Title: Free Fall
Author: Spirix

Genre: Drama/Romance/Action
Rating: M because it's gory.
Pairing: [EdxAlter!Roy [Edvy [EDxROY

Spoilers: A lot: Manga, Anime, Insane Imagination

Summary: Ed goes back in time to Ancient Rome.

Disclaimer: I hate this part; it just reminds me of my lack of owning such a great story.

Dedication: To everyone who loved my Bleach fanfics.

Special Thanks: Cuylerjade, Abarai Sasami, Cheerios Freak and Marylover. You all helped in massively great ways.

BETA: The wonderful and marvelous Kikiko.

Suddenly I Know I'm Not Sleeping

Prologue
Lost

Lost in the darkness…

The irony almost hurt. Edward looked around with complacent eyes. He was finally back at the Gate of Truth, and this time he wouldn't leave without what he came for. Al would be fifteen next week, and that was far too old to be without a body. Edward cursed himself for not thinking of this sooner. He spent too much time trying to find a loop-hole outside of killing hundreds of people to make a stone. His inability to submit to the rules cost Al most of his time growing up and that was something Ed could never give him back. He spent so many years being torn between the two options that when a third came his way, he almost literally pounced on in.

Hoping for a sign…

The ominous archway loomed over him. He tried so hard to get his brother back without having to come here but now its simplicity mocked him. Equivalent exchange. The world really seemed to think it was funny to toy with him this way. It didn't matter anymore.

"Hey! I'm here! This is what you wanted right? It was never about paying a toll; you just wanted me to keep coming back. Well, here I am! Show yourself!"

Instead there is only silence…

The Gate seemed to be getting farther and farther away. Edward let out a small cry and dug his heels into the non-existent floor. His last hope would not get away. Gaining speed he flung off his black coat in desperation. No matter how fast the blonde ran the Gate was never any closer. The brightness of the void that surrounded him became even more blinding. Not even that could stop Edward when he was focused. He skid to a stop, almost falling over and bellowed ahead.

"I'M NOT LETTING YOU KEEP HIM HERE ANYMORE!"

Can't you hear my screams…?

The light was searing his flesh. He cried out only to have his breath taken away. An immense pressure forced him to the ground, pressing hard on his back. Golden eyes flicked around but as far as he could see, there was nothing above him. Edward could feel his ribs groan under the added weight. It was too painful to bear for much longer. This was the end, and he hadn't even accomplished anything. What was on him? Was it some final test or did the Gate really plan on killing him with some sick and twisted game? Whatever is was, it didn't have a touch or texture, just weight. His eyes were shifting in and out of focus. He grasped onto his goal in his mind. It was a photograph of him and Al coming back from one of their many missions. More pictures sprang forth from the dusty corners of his mind.

They weren't actual pictures, but memories of when photos were taken. Ed saw the first day he wore his blue uniform. Hughes had taken that picture claiming it was a celebratory event. The colonel and Havoc were in the back ground trying not to laugh at his scowl. The next memory was his promotion to lieutenant colonel. Edward tried to remember why he had decided to start wearing a uniform when in Central. He was a field agent after all, but something about being a part of a consistent group made him want to stay at a desk more often. Ed still went on missions, but was eager to return and see all the familiar faces he worked with. He would admit on cold days to a small, shadowed corner of his heart that he missed Mustang and his crew when he left. But that was a very small corner. Ed even began wanting to help the colonel create his new world.

Never stop hoping…

Edward saw a scene with Al. They had been visiting Gracia and Elysia. After Hughes died they made an extra effort to visit his family. In the picture Al was being painted into a mermaid. Al had become more active also, but in his own way. Ed, not wanting his baby brother to be a state alchemist, was thrilled Al found his own path somewhere else. Alphonse completely immersed himself into his studies, finding new ways to manipulate arrays and broaden their uses. He quickly became a useful consultant for the military research department. Al never tried to enlist again but Edward thought that sometimes he could see the forlorn look in that helmet that he had found a calling that did not include him.

Edward felt a part of him rise up. He wasn't defeated yet. Al wanted to be a part of something but denied himself because he was in that armour. Ed was going to strip that excuse away regardless of what it cost. He'd known about Al's feelings for Winry for what felt like years, and additionally, knew Al purposely distanced himself so he wouldn't hurt her. His brother knew he couldn't give her what she needed. It broke Edwards's heart. Al shouldn't have to suffer more on top of his original tin encased suffering.

Need to know where you are…

He clenched his eyes shut with a growl. He was here for Al and that meant he needed to get up NOW! As if sensing his newfound determination, the mass pushed down harder. Ed groaned and managed to move his arms into a push up position. His automail creaked and threatened to snap under the strain but Ed wouldn't hear of it. He slowly gained one painful inch at a time. The edges of his vision blurred. It was just too much. Edward couldn't do it. He was shoved back down onto the unforgiving ground, his face grinded into the nothing that supported him. Was this his end?

Edward moved his eyes. He could see the small black speck in the distance. The only things visible in that dismal place had finally stopped moving. It was waiting for him.

