MMORPG's are open platform games for a multitude of people-

Edward raised a hand, "No, wait, stop. What exactly are you talking about?"

Don't make me repeat myself Mr. Al-che-mist.

"Why are you in my dream?!"

Is this a dream?

Edward opened his mouth but closed it. He's pretty sure it is. He remembers bidding Al goodnight and closing his eyes.

But his dreams were usually nightmares, or long ago memories that taunts him. He never interacted with so much consciousness in his dreams.

"I guess not."

Bingo! The thousands of hundreds of voices cheered.

"So why the hell am I back here then?"

Boredom.

"I- What?"

Aren't you supposed to be a child genius?

"I am not a child!"

Tween, teen, whatever. Truth waves a hand in front of them.

"The only time I wanted to come back here was to get back my brother's body, not to ease your boredom. I'm going to wake up now."

Edward took a deep breath.

Awaken!

Edward cracked an eye open. Truth waved.

Edward clicked his tongue closing his eyes again and pinched his arm, the metal cold and piercing against his flesh arm.

As I was saying-

"No, no!" Edward shook his head and crossed his arms, his hotheadedness not faltering in front of the World.

"No," Edward drawled out the o. He was not going to play a stupid game, especially one set up by Truth.

This is one of the perks of being the World, the Universe. Of being everything and nothing at once: I can do what I want. Your opinion has no bearing over me. So you will listen to me, Edward Elric.

Truth's tones wasn't a request, it was an order. Edward flinched at the change in tones.

Games are fun to play; I don't understand why you would refuse. You should act more your age. Edward scowled at the statement but didn't answer.

But this game isn't just any game. It's unlike any you have in your world.

"My-?"

Truth's lips stretched into that all too wide smile. You honestly think you're world is the only one in existence?

He never considered it fully. Edward has heard of the multiverse theory but he's never put much thought into the theory since it's of no help on getting their bodies back.

This type of game is a common, popular game in another world, other worlds, actually. Playing with multiple people on a platform in virtual worlds at the same time. Outstanding development, don't you agree?

"What the hell is a virtual world?"

Except, what you'll be participating in is a tweaked version of MMORPG's.

"Answer me!"

So, don't lose. It could very well mean the loss of your reality, Edward Elric.

"What-"

"Brother!"

Edward was shaking. Wait, no he was being shaken by something. Alphonse was carefully shaking him by the shoulders.

"Brother!"

Edward blearily opened his eyes, looking at the blurry, looming figure over his bed.

"Al, what is it?"

The brilliant red, soul fire eyes stares down deep in his own. "You were talking in your sleep. I thought you were having another nightmare."

Alphonse always wakes him up when he's having nightmares. Well, it wasn't this time, but he was still grateful.

"Oh, yea, it was nothing. Thank you, Al."

Edward lets out a small sigh and closes his eyes as Alphonse takes a few steps back. "Of course, brother. You should be getting ready now anyways so you can turn in your report to the Colonel."

"The guy can wait. I'll get there when I get there."

"Brother," Alphonse reprimands him and shakes his head, but walks away because this is just the usual attitude for his brother.

"I'll meet you outside, brother." Alphonse calls as he steps out the room. Edward opens his eyes and is about to reply, only to stop short on his 'okay.'

Level 8, Alphonse Elric.

It was just a glimpse, but Edward was sure on his life he just saw those words floating above his brother's armor.

No, he's hallucinating, he's still got sleep in his eyes so of course that isn't there. Neither is the Open Door that's in front of the door-

"What the hell?!"

Edward scrambles to his feet, nearly falling face first in the process. What the hell What the hell What the-

Edward takes two cautious steps forward and waves his hand in front of him, but keeping his torso far away from the floating words.

His hand glides right through it. The words only flicker slightly from the contact and remain where they are.

Edward hastily retrieves his hand, holding it to his chest. He closes his eyes and takes in a breath. This is just a hallucination, he's still obviously tired and waking up.

Edward spins on his heel, his back to the so-not-there-floating-words, and slaps his face with both hands. "Awaken!" The slap jolts him, especially on his right because of his automail hand, and he feels the senses in his face tingle. Okay, he's awake now.

Edward peeks one eye open. He's facing the bed and he feels like yelling at the sight before him.

Lie Down is floating over the center of the bed.

Edward takes another, deeper breath and exhales through his nose.

"This is not normal. I took too much of Granny's cough syrup last night."

Edward glares at the bottle (which happens to have Pick Up floating over it) and gets dressed and grabs his case.

Yup, that's it. Just too much cough syrup and little sleep. Today is just a normal day to go to headquarters, yell at the Colonel a bit, accept whatever new mission he throws at the brothers today, yell some more, then merrily skip out and head off wherever.

Totally normal day.

So normal, that he just ignored all the floating words over people's heads and objects as he and Alphonse made their way to East Headquarter. So normal in fact, that Edward was only starting to twitch and jump at the dingings and music (where the hell is that flute music coming from?!) 8 minutes into their walk.

Edward is about to lose it all together 11 minutes in when a loud drum bangs somewhere overhead. At that, Edward bolts it to headquarters.

"Brother?!"

"What the hell is going on?!" is all Alphonse can hear in the distance as his older brother sprints through the crowd.