The battle between Armstrong and Scar rages on. At one point, Scar's sunglasses are knocked off and Armstrong discovers that Scar is a survivor of Ishbal from his brown skin and red eyes. In their battle, Scar pledges to do what his arm tells him to even if it means going against the will of God.

Elsewhere in the city, Ed, Al, and Marco hid from the soldiers roaming the city, but it seems that Marco has already given up on himself and has lost all hope.

Marco speaks of the people of Ishbal as a peaceful people whose only difference was their view of religion. The people of Ishbal also regarded alchemy as an act of the devil because it alters objects bestowed upon them by God.

Thirteen years ago, an officer accidentally shot a child during an inspection. In response, large-scale riots and an eventual civil war erupted. This uprising eventually turned into a seven year war that took the lives of thousands on both sides.

To shorten the war, high ranking military officials decided to use State Alchemists. It was during that time that Gran asked Marco to provide transmutation amplifying agents. In one night, all areas assigned to a State Alchemist were completely obliterated.

One day, Mustang was forced to kill a pair of doctors who were trying to save as many people as possible. They were the Rockbells, Winry's parents. Completely shaken by having to commit this act, Mustang turns to Marco for help. Marco asks Mustang to let him leave the military, and he consents.

In disbelief, Marco runs from Ed and Al. Trying to escape his pursuers, Scar leaps down from a ledge only to land in between Ed and Al and Marco. Trying to protect Marco, Al is nearly broken in two and Ed loses his auto-mail arm. As Scar prepares to kill Ed, Marco steps in and saves the brothers.

Sitting in the rain, the brothers are just happy to be alive. Just then, the Fuhrer's secretary arrives to take Marco to a save location where he will not be harmed.