The city of former glory, the people trying desperately to reclaim what they had before the Great War. Right now, we set our sights on the train station where our favorite dwarf is at it yet again.
"What do you mean I go on the wrong train? The ticket here says that the train for Switzerland was 686, and that was the one I went on." Shouted Edward, causing quite a commotion that people would slow down and wonder if he was a runaway act from a carnival, considering his limp right arm.
"I'm sorry sir," said the train station employee, trying her best not to ignite Ed's hot temper. "But i'm afraid you were holding you ticket upside down. You were supposed to get on the 989…Mr. Elric?"
Ed felt the blood rush to his head as rage began to well up inside of him, only to drain away when a crack of lightening appeared out of nowhere. A sudden flash of light appeared from behind Ed, he looked behind to see the light originating from around the corner in an alleyway.
No…it can't be…could it…? Thought Ed, dashing towards the light and hearing the receptionist asking where he was going. Making his way through the crowd, he made his way to the front. After squeezing past an unusually round man, he saw why everyone had gathered around this particular spot.
Standing before the crowd was the figure of a man, his entire body wrapped in bandages and wearing an overcoat, very much similar to Eds. The only parts of his body that were not concealed was a pair of fire-red eyes and his right arm, which was auto-mail, old but nevertheless auto-mail. Ed couldn't believe his eyes, there was someone from his world, his home, and here in Munich. But a question began to rise in his head. Why is he here, and is he friend or foe?
A man from the crowd stepped forward, presenting himself to this stranger like anyone else.
"Um, hello dear sir, my name is-" but he was cut off as the metal arm moved at lightening speed and grabbed him by the throat. The crown immediately took a step back, shocked by this violent reaction of the man. Suddenly a deep, dark and slightly muffled voice spoke from underneath the bandages concealing his face.
"Does anyone here know a man that goes by the name of Elric?" Ed's face went pale, he knew that this guy was a threat to him but even more to the people if this stranger could use auto-mail and he couldn't even make his fingers twitch.
Ed tried to make his way through the crowd so he could try to lure this envoy from these innocent people. As he make his head through the crowd, his arm would bang against the sides of the people making an unwanted clanking noise. As the crowd around him thinned, Ed heard the crowd gasp in amazement followed by the stranger landing in front of hi.
"Wha the!" gasped Ed, shocked by the sudden appearance of this man.
"I guess you must be Elric," said the figure, his red eyes glaring deep into Ed's. Ed began to run away, but the robed man grabbed his arm; Ed felt a shock run up his arm and heard the sound of tearing metal. He looked to his side to see his entire right arm was removed, by alchemy. Ed didn't look back, he kept running terror building up inside of him as he heard a transmutation occur and the police get slaughtered by that thing. He didn't know how long he ran for, only that he had to get to the only person in this world who could help him.
"Let me in Old man! LET ME IN!" Shouted Ed, banging the door of his father's apartment as hard as he could. The door swung open and standing there was Hohenheim of Light, a look of confusion on his face.
"Edward, what's going on?" asked Hohenheim, noticing the look of sheer terror on Ed's face.
"Dad! Someone's here, someone from the-"
"It has been a while…hasn't it Hohenheim of Light." Ed froze; he slowly turned around to see the robed stranger standing right behind him.
"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" asked Hohenheim, scratching his head. The figure of the man began to shake as massive rage built up in his body, but it suddenly relaxed and he started to laugh.
"It does not surprise me that you do not remember our last encounter…but perhaps this will clear up you mind." The stranger grabbed the bandages that covered his face and tore them away. A chill ran down Ed's spine as he saw the stranger's face, telling himself that it was only his eyes playing tricks on him. The man's face was monstrous, with charred black skin, fire-red eyes and a skull shaped just like the serpent of the ouroboros. Fear began to emerge from Hohenheim's eyes as he realized who this was before him.
"No…It, it cant be…" whispered Hohenheim in disbelief, "its not possible…I sealed you-"
In the gate?" smirked the demon, a malicious smile brewing under the surface. "I know, but I got out by-" he suddenly paused. A wicked smile spread across his serpentine lips revealing a set of razor-sharp fangs, but that was the least of Ed's worries.
"What? What is it?" asked a panicked Ed.
"Well instead of telling you," said the demonic being, raising his hands. "ILL SHOW YOU!" He clapped his hands, and everything was engulfed by the light.
Central City"Are you sure of what you saw Al?" asked Mustang sitting in his office at Central headquarters. Al and Izumi were in front of his desk explaining the events that have occurred the previous day while the rest of Mustang's staff listened in.
"Of course we're sure!" shouted Izumi, gesturing with her left arm since her right arm was in a splint. "There are few alchemists that can open the gate, and this one was able to open it." Mustang closed his eyes and rubbed the pressure points of his sinuses, trying to straighten out all of the information.
"Okay, so let me get this straight…you were attacked by an alchemist who had an auto-mail arm could perform alchemy without a transmutation circle, he asked for Edward, but instead found you," Mustang pointed to Al in reference. "And when he found out he wasn't there this "masked stranger" summoned the gate? I'm sorry Al but it just-" the door of the room burst open suddenly. Al turned around quickly to see Winry Rockbell standing in the doorway, a look of concern in her eyes.
"Al, I just got word that you and Izumi were attacked by an alchemist that had auto-mail, was it Edward?"
"No it was someone else…" said Al, diverting his gaze from Winry. "But I'm sure brother will be fine." As Al finished his sentence, Armstrong burst into the room, panic written all over his face.
"General! Its! Its!" stuttered Armstrong,
"What is it Major?" asked Hawkeye, who knew Armstrong would never panic unless it was an absolute emergency.
Armstrong didn't need to answer, the sounds of crackling lightening was overwhelming. Suddenly light burst into the window, flowing with magnificent radiance.
"Everyone got out of the room and started to head to the front of the complex.
"Why are we making a big deal out of this?" asked Breda, following his superior officers. "I mean, its not like it's a…it's a…"
Everyone fell silent.
In front of them was the gate, in all its shining and terrifying glory. Mustang wasted no time in calling in troops.
"I want every available soldier out her now! You understand?"
"Yes sir." Shouted Armstrong, rushing inside to get the troops rallied up. As he went inside, the doors of the gate began to creep open.
"Everyone, Stand your ground!" shouted Mustang, pulling on his gloves and prepared himself for an attack. The door was five feet open when two figures fell from the darkness onto the stoop before the gate. All walked up slowly to these figures; one was a tall man who wore glasses and the other was shorter and seemed to be missing his right arm.
"…Brother…" whispered Al, hoping that the figure was who he thought he would be. The small figure began to stir and the squad was about to fire when he lifted his head to show that he was indeed Edward Elric.
"Al…" said Ed, his vision cloudy but still recognizing the outline of his brother.
"Brother!" shouted Al, his face breaking into a smile and tears streaming down his face as he ran towards his older brother. But an odd clank echoed throughout in the air and Al stopped, his expression of joy quickly replaced with fear as his eyes looked towards the gate. Ed turned around to see the doors of the gate, which were closing now being pushed open by a pair of clawed hands. The gap between the two doors widened until it burst open to reveal the demonic figure, his face revealed and electric pulses surrounding them. Hohenheim began to stir, he looked up slowly, and then quickly in a panic as if not sure where he was. He looked back to the demon, his face curled into a twisted smile.
"Welcome home, Teacher…"