Chapter 1

Ripples


"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be all alone?" Two young boys sat atop a hill, staring at the sun as it began to set, red-orange light poured over the small town of Resembool. "I mean, without Mom or Dad around?" One boy asked the other, with a soft tone.

"Don't be silly, Al." the older of the two said. "Dad probably won't be back for awhile, and Mom has nowhere to run to." He grinned slightly. "I mean, she wouldn't go anywhere without us, ya' know?" He looked over at his brother, only a year younger than himself, and put his arm on his shoulder. "You don't have anything to worry about."

But it seemed as if his word had little effect. "I know Dad's gone for now, but he'll come back. He has to." He hugged his legs close to his chest. "But what would it be like if he didn't come back, and Mom disappeared and you..."

He was cut off abruptly. "I wouldn't ever leave you behind, Al. We're brothers, we have to look out for each other."

"I know." Al sobbed, his face buried in his knees. "I just can't help it... To think about these things..."

"Come on, Let's go home." The older brother jumped up to his feet and extended his right hand. "Mom's gotta be done supper by now!" Al took his brother's hand and stood up slowly, wiping his face with the sleeve of his light blue t-shirt. "She's waiting for us. And Winry and Pinaco are comin' over for supper to! "

Al smiled. "Yeah, and when we get home, I'll show her the wooden duck I made with alchemy today!"


"But you did leave me behind..."

More than a decade has passed since the night those two boys sat on this spot. The town hasn't changed much at all in the past ten years, but it's residents are another story. A young man sits atop that very same hill, looking out over the same lush lands, staring at the sun as it sets. "You did leave. You didn't even show up for my eighteenth birthday last year." He thought to himself. "With all the studying I've done, and the time spent perfecting my skills... You couldn't even show up so I can show you how I've bettered myself..."

He stood up and brushed off his maroon long coat, and put his hands in his pockets. He began to walk down the hill as the winds picked up, blowing the hood of the coat over his head. He quickly fixed it so that the large hood overshadowed his face, the red sun was almost blinding as it set behind the distant mountain.

A voice called out from the other side of the hill. "Al! Al, wait!" It was the voice of a young girl, slightly out of breath. "Al, stop already!"

He paused, putting his hands back in his coat pockets. "What is it, Winry?" He said softly, his back still turned, his coat flapping in the breeze.

"I've been... looking... everywhere for you!" She said, hunched over and winded from running, her hands on her knees. "I've got... something... to tell you..."

He spun around slowly and walked up beside her. He was slightly worried about her. "You okay?" He asked, looking around. He knew what she needed.

"Yeah, but I've been all over the place for about an hour looking for you!" She huffed. She went to lean on a dead tree, but was stopped by a clapping sound and a flash of light. When she looked up, she spotted a bench sticking out from the bottom of the trunk, and Al grinning. The bench looked as if it was masterfully carved, with an ivy design flowing along the back and the arms. The back itself was arched, and shaped almost like a spider's web. The arms had zig-zag style supports going to the seat, which had a soft, silk pillow on it. Two of the legs were longer than the others, evening out the entire thing. It was on a hill, after all, and He knew what to do to make it comfortable and sturdy. The bottom of the legs hand bird-like talons sinking into the ground, keeping it in place. They are more for just decoration, as part of the bench was still connected to the tree.

He reached out his hand and took hers. "Sit. Take a rest for a second." She fell down quickly on the bench, and Al followed slowly behind. He removed the hood, allowing his dark blond braid to fall at shoulder. "So, what is it you want to tell me so bad?" He grinned, placing his hands behind his head.

"Well, I don't want to ruin the surprise, but there is someone waiting at my place for you." She giggled with excitement. "I know this will change that sour mood your always in!" She was kind of jumpy. She smiled at Al, who was a little upset at the statement. "Oh, come on! Don't get like that..." She put her hands on her hips and starred at him sternly.

"You know you make me as happy as I need to be, Winry. Just to have a friend like you around..." He stretched his arms out wide, then quickly placed them at his side. He grinned slightly, and stood up. "No point to keep them waiting!" He said as he took off down the hill.

Winry just sat there, slightly confused. "Hey!" She scowled. "What the hell? Wait for me!" She dashed behind him, Al laughed as he caught up, and the both made their way back to town.