Episode 11: The Elrics arrive in Xenotime to look for the philosopher's stone. After they save a young girl, named Elisa, from under a fallen mine cart, she brings them to the tavern out of gratitude. During the feast in their honor, the brothers hear that a philosopher's stone is near completion, researched by a man named Mugear. When the town learns they're the Elric brothers, they get upset, claiming they're frauds. That's when Ed learns there are impostors in town pretending to be Ed and Al. They sneak into Mugear's mansion and find the imposters but are fended off by the older brother impostor. Elisa's uncle, Belsio, takes in Ed and Al, then later sends Al to get some medicine for Elisa. That's where Al meets his imposter counterpart. The younger brother impostor apologizes for taking the Elrics' names and Al urges him to tell his older brother to stop. Meanwhile, Mugear meets underground with Lust, who is apparently behind the plan to make the Philosophers Stone. The following night, Ed and Al sneak into the mansion a second time via underground tunnels but get exposed to toxic, red water. The younger brother impostor helps them get to safety but the older brother impostor wants to continue his father's unfinished work even though the byproducts is making the town sick. Al reveals that the red stone they've made is a poor copy of the Philosopher Stone and the older brother impostor (an alchemist named Russell Tringham) attacks Ed using crimson water. However, the younger impostor (Russell's younger brother Fletcher) dives in the way and gets soaked in the toxic water.
Episode 12: Ed and Al reluctantly flee the mansion (at the behest of Fletcher) and though Fletcher is not too harmed by the red water, he and his older brother are imprisoned by Mugear when they refuse to use an alternate method to create the crimson stone at a faster rate. Mugear reveals that he knew they were impostors. Back at Belsio's house, the Elrics learn that Nash Tringham, the father of Russell and Fletcher, was the original discoverer/researcher of the Red stone. After the mining town ran out of gold, Mugear convinced Nash that a Red stone would turn lead into gold and make the town prosperous again but the side affects were toxic red water and sick, dying babies. Elisa was one of those babies until a traveling alchemist doctor, Tim Marcoh, healed Elisa with a mysterious method. Mugiar invites the Elrics to help with the Red stone research and Ed tricks him into taking him down to see the imprisoned Tringham brothers. Ed talks to the older Russell and convinces him that his father abandoned the research when he saw the damage and the Tringham brothers need to find their own path. Ed frees them and faces off against Mugear who tries to attack them with a machine powered by Red stones. With Russell's help, Ed injures Mugear and chases him underground. Mugear is ultimately disposed of and the underground mine shaft collapses, causing the crimson water to flood out of the spring. Fletcher uses alchemy to make the trees absorb the water, neutralizing the threat. Edward and Alphonse say farewell to Russell and Fletcher, boarding a train for East City.
Episode 13: The Elrics report to Mustang regarding about the investigation into the philosopher's stone. Master Sergeant Kain Fuery picks up a dog and tries to get someone to adopt it but fails. Mustang and Hughes then discusses with Ed about Marcoh. Grand later interrupts and declares that Marcoh was a deserter. When Ed is offered re-certification, he challenges Mustang to a duel in exchange for the information. The approved duel is set to fight in the parade grounds. Mustang nearly defeats Edward, but allows him to counter from his hesitation. Mustang informs Ed about Marcoh after halting the match. That night, Hughes reveals that a man named Scar is responsible for Bradley's move.
Episode 14: Civil unrest has broken out in the town of Lior with Envy using his shape-shifting powers to disguise himself as Cornello. The Elrics find Marcoh and learn about the usage of the philosopher's stone in the Ishbal rebellion before he went missing. Grand enters with soldiers, confiscates Marcoh's information on the philosopher's stone, and arrests Marcoh, leaving the Elrics behind. However, Scar appears and kills Grand before turning his attention to Marcoh. The Elrics and Marcoh quickly evade into a tunnel, long enough to be saved by Major Alex Louis Armstrong, the "Strong Arm Alchemist".
Episode 15: Armstrong reveals that Scar is an Ishbalan alchemist during their battle. Marcoh tells the Elrics about the Ishbal massacre, how state alchemists were used against the Ishbalans, who viewed alchemy as heretical. Marcoh, forced to use his research, caused huge casualties on the Ishbalan side. Mustang, forced to kill a pair of doctors, who were saving lives from both sides, allows Marcoh to desert. When the doctors are revealed to be Winry's parents, Marcoh refuses to escape to Resembool with the Elrics. Scar, fleeing from the military, runs into the Elrics again as they defend themselves against him, resulting in Scar destroying Ed's arm and damaging Al's body. Just as Scar prepares to finish off Ed, Marcoh throws his red stone at Scar, causing him to painfully absorb the stone into his tattooed arm. Outnumbered by military reinforcements, Scar manages to escape into the sewers and Marcoh is taken to a "safe location" by the Führer's personal secretary.
Rating: 7.5/10 (Average)
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