Alchemy; the science of understanding the structure of matter, breaking it down, then reconstructing it as something else. It can even make gold from lead. But alchemy is a science, so it must follow the natural laws: To create, something of equal value must be lost. This is the principle of Equivalent Exchange. But on that night, I learned the value of some things can't be measured on a simple scale. My brother and I knew the laws of science, of Equivalent Exchange, that gain required sacrifice, that something had to be taken from us. But we thought there was nothing more we could lose, we were wrong…
All S1
S1 E15Unfinished Business
So, if you pray and polish the alter enough times, someone who’s dead will be brought back to life?
Something like that!
Water: 35 l. Carbon: 20 kg. Ammonia: 4 l. Lime: 1.5 kg. Phosphorus: 800 g. Salt: 250 g. Saltpeter: 100 g. Sulfur: 80 g. Fluorine 7.5 g. Iron 5 g. Silicon 3 g. and trace amounts of 15 other elements.
What’s that?
It’s all the ingredients of the average adult human body down to the last speck of protein in your eyelashes. And even though science has given us the entire physical breakdown, there’s never been a successful attempt at bring a human to life… There’s still something missing… Something scientists haven’t been able to find in centuries of research… So what makes you think that hack job priest with his parlor tricks is going to be able to? And in case you’re wondering… All those ingredients can be bought on a child’s allowance. Humans can be built on the cheap. There’s no magic to it.
WELL IF THERE’S NO MAGIC THEN YOU BRING SOMEONE BACK TO LIFE!
It’s just a matter of time Rose. Science will find a way. Science is the answer to everything. If I were you… I’d drop the scriptures… And pick up an alchemy book… We’re the closest thing to gods there are…
You’re not a god. You’re nothing close to it.
And neither is the sun. It’s just a mass of hydrogen. Get close to it, like Cornello claims… And all you’ll do is burn up…
Great, Ed. Put your total cynicism on someone else…
CCray
Don’t worry, Elric. Your brother will join you soon.
Cray! What are you doing?!
CCray
These two are enemies of God. This is His will Rose. Not mine. (Points the gun at Ed)
I don’t think so Mister.
(Grunts, and throws the helmet at Cray)
I got it! I got it!
Strike!
Ah! He doesn’t have a head!
Haha, yeah, that’s Al.
Please don’t be scared, Rose. This is how I am…
You’re not there!
It’s true. I don’t have a body. But I’m here. This is my punishment for setting foot on holy ground where mortals are forbidden. We made a mistake, Rose. And we’re paying for it.
Ahhh!
Rose, wait!
Cray’s was right! They are evil! What have I done? The made me doubt you, Cornello! Forgive me, please!
I can’t see a church social down here can you? Uh? There she is!
You’ve wrestled with the darkness and prevailed, Rose. Thank you for bringing them here. State Alchemist, brutal enforcers, I had a feeling one of you would show up some day!
Well let’s not chalk that up to pious premonitions, okay? You knew we’d come for the stone!
Err… You mean this young man?
Grr… I knew it, alchemy without a transmutation circle, completely ignoring the principle of Equivalent Exchange! It could only mean one thing…!
Yes the mythical gin, legendary amplifier, the philosopher’s stone…
That’s it Al, it’s ours… Cough it up Cornello! That stone belongs to me now! And if you hand it over peacefully we won’t tell the people here what you’ve been doing!
Let me introduce you to one of my creations, you of all people will be able to appreciate this...a chimera!
You combined animals, the most depraved kind of alchemy there is.
Maybe so, but most effective!
Alright big fella want to play? Let’s go for it!
H-how how did you do that without a transmutation circle!?! Uggh! Bring me his head my pet! (Throws the bird off his shoulder and transmutes it into a giant bird)
(Points his sword at the bird) Hmm… Uh… (The bird breaks the spear and grabs Ed’s leg) Ah!
Ha-ha… Now snap it!
(Looks at the bird apparently fine) Wrong leg, pal…. (Bird’s talons break) And here’s the right arm! (Punches the bird across the room, Ed smirks, and looks to his side, at the chimera jumps on him) AHHH!
