Disclaimer-I do not own Full Metal Alchemist
Author's Note: This takes place after the series and before the movie, this is the first FMA fic I've written hope you enjoy
Description: Edward is stuck in a parallel world, on the other side Alphonse is determined to find Ed but doesn't know where he is, Unknown to the two of them they have found a connection between both worlds and a way to bring Ed back home.
"Al...Alphonse! I-I'm sorry Alphonse don't leave me brother! Please...don't, don't leave me..." Edward cried out in his sleep as he was overtaken by the nightmares that plagued him once again. He had this one many times, the same memory over and over, seeing his innocent little brother being pulled away from him by the black snake like hands. Al crying out in fear with tearful shouts for Edward to help him, holding out his hand as he was being sucked into the swirling purple and black void. His eyes, the terror in young Al's eyes as he attempted to fight off the preying hands, the pupils contracted and tears spilling down his face, Ed would never forget that look of such desperation and fear, it was one of the many images that haunted him. No matter how hard he fought he couldn't reach Al in time, he was so close to his hand but every time as he was about to grasp it...Al was gone.
Edward sat up in bed then covered in a cold sweat and breathing heavily he felt a wetness around his eyes as the remaining tears trickled down his cheeks. He reached up to brush them away and felt the rubbery prosthetic covering his automail. With some assistance from his father he was able to conceal the secret of his robotic limbs. Not even Alfonse Heidrich was aware of them. Ed often wore his white gloves to conceal the synthetic covering. With a heavy sigh Ed got out of bed and stretched, he walked over to his window and looked out at the town of Munich. It had been nearly two years since he had crossed into this parallel world, but still he was haunted by his past. He missed his little brother tremendously and often wondered if they would ever be together again, Ed clenched his automail hand, the thought of never seeing Al again hurt so much he tried to not think of it, but throughout the recent months his hopes were beginning to diminish. No matter how many times Ed tried to reassure himself he would be with Al again, he knew deep down that may never happen.
The only thing that kept him going in his quest to return to his real home were his dreams, some were the nightmares, the reminders of his sins, but others gave him a sense of hope, a feeling that he was back home. They were often times so real he would sometimes cry in frustration when he awoke. He hoped the dream world was not going to be the only way he could see Al, but for the moment it was all he had.
"Al..." He whispered. "I'll find a way to come home." Ed checked the time it was only 1:30, but he was unsure if he wanted to go back to sleep. It was common for him to have a nightmare and try to go back to sleep only to have another one. He sighed, he had no choice he needed to get some rest. Hesitantly Ed crawled back into bed and curled up under the blankets. Sleep took him swiftly and it wasn't long before he was falling into another dream.
Ed looked around, he was back in Resembool in one of the fields he and Al used to play in, he could smell the green grass below his feet and he felt the warmth of the bright sun, he closed his golden eyes as a cool breeze blew past him, he heard the birds singing in the nearby trees. He stood there taking it all in, it was so nice to be back home.
"Edward Brother!" His eyes snapped open and he whipped around spotting Alphonse running up to him. Ed grinned at the site, Al was wearing his old red Alchemist's trench coat and a black jacket underneath that was similar to the one he wore two years ago. He wore his hair in a similar fashion, the bangs on either side of his face and the rest was pulled up in a pony tail. Al threw his arms around Ed in a tight embrace. "Brother you're back! You're really back!" Ed hugged his little brother. "I missed you so much Ed!"
"I missed you too Al." Ed ruffled the boy's hair. "Since when did you start dressing in my old clothes?" He smirked.
"These are mine, it's just the trench coat that's yours."
"Okay let me rephrase, when did you start mimicking me? Impostor." Edward teased.
"No I'm not!" Al huffed.
"I was just that big of an influence on you huh?" The two boys smiled at one another. Al observed his older brother, he was in a white dress shirt with the collar turned up, a dark gray vest with matching pants, a brown trench coat, and his hair wasn't braided.
