Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos 2012

As Edward and Alphonse Elric (Elrics) relentlessly pursue escaped convict Melvin Voyager, their quarry slips through their fingers like sand. It isn’t until they uncover the disturbing truth that Melvin had six months remaining on his five-year sentence that the brothers’ determination to apprehend him reaches a fever pitch. Amidst the chaos of Melvin’s hasty departure, the Elrics stumble upon a torn newspaper page, its missing piece a photograph of Julia Crichton, arrested for illegally breaching the remote border town of Table City, nestled between Amestris and Creta.

The intriguing connection between Melvin and Julia sparks a sense of urgency in the Elrics, compelling them to embark on an investigation into the mysterious events unfolding at Table City. However, their journey is disrupted by the sudden takeover of the locomotive by a wolf-chimera, forcing the brothers to engage in a thrilling battle for control. Meanwhile, the Black Bats, elite flying soldiers, mistake the Elrics’ efforts as a rescue mission and arrive on the scene, only to retreat when they realize the “prisoners” are actually Amestrian operatives using the situation as a trap.

Melvin’s escape from the train is short-lived, as he becomes the target of the Elrics’ relentless pursuit. The two eventually converge at a prison, where Melvin has destroyed the walls in his desperate search for Julia. However, their quest is complicated by the arrival of Miranda, leader of the Black Bats, who also seeks to rescue Julia from the clutches of the cunning convict. As the situation escalates, Melvin and Julia find themselves plummeting into The Valley, a poverty-stricken village nestled within a vast chasm that surrounds Table City.

As Ed searches for his brother Alphonse amidst the chaos, he uncovers the dark history of Table City, once known as the Hill of Milos. Creta and later Amestris invaded and occupied the city, forcing the original inhabitants to flee to The Valley, where they live in poverty and desperation.

As an unlikely camaraderie blossoms between Julia and Alphonse (Al) within the clandestine stronghold of the Black Bats, Julia becomes privy to the heartbreaking tale of Al and Ed’s past transgressions. The duo’s fateful foray into human transmutation has left a trail of anguish in its wake, a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from playing with forces beyond one’s control. Meanwhile, Ed’s reunion with Al at the Black Bats’ base is short-lived, as they find themselves pursued by wolf chimeras dispatched by Colonel Herschel, the imperious commander of the Cretan secret police. In a desperate bid to evade capture, they retreat further into the shadows.

Their journey takes them to a room filled with maps and coordinates detailing Table City’s layout, where Miranda reveals their mission: to reclaim Milos by harnessing the Sanguine Star’s power to control a potent heat source known as Magma. As Julia listens intently, her mind reels at the revelation that this enigmatic star might, in fact, be a Philosopher’s Stone – an alchemical creation that demands human sacrifice to bring forth its full potential. Though stunned by this realization, Julia remains resolute in her determination to secure the freedom of the Milosians, and Ashleigh (Atlas) agrees to stand alongside her.

Determined to avoid a bloody conflict, Ed and Al return to Table City in a bid to locate the Sanguine Star and destroy it before it can be used for nefarious purposes. However, their efforts are soon eclipsed by the Black Bats’ nocturnal assault on Table City. As the battle rages on, Miranda, Ashleigh (Atlas), and Julia venture to the main tower, where a shocking truth is revealed: Ashleigh’s true nature as Security Chief Atlas, a man consumed by alchemy’s limitless potential for creation and power. It becomes clear that he has been using his duplicity to deceive Julia, having torn off the face of the real Ashleigh and taken skin from his lower left side to maintain the ruse.

Ed and Al arrive just in time to rescue Julia from Atlas’ clutches, only to have him escape to claim the Sanguine Star. As Ed, Al, and Julia pursue Atlas, Colonel Herschel detonates a thermal power plant in the Valley, unleashing a torrent of lava that threatens to engulf the region. Al rushes to aid in the desperate effort to save the Valley while Ed and Julia give chase to Atlas. In a tense standoff, Atlas nearly manages to claim the Star before being confronted by Ed and Julia. Julia ultimately decides to swallow the Star, harnessing its power to save the Valley from destruction.

As the fiery inferno of molten lava threatens to engulf the Valley, Julia (character) lends her aid to her brother Alphonse in a desperate bid to quench the flames. The unexpected arrival of Atlas precipitates a confrontation with Colonel Herschel, whose true identity is revealed - he is none other than Ashleigh Crichton, thought to be deceased. Having survived by ingesting a Star and harnessing its restorative powers to heal his wounds, Ashleigh exacts a gruesome revenge upon Atlas for the loss of his parents. With his true nature confirmed to Julia, Ashleigh offers her a chance to join him in Creta, promising a utopian world where no one has ever set foot before. However, Julia declines, choosing instead to confront her brother in a fierce battle, with Ed and Mustang providing crucial support.

As the fight reaches its climax, Julia delivers a devastating blow, severing Ashleigh’s arm, bringing an end to the conflict. Subsequently, she works alongside Ed and Al to contain the flow of magma, safeguarding the Valley from further peril. With her Star’s power exhausted, Julia uses her remaining energy to heal her brother’s wounds, restoring his visage and preserving his life. However, this act of selflessness comes at a great cost: both Ashleigh’s and Julia’s Stars dissipate, leaving them mortal once more. Julia’s sacrifice is compounded as she loses her left leg and catches a glimpse of the enigmatic Gate of Truth.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the border, the Cretan forces are thrown into disarray as Milosian resistance fighters seize control of their main stronghold, proclaiming independence from Creta. Without Colonel Herschel to guide them, the Cretans retreat in disarray.

As morning breaks, Ashleigh awakens in a hospital bed alongside Julia, astonished to find his restored visage. When Julia regains consciousness, she is informed that her brother has already departed, leaving behind a prosthetic leg to replace her lost limb. She then encounters Ed and Al as they prepare to depart Table City, with Ed chastising Julia for her misguided decision to harness the Star’s power. Al, however, offers reassurances, promising to visit Julia once he and his brother have reclaimed their physical forms.

Julia remains behind, duty-bound to lead the Milosians and ensure the preservation of their hard-won independence. As Ashleigh reclaims his Cretan uniform, returning to his people, Ed and Al board a train bound for Central, casting one final glance at Table City before disappearing into the distance.