This is my first time posting on this site, so I'm sort of stumbling along here, trying to figure out how it works. If you notice that I've done anything wrong, please let me know.

Spoilers for pretty much anything in the manga and anime.

I was inspired to write this story after episode 47 of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, in which Pride takes over Al's armor in an attempt to trick Edward. It's a bit AU because I don't intend on following any sort of path that the story has followed since that point, but I suppose it might contain certain aspects of the story up until that point. I cannot promise any sort of romantic involvement between characters, as I am not entirely sure where this story will be going, but if that were to be the case it would probably end up being Roy and Ed.

Warning: This story will involve graphic violence and gore. There will be torture and severe situations that some people might be uncomfortable with. Please do not read the story if graphic violence, blood, possible rape, and serious pain and injury are offensive to you.

Prologue - It Begins

He cannot see anything but darkness and for a moment, he believes that he has gone blind. The thought quickly fades, however, when his eyes adjust to the shadows and he can make out faint angles and depths within the darkness. The last time he'd been anywhere so consumed by blackness, he'd awoken to such shattering grief after losing his limbs that he'd barely been able to breathe through it.

Once he got passed the initial shock of seeing nothing, he groggily came out of the fog that had enveloped him and was aware of the immense pain searing through his body. His leg and arm felt as if they had been ripped off all over again and he swore he could feel blood pouring from the gaping wounds. If only the pain weren't deafening and making him unable to focus on anything else, maybe he'd be able to listen for the sound of blood dripping onto the ground.

The more conscious he became, the more pain he seemed to be in. He couldn't quite fathom the concept; logically, the pain should make him less aware and slowly cause him to become unconscious, not the other way around. He wanted to scream, to beg for help, but he couldn't find the strength to open his mouth, let alone make any sort of sound through his trembling lips.

After what felt like hours, and very well may have been, he somehow adjusted to the pain. It still shocked him, the burning that coursed through his body from whatever injuries he had sustained, but he was able to focus on other things. He could tell that he was floating somehow, hanging from something attached to a ceiling that was out of his vision. His weight was evenly distributed so it was difficult for him to decipher exactly how he was hung.

He couldn't remember anything. All he remembered was finally seeing Al, after an entire summer of separation, and the relief that had flooded him at finding out that his brother was okay. Where was Al, now? What had happened to his brother? What had caused him to end up wherever he was, in such immense agony? How had it happened? He could remember nothing but darkness and shadows.

Edward wanted to cry. He didn't recall the last time he had felt so lost and helpless and hopeless all at once. He could not move – all of his defenses had been taken away from him – and he could barely breathe. Whoever, or whatever, had done this to him had wanted him immobile and weak. They had succeeded. He had never felt so terrified before. He didn't even know what had happened to his brother or his friends. Were they okay? How would he save everyone if he didn't even know if they were well enough to be saved? How could he when he couldn't even move, couldn't even speak?

After the pain, all he could think about was what could have happened to his brother. Whoever, or whatever, had done this to him must have known how to capture him and how to restrain him. Did they also know what Alphonse's weakness was? Could they know about the blood seal and how important it was? He was sure that nothing had happened to his brother; they were too closely connected for him to not feel a debilitating grief were something to happen to him, but the thought still terrified him.

He had to figure out how to get out of this. The pain would eventually numb him and then he might be able to –

Suddenly, there was a blinding light and he quickly shut his eyes. Now he was blinded by crimson light seeming to seep through his eyelids and the abruptly bright onslaught burned and made his skull throb and ache. How long had he been without light for his eyes to become so sensitive and react so strongly? He absolutely had to do something to save himself. He wouldn't die like this, not without knowing if Alphonse was okay or not. Not without getting Alphonse's body back. He wouldn't. He couldn't.