Episode 1: Those Who Challenge the Sun (2003 series)

The series starts off with this episode though in respect to the time line, the events take place after Episode 9 (Episodes 3 to 9 are flashbacks). It starts off with a mini-flash back to when Ed and Al are boys and attempt the forbidden human transmutation then switches to current after the opening song.

Edward Elric (Ed) and Alphonse Elric (Al) make their way to Lior to investigate reports of a Philosopher's Stone. There they get to hear of a Father Cornello who is said to be able to perform miracles. The people of Lior insist that Father Cornello would be able to help them and Rose volunteers to take them to see the priest. Conversation between Rose and Father Cornello reveals that the priest has promised to resurrect Rose’s dead boyfriend as a miracle in return for her hard work. Ed and Al attend a ‘Miracle Gathering’ where the Elric brothers realize the ‘miracles’ are nothing more than alchemy and the priest is ignoring the laws of alchemy.

Upon hearing of the presence of Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist and wrongly perceiving a threat; Father Cornello authorizes for them to be removed. The priest is later shown to be talking to Lust, though nothing is explained.

Edward meanwhile tries to convince Rose of the priests scam and tries to force his views on alchemy and science and disbelief in miracles upon her. Just then a follower of Father Cornello shoots Al with a gun and the suit of armor is revealed to be hollow – showing that Al has no body, which Al terms as his ‘punishment for setting foot on holy ground where mortals are forbidden’.

Rose believes them to be evil and runs off in panic leading them to Father Cornello. There Edward realizes that the priest has a Philosophers stone and hence he performs alchemy without a transmutation circle and ignores the laws of equivalent exchange. A dialogue takes place where the priest tries to show he has done nothing but good for Lior and that Edward only wants the stone for personal reasons. The priest sets Chimera’s to attack upon them where it is revealed Edward can perform alchemy without a transmutation circle and his right arm and left leg are mechanical. The priest rightly guesses that the brothers attempted human transmutation, hence their appearance.