A/N: Hello there! This is petaltailify here with my very first fanfic, so please try to take it easy on me if it's not that good. Both compliments and constructive criticism (not flames!) will be equally appreciated, so please review if you get the chance!

Just to make sure we're clear, this takes place near the end of FMA Brotherhood (*Spoiler alert!*If you did not finish watching Brotherhood/reading the manga you have been warned!) after Father is defeated and Ed is about to bring Al back from inside the Gate. This is just the prologue. All the chapters from here on out will be much longer than this.

Russian Rebound Reversal

Prologue:

It's been quite a long time. Why hasn't Brother come back for me yet? He should be here by now.

Alphonse pondered to himself as he sat in front of his Portal of Truth, his back slouched while leaning a chin on his hand.

What could be keeping him? I hope nothing went wrong.

The Truth, who was sitting across from Al in front of Ed's Portal, suddenly made a slight shudder, which was quite out of the ordinary. What could possibly cause a God-like being such as the Truth to cringe in such a way?

"What's wrong?" Al asked with a hint of concern in his voice, "Did something happen?"

Although the white figure had no eyes, Al could tell right away that the Truth directed a gaze right his way.

"I'm afraid so," the Truth responded, "It seems like someone recently attempted to open the Gate."

"What? Was it Brother?" Al asked in a worried tone, his previously drooped eyes now sharply focused on the figure in front of him.

Oh please tell me nothing happened to him.

"No, it couldn't have been your brother," the Truth replied as Alphonse listened intently, "You see, every person in this world has their own version of the Truth that resembles them, and as you already know, when someone tries opening the Gate, they encounter that Truth."

"Uh-huh," Al muttered, his head nodding in comprehension at the Truth's words, "Oh, I get it. And because you're Brother's version of the Truth, and he's not with you right now, it couldn't have been him."

"Exactly," the Truth said reassuringly, "It must have been someone else who did it this time, and they're probably having a little chit-chat with their own Truth as we speak."

Alphonse wasn't sure what to feel after hearing this. He felt somewhat uneasy, yet relieved at the same time. Did this mean that nothing bad happened to his brother? But what if that meant he wasn't coming back for him? The possibilities were endless, and giving Al a headache. He buried his face in his hands.

Maybe he's having a tough time figuring something out. Possibly thinking about what he'll sacrifice to get me back. Yeah, that's gotta be it. I'm pretty sure nothing happened to him. He'll be just fine.

The emaciated boy could only heave a sigh and kept repeatedly telling himself the reassuring words as he continued waiting hopefully for his older brother to return and retrieve his body and soul from the Gate.

I just have to think positive, and everything will turn out okay, won't it?

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the prologue! And no, the title of this story wasn't just a bad pun. Russia will play a part in this story, so keep reading if you're interested. Positive and negative that'll help me improve is greatly appreciated!