Ok first of all I have to thank everyone who's read this thus far and I'd like to say that next chapter the plot will actually get moving.

RoyMustangOMG-sadly knowing what that is'll have to wait a few chapters. Though I'm pretty sure you'll have fun with it once you know.

Lilia0-I know its cute thats why I couldn't resist writing it down...err...typing it. Anyways thanks for the spelling suggestion.

Wateria88-Thankyou for the spelling suggestion. I know its short thus far but that was just the prologue so I didn't feel it needed to be that long.

Also as for the spelling of Ed's hometown I think I'll try a different spelling everytime...or avoid typing it all together. So yeah here's the first real chapter so have fun.

Chapter 1: Journey

Roy Mustang half wanted to kill the newest Fuhrer. It wasn't that he had any dislike of the young politician who had suddenly risen to the rank of Amestris' leader, but this new policy of requiring all state alchemists to work in pairs either with other state alchemist or approved consultants had left him paired up with none other than Edward Elric for what had to be the world's dullest assignment. Even the paperwork from when he had been a colonel was surely an improvement. But no, he had chosen the rank of corporal and had to live with it.

Truth be told, he was grateful Ed was back in the country along with Al and their father. The three of them had somehow managed to return from that other world through a natural hole in the barrier that let them re-enter the world near the ruins of Lior. Hohenheim had then journeyed off and founded an academy for young alchemist free of almost all state influence-the only real influence was the massive property tax that the valuable land drew in- and Ed had surprised everyone by rejoining the state. Al had been approved of as a consultant but the boy had a cold that prevented him from accompanying Ed on this mission.

Their mission was relatively simple. A shipment of materials for the academy had broken down far to the north and they were to assist it and escort it the rest of the way. The mission was Ed's -after all the stuff was going to his father's school- and Roy merely had to tag along. It was somewhat humorous knowing Ed was now his commanding officer…sort of, Ed was a Major and he was a corporal in the same company.

Snow swirled around the train at a constantly increasing rate the farther they went. The fact that it was snowing didn't help Roy's growing agitation.

"So brat long do you think it will be until we get there?"

"You're not supposed to call me that anymore Mustang. It will be a couple days at least. Once we get off the train we have to go about 60 miles either on foot or somehow catch a ride."

"So are you excited to see your father again. I heard you haven't communicated with him since arriving in central?"

"Not really and what's with all the questions, you'd think I was a kid again being interrogated by you."

"Ahh now those were the days…" Roy shifted to the seat directly across from Ed's. "I'm just trying to pass the time no worries. So what do you think about Rais Zahi (1)?"

"The new Fuhrer? He's alright I guess, a bit odd but I mean he's really devoted to peace and weeding out corruption in the government so I guess he can't be all bad. Plus now there's finally someone in the State who is shorter than me."

Roy laughed. "Yeah you've grown some but I was beginning to think it was impossible for an adult not to be taller than you."

"Hey!"

"Its true."

"So, you just called me short I thought I made it clear that no one was to call me that corporal."

"But you just admitted it."

" I said he was shorter than me not that I was short."

"You also said finally."

"That doesn't matter."

"Does too."

"No it doesn't."

Roy was about ready to burst out laughing, that was if this fight didn't turn physical in the next 10 seconds. Amazingly, Ed managed to control his temper, for what had to be the first time Roy had witnessed it.

Finally calmed down, -was Ed ever really calm?- the younger alchemist changed the subject. "I wonder what he's hiding anyways."

"Hmm…"

"I mean he never takes off those shades off and there are no records of him other than about the same time I became a state alchemist he was employed as a clerk for some hotshot lawyer."

"Think we've got another homunculus for a king?"

"Nah, but something is majorly wrong with him."

The flame smiled. As far as he was concerned it was only this new policy about state alchemist that was annoying and that the appointed Fuhrer was so young, barely older than Ed and nineteen at the oldest. If anything he figured, he should be thanking the strange young man for what he'd done to the government. That and the total wonderfulness of watching Zahi address the people.

