As you can probably guess, I do not own any of these, but I do own this story and plot. Please enjoy.

The Truth smiled at Edward.

"What will you give me this time?"

Edward grinned, all the confidence that he had gained from his time as a State Alchemist shining through as he prepared a wild gamble that he was almost positive would work.

Almost...

He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the huge Gate behind him. "Nothing. You can have my alchemy instead."

The big smile on the Truths face fell. He spoke a single word. "No."

"What?" Ed almost couldn't breathe.

"Are you kidding me? You're the most fun I've had in centuries. I'm not about to trade your power and rid myself of all entertainment! Go and earn your brothers life some other-"

The Truth paused and slowly, the grin spread back over his face. "I'm in charge of a few other dimensions, you know."

"What?" Ed was very confused. This should have worked! All his calculations had said so!

"I'll make you a deal, Edward Elric. You can trade your arm for Als' soul again, and I'll transfer it back to the suit of armor. To sweeten the deal, I'll also give you back your automail.

"If you want to regain your brothers body as well as your own, I suggest you find something worthy of them. To be safe, why not try to simply aim for the strongest thing in each world? Once you have something worthy, I'll being you back- along with your brother.

"How about it, Edward Elric? You'll only get one chance."

"H-how?" Edward ground, his mind spinning. None of this made any sense to the brilliant alchemist.

But wait- there was one thing that did.

"And afterwards, Al will be returned to normal, right?"

The Truth smiled. "Absolutely. Your answer?"

"Fine. I accept your deal. I will find something worth a human soul, just you wait!"

"Oh? Then let's start in Assia!"

The gray eye opened beneath Edwards feet, and small black hands erupted out of the ground. Ed glared at the Truth as he was slowly taken away.

The Truth grinned back at him.

"Let the fun begin!"

••••

Alphonse gasped. The glowing red lights in his helmet flickered as they came to life again.

Besides him, Mai let out a half scream. "Alphonse!"

The crowd of people who had been watching Eds display turned to the ruined suit of armor and the small girl besides it.

Edward had done something. That was all they knew. And it was not something that he was supposed to do.

That was what they all instinctively felt.

And they were all correct.

Hawkeye seized control of the situation. "Someone get some medics. Colonel Mustang, sir, I need to tend to Alphonse. I'll take you to him."

"Hawkeye. What happened?" Roy asked, confused. His once beautiful and lively eyes were dull as he talked.

"Edward is gone, but Al is back-" she guided her colonel over to the destroyed wreckage that was the suit of armor.

"Oh Alphonse!" Mai sobbed, draped over part of his chest. "What happened? Why are you still-"

"Brother did something," Al replied. "And now he's gone somewhere far away, and I'm not sure if he'll return."

"If it's Ed," Hawkeye and Mustang had arrived next to them, and she spoke in a faithful voice. "If it's Ed, the most we can do is trust in him.

"Right?"