FMA Brotherhood: Wahrheit (Current Arc: A Small Peace)

[Magoose]

The Ishval War Finale: A Story Ends, Another Begins

May 30th, 1901, Outskirts of Ishvalla, Regional Capital of Ishval, Ishval

You walked downstairs to see Arthur, Johan, and the man known as Joshua… or Scar as your Uncle has taken to calling him, sitting, drinking some coffee as they smiled at the stories Arthur was telling. Your father's notebook was in your hands.

"So I called Bradly out on his inaction and blasted the bitch with a shotgun." Arthur stated as Johan chuckled, and Scar was rather… indifferent.

"You make jokes and attack your leader out of a perceived notion of moral posturing?" Scar asked.

Arthur smiled. "Sometimes one has to partake in humor because that's how we cope… and it's not moral posturing when you have the moral high ground and the man you are attacking enables genocide."

"Yet it gets a little murky when you plan behind my back, and put me into a dangerous situation." You stated as you walked to the table, sitting down, and taking a cup of coffee.

Arthur remained quiet for a moment. There was silence at the table. "Glad to hear your voice again Alfred." He stated.

"Uncle… I love… but if you don't want to see my mother again shut up." You were forceful in your tone. You wanted him to be quiet.

You then turned to Johan. "Fuck you."

Johan frowned, expecting anger and frustration, but not so… muted. "To be honest, I expected far worse from you Alfred, I truly was."

You crossed your arms. "Oh, If I had it my way, I'd send a spike up your ass for leaving me out to dry because you decided Chasing Frank Archer was a damn fine idea!"

Arthur shook his head. He wanted to make some semblance of peace. "Alfred. That was a ruse to throw Dante off the scent, and confuse the enemy of our true motivations."

"Though it would have been a bonus if I offed Archer." Johan quipped.

Scar for his part sighed. "These two idiots seem to think that the ends justify the means."

You couldn't help but agree. "Alright uncle… what was the plan?" You asked.

Your uncle nodded. "Johan was going to follow you to the camp where Dante was at, and rescue you, or at very least, keep an eye on you, and try to prevent you from, causing too much damage, to your reputation, and to Ishval itself."

"You were planning to kill me?" you asked, anger bubbling in your blood.

"No." Arthur stated. "We had an ally, Scar's brother, he's an Alchemist, he had a theorem that could pull your soul from the philosopher's stone. Before your father died, he had been exchanging information about energy and the potential energy within the Human body… trying to discover a way to destroy a philosopher's stone."

You raised an eyebrow. "They are real?"

Arthur nodded. "Real… and very dangerous." He pointed to the notebook in your hand. "Do you really think it was a coincident your Father was called "The Energy Manipulating Alchemist?"

"He manipulated Electrical Energy… at least that was what I thought?" You replied.

Your father's notes were in Cyphers… complicated ones. He didn't want anyone, even you to really understand everything… not until you were ready. Only a few pages were simple enough to read and understand with little code-breaking.

"Your father was into much more volatile subjects… they wanted him to make a bomb that could destroy a city." Arthur stated.

"I know… Hydrogen and Helium manipulation… trying to make a mini sun i think?" You stated.

Arthur nodded. "I never understood my brother in-laws work, but I did know that before he quit, he was working on a type of material… radioactive material." He stated. "Weakened his health considerably, but it never stopped him."

"What type of Material?" You asked. The Alchemist in you was very… interested.

"Don't know, he couldn't say… but I do know it was something powerful and potent." He stated.

Then you realized something… he was trying to change the subject, off of his responsibilities. Controlling the conversation.

Damn, he was good at that.

"It still doesn't make it right what you did, planning without my consent or knowledge… I could have helped." You stated.

Johan scoffed. "If you knew, then Dante would have known, and that means you would be dead… you were lucky your father was able to help you."

"You trusted everything to go as planned, had that much faith?"

Johan shrugged. "We had an Angry Ishvallan Monk who wanted to keep you safe because his prophet told him so… We would have succeeded."

Scar shook his head. "Arrogance."

Johan shrugged. "It worked."

You turned to Scar. "That true?"

"Yes, the Prophet wished for you to remain protected while in Ishval, to protect you from the military." He stated. "For the work, you have done, and lives you have saved."

You were quiet. "I am honored." You gave a small bow.

"Don't be… we should be the one honoring you… risking your life for the Truth." Scar replied.

Arthur nodded. "To Alfred, hero of Ishval!" He toasted.

And you drank.
-------------------------------------------------------

Arthur waited at the train station for you. "Took you long enough?" He stated.

"I didn't know if I should come, or let you leave with your own guilt." You stated.

"I didn't mean to hurt you." He replied, looking at you. "I wanted to protect you."

"You don't need to lie to me." you sighed. "You didn't trust me… neither did Johan."

"I know." He looked at the train. "I don't intend to plead and beg for forgiveness for my mistakes. That is for you to make… not me."

