A/N: I would like to thank Ms. Madeline Cullen, a very kind person who actually offered me to beta read this story, for making this fanfic more presentable and worth-reading than before. So to those writers there who are reading this I recommend her if you want your stories to be revised. Just read her fine work below and you will be amazed...-wink-

I'd also like to thank Ms. Princess dela Luna for recommending this story...the very reason why I met Ms. Cullen to edit this has-been-crappy story...well i hope it's not now...

So I'll hope you'll enjoy reading this and review if you like it or not...

Please note the prologue is in First person point of view to convey the thoughts of the protagonist properly and more thoroughly.

Co-author: Madeline Cullen

Chapter 1: It all started here

I stood in a large, dark basement, trying my hardest and only god knows how many numerous times to open the gate to Shambala, the parallel. I am no fool, therefore, I know that it is impossible to do such a thing in our world seeing as alchemy is considered a failed experiment and simply a fairy tail for greedy people. Yet, ever since I began receiving these visions…premonitions of two boys, brothers, named Edward and Alphonse Elric attempting to resurrect their mother, Trisha, through the alchemic sciences. I have no clue why this started; nevertheless, my curiosity getting the best of me, I delved into the world of alchemy, reading any books I found on it, trying ample times with different arrays to open the passageway, or in laymen's terms, The Gate.

My mother always objected to my statements, completely dismissing my words saying, verbatim, "There is no such thing as alchemy." I do not believe it. I know my visions are not just a couple of hallucinations or horridly vivid nightmares, they are real. And they are haunting my every waking moment, pushing me over the brink of sanity.

"It's only a dream, nothing more," My mom's words would echo through my mind. That's what she keeps on telling me whenever I weep over the events that seem to flash before my eyes every single time the sun set. Yes, I love her with all my heart, but as days, months, years pass, and my slips before my eyes, I cannot bring myself to deny the fact that these premonitions are, indeed, real. Every bit as much as the cement under my feet or the air I breathe.

The torturous scenes play over in my head like a busted CD player, being cruel and abusive to my psyche.

Not only am I frightened of these horrible visions, especially if I do not do anything about them, but I feel responsible for them. It is almost as if they are begging me, on their metaphorical knees, to move about, to get a move on and fix or prevent them from happening. So, I have long ago decided to somehow reach the brothers' world, and help them no matter what the consequence.

I narrowed my eyes at the circle as I erase and reconstruct a part of it. I am gonna open that damn gate and pass through it if it's the last thing I do!I thought rather obstinately, brushing the loose scarlet tresses away from my face, only to have them return.

Studiously, I examined the array, inspecting for any flaws. The massive monstrosity took up every available space in the basement…not to mention the amount of time I put into it.

I gave a resigned sigh. Here I go again, pathetically trying to perform a transmutation…again. But no! I already decided I was not going to give up!

If alchemy was just possible in this world…

I shook my head irately, a cascade of crimson locks flying all about. This was so frustrating, and my hope was declining at a steady rate as is… Get a grip of yourself! This will work! This will work! It just has to!

I placed my hands tentatively on the circle, tightly shutting my eyes to concentrate, letting my knowledge if alchemy envelope my every conscious thought. I remained in that state for what felt like an eternity, every passing second tearing any shred of hope I had away from me. That is, until an iridescent yellow glow reached my eyes. I opened them, watching as the array, shining in all it's glory.

It worked…?!

I couldn't help but smile as it continue to glow, but then that swiftly shifted to unadulterated terror when it started to crackled, hiss, the lights turning a smoking purple, then inky black.

What's happening?I thought frantically, yet every single thought froze, shifting to a more horrific one. The little hands that were coming from the center of the array, grabbing hold of my leg; I scrambled away to no avail as they enveloped my entire frame, pulling me in and in front of a monumental gate. A single gate, the size of a house, in a vast void of a white nothingness.

It almost felt like it was one of my dreams.

