The first 167 lines.
Alchemy is a science where one understands the structure of matter, breaks it down, then rebuilds it.
However, it is not an all-powerful technique, as one cannot create something out of nothing.
If one wishes to gain something, one must present something of equal value.
This is the concept of equivalent exchange, the fundamental basis of alchemy.
However, there is a taboo in alchemy. Human transmutation.
One must not commit this act.
To obtain more information about the transmutation of living organisms,
Ed and Al visited Shou Tucker, the Sewing-Life Alchemist.
At his house, they met his daughter, Nina, and their dog, Alexander.
In order to pass the assessment for State Alchemists, Tucker transmuted a chimera using Nina and Alexander.
Nina will never be able to return to her old self.
Ed was grief-stricken by his powerlessness.
Mom! Mom!
What's the matter, Ed?
A present for you.
I transmuted it myself!
Is that so?
You're Daddy's son, all right.
Thank you.
You're really amazing, Ed.
To be able to make something wonderful like this.
But...
You... couldn't make me correctly, could you...
Onii-chan.
Let's play.
Are you all right, Brother?
Seemed like you were having a nightmare.
What's the matter, you two? Isn't it a bit early in the morning to be here?
Umm...
So what's going to happen to Tucker and Nina?
Mr. Tucker was supposed to be put on trial and have his State Alchemist qualifications stripped...
...but both of them died.
"Died"?
I'll go ahead and let you know now, since you'll find out sooner or later.
They were killed.
Why?!
By who?!
We don't know.
I'm about to head to the scene myself.
We're coming with you.
I can't allow you to.
Why not?!
You're better off not seeing it.
Looks like we were a bit late.
We'll have to go after him soon. Or else...
You sound as if you knew this was going to happen.
What's this about?
God has given us a trial!
Evil heathens are trying to disturb our faith by spreading absurd rumors, and the military is planning to oppress us!
But we shall not give in!
Take up arms and rise!
In the name of our almighty Sun God, Leto!
That's right! We've got the Sun God Leto on our side!
Shoot the heathens!
Hey! Don't let him trick you!
That bastard has been lying to us!
Shut up!
You guys are agents of the heathens, aren't you!
Humans are oh so silly.
Don't you agree, Gluttony?
Foolish! Foolish!
Yeah, seriously.
Oh my, Sir High Priest.
Sir!
Sorry for giving you so much trouble.
I'll be returning to my assigned town once all of this is over.
The fullmetal boy got in our way, but we were able to make good use of him in the end.
Looks like this'll be over quicker than we'd expected.
All of this happened just because you manipulated a bit of information and I stirred the believers.
Humans are such simple beings.
Blood calls for blood, while hatred begets hatred,
and the energy that comes forth begins to take root in this earth and engraves a crest of blood.
They never learn, no matter how many times history is repeated.
Humans are foolish, sorrowful creatures.
But that's why we can have them play right into our hands, is it not?
Will more people die?
Yes, they will.
Can I eat all the ones that died?
No eating.
In any case Envy, just how much longer do you plan to stay in that form?
It's kind of gross.
Oh come on, I'm just going with the flow.
But I guess it's better to transform into someone young and cute, huh?
M-Monster!!!
What's this?!
The High Priest...
What happened to the real High Priest?!
What do we do?
He called me a monster. How rude.
Can I eat him?
Oh yeah, I heard Shou Tucker from East City was killed.
Tucker?
Ah well, who cares about small fry like him?
Well, the guy who killed him is none other than that guy.
If we're talking about East City, isn't the Flame Colonel stationed there?
Yup. The fullmetal brat is there, too, it seems.
Fullmetal...
It makes me mad that he interfered with our work, but we can't let him die.
He's an important human sacrifice, after all.
Thanks for the meal!
Got it. We'll take care of it somehow.
So, what's that guy's name again?
Scar?
Scarred man...
Yeah. We don't know anything about him, so that's what we call him.
We have no idea what his aim is, and he's extremely elusive.
All we know about him is that he has a large scar on his forehead.
I've heard rumors about him, but...
So that's who you guys have been after.
It was on the recommendations from military police headquarters.
I've got so much work from the chamber of military, too.
Seriously, all this is giving me a headache...
We've got five casualties so far in Central, ten nationwide. All State Alchemists.
Old man Gran was killed five days ago, too.
Brigadier General Gran?!
He was the lead of weapons transmutation and troop combat divisions!
That's how much trouble this guy really is.
Listen to me. Deploy more guards and stay put for a while.
I'm asking this as a friend, too.
The only famous alchemists around here were you and Tucker, right?
Shit!
I've always been thinking. What is this alchemy we believe in?
"Alchemy is understanding the various rules and flow that exist within matter, breaking it down, then rebuilding it."
"This world also flows while abiding by those rules and is in a cycle."
"Death is also a part of that flow. Accept the flow entirely."
That's what our master always said, isn't it?
I thought I understood.
But I didn't.
That's why we transmuted Mom...
And even now, I'm thinking whether I could somehow fix something that's impossible.
I'm an idiot.
I haven't grown one bit since that time.
I thought that rain would wash away these pent-up feelings...
But every drop that hits my face makes me more miserable.
I can't even feel the rain hitting my skin because I have no body.
That by itself is lonely and cruel.
I still want to return to my old body. I want to become human again.
Even if it's impossible and is against the ways of this world.
You're Edward Elric, the "Fullmetal Alchemist", aren't you?
Brother!
What the hell is this about?!
Who the hell is this guy?
This is bad... This is bad!
I've got to get away!
This is bad... This is bad!
Al, run!
I won't let you get away!
Brother!
Al, hang on!
Dammit, what the hell?!
I haven't done anything to set anyone against me-
Scratch that, I've done a lot.
I haven't given anyone reason to go after my life, though!
Oww...
Who the hell are you? Why are you after us?!
Think of it this way.
If there is someone who created you, then there is someone who will destroy you, as well.
Looks like there's no getting out of this.
You've got some guts.
But...
Too slow.
Al!
It's empty?
You bastard!!!
Too slow!
Dammit!
Automail...
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