You nodded. "I know."

Arthur held out his hand. "Until we meet again?"

You shook it. "Yeah."
------------------------------------------------------

The War is over… what do you do:

[]Head Home (Begin A Break): You are going home, Sarah has some things to talk to you about… something about the newspaper.

[]Hunt Frank Archer: You are not doing this for him. You are doing this to stop a criminal who has escaped justice. (Begin Side Arc: The Monster of the South)

[]THe Missing Gold: THere is stolen gold that needs to be found. You will… try to find it. (Begin Side Arc: The Gold of the Desert)

 

[Magoose]

The Missing Gold Arc 1: Dust and Echoes

June 4th 1901

Scar crossed his arms next to you as you watched Johan hold out his hand. "I know what i did was wrong. I just want to know-"

"Save your breath Johan. Nothing you can do right now can make me feel any better after your betrayal. Your lucky I'm not shoving a spike up your ass for what you did." you stated. "Go up North to Briggs Johan… perhaps you can find someone who is willing to listen."

Johan was about to say something more, to protest, but Scar Spoke. "I'd listen to him right now Light one… betrayal is a grave sin here in Ishval. And while you saved my life… my mercy has limits."

Johan nodded. "I'll see you in Central Alfred. I'll buy you a drink."

"Better not poison it." You shot back.

But as Johan walked away, you sighed. "I trusted him… I didn't like him… but I trusted him. Same for my uncle. He… taught me everything I knew about journalism… about Truth."

"Sometimes even the best in people hide poison, that destroys people." Scar's gruff voice was determined. "No one is immune to lies and horror."

You sighed. "I know, but that doesn't mean I feel any better about this."

"You are a trusted member of my community Alfred. Take that as you will, but we will not betray you so easily or willingly to achieve our goals." He replied.

"I know. But you would betray me?" You stated.

"Only when the world ends." Scar replied.

"Nice to know." You smiled as you walked to the Hotel. You had an inkling of an idea where the Gold might be…

Alchemical gold would be slowly replaced by the treasury, to maintain the value of the Cene… but if gold flooded the market, the Cene would lose value… and that was bad.

So any Terrorist or state that got their hands on it… would have a chance to disrupt the Amestrian economy.

You weren't a patriot by any means… but Ishval didn't find the gold, there would be troops scouring the countryside to find it.

And you knew what some Generals would do to get the gold back.

But now you needed to get to work.

What do you do.

You have 6 Actions.

(Due to it being a Side Arc, you will not need to investigate for a news article. The Arc will end and you will use the information here to write up the article.)

[]Following the Yellow Brick Road: You are going to start at the beginning of the trail… finding out who broke into the Treasury Vaults of Ishval.

[]Guns of the Patriots: You are going to pose as a guerilla and see if you can't get some… valuable insight into who might be paying these men… and how.

[]Of Sand, Shade and Sorrow: Scar wishes to stop by an abandoned Temple… something about paying respect to those who died.

[]School of the Lion: You trained for a few years as a martial artist… of an Ishvallan School… You think there might be a Teacher around here to help. Now, with Scar to Help, you have a great teacher.

[]Ishvallan Alchemists?: Ishvallan religious doctrine frowns upon Alchemists… but there has to be a few running around. Scar's Brother even is one of them, and he's near… you think.

[]The Bells of the Rocky Church: There is a hospital in one of the churches and there is a doctor there… with his wife. Rockbell.

[]An Envious Meeting: THe man came into sight with a grin. "So you are trying to find the gold?" The question was sarcastic. "I thought you would be trying to find more war crimes?"

[]Energy Manipulation: Your father left you notes… you will learn how to become like him.. And Alchemist who controlled energy.


AN: Vote in plan format please.

 

[Fanhunter696]

To my Eternal Rival

Hey Alfred.

First of all, sorry for not going Ishval with me when you asked for a pair of extra hands, but you don´t know how difficult was to move in Central the week after that poor girl was shot, and even if I could, there were lots of things going on on Central which needed a photographer such as myself to document... Really we were one of the only journals here in central that we managed to get something on Bradley after the "this was totally not a coup" that hose fuckers pulled off... Hell, we even had to put Jon into non-fictional writing...

Besides that congratulation for managing to stop a war on its tracks, really dude what you made there was nothing short of a miracle, and I am pretty sure that only my eternal rival could pull it off, If this was another country you would have been praised like a hero and be given the Legion of Honour or something like that, but given that you have fucked up the plans of the Warhawks controlling the government... Well, fuck them!!!

Besides that, you have to give me some more details of what happened in Ishval... How did you manage to recover your voice? And what did Arthur and Johan did (Sara has promised that next time she sees one of them she is going to cut their balls with a rusty spoon, and she means it this time)?

