Fullmetal Alchemist: Edward/Ran Fan
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Hiromu Arakawa. This is just my interpretation of the characters she's created. I've seen Ran Fan's named spelled a number of ways (LanFan, Ran Fun), but I'm going to stick with my preferred spelling. Cool? Also, I follow the manga scanlations, so if my references don't match up 100% to the copy you have, that's why. Hopefully slight variances in translation won't be too much of a problem. Hugs and kisses to everyone who listened to me brain-storm and offered their own input and advise.
World:
Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a fictional universe modeled after 1920s Europe. The majority of the story unfolds in Amestris, a country with a military based government and a history of conflict. In this world, alchemy is the science of transmutation that follows the three step process of analysis, deconstruction, and reconstruction to alter matter from one form to another through the use of arrays. The Amestian government employs alchemists for war and uses alchemy to advance their weapons and technology. Xing, an eastern country governed by Imperial rule, remains unaffected by the political affairs of Amestris because of the Great Desert separating the two counties. Here, alchemy is developed primarily for medical purposes.
Characters:
Edward Elric and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric, are the children of Van Hohenheim and Trisha Elric. After Hohenheim “abandoned” his wife and children when Edward was still very young, Trisha raised her boys in Resembool, the small country town of their birth. Both Ed and Al inherited a natural talent for alchemy, and they taught themselves the science using the research their father left behind. Their mother passed away from a fatal illness a few years later. Devastated by their mother’s death, they began studying alchemy under Izumi Curtis, a martial arts and alchemy teacher from the town of Dublith, hoping to gain the knowledge and skill necessary to complete a successful human transmutation and resurrect their mother from the dead.
When they attempt to bring their mother back, Ed and Al inadvertently summon “The Gate” which demands a toll fee for access to “The Truth” that would theoretically allow Ed to recreate Trisha’s body and reattach her soul to it. The Gate takes Alphonse’s body and Ed’s left leg, and the product of their experiment is a twisted human form vaguely resembling their mother. Horrified, Edward frantically tries to call back his brother’s soul and sacrifices his right arm to attach his bother to steel suit of armor. Later on, Edward receives automail replacements for his limbs from his neighbors, the Rockbells. Winry Rockbell, a childhood friend of the Elrics, becomes Edward’s primary mechanic. Edward and Alphonse vow to restore their bodies and begin a journey in search of the philosopher’s stone that is rumored to have the power to amplify alchemic reactions and perhaps be enough to surpass the toll demand of the gate. In order to obtain the funding and resources necessary to achieve their goal, Edward becomes the youngest certified State Alchemist (The Fullmetal Alchemist) at the age of 12 when he demonstrates his ability to perform alchemy without circles. He reluctantly becomes one of Colonel Roy Mustang’s (The Flame Alchemist’s) subordinates.
Currently, Edward is around 15-years-old. He’s proclaimed himself a man of science and denounces the existence of a God. By clapping his hands he can transmute his arm into a metal blade. He is a stubborn, arrogant, and highly intelligent teenager who is self-conscious about his height and prone to fits of rage when anyone comments on his short stature. He also hates milk, something his brother and Winry like to tease him over. Edward has a dislike for authority and prides himself on being able to take care of himself, often rebelling against those who try to aide him or give him orders. Although he may seem to be nothing more than a cocky and bitter child, Edward is actually a very compassionate person who cares deeply for the people around him. He is plagued by guilt over the pain that he has caused his brother and loved ones. He feels that it is his responsibility to atone for the sins of his past (attempting the ultimate taboo of human transmutation), and pushes people away to spare them from the burden of his problems. (He gets a bit better about this later on though)
Despite his cynical views on religion and government, Edward is still an idealist who clings to the principle of “equivalent exchange” and chases after a dream that many people deem impossible. Even as a member of the military, he continues to try to “save” as many people as he can, often putting himself at risk to avoid killing.
Ran Fan is a young female warrior from Xing who travels to Amestris with her grandfather, Fu, and acts as a bodyguard to their clan’s heir to the throne, the 12th son of the Emperor, Master Ling Yao. She and her grandfather belong to a family that has served the Yao clan for generations, and she is fiercely dedicated to Ling and his mission to find the philosopher’s stone so that he can claim immortality and seize power for the Yao clan. A skilled fighter, Ran Fan feels she must defend Ling’s honor, and she loses her temper when Edward speaks poorly of the prince. Like other characters from Xing, Ran Fan has the ability to sense the flow of Chi (Ki or Qi) in living beings, a skill that makes her a valuable asset to tracking homunculi because their spiritual presence is different from the spiritual presence of a normal person. Her weapons of choice are throwing knives called Kunai.
Despite being stubborn and strong-willed, she is also extremely shy. She is rarely seen conversing with anyone outside Xing culture, and when she does speak with others, she is always brief and to the point. She is almost always wearing her battle mask, and while this may be attributed to shyness as well, I suspect she chooses to hide her face and present herself as a genderless soldier because A. She takes a great deal of pride in serving under Ling and her uniform and mask designate her as his bodyguard, and B. If one is to assume that Xing is modeled after Ancient China, their culture is not likely to hold a woman (especially a woman filling a traditionally “male” role) with high regards. Perhaps Ran Fan embraces a faceless/genderless identity that exists solely to protect the Yao Clan’s heir because she considers it a more respectable position in her country than living the traditional life of a Xing woman? (Although, the half of the Yin-Yang symbol that appears on her mask represents the feminine element while Fu’s half represents the masculine element, so one can also wonder if this is just a coincidence or if the genders of Xing warriors are distinguishable by the designs on their uniforms) The manga doesn’t offer much on Ran Fan’s past or the inner workings of Xing society, so there are many possibilities here for fandom to explore.
Story Thus Far:
First Encounter
Ed and Ran Fan first meet one another in Rush Valley (Near the end of chapter 32 of the manga) Ed refuses to answer Ling’s questions about the philosopher’s stone, and he and Ran Fan engage in hand-to-hand combat that soon escalates to the use of weaponry and alchemy. Ran Fan appears to have the advantage as Ed is unfamiliar with her fighting technique, but when Edward insults Ling, Ran Fan’s emotions get the better of her and her moves become easier to counter. During the fight, Edward destroys Ran Fan’s mask and is surprised to discover that his opponent is a woman. Ran Fan retaliates by hurling a grenade at Edward.
