Authors Notes: I've had a FMA fanfic in my head for quite a while now after falling in love with the show.
I'll try my hardest to keep it close to the original :)
I've only seen up to episode 30 I think, so please don't be too harsh on me XD
Please leave a review!


Disclaimer: I do not and never will own FullMetal Alchemist. *sobs*

Edward Elric sat down on the floor with a sigh. It was late at night and the only source of light was the faint glow from the moon that could just be seen through the branches of the trees that surrounded him and the camp. Behind him were the poor attempts of tents that he had put up while his brother fetched firewood.

Come on Alphonse, he thought glumly drawing his red coat tighter around him against the chill of the night air, I'm freezing my ass off here.

The thought had barely formed in his mind when he heard the distant crash of metal and the snapping of branches underfoot. Any normal person would have been scared of the racket but Edward was no normal person; he found it almost welcoming infact. Soon enough a huge shadowy figure formed inbetwwen the trees of the forest, a large pile of wood cradled in its arms.

"'Bout time Al!" Ed said getting to his feet to help with the load. He snatched a few logs from the top of the heap and hurried to find a match to light them, "What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry Brother" Alphonse replied polietly, placing the rest of the logs on the floor. He sat "I got a little distracted..."

There was something in his younger brother voice that made him look up; was it worry? The orange flames flared into life as Edward gazed towards him, their glow lighting up the gleaming metal casing and throwing shadows inside the empty helmet. If they weren't related and if he hadn't seen this sort of thing before it might have creeped Edward out, instead he ignored it.

"Whats wrong?" he asked quietly.

"Just that feeling I've been getting..." Al said lightly brushing him off. For the past few days of travelling they had decided to camp rather than get the train as they normally would do; the youngest Elric had been complaining about an odd feeling like someone was watching them. Although he denied it, Edward too had been feeling it, there were moments when it felt like someone was looking at him through the trees but when he turned there would be no one. He didn't want to worry Al but he would be glad when they finally got out of this forest and back to civilisation.

"Well we're nearly at Central now" he said feining cheerfulness "All we have is a few more minutes walk and then we can give our report to Mustang and get out of there. Then we can carry on looking for the Philosophers stone, right?"

Alphonse was silent for a moment his empty gaze locked on the trees behind his brothers head but then he nodded.

"Yeah" he mumbled "Just promise me one thing though Brother"

"Whats that?"

"No more creepy forests please?"

"Sure Al, I promise" Ed chuckled getting to his feet. He searched in his pack for a flannel "I'm gonna wash up before bed, see you in a second"

His brother mumbled somethining agreement as Ed took off towards the stream which they had been following for the past few days. It was a little further in the forest and by the time he reached it the crackle of flames had almost disappeared, the only reassurance that he wouldn't get lost was the far away glow cast by the flames. He hated being so far away from the camp and Alphonse, he washed quickly ignoring the ice cold burn of the water.

He was just wipping his face dry when he heard a crack of a twig snapping behind him. Al, he thought sighing inwardly, he's as spooked as I am; but then another thought reached his head and Edward froze.

He had not heard his brother approach, something almost impossible. That meant one of two things; his brother had finally managed to walk silently or the person stood behind him wasn't him...

Edward spun on his heel-

A fist flew out of nowhere and punched him roughly in the face, so hard that he tasted blood. He had barely hit the floor when he bounded back up, bringing his hands together ready to use alchemy against the enemy-

His palms never touched as two other pairs of hands grabbed each arm and pulled them back, forcing down his shoulders so that he was kneeled on the floor uncomfortably. No matter how much he pulled against them he couldn't escape from their grasps, one had even thought ahead to cover his mouth so that he couldn't call out. The whole attack had taken place in almost perfect silence; Al would be none the wiser.

Three on one? Edward snarled in his head as he struggled some more but they just forced him back down again. That's hardly a fair contest now is it?

As he moved weakly, the first attacker the one that had punched him came forward. He was most likely the leader of the small band; he had a none discript face that Ed would probably forget afterwards. He wore plain drab clothing and bad teeth but dispite the situation Edward felt himself relax a fraction. He had expected the Homunculi but it was only some bandits, he could take these guys. He hoped.

Without saying a word to him, the boss dug into Eds pockets most likely to rob him of any valuables he might have on him, instead he came across the silver pocket watch that identified him as a state alchemist. Him and the men holding him gasped in discust, the leader eyed him evilly before hitting his once across the face again so that he sagged against his captors.

"Military scumbag" he hissed while Edward turned his face back towards him his eyes narrowed in hate "Not so tough now are-"

"Edward?"

Everyone froze and gazed back towards the camp. Al must have noticed I was gone for too long, Ed thought thankful, when I don't answer he'll come looking for me and these guys will have no chance...

"Edward? Brother?" he sounded scared now. He faintly heard the creak of metal as he stood up.

The boss must have been thinking along the same lines as he was as his eyes narrowed and he grabbed Edwards face roughly inbetween his hand.

"Answer him!" he threatened. His face was inches from his own and his breath was sour smelling "Tell him your OK! Now!"

Screw you, he thought as the man holding his mouth let go.

"Al!" he screamed before they could stop him. He bit down on the hand of one of his captors who tried to cover his face again and squirmed like mad "Al, help! Bandits-!"