Well, I know that you decided to remain in Ishval to search for the stolen gold or something like that... Hopefully, you will end soon and we will see each other in Central soon enough.

To my Eternal Rival

Marshel

@Magoose another omake.

 

[Fanhunter696]

Come back alive so that I can kill you myself...

Dear Arthur:

Well, I don't know if this letter will ever reach you on your exile in Xing, but in case that you ever receive this, I just wanted to say WHAT THE HELL WERE TOU THINKING!!! YOU INSUFFERABLE MORON!!!

It was bad enough when you LITERALLY escaped with the guns blazing from Bradey´s place, but now... really? Did you use Alfred as bait? Did you not tell Alfred about ANYTHING of the plan? Did you really had Johan turned Alfred in so that he could get to Dante? Did you really put Alfred in the hands of THE FUCKING BODY SWITCHING ALCHEMIST? I know that you are a totally lost cause... BUT DON´T YOU DARE TO BRING ALFRED INTO YOUR SHENANIGANS!!!

Besides this undoubtedly deserved scolding, I must say that thanks to your nephew we are overflowing with cash and in a few weeks our once small newspaper will expand internationally, reaching even the heart of Xing, I hope that we won´t be forced into the same position as it was with Ishval, but if that is the case the truth will be able to reach to much more people, and our influence and reputation will be significantly better than when this clusterfuck exploded.

Besides all that I must beg you not to do anything stupid while in Xing, believe me you don´t want the emperor o to send its Ninjas against you, besides that see you around my clinically insane friend!!!

Come back alive so that I can kill you myself...

Sara

Another omake @Magoose I would like to use it as a bonus this turn.

 

[Fanhunter696]

A conversation between Sins

"So what exactly happened in Ishval Envy" Hisses the "leader" of the great nation of Amenstris "How did we manage to lose both Dante and Allitree?"

"Hey don´t blame me!" Envy tried to defend himself "You were the one who decided to send Dante after him... That treacherous bitch!!!"

" What do you mean Envy?" The Fürer asked with a confused expression" Dante has been one of Father´s greatest assets for centuries, and she is one of the few that understand the importance and rarity of the human sacrifices for the ritual, she was the woman for the job"

"That was exactly the problem, Oh Glorious Fürer" mocked Envy "She knew of the great powers that those who witness the Truth and she wanted them for herself... I don´t know how she planned to escape with the boy's body, but that was obviously her plan"

"But that doesn´t make sense!!! The gate of the truth is intrixecably linked to the soul... If she took over over his body she would only had won a the body of a skinny and mute teenager... " The Bradley realized something "No..."

"Yeah" Confirmed Envy "She kept the soul of that annoying journalist sealed inside her so that she could use his connection to the gate... And somehow he managed to take his body back and send that bitch to hell"

"Well, at least Alitree has taken care of that traitor... And his great article has given us the Casus Belli that we need with our neighbors... "Envy chuckled "We may be able to fulfill Father´s request, he needs many souls for the stones"

"I doubt that it will work Envy... Unlike in Ishval, we cannot just move enough soldiers and materials through the borders to our neighbors to capture enough people for our purposes, their soldiers will fight for each inch of ground and the civilians will evacuate as soon as the high gets too close to home..." The Furer tried to remembers the estimations that central command had elaborated the week before " We will get enough materials for quite a few Philosospher´s stones, but the most optimistic projections show that we may be able to get several thousand souls, only a fraction of what Father had planned in Ishval..."

"Well that is a worry for another time Wrath" Envy Shrugged "At least the circle of blood in Ishval is done, our secondary objectives would have made things much easier for us in the long term, but as long as we finish the Circle before in the Chosen Day our objective will be fulfilled, and once Father Ascends the rest won´t really matter"

"You are right Envy, but let´s be cautious just take a look at how a teenager and his crappy journal has managed to screw us over... we need to keep an eye on as many independent agents as we can, so that this won´t happen again... And that is where we need you brother"

"Well, this is an assignment that I am uniquely prepared to do Wrath, who is the target"

"You will find the details on the envelope, good hunting Envy"

"I don´t need luck Wrath, I am the best in this line of business... See you around"

@Magoose probably my last omake for this turn...

I hope that these bonuses will save our asses if things go wrong...

 

[Magoose]

The Missing Gold Arc 2: The Great Loot

-[X]Of Sand, Shade and Sorrow: Scar wishes to stop by an abandoned Temple… something about paying respect to those who died. Rolled:1D100 => 12+30=42

June 6th, 1901, The Desert of Ishval.

You wandered for two days before Scar stopped you.

The Temple was empty and Scar looked down at the broken ruins… it was quiet. To quiet.

The bodies of those who lived there were long gone, having been picked clean by the desert, or buried in the small gravesite that was marked with only three words.

"Peace and Death"

You wandered inside

Scar looked back to the broken altar and felt a pain on his face, before he looked at you. "Leave this place Alfred. I need to be alone."