Once the dust clears, all that remains of Edward is his broken automail. Ran Fan worries that she went too far and will be scolded by Ling for her careless actions, but when she reaches for the automail she triggers a trap. Edward steps out of hiding and reveals to her that his arm was useless, dead weight, so he cut it off and used it as bait to catch her. He lectures her on endangering the lives of civilians, but Ran Fan seems more concerned about Edward replacing the mask that he broke. Ran Fan escapes with Ling and her grandfather to regroup and dodge the blame for all the property damage caused by their battle.
After fleeing the scene, Ling decides it’s best to stay near the Elrics and gather more information on the stone and the condition of their bodies (particularly Al’s which lacks the “flow of ki” that a normal human possesses). They meet-up with Ed and Al at the automail shop where Winry works. Edward offers Ran Fan a new mask to replace the one he broke, but his alterations upset her. Alphonse fixes the mask instead, and the Xing gang accompanies both boys back Central.
Partnership
Edward must travel east in secret, and for a while, Alphonse is left with Ling, Ran Fan, and Winry. During this time, Alphonse learns of Ling’s lineage and the reasons behind his search for the philosopher’s stone, and Alphonse’s explains the origins and nature of his body in return. Edward reunites with his brother in chapter 44, and promptly kicks Ling and Ran Fan out of their hotel room. Ed and Al exchange information (so we can assume that Ed now knows the details of Ling’s quest as well), and unbeknownst to them, Ling and Ran Fan eavesdrop on their conversation (so we can assume that they now know the details of Ed and Al’s past).
Ed and Al plot to capture a homunculus, and Ling pops up to offer his assistance, confessing that he and Ran Fan have been listening to everything they’ve said up until that point. Together, they devise a plan to lure out a homunculus, but things become complicated and Ran Fan is severely injured. Ling tries to carry her to safety, but Ran Fan will not allow him to throw away his life for her sake. She cuts off her wounded arm and ties it to a stray dog, leaving a fake blood trail to mislead their enemy so that the two of them can escape into the sewers.
After successfully capturing Gluttony with the additional aid of Mustang and Hawkeye, Ed and Al go with Mustang to an abandoned shack in the woods where the homunculus is hidden. Hawkeye brings Ran Fan here as well to be treated by Mustang’s comrade from the Ishbal War, Dr. Knox. Edward tries to express his apologies to Ling for what happened to Ran Fan, but Ling tells Edward that their well-being is not his responsibility. Ed asks Ran Fan if there is anything he can do for her and she requests automail. Ed smiles, assuring her that he knows the best mechanic around, and she returns his smile with her own.
Farewells
Ran Fan’s injury prevents her from fulfilling her duty as Ling’s guard, and while she is in the care of Dr. Knox, Ling submits his body to the Homunculus Greed in exchange for what he views as “immortality.” Ran Fan is clearly distraught upon hearing the news, and her grandfather scolds her for having disgraced their family name. Edward is stunned that Fu would strike Ran Fan. He informs Fu of his promise to get Ran Fan an automail mechanic, but the Xingians politely decline his offer and explain that any further involvement with one another is too much of a risk. They decide to seek out an automail mechanic on their own, and Ran Fan vows to return for Ling and the secret of immortality.
Pairing Potential:
The manga does not provide any evidence of a pre-existing relationship between Ed and Ran Fan and very little subtext to support this pairing compared to other pairings in the fandom. Regardless, I believe that there is enough substance to their relationship in the manga to suggest the possibility of that current relationship developing into something more intimate. My intention is not to prove how/why this pairing works canon, but to discuss the reasons why I feel that the similarities and differences between these two characters provide readers with an interesting dynamic that's worth exploring in fanon. In my opinion, the obstacles this pairing must overcome in order to even exist makes it all the more exciting, and Ed and Ran Fan’s opposition to being a couple makes shipping them all the more challenging and fun!
Skill
Izumi Curtis believed that one must train the body in order to train the mind, so Ed received rigorous training that included studying the martial arts. Like-wise, Ran Fan was trained from childhood to be a Yao warrior, so she and Ed are both very skilled fighters. What’s interesting is that they use different styles of combat. Ran Fan tends to use aerial maneuvers a lot more, and instead of directly countering her opponents moves with her own, she seems to rely on their strength to turn their attacks on them. Example: When Ed tries to punch her, she does not block and punch back, but takes advantage of the opening he creates when he leans into his attack by attempting to break his arm. Ed acknowledges her strengths, and Ran Fan is forced to recognize the threat of Ed’s own techniques when he defeats and humiliates her in battle. I imagine she’s still a bit bitter about that and would probably seize an opportunity to prove herself worthy of her position if given the chance for a rematch, but once things cool down, perhaps they can each learn a few pointers from the other on how to improve their own skills.
Military
Edward and Ran Fan are essentially military officials, and while that may be a source of pride for both of them, it’s a heavy burden as well. When Edward became a State Alchemist, he didn’t just earn the honor of being the “Youngest State Alchemist,” a “Child Prodigy,” and even after using his position to help the common man, “Hero of the People.” Joining the Military meant selling his soul to the State, and Edward is commonly referred to as a “Dog of the Military” and treated poorly because of it.
Ran Fan considers her role as Ling’s bodyguard a respectable one, but compared to the other Xing characters (Ling, Fu, Mei Chan) she is probably the lowest class present. It’s apparent that Ling’s word is Law to her, and she will bow to any demand or request he gives her. Although she is not treated with as much distain as Edward, I do believe that in her own country rival clans do not think highly of her, and Mei Chan has demonstrated as much when she labels Ran Fan “Dog of the Yao Clan.”
Ed and Ran Fan should be on equal terms as both characters hold a position where they are required to answer to someone above them. However, whether consciously or subconsciously, they each rather hold their own "superiority" over the other's head. Ran Fan feels she's entitled to respect because she serves the future emperor, and Ed is not at all impressed by Ling's social status and doesn't feel he has any obligation to hand out special treatment to foreigners. Even so, military service provides a common ground for them to relate and additional material for shipping. Cultural disputes are frequent with this pairing, but as I will discuss later, they help strengthen their relationship more than discourage it.
