Chapter 10

Truth's Verdict

|-Andrea-|

Ed and Al stared at me with wide eyes. Well, in Al's case, wide orb-like eyes.

"What… what do you mean by that?" Al asked, still surprised. "You… couldn't mean the other side of… the gate of truth…"

I looked down and nodded.

"That can't be." Ed stated, his voice laced with disbelief. "The other side of the gate… There should be a world parallel to this one. If that was possible, then how would you—?"

I shook my head. "I have no idea either." I admitted. "I was pulled out of my world by Truth. For whatever reason, I'm not sure either."

Ed stared at me for a few moments before turning his gaze into his lap. "Another world…" Suddenly, he turned to me. "How did you get here then? And you didn't pay a toll!"

Al nodded in agreement. "Yes! If you open the Gate of Truth, you'll have to pay the toll. We only managed to open the gate slightly and obtain a small amount of Truth in exchange for our bodies, but if a whole human being was able to pass through the gate… You should've at least sacrificed everything!"

"I know," I said. "But I didn't lose anything. If it isn't visible to the human eye, then it should be either my organs or my memories. But I still have everything! It doesn't make sense."

I sigh. "But that's not what I mean to tell you. It's about the world I came from."

Ed eyed me curiously. "The world you came from? What about it?"

I managed a nervous smile despite the situation. "Er, how do I tell you guys that you both are sort of superstars in our world?"

Ed and Al blinked and exchanged confused glances.

|-Edward-|

"So… do you understand?"

Edward sat there on his bed, staring with wide eyes at his blue eyed friend. She had a nervous smile on her face as she finished her explanation.

"So what you're saying is… that both me and brother's life stories are known to millions and millions around your world?" Al asked, his voice small.

Andrea nodded. Then she scratched her head. "Sort of unbelievable, huh?"

"Either you're a really bad liar or something is wrong with your head." Edward stated bluntly.

"I take mild offense in that!" Andrea cried, a vein appearing on her forehead.

Edward gazed on his lap, his mind reeling and his emotions scattered everywhere. How should he respond to this? If you think about the situation clearly and carefully, there is some logic in Andrea's words. But the theory of parallel dimensions… some alchemists believe in that, but never had they tried to possibly prove it.

"I'm surprised you're not overreacting about this information." Andrea said suddenly, snapping Edward to reality. "Most people would be calling me a cuckoo head and send me straight to the loony bin."

Edward looked up. "That's a nice suggestion."

Andrea twitched. Alphonse laughed nervously.

"It's unbelievable, but logically true." Alphonse said. "In terms of parallel and paradoxes, it's true. But I'm not exactly as informed about dimensional science."

Edward nodded. "That's true. We don't focus on stuff like that."

Andrea sigh. "That's sad to hear. I was hoping that you guys would help me find a way back home." She said, blowing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

"But Truth was the one who sent you here." Alphonse noted, turning towards the blue eyed brunette. "There might be a reason why."

Andrea scowled. "Psh, I think he just sent me here to annoy the hell out of me." She grumbled before shaking her fist. "Next time I see that thing, I swear I'll slap that grin out of its face!"

Edward couldn't agree more. Maybe it was because of mere resentment that Truth took his limbs, but he couldn't find anything more comforting than the fact of imagining himself beating Truth up to a pulp. That, and beating Mustang into a pulp.

"Anyways, if we're going to get some answers, we'll have to research more in the case." Edward said, catching the two's attention. "First thing is first; I have to get out of this stupid hospital."

Alphonse turned to the said Elric. "You can't brother! You have to heal first."

"I can't stay in this place Al!" Edward complained. "It reeks of antiseptics!"

Edward turned to Andrea. "How about you heal me instead?" he asked, sounding hopeful. He wanted to get out of here, but knowing Al he won't let him unless all his wounds are healed.

