Oh okay, I went back and checked it. I got a bit confused, Mei explains in chapter 67 that the alchemic energy Xing uses can be described as "the power that after erupting from the peak of a mountain, goes underground and enriches the ground and is treated as a 'river of power' "that they use. In turn, Amestris uses the power of the earth's flucuations which includes volcanoes and earthquakes, basically anything that causes the earth to move. So it's AMESTRIS that uses volcanoes adn Ling that uses...something which I don't really get now that I've gone back and read it. Oh well. I still think it's interesting that everyone thinks there is something terribly wrong with Amestrian alchemy and I think that'll play a big part in the end. Perhaps the bad guys are hoping to use all these souls they've been "storing" underground or whatever to create an army of immortal Homunculus (as we've already seen you can put a stone into a living being and turn them into a Homunculus).

i think it would be cool to have like an aladdin ending, you know when they bad guy wants to become a geeni (dunno how to spell it), cuz of all the power that they have, but then he ends up getting caught by it...

maybe father will become and replace Truth, but then it'll say "idiot!, being God sucks, i was trapped here forever but thanks to you i can rest in peace" and father then becomes Truth but he will be trapped forever in the gate... i think it could be ironical enough

It reminds me of Al in his fight against Scar in chapter 47. He said "I believe in the possibilities of alchemy... I WANT to believe!". Poor boy, if May is right, then he will fall from a very high cliff! Come on, alchemists are the ones who pursue truth, but they are in fact ignorant, while still being arrogant! Alchemy is not a religion, but I think that some will never accept such truth, just like fanatics...

I'm so sorry... XD I read that as "Alphonse gets his body back, falls in love and eats a cat."

Anyways, I think (hope) it'll have a happy ending. (EDXWINRY, ROYXRIZA, AND FATHERXGLUTTONY PLEASE)

Yes yes, FatherxGluttony. My new crack pairing.

Something's up with the Amestris alchemy, I think.
And I really think that there will be an Ed/Scar faceoff.

NOOOOOOO! Alphonse can't eat cats! That would be barbaric!

Ummm... Yes, I didn't get enough sleep last night U (I was wondering with my friend if Jesus was a gay I don't mean to offend anyone, so sorry if it looks like it.)

Wow... I've been reading all the posts and ideas, and now I can't make up my mind!

However, I think it was Edamame who first said it, but I agree that one of the Elric brother probably won't make it. But I have a nagging feeling that, if it came to one of them dieing, it wouldn't be Ed... Who knows, Al being killed or something to that sort would be an amazing (and tear-jerking) twist.

And there are so many final-battle ideas in my head, I could write my one ending to the manga! Especially when it comes to Ed, Mustang, and the homunculi.

And I also agree with Jedi28 and a LOT of others about Amestris' alchemy playing a part in the end.

And, as a quick edit, I agree with a lot of people that Ed won't get his limbs back. His automail is very important to the manga and anime, so I don't think Arakawa-sensei will let him get his original limbs back. Besides, his automail is the best:)

I hope that Roy Mustang destroys Envy. I was disappointed when that didn't happen in the anime. Fortunately, Manga Envy is different from his anime counterpart, so it won't be necessary for him to have a final battle with the Brothers. Also, there is the strong possibility that Wrath will turn against the Homunculus (since Selim will be endangered), so there goes a final battle with Roy. Besides, Envy has a bone to pick with Roy, for inflicting humanity's first successful blow against his race (e.g. killing Lust). So there has to be bad blood between them in a Spider-Man-Green Goblin/Daredevil-Bullseye/Batman-Joker fashion.

Yes, there is that 'freezing' punishment in store for Envy, but I think the author can work around that. Maybe Riza's tattoo has info for Roy to change the temperature of his Alchemy from heat to cold? Or Roy's alchemy could influence a situation that would lead to Envy getting frozen?

Then again, it might be best for Roy to avoid actions based on revenge (It didn't serve his anime counterpart very well). He has to prove himself the better man, unlike Anime Roy. However, I'd be satisfied if Roy destroyed Envy for less petty reasons.

