The army's camp in the north, led by Armstrong and headed by Havoc posing as Mustang, starts a military coup. This distracts the attention of the Fuhrer and his minions, while the real Mustang plots his attack on the Fuhrer in Central. Al has been abducted by Envy. Sensei and Ed are forced to pursue the only lead they have on the Homunculi, the Fuhrer himself. They assault the headquarters to find the Fuhrer has gone home early, but they are fortunate in their timing, and are able to help the Tringham brothers (imposter Elrics) escape from prison there. Ed goes off to fight the Fuhrer while sensei battles with the new and improved Frank Archer.
'Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth'.
-Alphonse Elric
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two brothers gifted with the ability of alchemy, the science of taking one thing and changing it into another. However, alchemy works on the theory of Equivalent Exchange - for something to be created, something else of equal value must be sacrificed. When their mother dies, Edward decides to do the unthinkable - bringing her back to life by breaking one of Alchemy's biggest taboos and performing Human Alchemy. Thinking they have nothing more to lose, he and Alphonse make their attempt - but something goes horribly wrong. In the process, Alphonse loses his body and Edward loses his leg. Ed manages to save Al by attaching his spirit to a suit of armor, but at the cost of his arm and leg.