Fullmetal Alchemist doesn't belong to me. In fact, I just discovered the anime a little while before I started this story.

It takes place somewhat early on in the anime - around episode 15 or so, right after Ed and Al get repaired. (I didn't have a time in mind when I first wrote it - but I did think it'd take place sooner on - but after watching several episodes for the second time, I thought it'd make the most sense, and therefore added some things in to tie it to the time.) It's now planned to be a part of a trilogy, so I thought it needed a little revision. I didn't revise much, though. I kept all the stuff in that I got off the top of my head - except for putting Mustang in Eastern and Hughes in Central, because I think that's how it was...

Chapter One: The Gateway

Staring up at the stars in the night sky, Ed let out a sigh.

"What is it, brother?" Al asked.

"Nothing..." Ed replied. He was lying on the ground with his arms behind his head. The large suit of armor of a brother lying beside him, his head turned toward Ed.

"You sure?" Al asked skeptically. Ed chewed on his lower lip and Al knew he wasn't telling the truth. "Tell me, brother. What's on your mind?"

"Guess I can't keep anything from you, Al," Ed said with a slight smile, but his smile faded as he said, "I was just thinking... about what it would have been like if..."

"If what..?" Al prompted after his brother trailed off.

"If... our mother didn't die," Ed finished and clenched his gloved hands, ashamed he was thinking about it. Thinking about the unchangeable past, when he should be looking toward the future, trying to make things right instead of just wishing for what couldn't have been. But, for the first time in four years he was back in Risembool and he just couldn't help wonder... How different would life have been? He probably wouldn't have became a State Alchemist, for one. And Al wouldn't have to live the way he does... He wouldn't feel guilty for what he's done to bring back his mother... For what he did to his brother.

"If Mom didn't die, I'd still be a human, Ed," Al said enthusiastically. "I'd be able to feel the ground, to smell the flowers. How wonderful that would have been!"

Ed didn't say anything as tears threatened to fall. He clenched his teeth.

"We wouldn't have to be searching for the philosopher's stone, either!" Al realized. "We would have been so happy..."

Ed blew up. "Al, stop thinking about what could have been!" he yelled, bolting to a sitting position. Al sat up and pulled his legs to his chest, sorry he had said what he had. "It can't happen! I never should have mentioned it! I don't know why I was thinking about it at all!" Ed said, his voice beginning to tremble.

"I-I'm sorry brother... I just thought it was a nice thought..."

Ed looked up at Al and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry Al... It's just... it's not practical to think about the past..." Al didn't respond. "We'll get the philosopher's stone and restore your body. I promise."

"I know we will," Al replied.

The next day was bright and sunny. There were a few streaks of clouds in the sky, but they didn't threaten rain. Ed, Al, and Armstrong just got off the train at Central, when they saw someone running across the road up ahead. The guy briefly looked behind him, as though someone was chasing him.

"Hey!" Ed called. The person glanced at Ed, but kept running. Ed began to run after him down an alley and Al followed. "Hey, you!" Ed called again. The person knocked a barrel in the road, but Ed jumped over it, determined to find out whom the person was and why he was running. The man turned right, down another street. Ed skidded to a stop in time to follow.

A smirk came to Ed's face. "No where to run, now," he said triumphantly as a dead end appeared up ahead. A circle on the person's palms lit up as he pushed his hands against the stone wall. The wall glowed pink and he jumped through it as though it wasn't there. Ed was right behind him and jumped through as well.

"Ed!" Al called, but when he and Armstrong reached the alley, his brother was nowhere in sight and the road had dead ended. He glanced around, but couldn't figure out where the two of them went.

"Don't worry! I'll find your brother if I have to upturn every building in this city!" Armstrong said.

"Uh... I hope that won't be necessary..." Al said.

Ed followed the man down another street, but then lost him. The young alchemist looked around. "Oh, great," Ed mumbled. "This is just great!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. "Not only did I lose him - I can't figure out where I am!"

Ed tried going back the way he came, calling his brother's name. He was able to find his way back to the familiar side of town, but couldn't seem to find Al. He figured that he'd see if anyone knew about that guy they'd been chasing. Maybe Al already had that idea and would be waiting for him at HQ.

"I'm sorry kid, but I can't let you pass," someone said.

"What?!" Ed demanded. "Don't you know who I am?! I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist!"

"Who? Look kid, you're too young to be a state alchemist. You aren't even old enough to take the entrance test."

Ed smirked. "Heh. Then how do you explain this?"

The uniformed man looked at the silver pocket watch that was thrust in his face. "Wha...?" he uttered in surprise.

"Now... Let me inside."

--End Chapter--

My original chapter notes:

I saw my first episode of this anime about four days ago, on Saturday. I've seen pictures of it online before, but I didn't know it was so interesting... My brother taped a lot of episodes, so I got to watch them when I've been visiting my mom for the past few days.

I felt like writing about it, so... this came to mind. Hope someone likes it... It was going to be a short story, but I didn't actually get to the beginning yet, so... Guess it'll be more than a chapter long. At least three... Perhaps quiet a few... Depending...

If I got anything wrong, I hope someone tells me.