Claudius

this is a very interesting ideia, we commom associate that Roy will probably fight against Wrath, but he fighting envy would be really cool and make a lot of sense, i think that the final battles will envolve Roy vs. Envy, and the militarys alchemist like Armstrong and Roy ( and maybe Olivier) to fight King Brandley, since what they have againts King Brandley is a commom motive, different from Roy motive to kill envy.
and i also think that Major Armstrong will have a big fighting scene against the homunculus, arakawas likes him and he is one of the characters that are more invoved in the story just to stay in the backstage and watch ^^




i don't think her tatoo could have such information, but i do think that it has more to give than just the flame alchemist secrets, the tatto must comeback to the story XD, i'm seriously hoping that ^^

Perhaps some of the Homunculi will become human? I'd like that - a crazy, cross-dressing palm tree Envy human! Wow!

I think Al might die, Ed's the obvious first choice to die, so I doubt Arakawa will pick him for the execution grounds... You've got to admit it would be a fantasitc twist if Al were to die.

And I don't think Ed will get his limbs back, they're too cool xD

I'd like to say EdxWinry and RoyxRiza, but I doubt it. I reckon Winry'll get killed as a punishment for Ed and something will happen to prevent RoyxRiza... even if it's just Riza not liking him Dx

I know FullMetal Alchemist has been likened as a "coming of age" type story for Edward and he can't very well come of age if he dies which is why I don't think he'll die. I'm hoping neither one dies, I'd like Al to get his body back and Ed to keep his automail and they both live happily ever after. I'd also think it'd be cool to have Ed stay in the military (can anyone really seeing him settling down comfortably in Rizembool after all he's been through?) and maybe even have Al join him.

I imagine it'll end up Roy/Riza and Ed/Winry. Riza had a breakdown and lost the will to live when she thought Roy was dead, when Riza's grandfather tells Roy he wants Roy to marry his grandaughter after becoming Fuhrer Roy tells him "you're jumping the gun" NOT no, just not yet. Winry has already admitted to being in love with Ed in an earlier chapter. Personally I don't want to see Ed or Al with anyone, the whole point of the story is the relationship they have with each other as brothers and I think it would mess that story up if they were to go off and get married and leave each other. That's just me though.

And going back to my old argument that I posted somewhere about the Anime using more elements of the Manga, in recent chapters two more elements popped up:
-Ed almost gets his automail broken (and gets it damaged) by another person only to be saved by Al.
-Ed in stocks

If you imagine the timeline is similar (looking at where these particular events or elements happen) the Anime had 51 episodes and Ed in stocks isn't seen until somewhere in the 40's I believe (when he goes back to Liore). Also the fact that the author previously said in an interview that the story would pick up once it got close to the finish and race to the end and in one of the recent chapters the heading was "the story picks up speed!" or something like that. So I think we're getting close to the end, I DON'T WANT IT TO END!! I certainly don't want either Elric or Mustang to die, don't much care about anyone else though.

Me too! In fact, I think it'd be very possible that Ed would stay in the military if he managed to survive. Of course, I don't think he'd permit Al to join, and I doubt Al would even WANT to join.



Yeah, I think it's coming closer to the end, too. IT CAN'T END YET! TT.TT But I totally agree that Ed and Roy had better live!

I doubt there will BE any military left at the end, remember that if father loses then bradley and the high command also lose, and the counrty would enter a time of chaos.

I think it will either be a super ending involving truth, the end of alchemy, the massive transmutation or so (end of evangelion style),
or either a more calm ending, simple involving father defeated and al with his body back.

i would prefer the first one.

I think there might actually be a military after the ending. Mustang wants to be the Fuhrer so he wants the military to stay. Also, Edward Elric has massive popularity especially due to all this actions in Central to get his name noticed so Scar would show up. Even if there were chaos, if Edward makes it and were to step forward and endorse Mustang, then of course Mustang already has friends of his own, I could see that combination giving Mustang the position of Fuhrer. Of course he'd then owe Ed for LIFE!

I HOPE it's not a Evangelion ending, but I wouldn't mind a big cool all out exciting ending.

me too O.O !!! i would like some bis twists but , i prefer Mustang alive XD

and i think that won't be the same military in the end, the most probably situation it's a parliament or a democracy, and the milotary only being in charge of Amestris defense ! but i can see roy being the head of this new type of military, because all he really wants is to stop all the killing and nonsense wars, so being in charge of Amestris peace would suit him very well

and he could marry Riza !!! ( that would make me very very happy XD)

I'm not so sure about the military. When Hawkeye was talking to Ed about Ishbal, and Roy's plans, it seemed to me that she was already considering that taking down Bradley would mean the end for the military as it stands in the country; Amestris would no longer be a military dictatorship. The country would be in a complete mess, but assuming some sort of democratic government tries to establish order, they'll be looking for scapegoats for the Ishbal massacre. Top of the list going by reputation and rank? Mustang. I don't think Mustang's going to become Fuhrer, and I agree with Hawkeye's fear that Roy will pay for his past actions when his current plans succeed.

