Lexan: It's been a while, eh? No excuses this time... I've been really, REALLY lazy... So, we're at the fifth chapter of this... This... Yeah right...

Al and Ed are still not mine... Even if I wanted to... Oh, and few of these willage names are not mine as well... Some of them are from ff VI...

Warnings: Bad grammar... Violence...

Brothers through time

Chapter 5. Friend or foe

In the morning, before the sun had risen up, but it still shone some of it's light to the sky and on the lands, four shadows were walking through the forest. Ed looked up at the sky. It was dirty blue... Or maybe violet.. He wasn't sure which one but dirty still. He turned his gaze at the back of a man who was walking in front of him.

"So... Uh.. Garret, wasn't it? Why did we left so early? The sun is still down." He asked a bit of irritation in his voice. Garret had an unusually irritating way of waking people up. He had shouted really cheerfully something like: "Good morning sunshine! I hope you slept well these three or four hours!" and something about newts for breakfast. Ed had only groaned and swiched position, And in change, Garret had sat on his back and played that Ed's head and shoulder plates were somekind of drums. 'How can he be so damn heavy?' That had been his second thought in this morning. The first thought was that he'd hang this brunette from his smiling mouth on a tree.

"Oh... It's morning already and I said we'd leave early in the morning. Didn't I?" Garret grinned. Ed was ready to kill him with his bare hands but reconsidered that one when Tidus started talking.

"It's because of Xanders sleeps at this time of the day... And that means less beasts... AND, besides, Garret, you didn't say anything about leaving early... You only said "tomorrow" and there is a bit of a difference." Tidus' voice was really creepy as Ed would have said it. It was somehow sad and at the same time warning and somewhat gentle. Ed looked at Tidus.

"Who's Xanders?" he asked arching an eyebrow.

"He's "the Lord", the mainiac we're about to kill..." Garret said, maybe a bit too cheerfully. "And he's also Slade's mmmbffff..." Garret was silenced by a large hand. Slade glared at him.

"You tell him that and you can be sure you won't be talking much for a year or two..." Slade's dark and bass-like voice sent shivers down Ed's spine. He tried not to think about what Garret had said but couldn't really forget. Who was this "mainiac" and what had he done to slade? Ed shook his head. That was NOT his problem, his problem was Al, who was somewhere. It made him think. Again. What should they do after he'd found Al? Should they search for this "gate" or stay here, in even more strange world than the world that resembled theirs?

"There it is! The town of Zozo! If you want to find some information, THAT'S where to go!" Garrets irritating voice snapped Ed's train of thought. He looked ahead and saw a little village down a cliff they were standing. It was kind of far off but still. Behind that village was more suspicious forest than the one they just had came from. It was like bathing in somekind of creepy mist or something and had really uninviting aura to itself. Edward shivered. His brother wasn't there. Right?

"Okay. Let's go. The sun is rising..." Tidus said and started to climb down the cliff. Garret fallowed him but Slade stood there watching Ed. Ed noticed this and strted to feel annoyed again.

"What?" He snapped at the man.

"Can you climb this?" Slade asked pointing down.

"Of course I can! Why couldn't I!?"

"Because humans are lazy and usually gives up after only looking at some dangerous thing... That's all..." Slade smirked and started to climb down leaving Ed standing on a cliff looking at him with furious eyes. Slade had no right to compare him to this land's people. He had no right to put everyone on the same line. Ed snorted and started to climb down.

The sun had risen far above the horizon as the foursome got to their destination. the town of Zozo, as Garret said, had really suspicious looking people. Allmost everyone they passed by was glaring at them. Ed and Slade had somekind of a competition with glaring everyone back. Tidus seemed not to care and Garret vawed cheerfully at some people who only looked at them and made them to walk faster. Who knew what kind of a psycho he could be.

"So, at first we'll look for some new clothes for you." Garret said and pointed at the little shop ahead.

"You can choose freely. I can pay for you." Garret smiled at Ed. Ed looked at Garret for a while with narrowed eyes, but then he nodded.

"Okay, good. Come on, let's go." Garret grabbed Ed's hand and dragged him away.

First place they went after getting new clothes for Ed (which were black jeans, black long-sleeved shirt and a grey cape (though he didn't want one, but Garret said it was handy on cold nights)), was a small bup named thief's heart. Tidus had told that the name came from a thief, who's heart was ripped off of his chest and put out for everyone to see. Only the thought of it disgusted Ed but to get some information about his brother, he'd do anything, even go see a ripped heart.

Slade and Tidus had gone at the barcounter leaving Ed and Garret standing in a doorway.

"Now then... Let's ask someone if they've seen this brother of yours..." garret said, glansing all over the place. He's eyes hit a man who looked really suspicious, sitting in a corner.

"Let's ask that guy over there." He said to Ed and pointed at the stranger. Before Ed could say his replay, he was already dragged at the table in the corner.

"Hello. Mind if I sit here? No? That's good." Garret said and sat. Ed just glared at the stranger. The man had a black bandana across his eyes and white hair with two black stripes. Still the man looked really young, even though he had white hair. Ed shook his head.

