CHAPTER 8:

THE VAGABOND PRINCE

After the revelations on the train, Edward and Alphonse began to ask questions about her life as a Homunculus. Lust, citing Equivalent Exchange, asked for stories about their own lives. And as they spoke, Lust could feel an undeniable bond forming, of sorts, or at least emerging from where it had been for some time, since at least the first time she found out their relationship. A bond of family. They felt more like her brothers (even though they were cousins of a sort) than most of her family. Only Gluttony and perhaps Greed and Envy held any similar place.

One incident that Edward spoke about that tugged at Lust's heartstrings was how he spoke of Nina Tucker. Lust knew of the incident, of course, but to hear what happened from Edward Elric's own lips brought it home to her that these were more than just names, but people with lives of their own. In fact, after hearing about exactly what happened to Nina, Lust was glad that Scar had killed Shou Tucker. That she felt a sense of actual outrage at what had happened to the little girl and her dog brought it home to Lust how much she had changed over such a relatively short period in her life. So too did the fact that she wanted to bring him back from the dead, only to kill him again, and slowly.

After she told them about her final encounter with Father Cornello, and her urging Rosé to evacuate Liore, she finally broached what would be the most painful subject of all: their mother's death, and their disastrous attempt at reviving Trisha Elric with alchemy. The two took turns telling their sad and painful tale, though it was livened up a bit by the time they spent studying and training under the harsh regimen of Izumi Curtis. When they described what they did, and how they ended up in the sorry state they were in now, Lust frowned. "Well, I can't confess to know everything that went wrong with that. But I believe I know one thing that may have caused it."

"What is that?" Edward asked.

"You used your blood as part of the process, right? Were you trying to derive your mother a new body from that, along with the chemicals?" On their nods, Lust sighed, putting her hand to her face. "Well, that was at least one reason why you failed."

"Why is that?" Edward asked.

"One of the subjects I have studied recently is genetics, the science of hereditary characteristics(1)," Lust said. "According to the latest theories, the parents contribute a randomised half of the genetic material to a child in biological conception. In simple terms, you have inherited half of your characteristics from your mother, and you can't be sure which half each of you got. Therefore, your attempt to clone your mother's body was flawed to begin with, especially as your father's characteristics would be in the mix as well. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you screwed up, even aside from breaking the taboo on Human Transmutation(2). I do know that the blood is added for the soul, but even then, your souls are distinct from your mother's."

"Shit," Edward snarled softly, putting his own head in his hands. "All that for nothing."

"Reviving the dead seems to be a surefire way to see the Truth," Lust said. "You said your teacher tried to revive her stillborn child and lost some of her organs, including her womb, into the bargain. That she remains such a strong and formidable woman despite all of that is admirable. But reviving the dead is impossible, as far as I know."

Alphonse nodded. "I know. But we're more concerned with getting our original bodies back. I want to be able to taste, to smell, to feel again."

"I can't imagine what that's like," Lust said sincerely. "I'm not sure I want to experience it."

Alphonse nodded again. "I'm…I'm glad you told me that Barry the Chopper was lying, Lust, about my memories being fake and all. Edward seemed to be hiding something from me, and when Barry said all those things, I wondered whether he was telling the truth or not. Edward was just worried whether I blamed him for being bound to this armour."

Lust smiled gently. "Alphonse…Barry the Chopper was an unrepentant serial killer, as well as a mad and loud guard dog whose usefulness had ended. Even before he was bound to the armour, he was a monster in every sense of the word. And to tell the truth, I saw too much of myself in him. Ironically, although I am called Lust, most of my desire has been for bloodshed. Now, I am not sure what I desire, only that I will never find out should Father succeed…"


Lust had only been to Rush Valley once before, on some minor errand or other for Father decades ago. The town hadn't quite been so bustling or busy back then, despite the name. For the first time, she felt some degree of her long life, thinking about how much Rush Valley had changed. She groaned inwardly at the thought, of feeling old. Next, she'd be taking up knitting and starting a collection of cats. Then again, it wasn't like the Elrics could talk: apparently Alphonse had a habit of of keeping stray cats in his armour.