I can't think of something like this... The FMA anime series has already ended and it's sad. Hopefully Miss Arakawa (is she married?) makes a happy ending for the FMA manga.

Going by the sort-of dark and angst-ridden route its been going down since its earliest chapters, I don't think she's going to give us a complete 'happily ever after'. At most, I imagine one of the main plots ending positively (if only the 'removal' of Father and Bradley from Amestris), but definitely not all of them.

Someone said Roy should be the one to finish off Envy, but I have to think Scar has more cause. Envy just killed off Roy's best friend and paralyzed his subordinate, whereas he directly caused the near-annihilaiton of Scar's people. I'm betting, however, that Roy will be the one to finish off Envy, whereas Scar takes out his wrath on Kimblee.

There are only five homunculi standing right now (pending Gluttony's possible return).

And I've noticed so far that Ed and Al haven't had to kill anyone of the Homunculi yet (as they did in the Anime), and I'm tempted to think it should stay that way. Roy and Riza wanted to create a world where the next generation wouldn't have to resort to destruction; they kill in wars so that kids like Ed and Al will never have to kill, in war or otherwise. Riza even calls them (herself and the colonel) war criminals, I believe. Ed and Al still get to be awesome and good fighters and stuff, but I think it would be better that they never actually *kill* anyone.

???
Wasn't Lust the one that paralyzed Havoc? Or are you referring to someone else?


Yes. I also wish it that way.

I have some theories about the ending but one thing I know for sure the ending will certainly have aspects that will surprise us.

I do like the idea of Ed and Al not actually having to kill anyone. This would be unique given the situations they encounter. I somehow see Hohenheim stepping in to face off with Father and saving his sons. He'll probably die. However, it would be cool to see him live. He could sacrifice himself for his sons and strangely enough his sacrifice doesn't kill him or them. Then he has to face the facts of ordinary life and become the dad he should have been long ago. But that sounds like a sitcom ending I suppose.

I'd like to see Ed and Winry and Roy and Riza together but it doesn't have to be a big romantic ending. Their relationships probably would be best left in the air. That way the fans can interpret the future anyway they want. I'm all for closure, though. I just think after all Winry has done for Ed and All Riza has done for Roy, they deserve a happy ending. Maybe they can all go off to a land in that world that is unsettled and create a new life along with the other survivors. Havoc, I think, will be healed by Mei maybe he'll find a woman from Xing to love him (or two. )

I could see Ling get his body back in his control but I think he will either never be the same or die. Ran Fan would be there to help him. I'd like to see Bradley get a chance of being human again. However, he would have no memory of being Fuhrer. Then again, he should pay for his "sins".


(Just a side note: I couldn't remember how to spell "Fuhrer" so I looked it up. The dictionary didn't give me the correct spelling because I was off. Instead it gave me "furor" which is funny because it means "an angry or maniacal fit" and Bradley represents the sin of wrath. Not that the two words are related purposely I just found it interesting.)

As for the other homunculi, I'm not sure. Envy deserves the worst death in my opinion. Sloth should be put to work rebuilding what was and will be destroyed. Gluttony should eat Father. Yes that's gruesome but effective. As for Pride, We don't know enough about him so I can't say.

My bad. That's the one.

Well remember, just as Greed and Ling are two separate identities in the same body, Bradley and Wrath could be also. In such case Bradley isn't necessarily response for the actions of Wrath. Or quite possibly they've assimilated into one being, so we'll wait and see. Either way, I'd prefer to see Bradley possibly rebel against Father, and he's certainly one of the more fleshed out Homunculi.

I think it's good that Ed and Al have not killed yet. However, I think this will only stay true for Al.

I believe that Ed will eventually be forced to kill at least one homunculus. Preferably, he should kill Envy, but I think it's very likely he will kill the new Greed (Greed!Ling!!)

I love Ed to death, but I think he'll have some sort of near-death battle or something, as probably will Mustang (AND THEY'D BOTH BETTER LIVE!! *crosses fingers*)

It would be so sad if Ed had to kill Ling!!!! Of course, near-death battle is inevitable for Ed. However, didn't Mustang already have a big battle with Lust? Or does that not count?

