Episode 39: Secret of Ishbal (2003 series)

Secrets of Ishbal
Series	Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)
Episode number	39
Japan airdate	July 10th, 2004
U.S.A. airdate	December 10th, 2005
Language	English/Japanese
Subtitles	English
Navigation
Preceded by	With the River's Flow
Followed by	The Scar

Synopsis

When Martel divulges the real cause of the Ishvalan war, and the dark series of events that led to her transformation into a Chimera, Ed and Al must question everything they've believed.

Full Synopsis

As Gracia and Elicia are outside, inside their house, Sgt. Brosh and Lt. Ross interrogate Winry and Sheska for their actions at Central Command. Since the two cannot say what happened, Ross and Brosh leave, but not before Winry mentions to Ross that something dangerous is happening within the military and encourages her to be careful. With it clear that it is too dangerous to remain in Central, Winry decides to return to Resembool, taking Sheska with her, even though Sheska is upset with leaving her books behind. Meanwhile, the Mustang Unit, Major Armstrong, Colonel Archer and a mysterious military personnel wearing a face mask are onboard the military train bound for Reole. At this mysterious military personnel's request, Major Armstrong allows him to take off his mask - revealing himself as none other than the Crimson Alchemist Solf J. Kimblee himself, much to the dismay of Colonel Mustang, whom Archer informs that Kimblee has been reinstated as a state alchemist and is part of their operation. Mustang demands answers from Archer, who further claims that false charges were used to imprison Kimblee and that he was part of the sinister experiments at the fifth laboratory. Mustang is crossed by the mention of false charges knowing that Kimblee is a sadist, but unfortunately, since Archer is now a full Colonel as well, Mustang can no longer override his orders.

Scar is spotted by a military balloon as he drags a huge rock in the sand around Reole and is photographed. That night in the desert, the Elric brothers and Martel settle down. Edward, now aware of Martel's identity, admits he killed Greed and considers Martel a criminal along with Greed for kidnapping Alphonse and that Greed killed Dante. Martel takes out a knife and throws it seemingly at Ed, but actually at a snake. As she carves up the snake and jokingly gives it to Ed, Martel reveals Ed isn't her target as she understands that Greed didn't want to be sealed away again for so long like before and decided to die at Ed's hands to end the pain. Her real targets include the state military, the other homunculi, and especially Kimblee for betraying their group. The next day as they are riding along, Martel reveals to the Elrics that they are already in Ishval - at least what is remaining of it anyway. After stopping, when Martel asks what they are looking for, the Elrics respond it is the Philosopher's Stone that was said to exist there during the war. Martel is surprised since the Ishvalans did not offer any resistance, and when Ed mentions how the war started, Martel is surprised that is how the military presented the story.

Martel reveals she was imprisoned in the fifth laboratory for fourteen years and only looks young due to her chimera abilities. Before becoming chimeras, she and the other humans were part of a special ops unit dispatched to launch an attack on Ishval due to an alleged report of Ishval plotting to commit acts of terrorism against Amestris. They killed a number of priests at a monastery in the process, leaving Scar's master as the only surviving priest, which started the Ishval Civil War. Ed is angered by the lack of reason. Moving back into Al's armor, Martel reveals that her unit was placed into custody after the war started, and under General Grand and Dr. Marcoh's supervision, the survivors were taken to Lab 5 and turned into chimeras to silence them to cover up the truth. Just as Ed is even more angered by this revelation, he notices some people nearby, namely Lts. Breda and Havoc. Despite Breda and Havoc trying to hide, the Elrics recognize their voices and learn that they were sent to check the security at the old Ishvalan site.

Heading with them to the nearby military outpost, the Elrics meet with Mustang and Archer. Mustang reprimands Edward for his recent exploits that have been giving them trouble, declaring that he will be under his command from now on. The Elrics want to know what the huge military force is going to be used for, which Archer reveals is to stop an uprising. Ed believes Scar is involved and wishes to help since the boys are also after him. That night at dinner, Ed reveals he is trying to stop Scar from committing an atrocity. Al tries to sneak food to Martel inside his armor, but Lt. Hawkeye catches Al and scolds him for pretending to eat, much to Martel's anger. Ed then sees the photos from the surveillance balloon that confirms Scar is drawing up a large transmutation array around a city. Shocked and in horror, Ed pretends he doesn't know Scar's reason, but learns that the city is Reole and that despite what he and Al did last year to get rid of Cornello, the townsfolk divided into two factions which rose together against the military when they intervened. Mustang also admits that Hughes had informed him about this a while back, but Mustang at the time chose not to tell Ed, knowing how much it would devastate him.

Later, as the rest of Mustang's squadron agree to keep the details of Hughes' death a secret from the Elrics, Mustang walks in on a meeting between Archer and Ed. Archer reveals that Ed has agreed to a reconnaissance mission to Reole for Archer due to Ed's past experience in Reole, under the condition that Al remains behind. Ed admits to Mustang in the hall he only talked to Archer since Mustang would have denied his request anyway. Talking it over with Al and Martel in their room, Ed admits he wanted Al to remain behind since Archer doesn't trust him. Al agrees with Ed that the giant transmutation circle is likely for creating the Philosopher's Stone. Martel, who is happy to be out of the armor, admits she held back against Archer since the other homunculi and Kimblee are her first targets, which Al doesn't approve. Before heading out in disguise, Ed is told by Major Armstrong to leave his state alchemist pocket watch behind, per Archer's orders. Unknown to them, Archer's intention is to give the alchemist pocket watches to Mr. Tucker to have red stones placed into them.

Ed meets with the food stand owner he met before, pretending to be a resident who returned recently after being driven out by Cornello's actions. The owner admits that Cornello was terrible and seems to recognize Ed's face. After trying to talk his way out of it, Ed learns that the public figure - "the Holy Mother" - is arriving, who he discovers is Rosé. Back at the military outpost, Al comes across a soldier trying to keep someone out of sight. Once the other person is confirmed as Kimblee, Martel jumps out of Al's armor and gets ready to attack Kimblee. Back in Reole, Ed is walking around, being observed by Lust and Gluttony, who know they'll have to kill him for finding out the truth about the Ishvalan war. Gluttony smells Scar as "the beast of Ishval" nearby, who recognizes Ed and grabs his shoulder.