"Foolish human…" A deep, rumbling voice echo from what seemed to be the gate, confirming that this is indeed reality. Just hearing the haunting voice caused goose bumps to arise on my skin. I clenched my fists in anger, how could I be such a coward at a time like this? I had to be brave!

"WHO ARE YOU?! SHOW YOURSELF!" I bellowed at the gate, looking from side to side waiting for some creepy man to come out from behind it.

"Ha ha ha, my, my, you're new here, yet you already got that attitude." It said, the amusement in its voice ringing clear.

"Let's cut to the chase, I need you to do something." I began calmly. It simply interrupted, cackling maniacally. My eyes narrowed into a glare, half in annoyance, and half in complete fury. This thing has some issues with mockery.

"What might a useless human likeyouwant from me?"It questioned me, most likely humoring the puny creature that was set in front of it.

I exhaled shakily before responding to the question.

"Let me pass through Shambala…to Amestris." I said with all the confidence I could muster. A long silence then ensued, until it was harshly broken by the ominous laugh of the gate. How much more does this thing intend to humiliate me?

"And what can you possibly give as equivalent exchange?"It asked, causing bile to rise up into my throat. I had just focused on opening the gate, I never paid mind to the other parts.

My jaw trembled as I gritted my teeth, calculating an answer. There is no time for thinking things like this!I thought heatedly, and with that, I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Just take whatever you want from me." Smooth move idiot, I scolded myself, ruing my decision almost as soon as I made it.

And again, the stupid thing laughed right at me. I have no idea what it finds amusing about this situation. I swear, if this guy were standing in front of me, I'd have thrown him around so much he'd be nothing but shredded pieces.

"How pathetic! You don't even have the slightest thing to offer-"The voice suddenly halted from its ridiculing rant, which confused me. I looked at the door way, no doubt that the uncertainty was showing on my face.

"It's you." It trailed off. I furrowed my brows, this gate was downright cryptic…and it had no shame about it. Or was it really confused about something?

"What about me? I asked curiously, staring at the doorway, trying desperately to find a reason for its sudden and unexpected silence.

As far as I could deduce from the stony quiet, it was definitely afraid of something, either that, or stupidly surprised.

"Someone has passed here to the other world, your world, not that long ago…and now it is you that wants to pass to the world of Shambala. Are you the prophesy?"

I scowled in exasperation. This thing was loopy. A prophesy? Me? You got to be kidding me…I have no time for this useless crap!

"Look pal, I didn't come all the way here to have some sorry ass lessons from a damn gate, nor do I care about whatever you are ranting about! I'M HERE TO PASS THROUGH THE FRICKIN'-"

"You can pass through."I abruptly stopped from my ramblings and the bodiless voice a hesitant look. Now he's kind enough to let me pass through? Talk about mood swings…

"Under one condition." It continued.Guess not…

"What is it?" I asked, defiantly putting my hands on my hips.

"It's just a little fee you have to pay."It commenced. Unconsciously, I leaned in, anxious for its reply. "You must give up your memories about everything from your world…your family, your friends,everything related to it."

Everything froze as my mind seemed to stop functioning properly at the words that were just uttered. Give up my memories…? I stared at the gate blankly; it had just given a life altering decision to an eleven year old.

"It's your choice, human, lose your memories or I'll send you back to your world empty-handed. It's not that bad of a deal, isn't it? Since I won't be taking anything from you if you decided to back away."

I thought diligently, finding difficulty in coming to a rational conclusion. Giving up my memory of my world is like losing my whole life, but giving up this opportunity is like everything I did to come to this point would be for nothing.

I then glanced back at the gate with conviction.

"Didn't I tell you earlier to just take whatever you want from me?" I asked rhetorically, an arrogant grin in place.

"Very well then…"The giant gate cracked open, revealing the black tentacles poking out of it. They wrapped all over my body and hauled me inside, clawing at my head, the worst agony ever crushing me. What have I gotten myself into?