and their wives take a little diplomatic trip/vacation in Drachma. The Drachman government wants to start an alchemy program. Things, as always, are not what they seem and events take turns no one expected.
Story 36: There is a Season - Home from Drachma, Al and Elicia must deal with what happened. The lives of all the grown Elric children are interesting as they grow in age and experience. It's a time of grief and joy, comings and goings, changes and constants in the Elrics' world.
Story 37: Growing - The Elric family is growing; both in size and maturity depending on the members. Sara and Franz take a needed vacation. Al and Elicia become grandparents. Ed wonders whether or not 'he' will survive his student's adventures in teenage life.
Story 38: Impulse - Edward's student needs to learn a lesson in priorities, so Ed lays down the law and arranges a little training exercise. Ed and Al have a brotherly chat. Ethan's intentions regarding Lia are called into question by someone else, and he doesn't like it!
Story 39: Rhymes and Reasons - Life is full of surprises, adventures, and risks. Ethan finally takes a risk, only to find his life on the line. Tore's growing pains lead to a break between Edward and his student. Will Ed lose two young men he cares for deeply?
Story 40: Anticipation - Life for Ed, Al and the kids has it's ups and downs. Ethan is getting back to work and wedding plans are in full swing. Alyse's relationship heads in a new direction. Tore is busy with his latest project. Edward is honored by an unexpected surprise!
Story 41: Leaves on the Wind - Change is in the autumn air. Chance meetings, lives in flux, and a happy long-awaited event in the Elric family as Ed and Winry's youngest son finally ties the knot. For the most part, the world is peaceful.
Story 42: The Alchemist War - Amestris has been invaded, and the enemy dares to use alchemy against them, and blames State Alchemists as part of the cause. Will everything the Elrics, Mustang, and their colleagues have worked to create all their lives be destroyed?
Story 43: Reconstruction - In Amestris, with Drachma gone, is a time of recovery and finding new directions. Romances blossom, families grow, and people struggle to come to peace with the wreckage left by war. Even when you win, sometimes it's hard to find a happy ending.
Story 44: L'chai-im -A festive season of birth, love, and surprise in the Elric family! Ed and Al's grown children face the joyous challenges of babies, a wedding, an unexpected proposal. Edward and Winry and the others get to enjoy the fruits of their children's labors.
Story 45: Wrecked -Spring of 1966. Roy's son and Edward's student both find themselves at difficult junctures in their lives. When they make life-changing decisions, friends and family do their best to help pick up the pieces.
Story 46: Cruising - Life isn't always dramatic, but it still goes on. Even when home is peaceful, the Elrics and friends have plenty to do and learn about life.
Story 47: Take Me Home - The year, 1967. Lots of unexpected events shake up life in the Elric household. Family takes on new meaning for a few people as it continues to grow, and a holiday in Resembool brings everyone together and holds a Solstice celebration full of excitement!
Story 48: Moving Forward - While the Breda family buzzes with excitement about Charisa's wedding, not everyone is as happy for the bride as they try to claim. Edward's oldest grandson finally starts out on his own in Rush Valley, and Alphonse gains another grand-baby.
Story 49: Frozen - Winter of '68. Edward gets some great news on the eve of the holidays, while other members of the Elric family and friends experience ups and downs as life takes some unexpected twists.
Story 50: Pieces - Apr-Aug 1969. While Edward works on his novel and teaches alchemy, and life is good for most of the family, an unexpected horror from the past threatens Tore's happiness. Things continue to run less-than-smoothly for the Breda family.
Story 51: Life Cycles - Dec '69-Mar '70. Life for the Elric clan and friends continues apace: new members, new relationships. Ed's grand-kids are growing up fast. Though not every relationship is smooth, and not everyone ages gracefully.
Story 52: What Blood Tells - Fall '70. Edward, Alphonse, and two of their sons head to Xing on an alchemy research trip that gets them involved in international politics yet again.
Story 53: Dealing with Insecurity - Dec '70-April '71. Life in the extended Elric family continues to be busy with three proposals, a baby, and a wedding. Ed and Winry's grandsons, and Tore, deal with relationships. Breda and Riza hang out, and old friends catch up with each other.
Story 54: Tragic Comedy - May-July '71. Life is hectic for the Elrics as Edward watches two grandsons deal with teen angst over a girl and a play, and two others start off on the grand adventure that is marriage. Best intentions and planning aside; life is not always smooth.
Story 55: Survival Of... - Oct 1971-Mar 1972. When disaster strikes Aerugo, Amestris sends humanitarian aid. Ed, Winry, Al, and family brave their Southern neighbor's borders to assist, but the Mustang family (and many others) face possible elimination by hidden dangers.
