It was the stone as red as blood,
which promised to turn suffering to delight,
bring victory to battle, and life back to the dead.
In reverence, people referred to it as...
..."The Philosopher's Stone".
How can this be possible...!?
Brother...
This is the answer we finally arrive at, after searching for it for so long?
How can living people be the ingredients for a Philosopher's Stone...?
And so many of them, to boot...!
Man cannot obtain anything without first sacrificing something.
In order to obtain anything, something of equal value is required.
That is alchemy's Law of Equivalent Exchange.
At the time, we believed that to be the true way of the world.
M-Major, p-please, wait a minute!
Major Armstrong...!
Um, right now, they appear to be tired, so we probably shouldn't disturb them.
What? They're tired?
In that case, I'll invite them to have some dinner, which will increase their energy...
Ah, no! Um...!
Right now, the two of them are resting. I will tell them that you came by, Major.
I see. I guess there's nothing I can do if they're sleeping.
God must really hate people who have committed the damnable.
Just when we think things are within reach, they run away on us. Then it repeats.
And when it's finally within our grasp, we get kicked down by it.
Is this going to happen for our whole lives?
Brother...
I thought that once we found the Philosopher's Stone, our wish would be granted.
We'll find it, that's for sure! After all, we're trying this hard.
They may say that you're a dog of the military, and that you've sold your soul for special privileges,
but we haven't given up, and we've worked to come this far, haven't we?
And so...
And so we'll find it for sure, Brother.
Brother, let's try doing it over from the start again.
I've had enough.
There's a chance that maybe we misread something.
I said I've had enough.
But, what if we try rereading it? We might discover something new!
I'm going to give it a shot. Let's keep trying!
I told you, I've had enough!
Brother...
Is something the matter?
I'm sorry. I don't even want to look at it any more.
Brother...
So, that's it, then?
You won't regret having given up here?
Is what you've been searching for...
...something you'd abandon this easily?
Stop going on like you know what you're talking about.
I know. I know that you guys are seeking the Philosopher's Stone,
and that it is made by sacrificing living people.
I knew it was rude, but I allowed myself to listen in.
If you've listened in, then you must know that it won't do any good to investigate any further.
Just leave us alone!
You really are a child, huh?
You're scared, right? That the answers might disappear?
You don't want to acknowledge that everything you've gone through this far might be for nothing, right?
Am I wrong?
It's okay if it doesn't mean anything, isn't it?
Verifying whether this means anything or not is worth something, if you ask me.
What you're seeking for isn't anything all that simple right?
Why don't you keep trying a little longer, Edward?
You're right. It's not as though the answers are going to change, just because I chuck it all along the way.
Brother!
We've come this far! How can we end it all halfway!? We're going to see how this turns out in the end!
- Mm-hmm!
- Let's do it, Al!
Marcoh's research is sound in theory.
However, it still did not result in a perfect Philosopher's Stone.
There still might be other possibilities.
Yeah. I'm going to verify the truth of Marcoh's theory with my own eyes.
Truth...?
The genuine truth behind truths...
Behind... truths...
That's it! There is something else!
According to this data, a considerably large facility would be needed to create a Philosopher's Stone.
There are currently four alchemy laboratories under the military.
Among those, Doctor Marcoh was assigned to the 3rd Laboratory.
I went around to all of the laboratories in the city, and there wasn't all that remarkable research going on there.
Huh? What's this?
Ah, in the past, that was a fifth laboratory, but it was closed down, and the place is deserted now.
There's a risk of it collapsing, so it was made off limits.
It's there! Look.
There's a prison next to it.
Central 2nd Prison. What about it?
With people being the ingredient for a Philosopher's Stone,
what if they did their research there because it was the easiest place to procure them?
You don't mean, they used prisoners...?
Yeah.
If they didn't execute condemned criminals, and instead used them as live materials, that would explain it.
Who is in charge of the laboratories?
That would have been Brig. Gen. Basque Grand.
And he was killed by Scar some time ago.
Brother...
We've got no choice. What do you say we go there and check things out directly?
- J-just a moment!
- Mm-hmm.
From here on, this is grown-ups' work. Besides, Scar is still after you.
It's too dangerous for you to go walking around outside.
Yeah, but still...
We will investigate the 5th Laboratory.
You wait here, please. If we learn anything, we will report it to you.
If you please...!
Brother...
What's the use? Okay, it's up to you.
We'll ask you to handle it.
Right! Leave it to us!
Lt. Col. Hughes, I'm finished writing down the court record for case number 3263.
Oh, is that right?