You paused. "Can I-"

"No Alfred. It is something I must do alone." He stated.

And you respected his wishes.

Failure.

-[X]School of the Lion: You trained for a few years as a martial artist… of an Ishvallan School… You think there might be a Teacher around here to help. Now, with Scar to Help, you have a great teacher. Rolled: 1D100 => 56+50=106

June 12th, Ishval Desert.

Scar handed over a headband. "You are a martial artist, yes?" he asked.

You nodded. "Yeah. Not a very good one."

Scar nodded. "Put it on, I want you to show me."

You nodded and put it on, before you dodged a jab. "Slow! I want to see your skills!"

"Not even a preparation bow!" You shouted back.

"You didn't get a chance to prepare yourself when you were captured, show me now!"

It continued like that for a few hours, before you stopped, panting and defeated.

"Dammit!" You swore.

"Your form is sloppy, and for all the training you had, it's incomplete. Whoever taught you mastered the basics only." He stated.

"My father taught me." You replied with a small gaze.

Scar gave a nod. "He didn't teach you enough."

Reward: Gain Trait: School of the Lion (Trained): You are a trainee of the School of the Lion, but you have a long way to go before you can be called master. (+10 to combat rolls.)

-[X]Ishvallan Alchemists?: Ishvallan religious doctrine frowns upon Alchemists… but there has to be a few running around. Scar's Brother even is one of them, and he's near… you think. Rolled:1D100 => 16+30=46

Scar's brother was helping at another hospital the next town over.

You'll see him soon.

Failure: Scar's Brother action will succeed automatically next turn if chosen.

-[X]The Bells of the Rocky Church: There is a hospital in one of the churches and there is a doctor there… with his wife. Rockbell. Rolled:1D100 => 95+30=125

The Hospital was happy, and that was a sight that filled you with a feeling of joy. There were not many people in critical condition, but there was an air of whimsy… of hope.

And it radiated from the two doctors who were doing their best to keep it running.

But what people saw was you, the hero of Ishval. And they bowed to you.

"Yuri, what are they?" the woman asked.

"Alfred Ailtree." The man stated as he took off his hat. "I didn't know you were here."

"Sorry for coming in unannounced." You stated. "I just wanted to conduct an interview with the humanitarian workers here."

"Oh… Uh… Of course." He stated.
------------------------------------------------------------

Interview with Yuriy and Sarah Rockbell: Aid workers of Ishval

A.A: Why do you continue to stay in Ishval, I can see some letters from your families, and a photo of a little girl?

YR.: Our Daughter.

A.A: Oh, sorry.

SR: It's fine. It's just… There are so many people that need our help, and they don't trust the military after what happened in the city. And with Amestris all but ignoring their plights, it's up to those who care about our fellow man.

YR: And it's not like we are far away, we're from Resembol, so it's just a few days' train ride away.

A.A: I don't know what else to really say, unfortunately.

SR: Then say this "Evil triumphs when good people do nothing." We're all capable of doing so much good together, we just have to try.
-------------------------------------------------------

Reward: You interviewed the Rockbells. They are good people, doing the right thing.

??? Becomes avalible

-[X]Energy Manipulation: Your father left you notes… you will learn how to become like him.. And Alchemist who controlled energy. Rolled:1D100 => 100+50=150

"Do you know how much energy the Human body is capable of generating?" You asked the pineapple man.

Energy crackled in your hand. "Not enough to conduct lightning… but the sun, and the solar radiation that it gives, even though the Ozone layer of our planets atmosphere?"

Quite a bit as it turns out.

(Continued in: Praise the Sun)

-[X]An Envious Meeting: The man came into sight with a grin. "So you are trying to find the gold?" The question was sarcastic. "I thought you would be trying to find more war crimes?" Rolled:1D100 => 96+30=126

Envy growled. "Well as much as your display of power may intimidate anyone else" His entire body went from charred to normal in just a few seconds. "I'm actually here to help you."

(Continued in: Praise The Sun)

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

The Missing Gold Arc 3: Praise the Sun

The notes that your father created were near impossible to decipher, and that was why you thought yourself a genius when you finally broke the code on the lightning manipulation.

It was quite simple actually, one you had not considered before. Using your body's bioelectric current as the conduit, and the static electricity in the air as the energy source. Of course, that opened up the second problem. How to use the electricity without killing yourself.

That was also a remarkably simple solution, one that only took you fiddling with your defenses and warning signals to think of. The energy that the Gate gave off to transmutation also discharged off your hands.

All you needed to do was just channel the energy and point your hands at the target… and you got barbeque.

Though the first attempt made your hair stand up all over your body. And missed the target and hit the dirt…

And was only a single spark.

Alright, you had a long time to practice and master such a thing before you could use this little thing in combat. But time would soon be on your side, and you would be home to train and continue to decipher more of your father's notes.