Self-Sacrifice
Both Ed and Ran Fan value the life of another person more than they value their own lives, and they will disregard their own safety and happiness for the sake of this particular person. For Edward, this person is his younger brother Alphonse, whom he believes he literally owes his life to due to the guilt he feels for having deprived Al of his own life when he bonded Al’s soul to a suit of armor. Everything Ed does in the series he does with the intention of restoring Al to normal, and he has demonstrated a willingness to die if it means protecting Al. (However, Edward’s views on self-sacrifice change when he encounters others who share his willingness to die for the sake of a goal or greater good)
Ran Fan has dedicated her life to supporting Ling in his quest to become Emperor, and she considers Ling’s succession to the throne and her clan’s survival to be much more important than herself. She tells Ling that without a king their people would be lost, and for that reason it is her duty to ensure his safe return to their country even if it costs her her own life.
Not only have these characters handed their lives over to debt and responsibility for another person, but they have also physically sacrificed parts of themselves. Ed gave his right arm to the gate in exchange for his brother’s soul, and Ran Fan cut her left arm off so that Ling could escape from King Bradley. Coincidentally, Ran Fan uses the same trick to fool Bradley that Ed used to trap her in their first fight. She even comments on giving "things" up in regards to her arm, just like Ed said to her about cutting off his own arm when it was no longer useful to him. In addition to what Edward originally stated, Ran Fan implies that she is also a "thing" to be given up, further indicating how she perceives herself as disposable when compared to Ling and their goals. In the interest of Ed/Ran Fan, this particular story arc reveals that Edward has a considerable amount of influence on Ran Fan, and her actions impact Ed as well.
Relationships
The main relationships that stand in the way of Ed/Ran Fan are Ed's relationship with Al and Ran Fan's relationship with Ling. There are two important things to note about the Ed/Al relationship and Ling/Ran Fan relationship when it comes to the Ed/Ran Fan pairing. Firstly, ignoring current plot situations, these two relationships pose the greatest hindrance to the pairing, even more so than the canon Ed/Winry content. Ed’s entire world revolves around Alphonse. He left his home and childhood best-friend/ canon’s potential sweetheart behind him to pursue a cure for his brother’s condition. He wouldn’t allow himself the time or freedom to indulge in a more intimate relationship with Winry or anyone else because of his fixation on Al. Ran Fan is very much the same way with Ling, except there are plenty of blushing hints that Ran Fan also harbor’s a crush on her Prince.
Secondly, both Ed/Al and Ling/Ran Fan are relationships that can never be fully realized. Whether you support Elricest or not, it’s obvious that Ed is closer to Alphonse than anyone else, to the point that he’d forget himself if Alphonse didn’t occasionally slap some sense into him. In fact, it’s not too far-fetched to say that Ed can be downright obsessive and possessive of Al. Since I view Ed’s fixation on Al to be more difficult to overcome than the relationship between Ed and Winry, I had to rationalize why his fixation would be something that Ed would feel the need to overcome, and because I was into Elricest before I discovered Ed/Ran Fan, my reasoning does tread into that pairing a bit.
Ed and Al are brothers, and I believe that if Ed had any feelings leaning towards romantic for his brother his instinctual response would be Brother=No Zone. If he ever moved past that, there’s no way for him to physically connect with Alphonse because of the armor. Assuming their relationship is strictly fraternal, Edward is going to have to let go of Al once they restore Al’s body. Al is going to have his own life, pursue his own dreams beyond their current journey, and Ed is going to have to accept that they are going to have to go their separate ways.
While Ran Fan may actually be able to serve as Ling’s guard into old age, her country’s customs would not permit her to ever be with him. Ling is destined to have many wives, each woman chosen as her Clan’s representative. In a country with such a set class system, Ran Fan has no place in that world. She can pine all she wants, but Ling is still someone she is not allowed to have. I think she’s convinced herself that she is satisfied with what she has now, and she doesn’t focus on what she’s giving up in the process. I wonder what kind of lecture Ed would have for her, given his change of heart on the subject of self-sacrifice and finding one’s own happiness.
Rivalry
As I’ve already mentioned, Ed and Ran Fan’s rocky camaraderie (if you can even call it that) was born of conflict. Much to Ran Fan’s displeasure, Edward bested her in a fight that tore up half a city. They both seek the philosopher’s stone, and although Ling has decided it’s in the Xingians best interests to team up with the Elrics, their ultimate goal is to get to the stone before Ed and Al. Throughout their travels together, Ran Fan fluctuates between hostility and indifference towards Ed, and Ed doesn’t regard her as much more than a nuisance. Most of their interaction with one another, however infrequent as it may be, is wrought with tension for numerous reasons. I think Ran Fan’s pride was severely wounded during that first fight, and she wants to prove herself as the competent guard and martial artist she is. She resents Ed for mocking her and not treating Ling with proper respect. Perhaps this is why she seemed so content after she lost her arm and Ed offered his help, because it showed that Ed understood the lengths to which she would go to in order to fulfill her duty, and for that, he owed her his respect.
Even after losing her arm, Ran Fan still displays an eagerness to one-up Ed. When Al explains to her how taxing automail surgery can be on the human body, she insists that she can heal in half the time it took Ed to heal. She later declines Ed’s original offer for automail, determined to find her own mechanic for the job. Ed and Ran Fan are both children that have been forced into an adult world, but they are still children, and this sort of competitive and aggressive behavior isn't all that uncommon where a youthful crush is involved.That seems evidence enough that Ed is on Ran Fan's mind quite a bit, and even though their stubborn personalities accompanied by bursts of immature competitiveness may negatively impact their relationship, with so many opportunities for them to relate to one another, I believe they have the potential to understand each other and connect on a much deeper level as their reluctant friendship matures into something more.
Culture and Character Clash
Racial and religious prejudice is one of the ever-present themes in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, and while Ed and Ran Fan are a far cry away from slaughtering helpless Ishballan children, their limited experience and current lack of understanding where the others’ culture is concerned puts a definite strain on their relationship. As previously stated, Edward casually insults Ling and angers Ran Fan with his disrespect. He also makes off-handed remarks about Ling’s appearance, specifically his eyes, and tells him that he and his guards should go back to their own country. Yikes! However, it’s the unintentional offenses that are the most telling examples of Edward’s ignorance and disregard for Xing culture.
