Chapter 12: The Definition of Human

"...that wasn't fair!"

- Number 48

"All's fair in a fight to the death."

- Edward Elric

Synopsis
2nd Lieutenant Maria Ross and Sergeant Denny Brosh find out that they have been tricked by the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, at their room. Both brothers have left to where Ross suspects is the Fifth Laboratory. Correct and sure on her guess, she and Denny Brosh leave to the Fifth Laboratory.

As Maria Ross was very much correct on her guess, Edward is seen fighting the figure known as 'Number 48'. They both fight with vigor; however, Edward notices that 48 is much faster, and struggles to beat him.

In the middle of the fight, Edward notices something is wrong with his shoulder after '48 hit it; it doesn't seem to move properly. While he is distracted, 48 manages to cut him on his left shoulder. Edward realizes that he has to end this soon or else the outcome would be bad for him. Avoiding all the other attacks from 48, both stop momentarily.

48 notices that Edward's wounds are making him feel more fatigue and weary. He comments on how Edward's 'companion' shall soon be beaten by his own companion, a person named 'Number 66'. Edward reveals that 66 wouldn't be able too, due to the fact that 66 is not stronger than 48, yet Edward has never beaten his companion - who is his brother, Alphonse Elric - at a fight.

True to Edward's word, Alphonse does seem to be winning the fight against 66. 66 is not given much of a chance to attack, seeing as Alphonse keeps retaining him from doing so. When "66 finds the opportunity to finally get a hit on Alphonse, his blade instead just bounces back, creating a hollow sound. Alphonse accidentally knocks "66's head off, revealing that there is no one inside the armor, just like how his is - there is even a blood rune.

"66 goes on to explain about a butcher named Barry, who lived in Central City and soon tired of his life of cutting meat only, and reverted to cutting the flesh of women, men, and children. Barry was arrested, and sent to Central Prison. He explains that Barry avoided the death penalty by being a guardsman for the Fifth Laboratory, in exchange for his flesh and blood and have his soul stuck in an iron body. "66 goes on to say that he is Barry the Chopper.

Alphonse tells Barry that he has never heard of him, because he is from a small village in the East Area. Barry accepts this, but then wonders why Alphonse is not scared or freaked by the fact that he had no body. Alphonse takes off his own helmet and shows his hollow body, only to have Barry scared and freaked out, similarly to the way he wanted Alphonse to act earlier.

Barry, however, jumps to conclusions and thinks Alphonse is also a cellmate sentenced to death and left to guard the Fifth Laboratory.

Alphonse explains that his older brother tied his soul to a suit of armor, due to "difficulties". Barry seems to realize something scandalous and asks Alphonse if he trusts his brother. Alphonse answers with a positive, and Barry goes on to question Alphonse if they really are brothers. Barry then suggests that Alphonse may have been artificially created by Edward, including his personality and his memories. This causes Alphonse to unwillingly think about it later, even though he answers at the present with vigor. Barry simply plants more doubt in his heart by explaining of how he could ever prove something like that, seeing as there was no proof.

Interrupting both of them comes a military guard, who is killed immediately by Barry the Chopper. Barry says that he knows that he is real because he loves to cut people, to kill.

Back with Edward and "48 who's identity is unknown, Edward tricks "48 into thinking that Alphonse is waiting behind for a surprise ambush, and "48 readily falls for the trick. When he turns around, Edward attacks, and is able to knock off "48's head before the other could block. While "48 comments that what Edward did was 'dirty', Edward replied that there was no such thing as 'dirty' in a fight. Edward retreats and leaves it at that.

When Number 48 asks Edward to remove his blood rune, Edward denies. He says that he has a question to ask "49, which turns out to be a question about the Philosopher's Stone. "48 doesn't say anything, and then Edward says the loser must talk. "48 says that he hasn't lost yet, and then the body of the armor is able to hit Edward in the lower abdomen. "48 reveals that they were actually two brothers, named the Slicer Brothers, separated into head and suit. "48 shows his blood seal to Edward, who has lost blood at this point and is feeling faint.

However, Edward tries to transmute his automail, but "48 doesn't give him enough time. He gets hit by the hilt of "48's sword, and throws up more blood.

In the process of all this, Edward wonders if he was going to die in the Fifth Laboratory, and thus reminds him of the State Alchemist killer Scar and his technique. He then proceeds to use that technique of stopping at deconstruction and finishes the fight. After he is sure that there were no three brothers, both Slicer brothers ask Edward to kill them, but Edward refuses once again. However, when asked why, Edward says that if he didn't recognize them and human, he didn't consider his little brother human.

Both brothers see the irony of Edward's words, seeing as how they weren't treated as human when they were alive, but they were now when both were tied to an empty suit of armor. As a 'farewell' gift to Edward because the older brother is touched, he promised to tell him everything, but is swiftly killed by the homunculus Lust before he could say anything. It also shows that Envy has shown up, and the chapter ends there with both wondering what to do in such a situation.