Episode 25: Words of Farewell (2003 series)

Words of Farewell
Series	Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)
Episode number	25
Japan airdate	March 27th, 2004
U.S.A. airdate	April 30th, 2005
Language	English/Japanese
Subtitles	English
Navigation
Preceded by	Bonding Memories
Followed by	Her Reason

Synopsis

Lieutenant Colonel Hughes discovers a plague of military corruption and conspiracy that could topple the entire government -- and put his life in considerable danger.

Full Synopsis

While asleep, Lt. Colonel Hughes recalls when he encountered Colonel Mustang shortly after the war. Hughes expressed shame and condemns his friend for being bitter and willing to go as far as to commit human transmutation on those he killed during the Ishval Civil War, encouraging Mustang that he has to move on. Understanding that he himself was not part of the war, Hughes believed if his friend never wanted to kill anyone or be part of the war, then Mustang should have asked for a desk job like he did. Mustang admitted his cowardice in committing suicide during the war, something Hughes was thankful for. Mustang then stated he got a plan, which interested Hughes enough to hear his friend out. Hughes is then woken up by Sheska to inform him that Führer King Bradley has arrived regarding the the fifth laboratory incident. Making it clear that the conspiracy is greater than expected due to the disappearance of the staff from Lab 5 and the recent mercenary attack on the Ishvalan refugees, Hughes gets Bradley's permission to continue the investigation. Hughes also asks for Dr. Marcoh to be brought to Central for further questioning which the Führer has his secretary Juliet Douglas do, as only she knows his whereabouts.

Hughes heads back to the hospital to explain the current findings to the Elric brothers, Winry and Major Armstrong, while 2nd Lt. Ross and Sgt. Brosh listen in from behind the door. The Elrics reveal that they had given up on the Philosopher's Stone and decide to seek an alternative method by asking their original teacher who lives south of Central in Dublith. Noting that Rush Valley - the holy land of automail - is on the way to Dublith, Winry makes plans to tag along. Hughes, Armstrong, Ross and Brosh agree that the Elrics are doing this to protect them and Hughes admits it is easy to forget that they are kids sometimes. The Elrics and Winry wave goodbye to their allies as they depart by train. Winry soon learns that the Elrics are not heading to Dublith, knowing what their teacher would do to them for finding out that Edward became a state alchemist and for both him and Alphonse performing human transmutation. Instead, Ed decides that after Rush Valley, they will head to the Ishvalan camp to the south where Scar's group is headed, believing that Scar is hiding something from them, and he still wishes to catch Scar due to his murderous rampage.

At the Ishvalan slum, Scar recalls his encounter with a state alchemist while he trains his injured body back to his former strength. Rick then informs him that he has a vistor--his old mentor--whom his pupil is blessed that he had survived the war. His master softly reprimands his pupil for embarking on the path of blood and hatred. He advises Scar to break the chain of hatred, but before the words can sink in, a biker gang arrives, attempting to claim their territory, but this only causes Scar to leave his tent and kills a few bikers before the others retreat. His master then recognizes the tattoo arm as once belonging to Scar's brother.

Back at Eastern Command, Mustang is talking to Hughes over the phone, demanding his comrade to know why the Elrics were hospitalized, but Hughes dodges the question by stating Mustang's transfer to Central Command is going to happen. Frustratingly slamming the phone down, Mustang orders Lt. Hawkeye to book them a train to Central so he can find out what's going on there.

