I do not own FMA or claim to.

Just allow me to tell a story.

Chapter 1

Life Without Alchemy

Two years have passed since the gate to home was destroyed. Ed is now twenty and working in an old factory. He sits in front of a new car that has just been built. Grabbing his clipboard annoyed as always he gets up and starts his usual inspection. Going through the car checking off everything on the list he takes a look back and sees that it is going to be a long day again. Another fifteen cars needs to be inspected today and Al is off somewhere having fun.

We come to Al sitting in a shabby torn up apartment. Sitting in a chair at a desk filled with paperwork. All around him nailed to the walls is circles of all designs. He draws a new circle, stops and grabs a book. Reading intense for a few minutes he goes back to his drawing. Making a few adjustments to his circle he places on the floor and puts his on the paper. Nothing happens. Sighing he picks it up and grabs a nail and nails it above his desk.

Sitting back down he grabs the book and starts reading again. Hanging on the back of his is a coat that doesn't fit him anymore. A red coat with a very familiar symbol on the back. On his desk towards the back is picture of him and Ed over the past two years. Al laughs looking at the picture of him attempting to drive his first car.

Ed being much older and experienced with cars thought he could try to teach his little brother. It's a shame that he forgot to fully explain to Al about manual transmissions and how cars and trees just don't get along. Needless to say its how they got stuck in this town. Getting over his thoughts he goes back to reading. While Ed is out working to try to support them living in the city, Al has devoted his entre life to finding a way back. The cruel truth to being in the world has caught up to him. He has trained his whole life to the best alchemist he can be. In this world however that is useless.

Al has tried many small jobs to help out his older brother. No matter what the job was his heart was never in it. Ed already being used to hiding his passion life just continues to do whatever it takes to survive. Al will not give up on his goal. Hours have passed since his brother left for work and he hates when five o'clock roles around. Ed always comes in and asks how his day was and he has to say he yet again couldn't open a gate to get home.

"Why won't this ever work? I need a way to go home. Alchemy isn't impossible here. There has to a way to send brother and I home."

Five o'clock hits and Ed is getting ready to leave. He gets his money for the day and starts off towards home. Stopping at a small stand he buys a little food for him and brother. He sees one of his cars that he has inspected driving down the road and hangs in head as if in shame. Knowing full well what he should be even after all this time he can't keep shaking the feeling that everything he knew was for nothing.

Entering the neighborhood where they live as always he is surrounded by familiar faces. To his left he spots Havoc and Fury drinking outside the local pub. Once he enters the apartment building he has to slowly sneak by his neighbors. First there is the landlord. A Dr. Tim Marcoh. A while ago Ed would have been somewhat happy to see his face, and now he never would have imagined how mean someone could be from a few late payments. Second and last before his door is a woman named Tricia. From his world, he would have called her mom. In this world its Mrs Whitemore. That kind look is the same and her two little girls are as cute as anyone could hope to have.

Often she brings the two brothers dinner and invites them out to enjoy an evening with the family. Al enjoys the family time. To him its almost like having two little sisters. Ed felt that at first but over the short time they have been there its just become a reminder of what they have went through. He opens his door and enters there so called home. Al is still sitting at his desk working away as always. To Ed that is fun. All his brother does is sit and study to try to find the impossible. He goes over to the desk puts his hand on his brothers shoulder.

"It's alright Al, don't give up. I'm here if you need anything."

"Im sorry brother. Without the energy from our alchemy I don't see how we can open the gate."