Fullmetal Alchemist: What if…?
What if… the Yao-Chang Siblings were Twins?
☕️ | Welcome to part 1 of my new series! This one is a bit of a mix of “what if they were twins?” and “what if they were in fma 03?” This entire series will be AUs taking place in 03, so just mind that. If you make any fanart (probably not) please send to me!
🧺 | Part 1 (you’re here!) • Part 2 (TBC…)
Major Canon Context Changes
Ling comes to Amestris seeking immortality, but in a better thought-out way than the hail Mary he was pulling in FMA:B.
Hohenheim’s texts play a huge role in his tracking of the Philosopher’s stone (one of his many lives did land in Xing, under a different name and appearance, of course).
This of course leads him to meeting the Elric brothers, who already know by this point what the stones are made of. They inform Ling of this, and while indifferent at first, later down the line he’ll be more conscious of the morality of the stone.
Mei reads a lot, too. She’s an alkahestrist, so she more than anyone is interested in the Philosopher’s stone. Unfortunately, she has a harder time reaching Amestris.
Once she does reach Amestris, she comes across Scar. This is where her and Ling’s motives primarily diverge—at least at first. Unlike her weird kinda-apathy in FMAB Mei sympathizes with the people of Ishval, conflicted by the new people’s she’s learned about and her own family back home who could benefit greatly from one of the stones.
With a bit of childish glee™️, she decides she’ll just find another way to take over Xing. And in this AU, she knows of Ling’s presence early on. (because Amestrians are white and gossiping tbh)
SILLY HEADCANONS
Genuinely can’t stand each other
When Mei recognized Lan Fan she tripped her
Right while Lan Fan was kicking Edward’s ass
Then here comes Ling out of the woodworks hooting and hollering about it
Mei dgaf
The worst part of it all is that they have a tendency to finish each other’s sentences, or even just straight up say the same things. Alphonse noticed they were siblings before being introduced because the first thing Mei said was the same thing Ling said. All while being apart!
george and fred iykyk
Absolutely evil when they get along
Seriously if they decide a plan is worth them both collaborating on they will make your life a living hell
And then if the plan fails they fight each other 🙁
Eventually they find alliance in their political views
Heartwarming! Only you two understand the horrors of Amestrian lore. And Lan Fan too. We love you, Lan Fan.
APPEARANCE / STATS
Not much for this category. Mei’s a lot taller—still short, but just maybe four inches below Winry (compared to Ed’s —2 inches lmao). Her and Ling are both fifteen.
Ling is more mature in this AU, still silly, but extra locked in, nonetheless. Mei is determined and has less of an eye for romance, though maybe she sparkles a bit when Al smiles (who wouldn’t?!). She also wears that qipao in the End photo (see above).
That’s all for now! If you enjoyed you should totally repost or say your feelings or whatevs. Thank you for reading.
