#Olivier could lead the military to help amestris which just falls under Roy

[littlebear1537]

HEAD CANON TIME!!

Post-canon FMA:B

After Grumen replaced Bradley, I believe that Roy ended up splitting the government from the miltary. Now the big debate is "Olivier vs. Roy"

Now, when it comes to the military, Olivier is quite skilled at being a commander. She is able to run a whole fort because of her ability to lead and organize. Now Roy is also good at this. However, he does let his emotions get the best of him. Also, with how he is a "war criminal," it's very hard to believe that he'd be able to run the military. Even though he most likely fixed his status at this time, some might have disbelief in his ability to run a military. Olivier calls people who didn't stand up for the Ishvalan war "cowards" and even accepted someone who is hald ishvalan into the fort. It makes more sense if someone like her is in charge of military issues instead of the whole country.

Now I believe that instead of this debate carrying on and everyone gets their correct role, I feel like roy would become the head of government (whatever title they would use) and Olivier becomes head of the military. Roy is VERY MUCH a people person and is looking out for the good of humanity. He also believes in democracy which leads me to believe he is better as the head of government. Olivier, on the other hand, is not someone I could see running a whole country. Her strengths are in the military since she is able to gain respect and become a leader easier. People would probably be terrified of her if she was Prime Minister or something LMAO-

And it fits SO WELL for Roy and Olivier's Dynamic!! Like it makes A LOT of sense. Roy and his group are very much structured to help others and how he runs stuff and very much like a government. With Olivier, she is able to lead a whole battalion and strategize accordingly

Thank you for coming to my ted talk!

[ladydragonhawke]

Breath of the Dragon Chapter 7: Payment

A Fullmetal Alchemist fanfic.

20 years later after saving all of Amestris, the Elric brothers may have gotten themselves into something worse than human transmutation. Only the strength of their wit and knowledge they gained through their travels can aid them in the trials to come. They'll have to do more than just save Amestris this time, and this time alchemy can do more harm than good.

“Well this is a surprise, normally you’re not dressed till you’ve eaten. Something’s wrong, what is it? The dignitaries?” Lan Fan pondered as she took the nearest seat at a lavishly decorated table. Ling huffed in frustration at the complexity of his royal footwear that was beginning to get him flustered, but that wasn’t the sole reason. “Did you sense or feel anything odd last night?” he huffed, trying to keep his composure.

Chapter 1: A Little Tremor, Chapter 2: It Opens at the Close, Chapter 3: Blood of the Sage, Chapter 4: Only the Scent, Chapter 5: Blood and Grass, Chapter 6: Wide Awake

Chapter 7: Payment

“Please tell me you’ve got something for me General?” Fuhrer Roy Mustang breathed pleadingly into the phone, using his other hand to massage his temple. He expected not to hear any news about the dragon from Edward but had hoped his men would have something for him. 

“I do.” Mustang sat up removing his hand and focusing on the voice on the other end of the phone. “I have intelligence that the dragon crashed in Resembool and the brothers arrived...” There was a slight pause and General Armstrong’s tone gave away that something was off. 

“What’s wrong Armstrong?” Mustang prodded. 

“It appears a small group of possible Drachman spies were spotted following them.” The General whispered. 

“What does Drachma want with a dragon.” Mustang mumbled to himself. 

“I’ve sent for further reinforcements at the Elrics place of residence. Would you like me to relay anything to them, sir?”  

“Tell them to give me a damn call. And Armstrong, go lend them a hand would ya?” 

“Yes sir! It would be my honor to, sir!” With that they both hung up. 

Mustang sighed heavily and took a sip of water from his glass. Just then Riza Hawkeye stepped through the large wooden door and marched up to his desk. 

“So, any luck?” she set down a stack of papers on the right side of his desk, being sure the audible slap of the stack was heard. Mustang groaned at the sight of the papers, knowing exactly what they were for and not particularly looking forward to reading them. 

