I don't usually update this quickley bit I feel I owe it to all of you. I have taken note of what you have suggested...and can I just point out that Ed vanishing (is in Munich)and Al with a real body is true, the rest is made up by me. FMA aint mine dammit.
He coughed again, finally spitting up the remaining river water in his system. Dazed and disorientated he had very little idea where he was. Yet something deep inside told him he had achieved his goal. He was no longer in Munich but home. He would follow along the river and see where it took him. It flowed through most of the major cities and started in Rizembol. If he followed it for long enough it would surely take him there, take him to his brother and Winry.
Oh how they had played on his mind, almost entirely consuming him. His reason for returning home was his brother whom he could never be parted from. Winry, who he had treasured since he was young, was the icing on the cake. A life was offered to him in Munich. There was someone to replace his brother and someone who had said she was in love with him. But Ed was selfish and nothing would satisfy him but exactly what he wanted.
He was still unaware as to if Al really was alive. He had no physical evidence to say he was but Ed followed his instincts. He would go to Rizembol where he could only imagine Al to be. If he wasn't Pinako would surely know as she saw them as her own grandchildren.
Ed shivered even though the sun was strong. He would need to find some clothes before night fall when it would undoubtedly get much colder. Considering what had happened to him he was not bothered about being half naked. No-one was around anyway. The other advantage was that he was able to see his right arm which was flesh for the first time in many, many years.His leg too was finally organic and not the auto-mail it had once been. Winrys work had served him well and he would need to thank her properly for it.
He had paid for his limbs, equivalent exchange had been seen to. Ed had sacrificed the knowledge of how he had successfully passed through the gate once again when he had no alchemy to work with. This knowledge had been valuable enough to the creatures that resided in the gate. It meant that Ed was unable to return to Munich and so would have to forget the friendships he built there. It pained him to just toss them aside but he had faith they would all do well in life.
He began to cough again so violently his whole body shook. After being in freezing waters for so long it must have made him severely ill. This would push him forward even more to the safety of loved ones. He forced his legs to walk faster so he could at least have reached a town. He had no idea what time of day it was but the sun was high so it must have been near midday. There was no sign of life in sight but he still kept trudging on.
By sunset he still appeared to be no-where. He was desperately weary and hungry and he began to run a fever. Every so often he fell to his knees but always managed to pick himself back up. Finally however, after struggling another two miles, his body gave up. Through blurred vision he could see lights but he could not carry on. Calling out to his brother he collapsed onto the damp grass.
Winry opened her eyes. Something had urged her to open her eyes but she could not tell what. Then she heard a cry from the other side of the room and realised her daughter was calling her. Winry found she did have instincts when it came to Grace, knowing what she wanted when. That did not make looking after her easier but Pinako was a great help.
She walked over to the cot and looked down upon her beautiful Grace. The baby girl was still holding adamantly onto the black vest she had discovered. She was also holding an empty cup with a pout on her face.
'I guess you want another drink mi-lady?'
After fetching her drink and managing to settle her down Winry found she could still not get to sleep. Something off in the distance was still calling to her. She would call Izumi in the morning and check all was fine with Al. She had known this restlessness for a long time know and it always meant something was happening to one of the two Elrics.
Ed slowly opened his eyes and focussed on his surroundings. He was fully clothed and some breakfast lay on the floor next to him. All around him were spanners and wrenches which set his heart at a fast pace. But then hope vanished as he realised he did not recognise the room.
A girl walked in. she had a dark tone to her skin and she had short hair tied tightly back. She wore a vest and some quite baggy trousers to hide the pair of auto-mail legs hidden beneath.
'P…Paninya?'
'So you've woken up have you? You're lucky Dominique was out for his evening walk or you'd still be running a fever.'
'Am I in Rush Valley?'
'Of course you are? Did you loose your memory? Is that where you have been all this time? That would explain a lot much I'm sure someone would have found you'
His head span as she asked questions rapidly. He couldn't retrieve the energy to answer to he merely shook his head. Yet he too had many questions to ask.
'Have you spoken to Al since we last met? What about Winry? Are they alright?'
'Whoa whoa, careful or you'll faint again,' she sighed, rubbing the back of her head.
'But I must know, is my brother alive?'
She sighed again and sat in the nearest chair. He grew frustrated at how calm she was being and began to leave the bed.
'I will tell you what Winry told me and you will have to be satisfied with that.'
And so Ed learned that his brother was indeed alive but five years younger then he should have been. He also had no memory of any of the events that had occurred after his soul was bound to a suit of armour.
'He does not remember us so we have not seen him since our first meeting. He has been searching for you and at times no-one knew where he was. Worried Winry half to death…'
'How is she?'
A dilemma now faced Paninya. She was sure he was unaware that he was a father but was it right for her to tell him?
'Well, I haven't heard from her for about a year now, but she was full of life when I last saw her,' she laughed, deciding she was not the person to give him the news.
'I see. Thank Dominique for helping me out, I will be leaving now,' he said, sliding out of the bed.
Paninya was about to protest when Dominique walked in.
'If you are to leave, the please take the money for a train ticket.'
'Thank-you but I must decline…'
'I wish for you to get home as quickly as possible. Plus, Winry brought in so much money for us I must repay her. By returning you safe and well I will have achieved that.'
Ed thanked him again and left for the train station soon after that.
'Will you call them to tell them he is coming?'
'Of course not you silly girl. Wouldn't you want all your wishes to come as a surprise?'
'Its got nothing to do with the fact you are scared of Pinako Rockbell?' Paninya asked with a smirk.
A look of terror spread across his face. He held the scar on his chin, the scar that Pinako had left him with. He knew full well where Winry got her determination and felt sorry for Edward. He would pay for leaving Winry behind.
On the train Edward tried his best to calm his nerves. He was wearing a hat to cover his face for he did not want to be pounced on. A few military men were on the train and were bound to recognise him. Once they did that they would inform Mustang and Ed could not stomach him at the moment. Edward wanted to know about all that had happened in his absence but some things were more important. He would go home and find his family awaiting him. Least, he hoped they would be waiting. He knew his brother would be and he was soothed by that. Yet in the back of his mind he was terrified everyone else had given up on him.