Andrea fidgeted in her place. "About my healing alchemy… there's a slight problem about it…"

Edward raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Equivalent exchange, right?" Andrea said. "I didn't only fix your wounds last time Ed. I replaced the blood and tissues as well as mending your broken bones. And the ingredients to create these stuff is impossible to find on such short notice. So in order to make these things, I… I used… I used the stone."

Edward's eyes grew wide. "What?"

"You mean you have one right now?" Alphonse asked.

Andrea looked hesitant, but she reached inside her shirt and pulled out a gem that was tied around her neck. It shone bright red, and despite its beauty, the truth behind the gem was enough to make Edward shiver.

"Why did you use it? Don't you know—" Edward started.

"I know very well!" Andrea cut off. Her expression was pained and frustrated, something rare to see. She turned to look at the floor as bright tears shone in her eyes. "But… but you were hurt and if I left… if I left you like that… you would've died!"

Edward paused, staring at Andrea with uncertainty. Knowing that Andrea used the stone to heal him, he felt weird and disgusted. But the tone of her voice… she really didn't want to use it, huh?

Edward sigh. "… it's fine." He said.

He looked up from his gaze and found Andrea sniffing silently. Immediately did he feel guilty and alarmed.

"A-andrea?!" Alphonse asked, his face comical as they stared at the brunette.

"I'm sorry!" Andrea cried, wiping her tears. "I know using the stone was wrong but Ed was hurt! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

The two brothers were flustered and panicking. Oh dear Gate, what have they done?!

"N-no! It's fine! You were just worried!" Alphonse assured, standing beside the crying girl making calming gestures with his hands. The suit of armor turned to his older brother, pleading for some help.

Edward managed a nervous smile and nodded. "Yeah! It's totally fine! D-don't cry!" he said nervously. In truth, the Fullmetal Alchemist could take on any enemy that stands in his way. But when it comes to crying girls…

The brunette only wailed louder, which really made the two brothers scared and fuss over her more.

|-Andrea-|

I admit it was embarrassing that I cried in front of Ed and Al, but I couldn't help myself. I felt guilty!

The rest of the day after that was discussing whether or not I should heal Ed's injuries even more. I offered to heal him again, but Ed refused.

"I don't want to force you to do something you don't want." Ed said. He looked down at his lap and back at me. "Promise me, Andrea. Promise me that you won't use the stone unless it's an absolute emergency or unless you're injured."

I shook my head, much to his surprise. "I swore that I would never use the stone for my own gain, Ed." I told him. "If I did, I would get a taste of the power of having not to listen to the law of alchemy. It would go against my teachings, and I might turn into someone I don't want to become."

Suddenly, Al spoke up. "That's right!" he said, placing his fist over his open palm. "Speaking of teachings, maybe we should visit teacher! Maybe there is another way of getting back our bodies! She does know a lot about alchemy, and she did teach us."

Ed smiled in realization. "That's right!" he agreed.

But then his smile dropped and a second later, Ed was shivering in his covers. "Who knows what she'll do to us once we get back?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Al's armor was shaking too. "She'll probably slice our bodies then leave us in the freezer!"

I sweat dropped at the imagination, but it was possible. Izumi was one hell of a scary teacher when she's angry. I experienced it first hand, and to be honest, one experience was enough to make me crap my pants.

"I don't think she'll go that far though…" I murmured, though I doubt the two brothers could hear me.

|-Andrea-|

Since I didn't have a place to stay tonight, I decided to sleep in Ed's hospital room. The poor boy tried his best to tell me that he didn't need company, but I whined like a child and threatened to place milk in his clothes if he won't let me.

In Ed's room, there was a long couch that could be used almost like a bed. There was also a big pillow, so I used that to support my head. It was really cold in the room too, so I grabbed one of the blankets and made myself comfortable.

The nurse came in to check on Ed, and once she was finished she closed the lights as she walked out. It was now dark in his room, except for the light that seeped in the room through the window.

"Hey Ed?" I asked softly.

I heard a rustling sound. "Yeah?" he asked.