“It apparently crashed after sustaining heavy damage in Resembool, I sent General Armstrong to assist. There’s the possibility Drachma may have something to do with the dragon.” Mustang grumbled while picking up the first page to inspect it. 

“Or vice versa.” Riza added. Mustang gave a shrug, and after taking a peek at the contents of the first page on the stack, set it back down and leaned back in his chair.  

As it groaned in response, he let out a heavy sigh. “I may have to notify Olivier about this.” 

“Are you sure that’s wise, sir?” Riza was watching him with discerning eyes, studying his telling movements. Even though he often came across as lazy or uncaring, she knew better. She could see the clear worry and anxiety he so desperately hid beneath his candor.  

“I trust her, but…” he sat back up in his chair and cleared his throat, “right now we don’t want to have too many moving parts acting separately. I think it’s best to wait until I can get more information on this dragon. What does my advisor think?” 

“I agree sir. Shall I arrange a car?” Riza nodded her head in respect knowing full well what was to happen next. Mustang was never a patient man when it came to information being withheld from him. She knew it was better to indulge him than for him to go behind her back in secret, possibly risking his life in the process. 

“That would be lovely, thank you.” He smiled, thanking her with his eyes as she turned to leave. 

“You Elrics. What mess have you gotten yourselves into?” he sighed, returning to the first page on the stack of papers on his desk. He imagined it was best to do it now, since he would be out of the office for a short break. It was the holidays after all. 

 *** 

 Alphonse peered through the blinds with his binoculars as he watched three cars in the distance unload what looked like small ballistic missiles. He sighed loudly as he heard a pair of heavy footsteps behind him.

“There’s three cars now, they’re unloading something and setting up. But I can’t see much more than that.” Alphonse informed.

“Hmm, maybe we should fortify this place, like that dragon said.” Zampano grunted.

“I could build up some walls around us, but we won’t be able to see. And right now, we need to see what they’re planning, what we’re up against.” Alphonse stated thoughtfully. 

“Alphonse, Fuhrer Roy Mustang is on the phone for you.” Jerso announced through the living room. Alphonse turned with a frown as he handed the binoculars to Zampano and headed toward Jerso.

“Shit! I forgot we were supposed to update him when we could.” He raced to the phone and picked it up, clearing his throat before putting it to his ear. “Fuhrer Roy Mustang sir. I’m sorry we weren’t able to contact you sooner we…”

“It’s alright Alphonse, don’t apologize just yet. I got the gist of what was going on from Jerso. Has there been any change?” Mustang interrupted, the background while he spoke was loud with a rumbling noise and clicking every so often.

“There’re more than twenty from what we can see, and they seemed to have brought some heavy artillery with them.” Alphonse informed him with a hushed tone.

“Not that, but I’m sending some help your way. The dragon, what’s going on with the dragon and Edward. He said something about a transmutation happening?” Mustang asked hurriedly.

“The dragon,” Alphonse paused, realizing he never got to ask what its name was. He decided that was something he would bring up when they got back. “is getting Eds’ Door of Truth back.”

“What? How?” Mustang asked shocked.

“I don’t know, didn’t get the chance to ask. It seemed the dragon wanted to get him ‘fighting fit’ before the Drachmen did something.” Alphonse informed hurriedly.

“How long have they been gone?” Mustang asked, calmer.

“About two hours now. I don’t know how much longer they’ll be gone; did you want to leave a message for Ed?” Alphonse asked, worry starting to seep into his words.

“Tell him General Armstrong and I are on the way. That is all.” Mustang stated.

“You’re coming here? You sure that’s a good idea?” Alphonse asked whispering as he noticed one of the soldiers taking special interest in their conversation.

“It’ll be fine. I want to meet this dragon face to face, especially since it’s sentient. I’ll give you my car number, you call me when they get back. And keep me updated on those Drachman spies.” Mustang ordered.

“You forget Fuhrer that we’re not under the service of the military.” Alphonse said with a twinge of sarcasm, trying to imply something with his tone.