How wrong you were.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Jun 20th, 1901, Southern Ishval, at the border between Amestris and Aerugo,

You had tracked the gold to the border of the nation, a very auspicious thing, but one you should have expected.

Gold was hard to hide, especially when carrying it by foot, not attracting any sort of attention.

At least you were getting better-

You stopped in your tracks as Scar grabbed your shoulders. "We're being followed." He stated.

You looked around and only saw the desert breaking way to the forests of Aerugo, with arid shrublands and Agave plants. "I don't-"

"DOWN!" Scar shouted as the ground quaked and out came a man from below, the kick trying to knock you down.

The man looked ridiculous, with pineapple spikes on his hair and wearing… some crop top? A skirt? And half sock and shoes?

Whoever this crazy bastard was, he had a terrible taste in fashion.

"Dammit, I was aiming for the Ishvallan." The man… the woman… the person shouted as he landed, leaving a small crater as he stepped forward. "Why are you protecting this moron, don't you know he's just after the gold for a story!"

Scar stood and stepped forward to protect you. "Reveal yourself, fool, or I will destroy you."

The pineapple crossed his arms. "Ooh, a brave one, you know you're the first Ishvallan in months who hasn't begged for their lives when I showed up to this shit hole of a nation."

He was baiting Scar. "Scar, don't."

But Scar's anger got the better of him as he rushed the pineapple.

And it was a sight to behold, as you realized that Scar was completely outclassed by Envy. He moved with fluidity, of grace and controlled presence.

Pineapple himself… he just took every hit with a smile, just allowing to be punished into a better position.

"You know." Punch. "People always try and-" Kick in the face. "It never works out."

The pineapple then redirected the attack… and snapped Scar's arm. "ARGH!" Scar screamed as he saw the bone sticking out of the arm. Scar, amazingly, didn't lose consciousness immediately from the pain.

The pineapple smiled as he dusted himself off. "Finally you stop being an idiot." He then looked at you. "Now we have a-"

You remembered two things from your father's notes. Oe, lighting was very easy… compared to what he had discovered, for a very simple reason. Energy, particularly static electricity and the world magnetic poles… and solar radiation were all perfectly accessible, even when there was nothing to conduct it.

All you needed was your body's energy to channel it.

You smiled.

And the Pineapple was quiet, morphing into a frown. "What are you doing?"

"Step away from him?" You stated.

"Or what?"

Your grin grew wider. You didn't want to kill him… not yet, not until you got answers. "Do you know how much energy the Human body is capable of generating?" You asked the pineapple man.

Energy crackled in your hand, as you pointed at him. "Not enough to conduct lightning… but with the sun, and the solar radiation that it gives, even though the Ozone layer of our planet's atmosphere?"

Electricity fired from your hand, and struck the pineapple man with over a million volts of electricity, blasting down onto the pineapple.

Scar froze, amazed at what you had just done. "My God." He whispered.

You frowned and paled. "Shit, I thought that was just going to be enough to shut down his body so we could talk!"

The Charred body of blood and meat was smoking on the desert sands.

"It doesn't matter now… He's dead." Scar stated as he held out his broken arm. "A little help?"

You frowned. "I can't believe it." You just put your hand and pressed the bone back into his body. "THat simple."

"You are resetting a bone quite well." Scar stated.

"I've seen men get blown up by mortar shells, and survived Olivia Armstrong." You replied. "A broken arm is hardly anything special."

Just another realization that your life was mad, and it was all your fault.

"Well, you're actually more special than you give yourself credit for." The pineapples voice caused you to panic, jumping back and taking up a stance. "Well as much as your display of power may intimidate anyone else" His entire body went from charred to normal in just a few seconds. "I'm actually here to help you…"

"The hell are you?" You demanded.

"I am Envy." He replied with a smirk. "And you're the first human in a long time to make me need to regenerate. But that's beside the point, I'm here to help you."
---------------------------------------------------------------
That evening.

The campfire burned. "So you're a homunculus that… was created to assist the Amestrian military?" Scar asked.

"Not exactly." Envy replied. "Listen, let's just say the führer has my number and if I don't work for him, I get destroyed, and I really don't want to die. Plus I like this country, lots of civil wars and riots to fight in… or put down."

He seemed far too eager to tell that, and you had a nagging suspicion that the truth was far more sinister.

"So what, you fight for Amestris to just have a justification to kill people?" You asked.

"Well, of course, you humans haven't really done anything to warrant anything resembling respect from me." He replied, placing his hands behind his head. "The letter explains everything. I help you find the gold. Get it back to Ishval proper, and I get on my merry way, and I hope never to see you disgusting humans again."

You frowned. "But you look human?" You asked.

"Only because my true form would drive you insane." Envy's voice seemed darker and far more serious than his jovial tone.

"Fair enough." You stated. "But why help us instead of work alone, you seem capable?"

