On a fresh morning in Resembool, Edward Elric stirred awake, his mind still swirling with memories of the last fateful journey. He glanced over at Alphonse, who was busy cataloging some alchemical notes. “Al, do you ever worry about what we tried to do?” Ed asked, brows knitted in thought.
Al stopped, looking thoughtful. “I think about our past and how every choice impacts the present, Brother. We can’t keep living with the shadows of what might have been.” Their conversation was interrupted by a small, mechanical contraption whirring incessantly on the table.
“That’s right! I still need to refine my anti-grav mix!” Edward exclaimed, quickly shaking off his heavier thoughts. But lingering doubts gnawed at him as he observed Al working so diligently, burdened by the experience they had gone through.
As they gathered for breakfast, a bright-eyed girl named May Chang popped into their home, her pet panda trailing behind. “Hey, you two! I was hoping to find you both!” May exclaimed, practically bouncing with energy.
“May! What’s up?” Ed replied, eager to divert attention from his concerns.
“I’m testing a new alchemical procedure that combines my research with your theories on transmutation! Together, we could discover something amazing!” She beamed brightly, her enthusiasm infectious.
“Sounds interesting, but let’s be cautious this time, alright?” Al chimed in, watching brother and friend share in that lighthearted work they both so dearly loved.
With a bounce in their step, the three of them set off to the edge of town where May’s improvised alchemical lab lay. As they set to work, Ed couldn’t help but admire how cheerful May was, invigorating the atmosphere around them.
“Hey, didn’t we say we were done with portaling and time-bending?” Ed teased, reminiscing.
“Of course, but that’s different! We’re making something new now that could benefit everyone in Resembool!” May clarified with a smirk.
After hours of collaboration, they built a curious device that harnessed energy from nature itself. Al’s mechanical limbs clicked in action as he assembled the pieces while Ed coupled them with alchemical inscriptions.
Suddenly, a clash echoed through the trees; startled, they turned to see a group of bandits raiding the village. “What in the…?” Edward’s body tensed and he glanced at Al.
“Do we assist our neighbors?” Al seemed unsure but steeled himself. “We cannot let them terrorize the village!”
With no second thoughts, Ed nodded resolutely. “Let’s protect those who can’t protect themselves.” They dashed back to town, followed closely by May and her panda, who was struggling to keep up.
As the fight raged on, Ed swiftly employed his alchemical powers to redirect energy and create barrier shields to protect the villagers. Al used his metal limbs to immobilize one of the bandits while May summoned powerful elemental forces.
The skirmish intensified, feels of adrenaline coursing thrillingly through them; the brothers relied on an unspoken bond— each had grown stronger, wiser, as they flowed into their roles side by side.
Once the last bandit was knocked out, applause erupted from the villagers witnessing the spectacle. They felt both exhilaration and relief wash over them.
Breathless, Ed and Al embraced. “Maybe that is what we needed, to help people without tampering with time,” Al said with a smile.
May, bouncing on the balls of her feet, exclaimed, “You can’t rewrite the past, but we can definitely shape the future! Together!”
As they shared a hearty laugh that evening, exhaustion melted away under the glow of the late sun. Clinking cups, they felt newfound clarity—the echoes of their experience remained haunting yet transformative.
In Resembool, they were hailed as protectors, a chapter opening wider than time itself. Ed pondered, the thrill of new adventures nudging him forward. Time was no longer their enemy. In every heartbeat, they began to write their new legacy together, unbounded by what could have been, fueled only by the boundless potential of what is.