“Then I hereby draft Edward and Alphonse Elric in the service of the Amestris military and give you both the title of Brigadier General. I’ll write up the paperwork and send it out while I’m on my way. Sound good to you?” Mustang asked smiling.

“My brother and I accept. I’ll inform him when he returns. Anything else sir?” Alphonse asked while chuckling to himself.

“Just be careful Al, I want you all safe by the time I get there.” Mustangs words turned soft as he said them, betraying his stern leader front he was trying to uphold. Alphonse quickly jotted down the number as Mustang recited it, making double sure it was correct.

“Will do sir. See you soon.” Alphonse affirmed as he hung up the phone. He set it down with a sigh and straightened himself. He walked back into the room as Zampano and Jerso were exchanging binoculars. “It’s time to set some fortifications around here. I’ll need some backup.” He announced.

A few soldiers stepped forward offering their aid, which Alphonse greatly accepted. They went around the house quickly, Alphonse using his alchemy to form thick six-foot walls of stone and dirt around the house, while a soldier with a rifle provided information on the movements of the Drachman along with firepower should they need it. Jerso used his chimera body as a barrier between outside and Alphonse. Within a few minutes the entire house from top to bottom was covered, ready for almost anything. Alphonse made sure to create small windows that the soldiers could peer through to keep tabs on the spies still lurking around.

“That should about do it for now. Let’s see if they’re back yet.” Alphonse patted Jerso on the shoulder and turned just in time to see Winry running from one end of the house toward the door leading to the basement carrying an armful of medical supplies.

  ***

  Edward awoke in total darkness, feeling as if he was floating, or was it falling? He couldn’t even see his hands, or any part of him for that matter. He groped around trying to feel for anything as the mounting panic started to take over his mind. He was able to breathe, at least he thought he was, as he took deep breaths to try and calm himself. 

“Where am I? What is this place? Am I dead? What happened?” he thought frantically, attempting to move his arms in a swimming motion. 

Suddenly something grasped him on his arm, he panicked and went to grab at whatever had ahold of him. Then a soothing voice sounded in his head, “Calm Edward Elric. You are safe. Sorry about that, it’s been more than eight hundred years since I’ve last performed alchemy of this nature.” It was the voice of the dragon. He felt his entire body being enveloped in something that felt like a warm blanket as it guided them through the darkness. “It should be around here somewhere.” The dragon mumbled. 

“What should be? By the way you said it would only sting a little! I thought I was being burned alive.” Edward yelled with a twinge of fear. He wasn’t sure which was more unsettling, the all-white void that he knew of when he passed through his Portal of Truth, or this all black one, with no distinguishing markings or objects in sight. “How can you see in this darkness? It’s pitch black!”

“Would you rather I have told you it hurt like hell? Ah, I forgot. Let me fix that for you. Um, just don’t freak out too much, I don’t have much in the way of a physical form here like you do.” The dragon cautioned haltingly.  

A moment passed then Edward felt something warm touch the center of his forehead, as the warmth spread throughout his body he felt oddly at peace. That was until the darkness lifted suddenly and he was blinded by a vast array of glowing colors. It seemed as if they were floating in a vast space of colors of all the rainbow, which swirled and danced around him. His body jolted and jostled as he frantically looked around trying to look for anything recognizable for his mind to latch onto. The swirling of colors made him dizzy as he closed his eyes for a moment, taking a few deep breaths before opening them again and trying again. It was then noticed he was somewhat encased in a blob of black liquid; it was odd how none of the glowing colors and lights reflected on its surface. As if he was in the center of a liquid black hole. The black mass was warm and undulated as they moved through the colors. 

“You handled that quite well. Doing alright?” the mass spoke. 

“So far so good. Where are we?” he breathed heavily. 

“You have your Portal of Truth, and I have mine. But take a closer look around you, you may just figure it out yourself. Now where is that damn door?” the mass grumbled.  

Edward looked around squinting as he tried to focus on one particular moving mass of color. He gasped as he recognized a face hidden within the swirls of color. 

