Ep 11. Miracle at Rush Valley

Edward and Alphonse, along with Winry, travel to Rush Valley, a city known for its automail mechanics. Winry is excited to visit her mentor, Dominic, but upon their arrival, they discover that he has passed away. However, his granddaughter, Paninya, has taken up his business and is a skilled automail mechanic herself.

As they explore the city, they come across a young girl named May Chang, who seems to be searching for her father. She is accompanied by a small panda creature, which Edward recognizes as an alchemist’s familiar. May reveals that she and her family have a powerful secret: they are practitioners of Xingese alchemy and possess an ancient text with knowledge not found in Amestris.

Meanwhile, a group of bandits has been causing trouble in Rush Valley, stealing automail parts and disrupting business. Paninya is one of their victims, having lost her legs due to their actions. Winry is determined to help her friend and offers to build her a new pair of legs.

Edward and Alphonse set out to confront the bandits and recover the stolen automail parts. They are aided by May and her panda, who proves to be a formidable fighter. However, they discover that the bandits are working for a larger organization, and their leader, Bald, turns out to be a former State Alchemist.

Bald reveals that he was discharged from the military after he refused to participate in the Ishvalan War. However, he still possesses knowledge of military secrets and is using it to his advantage. He proposes a deal to Edward: he will return the stolen automail parts if Edward helps him decipher military codes.

Edward refuses, knowing that he cannot trust Bald. In the ensuing battle, May uses her alchemy to create a diversion, allowing Edward and Alphonse to defeat the bandits. They recover the stolen automail parts and return them to their rightful owners.

As Winry works on Paninya’s new legs, she reflects on the importance of automail in their society. She realizes that it is not just a functional tool, but a symbol of hope and progress. The episode ends with Winry and Paninya sharing a moment of friendship and admiration for their craft.

Overall, “Miracle at Rush Valley” showcases the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of determination. It introduces new characters and delves deeper into the world of alchemy, exploring its various forms and practitioners. The episode also highlights the importance of innovation and progress in a world that is constantly changing.