Sorry, hang on a minute.
Well, then continue on with case number 9572, if you would.
They're going to use it in a trial tomorrow, so put a rush on it.
Okay...
What's the matter!? Are you tired!?
No, not particularly!
Look here! This one is a special swimsuit version!
What do you think? She's so cute, it just melts your heart!
Just looking at this, the fatigue just flies away, doesn't it?
How about it? Hm? Hm?
Yes...
- Um, Lt. Colonel...
- It does, doesn't it?
- Lt. Colonel! What is the problem there!?
- My daughter is such a little healer.
So, did you find Scar's body? Not yet, huh? All right.
As for the matter of us sending security to the library, hurry and take care of that for me.
Oh, I've been introduced to quite a find here.
I owe one to Ed for her.
Tripwire alarms?
For a building that isn't being used, the security sure is tight, huh?
This is getting more and more suspicious.
All right, let's go around back.
Al.
Ups-a-daisy!
I hate to say it, but it's times like this that I'm glad I don't have my flesh-and-blood arm and leg.
Same here.
This entrance is locked up tight, too, huh?
Brother, over there!
Looks like it goes all the way inside.
Al, you wait here.
Will you be all right by yourself?
All right or not, your huge size won't fit through here, right?
Okay, I'll be back in a bit.
I'm not this big because I wanted to be!
This is Lieutenant Maria Ross. Major Armstrong, please.
What is it, Lieutenant?
Major, I need to talk to you about something.
Hey! Contact the command center at once, and call in reinforcements!
Yes, sir!
I have no business with you.
Where is Fullmetal!?
Two of you stay here while we're going up another stairway! He's going up to Edward's room!
So Fullmetal knew about this, too?
Don't move, Scar!
Lieutenant!
Where are Edward and his brother?
Please look at this.
Those boys...!
The town of Liore...
...has been dealt with all neat and tidy.
There's no longer anyone there that knows too much.
You don't say. Nice work, Envy. Things are going well here, too.
The Fullmetal pipsqueak has gotten wind of the laboratory, hasn't he?
Shouldn't we dispose of him before it gets out to the military?
If we're going to kill him, let me!
Hold on. That boy might just grant us what we want.
If we're going to kill him, it won't be too late to do so after that, will it?
Well, it doesn't matter to me, as long as it doesn't mess up the plan.
Although, it seems doubtful that he would ever arrive there safely.
I told them not to lay a hand on those two...
...but it is concerning. They are idiots, after all.
If it looks like it's going to be too much trouble to dispose of the whole lot of them.
I know.
Damn, this is narrower than I thought.
Damn it all, if I was normal-sized, I wouldn't have gotten through here. It's a good thing I'm so little.
Augh! No it's not!
The lights are on.
So, they're not currently using it, huh?
Bingo!
W-what!?
For them to go this far, they must really not want anyone getting close.
Sounds interesting! I'll take them on!
Hey! Aren't we under orders not to lay a hand on them?
I don't care about that. I can't rest until I've carved them up!
Wait! There are two in our quarry. There are also two of us.
I won't allow you to monopolize them.
Damn it! This thing is relentless for being just a ball!
I-it really is a good thing I'm so small...
Why, you...! This is a pain!
Come on in, they're saying?
Nice of you to come. I welcome you.
You don't look very welcoming.
I am he who was entrusted to guard this place. For the time being, you may call me Number 48.
Number 48?
It's been so long since I was able to go against someone so capable.
You have run out of luck by coming up against me.
Do not think ill of me, kid.
And you, don't think ill of me for being the kid that defeated you.
Brother sure is taking long. What could he be doing?
Nice. You move well for being so big. That's more like it.
Who are you!?
I should respond, when asked who I am, huh?
My name is Number 66. Although, that's just what they call me at work.
Number 66?
Yes. I do have my own, proper name as well, but if you heard it, you'd be so surprised you'd wet yourself.
I'll tell you when I finish you off.
You say you guard this place, right? There's a little something I'd like to ask you.
If you can defeat me, I will tell you anything.
Right, then...
...let's see how good you are!
You're fast!
Your false arm is steel up to the shoulder, is it? Even so...
...my beloved sword will pierce even steel!
You've got to be kidding! If I bust it again, I'm going to get killed by Winry, you know!
Let's see...
Oops...
His reflexes...!
Why, you...!
What!?
Kid...!
He's...
...the same kind of armored body as Al!?
Fullmetal Alchemist!
Episode 20: "Soul of the Guardian".
We've cried a lot, laughed a lot, and have seen hell.
These memories are not false - I am human!