I know. Its been forever. And I left you at a terrible cliffhanger. I'm so sorry..

But the good news is that I'm finally going to reveal Tara's toll! I tried to make the chapter as long as I could. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist in any way, shape, or form.

Chapter 13

~Tara's POV~

Tara blinked groggily and sat up. Her head immediately started spinning violently, making her stomach clench. Despite this, Tara stood slowly, her vision finally starting to focus. Not that it had much to focus on. The surface around her was all white and airy. Nothing was in the room, just white. White..

Tara facepalmed. "Great. Here we go again."

"You don't seem pleased to see me." The many voices of the Truth teased her from behind. Tara whirled around to face the white creature that sat a little ways away in front of a huge towering Gate. Yep. She was back at the Gate. Fantastic.

Tara rolled her eyes. "I don't think anyone in the world would be glad to see you."

Truth smirked. "You have some nerve, child. Just like that other little Elric brat. You resemble each other so well."

Tara couldn't keep her mouth from dropping, or her face from turning red. "What is that supposed to mean!?"

Truth cackled. "Humans are so much fun to mess with."

Tara snarled. He thought he could mess with her!? "Shut up! Just tell me why I'm here! Or how I got here, for the matter, I didn't do anything!"

Truth smirked at her. "That's right, you didn't do a thing. Correct. I brought you here. Oh, but if you don't want to know what your toll was, then I guess I'll just send you back.." The Truth waved it's hand dismissively.

Tara's eyes widened. Her toll? He was actually going to tell her? That was too unreal. "Wait," She looked at Truth and slowly said, "Tell me. I want to know. What do I have to lose in exchange for you bringing me here? To Amestris?"

Truth smiled. "That's for you to find out."

Tara growled and turned her back on the figure. She knew it was too good to be true. Now she understood Ed's pain. She wanted answers, dang it! She started to let her mind drift into thought. So she was back at the Gate. She got that much. But why was she here? And how did she get here for the matter?

"I brought you here. I already said that. However, can you tell me what I used in order to bring you here?"

What he used..? Tara sent her thoughts back in time. She remembered fleeing to the hotel room after fighting with Edward in the alleyway. Afterwards she had dumped her bag out, discovering her cellphone and a weird pendant with a pretty red stone on it.

A pretty red stone…

Tara gasped, remembering the flashing stone and the blackout right after. She stared at Truth. "The Philosopher's stone," She choked out. "But how?"

Grin from Truth. "Correct."

Tara's body shook. When had she acquired a Philosopher's Stone? She never remembered picking it up. Then someone must have given it to her. But who? And when?

Truth spoke up again. "I'll give you a hint. Remember how you got here."

Tara remembered. She was pulled into the gate from inside the principals office of all things. She remembered having her backpack on her shoulders as the gate had pulled her inside. And that creepy secretary. She had happened to look at her and smile as she was pulled through. Tara had more or less dismissed it as a creepy coincidence. But what if it wasn't?

She looked at Truth slowly. "Someone put the stone in my bag?"

Truth looked ecstatic. "Correct answer! How smart some humans can be!"

Tara barely registered him. Her mind was whirling with too many questions. So she had the stone. She had a legit Philosopher's Stone. The thing the two brothers were looking for throughout the entire series. She could just as easily give it to them and get their bodies back, right?

No.

Tara almost slapped herself for being so stupid. She couldn't do that. For two reasons. The stone was made of human lives. It would be selfish to use it just for one sole purpose. The Elric brothers would realize that soon enough. That led to the second reason. She didn't want to alter the time line. The stone is what kept the brothers on their feet for most of the journey. She couldn't let them use it now. Not before the Promised Day. Amestris would be in shambles if that happened, and the homunculi would be free to rule. She couldn't let that happen.

But there was one thing she was still looking for in this whole visit. "What is my toll?"

Truth smiled. "Persistent, aren't we? Alright. Your toll is right behind you."

Tara spun around immediately to face the towering gate she knew was behind her. Her gate. The gate that would provide her her ticket home. The tiny spark of hope that held her to the belief that she just might be able to return instantly vanished, leaving her in the darkness of despair and hurt. She had started to accept that she couldn't return. But there was always some hope that she would find an answer, or that maybe she could get the Elric brothers to help her. But now it was evident that she would never be able to return home. Never.

"Humans are pathetic." Truth's comment dragged her back to the present. She listened silently. "They give up before they consider the options. I haven't taken the gate, child. I have only sealed it."

The spark of hope returned to her. Only faintly. "And what do I have to do to open it again?"

Truth's smile faded, leaving an almost serious expression on his face. This almost frightened Tara, as she had never seen this in the anime. Only a shocked expression differed from its usual smile. It hissed to her, "This Gate can only be opened under special terms now. In order for you to get back home, Tara Rishimane, you must learn to become Pure of Heart."

Tara looked at Truth. "Okay.. So what is that supposed to mean?"

Truth only stared at her, it's grin returning. "Remember, Tara Rishimane. You must become Pure of Heart. The Promised Day is quickly approaching. Use your time wisely."

The Gate behind Truth opened. Arms spat out and grabbed Tara's arms, dragging her forward. But she didn't want to go yet. She couldn't go yet! But the arms dragged her forward into the Gate, and she was succumbed into the darkness yet again.

Now you can see why this story is called Pure. Warning, the summary of this story will be changed by the time I post the next chapter. Enjoy guys, see ya soon!