He didn't get any further as with an angry growl the boss kicked him in the ribs so hard that he actually flew backward out of the two others grasp. He hit the floor painfully, it was rock solid with the cold and it hurt where his head had struck the earth. He lay winded and dizzy for a second, black spots appearing at the edge of his vision. He was faintly aware of Alphonse bursting into the clearing and smashing into the two other men and also of the lead bandit who was stood over him holding something long and thin that glinted dangerously in the moonlight-

A knife. The world seemed to slow as he brought his arm down on top of him. Ed was too shocked to move or even to clap his hands together and use alchemy to protect himself; I'm going to die he thought numbly.

The tip was barely an inch from his chest when something large and furry hit the man, bowling him over. It growled deeply at him as it got to hits feet; a bear? No too small, it was a dog...

Weakly, Edward tried to push himself up but his chest groaned in displeasure and he fell back down to the ground where he watched what was going on through half closed eyes.

Alphonse was busy fighting off the men, they couldn't hurt him in his metal casing but he batted them away poorly not wanting to hurt them, but because of this they kept coming back. The lead man was backing away from the dog which snarled and snapped at his every move but it didn't attack him like he thought it would. Where had it come from and more importantly, who did it belong to?

Edward was suddenly aware of another person; they stood over him in what he knew was a protective stance. He couldn't see very well because they had a hood up but he guessed he was a man. Ed could barely keep his eyes open; who..?

Upon seeing another person join the fight the bandits ran for it, the man did something with his hands and a cloud of blue sparks chased after them, followed by the barking dog. A transmutation circle perhaps, the man was an alchemist...

Edward tried to lift himself again but as if in protest his ribs gave an audible crack in his chest sending a wave of pain over him. He screamed loudly.

"Brother!" Alphonse yelled panic stricken, rushing towards him as the man crouched down next to him. The world was suddenly spinning dangerously as black spots surrounded him and even though he was laid down he was sinking through the earth and into darkness, his brothers shouts fading into the distance.

"He's coming to!" Al's voice said sounding relieved. It came from far away and sounded crackily like he was speaking through a poorly tuned radio.

Edwards body ached, his jaw felt numb and his chest felt tight like he was straped to the floor. It made breathing difficult and he coughed weakly. Memories dripped back slowly; the bandits attack and the mysterious helper- who was he?

Completely unattended a groan escaped his lips as he opened his eyes slowly, they felt heavy and weak. They were back at the campsite, Al must have moved him when he passed out; it disorientated him for as second as he wndered what on earth he was doing there. The golden flames burned his eyes but showed him two outlines bending over him.

"Stay still" a soft voice advised "I think they broke one of your ribs. It would be wise not to move"

Ignoring the strangers words, Edward tried to push himself up from the floor, he felt usless just laying there. Immediatley his chest screamed in protest and he fell back with a yell of pain, almost passing out again but just managing to cling on.

"Brother..." the panic was evident in Al's voice "Please do as he says, he saved your life after all."

Edward scowled and coughed weakly trying to get air into his cramped lungs but it hurt to even do that. He didn't get to be a state alchemist by being gullible, after all it could all be an act.

"Who are you?" he asked his voice no higher than a mumble "And why did you save me?You used alchemy right?"

Alphonse made a noise of aspiration at the bottom of his throat but the young man held up a hand. His hood was still up but he quickly took it down to show a pale face under a mop of blond hair with huge eyes the same colour as emeralds; they seemed to glow in the firlight. He could have been only a few years older than Edward himself.

"It's OK" he said to Al lightly. His voice was very soft and well pronounced; he turned back towards Ed.

"My name is Emrys" he said "I saw the fight from a distance and I knew I had to help. I'm sorry if I've caused any offence. I'm on my way to Central and if you must know I want to become a state alchemist."

The fact came so sudden that the two Elrics were taken aback. What was the chance on them coming across someone who wanted to be a state alchemist when Edward was already one? And him saving his life? But if that was the case why be so open? Ed's head spun wildly for a second and he moaned aloud; his head felt heavy and he could barely breathe.

"You need to go to hospital" Emrys said quickly holding onto his shoulder while he shook weakly trying to draw a breath.

"No way" Edward managed to groan "No hospitals- please..."

"But your injured!" he sounded shocked at his stubborness but Al just sighed, stood up and lifted Ed carefully off the floor ignoring his protests.

"It's a thirty minute walk to Central" he informed the stranger "But if I run I can make it in about twenty. Will you join us?"

Emrys looked the pair up and down, the huge figure of the younger brother holding the older in his arms, Edward was barely conscious and squirmed weakly.

"I don't think I can run as fast as you" he said slowly noting Als long legs. The youngest Elric stared at him blankly until a thought hit the stranger. He gulped "You can carry me too?"

Al nodded glad he didn't have to explain himself

"Don't worry" he said "I dont feel weight like you do. I can carry both of you easily, you'll just have to hold on tight thats all. I can't carry your dog though..."

Emrys looked down to the said dog who had remained silent ever since it had chased away the bandits. Alphonse noted the strange way they looked at each other before he nodded.

"It's OK, he can run pretty fast too" he looked up at the suit of armor and smiled widely for the first time "Lets go!"

Author's note: I have to chapter 4 wrote down. If you would like more please leave a review telling me so :)
Thanks for reading!