Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Episode 31: The 520 Cens Promise

Envy, in human form, stalks through a dark basement where Dr. Marcoh had been held. He finds a decapitated body, a gruesome decoy. On the wall, the word 'VENGEANCE' is painted in blood, a clear message. Envy grinds his teeth, recognizing Scar's hand in this, a new threat emerging from the shadows.

Edward Elric stands outside Riza Hawkeye's apartment, heavy with the secrets she just shared. He worries for her, now a hostage to the Fuhrer's whim as his personal assistant. Riza remains composed, her faint smile suggesting assassination is always an option if close enough. Before leaving, Edward asks her to tell Colonel Mustang that Scar has reappeared in Central.

By a night fountain, the Elric brothers reflect on Ishval's horrors. Alphonse wonders if the soldiers are haunted by their acts. Edward shifts the talk to their own future, asking Alphonse what he desires after getting his body back. Alphonse's simple wish for Winry's apple pie brings a rare, genuine smile to Edward's face; he admits he has not thought past their journey.

Alphonse suddenly remembers that while Amestrian alchemy failed against Father, Scar and Mei Chang still used their abilities. Edward realizes this means a different power, an unknown alchemy. This breakthrough gives them purpose; they must find Mei Chang to learn about Xing's 'Alkahestry.' Their hope for a workaround against the military's alchemy is rekindled, even as they find Mei Chang has already left her hotel. Edward, seeing her panda's unique appearance as a clue, remains determined.

Jean Havoc, still recovering, receives heavy dumbbells from Heymans Breda, a practical, painful farewell gift. Breda is off to his mandatory new post, part of the military's plan to scatter Mustang's loyalists. Sergeant Fuery feeds a stray puppy before his own reassignment to the scorching South, while Officer Falman prepares for the icy North. Riza Hawkeye delivers final, vital intelligence to Roy about Scar's return. She notes how difficult things will be without his team, her own move to Bradley's side a bitter blow.

After Riza departs, Roy Mustang sits alone, facing a chessboard. He moves the pieces representing his scattered officers, his 'Queen' now with the enemy. He then unscrews a hollowed chess piece, revealing a hidden compartment. This is his answer to isolation, a clandestine communication method. Roy refuses to be sidelined.

The Elric brothers, having failed to find Mei Chang with Edward's hilariously bad drawing of her panda, are offered a ride by Roy Mustang. Inside the car, Roy quickly mentions the 520 cents Edward still owes him. Edward reacts with his usual temper, accusing Roy of pettiness, while Alphonse tries to calm things. Edward eventually offers coins, then defiantly snatches them back. He tells Roy he will hold onto the money until Roy becomes Fuhrer and establishes a democracy. Roy watches them walk into their hotel, a subtle, confident smirk on his face.

Roy Mustang enters a dimly lit bar, seeking Madam Christmas for help. She directs him to a hidden telephone line. Roy uses it to call General Grumman at Eastern Command, bypassing Central's surveillance. This reveals Roy's secret network, a clandestine alliance against the Fuhrer's absolute control. Their coded conversation highlights the danger of his operations.

At Dr. Knox's house, the Elrics find Fu and a recovering Lan Fan, who clutches her bandaged arm stump. Edward offers to connect her with an automail engineer. Fu sternly declines, fearing more outsiders would put them all at risk. Lan Fan remains withdrawn, heartbroken by her perceived failure to protect Prince Lin. Their arrival at Knox's house begins this somber reunion.

Fu bows deeply to Dr. Knox, expressing gratitude for saving Lan Fan. Knox, gruff and dismissive, tells them to leave, despite risking much by sheltering them. After they depart, Knox sits alone, haunted by his past as a human experimenter, calling himself an 'unredeemable monster.' Then, a knock at the door; his estranged ex-wife and adult son stand there with a meal. He tries to push them away, fearing his darkness will harm them. They insist, and the simple warmth of their presence breaks through his hardened exterior. Knox cries silently, finding love and acceptance despite his guilt.

A flashback shows Solf J. Kimblee in Ishval, demonstrating the Philosopher's Stone's terrifying power. He levels buildings with explosive alchemy. When officers demand the stone back, Kimblee reveals his true, chaotic nature. He coldly executes them all with quick explosions, laughing as he claims the stone for himself.

In the present, Envy, disguised as an officer, secures Solf J. Kimblee's early release from prison. Kimblee calmly leaves, but not before a cruel prank on the warden, making him think he is strapped with a bomb, only for a toy bird to spring out. Outside, in a car, Envy drops his disguise, explaining that the Homunculi need Kimblee's expertise to hunt Dr. Marcoh and Scar. Kimblee listens with predatory interest, relishing the prospect of his new, destructive license. To ensure his power, Envy gives him a new, high-quality Philosopher's Stone. Kimblee swallows the glowing gem and accepts his mission with a terrifying grin, his eyes reflecting dark power.

In a dark alley, Scar confronts a terrified Dr. Marcoh about Amestrian alchemy. Scar reveals his brother found a fundamental flaw in their system, documented in secret notes. Marcoh is shocked by this 'strangeness.' Mei Chang and Xiao-Mei join them. Scar uses his deconstruction alchemy to drastically alter Marcoh's face, ensuring he remains unrecognized. They decide to head North, to the snowy region of Briggs, seeking the hidden notes and the ultimate truth.

The episode closes with Winry Rockbell in her Rush Valley workshop. Her hands, smudged with grease, meticulously assemble complex automail parts. Between tasks, she stops to look at a photograph of Edward and Alphonse, her expression softening. She thinks of their dangerous journey. The camera pans to the snowy, forbidding peaks of the Northern mountains, hinting at the brothers' next perilous chapter.