Story 56: Kids! - May-Dec 1972. Kids of all ages make life both interesting and complicated, whether it's dealing with the younger generation or the older. The Elric family deals with in-laws, infants, problems, and new adventures in the ups and downs of family life.
Story 57: From Drachma with Love - Summer 1973. When troubling rumors of taboo alchemy start coming out of Drachma, Edward and Alphonse lead an undercover team in to investigate. Meanwhile, the Amestrian delegation to the Drachma discovers Drachman politics is still a dangerous mire.
Story 58: Into the Whirlwind- Winter 1973-Spring 1974. Al's grand-daughter Minxia's school archaeological adventure to ancient ruins turns into drama, excitement, and danger, when their trip takes an unexpected turn, putting both Al and Minxia in mortal peril. Meanwhile, back home, village politics threatens to turn ugly as Ed's son Aldon makes a bid for mayor of Resembool, with Ed as his campaign manager!
Story 59: On the Road to Shamballa - March-May 1976. A time of growth and change in the extended Elric family. A girl with a mysterious past leads Edward, Alphonse, and others on an adventure to discover the answers to questions long left unanswered.
Story 60: Shift in Perspective - Sept-Nov 1977. Edward's Grandson, Ian, must deal with a painful dose of reality that makes him look at family, friends, and life in new ways. His trauma brings up elements of Ed's past. Can Edward and Aldon help him get through it? Will Ian give up his acting career?
Story 61: Unprepared May '78-Feb '80 Life gets quickly complicated for newly married Urey Elric, and as family drama unfolds, Edward steps in with his own experiences in the hopes of avoiding repeats of past mistakes.
Story 62: On the Rocks - Jan '82- Apr '82 Cal Fischer (General, alchemist, father of two, husband of the beautiful Alyse (Elric)) is not at all contented with his apparently 'charmed' life. Stuck behind a desk, scheduled for all hours, with a son who can't seem to stay out of trouble for two minutes, a daughter and wife with schedules that make the President's look relaxed, and middle-age trying to run him down, he can't help but wonder what's happened to the roguish State Alchemist of earlier days. Where's the magic, the energy? When did pretty girls stop thinking of him as 'cool?' Does he still have what it takes to pull his family together, and keep it together when outside forces threaten to destroy their happiness forever?
Story 63 : Stricken - Sept '82 Fall brings changes to the Elrics and their ever-growing extended family. In the midst of school, sports, jobs, and family time, when normalcy seems to have finally returned, events occur that with change things forever, in ways for which no one is prepared.
Story 64: Type-Casting - Mar-Apr 1983. Sometimes a man has to be someone he isn't usually in order to make things happen. Sometimes, that challenge is in being himself. Several folks learn this as attempts are made by family and alchemists to start to move on with life. For some, that involves hunting down information on the Hashman Syndicate. Edward’s grandson, Ian, learns a lesson in humility.
Story 65: Dynastic Succession - Feb-Apr 1984 The trail of the Hashman Syndicate leads to international drama and a coup in Xing. With the peace of the Empire and the safety of Amestris at stake, Amestris sends aid in both official and unofficial capacities. Will the Xian family retain control of the Xingese Throne? Will Ed, Al, and Winry be able to stop the Syndicate from using technology they hoped never to see in their world?
Story 66: To the Future - April-July 1984 In the aftermath of the Xing War, everyone is busy. Al's Granddaughter Minxia is finally marrying her long-patient Thrakos. Cal begins to heal long-suffered wounds, while many of the younger generation deal with new wounds as well as new adventures.
Story 67: Shaking Things Up - March '85-February '86: Nothing stays quiet in the Elric family for long. Even Ed and Al can't take it easy dealing with the ups and downs, momentous family events, and the earth itself trying to get in the way of a nice family holiday. Relationships hit new points, and some will never be the same. What happens when one of the kids gets life-altering news?
Story 68: Triskelion - Spring '86 to Summer of '87 Can Edward and Alphonse help save a Kartosian Alchemical relic from utter destruction? Adventure, teenage drama in the Fischer house, more great-grandchildren than you could ever need, and stray kittens await the Elrics in an eventful year-in-the-life.
Story 69: Growing PainsJune 1988 - October 1989 - In an ever more complicated world, Edward and Alphonse continue to be nosy, well-intentioned parts of the lives of their children and grand-children. How will the family deal with the loss of old friends, Winry's fame, an Auto-mail Convention, a wedding trying to avoid the paparazzi, adoptions, and scandalous infidelity?
*New* Story 70: Snow Phoenix - Dec 1989-Jan 1991. When Alphonse's granddaughter gets caught in the middle of a Drachman civil war, what will Amestris be willing to do to rescue their civilians? Will they risk another war? Edward, Alphonse, and the family can't keep out of international drama when it threatens everything they love. After all, people can't come back from the dead. Or can they?

