Chapter 2

Dangerous decisions

"I'm very sorry about what happened." Al said, breaking the silence. "It's no use to dwell on the past." Seto said, closing his eyes. "I have more important things to worry about." He re-opened his eyes, staring once more at his younger brother. "We can't move on in our lives, because we search for a way to regain our bodies. Our original bodies."

"Well, that's where I think I can help." Ed stared at him, "How so?" Seto pushed out his chair and stood up. "Follow me and I'll show you." Seto left the table, walking through the deserted mansion. Ed and Al quickly got to their feet and followed, Mokuba trailing behind his brother.

Ed and Al looked about the hallways they walked through, noticing an unusual feeling the house had greeted them with. It was cold and empty. The gray walls were bare, the many rooms looked as if they had been untouched for years, yet there was no dust anywhere. Other than it's depressing vibes, it was also plain. There were no colors, no decorations. No life. It felt as if the dead occupied the house.

Al stopped and noticed one room that felt alive. It was a bright room, it's curtains pulled back, the walls painted blue. Toys and games spread out across the floor. There were papers unorganized on the desk in the corners, and a few drawings and pictures posted on the walls.

Ed noticed Al's curiosity right away, and stopped to see what he was looking at. "That's my room." Mokuba said. "What's this?" Ed asked, pointing at something inside the room. Mokuba walked beside him and looked at what he was pointing at. "What's what?"

"That picture?" Ed walked inside and pointed at one of the framed pictures that had been nailed to the wall. The picture revealed a beautifully painted dragon. "That's the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. I don't think you know anything about duel monsters, but it's a really rare card."

"I see…" Ed said, observing the portrait. "Come on, we don't have all day. I have things to do." Seto said coldly, beginning to walk once more. Mokuba ran after him, and Ed and Al caught up.

Seto stopped in front of another room. It was the only room they had seen with steel shut doors. Seto walked over to a key panel, pushed a few buttons, and the doors had opened. Ed and Al's eyes widened. "Cool…" they said at the same time. "Over here." Seto said, leading them through the bright room.

The room was filled with all sorts of machines. They were all different sizes and shapes. Ed had noticed they all a strange symbol imprinted on all of them with the letters "KC." Ed didn't feel the urge to ask what it meant, and slowly followed behind.

"I understand where you are coming from, we share the same pain." Seto turned around to face both of the Elric brothers. "I think it's about time you were returned what you have lost."

"You mean…?"

"Yes, your body." Seto eyed Al, "I'm confidant I can give you back what you lost."

"Really? You mean it?" Seto nodded. "Brother! This is amazing! I can be human again!" Al exclaimed. Ed was so convinced. "How can we be so sure your not lying?"

"Lying?" Seto laughed, "Edward, you should be happy I'm even helping you. I don't help many people. In fact, I don't like very many people. Your lucky I'm even trying to help you."

"Well, there must be some kind of catch." Ed said, eyeing Seto. "Well, there is." Al's excitement left him as he stared at Seto. "What kind of catch?"

"Well, I've used this before. And I'm sure I can get your body back, but it's a dangerous task. The whole procedure could end up killing you. Weather you get your body back or not. I'm can't promise you anything."

"WHAT? No way. I'm not risking Al's life."

"But brother…"

"Al! It's too dangerous! I can't let you risk your life like that! No, I'm not letting you go along with this." Al was filled with rage. "I don't care…" Al whispered. "What was that?"

"I DON'T CARE! I don't care what the odds are! If he can do it, then I'm taking that chance! I wanna live again! I'll do whatever it takes!"

"Al, I said no."

"I don't care what you said, I choose my own path!"

"No, Al. I'm your big brother."

"That doesn't mean I have to listen to you!"

"Look you 2, settle down." Seto said, getting in between them. Ed and Al stood there, glaring at each other. "When will the machine be ready?"

"It's ready right now."

"Good." Al took a few steps back and relaxed himself. "I'm ready."

"Alright then, I'll just need to make some modifications and you'll be good to go." Seto went back to the machine and began to work on it, as Ed and Al stood silently watching him. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes. I've never been more sure in my life." There was another long awkward silence between the 2 brothers as Seto worked diligently on the machine. Mokuba yawned and sat down, watching his brother work. He was a bit uneasy about the machine himself, it was one of the few machines in his lab that he hadn't cared to show Mokuba, but he had guessed that it had been made when the idea of bringing Noah back to life was a priority.

"Al?" Al turned to Ed, "Yes brother." Ed's hands were clenched into fists, and his feet were shaking under his upper body. "I… I don't want you to die."

"I know, brother. But I don't want to be stuck in this body anymore. If it doesn't work, at least I'll get to die."

"DON'T SAY THAT!" Ed looked up at his brother, "Al… you're the only family I have left…" They looked into each other's eyes once again in sadness. Al saw the worry and the fear in his brother's eyes. Al loved his brother, he did. But this was something he had to do. There was no stopping him. Ed looked into his brother's eyes, and saw emptiness. His brother could feel nothing; his brother was just a sole, nothing more. But to Ed he was his whole world, his family, everything he had ever worked for. He couldn't lose him, he just couldn't.

"Alright, it's ready." Al nodded, and headed towards the machine. "Al…" Ed held onto Al's arm. As his brother had commanded, Al stopped. "I…"

"It's not time to worry, brother. It's not time to worry." Ed released his grasp on his brother's arm and watched him as he stepped into the machine, his eyes filled with tears. "Alright, this is it." Ed's heart pounded in his chest unbelievable fast as he watched helplessly from the side, crying silently. "I hope this works…" Seto whispered to himself, pulling the leaver. There was a blinding light.

A/N: Hahahaha, I love keeping my readers in suspense Anyways, I'm sorry this fic is kinda going slow, and it kinda sucks. I dunno, you guys are the readers; I'll let you decide.

Will our beloved Alphonse get what he desires most? Or lose his life doing it? What will Ed do if he doesn't?

REVIEW!