“Dad?” he whispered. “These are memories.” Edward mumbled as he looked around trying to find the more recent events. 

“Sort of. Do you remember what you saw when you passed through your door?” the mass queried. 

“I saw my memories, but also things I couldn’t normally see like atoms and events that I wasn’t around for. I also didn’t get to choose the path I took as I moved through it. It, moved me.” He recalled, his face frowning in contemplation.  

“This is similar to that, only on a much higher scale for a being like me. Instead of seeing only things from our world. I receive images, feelings, and knowledge from our universe. I’m also not confined to one plane of existence as you are. But it is more difficult to pass through. Where you were guided, I must find my own path.” The mass spoke with a slight tone of annoyance. “Ah finally! Ehrm, this might be upsetting for you. Just know this, keep your sense of self. Remember who you are, don’t get sucked into your feelings. I’ll be with you the entire time, but you won’t be able to hear, feel, or see me.” The black mass spoke quickly as they moved closer to a speedily growing black hole. As it grew ten times its size in a blink of an eye, Edward looked panicked at the black mass holding him. 

“Wait, what’s about to happen?” he screamed as the panic in his voice mounted. 

“You’ll see, you’ve experienced it yourself on more than one occasion.” The dragon said just as they were both swallowed.

 In an instant Edwards mind was bombarded with information and images of places and things that he couldn’t recognize. He thought back to the last time he had passed through his own Door of Truth and tried to compare it to what he was experiencing. This one was more verbal than what he was familiar with, and the images were a jumble of a mess as they flew all around him. Voices of all different kinds of languages spoke in disjointed sentences. As if he was running down a busy city street, he caught snippets of different conversations. “Don’t hurt him!” “He’s with me!” “I told you I could handle this…” “Ty durak! Ty dumal, chto smozhesh' zashchitit' ikh.”

He could handle the voices, that wasn’t as grating as the barrage of flashing lights that were growing in intensity even when he closed his eyes. He was flooded with feelings of sadness, happiness, and fear all at once. Making him nearly loose himself in the feelings of others, but he held firm by repeating his own name in his head like a mantra. Suddenly it was as if he was thrown to the ground, then lifted again to float in midair. With a jerk he was then sent flying in one direction then just as abruptly sent into another. He was getting jostled around in every which direction, and it seemed to have no end. He felt close to vomiting before he was thrown to the ground again, making him close his eyes and shout in shock. As he opened them, he noticed he was on a surface that was completely white. He looked up and realized he was in a rather familiar looking location. As he grunted to his feet, he looked across from him to find the dragon, in its regular form, but laying lifeless on the ground.

“Hey, you ok?” he said cautiously as he took a few steps towards it. The dragon grunted and moaned softly before raising its head.

“I had a passenger this time you dumbass. Couldn’t you have waited a moment longer for me to set him down before laying into me?” the dragon growled.

Edward was taken aback at first then realized it wasn’t him it was talking to, but a white shapeless mass that was near them.

“Why do you think I went easy on you? Plus, this one’s already been here before. He knows the consequences.” The mass said with a laugh.

“That was being easy?” Edward remarked under his breath.

“Don’t tell me you’ve come to fix him? He’s already paid his dues and gotten what he wanted in return.” The white mass said, still chuckling at the dragon who remained on the ground. Edward realized that the dragon took the brunt of the onslaught, after noticing a small pool of blood on the pristine white floor. As the dragon slowly stood the blood disappeared and it looked unharmed. Edward took note of the dragons face filled with annoyance and mild pain.

The white mass moved closer to the dragon as if to intimidate it. “You know what will happen if you go through with this, won’t you?”

“What will happen?” Edward was genuinely curious, and the fact he was starting to feel ignored was a bit annoying.

“You mean, she hasn’t told you?” the white mass gasped, “Oh, this is too rich. Shall I enlighten him for you?”

