Hey Everyone! This is to just let you know that this is my first FMA fanfic, so flames are ok, but be kind people! Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the story!

Synopsis: They finally found it; The Philosopher's Stone. But then what happens when that stone creates a giant malfunction, and causes Al to disappear completely. But that is only the beginning of Ed's troubles as he is thrown into a giant battle that will determine the fate of his world. And then a mysterious alchemist begins kidnapping other alchemists...

The room suddenly filled with a white sound. A body was blasted from the center of the room, slamming into the wall. A small 'klink' was heard as a small, blood red stone slipped between the fingers of the boy and fell to the ground, echoing throughout the room.

After that, the only sound that could be heard was that of blood dripping to the ground, dripping like water that falls softly from a roof after a long period of rain. The boy clutched his chest, and ripped off the blood-soaked shirt that clung to his body.

Seared upon his chest was the mark of the sign that he had carried on his back throughout part of his life; a cross, with a snake entwined around it.

The boy tried to get up, pulling himself up on an overturned table. He got up to a kneeling position, blood pouring from his chest; splattered all over his face. He called out through the dust and destruction, 'Al…Alphonse…Al where are you?"

He waited for a reply, but all that could be heard was his own labored breathing. He tried to stand up properly but fell to the floor, holding himself up with two shaking arms.

"This…this…it can't…not again! Why…?"

Suddenly he saw something give off a small glint in the dimly lit room. He moved his head to the right and saw the object that was giving off the light. His pupils shrunk in horror at what he saw.

It was half of a walnut-sized piece of metal, bearing a sign written in what at first glance would appear to be red ink. The boy dragged himself over to it, his legs refusing to react to the signals from his brain; or rather, his brain was too muddled to give any proper signals. He collapsed about an inch away from it, having lost too much blood to go any further. He stretched his arm, picking up the small piece of metal; fondling it through his fingers.

"Al…Al…"

"He's been through an extremely traumatic time; he'll need to stay here for about as long as it takes before he properly recovers."

"Of course, Ed is like my own grandson, I'll see to it that he rests and takes a break from all this 'alchemy' business."

"Ed…Ed? Why won't you talk to me?"

A soft light filtered through the curtains of his room, warming his face, forcing him to open his eyes, forcing him back into the world in which he had so far come to hate. Ed pushed himself up into a sitting position, even though it sent waves of pain racketing through his body.

"Though this pain is nothing compared to what I've done…"

It had been a two weeks since he had been taken to Granny Pinako's house, brought back to his hometown for a year of 'rest and recuperation'. Ed smiled cynically at this thought, thinking, "Rest and recuperation? The only thing I wish to 'recuperate' is my brother, and that is impossible."

Suddenly the door creaked open and in came a girl with long, golden hair placed in a loose ponytail, wearing a black tank top and some loose jeans. She carried a plate filled with eggs, bacon, slightly burned toast, and a bottle of milk.

She set it on the bedside table, clearing away a few books that had been piled on top of one another carelessly, the pages yellowed and frayed. She sat down on the end of his bed, and giving a soft smile said, "Hey Ed, you're up. That's good, are you feeling better today?"

Ed looked out the window, and after a pause, said, "Yeah, I guess I do."

Liar. You're only saying it so that Winry won't get worried.

Winry smiled even bigger and said happily, "That's great; the doctor said that you could start walking about now, if you feel that you're up to it. Also, Granny thought you could actually eat a real meal today, so she made you some eggs."

Ed nodded, still staring out the window. He picked up his words carefully, and said, "Well…I'll try walking tomorrow. I'm just…kinda…had a rough night." He said truthfully, focusing his eyes now on the bottle of milk that was seated on the table next to him.

Winry's smile faded. "Oh…had another one of those…dreams…," she said, fiddling with a piece of her hair.

Ed closed his eyes briefly before answering, "Yeah,"

There was a period of silence between them. In his mind's eye, Ed could picture fragments of last night's nightmare. It had involved the night that he and Al had tried to resurrect their mother, but it also had something else in it too. Something from the experience that he had encountered about a month ago, the experience that had killed Al.

Winry gave a small sigh and stood up, walking towards the door. "I need to go see some patients, but if you need anything, just yell, 'kay?"

Ed nodded, his golden eyes moving over to the spot where Winry had just sat.

She left the room, but just a split-second later; she popped her head back in, and added,

"Don't forget to drink your milk Ed,"

Across the country, a boy with dark-blond hair and honey-colored eyes woke up.