"You dress a lot different now Ed." He looked down at his clothing and nodded.
"Yeah this is how they dress on the other side, I have to fit in you know?"
"Has it been hard for you brother?" The two of them sat in the grass remaining close to each other's side. Ed put his arm around Al.
"Yeah it's been rough these past two years, I had to learn a new language and hide my automail. They don't have it there, or alchemy." Ed paused for a moment. "...Dad...helped me get settled though."Al nodded and rested his head against his brother's shoulder, the two fell silent for a time. It felt so good to have young Alphonse by his side again, but something nagged at him, it all seemed too easy, too perfect. He had no memory of how he even arrived in Resembool, it dawned on him that perhaps this was only fictional. After a while Ed spoke again. "This isn't right Al." He whispered.
"How do you mean?" He looked up at his brother with concern.
"How did I get here? I didn't do anything to come here, I never entered the gate, last I remember was I was sitting by the window in my room."
"Maybe you just don't remember, you're here brother I know you are!" Alphonse attempted to make Ed believe it was real, but the elder Elric boy shook his head sadly.
"I've been fooled too many times I'm starting to realize the difference between dreams and reality, I can't keep getting my hopes up. I want to believe so badly that I will return here but I know..." He looked down and spoke quietly. "That won't happen."
"Don't say that!" Al exclaimed fearfully. "Please Ed don't give up, I'll find a way to get you back. Just be patient and I will come for you and bring you home!" He clutched onto him. "Don't give up."
"This is just a dream and you're not Al...you're the part of me refusing to let go, refusing to accept the fact that I'm not going home."
"Stop saying things like that!"Ed gently pushed him back, and stood up brushing off his pants. "I'm sorry Al, this is only a dream and your only a memory or what my imagination has dreamed up of what you may look like now, or act like." He turned away from him and began to walk away.
"Edward! Brother!" Al stood up and watched helplessly as his older brother continued on his way leaving him alone once more, as he walked he began to fade and was gone. "Edward please! Edward come back!"
Alphonse sat up in bed his whole body trembling, he pulled his knees up to his chest and lowered his head in sadness. Another dream of Edward, it felt so real, like always. He fought back tears that wanted to fall, every time Ed was in his dreams it only increased his sorrows. It only reminded him of how much he missed him. Al shut his eyes tightly and brought his hands up to his head, he clutched onto his dark blond hair as the hot tears spilled from his eyes. He clenched his teeth together tightly, trying to prevent himself from making a sound, a small strained sob escaped.
"Brother...Edward..."
"Al?" A soft voice called "Al are you alright?" Winry poked her head in his room, she saw the boy sitting up in bed, sobbing quietly. She felt such pity for him, it was hard on all of them to loose Ed, but it was nothing compared to Al's grief. She walked into the room and sat down on his bed, she put her arms around him and held him close, stroking his hair.
"I had...I had another...d-dream." Alphonse chocked on the words as he took heaving breaths to calm himself down.
"About Ed?" The boy nodded and sniffled.
"He said...he said I was the dream, that I was the one that wasn't real." Winry remained silent, she just held him and listened. "I don't understand it...what does it mean Winry?" He looked up at her, his eyes red from the tears.
"I don't know Al, I really don't, it was your dream and only you can interpret it." She smiled, but the sadness could still be seen in her eyes. "What happened?"
"He was standing outside in the field over by the big tree, I ran up to him and I hugged him, and he hugged me back. He mentioned my clothes were like his, and I said he looked different and we sat together on the grass. Then he said this was only a dream...and...he believes he'll never come home...then he just...left." Al sniffled and wiped his eyes. "Ed would never give up..." Winry nodded.
"You just miss him...try not to let this get to you too much. It's only a dream."
"Yeah..." Al agreed quietly but wasn't fully convinced "it's only a dream."
Author's Note: I know the chapter is a bit short, but it's a start. Reviews are greatly appreciated and I'd LOVE to hear what you all think. The story is still in the works so it may take some time for chapters to be posted.