A/N- A third story. I promise I'll have the third chapter of my other story up by at least tomorrow night. I swear! I decided to make a story about Pride, because for some reason, Pride is just very... interesting.

Disclaimer- I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of its characters.

Chapter 1- Homecoming

This was nothing like Edward would ever have or ever had expected to happen.

Being trapped in Germany on the other side of the gate with his father had been punishment enough, but it wasn't until he'd finally started to settle down there that things went completely, horribly wrong. Why was it that Ed could never have a week of peace? Was it because he was a sinner? Maybe, but maybe not. God just hated him.

Honestly though, who wouldn't want to get back to their family and friends, no matter what it took to achieve this? Ed had sacrificed the ultimate piece of himself, or rather, maybe he'd simply gained something. But that wasn't equivalent exchange, or was it? Either way, whatever you would call what had happened to him, it completely ruined his life.

Yet again, he wasn't thinking about himself, but more about his brother. Especially his brother. Was Al even alive to see Ed coming back? What would be the point of returning if he wasn't there? He'd just have to wait and see...

---

Alphonse Elric and Izumi Curtis had returned to Resembool after a year of studying up on their alchemy skills. Izumi's were already exceedingly efficient, seeing as she could transmute without a circle, and Al, after regaining his body from the gate, was finding he could do the same. It had been five years since Ed had dissapeared, and Al had never stopped searching. Not even for a minute. He'd dreamed up several ideas of how to open the gate, maybe take from it, to see his brother again, but Izumi declined all of them.

It was a cold morning at the Rockbell house, where Winry, Rose, Rose's child, Izumi, and Al were staying. Pinako had passed away a mere three months ago, and Winry still mourned her loss, having to keep up with the automail business alone. Actually, Rose's son, who was five years of age, had taken a great liking to automail, and often helped Winry with some of the basic skills.

All the house work was finished, and everyone was silent. Dead silent.

"So... Did anyone hear any news from Central lately?" Winry attempted to break the void with her cheerful voice, but it just wasn't working. Izumi, who often chose to ignore people, not out of disrespect, but for certain other reasons, had nothing to say.

"No, it's been pretty quiet around here, actually," Rose answered, with a smile apparent on her already glowing face as she watched her son drawing casually on the floor. "Though I do sometimes wonder whatever happened to that Mustang character..."

"So do I." Then, there was silence again. Winry chose this time to look over to Al, who was sitting in the corner, staring at the floor, eyes big and heavy, probably thinking about Ed again. He always did get teary, not just because Edward was no longer there for him to converse with, but also because he was a bit sensitive when people talked about this "Roy Mustang," who had recently become the Fuhrer.

Then again, it wasn't just Roy. It was anyone Al had supposedly met when his soul was trapped in a suit of armor. He couldn't remember anything, and no matter how hard Winry and Izumi had tried to explain things to him, they'd always left a little out. They figured if Ed ever did manage his way back, he would explain it the best.

But after so long, five years to be precise, was it really possible Edward would make his way back... At all?

"I'm going to go close some windows. It looks like it's going to rain." Winry used this sentence as her exit from the room. Rose leaned down to her son and began to ask him about his drawings, which he happily answered, and Izumi finally tried to push the silence that was surrounding Al away.

"So, Alphonse, anything else for us to try today?" Izumi always attempted to be friendly around the younger Elric. He'd lost his entire family, and he still never cried.

"No..."

Al was mostly silent these days. A few people might think he'd gone mute, despite the few 'hellos' and 'goodbyes' they recieved from him.

"I see." Izumi stood up and turned to Rose and her son, hoping to gain their attention. But even if she didn't get it... "I'm going for a walk. If Winry comes downstairs, tell her I'll be back in an hour." Rose nodded in affirmation, and Izumi headed for the door, but not before Winry had already reached the bottom of the stairs to see her departure.

"Where are you headed off to? It looks like it's about to rain..."

"Just out for a walk." Winry cocked her head in amusement. Maybe a walk could help her get over this boring day, or at least a few minutes of it.

"Could I come?" Izumi glared at her, and Winry knew she was intruding, but she didn't care. Izumi had always struck her as a kind and understanding woman, so she figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Much to her suprise, Izumi nodded her head in agreement.

"Suit yourself." Winry was about to walk out the door when she realized...

"Would you like to come along, Al?"

"No thank you, Winry. I'm actually kind of tired." Tired. This was Al's excuse when he wanted to avoid a conversation. And apparently he knew that all Winry wanted out of him was a conversation, probably to lay some more unbelievable facts down in front of him, expecting him to take them in with contentment. In all honesty, Al had problems believing all of the facts they tried to force down his throat.

"Well, alright Al..." Winry looked a little hurt. Alphonse could see it in her eyes, but he didn't change his mind. He'd rather not have to look at her, trying to hold in her own tears as she explained to him about his brother. Still, for the most part, Al was a friendly person, just not quite as conversational as he used to be.

---

"Where am I?" Edward found himself asking this over, and over again, plenty of times after opening his eyes while lying next a gently moving stream, in a rather peaceful looking enviroment. It did look as though it were going to rain, but other than that, this place looked as though it were filled to the brim with contentment for all who came upon it.

Oddly familiar though it seemed, Ed pushed himself to a standing position and walked slowly downstream, following the water to a sandbar, and a hill. He sighed to himself. If he had any relation to this area at all, why couldn't he think of what it was?

Cloaked in his usual red trench coat, but missing his gloves, Ed trudged up the hill, and was destined on continuing, until he thought he heard voices coming from the right of his current location.

"I've found that Gracia was correct. Apple pies really do cook better with maple syrup." Sure enough, two figures appeared over the top of the hill, obviously just taking a nice, casual walk. Ed figured they'd go about their own way, until the young looking blonde stopped abrubtly in her steps. It seemed she'd caught site of him. What the hell was she staring at, anyway? Was there something wrong with him?

"Uh, hi," Ed said, hoping he'd find out what was wrong with this person. Why was she looking at him like he should have been dead? He decided to take advantage of this situation, rather than wandering around aimlessly for a few more hours. "Could you explain to me where I am?" Instead of answering his question, the blonde jumped towards him, about to hug him, before she was stopped by her older-looking dark-haired friend.

"Hang on, Winry." Izumi seemed to know exactly what Winry was thinking. It wasn't everyday you saw someone who resembled Ed in almost every way. Yes, almost. There were a few things that seemed a little off about this guy.

"But..."

Izumi pointed to Ed's right arm. "Flesh?" Winry looked a little taken aback as she stared at Ed, questionably. And Ed stared back. Who are these people! Instead of jumping out to Edward, as Winry had done, Izumi decided she'd take a more cautious route. "Excuse me, sir, but what would your name be?"

At that moment, Ed had forgotten his own name. Or had he never known it in the first place?

"I... I don't know." He replied, putting his head down. And that was when Izumi noticed that the pupils were a little smaller than they should have been, while the rest of the iris remained the same. Was this really Ed, or just some imposter? Surely if it was Ed playing a joke on them, he would have said something by now.

"I expect you'd like some form of communication?" Ed nodded. "Then come with us."

And Edward followed Winry and Izumi, hoping someone, whomever was waiting back at that house, could help to explain something about him.

A/N- If anyone knows whether Rose named her baby or not... And what his name was, I would really appreciate it if someone told me! Please and thank you!