It had never occurred to Edward that one day the father that had abandoned him and his brother for so long, would someday save his life, and save it multiple times for that matter. Though he experimented with the idea that space could somehow open the gates to take him home, Ed realized it wasn't meant to be. It was alchemy, and only alchemy that could bring him back to where he was searching.

While Ed was away making many failed attempts, his father stayed in Germany, toying with an ancient order that devoted themselves to alchemy. And with good reason.

"The ability to travel between worlds?" Hohenheim looked at the man in disbelief.

"It's only a fairy tale. No person has been known to be able to do it." One of the order handed Hohenheim a book. "But, please, Master Hohenheim, if anyone would be able to succeed in such an adventure, it would be you."

"Not me," Hohenheim laughed softly. "But I do know someone…"

--

The power of death harnessed to give me life. Ed sat up, soaked to the bone. He wasn't really surprised considering he was in a stream. "I'M IN A STREAM?" He jumped out, spazzing as usual. Calming himself as he dried while lying out in the grass, he inspected the skies and his memories. "Did I… what did I do?"

The book… his father gave him that book to read. It seemed like all those other alchemic tomes that Edward had read in his life… but like Marco's writings, there was something underneath. That death would give life… just like in the philosopher's stone. Luckily for Ed, death was an abundant resource at the beginning of the war… and he used it, no matter how horrible it made him feel. He had promised himself that no matter what the cost, he would make it back.

But what had he done? Funny… the memory was fading from his mind. The memories of the war, of the other world, of his father… all of them were turning to black. Was this one of the many prices? Edward sat up; his clothes not even close to dry. "But I promised I would pay any price. I would pay any price for this." Ed flexed his hand, his real hand. "Any price."

--

It's anything but easy to cope with the fact that your home has practically disintegrated to nothing. Edward had been standing in front of the Rockbells' for at least four hours, his eyes falling across the dark windows and the lack of warmth flowing from the house. Where was Winry? No matter what she would have her light on all night, working away at some crazy mechanical jumble. And Al, wouldn't he be up reading?

Ed walked to the door, pushing on it. "Locked," he whispered. He clapped his hands, and slammed them against the door, redistributing the wood to make an opening. "Alphonse?"

"Huh?" A figure moved in the dark, seeming as if he had been hidden under a pile of books. His face showed the tell-tale creases of falling asleep on top of pages.

"Your lamp went out," Ed smiled softly.

"Edward?" the figure squeaked, the sound of dropping books echoing after the voice.

"Yeah, Al?"

More books dropping and Ed found himself strangled around the chest with Alphonse's arms. "Brother!"

"I missed you, too, Al." Ed cradled his little brother to his chest.

"How did you…" Al loosened his hold on Ed, looking him in the eyes in the dark.

Ed chuckled. "Funny thing about that… I don't remember!" Ed messed Al's hair and let his eyes wander around the house. "It looks pretty empty."

"It is…" Al whispered, looking away from Ed.

"Where's Winry, or Pinako?"

"Pinako… Pinako died, Ed." Al sniffled lightly, rubbing his eye.

"When?"

"Two years ago, April."

"That stupid old hag… how could she have let that happen?" Ed hugged his brother to him again, trying to come to grips.

"Winry…" Al whispered, almost not able to say it.

"No…" Ed clutched Al tighter. "She's not dead! She can't be!"

"She's… not, but…" Al wriggled from Ed's arms and made his way back to his book fort. "Sit down, Ed." Ed did as he was told and sat across from Al, his heart in his throat. "Winry slowly… deteriorated; I guess is the right word. She stopped eating and… we had to take her to a hospital in Central. She wouldn't come back after that."

"Why?"

Al shrugged. "She just wouldn't. She lives with Mustang and Hawkeye now."

"Have you… have you seen her?"

"I was there a month ago… she hasn't changed."

"Does she… has she…"

"Always," Al smiled softly. "All she wants to do is talk about you. She asks if I found a way to get you back…"

"Well, I'll let you take the credit for this one."

--

Sorry for the wait, kids. Kingdom Hearts II ate up four days of my life. It's a short beginning, but I promise I'll try to make this one longer. Enjoy!