“No! NO!!!! IT CANNOT END LIKE THIS!” I screamed as the ending credits rolled for “Fullmetal Alchemist: Conquer of Shamballa”. The ending leaving the Protagonist, Edward Elric with his brother Alphonse, stranded in a parallel universe away from his support, inspiration and potential love interest, Winry Rockbell. Although it was never about their romantic relationship, (which is what makes the couple so intriguing) This interpretation of the Fullmetal alchemist story tore my heart apart. They made a promise dammit! So I proceeded to wallow in despair while watching the last episode of the remake that followed the original storyline, and my heart was mended slightly.
But I could not shake my feelings of rejection to such a reality where they were separated. So, an idea for a fanfiction was born. At this point in time, I had very little exposure to any decent fanfiction, and in fact had never written any before (That stuff I wrote when i was twelve doesn't exist.). Then, I truly understood how they were started.
Since this Parallel World model runs where there are two versions of any given person living similar but separate lives. The same personality, and at least vaguely identical appearance. The dividing factor being the world from where Edward and Alphonse Elric originated, Alchemy is the driving science and pride of their native country. According to the producers of the 2003 anime and movie, their Alchemy is fueled by the life force of the residents of the doppelganger world. (our world)
So I figured, what’s to keep the brothers from meeting the alternate version of Winry? I brought this idea to my close Friend Averi, because she had at least more experience writing and dealing with fanfiction. The idea was extremely rough, and we thought it would probably be just a few chapters dealing with their reactions. She came up with an at the time, throw away idea. “Oh, wouldn’t it be a twist if she was the real Winry?”. At that time, for some reason, the immensity of that concept failed to pass through my mind.
So here we are. A year, 45,000 words, many sleepless nights, ideas for two sequels and a lot of insanity later, trying to iron out the kinks that go with global transient amnesia and close calls with horny soldiers. Not to mention the insane amount of emotional baggage that the characters already lug around. From this I have begun to truly understand how it feels to be an author. Although people will discount this work because the characters and situation are not of my own making, but, I have thought and agonized and researched enough to at least make up for this story I believe. This journey of understanding these characters is the exact same as what I go through making original characters. Understanding the deepest of needs, wants, and their stories. Every possible little thing that could influence their actions or relationships.
While writing the fanfiction I took up several side stories and separate stories to test out different parts of my writing abilities. All of these experiences and discoveries have fed in to this fanfiction, Remember Me, also facilitating my growth as not only a creative individual, but a human being this past year.
Say what you will, but any creative outlet is what you make it and never deserves to fall under one umbrella term. One this that I learned through all of this, something that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life:
Nothing is ever black and white.
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