I DON'T OWN FMA! Now that that's done here's a warning- this story will be very sad and will also contain descriptions of torture.If you don't like that then please don't read this story. Thanks. Hope you enjoy ^-^

The Gate had rules. It had always been that way. There had never been a time before the rules. They had always been just as the Gate had. The first and foremost being the Law of Equivalent Exchange. But there were more than that. There was one rule that was ignored most of the time, simply because They weren't interested in enforcing it most of the time.

There had been a time or two when it had been worth enforcing. Those had been fun times. But more often than not they weren't interested. The rule stated that anybody wished out of existing could be taken by the gate, as long as they took all record and memory of that person from the world as well.

The rare times They had enforced it the shock and despair in the wisher as they realized their mistake before everything was wiped blank had been the icing on top of the cake. The Gate only took the strong ones. The ones that could resist for a long time before they eventually gave in. The Gate got bored as well and the rule gave them something to focus on.

Anybody wished away could become their plaything. Their toy. But The Gate was picky so it didn't get toys very often which was why They took such great pleasure in ruining any human that attempted Human Transmutation. It gave them utmost pleasure to rip anything They could from them.

The Elric brothers had been a surprise. They had never seen the small humans attempt Human Transmutation. They were never smart enough. Never determined enough. Never reckless enough. The Gate already knew the older was the one who'd had the idea and the one who had ignore all his brothers hesitant warnings.

The Gate could see. The Older Elric was brighter. The bright light amongst millions of dull humans. His brother was bright but not nearly as bright as the older. The Gate was more gentle than They'd ever been when they took their payment. They didn't even protest when the soul of the younger was ripped from their grasp by a seal of blood.

No. They had their eye out for the older Elric now. They lovingly cradled the boy's arm and leg and smiled. "Edward Elric. Is worthy." They laughed and settled in to wait. They always waited for the special ones. The ones that shined bright and determined. They had a special place for the older Elric.

- time and pov skip -

Ed sighed and tried to shake off the weird feeling he'd been having all day. Not only had Mustang actually had the nerve to say he was slacking but Al had been acting weird all day. He hadn't seen him since lunch when he'd walked away even when Ed had tried to stop him. He couldn't figure out what was going on and he was at wits end.

He opened the door of the dorm room he and Al shared and found Al with his back facing the door. "Hey Al. Where'd you go at lunch?" Ed asked as he took off his coat. Al didn't answer. Ed frowned a little in concern "Are you okay Al? Is something wrong?" Al finally turned around "Nothings wrong." he said but his voice was tight and it was obvious he was lying.

Ed sighed "That's a lie Al. What's wrong?" Al sighed "I guess I just miss my body." Ed flinched a little "Oh. Well... We're gonna get it back Al. As soon as possible." Al nodded "But how soon? Are we close Ed?" Ed swallowed "I don't know Al." Al's voice held a little bit of frustration when he sighed "Okay brother."

It was only a little bit but Ed heard it and it made him a little frustrated as well "I'm sorry Al. I just don't know how close we are. For all we know it doesn't even exist and were just chasing fairy-tales!" his voice rose at the end. The thought that it might not be real was one of his greatest fears.

Al seemed stunned for a minute. He must have though Ed was yelling at him at the end. Ed hadn't been he would never yell at Al. Ed was about to apologize but Al spoke first "Maybe Colonel Mustang would give us more time for research if you didn't antagonize him all the time. I've told you to ignore him brother!"

Ed gaped for a minute. Al was taking Mustangs side now? He clenched his teeth "Mustang is a bastard. He wouldn't give a crap about us even if I was the nicest person on this planet! He's an asshole." Al crossed his arms "The Colonel cares Ed! He's helped us so much! If you would be nicer to him everything would be better!" they were both mad by this point.

They were both yelling. Ed glared "It would be better huh? Maybe it would be better if I dissapeared as well. Or if I'd never existed." He'd always thought that. He'd know for the longest time that it would be better if he'd never been born. Al through his hands in the air in frustration "Well maybe it would be bett-" the argument stopped.

Ed felt like he'd been kicked in the throat. Had Al just said that? Al looked equally as shocked but before anything else could happen there was darkness. Ed couldn't see anything. He tried calling out "Al?! Where are you?" a voice that wasn't Al's answered "Hello again Edward." Suddenly he could see. He was in front of the gate.

He gaped for a minute "What the hell? Why am I here?" The Gate laughed "It's an old rule Edward. Humans that are wished away by other humans can be taken by me." Ed blinked and shook his head "You can't do that! Put me back!" The Gate just laughed "Your mine now. It's the rule. I get bored you know. It's so rare an opportunity."

The Gate opened and the hands started to slither out. Ed ran. He ran as fast as he could but the Gate still caught him "If you behave I'll show you your brother." Ed stilled. Was Al okay? He let the hands drag him through the gate. The Gate slammed closed and there was darkness. Ed glared "Where's Al?"

The Gate sighed "He wished you away so we couldn't take him. Do you wish to see if he even wants you back?" Ed swallowed as he remembered Al's wish "H-He probably doesn't really think that way. He was angry. He didn't mean it."

The Gate smiled "I'll show you then." the darkness swirled around Ed and suddenly he could hear Al's voice "Where'd you take Ed?" the Gate answered "He's within. Do you want him back? There are things you can do to regain him." Al's voice didn't come again till a few seconds later "No. I was right before. Things would be better."

The Gate smiled as Edward was subjected to it's illusion. In truth the younger Elric had been frantic before the Gate wiped Edward Elric from history. This, or course, altered many things in the universe making it a new timeline entirely. The Gate implanted the correct memories to hide the memories Edward would have left then turned back to it's new toy. The Gate smirked "Let's have lots of fun Edward Elric." the darkness swirled again and Ed screamed.