“Enlighten me on what? Just what the fuck is going on here? Is someone going to explain anything to me?” Edward shouted at them both. The dragon’s head remained lowered but released a deep sigh.

“Your father was essentially a human philosophers stone; he held the souls of many thousands of people within him while also retaining a massive amount of power while being invulnerable.” Edward nodded his head as if to say he already knew this, and it wasn’t news to him. The dragon continued, “He and I were the same in that regard, only I don’t hold or use the souls of humans within me. Nor when I use my alchemy, I don’t use power in the same manner as he did. My soul is equal to that of the entire population of Earth.”

Edward frowned, trying to make sense of what the dragon was saying. “That can’t be right, one being has one soul. My father was an exception because of the alchemy that was performed on him at Xerxes. How does your soul equal more than one?”

“Why don’t you just show him what you mean rather than sit here and waste your time? You do realize the longer you’re in here, the less chance you have of this working. Remember what happened fifteen hundred years ago? Because I sure do, and I had a blast.” The white mass laughed. Edwards face contorted into pure confusion as he looked to the dragon for clarification.

“He’s right, we need to do this. No sense prolonging the inevitable. I do have one tip for you before we start. No matter what he says, you answer ‘yes.’ Got it?” The dragon gave him a pleading look, which only made him uneasy.

“O-ok. But what the hell is happening?” Edward asked with anger in his tone.

“You’re getting your door back and all the perks with it, now stand over here.” The white mass ordered with a sigh. “I was so hoping to be able to tease you some more, but this will have to do.”

Edward followed the white mass a few feet away from the dragon. Then two simple circles appeared beneath Edward and the dragon with a singular line connecting the two.

 The white mass moved to the center of the line and announced loudly, “Do you Edward Elric condone to the return of your Door of Truth?”

 “Y-yes.” He stammered.

 “And do you ⇆△▶→↦◢↦   ▲↕↙↕⊲↓↔↦ agree to aid in the recovery of his Door of Truth?”

 “Yes.” The dragon said firmly.

 “To perform such an action requires the soul of a willing being as payment, do you accept this payment Edward Elric?” The white mass asked, if a mouth were present it sounded as if it would have been smiling.

 “What? But-“ he stopped as he saw the angry look the dragon was giving him with eyes that could melt steel. “Yes.” He muttered. He didn’t like where this was going but it didn’t seem like he was allowed to choose.

 “Are you ⇆△▶→↦◢↦   ▲↕↙↕⊲↓↔↦, ready to offer yourself as payment on his behalf?” The white mass asked. “You can back down now, no need to put yourself in any more pain than you already are.” It whispered, but just loud enough that Edward was able to hear.

“I’m ready, just do it.” The dragon stated firmly, continuing to stare past Edward.

 “Alright then, so shall it be.” The white mass announced and as it did so, the circles and line lit up brightly, blinding Edward for a few moments before finally dying down. He looked up back at the dragon who was now walking toward him.

“Turn around.” The dragon smiled.

He turned slowly, thinking something scary or the white mass was going to be behind him to shock him in some way. Once turned, his face lit up with a bright smile as he saw his door in all its glory stand before him. He inspected it and found a few things were different this time, he turned to say something about it to the dragon but found the white mass standing directly behind him. He flinched backward in shock as a smile appeared on it.

“Enjoy it. I know I’m going to enjoy watching what will happen next.” It chuckled with a twinge of malice.

“Edward, it’s time to go. I don’t want to stay here any more than I have to.” The dragon said as it moved between them utilizing its body as a way of separating the two. As it backed away it laughed haughtily.

“I’ll be seeing you ⇆△▶→↦◢↦   ▲↕↙↕⊲↓↔↦, sooner than you think.” He shouted as the dragon grew a few feet bigger and scooped Edward into his arms while flapping its wings.

“I know. See you.” The dragon mumbled under its breath with a hint of sadness in its tone. Edward eyed the dragon as they flew toward a growing black hole, looking for any sign of damage.