It counts, but it's likely he'll have another battle. After all, there's still a possibility a new Lust can be formed, and let's not for get Wrath and Pride.

Waiting for execution... I have a question for the ones who think that Lust will never return : I agree with you, but don't you think the way Glutonny found the PS in Marcoh's house was a little... weird? As if the stone has had the scent of Lust about it... therefore, Marcoh's PS was liquid, just as the one of Father, and "a contrario" of Kimblee's one...

I agree with others that Lust WON'T come back, but there's always that little possibly.

i thought that was just because lust was there before. and if lust returns, it'll be like, greed dies, returns, lust dies, returns, and it'll be kind of... not as fun, or something. what i'm trying to say is that i think lust is probably not going to come back.

I think that Father is going to make a new Lust sometime and I have a feeling that maybe he already has someone in mind already....

Actually, I thought the same thing. And I still do, kind of. If he DOES do something like that, it's obvious that his choice of who to create the new Lust from will be one of two girls: Winry and Riza. At least, in my opinion.

No.

If father could have created a new Lust, I'm fairly certain he'd have done so instead of reincarnating Greed, considering Lust is the more loyal operative.

Lust is gone.

Yes, me too I thought that it was only because Lust has been there... but Lust has never seen that bottle with the PS, and Glutonny has apparently found it with the smell of Lust...

In fact, I don't think we will have a new Lust, but I have the feeling Glutonny has kept this bottle for himself, and you know Glutonny : he is a BIG baby. I won't be surprised that he does something to one of the woman in the manga...

If it ends up like how the anime and movie did, someone's gonna get shot.

I don't particularly care, so long as there's no nukes or Nazis involved... >_>

I'm not a big fan of Lust (actually, I almost hate her><) but we don't know for certain if she really is gone. After all, you said yourself Lust was more of a loyal homunculus than Greed, and Father made a new Greed. We don't know what Arakawa-sensei will do, so there's ALWAYS a chance someone could die, and someone could be brought back, like a new Lust.

But I don't much care for the homunculi right now; I'm keeping my eyes on Ed and Roy. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

If Loyalty guaranteed survival, do you have any idea how many characters we'd have alive and still walking the streets? The point is, both Greed and Lust were destroyed. Assuming Father could have brought only one of them back, he should have gone with Lust, because she was loyal where Greed turned treacherous, and still could, especially in Ling's body, of all hosts. But no, he brought back Greed, who's really a potential wild card if he remembers anything. Why risk Greed over Lust? When Lust isn't in print anymore. Or maybe because you saved Greed's stone and Lust's was destroyed.

Lust is gone.

In fact, I've said this one too many times. I think I'll just make a site about it, and then whenever this issue comes up, link it. It's becoming tiresome to retype the same thing over and over again.

i hope this is a happy ending tho
if not i'll be sad

Me, too. Though, I'll probably be more mad than sad. I don't want it to turn into another way to pull off the ending of the anime. Though, I really doubt it'll be a happy ending for everyone...



All I'm saying is there is a POSSIBILITY. Even you have to admit that, unless you are secretly an editor of the manga that knows the ending or Arakawa-sensei herself, there's a possibility.

But I do agree you that she probably is gone. I hate Lust. Can't stand her. I'm hoping she is gone for good. But, as your siggy says, we can't play God and bring her back, so we can't play God and keep her dead, either.

I don't really know how the FMA manga will end ( of course.. I prefer the anime's ending more) but I have a really bad feeling that it might not end happily ( if it does however, I'll be pleasantly surprised)

But wouldn't it be completely out of character ( not to mention unrealistic) for Fullmetal Alchemist if the manga ended all sugary-sweet?

There's bound to be some deaths.. and I'll bet that I'm not the only one who thinks that either.

No, you're not. I think there will be at least one major death for the ending. It's obvious it won't end sweetly. You're right, it'd be very un-FMA like if it does end completely happily.

But of course! That's one ending we can count out. Bittersweet rather than Sugary sweet, that's FMA I know.

Where's the Bittersweet been so far?

No. If she's dead, we can certainly keep her dead, because that is what she is.