It was interesting to meet Winry again, and now properly. She was apprenticed to one of the automail mechanics, Garfiel, and she was allowed to take a break from her work, though not before she checked Edward's automail over for any damage. Finding only a few things objectionable, she assented to being brought to a private room to talk.

There, Lust revealed who she was and why she needed to talk to Winry. The girl was, understandably, horrified at what she had learned, but Lust could tell that, despite her sometimes boisterous exterior, she was also capable of keeping secrets.

"The reason why I told you this, Winry," Lust said, "is that Wrath, or Bradley as you know him, may use you as leverage against the Elrics. You are the Elrics' closest friend."

"What should I do?" Winry asked.

"Be especially wary of anyone from the State Military, barring those closest to the Elrics. In other words, anyone other than Mustang and his people, Major Armstrong, or Hughes."

"What about those two people with Armstrong? Denny Brosh and Maria Ross?" Winry asked.

"I don't know. The problem is, they may be too loyal to the chain of command to disobey anyone like Bradley. Mustang's ambitions to become Fuhrer, though, make him more trustworthy, ironically. I am yet to tell him or Armstrong, but Hughes knows. He stumbled across the Nationwide Transmutation Circle. Winry, I know this is a burden, but Edward trusts you with his automail, and you know how he came to need it. I am putting a lot of trust in you, though this is as much for your sake as it is for mine."

Winry nodded. "Thank you, Lust. I appreciate it. I still call you Solaris publicly, right?"

Lust nodded in her turn. "It is my public name."

"It's a nice name," Winry said. "I actually prefer Solaris to Lust. What sort of father names their child after a mortal sin?"

"I am the embodiment of Father's Lust," Lust said. "He wasn't exactly creative with his nomenclature." She looked down, and thought, before emitting a chuckle. "Now that I come to think of it, the most creative thing he did was naming Van Hohenheim, and tricking the King of Xerxes into making that Transmutation Circle. Whereas humans…not all of them are creative, but some make the most wondrous things. Like you and your automail. Father cares little for human creativity, save for how he can twist it to his own ends."

Shortly afterwards, Lust met Paninya, a young former pickpocket with dark skin and automail legs who was repairing the roof. Apparently, she had pickpocketed Edward of his State Alchemist watch on their first trip to Rush Valley. While Edward wasn't exactly happy to meet her again, Alphonse was, to some degree. Still, Lust actually felt mildly jealous of these humans' relationships. They came about so easily. Humans were very social creatures, and sometimes, bonds could arise from the most unlikely of situations…


Lust had heard of a Xingese proverb once, from a long time ago. She didn't know how exactly it had come into Amestris, but she heard of it. It wasn't so much a proverb as a curse: May you live in interesting times(3).

She already knew she lived in interesting times, and had done so ever since she consciously made the decision to rebel against Father. Today, however, proved to be interesting in more ways than one.

It started when Alphonse came across someone passed out in an alleyway, a young man (well, older-looking teen, as it turned out) with long dark hair tied up in a ponytail, and with handsome Xingese features. At Alphonse's urgings, they brought said person to a restaurant, whereupon he ate a ridiculous amount of food.

The Elrics did have enough money to cover it, but Lust decided to use the purse she kept in a rather special and intimate spot whenever she walked abroad as Solaris to pay for it. "You're my heroes!" the guy said with a broad, relieved grin, his Amestrian tinged with a faint Xingese accent. "Thanks a lot!"

"I'm sure we can work out a payment plan," Lust purred.

"Oh, no need to bother with such details!" the man said. "Oh, to be treated with such kindness in a foreign land does my heart a world of good."

