Chapter 1: Back through the Gate
The door to Roy Mustang's office slammed open and young fourteen year old boy rushed in frantically. "Sir! I found a way how to bring Edward back!"he panted. Roy rapidly looked up from his paperwork and stood up, knocking his chair over. "What!" Al hurriedly gave his research papers to Mustang and waited, his heart pounding. Roy's eyes twinkled in happiness and hope as he looked up from the papers. " Are you sure Alphonse?"Roy questioned. He didn't want this to be another one of those false hopes. He had enough of those. Ever since Edward had given himself up to the gate to save his brother, he felt the same way with what happend to Maes Hughes. He had fallen into depression and worked himself to exhaustion. Alphonse had been the one to snap him out of it, saying, "Bother wouldn't want you to spend the rest of your life like this." And so he slowly started to come back. He puts on tiny smiles and laughed more. His co-workers finally relaxed and they all slowly turned back to their normal routine. But they didn't forget about Edward. No, it just wouldn't be the same without him.
"I'm sure!I double checked everything. This has to be it!I know we can get brother back!"Alphonse exclaimed convincingly. Roy trembled a little. The thought of Edward being back in their lives struck a happy cord in his heart. He had a gut feeling too. And most of the time he followed that feeling just like Edward used to do. Roy nodded, he wouldn't let this chance pass. And he wouldn't let all of Al's hard work go to waste. "Let's try it then."
. . . .
They both stood in front of the array. Roy a few steps behind so he wouldn't distract Al. Al slowly clapped his hands, his heart pounding. Roy held in his breath and for the first time prayed. Al leaned down and press both of his hands on the stone hard ground. A bright light filled the room and a gigantic gate appeared and opened. Al stepped in and the gate closed. Roy closed his eyes hoping, hoping that Al would come back and Edward would be with him.
. . . .
Al found himself in a white-filled space. The only thing there was what was in front of him. A gigantic gate with symbols stood in front of him and in front of the gate a white humanoid figure. The figure who was known as Truth grinned widely, Back again eh? Here for your brother I guess. You know there will have to be something of equal value. And the price is indeed quite high." Al glared, not scared at all. He wasn't scared of Truth anymore and he was definitely done playing games. He knew the price would most likely be high, but he didn't care. I f it was his soul, so be it. He would do anything for his brother. Edward had given up everything for him and if he had to, he would do the same." I don't care. You can have my body, my soul, anything you want! Just give my brother back!"he growled. Truth drew a blank face and then suddenly laughed. His booming laughter echoed and Al shivered. Truth grinned, " How about this, I give your brother back and you can go home for free."
Al stood gaping, " W-what!". Truth grinned mischievously, "Well why not! This of course would provide me with some entertainment!" The gate behind him opened and a blonde figure was thrown out. Al gasped, "Brother." He picked Edward up and looked back at truth," Why?" Truth smiled evilly, "Don't ask. But if I were you, I'd watch your back. It's gonna get a little wild." Before Al could ask, Truth threw them back and through the gate.
. . . .
Roy gasped in relief as he saw Alphonse and cried a little when he saw who was in his arms...Edward.