Dream a Dream

RaeLuvs

Prologue

The sky was dark, clouded over with impending rain, though the morning had just broken over the horizon. There would be no sun today.

Edward threw his head back, shaking the dew from his knotted hair. He sighed, breathing in the crisp, cold morning air, his eyelids lowering slightly, drinking in the sight of what was to be a dreary day.

"Well, don't hold up on my account." he muttered, standing. "Bring on the rain."

Edward pulled a band from his wrist and pulled his hair into its regular braid, the pieces falling into the same strands from years of conformity. He threw his jacket over his shoulder, and checked the automail of his arm. Fully functional.

As he started walking, feeling the leaves of the tree (under which he had fallen asleep) from the low branches, brush his forehead. A breeze blew his bangs before his eyes; he let another sigh escape his lips. He stopped in his tracks and pulled his pocket watch from his jeans. Flipping it open, Ed smiled sadly as his eyes washed over the engraving.

"Four years, Al." he whispered, running his hands over the words. "Four years since that day." 'October 3rd, 1110', glimmered back at him as if in silent reply. Ed closed his eyes and abruptly snapped the watch closed.

"All right." he said aloud, surprised at the sound of his own voice. "Time to get moving." Pulling an arm through the crimson sleeve, he set out down the old dirt road, eyes sharp and determined.

'We can do this, Brother. Don't worry'

'I know, Al.' Ed thought, pace slowing at the thought. 'I know.' He closed his eyes and walked on, to the silence of the rain.

Chapter 1: A Meeting with Mustang

Ed could feel his stomach grumble; he groaned with the thought of food. He'd been three days without anything halfway decent in his stomach and it was painfully reminding him.

"I'm gonna die if I don't get to Central soon.." he muttered, squinting at the hill before him. Lugging himself up, an arm clutching his roaring stomach, he saw the glimmering of the Central Train Station on the other side.

"YES!" Ed hurdled over the hill as fast as his legs could carry him, the platform growing nearer and nearer until...

BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

Ed stopped short; his breath caught in his throat. 'The station whistle! No, that's my train!' With a yelp of surprise, Ed started up at a run again, shouting, "STOP! STOP, THAT'S MY TRAIN!"

"Sorry, small fry, but ya just missed it." An attendant nearby piped up. Ed whirled on him, eyes blazing.

"Who you callin' small fry? Too small to be seen without a microscope? Used as a step stool?"

"Whoa, kiddo, calm down."

"DON'T CALL ME KIDDO!" Ed roared. He took a deep breath. If Al could have seen that, Ed knew he would have been mortified. He sighed sheepishly. "I'm Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric. I need to get on the next available train to Central for a meeting with Colonel Mustang. When will the next train leave?"

"Not for another hour, Mr. Fullmetal, sir." the attendant said accordingly, noting the name. Ed sighed loudly.

"Oh, Edward, sir!" A cry broke through the bustle of people. Ed felt his stomach drop even farther.

'Not him.' he thought brokenly. 'Tell me Roy sent anyone but him...'

Sparkles floating gaily around his structured face, and a single lock of platinum blonde hair protruding from a large, gleaming forehead, the gigantic form of Major Alex Armstrong, bounding along toward him.

"This is gonna be a long day." Ed muttered.

From afar, Armstrong appeareed his normal, carfree self, but Ed noted the strain lines that etched his face.

"Hey, Major, you okay?" Ed asked almost good-naturedly. Armstrong sighed, and replied in his deep voice:

"We don't have time to wait for the next train." This threw Ed off guard. Nothing could be that important, could it?

"Something wrong?" Ed asked as Armstrong began to steer away, in large, brisk strides. Ed had to run to keep in pace with the man.

"You need to see Colonel Mustang, Edward." Armstrong replied. "It's about Alphonse." Ed's heart stopped cold in his chest.

"Al!" he whispered. "What's the..!"

"We have to get to Colonel Mustang, Edward." Armstrong said shortly. "Now."

A/N: Well, this is all I've got so far. Okay? Bad? Lemme know, por favor ;D