"Whereas the fried food won't," Lust snarked. His performance was just that: a performance. He was putting on a mask to hide his true motives, so she decided to fish for information. "You're from Xing, aren't you? The last I heard, the railroads from there were all but buried by sandstorms from the desert."

"Yeah, well, I walked here, or took horses and camels."

"You could have come by sea," Alphonse pointed out.

"True, but I wanted to see the ruins of Xerxes, you see," the guy said.

Lust frowned. Few went to see the ruins, even tourists. What did a Xingese traveller, who was wearing a sword in a scabbard, want there?

"So, what are you, a tourist?" Edward asked.

"No, no, I'm actually doing research on Rentanjutsu…or perhaps you would know it as alchemy?"

"As opposed to your Alkahestry," Lust said. Inwardly, she was excited. Maybe he knew enough about Alkahestry to give her a headstart on finding a way to scupper Father's plans.

"Oh yeah, that's what you call our techniques," the man said. "Anyway, Alkahestry, our alchemy, is normally used for medical purposes, whereas here in Amestris, it's more of a general science."

"It's partly because the military has the monopoly on alchemic research," Edward mused. "We're surrounded on all sides by belligerent states. Aerugo in the south and Creta to the west are always encroaching on our borders. Theoretically, we are at peace with Drachma to the north, but really, we hate each others' guts. If it weren't for the Briggs mountain range, it'd be broken in an instant."

"Not the most stable of states, huh?" the stranger remarked.

"It's been this way for a long time," Lust said. "But with Bradley ascending to power, the government focused on alchemy being used for military purposes."

"Perhaps if we were more benevolent, more peaceful uses for alchemy could be found like in Xing," Alphonse mused.

Lust scoffed. "Xing is not without its own problems. I hear little from that land, but what I do hear is that there are a ridiculous amount of factions within it, not helped by the current Emperor having as many concubines as the noble families can throw at him, and the waters of the succession being muddier than a cesspit. He's also a thoroughly unpleasant man, by all accounts." Lust noted with some interest that the young man reacted somewhat to her mentioning this.

"Yeah, you're right," the Xingese man said with a shrug. "Of course, if I mentioned it around the wrong ears back home, it'd ensure my family and I get killed. Just out of curiosity, are you three alchemists?"

"The blonde one is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist," Lust said. "The armoured one is his younger brother, Alphonse. Both are accomplished and highly-skilled alchemists. My alchemy is somewhat highly specialised, but I have significant knowledge nonetheless. You may call me Solaris."

"Well, my name is Ling Yao," grinned the young man. "Are you guys state-sponsored?"

"Edward is a State Alchemist, while I am…state-sponsored in another way," Lust said.

"Never mind about that," Edward said, leaning forward eagerly. "I think Al and I would like to learn about your Alkahestry, particularly your medical techniques. Do you know anything about them?"

"Nope. Sorry, I'm not actually an alchemist."

"And yet you're researching Amestrian alchemy," Lust said, raising an eyebrow, even as the Elrics looked dismayed. And then, she had a horrible realisation. One that was confirmed by Ling's next words.

"Well, I am looking for a specific item, really. Have you guys heard of the Philosopher's Stone?" His expression became rather serious, his smile becoming a schooled, confident smirk. Lust knew this man was very dangerous. "It's something that I need, you see, so if you guys know where to find one, I'd appreciate knowing."

Lust held up a hand to silence the Elrics, before she said, "You are treading on very dangerous ground, Ling. For what reason do you want it for?"

"Why, immortality, of course," Ling said cheerfully.

"And why does immortality matter to you?" Alphonse asked.

"Call it family business," Ling said.

Lust grinned herself. His earlier reaction, plus his choice of words, brought everything into relief. "Ah, so you're one of the Emperor's would-be heirs." His startled expression made it worthwhile. "Well, tell me something, Ling, would you be willing to live forever, if only it was caused by scores of people being sacrificed?"

