May Chang arrives in Amestris after a long journey across the desert from Xing. Kayal revives her and her teeny tiny panda companion with his father’s lunch, and almost immediately tragedy strikes the mining town. Fortunately May is able to save the miners using Alkahestry—Xing’s version of Alchemy. In Youswell she’s told of Edward Elric—the State Alchemist, and off she goes to find him.
Ed returns to Rush Valley to get his arm repaired. After the catch up with Paninya and requisite beating from Winry, he and Al head into town and find another passed out dude from Xing… and he’s a prince! They revive him at the local pub as well, and he asks if they know anything about… the Philsopher’s Stone. Ed and Al try to leave but are pursued by Ling’s bodyguards, and half the town is destroyed… again.
It turns out literally everyone is heading to Central—even our old friend Scar.