"Bradly wants to keep an eye on you, don't know why, nor do I care… He's just another tinpot dictator of this country, won't be the first, won't be the last, and I don't care because they come and go."

Once again, a shiver floated up your spine. "Fine. You help us get the gold and we never see each other again." You stated.

Envy nodded and gave a grin. "Of course."

Reward: Envy has joined the Party. (Character sheet locked). Unknown Effect

Gain Trait: Energy Manipulator (Skilled): You are a skilled practitioner of Energy Manipulation, and have control over your power in a way that most consider impossible. (+20 to all combat rolls. +20 to???)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Convoy was waiting near the border, preparing to split up and get the gold all over the continent.

You had to stop it.

How do you plan to do that?:

[]The Wall: you remembered a history class, about Briggs, how the first wall was just a stone mess that just grew taller over the years. You just needed to start your own… then bring it down!

[]Negotiate: You are going to barter for the gold. You have the leverage of course. Who would try to kill the Hero of Ishval when he was with companions?

[]Stealth: Scar wants to… Take them out quietly. Use your skills that you have gained to take them down.

[]Energy: You will aim a bolt of lightning at them, and stop the lead vehicle. Perhaps then, you would get them to stop…

[]Write in

AN: Sorry it took so long, but uh... stuff.

 

[Magoose]

The Missing Gold Finale: Stealth

June 12th, 1901

You walked up to the rock overlooking the convoy getting the gold and swore to yourself as Envy grinned like a fucking idiot.

"Well, why are we hiding? We should just use the advantage we have and kill them all like the dogs they are!"

How you wished you put a muzzle over the mouth of that braggart and just leave him in the desert to rot for a couple of days, but your own sense of morality, and that of Scar, prevented that from occurring.

"Would you shut up?" Scar said, vocalizing your thoughts as he crouched down next to you. "There is no need to kill them, only that we capture the gold and return it to Ishval. Those mercenaries are criminals, but they do not deserve death by our hands."

"Where is the fun in just staying sneaky and quiet?" Envy replied. "You humans are so afraid of death, that you do not even try to live a little."

"Because by god, risking life and limb over gold is something sane and rational people do, especially from armed mercenaries," you replied with a snarky comment. "You make it sound like we're normal people over our heads?"

"Are you?" Envy asked, his smile twitching as you felt your stomach churn.

You ignored the Pineapple. "Scar, take the south side, try and stop the convoy's lead truck, then meet me at the center."

You turned to Envy. "Envy, can I trust you not to kill anyone?"

Envy's frown grew as he folded his arms. "I will kill them."

You narrowed your eyes. "Unless you want me to melt the bones off your body again, will you not kill them?"

Ency flinched. "Fine, I won't kill them. I promise you are a filthy human also, who shouldn't be ordering a homunculus around if you know what's good for you."

You nodded. "Take the Northside, and deal with their machine guns."

Envy scowled. "Good luck human."

Why did you feel like he was wishing to kill you now?
----------------------------------------------------------
The convoy was stopped to make camp, before sunset, and you moved to stop them.

Stealth Roll: D100 => 79 vs 30

The entire thing was perfect, the guards were getting all nice and lazy, with them being so close to the border of Amestris and Crete.

They were happy and seemed to be relaxing for the great profit that would be made from the theft from another nation.

That gold, despite it being alchemical in nature, was still valued quite close to real gold. Gold could crash economies if not carefully regulated by the finance ministry of the State Alchemists.

The economic crisis that Amestris would not be able to handle.

Once again, you reminded yourself you were not a patriot, doing it for the leader and country. You just wanted to make sure that ishvallan's would be left alone.

Or was it to get a story?

You shook your head and moved towards the guards who were… not paying attention at all. Backs towards you, on standing, one sitting, both talking to each other.

"Tell you what, when we get back home, we come back to Ishval alone, find us a nice orphan girl, and bring her home? We'll be able to have the girl that nature won't allow us to have?"

"No, we are not kidnapping a baby just so we can have a girl? We can always try again with the orphanages."

"They won't accept us as parents."

"You don't know that?"

"They won't and why would they? Two men love each other, and that is an abomination, but a girl raised with us is far more likely to survive than in this hot, desolate shithole is something they don't care about… why not try to make our life happier for once, instead?" There was a hand on a shoulder. "We wanted this for so long, why can't you accept it?

"Just, let's." The man stopped. "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

You thanked the gods they were separating, and then put the sitting one in a sleeper hold.

Stealth Attack: D100 => 95+30=125

He was out cold less than five seconds later, his body collapsing into a heap.

It was the same for the other, who was brought down with a swift kick to his knee, and then covering of the mouth and nose, and a swift chop in his nerves near his neck.

Scar: D100 => 50+40=90

Envy: D100 => 88-30=58

Silence pierced the convoy and then a few minutes later, it was over.

