Chapter Two
(The source of the brothers' powers is different. Edward is all reason, a confirmed atheist, and would probably be best suited to a power that drew from himself rather than some outside source, which is why Alchemy didn't really suit him. In Al's case, Alchemy didn't really suit him because he was too kind-hearted for some of the atrocities that it was capable of, and thus more favoring a healing art like Alkahestry. With this in mind, I'll design each brother's journey according to how they're built as characters)
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
"Winry?" Edward paused, "Is that you? Your voice sounds... strange."
Edward opened his eyes. The last he remembered, he had gotten on a train with Winry. She had practically proposed to him, saying some pretty interesting things about Alchemy's Equivalent Exchange. It was funny, he had done more thinking about that basic tenet lately, than all the time he had as an actual Alchemist. Before, he had taken it for granted. But now, some of the concepts seemed outright strange. How could any society really run if people only gave things expecting to get as much? Economy depended on trust, romance was built on giving your all, and sometimes being surprised at what would come out of it. And even when he was standing at the Gate for the first time, playing fair wasn't in the rulebook.
Speaking of which... for some reason rather than a train, he was in the great white expanse outside the Gate. "Well, you are awake, right? Ready to make a deal?"
"Get out of my dreams! I'm not willing to make any more deals with the likes of you!" screamed Edward. He was about to pinch himself, when he realized from the pain, and the fact that he was most certainly not able to wake up. "Also, I've got nothing left to trade."
"Ah, but you do. You gave up your own Alchemy to save another person, and defeated Truth. You have earned something far better, the power to Know." The whiteness of the Gate was suddenly replaced with an almost surreal garden. In its center was an enormous tree filled with a strange-looking fruit. "Since the time of Eden, Man has always striven for Knowledge. Alchemy is but one possible application, and one dependent on outside forces such as ley lines and the energy of the beings from the gate. But you, who have rejected this Truth, might be able to find your own path, through Knowledge. Take this fruit, and you will know all things, good and evil." Reaching out his hand, he passed Edward the fruit. "Oh, don't worry, I'm not here to tempt you."
"No, you're here to kill me, apparently. That's mandrake." Edward said without a trace of emotion. "It causes wild hallucinations, and usually death. Thanks, but if I'm supposed to gain this Knowledge you speak of, I think I'll do it on my own."
The strange being touched Edward's forehead. "If that's your answer , then you definitely deserve this gift. Knowledge is most worthy of those who seek it on their own, using the lessons of experience." The white figure's mouth opened into a broad smile. "Don't worry. We shouldn't meet again."
Edward awoke with a start in the seat of a train. Winry's head was resting on his shoulder. At his feet was very little legroom, for Winry's automail tools lay in a pile, blocking any attempts to stretch. The train was stopped, miles from the actual station. Which meant, of course, something was wrong. Before, Edward had been able to stop such events before. But this was when he had a metallic arm and leg and the use of Alchemy without a circle. If something bad happened, how would he be able to defend himself?
(I'm gonna need to think up a better word than Knowledge.)