Ed alters Ran Fan’s mask when he repairs it for her and doesn’t understand why she is so infuriated by this. He is also shocked by how harsh Fu is with Ran Fan when he discovers her failure to protect the Prince. While Ran Fan doesn’t actively insult Amestris and its people, she is rather dismissive of them in general, as she avoids social interaction with anyone other than Ling and Fu, and shows little to no concern for anything other than the Prince and their goal. She and Ed only seem to want from one another countries what will benefit their own country and themselves. A key difference between them is the extent to which they will go to get what they want.
I get the impression that Ran Fan is more aware of the sacrifices that must be made to achieve her goal, and she is not nearly as idealistic as Edward when the price to pay is human life. Should a person threaten Ling and/or her country, I have no doubt that she would eliminate that person, because as a bodyguard and Xing warrior she cannot afford to hesitate when the future of her people is at stake. Logically, I'm sure Edward would agree, but he does not have the emotional fortitude necessary to take a human life, and he's ashamed to admit this. He desperately wants to believe that he and Al can obtain the philosopher stone and save Amestris without killing, but his kindness endangers himself and others. I wonder what would happen if Ran Fan confronted him about his current reservations, because he cannot be relied on as an ally if he hesitates in battle and puts his comrades and mission at risk.
The cultures of these two characters shape how they view world issues and themselves. Amestris more or less represents the Western World (Western Europe) while Xing represents the Far East (China). Edward comes from a background that values individual thinking and encourages him to excel. He is very knowledgeable in his field of study, and because he recognizes his talents and usefulness, he is often extremely opinionated and arrogant. Ran Fan’s background has a different way of thinking, and she accepts a submissive role in her society, taking more pride in her clan’s accomplishments as a whole and her position of servitude to her master than she does in personal successes. She is quiet, often not speaking unless spoken to, and she obeys the commands of another, something Edward finds difficult to do.
People may observe Ed and Ran Fan’s cultural differences and the conflicts that arise because of them as something that impairs their relationship, but I feel that it’s important to discuss these matters as something that contributes to the development of their relationship as well as the development of the characters themselves. As the story progresses and Edward gains more of an understanding of his country’s political agenda, his perspective on past events gradually changes. It’s easy to acknowledge prejudice on a grand scale, but it’s much more difficult to deal with ones own prejudices, and because Edward is naturally a very compassionate person despite how he may present himself, he would try to redeem himself once he’s made aware of his short-comings. I believe that because of how different Ed and Ran Fan are, they each have a lot to offer the other in terms of overcoming themselves and learning to accept others.
Mutual Benefits
Ling and Ran Fan temporarily join forces with the Elrics to capture a homunculus because Ling realizes that teaming up with alchemists who are knowledgeable of the philosopher's stone and have experience with homunculi gives him an advantage. Edward agrees to a truce because he is also aware of Ling and Ran Fan's abilities to sense and track homunculi, something Ed and Al are incapable of doing on their own. It's established that both parties possess something the other needs to accomplish the the task at hand, and Edward asserts himself as the leader of this mission. Ling and Edward were still working together when Ling submitted to Greed's consciousness, so it's reasonable to believe that Ran Fan is still bound to Ed by her master's verbal contract with him.
Personally, the idea of Ran Fan being indebted to Edward and required to serve him during Ling's absence is the most appealing approach to this pairing. This scenario forces them to assume the roles of master/servant, a set-up that is sure to make Edward plenty uncomfortable and provoke more conflict as Ed insists that Ran Fan should "stand on her own two feet" and Ran Fan struggles to fulfill her contract in a traditional fashion. As much as she doesn't want to follow Ed, she feels she has to and Ed is just making things more difficult by not accepting that fact. Over time, they gradually discover the admirable qualities in each other and overcome/learn from their diversity as they strive for some sort of compromise. Of course, that compromise only comes after lots and lots of fighting. I like my pairing feisty!
Sex Appeal and Conspiracy Theories
I thought I’d wrap this essay up in a playful fun way to mellow out the overall seriousness of this pairing, because Ran Fan is still young and Edward is still a spaz, and with all this tension building up between them they could have some mind-blowing sex. On a strictly superficial level, Ran Fan is a hot little asian chick who can kick some serious ass, and there’s no denying Edward’s sex appeal when he’s all tan muscles, golden-blond hair, and cold hard metal! Hey, I’m weak. I wouldn’t mind watching them take out all their aggression on each other, all sweaty and bloody and panting and wired! Sex is the perfect stress-reliever for these two, and who doesn’t love a good fight that ends with people ripping each other’s clothes off? Okay, maybe that’s too much right of the bat, but it’s something to work for! Plus, can you imagine if they had kids? Ha! Super-Genius-Alchemist-Ninja babies with jet black hair and demonic yellow eyes! *_*
Also, when I was looking up manga scans to use as references, I had way too much fun turning them into secret Ed/Ran Fan for my own amusement. For instance, Ran Fan seems very interested in what Ed's doing! Again, Ed has her attention. She blushes at the mere mention of him! XD CONSPIRACY MUCH?!?!
So let’s see, did I get everything? What it all comes down to is having two amazing characters I love and realizing that putting them together just makes them even more amazing! Ed and Ran Fan are both extremely guarded characters. Their loyalty to the ones they care for, passion and dedication for reaching their goals, stubborn attitudes, badass skills at martial arts, and delightful friction are an exciting combination of pairing factors. They could totally get into kinky sex play, and maybe with time their relationship could become something deeply overpowering and emotional. I am absolutely in love with this pairing because I feel like I can never fully cover all the personal and social components that make Ed/Ran Fan so fascinating to me.
Looking for Ed/Ran Fan?: (This is a rare pairing, so I've listed EVERYTHING I could find for it, including my own stuff. If there is something out there that I've overlooked, let me know and I'll add it to the list!)
Fanfiction
Clandestine by
evil_little_dog (Things just get out of hand. There's a prequel and sequel)
Still Alive by
hieadenna (Ed visits Ran Fan after her automail surgery)
Obedience by
alchemistx (Short non-con drabble, Greed!Ling/Ran Fan/Edward)
One Wrong Turn by
djin7 (Ed, Ran Fan, and Kung-Fu Fighting...sort of)
Import Girlfriend by
psycholullaby (Random drabble where Roy is unfortunate with his choice of women)
Safe Harbor by
inugrlrayn (NC-17 Pretty much PWP)
Fanart
New Dawn and Evening Out by
hikaru_9 (*whimpers* She owns me for these. She also doodled something for a Christmas card)
Ed/Ran Fan Ballroom Dancing by
sharpwind (She had a kinky fanart up too, but it's gone now ;-;)
Ed x Ran Fan by
sliefoxx
Collection of Ed x Ran Fan Art by
psycholullaby
Lovers by
hikaru_9 (NWS)
Extra
Ed/Ran Fan Doujinshi
World:
Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a fictional universe modeled after 1920s Europe. The majority of the story unfolds in Amestris, a country with a military based government and a history of conflict. In this world, alchemy is the science of transmutation that follows the three step process of analysis, deconstruction, and reconstruction to alter matter from one form to another through the use of arrays. The Amestian government employs alchemists for war and uses alchemy to advance their weapons and technology. Xing, an eastern country governed by Imperial rule, remains unaffected by the political affairs of Amestris because of the Great Desert separating the two counties. Here, alchemy is developed primarily for medical purposes.
