Episode 45: A Rotted Heart (2003 series)

"A Rotted Heart" (心を劣化させるもの) is episode 45 of the Fullmetal Alchemist TV series originally aired 2004-08-21.

Synopsis
400 years ago, Hohenheim was nearly killed when he and Dante created a Philosopher's Stone from the souls of plague victims and those accused of witchcraft. Dante saved him by performing her first soul transference. Hohenheim explains to Dante that the virtual immortality they have achieved by transferring their souls from one body to the next is illusory; their souls are gradually eroding with each transfer and will soon lack the energy needed to maintain a body. Distracted by her resemblance to his wife, Trisha Elric, Hohenheim is trapped by Sloth. Dante then uses Rosé’s baby as an alchemical key to open the Gate and banish Hohenheim inside it.

Shou Tucker leaves an urgent telephone message for Alphonse, which Al hides from Edward when he returns. Back in Central, the Führer (Pride) and the officers of the military council are questioning Colonel Mustang about his actions in calling off the search for the Elric brothers. Mustang claims the Elric brothers have gone north into the territory of another country, Drachma, and deflects further questioning by revealing the involvement of the Führer's secretary (Sloth) in the death of Maes Hughes. The Führer takes the hint, and the questioning ends.

However, the testing of the Führer's reaction was part of Mustang's plan to verify that what the Elrics said before about the Führer's identity was true. While visiting with his subordinates in the hospital, Mustang admits to them that he now suspects that the Homunculi were responsible for the Ishvalan Civil War to use the lives of the Ishvalans to create a Philosopher's Stone. Later the newly-promoted Brigadier General Mustang and Lt. Colonel Armstrong are ordered to launch military operations across the border in the north to, nominally at least, capture the Elrics or force Drachma to send them back. Mustang believes that he will be murdered at the front.

Ed meets Izumi at Dante’s house and asks whether there is any part of her child’s corpse remaining, which would give him a weapon to use against Wrath. Al travels to an empty factory where Tucker is waiting for him, and Al asks for his help in learning how to use the Philosopher’s Stone.

Trivia

 * Ed's disguise of a large hat, circular glasses & large overcoat, bears a striking resemblance to the trade mark costume of Alucard, the protagonist of the Hellsing Anime & Manga series.