“How are you fine? And you’re able to come back with me?” Edward asked, still thinking of what the white mass had said to the dragon during the transaction.

“The payment doesn’t take effect until we leave here. Edward, I have to be honest with you.” The dragon stopped flying and set him down a few feet before the looming black hole near them. Edward looked at the dragon with worry as he watched her expression change from concern to sadness.

“I’m sorry. I truly am about your father, and everything that you and your brother had to go through.” The dragon sighed. Edward started to say something but was stopped by a raised claw. “I should have been there, with you all on The Promised Day. I was going to repay the kindness that your father had shown me all those years ago. If I had been there…” The dragon paused, swallowing hard. “Not to mention the trouble I caused when I broke out from the cave. I cannot even begin to ask for forgiveness for…” The dragon was stopped this time by a comforting hand resting on the top of the dragons lowered head. “I failed you, can you ever forgive me?” it finished, a single tear trickled slowly down its face. The way it said this felt almost like it wasn’t only speaking to Edward, he felt as if the dragon was asking everyone for forgiveness. He blinked a few times, thinking through what he wanted to say.

“My brother and I went through a lot of heartache, and a lot of pain. But we figured out how to manage it and pulled through. We had friends and loved ones to help us along the way. We all have our low points, and we help each other through them.” He spoke slowly and carefully, trying to convey what he felt with each word. “While I’m mad that you would offer yourself as payment for my Door of Truth, I can only trust you did so to help me. Of that I’m grateful, if a bit peeved. I don’t think anyone would truly blame you for what happened in Xing, even if Lan Fan did yell at you.” He chuckled a bit, remembering her anger but knowing she didn’t honestly blame the dragon for what happened. “I forgive you. But next time, can you tell me what you’re planning to do and not after?” he smiled.

The dragon gave a sigh of relief and nodded its head slightly, sniffling as it did so. “I can’t promise everything all the time, but I’ll do my best.”

“So, you going to tell me what happens when we get back or am I just going to have to find out?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.

The dragon chuckled and cleared its throat, its face turning somber in the next breath. “It won’t be pretty, at first. It will all depend on how extensive your Door was to restore. You had seen the Truth and had passed through it many times. I could be unresponsive, unable to hear, see or feel anything. I could also be experiencing excruciating pain continuously while simultaneously being unable to hear or do anything.”

“It varies that much?” Edward asked, taking in everything as much as possible.

“It can.” The dragon affirmed.

“You’ve done this before. I could tell with the way that thing was talking to you.” Edward stated as matter of fact.

“I have.”

“How many?” he prodded. “If you don’t mind me asking.” He added, trying not to force his questions on the dragon.

“Too many.” The dragon sighed. “I lost count when it hit over three hundred.”

Edward drew in breath through clenched teeth and was about to ask another question but noticed that the dragons form was starting to waver, and its scales started disappearing. “You seem to be flaking.” He pointed out. The dragon cocked its head to look where Edward was pointing then gave a look of terror.

“I’m sorry but it’s time we leave now, I promise I’ll try to answer all your questions as best I can. When I can.” The dragon said as it lifted itself into the air with a flap of its wings while grabbing hold of Edward around the chest. He gasped at the tight grip as they lunged into the black void, returning once more into the mess of color and light. He breathed heavily as they passed through it, this time without the added effect of being thrown around. Once through the dragon returned to the form of a nonreflective black mass wrapped around him and carrying him through the colorful array of memories. They traveled quicker this time as a bright white light flashed in Edwards eyes and he was back in the basement of the Rockbell home. He was standing right where he was before the transmutation as he looked around to see no one was with him, well almost no one. He looked down in horror to find the dragon laying in a heap on the floor, trembling and spasming as the skin on the dragons body peeled away showing muscle and bone, then in the next moment healing itself. This seemed to happen endlessly all over the dragons body. The dragon would pant and breath heavily for a few moments while growling in pain then suddenly stop for more than a few seconds and start up again. It was as if Edward was watching the dragon die over and over again.