Characters:
Edward Elric and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric, are the children of Van Hohenheim and Trisha Elric. After Hohenheim “abandoned” his wife and children when Edward was still very young, Trisha raised her boys in Resembool, the small country town of their birth. Both Ed and Al inherited a natural talent for alchemy, and they taught themselves the science using the research their father left behind. Their mother passed away from a fatal illness a few years later. Devastated by their mother’s death, they began studying alchemy under Izumi Curtis, a martial arts and alchemy teacher from the town of Dublith, hoping to gain the knowledge and skill necessary to complete a successful human transmutation and resurrect their mother from the dead.
When they attempt to bring their mother back, Ed and Al inadvertently summon “The Gate” which demands a toll fee for access to “The Truth” that would theoretically allow Ed to recreate Trisha’s body and reattach her soul to it. The Gate takes Alphonse’s body and Ed’s left leg, and the product of their experiment is a twisted human form vaguely resembling their mother. Horrified, Edward frantically tries to call back his brother’s soul and sacrifices his right arm to attach his bother to steel suit of armor. Later on, Edward receives automail replacements for his limbs from his neighbors, the Rockbells. Winry Rockbell, a childhood friend of the Elrics, becomes Edward’s primary mechanic. Edward and Alphonse vow to restore their bodies and begin a journey in search of the philosopher’s stone that is rumored to have the power to amplify alchemic reactions and perhaps be enough to surpass the toll demand of the gate. In order to obtain the funding and resources necessary to achieve their goal, Edward becomes the youngest certified State Alchemist (The Fullmetal Alchemist) at the age of 12 when he demonstrates his ability to perform alchemy without circles. He reluctantly becomes one of Colonel Roy Mustang’s (The Flame Alchemist’s) subordinates.
Currently, Edward is around 15-years-old. He’s proclaimed himself a man of science and denounces the existence of a God. By clapping his hands he can transmute his arm into a metal blade. He is a stubborn, arrogant, and highly intelligent teenager who is self-conscious about his height and prone to fits of rage when anyone comments on his short stature. He also hates milk, something his brother and Winry like to tease him over. Edward has a dislike for authority and prides himself on being able to take care of himself, often rebelling against those who try to aide him or give him orders. Although he may seem to be nothing more than a cocky and bitter child, Edward is actually a very compassionate person who cares deeply for the people around him. He is plagued by guilt over the pain that he has caused his brother and loved ones. He feels that it is his responsibility to atone for the sins of his past (attempting the ultimate taboo of human transmutation), and pushes people away to spare them from the burden of his problems. (He gets a bit better about this later on though)
Despite his cynical views on religion and government, Edward is still an idealist who clings to the principle of “equivalent exchange” and chases after a dream that many people deem impossible. Even as a member of the military, he continues to try to “save” as many people as he can, often putting himself at risk to avoid killing.
Ran Fan is a young female warrior from Xing who travels to Amestris with her grandfather, Fu, and acts as a bodyguard to their clan’s heir to the throne, the 12th son of the Emperor, Master Ling Yao. She and her grandfather belong to a family that has served the Yao clan for generations, and she is fiercely dedicated to Ling and his mission to find the philosopher’s stone so that he can claim immortality and seize power for the Yao clan. A skilled fighter, Ran Fan feels she must defend Ling’s honor, and she loses her temper when Edward speaks poorly of the prince. Like other characters from Xing, Ran Fan has the ability to sense the flow of Chi (Ki or Qi) in living beings, a skill that makes her a valuable asset to tracking homunculi because their spiritual presence is different from the spiritual presence of a normal person. Her weapons of choice are throwing knives called Kunai.
Despite being stubborn and strong-willed, she is also extremely shy. She is rarely seen conversing with anyone outside Xing culture, and when she does speak with others, she is always brief and to the point. She is almost always wearing her battle mask, and while this may be attributed to shyness as well, I suspect she chooses to hide her face and present herself as a genderless soldier because A. She takes a great deal of pride in serving under Ling and her uniform and mask designate her as his bodyguard, and B. If one is to assume that Xing is modeled after Ancient China, their culture is not likely to hold a woman (especially a woman filling a traditionally “male” role) with high regards. Perhaps Ran Fan embraces a faceless/genderless identity that exists solely to protect the Yao Clan’s heir because she considers it a more respectable position in her country than living the traditional life of a Xing woman? (Although, the half of the Yin-Yang symbol that appears on her mask represents the feminine element while Fu’s half represents the masculine element, so one can also wonder if this is just a coincidence or if the genders of Xing warriors are distinguishable by the designs on their uniforms) The manga doesn’t offer much on Ran Fan’s past or the inner workings of Xing society, so there are many possibilities here for fandom to explore.
Story Thus Far:
First Encounter
Ed and Ran Fan first meet one another in Rush Valley (Near the end of chapter 32 of the manga) Ed refuses to answer Ling’s questions about the philosopher’s stone, and he and Ran Fan engage in hand-to-hand combat that soon escalates to the use of weaponry and alchemy. Ran Fan appears to have the advantage as Ed is unfamiliar with her fighting technique, but when Edward insults Ling, Ran Fan’s emotions get the better of her and her moves become easier to counter. During the fight, Edward destroys Ran Fan’s mask and is surprised to discover that his opponent is a woman. Ran Fan retaliates by hurling a grenade at Edward.
