#author: capn_hoozits

[ladyloveandjustice]

Have you ever read the fanfic Sons of the Desert by capn_hoozits? Not only is the story about Scar and Miles' mission to rebuild Ishval but also none of the OCs feel out of place and the author goes out of their way to depict Ishvalan culture, history, and mythology, complete with words created solely to represent the Ishvalan language, in a similar manner to what Nahoko Uehashi does in Moribito and The Beast Player. In particular, the relationship between Scar and Rada reminded me of that between Ialu and Elin (hinted at in The Beast Warrior and explored in detail in the short story collection of The Beast Player).

No, but it sounds really interesting! I love the idea of a fanfic exploring that. I'll have to check it out!

[iukasylvie]

@watertribe-enya Thank you for a quick reply! It warms my heart to see people appreciate Scar as a character because my mother and older sister dislike him. I've been interested in Scar since his introductory scene in which he prays to his God for the souls of Nina and Alexander. Even before his character development, the series hints at his better nature at various points.

I'm curious as to whether you've read the fanfic Sons of the Desert by @sons-of-the-desert-fma. The author goes out of their way to portray everything Ishvalan in a similar manner to how Nahoko Uehashi depicts various ethnic groups, cultures, and nations in Moribito and The Beast Player. None of the OCs feel out of place and, in particular, I love how Scar reconnects with his life before the war of extermination.

I just wish the fanfic had explored his relationships with Rada and her half-Amestrian daughter named Danika more thoroughly because it felt so sudden to have a time skip from the wedding of Scar and Rada to Rada giving birth to twins of opposite sexes. I get why Scar would name the boy after his deceased brother, but it puzzles me how nobody objected to naming the girl after Winry even though I'm sure he came up with that in honor of the daughter of Yuriy and Sarah Rockbell.

What are your thoughts on Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist (manga/Brotherhood)?

I have many thoughts on Scar, because I love him to pieces. Best character in both anime and manga

One thing that bothers me even among people who are staunchly pro "Scar did nothing wrong (except the one time when he was completely out of it due to immense trauma)" and "Scar should have been allowed to kill more people" , is that they completely overlook that Scar just doesn't enjoy killing people. He does it because he feels that those who denied his people the right to live would never face justice for their actions otherwise. And also because he's really, really mad at them of course. Actually the part about justice might be moreso the fandom's view of it, and Scar's desire for vengeance is his primary motivation(when you look at what he said while fleeing through the desert). So Scar feels he's doing what is necessary, but he doesn't usually take enjoyment out of it. The closest he came to show glee during a fight was when Mustang showed up to intervene in chapter 7/ episode 5. And that was more grim satisfaction than anything. He doesn't even show any joy when mangling Envy and Kimblee, who kickstarted the genocide and brutally murdered his family. Every action is trenched in anger, and that anger is born from tremendous pain and loss.

So Scar doesn't want to kill (or at least doesn't want his whole life to be centered arround it). He wants to protect. He wants to do something for his community, his people. But for the longest time he felt that he had lost the chance to do so forever. His immense relief at finding out how many Ishvalans had actually survived was wonderful to behold.

Now you might say "But he's doing the right thing by killing those unrependant war criminals! He shouldn't feel bad about it!" And while that's correct (at least from my perspective) you have to look at Scar's other circumstances too. It's not an enjoyable life if you spent your days solely focused on the people who brutalized you. And Scar is doing it all alone, with no help or support system. With no breaks from the struggle for survival and recurring death battles. It's good that he stopped killing (outside of the necessary battles), not because Edward and the other good guys kept whining at him, but for his own sake. Because he finally feels he's actually doing something for the people he loves again.

Anyhow, how painful is it that Scar who was afraid about his brother creating or turning into a human weapon via alchemy, became exactly that?

"Your brother may discover a way to gain enough power to face those state alchemists, and perhaps even enough to destroy their army. With power that far surpasses theirs, to retalitate against them with alchemy! Make them pay for their sins with blood!'

I'm crying.

Another great thing about Scar is that you can guilt trip this thirty something, hardened warrior with "You'll make your brother sad." And he has no proper reply for that.

To end this with my personal headcanon, Scar outlives all the remaining State Alchemists sans Edward, and dies aged 103 surrounded by his 20 grandchildren.

[arrowsbane]

Olivier Armstrong hates family reunions and avoids them at all costs. This time, though, she has a secret weapon. Or is he a loose cannon? Lots of Armstrongs.

Sons of the Desert: part v

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 20,935

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

Scar and Miles face the monumental task of rebuilding a land and a culture. Miles gets in touch with his roots. Scar's past isn't as erased as he thought it was.

Sons of the Desert: part i

author: capn_hoozits 

wordcount: 189,450

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

A 15-year-old Drachman boy learns a shocking secret about himself and must seek asylum in Amestris. While Major General Armstrong decides what to do with him, she sends him to the safest place she can think of outside of Briggs.

 Rada shook her head in amazement. "Royalty! Somehow, I can't picture it."

 "No, neither can I," Scar agreed. "Then again, I've seen young people his age do some extraordinary things."

 "Even so," Rada said. "It's such a terrible risk!" She pressed her hands to her face for a moment. "Oh, Andakar, now I wish I hadn't asked!"

 Scar generously forbore from agreeing with her. She looked up at him. "Isn't there something you can do? You're the khorovar, and he's on Ishvalan soil! Couldn't you…couldn't you offer him asylum apart from Amestris?"

 "I could create a political standoff, if that's what you mean."

Sons of the Desert: part viii

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 27445

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

Rose needs a break from the lunch counter and decides to visit Ishval for its first harvest festival. She ends up finding more than a few souvenirs

Standing there were Andakar, Dejan, and Miles, and they had brought a bottle of halmi. Never in his life had he ever been so glad to see these men. They came in and raised a glass to Ishval's newest father. Even Miles made no sarcastic comments. He led them upstairs to see his brand new son, and they were all gratifyingly impressed. Of course they wanted to hold him. They started sharing stories of their own children. Then they started giving advice. They were nearly as bad as the women.

Sons of the Desert: part vii

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 57,372

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

Resembool hasn't seen a throwdown like this since the sheep shearing festival of 1905. This time a brave few may even stay sober enough to remember what happened. 

Sons of the Desert: part vi

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 37,402

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

Two years after the Promised Day, Ishval is "invaded."

Sons of the Desert: part iv

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 83,302

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

As head of the Armstrong family, Olivier is coerced into hosting Catherine's debutante party. Who knows how the evening will end?

Sons of the Desert: part iii

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 31,812

rated: T

[arrowsbane]

A poor young Ishvalan street musician has a chance encounter that changes his life forever, or how Dejan and Scar first meet. Pre-manga prequel to Sons of the Desert.

Things got a lot worse before they got better. The war took a bitter toll and so many were lost. Andakar, I think, lost himself nearly to the point of not being able to come back. When a heart as great as his breaks, it doesn't make a little noise.

Sons of the Desert: part ii

author: capn_hoozits

wordcount: 24,508

rated: T