Of course there is a possibility. This is a fictional story taking place within a manufactured universe. Hughes could very much be alive (and Pride for that matter), or Ed and Al are dreaming. I'm not talking about what's possible, or I'd be going on for a long, long time. I'm talking about what is probable, and what is probable is that 99.95% of Homunculi whose Philosopher's Stone, their core and and life source, are destroyed, stay destroyed. I trust in Arakawa's credibility and ability as a story teller to stick to the rules of the universe she has created and not magically pull out a dues ex machina like magically bringing Lust back from the dead.

The only people who argue about Lust coming back are those who liked her and wish she hadn't been killed off, so they go for every opportunity, no matter how ridiculous, to instill false hope that Lust will be returning to satisfy their own fandom. And if they want to secretly wish that in the corner of their minds, fine. But if they're going to try and argue for it or make a big deal out of it (OMG Winry will be Lust!), I can and will shoot them down. Every time.

In the event that Arakawa completely and utterly proves me wrong by bringing Lust back in a believable manner, I will personally make a thread of appology to everyone who's theories I kicked in the dust. But, untill that day happens, I have a right to disagree with them, and more evidence in my favor.

That's it. I'm going to have to do a site for this.

And until that happens I am entitled to my opinion, whether or not you shot it down. I don't care if Lust comes back or not, but until the manga is over, there is a chance that Arakawa-sensei will bring her back. So, no matter what you say and no matter how big of a site you put up, I stand by my opinion. (and I don't have to worry about being wrong, seeing as I don't really care if she comes back)

She brought back Greed. And he was dead as well, if I do recall.



Just about everything that's happened that was good has had a bad side. Take The Lust, Mustang, and Havoc battle. Lust died, but Havoc had to retire. See the bittersweet? And let's not forget the anime... THAT was bittersweet.

But with Greed, the 'father' had gotten his philosophers stone, as they were the ones who killed him, but with Lust, Roy Mustange killed her, and as far as we know, her philosopher's stone was destroyed.
If I've missed something crucial or just made no sense, please tell me.

They could still make a new Lust, though. That's my point.

Don't worry, you made sense. To tell you the truth, all this arguing is making me get facts missed up

(I bet I seem senile now...)

There is nearly no death in the manga since the eleventh volume, but there is a lot of crippled people...

Concerning Lust and everything... if there is a new Lust, then it will really be a NEW Lust : a different personnality, a different apparence, etc. If a new Lust is created, it will be a bad surprise for her fans. The former Lust was the one in command of the others Homonculus, but if she comes back, she will have to do like the other Homonculus : to be a "servant" of Wrath, who is now the one in charge. It will be horrible if you want my point!

Very good point. If there is a new Lust, she'd be completely different. That's why another member and I were discussing who Father would chose as a new Lust, if he decided to create one.

Why would Father want to choose anyone anyway? If he's able to create a new Lust, it would be more practical to make her the way the previous Lust was. Father only made Wrath a human-based homunculus because he'd need to age since he'd be in the public eye. He only used Ling because he saw an opportunity and didn't want to waste resources.

Winry, Riza, Kimbley, or any of the human sacrifice candidates would not be used because they are more useful the way they are now. To Father, Ling was not useful, but he made him useful. Father wouldn't be shopping around for new homunculus people just because he can. After all, he's not making Gluttony a human-based homunculus either (speaking of which, if it is possible to create a new Lust, you'd think Father would create her first instead of Gluttony, since the former Lust was more useful).

Though, I don't think creating a new Lust would be possible anyway, because it seems Father is giving up parts of hiw own soul to create the homunculi. That's what I think he meant when he said "will you accept my wrath?" If he is literally giving away his own sins, then unlike the Philosopher's Stones, I don't think that's a replenishable supply.

Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see. Maybe we'll get a surprise, after all, Ling turning into the new Greed was pretty unexpected. But, like I said, I'm concentrating more on Ed, Al, and Mustang at the moment than homunculi. I REALLY hope they survive... *crossed fingers*

How much longer do you think the manga has until it ends, by the way? (I don't want it to end, but the suspense killing me!)

You're right... Except for more people dying in vol. 15 than in all the rest of the manga altogether... U
And some quite gruesome deaths at that.

Yeah it was a flashback, but those deaths did happen and many were shown, so I guess they do count, no?

Whatever, just being picky.


QFT!

I was going to bring the "Father's soul" part up myself now... because it seems hommunculi are not ONLY made of Philosopher's Stone indeed.