Are you afraid of the dark?

Nothing around him uttered those words. They were in his head from a distant memory. It was no picture but a dream that played for him. Al was sitting in a corner of their night swept childhood bedroom with a candle. He was always afraid of the dark. But there was nothing to fear. To fear the dark was to fear the unknown.

Ed opened his eyes wide. His ribs were on the verge of breaking but he let his thoughts travel. Was he afraid too? He couldn't afford to be. He was Edward Elric. He was the Fullmetal Alchemist!

"I am the Fullmetal Alchemist. I'm afraid of nothing! GOT THAT?"

Each word was filled with force and bile. He would not be beaten. He just had to do this, one breath at a time. To take a breath was to defy death. All he could manage were shallow pants.

Pant.

Edward bared his teeth.

Pant.

He braced his arm at his sides.

Pant.

He clenched his eyes shut.

Pant.

The only way to expel the fear was to eliminate the unknown.

Pant.

Edward used all the strength he had left to roll over. With a yell he pushed.

"FUCK THIS!"

He landed flat on his back without resistance. Ed gave a startled yelp and looked up. There was nothing there. He marvelled momentarily at his he could now sit up freely. So it really was a test? He didn't waste another thought. The alchemist sprang to his mismatched feet and sprinted. The Gate was waiting. More moments in time flashed as he ran full tilt.

In this one Breda was flipping burgers at a barbeque while Black Hayate quivered with anticipation, but at a safe distance. Al was in the far corner with Fuery talking about a book they had both just read. Havoc was trying to teach Hawkeye how to fly a kite, and Falman was setting up the picnic blankets. Edward was the one who took the picture under Hughes's supervision. The colonel, well Brigadier General at this point was nowhere in sight. It wasn't until after the photo was taken that he jumped down from a nearby tree, and nearly launched Edward out of his skin.

Beads of sweat glistened on Edwards's forehead, but he ignored them. Another minute and he would be there. Another picture moment came to mind. This time it was one of Winry. She was standing by a train waving one of her many goodbyes. She had told him she loved him when he was sixteen. Edward had turned her down at the time without much of an explanation. He had always felt bad for that, but in truth she was like a sister to him. But that was not the complete reason. Edward also didn't want to take her away from Al.

But one thing is for sure…

That was his fate, the ever sacrificing older brother. Why else would he have been born first but to look after Al? Despite what everyone thought, Al was better than him at everything. His baby brother could always beat him in sparring. Ed could clap his hands and make transmutations but Al was a brilliant theorist. Most of all though, was that Al got along with everyone. He was such a good person. Edward never resented it. He had something Al could never have, a little brother to look after him. On a world scale, Al was more useful to everyone than he was. Al would contribute and be a part of it all. He wanted his brother to have the house, the family and the happy life that was stolen from the both of them too soon.

Panting he skidded to a halt in front of his goal. The Gate towered from above and cast no shadow. Edward even looked behind him to confirm that. When he turned back there was something else there, the gatekeeper. The figure was made out of light. Edward could not figure out how that was possible. Light did not have substance yet here before him was an entire person made of purely that. It spoke in a hollow, sexless voice.

"You're here, at long last Edward Elric. I have a gift for you."

The gatekeeper said his name with a mocking tone. A fleeting image of a half starved teen appeared before him with sandy hair. Ed looked into those grey eyes for a moment before the figure disappeared again.

"Bring him back!"

"No."

"But I came here for him!"

A large evil grin depicted itself upon the formless face.

"I will let him go back to your world, but you are not going with him. That is the price. I get you and your skills, and that armour gets his body."

Edward blinked. He knew it would come down to this, but to hear it was like having ice water poured down his back. He put his hands in his pockets and he tried not to think of the kind of things that would happen to him after his moment of choice. Could he live with whatever hell came next? If he walked away and went home, a life of living as a suit of armour awaited Al. If he made the choice to give it all up, he would never see his baby brother again, or anyone else. He would be too dead to see.

The thought of his mortal end paralyzed Edward for a moment. He then became angry with his own cowardice. He shoved his hands in his pockets in frustration. A cool piece of metal brushed against his flesh hand. It caught his attention as he held the object in his palm without removing it from his pocket. It was a key. Gripping it in defiance, the key's bite filled him with courage. He pointed at the grinning apparition with his auto-mail hand and yelled in a strong voice.

You're always in my heart…

"Fine! Let's do this!"

Al opened his eyes to see nothing but blurry figures hovering over him. He reached his hand up to rub the sleep out of his silvery blue eyes when a wave of recognition splashed over him. His eyes opened? His hand? He slept?

Sitting up in one quick jerking motion, he fell back down. His muscles ached as if he hadn't used them in years. His sight cleared slowly, and he saw Winry and Pinako blinking back with both sad and joyous smiles. The old woman touched his arm and simply said.

"Welcome back."

I'll find you somewhere
I'll keep on trying until my dying day
I just need to know whatever has happened,
The Truth will free my soul

End