Each individual chapter will have a different rating, different pairings, different spoilers, and a different setting and timeline. Multiple people were involved in writing this fic, I do not claim to have written anything other than my own characters. I do however claim to have come up with the plot, story idea, and organizing it all. The others who write characters in this fic are well aware that I am posting it, and contribute willingly. This fic is an ongoing project with an unknown number of parts, with alternate storyline as of the fifth laboratory incident. Enjoy!


Waking Dreams

Rating: PG-13
Pairings: None
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA.
Spoilers: End of series.
Setting: A city near Dublith, Edward was sent out on a mission to capture a serial killer believed to be using alchemy.
Timeline: A few months later.


There was the sound of approaching steps. Uneven sounds on the dirt from boot-clad feet. One step was hollow, metallic, the next soft and natural. The steps alternated this way until they stopped at the edge of the clearing. A boy of fifteen stood there at the edge of the trees, blond bangs blown in his face as a breeze picked up and slowed. Golden eyes gazed fierce and reminiscent at the pole in the center of the clearing. Red coat rustled with the leaves in the wind, and the boy didn't move. Just stared, as that boiling hatred and equally raging guilt rose in his chest. Edward hated this place. This place reminded him of his father, the one he hated more than anyone in the world. Until recently at least. It was only recently after all that he found out the truth. And that was why he hated this place. He knew that not far off to the west was an empty and barren field. He knew that field once was a village. He knew that village was the first sacrifice that began four hundred years of pain and suffering for this world's people. That village had been used to create the first Philosopher's Stone. And there his hatred came around to a full circle again, for it was his father who created that stone. He had seen another world on the other side of the Gate. At first he thought it was "Truth" but he was wrong. It was Hell. Edward hated this place.

Lost in bitter memories, Edward didn't even hear the approaching steps, and stood firm, gloved hands, one metal and one flesh and blood, shoved into his pants pockets. Again the wind blew.

The stranger's gaze traveled to a lone figure but he had passed it to stand near the rocks, and the pole, he slowly reached in the side of his cloak to take out a pen and small notebook, he held it up and started to make small notes on the area.

He hated this place. But then why had he come here? Edward was torn from his thoughts as another figure stepped past him, and he caught a glimpse of golden eyes. The surge of hatred, guilt, and remorse took him by surprise. But there were no golden blond wisps of hair that fell past that hat, only the faint hint of brunette. Not even realizing it, Edward heaved out a sigh of relief. The eyes might have been the same, but this man was no relative of his. He was thankful.

There was a flash of blazing helium in Edward's eyes and the smell of fire and blood filled his nostrils. He could almost feel the heat. And then it was gone. Just like that, it was gone. The Zeppelins...the rotting body of his father...this other boy named Edward Elric.

Edward shivered slightly, face paled as he turned his back on the clearing. Uneven steps faded away into the distance as the blaze of red fabric disappeared from sight.

-------------------------------

Edward sat there outside the study door, eyes showing a hollow soul, a dull amber, shock and disbelief. He had just seen two men die right before his eyes and in the same instant vanish into thin air. Shock was understandable.

There was the tapping of shoes on the stone floor, and a black-clad figure stepped up to the door of the study, staring in awe at the mess. He turned upon hearing the rustling of fabric behind him, and golden eyes met amber. "Edward...? Did...you do this?"

The blond simply stared in shock and awe, this had to be a dream, a nightmare. He stepped forward slowly, reaching out towards Cain. "Is it really you? Is this real? I just...you just..." Edward composed himself. "I...didn't do this...but I suspect I know who did..." The alchemist stepped past Cain and into the study once more, clapping his hands together and touching them to the ground as the room returned to its previous state. "There's a man who's been after your life...I came here to follow him...and just hours ago...I watched you die right before my eyes...right over there..." A gloved hand pointed to the corner of the room.

Cain's eyes widened. "You're with...are you with...?!" He observed how the room was restored, taking a step back towards the door. "Dead? But...I'm...here now aren't I?"

"Who? I don't know what you're talking about...but take care of yourself...he's liable to try again...and I don't know...I've seen people come back from the dead before...in fact..I've died twice..." Ed walked over to the corner opposite the one he'd pointed to and took a seat, bringing his knees to his chest. "I don't have anywhere to go...so I hope you don't mind if I just crash here tonight..." Without even waiting for a response, the blond alchemist was fast asleep.

Cain stared in shock and shook his head. What was Edward talking about? He died? That couldn't be right...

------

Edward awoke to the sound of an explosion, golden eyes snapping open to stare across the study at the silhouette of a figure outlined in flames. That cackle could only belong to one person..."Kimbley..."

How pleasant, to find the little shrimp here! Kimbley was beside himself with amusement, first this castle, then he'd make the boy into the perfect bomb to finish the job! His hands were placed against the floor, as the look of stone began to shift black, outwards around his hands.

Edward was quick to react, clapping his hands together and slamming them down to reverse the effect. But he wasn't quick enough to notice that Kimbley was no longer in front, but behind him. He wasn't quick enough to block the man's hands, and before he even knew it his vision had blurred, and he felt strangely detached.

Zolof Kimbley simply grinned. His best work yet! Holding the boy by the wrist, he flung Ed across the room, gold eyes glittering with satisfaction and glee at the explosion that followed. His job might as well be done, Kimbley mused, before heading out of the castle and into the night.

-----

His voice was gone...he couldn't speak..he couldn't feel...is this...how he was going to die? Was this the end? Edward was afraid. His life flashed before his eyes and his voice returned a split second later. But all Ed could do was scream. A scream that echoed loudly through the entire town. And then there was silence.


Please review, constructive criticism and questions appreciated, flames will be deflected back at you by Roy. n.n;