I smiled, knowing that he was awake. "Thanks."

I could almost imagine him looking at me weirdly. "What for?"

I just chuckled. "It's nothing." I said with a smile.

Ed scoffed lightly. "You are weird."

I made a face in return. "Hey, who was the one who healed you?"

I heard some sounds in the room, and I wondered if that was Ed grumbling under his breath. I smiled softly to myself, feeling content. Why I feel so content? I'm not exactly sure. Maybe it's because Ed's in the room. I do feel a lot safer whenever I'm around him.

I turned to my left, and gazed at the starlit sky through the window. It was brilliantly lit with millions of stars. Though stars were only gases compiled together, I sometimes enjoy having fantasies about it being some magical light.

Yes, a scientist wondering about magic. Very ironic, huh?

Since it was dark and no one was around me (well, except Ed who was snoring his way to dreamland), I took this time to think about everything. My life, my past, and maybe plan a bit of my future.

Future… hm, I wonder what I should do in the future. I was planning on spending my future at home with my mom and dad. But now that I'm in Amestris…

I turned to Ed's direction. A warm sensation spread throughout my chest and into my face. It was my typical fangirl dream to meet Ed and have him as love interest. But I guess it was just some sort of petty crush. How could I love a fictional character?

No, I can't think of Ed that way. He isn't fictional. He is real.

But even with that kind of mindset, how could we be more than friends? I am well-aware of the future. Well, the brotherhood type of future at least, and I know Ed will marry Winry. They have loved each other for long. And Winry understands Ed more than I do. They are perfect for each other.

A little part of my heart ached when I thought about it. They will also have kids in the future. That was sort of sad, but when as I recall, Ed was grinning in his family picture with Winry. I suppose he will enjoy his life with her.

Without myself knowing, tears welled up in my eyes. I was confused. Why am I crying?

I touched my face, feeling the wet droplets of tears on my fingertips. Why am I crying? Am I crying because I have realized that Ed will eventually realize his feelings for Winry? Am I crying because maybe I want to be with him?

This was stupid. This is only a fangirl crush. I know it is. I'm just a typical fangirl who dreams of the impossible.

I sigh.

Curse you, hormones and puberty!

|-Truth-|

The ethereal being watched as Andrea cried silently to herself. It was amusing to see how she was confused about her own feelings. Humans were such delicate creatures, Truth supposed.

But Truth knew that Andrea was not delicate. She was dangerous. Her soul— no, that woman's— had passed through the gate without proper judgment. No human soul can do that, jumping from one world into another without being cleansed, thus disrupting the balance of the universe.

Truth was annoyed, yes, but it was curious at the same time. It wondered; would this soul collide with the other world? If so, maybe it can bring it back to the original world and punish her there.

Truth grinned. Yes, another punishment. Don't humans ever learn? Their stupidity and ignorance towards the Truth will be the death of them. Now that the stupid woman's soul was merged with that young girl's, Truth has no choice but to punish that girl until the soul will eventually be pulled out of her body and return to the gate.

But until then, Truth will wait patiently. It will wait patiently and with enjoyment as it will watch Andrea struggle. Yes, that girl will struggle. Whether it was her soul or not that receives the pain, Truth does not care.

A toll is a toll. And what Truth took from Andrea in order for her to have the life she had always wanted, she was taken away from the life she had always needed.

The Truth was painful. And Andrea should've learned that by now.

But that little slice of reality Andrea had witnessed now is not enough.

Truth will show her the Truth… and soon enough, she will learn to accept it.

[A/N:] Hello my friends! :)

I apologize for taking so long to update. My re-calibration classes were giving me a hard time. In case you are not informed, re-calibration classes are classes for a person who has experienced the K-12 program. It's quite difficult to explain it here, but if you research it, I think you will understand.

Anyways, I am very grateful to each person who has favorited, followed, and reviewed to this story. You guys make me feel so happy! And I'm sure Andrea is happy as well!

Keep those comments rolling in! :)