Once the dust clears, all that remains of Edward is his broken automail. Ran Fan worries that she went too far and will be scolded by Ling for her careless actions, but when she reaches for the automail she triggers a trap. Edward steps out of hiding and reveals to her that his arm was useless, dead weight, so he cut it off and used it as bait to catch her. He lectures her on endangering the lives of civilians, but Ran Fan seems more concerned about Edward replacing the mask that he broke. Ran Fan escapes with Ling and her grandfather to regroup and dodge the blame for all the property damage caused by their battle.
After fleeing the scene, Ling decides it’s best to stay near the Elrics and gather more information on the stone and the condition of their bodies (particularly Al’s which lacks the “flow of ki” that a normal human possesses). They meet-up with Ed and Al at the automail shop where Winry works. Edward offers Ran Fan a new mask to replace the one he broke, but his alterations upset her. Alphonse fixes the mask instead, and the Xing gang accompanies both boys back Central.
Partnership
Edward must travel east in secret, and for a while, Alphonse is left with Ling, Ran Fan, and Winry. During this time, Alphonse learns of Ling’s lineage and the reasons behind his search for the philosopher’s stone, and Alphonse’s explains the origins and nature of his body in return. Edward reunites with his brother in chapter 44, and promptly kicks Ling and Ran Fan out of their hotel room. Ed and Al exchange information (so we can assume that Ed now knows the details of Ling’s quest as well), and unbeknownst to them, Ling and Ran Fan eavesdrop on their conversation (so we can assume that they now know the details of Ed and Al’s past).
Ed and Al plot to capture a homunculus, and Ling pops up to offer his assistance, confessing that he and Ran Fan have been listening to everything they’ve said up until that point. Together, they devise a plan to lure out a homunculus, but things become complicated and Ran Fan is severely injured. Ling tries to carry her to safety, but Ran Fan will not allow him to throw away his life for her sake. She cuts off her wounded arm and ties it to a stray dog, leaving a fake blood trail to mislead their enemy so that the two of them can escape into the sewers.
After successfully capturing Gluttony with the additional aid of Mustang and Hawkeye, Ed and Al go with Mustang to an abandoned shack in the woods where the homunculus is hidden. Hawkeye brings Ran Fan here as well to be treated by Mustang’s comrade from the Ishbal War, Dr. Knox. Edward tries to express his apologies to Ling for what happened to Ran Fan, but Ling tells Edward that their well-being is not his responsibility. Ed asks Ran Fan if there is anything he can do for her and she requests automail. Ed smiles, assuring her that he knows the best mechanic around, and she returns his smile with her own.
Farewells
Ran Fan’s injury prevents her from fulfilling her duty as Ling’s guard, and while she is in the care of Dr. Knox, Ling submits his body to the Homunculus Greed in exchange for what he views as “immortality.” Ran Fan is clearly distraught upon hearing the news, and her grandfather scolds her for having disgraced their family name. Edward is stunned that Fu would strike Ran Fan. He informs Fu of his promise to get Ran Fan an automail mechanic, but the Xingians politely decline his offer and explain that any further involvement with one another is too much of a risk. They decide to seek out an automail mechanic on their own, and Ran Fan vows to return for Ling and the secret of immortality.
Pairing Potential:
The manga does not provide any evidence of a pre-existing relationship between Ed and Ran Fan and very little subtext to support this pairing compared to other pairings in the fandom. Regardless, I believe that there is enough substance to their relationship in the manga to suggest the possibility of that current relationship developing into something more intimate. My intention is not to prove how/why this pairing works canon, but to discuss the reasons why I feel that the similarities and differences between these two characters provide readers with an interesting dynamic that's worth exploring in fanon. In my opinion, the obstacles this pairing must overcome in order to even exist makes it all the more exciting, and Ed and Ran Fan’s opposition to being a couple makes shipping them all the more challenging and fun!
Skill
Izumi Curtis believed that one must train the body in order to train the mind, so Ed received rigorous training that included studying the martial arts. Like-wise, Ran Fan was trained from childhood to be a Yao warrior, so she and Ed are both very skilled fighters. What’s interesting is that they use different styles of combat. Ran Fan tends to use aerial maneuvers a lot more, and instead of directly countering her opponents moves with her own, she seems to rely on their strength to turn their attacks on them. Example: When Ed tries to punch her, she does not block and punch back, but takes advantage of the opening he creates when he leans into his attack by attempting to break his arm. Ed acknowledges her strengths, and Ran Fan is forced to recognize the threat of Ed’s own techniques when he defeats and humiliates her in battle. I imagine she’s still a bit bitter about that and would probably seize an opportunity to prove herself worthy of her position if given the chance for a rematch, but once things cool down, perhaps they can each learn a few pointers from the other on how to improve their own skills.
Military
Edward and Ran Fan are essentially military officials, and while that may be a source of pride for both of them, it’s a heavy burden as well. When Edward became a State Alchemist, he didn’t just earn the honor of being the “Youngest State Alchemist,” a “Child Prodigy,” and even after using his position to help the common man, “Hero of the People.” Joining the Military meant selling his soul to the State, and Edward is commonly referred to as a “Dog of the Military” and treated poorly because of it.
Ran Fan considers her role as Ling’s bodyguard a respectable one, but compared to the other Xing characters (Ling, Fu, Mei Chan) she is probably the lowest class present. It’s apparent that Ling’s word is Law to her, and she will bow to any demand or request he gives her. Although she is not treated with as much distain as Edward, I do believe that in her own country rival clans do not think highly of her, and Mei Chan has demonstrated as much when she labels Ran Fan “Dog of the Yao Clan.”
Ed and Ran Fan should be on equal terms as both characters hold a position where they are required to answer to someone above them. However, whether consciously or subconsciously, they each rather hold their own "superiority" over the other's head. Ran Fan feels she's entitled to respect because she serves the future emperor, and Ed is not at all impressed by Ling's social status and doesn't feel he has any obligation to hand out special treatment to foreigners. Even so, military service provides a common ground for them to relate and additional material for shipping. Cultural disputes are frequent with this pairing, but as I will discuss later, they help strengthen their relationship more than discourage it.
Self-Sacrifice
Both Ed and Ran Fan value the life of another person more than they value their own lives, and they will disregard their own safety and happiness for the sake of this particular person. For Edward, this person is his younger brother Alphonse, whom he believes he literally owes his life to due to the guilt he feels for having deprived Al of his own life when he bonded Al’s soul to a suit of armor. Everything Ed does in the series he does with the intention of restoring Al to normal, and he has demonstrated a willingness to die if it means protecting Al. (However, Edward’s views on self-sacrifice change when he encounters others who share his willingness to die for the sake of a goal or greater good)
Ran Fan has dedicated her life to supporting Ling in his quest to become Emperor, and she considers Ling’s succession to the throne and her clan’s survival to be much more important than herself. She tells Ling that without a king their people would be lost, and for that reason it is her duty to ensure his safe return to their country even if it costs her her own life.