(Smirks, then frowns.) Heh! Huh?
What’s the matter, you poor bastard? Can’t get a good taste? (Lifts the chimera up with his arm, and flings him to the side.)
LLust
Mouthwatering, eh, Gluttony? (Gluttony laughs)
That’s impossible… Those claws on your leg… The teeth on your arm! No one could survive that… Unless… Uh! Your limbs! They’re fake!
Brilliant deduction…!
Oh God...
Don't look away, Rose! You need to see what happens when you try to bring a human to life, when you cross into God's territory or whatever the hell it is! Is this what you want?! Look!
His arm...his leg, they're machines!
I see… Now I understand you Elric. You crossed the line. You did what is strictly forbidden, you tried to create human life and your bodies were taken to the other side!
(Softly gasps)
Told you Rose, get to close to the Sun, and you burn…
Apparently so, but you were crazy enough to find out for yourself! You are the Fullmetal! The Fullmetal Alchemist!
I see. Well that does answer a riddle: Why the military would give a pup like you such a stern name: Fullmetal. But it's literal. See Rose, alchemists forbid their own from transmuting lead into gold, but there's one practice more taboo. A technique forbidden by man and nature itself: Alchemy...on human souls! You miserable little boys… Dabbling in human alchemy without knowing the penalty… You stepped on the toes of God!
You don’t know the story!
Al...!
But we… We just wanted… We just wanted to see Mom’s face again… See her smile…
But you failed didn’t you!?
Yeah… I’d label that a failure alright, Al lost his whole body and I lost an arm and a leg. See Rose, this is what happens when you try to bring back what’s dead. Do you really want to go through with that!?
Don’t let them worry you Rose, you forget that the Sun God Leto blessed me with the Philosopher’s stone, plus I have far more experience than then heretic boys did.
Don’t be stupid! No matter what kind of power you have some things can’t be done!
Oh? Then why are you so anxious to get this stone? You want to beat the laws of equivalency just as I do and bring your mommy back!
Wrong, holy man! All we want is to get our bodies normal again. See, we don't lie about what's possible. We didn't start a cult.
We will ask one more time, please give us the stone.
You are damned, State Alchemist, and may the wrath of God fall upon your head.
Stop hiding behind that crap! Get down here and I'll show you some wrath!
Idiots! You're running into a dead end!
Like I always say, can't find a door, make your own!
WHO ARE YOU CALLING A MOUSY LITTLE PIPSQUEAK?!
MMan
Nobody said that, now back off!
Rings and watches have nothing to do with it. My brother's the Fullmetal Alchemist.
No! I won't let you have it! You can't take the Stone! Gyaaaaaa!
What the... It's recoiling?
Aaaaah!
An imitation? [in disbelief] Heh heh, after all this, all the trouble you put me through, and even the Stone's a fake? STOP JERKING ME AROUND!
What do I have to live for now that I know Cain won't come back? You tell me that, Ed!
You'll have to decide for yourself. Walk on your own. Move forward. You've got a good strong pair of legs, Rose. You should get up and use them.
Brother was trying to help you, he just doesn't always handle things well.
Just go away, would you?
You can still believe, and hope, Rose. I still do.
Cursed souls! Who are you really? What are you after?
Come on, Lust, isn't it time you let me eat the old preacher?
[narrating] Dad left... A long time ago, when brother and I were still boys. Mom stared off into the distance a lot. But she carried on as if nothing were wrong.
TTrisha
[on her death bed] Your dad... He left us money... I've never touched it, I was...saving it for you boys... Use it, and take care of each other..
Don't be silly, we'll use it with you!
TTrisha
Edward...would you be a sweetheart and transmute something for your mother? Yes, I know...a ring of flowers would be nice. You see your father...always...used to make them for me... [dies]
[narrating] And that’s what we finally understood. The reason why Mom had always smiled at our alchemy... It had reminded her of Dad.
[voiceover] We were done with making dolls and roses.
What's a soul, really? Take out the myth, it's just the spark of life. Our blood... that's from her blood. That's a fair trade.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's Fullmetal Alchemist pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.