Title: United we Stand, Divided we Fall

Summary: Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist never realized that when he outwitted the Truth there would be greater consequences-but not to himself. Amestres is at war and the military is calling for help, including the Fullmetal Alchemist, even if he technically isn't one of them... anymore. No slash (Yaoi?). Edwin. AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, it belongs to Hiromu Arakawa.

Spoilers: Up to episode 64 in Brotherhood.

Prologue

The doors slammed shut as Edward Elric grimly marched toward the person that was himself and wasn't. "I take it you're here to retrieve your brother? Just how do you plan to take an entire human out of here? What's your payment? Do you intend to offer your own body?" Truth's voice rang out, it sounded a just a tad to gleeful to be good.

"Yeah, I've got your payment right here." Ed pointed behind him at the gate, a small smirk forming on his face. "So go ahead and take it." Truth's mouth opened in astonishment and surprise. "This thing is my portal of truth. So I get to make the decision on how it is used." Ed's smirk widened as he lowered his arm. "Isn't that right?"

Truth gaped at him for a moment, and then he started to laugh as he placed his hand on his head. "It's come to that." The 'deity' said. "And you're sure about this?" Ed gasped a little and Truth gestured slightly before putting his hand back down. "You do realize that you'll never be able to perform alchemy again without your portal?"

Ed looked behind him at the portal. "I'm aware of that, this portal, I know it contains every secret alchemy has to offer." The golden-haired boy stated contemplating. "However, it has also led me astray. I saw the truth that lies within it and I became convinced that I could solve everything with alchemy. But I couldn't have possibly been more wrong, that was just arrogance." He looked at the gate sadly as Truth grinned at him knowingly.

"You're willing to cast it aside, to lower yourself to a simple human?"

"What do you mean lower myself?" Ed asked thoughtfully and a bit sadly. "That's the only thing I've ever been, just a simple human that couldn't save a little girl." His voice filled with regret as he looked at the door thoughtfully. "Not even with alchemy."

"You're sure you'll be okay without it? Think carefully now." Truth pointed at Ed.

Voices echoed in Ed's mind, his teacher, Mustang, His brother, his mother, May, Winry. Ed's eyes hardened with determination and he looked at Truth with a grin. "Who even needs alchemy? When I've got them?"

Truth laughed in delight and approval as he spread his arms out."You've done it! That's the right answer!" Ed clapped his hands together and made a sound of smug acknowledgement. "Good job, you've beaten me!" Ed spun around with a grin and placed his hands on the door. "Go ahead, take him home!" Electric blue sparks began to dissolve the door and Truth pointed behind him. "The back door is right over there." Truth began to disappear with the door as well and Alphonse appeared. "Good bye Edward Elric."

Truth smirked knowingly as Ed walked over to his brother and held out his hands. "You've freed me. Thank you, Mr. Alchemist, there will be an equal exchange. And a piece of free advice, you must stand united, for if you don't you will fall." Then he lifted his face and finally surrendered to the Abyss.

Ed didn't remember that last part- or at least he didn't consciously.

Author's Note: Yep. This was supposed to be an oneshot. As you can tell it decided to not agree with me and became a fic. I'm not exactly sure how long it's going to be seeing as most of my stories end up being longer then they usually are, although there will be eight chapters at the least. The word count will probably be my normal though (1000-1500) so don't expect more than that because anything above 2000 is rare. Oh and don't compare this to the Merlin's Circle-the length on that one is abnormal. Also the updates should be every 1-2 weeks.

If there were any mistakes don't be afraid to point them out-it helps me become a better writer :). Oh and Flames are appreciated, they're great to make s'mores and I have a lot of hungry ninja blue pandas ;).