A/N: Third chapter. Obviously… Well it might be a while before I update next, since I have school on Thursday. But, I'll try to write a chapter at least every two weeks. Hopefully you like this one…

Reviews:

DramaQueen524: Thanks! Glad you liked it. I'll try to update as soon as possible, but no guaranties.

bluedog10: Yes, that is a reference to Artemis Fowl. Eoin Colfer is one of my favorite authors. My family gave up and bought the hardback book, but I haven't finished it yet. Now that I think about it… LEP isn't really an army, but more of a police force…… Hmm… Well, thankies for the review, alert, and fav! I'm glad you are enjoying the story.

Puddycat: ^-^ I feel bad for the werewolves in Twilight, they don't get to sparkle. All they have is an unusually high body temperature. I mean, reflecting sunlight is soooo much more useful than being able to survive in Antarctica shirtless. W00t! No Pov mistakes this time. I'm extremely proud of myself. Proofing and detail. Got it! Thanks for the review!



Six o'clock. Three hours before the search.

Al stomped down the sun bleached white steps of the library. His pale face was bright red from anger and embarrassment. The young boy tilted his head upward to see dark rain clouds attempting to conceal the setting sun.

'If I don't get home soon, then Mother would be worried, but then I would have to confront Ed. I'd rather not deal with him right now.' Alphonse struggled with the conflict in his head for a minute and a half. He then realized that his only acceptable option was to hide around a shelter of overgrown bushes to observe the actions of his brother. The boy scurried off to his harbor of leaves, which wasn't the best place, surveillance wise, since he couldn't see anything, without revealing his own whereabouts. Unfortunately it was too late to switch, since the elder brother stepped outside of the library. Alphonse had the sudden urge to giggle, -sneaking around always had that effect on him- but bit the inside of his lip to keep from doing so.

For at least five minutes, Al heard nothing, but the sound of rustling leaves caused by the swift autumn wind. Most children his age would have gotten bored by now, but Al has the patience of a rock. The little boy remained in his haven, even though his legs and ankles were starting to hurt from his squatting position. After what seemed like ages, the older brother finally said something,

"Al chose his stupid book over me, so why should I go looking for him? I'd rather be in a warm house, then out at night looking for that traitor." Those two sentences hurt the young boy more than any physical pain could. He bit down on his lip too hard, which gave him a mouthful of copper tasting blood. After he could no longer hear the shuffling of his elder brother's feet, Alphonse slowly stood up from his sanctuary. He glared at the silhouette of his brother, wishing that Edward would just disappear. Not wanting to go home, Al went on a quest to find somewhere to spend the night without such ignorant people.

The youngest Elric wandered through an abandoned field for an hour or so. He was in unfamiliar territory; never going that far East before. Or was it South? Now that the sun has set, the boy was unsure. He was much less experience at star directions. Basically, Alphonse was terribly lost, and the field was getting eerier as he got father from home. The entire field, and the adjacent one, was pitch black. It was also totally empty, not even grass growing. The boy glanced at the field every few steps with hints of curiosity and fear. Eventually the boy surrendered to his curiosity and placed his hand on the black ground. Right away, he noticed that the ground felt powdery, like a very fine sand. He observed the palm of his hand in the moon light; the black powder on the ground transferred on to his hand.

'Could it be… ashes?' Alphonse thought, 'But… this field looks like it has been inhibited for years! Fires actually make grass and other plants more fertile. This makes no sense.' His train of thought was rudely interrupted by the slight shower of rain. Alphonse stuffed the book up his oversized white knit polo shirt, knowing that it wouldn't fit in his miniature backpack. The slight shower turned into a downpour. The boy glanced around frantically looking for some kind of shelter. The only thing he could see was a small house to the left of him. He ran at full speed toward the building, wincing every time lightning struck.

By the time Alphonse made it to the house, he was soaked to the bone. The only entrance to the house was a small wooden door. It was most likely rotting in the inside and the white paint was chipping off in long, thick strips. Luckily for Al, the house didn't have any means of security. No bolts on the window, nor lock on the door. The interior was much like the exterior: neglected. There wasn't a single window wasn't shattered, cobwebs were covering all four corners, a complete lack of wallpaper over the naked dry wall… the list could go on and on.

Alphonse sighed and leaned against door, tired and depressed. He closed his eyes and wished he was at home, sleeping dreamlessly in his bed, when he opened his eyes again. That is not what happened.

The old door could not even handle the five year old's weight. It broke free from its rusty hinges, and brought Al with it. The boy and door landed flat on their backs, though it was more painful for the boy than the door. Alphonse crawled into the house, since it hurt too much to stand. He took quite a fall for a child his age. He stumbled into the upper-left corner of the house, not bothering to brush away the cobwebs. He removed the book from his shirt and threw it against the opposite wall.

'It's all that stupid book's fault! I wouldn't be in this situation if I didn't pick it up!' The boy though, sobbing.


Back to Ed

Edward Elric was pacing back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room. He was hoping for either his mother or little brother to burst through the front door. Unlike his brother, Edward had zero patience. And his mom has only been gone for ten minutes. He suddenly stopped all movement, feeling an odd sensation.

"My Al senses are tingling." He whispered. Without even thinking, the boy ran upstairs to grab an oversized blue duffel bag. He stuffed a blanket and pillow into the bag, and then ran back downstairs to get food and matches. When he was all packed and ready to go, he sprinted out the back door, slamming it on his way out.

"Don't worry Al! I'm coming!" Ed screamed at the top of his lunges. He had no clue where his little brother was, but let his heart guide him.

It was a little under an hour when the older brother found the field of ashes. He slowed down a bit when he first saw it, but shook his head a couple of times, trying to get his priorities straight. First to find Alphonse, then the mystical, magical, black field of doom and despair. With that though in mind, the older brother doubled his pace. The third grade teacher, who was a former Olympic sprinter, would be shocked by his speed.

Within minutes the eldest brother reached the rundown "house". He ran inside, and straight to his little brother, who was curled up in a tiny ball, sobbing.

"Al! AL! I'm so sorry! So sorry!" Edward apologized, tears running down his cheeks.

"No! I'm.. I'm sorry." The younger brother also apologized, choking out the words in between sobs. They both embraced, both soaking wet, while crying into each other's shoulder.


Blah.. too much poorly written fluff at the end… Sorry 'bout that folks.