A/N – This story is very, very AU. I know that one element in this story will put some people off. Basically, while I love Ed and Al's relationship in FMA, sometimes it seems a bit too perfect. Sometimes Al gets mad at Ed but after a while shit happens, they get back together and things between then are perfect. This story is different. I don't have that close bond with my siblings and FMA gives me that through Ed and Al. This story is different. And if that one element puts people off, well, I am sorry.

Fractured

Prologue –

Risembool is cold and desolate in late winter; snow covers the ground in fluff and the tracks of children who had been playing out in the field could be seen all over the place. The wind blows eerily through the trees. Branches knock against one another and the clanking echoes through the silence.

Alphonse and Edward stand, facing each other. Edward's braid is ruffled by the wind while Alphonse has a nice, wool cap keeping his head warm. Their cheeks and noses have become red in the cold. Alphonse is dressed for travelling, Edward is in his customary garb, he has exchanged his summer, red coat for his winter coat; which has fur on the edges to help keep him warm.

Edward pulls up the hood.

"Where are you going?" Edward asked.

"I told you, I'm going to join Mustang's revolution. He was right, you know," Alphonse deadpanned.

Edward knew that nothing he could say would make Alphonse stay. He had all ready dragged his brother all across the country looking for a stone that took human lives to make; they barely managed to save Amestris, but that just brought on a civil war and then Amestris would have to fight again to keep whatever peace the finally found after their Civil War. Edward was not sure how they had fought off the larger countries surrounding them for so long; but they had and he supposed they'd continue to do so.

"He's a manipulative bastard, Al," Edward snorted. Though, his knew Commanding Officer wasn't as lenient as Mustang had been. King Bradley was demanding and it'd taken Edward a while to get leave to visit home and get his Automail replace.

"I don't care," Alphonse was glaring, that was better than his deadpan look.

"They'll hunt you down," Edward returned.

Alphonse looked bored now and he turned. He didn't off any parting words, nor did he give a wave; He did nothing to acknowledge his leaving Risembool, or Edward, behind.

Edward watched Alphonse go, and knew that he had failed again as a Big Brother. It is a bitter feeling he'd become accustomed to since their Mother died and he lost both an arm and a leg in payment for something that wasn't human.

He didn't blame Alphonse at all.