Everyone was unconscious and alive.
----------------------------------------------------
"Tell me something," You asked the leader, offering a drink. "Who hired you really? Creten mercenaries are a dime a dozen, but never ones this organized? Who was funding you? The Directorate? The Army? A shadowy force that seeks to destabilize the region?" You asked.

The leader scoffed. "You really think that you are so clever, are you? These 'People…' That you think are behind this, are far more than your simple little brain can comprehend. They want death, they want war! But they pay well, well enough for me to run away and die someplace warm"

"Give me a name?" you asked.

"All I know is that he goes by a title… Some man named Sage of the East?"

Envy then hit the man in the head. "Come on Human, we've got more gold to move… unless you want me to just leave?"

"I would rather you leave now Envy, seeing as the Gold will be returned to Ishval itself by myself and Scar." you said.

Envy whistled. "You really are a jackass you know… then again, all humans are, never enjoying the company of little old me."

"Then maybe shut up and stop interrupting my interviews." You stated.

"They don't know anything, and even that asshole gave an alias. Sage of the East my ass. Who would say something about Xing anyway? Those assholes enjoy themselves far too much to care about Amestris and the west." Envy stated.

"Perhaps. But I'm a journalist Envy, I hunt the truth and publish it, that's my job."

"It's so boring, why not just try to hunt it all down yourself, don't you know giving up your hand is a bad move?"

You sighed. "Perhaps. But you must remember Envy. A journalist is two things. He's either a romantic, wishing to see the world in a better place… or someone who inspires them. Think about that, you pineapple idiot?"
-------------------------------------------------------
June 15th, 1901

You returned to the City of Ishval 3 days later, and the Gold was safely returned.

And once again, they proclaimed you a hero to Ishval.

Reward: Amestris has noticed you going above and beyond your civic duty to hunt down the stolen gold, and see you as a hero.

King Bradly is impressed and wishes to commend you once you return to Central, to be a witness to the first rounds of negotiations between himself and Prophet Lounge.

Hero of Ishval Modified:

You now gain a +20 to all rolls within Ishval, and +5 to all rolls around Amestris Proper. Unknown Effect when working Abroad.

Now you have an article to write:
[]Write in

AN: Moratorium until 5 AM PST.

And we are now officially back.

 

[Magoose]

Scheduled vote count started by Magoose on Jun 20, 2021 at 6:59 PM, finished with 3 posts and 3 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] Stolen Gold Finally Recovered!!!

  • Cyberphilosipher
  • armentho

  1 people have voted

  [X] Stolen Gold Finally Recovered!!!
  -[X] Describe how harsh, if beautiful, the land of Ishvalla is and how it has molded the character of the Ishvallans into tough, stoic, and resilient people, also people who are also faithful, caring, and loyal to their community, friends, and family.
  -[X] Use those traits to explain how despite what happened just a few weeks ago the normalcy is finally returning to this land.
  -[X] Also mention how this would have probably been impossible without people like the Rockwells who decided to step up to do the right thing, which in many cases meant breaking the rules or risking their lives.
  -[X] Describe the circumstances of the incident of the Stolen Gold, emphasize how well equipped mercenaries were responsible of stealing it and how it was enough gold to destabilize the Amestrian Economy
  -[X] Give a summary of the process that brought you to find the gold.
  -[X] Explain how the retrieval operation went and make sure to emphasize how essential Joshua, an Isvallan monk, was (downplay a little Alfred´s role here if needed)
  -[X] Tell the audience that the thieves were surprisingly well equipped and trained Creten mercenaries and how they were hired by someone who calls himself "The Sage of the East"
  --[X] Give a brief explanation of the legend of "The Sage of the East" and joke how it shows that the mastermind seems to be a "little" full of himself o choose that specific alias.
  -[X]Conclude by thanking everyone who made this possible and that we should all be cautiously hopefuls with first rounds of negotiations King Bradley and Prophet Lounge
  -[X] Add the materials needed fot the story (interview, photos, etc)
  -[X] DO NOT MENTION ENVY OR THE HOMUNCULUS

  • Fanhunter696

 

[Magoose]

Final Article from Ishval.

Ishval, a land defined by the arid shrublands and the hot desert sands of a region known for its hard climate, sturdy wildlife, and resilience to any change, be it natural and manmade. Beautiful even when there was so much that could strike its beauty down.

Perhaps, that was why, despite the horror of the last few weeks, with bloodshed, murders, and riots, that the people of Ishval recovered from the horror that could have befallen upon them, and returned to a life that showed, that despite the scars… There were people that were ready to put this pain behind them, as Ishvalla proclaimed to hear people through her prophets. (See Page 11 for Ishval history)

But even with the near-supernatural resilience of the Ishvallan people, and the quiet strength of their prophet to prevent bloodshed from continuing, it was the aid workers and the ranks of the Amestrian army that prevented this bloodshed from continuing further, coming together to stand together to assist one another, risking their lives so that others may live. (See Page 3 for Interview with the Rockbells)

I salute them all, for even if their subversive actions have in the short term, put them in danger… tens of thousands of lives are alive.

