Truth smiled at the alchemists again, empty apart from the limbs he had stolen from the one who still didn't understand why they were both visiting his gate. Apparently Truth picked up on his confusion. "Mr. Alchemist, do you still not know why you're both at your gate? It was your memory, was it not, you just visited. But you are troublesome, Mr. Alchemist, you spill secrets so easily among family. I won't waste my time making your mother forget, she'll hide that secret even better than she did her illness, she has a foot in the grave already. But you and your brother? How very troublesome you are, Mr. Alchemist! I suppose I will have to tamper with both of their memories, rather a shame for you, is I not? You aren't the most fond of me, are you? And yet you keep coming back! You don't even get the pleasure of seeing anything this time round!"

"You say that as if it's my fault." Ed scoffed as Mustang watched the strange figure intently, the first time he had ever seen it for more than a few seconds.

"Then whose fault is it Mr. Alchemist? Do you never learn. I believe I am right to say this - " The gate opened and they were sucked through, dragged by black hands that gripped onto them tightly and did not allow them to see a thing "See you again soon!" It was almost mocking, the way that Truth waved off the Fullmetal Alchemist with his own hand as the elbow of his own arm rested on the knee of his own leg.

Once back in Amestris there were glances exchanged before a few words were spoken. "So that's Truth? Annoying little bastard, isn't he?"

"Hey, Colonel Shithead, people always say that the Truth hurts, I could tell you that better than most. Don't go back there and find it out for yourself."

"I'll try."

"No! You will do better than try!"

"You've been rather odd lately, Fullmetal."

"Everything's been odd lately, Dumbass."