Not only have these characters handed their lives over to debt and responsibility for another person, but they have also physically sacrificed parts of themselves. Ed gave his right arm to the gate in exchange for his brother’s soul, and Ran Fan cut her left arm off so that Ling could escape from King Bradley. Coincidentally, Ran Fan uses the same trick to fool Bradley that Ed used to trap her in their first fight. She even comments on giving "things" up in regards to her arm, just like Ed said to her about cutting off his own arm when it was no longer useful to him. In addition to what Edward originally stated, Ran Fan implies that she is also a "thing" to be given up, further indicating how she perceives herself as disposable when compared to Ling and their goals. In the interest of Ed/Ran Fan, this particular story arc reveals that Edward has a considerable amount of influence on Ran Fan, and her actions impact Ed as well.
Relationships
The main relationships that stand in the way of Ed/Ran Fan are Ed's relationship with Al and Ran Fan's relationship with Ling. There are two important things to note about the Ed/Al relationship and Ling/Ran Fan relationship when it comes to the Ed/Ran Fan pairing. Firstly, ignoring current plot situations, these two relationships pose the greatest hindrance to the pairing, even more so than the canon Ed/Winry content. Ed’s entire world revolves around Alphonse. He left his home and childhood best-friend/ canon’s potential sweetheart behind him to pursue a cure for his brother’s condition. He wouldn’t allow himself the time or freedom to indulge in a more intimate relationship with Winry or anyone else because of his fixation on Al. Ran Fan is very much the same way with Ling, except there are plenty of blushing hints that Ran Fan also harbor’s a crush on her Prince.
Secondly, both Ed/Al and Ling/Ran Fan are relationships that can never be fully realized. Whether you support Elricest or not, it’s obvious that Ed is closer to Alphonse than anyone else, to the point that he’d forget himself if Alphonse didn’t occasionally slap some sense into him. In fact, it’s not too far-fetched to say that Ed can be downright obsessive and possessive of Al. Since I view Ed’s fixation on Al to be more difficult to overcome than the relationship between Ed and Winry, I had to rationalize why his fixation would be something that Ed would feel the need to overcome, and because I was into Elricest before I discovered Ed/Ran Fan, my reasoning does tread into that pairing a bit.
Ed and Al are brothers, and I believe that if Ed had any feelings leaning towards romantic for his brother his instinctual response would be Brother=No Zone. If he ever moved past that, there’s no way for him to physically connect with Alphonse because of the armor. Assuming their relationship is strictly fraternal, Edward is going to have to let go of Al once they restore Al’s body. Al is going to have his own life, pursue his own dreams beyond their current journey, and Ed is going to have to accept that they are going to have to go their separate ways.
While Ran Fan may actually be able to serve as Ling’s guard into old age, her country’s customs would not permit her to ever be with him. Ling is destined to have many wives, each woman chosen as her Clan’s representative. In a country with such a set class system, Ran Fan has no place in that world. She can pine all she wants, but Ling is still someone she is not allowed to have. I think she’s convinced herself that she is satisfied with what she has now, and she doesn’t focus on what she’s giving up in the process. I wonder what kind of lecture Ed would have for her, given his change of heart on the subject of self-sacrifice and finding one’s own happiness.
Rivalry
As I’ve already mentioned, Ed and Ran Fan’s rocky camaraderie (if you can even call it that) was born of conflict. Much to Ran Fan’s displeasure, Edward bested her in a fight that tore up half a city. They both seek the philosopher’s stone, and although Ling has decided it’s in the Xingians best interests to team up with the Elrics, their ultimate goal is to get to the stone before Ed and Al. Throughout their travels together, Ran Fan fluctuates between hostility and indifference towards Ed, and Ed doesn’t regard her as much more than a nuisance. Most of their interaction with one another, however infrequent as it may be, is wrought with tension for numerous reasons. I think Ran Fan’s pride was severely wounded during that first fight, and she wants to prove herself as the competent guard and martial artist she is. She resents Ed for mocking her and not treating Ling with proper respect. Perhaps this is why she seemed so content after she lost her arm and Ed offered his help, because it showed that Ed understood the lengths to which she would go to in order to fulfill her duty, and for that, he owed her his respect.
Even after losing her arm, Ran Fan still displays an eagerness to one-up Ed. When Al explains to her how taxing automail surgery can be on the human body, she insists that she can heal in half the time it took Ed to heal. She later declines Ed’s original offer for automail, determined to find her own mechanic for the job. Ed and Ran Fan are both children that have been forced into an adult world, but they are still children, and this sort of competitive and aggressive behavior isn't all that uncommon where a youthful crush is involved.That seems evidence enough that Ed is on Ran Fan's mind quite a bit, and even though their stubborn personalities accompanied by bursts of immature competitiveness may negatively impact their relationship, with so many opportunities for them to relate to one another, I believe they have the potential to understand each other and connect on a much deeper level as their reluctant friendship matures into something more.
Culture and Character Clash
Racial and religious prejudice is one of the ever-present themes in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, and while Ed and Ran Fan are a far cry away from slaughtering helpless Ishballan children, their limited experience and current lack of understanding where the others’ culture is concerned puts a definite strain on their relationship. As previously stated, Edward casually insults Ling and angers Ran Fan with his disrespect. He also makes off-handed remarks about Ling’s appearance, specifically his eyes, and tells him that he and his guards should go back to their own country. Yikes! However, it’s the unintentional offenses that are the most telling examples of Edward’s ignorance and disregard for Xing culture.
Ed alters Ran Fan’s mask when he repairs it for her and doesn’t understand why she is so infuriated by this. He is also shocked by how harsh Fu is with Ran Fan when he discovers her failure to protect the Prince. While Ran Fan doesn’t actively insult Amestris and its people, she is rather dismissive of them in general, as she avoids social interaction with anyone other than Ling and Fu, and shows little to no concern for anything other than the Prince and their goal. She and Ed only seem to want from one another countries what will benefit their own country and themselves. A key difference between them is the extent to which they will go to get what they want.
