Chapter 24: Fullmetal Alchemist

Synopsis
The setting takes place during the Elric brother's flashbacks when they confess to Izumi about their Human Transmutaion. Mustang comes to Risembool to see Ed and Al's famed alchemic talent, only to find what remained from the night the Elrics failed to revive Trisha. Mustang demands where the Elric Brothers are, and a local officer suggests that they are at the Rockbell residence.

Mustang storms into Winry's house (much to Pinako's disapproval), and sees a crippled Ed and Al, now a large suit of armor. Mustangs fiercley demands what they have done at thier house. Ed begins to cry, and Alphonse apologizes. They then talk about whether Ed and Al want to be in the military or not. Meanwhile, Winry and Riza Hawkeye meet. Winry asks what will become of Ed and Al when Mustang "takes them away". Riza replies that Mustang is simply offering Ed and Al a chance to get thier bodies back as State Alchemists.

When Mustang and his men leave, Pinako and Winry prepare to equipp Ed with Automail. Ed, whoo eagerly wants to go to Central City to become State Alchemist, asks Pinako how long he needs until he is ready to walk, fightt, etc. She says at least three years, but Ed insists on one. Ed gives Pinako (who repiles, "you're gonna go through hell...") a firm look of determination.

The story skips to when Ed finally gets used to his automail. He starts training, only to get whacked on the head with a wrench by Winry. She doesn't want "her" automail to get broken, and insists on backing up the Elrics until the get their bodies back. When she goes away, Ed tries transmuting for the first time in a while. He manages to do it without a Transmutation Circle. Al is surprised, and says he wishes he could do it as well, leading to the fact that Ed thinking Al might have lost his memory during the transmutation. (Winry later whacks Ed on the head again, this time with a chair because she doesn't want him "alchemifying" the automail.)

Ed travels to Central City to take the State Test. He transmutes a spear, and everyone notices he didn't use a circle. Ed then looked like he was about to attack King Bradley who was motionless, but stops suddenly with the spear at his neck. Ed tells Bradley that he is too defenseless and killers could do away with him easily. Bradley, casually responds to Ed's statement, saying that he'll give it some thought. An angry officer yells at Ed for his ridiculous act, and said that he had failed. The Fuher says that whether Ed passes or fails is his decision, and respects Ed for his "guts".