"So, um... Hello, stranger. Have you seen anyone who looks like this guy here?" Garret said, forgetting the fact that the man had a bandana across his eyes, so obviusly the man was blind. Ed sweatdropped as he looked at Garret. He sighed, at this rate he'd be over hundred years old before finding Al. He looked around and saw a man at the board in another corner look in his direction. Ed shot a glare at him and as in response the man stood up. He had a grey cape over his shoulders and it looked like he had a bag on his back under the cape. Ed took few steps back and looked at the man with suspect.The man smirked at Ed and removed the hood uncovering his face. His silver hair were a bit wavy and his eyes were plain yellow. He looked straight to Ed's eyes. As Ed looked in the man's eyes he started to feel like the world around him had vanished and he was left alone in darkness with that creepy man. The man started to come closer.

"Well, aren't you familiar looking." He chuckled and approached. Ed tried to step back but his legs did not move. Hell, even his arms did not move. All he could do was stare.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" The man was now really close now. Another snicker. "Yes, now I remember. That boy looks just like you. Well, almost at least." Ed froze. "That boy?" Could he possibly mean...

"He really did say something like: "niisan" something or other." The man smirked and just when he reached out his hand at Ed, another hand landed heavily on Ed's left shoulder snapping him out of the almost dazed state.

"Hey Ed, I'm talking to you. You still here buddy?" Garret's voice snapped him completely. Ed turned to look at Garret and it made him doubbletake to really understand who was talking.

"This guy haven't seen him. God, believe it or not, this guy can see! Even though he's got that thing over his eyes... Huh? Who's that guy?" Garret pointed at the man.

"I-I don't know..." Ed said, still a little confused. Garret took a better look at the man and yelped.

"It's you!" He yelled and drew his sword. The man smirked.

"Let's take this outside, shall we?" With that said he went outside. Garret and Ed followed, each for their own reason. Outside the man took the cape off and tossed it aside uncovering great white wings. (So he didn't have a bag... It was his wings).

"Halfmoon, you demon! You're so totally dead!" Garret shouted and resived only a snicker. Halfmoon drew his sword as well. Unlike Garret's sword, that was more like a giant cross, Halfmoon's sword resembled katana (though it was alot taller and heavier than katana's...). He pointed the sword at Garret.

"There's nothing I want with you anymore." He said and pointed the sword at Ed. "I want that kiddo there." He said and smirked.

"I'm not a kiddo, damn it! And what were you talking about someone who looks just like me!? Are you talking about Al!? Answer me!" Halfmoon's smirk widened and so did Ed's eyes.

"So you know where he is! Tell me!"

"Only if you come with me." Halfmoon said and looked like a mainiac. Ed shivered. The look in this man's eyes wasn't the kindest kind. But still, if this guy knew where Al was, Ed would fallow, even if it meant hell. So he took one step closer to the man but his approach was cut short by Garret.

"Don't listen to him Edward... He work's for Xanders. And more likely he doesn't really know a thing about your brother... He's a damn murderer! He killed my AND Slade's brother's!!" He shouted more than just angry. Ed froze.

"So what if I do? I still do know where this "Al" is. You still want to see your brother, don't you?" Halfmoon pierced Ed with his eyes. The look inthe man's eyes made Ed shiver with anger.

"Where is he!?" Ed breathed and before Halfmoon had a time to reply to this he had to dodge a blade. He raised on his wing for a good distance that the glaring giant didn't reach him. Halfmoon looked in to Slade's burning eyes with amusment playing on his own face.

"Come down you flying monkey so I can cut you in a half!" The man yelled but recived only a laugh.

"Why do you think I'd do that? I'd die from that ya know. And then who's gonna take that boy to his brother, hmm?" Another death-glare.

"Shuddap bastard. You say a word and I'll take your wing as a memory of your pityful fighting tactics." The black green headed man growled at the winged spook who only chuckled coldly.

"Oh Slade. Take it easy will you? You do wanna know how's your brother doing, don't you. So sorry I can't tell you. What if you go ask him?" Halfmoon said and raised his sword a bit. Slade answered with a glare and attacked. First he jumped on the inn's roof (yeah... The inn had a low roof and Slade is a giant so this is possible.. No complains!) and then from there he jumped at Halfmoon and swung his blade at the other man. Halfmoon dodged the attack with a laugh, kicked Slade hard on his midriff and let the man fall on the ground. He watched a while as Slade ghasped for breath and Garret tossed his blade asaide andrushed to his friend's side. Halfmoon snorted and pointed his blade at the twosome. "Bye." He hissed and let go of his blade. For the blade was heavy it gained speed really quckly and it surely would have hitted it's target's if something wierd, for Halfmoon and for the entire village, had happened. A one big hand made out of dirt, grabbed the sword right when it was about to hit the pair of elves. Everyones eyes turned at one certain gold-head who was glaring at the flying man. Halfmoon's surprised face turned first in to frown and then into a smirk.

"So. This is the side you choose, huh?" He asked and Ed nodded.

"Hmh. It's your funeral then. Or your brother's. It only depends on how he will obey. If his a good boy he may survive. But I gotta go. Bye for now." And with that he flew away leaving the trio and the gold-head alone.