However, it was not all safe and sound in Ishval, as on June 30th, Six hundred tons of Alchemical Gold kept at the Ishval's Treasury facilities to regulate the Cene's Value to maintain at the standard market value. If such gold were to be stolen and flooded into the world gold market, it could cause the Cene's Value to collapse, as without the regulations that the State Alchemists and Treasury's departments keen regulation, the value would not remain, prices would rise and the economy would… suffer.

To find the Gold, I joined in with an Ishvallan Monk from the School of the Lion, and we tracked their movements through the desert, using the routes known by the monks for easy access to water, close to the main roads. We were able to get to their locations above them on a mesa, close to the border.

The Monk, whom I will leave nameless for his privacy, but he was instrumental in receiving the gold. He was a master of his form of combat, and above all else, completely disciplined. He struck with silence and eliminated the mercenaries that had the gold in complete silence.

The Mercenaries that were hired were Creten in origin, with many carrying passports that were forged, and many revealed that they were from the nation to the south, hired by an unknown group to take the gold, for purposes that are still unknown to this reporter. (Continued on Page 15, with the Pictures of Mercenaries)

The Unknown group was led by a man who calls himself the Sage of the East, a rather apocryphal title from the old legends of Amestris' Past, being the man who taught the first Amestrian's how to use Alchemy, and teaches them how to use it to protect themselves from the dangers of the world.

The fact someone has used that as a title, of the man who gave Amestris the power of Alchemy, is ironic. The Sage gave Alchemy to Amestris for the purposes of defense, instead of something far more sinister, which seems to suggest whoever hired them has a sense of hubris, overshadowed by his need to corrupt the symbols of the past for us Amestrians. (See Page 20 for the Story of the Sage of the East)

We thank everyone in Ishval, and the Central Government who looked over the grievances of both nations and seek for a peaceful solution to the problems here in Ishval.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And remember: Truth is Eternal… and must be given Light.

Reporter: Alfred Alitree
------------------------------------------------------------------
Article Strength: D100 => 96+40=136

The Article itself continues the long tradition of your articles here in Ishval, a well-written masterpiece that goes above and beyond what is asked of you as a reporter, sticking to the facts, and giving plenty in the story to be exciting, and awesome.

Profitability:D100 => 77+10 (Article Strength)=87

Well now… you are swimming in so much money!

You could actually swim in the coinage that you've gained in the last few months.

Hopefully, Sarah will let you have a nice long vacation.

Reward: The Paper now has a War Chest… Let's just say the State can't shut you down without a very long legal battle… even if they shut down Freedom of the Press.

---------------------------------------
Reactions:

Eastern Reaction: D100 => 66

With the Rest of the nation full of so many in different people, the people of the East were the ones who do nothing but remind themselves that they are people, and the propaganda and anti Ishvallan sentiment from other parts of the nation.

They are good people. And in a few months, when everything returns to normal, they will have formed bonds that will survive anything.

Northern Reaction: D100 => 77

General Armstrong, in a rare moment of… both compassion and public appearance, released an official dispatch to Central Command. She is commending many of the soldiers who disobeyed the… questionable orders from Central command and General Fessler.

She also is stating that the Ishvallan people are a brave, diligent, and resourceful bunch…

And that one of her aides, A Major Miles, was promoted to Colonel and made her Aide de Camp, and chief of staff.

Western Reaction: D100 => 55

They quietly drink to your health and donate to some humanitarian causes.

Southern: D100 => 88

It was in Southern Command, nearest to the border, that took the most drastic actions. They have shut the border to any from Crete, and are sending half their medical staff, from hospitals and their medical Corps to Ishval.

They believe that they would be shrinking from their duty… if they did not help their brethren… and they believe their sacred honor is broken, because of their tardiness.

Central: D100 => 96

Envy kicked his feet up. "So… I like the kid… he's far more powerful than the other sacrifice. Plus he's so easy to get things working for us too."

Bradley nodded. "Perhaps. But right now, we are lacking in Philosopher's stones, and the Ishvallan's are still very much a thorn in our side."

Envy chuckled. "So you're going to kill the prophet?"

"No. it would be far too suspicious. I need you to go to our… A mutual friend in the industrial sector… Rile up the workers for a strike. That will be all the cover we need."

International Reactions: D100 => 81

It seems the International community has sided with Amestris against Crete? And are preparing a diplomatic conference to… negotiate?

The fuck is going on in this world where everyone… respects Amestrian sovereignty? Not trying to invade them for their lost territories?

And are being diplomatic?!

The world must be suffering from an apocalypse! There is no way in hell this is real.

Everyone hates Amestris too much to just... stop and talk in a conference.