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“No...” the alchemist breathed as the smile stretched wide across Truth’s mouth. Truth enjoyed that smile. It always made the trespassers sick with dread. This one looked utterly horrified, until he straightened. “No!” he yelled. Gloved, bleeding hands fisted at his sides, his rumpled blue uniform spattered with dark blood not his own. His eyes were cold, for now. “I don’t want your knowledge, and I can’t spare a toll,” the alchemist stated. “Just kill me, and give the balance to the Elric brothers!”
Truth’s smile froze. And things had been going so smoothly, too. Where did this gnat get off throwing all its plans out of equivalence? Kill him, and the Dwarf in the Flask would be taken down by its own rebound. No external effort would be required, which meddled gravely with Hohenheim’s debts.
Then, after the funeral, the woman led the charge to his side. The cripple would be just a heartbeat behind. The youngster would dull and come far too soon, while no one would notice when the big one and the quiet one eventually joined them. The Elrics would grow bitter at the loss of another family, and that was not something Truth could afford to owe them.
But this alchemist had not deliberately trespassed. Were Truth to take the toll completely from the one responsible, the alchemist would come through it on his feet and ready to burn the Dwarf to a crisp. Hardly anyone else need contribute. While Truth greatly appreciated said future, it was too much in the alchemist’s favour. He had his own debts, after all.
The alchemist started to fidget while the Truth reviewed its options. With one selfless statement, this alchemist had forced Truth to make allowances to balance the many parties involved. Truth hated making allowances.
The Truth sighed and stopped smiling. “Mr. Alchemist, you aren’t the only one I must keep Equivalence with...but you just like to be difficult, don’t you?”
The alchemist flinched back slightly. “What do you intend to do?”
“I will take a toll now. When it is time, return, and I will pay you back in full.”
The alchemist smiled inside about Edward Elric doing the same to him, but was apprehensive about the toll he would have to loan to Truth, and for what waited for him beyond the door. As he should be, Truth thought with a faint smirk. The Gate opened, dragging him beyond. Truth added its annoyance to the toll the instigator would pay.
The alchemist took his time coming back. Truth was concerned. This alchemist had great respect for Equivalent Exchange, yet somehow....
He arrived, cradling something in his hands like an injured bird. Truth returned his sight, then frowned at him. “Mr. Alchemist, what are you doing?”
“They’re in pain,” he said, holding out his hands. “I thought they should go to you, to finally give them peace.”
“Mr. Alchemist,” Truth sighed, exasperated.
“You’re doing me a favour. Think of it as interest,” the alchemist offered, far too flippant.
“That’s not the way it works,” Truth insisted before sighing again. It took the philosopher’s stone, and glared at the alchemist. He flinched satisfyingly. “You’ll accomplish your goals, pesky Alchemist—all of them.”
The pest had the audacity to smile. “I guess I owe you my thanks.”
“Don’t!” Truth nearly shrieked. “Stop giving, pesky Alchemist! Have you even heard of Equivalent Exchange?!”
The alchemist looked thoughtful. “Flame alchemy has always given results disproportionate to the energy required, actually.”
“Leave,” Truth insisted. “Leave, and never return, pesky Alchemist.” Truth’s hands tugged him through the gate, and Truth ignored him fiercely. Pesky Flame Alchemist!
fin