I get the impression that Ran Fan is more aware of the sacrifices that must be made to achieve her goal, and she is not nearly as idealistic as Edward when the price to pay is human life. Should a person threaten Ling and/or her country, I have no doubt that she would eliminate that person, because as a bodyguard and Xing warrior she cannot afford to hesitate when the future of her people is at stake. Logically, I'm sure Edward would agree, but he does not have the emotional fortitude necessary to take a human life, and he's ashamed to admit this. He desperately wants to believe that he and Al can obtain the philosopher stone and save Amestris without killing, but his kindness endangers himself and others. I wonder what would happen if Ran Fan confronted him about his current reservations, because he cannot be relied on as an ally if he hesitates in battle and puts his comrades and mission at risk.
The cultures of these two characters shape how they view world issues and themselves. Amestris more or less represents the Western World (Western Europe) while Xing represents the Far East (China). Edward comes from a background that values individual thinking and encourages him to excel. He is very knowledgeable in his field of study, and because he recognizes his talents and usefulness, he is often extremely opinionated and arrogant. Ran Fan’s background has a different way of thinking, and she accepts a submissive role in her society, taking more pride in her clan’s accomplishments as a whole and her position of servitude to her master than she does in personal successes. She is quiet, often not speaking unless spoken to, and she obeys the commands of another, something Edward finds difficult to do.
People may observe Ed and Ran Fan’s cultural differences and the conflicts that arise because of them as something that impairs their relationship, but I feel that it’s important to discuss these matters as something that contributes to the development of their relationship as well as the development of the characters themselves. As the story progresses and Edward gains more of an understanding of his country’s political agenda, his perspective on past events gradually changes. It’s easy to acknowledge prejudice on a grand scale, but it’s much more difficult to deal with ones own prejudices, and because Edward is naturally a very compassionate person despite how he may present himself, he would try to redeem himself once he’s made aware of his short-comings. I believe that because of how different Ed and Ran Fan are, they each have a lot to offer the other in terms of overcoming themselves and learning to accept others.
Mutual Benefits
Ling and Ran Fan temporarily join forces with the Elrics to capture a homunculus because Ling realizes that teaming up with alchemists who are knowledgeable of the philosopher's stone and have experience with homunculi gives him an advantage. Edward agrees to a truce because he is also aware of Ling and Ran Fan's abilities to sense and track homunculi, something Ed and Al are incapable of doing on their own. It's established that both parties possess something the other needs to accomplish the the task at hand, and Edward asserts himself as the leader of this mission. Ling and Edward were still working together when Ling submitted to Greed's consciousness, so it's reasonable to believe that Ran Fan is still bound to Ed by her master's verbal contract with him.
Personally, the idea of Ran Fan being indebted to Edward and required to serve him during Ling's absence is the most appealing approach to this pairing. This scenario forces them to assume the roles of master/servant, a set-up that is sure to make Edward plenty uncomfortable and provoke more conflict as Ed insists that Ran Fan should "stand on her own two feet" and Ran Fan struggles to fulfill her contract in a traditional fashion. As much as she doesn't want to follow Ed, she feels she has to and Ed is just making things more difficult by not accepting that fact. Over time, they gradually discover the admirable qualities in each other and overcome/learn from their diversity as they strive for some sort of compromise. Of course, that compromise only comes after lots and lots of fighting. I like my pairing feisty!
Sex Appeal and Conspiracy Theories
I thought I’d wrap this essay up in a playful fun way to mellow out the overall seriousness of this pairing, because Ran Fan is still young and Edward is still a spaz, and with all this tension building up between them they could have some mind-blowing sex. On a strictly superficial level, Ran Fan is a hot little asian chick who can kick some serious ass, and there’s no denying Edward’s sex appeal when he’s all tan muscles, golden-blond hair, and cold hard metal! Hey, I’m weak. I wouldn’t mind watching them take out all their aggression on each other, all sweaty and bloody and panting and wired! Sex is the perfect stress-reliever for these two, and who doesn’t love a good fight that ends with people ripping each other’s clothes off? Okay, maybe that’s too much right of the bat, but it’s something to work for! Plus, can you imagine if they had kids? Ha! Super-Genius-Alchemist-Ninja babies with jet black hair and demonic yellow eyes! *_*
Also, when I was looking up manga scans to use as references, I had way too much fun turning them into secret Ed/Ran Fan for my own amusement. For instance, Ran Fan seems very interested in what Ed's doing! Again, Ed has her attention. She blushes at the mere mention of him! XD CONSPIRACY MUCH?!?!
So let’s see, did I get everything? What it all comes down to is having two amazing characters I love and realizing that putting them together just makes them even more amazing! Ed and Ran Fan are both extremely guarded characters. Their loyalty to the ones they care for, passion and dedication for reaching their goals, stubborn attitudes, badass skills at martial arts, and delightful friction are an exciting combination of pairing factors. They could totally get into kinky sex play, and maybe with time their relationship could become something deeply overpowering and emotional. I am absolutely in love with this pairing because I feel like I can never fully cover all the personal and social components that make Ed/Ran Fan so fascinating to me.
Looking for Ed/Ran Fan?: (This is a rare pairing, so I've listed EVERYTHING I could find for it, including my own stuff. If there is something out there that I've overlooked, let me know and I'll add it to the list!)
Fanfiction
Clandestine by
evil_little_dog (Things just get out of hand. There's a prequel and sequel)
Still Alive by
hieadenna (Ed visits Ran Fan after her automail surgery)
Obedience by
alchemistx (Short non-con drabble, Greed!Ling/Ran Fan/Edward)
One Wrong Turn by
djin7 (Ed, Ran Fan, and Kung-Fu Fighting...sort of)
Import Girlfriend by
psycholullaby (Random drabble where Roy is unfortunate with his choice of women)
Safe Harbor by
inugrlrayn (NC-17 Pretty much PWP)
Fanart
New Dawn and Evening Out by
hikaru_9 (*whimpers* She owns me for these. She also doodled something for a Christmas card)
Ed/Ran Fan Ballroom Dancing by
sharpwind (She had a kinky fanart up too, but it's gone now ;-;)
Ed x Ran Fan by
sliefoxx
Collection of Ed x Ran Fan Art by
psycholullaby
Lovers by
hikaru_9 (NWS)
Extra
Ed/Ran Fan Doujinshi