Coming Soon: Stories 71!
Coming Eventually: A pre-Story 1 storyline: "Seven Years" the main events that occurred to Edward and Alphonse, and also to their friends in Amestris, during the period between CoS and "They All Lived Story 1." :)
Coming Intermittently: More Specials.

If you are looking for a Character Reference, https:///site/ladywordsmith23/fan-fiction/they-all-lived/cast/family-trees has family trees of the major families involved. It is not a complete character listing.

https:///site/ladywordsmith23/important-dates This one is, so far, a list of character birthdates/years in order.

The Specials are little things written later that may or may not have fit into the existing stories (or were written way after posting of the original story), singular scenes, side stories, etc. that I wanted to give people a chance to read. :) They are listed above where they fit into the continuum to avoid spoilers and are numbered by their Chapter 'in' the Specials story heading.

Other Fullmetal Alchemist Stories:

Orchid Among the Lilies - Posted 2/14/2011 Fullmetal Alchemist. RATED T. Post-Manga Events. Being Emperor of Xing is a lonely, challenging job. Being his Guard Captain no easier. But how will politics in Xing fall out when Ling Yao must choose amongst the ladies of his Empire presented from the Clans for his wives?

Survival Training?- Fullmetal Alchemist. RATED T. One shot that happens (probably) in the 'They All Lived' story continuum sometime 'after' Chapter 13. I was tired and a little loopy. The boys decided to take drinks on their required weekend mission. Things get fun from there!

Movements - Fullmetal Alchemist. RATED T. Variations on themes: scenes of life, thoughts, motivations, mostly from Edward's point of view so far though I'm sure other characters will jump in from time to time! Not quite short enough to be proper drabbles. These will be updated as I am inspired, or as people suggest things that make good topics!

Inevitability - Fullmetal Alchemist. RATED T. An Alternate Universe exploration of what would have happened if Alphonse hadn't gone through with helping Edward with the human transmutation, and Ed had done it on his own. Would the boys had continued life in Resembool and had a more normal childhood? Would they have gone after the Philosopher's Stone? Would they have been able to stay out of the whole mess or would they have inevitably gotten involved in some way? Would Ed and Roy have still been constantly at each other's throats? How much of the story would have happened anyway?

Iron Chef Alchemist - Fullmetal Alchemist/Iron Chef. Essentially fun fluff as Edward and Roy face off in a cooking contest at Eastern Command. Hughes as the announcer, and a secret ingredient that has Ed's stomach curdling. ;)