Al sat on the bed and looked out the little window. He wasn't hungry anymore. Or at least he wanted to think so, even though his stomach made a loud noise in protest for not having food. He sighed and stood up eyes still locked on a view from the window. 'I could try it... This can't be so high. Right?' He thought and walked over to the window. Al grabbed the windows handle and tried to turn it. Nothing. Al frowned a bit. 'Okay then... Let's see... The hinges...' Al exmined the hinge a bit and a smile creeped on his face. The hinge were rusty and old. And the best of all, they were simple. Al flipped them easily off of the place and pushed a bit holding his breath as he did so. The window opened with a small creak and after waiting a moment that it wouldn't fall. Al sighed in relief as it didn't fall but when Al pushed it a bit more the window fell leaving Al speechless and sweatdrobbing.

"It's not a wery smart to think of jumping. You'd just end up dead..." A distantly familiar voice said behind him. Al jumped a little and turned around.

"Oh.. It's you, mr Serfer... I, uh... Wasn't about to..." A chuckle.

"Maybe not... But you still shouldn't ever think about it, really... It's not... Healthy." Serfer said and shut the door behind him. Al felt like something about Serfer was now different than it was last night when he had arrived.

"And please, call me just Serfer. It makes me feel uneasy when someone calls me mr. Serfer or something along the line." Serfer sat on the bed and looked at the wall ahead of him. Al sighed and sat beside Serfer. His stomach made a loud grumble noise. Al blushed a bit and curled up a bit. Serfer chuckled.

"If you're hungry, why don't you eat?" He asked and looked at the boy.

"I... Don't really feel like eating..." Al answered with a bit hesitation. Serfer shook his head and stood up.

"I'll go get you something... Just wait here okay?" he said and started to walk towards the door.

"No. I'm fine, really..." Al said and stood up too.

"Yeah right... You'll just die before you know it, when you think about it like that..." And with that he was out of the room. Al stood there a while but then went back to the open window. He looked down at the ground. Serfer was right, jumping would be a suicide and so would be climbing down. So Al had to think of another way out. He turned to face the door. If there was somebody else without wings there must be some way down. Al nodded to himself and walked to the door resting his hand on a doorknob and tried to open it.

"..." Again.

"..." And again.

"... It's locked!! I can't believe it! First they say I'm a guest then they lock me up in a small room!" Al jerked a little, pulled away and smiled a little. 'I guess I'm starting to sound a lot like niisan, huh?' He sighed and fell on his knees on the floor. Unable to stop worrying over Ed he leaned on the bed and started humming an old lullaby their mom used to sing to them. Al had forgotten the words long ago but remembered the tone.

Soon Serfer had came back with the food Al had eated first a bit reluctantly but after really finding out how starwing he was, he ate it all gladly. After a moments silence Al looked at Serfer who was looking out of the window. Al couldn't help the urge of curiousity that was growing inside him. Every question he wanted an answer. And so he walked to Serfer and leaned on the wall besidde the small window.

"Umm... Serfer? Can I ask you a few questions?" He looked at the man who's left eye was locked on the horizon as the other was still covered by the bandana. Serfer hummed his response and turned to look at the teen.

"What kind of questions?" He asked. Al shivered a bit.

"Well, could you explane where are we? What is this place? What happened to London? And who are you guys? And most of all: where's my brother?" As Al asked the questions Serfer's face darkened. He turned to look out of the window again.

"... This country is Murgos, One of the two great continents. And this house belongs to Halfmoon, "The Lord's" right arm and first class fighter. We are elves, me, Halfmoon and many others under his command are wolf-elves. And "The Lord" and other elves are so called element-elves. That means they can use magic spells that contains their element. Like fire-elves can use fire and shadow-elves can manipulate shadows, for example. And about this Ladon, or whatever, and about your brother I don't know a thing... " Serfer turned to look at the boy who didn't say a thing, just stared at the man.

"...Wha... M-magic..? What do you mean?" Emotions like curiousness, horror and respect danced on his face at the same time. Serfer found it kind of amusing.

"Well, magic. You've never seen magic? Are you from Dalasia anyway?" Serfer tilted his head a bit. Al felt like the pieces didn't quite fall in their places. He looked at Serfer with a bit puzzeled expression.

"Well... I sure am not from Dalasia. I came from..." A pause. Al wasn't sure wether to say Amestris or London. After a while of thinking he smiled.

"I'm from Amestris..." Now it was Serfers turn to look puzzeled. Though this didn't last long because within seconds Serfer's whole body stiffened.

"I'm sorry... I must go... And as quickly as he had said it he was gone. Al looked at the open door for a while and it took him few minutes top realize that now was his chance to get away. As he ran trought the opeb door and turned to right he bumped into someone and fell to his bottom. Dazing a while he looked up at the man he had ran into. Al's face went pale. Halfmoon smirked down at him.

"I was just about to come and take you. The Lord want's to see you. Now." Al glupped. He had a feeling he was deep in trouble.

Lexan: So... That's that... Will be continued... Some day... Heh... Is this the longest chapter I've ever written? Guess so...