Prologue:

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of the characters in these current chapters. However, if that changes, which it will, I will most certainly inform the reader!

The room was awkwardly silent; it had been ever since the brothers got back from their train ride to Central.

Edward, the eldest of the two, lay uncomfortably on a small bed situated under one of the windows in the room, which happen to overlook the train station. He gazed at the ceiling above him, lost in thought. Though, his expression was a mixture of distress and confusion.

"Why can't we, Brother? We almost did it once before." Echoed a robotic, young,voice; from within a large suit of armor. It was Alphose Elric, who had propped himself inthe corner, adjacent from Edward.

Edward gave a heavy sigh as he brought his weary body to the edge of the bed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He stared at his younger brother who had also seemed to be, some what, preoccupied with something else as well.

"It's equivalent exchange Al; you should know that by now."

"But... maybe if we just look more into it this time… we might…"

"Damn it Al! It doesn't matter how much research we do, we'll just end up failing again. There are reasons the military labeled it forbidden alchemy. We shouldn't have done it then and we're not going to do it now. Plus, I can't; I won't risk losing you again."

The room grew quiet once more, until the only thing that could be heard was the faint rattling of the train against the tracks.

"Besides," Edward broke in, rather suddenly. "We don't have anything that could possibly compensate for her body; let alone her spirit." Edward pointed out as he closed his eyes lowering himself back onto the bed.

Alphonse agreed, as he pulled his knees into his steel plated chest.

The image of a young, sixteen year-old, girl flashed through his mind. She appeared to be in a large and beautiful garden. In the distance Alphonse could see the young lady watering, a few rosebushes. Stopping every so often to take in the sweet aromas they gave off.

"I couldn't smell," Alphonse thought to himself, "but I could always tell whether something had a beautiful scent by the faces she made."

The young girl continued for a few moments more, then stopped and looked up at Edward; who was standing shoulder to shoulder with his brother. She gave off a warming smile when she waved. The girl began to walk towards him with the watering can gripped gently between her fingers. She came to a stop in front of him as her voice softly began to call out, "Ed… Ed…"

"Ed… hey, Ed? Are you up yet?" Alphonse bellowed as he shook his brother's shoulder.

Edward abruptly wokeat this sudden gesture, the sunlight that shone off Alphonse put a glare in his vision as it was coming into focus.

"Brother, you were out like a light." Al chimed, joyously. "I guess you had a good nights' sleep."

"Yeah," Ed replied, a bit disoriented while he forced himself to a sitting position. "We should get going now."

"Alright."

Edward yawned and stretched as he got to his feet. His footsteps were a bit unsteady and the sound of his automailed leg scratched against the hard wood floor as he wearilywalked.

"Mustang wants us back at Central now, and no side tracks." Edward sighed referring to the conversation he had with Colonel Mustang over the phone the afternoon before the two brothers had boarded the train.

"You know Brother; you shouldn't make fun of the higher ranking officers." Alphose discouraged; referring to the low and stern voice Edward had imitated.

"Ah, Mustang's a pretty mellow guy; most of the time." He mumbled to himself.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

Edward snapped his small, brown, suitcase closed and headed for the door. Alphonse Elric left the room last, glancing around, recalling their conversation the night before.

"Hey, you comin', Al?"

Alphonse softly nodded closing the door behind him. Together, the two left the small inn and began to walk toward Central City's military headquarters where Colonel Mustang and -1-Brigadier General Hughes would be waiting. Edward knew that the moment he arrived he would be in for a severe scolding from the Colonel, so he wasn't in too much of a hurry to get to headquarters.

-1- After Hughes' run in with Envy, he was hospitalized for several months. He was released just two weeks ago and is back at home with his lovely wife and beautiful daughter Elycia. Hughes still needs the assistance of crutches and aside from a few cuts and bruises he is doing just fine.XD He was promoted two ranks for being injured on duty.