He peered at her, curious. And she noted that he wasn't fully enamoured with such an idea. "Well, tell me what you know, and I'll think about it."

"Ah-ah-ah," she said, waggling a finger chidingly. "In Amestris, we go, theoretically at least, by the principle of Equivalent Exchange. I want to know about Alkahestry. You want to know about the Philosopher's Stone. Even if you are no alchemist, you should know more than we do."

"Well, I don't know much about Alkahestry, so we're at something of an impasse," Ling said, before snapping his fingers. Lust felt rather than hearing the movement behind her, and whirled in her seat to find a pair of figures in black covering outfits and elaborate masks holding the Elrics hostage. "Well, not anymore."

"Well, that's rather rude," Lust said, smirking. She then extended two of her fingers, sharpening them, and putting Ling's neck between them. "Oh look, we're at an impasse again. Except…" She swung her other hand, without looking, at the level of their feet. All four had the sense to jump as her Ultimate Spear swept along the ground at ankle-height, but it gave the Elrics time to break free, though their assailants took up positions, ready to fight.

Ling, although slightly nervous, kept up his grin. "Well, aren't you full of surprises? Well, so are we."

Lust sensed the knife being hurled her way, and used her Ultimate Spear to slice it into segments. "That is very rude, you know," she remarked.

"Who are you to speak of manners, uncouth common wench?" demanded one of the masked figures, an older man judging by the sound of it.

"Well, holding people hostage is not very polite," Lust said. "Of course, it means I am sinking down to your level, but you started it. Back off from my family, or I will end it in a very violent and messy manner."

One of the masked figures flipped over her, and tried to sever her Ultimate Spear. Key word being 'tried', as the sword ended up being cut up. Lust, with a sigh, used her other hand to trap this one's neck between her now-extended fingers. "I said, back off. Are you really so stupid as to think I am bluffing? Now, you may have a vow to die for your master, but know that he will follow you if you try anything stupid."

The masked figure she was holding hostage barked an order in Xingese. He was apparently the older man. Ling then said, "Fu has just ordered Lan Fan to stand down."

Lust risked a quick look. The other masked figure was indeed keeping their distance. Upon returning her gaze to her captives, she smiled. "See? You can make a good decision when you try. Now, like I said, you tell me everything you know about your Alkahestry, no matter how trivial. In exchange, I will tell you the secret of the Philosopher's Stone, and if that does not deter you, then where you may find one."

The older man looked over at Ling, and spoke to him in Xingese. Ling replied rather calmly in the same language, before nodding. "Sure, why not? Though I'm curious as to why your ki is so weird. Like a lot of people mashed up into one."

Lust gave him a smirk, withdrawing her fingers, hiding her surprise that he seemed to be able to sense her Stone. "Tell me what you know about Alkahestry, and you might find out…"

CHAPTER 8 ANNOTATIONS:

The Elric brothers and Winry are brought up to speed, and Ling makes an appearance. Now, I wanted Lust to know some things about Xing. It's possible that she does. She doesn't know a lot, just enough to put the pieces together.

BTW, for those of you who despaired that I didn't like Phylactery, don't worry, I've gone back, given it another go, and I actually read the first half a dozen chapters. And yes, I like it. It's now in my favourites.

Review-answering time! Well, one: namely, Guest of 111: You're welcome.

1. I presume that, while the name genetics is around, it's still a science in its infancy in the universe of Fullmetal Alchemist. Keep in mind that the series is set in an alternate 1910s, and while genetics existed, it was still in its infancy. I've tried to keep some elements close to what would have been around at such a time.

2. sakurademonalchemist discusses this whole thing about genetics and sex-chromosomes affecting the Elrics' attempt to revive their mother in their Fullmetal Alchemist/Harry Potter crossover Daughter of Flame. So that's where I got it from.

3. Supposedly, this is a Chinese curse in our universe, but that has been long debunked.