DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE BELONGS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Edward awoke with a start. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the images of his dreams from his mind. He found Alphonse sitting in front of him, staring curiously with his large brown eyes.
"We're almost to Central, Ed. Were you having a bad dream?" Ed contemplated whether or not he should tell Al about his dream.
"Yeah. It... It was about... all the people that died because of me." Ed hung his head, his bangs covering his eyes. He knew some of those deaths weren't really his fault, but it didn't matter, he couldn't help but feel guilty, guilty that he couldn't save them or that they had died helping him and Al. At the very least, those losses were not in vain. Al was back in his human body. Ed still had his automail arm and leg, but he didn't care. He was glad to have his little brother back to normal. Besides, he figured Winry would get bored if she didn't have his automail to repair from time to time.
"Ed, you know those peoples' deaths weren't your fault." Ed nodded. He couldn't shake this feeling of guilt in his chest though, no matter what anyone said. He turned his gaze to the window, the blue skies and receding hills helping Ed to clear his mind. He was coming back to Central, ready to continue his work as a State Alchemist. Al was tagging along, in hopes of becoming a State Alchemist himself. Ed frowned. He didn't really want to see Mustang again, even if he was the Fuhrer of Amestris now. Ed didn't really feel like doing much these days, now that his journey was complete. He did, however, need the money. He planned on rebuilding the house he and Alphonse had burned down so many years ago in their resolve to never look back, to always keep moving forward. Now that they had accomplished their goal, Ed was ready to settle down. He didn't plan to be a State Alchemist forever, so he needed a place where he could reside, maybe even raise a family with a certain blonde mechanic he knew and loved. Ed smiled at the thought of Winry. She was amazing, but sometimes she could be a real pain in the ass. He didn't really mind though, he knew nobody was perfect, and that's what made Winry special.
"Ed, looks like we're here!" Al's announcement brought Ed out of his thoughts. He could see the grandeur of Central City looming in front of him as they pulled into the train station.
The train stopped with a shudder, steam hissing out like a snake. Edward jumped off the train, eager to stretch, leaving Al with the luggage. He looked around him, taking in the familiarity of Central. He turned to ask Al where they should go to have lunch and nearly had a heart attack. An enormous man was towering over him, his muscles trapped underneath his military blue outfit. Ed let out a sigh of relief.
"Major Armstrong, it's just you. What are you doing here at the station?" Al came out the train then, hauling two suitcases with him. Major Armstrong turned and nearly crushed Al with the hug he gave him.
"Hello, Major Armstrong," Al said once he had his breath back.
"I'll help you with those, Al. I'm here as an escort. Fuhrer Mustang sent me himself, saying it was urgent you two go talk with him at once. There are some... pressing matters that need to be discussed." Ed looked at the Major quizzically, not entirely sure of what he was implying. Something must be wrong in Central again, he thought as he and Al were led back to Central Command.