After talking it out with Gracia, Hughes returns to his office and has Sheska help him with analyzing the Ishval War, along with the Reole, Xenotime, and Lab 5 incidents. Hughes jumbles with what he learned from Ed about the homunculi. Hughes recalls something important about the Ishval War once Douglas calls to inform him that Marcoh has arrived in Central. Hughes goes to meet her but not before suddenly firing Sheska out of the blue as he is leaving, confusing and shocking her. Walking through the hallway at the hotel, Hughes explains to Douglas that, the mystery of how despite her name being the same as the soldier that killed the Ishvalan child which started the war, the real Douglas died two years ago, and the same name was never withdrawn from the military personal records. Demanding to know her true identity and if Marcoh is really in the hotel room, Hughes is attacked from behind by Lust. Despite taking an arm injury, he draws a concealed knife to throw at her forehead, just as 2nd Lt. Ross--Envy in disguise--arrives to bail Hughes out. Hughes realizes this corruption rises as far as the Führer, but becomes suspicious of Ross as he tries to contact Mustang on the phone. Learning from Officer Falman that Mustang had left with Hawkeye for Central, Hughes hangs the phone in disbelief and groans that the information could have rise the Colonel to the top. Hughes then covertly draws another concealed knife and puts it to the side of Ross's neck, revealing that the real Ross has a mole beneath her left eye. He slashes the imposter across the throat with his knife, but Envy assumes Gracia's form. Hughes hesitates and is shot in the heart before the shapeshifter walks away. As he falls down to the ground, Hughes remembers that same day when Mustang decided to aspire toward the position of Führer in order to change the entire nation for the better, to which Hughes had gladly promised to help support from below.

Hughes' funeral is held and the attendees - which include Mustang, Armstrong and Bradley - are visibly grieved by their friend's passing as well as young Elicia's inability to comprehend her father's death, breaking the hearts of her mother and Armstrong. After the ceremony, Mustang stands at Hughes' grave, musing about how Hughes had promised to support him from below but has now been posthumously promoted two ranks. Mustang asks Hawkeye on why Hughes never told him about the fifth laboratory and the Elric brothers being in danger, believing he could have helped. Hawkeye believes Hughes wanted him to concentrate on his own goals without any setbacks instead of focusing on the Elrics because his decisions are not always exactly rational. Lamenting on just how terrible of a day for rain really is, Mustang sheds a tear streaming down on his face for his friend.

Back on the train, the Elrics and Winry talk about Hughes and his family. However, Edward complains about how much Hughes intruded into their lives, including his obsession with his daughter. Alphonse chides his brother for badmouthing the one man who genuinely cared about them and Winry agrees, declaring that Edward better thank Hughes when he returns to Central. Edward then glances out the window and sees a ghostly apparition of Hughes in a regular suit, waving gently at him. Edward continues to stare, although when he sees the platform where Hughes had appeared to be, it is empty on second glance. Edward actually leans out of the window, causing both Alphonse and Winry to question him on whether everything is alright or if he had seen something. Without mentioning what he saw, Ed dismisses their concern and eats the last of the apple pie that Gracia had made.

Episode Notes

• This episode is adapted from content in Chapter 15: Fullmetal Heart, Chapter 16: Separate Paths and Chapter 26: To Meet the Master.
• This is the final episode of the second season.
• According to screenwriter Sho Aikawa, this episode was originally conceived as the end of the anime, as initially during production only 25 episodes were green light. However, plans changed and the story was extended to contain four acts, which influenced Aikawa, "... to make Hughes's story a stronger element in the anime. Originally I thought this would be the end of the show, but I'm glad it wasn't.
• The motorcycle riding thugs that Scar kills in this episode directly contradict the manga's canon by saying, "Aren't you Ishvalans supposed to be living in designated camps?" The manga states that most Amestrians aren't even aware that any Ishvalans are still alive. The slums in which they live are secretive, not designated by the government, which is what is implied here.
• The scene of Hughes' funeral was driven by the soundtrack, according to series director Seiji Mizushima.
• The scene at the end of the episode where Ed glanced out of the window and thought he had saw Hughes' ghost is only in this version of the story.
• Series director Seiji Mizushima originally wanted the train scene between Ed, Al and Winry to contain no dialogue. In his words, "I felt the conversation was a bit much and wanted to cut it out. But, I left it in as I felt it was very effective once the storyboard was laid out.
• The usual ending sequence is replaced with a simple credits roll.

See Also

• Chapter 15: Fullmetal Heart
• Chapter 16: Separate Paths
• Episode 10: Separate Destinations (2009 series)