Time.

A thing so small, yet so big. What does time mean to us? Why do we care so much about the round chunk of wood on the wall, the long black hands moving down and up, up and down? So what does it mean to us? It's just an object on the wall.

No.

It has a deeper meaning, a meaning so important to us. Sometimes it can pass us by so much, we don't even notice how big the world, or us, have grown. Family members pass on into the other world, and new lives are brought in.

There are times, when we wish we could reach out with our hands and grasp time, slowing it, for it is going too fast, and yet, we can't. We can't stop time –it's untouchable, unreachable, and yet right in front of our faces. We watch it, we feel it, we can't touch it, and we can't mess with it.

But, there is one that wants to do that.

Far down through clouds of moisture and exhaust, down to the city of Munich, Germany, a land that's filled with the turmoil of depression after the big World War I, is the one that is trying to fiddle with time… time of another land, another world that he just can't get too.

Even after obtaining the Uranium bomb that didn't belong to his world, he figured there was a way to the other world. He just couldn't find it.

And he would, no matter what the cost.

After reading the journals of Dietlinde Eckhart, the person obsessed with Shamballa, a world known to be protected by a physical barrier, a mythological kingdom that no man can reach. A kingdom that no one is supposed to reach, a kingdom ruled by thirty two kings, a hundred years each. A place of happiness… where the will of God is known.

Why couldn't he just stop time?

Time.

A thing you can't mess with.

A thing you should never be able to mess with.

Down in the suburbs of London, England were Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse Elric, sitting quietly in a shop filled with people buying food or sitting there reading the local newspaper. Edward was currently sketching out a map of London, showing the way out to the next town. He handed the piece of darkened paper from a newspaper to the German couple sitting next to him, pointing out the directions and explaining how to get where their going.

The couple thanked him and went on their way, and Edward sat back a sigh. He brushed his golden hair back from his face and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Brother, I think you should get some sleep," Alphonse said quietly.

Edward looked up and held up his hand, waving the comment off. "No, I'm fine."

"Is your auto-mail hurting you?" Alphonse asked.

Edward stretched his arm, flexing it out. "No."

Alphonse sighed, and looked at Edward.

"What?" Edward said, annoyed, for Alphonse was giving him that look, the look that told something was on Alphonse's mind and he wanted to get it out.

"Something is bothering you," Alphonse pointed out.

Edward sighed again. "Nothing is wrong with me."

"You've been weird ever since a couple months ago. We've been searching for the bomb all this time and haven't found it, and you've been excited about it. But something is wrong with you now," Alphonse said quietly.

Edward fiddled around with his drink. "I just haven't been feeling good."

"Are you sure?"

Edward nodded. "Al, let's go. We've wasted enough time here."

Alphonse stood up and put on his coat. "Fine, but Brother, just tell me if something is bothering you."

"Right," Edward mumbled and slowly got up. He held his stomach as he got up, fearing he might vomit.

"Ed," Alphonse warned, "We're going to find you someplace to rest. You're pale."

Edward walked out the door. Yes, he was sick. But he couldn't admit that. He was sick, physically and emotionally. He wanted to go back home. Why wasn't he content with where he was? And his body had been sick with this for weeks now, maybe months. He felt like he had to vomit, but he never could. He would wake up, sweating and cursing his stomach that would hurt so much.

He couldn't sleep that much anymore without waking up from pain and nightmares… that just wouldn't go away.

Maybe the answer was with the Uranium bomb, a bomb from his home world Amestris. That was why he had to find it. He couldn't give up now because of his body. He was too close to the bomb now.

They had gotten news of a man walking around London with a strange object filled with liquid, always looking for a place to stay, and spending tons of time in the library, looking for tons of information that he seemed to never find.

That was the man Edward was looking for. The man who held the Uranium Bomb, and was looking for Shamballa, the same as Dietlinde Eckhart. That was Edward's guess. And he had to get to him before he actually found out a way to get to "Shamballa" or Amestris. He couldn't quit.

Alphonse caught up with Edward and didn't say anything. He just followed quietly, waiting for Edward to calm down, but then he decided to ask the question that he was sure was bothering Edward:

"Brother, do you miss our world?"

Edward grunted. "Let's not talk about it."

Alphonse sighed. His brother wasn't being normal. When they had been reunited in their real bodies, minus Edward's arm and leg, they had been content with where they were and without the people from their home world. Alphonse sighed and reached down into his pocket to make sure his book was there – his journal.

It was there, and he gave a small smile. It may seem stupid, having a diary at his age, but it may have a connection to his home world. And it may be the only connection, now they they've destroyed the gate.

When the gate was destroyed, Edward and Alphonse were both pretty sure it can't be open again. Though Alphonse always felt a part of him was missing… a small part of his soul, and once he was through the gate, he couldn't get it back….

And that may be his only connection to his world.

Hello! This is my first FMA story, and I hope you will enjoy it very much. The setting is two years after the events with the movie. I started writing this a few months ago, so I sorta lost my full train of thought on this story, but I will finish writing it, no matter what.

This story is also for people who didn't feel quite satisfied with the end of the movie. Don't get me wrong, I loved the movie, absolutely loved (I've watched it over and over, though not much) and the ending was one I was happy with, yet also upset with, 'cause Edward and Winry didn't get together! And we didn't see Roy or Riza's relationship develop that much.

I'm still wondering how to do this story, with the gate being officialy destroyed... But oh well. 8D Enjoy!

Oh, a quick note - the first chapters are a tiny bit short. Hopefully they WILL get longer. Thanks!