Re: issue 99

[dragonimp]

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!


So Ed, Al, and Izumi, and presumably Hoenheim, have been pulled into the Gate/Door however you want to translate it. But Father has stated that he needed "one more." So who's the fifth sacrifice? If they've gotten to the promised day without a fifth, does that botch Father's plan? They're going ahead with it, so that means that either a)they found a fifth, or b)they think they can go through with only four.

And, holy crap, is Bradley finally going to die?? It took Buccaneer, Fuu, Ling AND Greed, and he's still not down. But he's wounded.

Damn Arakawa and her cliffhangers.

Comments

[pandoraculpa]

There's a lot of speculation that Roy is still the fifth. Bradley told Father than he was going to make Roy open the Gate; I won't be at all surprised if that comment resurfaces pretty soon now. Other people have thought Marcoh is another possibility, only if he was going to be used I'd imagine he would have been sucked in too. In my head, Roy's the only one who makes sense, even if he hasn't yet encountered the Gate. He's the only other alchemist who's powerful enough, and using him in this manner would solve several problems for the Bad Guys at once- providing the fifth sacrifice, as well as eliminating a potential political threat to their power.

The big question in my head is, how would they make Roy open the Gate? I don't buy the idea that they would kill Riza, and convince Roy to attempt human transmutation to bring her back. He knows that doesn't work, and further, that even if it did, Riza would never forgive him. So what does that leave?

And oh man- I hope Bradley is down for the count soon! Though Fuu, Buccaneer... *teardrop* I knew people were going to die, was prepared for it... but it still sucks, seeing people like that going. Who's gonna be next? I nearly freaked out when Havoc was cut down by Lust; I don't know how I'd handle one of the major characters dying, even as I know it's a real possibility. And that's one of the reasons I dig Arakawa; she doesn't shy away from those hard choices. If it serves the plot, she's gonna do it, and I'll cry, but love her anyway.

It's so exciting to see it coming to a close. But sad, too. I don't want it to end! (xxxHolic looks like it's almost done too, and that makes me a little weepy as well. Watanuki, Doumeki!! *wibbles*)

[dragonimp]

If I'm remembering right, Roy and Marcoh are also the only alchemists we know and care about in the vicinity - but how are they going to make either one of them open the Gate in time? Especially since they've both just seen someone get sucked in.

After Hughes, I'm actually kinda surprised Arakawa hasn't killed off more people. And now she keeps pulling that "he's dead - nope not dead yet! - oop, now he is - then again -" and it's driving me crazy because I'm never sure if I'm supposed to be mourning someone or not!

I wonder if she's really going to be able to wrap this up in one more issue...

[pandoraculpa]

I wonder if she's really going to be able to wrap this up in one more issue...

Eh, I've seen that one kicked around in the forums too. Apparently, before the word was out that she would end at the 100th chapter, there had been rumors of other climactic ending points as well, which never panned out. So the prevailing opinion is that the 100th chapter ending isn't realistic anymore. Could be a case where it was a rumor that got started without much foundation, or a case where the story took hold (like we've seen it do in our own works), and all plans had to be tossed aside to accommodate the new dynamics.

Or she could be cleverer than us all, and actually be able to pull it off in 40 pages. Though I tend to doubt it.

And you're right about Roy and Marcoh being the only ones we know in the vicinity. And while I'm probably just spouting some wild speculation, I imagine that the fifth candidate- whoever will open the Gate- will have to activate an array to do so... making Roy an even likelier target, since he is right there with the Mad Scientist. It's the incentive to get him to do so that confounds me. (though I'll be honest- the Roy/Ed shipper in me is screaming that he'll do it to go after Ed. Which is just silly. though him shouting for Ed after he disappeared makes it hard to ignore...)

And yeah- I suppose she really has pulled a few fast ones on us, regarding who is dead, and who isn't. But the battle is, I think, far from over, and I think the bodycount is going to rise before all is said and done. Gotta wonder if Ling is gonna make it through unscathed, being infected with Greed and all. And god knows what Grumman is doing out there; because of his ambitions, I kind of worry for Roy and Co. once they triumph (because they kinda have to) against Father et al. Have to wonder if he'll present a danger to Our Heroes.

And since I'm meandering into the realm of pure, unsupported speculation, I'm gonna shut up now. ;)

[dragonimp]

My inner fangirl was so sqee'ing at that panel, especially after their snip-fest the issue before. I had that absurd "He'll go after Ed!" thought, too ^^.

I'd totally forgotten about Grumman. He's another loose end that really needs to be tied up, or at least acknowledged. I can't really see the series having any sort of satisfying ending if it's wrapped up in one more chapter.

[binaryalchemist.livejournal.com]

I'm laying money that it's Roy. Got to be. And I also bet that Al's about to get his body back, now that the soul has been transported to where his body has been waiting. In fact, I think Lust addressed Roy as a 'sacrifice' earlier.

[wateria.livejournal.com]

I believe I remember hearing her say that even in the anime as I can't remember some of the manga conversations. ^^; It makes a lot of sense though I wonder why it didn't take him.

[binaryalchemist.livejournal.com]

Or rather, it hasn't taken him yet. I suspect a big dramatic moment and Hawkeye going apeshit....perhaps Hughes will meet him on the other side and say, "Okay---now go back and kick Father's ass with Izumi and the Elrics now that you've got Al back."

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

It took the people who've seen/opened the Gate - which Roy hasn't, at least not yet. That's what I can't figure out, is how they plan to have Roy or anyone open the Gate now. But I'm sure Arakawa is going to pull something I haven't thought of.

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Roy is the most likely, but how? Bradley mentioned ways he can be manipulated, but I can't imagine he'd be very eager to do anything the bad guys want him to do, especially after seeing Ed get sucked in (and my inner fangirl was sqee'ing that ROY was the one who called after Ed).

I hope this means Al's body and soul will come together - but it's going to be interesting to see how they get the soul back where it should be. All Barry did was kill himself.

[binaryalchemist.livejournal.com]

I have an awful suspicion they'll do the 'step into the array or we'll kill Hawkeye". Or they'll kill her and tell Roy to bring her back. That's the kind of thing they'd do to fuck with Roy one more time. And that's the kind of crap I'm sorta expecting. I fully expected Winry to be a hostage and Ed giving himself up to save her....but yes...Roy called for Ed and I sighed....mmmmm.....so love those two....

Re Al--I suspect it will be something involving the blood seal--perhaps the Body!Al will make physical contact and absorb the soul..

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Ug, yeah, unfortunately I can see that being pulled - although, even as soft-hearted as Roy is, and as much as he cares about his subordinates/friends (since I haven't really seen any romantic interest on his side, though the Riza/Roy is pretty clear, I'm still putting Riza in the same category as the rest of his staff) if it comes down to "save one person, or save the country," I'll be really disappointed if he makes the selfish decision. Besides, Riza would never forgive him.

Gaaah, and we have to wait a whole month to get any sort of answers...