Miracle at Rush Valley

Winry is thrilled by Rush Valley's endless automail shops and enthusiasts, and Edward's own limbs draw a crowd so eager that they strip his clothes off for a closer look. In the chaos he loses his State Alchemist pocket watch to Paninya, a notorious local thief. Chasing her into the mountains toward the home of the engineer Dominic, the boys nearly corner her before she escapes using weapons hidden inside her automail legs. Winry finally tackles her, refusing to release her until she agrees to let those remarkable limbs be examined.

At the LeCoulte household, Winry has Dominic assess her craftsmanship on Ed's arm and leg. He approves the design but notes the limbs weigh too much for the boy, likely stunting his growth. Inspired, she asks to become his apprentice, but the gruff old man turns her down flat.

A downpour strands the trio at the house, where Paninya recounts how a childhood train accident left her orphaned and legless before Dominic gave her free automail, prompting her to pickpocket in order to repay him. Winry steers her toward honest work instead. When Paninya moves to return the watch, Winry pries open its alchemically sealed cover and finds a private message etched inside: a date Edward never wants to forget, marking the day he burned down his home to sever any retreat from his goal. Then Dominic's pregnant daughter-in-law Satella goes into labor. With the storm blocking any trip for a doctor and only minutes to spare, Winry takes command and, drawing on the medical knowledge she grew up reading, safely delivers the child. Moved by the note and by the brothers who never weep for themselves, she resolves to sharpen her engineering skills so she can help Ed reach his aim. Grateful yet stubborn, Dominic still refuses to take her on, but he offers to recommend her to a skilled friend in town and invites her back to visit his new grandson anytime.

The episode adapts Chapter 17, Chapter 18, and Chapter 19 of the manga. It states Dominic lives in the mountains for the fine ores nearby, whereas the source chapter implies he simply dislikes people. Several beats are trimmed, including the lightning-struck bridge Ed fails to repair, Dominic's alarm at learning Winry is tied to Pinako, and Ed's arm-wrestling match with Brutus. As the brothers catch their train to Dublith, they pass wanted posters for Scar, Greed, and Yoki at the station.