Plain and simply Rais Zahi was a gorgeous young man resembling Edward in everything but hair. Even there the two could have been mirror images of each other. While Ed wore his blond hair up in a pony tail or tied back in a braid as it was currently, the Fuhrer appeared to be a brown-haired version of Ed with his hair down. The two had the same jaw and nose and both had great asses. Yes, Roy Mustang, the flame alchemist, former general could admit to staring at full metal's rear end and it only took a quick glance to see much of the same from the Fuhrer.

"The only thing I can't stand is the fact that he makes us travel in pairs like this. What does he think that we're toddlers who can't handle themselves?"

Edward suppressed a laugh.

"Actually I think its kind of practical. I mean think about what happens if we do run into trouble. There isn't anyone out there who could stand up to the two of us in a fight on their own."

"Still most of us can handle numerous enemies on our own."

"That's the other reason he's sending us in pairs. Most people can't fight back against a state alchemist even with an army backing them, so if one of us went psychopathic serial killer on us they'd be helpless. Nobody wants another Ishbaal. This way we have somebody ready to stop a state alchemist from going around killing civilians."

The rest of the train ride passed pretty much in silence. There had been occasional comments regarding various villages they rode past and snippets regarding where each of the two were going- ala policy.

The two alchemist got off at the northernmost stop. From there the train would head West for some distance before eventually curving south. They, however, still had a long way to go.

The going was slow as Edward's automail kept sinking into the snow that continued to pour down mercilessly down on them. After about two hours Ed called for them to find some place to stop for the night, so they wouldn't freeze to death. About half an hour after that Mustang managed to locate a resort filled with numerous log cabins.

The two alchemists walked into the rental building and were greeted by the chubby owner who was as Ed would put it for years to come was "about as flabby as Armstrong is muscular." Roy decided he would do the talking.

"We need a cabin."

The man's eyes lit up. "Of course, of course. Might I recommend cabin seven. All our cabins are equipped with a years supply of food so you needn't worry about going to fetch any supplies in this ghastly storm."

"Why so much?" A years worth of food seemed to be overdoing it by quite a bit.

"You've never been this far north have you. Judging from your dress (2) I'd say that you've just come from central."

"Yeah, we're up here on business."

" Well that business'll have to wait for the storm to finish up."

"So how much do we owe you?"

"Oh just pay when you leave I wouldn't dream of limiting your stay during this god awful weather on account on you pocketbook. That is too say I don't want you leaving until the weather is decent again, and I won't take no for an answer."

Roy muttered something about that meaning that the man just wanted to squeeze as much out of them as he could which in turn received a hardy laugh.

He handed Roy two sets of keys and pointed westward. "Cabin seven's just over that ways a bit."

"Thanks." The Flame turned to leave grabbing Ed by his shirt collar. "come on." The pair left through the door colliding with a family of five as they did so. After a series of apologies they finally managed to get to their cabin.

Edward stared in amazement at the log building. Inside it had a massive fireplace, a luxurious sitting room, a bathroom with a tub the size of a small pool and as the owner had stated a whole year's supply of food. The young man was pleased to see that almost half of all the canned foods was composed of stew. Yes the cabin appeared to be perfect with a magnificent view of a lake and snow fallen everywhere. There was just one problem as Fullmetal discovered when he entered the only bedroom- there was only ONE bed.

The alchemists let out a scream before storming into the rentals building.

The owner seemed oblivious to his mood and asked cheerily. "What can I get for you?"

"What the hell were you thinking when you stuck us in a cabin with only one bed?"

The man stared blankly at him as if to say "Is that a problem." Thankfully it dawned on him before those words were actually uttered. "I'm so sorry, I just assumed that the two of you were lovers. After all what would two finely dressed men from central be doing out here if not to get away for some privacy."

"He told you we were here on business. Now can you please fix this."

"I'm sorry but the last multi-bedded cabin went to that family you ran into on your way out."

"Oh." The kids had looked so tired and cold there was no way he was about to kick them out of their shelter from the storm. "I guess we can figure something out.

(1) The Fuhrer's name is two Arabic names Rais meaning leader and Zahi meaning beautiful or brilliant.

(2) Just so everyone is clear on this by "dress" he means clothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!