Prologue:
With watches and notes!
The sounds of hands clapping together rang throughout the night. Thin material clad auto mail clashed against equally thinly clad flesh creating a loud echoing sound. A flash of blue danced across the night sky, beaming on everything in sight, buildings, people and even animals. But only for a few seconds. At the source of the light lay a impression on the ground, a circle with writing and symbols along its rim, and in the center a pocket watch with a note tucked neatly into the hook.
Alchemy, one of the worlds biggest mysteries. Unlike magic, Alchemy can not create something from nothing. Equivalent exchange, it takes over every aspect of our lives, including Alchemy. For example, if you run you become tired. In return for the energy your body used to get you going so fast, it needs its time to rest. Alchemy is the same. If you create something, it must have the exact same mass, and elements of the previous item. That is the law.
Though it is unknown to the common people why Alchemy was needed for this watch and note, there are few who would understand. But that would all be explained later.
Quietly, hesitant foot steps began to make their way in the direction of the watch. A set of males, one in their late to mid twenties and the other in their early teens, finally came into view. There was hardly a soul in Central who didn't know their names. Former state Alchemist Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist. And current state Alchemist, Alphonse Elric, the Healing Alchemist.
Both stood in a awkward silence, listening to the bustling of the city people who were using a vain attempt at figuring out what exactly was going on. It was Roy who dared to move first, carefully picking up the watch and removing the note. Unfolding it quietly he scanned over the contents, before quietly closing it. A soft smile rose to his lips as he turned his head to face his good eye to Alphonse.
"It seems Edward has found a new life of the other side..." he mused.
"The note... what did it say?"Alphonse questioned quietly. His voice began to tremble lightly, somewhat in fear of what had become of his older brother. Though he knew the older could take care of himself, it didn't stop him from worrying.
"It says he doesn't like that world... he says he's coming back Alphonse. Alchemy, is apparently existent over there as well. But in a much different sense. Hence how the note came." he began quietly, "In the note he claims that it will only take him a few days to get the preparations ready to return... But we'll see about that."
"Really?" Al chirped excitedly. He himself had seen the other side of the gate, only to have Edward force him back into Central. The thought that Edward could return, and Alchemy was available to him was astonishing in his mind. "Did the note say anything else?"
A small smirk rose to the lips of the former General, "It did. He said to make sure there is food upon his arrival..."